[A study of laparoscopic stoma creation for patients with malignant bowel obstruction].

UNLABELLED: We evaluated the efficacy of laparoscopic palliative stoma creation for patients with malignant bowel obstruction (MBO). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients with MBO who underwent laparoscopic stoma creation between January 2009 and December 2012 were studied and their clinical outcome was evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Compared to the open approach, the laparoscopic approach led to significantly shorter operation times and a significantly lower incidence of surgical site infection( SSI). The rate of removal of the intestinal tube and intravenous drip after surgery was 100% and 88%, respectively, and the rate of oral intake was 100% after palliative stoma creation. The prognosis was 58% in 3 months and 29% in 1 year, and the median survival time was approximately 4 months. DISCUSSION: The quality of surgery by the laparoscopic approach was better than that by the open approach, and the quality of life( QOL) after stoma creation was better than that before surgery. Given the shorter operation time, lower incidence of SSI, and better QOL, laparoscopic stoma creation is a beneficial choice for palliative treatment in patients with MBO.

Ovariectomized mouse uterotrophic assay of 36 chemicals.

The concern over endocrine disruptors prompted international establishment of a strategic framework for the identification of the estrogenic compounds. OECD has launched the Conceptual Framework tool box containing various screening and testing methods including the uterotrophic assay. The (anti)estrogenicity of 36 chemicals suspected to be estrogen-receptor interactive by in silico and/or in vitro screening in the Extended Scheme for Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan, were monitored by the uterotrophic assay using C57BL/6J ovariectomized adult female mice after a 7-day exposure by oral gavage (po) and subcutaneous injection (sc). Ethynyl estradiol was used as reference for agonist and antagonist detection. In addition, Bisphenol A (sc) and Genistein (po) were tested for the comparison to rat assays. Among the 36, 2-[Bis(4-hydroxy-phenyl)methyl]benzylalcohol, 2,2',4,4'-Tetrahydroxybenzophenone, 2,4-Dihydroxybenzophenone, 3,3',5-Triiodothyroacetic acid, New fuchsin and alpha-Naphtholbenzein, showed both estrogenic agonistic and antagonistic activities; first two showed U-shaped dose-response in antagonistic studies. N,N-Diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine, 2,2'-Dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxybenzophenone, n-Butyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, and Reserpine were agonistic by sc. Benzo [a] pyrene, Benz [a] anthracene, Dibenz [a,h] anthracene, 2-(2H-Benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-di(t-pentyl)phenol, Rosemarinic acid, meta-Thymol, 6-Gingerol, Colchicine, Malachite green base, Fenbuconazole, and Lead acetate were antagonistic. The rest, i.e. n-Heptyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, Tetrazolium violet, Pravastatin sodium salt, Physostigmine, salicylate (1:1), Nordihydroguaiaretic acid, o-Cresolphthalein, 1,3-Dinitrobenzene, C.I. Pigment orange, Tetrabromobis-phenol-A, 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, Ethylparaben, Propyl p-hydroxybenzoate, Kaempferol, 2-(2-Benzotriazolyl)-p-cresol and Phenolphthalein were negative for both effects. Taking together with in silico/ in vitro screening, the result suggested that the ovariectomized mouse uterotrophic bioassay has sufficient performance comparable to rat for the screening of (anti)estrogenicity of various chemicals.

[Gastrojejunostomy followed by chemotherapy with S-1 in unresectable gastric cancer with pyloric stenosis].

We investigated the efficacy of gastrojejunostomy followed by S-1-based chemotherapy for unresectable gastric cancer with pyloric stenosis. We performed gastrojejunostomy and S-1-based chemotherapy in 14 unresectable gastric cancer patients with gastric outlet obstructions between April 2006 and June 2010. Although there were two complications after surgery, no treatment-related deaths were observed. The response rate of the S-1-based chemotherapy was 41.7%, and the median survival after surgery was 12.3 months. All patients were tolerating a regular diet and a significant improvement in oral intake lasted for at least 6 months. In conclusion, gastrojejunostomy followed by chemotherapy with S-1 appears to be an effective treatment modality for unresectable gastric cancer with pyloric stenosis. It enables us to practice S-1-based standard chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer and improve the quality of life of patients.

[A case of malignant melanoma of the esophagus].

