Studies on antitumor polysaccharides, especially D-II, from mycelium of Coriolus versicolor

A water-soluble polysaccharide, D-II with marked antitumor activity was isolated from the cultured mycelium of Coriolus versicolor by extraction with hot-water, fractional precipitation with ethanol and ion-exchange chromatography. D-II strongly inhibited the growth of Sarcoma-180 transplanted subcutaneously in mice by intraperitoneal, intravenous, subcutaneous or intra-muscular administration at a dose of 5 mg/kg. the molecular weight was estimated to be 2,000,000 by gel-filtration or 6,500,000 by light scattering analysis. The chemical structure of D-II was then investigated by periodate oxidation, methylation analysis, Smith degradation, and a combination of controlled Smith degradation and methylation analysis. These studies proposed that D-II is composed of a unit structure of four D-glucose residues, and is a glucan consisting of beta-D-1,3-linked main chain in which one for every three D-glucose residues is branched at C-6 with beta-D-1,6-linkage.

Improvement of the productivity of elasnin, a specific elastase inhibitor, by Streptomyces noboritoensis KM-2753

Streptomyces noboritoensis KM-2753, an elasnin-producing strain, co-produces an antimycin complex and its elasnin productivity is low (0.006 mg/ml). To obtain mutants possessing higher degrees of elasnin productivity and deficient in antimycin production, the strain was treated with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG), ultraviolet light, acriflavine (AF) and high temperature. Mutant N-134 obtained by treatment with NTG was 108 times higher than the original strain in elasnin productivity and produced no antimycin. Strain AF-17 obtained by AF treatment and strain H-80 obtained by incubation at high temperature showed 715 and 428 times higher productivities than that of the original strain, respectively. The productivity of elasnin was further increased 1.6 approximately 2.6 times by addition of saturated fatty acids, especially lauric acid, to the culture. Consequently, strain AF-17 produced 11.1 mg/ml of elasnin in the presence of 10 microgram/ml of lauric acid.

[Studies on the items for diagnosis of the vibration disease. Part 1. Examination of healthy workers using vibratory tools]

1,215 male workers using bush cleaners in Hokkaido were examined by the method based on the notification of the Labor Standard Bureau. The results obtained from clinically normal 548 workers among them were analysed especially on the finger skin temperature, vibratory sense threshold, maximum grip strength. 1) Data of the vibratory sense threshold, maximum grip strength and endurable grip strength showed normal distributions. Data of the finger skin temperature, however, showed a skewed distribution. 2) In parallel with aging, the vibratory sense threshold increased, in other words, lowered in function, and the maximum grip strength lowered. 3) The endurable grip strength measured by the five-time repetition method decreased along with aging. 4) Values of one-tail limit of the finger skin temperature were calculated in all 548 workers, and those of the vibratory sense threshold, maximum grip strength and endurable grip strength were done in each age group. The values were compared with the already proposed criteria and discussed.

Inhibitory Activity of Foy on Thrombin and Activated Factor X

When hypercoagulable state prolongs, DIC will develop regardless of the presence of naturally circulating anticoagulants. And heparin has been used In order to reinforce them in the treatment and prevention of DIC. The mechanism of anticoagulant action of FOY [Ethyl-p-(6-guanldlnohexanoyloxy)benzoate methanesulfonate] was Investigated, since It was reported that it has anticoagulant activity and that it is very effective in the treatment of DIC.

POY was found to possess inhibitory effect on hydrolytic activity of thrombin on synthetic substrate as well as that of activated factor X, plasmin and plasma kallikrein. The mode of action was competitive and the strongest inhibition was against plasma kallikrein (Ki:0.2μM), secondly to thrombin(0.97μM), thirdly to plasmln(1.6μM) and then to activated factor X(8.5μM), judging from their Ki values. The inhibitory effect of FOY in coagulant activity of thrombin on fibrinogen was stronger than that against fibrlnolyi » activity of plasmin. Synergetic effect of FOY with AT III was then studied. FOY was found to inhibit residual activity of thrombin or activated factor X which was not neutralized by AT III and heparin. It was postulated that the inhibitory action of FOY was not affected by the presence of AT III and heparin, since Km values of thrombin and activated factor X and Ki value of FOY were not altered in the oresence of AT III and heoarin.

Studies on 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase with various prostaglandin analogues

The NAD+-linked 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (PGDH) of swine lung was purified to a high specific activity by affinity chromatographies on prostaglandin (PG)-and NAD+-Sepharose. The affinities of the enzyme for various synthetic analogues of PGA, E, F, and I and their inhibitory effects on the enzymatic reaction were examined. The modification of the alkyl side chain of PG, particularly at C-15 or C-16, reduced the affinity of the enzyme for these PG analogues. Furthermore, 14-methyl-13,14-dihydro-PGE1 and 16-cyclopentyl-omega-trinor-15-epi-PGE2 were potent inhibitors of PGDH.

