Desulfurization of dibenzothiophene by Corynebacterium sp. strain SY1

Strain SY1, identified as a Corynebacterium sp., was isolated on the basis of the ability to utilize dibenzothiophene (DBT) as a sole source of sulfur. Strain SY1 could utilize a wide range of organic and inorganic sulfur compounds, such as DBT sulfone, dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl sulfone, CS2, FeS2, and even elemental sulfur. Strain SY1 metabolized DBT to dibenzothiophene-5-oxide, DBT sulfone, and 2-hydroxybiphenyl, which was subsequently nitrated to produce at least two different hydroxynitrobiphenyls during cultivation. These metabolites were separated by silica gel column chromatography and identified by nuclear magnetic resonance, UV, and mass spectral techniques. Resting cells of SY1 desulfurized toluenesulfonic acid and released sulfite anion. On the basis of these results, a new DBT degradation pathway is proposed.

Effects of sex and age on serum GH binding protein levels in normal adults

OBJECTIVE

The effects of sex and age on serum growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) levels during adulthood were investigated.

DESIGN

The levels of GHBP, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and growth hormone (GH) were determined and analysed as a function of sex and age.

PATIENTS

We studied 101 normal adults (45 men, aged 20-77 years; 56 women, aged 20-80 years).

MEASUREMENTS

GHBP levels were determined using an Ultrogel AcA 44 minicolumn.

RESULTS

During the second and third decade, GHBP levels were not different between men (22.8 +/- 1.1%) (mean +/- SE) and women (23.2 +/- 0.8%). After the age of 40 years, however, GHBP levels in men were significantly decreased (19.1 +/- 0.7%), and were lower than those in women (22.7 +/- 0.9%). IGF-I levels correlated positively with GHBP levels in men (r = 0.51, P less than 0.01) but not in women (r = 0.16, NS).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that both sex and age may have some effects on the GH-GH receptor-IGF-I axis.

LH- and FSH-secreting pituitary adenoma in a postmenopausal woman

Gonadotropin secreting pituitary adenomas have been reported with increasing frequency in men, but they are still rarely recognized in women. We report a 52-year-old postmenopausal woman with LH- and FSH-secreting pituitary adenoma. She had increased LH (37.0 +/- 13.7 IU/l) (mean +/- SD) and FSH (109.9 +/- 26.7 IU/l) but these concentrations were within normal ranges in 80 postmenopausal women (LH: 29.7 +/- 18.3 IU/l, FSH: 104.0 +/- 43.9 IU/l). The administration of GnRH and conjugated estrogen resulted in normal response of LH and FSH. No abnormal response of gonadotropin to TRH and bromocriptine was observed. After transsphenoidal adenomectomy both LH and FSH decreased (LH: 11.1 +/- 4.2 IU/l, FSH: 37.0 +/- 9.6 IU/l). An immunocytochemical study revealed that the adenoma cells synthesize both LH and FSH. The rarity of gonadotropin secreting pituitary adenomas in women could be the result of greater difficulty in recognition due to an increase in serum gonadotropin in postmenopausal women.

[The early detection of metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer using 131I total body scan and treatment with 131I]

With the purpose of achieving early detection and performing 131I therapy for metastatic lesions of differentiated thyroid cancer, we studied the clinical findings in 132 patients who underwent 131I total body scanning (131I TBS) between 1981 and 1990. Metastatic lesions were detected only by 131I TBS in 24 (18%) of the 132 patients. Of the 49 patients treated with 131I for metastases, 27 (55%) underwent total thyroidectomy and then had their metastatic lesions treated by 131I less than one year later. In the remaining 22 patients (45%), the metastatic lesions were treated with 131I from 1 to 31 years (mean: 8.4 years) after the initial thyroidectomy. We determined the optimal timing of 131I TBS following radical thyroidectomy to be 3-4 weeks by sequential measurement of the serum thyroid hormones, TSH, and Tg, and determination of the 123I uptake in residual or metastatic cancer of the neck after thyroidectomy. 131I TBS with simultaneous serum Tg determination were performed in 52 patients with metastases. Scans were positive in 43 of the 52 (83%) and the serum Tg level was greater than 10 ng/ml in 46 of the 52 (88%). Serum Tg was elevated in 9 patients with negative scans, while low Tg levels were found in 6 patients with positive scans. 131I therapy was effective in 49 of the 65 treated patients (75%), including 5 cures. Two patients worsened and 6 died. These 8 patients were all older than 56 years of age. Post-therapeutic 131I TBS demonstrated unsuspected metastatic lesions in 7 patients and had a higher detection rate for metastatic lesions than diagnostic 131I TBS. We conclude that 131I TBS with simultaneous Tg determination should be performed to detect metastatic lesions in all patients following positively total thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer, and that 131I treatment should be given when positive 131I uptake is detected in metastatic or residual cancer.

