Growth index, assessed with Ki-67 and ssDNA labeling; a significant prognosticator for patients undergoing curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background And Objectives: The aggressiveness and greater malignant potential of cancers are characterized by several biological phenomena such as accelerated growth invasiveness, and the ability to form distant metastasis. Thus, knowledge of such biological difference may be a more accurate prognosticator for cancer patients. Tumor growth depends on the degree of imbalance between cell production and loss.

[Two cases of advanced gastric cancer, successfully treated with TS-1/CDDP combination chemotherapy--case report].

We reported 2 cases with advanced gastric cancer, successfully treated with TS-1 and CDDP. Case 1 had Type 3 gastric cancer with left supra-clavicular (Virchow) and para-aortic lymph node metastases. Those distant node metastases completely disappeared after two courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) consisting of TS-1/ CDDP, and radical surgery for cure was conducted.

Autopsy case of acute encephalopathy linked to familial hemiplegic migraine with cerebellar atrophy and mental retardation.

A 19-year-old female patient, who had exhibited esotropia, mild cerebellar ataxia, mild mental retardation, and cerebellar atrophy on magnetic resonance images at the age of 15, developed signs of acute encephalopathy, and thereafter died of disseminated intravascular coagulation on the day of her admission. Both her mother and sister suffered from attacks of hemiplegic migraine, mild mental retardation, and cerebellar ataxia. Neuropathological examinations revealed acute changes in the widespread cerebral cortex, chronic degenerative changes in the anterior lobe of the cerebellar vermis, axonal spheroids in the Goll's nucleus, pseudo-calcinosis in the globus pallidus, and glial bundles in the cranial nerves.

Expression of survivin mRNA associates with apoptosis, proliferation and histologically aggressive features in hepatocellular carcinoma.

The clinical impact of survivin on human cancer pathogenesis and prognosis has been investigated. To clarify the clinical effect of survivin on tumor behavior and prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the expression of survivin mRNA in 40 samples of HCC tissue and matched-adjacent liver tissue, as well as 7 healthy hepatic tissue samples were measured by a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The expressed level of survivin mRNA (log copies/microg total RNA) in healthy liver tissue was 1.

Effects of TS-1 on peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer in nude mice.

Background/aims: We investigated the effects of TS-1 on the survival of nude mice developing peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer.

Methodology: MKN-45 cells were injected into the peritoneal cavity of nude mice and a model of peritoneal dissemination was developed. TS-1 was administered orally every day from day 1 to day 10 or day 10 to day 19.

[An institution-randomized trial of 5-fluorouracil and l-leucovorin therapy given monthly versus every two months to patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and l-leucovorin (l-LV) given at the same dose intensity and administered monthly (given weekly for 3 weeks followed by a week of rest; arm A) or every 2 months (given weekly for 6 weeks followed by 2 weeks rest; arm B) to patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma. The dose of 5-FU was 500 mg/body or 750 mg/body, with an average dose of 432.8 mg/m2.

Fatal ischemia of bowel and rectus abdominal muscle after off pump coronary artery bypass grafting in a dialysis patient.

We have experienced a case which developed mesenteric ischemia followed by necrosis of the rectus abdominal muscle after off pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). A 62-year-old man with a history of long-term hemodialysis was diagnosed with left main trunk disease. He underwent triple OPCAB uneventfully.

Can surgical diagnosis of "early" gastric cancer and lymph node metastasis be accurate?

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the intraoperative assessment of early gastric cancer (EGC) and lymph node status.

Methods: A total of 280 patients underwent gastrectomy for primary gastric cancer at the Department of Surgery, Yokohama City Kowan Hospital, from 1994 to 2002. Of these 280 patients, 140 were diagnosed as having EGC during surgery (sT1), while the rest were diagnosed with advanced disease (sT2-T4).

Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) is up-regulated in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the corresponding hepatitis liver.

Background/aims: Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) is one of the angiogenic factors. The aim of this study was to examine the PD-ECGF concentrations in hepatocellular carcinoma, background liver, and normal liver tissues, and to elucidate their significance on clinicopathological outcomes.

Methodology: The concentration of PD-ECGF in the tissue extract was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

[Cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and high-dose leucovorin for advanced esophageal cancer].

We report the effects and toxicities of intravenous administration of cisplatin, 5-FU and high-dose leucovorin for advanced esophageal cancer. Eight patients were registered and sixteen lesions were measurable. Of these sixteen lesions, thirteen were primary or synchronous metastatic lesions, and the response was 69%.

Is there a role for nontraditional resection of early gastric cancer?

Current trends in the treatment of gastric cancer indicate the emergence of a more sophisticated approach, with tailored therapy applied to individual cases. Treatment includes a broader spectrum of therapeutic options (Fig. 3), including EMR, laparoscopic or laparoscopy-assisted surgery, modified radical surgery, and typical radical surgery with lymph node dissections.

