JNK1/2-dependent phosphorylation of angulin-1/LSR is required for the exclusive localization of angulin-1/LSR and tricellulin at tricellular contacts in EpH4 epithelial sheet

Tricellular tight junctions (tTJs) are specialized structural variants of tight junctions within tricellular contacts of an epithelial sheet and comprise several transmembrane proteins including lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (angulin-1/LSR) and tricellulin. To elucidate the mechanism of its formation, we carried out stepwise screening of kinase inhibitors followed by RNAi screening to identify kinases that regulate intracellular localization of angulin-1/LSR to the tTJs using a fluorescence image-based screen. We found that the activity of JNK1 and JNK2, but not JNK3, was required for the exclusive localization of angulin-1/LSR at the tTJs. Based on a bioinformatics approach, we estimated the potential phosphorylation site of angulin-1/LSR by JNK1 to be serine 288 and experimentally confirmed that JNK1 directly phosphorylates angulin-1/LSR at this site. We found that JNK2 was also involved in the phosphorylation of angulin-1/LSR. Furthermore, GFP-tagged angulin-1/LSR(S288A), in which serine 288 was substituted by alanine, was observed to be dispersed to bicellular junctions, indicating that phosphorylation of Ser288 is crucial for the exclusive localization of angulin-1/LSR and tricellulin at tTJs. Our fluorescence image-based screening for kinases inhibitor or siRNAs combined with the phosphorylation site prediction could become a versatile and useful tool to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of tTJs regulated by kinase networks.

Self-management of infection control behavior of adult recipients of living-donor liver transplantation within 5 years after transplantation

This study determines the present condition of self-management of infection control behavior of adult recipients who underwent living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The design was a qualitative study using a semistructured interview. The subjects were recipients who underwent LDLT at Kyoto University Hospital within 5 years to March 2011 and gave their consents to participate in this study. The subjects were 10 recipients (4 male and 6 female), and their average age was 56.7 years. Of 502 sentences about self-management behavior extracted from the verbatim records of all subjects, 61 sentences were about infection control behavior. Cluster analysis was used to classify these sentences into 5 groups: basic preventive behavior, application preventive behavior, active preventive behavior, change of preventive behavior depending on physical condition, and establishment of preventive behavior.

Assessment of residual bile duct stones with use of intraductal US during endoscopic balloon sphincteroplasty: comparison with balloon cholangiography

BACKGROUND

We sought to determine the utility of intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) in detecting residual bile duct stones during endoscopic balloon sphincteroplasty.

METHODS

Eighty-one consecutive patients with bile duct stones who underwent IDUS during endoscopic balloon sphincteroplasty were studied. IDUS was performed with a thin-caliber ultrasonic probe (diameter 2.0 mm, frequency 20 MHz) by a transpapillary route after stone extraction. When IDUS or balloon-retrograde cholangiography suggested residual stones, the bile duct was cleared again with a Dormia basket. Extraction of the stones was confirmed by direct duodenoscopic visualization. Videotapes of IDUS and cholangiograms were reviewed retrospectively without knowledge of the results of other diagnostic modalities.

RESULTS

In 27 of 81 patients (33%), IDUS detected small residual stones not seen on cholangiography. When stones were fragmented with mechanical lithotripsy, the accuracy of IDUS in detecting small residual stones was significantly greater than that of balloon-endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (95% vs 50%, p < 0. 001). When the bile duct was greater than 10 mm in diameter, the accuracy of IDUS in detecting small residual stones was significantly greater than that of cholangiography (92% vs. 56%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

IDUS is useful for detecting small residual bile duct stones during endoscopic balloon sphincteroplasty when stones are fragmented by mechanical lithotripsy or when there is evidence of a dilated bile duct (>10 mm).

Bile duct wall thickness measured by intraductal US in patients who have not undergone previous biliary drainage

BACKGROUND

We investigated the bile duct wall thickness measured on intraductal US in patients who had not undergone biliary drainage, with special attention to the influence of cancer at the distal bile duct, bile duct stones, obstructive jaundice, longitudinal cancer extension, and primary sclerosing cholangitis on wall thickness.

METHODS

The study included 183 patients. Patients who had undergone previous biliary drainage were excluded. Intraductal US was performed by the transpapillary route with use of a thin-caliber ultrasonic probe (2.0 mm diameter, 20 MHz frequency). The bile duct wall thickness (width of the inside hypoechoic layer) was retrospectively measured on US images.

