Effects of astaxanthin on depressive and sleep symptoms: A narrative mini-review.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent psychiatric condition that results in persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest, imposing a significant economic burden on health systems and society. Impaired sleep is both a symptom and a risk factor for depression. Natural astaxanthin (AST), a carotenoid primarily derived from algae and aquatic animals, possesses multiple pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant stress effects. Prior research suggests that AST may have antidepressant properties. This mini-review highlights the potential mechanisms by which AST can prevent depression, providing novel insights into drug research for depression treatment. Specifically, this mechanism suggests that astaxanthin may improve sleep and thus potentially aid in the treatment of depression.

Total neoadjuvant treatment for MRI-stratified high-risk rectal cancer: a single-center, single-arm, prospective Phase II trial (PKUCH-R02).

Background: Induction chemotherapy combined with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy has been recommended for patients with high-risk, locally advanced rectal cancer. However, the benefit of more intensive total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT) is unknown. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of induction chemotherapy combined with chemoradiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy for magnetic resonance imaging-stratified high-risk rectal cancer. Methods: This was a single-center, single-arm, prospective Phase II trial in Peking University Cancer Hospital (Beijing, China). Patients received three cycles of induction oxaliplatin and capecitabine (CapeOX) followed by chemoradiotherapy and two cycles of consolidation CapeOX. The primary end point was adverse event rate and the second primary end points were 3-year disease-free survival rate, completion of TNT, and pathological downstaging rate. Results: Between August 2017 and August 2018, 68 rectal cancer patients with at least one high risk factor (cT3c/3d/T4a/T4b, cN2, mesorectal fascia involvement, or extramural venous invasion involvement) were enrolled. The overall compliance of receiving the entire treatment was 88.2% (60/68). All 68 patients received induction chemotherapy, 65 received chemoradiotherapy, and 61 received consolidation chemotherapy. The Grade 3-4 adverse event rate was 30.8% (21/68). Nine patients achieved clinical complete response and then watch and wait. Five patients (7.4%) developed distant metastasis during TNT and received palliative chemotherapy. Fifty patients underwent surgical resection. The complete response rate was 27.9%. After a median follow-up of 49.2 months, the overall 3-year disease-free survival rate was 69.7%. Conclusions: For patients with high-risk rectal cancer, this TNT regimen can achieve favorable survival and complete response rates but with high toxicity. However, it is necessary to pay attention to the possibility of distant metastasis during the long treatment period.

Long-term follow-up of HER2 overexpression in patients with rectal cancer after preoperative radiotherapy: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The role of HER2 overexpression in rectal cancer is controversial. AIM: To assess the role of HER2 overexpression in the long-term prognosis of rectal cancer. METHODS: Data from patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who underwent total mesorectal excision after short-course radiotherapy at Beijing Cancer Hospital between May 2002 and October 2005 were collected. A total of 151 tissue samples of rectal cancer were obtained using rigid proctoscopy before neoadjuvant radiotherapy, followed by immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridisation to determine the patients' HER2 expression status. Univariate and multivariate analyses of the associations between the clinicopathological factors and HER2 status were performed. Survival was estimated and compared using the Kaplan-Meier method based on HER2 expression status, and the differences between groups were verified using the log-rank test. RESULTS: A total of 151 patients were enrolled in this study. A total of 27 (17.9%) patients were ultimately confirmed to be HER2-positive. The follow-up duration ranged from 9 mo to 210 mo, with a median of 134 mo. Distant metastasis and local recurrence occurred in 60 (39.7%) and 24 (15.9%) patients, respectively. HER2 positivity was significantly associated with the pre-treatment lymph node stage (pre-N) (P = 0.040), while there were no differences between HER2 status and age, sex, preoperative CEA levels (pre-CEA), T stage, and lympho-vascular invasion. In terms of prognosis, HER2 overexpression was correlated with distant metastasis (P = 0.002) rather than local recurrence (P > 0.05). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that elevated pre-CEA [P = 0.002, odds ratio (OR) = 3.277, 97.5% confidence interval (CI): 1.543-7.163], post N(+) (P = 0.022, OR = 2.437, 97.5%CI: 1.143-5.308) and HER2(+) (P = 0.003, OR = 4.222, 97.5%CI: 1.667-11.409) were risk factors for distant metastasis. The survival analysis showed that there were significant differences between rectal cancer patients in terms of disease-free survival (DFS) [hazard ratio: 1.69 (95%CI: 0.91-3.14); P = 0.048] and overall survival (OS) [1.95 (1.05-3.63); P = 0.0077]. CONCLUSION: HER2 overexpression is a potential biomarker for predicting lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis, which are associated with worse long-term DFS and OS in rectal cancer patients with locally advanced disease.

