Sequence-dependent Termination of Mammalian DNA Polymerase Reaction by a New Platinum Compound, (–)-(R)-2-Aminomethylpyrrolidine(1,1-cyclobutane-dicarboxylato)-2-platinum(II) Monohydrate

We examined the mechanisms of the inhibition of DNA synthesis by a new platinum compound, (-)-( R )-2-aminomethylpyrrolidine(1,1-cyclobutane-dicarboxylato)-2-platinum(II) monohydrate (DWA-2114R), a derivative of the antitumor drug cis- diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP), using prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA polymerases. Preincubating activated DNA with CDDP or DWA-2114R reduced its template activity for prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA polymerases in a dose-dependent manner. DWA2114R required six times greater drug concentration and two times longer incubation time to show the same decrease of the template activity compared to CDDP. Treatment of primed pUC118 ssDNA templates with the two drugs followed by second-strand synthesis by prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA polymerases revealed that DWA2114R bound to DNA in a similar manner to CDDP and these adducts blocked DNA elongation by DNA polymerases of eukaryotes as well as of prokaryotes. With these two drugs, the elongations by E. coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment), T7 DNA polymerase and calf thymus DNA polymerase α were strongly arrested at guanine-guanine sequences (GG). Stop bands were also observed at adenine-guanine sequences (AG) guanine-adenine-guanine sequences (GAG) and mono-guanine sequence (G). Calf testis DNA polymerase β was also arrested efficiently at AG, GAG and G, but much more weakly at GG. This pattern was common to DWA2114R and CDDP.     

Ascending contraction and descending relaxation in the distal colon of mice lacking interstitial cells of Cajal.

Recently an essential role of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) within myenteric plexus (ICC-MY) was suggested in ascending contraction and descending relaxation in the mouse ileum. The role of ICC in these neural reflexes was examined in the distal colonic segments prepared from the wild type and c-kit mutant, W/W(V) mice, in the present study. Localized distension of the segments from the wild type mice by using a small balloon resulted in ascending contraction and descending relaxation. In the segments from the mutant mice, localized distension also induced these neural reflexes similar to those observed in the wild type mice. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated that ICC-MY and ICC present in muscle layers (ICC-IM) were severely disrupted in the mutant mouse, but only ICC, present within submucosal plexus (ICC-SMP), remained unchanged. In the small strips with ICC-SMP absent prepared from the mutant mouse, electrical field stimulation induced contraction or relaxation in the absence or presence of atropine, respectively. It was suggested that ICC have no important role in the ascending and descending neural reflexes in the mouse distal colon, this is in direct contrast to the role of ICC-MY in the ileum.     

Anti-allergic effect of bryonolic acid from Luffa cylindrica cell suspension cultures.

The anti-allergic activity of bryonolic acid (1) isolated from the cultured cells of Luffa cylindrica L. (Cucurbitaceae) was compared with that of glycyrrhetinic acid (2), the aglycone of glycyrrhizin from licorice. Compound 1, when administered to rats intraperitoneally at a dose of 600 mg/kg, inhibited homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis more strongly than 2 at the same dose. Compound 1 also significantly inhibited delayed hypersensitivity in mice which could not be inhibited by 2. In contrast to 2, 1 showed not only little toxicity but no visible side effects on mice, without impairing the activity of the hepatic enzyme (4,5 beta-dihydrocortisone:NADP+ delta 4-oxidoreductase) involved in steroid catabolism.     

Successful treatment with balloon dilatation using a double‐balloon enteroscope for a stricture in the small bowel of a patient with Crohn's disease

The requirement for endoscopic access to a stricture is a major limitation of the endoscopic dilatation for the treatment of strictures in the gastrointestinal tract. We have developed the double‐balloon enteroscopy method that enables visualization of the entire small bowel. In addition, double‐balloon enteroscopy has a potential for the interventional therapy including dilatation of strictures. We present here a case of jejunal strictures in a 47‐year‐old woman with Crohn's disease successfully treated with a balloon catheter in combination with double‐balloon enteroscopy. Balloon dilation with double‐balloon enteroscopy is a promising method for the treatment of small bowel strictures in Crohn's disease.     

