Tubular TMEM16A promotes tubulointerstitial fibrosis by suppressing PGC-1α-mediated mitochondrial homeostasis in diabetic kidney disease.

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) plays a crucial role in the progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain obscure. The present study aimed to examine whether transmembrane member 16A (TMEM16A), a Ca2+-activated chloride channel, contributes to the development of TIF in DKD. Interestingly, we found that TMEM16A expression was significantly up-regulated in tubule of murine model of DKD, which was associated with development of TIF. In vivo inhibition of TMEM16A channel activity with specific inhibitors Ani9 effectively protects against TIF. Then, we found that TMEM16A activation induces tubular mitochondrial dysfunction in in vivo and in vitro models, with the evidence of the TMEM16A inhibition with specific inhibitor. Mechanically, TMEM16A mediated tubular mitochondrial dysfunction through inhibiting PGC-1α, whereas overexpression of PGC-1α could rescue the changes. In addition, TMEM16A-induced fibrogenesis was dependent on increased intracellular Cl-, and reducing intracellular Cl- significantly blunted high glucose-induced PGC-1α and profibrotic factors expression. Taken together, our studies demonstrated that tubular TMEM16A promotes TIF by suppressing PGC-1α-mediated mitochondrial homeostasis in DKD. Blockade of TMEM16A may serve as a novel therapeutic approach to ameliorate TIF.

[Clinical Study of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter-Related Thrombosis and Its Influence on the Blood Flow Status of the Inserted Veins in Cancer Patients].

Objective: To investigate the clinical features of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)-related thrombosis (PICCRT) within 2 weeks after PICC placement in cancer patients and its dynamic influence on the blood flow status of veins inserted with catheter, and to provide support for implementing thrombosis prevention and control measures. Methods: Between May 2019 and July 2020, patients who had solid tumors and who had PICC were prospectively enrolled at West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Scheduled color Doppler imaging was performed to examine the status of PICCRT formation at 8 points of time, with the first one conducted one day before the insertion of PICC and the other 7 completed within 2 weeks after the insertion of PICC. Then, based on whether patients had PICCRT, the patients were divided into two groups, a non-PICCRT group and a PICCRT group. The PICCRT group was further divided into two subgroups, an asymptomatic PICCRT group and a symptomatic PICCRT group, according to whether the patients had thrombosis-related symptoms and signs. Comparisons were made to study the incidence of PICCRT and the vascular diameter and the blood flow velocity in the veins inserted with catheters at different points of time in the patients of different groups. Results: Among 173 cancer patients in the cohort, 126 (72.8%) developed PICCRT, all of which occurred within 1 week after PICC insertion. There were 95 cases of asymptomatic PICCRT and 31 cases of symptomatic PICCRT. Before and after PICC insertion, the vascular diameter of both the asymptomatic and symptomatic PICCRT groups was significantly smaller than that of the non-PICCRT group and the blood flow velocity was significantly slower than that of the non-PICCRT group, with the difference continuing to increase with the prolongation of catheter indwelling time. Conclusion: Inserting catheters in veins with bigger vascular diameter and faster blood flow velocity may help reduce the incidence of PICCRT. The first week post catheter insertion is the key intervention period for the prevention of PICCRT.

[Research progress on chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Kaixin Powder and predictive analysis of its Q-markers].

Kaixin Powder is a classic prescription for invigorating Qi, nourishing the mind, and calming the mind. It has pharmacological effects of improving learning and memory ability, resisting oxidation, delaying aging, and promoting the differentiation and regeneration of nerve cells. It is mainly used in the modern clinical treatment of amnesia, depression, dementia, and other diseases. The present paper reviewed the research progress on the chemical composition and pharmacological action of Kaixin Powder, predicted and analyzed its quality markers(Q-markers) according to the concept of Chinese medicine Q-markers, including transmission and traceability, specificity, effectiveness, measurability, and compound compatibility environment. The results suggested that sibiricose A5, sibiricose A6, polygalaxanthone Ⅲ, 3',6-disinapoylsucrose, tenuifoliside A, ginsenoside Rg_1, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rb_1, pachymic acid, ß-asarone, and α-asarone could be used as Q-markers of Kaixin Powder. This study is expected to provide a scientific basis for establishing the quality control system and the whole process quality traceability system of Kaixin Powder compound preparations.

