Macroscopic appearance and biological character of gastric cancer invading the muscularis propria

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The natural history of gastric cancer, as to how an early gastric cancer develops into an advanced lesion, is still an open question. In this study, we focused on the gastric cancer invading the muscularis propria, and analyzed the relationship between gross appearance and the biological characteristics of gastric cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and forty six patients with gastric cancer invading the muscularis propria (pm) were studied with special reference to the macroscopic appearance of the primary tumor; Borrmann type vs. EGC type (advanced gastric cancer simulating early gastric cancer), and to the biologic characteristics such as p53 expression and mitotic activity.

RESULTS

Borrmann type comprised 59.6% (87/146) and EGC type comprised 40.4% (59/146) of the cases. Borrmann type cancer was located more commonly in the antral region (71.3%), tended to grow expansively, and had higher rate of vascular vessel invasion and lymph node metastasis. The type of recurrence varied, and the prognosis was poor in patients with Borrmann type cancer. Incidence of p53 overexpression in Borrmann type cancer was 44.1% (15/34), and significantly higher than 25.8% (8/31) in EGC type cancer. Proliferating activity measured by MIB-1 labeling percentage was also higher in Borrmann type (49.8 +/- 11.6 vs. 38.9 +/- 10.9).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that Borrmann type and EGC type pm gastric cancers are distinct in their inherent biological nature, and possibly represent the advanced form of penetrating growth (Pen) type and superficially-spreading growth (Super) type, respectively, of early gastric cancers.

Lesser sac herniation through the greater omentum and gastro-pancreatic ligament: report of a case

We report herein the case of a woman who developed a lesser sac hernia which was especially unusual in that the small bowel prolapsed through a defect in the greater omentum and was thereafter strangulated by a hole in the gastro-pancreatic ligament. The gastro-pancreatic ligament has never before been documented as causing an internal hernia. In our patient, a plain abdominal X-ray demonstrated as soft-tissue mass displacing the stomach to the left while abdominal computed tomography and ultrasonography showed a sac-like encapsulation of the small bowel loops between the liver and stomach. Careful evaluation of these radiographic findings allowed for the preoperative diagnosis of a lesser sac hernia to be made.

Characterization of an acidic polysaccharide with immunological activities from the tuber of Pinellia ternata

An acidic polysaccharide, called pinellian PA, was isolated from the tuber of Pinellia ternata Breit. It was homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and its molecular mass was estimated to be 11.8 x 10(4). Pinellian PA is composed of L-arabinose: D-galactose: L-rhamnose: D-galacturonic acid: D-glucuronic acid in the molar ratio of 5:15:1:3:3, in addition to small amounts of O-acetyl groups and peptide moieties. Reduction of carboxyl groups, methylation analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance studies show that the core structural features include a backbone chain composed of beta-1,3-linked D-galactose units. Some of the galactose units in the backbone carry beta-1,6-linked D-galactosyl side-chains at position 6. Pinellian PA produces significant potentiation of the reticuloendothelial system, as shown by a carbon clearance test, and also exhibits potent anti-complementary activity.

A glucan with immunological activities from the tuber of Alisma orientale

A glucan, called alisman SI, was isolated from the tuber of Alisma orientale Juzepcz. It was homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and its molecular mass was 1.1 x 10(4). It is composed solely of D-glucose. Methylation analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and enzymic degradation studies indicated that it has a high-branched glucan type structure mainly composed of alpha-1,4-linked D-glucopyranosyl residues with partially alpha-1,6-linked units and both 3,4- and 4,6-branching points. The polysaccharide exhibited significant reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test, as well as a pronounced anti-complementary activity.

Two acidic polysaccharides having reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity from the raw root of Rehmannia glutinosa

Two acidic polysaccharides, called rehmannan FS-I and rehmannan FS-II, were isolated from the raw root of Rehmannia glutinosa LIBOSCHITZ. They were homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and their molecular masses were estimated to be 5.8 x 10(4) and 6.6 x 10(4), respectively. Rehamannan FS-I is composed of L-arabinose: D-galactose: L-rhamnose: D-galacturonic acid: D-glucuronic acid in the molar ratio of 68:40:4:84:3; rehmannan FS-II is composed of L-arabinose: D-galactose: L-rhamnose: D-galacturonic acid in the molar ratio of 18:15:4:33, in addition to small amounts of O-acetyl groups. About two-thirds (rehmannan FS-I) and about one half (rehamannan FS-II) of the hexuronic acid residues exist as methyl esters. Methylation analysis of the carboxyl-reduced derivatives and nuclear magnetic resonance studies indicated that their structural features include mainly both arabino-3,6-galactan and rhamno-galacturonan type structural units. Both polysaccharides showed remarkable reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test.

