Electrical stimulation and biofeedback exercise of pelvic floor muscle for children with faecal incontinence after surgery for anorectal malformation

We report our experience of electrical stimulation and biofeedback exercise of pelvic floor muscle for children with faecal incontinence after surgery for anorectal malformation (ARM). Electrical stimulation and biofeedback exercise of pelvic floor muscle were performed on children with post-operative faecal soiling following repair of intermediate or high type ARM. Children under the age of 5 years or with learning difficulties were excluded. They had 6 months supervised programme in the Department of Physiotherapy followed by 6 months home based programme. Bowel management including toilet training, dietary advice, medications and enemas were started before the pelvic floor muscle exercise and continued throughout the programme. Soiling frequency rank, Rintala continence score, sphincter muscle electromyography (EMG) and anorectal manometry were assessed before and after the programme. Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed for statistical analysis. From March 2001 to May 2006, 17 children were referred to the programme. Twelve patients (M:F = 10:2; age = 5-17 years) completed the programme. There was a trend of improvement in Rintala score at sixth month (p = 0.206) and at the end of programme (p = 0.061). Faecal soiling was significantly improved at sixth month (p = 0.01) and at the end of the programme (p = 0.004). Mean sphincter muscle EMG before treatment was 1.699 microV. Mean EMG at sixth month and after the programme was 3.308 microV (p = 0.034) and 3.309 microV (p = 0.002) respectively. After the programme, there was a mean increase in anal sphincter squeeze pressure of 29.9 mmHg (p = 0.007). Electrical stimulation and biofeedback exercise of pelvic floor muscle is an effective adjunct for the treatment of faecal incontinence in children following surgery for anorectal malformation.

Toxicity of atrazine to the juvenile hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria

The herbicide atrazine is one of the most heavily used pesticides in the United States. The effects of atrazine on the clam Mercenaria mercenaria were evaluated in aqueous and sediment laboratory assays. Juvenile clams of approximately 1mm in size were used for all experiments. An acute aqueous bio-assay was used to determine the 96-h LC(50) for the juvenile clams. A chronic aqueous bioassay was conducted at lower atrazine concentrations over a 10-day exposure period to examine both lethal and sublethal (dry mass, shell size, and condition index) endpoints. A chronic sediment bioassay examined mortality and sublethal endpoints in a 10-day exposure. The acute 96-h LC(50) was 5608 microg/L with 95% confidence intervals ranging from 5003 to 6287 microg/L. Results of the chronic aqueous assay indicated both lethal and sublethal (reduced shell size) effects at high atrazine concentrations. In the 10-day chronic aqueous assay, the no observable effect concentration was 500 microg/L, the lowest observable effect concentration was 1000 microg/L, and the maximum allowable toxicant concentration (MATC) was 707 microg/L. There were no significant effects of atrazine in the chronic sediment exposure. Safe concentrations for the aqueous experiments were estimated by applying an uncertainty factor of 10 to the calculated MATC values. While there were adverse effects of atrazine at high concentrations, these results suggest that atrazine is not directly toxic to M. mercenaria at environmentally relevant concentrations.

Early onset severe and late-onset mild Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease with mitofusin 2 (MFN2) mutations

Mutations in the mitofusin 2 (MFN2) gene, which encodes a mitochondrial GTPase mitofusin protein, have recently been reported to cause both Charcot-Marie-Tooth 2A (CMT2A) and hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy VI (HMSN VI). It is well known that HMSN VI is an axonal CMT neuropathy with optic atrophy. However, the differences between CMT2A and HMSN VI with MFN2 mutations remained to be clarified. Therefore, we studied the phenotypic characteristics of CMT patients with MFN2 mutations. Mutations in MFN2 were screened in 62 unrelated axonal CMT neuropathy families. We calculated CMT neuropathy scores (CMTNSs) and functional disability scales (FDSs) to quantify disease severity. Twenty-one patients with the MFN2 mutations were studied by brain MRI. Ten pathogenic mutations were identified in 26 patients from 15 families (24.2%). Six of these mutations had not been reported, and de novo mutations were observed in five families (33.3%). The electrophysiological patterns of affected individuals with the MFN2 mutations were typical of axonal CMT; however, the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics were markedly different in early (<10 years) and late disease-onset (> or =10 years) groups. All patients with an early onset had severe CMTNS (> or =21) and FDS (6 or 7), whereas most patients with late onset had mild CMTNS (< or =10) and FDS (< or =3). We identified two HMSN VI families with the R364W mutation in the early onset group; however, two other families with the same mutation did not have optic atrophy. In addition, two early onset families with R94W mutations, previously reported for HMSN VI, did not have visual impairment. Interestingly, eight patients had periventricular and subcortical hyperintense lesions by brain MRI. In the late-onset group, three patients had sensorineural hearing loss and two had bilateral extensor plantar responses. We found that MFN2 mutations are the major cause of axonal CMT neuropathy, and that they are associated with variable CNS involvements. Phenotypes were significantly different in the early and late disease-onset groups. Our findings suggest that HMSN VI might be a variant of the early onset severe CMT2A phenotype.

