Studies toward the total synthesis of popolohuanone E: enantioselective synthesis of 8-O-methylpopolohuanone E

[structure: see text]. 8-O-methylpopolohuanone E (2) was synthesized in a highly convergent manner starting from the cis-fused decalin derivative accessible from the (-)-Wieland-Miescher ketone analogue. The synthetic method features a biogenetic-type annulation of the phenolic and quinone segments to regioselectively construct the central tricyclic ring system as the key step.

Successful use of a defined antigen/GM-CSF adjuvant vaccine to treat mucosal Leishmaniasis refractory to antimony: A case report

Immunotherapy has been proposed as a method to treat mucosal leishmaniasis for many years, but the approach has been hampered by poor definition and variability of antigens used, and results have been inconclusive. We report here a case of antimonial-refractory mucosal leishmaniasis in a 45 year old male who was treated with three single injections (one per month) with a cocktail of four Leishmania recombinant antigens selected after documented hypo-responsiveness of the patient to these antigens, plus 50 microg of GM-CSF as vaccine adjuvant. Three months after treatment, all lesions had resolved completely and the patient remains without relapse after two years. Side effects of the treatment included only moderate erythema and induration at the injection site after the second and third injections. We conclude that carefully selected microbial antigens and cytokine adjuvant can be successful as immunotherapy for patients with antimonial-refractory mucosal leishmaniasis.

[Effects of home oxygen therapy on patients with chronic heart failure]

OBJECTIVES

Dyspnea on exertion and/or hypoxemia due to nocturnal respiratory disturbance may occur in patients with stable chronic congestive heart failure. Such patients with respiratory disorder during sleep have a poor prognosis. The effects of treatment with home oxygen therapy on patients with congestive heart failure are unclear when symptoms are stable at rest. This study investigated the effects of home oxygen therapy on patients with stable chronic congestive heart failure.

METHODS

Thirty-three patients with stable chronic congestive heart failure(New York Heart Association functional class II-IV) and hypoxemia during exercise or sleep were treated with oxygen above the level of 90% SaO2. The following factors were compared before and after home oxygen therapy: Subjective minimal capacity on exercise(metabolic equivalents: METs) before and 1 month after patients first became aware of dyspnea on effort using the specific activity scale(SAS); SaO2 at rest before and 1 month after; and frequency of admission during 1 year due to deterioration of heart failure.

RESULTS

After home oxygen therapy, SAS improved from 2.5 +/- 0.9 to 3.3 +/- 1.0 METs(p < 0.0001), and SaO2 at rest improved from 92.8 +/- 2.5% to 96.3 +/- 1.6%(p < 0.0001). The frequency of admission was decreased from 1.3 +/- 1.2 to 0.8 +/- 1.2 times(p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Home oxygen therapy is effective for improving the symptoms and activity of daily life in patients with chronic heart failure. Home oxygen therapy may prevent the deterioration of heart failure.

Treatment of chronic suppurative otitis media with Broncasma Berna

Broncasma Berna, an inactivated bacterial vaccine, has been safely used throughout the world for 30 years for the prevention or treatment of various infectious processes. Until now, there has been no published report regarding its use as a treatment for chronic suppurative otitis media. In this small study, five such patients (median age: 57 years) underwent a series of seven 0.05-ml injections of Broncasma Berna. In all cases, their otorrhea diminished markedly and their tympanic membranes were almost completely dry. The cost of treatment was extremely low.

