Evaluation of binding equation method for prediction of unbound serum valproic acid concentration in pediatric patients with epilepsy

We retrospectively evaluated the ability of Scatchard binding equation method to predict the unbound serum valproic acid (VPA) concentration in 37 pediatric patients with epilepsy receiving VPA monotherapy. The correlation between predicted and observed unbound serum concentrations was high and significant (r = 0.873, p < 0.001). Mean prediction error (ME), mean absolute prediction error (MAE), and root mean squared error (RMSE) were calculated, and served as a measure of prediction bias and precision. The 95% confidence intervals of ME did not include 0, showing a bias to overpredict unbound concentration. The MAE and RMSE were not small in magnitude (MAE 17.4 mumol/l, RMSE 22.8 mumol/l). The current method using the in vivo population mean binding parameters from healthy young adults may be limited in the predictive performance of unbound serum VPA concentration.

Potentiating effects of methamphetamine on the hyperactivity of microencephalic rats treated prenatally with methylazoxymethanol: possible implication of hyperdopaminergia

Microencephalic rats induced by methylazoxymethanol (MAM) were observed to have notable hyperactivity compared to control rats, as measured by several behavioral parameters in an automated field apparatus. Acute injection of the stimulant drug, methamphetamine (MAP), produced an increase in the incidence of locomotion and rearing in control rats, and this stimulatory effect of MAP on motor activity was markedly potentiated in MAM rats. Chronic MAP treatment did not change D1 or D2 dopamine receptor densities in either control or MAM rats. From these results, it was suggested that augmented dopaminergic functions may contribute to the hyperactivity seen in MAM rats.

Combination effects of clastogens in the mouse peripheral blood micronucleus assay

In order to study how two chemicals interact to induce micronuclei, simple ethylating agents [ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), ethyl ethanesulfonate (EES) and N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)], spindle poisons [vincristine sulfate (VINC) and colchicine (COL)] and an oxidizing agent [potassium bromate (KBrO3)] were used as model chemicals for combination treatments. The frequency of micronucleated reticulocytes (MNRETs) was evaluated in mice treated with two of these chemicals at a time. The combinations of ethylating agents (EMS and EES; EMS and ENU) and of spindle poisons (VINC and COL) induced more micronuclei than those expected on an additive basis. The apparent synergism was due to a 'combined dose' which could be calculated by the dosimetric conversion of one chemical to the other, when damage induced by each chemical was 'equivalent' in the induction of MNRETs. In contrast, no apparent synergism in induction of micronuclei was observed when two chemicals with different modes of clastogenic action (EMS and KBrO3 or EMS and VINC) were combined.

Bone matrix decorin binds transforming growth factor-beta and enhances its bioactivity

In an effort to clarify the regulation of distribution and actions of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta in bone, TGF-beta 1 binding to extracted bone matrix proteins and the influence of such binding on TGF-beta 1 actions were examined. In-gel binding of 125I-TGF-beta 1 using extracts from mineralized bovine bone matrix demonstrated that 125I-TGF-beta 1 was almost exclusively bound to a proteoglycan, decorin. The binding was via the core protein of decorin. Scatchard analysis of the binding of 125I-TGF-beta 1 to immobilized decorin purified from osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell conditioned medium revealed that there were two specific binding sites with high and low affinities for TGF-beta 1 (Kd = 0.3 and 5 nM, respectively). The addition of decorin along with TGF-beta 1 enhanced the inhibitory effect of TGF-beta 1 on MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation. Decorin in itself did not affect their proliferation. These cells possessed types I and II TGF-beta receptors and betaglycan, and the addition of decorin increased the binding of 125I-TGF-beta 1 to all these receptors. These results demonstrate that the core protein of decorin specifically binds TGF-beta 1 with high affinities and that the binding of TGF-beta 1 to decorin increases TGF-beta 1 binding to its receptors and enhances its bioactivity. Because TGF-beta is released by bone resorption along with matrix proteins, including decorin, and because it stimulates the synthesis of these proteins, it is suggested that the binding and enhancement of the activities of TGF-beta by decorin may play a role in maintaining bone formation during bone remodeling process.

Novel antibiotics SF2738A, B and C, and their analogs produced by Streptomyces sp

Three new antibiotics SF2738A, B and C, and their analogs were isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. The antibiotics are active against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, and exhibited cytotoxic activity against P388 murine leukemia cells with IC50 values of 0.08, 0.25 and 7.5 micrograms/ml, respectively. Their structures were determined by spectral analyses and chemical conversion. Especially, the structure of SF2738A was confirmed to be (E)-((4-methoxy-5-methylthio-2-(2-pyridyl)pyridin-6-yl)methylene)azan ol by X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Distribution of urinary hippuric acid concentrations by ALDH2 genotype

OBJECTIVES

To clarify the relation between the genetic polymorphism of ALDH2 (low Km aldehyde dehydrogenase) and toluene metabolism.

