Radiotherapy and inflammaging: the influence of prostate cancer radiotherapy on systemic inflammation.

Purpose: The present study was performed to investigate the association of prostate cancer radiotherapy with inflammaging, a condition characterized by the elevation of inflammatory blood parameters that significantly increases the susceptibility to the occurrence or progression of age-related conditions.

Patients And Methods: A total of 306 patients treated with curative radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer were enrolled into the prospective study. Aging-related inflammatory parameters including C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, fibrinogen, cholesterol, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were analyzed before and at the end of RT, and 3 and 15 months after completion of the RT.

The Functional Erythropoetin rs1617640 Gene Polymorphism does not Affect Life Expectancy of Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Background: A common functional variant (c.-1306A C, rs1617640) in the gene encoding erythropoietin () has been linked to expression of erythropoietin and markers of erythropoiesis. Aim of the current study was the analysis of the role of this polymorphism for long term survival of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Wall Enhancement of Coiled Intracranial Aneurysms Is Associated with Aneurysm Recanalization: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background And Purpose: Wall enhancement of untreated intracranial aneurysms on MR imaging is thought to predict aneurysm instability. Wall enhancement or enhancement of the aneurysm cavity in coiled intracranial aneurysms is discussed controversially in the literature regarding potential healing mechanisms or adverse inflammatory reactions. Our aim was to compare the occurrence of aneurysm wall enhancement and cavity enhancement between completely occluded intracranial aneurysms and recanalized aneurysms after initially complete coil embolization.

A sex-specific association of leukocyte telomere length with thigh muscle mass.

Objectives: Telomeres are DNA-protein complexes at the ends of linear chromosomes that protect against DNA degradation. Telomeres shorten during normal cell divisions and therefore, telomere length is an indicator of mitotic-cell age. In humans, telomere shortening is a potential biomarker for disease risk, progression and premature death.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment predicts radiation-induced acute toxicity in prostate cancer patients.

Purpose: The purpose of the present prospective study was to evaluate the significance of geriatric conditions measured by a comprehensive geriatric assessment (GA) for the prediction of the risk of high-grade acute radiation-induced toxicity.

Methods: A total of 314 prostate cancer patients (age ≥ 65 years) undergoing definitive radiotherapy at a tertiary academic center were included. Prior to treatment, patients underwent a GA.

MUG CCArly: A Novel Autologous 3D Cholangiocarcinoma Model Presents an Increased Angiogenic Potential.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) are characterized by their desmoplastic and hypervascularized tumor microenvironment (TME), which is mainly composed of tumor cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). CAFs play a pivotal role in general and CCA tumor progression, angiogenesis, metastasis, and the development of treatment resistance. To our knowledge, no continuous human in vivo-like co-culture model is available for research.

The impact of moderate endurance exercise on cardiac telomeres and cardiovascular remodeling in obese rats.

Introduction: Hypercaloric nutrition and physical inactivity cause obesity, a potential driver of myocardial apoptosis and senescence that may accelerate cardiac aging. Although physical activity reduces mortality, its impact on myocardial aging is insufficiently understood. Here we investigated the effects of a hypercaloric high-fat diet (HFD) and regular exercise training on cardiac cells telomeres and histomorphometric indices of cardiac aging.

SARS-CoV-2 RNA Testing Using Different Assays-Impact on Testing Strategies in a Clinical Setting.

In order to assess SARS-CoV-2 real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) results in a real-life setting, three independent laboratories in Graz (Austria) set up a continuous cross comparison schedule. The following test systems were used: The QIAGEN NeuMoDx SARS-CoV-2 Assay, the Allplex™ 2019-nCoV Assay (Seegene) on a MicroLab Nimbus (Hamilton) platform combined with RealStar SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Assay (Altona Diagnostics GmbH), and the cobas SARS-CoV-2 test on a fully automated cobas 6800 system (Roche). A total of 200 samples were analysed, 184 (92%) were found to be concordant with all testing platforms, 14 (7%) discordant.

Role of the ABO Blood Groups as a Risk Factor for Retinal Vein Occlusion.

Introduction: A recent study suggested that non-O blood groups had an increased risk for the presence of retinal vein occlusion (RVO). In this study, we investigated (i) an association between blood group and the presence of RVO and (ii) whether this association correlated to other RVO risk factors.

Methods: We included 485 RVO patients and 295 control subjects who were recruited in this case-control study.

Heme oxygenase-1 gene rs2071746 polymorphism in retinal vein occlusion.

Background: Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an important cytoprotective enzyme due to its ability to degrade pro-inflammatory heme. The common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2071746 on the gene has been associated with HO-1 activity and a variety of cardiovascular diseases. This study was performed to investigate the association between the rs2071746 SNP and retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Influences of Long-Term Exercise and High-Fat Diet on Age-Related Telomere Shortening in Rats.

(1) Obesity and exercise are believed to modify age-related telomere shortening by regulating telomerase and shelterins. Existing studies are inconsistent and limited to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and selected solid tissues. (2) Female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats received either standard diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD).

Telomere length in leucocytes and solid tissues of young and aged rats.