A 56-year-old female with chest pain after a meal was found to have the black mucous membrane of the middle intrathoracic esophagus by esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The lesion was diagnosed as primary malignant esophageal melanoma without lymph nodes and other organ metastasis. We underwent a subtotal esophageal by right thoracotomy and laparotomy. She survives with relapse-free for 3 years after the surgery. There is no standard therapy because primary malignant esophageal melanoma is not common. However, we thought a surgical treatment should be performed for a curatively resectable case.

Genistein promotes DNA demethylation of the steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) promoter in endometrial stromal cells.

It has recently been demonstrated that genistein (GEN), a phytoestrogen in soy products, is an epigenetic modulator in various types of cells; but its effect on endometrium has not yet been determined. We investigated the effects of GEN on mouse uterine cells, in vivo and in vitro. Oral administration of GEN for 1 week induced mild proliferation of the endometrium in ovariectomized (OVX) mice, which was accompanied by the induction of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) gene expression. GEN administration induced demethylation of multiple CpG sites in the SF-1 promoter; these sites are extensively methylated and thus silenced in normal endometrium. The GEN-mediated promoter demethylation occurred predominantly on the luminal side, as opposed to myometrium side, indicating that the epigenetic change was mainly shown in regenerated cells. Primary cultures of endometrial stromal cell colonies were screened for GEN-mediated alterations of DNA methylation by a high-resolution melting (HRM) method. One out of 20 colony-forming cell clones showed GEN-induced demethylation of SF-1. This clone exhibited a high proliferation capacity with continuous colony formation activity through multiple serial clonings. We propose that only a portion of endometrial cells are capable of receiving epigenetic modulation by GEN.

Degradation pathway of an anthraquinone dye catalyzed by a unique peroxidase DyP from Thanatephorus cucumeris Dec 1.

The reactants produced by action of a purified unique dye-decolorizing peroxidase, DyP, on a commercial anthraquinone dye, Reactive Blue 5, were investigated using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and (1)H- and (13)C- nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The results of ESI-MS analysis showed that phthalic acid, a Product 2 (molecular weight 472.5), and a Product 3 (molecular weight 301.5), were produced. Product 2 and Product 3 were generated by usual peroxidase reaction, whereas phthalic acid was generated by hydrolase- or oxygenase-catalyzed reaction. One potential associated product, o-aminobenzene sulfonic acid, was found to be converted to 2,2'-disulfonyl azobenzene by ESI-MS and NMR analyses. From these results, we propose, for the first time, the degradation pathway of an anthraquinone dye by the enzyme DyP.

Complete decolorization of the anthraquinone dye Reactive blue 5 by the concerted action of two peroxidases from Thanatephorus cucumeris Dec 1.

It is useful to identify and examine organisms that may prove useful for the treatment of dye-contaminated wastewater. Here, we report the purification and characterization of a new versatile peroxidase (VP) from the decolorizing microbe, Thanatephorus cucumeris Dec 1 (TcVP1). The purified TcVP1 after Mono P column chromatography showed a single band at 43 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Amino acid sequencing revealed that the N terminus of TcVP1 had the highest homology to Trametes versicolor MPG1, lignin peroxidase G (LiPG) IV, Bjerkandera adusta manganese peroxidase 1 (MnP1), and Bjerkandera sp. RBP (12 out of 14 amino acid residues, 86% identity). Mn(2+) oxidizing assay revealed that TcVP1 acted like a classical MnP at pH approximately 5, while dye-decolorizing and oxidation assays of aromatic compounds revealed that the enzyme acted like a LiP at pH approximately 3. TcVP1 showed particularly high decolorizing activity toward azo dyes. Furthermore, coapplication of TcVP1 and the dye-decolorizing peroxidase (DyP) from T. cucumeris Dec 1 was able to completely decolorize a representative anthraquinone dye, Reactive blue 5, in vitro. This decolorization proceeded sequentially; DyP decolorized Reactive blue 5 to light red-brown compounds, and then TcVP1 decolorized these colored intermediates to colorless. Following extended reactions, the absorbance corresponding to the conjugated double bond from phenyl (250-300 nm) decreased, indicating that aromatic rings were also degraded. These findings provide important new insights into microbial decolorizing mechanisms and may facilitate the future development of treatment strategies for dye wastewater.

[Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract: a 52-week dietary toxicity study in Wistar rats].