Effects of the insecticide permethrin on three life stages of the grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio

Toxicity of the pyrethroid insecticide permethrin was assessed using three life stages of the estuarine grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio. Adult and larval shrimp were tested with and without sediment. An aqueous embryo test was also conducted. Cellular stress biomarkers, glutathione, and lipid peroxidation, were assessed. Larval shrimp were the most sensitive life stage with a 96-h lethal concentration (LC(50)) value of 0.05 microg/L, compared to 0.25 microg/L for adults, and 6.4 microg/L for embryos. The presence of sediment significantly decreased toxicity of permethrin to both adult and larval shrimp. Permethrin exposure increased time to hatch in embryos and decreased swimming behavior of larvae. Lipid peroxidation levels were significantly decreased in the adult shrimp, but increased in larval shrimp exposed to permethrin. Low levels of permethrin may negatively affect grass shrimp health and survival. Permethrin use in the coastal zone should be carefully managed to avoid adverse impacts on nontarget estuarine organisms.

An evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) runoff from highways into estuarine wetlands of South Carolina

This study investigated the concentrations and potential toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with highway runoff into adjacent estuarine wetlands from road segments representing three levels of average daily traffic (ADT): low (<5,000 ADT), moderate (10,000-15,000 ADT), and high use (>25,000 ADT) based on SC Department of Transportation data. Sediments from three estuarine wetland habitats (tidal creeks, Spartina marsh, and mud flats) adjacent to these road segments were sampled to represent nine highway use class/habitat type combinations. Surficial sediments were collected at 3, 25, and 50 meters from the upland/wetland interface along transects established perpendicular to the road at each site, with additional samples taken from the road berm. Average PAH concentrations, representing 25 compounds, ranged from 3.9 to 11,000 ng/g dry weight. Berm samples had significantly greater total PAH concentrations than samples taken in any of the wetland habitats. Average total PAH concentrations decreased with increasing distance from the road berm within the wetland habitats sampled, but the differences were not statistically significant. Average total PAH concentrations also were not significantly different among the wetland habitats compared. Analysis of PAH profiles indicated that the PAH source was dominated by pyrogenic combustion products rather than from petrogenic sources. This, combined with the presence of dibenzothio-phene, which is a tire oxidation product, indicated that the primary source of PAHs was related to vehicles. Two sites with total PAH concentrations exceeding published bioeffects levels were resampled for bioassay tests using the amphipod Ampelisca verrilli, the polychaete Streblospio benedicti, and the clam, Mercenaria mercenaria, with the first two assays conducted under UV lighting since previous studies had demonstrated enhanced UV toxicity of PAHs for these species. No toxicity was observed in the amphipod or polychaete assays. Toxicity was observed in the juvenile clam assay at one site, possibly due to the combined effects of PAHs and other contaminants present.

Laparoscopic mobilization of testicular vessels: an adjunctive step in orchidopexy for impalpable and redo undescended testis in children

The testicular position after conventional inguinal orchidopexy for canalicular, "peeping" and redo undescended testes may not be satisfactory despite retroperitoneal dissection. Laparoscopy allows extensive mobilization of testicular vessels to gain additional length. We review our experience of using laparoscopic mobilization of testicular vessels (LMTV) in orchidopexy for these difficult undescended testes. From January 2003 to May 2004, LMTV was performed in 18 boys. The testicular vessels were mobilized from just proximal to the internal inguinal ring to the level of caecum and sigmoid colon respectively. Fifteen patients had clinically impalpable testes. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed 13 "peeping" and 2 canalicular testes. LMTV was performed together with inguinal orchidopexy. There were three cases of redo orchidopexies because of unfavourable testicular position after previous surgery. LMTV was performed following inguinal dissection. The median follow-up period is 11.7 months. Sixteen testes are located at the base of scrotum, and two at mid-scrotum. The size is normal in 17 testes, whereas 1 testis is smaller than the contralateral one. LMTV is a safe and efficient adjunctive step in orchidopexy for impalpable and redo undescended testes.

