Predictive value of lipoprotein(a) for assessing the prevalence and severity of lower-extremity peripheral artery disease among patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a reliable lipid marker for atherosclerosis. However, the clinical relevance of Lp(a) to lower-extremity peripheral artery disease (LE-PAD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) in the same patient has not been investigated. Patients who received primary percutaneous coronary intervention for the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were enrolled. Patients who received hemodialysis, required multidisciplinary treatments, or had incomplete medical history were excluded. A total of 175 patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had LE-PAD (n = 21) or did not (n = 154), and three multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess if Lp(a) level is associated with LE-PAD prevalence. In addition, serum Lp(a) levels were compared among three groups according to the severity of LE-PAD (none, unilateral, or bilateral) and CAD. Serum Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in patients with LE-PAD than in those without (31.0 mg/dL vs. 13.5 mg/dL, p = 0.002). After adjusting for confounding factors, higher Lp(a) levels were independently associated with the prevalence of LE-PAD in all three models (p < 0.001 for all). With respect to LE-PAD severity, serum Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in the bilateral LE-PAD groups than in the group with no LE-PAD (p = 0.005 for all), whereas Lp(a) was not associated with CAD severity. Though Lp(a) levels are associated with the prevalence and severity of LE-PAD, are not associated with the severity of CAD among patients with ACS.

Impact of computed tomography on the diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis with acute coronary syndrome: A case series.

Both the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery involvement with Takayasu arteritis (TA) are challenging. In this study, we report different clinical scenarios of two TA cases without Typical symptoms of TA that initially presented in the form of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Patient 1 was a 24-year-old Japanese woman without coronary risk factors who presented with exertional chest pain, dyspnea, and syncope. Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) revealed a considerable lesion of the right coronary artery and the left main trunk. Ventricular fibrillation was observed immediately after the procedure. Despite conventional treatment, she died on day 16. Patient 2 was a 34-year-old Japanese woman without coronary risk factors who developed cardiogenic shock during a treadmill test for exertional chest pain. Coronary computed tomography angiography confirmed severe left main stenosis, presenting as ACS caused by TA. She was started on steroid therapy before coronary artery bypass grafting, resulting in a good postoperative course and no recurrence of chest pain. Therefore, coronary computed tomography angiography likely is useful for the early diagnosis of TA in young women with typical chest symptoms of ACS. It may help in avoiding complications associated with ICA. Learning objective: When young women with a low pre-test probability of coronary artery disease present with typical anginal symptoms, Takayasu arteritis (TA) should be suspected despite the absence of symptoms such as fever, fatigue, or myalgia. Coronary computed tomography angiography is safe for rapid diagnosis and decision-making when patients suspected of having TA initially manifest an unstable condition such as acute coronary syndrome.

Predicting exercise capacity after lobectomy by single photon emission computed tomography and computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared the prediction of postoperative exercise capacity by employing lung perfusion scintigraphy images obtained with single photon emission computed tomography together with computed tomography (SPECT/CT) versus the common method of counting subsegments (SC method). METHODS: In 18 patients scheduled for lobectomy, predicted postoperative maximum oxygen uptake per kilogram body weight ([Formula: see text]) was calculated by the SPECT/CT and SC methods. Correlations were examined between the [Formula: see text] predicted by SPECT/CT or the SC method, and the actual [Formula: see text] measured at 2 weeks (mean 15.4 ± 1.5 days) and 1 month (mean 29.1 ± 0.75 days) after surgery to determine whether SPECT/CT was more accurate than SC for predicting postoperative exercise capacity. RESULTS: There was a significant positive correlation between the [Formula: see text] predicted by SPECT/CT and the actual value at 2 weeks (r = 0.802, p < 0.0001) or 1 month (r = 0.770, p < 0.0001). There was also a significant positive correlation between the [Formula: see text] predicted by SC and the actual value at 2 weeks (r = 0.785, p < 0.0001) or 1 month (r = 0.784, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that both SPECT/CT and the SC method were useful for predicting postoperative [Formula: see text] in the clinical setting.

Fecoflowmetric analysis of anorectal motor function in postoperative anal-preserving surgery patients with low rectal cancer comparison with the wexner score and anorectal manometry.

The aim of this study was to elucidate whether fecoflowmetry (FFM) could evaluate more detailed evacuative function than anorectal manometry by comparing between FFM or anorectal manometric findings and the clinical questionnaires and the types of surgical procedure in the patients who received anal-preserving surgery. Fifty-three patients who underwent anal-preserving surgery for low rectal cancer were enrolled. The relationships between FFM or the manometric findings and the clinical questionnaires and the types of procedure of anal-preserving surgery were evaluated. There were significant differences between FFM markers and the clinical questionnaire and the types of the surgical procedure, whereas no significant relationship was observed between the manometric findings and the clinical questionnaire and the types of the surgical procedure. FFM might be feasible and useful for the objective assessment of evacuative function and may be superior to manometry for patients undergoing anal-preserving surgery.

