Gastric Invasive Micropapillary Carcinoma with Intestinal Phenotypes Harboring a TP53 R175H Mutation.

We report a case of gastric invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) in an 86-year-old female patient. She was admitted to our hospital with a chief complaint of bloody emesis. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy found a gastric adenocarcinoma at the antrum.

Two-layer challenge test as an assessment to predict islet graft function.

Background/aims: To investigate graft viability assessment before transplantation using 31P-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy combining a two-layer old storage method (TLM).

Methodology: Rat pancreases were divided into three groups and respectively subjected to 0 (group 1), and 30 minutes (group 2) of warm ischemia (WI) before procurement. Pancreases were digested and pancreatic digest tissues were preserved for 3 h using TLM.

Histopathological predictors of regional lymph node metastasis at the invasive front in early colorectal cancer.

Aims: In early colorectal cancer (ECC), prediction of lymph node (LN) metastasis is vital for the decision of additional surgical treatment after endoscopic mucosal/submucosal resection. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between LN metastasis and comprehensive histopathological findings including the cancer microenvironment in ECC.

Methods And Results: Using 111 ECC cases, including 36 cases with LN metastasis, histopathological observations and immunohistochemistry for lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE-1), von Willebrand factor, matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), CXC chemokine ligand-12 (CXCL12) and angiopoietin-like-4 (ANGPTL4) were conducted.

Prevention of intimal hyperplasia employing the cavitary two-layer method in allogeneic rat heart transplantation.

Background: The development of graft arteriosclerosis is a significant contributor to chronic rejection in organ transplant recipients. The purpose of the present study was to establish whether or not the cavitary two-layer method can prevent graft arteriosclerosis after rat heart transplantation.

Methods: F-344 rats served as donors to Lewis recipients.

Oxygenation of the portal vein by intraperitoneal administration of oxygenated perfluorochemical improves the engraftment and function of intraportally transplanted islets.

Objectives: One of the major obstacles for successful intraportal islet transplantation (IPIT) is early graft loss due to hypoxia. We therefore examined the effect of intraperitoneal oxygenated perfluorochemical (PFC) on oxygenation of the portal vein with respect to islet engraftment and function after IPIT in a rat model.

Methods: First, we measured the oxygen tension and saturation in the portal vein of Lewis rats before and after intraperitoneal injection of oxygenated PFC.

Evaluation of tissue blood flow of the gastric tube after vessel anastomosis for esophageal reconstruction.

Objectives And Methods: Impaired blood flow of the upper end of the gastric tube is one of the major causes of anastomotic leak following esophageal reconstruction after esophagectomy for cancer. We applied an additional microvascular anastomosis procedure--the supercharging technique--to improve blood flow. We investigated blood flow improvement in 15 patients who underwent the supercharging technique after total excision of the thoracic esophagus and gastric tube reconstruction through the posterior mediastinal route from August 2003 to March 2005.

Islet transplantation using donors after cardiac death: report of the Japan Islet Transplantation Registry.

Background: This report summarizes outcomes of islet transplantation employing donors after cardiac death (DCD) between 2004 and 2007 as reported to the Japan Islet Transplantation Registry.

Method: Sixty-five islet isolations were performed for 34 transplantations in 18 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, including two patients who had prior kidney transplantation. All but one donor (64/65) was DCD at the time of harvesting.

Mucinous cystic neoplasm of the pancreas presenting with hemosuccus pancreaticus: report of a case.

Hemosuccus pancreaticus (HP) is mostly induced by a ruptured pseudoaneurysm or hemorrhage from a pseudocyst in chronic pancreatitis. We herein report a rare case with HP induced by tumor hemorrhage. The present patient is a 71-year-old woman referred to us with a diagnosis of severe progressive anemia.

[Successful chemoradiation therapy for local control of rectal cancer with multiple bone metastases--a case report].

A 78-year-old man was admitted to our institute with the symptom of melena. The patient was diagnosed as having advanced rectal cancer (T4N2M1) with multiple bone metastases. Chemoradiation therapy was chosen for the local control because our proposal of colostomy was rejected.

Clinical reappraisal of total pancreatectomy for pancreatic disease.

Background/aims: In this study, it was reappraised the outcomes of total pancreatectomy (TP), retrospectively analyzing the safety of the procedures and factors associated with long-term survival.

Methodology: Thirty-six consecutive patients underwent TP for pancreas disease at Kobe University Hospital. The outcomes of TP were evaluated, analyzing operation-related results (mortality, morbidity, survival and long-term outcomes) and oncological aspects.

Experimental comparison of the stapled intestinal anastomotic techniques.

Various techniques of stapled intestinal anastomoses are performed in gastroenterological surgery. Little is known about which technique is optimal. The intestines of a domestic pig were used in this study.

Enhancement of anti-tumor immunity by high levels of Th1 and Th17 with a combination of dendritic cell fusion hybrids and regulatory T cell depletion in pancreatic cancer.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in immunological self-tolerance and protect the host from autoimmune disease. However, in cancer immunity, Tregs might block anti-tumor immune responses. Therefore, the depletion of Tregs using a specific agent that suppresses its function or population, such as an anti-CD25 antibody, could promote anti-tumor immune responses.

Prognostic value of matrix Gla protein in breast cancer.