Effect of physical exercise on the activity of GOT isozyme in human plasma

Untrained healthy male volunteers were subjected to the study on the effects of exercise (bicycle ergometer, 920 kpm/min for 30 min) upon GOT isozyme (supernatant GOT, s-GOT and mitochondrial GOT, m-GOT) activities in plasma. Significant increases in the levels of both s-GOT and m-GOT activity were observed after the exercise (p less than 0.001). After 30 min of rest m-GOT activity almost returned to its preexercise value. However, s-GOT activity did not return to its preexercise activity. The changes in the activity of GOT isozyme after physical exercise are discussed.

Isolation and characterization of elasnin, a new human granulocyte elastase inhibitor produced by a strain of Streptomyces

Elasnin, a new human granulocyte elastase inhibitor, produced by the strain of KM-2753 designated as Streptomyces noboritoensis KM--2753 has been isolated from the fermentation broth by column chromatography on silica gel and neutral alumina. Elasnin is a neutral, colorless, and viscous oil (ND17 = 1.4983, [alpha]18D -0.9 degrees, lambdaEtOHmax 291 nm (epsilon, 7,760) having a molecular formula of C24H40O4 (MW 392) as shown by its elemental analysis and mass spectrum. Elasnin markedly inhibits human granulocyte elastase, but it is almost inactive against pancreatic elastase, chymotrypsin, and trypsin. At 1.3 microgram/ml (3.3 X 10(-6) M), elasnin is 50% inhibitory to human elastase, but it causes 50% inhibition of pancreatic elastase at 30.1 microgram/ml (76.8 X 10(-6) M).

[Effect of physical exercise on glycolysis in human red blood cells (author's transl)]

Untrained healthy male volunteers were studied to observe the effects of physical exercise (bicycle ergometer, 920 kpm/min for 10 min, 15 min and 30 min) upon glycolytic intermediates in red blood cells. The levels of glucose 6-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate, pyruvate and lactate increased after each exercise. The levels of fructose 1,6-diphosphate increased and phosphoenolpyruvate decreased respectively only after 30 min of exercise. At the rest period of 30 min after 30 min of exercise the lactate level still remained unchanged, however all the other intermediates returned to the preexercise values. A negative crossover point seemed to exist between fructose 6-phosphate and fructose 1, 6-diphosphate after 15 min of exercise. A positive crossover point was observed between phosphoenolpyruvate and pyruvate after 30 min of exercise. There were significant increases in hexokinase and pyruvate kinase activities, but not in phosphofructokinase activity after 30 min of exercise. These facts suggested that the increase in pyruvate kinase activity was due to the elevated fructose 1,6-diphosphate level after 30 min of exercise. A significant increase in plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity was found after each exercise. A close positive correlation was observed between pyruvate-phosphoenolpyruvate ratio and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity after 30 min of exercise. It was suggested that pyruvate-phosphoenolpyruvate ratio provided a reliable index of physical exercise.

[Relationship between mechanical properties and amounts of casting porosities in tensile-test fracture surface of Au-Pd-Ag-Cu alloy (author's transl)]

One hundred and thirty-nine tensile-test specimens of Au-Pd-Ag-Cu alloy were cast in various casting conditions. The specimens were subjected age-hardening heat-treatment. The casting porosities and the nonmetallic inclusions in the surface of a tensile-test fracture of cast specimens were observed and analyzed by use of Electron Probe X-ray Microanalyzer (EPMA). The polosity ratio that is the area ratio of the porosities to the fracture surface was determined. Studies were quantitatively made on the effect of the porosity ratio on the tensile strength and the elongation. Furthermore, the effect of the casting conditions on the tensile strength was investigated. The main results were summarized as follows; The tensile strength decreased only slightly within about 15% of the porosity ratio and remarkably with an increase in its ratio in the range from about 15% to 50%. The elongation, however, decreased considerably in the presence of the porosities of only a few per cent. Aspects of the decrease curves on the tensile strength and the elongation were represented in the shape of an inverse S-type and hyperbolic curve with an increase in the porosity ratio, respectively. With an increase in the porosity ratio, the shapes of the tensile-test specimens at the fracture part and load-elongation curves in the tensile-tests were shown as a brittle fracture. However, the result observed by a scanning electron microscope revealed that the fracture surfaces without the porosities showed mostly "dimple pattern" suggesting a characteristic figure of a ductile fracture. The nonmetallic inclusions in the fracture surfaces were identified as SiO2 (quartz) which was derived from an ingredient of an investment by comparing the inclusion with the reference standards on the characteristic X-ray O Kalpha spectra by EPMA. The microstructures observed by a light microscope showed a coarse structure with the high temperature casting conditions. However, the results of a scanning electronmicroscopy revealed that the microstructres observed in high magnifications of about 1000 to 3000 composed of two structures; micro-lamella and Widmanstätten structure, and no difference was shown in the various casting conditions. Therefore, it is concluded in the present alloy that a coarseness of the microstructures observed by a light microscope become no reason for a decrease of the tensile strength.

