CD151 Overexpression is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Patients with pT3 Gastric Cancer

Introduction

CD151, a transmembrane protein of the tetraspanin family, is implicated in the regulation of cell-substrate adhesion and cell migration. Overexpression of CD151 has been reported in several cancers and controls MET-dependent neoplastic growth by enhancing receptor signaling. However, association of CD151 overexpression with MET or tumor progression has not been reported in gastric cancer.

Materials and Methods

We conducted immunohistochemical analysis of CD151 overexpression in 491 pT3 gastric carcinomas and analyzed the relationship with MET overexpression and prognostic significance.

Results

CD151 was highly expressed in 119 gastric carcinomas (24.2 %) and was significantly associated with higher pN stages. Patients with CD151-positive gastric cancer showed shorter overall (p = 0.003) and disease-free survival (p = 0.001) compared with patients with CD151-negative gastric carcinoma. CD151 overexpression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival [hazard ration (HR) 1.335; 95 % CI 1.005–1.775; p = 0.046] and disease-free survival (HR 1.903; 95 % CI 1.348–2.685; p < 0.001). Co-overexpression of CD151 and MET was observed in 30 (6.1 %) gastric cancers and was more frequent in advanced pN stages than in other groups. Moreover, co-overexpression of CD151 and MET was a strong independent prognostic factor for overall survival (HR 3.163; 95 % CI 1.958–5.108; p < 0.001) and disease-free survival (HR 3.834; 95 % CI 2.145–6.852; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

CD151 overexpression is an independent prognostic factor and could be a potential molecular therapeutic target in patients with advanced gastric cancers. Further studies are needed to establish the biological significance of CD151/MET co-overexpression and the potential of targeting both molecules as a therapeutic strategy.     

Reference intervals of serum cystatin C/creatinine ratio of 30 postnatal days in neonates

Background

A number of recent reports have suggested that the cystatin C/creatinine (CysC/Cr) ratio might be a useful biomarker of renal function in pediatric patients. In this study we investigated the reference intervals of the serum CysC/Cr ratio for neonates including very low birth weight infants.

Case-Diagnosis/Treatment

A total of 883 blood samples were collected from 246 neonates during the first 30 days of life for the concurrent measurement of serum CysC and Cr levels. Infants with symptoms or signs of acute kidney injury, systemic illness, congenital anomaly, or renal pathology were excluded. The association between serum CysC/Cr ratio and the subgroups of patients was also analyzed. Reference intervals of serum CysC/Cr ratio were determined according to the postnatal age and post-conceptional age (PCA). CysC/Cr ratio level increased according to PCA, except in the first three postnatal days. The serum CysC/Cr ratio correlated positively with gestational age at birth, birth weight, postnatal age, and PCA, and negatively with serum CysC and Cr (P?<?0.001).

Conclusions

Reference levels of serum CysC/Cr ratio were determined according to postnatal age and PCA. As the serum CysC/Cr ratio is dependent on several clinical parameters, these should be considered when assessing the serum CysC/Cr ratio in neonates.     

Risk factors associated with postoperative prosthetic graft patency in Leriche syndrome

Background

In Leriche syndrome, postoperative graft thrombosis remains one of the most significant clinical challenges.

Long-term Clinical Significance of Tacrolimus Trough Level at the Early Period After Kidney Transplantation

BackgroundThe stable immunosuppressant level at the early period after kidney transplantation (KT) is one of the most important factors for the prognosis of KT. However, the extent of immunosuppression varies according to the policies of each KT center. We investigated the relationship between the clinical outcome and tacrolimus trough level (TTL) at the early post-transplant period.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients who underwent KT between July 2007 and June 2016. We investigated TTLs at 3 months after KT. We evaluated the incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR), cytomegalovirus infection, and graft survival according to the TTLs.ResultsA total of 426 patients who received KT during the study period were enrolled. The mean age of KT recipients was 46.3 ± 11.5 years, and 55.5% of patients were men. The incidence of BPAR within 1 year after KT was significantly higher when TTLs at 3 months were less than 4.0 ng/mL (P = .020). Death-censored graft survival rates were significantly lower in KT recipients with BPAR and TTL less than 4.0 ng/mL (P < .001, P < .001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, BPAR and TTL less than 4.0 ng/mL at 3 months after KT were independent risk factors for graft failure.ConclusionBPAR and TTL less than 4.0 ng/mL at 3 months after KT are important risk factors for allograft failure. Therefore, TTL should be kept at least 4.0 ng/mL or more at 3 months after KT to reduce the incidence of BPAR within 1 year after KT.     

