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Background: Concurrent or definitive chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment of locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Elderly patients could not tolerate the standard concurrent chemotherapy and were treated with radiotherapy because of weak physical status and multiple comorbidities. Objective: The efficacy and safety profile of concurrent (chemo) radiotherapy combined with nimotuzumab in elderly patients with ESCC were investigated. Methods: Eligible elderly (≥70 years) patients with locally advanced ESCC were enrolled in this prospective, real-world pragmatic study and received concurrent chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy combined with nimotuzumab. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints were objective response rate, disease control rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and adverse drug reactions. Results: Fifty-three elderly patients were enrolled. Thirty-two (60.4%) were treated with radiotherapy combined with nimotuzumab (RT+N), and 21 (39.6%) with concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with nimotuzumab (CRT+N). The median age was 75.8 years. Fourteen (56.0%) patients achieved a partial response, and 11 (44.0%) patients achieved stable disease at 3 months. The median follow-up duration was 24.4 (95%CI, 21.6-26.7) months. Median OS (mOS) was 27.0 (95%CI, 14.8-48.4) months. Median PFS (mPFS) was 22.6 (95%CI, 12.4-not reached) months. Higher mPFS (not reached vs. 12.0 months; p=0.022) and mOS (48.4 vs. 15.3 months; p=0.009) were observed in the CRT+N group compared with the RT+N group. Most adverse reactions were grade 1-2 (46, 86.8%). Conclusions: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy combined with nimotuzumab was safe and well-tolerated in elderly patients with locally advanced ESCC. ESCC patients treated with CRT+N could live longer.

Background The recently discovered competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism is considered to be actively involved in the regulation of gene expression. Such process may play a significant role in the development and evolvement of cancer. This study further explores the connection between the ceRNA mechanism and the lung squamous cell carcinoma prognosis. Methods We started with obtaining the RNA-seq [including long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), mRNA and microRNA (miRNA)] data of lung squamous cell carcinoma from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and then analyzed the regulation of ceRNA network in lung squamous cell carcinoma. Bioinformatics tools based on R script were deployed. Results Firstly, we found that three miRNAs, including hsa-miR-2278, hsa-miR-3176 and hsa-miR-3654 formed the core of ceRNA network of lung squamous cell carcinoma. Moreover, after unsupervised training of the ceRNA network, three miRNAs were closely correlated in the network. In detail, AL590226, AL090044 and LINC01352 could interact with miR-2278; AL360219 and AC092071 could interact with miR-3654; AC010976 could interact with miR-3176. The above six lncRNAs altogether, could be used as a biomarker panel to predict the prognosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusions Our study suggests that these six lncRNAs may be potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of lung squamous cell carcinoma, which could potentially benefit the patients in the future.

Shouguang City is located in north-central of Shandong, distributing the piedmont plain and coastal plain from the south to north. This area, as a vegetable base in northern China, not only meets local needs but also has a large number of vegetables exported to domestic and foreign countries in the form of virtual water. The vegetable production in this area mainly depends on groundwater exploitation, which causes saltwater intrusion problems. This study establishes the linear model of virtual water and vegetable production, irrigation water consumption, total population, per capita vegetable sales volume, and the purchase amount of vegetable trade. The output of vegetable virtual water from 1980 to 2012 is calculated. 3.79 billion kg of vegetables were exported in the form of virtual water with a volume of 145 million m3 in 2012, accounted for 78% of the average annual groundwater resources in the region. The vegetable trade development in Shouguang City from 1980 to 2002 can be divided into two stages: bare land vegetable cultivation in 1980–1990 and greenhouse vegetable cultivation in 1991–2002. The correlations among the annual virtual water output volume of vegetable trade, annual groundwater cumulative storage, groundwater depth at the center of depression area, and saltwater intrusion area are established and analyzed. In the first stage, for every 10 million m3 of vegetable virtual water was transferred, the salt water intrusion area in this area increased by 13.8 km2; in the second stage, the saltwater intrusion area increased correspondingly by 5 km2. The influence of saltwater intrusion on adjusting crop-planting structure is also analyzed to achieve the purpose of effectively alleviating the ecological and environmental problems in the area.

