Closure of the Entire Fistula With Highly Effective Chemocauterization Using the Distal Hood Endoscope: A Novel Procedure for the Treatment of Pyriform Sinus Fistula.

Background: Pyriform sinus fistula (PSF) causes a recurrent abscess in the neck. Endoscopic chemocauterization with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) for PSF is a simple, reproducible, and reliable procedure for treating PSF; however, there is concern about complications caused by TCA overflowing into the larynx. To prevent these complications, we devised a highly effective chemocauterization using a distal hooded endoscope (HuDHE).

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection intractable by antibiotics: A rare case report.

Introduction: Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection is usually cured spontaneously or with administration of antibiotics.

Presentation Of Case: The patient is a twelve-year-old boy with right lower quadrant pain who had enterocolitis one month previously. Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography showed a distended and edematous ileum and an intra-abdominal abscess adjacent to the mesentery with a normal appendix.

Mining-caused changes to habitat structure affect amphibian and reptile population ecology more than metal pollution.

Emissions from smelting not only contaminate water and soil with metals, but also induce extensive forest dieback and changes in resource availability and microclimate. The relative effects of such co-occurring stressors are often unknown, but this information is imperative in developing targeted restoration strategies. We assessed the role and relative effects of structural alterations of terrestrial habitat and metal pollution caused by century-long smelting operations on amphibian and reptile communities by collecting environmental and time- and area-standardized multivariate abundance data along three spatially replicated impact gradients.

Minimally Conjoined Omphalopagus Twins with a Body Stalk Anomaly.

Introduction This report will discuss a case of minimally conjoined omphalopagus twins (MCOTs) with a body stalk anomaly (BSA). Case Report We experienced monochorionic diamniotic (MD) twins born at 31 weeks. One infant was suspicious of BSA before birth, and another infant was normal.

Transformation assay in Bhas 42 cells: a model using initiated cells to study mechanisms of carcinogenesis and predict carcinogenic potential of chemicals.

Transformation assays using cultured cells have been applied to the study of carcinogenesis. Although various cell systems exist, few cell types such as BALB/c 3T3 subclones and Syrian hamster embryo cells have been used to study chemically induced two-stage carcinogenesis. Bhas 42 cells were established as a clone by the transfection with the v-Ha-ras gene into mouse BALB/c 3T3 A31-1-1 cells and their subsequent selection based on their sensitivity to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate.

Genotoxic potential and in vitro tumour-promoting potential of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone and 2-tetradecylcyclobutanone, two radiolytic products of fatty acids.

The DNA-damaging and tumour-promoting effects of two 2-alkylcyclobutanones (2-ACBs), which are found in irradiated fat-containing foods, were investigated by use of the comet assay and in an azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon-carcinogenesis study in rats, respectively. We conducted genotoxicity tests of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone (2-dDCB) and 2-tetradecylcyclobutanone (2-tDCB) according to the test guidelines for chemicals or drugs. In addition, a cell-transformation assay with Bhas 42 cells was performed to investigate their promoting potential in vitro.

Needle tract implantation of hepatoblastoma after percutaneous needle biopsy: report of a case.

A 13-year-old boy was referred to us for investigation of a giant liver mass, approximately 16 cm in diameter. Sonographically guided percutaneous needle biopsy was performed and histological examination revealed a fetal-type hepatoblastoma. After four courses of chemotherapy, we performed a left hepatic trisegmentectomy.

Photo catalogue for the classification of foci in the BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation assay.

This catalogue is a display of focus photos representative of the BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation assay (CTA). It is intended as a visual aid for the identification and the scoring of foci in the conduct of the assay. A proper training from experienced personnel together with the protocol reported in this issue and the present photo catalogue will support method transfer and consistency in the assay results.

Recommended protocol for the BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation assay.

The present protocol has been developed for the BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation assay (CTA), following the prevalidation study coordinated by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) and reported in this issue (Tanaka et al. [16]). Based upon the experience gained from this effort and as suggested by the Validation Management Team (VMT), some acceptance and assessment criteria have been refined compared to those used during the prevalidation study.

Prevalidation study of the BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation assay for assessment of carcinogenic potential of chemicals.

