Hsa-miR-92b-3p Targeting FHL2 to Enhance Radiosensitivity of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Radiotherapy resistance is a major cause of treatment failure and leads to poor prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Evidences indicate that microRNA (miRNAs) are closely associated with radiotherapy for NPC. In this study, we found that the expression level of miR-92b-3p was significantly higher in radiotherapy-sensitive NPC patients than in radiotherapy-resistant patients. High expression of miR-92b-3p was associated with good prognosis in patients with NPC, and high expression of FHL2 was associated with poor prognosis in patients with NPC. It was predicted that miR-92b-3p could directly target and bind FHL2. Overexpression of miR-92b-3p significantly inhibited FHL2 expression at the mRNA as well as protein levels, while inhibition of miR-92b-3p expression significantly upregulated FHL2 expression. Overexpression of miR-92b-3p significantly reduced proliferation and colony formation in NPC cells. Inhibition of miR-92b-3p attenuated the sensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma to radiotherapy, while simultaneous inhibition of miR-92b-3p and FHL2 increased the sensitivity of NPC to radiotherapy. Our findings highlighted that miR-92b-3p is closely associated with radiotherapy sensitivity and prognosis in NPC patients and may improve the sensitivity of NPC to radiotherapy by targeting FHL2.

COVID-19 Infection Deteriorates the Clinical Condition and Outcomes of Acute Pancreatitis: A Meta-Analysis.

Backgrounds: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a global pandemic. Pancreatic injuries have been reported in COVID-19 patients. The present meta-analysis was conducted to compare the morbidity and outcomes of AP between COVID-19 positive and negative patients. Methods: Databases including Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE were systematically searched (until July 3rd 2022). Studies with English abstracts comparing the severity and outcomes of AP between COVID-19 positive and negative patients were included. Mean differences or odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval were employed for assess variables. Risk of publication bias was assessed with funnel plots. Results: Data from 7 studies with a total of 2816 AP patients were included. COVID-19 positive was associated with higher incidences of pancreatic necrosis (OR = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.42, P = 0.01; P = 0.82 for heterogeneity) and persistent organ failure (OR = 6.87; 95% CI: 2.37 to 19.98, P = 0.0004; P = 0.12 for heterogeneity), especially cardiovascular failure (OR = 2.92; 95% CI: 1.66 to 5.14, P = 0.0002; P = 0.58 for heterogeneity) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or acute lung injury (ALI) (OR = 3.03; 95% CI: 2.09 to 4.39, P < 0.00001; P = 0.20 for heterogeneity). COVID-19 infection induced a higher level of CRP (MD = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.64, P = 0.001; P < 0.00001 for heterogeneity) as well as coagulation disorders involving platelets, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and D-dimer (all P < 0.05). During hospitalization, COVID-19 positive was associated with higher ICU admission rate (OR = 2.76; 95% CI: 1.98 to 3.85 P < 0.00001; P = 0.47 for heterogeneity). COVID-19 positive AP was associated with a higher mortality rate (OR = 3.70; 95% CI: 2.60 to 5.25, P < 0.00001; P = 0.12 for heterogeneity). Discussion. The number of included studies is limited and none is RCT, thus the risks of publication and selective bias could not be ignored. COVID-19 deteriorated the severity and clinical outcomes of AP, with a high incidence of morbidity and mortality.

[Single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy versus conventional laparoscopic appendectomy for adult acute appendicitis: a Meta-analysis for randomized controlled trials].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficiency and safety for single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) and conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA). METHODS: The literature of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning SILA versus CLA was retrieved by searching the electronic databases from the inception date to May 2014. Methodological quality of the included trials was assessed by using the Cochrane Reviewers' Handbook criteria, and the data were extracted and subjected to Meta-analysis by using RevMan 5.1 analysis software. RESULTS: A total of 1 183 patients were finally selected after the screening. Among them, 582 cases underwent SILA and 601 cases underwent CLA. Meta-analysis results demonstrated that SILA was associated with higher conversion rate (RR=4.38, 95% CI 1.96-9.79, Z=3.59, P=0.0003), longer operative time (RR=4.83, 95% CI 1.57-8.09, Z=2.90, P=0.004), shorter length of hospital stay (WMD=?0.11, 95%CI ?0.21-?0.01, Z=2.02, P=0.04), and better scores for the postoperative appearance of incision (WMD=0.94, 95%CI 0.49-1.40, Z=4.06, P< 0.001) compared with CLA; no significant difference was observed in postoperative complications and postoperative pain scores (RR=1.03, 95% CI 0.74-1.45, Z=0.18, P=0.86; WMD=?0.19, 95%CI ?0.59-0.20, Z=0.95, P=0.34) between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: For patients under the conditions of the strict selection, SILA is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of adult acute appendicitis, especially apply to those who care about incision appearance.