ΔNp63-restricted viral mimicry response impedes cancer cell viability and remodels tumor microenvironment in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Tumor protein p63 isoform ΔNp63 plays roles in the squamous epithelium and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), including esophageal SCC (ESCC). By integrating data from cell lines and our latest patient-derived organoid cultures, derived xenograft models, and clinical sample transcriptomic analyses, we identified a novel and robust oncogenic role of ΔNp63 in ESCC. We showed that ΔNp63 maintains the repression of cancer cell endogenous retrotransposon expression and cellular double-stranded RNA sensing.

Multigene Profiling of Circulating Tumor Cells in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Identifies Prognostic Cancer Driver Genes Associated with Epithelial-Mesenchymal-Transition Progression and Chemoresistance.

We investigated the clinical significance of CTCs in cancer progression by detecting multiple cancer driver genes associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) at the transcript level. The 10-gene panel, comprising , , , , , , , , , and , was established for characterizing CTCs from mouse ESCC xenograft models and clinical ESCC peripheral blood (PB) samples. Correlations between gene expression in CTCs from PB samples ( = 77) and clinicopathological features in ESCC patients ( = 55) were examined.

A Prospective Study Evaluating the Feasibility and Accuracy of Post-operative Laryngeal Ultrasonography (LUSG) in Assessment of Vocal Cord Function After Esophagectomy.

Background: Vocal cord paresis (VCP) is a serious complication after esophagectomy. Conventional diagnosis of VCP relies on flexible laryngoscopy (FL), which is invasive. Laryngeal ultrasonography (LUSG) is non-invasive and convenient.

Circulating Tumor Cell Enumeration for Serial Monitoring of Treatment Outcomes for Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

We aim to reveal the clinical significance and potential usefulness of dynamic monitoring of CTCs to track therapeutic responses and improve survival for advanced ESCC patients. Peripheral blood (PB) ( = 389) and azygos vein blood (AVB) ( = 13) samplings were recruited prospectively from 88 ESCC patients undergoing curative surgery from 2017 to 2022. Longitudinal CTC enumeration was performed with epithelial (EpCAM/pan-cytokeratins/MUC1) and mesenchymal (vimentin) markers at 12 serial timepoints at any of the pre-treatment, all of the post-treatments/pre-surgery, post-surgery follow-ups for 3-year, and relapse.

Transgastric Single-Incision Laparoscopic Resection for a Gastric Submucosal Tumor Located at the Cardia.

Introduction: Surgical treatment of gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs) located near the gastroesophageal junction can be technically challenging, especially regarding preservation of the integrity and function of the lower esophageal sphincter. We introduce a novel minimally invasive surgery, successfully performed in a patient with a gastric SMT located at the cardia. A 24-year-old lady presenting with acid reflux for 1 year underwent esophagogastroscopy that showed a gastric SMT located at the cardia.

Clonal relationship and alcohol consumption-associated mutational signature in synchronous hypopharyngeal tumours and oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: The patients with dual oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) have poor prognosis; their underlying genetic pathogenesis is unclear. We hypothesise that development of synchronous ESCC/HPC depends on multicentricity or independent origin, rather than multifocality due to local or lateral spreading.

Method: Multiple region whole-exome sequencing (M-WES) and clonality analysis were used to assess clonal relationship and spatial inter- or intra-tumour heterogeneity (ITH) in 62 tumour regions from eight dual ESCC/HPC and ten ESCC patients.

Antibiotic is a safe and feasible option for uncomplicated appendicitis in pregnancy - A retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Acute appendicitis is the commonest surgical emergency during pregnancy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes between antibiotic therapy and appendectomy in the management of uncomplicated appendicitis during gestation.

Methods: From January 2015 to April 2019, there were 2174 emergency appendicitis diagnosed in the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital.

Combined endo-laparoscopic surgery for difficult benign colorectal polyps.

Prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC) depends largely on the detection and removal of colorectal polyps. Despite the advances in endoscopic techniques, there are still a subgroup of polyps that cannot be treated purely by endoscopic approach, which comprise of about 10-15% of all the polyps. These so-called "difficult colorectal polyps" are polyps with large size, morphology, at difficult location, scarring or due to recurrence, which have historically been managed by surgical segmental resection.

