detergents, and cosmetics. Recently, role of npEDCs on the changes of ovary and/or uterus development and alterations in hormonal signaling has been emphasized. However, many controversial results exist on the effects of npEDCs and reproductive health of women. Thus, we have focused to review the scientific evidence of a causal relationship between exposure to npEDCs and representative female reproductive issues such as menstrual cycle, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, polycystic ovarian syndrome and infertility/subfertility. Though not all studies indicated a positive correlation of npEDCs with female reproductive issues, the reviewed data illustrated that the majority of the available data strengthen the evidence of reproductive health-related actions of npEDCs. In future, recommendations should be made in order to reduce human exposure to npEDCs and to protect from steadily increasing reproductive health risks.]]>
Detergents ; Endocrine Disruptors ; Endometriosis ; Female ; Half-Life ; Humans ; Infertility ; Leiomyoma ; Menstrual Cycle ; Ovary ; Plastics ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; Reproductive Health ; Uterus

PURPOSE: Nonylphenol (NP) is an endocrine disruptor found in products such as cleaners, plastics, and detergents. It exerts actions similar to endogenous 17β-estradiol (E2) and is reported to influence various cancers. However, its role in colon cancer remains elusive. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Colon cancer cell lines COLO 205 and SW480 were employed in our study. The cells were treated with NP or E2 followed by measurement of apoptosis and proliferation using flow cytometry and MTT assays, respectively. G protein–coupled estrogen receptor 30 (GPR30) expression was visualized using immunofluorescence and Western blot. To investigate the underlying mechanism, the expression levels of GPR30, p-protein kinase A (PKA), c-myc, cyclin D1, and ERK1/2 were analyzed using Western blot. Meanwhile, the GPR30 antagonist G15 was utilized to validate the role of GPR30 in colon cancer progression. Finally, the effect of a GPR30 inhibitor on tumor growth was determined in vivo using tumor xenograft mouse models. RESULTS: NP facilitated the proliferation of colon cancer cells and induced apoptosis failure in vitro. Western blot revealed increased GPR30 expression levels in response to NP treatment. Cyclin D1, p-PKA, c-myc, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, proteins that regulate the cell cycle, were all upregulated by NP, and NP-mediated ERK1/2 activation and subsequent cell proliferation were abrogated by the GPR30 inhibitor G15. Moreover, colon cancer mice that received G15 administration demonstrated impaired tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSION: Low dose NP promotes the growth of colon tumors through GPR30-mediated activation of ERK1/2 signaling.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Cyclin D1 ; Detergents ; Estrogens ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Heterografts ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mice ; Phosphotransferases ; Plastics ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The use of a low-volume bowel cleansing agent is associated with a greater willingness to undergo repeat colonoscopy. Oral sulfate solution (OSS) is a recently approved low-volume agent; however, its efficacy and safety in the elderly population remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and acceptability of the OSS preparation, in comparison to those of a standard polyethylene glycol (PEG; 4 L) preparation, in elderly patients. METHODS: A multicenter, randomized, investigator-blinded study was conducted. Participants were randomized to receive OSS or 4-L PEG with a split-dose regimen. Bowel cleansing efficacy was assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). Acceptance, satisfaction, and preparation-related symptoms were recorded. Additionally, blood parameters were analyzed for electrolyte abnormalities and nephrotoxicity. RESULTS: A total of 193 patients were analyzed. No group differences in overall bowel cleansing efficacy were observed, with “adequate” preparations achieved in 95.9% (93/97) and 94.8% (91/96) of patients in the OSS and 4L PEG groups, respectively (p=0.747). However, mean BBPS scores for the entire (p=0.010) and right colon (p=0.001) were significantly higher in the OSS group than in the 4-L PEG group. The severity of clinical adverse events and frequency of acute kidney injury were similarly low, and no clinically meaningful electrolyte changes were identified. Self-reported scores regarding amount (p<0.001) and feeling (p=0.007), as well as overall satisfaction (p=0.001) and willingness to repeat the preparation (92.8% vs 67.7%, p<0.001), were significantly better in the OSS group than in the 4-L PEG group. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly individuals, OSS with a split-dose regimen has greater acceptability and comparable efficacy in bowel cleansing compared to 4-L PEG. (Clinical trials registration number: NCT03112967)
Acute Kidney Injury ; Aged ; Cathartics ; Colon ; Colonoscopy ; Detergents ; Humans ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the antifungal effects of neutral electrolysis hydrogen water, an agent known for its oral anti-bacterial effects on the growth of C. albicans in vitro.METHODS: Hydrogen water, denture cleansing agent, and Listerine® were compared to a tap water control. We serially cultured C. albicans KCTC 27239 in SD media to analyze the inhibitory effect of each treatment on growth. We evaluated the data using repeated-measures ANOVA test and one-way ANOVA test, and a significant difference was defined as P < 0.05.RESULTS: Hydrogen water significantly inhibited the growth, but not the biofilm formation, of C. albicans compared to tap water control at 1-, 5-, and 10-minute time points (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The growth of C. albicans was slower in hydrogen water than in tap water, thereby suggesting an inhibitory effect of hydrogen water. Hydrogen water may, therefore, be utilized as an antibacterial and preventive agent without any harmful effect on denture and oral tissues.
Biofilms ; Candida albicans ; Candida ; Dentures ; Detergents ; Electrolysis ; Hydrogen ; In Vitro Techniques ; Water

