Laparoscopic versus open pancreatic resection for ductal adenocarcinoma: separate propensity score matching analyses of distal pancreatectomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide. Currently, laparoscopic pancreatic resection (LPR) is extensively applied to treat benign and low-grade diseases related to the pancreas. The viability and safety of LPR for PDAC needs to be understood better. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) and pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) are the two main surgical approaches for PDAC. We performed separate propensity score matching (PSM) analyses to assess the surgical and oncological outcomes of LPR for PDAC by comparing LDP with open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) as well as LPD with open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD). METHODS: We assessed the data of patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy (DP) and pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for PDAC between January 2004 and February 2020 at our hospital. A one-to-one PSM was applied to prevent selection bias by accounting for factors such as age, sex, body mass index, and tumour size. The DP group included 86 LDP patients and 86 ODP patients, whereas the PD group included 101 LPD patients and 101 OPD patients. Baseline characteristics, intraoperative effects, postoperative recovery, and survival outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Compared to ODP, LDP was associated with shorter operative time, lesser blood loss, and similar overall morbidity. Of the 101 patients who underwent LPD, 10 patients (9.9%) required conversion to laparotomy. The short-term surgical advantage of LPD is not as apparent as that of LDP due to conversions. Compared with OPD, LPD was associated with longer operative time, lesser blood loss, and similar overall morbidity. For oncological and survival outcomes, there were no significant differences in tumour size, R0 resection rate, and tumour stage in both the DP and PD subgroups. However, laparoscopic procedures appear to have an advantage over open surgery in terms of retrieved lymph nodes (DP subgroup: 14.4 ± 5.2 vs. 11.7 ± 5.1, p = 0.03; PD subgroup 21.9 ± 6.6 vs. 18.9 ± 5.4, p = 0.07). These two groups did not show a significant difference in the pattern of recurrence and overall survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic DP and PD are feasible and oncologically safe procedures for PDAC, with similar postoperative outcomes and long-term survival among patients who underwent open surgery.

Complete Genome Sequences of Leclercia sp. W6 and W17 Isolated from a Gastric Cancer Patient.

Leclercia sp. W6 and W17, which belong to the Enterobacteriaceae, were isolated from a stomach sample from a 78-year-old female gastric cancer patient, and genomic sequencing and analysis were performed. The genome of Leclercia sp. W6 consists of one chromosome with a size of 4,945,486 bp, while that of Leclercia sp. W17 contains one chromosome and two plasmids with a total size of 5,125,645 bp. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) calculations indicated that strains W6 and W17 exhibited similarities < 91.0% to other strains within the Enterobacteriaceae, except for six Leclercia strains. Phylogenomic analysis based on core-genome showed that strains W6 and W17 belong to the genus Leclercia, and phylogenetic analysis based on ANI values revealed that strains W6 and W17 formed an independent clade from those six Leclercia strains. Furthermore, comparative genomic analysis revealed that strains W6 and W17 had 5086 orthologous clusters (OCs) in their pan-genomes, and 59 exclusive OCs which were absent in their closest relatives. Genomic annotations revealed that the genomes of strains W6 and W17 encoded genes related to multidrug resistance clusters, multiple antibiotic resistance loci, and multidrug efflux pumps and had an identical urease gene cluster and a dissimilatory nitrate reduction pathway. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that strains W6 and W17 represented a novel species within the genus Leclercia. Genomic annotations revealed that these strains encoded genes related to multidrug resistance, nitrate reduction, and urease activity, which contribute to gastric malignant transformation. This will broaden our knowledge of the genetic mechanisms of the Enterobacteriaceae and help improve the clinical conditions of gastric cancer patients.

Laparoscopic versus open distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a single-center propensity score matching study.

