Sapovirus (SV) is one of the major causative agents of viral gastroenteritis affecting all age groups worldwide. A new method for the quantitative detection of SV from clinical stool specimens by ...real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) based on TaqMan
® MGB technology was described. Primers and probe were designed to target the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase/capsid genes junction. Performance of the newly developed assay was validated against a panel of 244 clinical stool specimens collected for patients with gastroenteritis. SV was detected in eight (3.3%) specimens. Phylogenetic analysis of the positive isolates suggested that the assay could detect at least SV genogroups I, II and IV. In addition, the assay had an increased detection rate compared with a widely used conventional RT-PCR assay. Quantitative analysis showed that the assay could detect as low as 10 copies of viral cDNA per reaction. No cross-reactivity with norovirus and rotavirus was observed. In conclusion, the assay is a sensitive and specific method for the detection of SV from clinical stool specimens.
We report a case of sigmoid colon perforation in a patient with Crohn's disease undergoing computed-tomographic (CT) colonography. A 70-year-old patient with Crohn's disease with terminal ileitis and ...sigmoid stricture underwent CT colonography after incomplete conventional colonoscopy. During the procedure, the colon was inflated by air insufflation and the patient developed abdominal pain with radiological evidence of retroperitoneal and intraperitoneal free gas. Hartmann's operation was performed. This case highlights that CT colonography is not risk-free. The risk of perforation may be higher in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Unchecked mitogenic signals due to the overexpression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) is implicated in the promotion and progression of cancer. In addition, beta-adrenoceptor ...is involved in the control of cancer cell proliferation. This study sought to elucidate whether a functional connection exists between these two disparate receptor systems. EGF was used to stimulate HKESC-1 cells, an esophageal squamous cancer cell line, in which beta-adrenoceptor activity was monitored by measuring intracellular cAMP levels in the absence or presence of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists. Results showed that EGF significantly increased cAMP levels and cell proliferation, both of which were attenuated by atenolol (+)-4-2-hydroxy-3-(1-methylethyl)aminopropoxybenzeneacetamide or ICI 118,551 (+/-)-1-2,3-(dihydro-7-methyl-1H-inden-4-yl)oxy-3-(1-methylethyl)amino-2-butanol, which are antagonists for the beta-adrenoceptor. Further mechanistic investigation revealed that the cellular release of epinephrine and the expression of its synthesizing enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase were induced by EGF. The expression of beta(1)-adrenoceptor and the downstream signal transducer protein kinase A were also up-regulated. In this connection, AG1478 4-(3-chloroanilino)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, abrogated all these EGF-elicited alteration. Collectively, this study demonstrates that beta-adrenergic signaling could be up-regulated at multiple levels upon EGFR activation to mediate the mitogenic signals in esophageal cancer cells. This novel finding not only unveils the sinister liaison between EGFR and beta-adrenoceptors but also sheds new light on the purported therapeutic use of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists in the treatment of esophageal cancer.
Background and Aim: With the rising incidence of digestive cancers in the Asia Pacific region and the advancement in diagnosis, management and palliation in these conditions, the clinical burden on ...oncologists is ever increasing. This Summit meeting was called to discuss the optimal management of digestive cancers and the role of Gastroenterologists
Method: Experts from Asia Pacific countries in the fields of medical, oncologic, surgical and endoscopic management of cancers in the esophagus, stomach, colon/rectum and the liver reviewed the literature and their practice. 18 position statements were drafted, debated and voted.
Results: It was agreed that the burden on GI cancer is increasing. More research will be warranted on chemotherapy, chemoprevention, cost‐effectiveness of treatment and nutrition. Cancer management guidelines should be developed in this region when more clinical data are available. In order to improve care to patients, a multi‐disciplinary team coordinated by a “cancer therapist” is proposed. This cancer therapist can be a gastroenterologist, a surgeon or any related discipline who have acquired core competence training. This training should include an attachment in a center‐of‐excellence in cancer management for no less than 12 months.
Conclusion: The management of GI cancer should be an integrated multi‐disciplinary approach and training for GI cancer therapists should be provided for.
The existence of flat adenomas in the colon is well recognized. Whether they represent a distinct disease with a pathogenetic pathway different from that of the classical adenoma‐carcinoma sequence ...in colorectal tumorigenesis and have higher malignant potential remains a matter of debate. To review the epidemiology, clinical features, detection and management of flat and depressed (non‐polypoid) colonic neoplasm, we performed a thorough literature review on studies focusing on the prevalence, histological features, genetics, detection and treatment of flat and depressed (non‐polypoid) colonic neoplasm. A high percentage of severe dysplasia in flat colonic adenomas has not been consistently demonstrated. Their malignant potential appears to be size‐dependent. Flat adenomas are found to have a lower incidence of major genetic abnormalities involved in the classical adenoma‐carcinoma sequence and that has raised suspicions that they may have a different pathogenesis. The depressed type of colorectal carcinoma is uncommon but shows more aggressive behavior. More advanced colonoscopic techniques, such as chromoendoscopy, may enhance the detection of small and inconspicuous colonic neoplastic lesions that lack a protruding configuration. It is essential for endoscopists to appreciate the existence and clinical significance of flat and depressed colonic lesions as an important variant of colonic neoplasms so that the goal of reducing colorectal carcinoma incidence by polypectomy can be better achieved.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) ligands have been shown to inhibit angiogenesis. We showed that treatment with 15d-PGJ(2), a PPARgamma ligand, downregulate the ...expressions of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) in gastric cancer cells MKN45. The medium of MKN45 cells treated with 15d-PGJ(2) significantly inhibited the migration and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Moreover, Matrigel plug assay revealed that 15d-PGJ(2) reduced in vivo angiogenesis induced by MKN45 cells. These modulations were restored by the addition of recombinant Ang-1. Our findings supported that 15d-PGJ(2) suppressed angiogenesis of gastric cancer cells by downregulation of Ang-1.
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