An energy metabolism-based eight-gene signature correlates with the clinical outcome of esophagus carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The essence of energy metabolism has spread to the field of esophageal cancer (ESC) cells. Herein, we tried to develop a prognostic prediction model for patients with ESC based on the expression profiles of energy metabolism associated genes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The overall survival (OS) predictive gene signature was developed, internally and externally validated based on ESC datasets including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), GSE54993 and GSE19417 datasets. Hub genes were identified in each energy metabolism related molecular subtypes by weighted gene correlation network analysis, and then enrolled for determination of prognostic genes. Univariate, LASSO and multivariate Cox regression analysis were applied to assess prognostic genes and build the prognostic gene signature. Kaplan-Meier curve, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, nomogram, decision curve analysis (DCA), and restricted mean survival time (EMST) were used to assess the performance of the gene signature. RESULTS: A novel energy metabolism based eight-gene signature (including UBE2Z, AMTN, AK1, CDCA4, TLE1, FXN, ZBTB6 and APLN) was established, which could dichotomize patients with significantly different OS in ESC. The eight-gene signature demonstrated independent prognostication potential in patient with ESC. The prognostic nomogram constructed based on the gene signature showed excellent predictive performance, whose robustness and clinical usability were higher than three previous reported prognostic gene signatures. CONCLUSIONS: Our study established a novel energy metabolism based eight-gene signature and nomogram to predict the OS of ESC, which may help in precise clinical management.

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids intake and risk of colorectal cancer: meta-analysis of prospective studies.

BACKGROUND: Growing body of laboratory evidence supports the beneficial effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention. Epidemiologic studies investigating the relationship between n-3 PUFAs intake and risk of CRC, however, have been inconsistent. We aimed to clarify the relation by conducting a meta-analysis of prospective studies. METHODS: Eligible studies were identified by searching PubMed database and by carefully reviewing bibliographies of retrieved publications. Summary relative risks (RRs) with their 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were computed with a random-effects model. Subgroup, meta-regression, and dose-response analyses were performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS: A total of 14 prospective studies involving 8,775 cancer cases were included in the final analysis. Overall, total n-3 or marine PUFAs intake was not associated with risk of CRC (RR 0.99 and 1.00). However, there was a trend toward reduced risk of proximal colon cancer (total n-3 PUFAs: RR 0.83, 95 % CI 0.66-1.05; marine PUFAs: RR 0.81, 95 % CI 0.59-1.10) and a significant increased risk of distal colon cancer (total n-3 PUFAs: RR 1.26, 95 % CI 1.06-1.50; marine PUFAs: RR 1.38, 95 % CI 1.11-1.71). Furthermore, marine PUFAs intake accessed longer before diagnosis was associated 21 % reduced risk of CRC (RR 0.79, 95 % CI 0.63-1.00). CONCLUSION: Overall, this meta-analysis finds no relation between n-3 PUFAs intake and risk of CRC. The observed subsite heterogeneity within colon cancer and the possible effect modification by latency time merit further studies.

Combination of Paris and Vienna classifications may optimize follow-up of gastric epithelial neoplasia patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the combination of Paris and Vienna classifications in a follow-up study of gastric epithelial neoplasia (GEN) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted between January 2003 and September 2010, during which 170 biopsy-proven GEN patients were followed up by gastroenterologists and pathologists according to our follow-up regimen (modified Vienna classification). RESULTS: In total, 161 patients with low-grade neoplasia (LGN) and 9 patients with high-grade neoplasia (HGN) were randomly enrolled in our study. Eighteen patients with depressed appearance were observed, of which 9 patients had HGN and 9 patients had low-grade dysplasia (LGD). Three patients with type 0-IIa were observed with low-grade adenoma (LGA), and type 0-I was observed in 2 patients with LGN. Endoscopic or surgical treatments were performed to avoid potential malignancy or bleeding. Two patients with ulcer lesions, 2 patients with non-depressed type 0 appearance, and 3 patients without visible lesions were shown to have higher-grade lesions during follow-up. The misdiagnosis rate of forceps biopsy - 62.07% - was determined by comparing pre- and post-resection diagnoses of 29 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of the Paris and Vienna classifications for GEN may optimize the follow-up routines for patients with suspicious precancerous lesions and may significantly improve the detection of early gastric cancer (EGC) while helping gastroenterologists select the best therapy option.