Thyroid carcinoma in solitary hot thyroid lesions on Tc-99m sodium pertechnetate scans

Sixteen patients with nonsuppressible solitary hot thyroid lesions (SHTL) identified on T3 suppression images using Tc-99m sodium pertechnetate were studied over a period of 5 years. Of the 16 patients, 7 (44%) had papillary adenocarcinoma (PAC) and 9 (56%) had follicular adenoma (FA). Of the 7 patients with PAC, 3 were toxic and 4 nontoxic. Of the 9 patients with FA, 2 were toxic and 7 nontoxic. The Tl-201 chloride thyroid scans were useful in locating SHTL and revealing extranodular thyroid tissue. The echography was sensitive to visualization of the nodule structures. However, there were no significant differences between the clinical findings, radionuclide images, and echograms between for PAC and FA. All patients with PAC were treated by partial thyroidectomy and there were neither regional nor distant metastasis in any of them. In conclusion, our study provided the following extremely interesting result: SHTL in the present series have a higher incidence of malignancy than previously reported autonomously functioning thyroid lesions (AFTL). Histological examination is necessary for the diagnosis and management of SHTL and surgical treatment should be considered.

The development of a solitary toxic thyroid nodule following Graves' disease

A 52-year-old woman developed a toxic, solitary, autonomously functioning thyroid nodule four years after antithyroid drug treatment for Graves' disease. When she was initially seen, a thyroid scan showed the homogeneous enlargement of both lobes with increased uptake. Graves' disease was diagnosed and the patient was treated with methimazole. Thyroid function was well-controlled with medication for 18 months, after which the patient stopped taking the drug for three years. Four years after Graves' disease was diagnosed, the patient again showed symptoms of hyperthyroidism. The etiology was a toxic, autonomously functioning nodule.

A follow-up study using iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine imaging in a patient with neuroblastoma

A new radiopharmaceutical, I-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine (I-131 MIBG) was used to determine the location and to follow-up tumors in a 13-month-old girl with neuroblastoma. I-131 MIBG imaging revealed both a primary abdominal tumor and a distant metastatic orbital tumor. Follow-up study with I-131 MIBG imaging demonstrated significant resolution of tumors after external radiotherapy and chemotherapy. I-131 MIBG imaging is a simple, safe, and specific method of determining the location of tumors and also is clinically useful in the evaluation and management of patients with neuroblastoma.

Accumulation of Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate in calcified metastatic lesions of the liver from colonic carcinoma. Comparison with calcification on X-ray computed tomogram

Abnormal accumulation of Tc-99m MDP in two metastatic lesions of the liver was observed in a patient with resected colon carcinoma. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) revealed characteristic marginal accumulation of Tc-99m MDP in both of those metastatic lesions. X-ray CT showed the corresponding marginal calcification in one of the metastases, but no apparent calcification was observed in the other lesion. Two months later, however, the latter also became calcified on x-ray CT. These findings suggest that the accumulation of Tc-99m MDP in the present case is strongly related to the calcium deposition and that Tc-99m MDP may accumulate in a calcified metastatic lesion before the calcification appears on x-ray CT.

Biologically active principles of crude drugs. Pharmacological evaluation of cholagogue substances in clove and its properties

The present study was carried out to elucidate the effect of clove and its active principles in view of cholagogue. The cholagogue effect was observed in acetone extract of clove and eugenol. Acetyl-eugenol also possessed cholagogue property.

Effect of physical fitness and training on physiological responses to hypogravity

The studies on the orthostatic tolerance during the hypodynamics exposure seem to be significant in connection with the selection, training and health maintenance of astronauts. Using male human subjects of various physical fitness levels, fluctuations of their physical fitness through 2 weeks of vigorous athletic training were measured in many parameters. For some of the subjects, the effects of 6 hr thermal neutral water immersion exposure in head out supine position on the physical fitness parameters and orthostatic tolerability were compared before training with after training. The results obtained were as follows: (1) Before training, orthostatic tolerability before hypodynamics exposure increased, following the physical fitness levels; the value after the hypodynamics exposure decreased in all the cases, but no differences were observed between the physical fitness levels. (2) As a result of training an increase of the physical fitness capacity was observed. The increase of orthostatic tolerability before hypodynamics exposure was noticed except for athletes. (3) Before hypodynamics exposure the urinary excretion of noradrenaline on non-athlete subjects increased as the physicsl fitness level increased. The values were decreased by physical training, the more so the better the physical fitness. After hypodynamics exposure the same relation was observed. But for athletes the values remain more stable and the decrease by hypodynamics exposure was not so distinctive. Such decreased reaction to hypodynamic conditions seems to reveal the neuro hormonal mechanism for the detrimental adaptation of athletes to hypodynamics. These results suggest that stable athletes do not always have low orthostatic tolerability, but do not respond well to hypodynamic conditions, at least from the orthostatic point of view. The mechanism seems related to sympathetic nerve activity.