Effects of replacing inorganic trace minerals with organic trace minerals on the production performance, blood profiles, and antioxidant status of broiler breeders.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing inorganic trace minerals (ITMs) with organic trace minerals (OTMs) on the production performance, blood profile, and antioxidative status of broiler breeders. A total of 600 healthy broiler breeder hens, aged 40 wk, were randomly divided into 5 treatments with 4 replicates in each treatment, and fed for 10 wk. Experimental treatments were: (1) commercial levels of inorganic minerals (COM); (2) L-ITM (50% of the COM, except for Se); (3) VL-OTM (37.5% of the COM, except for Se); (4) L-OTM (equivalent to L-ITM); and (5) OTM (62.5% of the COM, except for Se). The laying rate was 9.56% higher, feed-to-egg ratio was 7.83% lower, and rate of qualified eggs was 18.33% higher (P < 0.05) for L-OTM compared to L-ITM despite equal mineral levels. The fertility with COM was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than L-ITM, VL-OTM, or L-OTM treatments. OTM and COM treatments both had increased serum LH and P4. The relatively higher mineral levels fed in COM and OTM treatments increased blood total protein (P < 0.05). In addition, activities of serum GSH-Px, Mn-SOD, and T-SOD were higher (P < 0.01), while malondialdehyde (MDA) content was lower (P < 0.05), for COM and OTM birds as compared to L-ITM and VL-OTM. The serum T-SOD of L-OTM birds was significantly higher (9.81%; P < 0.01) than that of L-ITM birds. Higher (P < 0.05) activities of liver GSH-Px and T-SOD, and lower MDA concentrations (P < 0.01) were measured in the COM, L-OTM, and OTM treatments than the L-ITM treatment. Collectively, total replacement of high levels of ITMs by lower levels of OTMs in broiler breeder diets was beneficial for productive performance under the conditions of this study.

Fibre type-dependent response of broiler muscles to dietary antioxidant supplementation for oxidative stability enhancement.

The influence of dietary antioxidants and quality of oil on the oxidative and physico-chemical properties of chicken broiler breast and thigh meat stored was studied in either an oxygen-enriched (HiOx: 80% O2/20% CO2) or an air-permeable polyvinylchloride (PVC) packaging system during retail display at 2-4°C for up to 14 and 7 d, respectively. Broilers were fed on a diet with either a low-oxidised (peroxide value (POV) 23 meq O2/kg) or a high-oxidised (POV 121 meq O2/kg) oil, supplemented with or without an algae/selenium-based antioxidant with organic minerals, for 42 d. Lipid and protein oxidation, myofibrillar protein profile and purge loss were analysed. In both packaging systems, lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances [TBARS]) was inhibited by up to 65% and 57% in chicken breast and thigh, respectively, with an antioxidant-supplemented diet compared to those without. In both breast and thigh samples, protein sulfhydryls and water-holding capacity (purge loss) were better protected by the antioxidant dietary treatment, regardless of oil quality. Thigh muscles had up to sevenfold greater TBARS formation and more myosin heavy chain losses compared to breast samples. Antioxidant supplementation was more protective against lipid oxidation and water-holding capacity in the group fed on high-oxidised oil compared to those fed on low-oxidised oil. The results suggest that dietary antioxidants can minimise the negative impact of oxidised oil on broiler meat quality, and this protection was more pronounced for thigh than breast muscle, indicating inherent variations between muscle fibre types.

Cloning and expression analysis of cysteine protease gene (MwCP) in Agropyron mongolicum Keng.

