Species identification of Asini Corii Collas (donkey glue) by PCR amplification of cytochrome b gene

Asini Corii Collas (ACC; donkey glue) is a crude drug used to promote hematopoiesis and arrest bleeding. Because adulteration of the drug with substances from other animals such as horses, cattle, and pigs has been found, we examined PCR methods based on the sequence of the cytochrome b gene for source species identification. Two strategies for extracting DNA from ACC were compared, and the ion-exchange resin procedure was revealed to be more suitable than the silica-based one. Using DNA extracted from ACC by the ion-exchange resin procedure, PCR methods for species-specific detection of donkey, horse, cattle, and pig substances were established. When these species-specific PCR methods were applied to ACC, amplicons were obtained only by the donkey-specific PCR. Cattle-specific PCR detected as little as 0.1 % admixture of cattle glue in the ACC. These results suggest that the species-specific PCR methods established in this study would be useful for simple and easy detection of adulteration of ACC.     

Modulating effect of low level-laser therapy on fibrosis in the repair process of the tibialis anterior muscle in rats

The treatment of muscle injuries is a common practice at rehabilitation centers. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has demonstrated positive effects regarding the modulation of the inflammatory response, the enhancement of the tissue repair process and the prevention of fibrosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of LLLT on morphological aspects of muscle tissue, collagen remodeling and activity of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) in rat skeletal muscle following acute injury. Wistar rats were divided into five groups: (1) control group (n?=?10), (2) sham group (n?=?10), (3) LLLT group (n?=?30), (4) non-treated injury group (n?=?30) and (5) injury?+?LLLT group (n?=?30). Cryoinjury was performed on the belly of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. LLLT was performed daily with an AlGaAs laser (780 nm; beam spot of 0.04 cm², output power of 40 mW, power density of 1 W/cm², energy density of 10 J/cm² and 10-s exposure time). Animals were euthanized at 1, 3 and 7 days. The TA muscles were removed and weighed. Morphological aspects were evaluated using H & E staining. The amount and distribution of collagen fibers were evaluated by picrosirius staining. Characterization and activity of MMP-2 were evaluated by zymography and Western blot techniques, respectively. The results revealed that LLLT induced a reduction in inflammatory infiltrate and myonecrosis after 1 day, an increase in the number of blood vessels after 3 and 7 days as well as an increase in the number of immature muscle fibers and MMP-2 gelatinase activity after 7 days. In conclusion, LLLT has a positive effect on the inflammatory process, MMP2 activity and collagen organization and distribution in the repair process of rat skeletal muscle.     

Randomized controlled trial of the LigaSure vessel sealing system versus conventional open gastrectomy for gastric cancer

Purpose

LigaSure, a bipolar electronic vessel sealing system, has become popular in abdominal surgery but few clinical studies have been conducted to evaluate its effectiveness in radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Methods

In this multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial, patients with curative gastric cancer were randomly assigned to undergo gastrectomy either with LigaSure or a conventional technique.

Results

Of the 160 patients enrolled, 80 were randomized to the LigaSure group and 78 to the conventional group. Patient characteristics were well balanced in the two groups. There were no significant differences between the LigaSure and conventional groups in blood loss (288 vs. 260 ml, respectively; P = 0.748) or operative time (223 and 225 min, respectively; P = 0.368); nor in the incidence of surgical complications or duration of postoperative hospital stay. In a subgroup analysis of patients who underwent gastrectomy that preserved the distal part of the greater omentum, the use of LigaSure significantly reduced blood loss (179 vs. 245 ml; P = 0.033), and the duration of the operation (195 vs. 221 min; P = 0.039).

Conclusions

LigaSure did not contribute to reducing intraoperative blood loss, operative time, or other adverse surgical outcomes. The usefulness of the device may be limited to a specific part of the surgical procedure in open gastrectomy.     

Pheochromocytoma as the first manifestation of MEN2A with RET mutation S891A: report of a case

We report a rare case with pheochromocytoma as the first manifestation of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A with RET mutation S891A. Bilateral pheochromocytomas were identified in a 54-year-old woman. Screening for RET revealed a rare S891A mutation located in the intracellular tyrosine kinase domain. This mutation was previously recognized as one of the mutations only in cases manifesting solely medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs). Since calcitonin stimulation test indicated positive result, total thyroidectomy was performed 1 year after the bilateral adrenalectomy, and C-cell hyperplasia was diagnosed by histopathological examination. Our report suggests that cases with S891A mutation, akin to those with other RET mutations, require screening for pheochromocytoma. In addition, it is indicated that calcitonin stimulation test should be performed even in the unaffected elder cases with S891A mutation although the mutation is classified as lowest risk group on MTC in guidelines.     

Middle-preserving pancreatectomy with reversed pancreaticogastrostomy: report of a case

Parenchyma-sparing pancreatic resections have been reported increasingly in recent years; however, for multifocal diseases involving the head and the tail of the pancreas, total pancreatectomy is still the preferred procedure. The possible consequence of this procedure is loss of normal pancreatic parenchyma, resulting in insufficiency of pancreatic exocrine and endocrine functions. Various types of limited resection have been introduced for isolated or multiple pancreatic lesions, depending on the location of the tumor. Even for multifocal diseases, if the pancreatic body is spared, a middle-preserving pancreatectomy (MPP) can be performed to assure maximal pancreatic function and uncompromised quality of life. Yet, few papers have introduced the feasibility of MPP for a better outcome. This report describes a new surgical technique for MPP using an alternative approach for the remnant pancreas anastomosis. We used this technique successfully to remove a bifocal neoplasm: adenocarcinoma of the distal bile duct and mucinous cyst adenoma in the tail of the pancreas.