Per2 gene expressions in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and liver differentially respond to nutrition factors in rats.

Background: We previously reported that parenteral nutrition (PN) altered the circadian rhythm of clock gene expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and liver of rats. The present study was designed to investigate what factor(s) in the PN solution causes the alteration.

Methods: Male Wistar rats, kept under light and dark conditions, were divided into 4 groups after cannulation.

Changes over time in thymidine phosphorylase and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase when colon cancer samples are left at room temperature.

The changes over time in thymidine phosphorylase (TP) and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) were studied when colon cancer samples were left at room temperature. The TP levels and the TP/DPD ratio showed no changes over time in either the tumor or normal tissues. DPD levels increased over time in the normal tissues (P = 0.

Participation of autophagy in the degeneration process of rat hepatocytes after transplantation following prolonged cold preservation.

Cold ischemia-warm reperfusion injury of liver grafts has been investigated thoroughly, but its underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here we show that autophagy is involved not only during cold preservation but also during warm reperfusion following transplantation. Immunohistochemistry using an antibody against LC3, a microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 and a marker of autophagosomes, showed dot-like weak staining in hepatocytes of rat liver grafts during cold preservation.

Is preoperative methylprednisolone beneficial for patients undergoing esophagectomy?

Background/aims: This study examined whether or not preoperative administration of methylprednisolone reduces perioperative systemic inflammatory response and thus can offer clinical benefit to patients.

Methodology: Forty patients with thoracic esophageal cancer who were scheduled for esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy were randomly allocated to either of the following two groups: 20 patients received methylprednisolone (500 mg/body) in saline 2 hours before surgery and another 20 patients received a placebo (saline alone). The effects on the early clinical course were assessed by rectal intramucosal pH (pHi) as a marker of systemic oxygenation, water balance, serum cytokine levels and the incidence of postoperative complications.

A mouse model of early-stage peritoneal metastasis: optimal RT-PCR-based method for detection of peritoneal micrometastases.

The presence of peritoneal micrometastasis in the abdomen is a poor prognostic factor in advanced gastric cancer. However, there is no standardized method for detection of peritoneal micrometastases. The aim of this study was to establish an animal model mimicking early phase peritoneal dissemination of advanced gastric cancer and then to use this model to compare the sensitivity and specificity of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with peritoneal lavage fluid, randomly collected omentum with or without milky spots stained with activated carbon particles for detection of disseminated cancer cells.

Methylation and expression of p16INK4 tumor suppressor gene in primary colorectal cancer tissues.

It is known that p16(INK4) tumor suppressor gene expression in colon cancer cells is repressed by methylation at the CpG island of promoter, but in vivo silencing of p16 gene is not fully understood. Some studies showed that primary colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues often overexpress the p16 protein, while others showed the high incidence of p16 methylation. The aim of this study was to clarify p16 gene regulation in vivo.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone induced thermogenesis in Syrian hamsters: site of action and receptor subtype.

Early work in our laboratory has revealed the important role played by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in the arousal from hibernation in Syrian hamsters. In the present study, we investigated the thermogenic mechanism of TRH in Syrian hamsters. Six to 10 female Syrian hamsters were used in the respective experiments.

Characterization of N(6)-cyclohexyladenosine-induced hypothermia in Syrian hamsters.

The N(6)-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA)-induced hypothermia in Syrian hamsters was characterized as follows: intracerebroventricular injection of CHA-induced hypothermia and the potency was increased by lowering the ambient temperature. CHA microinjection into the anterior hypothalamus (AH) elicited the most marked body temperature (T(b)) decrease compared with other regions such as the preoptic area, dorsomedial hypothalamus, posterior hypothalamus, and hippocampus. In contrast, microinjected CHA into the medial septum, ventromedial hypothalamus, and lateral hypothalamus resulted in negligible changes in T(b).

Portal venous reconstruction in a living liver donor with an anomalous hepatic arterial and portal venous anatomy.

Hepatic arterial and portal venous anomalies in living liver donors are not uncommon. Modified surgical techniques may be required in such circumstances, although the safety of the living donor must always be given top priority. We describe here a successful portal venous reconstruction in a living donor with an anomalous hepatic arterial and portal venous anatomy in which the right anterior and posterior hepatic arteries encircled the main portal vein.

Correlation between histological effects on the main tumors and nodal status after chemoradiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

Background And Objectives: Although the histological effectiveness of preoperative chemoradiotherapy against the main tumor is reported to be the strongest prognostic factor for patients with esophageal cancer, it remains unknown whether such chemoradiotherapy is equally effective against metastatic lymph nodes.

Methods: We studied 103 consecutive patients with esophageal cancer, who were given preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery. The histological effectiveness against the main tumor of the chemoradiotherapy was correlated with lymph mode metastasis and other clinico-pathological factors.

Combination of IFN-alpha and 5-fluorouracil induces apoptosis through IFN-alpha/beta receptor in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Purpose: Several studies showed the effectiveness of combination therapy with IFN-alpha and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. However, only little is known about the underlying mechanism of combination therapy. In the present study, we examined whether apoptosis through IFN-alpha/beta receptor (IFN-alpha/betaR) was associated with the effects of combination therapy.

Clinical outcome of esophageal cancer patients with history of gastrectomy.

