Low Skeletal Muscle Mass and the Incidence of Delirium in Hospitalized Older Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

Background: Both low skeletal muscle mass and delirium are prevalent in older hospitalized patients, while their associations are unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to investigate the associations between low skeletal muscle mass and the incidence of delirium in hospitalized patients. Methods: The PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched for relevant studies published before May 2022, and we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis according to the PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. The summary odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated, and subgroup analyses were also conducted according to the age and major surgeries. Results: Finally, nine studies with 3 828 patients were included. The pooled result showed no significant association between low skeletal muscle mass and the incidence of delirium (OR 1.69, 95% CI 0.85 to 2.52). However, sensitivity analysis suggested that one study caused a significant alteration of the summary result, and the meta-analysis of the remaining 8 studies showed that low skeletal muscle mass was significantly associated with an 88% increased incidence of delirium (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.43 to 2.33). Furthermore, subgroup analyses indicated that low skeletal muscle mass was associated with a higher incidence of delirium in patients ≥75 years old or undergoing major surgeries instead of those <75 years old or without surgeries, respectively. Conclusions: Hospitalized patients with low skeletal muscle mass might have higher incidence of delirium, particularly in those of older age and undergoing major surgeries. Therefore, great attention should be paid to these patients.

Tumor budding in gastric cancer.

The tumor, nodes, metastasis (TNM) staging system has long been the gold standard for the classification and prognosis of solid tumors. However, the TNM staging system is not without limitations. Prognostic heterogeneity exists within patients at the same stage. Therefore, the pursuit of other biomarkers with the potential to classify patients with cancer has never stopped. One of them, tumor budding (TB), has gained much success in colorectal cancer. In recent years, TB in gastric cancer has attracted much attention from researchers, beginning to reveal the molecular and biological aspects of this phenomenon in gastric cancer, and has emerged as a promising prognostic biomarker in gastric cancer, predicting disease progression and unfavorable survival. Therefore, it is time and essential to provide a holistic overview of TB in gastric cancer, which has not been achieved and is the aim of this review.

Patient-reported gastrointestinal symptoms following surgery for gastric cancer and the relative risk factors.

Purpose: The study aims to assess the incidence of short-term patient-reported postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms (PGISs) after gastric cancer surgery and explore the relative risk factors for the symptoms. Methods: Patients with radical gastrectomy were included for this retrospective and observational study. Symptoms extracted from the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory Gastrointestinal Cancer Module (MDASI-GI) were collected in postdischarge week (PDW) 1 and postoperative month (POM) 1. The distributing states of symptoms were analyzed in PDW1 and POM1. Logistic regression models were used to identify risk factors for PGISs. Results: Among 356 patients with complete interviews, 156 (43.8%) patients reported abdominal distention in PDW1, which was significantly higher than patients in POM1 [103 (28.9%), p < 0.001]. Pain (15.2% vs. 9.8%), dysphagia (5.6% vs. 7.0%), diarrhea (3.7% vs. 3.4%), and vomiting (2.5% vs. 2.8%) had no significant differences between PDW1 and POM1. Logistic models found that risk factors for PGISs were total gastrectomy [odds ratio (OR): 1.948; 95% CI: 1.097-3.459; p = 0.023] and disturbed sleep (OR: 3.116; 95% CI: 1.831-5.303; p < 0.001) in PDW1 and female gender (OR: 1.726; 95% CI: 1.071-2.782; p = 0.025), total gastrectomy (OR: 1.729; 95% CI: 1.055-2.834; p = 0.030), and disturbed sleep (OR: 3.533; 95% CI: 1.757-7.106; p < 0.001) in POM1. Conclusions: The main symptom after gastric cancer surgery was abdominal distention. The relative risk factors for gastrointestinal symptoms after gastric cancer surgery were total gastrectomy and disturbed sleep. Timely symptom intervention may improve the quality of life of postgastrectomy patients.

Mechanisms of microRNA action in rectal cancer radiotherapy.

