PRMT6 overexpression upregulates TSP-1 and downregulates MMPs: its implication in motility and invasion.

In this study, we investigate the molecular mechanism by which protein arginine methyltransferase 6 (PRMT6) exerts anti-invasiveness effect against breast cancer cells and prostate cancer cells. PRMT6 has been known to be responsible for asymmetric dimethylation of histone H3 at R2 (H3R2me2a). To investigate the biological role of PRMT6, we first established stable cell lines expressing GFP-PRMT6 with MCF7 and PC3 cells.

Asia-Pacific consensus recommendations for endoscopic and interventional management of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) is one of the most common types of hepatobiliary cancers reported in the world including Asia-Pacific region. Early HCCA may be completely asymptomatic. When significant hilar obstruction develops, the patient presents with jaundice, pale stools, dark urine, pruritus, abdominal pain, and sometimes fever.

Clinical characteristics of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm manifesting as acute pancreatitis or acute recurrent pancreatitis.

Background And Aim: Comparatively little is known about acute pancreatitis or acute recurrent pancreatitis (AP/ARP) with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas (IPMN) as the causative lesion although there have been many reports about the malignant potential of IPMN as a premalignant lesion.

Methods: From 2000 to 2008, in a single tertiary referral center, out of 784 patients coded by the International Classification of Disease-10 with IPMN, 489 patients fulfilled our diagnostic criteria of IPMN. After careful exclusion of all known causes of AP/ARP, 34 patients with IPMN as the cause of AP/ARP were enrolled.

Knockdown of integrin α3β1 expression induces proliferation and migration of non-small cell lung cancer cells.

Integrin α3β1 is expressed on many types of cancer cells and can regulate tumor growth and progression. In the present study, we examined the roles and molecular mechanism of integrin α3β1 in modulating cell proliferation and migration of p53-deficient non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Reduced expression of integrin α3 by RNA silencing clearly induces cell proliferation and migration in H1299 cells, compared with those in control cells.

Outcomes of hemodynamically stable patients with pancreatic injury after blunt abdominal trauma.

Background: To date there is no systematical report about blunt pancreatic injury focused on hemodynamically stable patients. This study reports on our experience in this rare subgroup at a tertiary referral hospital.

Methods: A total of 58 adult patients were identified during a 10-year period and their clinical data were analyzed.

Prognostic factors in patients with gallbladder cancer after surgical resection: analysis of 279 operated patients.

Background: Identification of prognostic factors can help predict life expectancy and decide treatment plan. We evaluated prognostic factors in patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC) after surgical resection.

Study: Data from 279 patients with GBC who underwent surgery between January 1999 and February 2009 were reviewed retrospectively.

The Performance of Multiple Transgastric Procedures Using the Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery Technique: Is Pure NOTES Satisfactory?

Background/aims: Although several groups have demonstrated the usefulness of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), there is still concern about frequent serious adverse events. We performed this study to determine the technical feasibility and safety of pure NOTES with a transgastric approach in a porcine model from the endoscopist's point of view.

Methods: Diagnostic peritoneoscopy, liver biopsy, salpingo-oophorectomy, and Fallopian tube ligation with a transgastric approach using a two-channel therapeutic endoscope were performed in 10 healthy female minipigs.

EUS-guided radiofrequency ablation of the porcine pancreas.

Background: EUS-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) could be used as an adjunct and effective alternative mode of treatment for unresectable locally advanced and nonmetastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, its translation into clinical practice has been restricted because of limited data and high procedure-related risk.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of EUS-RFA in the normal porcine pancreas.

Antagonism of VEGF-A-induced increase in vascular permeability by an integrin α3β1-Shp-1-cAMP/PKA pathway.

In cancer, VEGF-induced increase in vascular permeability results in increased interstitial pressure, reducing perfusion and increasing hypoxia, which reduce delivery of chemotherapeutic agents and increase resistance to ionizing radiation. Here, we show that both TIMP-2 and Ala + TIMP-2, a TIMP-2 mutant without matrix metalloproteinase inhibitory activity, antagonize the VEGF-A-induced increase in vascular permeability, both in vitro and in vivo. Like other agents known to preserve endothelial barrier function, TIMP-2 elevates cytosolic levels of cAMP and increases cytoskeletal-associated vascular endothelial cadherin in human microvascular endothelial cells.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomies with fully covered self-expandable metallic stents.

Aim: To investigate the long-term outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS) with a fully covered self-expandable metallic stent (FCSEMS).

Methods: From April 2009 to August 2010, 15 patients with distal malignant biliary obstructions who were candidates for alternative techniques for biliary decompression due to a failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were included. These 15 patients consisted of 8 men and 7 women and had a median age of 61 years (range: 30-91 years).

1β-Hydroxy-2-oxopomolic acid isolated from Agrimonia pilosa extract inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells.

In order to determine anti-adipogenic effect, this study investigated 1β-hydroxy-2-oxopomolic acid (HOA) isolated from Agrimonia pilosa inhibits adipocyte differentiation and expression of adipogenic marker genes, such as peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), adiponectin, adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein 2 (aP2), adipocyte determination and differentiation factor 1/sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (ADD1/SREBP1c), resistin, and fatty acid synthase (Fas) in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte. We demonstrated that HOA induced a significant decrease in lipid accumulation and expression of adipogenic marker genes in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, HOA reduced the transcripitional activity of PPARγ induced by troglitazone, a potent diabetes agent; it also suppressed expression of PPARγ and C/EBPα protein levels.

