OBJECTIVES: Neuropathic pain (NP) is one of the most common forms of chronic pain, yet current treatment options are limited in effectiveness. Peripheral nerve injury activates spinal microglia, altering their inflammatory response and phagocytic functions, which contributes to the progression of NP. Most current research on NP focuses on microglial inflammation, with relatively little attention to their phagocytic function. Early growth response factor 2 (EGR2) has been shown to regulate microglial phagocytosis, but its specific role in NP remains unclear. This study aims to investigate how EGR2 modulates microglial phagocytosis and its involvement in NP, with the goal of identifying potential therapeutic targets. METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to establish a chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of the sciatic nerve. Pain behaviors were assessed on days 1, 3, 7, 10, and 14 post-surgery to confirm successful model induction. The temporal and spatial expression of EGR2 in the spinal cord was examined using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), Western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) was used to overexpress EGR2 in the spinal cord, and behavioral assessments were performed to evaluate the effects of EGR2 modulation of NP. CCI and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) models were established in animals and microglial cell lines, respectively, and changes in phagocytic activity were measured using RT-qPCR and fluorescent latex bead uptake assays. After confirming the involvement of microglial phagocytosis in NP, AAV was used to overexpress EGR2 in both in vivo and in vitro models, and phagocytic activity was further evaluated. Finally, eukaryotic transcriptome sequencing was conducted to screen differentially expressed mRNAs, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses to identify potential downstream effectors of EGR2. RESULTS: The CCI model successfully induced NP. Following CCI, EGR2 expression in the spinal cord was upregulated in parallel with NP development. Overexpression of EGR2 via spinal AAV injection enhanced microglial phagocytic activity and increased pain hypersensitivity in rats. Both animal and cellular models showed that CCI or LPS stimulation enhanced microglial phagocytosis, which was further amplified by EGR2 overexpression. Transcriptomic analysis of spinal cord tissues from CCI rats overexpressing EGR2 revealed upregulation of numerous genes associated with microglial phagocytosis and pain regulation. Among them, Lag3 emerged as a potential downstream target of EGR2. CONCLUSIONS EGR2 contributes to the maintenance of NP by enhancing microglial phagocytosis in the spinal dorsal horn.
Animals ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Phagocytosis/physiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Neuralgia/physiopathology* ; Early Growth Response Protein 2/metabolism* ; Male ; Rats ; Spinal Cord/metabolism* ; Sciatic Nerve/injuries*

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, immunophenotype, molecular characteristics, and differential diagnosis of primary intracranial DICER1-mutant sarcoma in order to better understand this tumor type.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 7 cases of primary intracranial DICER1-mutant sarcoma diagnosed in the Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China between 2021 and 2023 using next-generation sequencing. At the same time, 10 gliosarcomas, 4 intracranial FET::CREB fusion-positive mesenchymal tumors, 4 malignant meningiomas, 3 malignant solitary fibrous tumors, 3 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, 3 synovial sarcomas and 3 rhabdomyosarcomas (total 30 cases) were selected as control.Results:Among the 7 patients with primary intracranial DICER1-mutant sarcoma, 6 were male and 1 was female, aged 10-32 years (median, 23 years). The tissue morphology was predominantly spindle or pleomorphic sarcoma-like, with 6 cases exhibiting eosinophilic globules, and 3 cases showing rhabdomyoblastic or rhabdomyosarcoma-like cell differentiation. Immunohistochemistry revealed focal desmin expression in 3 cases (3/7), ATRX loss in 3 cases (3/7), and p53 mutant pattern in 4 cases (4/7). Additionally, 4 cases (4/7) showed focal or diffuse SALL4 expression, whereas the control cases (30 cases) did not exhibit SALL4 protein expression, suggesting that SALL4 may possess certain auxiliary diagnostic value. Next-generation sequencing confirmed that all 7 cases of primary intracranial DICER1-mutant sarcoma harbored mutations in the DICER1 gene, with 5 cases having the mutation site at p.E1813D. Until May 2024, all 7 patients were alive.Conclusions:Primary intracranial DICER1-mutant sarcoma is a rare tumor. Understanding its morphological characteristics, immunohistochemical and molecular markers and differential diagnosis is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis and to improve diagnostic accuracy of this tumor.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that both Panax notoginseng saponins and concentrated growth factor can promote fracture healing,but there are few studies addressing their combined effects on fracture healing.Panax notoginseng saponins may accelerate fracture healing by promoting the release of concentrated growth factor-related factors over a certain period of time. OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of Panax notoginseng saponins on concentrated growth factor release and fracture healing in rats. METHODS:Eighteen 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were numbered and randomly divided into three groups:Panax notoginseng saponins group,model control group and blank group.Panax notoginseng saponins group was fed with Panax notoginseng saponins for 2 weeks.Model control group was given 2 mL of normal saline for 2 weeks and blank group was fed normally.Concentrated growth factor was obtained by the centrifugation method both from the Panax notoginseng saponins group and model control group.After 1 week of normal feeding,all animals underwent modeling for femoral fracture.The Panax notoginseng saponins group and the model control group were implanted with autologous concentrated growth factor,and then the release concentration of growth factors at different time points(1 hour,1,3,5,7,9 and 11 days)were measured by ELISA.Fracture healing was assessed based on postoperative X-ray and hematoxylin-eosin staining of bone tissues. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the model control group,the Panax notoginseng saponins group had higher release concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor A and transforming growth factor β at 7,9,and 11 days,Platelet-derived growth factor BB at 5,9,and 11 days,and basic fibroblast growth factor at 1-11 days(P<0.01).X-ray examinations indicated that fracture healing in the Panax notoginseng saponins group was better than that in the model control group,and fracture healing in these two groups was better than that in the blank group at 2 months after surgery.Hematoxylin-eosin staining results found that the constituent osteocyte density in the Panax notoginseng saponins group was greater than that in the model control group,and the constituent osteocyte density in these two groups was better than that in the blank group.These findings indicate that Panax notoginseng saponins can increase the concentration of concentrated growth factor-related factors.After intervention with Panax notoginseng saponins,concentrated growth factors are more advantageous in promoting fracture healing in rats.

