Effects of Aerobic Growth on the Fatty Acid and Hydrocarbon Compositions of Geobacter bemidjiensis Bem.

Geobacter spp., regarded as strict anaerobes, have been reported to grow under aerobic conditions. To elucidate the role of fatty acids in aerobiosis of Geobacter spp.

Bacterial Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Their Biosynthetic Genes, Functions, and Practical Use.

The nutritional and pharmaceutical values of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) such as arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids have been well recognized. These LC-PUFAs are physiologically important compounds in bacteria and eukaryotes. Although little is known about the biosynthetic mechanisms and functions of LC-PUFAs in bacteria compared to those in higher organisms, a combination of genetic, bioinformatic, and molecular biological approaches to LC-PUFA-producing bacteria and some eukaryotes have revealed the notably diverse organization of the pfa genes encoding a polyunsaturated fatty acid synthase complex (PUFA synthase), the LC-PUFA biosynthetic processes, and tertiary structures of the domains of this enzyme.

Occurrence of trans monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in Colwellia psychrerythraea strain 34H.

Colwellia psychrerythraea strain 34H is an obligately psychrophilic bacterium that has been used as a model cold-adapted microorganism because of its psychrophilic growth profile, significant production of cold-active enzymes, and cryoprotectant extracellular polysaccharide substances. However, its fatty acid components, particularly trans unsaturated fatty acids and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), have not been fully investigated. In this study, we biochemically identified Δ9-trans hexadecenoic acid [16:1(9t)] and LC-PUFAs such as docosahexaenoic acid.

Structural Confirmation of a Unique Carotenoid Lactoside, P457, in Symbiodinium sp. Strain nbrc 104787 Isolated from a Sea Anemone and its Distribution in Dinoflagellates and Various Marine Organisms.

The molecular structure of the carotenoid lactoside P457, (3S,5R,6R,3'S,5'R,6'S)-13'-cis-5,6-epoxy-3',5'-dihydroxy-3-(β-d-galactosyl-(1→4)-β-d-glucosyl)oxy-6',7'-didehydro-5,6,7,8,5',6'-hexahydro-β,β-caroten-20-al, was confirmed by spectroscopic methods using Symbiodinium sp. strain NBRC 104787 cells isolated from a sea anemone. Among various algae, cyanobacteria, land plants, and marine invertebrates, the distribution of this unique diglycosyl carotenoid was restricted to free-living peridinin-containing dinoflagellates and marine invertebrates that harbor peridinin-containing zooxanthellae.

The depth of tumor invasion beyond the outer border of the muscularis propria as a prognostic factor for T3 rectal/rectosigmoid cancer.

Unlabelled: The distance of tumor invasion beyond the outer border of the muscularis propria (DBM) was measured whether it would be useful as a prognostic factor of the locally advanced rectal and rectosigmoid cancer was analyzed.

Patients And Methods: One hundred patients with rectal and rectosigmoid cancer invaded beyond muscularis propria who underwent surgery between 1996 and 2000 were included in this study. Patients who died due to other disease were excluded.

Polytene chromosomal maps of 11 Drosophila species: the order of genomic scaffolds inferred from genetic and physical maps.

The sequencing of the 12 genomes of members of the genus Drosophila was taken as an opportunity to reevaluate the genetic and physical maps for 11 of the species, in part to aid in the mapping of assembled scaffolds. Here, we present an overview of the importance of cytogenetic maps to Drosophila biology and to the concepts of chromosomal evolution. Physical and genetic markers were used to anchor the genome assembly scaffolds to the polytene chromosomal maps for each species.

Triangulating anastomosis using a linear cutter in a colectomy.

Background/aims: We have performed end-to-end anastomosis by the triangulating method using a linear cutter for the reconstruction in colectomy. In this report, we present our technique of triangle anastomosis and its convenience and merits.

Methodology: Patients who underwent end-to-end anastomosis with the triangulating method, or the Gambee procedure, for reconstruction after colon cancer surgery from 1998 to 2003 in our department, were analyzed retrospectively.

Evolution of genes and genomes on the Drosophila phylogeny.

Comparative analysis of multiple genomes in a phylogenetic framework dramatically improves the precision and sensitivity of evolutionary inference, producing more robust results than single-genome analyses can provide. The genomes of 12 Drosophila species, ten of which are presented here for the first time (sechellia, simulans, yakuba, erecta, ananassae, persimilis, willistoni, mojavensis, virilis and grimshawi), illustrate how rates and patterns of sequence divergence across taxa can illuminate evolutionary processes on a genomic scale. These genome sequences augment the formidable genetic tools that have made Drosophila melanogaster a pre-eminent model for animal genetics, and will further catalyse fundamental research on mechanisms of development, cell biology, genetics, disease, neurobiology, behaviour, physiology and evolution.

