As the commonest type of cancer in Europe and the third most common type of cancer worldwide, colorectal carcinoma (CRC) poses a challenge for numerous scientific studies. At present, the cause of this disease is remains to be elucidated, but early diagnosis is only one solution to prevent serious health complications. As a structural scaffold, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is in direct contact with tumour cells and significantly interferes with tumour progression. During the process of tumorigenesis, the ECM undergoes structural changes in which collagens serve an important role. Their life cycle is regulated by proteolytic enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are controlled by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). The present study analysed the gene expression of MMPs (MMP1-2-8-10-13), TIMPs (TIMP1-2-4) and collagens (COL1A1 and COL3A1) and the correlation with biochemical parameters in the adjacent rectal tissue (ART) of patients with CRC. The patients who underwent standard neoadjuvant pre-therapy showed increased concentrations of collagen in the normal ART. The mRNA levels of COL3A1, TIMP1 and TIMP2 were significantly higher in the ART of CRC patients (with or without pre-therapy) when compared with the control group. This finding suggested that TIMPs served an important role in the regulation of MMPs and in the modification of collagen content in the ECM. Despite the small data set, the present study provided insights into the transcriptomic relationships between the individual genes that are an integral part of the ECM.

Dehiscence of colorectal anastomosis is a serious complication that is associated with increased mortality, impaired functional and oncological outcomes. The hypothesis was that anastomosis reinforcement and vacuum trans-anal drainage could eliminate some risk factors, such as mechanically stapled anastomosis instability and local infection. Patients with rectal cancer within 10 cm of the anal verge and low anterior resection with double-stapled technique were included consecutively. A stapler anastomosis was supplemented by trans-anal reinforcement and vacuum drainage using a povidone-iodine-soaked sponge. Modified reinforcement using a circular mucosa plication was developed and used. Patients were followed up by postoperative endoscopy and outcomes were acute leak rate, morbidity, and diversion rate. The procedure was successfully completed in 52 from 54 patients during time period January 2019–October 2020. The mean age of patients was 61 years (lower–upper quartiles 54–69 years). There were 38/52 (73%) males and 14/52 (27%) females; the neoadjuvant radiotherapy was indicated in a group of patients in 24/52 (46%). The mean level of anastomosis was 3.8 cm (lower–upper quartiles 3.00–4.88 cm). The overall morbidity was 32.6% (17/52) and Clavien–Dindo complications ≥ 3 grade appeared in 3/52 (5.7%) patients. No loss of anastomosis was recorded and no patient died postoperatively. The symptomatic anastomotic leak was recorded in 2 (3.8%) patients and asymptomatic blind fistula was recorded in one patient 1/52 (1.9%). Diversion ileostomy was created in 1/52 patient (1.9%). Reinforcement of double-stapled anastomosis using a circular mucosa plication with combination of vacuum povidone-iodine-soaked sponge drainage led to a low acute leak and diversion rate. This pilot study requires further investigation.Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov.: Trial registration number is NCT04735107, date of registration February 2, 2021, registered retrospectively.

Recent meta-analyses have shown that the application of a monofile, late-absorbable suture using a continuous suture technique with a suture-to-wound length ratio of at least 4:1 is the method of choice for the closure of midline laparotomies. Monomax, a new ultra-long term absorbable, high elastic monofilament suture, was approved in 2009 and its safety and efficacy were proven in a selected patient population under controlled conditions for elective midline abdominal wall closure (ISSAAC Study). The present multi-centric, international, prospective observational study is aimed at evaluating the performance of Monomax suture for transverse and midline abdominal wall closure in daily clinical practice even in high risk patients. A total of 200 patients undergoing a primary elective laparotomy using either a midline or transverse incision were examined regarding the frequency of short-term complications (e.g. reoperation due to burst abdomen, wound infection, wound healing disorders), until discharge and 1 month after surgery. Postoperative length of hospital stay was also reported. Frequency of reoperation due to burst abdomen was 2.5% and a wound infection rate of 3.5% was reported up to day of discharge. Seven patients developed a wound healing disorder (3.5%). Average length of postoperative hospital stay was 10.3 days. Our results indicate that the ultra-long term absorbable, elastic monofilament suture is safe and efficient for transverse and midline abdominal wall closure performed under daily clinical routine even in high risk patients.

mice (6 mice for each cell line). Radiomics features were extracted from MRI T2 images in patients and mice. A rank sum test was performed to find significant features. Results: A total of 202 radiomics features were extracted from both patients and mice. Seven features were significantly different between KRAS wild and mutant patients, meanwhile 48 features were difference between KRAS wild and mutant mice. One overlapped feature named HH_GLRLMS.RLN identified from patients and mice set. Conclusion: MRI radiomics showed its potential to predict different KRAS status in colorectal cancer patients and tumor cells. Further validation in larger dataset is necessary in the future.