Robotic-assisted low anterior resection for rectal cancer shows similar clinical efficacy to laparoscopic surgery: A propensity score matched study.

BACKGROUND: Rectal cancer ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, necessitating surgical resection as the sole treatment option. Over the years, there has been a growing adoption of minimally invasive surgical techniques such as robotic and laparoscopic approaches. Robotic surgery represents an innovative modality that effectively addresses the limitations associated with traditional laparoscopic techniques. While previous studies have reported favorable perioperative outcomes for robot-assisted radical resection in rectal cancer patients, further evidence regarding its oncological safety is still warranted. AIM: To conduct a comparative analysis of perioperative and oncological outcomes between robot-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted low anterior resection (LALAR) procedures. METHODS: The clinical data of 125 patients who underwent robot-assisted low anterior resection (RALAR) and 279 patients who underwent LALAR resection at Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from December 2019 to November 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. After performing a 1:1 propensity score matching, the patients were divided into two groups: The RALAR group and the LALAR group (111 cases in each group). Subsequently, a comparison was made between the short-term outcomes within 30 d after surgery and the 3-year survival outcomes of these two groups. RESULTS: Compared to the LALAR group, the RALAR group exhibited a significantly earlier time to first flatus [2 (2-2) d vs 3 (3-3) d, P = 0.000], as well as a shorter time to first fluid diet [4 (3-4) d vs 5 (4-6) d, P = 0.001]. Additionally, the RALAR group demonstrated reduced postoperative indwelling catheter time [2 (1-3) d vs 4 (3-5) d, P = 0.000] and decreased length of hospital stay after surgery [5 (5-7) d vs 7(6-8) d, P = 0.009]. Moreover, there was an observed increase in total cost of hospitalization for the RALAR group compared to the LALAR group [10777 (10780-11850) dollars vs 10550 (8766-11715) dollars, P = 0.012]. No significant differences were found in terms of conversion rate to laparotomy or incidence of postoperative complications between both groups. Furthermore, no significant disparities were noted regarding the 3-year overall survival rate and 3-year disease-free survival rate between both groups. CONCLUSION: Robotic surgery offers potential advantages in terms of accelerated recovery of gastrointestinal and urologic function compared to LALAR resection, while maintaining similar perioperative and 3-year oncological outcomes.

Role of transcribed ultraconserved regions in gastric cancer and therapeutic perspectives.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death. The occurrence and development of GC is a complex process involving multiple biological mechanisms. Although traditional regulation modulates molecular functions related to the occurrence and development of GC, the comprehensive mechanisms remain unclear. Ultraconserved region (UCR) refers to a genome sequence that is completely conserved in the homologous regions of the human, rat and mouse genomes, with 100% identity, without any insertions or deletions, and often located in fragile sites and tumour-related genes. The transcribed UCR (T-UCR) is transcribed from the UCR and is a new type of long noncoding RNA. Recent studies have found that the expression level of T-UCRs changes during the occurrence and development of GC, revealing a new mechanism underlying GC. Therefore, this article aims to review the relevant research on T-UCRs in GC, as well as the function of T-UCRs and their regulatory role in the occurrence and development of GC, to provide new strategies for GC diagnosis and treatment.

Risk factors for periappendiceal adhesions in acute appendicitis: a retrospective comparative study.

