Subset of esophageal adenocarcinoma expresses adhesion molecule l1 in contrast to squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Esophageal adenocarcinoma is currently the most rapidly increasing cancer in Western populations. L1 (CD171), a neural cell adhesion molecule, has an essential function in tumor progression and has been shown to be expressed in the proliferating cells of the intestinal crypts in mice. The aim of the current study was to determine L1 expression in esophageal cancer and to evaluate whether L1 could serve as a potential marker and therapeutic target for this tumor type.

The role of vascular adhesion molecules PECAM-1 (CD 31), VCAM-1 (CD 106), E-selectin (CD62E) and P-selectin (CD62P) in severe porcine pancreatitis.

Inflammatory cytokines have been shown to mediate organ damage by their action on vascular endothelia and leukocytes, in part by upregulating the expression of adhesion molecules, which in turn convey transmigration of leukocytes into tissue. The upregulation and activation of vascular cell adhesion molecules on the endothelial cells avail firm leukocyte adhesion to the vascular endothelium and enhance their transmigration and consecutive tissue injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of vascular adhesion molecules CD 31 (PECAM-1), CD 106 (VCAM-1), CD 62E (E-Selectin) and CD 62P (P-Selectin) in the pancreas and distant organs of pigs suffering from acute necrotizing pancreatitis (AP).

Clinical value of loss of heterozygosity in serum microsatellite DNA of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Goals: To study the role of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in serum microsatellite DNA of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

Background: In GIST, tumor markers from peripheral blood are missing.

Study: Seventy-eight patients (59 GIST, 13 leiomyomas, 2 leiomyosarcomas, and 4 schwannomas) underwent resection at our institute between 1985 and 2006.

Radical redo surgery for local rectal cancer recurrence improves overall survival: a single center experience.

Background: To date, the survival benefit of redo surgery in locally recurrent rectal adenocarcinoma remains unclear.

Study Design: In an institutional study, operations for recurrence were retrospectively analyzed. Survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier plot and Cox regression analysis.

Short tandem repeat polymorphisms of exon 4 in Kazal-type gene ECRG2 in pancreatic carcinoma and chronic pancreatitis.

Background: Short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphisms in exon 4 of the Kazal-type esophageal cancer related gene (ECRG2) have been reported to be associated with esophageal carcinoma. Kazal-type genes are associated with cancer and pancreatic disease. The aim of the present study was to examine whether ECRG2 STR polymorphisms are associated with pancreatic carcinoma and chronic pancreatitis.

Aggressive surgery improves long-term survival in neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors: an institutional experience.

Objective: To evaluate surgical strategies for neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors (NEPT) in the light of the new WHO classification from 2004 and to draw conclusions for future surgical concepts.

Background: : The extent of surgical resection in primary and recurrent NEPT is unclear.

Methods: Between 1987 and 2004, 62 patients with sporadic NEPT were treated at our institution and sections from biopsy and resection specimen were histopathologically reclassified.

Midkine as a prognostic marker for gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Purpose: Midkine (MK), a heparin-binding growth factor, has an important role in cancer progression. The outcome of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is correlated with tumor size and mitotic count. The aim of this study was to determine MK expression in GISTs.

Allelic loss of Hox11L1 gene locus predicts outcome of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in tumors has been described to have prognostic impact. Hox11L1 gene, located on chromosome 2, has a role in proliferation of neuronal myenteric Cajal cells being the progenitor cells of GISTs. The aim was to examine the frequency and prognostic value of allelic loss of Hox11L1 gene locus in GISTs.

Microsatellite DNA alterations of gastrointestinal stromal tumors are predictive for outcome.

Purpose: In gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 22 and its presumptive biological function has been described. The prognostic value of these and other DNA regions for patient survival remains unclear.

Experimental Design: Sixty patients who underwent surgery at our institution between 1992 and 2003 for GIST were histopathologically reclassified by immunohistochemistry and the GIST consensus group criteria 2001.

Oxygen radical formation does not have an impact in the treatment of severe acute experimental pancreatitis using free cellular hemoglobin.

Aim: Microcirculatory dysfunction and free oxygen radicals are important factors in the pathogenesis of severe acute pancreatitis. Additional oxygen delivery might enhance lipid peroxidation but may also improve pancreatic microcirculation. This study assesses the effect of free cellular bovine hemoglobin on the formation of oxygen radicals and microcirculation in a rodent model of severe acute pancreatitis.

Improvement of impaired microcirculation and tissue oxygenation by hemodilution with hydroxyethyl starch plus cell-free hemoglobin in acute porcine pancreatitis.

Aims: To avoid the progression from mild edematous acute pancreatitis (AP) to the severe necrotizing form, one therapeutic option is to improve pancreatic microcirculation and tissue oxygenation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of improved rheology (isovolemic hemodilution) plus enhanced oxygen supply (bovine hemoglobin HBOC-301) on pancreatic microcirculation, tissue oxygenation and survival in severe acute experimental pancreatitis.

Methods: Severe AP was induced in 39 pigs (25-30 kg BW) by stimulation with intravenous administration of cerulein plus a pressure- and volume-controlled 10-min intraductal infusion of glycodeoxycholic acid.

Microcirculatory function and tissue damage is improved after therapeutic injection of bovine hemoglobin in severe acute rodent pancreatitis.

Objectives: Stasis of the pancreatic microcirculation initiates and aggravates acute pancreatitis. Bovine hemoglobin has been shown to improve microcirculation in acute pancreatitis if prophylactically infused 15 minutes after initiation of acute pancreatitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of bovine hemoglobin on pancreatic microcirculation and tissue damage later in the course of experimental acute rodent pancreatitis.

Systemic intravenous infusion of bovine hemoglobin significantly reduces microcirculatory dysfunction in experimentally induced pancreatitis in the rat.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of bovine hemoglobin on pancreatic microcirculation and outcome in experimental acute rodent pancreatitis.

Summary Background Data: Stasis of the pancreatic microcirculation initiates and aggravates acute pancreatitis. Hydroxyethyl-starch (HES) has been shown to improve pancreatic microcirculation.