Expression of Ang-2/Tie-2 and PI3K/AKT in colorectal cancer.

Purpose: To study the expression of angiogenin-2 (Ang-2) and its receptor Tie-2 in colorectal cancer and discuss the possible mechanisms behind this process.

Materials And Methods: Using the streptavidin-peroxidase (SP) immunohistochemical method, paraffin sections from 100 colorectal cancer samples and 10 samples from tumor-adjacent normal tissue (>2 cm from the edge of the gross tumor) were tested for protein expression of Ang-2, Tie-2, PI3K, and AKT. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blots were further used to measure expression of the 4 genes and proteins in 20 freshly-resected colorectal cancer samples and tumor-adjacent normal tissues.

[Correlations between specific combining ability, heterosis and genetic distance in hybrid rice].

Hybrid rice breeding is the combining ability breeding. Screening hybrid rice combinations with high special combining ability (SCA) is able to breed strong superiority combinations with practical values. In this study, the genetic distances (GD) of nine three-line hybrid rice (5 CMS lines and 4 restorer lines) were examined using SSR markers.

NAT2 6A, a haplotype of the N-acetyltransferase 2 gene, is an important biomarker for risk of anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity in Japanese patients with tuberculosis.

Aim: To investigate an association between N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2)-haplotypes/diplotypes and adverse effects in Japanese pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

Methods: We studied 100 patients with pulmonary TB treated with anti-TB drugs including INH. The frequencies and distributions of single nucleotide polymorphisms, haplotypes, and diplotypes of NAT2 were determined by the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method, and the results were compared between TB patients with and without adverse effect, using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Expression of angiopoietin-1, 2 and 4 and Tie-1 and 2 in gastrointestinal stromal tumor, leiomyoma and schwannoma.

Aim: To investigate the role of angiopoietin (Ang) -1, -2 and -4 and its receptors, Tie-1 and -2, in the growth and differentiation of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).

Methods: Thirty GISTs, seventeen leiomyomas and six schwannomas were examined by immunohistochemistry in this study.

Results: Ang-1, -2 and -4 proteins were expressed in the cytoplasm of tumor cells, and Tie-1 and -2 were expressed both in the cytoplasm and on the membrane of all tumors.

Hyperplastic polyposis associated with two asynchronous colon cancers.

We report a patient with hyperplastic polyposis who had two asynchronous colon cancers, a combined adenoma-hyperplastic polyp, a serrated adenoma, and tubular adenomas. Hyperplastic polyposis is thought to be a precancerous lesion; and adenocarcinoma arises from hyperplastic polyposis through the hyperplastic polyp-adenoma-carcinoma sequence. Most polyps in patients with hyperplastic polyposis present as bland-looking hyperplastic polyps, which are regarded as non-neoplastic lesions; however, the risk of malignancy should not be underestimated.

Enlarged accessory spleen presenting stomach submucosal tumor.

A 62-year-old man presented with upper abdominal discomfort underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Gastroscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a submucosal tumor (SMT) with homogenous echogenicity originated from extragastric organs. An abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed that the well-marginated ovoid mass, approximately 6 cm in diameter, enhanced homogenously to a similar degree as splenic parenchyma.

Expression of apoptotic epithelial cells in biopsy specimens of patients with colitis.

We postulated that nuclear dust within the lamina propria beneath the basement membrane of the epithelium in colonic mucosal biopsies of patients with colitis is a form of apoptotic epithelial cells and that its expression correlates with clinical severity. Our aim was to determine the origin of nuclear dust and to explore the correlation between nuclear dust expression and clinicopathologic parameters of colitis. we examined 228 specimens with colitis and 18 normal specimens.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors VEGFR-1 and 2 in gastrointestinal stromal tumors, leiomyomas and schwannomas.

Aim: To investigate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors VEGFR-1 and 2 in the growth and differentiation of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).

Methods: Thirty-three GISTs, 15 leiomyomas and 6 schwannomas were examined by immunohistochemistry in this study.

Results: VEGF protein was expressed in the cytoplasm of tumor cells, and VEGFR-1 and 2 were expressed both in the cytoplasm and on the membrane of all tumors.

Expressions of sonic hedgehog, patched, smoothened and Gli-1 in human intestinal stromal tumors and their correlation with prognosis.

Aim: To investigate the role that the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, which includes sonic hedgehog (Shh), Patched (Ptc), Smoothened (Smo) and Gli-1, plays in human gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).

Methods: Surgically resected specimens from patients with GISTs, leiomyomas and schwannomas were examined by immunohistochemical staining for aberrant expression of hedgehog signaling components, Shh, Ptc, Smo and Gli-1, respectively.

Results: In GISTs, 58.

Development of ulcerative colitis during the course of rheumatoid arthritis: Association with selective IgA deficiency.

A 56-year-old woman with a 29-year history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was admitted to the hospital, complaining of high fever, abdominal pain and severe bloody diarrhea. Colonoscopy revealed friable and edematous mucosa with spontaneous bleeding, diffuse erosions and ulcers extending from the rectum to the distal transverse colon. Histopathological findings of rectal biopsies were compatible with ulcerative colitis (UC).

Expression of Ets-1 proto-oncoprotein in gastrointestinal stromal tumors, leiomyomas and schwannomas.

Aim: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare. GISTs differ from other mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract (e.g.

Expression of interleukin-11 and interleukin-11 receptor alpha in human colorectal adenocarcinoma; immunohistochemical analyses and correlation with clinicopathological factors.

