Lactimidomycin, a new glutarimide group antibiotic. Production, isolation, structure and biological activity

Streptomyces amphibiosporus R310-104 (ATCC 53964) produced a novel antibiotic lactimidomycin which showed inhibitory activity against fungi and prolonged the survival time of mice transplanted with experimental tumors. Structural studies clarified that lactimidomycin is a new glutarimide antibiotic having a unique unsaturated 12-membered lactone ring.

[Significance of prostatic specific antigen in the mass screening for prostate cancer]

The significance of prostatic specific antigen (PSA) was investigated in the subjects examined by the mass screening for prostate cancer from 1985 to 1990. All subjects was examined by digital rectal examination (DRE) and with prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and the subjects in whom prostate cancer (Pca) was suspected from abnormal DRE and/or elevated PAP were recommended to receive the secondary screening to confirm the presence of Pca. PSA was measured by radioimmunoassay using Ball-Elsa-PSA-kit. 1,600 serum samples were obtained from our serum bank. The relationship among PSA, prostate size estimated by DRE and age was investigated. PSA was increased with age and the prostate size, PSA being more closely related with the latter. Therefore, we estimated that PSA has an ability to detect benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) in the mass screening. This estimation should be confirmed by using an ultrasound tomography because the prostate size obtained by DRE is inaccurate as compared with that obtained by ultrasound tomography. The cut off level of PSA was determined by control which was composed from the subjects with normal size prostate and one with BPH. When the cut off level was 8.6 ng/ml, the sensitivity, specificity and efficiency as Pca marker was 73.9%, 97.4% and 97.1%, respectively. PSA was more than 8.6 ng/ml in all of Pca with elevated PAP. PSA was expected to improve the Pca detection rate in our mass screening system.

Tissue distribution of 125I-labeled fetal thyroid hormone in nude mice xenografted with Ewing sarcoma

Biodistribution of fetal thyroid hormone (RT3) was studied in nude mice with Ewing's sarcoma xenografts. At 30 min and 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 hr after injection, blood, tumor and normal organs were measured to determine the amount of radioactivity per gram of tissue. The amount of radioactivity in the blood of tumor-bearing mice decreased sharply from 7.64% of injected dose per gram of tissue (% ID/g) at 30 min after inoculation to 0.45%/ID/g at 12 hr. The % of injected dose per gram for 125I-labeled RT3 in the tumor reached 1.92 at 1 hr after injection and decreased to 0.22 at 12 hr. The radiolocalization indices for tumor to other organs at 12 hr ranged from 1.35 to 4.43. This study suggests increased localization of RT3 in the Ewing's sarcoma as compared to other tissues in the nude mouse.

Clinical evaluation of BPAA patch in the treatment of extremity trauma

In a multicenter clinical trial, the efficacy and usefulness of the BPAA Patch in the treatment of extremity trauma were evaluated in 64 patients and the safety was tested in 70 patients. In 89.1% of the patients studied, the final overall improvement was rated "moderate" or better, and no adverse reactions were reported. The results of this study indicate that the BPAA Patch is a highly useful topical antiinflammatory-analgesic agent for use in the treatment of pain and inflammatory symptoms following trauma.

Evaluation of trismus after treatment of mandibular fractures

This retrospective study examines the effects of treatment modalities and other contributing factors on the duration of trismus following mandibular fractures. Under a strict protocol, 80 cases involving a total of 120 fractures and their treatment modalities were reviewed. An investigation of duration of trismus was carried out in several ways. Although a relationship was established between age, initial interincisal distance, and duration of trismus, no relationship was found with the number or location of fractures, or reduction method. However, after examining the fixation methods separately, it was found that those cases in which Champy plates were used experienced a shorter duration of trismus compared with those using closed reduction with maxillomandibular fixation.

Protactin, a new antibiotic metabolite and a possible precursor of the actinomycins

Streptomyces cucumerosporus strain L703-4 (ATCC 53784) produces a new 4-methyl-3-hydroxyanthraniloylpentapeptide lactone for which we have proposed the name protactin, in addition to several actinomycin components. Protactin is rather resistant to air oxidation but it can be converted to a new actinomycin, actinomycin Zp by ferricyanide oxidation. Actinomycin Zp possesses in vitro antibacterial activity and in vivo antitumor activity against P-388 leukemia in mice.

