Objective To investigate the value of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters in the prognostic assessment of nasopharyngeal cancer patients. Methods The clinical data and PET/CT metabolic parameters of 185 nasopharyngeal cancer patients were retrospectively analyzed. The collected parameters were SUV_max, MTV, TLG, total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV) and whole-body total lesion glycolysis (WTLG). The ROC curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off values of PET/CT metabolic parameters. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to screen the independent prognostic factors. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to analyze the survival differences. Results The results of univariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, pathologic type, WTLG, TMTV, MTV, and TLG were closely associated with OS and PFS; and SUV_max was associated with PFS (P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis results showed that age, TMTV, and WTLG were the independent prognostic factors for OS and PFS (P<0.05). The combination of WTLG with T/N staging (AUC=0.781 and 0.781) and TMTV with T/N staging (AUC=0.800 and 0.790) yielded greater predictive accuracy than that of WTLG and TMTV alone (AUC=0.724 and 0.719) or T/N staging (AUC=0.593 and 0.575). Conclusion TMTV and WTLG are important prognostic predictors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. TLG and MTV of primary lesions are prognostic factors for patients’ PFS and OS. SUV_max has limited prognostic value. Systemic metabolic indexes (TMTV and WTLG), when combined with T/N staging, can optimize prognostic stratification.

Cancer multidrug resistance (MDR) impairs the therapeutic efficacy of various chemotherapeutics. Novel approaches, particularly the development of MDR reversal agents, are critically needed to address this challenge. This study demonstrates that tenacissoside I (TI), a compound isolated from Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Wight et Arn, traditionally used in clinical practice as an ethnic medicine for cancer treatment, exhibits significant MDR reversal effects in ABCB1-mediated MDR cancer cells. TI reversed the resistance of SW620/AD300 and KBV200 cells to doxorubicin (DOX) and paclitaxel (PAC) by downregulating ABCB1 expression and reducing ABCB1 drug transport function. Mechanistically, protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1), whose expression correlates with poor prognosis and shows positive association with both ABCB1 and EGFR expressions in tumor tissues, was differentially expressed in TI-treated SW620/AD300 cells. SW620/AD300 and KBV200 cells exhibited elevated levels of EGFR asymmetric dimethylarginine (aDMA) and enhanced PRMT1-EGFR interaction compared to their parental cells. Moreover, TI-induced PRMT1 downregulation impaired PRMT1-mediated aDMA of EGFR, PRMT1-EGFR interaction, and EGFR downstream signaling in SW620/AD300 and KBV200 cells. These effects were significantly reversed by PRMT1 overexpression. Additionally, TI demonstrated resistance reversal to PAC in xenograft models without detectable toxicities. This study establishes TI's MDR reversal effect in ABCB1-mediated MDR human cancer cells through inhibition of PRMT1-mediated aDMA of EGFR, suggesting TI's potential as an MDR modulator for improving chemotherapy outcomes.
Humans ; Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects* ; ErbB Receptors/genetics* ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Multiple/drug effects* ; Methylation/drug effects* ; Saponins/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B/genetics* ; Doxorubicin/pharmacology* ; Paclitaxel/pharmacology* ; Female ; Repressor Proteins