Pancreatic metastasis of malignant melanoma diagnosed by EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA)]

Pancreatic metastasis of malignant melanoma is rarely diagnosed while the patient is alive. We report a case of metastatic melanoma of the pancreas in a 35-year-old woman presenting with a solid mass of the pancreas. Her past medical history included a radical hysterectomy 2 years previously for malignant melanoma of the vagina. Twelve months later, lung metastasis was also resected. EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) identified that the pancreatic tumor was histologically and immunohistochemically identical to the surgical specimen of her lung neoplasm. Imaging studies including US, CT, and MRI have limited value to distinguish the tumors from primary ductal adenocarcinoma. EUS-FNA can provide tissue diagnosis from pancreatic masses, specifically when other modalities have failed.     

ANALYSIS OF BURIED BUMPER SYNDROME AFTER PERCUTANEOUS ENDOSCOPIC GASTROSTOMY DUE TO USE OF A BUTTON‐TYPE KIT

Background: Buried bumper syndrome (BBS) is a rare complication of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). Along with the widespread use of the button‐type kit, BBS is encountered frequently. Methods: In the present study, we examined causes and treatments for BBS among 1400 patients who had undergone PEG. Results: The causes of BBS after PEG were classified into two categories: early causes consisted of wound infection, inappropriate size of kit and severe lordosis, while late causes were inappropriate exchange of kit, rough management or weight gain. The treatments for BBS could be determined by the degree of wound infection, fistula and burial of the bumper. Conclusion: We prepared a flowchart for replacement, by which BBS can be managed safely and quickly without surgical or endoscopic intervention.     

Heart rate elevation precedes the development of metabolic syndrome in Japanese men: a prospective study.

This observational study of Japanese men without metabolic syndrome (MetS) (age: 41+/-8 years) was conducted to clarify whether or not heart rate elevation precedes the development of full-blown MetS. MetS was defined based on two modifications of the criteria of the Japanese Expert Committee on the Diagnosis and Classification of Metabolic Syndrome. Premetabolic syndrome subjects were defined as those having one component of MetS with increased body mass index (BMI). Among the subjects without MetS (n=1,859 when the BMI criterion was >or=25 and n=2,020 when the BMI criterion was >or=27.5), the incidence of progression to full-blown MetS by the time of the second examination at the end of the 3-year study period was higher in the subjects with premetabolic syndrome than in those without it. The receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis and binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds ratio (OR) of a heart rate >or=69 beats/min at the first examination for progression to full-blown MetS by the time of the second examination was significant in subjects with premetabolic syndrome (BMI>or=25: OR=3.64 [1.22-10.88]; BMI>or=27.5: OR=3.67 [1.28-10.55]; p<0.05). Thus, heart rate elevation appears to precede the development of full-blown MetS in subjects with premetabolic syndrome. Heart rate seems to be a simple and useful marker for predicting the progression to full-blown MetS of middle-aged Japanese men with premetabolic syndrome.     

A case of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with internal pancreatic fistula causing left ureteral obstruction]

A 75-year-old man had been admitted to another hospital because of left abdominal pain, and was given a diagnosis of left hydronephrosis and acute pancreatitis. After a JJ stent insertion and medication, he was transferred to our hospital for further examinations. US and EUS revealed a chronic pancreatitis-like pattern and multicystic lesion in the pancreas head and body. At that time enhanced CT findings showed an extrapancreatic low density area to be inflammatory change, extending from the pancreas body to the left crus of the diaphragm and posteriorly the spreading from the left crus of the diaphragm via the left urinary duct into the left iliopsoas muscle, in which MRI revealed partial high intensity. ERCP and MRCP showed focal irregular narrowing of the pancreatic duct of unknown cause, and we decided that an internal pancreatic fistula due to pancreatitis had induced left ureteral obstruction, caused by a protein plug or alcohol. Follow-up 6 months later showed that extrapancreatic spreading of the low density area had markedly regressed without any change in the ureteral obstruction.