[Ultrasound-guided renal cyst puncture and 95% ethanol instillation. Part 2: Morphological and functional alterations]

Ultrasound-guided renal cyst puncture was performed on 22 cysts which were then 95% ethanol instilled to prevent recurrence of cystic fluid. Cystic lesions disappeared on the ultrasonogram in the follow-up period of 3 to 28 months. On CT, cystic lesions became smaller size but did not disappear. Average CT numbers of the cyst were 8.75 +/- 3.83 before and 12.96 +/- 3.27 after ethanol instillation. The cystic wall became thicker. Caliceal distortion and/or pelvis compression by cystic lesions improved on IVP 2 to 3 days after ethanol instillation. The renal image on Tc-99m-DMSA scintigram showed morphological improvement and DMSA renal uptake rate increased slightly but significantly 2 to 4 weeks after ethanol instillation. There were no major complications with this procedure except for one case in which the tip of the catheter became stuck in the cyst and broke off when the catheter was removed. A slight local irritable pain was noticed in all cases. Half of the patients had hot flushes and/or somewhat drunken sense but these symptoms were only temporary. Antabuse phenomenon appeared in one case with concomitant use of a cephem antibiotics after ethanol instillation. This method of therapy is a safe non-surgical approach to treat renal cysts. 95% ethanol instillation in the cyst seems to prevent recurrence of cystic fluid.

Host-mediated antitumor effect of DMG, a degraded D-manno-D-glucan from Microellobosporia grisea culture fluid

DMG, a new polysaccharide with a well-characterized structure, isolated from the culture filtrate of an actinomycetes and then degraded by acid treatment, was tested for antitumor activity on allogeneic and syngeneic tumors in mice. In the allogeneic Ehrlich solid tumor system, DMG showed antitumor activity over a wide dose range, its optimal dose being 10-100 mg/kg. The optimal time of DMG administration was 1-2 weeks after tumor inoculation, but DMG was also effective when given before tumor inoculation. DMG was effective when given ip, sc, it (intratumorally) or iv. DMG also had antitumor effects on syngeneic tumors. It rapidly inhibited the growth of MM46 mammary carcinoma, MH134 hepatoma, and Meth A fibrosarcoma, and also inhibited spontaneous pulmonary metastases of B16-BL6 melanoma. However, it had no direct cytocidal action on tumor cells in vitro. Its antitumor activity was much less in athymic nude mice and in mice immunosuppressed by whole-body X-irradiation than in normal hosts.Thus, DMG was shown to exert antitumor activity via host-mediated mechanisms. Its antitumor activity is discussed in comparison with those of other antitumor polysaccharides.

Immunopotentiation by a new antitumor polysaccharide, DMG, a degraded D-manno-D-glucan from Microellobosporia grisea culture fluid

The immunopharmacological behavior of DMG, an antitumor polysaccharide, was studied in mice. DMG administered ip or sc stimulated peritoneal macrophages to produce high levels of interleukin-1 activity, which can amplify successive immune responses. DMG dose-dependently and schedule-dependently increased the cellular immune response against allogeneic tumor cells and the humoral immune response to sheep erythrocytes. DMG also enhanced nonspecific antitumor effector functions, such as natural killer activity of spleen and peritoneal cells, and the cytostatic activity of peritoneal macrophages. Peritoneal macrophages activated by ip or sc injection of DMG exhibited high cytostatic activity, especially after exposure in vitro to lymphokine supernatants containing macrophage activation factor. Moreover, granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating activity in the serum increased 2-10 hr after DMG administration. Thus, DMG potentiated antigen-specific immunological functions and nonspecific functions of host defense systems against cancer both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Potentiation of antitumor immunity in tumor-bearing mice by a degraded D-manno-D-glucan (DMG), a new antitumor polysaccharide