Objective:To elucidate the inhibitory effect of interferon-γ(IFN-γ)on the proliferation of neuroblastoma cells and the protentral gene signature of IFN-γ and the relationship between the expression of gene signature of IFN-γ in the neuroblastoma cells and its adverse prognosis,and to clarify the effect of IFN-γ and its gene signture in the neuroblastoma.Methods:The SK-N-BE(2)(proto-oncogene N-MYC amplification type)and SH-SY5Y(proto-oncogene N-MYC non-amplification type)neuroblastoma cells were selected and treated with different concentrations(0,500,750,1 000 and 1 500 μg·L-1)of IFN-γ for 24 h,followed by cell proliferation assays using cell counting kit-8(CCK-8).Transcriptome sequencing was then performed to identify the gene signature of IFN-γ.Additionally,the tissue microarrays from 23 cases of neuroblastoma and 6 cases of normal adrenal gland samples were collected,immunohistochemistry(IHC)analysis was used to to detect the expression of gene signature of IFN-γ.Based on the expression levels of gene signature of IFN-γ,the samples were divided into SULT2B1 low and high expression groups.The correlation between the expression of gene signature of IFN-γ and poor prognosis of the patients was analyzed.Results:The CCK-8 assay results showed that as IFN-γconcentration increased,the proliferation of SK-N-BE(2)cells was significantly inhibited(P＜0.01),with inhibitory rates of SK-N-BE(2)cells in four groups were 6.73％,6.77％,7.67％,and 9.19％,respectively.In contrast,the proliferation rate of SH-SY5Y cells were significantly increased with the increase of IFN-γ concentrations(P＜0.01),and the proliferation rates of SH-SY5Y cells in four groups were 46.80％,79.19％,70.30％,and 72.33％,respectively.Transcrip tome sequencing identified hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase 2B1(SULT2B1)as a potential gene signature of IFN-γ.The IHC analysis results showed the expression amount of SULT2B1 protein in neuroblastoma tissues was increased.The clinical data analysis results revealed significant differences in age(Z=-2.618,P=0.018),lymphnode metastasis(x2=4.439,P=0.035),and distant metastasis(x2=5.856,P=0.016)between low and high SULT2B1 expression groups.Conclusion:IFN-γ can inhibit the proliferation of SK-N-BE(2)cells while promoting the proliferation of SH-SY5Y cells.SULT2B1 is a potential gene signature of IFN-γ,and its expression is upregulated in neuroblastoma tissue.SULT2B1 high expression is significantly associated with poor prognosis in the neuroblastoma patients.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen that has caused increasing epidemics in the Indian Ocean, South Asia, and Southeast Asia over the past two decades, with local outbreaks reported in Guangdong, Yunnan, and Zhejiang provinces of China. CHIKV infection typically presents with acute fever, rash, and arthralgia. The perinatal period represents a critical window for vertical transmission of CHIKV, which can severely impact neonatal health and childhood neurodevelopment. This review summarizes recent advances in the epidemiology of perinatal CHIKV infection and its effects on maternal and child health, providing evidence for disease prevention and control strategies.

Objective:To investigate the effect of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) on the biological activity of infantile hemangioma (IH) -derived endothelial cells (HemECs) .Methods:Three proliferating IH tissues and three involuting IH tissues were collected from IH patients receiving surgical resection at the Department of Pediatric Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from February to August 2021. Primary HemECs were isolated from proliferating IH tissues, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) served as the control. The TGF-β1 expression levels in tissues and cells were detected by immunohistochemical study and Western blot analysis. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay was performed to assess the effect of 0 (control group) - 100 ng/ml TGF-β1 on HemEC proliferation. HemECs were treated with 5 ng/ml TGF-β1 or without (control group), and after several hours of treatment, Transwell assay was performed to evaluate cell migration ability, and immunofluorescence assay to assess the changes in the expression of endothelial markers (platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 [CD31], vascular endothelial cadherin [VE-cadherin]) and mesenchymal markers (α-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA], collagen type Ⅰ α 1 [COL1A1]). Comparisons between groups were conducted by t test or one-way analysis of variance. Results:Immunohistochemical study showed that proliferating IH tissues were stained positively for TGF-β1, which was expressed relatively abundantly; the percentages of TGF-β1-positive signal area were higher in the proliferating IH tissues (24.68% ± 3.74%) than in the involuting IH tissues (almost no expression). Western blot analysis revealed that the relative expression level of TGF-β1 was significantly higher in HemECs (1.08 ± 0.13) than in HUVECs (0.30 ± 0.04, t = 9.93, P < 0.001). CCK8 assay showed increased proliferative activity of HemECs in the 3.125-, 6.25-, 12.5-, 25-, 50- and 75-ng/ml TGF-β1 groups compared with the control group (all P < 0.05), and no significant difference was found between the 100-ng/ml TGF-β1 group and the control group ( P > 0.05). Transwell assay revealed an increased number of migratory HemECs in the 5-ng/ml TGF-β1 group (127 ± 6) compared with the control group (103 ± 9; t = 5.32, P < 0.01). Immunofluorescence assay showed significantly decreased fluorescence intensity of endothelial markers CD31 and VE-cadherin in the 5-ng/ml TGF-β1 group (5.441 ± 1.254, 5.073 ± 0.412, respectively) compared with the control group (9.518 ± 1.728,7.671 ± 0.921, t = 3.31, 4.46, P = 0.030, 0.011, respectively), and significantly increased fluorescence intensity of mesenchymal markers α-SMA and COL1A1 in the 5-ng/ml TGF-β1 group (8.074 ± 0.846, 5.885 ± 0.216, respectively) compared with the control group (0.393 ± 0.342, 0.295 ± 0.125, t = 14.58, 38.76, P < 0.001, < 0.000 1, respectively) . Conclusion:TGF-β1 was relatively highly expressed in the proliferating IH tissues and HemECs, and could promote the proliferation, migration and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition of HemECs.

