Protective Effects of Glutathione on the Teratogenicity of 5-Fluorouracil in Mice and Rats

Abstract The influence of endogenous or exogenous glutathione (GSH) on the teratogenicity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was studied after a single intraperitoneal injection of 5-FU at a teratogenic dose (20 or 30 mg/kg) to ICR mice on day 11 of gestation. Pretreatment with intravenous GSH at 300 mg/kg, 5 minutes before 5-FU administration, decreased the incidence of oligodactyly induced with 5-FU and lowered the fetal mortality, but it did not prevent the decrease in body weight of fetuses. Pretreatment with intraperitoneal diethylmaleate, which decreases the level of endogenous GSH, at 350 mg/kg 6 hours before 5-FU administration increased the incidence of oligodactyly. Pretreatment orally with GSH at a dose of 300 mg/kg 30 minutes before intraperitoneal injection of 5-FU at 30 mg/kg to Wistar rats on day 13 of gestation decreased the frequency of limb malformations, but it did not prevent the decrease in body weight of fetuses.     

Recurrent small cell carcinoma of the ovary treated with docetaxel: a case report

Multiagent chemotherapy for small cell carcinoma of the ovary (SCCO) may contribute to the prolonged survival of young women who are suffering from this disease, even in the advanced stage with remaining tumor, although the rarity of SCCO complicates the generalization of chemotherapy agents and operation methods for this disease. A 24-year-old patient with SCCO FIGO stage IIC is alive after recurrences and chemotherapy including cisplatin + etoposide after the first operation and docetaxel for the second recurrence. She is now doing well with no evidence of disease more than 4 years after the first operation and 2 years after docetaxel treatment. This may be the first report describing the use of docetaxel that may be included in multiagent chemotherapy.     

Hormonal function after ovarian transposition to the abdominal subcutaneous fat tissue

We previously reported a new technique for ovarian transposition to the abdominal subcutaneous fat tissue (OTAFT) following hysterectomy. The purpose of this study is to assess the hormonal function after OTAFT. From 1993 to 2000, OTAFT was performed in 27 patients (group A). Forty-two women underwent hysterectomy and retained ovaries without transposition (group B). In 19 cases, bilateral oophorectomy with hysterectomy was performed, and they received a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (group C). Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level of patients was monitored every 2-12 months, and the time of menopause (defined as FSH >40 mIU/mL two times consecutively) was determined in groups A and B. After a median follow-up of 65 months, cumulative ovarian survival did not show significant difference between group A and group B (HR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.17-1.16; P= 0.10). In patients who were 40 years old or younger, ovarian function declined significantly in group A compared to group B (HR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.02-0.91; P= 0.04). However, FSH level of postmenopausal patients in group A was not different from FSH level of patients in group C, but FSH level of postmenopausal patients in group B was significantly higher than FSH level of patients in group C (P= 0.002). Although the procedure of OTAFT may somewhat affect the ovarian function, the transposed ovary in postmenopausal women presumably still secrete a small amount of estrogen which is equivalent to an estrogen level by HRT.     

肉鸭和肉鸡脂肪酸及脂类合成能的对比研究

鸡的主要脂肪酸合成器官是肝脏[1],而同为鸟类的肉鸭的脂肪积累特点与猪和牛相似,有别于鸡[2]。本研究旨在比较两类家禽在脂类代谢中肝脏及脂肪组织合成脂类的差异性。1材料与方法1.1动物同日出生的肉鸭(北京鸭)及肉鸡雏(雌性),各3群,每群8羽,从出生开始平面饲养至5w。前3w为饲养前期,饲喂肉鸡前期饲料,饲料组成:代谢能(ME)12.122MJ/kg,粗蛋白质(CP)24%,3w后为饲养后期,饲喂肉鸡后期饲料(ME12.122MJ/kg,CP17%)。试验期间为自由采食、自由饮水、连续照明,各周龄及试验结束时测量体重和采食量。1.2方法1.2.1脂肪重量:在5w结束日,肉鸭和肉…     

PPARα activator irbesartan suppresses the proliferation of endometrial carcinoma cells via SREBP1 and ARID1A

Endometrial carcinoma (EMC) is associated with obesity; however, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) is a nuclear receptor that is involved in lipid, glucose, and energy metabolism. PPARα reportedly functions as a tumor suppressor through its effects on lipid metabolism; however, the involvement of PPARα in the development of EMC remains unclear. The present study demonstrated that the immunohistochemical expression of nuclear PPARα was lower in EMC than in normal endometrial tissues, suggesting the tumor suppressive nature of PPARα. A treatment with the PPARα activator, irbesartan, inhibited the EMC cell lines, Ishikawa and HEC1A, by down-regulating sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) and up-regulating the tumor suppressor genes p21 and p27, antioxidant enzymes, and AT-rich interaction domain 1A (ARID1A). These results indicate the potential of the activation of PPARα as a novel therapeutic approach against EMC.     

Late onset erythropoietic porphyria

A 51-year-old Japanese man and his 56-year-old sister of consanguineous parents had skin lesions with areas of dark-brown pigmentation and blisters with minimal trauma on sun-exposed skin which resembled those seen in porphyria cutanea tarda. Their fresh urine was wine-red in colour and fluoresced with ultraviolet light. The peripheral blood contained fluorocytes and porphyrin analysis of the red blood cells, urine and faeces of the patients revealed an increase of the isotype I of uro- and coproporphyrin and normal concentrations of delta-aminolaevulinate and porphobilinogen, suggesting the diagnosis of erythropoietic porphyria. No other members of this family had symptoms or biochemical findings suggestive of porphyria. We consider these two cases to be that of late onset erythropoietic porphyria.     

Proarrhythmic ECG Deterioration Caused by Myocardial Ischemia of the Conus Branch Artery in Patients with a Brugada ECG Pattern

The Brugada‐type electrocardiogram (ECG) is characterized by ST‐segment elevation in the right precordial ECG leads and has been reported to have the potential of sudden death. Right ventricular outflow tract supplied from the conus branch of the coronary artery (CB) is considered as the anatomopathologic substrate of Brugada syndrome. We experienced two asymptomatic patients with a saddleback Brugada‐type ECG who exhibited a dynamic ECG conversion to a coved type following a ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia (VT/VF) episode when myocardial ischemia occurred exclusively at the CB. Some types of Brugada syndrome might be caused VT/VF by selective myocardial ischemia at the CB. (PACE 2011; 34:e26–e29)     

PROCEEDINGS OF A PRELIMINARY WORKSHOP AT GASTRO 2009 – NARROW BANDING IMAGING IN DIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY: CLINICAL OUTCOME OF CLASSIFICATION (OMED‐JGES EDUCATIONAL MEETING HELD ON 22 NOVEMBER, 2009)

This publication reports the proceedings of the preliminary meeting of the working party that met at Gastro 2009 during the World Congress in London. The purpose of the preliminary meeting was to consider the areas that require attention, to discuss some of the findings that have already been published and to agree on the way forward. Our reason for publishing these proceedings is to stimulate interest in this venture and to provide the opportunity for input from the endoscopy community worldwide. The next meeting of the working party will be at the JGES Society meeting in Aomori in April 2011 when we hope to prepare a preliminary classification. This will be presented for general discussion and debate at the International Congress of Endoscopy (ICE) in Los Angeles in September 2011.