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*

Zi goose is a small local variety with high fecundity,good meat quality,roughage resist-ance,strong adaptability and excellent down quality.It is an excellent female parent for cross breeding among varieties.With the rapid development of goose industry,the variety of Zi goose has not been well protected,the variety is hybrid and degraded seriously,and the number of pure Zi goose is decreasing day by day.This paper reviewed the research progress on the breeding distribu-tion and preservation status of Zi goose and the variety characteristics of Zi goose,in order to pro-vide reference for the research,protection and utilization of germplasm resources of Zi goose and the stable development of goose industry.

Glioblastoma (GBM) therapy is severely impaired by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and invasive tumor growth in the central nervous system. To improve GBM therapy, we herein presented a dual-targeting nanotheranostic for second near-infrared (NIR-II) fluorescence imaging-guided photo-immunotherapy. Firstly, a NIR-Ⅱ fluorophore MRP bearing donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) backbone was synthesized. Then, the prodrug nanotheranostics were prepared by self-assembling MRP with a prodrug of JQ1 (JPC) and T7 ligand-modified PEG_5k-DSPE. T7 can cross the BBB for tumor-targeted delivery of JPC and MRP. JQ1 could be restored from JPC at the tumor site for suppressing interferon gamma-inducible programmed death ligand 1 expression in the tumor cells. MRP could generate NIR-II fluorescence to navigate 808 nm laser, induce a photothermal effect to trigger in-situ antigen release at the tumor site, and ultimately elicit antitumor immunogenicity. Photo-immunotherapy with JPC and MRP dual-loaded nanoparticles remarkably inhibited GBM tumor growth in vivo. The dual-targeting nanotheranostic might represent a novel nanoplatform for precise photo-immunotherapy of GBM.

Objective:To evaluate the detection ability of two kinds of high-throughput method to determine neutralizing antibodies based on a microneutralization test (MNT).Methods:Serum samples were collected from the early phase and follow-up period (117 samples in total) for neutralizing antibody testing. They were tested using MNT, pseudovirus neutralization assay (PBNA), competitive inhibition assay (including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA)) to evaluate the correlation coefficients and threshold values for the effectiveness of these high-throughput neutralizing antibody assays.Results:The correlation coefficients for PBNA, ELISA, and CLIA relative to MNT were 0.760, 0.778, and 0.725, respectively, for individuals infected with 2019-nCoV. The area under the ROC curve was 0.901 for a cutoff value of 50 for the PBNA assay, 0.934 for a cutoff value of 1∶8 for the ELISA assay and 0.838 for a cutoff value of 1.28AU/ml for the CLIA assay when the threshold value for the microneutralization test was taken as 1: 10 (less than 1: 10 is considered negative).Conclusions:The high-throughput method for the detection of COVID-19 neutralizing antibodies are scientific and feasible, and provide an important technical tool for the regular prevention and control of the epidemic.

Objective:To understand the genetic variation and epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) in Guangzhou.Methods:Nasopharyngeal swabs specimens were collected from 0-6 year old children hospitalized with acute respiratory infection, then HRSV was tested and genotyped by RT-PCR. Phylogenetic tree was bulit using MEGA 6.0 software. NetNGlyc 1.0 server was used to predict the potential N-linked glycosylation sites.Results:A total of 1 225 nasopharyngeal specimens were collected, including 783 males and 442 females. The median ( P25, P75) age was 8 (3, 24) months. Among the 209 HRSV-positive cases (17.06%), 117 cases (55.98%) were HRSV-A and 92 cases (44.02%) were HRSV-B. The two distinct subgroups (HRSV-A and HRSV-B) alternately played dominant role to cause HRSV infection and exchange almost once every two years. The HRSV prevalence rate decreased with age. The HRSV-positive rate among children under 2 years old was 18.83% (196 cases), accounting for 93.78% of the total positive cases. There were 32 HRSV positive cases co-infected with at least one respiratory virus, with the co-infection rate of 15.31%. Phylogenetic tree analysis of the second hypervariable region (HVR2) of the G protein classified the HRSV-A specimens into ON1 ( n=62) and NA1 ( n=2) genotypes while all HRSV-B specimens belonged to BA genotype ( n=53). The HVR2 of the G protein varied in using stop condon, amino acid substitutions, glycosylation sites. Conclusion:Children under 2 years old were the high risk population of HRSV infection in Guangzhou. ON1 genotype turned into a primary genetype of the HRSV-A subgroup while BA genotype dominated the HRSV-B subgroup. A greater diversification of amino acid substitutions, and some deletion and insertion of glycosylation sites embodied the polymorphism of G protein as main protective antigen.