Background: Surgery for thoracic esophageal cancer after gastrectomy involves a complicated reconstruction procedure. A surgeon's hesitation is further increased because the clinical outcome of surgical treatment of these patients has not been elucidated.

Objectives: Among 948 thoracic esophageal cancer patients who underwent curative operation, 72 (7.

High incidence of thrombosis of the portal venous system after laparoscopic splenectomy: a prospective study with contrast-enhanced CT scan.

Objective: The aims of this prospective study were to investigate the true incidence of portal or splenic vein thrombosis (PSVT) after elective laparoscopic splenectomy using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan, and outcome of anticoagulant therapy for PSVT.

Summary Background Data: Although rare, thrombosis of the portal venous system is considered a possible cause of death after splenectomy. The reported incidence of ultrasonographically detected PSVT after elective open splenectomy ranges from 6.

Prediction of recurrence in advanced gastric cancer patients after curative resection by gene expression profiling.

The prognosis of patients with advanced gastric cancer remains unfavorable. Even after curative resection, 40% of patients with advanced gastric cancer die of recurrence. Conventional clinicopathlogic findings are sometimes inadequate for predicting recurrence in individuals.

Expression of Id proteins in human hepatocellular carcinoma: relevance to tumor dedifferentiation.

Several studies reported that Id (Inhibitor of DNA binding or Differentiation) proteins, helix-loop-helix transcription factors, have important roles in differentiation, cell cycle and angiogenesis in various cells. However, the role of Id proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. We examined the immunohistochemical expression of Id1, Id2 and Id3 proteins in 54 surgically resected HCCs with surrounding HCV or HBV-related chronic hepatitis (n=30) and liver cirrhosis (n=24).

[Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC)--hepatocellular carcinoma].

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) has been often selected as a therapeutic option for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with intrahepatic metastases or portal vein thrombosis, which is not eligible for hepatic resection, tumor ablation, or embolization. Among various regimens, HAIC, consisting of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in combination with either low-doses of cisplatin (CDDP) or interferon-alpha has been reported to improve the response rates for advanced HCC. As both regimens require the use of an implanted port-catheter system, maintaining the patency of hepatic arteries is an important factor for the intrahepatic drug distribution and the efficacy of HAIC.

Cancer gene expression database (CGED): a database for gene expression profiling with accompanying clinical information of human cancer tissues.

Gene expression profiling of cancer tissues is expected to contribute to our understanding of cancer biology as well as developments of new methods of diagnosis and therapy. Our collaborative efforts in Japan have been mainly focused on solid tumors such as breast, colorectal and hepatocellular cancers. The expression data are obtained by a high-throughput RT-PCR technique, and patients are recruited mainly from a single hospital.

Identification of differentially expressed genes involved in colorectal carcinogenesis using a cDNA microarray.

To identify candidate genes involved in human colorectal carcinogenesis, we constructed the gene expression profiles of 50 colorectal cancers (CRCs) and 12 normal colorectal epithelia using a cDNA microarray specially constructed for CRC. Hierarchical clustering analysis and principal component analysis could clearly distinguish the gene profiles of cancer tissues from those of normal tissues. Our results confirm there are indeed differences in gene expression between cancer and normal mucosa.

Partial contribution of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)/TRAIL receptor pathway to antitumor effects of interferon-alpha/5-fluorouracil against Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Purpose: Our purpose was to explore the contribution of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)/TRAIL receptor pathway to antitumor effects of IFNalpha and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) combination therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Experimental Design: Susceptibility of HCC cell lines to TRAIL and/or 5-FU was examined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The effects of 5-FU, IFNalpha, or both on the expression of TRAIL receptors (R1, R2, R3, and R4) on HCC cells or TRAIL in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were examined by flow cytometry.

[Evaluation of ten intravenous catheters for operability and safety in the infusion room].

We have a randomized trial to compare the operability and safety of ten 24-gauge intravenous catheters in the infusion room. In the present study, we used 3 intravenous catheters without safety covers (Jelco plus, Surflo flash, Intima) and 7 intravenous catheters with safety covers (Supercath, Introcan safety, Surshield surflo II, Insyte autoguard, Safetouch cath, Protective plus, Acuvance plus). All catheters were used 40 times.

[A case of long-term survivor with multiple pulmonary metastases of HCC after hepatic resection].

A 52-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with huge hepatoma of the right lobe. He underwent a right lobectomy of the liver in July 1999. After five months from the surgery, multiple recurrences in the liver and lung were revealed with Computed tomography (CT).

[Two cases of advanced and recurrent gastric cancer treated with the combination of chemotherapy and radiation].

Recently, new promising anti-tumor agents such as TS-1, taxanes, and CPT-11 have been approved for gastric cancer treatment. These agents showed a better response and may contribute to a patient's survival and quality of life. However, there are cases with advanced and recurrent gastric cancer that are resistive or tolerant to these agents.

[Cases of postoperative hepatic metastasis from gastric cancer in which hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with 5-FU, adriamycin and cisplatin was performed after TS-1 chemotherapy].

The prognosis of patients with hepatic metastasis of gastric cancer is poor, and standard therapies for patients are not established. Here we present two cases of hepatic metastasis from gastric cancer. In both cases, no other organ metastasis except the liver was confirmed, in which hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with 5-FU, adriamycin and cisplatin (FAP) were performed because TS-1 chemotherapy was not an effective chemotherapy.