Effects of super-extended paraaortic lymphadenectomy (PAL) on biological responses in totally gastrectomized patients with T3 or T4 gastric cancer

Background. In Japan, much attention has recently been paid to super-extended paraaortic lymphadenectomy (PAL) for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. However, it has been reported that PAL is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, as compared to conventional extended lymphadenectomy (D2 or D3). Therefore, an analysis of the effects of PAL on perioperative changes in the biological responses of patients essential for determining the potential utility of this procedure. Methods. The current non-randomized prospective study included evaluations of perioperative changes in parameters of surgical stress (series I; serum levels of antidiuretic hormone, interleukin-6, trypsin, and phospholipase A ₂ ) and immunocompetence (series II; phytohemagglutinin- and concanavalin A-induced blastogenesis, activity of natural killer cells and the ratio of CD4 cells to CD8 cells) in patients with advanced gastric cancer (T3 or T4), comparing groups treated with D3 plus PAL ( n = 12) and D3 ( n = 13), and a control group with early gastric cancer ( n = 16) treated with D1 lymphadenectomy (perigastric N1 nodes) between April 1995 and April 1997. Results. The duration of surgery and the amount of blood lost were longer and greater in the D3 plus PAL group than in the D3 and D1 groups. D3 plus PAL and D3 were associated with significant postoperative increases in parameters of surgical stress, as well as with significant postoperative immunosuppression, compared to results with D1. However, there were no significant differences in the respective parameters between the D3 plus PAL and D3 groups. Conclusions. Our results indicate that there are no essential differences in patients' biological responses between D3 plus PAL and D3 lymphadenectomy. It appears that PAL-associated morbidity can be minimized by very careful manipulation during the dissection of paraaortic lymph nodes. Received for publication on Feb. 10, 1998; accepted on Jun. 3, 1998     

Tumor-specific Activation of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase in Human Colorectal and Gastric Carcinoma Tissues

To search for the signaling events in colorectal carcinoma relevant to its tumorigenesis, we investigated the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in human colorectal carcinoma tissues and paired normal tissues. Of 64 cases examined, approximately 75% (48 cases) showed tumor-specific activation of MAPK by in situ kinase renaturation assay, as well as in vitro kinase assay with immunoprecipitated MAPK. In addition, tumor-specific activation of MAPK was associated with the activation of MAPK kinase in the cases we examined. However, no clear correlation of MAPK activation with lymph node involvement, metastatic rate, stage, histological classification, age or sex was observed. These results suggest that the MAPK pathway is involved in colorectal tumor development, but its activation alone is not sufficient for malignant conversion. In contrast to colorectal carcinoma, gastric carcinoma tissues showed a lower rate of MAPK activation, suggesting that the signaling pathway activated in colorectal carcinoma tissues may differ in part from that of gastric carcinoma.     

A case of emphysematous pyelonephritis improved with conservative therapy--indication for conservative therapy

A 51-year-old female patient was hospitalized in our department with high fever and left flank pain. Laboratory examination showed leukocytosis, increase of C-reactive protein (CRP), hyperglycemia and renal insufficiency. Enterobacter aerogenes grew out of the cultured urine. The radiograph and computerized tomographic (CT) scan revealed streaky gas in the destroyed left renal parenchyma with perirenal gas. She was diagnosed with left emphysematous pyelonephritis. Antibiotics therapy, treatment for sepsis and disseminated intravesicular coagulation was initiated resulting in mitigation of inflammation. High blood glucose initially required insulin therapy, but finally returned to normal levels through administration of oral antidiabetics. Although leukocytosis and low grade fever continued, the patient was discharged on day 53 with a negative CRP. CT scan indicated that the emphysematous change was localized after three months and almost resolved after four months. Renal scintigram indicated the residual function of the affected kidney. Because of the possibility of residual renal function and the cure by conservative therapy alone, the conservative therapy is preferred when the initial treatment is effective.     

Localization of mRNA for SHIP2, SH2 domain-containing inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase, in the brain of developing and mature rats

The localization of mRNA for SHIP2, SH2 domain containing inositol 5-phosphatase SHIP isozyme, was examined by in situ hybridization histochemistry in the brain of developing and mature rats. SHIP2 mRNA was first detected in the ventricular germinal zone at embryonic stages. As the postnatal development proceeded, the expression signal was evident in cell of the white matters, presumptive oligodendrocytes, and no significant expression was seen in neurons throughout the development.     

