BackgroundSurviving expression might serve as a prognostic biomarker predicting the clinical outcome of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study was conducted to explore the potential correlation of survivin protein expression with NSCLC and its clinicopathologic characteristics.MethodsPubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, CNKI and Wanfang database were searched through January 2016 with a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data was extracted from these articles and all statistical analysis was conducted by using Stata 12.0.ResultsA total of 28 literatures (14 studies in Chinese and 14 studies in English) were enrolled in this meta-analysis, including 3206 NSCLC patients and 816 normal controls. The result of meta-analysis demonstrated a significant difference of survivin positive expression between NSCLC patients and normal controls (RR = 7.16, 95 % CI = 4.63-11.07, P < 0.001). To investigate the relationship of survivin expression and clinicopathologic characteristics, we performed a meta-analysis in NSCLC patients. Our results indicates survivin expression was associated with histological differentiation, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and lymph node metastasis (LNM) (RR = 0.80, 95 % CI = 0.73-0.87, P < 0.001; RR = 0.75, 95 % CI = 0.67-0.84, P < 0.001; RR = 1.14, 95 % CI = 1.01-1.29, P = 0.035, respectively), but not pathological type and tumor size. (RR = 1.00, 95 % CI = 0.93-1.07, P = 0.983; RR = 0.95, 95 % CI = 0.86-1.05, P = 0.336, respectively).ConclusionHigher expression of survivin in NSCLC patients was found when compared to normal controls. Survivin expression was associated with the clinicopathologic characteristics of NSCLC and may serves as an important biomarker for NSCLC progression.

Surgery is an effective treatment option for bronchiectasis. Sputum volumes lower than 30 mL, negative proof of Gram-negative bacteria and bronchial stump coverage using intercostals muscles or pedicle pleura embedding are the key factors for successful treatment. Special attention has to be given to any complications in elderly patients.

Background Broncholithiasis is a rare disease with various clinical classifications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the imaging diagnosis and surgical treatment of broncholithiasis. Methods and Materials Forty-eight patients with broncholithiasis were enrolled in this retrospective study between January 1985 and December 2009. Patients were classified into intraluminal, transluminal, and extraluminal broncholith according to the anatomy between the calculus and the bronchial lumen confirmed by chest computed tomography (CT), bronchoscopy, and pathology after operation. Result Forty-eight patients were enrolled, with 33 males and 15 females. The sex ratio (male:female) was 2.2:1, and average age was 54.3 ± 13.6 years. There were 8, 19, and 21 patients in intraluminal, transluminal, and extraluminal broncholith group, respectively. Cough, hemoptysis, and chest pain were the most common symptoms. Four patients with intraluminal broncholith and two with transluminal broncholith underwent broncholith removal via bronchoscopy, and the other 42 patients underwent thoracotomy. Conclusion Bronchoscopy combined with CT examination is helpful in diagnosing and typing broncholithiasis. An optimal treatment method, either bronchoscopic removal of broncholithiasis or thoracotomy, according to the clinical typing and indications, is the key to improve the treatment effect.

BackgroundThe long noncoding RNA cancer susceptibility 9 (CASC9) has been recognized as an important modulator of cell growth and metastasis in many cancers. However, its detailed roles in lung cancer remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate its functions and molecular mechanism in lung cancer progression.MethodsExpression of CASC9 was determined in lung cancer tissues and cell lines by real-time PCR. CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing and transwell assays were done to evaluate the cell proliferation, migration and invasion capacities in vitro. Real-time PCR, Western blot and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays were performed to dissect the mechanisms.ResultsCASC9 was overexpressed in lung cancer specimens and cell lines. Knockdown of CASC9 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT in lung cancer cells. While overexpression of CASC9 in normal lung epithelial cells did the opposite. CASC9 interacted with HIF-1α and enhanced its protein stability. They formed a positive feedback loop by reciprocally inducing each other expression and regulated cell proliferation and metastasis.ConclusionOur findings demonstrated a novel regulatory signaling pathway, namely the CASC9/HIF-1α axis, which was involved in lung cancer progression. These findings can provide valuable insights on the potential therapy application for lung cancer.

No abstract

The association between common variations (rs10937405, rs4488809) on 3q28 and lung cancer has been widely evaluated in various ethnic groups, since it was first identified through genome-wide association approach. However, the results have been inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship and the effect of factors that might modify the risk, we performed this meta-analysis. The random-effects model was applied, addressing heterogeneity and publication bias. A total of 10 articles involving 36,221 cases and 58,108 controls were included. Overall, the summary per-allele OR of 1.19 (95 % CI 1.14-1.25, P < 10(-5)) and 1.17 (95 % CI 1.10-1.23, P < 10(-5)) was found for the rs10937405 and rs4488809 polymorphisms, respectively. Significant results were also observed in heterozygous and homozygous when compared with wild genotype for these polymorphisms. Significant results were found in East Asians when stratified by ethnicity, whereas no significant associations were found among Caucasians. After stratifying by sample size, study design, control source and sex, significant associations were also obtained. In addition, our data indicate that these polymorphisms are involved in lung cancer susceptibility and confer its effect primarily in lung adenocarcinoma when stratified by histological subtype. Furthermore, significant associations were also detected both never-smokers and smokers for these polymorphisms. In conclusion, this meta-analysis demonstrated that rs10937405 and rs4488809 are a risk factor associated with increased non-small cell lung cancer susceptibility, particularly for East Asian populations.

Subcostal access is a novel approach for anatomical lung resection. To perform surgery via this access, specially designed long instruments are required. Subcostal access provides excellent visualization of the mediastinum and anterior lung hilum. We exhibit here a subcostal middle lobectomy with systematic en-block mediastinal lymphadenectomy in an obese 52-year-old male patient with body mass index (BMI=37.7) performed via this single incision. The operation was completed efficiently within 30 minutes with negligible postoperative pain.

A 48-year-old woman with small lung nodule received transthoracic lung nodule localization by hookwire and subsequent lung resection. At the time of lung nodule localization, computed tomography (CT) scan showed that the localization was successful without any complication. However, cardiac penetrating injury caused by hookwire localizer was unexpectedly observed during surgery. This has occurred because the hookwire was placed too close to the anterior pulmonary vein and became inserted into left ventricle under the influence of blood flow and lung manipulation.