Durvalumab as consolidative immunotherapy following concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cCRT) is the standard treatment for patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we describe a case of unresectable stage III NSCLC who was chemotherapy resistant, benefit from cCRT and durvalumab. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) evaluation of the patient detected a mass in the left upper mediastinum. The biopsy specimen showed evidence of poorly differentiated pulmonary carcinoma. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and bone scan found no evidence of distant metastasis. The clinical stage was defined as T4N2M0 IIIB. The patient underwent one cycle of induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide. Positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) after induction chemotherapy showed the tumor increased in size. The patient received volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) and the radiation dose was 60.2 Gy/2.15 Gy/28 F. Concurrent chemotherapy was delivered and the regimen was weekly paclitaxel liposome combined with nedaplatin. Durvalumab was given one day after the final fraction of radiotherapy. CT evaluation performed one month and three months after treatment found partial response (PR). Grade 1 pneumonitis was reported as a toxicity. The use of durvalumab following cCRT was feasible and efficient in this patient who was resistant to chemotherapy and that its early use was safe.

Radiation therapy is crucial for curative treatment of lung cancer, which frequently leads to lung injury. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides and lack protein-coding capacity. Increasing evidences demonstrate the important roles of lncRNAs in biological processes. However, the mechanism underlying the association of ionizing radiation with alterations in mRNA and lncRNA expression and lung injury remains unclear. In our study, the male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were exposed to a dose of 18 Gy of 6 MV X-ray and the transcriptome spectrum was studied. To identify the differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs induced by X-ray, the RNA sequencing data of lung tissues from irradiated and normal rats for 4, 8, and 16 weeks were analyzed, using |log2_ratio| ≥ 1 and q ≤ 0.05 as thresholds for significantly differential expression. The number of differentially expressed mRNAs was 1097 (686 up- and 411 down-) for 4-week radiotherapy group, 3006 (1935 up- and 1071 down-) for 8-week group and 1838 (1178 up- and 660 down-) for 16-week group. There were 606 (279 up- and 327 down-) differentially expressed lncRNAs in 4-week group, 1715 (831 up- and 884 down-) in 8-week group and 1043 (656 up- and 387 down-) in 16-week group. The differentially expressed mRNAs were mainly involved in cell cycle regulation and Fc receptor pathway, while the lncRNA target genes were significantly enriched in cellular stress response and regulation of cell migration. Moreover, compared with the control group, the irradiated group presented higher tissue specificity of lncRNAs. Radiation-induced lung injury, especially the dynamic network of lncRNAs and mRNAs, is worthy of study. Investigation on the regulatory details of related pathways is significant for the prevention of radiation-related lung injury, as well as the improvement of radiation therapy.

Background To investigate the expression of S1 RNA binding domain 1 (SRBD1) in non-small cell lung cancer tissue and the effects of SRBD1 silencing on the biological behaviors of human non-small cell lung cancer cells, and to explore the molecular mechanism of SRBD1functions in human non-small cell lung cancer cells. Methods Expressions of SRBD1 in human non-small cell lung cancer tissues and cell lines were examined by immunostaining and RT-PCR. shRNAs of SRBD1 were chemically synthesized and transfected into A549 and NCI-H1299 cells by lentivirus. Cell proliferation was assayed by cell counting, MTT and clone formation. Cell apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry. Tumorigenicity was assessed by cell injection into BALB/c athymic nude mouse. Gene chip analysis was employed to explore genomic changes in A549 cells. Potential classical signaling pathways, upstream regulators and gene interaction networks were analyzed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, and verified by western blot analysis. Results SRBD1 was specifically expressed in human squamous cell carcinoma and highly expressed in lung cancer cell lines, NCI-H1299, A549 and NCI-H1975. SRBD1 directed-shRNA (shSRBD1) effectively reduced the expression of SRBD1 in A549 and NCI-H1299 cells. SRBD1 silencing inhibited cell proliferation, and promoted cell apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cells, and suppressed tumorigenesis in a nude mouse model. In addition, we found silencing of SRBD1 expression resulted in marked changes in gene expression in A549 cells. Besides, in shSRBD1 group, the protein levels of EPS 15, IGF1R, MYC, PYCR1 and HNRNPA0 were downregulated, and the expressions of several classical factors involved in the growth and apoptosis of cancer cells were also decreased. Conclusions We found that SRBD1 were specifically expressed in non-small cell lung cancer tissue. Silencing of SRBD1 inhibits cell growth and promotes cell apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cells, and suppresses tumorigenesis in vivo, suggesting that SRBD1 may be a new diagnostic indicator and therapeutic target of non-small cell lung cancer.

