Circular RNAs (circRNAs) formed by back-splicing play multiple roles in the occurrence and development of cancer. Here, we found that hsa_circ_0004370 was up-regulated in both esophageal cancer (EC) tissues and cell lines. Loss function of hsa_circ_0004370 by si-RNA significantly suppressed proliferation and invasion and promoted apoptosis in both EC cell lines. The sponging of miR-1294 by hsa_circ_0004370 was bioinformatically predicted and subsequently verified by luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. Further, hsa_circ_0004370 involved in the up-regulation of LASP1 by sponging miR-1294. Besides, the inhibition of the down-regulated hsa_circ_0004370 on cell malignant behaviors was rescued by miR-1294 inhibitor. Finally, this rescue effect was abrogated by suppressing the expression of LASP1. The results present here suggest that hsa_circ_0004370 functions as an oncogene on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion via miR-1294/LASP1 axis.

Context.—The Coulter DxH 800 hematology analyzer can determine conventional hematologic parameters. It also provides many new hematologic parameters, some of which show potential clinical utility. Objectives.—To study, for the first time, the biological variations of new hematologic parameters and reinvestigate the biological variations of conventional hematologic parameters using the newest Coulter hematology analyzer. Design.—Forty adult volunteers (21 women and 19 men) were included. All participants maintained their normal lifestyles. Blood samples were drawn in duplicate by a single experienced phlebotomist and analyzed within 2 hours using a single analyzer. Before each batch analysis, the instrument quality controls were performed using the same lots of reagents. Results.—Within-subject and between-subject biological variations for the conventional hematologic parameters were compatible with published data. The analytic variation of the DxH 800 for these parameters appeared smaller. Index of individuality (ratio of within-subject to between-subject biological variation) for all parameters was low. In addition, intraday and interday biological variations of most parameters studied are fairly constant among the population examined. Conclusions.—These observations are clinically valuable. Data on within-subject biological variation and analytic precision may be used to generate objective delta-check values for use in quality management. Comparing within-subject and between-subject biological variation on new parameters may allow us to decide the utility of traditional population-based reference ranges. Furthermore, documentation of biological variations of new parameters is an essential prerequisite in the development of any clinical application in the future.

Background: The occurrence of postoperative complications may lead to delayed recovery and a decline in physical function in the first 3 months after esophagectomy. The outbreak of COVID-19 imposed physical and emotional obstacles for traditional face-to-face rehabilitation. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of telerehabilitation remained unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of telerehabilitation. Methods: A cohort of 86 patients who received minimally invasive esophagectomy between September 2020 and January 2021 was randomly allocated into two groups. The telerehabilitation group received additional online consulting and training, including (I) precautions for nutritional support; (II) swallowing function training; (III) respiratory function training; (IV) guidance and feedback on matters such as patient's current vital signs, wound status, medication, and sleep status. The primary outcome was the change of quality of life (QOL) of each patient at 3 months after surgery.Results: No serious adverse events were observed in either group. The telerehabilitation group showed significant improvements in pain using the OLQ-C30 scale (P<0.001), and in choking using the QLQ-OES18 scale (P<0.001). The comparison of the QLQ-C30 and QES-18 score changes at three months after discharge revealed that nearly all aspects in the telerehabilitation group displayed more score changes with significant changes in the appetite loss and pain part (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively). The score changes in QLQ-OES18 revealed significant improvement in swallowing saliva (P<0.05), as well slight improvements in choking, dry mouth, taste, and cough without significance.Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that telerehabilitation was at least an important supplement to traditional face-to-face consulting and training for patients after esophageal cancer surgery during the COVID-19 period.

Background: Unclear assessment content is the main reason for poor early postoperative ambulation compliance of patients. this study aimed to accelerate patients' recovery by investigating the influencing factors of the early activity compliance of patients with esophageal cancer (EC) undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). Methods: A total of 228 patients were investigated with a self-designed general information questionnaire, disease-specific questionnaire, early postoperative activity record, Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and the health belief model questionnaire from January 2019 to June 2020. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze the influencing factors of patients with different degrees of compliance. Correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between social support and postoperative patient compliance.Results: Among the 228 cases, 48 patients' compliance was good, 120 patients' compliance was moderate, and 60 patients' compliance was poor. The average score of compliance was 67.89±23.26. The analysis of influencing factors indicated educational level, intensity of postoperative activity pain, fatigue, dizziness, and social support could greatly predict the early activity compliance.Conclusions: Attention should be paid to alleviating the patients' pain, improving their nutrition, and increasing social support, which can promote patients to do the early postoperative activity and accelerate recovery.

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