Metastasis is the main cause of cancer-related mortality. Although the actual process of metastasis remains largely elusive, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been considered as a major event in metastasis. Besides, hypoxia is common in solid cancers and has been considered as an important factor for adverse treatment outcomes including metastasis. Since EMT and hypoxia potentially share several signaling pathways, many recent studies focused on investigate the issue of hypoxia-induced EMT. Among all potential mediators of hypoxia-induced EMT, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) has been studied extensively. Moreover, there are other potential mediators that may also contribute to the process. This review aims to summarize the recent reports on hypoxia-induced EMT by HIF-1α or other potential mediators and provide insights for further investigations on this issue. Ultimately, better understanding of hypoxia-induced EMT may allow us to develop anti-metastatic strategies and improve treatment outcomes.

The analysis of protein biomarkers is of great importance in the diagnosis of diseases. Although many convenient and low-cost electrochemical approaches have been extensively investigated, they are not sensitive enough in the detection of protein biomarkers with low concentrations in physiological environments. Here, this study reports a novel organic-electrochemical-transistor-based biosensor that can successfully detect cancer protein biomarkers with ultrahigh sensitivity. The devices are operated by detecting electrochemical activity on gate electrodes, which is dependent on the concentrations of proteins labeled with catalytic nanoprobes. The protein sensors can specifically detect a cancer biomarker, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, down to the concentration of 10 g mL , which is several orders of magnitude lower than the detection limits of previously reported electrochemical approaches. Moreover, the devices can successfully differentiate breast cancer cells from normal cells at various concentrations. The ultrahigh sensitivity of the protein sensors is attributed to the inherent amplification function of the organic electrochemical transistors. This work paves a way for developing highly sensitive and low-cost biosensors for the detection of various protein biomarkers in clinical analysis in the future.

Aims. To comprehensively evaluate the effect of a short-term diabetes self-management education (DSME) on metabolic markers and atherosclerotic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods. 76 patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited in this study. They were divided into the intervention group (n = 36) and control group (n = 40). The patients in the intervention group received a 3-month intervention, including an 8-week education on self-management of diabetes mellitus and subsequent 4 weeks of practice of the self-management guidelines. The patients in the control group received standard advice on medical nutrition therapy. Metabolic markers, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and carotid arterial stiffness (CAS) of the patients in both groups were assessed before and after the 3-month intervention. Results. There was a significant reduction in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c, −0.2 ± 0.56% versus 0.08 ± 0.741%; P < 0.05) and body weight (−1.19 ± 1.39 kg versus −0.61 ± 2.04 kg; P < 0.05) in the intervention group as compared to the control group. However, no significant improvements were found in other metabolic markers, CIMT and CAS (P > 0.05). Conclusions. DSME can improve HbA1c and body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Autophagy is an important catabolic process in which cells digest and recycle their own cytoplasmic contents for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Interestingly, autophagy could play both pro-death and pro-survival roles in influencing the development of cancer via various signal pathways. As radiotherapy is one of the main treatment modalities for cancer, we reviewed the effect of autophagy modulations on radiosensitivity and radiotherapy efficacy in various cancer types. The future development of autophagy modifications for improving radiotherapy efficacy and cancer prognosis will also be discussed.

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