Difference in the antibacterial action of epigallocatechin gallate and theaflavin 3,3'-di-O-gallate on Bacillus coagulans.

AIMS: To study the mechanism of the antibacterial action of tea polyphenols such as catechins and theaflavins against Bacillus coagulans, and the interaction of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) or theaflavin 3,3'-di-O-gallate (TFDG) with the surface of B. coagulans cells was investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: The antibacterial activities of EGCg and TFDG against B. coagulans cells were measured by counting of the viable cells after the mixing with each polyphenol. Bactericidal effect of TFDG was shown at the concentration of greater than or equal to 62·5 mg l-1 ; however, at the same concentration, EGCg did not. According to the results of two dimensional (2D)-electrophoresis analysis, TFDG seemed to interact with cytoplasmic membrane proteins. The activity of the glucose transporters of the cells decreased 40% following the treatment with TFDG of 62·5 mg l-1 ; however, this decrease was only slight in case of EGCg. This result was in accordance with the strength of their bactericidal activities. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the direct interaction between membrane proteins and TFDG is an important factor in the antibacterial activity of polymerized catechins, affecting their functions and leading to cell death. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Tea polyphenols can effectively use the prevention of product spoilage in the food and beverage industry.

Experience of a specialist centre in the management of anastomotic sinus following leaks after low rectal or ileal pouch-anal anastomosis with diverting stoma.

AIM: The natural history and appropriate management of anastomotic sinus has not been clearly defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, management and outcomes of anastomotic sinus. METHOD: The medical records of all patients who underwent a low anterior resection (LAR) or an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) with a diverting loop ileostomy (LI) and with contrast enema performed before planned stoma closure between 2001 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The radiological features of the sinus tract, treatment and outcome of anastomotic sinus were studied. RESULTS: Twenty patients (8.2%) were found to have anastomotic sinuses out of the total of 244 patients who had undergone LAR (n = 146) or IPAA (n = 98) with LI. Of these, 13 (65%) had prior symptomatic leaks, while seven did not. Twelve patients (60%) were found to have simple sinus tracts, while eight had complex sinuses (associated with either pelvic cavities or severe strictures). Five patients with simple tracts were treated with observation alone. Fifteen patients underwent surgical interventions. Overall, with a median follow-up of 28 (6-73) months, 16 patients (80%) had resolution of their sinuses. All of 12 patients (100%) with simple sinus tracts and four of eight patients (50%) with complex sinuses underwent successful stoma reversals after 8 (3.5-24) months following the initial surgery (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients with simple tracts are significantly more likely to have complete resolution of sinuses than patients with complex sinuses. Persistent sinus associated with either a pelvic cavity or severe stricture despite surgical intervention is likely to lead to a permanent stoma.

Nutritional Supplementation during Resistance Training Improved Skeletal Muscle Mass in Community-Dwelling Frail Older Adults.

OBJECTIVE: Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass, is highly prevalent in older adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the combination of resistance training and multinutrients supplementation (including vitamin D and protein) on muscle mass and physical performance in frail older adults. METHODS: This trial was conducted in Japanese frail older adults (n=77), which underwent a standardized protocol of a 3-month physical exercise intervention. The sample population was divided into two groups, according to the adoption (S/Ex: n = 38) or not (Ex: n = 39) of the additional multinutrient supplementation. The outcome measures of interest for the present analyses were the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and several physical performance tests. RESULTS: Participants in S/Ex group had significant improvements for the outcome measures, including SMI and maximum walking time (P<0.05), compared to those in Ex group. The prevalence of sarcopenia decreased from 65.7% to 42.9% in S/Ex group, while that in Ex group remained unchanged (68.6% to 68.6%) (relative risk = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.03-2.49). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the combination of resistance training and multinutritional supplementation may be more effective at improving muscle mass and walking speed than an intervention only based on resistance training.

Analysis of a uranium solution for evaluating the total number of fissions in the JCO criticality accident in Tokai-mura.

The uranium solution in the precipitation tank in the JCO's uranium conversion facility was analyzed in order to evaluate the total number of fissions in the criticality accident. Two analytical groups at JAERI performed chemical analyses independently in order to check the validity of the results: the concentration of the fission products (95Zr, 99Mo, 103Ru, 131I, 140Ba, etc), uranium, boron and impurity elements in the solution. The analytical results obtained by the two groups were almost in agreement within the analytical error. The number of fissions per one gram of uranium in the accident was determined to be (1.5 +/- 0.1 ) x 10(14). Also, the total number of events was evaluated to be (2.5 +/- 0.1) x 10(18) fissions using the total amount of uranium (16.6 kg) fed into the precipitation tank at the accident.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a copper chaperone for copper/zinc superoxide dismutase from the rat.

