Detection of Legionella spp. in cooling tower water by the polymerase chain reaction method

The presence of Legionella spp. in cooling tower water was investigated by using the polymerase chain reaction. Total Legionella spp. detection was performed with 20-mer 5S rRNA complementary DNA sequence primers, and specific Legionella pneumophila detection was performed with 20-mer and then 21-mer macrophage infectivity potentiator gene sequence primers. Of 27 cooling tower water samples, 25 were positive for Legionella spp., and 14 of these contained L. pneumophila.

[Magnet-supported chemiluminescent detection for amplified mecA gene of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus]

A method of chemiluminescent detection for mecA gene of methicillin-resistant S. aureus amplified by polymerase chain reaction, was developed. The senseprimer was biotinylated at 5'-end, and an oligonucleotide probe, complementary to the senseprimer, was labeled with acridinium ester at 5'-end. Template DNA was obtained from colonies of S. aureus cultured on blood agar. Polymerase chain reaction product was hybridized with the probe and was separated using streptavidin-coated magnetic microparticles in magnetic field. The pellet was washed by decantations, and was measured for chemiluminescence in an automatic luminescence reader. For reference, drug sensitivity and presence of mecA gene were tested by dilution method and electrophoresis of polymerase chain reaction product, respectively, for each colony studied. Results showed that methicillin-resistant S. aureus (n = 44) and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (n = 19) can be successfully differentiated by chemiluminescence measurement. This method is specific, rapid, and suitable for handling a large number of samples.

Significance of serum antibody against surface antigens of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in patients with adult periodontitis

This study was undertaken to examine the prevalence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, its serotype distribution and the serum immune responses against its surface antigens in 41 Japanese patients with adult periodontitis. The dominant A. actinomycetemcomitans serotype isolated was serotype c. Immunoblot analysis of 3 serotypes of A. actinomycetemcomitans-sonicated antigens and the patient sera revealed that the reactivities with serotype c were the most frequent and that heat-stable surface serotype-specific antigen appeared to be immunodominant. Elevated serum immunoglobulin G titers to extracted lipopolysaccharide and fimbriae antigen of A. actinomycetemcomitans were noted for the patient sera by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. High serum immunoglobulin G titers to the fimbriae antigen detected in patients without cultivable A. actinomycetemcomitans suggested the possibility that the elicited antibody to the antigen played a role in eliminating A. actinomycetemcomitans from the periodontal lesions.

Influence of methylprednisolone on the intracellular antimicrobial activity of erythromycin and clindamycin against Legionella pneumophila

We have investigated the effect of methylprednisolone on the intracellular activity of erythromycin and clindamycin in vitro. An assay system was developed for the determination of intracellular activity of antibiotics against Legionella pneumophila using guinea pig resident alveolar macrophages. Erythromycin at a concentration of 0.625 mg/L (5 x MIC) and clindamycin at a concentration of 8 mg/L (MIC) inhibited the growth of a single strain of L. pneumophila in macrophages, whilst ceftizoxime at a concentration of 0.625 mg/L (5 x MIC) did not. Methylprednisolone at therapeutic concentrations did not affect the intracellular antibacterial activity of either erythromycin or clindamycin against L. pneumophila. We found no direct effect of methylprednisolone on the intracellular antibacterial activity of either erythromycin or clindamycin.

