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H Yano

Publications and source records attributed to H Yano.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Prednisolone-appended alpha-cyclodextrin: alleviation of systemic adverse effect of prednisolone after intracolonic administration in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced colitis rats.

The titled compound is a cyclodextrin derivative in which prednisolone 21-succinate (PDsuc) is covalently bound to one of the secondary hydroxyl groups of alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CyD) via an ester linkage. In this study, the PDsuc-appended alpha-CyD ester conjugate (PDsuc/alpha-CyD conjugate) was intracolonically administered to rats with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzensulfonic acid-induced colitis, and its antiinflammatory and systemic adverse effects were compared with those of prednisolone (PD) alone and the PD/2-hydroxypropyl-beta-CyD complex (PD/HP-beta-CyD complex), which is a noncovalent inclusion complex. Colonic damage score, ratio of distal colon wet weight to body weight, and myeloperoxidase activity were evaluated as measures of the therapeutic effect of PD, whereas the ratio of thymus wet weight to body weight was evaluated as a measure of the side effect of PD. The local antiinflammatory activity increased in the order of PD alone approximately PDsuc/alpha-CyD conjugate < PD/HP-beta-CyD complex. As to systemic adverse effect, the PD/HP-beta-CyD complex and PD alone caused thymolysis at doses of 5-10 mg/kg. In contrast, the PDsuc/alpha-CyD conjugate showed no clear systemic adverse effect at the same doses. The low adverse effect of the conjugate may be ascribed to the slow release of PD in the colon, which keeps the local concentration in the colon at a low but constant level. The results suggest that the PDsuc/alpha-CyD conjugate can alleviate the systemic adverse effect of PD while maintaining the therapeutic activity of PD. This kind of knowledge will be useful in the rational design of steroid prodrugs for the colon-specific drug delivery system.

Administration, Rectal↗
PubMed2001

Characterization of the gene EPAC2: structure, chromosomal localization, tissue expression, and identification of the liver-specific isoform.

The liver-specific protein cAMP-GEFII (also known as Epac2) belongs to a family of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) binding proteins having guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity (the cAMP-GEF family). Here we clone the gene EPAC2, encoding cAMP-GEFII, from a human liver cDNA library. Human EPAC2 has at least 31 exons and is mapped to human chromosome 2q31. Analyses by primer extension, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridization revealed the presence of three transcription start sites of liver-specific Epac2: two major sites located in exon 10 and a minor site in intron 9. The same translation start site is used in all three transcripts. Liver-specific cAMP-GEFII protein, which lacks the first cAMP-binding domain and the Dishevelled/Egl-10/Pleckstrin domain, was detected at 79 kDa by immunoblot analysis, confirming the presence of the short form of cAMP-GEFII in the liver. Liver-specific cAMP-GEFII also has GEF activity toward Rap1. These results demonstrate the presence of liver-specific cAMP-GEFII. Together with the previous finding that cAMP-GEFII is responsible for cAMP-dependent exocytosis in secretory cells, our study suggests that cAMP-GEFII may have a distinct role in liver.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Expression of hepatocyte growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human glioma.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has a stimulatory effect on the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), which is involved in glioma invasion. In this study, to clarify the correlation between the expression of HGF and MMP-2 in glioma tissues, immunohistochemical analysis of HGF and MMP-2 was performed in 11 cases of astrocytoma, 10 cases of anaplastic astrocytoma, and 9 cases of glioblastoma. As a result, expression of HGF and MMP-2 was correlated with the grade of malignancy (P = 0.0181 and 0.0001, respectively), and a significant correlation between the immunoreactivity of HGF and that of MMP-2 was observed (P < 0.05). Immunofluorescence study revealed the concomitant expression of HGF and MMP-2 in glioma tissue. In cultured glioma cell lines (SNB-19, U87MG, and U373MG), exogenous recombinant HGF effectively acted on the production of the active and latent forms of MMP-2 protein in a dose-dependent manner. Active MMP-2 increased more effectively than the latent form. Taken together, these results suggest that HGF may promote glioma invasion in vivo by production of MMP-2.