Bowel obstruction caused by an internal hernia that developed after laparoscopic subtotal colectomy: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive approach with good treatment outcomes and is currently the standard surgery for colorectal cancer in Japan. Mesenteric closure is considered unnecessary in laparoscopic colorectal surgery because it can damage the bowel and blood vessels. However, an internal hernia may develop if the mesentery is not repaired. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of internal hernia in a 61-year-old male of Japanese ethnicity. The patient had advanced sigmoid colon cancer, early-stage transverse colon cancer, and multiple adenomatous polyposis, and underwent laparoscopically-assisted subtotal colectomy. Bowel obstruction developed six days postoperatively and did not improve with conservative treatment. Abdominal computed tomography detected an internal hernia, prompting emergency surgery in which the ileum protruding into the mesenteric defect and an anastomotic stricture were detected. Reanastomosis, mesentery closure, and ileostomy were performed after hernia repair. CONCLUSION: In this case, open surgery was necessary due to bowel obstruction after laparoscopic colectomy. This outcome indicated that mesenteric closure should have been performed. Thus, the benefits of mesenteric closure require assessment in future cases.

External sphincter resection for lower rectal and anal canal adenocarcinoma: achieving anal preservation with oncological and functional satisfaction.

Intersphincteric resection (ISR) has recently been performed for very low rectal cancer, whereas abdominoperineal resection (APR) is typically reserved for cancers extremely close to the anal verge and/or when the depth of tumor invasion is suspected to involve the intersphincteric space. This is because impairment of anal function is considered unavoidable if the external sphincter (ES) is excised. We describe our technique of ISR with ES resection and discuss its outcomes. This surgical technique may offer major clinical advantages to selected patients and should be considered as an alternative to APR, although careful consideration of anal function is required.

Technical tips for intersphincteric resection: how to take out the rectum.

Intersphincteric resection (ISR) is an ideal technique that preserves the anus, regardless of whether the internal anal sphincter is removed. However, it is difficult to dissect the anterior wall of the rectum from the adjacent organs. We herein describe a safe and useful ISR technique which draws out the rectum through the anus. The intersphincteric space (ISS) between the internal and external anal sphincter muscles was first transabdominally dissected. Next, the transanal dissection was advanced into the ISS bilaterally from the posterior side without dissecting the anterior wall of the anal canal, and the sigmoid colon and rectum were drawn out through the anus. Dissection between the anterior wall of the rectum and prostate/vagina could be easily performed under direct vision. This technique enables the dissection without any risk of a positive surgical margin or unexpected bleeding, and avoids injury to adjacent organs. This technique seems to be a safe and useful dissection technique for approaching the anterior wall of the anal canal.

Heat-shock pre-treatment reduces liver injury and aids liver recovery after partial hepatectomy in mice.

BACKGROUND: Heat-shock proteins (HSPs) are members of a chaperone protein family reported to modify stress responses. The aim of this study was to clarify the hypothesis of whether pre-treatment with heat shock reduces liver damage and influences liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice (N=6) were divided into two groups: the control group underwent partial hepatectomy without heat shock pre-treatment, the heat shock (HS) group underwent partial hepatectomy 12 hours after pre-treatment with heat shock. Mice were sacrificed at different time points after hepatectomy, remnant liver and blood were collected for further analyses in blood samples and liver tissues. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), interleukin-6 (IL6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We used tissue samples for several experiments: staining by 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU), evaluation of cytokines, transcription factors and signal-transduction associated proteins. RESULTS: HSP70 levels in the liver were clearly increased from 6 h to 72 h after heat shock treatment. Serum ALT and AST levels were significantly reduced in the HS group compared to the control group after partial hepatectomy. Liver regeneration rate and BrdU labeling index were significantly higher in the HS group than in the control group after partial hepatectomy. IL6 and TNFα in serum and liver tissues were significantly reduced in the HS group compared to the control group after hepatectomy. We did not detect phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) protein by western blotting. Binding activities of transcription factors: nuclear factor-interleukin-6 (NF-IL6) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) were significantly lower in the HS group than in the control group after hepatectomy. CONCLUSION: Pre-treatment with heat shock appears to reduce liver injury and promote liver regeneration, as HSP70 can reduce the inflammatory response and up-regulate liver regeneration without IL6 STAT signaling pathway in the liver after partial hepatectomy.

