Objective To observe the levels of serum VEGF in different molecular subtypes of breast cancer and explore its relationship with response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Methods Levels of serum VEGF in 110 cases with breast cancer underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy were detected by ELISA prior to and after 3 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Clinical response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was evaluated by physical examination and ultrasonography. Results Levels of serum VEGF were significantly increased in breast cancer patients with≥4 lymph node metastasis than those with < 4 lymph node[(307.31 ± 101.42) pg/mL vs. (170.16 ± 73.07) pg/mL,P = 0.017]. Patients with positive HER-2 status had significantly higher levels of serum VEGF than those with HER-2 negative status [(235.15 ± 88.42 ) pg/mL vs. (179.82 ± 69.90) pg/mL, P = 0.024]. No significant difference was observed among age , menopausal status and hormone status. In patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy of cCR and Cpr,the mean levels of serum VEGF were (205.75 ± 78.12) pg/mL and (226.04 ± 89.04) pg/mL, respectively. After 3 cycles of chemotherapy, levels of serum VEGF decreased to (145.15 ± 67.08) pg/mL and (161.27 ± 93.57) pg/mL. There was significant difference between two groups (P=0.009,0.014). In patients with SD or PD response, no significant difference was observed between levels of serum VEGF before and after chemotherapy (P = 0.577). Conclusions Levels of serum VEGF in breast cancer correlate with lymph nodes metastasis and HER-2 status and may decrease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. However,whether or not the levels of serum VEGF can be used as a biomarker for response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy needs more further studies.

Objective: To understand the levels of knowledge,attitude and practice (KAP) of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Ningbo residents during the epidemic,so as to provide evidence for further health education and promotion. Methods: Participants,aged 18 years or over and resided in Ningbo from December 1,2019 to February 26,2020,were recruited by snowball sampling method to respond a questionnaire through WeChat, including the status of KAP of COVID-19 and the approaches to acquire the information. Results: Totally 967 questionnaires were collected and 917 of them were valid (94.83%). The awareness rate of COVID-19 was 56.49%, with 96.51%,64.78% and 88.00% for the clinical symptoms,source of infection and transmission route,respectively. Among the participants,163 felt anxious,accounting for 17.78%;101 felt panic,accounting for 11.01%. About 96.40%,11.67% and 95.97% of the participants considered COVID-19 severe,susceptible and controllable. About 99.89% of the participants tried to purchase the protective equipment,99.45% wore masks when they went out,98.91% washed hands after they were back,and 95.53% covered the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Compared to the situation before,668 (72.85%) participants used electronic products (such as cellphone and computer) more,while 481 (52.45%) participants exercised less. About 899 (98.04%),712 (77.64%) and 603 (65.76%) participants obtained the information through cellphone,internet and TV,respectively. Conclusions Ningbo residents have acquired some knowledgeof COVID-19 through cellphones, internet and television,and can consciously take protective practice. A few residents feel anxious and panic,so further health education and mental health intervention should be strengthened.

Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, including lung cancer. However, the exact underlying mechanism and therapeutic potential are largely unknown. Here we report that protein arginine methyltransferase 6 (PRMT6) is highly expressed in lung cancer and is required for cell metabolism, tumorigenicity, and cisplatin response of lung cancer. PRMT6 regulated the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) flux and glycolysis pathway in human lung cancer by increasing the activity of 6-phospho-gluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) and α-enolase (ENO1). Furthermore, PRMT6 methylated R324 of 6PGD to enhancing its activity; while methylation at R9 and R372 of ENO1 promotes formation of active ENO1 dimers and 2-phosphoglycerate (2-PG) binding to ENO1, respectively. Lastly, targeting PRMT6 blocked the oxidative PPP flux, glycolysis pathway, and tumor growth, as well as enhanced the anti-tumor effects of cisplatin in lung cancer. Together, this study demonstrates that PRMT6 acts as a post-translational modification (PTM) regulator of glucose metabolism, which leads to the pathogenesis of lung cancer. It was proven that the PRMT6-6PGD/ENO1 regulatory axis is an important determinant of carcinogenesis and may become a promising cancer therapeutic strategy.