Astrocytoma↗
PubMed2001

The usefulness of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy in comparison with that of open distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: The technique of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) was developed for early gastric cancer, but its feasibility and the associated clinical outcome remain unclear. METHODS: We reviewed 24 patients who underwent LADG (LADG group) and 35 patients who underwent traditional open distal gastrectomy (ODG group) for early gastric cancer in our hospital, and compared the clinical data of the two groups. RESULTS: The clinical and pathological backgrounds of the patients in the two groups were similar. The duration of surgery was not significantly different between the two groups, but the blood loss in the LADG group was significantly less than that in the ODG group. The number of removed lymph nodes was not significantly different between the two groups. The times to the first passing of flatus, first walking, and the restarting of oral intake; the length of hospital stay; and the duration of epidural analgesia were significantly shorter in the LADG group. The morbidity rate in the LADG group was lower than that in the ODG group. CONCLUSIONS: LADG is a safe and minimally invasive surgical technique, after which we can expect a faster recovery.

Female↗
PubMed2001

Reciprocal angular acceleration of the ankle and hip joints during quiet standing in humans.

Human quiet standing is often modeled as a single inverted pendulum rotating around the ankle joint, under the assumption that movement around the hip joint is quite small. However, several recent studies have shown that movement around the hip joint can play a significant role in the efficient maintenance of the center of body mass (COM) above the support area. The aim of this study was to investigate how coordination between the hip and ankle joints is controlled during human quiet standing. Subjects stood quietly for 30 s with their eyes either opened (EO) or closed (EC), and we measured subtle angular displacements around the ankle (thetaa) and hip (thetah) joints using three highly sensitive CCD laser displacement sensors. Reliable data were obtained for both angular displacement and angular velocity (the first derivative of the angular displacement). Further, measurement error was not predominant, even among the angular acceleration data, which were obtained by taking the second derivative of the angular displacement. The angular displacement, velocity, and acceleration of the hip were found to be significantly greater (P<0.001) than those of the ankle, confirming that hip-joint motion cannot be ignored, even during quiet standing. We also found that a consistent reciprocal relationship exists between the angular accelerations of the hip and ankle joints, namely positive or negative angular acceleration of ankle joint is compensated for by oppositely directed angular acceleration of the hip joint. Principal component analysis revealed that this relationship can be expressed as: thetah=gammathetaa with gamma=-3.15+/-1.24 and gamma=-3.12+/-1.46 (mean +/-SD) for EO and EC, respectively, where theta is the angular acceleration. There was no significant difference in the values of y for EO and EC, and these values were in agreement with the theoretical value calculated assuming the acceleration of COM was zero. On the other hand, such a consistent relationship was never observed for angular displacement itself. These results suggest that the angular motions around the hip and ankle joints are not to keep the COM at a constant position, but rather to minimize acceleration of the COM.