Ralstonia wenshanensis sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from a tobacco field in Yunnan, China.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, motile with paired polar flagella and rod-shaped bacterium strain (56D2T) was isolated from tobacco planting soil in Yunnan, PR China. Major fatty acids were C16  :  1 ω7c (summed feature 3), C16  :  0 and C18  :  1 ω7c (summed feature 8). The polar lipid profile of strain 56D2T consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminophospholipid and one unidentified glycolipid. Moreover, strain 56D2T contained ubiquinone Q-8 as the sole respiratory quinone. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain 56D2T was closely related to members of the genus Ralstonia and the two type strains with the highest sequence identities were R. mannitolilytica LMG 6866T (98.36 %) and R. pickettii K-288T (98.22 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence identities between strain 56D2T and other members of the genus Ralstonia were below 98.00 %. Genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 5.87 Mb and a G+C content of 63.7 mol%. The average nucleotide identity values between strain 56D2T and R. pickettii K-288T, R. mannitolilytica LMG 6866 T and R. insidiosa CCUG 46789T were less than 95 %, and the in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values (yielded by formula 2) were less than 70 %. Based on these data, we conclude that strain 56D2T represents a novel species of the genus Ralstonia, for which the name Ralstonia wenshanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Ralstonia wenshanensis sp. nov. is 56D2T (=CCTCC AB 2021466T=GDMCC 1.2886T=JCM 35178T).

Complete Genome Sequence of Ralstonia syzygii subsp. indonesiensis Strain LLRS-1, Isolated from Wilted Tobacco in China.

Here, we present the complete genome sequence and annotation of Ralstonia syzygii subsp. indonesiensis strain LLRS-1, which caused bacterial wilt on flue-cured tobacco in Yunnan Province, southwest China. Strain LLRS-1 is the first R. syzygii strain identified to be pathogenic to tobacco in China. The completely assembled genome of strain LLRS-1 consists of a 3,648,314-bp circular chromosome and a 2,046,405-bp megaplasmid with 5,190 protein-coding genes, 55 transfer RNAs, 28 small RNAs, 3 structural RNAs (5S, 16S, and 23S), and a G+C content of 67.05%.

Altered spontaneous brain activity in essential tremor with and without resting tremor: a resting-state fMRI study.

OBJECTIVES: Essential tremor with resting tremor (rET) often exhibits severer clinical features and more extensive functional impairment than essential tremor without resting tremor (ETwr). However, the pathophysiology of rET is still unclear. This study aims to use resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to explore the alterations of brain activity between the drug-naïve patients of rET and ETwr. METHODS: We recruited 19 patients with rET, 31 patients with ETwr and 25 healthy controls (HCs) to undergo a 3.0-T rs-fMRI examination. The differences of regional brain spontaneous activity between the rET, ETwr and HCs, as well as between total ET (rET + ETwr) and HCs were measured by amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and fractional ALFF (fALFF). The relationships between the altered brain measurements and the clinical scores were analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with HCs, both ET subgroups showed significantly decreased ALFF or fALFF values in the basal ganglia, inferior orbitofrontal gyrus and insula. The rET group specifically showed decreased ALFF values in the hippocampus and motor cortices, while the ETwr group specifically evidenced increased ALFF and fALFF values in the cerebellum. DISCUSSION: Regional spontaneous activity in rET and ETwr share common changes and have differences, which may suggest that the functional activities in the limbic system and cerebellum are different between the two subtypes. Improved insights into rET and ETwr subtypes and the different brain spontaneous activity will be valuable for improving our understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease.

Long-term low-dose morphine for patients with moderate cancer pain is predominant factor effecting clinically meaningful pain reduction.

