Preoperative N stage evaluation in advanced gastric cancer patients using multidetector CT: can the sum of the diameters of metastatic LNs be used for N stage evaluation?

AIM: To compare the diagnostic performance of total counts of metastatic lymph nodes (LN-sum) and conventional multidetector (MD) computed tomography (CT) staging in the nodal evaluation of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 127 consecutive patients who underwent preoperative MDCT and gastrectomy for AGC were identified. Metastatic LNs on MDCT were defined as LNs with a short axis ≥8 mm, marked or heterogeneous enhancement, and morphological features (central necrosis, round shape, clustering). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the N-stage using LN-sum and conventional MDCT staging were generated and compared. In addition, metastatic LN counts between the MDCT and the histopathological examinations and correlation between LN-sum and histopathological nodal status were analysed. RESULTS: The total counts of metastatic LNs on MDCT was significantly smaller than those detected in histopathological assessments (p<0.0001). LN-sum showed significant correlation with the pathological N stage and the number of metastatic LNs (rho=0.69, 0.73, p<0.0001). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.896, and 0.835, for N stage ≥N2 and N3, with cut-off values of 12.5 and 23.5 mm, respectively. LN-sum provided better diagnostic performance than conventional MDCT staging for discriminating N0-2 versus N3; sensitivity, accuracy, PPV and NPV of LN-sum were significantly higher (80.4 versus 52.2%, 81.1 versus 68.5%, 71.2 versus 57.1%, and 88 versus 74.1%). CONCLUSION: LN-sum may be sufficiently useful in assessing the N3 stage of AGC and may help to plan appropriate therapy for AGC patients.

Initial Experience With Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Living Donor Nephrectomy: Training and Clinical Practice as a General Surgeon.

BACKGROUND: To analyze our initial results of hand-assisted laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy, executed by a skilled gastrointestinal surgeon. METHODS: A total of 22 consecutive patients underwent the hand-assisted laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy between December 2014 and January 2017. We retrospectively analyze the patient's perioperative clinical data, which were collected prospectively. RESULTS: The right kidney was harvested in 12 patients. The mean operative time and intraoperative blood loss was 241.0 ± 43.4 minutes (range, 140-310 min) and 293.2 ± 203.1 mL (range, 50-700 mL), respectively. The mean warm ischemic time was 288.4 ± 103.4 seconds (range, 179-610 s). Postoperative complications included chyle leakage in 2 patients who were left kidney donors and oliguria in 1 patient who was a right kidney donor. All patients recovered with conservative care, and the mean hospital stay was 7.5 ± 1.7 days. The mean creatinine level was 0.7 ± 0.2 mg/dL before surgery, 1.1 ± 0.3 mg/dL at postoperative day (POD) 1, and 1.0 ± 0.2 mg/dL after discharge. The mean glomerular filtration rate was 97.9 ± 18.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 before surgery, 60.7 ± 10.4 at POD 1, and 67.3 ± 11.1 after discharge. Operation time was not associated with patient body mass index and case number. No significant differences, other than postoperative complications, were found in the perioperative data for the side of kidney donation. CONCLUSION: A skilled surgeon with experience in laparoscopic abdominal surgery (such as gastrectomy or colectomy) might safely perform hand-assisted donor nephrectomy. However, we could not identify a clear case number to complete the learning curve.

Assessment of early therapeutic response to sorafenib in renal cell carcinoma xenografts by dynamic contrast-enhanced and diffusion-weighted MR imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) and diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) in monitoring early therapeutic response to sorafenib in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) xenograft models. METHODS: Sorafenib (40 mg kg(-1)) was administered orally to BALB/c nude mice (n = 9) bearing subcutaneous tumours of human RCC ACHN xenografts. DCE-MRI and DWI were obtained 0, 1, 3 and 7 days after therapy, and DCE-MRI parameters (K(trans) and ve) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were calculated. Tumour size and volume changes were correlated with changes in DCE-MRI parameters or ADC values after therapy. RESULTS: Following therapy, K(trans) showed a significant decrease over time (p = 0.005), whereas ve did not demonstrate significant changes between time points (p = 0.97). ADC values showed a progressive increase over time (p = 0.004). Compared with pre-therapy, K(trans) showed a significant decrease after 3 days of therapy (p = 0.039), and ADC values increased significantly after 7 days (p = 0.039). Tumour size and volume did not show significant changes during 7 days. Tumour size and volume changes were not associated with changes in DCE-MRI parameters or ADC values. CONCLUSION: DCE-MRI and DWI may show early physiological changes within 1 week after initiating sorafenib treatment on human RCC xenografts. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: The quantitative parameters of DCE-MRI and DWI may offer the potential for assessing early therapeutic response to sorafenib in clinical trials.