Acceleration↗
PubMed2001

Induction by bombesin of peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancers induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the effect of the gastrointestinal regulatory peptide, bombesin, on the development of peritoneal metastasis from gastric cancers induced in rats by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), and on Rho activity in the gastric cancers. METHODS: Rats were allocated to three groups. All groups received MNNG (100 micrograms/ml) solution for 25 weeks from the start of the experiment. Group 1 (controls) received olive oil injections from the start of MNNG treatment; group 2 animals received alternate-day s.c. injections of bombesin (40 micrograms/kg body weight) in olive oil from the start of the experiment until the end of the experiment at week 52; and group 3 received the s.c. bombesin injection on alternate days from week 26 until week 52. The effect of bombesin on Rho activity in gastric cancer was examined by Western blotting. RESULTS: Bombesin given from the start of the experiment (group 2) and after the MNNG treatment (group 3) both significantly increased the incidence of gastric cancer metastasis, compared with controls, at week 52: The incidence of metastasis was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 3. Bombesin from the start of the experiment (group 2) significantly increased the incidence of tumors with deeper invasion or more infiltrative growth pattern, or lymphatic vessel tumor invasion, while bombesin after MNNG treatment (group 3) significantly increased the incidence of lymphatic vessel invasion. Bombesin also increased the activity of Rho protein in the tumors. CONCLUSION: Bombesin significantly increased the incidence of peritoneal metastasis from gastric cancers through the activation of Rho protein.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Laminin deposition to type IV collagen enhances haptotaxis, chemokinesis, and adhesion of hepatoma cells through beta1-integrins.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In hepatocellular carcinoma, laminin deposition to type IV collagen along the sinusoids is observed with the development of arterial network, coinciding with intrahepatic metastasis. We investigated the influence of laminin deposition to type IV collagen on hepatoma cell adhesion, motility and secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are indispensable behaviors for tumor metastasis. METHODS: Hepatoma cell lines (KYN-1, -2 and -3) were used. The expression of integrin subunit mRNAs in hepatoma cells was confirmed by RT-PCR. The influence of laminin addition to type IV collagen on the adhesion, chemokinesis, and migration of KYN-1, -2 and -3 was evaluated by the haptotactic migration, phagokinetic track motility, and cell adhesion assays. The effects of integrin subunits on these activities were evaluated using the function-blocking antibodies for integrins. Phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and secretion of MMPs were investigated by Western blotting and gelatin zymography. RESULTS: Integrin alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, alpha6 and beta1 subunit mRNAs were detected. The combination of type IV collagen and laminin enhanced the migration, chemokinesis, and adhesion of hepatoma cells compared to that of type IV collagen when used alone. The enhanced activity was significantly suppressed by function-blocking antibodies for integrin alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, alpha6 and beta1 subunits. Hepatoma cells cultured on the combination of type IV collagen and laminin showed phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and increased secretion of MMPs. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of laminin to type IV collagen enhances hepatoma cell adhesion and motility through beta1-integrins.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗
PubMed2001

Selection of eligible patients with supratentorial glioblastoma multiforme for gross total resection.

The purpose of this study is to clarify whether gross total tumor resection can prolong the survival in adult patients with supratentorial glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), and to clarify what subset of these patients obtains a survival advantage by gross total tumor resection without postoperative neurological deterioration. Eighty-two adult patients with supratentorial GBM were retrospectively reviewed. Overall, the median survival time was 13 months, and the 1- and 2-year survival rates were 53.7% and 14.6%, respectively. In a univariate analysis for survival rate by log-rank test, age (< 40 years), Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) score (70-100%) and extent of surgery (gross total resection) were revealed to be significant good prognostic factors. A Cox proportional hazard multivariate regression analysis confirmed that the KPS and extent of surgery were independent, significant good prognostic factors. Nine patients (11%) suffered postoperative neurological deterioration. A topographical GBM staging system (Stages I, II and III) with the integration of tumor location, size and eloquence of adjacent brain based on MRI (for explanation of Stages see text) was originally proposed. In Stage I, gross total resection had a strong tendency toward a better prognostic factor in a univariate analysis and was revealed to be a significant independent good prognostic factor in a multivariate analysis. In also Stage II, the survival of patients who underwent gross total resection was better than that of patients with less than gross total resection, although not significant. In Stage III, there were no patients who underwent gross total tumor resection. Risk probabilities of postoperative neurological deterioration, overall, were 0%, 22.2%, and 20% in Stages I, II, and III, respectively, and those after gross total resection were 0% and 16.7% in Stages I and II, respectively. Although gross total tumor resection is associated with prolongation of the survival time of patients with GBM, the risk of postoperative neurological deficit increases with radical tumor resection. To select an eligible subset of patients that benefit in survival from gross total tumor resection without postoperative risk, the following surgical policy for GBM resection is suggested. GBM in Stage I should be resected as radically as possible. Regarding Stage II, risky surgical resection extending to the area adjacent to the critical zone should be avoided and more meticulous and careful surgical planning is needed than that in Stage I. In Stage III, radical gross total tumor resection is not recommended at present.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Neural control: novel evaluation of stretch reflex sensitivity.

