Production and biological activities of a new antifungal antibiotic, TAN-950 A

A novel antifungal antibiotic, TAN-950 complex, was isolated from the culture filtrate of Streptomyces platensis A-136 (IFO 14603, FERM BP-1786). The water-soluble amphoteric substances in this complex were purified by chromatography using ion-exchange resins, QAE-Sephadex and adsorptive resins and were designated TAN-950 A and TAN-950 A-E mixture. The molecular formula of TAN-950 A was determined to be C6H7N2O4Na for the sodium salt. This new amino acid antibiotic showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo, and had low toxicity in mice.

Isolation rates and pathogenicity of enterococci in obstetric and gynecological operations

Isolation of enterococci in patients undergoing obstetric and gynecological operations was studied as well as reviewing the postoperative infection due to this organism during the period from 1985 to 1990. 1) In 126 cases undergoing abdominal total hysterectomy, vaginal specimens were obtained before and after (3rd day) the operation. The isolation rates increased after the operation (before 16.7%, after 35.7%). They increased not only in the group using PIPC, CEZ, CEPR, CMZ, and LMOX by drip infusion but also in the group without prophylactic use of antibiotics. On the other hand in the group using CP vaginal suppositories, the isolation rate decreased. However no statistical proof was obtained as to antibiotics especially in regard to cephem drugs as the reason for the increase. 2) Enterococci were isolated from the surgical field during abdominal total hysterectomy in only 2.0% (n = 88). 3) Isolation rates of enterococci inside the transvaginal drain following radical hysterectomy (n = 30) reached 86.7%. 4) E. faecalis was isolated in 20.0% of the cases with wound infection (n = 25). However isolated Enterococcus strains were not regarded to be the causative organism. 5) There was one case of postoperative enterococcal septicemia in treating stage Ib adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix.

[Fulminant hepatitis after the inhalation of dichloropropanols]

A fatal case of acute fulminant hepatitis following exposure to dichloropropanols is reported. A 59-year-old male worker in a chemical plant developed general malaise, nausea and vomiting several hours after cleaning a tank that had contained dichloropropanols. He had no previous history of hepatic dysfunction. On admission, hepatomegaly was prominent. Because of highly elevated levels of GOT and GPT in the serum, reduced prothrombin time and a lowered consciousness level, a diagnosis of fulminant hepatitis was made. Significant decreases of leukocytes and platelets were also observed. Serum creatinine and BUN were slightly elevated. Although plasma exchanges were conducted on the third and fourth day, the liver functions continued to deteriorate. The patient died on the fifth day. Because dichloropropanols could be detected in the blood specimens obtained at the time of admission, we considered that fulminant hepatitis in this case was attributed to dichloropropanols exposure. To our knowledge, this is the first case of fulminant hepatitis after dichloropropanols-exposure.

Artificial pigments of halorhodopsin and their chloride pumping activities

Halorhodopsin (HR), the light-driven chloride pump of Halobacterium halobium, was bleached with hydroxylamine and regenerated with all-trans-retinal under several different conditions. The largest recovery of the pigment was found with apoprotein obtained from detergent-free HR [HR(BB)]. To compare the chloride-pumping mechanism of HR with that of bacteriorhodopsin (BR; the light-driven proton pump of the same bacteria), HR pigment analogues were reconstituted with the bleached HR (BB) and retinal analogues. The corresponding BR pigment analogues have previously been shown to have little or no proton-pumping activity, except for retinal2 (3,4-dehydroretinal). Pigment analogues with 13-demethylretinal or retinal2 showed an "opsin shift" similar to that of the all-trans-retinal pigment of both HR and BR. Opsin shifts of the pigments of 9-12-phenylretinal and 3,7-dimethyl-2,4,6,8-decatetraenal and haloopsin are slightly different from those of the corresponding BR pigment analogues, presumably reflecting differences of the chromophoric structures in HR and BR. In addition to the spectral properties, the effect of chloride ion on deprotonation of the Schiff base was measured. These pigment analogues showed the "chloride effect" (a shift of the pK value for deprotonation of the Schiff base), but a smaller one than that seen in HR. For a measurement of the chloride-pumping activity, each retinal analogue was added to a culture of L07 cells (BOP-, HOP+, Ret-), and the activity was measured with the cell suspension. Only cultures with retinal or retinal2 showed chloride-pumping activity, as is true for proton pumping by BR. This suggests that a similar retinal-protein interaction is necessary for both ion pumps.

