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Background: To rethink the clinical significance of standardized uptake values (SUVs) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron-emission tomography (PET).Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 369 NPC patients who underwent pretreatment 18F-FDG PET. The predictive value of the SUVmax of the primary tumor (SUVmax-t) and regional lymph nodes (SUVmax-n) was evaluated using probability density functions. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine optimal cutoffs for the SUVmax-n/SUVmax-t ratio (NTR). Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to assess survival.Results: The optimal SUVmax-t and SUVmax-n cutoffs were 7.5 and 6.9, respectively. High SUVmax-t and SUVmax-n were related to local and regional recurrence, respectively. Patients with low SUVmax had better 3-year overall survival (OS). To avoid cross-sensitization of cutoff points, we stratified patients with high SUVmax into the low and high NTR groups. The 3-year distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS; 92.3 vs. 80.6%, P = 0.009), progression-free survival (PFS; 84.0 vs. 67.7%, P = 0.011), and OS (95.9 vs. 89.2%, P = 0.002) significantly differed between the high vs. low NTR groups for patients with high SUVmax. Multivariable analysis showed that NTR was an independent prognostic factor for DMFS (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.037, 95% CI: 1.039-3.992, P = 0.038), PFS (HR: 1.636, 95% CI: 1.021-2.621, P = 0.041), and OS (HR: 2.543, 95% CI: 1.214-5.325, P = 0.013).Conclusion: High SUVmax was associated with NPC recurrence. NTR is a potential prognosticator for DMFS, suggesting that heterogeneity in the pretreatment 18F-FDG uptake between the primary tumor and lymph nodes is associated with high invasion and metastatic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To identify the subset of patients with de novo nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) for whom [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) should be recommended, and to determine whether PET/CT is a cost-effective decision for precise M staging in endemic areas.Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of data of 4469 patients diagnosed with de novo NPC between January 2014 and December 2019. The detection rate of distant metastasis was compared between different groups. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to identify the risk factors for distant metastasis. The cost-effectiveness of the diagnostic strategies was assessed.Results: The detection rate of distant metastasis in the whole cohort was 5.46%. In multivariate analysis, male sex, T3-4 stage, N2-3 stage, and high plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA (≥ 14,650 copies/mL) were risk factors for distant metastases. NPC patients with T3-4 stage combined with N2-3 stage, high EBV DNA combined with male sex, or N2-3 stage combined with high EBV DNA were defined as recommended group with relatively higher tendency for metastasis. Distant metastasis incidence in recommended group and unrecommended group were 10.25% and 1.75%, respectively (P < 0.001). In the recommended group, PET/CT significantly improved the detection rate of distant metastasis (13.25% vs 9.02%, P = 0.005). Cost-effectiveness analysis revealed that additional cost for every one percent increase in distant metastasis detection rate was $22,785.58 in the recommended group (< Willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of $32,700.00) and $310,912.90 in the unrecommended group.Conclusions: In patients with de novo NPC, the tendency for metastasis can be predicted based on clinical parameters. 18F-FDG PET/CT should be selectively recommended for the subset of patients with a relatively higher tendency for metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The liver possesses a remarkable regenerative capacity in response to injuries or viral infections. Various growth factors and cytokines are involved in regulating liver regeneration. Prostaglandin (PG) D2, a pro-resolution lipid mediator, is the most abundant hepatic prostanoid. However, the role of PGD2 in the injury-induced liver regeneration remains unclear., Approach and Results: Two-thirds partial hepatectomy (70% PH), massive hepatectomy (85% resection), and carbon tetrachloride-induced chronic injury were performed in mice to study the mechanisms of live regeneration. Hepatic PGD2 production was elevated in mice after PH. Global deletion of D prostanoid receptor (DP) 1, but not DP2, slowed PH-induced liver regeneration in mice, as evidenced by lower liver weight to body weight ratio, less Ki67+ hepatocyte proliferation, and G2/M phase hepatocytes. Additionally, DP1 deficiency specifically in resident Kupffer cells (KCs), and not in endothelial cells or hepatic stellate cells, retarded liver regeneration in mice post-PH. Conversely, the overexpression of exogenous DP1 in KCs accelerated liver regeneration in mice. Mechanistically, DP1 activation promoted Wnt2 transcription in a PKA/CREB-dependent manner in resident KCs and mediated hepatocyte proliferation through Frizzled8/β-catenin signaling. Adeno-associated virus vector serotype 8 (AAV8)-mediated Frizzled8 knockdown in hepatocytes attenuated accelerated liver regeneration in KC-DP1 transgenic mice post-PH. Treatment with the DP1 receptor agonist BW245C promotes PH-induced liver regeneration in mice., Conclusions: DP1 activation mediates crosstalk between KCs and hepatocytes through Wnt2, and facilitates liver regeneration. Hence, DP1 may serve as a novel therapeutic target in acute and chronic liver diseases., (Copyright © 2024 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.)

