p21 WAF1/CIP1 gene is known for a most important cell cycle regulator as well as its roles in apoptosis and differentiation. This review focuses on p21 WAF1/CIP1 gene functions and its association with carcinogenesis. Better understanding of the structure and function of p21 WAF1/CIP1 gene may help to comprehend molecular mechanisms of cancers and to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of malignancy.

Objective: To evaluate combined robotic and endoscopic surgery in the third space for gastric submucosal tumors(SMTs). Methods: Combined surgery in 4 patients were compared with 19 patients who underwent laparoscopic wedge resection between Aug 2017 and Feb 2018. Results: R₀ resection was achieved in all combined surgery patients. The operation time was longer (112±29 )min vs. (93±11 ) min (t=2.338, P<0.05), but less blood loss, (11±6)ml vs.(59±6)ml (t=15.102, P<0.01). In combined surgery group, there was a larger tumor over resected tissue percentage, 65.4%±28.2% vs.22.8%±19.6% ( t=3.680, P<0.05). Combined surgery group patients were with earlier first breaking wind (3±1.4) d vs.(4.1±0.9) d (t=2.026, P>0.05), and shorter hospital stay (6.5±1.3) d vs.( 8.5±0.6) d (t=4.902, P<0.01), but a little higher hospitalization costs(57 651±10 097)rmb vs.(42 620±5 086)rmb (t=4.508, P<0.01). There were no major postoperative complications occurred in neither groups, nor tumor recurrences after 3-month follow-up. Conclusion Combined robotic and endoscopic surgery in the third space for submucosal gastric tumors is a novel operation with short operation time, less blood loss and good result.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a set of non-coding small RNA molecules that play a critical role in regulation of protein coding genes in cells. MiRNAs have been extensively studied as novel biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and new drugs in various human diseases. Breast cancer is a one of the leading tumor types significantly affecting women health worldwide. Over the past decade, a number of natural agents, such as paclitaxel and curcumin, have been applied for treatment and prevention of breast cancer due to their relatively low toxicity. However, the mechanisms of action have not been completely understood. Investigation on miRNAs is able to potentially provide a novel insight into better understanding the anticancer activities of these natural products. Given that a single miRNA can target multiple genes, theoretically, those genes involved in a certain phenotype can be clustered with one or a few miRNAs. Therefore, pleiotropic activities of natural agents should be interpreted by interactions between selected miRNAs and their targets. In this review, we summarize the latest publications related to the alterations of miRNAs by two natural agents (paclitaxel and curcumin) that are currently used in intervention of breast cancer, and conclude that the mechanism involving the regulation of miRNA expression is one of the keys to understand pleiotropic activities of natural agents.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Biological Products ; administration & dosage ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Curcumin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage