We conclude that HIF-2alpha/EPAS1 expression may play an important role in tumor progression and prognosis of HCC. Assessment of HIF-2alpha/EPAS1 expression in HCC may be used as a diagnostic tool and possibly a target in the treatment of HCC.

Compared to the TAC-IRA, subtotal colectomy with end-to-end antiperistaltic cecoproctostomy for appropriately selected patients with STC resulted in relief of constipation, satisfactory functional outcome, and improved qualities of life.

HIF-2alpha/EPAS1 is expressed in most of HCC with capsular infiltration and portal vein invasion, which indicates a possible role of HIF-2alpha/EPAS1 in HCC metastasis.

Anatomical variations of the cystic duct often occur and may be encountered during cholecystectomy. Knowledge of the variable anatomy of the cystic duct and cysticohepatic junction is important to avoid signifi cant ductal injury in biliary surgery. Here, we present two unusual cases with an anomalous cystic duct, namely, low lateral insertion and narrow-winding of the cystic duct. The first case was a 64-year-old man with cholelithiasis and chronic cholecystitis. During surgery, the entrance of the cystic duct was misidentifi ed as being short and leading into the right hepatic duct. Further exploration showed multiple calculi in the right and common hepatic ducts. Cholecystectomy was completed, followed by T-tube drainage of the common and right hepatic ducts. Postoperative T-tube cholangiography demonstrated that the two T tubes were respectively located in the cystic and common hepatic duct. Six weeks later, the retained stones in the distal choledochus were extracted by cholangioscopy through the sinus tract of the T-tube. The second case was a 41-year-old woman, in which, preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed a long cystic duct, with a narrow and curved-in lumen. The patient underwent open cholecystectomy. Both patients were cured. The authors propose that preoperative ERCP or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and intraoperative cholangiography or cholangioscopy constitute a useful and safe procedure for determining anatomical variations of the cystic duct.

Plasmid expressing small interfering RNA (siRNA) against HIF-1a (pSilence-2.1-U6-siRNA) was constructed and transfected into LS174T cells in hypoxia condition.After expression of siRNA against HIF-1 α in LS174T cells, expressions of HIF-1 α and N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) gene were inhibited significantly. HIF-1 α a transcripts were positive in 67.7% (42/62) and 44.4% (8/18) of colorectal adenocarcinoma and adenoma, respectively. The mean percentage of cells with positive hybridization of HIF-1 α mRNA increases with the development from Duke stage A to stage C+D (p ∧ 0.05). The positive staining rate of NDRG1 protein was significant higher in colorectal adenocarcinoma group than that in colorectal adenoma group (p ∧ 0.05). The level of HIF-1 α transcripts was positively correlated with the level of NDRG1 protein (p ∧ 0.05) during colorectal tumor progression. HIF-1a and its down stream gene NDRG1 may play roles in tumor progression of human colorectal carcinoma.