Inequality in dental flossing behavior among Korean adults based on household income levels.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the association between household income and dental flossing. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated the impact of household income on flossing among 9,391 adults aged 30+ with ≥20 natural teeth, utilizing data from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018). Outcome measures included flossing (yes/no), with income categorized into 4 levels: lowest, medium to low, medium to high, and highest. Logistic regression, adjusted for age, gender, brushing frequency, recent dental exams, periodontitis, smoking, and alcohol use, was employed to evaluate the influence of socioeconomic status on oral hygiene practices. Results: In the highest income group, flossing was 62.6% more prevalent than in the lowest income group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.63; 95% CI, 1.27-2.08). The strongest association between income levels and flossing was observed in individuals aged ≥70 years (aOR, 3.64; 95% CI, 1.86-7.11), with a decreasing strength of association in the 60s (aOR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.05-2.84) and 50s age groups (aOR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.07-2.68). Higher-income women demonstrated a higher frequency of flossing than their lower-income counterparts (aOR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.24-2.23). Higher-income individuals without periodontitis were more likely to floss (aOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.23-2.18), and among those with periodontitis, flossing was significantly associated only with the highest income category (aOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.10-2.44). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate a significant correlation between higher household income levels and an increased prevalence of flossing.

Effects of multigrain rice and white rice on periodontitis: an analysis using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2012-2015.

OBJECTIVES: Numerous studies have investigated the efficacy of whole grains; however, research on multigrain remains limited. Grains exhibit combined positive effects against various diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of multigrain and white rice consumption on periodontitis. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V-3 and VI, collected between 2012 and 2015, which included 12,450 patients (4,859 male and 7,591 female) aged 19-64 years. The World Health Organization's Community Periodontal Index (CPI) was utilized to assess the presence of periodontitis, with periodontitis defined as a CPI index score of ≥3. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed after adjusting for potential confounding variables. RESULTS: The group that consumed only multigrain rice was less likely to have periodontitis than the group that consumed only white rice (odds ratio [OR], 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69 to 0.93). When stratified by sex, the risk of periodontitis demonstrated a 24% decrease in female who consumed only multigrain rice (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.93). A similar result was observed in the age group of 40-64 years (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.71 to 0.99). In the diabetes stratification model, the normal group that consumed only multigrain rice exhibited a 25% decrease in the odds of periodontitis (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the prevalence of periodontitis may vary depending on the type of rice consumed.

Association between breastfeeding and periodontitis in Korean women using Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES): a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The effect of breastfeeding on periodontal disease in women remains unclear. This cross-sectional study used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to explore the association between breastfeeding and periodontitis in Korean women using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VII). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional data was analyzed from the KNHANES 2016-2018. The study population included 5,587 parous women aged ≥ 30 years. The outcome variable was the presence or absence of periodontitis. The explanatory variable, period of breastfeeding, was defined as "none", "1-11 months", and "more than 12 months". Confounder variables (socio-educational, personal healthcare practice, and systemic medical characteristics) were adjusted for in the logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Approximately 60% of the participants breastfed for ≥ 12 months. In all statistical models, the prevalence of periodontitis was approximately 60% greater in women that did not breastfeed compared to women that had breastfed for 12 months or longer. When adjusted for age, statistical significance was only present in the 50-59 years age group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.678; 95% confidence interval [CIs], 1.046-2.691). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that women that breastfed for a relatively long duration had a lower risk of periodontitis. Therefore, breastfeeding may be beneficial for women's periodontal health. These results are expected to be helpful in oral health education for pregnant women.

Easily Scalable Shell-Structured Copper Catalyst with High Activity and Durability for Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation.

Inducing strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) has been a useful way to control the structure of surface active sites. The SMSI often causes the encapsulation of metal particles with an oxide layer. Herein, an amorphous ceria shell was formed on Cu nanoparticles under a mild gas condition with high activity and durability for surface reaction. Cu-Ce solid solution promoted the transfer of surface oxygen species, which induced the ceria shell formation on Cu nanoparticles. This catalyst was used for CO2 hydrogenation, selectively producing CO with high low-temperature activity and good durability for operation at high temperature. CO2 activation and H2 spillover could occur at low temperatures, enhancing the activity. The shell prevented the sintering, assuring durability. This catalyst was applied to a bench-scale reactor without loss in performance, resulting in high CO productivity in all temperature ranges.

