The progress of transplantation has been propelled forward by animal experiments.Animal models have not only provided opportunities to understand complex immune mechanisms in transplantation but also served as a platform to assess therapeutic interventions. While small animals have been instrumental in uncovering new therapeutic concepts related to immunosuppression and immune tolerance, the progression to human trials has largely been driven by studies in large animals. Recent research has begun to explore the potential of porcine organs to address the shortage of available organs. The consistent progress in transplant immunology research can be attributed to a thorough understanding of animal models. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the available animal models, detailing their modifications, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as their historical applications, to aid researchers in selecting the most suitable model for their specific research needs.

The progress of transplantation has been propelled forward by animal experiments.Animal models have not only provided opportunities to understand complex immune mechanisms in transplantation but also served as a platform to assess therapeutic interventions. While small animals have been instrumental in uncovering new therapeutic concepts related to immunosuppression and immune tolerance, the progression to human trials has largely been driven by studies in large animals. Recent research has begun to explore the potential of porcine organs to address the shortage of available organs. The consistent progress in transplant immunology research can be attributed to a thorough understanding of animal models. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the available animal models, detailing their modifications, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as their historical applications, to aid researchers in selecting the most suitable model for their specific research needs.

The progress of transplantation has been propelled forward by animal experiments.Animal models have not only provided opportunities to understand complex immune mechanisms in transplantation but also served as a platform to assess therapeutic interventions. While small animals have been instrumental in uncovering new therapeutic concepts related to immunosuppression and immune tolerance, the progression to human trials has largely been driven by studies in large animals. Recent research has begun to explore the potential of porcine organs to address the shortage of available organs. The consistent progress in transplant immunology research can be attributed to a thorough understanding of animal models. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the available animal models, detailing their modifications, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as their historical applications, to aid researchers in selecting the most suitable model for their specific research needs.

The progress of transplantation has been propelled forward by animal experiments.Animal models have not only provided opportunities to understand complex immune mechanisms in transplantation but also served as a platform to assess therapeutic interventions. While small animals have been instrumental in uncovering new therapeutic concepts related to immunosuppression and immune tolerance, the progression to human trials has largely been driven by studies in large animals. Recent research has begun to explore the potential of porcine organs to address the shortage of available organs. The consistent progress in transplant immunology research can be attributed to a thorough understanding of animal models. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the available animal models, detailing their modifications, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as their historical applications, to aid researchers in selecting the most suitable model for their specific research needs.

PURPOSE: Previous studies have shown the role of Sal-like protein 4 (SALL4) as a biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and some studies have shown the relationship between SALL4 and prognosis. Given the debates in study groups differences in terms of etiologic causes between Western and Asian HCC and detection methods, we attempted to verify the features of SALL4 immunoreactivity and its clinical correlation in Korean HCC patients. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining of SALL4 of tissue microarrays (TMAs) consisting of 213 surgically resected HCC patients' tissue were scored in a semiquantitative scoring system with immunoreactive score and the results analyzed with clinical outcome, in addition to general demographics and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: SALL4 immunoreactivity was expressed in 50 cases. Relevance between SALL4 and α-FP correlated significantly (P = 0.002). Also, the SALL4-positive patients had considerably higher tumor grade (P < 0.001). The survival analysis showed negative correlation with SALL4 immunoreactivity in all HCC patient groups, but SALL4 immunoreactivity in T3 and T4 HCC correlated with poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: Here, we found that positive immunostaining of SALL4 is correlated with poor patient survival outcome in large and undifferentiated Korean HCC. SALL4 expression showed close relationship with clinical outcomes of HCCs in Korean patients.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Demography ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microarray Analysis ; Prognosis

