High-density magnetic-vacancy inclusion in Co2MnGa single crystal probed by spin-polarized positron annihilation spectroscopy

Co₂MnGa is a Weyl semimetal exhibiting giant anomalous Hall and Nernst effects. Using spin-polarized positron annihilation spectroscopy, we examined a Bridgman-grown Co₂MnGa single crystal with a nearly perfectL2₁-ordered structure and a reference Co₂MnAl polycrystal with a Mn-Al-disorderedB2 structure. We found that a large amount of magnetic vacancies (more than 100 ppm) were included in the Co₂MnGa crystal but not the Co₂MnAl crystal. We discuss possible reasons for the inclusion of vacancies, the role of vacancies in the development of the ordered structure, and the electronic states associated with the vacancies. Toward the development of Co₂MnGa-based devices, the manners for reducing vacancies as well as the influence of vacancies on the electrical transport properties should be considered.

Benign hilar bile duct strictures resected as perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Differentiation between perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC) and benign strictures is frequently difficult. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and long-term outcome of patients with tumours resected because of suspicion of PHCC, which ultimately turned out to be benign (malignancy masquerade).

METHODS

Patients who underwent surgical resection with a diagnosis of PHCC between 2001 and 2016 were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Among 707 consecutive patients, 685 had PHCC and the remaining 22 (3·1 per cent) had benign biliary stricture. All patients with benign disease underwent major hepatectomy, with no deaths. Preoperative histological assessment using bile duct biopsy or aspiration cytology had a high specificity (90 per cent), low sensitivity (62 per cent) and unsatisfactory accuracy (63 per cent). Despite the increasing use of histological assessment, the incidence of benign strictures resected did not decrease over time, being 0·9 per cent in 2001-2004, 4·0 per cent in 2005-2008, 3·8 per cent in 2009-2012 and 2·9 per cent in 2013-2016. The final pathology of benign strictures included IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis (9 patients), hepatolithiasis (4), granulomatous cholangitis (3), non-specific chronic cholangitis (3), benign strictures after cholecystectomy (2), and a benign stricture possibly caused by parasitic infection (1). The 10-year overall survival rate for the 22 patients with benign stricture was 87 per cent, without recurrence of biliary stricture.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of benign strictures resected as PHCC as a proportion of all resections was relatively low, at 3·1 per cent. Currently, unnecessary surgery for suspected PHCC is unavoidable.

Clinical value of additional resection of a margin-positive distal bile duct in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

Background

Little is known about the effect of additional resection for a frozen-section-positive distal bile duct margin (DM) in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Methods

Patients who underwent surgical resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma between 2001 and 2015 were analysed retrospectively, focusing on the DM.

Results

Of 558 consecutive patients who underwent frozen-section examination for a DM, 74 (13·3 per cent) had a frozen-section-positive DM with invasive cancer or carcinoma in situ. Eventually, 53 patients underwent additional resection (bile duct resection in 44 and pancreatoduodenectomy in 9), whereas the remaining 21 patients did not. Ultimately, R0 resection was achieved in 30 of the 53 patients (57 per cent). No patient who underwent additional resection died from surgical complications. The 44 patients with additional bile duct resection had a 5-year overall survival rate of 31 per cent. Overall survival of the nine patients who had pancreatoduodenectomy was better, with a 10-year rate of 67 per cent. Survival of the 21 patients without additional resection was dismal: all died within 5 years. Multivariable analyses identified nodal status and additional resection as independent prognostic factors (lymph node metastasis: hazard ratio (HR) 2·26, 95 per cent c.i. 1·26 to 4·07; bile duct resection versus no additional resection: HR 0·32, 0·17 to 0·60; pancreatoduodenectomy versus no additional resection: HR 0·08, 0·02 to 0·29).

Conclusion

Additional resection for frozen-section-positive DM in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma frequently yields R0 margins. It offers a better chance of long-term survival, and thus should be performed in carefully selected patients.