[A study of urinary immunoglobulins and electrolyte excretion after lordosis]

We described a transient low or non-selective proteinuria after forced lordosis as a characteristic of orthostatic proteinuria and the heteroporous theory and sieving function theory which might explain the mechanism of orthostatic proteinuria. The angiogenic action of the renin-angiotensin system played an important part in these theories. Angiotensin II was recognized as the key regulator of renal sodium excretion, because it reduced the urinary Na/K ratio. Since the purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of the renin-angiotensin system on the mechanism of orthostatic proteinuria, proteins and electrolytes in the urine were examined before and after lordosis in 9 healthy children (Group A) and in 6 children with orthostatic proteinuria (Group B). The urinary ratio of protein/creatinine (P/cre) in Group B was already significantly higher than that in Group A before lordosis and significantly increased after lordosis, while P/cre in group A did not increase after lordosis. The urinary Na/K ratio (Na/K) in Group B was already significantly lower than that in Group A before lordosis, and after forced lordosis, Na/K in Group A decrease with no difference between both groups observed. It is suggested that a significant increase on P/cre after lordosis was obtained only in Group A, whereas in both groups the renal vein may be compressed by forced lordosis and as a result angiotensin II may be stimulated. There might be a difference of the responsibility to angiotensin II in glomerular mesangium contraction between both groups.

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.

[Frequency of food intake of dentulous and complete denture wearers]

The study was carried out on 1466 subjects, whose ages ranged from 20 to 80 years of age, of whom 1181 were dentulous and 285 were complete dentures. We studied the frequency with which the 1466 cases partook of food. The results were as follows: 1) Ingested foods were classified into 10 groups along with the frequency with which they were ingested on a yearly seasonal basis. Food groups were classified as follows: vegetables, grain, sea food, beans, meat, seaweed, potatoes, fruits, etc. 2) The Ingested foods of the dentulous group were similar to those of the complete denture wearers. 3) In all age groups the foods most ingested were: steamed rice, wakame, tofu, bread, scallions, Japanese omelette, and tomatoes. 4) The younger subjects (20 to 39 years) statistically ate significantly lower amounts of steamed rice than did the older age groups. 5) The younger generation ate more meat, while the older groups ate more sea food.

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.

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.

Piroxicam suppositories in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint

The subjects were 231 patients aged 16 to 75 years with osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Each patient received 20 mg of piroxicam daily as a suppository administered before sleep; 75% of the patients were treated for 14 days or longer. Overall treatment outcome was excellent in 34% according to physicians' ratings and in 36% according to the patients' self-ratings, good in 39% and 41%, fair in 22% and 17%, and unimproved in 5% and 7%, respectively. Side effects were reported by 3% of the patients. It is concluded that treatment of osteoarthritis with piroxicam suppositories is safe and effective.

Eponemycin, a new antibiotic active against B16 melanoma. I. Production, isolation, structure and biological activity

Streptomyces hygroscopicus No. P247-71(ATCC 53709)produced a novel antibiotic eponemycin which exhibited specific in vivo antitumor effect against B16 melanoma. Structural studies assigned (4S)-1,2-epoxy-2-hydroxymethyl-4-(N-isooctanoyl-L- serylamino)-6-methylhept-6-ene-3-one to eponemycin which is unrelated to the known antitumor antibiotics.

Exercise testing of the chronic effects of bunazosin hydrochloride on dilated cardiomyopathy

Bunazosin hydrochloride (Detantol) was administrated in 3-mg oral doses to 10 patients (6 males and 4 females, average 49.9 years) with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) of class II in the NYHA functional classification. The patients were observed for changes in their hemodynamics at rest, chest X-ray, echocardiography, humoral factors and symptom-limited exercise tolerance with treadmill testing before treatment and 4 and 8 weeks after administration. All but the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter after 8 weeks were unchanged. Of the humoral factors, only aldosterone decreased significantly during the treatment. On the other hand, the duration of symptom-limited exercise was prolonged significantly, and for a given exercise load, a reduction of heart rate and systolic blood pressure as well as a drop in the pressure-rate product occurred at 8 weeks after administration. Therefore, bunazosin appears to improve cardiac function and exercise tolerance in the patients with DCM, at dosages which do not affect hemodynamics at rest.