[Usefulness of three-dimensional color Doppler sonography for the differential diagnosis of subpleural lesions]

The purpose of our investigation was to assess the usefulness of three-dimensional color Doppler sonography (velocity mode and power mode) for the differential diagnosis of subpleural lesions. Thirty lesions (11 pneumonias, 5 lung abscesses, 11 primary lung cancers, 3 metastatic lung cancers) were examined. Three-dimensional images were reconstructed by a maximum intensity projection method. Three-dimensional representations of intralesional blood flow became available for all lesions approximately 11 seconds after scanning. In every case, the entire vasculature of the tumor, the pneumonia, the abscess, or the inflamed region of the lung was appreciated more easily from three-dimensional images than from two-dimensional images. We classified the color flow pattern of subpleural lesions depicted by color flow imaging into seven groups. Color flow was depicted better by the three-dimensional color Doppler power mode than the velocity mode. Three-dimensional color flow patterns observed in power mode, patterns of the pneumonias and the lung cancers differed significantly. Our results suggest that the three-dimensional color Doppler power mode is useful for the differential diagnosis of subpleural lesions.

Hyperperfusion phenomenon after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for atherosclerotic stenosis of the intracranial vertebral artery

✓ The authors report on a patient who underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for stenosis of the intracranial vertebral artery (VA). This 67-year-old man's dizziness while walking was caused by infarction of the left cerebellar peduncle. On angiograms, his left VA manifested 90% stenosis at the intracranial portion and his right VA ended at the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Because single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) showed low perfusion and poor perfusion reserve in the posterior circulation, the authors performed PTA of the left VA, which was only 35% dilated due to stenosis. Although the patient's postoperative course was uneventful, postoperative hemodynamic studies (SPECT and transcranial Doppler [TCD] ultrasonography) revealed the hyperperfusion phenomenon. A 100% increase of regional cerebral blood flow in the posterior circulation was demonstrated on SPECT studies and TCD ultrasonography revealed a doubling of blood flow velocity in the VA compared with preoperative values. Careful control of the patient's blood pressure resulted in resolution of the hyperperfusion phenomenon within 1 week post-PTA. Although hyperperfusion syndrome following carotid endarterectomy is not rare, it is seldom seen after reconstruction of the posterior circulation, and the possibility of its occurrence must be kept in mind when the posterior circulation is reconstructed.

Studies on defatted seed removal efficiency for organochlorine compounds

Defatted seeds were evaluated for effective adsorption of organochlorine compounds such as chloroform, dichloromethane, and trichloroethylene. The amounts of these compounds adsorbed were plotted against the equilibrium concentration of substances in solution on a logarithmic scale. A linear relationship was obtained, indicating that the adsorption reactions were of the Freundlich type. The removal of these organochlorine compounds by defatted seed was attributed to the uptake by intracellular particles called spherosomes.

A DNA ligase from a hyperthermophilic archaeon with unique cofactor specificity

A gene encoding DNA ligase (lig(Tk)) from a hyperthermophilic archaeon, Thermococcus kodakaraensis KOD1, has been cloned and sequenced, and its protein product has been characterized. lig(Tk) consists of 1,686 bp, corresponding to a polypeptide of 562 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 64,079 Da. Sequence comparison with previously reported DNA ligases and the presence of conserved motifs suggested that Lig(Tk) was an ATP-dependent DNA ligase. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Lig(Tk) was closely related to the ATP-dependent DNA ligase from Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum DeltaH, a moderate thermophilic archaeon, along with putative DNA ligases from Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. We expressed lig(Tk) in Escherichia coli and purified the recombinant protein. Recombinant Lig(Tk) was monomeric, as is the case for other DNA ligases. The protein displayed DNA ligase activity in the presence of ATP and Mg(2+). The optimum pH of Lig(Tk) was 8.0, the optimum concentration of Mg(2+), which was indispensable for the enzyme activity, was 14 to 18 mM, and the optimum concentration of K(+) was 10 to 30 mM. Lig(Tk) did not display single-stranded DNA ligase activity. At enzyme concentrations of 200 nM, we observed significant DNA ligase activity even at 100 degrees C. Unexpectedly, Lig(Tk) displayed a relatively small, but significant, DNA ligase activity when NAD(+) was added as the cofactor. Treatment of NAD(+) with hexokinase did not affect this activity, excluding the possibility of contaminant ATP in the NAD(+) solution. This unique cofactor specificity was also supported by the observation of adenylation of Lig(Tk) with NAD(+). This is the first biochemical study of a DNA ligase from a hyperthermophilic archaeon.

