[Skin test reactivity to histamine in childhood]

One hundred twenty five allergic patients ranging in age from 0 to 36 years old (mean age 9 years) were tested. Intradermal skin tests were performed on the volar surface of the forearm by injection of a five-fold dilution of histamine dihydrochloride (from 1 x 5(-5) mg/ml to 1 x 5(-2) mg/ml). The wheal diameters increased incrementally with histamine concentration. The whealing capacity of the skin to histamine was found to be significantly lower in patients 0 to 5 years of age. There was no difference in the mean wheal size between patients 6 to 10 and 11 to 15 years of age. The wheal size in patients 16 to 36 years of age were significantly larger than those in the other age groups. The flare diameters also increased incrementally with histamine concentration. The mean diameter of flares was significantly lower in patients 0 to 5 years of age. Concentrations between 1 x 5(-3) mg/ml and 1 x 5(-2) mg/ml of histamine dihydrochloride should be taken for a positive control in intradermal allergen skin tests.

A case of multilocular cystic nephroma

The patient was a 23-year-old female. Excretory urography, abdominal CT scanning, and renal angiography revealed a large multilocular cystic nephroma on the right kidney.

Nonradioactive assay for adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase using reversed-phase ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography

A nonradioactive and simple method for the assay of adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase (APSSTase) is described. The method is based upon the quantitative measurement of the substrate adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate and/or product AMP by ion-pair reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on a C18 column. Isocratic elution renders the method simple and fast. This method is standardized for partially purified APSSTase from the marine red macroalga Porphyra yezoensis.

Occurrence of free D-aspartic acid in marine macroalgae

The biologically rare D-aspartic acid was found in extracts of marine macroalgae. DL-aspartic acid was isolated from the Phaeophyta, Hizikia fusiformis, by ion-exchange chromatography, and crystallized from aqueous ethanol. It was characterized by optical-rotatory-dispersion analysis and reversed-phase HPLC analysis. The crystal consisted of equal amounts of D and L isomers. The presence of free D-aspartic acid was verified in 15 species from among 20 species of marine macroalgae by the same method (HPLC). Generally, Phaeophyta contained a high concentration of D-aspartic acid in contrast with the low concentration in Phycophyta and Rhodophyta. Particularly in Costaria costata, Hizikia fusiformis and Sargassum yezoensis, belonging to Phaeophyta, D-aspartic acid was found in concentrations proportional to those of L-aspartic acid.

Retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma: a case report

A primary extra-adrenal retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma was found incidentally in a 17-year-old boy during a series of examinations for hematopyuria. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a homogenous mass located between the right proximal ureter and the inferior vena cava just below the right kidney. Subtotal resection of the tumor was performed through a transabdominal approach. The resected specimen measured 8.5 x 6 x 5.5 cm and weighed 70 g. Histological examination showed that the lesion was an extra-adrenal retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma composed of mature ganglion cells and nerve fibers without any malignant features. The patient has shown no signs of recurrence in the 4 months after surgery. We provide a review of the Japanese literature on extra-adrenal retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma and also discuss the clinical features of this tumor.

Determination of octopine by pre-column fluorescence derivatization using benzoin

A sensitive fluorimetric method for the determination of octopine, a member of opine family, is presented. The method is based on the formation of a fluorescent derivative of octopine with benzoin and the separation by high performance liquid chromatography using a reversed-phase column (Kaseisorb LC ODS-300) within 20 min. The octopine derivative is completely separated from other guanidino compounds including arginine which is generally very high in marine invertebrates. This method gives higher sensitivity, 5 pmol minimum detection, and better reproducibility than the electrophoresis method and colorimetric method.

Purification and properties of adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate deaminating enzyme from marine macroalga Gloiopeltis furcata

An enzyme which catalyzed the hydrolytic removal of the 6-amino group of adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (APS) into inosine 5'-phosphosulfate was purified from the marine red macroalga Gloiopeltis furcata by means of salt fractionation, affinity, anion-exchange, and hydrophobic interaction chromatographies. The native enzyme had a Mr of about 285,000. Dissociation yielded a form with a Mr of about 70,000. The enzyme catalyzed the irreversible deamination of adenosine and its 5'-substituted compounds in addition to APS. Thus the enzyme seemed to be a nonspecific adenine nucleotide deaminase. Some properties were determined and compared with those of other nonspecific adenine nucleotide deaminases.

Confirmation of D-aspartic acid in the novel dipeptide beta-aspartylglycine isolated from tissue extract of Aplysia kurodai

A novel o-phthalaldehyde-reactive compound was found in the h.p.l.c. chromatogram of Aplysia kurodai extract. This compound was isolated by ion-exchange chromatography and preparative high-voltage paper electrophoresis. It was shown by optical-rotatory-dispersion spectrum and optical-resolution h.p.l.c. analysis that this compound consisted of equimolar amounts of D-aspartic acid and glycine. This compound resisted cleavage in the Edman reaction. This peptide was inferred to be beta-D-aspartylglycine, and this was confirmed by synthesis. beta-D-Aspartylglycine was detected in all tissues of Aplysia kurodai, with especially high concentrations in body wall (skin and muscle) and gill.

Quantitative HPLC analysis of acidic opines by phenylthiocarbamyl derivatization

A new method for the quantitative analysis of acidic opines--alanopine, strombine, tauropine, and beta-alanopine--is presented. The method is based on formation of phenylthiocarbamyl (PTC) derivatives of the acidic opines after partial purification by ion-exchange chromatography. The PTC acidic opines are separated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and detected within 20 min by ultraviolet absorbance. This HPLC method gives higher sensitivity, 10-30 pmol minimum detection, and better reproducibility than the high-voltage paper electrophoresis method. There is also good agreement for the three acidic opines (alanopine, strombine, and tauropine) when compared by HPLC and electrophoresis methods. Accumulation of beta-alanopine was observed for the first time in the adductor muscle of blood shell, Scapharca broughtonii, during aerial exposure by application of the HPLC detection method.

The occurrence of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid in muscle extracts of the blood shell, Scapharca broughtonii

A novel ninhydrin-positive compound, N-methyl-D-aspartic acid, was identified in the muscle extracts of the blood shell, Scapharca broughtonii. This compound is already known to have potent neuroexcitatory activity, inducing hypermotility and strong releasing action of serum luteinizing hormone in mammals. This may be, however, the first finding of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid in natural products.