P53 expression in esophageal dysplasia - a possible biomarker for carcinogenesis of esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma

The tumor suppressor gene product p53 has been detected in a high percentage of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. To evaluate the role of this protein in carcinogenesis, we examined the p53 overexpression both in esophageal dysplasia and in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the same patients. Using anti-p53 antibodies pAb1801 and CM-1, we analyzed immunohistochemically 36 dysplastic lesions from 36 patients with esophageal cancer. Nuclear p53 was detected in 14 of 36 dysplasias (39%). From mild to moderate to severe dysplasia, p53 positivity showed tendency to increase in number. Seventeen of the 36 squamous cell carcinomas showed p53 expression (47%). There was a significant concurrent p53 expression in esophageal dysplasia and its related squamous cell carcinoma (p=0.00345). These results indicate that p53 mutation is closely associated with the initiation of this cancer.

The water exchange method for colonoscopy-effect of coaching

The growing popularity of water immersion is supported by its long history as an adjunct to air insufflation; after facilitating colonoscope passage, the infused water is conveniently removed during withdrawal. Water exchange, a modification of water immersion to minimize discomfort in scheduled unsedated patients in the U.S. is new. Even though it may be superior in reducing pain and increasing adenoma detection, the paradigm shift to complete exclusion of air during insertion necessitates removal of infused water containing residual feces, a step often perceived as laborious and time-consuming. The nuances are the efficient steps to remove infused water predominantly during insertion to maintain minimal distension and deliver salvage cleansing. Mastery of the novel maneuvers with practice returns insertion time towards baseline. In this observational study the impact of direct verbal coaching on the primary outcome of intention-to-treat cecal intubation was assessed. The results showed that 14 of 19 (74%) experienced colonoscopists achieved 100% intention-to-treat cecal intubation. Initiation of the examination with water exchange did not preclude completion when conversion to the more familiar air insufflation method was deemed necessary to achieve cecal intubation (total 98%). The overall intention-to-treat cecal intubation rate was 88%, 90% in male and 87% in female. Only 2.7% of bowel preparation was rated as poor during withdrawal. The mean volume of water infused and cecal intubation time was 1558 ml and 18 min, respectively. Direct coaching appears to facilitate understanding of the nuances of the water exchange method. Studies of individual learning curves are necessary.

Incremental sanitation improvement strategy: comparison of options for Hanoi, Vietnam

Urban sanitation issues should be tackled strategically, and may be addressed effectively when sewage development is pursued in conjunction with complementary sanitation measures. Five sanitation improvement scenarios employing sewage, night-soil collection-and-treatment (NSCT) system, and/or septic-tank improvement by annual dislodging were analyzed from the perspective of COD loads, total nitrogen loads, and cost under the conditions found in Hanoi, Vietnam. Compared to the development of sewage alone, the scenario of developing NSCT systems in a complementary manner with sewage development was estimated to be the most effective for a rapid decrease of both COD and total nitrogen loads. However, it may be difficult in some cases to replace ordinary water-flush toilet by the micro-flush toilet that are used in NSCT systems. In this case, the scenario employing septic-tank improvement in conjunction with sewage development may be effective for a rapid decrease of COD in locations where septic tanks are widely used under poor maintenance conditions and nitrogen pollution is not serious compared to COD. It was calculated that the two scenarios above would respectively require cost increases of 16 and 22% over the sewage development scenario.

Comparison of 40 and 60 milliliters of contrast in assessment of the carotid artery by computed tomography angiography

BACKGROUND

Although fast acquisition of multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) can make it possible to acquire sufficient early vascular enhancement using small volumes and high concentrations of contrast material (CM), there are still some problems with nephrotoxicity and costs related to CM.

