This meta-analysis suggests that the DT is a valid tool to detect potential distress in cancer patients. According to our results, 4 as the optimal cut-off, is recommended. Further studies are needed to be done to examine the accuracy and optimal cut-off score in different regions globally and different cancer subtypes to guide the use of the DT for different patients.

Bone strength is a worldwide health concern. Although multiple techniques have been developed to evaluate bone quality, there are still gaps to be filled. Here we report a non-invasive approach for the prediction of bone strength in vivo using spatially offset Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectra were acquired transcutaneously from the tibiae of mice from 4 to 23 weeks old and subsequently on the exposed bones. Partial least squares regression was applied to generate predictions of the areal bone mineral density (aBMD), volumetric bone mineralization density (vBMD), and maximum torque (MT) of each tibia as quantified by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, microCT imaging, and biomechanical tests, respectively. Significant correlations were observed between Raman spectral predictions and the reference values in all three categories. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of Raman spectroscopy predicting a biomechanical bone parameter (MT) in vivo with an uncertainty much smaller than the spread in the reference values.

Complement aids in the construction of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Tumor cell-derived C3 has been previously reported, but whether and how it acts on antitumor immunity remains to be elucidated. Here, we describe a mechanism for tumor cell-derived C3 in suppressing antitumor immunity. Tumor cell-derived C3 was activated intracellularly, which results in generation of C3a. C3a modulated tumor-associated macrophages via C3a-C3aR-PI3Kg signaling, thereby repressing antitumor immunity. Deletion of C3 in tumor cells that had high C3 expression enhanced efficacy of anti-PD-L1 treatment. Collectively, our results suggest tumor cell-derived C3 may be a useful target for cancer immunotherapy and that targeting C3 in tumor cells may enhance antitumor immunity.

Background:The plasma Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA level in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) performs as an appealing prognostic factor, but conclusions of its prognostic values from previous studies are inconsistent. In this study, we performed a comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate the prognostic value of EBV DNA level in patients with NPC.Methods:Published studies were searched in PubMed. The baseline characteristics of patients, overall survival (OS), and other survival outcomes were extracted. Pooled hazard ratio (HR), 95% confidence interval (CI), and P value were calculated to estimate the prognostic value of EBV DNA level. Each cut-off value mentioned in the studies was obtained. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to extract data, and graphical survival plots were extracted for calculating HR when the study did not describe the information directly.Results:This meta-analysis pooled 23 eligible studies including 10,732 patients with NPC. The pooled HR (95% CI) of pretreatment plasma EBV DNA level (pre-DNA) for OS was 2.78 (2.19, 3.55), and the HR (95% CI) of posttreatment plasma EBV DNA level (post-DNA) for OS was 5.43 (2.72, 10.82), suggesting that EBV DNA level was significantly correlated to the outcomes of patients with NPC.Conclusion:High expression levels of EBV DNA predicts poor prognosis in NPC.