Sodium glycididazole enhances the radiosensitivity of laryngeal cancer cells through downregulation of ATM signaling pathway.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiation-enhancing effect of sodium glycididazole, and the corresponding mechanisms of action on laryngeal cancer cells. Two laryngeal cancer cell lines (Hep-2 and UT-SCC-19A) were irradiated with X-rays in the presence or absence of sodium glycididazole. Cell survival, DNA damage and repair, cell apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, expression of proteins related to cell cycle checkpoint, and apoptosis were measured. Significantly increased DNA damages, decreased cells in the G1 phase, arrested cells at G2/M phase, decreased DNA repair protein XRCC1 foci formation, and enhanced cell apoptosis were observed in laryngeal cell lines treated by sodium glycididazole combined with irradiation compared with the irradiation alone. The combined treatment downregulated the protein expressions of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM), p-ATM, CHK2, and P53 but upregulated the protein expressions of MDM2 and Cdk2. This study indicates that sodium glycididazole enhances the radiosensitivity of laryngeal cancer cells through downregulation of ATM signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo.

Sestrin2 protects the myocardium against radiation-induced damage.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Sestrin2 in response to radiation-induced injury to the heart and on the cardiomyopathy development in the mouse. Mice with genetic deletion of the Sestrin2 (Sestrin2 knockout mice [Sestrin2 KO]) and treatment with irradiation (22 or 15 Gy) were used as independent approaches to determine the role of Sestrin2. Echocardiography (before and after isoproterenol challenge) and left ventricular (LV) catheterization were performed to evaluate changes in LV dimensions and function. Masson's trichrome was used to assess myocardial fibrosis. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the capillary density. After 22 or 15 Gy irradiation, the LV ejection fraction (EF) was impaired in wt mice at 1 week and 4 months after irradiation when compared with sham irradiation. Compared to wt mice, Sestrin2 KO mice had significant reduction in reduced LVEF at 1 week and 4 months after irradiation. A significant increase in LV end-diastolic pressure and myocardial fibrosis and a significant decrease in capillary density were observed in irradiation-wt mice, as well as in irradiation-Sestrin2 KO mice. Sestrin2 involved in the regulation of cardiomyopathy (such as myocardial fibrosis) after irradiation. Overexpression of Sestrin2 might be useful in limiting radiation-induced myocardial injury.

Standardized uptake value on positron emission tomography/computed tomography predicts prognosis in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate the use and value of maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max) on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) images as a prognostic marker for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of all consecutive patients who underwent PET/CT examination in our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria were histologically or cytologically proven LAPC. Patients with distant metastasis were excluded. For statistical analysis, the SUV max of primary pancreatic cancer was measured. Survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and multivariable analysis was performed to determine the association of SUV max with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Between July 2006 and June 2013, 69 patients were enrolled in the present study. OS and PFS were 14.9 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 13.1-16.7] and 8.3 months (95% CI 7.1-9.5), respectively. A high SUV max (>5.5) was observed in 35 patients, who had significantly worse OS and PFS than the remaining patients with a low SUV max (P = 0.025 and P = 0.003). Univariate analysis showed that SUV max and tumor size were prognostic factors for OS, with a hazard ratio of 1.90 and 1.81, respectively. A high SUV max was an independent prognostic factor, with a hazard ratio of 1.89 (95% CI 1.015-3.519, P = 0.045). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that increased SUV max is a predictor of poor prognosis in patients with LAPC.

[Sources, Disposal Technologies, and Environmental Impact of Photopolymerization-based 3D Printing Plastic Waste].

In the 3D printing industry, photopolymerization-based 3D printing is considered to have the characteristics of high printing accuracy and mature technology. Therefore, it is of wide concern in industrial application and academic research. With the rapid development of photopolymerization-based technology, photopolymerization-based plastic waste will inevitably be produced in the process of product manufacturing and use. This kind of plastic waste is a new type of organic solid waste with an incalculable growth rate, and its impact on the environment is difficult to predict. Based on available research results, the latest research progress of sources, disposal technologies, and environmental impact of photopolymerization-based plastic waste were summarized and analyzed. The results revealed that the photopolymerization-based plastic waste was covalently crosslinked with thermosetting plastic. It had relatively higher activation energy and photo-sensitive chromogenic groups. There were some potential hazards to the environment and biosome caused by the raw material, printing process, and waste disposal process of photopolymerization-based plastic. Therefore, prospects and suggestions were proposed for the possibility of future disposal of photopolymerization-based plastic waste, in order to provide a reference for developing the photopolymerization-based 3D printing industry.