We evaluated the stretch reflex activities of the elbow flexor and extensor muscles considering the relationship between the reflex electromyographic (EMG) responses and their corresponding standardized muscle stretch velocities. Specifically, muscular stretch velocity was estimated by using ultrasonograms. Stretch reflex EMG responses were elicited in the biceps brachii, brachioradialis and triceps brachii with a ramp-and-hold rotation at the elbow joint, which consisted of various angular velocities for the extension- or flexion-direction. The whole muscle stretch velocity induced by each ramp-and-hold rotation was calculated on the basis of fibre length changes associated with the elbow joint angle. A linear regression equation was fitted to the relation between the whole muscle stretch velocity and the reflex EMG responses, and the variables from the equation were used to quantify sensitivity of each reflex EMG component. The reflex EMG responses were increased as the ramp-and-hold rotational velocity increased. There were no significant differences in the recorded magnitudes of reflex EMG responses with equivalent joint rotational velocity between the brachioradialis and the triceps brachii medial head. These muscles showed the highest reflex responses in the flexor and extensor muscles, respectively. To the contrary, the reflex EMG response elicited by the standardized muscle stretches was significantly greater in the extensor muscles, indicating a higher reflex sensitivity. This was because of the lower muscle stretch velocity of the triceps brachii with an equivalent elbow joint rotation. The stretch reflex sensitivity in both the elbow flexor and extensor muscles might be regulated so as to make the reflex responses the same when the equivalent joint rotational velocity is applied to these muscles.

Elbow Joint↗
PubMed2001

Transcriptional activation of p21 by vitamin D(3) or vitamin K(2) leads to differentiation of p53-deficient MG-63 osteosarcoma cells.

p21 (WAF1/CIP1) is a downstream effector of p53 and mediates growth arrest by inhibiting the action of G(1) cyclin-dependent kinases. However, it has been reported that the p21 expression was triggered by multiple differentiation-inducing agents by a p53-independent pathway. These agents induced expression of p21 by binding to specific DNA elements and modulating transcriptional initiation. We demonstrated that the gene encoding p21 was not only a vitamin D(3) target gene but also a vitamin K(2) target gene in the cells and that their differentiation was well related to the transcriptional activation of the p21 gene. Transient overexpression of p21, using adenovirus-driven p21 expression plasmid, in MG-63 cells in the absence of vitamins D(3) and K(2) resulted in their differentiation. The transcriptional activation of p21 by vitamin D(3) or vitamin K(2) in p53-deficient osteosarcoma cells demonstrated the p53-independent role of p21 in human osseous differentiation. HUM PATHOL 32:410-416.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMed2001

Involvement of p21(WAF1/Cip1), p27(Kip1), and p18(INK4c) in troglitazone-induced cell-cycle arrest in human hepatoma cell lines.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) regulates cell growth and differentiation. Recent evidence has suggested that PPARgamma ligands had anti-tumor effects through inhibiting cell growth and inducing cell differentiation in several types of malignant neoplasm. In the present study, we investigated: 1) the expression of PPARgamma in both human hepatoma cell lines and 5 resected human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues; 2) the growth-inhibitory effect of troglitazone, a PPARgamma ligand, on those hepatoma cells; and 3) the molecular mechanisms of troglitazone-induced cell-cycle arrest. Five hepatoma cell lines, HLF, HuH-7, HAK-1A, HAK-1B, and HAK-5, were used. The mRNA expression levels of PPARgamma, p21(WAF1/Cip1), and p27(Kip1) were determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The expression of cell cycle-regulating proteins, such as p21, p27, p18(INK4c), cyclin E, and pRb, was examined using Western blotting. PPARgamma was constitutively expressed in all the cell lines and the HCC tissues used in this study. A cytostatic effect of troglitazone was found in those cell lines, and this inhibition of cell growth was dosage-dependent. G0/G1 arrest was apparently demonstrated in flow cytometric analysis in HLF, HAK-1A, HAK-1B, and HAK-5, all of which showed an increased expression of p21 protein. However, HuH-7, lacking p21 protein expression, did not demonstrate clear arrest in the cell-cycle analysis. HLF, which was deficient in the protein product of the retinoblastoma tumor-suppressor gene (pRb), responded most profoundly to troglitazone, showing an increased expression in not only p21, but also in p27 and in p18. These findings suggested that p21, p27, and p18 might be involved in troglitazone-induced cell-cycle arrest in human hepatoma cells.

CDC2-CDC28 Kinases↗
PubMed2001

Autofluorescence endoscopy: feasibility of detection of GI neoplasms unapparent to white light endoscopy with an evolving technology.