PURPOSE: Acute appendicitis usually requires immediate surgical treatment, but appendectomies were difficult for some patients with severe periappendiceal adhesions. We investigated risk factors of intraoperative adhesions to help surgeons make better treatment plans for appendicitis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 186 cases diagnosed with acute appendicitis and underwent surgery in Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong First Medical University between January 2018 and December 2019. According to the degree of intraoperative adhesions, they were divided into mild, moderate and severe groups. Then, we analyzed a number of preoperative factors contributed to adhesions, suppuration and perforation during appendectomy in 186 patients. RESULTS: Contrast to the moderate group (MoG) and the mild group (MiG), the severe degree of adhesions group (SG) had a higher intraoperative perforation and suppuration rate, a greater likelihood of conversion to open and more postoperative complications. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that recurrent appendicitis and high neutrophil percentage were independently associated with periappendiceal adhesions. The preoperative ultrasonography (US) revealed periappendiceal fluid and high neutrophil percentage were independently associated with appendix suppuration. A high preoperative neutrophil percentage was independently associated with appendix perforation. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent appendicitis and preoperative high neutrophil percentage were risk factors of periappendiceal adhesions; preoperative US revealed periappendiceal fluid and high neutrophil percentage were risk factors of appendix suppuration; and a high preoperative neutrophil percentage was a risk factor of appendix perforation.

hsa-miR-875-5p inhibits tumorigenesis and suppresses TGF-ß signalling by targeting USF2 in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies, and an increasing number of studies have shown that its pathogenesis is regulated by various miRNAs. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-875-5p in GC. METHODS: The expression of miR-875-5p was detected in human GC specimens and cell lines by miRNA qRT-PCR. The effect of miR-875-5p on GC proliferation was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) proliferation and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays. Migration and invasion were examined by transwell migration and invasion assays as well as wound healing assays. The interaction between miR-875-5p and its target gene upstream stimulatory factor 2(USF2) was verified by dual luciferase reporter assays. The effects of miR-875-5p in vivo were studied in xenograft nude mouse models. Related proteins were detected by western blot. RESULTS: The results showed that miR-875-5p inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of GC cells in vitro and inhibited tumorigenesis in vivo. USF2 was proved to be a direct target of miR-875-5p. Knockdown of USF2 partially counteracted the effects of miR-875-5p inhibitor. Overexpression of miR-875-5p could inhibit proliferation, migration and invasion and suppress the TGF-ß signalling pathway by downregulating USF2. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-875-5p can inhibit the progression of GC by directly targeting USF2. And in the future, miR-875-5p is expected to be a potential target for GC diagnosis and treatment.

miR-875-5p inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells by targeting USF2 / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[摘 要] 目的：探讨miR-875-5p对胃癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响及其机制。方法：采用qPCR法检测胃癌细胞BGC-823、HGC-27、MGC-803、SGC-7901、AGS、MKN-45 和胃黏膜上皮细胞GES-1中miR-875-5p的表达水平。利用脂质体转染技术，分别将miR-875-5p模拟物/抑制剂（mimic/inhibitor）及其阴性对照质粒（miR-NC/Anti-miR-NC）转染至AGS细胞/MKN-45细胞，构建过表达/抑制miR-875-5p的细胞模型，空白对照组（Control组）不转染。通过CCK-8、克隆形成、Transwell等实验分别检测miR-875-5p表达变化对细胞增殖、克隆形成、迁移和侵袭的影响。采用双荧光素酶报告基因实验验证miR-875-5p与上游刺激因子2（USF2）的靶向关系，WB实验验证miR-875-5p对USF2的调控作用并检测USF2蛋白的表达。构建MKN-45细胞裸鼠移植瘤模型，验证miR-875-5p过表达对MKN-45细胞成瘤能力的影响。结果：miR-875-5p在6种胃癌细胞中表达水平显著低于胃黏膜上皮细胞GES-1（均P<0.01）。与Control组和miR-NC组相比，miR-875-5p mimic组AGS细胞的增殖、克隆形成率、迁移和侵袭细胞数，以及USF2蛋白的表达均显著降低（P<0.05或P<0.01）；miR-875-5p inhibitor组MKN-45细胞的增殖、克隆形成率、迁移和侵袭细胞数，以及USF2蛋白的表达均显著提高（P<0.05或P<0.01）。双荧光素酶报告基因实验证明，miR-875-5p能够直接靶向USF2基因。体内成瘤实验结果表明，过表达miR-875-5p显著抑制MKN-45细胞移植瘤的生长（均P<0.01）。结论：miR-875-5p通过靶向USF2抑制胃癌细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭。