Efferocytosis refers to the process of phagocytes engulfing and clearing the cells after programmed cell death. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have shown that the mechanisms of efferocytosis are closely related to drug-induced liver injury, hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury, viral hepatitis, cholestatic liver diseases, metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, and other liver disorders. This review summarized the research progress on the role of efferocytosis in liver diseases, with the hope of providing new targets for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases.
Humans ; Liver Diseases/metabolism* ; Animals ; Phagocytosis/physiology* ; Phagocytes ; Efferocytosis

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the pegaspargase, etoposide, methotrexate, and dexamethasone (PEMD) regimen in patients with early-stage nonupper respiratory digestive tract or advanced extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) .Methods:This retrospective analysis included 38 patients with newly diagnosed early-stage non-upper respiratory digestive tract or advanced ENKTL who received PEMD regimen for induction chemotherapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2016 to December 2022. Survival outcomes and prognostic factors were examined by Kaplan-Meier, and the Log-rank test was used to compare survival.Results:The study population had a median age of 48 years (range, 26-72 years) and included 30 males (78.9%) and 8 females (21.1%). 7 patients’ age >60 years (18.4%). The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score was >1 in 7 patients (18.4%) ; 20 patients (52.6%) had elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels; and 37 patients (97.4%) exhibited extranodal involvement. Using the Ann Arbor staging system, 37 patients (97.4%) were classified as stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ. The median number of treatment cycles was 5 (1-6), and the median follow-up duration was 60 months (24 - 101 months). Interim efficacy assessment revealed an overall response rate of 52.7%. At 2 and 4 years, the progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 34.2% (95% CI 22.0%-53.2%) and 25.5% (95% CI 14.7%-44.4%), respectively, and the overall survival rates were 50.0% (95% CI 36.4%-68.7%) and 45.5% (95% CI 31.4%-65.7%), respectively. The risk factors for worse PFS were ECOG performance score >1 [ HR=3.711 (95% CI 1.494-9.218), P=0.005]; bone marrow infiltration [ HR=2.251 (95% CI 1.026 - 4.938), P=0.043]; and Prognostic Index for Natural Killer/T-Cell Lymphoma score of 3 - 5 [ HR=2.350 (95% CI 1.009 - 5.476), P=0.048]. Multivariate analysis identified ECOG performance score >1 as an independent risk factor for PFS [ HR=7.971 (95% CI 2.222 - 28.591), P=0.001]. The main adverse effect was anemia in 31 patients (81.6%) . Conclusion:The PEMD regimen was safe and effective for patients with newly diagnosed early-stage non-upper respiratory digestive tract or advanced ENKTL.

Objective To observe the value of ultrashort echo time(UTE)-MRI for evaluating pulmonary nodules.Methods Totally 58 patients with pulmonary nodules detected with CT were prospectively enrolled,and UTE-MRI was performed.Taken CT as the referent standard,the value of UTE-MRI for evaluating the diameter,composition,lung imaging reporting and data system(Lung-RADS)type and radiographic signs of pulmonary nodules was analyzed.Results CT detected 66 pulmonary nodules with a diameter of(11.60±5.20)mm in 58 patients,including 29 solid nodules,24 partially solid nodules and 13 ground-glass nodules.There were 14 Lung-RADS type 2,12 type 3,12 type 4A,11 type 4B and 17 type 4X lung nodules,among which 12 were found with lobulated sign,and 14 were found with spiculated sign.UTE-MRI detected 63 nodules with a diameter of(11.34±4.82)mm,including 25 solid nodules,28 partially solid nodules and 10 ground-glass nodules.There were 12 Lung-RADS type 2,12 type 3,12 type 4A,11 type 4B and 16 type 4X lung nodules.Among which 10 nodules were found with lobulated sign and 11 were found with spiculated sign.No significant difference of the measured diameters of lung nodules was found between UTE-MRI and CT(P=0.803),and the results of UTE-MRI and CT had good correlation and consistency(rs=0.953,ICC=0.946),which also had good consistency for assessing nodule composition and Lung-RADS type(Kappa=0.871,0.960).Meanwhile,no significant difference of the display rates of lobulated nor spiculated signs was noticed between UTE-MRI and CT(both P＞0.05).Conclusion UTE-MRI was helpful for evaluating pulmonary nodules,with efficacy comparable to CT.

Liver fibrosis has a complex pathogenesis， and as research deepens， an increasing number of evidence has revealed extensive metabolic reprogramming in the development and progression of liver fibrosis. This article reviews the origin and role of hepatic macrophages， the distribution of hepatic stellate cells， and the changes in glycolysis and lipid metabolism in the two types of cells， in order to provide new insights into the research on liver fibrosis and the prevention and treatment of this disease.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma (DAC) at different stages. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on patients diagnosed with DAC between January 2000 and December 2021 using data from the SEER database. Kaplan-Meier curves were utilized to evaluate the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy on survival outcomes in DAC patients with different stages. Univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses were performed to determine whether adjuvant chemotherapy served as an independent prognostic factor for cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). Results A total of 1 195 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Of these, 620 patients (51.9%) received adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery were defined as the adjuvant chemotherapy group, whereas 575 patients (48.1%) underwent surgery alone were defined as the other group. After propensity score matching, 634 patients were retained for subsequent analysis. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that there were statistically significant differences in CSS and OS between the adjuvant chemotherapy group and other group for stage ⅢA and ⅢB patients (P < 0.05), while no statistically significant differences in CSS and OS between the adjuvant chemotherapy group and other group for stageⅠ, stageⅡA, stage ⅡB patients (P > 0.05). Multivariate analysis identified adjuvant chemotherapy as an independent protective factor for both CSS and OS in DAC patients. Additionally, age, year of diagnosis, tumor grade, number of regional lymph nodes examined (RNE), and TNM stage were identified as independent protective or risk factors for CSS and OS (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Based on substage stratification, the survival benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy for DAC patients are as follows: patients with stage ⅢA and ⅢB benefit in both CSS and OS, while patients with stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ A, and ⅡB do not benefit in either CSS or OS.

Objective To conduct the reductive reservation for torsional ovary in different states(.un-necrotic ovary,suspected necrotic torsional ovary and torsional necrotic ovary)after the ovarian torsion in pre-maturity SD rat,and to investigate its effect on the ovarian reproductive function in maturity stage.Methods A total of 32 SD rats with 3 weeks old were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups,8 cases in each group.The animal model of ovarian torsion was made by using the Turner method,which was similar to the animal model of testicular torsion,and either group was selected to undergo the sham operation as the con-trol group(CG group).The non-necrotic torsional ovary detorsion group(NNTOD group),suspected necrotic torsional ovary detorsion group(SNTOD group)and necrotic torsional ovary detorsion group(NTOD group)were established respectively.When the animals were fed to sexual maturity at 8 weeks of age,the experimen-tal animals were sacrificed by vertebral dislocation method,and the ovary tissues on the torsional side were cut for HE staining and transmission electron microscopy to examine the changes of ovarian histomorphology and mitochondrial structure.Ovarian cell apoptosis was detected by Tunel assay.ELISA method was used to de-tect the follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH)and anti-mullerian duct hormone(AMH)levels in centrifugal blood.Results The ovarian structure in the CG group and NNTOD group was clear,the ovarian follicles at different levels were developed well;the electron microscopy showed normal mi-tochondria.The ovarian partial structure in the SNTOD group was disorganized,the number of follicles at all levels of growth was decreased;electron microscopic examination showed a little damage of mitochondria.In the NTOD group,the arrangement of ovarian structure was obviously disordered,the number of growing folli-cles at all levels was significantly reduced;the electron microscopy showed that most of the mitochondria were obviously swollen and severely damaged.Compared with the CG group,the apoptosis rate in the SNTOD group and NTOD group was significantly increased(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant differ-ence between CG group and NNTOD group(P＞0.05).Compared with the NTOD group,the apoptosis rate in the SNTOD group was decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the CG group,the levels of LH and FSH in the SNTOD and NTOD groups were increased,and the AMH level was decreased(P＜0.05).The LH and FSH levels in the SNTOD group were lower than those in the NTOD group,the AMH level was higher than that in the NTOD group(P＜0.05).Conclusion After reduction of the torsional suspected necrotic ovary in the prematurity rat,the ovarian reproductive function in the torsional side during sexual maturity period is slightly injured;while after reduction of torsional necrotic ovary restoration,its reproductive function is appar-ently damaged.

