Efficacy of scleral buckling for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment using a novel foldable capsular buckle.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of scleral buckling for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) using a novel foldable capsular buckle (FCB). METHODS: This was a series of case observation studies. Eighteen patients (18 eyes) who visited our ophthalmology department between August 2020 and August 2022 and were treated for RRD with scleral buckling using FCB were included. The procedure was similar to conventional scleral buckling, while a balloon-like FCB was placed onto the retinal break with balanced salt solution filling for a broad, external indentation instead of the silicone buckle. The retinal reattachment rate, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), refractive dioptre and astigmatism degree, and complications were evaluated and recorded. RESULTS: There were 7 males and 11 females aged 19-58y. The average time course of RRD was 12d, ranging from 7-20d. The retinal break was located in the superior quadrants in 8 eyes and in the inferior quadrants in 10 eyes, with macula-off detachments in 12 eyes. The patients were followed-up for at least 6mo. The final retinal reattachment rate was 100%. The BCVA was significantly improved compared with the baseline (P<0.05). There was no significant change in refractive dioptre or astigmatism degree at each follow-up (all P>0.05). Three patients had transiently high IOPs within one week after surgery. Mild diplopia occurred in 5 patients after surgery and then disappeared after the balloon fluid was removed. CONCLUSION: The success rate of FCB scleral buckling for RRD is satisfactory. This procedure can be expected to be applied in new, uncomplicated cases of RRD.

SRY-Box transcription factor 9 triggers YAP nuclear entry via direct interaction in tumors.

The translocation of YAP from the cytoplasm to the nucleus is critical for its activation and plays a key role in tumor progression. However, the precise molecular mechanisms governing the nuclear import of YAP are not fully understood. In this study, we have uncovered a crucial role of SOX9 in the activation of YAP. SOX9 promotes the nuclear translocation of YAP by direct interaction. Importantly, we have identified that the binding between Asp-125 of SOX9 and Arg-124 of YAP is essential for SOX9-YAP interaction and subsequent nuclear entry of YAP. Additionally, we have discovered a novel asymmetrical dimethylation of YAP at Arg-124 (YAP-R124me2a) catalyzed by PRMT1. YAP-R124me2a enhances the interaction between YAP and SOX9 and is associated with poor prognosis in multiple cancers. Furthermore, we disrupted the interaction between SOX9 and YAP using a competitive peptide, S-A1, which mimics an α-helix of SOX9 containing Asp-125. S-A1 significantly inhibits YAP nuclear translocation and effectively suppresses tumor growth. This study provides the first evidence of SOX9 as a pivotal regulator driving YAP nuclear translocation and presents a potential therapeutic strategy for YAP-driven human cancers by targeting SOX9-YAP interaction.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of minimally invasive versus conventional open proctectomy for locally advanced colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Locally advanced colon cancer is considered a relative contraindication for minimally invasive proctectomy (MIP), and minimally invasive versus conventional open proctectomy (COP) for locally advanced colon cancer has not been studied. METHODS: We have searched the Embase, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science for articles on minimally invasive (robotic and laparoscopic) and COP. We calculated pooled standard mean difference (SMD), relative risk (RR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The protocol for this review has been registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023407029). RESULTS: There are 10132 participants including 21 articles. Compared with COP, patients who underwent MIP had less operation time (SMD 0.48; CI 0.32 to 0.65; I2 = 0%, P = .000), estimated blood loss (MD -1.23; CI -1.90 to -0.56; I2 = 95%, P < .0001), the median time to semi-liquid diet (SMD -0.43; CI -0.70 to -0.15; I2 = 0%, P = .002), time to the first flatus (SMD -0.97; CI -1.30 to -0.63; I2 = 7%, P < .0001), intraoperative blood transfusion (RR 0.33; CI 0.24 to 0.46; I2 = 0%, P < .0001) in perioperative outcomes. Compared with COP, patients who underwent MIP had fewer overall complications (RR 0.85; CI 0.73 to 0.98; I2 = 22.4%, P = .023), postoperative complications (RR 0.79; CI 0.69 to 0.90; I2 = 0%, P = .001), and urinary retention (RR 0.63; CI 0.44 to 0.90; I2 = 0%, P = .011) in perioperative outcomes. CONCLUSION: This study comprehensively and systematically evaluated the difference between the safety and effectiveness of minimally invasive and open treatment of locally advanced colon cancer through meta-analysis. Minimally invasive proctectomy is better than COP in postoperative and perioperative outcomes. However, there is no difference in oncological outcomes. This also provides an evidence-based reference for clinical practice. Of course, multi-center RCT research is also needed to draw more scientific and rigorous conclusions in the future.

Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision versus transanal total mesorectal excision for mid and low rectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LaTME) and transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) are popular mid and low rectal cancer trends. However, there is currently no systematic comparison between LaTME and TaTME of mid and low rectal cancer. Therefore, we systematically study the perioperative and pathological outcomes of LaTME and TaTME in mid and low rectal cancer. METHODS: Articles included searching through the Embase, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Medline, and Web of science for articles on LaTME and TaTME. We calculated pooled standard mean difference (SMD), relative risk (RR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The protocol for this review has been registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022380067). RESULTS: There are 8761 participants included in 33 articles. Compared with TaTME, patients who underwent LaTME had no statistical difference in operation time (OP), estimated blood loss (EBL), postoperative hospital stay, over complications, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, anastomotic stenosis, wound infection, circumferential resection margin, distal resection margin, major low anterior resection syndrom, lymph node yield, loop ileostomy, and diverting ileostomy. There are similarities between LaTME and TaTME for 2-year DFS rate, 2-year OS rate, distant metastasis rat, and local recurrence rate. However, patients who underwent LaTME had less anastomotic leak rates (RR 0.82; 95% CI: 0.70-0.97; I2 = 10.6%, P = .019) but TaTME had less end colostomy (RR 1.96; 95% CI: 1.19-3.23; I2 = 0%, P = .008). CONCLUSION: This study comprehensively and systematically evaluated the differences in safety and effectiveness between LaTME and TaTME in the treatment of mid and low rectal cancer through meta-analysis. Patients who underwent LaTME had less anastomotic leak rate but TaTME had less end colostomy. There is no difference in other aspects. Of course, in the future, more scientific and rigorous conclusions need to be drawn from multi-center RCT research.

Association of MBOAT7 rs641738 polymorphism with hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The MBOAT7 rs641738 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has been proven to influence various liver diseases, but its association with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) susceptibility has been debated. To address this discrepancy, we conducted the current systematic review and meta-analysis. AIM: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on association of MBOAT7 SNP and HCC susceptibility. METHODS: We performed a systematic review in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EMBASE; applied specific inclusion and exclusion criteria; and extracted the data. Meta-analysis was conducted with the meta package in R. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were also performed. This meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023458046). RESULTS: Eight studies were included in the systematic review, and 12 cohorts from 6 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis revealed an association between the MBOAT7 SNP and HCC susceptibility in both the dominant [odds ratio (OR): 1.14, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.02-1.26, P = 0.020] and recessive (OR: 1.21, 95%CI: 1.05-1.39, P = 0.008) models. Subgroup analysis revealed that stratification of the included patients by geographical origin showed a significant association in Asia (OR: 1.20, 95%CI: 1.03-1.39). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis underscores the contribution of the MBOAT7 rs641738 SNP to hepatocarcinogenesis, especially in Asian populations, which warrants further investigation.