PURPOSE: Patients with cancer often experience pain that affects their daily activities and quality of life. The analgesic ladder recommended by the World Health Organization has proved insufficient for many, and its scientific basis has been questioned. This retrospective study investigated factors related to adherence to long-term opioid therapy for patients with moderate cancer pain, including an evaluation of low-dose morphine relative to tramadol. METHODS: Clinical data were collected of patients with moderate cancer pain (n = 353) who received either low-dose morphine or tramadol and were followed for ≥ 27 weeks. Factors related to regime adherence were investigated, including the analgesia type, cancer therapy (antitumor therapy or palliative care), pain type (nociceptive, neuropathic, or mixed), and living distance to the hospital. Factors related to clinically meaningful pain reduction (≥ 30% reduction in pain from baseline) were also investigated. RESULTS: Patients taking tramadol, receiving antitumor therapy, experiencing neuropathic pain, and living far from the hospital were more likely to change analgesic strategy compared with, respectively, patients receiving low-dose morphine, palliative care, experiencing nociceptive pain, and living nearby. Factors that increased the likelihood of adherence to the analgesic regime were also associated with the likelihood of clinically meaningful pain reduction. Among adverse effects, a significantly higher percentage of patients experienced constipation in the tramadol group compared with those given morphine. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with moderate cancer pain, long-term low-dose morphine was safe and more effective than tramadol for clinically meaningful pain reduction, and patients were less likely to change the analgesic strategy.

Genetic analysis of FGF20 in Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease.

Sequence variants in fibroblast growth factor 20 (FGF20) have been reported to be associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). We genotyped the rs591323 variant in a total of 2220 Han Chinese subjects, including 1051 patients with sporadic PD and 1169 controls, to investigate the association between rs591323 and the risk of PD. In addition, we also conducted a stratified analysis according to age at onset of PD and compared the clinical characteristics of AA + AG subjects with GG subjects. In this study, we confirmed that the A allele of rs591323 in FGF20 reduces the risk of developing sporadic PD (P = 0.013). Additionally, subjects with the AA + AG genotype have a reduced risk compared to individuals with the GG genotype (P = 0.024). This association was significant among females (P = 0.036), but was not significant among males (P = 0.266). Furthermore, no significant association was observed among either the early-onset PD group (P = 0.051) or the late-onset PD group (P = 0.187). Moreover, we demonstrated that the AA + AG subjects could not be distinguished from the GG subjects based on their clinical features. Our study is the first to demonstrate that FGF20 (rs591323) is associated with a lower risk of PD in a Southern Han Chinese population from mainland China.

Genetic association study between RIT2 and Parkinson's disease in a Han Chinese population.

Recent several meta-analyses and certain case-control studies suggested that the Ras-like without CAAX 2 (RIT2) rs12456492 increased the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) in Asian and Caucasian populations. However, as so far, the association between RIT2 rs12456492 and PD is still controversial. We investigated genetic association of RIT2 rs12456492 with PD susceptibility in a Han Chinese population of 1747 ethnic Han Chinese subjects comprising 884 PD patients and 863 healthy controls. The minor allele frequency (MAF) of G at the RIT2 rs12456492 was not significantly different between the cases and the controls. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in genotype distribution between PD patients and healthy controls for the RIT2 rs12456492, even after being stratified by age at onset and gender. In addition, we found that no significant differences were detected in the clinical manifestations for gender, age at onset, and onset symptoms between PD patients with AG + GG genotypes and those with AA genotypes. Our study from the mainland China demonstrates that RIT2 rs12456492 do not increase the risk of developing PD. Therefore, more replication studies in additional Chinese population and other cohorts are warranted to further clarify the role of RIT2 rs12456492 in PD susceptibility.

Association of three candidate genetic variants in RAB7L1/NUCKS1, MCCC1 and STK39 with sporadic Parkinson's disease in Han Chinese.

Previous studies identified that polymorphisms RAB7L1/NUCKS1 rs823118, MCCC1 rs12637471 and STK39 rs1955337 to be the risk loci for Parkinson's disease (PD) in a Caucasian population. However, the characteristics of these three polymorphisms in a Han Chinese population from mainland China were unknown. We examined genetic associations of rs823118, rs12637471 and rs1955337 with PD susceptibility in a Han Chinese population of 1016 sporadic PD patients and 1069 controls. We also conducted further stratified analysis according to age at onset and compared the clinical characteristics between minor allele carriers and non-carriers for each locus. In this study, the minor allele frequency (MAF) was significantly different of RAB7L1/NUCKS1 rs823118 (P = 0.003) and MCCC1 rs12637471 (P = 0.008) between cases and controls. Subjects of RAB7L1/NUCKS1 rs823118 with CC+CT genotypes had a decreased risk compared to those with TT genotype (P = 0.001) and this association also can be seen among younger population (<50 years, P = 0.011). For the MCCC1 rs12637471, subjects with GA+GG genotypes had an increased risk compared to those with AA genotype (P = 0.017). However, we did not observe any significant difference in allele and genotype distribution between PD patients and controls for rs1955337 in STK39. In addition, minor allele carriers cannot be distinguished from non-carriers based on their clinical features of the three loci. Our study provides strong support for the susceptibility role of rs823118 and rs12637471 in sporadic PD in a Han Chinese population.

