No abstract

Bisphenol A and its halogenated analogues are commonly used industrial chemicals with strong toxicological effects over many organisms. In this study, metabolic fate of bisphenol A and its halogenated analogues were evaluated with Cunninghamella elegans ATCC36112. Bisphenol A and related analogues were rapidly transformed into several metabolites by C. elegans within 2-4 days. Detailed analysis of metabolites reveals that both phase I and II metabolism occurred in C. elegans. Cytochrome P450-dependent hydroxylation was observed in BPA. However, major reaction with bisphenol A and analogues with 1-2 halogen atoms were the formation of glucose-conjugate, not being inhibited by cytochrome P450 inhibitor. Overall metabolic rates decreased with increasing number of substitution at 2- and 6-position of BPA structures, which may be consequences of limited bioavailability or steric hindrance to conjugate-forming reaction. Information from the current study will provide detailed insights over the fungal metabolism of BPA and analogues.

Objective: To examine the reliability of ultrasonographic thickness and compressibility along with real-time pressure monitoring to evaluate postmastectomy lymphedema and to suggest a reference range of appropriate pressure. Design: Measurement reliability study. Setting: Research laboratory. Participants: Fifteen patients with prior mastectomy for breast cancer who were diagnosed with secondary lymphedema, and 16 healthy control subjects. Methods: The thickness and compressibility of the subcutaneous layer in the arms of 15 postmastectomy patients with secondary lymphedema were measured using B-mode and M-mode ultrasonography. An ultrasound machine was equipped with a real-time pressure-monitoring device to monitor downward compression pressure on the arms at a constant velocity. The ratio of thickness change defined the compressibility index. Two different experienced examiners participated in the measurement of lymphedema. Intrarater reliability and inter-rater reliability were estimated using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Very good reliability was defined as an ICC of more than 0.8. Main outcome measurements: The thickness of the subcutaneous layer, the compressibility index, and the intrarater and inter-rater reliability were measured.Results: The measured thicknesses demonstrated very good intrarater and inter-rater reliability for the forearm and upper arm. For the compressibility index, the upper arm and forearm had very good intrarater and inter-rater reliability at over 2000 Pa of compression (>0.9). Conclusions: Ultrasonography with real-time pressure monitoring may be useful for evaluating the severity and characteristics of lymphedema, particularly at compression pressures more than 2000 Pa.

We report a case of a 53-year-old male with traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). He could not maintain a standing position because of painful spasticity in his lower limbs. A magnetic resonance imaging and electromyography indicated chronic lumbosacral radiculopathy, explaining his chronic low back pain before the injury. For diagnostic as well as therapeutic purposes, transforaminal epidural steroid injection (ESI) to the right L5 root was performed. After the intervention, the spasticity decreased and his ambulatory function improved. This case illustrates that lumbar radiculopathy concomitant with a cervical SCI can produce severe spasticity and it can be dramatically improved by ESI.