Expression of Monocarboxylate Transporter 1 in Oral and Ocular Canine Melanocytic Tumors

Solid tumors are composed of a heterogeneous population of cells surviving in various concentrations of oxygen. In a hypoxic environment, tumor cells generally up-regulate glycolysis and, therefore, generate more lactate that must be expelled from the cell through proton transporters to prevent intracellular acidosis. Monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) is a major proton transporter in mammalian cells that transports monocarboxylates, such as lactate and pyruvate, together with a proton across the plasma membrane. Melanocytic neoplasia occurs frequently in dogs, but the prognosis is highly site-dependent. In this study, 50 oral canine melanomas, which were subdivided into 3 histologic subtypes, and 17 ocular canine melanocytic neoplasms (14 melanocytomas and 3 melanomas) were used to examine and compare MCT1 expression. Immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal chicken anti-rat MCT1 antibody showed that most oral melanoma exhibited cell membrane staining, although there were no significant differences observed among the 3 histologic subtypes. In contrast, the majority of ocular melanocytic tumors were not immunoreactive. Additionally, we documented the presence of a 45-kDa band in cell membrane protein Western blots, and sequencing of a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction band of expected size confirmed its identity as a partial canine MCT1 transcript in 3 oral tumors. Increased MCT1 expression in oral melanomas compared with ocular melanocytic tumors may reflect the very different biology between these tumors in dogs. These results are the first to document canine MCT1 expression in canine tumors and suggest that increased MCT1 expression may provide a potential therapeutic target for oral melanoma.

Variant parameter values-as defined by the Chicago Criteria-produced by ManoScan and a new system with Unisensor catheter

BACKGROUND

Recently reported normal values for esophageal motility obtained by high-resolution manometry (HRM) using a system with a Unisensor catheter were significantly different from those obtained by the ManoScan(®) , which could result in a wrong diagnosis. To clarify whether these differences were due to system or subject differences, we compared the manometric parameter values between ManoScan and a new system with a Unisensor catheter (Starlet) in the same subjects.

METHODS

A total of 103 volunteers without any symptoms related to esophageal motility disorders were recruited. Esophageal HRM was performed using both the ManoScan and the Starlet in all subjects. Data from the ManoScan were analyzed using ManoView, and data from the Starlet were analyzed by a program with e-sleeve function. Integrated relaxation pressure, distal contractile integral, contractile front velocity (CFV), intrabolus pressure, and distal latency were calculated by both analyzing programs, and the values of these parameters were compared between the two systems by a signed rank test.

KEY RESULTS

Data from a total of 97 participants were analyzed. The values of all parameters, except CFV, measured by the Starlet were significantly higher than those obtained by the ManoScan (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Both systems can measure esophageal motility appropriately; nevertheless, we confirmed that the two systems showed different values of the parameters defined by the Chicago criteria. These differences should be recognized to evaluate esophageal motility precisely.

Gastrointestinal symptoms in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients treated with pirfenidone and herbal medicine

Pirfenidone is an antifibrotic agent for patients with pulmonary fibrosis, but this drug has adverse gastrointestinal (GI) effects. The first aim of this study was to assess GI symptoms due to pirfenidone by using a new questionnaire for reflux symptoms and dismotility symptoms. Whether adding herbal medicine of rikkunshi-to improved GI symptoms due to pirfenidone therapy was also investigated. This was a randomized controlled trial performed on 17 IPF patients. The patients were assigned to two groups, and the study period was 8 weeks. The pirfenidone group received pirfenidone therapy for 8 weeks with add-on rikkunshi-to from 4 weeks, while the control group did not receive either of these agents. To assess the effects of RK, plasma levels of acyl-ghrelin and des-acyl-ghrelin, serum KL-6 and surfactant protein-D, and pulmonary function tests were monitored. GI symptoms were most severe during the initial 2 weeks of pirfenidone therapy at a dose of 600 mg/day. Both reflux symptoms and dismotility symptoms deteriorated. Rikkunshi-to improved GI symptoms to the level prior to pirfenidone therapy. Plasma levels of des-acyl-ghrelin and acyl-/des-acyl-ghrelin ratio changed significantly at 8 weeks compared to 2 weeks. GI adverse events due to PFD were most severe in the first 2 weeks of treatment at a dose of 600 mg/day, and both reflux and dismotility symptoms deteriorated, but the drug was well tolerated at 1200 mg/day. Rikkunshi-to contributed to improvement of GI symptoms, but plasma ghrelin levels did not reflect the improvement of GI symptoms.