PURPOSE: Previous studies have shown the role of Sal-like protein 4 (SALL4) as a biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and some studies have shown the relationship between SALL4 and prognosis. Given the debates in study groups differences in terms of etiologic causes between Western and Asian HCC and detection methods, we attempted to verify the features of SALL4 immunoreactivity and its clinical correlation in Korean HCC patients. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining of SALL4 of tissue microarrays (TMAs) consisting of 213 surgically resected HCC patients' tissue were scored in a semiquantitative scoring system with immunoreactive score and the results analyzed with clinical outcome, in addition to general demographics and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: SALL4 immunoreactivity was expressed in 50 cases. Relevance between SALL4 and α-FP correlated significantly (P = 0.002). Also, the SALL4-positive patients had considerably higher tumor grade (P < 0.001). The survival analysis showed negative correlation with SALL4 immunoreactivity in all HCC patient groups, but SALL4 immunoreactivity in T3 and T4 HCC correlated with poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: Here, we found that positive immunostaining of SALL4 is correlated with poor patient survival outcome in large and undifferentiated Korean HCC. SALL4 expression showed close relationship with clinical outcomes of HCCs in Korean patients.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Demography ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microarray Analysis ; Prognosis

No abstract available.

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma (HAC) is a tumor with aberrant hepatocellular differentiation that occurs in extrahepatic organs. HAC of the gallbladder is rare, and cases of alpha-fetoprotein production are extremely rare. A 61-year-old man was diagnosed with gallbladder adenocarcinoma after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A radical operation including resection of liver bed and lymph node dissection was performed, and no tumor cell was found. However, at postoperative 19 months, he showed lymphadenopathy of the portocaval area and tumor thrombi in the right portal vein with high levels of serum alpha-fetoprotein. After right hemihepatectomy and portahepatis lymph node dissection was performed, he was diagnosed with metastatic HAC. On reviewing the gallbladder specimen, the tumor finally demonstrated HAC as the primary origin. Despite adjuvant therapy, the patient died from multiple liver metastasis 26 months after cholecystectomy. Although HAC of the gallbladder is a very rare malignancy, awareness of its existence is critical to avoid misdiagnosis.
Adenocarcinoma ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; Cholecystectomy ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Diagnostic Errors ; Gallbladder ; Humans ; Liver ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Portal Vein

The use of graft materials in bladder mucosa has been examined in animal models, but debate exists over which materials are effective. Intestine has been used as a substitute in augmentation cystoplasty for patients with neuropathic bladder, but serious adverse effects of the operation have occurred in some instances. We report a case of a successful repair of an enterovesical fistula by use of bovine pericardium. The patient has remained well for 2.5 years. We suggest that bovine pericardium may be a suitable option as a bladder substitute.
Fistula ; Humans ; Intestines ; Models, Animal ; Mucous Membrane ; Pericardium ; Radiation Injuries ; Transplants ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Fistula ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) of the pancreas is a rare malignancy. ACC has been considered a cancer with poor prognosis due to frequent metastasis, a high recurrence rate, and low resectability. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical, radiologic and pathologic features of ACC in Korean patients, and surgical outcome was also investigated. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records of two patients with ACC who had undergone operation in January 1996 and December 2005 at Hanyang University Medical Center. Through searching of medical journal from 1983 to 2009, 27 patients reported on literatures as Korean ACC patients were reviewed together. The clinical, pathohistologic, and radiologic features, treatment, and prognosis were investigated for all 29 patients. RESULTS: ACC was more common in male, and age at diagnosis ranged from 25 to 68 years (median 54). Symptoms were, mostly abdominal pain and mass. Liver was most common organ of metastasis at diagnosis and recurrence after operation. The mean tumor size was 7.0 cm, and most common location was tail. Of the 29 patients, 22 underwent surgical resection. Excluding 7 cases of not-reported survival, the median survival with operation was 22.4 months compared to 1.5 months with non-operation. CONCLUSIONS: In Korea, the clinical features of ACC include young age, large size, tail location, and nonspecific tumor markers. Surgery should be actively performed in the treatment of ACC regardless of size.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Acinar Cell/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Prognosis ; Republic of Korea ; Survival Analysis ; Tumor Markers, Biological/analysis