Impact of serine protease inhibitor alpha1-antitrypsin on expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced proinflammatory factors in adipocytes.

Obesity-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress contributes to low-grade chronic inflammation in adipose tissue and may cause metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. Identification of high serpina A1 (alpha-1 antitrypsin, A1AT) expression in mouse adipose tissue and adipocytes prompted us to explore the role of A1AT in the inflammatory response of adipocytes under ER stress. We aimed to determine the role of A1AT expression in adipocytes with ER stress during regulation of adipocyte homeostasis and inflammation. To this end, we chemically induced ER stress in A1AT small interfering RNA-transfected differentiating adipocytes using thapsigargin. Induction of CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), an ER stress marker, by thapsigargin was lower in A1AT-deficient SW872 adipocytes. Thapsigargin or the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α increased basal expression of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-8 in both SW872 and primary omental adipocytes. This thapsigargin- or TNFα-induced expression of proinflammatory genes was increased by A1AT deficiency. These findings indicate that adipose A1AT may suppress the ER stress response to block excessive expression of proinflammatory factors, which suggests that A1AT protects against adipose tissue dysfunction associated with ER stress activation.

Total Talar Replacement for Idiopathic Necrosis of the Talus: A Case Report.

Idiopathic osteonecrosis of the talus is a rare but severe condition that directly affects the ability to walk and is difficult to treat either conservatively or surgically. We report the case of a 72-year-old female with idiopathic necrosis of the talus treated with total talar replacement surgery. A custom-made aluminum-ceramic total talar prosthesis was prepared using the mirror image of the computed tomography and radiographic data from the contralateral ankle. The talus was exposed and removed using an anterior approach, and the total talar prosthesis was inserted. The prosthesis was placed in a stable position between the tibia, calcaneus, and navicular, with no signs of instability with ankle joint movement. The ankle was immobilized in a short-leg cast for 3 weeks. At the latest follow-up examination, 2 years after surgery, the patient was walking without pain. Examination of the left ankle showed 20° of dorsiflexion and 40° of plantar flexion. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle/hindfoot score was 90, which had improved from a preoperative score of 45. Radiographic examination showed that the prosthesis was in a stable position in the ankle mortise, and no degenerative or destructive changes were observed in the surrounding bones. This is the first reported case of total talar replacement with a prosthesis for idiopathic talar necrosis. Although the long-term outcome is still unknown, this procedure could provide a good treatment option for idiopathic necrosis of the talus.

Poorly differentiated mesenteric carcinoma of unknown primary site detected by abscess formation: case report.

BACKGROUND: Carcinoma of unknown primary site (CUP) is said to account for approximately 3 to 5% of all carcinomas. However, an isolated lesion in the abdominal cavity is rare, and there are no reports describing associated abscess formation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 76-year-old woman had consulted a previous physician complaining of fever and right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed an abscess formation around the cecum. She was treated conservatively with antibiotics, but the symptoms relapsed and she consulted our hospital. Enhanced CT showed a persistent abscess, a tumorous lesion in the mesentery and right hydronephrosis. Because malignancy could not be ruled out, surgical treatment was selected. At laparotomy, encapsulated abscesses were found on the mesenteric side and outside of the ileocecal region. When we raised the ileocecal region, a tumor was found to be fixed to the right ureter, and there was leakage of white, solid tumor content. This tumor content was submitted to intraoperative frozen section diagnosis which revealed a carcinoma. Ileocecal resection with D3 lymph node dissection and retroperitoneal tumor resection was thus performed. There were no abnormal findings in the uterus and adnexa, nor any evidence of peritoneal dissemination. We regarded this case as an incomplete resection and chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin was administered. The patient has remained alive and disease-free for almost one year since the primary operation. CONCLUSION: We described a case with mesenteric CUP discovered during surgery for an intra-abdominal abscess. It is necessary to pay attention to treatment-resistant intraperitoneal abscesses as they may accompany a tumor.