RESULTS

Bile duct wall thicknesses of the common hepatic duct for the control group (n = 95), cancer at the distal bile duct group (n = 9), bile duct stone group (n = 56), and obstructive jaundice group (n = 17) were 0.6 +/- 0.3 mm (mean +/- SD), 0.8 +/- 0.5 mm, 0.8 +/- 0.6 mm, and 0.8 +/- 0. 5 mm, respectively. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between them. However, wall thickness for the cancer extension to the common hepatic duct group (n = 4, 2.0 +/- 0.4 mm) and sclerosing cholangitis group (n = 2, 2.5 +/- 0.4 mm) were significantly greater than in the other groups (p < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients who have not undergone previous biliary drainage, the bile duct wall thickness was not thicker in patients with obstructive jaundice. However, the duct wall was significantly thicker in patients with either longitudinal cancer extension or primary sclerosing cholangitis compared with that of other groups.

Influence of bile duct diameter on the therapeutic quality of endoscopic balloon sphincteroplasty

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Endoscopic balloon sphincteroplasty (EBS) has been reported to be a safe alternative to sphincterotomy for the treatment of bile duct stones. We evaluated the factors which influence the therapeutic efficacy of EBS.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 118 consecutive patients with bile duct stones were treated by EBS. After conventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC), EBS was done using a biliary dilation catheter (balloon diameter, 8mm). The duct was then cleared using Dormia baskets or retrievel balloon catheters. When the stones were greater than 8 mm in diameter, mechanical lithotripsy was performed before extraction. Complete stone clearance was assessed by balloon-ERC and intraductal ultrasonography. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Patients were classified into three groups according to the bile duct diameter: nondilated (bile duct < or = 10 mm), mildly dilated (10 mm < bile duct < or = 15 mm), and severely dilated group (bile duct > 15 mm).

RESULTS

In 113 of 118 (96%) patients, the stones were completely cleared with one to six endoscopic sessions (mean 1.6 sessions). In the nondilated group, 24 of 28 (85%) patients were cleared of stones in one session (mean 1.2 sessions), without the use of mechanical lithotripsy in 23 of 28 (82 %) patients. In the mildly dilated group, 23 of 38 (61 %) patients were cleared of stones in one session (mean 1.5 sessions). In contrast, in the severely dilated group, only 16 of 52 (31 %) patients were cleared of stones in one session (mean 2.0 sessions). Stone size, number of stones, and use of mechanical lithotripsy were independent variables which influenced the success of stone clearance in one session after EBS.

CONCLUSION

When EBS is done in patients with bile duct stones, bile duct diameter may be a good indicator of therapeutic efficacy. In patients with severely dilated bile ducts (> 15 mm), EBS is of limited effectiveness.

Characterization of biliary strictures using intraductal ultrasonography: comparison with percutaneous cholangioscopic biopsy

BACKGROUND

We determined the accuracy of intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) in distinguishing between bile duct cancer and benign bile duct disease.

METHODS

Patients (n=42) who required bile duct biopsy using percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) to evaluate bile duct strictures or filling defects were studied. A thin-caliber ultrasonic probe (2.0 mm diameter and 20 MHz frequency) was inserted into the bile duct, and its images were prospectively reviewed before PTCS.

RESULTS

Disruption of the bile duct wall structure, seen on IDUS, was associated with malignancy in 25 of 26 patients. When IDUS demonstrated a lesion with normal bile duct structure, six of nine patients were found to have no malignancy. IDUS demonstrated no intraductal lesion in seven patients, and bile duct biopsy also did not indicate cancer in any of these patients. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of IDUS for diagnosing bile duct cancer were 76%, 89%, and 50%, respectively. When used in tandem with IDUS, the sensitivity of bile cytology (64%) and PTCS (93%) improved to 96% and 100%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The accuracy of IDUS for diagnosing bile duct cancer was less than that of PTCS (95%). However, the sensitivity for bile cytology, or bile duct biopsy improved when performed in combination with IDUS.

Influence of biliary drainage catheter on bile duct wall thickness as measured by intraductal ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE

To determine the influence of biliary drainage catheter placement on bile duct wall thickness, we performed intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) in patients before and after biliary drainage.

METHODS

Patients underwent IDUS before and after either short-term (n = 9, 6 to 8 days) or long-term (n = 9, 14 to 35 days) biliary drainage using a thin (2.0 mm diameter), 20 MHz probe inserted by means of a transpapillary route or a percutaneous tract. The bile duct wall thickness (mean +/- standard deviation) was retrospectively measured at the upper portion of the common hepatic duct.

RESULTS

The bile duct wall thickness increased from 0.8+/-0.4 mm (predrainage) to 2.0+/-1.6 mm (post-drainage) in the long-term group (p < 0.001) but was not significantly increased in the short-term group.

