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INTRODUCTION Our aim was to introduce a simple way of making a self-releasing biliary stent for laparoscopic common biliary duct exploration. METHODS To make a self-releasing biliary stent, an absorbable thread was sutured to a J-shape polyurethane biliary stent. After the evacuation of the calculi, a guide wire was placed into the duodenum antegradely, facilitating the insertion of the biliary stent. The pigtail of the stent was left in the duodenum. The choledochotomy was then sutured, with the absorbable thread left outside the bile duct. RESULTS This study consisted of 150 patients with choledocholithiasis. The mean operating time was 126 ± 36 minutes. The postoperative hospital stay was 6.5 ± 3.6 days. In 149 cases, the biliary stents were released and discharged out of the body with feces. The inside body time of the rapid-releasing stent was 13.6 ± 2.6 days, and it was 28.0 ± 4.6 days for the slow-releasing stent. One stent was removed by endoscopy. Transient hyperamylasemia occurred in 32 patients (21.3%) without clinical onset of pancreatitis. Bile leakage occurred in three patients (2.0%), all of whom recovered after treatment. Residual lithiasis was found in one patient (0.7%) and was retracted by endoscopy 30 days after the first procedure. No infection or dislocation of the stent was found. CONCLUSION For laparoscopic common biliary duct exploration for choledocholithiasis, this method provides an alternative way to make a simple and safe self-releasing stent. It enables the endoscopic retraction of biliary stents to be avoided.

Empowered by recent advances of sequencing techniques, transcriptome-wide studies have characterized over 150 different types of post-transcriptional chemical modifications of RNA, ranging from methylations of single base to complex installing reactions catalyzed by coordinated actions of multiple modification enzymes. These modifications have been shown to regulate the function and fate of RNAs and further affecting various cellular events. However, the current understanding of their biological functions in human diseases, especially in cancers, is still limited. Once regarded as “junk” or “noise” of the transcriptome, noncoding RNA (ncRNA) has been proved to be involved in a plethora of cellular signaling pathways especially those regulating cancer initiation and progression. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that ncRNAs manipulate multiple phenotypes of cancer cells including proliferation, metastasis and chemoresistance and may become promising biomarkers and targets for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Importantly, recent studies have mapped plenty of modified residues in ncRNA transcripts, indicating the existence of epigenetic modulation of ncRNAs and the potential effects of RNA modulation on cancer progression. In this review, we briefly introduced the characteristics of several main epigenetic marks on ncRNAs and summarized their consecutive effects on cancer cells. We found that ncRNAs could act both as regulators and targets of epigenetic enzymes, which indicated a cross-regulating network in cancer cells and unveil a novel dimension of cancer biology. Moreover, by epitomizing the knowledge of RNA epigenetics, our work may pave the way for the design of patient-tailored therapeutics of cancers.

// Hao Feng 1 , 2 , Tobias S. Schiergens 2 , Zhi-hai Mao 1 , Jingkun Zhao 1 , 2 , Xiaohui Shen 1 , Ai-Guo Lu 1 and Wolfgang E. Thasler 3 1 Department of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China 2 Department of General, Visceral, Transplant, and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany 3 Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Red Cross Hospital of Munich, Munich, Germany Correspondence to: Ai-guo Lu, email: // Hao Feng, email: // Keywords : laparoscopy; rectal cancer; operative risk; Cr-POSSUM system; complications Received : July 20, 2016 Accepted : October 17, 2016 Published : December 09, 2016 Abstract BACKGROUND: It is still controversial about the treatment strategy for rectal cancer patients with elevated operative risk and elder rectal cancer patients. METHODS: This study presented a retrospective single center experience in rectal cancer proctectomy for high operative risk patients. High operative risk patient was defined as Cr-POSSUM > 5% combined with associated risk factors. 220 in 1477 consecutive patients met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: 132 patients were selected (66:66) after propensity score matching. The total complication rate between conventional open rectal resection (71 %) and laparoscopic surgery (41%) was significantly different ( p = 0.0005). There is a significantly positive correlation between open surgery and advanced Dindo Classification ( p = 0.02). Cr-POSSUM is positively correlated with Dindo Classification ( p = 0.01). There was no significant difference in survival rate among stage I~II, different age groups or different Cr-POSSUM score sub-groups. However, stage III-IV tumor patients in laparoscopic group experienced improved overall survival rate. ( p < 0.0001). For patients with preoperative pulmonary or renal disease, patients in laparoscopic group also had better long term prognosis ( p = 0.03, p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate the potential advantages of laparoscopic rectal cancer resection for high operative risk patients, especially for the patients with preoperative respiratory or renal disease and stage III cancer.