Two missense mutations of EGR2 R359W and GJB1 V136A in a Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease family

During mutational analysis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) causative genes, we identified a CMT family with two missense mutations in different genes. A R359W mutation in EGR2 was shared by the affected daughter (proband) and her father. In addition, she had a V136A mutation in GJB1, which was determined to be a de novo mutation. The daughter with two different gene mutations showed more severe clinical, electrophysiological and histopathological phenotypes than her father who had only the EGR2 mutation. We suggest that these phenotypic differences between the proband and her father may have been caused by an altered effect of the genetic modifier in EGR2, or by the additive effect of the EGR2 and GJB1 mutations.

Lethal and sub-lethal effects of the fungicide chlorothalonil on three life stages of the grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio

Chlorothalonil (2,4,5,6-tetrachloroisophthalonitrile) is the second most widely used fungicide in the United States. Due to the widespread use of chlorothalonil, it is important to investigate the effects chlorothalonil may have on estuarine species such as the grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio. This study examined the toxicity of chlorothalonil to three life-history stages (embryo, larvae, adult) of the grass shrimp. Also, molting frequency, growth response and metamorphosis from a larval life cycle pulsed exposure assay were examined as sub-lethal indicators of chlorothalonil exposure. Results showed embryos were the least sensitive with a 96-h Median Lethal Concentration (LC50) of 396.0 microg/L (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 331.3-472.4 microg/L). The adult 96-h LC50 was 152.9 microg/L (95% CI 120.3-194.5 microg/L). Larvae were the most sensitive to chlorothalonil exposure with a 96-h LC50 of 49.5 microg/L (95% CI 44.4-55.27 microg/L). In the life cycle pulsed exposure assay, all surviving larvae in the treatments required significantly more molts to reach postlarvae than the control. Other measured parameters showed differences between treatments and control but there was no statistical significance. This research demonstrated that chlorothalonil is highly toxic to grass shrimp and that larval grass shrimp would be the most appropriate life stage to use for chlorothalonil risk assessments since that stage is the most sensitive.

Endoscopic hemoclipping using a transparent cap in technically difficult cases

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Technical difficulties have been experienced in endoscopic hemoclipping on the posterior wall of the body of the stomach because the angle of approach is tangential. It has been suggested that the use of a transparent cap on the tip of the endoscope could help to solve this problem. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of endoscopic hemoclipping using a transparent cap over the tip of the endoscope.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 74 patients with a bleeding peptic ulcer or stigmata of recent hemorrhage underwent endoscopic hemoclipping. Technical difficulty in hemoclipping was experienced in 18 patients and the transparent cap was used in these cases. We therefore conducted a nonrandomized prospective study to compare bleeding control with the hemoclip with and without the aid of a transparent cap.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the patients treated with the cap and those treated without the cap with regard to the initial hemostasis rate (94.4 % vs. 91.1 %), the rebleeding rate (11.7 % vs. 11.8 %), or the permanent hemostasis rate (94.4 % vs. 96.4 %).

CONCLUSIONS

Although there was no statistically significant difference between patients treated with or without a transparent cap, hemoclipping with the aid of the cap made it possible to clip a lesion too tangential to be clipped without it. However, this study did not compare conventional hemoclipping with hemoclipping using a cap because the cap was only used in cases in which conventional clipping had failed.

Ruptured adrenocortical carcinoma as a cause of paediatric acute abdomen

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is rare in children. Its presentation is usually related to hormonal activity of the tumour. We report a case of childhood ACC that presented as an acute abdomen due to tumour rupture. This is the first reported case of a ruptured ACC as a cause of paediatric acute abdomen.