Comparing the short-term outcomes of totally intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy with extracorporeal gastroduodenostomy after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a single surgeon’s experience and a rapid systematic review with meta-analysis

Background

Since delta-shaped gastroduodenostomy was introduced, many surgeons have utilized laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) with totally intracorporeal Billroth I (ICBI) for gastric cancer, because it is expected to have several advantages over laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy with extracorporeal Billroth I (ECBI). In this study, we compared these two reconstruction options to evaluate their outcomes.

Methods

The data of 166 gastric cancer patients who underwent LDG performed by a single surgeon between April 2009 and February 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. The subjects were divided into ECBI (n = 106) and ICBI (n = 60) groups, and then the clinical characteristics, surgical outcomes, symptoms, and change in BMI at 3 months after surgery were compared. Furthermore, a rapid systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted.

Results

The operative time was significantly shorter in the ICBI group (197.4 ± 45.5 vs. 157.1 ± 43.9 min), but blood loss was similar between the groups. Regarding surgical outcomes, there were no significant differences in the length of hospital stay, soft diet initiation, visual analogue scale, frequency of analgesics injection, and postoperative white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein levels between the groups. The surgical complication rates were 5.7 and 13.3 % in the ECBI and ICBI groups, respectively, and one case of anastomosis leakage was observed in each group. At 3 months after surgery, reflux symptoms were more frequent in the ICBI group, but other gastrointestinal symptoms and the change of BMI were similar between the groups. The meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in the operative time, time to first flatus, length of hospital stay, frequency of analgesic usages, and rates of anastomosis complications between the groups.

Conclusions

We could not demonstrate the clinical superiority of ICBI over ECBI based on our data and a rapid systematic review and meta-analysis. The anastomosis method may be selected according to patient conditions and the surgeon’s preference.     

Intracranial and Spinal Ependymomas: Review of MR Images in 61 Patients

Objective

To compare the age distribution and characteristic MR imaging findings of ependymoma for each typical location within the neuraxis.

Materials and Methods

During a recent eleven-year period, MR images of 61 patients with histologically proven ependymomas were obtained and retrospectively reviewed in terms of incidence, peak age, location, size, signal intensity, the presence or absence of cyst and hemorrhage, enhancement pattern, and other associated findings.

Results

Among the 61 patients, tumor location was spinal in 35 (57%), infrartentorial in 19 (31%), and supratentorial in seven (12%). In four of these seven, the tumor was located in brain parenchyma, and in most cases developed between the third and fifth decade. Approximately half of the infratentorial tumors occurred during the first decade. The signal intensity of ependymomas was non-specific, regardless of their location. A cystic component was seen in 71% (5/7) of supratentorial, 74% (14/19) of infratentorial, and 14% (5/35) of spinal cord tumors. Forty-nine percent (17/35) of those in the spinal cord were associated with rostral and/or caudal reactive cysts. Intratumoral hemorrhage occurred in 57% (4/7) of supratentorial, 32% (6/19) of infratentorial, and 9% (3/35) of spinal cord tumors. In 17% (6/35) of spinal ependymomas, a curvilinear low T2 signal, suggesting marginal hemorrhage, was seen at the upper and/or lower margins of the tumors. Peritumoral edema occurred in 57% (4/7) of supratentorial, 16% (3/19) of infratentorial and 23% (8/35) of spinal cord tumors. Seventy-two percent (5/7) of supratentorial and 95% (18/19) of infratentorial tumors showed heterogeneous enhancement, while in 50% (17/34) of spinal cord tumors, enhancement was homogeneous.