Alignment of molecular and classical linkage maps of rice, Oryza sativa

Application of genetic linkage maps in plant genetics and breeding can be greatly facilitated by integrating the available classical and molecular genetic linkage maps. In rice, Oryza sativa L., the classical linkage map includes about 300 genes which correspond to various important morphological, physiological, biochemical and agronomic characteristics. The molecular maps consist of more than 500 DNA markers which cover most of the genome within relatively short intervals. Little effort has been made to integrate these two genetic maps. In this paper we report preliminary results of an ongoing research project aimed at the complete integration and alignment of the two linkage maps of rice. Six different F2 populations segregating for various phenotypic and RFLP markers were used and a total of 12 morphological and physiological markers (Table 1) were mapped onto our recently constructed molecular map. Six linkage groups (i.e., chr. 1, 3, 7, 9, 11 and 12) on our RFLP map were aligned with the corresponding linkage groups on the classical map, and the previous alignment for chromosome 6 was further confirmed by RFLP mapping of an additional physiological marker on this chromosome. Results from this study, combined with our previous results, indicate that, for most chromosomes in rice, the RFLP map encompasses the classical map. The usefulness of an integrated genetic linkage map for rice genetics and breeding is discussed.

Carnitine status and safety after administration of S-1108, a new oral cephem, to patients

The metabolism and clinical safety of the pivalic acid-containing antibiotic S-1108, an orally active pro-drug cephalosporin, were investigated to assess the clinical effects, with special emphasis on the influence of carnitine consumption in 15 patients with various infectious diseases receiving S-1108 three times a day at a 300- or 600-mg total daily dose for 3 to 7 days. The free carnitine concentrations in plasma were greatly reduced to approximately 65% of pretreatment levels, and the plasma pivaloylcarnitine (the main metabolite of pivaloyloxymethyl ester) concentrations were increased during the 200-mg (three times a day) regimens but returned to the pretreatment levels within 3 to 5 days after the cessation of treatment. In three elderly patients with declining renal function (creatinine clearance rate, 31 to 50 ml/min), the acylcarnitine/free carnitine ratio increased from 0.1 to 0.4 up to 0.7 to 1.5 at day 5 during the 7-day treatment, showed a tendency to decrease, and then returned to the pretreatment ratio 4 days after discontinuation of the drug. The degree of free carnitine reduction and increase of the acylcarnitine/free carnitine ratio depended mostly on the dose and the duration of S-1108 treatment. The increased acylcarnitine/free carnitine ratio in elderly patients was due to reduction of the free carnitine concentration in plasma and mainly to the retardation of nontoxic pivaloylcarnitine excretion. This study indicated that there was a decrease in free carnitine levels in plasma, but there were no clinical symptoms or adverse effects associated with carnitine reduction in patients during the 7-day multiple administration of S-1108.

[Eighth cranial neuritis difficult to differentiate from intracanalicular acoustic neurinoma on MRI: case report]

A patient with an enhancing, completely intracanalicular mass on MRI was presented. He had noticed progressive hearing loss in the left ear with tinnitus. Neurological examination revealed no abnormality except decreased hearing in the left ear. There were no other cranial nerve or cerebellar signs. An audiogram revealed profound hearing loss on the left ear with no ability of speech discrimination. Brainstem auditory evoked response was absent on the left. MRI enhanced with gadolinium-DTPA demonstrated an intracanalicular enhancing lesion on the left which was presumed to be an intracanalicular acoustic neurinoma. The patient underwent a left suboccipital craniectomy. The eighth cranial nerve appeared normal in the cerebellopontine angle cistern, and was swollen and discolored in the internal auditory canal. It was removed piecemeal. The patient remained deaf in the left ear postoperatively. Histopathologically, the lesion consisted of edematous nerve fiber and inflammatory cells, but no tumor cell was present within the specimen. The patient was diagnosed as having neuritis. The clinical time course of symptoms in our patient was not unusual for an acoustic neurinoma. It seems that the distinction between an intracanalicular acoustic neurinoma and other lesions cannot be made on basis of MR imaging alone. All available imaging modalities should be considered before a definitive surgical procedure is undertaken.