As the upper reach of the Yangtze River, the Jinsha River has experienced ecological degradation due to increased anthropogenic activities. The potential pollution sources affecting the Jinsha River watershed from 2016 to 2018 were investigated using an improved method in combination with correlation analysis and the absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression receptor modeling technique. Our results identified 5-7 potential pollution sources in the Jinsha main stream watershed and the Pudu, Niulan, and Yalong River watersheds of the Jinsha River. The water pollutant concentrations of the Jinsha main stream watershed were mainly influenced by environmental, agricultural, and human population factors. In the Pudu River watershed, the primary pollution sources changed to natural and sedimentary pollutant sources. It is necessary to control the sedimentary pollutants. The Niulan River watershed was also influenced by natural environment factors. Among those, mineral, sedimentary pollutant, and meteorological sources contributed the most to water quality. In the case of the Yalong River watershed, the influence of non-point source pollution caused by human activities and sedimentary pollutants was the main reason for the deterioration of the ecological environment. The multivariate statistical techniques presented good adaptability for the analysis of pollution sources in the Jinsha River watershed, and the results may be useful for the protection and management of the watershed eco-environment.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common type of esophageal cancer and is prevalent worldwide. Understanding the mechanisms underlying its formation and the search for more effective therapeutic strategies are critical due to the occurrence of chemotherapeutic drug resistance. The aim of the present study was to determine the functional relevance and therapeutic potential of carbohydrate sulfotransferase 15 (CHST15) in ESCC. CHST15 levels were measured in different ESCC cell lines and evaluated in ESCC tissues using tissue chip immunohistochemistry. Cell growth and apoptosis assays, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays, and clonogenic assays were conducted using TE-1 cells and lenti-shCHST15 virus constructs were used to investigate the function of CHST15 in cell proliferation and apoptosis. mRNA microarray analysis was performed to determine the underlying mechanism of CHST15 regulation in TE-1 cell proliferation and apoptosis. The results showed that knockdown of CHST15 inhibited TE-1 cell growth and proliferation, but induced cell apoptosis. CHST15 was more frequently detected in ESCC tissue compared with that in normal esophageal tissue. Microarray data analysis indicated that the inhibition of cell proliferation and activation of cell apoptosis in CHST15-knockdown cells may be caused by altered CHST15/ILKAP/CCND1 and CHST15/RABL6/PMAIP1 signaling axes, respectively.

Easy corrosion and Pt loss are severe problems in traditional Pt/C catalysts. Herein, a conductive and corrosion-resistant TiN–TiO2 support was prepared by the alkali treatment of TiN. The micropore ratio of the support remarkably increases after alkali treatment, and the specific surface area increases from 41.0 m2 g−1 of TiN to 108 m2 g−1 of TiN–TiO2. The scanning electron microscopy image reveals the needle-like and spherical structures, which are attributed to TiO2 and aggregated TiN, respectively. TiO2 is the anatase crystal in the TiN–TiO2 support. The ohmic polarization of proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) with Pt/TiN–TiO2 in the cathode is lower than that with Pt/C in the cathode. The peak power and peak current density of PEMFC with Pt/TiN–TiO2 catalyst increase by 36% and 28%, respectively, compared with PEMFC containing Pt/C catalyst. Overall, TiN–TiO2 catalyst has higher stability and electrochemical performance than Pt/C catalyst.

Introduction Tracheoesophageal Fistula (TF) is a rare complication of Bevacizumab. Thoracic radiotherapy may be a contributing factor to TF formation. To the best of our knowledge, we report the first case of Chinese patient with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who developed TF after completion of chemotherapy with bevacizumab and thoracic radiotherapy. Patient concerns A 54-year-old male patient was diagnosed with NSCLC. He received definitive thoracic radiotherapy with concurrent pemetrexed and cisplatin chemotherapy. Two months after the treatment, the disease progressed with enlargement of right inguinal lymph node and chemotherapy of docetaxel, carboplatin and bevacizumab was administrated. Eighteen days after 4 cycles, the patient presented a sudden onset of acute cough after drinking. Diagnosis Esophageal barium swallow revealed a TF. Gastroscopy confirmed a fistula in the esophagus. Interventions A jejunal feeding tube was placed for nutrition for a month. After that a covered esophageal stent was placed in the esophagus. Outcomes At the 6-month follow-up visit, the patient recovered well and had not developed any complication related to the stent placement. Conclusion TF is a rare but life-threatening complication of bevacizumab. Careful observation is imperative for those patients who are administered bevacizumab, particularly in patients treated previously with thoracic radiotherapy.