Prognostic role of human equilibrative transporter 1 (hENT1) in patients with resected gastric cancer

Nucleoside transporter proteins are specialized proteins that mediate the transport of nucleosides and nucleoside analog drugs across the plasma membrane. The human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) is a member of these proteins and mediates cellular entry of gemcitabine, cytarabine, and fludarabine. The hENT1 expression has been demonstrated to be related with prognosis and activity of gemcitabine-based therapy in breast, ampullary, lung, and pancreatic cancer. We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of hENT in tumor samples from III patients with resected gastric adenocarcinoma, correlating these data with clinical parameters and disease outcomes. None of the patients received chemotherapy or radiation therapy before or after surgery as a part of an adjuvant or neoadjuvant program. On univariate survival analysis, the hENT1 expression was associated with overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS). Specifically, those patients with overexpression of hENT1 showed a shorter OS ( P=0.021) and a shorter DFS ( P=0.033). Considering only the node positive patients, higher hENT levels were associated with significantly shorter median DFS (21.7 months; 95% CI 11.1-32.4) compared with patients with low expression of hENT1. The hENT1 expression was defined, in the lymph-node positive patients, as an independent prognostic factor ( P=0.019). Furthermore, considering only patients with diffuse or mixed tumors and lymph-node positive, the expression of hENT1 was strongly related with DFS and OS. Immunohistochemistry for the hENT1 protein carries prognostic information in patients with resected gastric cancer and holds promise as a predictive factor in chemotherapy decisions

Young carers in England: findings from the 2018 BBC survey on the prevalence and nature of caring among young people

Background Many young people are involved in caring for parents, siblings, or other relatives who have an illness or disability. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of caring by young people in England. Method A national survey of 925 English young people was conducted using the 18‐item survey version of the Multidimensional Assessment of Caring Activities Checklist for Young Carers. Results Around 7% of young people were identified as doing at least a high amount of caring activity and 3% a very high amount. Most frequently, caring by a young person is for a mother or a sibling, with a physical disability. Caring activity consisted mostly of domestic activities, household management, and emotional care. Conclusion This study provides the most up to date and methodologically sophisticated survey data on the prevalence of young caring in England, with implications for policy and practice