ABSTRACT: Preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, combined with total mesorectal excision, has become the standard treatment for advanced localized rectal cancer (RC). However, the biological complexity and heterogeneity of tumors may contribute to cancer recurrence and metastasis in patients with radiotherapy-resistant RC. The identification of factors leading to radioresistance and markers of radiosensitivity is critical to identify responsive patients and improve radiotherapy outcomes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, endogenous, and noncoding RNAs that affect various cellular and molecular targets. miRNAs have been shown to play important roles in multiple biological processes associated with RC. In this review, we summarized the signaling pathways of miRNAs, including apoptosis, autophagy, the cell cycle, DNA damage repair, proliferation, and metastasis during radiotherapy in patients with RC. Also, we evaluated the potential role of miRNAs as radiotherapeutic biomarkers for RC.

The Value of the C-Reactive Protein-to-Lymphocyte Ratio for Predicting Lymphovascular Invasion Based on Nutritional Status in Gastric Cancer.

Preoperative nutrition and inflammation are closely related to tumors (T). Many hematological marker assessment tools comprise nutritional and systemic inflammatory indexes, evaluating essential factors for cancer nutrition, growth, and progression. This study retrospectively investigated whether the C-reactive protein (CRP)-to-lymphocyte ratio (CLR) could predict lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in gastric cancer (GC) patients based on their nutritional status. We included 262 patients who underwent GC surgery between 2019 and 2020. The patient's nutritional status was assessed using the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SCA), and patients with scores ≥4 were classified as malnourished. First, we examined 7 hematological marker combinations using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to determine which one best predicted malnutrition. The CLR predicted malnutrition more accurately than other ratios (area under the curve: 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.55-0.69, P = .002); the optimal cut-off value for malnutrition was 1.04. Next, we evaluated the relationship between the 7 combinations and postoperative LVI. A CLR higher than 1.04 (odds ratio [OR]: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.09-3.00, P = .021) and a platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) higher than 129.00 (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.00-2.67, P = .049) were associated with LVI in the univariate analysis, and the CLR was an independent predictor of LVI in the multivariate analysis (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.04-2.87, P = .036). The preoperative CLR can assess nutritional status and independently predict LVI in GC.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol for elderly gastric cancer patients: A prospective study for safety and efficacy.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) has been used to improve surgical outcomes in recent years. However, its safety and efficacy in elderly patients with gastric cancer remain unclear. The aim of this study was to reveal the safety and efficacy of the ERAS protocol in elderly patients with gastric cancer. METHODS: Elderly gastric cancer patients (age≥70 years) who underwent gastrectomy were divided into the ERAS group and the conventional group. Postoperative complications, postoperative hospital stay, hospitalization expenses, and readmission rates were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: From December 2019 to January 2021, 100 eligible patients were enrolled in our study. All baseline data were balanced between the ERAS group and the conventional group. There was no significant difference in terms of complications (18% vs. 16%, P = 0.14) between the two groups. The most common complication was pneumonia. Four patients were observed in the conventional group and three patients in the ERAS group. The postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the ERAS group (8.2 vs. 10.4, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The ERAS protocol could be safely used in elderly gastric cancer patients undergoing gastrectomy and shorten postoperative hospital stay.

Laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction for upper third gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction (DTR) has been used for upper third gastric cancer as a function-preserving procedure. However, the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (LPG) with DTR remain uncertain. This study compared open proximal gastrectomy (OPG) with DTR and LPG with DTR for proximal gastric cancer. METHODS: Sixty-four patients who had undergone OPG with DTR and forty-six patients who had undergone LPG with DTR were enrolled in this case-control study. The clinical characteristics, surgical outcomes and postoperative nutrition index were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: The operation time was significantly longer in the LGP group than in the OPG group (258.3 min vs 205.8 min; p = 0.00). However, the time to first flatus and postoperative hospital stay were shorter in the LPG group [4.0 days vs 3.5 days (p = 0.00) and 10.6 days vs 9.2 days (p = 0.001), respectively]. No significant difference was found between the two groups in the number of retrieved lymph nodes, complications or reflux oesophagitis. The nutrition status was assessed using the haemoglobin, albumin, prealbumin and weight levels from pre-operation to six months after surgery. No significant difference was found between the groups. CONCLUSION: LPG with DTR can be safely performed for proximal gastric cancer patients by experienced surgeons.