Objective:To explore the mechanism by which miRNA-4469 (miR-4469) regulates the proliferation and invasion of renal cancer cells in vitro.Methods:The survival differences of patients with different expression levels of miR-4469 were analyzed based on the OncomiR database. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) method was used to detect the expression of miR-4469 in renal cancer cell lines ACHN, OS-RC-2, SK-RC-20, 769-P, A498 and normal renal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2, and the renal cancer cells with the lowest expression level of miR-4469 were divided into miR-4469 group and control group, and were transfected with miR-4469 mimic and negative control sequence, respectively. The CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cell proliferation ability (expressed as absorbance value) in the two groups, and Transwell assay was used to analyze the number of invasive cells in the two groups. TargetScan Release 8.0 software was used to predict the binding site between miR-4469 and protein disulfide isomerase A4 (PDIA4) mRNA, and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the targeting relationship between miR-4469 and PDIA4 mRNA. qRT-PCR method was used to detect the expression of PDIA4 mRNA in cells of each group, and Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of PDIA4 protein and PI3K-AKT-m-TOR pathway proteins in cells of each group.Results:Analysis of relevant data from the OncomiR database showed that compared with patients with low miR-4469 expression, the overall survival of renal cancer patients with high miR-4469 expression was better ( P < 0.001). The relative expression of miR-4469 in each renal cancer cell line was lower than that in HK-2 cells (all P < 0.05), and the expression of miR-4469 in 769-P cells was the lowest, which were selected to perform the subsequent experiments. The proliferation ability of 769-P cells in the miR-4469 group was lower than that in the control group ( P < 0.01). The number of 769-P cell invasions in the miR-4469 group were less than that in the control group [(19±3) cells vs. (64±7) cells, t = 5.44, P = 0.002]. Compared with the co-transfection of wild-type PDIA4 and miR-4469 negative sequence group, the relative luciferase activity of cells in the co-transfection of wild-type PDIA4 and miR-4469 mimic sequence group was lower (0.42±0.07 vs. 1.01±0.08, t = 5.74, P = 0.001); there was no statistical difference in cell luciferase activity between the co-transfected mutant PDIA4 and miR-4469 negative sequence group and the co-transfected mutant PDIA4 and miR-4469 mimic sequence group (0.99±0.11 vs. 1.02±0.11, t = 0.19, P = 0.001). The relative expression levels of PDIA4 mRNA in 769-P cells in the miR-4469 group were lower than that in the control group (0.98±0.23 vs. 7.19±2.23, t = 2.77, P = 0.032). Compared with the control group, the expression of PDIA4 protein and PI3K-AKT-m-TOR pathway-related p-PI3K, p-AKT, p-mTOR, and p-SGK1 proteins in 769-P cells in the miR-4469 group were all lower (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:miR-4469 may be related to the survival of renal cancer patients, and its expression is down-regulated in various renal cancer cell lines. miR-4469 may inhibit the proliferation and invasion of renal cancer 769-P cells by regulating the PI3K-AKT-m-TOR pathway through PDIA4.

