Acidic mucins such as sialomucin and sulfomucin produced by intestinal epithelial cells have been implicated in the protection of the mucosa from pathogens. In the present study, we analyzed the alteration of acidic mucins in the jejunum of euthymic and athymic rats infected with the nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis using alcian blue staining and a high iron-diamine method. The numbers of sialomucin+ goblet cells increased markedly 7 and 10 days post-infection and decreased gradually thereafter in euthymic rats, while athymic rats did not show sialomucin+ goblet cell hyperplasia at least until 28 days post-infection, suggesting that sialomucin production might be regulated by thymus-derived T cells. On the other hand, the numbers of sulfomucin+ goblet cells increased markedly 28 days post-infection in both euthymic and athymic rats despite the fact that sulfomucin+ goblet cell numbers in uninfected athymic rats were significantly smaller than in euthymic rats. Real-time polymerase chain reaction studies on the gene transcription levels of O-glycan sulfotransferases Gal3ST1, Gal3ST2, Gal3ST3, and Gal3ST4 in the jejunal epithelium increased gradually toward day 28 post-infection in euthymic and athymic rats. These results suggest that the production of sulfomucin and expression of Gal3STs are inducible by nematode infection without the activation of thymus-derived T cells.
A primary clear cell adenocarcinoma of the colon is a rare oncologic entity. We herein report a case of such a tumor of the sigmoid colon in a 71-year-old woman who was successfully treated by an endoscopic polypectomy in our hospital. We also reviewed the published reports regarding cases of primary clear cell tumors in the colon.
The patient was a 66-year-old woman who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy (Lap-C) secondary to chronic cholecystitis status post endoscopic choledocholithotomy 13 months previously. During surgery, Hem-o-Lok clips were used to control the cystic duct and the cystic artery. Due to the presence of extensive adhesions of the cystic duct and surrounding tissue, the surgeons had difficulty in debriding the area. Thirteen months after Lap-C, the patient underwent a screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), which demonstrated clip appearance at the inferior wall of the first part of the duodenum. In the EGD, duodenal erosions and edema were observed around the clip. We appreciated that endoscopic clip removal would be difficult because of the presence of severe adhesions and inflammation of the duodenal bulb. On clinical examination of the patient, no major abnormalities or physical findings were noted. Therefore, we decided not to attempt to remove the clip. The patient was treated with an oral proton pump inhibitor to prevent extensive duodenal mucosal injury. Two months later, we repeated the EGD, which revealed that the clip was no longer present, and the duodenum was covered with normal mucosa surrounding the scar.
Abbreviations: EGD: esophagogastroduodenoscopy; Lap-C: laparoscopic cholecystectomy; PPI: proton pump inhibitor.
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