Three Cases of the Gastrosplenic and the Hepatomesenteric Trunks

Three common branches of the celiac trunk are the left gastric artery, the splenic artery and the common hepatic artery. The variation of the three branches of the celiac trunk has an importance for the arterial supply to the digestive organs of the upper abdomen. In this study, we present three cases of the gastrosplenic and the hepatomesenteric trunks in Japanese cadavers. Especially, in Case 1, the left inferior phrenic artery arose from the gastrosplenic trunk and the left hepatic artery arose from the left gastric artery. In Cases 2 and 3, the common hepatic artery penetrated the pancreatic parenchyma before reaching liver. In Case 3, the right hepatic artery arose from the hepatomesenteric trunk.

Methanoculleus chikugoensis sp. nov., a novel methanogenic archaeon isolated from paddy field soil in Japan, and DNA-DNA hybridization among Methanoculleus species

A strictly anaerobic, irregularly coccoid, methanogenic archaeon, strain MG62T (= JCM 10825T = DSM 13459T), was isolated from paddy field soil in Chikugo, Fukuoka, Japan. The cells stained gram-negative, were 1.0-2.0 microm in diameter, were lysed by SDS and hypotonic solutions and were flagellated. Motility was not observed. The strain was able to use H2/CO2, 2-propanol/CO2, formate, 2-butanol/CO2 and cyclopentanol/CO2 as substrates for methanogenesis, but did not utilize acetate, ethanol, methanol or methylamines. The optimum temperature and pH were 25-30 degrees C and 6.7-7.2. Analysis of lipid component parts (core lipids, phospholipid polar head groups and glycolipid sugar moieties) showed the characteristic pattern of members of the family Methanomicrobiaceae except for the absence of glucose as a glycolipid sugar moiety. The G+C content of the DNA was 62.2 mol %. Sequence analysis of the 16S rDNA revealed that the strain belonged to the genus Methanoculleus. The strain had DNA-DNA hybridization values of less than 50% with type strains of Methanoculleus species. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, the name Methanoculleus chikugoensis sp. nov. is proposed for strain MG62T (= JCM 10825T = DSM 13459T). The DNA hybridization study also revealed the close relationships of three species, Methanoculleus olentangyi, Methanoculleus bourgensis and Methanoculleus oldenburgensis, among Methanoculleus species.

[Morphology and significance of the left portal vein in human]

The aberrant course of a left gastric vein directly entering the liver has been reported as the left portal vein in a few cases. The authors adopted the name of 'left portal vein' for this vein and gave a brief historical summary of the left portal vein and its significance. The left gastric vein does not enter the gastropancreatic ligament from the lesser curvature, but the vein runs toward the liver alongside the hepatic ramus of vagus nerve in the hepatogastric ligament. The vein either joins the branch of the portal vein or supplies a small area of the liver after reaching the left side of the hepatic hilus. The left portal vein has already been described as the term of 'V. portae sinistra' in the bird. Many vascular vessels are found in the hepatogastric ligament. In this ligament the hepatic ramus of vagus nerve always runs toward the liver and the artery exists at a frequency of 30%. Either the left hepatic artery arising from a left gastric artery runs alongside the nerve in the ligament at a frequency of 20% or the accessory left gastric artery arising from a hepatic artery runs in a reverse direction at a frequency of 10%. Both arteries do not coexist. Moreover, the left gastric vein exits in the hepatogastric ligament in several cases and enters the liver as the left portal vein. Besides, an anastomosis of a portal vein with the renal vein rarely exists in front of the cardiac region of the ligament in cirrhosis. The aberrant left gastric vein is derived from the hepatic afferent vein through the hepatogastric ligament and exists as the left portal vein.