PURPOSE

To compare the qualitative and quantitative performance in cervicocranial CT angiography (CTA) using two different iodine volumes and concentrations of CM.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

CTA ranging from the aortic arch (AA) to distal to the circle of Willis (cW) was performed on a 32-MDCT system. Fifty-eight patients were randomly divided into two groups: group A (29 patients) received 60 ml of 300 mg I/ml CM, and group B (the other 29 patients) received 40 ml of 370 mg I/ml CM. Time to peak arterial enhancement at cW (T(c)) was calculated. As scan speed was 96.9 mm/s and injection rate was 4.0 ml/s, scanning delay was individually decided according to T(c) and scan duration between AA and cW. Arterial attenuation along the z-axis at eight points in the carotid-cerebral artery and venous attenuation of the internal jugular vein (IJV) at carotid bifurcation were measured. Mean attenuation values were then quantitatively analyzed. Postprocessing images were qualitatively assessed.

RESULTS

Arterial attenuation profiles revealed maximum attenuation at the distal common carotid artery in both groups. Although there were no significant differences in mean arterial attenuation in group A versus group B (402+/-70 HU vs. 407+/-67 HU; P=0.78), venous attenuation of the IJV was lower in group B than in group A (114+/-57 HU vs. 224+/-81 HU; P<0.001). Although arterial images demonstrated no difference qualitatively between the two groups, the venous contamination of IVC was less prominent in group B.

CONCLUSION

Although a different amount of CM was administered in both groups, quantitative and qualitative arterial images did not show significant differences between the two groups.

Proposal for a new clinical entity, IgG4-positive multiorgan lymphoproliferative syndrome: analysis of 64 cases of IgG4-related disorders

BACKGROUND

Mikulicz's disease (MD) has been considered as one manifestation of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Recently, it has also been considered as an IgG(4)-related disorder.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the differences between IgG(4)-related disorders including MD and SS.

METHODS

A study was undertaken to investigate patients with MD and IgG(4)-related disorders registered in Japan and to set up provisional criteria for the new clinical entity IgG(4)-positive multiorgan lymphoproliferative syndrome (IgG(4)+MOLPS). The preliminary diagnostic criteria include raised serum levels of IgG(4) (>135 mg/dl) and infiltration of IgG(4)(+) plasma cells in the tissue (IgG(4)+/IgG+ plasma cells >50%) with fibrosis or sclerosis. The clinical features, laboratory data and pathologies of 64 patients with IgG(4)+MOLPS and 31 patients with typical SS were compared.

RESULTS

The incidence of xerostomia, xerophthalmia and arthralgia, rheumatoid factor and antinuclear, antiSS-A/Ro and antiSS-B/La antibodies was significantly lower in patients with IgG(4)+MOLPS than in those with typical SS. Allergic rhinitis and autoimmune pancreatitis were significantly more frequent and total IgG, IgG(2), IgG(4) and IgE levels were significantly increased in IgG(4)+MOLPS. Histological specimens from patients with IgG(4)+MOLPS revealed marked IgG(4)+ plasma cell infiltration. Many patients with IgG(4)+MOLPS had lymphocytic follicle formation, but lymphoepithelial lesions were rare. Few IgG(4)+ cells were seen in the tissue of patients with typical SS. Thirty-eight patients with IgG(4)+MOLPS treated with glucocorticoids showed marked clinical improvement.

CONCLUSION

Despite similarities in the involved organs, there are considerable clinical and pathological differences between IgG(4)+MOLPS and SS. Based on the clinical features and good response to glucocorticoids, we propose a new clinical entity: IgG(4)+MOLPS.

Removal of hydrophobic micro-organic pollutants from municipal wastewater treatment plant effluents by sorption onto synthetic polymeric adsorbents: upflow column experiments

Continuous upflow bench-scale column experiments were carried out to investigate the use of a synthetic form polymer, polypropylene, and polypropylene coated with a thin layer of n-hexane as sorbents for hydrophobic organic compounds present in the effluent of municipal wastewater treatment plant. Two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, namely, phenanthrene and fluorene, were selected as representative hydrophobic organic compounds for experimental purposes. The effect of flow rate, column diameter and column height on the removal efficiency of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was investigated. Removal efficiency was found to correlate well with hydraulic retention time, showing that retention time is the primary parameter in the design of the adsorption column. Dissolved organic matter did not sorb onto polypropylene or polypropylene coated n-hexane, and the presence of dissolved organic matter in the aqueous phase did not significantly affect sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. For experiments with polypropylene coated with n-hexane, an insignificant amount of n-hexane (less than 0.03 times the aqueous solubility of n-hexane in water) was lost due to dissolution in the effluent. The potential use of polypropylene coated n-hexane in upflow column experiments for the removal of hydrophobic organic compounds from the effluent of municipal wastewater treatment plants was demonstrated.

A measure for provisional-and-urgent sanitary improvement in developing countries: septic-tank performance improvement

Although many cities have planed to develop sewerages in developing countries, sewerage establishment still requires huge investment and engineering efforts. Improvement of existing sanitation facilities may contribute the betterment of urban sanitation before sewerage establishment. The purpose of this study is to propose a measure to improve urban sanitation in areas where a sewerage development plan is proposed but has not been yet established, based on a case study in Hanoi, Vietnam. We found that 90.5% of human excreta flowed into septic tanks. However, 89.6% of septic tanks have never been desludged in the past and their performance was observed to be at a low level. The study also showed that if they introduce regular desludging with a frequency of once a year, they can eliminate 72.8% of COD loads from septic tanks. It was indicated that the performance can be dramatically recovered by regular desludging, which could contribute urban sanitation improvement in Hanoi. In conclusion, the performance recovery of septic tanks by regular desludging was proposed as a provisional-and-urgent measure for urban sanitation improvement, together with the septage treatment in sewage sludge treatment facilities, which should be established earlier than other facilities of sewage treatment systems.

Rejection of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) by low pressure reverse osmosis membranes

This paper aims to elucidate retention characteristics of some pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), by two polyamide low pressure reverse osmosis (LPRO) membranes. Feed solution pH did not have an influence on rejections of undissociated solutes, which was most likely governed by adsorption, size exclusion and diffusion simultaneously. Size exclusion was presumably dominant, especially with tight membranes (UTC-70U). Rejections of the solutes with low dipole moment (<1.0 debye) decreased with increasing octanol-water partition coefficient (K(ow)). The solutes with large K(ow) values were most likely adsorbed on membrane and subsequently passed through it resulting in larger diffusion coefficient (D(p)). The rejections decreased with increasing D(p) values irrespective of their dipole moments. Rejections of solutes with comparatively larger dipole moments might be dominated by diffusion and/or convection rather than their hydrophobicity. However, rejections of solutes with hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups by UTC-60 increased with solution pH. More than 80% rejections were obtained for degree of dissociation (alpha)>0.5. Electrostatic repulsion played a key role for rejection of dissociated solutes, especially by loose LPRO membranes. Therefore, assessing the dissociation degree at desired pH values can be a key step to obtain an insight of rejection mechanisms by polyamide membranes.

Observation of phonons in multiferroic BiFeO(3) single crystals by Raman scattering

We have grown BiFeO(3) bulk single crystals by a flux method and characterized the phonon spectra in detail by Raman scattering in the temperature range 4-1100 K. All the 13 Raman-active phonon modes predicted by group theory, 4A(1)+9E, were observed at low temperature and successfully assigned by a polarized Raman measurement. Moreover, drastic spectral changes in the Raman spectra were observed at temperatures 600-700 K and 1000-1100 K. These features are discussed from the viewpoint of phonon coupling with the magnetic ordering and the structural phase transition, respectively.

Raman scattering studies on multiferroic YMnO(3)

YMnO(3) is a multiferroic material in which ferroelectric and antiferromagnetic ordering can coexist. We have studied a YMnO(3) bulk crystal in detail by Raman scattering in a wide temperature range of 15-1200 K, with comparison to a previous experiment at room temperature and a theoretical prediction for Raman-active phonon modes. In the low-temperature ferroelectric phase, the observed phonon spectra showed anomalous temperature variation at the Néel temperature, T(N)∼80 K, suggesting a coupling between the spin and phonon systems below T(N). Furthermore, spectra for the high-temperature paraelectric phase, reported here for the first time, showed a sudden change at the Curie temperature T(C)>900 K, suggesting an abrupt structural phase change from the ferroelectric to the paraelectric phase.