Isolation and characterization of lamprey rhodopsin cDNA

Genomic DNA fragments coding a visual pigment of the lamprey were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, using oligonucleotide mixtures as primers. The complete coding region of the cDNA was obtained by separate amplification of both cDNA ends. The deduced amino acid sequence of the coding region showed 78-82% identity with those of rhodopsins of higher vertebrates, but only 43-47% identity with those of human color pigments. The cloned DNA appears to be the cDNA of a lamprey rhodopsin, which is expressed in the "short" photoreceptor cell.

Cloning of cDNA and amino acid sequence of one of chicken cone visual pigments

The chicken has four kinds of color visual pigments, in addition to rhodopsin. A chicken genomic DNA library was screened with cDNA of human red-sensitive pigment and a chicken genomic DNA fragment including rhodopsin exons 2, 3 and 4, and then a genomic DNA fragment encoding a visual pigment, possibly an iodopsin, was cloned. A cDNA library, constructed from chicken retina mRNA, was screened with the genomic DNA fragment and the cDNA of human red-sensitive pigment, and the cDNA encoding the pigment was cloned. The nucleotide sequence of this cDNA was similar to that of the human red-sensitive pigment, with identities of 78% for the nucleotide sequence and 84% for the amino acid sequence with human red-sensitive pigment.

[Cumulative survival rate of chemotherapy with CDDP for malignant ovarian tumors]

The current study covered 159 patients with primary malignant ovarian carcinoma who underwent various kinds of chemotherapy between 1977 and 1987. The cases in each stage were first divided into two groups. Group A (CDDP Group) and Group B (non-CDDP Group), for comparative analysis. The stage I Group was further divided into Subgroup A (CAP Group) and Subgroup B (FAM Group). Similarly, the Stage III Group was subdivided into Subgroup A (three or more courses of ip administration of CDDP). Subgroup B (three or more courses of iv administration of CDDP centering on CAP), Subgroup C (FAM Group), and Subgroup D (non-CDDP Group). In Stage I, the five-year survival rate in Group A was 94% and the comparable figure in Group B was 59%. In Stage III, the two-year and five-year survival rates were 31% and 11% for Group A as opposed to 24% and 18% for Group B. In Stage Ia, the five-year survival rate for Subgroup A was 90% as compared to 75% for Subgroup B. In Stage III, the two-year survival rate for Subgroup A was 67% as compared to 28% for Subgroup B and 30% for Subgroup C. This indicated a very good prognosis in Subgroup A as compared with the other two subgroups.

[Surgical management of pulmonary metastasis from carcinoma of the uterine cervix]

The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of surgical management of pulmonary metastasis from carcinoma of the uterine cervix. We saw 609 cases of carcinoma of the uterine cervix from 1979 to 1987, and during the same period also saw 110 cases of recurrent carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Fourteen of these 110 cases were identified as having pulmonary metastasis, and in 11 of 14 cases the recurrent tumors were limited to the lung. Seven of these 11 cases underwent pulmonary resection. Six of the 7 survived more than 2 years after pulmonary resection. Among them, 1 patient has survived more than 4 years, and 1 patient more than 8 years. The tumor cells were thought to metastasize to the lung through the vertebral venous plexus (Batson's plexus) which was suggested as a metastatic route by Thomford et al. in their report on recurrent colon cancer. As a result of this study, if the recurrent tumor is clinically limited to the lung in patients with recurrent carcinoma of the uterine cervix, they should be treated by surgical resection of the pulmonary tumor.

[The usefulness of Chlamydia testpack for the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in genito-urinary tract]

A comparative study between Chlamydia Testpack and Chlamydiazyme for the detection of chlamydial antigen was performed. In 61 cases suspected of being chlamydial infection, Chlamydia Testpack had a specificity of 92% and a sensitivity of 88% when compared with Chlamydiazyme. On the result of study using Chlamydia trachomatis serotype B, the sensitivity of Chlamydia Testpack which had a lower limit of 6 x 10(4)/ml of EB was less than that of Chlamydiazyme which had a lower limit of 0.7 x 10(4). However, the large number of EB presented in almost all positive specimen, indicated that Chlamydia Testpack could be used to screen the clinical materials.