Short-term effect of gastric resection on circulating levels of ghrelin, peptide YY3-36 and obestatin in patients with early gastric cancer.

The short-term responses of gut hormones and the compensative interaction during a one-week period after subtotal gastrectomy in early gastric cancer (EGC) patients were assessed. Previous studies have reported gut hormonal changes after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Blood samples were collected from 40 patients with EGC preoperatively, at 1 h after gastric resection, and on postoperative day (POD) 1, 3, and 7. Levels of active ghrelin, total ghrelin, obestatin, and PYY3-36 were measured. Total ghrelin level rapidly reached a nadir of 69.1%, while active ghrelin level had increased to 135.5% at 1 h after resection. Then, both returned to preoperative level. On the contrary, active/total ghrelin reached its nadir quickly at 1 h after resection and had returned to the preoperative level by POD 3. The nadir PYY3-36 level was 71.4% on POD 1, followed by a gradual recovery, and had increased to 116.5% by POD 7. The same pattern was observed for obestatin. Active ghrelin/obestatin showed an increase on POD 1 while total ghrelin/obestatin showed a decrease on POD 3. Then, both returned to preoperative level. These results suggest that a rapid interactive compensatory mechanism of gut hormones does exist in the remnant gastrointestinal tract after abrupt changes in the production reservoir in nonobese people.

Serpin peptidase inhibitor clade A member 1 is a biomarker of poor prognosis in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: In a previous study, we reported that serpin peptidase inhibitor clade A member 1 (serpinA1) is upregulated in Snail-overexpressing gastric cancer. Although serpinA1 has been studied in several types of cancer, little is known about its roles and mechanisms of action. In this study, we examined the role of serpinA1 in the migration and invasion of gastric cancers and determined its underlying mechanism. METHODS: Expression levels were assessed by western blot analyses and real-time PCR. Snail binding to serpinA1 promoter was analysed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. The roles of serpinA1 were studied using cell invasion and migration assays. In addition, the clinicopathologic and prognostic significance of serpinA1 expression were validated in 400 gastric cancer patients using immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Overexpression of Snail resulted in upregulation of serpinA1 in gastric cancer cell lines, AGS and MKN45, whereas knockdown of Snail inhibited serpinA1 expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that overexpression of Snail increased Snail recruitment to the serpinA1 promoter. Overexpression of serpinA1 increased the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells, whereas knockdown of serpinA1 decreased invasion and migration. Moreover, serpinA1 increased mRNA levels and release of metalloproteinase-8 in gastric cancer cells. Serpin peptidase inhibitor clade A member 1 was observed in the cytoplasm of tumour cells and the stroma by immunohistochemistry. Enhanced serpinA1 expression was significantly associated with increased tumour size, advanced T stage, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastases, and shorter overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Serpin peptidase inhibitor clade A member 1 induces the invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells and its expression is associated with the progression of gastric cancer. These results may provide a potential target to prevent invasion and metastasis in gastric cancer.

The appearance of dextranomer-hyaluronic acid copolymer implants on ultrasound may predict resolution of vesicoureteral reflux after injection therapy.

AIM: To investigate the correlation between implant appearance on ultrasound (US) and voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) results after dextranomer-hyaluronic acid copolymer (DxHA) injection in children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive cases of primary VUR treated by endoscopic subureteral injection of DxHA were retrospectively reviewed. All children had postoperative bladder US and VCUG with a mean interval of 34 days and 47 days after injection, respectively. VUR resolution at postoperative VCUG was considered as treatment success. Implant appearance on US was graded according to the retained volume and its location by visual inspection; it was then correlated with VCUG results using the Spearman correlation coefficient. RESULTS: A total of 36 children (56 ureters) were identified in which 38 ureters (68%) had a clearly visualized implant on postoperative US and 40 ureters (71%) showed VUR resolution. The sensitivity of implant visualization on US for predicting reflux resolution was 73% (29/40), specificity 44% (7/16), positive predictive value 76% (29/38), and negative predictive value 39% (7/18). The grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 implant appearances showed VUR resolution in 88% (22/25), 54% (7/13), and 61% (11/18), and showed persistent VUR in 8% (2/25), 15% (2/13), and 28% (5/18), respectively (p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: The implant appearance on postoperative US showed good correlation with VCUG results in the early post-injection period. Large retained implants were associated with treatment success, while small or non-visualized implants were related to the persistent reflux.

