Prevention of death following one-hour occlusion of the portal vein in the rat

This study was conducted to evaluate various methods to reduce the mortality rate following acute portal vein occlusion in rat: systemic heparinization, intravenous saline infusion, enteral antibiotics and simultaneous clamping of the superior mesenteric artery were tested alone or in combination. Each of these treatments improved the survival rate after 45 or 60 min occlusion of the portal vein; combination of all treatments provided better results than each treatment alone. These results indicate that, following acute portal vein occlusion in the rat, several factors cooperate to cause death. The decrease in mean arterial blood pressure during occlusion of the portal vein was correlated with the mortality rate; this correlation was significant in the animals with 45 min occlusion of the portal vein. It appeared in this study that, when used in association, simple therapeutic methods are highly effective in improving the survival rate following acute portal vein occlusion in the rat.

Evaluation of the mitotic index of human colonic mucosa; results of two different observers

The mitotic index (M.I.) of the colonic mucosa was evaluated in 67 biopsies and divided into 6 groups. The M.I. was evaluated by one author twice at magnification X 1000 and by the other author once at magnification X 1000 and once at X 400, in order to assess the degree of intra- and interobserver agreement and the most suitable magnification for the evaluation of the M.I. of human colonic mucosa. The results indicate that the mean M.I. of a group of biopsies was similar between the two authors and may therefore be proposed as a valuable estimate of the mitotic activity of a group of patients during scientific investigations, provided that it is evaluated at sufficiently high magnification (X 1000, to our experience). On the contrary, there was only partial agreement (though highly significant) on the M.I. of each individual biopsy between the two authors and between different counts of the same author as well, thus indicating that the M.I. cannot be proposed as an accurate estimate of the mitotic activity of individual patients.

Increase of the mitotic index of colonic mucosa after cholecystectomy

This study was undertaken to assess possible modifications of the proliferative activity of colonic mucosa, which could be related to a suggested cancer-promoting role of cholecystectomy. The mitotic index (number of mitoses per 1000 gland cells) was evaluated in the colonic mucosa of 14 healthy subjects, 11 patients with cholelithiasis, before and 6 months after surgery, and 10 patients who had undergone cholecystectomy 2 or more years previously. The mitotic index of cholecystectomized patients was significantly higher than controls. It rose significantly within 6 months of cholecystectomy. The mitotic index of patients with cholelithiasis before surgery was similar to controls. These data suggest that cholecystectomy is followed by an enhancement in the proliferative activity of the colonic mucosa, which could play a cancer-promoting role.

[Cholelithiasis and carcinoma of the colon]

It results cholelithiasis is very frequently associated to colorectal cancer. Clinical and autoptic studies thereabout result to be doubtful. In the present research, the Authors evaluated the proliferative activity of colonic mucous membrane, through the mitotic index, and the secretion of mucins, with histochemical methods, in control subjects and cholelithiasic patients. The results show no significant differences in both groups; the data obtained are discussed in the light of the importance of the biologic parameter considered in the evaluation of risk groups for colorectal neoplasms and, moreover, as morphologic support to the clinical question.

[Cystic lymphangioma: etiopathogenetic and diagnostic considerations apropos of 2 cases]

The authors show two cases of cystic lymphangioma, one located at the neck, the other in the inguinal region, both arising in aged patients. From the study of such cases, the Authors start for studying the etiopathogenetic and histologic aspects, dwell upon the clinics and diagnosis of such neoplasms, and indicate as the sole radical treatment the surgical extirpation.

Are postoperative fever and/or septic complications prognostic factors in colorectal cancer resected for cure?

The authors have examined the survival rate of 111 patients with colorectal cancer (Dukes' A, B, and C stages) treated by potentially curative surgery. In particular, the survival has been evaluated with regard to the appearance of postoperative fever and/or septic complications. The preliminary results demonstrate that these factors do not significantly influence the long-term prognosis.

Increase of mitotic activity in the colonic mucosa of patients with colorectal cancer

A histologic and histochemical study of the colonic mucosa, including a study of the mitotic index, was performed in routinely processed specimens from control and tumor-bearing patients. A significant increase in the mitotic index (number of mitosis X 1000 gland cells), without concomitant modifications in the distribution of mitotic figures along the crypt depth, in mucosal thickness, or in mucin secretion, was demonstrated in the colonic mucosa of patients with colonic or rectal cancer compared with controls. The results point to an accelerated cell renewal in the colonic mucosa of tumor-bearing patients compared with the controls, without concomitant dysplasia. Results are discussed in the light of the possibility that an increased cell proliferation may have preceded the onset of tumor and played a role in the second step of carcinogenesis, i.e., tumor promotion, independently of dysplasia.