A new quinolizidine alkaloid from the Papua New Guinean sponge Xestospongia exigua

A new bis-quinolizidine alkaloid, xestosin A (1), possessing cis- and trans-quinolizidine nuclei, has been isolated from the Papua New Guinean sponge Xestospongia exigua. The structure was determined by spectrometric and single-crystal X-ray analyses.

Anthocyanins in callus induced from purple storage root of Ipomoea batatas L

Two anthocyanins were isolated from the highly pigmented callus derived from the storage root of purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) cultivar 'Ayamurasaki'. One was identified as cyanidin 3-O-sophoroside-5-O-glucoside, and the other as cyanidin 3-O-(2-O-(6-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucop yranoside)-5-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, by chemical and spectroscopic analysis.

[Changes of serum hepatocyte growth factor in coronary artery disease]

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is an endothelial cell specific growth factor involved in the repair of endothelial cells and collateral formation, however, the role for coronary artery disease is still unknown. We measured serum HGF level in various coronary artery diseases to examine the clinical significance. Serum HGF level was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method in patients with stable effort angina pectoris (n = 26), old myocardial infarction (n = 18), unstable angina pectoris (UAP; n = 10) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI; n = 21). As a control group, we selected 11 patients with neurocirculatory asthenia. Blood samples from peripheral veins were collected at cardiac catheterization before heparin administration. In the AMI group, blood samples were also collected at 48, 72 hr, 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks from the peripheral veins and 48 and 72 hr after reperfusion from the coronary sinus. Serum HGF level was significantly higher in the UAP (0.41 +/- 0.12 ng/ml, p < 0.001) and AMI groups (0.38 +/- 0.26 ng/ml, p < 0.05) compared to the control group (0.19 +/- 0.09 ng/ml). Serum HGF level peaked 48 hr after reperfusion in both the peripheral veins (0.42 +/- 0.16 ng/ml) and coronary sinus (0.58 +/- 0.23 ng/ml) in the AMI group, with a significantly higher level in the coronary sinus than the peripheral veins (p < 0.05). No significant correlation between peak HGF level in the peripheral veins and peak creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB, ejection fraction and cardiac index was observed. Serum HGF was elevated in acute coronary syndrome, indicating advanced endothelial cell damage. HGF is produced, at least partially, in the heart in patients with AMI. Serum HGF level may be useful to detect endothelial cell damage rather than myocardial cell damage.

Establishment and characteristics of an anthocyanin-producing cell line from sweet potato storage root

 Anthocyanin pigments accumulated in a cell line derived from storage-root explants of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) cv 'Ayamurasaki'. Somatic pro-embryos were induced on the explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 1 mg/l 2,4-D. The pro-embryo structures produced callus when transferred to MS medium with 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D. A cell line was isolated from this callus which accumulated anthocyanin pigment. The color value of the pigment extracted after 27 days of culture in MS medium with 2 mg/l 2,4-D was 8.2, which was very close to that of a pigment extracted from roots, which was 8.9. Most of the pigments from the cell extract were hydrophilic and appeared on the ODS-column HPLC with a lower retention time than the main anthocyanins of the root tissues. The majority of the pigments were identical with the root anthocyanins. Cell line-specific anthocyanins were detected.

New xenicane diterpenes isolated from the acetone extract of the soft coral Xenia florida

Six new xenicane diterpenes have been isolated from the acetone extract of the soft coral Xenia florida. Two of them are diterpenes containing a bicyclic [4.3.1] ring system. Three of them seem to be precursors for diterpenes possessing the bicyclic [4.3.1] ring system. One is a common monocarbocyclic diterpene with a cyclononane skeleton.

