A novel therapeutic approach for rectal varices: a case report of rectal varices treated with double balloon-occluded embolotherapy

We present a patient with continuous melena, diagnosed as rectal varices bleeding. She had a history of esophageal varices, which was treated by endoscopic ligation therapy. Eight years after the treatment of esophageal varices, the continuous melena began. Colonoscopic examination showed that the melena was caused by rectal varices, which were so severe that they could not be treated by either endoscopic sclerotherapy or surgical devascularization. Taking into considering the overall risk of treating rectal varices, we chose the approach of double balloon-occluded embolotherapy (DBOE) with 5% ethanolamine oleate with iopamodol as a liquid embolic material. DBOE is one of the interventional radiology techniques (Morita et al., Acta Hepatol Jpn 1994;35:109-120), but in this case was a completely new and novel clinical procedure for rectal varices. After the DBOE therapy, the condition of rectal varices was markedly improved. Thus, DBOE might be a new tool for treating inoperable rectal varices.     

Oxidation of methane to formaldehyde over Fe/SiO2 and Sn---W mixed oxides

In an attempt to develop new catalysts for the formation of formaldehyde from methane, the promotion effect of Fe on SiO₂ and that of Sn on WO₃ have been studied. The formation of formaldehyde on silica can be appreciably enhanced by the impregnation of Fe, as far as iron loadings are kept below 0.1 atom.% (Fe/Si × 100). In the case of Sn---W---Ox catalysts, both the addition of Sn to WO₃, and that of W on SnO₂ were effective to the selective formaldehyde formation. Absorption spectra (UV-Vis) and ESR measurements revealed that tetrahedrally coordinated Fe³⁺ in the silica network plays an important role in the formation of formaldehyde. A thin surface layer consisting of W and Sn oxides can account for the selective formaldehyde formation on the Sn---W---Ox catalysts.     

Structural analysis of Au/Mg(OH)2 during deactivation by Debye function analysis

Using a Debye function analysis, the presence of icosahedral and face centered cuboctahedral gold in a 1 1 ratio has been found in freshly prepared Au/Mg(OH)₂ catalyst. The results support earlier studies which suggest the icosahedral form to be more stable at small nanometer sizes. Interactions between the gold and the Mg(OH)₂ support appear to be weak, with the gold rapidly coagulating over a period of three months. Re-analysis of the aged sample shows the gold to be mainly in the form of truncated decahedra.     

Influence of dry operating conditions: observation of oscillations and low temperature CO oxidation over Co3O4 and Au/Co3O4 catalysts

A Sm(III) exchanged NaY zeolite prepared from aqueous SmCl₃ was modified with various amounts of fluorine using NH₄F. These fluorinated zeolites exhibit enhanced catalytic activity for the dealkylation of cumene. The evaluation of acid sites by infrared spectroscopy and pyridine adsorption was correlated with fluorine content.     

Protective effect of phytic acid hydrolysis products on iron-induced lipid peroxidation of liposomal membranes

Beneficial effects of dietary phytic acid (myo-inositol hexaphosphate; IP₆) have often been explained by its strong iron ion-chelating ability, which possibly suppresses iron ion-induced oxidative damage in the gastrointestinal tract. Because phytic acid is hydrolyzed during digestion, this work aimed to know whether its hydrolysis products (IP_2′ IP_3′, IP_4′ and IP₅) could still prevent iron ion-induced lipid peroxidation. Studies using liposomal membranes demonstrated that hydrolysis products containing three or more phosphate groups are able to inhibit iron ion-induced lipid peroxidation although their effectiveness decreased with dephosphorylation. Similarly, they also prevented iron ion-induced decomposition of phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide. These results demonstrate that intermediate products of phytic acid hydrolysis still possess iron ion-chelating ability, and thus they can probably prevent iron ion-induced lipid peroxidation in biological systems.     

Colorimetric microdetermination of sulphites in foods by use of the modified rankine apparatus. IV.

Summary Detection and determination of traces of sulphites in foods was attempted by use of the modified Rankine apparatus and pararosaniline colorimetry. Replacement of alkaline titration reported previously by pararosaniline colorimetry lowered the absolute detection limit from 30 g (titration method) to 2 g. In view of clean analysis, in the color developing system, 0.1 N-sodium hydroxide was used in place of mercuric chloride solution commonly used as an absorbant of sulphites. In order to prevent oxidative decomposition of sulphites during operation, nitrogen gas was used as carrier instead of air. Dimedone and sodium azide were used for the elimination of aldehydes and nitrites, respecitvely, in the sample, which will disturb the color development of sulphites with pararosaniline-formaldehyde reagents. With this improved method, it was possible to determine the residual sulphites in frozen peeled shrimps, sugared beans and other foods with low sulphite contents accurately.

