AFP-positive gastric cancer had more aggressive behavior than that of AFP-negative gastric cancer. In addition to surgery, multimodal therapy should be considered.

The existence of gastric cancer stem cells (CSCs) has not been definitively proven and specific cell surface markers for identifying gastric CSCs have largely not been identified. Our research aimed to isolate potential gastric CSCs and clarify their clinical significance, while defining markers for GCSC identification and verification. Here, we report that spheroid cells possess stem cell-like properties, and overexpress certain stem cell markers. CD133 or CD44-positive cells also exhibit properties of CSCs. The expression of Oct4, Sox2, Gli1, CD44, CD133, p-AKT, and p-ERK was significantly higher in metastatic lesions compared to that in primary lesions. Elevated expression of some of these proteins was correlated with a more aggressive phenotype and poorer prognosis, including Oct4, Sox2, Gli1, CD44, and p-ERK. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model analysis showed that only CD44 is an independent factor. Knockdown of CD44 down-regulated the stem cell-like properties, which was accompanied by the down-regulation of p-ERK and Oct4. Oct4 overexpression could reverse the decreased CSCs properties induced by CD44 knockdown. Taken together, our research revealed that spheroid cell culture, and CD133 or CD44-labeled FACS methods can be used to isolate gastric CSCs. Some CSC markers have clinical significance in predicting the prognosis. CD44 is an independent prognostic factor and maintains the properties of CSCs in CD44-p-ERK-Oct4 positive feedback loop.

HAS had different clinicopathologic features and prognosis from non-HAS.

The anatomic variations of the middle hepatic vein (MHV) and left hepatic vein (LHV) in 200 patients with normal liver function were analyzed using ultrasonography to clarify the feasibility of resecting the left lobe or left lateral segment in living subjects for living related hepatic transplantation (LRHT). The MHV and LHV form a common trunk in 70% of cases but drain independently into the inferior vena cava (IVC) in 30%. In 7% of cases, the left median vein (LMV) drains into the MHV, in 32% of cases the anterior superior segmental vein (ASSV) that drains segment 8 flows into the MHV. The distance between the two confluence points (LHV flows into MHV or IVC and LMV flows into the MHV) ranged from 0.3 cm to 2.5 cm with an average of 0.75 cm. The diameter of the LMV at the point that flows into MHV ranged from 0.3 cm to 0.9 cm. with an average of 0.61 cm. The distance from the IVC to the confluence of the MHV and LHV ranged from 0 cm to 3.5 cm with an average of 1.5 cm in those cases whose MHV and LHV presented as common trunks. Preoperative delineation of this complex venous anatomy is of paramount importance because the hepatic veins have to be transected in the cutting plane of the liver. The location of this plane is determined by the optimal graft volume required, and both the graft and the remnant liver have to retain perfect function. The venous anatomy would change the cutting plane in the living donor and the surgical method of anastomosis for the recipient.

BackgroundBenign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) occurs in a low proportion of uterine leiomyomas and treatment methods for BML are diverse and controversial. The study introduces preliminary experiences in the diagnosis and treatment of BML with the purpose of finding a suitable management strategy for these patients.MethodsThree patients with BML were treated in our department from April 2008 to July 2012. Each of these patients presented with multiple nodules in both lungs, where we performed video-assisted thoracoscopic wedge resection to harvest enough tissue for histopathologic and immunohistochemical examination. The patients were treated with medical castration or surgical castration after the diagnosis of BML.ResultsThe ultimate pathologic results ruled out the possibility of leiomyosarcoma and other metastatic diseases, and confirmed that the pulmonary lesions were BML. The lung lesions remained stable in two patients who were treated by surgical castration, and the lung nodules regressed in one patient treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues.ConclusionsThe diagnosis of BML is based on the medical history of uterine myomas and histopathologic and immunohistochemical examination of lung nodules. Video-assisted thoracoscopic wedge resection is the best way to harvest tissue for diagnosis. The better outcomes in BML seem to call for medical intervention, either chemical or surgical, after diagnosis is made.

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This study was aimed to identify the expression and the correlation of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) system and their prognostic impacts in cervical cancer. Seventy-two patients with early-stage cervical cancer were eligible. We obtained the serum levels of total IGF-1 and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the expression of IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) in cancerous tissue by immuno-fluorescent (IF) stains. The 5-year recurrence-free and overall survival rates were significantly lower (P ¼ 0.003 and P ¼ 0.01, respectively) among patients with high-grade expression of tissue IGF-1R, compared with those with low-grade expression. After adjustment for other factors, preoperative serum total IGF-1 or IGFBP-3 levels failed to predict cancer death and recurrence. High-grade expression of IGF-1R and elevated preoperative squamous cell carcinoma antigen level were independent predictors of both death and recurrence, and combination of both factors could further help identify the subgroup of patients at higher death risk. The IF staining indicates the colocalisation of IGF-1 and IGF-1R in the cancerous tissues, whereas the IGF-1R expression is not correlated with circulating levels of IGF-1 or IGFBP-3. In early-stage cervical cancer, IGF-1 system may have a paracrine or autocrine function and the adverse impacts on prognosis by IGF-1R overexpression are implicated.

No abstract