Abelson interactor 1 splice isoform-L plays an anti-oncogenic role in colorectal carcinoma through interactions with WAVE2 and full-length Abelson interactor 1.

BACKGROUND: Expression of the full-length isoform of Abelson interactor 1 (ABI1), ABI1-p65, is increased in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and is thought to be involved in one or more steps leading to tumor progression or metastasis. The ABI1 splice isoform-L (ABI1-SiL) has conserved WAVE2-binding and SH3 domains, lacks the homeo-domain homologous region, and is missing the majority of PxxP- and Pro-rich domains found in full-length ABI1-p65. Thus, ABI1-SiL domain structure suggests that the protein may regulate CRC cell morphology, adhesion, migration, and metastasis via interactions with the WAVE2 complex pathway. AIM: To investigate the potential role and underlying mechanisms associated with ABI1-SiL-mediated regulation of CRC. METHODS: ABI1-SiL mRNA expression in CC tissue and cell lines was measured using both qualitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time quantitative RT-PCR. A stably ABI1-SiL overexpressing SW480 cell model was constructed using Lipofectamine 2000, and cells selected with G418. Image J software, CCK8, and transwell assays were used to investigate SW480 cell surface area, proliferation, migration, and invasion. Immunoprecipitation, Western blot, and co-localization assays were performed to explore intermolecular interactions between ABI1-SiL, WAVE2, and ABI1-p65 proteins. RESULTS: ABI1-SiL was expressed in normal colon tissue and was significantly decreased in CRC cell lines and tissues. Overexpression of ABI1-SiL in SW480 cells significantly increased the cell surface area and inhibited the adhesive and migration properties of the cells, but did not alter their invasive capacity. Similar to ABI1-p65, ABI1-SiL still binds WAVE2, and the ABI1-p65 isoform in SW480 cells. Furthermore, co-localization assays confirmed these intermolecular interactions. CONCLUSION: These results support a model in which ABI1-SiL plays an anti-oncogenic role by competitively binding to WAVE2 and directly interacting with phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated ABI1-p65, functioning as a dominant-negative form of ABI1-p65.

Surgical intervention for malignant bowel obstruction caused by gastrointestinal malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) is a common event for end-stage gastrointestinal cancer patients. Previous studies had demonstrated manifestations and clinical management of MBO with mixed malignancies. There still lack reports of the surgical treatment of MBO. AIM: To analyze the short-term outcomes and prognosis of palliative surgery for MBO caused by gastrointestinal cancer. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 61 patients received palliative surgery between January 2016 to October 2018 was performed, of which 31 patients underwent massive debulking surgery (MDS) and 30 underwent ostomy/by-pass surgery (OBS). The 60-d symptom palliation rate, 30-d morbidity and mortality, and overall survival rates were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The overall symptom palliation rate was 75.4% (46/61); patients in the MDS group had significantly higher symptom palliation rate than OBS group (90% vs 61.2%, P = 0.016). Patients with colorectal cancer who were in the MDS group showed significantly higher symptom improvement rates compared to the OBS group (overall, 76.4%; MDS, 61.5%; OBS, 92%; P = 0.019). However, patients with gastric cancer did not show a significant difference in symptom palliation rate between the MDS and OBS groups (OBS, 60%; MDS, 80%; P = 1.0). The median survival time in the MDS group was significantly longer than in the OBS group (10.9 mo vs 5.3 mo, P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: For patients with MBO caused by peritoneal metastatic colorectal cancer, MDS can improve symptom palliation rates and prolong survival, without increasing mortality and morbidity rates.

Erratum to: Exosome-derived galectin-9 may be a novel predictor of rejection and prognosis after liver transplantation.