Mitochondrial fraction of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The mitochondrial fraction of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase was measured in the serum of 50 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy by an immunoadsorbent method. The enzyme activities in patients in the early, midstage, and late stages of the disease and controls were 21.8 +/- 7.4 (N=9), 12.2 +/- 3.7 (N=38), 6.4 +/- 1.2 (N=3) and 4.2 +/1 1.2 units/ml (N=15), respectively. The enzyme level in the early stage was significantly elevated (p less than 0.01, vs. control, p less than 0.05 vs. mid stage). As the disease progressed, the levels gradually declined, but mid-stage values were still higher than the late stage (p less than 0.01) or control values (p less than 0.01). In the late stage, enzyme activity was within the control range.

[Studies on high temperature oxidation of noble metal alloys for dental use (I). Formation of oxide layers and oxidation rate (author's transl)]

Eight commercial and two experimental alloys were examined. The cast specimens were polished metallographically and oxidized at 700 degrees and 800 degrees C in air. An electron probe X-ray microanalyser and a microthermobalance were employed to investigate the oxidation behavior of the alloys. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The copper in the alloys was selectively oxidized and the scales formed on the alloys consisted of two layers, CuO overlying Cu2O. 2. The oxide particles in the internal oxidation zone (subscale) on the alloys containing only Cu as the base metal were Cu2O and on the alloys containing Zn, Cd, and Ni with Cu were ZnO, CdO, and NiO, respectively. 3. The size of the ZnO and CdO particles in the subscale increased with the penetration into the specimen. 4. The ZnO particles in the metal-subscale interface showed preferential precipitation at the grain boundaries. 5. When the oxide particles in the subscale did not develop remarkably, the oxidation rate at constant temperature conformed with the parabolic law. 6. In the 18 carat gold alloy, the oxidation rate at 800 degrees C was about 10 times that at 700 degrees C. 7. Owing to preferential oxidation of the Cu in the alloys, Cu concentration in the outer layer of the metal decreased remarkably and Au, Pt, Ag and Pd concentration increased.

[Studies on high temperature oxidation of noble metal alloys for dental use. (II) Effects of high temperature oxidation on casting (author's transl)]

The specimens which were cast from commercial alloys were polished metallographically and then oxidized at 800 degrees C for 1 hour in air. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The reduction rate of Cu aginast the original Cu amount in the alloy is given by the following equation: (see article) where S is surface area of the casting, KW is oxidation rate constant, t is time, Wc is weight of the casting, Ccu is weight percent of Cu, and n is between 1 and 2. 2. Owing to decrease of the Cu concentration in the outer layer of the alloy, the age-hardening did not appear in that layer. 3. Reflexibility of the polished surface of alloys became lower than that of the matrix due to precipitation of the oxide particles. 4. Hardness numbers of the internal oxidation zone (oxide particles, ZnO) decreased to 1/2 of the matrix. 5. The surface roughness of specimens after pickling was affected by the shape of oxide particles in the internal oxidation zone and varied with the different commercial alloys. 6. The dimensional change of casting due to oxidation is given by the following equation: (see article) where sigmacu is density of copper, KW is oxidation rate constant, t is time and n is between 1 and 2.

[Studies on high temperature oxidation of noble metal alloys for dental use. (III) On high temperature oxidation resistance of noble metal alloys by adding small amounts of alloying elements. (author's transl)]

The previous report pointed out the undesirable effects of high temperature oxidation on the casting. The influence of small separate additions of Zn, Mg, Si, Be and Al on the high temperature oxidation of the noble metal alloys was examined. These alloying elements were chosen because their oxide have a high electrical resistivity and they have much higher affinity for oxygen than Cu. The casting were oxidized at 700 degrees C for 1 hour in air. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The Cu oxides are not observed on the as-cast surface of noble metal alloys containing small amounts of Zn, Mg, Si, Be, and Al. The castings have gold- or silver-colored surface. 2. After heating of the unpolished and polished castings, the additions of Si, Be and Al are effective in preventing oxidation of Cu in the 18 carats gold alloys. Especially the golden surface is obtained by adding Be and Al. But there is no oxidation-resistance on the polished castings in the alloys containing Zn and Mg. 3. The zinc oxide film formed on the as-cast specimen is effective in preventing of oxidation Cu in 18 carats gold alloys. 4. It seems that the addition of Al is most available in dental application.

A solid-phase radioimmunoassay for human beta2-microglobulin

A simple and relatively rapid as well as highly reproducible determination of beta2-microglobulin is described for general laboratory use. The method is based on a solid-phase radioimmunoassay paper discs as a solid-phase material. The assayable range is approximately in the range of 2 ng to 20 mug of beta2-microglobulin with a precision of approx. 5 percent. This assay requiring only 0.05 ml of urine can be completed within 20 h. Urine in cadmium-exposed workers and residents in cadmium-polluted districts including patients with itai-itai disease were examined and considerable amounts of beta2-microglobulin were observed in these urines.

Optimal control of a semibatch fermentation

This work is concerned with the optimization study of the semibatch fermentation by which an amino acid is produced. The particular fermentation studied is the synthesis of lysine by the auxotrophic mutant. Applying Green's theorem to the maximization problem was proposed, and it succeeded in determining the feed rate of the substrate that maximized the production rate of the desired product.