Neuropathic pain, a debilitating condition caused by dysfunction of the somatosensory nervous system, remains difficult to treat due to limited understanding of its molecular mechanisms. Bioinformatics analysis identified cerebellin 2 (CBLN2) as highly enriched in human and murine proprioceptive and nociceptive neurons. We found that CBLN2 expression is persistently upregulated in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) following spinal nerve ligation (SNL) in mice. In addition, transcription factor SOX11 binds to 12 cis-regulatory elements within the Cbln2 promoter to enhance its transcription. SNL also induced SOX11 upregulation, with SOX11 and CBLN2 co-localized in nociceptive neurons. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of Sox11 or Cbln2 attenuated SNL-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. High-throughput sequencing of DRG following intrathecal injection of CBLN2 revealed widespread gene expression changes, including upregulation of numerous NF-κB downstream targets. Consistently, CBLN2 activated NF-κB signaling, and inhibition with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate reduced CBLN2-induced pain hypersensitivity, proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines production, and neuronal hyperexcitability. Together, these findings identified the SOX11/CBLN2/NF-κB axis as a critical mediator of neuropathic pain and a promising target for therapeutic intervention.
Animals ; Neuralgia/metabolism* ; Ganglia, Spinal/metabolism* ; Up-Regulation ; Mice ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; SOXC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Male ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics* ; Hyperalgesia/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Spinal Nerves

Objective To investigate the characteristics and correlation between peak oxygen uptake(VO?peak)and heart rate recov-ery(HRR)during cardiopulmonary exercise test(CPET)in patients with coronary borderline lesions.Methods From January,2022 to January,2024,183 patients with coronary borderline lesions in Beijing Bo'ai Hospital were divided into low cardiorespiratory fitness(LCF)group(n=61),moderate cardiorespiratory fitness(MCF)group(n=62)and high cardiorespiratory fitness(HCF)group(n=60)based on VO?peak.Their characteristics and CPET parameters including VO?peak,exercise-phase heart rate(HR1,HR2,HR3),and post-exercise heart rate recovery(HRR1,HRR2,HRR3)were analyzed.Results After adjusting for age and body mass index,analysis of covariance showed that the peak heart rate,HR1,HR2 and HR3 were the lowest in LCF group(F>5.388,P<0.01).Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed that the inter-and intra-group effects were significant in HRR(F>14.561,P<0.001).Partial correlation analy-sis showed that VO?peak positively correlated with HRR1(r=0.404,P<0.001),HRR2(r=0.379,P<0.001)and HRR3(r=0.425,P<0.001).Conclusion In patients with coronary artery borderline lesions,VO?peak demonstrated a significant inverse correlation with HRR,the lower the VO?peak,the more delays of HRR.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the plasma-entering components of the ethanol extract of Yu-Ping-Feng-San by ultra-per-formance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)technology,so as to pro-vide a reference for the study of the pharmacological substances of Yu-Ping-Feng-San.METHODS Male BALB/c mice were ga-vaged with the ethanol extract of Yu-Ping-Feng-San(6.5 g·kg-1),and plasma samples were collected before administration(0 h)and 1,2,4,6,8,and 12 h after administration.The UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technology was used to analyze and identify the components absorbed into the plasma.RESULTS A total of 73 chemical components in the ethanol extract of Yu-Ping-Feng-San were identi-fied,and 26 plasma-entering components were identified in all plasma samples.Among the plasma-entering components,11 compo-nents were from Saposhnikoviae Radix,and 15 components were from Radix Astragali.CONCLUSION The chemical components and plasma-entering components of the ethanol extract of Yu-Ping-Feng-San were analyzed comprehensively,which provides a reference for further clarifying the pharmacological substance basis and mechanism of action of Yu-Ping-Feng-San.

The 2022 World Health Organization classification of renal cell tumors classifies oncocytoma, chromophobe cell carcinoma, and the intermediate forms between the both as oncocytic and chromophobe renal tumors. The intermediate tumors are named other oncocytic tumors of the kidney including oncocytic renal neoplasms of low malignant potential-not otherwise specified, eosinophilic vacuolated tumor and low-grade oncocytic tumor. These tumors are more common in the elderly and they usually show benign or low-invasive clinical courses. Additionally, molecular features provide certain assistance in typing. This paper reviews the evolution of name and summarizes the clinicopathological characteristics, molecular characteristics and the differential diagnosis of oncocytic and chromophobe renal tumors.