The mechanism for the inhibitory action of N-(3',4'-dimethoxycinnamoyl)anthranilic acid (tranilast) on the release reaction in platelets

The molecular basis for the inhibitory action of the antiatopic drug, N-(3',4'-dimethoxycinnamoyl)anthranilic acid (Tranilast), on the thrombin-induced release of a lysosomal enzyme, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, from washed rabbit platelets was investigated. Tranilast dose dependently increased cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP levels in thrombin-stimulated platelets, parallel with the inhibition of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase release. There was no significant effect of Tranilast on adenylate or guanylate cyclase activity. Tranilast inhibited the activity of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterases in a cell-free system. The data suggest that the inhibitory action of Tranilast on the release reaction in platelets was due at least in part to inhibition of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases followed by an elevation of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP levels.

Increment of calmodulin in proportion to enhancement of non-nicotinic responses after preganglionic stimulation of the dog cardiac sympathetic ganglia

The possible involvement of calmodulin in ganglionic function was investigated. Drugs were given directly into the cardiac sympathetic ganglia through the right subclavian artery (i.a.), unless otherwise stated. Positive chronotropic responses to angiotensin II (0.1 and 0.2 micrograms) were enhanced after repetitive high frequency preganglionic stimulation to the right stellate ganglion. After the stimulation, positive chronotropic responses to bethanechol (2.5, 5 and 10 micrograms), but not those to dimethylphenylpiperazinium (2.5, 5 and 10 micrograms), also were enhanced. The enhancement of response to angiotensin II was not affected by i.v. pretreatment with hexamethonium (40 mg/kg) plus atropine (1 mg/kg) or nifedipine (1 mg/kg). Responses to angiotensin II were not enhanced by A23187 (0.3 mg). The enhanced response to angiotensin II after the stimulation was reduced by the calmodulin antagonists, trifluoperazine (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg) and by N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (0.5, 1 and 2 mg), but not by promethazine (1 mg) and N-(6-aminohexyl)-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (0.5, 1 and 2 mg). The enhanced response to bethanechol after the stimulation also was inhibited by N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide. Pretreatment with N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide before the stimulation prevented development of the enhancement in responses to the peptide. The inhibition of endogenous protein synthesis by cycloheximide, 2.5 or 5 mg/kg i.v. 6 hr before surgical procedures, strongly inhibited development of the enhancement in responses to angiotensin II.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Experience of cefuzoname in pediatric patients. Fundamental and clinical investigations]

Cefuzoname (CZON) was administered to 50 pediatric patients with infections, and the efficacy was investigated in 49 patients. The efficacy rate was 83.7% and the drug was evaluated to be highly effective for diseases in the pediatric field. The activity of CZON was especially good against Staphylococcus aureus, and the efficacy rate for 13 clinical isolates was 69.2%, which was comparable to that of cefotiam or cefazolin. CZON appeared to be useable alone in Gram-positive infections. It might be very powerful in the control of infections in secondary immunodeficiency.

Phosphorylation and inactivation of brain glycogen synthase by a multifunctional calmodulin-dependent protein kinase

Glycogen synthase was partially purified from canine brain to about 70% purity. The purified enzyme showed differences from the properties of the skeletal muscle enzyme with respect to molecular weights of the holoenzyme and subunit and phosphopeptide mapping. The multifunctional calmodulin-dependent protein kinase from the brain phosphorylated brain glycogen synthase with concomitant inactivation of the enzyme. Although about 1.3 mol of phosphate/mol subunit was maximally incorporated into glycogen synthase, 0.4 mol of phosphate/mol subunit was sufficient for the maximal inactivation of the enzyme. The results indicate that brain glycogen synthase is regulated in a calmodulin-dependent manner similarly to the skeletal muscle enzyme, but that the brain enzyme is different from the skeletal muscle enzyme.

