Meta-analysis on the association of VEGFR1 genetic variants with sunitinib outcome in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients

VEGFR1 rs9582036 and rs9554320 were previously reported the association with sunitinib progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Hereafter, the association of both single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with PFS/OS was confirmed in two independent mRCC cohorts. The aim of the current study was to validate the associations of both SNPs with sunitinib outcome in three independent well-characterized cohorts (SUTOX, CCF and SOGUG) including 286 sunitinib-treated mRCC patients, as well as to perform a meta-analysis of current and published data combined. We found that rs9582036 and rs9554320 showed a significant association with sunitinib PFS in the CCF cohort (HR: 0.254, 95%CI: 0.092-0.703; P=0.008 and HR: 0.430, 95%CI: 0.200- 0.927

Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in IL8 and IL13 with sunitinib-induced toxicity in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Purpose: Earlier, the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with toxicity and efficacy of sunitinib has been explored in patients with metastatic renal cel

CHARACTERIZATION OF ENERGY BAND GAP THIN FILM BaTiO3 – BaZr0.5Ti0.5O3 USING DIFUSION REFLECTANCE SPECTROSCOPY (DRS) METHOD

Ferroelectric material is a dielectric material that has a high dielectric constant value so that it can be made in the form of thin films. Its application is based on electro-optical properties, one of which is the infrared thermal switch. This paper aims to determine the bandgap energy (Eg) of a 0.3BaTiO3 – 0.7BaZr0.5Ti0.5O3 thin film. The 0.3BaTiO3 – 0.7BaZr0.5Ti0.5O3 thin film is a semiconductor material with the valence band and conduction band separated by an energy bandgap (Eg). Thin films of 0.3BaTiO3 – 0.7BaZr0.5Ti0.5O3 were grown on FTO substrates using the sol-gel method. The films of 0.3BaTiO3 – 0.7BaZr0.5Ti0.5O3 were annealed at different temperatures of 700°C, 750°C and 800°C within 1 hour. Characterization was carried out using Ultra Violet Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy to determine Eg using the Diffusion Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) method. The DRS method was found to be better for solid materials considering the scattering component. The UV-Vis characterization results show that an increase in annealing temperature causes a decrease in Eg. For example the values ​​at 700°C, 750°C and 800°C are 3.5 ± 0.01 eV; 3.3±0.01 eV and 3.2±0.01 eV. The decrease in Eg is related to the diffusion of Barium Titanate (BaTiO3) ions into the Barium Zirconium Titanate (BZT) lattice forming a new sub-gap which in turn gives BT-BZT the ability to absorb lower light. Lower light absorption means more capable optics for multilayer systems

COVID-19 and immune checkpoint inhibitors: initial considerations.

COVID-19 infections are characterized by inflammation of the lungs and other organs that ranges from mild and asymptomatic to fulminant and fatal. Patients who are immunocompromised and those with cardiopulmonary comorbidities appear to be particularly afflicted by this illness. During pandemic conditions, many aspects of cancer care have been impacted. One important clinical question is how to manage patients who need anticancer therapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) during these conditions. Herein, we consider diagnostic and therapeutic implications of using ICI during this unprecedented period of COVID-19 infections. In particular, we consider the impact of ICI on COVID-19 severity, decisions surrounding continuing or interrupting therapy, diagnostic measures in patients with symptoms or manifestations potentially consistent with either COVID-19 or ICI toxicity, and resumption of therapy in infected patients. While more robust data are needed to guide clinicians on management of patients with cancer who may be affected by COVID-19, we hope this commentary provides useful insights for the clinical community

Strategi Pengelolaan Training Load untuk Optimalisasi Performa Atlet: Studi Kualitatif di Klub Olahraga

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis strategi pengelolaan training load dalam upaya optimalisasi performa atlet di klub olahraga. Training load merupakan faktor krusial dalam pembinaan atlet, karena keseimbangan antara beban latihan dan pemulihan dapat menentukan peningkatan performa serta mencegah risiko cedera dan overtraining. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode wawancara mendalam dan observasi terhadap pelatih serta atlet di klub olahraga yang menjadi subjek penelitian. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa strategi pengelolaan training load yang efektif melibatkan penerapan metode periodisasi, pemantauan intensitas latihan berbasis teknologi, serta strategi pemulihan yang optimal. Pelatih menerapkan prinsip individualisasi dalam latihan, memastikan bahwa setiap atlet mendapatkan beban yang sesuai dengan kondisi fisik dan kebutuhannya. Selain itu, faktor psikologis juga berperan penting dalam menjaga motivasi dan kesiapan mental atlet. Dukungan dari tim pendukung, seperti fisioterapis dan psikolog olahraga, terbukti membantu dalam menyesuaikan beban latihan dan mempercepat proses pemulihan. Dengan demikian, penelitian ini menegaskan bahwa pengelolaan training load yang sistematis dan berbasis bukti dapat meningkatkan performa atlet secara signifikan. Klub olahraga disarankan untuk terus mengembangkan sistem pemantauan beban latihan serta meningkatkan kolaborasi antarprofesi guna menciptakan program latihan yang lebih efektif dan berkelanjutan