Background: Telomeres are protective nucleoprotein structures at the end of chromosomes that shorten with age. Telomere length (TL) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) has been proposed as surrogate marker for TL in the entire organism. Solid evidence that supports this concept is lacking.

Investigation of the Relationship between the Mid_Thigh Adipose Tissue Distribution Measured by MRI and Serum Osteocalcin-A Sex-Based Approach.

Osteocalcin, in its non-carboxylated form, has a positive effect on glucose metabolism. Additionally, osteocalcin levels are related to body composition, especially muscle mass. The relation to the distribution of different adipose tissue types, such as subcutaneous, intermuscular, and visceral adipose tissue, is unclear.

Distribution of subcutaneous and intermuscular fatty tissue of the mid-thigh measured by MRI-A putative indicator of serum adiponectin level and individual factors of cardio-metabolic risk.

Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are associated with hypoadiponectinemia. On the contrary, studies revealed correlations between the amount of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and higher serum adiponectin levels. Furthermore, independent association of intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) deposit in the thigh with cardiometabolic risk factors (including total blood cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides), and decreased insulin sensitivity, as MetS components, are sufficiently described.

Telomeres and Age-Related Diseases.

Telomeres are at the non-coding ends of linear chromosomes. Through a complex 3-dimensional structure, they protect the coding DNA and ensure appropriate separation of chromosomes. Aging is characterized by a progressive shortening of telomeres, which compromises their structure and function.

Immune Aging and Immunotherapy in Cancer.

Immune functions decline as we age, while the incidence of cancer rises. The advent of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has not only revolutionized cancer therapy, but also spawned great interest in identifying predictive biomarkers, since only one third of patients show treatment response. The aging process extensively affects the adaptive immune system and thus T cells, which are the main target of ICB.

The AST/ALT (De Ritis) Ratio Predicts Survival in Patients with Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer.

Aminotransaminases, including aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), are strongly involved in cancer cell metabolism and have been associated with prognosis in different types of cancer. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of the pre-treatment AST/ALT ratio in a large European cohort of patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OOSCC). Data from 515 patients treated for OOSCC at a tertiary academic center from 2000-2017 were retrospectively analyzed.

The decreased mean platelet volume is associated with poor prognosis in patients with oropharyngeal cancer treated with radiotherapy.

Background: There is considerable evidence that platelets contribute to cancer growth and metastatic dissemination. In recent studies, altered mean platelet volume (MPV) has been associated with prognosis in different types of cancer. However, the prognostic role of the MPV in head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) is currently discussed controversially.

The Erythropoetin Gene Polymorphism Associates with Hemoglobin Levels, Hematocrit and Red Blood Cell Count in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Background: Erythropoietin has a pivotal role in erythropoiesis and angiogenesis. A common polymorphism (rs1617640, A > C) in the promoter of the erythropoietin gene (EPO) has been associated with erythropoietin expression and microvascular complications of diabetes. We aimed to analyze the potential role of this polymorphism in the pathogenesis of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

The Elevated Pre-Treatment C-Reactive Protein Predicts Poor Prognosis in Patients with Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Treated with Neo-Adjuvant Radiochemotherapy.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of the pre-treatment C-reactive protein (CRP) plasma level with survival outcomes in a cohort of 423 consecutive patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with neo-adjuvant radiochemotherapy followed by surgical resection. To evaluate the prognostic value of the CRP level for clinical endpoints recurrence-free survival (RFS), local-regional control (LC), metastases-free survival (MFS), and overall survival (OS), uni- and multivariate Cox regression analyses were applied, and survival rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. The median follow-up time was 73 months.

Haptoglobin polymorphism and prostate cancer mortality.

Prostate cancer is a common malignancy in men worldwide and it is known that oxidative stress is a risk factor for cancer development. A common functional haptoglobin (Hp) polymorphism, originating from a duplication of a gene segment spanning over two exons, results in three distinct phenotypes with different anti-oxidative capacities: Hp1-1, Hp1-2, and Hp2-2. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between this Hp polymorphism and prostate cancer mortality.

Serum Ferritin Correlates With Liver Fat in Male Adolescents With Obesity.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) contributes essentially to the burden of obesity and can start in childhood. NAFLD can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The early phase of NAFLD is crucial because during this time the disease is fully reversible.

Beyond Macrophages and T Cells: B Cells and Immunoglobulins Determine the Fate of the Atherosclerotic Plaque.

Atherosclerosis (AS) leading to myocardial infarction and stroke remains worldwide the main cause for mortality. Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques are responsible for these life-threatening clinical endpoints. Atherosclerosis is a chronic, complex, inflammatory disease with interactions between metabolic dysfunction, dyslipidemia, disturbed microbiome, infectious triggers, vascular, and immune cells.

Telomere shortening associates with elevated insulin and nuchal fat accumulation.

Obesity and relative leucocyte telomere length (RTL) are both linked to accelerated aging and premature mortality. We examined if nuchal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) thickness, a surrogate marker of central trunk-weighted obesity, is an independent predictor of RTL that provides information beyond BMI, metabolic and inflammatory markers. RTL and nuchal SAT thickness were determined in 362 participants of the STYJOBS/EDECTA study (STYrian Juvenile Obesity Study, Early DEteCTion of atherosclerosis), which included overweight individuals and matched eutrophic controls.