Knowledge, attitudes, and influencing factors of cancer patients toward approving advance directives in China.

PURPOSE: Many cancer patients do not have advance directives (ADs), which may lead to unwanted excessive or aggressive care when patients have lost decision-making capacity. The aim of this study was to investigate knowledge and attitudes of approving ADs and explore factors associated with willing to designate ADs among cancer patients in China. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interview method investigating 753 in-patients with cancer in two cancer centers. RESULTS: Of those subjects, none of the cancer patients had an AD. Only 22.4 % (118 of 526) approved ADs. Comparing with the disapproved ADs group, the approved ADs group were more likely to discuss the AD with oncologist or nurse (χ (2) = 180.4, p < 0.001) in the cancer center (χ (2) = 244.1, p < 0.001), and they chose more comfort care (χ (2) = 18.8, p < 0.001). Most of cancer patients in the two groups wanted to die at home (72.8 %, 73.7 %, respectively). The older patients (OR, 1.04, 95 % CI, 1.02-1.07, p = 0.001), female (OR, 0.55, 95 % CI, 0.35-0.88, p = 0.013), with higher education levels (OR, 3.38, 95 % CI, 1.92-5.96, p < 0.001), with religious beliefs (OR, 2.91, 95 % CI, 1.71-4.94, p < 0.001), and with higher scores of ECOG (OR, 1.46, 95 % CI, 1.17-1.82, p = 0.001) were associated with desiring for ADs. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that there was a dearth of knowledge and different attitudes toward approving ADs among cancer patients, and some factors of demographic and clinical characteristics influenced their willing to designate ADs. This research highlights the importance of propagandizing the ADs to the public, especially to the patients, and further discussing with them when the time is ripe.

Genetic analysis of CHCHD2 gene in Chinese Parkinson's disease.

Recently, mutations in the coiled-coil-helix-coiled-coil-helix domain containing 2 (CHCHD2) gene have been identified in Japanese families with autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease (PD) and two single nucleotide variants (rs10043 and Pro2Leu) increased risk of sporadic PD. The role of CHCHD2 in PD susceptibility in other Asian populations still remains to be clarified. In a large Chinese cohort from mainland China (31 familial PD patients, 1,027 sporadic PD patients, and 1,095 health controls), we examined the association of rs10043 and Pro2Leu variants in CHCHD2 with PD. All subjects were homozygous for rs10043. Moreover, we detected six patients (0.57%, one of the six patients has family history) and three controls (0.27%) with a heterozygous Pro2Leu variant. Though the frequency of Pro2Leu variant was two times higher in PD compared to controls, the difference did not reach significance in genotypic distribution (P = 0.47) or allelic distribution (P = 0.47). However, our meta-analysis in Asian populations revealed that the frequency of Pro2Leu variant was significantly higher in PD patients than in controls (P = 0.0002). Our study suggests that Pro2Leu in CHCHD2 may be a risk factor for PD among Asians. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Knowledge-Attitude-Practice and Associated Factors of Cancer Patients with Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP) of cancer patients with peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) and its associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in 650 cancer patients with PICC in the West China Hospital, Sichuan University, from April 2014 to March 2015. Data were collected through a self-designed questionnaire in relation to KAP and its associated factors. RESULTS: A total of 619 valid questionnaires were returned. The participants had an average score of 9.28 +/- 2.04 in knowledge, 27.95 +/- 4.17 in attitude, and 25.67 +/- 4.00 in practice. Occupation was associated with catheter-related knowledge. Comorbidity (with diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart disease) was associated with catheter-related attitudes (P=0.040). Gender (P=0.015) and catheter insertion site (P=0.023) were associated with PICC practice. The multivariable linear regression model showed that female patients (standardized partial regression coefficient = -0.097, P = 0.024) and those with a higher level of education (standardized partial regression coefficient=0.125, P=0.017) had a higher score in PICC practice. CONCLUSION: Overall, a high level of KAP was found in cancer patients with PICC. Clinical nursesshould provide personalized catheter-related education for patients according to their gender and level of education. Special attention should be paid to those with comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary heart disease and other chronic diseases.