Toxicological studies in tropical ecosystems: an ecotoxicological risk assessment of pesticide runoff in South Florida estuarine ecosystems

A multiyear study in the C-111 canal system and associated sites in Florida Bay was undertaken to determine the potential pesticide risk that exists in South Florida. After the examination of extensive pesticide concentration data in surface water, tissues, and semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs), canal contamination seems to be derived from the extensive agricultural production that drains into the C-111 canal. The results of this study indicate that runoff from agricultural processes led to quantifiable pesticide residues in both canal and bay surface water, which occasionally exceeded current water quality criteria. The major pesticide of concern was endosulfan, which was detected at 100% of the sites sampled. Endosulfan exposure did not cause any acute effects in fish and crustaceans deployed in field bioassays. Chronic effects were observed in copepods, clams, and oysters but could not be attributed to endosulfan exposure. The decision to alter the C-111 canal flow and allow increased freshwater flow into the adjacent Everglades National Park may result in discharges of pesticides into the Everglades. Continued monitoring in this area is needed during this change in flow regime.

The relationship of histologic activity to serum ALT, HCV genotype and HCV RNA titers in chronic hepatitis C

It is unclear whether serum ALT levels or virological characteristics of hepatitis C virus(HCV) including HCV genotypes and HCV RNA titers, can reflect the degree of histological injury in chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between the levels of histological damage and serum ALT levels, HCV genotypes or circulating HCV RNA titers in chronic hepatitis C. A total of 56 patients underwent liver biopsy and the histological activity index (HAI) was evaluated by Knodell's scoring system. HCV genotype by RT-nested PCR and HCV RNA quantitation by competitive RT-PCR were performed. Thirty-four patients were infected with HCV genotype 1b, 20 patients with genotype 2a, and 2 patients with undetermined type. Serum ALT levels were not positively correlated with total HAI score or HCV RNA titers, but showed a linear correlation with scores of piecemeal necrosis (r=0.32, p<0.05) and portal inflammation (r=0.27, p<0.05). HCV genotype had no significant correlation with RNA titers, HAI score or with serum ALT levels. Also, no statistical relationship was seen between HCV RNA titer and HAI score. These results suggest that liver histology is essential to evaluate the severity of chronic hepatitis C precisely.

Ultrastructural changes of hepatic stellate cells in the space of Disse in alcoholic fatty liver

BACKGROUND

Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) has been suggested to play a role in fibrogenesis in alcoholic liver disease. We evaluate the correlation with fibrogenesis and ultrastructure of hepatic stellate cells in alcoholic fatty liver.

METHODS

We studied 6 patients with alcoholic fatty liver and 5 non-alcoholic fatty liver. The numbers of fat droplets in hepatic stellate cell was determined by electron microscopy. We also studied the grading of deposition of collagen fibers in the space of Disse. We were to evaluate the structure of hepatic stellate cells in the space of Disse by light and electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Wider distribution of fat droplets in hepatic stellate cells in alcoholic fatty liver than in normal liver. The hypertrophied endoplasmic reticulum in hepatic stellate cells is a prominent findings in alcoholic fatty liver. We observed basement membrane-like materials in patients with alcoholic fatty liver with hepatic fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrate that, in patients with alcoholic fatty liver by alcoholic liver injury, the hepatic stellate cells may play an important role in the fibrogenesis of perisinusoidal spaces in the liver.

A Clinicopathological Analysis of Recurrent Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE

This study was designed to investigate the correlation between the clinicopathologic characteristics and the recurrence pattern of gastric cancer and to define survival difference according to treatment modality after diagnosis of recurrence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 4184 patients who had undergone radical surgery for primary gastric cancer from 1986 through 1996. Clinicopathologic factors were analyzed for the relationship of each factor with the pattern of recurrence. And the survival after diagnosis of recurrence was compared among the treatment modalities.

RESULTS

Recurrence pattern was confirmed in 1141 patients. Loco-regional recurrence occurred in 291 patients (20.1%), peritoneal recurrence in 383 (26.5%), distant recurrence in 290 (20.1%), and mixed recurrence in 177 (12.3%), respectively. Early recurrence (less than 2 years) occurred in 767 (69.3%), intermediate recurrence (2~5 years) in 286 (25.8%), and late recurrence (more than 5 years) in 54 (4.9%). In multivariate analysis, T stage, N stage, size of tumor and perineural invasion were independent prognostic factors for recurrence. Median survival from diagnosis of recurrence was 24.2 months in the curative operation group, 7.7 months in the chemotherapy group, 7.1 months in the non-curative operation group and 3.3 months in the conservative treatment group, respectively (p=0.000).

CONCLUSION

The clinicopathological analysis of recurrent gastric cancer showed recurrent patterns and prognostic factors. Curative resection is suggested to have survival benefit in recurrent gastric cancer patients, although it was possible in patients with limited extent of disease.