Copper chaperone is an essential cytosolic factor that maintains copper homeostasis in living cells. Cytosolic metallochaperones have been recently identified in plant, yeast, rodents, and human cells. During our investigation, we found a new member of the copper chaperone family for copper/zinc superoxide dismutase, which was cloned from rats. The new copper chaperone was named rCCS (rat Copper Chaperone for Superoxide dismutase). The cDNA of rCCS was found to have a length of 1094 bp, and the protein analyzed from the cDNA was deduced to contain 274 amino acids. The amino acid sequence of rCCS consists of three domains: A metal binding domain, which has a MXCXXC motif in domain I, a homolog of the Cu/Zn SOD in domain II, and a CXC motif in domain III. The binding of rCCS to Cu/Zn SOD was analyzed by GST column binding assay, and the domain II of rCCS was found to be essential for binding to Cu/Zn SOD, which in turn activates Cu/Zn SOD.

In situ determination of proportion of cell types in wood by Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy.

Analysis of the proportion of cell types in native wood is important for understanding the environmental stresses including an increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration on the structure of wood, especially for the management of plantation forests which will reduce our reliance on natural forests. The conventional method for determining the proportion of cell types is a quantitative microscopy, which is one of the image analyzing systems using a light microscope combined with a microcomputer. However, it is a lengthy multistep procedure. We have examined the feasibility of using Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy for rapid determination of proportion of cell types (fiber, ray parenchyma, vessels, and axial parenchyma) in native wood with using wood meals of two Eucalyptus species, including samples of various ages and colors. By the application of second derivative transformation of Raman spectroscopic data and the partial least-squares regression, we have successfully obtained highly significant correlations between microscopically measured and Raman predicted values for all traits except vessels with correlation coefficients of >0.9 and 0.8, respectively, in the calibration and in the prediction. This method is valid for all traits since vessels can be calculated by the rest of three traits, and will help to solve the effect of the environmental issues on trees and the supplement of renewable raw materials.

Cloning and functional expression of a Na(+)-dependent phosphate co-transporter from human kidney: cDNA cloning and functional expression.

A cDNA clone encoding a protein 69% identical in amino acid sequence with that of the Na/P(i) co-transporter NaP(i)-1 was isolated from a human kidney cDNA library. The DNA sequence was identical with that of NPT-1 cDNA published by Chong, Kristjansson, Zoghbi and Hughe (1993) (Genomics, 18, 355-359). In the present study, we have characterized the function of the encoded protein and the tissue distribution of its mRNA. Injection of RNA transcribed from NPT-1 into Xenopus oocytes resulted in expression of Na/P(i) co-transport activity showing a high affinity for P(i) transport (Km 0.29 mM). Kinetic characterization ([P(i)], [Na+]) demonstrated that the expressed transport activity has properties similar to those displayed by oocytes injected with human kidney poly(A)+ RNA. Northern blotting demonstrated that NPT-1 mRNA is expressed in renal cortex, liver and brain but not in other tissues. Hybrid depletion with antisense oligonucleotides to NaP(i)-3 and NPT-1 completely inhibited poly(A)+ RNA-induced Na(+)-dependent P(i) uptake in oocytes. These findings indicate that two high-affinity Na/P(i) cotransporters (NaP(i)-3 and NPT-1) are present in human kidney cortex.

[The effect of kanpou medicine on the growth and aggregation of calcium oxalate crystals in vitro].

The effects of the compositional drugs of kanpou medicine on the growth and aggregation of calcium oxalate crystals were investigated in vitro. In the seeded crystal system, the inhibitory activities were calculated from the change of the number (Ia), total volume (Ig) and fractional volume (I) of crystals determined by a Coulter Multisizer. Among the tested drugs (Takusha, Akyou, Chorei, Bukuryou, Kasseki, Kinsensou, Kagosou), only Takusha and Kagosou had strong inhibitory activities on the growth and aggregation at the concentration of 5 micrograms/ml and 10 micrograms/ml (Ia greater than 80%, Ig, I greater than 90%). No significant correlation was observed between inhibitory activities and alcian blue precipitable polyanions (ABPP) of each drug. Thus some naturally existing substances composing the kanpou medicine may help prevent the stone formation in clinical use.

[Accumulating patterns of lipiodol and therapeutic effect of combination therapy with ADMOS and CDDP two-route infusion in hepatocellular carcinoma].

In 23 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, accumulating patterns of Lipiodol on CT and therapeutic effects in combination therapy with adriamycin/mitomycin C-oil suspension (ADMOS) and Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II (CDDP)two-route infusion were evaluated. Spotty-patterned tumors larger than 5 cm (8 cases) had a better response to the therapy in comparison with spotty-patterned tumors less than 5 cm (4 cases) and diffuse-type tumors (11 cases).

Biodistribution and in vivo kinetics of iodine-131 lipiodol infused via the hepatic artery of patients with hepatic cancer.

The biodistribution and in vivo kinetics of [131I]lipiodol infused into the hepatic artery were studied to estimate the potential of internal radiotherapy of hepatic cancer in five patients. It accumulated only in the vascular tumors and adjacent hepatic tissue (AHT) supplied by the infused artery, and to a lesser extent in the lung throughout 8 days imaging sequence. Iodine-131 lipiodol appeared to lead to oil embolization of the tumor and AHT followed by secondary embolization to the lungs and finally the activity was mainly excreted into urine. Four tumors had rapidly and slowly decreasing components, while the AHT activity decreased exponentially from the beginning. The effective half life in tumors was longer with the slow component (mean +/- s.d.: 5.7 +/- 1.2 days) than the AHT (3.7 +/- 0.6 days). The tumor/AHT concentration ratio in three patients at 2 hr was estimated to be 7.5-21. The activity was lower in the lungs than in the AHT in four patients. Iodine-131 lipiodol thus may be used as an intra-arterial infusion agent to treat certain vascular hepatic cancers.