A 52-week study of oral-repeated-dose toxicity for the extraction powder of Gymnema sylvestre (GS), Indian-native genus, Metaplexis japonica, was conducted in both genders of Wistar rats. The rats were administered a graded dose of GS at 0.01, 0.10 and 1.00% of basal powder diet, along with a group fed solely with the basal powder diet without GS, for 52 weeks. General conditions were recorded daily. Body weights and food consumptions were recorded weekly up to 12 weeks, and thereafter at longer intervals. At 26 weeks, for an intermediate examination, and 52 weeks, for the final examination, animals were subjected to hematology, serum chemistry, and pathological examination. None of the animals died in the period up to 52 weeks. No exposure-related changes in body-weight, in the food consumption, in the hematological examinations, or in the serum biochemical examinations were recognized. No histopathological alterations were seen. Thus, it was concluded that there was no toxic effect in rats treated with GS at up to 1.00% in the diet for 52 weeks. The no-observable-effect level from this study is 1.00% GS, i.e., 504 mg/kg/day for male and 563 mg/kg/day for female as mean daily intake, for 52 weeks.

[Twenty-eight day repeated dose oral toxicity test of synergist of a pyrethroid insecticide, 2,3,3,3,2',3',3',3'-Octachlorodipropyl ether (S-421) in rats].

2,3,3,3,2',3',3',3'-Octachlorodipropyl ether (Abbreviation; S-421) is originally developed as synergist of a pyrethroid insecticide. In recent years, S-421 is used widely at home, for a mosquito-repellent incense, electric mosquito-repellent, an insect-killing spray, a vacuum cleaner paper pack, etc. as well. On the other hand, S-421 has been detected in vacuum cleaner dust samples as well as human milk samples in Japan indicating that our living environment is already contaminated by this compound. Long term toxicity studies including a carcinogenesis study have been performed and NOEL of chronic toxicity has been settled. However, it is clear that S-421 is used in close proximity so that acute or subacute exposure at relatively higher dose levels than chronic NOEL values are easily assumed, such as use of a spray in an ill-ventilated room, etc. This study, 28 day repeated oral dose toxicity study of S-421 was performed to monitor the outcome of acute and subacute exposure assuming possible exposure accidents mentioned above. The protocol is as follows; Groups of 10 rats of each sex(5 week-old), were treated with intragastric administration of S-421 with a dose of 0 (olive oil, control), 10, 40, 160 or 640 mg/kg body weight. For recovery test, 14 day after the last treatment, the control and 640 mg/kg groups were examined, respectively. All animals of all groups in both sexes survived. In the 640 mg/kg groups of the both sexes, all animals were set to drowsiness from about 5 hours after administration, however, they recovered by the next morning. In the hematology examination, Hb, MCH, MCHC, WBC values were significantly decreased and MCV value was significant increased in the 640 mg/kg group of both sexes. In the serum biochemistry, items increased in the 640 mg/kg groups of both sexes returned to normal level after 14 days recovery period. Absolute and relative liver weight increase seen in the 160 mg/kg and above also returned to control level after recovery. Histopathologically, slight hepatocellular swelling was observed in the 160 mg/kg groups and severe hepatocellular swelling with vacuolization and slight necrosis was seen in the 640 mg/kg group. In conclusion, the no-observed-effect levels (NOEL) of S-421 under these conditions was judged to be 40 mg/kg/day.

[Kooroo color: 90-day dietary toxicity study in F344 rats].

A subchronic toxicity study on kooroo color was conducted using F344 rats of both genders. Kooroo color is an extract of yam root, Dioscorea matudai Hayata, of which the major components are known to be flavonoid pigments. Use of kooroo as a food color is permitted by the Food Sanitation Law in Japan, but the chronic toxicity has not been evaluated in the literature. Rats were fed the product of kooroo color (PKC) at doses of 0.5%, 1.50%, and 5.0% in basal powder diet, while control groups received PKC-free basal diet, for ninety days. A vehicle control given propylene glycol (PG) alone, at the same dosage that the 5.0% group received, was included, because PKC used in this study contained ca. 80 percent PG, used as an extractant during the manufacturing processes. Daily observation of general behavior, and weekly measurement of body weight as well as food consumption were performed. Hematological, serum biochemical and anatomopathological examinations were conducted at the end of administration. No abnormalities ascribable to the treatment with PKC or PG were noted in any examination in this study. Hence, dietary intake of 5.0% of PKC, i.e., 2,993 mg/kg/day for males, and 3,376 mg/kg/day for females, as a mean daily intake for 90 days, had no observable adverse effect in F344 rats. Therefore, kooroo color has no significant general toxicity, and its toxicity, if any, is of a very low order.