Rabbit plasma alpha-1-antiproteinase S-1: cloning, sequencing, expression, and proteinase inhibitory properties of recombinant protein

A cDNA clone coding for the isoform S-1 of alpha-1-antiproteinase (also called alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor or alpha-1-antitrypsin) was isolated from rabbit liver cDNA library and sequenced. The cDNA consists of 1,426 nucleotides including 5' and 3' noncoding regions and codes for 413 amino acid residues including a signal peptide of 24 residues. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences show 95.5 and 95.2% homologies, respectively, with the F isoform which occurs more abundantly in the rabbit serum than the S isoform. Of the 20 amino acid differences between the two isoforms, nine are located in a stretch of 15 amino acids encompassing the reactive site region, suggesting that these genes have diverged from each other by a nonrandom mechanism. A hypothesis is proposed that the domestication of animal is responsible for the extremely high evolutionary rate in the serpin reactive site region. Prokaryotic expression plasmids were constructed from the cDNA, transfected into Escherichia coli, and expressed. Partially purified recombinant protein inhibited elastase, but did not inhibit trypsin when a small substrate was used. The recombinant S-1 form, however, protected trypsin from inactivation by soybean trypsin inhibitor, a property characteristic of alpha-macroglobulins or rodent murinoglobulins. It is known that there are two types of interaction between serpin and proteinase: (i) most serpins form a stable equimolar complex with the enzyme, resulting in the enzyme inhibition and (ii) some serpins act as a substrate rather than as an inhibitor, resulting in the loss of inhibitory activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Experimental study of tangential osteochondral and chondral fracture of the patella]

It has been reported that trauma is not an only responsible factor for tangential osteochondral fracture (OF) in the patellofemoral joint, but other factors predisposing to OF are also involved in many clinical cases. The present investigator manually dislocated the patella of 25 young rabbits without anesthesia (group 1). In other 25 young rabbits (group 2), dislocation of the patella followed the experimental production of the patellar subluxation which was considered as an etiology of OF. The resulting patellar cartilage changes were compared between these groups of rabbits to clarify the relation between the preceding cartilage change and the development of OF. As a result, the present study confirmed that OF was not caused by mere dislocation of the patella but was induced only when dislocation was superimposed on an existing cartilage change resulting from the patellar subluxation. In treating clinical cases of OF, it is, therefore, important to evaluate cartilageous degeneration thoroughly and clarify its pathologic process.

Effect of fenprostalene 14 days after fertirelin treatment on intervals from treatment to conception in cows with follicular cysts diagnosed by milk progesterone test

Of 170 cows with ovarian cysts which were detected by palpation of the ovaries per rectum, 88 cows (51.8%) were diagnosed as having follicular cysts on the basis of milk progesterone concentrations. Eighty-three of the 88 cows were used for treatment trials. A group of 56 cows injected subcutaneously with fenprostalene, prostaglandin F2 alpha analog, 14 days after treatment with fertirelin, an analog of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, compared with another 27 cows treated only with fertirelin (controls), showed a higher pregnancy rate within 100 days after the initial treatment (66.1 vs 48.1%) and shorter intervals from the treatment to conception (30 +/- 21 vs 43 +/- 27 days). It was concluded that the administration of fenprostalene following fertirelin treatment is effective in shortening the interval from treatment to conception in cows with follicular cysts.

[Bacteriological and clinical studies in 23 cases of thoracic empyema--the role of oral streptococci and anaerobes]

The bacteriology of empyema fluid and the clinical background of 23 cases from July 1987 through July 1992 were studied. Nineteen cases were male and 4 female, with a mean age of 59.6 years (range; 33 to 84 y.o.). There were 15 cases of community-acquired infection and 8 of nosocomial infection. Acute pneumonia and/or lung abscess developed into empyema in 19 cases. Sixteen cases had associated predisposing conditions, such as diabetes, chronic bronchitis, disorders with dysphagia, and excess alcohol intake. Forty-one strains were isolated from empyema in 22 cases. The predominant organisms, in order of prevalence, were "Streptococcus milleri" group (11 strains), Peptostreptococcus spp. (6), Prevotella spp. (6), Fusobacterium spp. (5) and other viridans streptococci (3). The majority of streptococcal infections, which were primarily caused by "S. milleri" group, were mixed with anaerobes and/or aerobes/facultatives. These results demonstrate that oral streptococci, especially "S. milleri" group, and anaerobes play a significant role as pathogens in empyema.

