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*

Andrographolide sulfonate (AS) is a sulfonated derivative of andrographolide extracted from Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, and has been approved for several decades in China. The present study aimed to investigate the novel therapeutic application and possible mechanisms of AS in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Results indicated that administration of AS by injection or gavage significantly reduced the paw swelling, improved body weights, and attenuated pathological changes in joints of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. Additionally, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β in the serum and ankle joints were reduced. Bioinformatics analysis, along with the spleen index and measurements of IL-17 and IL-10 levels, suggested a potential relationship between AS and Th17 cells under arthritic conditions. In vitro, AS was shown to block Th17 cell differentiation, as evidenced by the reduced percentages of CD4⁺ IL-17A⁺ T cells and decreased expression levels of RORγt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22, without affecting the cell viability and apoptosis. This effect was attributed to the limited glycolysis, as indicated by metabolomics analysis, reduced glucose uptake, and pH measurements. Further investigation revealed that AS might bind to hexokinase2 (HK2) to down-regulate the protein levels of HK2 but not glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) or pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), and overexpression of HK2 reversed the inhibition of AS on Th17 cell differentiation. Furthermore, AS impaired the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signals in vivo and in vitro, which was abolished by the addition of lactate. In conclusion, AS significantly improved adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats by inhibiting glycolysis-mediated activation of PI3K/AKT to restrain Th17 cell differentiation.
Animals ; Th17 Cells/immunology* ; Diterpenes/pharmacology* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Rats ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Humans ; Andrographis paniculata/chemistry* ; Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy* ; Interleukin-17/immunology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

Objective: To study the effects of endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) on long-term quality of life (QOL) and gastric function of patients with distal early gastric cancer (EGC), compared with those of surgery. Methods: Patients with EGC who received ESD or surgical resection in Peking Union Medical College Hospital over 1 year ago were selected to be followed up. QLQ-C30, SF-36, EQ-5D and dyspeptic symptom rating scale were used to evaluate QOL. Five-hour gastric emptying rate was used to evaluate distal gastric function. Electronic gastroscopy was used to observe whether the anastomotic stoma was stenotic. According to the age at resection, 1 to 1 matching was performed between the distal 1/3 gastric ESD (E_P) group and the distal subtotal gastrectomy (S_P) group, and then the QOL and gastric function between the two groups were compared. Results: Twenty-five patients were included in group E_P and group S_P respectively. According to QLQ-C30, the scores of cognitive function were 83.3 (83.3, 83.3) in group E_P and 83.3 (83.3, 100.0) in group S_P (P=0.056). The proportion of patients with symptoms (fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, dyspnea, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation, diarrhea and financial difficulties) between the two groups were not statistically different. There was no statistical difference in the scores of EQ-5D and SF-36 between the two groups. According to dyspeptic symptom rating scale, 56.0% patients in group E_Phad burning sensation, but only 28.0% in group S_P had this symptom (P=0.054). 20.0% of patients in group S_Preported nausea, while only 4.0% in group E_P had this symptom (P=0.084). Gastric emptying results showed that the proportion of patients with abnormal 5-hour gastric emptying rate was 31.8% in group E_P, while there was no abnormal emptying in group S_P (P=0.003). Gastroscopy results showed that one patient in group E_P had pyloric stenosis, but 5-hour gastric emptying rate was normal. All anastomotic stomas in group S_p were unobstructed. Conclusion ESD and surgical resection for distal EGC show similar long-term effects on QOL of patients. But the long-term gastric emptying function may decrease after distal gastric ESD.

Objective To discuss the clinical efficacy of closed reduction and plaster splint fixation ( CRPSF) in the treatment of gerontal patients with distal radius fractures ( DRF) .Methods 76 elderly patients with DRF who treated by CRPSF were selected .According to AO classification of fractures ,the patients were divided into three groups,the A group had 27 cases;B group had 26 cases,C group had 23 cases.The treatment effect was evalua-ted by analyzing the follow-up data,the corresponding imaging measurement parameters and clinical scores .Results All patients had 12-month clinical and imaging follow-up.In the last follow-up, the arm-shoulder-hand dysfunction score and palmar angle ,ulnar deviation angle of A and B group were significantly better than those of C group , the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05),the difference between A and B group was not statistically sig-nificant (P>0.05).In the last follow-up,the satisfaction score of C group was slightly lower than that of the A or B group,but had no statistically significant difference (P>0.05).Conclusion CRPSF in the treatment of gerontal pa-tients with DRF has good function and imaging effects ,and the improvement level has a certain relationship with the degree of fracture,but has no significant impact on the patients'satisfaction.