Erratum to: J Zhejiang Univ-Sci B (Biomed & Biotechnol) 2019 20(7):605-612. https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B1900051. The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. In p.605, the number of the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (No. Y17H160118) in Funding is incorrect. The correct number should be LY17H160026, which is the approval number of the project, whereas Y17H160118 is the application number of the project.

Exosome-derived galectin-9 may be a novel predictor of rejection and prognosis after liver transplantation.

Acute cellular rejection (ACR) remains a major concern after liver transplantation. Predicting and monitoring acute rejection by non-invasive methods are very important for guiding the use of immunosuppressive drugs. Many studies have shown that exosomes and their contents are potential biomarkers for various liver diseases. Here, we identify and validate the role of exosomes and galectin-9 in ACR after liver transplantation. Exosomes were isolated from three sets of paired patients, with and without ACR, and the proteins within the exosomes were isolated and identified. Candidate proteins were then validated using a tissue microarray containing resected liver samples from 73 ACR and 63 non-rejection patients. Finally, protein expression and clinical manifestations were included in Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses. Circulating exosomes were isolated from ACR and non-rejection patients and characterized using transmission electron microscopy and western blotting for CD63/CD81. Western blotting experiments revealed higher levels of galectin-9 protein in circulating exosomes from ACR recipients. Immunohistochemical analysis of the tissue microarray showed that the expression of galectin-9 in resected liver was significantly higher in the ACR group than in the non-rejection group (P<0.05). Higher levels of galectin-9 expression in resected livers were associated with poorer prognosis (P<0.05). Exosome-derived galectin-9 may be a novel predictor of rejection and prognosis after liver transplantation.

Trans-anal minimally invasive surgery for rectal neoplasia: Experience from single tertiary institution in China.

AIM: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of trans-anal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) from single institute in China. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted for patients with rectal neoplasia, who underwent TAMIS using single incision laparoscopic surgery-Port from January 2013 till January 2016 by a group of colorectal surgeons from Gastrointestinal Center Unit III, Peking University Cancer Hospital. Patients' demographic data, surgical related information, post-operational pathology, as well as peri-operative follow-up were all collected. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients with rectal neoplasia were identified consequently. Complete full-thickness excision was achieved in all cases without conversion. 22 (88%) cases had rectal malignancies [6 were adenocarcinomas and 16 were neuroendocrine tumors (NET)], while 3 patients had adenomas. Mean surgical duration was 61.3 min, and mean post-operative stay were 2.7 d. Post-operational examination demonstrated 5 cases had positive resection margin: 2 adenocarcinoma cases and 1 NET case with positive lateral margin, and the other 2 NET cases with positive basal margin. The curve of operation time for TAMIS cases suggested a minimum of 10 cases for a laparoscopic surgeon proficient with this technique. CONCLUSION: TAMIS was demonstrated to be reproducible and safe, with a relatively short learning process for laparoscopic surgeons in selected cases for rectal neoplasia. Long-term oncological outcome needs to be determined by further investigation.

High levels of serum platelet-derived growth factor-AA and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 are predictors of colorectal cancer liver metastasis.

AIM: To develop predictive markers in blood for colorectal cancer liver metastasis. METHODS: Twenty colorectal cancer patients were selected and divided into two groups. Group A consisted of 10 patients whose pathological TNM stage was IIIC (T3-4N2M0), while another 10 patients with synchronous liver metastasis (TNM stage IV) were recruited for group B. During the surgical procedure, a 10-mL drainage vein (DV) blood sample was obtained from the DV of the tumor-bearing segment prior to the ligation of the DV. At the same time, a 10-mL peripheral vein (PV) blood sample was collected via peripheral venipuncture. The serum levels of 24 molecules that are potentially involved in the mechanism of liver metastasis in both DV blood and PV blood were analyzed by using high-throughput enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technology. RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed that platelet-derived growth factor AA (PDGFAA) in DV blood (dPDGFAA) (P = 0.001), PDGFAA in PV blood (pPDGFAA) (P = 0.007), and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 in PV blood (pHER2) (P = 0.001), pMMP7 (P = 0.028), pRANTES (P = 0.013), and pEGF (P = 0.007) were significantly correlated with synchronous liver metastasis. Multivariate analysis identified dPDGFAA (HR = 1.001, P = 0.033) and pHER2 (HR = 1.003, P = 0.019) as independent predictive factors for synchronous liver metastasis. Besides, high peripheral HER2 level may also be a risk factor for metachronous liver metastasis, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.06). Significant correlations were found between paired DV and PV blood levels for PDGFAA (r = 0.794, P < 0.001), but not for HER2 (r = 0.189, P = 0.424). CONCLUSION: PDGFAA in tumor drainage and HER2 in PV blood may be useful predictive factors for synchronous liver metastasis of colorectal cancer.