[Investigation on immunological factors of non- and low-responders to hepatitis B vaccine]

We investigated the immunological factors concerning the backgrounds of non- and low-responders who could not respond well to the hepatitis B (HB) vaccine. We injected 10 micrograms of the recombinant HB vaccine to the medical staffs of our hospital intramuscularly three times, 199 subjects of whom could receive the full course of immunization with the HB surface (HBs) antigen. We found that 14 subjects were non-responders whose titer of HBs antibody was under the 1.9 cut off index (C.I.) examined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and 47 ones were low-responders whose titers were between 2.0 to 9.9 C.I. and the frequency of non- and low-responders was higher in males after the full course of HB vaccination. We chose 46 subjects and divided them into 4 groups according to the titer of HBs antibody at 8 and 28 weeks. We compared those groups to each other according to the amounts of total protein, gamma-globulin, IgG, IgA and IgM, numbers of peripheral white blood cells and lymphocytes, and percentages of peripheral lymphocyte and subsets of T cell including the examination by two-color flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies. However we could not get any significant difference in any of those immunological factors by T assay. From these findings we suggest that the response to the HB vaccine does not depend on the quantity of the immunological factors before vaccination but on specific reactivity to HBs antigen after vaccination.

[Clinical significance of urinary methylguanidine in non-dialyzed patients with chronic renal failure--prediction of progression rate of renal dysfunction]

To clarify a clinical significance of urinary methylguanidine (U-MG, micrograms/dl) in non-dialyzed patients with chronic renal failure, we measured U-MG, urinary creatinine (U-Cr, mg/dl) and serum creatinine (S-Cr, mg/dl), concurrently and continually in 36 out-patients whose S-Cr was over 4.0 mg/dl. Fresh urine sample was obtained and U-MG was measured by an enzymic method. S-Cr concentrations (mean +/- SD) at the initiation of dialysis therapy were comparable in non-diabetics and in diabetics, being 13.4 +/- 4.54mg/dl and 8.23 +/- 1.96mg/dl, respectively, with statistical significance (p < 0.01). U-MG/Cr (micrograms/mg. Cr) values were also different between them, being 9.28 +/- 4.97 in non-diabetics and 5.19 +/- 1.29 in diabetics, but with lesser statistical significance (p < 0.05) than S-Cr. U-MG/Cr correlated well with the terms till the initiation of dialysis therapy (r = 0.7189, p < 0.001), more significantly than S-Cr (r = 0.5506, p < 0.001) in parabolic regression analysis. U-MG/Cr were greatly varied among the 7 patients, although whose S-Cr was nearly the same level (6.0-6.9mg/dl). Most importantly, the tendency was found in these patients that the higher U-MG/Cr, the earlier the renal replacement therapy instituted. These results suggests that U-MG/Cr can be reliable parameter to predict the progression rate of renal failure and to help to know when renal replacement therapy should be instituted.

Different intracellular localization of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and ryanodine receptors in cardiomyocytes

The ryanodine and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors have previously been found to be intracellular Ca2+ release channels characterized by their large size and 4-fold symmetry. In this study, cardiomyocytes are found to have a different intracellular localization for the two receptors. At the level of light microscopy, the IP3 receptor is immunolocalized in rat ventricular cardiomyocytes at the region of the intercalated discs. By contrast, immunoreactivity of the ryanodine receptor is observed as transverse bands throughout the length of the cardiomyocyte, coincident with the triad junction at the I-bands. At the level of electron microscopy, immunogold particles directed to the IP3 receptor specifically decorate the intercalated discs of rat ventricular and atrial cardiomyocytes, preferentially at the fascia adherens. Binding of [3H] IP3 and [3H]ryanodine were measured in cardiac subcellular fractions. IP3 binding is enriched in a fraction containing intercalated discs. Little or no IP3 binding was detected in longitudinal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), junctional SR, sarcolemma, mitochondria, and submitochondrial vesicles. Ryanodine binding is the highest in junctional SR. We conclude that the IP3 receptor is present in ventricular and atrial cardiomyocytes and localized at the region of the intercalated discs. These results suggest a possible role of the IP3 receptor in Ca2+ entry through intercalated discs and/or intercellular signaling between cardiomyocytes.