DMG, a degraded D-manno-D-glucan from the culture fluid of Microellobosporia grisea, inhibited the growth of murine syngeneic MM46 mammary carcinoma. Mice in which the tumor had completely regressed by DMG treatment showed tumor-specific antitumor resistance. The antitumor action of DMG was studied by examining the influences of DMG on tumor-specific and non-specific immune responses in tumor-bearing hosts. The tumor-specific delayed hypersensitivity reaction appeared transiently on day 7 after tumor inoculation but had decreased by day 15 in untreated tumor-bearing mice. In contrast, the reaction was retained and augmented in DMG-treated tumor-bearing mice. The tumor-neutralizing activity of spleen cells from DMG-treated tumor-bearing mice, tested by a Winn assay, was tumor-specific and significantly higher than that of untreated tumor-bearing mice. The tumor-neutralizing activity of peritoneal cells and the in vitro cytostatic activity of peritoneal macrophages in response to lymphokine supernatants containing macrophage activation factor were also augmented by DMG treatment. In contrast, the level of antitumor antibody in the serum increased with time, irrespective of DMG administration. Thus, DMG potentiated cellular antitumor effector mechanisms.

Combination therapy of murine tumors with a degraded D-manno-D-glucan (DMG) from Microellobosporia grisea, and cyclophosphamide

DMG, a degraded D-manno-D-glucan with a host-mediated antitumor activity did not significantly enhance nor inhibit the development of suppressor cells for either the antibody-forming response or the delayed hypersensitivity reaction to sheep red blood cells. Cyclophosphamide (CY), which inhibited the generation of suppressor cells, was combined with DMG in treatment of murine syngeneic tumors to obtain a higher antitumor activity. The antitumor activity of the combination against MH134 hepatoma was synergistically higher than that of either component alone. A marked antitumor effect of the combination treatment against MM46 mammary carcinoma was also shown. High levels of antitumor delayed hypersensitivity reactions were observed with this combination therapy. The possible roles of DMG and CY in this combination therapy are discussed.

Kinetic study on chemical modification of Taka-amylase A. II. Ethoxycarbonylation of histidine residues

The modification of Taka-amylase A (TAA) [EC 3.2.1.1] of Aspergillus oryzae by diethylpyrocarbonate (DEP) was carried out at 25 degrees C and at pH 5.8 (0.1 M acetate buffer). Two out of the six histidine residues were modified with 4.6 mM DEP, and two or three histidine residues were modified with 23 mM DEP. In both cases, one of them was protected from modification by the presence of 15% maltose. The results suggest that two or three out of the six histidine residues are exposed on the surface of the TAA molecule, and one of them exists near the maltose binding site. Ethoxycarbonylation of histidine residues of TAA caused loss of the amylase activity and activation of the hydrolysis of phenyl alpha-maltoside (phi alpha M). The kinetic parameters of the modified TAA for several substrates and analogs were determined at 25 degrees C and at pH 5.3 (0.08 M acetate buffer). From the results, it was found that this alteration of the enzyme activity by the modification was not due to a change in Km value but to a change in k0 value. Thus, some of the histidine residues in TAA are suggested to play an important role in the enzyme catalytic function.

Kinetic study on chemical modification of taka-amylase A. I. Location and role of tryptophan residues

1. Five and four tryptophan residues in Taka-amylase A [EC 3.2.1.1] of A. oryzae (TAA) were modified with dimethyl(2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl)-sulfonium bromide (K-IWS) in the absence and the presence of 15% maltose (substrate analog), respectively. Only one tryptophan residue was modified with dimethyl(2-methoxy-5-nitrobenzyl)-sulfonium bromide (K-IIWS) irrespective of the presence or absence of maltose. Kinetic parameters (molecular activity, k0, Michaelis constant, Km, and inhibitor constant, Ki) of the enzyme modified with K-IWS and K-IIWS were determined. The k0 value decreased with increase in the number of modified residues, but Km and Ki values and the type of inhibition were not altered by the modification. 2. The fluorescence quenching reaction of TAA with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) proceeded in three phases. The second-order rate constants of the three phases were determined to be (4.3 +/- 0.5) x 10(5) M-1 . s-1, (2.1 +/- 0.3) x 10(3) M-1 . s-1 and (1.7 +/- 0.2) x 10(2) M-1 . s-1, respectively. In the presence of maltose, the first phase was further separated into two phases with rate constants of (4.6 +/- 0.6) x 10(6) M-1 . s-1 and (6.9 +/- 1.1) x 10(4) M-1 . s-1, respectively. On the basis of the results, it is estimated that five out of nine tryptophan residues are accessible to the solvent and among them, two tryptophan residues are substantially exposed: one is located in the maltose binding site near the catalytic site (its modification affects the catalytic function), and the other exists on the enzyme surface far from the active site.