BACKGROUND: Case studies are presented of fluorescence endoscopy in the upper and lower GI tract to illustrate the ability to detect early-stage lesions that were not observable with white light endoscopy or those in which the assessment of the stage or extension of the lesion were equivocal. METHODS: A new fluorescence imaging system was used in which blue light excites the naturally-occurring fluorescence of tissues (autofluorescence). The system produces real-time, false-color images that combine green and red fluorescence intensities. In general, abnormal lesions are seen to have an increase in the red-to-green fluorescence intensity compared with surrounding tissue. This system was evaluated in patients at 4 participating institutions, concurrently with standard white light endoscopy, with or without dye staining. RESULTS: Selected cases are presented in which fluorescence imaging identified specific lesions including focal high-grade dysplasia in Barrett's mucosa, signet ring carcinoma of the stomach, and flat adenoma in the colon. CONCLUSIONS: The capability of autofluorescence endoscopy to detect the presence and extent of occult malignant and premalignant GI lesions has been demonstrated. The future development and evaluation of this technology are discussed.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

GIPC and GAIP form a complex with TrkA: a putative link between G protein and receptor tyrosine kinase pathways.

NGF initiates the majority of its neurotrophic effects by promoting the activation of the tyrosine kinase receptor TrkA. Here we describe a novel interaction between TrkA and GIPC, a PDZ domain protein. GIPC binds to the juxtamembrane region of TrkA through its PDZ domain. The PDZ domain of GIPC also interacts with GAIP, an RGS (regulators of G protein signaling) protein. GIPC and GAIP are components of a G protein-coupled signaling complex thought to be involved in vesicular trafficking. In transfected HEK 293T cells GIPC, GAIP, and TrkA form a coprecipitable protein complex. Both TrkA and GAIP bind to the PDZ domain of GIPC, but their binding sites within the PDZ domain are different. The association of endogenous GIPC with the TrkA receptor was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation in PC12 (615) cells stably expressing TrkA. By immunofluorescence GIPC colocalizes with phosphorylated TrkA receptors in retrograde transport vesicles located in the neurites and cell bodies of differentiated PC12 (615) cells. These results suggest that GIPC, like other PDZ domain proteins, serves to cluster transmembrane receptors with signaling molecules. When GIPC is overexpressed in PC12 (615) cells, NGF-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (Erk1/2) decreases; however, there is no effect on phosphorylation of Akt, phospholipase C-gamma1, or Shc. The association of TrkA receptors with GIPC and GAIP plus the inhibition of MAP kinase by GIPC suggests that GIPC may provide a link between TrkA and G protein signaling pathways.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed2001

An ADP-ribosylation factor GTPase-activating protein Git2-short/KIAA0148 is involved in subcellular localization of paxillin and actin cytoskeletal organization.

Paxillin acts as an adaptor protein in integrin signaling. We have shown that paxillin exists in a relatively large cytoplasmic pool, including perinuclear areas, in addition to focal complexes formed at the cell periphery and focal adhesions formed underneath the cell. Several ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs; ARFGAPs) have been shown to associate with paxillin. We report here that Git2-short/KIAA0148 exhibits properties of a paxillin-associated ARFGAP and appears to be colocalized with paxillin, primarily at perinuclear areas. A fraction of Git2-short was also localized to actin-rich structures at the cell periphery. Unlike paxillin, however, Git2-short did not accumulate at focal adhesions underneath the cell. Git2-short is a short isoform of Git2, which is highly homologous to p95PKL, another paxillin-binding protein, and showed a weaker binding affinity toward paxillin than that of Git2. The ARFGAP activities of Git2 and Git2-short have been previously demonstrated in vitro, and we provided evidence that at least one ARF isoform, ARF1, is an intracellular substrate for the GAP activity of Git2-short. We also showed that Git2-short could antagonize several known ARF1-mediated phenotypes: overexpression of Git2-short, but not its GAP-inactive mutant, caused the redistribution of Golgi protein beta-COP and reduced the amounts of paxillin-containing focal adhesions and actin stress fibers. Perinuclear localization of paxillin, which was sensitive to ARF inactivation, was also affected by Git2-short overexpression. On the other hand, paxillin localization to focal complexes at the cell periphery was unaffected or even augmented by Git2-short overexpression. Therefore, an ARFGAP protein weakly interacting with paxillin, Git2-short, exhibits pleiotropic functions involving the regulation of Golgi organization, actin cytoskeletal organization, and subcellular localization of paxillin, all of which need to be coordinately regulated during integrin-mediated cell adhesion and intracellular signaling.

