Preoperative MRCP to detect choledocholithiasis in acute calculous cholecystitis.

Purpose: There are risks of common bile duct (CBD) stones in acute cholecystitis, and there is a move among surgeons to identify choledocholithiasis before surgery. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography (MRCP) has the potential to accurately detect choledocholithiasis in patients with acute cholecystitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive values of MRCP and elevated biochemical predictors for choledocholithiasis in patients with acute cholecystitis.

Plectin deficiency on cytoskeletal disorganization and transformation of human liver cells in vitro.

Plectin is a versatile cytoplasmic cross-linking protein that connects intermediate filaments to microfilaments, microtubules, and membrane adhesion sites. The cross-linking functions of plectin help organize the cytoskeleton into a stable meshwork important for maintaining uniformity in cell size and shape. As cells of hepatocellular carcinoma are morphologically different from normal human hepatocytes, we hypothesized that altered plectin expression and cytoskeletal organization underlies this pleomorphic transformation.

Assessment of common bile duct using laparoscopic ultrasound during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background: Several reports have shown that laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS) examination of the bile duct is promising and suggest it as a primary method for bile duct imaging during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of LUS during LC, and the occurrence rate of common bile duct (CBD) stones during LC.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and fifteen consecutive patients with gallstones were enrolled into this study.

Degradation of plectin with modulation of cytokeratin 18 in human liver cells during staurosporine-induced apoptosis.

Background: Hepatoma cells are morphologically different from those of the normal liver. Intermediate filaments (IFs) are important in building the cellular architecture and maintaining the outline of cells. Plectin is a cross-linking protein that organizes the cytoskeleton into a stable meshwork, which can maintain the uniform size and shape of hepatocytes.

Possible relation between histone 3 and cytokeratin 18 in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Previously we found some low molecular weight proteins identified as histone in hepatocelluar carcinoma. Our objective was to clarify whether the coimmunoprecipitation of histone and cytokeratin 18 was an artifact or not.

Materials And Methods: Histone 3 and cytokeratin 18 were investigated in three cases of human hepatocellular carcinoma and one case of normal liver tissue.

The influence of plectin deficiency on stability of cytokeratin18 in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Intermediate filaments are important in building the cellular architecture. Previously we found cytokeratin18 was modulated in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Plectin is a cross-linking protein that organizes the cytoskeleton into a stable meshwork, which can maintain the uniform size and shape of hepatocytes.