BACKGROUND: Among the more than 300 mycotoxins that are known to have toxic effects on animals and humans, Fusarium toxins deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 and HT-2 toxins (T2/HT2), and zearalenone (ZEN) are frequently detected in domestic agricultural products. This study aimed to assess DON, T2/HT2, and ZEN exposure in Japanese adults by measuring urinary mycotoxins, observing their distributions, and making comparisons with data from other countries. METHODS: A total of 201 individuals participated in the study. Twenty-four-hour urine samples were collected from young adults (34 men and 35 women) in the Tokai region (urban area) and spot urine samples were collected from middle-aged and elderly adults (64 men and 68 women) in the Donan area of Hokkaido Prefecture (rural area). Urinary DON, T2/HT2, and ZEN levels were measured using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. RESULTS: For DON, T2/HT2, and ZEN, the detection frequencies above the limit of detection (LOD) level (0.15, 0.13, and 0.01 µg/L, respectively) in all the samples were 53%, 26%, and 71%, respectively. The median concentrations (95^th percentile) of urinary DON, HT2, and ZEN were 0.19 (3.93), CONCLUSIONS This study represents the first comprehensive exposure assessment for DON, T2/HT2, and ZEN in Japanese adults using human biomonitoring methods. These data provide valuable information for a better understanding of mycotoxin exposure in Japan.
Humans ; Zearalenone/urine* ; Japan ; Male ; Female ; Trichothecenes/urine* ; T-2 Toxin/urine* ; Biological Monitoring ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Young Adult ; Mycotoxins/urine* ; Environmental Exposure/analysis* ; East Asian People

PURPOSE: Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) plays a key role in endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation, and atherogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess blood clearance and in vivo kinetics of radiolabeled oxLDL in mice.METHODS: We synthesized ¹²³I-oxLDL by the iodine monochloride method, and performed an uptake study in CHO cells transfected with lectin-like oxLDL receptor-1 (LOX-1). In addition, we evaluated the consistency between the ¹²³I-oxLDL autoradiogram and the fluorescence image of DiI-oxLDL after intravenous injection for both spleen and liver. Whole-body dynamic planar images were acquired 10 min post injection of ¹²³I-oxLDL to generate regional time-activity curves (TACs) of the liver, heart, lungs, kidney, head, and abdomen. Regional radioactivity for those excised tissues as well as the bladder, stomach, gut, and thyroid were assessed using a gamma counter, yielding percent injected dose (%ID) and dose uptake ratio (DUR). The presence of ¹²³I-oxLDL in serum was assessed by radio-HPLC.RESULTS: The cellular uptakes of ¹²³I-oxLDL were identical to those of DiI-oxLDL, and autoradiograms and fluorescence images also exhibited consistent distributions. TACs after injection of ¹²³I-oxLDL demonstrated extremely fast kinetics. The radioactivity uptake at 10 min postinjection was highest in the liver (40.8 ± 2.4% ID). Notably, radioactivity uptake was equivalent throughout the rest of the body (39.4 ± 2.7% ID). HPLC analysis revealed no remaining ¹²³I-oxLDL or its metabolites in the blood.CONCLUSION: ¹²³I-OxLDL was widely distributed not only in the liver, but also throughout the whole body, providing insight into the pathophysiological effects of oxLDL.
Abdomen ; Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; CHO Cells ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cricetinae ; Fluorescence ; Head Kidney ; Heart ; Inflammation ; Injections, Intravenous ; Iodine ; Kinetics ; Lipoproteins ; Liver ; Lung ; Methods ; Mice ; Radioactivity ; Spleen ; Stomach ; Thyroid Gland ; Urinary Bladder

PURPOSE: Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) plays a key role in endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation, and atherogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess blood clearance and in vivo kinetics of radiolabeled oxLDL in mice. METHODS: We synthesized ¹²³I-oxLDL by the iodine monochloride method, and performed an uptake study in CHO cells transfected with lectin-like oxLDL receptor-1 (LOX-1). In addition, we evaluated the consistency between the ¹²³I-oxLDL autoradiogram and the fluorescence image of DiI-oxLDL after intravenous injection for both spleen and liver. Whole-body dynamic planar images were acquired 10 min post injection of ¹²³I-oxLDL to generate regional time-activity curves (TACs) of the liver, heart, lungs, kidney, head, and abdomen. Regional radioactivity for those excised tissues as well as the bladder, stomach, gut, and thyroid were assessed using a gamma counter, yielding percent injected dose (%ID) and dose uptake ratio (DUR). The presence of ¹²³I-oxLDL in serum was assessed by radio-HPLC. RESULTS: The cellular uptakes of ¹²³I-oxLDL were identical to those of DiI-oxLDL, and autoradiograms and fluorescence images also exhibited consistent distributions. TACs after injection of ¹²³I-oxLDL demonstrated extremely fast kinetics. The radioactivity uptake at 10 min postinjection was highest in the liver (40.8 ± 2.4% ID). Notably, radioactivity uptake was equivalent throughout the rest of the body (39.4 ± 2.7% ID). HPLC analysis revealed no remaining ¹²³I-oxLDL or its metabolites in the blood. CONCLUSION ¹²³I-OxLDL was widely distributed not only in the liver, but also throughout the whole body, providing insight into the pathophysiological effects of oxLDL.

Purpose: It is critical to reduce complications associated with the central venous access port (CV-port) system for patients who were treated with chemotherapy or palliative care. Methods: From October 2006 to December 2011, 68 colon cancer patients who were treated with outpatient chemotherapy via a CV-port in the Center for Clinical Oncology, Okayama University Hospital, were analyzed retrospectively. Results: CV-port related complications occurred in 20 (29.4%) patients. No blood could be aspirated in 15 patients when treated via a CV-port. Among the patients with no blood aspiration from their CV-port, ten cases had no complications other than failure of blood aspiration, and anticancer agents have been successfully administered. However, the other five patients had their CV-port system replaced due to complications. Subclavian and left side insertions were the risk factors for catheter occlusion or inability to aspirate blood. Conclusion: Medical staffs should be aware that approximately one-third of the cases with no blood aspiration potentially have troubles with their CV-ports that need to be replaced.

  A 55-year-old male complained about urinary frequency, micturition pain, and right abdominal pain. Ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed severe vesicorectal fistula which was induced by either bladder carcinoma or rectal carcinoma. Total pelvic exenteration was performed. Histopathological examination revealed rectal adenocarcinoma with invasion of the urinary bladder. Twelve months after the surgery, the patient exhibited no sign nor symptom of local recurrence or metastatic disease.

We report a case of female urethral cancer. A 67-year-old female complained of a pain in the left buttocks. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a urethral tumor, which invaded the bladder wall and left buttocks tissue. Transurethral resection was performed. Histopathological examinations revealed squamous cell carcinoma of the urethra. The case was diagnosed as stage D4 urethral cancer according to the Grabstald's classification. Radiotherapies with a total dose of 57.5 Gy were performed on the primary and invaded sites. However, she died 6 months after the radiotherapy.
Female ; seconds ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Procedures on Urethra ; Primary