An autopsy case of ulcerative colitis associated with Takayasu's disease with a review of 13 Japanese cases

An autopsy was performed on a 42-year-old Japanese female who had been suffering from both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Takayasu's disease. Her UC started at age 27 with bloody stool, and Takayasu's disease was diagnosed at age 30 on the basis of absence of pulse in her left arm. After more than ten years she died of multiple cerebral infarction. An autopsy study revealed the scarring stage of UC in the entire colon and aortitis in the aortic arch and its major branches and pulmonary arteries. Her HLA type was positive for HLA-A2, 24, Bw52 and 61. Clinical features of a total of 13 Japanese cases that had both UC and Takayasu's disease have been reviewed in the Japanese and Western literature.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe heart failure after Fontan operation

A 10-year-old boy with tricuspid atresia and Glenn anastomosis underwent a modified Fontan operation. After the operation, the pressure in the inferior vena cava increased, leading to oliguria and ascites. After the creation of continuity between the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava to reduce the pressure gradient, there remained an elevated right atrial pressure. Six days of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation effectively stabilized his hemodynamics and organ function and allowed an excellent outcome.

Results of cesium needle interstitial implantation for carcinoma of the oral tongue

One hundred thirty previously untreated patients with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue received interstitial radiotherapy with curative intent using cesium needles. Ninety-nine patients were treated with interstitial radiotherapy alone and 31 patients received interstitial radiotherapy combined with external beam irradiation. The recurrence-free rates in the primary lesions were 94.4% (17/18) in T1, 91.2% (52/57) in T2, and 70.9% (22/31) in T3 lesions. The local recurrence-free rates with single-plane and two-plane implantation were good: 89.7% (70/78) and 85.7% (12/14), respectively. The rate of 64.2% (9/14) for volume implantation was significantly poorer (p < 0.05). It is evident that tumor volume is an important factor in the control of cancer following interstitial therapy. The overall incidence of ulceration of the tongue and mandibular complication was 20% (26/130) and 13% (17/130), respectively. Using both interstitial and external radiotherapy, the incidence was 22.5%, compared with 10.1% using interstitial radiotherapy alone. The mandibular complication incidence of 8.9% with single-plane implants was much lower than 20.8% for two-plane and 23.5% for volume implants. Interstitial radiotherapy is most suitable in T1 and T2 cases in which single-plane implantation is possible; for these patients interstitial radiotherapy, which has the advantage of preserving the structure and function of the tongue, should continue to be used in the future in spite of the progress in reconstructive surgery.

[Clinical evaluation of cefpodoxime in respiratory tract infections]

Cefpodoxime (CPDX-PR) was evaluated clinically in respiratory tract infections. The results obtained are summarized as follows; 1. The total number of the patients who were treated with CPDX-PR was 61, out of whom 53 cases were evaluated for clinical efficacy and 55 cases were investigated for the safety of the drug. CPDX-PR was given orally twice a day at 100-200 mg for 5-21 days. 2. Clinical efficacies were excellent in 9 patients, good in 36, fair in 4 and poor in 4. The overall clinical efficacy was 84.9%. In particular, CPDX-PR showed satisfactory efficacy for acute respiratory infections and mild chronic respiratory infections, with efficacy rates of 88.6% (31/35) and 100% (8/8), respectively. 3. No adverse reactions was observed, but slight and transient elevation of BUN was noted. In conclusion, it has been confirmed that CPDX-PR is an excellent and safe drug for the treatment of the respiratory tract infections.