METHODS

The study subjects were 253 toluene workers (192 men and 61 women with an age range of 18-66). The genotypes of ALDH2 were classified by artificial restriction fragment length polymorphism into the homozygous genotype of normal ALDH2 (NN), the homozygous genotype of an inactive ALDH2 (DD), and the heterozygous genotype of normal and inactive ALDH2 (ND). The concentrations of hippuric acid (HA), the main metabolite of toluene, was determined in urine specimens of 253 toluene workers. The HA measurements in previous occupational health examinations were also referenced. The HA concentrations corrected for creatinine (HA/C) were compared with the biological exposure index (BEI) for toluene, which is 2.5 g/g creatinine. To estimate the toluene exposures, urinary o-cresol concentrations were also determined and compared with another BEI for toluene--that is, 1.0 mg urinary o-cresol/g creatinine.

RESULTS

Incidence of each genotype in the toluene workers was almost the same as that in non-exposed controls who lived in the same area as the toluene workers. The incidence of each of the three genotypes also did not differ by smoking habit. Mean urinary HA concentrations were not significantly different in the groups with the different genotypes of ALDH2. The HA concentrations of > 70% of the 890 total samples were < 1.0 g/l. The number of urine samples > 3.0 g/l was 28 (5.4%) in the NN group and 19 (6.4%) in the ND group. No urine samples in the DD group were > 3.0 g/l HA. The distribution of urinary HA in the DD group was significantly different from those in both the NN and ND groups (P < 0.05). Seven (4.9%) of the 136 total specimens in the NN group and four (4.7%) of the 82 total specimens in the ND group exceeded the BEI. There were, however, no urine specimens that exceeded the BEI in the DD group. The maximum HA concentration after correction for creatinine in the DD group was 1.86 g/g creatinine. The percentages of urine specimens in which o-cresol concentrations exceeded this BEI were 14.3% in the NN group, 9.1% in the ND group, and 15.4% in the DD group. Therefore, the exposure rate for all three genotypic groups of workers was almost the same.

CONCLUSIONS

The HA concentrations of toluene workers with ALDH2 DD genotype were lower than those of the NN and ND genotypes when they were exposed to relatively high concentrations of toluene. The exposures of the DD group were suspected to be underestimates because they were based on the BEI for the NN genotype.

Quantitative analysis of superoxide anion generation in living cells by using chemiluminescence video microscopy

Superoxide anions (O2-) generated by rabbit neutrophils were detected and quantified by a video microscope equipped with a photon-counting camera. One count obtained by this system was equivalent to 59 amol of O2-. Maximum O2- production was observed at 6-8 min after stimulation and was estimated as 1.9 fmol/min per cell on the average.

[A case of hemangioblastoma in the thalamus]

Supratentorial hemangioblastoma is encountered very rarely. About 80 cases in all have been reported. The authors present a case of supratentorial hemangioblastoma in the thalamus with gradually enlarging cysts. The patient was a 45-year-old man with complaints of left hemiparesis and headache. Computed tomographic scans of the brain showed a cystic mass with mural nodule in the right thalamus. Left vertebral angiography demonstrated a vascular tumor fed by a thalamogeniculate artery. A right temporo-parietal craniotomy was performed and the tumor was totally resected through the transcortical approach. The histological diagnosis was hemangioblastoma. Post-operative course was good except for a minor complication of the left lower quadrant homonymous hemianopsia and left hemiparesis which had disappeared at the time of discharge.

In vivo binding characteristics of carbamazepine and carbamazepine 10, 11-epoxide to serum proteins in monotherapy adult patients

The in vivo serum protein binding characteristics of carbamazepine and carbamazepine 10, 11-epoxide, which was the main metabolite of carbamazepine in plasma, were assessed in sera from 30 adult patients with epilepsy on carbamazepine monotherapy. The binding characteristics of each compound were analyzed according to the two-site binding model. Association constants to the high-affinity binding site on alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) were 0.053 l/mumol for carbamazepine and 0.013 l/mumol for carbamazepine 10, 11-epoxide. The maximum binding capacities for drug-AAG binding were 49.2 mumol/l for carbamazepine and 48.1 mumol/l for carbamazepine-10, 11-epoxide. The products of the association constant and binding capacity for the lower-affinity site (i.e., the linear component of albumin binding site) were 1.273 for carbamazepine and 0.525 for carbamazepine 10, 11-epoxide. Within the total concentration range of each compound investigated, the contribution of drug-AAG binding to the total serum binding was relatively larger than that of drug-albumin binding.