Remote ischemic perconditioning prevents liver transplantation-induced ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats: Role of ROS/RNS and eNOS.

AIM: To investigate the underlying mechanisms of the protective role of remote ischemic perconditioning (RIPerC) in rat liver transplantation. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to sham, orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), ischemic postconditioning (IPostC) or RIPerC. After 3 h reperfusion, blood samples were taken for measurement of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine (Cr) and creatinine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB). The liver lobes were harvested for the following measurements: reactive oxygen species (ROS), H2O2, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and total nitric oxide (NO). These measurements were determined using an ROS/H2O2, JC1 and Total NOx Assay Kit, respectively. Endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting, and peroxynitrite was semi-quantified by western blotting of 3-nitrotyrosine. RESULTS: Compared with the OLT group, the grafts subjected to RIPerC showed significantly improved liver and remote organ functions (P < 0.05). ROS (P < 0.001) including H2O2 (P < 0.05) were largely elevated in the OLT group as compared with the sham group, and RIPerC (P < 0.05) reversed this trend. The collapse of ΔΨm induced by OLT ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury was significantly attenuated in the RIPerC group (P < 0.001). A marked increase of NO content and phosphoserine eNOS, both in protein and mRNA levels, was observed in liver graft of the RIPerC group as compared with the OLT group (P < 0.05). I/R-induced 3-nitrotyrosine content was significantly reduced in the RIPerC group as compared with the OLT group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the RIPerC and IPostC groups for all the results except Cr. The Cr level was lower in the RIPerC group than in the IPostC group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Liver graft protection by RIPerC is similar to or better than that of IPostC, and involves inhibition of oxidative stress and up-regulation of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS/NO pathway.

Analyzing Personal Happiness from Global Survey and Weather Data: A Geospatial Approach.

Past studies have shown that personal subjective happiness is associated with various macro- and micro-level background factors, including environmental conditions, such as weather and the economic situation, and personal health behaviors, such as smoking and exercise. We contribute to this literature of happiness studies by using a geospatial approach to examine both macro and micro links to personal happiness. Our geospatial approach incorporates two major global datasets: representative national survey data from the International Social Survey Program (ISSP) and corresponding world weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). After processing and filtering 55,081 records of ISSP 2011 survey data from 32 countries, we extracted 5,420 records from China and 25,441 records from 28 other countries. Sensitivity analyses of different intervals for average weather variables showed that macro-level conditions, including temperature, wind speed, elevation, and GDP, are positively correlated with happiness. To distinguish the effects of weather conditions on happiness in different seasons, we also adopted climate zone and seasonal variables. The micro-level analysis indicated that better health status and eating more vegetables or fruits are highly associated with happiness. Never engaging in physical activity appears to make people less happy. The findings suggest that weather conditions, economic situations, and personal health behaviors are all correlated with levels of happiness.

Risk Factors for Nonclosure of a Temporary Defunctioning Ileostomy Following Anterior Resection of Rectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: In patients with colorectal cancer, a defunctioning ileostomy is commonly constructed to reduce anastomotic complications. However, many patients do not undergo a subsequent procedure to have their temporary stoma closed. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the incidence of nonclosure of ileostomies and identified factors associated with nonclosure. DESIGN: This study is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. SETTING: This study was conducted at a tertiary referral cancer hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 296 patients who received anterior resection with a defunctioning ileostomy with protective intention from 2006 to 2013 were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes measured were the incidence of nonclosure of ileostomy and associated risk factors. RESULTS: Patients were followed for a median time of 29 months (range, 21-100 months). At the end of the study, 51 (17.2%) patients were left with a permanent ileostomy. The median time interval from the creation of a defunctioning ileostomy to closure was 192 days (range, 14-865 days). Multivariate analyses using a logistic regression model showed that metastatic diseases (OR, 0.179, p < 0.001), Charlson Comorbidity Index score >1 (OR, 0.268; p < 0.01), and complications from the index surgery (OR, 0.391; p = 0.013) were significant independent risk factors for failing to close a defunctioning ileostomy. LIMITATIONS: Although our study has a large patient cohort, it is limited by its retrospective nature. It is difficult to fully evaluate stoma complications after hospital discharge, and the prevalence may be underestimated. CONCLUSION: One in 6 temporary ileostomies constructed during an elective anterior resection for rectal cancer was not closed. Patients should be told before the index surgery that there is a risk of nonclosure and possible complications associated with permanent ileostomy.