[Clinical studies of ofloxacin 300 mg once a day administration in chronic respiratory tract infections]

Forty patients with chronic respiratory infections were randomly assigned to 2 groups to compare the effect of once daily administration of 300 mg each and 3 times daily administration of 600 mg each of ofloxacin (OFLX). Twenty patients were administered with 300 mg OFLX a day and 18 cases received 600 mg. The number of underlying diseases in the 300 mg group was greater than that in the 600 mg group. The ratios of general amelioration of clinical symptoms were 80.0% in the 300 mg group and 88.9% in the 600 mg group. For bacteriological effects, the eradication rate was 80.0% in the 300 mg group and it was 84.6% in the 600 mg. The incidence of side effects in the 300 mg group was 0% and that of the 600 mg group was 5.6% (1 patient) but the symptom was mild. The incidence of abnormal laboratory test results was 15.0% in the 300 mg group and it was 11.2% in the 600 mg group, but all of these abnormalities were slight and transient. The safety rates in the 300 mg and the 600 mg groups were 95.0% and 94.4%, respectively. Efficacy rates in the 300 mg and the 600 mg groups were 80.0% and 88.9%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in all the results between the 2 treatment groups, and the both treatments were highly effective. From the above results, we consider that once daily administration of 300 mg is a useful therapy in respiratory tract infections.

Continuous non-diluted serum sample measurement with an ISFET glucose sensor

An ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) glucose sensor with a new membrane structure is fabricated and its characteristics are evaluated in continuous measurement of non-diluted serum glucose. This sensor chip is composed of two ISFETs and a gold electrode. An albumin-glutaraldehyde crosslinked membrane, patterned on one of the ISFET gates and the gold electrode, contacts an enzyme membrane deposited on the other gate in edge to edge. Making an electrical connection between the gold electrode and two ISFETs, this membrane enables stable sensor responses to be made. This sensor is mounted on a flow cell into which serum samples and air are alternately fed. The sensor output shows a good linear relationship, up to 300 mg dl-1 glucose, and correlates well with a conventional glucose analyzer. This sensor shows promise as a key device in the development of portable glucose monitors.

Relative avidity of serum immunoglobulin G antibody for the fimbria antigen of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in patients with adult periodontitis

The relative avidity of serum immunoglobulin G antibody for the fimbria antigen of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans was assessed by diethylamine dissociation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patients with adult periodontitis. High-titer sera from patients not harboring A. actinomycetemcomitans had significantly higher avidities for the fimbria antigen than did high-titer sera from patients with A. actinomycetemcomitans in their periodontal pockets. The elicited antibodies against the fimbria antigen may afford protection against A. actinomycetemcomitans infection.

Changes of splenic lymphocyte subpopulation in mice inoculated with Babesia microti and Babesia rodhaini

Changes of splenic lymphocyte subpopulation after Babesia microti and Babesia rodhaini inoculation in mice were examined by flow cytometric analysis. The B. microti inoculated mice showed a longer period of time from inoculation to the onset of increase or decrease parasitaemia (%), packed cell volume, total spleen cell numbers and surface immunoglobulin positive splenic cell numbers than respective periods in B. rodhaini inoculated mice. The Thy-1 positive cell numbers in B. microti inoculated mice and B. rodhaini inoculated mice pre-immunized with homologous parasites were significantly higher than that of B. rodhaini inoculated mice. The ratio of L3T4 positive cell/Lyt-2 positive cell after inoculation with B. microti was quite similar to that in B. rodhaini mice pre-immunized. However, the ratio in B. rodhaini inoculated mice revealed a lack of an increasing phase. These results suggested that the T-cell dependent early immune response, especially suppressor activity, was closely related to the difference in the course of infection between the non-lethal B. microti and the lethal B. rodhaini infection in mice.