An acidic polysaccharide with immunological activities from the root of Paeonia lactiflora

An acidic polysaccharide, called peonan PA, was isolated from the root of Paeonia lactiflora PALLAS. It was homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and its molecular mass was estimated to be 6.0 x 10(4). Peonan PA is composed of L-arabinose: D-galactose: D-galacturonic acid in the molar ratio of 2:1:10, in addition to small amounts of O-acetyl groups and peptide moieties. About forty percent of the hexuronic acid residues in peonan PA exist as methyl esters. Reduction of carboxyl groups, methylation analysis, lithium degradation and nuclear magnetic resonance studies indicated that its main structural features involve both alpha-1,5-linked L-arabino-beta-3,6-branched D-galactan type and alpha-1,4-linked D-galacturonan type structural units. The polysaccharide exhibited remarkable reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test and considerable anti-complementary activity.

The core structure of ginsenan PA, a phagocytosis-activating polysaccharide from the root of Panax ginseng

Controlled Smith degradation and limited hydrolysis of ginsenan PA, the main phagocytosis-activating polysaccharide isolated from the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, were performed. The reticuloendothelial system-potentiating and anti-complementary activities of the degradation products were investigated. Methylation analysis of the primary and secondary Smith degradation products indicated that the core structural features of ginsenan PA include a backbone chain mainly composed of beta-1,3-linked D-galactose. Almost half of the galactose units in the backbone carry side-chains composed of beta-1,6-linked D-galactosyl residues at position 6. Further 3,6-branching of D-galactose units was observed in a part of the side-chains. alpha-L-Arabinose units are connected mainly to the core galactose moieties via position 6. Removal of most of the arabinose units had a considerable effect on immunological activity.

Structural features and anti-complementary activity of rehmannan SA, a polysaccharide from the root of Rehmannia glutinosa

The structural features of rehmannan SA, a polysaccharide with remarkable reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity obtained from the root of Rehmannia glutinosa, were investigated by methylation analysis and periodate oxidation. Rehmannan SA is mainly made up of arabino-3,6-galactan type structural units. Both rehmannan SA and rehmannan SB showed pronounced anti-complementary activity.

Characterization of a novel heteroglucan from the rhizome of Cnidium officinale exhibiting high reticuloendothelial system-potentiating and anti-complementary activities

A novel beta-heteroglucan, called cnidirhan SIIA, was isolated from the rhizome of Cnidium officinale MAKINO. It was homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and its molecular mass was more than 1 x 10(7). It was composed of D-glucose, D-galactose and L-arabinose in the molar ratio of 85:5:8, in addition to small numbers of O-acetyl groups. Methylation analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance studies indicated its main structural features composed of beta-1,6-linked D-glucopyranosyl residues with both 3,6- and 4,6-branching points. In addition, it has both beta-1,4-linked L-arabinopyranosyl and beta-1,6-linked D-galactopyranosyl residues. The polysaccharide showed very pronounced reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test, as well as a marked anti-complementary activity.

A glucan having reticuloendothelial system-potentiating and anti-complementary activities from the tuber of Pinellia ternata

A glucan, called pinellian G, was isolated from the tuber of Pinellia ternata BREIT. It was homogenous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and its molecular mass was estimated to be 1.5 x 10(4). It is composed solely of D-glucose, in addition to a few O-acetyl groups. Methylation analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and enzymic degradation studies indicated that it is a branched glucan mainly composed of alpha-1,4-linked D-glucopyranose residues with partially alpha-1,3-linked units and 4,6-branching points. The glucan showed significant reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test, as well as pronounced anti-complementary activity.