Maximum electrical stimulation for urge incontinence.

Urge incontinence was controlled in 13 (62%) of 21 patients by maximum electrical stimulation which was applied to the anus or the perianal skin. The first session of maximum electrical stimulation was able to determine if this treatment would be successful. This method of patient selection for further stimulation was simple and reliable and achieved clinical success in all of 13 selected patients.

[The clinical effects of Tsumura No. 111 Seishin-rensi-in on irregular complaints of the urinary tract].

We studied the effects of Tsumura No. 111. Seisin-rensi-in on irregular complaints accompanying urological and renal diseases. Of 105 patients who visited our medical facilities, 99 served as the subject of this study. In principle, Tsumura Seisin-rensi-in was administered at a dose of 2.5 g x 3 times/day before meals for 4 or more weeks. Of 99 cases, 8 showed excellent results (8.2%), and 42 showed positive effects (41.2%). Adverse effects were observed in 7 cases, and in 4 cases drug administration was discontinued. This drug was recognized to be effective against irregular complaints accompanying chronic cystitis and acute or chronic pyelonephritis.

Xanthine calculi in the patient with the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome associated with urinary tract infection.

A Japanese boy with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome who passed xanthine calculi is reported. After pyelolithotomy for a left renal stone, made up of ammonium urate, associated with urinary tract infection, a high dose of allopurinol was given because of the persistence of pyuria. In the present case, the administration of a high dose of allopurinol, given for the prevention of ammonium urate stone formation in infected urine, induced xanthine calculi formation and we had difficulty in the management of this patient with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome associated with urinary tract infection. However, we believe it a basic necessity to cure our patient of his urinary tract infection and prevent recurrent ammonium urate stone formation because of the risk of renal deterioration.

[The clinical evaluation of hochuekkito for symptoms of malignant neoplasm patients].

Hochuekkito was administered in 2.5 g doses three times a day to 162 patients who complained of anorexia or lassitude because of genitourinary cancer. The efficacy rate was 63.0%. The rate of effectiveness on anorexia was 48.4% and that on lassitude was 36.6%. Side effects were observed in 12 patients (7.4%), but most of them were mild gastrointestinal disorders. No severe adverse effects were noted.

A risk of inaccuracy in biochemical analysis of urinary stone-forming salts.

We investigated the occasional inaccuracy in the biochemical measurement of urine by comparing the values from untreated samples to those obtained following our experimental pre-treatment regimen, which prevents precipitation and dissolves visible crystals. Discrepancies were observed between some of the paired samples, especially with regard to calcium and uric acid (urate) concentrations. Moreover, considerable differences were recognized in fresh as well as stored urine specimens. Our findings demonstrate the need to develop accurate methods of processing urine for biochemical analysis with multichannel autoanalyzers.

[Effects of hachimijiohgan and ninjintoh on fertility in males with sterility].

The effects of TSUMURA HACHIMIJIOHGAN (TJ-7) and TSUMURA NINJINTOH (TJ-32) on patients with the complaint of male sterility due to both or either oligozoospermia or asthenozoospermia were evaluated in comparison with the effects of clomiphene citrate. TJ-7 was administered in 7.5 g doses three times a day for 4 months to 23 patients with oligozoospermia and 20 patients with asthenozoospermia. Sperm count was improved in 5 of the patients (21%) with oligozoospermia and sperm motility was improved in 10 of the patients (50%) with asthenozoospermia. TJ-32 was administered in 5.1 g doses three times a day for 4 months to 26 patients with oligozoospermia and 20 of the patients with asthenozoospermia. Sperm count was improved in 8 of the patients (31%) with oligozoospermia and sperm motility was improved in 9 of the patients (45%) with asthenozoospermia. Both TJ-7 and TJ-32 were more effective in sperm count and motility than clomiphene citrate. No side effects or abnormal laboratory data including serum LH, FSH, testosterone, estradiol and prolactin were observed in any cases.

Selective effects of Lipiodolized antitumor agents.

Lipiodol Ultra-Fluid (Lipiodol) remains selectively in the tumor for an extended time when applied through arteries feeding the tumor. Although lipophilic antitumor drugs are selective when combined with Lipiodol, wide application of common hydrophilic agents is limited, as these compounds are insoluble in oil. We propose "Lipiodolization" of water-soluble agents using as an intermediate Urografin, a water-soluble contrast medium. Thirteen patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma were treated with this Lipiodol-Urografin system containing antitumor agents. Marked decrease in serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, decrease in tumor size in the hepatic imaging, and histologic studies of the resected specimen revealed this mode of therapy to be effective in 10 of 13 patients (77%) with hepatocellular carcinoma. Lipiodolization of antitumor agents is a new approach to selective cancer chemotherapy.