Objective To explore the value of pediatric end-stage liver disease (PELD)score system in predicting prognosis after pediatric living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Methods Clinical data of 101 infants undergoing living-donor liver transplantation from October 2006 to December 2012 in Department of Liver Surgery in Affiliated Renji Hospital of School of Medicine of Shanghai Jiaotong University,were analyzed retrospectively. All infants were diagnosed as biliary atresia. PELD scores before LDLT were graded. According to PELD scores,all the patients were divided into two groups:low score group (PELD score <16,n=62) and high score group (PELD≥16,n =39 ).The basic data during perioperative period and incidence of postoperative complications were compared between two groups. Results There were significant differences in age and body weight between two groups (both in P<0.05 ). But there was no significant difference between the two groups in gender,graft to recipient weight ratio (GRWR),cold isehemia time and intraoperative blood loss (all in P>0.05 ). The incidence of lung infection and biliary complications in high score group were significantly higher than those in low score group. Conclusions Preoperative PELD score can be used in predicting prognosis after pediatric LDLT and provide a reference for the treatment,caring and nursing during perioperative period of pediatric LDLT. For infants with high PELD score before operation,the care of perioperative complications should be enhanced.

Objective To investigate the short-term acute rejection incidence of the recipients under the steroid-free immunosuppressive therapy after liver transplantation. Methods This retrospective study included 186 patients who were divided into two groups by random number table.The patients in no steroid group (the study group, n =94) received tacrolimus (Tac) with mycophemolate mofetil (MMF) or cyclosporine with MMF,and those in the steroid group (the control group,n =92) received the aforementioned immunosuppressive therapy combined with steroids.The acute rejection incidence was analyzed during six months post-transplantation.Results There was no significant difference in the gender,age,indication for transplantation,Child-Pugh score,MELD score,operating time,bleeding and transfusion volume during the operation,warm ischemia time and cold ischemia time between the two groups (P＞0.05).Liver biopsy was done on 9 cases of each group.The acute rejection incidence had no significant difference between the study group and the control group (5/94 vs 4/92,5.3％ vs 4.4％,P＞0.05).Conclusion The steroid-free immunosuppressive therapy after liver transplantation did not increase the short term acute rejection incidence.

Objective To characterize the clinical course of biliary complications after right lobe living donor liver transplantation (RL-LDLT) and to identify the independent risk factors for biliary strictures.Methods 105 consecutive RL-LDLT recipients operated from April 2007 to April 2010 were followed up. The clinical and operative data were reviewed. The biliary complications and independent risk factors of biliary stricture were studied.Results The median follow-up duration was 49.5 months ranging from 562 to 1675 days.A total of 40 patients (38.1 ％) experienced 11 bile leak episodes (10.4％ ) and 37 (35.2％) biliary stricture episodes after transplantation.Bile leaks occurred at a median time of 9 days ranging from 4 to 54 days after transplantation.For biliary strictures,the occurring time was delayed and scattered wide with a median of 7.6 months ranging from 12 to 790 days after transplantation. Moreover, the biliary stricture incidence in the first year after transplantation was significantly higher than later.The independent risk factors for biliary strictures were CMV infection,bile leaks and bile duct size (≤3 mm).Conclusion The independent risk factors for biliary strictures after RL-LDLT were CMV infection,bile leaks and bile duct size (≤3mm).In order to avoid biliary complications,careful preoperative evaluations are necessary. The dissection of bile ducts should be meticulous to protect its blood supply.CMV infection should be prevented after transplantation.Close surveillance of biliary complications should be given to RL-LDLT recipients during the first year after transplantation.

