The importance of exercise in lung cancer treatment

Emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds from urban green spaces in the six core districts of Beijing based on a new satellite dataset

Urban green spaces (UGSs) are often positively associated with the health of urban residents. However, UGSs may also have adverse health effects by releasing biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) and increasing the ambient concentrations of ozone (O₃) and secondary organic aerosols in urban areas. BVOC emissions from UGSs might be underestimated because of the lack of consideration of the UGS land-use type in urban areas. As such, in this study, we used a newly released satellite dataset, Sentinel-2, with a resolution of 10 m, to derive the classification distribution of UGSs and predict the UGS emissions of BVOCs in Beijing in 2019. The results showed that the annual emissions of BVOCs from UGSs were approximately 2.9 Gg C (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.4-3.3) in the six core districts, accounting for approximately 39% of the total UGS emissions in Beijing. Compared with the results based on Sentinel-2, the BVOC emissions might be underestimated by approximately 37% (95% CI: 11-63) using the commonly used satellite dataset. UGSs produced the highest BVOC emissions in summer (from June to August), accounting for 75.2% of the annual emissions. UGSs contributed the most to the O₃ formation potential in summer, accounting for 41.5% of the total. We could attribute a considerable amount of the O₃ concentration (27.0 μg m^-3, 95% CI: 21.4-32.6) to the UGS BVOCs produced in the core districts of Beijing in July. The new BVOC emissions dataset based on Sentinel-2 vegetation information facilitates modeling studies on the formation of surface O₃ in urban areas and assessments of the impact of UGSs on public health.

Physiologic and psychologic adaptation to exercise interventions in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this meta-analysis is to investigate the effectiveness of exercise interventions in patients with lung cancer (LC) during chemotherapy regarding physiological and psychological outcomes.

METHODS

Databases including MEDLINE and EMBASE were used to find relevant randomized controlled trails that explored outcomes of exercise interventions for patients with LC during chemotherapy up to June 2020. Effect sizes were calculated by standardized mean difference statistics.

RESULTS

Six studies were included that involved 244 participants with average age of 65 years. Patients with LC participating in exercise interventions during chemotherapy had significantly increased strength, forced expired volume, and quality of life as well as significantly decreased pain. Effective exercise intervention characteristics were combined aerobic and resistance exercise, performance more than 5 times a week, moderate to vigorous intensity, and 1-h sessions.

CONCLUSION

Supervised participation in exercise improves strength, forced expired volume, and quality of life and relieves pain and depression during chemotherapy.

Effects of a Multicomponent Exercise Program in Older Adults with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer during Adjuvant/Palliative Treatment: An Intervention Study

Clinical intervention studies support the efficacy and safety of exercise programs as a treatment modality for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) during adjuvant/palliative treatment, but the effectiveness of real-world oncogeriatric services is yet to be established. We aimed to examine the effects of a 10-week structured and individualized multicomponent exercise program on physical/cognitive functioning and mental wellness in elderly patients with NSCLC under adjuvant therapy or palliative treatment. A non-randomized, opportunistic control, longitudinal-design trial was conducted on 26 patients with NSCLC stage I-IV. Of 34 eligible participants, 21 were allocated into two groups: (i) control group (n = 7) received usual medical care; and (ii) intervention group (n =19) received multicomponent program sessions, including endurance, strength, balance, coordination and stretching exercises. Tests included the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), 5-m habitual Gait Velocity Test (GVT), Timed Up & Go Test (TUG), 6-Min Walk Test (6MWT), independence of activities in daily living (IADL), muscular performance, cognitive function, and quality of life, which were measured at baseline and after 10 weeks of the program. Results revealed a significant group×time interaction for SPPB (p = 0.004), 5-m GVT (p = 0.036), TUG (p = 0.007), and muscular performance (chest and leg power; p < 0.001). Similarly, significant changes were observed between groups for cognitive functioning (p = 0.021) and quality of life for EUROQoL 5D (p = 0.006). Our findings confirm that a multicomponent exercise program improves measures of physical/cognitive functioning and quality of life in the elderly with NSCLC under adjuvant therapy or palliative treatment. This is an interesting and important study that adds to our current body of knowledge on the safety of exercise interventions, especially in the elderly with solid tumors.