AIM:We investigated the survival,migration and differentiation abilities of human oligodendro-cyte precursor cells(hOPC)in the brains of mice with vascular dementia(VaD),the effects of hOPC on cerebral white matter,and the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:Mouse VaD model was constructed using the bilateral common ca-rotid artery stenosis method,and the mice were randomly divided into sham,VaD and hOPC groups.Eight weeks after model establishment,the mice in VaD and hOPC groups received equal volume of vehicle(PBS)and hOPC solution,re-spectively,through the corpus callosum.Survival,migration and differentiation of hOPC in the brain were observed by im-munofluorescence staining at 4 and 12 weeks after transplantation.Twelve weeks after transplantation,the effects of hOPC on mouse brain white matter were detected by immunofluorescence staining of myelin basic protein(MBP),myelin-associ-ated glycoprotein(MAG),neurofilament protein 200(NF200)and non-phosphorylated neurofilament H(using monoclo-nal antibody SMI32),and by water maze experiments.Paracrine signaling by hOPC was explored using immunofluores-cence staining for vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).RESULTS:The hOPC survived in the brains of VaD mice for 12 weeks,migrated to damaged white matter areas,and partially differentiated into mature oligodendrocytes(approxi-mately 64%).Twelve weeks after transplantation,hOPC significantly increased the fluorescence intensity of MBP,MAG,and NF200(P<0.05 or P<0.01)and decreased the fluorescence intensity of SMI32(P<0.01).The VEGF expression in hOPC-treated mice was significantly higher than that in sham and VaD groups(P<0.01).The difference in water maze test performance between hOPC and sham groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The mice in hOPC group had a shorter latency than those in VaD group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and performed more platform crossings than those in VaD group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The hOPC can survive,migrate and differentiate in the brains of VaD mice,attenuate cerebral white matter lesions,and improve cognitive function.These improvements may be attributed to cell replacement and paracrine effects.

ObjectiveGliomas in the motor functional area can damage the corticospinal tract (CST), leading to motor dysfunction. Currently, there is a lack of unified methods for evaluating the extent of CST damage, especially in patients with high surgical risk where the minimum distance from the lesion to the CST is less than 10 mm. This study aims to further clarify the classification method and clinical significance of CST morphological changes in these patients. MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed 109 high-risk functional area glioma patients who underwent neurosurgical treatment with preoperative diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) imaging and intraoperative neurostimulation guidance between 2014 and 2024. All patients had a lesion-to-tract distance (LTD) of less than 10 mm between the CST and the lesion. Preoperative DTI evaluation of CST involvement-induced morphological changes were reviewed. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 17 cases (15.6%) with symmetric CST morphology compared to the healthy side (CST symmetry), 48 cases (44.0%) with significant CST morphology changes compared to the healthy side (CST deformation), and 44 cases (40.4%) with CST overlap with the tumor (CST overlap). Then we classified patients according to preoperative assessment of tumor-induced morphological changes, and analyze postoperative motor function for each category. ResultsPostoperative pathology showed a significantly higher proportion of high-grade gliomas (HGG) in the CST overlap group compared to the other two groups (P=0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that CST overlap was a predictor of HGG (P=0.000). The rate of total tumor resection in the CST deformation group and overlap group was lower than in the CST symmetric group (P=0.008). There was a total of 41 postoperative hemiplegic patients, with 4 cases (23.5%) in the CST symmetric group, 11 cases (22.9%) in the CST deformation group, and 26 cases (59.1%) in the CST overlap group. CST overlap with the tumor predicted postoperative hemiplegia (P=0.016). Two-way ANOVA analysis of the affected/healthy side and CST morphology groups showed significant main effects of CST grouping and healthy-affected side (P=0.017 and P=0.010), with no significant interaction (P=0.31). The fractional anisotropy (FA) value in the CST overlap group and the affected side was lower. A decrease in the FA value on the affected side predicted postoperative hemiplegia (sensitivity 69.2%, specificity 71.9%). ConclusionWe have established a method to predict postoperative hemiplegia in high-risk motor functional area glioma patients based on preoperative CST morphological changes. CST overlap leads to a decrease in CST FA values. This method can be used for precise patient management and aid in accurate preoperative surgical planning.