A Study of Metal Flow Ahead of Tool Face With Large Negative Rake Angle

Although the chip formation mechanism by a tool having a large negative rake angle is not well known, it is very important to make the process clear in order to get high quality in finished surfaces. In this paper, the behavior of material ahead of a tool face with a large negative rake angle is examined by means of low speed machining on lead. The deformation process of the material is investigated by the deformation study combining a finite element method with a grid line method. During cutting, the deformation process of grid lines which were drawn on the sides of testpieces was observed through a side glass which restricted the side flow of material. Cutting force was measured by a dynamometer consisting of an elongated octagonal ring with strain wire gages. As a result it was found that the shear stress on the slip line of maximum increment of shear strain is nearly constant, but the compressive stress changes along the line. It was concave near the top of cutting edge and convex near the surface of the test piece. The position of the change of polarity in the slope shifted depending on the rake angle of the tool. This phenomenon is considered to have close relation with the stagnant tip, which decides not only the size of chip, but also whether or not a chip will be formed. Flow lines of material and the deformed region ahead of tool faces with different negative rake angles were also obtained and they were compared with each other.

Partial molar volumes of some 1-alkanols in erythrocyte ghosts and lipid bilayers

The partial molar volumes of 1-heptanol and 1-octanol in red cell ghosts, in egg phosphatidylcholine bilayers, and in water and phosphate buffer have been measured to a precision of better than 4% by using a density meter. In every case, the partial molar volume was independent of concentration in the range studied. In both membranes, the partial molar volume of each alcohol was close to its molar volume whereas in aqueous solution it was considerably less. Comparison of the two membranes suggests that the major contribution to the partial molar volume arises from alcohol-lipid interactions of each case. Further comparison with partial molar volumes in bulk solvents suggests that on average the alcohols retain a hydrogen bond in the lipid bilayer. The magnitude of the volume change in ghosts is some 5 times less than the corresponding area changes previously reported by others [Roth, S. H., & Seeman, P. (1972) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 255, 190-198]. These two observations can only be resolved by assuming either that the bilayer expands anisotropically, experiencing a decrease in thickness with increasing volume, or that conformational changes in membrane-associated proteins can occur at constant volume to increase membrane area. Finally, these data are used to test the critical volume hypothesis of general anesthetic action. A volume change of 0.15% in red cell ghost membranes is found to be associated with anesthesia, which compares with a value of 0.2% predicted previously from pressure reversal of anesthesia studies. In egg phosphatidylcholine bilayers, a volume change of 0.36% is associated with anesthesia. The larger change in the lipid bilayer compared to the biomembrane originates solely in their different membrane/buffer partition coefficients.

The partial molar volumes of anesthetics in lipid bilayers

The excess volumes of mixing of benzyl alcohol, halothane, and methoxyflurane in water and in suspensions of several lipid bilayers have been determined at 25 degrees C using a novel excess volume dilatometer. The excess volumes of mixing in water were all found to be negative, whereas in lipid suspensions they were all more positive than those in water alone. From known partition coefficients the partial molar volumes of these three solutes in the lipid bilayers were calculated. These values were all close to the molar volumes of the pure anesthetics, as was a value determined for halothane in olive oil. Halothane was studied in dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine below its phase transition, and was found to exhibit a much larger excess volume than in any other system we studied. The potency of these three anesthetics was determined in tadpoles. It was calculated that at equi-anesthetic doses these three agents caused an expansion in egg lecithin/cholesterol (2:1) bilayers of 0.21 +/- 0.015%. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that general anesthetics act by expanding membranes.