[Impact factors of distress in patients with lung cancer-associated pain].

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact factors of psychological distress in patients with lung cancer-associated pain. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was applied to lung cancer pain patients received treatments in Cancer Center of West China Hospital of Sichuan University in Chengdu from July 2011 to December 2011 by distributed questionnaires. The general information of the patients, Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were included in the questionnaire to evaluate the states of distress, pain and the factors related to the total distress score. RESULTS: Totally 172 effective questionnaires were obtained in 200 delivered questionnaires. The average pain score of the patients was 3.67 +/- 1.27. The Spearman correlation analysis showed that depression score, anxiety score, distress score were positively correlated with the pain intensity (P < 0.05). Patients with positive anxiety symptom was 29.0%, the depression was 29.0%, and distress was 68.6%. Mutiple linear regression analysis showed that gender (p = 0.152, P = 0.024), age (beta = -0.150, P = 0.023), marital status (beta = -0.239, P = 0.000) could affect the total score of distress; gender (beta = 0.154, P = 0.013), age (beta = -0.165, P = 0.007), the clinical pathological stage (beta = 0.155, P = 0.011) could affect the anxiety score; marital status (beta = -0.133, P = 0.047) could affect the depression score. CONCLUSION: The genders, age, marital status of the patients are related to the psychological distress of lung-cancer-pain patients.

Cancer department nurses' attitudes and practices in response to the sexual issues of pelvic radiation patients: a survey in Sichuan, China.

Our aim was to investigate cancer department nurses' attitudes and practices in response to pelvic radiation patients' sexual issues in Sichuan, China. A self-made questionnaire survey was conducted with 150 registered nurses of six hospitals in China. Nurses were asked about their experiences regarding consultation about sexual issues and attitudes toward the sex-related statements of pelvic radiation patients. We analyzed the correlation factors for the attitudes about dealing with patients' sexual issues by using the χ(2)-test. Of the survey sample, 128 nurses (85.33%) responded. Of the respondents, 46.88% had been consulted about sexual issues by patients or families. In addition, 87.5% of the nurses believed that 'reliable information on sexual in pelvic radiotherapy is lacking', and 77.34% reported having 'an interest in undertaking education of knowledge about pelvic radiation patients' sexual issues'; yet only 4.69% had completed professional sexual education about pelvic radiation patients. The hospital type and bed number as well as nurse age and seniority also affected the responses. This study shows that discussing sexuality is still repressed in the patient-nurse relationship, and most nurses' in Chinese cancer departments lack knowledge about pelvic radiation patients' sexual problems.

[Retracted] siRNA­mediated inhibition of endogenous brain­derived neurotrophic factor gene modulates the biological behavior of HeLa cells.

Subsequently to the publication of the above article and a Corrigendum that was published to indicate corrections made to Fig. 7 (DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.7922; published online on January 5, 2021), a concerned reader drew the Editor's attention to the fact that, comparing between a pair of panels in the Figure, there was an overlapping section of data; moreover, this overlapping section contained apparent anomalies that could not be easily accounted for through a straightforward re­use of one of the data panels. The authors conceded that there was partial duplication between the images shown in Fig. 7B and F, although they were unable to access the related raw data as the experiments had been performed almost 10 years ago. Secondly, the authors informed the Editor that the corresponding author did not know he was on the author list at the time of submission. Although the authors' were granted permission to publish the Corrigendum, the Editor now considers that the paper should be retracted on account of the uncertainties in the presented revised data and the authors' admission concerning the corresponding author. Therefore, this paper has been retracted from the Journal. The authors are in agreement with the decision to retract the article. The Editor apologizes for any inconvenience caused. [Oncology Reports 37: 2751­2760, 2017; DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5569].

A chromosome-level genome assembly for the Silkie chicken resolves complete sequences for key chicken metabolic, reproductive, and immunity genes.