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) for benign and low-grade malignant pancreatic diseases has been increasingly utilized. However, the use of LDP for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains controversial and has not been widely accepted. In this study, the outcomes of LDP versus conventional open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) for left-sided PDAC were examined. A retrospective review of patients who underwent LDP or ODP for left-sided PDAC between January 2010 and January 2019 was conducted. One-to-one propensity score matching (PSM) was used to minimize selection biases by balancing factors including age, sex, ASA grade, tumor size, and combined resection. Demographic data, their pathological and short-term clinical parameters, and long-term oncological outcomes were compared between the LDP and ODP groups. A total of 197 patients with PDAC were enrolled. There were 115 (58.4%) patients in the LDP group and 82 (41.6%) patients in the ODP group. After 1:1 PSM, 66 well-matched patients in each group were evaluated. The LDP group had lesser blood loss (195 vs. 210 mL, p < 0.01), shorter operative time (193.6 vs. 217.5 min; p = 0.02), and shorter hospital stay (12 vs. 15 days, p < 0.01), whereas the overall complication rates were comparable between groups (10.6% vs.16.7%, p = 0.31). There were no significant differences between the LDP and ODP groups regarding 3-year recurrence-free or overall survival rate (p = 0.89 and p = 0.33, respectively). LDP in the treatment of left-sided PDAC is a technically safe, feasible and favorable approach in short-term surgical outcomes. Moreover, patients undergoing LDP than ODP for PDAC had comparable oncological metrics and similar middle-term survival rate.

Cellular pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics mechanisms of ginkgo diterpene lactone and its modulation of P-glycoprotein expression in human SH-SY5Y cells.

Ginkgo diterpene lactone (GDL) is the raw material for ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine injection, which is used for treating cerebral ischemia. The aims of this study were to explore the cellular pharmacokinetics of GDL in whole cells and subcellular fractions, and detect cellular pharmacodynamics on the human SH-SY5Y cells induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R). Firstly, a simple, sensitive and reliable liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for assessing the amount of ginkgolide A (GA), B (GB) and K (GK) in cellular/subcellular samples. Then, phosphatidylserine and mitochondria membrane potential were assayed to evaluate the extent of apoptosis effect. The study showed that the cellular/subcellular accumulation of GA and GB were increased in a concentration-dependent manner; the levels of GA and GB in cytosol were the highest among these subcellular organelles. Meanwhile, GDL also attenuated the OGD/R-induced increases in the percentage of apoptotic and mitochondria membrane potential. In addition, verapamil increased the rate and amount of GA and GB entering cellular/subcellular compartments through inhibition of P-glycoprotein activity, and promoted the protective effect of GDL. The present study reports the cellular pharmacokinetics profiles of GA and GB in normal and OGD/R-induced SH-SY5Y cells in vitro for the first time, which provided valuable information for clinical safety application.

Short and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer: A single-center experience (retrospective cohort study).

BACKGROUND: Limited studies have been designed to evaluate the short and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG). The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and oncological outcomes of LTG. METHODS: A total of 290 consecutive patients underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer in our institution between 2010 and 2016, from which 110 were performed laparoscopically and included in the study. Short and long-term outcomes of LTG, such as operative results, postoperative courses, morbidities, and mortality, were investigated and compared with those of laparoscopy distal gastrectomy (LDG) patients. RESULTS: From the total of 110 patients who underwent LTG, no one underwent conversion. The mean operation time was 267 ±â€¯88 min. The mean reconstruction time was 45.3 ±â€¯15 min, and the mean intraoperative blood loss was 75.4 ±â€¯20 ml. The time until the first flatus was 4 ±â€¯1.5 days. The time to start soft diet was 7 ±â€¯1.8 days. The length of postoperative hospital stay was 9 ±â€¯2 days. The mean number of retrieved lymph nodes was 34.7 ±â€¯9. Compared with the LDG group, the mean operation time, the mean reconstruction time, number of retrieved lymph nodes, and time of start soft diet were significantly longer in the LTG group (P＜0.05).The postoperative complication rates of the LTG group and LDG group were 10% and 8.3% (P＞0.05), respectively. The 3-year cumulative survival rates of the LTG group and LDG group were 53.8% and 56.6% (P = 0.21), respectively. CONCLUSION: LTG for gastric cancer is a safe, reliable and minimally invasive procedure with short and long-term outcomes similar to those of LDG.

Circular RNA hsa_circ_000984 promotes colon cancer growth and metastasis by sponging miR-106b.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) as a novel type of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are widely studied in the development of human various diseases, including cancer. Here, we found circular RNA hsa_circ_000984 encoded by the CDK6 gene was remarkably upregulated in the tissues of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and in the CRC cell lines. Moreover, high expression level of hsa_circ_000984 was significantly associated with advanced colorectal cancer. Further analysis revealed that hsa_circ_000984 knockdown could inhibit cell proliferation, migration, invasion in vitro and tumor formation in vivo in CRC cell lines. Mechanically, we found that hsa_circ_000984 may act as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by competitively binding miR-106b and effectively upregulate the expression of CDK6, thereby inducing a series of malignant phenotypes of tumor cells. Taken together, these observations suggest that the hsa_circ_000984 could mediate the expression of gene CDK6 by acting as a ceRNA, which may contribute to a better understanding of between the regulatory miRNA network and CRC pathogenesis.

