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*

Metformin has been demonstrated to attenuate hyperglycaemia by modulating the gut microbiota. However, the mechanisms through which the microbiome mediates metformin monotherapy failure (MMF) are unclear. Herein, in a prospective clinical cohort study of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients treated with metformin monotherapy, metagenomic sequencing of faecal samples revealed that Phocaeicola vulgatus abundance was approximately 12 times higher in nonresponders than in responders. P. vulgatus rapidly hydrolysed taurine-conjugated bile acids, leading to ceramide accumulation and reversing the improvements in glucose intolerance conferred by metformin in high-fat diet-fed mice. Interestingly, C22:0 ceramide bound to mitochondrial fission factor to induce mitochondrial fragmentation and impair hepatic oxidative phosphorylation in P. vulgatus-colonized hyperglycaemic mice, which could be exacerbated by metformin. This work suggests that metformin may be unsuitable for P. vulgatus-rich T2DM patients and that clinicians should be aware of metformin toxicity to mitochondria. Suppressing P. vulgatus growth with cefaclor or improving mitochondrial function using adenosylcobalamin may represent simple, safe, effective therapeutic strategies for addressing MMF.

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis in Jiande City, Zhejiang Province from 2005 to 2024, so as to provide the evidence for strengthening the prevention and control of brucellosis. Methods: Data on brucellosis cases and surveillance in Jiande City from 2005 to 2024 were collected through the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System, the annual brucellosis surveillance reports from the Jiande Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the annual summaries of brucellosis prevention and control efforts. The epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis were analyzed using a descriptive epidemiological method. Results: A total of 1 125 individuals were monitored in Jiande City from 2005 to 2024, with 18 seropositive cases identified and the seropositivity rate of 1.60%. The average annual seropositivity rate from 2015 to 2024 was 3.35%, which was significantly higher than that of 0.57% from 2005 to 2014 (P<0.05). There were 10 confirmed brucellosis cases and 8 asymptomatic infections, with no reported deaths. The peak incidence occurred between March and August. Among the 16 towns (streets) in Jiande City, 8 reported brucellosis cases. Of the brucellosis cases, 14 were male and 4 were female, with a male-to-female ratio of 3.5∶1. The majority of cases (13 cases) were aged between 40 and 60 years. Occupational exposure was identified in 16 cases, all of whom were infected through direct hand contact with the excreta, secretions, or animal products of infected sheep or cattle. The primary source of infection was sheep, followed by cattle. Five strains of Brucella were isolated and cultured, all identified as Brucella melitensis biovar 3. Conclusions The brucellosis epidemic in Jiande City remained at a sporadic and low prevalence level from 2005 to 2024, with an increasing trend observed from 2015 to 2024. Male occupational groups aged 40 to 60 years were the key population for brucellosis prevention and control, and sheep were the primary source of infection.

Cancer stands as a significant global public health challenge,and cancer screening serves as a pivotal strategy for reducing its mortality.Presently,only a limited number of cancer types have appropriate screening methods available.Traditional single-cancer screen-ing approaches are fraught with limitations,including invasiveness,low accuracy,and poor patient compliance.Multi-cancer early detection(MCED)leveraging liquid biopsy technology enables non-invasive and efficient early detection of multiple cancers by analyzing biomarkers such as cell-free DNA,cell-free RNA,proteins,and metabolites in blood and other bodily fluids.This innovative approach substantially broadens the spectrum of detectable cancers and enhances population coverage,showcasing immense potential for improving existing can-cer screening strategies.This expert consensus comprehensively reviews the progress of liquid biopsy-based MCED,biomarker selection and detection technologies,the criteria for cancer type selection,research design and clinical utility evaluation,as well as implementation path-ways.The overarching goal of this consensus is to offer scientific guidance for further research and the widespread adoption of MCED,thereby facilitating the continuous optimization of cancer screening strategies.

