Astrocytic pleiotrophin deficiency in the prefrontal cortex contributes to stress-induced depressive-like responses in male mice.

Astrocytes are closely linked to depression, and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is an important brain region involved in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the underlying mechanism by which astrocytes within PFC contribute to MDD remains unclear. Using single-nucleus RNA sequencing analyses, we show a significant reduction in astrocytes and attenuated pleiotrophin-protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Z1 (PTN-PTPRZ1) signaling in astrocyte-to-excitatory neuron communication in the PFC of male MDD patients.

Repurposing propofol for breast cancer therapy through promoting apoptosis and arresting cell cycle.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide, characterized by a high mortality rate and propensity for metastasis. Although surgery is the standard treatment for breast cancer, there is still no effective method to inhibit tumor metastasis and improve the prognosis of patients with breast cancer after surgery. Propofol, one of the most widely used intravenous anesthetics in surgery, has exhibited a positive association with improved survival outcomes in patients with breast cancer post‑surgery.

YTHDF1 in periaqueductal gray inhibitory neurons contributes to morphine withdrawal responses in mice.

Background: Physical symptoms and aversion induced by opioid withdrawal strongly affect the management of opioid addiction. YTH N6-methyladenosine (mA) RNA binding protein 1 (YTHDF1), an mA-binding protein, from the periaqueductal gray (PAG) reportedly contributes to morphine tolerance and hyperalgesia. However, the role of YTHDF1 in morphine withdrawal remains unclear.

Modulation of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression: the impact of CCR7 on JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Background: Existing studies have already revealed the involvement of C-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CCR7) in diverse human cancers, including esophageal cell squamous carcinoma (ESCA). Our current study, aims to explore the relevant mechanisms implicated.

Methods: ESCA cell lines were collected for CCR7 expression quantification using western blot.

Injectable Hydrogel Delivery System with High Drug Loading for Prolonging Local Anesthesia.

Peripheral nerve block is performed for precise pain control and lesser side effects after surgery by reducing opioid consumption. Injectable hydrogel delivery systems with high biosafety and moisture content have good clinical application prospects for local anesthetic delivery. However, how to achieve high drug loading and long-term controlled release of water-soluble narcotic drugs remains a big challenge.

METTL14-mediated m6A epitranscriptomic modification contributes to chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain by stabilizing GluN2A expression via IGF2BP2.

Epigenetics is a biological process that modifies and regulates gene expression, affects neuronal function, and contributes to pain. However, the mechanism by which epigenetics facilitates and maintains chronic pain is poorly understood. We aimed to determine whether N6-methyladenosine (m6A) specifically modified by methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14) alters neuronal activity and governs pain by sensitizing the GluN2A subunit of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in a model of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CINP).

METTL14 contributes to acute lung injury by stabilizing NLRP3 expression in an IGF2BP2-dependent manner.

Acute lung injury (ALI) as well as its more severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), frequently leads to an uncontrolled inflammatory response. N-methyladenosine (mA) modification was associated with the progression of several inflammatory diseases. However, the role of methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14)-mediated mA methylation in ALI/ARDS remains unclear.

TSPO is a novel biomarker for prognosis that regulates cell proliferation through influencing mitochondrial functions in HCC.

The disorder of mitochondrial functions plays a key role in oncogenesis. It is known that TSPO (18-kDa translocator protein) lies in a peculiar location at the interface between the mitochondria and the cytosol. TSPO is found in many types of tissues and is associated with multiple cellular processes, including apoptosis, cell proliferation and the regulation of mitochondria.

Amiloride alleviates morphine tolerance by suppressing ASIC3-dependent neuroinflammation in the spinal cord.

Background: The use of morphine in clinical medicine is severely constrained by tolerance. Therefore, it is essential to examine pharmacological therapies that suppress the development of morphine tolerance. Amiloride suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting microglial activation.

The Relationship between Blood Lead Level and Chronic Pain in US Adults: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Lead toxicity has been a major public health problem worldwide, yet no study has investigated the association between lead exposure and chronic pain.

Methods: We used data from three cycles of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with chronic pain status. We conducted univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to investigate the association between chronic pain and blood lead level (BLL).

Activation of G-protein-coupled receptor 183 initiates inflammatory pain via macrophage CCL22 secretion.