Purification and characterization of a multifunctional calmodulin-dependent protein kinase from canine myocardial cytosol

A calmodulin-dependent protein kinase from canine myocardial cytosol was purified 1150-fold to apparent homogeneity with a 1.5% yield. The purified enzyme had a Mr of 550,000 with a sedimentation coefficient of 16.6 S, and showed a single protein band with a Mr of 55,000 (55K protein), determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme had a specific activity of 1.6 mumol/mg protein/min, and Ka values of 67 nM and 1.1 microM for calmodulin and Ca2+, respectively, using chicken gizzard myosin light chain as substrate. Calmodulin bound to the 55K protein. The purified enzyme had a broad substrate specificity. Endogenous proteins including glycogen synthase, phospholamban, and troponin I from the canine heart were phosphorylated by the enzyme. These results suggest that the purified enzyme works as a multifunctional protein kinase in the Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent cellular functions of the canine myocardium, and that the enzyme resembles enzymes detected in the brain, liver, and skeletal muscle.

Regulation of the actin-activated Mg-ATPase of brain myosin via phosphorylation by the brain Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent protein kinases

We have previously isolated two Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent protein kinases with molecular weights of 120,000 (120K enzyme) and 640,000 (640K enzyme), respectively, by gel filtration analysis from rat brain. Chicken gizzard myosin light-chain kinase and the 120K enzyme phosphorylated two light chains of brain myosin, whereas the 640K enzyme phosphorylated both the two light chains and the heavy chain. The phosphopeptides of the light chains digested by Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease were similar among chicken gizzard myosin light-chain kinase, the 120K enzyme, and the 640K enzyme. Only the seryl residue in the light chains and the heavy chain was phosphorylated by the enzymes. The phosphorylation of brain myosin by any of these enzymes led to an increase in actin-activated Mg-ATPase activity. The results suggest that brain myosin is regulated by brain Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent protein kinases in a similar but distinct mechanism in comparison with that of smooth muscle myosin.

Identification of a calmodulin-dependent protein kinase in the cardiac cytosol, which phosphorylates phospholamban in the sarcoplasmic reticulum

A multifunctional calmodulin-dependent protein kinase in the canine cardiac cytosol was purified to near homogeneity. The purified enzyme inactivated glycogen synthase by means of phosphorylation. The enzyme also phosphorylated phospholamban and several other proteins. In view of its physicochemical properties and substrate specificity, the enzyme differed from myosin light chain kinase and phosphorylase kinase, and was considered to belong to a class of similar calmodulin-dependent protein kinases from brain, liver, and skeletal muscle. The results suggest that the enzyme mediates multiple Ca2+-dependent functions in the heart.

Dephosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein 2, tau factor, and tubulin by calcineurin

Calcineurin dephosphorylated microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) and tau factor phosphorylated by cyclic AMP-dependent and Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent protein kinases from the brain. Tubulin, only phosphorylated by the Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, served as substrate for calcineurin. The concentrations of calmodulin required to give half-maximal activation of calcineurin were 21 and 16 nM with MAP2 and tau factor as substrates, respectively. The Km and Vmax values were in ranges of 1-3 microM and 0.4-1.7 mumol/mg/min, respectively, for MAP2 and tau factor. The Km value for tubulin was in a similar range, but the Vmax value was lower. The peptide map analysis revealed that calcineurin dephosphorylated MAP2 and tau factor universally, but not in a site-specific manner. The autophosphorylated Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase was not dephosphorylated by calcineurin. These results suggest that calcineurin plays an important role in the functions of microtubules via dephosphorylation.

Interaction of tyrosine residues with the chromophore in bacteriorhodopsin

We previously reported that the absorption spectrum at low temperatures of iodinated bacteriorhodopsin can be separated into four components with maxima at shorter wavelengths than in native bacteriorhodopsin. In this study, the time course of the formation of each spectral component after iodination was analyzed, revealing that these four components correspond to four different iodinated states of tyrosine residues interacting with the retinal chromophore of bacteriorhodopsin. Therefore at least two tyrosine residues interact with the chromophore of bacteriorhodopsin.

Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation, and inactivation of glycogen synthase by a brain protein kinase

Glycogen synthase from skeletal muscle was phosphorylated by a Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase from brain, with concomitant inactivation. About 0.7 mol phosphate/mol subunit was sufficient for a maximal inactivation of glycogen synthase. Further phosphorylation of the enzyme had no effect on the activity. The concentrations required to give half-maximal phosphorylation and inactivation of glycogen synthase were 1.1 and 0.5 microM for Ca2+, and 22 and 11 nM for calmodulin, respectively. The molar ratio of the subunit of the protein kinase to calmodulin was 2-3:1 for half-maximal phosphorylation and inactivation of glycogen synthase. The Km values for glycogen synthase and ATP were 3.6 and 114 microM, respectively, for phosphorylation. Phosphate was incorporated into sites Ia, Ib, and 2 on glycogen synthase, and site 2 was the most rapidly phosphorylated. These results indicate that the brain Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase is probably involved in glycogen metabolism in the brain as a glycogen synthase kinase.