In this study, a cysteine protease gene (MwCP) from Agropyron mongolicum Keng was isolated using RACE. Sequence analysis indicated that MwCP was 1473 bp, and it contained a 1134-bp open reading frame, which encoded 377 amino acids with a 24-amino acid N-terminal signal peptide. The results indicated that the MwCP protein was a new member of the papain C1A family, and it was predicted to be an extracellular, secretory stable hydrophilic protein. The secondary structure of MwCP was mainly composed of α-helices and random coils, and the space structure primarily contained α-helices, ß-sheets, and ß-turns. Homology analyses showed the 98% homology between MwCP amino acids and a cysteine protease found in Triticum aestivum (GenBank accession No. AAW21813.1). Analysis of mRNA using semi-quantitative RT-PCR indicated that during a 48-h drought stress period, MwCP was expressed during the 4th hour, and the expression level peaked during the 6th hour before declining to the original level. The results revealed that MwCP was involved in drought-resistant physiological processes of A. mongolicum. Moreover, the MwCP expression levels were highest in leaves, intermediate in roots, and lowest in stems.

Augmentation of water-holding and textural properties of breast meat from oxidatively stressed broilers by dietary antioxidant regimens.

1. The impact of dietary antioxidants and degree of oil oxidation on textural attributes of chicken broiler breast meat stored in oxygen-enriched, air-permeable polyvinylchloride and skin packaging systems during retail display at 2-4°C for up to 21 d was assessed. 2. Broilers were fed on diets either with a low-oxidised oil (peroxide 23 mEq O2/kg) or with a high-oxidised oil (peroxide 121 mEq O2/kg), with or without an algae-based antioxidant and organic mineral antioxidant supplement for 42 d. 3. Fatty acids and radical scavenging activities of the diets were estimated. Meat colour, pH, myofibrillar protein profile and textural traits were measured. 4. Diets with high-oxidised oil reduced stearic, linoleic and linolenic acid content compared to low-oxidised oil samples, regardless of antioxidant supplementation. Meat colour and pH varied among dietary treatments throughout storage. Meat samples from the antioxidant dietary group, irrespective of oil oxidation level, had lower amounts of purge and cooking losses compared to the unsupplemented diets. For all packaging systems, meat shear force was significantly higher for broilers fed on high-oxidised diets. 5. The results demonstrate that dietary antioxidant supplementation can minimise the negative impact of oxidised oil on the quality of broiler meat packaged in different atmospheric environments.

A comparative transcriptomic study of vitamin E and an algae-based antioxidant as antioxidative agents: investigation of replacing vitamin E with the algae-based antioxidant in broiler diets.

Previous study indicated that inclusion of an algae-based antioxidant as an antioxidative agent [EconomasE, Alltech, Nicholasville, KY; EcoE] significantly reduced the amount of vitamin E (VE) required in broiler diets without compromising performance and meat quality. To assess the mechanisms related to the VE-saving activity of EcoE, as well as other potential functions related to EcoE and VE supplementation, we analyzed gene expression profiles of breast muscle from broilers fed a control diet, the control diet + 50 IU of VE/kg, the control diet + 100 IU of VE/kg, or the control diet + 200 g of EcoE/ton. Evaluation of the serum antioxidant capacity indicated that dietary supplementation of either a high level of VE (50 or 100 IU of VE/kg) or EcoE significantly improved bird antioxidant status. Analysis of gene expression profiles indicated that expression of 542 genes of the breast muscle were altered (P < 0.05, fold change >1.2) by dietary treatments, of which a significant part were commonly regulated by EcoE and VE (especially the control diet + 50 IU of VE/kg). In addition to the process of cellular oxidation, gene ontology analysis indicated the involvement of EcoE and VE on cell morphology, skeletal and muscular system development and function, immune response, and multiple metabolic processes, including lipid, carbohydrate, and drug metabolism. Results of this experiment indicate that the biological roles of high VE, including its activity as an antioxidant, can be greatly mimicked at the transcriptional level by EcoE, and they suggest a relationship of functional redundancy between VE and EcoE in the broiler diets.

[A case of gastrointestinal stromal tumor of rectum, difficult to differentiate from leiomyosarcoma of prostate].

