Predicting survival in sepsis: The prognostic value of NLR and BAR ratios.

Background: Due to the high-risk nature of sepsis, emergency departments urgently need a simple evaluation method to assess the degree of inflammation and prognosis in sepsis patients, providing a reference for diagnosis and treatment.

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) combined with the blood urea nitrogen-to-serum albumin ratio (BAR) in sepsis.

Methods: A total of 377 sepsis patients admitted to Lishui People's Hospital from June 2022 to June 2023 were selected as the study subjects.

Activation of Nrf2 antioxidant signaling alleviates gout arthritis pain and inflammation.

Excessive deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystal in the joint results in gout arthritis, which triggers severe pain and affects life quality. Oxidative stress is a pivotal mechanism that contributes to etiology of gout pain and inflammation. Here we investigated whether activating Nrf2, which plays important roles in regulating endogenous antioxidant response, would attenuate gout arthritis via promoting antioxidant signaling in joint tissues.

Electroacupuncture improves gout arthritis pain via attenuating ROS-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome overactivation.

Background: Gout results from disturbed uric acid metabolism, which causes urate crystal deposition in joints and surrounding tissues. Gout pain management is largely limited to colchicine and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Constant usage of these medications leads to severe side effects.

Liver chemistries in severe or non-severe cases of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients exhibit different patterns of liver impairment, according to growing evidence.

Aim: In this study, we sought to provide a comprehensive analysis of liver test parameters in patients with severe and non-severe COVID-19.

Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of published liver manifestations and described the liver damage in COVID-19.

Socioeconomics and attributable etiology of primary liver cancer, 1990-2019.

Background: Primary liver cancer (PLC) is a major contributor to cancer-related deaths. Data on global and country-specific levels and trends of PLC are essential for understanding the effects of this disease and helping policymakers to allocate resources.

Aim: To investigate the association between the burden of PLC and socioeconomic development status.

Genome-Wide Expression Profiling by RNA-Sequencing in Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn of a Rat Chronic Postsurgical Pain Model to Explore Potential Mechanisms Involved in Chronic Pain.

Background: Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is common among patients receiving major surgeries. CPSP produces suffering in patients, both physically and mentally. However, the mechanisms underlying CPSP remain elusive.

Electroacupuncture Inhibits NLRP3 Activation by Regulating CMPK2 After Spinal Cord Injury.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the expression of cytosine monophosphate kinase 2 (CMPK2) and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to characterize the effects of electroacupuncture on CMPK2-associated regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Methods: An SCI model was established in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The expression levels of NLRP3 and CMPK2 were measured at different time points following induction of SCI.

Exploring neuronal mechanisms involved in the scratching behavior of a mouse model of allergic contact dermatitis by transcriptomics.

Background: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a common skin condition characterized by contact hypersensitivity to allergens, accompanied with skin inflammation and a mixed itch and pain sensation. The itch and pain dramatically affects patients' quality of life. However, still little is known about the mechanisms triggering pain and itch sensations in ACD.

Gene Expression Profiling of Contralateral Dorsal Root Ganglia Associated with Mirror-Image Pain in a Rat Model of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type-I.

Background: Mirror-image pain (MIP), which develops from the healthy body region contralateral to the actual injured site, is a mysterious pain phenomenon accompanying many chronic pain conditions, such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). However, the pathogenesis of MIP still remains largely unknown. The purpose of this study is to perform an expression profiling to identify genes related to MIP in an animal model of CRPS-I.

Transcriptome profiling of long noncoding RNAs and mRNAs in spinal cord of a rat model of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy identifies potential mechanisms mediating neuroinflammation and pain.

Background: Paclitaxel is a widely prescribed chemotherapy drug for treating solid tumors. However, paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) is a common adverse effect during paclitaxel treatment, which results in sensory abnormalities and neuropathic pain among patients. Unfortunately, the mechanisms underlying PIPN still remain poorly understood.

Electroacupuncture Alleviates Mechanical Allodynia of a Rat Model of CRPS-I and Modulates Gene Expression Profiles in Dorsal Root Ganglia.

Complex regional pain syndrome type-I (CRPS-I) is chronic neurological disorder accompanied with devastating pain. Most conventional medical treatments lack effectiveness, making CRPS-I a challenging clinical condition. Electroacupuncture (EA) showed effectiveness in alleviating the pain symptoms of CRPS-I patients.