Phosphorylation and activation of calmodulin-sensitive cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase by a brain Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase

A Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase from rat brain with a MW of 640,000 phosphorylated calmodulin-sensitive phosphodiesterase from the brain cytosol. The Km of the enzyme for the phosphodiesterase was 5.0 microM and the Vmax was 212 nmol/mg/min. The amount of phosphate incorporated into the phosphodiesterase was 0.7 mol/mol subunit. Phosphorylation of the phosphodiesterase enhanced the enzyme activity by about 20% for hydrolysis of a higher concentration of cyclic AMP.

Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation of glycogen synthase by a brain protein kinase

A Ca2+, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase from brain with a Mr of 640 000 is capable of phosphorylating glycogen synthase from skeletal muscle. The reaction was inhibited by the addition of 1 mM EGTA and 50 microM trifluoperazine, but not by protein kinase inhibitor and heparin. The amount of phosphate incorporated into glycogen synthase was 1.4 mol/mol subunit. The phosphorylation sites of glycogen synthase were cyanogen bromide-treated peptides CB-1 and CB-2 and only the seryl residue was phosphorylated.

Comparison of high affinity Ca2+-ATPase and low affinity Ca2+-ATPase in rat liver plasma membranes

Rat liver plasma membranes contained two types of calcium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (Ca2+-ATPase, EC 3.6.1.3) activities. One of them had a high affinity for free calcium (Ca2+) with an apparent half maximal saturation constant (K0.5) of 0.2 microM (high affinity Ca2+-ATPase), and the other exhibited a low affinity with a K0.5 of 50 microM for Ca2+ (low affinity Ca2+-ATPase). The high affinity Ca2+-ATPase showed: independence from free magnesium (Mg2+), a wide range of optimum pH (7.2-7.5), inhibition by a large amount of calmodulin, and substrate preference for ATP, GTP and ITP. On the other hand, the low affinity Ca2+-ATPase showed: stimulation by Mg2+ as well as Ca2+, an optimum pH of 8, mild stimulation by calmodulin, reversible inhibition by calmodulin-antagonists, inhibition by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, and substrate preference for UTP and GTP. Both Ca2+-ATPases were insensitive to Na+, K+, ouabain, NaN3 and KCN. Orthovanadate, a potent inhibitor for many ATPases, had no effect on both ATPases over a wide range of concentrations (7 nM-1.7 mM). The Ca2+-ATPases could be separated by gel filtration on a Sepharose 4B column after solubilization with Triton X-100. The high affinity Ca2+-ATPase showed a Stokes radius of about 49 A and a sedimentation coefficient of about 7.0 S with a molecular weight of 1.4 X 10(5). The frictional ratio was 1.4. The results suggest that the high affinity Ca2+-ATPase may be a possible candidate for an ATPase with Ca2+ pumping activity, and that the high affinity enzyme is distinct from the low affinity Ca2+-ATPase in the rat liver plasma membranes.

A high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in plasma membranes of rat ascites hepatoma AH109A cells

The activity of calcium-stimulated and magnesium-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase which possesses a high affinity for free calcium (high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase, EC 3.6.1.3) has been detected in rat ascites hepatoma AH109A cell plasma membranes. The high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase had an apparent half saturation constant of 77 +/- 31 nM for free calcium, a maximum reaction velocity of 9.9 +/- 3.5 nmol ATP hydrolyzed/mg protein per min, and a Hill number of 0.8. Maximum activity was obtained at 0.2 microM free calcium. The high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase was absolutely dependent on 3-10 mM magnesium and the pH optimum was within physiological range (pH 7.2-7.5). Among the nucleoside trisphosphates tested, ATP was the best substrate, with an apparent Km of 30 microM. The distribution pattern of this enzyme in the subcellular fractions of the ascites hepatoma cell homogenate (as shown by the linear sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation method) was similar to that of the known plasma membrane marker enzyme alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1), indicating that the ATPase was located in the plasma membrane. Various agents, such as K+, Na+, ouabain, KCN, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and NaN3, had no significant effect on the activity of high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase. Orthovanadate inhibited this enzyme activity with an apparent half-maximal inhibition constant of 40 microM. The high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase was neither inhibited by trifluoperazine, a calmodulin-antagonist, nor stimulated by bovine brain calmodulin, whether the plasma membranes were prepared with or without ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetra-acetic acid. Since the kinetic properties of the high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase showed a close resemblance to those of erythrocyte plasma membrane (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase, the high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of rat ascites hepatoma cell plasma membrane is proposed to be a calcium-pumping ATPase of these cells.