Hepatic tumours in children with biliary atresia: single-centre experience in 13 cases and review of the literature.

AIM: To establish the risks of developing of hepatic tumours and to investigate their clinical and imaging findings in children with biliary atresia (BA) after Kasai portoenterostomy (Kasai). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 157 children who had undergone Kasai for BA over an 18 year period, patients who had newly developed hepatic tumours were identified. Patient demographics, clinical features, and imaging findings were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Three male and 10 female patients (mean age 3.9 years) all (8%, of 157) had single hepatic tumours, which were confirmed in 10 explanted and three non-explanted livers. Ten (77%) were benign and three (23%) were malignant. Of the benign hepatic tumours, focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH; n = 6) was the most common, followed by regenerative nodules (n = 3) and adenoma (n = 1). All FNH appeared in young children <1 year of age and showed a subcapsular location, bulging contour, and lack of central scar. Malignant tumours included two hepatocellular carcinomas and one cholangiocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Hepatic tumours developed in approximately 8% of children with BA after Kasai. Although benign tumours, including FNHs and regenerative nodules, were more common than malignant tumours, screening with alpha-foetoprotein (AFP) levels and regular imaging studies are the mainstay of malignant tumour detection.

Diffusion-weighted MRI for differentiation of benign from malignant lesions in the gallbladder.

AIM: To investigate the value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for differentiating benign from malignant gallbladder lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-six patients who had undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with DWI, in whom the histopathological diagnosis of their gallbladder lesions was confirmed by biopsy or surgery were retrospectively analysed. Thirty-six malignant and 90 benign lesions were included. Two radiologists categorized gallbladder lesions into seven types on two imaging sets [T2-weighted imaging (WI) alone and combined T2WI and DWI (b = 800 s/mm(2))] according to the presence of wall thickening, layered patterns, morphology of the mass, and diffusion restriction. Disagreements were resolved in consensus. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of each imaging set for diagnosing gallbladder carcinoma were calculated. The diagnostic performance of each imaging set was calculated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Additionally, ADC values of malignant and benign gallbladder lesions were compared separately for 1.5 and 3 T MRI. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of diagnosis at T2WI were 97.2%, 86.7%, 74.5%, and 98.7%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV using combined T2WI and DWI were 97.2%, 92.2%, 83.3%, and 98.8%, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy for gallbladder carcinoma slightly improved after adding DWI, from 0.92 to 0.95 (p < 0.05). ADC values for gallbladder carcinoma were significantly lower than those for benign lesions. Mean ADC values of malignant and benign lesions were 0.97 ± 0.25 × 10(-3) and 1.72 ± 0.56 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s, respectively, at 1.5 T (p < 0.001), and 1.04 ± 0.38 × 10(-3) and 2.2 ± 0.72 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s, respectively, at 3 T (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: DWI can improve diagnostic accuracy for differentiating benign from malignant gallbladder lesions.

MDCT features in the differentiation of T4a gastric cancer from less-advanced gastric cancer: significance of the hyperattenuating serosa sign.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate CT findings to differentiate between T4a and less advanced gastric cancers. METHODS: The institutional review board approved this study and waived informed consent. This study included 228 retrospectively identified patients with surgically confirmed gastric cancer (138 T1, 25 T2, 24 T3 and 41 T4a) and who had also undergone pre-operative CT scan. Transverse and multiplanar reconstruction scans were reviewed in consensus by two other blinded radiologists. The following CT findings that differentiate T4a from less advanced cancers were evaluated: nodular or an irregular outer layer of the gastric wall, haziness of the perigastric fat and a hyperattenuating serosa sign. The CT features of T4a and less advanced gastric cancers were compared by means of univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, nodular or an irregular outer layer of the gastric wall, haziness of the perigastric fat and the hyperattenuating serosa sign were significant in differentiation between T4a and less advanced gastric cancers. In addition, nodular or an irregular outer layer of the gastric wall and the hyperattenuating serosa sign were significant in differentiation between T3 and T4a. In multivariate logistic analysis, the hyperattenuating serosa sign was the most significant finding in differentiation between T3 and T4a (odds ratio, 4.210; 95% confidence intervals, 1.581-11.214; p=0.004). CONCLUSION: The hyperattenuating serosa sign may be a useful CT finding in differentiation between T4a and less-advanced gastric cancers. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: The hyperattenuating serosa sign is associated with gastric cancer with invading the serosa and can facilitate planning of the optimal pre-operative evaluation and treatment.

