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It is demonstrated that cells can be classified by pattern recognition of the subcellular structure of non-stained live cells, and the pattern recognition was performed by machine learning. Human white blood cells and five types of cancer cell lines were imaged by quantitative phase microscopy, which provides morphological information without staining quantitatively in terms of optical thickness of cells. Subcellular features were then extracted from the obtained images as training data sets for the machine learning. The built classifier successfully classified WBCs from cell lines (area under ROC curve = 0.996). This label-free, non-cytotoxic cell classification based on the subcellular structure of QPM images has the potential to serve as an automated diagnosis of single cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tumour stroma has important roles in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis. We aimed to clarify the roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their target genes in CRC stroma in the development of liver metastasis.Methods: Tumour stroma was isolated from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of primary CRCs with or without liver metastasis by laser capture microdissection, and miRNA expression was analysed using TaqMan miRNA arrays.Results: Hierarchical clustering classified 16 CRCs into two groups according to the existence of synchronous liver metastasis. Combinatory target prediction identified tenascin C as a predicted target of miR-198, one of the top 10 miRNAs downregulated in tumour stroma of CRCs with synchronous liver metastasis. Immunohistochemical analysis of tenascin C in 139 primary CRCs revealed that a high staining intensity was correlated with synchronous liver metastasis (P<0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that the tenascin C staining intensity was an independent prognostic factor to predict postoperative overall survival (P=0.005; n=139) and liver metastasis-free survival (P=0.001; n=128).Conclusions: Alterations of miRNAs in CRC stroma appear to form a metastasis-permissive environment that can elevate tenascin C to promote liver metastasis. Tenascin C in primary CRC stroma has the potential to be a novel biomarker to predict postoperative prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information related to gastroenterological surgery, particularly on esophageal surgery. Several topics being discussed include the application of thoracoscopic surgery for thoracic esophageal cancer as well as the application of endoscopic surgery for benign esophageal disease such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophageal achalasia. Other information related to endoscopic surgery is presented.

True aneurysms of the pancreatoduodenal arteries are frequently associated with stenosis or occlusion of the celiac trunk caused by median arcuate ligament compression. Celiac stenosis cannot be cured, even by transarterial embolization, which has recently become a good alternative to open surgical repair. To prevent recurrence, management of median arcuate ligament compression to correct hemodynamics in vascular networks should also be performed. Herein we report a case of pancreatoduodenal arterial aneurysm with median arcuate ligament compression that was successfully treated with minimally invasive laparoscopic median arcuate ligament section. The patient was discharged 4 days after surgery with no complications. Enhanced CT 1 month after surgery revealed no residual celiac trunk stenosis or aneurysm. Normalization of blood flow by laparoscopic median arcuate ligament section is a good option for some patients with a pancreatoduodenal arterial aneurysm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric cancer is one of the major causes of death in Japan. We have previously reported, using biopsy specimens, the usefulness of the 1064 nm near-infrared multichannel Raman spectroscopy (RAS) system as a novel diagnostic modality for gastric cancer. However, our study might not have reflected in vivo use of RAS due to a lack of tissue other than the mucosal layer in the biopsy specimens. Here, we used RAS ex vivo for optical diagnosis of gastric cancer in surgically resected stomach. Materials and Methods: A total of 213 Raman spectra were obtained from 12 cancer lesions and their corresponding non-neoplastic areas in 10 stomachs following resection for gastric cancer. To develop optical diagnostic systems for gastric cancer, principal component analysis (PCA) of all the Raman spectra was performed. Results: The averaged Raman spectra of the cancer lesions could be distinguished from those of the non-neoplastic regions. Discrimination analysis of cancer from non-neoplastic regions with 10 principal components revealed that sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of cancer diagnosis were 73%, 73%, and 72%, respectively. RAS discriminated between differentiated and undifferentiated cancers, early and advanced cancers, as well as T1a (M) and T1b (SM) cancers with high accuracy (98%, 93%, and 98%, respectively). Conclusions: The 1064 nm near-infrared multichannel RAS system is useful not only for gastric cancer detection, but also for discrimination between differentiated and undifferentiated, as well as early and advanced cancers. RAS could help establish indications for endoscopic treatment by eliminating cancer lesions with an undifferentiated component or submucosal invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of TSU68 [(Z)-5-[(1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-propanoic acid; SU6668], an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta, and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), on colon cancer liver metastasis, and to test the hypothesis that TSU68 modulates the microenvironment in the liver before the formation of metastasis. First, we implanted the highly metastatic human colon cancer TK-4 orthotopically into the cecal walls of nude mice, followed by twice-daily administration of TSU68 (400 mg/kg/d) or vehicle. Five weeks of treatment with TSU68 significantly inhibited liver metastasis compared with the control group (P<0.001). Next, we analyzed the gene expression profile in premetastatic liver using microarrays. Microarray and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis showed that mRNA levels for the chemokine CXCL1 were significantly increased in tumor-bearing mice compared with non-tumor-bearing mice. Moreover, CXCL1 expression was significantly decreased by TSU68 treatment. CXCR2 expression was detected predominantly on tumor cells in orthotopic tumors compared with ectopic tumors. The number of migrating neutrophils in premetastatic liver was significantly decreased in the TSU68-treated group (P<0.001). The amount of interleukin-12 (IL-12) p40 in the portal vein was significantly decreased by TSU68 (P=0.02). Blockade of both CXCR2 and IL-12 p40 with a neutralizing antibody significantly inhibited liver metastasis. These results suggest that the CXCL1/CXCR2 axis is important in cancer metastasis and that TSU68 may modulate the premetastatic niche in the target organ through suppression of the inflammatory response, which might be an alternative mechanism used by antiangiogenic agents.