Familial occurrence of congenital bile duct cysts

Congenital bile duct cysts are now a well-documented anomaly of the biliary tree, and have become more common in Japan. Familial occurrence of congenital bile duct cysts, however, is extremely rare, with only six reported cases in the literature. We report a familial pattern of congenital bile duct cysts in a mother and her daughter. A 33-year-old female was admitted for evaluation of right upper quadrant abdominal pain and fever 6 days after an uneventful delivery of her second child. A computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound scan (US) revealed an obstructed biliary tract. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was then performed, and a cholangiogram revealed a Scholtz type B choledochocele without an anomalous connection of the pancreaticobiliary ducts. Endoscopic US demonstrated that the choledochocele was associated with a stone in the cyst. A pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenal resection was performed, and a histological study revealed that the choledochocele was lined by biliary mucosa without evidence of malignancy. The newborn infant had an abdominal tumour. An US and CT revealed a congenital bile duct cyst. An operation was performed and the intraoperative cholangiogram showed an Alonso-Lej type I congenital bile duct cyst with an anomalous connection of the pancreaticobiliary ducts. Whether congenital bile duct cysts are hereditary remains to be elucidated.

Peculiar archaea found in Japanese paddy soils

Archaeal 16S rDNA clones retrieved from paddy soil DNA were sequenced. Among 100 clones, 88 clones were assigned to methanogens and nine clones were assigned to crenarchaeota. However, three of the nine clones were phylogenetically far from the cultured crenarchaeota and closely related to marine planktonic archaea. The other three clones showed extremely novel 16S rDNA sequences and were phylogenetically far from both Crenarchaeola and Euryarchaeota. This paper reports the ubiquitous presence of crenarchaeotal and extremely novel clones in paddy soils.

A rare case of a kidney with an widely opened hilus and supernumerary renal vessels

This is an autopsy case reporting variation in the left kidney of a 87-year-old Japanese woman. The kidney in question possessed a widely opened hilus, was located in a lower position than usual, and was supplied and drained by multiple vessels. Major findings are as follows: 1. The left kidney, diamond-shaped, was situated lower than usual. 2. The hilus of this kidney was widely opened, facing anteriorly. 3. It was supplied by, in addition to an ordinal renal artery, 4 supernumerary arteries arising from the lower portion of the abdominal aorta and was drained by one ordinary and one supernumerary vein, the latter of which opened into the lumbar vein.

[Gross morphology of the pancreas and distribution of pancreatic ducts in the rat]

Gross morphology of the pancreas and distribution of pancreatic ducts were investigated in 12 Jcl: Wistar rats. The pancreas consisted of a body and two (right and left) lobes. The pancreatic body was located along the cranial part of the duodenum. The right lobe extended into the duodenal ligament, while the left lobe extended toward the spleen into the gastrolienal ligament. In 9 animals, the number of ducts ranged between 3 and 10. Each duct joined the hepatoenteric duct. Two (right and left) large ducts found in all animals drained the right and left lobes. Other ducts observed in more than a half of the animals drained either the body or a part of the lobe.

Kibdelosporangium albatum sp. nov., producer of the antiviral antibiotics cycloviracins

A new species of the genus Kibdelosporangium is described. This soil organism forms long straight spore chains and numerous sporangium-like structures on the aerial mycelium. The new species has type IV cell walls and pattern A whole-cell sugars (meso-diaminopimelic acid, arabinose, and galactose are present), type PII phospholipids, MK-9(H4) as the major menaquinone, and no mycolic acids. On the basis of morphology and chemotaxonomy, the single isolate is assigned to the genus Kibdelosporangium. The isolate differs from two previously described species of the genus in fatty acid composition, the absence of melanin formation, and many physiological and biochemical characteristics and is identified as a new species. Accordingly, the name Kibdelosporangium albatum sp. nov. is proposed for this isolate. The type strain is R761-7 (= ATCC 55061).