Supplemental Material, Supplementary_tables_and_figures for Prediction of Target Genes and Pathways Associated With Cetuximab Insensitivity in Colorectal Cancer by Chaoran Yu, Hiju Hong, Jiaoyang Lu, Xuan Zhao, Wenjun Hu, Sen Zhang, Yaping Zong, Zhihai Mao, Jianwen Li, Mingliang Wang, Bo Feng, Jing Sun, and Minhua Zheng in Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment

To investigate the similarities and differences of laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision (CME) to a colon resection with a D3 lymphadenectomy for the stage II/III left-sided colon carcinoma.Patients between July 2011 and August 2014 were randomized into D3 and CME groups. Mesenteric area, log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS), and other operative parameters were collected and assessed.The average specimen sizes were 5730 ± 828 mm(2) in superior rectal artery (SRA)-preserving D3, 8145 ± 1022 mm(2) in SRA-nonpreserving D3, and 8745 ± 1039 mm(2) in the CME group; the differences were significant (P .0001). The number of lymph nodes collected from CME specimens was larger, but the CME specimens did not contain an elevated value of LODDS or positive nodes or lymph node ratio (LNR). There were also no significant differences between recovery times of bowel function. Although it took more operation time in D3 approach, especially in SRA-preserving D3 operation, the difference was not significant. Concerning the leakage rate (P = .34) and vessel-related complications (P = .64), there were no significant differences either.Both standard D3 resection and CME could achieve a high quality of mesocolic plane grade for stage II/III colon cancer. The LODDS and LNR were comparable, and those were not relevant to mesenteric size.

Introduction: With this study, we aimed to assess the feasibility and outcome of laparoscopy-assisted low anterior resection with a prolapsing technique for low rectal tumors. Materials and Methods: We studied surgical techniques, recovery status, complications, oncological clearance and the results of short-term follow-up in 15 patients who had received laparoscopy-assisted low anterior resection with a prolapsing technique for low rectal tumors between October 2005 and January 2008. Results: None of the cases was converted to open surgery. The mean operation time was 185 min (150–232 min), and the mean blood loss was 75 ml (25–105 ml). The mean time for passage of flatus, duration of urinary drainage, and postoperative hospital stay were 3 d (1–4 d), 6 d (5–10 d) and 11 d (7–20 d), respectively. The total amount of lymph nodes harvested was 15 (9–21), and the mean distal margin from the tumor was 2.5 cm (1.0–3.9 cm). No major complications were observed. The mean follow-up time was 13 months (4–27 months). Neither local recurrence nor metastasis was observed. Acceptable anal function results were obtained in most patients. Discussion: Laparoscopy-assisted low anterior resection with a prolapsing technique can be successfully performed.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory response and acid-base equilibrium index, as well as other clinical facts of the endoscopic thyroidectomy via the anterior chest wall approach.Thirty-nine patients who received thyroidectomy in our surgical center during September 2007 and January 2008 were included in this study. Twenty of the patients underwent an endoscopic surgery, and the remaining 19 received conventional surgery. These patients' data were compared within and between treatment groups with respect to clinical facts and inflammatory evaluations. Arterial blood gas data and electrolyte data were analyzed within the endoscopic group.Endoscopic thyroidectomy group showed shorter operative time, compared to that of the conventional thyroidectomy group, although the difference didn't reach statistical significance. No significant difference regarding postoperative hospital stay was observed between two groups. Postoperative day 1 shows much higher values of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor than that measured preoperative or postoperative day 3 in both groups. C-reactive protein appeared to be significantly increased postoperatively in both groups, although no difference between the two groups was found. Although blood cortisol significantly increased in both groups postoperatively, the data of endoscopic group postoperative day 1 was lower than the same day of the conventional group. Arterial blood gas analysis showed that both PCO2 and TCO2 were statistically different between preoperation and 30 minutes after insufflation. No insufflation complication was observed.Compared with conventional thyroid surgery, endoscopic thyroidectomy via the anterior chest wall approach presented with no significant difference in respect of both clinical facts and laboratory outcomes.

