Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

OBJECTIVES: Chromosomal abnormalities are the most common cause of spontaneous abortion (SA). This study aims to analyze the association between SA and chromosomal abnormalities in products of conception, and to compare the impact of different pregnancy modes and different numbers of previous abortions on chromosomal abnormalities, providing clinical consulting references. METHODS: A total of 1 345 SA patients treated at the Affiliated Women's Hospital of Jiangnan University (Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital) between January 2019 and December 2023 were enrolled. According to the mode of conception, patients were divided into 2 groups: a spontaneous pregnancy group (S group, n=1242) and an assisted reproductive technology (ART)-conceived group (ART group, n=103). Based on the number of miscarriages, the S group was further subdivided into a spontaneous sporadic abortion group (S-1 group, n=780) and a spontaneous recurrent abortion group (S-2 group, n=462); the ART group was subdivided into an ART sporadic abortion group (ART-1 group, n=68) and an ART recurrent abortion group (ART-2 group, n=35). Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) was performed on products of conception. RESULTS: The incidence of numerical chromosomal abnormalities was 56.79% (443/780) in the S-1 group and 52.38% (242/462) in the S-2 group, while the incidence of structural abnormalities was 4.36% (34/780) and 7.36% (34/462), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in structural abnormalities between the 2 groups (P<0.05). Among the spontaneous pregnancy SA cases, the incidence of numerical abnormalities decreased with increasing numbers of miscarriages, and was significantly lower in the group with ≥4 miscarriages compared to those with 1 or 2 miscarriages (both P<0.05). The incidence of structural abnormalities in groups with 1, 2, 3, and ≥4 miscarriages was 3.46%, 5.65%, 5.88%, and 4.35%, respectively, with no statistically significant differences among groups (all P>0.05). The incidence of pathogenic copy number variants (pCNVs) plus likely pathogenic copy number variants (LP-CNVs) gradually increases in the group with 1-3 miscarriages, and there was a statistically significant difference between the group with 1 miscarriage and the group with 2 miscarriages (P<0.05). In the ART group, the incidence of numerical abnormalities was 47.06% (32/68) in ART-1 and 37.14% (13/35) in ART-2, while structural abnormalities occurred in 2.94% (2/68) and 11.43% (4/35), respectively, with no significant differences between the groups (both P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of numerical or structural abnormalities between the S-1 and ART-1 groups, or between the S-2 and ART-2 groups (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Chromosomal numerical and structural abnormalities are common in SA patients from both spontaneous and ART-conceived pregnancies. Attention should be paid to patients with recurrent miscarriage in genetic investigation.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Chromosome Aberrations/statistics & numerical data* ; Abortion, Spontaneous/epidemiology* ; Adult ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted/adverse effects* ; Abortion, Habitual/genetics* ; Fertilization

Lingguizhugan Decoction (LGZG) demonstrates significant efficacy in treating various cardiovascular diseases clinically, yet its precise mechanism of action remains elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the potential mechanisms and effects of LGZG on isoproterenol (ISO) continuous stimulation-induced chronic heart failure (CHF) in mice, providing direct experimental evidence for further clinical applications. In vivo, continuous ISO infusion was administered to mice, and ventricular myocytes were utilized to explore LGZG?s potential mechanism of action on the ?1-adrenergic receptor (?1-AR)/Gs/G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs)/?-arrestin signaling deflection system in the heart. The findings reveal that LGZG significantly reduced the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of hypertrophy-related biomarkers [atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)] and improved cardiac remodeling and left ventricular diastolic function in mice with ISO-induced CHF. Furthermore, LGZG inhibited the overactivation of Gs/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling and downregulated the downstream transcriptional activity of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and the expression of the coactivator CBP/P300. Notably, LGZG downregulated the expression of ?-arrestin1 and GRK 2/3/5 while upregulating the expression of ?1-AR and ?-arrestin2. These results suggest that LGZG inhibits Gs/cAMP/PKA signaling and ?-arrestin/GRK-mediated desensitization and internalization of ?1-AR, potentially exerting cardioprotective effects through the synergistic regulation of the ?1-AR/Gs/GRKs/?-arrestin signaling deflection system via multiple pathways.
Animals ; Heart Failure/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Male ; G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Isoproterenol ; Arrestins/genetics* ; Chronic Disease

To investigate the clinical significance of platelet-neutrophil ratio in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis(AAV),a total of 128 patients were recruited and retrospectively analyzed in our department from March 2015 to July 2023.Spearman correlation analysis indicated that there was negative correlation between the level of PNR and Birmingham vasculitis activity score(BVAS)in AAV patients(r=-0.268,P=0.002).According to the PNR optimal cutoff value(26.4)determinated by X-tile bioinformatics software version 3.6.1 for predicting the survival rate,AAV patients were divided into high level PNR(HPNR)group(≥26.4)(n=105)and low level PNR(LPNR)group(<26.4)(n=23).Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the survival rate of HPNR group was significantly higher than that of LPNR group(P<0.001).The level of PNR was correlated with poor prognosis of kidney(OR=2.54,95%CI:1.1-5.88,P=0.029).In conclusion,the level of PNR is closely related to disease activity and prognosis of AAV,and it might be a potential biomarker for predicting the disease activity and predicting the prognosis.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of peripheral eosinophil count(PEC)in predicting the outcome of diabetic nephropathy(DN).Methods A retrospective cohort trial was conducted on 220 DN patients identified by renal biopsy in Department of Nephrology of Second Affiliated Hospital from Army Medical University from March 2021 to March 2023.Clinical data,results of routine blood test and renal function were collected.X-tile bioinformatics software version 3.6.1 was used to determine the optimal cut-off value of PEC for predicting survival.Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were applied to analyze the prognosis.Results The level of PEC in DN patients was positively correlated with the levels of serum creatinine(Scr)(r=0.245),blood urea nitrogen(BUN)(r=0.237)and blood uric acid(UA)(r=0.252),and negatively with estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)(r=-0.236).According to the optimal PEC cut-off value,DN patients were divided into high-level group(＞0.29×109/L,n=41)and low-level group(≤0.29 × 109/L,n=179).The levels of Scr(P＜0.001),BUN(P=0.001)and UA(P=0.005)were significantly higher,while the eGFR(P＜0.001)was obviously lower in the high-level group than the low-level group.Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the high level of PEC was associated with poor prognosis of DN(HR=2.20,95％CI:1.05～4.60,P=0.036).Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that the incidence of end-stage renal disease(ESRD)was notably higher in the high-level group than the low-level group(P=0.024).Conclusion PEC level of DN patients is closely associated with the progression and prognosis of DN,and the count is a potential biomarker for predicting the prognosis of DN.