Serial ultrasound findings associated with early liver transplantation after Kasai portoenterostomy in biliary atresia.

AIM: To investigate the ultrasound findings associated with early liver transplantation (LT) after Kasai portoenterostomy (Kasai) in children with biliary atresia (BA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children with BA (n = 30) who underwent Kasai were classified into early LT group (n = 17, LT within 1 year after Kasai) and Kasai alone group (n = 13, alive with their native livers). Serial ultrasound (baseline and follow-up before LT or post-Kasai 1 year) images were reviewed to investigate significant ultrasound findings related to early LT using both univariate and multivariate models. Images were reviewed focusing on the hepatic artery diameter, portal vein diameter, and signs of portal hypertension. RESULTS: The hepatic artery diameters in the early LT group were significantly larger than those in the Kasai alone group both at baseline (p = 0.007) and follow-up ultrasound (p < 0.001). The portal vein diameters on follow-up ultrasound were smaller in the early LT group than the Kasai alone group (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, baseline hepatic artery diameter (hazard ratio, 20.4; 95% confidence interval, 3.7-110.6; p < 0.001) and the presence of splenomegaly at follow-up ultrasound (17.7; 2.6-121.8; p = 0.004) were significant predictors associated with early LT. The optimal cut-off value of the baseline hepatic artery diameter was 1.9 mm (82% sensitivity and 77% specificity). CONCLUSION: Enlarged hepatic artery at baseline ultrasound and the presence of splenomegaly at follow-up ultrasound were associated with early LT after Kasai in children with BA.

H1N1 influenza infection in children: Frequency, pattern, and outcome of chest radiographic abnormalities.

AIM: To describe the frequency, pattern, and outcome of chest radiographic abnormalities in children with H1N1 influenza infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred and fourteen paediatric patients with confirmed H1N1 influenza infection who underwent chest radiography at presentation at a single institution during the outbreak in 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Abnormal chest radiographic findings related to acute infection were analysed in terms of frequency, pattern, and distribution. Medical records and follow-up radiographs were also reviewed to assess clinical features and outcomes. RESULTS: Chest lesions suggesting acute infection were identified in 49 (16%) patients (mean age 8.2 years, range approximately 1.8-18.5 years). The most common finding was prominent peribronchial marking (71%), followed by air-space opacity (51%) with or without volume decrease, generalized hyperinflation (24%), and pleural effusion (20%). Other minor findings included pneumomediastinum (n=2) and a nodule (n=1). Distributions were bilateral (55%) or unilateral (45%) with frequent involvement of lower (78%), and middle (59%) lung zones. Thirty-nine patients (80%) were hospitalized and six (12%) required mechanical ventilation, followed by recovery. Thirty-one out of the 33 patients that underwent follow-up radiography showed marked resolution of all radiographic abnormalities. CONCLUSION: The frequency of a chest radiographic abnormality was found to be low in children with H1N1 influenza infection. Although typical radiographic findings of a viral lower respiratory infection were more common, unilateral involvement and air-space opacity were common, often with pleural effusion. Furthermore, pulmonary lesions showed near complete resolution on follow-up radiographs in the majority of patients.

Long-term changes in gut hormones, appetite and food intake 1 year after subtotal gastrectomy with normal body weight.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: No prospective study on the long-term effects of gastric resection on gastrointestinal hormonal changes in patients with normal body weight has been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 1-year effect of subtotal gastrectomy on ghrelin and peptide YY (PYY)(3-36) levels. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Eighteen patients with early gastric cancer underwent subtotal gastrectomy with Billroth I reconstruction. We assessed appetite, food intake, body composition, and ghrelin and PYY(3-36) levels preoperatively and 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: There were no significant difference in the preoperative daily food intake and 1 year after subtotal gastrectomy. Weight loss occurred in all study subjects; 11.7% (n=2), 55.5% (n=10) and 33.3% (n=6) of the patients lost <5%, 5-10% and >10% of their preoperative body weight, respectively. Body mass index, waist circumference and body fat significantly decreased 1 year after subtotal gastrectomy. There were no significant differences in the appetite visual analogue scale preoperatively and 1 year after subtotal gastrectomy. The plasma ghrelin concentration decreased significantly (P=0.006), whereas PYY(3-36) did not show a significant change 1 year after subtotal gastrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Ghrelin levels and body fat decreased significantly, whereas PYY(3-36) levels as well as appetite and food intake did not change significantly 1 year after subtotal gastrectomy with normal body weight. These findings suggest that decreased ghrelin might contribute directly to reduced body fat.