A 70 year-old male was seen at the hospital with the chief complaints of frequent miction and incomplete urinary retention. A hen's egg-sized firm mass was palpable in anterior wall of rectum by digital rectal examination. Intravenous urography showed severe bilateral hydronephroureter. Transrectal ultrasound, CT scan and MRI revealed a mass with 5 cm in diameter between prostate and rectum, and the margin of them were unclear. On needle biopsy of the tumor, leiomyosarcoma of the prostate was suspected. We performed radical cytectomy and created continent urinary reserver. Because the tumor and rectum could not be lysed, part of the rectum was resected. Histological examination showed gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of rectum. GIST of rectum is a rare entity, and in case of contact with the prostate, it is difficult to differentiate from leiomyosarcoma of prostate.

[Two cases of primary carcinoma developed in a vesical diverticulum treated with ileal neobladder for total bladder replacement].

Two cases of carcinoma developed in vesical diverticulum were encountered. Both these males, the first, 66-year-old and the second case, 68-year-old gentleman, visited our clinic with a complaint of asymptomatic gross hematuria. Total cystectomy was performed, and an ileal neobladder was constructed for total bladder replacement in both two cases. Pathological examination of the first case revealed transitional cell carcinoma, and the second case showed adenocarcinoma mixed with transitional cell carcinoma. Although primary carcinoma developed in vesical diverticulum was initially reported by Williams in 1883, adenocarcinoma is very rare. The diagnosis is often challenging and the prognosis is dire. Both our cases were successfully treated with total cystectomy and an ileal neobladder was constructed for total bladder replacement. Careful management and aggressive therapy for such patients may make even cure possible.

Factors influencing morbidity in patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate.

OBJECTIVES: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has become the primary method to relieve bladder outlet obstruction for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Data from 3861 consecutive patients with BPH who underwent TURP from 1971 to 1996 at our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. METHODS: The patients were classified into two groups comprising 1930 patients who underwent TURP from 1971 to 1985 (early group) and 1931 patients who underwent TURP from 1985 to 1996 (late group). Risk factors associated with blood transfusions and perioperative complications were analyzed in these patients. RESULTS: Mortality, morbidity, and blood transfusions were noted in 5 (0.1 %), 516 (13.4%), and 507 (13.1%) patients, respectively. The blood transfusion and morbidity rates decreased over the 25-year period (P <0.001, chi-square test for trends), which was reflected in a decrease in these rates in the late group (6.1% and 9.5%, respectively) compared with those of the early group (20.2% and 17.2%, respectively). Postoperative bleeding and morbidity were closely related to prostatic gland size and operating time. The most significant differences for the risk of a blood transfusion were related to resection time, the amount of tissue resected, age, and the decade (1970s, 1980s, or 1990s) in which the surgery was performed (P <0.0005), whereas resection time was significantly correlated with morbidity (P <0.0005). As risk factors for each complication, the time of surgical resection, the decade of surgery, and the amount of tissue resected directly correlated with the incidence of extravasation and hemostatic procedures (P < or =0.003), whereas the incidence of postoperative epididymitis positively correlated with a preoperative vasectomy and a closed drainage system (P <0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: Since the 1970s, the rates of blood transfusions and morbidity have decreased for patients undergoing TURP. Advances in techniques, instrumentation, and surgical and perioperative management, including anesthesia, have made TURP a relatively safe procedure, and it remains an effective means for treating patients with BPH.

[A case of congenital penile curvature].

A case of congenital penile curvature is reported. A 21-year-old man was admitted because of penile pain curvature to the left at the erection and the difficulty of intercourse. He had no signs of Peyronie's disease and no history of penile fracture so that he was considered to have congenital penile curvature. By Nesbit's method the curvature of the penis was appropriately corrected. There were no signs of recurrence at either 1 or 5 months after the operation.