Does pancreaticosplenectomy contribute to better survival?

Background/aims: This study was conducted to clarify the impact of pancreaticosplenectomy on the prognosis of patients with gastric carcinoma.

Methodology: Two hundred and seventy-two patients who underwent total gastrectomy with distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Lymph node metastases at the splenic hilum (#10) and along the splenic artery (#11) occurred in 12.

[A case of neuropathic bladder with inflammatory pseudotumor of the bladder].

A 36-year-old woman was referred with urinary incontinence and recurrent episodes of pyelonephritis. Two years prior to her visit, she underwent transurethral resection of a bladder tumor, 5 cm in diameter. Total cystectomy was suggested, as the initial diagnosis was sarcoma.

Cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA is up-regulated in cirrhotic or chronic hepatitis liver adjacent to hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background And Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unique in that its carcinogenesis is related to inflammatory changes and regenerative activities in the background liver. Although there are some data on cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression in HCC by immunohistochemical studies, little is known about the possible role of COX-2 in inducing hepatitis and/or carcinoma. To elucidate whether COX-2 is involved in a part of these processes, we attempted to examine COX-2 mRNA both in the adjacent non-tumoral liver and in HCC.

[Relationship between location of stress erosive gastritis and brain damage in resuscitated patients].

Patients after resuscitation from cardiopulmonary arrest often show stress erosive gastritis. This study investigated the relationship between the location of gastric mucosal injury and the degree of brain damage. Forty-five resuscitated patients with gastrointestinal bleeding complications were enrolled and were examined by esophagogastric fiberscope after 72 hours of hospitalization.

[Effects of fentanyl on acetylcholine release from hippocampus and righting reflex in rat: an in vivo brain microdialysis study].

Fentanyl, a synthetic mu-opioid agonist, is one of the most popular opioids in clinical anesthesia. It is well-known that memory is affected by opioids and opioid antagonists in animals. Cholinergic neurones releasing acetylcholine (ACh) particularly in the hippocampus have been shown to be related to memory.

Tuberculous aortitis, ruptured 48 years after therapeutic implantation of synthetic balls.

A case of tuberculous aortitis, ruptured 48 years after an implantation of synthetic balls into the extrapleural space was reported. Those balls were implanted as a therapeutic alternative to artificial pneumothorax for treating pulmonary tuberculosis. Free perforation was triggered by debridement of an expanding cold abscess.

[Mechanisms of cancer-induced anorexia].

Possible mediators of anorexia-cachesia syndrome are hormones, cytokines, and leptin at the peripheral tissues, and neuropeptides, cytokines, and hormones in the hypothalamus. Insulin resistance and relative hyper-glucagonemia might stimulate anorexia. Interleukin(IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-alpha as well as IL-1 and leukemia inhibitory factor(LIF) are some of those cytokines.

Genome analysis of adenovirus type 7 and adenovirus type 11.

Purpose: To study the epidemiology of adenovirus type 7 (Ad 7) conjunctivitis and adenovirus type 11 (Ad 11) conjunctivitis in the Japanese population by determining the genome type and sub-genome type.

Methods: For Ad 7, we used 12 strains from patients with acute viral conjunctivitis and one strain from a patient with pneumonia. For Ad 11, we used 17 strains from patients with acute viral conjunctivitis and 3 strains from patients with cystitis.

Genome analysis of adenovirus type 7 and adenovirus type 11.

Purpose: To study the epidemiology of adenovirus type 7 (Ad 7) conjunctivitis and adenovirus type 11 (Ad 11) conjunctivitis by determining genome types and subgenomic types.Materials and Methods: For Ad 7 I used twelve strains from patients with acute viral conjunctivitis and one strain from a patient with pneumonia. For Ad 11 I used seventeen strains from patients with cystitis.

[Genome analysis of adenovirus type 7 and adenovirus type 11].

Purpose: To study the epidemiology of adenovirus type 7 (Ad 7) conjunctivitis and adenovirus type 11 (Ad 11) conjunctivitis by determining genome types and subgenome types.

Materials And Methods: For Ad 7 I used twelve strains from patients with acute viral conjunctivitis and one strain from a patient with pneumonia. For Ad 11 I used seventeen strains from patients with acute viral conjunctivitis and three strains from patients with cystitis.

[Invasive thymoma associated with pure red cell aplasia and liver metastasis: a case report].

A case of invasive thymoma associated with pure red cell aplasia and liver metastasis was reported. A 57-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of hepatic abnormal shadow on computed tomography. Malignant tumor was suspected by imaging procedures.

[Collapse of the nasal endotracheal tube in the nasal cavity].

A 27-year-old female with maxillary maldevelopment was admitted for mandibular sagittal splitting osteotomy with mandibular progeny. General anesthesia was induced with 100 mg of propofol and 8 mg of vecuronium. When a soft and preformed 7.