Tumor regression grades: potential outcome predictor of locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma after preoperative radiotherapy.

AIM: To analyze tumor regression grade (TRG) for prognosis of locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma (LARA) treated with preoperative radiotherapy. METHODS: One hundred and ninety patients with clinical stage II/III LARA were studied. All patients underwent radical surgery (between 2004 and 2010) after 30-Gy/10-fraction preoperative radiotherapy (pre-RT). All 190 patients received a short course of pre-RT and were reassessed for disease recurrence and survival; the slides of surgical specimens were reviewed and classified according to Mandard TRG. We compared patients with good response (Mandard TRG1 or TRG2) vs patients with bad/poor response (Mandard TRG3-5). Outcomes evaluated were 5-year overall survival (OS), 5-year disease-free survival (DFS), and local, distant and mixed recurrence. Fisher's exact test or χ(2) test, log-rank test and proportional hazards regression analysis were used to calculate the probability that Mandard TRG was associated with patient outcomes. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-six of 190 patients (87.4%) were identified as Mandard bad responders (TRG3-5). High Mandard grade was correlated with tumor height (41.7% < 6 cm vs 58.3% ≥ 6 cm, P = 0.050), ypT stage (75% ypT0-2 vs 25% ypT3-4, P = 0.000), and ypN stage (75% ypN0 vs 25% ypN1, P = 0.031). In univariate survival analysis, Mandard grade bad responders had significantly worse OS and DFS than good responders (TRG1/2) (OS, 83.1% vs 96.4%, P = 0.000; DFS, 72.3% vs 92.0%, P = 0.002). In multivariate survival analysis, Mandard bad responders had significantly worse DFS than Mandard good responders (DFS 3.8 years (95%CI: 1.2-12.2 years, P = 0.026). CONCLUSION: Mandard grade good responders had a favorable prognosis. TRG may be a potential predictor for DFS in LARA after pre-RT.

Subcutaneous vacuum drains reduce surgical site infection after primary closure of defunctioning ileostomy.

PURPOSE: Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common complication after primary closure of defunctioning ileostomy. We use a subcutaneous vacuum drain (SVD) in our institution to prevent infection. This study aimed to analyze the risk factors of SSI and to assess the utility of an SVD for preventing SSI in patients undergoing primary closure of ileostomy. METHODS: Patients undergoing ileostomy closure in the Department of Colorectal Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital, from September 2006 to March 2013, were included in this study. The clinical features of these patients with or without a subcutaneous drain were reviewed, and the complication rate of SSI was analyzed. The primary endpoints were the incidence and risk factors of SSI, and the secondary endpoints were the rate of overall complications and their management. RESULTS: A total of 245 consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. The overall incidence of SSI was 8.6%. Eighty-five (34.7%) patients received placement of an SVD. The use of SVDs was associated with a significantly lower incidence of SSI compared with primary closure (PC) without an SVD (1.2 vs. 12.5%, p = 0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that the presence of an SVD (odds ratio (OR) 0.063, p = 0.012), total operation time >90 min (OR 4.862, p = 0.002), and postoperative complications (OR 10.576, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors of SSI. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that an SVD is effective for reducing SSI in patients undergoing PC of ileostomy. Further randomized trials are required to confirm our findings and to compare SVDs with purse-string sutures.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase CB association with preoperative radiotherapy response in rectal adenocarcinoma.