Visual laser ablation of the prostate and transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

For the past 50 years, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has been the most common treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The authors have conducted visual laser ablation of the prostate (VLAP) for BPH as a minimum invasive surgery. The results were compared with those of VLAP, VLAP+transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP), and TURP as other treatments for BPH. In the VLAP group, 50 of 52 (96.2%), 36 of 40 (90.0%) and 31 of 36 (86.1%) were categorized as having more than a Fair Response (FR) at 3, 6 and 12 months, postoperatively. In the VLAP+TUIP group, 24 of 29 (82.8%), 19 of 22 (86.4%) and 9 of 11 (81.8%) were classed as having more than a FR at 3, 6 and 1 2 months, postoperatively. Forty-one of 42 (97.6%), 1 7 of 1 7 (100.0%) and 6 of 6 (100.0%) patients reaction to TURP was more than FR in overall response at 3, 6 and 12 months, postoperatively. The need for a blood transfusion, perforation of the prostate capsule and transit incontinence persisting for more than 1 month occurred in 1 of 45 (2.2%), 1 (2.2%) and 4 (8.9%) patients in the TURP group. Bladder neck contracture was seen in 4 of 52 (7.7%) in the VLAP group. Average postoperative catheter duration was shorter in the VLAP+TUIP (5.7 ± 8.4 days) than in the VLAP group (10.3 ± 10.4 days). Although TURP remains the standard treatment for BPH, VLAP results in less morbidity compared to TURP. VLAP with TUIP appears to lessen the risk of postoperative urinary retention and provide better results in longer follow-up studies.

Infrequent involvement of mutations on neurofibromatosis type 1, H-ras, K-ras and N-ras in urothelial tumors.

The neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene is considered a tumor-suppressor gene whose product acts upstream of ras. The ras gene is an oncogene very commonly detected in human cancers and consists of three families, H-ras, K-ras and N-ras. These genes are converted to active oncogenes by point mutations in codon 12, 13, or 61. Examination was made of the mutations of these genes in 39 urothelial malignant tumors (31 bladder cancer, 6 renal pelvic tumor, and 2 ureter tumors) using polymerase chain reaction single-stranded conformation polymorphism and direct sequencing methods. Three of 39 (7.7%) cases showed mobility shifts in the ras family gene but no point mutations in NF1 and N-ras genes could be detected. Mutations were found in 1 case in H-ras at codon 13 (GGT-GTT/GGT) and K-ras at codon 12 in 2 cases (GGT-GCT/GGT, GGT-GTT/GGT). All 3 cases had progressed far beyond grade 2 and stage pT2. It follows from the above that NF1 and ras gene mutations are infrequent in the pathogenesis of urothelial tumors.

[Clinical feature and quality of life of urinary diversion patients with bladder cancer].

A clinical survey was performed on 95 cases who were treated by total cystectomy with urinary diversion at our hospital between August 1971 and March 1992. Urinary diversions were classified by ureterocutaneostomy (Group I) in 27 patients, ileal or colon conduit (Group II) in 45 and continent urinary reservoir (Group III) in 23. The patients ranged in age from 29 to 76 with an average age of 60.6 year and the male to female ratio was 68 to 27. Histopathological typing of bladder cancers showed 82 cases of transitional cell carcinoma, 8 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 4 cases of adenocarcinoma, and 1 mixed carcinoma with transitional cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. At present, patients alive of Group I, II and III were 14, 27 and 16, respectively, totally 57 (60.0%) patients were alive. Five-year actuarial survival rates of Group I, II and III were 45.2%, 54.1%, and 56.8%, respectively. A questionnaire survey was carried out to assess the quality of life (QOL) of 57 alive patients. The analysis of replied questionnaire showed that even all patients of each groups adapted to the basic life activities after urinary diversion, though a step forward quality of life with hobby, travel and job were decreased postoperatively in 3 groups. We obtained results that the patients of Group III were more satisfactory with daily (bath) and social life (job) than the patients of Group I, II and preoperatively. We have a new comprehension of importance of enough informed consent and mental support to the urinary diversion patients preoperatively, and of a new operative procedure not to impair the QOL.