CONCLUSIONS

The bile duct wall thickness as measured on IDUS appears to be increased after placement of biliary drainage catheters.

Limitations of intraductal ultrasonography in differentiating between bile duct cancer in stage T1 and stage T2: in-vitro and in-vivo studies

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

We investigated whether intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) could distinguish between stage T1 and T2 bile duct cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In-vitro study. Resected bile duct specimens (n = 8) were immersed in a water tank and were pierced with straight pins to clarify the normal layer structure. Ultrasonosgraphic images (20MHz) of the positions of pin echoes were compared to the positions of pin holes as seen on histologic analysis of the specimens. In-vivo study. A thin-caliber high-frequency (6 Fr, 20 MHz) ultrasonic probe was inserted into the bile duct via a transhepatic route or a transpapillary route in 26 patients with bile duct cancer who underwent surgical resection.

RESULTS

In-vitro study. The inner hypoechoic layer on the IDUS image corresponded not only to the fibromuscular layer but also to a part of fibrous layer of the perimuscular loose connective tissue on histologic analysis, especially in the cases with moderate to severe bile duct wall fibrosis. The outer hyperechoic layer corresponded to the subserosal fat tissue. In-vivo study. In four of six patients with tumor limited to the inside hypoechoic layer on IDUS images, the histologic findings showed tumor invasion to the fibrous layer of the perimuscular loose connective tissue. Due to this limitation, accuracy of IDUS in T-staging was only 20/26 (77 %).

CONCLUSIONS

IDUS cannot reliably distinguish bile duct cancer in stage T1 from that in stage T2.

Diagnosing extrahepatic bile duct stones using intraductal ultrasonography: a case series

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS), a new ultrasonographic diagnostic procedure, was used to assess the presence of extrahepatic bile duct stones.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The IDUS apparatus consisted of a 6-French high-frequency (20 MHz) probe. Prior to clinical application, in-vitro studies were conducted in a water tank. Clinically, IDUS was successful in 31 patients after endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. Interpretations of IDUS images were evaluated in comparison with cholangiographic and fluoroscopic findings.

RESULTS

Experimental testing demonstrated that stones or fragments were typically visualized as strong, high-echo images with acoustic shadowing; air bubbles were seen as fan-shaped high-echo areas or comet-shaped high-echo areas; and sludge was visualized as soft, easily changing, high-echo structures. Extrahepatic bile duct stones were visualized by IDUS in 30 of 31 patients (96.8%), while fluoroscopy and cholangiography identified 19 (61.3%) and 25 (80.6%), respectively. Accurate differentiation between stones and air bubbles was also possible.

CONCLUSION

IDUS could be a useful modality in the diagnosis of extrahepatic bile duct stones.

Assessment of the course and variations of the hepatic artery in bile duct cancer by intraductal ultrasonography

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the course and variations of the hepatic artery in bile duct cancer using intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS).

METHODS

IDUS was used to demonstrate the course of the hepatic artery preoperatively in 20 patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer, and the image was compared with angiographic and surgical findings.

RESULTS

IDUS was able to assess tumor invasion to the main branch of the right hepatic artery in all cases. However, it demonstrated only three cases in the left hepatic artery and four cases in the proper hepatic artery. When the hepatic artery indicated re-entry or bifurcation on the IDUS image, the proximal portion of re-entry or bifurcation was established as the proper hepatic artery, but when it showed neither re-entry nor bifurcation it was established as the right hepatic artery.

CONCLUSIONS

IDUS demonstrated the main branch of the right hepatic artery in all cases, but was not useful for demonstration of the left and proper hepatic arteries. Correct assessment of re-entry and bifurcation was essential on IDUS images for making the distinction between the right hepatic artery and the proper hepatic artery.

Assessment of pancreatic parenchymal invasion by bile duct cancer using intraductal ultrasonography

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

This study was performed to clarify the diagnostic accuracy of intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) in assessing pancreatic parenchymal invasion by bile duct cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Preoperative assessment of pancreatic parenchymal invasion was carried out by IDUS via a percutaneous tract or a transpapillary route in 18 patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer. Various probes with diameters of 1.4, 2.0, 2.4, 2.6 and 3.2 mm, and frequencies of 7.5, 15, 20 and 30 MHz were used. All patients underwent angiography and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). In the first six cases, IDUS and EUS images were analyzed retrospectively without knowledge of the operative outcome or the results of other imaging tests. In the subsequent 12 cases, the IDUS und EUS images were prospectively reviewed prior to surgery. The diagnostic accuracy of IDUS was compared with angiography and EUS by means of a histopathological examination of the resected specimens.