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Colorimetrische Mikrobestimmung von Sulfiten in Lebensmitteln bei Anwendung der modifizierten IV. Rankine Apparatur

Zusammenfassung Geringe Sulfitmengen in Lebensmitteln (geschälte Garnelen, gezuckerte Bohnen) können colorimetrisch bestimmt werden. Die neuentwickelte Methode beruht auf einer Kombination von colorimetrischer Bestimmung mittels p-Rosanilin und der Bestimmungsmethode nach Rankine. Auf diese Weise lassen sich Gehalte von 2 g noch genau bestimmen. Bei der Farbentwicklung wurde das giftige Quecksilbertetrachlorid durch 0.1 n-NaOH ersetzt, anstelle von Luft Stickstoff als Trägergas verwendet und somit eine Oxydation des Sulfits während der Bestimmung vermieden. Da Nitrit und Aldehyde die Farbentwicklung stören, wurde ihr Einfluß durch Dimedon und Natriumazid ausgeschaltet.

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Studies on the Analyses of Sulphites in Foods (IV)     

Comparison of soyasaponin and isoflavone contents between genetically modified (GM) and non-GM soybeans

Soyasaponins and isoflavones are main secondary metabolites in soybeans. In this report we compared the content of secondary metabolites between genetically modified (GM) and non-GM soybeans. Six cultivars/lines of GM and six cultivars/lines of non-GM soybeans were extracted with methanol. Each extract was partitioned with aqueous methanol and hexane and the aqueous methanol fraction was partially purified by HP-20 and LH-20 column chromatography to afford crude soyasaponin and isoflavone fractions. The main A-type soyasaponin, acetylsoyasaponin A1 (AcA1), and the main B-type soyasaponins, soyasaponins I and II (I and II), in the crude fractions were identified by LC/MS analyses with authentic samples. The main isoflavones, daidzin, genistin, daidzein and genistein (DI, GI, DE and GE), in the crude fractions were identified by LC photo-diode array analyses with authentic samples. The contents of AcA1, I and II in the crude soyasaponin fractions and those of DI, GI, DE and GE in the crude isoflavone fractions were analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC. The average contents (mg/100 g) of AcA1, I, II and total of B-type soyasaponins in GM soybeans were 36.4 +/- 24.2, 51.2 +/- 11.8, 26.4 +/- 7.6 and 77.7 +/- 18.5, respectively, and those in non-GM ones were 22.3 +/- 14.7, 46.3 +/- 17.8, 19.8 +/- 9.1 and 65.9 +/- 26.9, respectively. The average contents (mg/100 g) of DI, GI, DE, GE and total isoflavones in GM soybeans were 93.1 +/- 15.5, 121.8 +/- 19.4, 0.073 +/- 0.178, 0.320 +/- 0.082 and 215.3 +/- 33.3, respectively, and those in non-GM ones were 78.8 +/- 34.6, 106.7 +/- 28.3, 2.206 +/- 4.468, 0.822 +/- 0.754 and 188.5 +/- 26.7, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in soyasaponin and isoflavone contents between GM and non-GM soybeans. Therefore, it was estimated that the GM soybeans are equivalent to the non-GM ones in terms of the composition of the main secondary metabolites.     

Electron holographic 3-D nano-analysis of Au/TiO2 catalyst at interface

Three-dimensional (3-D) nanostructures of gold catalysts supported on TiO2 were analysed by electron holography and high-resolution electron microscopy. The contact angle of the gold particle on TiO2 tended to be >90 degrees in the case of gold particles with a size (height) of >4 nm and it tended to be <90 degrees for gold particles with a height of <2 nm. The change in morphology increases the perimeter at the Au/TiO2 interface as the particle size decreases. This change in 3-D structure should be attributed to a change in electronic structure at the interface. It was found that electron holography enabled 3-D analysis at the atomic level and was effective for analysing nanostructured particles.     

Preparation and evaluation of gel formulations for oral sustained delivery to dysphagic patients

Background: Oral sustained release gel formulations may provide a means of administering drugs to dysphagic and geriatric patients who have difficulties with handling and taking oral dosage forms. Aim: We have designed gel formulations for the oral administration of paracetamol with suitable rheological characteristics for ease of administration to patients with swallowing difficulties and sufficient integrity in the acidic environment of the stomach to achieve a sustained release of this drug. Method: Gels formed by gelatin, agar, gellan, pectin, and xyloglucan were assessed for suitable gel strength and in vitro and in vivo release characteristics. Results: Gellan (1.5%?w/v) and xyloglucan gels (1.5%?w/w) had acceptable gel strengths for ease of swallowing and retained their integrity in the rat stomach sufficiently well to sustain the release of paracetamol over a period of 6 hours. Comparison of 1.5%?xyloglucan gels with a commercially available preparation with identical paracetamol concentrations demonstrated improved sustained release properties of the xyloglucan gels. Conclusions: Gels formed by gellan and xyloglucan have suitable rheological and sustained release characteristics for potential use as vehicles for oral delivery of drugs to dysphagic patients.