Effects of 4-tert-pentylphenol on the gene expression of P450 11beta-hydroxylase in the gonad of medaka (Oryzias latipes)

Alkylphenols including 4-tert-pentylphenol (4-PP) have been shown to alter sexual differentiation in fish due to their estrogenic properties. Medaka (Oryzias latipes) is so sensitive to these substances because morphological sex reversal and testis-ova induction are well developed in the exposed males. However, little work has been done to characterize the molecular effects of estrogenic substances on the morphological and gonadal feminization in male fish. Cytochrome P450 11beta-hydroxylase (P450(11beta)) is a key steroidogenic enzyme in production of 11-ketotestosterone which is the predominant androgen in male fish. In this study, we cloned a cDNA encoding medaka testicular P450(11beta), and then investigated the gene expression of P450(11beta) in the testes of genetically male medaka exposed to 4-PP. The cDNA contains 1740 nucleotides that encode a protein of 543 amino acids, which shares 68.9% and 73.4% homology with testicular P450(11beta)s from Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), respectively. HeLa cells transfected with an expression vector containing the open reading frame of medaka P450(11beta) cDNA showed 11beta-hydroxylating activity in the presence of exogenous testosterone. Analysis of tissue distribution by RT-PCR showed great abundance of P450(11beta) mRNA in testis. In the partial life-cycle exposure with 4-PP, morphologically sex-reversal was observed in XY medaka exposed to 4-PP concentrations of > or =238 microg/L. Furthermore, exposure to 4-PP completely inhibited P450(11beta) mRNA expression in the gonads of sex-reversed XY fish at 60-day posthatch. These results suggest that xeno-estrogen 4-PP may have inhibitory effects on the synthesis of testicular 11-oxygenated androgens through downregulation of P450(11beta) expression in the genetically male fish.     

Reinforcement of saphenous vein graft with ePTFE graft for axillocoronary bypass grafting

Arteriosclerosis in the ascending aorta is widely accepted as a strong risk factor for the occurrence of stroke after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The aortic no-touch technique, with a variety of modifications, has been used to reduce the risk of post-CABG stroke. Saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) have been used for axillocoronary bypass grafting, a modification of the aortic no-touch technique. However, kinking or compression often occurs with SVGs. We report here the successful application of an 8-mm expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft, of the external bead support type, that was used to cover an SVG during axillocoronary bypass grafting.     

Anesthetic management by total intravenous anesthesia with propofol, pentazocine and ketamine

BACKGROUND: The authors evaluated the efficacy of anesthetic management by total intravenous anesthesia with propofol, pentazocine and ketamine. METHODS: Thirty-five patients for mastectomy were anesthetized by propofol, pentazocine and ketamine. Patients were divided into two groups by age; one is patients under 61 years of age and the others are patients above 61 years. Analysis was made retrospectively. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and ketamine and was maintained with propofol infusion and intermittent administration of vecuronium with 40% oxygen in air. Pentazocine was administrated as a bolus dose before incision. RESULTS: There were no differences in the patient background except age and height between the two groups. After induction of anesthesia, systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased compared with those before induction in both groups. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rate increased after tracheal intubation, but the hemodynamics remained stable after the start of surgery. The induction and maintenance doses of propofol were not different between the two groups. Patients above 61 years had smaller dosage of pentazocine compared with those in patients under 61 years. The dosage of ketamine was not different between two groups. Awakening time in about 80% of patients was within 15 minutes and is not different between the two groups. Postoperative pain relief was good in both groups. Incidence of nausea and vomiting was 25% and was not the different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Total intravenous anesthesia with propofol, pentazocine and ketamine would be useful to stabilize hemodynamic state, to obtain rapid recovery and to provide effective postoperative pain relief.     

A retrospective study on awareness in 1922 cases during induction of general anesthesia

BACKGROUND: There are some reports on the incidence of awareness during general anesthesia that is usually stable at the maintenance period. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of awareness during the induction period of general anesthesia in which the effects of anesthetics are unstable. METHODS: The research-nurses interviewed the patients, who had undergone general anesthesia, on the awareness during anesthesia within a week after operation. The patients were excluded from the study if they were in deep sedation or unconscious because of the medical reasons. We defined the induction period from the administration of hypnotic drugs to the tracheal intubation. RESULTS: Seven cases with ages from 20 s to 70 s out of 1922 cases were identified as the residual awareness cases during the induction period. Six cases were managed with low concentrations of inhalation anesthetics after injection of intravenous hypnotics. The incidence was lower, but not significant, if they were managed with total intravenous technique. The BIS values were above 60 in all these cases if the monitor was attached. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of awareness during the induction was 0.36%. We have to pay more attention to the disappearance of the hypnotic effect at the induction period.     