RESULTS

The accuracy of IDUS, EUS, and angiography in assessing pancreatic parenchymal invasion was 100%, 78% and 61%, respectively. However, IDUS could not assess pancreatic capsular invasion. The accuracy of IDUS in assessing horizontal tumor extension to the intrapancreatic bile duct and to the hepatic side was 83% and 72%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

IDUS proved useful for assessing the extension of cancer invasion to the pancreatic parenchyma, but not to the pancreatic capsule or mucosal surface.

ITI (inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor) phenotyping by immunogold staining

Polymorphism of Inter-alpha-Trypsin Inhibitor (ITI) was investigated in 685 unrelated Japanese individuals by isoelectric focusing followed by electroblotting and immunogold silver staining. The allele frequency estimates were ITI*1 = 0.455 +/- 0.013, ITI*2 = 0.516 +/- 0.013, ITI*3 = 0.028 +/- 0.0045 and ITI*4 = 0.001 +/- 0.001 and the phenotype frequencies fitted the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The ITI system could be regarded as a potential genetic marker in paternity testing and anthropological studies.

Assessment of portal vein invasion by bile duct cancer using intraductal ultrasonography

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

We recently reported on the contribution of intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) to the regional staging of bile duct cancer, and we present here the first detailed study of the value of IDUS in assessing the portal vein invasion by bile duct cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Preoperative assessment of portal vein invasion was performed by IDUS via a percutaneous tract or via transpapillary route in 18 patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer. Various probes, with diameters of 1.4, 2.0, 2.4, 2.6, and 3.2 mm, and frequencies of 7.5, 15, 20, and 30 MHz, were used. All patients additionally underwent endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and angiography. In the first six cases, the IDUS and EUS images were analyzed retrospectively without the knowledge of operative results or the other imaging tests. In the remaining 12 cases, IDUS and EUS images were prospectively reviewed prior to surgery, without knowledge of the angiographic findings. The gold standard for the results of IDUS, EUS and angiography was the histopathological findings in 17 resected tumors, and the intraoperative findings in one patient who did not undergo resective surgery.

RESULTS

IDUS was able to demonstrate the portal vein in all cases. Its accuracy in diagnosing portal vein invasion was 100% for all locations. EUS was useful in assessing portal vein invasion at the middle and distal bile duct (the accuracy was 91%), but was not useful in assessing invasion at the proximal bile duct (the accuracy was 57%).

CONCLUSIONS

IDUS proved useful for assessing the extension of cancer invasion into the portal vein, even in proximal bile duct tumors.

Assessment of hepatic artery invasion by bile duct cancer using intraductal ultrasonography

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

This study was performed to clarify the diagnostic accuracy of intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) in assessing hepatic artery invasion by bile duct cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Preoperative assessment of hepatic artery invasion was performed by IDUS via a percutaneous tract or the transpapillary route in a total of 22 patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer. The probes used had a diameter of 1.4, 2.0, 2.4, 2.6, and 3.2 mm, and frequencies of 7.5, 15, 20, and 30 MHz. In the first six cases, IDUS images were analyzed retrospectively with no knowledge of the operative results or of the other imaging tests. In the following 16 cases, the IDUS images were prospectively reviewed prior to surgery without knowledge of the angiographic findings. The diagnostic accuracy of IDUS was compared with angiography in all cases, with the histopathological results in 20 resected cases, and with the intraoperative findings in two cases with only surgical exploration.

RESULTS

IDUS was able to demonstrate the right hepatic artery in all cases, and its accuracy in diagnosing right hepatic invasion was 100%. However, IDUS was able to visualize the proper hepatic artery in only four cases (18%), and the left hepatic artery in only three cases (14%), respectively. IDUS could not visualize the area outside of the hepatoduodenal ligament, because of its low penetration depth.

CONCLUSIONS

IDUS proved useful for assessing the extension of bile duct cancer invasion into the right hepatic artery. However, IDUS did not sufficiently demonstrate the proper hepatic artery and the left hepatic artery for diagnosing vascular involvement.

A case of retroperitoneal pseudomyxoma

We experienced a rare case of pseudomyxoma that progressed into the retroperitoneum. This patient presented with complaints of polyuria and back pain. CT and MRI showed a retroperitoneal cystic tumor. Surgical and pathological findings confirmed mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix that reached the posterior space behind the right kidney through the retroperitoneum.