Characterization of an acidic polysaccharide having immunological activities from the tuber of Alisma orientale

An acidic polysaccharide, called alisman PII, was isolated from the tuber of Alisma orientale Juzepcz. It was homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and its molecular mass was estimated to be 5.25 x 10(4). It is composed of L-arabinose:D-galactose:D-glucuronic acid in the molar ratio of 4:9:2, in addition to some of O-acetyl groups. Reduction of carboxyl groups, methylation analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and controlled Smith degradation indicated that the core structural features include a backbone chain composed of beta-1,3-linked D-galactose units. Some of the galactose units in the backbone carry beta-D-galactosyl side chains at position 6. Both alpha-1,5-linked L-arabinosyl side chains and terminal beta-D-glucuronic acid residues are linked to the core galactan units. Alisman PII showed significant potentiation of the reticuloendothelial system using a carbon clearance test and also potent anti-complementary activity.

Characterization of a novel glucan, which exhibits reticuloendothelial system-potentiating and anti-complementary activities, from the rhizome of Cnidium officinale

A novel glucan, called cnidirhan SI, was isolated from the rhizome of Cnidium officinale Makino. It was homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and its molecular mass was estimated to be 1.3 x 10(4). It is composed of D-glucose alone, in addition to small numbers of O-acetyl groups. Methylation analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and enzymic degradation studies indicated it has a high-branched glucan type structure composed of alpha-1,4-linked D-glucopyranose residues with both 3,4- and 4,6-branching points. The glucan showed significant reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test, as well as pronounced anti-complementary activity. This substance is the first example of a branched alpha-glucan with phagocytosis-stimulating and anti-complementary activities.

Characterization of two polysaccharides having activity on the reticuloendothelial system from the root of Rehmannia glutinosa

Two acidic polysaccharides, called rehmannan SA and rehmannan SB, were isolated from the dried root of Rehmannia glutinosa Liboschitz. They were homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and their molecular masses were estimated to be 6.4 x 10(4) and 7.9 x 10(4), respectively. They were commonly composed of L-arabinose:D-galactose:L-rhamnose:D-galacturonic acid in the molar ratios of 10:10:1:1 (rehmannan SA) and 14:7:3:8 (rehmannan SB), in addition to small amounts of peptide moieties. About eighty percent (rehmannan SA) and about thirty percent (rehmannan SB) of the hexuronic acid residues exist as methyl esters. Reduction of carboxyl groups, methylation analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and the controlled Smith degradation studies indicated the structural features of rehmannan SB, the major one in terms of the yield. It has a core structural unit of a characteristic rhamnose-rich arabino-3,6-galactan type. Both polysaccharides showed remarkable reticulo-endothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test.

Characterization of a neutral and an acidic polysaccharide having immunological activities from the root of Paeonia lactiflora

A neutral and an acidic polysaccharide, called peonan SA and peonan SB, were isolated from the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pallas. They were homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and their molecular masses were estimated to be 11.2 x 10(4) and 25.0 x 10(4), respectively. Peonan SA is composed of L-arabinose: D-galactose: D-glucose in the molar ratio of 1:1:28, and peonan SB is composed of L-arabinose: D-galactose: D-galacturonic acid in the molar ratio of 4:3:2, in addition to small amounts of peptide moieties. About forty percent of the hexuronic acid residues in peonan SB exist as methyl esters. Reduction of carboxyl groups, methylation analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and periodate oxidation studies indicated that their structural features include mainly 3,4- and 4,6-branched alpha-D-glucan type units (peonan SA) and principally alpha-1,5-linked L-arabino-beta-3,6-branched D-galactan type structural units (peonan SB). Both polysaccharides, especially in peonan SB, showed remarkable reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test and considerable anti-complementary activity.

Characterization of two novel polysaccharides having immunological activities from the root of Panax ginseng

Two acidic polysaccharides, called ginsenan S-IA and ginsenan S-IIA, were isolated from the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer. They were homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and their molecular masses were estimated to be 5.6 x 10(4) and 1.0 x 10(5), respectively. Ginsenan S-IA is composed of L-arabinose: D-galactose: D-galacturonic acid in the molar ratio of 8:8:1, and ginsenan S-IIA is composed of L-arabinose: D-galactose: D-glucose: D-galacturonic acid in the molar ratio of 15:10:2:5, in addition to small amounts of O-acetyl groups. About a half (ginsenan S-IA) and about a quarter (ginsenan S-IIA) of the hexuronic acid residues exist as methyl esters. Reduction of carboxyl groups, methylation analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and periodate oxidation studies indicated that their structural features include mainly alpha-1,5-linked L-arabino-beta-3,6-branched D-galactan type structural units. Both polysaccharides showed remarkable reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test and pronounced anti-complementary activity. These substances are the first examples having a relatively high content of both alpha-3,5-branched L-arabinose and beta-1,4-linked D-galactose units among the acidic arabinogalactans with activities on phagocytosis and anti-complement.