Actibacterium pelagium sp. nov., a novel alphaproteobacterium, and emended description of the genus Actibacterium.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated JN33T, was isolated from seawater collected from the western Pacific Ocean. Strain JN33T was positive for hydrolysis of aesculin and gelatin. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain JN33T showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Actibacterium atlanticum 22II-S11-z10T (97.3 %), A. mucosum KCTC 23349T (96.6 %) and A. ureilyticum LS-811T (95.7 %) and exhibited less than 97.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with respect to the other type strains within the family Rhodobacteraceae. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that strain JN33T fell within the cluster of the genus Actibacterium. The average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain JN33T and the type strains of Actibacterium species were 73.1-73.8 % and 19.8-20.1 %, respectively. The sole respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 10 (Q-10). The principal fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified phospholipid and two unidentified aminolipids. The DNA G+C content was 57.8 mol%. Distinctly different phylogenetic characteristics, chemotaxonomic differences, as well as phenotypic properties, revealed that strain JN33T could be differentiated from the Actibacterium species with validly published names. Therefore, it is proposed that strain JN33T represents a novel species of the genus Actibacterium, for which the name Actibacterium pelagium sp. nov. (type strain, JN33T=CGMCC 1.16012T=KCTC 52653T) is proposed.

Comparison of clinical outcomes and quality of life between laparoscopic and open central pancreatectomy with pancreaticojejunostomy.

BACKGROUND: The studies comparing laparoscopic and open central pancreatectomy with pancreaticojejunostomy are limited. This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes and quality of life of patients undergoing laparoscopic and open central pancreatectomy with pancreaticojejunostomy. METHODS: Between December 1997 and December 2015, patients who underwent central pancreatectomy with pancreaticojejunostomy were reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups as laparoscopic central pancreatectomy (LCP) and open central pancreatectomy (OCP). Data considered for comparison analysis were patient demographics, intraoperative variables, morbidity, postoperative hospital stay, mortality, pathologic findings, and quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire). RESULTS: Thirty-six patients (17 LCP and 19 OCP) were included in the final analysis. Baseline characteristics were similar in the 2 groups. The operating time (280.4 ± 33.6 vs. 290.5 ± 62.5 min, p = 0.455) were similar between two groups. LCP group showed significantly lower estimated blood loss (76.4 ± 70.3 vs. 390.3 ± 279.0 ml, p = 0.001), shorter first flatus time (2.4 ± 0.9 vs. 3.9 ± 1.3 days, p = 0.001), and shorter diet start time (4.1 ± 2.2 vs. 6.1 ± 2.4 days, p = 0.030). However, the postoperative hospital stay was not significantly different between two groups (15.6 ± 12.1 vs. 24.0 ± 27.5 days, p = 0.347). Postoperative outcomes, including morbidity (58.8 vs. 52.6%, p = 0.749), pancreatic fistula rates (≥grade B: 17.6 vs. 36.8%, p = 0.106), and mortality, were similar in the 2 groups. The median follow-up period was 45 months (range 4-216 months). No local recurrence or distant metastasis was detected in either group. On the follow-up survey, the total quality of life score (702.9 ± 47.9 vs. 671.8 ± 94.1), physical health score (353.9 ± 24.8 vs. 326.6 ± 67.6) and mental health score (349.0 ± 26.5 vs. 345.2 ± 34.6) were higher in the LCP group compared with the OCP group. However, these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The score in role physical (100 vs. 73.1 ± 4.8, p = 0.042) was significantly higher in LCP group, and not statistically significant in other areas (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LCP with pancreaticojejunostomy is safe and feasible for benign or borderline malignant lesions in the pancreatic neck and proximal body. Compared to OCP, LCP is associated with lower estimated blood loss, faster recovery, and better quality of life.

Risk factors for postoperative pancreatic fistula after laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy using stapler closure technique from one single surgeon.

