Case-control study of the efficacy of retrogastric Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy.

The traditional, retrocolic/antegastric Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy is technically complicated, and the incidence of postoperative complications remains high. Here we report the outcome of 59 consecutively treated patients (study group, SG) that underwent a new choledochojejunostomy method in which the jejunal loop is passed behind the antrum pyloricum (retrogastric route). A retrospective comparison was made between this group of patients and 187 patients (control group, CG) that underwent conventional Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy (antegastric route). Baseline clinicopathological characteristics were similar in both groups, except for the BMI, which was significantly higher in the SG. The time spent on constructing the anastomosis, as well as overall postoperative complications, did not differ between groups. Compared with the CG, the incidence of postoperative delayed gastric emptying was decreased in the SG, and the time elapsed before the patients' first postoperative liquid food consumption was shorter. We ascribe these beneficial effects to the superiority of the modified, retropyloric choledochojejunostomy approach, and propose that this surgical technique is particularly suitable for obese patients, especially those with a short ascending bowel loop.

Cutaneous metastases from gastric adenocarcinoma 15 years after curative gastrectomy.

We report the case of a 38-year-old man, who developed cutaneous metastases in the left inguinal groove 15 years after curative gastrectomy for advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. Histopathologic examination revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma cells. They were stained positive for villin, CDX-2, CKpan (AE1/ AE3), CEA, CK8/18, CK19, CK7, EMA, Ki-67 (50%), and negative for S-100, CK20, CD34, GCDFP-15 and TTF-1. The patient underwent local excision, after the presence of other metastases was excluded. Nevertheless, local recurrence developed at the surgical bed one year later and PET/CT revealed metastases to lymph nodes, bone and skin. He died 2 years after the appearance of cutaneous metastases. We have reviewed the literature and described the immunohistochemical characteristics of cutaneous metastases from gastric adenocarcinoma.

Cutaneous metastases from gastric adenocarcinoma 15 years after curative gastrectomy

We report the case of a 38-year-old man, who developed cutaneous metastases in the left inguinal groove 15 years after curative gastrectomy for advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. Histopathologic examination revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma cells. They were stained positive for villin, CDX-2, CKpan (AE1/ AE3), CEA, CK8/18, CK19, CK7, EMA, Ki-67 (50%), and negative for S-100, CK20, CD34, GCDFP-15 and TTF-1. The patient underwent local excision, after the presence of other metastases was excluded. Nevertheless, local recurrence developed at the surgical bed one year later and PET/CT revealed metastases to lymph nodes, bone and skin. He died 2 years after the appearance of cutaneous metastases. We have reviewed the literature and described the immunohistochemical characteristics of cutaneous metastases from gastric adenocarcinoma.

Multilineage potential of homozygous stem cells derived from metaphase II oocytes.

Human stem cells derived from human fertilized oocytes, fetal primordial germ cells, umbilical cord blood, and adult tissues provide potential cell-based therapies for repair of degenerating or damaged tissues. However, the diversity of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens in the general population and the resultant risk of immune-mediated rejection complicates the allogenic use of established stem cells. We assessed an alternative approach, employing chemical activation of nonfertilized metaphase II oocytes for producing stem cells homozygous for MHC. By using F1 hybrid mice (H-2-B/D), we established stem cell lines homozygous for H-2-B and H-2-D, respectively. The undifferentiated cells retained a normal karyotype, expressed stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 and Oct4, and were positive for alkaline phosphatase and telomerase. Teratomatous growth of these cells displayed the development of a variety of tissue types encompassing all three germ layers. In addition, these cells demonstrated the potential for in vitro differentiation into endoderm, neuronal, and hematopoietic lineages. We also evaluated this homozygous stem cell approach in human tissue. Five unfertilized blastocysts were derived from a total of 25 human oocytes, and cells from one of the five hatched blastocysts proliferated and survived beyond two passages. Our studies demonstrate a plausible "homozygous stem cell" approach for deriving pluripotent stem cells that can overcome the immune-mediated rejection response common in allotransplantation, while decreasing the ethical concerns surrounding human embryonic stem cell research.