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Sarcopenia is a commonly prevalent malnutrition condition and serves as a valuable adverse prognostic indicator for survival in patients with cancer. A rapid and convenient screening test for sarcopenia would be helpful for patients. Aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of SARC-F and SARC-F combined with calf circumference (SARC-CalF) for screening cancer-related sarcopenia in cancer population. A total of 309 patients with cancer who had routine abdominal comptued tomography (CT) images within 30 days were enrolled in this cross-sectional cohort. Sarcopenia was determined as the presence of both low muscle mass (LMM) and low muscle strength; muscle mass was evaluated by CT-scan, and muscle strength was evaluated by handgrip strength (HGS). Two different diagnostic criteria (Western criteria and Eastern criteria) were used as the reference standards. The sensitivity and specificity analyses of the SARC-F and SARC-CalF were calculated. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the ROC curves (AUC) were used to compare the diagnostic value of SARC-F and SARC-CalF for sarcopenia. The prevalence of LMM and sarcopenia in the patient group was 85.1% and 50.5% by Western criteria. Corresponding figures were lower as 42.4% and 26.2% by Eastern criteria. In the overall study population, when sarcopenia defined by the Eastern criteria, sensitivity and specificity of SARC-CalF were 66.6% and 70.1%, whereas that of SARC-F were 32.1% and 90.7%, respectively. The AUCs for SARC-CalF and SARC-F were 0.75 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70–0.80) and 0.70 (95% CI 0.64–0.75), respectively (P = 0.003). Against the Western criteria, SARC-CalF also had better sensitivity (55.1% vs. 22.4%) but lower specificity (76.4% vs. 92.1%) than that of SARC-F. The AUCs of SARC-CalF and SARC-F were 0.70 (95% CI 0.65–0.75) and 0.68 (95% CI 0.62–0.73), respectively, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.211). SARC-CalF significantly increases the sensitivity and overall diagnostic accuracy of SARC-F for screening sarcopenia. SARC-CalF can be a rapid screening tool for sarcopenia in patients with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene mediates detection and repair of DNA damage. We investigated associations between ATM polymorphisms and severe radiation-induced pneumonitis (RP). Methods and Materials: We genotyped 3 potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ATM (rs1801516 [D1853N/5557G>A], rs189037 [-111G>A] and rs228590) in 362 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), who received definitive (chemo)radiation therapy. The cumulative severe RP probabilities by genotypes were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis. The associations between severe RP risk and genotypes were assessed by both logistic regression analysis and Cox proportional hazard model with time to event considered. Results: Of 362 patients (72.4% of non-Hispanic whites), 56 (15.5%) experienced grade ≥3 RP. Patients carrying ATM rs189037 AG/GG or rs228590 TT/CT genotypes or rs189037G/rs228590T/rs1801516G (G-T-G) haplotype had a lower risk of severe RP (rs189037: GG/AG vs AA, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.83, P=.009; rs228590: TT/CT vs CC, HR=0.57, 95% CI, 0.33-0.97, P=.036; haplotype: G-T-G vs A-C-G, HR=0.52, 95% CI, 0.35-0.79, P=.002). Such positive findings remained in non-Hispanic whites. Conclusions: ATM polymorphisms may serve as biomarkers for susceptibility to severe RP in non-Hispanic whites. Large prospective studies are required to confirm our findings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Sm3+-doped low-phonon-energy (LPE) Ge–Ga–Se–CsI glasses were studied. Upon excitation at 980nm diode laser, intense 1.25 and 1.49μm near-infrared fluorescence bands with broad full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 49 and 53nm were observed, respectively. About 180–300μs fluorescence lifetimes were obtained for the 1.49μm emission. The thermal properties and structure of glasses were investigated by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and Raman spectra, respectively. Spectroscopic characteristics of the optical transitions have been calculated by using the Judd–Ofelt theory and evaluated for excited levels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Systematic toxicity and drug resistance significantly limited FDA-approved platinum drugs for further clinical applications. In order to reverse the resistance (MDR) and enhance their anticancer efficiency, four Pt(IV) complexes (12 – 15) conjugating with P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors were designed and synthesized. Among them, complex 14 (IC 50 = 3.37 μM) efficiently reversed cisplatin resistance in SGC-7901/CDDP cell line and increased selectivity index (6.9) against normal HL-7702 cell line. Detailed mechanisms in SGC-7901/CDDP cells assays revealed that complex 14 efficiently induced apoptosis via down-regulating expression of P-gp for enhanced intracellular uptake of platinum, arrested cells at G2/M phase, induced DNA damage and initiated mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Further in vivo studies demonstrated that the enhanced accumulation of complex 14 contributed to tumor inhibition of 75.6% in SGC-7901/CDDP xenografts, which was much higher than cisplatin (25.9%) and oxaliplatin (43%). Moreover, the low systematic toxicity made 14 a potential novel P-gp-mediated MDR modulator. [Display omitted] • Four novel Pt(IV) complexes based on P-gp inhibitors were prepared. • 14 strongly reversed P-gp mediated efflux and enhanced intracellular uptake of platinum. • 14 exserted apoptosis-promoting activity via mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. • 14 efficiently inhibited tumor growth in SGC-7901/CDDP xenografts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Object This study aimed to investigate the role of lncRNA OIP5-AS1 in regulating radioresistance of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Methods Microarray analysis was used to screen out lncRNAs differentially expressed in radio-resistant CRC cell lines. Expression levels of OIP5-AS1, miR-369-3p and DYRK1A in CRC cell lines were measured by qRT-PCR. Protein expression of DYRK1A was determined by western blot. The target relationships among OIP5-AS1, miR-369-3p and DYRK1A were validated by dual luciferase reporter assay. Impacts of OIP5-AS1 or DYRK1A on CRC cellular activity and apoptosis were investigated by MTT assay, clonogenic survival assay and flow cytometry to analyze OIP5-AS1 or DYRK1A ’s effect on radioresistance of CRC cells. Results LncRNA OIP5-AS1 and DYRK1A were down-regulated in radio-resistant CRC cell lines. OIP5-AS1 suppressed the expression of miR-369-3p, thus up-regulating DYRK1A , the downstream gene of miR-369-3p. OIP5-AS1 and DYRK1A impaired cell clonogenic survival and promoted cell apoptosis after irradiation, improving radiosensitivity of CRC cells. Conclusion LncRNA OIP5-AS1 suppressed cell viability, promoted radio-induced apoptosis, and enhanced the radiosensitivity of CRC cells by regulating DYRK1A expression through miR-369-3p. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: LIN28 is an RNA-binding protein that not only plays key roles in multiple cellular developmental processes and tumourigenesis, but also is involved in tissue inflammatory response. However, no published study has investigated associations between genetic variants in LIN28 and radiation-induced pneumonitis (RP) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with definitive radiation therapy. Methods: We genotyped eight potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of LIN28A (rs11247946 T>C, rs3811464 C>T, rs11581746 T>C, and rs12728900 G>A) and LIN28B (rs314280 G>A, rs12194974 G>A, rs17065417 A>C and rs314276 C>A) in 362 patients with NSCLC, who received definitive radio(chemo)therapy. The associations between RP risk and genotypes were assessed by hazards ratio (HR) in Cox proportional hazards regression analysis with time to event considered with and without adjustment for potential confounders. Results: Multivariate analyses found that patients carrying LIN28B rs314280 AG and AA/AG or rs314276 AC and AA/AC genotypes had a higher risk of grade ⩾3 RP (for rs314280 AG and AA/AG versus GG, adjusted HR=2.97 and 2.23, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.32–6.72 and 1.01–4.94, P =0.009 and 0.048, respectively; for rs314276 AC and AA/AC versus CC, adjusted HR=2.30 and 2.00, 95% CI=1.24–4.28 and 1.11–3.62, and P =0.008 and 0.022, respectively). Further stratified analyses showed a more consistent and profound risk in the subgroups of age <65years, males, stage III/IV, ever smokers, having radio-chemotherapy and mean lung dose (MLD) ⩾19.0Gy. Conclusion: Genetic variants of LIN28B, but not LIN28A, may be biomarkers for susceptibility to severe RP in NSCLC patients. Large, prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: LIN28 is an RNA-binding protein that not only plays key roles in multiple cellular developmental processes and tumourigenesis, but also is involved in tissue inflammatory response. However, no published study has investigated associations between genetic variants in LIN28 and radiation-induced pneumonitis (RP) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with definitive radiation therapy. Methods: We genotyped eight potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of LIN28A (rs11247946 T>C, rs3811464 C>T, rs11581746 T>C, and rs12728900 G>A) and LIN28B (rs314280 G>A, rs12194974 G>A, rs17065417 A>C and rs314276 C>A) in 362 patients with NSCLC, who received definitive radio(chemo)therapy. The associations between RP risk and genotypes were assessed by hazards ratio (HR) in Cox proportional hazards regression analysis with time to event considered with and without adjustment for potential confounders. Results: Multivariate analyses found that patients carrying LIN28B rs314280 AG and AA/AG or rs314276 AC and AA/AC genotypes had a higher risk of grade ⩾3 RP (for rs314280 AG and AA/AG versus GG, adjusted HR=2.97 and 2.23, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.32–6.72 and 1.01–4.94, P =0.009 and 0.048, respectively; for rs314276 AC and AA/AC versus CC, adjusted HR=2.30 and 2.00, 95% CI=1.24–4.28 and 1.11–3.62, and P =0.008 and 0.022, respectively). Further stratified analyses showed a more consistent and profound risk in the subgroups of age <65years, males, stage III/IV, ever smokers, having radio-chemotherapy and mean lung dose (MLD) ⩾19.0Gy. Conclusion: Genetic variants of LIN28B, but not LIN28A, may be biomarkers for susceptibility to severe RP in NSCLC patients. Large, prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]