Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), a plasticizer, has been shown in in vitro studies to be weakly estrogenic, and in in vivo studies to possess testicular toxicity and teratogenicity, but few experimental data on BBP multigeneration effects on reproduction in mammals are available. The present two-generation reproductive study was conducted in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats using oral doses of 0, 20, 100, and 500 mg/kg/day BBP. Endpoints were chosen in order to evaluate both subchronic and reproductive toxicity. In the parent animals (F(0)), a decrease in body weight gain was observed in males in the 500 mg/kg/day group, although no significant decrease in food consumption was found. No dose-related changes were observed in estrous cyclicity, fertility, or lactation. A dose-dependent increase in kidney weight in rats of both sexes, an increase in liver weight in males, and a decrease in the weight of the ovaries in females were observed. No macroscopic or microscopic changes were found in the reproductive system of males or females. Oral administration of BBP caused a decrease in the serum concentration of testosterone, and an increase in FSH. In the next generation (F(1)), the body weight of male and female offspring at birth in the 100 and 500 mg/kg groups was significantly decreased, and the body weight in the 500 mg/kg group was lower throughout the study, while viability was not affected. Anogenital distance (AGD) at birth was decreased in male pups and was increased in female pups of the 500 mg/kg/day group. Preputial separation for male offspring in the 500 mg/kg/day group was delayed, while vaginal opening for female offspring in this group was not affected. BBP did not affect reproductive ability, including delivery and lactation, at any dose whereas macroscopic and microscopic changes of the testis, and decreased serum concentrations of testosterone were observed in male offspring of the 500 mg/kg/day group after puberty. From these data, it would appear that 20 mg/kg BBP is a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for reproductive effects on parent animals and the next generation.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Antioxidant metabolites from the tunicate Amaroucium multiplicatum.

The antioxidant activity-directed analysis of the extract of the colonial tunicate Amaroucium multiplicatum enabled isolation of one novel chromene 2 and two novel hydroquinones 4 and 5, as well as previously reported compounds, as active compounds. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data (1H nmr, 13C nmr, ms, uv, and ir) and confirmed by chemical synthesis. The isolated compounds were more potent than two standard antioxidants on the inhibitory effects on lipid peroxide formation in rat liver microsomes and on soybean 15-lipoxygenase.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Thin-section CT features of intrapulmonary lymph nodes.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate CT findings of pathologically proven intrapulmonary lymph nodes (IPLNs) and discuss the utility of thin-section CT and contrast-enhanced CT. METHOD: CT findings of 18 nodules in 14 patients with pathologically proven IPLNs were reviewed. CT scanning of the whole lung was performed contiguously with slice thickness of 10 mm. In addition, a helical scan with slice thickness of 2 mm was performed in nine patients, focusing on the nodule. Contrast-enhanced helical CT was performed in four patients, and the utility of thin section CT and contrast-enhanced CT was investigated. RESULTS: One patient had three nodules, 2 patients had two nodules, and the remaining 11 patients had a solitary nodule. All nodules were located below the level of the carina and within 15 mm of the pleura. In one case, conventional CT revealed the nodule 20 mm away from the pleura; however, the nodule attached to the major fissure was clearly revealed on thin-section CT. The size of the nodules was < or =15 mm, and the shape was round (n = 8), oval (n = 9), or lobulated (n = 1) with sharp border. One nodule demonstrated a spiculated border due to a surrounding pulmonary fibrosis on conventional CT; however, thin-section CT showed precisely a sharp border. The lobulated shape of one case histopathologically reflected a hilus of lymph node. On contrast-enhanced helical CT, all four nodules were enhanced and the degree enhancement was 36-85 HU (median 66.6 HU). CONCLUSION: In current times, IPLNs are not uncommon lesions. We should consider IPLN in the differential diagnosis of solitary or multiple pulmonary nodules in the peripheral field and below the level of the carina. Thin-section CT showed precisely the border or relation between IPLNs and the surrounding structure. It was difficult to distinguish between IPLNs and malignant nodules from the degree of enhancement on contrast-enhanced CT. On thin-section and contrast-enhanced CT, the findings of IPLNs are not necessarily specific. Therefore, strict observation on CT is necessary; in certain cases that are increasing in size, video-assisted thoracic surgery should be considered because of their location.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Genomic copy-number aberrations related to lymph-node metastasis of colon cancer.

Lymph-node metastasis is an important indicator in the diagnosis of colon cancer. In order to determine the genes involved in metastasis, genomic copy-number aberrations in the primary tumours and lymph-node metastases were analysed in 12 patients using comparative genomic hybridization. This method detects genomic copy-number changes at the chromosomal level and the identification of the regions of aberration on any chromosome. Copy-number gains at 6p12 and losses at 8p12 were observed in a greater number of the primary tumours than in the metastases. These aberrations appear to be involved in lymph-node metastasis of colon cancer, and may allow measurement of the risk of lymph-node metastasis from a given colon cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A case of amyloidosis associated with diphenylhydantoin therapy.

Prolonged administration of diphenylhydantoin (DPH) has been implicated as a possible etiologic factor in immunological aberrations and lymphoproliferative disorders. Diphenylhydantoin may account for the increase in susceptibility to lymphoproliferative diseases, as a result of its immunosuppressive effect. We report a case of amyloidosis with monoclonal gammopathy which developed during DPH treatment, without multiple myeloma or lymphoproliferative disorders. The association between DPH and monoclonal gammopathy is very rare, and such a case of amyloidosis associated with DPH has not been reported previously. DPH, however, may have played a role in the development of monoclonal gammopathy, which was the precursor of amyloid protein.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Amyloidosis (AA type) with gastrointestinal involvement: resolution of gastric amyloid deposition in parallel with disappearance of the serum component of amyloid A protein.

The prognosis for secondary amyloidosis is better than that for the primary form. With arrest of the triggering disease, clinical improvement can be expected. Dramatic resolution of amyloid deposits, as proven by repeated biopsies, has been reported. We report on the effectiveness of amputation of the left thigh with chronic osteomyelitis in a patient with AA amyloidosis presenting with extensive amyloid involvement of the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. Clinical improvement associated with reversibility of gastric amyloid deposition was observed in accordance with disappearance of the serum component of amyloid A protein.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A newly designed anticancer tumor immunity drug delivery system.

The authors used a fibrin clot (FC) as a carrier of an anti-cancer drug (AD) to achieve sustained release of the drug. Adriamycin (ADM) and cis-platinum (CDDP) were individually encapsulated into an FC, and the profile of release of each AD from the FC-AD was examined in vitro. The FC-AD was placed intra-abdominally in ascites hepatoma AH130-bearing rats, and ADM or CDDP solution was intraperitoneally injected (IP) into other cancer bearing rats. The survival time was recorded, and related oncolytic mechanisms were investigated. The release of AD from the FC continued for over 15 days. Sixty-eight percent of the rats treated with FC-AD survived for more than 200 days and evidence of malignancy disappeared. Almost all of the IP rats and non-treated rats died within 20 days; these animals had massive ascites and extensive metastases. Immunologic studies confirmed that various tumor immunoresponses were induced in the rats treated with FC-AD. The FC-AD system warrants further study for possible antineoplastic activities in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Proceedings: 56. Effect of exercise on the lipemia clearing-factor activity and the others in serum (author's transl)].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