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Aim. To evaluate the influence of interval between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) and surgery on oncological outcome. Methods. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase databases for publications reporting oncological outcomes of patients following rectal cancer surgery performed at different NCRT-surgery intervals. Relative risk (RR) of pathological complete response (pCR) among different intervals was pooled. Results. Fifteen retrospective cohort studies representing 4431 patients met the inclusion criteria. There was a significantly increased rate of pCR in patients treated with surgery followed 7 or 8 weeks later (RR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.18–1.78; and P < 0.01 and RR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.15–1.92; and P = 0.002, resp.). There is no consistent evidence of improved local control or overall survival with longer or shorter intervals. Conclusion. Performing surgery 7-8 weeks after the end of NCRT results in the highest chance of achieving pCR. For candidates of abdominoperineal resection before NCRT, these data support implementation of prolonging the interval after NCRT to optimize the chances of pCR and perhaps add to the possibility of ultimate organ preservation.

Departmental sources Background:Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is predominant and has low 5-year relative survival rate. Therefore, the mechanisms of NSCLC tumorigenesis must be comprehensively elucidated. MicroRNA-323-3p (miR-323-3p) has been widely explored and found to exert functions in tumorigenesis of several cancer types. However, the expression pattern and biological function of miR-323-3p and the molecular mechanism underlying NSCLC development and progression remain unclear. Material/Methods:Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of miR-323-3p and TMEFF2 in NSCLC cell lines (A549, NCI-H3255, and H1299) and normal cell line (BEAS-2B). Methylthiazolyl tetrazolium, colony formation, and flow cytometry assays were performed to evaluate the effects of miR-323-3p and TMEFF2 on cell proliferation. Transwell assay was conducted to determine the effects of TMEFF2 on cell migration and invasion. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to verify whether TMEFF2 is a target of miR-323-3p. Western blot analysis was performed to analyze protein expression. Results:The expression of miR-323-3p increased in the 3 NSCLC cell lines (A549, NCI-H3255, and H1299). miR-323-3p regulated cellular progression by directly suppressing TMEFF2 expression and indirectly prohibited the activation of AKT and ERK pathways in NSCLC. Conclusions:Overall, miR-323-3p was considered a lung cancer oncogene and could be a valuable target for NSCLC therapy.

A novel single panel projection system using angular color technique is proposed to increase the color efficiency and to reduce the cost of projection systems. This system uses a single panel to display RGB information in spatially separated color zones. Special projection optics is utilized to merge the RGB pictures into a full color picture on the projection screen. The advantages are: 1) it has almost 100% color efficiency comparing with less than 33% efficiency in other sequential color systems, 2) the light engine is very compact and the cost is very low comparing with a traditional three panel systems. This light engine structure is compatible with traditional projection lamps, LEDs, and laser light sources. It is applicable to most of the microdisplay panel technologies including HTPS‐LCDs, LCOS, and DLP. A projector with HTPS‐LCD and Ujoy lamp was developed. This technology is very promising for ultra‐compact min projectors.