Photoreaction of tyrosine-iodinated bacteriorhodopsin at low temperature

To elucidate the role of tyrosine residues in the shift of lambda max and the light-driven proton pump of bacteriorhodopsin, the photochemical reaction of tyrosine-iodinated bacteriorhodopsin (tyr-mod-bR) was investigated by low-temperature spectrophotometry. After 4-5 of 11 tyrosine residues of bacteriorhodopsin were iodinated, the meta-intermediate of tyr-mod-bR in 75% glycerol solution became so stable that its decay could be observed even at room temperature and it was stable in the dark for several hours at -65 degrees C. Four batho-intermediates were formed by irradiation with green light (500 nm) at -170 degrees C. Like native bacteriorhodopsin, these batho-intermediates were photoreversible at -170 degrees C. Four corresponding meta-intermediates were also formed by irradiation at -60 degrees C. Using the difference spectra between meta-intermediates and tyr-mod-bR, the absorption spectra of four kinds of tyr-mod-bRs, batho-intermediates, and meta-intermediates were estimated. Each was at shorter wavelengths than that of its corresponding type in native bacteriorhodopsin. The results indicate that two or more tyrosine residues have some role in determining color in native bacteriorhodopsin.

[Comparison of 201T1-chloride and 67Ga-citrate in thyroid tumor scintigraphy]

Twenty-five patients with thyroid tumors were examined by 201T1-chloride and 67Ga-citrate scintigraphy heterochronously in our department. All cases showed the cold nodule with 131I or 99mTc-pertechnetate thyroid scintigraphy and each one was given a histological diagnosis after surgery or excisional biopsy. In 15 cases of thyroid carcinoma, 12 (80%) were positive by 201T1-chloride; 4 (26.7%) were positive by 67Ga-citrate. In examining each histological type, 8 of 9 cases of papillary carcinoma (88.9%) were positive by 201T1-chloride. In 1 negative case the tumor was almost completely encysted; however, they were all negative by 67Ga-citrate. In 2 patients with follicular carcinoma, both of them revealed a positive figure by 201T1-chloride, and one of these with oxyphilic cell carcinoma showed a positive figure by 67Ga-citrate. In 1 case of medullary carcinoma there was slight accumulation with 201T1-chloride, but there was no accumulation with 67Ga-citrate. In 3 cases of undifferentiated carcinoma, 2 patients with small carcinoma showed a negative figure by 201T1-chloride. However, they all showed a positive figure using 67Ga-citrate and this medium also disclosed distant metastases of undifferentiated carcinoma. In 10 patients with thyroid adenoma, 3 (30%) showed a positive figure by 201T1-chloride. Histologically, these were all tubular adenoma, but in all cases of thyroid adenoma 67Ga-citrate revealed a negative figure. From the above mentioned results, the following conclusion were reached. Tumors showing a positive figure by 201T1-chloride that elicited negative results using 67Ga-citrate proved to be differentiated carcinoma or low differentiated types of adenoma. Surgery is indicated in these cases. All of the tumors revealing a positive figure by 67Ga-citrate were highly malignant types. If these tumors showed a negative figure when 201T1-chloride was used, undifferentiated carcinoma was suggested. In undifferentiated carcinoma, 67Ga-citrate scintigraphy is a useful procedure in locating distant metastases, in determining the area to be irradiated, and in judging the effect of therapy.