Polymorphism of factor H (beta 1H globulin) in Japanese: description of a new allele

Polymorphism of factor H (HF) was investigated in 1060 unrelated Japanese individuals using isoelectric focusing and immunoblotting. Besides 6 different HF types a null type and an unusual type were observed. The family analysis suggested the hereditary occurrence of a new variant allele HF*C. The population data fitted the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, assuming that the null allele HF*QO occurs commonly. The allele frequencies were HF*A = 0.407 +/- 0.011, HF*B = 0.491 +/- 0.011, HF*A1 = 0.011 +/- 0.002 and HF*QO = 0.091 +/- 0.006. The HF polymorphism in Japanese was shown to be controlled by the above 4 common alleles.

A case of chronic pancreatitis with pseudocysts complicated by infection and obstructive jaundice

We report a case of chronic pancreatitis with pseudocysts complicated by infection and obstructive jaundice. A 49-yr-old male was admitted with the complaints of fever and jaundice. Laboratory findings included high biliary tract enzyme values and normal serum amylase value. Ultrasonography and computed tomographic scan demonstrated a cyst, 4 cm in diameter, in the pancreas head. Cholangiography revealed a long, tapered obstruction of the common bile duct which was apparently compressed by the cyst. Although the jaundice improved after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, fever continued, and the cyst was aspirated. Bacteriological examination of the contents revealed infection. The symptoms disappeared rapidly and the cyst decreased in size soon after aspiration. The stenosis of the common bile duct showed improvement for several weeks but then regressed. In a patient with secondary pancreatic infection or obstructive jaundice following pancreatic disease, distinguishing the condition is an important aspect of accurate diagnosis and therapy.

A case of anomalous arrangement of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system demonstrated by intraductal ultrasonography

A 55-yr-old female was hospitalized with epigastric pain. Conventional ultrasonography revealed marked dilation of the common bile duct (CBD). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed fusiform dilation of the CBD. The common channel of the pancreatic duct and choledochus was 20 mm long. A diagnosis of congenital choledochal dilation accompanied by anomalous arrangement of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system (AAPBDS) was made. Intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) was performed. IDUS demonstrated the union of the pancreatic duct and choledochus within the pancreatic parenchyma. This meant that the union existed outside the duodenal wall, confirming the diagnosis of AAPBDS. Although endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography alone could show the maljunction in this case, simultaneous IDUS will be useful in making an accurate diagnosis of AAPBDS.

GC subtyping in dental pulps

By means of non-immobilized isoelectric focusing followed by immunoblotting, group-specific component (GC) subtypes were detected in dental pulp tissues. The amount of GC in dental pulp was quantitated using rocket immunoelectrophoresis and the minimum amount of the protein necessary for the typing of GC was estimated to be about 0.02 microgram in 10 microliters of the sample. The results of GC typing in dental pulp tissues were in agreement with the phenotypes obtained from serum samples of the same individuals. Subtyping by the present method was also possible in dental pulp tissues obtained from the teeth stored for 4 weeks at room temperature. The GC subtyping by non-immobilized isoelectric focusing is of practical use for medicolegal investigation of teeth.

[Assessment of tumor extent in extrahepatic bile duct cancers--utility of intraductal ultrasonography]

Intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) were performed in patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer and compared to other diagnostic modalities and to resected specimens. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a non-invasive diagnostic method useful for screening patients with bile duct cancers and determining whether they are resectable or not. While, EUS was not useful for the differential diagnosis of advanced and early tumors, and less useful in case of bile duct tumors located at the hilus hepatitis. IDUS proved useful without blind spot even in case of bile duct cancers at the hilus hepatis. IDUS was especially useful for the differential diagnosis of advanced and early tumors. IDUS is the very accurate diagnostic modality which make up for EUS and essential to determine the appropriate operation plan.

Diagnosis of biliary diseases via a naso-biliary catheter

Nasobiliary double contrast radiography and nasobiliary cytological diagnosis via nasobiliary catheter were performed in 30 patients with biliary diseases to assess the diagnostic usefulness and limitations of the procedures. The results showed that the contour and fine mucosal pattern of the extrahepatic bile duct could be demonstrated adequately (88%) by nasobiliary double contrast radiography. In contrast, the intrahepatic bile duct could not be fully demonstrated (56%) by nasobiliary double contrast radiography because of its anatomical structure. On the other hand the fine reticular pattern of the mucosa was defined in each section of the gallbladder by nasobiliary double contrast radiography. This procedure is thus a valuable method for detection of mucosal lesions of the extrahepatic bile duct and gallbladder, especially carcinoma. The cell collection rate was not as high (59%) using conventional nasobiliary cytological diagnosis. Brush cytology via a nasobiliary catheter was shown to be a useful adjunct to other diagnostic procedures.