Evaluation of peptones from chicken waste as a nitrogen source for micro-organisms.

In this study, chicken peptone was produced by hydrolysing inedible parts derived from chickens using endo-protease and exo-protease. The usefulness of chicken peptone as a nutrient source for bacteria was evaluated in comparison with other commercially produced peptones (animal, soy and casein-derived peptone). Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis were used as test strains to determine the effect of peptones from different sources on their growth ability. Both bacteria were successfully cultured in chicken peptone solution, which is similar to peptone solution containing commercial peptones apart from animal peptone. In chemical analysis, chicken peptone contained 12·0% nitrogen; this was similar to the nitrogen content from other commercial peptone sources, except for the 9·0% nitrogen found in soy peptones. The molecular weight of the peptone was determined by gel filtration chromatography, and those of all peptone, except animal-derived peptone, were found to be <5000 Da. In addition, when B. subtilis was cultured in a medium containing chicken peptone, it was shown that the protease activity was highest as compared with other commercial peptones. From these results, it is suggested that chicken peptone can be utilized for microbial culture, and this is an effective method to reuse chicken waste.

Effect of rice bran fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus plantarum on gut microbiome of mice fed high-sucrose diet.

To clarify the effect of rice bran (RB) and fermented RB (FRB) in a high-sucrose and low-dietary fibre diet on the gut microbiome, the in vitro bile acid-lowering capacity and caecal microbiota of ICR mice fed with 20% RB or FRB diets for two weeks were determined. The caecal microbiome was analysed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The in vitro bile acid-lowering capacity was high for FRB. In mouse experiments, triacylglycerol and total cholesterol were generally lower with FRB, although the faecal frequency was highest in mice fed with RB. The Shannon-Wiener and Simpson's indices for alpha-diversity in the microbiome of mice fed with RB and FRB, were higher than mice fed the control diet. At the phylum level in the caecal microbiome, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were high with FRB and RB, respectively. At the operational taxonomic unit level, some bacterial groups related to diabetes and gut toxicity, such as Lachnospiraceae and Enterorhabdus mucosicola, were high for RB but not for FRB diets. These results suggest that FRB, rather than RB, intake improve the intestinal environment and blood lipid condition.

In vitro cholesterol-lowering properties of Lactobacillus plantarum AN6 isolated from aji-narezushi.

Aji-narezushi is a traditional lactic acid-fermented fish. In this study, we screened for lactose-utilizing, acidophilic, bile-resistant and cholesterol-lowering lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from aji-narezushi for use as starter strains for fermented foods, as well as for use as probiotics. Of the 301 LAB isolates, 277 fermented lactose, and among these, 171 grew in de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe broth adjusted to pH 3·5. Thirty-four of the isolates were grown in a broth containing 3% (w/v) bile. All of the isolates were lactobacilli. Seven isolates that demonstrated cholesterol-lowering activity in ethanolic solution were selected. All of the isolates were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum. Lactobacillus plantarum AN6 showed the highest cholesterol-lowering activity. AN6 was more resistant to acid, salt and bile than the type strain NBRC15891(T). One-half of the cholesterol-lowering effect remained after boiling AN6 for 10 min. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis indicated that the content of cell wall polysaccharides in AN6 is higher than ones in the type strain. These results indicate that Lact. plantarum AN6 can be used as a profitable starter organism and probiotic.

[Successful thoracoscopic ligation and transection of racemose hemangioma of bronchial artery].

We used thoracoscopy for the successful ligation and transection of a racemose hemangioma of bronchial artery. The patient was a 61-year-old woman who had been admitted to our hospital because of hemoptysis. Bronchoscopic examination revealed bulging lesions covered with normal bronchial mucosa in the right B5 and B8, and bronchial arteriography revealed a shunt between the right bronchial arteries and pulmonary arteries and veins. Ligation and transection of the right bronchial artery under thoracoscopy was performed. Hemoptysis has not recurred 9 months after the operation. Thoracoscopic ligation and transection of bronchial artery may be an effective and less invasive procedure for the treatment of racemose hemangioma.

Cecal environment and TBARS level in mice fed corn oil, beef tallow and menhaden fish oil.