Role of anatomical right hepatic trisectionectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Right-sided hepatectomy is often selected for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma because the extrahepatic portion of the left hepatic duct is longer than that of the right hepatic duct. However, the length of resected left hepatic duct in right-sided hepatectomy has not been reported.

METHODS

Patients who underwent right-sided hepatectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma were reviewed retrospectively. Trisectionectomies were performed according to a previously reported technique of anatomical right hepatic trisectionectomy. Right hepatectomy was performed according to standard operative procedures. The length of resected left hepatic duct was measured.

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients underwent right trisectionectomy and 141 had a right hemihepatectomy. Patients having a trisectionectomy had more advanced tumours and so required combined portal vein resection more frequently. Duration of surgery and blood loss were similar in the two groups. Morbidity and mortality rates tended to be higher following hemihepatectomy than after trisectionectomy. The mean(s.d.) length of resected left hepatic duct was significantly greater in trisectionectomy than in hemihepatectomy (25·0(6·9) versus 14·8(5·3) mm; P < 0·001). In patients with Bismuth type IV tumours, the percentage of negative left hepatic duct margins was significantly higher for trisectionectomy than for hemihepatectomy (89 versus 57 per cent; P = 0·021). Achievement of R0 resection was similar and survival did not differ between the two groups, despite different tumour load.

CONCLUSION

Compared with right hemihepatectomy, anatomical right hepatic trisectionectomy provides a greater length of resected hepatic duct, leading to a high proportion of negative proximal ductal margins even in patients with Bismuth type IV tumours.

Total spondylectomy following carbon ion radiotherapy to treat chordoma of the mobile spine

The main form of treatment of a chordoma of the mobile spine is total en bloc spondylectomy (TES), but the clinical results are not satisfactory. Stand-alone carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for bone and soft-tissue sarcomas has recently been reported to have a high rate of local control with a low rate of local recurrence. We report two patients who underwent TES after CIRT for treating a chordoma in the lumbar spine with good medium-term outcomes. At operation, there remained histological evidence of viable tumour cells in both cases. After the combination use of TES following CIRT, neither patient showed signs of recurrence at the follow-up examination. These two cases suggest that CIRT should be combined with total spondylectomy in the treatment of chordoma of the mobile spine.

Propeptide processing and proteolytic activity of proenzymes of the staphylococcal and enterococcal GluV8-family protease

Proenzymes with various lengths of propeptides have been observed in GluV8 from Staphylococcus aureus and GluSE from S. epidermidis. However, the production mechanism of these proenzymes and roles of truncated propeptides have yet to be elucidated. Here we demonstrate that shortening of propeptide commonly occurs in an auto-catalytic manner in GluV8-family members, including those from coagulase negative Staphylococci and Enterococcus faecalis. Accompanied with propeptide shortening, the pro-mature junction (Asn/Ser_1-Val1) becomes more susceptible towards the hetero-catalytic maturation enzymes. The auto-catalytic propeptide truncation is not observed in Ser169Ala inert molecules of GluV8-family members. A faint proteolytic activity of proenzymes from Staphylococcus caprae and E. faecalis is detected. In addition, proteolytic activity of proenzyme of GluV8 carrying Arg-3AlaAsn.1 is demonstrated with synthetic peptide substrates LLE/Q-MCA. These results suggest that GluV8-family proenzymes with shortened propeptides intrinsically possess proteolytic activity and are involved in the propeptide shortening that facilitates the final hetero-catalytic maturation.

