BackgroundDefects of autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are related to many diseases and tumors. However, only a few studies have examined hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as related to these processes. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the expression and extent of autophagy and ER stress-related markers in HCC and their influence on clinical characteristics and prognosis for each protein.MethodologyThe expression of autophagy-related markers (LC3 and Beclin-1) and ER stress-related markers (GRP78 and CHOP) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry on tissues from completely resected specimens of 190 HCC patients. Their influence on clinicopathologic features and prognosis were evaluated using the chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Correlations of each protein were determined by Spearman's correlation analysis. Principal FindingsLC3 expression was not correlated with TNM, BCLC stage, or Edmonson-Steiner grading, whereas it was correlated with longer overall survival (OS) (p = 0.039) and tended to be related with longer time to recurrence (TTR) (p=0.068) although it did not show statistical significance. Multivariate analysis indicated that LC3 expression was a significantly independent prognostic factor of OS (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.22-0.80; p-value=0.009) and TTR (HR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.33–0.90; p=0.017). Expression of LC3 in advanced stages of TNM (III) (p=0.045) and Edmonson-Steiner Grades (III and IV) (p=0.043) was correlated with longer survival, but not in the early stages. A positive correlation was not observed between the expression of autophagy-related markers and ER stress-related markers.ConclusionOur results suggest that the expression and extent of LC3 might be a strong prognostic factor of HCC, especially in patients with surgical resection.

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This study was performed to identify clinical factors that facilitate the diagnosis of typical cow's milk protein-induced enterocolitis (CMPIE). Data from 142 consecutive patients (aged 15 to 45 days, cow's milk formula- or cow's milk and breast milk mixed-fed) admitted due to vomiting and/or diarrhea were retrospectively analyzed. These 142 subjects were divided into three groups: the CMPIE, infection, and non-infection group. Each group was composed of 16 (11.3%), 102 (71.8%), and 24 (16.9%) patients, respectively. On admission, poor weight gain (p=0.003), hypoalbuminemia (p=0.035), peripheral leukocytosis (p=0.012), and metabolic acidosis (p=0.015) were found to be more significant in the CMPIE group than those in other two groups. In CMPIE, serum albumin levels decreased from 3.3±0.9 g/dL on admission to 2.6±0.3 g/dL during admission (p<0.05), and methemoglobinemia was observed in 3 patients (18.8%) (p=0.012). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the independent predictors of CMPIE versus the infection group were failure to gain weight (OR, 10.75 [95% CI, 1.53-66.12]) (p=0.014) and hypoalbuminemia (OR, 9.53 [95% CI, 1.62-49.01]) (p=0.010). The early recognition of indexes of suspicion for CMPIE may be of help in the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.

Primary hepatic carcinosarcoma is a rare tumor comprised of a mixture of carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements. Less than 20 adequately documented cases have been reported, however the imaging features of two cases were briefly described. We present here a case of carcinosarcoma of the liver in a 46-year-old woman, which was confirmed based on pathology. Imaging showed a large mass with large necrotic portions, small cystic portions, calcifications and bone formations.

Microcystic stromal tumor of the ovary is a very rare ovarian tumor with distinctive microcystic histologic features and a characteristic immunophenotype of stromal tumor. However, its origin, tumor pathogenesis, and prognosis have not been well established until now. We report a very unusual case of a microcystic stromal tumor of the ovary with a mutation in exon 3 of the β-catenin (CTNNB1) gene. Macroscopically, the fragmented ovarian tumor showed a diffuse solid mass. Microscopically, the tumor had a pathognomonic histologic pattern of solid and cellular areas with microcysts and fibrous hyalinized stroma. Immunohistochemical staining with CD10, vimentin, CD99, and β-catenin showed positive expression. However, α-inhibin and E-cadherin showed negativity. Mutational analysis revealed a point mutation in exon 3 of the β-catenin (CTNNB1) gene.