Saccular aneurysm of the aortic cusp associated with discrete subaortic stenosis

A 54-year-old male who experienced a syncopal episode underwent aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis and regurgitation. The aortic valve was incompetent as a result of thickening of the left coronary cusp and noncoronary cusp. In addition a saccular aneurysm was indicated on the left coronary cusp. A shelf of tissue protruding at right angles from the ventricular septum was particularly prominent below the right coronary cusp, resulting in subvalvular stenosis. The cause of the saccular aneurysm was most likely caused by the long-term effects of the jet stream instigated by discrete subaortic stenosis.     

Maximum permissive dosage of lactose and lactitol for transitory diarrhea, and utilizable capacity for lactose in Japanese female adults

This study aims to estimate the tolerable lactose intake which can be utilized in the digestion by lactase and in the fermentation by intestinal microbes in Japanese female adults. The first, the maximum permissive dosage of lactose not to induce transitory diarrhea was estimated based on the oral ingestion of lactose at several dose levels in all the subjects, and compared with that of lactitol which is not hydrolyzed by digestive enzymes. A second lactose tolerance test involving 10 g and 30 g of lactose was carried out in 10 subjects showing resistance to diarrhea, and serum glucose and insulin levels and the amount of hydrogen excreted in the breath were measured for comparison with those of glucose and lactitol. Subjects were 43 Japanese female adults (average: age 20.5+/-2.1 y, weight 51.3+/-5.1 kg) who had not been diagnosed as having either hypolactasia or being lactose intolerant. Serum glucose and insulin levels were scarcely elevated following the ingestion of both 10 g and 30 g of lactose, while the amount of hydrogen excreted in the breath was greatly increased following the ingestion of 30 g of lactose, but these levels were less following the ingestion of 10 g of lactose. In contrast, the ingestion of 15 g of glucose significantly increased blood glucose and insulin levels, while no hydrogen was detected in the breath. The maximum permissive dosage of lactose not to induce transitory diarrhea was 0.72 g/kg of body weight and that of lactitol was 0.36 g/kg of body weight in Japanese adults. The digestive capacity of lactase is less than 10 g of lactose by single ingestion, while intestinal microflora are able to ferment approximately 20-30 g of lactose. In addition, the ingestion of more than 10 g of lactose might be contributed as prebiotics.     

An intestinal volvulus caused by multiple magnet ingestion: an unexpected risk in children

It has been reported that ingested magnets can cause intestinal fistula formation or perforation, leading to intestinal obstruction. However, there are no previous case reports that magnet ingestion additionally caused an intestinal volvulus. We report herein the case of a 1-year-old boy in whom the ingested magnets caused a volvulus of part of the small intestine leading to the resection of the necrotic portion. We think that if more than one magnet is found as a foreign body in the intestine, they should be removed immediately by laparotomy. Clinicians who care for children should be aware of this unexpected risk.     

Remission induced by interferon alfa in a patient with massive osteolysis and extension of lymph-hemangiomatosis: a severe case of Gorham-Stout syndrome

The treatment of massive osteolysis with lymphangioma and/or hemangioma (Gorham-Stout syndrome) has been controversial. The authors report on a patient with multiple massive osteolyses and extensive lymph-hemangiomatosis whose lesions were reduced by interferon alfa therapy.A 2-year-old girl had complained of left chylothorax. Thoracoscopy showed an increase in small lymphatic vessels in the chest wall. The chylothorax was improved by coagulation of the lymphatic vessels. Later, multiple massive osteolyses appeared in the left 11th and 12th ribs, the TH10-L3 vertebrae, and the right femur. There were also hemangiomas in the liver and spleen, a tumor lesion in the left lower chest wall, and hemangiomatous change on the skin surface of the left back. The left lung had only a minimal air content. After OK-432 was injected into the femur and chest wall lesions, the femur lesion disappeared. Then, as right chylothorax appeared, OK-432 was injected into the right pulmonary cavity. The chylothorax disappeared, but pericardial effusion appeared. After steroid pulse therapy, pericardial effusion disappeared. During these treatments, the 7th to 10th ribs disappeared from the x-ray and scoliosis developed. One month later, a cloudy fluid collection in the right lung was found on computed tomography. Interferon alfa and steroid pulse therapy were started. Interferon alfa (1,500,000 units) was subcutaneously administered daily for 2 months and was gradually reduced and maintained at 1,500,000 unit/wk. Steroids were also reduced and maintained at 5 mg/d of predonine. Later, the progress of osteolysis and the extension of lymph-hemangiomatosis stopped. Ten months later, hemangioma in the back disappeared, and the 7th to 10th ribs, which had disappeared, reappeared. The interferon alfa therapy was stopped 14 months after it was administered. The patient's condition has been stable for 10 months since then. At this time, computed tomography shows regression of the hemangiomatous lesion in the back.The authors clinically diagnosed the patient as having Gorham-Stout syndrome with extension of lymph-hemangiomatosis. Interferon alfa with or without steroid therapy should be a choice for patients with extension lesions.