Absorption, distribution and excretion of cefmenoxime (SCE-1365), a novel broad-spectrum cephalosporin, in mice, rats, rabbits and dogs

The levels of cefmenoxime (SCE-1365) [7 beta-[2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-[Z]-2-methoxyiminoacetamido]-3-[(1-methyl-1H-tetr azol-5-yl)thiomethyl]ceph-3-em-4-carboxylic acid] and cefotaxime [7 beta-[2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-[Z]-2-methoxyiminoacetamido]-3-acetoxymethyl-ceph -3-em-4-carboxylic acid] in plasma and tissues, and the excretion in urine and bile of experimental animals were compared. A single dose of 20 mg/kg of cephalosporins was administered subcutaneously to mice and intramuscularly to rats, rabbits and dogs. The cefmenoxime and cefotaxime levels in plasma and tissues reached a peak in 15 approximately 30 minutes after administration. The cefmenoxime levels in plasma were slightly higher than that of cefmenoxime in rats and slightly lower in mice, rabbits and dogs. The tissue levels of cefmenoxime, however, were much higher than those of cefotaxime. In mice and rats, cefmenoxime was distributed in high concentration to various tissues in the descending order of the kidney, plasma, liver, lung, spleen and brain; in rabbits, kidney, plasma, lung, liver, spleen and brain; and in dogs, kidney, liver, plasma, lung, spleen and brain. The plasma and tissue levels of cefmenoxime persisted much longer than those of cefotaxime. Both cephalosporins were excreted principally in the urine. A high biliary excretion of cefmenoxime was observed in rats and dogs. In the specimens from animals given cefotaxime, deacetylcefotaxime was found in various amounts.

Absorption, distribution and excretion of SCE-963, a new broad-spectrum cephalosporin, in mice, rats, rabbits and dogs

A single dose of 20 mg/kg of SCE-963 [7beta-]2-(aminothiazol-4-yl)acetamido]-3-[[[1-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-1H-tetrazol-5-yl]thio]methyl]ceph-3-em-4-carboxylic acid] was administered subcutaneously to mice, intramuscularly to rats, rabbits and dogs. Plasma and tissue levels of SCE-963 reached a peak in 15 approximately 30 minutes after administration. In mice, rats and dogs, SCE-963 was distributed at high concentration in the descending order in the kidney, liver, plasma, lung and spleen, and in rabbits, in the kidney, plasma, lung, liver and spleen. The SCE-963 levels in the liver of mice, rats and dogs were higher than those of cefazolin, cephaloridine and cephalothin. The plasma and tissue levels of SCE-963 in mice and rats diminished rapidly, but those in rabbits and dogs declined gradually. SCE-963 was mainly excreted in the urine. The rate of excretion of SCE-963 in the bile was two to three times higher than that of cefazolin.

Absorption, distribution and excretion of cefsulodin, an antipseudomonal cephalosporin, in mice, rats and dogs

A single dose of 20 mg/kg of cefsulodin [3-(4-carbamoyl-1-pyridiniomethyl)-7 beta-(D-alpha-sulfophenylacetamido)-ceph-3-em-4-carboxylate monosodium salt] was administered subcutaneously to mice, and intramuscularly to rats and dogs. The plasma and tissue levels reached the peak 15 approximately 30 minutes after administration. In mice and rats, no plasma levels were measurable 2 and 4 hours after administration. In dogs, the plasma levels were measurable 6 hours after administration. The level in the kidney of mice was slightly lower than the plasma level, while in rats and dogs, the level in the kidney was higher than the plasma level. The cefsulodin levels in the lung of rats and dogs were relatively high, and the level in mice was relatively low. The hepatic levels were very low in all test animal species. Cefsulodin was mainly excreted into the urine, and the excretion of cefsulodin into the bile was very slight.

Studies on the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of propionylmaridomycin in rats

The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of propionylmaridomycin was investigated in the rat by using [(14)C]propionylmaridomycin. Propionylmaridomycin was absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract at a relatively rapid rate and was readily distributed into tissues. Among the tissues examined, liver, kidney, and lung showed a remarkably higher level of the radioactivity than plasma, while distribution of the radioactivity into brain was little. However, a significant accumulation of the radioactivity in tissues was not observed. Excretion of the radioactivity was mainly via the fecal route and the high fecal recovery was accounted for by unabsorbed drug and biliary excretion of the drug and/or its metabolites. Tissue distribution of antimicrobial activity was also investigated and lung was found to show the highest antimicrobial activity among any tissues examined. Propionylmaridomycin was completely converted to several metabolites by the rat and the presence of at least three components was confirmed as biologically active metabolites. Of these metabolites, 4''-depropionyl-9-propionylmaridomycin was identified, which was the major metabolite in tissues, plasma, and urine.