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Background and Objectives: Even though the pathological background contributes to lymph node metastasis, the biological characteristics of tumors have also gained wide attention. In this study, the expression of the cadherin-catenin complex and p53 was studied in early gastric cancer. Their correlation with lymph node metastasis and the predictability of lymph node metastases, by combining these factors, were also discussed. Methods: One hundred and one specimens obtained from surgery were studied by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal anti-E-cadherin, anti-α-catenin and anti-p53 antibodies. Results: Expression of E-cadherin and α-catenin was reduced in 50.5 and 64.4%, respectively. p53 protein staining was positive in 29.7%. There was a significant correlation between E-cadherin and α-catenin expression, but no correlation was found between p53 expression and E-cadherin or α-catenin expression. A reduction in α-catenin expression and p53 overexpression correlated to lymph node metastases, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that cooccurrence of reduced expression of α-catenin and overexpression of p53 was an independent factor indicating lymph node metastases. Conclusion: A study of both α-catenin and p53 expression may be helpful to predict lymph node metastases in early gastric cancer.

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The effects of a prior portosystemic shunt (PSS) on the hepatic hemodynamics and sinusoids shortly after an 84% hepatectomy (Hx) were investigated in dogs. Fifteen mongrel dogs were divided into three groups, a 70% Hx group (n = 5), an 84% Hx group (n = 5) and an 84% Hx+PSS group (n = 5). In the last group, a shunt was inserted between the splenic and femoral veins prior to the hepatectomy. The systemic and hepatic hemodynamics were measured, before and 180 min after the hepatectomy, and the remaining liver tissue was then examined immunohistochemically by light microscopy using the thrombomodulin (TM) staining method. The postoperative portal vein pressure and the vascular resistance were significantly lower in the PSS group than in the 84% non-PSS group. The total postoperative hepatic blood flow was higher in the 84% non-PSS group than in the other two groups. Immunohistochemical observation after TM staining indicated that the sinusoidal endothelial cells in the 84% non-PSS group were markedly damaged 3 h after surgery. We conclude that a prior PSS improves the hepatic hemodynamics and is beneficial to the sinusoids within the first few hours of an 84% hepatectomy in dogs.