Synchronous squamous esophageal carcinoma and urothelial renal cancer. Chirurg. 2010;105:843-847. [PMID: 21351703 DOI: 10.1007/s00104-009-1865-y]

Gongying-Jiedu-Xiji recipe promotes the healing of venous ulcers by inhibiting ferroptosis via the CoQ-FSP1 axis

Objective: Gongying-Jiedu-Xiji recipe (DDL, batch number Z01080175) reduces body temperature, detoxifies, activates the blood circulation, reduces swelling, and dispels decay and pus. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of action by which DDL functions in the treatment of venous ulcers (VUs). Methods: Normal tissues as well as VU tissues before and after DDL treatment were collected from nine VU patients in the hospital with ethical approval. These three tissues were subjected to Prussian blue iron staining, immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and quantitative real-time PCR to detect the expression of ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1), coenzyme Q (CoQ), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). After successful validation of the heme-induced human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) ferroptosis model, lyophilized DDL powder was added to the cells, and the cells were subjected to viability assays, immunoblotting, flow cytometry, glutathione (GSH) and malonaldehyde (MDA) assays, electron microscopy and qPCR assays. Results: Ferroptosis in VU tissues was stronger than that in normal tissues, and ferroptosis in VU tissues after DDL treatment was weaker than that before treatment. Inhibition of CoQ and FSP1 and transfection of FSP1 influenced the effects of DDL. Conclusion: Our results suggest that DDL may promote healing by attenuating ferroptosis in VUs and that DDL may promote VU healing by modulating the CoQ-FSP1 axis.

Prediction of Functional Genes in Primary Varicose Great Saphenous Veins Using the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA Network

Background

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been widely suggested to bind with the microRNA (miRNA) sites and play roles of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), which can thus affect and regulate target gene and mRNA expression. Such lncRNA-related ceRNAs are identified to exert vital parts in vascular disease. Nonetheless, it remains unknown about how the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network functions in the varicose great saphenous veins.

Methods

This study acquired the lncRNA and mRNA expression patterns from the GEO database and identifies the differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs by adopting the R software “limma” package. Then, miRcode, miRDB, miRTarbase, and TargetScan were used to establish the miRNA-mRNA pairs and lncRNA-miRNA pairs. In addition, the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network was constructed by using Cytoscape. Protein-protein interaction, Gene Ontology functional annotations, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment were carried out to examine the candidate hub genes, the functions of genes, and the corresponding pathways.

Results

In line with the preset theory, we constructed ceRNA network comprising 12 lncRNAs, 38 miRNAs, and 149 mRNAs. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis indicated that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway played a vital part in the development of varicose great saphenous veins. AC114730, AC002127, and AC073342 were significant biomarkers. At the same time, we predicted the potential miRNA, which may exert a significant influence on the varicose great saphenous veins, namely, miR-17-5p, miR-129-5p, miR-1297, miR-20b-5p, and miR-33a-3p.

Conclusion

By performing ceRNA network analysis, our study detects new lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs, which can be applied as underlying biomarkers of varicose great saphenous veins and as therapeutic targets for the treatment of varicose great saphenous veins.

Synchronous resection of esophageal cancer and other organ malignancies: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Neoplasms arising in the esophagus may coexist with other solid organ or gastrointestinal tract neoplasms in 6% to 15% of patients. Resection of both tumors synchronously or in a staged procedure provides the best chances for long-term survival. Synchronous resection of both esophageal and second primary malignancy may be feasible in a subset of patients; however, literature on this topic remains rather scarce.

AIM

To analyze the operative techniques employed in esophageal resections combined with gastric, pancreatic, lung, colorectal, kidney and liver resections and define postoperative outcomes in each case.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines. We searched the Medline database for cases of patients with esophageal tumors coexisting with a second primary tumor located in another organ that underwent synchronous resection of both neoplasms. All English language articles deemed eligible for inclusion were accessed in full text. Exclusion criteria included: (1) Hematological malignancies; (2) Head/neck/pharyngeal neoplasms; (3) Second primary neoplasms in the esophagus or the gastroesophageal junction; (4) Second primary neoplasms not surgically excised; and (5) Preclinical studies. Data regarding the operative strategy employed, perioperative outcomes and long-term outcomes were extracted and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

The systematic literature search yielded 23 eligible studies incorporating a total of 117 patients. Of these patients, 71% had a second primary neoplasm in the stomach. Those who underwent total gastrectomy had a reconstruction using either a colonic (n = 23) or a jejunal (n = 3) conduit while for those who underwent gastric preserving resections (i.e., non-anatomic/wedge/distal gastrectomies) a conventional gastric pull-up was employed. Likewise, in cases of patients who underwent esophagectomy combined with pancreaticoduodenectomy (15% of the cohort), the decision to preserve part of the stomach or not dictated the reconstruction method (whether by a gastric pull-up or a colonic/jejunal limb). For the remaining patients with coexisting lung/colorectal/kidney/liver neoplasms (14% of the entire patient population) the types of resections and operative techniques employed were identical to those used when treating each malignancy separately.

CONCLUSION

Despite the poor quality of available evidence and the great interstudy heterogeneity, combined procedures may be feasible with acceptable safety and satisfactory oncologic outcomes on individual basis.

Immunological aspects of chronic venous disease pathogenesis

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a very common health problem concerning up to 1/3 of the society. Although venous hypertension and valvular incompetence have been long known to be crucial for development of the illness, its exact aetiology remains unclear. Recent findings indicate that inflammatory processes may be crucial for development of incompetent valves and vein wall remodelling. One of the most interesting theories describes “leucocyte trapping” as the mechanism responsible for elevated vein wall permeability and oxidative stress in the veins. At the same time, the cytokine profile of the blood in incompetent veins has not been thoroughly examined. Popular anti-inflammatory drugs relieve some symptoms but do not have much proved effects in prevention and treatment.

We intend to summarize the existing knowledge of the immunological aspects of CVD in order to emphasize its importance for understanding the aetiology of this illness. We also wish to indicate some aspects that remain to be studied in more detail.

[Modern varicose vein surgery]

Varicose vein operations belong to the most commonly performed surgical procedures in Germany. Besides the classic operation employing modern technology, which shows manageable recurrence rates with good cosmetic results and must be considered as the established standard therapeutic procedure, endoluminal treatment methods (endovenous radiofrequency therapy, endoluminal laser therapy) have been increasingly used in recent years. The endoluminal treatment methods offer patients reduced post-operative pain and a shorter recovery time compared to traditional surgery. Unfortunately due to limitations caused by vessel diameter and the ability to probe the vessel, they are only available to a limited range of patients. It remains to be seen how these procedures compare to the classical techniques, in particular in regards to improving the long-term quality of life and recurrence rates. A further therapeutic option is chemical endoluminal therapy, catheter-assisted foam sclerotherapy. It can be used as a safe treatment option with good postoperative results in some cases. However, the primary closure rates are inferior to surgery and endoluminal procedures.