An extracellular lipase from Aureobasidium pullulans was obtained and purified with a specific activity of 17.7 U/mg of protein using ultrafiltration and a DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow column. Characterization of the lipase indicated that it is a novel finding from the species A. pullulans. The molecular weight of the lipase was 39.5 kDa, determined by sodium dodecyl sulfonate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The enzyme exhibited its optimum activity at 40 °C and pH of 7. It also showed a remarkable stability in some organic solutions (30%, v/v) including n-propanol, isopropanol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and hexane. The catalytic activity of the lipase was enhanced by Ca²⁺ and was slightly inhibited by Mn²⁺ and Zn²⁺ at a concentration of 10 mmol/L. The lipase was activated by the anionic surfactant SDS and the non-ionic surfactants Tween 20, Tween 80, and Triton X-100, but it was drastically inhibited by the cationic surfactant cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). Furthermore, the lipase was able to hydrolyze a wide variety of edible oils, such as peanut oil, corn oil, sunflower seed oil, sesame oil, and olive oil. Our study indicated that the lipase we obtained is a potential biocatalyst for industrial use.
Ascomycota/enzymology* ; Calcium ; Catalysis ; Corn Oil/metabolism* ; Detergents/chemistry* ; Enzyme Stability ; Fungal Proteins/chemistry* ; Glucans/chemistry* ; Hexanes/chemistry* ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hydrolysis ; Industrial Microbiology ; Lipase/chemistry* ; Manganese/chemistry* ; Olive Oil/metabolism* ; Peanut Oil/metabolism* ; Sesame Oil/metabolism* ; Substrate Specificity ; Sunflower Oil/metabolism* ; Surface-Active Agents ; Temperature ; Zinc/chemistry*

No abstract available.
Abdominal Pain ; Colonoscopy ; Detergents ; Eating

Sodium picosulfate/magnesium citrate (SPMC) is a widely used oral bowel cleansing agent considered to be relatively safe. However, partially dissolved or undissolved SPMC powder may cause severe injuries of the esophagus and stomach. We report a very rare case of acute gastric injury without esophageal damage caused by the ingestion of undissolved SPMC powder. A 69-year-old man experienced epigastric pain after swallowing SPMC powder without dissolving it in water in preparation for a screening colonoscopy. He realized his mistake immediately and subsequently drank 2 L of water. The esophagogastroduodenoscopy conducted after 12 hours indicated an acute gastric ulceration without injury of the esophagus or duodenum. The endoscopy conducted after 6 weeks of oral proton pump inhibitor treatment showed healing of the gastric injury. This suggested that drinking large amounts of water after ingesting partially dissolved or undissolved SPMC powder can prevent serious esophageal injury, but offers no preventive benefit for acute gastric injury.
Aged ; Cathartics ; Citric Acid* ; Colonoscopy ; Deglutition ; Detergents ; Drinking ; Duodenum ; Eating ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Proton Pumps ; Sodium* ; Stomach ; Stomach Ulcer ; Water