Comparison of the Clinical Outcomes of Patients With Positive Xpert Carba-R Tests for Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales According to Culture Positivity.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with positive Xpert Carba-R assay results for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) according to CPE culture positivity. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data for patients with positive CPE (positive Xpert Carba-R or culture) who underwent both tests from August 2018 to March 2021 in a 2700-bed tertiary referral hospital in Seoul, South Korea. We compared the clinical outcomes of patients positive for Xpert Carba-R according to whether they were positive (XPCP) or negative (XPCN) for CPE culture. RESULTS: Of 322 patients with CPE who underwent both Xpert Carba-R and culture, 313 (97%) were positive for Xpert Carba-R for CPE. Of these, 87 (28%) were XPCN, and 226 (72%) were XPCP. XPCN patients were less likely to have a history of previous antibiotic use (75.9% vs 90.3%; P = .001) and to have Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (21.8% vs 48.9%; P < .001). None of the XPCN patients developed infection from colonization within 6 months, whereas 13.4% (29/216) of the XPCP patients did (P < .001). XPCN patients had lower transmission rates than XPCP patients (3.0% [9/305] vs 6.3% [37/592]; P = .03). There was no significant difference in CPE clearance from positive culture results between XPCN and XPCP patients (40.0% [8/20] vs 26.7% [55/206]; P = .21). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that XPCN patients had lower rates of both infection and transmission than XPCP patients. The Xpert Carba-R assay is clinically useful not only for rapid identification of CPE but also for predicting risks of infection and transmission when performed along with culture.

PIBF1 suppresses the ATR/CHK1 signaling pathway and promotes proliferation and motility of triple-negative breast cancer cells.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the oncogenic role of PIBF1 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). TNBC is considered to have a poorer prognosis than other types of breast cancer and is associated with high risk of recurrence and distant metastasis. Currently, there are no effective therapies for the TNBC patients with distant metastasis due to the lack of targeted therapeutic options. METHODS: The effects of PIBF1 knockdown on the cell viability and motility of TNBC cell lines were investigated. Effects of PIBF1 overexpression on tumorigenicity and cell motility were confirmed using Ba/F3 cell line and xenograft study on BALB/c nude mice. RESULTS: In TNBC cell lines that highly express PIBF1, knockdown of PIBF1 induces apoptosis and suppresses cell viability and motility with activation of the ATR/CHK1 signaling pathway. Moreover, the oncogenic function of PIBF1 was confirmed using the Ba/F3 cell line. CONCLUSION: For the first time, these findings clarify the role of PIBF1 in regulating ATR/CHK1 signaling pathway and inhibiting the proliferation and migration of TNBC cell lines. These results demonstrate the oncogenic roles of PIBF1 and provide new insights into the function and the molecular mechanism of PIBF1 in malignant TNBC.

Airborne fungal spores and invasive aspergillosis in hematologic units in a tertiary hospital during construction: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is an opportunistic fungal infection that mostly occurs in immunocompromised patients, such as those having hematologic malignancy or receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Inhalation of Aspergillus spores is the main transmission route of IA in immunocompromised patients. Construction work in hospitals is a risk factor for environmental fungal contamination. We measured airborne fungal contamination and the incidence of IA among immunocompromised patients, and evaluated their correlation with different types of construction works. Methods: Our tertiary hospital in Seoul, Korea underwent facility construction from September 2017 to February 2018. We divided the entire construction period into period 1 (heavier works: demolition and excavation) and period 2 (lighter works: framing, interior designing, plumbing, and finishing). We conducted monthly air sampling for environmental spore surveillance in three hematologic wards. We evaluated the incidence of IA among all immunocompromised patients hospitalized in the three hematologic wards (2 adult wards and 1 pediatric ward) during this period. IA was categorized into proven, probable, and possible aspergillosis based on the revised European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycosis Study Group (EORTC/MSG) criteria. Results: A total of 15 patients was diagnosed with proven (1 case), probable (8 cases), or possible (6 cases) hospital-acquired IA during period 1. In period 2, 14 patients were diagnosed with either proven (1 case), probable (10 cases), or possible (3 cases) hospital-acquired IA. Total mold and Aspergillus spp. spore levels in the air tended to be higher in period 1 (p = 0.06 and 0.48, respectively). The incidence rate of all IA by the EORTC/MSG criteria was significantly higher in period 1 than in period 2 (1.891 vs. 0.930 per 1000 person-days, p = 0.05). Conclusions: Airborne fungal spore levels tended to be higher during the period with heavier construction works involving demolition and excavation, during which the incidence of IA was significantly higher as well. We recommend monitoring airborne fungal spore levels during construction periods in hospitals with immunocompromised patients. Subsequently, the effect of airborne fungal spore level monitoring in reducing hospital-acquired IA should be evaluated.

