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Japanese Ministry (japanese + ministry)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	60%

Selected Abstracts

Predicting ready biodegradability in the Japanese ministry of international trade and industry test

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 10 2000
Jay Tunkel
Abstract Two new predictive models for assessing a chemical's biodegradability in the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) ready biodegradation test have been developed. The new methods use an approach similar to that in the existing BIOWIN© program, in which the probability of rapid biodegradation is estimated by means of multiple linear or nonlinear regression against counts of 36 chemical substructures (molecular fragments) plus molecular weight (mol wt). The data set used to develop the new models consisted of results (pass/no pass) from the MITI test for 884 discrete organic chemicals. This data set was first divided into randomly selected training and validation sets, and new coefficients were derived for the training set using the BIOWIN fragment library and mol wt as independent variables. Based on these results, the fragment library was then modified by deleting some fragments and adding or refining others, and the new set of independent variables (42 substructures and mol wt) was fit to the MITI data. The resulting linear and nonlinear regression models accurately classified 81% of the chemicals in an independent validation set. Like the established BIOWIN models, the MITI models are intended for use in chemical screening and in setting priorities for further review. [source]

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of cardiac sarcoidosis: an Australian single-centre experience

INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2009
V. Manins
Abstract Background:, Cardiac involvement in systemic sarcoidosis is common; however, current diagnostic tools are imprecise. Recognition of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is important as it has a relatively poor prognosis. Gadolinium-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (Gad-CMR) is emerging as an excellent technique in determining the presence of and extent to which cardiac muscle is affected by sarcoidosis. Methods:, A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients with biopsy-proven systemic sarcoidosis referred for Gad-CMR scanning to evaluate potential cardiac involvement. All patients also underwent an electrocardiogram, Holter monitor and echocardiography. Gallium-67 radionuclide investigation, positron emission tomography and cardiac biopsy were ordered at the discretion of the treating physician. Results:, Eleven of the 20 patients had Gad-CMR images supportive of the diagnosis of CS. Eight of these 11 patients met the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare (JMHW) criteria for the diagnosis of CS; three abnormal Gad-CME scans consistent with diagnosis of CS were seen in patients who did not meet JMHW criteria. No patients with normal Gad-CMR scan met JMHW criteria for CS. Conclusion:, These findings suggest that Gad-CMR is potentially superior to the JMHW criteria in the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis. [source]

Age-Induced Neuropathy In Rats

JOURNAL OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, Issue 3 2000
S Yagihashi
We studied the effects of exogenously administered advanced glycation end-products (AGE) on the peripheral nerve function and structure in normal rats. Normal Wistar rats aged 6 weeks were injected intraperitoneally with purified AGE (20 mg/kg/day) produced by incubation of glucose with bovine serum albumin (BSA) for 12 weeks. Control rats were treated with BSA alone. One of AGE-treated groups was co-treated with 50 mg/kg aminoguanidine (AG). During the experimental period, body weight and blood glucose levels were not affected in AGE-treated rats. Serum AGE levels were elevated two fold in AGE-treated group whereas BSA treated rats maintained normal levels, whereas tissue AGE levels in sciatic nerve were not increased in treated group. AG did not alter the levels of serum AGE. AGE-treated rats exhibited significant delay of motor nerve conduction velocity by 30% and reduction of sciatic nerve in Na,K-ATPase activity by 25% in AGE-treated rats. AG treatment significantly inhibited these changes. Immunostains on the cross-sections of sciatic nerve demonstrated significant increase in cells positive for 8 hydroxy-deoxyguanosine, a marker of oxidative stress-induced DNA injury, in AGE-treated group. AG treatment significantly inhibited this reaction. There was no difference in morphometric data on myelinated fibers in sural nerve among the experimental groups. AGE-injected rats thus showed the neuropathic changes, similar to those found in experimentally-induced diabetic animals and it is therefore suggested that AGE have a pathogenetic role in the development of diabetic neuropathy through induction of excessive oxidative stress. Supported by Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International (1-2000-263), Japan Diabetes Foundation, Japanese Ministry of Science, Education, Sports and Culture. [source]

Is laparoscopic surgery acceptable for advanced colon cancer?

CANCER SCIENCE, Issue 4 2009
Seigo Kitano
Laparoscopic surgery is widespread in the treatment of colorectal cancer. In Japan, a nationwide survey has shown that the rate of advanced colorectal cancer has increased gradually to 65% of total laparoscopic surgeries in 2007. Many randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that in the short term, laparoscopic surgery is feasible, safe, and has many benefits, including reduction of peri-operative mortality. In terms of long-term outcomes, four randomized controlled trials suggest that there are no differences in laparosupic and open surgery for colon cancer. However, important issues, including long-term oncological outcome, cost effectiveness, and the impact on the quality of life of patients, should be addressed in well-designed large-scale trials. In Japan, a retrospective multicenter study has demonstrated that the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic surgery are beneficial, and the long-term outcomes are the same as for open surgery. In 2004, a prospective large-scale randomized controlled trial (JCOG0404) to compare laparoscopic surgery with open surgery was started to evaluate oncological outcomes for advanced colon cancer. This trial is supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Cancer Research from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. In the present study, laparoscopic surgery is found to be acceptable for stage I disease of colon cancer, whereas it is controversial for stage II/III disease because of inadequate clinical evidence. Whether laparoscopic surgery is acceptable for advanced colon cancer or not should be confirmed by the Japanese large-scale prospective randomized controlled trial (JCOG0404) in the near future. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 567,571) [source]