AIM: To examine the correlation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PIK3) CB expression with preoperative radiotherapy response in patients with stage II/III rectal adenocarcinoma. METHODS: PIK3CB immunoexpression was retrospectively assessed in pretreatment biopsies from 208 patients with clinical stage II/III rectal adenocarcinoma, who underwent radical surgery after 30-Gy/10-fraction preoperative radiotherapy. The relation between PIK3CB expression and tumor regression grade, clinicopathological characteristics, and survival time was statistically analyzed. Western blotting and in vitro clonogenic formation assay were used to detect PIK3CB expression in four colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT116, HT29, LoVo, and LS174T) treated with 6-Gy ionizing radiation. Pharmacological assays were used to evaluate the therapeutic relevance of TGX-221 (a PIK3CB-specific inhibitor) in the four colorectal cancer cell lines. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining indicated that PIK3CB was more abundant in rectal adenocarcinoma tissues with poor response to preoperative radiotherapy. High expression of PIK3CB was closely correlated with tumor height (P < 0.05), ypT stage (P < 0.05), and high-degree tumor regression grade (P < 0.001). High expression of PIK3CB was a potential prognostic factor for local recurrence-free survival (P < 0.05) and metastasis-free survival (P < 0.05). High expression of PIK3CB was also associated with poor therapeutic response and adverse outcomes in rectal adenocarcinoma patients treated with 30-Gy/10-fraction preoperative radiotherapy. In vitro, PIK3CB expression was upregulated in all four colorectal cancer cell lines concurrently treated with 6-Gy ionizing radiation, and the PIK3CB-specific inhibitor TGX-221 effectively inhibited the clonogenic formation of these four colorectal cancer cell lines. CONCLUSION: PIK3CB is critically involved in response to preoperative radiotherapy and may serve as a novel target for therapeutic intervention.

Abdominoperineal excision following preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer: unfavorable prognosis even with negative circumferential resection margin.

AIM: To evaluate whether an abdominoperineal excision (APE) is associated with increased local recurrence (LR) and shortened disease-free survival (DFS) in mid-low rectal cancer with a negative circumferential resection margin (CRM). METHODS: 283 consecutive cases of mid-low rectal cancer underwent preoperative 30 Gy/10 F radiotherapy and surgery in Peking University Cancer Hospital between August 2003 and August 2009. Patients with positive CRM and intraoperative distant metastasis were precluded according to exclusion criteria. Survival analyses were performed in patients with APE or non-APE procedures. RESULTS: 256 of the 283 (90.5%) cases were enrolled in the analysis, including 78 (30.5%) and 178 (69.5%) cases who received APE and non-APE procedures. Fewer female patients (P = 0.016), lower level of tumor (P = 0.000) and higher body mass index (P = 0.006) were found in the APE group. On univariate analysis, the APE group had a higher LR rate (5.1% vs 1.1%, P = 0.036) and decreased DFS (73.1% vs 83.4%, P = 0.021). On multivariate analysis, APE procedure was also an independent risk factor for LR (HR = 5.960, 1.085-32.728, P = 0.040) and decreased DFS (HR = 2.304, 1.298-4.092, P = 0.004). In stratified analysis for lower rectal cancer, APE procedure was still an independent risk factor for higher LR rate (5.6% vs 0%, P = 0.024) and shortened DFS (91.5% vs 73.6%, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Following preoperative 30 Gy/10 F radiotherapy, APE procedure was still a predictor for LR and decreased DFS even with negative CRM. More intensive preoperative treatment should be planned for the candidates who are scheduled to receive APE with optimal imaging assessment.

[Comparison of short-term postoperative outcomes between hand-assisted laparoscopic and conventional sigmoidectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy perioperatively between hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) and conventional open sigmoidectomy. METHODS: Prospectively collected data on 115 patients with sigmoid colon cancer between January 2009 to June 2010 were analyzed. There were 62 patients in the HALS group and 53 in the conventional sigmoidectomy group (CS). Patient characteristics, operative parameters, and perioperative outcomes were compared. RESULTS: HALS patients were similar to CS patients in age(60.2 yrs vs. 63.4 yrs, P=0.163), gender (53.2% vs. 60.4% male, P=0.441), tumor size (4.7 cm vs. 5.3 cm, P=0.114) and tumor stage. The two groups were comparable in operative time [(122.4±32.0) min vs.(126.7±37.4) min, P=0.510], lymph node harvest (15.1±4.6 vs. 16.8±6.4, P=0.163), free margin length [(4.1±1.8) cm vs.(4.3±1.7) cm, P=0.601], and postoperative complications. However, HALS group had less intraoperative bleeding [(62.6±35.4) ml vs. (168.9±137.1) ml, P=0.000], shorter time to flatus [(2.3±0.8) d vs. (3.3±1.1) d, P=0.000], and shorter hospital stay [(8.8±2.7) d vs.(12.6±8.0) d, P=0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: HALS results in similar short-term outcomes compared to conventional surgery. HALS is safe and minimally invasive.

