Alterations of receptor protein expression in the mucosa layer or smooth muscle layer of the bladder in controls and FFRs.

<p>Western blot analysis with specific antibodies to the TRPV1 receptor, purinergic P2X₂ receptor, and P2X₃ receptor of the rat mucosal layer and the purinergic P2X₁ receptor of the rat smooth muscle layer in controls and FFRs with different in cystometric presentations. A. TRPV1 receptor: The TRPV1 antibody produced a clear single band at 95kDa. B. Purinergic P2X₂ receptor C. Purinergic P2X₃ mature receptor: the predominant P2X₃ form (65kDa). D. Up-regulation of P2X3 native and intermediate polypeptides (up to 55kD) were shown in both FFR groups. E. Purinergic P2X₁ receptor Experiments were repeated two times and representative blots are shown. Data of proteins expression (ratios of signal intensities of investigated receptors relative to β-actin or GAPDH) were calculated with 8 samples in each group. These data of Mean ± SE were standardized and expressed in percentage in which the value of the control group is treated as 100%. Theses values were shown in the bar graph. An asterisk indicates a significant difference between controls and FFR groups (One-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s test, p<0.05).</p

The effects of PPADS intravenous injection on the response to acidic ATP solution in the bladder of controls and FFRs.

<p>Representative traces of bladder responses to acidic ATP solution instillation before and after intravenous PPADS administration in the control (A), FFRs with NDF (B), and FFRs with DO (C). (D): Purinergic antagonist effects of PPADS on the reduction of ICI during ATP solution stimulation among groups. An asterisk indicates a significant difference between before and after intravenous PPADS administration in the same group. (Paired t- test, p<0.05).</p

The effects of intravesical liposome administration on the response to acidic ATP solution stimulation in the bladder of controls and FFRs.

<p>Representative traces of bladder responses to acidic ATP solution instillation before and after intravesical liposome administration in the control (A), FFRs with NDF (B), and FFRs with DO (C). (D): Protective effects of liposomes on the reduction of ICI during ATP solution stimulation among groups. An asterisk indicates a significant difference between before and after intravesical liposome administration in the same group. (Paired t-test, p<0.05).</p

Comparisons of general characteristics, biochemistry variables, and cystometric parameters among controls and FFRs.

<p>Data presented as mean ± SEM and tested among groups using one-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s test.</p>*<p>The Dunnett’s test showed a significant difference between the control group and other groups.</p>†<p>Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) = fasting plasma insulin (µ U/ml)×fasting plasma glucose (mmol/l)/22.5.</p

Progression-free survival (PFS) stratified by variants of urothelial carcinoma (VUC) or pure urothelial carcinoma (PUC).

<p>Progression-free survival (PFS) stratified by variants of urothelial carcinoma (VUC) or pure urothelial carcinoma (PUC).</p

A Consort diagram.

<p>A Consort diagram.</p

Clinical characteristics of 206 patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma.

<p>Abbreviations: PUC, pure urothelial carcinoma; VUC, variants of urothelial carcinoma; CCr, clearance of creatinine; ECOG, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group</p><p>Clinical characteristics of 206 patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma.</p

Overall survival (OS) stratified by variants of urothelial carcinoma (VUC) or pure urothelial carcinoma (PUC).

<p>Overall survival (OS) stratified by variants of urothelial carcinoma (VUC) or pure urothelial carcinoma (PUC).</p

Novel Inflammation-Based Prognostic Score for Predicting Survival in Patients with Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma

<div><p>Purpose</p><p>We developed a novel inflammation-based model (NPS), which consisted of a neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet count (PC), for assessing the prognostic role in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC).</p><p>Materials and Methods</p><p>We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with metastatic UC who underwent systemic chemotherapy between January 1997 and December 2014 in Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. The defined cutoff values for the NLR and PC were 3.0 and 400 × 10³/μL, respectively. Patients were scored 1 for either an elevated NLR or PC, and 0 otherwise. The NPS was calculated by summing the scores, ranging from 0 to 2. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) by using Kaplan–Meier analysis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to identify the independent prognostic factors for OS.</p><p>Results</p><p>In total, 256 metastatic UC patients were enrolled. Univariate analysis revealed that patients with either a high NLR or PC had a significantly shorter survival rate compared with those with a low NLR (<i>P</i> = .001) or PC (<i>P</i> < .0001). The median OS in patients with NPS 0, 1, and 2 was 19.0, 12.8, and 9.3 months, respectively (<i>P</i> < .0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that NPS, along with the histologic variant, liver metastasis, age, and white cell count, was an independent factor facilitating OS prediction (hazard ratio 1.64, 95% confidence interval 1.20–2.24, <i>P</i> = .002).</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>The NLR and PC are independent prognostic factors for OS in patients with metastatic UC. The NPS model has excellent discriminant ability for OS.</p></div

Kaplan–Meier analysis for OS according to NPS.

<p>Kaplan–Meier analysis for OS according to NPS.</p