A chronic toxicity study of diphenylarsinic acid in F344 rats in drinking water for 52 weeks

Diphenylarsinic acid (DPAA), a chemical warfare-related neurotoxic organic arsenical, is present in the groundwater and soil in some regions of Japan due to illegal dumping after World War II. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the potential toxicity of DPAA when administered to rats in their drinking water for 52 weeks. DPAA was administered to groups 1–4 at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, and 20 ppm in their drinking water for 52 weeks. There were no significant differences in the final body weights between the control groups and the treatment groups in male or female rats. In serum biochemistry, in females 20 ppm DPAA significantly increased alkaline phosphatase and γ-glitamyl transferase compared to controls, and 10 and 20 ppm DPAA significantly increased total cholesterol compared to controls. Absolute and relative liver weights were significantly increased in females treated with 20 ppm DPAA compared to the control group. Dilation of the common bile duct outside the papilla of Vater and stenosis of the papilla of Vater was observed in all male and female rats administered 20 ppm DPAA. The incidence of intrahepatic bile duct hyperplasia was significantly increased in male and female rats treated with 20 ppm DPAA compared to the control groups. These results suggest that DPAA is toxic to the bile duct epithelium in rats. The no-observed adverse effect levels of DPAA were estimated to be 10 ppm (0.48 mg/kg b.w./day) for males and 5 ppm (0.35 mg/kg b.w./day) for females under the conditions of this study.     

Gene delivery from supercharged coiled-coil protein and cationic lipid hybrid complex

A lipoproteoplex comprised of an engineered supercharged coiled-coil protein (CSP) bearing multiple arginines and the cationic lipid formulation FuGENE HD (FG) was developed for effective condensation and delivery of nucleic acids. The CSP was able to maintain helical structure and self-assembly properties while exhibiting binding to plasmid DNA. The ternary CSP·DNA(8:1)·FG lipoproteoplex complex demonstrated enhanced transfection of β-galactosidase DNA into MC3T3-E1 mouse preosteoblasts. The lipoproteoplexes showed significant increases in transfection efficiency when compared to conventional FG and an mTat·FG lipopolyplex with a 6- and 2.5-fold increase in transfection, respectively. The CSP·DNA(8:1)·FG lipoproteoplex assembled into spherical particles with a net positive surface charge, enabling efficient gene delivery. These results support the application of lipoproteoplexes with protein engineered CSP for non-viral gene delivery.     

Early stage clear cell adenocarcinoma of the colon examined in detail with image-enhanced endoscopy: a case report

Primary clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCA) of the colorectum is a rare tumor. We report on a 48-year-old man with early stage CCA in the descending colon who underwent detailed examination with image-enhanced endoscopy, such as magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging and crystal violet staining. The tumor was treated successfully with endoscopic mucosal resection at our hospital.     

Progressive subglottic stenosis in a child with Pallister‐Killian syndrome

Pallister‐Killian syndrome (PKS) is rare genetic disorder caused by tetrasomy 12p mosaicism with supernumerary isochromosome 12p that manifests with intellectual disability, craniofacial dysmorphism, and epilepsy. Although PKS presents as a multisystem morphological defect, respiratory system involvement is rare, except for diaphragmatic hernia. We are the first to report a case of PKS with progressive subglottic stenosis. Subglottic stenosis is a potentially lethal condition due to severe respiratory obstruction and difficult intubation; therefore, further accumulation of cases is required to assess the causal link between PKS and subglottic stenosis.     

Postural stability impairment in patients with bilateral hallux valgus: A case-control study using a stabilometer

BackgroundHallux valgus (HV) is an important risk factor for falls (in older people); however, the detailed relationship is less understood. We aimed to evaluate postural stability in bilateral HV patients.MethodsTwo groups of 20 female patients—an HV group and a C (i.e., non-HV) group—participated in this study. Evaluations were made using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), track length (LNG), velocity (VEL), enveloped area (ENV), and root mean square area (RMS).ResultsTUG and FES scores were significantly higher and BBS scores were lower in the HV group than in the C group. LNG was significantly longer, VEL was higher, and ENV and RMS were wider in the HV group than in the C group.ConclusionsThe HV group exhibited impaired walking mobility, balance, and postural stability.     

Biomedical Support Requirements in the Space Era

Chest radiographs made on 1,007 canine subjects at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital between 1965 and 1968 were reviewed to determine whether a relationship between nonspecific chronic canine pulmonary disease and the urban environment could be demonstrated. Radiographs were graded for evidence of chronic pulmonary changes without prior knowledge of the animal’s age or residence. The environment was divided into urban and rural segments based upon the concentration of industrialization in the Philadelphia area and available atmospheric pollution data. No significant differences were noted in the urban-rural distribution of absent, moderate, and severe changes in younger dogs. In middle-aged and older dogs, however, significant differences appeared in the distribution of changes between environmental groups.