Plant mucilages. XLIII. A representative mucilage with biological activity from the leaves of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

A representative mucilage, called Hibiscus-mucilage RL, was isolated from the leaves of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. It was homogeneous on electrophoresis, and its molecular mass was estimated to be roughly 1.0 x 10(7). Its intrinsic viscosity value in aqueous solution was 23.2. The major constituent is an acidic polysaccharide composed of L-rhamnose: D-galactose: D-galacturonic acid: D-glucuronic acid in the molar ratio of 5:8:3:2. Methylation analysis, partial hydrolysis and nuclear magnetic resonance studies indicated its main structural features including a unique backbone chain composed of alpha-1,4-linked D-galactosyl alpha-1,2-linked L-rhamnosyl alpha-1,4-linked D-galacturonic acid units. The mucilage showed considerable anti-complementary activity.

Arabinogalactan core structure and immunological activities of ukonan C, an acidic polysaccharide from the rhizome of Curcuma longa

Controlled Smith degradation of ukonan C, a phagocytosis-activating polysaccharide isolated from the rhizome of Curcuma longa L., was performed. The reticuloendothelial system-potentiating, anti-complementary and alkaline phosphatase-inducing activities of ukonan C and its degradation products were investigated. Methylation analyses of the primary and secondary Smith degradation products and of a de-arabinosylated product indicated that structural features of the arabinogalactan core of ukonan C include a backbone chain composed of beta-1,3-linked D-galactose and beta-1,4-linked D-xylose. All of the galactose units in the backbone carry side chains composed of beta-1,6-linked D-galactosyl residues with or without terminal alpha-L-arabinose units at position 3. Ukonan C showed remarkable effects on both reticuloendothelial system-potentiating and alkaline phosphatase-inducing activities. Periodate oxidation caused a decrease in or disappearance of the immunological activities, but the controlled Smith degradation product having the arabinogalactan core structure of polysaccharide showed a pronounced effect on anti-complementary activity.

Determination of acidic saponins in crude drugs by high-performance liquid chromatography on octadecylsilyl porous glass

High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis on octadecylsilyl porous glass was investigated for acidic saponins in ginseng, bupleurum root and senega. The acidic saponins, malonyl-ginsenosides, malonyl-saikosaponins and senegins, as well as neutral saponins in the crude drugs were separated rapidly by HPLC on this column with aqueous acetonitrile containing KH2PO4 as the mobile phase at room temperature.

Characterization of two acidic polysaccharides having immunological activities from the root of Panax ginseng

Two acidic polysaccharides, named ginsenan PA and ginsenan PB, were isolated from the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer. They were homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and their molecular masses were estimated to be 1.6 x 10(5) and 5.5 x 10(4), respectively. They are composed of L-arabinose: D-galactose: L-rhamnose: D-galacturonic acid: D-glucuronic acid in the molar ratios of 11:22:1:6:1 (ginsenan PA) and 3:7:2:8:1 (ginsenan PB), in addition to small amounts of O-acetyl groups. Almost all (ginsenan PA) and part (ginsenan PB) of the hexuronic acid residues exist as methyl esters. Reduction of carboxyl groups, methylation analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and periodate oxidation studies indicated that their structural features include mainly both alpha-arabino-beta-3,6-galactan type and rhamnogalacturonan type structural units. Both polysaccharides showed remarkable reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test, pronounced anti-complementary activity and alkaline phosphatase-inducing activity in a dose dependent manner.