Monosodium glutamate stimulates secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 and reduces postprandial glucose after a lipid-containing meal

BACKGROUND

Monosodium l-glutamate (MSG) is known to influence the endocrine system and gastrointestinal (GI) motility. The mechanism of postprandial glycemic control by food in the GI tract is mostly unknown and of great interest.

AIM

To investigate the effect of MSG on glucose homeostasis, incretin secretion and gastric emptying in humans after a lipid-containing meal.

METHODS

Thirteen healthy male volunteers (mean age, 25.5 years) and with no Helicobcter pylori infection were enrolled. A 400 mL (520 kcal) liquid meal with MSG (2 g, 0.5% wt:vol) or NaCl (control) was ingested in a single-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study. Blood glucose, serum insulin, plasma glucagon, plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide were measured. Gastric emptying was monitored by a 13C acetate breath test. Postprandial symptoms were assessed on a visual analogue scale.

RESULTS

The 30-min postprandial glucose concentration was significantly reduced by adding MSG to the test meal. The area under the glucose concentration vs. time curve (0-60 min) was also significantly reduced by adding MSG (40.6 ± 3.51 mg·1 hr/dL with MSG vs. 49.2 ± 3.86 mg·1 hr/dL with NaCl, P = 0.047), whereas, the 30-min postprandial plasma GLP-1 level was significantly increased (58.1 ± 15.8 pmol/L with MSG vs. 13.4 ± 15.8 pmol/L with NaCl, P = 0.035). MSG did not affect the half gastric emptying time or postprandial symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Monosodium l-glutamate improved early postprandial glycaemia after a lipid-containing liquid meal. This effect was not associated with a change in gastric emptying, but was possibly related to stimulation of glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion.

Cascade stomach is associated with upper gastrointestinal symptoms: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Cascade stomach (CS) is recognized by characteristic findings on barium studies. We prospectively investigated the relationship between CS and upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.

METHODS

In subjects undergoing health screening, CS was diagnosed by barium studies. Consecutive persons (500 men and 127 women) with CS were identified and the same number of age-matched subjects without CS were selected as controls. Upper GI symptoms were classified as reflux symptoms, dyspepsia symptoms, or epigastralgia symptoms. Then, we prospectively analyzed barium studies to classify the gastric morphology and also assessed upper GI symptoms in consecutive 5008 men and 2736 women.

KEY RESULTS

BMI was significantly higher in men with CS than in controls, and also in women with CS than in controls. Upper GI symptoms were significantly more frequent in the CS group than the controls among both men and women, especially reflux symptoms. In men, logistic regression analysis identified CS as an independent risk factor for upper GI symptoms (odds ratio = 1.771, P = 0.005) and for reflux symptoms (odds ratio = 2.07, P = 0.009). In women, CS was also significantly related to upper GI symptoms (odds ratio = 2.544, P = 0.020). The prevalence of CS was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) among symptomatic men than among those with no symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Gastric morphology is related to upper GI symptoms in both men and women. Cascade stomach should be reconsidered as a pathophysiological factor associated with upper GI symptoms.

Increase of weakly acidic gas esophagopharyngeal reflux (EPR) and swallowing-induced acidic/weakly acidic EPR in patients with chronic cough responding to proton pump inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)-related chronic cough (CC) may have multifactorial causes. To clarify the characteristics of esophagopharyngeal reflux (EPR) events in CC patients whose cough was apparently influenced by gastro-esophageal reflux (GER), we studied patients with CC clearly responding to full-dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy (CC patients).

METHODS

Ten CC patients, 10 GERD patients, and 10 healthy controls underwent 24-h ambulatory pharyngo-esophageal impedance and pH monitoring. Weakly acidic reflux was defined as a decrease of pH by >1 unit with a nadir pH >4. In six CC patients, monitoring was repeated after 8 weeks of PPI therapy. The number of each EPR event and the symptom association probability (SAP) were calculated. Symptoms were evaluated by a validated GERD symptom questionnaire.

KEY RESULTS

Weakly acidic gas EPR and swallowing-induced acidic/weakly acidic EPR only occurred in CC patients, and the numbers of such events was significantly higher in the CC group than in the other two groups (P < 0.05, respectively). Symptom association probability analysis revealed a positive association between GER and cough in three CC patients. Proton pump inhibitor therapy abolished swallowing-induced acidic/weakly acidic EPR, reduced weakly acidic gas EPR, and improved symptoms (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Most patients with CC responding to PPI therapy had weakly acidic gas EPR and swallowing-induced acidic/weakly acidic EPR. A direct effect of acidic mist or liquid refluxing into the pharynx may contribute to chronic cough, while cough may also arise indirectly from reflux via a vago-vagal reflex in some patients.

Prospective study of biliary cytology in suspected perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The diagnostic value of biliary cytology for hilar bile duct stricture is uncertain. This study prospectively examined three methods for the evaluation of biliary cytology in a consecutive group of patients.

METHODS

Preoperative bile sampling by aspiration through a drainage catheter (aspiration samples), saline flush through a drainage catheter (saline samples) or direct sampling from a drainage bag (bag samples) was performed in consecutive patients with suspected perihilar cholangiocarcinoma who underwent resection after endoscopic nasobiliary drainage or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. All bile sampling was performed three times on separate days. The accuracy of cytology in the diagnosis of carcinoma was determined.

RESULTS

Of 100 consecutive patients with hilar strictures, 97 had histologically proven cholangiocarcinoma. The proportion of these 97 patients who had a positive finding on cytology in at least one of three sampling sessions was 55 per cent for aspiration samples, 48 per cent for bag samples and 38 per cent for saline samples (P = 0·021, aspiration versus saline). Tumour length correlated significantly with overall positivity. For aspiration samples, sensitivity was 55 per cent, specificity was 100 per cent and accuracy 56·0 per cent.

CONCLUSION

For biliary cytology, sampling by catheter aspiration is more effective than catheter flushing or sampling from a drainage bag. Repeated sampling increases sensitivity. Biliary cytology has modest diagnostic yield, but is easy to perform, highly specific, and can provide a definitive diagnosis.

Mechanism of gastroesophageal reflux in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

BACKGROUND

It has been reported that the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) disease is high in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). End-inspiratory intra-esophageal pressure decreases progressively during OSA, which has been thought to facilitate GER in OSA patients. The aim of our study was to clarify the mechanisms of GER during sleep (sleep-GER) in OSA patients.

METHODS

Eight OSA patients with reflux esophagitis (RE), nine OSA patients without RE, and eight healthy controls were studied. Polysomnography with concurrent esophageal manometry and pH recording were performed.

KEY RESULTS

Significantly more sleep-GER occurred in OSA patients with RE than without RE or in controls (P < 0.05). The severity of OSA did not differ between OSA patients with RE and without RE. Sleep-GER was mainly caused by transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR), but not by negative intra-esophageal pressure during OSA. During OSA gastroesophageal junction pressure progressively increased synchronous to intra-esophageal pressure decrease. OSA patients had significantly more TLESR events during sleep related to preceding arousals and shallow sleep, but the number of TLESR events was not related to RE.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

In OSA patients, sleep-GER was mainly caused by TLESR, but not by negative intra-esophageal pressure due to OSA.

Factors related to the advantageous effects of wearing a wetsuit during swimming at different submaximal velocity in triathletes

This study was designed to compare the effects of wetsuit (WS) to swimsuit (SS) at identical relative velocities in a swimming flume. Thirteen triathletes performed a continuous progressive swimming test and submaximal steady state swimming tests with a WS and with a SS. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and the associated velocity at which the VO2max was achieved (VVO2max) were determined during the continuous progressive tests. Two 5 min swims (at 60% VVO2max (V(60%)) and 80% VVO2max (V(80%))) were then conducted to measure VO2max, blood lactate concentration (LA), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), the energy cost of swimming (Cs), stroke rate (SR) and stroke length (SL). No difference was found in VO2max, but VVO2max with a WS was 5.4% higher than with a SS. VO2 with a WS was lower than with a SS alone at V(60%), but not at V(80%). Cs with a WS was lower by 14.4% at V(60%) and 7.5% at V(80%) than with a SS. No differences were found in LA and RPE between suit conditions during both submaximal swims. Wearing a WS did not affect SL, but SR tended to be higher in a WS for both submaximal velocities. These results suggest that the benefits of wearing a WS are not only improvement in swimming performance and propulsion efficiency, but reduction in gross energy consumption in the swimming portion of triathlon races. Furthermore, when wearing a WS, incremental changes in SR rather than SL are associated with improved swimming performance.

High-viscosity liquid meal accelerates gastric emptying

Adding pectin to an elemental formula increases its viscosity through gelatinization, thus presumably preventing gastro-oesophageal reflux and aspiration pneumonia. We investigated the influence of the viscosity of an elemental formula on gastric emptying. Eleven healthy volunteers underwent three tests at intervals of >1 week. After fasting for >8 h, each subject received a test meal (enteral nutrition solution, enteral solution plus pectin, or water). Then gastric emptying (continuous (13)C breath test), gastro-oesophageal intraluminal pressures, oesophageal pH, and blood levels of glucose, insulin and gastrin were all measured simultaneously. The gastric emptying coefficient was significantly increased by adding pectin to enteral nutrition (3.01 +/- 0.10 vs 2.78 +/- 0.10, mean +/- SE, P < 0.05). The antral motility index was also significantly higher with pectin than without at 45-60 min and 60-75 min after the test meal (526 +/- 237 vs 6.5 +/- 4.6 mmHg s(-1) and 448 +/- 173 vs 2.3 +/- 2.3 mmHg s(-1) respectively; P < 0.05). Plasma glucose was significantly higher with pectin than without it at 60 min after ingestion (141.5 +/- 6.03 vs 125.8 +/- 4.69 microM mL(-1), P < 0.05). In healthy individuals, pectin increased the viscosity of enteral nutrition and accelerated gastric emptying.

Histological and Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Canine Ovary

In the present study, 15 canine ovaries without morphological lesions were examined histologically and immunohistochemically by using a large number of proteins including AE1/AE3, cytokeratin7 (CK7), CK13, CK20, vimentin, desmin, alpha smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA), calponin, S100, Neurofilaments, Inhibinalpha, placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) and neuron-specific enolase. Ovarian structures observed in this study included surface epithelium (SE), cortical tubules (CT), tunica albuginea (TA), stromal cells (SC), internal endocrine cells (IE), rete ovarii (RO) and fallopian tubes (FT). SE, CT, RO and FT were broadly immunoreactive for desmin. Besides AE1/AE3 and vimentin, desmin was also closely linked to these structures. Rete ovarii forming a reticular structure showed a positive reaction to S100. Surface epithelium was immunoreactive for PLAP at a significantly high level. In conclusion, these results indicate a specific segment of immunoreactivity as well as the broad range of immunoreactivity in canine ovary. The distinct patterns of immunoreactive for various kinds of proteins will play an important role in facilitating their identification and discrimination even in a normal canine ovary with a complex structure.

Association between reflux oesophagitis and features of the metabolic syndrome in Japan

BACKGROUND

There have been many reports about the relationship between reflux oesophagitis and obesity, but not the metabolic syndrome.

AIM

To review upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings and screening data obtained in healthy subjects, and assess relations between reflux oesophagitis and features of the metabolic syndrome.