Does early postoperative enteral ecoimmunonutrition enhance intestinal function in gastric cancer?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We assessed the effect of enteral ecoimmunonutrition (enteral nutrition involving probiotics and immune nutrients) on gastric cancer in the postoperative period. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: In total, 60 patients with gastric cancer were randomized into an enteral ecoimmunonutrition group or an enteral nutrition group. Information on postoperative complications; hospitalization length; time to first bowel movement and first flatus; and differences between preoperative and postoperative nutritional status, inflammatory reactions, and immune function was collected. RESULTS: No significant between-group differences in nutritional status and complications were observed. C-reactive protein concentrations were lower in the enteral ecoimmunonutrition group than in the enteral nutrition group on postoperative day 7 (p<0.001) and CD4+ concentrations were significantly higher (p=0.01). The enteral ecoimmunonutrition group had a significantly shorter time to first flatus than the enteral nutrition group (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Early postoperative enteral ecoimmunonutrition significantly improved immune function, reduced inflammatory responses, and promoted intestinal function recovery in patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy.

M1-like TAMs are required for the efficacy of PD-L1/PD-1 blockades in gastric cancer.

The efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 blockades is heterogeneous in different molecular subtypes of gastric cancer (GC). In this study, we analyzed relevant clinical trials to identify the molecular subtypes associated with the efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 blockades, and public datasets, patient samples, and GC cell lines were used for investigating potential mechanisms. We found that GC with EBV-positive, MSI-H/dMMR, TMB-H or PIK3CA mutant subtype had enhanced efficacy of PD-L1/PD-1 blockades. Also, differentially expressed genes of these molecular subtypes shared the same gene signature and functional annotations related to immunity. Meanwhile, CIBERSORT identified that the overlapping landscapes of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the four molecular subtypes were mainly M1-like macrophages (M1). The relationships between M1 and clinical characteristics, M1, and gene signatures associated with PD-1/PD-L1 blockades also revealed that M1 was associated with improved prognosis and required for the efficacy of PD-L1/PD-1 blockades in GC. We identified that tumor-infiltrating CD68+CD163- macrophages could represent M1 calculated by CIBERSORT in clinical application, and CXCL9, 10, 11/CXCR3 axis was involved in the mechanism of CD68+CD163- macrophages in the enhanced efficacy of PD-L1/PD-1 blockades. In conclusion, CD68+CD163- macrophages are required for the efficacy of PD-L1/PD-1 blockades and expand the applicable candidates in GC patients without the molecular subtypes.

Conversion therapy for advanced gastric cancer with trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy: A case report.

Gastric cancer is a common cancer of the gastrointestinal tract and the second most prevalent cause of cancer-associated mortality globally. Gastric cancer-associated mortality is increased in China compared with that in other countries. Key contributors to the poor prognosis of gastric cancer include late clinical presentation and genetic heterogeneity. Treatment based on the subtype of gastric cancer is important for effective therapy. The overexpression of the erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2) gene and protein is associated with gastric cancer in humans. Chemotherapy and targeted therapy may control tumor growth and recurrence, which is an important function of conversion surgery. The present study reported a patient diagnosed with gastric cancer with multiple abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal lymph node metastases. ERBB2 amplification and overexpression were identified in both case reports presented. The patients were treated with four cycles of oxaliplatin, capecitabine and trastuzumab. Computed tomography revealed the lymph node metastases decreased in size following treatment, and surgical resection was performed. The four cycles of oxaliplatin, capecitabine and trastuzumab were continued subsequent to surgical resection at the administered dose. No recurrence was observed for >1 year after surgery. Trastuzumab combined with oxaliplatin and capecitabine as a conversion therapy regime for ERBB2-overexpressing advanced gastric adenocarcinoma increased the likelihood of successful surgical resection, and prolonged progression-free survival.

Overexpression of MPC1 inhibits the proliferation, migration, invasion, and stem cell-like properties of gastric cancer cells.

Invasion and metastasis are major malignant characteristics of human gastric cancer (GC), but the molecular mechanisms underlying the invasion and metastasis of GC cells remain elusive. MPC1, a key factor that controls pyruvate transportation through the inner mitochondrial membrane, was reported to be downregulated and correlated with poor prognosis in several cancers. However, the effects of MPC1 on human GC have not been illustrated. In this study, we investigated the potential role of MPC1 in the proliferation, migration, invasion, and stem cell-like properties of human GC cells and evaluated its prognostic significance for patients with GC. We found that MPC1 protein and mRNA levels were significantly decreased in GC tissues and cell lines. Low MPC1 expression was associated with tumor T stage, N stage, and advanced tumor node metastasis stage. Decreased MPC1 expression was an independent prognostic marker and correlated with poor overall survival of patients with GC. Furthermore, overexpression of MPC1 inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion, and stem cell-like properties of GC cells. These findings suggest that MPC1 may be a novel prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target in human GC.