[Possibility of discharge and need for rehabilitation of psychiatric patients hospitalized for one year or more in Japan: a preliminary report. Committee on Rehabilitation Affairs, Subcommittee of Survey on Rehabilitation Need]

A total of 19,342 psychiatric patients staying in a total of 143 hospitals in Japan for one year or more entered in this study in order to determine the possibility of discharge (POD) and the need for rehabilitation. Those who were assessed by the psychiatrist in charge to have POD provided community support was assured accounted for 32.5%. As for the levels of daily life functions measured with the GAF score, those assessed to have POD showed the maximum frequency between scores 51 and 60, while the others, who were not considered suitable for discharge, showed the maximum frequency between scores 21 and 30. On the other hand, the control group, consisting of subjects with psychiatric disabilities and living in the community while using day care or rehabilitation facilities, showed the maximum frequency of GAF scores between 51 and 60. Two-thirds of the study subjects were older than fifty, while in the control group those aged between 30 and 49 accounted for 49.0%, thus indicating that the residents of mental hospitals tend to be older. More than 60% of the study subjects had been staying in hospital for five years or more. Those without their own home accounted for about 60%.

The role of ATP-sensitive potassium channels in the mechanism of ischemic preconditioning

We clarified the role of K(ATP) channels in the mechanism of ischemic preconditioning by using K(ATP) channel opener, nicorandil, and K(ATP) channel inhibitor, glibenclamide. Forty anesthetized dogs were divided into five groups: (a) control (C), (b) ischemic preconditioning (PC), (c) intravenous infusion of nicorandil before PC (Ni), (d) glibenclamide pretreated with PC (Gl + PC), and (e) glibenclamide pretreated with Ni (Gl + Ni). All groups were followed by 60-min ischemia and 60-min reperfusion and analyzed by the biochemical procedures. At the end of 60-min reperfusion, percentage of segment shortening in C indicated paradoxic bulging. This value was significantly recovered in PC and Ni, but it was still negative in Gl + PC and Gl + Ni. Ca2+ -adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was significantly decreased in C. In PC and Ni, this activity was significantly maintained; however, in Gl + PC and Gl + Ni, it was similar to that in C. State III respiration of mitochondria showed similarity to the changes in SR. These results indicated that the K(ATP) channel opener enhanced the effects of ischemic preconditioning, and its blockade abolished these phenomena. We conclude that the ATP-sensitive potassium channel may play one of key roles in the mechanisms of ischemic preconditioning in the dog model.

[Effects of low dose pimobendan in patients with cor-pulmonale]

The acute and chronic efficacy of low dose pimobendan (1.25 mg x 2/day) was evluated in patients with cor-pulmonale. Fifteen patients (12 men, 3 women, mean age 73 +/- 5 yr) with right ventricular dysfunction judged by Tei's Doppler index (> or = 0.4) and poor working capacity (exercise tolerance: 2.2-6.6 MET) were studied. Mean pulmonary artery pressure, cardiac output, total pulmonary resistance using Swan-Ganz catheter, and arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide pressure (PaO2, PaCO2) were measured before and 24 hr after pimobendan administration. Maximal oxygen intake (MET), saturation of arterial blood oxygen at rest and desaturation by treadmill stress test were measured before and 1 month after pimobendan administration. Pulmonary artery pressure decreased (17.6 +/- 4.7 to 10.2 +/- 2.3 mmHg, p < 0.001) and cardiac output increased (3.5 +/- 0.6 to 5.1 +/- 0.9 l/min, p < 0.001), resulting in decreased total pulmonary resistance (5.0 +/- 1.3 to 2.1 +/- 0.7 U, p < 0.001), and a mild decrease in PaO2 (74 +/- 8 to 70 +/- 10 mmHg, p < 0.05). Exercise tolerance improved significantly (4.8 +/- 1.7 to 6.8 +/- 2.2 MET, p < 0.001), without deterioration of PaO2 and desaturation. These results indicate that low dose pimobendan is useful for the treatment of patients with cor-pulmonale.