Chronic pain is a major public health problem with limited effective therapeutic options. G-protein-coupled receptors play a significant role in pain modulation; however, whether and how G-protein-coupled receptor 183 participates in pain regulation remain unclear. In the present study, we found that G-protein-coupled receptor 183 expression was specifically upregulated in the hind paws of mice in various inflammatory pain models.

Transcriptome Profiling of miRNA-mRNA Interactions and Associated Mechanisms in Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain.

Chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CINP) is a dose-limiting adverse event affecting 40% of chemotherapy patients. MiRNA-mRNA interaction plays an important role in various processes. However, detailed profiling of miRNA-mRNA interactions in CINP remains unclear.

Association of Sialic Acid-Binding Immunoglobulin-Like Lectin 15 With Phenotypes in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Setting of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy.

Importance: Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin 15 (Siglec-15) is a novel immune checkpoint molecule that is highly homologous to programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), but information remains limited about its role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Objective: To explore the expression pattern and association of Siglec-15 with outcomes among patients with ESCC who received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Design, Setting, And Participants: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at an academic institution in China.

Dopamine receptor D3 is related to prognosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma and inhibits tumor growth.

Background: Dopamine receptors have been reported to play important roles in cancer progression. However, the role of dopamine receptor D3 (DRD3) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear.

Methods: The expression of DRD3 was detected by immunohistochemistry and real-time qPCR.

Dexmedetomidine Attenuates Apoptosis and Neurological Deficits by Modulating Neuronal NADPH Oxidase 2-Derived Oxidative Stress in Neonates Following Hypoxic Brain Injury.

Hypoxic-ischemic brain injury is an important cause of neonatal neurological deficits. Our previous study demonstrated that dexmedetomidine (Dex) provided neuroprotection against neonatal hypoxic brain injury; however, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Overactivation of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) can cause neuronal apoptosis and neurological deficits.

Identification of the common differentially expressed genes and pathogenesis between neuropathic pain and aging.

Background: Neuropathic pain is a debilitating disease caused by damage or diseases of the somatosensory nervous system. Previous research has indicated potential associations between neuropathic pain and aging. However, the mechanisms by which they are interconnected remain unclear.

Identification of potential Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase-related key genes and regulation networks in molecular subtypes of major depressive disorder.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a heterogeneous and prevalent mental disorder associated with increased morbidity, disability, and mortality. However, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Materials And Methods: All analyses were conducted based on integrated samples from the GEO database.

Intraoperative low-dose dopamine is associated with worse survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A propensity score matching analysis.

Background: Dopamine is widely used in patients during surgery. We evaluated the association between intraoperative low-dose dopamine administration and recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Consecutive patients with nonmetastatic HCC who underwent radical hepatectomy were enrolled between 2008 and 2010.

Potential influence of anaesthesia techniques on the recurrence and progression after resection of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Background: The non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer is a common malignancy of the urinary system. Many patients relapse after transurethral resection surgery. Different anaesthesia techniques may influence a patient's immune system during the perioperative time.

Peroxiredoxin 6 mediates the protective function of curcumin pretreatment in acute lung injury induced by serum from patients undergoing one-lung ventilation in vitro.

Background: Curcumin has attracted much attention due to its wide range of therapeutic effects. In this study, we used serum collected from patients undergoing one-lung ventilation (OLV) to establish an in vitro acute lung injury (ALI) model to explore the potential protective mechanism of curcumin on ALI. Our study provides a new reference for the prevention and treatment of ALI induced by OLV.

A novel prognostic time window based on conditional survival and outcomes analyses of primary liver cancer patients.

Background: Liver cancer is one of the most deadly and prevalent cancers. A routine follow-up plan for liver cancer is crucial but limited. In the present study, we aimed to disclose possible risk factors and critical survival time windows for primary liver cancer.

The nociceptin receptor promotes autophagy through NF-kB signaling and is transcriptionally regulated by E2F1 in HCC.

Opioids and their receptors are involved in cancer progression. However, the roles of the nociceptin receptor (NOP) and its antagonist (JTC801) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are poorly understood. The prognostic value of NOP expression was evaluated using tissue microarray and immunohistochemical staining analyses in a human HCC cohort.