Objective:To investigate the longitudinal stability of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the Activity of Daily Living Scale (ADL).Methods:The longitudinal cognitive assessment results of 68 dementia patients admitted to the Dementia and Leukoencephalopathy Outpatient Clinic, Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, from January 2021 to January 2024, were retrospectively analyzed, including the total and sub-items scores of the MMSE, MoCA, and ADL. Two different rules were applied to analyze the abnormality rates: rule 1, where the current test result being better than the previous one was considered an abnormality; rule 2, where the current test result being better than the previous average score was considered an abnormality (If a patient had only 2 cognitive assessments, rule 2 was considered the same as rule 1). Two rules were used to analyze the abnormality rates of the scales. The statistical analyses were repeated after excluding patients with possible anxiety and depression status.Results:In assessing the total score stability, MMSE showed the lowest abnormality rates [27.2% (31/114) under rule 1 and 29.8% (34/114) under rule 2], while MoCA had the highest abnormality rates [41.3% (26/63) and 46.0% (29/63), respectively]. The ADL abnormality rates were 27.7% (23/83) and 33.7% (28/83), respectively. Among MoCA sub-items, category cue, multiple choice cue, second memory trial, orientation, and clock showed higher abnormality rates [31.7%(20/63), 30.2%(19/63), 23.8%(15/63), 22.2%(14/63), 22.2%(14/63), respectively]. After excluding population with possible anxiety and depression status, the relative abnormality rates of MMSE and ADL sub-items did not significantly change, while the abnormality rate of orientation in MoCA sub-items decreased relatively.Conclusion:The MMSE and ADL exhibit good stability in long-term monitoring of dementia patients, serving as essential tools for assessing and following up cognitive changes.