BMP-2 is a well-known TGF-beta related growth factor, having a significant role in bone and cartilage formation. It has been employed to promote bone formation in some clinical trials, and to differentiate mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts. However, it is difficult to obtain this protein in its soluble and active form. hBMP-2 is expressed as an inclusion body in the bacterial system. To continuously supply hBMP-2 for research, we optimized the refolding of recombinant hBMP-2 expressed in E. coli, and established an efficient method by using detergent and alkali. Using a heparin column, the recombinant hBMP-2 was purified with the correct refolding. Although combinatorial refolding remarkably enhanced the solubility of the inclusion body, a higher yield of active dimer form of hBMP-2 was obtained from one-step refolding with detergent. The refolded recombinant hBMP-2 induced alkaline phosphatase activity in mouse myoblasts, at ED₅₀ of 300-480ng/ml. Furthermore, the expressions of osteogenic markers were upregulated in hPDLSCs and hDPSCs. Therefore, using the process described in this study, the refolded hBMP-2 might be cost-effectively useful for various differentiation experiments in a laboratory.
Alkalies ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Cartilage ; Detergents ; Heparin ; Humans* ; Inclusion Bodies ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Methods ; Mice ; Myoblasts ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Solubility ; Stem Cells* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta

We present an interesting case of arbitrary chemical burn resulting from exposure to an undiluted detergent solution as a folk remedy. A 59-year-old woman came to the emergency department presenting chemical burn on her hand. She was affected by housewife's eczema on her left hand and wanted to cure the lesion. So three days before she came to hospital, she had put her hand into an undiluted detergent solution for an hour as a folk remedy for eczema. The patient was treated with foam dressing while the wound was demarcated. After three weeks, she underwent full-thickness skin graft on her 4(th) finger only. On postoperative day 14, the grafted skin was well-taken and on postoperative day 32, the wound was healed completely with a nail growth. Dish detergent solution has been widely used in kitchen but there is no documented report of chemical burn resulting from a detergent solution. When this patient came to our hospital at first time, the wound was so inflammatory and partial necrosis was combined. So we waited for demarcation preparing even for amputation. But with application of appropriate foam dressing, the patient was healed well and required only partial skin graft. We may encounter the patients suffer from the chemical burns due to usual detergent sometimes. But we do not need to perform surgical treatment immediately. Instead, appropriate dressing will be helpful to minimize operation range.
Amputation ; Bandages ; Burns* ; Burns, Chemical ; Detergents* ; Eczema ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Fingers ; Hand* ; Humans ; Medicine, Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; Skin ; Transplants ; Wounds and Injuries

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder which affects millions of population worldwide. Global estimates published in 2010 reported the world diabetic prevalence as 6.4%, affecting 285 million adults. Foot ulceration and wound infection are major forms of disabilities arising from diabetic diseases. This study was aimed to develop a natural antimicrobial finishing on medical grade textile that meets American Association of Textiles Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) standard. The textile samples were finished with the ethanolic extract of Penicillium amestolkiae elv609, an endophytic fungus isolated from Orthosiphon stamineus Benth (common name: cat's whiskers). Endophyte is defined as microorganism that reside in the living plant tissue, without causing apparent disease symptom to the host. The antimicrobial efficacy of the ethanolic extract of P. minioluteum was tested on clinical pathogens isolated from diabetic wound. The extract exhibited significant inhibitory activity against 4 bacteria and 1 yeast with the minimal inhibitory concentration ranged from 6.25 to 12.5 mg/mL. The results indicate different susceptibility levels of the test microorganism to the ethanolic extract. However, the killing activity of the extract was concentration-dependent. The finished medical textile showed excellent antimicrobial efficacy on AATCC test assays. All the microbial cultures treated with the textile sample displayed a growth reduction of 99.9% on Hoheinstein Challenge Test. The wash durability of the finished textile was found good even after 50 washes with commercial detergent. Besides, the gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis showed that 6-octadecenoic acid and diethyl phthalate were the main bioactive constituents of the extract. In conclusion, the developed medical textile showed good antimicrobial efficacy on laboratory tests. This work can be extended to in vivo trials for developing healthcare textile products for antimicrobial applications.
Adult ; Bacteria ; Delivery of Health Care ; Detergents ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Ethanol ; Foot Ulcer ; Fungi ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Homicide ; Humans ; Orthosiphon ; Penicillium* ; Plants ; Prevalence ; Textiles ; Wound Infection ; Wounds and Injuries* ; Yeasts