SPan-1 Is a Useful Prognostic Marker for Patients with Stage IV Gastric Cancer Who Underwent Palliative Gastrectomy: A Retrospective Multivariate Study

Background

We retrospectively investigated prognostic factors to be used in selecting the patients with stage IV gastric cancer (GC) who have an unfavorable prognosis after palliative gastrectomy.

Methods

A total of 146 GC patients at stage IV who had undergone palliative gastrectomy were enrolled. Various clinicopathological parameters were evaluated for prognosis.

Results

Surgical morbidity and hospital mortality occurred in 35 (23.9 %) and 4 (2.7 %) patients, respectively. The overall 5-year survival rate and the median survival time were 11.2 % and 13.2 months, respectively. Of the 146 patients, 64 had uncomfortable symptoms associated with GC and 76 had no such symptoms. Of the 64 patients with uncomfortable symptoms, 60 (93.7 %) experienced relief of these symptoms after palliative surgery. Multivariate analysis for patients without uncomfortable symptoms associated with GC revealed that the number of incurable factors and serum SPan-1 level were independent prognostic factors.

Conclusions

Patients with stage IV GC who had multiple incurable factors and a high level of serum SPan-1 might not be candidates for palliative gastrectomy for the purpose of prognostic benefit.     

Rapid detection of human herpesvirus 8 DNA using loop-mediated isothermal amplification

The reliability of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for the detection of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) DNA was evaluated. Although LAMP products were produced with the DNA sample extracted from BCP-1 cells, LAMP products were not produced with the DNAs from seven other human herpesviruses. The detection limit of the HHV-8 LAMP method was 100 copies of target sequence/tube. To determine whether the HHV-8 LAMP method could be used to quantify viral DNA, threshold times, which are defined as the time (in s) it takes to reach the threshold turbidity level (0.1), were measured for the amplification of serial dilutions of a DNA plasmid containing the target sequence. The standard curve possessed a correlation coefficient of 0.9428 with a slope of -84.079 and y-intercept value of 1936.2. Additionally, an attempt was made to detect viral DNA in 17 specimens collected from Kaposi's sarcomas and two cell lines obtained from primary effusion lymphomas. HHV-8 DNA was detected in 14 of the 17 Kaposi's sarcoma tissue samples and both of the primary effusion lymphoma cell lines. Viral DNA was not detected in HHV-8 LAMP-negative samples using the real-time PCR method.     

Mutation at cleavage site of insulin-like growth factor receptor in a short-stature child born with intrauterine growth retardation

CONTEXT: Mouse knockout models have clearly demonstrated the critical importance of IGF-I and IGF receptor type 1 (IGF-IR) for embryonic growth as well as postnatal growth. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that mutations of IGF-IR gene might predispose to short stature in children born with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). PATIENTS: Twenty-four children with unexplained IUGR (birth weight < -1.5 SD) and short stature (<-2.0 SD) were screened for abnormalities of the IGF-IR gene. METHODS: Direct DNA sequencing was used to identify IGF-IR gene mutations. Unprocessed IGF-IR proreceptor in fibroblasts was detected by immunoblot analysis. Functions of mutated IGF-IR in fibroblasts were evaluated by IGF-I binding, and IGF-I-stimulated DNA synthesis and beta-subunit autophosphorylation. RESULTS: We found the following results: 1) a heterozygous mutation (R709Q) changing the cleavage site from Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg to Arg-Lys-Gln-Arg was identified in a 6-yr-old Japanese girl (case 1) and her mother who also had IUGR with short stature (case 2); 2) fibroblasts from case 2 contained more IGF-IR proreceptor protein (189 +/- 26% of normal) and less mature beta-subunit protein (63 +/- 12%); 3) [125I]IGF-I binding to fibroblasts from case 2 was reduced, compared with normal control (0.61 +/- 0.16 x 10(6) vs. 1.14 +/- 0.12 x 10(6) sites per cell; P < 0.05); and 4) both IGF-I-stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation and IGF-IR beta-subunit autophosphorylation were low in fibroblasts from case 2, compared with those of control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings strongly suggest that this mutation leads to failure of processing of the IGF-IR proreceptor to mature IGF-IR and causes short stature and IUGR.     

Co-existence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium intracellulare in one sputum sample

An 81-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with a severe sore throat and a low grade fever. A chest radiograph showed bilateral diffuse reticulonodular shadows. By fluorescent stain for mycobacteria, his sputum smear showed acid-fast bacteria. The initial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of his sputum revealed Mycobacterium intracellulare (M. intracellulare), but not Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). However, a repeat PCR was performed because M. tuberculosis could not be ruled out due to his clinical symptoms and chest imaging. The second PCR detected both M. intracellulare and M. tuberculosis. From the standpoint of infection control, this case illustrates the possibility that M. tuberculosis could be a threat if a second PCR is not done. While PCR is a useful exam for diagnosing M. tuberculosis, it can produce false negative results. Therefore, for diagnosing tuberculosis, particularly in a case such as the present case, a second PCR, which is not normally necessary, should be done.     

Rescue of cells from ras oncogene-induced growth arrest by a second, complementing, oncogene.

Established REF52 cells (rat embryo fibroblasts) completely resist stable transformation by ras oncogenes, and simian virus 40 large tumor (T) antigen collaborates with ras to convert REF52 cells to tumorigenic state. A temperature-sensitive simian virus 40 large T antigen (encoded by tsA58) allowed the T24 Ha-ras oncogene to transform REF52 cells in a temperature-dependent manner. Two thirds of the clones transformed with tsA58 and ras became arrested in G2 or late S phase when shifted to a nonpermissive temperature for T antigen stability. Thus, ras induced growth arrest rather than stable transformation in the absence of a functional collaborating oncogene. These results indicate that collaborating oncogenes can regulate cellular responses to ras and have implications regarding therapeutic strategies to control tumor cells expressing activated ras oncogenes.     

Structures of triterpenoids from the leaves of Lansium domesticum

Journal of Natural Medicines - From the methanolic extract of the leaves of Lansium domesticum, three new onoceranoid-type triterpenoids, lansium acids X–XII and a new cycloartane-type...