[Exercise testing of the chronic effects of bunazosin hydrochloride on dilated cardiomyopathy]

Bunazosin hydrochloride was administrated in 3-mg oral doses to the 10 patients (6 males and 4 females, average 49.9 years) with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) of class II in the NYHA functional classification. Then we observed the changes in their hemodynamics at rest, chest X-ray, echocardiography, humoral factors and symptom-limited exercise tolerance with treadmill testing before treatment and 4 and 8 weeks after administration. All but the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter after 8 weeks were unchanged. Of the humoral factors, only aldosterone decreased significantly during the treatment. On the other hand, the duration of symptom-limited exercise was prolonged significantly, and for a given exercise load, a reduction of heart rate and systolic blood pressure as well as a drop in the PRP occurred at 8 weeks after administration. Therefore, bunazosin appears to improve cardiac function and exercise tolerance in the patients with DCM, at dosages which do not affect hemodynamics at rest.

Enhanced production of the minor components of glidobactins in Polyangium brachysporum

Polyangium brachysporum sp. nov. strain ATCC 53080 produces a novel type of antifungal and antitumor antibiotic complex, glidobactins A, B and C. Enhanced production of minor components, glidobactins B and C, was achieved by medium modification. The addition of soybean oil or corn oil, which are rich in unsaturated C18 fatty acids, to the fermentation medium led to an increased production of components B and C. Productivity of component C was selectively enhanced by the addition of oleic acid-rich oils, olive oil and Tween 80 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-oleate). Furthermore, precursing palmitoleate, linoleate and oleate permitted the direct biosynthesis of components A, B and C, respectively. The fermentation with 3% addition of an appropriate oil at initial time provided an optimal production of component B or C.

BMY-28438 (3,7-dihydroxytropolone), a new antitumor antibiotic active against B16 melanoma. I. Production, isolation, structure and biological activity

A new antitumor antibiotic BMY-28438 was isolated from the cultured broth of Streptomyces tropolofaciens No. K611-97. The antibiotic showed potent cytotoxicity against cultured B16 melanoma cells and remarkable prolongation of life span of mice bearing B16 melanoma. The structure of BMY-28438 was determined as 3,7-dihydroxytropolone on the basis of spectral analyses and direct comparison with the authentic compound synthesized.

Isolation of an aminoglycoside hypersensitive mutant and its application in screening

An aminoglycoside hypersensitive mutant, Kp-126, was isolated from the aminoglycoside-resistant strain, Kp-8, of Klebsiella pneumoniae through selection using sorbistin, a non-aminocyclitol-aminoglycoside antibiotic. The mutant Kp-126 was approximately 100-fold more sensitive to sorbistin than the parent strain Kp-8. The mutant also showed hypersensitivity to various aminocyclitol-aminoglycoside antibiotics. K. pneumoniae Kp-126 was used in screening and a new aminoglycoside antibiotic, 3,3'-neotrehalosadiamine (BMY-28251), was discovered in the fermentation broths of soil isolate strain of Bacillus pumilus.

Chicamycin, a new antitumor antibiotic. I. Production, isolation and properties

Chicamycin is a new antitumor antibiotic produced by a strain of Streptomyces albus, No. J576 -99. The antibiotic is extractable into organic solvents from the fermentation broth and is obtained in two active forms, chicamycins A and B, depending upon the isolation procedure used. Chicamycin A is not a natural antibiotic but the methanol adduct of naturally produced chicamycin B. Both forms of the antibiotic have weak antibacterial activity against some Gram-positive and acid-fast bacteria. They inhibit the growth of experimental tumors such as P388 mouse leukemia.

Tallysomycin, a new antitumor antibiotic complex related to bleomycin. V. Production, characterization and antitumor activity of tallysomycin S10b, a new biosynthetic tallysomycin derivative

Tallysomycin S10b is a biosynthetic derivative of tallysomycin B obtained by precursor amine-feeding fermentation. Tallysomycin S10b contains 1,4-diaminobutane as the terminal amine moiety in place of spermidine of tallysomycin B, and its assigned structure was verified by carbon-13 NMR spectrum. The antitumor activity of tallysomycin S10b was comparable to that of tallysomycin A against sarcoma 180 but less active than the latter against leukemia P388. Tallysomycin S10b was less toxic than tallysomycin A in terms of acute and subacute LD50 values. The nephrotoxic potential of tallysomycin S10b in rats was less than that of tallysomycin A.