Aim: There is strong evidence that interleukin-11 (IL-11) is involved in the regulation of tumor progression, cellular growth and differentiation. Recently, interleukin-11 receptor (IL-11R) has been detected on some cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the expression of IL-11 and IL-11R in colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Plasma leptin and ghrelin concentrations in patients with Crohn's disease.

Aim: To determine the concentrations of leptin and ghrelin, which have opposite effects on appetite, energy expenditure, and weight control, in the plasma of patients with Crohn's disease (CD), which is often associated with weight loss and malnutrition.

Methods: Plasma leptin and ghrelin 'concentrations were determined in 28 outpatients with CD by radioimmunoassay. Age- and sex-matched controls with and without Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection (28 for each) were enrolled in the study.

Crohn's disease in Japanese is associated with a SNP-haplotype of N-acetyltransferase 2 gene.

Aim: To investigate the frequency and distribution of N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) and uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP)-glucuronosyltransferase 1A7 (UGT1A7) genes in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: Frequencies and distributions of NAT2 and UGT1A7 SNPs as well as their haplotypes were investigated in 95 patients with UC, 60 patients with CD, and 200 gender-matched, unrelated, healthy, control volunteers by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), PCR-denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC), and direct DNA sequencing.

Results: Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the frequency of haplotype, NAT2*7B, significantly increased in CD patients, compared to that in controls (P = 0.

High concentrations of human beta-defensin 2 in gastric juice of patients with Helicobacter pylori infection.

Aim: Human beta-defensin (HBD)-1 and HBD-2 are endogenous antimicrobial peptides. Unlike HBD-1, the HBD-2 expression is augmented by Helicobacter pylori (H pylori). We sought to determine HBD-1 and HBD-2 concentrations in gastric juice during H pylori infection.

Antibody to eosinophil cationic protein suppresses dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in rats.

Aim: To produce an antibody against rat eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and to examine the effects of the antibody in rats with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis.

Methods: An antibody was raised against rat ECP. Rats were treated with 3% DSS in drinking water for 7 d and received the antibody or normal serum.

Association of polymorphic alleles of CTLA4 with inflammatory bowel disease in the Japanese.

Aim: To examine an association between the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) gene that plays a role in downregulation of T-cell activation and inflammatory bowel disease consisting of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) in the Japanese.

Methods: We studied 108 patients with UC, 79 patients with CD, and 200 sex-matched healthy controls, with respect to three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CTLA4, such as C-318T in the promoter region, A+49G in exon 1 and G+6230A in the 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) by a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method, and to an (AT)(n) repeat polymorphism in 3'-UTR by fragment analysis with fluorescence-labeling on denaturing sequence gels. Frequency of alleles and genotypes and their distribution were compared statistically between patients and controls and among subgroups of patients, using chi (2) and Fisher exact tests.

Expression of beta-catenin in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: The beta-catenin has been recognized as a critical member of the Wnt signaling pathway and plays an important role in the generation/differentiation of many tissues. Inappropriate activation of this pathway has been implicated in carcinogenesis. The mechanism underlying the development as well as its prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has remained unclear.

Metastatic low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma of the sigmoid colon three years after hysterectomy.

A 49-year-old woman, who had undergone hysterectomy for low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) 3 years ago, presented with a 2-wk history of lower abdominal pain. Barium enema and sigmoidoscopy disclosed a polypoid submucosal tumor. Histopathologic features of biopsy specimens from the lesion were similar to those of the resected uterine ESS.

Expression of CXC receptor 1 and 2 in esophageal mucosa of patients with reflux esophagitis.

Aim: Interleukin 8 (IL-8) mediates neutrophil trafficking via its receptors. Recent studies have shown that IL-8 is likely involved in the development and progression of erosive reflux esophagitis (RE), yet little is known about the two distinct receptors, CXC receptor (CXCR)-1 and -2. The purpose of this study was to determine CXCR-1 and -2 messenger RNA expression levels in RE.

Impact of Helicobacter pylori infection on ghrelin and various neuroendocrine hormones in plasma.

Aim: Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for growth hormone secretagogue receptor, influences appetite, energy balance, gastric motility and acid secretion. The stomach is the main source of circulating ghrelin. There are inconsistent reports on the influence of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection on circulating ghrelin levels.

Sofalcone, a mucoprotective agent, increases the cure rate of Helicobacter pylori infection when combined with rabeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin.

Aim: The mucoprotective agents, sofalcone and polaprezinc have anti-Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) activities. We determined the therapeutic effects of sofalcone and polaprezinc when combined with rabeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin for Helicobacter pylori infection.

Methods: One hundred and sixty-five consecutive outpatients with peptic ulcer and H pylori infection were randomly assigned to one of the following three groups and medicated for 7 d.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on gastric hyperplastic polyposis in Cowden's disease.

A 21-year-old woman with complaints of hematochezia was diagnosed as having Cowden's disease (CD), an autosomal dominant condition characterized by multiple hamartomas, since facial papules and gingival papillomas were identified. On endoscopy, multiple hyperplastic polyps were seen in the rectum and left-side colon. There were also esophageal glycogenic acanthosis and hyperplastic polyposis in the antrum accompanied by Helicobacter pylori-related gastritis.

Helicobacter pylori strain-specific modulation of gastric inflammation in Mongolian gerbils.

Aim: The cag pathogenicity island (PAI) is one of potential virulence determinants of Helicobacter pylori. The Mongolian gerbil is a suitable experimental animal for the screening of virulence factors of H pylori.

Methods: Five-week-old Mongolian gerbils were inoculated with a standard H pylori strain (ATCC 43504) possessing the cag PAI or a clinical isolate lacking the genes' cluster (OHPC-0002).