To examine the dietary effects of three lipids from different sources on intestinal conditions, diets containing 10% corn oil (CO), 1% corn oil +9% beef tallow (BT) or 1% corn oil + 9% menhaden fish oil (MO) were administered to male mice for 4 wk. Levels of total cholesterol (TC), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and glucose in plasma were lower in mice fed on MO than in mice fed on CO or BT. The plasma phospholipid (PL) level was lower for mice fed MO than in mice fed BT. Levels of the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), soluble saccharides and soluble proteins in the cecum were significantly higher in mice fed on MO than in mice fed on CO or BT. The number of fecal bacteroidaceae was lower in mice fed on MO than in mice fed on BT. On the other hand, the number of fecal bifidobacteria was greater in mice fed on MO than in mice fed on CO. These results suggest the possibility that menhaden oil affects lower intestinal microflora through the increase of not only oxide products but also saccharides and proteins in the intestine.

A new devised skirted elephant trunk technique.

A simple and effective new elephant trunk technique was devised and applied to two patients with a successful result. In advance before the operation, an arch graft with a skirted elephant trunk was made. This was done by inserting a smaller, 22 mm diameter sized graft into the arch graft at the distal end and suturing it so as to leave a skirt extending over the smaller graft. This configuration facilitates the distal anastomosis and effectively shortens anastomotic time.

A ruptured syphilitic descending thoracic aortic aneurysm. The characteristic findings on computed tomography for the etiological diagnosis of aneurysm.

We report the case of a 72-year-old man with a ruptured syphilitic descending thoracic aneurysm who underwent an emergency operation and successful graft replacement. Preoperative physical examination showed a pulsative mass on the left back. Preoperative computed tomography showed bone destruction in the TH6 to TH10 thoracic vertebrae and ribs and penetration (or rupture) of the aneurysm into the subcutaneous tissue. During the period of preoperative evaluations, free wall rupture of the aneurysm occurred and emergency operation for graft replacement was performed. The microscopical examination of the aneurysmal wall revealed the syphilitic changes. In literature, the vertebral destruction by atherosclerotic aneurysm is usually located at the TH12 to L3 of vertebral bodies. From the findings of this patient and a study of existing literature, we concluded that the finding of vertebral bone beyond TH12 to L3 region on CT examination of the aneurysm could be a etiological characteristic finding for syphilitic aortic aneurysm.

[Thoracoscopic surgery for diagnosis of interstitial pneumonia special reference to medicoeconomical effect].

We compared thoracoscopic surgery (TS) and open thoracotomy for the diagnosis of interstitial pneumonia. Intraoperative blood loss and duration of postoperative chest drainage were significantly less with TS than with thoracotomy. The length of postoperative hospital stay and social insurance costs with TS was significantly less than with thoracotomy. These results show that TS for the diagnosis of interstitial pneumonia is superior to open thoracotomy in terms of surgical stress and cost.

gamma-Pyrones from Gonystylus keithii, as new inhibitors of parathyroid hormone (PTH)-induced Ca release from neonatal mouse calvaria.

New gamma-pyrones, 9'-oxopodopyrone (3) and 8-methyl-9'-oxopodopyrone (4) were isolated from the leaves of Gonystylus keithii, along with known gamma-pyrones, 10'-oxopodopyrone (1) and 8-methyl-10'-oxopodopyrone (2). These gamma-pyrones markedly inhibited the bovine parathyroid hormone (PTH)-induced Ca release from neonatal mouse calvaria in vitro. It is the first time that gamma-pyrones showed inhibitory effects on bone resorption, and these compounds may be seed compounds of new drugs for osteoporosis.

Reduction of plasma glutamyl aminopeptidase activity in sporadic Alzheimer's disease.

Previously, we hypothesized that aminopeptidase-catalyzed proteolysis may limit the rate of beta-amyloid catabolism in brain and that reduction of a certain aminopeptidase activity may lead to deposition of peptidic metabolites represented by beta-amyloid and thus to Alzheimer's disease (AD). To explore this possibility in clinical situations and to seek a possible biochemical marker for the disease, we quantitated four classes of aminopeptidase activities in cerebrospinal fluids and heparinized plasma from sporadic AD patients and agematched controls collected in two independent medical institutions. We found that only plasma glutamyl aminopeptidase activity was significantly and consistently lower in AD patients. Although the mechanism leading to such a biochemical change in plasma remains to be elucidated, the results provide support for the aminopeptidase hypothesis and indicate that the enzyme activity may potentially be used as a diagnostic/ predictive marker for AD.

[Analysis of DNA content in primary colorectal carcinoma and lung metastasis].