Application of live attenuated measles and mumps vaccines in children with acute leukemia

Eight children with acute leukemia in remission were immunized with live attenuated measles vaccine and 4 with mumps vaccine. Immunological examinations before vaccination showed that the numbers of white blood cells, percentages of lymphocytes, levels of immunoglobulins and responses to skin tests with DNCB, PPD, PHA and varicella antigen were within normal ranges in most of these children. Chemotherapy against leukemia was stopped for 2 weeks, from one week before to one week after vaccination. One child had a transient fever 10 days after measles vaccination, but no side reactions were observed in the others. Seroconversion was observed in all but one child who received measles vaccine, and neutralizing antibodies have persisted for at least 4 weeks and at most 3 years, when this study was terminated.

[Effectiveness of acetylspiramycin for Mycoplasma pneumonia in children (author's transl)]

The clinical efficacy and safety of acetylspiramycin for Mycoplasma pneumonia in children were studied at a dose level of 50 mg/kg/day q.i.d. and the following results were obtained. Acetylspiramycin showed effect in 24 patients out of 25 (96.0%). The level of transminase was increased in 3 cases on admission. One of them was an uneffective case, and eruption was seen after administrating the drug. Diarrhea and poor appetite were observed in one case as side effects, and they were controlled easily. It may be concluded from these results acetylspiramycin was relatively free from side effects and considered to be useful for Mycoplasma pneumonia.

[Biological activity of prostaglandin E1 derivative, ONO-802 on smooth muscle (author's transl)]

The effects of prostaglandin (PG) E1 derivative, 16,16-dimethyl-trans-delta-2PGE1 methyl ester (ONO-802) on the rat stomach fundal strip, uterus and ileum were studied. Its substrate specificity for 15-hydroxy prostaglandin dehydrogenase (PGDH) was also examined. Contractions were recorded isometrically by superfusion method. PGE1, E2, and F2 alpha caused maximal contraction of the fundal strip immediately after application and relaxation to the original state within 10 min. Contractile pattern of the fundal strip produced by ONO-802 was quite specific and different from those by classic PGs. Contraction was increased slowly to its maximum in 10 to 20 min after application of ONO-802 and thereafter returned to the original state in 20 to 40 min. Contractive response of the rat ileum to ONO-802 was a gradual increase of the tonus and restoration in more than 120 min after reaching its maximal tonus. The rat uterus responded to 1 microgram of ONO-802 with double maximal contraction amplitude of spontaneous activity, with increased contraction amplitude restored in 90 min. In a combination of ONO-802 with PGE1, E2 and F2 alpha, the contractile response of the fundal strip to ONO-802 was masked by the actions of classic PGs and additional potentiation was not observed. Contractive activity of ONO-802 was not reduced by placental PGDH.

Formation of 9-cis- and 11-cis-retinal pigments from bacteriorhodopsin by irradiating purple membrane in acid

Both light-adapted and dark-adapted forms of bacteriorhodopsin in purple membrane in 67% glycerol solution were allowed to stand in acidic conditions by the addition of HCl to final concentrations from 4 X 10(-4) to 2 X 10(-2) M for 24 h at 3 degrees C. Over this concentration range, the acid-induced products from both species showed a maximum absorbance around 600 nm and high-performance liquid chromatography of extracted retinal isomers revealed that the acid-induced form of bacteriorhodopsin has 13-cis- and all-trans-retinals in a molar ratio of 4:6, which is intermediate between those of the dark-adapted and the light-adapted forms at neutral pH values. Exposure of the acid-induced form of bacteriorhodopsin to light at wavelengths longer than 670 nm at 3 degrees C caused a decrease of the absorbance around 600 nm with a concomitant rise of the absorbance around 500 nm. The extract from the irradiated products of bacteriorhodopsin in acid contained 9-cis- and 11-cis-retinals in addition to 13-cis- and all-trans-retinals. The absorbance maximum estimated from the analysis of the absorption spectra and the composition of the isomers was found at 495 nm for the 9-cis-retinal pigment and around 560 nm for the 11-cis-retinal pigment. On irradiation with 438-nm light, the 9-cis-retinal pigment disappeared with a concomitant increase of both the 13-cis- and all-trans-retinal pigments as judged by chromophore analysis and the absorption spectrum. The 9-cis-retinal pigment brought to pH 9 exhibited a maximum absorbance at 450 nm; this could be decomposed by the action of hydroxylamine or converted to a form resembling normal bacteriorhidopsin by 438-nm irradiation.