Objective:To explore the impact of noise and dust exposure in the mechanical manufacturing industry on the risk of hypertension and abnormal electrocardiogram in workers, and their combined effects, in order to provide support for the prevention and treatment of occupational related diseases among workers.Methods:In January 2024, A convenience sampling method was used to study 2802 on-the-job workers who underwent occupational health check-ups from January 2023 to December 2023 at a machinery manufacturing enterprise in Baotou, Inner Mongolia. Blood pressure and electrocardiogram results were analyzed in the noise group, dust group, dust noise group and control group according to the exposure factors. For count data, the chi-square test was employed to analyze differences among groups. Additionally, a binary logistic regression model was utilized to assess the impact of dust and noise exposure on the prevalence of hypertension and electrocardiogram abnormalities.Results:The stratified analysis results showed that the differences in hypertension prevalence among the four groups were statistically significant ( P<0.001) in males, age groups >30-40 years, >40-50 years, >50 years, different exposure durations, and different enterprise sizes. For ECG abnormalities, significant differences were observed among the four groups ( P<0.001) in males, the age group >30-40 years, different enterprise sizes, and those with exposure durations ≤15 years. The trend test for hypertension prevalence across different age groups revealed that as age increased, the prevalence of hypertension showed an upward trend in the noise-exposed group, dust-exposed group, and combined dust-noise-exposed group ( χ2=10.76, 4.25, 6.60, P<0.001, 0.039, 0.010) . Binary regression model analyses revealed that the the risk of hypertension in the noise group, dust group and dust noise group was 2.63 times ( OR=2.63, 95% CI: 1.89~3.67, P<0.001) , 2.36 times ( OR=2.36, 95% CI: 1.76~3.16, P<0.001) and 2.69 times ( OR=2.69, 95% CI: 2.14~3.38, P<0.001) . Using ECG abnormalities as the dependent variable and incorporating the statistically significant variables from Table 1 as independent variables into the binary logistic regression model, the results showed no statistically significant differences in the risk of ECG abnormalities in the dust-exposed, noise-exposed, and combined dust-noise-exposed groups compared to the control group ( P> 0.05) . Conclusion:Combined exposure to dust and noise increases the risk of hypertension in workers and has a combined effect.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To identify the risk factors associated with conversion to cesarean delivery in parturients receiving epidural labor analgesia and to construct a predictive model.Methods:In this prospective cohort study, 718 parturients with a singleton fetus at 37-42 weeks of gestation age, aged 22-45 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅱ, who received epidural labor analgesia at the Women′s Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine between November 2022 and August 2023, were included and divided into 2 groups based on the final mode of delivery: cesarean delivery group (CD group) and vaginal delivery group (VD group). Data collected included maternal age, height, body mass index at labor onset, gestational age, pregnancy complications, mode of conception, parity, premature rupture of membranes, mode of labor onset and details of labor analgesia. Risk factors for conversion to cesarean delivery were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis, and a prediction model was developed. The receiver operating characteristic curve was ploted, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated to evaluate the accuracy of the predictive model.Results:A total of 682 parturients were included in the final statistical analysis, with 103 in CD group and 579 in VD group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that maternal age≥35 yr, height<160 cm, body mass index at labor onset ≥28 kg/m 2, nulliparous parturients, the use of Foley balloon catheter or dinoprostone suppositories for cervical ripening were risk factors for cesarean delivery, and cervical dilation during analgesia was a protective factor. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the predictive model constructed based on the aforementioned influencing factors yielded predicting conversion to cesarean delivery due to failed vaginal trial of labor was 0.791 (95% confidence interval 0.744-0.837, P<0.001), with a sensitivity of 73.6% and a specificity of 70.9%. Conclusions:Nulliparous parturients, maternal age≥35 yr, height<160 cm, body mass index at labor onset≥28 kg/m 2, and the use of Foley balloon catheter or dinoprostone suppositories for cervical ripening are risk factors for cesarean delivery, and cervical dilation during analgesia is a protective factor. The predictive model established based on these influencing factors has high predictive performance.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common respiratory pathogen in infants and young children, which can lead to severe pneumonia and even death. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for reducing complications and sequelae and improving prognosis. This study presents the complete diagonsis and treatment process of a typical severe RSV pneumonia patient. For high-risk children, the condition can progress rapidly after RSV infection, and may present with respiratory failure and multiple extrapulmonary complications, such as heart failure, liver and kidney function impairment, coagulation dysfunction. After active symptomatic and supportive treatment, the prognosis is generally good. RSV infection will not lead to long-lasting immunity, but as the child grows older and their immune function gradually improves, the condition of a secondary infection is generally relatively mild. Currently, there are no specific antiviral drugs or safe and effective vaccines for RSV. Long-acting monoclonal antibodies are one of the effective means to prevent RSV infection in infants and young children and have been approved for use in China.

Objective To review the diagnostic information of 3368 viral hepatitis B inpatient cases reported by some healthcare institutions in Qinghai Province in the National Notifiable Disease Report System(NNDRS)in 2021,and to analyse the consistency of their reports and influence factor.Methods The study used the typical survey method to study 3368 hospitalized cases of hepatitis B reported by 32 medical institutions in Qinghai Province in 2021 from July 2022 to April 2023.The consistency between the reported classification and the reviewed classification was evaluated by reviewing diagnostic information of the cases,combined with the Kappa consistency test,and the consistency-influencing factors were analysed in a univariate and multivariate analysis.Results The consistency between acute,chronic,and unclassified reporting classifications and review classifications was poor(Kappa＜0.40);the consistency between acute and chronic review was poor(Kappa＜0.40).The main influence factor of the consistency of review included the level of medical institution,the patient's gender,occupation,past history,and the unit of diagnosis of initial onset of illness.Provincial medical institutions reported higher consistency,and male cases and herder cases had better consistency than female cases and other occupations.Review consistency of cases with past history was better than that of cases with unclear past history.Conclusion The consistency of diagnosis and reporting of hepatitis B cases in healthcare institutions in Qinghai Province in 2021 was low,with problems of inaccurate classification and duplicate reporting.It is recommended to strengthen the training and supervision of healthcare institutions,standardise the filling of'attached card'information,and promote the hepatitis B core antibody IgM test to improve the classification and diagnosis of acute and chronic hepatitis B,so as to comprehensively improve the accuracy of the diagnosis and reporting of hepatitis B cases.

The 2021 version of the Baveno Ⅶ consensus on portal hypertension and the 2023 guidelines from the European Association for the Study of the Liver define recompensated cirrhosis as the restoration and stabilization of liver function, improvement of liver fibrosis, and absence of decompensated cirrhosis for a long time following effective treatment of the underlying etiology of cirrhosis. Recompensated cirrhosis has become an important research direction in the field with the gradually increasing number of these patients. Temporary recompensation, stable recompensation, and long-term recompensation are the three stages into which patients with cirrhosis are divided, based on varying recompensation stages. Clinical characteristics and prognosis are significantly different among different stages. Patients in the temporary compensation stage have significant fluctuations in their condition and poor stability, with a high risk of recurrent complications. The prognosis of patients in the stable recompensation stage is significantly affected by the cause and the type of initial decompensation event, while the condition of patients in the long-term recompensation stage is more stable, and the long-term prognosis is close to that of compensated cirrhosis. This article aims to summarize and explore the recompensation rates at different stages of liver cirrhosis, the occurrence risk of various complications and liver cancer, and long-term management and treatment following recompensation, providing new directions for future research in this field.