ObjectiveTo surnmarize the experience of tacrolimus or cyclosporine A-based immunosuppression after pediatric living-donor liver transplamation.Methods The clinical data of 30 children undergoing living-donor liver trarsplantation from October 2006 to January 2010 were analyzed retrospectively.In 30 patients,7 were given Tac-based immunosuppression (group A),10 given CsA-based immunosuppression (group B),and 13 switched from CsA to Tac for complications or adverse effects of drugs.Dosages and blood concentrations of immunosuppressants were recorded.Changes of liver and kidney functions were monitored.Incidence of rejection,infection and adverse effects of drugs were observed.ResultsIn the premise of the stable concentration and liver and kidney functions,the weight of children was increased by about 50％ and the per- kilogram dosage of CNIs was decreased significantly 1year postoperatively.There was no case of rejection in group A and 4 cases of rejection in group B(40％,4/10),and the original symptoms were gradually alleviated after the increased dosage in immunosuppressants.During the first 3 months,there was 1case of abdominal infection in group A (1/7) and 3 cases of lung infection in group B (3/10),and the original symptoms were gradually alleviated after anti-infective therapy.There was 1CMV lgM-positive case in group A (1/7) and 2 CMV IgM-positive cases in group B (2/10),and the original symptoms were gradually alleviated after using ganciclovir.The original symptoms of the 13 children switched from CsA to Tac were gradually alleviated.ConclusionThe two CNIs can be safely used in children undergoing pediatric livlng-donor liver transplantation.Both of them show the same effect in promoting the restoration of liver and kidney functions,but tacrolimus has more satisfactory effect in inhibiting the rejection and it has leas adverse effects.

Objective To observe the outcomes of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for children with biliary atresia (BA) and to summarize the clinical experiences. Methods Forty-four BA patients (26 boys and 18 girls) underwent LDLT between October 2006 and December 2010. Mean (SD) and median (range) age at operation was (12.1 ± 9.0) months and 9 (6-60) months,respectively. The 44 donors were lineal relatives to the consorted recipients. Their mean (SD) and median (range) age at operation was (32. 7 ± 8. 0) months and 31 (20～54) years, respectively. All donor graft types were the left lateral segments with compatible ABO blood groups. Clinical data,including pre-operative evaluations, surgical technique, postoperative management and outcomes in all donors and recipients were retrospectively analyzed. Results All donors were followed up for (17. 5 ± 13. 3) months. No donor mortality was encountered, with a minimal morbidity and no long-term sequelae. Nine out of 44 recipients died. Three patients died of portal vein thrombosis (PVT), one of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT), two of biliary complications, one of surgical site infections, one of abdominal bleeding and one of pulmonary infection. The overall 1-year and 2-year cumulative survival rate in recipients was 81. 2% and 76. 1 %, respectively. No re-transplantation was done. Postoperative complications included PVT, HAT, biliary leakage and refluxing cholangitis, pulmonary infections,surgical site infections and acute rejection. Conclusion LDLT has been the effective treatment for pediatric recipients with BA and provides favorable prognosis. To improve prognosis of recipients, the key points are pre-operative evaluations, surgical technique, and postoperative management

Objective To evaluate the relationship between fatty liver disease and liver metastases from colorectal cancer.Methods Eight hundred and ninety patients with colorectal cancer,who were submitted to hospital from 1993 to 2002 and had complete clinical data,were retrospectively analyzed.Of 890 patients,127 were diagnosed as fatty liver(FL)by ultrasonography,and the other 763 who were without fatty liver were served as controls(NFL).The clinical data including pathology,liver matastasis or mortality after surgery were analyzed.The survival rate and liver matastasis after surgery were followed up and statistically analyzed.Results The liver metastases was lower in FL group than that in NFL group(7 cases vs 102 cases,P=0.012).The tumor size was smaller in FL group than that in NFL group[(4.15±1.80)crn vs(4.77±2.25)cm,P=0.0016].The Dukes B(247/732,33.74%)and C(232/732,31.83%)patients were more common in NFL group,whereas Dukes A(41/121,33.61 %)and B(40/121,32.77%)were more common in FL group with significant difference(P＜0.05).No significant difference was found in 7-year survival rate between two groups who had been followed up(P=0.3024).Conclusion The lower incidence of liver metastases is found in FL group,which indicate that fatty liver disease may inhibit liver metastases from colorectal cancer by underlying mechanisms.