Host and tumor derived MMP13 regulate extravasation and establishment of colorectal metastases in the liver.

Background: Non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases in the United States and worldwide. Our studies have previously shown an increase in metastatic burden in steatotic vs. normal livers using a mouse model of diet induced steatosis.

Importance of conserving middle hepatic vein distal branches for homogeneous regeneration of the left liver after right hepatectomy.

Background: Liver regeneration enables repeat surgical procedures to achieve a potential cure in liver cancer patients. However, data regarding segmental regeneration and liver anatomy after liver resection are scarce. This study examined left liver regeneration after right hepatectomy and the impact of hepatic venous drainage on the regeneration of the paramedian sector (Couinaud's segment IV).

Increased metastases are associated with inflammation and matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity at incision sites in a murine model of peritoneal dissemination of colorectal cancer.

Background: Pro-inflammatory processes associated with the early postoperative state are known to contribute to peritoneal metastases in patients with advanced diseases. This study aimed to determine whether the wound healing response after an abdominal incision leads to increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 activity locally, contributing to peritoneal metastasis.

Materials And Methods: Metastatic tumors were initiated in C57bl/6J male mice (8wk of age) using a peritoneal injection model with syngeneic MC38 murine colon cancer cells; appropriate control mice also were studied.

Increased diacylglycerols characterize hepatic lipid changes in progression of human nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; comparison to a murine model.

Background And Aims: The spectrum of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes steatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and progression to cirrhosis. While differences in liver lipids between disease states have been reported, precise composition of phospholipids and diacylglycerols (DAG) at a lipid species level has not been previously described. The goal of this study was to characterize changes in lipid species through progression of human NAFLD using advanced lipidomic technology and compare this with a murine model of early and advanced NAFLD.

Impact of bevacizumab on functional recovery and histology of the liver after resection of colorectal metastases.

Background: The impact of bevacizumab on functional recovery and histology of the liver was evaluated in patients undergoing hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases (CLM) following bevacizumab treatment.

Methods: Consecutive patients who had resection of CLM between July 2005 and July 2009 following preoperative chemotherapy were identified retrospectively from a prospectively collected database. Patients who had received bevacizumab before the last chemotherapy line were excluded.

Intraoperative blood loss predicts hemorrhage-related reoperation after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Postoperative hemorrhage after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) may require early reoperative intervention. Previous studies have shown intraoperative transfusion requirement as a main determinant of reoperative intervention after OLT. The goal of this study was to develop an intraoperative hemorrhage model predicting need for reoperation after OLT.

Rapid extravasation and establishment of breast cancer micrometastases in the liver microenvironment.

To examine the interplay between tumor cells and the microenvironment during early breast cancer metastasis, we developed a technique for ex vivo imaging of murine tissue explants using two-photon microscopy. Cancer cells in the liver and the lung were compared by imaging both organs at specific time points after the injection of the same polyomavirus middle T-initiated murine mammary tumor cell line. Extravasation was greatly reduced in the lung compared with the liver, with 56% of tumor cells in the liver having extravasated by 24 hours, compared with only 22% of tumor cells in the lung that have extravasated.

Laparoscopic and open surgery for right colonic diverticulitis.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery by comparing laparoscopic and conventional surgery of right colonic diverticulitis (RCD). Among 124 patients who were treated for RCD from January 1997 to July 2007, we enrolled 54 patients who received resection therapy of RCD. Patients were divided into two groups: laparoscopic (LAP; n=19) and conventional (CON; n=35) surgery groups according to the respective surgical modality.

Selective visualization of cyclooxygenase-2 in inflammation and cancer by targeted fluorescent imaging agents.

Effective diagnosis of inflammation and cancer by molecular imaging is challenging because of interference from nonselective accumulation of the contrast agents in normal tissues. Here, we report a series of novel fluorescence imaging agents that efficiently target cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is normally absent from cells, but is found at high levels in inflammatory lesions and in many premalignant and malignant tumors. After either i.

Utility or futility of prognostic scoring systems for colorectal liver metastases in an era of advanced multimodal therapy.

Objectives: To assess the general applicability of prognostic scores for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).

Methods: Review of English language studies from 1980 to 2008 (Medline and Embase). Search keywords included "Colorectal neoplasms", "liver metastases", "liver resection", "prognostic scoring system".

Antimetastatic role of Smad4 signaling in colorectal cancer.

Background & Aims: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta signaling occurs through Smads 2/3/4, which translocate to the nucleus to regulate transcription; TGF-beta has tumor-suppressive effects in some tumor models and pro-metastatic effects in others. In patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), mutations or reduced levels of Smad4 have been correlated with reduced survival. However, the function of Smad signaling and the effects of TGF-beta-receptor kinase inhibitors have not been analyzed during CRC metastasis.