We analyzed DNA content of resected primary colorectal carcinoma and lung metastasis by flow cytometry. Of the 14 primary lesions, 5 cases showed diploid pattern, 9 cases aneuploid pattern. In contrast, 12 metastatic lung lesions of 19 showed diploid pattern and 7 lesions aneuploid pattern. DNA index of primary and metastatic lesions was 1.4 +/- 0.4 and 1.2 +/- 0.2, respectively (p = 0.08). In combination of DNA ploidy pattern between primary and metastatic lesions, there were 11 in which ploidy pattern was identical, 1 in which metastasis was aneuploid and primary was diploid, 7 in which metastasis was diploid and primary was aneuploid. Four year, survival rate from operation of metastasis was better in diploid pattern than in aneuploid pattern, but it was not significant. These results indicate that patients who have operative indication of metastasis from colorectal carcinoma have metastatic tumor which shows relatively good biological behavior (diploid tumors) and that there are heterogeneity of ploidy pattern between primary and metastatic lesions.

Ectopic intrapulmonary thyroid.

An 83-year-old woman underwent resection of a pulmonary tumor. Histologic examination of the tumor demonstrated thyroid follicles without evidence of malignancy or teratomatous elements. Developmental anomaly may account for the ectopic intrapulmonary thyroid, which, to our knowledge, has not been reported in the literature.

Purification, properties, and partial amino acid sequences of thermostable xylanases from Streptomyces thermoviolaceus OPC-520.

Two types of xylanases (1,4-beta-D-xylan xylanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.8) were isolated from the culture filtrate of a thermophilic actinomycete, Streptomyces thermoviolaceus OPC-520. The enzymes (STX-I and STX-II) were purified by chromatography with DEAE-Toyopearl 650 M, CM-Toyopearl 650 M, Sephadex G-75, Phenyl-Toyopearl 650 M, and Mono Q HR. The purified enzymes showed single bands on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weights of STX-I and STX-II were 54,000 and 33,000, respectively. The pIs were 4.2 (STX-I) and 8.0 (STX-II). The optimum pH levels for the activity of STX-I and STX-II were pH 7.0. The optimum temperature for the activity of STX-I was 70 degrees C, and that for the activity of STX-II was 60 degrees C. The enzymes were completely inhibited by N-bromosuccinimide. The enzymes degraded xylan, producing xylose and xylobiose as the predominant products, indicating that they were endoxylanases. STX-I showed high sequence homology with the exoglucanase from Cellulomonas fimi (47% homology), and STX-II showed high sequence homology with the xylanase from Bacillus pumilus (46% homology).

DNA ploidy patterns of tumors diagnosed as metachronous or recurrent lung cancers.

The relationship between the first tumor and the second tumor resected in 8 patients with non-small cell lung cancer was analyzed using deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) flow cytometry. Of the 8 patients, 6 were clinically diagnosed as having metachronous lung cancers and 2, local recurrent tumors. The mean interval between operations in patients with metachronous lung cancers was 62 months (range, 15 to 128 months). Both tumors showed the same histology in 4 patients and a different histology in 2. In the 2 patients with local recurrent tumors, the interval between operations was 9 months and 39 months. In the analysis of DNA flow cytometry of the first and second tumors in the same patient, the tumors were defined as independent of each other when one tumor showed diploidy and the other, aneuploidy, or when each DNA index of abnormal clones between two aneuploid tumors was different. When both tumors showed diploidy or when at least one DNA index of abnormal clones between two aneuploid tumors was identical, the tumors were defined to be related to each other. According to these criteria, in 5 (83%) of the 6 patients clinically diagnosed as having metachronous lung cancers, the second tumor was classified as independent of the first tumor. On the other hand, in the 2 patients clinically diagnosed as having recurrent tumors, the second tumor was judged to be related to the first tumor. These data suggest that DNA flow cytometric analysis of tumors may be of value in the diagnosis of metachronous lung cancers.

Influence of surgical resection before and after chemotherapy on survival in small cell lung cancer.

We attempted to define the role of surgery in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Of 81 patients with clinically localized SCLC, 36 underwent surgical resection: 19 underwent initial resection with postoperative chemotherapy, while the remaining 17 were treated initially with chemotherapy, then resection. The remaining 45 patients were treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The 5-year survival for the 36 surgical patients was 38%; median survival time (MST) was 33 months. Nineteen patients treated with postoperative chemotherapy showed a 42% 5-year survival, while 17 patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy showed a 33% 5-year survival. This difference was not significant. However, stage III survival tended to be better in patients with preoperative chemotherapy (MST, 29 months) than in those who had had postoperative chemotherapy only (MST, 17 months). Although survival of the 45 nonsurgical patients was poor, stage I and II patients, or those with complete remission showed a 25% 5-year survival with an MST of 33 months, and a 21% 5-year survival with an MST of 25 months, respectively. We thus concluded that initial resection combined with postoperative chemotherapy is beneficial for patients with stage I, and probably stage II disease. For resectable stage III, particularly in patients with N2 disease, adjuvant resection after chemotherapy may be a favorable choice in the management of SCLC. For advanced stage III, complete remission by chemotherapy should be attempted in combination with radiotherapy.