The cell transformation assays (CTAs) have attracted attention within the field of alternative methods due to their potential to reduce the number of animal experiments in the field of carcinogenicity. The CTA using BALB/c 3T3 cells has proved to be able to respond to chemical carcinogens by inducing morphologically transformed foci. Although a considerable amount of data on the performance of the assay has been collected, a formal evaluation focusing particularly on reproducibility, and a standardised protocol were considered important.

Cell transformation assays for prediction of carcinogenic potential: state of the science and future research needs.

Cell transformation assays (CTAs) have long been proposed as in vitro methods for the identification of potential chemical carcinogens. Despite showing good correlation with rodent bioassay data, concerns over the subjective nature of using morphological criteria for identifying transformed cells and a lack of understanding of the mechanistic basis of the assays has limited their acceptance for regulatory purposes. However, recent drivers to find alternative carcinogenicity assessment methodologies, such as the Seventh Amendment to the EU Cosmetics Directive, have fuelled renewed interest in CTAs.

An international validation study of a Bhas 42 cell transformation assay for the prediction of chemical carcinogenicity.

The Bhas 42 cell transformation assay is a sensitive short-term system for predicting chemical carcinogenicity. Bhas 42 cells were established from BALB/c 3T3 cells by the transfection of v-Ha-ras gene and postulated to have acquired an initiated state in the two-stage carcinogenesis theory. The Bhas 42 cell transformation assay is capable of detecting both tumor-initiating and tumor-promoting activities of chemical carcinogens.

A Bhas 42 cell transformation assay on 98 chemicals: the characteristics and performance for the prediction of chemical carcinogenicity.

The Bhas 42 cell transformation assay is a short-term system using a clone of the BALB/c 3T3 cells transfected with an oncogenic murine ras gene (v-Ha-ras). The assay has previously been reported to be capable of detecting the tumor-initiating and tumor-promoting activities of chemical carcinogens according to the different protocols, an initiation assay and a promotion assay, respectively. We applied this short-term assay to 98 chemicals to characterize the assay and evaluate its performance for the detection of chemical carcinogenicity.

Comparison of sensitivity to arsenic compounds between a Bhas 42 cell transformation assay and a BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation assay.

A short-term cell transformation assay has recently been developed, using Bhas 42 cells which were established from BALB/c 3T3 cells transfected by v-Ha-ras gene and postulated to be initiated in the two-stage carcinogenesis theory. The Bhas 42 cell transformation assay has been reported to be capable of detecting initiating and promoting activities of chemical carcinogens, according to the different protocols, initiation assay and promotion assay, respectively. The assay is superior to classical transformation assays in cost and labor performance.

Technical modification of the Balb/c 3T3 cell transformation assay: the use of serum-reduced medium to optimise the practicability of the protocol.

The two-stage Balb/c 3T3 model of cell transformation can mimic the two-stage carcinogenicity bioassay, and has been recognised as a screening method for detecting potential tumour initiators and promoters. A technical modification to the original protocol (which involved the use of M10F medium, consisting of MEM plus 10% fetal bovine serum [FBS]) has been previously proposed, in order to increase its efficacy, namely: the introduction of enriched, serum-reduced medium (DF2F medium, comprising DMEM/F12 plus 2% FBS and other supplements). The aim of this study was to further modify the protocol, so as to attain higher practicability for the assay.

Rapid evolution in the wild: changes in body size, life-history traits, and behavior in hunted populations of the Japanese mamushi snake.

Rapid evolution caused by human exploitation of wildlife is not usually addressed in studies of the impacts of such exploitation despite its direct relevance to population persistence. Japanese mamushi (Gloydius blomhoffii), an endemic venomous snake of the Japanese archipelago, has been heavily hunted by humans, and many populations appear to be declining or are already extirpated. We compared local populations that have been hunted regularly with populations that have not been hunted.

An inter-laboratory collaborative study by the Non-Genotoxic Carcinogen Study Group in Japan, on a cell transformation assay for tumour promoters using Bhas 42 cells.

The Bhas promotion assay is a cell culture transformation assay designed as a sensitive and economical method for detecting the tumour-promoting activities of chemicals. In order to validate the transferability and applicability of this assay, an inter-laboratory collaborative study was conducted with the participation of 14 laboratories. After confirmation that these laboratories could obtain positive results with two tumour promoters, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and lithocholic acid (LCA), 12 coded chemicals were assayed.

