Evaluation of association between center colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasm volume and survival among patients with colorectal neuroendocrine carcinoma.

Background: Although correlation between center volume and survival has been reported for several complex cancers, it remains unknown if this is true for colorectal neuroendocrine carcinomas (CRNECs). We hypothesized that higher center annual volume of colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasm resections would be associated with overall survival (OS) for patients with CRNECs.

Methods: Patients in the National Cancer Database diagnosed with stages I-III CRNEC between 2006 and 2018 and who underwent surgical resection were identified.

NSQIP 5-factor modified frailty index and complications after ileal anal pouch anastomosis for ulcerative colitis.

Background: Frailty has been associated with worse postoperative outcomes. The 5-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5) is an objective measure although its validity in measuring frailty in patients undergoing ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for chronic ulcerative colitis (CUC) has not been reported.

Methods: This study used the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) targeted proctectomy database.

Epidemiology and survival outcomes of colorectal mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms and neuroendocrine carcinoma.

Background: Mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms are a rare subtype of neuroendocrine neoplasm consisting of ≥30% each of neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine differentiation. Neuroendocrine carcinomas are poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumors. The epidemiology and prognosis of colorectal mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms and neuroendocrine carcinomas are not clearly defined in the literature.

A tensor-based formulation of hetero-functional graph theory.

Recently, hetero-functional graph theory (HFGT) has developed as a means to mathematically model the structure of large-scale complex flexible engineering systems. It does so by fusing concepts from network science and model-based systems engineering (MBSE). For the former, it utilizes multiple graph-based data structures to support a matrix-based quantitative analysis.

The impact of COVID-19 on medium term weight loss and comorbidities in patients undergoing bariatric surgery and its association with psychological wellbeing.

Background: The COVID-19 epidemic imposed significant stressors on individuals and changed how medical care is delivered. The affect that this stress has placed on the field of bariatric surgery and the associated outcomes is not well established.

Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database from a single academic institution was conducted.

Equivalency of short-term perioperative outcomes after open, laparoscopic, and robotic ileal pouch anal anastomosis. Does procedure complexity override operative approach?

Background: Ileal pouch anal anastomosis is the treatment of choice for patients with chronic ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis undergoing a proctocolectomy and desiring bowel continuity. It is a technically complex operation associated with significant morbidity and may be performed by an open, laparoscopic, or robotic approach. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the comparative perioperative outcomes between these 3 techniques outside of institutional studies.

Surgical management of large, connected perineal and pelvic epidermal inclusion cysts mimicking a dumbbell-shaped lesion in an adult male.

Introduction And Importance: Epidermal inclusion cysts are a common benign finding, and they are predominantly asymptomatic. They can rarely form in the pelvis or abdomen, however, and may cause symptoms secondary to mass effect. This case highlights management of an anterectal epidermal inclusion cyst connected to the perineal cyst, mimicking a dumbbell-shaped lesion, found in a male.

AP-2α-Mediated Activation of E2F and EZH2 Drives Melanoma Metastasis.

In melanoma metastasis, the role of the AP-2α transcription factor, which is encoded by , is controversial as some findings have suggested tumor suppressor activity while other studies have shown high expression in node-positive melanoma associated with poor prognosis. Here we demonstrate that AP-2α facilitates melanoma metastasis through transcriptional activation of genes within the E2F pathway including . A BioID screen found that AP-2α interacts with members of the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex.

Staged Approaches to Restorative Proctocolectomy with Ileoanal Pouch-When and Why?

Restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) with ileal pouch anal-anastomosis (IPAA) is commonly performed for patients with ulcerative colitis, familial adenomatous polyposis, and selected phenotypes of Crohn's disease (CD). Due to concerns about the effects of surgical complications on pouch functional outcomes, debate remains surrounding when and whether RPC with IPAA should be performed in a staged manner. Particularly debated are the timings of the IPAA, whether it is constructed at time of the proctocolectomy and whether to utilize temporary fecal diversion with a loop ileostomy.

Intra-abdominal and Anorectal Abscesses.

Intra-abdominal and anorectal abscesses are common pathologies seen in both inpatient and outpatient settings. To decrease morbidity and mortality, early diagnosis and treatment are essential. After adequate drainage via a percutaneous or incisional approach, patients need to be monitored for worsening symptoms or recurrence and evaluated for the underlying condition that may have contributed to abscess formation.

AP-2α Regulates S-Phase and Is a Marker for Sensitivity to PI3K Inhibitor Buparlisib in Colon Cancer.

Activating protein 2 alpha (AP-2α; encoded by ) functions as a tumor suppressor and influences response to therapy in several cancer types. We aimed to characterize regulation of the transcriptome by AP-2α in colon cancer. CRISPR-Cas9 and short hairpin RNA were used to eliminate expression in HCT116 and a panel of colon cancer cell lines.

AP-2γ Is Required for Maintenance of Multipotent Mammary Stem Cells.

Mammary gland ductal morphogenesis depends on the differentiation of mammary stem cells (MaSCs) into basal and luminal lineages. The AP-2γ transcription factor, encoded by Tfap2c, has a central role in mammary gland development but its effect in mammary lineages and specifically MaSCs is largely unknown. Here, we utilized an inducible, conditional knockout of Tfap2c to elucidate the role of AP-2γ in maintenance and differentiation of MaSCs.

Impact of KRAS status on tumor response and survival after neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer.

Background: Mutation of the KRAS oncogene (mKRAS) in colorectal cancer has been associated with aggressive tumor biology, resistance to epidermal growth factor inhibitors, and decreased overall survival (OS). The aim of the current study was to analyze the association of mKRAS with pathologic complete response (pCR) and neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score, and its impact on the survival of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who were managed with multimodality therapy.

Methods: The National Cancer Database was queried for stage II-III rectal cancer patients with a known KRAS status who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (nCRT) and proctectomy between 2004 and 2015.