Can the systemic inflammation score be used to predict prognosis in gastric cancer patients undergoing surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Inflammatory markers are being increasingly used to predict the prognosis of cancer patients. We hereby conducted the first meta-analysis assessing the association between systemic inflammation score (SIS) and prognosis of gastric cancer patients undergoing surgical intervention. Methods: A literature search was carried out on PubMed, CENTRAL, Scopus, and Embase up to 3rd June 2022 for relevant studies. Adjusted data reported as hazard ratios (HR) was combined in a random-effects model. Results: A total of seven studies with 5,338 patients could be included. All studies were from either China or Japan and published in the last four years. Meta-analysis showed that higher SIS scores (1 or 2) were significant predictors of poor overall survival (OS) in gastric cancer patients (HR: 1.25 95% CI: 1.05, 1.49, I 2 = 11%). Similarly, the meta-analysis demonstrated that an SIS score of 2 was associated with poor OS as compared to scores of 0/1 (HR: 2.53 95% CI: 1.30, 4.89, I 2 = 45%). Data on disease-free survival (DFS) was scarce to draw conclusions. Conclusion: The SIS score can be a simple and useful tool to predict OS in gastric cancer patients undergoing surgery. Data on DFS is scarce and conflicting. Future studies should report using standard reference groups and provide data on DFS to enhance current evidence.Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#searchadvanced, identifier: CRD42022335548.

A Rare Cause of Recurrent Melena: Haemangioma of the Small Intestine.

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Superior Mesenteric and Inferior Mesenteric Artery Diameters in Colorectal Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) diameters in colorectal cancer compared to control. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Taizhou Hospital, Zhejiang University, Taizhou, China, from March 2019 to June 2020. METHODOLOGY: A total of 203 diagnosed colorectal cancer patients and 40 patients as control subjects were reviewed. Patients were divided into three groups based on tumor location as the right colon, left colon, and rectal groups. The diameters were measured on axial computed tomography images independently by two observers. RESULTS: The SMA diameter did not differ between the right colon and control groups (p=0.626). The IMA diameter was significantly higher in the left colon group than in the control group (p=0.002), but there was no significant difference in the IMA diameter between the different tumour stages (p=0.263). The IMA diameter was significantly higher in the rectal group than in the control group (p<0.001). There was a significant increase in the IMA diameter from stage I to stage II rectal cancers (p=0.022) and from stage II to stage III rectal cancers (p=0.003). The IMA diameter did not differ between stage III and IV rectal cancers (p=0.600). In locoregional rectal cancer patients, there was a significant correlation between the IMA diameter and tumour-node-metastasis stage (p<0.001, rs = 0.494). CONCLUSION: Patients with rectal cancer and left colon cancer have a wider IMA diameter than patients without colorectal cancer. IMA diameter can be a potential marker for locoregional staging of rectal cancer. Key Words: Superior mesenteric artery, Inferior mesenteric artery, Colorectal cancer, Markers, Diameter.

Knockdown of SAR1B suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis of RKO colorectal cancer cells.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. SAR1 gene homolog B (SAR1B) is a GTPase that has been reported to have a central role in the regulation of lipid homeostasis and is associated with numerous diseases. However, its role in cancer, particularly in CRC, remains unclear. The present study revealed that SAR1B was overexpressed in CRC samples and this was associated with shorter overall survival time in patients with CRC. Colony formation, cell proliferation and flow cytometry assays were conducted to evaluate the functions of SAR1B in CRC. It was reported that SAR1B may be associated with tumorigenesis of CRC. Knockdown of SAR1B suppressed cell proliferation and induced significant apoptosis of RKO cells. Furthermore, microarray analysis was performed to identify the potential targets of SAR1B in CRC. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that SAR1B was significantly involved in regulating 'TGF-ß signaling', 'paxillin signaling', 'cell cycle regulation by BTG family proteins' and 'IGF-1 signaling'. These results suggested that SAR1B may be considered a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for CRC.

INHIBITORY EFFECT OF LYCOPENE AGAINST THE GROWTH OF HUMAN GASTRIC CANCER CELLS.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-proliferative effect of Lycopene on HGC-27 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HGC-27 cells were treated with varying concentration lycopene for 24, 48, 72 h. The cell growth inhibition was analyzed by MTT. Western blotting was used to indicate changes in the levels of LC3-I, LC3-II, ERK (extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase) and phosphorylation-ERK (p-ERK). RESULTS: Lycopene displayed antiproliferative activity in HGC-27 cell lines. Western blotting showed that Lycopene significantly enhanced LC3-I, p-ERK proteins expression. In gastric cancer nude mice model, lycopene treatment significantly decreased tumour weight. These findings indicated that lycopene treatment induces the anti-proliferation of HGC-27 cells. CONCLUSION: Lycopene treatment inhibited HGC-27 cells growth by activating ERK.

Totally Laparoscopic D2 Radical Distal Gastrectomy Using Delta-Shaped Anastomosis: Initial Experience.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We presented our preliminary clinical data for totally laparoscopic D2 radical distal gastrectomy using delta-shaped anastomosis (TLG-DSA) to evaluate its effectiveness in terms of minimal invasiveness, technical feasibility, and safety for resection of early gastric cancer. METHODOLOGY: Five consecutive patients who underwent TLG-DSA in our institution from October 22th 2013 to November 29th 2013 were enrolled in this study. In all five cases, only laparoscopic linear staplers were used for intra-corporeal anastomosis. RESULTS: There were 3 men and 2 women, with a mean age of 67.6 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 21.4. All the patients with early gastric cancer were received TLG-DSA. No postoperative complications were found in all five patients, and no postoperative mortality occurred. CONCLUSIONS: TLG-DSA using laparoscopic linear staplers for early gastric cancer was safe and feasible. Delta-shaped anastomosis is a simple, easy and safe method of intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy.