Expression of E-cadherin, Heat Shock Protein 47, Transforming Growth Factor beta1 and C4d in Chronic Allograft Nephropathy / 대한이식학회지

BACKGROUND: Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN), which causes graft failure, is related to tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. E-cadherin is a well-known epithelial marker and heat shock protein (HSP)-47 is a collagen-specific molecular chaperone that regulates collagen synthesis. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, a profibrotic cytokine, downregulates E-cadherin and induces expression of mesenchymal markers in an in vitro model. C4d expression is considered a poor prognostic marker for graft survival. This study evaluated the relationship between the expression of E-cadherin, HSP47, TGF-beta1, and C4d with the prognosis for CAN. METHODS: Between March 1991 and August 2007, we performed renal allograft biopsies on 42 recipients with deteriorating renal function. CAN was diagnosed according to the chronic allograft damage index (Banff classification). Renal allograft biopsies were examined for the expression of E-cadherin, HSP47, TGF-beta1, or C4d by immunohistochemistry. The HSP47, TGF-beta1, and E-cadherin staining was scored semiquantitatively by analyzing ten different fields of cortical interstitium and tubules. Biopsies with endothelial C4d staining in peri-tubular capillaries (> or =25%) were designated as C4d-positive. RESULTS: Of 42 recipients, 17 (40.5%) were in the graft survival group (GS) and 25 (59.5%) were in the graft failure group (GF). E-cadherin expression in tubular cells of the GS was much higher than that of the GF (94.1% vs 52%, P=0.04). HSP47 expression in tubular cells and interstitium in the GF was much higher than that in the GS (84% vs 35.3%, P=0.001). TGF-beta1 expression in tubular cells and interstitium in the GF was much higher than that in the GS (72% vs 23.5%, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: E-cadherin, HSP47, and TGF-beta1 expression was strongly correlated with the CAN prognosis.

Feasibility of Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Complicated Appendicitis / 대한내시경복강경외과학회지

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is now widely practiced in most medical centers, yet there is no consensus regarding the indications and advantages of LA over the conventional technique. Various reports have demonstrated conflicting results about the merit of LA. Especially, complicated appendicitis was initially considered as a contraindication for LA. However, with the improvements of laparoscopic instruments and the technical proficiency, the choice of the operative approach mostly depends on the surgeon's experience or the patient's preference. Here we compared the outcome of LA versus open appendectomy (OA) overall and specifically in the patients with complicated appendicitis. METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2007, the records of 495 patients with the diagnosis of appendicitis were retrieved from the computer database for analysis. All the patients had given informed consent for LA or the OA technique and the patients chose the operative method. The two groups were compared with respect to the patients' demographic data, the clinical outcomes, the cost and the type of pathology RESULTS: During the study period, 195 patients (39.4%) underwent LA and 300 patients (60.6%) underwent OA. There were 53 cases (27.1%) of complicated appendicitis and 105 cases each (35%) in the LA and OA groups, respectively. The patients of the LA group revealed a significant female prevalence, a shorter hospital stay, less use of analgesics, a lower complication rate and a higher cost (p<0.005), and also a comparable operation time to the OA group. As for the complicated appendicitis, there was benefit for only the hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Usually LA has more advantage than OA except cost. Even in complicated appendicitis, LA is feasible without increase of complication.