Differing Von Hippel Lindau Genotype in Paired Primary and Metastatic Tumors in Patients with Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

In sporadic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC), the von Hippel Lindau (VHL) gene is inactivated by mutation or methylation in the majority of primary (P) tumors. Due to differing effects of wild-type (WT) and mutant (MT) VHL gene on downstream signaling pathways regulating angiogenesis, VHL gene status could impact clinical outcome. In CCRCC, comparative genomic hybridization analysis studies have reported genetic differences between paired P and metastatic (M) tumors. We thus sequenced the VHL gene in paired tumor specimens from 10 patients to determine a possible clonal relationship between the P tumor and M lesion(s) in patients with CCRCC. Using paraffin-embedded specimens, genomic DNA from microdissected samples (>80% tumor) of paired P tumor and M lesions from all 10 patients, as well as in normal tissue from 6 of these cases, was analyzed. The DNA was used for PCR-based amplification of each of the 3 exons of the VHL gene. Sequences derived from amplified samples were compared to the wild-type VHL gene sequence (GenBank Accession No. AF010238). Methylation status of the VHL gene was determined using VHL methylation-specific PCR primers after DNA bisulfite modification. In 4/10 (40%) patients the VHL gene status differed between the P tumor and the M lesion. As expected, when the VHL gene was mutated in both the P tumor and M lesion, the mutation was identical. Further, while the VHL genotype differed between the primary tumor in different kidneys or multiple metastatic lesions in the same patient, the VHL germline genotype in the normal adjacent tissue was always wild-type irrespective of the VHL gene status in the P tumor. These results demonstrate for the first time that the VHL gene status can be different between paired primary and metastatic tissue in patients with CCRCC

STRATEGI PENCEGAHAN DOPING DALAM OLAHRAGA: STUDI KUALITATIF TERHADAP PERAN PELATIH DAN ORGANISASI OLAHRAGA

Doping merupakan salah satu tantangan utama dalam dunia olahraga yang dapat merusak integritas dan sportivitas kompetisi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis strategi pencegahan doping yang diterapkan oleh pelatih, peran organisasi olahraga, serta pemahaman atlet mengenai regulasi anti-doping di Indonesia. Metode penelitian yang digunakan meliputi wawancara dengan pelatih dan atlet, serta analisis dokumen terkait kebijakan anti-doping dari World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) dan International Olympic Committee (IOC). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pelatih memiliki peran penting dalam memberikan edukasi dan pengawasan terhadap atlet, sementara organisasi olahraga berperan dalam penerapan regulasi serta pengujian doping secara acak. Namun, masih terdapat beberapa tantangan dalam implementasi kebijakan ini, seperti kurangnya pemahaman atlet muda, keterbatasan pengujian doping di tingkat daerah, serta lemahnya pengawasan di tingkat klub. Oleh karena itu, diperlukan peningkatan program edukasi berbasis digital, penguatan regulasi, serta akses yang lebih luas terhadap sumber daya anti-doping guna menciptakan lingkungan olahraga yang bersih dan adil

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on treatment patterns in metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus pandemic has provoked discussions among healthcare providers how to manage cancer patients when faced with the threat of severe acute respiratory syndrome related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) containing regimens are standard of care in the majority of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC) patients. It remains unclear whether therapies should be modified in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We performed an online survey among physicians involved in the treatment of mccRCC, and 41 experts responded. Questions focused on criteria relevant for treatment decision outside the pandemic and the modifications of systemic therapy during COVID-19. FINDINGS: For the majority of experts (73%), the combination of International metastatic renal cell carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) risk category and patient fitness are two important factors for decision-making. The main treatment choice in fit, favourable risk patients outside the pandemic is pembrolizumab/axitinib for 53%, avelumab/axitinib, sunitinib or pazopanib for 13% of experts each. During the pandemic, ICI-containing regimens are chosen less often in favour of a tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) monotherapy, mainly sunitinib or pazopanib (35%).In fit, intermediate/poor-risk patients outside the pandemic, over 80% of experts choose ipilimumab/nivolumab, in contrast to only 41% of physicians during COVID-19, instead more TKI monotherapies are given. In patients responding to established therapies with ICI/ICI or ICI/TKI combinations, most participants modify treatment regimen by extending cycle length, holding one ICI or even both. CONCLUSION: mccRCC treatment modifications in light of the coronavirus pandemic are variable, with a shift from ICI/ICI to ICI/TKI or TKI monotherapy