Background: Cetuximab has been regularly added to the treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer worldwide. However, due to its therapeutic insensitivity and underlying mechanisms being largely unknown, the clinical implementation of cetuximab in colorectal cancer remains limited. Methods: The gene expression profile GSE56386 was retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes were identified between cetuximab-responsive patients and nonresponders, annotated by gene ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis, and further analyzed by protein–protein interaction networks. The integrative prognostic analysis was based on The Cancer Genome Atlas and PrognoScan. Results: 1350 differentially expressed genes were identified with 298 upregulated and 1052 downregulated. Epidermis development, the cornified envelope, calcium ion binding, and amoebiasis were enriched in upregulated genes while digestion, the apical part of the cell, the 3′,5′-cyclic-adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase activity and pancreatic secretion were found enriched in downregulated genes. The top 10 hub genes were identified, including epithermal growth factor, G-protein subunit β 5, G-protein subunit γ 4, fibroblast growth factor 2, B-cell lymphoma protein 2, acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase β, KIT proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase, adenylate cyclase 4, neuropeptide Y, and neurotensin. The hub genes exhibited distinct correlations in cetuximab-treated and untreated genomic profiles (GSE56386, GSE5851 and GSE82236). The highest correlation was found between B-cell lymphoma protein 2 and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase β in GSE56386. The mRNA expression of hub genes was further validated in the genomic profile GSE65021. Furthermore, B-cell lymphoma protein 2 and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase β also exhibited highest degrees among the hub genes correlation networks based on The Cancer Genome Atlas. Both B-cell lymphoma and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase β were not independent prognostic factors for colorectal cancer in univariate and multivariate Cox analysis. However, integrative survival analysis indicated that B-cell lymphoma protein 2 was associated with favorable prognosis (hazard ratio = 0.62, 95% confidence interval, 0.30-0.95, P = .024). Discussion: This in silico analysis provided a feasible and reliable strategy for systematic exploration of insightful target genes, pathways and mechanisms underlying the cetuximab insensitivity in colorectal cancer. B-cell lymphoma protein 2 was associated with favorable prognosis.

This study investigated the impact of laparoscopic rectal cancer resection for patients with high operative risk, which was defined as American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) grades III and IV. This study was conducted at a single center on patients undergoing rectal resection from 2006 to 2010. After screening by ASA grade III or IV, 248 patients who met the inclusion criteria were identified, involving 104 open and 144 laparoscopic rectal resections. The distribution of the Charlson Comorbidity Index was similar between the two groups. Compared with open rectal resection, laparoscopic resection had a significantly lower total complication rate (P.0001), lower pain rate (P=.0002), and lower blood loss (P.0001). It is notable that the two groups of patients had no significant difference in cardiac and pulmonary complication rates. Thus, these data showed that the laparoscopic group for rectal cancer could provide short-term outcomes similar to those of their open resection counterparts with high operative risk. The 5-year actuarial survival rates were 0.8361 and 0.8119 in the laparoscopic and open groups for stage I/II (difference not significant), as was the 5-year overall survival rate in stage III/IV (P=.0548). In patients with preoperative cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, the 5-year survival curves were significantly different (P=.0165 and P=.0210), respectively. The cost per patient did not differ between the two procedures. The results of this analysis demonstrate the potential advantages of laparoscopic rectal cancer resection for high-risk patients, although a randomized controlled trial should be conducted to confirm the findings of the present study.