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) is a safe and reliable treatment for tumors in the body and tail of the pancreas. Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a common complication of pancreatic surgery. Despite improvement in mortality, the rate of POPF still remains high and unsolved. To identify risk factors for POPF after laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy, clinicopathological variables on 120 patients who underwent LDP with stapler closure were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for POPF. The rate of overall and clinically significant POPF was 30.8% and13.3%, respectively. Higher BMI (≥25kg/m2) (p-value = 0.025) and longer operative time (p-value = 0.021) were associated with overall POPF but not clinically significant POPF. Soft parenchymal texture was significantly associated with both overall (p-value = 0.012) and clinically significant POPF (p-value = 0.000). In multivariable analyses, parenchymal texture (OR, 2.933, P-value = 0.011) and operative time (OR, 1.008, P-value = 0.022) were risk factors for overall POPF. Parenchymal texture was an independent predictive factor for clinically significant POPF (OR, 7.400, P-value = 0.001).

Laparoscopic ligation of celiac trunk and splenic artery aneurysms with function preservation.

Celiac trunk aneurysms (CTAs) are rare and usually asymptomatic. Although most of these aneurysms can be treated with percutaneous embolization, some uncommon locations of the aneurysm may make this approach impossible. We report a patient with a celiac trunk aneurysm (CTA) and a proximal splenic artery aneurysm (SAA). Due to the size and location of these two aneurysms, after multidisciplinary discussion, endovascular management was considered inappropriate and they were treated by laparoscopic ligation of the two aneurysms and revascularization. This procedure offers good postoperative recovery with good preservation of the visceral function. Some collateral vessels in the viscera were obvious on postoperative day 7.

Laparoscopic versus open enucleation for pancreatic neoplasms: clinical outcomes and pancreatic function analysis.

BACKGROUND: The studies comparing laparoscopic enucleation (LE) with open enucleation (OE) are limited. This study aimed to compare perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing LE and OE and to assess the pancreatic function after LE. METHODS: Between February 2001 and July 2014, patients who underwent enucleation were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups as LE and OE. Data considered for comparison analysis were patient demographics, intraoperative variables, morbidity, postoperative hospital stay, mortality, pathologic findings, and long-term follow-up (including pancreatic function). RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients (15 LE and 22 OE) were included in the final analysis. Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. LE group showed significantly shorter operating time (118.2 ± 33.1 vs. 155.2 ± 44.3 min, p = 0.009), lower estimated blood loss (80.0 ± 71.2 vs. 195.5 ± 103.4 ml, p = 0.001), shorter first flatus time (1.8 ± 1.0 vs. 3.4 ± 1.8 days, p = 0.004), shorter diet start time (2.4 ± 1.0 vs. 4.4 ± 2.0 days, p = 0.001), shorter postoperative hospital stay (7.9 ± 3.4 vs. 11.2 ± 5.7 days, p = 0.046). Postoperative outcomes, including morbidity (40.0 vs. 45.5 %, p = 1.000), grade B/C pancreatic fistula rates (20.0 vs. 13.6 %, p = 0.874), and mortality, were similar in the two groups. The median follow-up period was 47 months (range 7-163 months). No local recurrence or distant metastasis was detected in either group. Only one patient (4.8 %) underwent OE developed new-onset diabetes, in comparison with none in the LE group. One patient (7.1 %) had weight loss and received pancreatic enzyme supplementation in the LE group, in comparison with two patients (9.5 %) in the OE group. CONCLUSIONS: LE is a safe and feasible technique for the benign or low malignant-potential pancreatic neoplasms. Compared to OE, LE had shorter operating time, lower estimated blood loss, and faster recovery. LE could preserve the pancreatic function as the OE.

Primary hepatic angiosarcoma: A report of two cases and literature review.

Primary hepatic angiosarcoma (PHA) is a rare malignancy that carries a poor prognosis. Of 1500 patients who underwent hepatectomy for primary hepatic tumors between 1994 and 2013 at our center, two patients were pathologically diagnosed with PHA. Clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes of the two patients were collected and analyzed. Both patients underwent hepatectomy and had a postoperative survival time of 8 and 16 mo, respectively. A search of PubMed yielded eight references reporting 35 cases of PHA published between 2004 and 2013. On the basis of the presented cases and review of the literature, we endorse complete surgical resection as the mainstay definitive treatment of PHA, with adjuvant postoperative chemotherapy potentially improving survival. Palliative chemotherapy is an option in advanced hepatic angiosarcoma.