Impact of Extracapsular Extension of Lymph Node in Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach.

Background: Extracapsular extension (ECE) of lymph node may have important prognostic impact for patients with adenocarcinoma of the stomach, but it generally is ignored in staging systems and prognostic models. This study aimed to examine the impact that ECE of lymph node has on prognosis for patients with adenocarcinoma of the stomach.

Methods: The study analyzed 321 consecutive patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical gastrectomy between January 2008 and December 2015.

Intraoperative colonoscopy in laparoscopic colorectal surgery: A review of recent publications.

Introduction: Laparoscopic colorectal resection is becoming the gold standard for treating colorectal cancers because it offers superior short-term and comparable long-time outcomes compared to open surgery. Intraoperative colonoscopy (IOC) is increasingly performed for tumor localization and mucosal assessment. The aim of this report was to review the safety and efficacy of IOC in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Synchronous perforations of the oesophagus and stomach by air insufflation: an uncommon complication of endoscopic dilation.

A 72-year-old woman had a history of carcinoma of the hypopharynx treated by total laryngectomy, circumferential pharyngectomy and free jejunal graft. Endoscopic dilation of the pharyngojejunal anastomotic stricture resulted in synchronous perforations of the oesophagus and stomach. We postulate that the perforations were caused by high intraoesophageal and intragastric pressure resulted from air insufflation during the procedure; in a situation simulating closed-loop obstruction, because of proximal obstruction by the endoscope at the stricture site and distal obstruction by pylorospasm.

Laparoscopic resection of gastric wall tumor.

Laparoscopic resection of gastric wall tumor is commonly performed nowadays. The exact surgical procedure was decided according to the location, size and morphology of the tumor. In this video, we performed a laparoscopic resection of a 5cm tumor located at distal posterior gastric wall near the greater curvature.

Treatment of Gastric Metaplasia or Dysplasia by Endoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation: A Pilot Study.

Background/aims: Patients with gastric intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia are at increased risk of gastric cancer development. We tested the feasibility of using endoscopic radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of dysplasia and metaplasia in the stomach.

Methodology: Patients who had histologically confirmed low-grade gastric dysplasia or IM were recruited.

A lucky and reversible cause of 'ischaemic bowel'.

An 81-year-old man was admitted with an infective exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He also had clinical and radiological features suggestive of ileus. On day 6 after admission, he developed generalised abdominal pain.

Surgical smoke.

Surgical smoke is the gaseous by-product formed during surgical procedures. Most surgeons, operating theatre staff and administrators are unaware of its potential health risks. Surgical smoke is produced by various surgical instruments including those used in electrocautery, lasers, ultrasonic scalpels, high speed drills, burrs and saws.

Clarithromycin-amoxycillin-containing triple therapy: a valid empirical first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori eradication in Hong Kong?

Background: Recent studies have suggested the eradication rate for Helicobacter pylori infection with standard amoxycillin-clarithromycin-containing triple therapy as first-line treatment have fallen below 80%. Levofloxacin-containing triple therapy was proposed as an alternative. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and tolerability of the standard 7-day clarithromycin-containing triple therapy against the 7-day levofloxacin-containing triple therapy, and to assess whether the classical triple therapy is still valid as empirical first-line treatment for H.

Capsule endoscopy for gastrointestinal bleeding of obscure origin.

This is a review on the current status of capsule endoscopy in the assessment of patients with gastrointestinal bleeding of obscure origin after initial negative upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. Relevant information was gathered from a Medline search of the English literature, previous review and original articles, references cited in papers, and by checking the latest issues of appropriate journals. Based on the available evidence, capsule endoscopy, if done early in the course of investigation, can identify a bleeding lesion and thus direct subsequent test or treatment in about 60% of patients.

Duodenopleural fistula formation after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a treatment option in the management of unresectable or recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It can be performed either through laparotomy or in a minimally invasive manner by percutaneous, laparoscopic or thoracoscopic routes. Percutaneous RFA is associated with reduced surgical trauma and thus can be performed in patients with significant comorbidities.