Introduction: To identify the subset of patients with de novo nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) for whom [ 18 F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography ( 18 F-FDG PET/CT) should be recommended, and to determine whether PET/CT is a cost-effective decision for precise M staging in endemic areas., Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of data of 4469 patients diagnosed with de novo NPC between January 2014 and December 2019. The detection rate of distant metastasis was compared between different groups. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to identify the risk factors for distant metastasis. The cost-effectiveness of the diagnostic strategies was assessed., Results: The detection rate of distant metastasis in the whole cohort was 5.46%. In multivariate analysis, male sex, T3-4 stage, N2-3 stage, and high plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA (≥ 14,650 copies/mL) were risk factors for distant metastases. NPC patients with T3-4 stage combined with N2-3 stage, high EBV DNA combined with male sex, or N2-3 stage combined with high EBV DNA were defined as recommended group with relatively higher tendency for metastasis. Distant metastasis incidence in recommended group and unrecommended group were 10.25% and 1.75%, respectively (P < 0.001). In the recommended group, PET/CT significantly improved the detection rate of distant metastasis (13.25% vs 9.02%, P = 0.005). Cost-effectiveness analysis revealed that additional cost for every one percent increase in distant metastasis detection rate was $22,785.58 in the recommended group (< Willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of $32,700.00) and $310,912.90 in the unrecommended group., Conclusions: In patients with de novo NPC, the tendency for metastasis can be predicted based on clinical parameters. 18 F-FDG PET/CT should be selectively recommended for the subset of patients with a relatively higher tendency for metastasis., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background/aims: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory cardiovascular disease. Macrophages are major components of atherosclerotic plaques and play a key role in the development of atherosclerosis by secreting a variety of pro-inflammatory factors. Our previous studies have confirmed that upconversion nanoparticles encapsulating chlorin e6 (UCNPs-Ce6) mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) can promote cholesterol efflux and induce apoptosis in THP-1 macrophages. In this study, we investigated whether reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by UCNPs-Ce6-mediated PDT can induce autophagy to inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory factor in M1 peritoneal macrophages., Methods: Peritoneal macrophages were collected from C57/BL6 mice injected with 3% thioglycollate broth medium and induced by lipopolysaccharides and interferon-γ. Intracellular ROS production was assessed by 2'-7'-dichloroflorescein diacetate and flow cytometry. Autophagy was assayed by western blot, transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot., Results: Model M1 peritoneal macrophages were established after 24 h induction. Protein expression levels of LC3 II and Beclin1, and degradation of p62 increased and peaked at 2 h in the PDT group. Meanwhile, levels of inflammatory cytokines iNOS, IL-12, and TNF-α markedly decreased after PDT. The increase in autophagy levels and decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly inhibited by 3-methyladenine. Furthermore, ROS generated by UCNPs- Ce6 mediated PDT activated autophagy. The expression of autophagy related-protein and inflammatory cytokines iNOS, IL-12, and TNF-α were inhibited by the ROS inhibitor N-acetyl cysteine., Conclusion: ROS generated by UCNPs-Ce6-mediated PDT activated autophagy and inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory factors of M1 peritoneal macrophage via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (© Copyright by the Author(s). Published by Cell Physiol Biochem Press.)

Objective: To explore the efficacy of individualized subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in allergic rhinitis(AR) maintain phase., Method: Compare nasal symptom scores (VAS) and special disease scale--nasal conjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire(RQLQ) score after 3 years treatment to evaluate the therapeutic effect of each group and the level of improving patients quality of life. Take patients' blood to detect the serum level of IL-10 by enzyme linked immunosorbent test (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay)., Result: After 3 years treatment, there was no difference of VAS between the conventional SCIT group and the individualized SCIT group. ELISA results showed that the level of IL-10 was significantly higher in the drug symptomatic treatment group than that in the healthy group, the levels of IL-10 were significantly lower in the conventional SCIT group and the individualized SCIT group than that in the healthy group, but there was no difference between the conventional SCIT and the individualized SCIT group., Conclusion: After 3 years treatment, there was no difference between conventional and individualized SCIT groups. But the efficacy of the conventional and individualized SCIT groups were significantly better than that in the drug symptomatic treatment group.