New cembranes from the soft coral sarcophyton species

Three new cembranes, including one with a 13-membered carbocyclic ring, have been isolated from the soft coral Sarcophyton sp.

Competitive adsorption between phospholipid and plasma protein on a phospholipid polymer surface

The competitive adsorption of proteins and phospholipids on omega-methacryloyloxyalkyl phosphorylcholine (MAPC) polymer was evaluated in this study. Albumin, fibrinogen, and dimyrstoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) were used as model components. The amount of DMPC adsorbed on the MAPC polymers increased with an increase in the MAPC unit composition of the polymer. The methylene chain length of the MAPC unit was another factor influencing the DMPC adsorption when the MAPC unit composition of the MAPC polymer was low. The state of albumin and DMPC liposome adsorbed on the 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer was determined by dynamic contact angle (DCA) measurement. The adsorption strength of albumin on the MPC polymer was weaker than that on the poly[n-butyl methacrylate (BMA)], that is, the albumin was detached from the MPC polymer during the rinsing process. On the poly(BMA) surface, no difference in the shape of the DCA loops before and after contact with the DMPC liposomal suspension was observed. Fibrinogen adsorption on the MAPC polymer was detected by gold-colloid labeled immunoassay. The amount of fibrinogen adsorbed on every MAPC polymer surface was reduced by addition of the DMPC liposome in the fibrinogen solution. The number of platelets adhered on the MAPC polymer was also decreased when the DMPC liposome was present in the fibrinogen solution during pretreatment. We concluded that phospholipids were preferentially adsorbed on the MAPC polymer surface compared with plasma protein and that the adsorbed phospholipids played an important role in showing an excellent blood compatibility on the MAPC polymer.

Effect of non-selective endothelin blockade, TAK-044, on the ischemic cellular injury of rat heart

The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of non-selective endothelin blockade (TAK-044) in ischemic myocardial injury. Forty anesthetized rats were separated into four groups: 1) TAK-I group, after preinjection of TAK-044 (3 mg/kg), LAD was ligated for 60 min and reperfused for 60 min; 2) Saline (SAL)-I group, LAD ligation and reperfusion without TAK-044; 3) TAK-C group, sham operated TAK group; 4) SAL-C group, sham-operated SAL group. Myocardium from each group was separated and analyzed by biochemical and ultrastructural procedures. Reperfusion arrhythmia (VT) was observed in 88% of the SAL-I group, in contrast to only 36% of the TAK-I group. At the end of reperfusion, hemodynamics indicated no significant differences between these two groups. The Ca(++)-ATPase activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was 3.9 mumoles Pi/mg protein/h (39% of SAL-C group) in the SAL-I group, while that in the TAK-I group was significantly higher at 6.1 (54%). The ratio of infarct/risk area was 58% in the SAL-I group and 36% in the TAK-I group. In the ultrastructural observations, irreversibly injured cells of the ischemic portion were reduced significantly from 35% (SAL-I group) to 14% (TAK-I group). Thus, our results indicated that endothelin blockade reduced ischemic cellular injury. The mechanism of this reduction was speculated to be a resistance to ischemic injury in the subcellular levels of the myocardium conferred by a reduction of vascular constriction and improvement of imbalance in the energy supply and demand.

Biochemical and ultrastructural evaluations of the effect of ischemic preconditioning on ischemic myocardial injury--role of the adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel

The aim of this study was to clarify the role of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium channel on the mechanism of ischemic preconditioning (IP). Thirty-five anesthetized dogs were divided into 5 groups: (1) Control (C), (2) IP, (3) intravenous infusion of nicorandil (Ni) prior to IP, (4) glibenclamide (G1) pretreated with IP (G1+IP), and (5) G1 pretreated with Ni (G1+Ni). All groups had 60 min ischemia followed by 60 min reperfusion, and were analyzed by biochemical and morphological procedures. At the end of the 60-min reperfusion, %segment shortening in C indicated paradoxical bulging. This value had significantly recovered in IP and Ni groups, but it was still negative in the G1+IP and G1+Ni groups. Ca++-ATPase activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was significantly decreased in C. In the IP and Ni groups, this activity was significantly maintained; however, in the G1+IP and G1+Ni groups it was similar to that in C. State 3 respiration of mitochondria showed similar changes in the SR. In the ultrastructural observations, severely damaged cells were not observed in the IP and Ni groups. These results indicated that an ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener enhanced the effects of IP and its blockade abolished these phenomena. It was conclude that the ATP-sensitive potassium channel may play a key role in the mechanism of IP.