Overexpression of stathmin1 in the diffuse type of gastric cancer and its roles in proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Stathmin1 is a microtubule-regulating protein that has an important role in the assembly and disassembly of the mitotic spindle. The roles of stathmin1 in carcinogenesis of various cancers, including prostate and breast cancer, have been explored. However, its expression and roles in gastric cancer have not yet been described. METHODS: Stathmin1 expression in paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 226 patients was analysed by immunohistochemistry. Roles of stathmin1 were studied using a specific small interfering RNA (siRNA). RESULTS: The expression of stathmin1 was positively correlated with lymph node metastasis, TNM stages and vascular invasion, and negatively with recurrence-free survival, in the diffuse type of gastric cancer. The median recurrence-free survival in patients with a negative and positive expression of stathmin1 was 17.0 and 7.0 months, respectively (P=0.009). When the expression of stathmin1 was knocked down using siRNA, the proliferation, migration and invasion of poorly differentiated gastric cancer cells in vitro were significantly inhibited. Moreover, stathmin1 siRNA transfection significantly slowed the growth of xenografts in nude mice. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that stathmin1 can be a good prognostic factor for recurrence-free survival rate and is a therapeutic target in diffuse-type gastric cancer.

Investigation of the association between CT detection of early gastric cancer and ultimate histology.

AIM: To evaluate the association between computed tomography (CT) detection of early gastric cancer (EGC) and various parameters, including the depth of invasion, lesion extent, morpholgical type, location, and histological type. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and ten patients with 114 EGCs were preoperatively examined using multidetector CT (MDCT). All patients received 500 ml water as an oral contrast agent approximately 15 min before the examination and an additional 500 ml immediately prior to the study. Portal venous phase, contrast-enhanced, helical scans with multiplanar reformation were obtained. All patients underwent surgery. For location and size of tumour, the CT findings were compared with the histopathological results. The association between CT detection of EGC and various parameters were assessed. In addition, we performed a stepwise forward logistic regression to identify which variables significantly increased the CT detection rate of EGC. RESULTS: The detection rate of all EGCs using MDCT was 36.4%. The detection rate for EGCs confined to the superficial layer (mucosa or SM1) was 14.3%, whereas the detection rate for EGCs that involved the deep layer (SM2 or more than SM2) was 86.5%. All three of the protruded lesions and five of the six excavated lesions were readily detected using CT. Stepwise forward logistic regression showed that the best parameter for CT detection of EGCs was the depth of invasion; more EGCs were detected when the lesion was deep. CONCLUSION: MDCT has advantages in acceptable evaluation of the depth invasion of EGCs. EGC that is undetectable using CT suggests an EGC confined to the superficial layer, whereas EGC detectable using CT suggests deep lesions.

Sinonasal inverted papilloma: value of convoluted cerebriform pattern on MR imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A convoluted cerebriform pattern (CCP) has been reported as a valuable MR imaging feature of inverted papilloma (IP). The purpose of this study was to validate the usefulness of CCP for distinguishing IP from various malignant sinonasal tumors in a relatively large number of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed MR images of 30 patients with IP and 128 patients with various malignant sinonasal tumors proved on histologic examination and compared the prevalence of a CCP between the 2 groups. In 8 patients with IP concomitant with squamous cell carcinoma, we also tried to find the MR features to help suggest coexistent malignancy. RESULTS: A CCP was demonstrated in all 30 (100%) of the IPs and 17 (13%) of the 128 malignant sinonasal tumors on MR imaging. There was a significant statistical difference in the prevalence of a CCP between IP and malignant sinonasal tumors with the overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy 100%, 87%, 64%, 100%, and 89%, respectively. Of 8 IPs concomitant with squamous cell carcinoma, a focal loss of a CCP was demonstrated in 4 tumors, 3 of which also showed aggressive bone destruction with extrasinonasal extension on MR images. CONCLUSION: Although a CCP is a reliable MR imaging feature of sinonasal IPs, it can also be seen in various malignant sinonasal tumors. A focal loss of a CCP might be a clue to the diagnosis of IPs concomitant with malignancy.