An acidic polysaccharide having immunological activities from the rhizome of Cnidium officinale

An acidic polysaccharide, designated as cnidirhan AG, was isolated from the rhizomes of Cnidium officinale Makino. It was homogeneous on electrophoresis and gel chromatography, and its molecular mass was estimated to be 5.1 x 10(4). It showed pronounced reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test, and had a remarkable effect on both anti-complementary and alkaline phosphatase-inducing activities. It is composed of L-arabinose: D-galactose: D-glucuronic acid in the molar ratio of 2:6:1, in addition to small amounts of O-acetyl groups. Methylation analysis, carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance, controlled Smith degradation and limited acid hydrolysis indicated that the core structural features of cnidirhan AG include a backbone chain composed of beta-1,3-linked D-galactose residues. Some of the galactose units in the backbone carry beta-D-galactosyl side chains at position 6. Both alpha-L-arabinosyl arabinose side chains and terminal beta-D-glucuronic acid residues are linked to the core galactan units.

Core structure of glycyrrhizan GA, the main polysaccharide from the stolon of Glycyrrhiza glabra var. glandulifera; anti-complementary and alkaline phosphatase-inducing activities of the polysaccharide and its degradation products

The controlled Smith degradation and limited hydrolysis of glycyrrhizan GA, a representative polysaccharide with remarkable phagocytosis-enhancing activity isolated from the stolon of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. var. glandulifera Reg. et Herd. were carried out. Methylation analyses of the primary and the secondary Smith degradation products and of the limited hydrolysis product indicated that the core structural features of glycyrrhizan GA include a backbone chain composed of beta-1,3-linked D-galactose residues. Three-fifths of the galactose units in the backbone carry side chains composed of beta-1,3- and beta-1,6-linked D-galactosyl residues at position 6. Anti-complementary and alkaline phosphatase-inducing activities of the polysaccharide, periodate oxidation-reduction and the controlled Smith degradation products were investigated, and the controlled Smith degradation product showed significant activity.

The core structure and immunological activities of glycyrrhizan UA, the main polysaccharide from the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis

The controlled Smith degradation and limited hydrolysis of glycyrrhizan UA, the main phagocytosis-activating polysaccharide isolated from the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis FISCHER, was performed. The reticuloendothelial system-potentiating, anti-complementary and alkaline phosphatase-inducing activities of glycyrrhizan UA and its degradation products were investigated. Methylation analyses of primary, secondary and tertiary Smith degradation products and of the limited hydrolysis product indicated that the core structural features of glycyrrhizan UA include a backbone chain composed of beta-1,3-linked D-galactose. All of the galactose units in the backbone carry side chains composed of mainly alpha-1,5-linked L-arabino-beta-1,6- or 1,3-linked D-galactose residues at position 6. Removal of the arabinosyl side chains caused a pronounced decrease in immunological activity.

Constituents of the seed of Malva verticillata. VIII. Smith degradation of MVS-VI, the major acidic polysaccharide, and anti-complementary activity of products

The controlled Smith degradation of MVS-VI, the major acidic polysaccharide having remarkable anti-complementary activity isolated from the seeds of Malva verticillata L., was performed. Methylation analysis of both the primary and the secondary Smith degradation products indicated that the core structural features of MVS-VI include a backbone chain composed of beta-1,3-linked D-galactose residues. The majority of galactose units in the backbone carry side chains composed of beta-1,3- and beta-1,6-linked D-galactosyl residues at position 6. The controlled Smith degradation products showed considerable anti-complementary activity.

The core structure of ukonan A, a phagocytosis-activating polysaccharide from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, and immunological activities of degradation products

The controlled Smith degradation of ukonan A, a phagocytosis-activating polysaccharide isolated from the rhizome of Curcuma longa L., was performed. The reticuloendothelial system-potentiating, anti-complementary and alkaline phosphatase-inducing activities of ukonan A and its degradation products were investigated. Methylation analyses of both the primary and the secondary Smith degradation products indicated that the core structural features of ukonan A include a backbone chain mainly composed of beta-1,3-linked D-galactose, beta-1,4-linked D-xylose and alpha-1,2-linked L-rhamnose residues. All of the galactose units in the backbone carry side chains composed of alpha-L-arabino-beta-D-galactosyl or beta-D-galactosyl residues at position 6. Ukonan A has a remarkable effect on each of the three kinds of immunological activities. Periodate oxidation caused pronounced decrease or disappearance of the activities, but the controlled Smith degradation product having the core structure of polysaccharide showed considerable restoration of these activities.