Qun Qian

MicroRNA-133a suppresses colorectal cancer cell invasion by targeting Fascin1.

MicroRNAs (miRs) are a type of small non-coding RNA molecule that are involved in gene silencing and the regulation of cancer progression; miR-133a in particular has been implicated in colorectal cancer, although its specific role and underlying mechanism have yet to be determined. In the present study, the expression level of miR-133a was significantly downregulated in a number of colorectal cancer cell lines, as well as in colorectal cancer tissues compared with the normal adjacent tissues. Furthermore, the Fascin1 (FSCN1) gene was identified as a direct target of miR-133a, and the protein expression level of FSCN1 was negatively regulated by miR-133a in colorectal cancer cells. Additionally, restoration of miR-133a expression and downregulation of FSCN1 protein expression suppressed colorectal cancer cell invasion, while overexpression of FSCN1 reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-133a upregulation on colorectal cancer cell invasion. Thus, the present data indicates that miR-133a may at least partially suppress colorectal cancer cell invasion, possibly via the inhibition of FSCN1 expression. The present study highlights the important role of miR-133a in the progression of colorectal cancer.

Treatment with growth hormone, somatostatin, and insulin in combination with hypocaloric parenteral nutrition in gastrointestinal cancer patients after surgery

OBJECTIVE The metabolic response to gastrointestinal cancer in patients undergoing surgery is associated with hypermetabolism and insulin resistance. The potential use of synergetic anabolic hormones in conjunction with hypocaloric parenteral nutrition (HPN) has become a significant area of investigation. The presented study was performed to determine the clinical efficiency and safety of hormone therapy combined with HPN in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. METHODS One hundred patients with a Nutrition Risk Screening score of 3 or 4 undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal cancer were randomized into two groups. The patients in the control group received standard total parenteral nutrition and systemic insulin. The patients in the study group received HPN and systemic insulin in addition to pretreatment with recombinant human growth hormone and octreotide. Clinical efficiency and safety were evaluated by the measurement of hormones and protein metabolites, immune function, clinical outcome, and adverse events. Follow-ups were performed to determine the influence on prognosis. RESULTS Treatment with recombinant human growth hormone, octreotide, and insulin in combination with HPN significantly increased protein synthesis, immune function, and metabolic tolerance, decreased infectious complications, and shortened postoperative hospital stays, but did not increase the risk of tumor development and recurrence in the study group compared with the control group. CONCLUSION The proper short-term perioperative administration of growth hormone, somatostatin, and insulin in combination with HPN can overcome the postoperative stress response through the increase of protein synthesis to improve immune function in patients with gastrointestinal cancer after surgery.

Chemokine CCL3 facilitates the migration of hepatoma cells by changing the concentration intracellular Ca2

Aim:  Recurrence and metastasis are the major factors associated with the poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It was confirmed that multiple chemokines and their receptors are related to the progression and metastasis of HCC. The aim of this research was to conduct an investigation into whether macrophage inflammatory protein‐1α/CCL3, and its receptor CCR1 play a role in HCC invasion and metastasis.

Transanal surgery for obstructed defecation syndrome: Literature review and a single-center experience.

Obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) is a functional disorder commonly encountered by colorectal surgeons and gastroenterologists, and greatly affects the quality of life of patients from both societal and psychological aspects. The underlying anatomical and pathophysiological changes of ODS are complex. However, intra-rectal intussusception and rectocele are frequently found in patients with ODS and both are thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of ODS. With the development of evaluation methods in anorectal physiology laboratories and radiology studies, a great variety of new operative procedures, especially transanal procedures, have been invented to treat ODS. However, no procedure has been proved to be superior to others at present. Each operation has its own merits and defects. Thus, choosing appropriate transanal surgical procedures for the treatment of ODS remains a challenge for all surgeons. This review provides an introduction of the current problems and options for treatment of ODS and a detailed summary of the essential assessments needed for patient evaluation before carrying out transanal surgery. Besides, an overview of the benefits and problems of current transanal surgical procedures for treatment of ODS is summarized in this review. A report of clinical experience of some transanal surgical techniques used in the authors’ center is also presented.