METHODS

In 3599 men and 1560 women, the prevalence of reflux oesophagitis was assessed in relation to the age, body mass index, blood pressure, triglycerides and fasting blood glucose. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratio for risk factors.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of reflux oesophagitis was 4%, and it increased with age in women. Prevalence of reflux oesophagitis increased significantly with an increase of body mass index, blood pressure, triglycerides and fasting blood glucose. On multivariate analysis, male sex (odds ratio: 2.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.6-3.8), obesity (1.9; 1.4-2.5), hyperglycaemia (1.7; 1.2-2.4) and hypertension (1.5; 1.1-2.1) were independent risk factors for reflux oesophagitis. Among both men and women, those with reflux oesophagitis were significantly more likely to have two or more of these risk factors than non-reflux oesophagitis subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Components of the metabolic syndrome are associated with the occurrence of reflux oesophagitis. Therefore, some risk factors may be common to reflux oesophagitis and the metabolic syndrome.

Multiple hepatic peribiliary cysts in a young pig

Histopathologic features of hepatic peribiliary cysts were described in a young slaughtered pig. The animal was an apparently healthy 6-month-old pig of mixed breed. Macroscopically, all lobes of the liver contained numerous cysts of varying size containing serous fluid in all lobes. Histopathologically, the cysts were located mainly around the large bile duct and in the connective tissue of the portal tracts. Within serial sections, these cysts were assumed to be solitary or multilocular, but they were separated from the bile duct. The cysts were lined by a single layer of columnar, cuboidal, and flattened epithelial cells. Occasionally, goblet cells were observed. The epithelial cells were stained with periodic acid-Schiff/alcian blue and high-iron diamine/alcian blue, indicating the presence of neutral mucin, sialomucin, and sulfomucin. Grimalius' method revealed the presence of endocrine cells in the lining epithelium. There was no bile pigment in the cysts by the Hall method.

Cytotoxic molecule expression is predictive of prognosis in Hodgkin's-like anaplastic large cell lymphoma

AIMS

The Revised European American Lymphoma classification uses the term Hodgkin's-like anaplastic large cell lymphoma (HD-like ALCL) for borderline cases with features of both anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). The aim of this study was to clarify the association between cytotoxic molecule (CM) expression and clinical outcome in HD-like ALCL.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Subjects were 59 patients with HD-like ALCL, defined by nodal presentation without mediastinal bulky lesions, T- or null-cell phenotype, CD30+ anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)- phenotype and by confluent sheets or nodules of large cells mimicking classic Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells. We evaluated the presenting features and prognosis of subjects on categorization into two defined groups, namely CM (TIA1 and/or granzyme B)-positive (n = 21) and CM-negative (n = 38). The series consisted of 18 women and 41 men ranging from 16 to 88 years of age (median 59 years). The CM+ group had poorer disease-specific survival than the CM- group (P = 0.02) despite the absence of differences in other clinical characteristics. Multivariate analysis confirmed that CM expression was an independent prognostic factor, in contrast to phenotypic categorization (T-cell vs. null-cell group), which had no prognostic impact on disease-specific survival.

CONCLUSION

CM expression is predictive of prognosis in HD-like ALCL.

Medullary sponge kidney in a 10-year-old Shih Tzu dog

Medullary sponge kidney was diagnosed in a 10-year-old male Shih Tzu dog with a long history of hyposthenuria, but with no other findings indicating renal failure or hormonal aberration. At the dog's death from heart failure, an autopsy was performed. On gross morphology, bilateral kidneys were normal size and had many cysts ranging from the corticomedullary junction to renal papillae. Histopathologic findings showed that almost all of the cysts were lined by monolayered or multilayered and columnar or cuboidal epithelium with chilium similar to epididymis. Immunohistochemically, all of these cells were strongly positive for AE1/AE3 and negative for vimentin. Many of these cells were positive for cytokeratin 7 (CK7), and only a few cells were positive for desmin. The results of staining are the same as those for epithelium of the collecting duct of normal canine kidney. This is the first report of this pathologic entity in the canine kidney.

