Shinji Noshima

DNA amplification and chromosomal translocations are accompanied by chromosomal instability:: analysis of seven human colon cancer cell lines by comparative genomic hybridization and spectral karyotyping

Genetic instability in human cancers is classified as chromosomal instability (CIN) or microsatellite instability (MIN). DNA amplification and translocations are observed frequently in various cancers. We used comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and spectral karyotyping (SKY) to study seven human colon cancer cell lines and investigate the relations among genetic instability, DNA amplification, and chromosomal translocations. DNA amplification was found in five cell lines (COLO320DM, COLO201, WiDr, CoCM-1, and CACO-2), and all were aneuploid. In these five cell lines, segments of chromosomes were translocated to other chromosomes. In contrast, cell lines with MIN, DLD-1, and LoVo did not show DNA amplification. The LoVo cells with MIN were considered near diploid and contained translocations. These findings suggest that DNA amplification and chromosomal translocations are accompanied by CIN.

Combined right hepatic and retrohepatic caval resection with reconstruction using a polytetrafluoroethylene graft for primary leiomyosarcoma of the liver: Report of case

We present herein the case of a 53-year-old woman who underwent successful surgical treatment for a leiomyosarcoma of the liver that originated from the posterior hepatic segment and involved the retrohepatic inferior vena cava (IVC). A computed tomographic scan and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a large tumor, with rich vascularity, in the liver. The IVC was found to be occluded on these scans, which was confirmed by venacavography. The patient underwent a combined right hepatic and caval resection with reconstruction using an expanded polytetra-fluoroethylene graft. The tumor consisted of spindle-shaped cells with cigar-shaped nuclei. It also had a moderate degree of cellularity and ten mitotic figures per ten high-power fields. Immunohistologically, desmin and alpha-smooth muscle actin were stained positive in the tumor cells, implying that the tumor was derived from smooth muscle cells. The patient is alive and well 15 months after her operation.

Perioperative synbiotic therapy in elderly patients undergoing gastroenterological surgery: A prospective, randomized control trial

OBJECTIVE Enteral administration of synbiotics has been reported to be beneficial during various types of surgery, but its clinical value in elderly surgical patients remains unclear. The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the changes in gut microbiota and environment induced by perioperative synbiotic therapy, and to investigate whether it is possible to reduce infectious complications in elderly patients undergoing gastroenterological surgery. METHODS Forty-eight patients over the age of 70 y were randomized into a group receiving 7 d of preoperative and 10 d of postoperative synbiotic therapy (S group) and a control group without synbiotic therapy (C group). A fecal sample collected before and after surgery in each group was used for a quantitative evaluation of the microbiota. RESULTS Forty-eight patients completed the trial (25 in the S group and 23 in the C group). Synbiotic therapy significantly maintained the status of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, whereas the number of Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus, and Pseudomonas was significantly decreased. The total organic acid and short-chain fatty acid concentrations were increased, and the pH was markedly decreased, in the S group compared with the C group. The incidence of postoperative infectious complications was 12% in the S group and 36% in the C group, however, the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.06). A multivariate analysis revealed that only the use of perioperative blood transfusion was an independent risk factor for infectious complications. CONCLUSIONS Synbiotic therapy improved the intestinal microbial environment, and might decrease the incidence of infectious complications in elderly surgical patients.

Surgical Stress and the Development of Complications in Relation to Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Elastase (PMNE) Levels

This study was conducted to examine the effects of surgical stress on changes in polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase (PMNE) levels, and to evaluate the relationship of these changes to the development of postoperative complication. A total of 69 patients who underwent alimentary surgery were subsequently divided into three groups: a complicated group, comprised of 25 patients; an uncomplicated group with a high blood loss (H) of more than 1 000 ml, comprised of 18 patients; and an uncomplicated group with a low blood loss (L) of less than 1 000 ml, comprised of 26 patients. The changes in the levels of PMNE, fibronectin (FN), and antithrombin III (AT III) were compared among these three groups. In the uncomplicated H and L groups the PMNE levels rose significantly on postoperative day (POD) 1. On POD 3, high levels of PMNE were still evident in the uncomplicated H group, but a decline was observed in the uncomplicated L group. From POD 7 onwards the levels decreased to the preoperative values in both uncomplicated groups; however, the complicated group continued to show high levels even on POD 14. Significantly decreased FN levels were observed for the first 3 PODs in each group. The uncomplicated H and L groups regained their preoperative levels on PODs 7 and 14, respectively, but no recovery was found in the complicated group. The AT III levels showed similar changes to the FN levels in all groups. These findings indicate that monitoring the PMNE levels could be a useful index for the early detection of postoperative complications following alimentary surgery.

Cytokine release during hypoxia reoxygenation by Kupffer cells in rats with obstructive janudice

The release of cytokine by Kupffer cells during hypoxia/reoxygenation was studied in vitro in male Wistar rats with obstructive jaundice to investigate the kinetics of interleukin-8 (IL-8) release by Kupffer cells during hypoxia/reoxygenation, and to study the influence of endotoxin during the reoxygenation period. The rats were divided into two groups: one that underwent bile duct ligation (group OJ), and one that underwent a sham operation (group C). Kupffer cells were isolated by collagenase digestion and centrifugal elutriation. The cells were first subjected to hypoxia as 95% nitrogen, after which they were given reoxygenation as 95% oxygen. In addition, they were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 0, 1, and 10 ng/ml. In both groups, the levels of IL-8 became increased During the period of hypoxia/reoxygenation, and reoxygenation after hypoxia further intensified IL-8 production. during the period of hypoxia, the IL-8 levels in group OJ were significantly increased compared with those in group C. With the LPS challenge, there was no significant difference in IL-8 levels in either group. In conclusion, obstructive jaundice induces the activation of Kupffer cells, resulting in increased IL-8 production during hypoxia/reoxygenation.