Radiation-Induced Phosphorylation of Serine 360 of SMC1 in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells.

In the event of a mass casualty radiation scenario, biodosimetry has the potential to quantify individual exposures for triaging and providing dose-appropriate medical intervention. Structural maintenance of chromosomes 1 (SMC1) is phosphorylated in response to ionizing radiation. The goal of this study was to develop a new biodosimetry method using SMC1 phosphorylation as a measure of exposure to radiation. In the initial experiments, two normal human cell lines (WI-38VA-13 and HaCaT) and four lymphoblastoid cell lines were irradiated, and the levels of SMC1 phosphorylation at Ser-360 and Ser-957 were assessed using Western blotting. Subsequently, similar experiments were performed using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from 20 healthy adults. Phosphorylation of SMC1 at Ser-957 and Ser-360 was increased by exposure in a dose-dependent manner, peaked at 1-3 h postirradiation and then decreased gradually. Ser-360 was identified as a new phosphorylation site and was more sensitive to radiation than Ser-957, especially at doses below 1 Gy. Our results demonstrate a robust ex vivo response of phospho-SMC1-(Ser-360) to ionizing radiation in human PBMCs. Detection of phosphorylation at Ser-360 in SMC1 could be used as a marker of radiation exposure. Our findings suggest that it is feasible to measure blood cell-based changes in the phosphorylation level of a protein as an ex vivo radiation exposure detection method, even after low-dose exposure.

Selumetinib Inhibits Melanoma Metastasis to Mouse Liver via Suppression of EMT-targeted Genes.

AIM: We investigated the therapeutic effects of a mitogen-activated protein (MEK) inhibitor, selumetinib, in a hepatic melanoma metastasis model and studied its possible mechanism of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Melanoma cell lines were exposed to selumetinib under different experimental conditions. We established a mouse model of liver metastasis and treated mice orally with vehicle or selumetinib and then evaluated metastasis progress. RESULTS: Growth inhibition was observed in melanoma cells as a consequence of G1-phase cell-cycle arrest and the subsequent induction of apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Mice with established liver metastases that were treated with selumetinib exhibited significantly less tumor progression than vehicle-treated mice. c-Myc expression in metastasized liver tissues were suppressed by selumetinib. Moreover, oral treatment with selumetinib modulated expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition- and metastasis-related genes, including integrin alpha-5 (ITGA5), jagged 1 (JAG1), zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1), NOTCH, and serpin peptidase inhibitor clade E (SERPINE1). CONCLUSION: We established a mouse model of hepatic metastasis using a human melanoma cell line, such models are essential in elucidating the therapeutic effects of anti-metastatic drugs. Our data suggest the possibility that selumetinib presents a new strategy to treat liver metastasis in patients with melanoma by suppressing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-related genes.

Ginkgolic Acid C 17:1, Derived from Ginkgo biloba Leaves, Suppresses Constitutive and Inducible STAT3 Activation through Induction of PTEN and SHP-1 Tyrosine Phosphatase.