Confocal endomicroscopy for the diagnosis of gastric cancer in vivo

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Advances in endoscopy have led to imaging of the details of the gastric mucosa, but the histological diagnosis usually has to be confirmed by endoscopic biopsy. A method of confocal endomicroscopy that has recently been developed allows the observation of living cells in vivo. Several investigators have reported that the technique is of value, but there have as yet been no studies describing its application in gastric cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-seven patients with early gastric cancer underwent confocal endomicroscopy (Pentax EG-3870CIK; Pentax, Tokyo, Japan). After intravenous administration of fluorescein sodium, confocal images obtained from the normal mucosa and from cancerous lesions were interpreted by two pathologists independently and compared with the histological findings, including CD34 immunostaining of biopsy specimens or resected specimens from the same sites.

RESULTS

Fluorescein yielded high-quality confocal images of the gastric mucosa; if cancer could be targeted (59%) images were mostly graded good. The images corresponded to the hematoxylin-eosin staining of transverse sections of specimens from the same sites. In the results for the interpretation by the two pathologists, the accuracy for the diagnosis of gastric cancer was 94.2% (pathologist A), and 96.2% (pathologist B), respectively. The accuracy decreased substantially when poor images and inaccessible lesions were included.

CONCLUSIONS

Confocal endomicroscopy is useful in the diagnosis of gastric cancer but good quality images cannot always be obtained. In the future, it may allow virtual biopsy and help reduce unnecessary biopsies.

Pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary gland in two dogs

Pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary gland were diagnosed in two dogs. The tumours were single, firm and well circumscribed, with a smooth cut surface. Metastatic tumours were not detected. Histopathological examination revealed that the tumours contained multiple cysts lined with luminal epithelial cells and myoepithelial cells, and mucinous, myxochondroid and cartilaginous tissues. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated labelling of luminal epithelial cells and myoepithelial cells, and mucinous, myxochondroid and cartilaginous tissues with antibodies to cytokeratin LU-5, AE1/AE3, CK-14, CALP, a-SMA, vimentin, GFAP, and S-100. Labelling for GFAP indicated stromal transformation into myxoid and chondroid tissues.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma in the nasal cavity of ten dogs

Neuroendocrine (NE) carcinoma was diagnosed in 10 dogs. In six cases examined by cephalometric radiography and computerized tomography, a large mass was seen to fill the nasal cavity. Histopathologically, sheets, nests or ribbons of neoplastic cells were separated by delicate or thick fibrovascular stroma. The neoplastic cells were round, oval, or spindle-shaped; cytoplasmic granules and hyperchromatic nuclei with prominent nucleoli were present. Neoplastic cells were invariably immunohistochemically positive for cytokeratin (CK) AE1/AE3, neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin A and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. Eight dogs were positive for S100 protein, seven for synaptophysin, five for protein gene product 9.5, two for somatostatin, and one for Leu-7. Immunolabelling gave negative results for CK 8, CK 19, calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related polypeptide, neurofilaments, serotonin, gastrin and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Ultrastructurally, the neoplastic cells contained a large number of round, membrane-bounded, densely-cored granules corresponding to neurosecretory granules. These observations were consistent with the neuroendocrine nature of the carcinomas.

Identification of human SEP1 as a glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor-inducible protein and its expression in the nervous system

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) signals through multisubunit receptor complex consisting of RET tyrosine kinase and a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored coreceptor called GDNF family receptor alpha1 (GFRalpha1). In the current study, we cloned a human SEP1 gene as a GDNF-inducible gene using human neuroblastoma cells that express RET and GFRalpha1. The induction of the SEP1 gene showed two peaks at 0.5-2 h and 24-48 h after GDNF stimulation by Northern blotting and quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The late induction was also confirmed at protein levels by Western blotting with anti-SEP1 antibody. Immunostaining revealed that the expression of the SEP1 protein was detected in cell body, elongated neurites and growth cone-like structure of neuroblastoma cells treated with GDNF. In addition, we found a high level of SEP1 expression in neurons of the dorsal root and superior cervical ganglia and motor neurons of the spinal cord of mice in which RET is also expressed. SEP1 was co-immunoprecipitated with alpha- and beta-tubulins from the lysate of mouse brain. These results thus suggested that SEP1 is a GDNF-inducible and microtubule-associated protein that may play a role in the nervous system.