Background E2A gene, which encodes two basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factors E12 and E47, has been identified as regulator of B lymphoid hematopoiesis and suppressor of lymphoma. E47 protein was found to decrease E-cadherin expression and induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the role of E2A in colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis is still elusive. Methods qRT-PCR and semi-qRT-PCR were performed to determine mRNA level of E2A in CRC specimens and colorectal cancer cells. RNAi was employed to downregulate E2A expression and subsequent protein level change was evaluated by immunoblot. Cell invasion and migration capacity were detected by transwell assay using cell culture inserts with or without basement membrane matrix, respectively. Results E2A expression was decreased in metastatic CRC tissues. Invasion and migration assays showed downregulation of E2A increased metastatic capacity of CRC cells while forced expression of E12 or E47 could offset this effect. Both E12 and E47 suppressed EMT induced by E2A downregulation. Moreover, Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) was a downstream target of E2A and suppression of YAP inhibited the pro-migration/invasion of E2A deficiency. Conclusion Our results suggest that E2A suppresses CRC cell metastasis, at least partially if not all, by inhibiting YAP expression.

This study aimed to assess the feasibility and long-term outcome of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for middle and lower rectal cancer. Retrospective assessment was performed on 612 patients with middle and low rectal cancer in the surgery department of our hospital. Three-hundred and three patients underwent laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LTME), and 309 patients underwent open TME (OTME). All the data regarding patient details, operative variables and the short- and long-term outcomes were collected and compared. The sphincter-preserving rates of the two groups were similar. The conversion rate in LTME was 2.31% (seven cases). Fourteen cases (6.67%) of protective diverting stoma were fashioned in the LTME group compared with 57 cases (26.64%) in the OTME group. The postoperative morbidity was the same in these two groups, while the postoperative period until bowel movement and hospital discharge was shorter in the LTME group (P < 0.01). The median follow-up period was 34 (6-81) months for the LTME group and 36 (6-81) months for the OTME group. Local recurrence rates, the five-year disease-free survival rate and the five-year overall survival rate showed no difference between the two groups. Laparoscopic surgery is feasible and safe in patients with middle and lower rectal cancer and can provide favorable short-term and long-term outcomes.

The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of carbon-dioxide (CO(2)) insufflation on hemodynamic and respiratory function during laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty and to evaluate the safety of transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair (TAPP) and extraperitoneal hernia repair (TEP).Forty patients with inguinal hernia were admitted for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in our study. The patients were randomly assigned to undergo TAPP (TAPP group, n = 20) or TEP (TEP group, n = 20). Hemodynamic and respiratory parameters, including heart rate, blood pressure, end-tidal CO(2) (EtCO(2)), and blood-gas parameters, were observed and compared between the two groups.There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of sex, age, American Society of Anesthesiology degree, body-mass index, type of hernia, operation time, hospital stay, and postoperative pain score. In both groups, 5 minutes into the operation, blood pressure, EtCO(2), PaCO(2), and HCO(3)(-) increased significantly, whereas heart rate and pH decreased significantly (P0.05). The above tendency became significant with the operation prolonged. All parameters recovered to normal levels at the end of surgery. No significant difference was found between the TAPP and TEP groups.Both TAPP and TEP procedures can result in CO(2) accumulation, acidosis, increased blood pressure, and decreased heart rate. But, these effects were transient and could be well controlled by appropriate treatments during the operation. The laparoscopic TAPP and TEP techniques are safe for patients by proper perioperative management.

The aim of this study was to summary the experiences and lessons from periduodenal perforations related to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST).A retrospective review from 2004 to 2007 identified 9 patients (0.37%) of periduodenal perforation related to ERCP/EST. Charts were reviewed for the following parameters: clinical presentation of patients, ERCP findings, diagnostic methods, treatment (surgical or conservative procedures), complications, and outcome.Nine patients who had periampullary perforations received ERCP/EST for common bile duct stones. Cannulation was considered difficult in 7 of 9 patients, and the precut technique was used. The diagnosis was made due to subcutaneous emphysema or peritonitis, and 3 patients received emergent operations (e.g., external biliary or retroperitoneal drainage), and 1 patient had a reoperation for a retroperitoneal sealed abscess. Their median length of hospital stay was 50 days. The other 6 were treated conservatively with nasal-duodenal and nasal-biliary drainage. Their median length of hospital stay was 13 days. There was no mortality.The precut technical may be a risk factor of duodenal perforation. Early diagnosis of duodenal perforation is essential for an optimum outcome, and subcutaneous emphysema may be a sensitive sign. Although the management of perforation after ERCP/EST is still controversial, a selective management is proposed, based on the features of classification type. Nevertheless, duodenal and biliary drainage is essential in both surgical and conservative therapy.