Ginkgolic acid C 17:1 (GAC 17:1) extracted from Ginkgo biloba leaves, has been previously reported to exhibit diverse antitumor effect(s) through modulation of several molecular targets in tumor cells, however the detailed mechanism(s) of its actions still remains to be elucidated. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is an oncogenic transcription factor that regulates various critical functions involved in progression of diverse hematological malignancies, including multiple myeloma, therefore attenuating STAT3 activation may have a potential in cancer therapy. We determined the anti-tumor mechanism of GAC 17:1 with respect to its effect on STAT3 signaling pathway in multiple myeloma cell lines. We found that GAC 17:1 can inhibit constitutive activation of STAT3 through the abrogation of upstream JAK2, Src but not of JAK1 kinases in U266 cells and also found that GAC can suppress IL-6-induced STAT3 phosphorylation in MM.1S cells. Treatment of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitor blocked suppression of STAT3 phosphorylation by GAC 17:1, thereby indicating a critical role for a PTP. We also demonstrate that GAC 17:1 can induce the substantial expression of PTEN and SHP-1 at both protein and mRNA level. Further, deletion of PTEN and SHP-1 genes by siRNA can repress the induction of PTEN and SHP-1, as well as abolished the inhibitory effect of drug on STAT3 phosphorylation. GAC 17:1 down-regulated the expression of STAT3 regulated gene products and induced apoptosis of tumor cells. Overall, GAC 17:1 was found to abrogate STAT3 signaling pathway and thus exert its anticancer effects against multiple myeloma cells.

Paradoxical induction of growth arrest and apoptosis by EGF via the up-regulation of PTEN by activating Redox factor-1/Egr-1 in human lung cancer cells.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling promotes cell proliferation and survival in several types of cancer. Here, however, we showed that EGF inhibits proliferation and promotes programmed cell death in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. In A549 cells, EGF increased redox factor-1 (Ref-1) expression and the association of Ref-1 with zinc finger-containing transcriptional regulator (EGR1) via activation of p22phox, RAC1, and an NADPH oxidase subunit. EGF increased p22phox and RAC1 expression through activation of purinergic receptors (P2Y). Elevated Ref-1/EGR1 levels increased phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) levels, leading to inhibition of the Akt pathway. EGF-induced PTEN upregulation increased apoptosis and autophagy-induced damage in A549 cells, whereas Ref-1 knockdown blocked EGF-induced PTEN upregulation in an NADPH oxidase p22phox subunit-independent manner. In addition, p22phox knockdown restored EGF-induced effects, implying that changes in P2Y activity caused by EGF, which activates NADPH oxidase via RAC1, influenced Ref-1-mediated redox regulation. Finally, EGF similarly attenuated cell proliferation and promoted autophagy and apoptosis in vivo in a xenograft model using A549 cells. These findings reveal that EGF-induced redox signaling is linked to Ref-1-induced death in NSCLC cells.

Protective effect of α-lipoic acid against radiation-induced fibrosis in mice.

Radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF) is one of the most common late complications of radiation therapy. We found that α-lipoic acid (α-LA) effectively prevents RIF. In RIF a mouse model, leg contracture assay was used to test the in vivo efficacy of α-LA. α-LA suppressed the expression of pro-fibrotic genes after irradiation, both in vivo and in vitro, and inhibited the up-regulation of TGF-ß1-mediated p300/CBP activity. Thus, α-LA prevents radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF) by inhibiting the transcriptional activity of NF-κB through inhibition of histone acetyltransferase activity. α-LA is a new therapeutic methods that can be used in the prevention-treatment of RIF.

Foam dressing with epidermal growth factor for severe radiation dermatitis in head and neck cancer patients.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of foam dressing with human recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) on the healing process in head and neck cancer patients who experience radiation-induced dermatitis (RID). Seven patients, including three with oropharyngeal, two with nasopharyngeal and one each with hypopharyngeal and laryngeal carcinoma, who underwent radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer at the Asan Medical Center from March to December 2008 were prospectively included in this study. Patients who showed severe RID (more than wet desquamation) on the supraclavicular fossa or neck areas were treated by wound cleaning and debridement of granulation tissue, followed by daily rhEGF spray and foam dressing. Median time to stop exudates and reepithelialisation was 4 days. Within 14 days (median 8 days), all patients showed complete healing of RID and no longer required dressings. This new method of treatment with dressing containing rhEGF may have the potential to accelerate the healing process in patients with RID. A case-control study is needed to confirm this finding.