Pregnancy complicated by liver dysfunction: possible pathogenesis of vasospasm

BACKGROUND

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy, the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP), and severe preeclampsia form a disease spectrum. We report a case that showed a vasospastic phenomenon supported angiographically and hematologically.

CASE

A 31-year-old Japanese woman presented at 37 weeks gestation with a 1-week history of nausea, vomiting and general fatigue. She underwent cesarean delivery for fetal distress. Liver dysfunction and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy were detected. The celiac angiogram showed vascular narrowing and irregularity of the vascular wall. Serum endothelin and the ratio of thromboxane B2 to 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha were increased at the same time. The patient experienced rapid resolution of symptoms and laboratory abnormalities in the immediate postoperative period.

CONCLUSION

A pregnancy complicated by liver dysfunction showed a vasospastic phenomenon, which may suggest the presence of a vasospastic syndrome.

ALDH2 polymorphism and biological monitoring of toluene

In this study, we evaluated the effects of the genetic polymorphism of ALDH2 (low Km aldehyde dehydrogenase) on toluene metabolism and determined biological exposure indices (BEIs) of the genotypes of ALDH2. The study subjects included 45 toluene workers and 122 nonexposed students. The genotype of ALDH2 was classified into the homozygous genotype of normal ALDH2 (NN), the homozygous genotype of an inactive one (DD), and the heterozygous genotype of normal and inactive ones (ND) by means of artificial-RFLP. The personal exposure levels to toluene were monitored, using diffusion type samplers and urinary hippuric acid (HA) and creatine concentrations were determined. The urinary HA levels of the three genotypes of ALDH2 of nonexposed students did not differ. In the toluene workers, positive correlations between the personal exposure to toluene and urinary HA levels were observed in the NN, ND, and DD groups. The urinary HA level of the DD group was significantly lower than that of the NN or ND group. Regression lines were used to estimate the BEIs of the NN, ND, and DD groups, which were approximately 2.9 g/g creatinine, 3.3 g/g creatinine, and 1.9 g/g creatinine, respectively.

Pulmonary elimination of methyl tertiary-butyl ether after intraperitoneal administration in mice

The pulmonary elimination after intraperitoneal administration at three different doses (50, 100, and 500 mg/kg) of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) was studied using mice. There were two exponential curves with an initial rapid decrease of the elimination ratio followed by a slow decrease at the doses of 100 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg. The calculated half-lives of the two elimination curves obtained by the least squares method were approximately 45 min and 80 min. The pulmonary elimination ratios at the three different doses were from 23.2% to 69.0%. Most of the excreted MTBE was eliminated within 3 h. It is suggested in this paper that MTBE in exhaled air can be used as a biological exposure index for the exposure assessment of MTBE.

Efficiency of serum copper/zinc ratio for differential diagnosis of patients with and without lung cancer

We examined serum copper (Cu), serum zinc (Zn), and the serum copper/zinc ratio (Cu/Zn) in 162 patients. All of them were seen to have an abnormal shadow in the chest X-ray films, that is, 109 patients with lung cancer (LC) and 53 patients with no lung cancer (NLC). The mean Cu and Cu/Zn in LC patients were significantly higher than those in NLC patients (p < 0.05). In LC patients, Cu and Cu/Zn were higher and Zn was lower in advanced tumors than early ones. There was a significantly clear relation between Cu or Cu/Zn and the tumor (T) stages. When the relative risk (RR) of LC was estimated, it was seen that the higher Cu and Cu/Zn became, the higher RR became. Furthermore, we showed the sensitivity of the receiver operator characteristic of the test (ROC) curve for Cu, Cu/Zn, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) to diagnose LC, as explained in a paragraph of methods. The determinations of Cu, Zn, and Cu/Zn are simple and inexpensive. They also appear to have a great diagnostic value in determining the local invasion of LC and as a screening test in the high-risk patients for LC.