[Experimental studies for immunoscintigraphy of adenocarcinoma of the prostate with 125I-labeled monoclonal antibody to gamma-seminoprotein].

We established LNCaP tumor in male nude mice after inoculation of LNCaP cells. The tumor produces the organ-specific glycoproteins in the human prostate, gamma-seminoprotein (gamma-Sm), which has been verified by immunohistochemistry and enzyme immuno assay. The LNCaP tumor is composed of 2 distinct portions, namely GEL/FLUID portion and SOLID portion. The GEL/FLUID portion contains much more gamma-Sm than the SOLID portion does. The monoclonal antibody against gamma-Sm (murine IgG1, K) was radio-labeled with iodine-125 by lactoperoxidase method followed by passage over column chromatography. Finally the conjugates with specific activity of 49.8-56.6 KBq/micrograms were obtained. Biodistribution of 125I-labeled monoclonal antibody to gamma-Sm (125I-gamma MAb) was evaluated by whole-body autoradiography (ARG) and by determination of label uptake (DLU) by the LNCaP tumor using the well type gamma counter. The ARG were obtained 1-9 days after intravenous administrations of 32-38 micrograms of 125I-gamma MAb to 12 nude mice bearing LNCaP tumor. The DLU were evaluated 3, 4 and 7 days after intravenous administrations of 18-25 micrograms of 125I-gamma MAb to 9 nude mice bearing LNCaP tumor. The DLU by organs (GEL/FLUID portion, SOLID portion, liver, kidney, spleen, lung, etc.) were expressed as F-values (%) which were calculated by the following formula: F = radioactivity per gram of tissue (dpm/g) divided by injected dose per gram of animal (dpm/g) x 100 and tissue-to-blood ratios (T/B). The specific uptake by the LNCaP tumors, especially in the GEL/FLUID portion, was observed on ARG, with optimal images of the tumor evaluated 4-7 days after administrations. The F-values and T/B of the LNCaP tumors were always higher than those of other organs. Especially T/B of GEL/FLUID portion were of 6.7 and 6.3, evaluated 4 and 7 days after administration of 125I-gamma MAb respectively. These results suggest that the radio-labeled gamma MAb is applicable for immunoscintigraphy of adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

[Prophylactic combination therapy after TUR of superficial bladder cancer].

We evaluated 63 patients with superficial bladder cancer (pTa, pTl) who were treated with instillation of bleomycin +/- bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and administration of uraciltfutraful (UFT) for prophylaxis of tumor recurrence after transurethral resection (TUR). The patients were randomly assigned to groups A and B after transurethral resection by the closed envelope method. Group A (34 cases) was designed as continuous diluted intravesical instillation of bleomycin (120 mg/2,000 ml saline solution/day repeated for 3 days), instillation BCG (40 mg/40 ml saline solution/weekly 6 times) and UFT (400 mg orally/day for 2 years maximum). Group B (29 cases) was designed as the aforementioned minus BCG instillation. Cumulative non-recurrence rates in group A and group B were 80.1% and 72.1% at the time of three years, which revealed no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.265, generalized Wilcoxon test). The high recurrent incidence of superficial bladder cancer is primarily due to the multifocal nature of the cancer or implantation of tumor cells at the time of the subsequent transurethral resection. The procedure was performed safely with no severe side effects. Our method might be useful to reduce the recurrences of superficial bladder cancer after transurethral resection of bladder (TUR).

[An experience with a continent appendix stoma].

The submucosally embedded in situ appendix guarantees an ideal continence mechanism in patients with ileocecal urinary reservoirs. To date this modification of the Mainz pouch technique was performed successfully in 10 patients between September 1990 and October 1992. Pouch capacity ranged from 350 ml to 900 ml (mean: 565 ml), frequency of intermittent self-catheterization ranged from 3 to 7 times per day (mean: 4.4-5.4 times) and complete urinary continence without difficulty of self-catheterization was obtained in eight patients. Two patients with stomal stenosis needed to indwell a catheter. The follow up periods ranged from 3 to 24 months (mean: 14.7 months). The main advantages of appendix stoma technique are shorter operation time, a short ileal segment, no risk of nipple gliding or prolapse, no need for staples, thereby decreasing significantly the risk of stone formation, and facilitating easy catheterization. This method seemed to be valuable for continent urinary reservoir assuring patients of high quality of life.