A Novel Small-Molecule Inhibitor Targeting CREB-CBP Complex Possesses Anti-Cancer Effects along with Cell Cycle Regulation, Autophagy Suppression and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

Lung adenocarcinoma, the most common subtype of lung cancer, is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Despite attempts for the treatment of lung cancer which have been accumulating, promising new therapies are still needed. Here, we found that cyclic-AMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-CREB binding protein (CBP) transcription factors complex inhibitor, Naphthol AS-TR phosphate (NASTRp), is a potential therapeutic agent for lung cancer. We show that NASTRp inhibited oncogenic cell properties through cell cycle arrest with concomitant suppression of tumor-promoting autophagy with down-regulations of Atg5-12 and Atg7, and accumulation of p62 in human lung cancer cell lines. In addition, NASTRp induced expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers such as DDIT3/CHOP, and led to apoptosis along with Bim induction. These findings suggest that transcription factor/co-activator complex, CREB-CBP, can be a potential therapeutic target and its inhibition could be a novel therapeutic strategy for lung cancer.

SKI2162, an inhibitor of the TGF-ß type I receptor (ALK5), inhibits radiation-induced fibrosis in mice.

Here we demonstrated that SKI2162, a small-molecule inhibitor of the TGF-ß type I receptor (ALK5), prevented radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF) in mice. SKI2162 inhibited phosphorylation of Smad and induction of RIF-related genes in vitro. In RIF a mouse model, SKI2162 reduced late skin reactions and leg-contracture without jeopardizing the acute skin reaction. Irradiation of mouse tissue increased COL1A2 mRNA levels, and topical administration of SKI2162 significantly inhibited this effect. Thus, these findings support that SKI2162 has potential value as novel RIF-protective agent, and could be candidate for clinical trials.

A comparison of the BISAP score and serum procalcitonin for predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The bedside index of severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) is a new, convenient, prognostic multifactorial scoring system. As more data are needed before clinical application, we compared BISAP, the serum procalcitonin (PCT), and other multifactorial scoring systems simultaneously. METHODS: Fifty consecutive acute pancreatitis patients were enrolled prospectively. Blood samples were obtained at admission and after 48 hours and imaging studies were performed within 48 hours of admission. The BISAP score was compared with the serum PCT, Ranson's score, and the acute physiology and chronic health examination (APACHE)-II, Glasgow, and Balthazar computed tomography severity index (BCTSI) scores. Acute pancreatitis was graded using the Atlanta criteria. The predictive accuracy of the scoring systems was measured using the area under the receiver-operating curve (AUC). RESULTS: The accuracy of BISAP (≥ 2) at predicting severe acute pancreatitis was 84% and was superior to the serum PCT (≥ 3.29 ng/mL, 76%) which was similar to the APACHE-II score. The best cutoff value of BISAP was 2 (AUC, 0.873; 95% confidence interval, 0.770 to 0.976; p < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, BISAP had greater statistical significance than serum PCT. CONCLUSIONS: BISAP is more accurate for predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis than the serum PCT, APACHE-II, Glasgow, and BCTSI scores.

TGF-ß1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and acetylation of Smad2 and Smad3 are negatively regulated by EGCG in human A549 lung cancer cells.

Transforming growth factor-ß1, the key ligand of Smad-dependent signaling pathway, is critical for epithelial-mesenchymal transition during embryo-morphogenesis, fibrotic diseases, and tumor metastasis. In this study, we found that activation of p300/CBP, a histone acetyltransferase, by TGF-ß1 mediates Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via acetylating Smad2 and Smad3 in TGF-ß1 signaling pathway. We demonstrated that treatment with EGCG inhibited p300/CBP activity in human lung cancer cells. Also, we observed that EGCG potently inhibited TGF-ß1-induced EMT and reversed the up-regulation of various genes during EMT. Our findings suggest that EGCG inhibits the induction of p300/CBP activity by TGF-ß1. Therefore, EGCG inhibits TGF-ß1-mediated EMT by suppressing the acetylation of Smad2 and Smad3 in human lung cancer cells.

Subjectivity on Childbearing in High School Students.