To assess the prognostic value of matrix Gla protein (MGP) expression in cases of breast cancer, 9 samples from patients diagnosed with breast cancer who were followed up for more than 10 years were microdissected and then analyzed using Affymetrix U133 Plus 2.0 Arrays. Genes that exhibited significant differences in expression between patients with a good prognosis and those with a poor prognosis were identified.

Effect of oxygenated perfluorocarbon on isolated islets during transportation.

Background: Previous studies demonstrated the efficacy of the two-layer method (TLM) using oxygenated perfluorochemicals (PFC) for pancreas preservation. The current study investigated the effect of oxygenated PFC on isolated islets during transportation.

Materials And Methods: Purified rat islets were stored in an airtight conical tube for 24h in RPMI culture medium at 22 degrees C or University of Wisconsin solution (UW) at 4 degrees C, either with or without oxygenated PFC.

Mesenchymal stem cells suppress B-cell terminal differentiation.

Objective: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to possess immunomodulatory properties on a diverse array of immune cell lineages. However, their effect on B lymphocytes remains unclear. We investigated the effect of MSCs on B-cell modulation with a special emphasis on gene regulation mediated by MSC humoral factors.

Utility of the new Japanese severity score and indications for special therapies in acute pancreatitis.

Background: The Japanese severity score (JSS) for acute pancreatitis was revised in 2008. As special therapies for severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), continuous regional arterial infusion of protease inhibitor and antibiotics (CRAI) and enteral nutrition (EN) are now utilized in Japan. We investigated the usefulness of the new JSS and the indications for CRAI and EN based on the new JSS.

Expression of toll-like receptor 2 and 4 in intestinal mucosa in experimental severe acute pancreatitis.

Background/aims: In severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), endotoxin/bacterial translocation (E/BT) from the gut is main cause of infection, which is contributor to high mortality. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize micro-organisms and are involved in the host defense. This study aimed to investigate the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in intestinal mucosa in SAP.

Impact of internal biliary drainage after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Background: Bile acid has an important role in protecting immune systems related to gut-associated lymphoid tissue. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of internal biliary drainage after a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) on postoperative nutrition and complications in a randomized study.

Methods: The authors compared the morbidity, mortality, and postoperative nutritional status of 46 patients who had a hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) with a stented external biliary drainage (group E) or with a non-stented internal biliary drainage (group I) after a PD.

Identification of sentinel lymph node location based on body surface landmarks in early breast cancer patients.

Background: It would be extremely useful if the location of the sentinel lymph node in breast cancer could be identified based on body surface landmarks. However, the identification of the sentinel node location by using surface landmarks in many reports is based on empirical methodologies.

Methods: We studied the distribution of the sentinel node location in 70 breast cancer patients based on the lateral line of the major pectoral muscle, the axillary skin fold that divides the trunk and the upper arm, and the nipple of the breast.

Resection of gallbladder cancer with hepatic metastasis after chemotherapy with gemcitabine.

A 69-year-old man diagnosed as having gallbladder cancer with liver invasion and metastasis to Couinaud's hepatic segment 8 (S8) was referred to our hospital. Because of the presence of liver metastasis, gemcitabine administration was chosen. Although gemcitabine was effective for the liver metastasis, his serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level had gradually increased after 12 cycles of gemcitabine administration.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of peritoneal cytology in biliary tract cancer.

Background/aims: Evaluation of peritoneal cytology provides valuable prognostic information in abdominal cancers. The aim of this study is to assess the incidence and the prognostic value of conventional peritoneal cytology in biliary tract cancers.

Methodology: A total of consecutive 41 patients with biliary cancers (17 bile duct, 20 gallbladder, 4 ampulla of Vater) underwent surgery between July 2003 and July 2005.

Enrichment of putative pancreatic progenitor cells from mice by sorting for prominin1 (CD133) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta.

Success in islet transplantation-based therapies for type 1 diabetes mellitus and an extreme shortage of pancreatic islets have motivated recent efforts to develop renewable sources of islet-replacement tissue. Although pancreatic progenitor cells hold a promising potential, only a few attempts have been made at the prospective isolation of pancreatic stem/progenitor cells, because of the lack of specific markers and the development of effective cell culture methods. We found that prominin1 (also known as CD133) recognized the undifferentiated epithelial cells, whereas platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRbeta) was expressed on the mesenchymal cells in the mouse embryonic pancreas.

Long-term outcome of severe acute pancreatitis.

Background/purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the post-discharge outcome of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and to clarify the prognostic factors for poor outcome.

Methods: In 45 patients, recurrence of acute pancreatitis (AP), transition to chronic pancreatitis (CP), and development of diabetes mellitus (DM) were evaluated. Relationships of the outcome with the findings on admission and the presence/absence of alcohol intake were analyzed.

Anti-tumor effect of angiogenesis inhibitor TNP-470 and 5-FU combined therapy on human gastric cancer xenograft.

Background/aims: TNP-470, an angiogenesis inhibitor, has already been used in combination with chemotherapy to enhance its antitumor activity. The mechanism of enhanced antitumor activity in combination therapy has not been clarified, however, and few studies have described the combined effect of TNP-470 and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on gastric cancer. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of TNP-470 + 5-FU on gastric cancer cell line MKN-45 in vivo and in vitro.