Modulation based cells distribution for visible light communication.

Cells distribution for visible light communication can enhance the capacity of the data transmission by the reuse of optical spectrum. In this paper, we adopt three modulation formats as OOK, PPM and PWM for neighboring cells A, B and C respectively. The prototype experiment results demonstrate the error free transmission of 1.0 Mbit/s and 6.25 Mbit/s visible light communication system with our scheme. With the available LED, we can expect that the data rate of a visible light communication system with seamless connectivity can be up to 71.4 Mbit/s.

The efficacy of dapagliflozin combined with hypoglycaemic drugs in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate whether dapagliflozin is synergistic with other antidiabetic drugs without body weight gain. SETTING: Randomised controlled trial (RCT) reports were retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, Google Scholar and Google. Eligible RCTs were selected according to the criteria (including types of participants, intervention, outcomes) and assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias tool and GRADEpro software for evidential quality. Meta-analysis on the eligible RCTs was performed with the random effects model. The RCTs of low-quality and interim stages were excluded for further sensitivity analysis. Meta-regression was conducted on the follow-up durations. Publication bias was evaluated with funnel plots and the Egger's regression test and adjusted using the trim-and-fill procedure. Heterogeneity was assessed with the I(2) statistics. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). INTERVENTIONS: Dapagliflozin combined with conventional antidiabetic drugs. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Glycaemic level (measured by glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG)) and body weight. RESULTS: 12 RCTs were eligible for quantitative synthesis and meta-analysis. The overall effect size of HbA1c calculated from mean difference was -0.52% (Z=-13.56, p<0.001) with 95% CI (-0.60 to -0.45). The effect size of FPG was -1.13 mmol/L (Z=-11.12, p<0.001) with 95% CI (-1.33 to -0.93). The effect size of body weight was -2.10 kg (Z=-18.77, p<0.001) with 95% CI (-2.32 to -1.88). Exclusions of low quality and interim RCTs changed the overall mean differences respectively to -0.56%, -1.11 mmol/L, 2.23 kg and -0.50%, -1.08 mmol/L, -2.08 kg. The sensitivity analysis indicated good robustness of the meta-analysis on HbA1c, FPG and body weight. CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analysis showed that dapagliflozin as an add-on drug to conventional antidiabetic drugs improved the glycaemic control in T2DM participants without significant body weight gain. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42013005034.

The efficacy of dapagliflozin combined with hypoglycemic drugs in treating type 2 diabetes: protocol for meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Dapagliflozin is a first-in-class oral sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. It is often used in combination with conventional anti-diabetic drugs such as metformin, glimepiride, and insulin in treating type 2 diabetes (T2D). It not only reduces glucose reabsorption in the kidney but also increases renal glucose excretion. Some studies found the actions of dapagliflozin independent of insulin and free from risk of weight gain. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate whether dapagliflozin is synergistic with other anti-diabetic drugs without risk of weight gain. METHODS/DESIGN: This meta-analysis will include the randomized controlled trials (RCT) evaluating the efficacy of dapagliflozin as an add-on drug in treating T2D for >8 weeks with the outcome measures glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and body weight. Information of relevant RCTs will be retrieved from major databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar according to a pre-specified search strategy. Google and manual search will find other unpublished reports and supplementary data. Eligible RCTs will be selected according to pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data will be extracted and input into a pre-formatted spreadsheet. The Cochrane risk of bias tool will be used to assess the quality of the eligible RCTs. Meta-analysis based on the random-effects model will be conducted to compare the changes of HbA1c (%), FPG (mmol/L), and body weight (kg) between dapagliflozin arm and placebo arm. Publication bias will be evaluated with a funnel plot and the Egger's test. Heterogeneity will be assessed with the I2 statistics. Sensitivity analysis will be conducted on follow-up periods. The evidential quality of the findings will be assessed with the GRADE profiler. DISCUSSION: The findings of this meta-analysis will be important to clinicians, patients, and health policy-makers regarding the use of dapagliflozin in T2D treatment. STUDY REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42013005034.