PURPOSE: This study was to explore subjectivity on childbearing in high school students. METHODS: A Q-methodology which provides a method of analyzing the subjectivity of each type was used. Forty-three high school students classified 40 selected Q-statements into 9 points standard. The obtained data were analyzed by using the pc-QUANL program. RESULTS: High school students' subjectivity on childbearing were analyzed into two types: Type 1 turned out to be 'FOLS (family oriented life style)' and Type 2 'CINK (couple important no kid)'. CONCLUSION: In order to resolve such problems as low birth rate and the advanced age of the population, effective youth and adult programs, policy and institution are required. The current demographic, economic and other factors such as personal values and policies may lower birth rate. In particular, youths' need for children and birth rate tend to be lower. There are positive and negative patterns in high school students' subjectivity on childbearing. Thus, national and social efforts are needed to change negative factors into positive ones. In order to maintain positive subjectivity on childbearing in high school students, it is necessary to apply family-centered educational programs and to implement birth-friendly and realistic programs for promoting child birth.

Antimicrobial resistance profiles among Escherichia coli strains isolated from commercial and cooked foods.

A total of 4330 food samples of which microbiological standard for Escherichia coli is negative in Korea were determined for the frequency of E. coli. Ninety six samples (2.2%) were positive for E. coli. Detection rate of E. coli varied significantly by food type and ranged from 0.3% to 10.9%. Seasoned raw meat (yukhoe) and cold bean-soup had the highest prevalence for E. coli (10.9%) followed by gimbap (5.2%), meat broth for cold noodle (2.9%) and sprout (2.1%). E. coli isolates (n=96) were investigated for their phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance patterns. Seventeen E. coli isolates (17.7%) were resistant to one or more antimicrobial agents tested. High rates of resistance to the following drugs were observed: tetracycline (15.6%), streptomycin (12.5%), ampicillin (10.4%), nalidixic acid (9.4%) and ticarcillin (9.4%). All ampicillin resistant isolates were screened for extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) production by the combination disk test. None of the E. coli isolates produced ESBLs. Seventeen out of 96 E. coli isolates which were resistant to at least one antibiotic were investigated by PCR for the presence of 3 classes of antimicrobial resistance genes (tetracycline, aminoglycosides and beta-lactams). The tetracycline resistance genes tetA and tetB were found in 7 and 5 isolates, respectively. The aminoglycoside resistance genes, strA/B, aphA1, aadA and aac(3)-IV were found in 9, 5, 2 and 2 isolates, respectively. The beta-lactam resistance gene, bla(TEM) was found in 7 isolates. Results of this study show that 13 E. coli isolates were multidrug resistant (to three or more antibiotics) and 12 isolates carried at least one antimicrobial resistance gene. These isolates can act as the reservoir for antimicrobial resistance genes and facilitate the dissemination of these genes to other pathogenic and commensal bacteria. Adequate intervention to reduce microbial contamination of these foods is strongly recommended.

A case of synchronous esophagus and stomach cancer successfully treated by combined chemotherapy.

Although cases of simultaneous esophagus and stomach cancer have been reported sporadically, there are rare reports of successful treatment using chemotherapy. We report a case of synchronous esophageal and gastric cancer successfully treated using docetaxel and cis-diammineedichloro-platinum (CDDP) combination chemotherapy instead of surgery. A 82-years-old man with anorexia and progressive weight loss was diagnosed with synchronous esophageal and gastric cancer by endoscopy. Both cancers were diagnosed as resectable by the preoperative clinical staging. However, surgery was contraindicated because of severe lung dysfunction. Moreover, he actively refused radiotherapy and endoscopic management. Therefore, the patient was given combined chemotherapy with docetaxel (65 mg/m²) and CDDP (60 mg/m²). The esophageal and gastric lesion completely disappeared on endoscopy, and there were no residual tumor cells on endoscopic biopsy after three cycles of chemotherapy. Metastatic lymph nodes also completely disappeared on the CT scan. The patient received a total of ten cycles of chemotherapy, without severe adverse effects. The patient remained asymptomatic for 18 months after discontinuation of the chemotherapy, without evidence of local recurrence or distant metastasis. Surgery or endoscopic treatment of both esophageal and gastric cancers is desirable, but, if medically inoperable, chemotherapy can be alternative treatment option.