Laparoscopic versus open wedge resection for gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the stomach: a single-center 8-year retrospective cohort study of 156 patients with long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compared laparoscopic (LWR) and open wedge resection (OWR) for the treatment of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). METHODS: The data of 156 consecutive GISTs patients underwent LWR or OWR between January 2006 and December 2013 were collected retrospectively. The surgical outcomes and the long-term survival rates were compared. Besides, a rapid systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. RESULTS: Clinicopathological characteristics of the patients were similar between the two groups. The LWR group was associated with less intraoperative blood loss (67.3 vs. 142.7 ml, P < 0.001), earlier postoperative flatus (2.3 vs. 3.2 days, P < 0.001), earlier oral intake (3.2 vs. 4.1 days, P < 0.001) and shorter postoperative hospital stay (6.0 vs. 8.0 days, P = 0.001). The incidence of postoperative complications was lower in LWR group but did not reach statistical significance (4/90, 4.4% vs. 8/66, 12.1%, P = 0.12). No significant difference was observed in 3-year relapse-free survival rate between the two groups (98.6% vs. 96.4%, P > 0.05). The meta-analysis revealed similar results except less overall complications in the LWR group (RR = 0.49, 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.95, P = 0.04). And the recurrence risk was similar in two group (RR = 0.80, 95% CI, 0.28 to 2.27, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LWR is a technically and oncologically safe and feasible approach for gastric GISTs compared with OWR. Moreover, LWR appears to be a preferable choice with mini-invasive benefits.

Comparison of short-term surgical outcomes between totally laparoscopic and laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a 10-y single-center experience with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) and totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) are two commonly used methods of laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. This study aimed to compare the short-term surgical outcomes of these two methods. METHODS: A prospectively maintained gastric cancer database between October 2004 and February 2014 was reviewed and 115 patients underwent LADG and 198 patients underwent TLDG were included. The clinical characteristics and perioperative clinical outcomes of two groups were compared. Moreover, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. RESULTS: The mean operation time and blood loss were similar in two groups, as was the number of retrieved lymph nodes. There was no significant difference in time to first flatus, the time to restart oral intake, the length of the hospital stay after surgery, and postoperative complications. The meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in the operative time, surgical margin, time to first flatus, length of hospital stay, mortality, overall, and anastomosis-related complications among the groups. However, the intraoperative blood loss was lower in TLDG (weighted mean difference = 21.50 mL; 95% confidence interval: 9.79-33.22; P < 0.01), and number of retrieved lymph nodes was higher in TLDG (weighted mean difference = -1.56; 95% confidence interval: -2.69 to -0.44; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: TLDG is safe and feasible compared with LADG. However, it is difficult to identify the clinical advantages of TLDG over LADG based on our study. Thus, the choice of surgical approach mainly depends on the patient conditions and the preference of the patients or surgeons.

Laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic neoplasms: a retrospective study.

AIM: To describe the clinical characteristics, technical procedures, and outcomes of patients undergoing laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (LSPDP) for benign and malignant pancreatic neoplasms. METHODS: The clinical data of 38 patients who underwent LSPDP in the Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital between January 2003 and August 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. Surgical techniques for LSPDP included preservation of the splenic artery and vein (Kimura's technique) and ligation of the splenic pedicle with preservation of the short gastric vessels (Warshaw's technique). RESULTS: There were no conversions to open surgery in the 38 patients. Splenic vessels were conserved during spleen-preserving pancreatectomy, except in two patients who underwent resection of the splenic vessels and preservation only of the short gastric vessels. The mean operation time was 123.2 ± 52.4 min, the mean intraoperative blood loss was 78.2 ± 39.5 mL, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 7.6 ± 2.9 d. The overall rate of postoperative complications was 18.4% (7/38), and the rate of clinical pancreatic fistula was 13.2% (5/38). All postoperative complications were treated conservatively. The postoperative pathological diagnoses were 22 cases of benign pancreatic disease and 16 cases of borderline or low-grade malignant lesions. During a median follow-up of 38 mo (range: 5-133 mo), no recurrence was observed. CONCLUSION: LSPDP is a safe, feasible and effective procedure for the treatment of benign and low-grade malignant tumors of the distal pancreas.