Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extracts produced using artificial hydroponic and artificial hydroponic-field hybrid cultivation systems.

Glycyrrhiza uralensis roots used in this study were produced using novel cultivation systems, including artificial hydroponics and artificial hydroponic-field hybrid cultivation. The equivalency between G. uralensis root extracts produced by hydroponics and/or hybrid cultivation and a commercial Glycyrrhiza crude drug were evaluated for both safety and efficacy, and there were no significant differences in terms of mutagenicity on the Ames tests. The levels of cadmium and mercury in both hydroponic roots and crude drugs were less than the limit of quantitation. Arsenic levels were lower in all hydroponic roots than in the crude drug, whereas mean lead levels in the crude drug were not significantly different from those in the hydroponically cultivated G. uralensis roots. Both hydroponic and hybrid-cultivated root extracts showed antiallergic activities against contact hypersensitivity that were similar to those of the crude drug extracts. These study results suggest that hydroponic and hybrid-cultivated roots are equivalent in safety and efficacy to those of commercial crude drugs. Further studies are necessary before the roots are applicable as replacements for the currently available commercial crude drugs produced from wild plant resources.

[Surgical treatment for aortic root dilatation and aortic regurgitation after arterial switch operation].

Aortic regurgitation (AR) and, aortic root dilatation are serious problems occurring after arterial switch operation (ASO). We have experienced a case of 12-year-old boy with aortic root dilatation and AR after ASO. Consistent progression of AR and aortic root dilatation were observed during the follow-up period. The latest Z-score of Valsalva sinus was about 9. We performed the Bentall procedure instead of aortic valve-sparing operation because of the degenerative aortic valve and the excessive aortic root dilatation. The postoperative course was uneventful. Histopathological findings of the aortic wall showed degeneration of elastic fibers on both sides of the anastmosis.

Migration of lactic acid, lactide and oligomers from polylactide food-contact materials.

Polylactide (PLA) is used for manufacturing lunch boxes and for packaging fresh food in Japan. PLA can be hydrolysed relatively easily to produce lactic acid, lactide and oligomers. Different types of PLA sheet were subjected to migration tests under various conditions and the lactic acid, lactide and oligomers contents of the migration solutions were determined using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Furthermore, the change in molecular weight was determined by a migration test. PLA was stable at 40 degrees C for 180 days; the total of lactic acid, lactide and oligomers migration levels were 0.28-15.00 microg cm(-2). PLA decomposed clearly at 60 degrees C for only 10 days, the total migration levels were increased to 0.73-2840 microg cm(-2). PLA sheets with a high D-lactic acid content decomposed particularly rapidly. The amounts of alkali decomposition products, based on the conversion of lactide and oligomers to lactic acid by alkali hydrolysis, corresponded with the total migration levels.

Migration of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde into mineral water in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles.

The levels of formaldehyde (FA) and acetaldehyde (AA) in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and in commercial mineral water are reported. All the water samples bottled in Japan contained detectable levels of FA (10.1-27.9 microg l(-1)) and AA (44.3-107.8 microg l(-1)). Of 11 European bottled water samples, eight did not contain either FA or AA, while the remaining three had detectable levels of FA (7.4-13.7 microg l(-1)) and AA (35.9-46.9 microg l(-1)). In three North American bottled water samples, two contained FA (13.6 and 19.5 microg l(-1)) and AA (41.4 and 44.8 microg l(-1)), and one did not. Regardless of the region of origin, all the sterilized water samples contained FA and AA, whilst in contrast, none of the unsterilized water without carbonate contained FA or AA. Of the carbonated water samples, three contained FA and AA, and one did not. When fortified with FA and AA, the commercial water sample without otherwise detectable FA and AA was able to reduce levels, although the commercial water sample containing FA and AA could not. The presence of bacteria in the commercial water samples was investigated using an ATP-based bioluminescent assay and heterotrophic plate count method. The commercial water without FA and AA contained heterotrophic bacteria, whilst the commercial water with FA and AA did not contain detectable bacteria. It is suggested that in this case both FA and AA migrated from PET materials, but were subsequently decomposed by the heterotrophic bacteria in the unsterilized water.