Blood-Based SOX2-Promoter Methylation in Relation to Exercise and PM2.5 Exposure among Taiwanese Adults

Increased ventilation during exercise in polluted areas could trigger airway inflammation. We evaluated blood DNA methylation of the SOX2-promoter region in relation to exercise and PM_2.5 in Taiwanese adults. Data of 948 participants aged 30–70 years were retrieved from the Taiwan Biobank Database (2008–2015) and the Air Quality Monitoring Database (2006–2011). PM_2.5 was positively associated with SOX2-promoter methylation (β = 0.000216; p < 0.0001). The interaction between PM_2.5 and exercise on SOX2-promoter methylation was significant (p = 0.0146). After stratification by exercise habits, PM_2.5 was positively associated with SOX2 methylation in only individuals who did regular exercise (β = 0.0003490; p < 0.0001). After stratification by exercise habits and residential areas, SOX2-promoter methylation levels in those who lived in the southern area were higher for both the regular exercise (β = 0.00272; p = 0.0172) and no regular exercise groups (β = 0.002610 and p = 0.0162). SOX2-promoter methylation levels in those who lived in the northern area and did regular exercise were lower; β = -0.00314 (p = 0.0036). In conclusion, PM_2.5 was positively associated with SOX2-promoter methylation in participants who did regular exercise. Living in the southern area was positively associated with SOX2-promoter methylation regardless of exercise habits.

The association of physical function and quality of life on physical activity for non-small cell lung cancer survivors

PURPOSE

Our study aimed to assess the association between physical function and quality of life (QOL) with physical activity among non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) survivors.

METHODS

Participants were 92 NSCLC survivors. Physical activity was assessed by a self-report with physiatrist's interview and the Korean version of the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). All participants were required to perform three standardized fitness tests. The Korean version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) was used to assess QOL. Factors associated with physical functioning and QOL were determined using multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

A significant correlation between metabolic equivalent task minutes per week (MET-min/wk) and aerobic fitness was found (r = 0.277, p = 0.008). Factors associated with aerobic fitness include gender, age, and MET-min/wk. The meeting physical activity guideline group was also a factor associated with aerobic fitness. In the QOL aspect, a significant correlation between MET-min/wk and some QOL score was found. The meeting physical activity guideline group was a factor associated with QOL (global health status, physical function, and role function), not total MET-min/wk.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased physical activity was associated with higher aerobic fitness and QOL. Engagement in physical activity that met physical activity guidelines was a factor related to aerobic fitness and better QOL in some domains. To improve aspects of aerobic fitness and QOL, we may consider the pattern of physical activity, including regular participation and intensity, rather than total physical activity including basal activity.

Irisin reverses the IL-6 induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in osteosarcoma cell migration and invasion through the STAT3/Snail signaling pathway

As a novel discovered myokine, irisin is considered to be a promising candidate for the treatment of metabolic disorders and cancer. However, little is known about the anti-metastasic effect of irisin on osteosarcoma cells and its underlying mechanisms. In the present study, we aimed to explore the effect of irisin on the migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells and the underlying mechanisms involved. Viability and proliferation of osteosarcoma cells were examined by MTT assay. Then, by using scratch wound healing assay and Transwell assays, we evaluated migratory and invasive ability of the cells, respectively. Moreover, the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were determined by qPCR, western blot and immunofluorescence staining after treatment with IL-6 and irisin. Furthermore, the expression of ERK, p38, STAT3 and Snail were detected by western blot analysis. Finally, an inhibitor of STAT3, WP1066 was applied to testify the effect of irisin on the expression of EMT markers and Snail. It was found that irisin treatment significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells. Furthermore, irisin reversed the IL-6-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in osteosarcoma cells by regulating the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, fibronectin, MMP-2, MMP-7 and MMP-9. In addition, irisin suppressed the IL-6-activated phosphorylation of STAT3 and the expression of Snail in osteosarcoma cells. Finally, blockade of STAT3 by WP1066 (a STAT3 inhibitor) further enhanced the effect of irisin on the EMT and Snail expression in osteosarcoma cells. Collectively, our findings revealed that irisin may play a critical role in the IL-6-induced EMT of osteosarcoma cells via the STAT3/Snail signaling pathway.