Can bone turnover markers correlate bone mass at the hip and spine according to menopausal period?

Changes in bone turnover with years since menopause (YSM) are responsible for bone loss and play a major role in osteoporosis. Although single measurements of the bone turnover marker appear unlikely to be clinically useful in predicting bone mineral density, the usefulness of these measurements in relation to the YSM has not been well established. The establishment of this relationship was the aim of this study. To address this issue, we have measured a battery of sensitive and specific markers of bone turnover in 272 women postmenopausal from -5 to 15 a, and the data was correlated with bone mineral density (BMD) at different skeletal sites measured utilizing dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Bone formation was assessed by serum osteocalcin (OC), and bone resorption by Pyr and D-pyr. The three markers and BMD were compared between the groups (YSM). Among the three markers, only Pyr exhibited a significant difference between pre and postmenopausal groups. In the aspect of correlation between bone turnover marker and BMD according to the groups (YSM), we found negative strong correlations between the BMD of lumbar spine (L2-4) vs. Pyr (P=0.01, r=-0.75) in the premenopausal group (-5 approximately 0 YSM), and we found negative correlation between the BMD of L2-4 vs. osteocalcin (P=0.05, r=-0.2 and P=0.01, r=-4).44) in the postmenopause groups (0 approximately 5 and 5 approximately 10 YSM). We concluded that Pyr in women -5 approximately 0 YSM and osteocalcin in women 0 approximately 10 YSM displayed negative correlation with BMD of L2-4.

Periovulatory and interleukin (IL)-1-dependent regulation of IL-6 in the immature rat ovary: a specific IL-1 receptor-mediated eicosanoid-dependent effect

Interleukin (IL)-6, traditionally an IL-1-induced immune regulator, is nevertheless synthesized by a variety of tissues including the ovary. The purposes of this communication were to assess the ovarian expression of IL-6, examine its cyclic variation, and study its regulation by IL-1, a putative intermediary in the ovulatory process. Molecular probing revealed IL-6 transcripts to be most abundant in the thymus, liver, and ovary, which suggests that, in relative terms, untreated immature whole ovarian tissue is a significant site of IL-6 gene expression. Treatment of immature rats with pregnant mare serum gonadotropins resulted in a measurable, statistically significant (P <.05) increase in ovarian IL-6 mRNA compared with untreated controls. Isolated and indeed transient increments in the relative abundance of IL-6 transcripts were noted 4 hours after exposure to hCG, a point in time 8 hours from projected follicular rupture, a pattern highly reminiscent of that previously recognized for IL-1 beta transcripts. Treatment of whole ovarian dispersates from immature rats with IL-1 beta for 48 hours resulted in a significant (P <.05) increase (11-fold) over control in IL-6 transcripts. The IL-1 effect proved dose dependent; the first significant increase was noted at the 1-ng/mL dose level. Evaluation of the time requirements revealed IL-1 beta to significantly (P <.05) up-regulate (4.5-fold) IL-6 transcripts as early as 24 hours into the culture period. Cotreatment with the IL-1 receptor antagonist completely reversed the IL-1 effect, which suggests mediation through a specific IL-1 receptor. Treatment with indomethacin (10 microg/mL), an established inhibitor of prostaglandin biosynthesis, resulted in a significant (P <.05) decrease (79%) in the ability of IL-1 beta to up-regulate IL-6 transcripts. Importantly, the addition of prostaglandin E(2) (10 microg/mL) to untreated or indomethacin-treated cells significantly (P <.05) augmented the IL-1 beta effect. This suggests a role for eicosanoid signaling in IL-1 beta action. Treatment with aminoguanidine, an established inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, significantly (P <.05) decreased (85%) the IL-1 beta effect. However, the addition of S-nitroso-n-acetyl-penicilamine, an established nitrite generator, failed to reverse the aminoguanidine effect, which suggests that the inhibitor effect of aminoguanidine may be nitrite independent. Treatment with cycloheximide produced dose-dependent inhibition of the ability of IL-1 to up-regulate IL-6 transcripts; the maximal inhibitory effect was 89%. Taken together, these findings (1) reaffirm the rat ovary as a site of IL-6 expression; (2) document an in vivo increase in IL-6 transcripts before ovulation; (3) disclose a marked dependence of IL-6 on IL-1 beta; and (4) reveal the IL-1 beta effect to be dose and time dependent, receptor mediated, contingent upon de novo protein biosynthesis, and eicosanoid dependent but nitric oxide independent. These findings suggest that IL-1 action in the ovary may require the intermediacy of IL-6 in a manner like that encountered in extraovarian sites.

