Oral Ingestion of Yuzu Seed Oil Suppresses the Development of Atopic Dermatitis-like Skin Lesions in NC/Nga Mice.

Long-term oral ingestion of unheated yuzu seed oil in humans reduces lipid peroxides in the blood. Moreover, yuzu seed oil contains limonin, which can induce antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by activating the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Previously, Nrf2 has been shown to reduce atopic dermatitis (AD). Therefore, we hypothesized that ingesting unheated yuzu seed oil can regulate AD through Nrf2. An AD model was established using NC/Nga mice through repeated local exposure to mite antigens. Unheated and purified yuzu seed oil (100 µL/mice) or water (control, 100 µL/mice) was administered orally once a day using a gastric cannula for rodents for 28 days. On day 28, mice in the unheated yuzu seed oil group exhibited significantly lower clinical skin severity scores and ear thickness than those in the purified yuzu seed oil and water groups. Serum histamine levels remained unaltered among the three AD-induced groups. Serum Dermatophagoides farina body (Dfb)-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were significantly lower in the unheated yuzu seed oil group. Oral ingestion of yuzu seed oil in NC/Nga AD model mice significantly suppressed dermatitis deterioration and decreased serum IgE levels. Clinical trials (n = 41) have already confirmed that unheated yuzu oil is safe for long-term intake, further suggesting its potential use in improving AD symptoms.

Potential foramen to allow communication between the pleural cavity and retroperitoneal space during laparoscopic surgery: a cadaver study of Bochdalek's triangle.

The indications for laparoscopic retroperitoneal surgery have recently been greatly extended and the technique has become popular, but concomitant pleural injury or pneumothorax has been reported from numerous hospitals in Japan. Which anatomical information is useful to avoid surgical injury of the suggested weak portion of the diaphragm? We identified a diaphragm-free triangular area or Bochdalek's triangle in 90.1% of elderly Japanese cadavers (100/111 cadavers), comprising about 622.8 mm(2) in area (height 47.9 mm, base 25.0 mm). In most cases (80.1%; 129/161), the entire triangle was restricted to the superior side of the 12th rib in addition to the medial side of the distal end of the rib. A "potential foramen" (PF) was defined as the diaphragm-free triangle >100 mm(2) in area on the parietal pleura. Most triangles (77.6%, 125/161) met this criterion. The PF was often covered by the kidney (93.3%), and had a mean area of 318.9 mm(2). The PF was located 42.3 mm from the distal end of the 12th rib, while the inferior pleural margin was 27.8 mm superior to the rib end. When the triangle was large, the PF was also large, with the PF often occupying >50% of the triangle area (62/125; 49.6%). To avoid the distal end of the 12th rib, in laparoscopic retroperitoneal surgery, we recommend making a transverse skin incision at the midpoint between the end of the 12th rib and the iliac crest.

Bilirubin exhibits a novel anti-cancer effect on human adenocarcinoma.

Anti-oxidants are essential for intracellular free radical scavenging, as free radicals are one of the causes for tumorigenesis. Our objective was to use bilirubin and investigate its action on human carcinoma cell lines. Bilirubin manifested as a prooxidant showing its cytopathic effect on TMK-1, showing growth inhibition close to 50%. Cell cycle analysis showed an arrest at G0/G1. Flow cytometry investigations with Red CC-1 showed an increase by more than 2 times suggesting a prooxidative role of bilirubin. To check the effect of radicals on DNA, a Comet Assay displayed a typical comet's tail with bilirubin treated slides, only. Further, staining with DAPI showed apoptotic action of bilirubin. Decreased mitochondrial function by bilirubin was observed with Mitotracker Green FM staining. These unexpected data have led us to conclude that bilirubin has anti-cancer activity as a prooxidant and may have a more vital role in the human body than realized.