A 20-year-old male patient presented to the Department of Dermatology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital with complaints of an 8-year history of facial scarring, swelling of the lower limbs, and a 4-year history of scalp thickening. Physical examination showed thickening furrowing wrinkling of the skin on the face and behind the ears, ciliary body hirsutism, blepharoptosis, and cutis verticis gyrate. Both lower limbs were swollen, especially the knees and ankles. The skin of the palms and soles of the feet was keratinized and thickened. Laboratory examination using bone and joint X-ray showed periostosis of the proximal middle phalanges and metacarpals of both hands, distal ulna and radius, tibia and fibula, distal femurs, and metatarsals.Genetic testing revealed two variants in SLCO2A1, c.1658T > A and c.96+4A > C.Through multidisciplinary consultation, we confirmed the diagnosis of pachydermoperiostosis.

In-depth study of the components of polymyxins is the key to controlling the quality of this class of antibiotics. Similarities and variations of components present significant analytical challenges. A two-dimensional (2D) liquid chromatography-mass spectrometr (LC-MS) method was established for screening and comprehensive profiling of compositions of the antibiotic colistimethate sodium (CMS). A high concentration of phosphate buffer mobile phase was used in the first-dimensional LC system to get the components well separated. For efficient and high-accuracy screening of CMS, a targeted method based on a self-constructed high resolution (HR) mass spectrum database of CMS components was established. The database was built based on the commercial MassHunter Personal Compound Database and Library (PCDL) software and its accuracy of the compound matching result was verified with six known components before being applied to genuine sample screening. On this basis, the unknown peaks in the CMS chromatograms were deduced and assigned. The molecular formula, group composition, and origins of a total of 99 compounds, of which the combined area percentage accounted for more than 95% of CMS components, were deduced by this 2D-LC-MS method combined with the MassHunter PCDL. This profiling method was highly efficient and could distinguish hundreds of components within 3 h, providing reliable results for quality control of this kind of complex drugs.

Objective: To explore the association between serum nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), NIMA-related kinase 7 (NEK7) and pulmonary fibrosis among patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis, so as to provide a basis for the assessment of the degree of pulmonary fibrosis. Methods: Coal workers with pneumoconiosis hospitalized in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from July 2022 to July 2023 were selected by simple random sampling. Data such as age, stage of pneumoconiosis, and dust-exposure duration were collected through the hospital's electronic medical record management system. Venous blood was collected to detect the levels of serum NLRP3 and NEK7. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) image data of the chest were obtained through the hospital's imaging reporting system. The left and right lungs were divided into 6 pulmonary regions according to the upper, middle, and lower parts. The pulmonary fibrosis score was quantified according to the proportion of the pulmonary area occupied by HRCT manifestations of pulmonary fibrosis, including reticular shadows, pleural and interlobular septal thickening, traction bronchiectasis, and honeycombing. The association between the levels of serum NLRP3, NEK7, and pulmonary fibrosis was analyzed using a multiple linear regression model. Results: A total of 81 patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis were included, all of whom were male, with a mean age of (71.46±11.69) years. There were 48, 28, and 5 cases in stage Ⅰ, stage Ⅱ, and stage Ⅲ of pneumoconiosis pathological staging, accounting for 59.26%, 34.57%, and 6.17%, respectively. There were 45 cases of tunneling and coal mining, accounting for 55.56%. There were 41 cases with dust exposure years of ≥30 years, accounting for 50.62%. The median serum NLRP3 and NEK7 in patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis were 2.01 (interquartile range, 2.33) ng/mL and 0.98 (interquartile range, 0.83) ng/mL. The median score of pulmonary fibrosis was 5.00 (interquartile range, 5.50) points. After adjusting for age, stage of pneumoconiosis, type of work and dust-exposure duration, multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum NLRP3 (β'=0.649) and NEK7 (β'=0.346) were positively correlated with the pulmonary fibrosis score. Conclusion The increase in the levels of serum NLRP3 and NEK7 in patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis is related to the increase in the degree of pulmonary fibrosis.