[Prognosis of incidental (stage A) prostatic cancer].

Incidentally discovered prostatic cancer can pursue a benign clinical course or it can rapidly progress. For the purpose of this study, we summarized pathological and clinical results of 107 (5.3%) stage A prostatic cancer patients in 2008 transurethral resection of the prostate for clinically diagnosed benign prostatic hyperplasia. For each patient, 3.9 slides, 13.6 tissue chips per slide and 52.5 tissue chips per patient (from 16 to 140 chips) were examined microscopically. The survival rates of patient with well, moderately and poorly differentiated groups were 62, 37 and 12% at 10 years, and those with Gleason score 2 to 4, 5 to 7 and 8 to 10 group were 63, 42 and 0% respectively. The survival rates in stage A1 (well differentiated or Gleason score 4 or less in less than 5% of the tissue removed during transurethral resection of the prostate) and stage A2 (anything other than stage A1) were 63 and 41% at 10 years, respectively. And cancer specific survival rates in stage A1 and stage A2 were 96% and 64% at 10 years, respectively. The number of cancer specific death were 1 in 30 (3.3%) in stage A1 group and 14 in 77 (18.2%) in stage A2 group. Our results indicated that tumors with low potential for aggressive behavior had a volume extent of less than 5% and a well differentiated group. Aggressive treatments should be recommended to all patients who were diagnosed stage A2 prostatic cancer.

[Kidney-conservative surgery followed by bacillus Calmette-Guerin instillation therapy for transitional cell carcinoma of solitary renal pelvis: a case report].

We report a case (62-year-old male) of transitional cell carcinoma (grade 2) of solitary right renal pelvis which was successfully treated with tumor excision followed by bacillus Calmette-Guerin instillation therapy. He had a past history of left radical nephroureterectomy for renal pelvic tumor 11 years earlier. Kidney-preserved surgery with BCG instillation therapy is expected to be an alternative for radical forms of therapy, especially in the patients with a solitary kidney.

[Clinical analysis in 2266 cases of transurethral resection of the prostate].

During the past 20 years from August 1971 to July 1991, 3215 cases of transurethral resection were performed at Kitasato University Hospital, and consisted of 2008 benign prostatic hyperplasias, 692 bladder tumors, 258 prostate cancers, 167 bladder neck contractures, 38 urethral strictures, 20 chronic prostatities and 32 various urologic diseases. On 2266 transurethral resections of the prostate including 2008 benign prostatic hyperplasias, and 258 prostate cancers analysis was conducted. Patient age ranged from 44 to 97 (mean, 70.1). Resected tissue varied from 1 to 177 (mean, 26.9) grams. The time required for resection was from 9 to 245 (mean, 73.0) minutes. The volume of irrigation fluid was from 4 to 92 (mean, 25.0) liters. The duration of catheter placement after operation was 3 to 44 (mean, 4.1) days and hospitalization, 10 to 81 (mean, 12.1) days. The number of complications and blood transfusions were 308 (13.6%) and 381 (16.8%) respectively. Resected amount of tissue, volume of irrigation fluid, duration of catheter placement and frequency of complication in the benign prostatic hyperplasia group exceeded those in prostate cancer group. The length of hospitalization and blood transfusion rates were higher in the prostate cancer group. The rate or frequency of each item increased with the operating time and amount of resected tissue. Today, 60 minutes of operating time as a limiting factor of transurethral resection is not considered a important factor. Based on the results of the 2266 TURP cases, an attempt will be made to establish safer methods of treatment.