Objective:To understand the genetic variation and epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) in Guangzhou.Methods:Nasopharyngeal swabs specimens were collected from 0-6 year old children hospitalized with acute respiratory infection, then HRSV was tested and genotyped by RT-PCR. Phylogenetic tree was bulit using MEGA 6.0 software. NetNGlyc 1.0 server was used to predict the potential N-linked glycosylation sites.Results:A total of 1 225 nasopharyngeal specimens were collected, including 783 males and 442 females. The median ( P25, P75) age was 8 (3, 24) months. Among the 209 HRSV-positive cases (17.06%), 117 cases (55.98%) were HRSV-A and 92 cases (44.02%) were HRSV-B. The two distinct subgroups (HRSV-A and HRSV-B) alternately played dominant role to cause HRSV infection and exchange almost once every two years. The HRSV prevalence rate decreased with age. The HRSV-positive rate among children under 2 years old was 18.83% (196 cases), accounting for 93.78% of the total positive cases. There were 32 HRSV positive cases co-infected with at least one respiratory virus, with the co-infection rate of 15.31%. Phylogenetic tree analysis of the second hypervariable region (HVR2) of the G protein classified the HRSV-A specimens into ON1 ( n=62) and NA1 ( n=2) genotypes while all HRSV-B specimens belonged to BA genotype ( n=53). The HVR2 of the G protein varied in using stop condon, amino acid substitutions, glycosylation sites. Conclusion:Children under 2 years old were the high risk population of HRSV infection in Guangzhou. ON1 genotype turned into a primary genetype of the HRSV-A subgroup while BA genotype dominated the HRSV-B subgroup. A greater diversification of amino acid substitutions, and some deletion and insertion of glycosylation sites embodied the polymorphism of G protein as main protective antigen.

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 investigate the sensitization pattern of Blomia tropicalis in patients with aller-gic respiratory disease and the association between Blomia tropicalis with allergic rhinitis and / or asthma. Meth-ods 330 allergic rhinitis and / or asthma patients sensitized with mites were selected in Guangzhou,and sIgE lev-el in the serum of all recruited patients of Blomia tropical,Dermatophagoide pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoide fa-rina was measured. Results The sensitization rate of Blomia tropicalis was significantly lower than that of Derma-tophagoide pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoide farina(P < 0.001,both). 80.0% Patients were sensitized with both three mites,and only 0.3% patients were of monosensitization to Blomia tropicalis. The sIgE of these three mites were significantly positive correlated with each other(P < 0.001),Dermatophagoide pteronyssinus and Derma-tophagoide farina have strong correlation(r = 0.906),Blomia tropicalis has moderate correlation with Dermatopha-goide pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoide farina(r = 0.540 and r = 0.512,respectively). With the increase of Blomia tropicalis sIgE,the severe sensitization rate(sIgE level:class 5~6)of patients sensitized combined Der-matophagoide pteronyssinus or Dermatophagoide farina significantly increased(P < 0.001). The sIgE level of Der-matophagoide pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoide farina in allergic asthma and rhinitis patients were significantly higher than that of patients with rhinitis or asthma alone(P < 0.001),and the sIgE level of Blomia tropicalis in pa-tients with both allergic asthma and rhinitis or with asthma alone were also significantly higher than that of patients with rhinitis alone(P = 0.006 and P = 0.020,respectively). Conclusion The Blomia tropicalis sensitized pa-tients usually sensitize together with Dermatophagoide pteronyssinus or Dermatophagoide farina,and the degree of Blomia tropicalis sensitized in asthma patients are higher.

ObjectiveTo establish normative values of esophageal manometry in different age groups and standard test method.Methods The values of esophageal manometry were tested in healthy subjects of 3 different age groups (Group Ⅰ: 18-39 years,Group Ⅱ: 40-59 years,Group Ⅲ:≥60 years) with pneumohydraulic capillary perfusion system.The repeatability and stability of this method in lower esophageal sphincter (LES) testing were observed. Results There were no significant differences of LES length (LESL),LES pressure (LESP) at the end of expiration,average LESP,residual pressure of LES and LES relaxation rate (LESRR) in three groups (P＞0.05).The LESP at the end of inspiration in Group Ⅰ (28.98± 1.11 ) mm Hg was significantly lower than that of Group Ⅲ (34.35±1.96) mm Hg (P＜0.05).Trandiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) in Group Ⅰ (9.55±0.62) mm Hg was significantly lower than that of Group Ⅱ (13.05±0.76) mm Hg (P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in contraction amplitude and duration of proximal and distant esophagus in 3 groups (P＞0.05).UES pressure (UESP) of Group Ⅲ was significantly lower than that of Group Ⅰ and Ⅱ (P＜0.05).As for repeatability,the second recording of LESP in Group Ⅰ and Ⅱ were significantly higher than first recording (P＜0.05).Amplitude of distant esophageal peristaltic contraction (DEPC) of female was significantly higher than of male (P＜0.05).However,there was no significant difference in amplitude of proximal esophageal peristaltic contraction (PEPC)between femal and male (P＞0.05).ConclusionsThe normative values of esophageal manometry in different age groups have been obtained.The dynamic parameters of LES do not change with age.Between age 40 to 59 years old,the contraction of esophageal body is strongest.UESP decreases significantly in old people.If the subjects have enough time to adapt before test,it will help to get accurate and reliable dynamic parameters of LES.

Objective To evaluate the measurement uncertainty for the determination of ethanol in human blood by auto-headspace GC/MS.Methods Each source of uncertainty,arising from the procedure of testing,was analyzed and confirmed according to the guidelines of the uncertainty in measurement.After each uncertainty component was evaluated,the combined standard uncertainty and the expanded uncertainty of the result were calculated.Results The expanded uncertainty was 0.084mg/mL when the concentration of ethanol in blood sample was 0.738 mg/mL.Conclusion The measurement uncertainty of the concentration of ethanol was came primarily from the sample determination,standard solution of the ethanol and the calibration curve.