Survey of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and oligomers in polyethylene terephthalate food-packaging materials.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is frequently used as a packaging material for beverage bottles, fruit and vegetable trays, and egg crates in Japan. Levels of formaldehyde (FA), acetaldehyde (AA) and PET oligomers in various PET food packaging were determined. PET samples were initially dissolved in trifluoroacetic acid with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine to derivatize formaldehyde and acetaldehyde to their dinitrophenylhydrazones. The stable derivatives along with the oligomers were analysed using HPLC with ultraviolet light detection at 360 and 254 nm, respectively. The PET pellets contained 3.5-12.4 microg g-1 AA and 4.0-7.2 mg g-1 oligomers, while FA was below the determination limit. FA, AA and oligomer levels in Japanese bottles were 0.6-3.0 microg g-1, 8.4-25.7 microg g-1 and 5.0-8.7 mg g-1, ND-1.6 microg g-1, 5.0-13.1 microg g-1 and 4.9-8.2 mg g-1 in French and Italian bottles, and ND-1.2 microg g-1, 9.1-18.7 microg g-1 and 5.6-8.0 mg g-1 in US and Canadian bottles, respectively. Compared with European bottles, Japanese bottles contain higher FA and AA levels. In sheet-moulding products, their contents were determined as ND-1.1 microg g-1, 11.5-43.1 microg g-1 and 4.6-9.2 mg g-1, respectively. The results show that sheet-moulding products contain lower FA and higher AA in comparison with bottles. FA and AA are considered to be generated from PET during the heating process for moulding the pellets to bottles or sheet-moulding articles and de-aeration during the sheet-moulding process is effective in removing FA. In contrast, the level of the oligomers remains unchanged during the moulding process from pellets to bottles or sheet products.

[Chronic traumatic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta; report of a case].

We report a rare case of chronic traumatic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta. A 23-year-old man flew down from the fifth floor of his apartment for an attempted suicide. He suffered right subdural hematoma, bilateral hemothorax, lung contusions, and many other traumas. He was paralyzed by the fracture and dislocation of the first lumbar vertebra. Posterior fixation of lumbar vertebra and the segmental resection of the jejum were performed on the first and third day, respectively. He recovered well; however, he complained his nocturnal dyspnea on the forty-fifth day. Detailed examinations showed that bilateral bronchi were compressed by the aneurysm of thoracic aorta. Elective operation was performed on the sixty third day. Psudoaneurysm, 5 cm in diameter, was disclosed in the aortic isthmus. Graft replacement was undergone with the cardiopulmonary bypass. His postoperative course was uneventful, and he was transferred for the rehabilitation of his paralysis on the eigty-eighth day.

Isolation and identification of some unknown substances in disposable nitrile-butadiene rubber gloves used for food handling.

In Japan, disposable gloves made from nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) are frequently used in contact with foods. In a previous paper, we investigated substances migrating from various gloves made of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, natural rubber and NBR. Zinc di-n-butyldithiocarbamate (ZDBC), diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC) used as vulcanization accelerators, di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) used as a plasticizer and many unknown compounds that migrated from NBR gloves into n-heptane were detected by GC/MS. In this paper, six unknown compounds were obtained from one kind of NBR glove by n-hexane extraction and each was isolated by silica gel chromatography. From the results of NMR and mass spectral analysis of the six unknown compounds, their structures are proposed as 1,4-dione-2,5-bis(1,1-dimethylpropyl)cyclohexadiene (1), 2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetra methylbutyl)phenol (2), 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol (3), 2,4-bis(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol (4), 2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)4,6-bis(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol (5) and 2,4,6-tris(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol (6). Compound 1 was observed in five of the seven kinds of NBR gloves, and compounds 2-4 and 6, which are not listed in Chemical Abstract (CA), were present in four kinds of gloves.

Right atrial myxoma associated with atrial septal defect: a case report and review of the literature.