Objective To investigate the critical role of macrophage M1 polarization in mediating the effect of periodontitis on the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods Alveolar lavage fluid samples were collected from COPD patients with comorbid periodontitis,and gene expression analysis was performed to validate the changes in the expression of M1 polarization-related genes.A mouse model of COPD,with experimentally induced periodontitis,were established.Hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining of pathological sections was performed to observe the effect of periodontitis on COPD progression.Flow cytometry,immunofluorescence staining,and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)were performed to analyze the effect of periodontitis on macrophage M1 polarization and the expression of relevant genes in the alveolar lavage fluid and lung tissues.Results In clinical samples of alveolar lavage fluid from COPD patients with periodontitis,the expression of macrophage M1 polarization-related genes,including CD86,inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),interleukin(IL)-1β,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,IL-23,and IL-6,was upregulated compared with that of COPD patients without periodontitis.Analysis of a mouse disease model revealed that periodontitis affected the growth of COPD mice,with the final body mass of mice in the periodontitis and COPD comorbid group([21.3±0.52]g,day 34)lower than that of the COPD group([23.93±0.45]g,day 34).Pathological sections of the lung tissue showed that periodontitis exacerbated COPD progression,with more pronounced alveolar expansion and alveolar wall destruction observed in the periodontitis and COPD comorbid group.Flow cytometry revealed a higher proportion of M1-polarized macrophages in alveolar lavage fluid from COPD and periodontitis comorbid mice([31.36±2.51]%)compared with the COPD mice([23.19±1.07]%).Immunofluorescence assays indicated that periodontitis also promoted macrophage M1 polarization in the lung tissue of COPD mice.Gene expression analysis demonstrated that M1 polarization-related gene expression was significantly upregulated in both the alveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue of mice in the COPD and periodontitis co-morbid group compared to the COPD group.Conclusion Periodontitis exacerbates COPD progression by promoting macrophage M1 polarization in the lungs.Enhancing oral hygiene management and targeting the inhibition of macrophage M1 polarization may represent new therapeutic strategies for the clinical prevention and control of COPD.

