Histological and molecular characterization of intrahepatic bile duct cancers suggests an expanded definition of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

Background

Growing evidence has suggested that intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) can be classified into small- and large-duct types. The present study aimed to elucidate how large-duct iCCA is similar and dissimilar to perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA).

Lipid metabolism in nephrotic rats induced by daunomycin injection

Lipid metabolism in the blood and liver of rats was investigated to clarify the mechanism of dyslipoproteinemia in the nephrotic syndrome. The nephrotic syndrome was induced in rats by a single injection of daunomycin. The serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and phospholipid levels in nephrotic rats 14 days after the injection were increased 3.1-fold, 2-fold, and 2.7-fold, respectively, over the control values. The cholesterol, triglyceride, and phospholipid contents of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) were also increased, increase in VLDL lipids being the greatest. The serum HDL cholesterol level decreased gradually after day 14, returning to the normal level on day 37, whereas the LDL and VLDL cholesterol levels continued to increase until day 37. The mechanism of dyslipoproteinemia in the nephrotic syndrome was examined by comparing lipid metabolism in the liver of nephrotic rats induced by daunomycin with that of rats fed on high-cholesterol diet. The contents of to total lipids, triglyceride, and cholesterol ester in the liver were significantly less in nephrotic rats than in controls. The contents of total lipids and cholesterol ester in the liver were much higher in rats fed on high-cholesterol diet than in controls. The contents of total lipids, triglyceride, cholesterol ester, and phospholipid in the liver were significantly lower in nephrotic rats fed on high-cholesterol diet than in normal rats fed on high-cholesterol diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Activation of insulin-sensitive phosphodiesterase by lectins and insulin-dextran complex in rat fat cells

Membrane-bound low-Km cAMP phosphodiesterase was activated by concanavalin A, wheat germ agglutinin, and insulin-dextran complex under conditions of incubation with intact rat fat cells. Concanavalin A rapidly stimulated the enzyme activities and maximum was reached at 10 to 15 minutes. As little as 10 μg/mL concanavalin A activated the enzyme and a maximal response was obtained at 100 to 300 μg/mL, but concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin were less potent than insulin. Specific saccharide inhibitors completely abolished activation of the enzyme by lectins, but had no effect on the activation of insulin. Digestion of fat cells with 1 mg/mL trypsin for 15 minutes completely inhibited activation of the enzyme by insulin. However, concanavalin A was less sensitive to trypsinization. The insulin-dextran complex, which did not penetrate the plasma membrane, activated the enzyme and was one tenth as effective as the native insulin. These results suggest that the insulin-like actions of these lectins are provoked through coupling with the carbohydrate moiety on the cell membrane close to insulin receptors.     

ECG synchronized computed tomography in clinical evaluation of total and regional cardiac motion: Comparison of postmyocardial infarction to normal hearts by rapid sequential imaging

Computed tomography (CT) of the heart was performed using the JEOL Dynamic Scanner, which provides CT cardiac images with minimal radiation and within a short period of time. ECG-synchronized CT was undertaken at various phases of the cardiac cycle every 0.04 second. Approximately 30 minutes of scanning was necessary to obtain a series of CT images of one complete cardiac cycle. In contrast to 24 normal subjects, 38 patients with recent or remote myocardial infarction (MI) demonstrated hypokinetic, akinetic, or paradoxical movement of the ventricular segment corresponding to the MI sites predicted by ECG. The sequential cardiac area curve was useful in evaluating instantaneous changes of cardiac dimension, extent of ventricular contraction, and regional dyssynergy. ECG-synchronized CT studies using Somatom contrast dye enhancement in selected patients allowed sequential assessment of left ventricular cavity size and wall motion.     

Effects of changes in serum insulin in response to dexamethasone and adrenalectomy on insulin-sensitive phosphodiesterase in rat fat cells

The effects of dexamethasone administration and adrenalectomy on insulin-sensitive phosphodiesterase were studied in rat fat cells. Isolated fat cells were incubated at 37°C for ten minutes with or without insulin. A crude microsomal fraction prepared by differential centrifugation was used for the determination of phosphodiesterase level. With dexamethasone treatment (400 μg/kg/day) for seven days, specific activity of the enzyme and its sensitivity (ED₅₀) to insulin were decreased, as was the maximal responsiveness to insulin. Under conditions of adrenalectomy, the specific activity and the sensitivity (ED₅₀) were increased while the maximal responsiveness to insulin was decreased. Following dexamethasone treatment specific insulin binding was decreased, and after adrenalectomy it increased. These findings were attributed to changes in the number of insulin receptors per cell rather than to changes in affinity. Alterations in insulin sensitivity (ED₅₀) of the enzyme seemed to be due to alterations in insulin binding to the receptor. The reduction in maximal insulin responsiveness suggested postreceptor defects in both experimental groups. The mechanism related to alterations in the specific activity was not thoroughly clarified; however, serum insulin levels may specifically affect the enzyme activity.     

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) regulates tumor angiogenesis and predicts recurrence and prognosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Background

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is the catalytic subunit of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and regulates tumor malignancy by gene silencing via histone methylation. In this study we investigate the role of EZH2 in angiogenesis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).

Clinical significance of macroscopic no-margin hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Hepatectomy with a sufficient margin is often impossible for hepatocellular carcinomas that are close to the large intrahepatic vascular structures, and macroscopically complete resection along the tumor capsule is the only choice. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical significance of macroscopic no-margin hepatectomy (MNMH).

Intraoperative real-time tissue elastography during laparoscopic hepatectomy

Background

Real-time tissue elastography during open hepatectomy facilitates the differential diagnosis of liver tumors by providing information on elasticity. This study investigated the utility of intraoperative real-time tissue elastography (IORTE) during laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH).

Implication of primary tumor location for the indication of preoperative chemotherapy in patients with colorectal liver metastases

Background

The benefit of preoperative chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) remains uncertain. The aim was to clarify the effect of preoperative chemotherapy on CRLM according to the primary tumor location.