[Can the survival of patients with recurrent disease after curative resection of colorectal cancer be prolonged by the administration of cimetidine?].

Administration of cimetidine after curative surgery can improve prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer. In this study, we analyzed whether cimetidine can influence the survival of patients with a recurrent disease after colorectal surgery. The subjects were 29 patients with recurrent disease: 14 patients were administered with cimetidine and 15 patients were not.

Indication and efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy with oral fluoropyrimidines for dukes' B colorectal cancer.

Background: Identifing patients prone to colorectal cancer recurrence is of importance in providing appropriate adjuvant chemotherapy. In this retrospective study on Dukes' B colorectal cancer, patients at high risk of recurrence were identified by clinicopathological factors, and the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy with oral fluoropyrimidines was evaluated.

Patients And Methods: The subjects were 229 patients with Dukes' B colorectal cancer who had undergone curative surgical resection.

How many lymph nodes should be examined in Dukes' B colorectal cancer? Determination on the basis of cumulative survival rate.

Background/aims: We analyzed how many lymph nodes should be examined to establish the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis, a staging factor, based on cumulative survival rate in colorectal cancer.

Methodology: Among those who had undergone curative resection of colorectal cancer and lymphadenectomy exceeding D2, 94 patients with Dukes' B colorectal cancer (group B) and 108 patients with Dukes' C colorectal cancer (group C) were investigated, excluding obvious deaths from other diseases. Group B was divided into two groups by the number of lymph nodes examined, and the minimum number of retrieved lymph nodes yielding significant difference in survival rate was determined.

Low-dose leucovorin and 5-Fluorouracil for unresectable multiple liver metastasis from colorectal cancer.

Unlabelled: In the present study, a retrospective investigation was conducted to determine whether or not it was possible to obtain a comparable survival time, response rate (RR) and modest toxicity combining low-dose leucovorin (LV) and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) (LV/5-FU) with hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) or systemic intravenous infusion (SI) for patients with unresectable liver metastasis from colorectal cancer (CRC).

Patients And Methods: Patients were given LV at 20 mg/m2 immediately followed by 5-FU at 370 mg/m2 with a 2-hour SI or HAI daily for 5 consecutive days with courses repeated every 5 weeks. Twenty patients received HAI and 16 patients received SI.

[Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy achieved a complete response (CR) for multiple liver metastases of colorectal cancer--two case reports].

We encountered two cases of concurrent multiple liver metastases of colorectal cancer in two patients who achieved a complete response (CR) to hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy. The first case is a 64-year old man who was found to have anemia, and a diagnosis of ascending colon cancer was made. There were 6 metastatic lesions in both lobes of the liver.

[Host immunity in colorectal cancer patients treated with low-dose Leucovorin plus 5-fluorouracil].

In colorectal cancer, low-dose Leucovorin plus 5-FU therapy does not induce any severe adverse effects, and patients could receive this therapy for many cycles. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between host immunity and this regimen. Seven patients were enrolled in this study.

Prophylactic efficacy of allopurinol ice ball for leucovorin/5-fluorouracil therapy-induced stomatitis.

Background: Stomatitis in cancer chemotherapy manifests with pronounced subjective symptoms, lowers the patient's quality of life (QOL) and may necessitate the discontinuation of chemotherapy. There have been few effective therapies established to date for chemotherapy-induced stomatitis.

Patients And Methods: We used frozen allopurinol solution (allopurinol ice balls) in the prevention of stomatitis associated with leucovorin (LV)/5-fluorouracil (5-FU) therapy for colon cancer.

[Effect of cimetidine with chemotherapy on stage IV colorectal cancer].

We herein report the result of a prospective study to investigate the efficacy of cimetidine administration in conjunction with chemotherapy for stage IV colorectal cancer. Sixty-two patients treated with Leucovorin/5-fluorouracil therapy were enrolled from 1996 to 2000. Both groups were well matched for pre-treatment characteristics.

Second-line chemotherapy with low-dose CPT-11 and cisplatin for colorectal cancer resistant to 5-FU-based chemotherapy.

Purpose: With the aim of reducing the toxicities of irinotecan (CPT-11) while maintaining its antitumor effect, we treated colorectal cancer patients resistant to chemotherapy based on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with low-dose CPT-11 and cisplatin (CDDP).

Methods: CPT-11 (27 mg/m2) and CDDP (6 mg/m2) were administered on days 1, 8 and 15 every 4 weeks to 20 patients with recurrent or metastatic colorectal cancer. When toxicities were noted, administrations were delayed or the dose was reduced.