Objective:To explore the molecular mechanism by which the methionine adenosyltransferase 2A (MAT2A)/β-catenin/zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1)/epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway regulates neural tube defect (NTD) through intracellular S-adenosylmethionine (SAM).Methods:A mouse NTD model was induced using the SAM metabolic disorder inhibitor ethionine. Eighty specific pathogen-free C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups: a normal group (36 mice), an ethionine group (46 mice), and an ethionine+SAM group (44 mice). Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), ethionine, and ethionine+SAM were respectively injected intraperitoneally on embryonic day 7.5 (E7.5), and the mice were sacrificed on E10.5. Embryonic tissues were collected, and the morphology of embryos in each group was observed under a stereomicroscope. The interaction between ethionine and MAT2A was analyzed using Autodock software. The expression levels of MAT2A, β-catenin, ZEB1, and EMT-related proteins in the brain tissues of embryos from the three groups were measured using immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Variance analysis was used for intergroup comparisons.Results:(1) Autodock analysis results showed that MAT2A binds to ethionine through covalent bonds, exhibiting a complementary effect, thereby accelerating the expression of MAT2A. (2) After successful construction of the NTD model, normal embryos were plump with well-developed brains. NTD embryos showed delayed development, obvious anencephaly, unclosed neural tubes, and asymmetry. (3) The levels of SAM and SAH in the embryonic tissues of the ethionine group were significantly lower than those in the normal group (1 737.56±95.64 vs. 872.33±205.11, and 89.17±9.50 vs. 51.25±9.48, respectively). The SAM and SAH levels in the ethionine+SAM group was 1 197.00±222.27 and 66.61±12.25, significantly higher than those in the ethionine group ( P<0.017). Compared with the normal group and the ethionine+SAM group, the expression of MAT2A mRNA in the embryonic brain tissue of the ethionine group was significantly upregulated (1.00±0.00, 1.59±0.52, and 2.42±0.53, respectively, F=49.64, P<0.001; pairwise comparisons between groups P<0.017). (4) Compared with the normal group, the expression of Ctnnb1 in the ethionine group was reduced, and the expression of Ctnnb1 in the ethionine+SAM group was higher than that in the ethionine group (1.00±0.00, 0.38±0.16, and 0.76±0.10, respectively, F=149.03, P<0.001; pairwise comparisons between groups P<0.017). (5) The expression of ZEB1 in the ethionine group was higher than that in the normal group and the ethionine+SAM group (2.91±0.55, 1.00±0.00, and 1.61±0.20, respectively, F=150.01, P<0.001; pairwise comparisons between groups P<0.017). (6) The expression levels of E-cadherin and Vimentin in the ethionine group were lower than those in the normal group. In contrast, the expression of N-cadherin was higher than that in the normal group. After SAM supplementation, the expression levels of E-cadherin and Vimentin were upregulated, and the expression level of N-cadherin was downregulated (0.54±0.12, 1.00±0.00, and 0.72±0.14, respectively, F=87.44; 0.53±0.17, 1.00±0.00, and 0.76±0.09, F=87.44; 3.11±0.53, 1.00±0.00, and 2.13±0.56, F=95.54; all P<0.001; pairwise comparisons within the same index group P<0.017]). Conclusions:Ethionine promotes the expression of MAT2A, leading to reduced SAM production. Ethionine regulates the level of ZEB1 by increasing MAT2A and inhibits the EMT process to interfere with methionine cycle metabolism, ultimately resulting in NTD.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for patients with hypertriglyceridemia-related acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) developing into severe acute pancreatitis or experiencing organ failure.Methods:This retrospective cohort study collected clinical data from 2 429 patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis from five hospitals in China between January 2019 and December 2023 using a pre-designed data collection form. The cohort included 1 516 males and 913 females,with an age of (50.2±16.5)years(range: 11 to 99 years). Among them,353 patients (16.1%) had HTG-AP,while 1 846 (83.9%) had non-HTG-AP. HTG-AP was defined as serum triglyceride levels>500 mg/dl with other etiologies excluded. Intergroup comparisons were performed using t-tests,Mann-Whitney U test or χ2 tests,respectively. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess risk factors for severe acute pancreatitis after adjusting for potential confounders,and a predictive model was developed and validated. Results:Compared with other etiologies,HTG-AP patients had a higher risk of progressing to SAP ( OR=1.415,95% CI: 0.866 to 2.312, P=0.017) and organ failure ( OR=1.256,95% CI: 1.015 to 1.554, P=0.036). Among HTG-AP patients,risk factors for SAP included body mass index ( OR=1.856,95% CI: 1.742 to 1.987, P=0.033),fasting blood glucose ( OR=1.128,95% CI: 1.036 to 1.229, P=0.006),white blood cell count( OR=1.162,95% CI: 1.055 to 1.281, P=0.002),and the presence of pleural effusion ( OR=13.151,95% CI: 4.330 to 19.946, P<0.01). A nomogram prediction model for SAP in HTG-AP was constructed based on these risk factors,demonstrating good discriminative ability with area under the curve values of 0.877 in the training set and 0.894 in the validation set,along with satisfactory calibration. Conclusions:HTG-AP patients are at higher risk of developing SAP and organ failure. The risk prediction model incorporating body mass index,fasting blood glucose,white blood cell count,and pleural effusion shows good predictive value for SAP.

Objective To observe the value of ultrashort echo time(UTE)-MRI for evaluating pulmonary nodules.Methods Totally 58 patients with pulmonary nodules detected with CT were prospectively enrolled,and UTE-MRI was performed.Taken CT as the referent standard,the value of UTE-MRI for evaluating the diameter,composition,lung imaging reporting and data system(Lung-RADS)type and radiographic signs of pulmonary nodules was analyzed.Results CT detected 66 pulmonary nodules with a diameter of(11.60±5.20)mm in 58 patients,including 29 solid nodules,24 partially solid nodules and 13 ground-glass nodules.There were 14 Lung-RADS type 2,12 type 3,12 type 4A,11 type 4B and 17 type 4X lung nodules,among which 12 were found with lobulated sign,and 14 were found with spiculated sign.UTE-MRI detected 63 nodules with a diameter of(11.34±4.82)mm,including 25 solid nodules,28 partially solid nodules and 10 ground-glass nodules.There were 12 Lung-RADS type 2,12 type 3,12 type 4A,11 type 4B and 16 type 4X lung nodules.Among which 10 nodules were found with lobulated sign and 11 were found with spiculated sign.No significant difference of the measured diameters of lung nodules was found between UTE-MRI and CT(P=0.803),and the results of UTE-MRI and CT had good correlation and consistency(rs=0.953,ICC=0.946),which also had good consistency for assessing nodule composition and Lung-RADS type(Kappa=0.871,0.960).Meanwhile,no significant difference of the display rates of lobulated nor spiculated signs was noticed between UTE-MRI and CT(both P＞0.05).Conclusion UTE-MRI was helpful for evaluating pulmonary nodules,with efficacy comparable to CT.