The lung transplantation has come to be done in Japan

After the establishment of transplantation law, the right pulmonary transplantation was done from the brain dead donor for the first time in Japan at the attached hospital of Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University on March 29, 2000. The woman in 30's had been deteriorated from progressive lymphangiomyomatosis since 1984. She was waiting for the right lung transplantation in the related hospital of the Institute Hospital since May, 1999. A brain dead donor appeared in Tokyo. After receiving the information from Japan Organ Transplant Network, we immediately started for Tokyo in order to procure the lung. We carried the right lung by Shinkansen. The lung of the donor was transplanted to the patient under the partial extracorporeal circulation on March 29, 2000. The total operating time was 6 hours and 7 minutes: 5 hours and 20 minutes for total ischemic period of the lung and 2 hours and 7 minutes for using extracorporeal circulation. The total amount of bleeding during the operation was 3,695 ml. Postoperative course of the transplanted patient was fair except chylothorax in the operated side, which was successfully controlled by intrathoracic infusion with OK-432. The transplanted patient was discharged from the hospital after 75 days postoperatively.     

Improved trends in survival and engraftment after single cord blood transplantation for adult acute myeloid leukemia

Unrelated cord blood transplantation (CBT) is an alternative curative option for adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who need allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) but lack an HLA-matched related or unrelated donor. However, large-scale data are lacking on CBT outcomes for unselected adult AML. To investigate the trends of survival and engraftment after CBT over the past 22 years, we retrospectively evaluated the data of patients with AML in Japan according to the time period of CBT (1998–2007 vs 2008–2013 vs 2014–2019). A total of 5504 patients who received single-unit CBT as first allogeneic HCT for AML were included. Overall survival (OS) at 2 years significantly improved over time. The improved OS among patients in ≥ complete remission (CR)3 and active disease at CBT was mainly due to a reduction of relapse-related mortality, whereas among patients in first or second CR at CBT, this was due mainly to a reduction of non-relapse mortality. The trends of neutrophil engraftment also improved over time. This experience demonstrated that the survival and engraftment rate after CBT for this group has improved over the past 22 years.Subject terms: Acute myeloid leukaemia, Cancer immunotherapy     

Constipation Is a Frequent Problem Associated with Vascular Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-sectional Study

Objective Diabetes is recognized as an underlying disease of constipation. However, the prevalence of constipation varies according to the diagnostic criteria applied. We investigated the prevalence of constipation based on the new guideline for constipation in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes and examined the relationship with the clinical background, including diabetic vascular complications. Methods Questionnaire surveys including items concerning the diagnosis and treatment status of constipation were administered to 410 patients with type 2 diabetes. Results Although 29% of the patients considered that they had experienced constipation (self-judged), only 14% had consulted a physician about constipation. The prevalence of chronic constipation based on the guideline was 26%. After including laxative users, constipation was finally found in 36%. Despite the use of laxatives (n=81), 51% of the patients were still diagnosed with chronic constipation. Patients with constipation (chronic constipation or laxative use) were significantly older and had a longer duration of diabetes than those without constipation. The body mass index (BMI) of patients with constipation (24.9±3.8 kg/m²) was significantly lower than that of those without constipation (26.3±4.6 kg/m²). Diabetic neuropathy (49% vs. 32%) and coronary heart disease (CHD) (27% vs. 13%) were significantly more frequent in the patients with constipation than in those without constipation. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that gender, BMI, diabetic neuropathy, insulin use, and CHD were significantly associated with constipation. Conclusion An accurate diagnosis of constipation is desirable in patients with type 2 diabetes because constipation is independently associated with CHD.     

Inhibition of autophagy by chloroquine makes chemotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma more efficient

Objectives

A combination of platinum-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy is the standard treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the efficacy of chemotherapy has reached a plateau. Many autophagy studies suggest that autophagy can either promote or suppress to cancer progression. Thus, a role of autophagy in the acquisition of chemoradioresistance has recently been a notable event. Therefore, we examined the relationship between autophagy and chemotherapy in NPC.