Fuminori Yamagishi

Loss of Heterozygosity of 14q32 in Colorectal Carcinoma

Previous allelotyping studies on colorectal carcinoma suggest that loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 14q may be a common genetic alteration in this tumor type. The purpose of this study was to determine precise frequency of LOH at 14q32 region in colorectal carcinomas and to define a minimal region of LOH. LOH at 14q32 in 66 primary colorectal carcinomas were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-based deletion mapping using six highly polymorphic microsatellites. The average rate of informative data was 68.2% in all cases of colorectal carcinoma analyzed. The average rate of LOH at 14q32 was 44.1%, with the highest frequency of 50.0% at D14S267 locus in the informative cases. The minimal region of LOH was defined by markers D14S65 and D14S250 at 14q32. The present data provide useful information for the isolation of tumor suppressor genes from this region.

Rapid production of antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies from a variety of animals

BackgroundAlthough a variety of animals have been used to produce polyclonal antibodies against antigens, the production of antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies from animals remains challenging.ResultsWe propose a simple and rapid strategy to produce monoclonal antibodies from a variety of animals. By staining lymph node cells with an antibody against immunoglobulin and a fluorescent dye specific for the endoplasmic reticulum, plasma/plasmablast cells were identified without using a series of antibodies against lineage markers. By using a fluorescently labeled antigen as a tag for a complementary cell surface immunoglobulin, antigen-specific plasma/plasmablast cells were sorted from the rest of the cell population by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Amplification of cognate pairs of immunoglobulin heavy and light chain genes followed by DNA transfection into 293FT cells resulted in the highly efficient production of antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies from a variety of immunized animals.ConclusionsOur technology eliminates the need for both cell propagation and screening processes, offering a significant advantage over hybridoma and display strategies.

Allelic imbalance of 14q32 in esophageal carcinoma

It has been demonstrated that the accumulation of alterations in several oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes plays a role in the initiation and progression of esophageal carcinoma. However, to our knowledge, very few studies have described the molecular genetic changes of chromosome arm 14q in esophageal carcinoma. In this study, we examined 35 primary esophageal carcinomas for allelic imbalance on 14q32. Analysis of four polymorphic microsatellite markers identified 13 (37%) tumors exhibiting allelic imbalance on 14q32 in at least one locus. In particular, the allelic imbalance of the D14S267 marker that has been reported in various tumors as having a high frequency of deletion was observed in 10 of 26 informative cases (38.5%). The commonly deleted regions were delineated by markers D14S65 and D14S250 on 14q32. In regard to the macroscopic features of tumor, the 14q allelic imbalance rate of protruding type tumors was higher than that of the ulcerative type. These data suggest that potential suppressor loci on 14q32 are related to the development and progression of esophageal carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma in long-segment Barrett's esophagus 44 years after total gastrectomy.

Although Barretts esophagus may occur without gastric acid, Barretts adenocarcinoma after total gastrectomy is rare. Here, we present Barretts adenocarcinoma in long-segment Barretts esophagus after total gastrectomy. The patient was a 74-year-old male who underwent total gastrectomy 44 years ago. An endoscopic examination revealed long-segment Barretts esophagus starting 17 cm from the incisors and continuing 20 cm to esophagojejunostomy, with irregular mucosa 27–31 cm from the incisors. Pathological diagnosis of a biopsied specimen was adenocarcinoma. We performed subtotal esophagectomy with lymph node dissection in the prone position and reconstructed the esophagus with ileocolic interposition. Postoperative pathological diagnosis from a Barretts epithelial section was well differentiated adenocarcinoma. This case had the longest interval from total gastrectomy and smallest oral margin of Barretts epithelium. Our case suggested that careful surveillance is needed for patients exhibiting recurrent bile reflux following total gastrectomy.

Endoscopic Fenestration of Pseudo Cyst in Acute Pancreatitis

We report a case of pseudo cyst accompanied by acute pancreatitis which was successfully treated by endoscopic cyst-gastrostomy. It had been enlarged recurrently after twice simple needle aspiration under ultrasonic monitoring. Because of the infection of the cyst, rapid and complete drainage was needed. Upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy showed a large bulge of the stomach which was compressed by paragastric pancreatic cyst. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed that the cyst wall was attached hard with the stomach and there was no vessels between them. Endoscopic fenestration of the bulge was created using papillotome and diathermic snare. The drainage was effective and cyst was decompressed rapidly. The fenestration was closed after the cyst was diminished. Recently the endoscopic cyst-gastrostomy made by cutting linearly or inserting catheter have been reported, however, these treatments sometimes resulted in infection and relapse because of the quick closure of the fistula. When the bulge is large and endoscopic ultrasonogram revealed low bleeding risk, the fenestration may be advisable for effective drainage of longer duration without infection.