Prospective efficacy and safety study of neoadjuvant gemcitabine with capecitabine combination chemotherapy for borderline-resectable or unresectable locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Background: To determine the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant gemcitabine/capecitabine followed by surgery for the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LAPC).

Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed LAPC were given 3-6 cycles of fixed-dose rate gemcitabine/capecitabine every 3 weeks. At the end of chemotherapy, patients were restaged and underwent surgery if the disease was not classified as unresectable.

Diagnostic role of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration of gallbladder lesions.

Background/aims: Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a well-established diagnostic technique for examining various organs of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas, but little is known about its use in the diagnostic work-up of GB lesions. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of EUS-FNA of GB lesions.

Methodology: Twenty-eight patients who underwent EUS-FNA for evaluation of GB lesions were enrolled.

Randomized phase II trial of S-1 and cisplatin versus gemcitabine and cisplatin in patients with advanced biliary tract adenocarcinoma.

Background: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of a combination of S-1 and cisplatin (SP) versus gemcitabine and cisplatin (GP) as first-line therapy for advanced biliary tract adenocarcinoma (ABTA).

Material And Methods: Patients were randomized to receive cisplatin (60 mg/m(2) intravenously [IV] on Day 1) plus S-1 (40 mg/m(2) bid orally on Days 1-14) or gemcitabine (1000 mg/m(2) IV at 10 mg/m(2)/min on Days 1 and 8) every three weeks. The primary end point was six-month progression-free survival (PFS).

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural and percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage are comparable for acute cholecystitis.

Background & Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) is an alternative to percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) for patients with acute, high-risk, or advanced-stage cholecystitis who do not respond to initial medical treatment and cannot undergo emergency cholecystectomy. However, the technical feasibility, efficacy, and safety of EUS-GBD and PTGBD have not been compared.

Methods: Fifty-nine patients with acute cholecystitis, who did not respond to initial medical treatment and were unsuitable for an emergency cholecystectomy, were chosen randomly to undergo EUS-GBD (n = 30) or PTGBD (n = 29).

Surgical outcomes of pancreatic arteriovenous malformation in a single center and review of literature.

Objective: Pancreatic arteriovenous malformation (P-AVM) is an extremely rare condition that can be accompanied by fatal complications. We have attempted to identify the possible management guidelines based on our and others' clinical experience.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed our findings including clinical characteristics, imaging modalities, and treatment in 12 patients.

Effectiveness of external drainage of the bile duct in pancreaticoduodenectomy: a single surgeon's experience.

Backgrounds/aims: The rates of surgery-related complications during and after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remain very high, reaching up to 41%. They were primarily caused by leakage of pancreatic juice. We evaluated the effectiveness of external drainage of the bile duct using a pigtail drain to prevent pancreatic leakage in patients undergoing PD.

Inhibitory effects of sepiapterin on vascular endothelial growth factor-A-induced proliferation and adhesion in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)) has been known to be an essential cofactor for the activities of nitric oxide (NO) synthase and aromatic amino acid hydroxylases, which are involved in physiological and pathological processes. In the present study, we report that sepiapterin, the more stable form of BH4 precursor, modulates vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A)-induced cell proliferation and adhesion in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The antiproliferative activity of sepiapterin in VEGF-A-treated HUVECs is associated with inhibition of the expression of cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) such as Cdk4 and Cdk2.

EUS-guided biliary drainage with transluminal stenting after failed ERCP: predictors of adverse events and long-term results.

Background: EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) has been proposed as an effective alternative for percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) after failed ERCP. To date, the risk factors for adverse events and long-term outcomes of EUS-BD with transluminal stenting (EUS-BDS) have not been fully explored.

Objective: To evaluate risk factors for adverse events and long-term outcomes of EUS-BDS.

EUS-guided fine needle aspiration and trucut needle biopsy for examination of rectal and perirectal lesions.

Objective: Few studies have assessed the diagnostic efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and/or trucut biopsy (TCB) in patients with rectal and perirectal lesions. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of EUS-FNA and/or TCB in patients with rectal and perirectal lesions. We also assessed their influence on the management and clinical course of these patients.

Comparison of clinical findings between histologically confirmed type 1 and type 2 autoimmune pancreatitis.

Background And Aim: Type 2 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) has been reported mainly in Western countries and is thought to be very rare in Asia. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence, clinical profiles, detailed radiological findings, and steroid responsiveness between type 1 and type 2 AIP in Korea.

Methods: From 120 patients diagnosed with AIP between January 2003 and August 2010, 52 patients with histologically confirmed type 1 (n = 37) or type 2 (n = 15) AIP were included.

An integrin-binding N-terminal peptide region of TIMP-2 retains potent angio-inhibitory and anti-tumorigenic activity in vivo.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) inhibits angiogenesis by several mechanisms involving either MMP inhibition or direct endothelial cell binding. The primary aim of this study was to identify the TIMP-2 region involved in binding to the previously identified receptor integrin α3β1, and to determine whether synthetic peptides derived from this region retained angio-inhibitory and tumor suppressor activity. We demonstrated that the N-terminal domain of TIMP-2 (N-TIMP-2) binds to α3β1 and inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor-stimulated endothelial cell growth in vitro, suggesting that both the α3β1-binding domain and the growth suppressor activity of TIMP-2 localize to the N-terminal domain.

Current status on the diagnosis and management of pancreatic cysts in the Asia-Pacific region: role of endoscopic ultrasound.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) play increasingly prominent roles in the diagnosis and management of pancreatic cysts. The Asian Consortium of Endoscopic Ultrasound was recently formed to conduct collaborative research in this area. This is a review of literature on true pancreatic cysts.