Twenty-Four week Taichi training improves pulmonary diffusion capacity and glycemic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

This study evaluated the effect of 24-week Taichi training and Taichi plus resistance band training on pulmonary diffusion capacity and glycemic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Forty-eight patients with T2DM were randomly divided into three groups: Group A-Taichi training: practiced Taichi 60 min/day, 6 days/week for 24 weeks; Group B-Taichi plus resistance band training: practiced 60-min Taichi 4 days/week plus 60-min resistance band training 2 days/week for 24 weeks; and Group C-controls: maintaining their daily lifestyles. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was applied to predict diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) by fasting blood glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), von Willebrand Factor (vWF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), vascular endothelial growth factor, and prostaglandin I-2. Taichi with or without resistance band training significantly improved DLCO, increased insulin sensitivity, eNOS and NO, and reduced fasting blood glucose, insulin, HbA1c, TNF-α, vWF, IL-6, ICAM-1, and ET-1. There was no change in any of these variables in the control group. DLCO was significantly predicted (R2 = 0.82) by insulin sensitivity (standard-ß = 0.415, P<0.001), eNOS (standard-ß = 0.128, P = 0.017), TNF-α (standard-ß = -0.259, P = 0.001), vWF (standard-ß = -0.201, P = 0.007), and IL-6 (standard-ß = -0.175, P = 0.032) in patients with T2DM. The impact of insulin sensitivity was the most important predictor for the variation of DLCO based on the multiple regression modeling. This study demonstrates that 24-week Taichi training and Taichi plus resistance band training effectively improve pulmonary diffusion capacity and blood glycemic control in patients with T2DM. Variation of DLCO is explained by improved insulin sensitivity and endothelial function, and reduced inflammatory markers, including TNF-α, vWF, and IL-6.

Elucidating the Role of Serum tRF-31-U5YKFN8DYDZDD as a Novel Diagnostic Biomarker in Gastric Cancer (GC).

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the malignant tumors with the highest morbidity and mortality in the world. Early diagnosis combined with surgical treatment can significantly improve the prognosis of patients. Therefore, it is urgent to seek higher sensitivity and specificity biomarkers in GC. tRNA-derived small RNAs are a new non-coding small RNA that widely exists in tumor cells and body fluids. In this study, we explore the expression and biological significance of tRNA-derived small RNAs in GC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: First of all, we screened the differentially expressed tRNA-derived small RNAs in tumor tissues by high-throughput sequencing. Agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE), Sanger sequencing, and Nuclear and Cytoplasmic RNA Separation Assay were used to screen tRF-31-U5YKFN8DYDZDD as a potential tumor biomarker for the diagnosis of GC. Then, we detected the different expressions of tRF-31-U5YKFN8DYDZDD in 24 pairs of GC and paracancerous tissues, the serum of 111 GC patients at first diagnosis, 89 normal subjects, 48 superficial gastritis patients, and 28 postoperative GC patients by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Finally, we used the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to analyze its diagnostic efficacy. RESULTS: The expression of tRF-31-U5YKFN8DYDZDD has good stability and easy detection. tRF-31-U5YKFN8DYDZDD was highly expressed in tumor tissue, serum, and cell lines of GC, and the expression was significantly related to TNM stage, depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, and vascular invasion. The expression of serum tRF-31-U5YKFN8DYDZDD in the GC patients decreased after the operation (P = 0.0003). Combined with ROC curve analysis, tRF-31-U5YKFN8DYDZDD has better detection efficiency than conventional markers. CONCLUSIONS: The expressions of tRF-31-U5YKFN8DYDZDD in the tumor and paracancerous tissues, the serum of GC patients and healthy people, and the serum of GC patients before and after operation were different. tRF-31-U5YKFN8DYDZDD is not only a diagnostic biomarker of GC but also a predictor of poor prognosis.

Anlotinib combined with gefitinib can significantly improve the proliferation of epidermal growth factor receptor-mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: The effect of anlotinib combined with epidermal growth factor receptor TKIs (EGFR-TKIs) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs and the possible molecular mechanisms are still unclear. METHODS: From April 2018 to June 2020, 20 patients with advanced NSCLC who had developed potential acquired drug resistance after receiving gefitinib or icotinib were enrolled. Anlotinib (12 mg orally, once a day) was added to the targeted drug at the original dose. Patients underwent computed tomography every 8 weeks, and the curative effect and related side effects were observed. Furthermore, in vitro experiments were performed to study the effect of anlotinib alone or in combination with gefitinib on the proliferation and clone-forming ability of NSCLC cells (A549 cells: EGFR wild-type; H1975 cells: with L858R and T790M mutations). Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of related proteins (Ki-67, CD31, EGFR, P-EGFR, VEGFR2, and p-VEGFR2). RESULTS: After the administration of anlotinib, 8 patients were in a stable condition and continued to receive treatment, and the best efficacy disease control rate (DCR) was 100%. The median follow-up time was 6.6 months (4.08-8.28 months). The median progression-free survival was 15.7 months (10.19-18.87 months). The levels of the tumor marker (carcinoembryonic antigen) were found to be significantly decreased in seven patients. The main adverse reactions reported after anlotinib administration were hypertension, hand-foot-skin reaction, diarrhea, fatigue, oral ulcers, and anorexia.In the in vitro experiment, anlotinib combined with gefitinib significantly inhibited the proliferation and cloning ability of lung cancer cells. In the nude mouse model, this combination treatment significantly inhibited the growth of lung cancer cells. Immunohistochemical results showed that anlotinib combined with gefitinib significantly inhibited the expression of Ki-67, CD31, EGFR, P-EGFR, VEGFR2, and p-VEGFR2 in tumor tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Anlotinib combined with gefitinib inhibited the proliferation of EGFR-TKI-resistant NSCLC cells in vitro and tumor angiogenesis in vivo. It also significantly improved the treatment efficacy for some patients, delaying disease progression and improving survival, with only mild side effects. This drug combination is therefore a promising treatment for patients with EGFR-TKI-resistant and potentially secondary drug-resistant advanced NSCLC.

