Loss of DPC4 expression and its correlation with clinicopathological parameters in pancreatic carcinoma.

AIM: DPC4 is a tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 18q21.1 that has high mutant frequencies in pancreatic carcinogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of DPC4 alterations in tumorigenesis and progression of pancreatic carcinomas. METHODS: We studied the immunohistochemical markers of DPC4 in 34 adenocarcinomas and 16 nonmalignant specimens from the pancreas. The 16 nonmalignant specimens from the pancreas included 8 non-neoplastic cysts and 8 normal pancreatic tissues. The relationship between DPC4 alterations and various clinicopathological parameters was evaluated by chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Survivals were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method (by a log-rank test). RESULTS: All the 16 nonmalignant cases of the pancreas showed expression of DPC4 gene. Loss of DPC4 expression was seen in 8 of 34(23.5%) pancreatic adenocarcinomas. The frequency of loss of DPC4 expression was higher in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (G3) than in well and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (G1 and G2) histologically (P=0.037). Loss of DPC4 expression of the patients at TNM stage IV was also higher than that of the patients at TNM stages I, II and III (60.0% at stage IV, versus 14.3% at stage I, 18.2% at stage II, and 18.2% at stage III) (P=0.223). The mean and median survival in patients with DPC4 expression was longer than those in patients with loss of DPC4 expression. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated patients with DPC4 expression had a higher survival rate than patients with loss of DPC4 expression, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.879). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that DPC4 is involved in the development of pancreatic carcinoma and is a late event in pancreatic carcinogenesis, DPC4 expression may be a molecular prognostic marker for pancreatic carcinoma.

[Hemocoagulase in abdominal operation and its effect on hemoagglutination].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hemostatic role of hemocoagulase in abdominal operation and its effects on coagulation. METHODS: 180 patients receiving abdominal operation were studied prospectively by randomized, double-blind controlled and multicenter design. They were divided into Hemocoagulase group (60 patients), lizhixue group (60), and manitol hexanitrate group (60). The groups were, observed in terms of the effects on hemostatic time, hemorrhagic volume, hemorrhagic volume per square unit, and body coagulation (BT, CT, PT, APTT and PLT) parameters. RESULTS: The groups received different drugs. The average hemostatic time in the hemocoagulase group was 121.6 s, hemorrhagic volume was 9.6 g, and hemorrhagic volume per square unit was 0.2 g. The similar results were observed in the lizhixue group (P > 0.05), but they were significantly different (P < 0.05) from those of the manitol hexanitrate group (159.2 s, 12.49 g, 0.3 g). In the hemocoagulase and lizhixue groups hemorrhagic and hemoagglution time decreased 30 minutes and 1 day after operation. This finding was significantly differenct from that in the manitol hexanitrate group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Hemocoagulase plays a good hemostatic role in the hemorrhagic capillary at abdominal incision.

Specific expression of osteopontin and S100A6 in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to identify differential expression of genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with the ultimate goal of discovering novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets. METHODS: We examined differences in gene expression between HCC and noncancerous liver tissue using a cDNA array with probes for 15,843 genes/clones. Two genes, osteopontin (OPN) and S100A6, were found to be >10-fold differentially expressed, and were selected for further immunohistochemical staining in 51 HCC and 10 nonmalignant liver specimens. The relation between OPN and S100A6 alterations and various clinicopathologic parameters was also evaluated. RESULTS: We found a total of 219 genes that were differentially expressed >3-fold. Of these, 109 were upregulated and 110 downregulated. Within this group, 123 genes, including 59 upregulated and 64 downregulated, had been identified previously. These known genes were mainly involved in cell migration, cytoskeleton dynamics, the signaling pathway and cell cycle, and metabolism. OPN expression and S100A6 expression were seen in 26 of 51 (51.0 %) and 16 of 51 (31.4 %) HCC samples, respectively. More importantly, proteins coded by these genes were not found in any noncancerous liver specimen by immunohistochemical analysis. Expression of these genes correlated with poor differentiation (OPN: P = .013; S100A6: P = .008). CONCLUSION: OPN, a secreted phosphoprotein that has been increasingly implicated in the progression and metastasis of cancer, and S100A6, a member of the S100 protein family that can perform cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and cytoskeletal dynamics, may be promising diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for HCC. In addition, the results encourage future studies involving the roles of these proteins in the development and progression of this cancer.

A multicenter, phase III trial of hemocoagulase Agkistrodon: hemostasis, coagulation, and safety in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Hemocoagulase Agkistrodon for injection is a single component thrombin which has passed phases I and II clinical trials. The purpose of this phase III clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of Hemocoagulase Agkistrodon on hemostasis and coagulation in abdominal skin and subcutaneous incisions and to assess the safety of this agent in surgical patients. METHODS: This is a phase III, prospective, randomized, double-blind, and controlled multicenter clinical trial including 432 consecutive patients randomized into either a study group (injected with hemocoagulase Agkistrodon at 2 U, n = 324) or a control group (injected with hemocoagulase Atrox, n = 108). The hemostatic time, hemorrhagic volume, hemorrhagic volume per unit area, blood coagulation, and adverse events were measured and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean hemostatic time in the study group was (36.8 +/- 18.7) seconds; the hemorrhagic volume was (3.77 +/- 3.93) g; and the hemorrhagic volume per unit area was (0.091 +/- 0.125) g/cm(2). In the control group, the corresponding values were (38.1 +/- 19.7) seconds, (4.00 +/- 4.75) g, and (0.095 +/- 0.101) g/cm(2), respectively. No significant difference in values existed between the two groups (P > 0.05). Blood coagulation results and hepatic and renal function were also similar between the two groups. Adverse events were reported in two cases, but were deemed non-drug-related. CONCLUSIONS: Hemocoagulase Agkistrodon has good hemostatic and coagulative function and is safe for the use of arresting capillary hemorrhage that occurs while incising the abdomen during surgery.