MCI-186 inhibits tumor growth through suppression of EGFR phosphorylation and cell cycle arrest.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that radicals stimulate tumor cell growth. We examined if the hydroxyl radical scavenger, 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (MCI-186), affects tumor growth in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human hepatocarcinoma HepG2, mesothelioma MSTO-211H, gastric carcinoma TMK-1 and breast carcinoma MCF-7 were used for cell proliferation assay. Cell cycle analysis was performed using propidium iodide for fluorescence activated cell sorter. By Western blotting, EGF receptor (EGFR) phosphorylation and EGFR expression were analyzed. RESULTS: Growth inhibition was observed from 10 microM to 300 microM of MCI-186 in a dose-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis revealed that MCI-186 arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1-phase. MCI-186 inhibited EGF-stimulated cell growth. The phosphorylation level of EGFR was decreased by MCI-186, but the EGFR level was unchanged. CONCLUSION: From the data obtained, we suggest that tumor inhibition by MCI-186 was due, at least in part, to the modulation of EGFR signaling and cell cycle arrest.

Novel use of Weerda laryngoscope to remove early cervical esophageal cancer.

A 65-year-old man was followed up after endoscopic mucosal resection for esophageal cancer in February 2000. Thereafter, he received endoscopic mucosal resection, radiation therapy, and argon plasma coagulation for recurrent and multiple primary esophageal cancers. On follow-up examination, two additional esophageal cancers were detected by endoscopy in September 2003. One lesion was located 16 cm from the incisor close to the entrance to the esophagus. To preserve the larynx, this lesion was removed by mucosal resection using a Weerda distending operating laryngoscope. This report describes this novel use of a Weerda distending operating laryngoscope to remove superficial cervical esophageal cancer.

Co-existence of early esophageal carcinoma and leiomyoma: a case report.

There have been several reports of co-existing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal submucosal tumor. However, there is no previous report describing a submucosal tumor located within an area of early esophageal cancer. This report presents the case of a 64-year-old man who developed early esophageal cancer with leiomyoma situated within the lesion in the upper third of the esophagus. Since leiomyoma existed within the area of the esophageal cancer, it was misdiagnosed as a component of esophageal cancer and the depth of esophageal cancer invasion was overdiagnosed by endoscopic ultrasonography. Therefore, surgery was chosen as treatment for esophageal cancer. If the leiomyoma had been diagnosed correctly as a submucosal tumor by endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography, an endoscopic mucosal resection would have been the therapeutic procedure of choice for an esophageal tumor.

Submucosal territory of the direct lymphatic drainage system to the thoracic duct in the human esophagus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how large submucosal drainage territory extends in lymphatic drainage vessels of the esophagus with and without nodal delay and which morphologies are shown when passing through the muscularis propria. METHODS: Submucosal territories of the 22 highly selected direct drainage vessels of 17 esophagi were histologically examined using transverse or sagittal serial sections. Afferent vessels from the esophagus to the subcarinal (6 esophagi) and para-esophageal (5 esophagi) nodes were also examined to identify their courses and drainage territories. RESULTS: We found the direct drainage vessel from the esophagus in 17 of 75 cadavers macroscopically (22.7%). A single submucosal drainage unit gave off 1-3 thick drainage vessels passing through a complete muscle gap of the 2 muscular layers. The unit extended longitudinally for >40 mm but was restricted to the right and/or dorsal quadrants of the esophagus. In contrast, drainage routes with a nodal relay originated from the intermuscular area, except 1 case when the adjacent or concomitant esophageal artery and vein provided the complete muscle gap. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the extended longitudinal but restricted transverse territory of the direct drainage system without a nodal relay and because of the suggested much more frequent occurrence in patients than in cadavers, when superficial carcinoma is found in the dorsal and/or right quadrants of the esophagus, we recommend detailed presurgical investigations of cervical nodes. In contrast, afferents from the esophagus to the first regional node usually seemed to be less responsible for early nodal metastasis than the direct drainage route because of their intermuscular origins.