Serum C-reactive protein as a possible marker to predict delayed hemorrhage after colonoscopic polypectomy.

BACKGROUND: Post-polypectomy hemorrhage is one of the complications of colonscopic polypectomy. And there is no definitive and convenient laboratory test that could be used to predict risk of delayed post-polypectomy hemorrhage. This research aimed to study risk prediction of delayed post-polypectomy hemorrhage using serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level as a marker. MATERIAL/METHODS: In a retrospective, case-controlled study, 302 cases of post-polypectomy patients were divided into hemorrhage group and non-hemorrhage group. The CRP levels 24-hours after colonscopic treatment were compared between the two groups to assess whether elevated serum CRP levels in addition to other risk factors such as age, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension (AHT) and size of polyps may predict risk of delayed post-polypectomy hemorrhage. RESULTS: The hemorrhage group had significantly higher levels of serum CRP (32.50±17.34 mg/L vs. 6. 32±6.02 mg/dL) and were also having a higher incidence of hypertension compared to the non- hemorrhage group (both P<0.05). Patients with elevated serum CRP levels (≥10 mg/L) after colonscopic treatment are at a higher risk of developing post-polypectomy hemorrhage (OR 1.329, 95%CI 1.125-1.571) as compared with patients whose CRP levels were not increased. CONCLUSIONS: A higher level of serum CRP may serve as an indicator of delayed post-polypectomy hemorrhage and there appears to be a direct relationship between the serum CRP levels and the risk of post-polypectomy hemorrhage: the higher CRP levels the higher the risk of post-polypectomy hemorrhage.

Association between RUNX3 promoter methylation and gastric cancer: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) is a member of the runt-domain family of transcription factors and has been reported to be a candidate tumor suppressor in gastric cancer. However, the association between RUNX3 promoter methylation and gastric cancer remains unclear. METHODS: We systematically reviewed studies of RUNX3 promoter methylation and gastric cancer published in English or Chinese from January 2000 to January 2011, and quantified the association between RUNX3 promoter methylation and gastric cancer using meta-analysis methods. RESULTS: A total of 1740 samples in 974 participants from seventeen studies were included in the meta-analysis. A significant association was observed between RUNX3 promoter methylation and gastric cancer, with an aggregated odds ratio (OR) of 5.63 (95%CI 3.15, 10.07). There was obvious heterogeneity among studies. Subgroup analyses (including by tissue origin, country and age), meta-regression were performed to determine the source of the heterogeneity. Meta-regression showed that the trend in ORs was inversely correlated with age. No publication bias was detected. The ORs for RUNX3 methylation in well-differentiated vs undifferentiated gastric cancers, and in intestinal-type vs diffuse-type carcinomas were 0.59 (95%CI: 0.30, 1.16) and 2.62 (95%CI: 1.33, 5.14), respectively. There were no significant differences in RUNX3 methylation in cancer tissues in relation to age, gender, TNM stage, invasion of tumors into blood vessel or lymphatic ducts, or tumor stage. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis identified a strong association between methylation of the RUNX3 promoter and gastric cancer, confirming the role of RUNX3 as a tumor suppressor gene.

Surgically treated rare intestinal bleeding due to submucosal hematoma in a patient on oral anticoagulant therapy: A case report.

RATIONALE: Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract is a common complication of oral anticoagulant therapy (AT), and it usually appears as mucosal erosion or ulcer; however, intestinal submucosal hematoma (ISH) is an uncommon cause of hemorrhage. PATIENT CONCERNS: This report presents the case of a 70-year-old woman with acute hematochezia induced by AT. She underwent computed tomography and endoscopy. DIAGNOSES: Colon submucosal hematoma. INTERVENTIONS: Conservative treatment had no effect, and the patient underwent emergency surgery. OUTCOMES: Surgical resection showed hemorrhage and necrosis in the left colon, and the patient recovered 24 hours after surgery and continued AT. LESSONS: The present case indicates that the ISH should be kept in mind as a complication of AT. It can be managed conservatively in some stable patients, but emergency surgery may be needed in some serious situations.