The long non-coding RNA HOTAIR increases tumour growth and invasion in cervical cancer by targeting the Notch pathway

To test an electrically conductive chip, incorporating a nanoroughened microfluidic platform for the capture of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and assess its clinical merit in instances of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). A total of 54 patients with EOC recruited between August 2014 and May 2015 were enrolled in this prospective study. CTCs in peripheral blood were detected in advance of primary tumor resection and before initiating adjuvant chemotherapy for recurrent disease. We identified CTCs as EpCAM-positive and DAPI-positive, and CD45-negative feature. Twenty-four patients with primary disease and 30 patients with recurrences were included in the study. CTCs were detected in 98.1% (53/54). In newly diagnosed patients, median counts of single CTCs and CTC clusters were 4 (0-13) and 1(0-14), respectively. In those with recurrences, median counts were 3 (1-9) and 1(0-24), respectively. Such counts did not differ significantly by tumor stage or by serum CA125 level; but progression-free survival declined at a cutpoint of ≥3 CTCs, and CTC-cluster positivity correlated with platinum resistance. Isolated CTCs (successfully cultured ex vivo in two patients) showed greater sensitivity to anticancer drugs and proliferated more rapidly than did established cell lines. Proof-of-concept was provided for an electrically conductive and nanoroughened microfluidic platform-based chip designed to capture CTCs in patients with EOC. A larger patient sampling and longer duration of follow-up are needed to determine its suitability for clinical use.

Aims: To define the learning curve for single-port access (SPA) total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) and evaluate the surgical outcomes. Methods: Patient demographics and segmental operating times of all 100 patients who underwent SPA-TLH by a single surgeon were analyzed. Patients were arranged in order based on surgery date. Results: 100 patients underwent SPA-TLH. There was no conversion to conventional laparoscopy or laparotomy. The median time until the removal of a specimen (TR) was 45 min and the median time for closure of the vaginal cuff (TC) was 18 min. The median total operating time from skin opening to closure (TO) was 80 min. TR, TC, and TO decreased significantly over the study period. The TC decreased significantly from the first 20 cases to the next 20 (p = 0.028) and the TO from the second 20 cases to the next 20 (p = 0.029). Conclusions: Proficiency for SPA-TLH was achieved after 40 cases. Operating time and postoperative hemoglobin drop decreased with experience, without increasing complication.