Conclusion

Even though the MR imaging findings of ependymomas vary and are nonspecific, awareness of these findings, and of tumor distribution according to age, is helpful and increases the likelihood of correct preoperative clinical diagnosis.     

Safe Criteria for Less Radical Trachelectomy in Patients with Early-Stage Cervical Cancer: A Multicenter Clinicopathologic Study

Background

To determine the safe criteria for less radical trachelectomy to treat patients with early-stage cervical cancer.

Methods

We reviewed medical records and pathologic slides of 65 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IA?CIB1 cervical cancer. The safe criteria for less radical trachelectomy were determined by using three factors such as tumor size ??1?cm, stromal invasion ??5?mm, and no lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) for minimizing parametrial involvement, lymph node metastasis (LNM), and the need of adjuvant radiotherapy. The diagnostic values were investigated by calculating specificity, negative predictive value for no parametrial involvement, no LNM, and no need of adjuvant radiotherapy.

Results

The median age was 32?years (range 22?C44?years), and the median duration of follow-up was 26?months (range 2?C103?months). Among seven single or combined factors for the safe criteria, (1) tumor size ??1?cm, (2) tumor size ??1?cm and stromal invasion ??5?mm, (3) tumor size ??1?cm and no LVSI, (4) tumor size ??1?cm, stromal invasion ??5?mm, and no LVSI did not show parametrial involvement, LNM, and the need of adjuvant radiotherapy. In particular, tumor size ??1?cm showed the highest specificity (28.1?C29.5%) and negative predictive value (100%). In spite of no difference in progression-free survival (PFS) between tumor size ??1?cm and >1?cm (P?=?0.22), tumor size ??1?cm showed better PFS without disease recurrence than tumor size >1?cm (2-year PFS, 100% vs. 90%).

Conclusions

Less radical trachelectomy may be safe in patients with early-stage cervical cancer who have tumor size ??1?cm.     

Wilms' tumor in a horseshoe kidney

The incidence of horseshoe kidney is about 1 in 400 cases. The presence of Wilms' tumor with a horseshoe kidney is unusual, and the occurrence of Wilms' tumor in a horseshoe kidney is estimated at 0.4 to 0.9% of all Wilms' tumors. We report the case of a 5-year-old boy who presented with a stage IV Wilms' tumor in a horseshoe kidney. The patient was treated with preoperative chemotherapy followed by surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy. This case illustrates the role of preoperative chemotherapy for preserving renal function and aims to highlight the multimodality treatment of Wilms' tumor.     

The washout rate on the delayed CT image as a diagnostic tool for adrenal adenoma verified by pathology: a multicenter study

Objectives

To establish the undisputed the value of washout rate for adrenal adenoma using delayed enhanced CT, we evaluated diagnostic performance of cut-off value and delayed time of washout rate by final pathologic diagnosis in a multicenter study.

Methods

We reviewed the pathologic and clinical records of 244 patients underwent adrenalectomies at 5 university hospitals between 2005 and 2009. We calculated the mean Housfield units (HU) of adrenal lesion at non-enhancing CT, and early and delayed enhanced CT using the region of interest. We used ROC curves to determine the specificity and sensitivity of non-enhanced CT scans and the washout rate according to the various cut-off for adrenal adenomas.

Results

We divided the patients into adrenal adenoma group (n?=?138) and non-adrenal adenoma group (n?=?106) based on final pathologic report. Using the unenhanced images with a threshold of 10 HU, the sensitivity was 45.7?%, and the specificity was 97.1?%. Using the 15-min-washout rate with a threshold of 55?%, the sensitivity was 93.9?%, and the specificity was 95.8?%.

Conclusions

Regardless of various CT machines and protocols, a washout rate of 15-min-delayed CT was most useful in the diagnosis of adrenal adenomas due to the early inflow and outflow of contrast media in the tissues of adrenal adenomas.