MicroRNA­195 suppresses cell proliferation, migration and invasion in epithelial ovarian carcinoma via inhibition of the CDC42/CCND1 pathway.

Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is the most common cause of gynecological cancer mortality, and poses a threat to women. MicroRNA­195 (miR­195) has been reported to induce apoptosis of human OVCAR­3 cells by inhibiting the VEGFR2/AKT pathway. However, the role of miR­195 in EOC remains unknown. A previous study reported that cell division cycle 42 (CDC42) can serve as a target gene of miR­195 and mediate malignant progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of miR­195 in EOC and the regulation in CDC42/CCND1 pathway. Tissues samples and clinical materials were collected from 78 enrolled patients with EOC to analyze the expression and clinical significance of miR­195, CDC42 and cyclin D1 (CCND1). Human EOC cell lines OVCA420, OVCAR­3, A2780 and SKOV3 cell lines were used to assess the expression and function of miR­195, CDC42 and CCND1 in vitro. Cell proliferation, the cell cycle and apoptosis, as well as the cell migratory and invasive abilities were detected in vitro using BrdU incorporation, colony formation, wound healing and Transwell invasion assays, along with flow cytometry. miR­195 was downregulated, while CDC42 and CCND1 were upregulated in human EOC tissues and cells, and the aberrant expression of both was associated with increased EOC malignancy. Moreover, miR­195 expression was negatively correlated with CDC42 and CCND1 expression levels, and negatively regulated these expression levels. Thus, it was suggested that miR­195 functions as a tumor suppressor, but CDC42 and CCND1 act as tumor promoters based their abilities to enhance cell proliferation, cell cycle entry, migration and invasion, as well as decrease apoptosis in OVCAR­3 cells. the present results demonstrated that miR­195 inhibited human EOC progression by downregulating CDC42 and CCND1 expression. Furthermore, it was identified that miR­195, CDC42 and CCND1 may be effective biomarkers for EOC diagnosis and treatment.

Plasma thymidylate synthase and dihydrofolate reductase mRNA levels as potential predictive biomarkers of pemetrexed sensitivity in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: High levels of thymidylate synthase (TS) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) expression in tumour tissues are an indicator of ineffective responses to pemetrexed-based chemotherapy in various tumours, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, tumour tissues are highly heterogeneous, so a single biopsy may not reflect genetic alterations during disease progression. This study investigated the potential use of plasma TS and DHFR mRNA levels as biomarkers for predicting sensitivity to pemetrexed-based chemotherapy. METHODS: Plasma samples were obtained from 245 patients with advanced NSCLC and 30 healthy donors. Total RNA was extracted from the plasma samples, and TS and DHFR mRNA levels were determined via real-time PCR. TS and DHFR mRNA levels between cancer patients and healthy controls were compared. The association between plasma TS and DHFR mRNA levels and tumour response to pemetrexed/cisplatin chemotherapy was analysed. RESULTS: The plasma TS and DHFR mRNA levels decreased in patients with advanced NSCLC compared with healthy controls. Moreover, plasma TS and DHFR mRNA levels negatively correlated with tumour response to pemetrexed/cisplatin chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC. Overall survival time was prolonged in patients with low TS mRNA expression compared with those with high TS mRNA expression, although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Low expression levels of plasma TS and DHFR mRNA confer increased tumour sensitivity to pemetrexed/cisplatin chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC. The results suggested that plasma TS and DHFR mRNA levels are promising biomarkers for choosing patients who are likely to respond and benefit the most from pemetrexed-based chemotherapy.

Associations of physical activity and dietary behaviors with children's health and academic problems.

BACKGROUND: We examined the associations of physical activities and dietary behaviors with children's health and academic-behavioral problems. METHODS: We employed a Community-wide Children's Health Assessment and Planning Survey to examine physical activity, healthy meals, health status, and academic-behavioral problems in 3708 children 7 to 14 years of age. Statistical associations were examined with chi-square test and logistic regression analysis; we calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Among these children, 30.2% were overweight-obese, 11.0% had academic problems, and 7.9% had behavioral problems. Children classified as healthy eaters were more likely to exercise ≥4 days/week (79.1% vs 64.6%, OR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.14 to 2.49), less likely to be overweight-obese (27.7% vs 44.6%, OR: 0.48, CI: 0.31 to 0.73), less likely to have academic problems (9.1% vs 16.1%, OR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.41 to 0.79) and behavioral problems (6.9% vs 13.9%, OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.32 to 0.66) compared with their less healthy eating peers. Physical activity and healthy meals were associated with an improved health status (p < .001). However, the proportions of children taking unhealthy meals or choosing sedentary lifestyle increased as the cohorts progressed (p < .05) from childhood (7 to 8 years) to adolescence (13 to 14 years). CONCLUSIONS: Healthy (or unhealthy) lifestyle behaviors are significantly interrelated. Children who take healthy meals and exercise often are associated with better health and fewer academic and behavioral problems. Unfortunately, taking unhealthy meals and sedentary lifestyle characterize a growing proportion of young adolescents. Thus, curbing unhealthy lifestyle behaviors should start in early childhood.