ADP-Ribosylation Factor 1↗
PubMed2001

Redox changes accompanying the degradation of seed storage proteins in germinating rice.

The mobilization of storage proteins (glutelins) in germinating rice seeds was accompanied by an ordered sequential combination of proteolysis and reduction of disulfide groups. Mobilization was followed by application of non-reducing/reducing two dimensional-PAGE after monobromobimane labeling of the sulfhydryl groups of the proteins in intact seeds.

Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional↗
PubMed2001

Study of cytochrome P4502E1 mRNA level of mononuclear cells in patients with alcoholic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Cytochrome P-4502E1 (CYP2E1) is an important enzyme because of its unique ability to convert many substrates to cytotoxins. The increased production of reactive intermediates by elevated enzyme concentrations leads to various pathological conditions. Therefore, it is important to detect induced CYP2E1 levels in alcoholic individuals to avoid xenobiotic-promoted liver injury. In the present investigation, we detected CYP2E1 mRNA levels of mononuclear cells obtained from 10 ml of blood by using competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. METHODS: Mononuclear cells were obtained from healthy individuals who did and did not drink habitually and patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Complementary DNA synthesis was performed with RNA obtained from mononuclear cells by reverse transcription-PCR. Competitive PCR of CYP2E1 was performed with the sense (5'-CTGCAACGTCATA-GCCGACA-3') and antisense (5'-TCCATTTCCACGAGCAGGCA-3') primer and competitor DNA. Competitive PCR of beta-actin also was performed. Electrophoresis was scanned, and each band was digitized. The concentration of CYP2E1 and beta-actin mRNA was calculated from the ratio of competitor DNA. RESULTS: In healthy individuals who did and did not drink habitually, CYP2E1 mRNA levels were 103.3 copies/microl RNA and 101.7 copies/microl RNA, respectively. In actively drinking patients with ALD, CYP2E1 mRNA levels were 103.5 copies/microl RNA, but those levels decreased to 101.7 copies/microl RNA after 4 days of abstinence. No significant difference was observed in CYP2E1 mRNA levels between alcoholic fibrosis and cirrhosis. As control, we measured beta-actin mRNA levels in mononuclear cells in all samples. The mean value of beta-actin mRNA was 104.3 copies/microl RNA in all cases, which included patients with ALD. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that it is possible to measure the CYP2E1 mRNA levels of mononuclear cells in a 10 ml blood sample. The CYP2E1 mRNA level in mononuclear cells increases during drinking and decreases in abstinence for a short period of 3 to 4 days. It is concluded that CYP2E1 mRNA level may be used as an effective marker for alcoholic intake.

Actins↗
PubMed2001

Effectiveness of manual cleaning and disinfection of gastroendoscopes with 3% glutaraldehyde for decreasing risk of transmission of hepatitis C virus.

OBJECTIVES: The effectiveness of manual cleaning and disinfection of gastroendoscopes with 3% glutaraldehyde in decreasing the risk of transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was examined. METHODS: Gastroendoscopes used for treatment of endoscopic esophageal variceal ligation in patients with HCV infection were manually cleaned and disinfected with 3% glutaraldehyde (n = 25), 2% glutaraldehyde (n = 17), or 0.1% benzethonium chloride (n = 25). Samples were obtained by pouring 20 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution into the biopsy-suction channel of the scope before and after cleaning and disinfection. HCV was detected with the polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Of the 25 scopes in 3% glutaraldehyde group, nine (36%) were positive for HCV before cleaning and disinfection, but all became negative after cleaning and disinfection; the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01). In contrast, in 2% glutaraldehyde group and in the routine cleaning group, there were no significant differences in the number of positive samples between before and after cleaning and disinfection. CONCLUSION: Manual cleaning and disinfection of gastroscopes with 3% glutaraldehyde is useful for decreasing the risk of transmission of HCV among patients.

Benzethonium↗