MR imaging features of giant reservoir formation in the orbit: an unusual complication of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation.

We report the MR imaging findings of an unusually large fluid collection, so-called giant reservoir, around an Ahmed glaucoma valve implant that caused progressive proptosis in a patient with posttraumatic glaucoma. Although other cystic lesions of the juxtalacrimal area of the orbit, such as dermoid cyst, can present similar imaging findings, the characteristic morphology and location should lead the radiologist to the correct nature of this cystic lesion.

Smad4 expression in gastric adenoma and adenocarcinoma: frequent loss of expression in diffuse type of gastric adenocarcinoma.

Smads are signal transducers for the members of the TGF-beta superfamily. Of these Smads, Smad4 is essential for TGF-beta signaling. The purpose of this study was to elucidate Smad4 expression and localization in 65 gastric adenomas, 49 intestinal-type and 39 diffuse type of gastric adenocarcinomas (including 12 cases of fresh frozen tissue) using Real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Real-time RT-PCR showed that intestinal type gastric adenocarcinomas have higher Smad4 mRNA expression than diffuse type gastric adenocarcinomas. Immunohistochemical stain for Smad4 revealed that expression of Smad4 was significantly lower in diffuse-type gastric adenocarcinoma than intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinomas. Also, higher Smad4 protein expression in intestinal type gastric adenocarcinomas than overall gastric adenoma was noted. The rate of reduced Smad4 expression was higher in advanced gastric cancer than early gastric cancer. These results suggest that Smad4 might play different roles in human gastric carcinogenesis, especially between intestinal type and diffuse type of gastric adenocarcinoma.

Post-prandial plasma ghrelin levels in people with different breakfast hours.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the changes in post-meal plasma ghrelin levels in people with different breakfast hours. DESIGN AND INTERVENTIONS: The subjects adhered to strict breakfast times starting 2 weeks before the study. Blood was drawn hourly from 0530 or 0630 until 1130. Plasma ghrelin, leptin, and insulin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. SETTING: Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Korea. SUBJECTS: A total of 16 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: The mean plasma ghrelin level in subjects consuming breakfast was 548.7 +/- 239.6 fmol/ml before breakfast and 384.8 +/- 168.7 fmol/ml 1 h after breakfast, with leptin levels of 6.8 +/- 2.6 and 6.5 +/- 2.5 ng/ml, respectively. Plasma ghrelin levels were lowest 1 h after the meal, although the breakfast times differed. The plasma ghrelin level was lowest at 0730 in subjects not eating breakfast. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the plasma ghrelin levels are lowest 1 h after breakfast despite the variance in breakfast times. This timing might best reflect an individual's plasma ghrelin level and enable reasonable comparisons.

Correlation of Ultrasonographic Findings and Pathologic Prognostic Predictions in Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE: Increased technologic capabilities have allowed for the expanded use of ultrasound beyond simple differentiation of a lesion as solid versus cystic nature, allowing us to classify lesions into various categories based on a number of descriptive features. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether to predict the preoperative prognosis of breast cancer through the correlation between ultrasonographic images and the grade of malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patient population for this study consisted of 107 patients with infiltrative ductal carcinoma who were evaluated using ultrasound technology. Ultrasonographic findings were divided as follows: Type I, round or oval shape and regular border; Type II, partially round or oval shape and partially irregular border; and Type III, irregular shape and irregular border. RESULTS: 1. The frequency of grade 1 (G1) was significantly higher in the Type I group than the othergroups. 2. In the 2.0 cm sized mass, the lymph node metastasis rate was significantly lower in the Type I group than the other groups. 3. In all the groups, Estrogen receptor (ER) positivity was insignificant regardless of tumor size and type. 4. In the 2.0 cm sized mass, c-erbB-2 positivity was significantly lower in the Type I than the other groups. There was no clear difference among the three groups in tumors greater than 2.0 cm in size. CONCLUSION: These results show that our classification of ultrasonographic images reflect the grade of malignancy in terms of clinicopathological features in breast cancers less than 2.0 cm in size. Therefore, ultrasonographic findings may help predict the preoperative prognosis in T1 size breast cancer, although further study is required.