Objective:To explore the relationship between amniotic fluid and peripheral blood inflammatory factors and the pregnancy outcomes after emergency cervical cerclage, and to identify effective indicators for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes after the procedure.Methods:A case-control study was conducted, including pregnant women who were hospitalized at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, from January 1, 2013, to July 31, 2019, and underwent emergency cervical cerclage due to cervical dilatation at gestational age between 16 and 28 weeks. A total of 85 pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis for the detection of amniotic fluid inflammatory factors during the perioperative period were included. Based on whether their baby was perinatal death, the participants were divided into the case group (28 cases with perinatal death) and the control group (57 cases with live births). Univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, followed by multivariate logistic regression analysis to establish a regression model and nomogram.Results:(1) The levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 in the amniotic fluid during the perioperative period and postoperative serum C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly higher in the case group compared to the control group (all P<0.05). The case group underwent emergency cervical cerclage at an earlier gestational age compared to the control group, and their cervical dilation was greater than that of the control group (all P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the white blood cell counts, neutrophil percentage, and the level of preoperative CRP in the peripheral blood of pregnant women during the perioperative period (all P>0.05). (2) Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that the levels of amniotic fluid WBC, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2 receptor (IL-2R), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, postoperative CRP in the peripheral blood, gestational age at cerclage and cervical dilation were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes (all P<0.05). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that only the levels of amniotic fluid WBC and TNF-α were independent risk factors for perinatal death. (3) Based on clinical practice, a multivariate logistic regression model was constructed including the levels of amniotic fluid TNF-α, WBC, gestational age at cervical cerclage, and cervical dilation. A nomogram and calibration curve were plotted, which suggested its good predictive value for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Conclusions:During the perioperative period of emergency cervical cerclage, the levels of amniotic fluid WBC, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2R, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, with amniotic fluid WBC and TNF-α showing the closest relationship. However, there is no significant correlation between maternal peripheral hemogram during the perioperative period and adverse pregnancy outcomes. A model constructed by amniotic fluid TNF-α, WBC, cervical cerclage gestational age, and cervical dilation has a good predictive effect on adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Objective To investigate the evaluation of the nursing staff of the tertiary hospitals in Shenzhen City on the status quo of the nursing clinical support system,and to analyze its influencing factors so as to provide reference and basis for perfecting the nursing clinical support system.Methods The nursing staffs in 16 hospitals of 8 districts of Shenzhen City from December 2022 to January 2023 were selected as the survey subjects,and the general data questionnaire and the nursing clinical support system questionnaire were used for conducting the survey.Results A total of 572 questionnaires were collected,and 520 questionnaires were valid,with an effective recovery rate of 90.9％.The scores of each dimension in the nursing clinical sup-port system scale were(1.87±0.81)points for equipment and appliance support,(1.07±0.62)points for aux-iliary staff support,(1.91±0.80)points for the logistics departments support,(0.88±0.67)points for the auxiliary departments support.The results of univariate analysis showed that there were statistical differences in the equipment and appliance support scores among the nurses with different ages,different professional ti-tles and different education levels(P＜0.01);the scores of 4 dimensions had statistical differences among the nursing staffs with different departments(P＜0.01).All factors had statistically significant differences in the dimension of auxiliary department support(P＜0.05).Conclusion The popularity degree of nursing clinical support system in tertiary hospitals in Shenzhen City is high,and equipment and appliance show the character-istics of advancement and diversity.The hospital managers should strengthen the force of nursing clinical sup-port system and reduce the nursing staff to engage in non-nursing work.

Postpartum weight recovery refers to the process of behavior change in which the weight returns to the pre-pregnancy state at a certain point in the postpartum period.This paper reviews the overview,influencing factors,intervention methods,evaluation indicators,existing problems and prospects of postpartum weight recovery,in order to provide references and basis for the development of postpartum weight management guidelines,postpartum weight management intervention measures,and related research on promoting postpartum women's physical and mental health.

Objective:To analyze the research frontiers and trends in the research field of Tongxieyao Prescription.Methods:Research literature about Tongxieyao Prescription was retrieved from CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, SinoMed and Chinese Medical Journal Full Text Database from January 1, 2002 to July 13, 2022. NoteExpress 3.0 software was used to merge and remove the weight, and VOSviewer 1.6 and CiteSpace 5.8 software were used to analyze the author, research institution, key words and a knowledge map was drawn.Results:A total of 1 309 articles were included. The overall number of publications in this field was on the rise. Wang Jianwei of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine (16 articles) published the most papers, and there was a lack of communication and cooperation between the author's teams. The publishing institutions were mainly TCM universities, and there were few influential institutions. Through co-occurrence and clustering analysis of keywords, it was found that the keywords in the field of Tongxieyao Prescription mainly focused on diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, gut microbiota, brain gut peptides, clinical efficacy, and other words. Keyword highlighting showed that gut microbiota was a research hotspot.Conclusions:The research on Tongxieyao Prescription focuses on the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis with Tongxieyao Prescription. Its mechanism includes inflammatory factor pathway, immune pathway, intestinal flora and brain-gut axis regulation. At present, the prospect of Tongxieyao Prescription is bright, and basic research is active. It is still necessary to strengthen cooperation among scholars from various institutions to facilitate in-depth research progress.

Humans ; Adult ; Serum Albumin, Human ; Consensus ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Thoracic Surgery