Splenosis with lower gastrointestinal bleeding mimicking colonical gastrointestinal stromal tumour.

BACKGROUND: Splenosis refers to the heterotopic transplantation of splenic tissue following splenic trauma or splenectomy. Splenosis is typically asymptomatic and is often identified incidentally. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of splenosis with colon and stomach invasion presenting as lower gastrointestinal bleeding and mimicking colonic gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST). The importance of suspicion for splenosis in patients with a history of splenic injury should be highlighted. Computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy, nuclear scintigraphy and ferumoxide-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can support an accurate diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: An accurate diagnosis of splenosis is important to avoid unnecessary operations, especially in patients with previous histories of splenic trauma or splenectomy.

The Effects of Early Post-Operative Soluble Dietary Fiber Enteral Nutrition for Colon Cancer.

We examined colon cancer patients who received soluble dietary fiber enteral nutrition (SDFEN) to evaluate the feasibility and potential benefit of early SDFEN compared to EN. Sixty patients who were confirmed as having colon cancer with histologically and accepted radical resection of colon cancer were randomized into an SDFEN group and an EN group. The postoperative complications, length of hospital stay (LOH), days for first fecal passage, and the difference in nutritional status, immune function and inflammatory reaction between pre-operation and post-operation were all recorded. The statistical analyses were performed using the t-test and the chi square test. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. After the nutrition support, differences in the levels of albumin, prealbumin and transferrin in each group were not statistically significant (p > 0.05); the levels of CD4+, IgA and IgM in the SDFEN group were higher than that of the EN group at seven days (p < 0.05); the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the SDFEN group were lower than that of the EN group at seven days (p < 0.05); and patients in the SDFEN group had a significantly shorter first flatus time than the EN group (p < 0.05). Early post-operative SDFEN used in colon cancer patients was feasible and beneficial in immune function and reducing inflammatory reaction, gastrointestinal function and speeding up the recovery.

Comparison between total laparoscopy and laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. A meta-analysis based on Japanese and Korean articles.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and feasibility of total laparoscopy distal gastrectomy (TLDG). METHODS: This meta-analysis was conducted between April and July 2013 in Sichuan Cancer Hospital, Chengdu, China. We searched PubMed, EMBASE and China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database updated until May 2013. Eight retrospective studies and one prospective study involving 2,046 total patients were included. RESULTS: The results showed that TLDG was associated with lower blood loss (mean difference=-22.39, p=0.04). and a greater number of harvested lymph nodes (mean difference=2.74, p=0.02). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in operation time, time to first flatus, length of postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Compared with laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy, TLDG resulted in reduced blood loss, and a greater number of harvested lymph nodes. Total laparoscopy distal gastrectomy is safe and feasible for gastric cancer. 

IFRD1 polymorphisms and gastric cancer risk in a Chinese population.

The association between gene polymorphisms of IFRD1 and gastric cancer is not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between IFRD1 polymorphisms and gastric cancer in Chinese population. Fifty-three consecutive patients with the diagnosis of gastric cancer were defined as the case group, and another 50 healthy donors were denoted as the control group. About 4 ml of peripheral blood was collected from each donor for extracting DNA. Finally, IFRD1 rs7818, rs3807213, and rs6968084 SNPs were detected with polymerase chain reaction. C/C genotype distribution frequencies of rs6968084 and rs7817 in gastric cancer patients were similar with the controls (OR 0.192, 95 % CI 0.513-2.769, P = 0.683 and OR 2.075, 95 % CI 0.744-5.792, P = 0.16, respectively). Patients with gastric cancer had a significantly higher frequency of rs3807213 C allele and rs3807213 C/C genotype than controls. (OR 4.028, 95 % CI 1.513-10.72, P = 0.004) (OR 3.759, 95 % CI 1.521-9.294, P = 0.003). This study suggests that the SNPs of IFRD1 rs7818 and rs6968084 have nothing to do with the gastric cancer susceptibility. The allele gene C and genotype C/C of rs3807213 SNP are involved in susceptibility to gastric cancer, but there were no relations when subgroup stratified all the three SNPs according to pathological stages.