A set of high-quality pan-genomes would help identify important genes that are still hidden/incomplete in bird reference genomes. In an attempt to address these issues, we have assembled a de novo chromosome-level reference genome of the Silkie (Gallus gallus domesticus), which is an important avian model for unique traits, like fibromelanosis, with unclear genetic foundation. This Silkie genome includes the complete genomic sequences of well-known, but unresolved, evolutionarily, endocrinologically, and immunologically important genes, including leptin, ovocleidin-17, and tumor-necrosis factor-α. The gap-less and manually annotated MHC (major histocompatibility complex) region possesses 38 recently identified genes, with differentially regulated genes recovered in response to pathogen challenges. We also provide whole-genome methylation and genetic variation maps, and resolve a complex genetic region that may contribute to fibromelanosis in these animals. Finally, we experimentally show leptin binding to the identified leptin receptor in chicken, confirming an active leptin ligand-receptor system. The Silkie genome assembly not only provides a rich data resource for avian genome studies, but also lays a foundation for further functional validation of resolved genes.

[Indirubin inhibits ATP-induced phagocytosis attenuation, ROS production and cell death of macrophages].

This study is to investigate the effects of indirubin on ATP-induced immune responses of macrophages. For this, neutral red dye uptake method was used to test phagocytosis, MTT assay was used for measuring cell death, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was tested with fluorescent probe DHE. The data showed that extracellular ATP attenuated phagocytosis, induced cell death and increased ROS production, and these effects were restored by pre-treating with indirubin. This result suggested that indirubin blockade the effects of ATP on macrophages, because extracellular ATP-induced effects are dependent on P2 receptors, in particular P2X7 receptors. Furthermore, the effects of indirubin on the activation of P2 receptors were tested, in particular P2X7 receptors. The data showed that indirubin significantly decreased ATP-induced, P2 receptors mediated intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) rise and inhibited P2X7 receptor-based ethidium bromide (EB) dye uptake. These results suggested the inhibitory effects of indirubin on the activation of P2X7 receptors, which may underlying the effects on ATP induced ROS production, phagocytosis attenuation and cell death of macrophages.

COVID-19-Related Knowledge and Practices of Cancer Patients and Their Anxiety and Depression During the Early Surge Phase of the Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Online Survey.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related knowledge and practices of cancer patients and to assess their anxiety- and depression-related to COVID-19 during the early surge phase of the pandemic. METHODS: An online questionnaire survey of cancer patients was conducted from February 10-29, 2020. Knowledge and practices related to COVID-19 were assessed using a custom-made questionnaire. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess the presence of anxiety and depression, with scores beyond 7 indicating anxiety or depressive disorder. Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify the high-risk groups according to the level of knowledge, practices, anxiety, and depression scores. RESULTS: A total of 341 patients were included. The rate of lower level of knowledge and practices was 49.9% and 18.8%, respectively. Education level of junior high school degree or lower showed a significant association with lower knowledge score (ß: -3.503; P < 0.001) and lower practices score (ß: -2.210; P < 0.001) compared to the education level of college degree and above. The prevalence of anxiety and depression among the respondents was 17.6% and 23.2%, respectively. A higher depression score was associated with older age, marital status of the widowed, and lower level of education, knowledge score, and practices score (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Targeted COVID-19-related education interventions are required for cancer patients with a lower level of knowledge to help improve their practices. Interventions are also required to address the anxiety and depression of cancer patients.

The attitude of oncology physicians and nurses to the acceptance of new drugs for gene therapy.

With the efficacy of gene therapy verified in phase III trials, cancer patients will consider whether to accept gene therapy sooner or later. The purpose of this study is to investigate the attitudes of oncology physicians and nurses regarding effective gene therapy. A questionnaire was administered to 368 oncology physicians and nurses. A total of 328 valid questionnaires were returned (response rate, 89.1%). Gene therapy was considered as very safe or safe by 256 (78.0%) participants. Regardless of the stage of cancer, participants who advised patients to enroll in clinical trials and considered gene therapy as safe tended to accept the effective gene therapy. Gene therapy is considered to be a safe treatment. Most participants are willing to accept effective and verified gene therapy on the assumption that they themselves suffer from cancers.