Tohru Itoh

Herpes simplex esophagitis from 1307 autopsy cases

Background and Aims:  The aim of the present study was to clarify relationship between macroscopic and microscopic features of herpes simplex esophagitis (HSE), and localization of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1)‐infected cells in esophageal lesions from autopsy cases of histopathologically proven HSE.

Effect of Hochu-ekki-to (TJ-41), a Japanese Herbal Medicine, on Daily Activity in a Murine Model of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

We aimed to evaluate the effect of a Japanese herbal medicine, Hochu-ekki-to (TJ-41), on daily activity in a murine model of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). CFS was induced by repeated injection of Brucella abortus (BA) antigen every 2 weeks. TJ-41 was orally administered to mice in a dose of 500 mg/kg/day for 1 week before injecting BA and for 4 weeks thereafter. We evaluated daily running activity in mice receiving TJ-41 as compared with that in untreated mice. Survival of both mouse groups was also monitored during the observation period. Body weight (BW), spleen weight (SW), SW/ BW ratio and expression levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) mRNA in spleen were determined in both groups at the time of sacrifice. The daily activity was significantly higher in the treated group than in the control. Two mice in the untreated group died 2 days after the second injection of BA, whereas no mice in the group treated with TJ-41 died. The SW and SW/BW ratio were significantly lower in the treated mice than in the control. Suppressed IL-10 mRNA levels were observed in the spleens of the mice treated with TJ-41. Our data suggest that Hochu-ekki-to might possess an inhibitory effect on the marked decrease in running activity following BA injection.

The Lymphatic Infiltration Identified by D2-40 Monoclonal Antibody Predicts Lymph Node Metastasis in Submucosal Invasive Colorectal Cancer

Background and Study Aims: Lymphatic infiltration has been recognized as a significant risk factor for lymph node metastasis of submucosal invasive colorectal cancer (SICC), but it is difficult to detect microscopically on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slides. We therefore identified lymphatic infiltration of tumor cells with D2-40 monoclonal antibody, which reacts specifically against the endothelium of lymphatic vessels, to make an objective and precise diagnosis. Patients and Methods: The surgical specimens of 122 consecutive patients with nonpedunculated SICC were examined for lymphatic infiltration by immunohistochemical staining with D2-40 monoclonal antibody (LI-D) and for venous infiltration by Elastica van Gieson staining (VI-E). Results: Lymph node metastasis was found in 20 patients. Multivariate analysis showed that LI-D (p = 0.0415) and VI-E (p = 0.0119) were significant risk factors for lymph node metastasis. Regardless of the presence of risk factors including at least either lymphatic infiltration or venous infiltration, no lymph node metastasis-positive patients were found (0%) among the 25 patients whose colorectal cancer had a submucosal invasive depth of less than 1,500 µm. No lymph node metastasis was found in any of the patients with a depth of submucosal invasion of less than 3,000 µm, who had no risk factors, including LI-D or VI-E. Conclusions: Correct evaluation of lymphatic infiltration by immunohistochemical staining with D2-40 monoclonal antibody may play a crucial role in determining whether there are indications for additional treatment in the management of endoscopically resected SICC.

Findings of the margin around lesions by magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging in early gastric carcinoma and intestinal metaplasia.

Many endoscopists have reported their own classifications of early gastric carcinoma (EGC) using magnifying narrow‐band imaging (M‐NBI). However, few reports on classifying the margin around lesions by M‐NBI have been published. The aim of this study was to advocate the usefulness of the demarcation area classification for the diagnosis of EGC.

Contents Vol. 74, 2007

H. Denk, Graz W.E. Fleig, Leipzig P.L. Fernandez, Barcelona A. Horii, Sendai C. Jackson, Sydney A. Janin, Paris A. Katalinic, Lübeck C.J. Kirkpatrick, Mainz S. Kumar, Manchester J.A. Kummer, Utrecht H.-A. Lehr, Lausanne R. Pabst, Hannover S.A. Pileri, Bologna M. Reymond, Bielefeld P. Suat-Cheng, Kuala Lumpur A. Tannapfel, Bochum J. Van der Walt, London M. Werner, Freiburg H-K. Yang, Seoul K. Zatloukal, Graz W.L. Zhao, Shanghai Founded 1938 as ‘Schweizerische Zeitschrift für allgemeine Pathologie und Bakteriologie’ by A. v. Albertini, A. Grumbach and H. Mooser, continued as ‘Pathologia et Microbiologia’ (1960–1975) and ‘Experimental Cell Biology’ (1976–1989); incorporating ‘Pathology and Immunopathology Research’, founded 1982 as ‘Survey and Synthesis of Pathology Research’ by J.M. Cruse and R.E. Lewis, continued as ‘Pathobiology’, edited by J.M. Cruse and R.E. Lewis (1990–1998) Continued by Ch. Wittekind (1999–2004)