[Application of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) in colectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) in colorectal tumors. METHODS: Clinical data of 70 patients with colorectal tumors were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients had received HALS colectomy in the Beijing Cancer Hospital. Lapdisc was used for the hand port at the umbilicus. Two additional trocars were used. RESULTS: There were 38 males and 32 females. The median age was 61(29-89) years. Diagnoses included sigmoid cancer(n=48), sigmoid adenoma(n=4), descending colon cancer (n=3), ascending colon cancer (n=1), rectal cancer (n=13), total colectomy(n=1). The operative time was (126.0±22.5) minutes. The intraoperative blood loss was (75.0±18.8) ml. The mean number of lymph node dissection was(16.8±4.2). The median postoperative hospital stay was 9.4 days. There were no perioperative deaths. One patient developed anastomotic stricture and two anastomotic leak, all of which were successfully managed with conservative treatment. CONCLUSION: HALS is a safe and effective technique for colectomy.

[Comparison of pathologic and clinical characteristics of young and old patients with advanced rectal cancer after neoadjuvant radiotherapy].

OBJECTIVES: To address the difference of pathologic and clinical characteristics of the young and the middle-aged and elderly patients with advanced rectal cancer after neoadjuvant radiotherapy. METHODS: A total of 252 patients undergoing radical surgery from January 2000 to January 2005 were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the age at diagnosis:young-patient group (< 40 years) and old-patient group (≥ 40 years). The pathologic and clinical materials were collected and the oncologic outcome was compared between the two arms. RESULTS: A total of 252 patients were included in this study, included 54 patients in young-patient group and 198 patients in old-patient group, respectively. There was no significant difference in gender, clinical stage and pretreatment serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) between the two groups. However, the proportion of mucinous and signet-ring cell cancer was significantly higher in young-patient group (20.4% vs. 4.0%, P < 0.05), and furthermore, the proportion of pathologic stage later than IIIA was also significantly higher in the young-patient group (61.1% vs. 42.9%, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in local recurrence rate between the patients who received neoadjuvant radiotherapy and those who did not in the young-patient group, whereas the difference was observed significant in the old-patient group (3.3% vs. 11.2%, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in both the disease free survival and overall survival between the two arms (5y-DFS: 63.3% vs. 68.5%, P > 0.05; 5y-OS: 73.5% vs. 72.9%, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Rectal cancer in young patients has poorer histologic differentiation and more advanced pathologic stage, but the long-term survival is similar to that in middle-aged and elderly patients. The local control effect of neoadjuvant radiotherapy on rectal cancer in young patients still need to be further investigated.

[Clinical analysis of rectal neuroendocrine carcinoma:a report of 16 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical data and surgical treatment strategy of rectal neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC). METHODS: Sixteen cases of rectal NEC and 222 cases of rectal carcinomas receiving surgical treatment in Beijing Cancer Hospital from 2003 to 2007, were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Among the 16 rectal NEC patients, 4(25%) received Miles surgery, 7(43.8%) Dixon surgery, 2 combined multiple organ resection and 3 local resection. Lymph note metastases occurred in 11 cases(68.8%) and distant metastases in 7 cases (43.8%). Among the 222 rectal carcinoma patients, 43(19.4%) received Miles surgery, 152(68.5%) Dixon surgery, 12 palliative operation, 6 colostomy and 9 just received laparotomy. Lymph note metastases occurred in 125 cases (56.3%). In rectal NEC group, postoperative 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 62.5%, 25.0% and 0.63% respectively, which were significantly lower than 83.1%, 61.7% and 46.1% in rectal carcinoma group(all P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Rectal NEC is a rare disease. More vascular invasion, lymph node and distant organ metastases are found in rectal NEC than rectal carcinoma, and the prognosis of rectal NEC is worse than rectal cancer.