[Innervation of the external ear in humans and the musk shrew]

The external ear appears only in mammals and possesses a great diversity of forms. In addition, multiple nerves are distributed in the external ear. The nerves which are distributed in the external ear were investigated in humans and in the musk shrew (Suncus murinus) in a macroscopic study. The following results were obtained. Cranial nerves (CN) V, VII, X and cervical nerves supply the auricle and the external meatus in both humans and the musk shrew. Branches of the third division of CN V supply an anterior part of the external meatus and the anterior part of the auricle in both humans and the musk shrew. A branch of CN X, together with a branch of CN VII, supply the posterior parts of the external meatus in humans. In the musk shrew, a branch of CN X, together with a branch of CN VII, supplies the posterior part of the external meatus and the central part and the anterior portion of the auricle. Branches of the cervical nerve supply the posterior part of the auricle. Branches of the cervical nerve supply the posterior part of the external meatus and the central and posterior parts of the auricle in the musk shrew.

Quartromicin, a complex of novel antiviral antibiotics. I. Production, isolation, physico-chemical properties and antiviral activity

A strain of Amycolatopsis orientalis No. Q427-8 (ATCC 53884) was found to produce a complex of new antiviral antibiotics, quartromicin which consisted of at least six components A1, A2, A3, D1, D2 and D3. Structural studies suggested that they are a novel type of molecules unrelated to any known antibiotics. Each component of quartromicin exhibited antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1, influenza virus type A and human immunodeficiency virus.

Dynemicins, new antibiotics with the 1,5-diyn-3-ene and anthraquinone subunit. I. Production, isolation and physico-chemical properties

Dynemicin A, a novel antibiotic containing the bicyclo[7.3.1]-1,5-diyn-3-ene and 1,4,6-trihydroxyanthraquinone functionalities, was isolated from the culture broth of Micromonospora chersina sp. nov. M956-1. The antibiotic exhibited potent in vitro antibacterial and cytotoxic activity, and in in vivo, it cured mice from lethal Staphylococcus aureus infection and prolonged survival time of mice inoculated with murine tumors. Three satellite components, dynemicins L, M and N, were also isolated from the culture broth and chemically characterized.

Fluvirucins A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, B4 and B5, new antibiotics active against influenza A virus. I. Production, isolation, chemical properties and biological activities

Five unidentified actinomycete strains produced a series of novel antiviral antibiotics which have a unique 2,6-dialkyl-10-ethyl-3(or 9)-hydroxy-13-tridecanelactam nucleus substituted with 3-amino-3,6-dideoxy-L-talose or 3-amino-3,6-dideoxy-L-mannose(L-mycosamine). The antibiotic components exhibited potent inhibitory activity against influenza virus type A Victoria strain infection in Madin Darby canine kidney cells by the cytopathic effect reduction assay.

Maduropeptin, a complex of new macromolecular antitumor antibiotics

Maduropeptin, a complex of new macromolecular antitumor antibiotics, is a metabolite of Actinomadura madurae H710-49. The active components maduropeptins A1, A2 and B are acidic chromopeptides with MW of around 22,500 and composed of 14 types of amino acids and an unstable chromophore. The antibiotics are active in vitro against Gram-positive bacteria and highly cytotoxic to tumor cells. They produced significant prolongation of survival time of mice implanted with P388 leukemia and B16 melanoma.

Melanostatin, a new melanin synthesis inhibitor. Production, isolation, chemical properties, structure and biological activity

Melanostatin, a new antibiotic with melanin synthesis inhibitor activity, was isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces clavifer No. N924-2. Its structure was determined by spectral analysis and degradation experiments. Melanostatin strongly inhibited melanin formation in Streptomyces bikiniensis NRRL B-1049 and B16 melanoma cells.

A new screening method for melanin biosynthesis inhibitors using Streptomyces bikiniensis

A novel screening method for melanin biosynthesis inhibitors using Streptomyces bikiniensis NRRL B-1049 as the indicator organism has been developed. Several known compounds, including tyrosinase inhibitors, were found to inhibit melanin production of S. bikiniensis on agar plates. This screening method was applied to fermentation broths of actinomycetes and several cultures with melanin biosynthesis inhibitory activity were found.