Proximal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition and TGRY anastomosis for proximal gastric cancer.

AIM: To compare the short-term outcomes of patients who underwent proximal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition (PGJI) with those undergoing total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis (TGRY). METHODS: From January 2009 to January 2011, thirty-five patients underwent PGJI, and forty-one patients underwent TGRY. The surgical efficacy and short-term follow-up outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no differences in the demographic and clinicopathological characteristics. The mean operation duration and postoperative hospital stay in the PGJI group were statistically longer than those in the TGRY group (P = 0.00). No anastomosis leakage was observed in two groups. No statistically significant difference was found in endoscopic findings, Visick grade or serum albumin level. The single-meal food intake in the PGJI group was more than that in the TGRY group (P = 0.00). The PG group showed significantly better hemoglobin levels in the second year (P = 0.02). The two-year survival rate was not significantly different (PGJI vs TGRY, 93.55% vs 92.5%, P = 1.0). CONCLUSION: PGJI is a safe, radical surgical method for proximal gastric cancer and leads to better outcomes in terms of the single-meal food intake and hemoglobin level, compared with TGRY in the short term.

[Relationship of IFRD1-rs3807213 gene polymorphism with the risk of gastric cancer among Chinese].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between rs3807213 gene polymorphism in interferon related developmental regulator 1 gene (IFRD1) and the risk of gastric cancer among Chinese. METHODS: There were 53 gastric cancer patients and 50 healthy people included in this case-control study. The blood samples were collected from each observed object and genotype (AA, AC, CC) of IFRD1 rs3807213 SNP was detected after polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The relationships of rs3807213 gene polymorphism with gastric cancer risk, clinic and pathologic features were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients with stomach cancer had a significantly higher frequency of rs3807213 C allele distributions (OR = 3.759, 95% CI = 1.521-9.294; P = 0.003) than the controls. Compared with control group, patients with gastric cancer had a significantly higher frequency of rs3807213 CC genotype (OR = 4.028, 95% CI = 1.513-10.720; P = 0.004). When stratified by pathological stage of gastric cancer, there was no significant difference observed. CONCLUSION: IFRD1-rs3807213 polymorphism may be associated with the increased risk of gastric cancer.

Is dietary fat associated with the risk of colorectal cancer? A meta-analysis of 13 prospective cohort studies.

BACKGROUND: The results of animal studies suggest there is a significant role for dietary fat in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, inconsistent results have been reported by epidemiological studies. AIM OF STUDY: To evaluate the association between total dietary fat and risk of colorectal cancer development using a meta-analysis based on prospective cohort studies. METHODS: Published literature was retrieved from Medline, Embase and CNKI (China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database) databases updated to 1st May, 2009. Overall, thirteen prospective cohort studies with 3,635 cases and 459,910 participants were included. RESULTS: The combined relative risk (RR) [95% confidence interval (95%CI)] for the risk of CRC was 0.99 (0.89,1.09) when the highest level of total dietary fat was versus (vs.) the lowest level. Stratified analyses according to gender, ethnicity, country and age showed that the highest level of total dietary fat did not increase the risk of CRC [RR (95%CI): 0.89 (0.77,1.03) for males; 1.09 (0.94,1.26) for females; 1.08 (0.94,1.25) for Caucasians; 0.90 (0.77,1.04) for Asians; 1.13 (0.94,1.36) for Americans; 0.92 (0.81,1.04) for individuals older than 40]. Besides those, the highest level of total fat diet also did not increase the risk of neither colon cancer [RR (95%CI): 0.96 (0.82,1.13)] nor rectal cancer [RR (95%CI):1.07 (0.63,1.82)]. Furthermore, neither animal fat nor plant fat were associated with the risk of CRC [RR (95%CI): 1.05 (0.91-1.22) for animal fat and 0.96 (0.82-1.11) for plant fat]. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that dietary fat may not be associated with the increased risk of CRC. More well-designed studies with larger population performed among Asians are needed to further evaluate the associations. In addition, probable bias caused by measurement error should be noticed in this meta-analysis, and measurement error needs to be adjusted in the future studies.