T-cadherin enhances cell-matrix adhesiveness by regulating beta1 integrin trafficking in cutaneous squamous carcinoma cells

T-cadherin is a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored cadherin molecule. We previously reported that T-cadherin is normally expressed on the basal keratinocytes of the epidermis and is down-regulated in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We found that expression of T-cadherin in cutaneous squamous carcinoma cells regulated level of surface beta1 integrin, which functioned as extracellular matrix (ECM) receptor. Involvement of T-cadherin in beta1 integrin trafficking was studied using three different stable cell lines with cytomegalovirus (CMV)-driven over-expression, tetracycline (Tet)-inducible expression and RNAi-mediated suppressed expression of T-cadherin. Pulse-chase analysis using a cholesterol-depleting reagent and a tyrosine kinase inhibitor showed that beta1 integrin mainly internalized via caveolae. Over-expression of T-cadherin suppressed the internalization of both beta1 integrin and cholera toxin (CTX), a marker of caveolae-mediated endocytosis. By Western blot analysis of tyrosine-kinase target molecules, we demonstrated a reduced level of EGF receptor (EGFR)-phosphorylation in T-cadherin over-expressing cells. In addition, studies using EGF and EGFR specific inhibitors revealed that EGFR activation stimulated beta1 integrin internalization. Taking these results together, T-cadherin may modulate cell-matrix adhesion in basal keratinocytes as well as invasive potency in SCC by regulating surface level of beta1 integrin.

Removal of hydrophobic micro-organic pollutants from municipal wastewater treatment plant effluents by sorption onto synthetic polymeric adsorbents: batch sorption experiments

The use of a synthetic form polymer, polypropylene, as a sorbent for hydrophobic organic compounds present in municipal wastewater treatment plant effluent was investigated. To enhance the sorption capacity of polypropylene for hydrophobic organic compounds, polypropylene was coated with a thin layer of n-hexane. Sorption of target compounds onto polypropylene and polypropylene coated with n-hexane was evaluated by carrying out equilibrium and kinetic batch experiments. Three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, namely, phenanthrene, fluorene and naphthalene, were selected as representative hydrophobic organic compounds for experimental purposes. The effect of pH, ionic strength and dissolved organic matter on sorption was investigated. The results showed that polypropylene coated with n-hexane performed better than polypropylene as a sorbent for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, in terms of sorption capacity and sorption kinetics. Ionic strength and pH did not have a significant effect on the sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Dissolved organic matter in the form of humic acid did not sorb onto polypropylene or polypropylene coated with n-hexane, and the presence of dissolved organic matter in the aqueous phase did not significantly affect sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Bioavailability of benzo[a]pyrene during NAPL-enhanced biodegradation in soil and in liquid culture

The high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (HMW PAH) benzo[a]pyrene is generally persistent in the environment and its persistence may be due to bioavailability limitations. However, the presence of degradation-capable microorganisms and a suitable cosubstrate are also necessary. This is especially the case for benzo[a]pyrene because it may only be degraded by fortuitous metabolism. Non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL)-enhanced benzo[a]pyrene biodegradation and indicators of bioavailability were measured in soil and liquid culture. In soil, 14CO2 from 7-[14C]benzo[a]pyrene mineralisation and overall CO2 production were monitored for 83 d after treatment with different types of NAPLs in biometer flasks. Monitoring was followed by soil extraction and measurement of 14C residues and of the remaining NAPL by gravimetry. In liquid culture, 7-[14C]benzo[a]pyrene mineralisation was monitored after treatment with different NAPLs and followed by a radiocarbon mass balance of 14C residues. Results indicated that although benzo[a]pyrene may have been bioavailable in both media types, benzo[a]pyrene mineralisation only occurred when a suitable NAPL cosubstrate was present to facilitate biodegradation. In soil, rapid increases in the rate and onset of benzo[a]pyrene mineralisation were shown to occur in benzo[a]pyrene-contaminated soils that were treated with mineral oil, which was a relatively non-biodegradable NAPL cosolvent, plus a hexane fraction-NAPL which was biodegradable and contained suitable cosubstrate(s).