New antifungal antibiotics pradimicins FA-1 and FA-2: D-serine analogs of pradimicins A and C

Pradimicin FA-1 was produced via directed biosynthesis with substitution of D-serine for D-alanine in the 15-position of pradimicin A. This substitution was achieved by the addition of D-serine to the culture medium of Actinomadura hibisca P157-2. Likewise, pradimicin FA-2 was co-produced along with pradimicin FA-1 when the pradimicins A and C producing strain, A. hibisca A2493 was grown in D-serine-supplemented medium. The new pradimicin analogs share a common core structure of 5,6-dihydrobenzo[a]naphthacenequinone substituted by D-serine at C-15, but differ in the disaccharide moiety at C-5. Pradimicin FA-1 has an N-methylamino sugar and D-xylose. Pradimicin FA-2 is the des-N-methyl analog of pradimicin FA-1. The in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of the analogs was comparable to that of pradimicin A.

Chemical and biological properties of rubiginone, a complex of new antibiotics with vincristine-cytotoxicity potentiating activity

A novel complex of isotetracenone (angucyclinone) group antibiotics was discovered from the cultured broth of Streptomyces griseorubiginosus No. Q144-2. The antibiotic consisted of six related factors, designated rubiginones A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. They significantly potentiated cytotoxicity of vincristine (VCR) against VCR-resistant P388 leukemia and Moser cells.

Pradimicins A, B and C: new antifungal antibiotics. I. Taxonomy, production, isolation and physico-chemical properties

New antifungal antibiotics, pradimicins A, B and C were isolated from the culture broth of actinomycete strains proposed as Actinomadura hibisca. They are orange to red pigments containing a benzo[a]naphthacenequinone chromophore substituted with a D-alanine, an aminosugar and a D-xylose (pradimicins A and C).

New antifungal antibiotics, pradimicins D and E. Glycine analogs of pradimicins A and C

New antifungal antibiotics pradimicins D and E were isolated from the culture filtrates of Actinomadura hibisca P157-2 (ATCC 53557) and its mutant A2660 (ATCC 53762). The structure of pradimicin D is N-[[(5S,6S)-5-O-[4,6-dideoxy-4-(methylamino)-3-O-(beta-D- xylopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl]-5,6,8,13-tetrahydro-1,6,9,14- tetrahydroxy-11-methoxy-3-methyl-8,13-dioxobenzo[a]naphthacen++ +-2-yl] carbonyl]glycine, based on spectral analyses compared to pradimicin A. Pradimicin E is the des-N-methyl analog of pradimicin D. Pradimicins D and E were equal in activity to pradimicin A in vitro against a variety of fungi and in vivo against Candida albicans A9540 in mice.

Pumilacidin, a complex of new antiviral antibiotics. Production, isolation, chemical properties, structure and biological activity

New antibiotic pumilacidins A, B, C, D, E, F and G were isolated from the culture broth of a strain of Bacillus pumilus. They are cyclic acylheptapeptide composed of a beta-hydroxy fatty acid, two L-leucine, two D-leucine, L-glutamic acid, L-aspartic acid and L-isoleucine (or L-valine). Pumilacidin components were inhibitory to herpes simplex virus type 1 and H+, K(+)-ATPase and demonstrated antiulcer activity in rat.

Cispentacin, a new antifungal antibiotic. I. Production, isolation, physico-chemical properties and structure

A new antibiotic, cispentacin, was isolated from the culture broth of a Bacillus cereus strain, L450-B2. The antibiotic is water-soluble and amphoteric; its structure was determined by spectroscopic analysis and chemical synthesis to be (1R,2S)-2-aminocyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid. Cispentacin demonstrated only weak in vitro activity against certain fungi but strong protection of mice from lethal infection of Candida albicans A9540.

Lanthiopeptin, a new peptide antibiotic. Production, isolation and properties of lanthiopeptin

A strain of Streptoverticillium cinnamoneum produced a peptide antibiotic named lanthiopeptin, which contained four unusual amino acids, erythro-beta-hydroxyaspartic acid, mesolanthionine, threo-beta-methyllanthionine and lysinoalanine. Lanthiopeptin showed antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 KOS strain infection in Vero cells by cytopathic effect reduction assay. The structure of lanthiopeptin is similar to that of ancovenin.