Objective To investigate the expression of RNFT2,MFAP2,and AF4/FMR2 family member 3(AFF3)in gastric cancer(GC)tissues,and to analyze their correlation with tumor pathological features and prognosis.Methods GC tissue specimens and adjacent tissue specimens were collected from 98 GC patients who underwent surgery in our hospital from May 2018 to January 2020,clinical data were also collected.Immunohistochemical methods were applied to detect the expression of RNFT2,MFAP2,and AFF3;Kaplan-Meier method was applied to analyze the relationship between the expression of RNFT2,MFAP2,and AFF3 and the prognosis of GC patients;multivariate Cox regression was applied to analyze the influencing factors of prognosis in GC patients.Results Compared with adjacent tissues,the positive rates of RNFT2 and MFAP2 proteins in GC tissue were obviously higher(75.51％vs.29.59％,70.41％vs.19.39％),while the positive rate of AFF3 protein was obviously lower(26.53％vs.68.37％,P＜0.05).The expression of RNFT2,MFAP2,and AFF3 proteins was obviously corr-elated with TNM staging and differentiation degree(P＜0.05);Kaplan-Meier method showed that the 3-year survival rates of RNFT2 and MFAP2 positive expression patients were lower than those of RNFT2 and MFAP2 negative expression patients,respectively,the 3-year survival rate of AFF3 positive expression patients was higher than that of AFF3 negative expression patients(P＜0.05).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that RNFT2,MFAP2,AFF3,TNM staging,and differentiation degree were prognostic factors for GC patients.Conclusion RNFT2 and MFAP2 are obviously upregulated in GC tissue,while AFF3 is obviously downregulated,which is closely related to clinical pathological features(such as TNM staging and differentiation)and prognosis,and has important value for the prognosis and survival of GC patients.

Objective This study aims to investigate the influence of multimedia technology and micro-lesson combined with case-based teaching on the nursing ability of radiation therapy intern nurses.Methods Sixty-four nursing interns from the radiation therapy department of our hospital between January 2022 and September 2024 were selected.They were randomly divid-ed into two groups,with 32 in each group.The control group received traditional mentoring,while the observation group received multimedia technology and micro-lesson combined with case-based teaching in addition to traditional mentoring.The teaching effects were compared between the two groups.Results The nursing competency level of the interns after performing tasks in the control group was significantly lower than that in the observation group,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the nursing competency level before task implementation between the two groups(P＞0.05).In terms of nursing quality,the control group had a significantly lower level than the observation group,with statistical signifi-cance(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in nursing quality before task implementation between the two groups(P＞0.05).When comparing the satisfaction level of the two groups of interns with the course teaching effect,the control group had a significantly lower satisfaction level than the observation group,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).Conclusion The use of multimedia technology and micro-lesson combined with case-based teaching can effectively improve the clinical nurs-ing ability of intern nurses.Therefore,this method is worth promoting and applying in clinical settings.

Objective To investigate the expression of RNFT2,MFAP2,and AF4/FMR2 family member 3(AFF3)in gastric cancer(GC)tissues,and to analyze their correlation with tumor pathological features and prognosis.Methods GC tissue specimens and adjacent tissue specimens were collected from 98 GC patients who underwent surgery in our hospital from May 2018 to January 2020,clinical data were also collected.Immunohistochemical methods were applied to detect the expression of RNFT2,MFAP2,and AFF3;Kaplan-Meier method was applied to analyze the relationship between the expression of RNFT2,MFAP2,and AFF3 and the prognosis of GC patients;multivariate Cox regression was applied to analyze the influencing factors of prognosis in GC patients.Results Compared with adjacent tissues,the positive rates of RNFT2 and MFAP2 proteins in GC tissue were obviously higher(75.51％vs.29.59％,70.41％vs.19.39％),while the positive rate of AFF3 protein was obviously lower(26.53％vs.68.37％,P＜0.05).The expression of RNFT2,MFAP2,and AFF3 proteins was obviously corr-elated with TNM staging and differentiation degree(P＜0.05);Kaplan-Meier method showed that the 3-year survival rates of RNFT2 and MFAP2 positive expression patients were lower than those of RNFT2 and MFAP2 negative expression patients,respectively,the 3-year survival rate of AFF3 positive expression patients was higher than that of AFF3 negative expression patients(P＜0.05).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that RNFT2,MFAP2,AFF3,TNM staging,and differentiation degree were prognostic factors for GC patients.Conclusion RNFT2 and MFAP2 are obviously upregulated in GC tissue,while AFF3 is obviously downregulated,which is closely related to clinical pathological features(such as TNM staging and differentiation)and prognosis,and has important value for the prognosis and survival of GC patients.