Lateral lymph-node dissection for rectal cancer: meta-analysis of all 944 cases undergoing surgery during 1975-2004.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and leading cause of cancer-related death in Japan. One of the major problems in rectal cancer surgery is local recurrence. Pelvic sidewall dissection (PSD) has the potential to reduce local recurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included all 994 patients with rectal cancer who underwent curative surgery from January 1975 until December 2004, at the Kurume University Hospital in Fukuoka, Japan. The patients were analyzed to determine whether lateral lymph node (LLN) metastasis correlates with clinicopathological factors, and to determine a diagnostic tool based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. RESULTS: The rate of positive LLNs in patients who underwent PSD was 7.5% in the upper rectum, and 14.5% in the lower rectum. Logistic regression analysis disclosed that perirectal lymph nodes metastasis was associated with an increased incidence of positive LLNs and had a greater hazard ratio. Positive LLNs were frequently found to be located along the internal iliac artery (47 patients; 89%) or around the oburator vessels and nerve (17 patients; 32%). MRI has become a promising diagnostic tool in patients with rectal cancer including LLN estimation. CONCLUSION: We speculate that PSD may be a good candidate as an effective strategy for lower rectal cancer. In further studies, it is important to investigate the validity of PSD for its potential clinical use in lower rectal cancer therapy and prognosis.

The effect of starvation on blood stream cancer cell metastasis to the liver in rat after laparotomy.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative malnutrition worsens the prognosis of cancer patients. However, it is not certain how preoperative malnutrition affects postoperative hematogenous metastasis. We examined the influence of preoperative starvation on liver metastasis in rats using intra-vascular injection of AH109A hepatoma cells. METHODS: Male donryu rats were divided into Fasting and Control groups. Rats received laparotomy and (125)I-iodo-deoxyuridine labeled AH109A hepatoma cells were inoculated via superior mesenteric vein. Radioactivity in the organs, macroscopic liver metastasis, white blood cell count, leukocyte count, NK cell activity, endogenous serum corticosterone and ACTH concentration and mRNA expression of cytokine in the liver and brain were evaluated at certain time points. RESULTS: 48hours preoperative starvation reduced body weight and induced a state of malnutrition. Accumulation of radioactivity in the liver was more than 4 times higher, and the number of liver metastases was 3.5 times higher in the Fasting than in the Control group. Preoperative starvation caused an almost 2 fold increase in plasma endogenous corticosterone levels and a 66% reduction in white blood cell and lymphocyte counts. Postoperative hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis response was preserved. In addition, inflammatory cytokine expression in the liver was suppressed in the starved animals, suggesting that preoperative starvation led to a state of cellular immunosuppression, which would be an important factor for liver metastasis. CONCLUSION: Preoperative malnutrition by 48 hours starvation reduced inflammatory cytokine response and cellular immunity, resulting in an increase in hematogenous liver metastasis.

[Endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage for the liver metastases from colorectal cancer and obstructive jaundice].

UNLABELLED: The success of biliary drainage in patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer and obstructive jaundice influences its prognosis greatly. In this study, we report a retrospective evaluation of endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage in patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer and obstructive jaundice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 2004 to December 2011, 9 patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer and obstructive jaundice who underwent endoscopic biliary drainage were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean serum levels of total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase improved significantly after biliary drainage. The median survival time after biliary drainage was 133 days. Only 4 cases were able to resume chemotherapy after biliary drainage, and their prognosis was significantly better than patients who were not able to resume chemotherapy(p=0.014). DISCUSSION: Endoscopic biliary drainage in patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer and obstructive jaundice was effective, led to the resumption of chemotherapy, and improved prognosis. However, sufficient consideration of the patient's prognosis and performance status is required in order to perform biliary drainage.

Increased claudin-1 protein expression in hepatic metastatic lesions of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The molecular and morphological alterations of the tight junctions in hepatic metastatic lesions are poorly understood. The possible involvement of claudin-1 (CL-1), which is one of the major tight junctional proteins, was investigated in the tumorigenesis of hepatic metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 14 patients with hepatic metastasis of CRC who underwent surgical treatment from January 2007 until December 2010 at the Kurume University Hospital in Fukuoka, were examined. CRC tissue specimens were analyzed to determine whether the levels of CL-1 correlated with clinicopathological factors and to determine the roles of CL-1, ß-catenin, and E-cadherin in the alterations of the tight junctions during tumorigenesis. RESULTS: In seven cases, the tumors were located in the colon, while the other seven tumors were found in the rectum. There were eight cases of synchronous liver metastasis, while there were six cases of metachronous liver metastasis. The levels of the CL-1 protein were up-regulated in CRC and in hepatic metastatic lesions. The levels of ß-catenin were positive or up-regulated in the primary CRC lesions and in hepatic metastatic lesions. Despite the finding that the levels of E-cadherin were decreased in CRC, they were clearly up-regulated in hepatic metastatic lesions in this study. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that CL-1 levels were up-regulated in liver metastatic lesions from primary CRC lesions. Moreover, the levels of E-cadherin were increased in liver metastatic lesions, which may point to the existence of interactions between CL-1 and E-cadherin in hepatic metastatic lesions. These observations suggest that CL-1 plays a pivotal role in the regulation of cellular morphology and in the behavior of metastatic processes in CRC.