High fat diet induced hepatic steatosis establishes a permissive microenvironment for colorectal metastases and promotes primary dysplasia in a murine model.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which includes steatosis and its progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, is a liver disorder of increasing clinical significance. Here we characterize a murine model of high fat diet-induced NAFLD with progression from liver steatosis to histological features compatible with steatohepatitis and more advanced stages of NAFLD in humans, including chronic portal inflammation, pericellular and bridging fibrosis, Mallory body formation, and bile ductular reaction. Chronic changes induced by the prolonged consumption of a high-fat diet alone culminate in the development of primary liver dysplasias.

Selective laparoscopic management of adhesive small bowel obstruction using CT guidance.

Small bowel obstruction after intra-abdominal surgery is a common cause of morbidity necessitating reoperation. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of and indications for laparoscopic surgery for acute adhesive small bowel obstruction (AASBO). We conducted a retrospective review of all patients with AASBO who underwent laparoscopic adhesiolysis at a major university medical center.

Prognostic value of CEA and CA 19-9 tumor markers combined with cytology from peritoneal fluid in colorectal cancer.

Background: Early diagnosis and management of peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer patients are difficult clinical challenges. The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical significance of tumor markers and cytology in peritoneal effusions (PE) and peritoneal irrigation fluid (PI) and to determine their value as prognostic indicators in this disease.

Methods: Two hundred thirty-four consecutive patients who underwent abdominal surgery for colorectal cancer from January 2006 to December 2007 were included, and tumor markers and cytology in PE and PI were analyzed prospectively.

Silencing of TLR4 decreases liver tumor burden in a murine model of colorectal metastasis and hepatic steatosis.

Background: The relationship between obesity and cancer has become of particular interest due to the rapidly growing prevalence of overweight individuals. Obesity predisposes individuals to the development of hepatic steatosis and is an independent risk factor for several neoplasms. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is the innate receptor for endotoxin, and steatotic livers are known to be sensitive to endotoxin.

A clinical comparative analysis of crush/clamp, stapler, and dissecting sealer hepatic transection methods.

Introduction: Several methods for hepatic parenchymal division exist. The primary aim was to assess differences in postoperative bile leaks, operative blood loss, and margin status between three transection methods: crush/clamp (CC), stapler (SP), or dissecting sealer (DS).

Methods: A single institution, retrospective cohort study was performed on data collected over a three-year period in patients undergoing elective liver resection using the CC, SP, or DS.

Functional colonography of Min mice using dark lumen dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.

Dark lumen MRI colonography detects colonic polyps by minimization of the intestinal lumen signal intensity. Here we validate the use of perfluorinated oil as an intestinal-filling agent for dark lumen MRI studies in mice, enabling the physiological characterization of colonic polyps by dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. In control and Min (multiple intestinal neoplasia) mice with and without pretreatment with oral dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), polyps as small as 0.

The diagnostic criteria for right colonic diverticulitis: prospective evaluation of 100 patients.

Background And Aims: In this study, we evaluate prospective diagnostic criteria and propose a clinical scoring system for the evaluation of patients suspected to have right colonic diverticulitis (RCD) prospectively.

Patients And Methods: One hundred adult patients, who were clinically suspected to have appendicitis or RCD, and in whom we were not able to preoperatively rule out appendicitis, were examined prospectively. Patients were scored upon clinical presentation based on major diagnostic criteria included (1) no migration pain to the right lower quadrant; (2) a leukocyte count <10,000/mm(3); (3) lateralized abdominal pain, and (4) a history of right colonic diverticulum (two points each).

Previously unreported high-grade complications of adrenalectomy.

Background: Serious complications of adrenalectomy are rare but the incidence may be underestimated if they occur outside major referral centers. We report five cases of high-grade complications after adrenalectomy that have not been previously described.

Methods: The records of five cases of adrenalectomy performed at outside hospitals were reviewed.

Biliary reconstruction using non-penetrating, tissue everting clips versus conventional sewn biliary anastomosis in liver transplantation.

Background: Biliary complications occur following approximately 25% of liver transplantations. Efforts to decrease biliary complications include methods designed to diminish tissue ischemia. Previously, we reported excellent short-term results and decreased biliary anastomosis time in a porcine liver transplant model using non-penetrating, tissue everting clips (NTEC), specifically VCS clips.

Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: current role and future opportunities.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignancy of the liver. It represents the fifth most common cancer worldwide, and one whose incidence is on the rise. Liver cancer is the third most common cause of cancer mortality globally and thus a major health concern worldwide.