We describe a case of right atrial myxoma with mild cyanosis due to a right-to-left shunt at the atrial level. The patient was a 31-year-old woman with a 10-month history of easy fatigability and shortness of breath. Echocardiography showed a right atrial tumor producing a partial dynamic tricuspid obstruction. Digital subtraction angiography via the superior vena cava disclosed a mass lesion which occupied the right atrium with early visualization of the ascending aorta. Successful excision of the tumor and repair of the atrial septal defect totally relieved her presenting symptoms. In a rare association of a right atrial myxoma with atrial septal defect, preoperative evaluation and operative management are discussed.

[Residual chemicals in silicone rubber products for food contact use].

The residues of additives and other chemicals in 23 kinds of silicone rubber products for food contact use, including nipples, packing and spatulas, were investigated by GC/MS. The packing and spatulas contained 80-480 micrograms/g of BHT, 60-5,830 micrograms/g of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and 60-80 micrograms/g of dibutyl phthalate, while the nipples contained no additives. All of the samples contained 15 to 20 peaks of polydimethylcyclosiloxanes. Dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6) to tetratriacomethylcycloheptadecasiloxane (D17) were confirmed, and other larger siloxanes up to pentacontamethylcyclopentacosasiloxane (D25) were estimated. A rough estimate of the total cyclosiloxane content was 3,310-14,690 micrograms/g. They might be mainly unreacted materials or by-products, and some of them might be additives. Based on the migration test, no chemicals were released into 20% ethanol at 60 degrees C for 30 min, though DEHP and the polydimethylcyclosiloxanes were released into n-heptane at 25 degrees C for 60 min.

[Comparison of carotenoid components between GM and non-GM papaya].

We compared the carotenoid profile in GM papaya (Sunup) line to that of a non-GM one (Sunset). First, to identify major carotenoids in papaya, large-scale extraction was carried out with methanol. HPLC analyses of the methanol extracts revealed that both papayas mainly contained 5 pigments and no apparent difference was observed in the HPLC profiles. On the basis of LC/MS data and photodiode-array spectra, beta-carotene (3), lycopene (2), beta-cryptoxanthin (1), and beta-cryptoxanthin myristoyl and lauroyl esters (4 and 5) were identified as major carotenoids. It is well known that most carotenoids are labile, so a rapid analysis with precautions to avoid decomposition was developed to quantify their contents in the original fruits. Frozen samples of the fruits were sliced and a piece (about 2 g) of fruit was cut out and lyophilized. After extraction of the piece with methanol containing an anti-oxidant, BHT, the extract was further partitioned with hexane and methanol. Finally the contents of the main carotenoids in the hexane fraction were analyzed by HPLC. The contents of total carotenoids (sum of 1-5) and beta-cryptoxanthin (1, 4 and 5) in GM papaya fruit were estimated to be 0.764 +/- 0.056 and 0.604 +/- 0.051 (mumol/g), respectively and those in non-GM fruit were 0.883 +/- 0.145 and 0.705 +/- 0.098 (mumol/g), respectively. These differences are not statistically significant.

Minor saponins from Tetrapanax papyriferum.

Four new minor saponins, papyrioside LE-LH, were isolated from the leaves of Tetrapanax papyriferum, and their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.

Triterpene saponins from Tetrapanax papyriferum K. Koch.

Four new oleanane-type saponins, papyrioside LA--LD, were isolated from the leaves of Tetrapanax papyriferum. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated as 11 alpha-hydroxy-3,21-dioxo-olean-12-en-28-oyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosy l- (1-->4)-(6-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1-->6)- beta-D-glucopyranoside, 11 alpha-methoxy-3,21-dioxo-olean-12-en-28-oyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosy l- (1-->4)-(6-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1-->6)- beta-D-glucopyranoside, 3 alpha-hydroxy-11 alpha-methoxy-21-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 -->4)- (6-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside and 21 alpha-hydroxy-11 alpha-methoxy-3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oyl-alpha-L- rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)- beta-D-glucopyranoside, respectively, on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical evidence.