Liver disease during the first post-transplant year in bone marrow transplantation recipients: retrospective study

Liver dysfunction is a common problem in BMT recipients and it is important to determine the etiology in order to institute appropriate therapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible causes of liver dysfunction during the first post-transplant year in BMT recipients and to identify a possible relationship between pre-existing liver dysfunction and viral hepatitis with prognosis after BMT. We reviewed liver status before and after BMT in 130 consecutive patients at the Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Center. Liver dysfunction during the first post-transplant year occurred in 85 out of 101 (84. 2%) allogeneic BMT recipients and 13 out of 29 (44.8%) autologous BMT recipients. In allogeneic BMT, GVHD and drug hepatotoxicity were major causes. In autologous BMT, drug hepatotoxicity was the most common cause. Eighteen out of 130 patients (13.8%) had abnormal liver function tests before BMT. These patients did not have an increased risk of post-transplant liver dysfunction, GVHD, and death compared to patients who had normal liver function tests prior to BMT. Nine patients were hepatitis B antigen positive and three patients were anti-HCV positive prior to BMT. There was no significant increase in the incidence of post-transplant liver dysfunction, GVHD, and death in these patients.

Hormone replacement therapy in women with pre-existing hyperpigmented lesions

OBJECTIVES

This study was performed to determine whether skin pigmentation is darkened after hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

METHODS

The color of hyperpigmentary lesions and control sites before and after 1, 2, and 3 months of HRT was measured.

RESULTS

All of the three tested sites showed no significant pigment alteration in 3 months of follow up after starting HRT (P>0.05). Age, duration of menopause, and sex hormone levels did not correlate with pigmentation level.

CONCLUSIONS

Pigmentation changes after HRT are not significantly associated with the treatment. This finding suggests that low-dose estrogen replacement therapy does not induce pigmentation changes alone and that differences in individual susceptibility and end organ responsiveness or other multiple factors in addition to the sex hormone may be responsible for the development and darkening of hyperpigmentary lesions.

A 45-kDa cAMP-dependent phosphoprotein which is related to the product of Mst57Dc in Drosophila melanogaster

In Drosophila, the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is preferentially expressed in the brain and the male reproductive organs. Although the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) is a major target of PKA in the brain, the target of PKA in the male reproductive organs has been unknown. In the present study, three cAMP-dependent phosphoproteins (referred to as pp45, pp20, and pp10) were detected in the lumen fluid of male accessory glands. They were tissue-specific secretory proteins that accumulated only after eclosion, and were transferred to females during mating as other secretory proteins of the accessory glands. Among them, the 45-kDa phosphoprotein was partially purified and characterized. The purified protein was phosphorylated in vitro by the catalytic subunit of PKA. The partial amino acid sequence of this 45-kDa phosphoprotein was identical to the predicted amino acid sequence of the Mst57Dc cDNA, which is a male accessory gland transcript.

The metabolic effects of estriol in female rat liver

The effects of estriol on oxygen uptake, glucose release, lactate and pyruvate production, beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate production in perfused rat liver as well as, carbon uptake in rat liver and intracellular calcium in isolated Kupffer cells were investigated. Basal oxygen consumption of perfused liver increased significantly in estriol or ethanol-treated rats. But these increased effects were blocked by gadolinium chloride pretreatment. In a metabolic study, pretreatment with estriol resulted in a decrease in glucose production and in glycolysis while an increase in ketogenesis. A more oxidized redox state of the mitochondria was indicated by increased ratios of perfusate [lactate]/[pyruvate] and decreased ratios of perfusate [beta-hydroxybutyrate]/[acetoacetate]. Carbon uptake of Kupffer-cell increased significantly in estriol-treated rats. But these increased uptake were not shown in rats pre-treated by gadolinium chloride blocking phagocytosis. In isolated Kupffer cells from estriol-treated rats, intracellular calcium was more significantly increased after addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) than in controls. These findings suggest that the metabolic effects of estriol (two mg per 100 mg body wt) can be summarized to be highly toxic in rat liver, and these findings suggest that oral administration of estrogens may induce hepatic dysfunctions and play a role in the development of liver disease.