New alkaloids from the papua new guinean sponge agelas nakamurai

Two new bromopyrroles and a new diterpene possessing a 9-methyladenium moiety have been isolated from the Papua New Guinean sponge Agelas nakamurai Hoshino.

Which vertebrae should be assessed in diagnosing osteoporosis by plain radiography? Comparative study of radiographic findings and bone mineral density measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry

In 1990, the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan advocated a criterion for the diagnosis radiographic bone atrophy in lumbar vertebrae. We carried out a comparative study of this criterion (i.e. , radiographic bone atrophy grading) and bone mineral density measured by posteroanterior and lateral dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. We investigated the second to fourth lumbar vertebrae of 47 postmenopausal women (mean age, 67.2 years; range, 57-82 years), to determine which vertebra would most accurately indicate osteoporosis. A significant difference in bone mineral density (P < 0.01) was found between each grade of radiographic bone atrophy in all of the second, third, and fourth vertebrae examined. The highest correlation (r = 0.714) was found between the radiographic grades and the bone mineral density on lateral dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of the third lumbar vertebrae. Our visual determinations were dependable, radiographic and a examination of the third lumbar vertebra rather than that of other lumbar vertebrae was more helpful for the detection of radiographic bone atrophy. Plain radiographic film can provide a rough estimation of bone atrophy.

Roles of conserved arginine residues in the metal-tetracycline/H+ antiporter of Escherichia coli

Seven arginine residues are conserved in all the tetracycline/H+ antiporters of Gram-negative bacteria. Four (Arg67, -70, -71, and -127) of them are located in the putative cytoplasmic loop regions and three (Arg31, -101, and -238) in the putative periplasmic loop regions [Eckert, B., and Beck, C. F. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 11663-11670]. These arginine residues were replaced by alanine, lysine, or cysteine one by one through site-directed mutagenesis. None of the mutants showed significant alteration of the protein expression level. The mutants resulting in the replacement of Arg31, Arg67, Arg71, and Arg238 with either Ala, Cys, or Lys retained tetracycline resistance levels comparable to that of the wild type. Among them, only the Arg238 --> Ala mutant showed very low transport activity in everted membrane vesicles, probably due to the instability of the mutant protein. The replacement of Arg70 and Arg127 with Ala or Cys resulted in a drastic decrease in the drug resistance and almost complete loss of the transport activity, while the Lys replacement mutants retained significant resistance and transport activity, indicating that the positively charged side chains at these positions conferred the transport function. On the other hand, neither the Ala, Cys, nor Lys replacement mutant of Arg101 exhibited any drug resistance or transport activity. As for the reactivity of the Cys replacement mutants, only two (Arg71 --> Cys and Arg101 --> Cys) were not reactive with NEM, the other five mutants being highly or moderately reactive. The reactivity of the cysteine-scanning mutants around Arg101 with NEM revealed that Arg101 is located in transmembrane helix IV. It is not likely that Arg101 confers the protein folding through a salt bridge with a transmembrane acidic residue because no double mutants involving Arg101 --> Ala and the replacement of one of three transmembrane acidic residues (Asp15, Asp84, and Asp285) showed the recovery of any tetracycline resistance or transport activity. The effect of tetracycline on the [14C]NEM binding to the combined mutants S65C/R101A and L97C/R101A suggests that Arg101 may cause a substrate-induced conformational change of the putative exit gate of TetA(B).