[Surgical indication for T1N2 disease: comparison of survival among resected T1N2, T2 N2 and non-resected T1 (M0) disease].

Based on the outcome of 28 patients with pathologically confirmed T1N2 disease who underwent surgical resection, we evaluated surgical indication for this stage. Twenty three patients underwent complete resection and 5 patients incomplete resection. The histologic type of tumor was adenocarcinoma in 20 patients and squamous cell carcinoma in 8 patients. The 5-year survival rate was 22% for all resected patients and 28% for completely resected patients. These survival rates were better than those (16% and 23%, respectively) in patients with T2N2 disease. However, there was no significant difference of survival among incompletely resected T1 N2, and non-resected T1 (M0) patients. Although 9 of 28 T1N2 patients survival more than 3 years, all but one patient underwent complete resection of tumor and had clinical N0 or N1 before surgery. In conclusion, surgery should be indicated only for patients with completely resectable tumor, even in T1N2 disease.

Long-term survivors in resected and nonresected small cell lung cancer.

Long-term survival (greater than or equal to 3 years) was evaluated in 164 patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Thirty-seven patients underwent surgical resection, and 127 did not. All but one resected patient received combination chemotherapy. Of the 20 (12%) long-term survivors, 13 (35%) were resected, and 7 (6%) were not. Eleven of these resected patients had pathologically confirmed stage I disease. All of the 7 nonresected patients achieved complete remission by treatment, 6 of these having presented with limited disease. In addition, all patients received thoracic irradiation combined with chemotherapy. Two of the 20 patients who survived beyond 3 years developed a second malignancy 11.3 and 12 years, respectively, after initial treatment for SCLC. In conclusion, surgical resection for stage I, and probably stage II SCLC followed by chemotherapy may be an appropriate therapeutic approach. For advanced limited disease, thoracic irradiation, in addition to chemotherapy, seems to improve long-term survival.

Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer: prognostic value of DNA ploidy and post-recurrent survival.

Eighty-six patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent curative operations were postoperatively randomized to control and adjuvant chemotherapy groups. In the adjuvant chemotherapy group, patients received cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy 3 or 4 weeks after operation and the average cycle of chemotherapy was 2.3 (from 1 to 6 cycles). In this trial, no evidence of improved survival or delayed recurrence was seen in the treated patients. In multivariate analysis of prognostic variables, the most important factor was the pathological stage of the disease and, second, DNA ploidy of the primary tumor. Although histology (squamous vs. non-squamous cell carcinoma) had a trend to influence the survival, it was not a significant factor. A total of 33 patients had recurrences: 17 and 16 patients were in control and adjuvant chemotherapy groups, respectively. Postrecurrent survival in the adjuvant chemotherapy group was significantly shorter than that in the control group, as determined by the generalized Wilcoxon and log rank tests. Median survival time after recurrence in the control and adjuvant therapy groups was 18.5 and 7.5 months, respectively. These results suggest that DNA ploidy of primary tumors should be considered as a prognostic factor in future trials of adjuvant therapy. Furthermore, analysis of postrecurrent survival in the adjuvant chemotherapy trial, as well as that of overall and disease-free survivals should be done.

[Epidural anesthesia with buprenorphine for chest surgery and its prophylactic effects of postoperative pulmonary complications].

To clarify the prophylactic effect of epidural anesthesia with buprenorphine on postoperative pulmonary complications, the incidence of pulmonary complications after chest surgery was evaluated in 2 groups: the group that underwent epidural anesthesia, namely the test group, and the control group. Pulmonary complications were classified as follows: mild complications, sustained wheezing and/or small atelectasis-like shadows seen on chest x-rays. These improved by conventional methods except for bronchial toilet. Moderate complications included pneumonia and/or respiratory failure and/or atelectasis which needed bronchial toilet. There were 56 cases (58%) with no pulmonary complications in the control group and 89 cases (77%) in the test group. The number of patients with pulmonary complications were 40 (42%) in the control group and 27 (23%) in the test group, respectively (p less than 0.01). Those with mild or moderate complications were 25 (26%), 15 (16%) in the control group and 21 (18%), 6 (5%) in the test group, respectively. There was significant difference between no complication group and moderate complication group (p less than 0.01). These results show that epidural anesthesia is useful in preventing pulmonary complications after chest surgery.