Clinical-pathological and molecular characterization of long-term survivors with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Objective:Long-term survivors(LS)of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)without driver alterations,displaying an overall survival(OS)of more than 3 years,comprise around 10%of cases in several series treated with chemotherapy.There are classical prognosis factors for these cases[stage,Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group(ECOG),etc.],but more data are required in the literature.In this multi-center study,we focused on LS of advanced NSCLC with OS above 36 months to perform a clinical-pathological and molecular characterization.Methods:In the first step,we conducted a clinical-pathological characterization of the patients.Afterwards,we carried out a genetic analysis by comparing LS to a sample of short-term survivors(SS)(with an OS less than 9 months).We initially used whole-genome RNA-seq to identify differentiating profiles of LS and SS,and later confirmed these with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)for the rest of the samples.Results:A total of 94 patients were included,who were mainly men,former smokers,having adenocarcinoma(AC)-type NSCLC with an ECOG of 0-1.We obtained an initial differential transcriptome expression,displaying 5 over-and 33 under-expressed genes involved in different pathways:namely,the secretin receptor,surfactant protein,trefoil factor 1(T FF1),serpin,Ca-channels,and Tolllike receptor(TLRs)families.Finally,RT-PCR analysis of 40(20 LS/20 SS)samples confirmed that four genes(surfactant proteins and SFTP)were significantly down-regulated in SS compared to LS by using an analysis of covariance(ANCOVA)model:SFTPA1(P=0.023),SFTPA2(P=0.027),SFTPB{P=0.02),and SFT PC(P=0.047).Conclusions:We present a sequential genetic analysis of a sample of NSCLCLS with no driver alterations,obtaining a differential RNA-seq/RT-PCR profile showing an abnormal expression of SF genes.

The Effects of Externally Paced Exercise on Executive Function and Stress in College-Aged Students

Purpose The purpose of the study was to investigate the acute effect of a beginner martial art class and aerobic exercise on executive function(EF)in college-aged young adults.There is overwhelming evidence that demonstrates acute as well as long-term aerobic exercise improves EF.Nevertheless,there is limited research comparing externally paced exercise(EPE)to self-paced exercise(SPE)such as walking on improving EF.EPE requires greater cortical demand than SPE to execute a motor plan.Methods Eight men and eight women,aged 24.2±2.8 years,participated in a Repeated Measures Crossover Design.Pre-and post-testing of EF with the Stroop and Tower of London(ToL)and stress level were measured after each of the two 1-h conditions:the SPE consisted of a walk(aerobic exercise)and the EPE was a beginner martial art class.Results There were significant main effects for the martial art class for the Stroop’s mean reaction time for congruent trials(P=0.01)with a large-effect size.The mean reaction time for incongruent trials was significant(P=0.05)with a medium-effect size.The ToL’s mean solution time(P=0.003)and mean execution time(P=0.002)were also significant with large-effect sizes.Stress levels were not significantly improved following either condition.Conclusion The martial art class significantly improved all the major domains of EF,while aerobic exercise of a similar intensity did not demonstrate any measured significant changes.The physiological benefits of physical exercise are well documented;however,the cognitive enhancing capability of EPE should also be appreciated given the results of this study.