Frequent involvement of visible chromosomal deletion in X-ray-induced mutants at the HLA-A locus in human T-lymphocytes

Mutant T-lymphocytes at the HLA-A locus were isolated using a recently developed flow-cytometric assay either immediately after drawing blood (in vivo mutants) or after X-irradiation in vitro. Mutants were subsequently propagated clonally for cytogenetic and molecular analyses. Among the 38 in vivo mutants, none contained an abnormal chromosome 6 on which the HLA-A locus resides (6p21.3). In contrast, mutants recovered after in vitro irradiation frequently carried abnormalities in the short arm of chromosome 6: 11/19 and 5/5 independent mutants for the 1-Gy and 2-Gy groups, respectively. Characteristically, the majority of the aberrations were deletions, commonly involving chromosome 6p21-p23. Because chromosomal deletions involving the selected gene are rare among radiation-induced mutants at the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (chromosome X) and thymidine kinase (chromosome 17) loci, the HLA-A locus can be considered as highly prone to chromosomal deletions after radiation exposure. It is generally believed that ionizing radiation randomly breaks DNA, and the higher frequency of chromosomal deletions at the HLA-A locus is unlikely to be due to preferential induction but more likely to the better survivability of the deletion-bearing mutants. Consequently, the results suggest that the human genome is quite heterogeneous with regard to the survivability of cells bearing a chromosomal deletion including different loci.

Confirmation study, using nitrobenzene, of the Combined Repeat Dose and Reproductive/Developmental Toxicity Test protocol proposed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

A confirmatory familiarization study of the Combined Repeat Dose and Reproductive/Developmental Toxicity Screening (ReproTox) test protocol proposed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) was performed using nitrobenzene, a testicular toxicant. The agent was given daily by gavage to groups of 10 male and 10 female Sprague-Dawley rats at doses of 100, 60, 20 and 0 mg/kg body weight. Some of the high dose animals exhibited neurological signs, and two males and 9 females died. Hemolytic anemia due to methemoglobin formation was evident in treated males. Histopathologically, treated males showed atrophy of seminiferous tubules of the testis, reactive changes secondary to hemolytic anemia in the hematopoietic organs, and hepatocellular swelling. Cerebral gliosis was observed in middle and high dose males. Male fertility was not affected. The body weights of pups from treated dams were lowered, and their postnatal loss was increased. Most of the known toxicological properties of this chemical was demonstrated in the present study, with the exception of reduced fertility. Therefore, the ReproTox protocol was concluded as being useful as a screening test of existing high production volume chemicals. It should be noted that while the reproductive toxicity test alone is insensitive for detection of male fertility disturbances associated with testicular toxicity, the latter easily be distinguished on morphological grounds.

Adiabatic amplification of solitons by means of nonlinear amplifying loop mirrors

We study the transmission properties of a nonlinear amplifying loop mirror that acts as an adiabatic amplifier of solitons. The adiabatic nature of the operation is quantified by evaluation of the energy and the Hamiltonian of dispersive-wave components contained in the output pulse. Near-adiabatic amplification is possible, and a chirp-free solition can be generated with an amplification ratio (compression ratio) of ~2 by a proper design of the device.

Passive immunisation against experimental salmonellosis in mice by orally administered hen egg-yolk antibodies specific for 14-kDa fimbriae of Salmonella enteritidis

Chickens were immunised with a preparation of purified 14-kDa fimbriae of Salmonella serotype Enteritidis (SEF 14) to raise egg-yolk antibodies for protection trials in mice against subsequent challenge-exposure with the homologous strain of Enteritidis. A pronounced specificity of egg-yolk antibodies against the 14-kDa fimbrial antigen was demonstrated by Western blotting analysis. Passive antibody protection was evaluated in a mouse model of experimental salmonellosis: 79 mice (CD 1 strain) were challenged orally with 2 x 10(10) cfu of Enteritidis. Test mice treated with SEF-14 antibodies (titre = 128) had a survival rate of 77.8% compared to 32% survival in control mice fed normal egg-yolk antibodies (titre < 10) (p < 0.01). In-vitro adhesion of Enteritidis to mouse intestinal epithelial cells was reduced by anti-fimbrial antibodies. An indirect immunofluorescence method demonstrated the localisation of Enteritidis along the villous margins of the small intestine of control mice, whereas in test mice adherent bacteria were not detected. Results suggest that 14-kDa fimbriae may influence, enhance or contribute to the overall adhesive properties of Enteritidis and that egg-yolk antibodies directed against these fimbriae may have played a substantial role in protection, possibly by minimising bacterial colonisation and invasion during the early stages of infection.

PF1018, a novel insecticidal compound produced by Humicola sp

A new insecticidal compound PF1018 was isolated from the culture broth of Humicola sp. It exhibited insecticidal activity against a wide range of critical pest species. The structure of PF1018 was determined to be (7aS)-2-((2E)-1-hydroxy-3-((1S,3aR,4R,5R,7aR)-3a,4,5,7 a-tetrahydro-1,3,5,7- tetramethyl-5,1-((3S)-(Z)-2,3-dimethylpropeno)-1H-inden-4-yl )-2- propenylidene)pyrrolizidine-1,3-dione, by NMR spectral analyses coupled with X-ray crystallographic analysis and chemical degradation study.

Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity in human lung tissue: in relation to cigarette smoking and lung cancer

In order to investigate the relationship between aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity and smoking or lung cancer, AHH activities in fresh lungs (normal tissue, tumorous tissue, and surrounding tissue of tumor) obtained from lung cancer patients and non-lung cancer patients were measured. There were no differences in lung AHH activity in the lung lobes. In the non-lung cancer patients, AHH activities ranged from 0.13 to 2.37 (pmol 3 hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene/20 min/mg protein), and whereas in the normal tissues of the lung cancer patients they ranged from 0.19 to 5.05. Lung AHH activities showed normal distribution, and a large variation (26 times) was observed in normal tissues in the lung cancer patients. In most cases, AHH activities in the tumorous tissues and the surrounding tissue of the tumor were lower than those in the normal tissues of the lung cancer patients. In the non-lung cancer group, the means of AHH activity of the nonsmoker subgroup (NN) and the smoker subgroup (SN) were 0.62 and 0.96, respectively. On the other hand, in the lung cancer group the means of AHH activity of the nonsmoker subgroup (NC) and smoker subgroup (SC) were 0.85 and 1.05, respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed between NN and SN, NN and NC, and NN and SC. These results suggest that human lung AHH activity was increased by cigarette smoke as in rodent lungs, and the distribution of basal AHH activity in lung tissue of the nonsmokers group in the lung cancer patients shifted toward high levels compared to the nonsmokers group in the non-lung cancer group. The effect of the histological cell types of the lung cancer on the AHH activity was not observed in this study.

[A case of brain abscess of the basal ganglia which resulted in disastrous outcome due to ventricular ruptures]

A case of deep-seated brain abscess that ruptured twice into the ventricle and resulted in death is presented. A 45-year-old man had experienced pyrexia and headache for 3 days before admission. On admission he was somnolent (GCS: 13) but there were no abnormal neurological findings except nuchal rigidity and Kernig's sign. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed a ring enhanced mass near the left caudate head and dilated ventricles. In comparison with CT performed at the former hospital it was diagnosed that a rupture into the ventricle of the brain abscess had occurred. Ventricular drainage was performed at once and white purulent cerebrospinal fluid was obtained. Thereafter, he was treated with some antibiotics and his conditions seemed to stabilize for a while. Serial CT images demonstrated that the size of the abscess seemed to be enlarging. Just when we planned to undertake stereotactic aspiration, the second ventricular rupture occurred and he died. According to this case, it is suggested that once a deep-seated brain abscess near the ventricular system is suspected, it should be aspirated by means of CT-guided stereotactic surgery immediately.

[Two cases of traumatic intracerebral pneumocephalus]

Two cases of traumatic intracerebral pneumocephalus, a rare complication of head trauma, are presented. Case 1: A 14-year-old boy had a strong concussion in his forehead due to a motorbike accident. Slightly obtunded on admission showing GCS 10, he became conscious in several days. Head CT performed after 17 days showed a round air image in the right frontal lobe which kept increasing in size thereafter. Bilateral frontal craniotomy was performed 31 days after the injury. A craniodural defect with a herniated brain was found in the superior wall of the posterior ethmoid sinus and repaired. Case 2: A 55-year-old man received a left forehead concussion when his motorbike ran into a car from behind. Although he had been conscious ever since admission, head CT after 15 days showed a round air image in the left frontal lobe. MRI demonstrated the air to be located in the cerebral parenchyma distinctly and the brain to have herniated into the frontal sinus. As the air showed a tendency to increase in volume and mild psychic and memory disturbances appeared, bilateral frontal craniotomy was performed 34 days after the injury. A craniodural defect with a herniated brain was detected in the posterior wall of the frontal sinus and repaired. These two patients showed a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea before the operation. Following the surgical repair, no recurrence of pneumocephalus and CSF rhinorrhea has been seen in either case. Intracerebral pneumocephalus secondary to closed head trauma was thought to have been due to herniation of contused brain into a craniodural defect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Passive protection against bovine rotavirus in calves by specific immunoglobulins from chicken egg yolk

The efficacy of chicken egg yolk immunoglobulins (yIg) from hens immunized with bovine rotavirus (BRV) serotype G6 (strain Shimane) or serotype G10 (strain KK-3) for protection against homologous BRV in calves was investigated. A significant protection by anti-BRV yIg having 6400 neutralizing antibody titer per dose could be achieved in calves (P < 0.01).