Detection of initiating as well as promoting activity of chemicals by a novel cell transformation assay using v-Ha-ras-transfected BALB/c 3T3 cells (Bhas 42 cells).

Cell transformation assay using BALB/c 3T3 cells, C3H10T1/2 cells and others, can simulate the two-stage carcinogenesis utilized for formation of transformed foci. A sensitive cell transformation assay for tumor initiators as well as promoters has been developed using a v-Ha-ras-transfected BALB/c 3T3 cell line, Bhas 42; these cells are regarded as initiated in the two-stage paradigm of carcinogenesis. To distinguish between initiation and promotion, the initiation assay involves a 2-day treatment of low-density cells, obtained one day after plating, with a test chemical, and the promotion assay involves treatment of near-confluent cells with a test chemical for a period of 12 days (Day 3-14).

Nucleotide sequence and expression of three subtypes of proopiomelanocortin mRNA in barfin flounder.

Melanophore-stimulating hormone (MSH) has been shown to be associated with food intake in addition to body color change in teleosts. MSH is encoded by a proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene together with endorphin (END). To assess the significance of MSH to biological activities, we determined the structure and evaluated the expression of POMC mRNA in barfin flounder (bf), Verasper moseri, a member of a group of teleosts, Pleuronectiformes.

In vitro cytocompatibility assessment of beta-tricalcium phosphate/carboxymethyl-chitin composite.

A novel bioabsorbable bone substitute composed of a beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) and a carboxymethyl-chitin (CM-chitin) sodium has been developed. Rabbit tibia defects (4 mm in diameter) were repaired after 4 weeks more effectively by the composite compared with a sham-operation group. To further investigate the biological safety of the components, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of an extract prepared from the composite were determined using four different in vitro assays.

An assay method for the prediction of tumor promoting potential of chemicals by the use of Bhas 42 cells.

It has become an important task to develop a simple in vitro method for the detection of non-genotoxic carcinogens, among which tumor promoters are included. Bhas 42 cells are v-Ha-ras-transfected BALB/c 3T3 cells and are regarded as initiated cells in the 2-stage transformation paradigm. We designed a method for detecting tumor promoters by the use of Bhas 42 cells at advanced passage generation.

Adopt a wait-and-see attitude for patent processus vaginalis in neonates.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe the ultrasonographic findings of the patent processus vaginalis (PPV) in neonates.

Methods: The patency of the processus vaginalis was examined by ultrasonography in 117 neonates. The ultrasonographic findings, with increment and decrement of the intraabdominal pressure, were categorized into 6 types as follows: type I, the intraabdominal organ is observed; type II, cystic PPV; type III, the PPV is widened with abdominal pressure increment, the length is > or =20 mm; type IV, the PPV contains moving fluid without PPV widening; type V, the PPV is widened with abdominal pressure increment, the length is less than 20 mm; type VI, others.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis for potential contralateral inguinal hernia in children.

Purpose: The authors describe the diagnostic approach and the reliability of the diagnosis using their ultrasonographic classification for potential contralateral inguinal hernia in children.

Methods: In children presenting with unilateral inguinal hernia, the contralateral processus vaginalis in the inguinal canal was examined preoperatively by ultrasonography with a 10-MHz transducer. The findings, with increment and decrement of the intraabdominal pressure, were categorized into 6 types as follows: type I, the intraabdominal organ is observed in the inguinal canal; type II, the patent processus vaginalis (PPV) is seen cystlike at the internal ring of the inguinal canal; type III, the PPV is widened with abdominal pressure increment (the length of the PPV is longer than 20 mm); type IV, the PPV contains moving fluid without PPV widening; type V, the PPV is widened with abdominal pressure increment (the length is shorter than 20 mm); type VI, others.

Relevance of chemical structure and cytotoxicity to the induction of chromosome aberrations based on the testing results of 98 high production volume industrial chemicals.

Over a 6-year period (1991-1996), the chromosomal aberration testing of high production volume (HPV) industrial chemicals had been conducted using Chinese hamster lung (CHL/IU) cells according to OECD HPV testing program and the national program in Japan. A total of 98 chemicals were tested for the induction of chromosome aberration (CA), consisting of structural CA and polyploidy. Of the 98 chemicals, structural CA and/or polyploidy were induced by 39 chemicals (40%).