Occurrence of poly-D(-)-3-hydroxyalkanoates in the genus Bacillus

A range of Bacillus strains were examined for their ability to accumulate poly-D(-)-3-hydroxyalkanoates (poly-HAKs) which are naturally occurring materials that are optically active, biodegradable thermoplastics. The organisms could produce poly-D(-)-3-hydroxybutyrate (poly-HB) up to 50% of cell dry weight. The content of poly-HB in the cells varied with the growth conditions. The addition of propionate or valerate in the culture resulted in a synthesis of poly-D(-)-3-hydroxyvalerate (poly-HV). All the strains tested had the ability to synthesize the co-polyester poly-HB-co-HV.

Production of poly-D(-)-3-hydroxybutyrate and poly-D(-)-3-hydroxyvalerate by strains of Alcaligenes latus

Alcaligenes latus strains can accumulate poly-D(-)-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) up to about 85% of cell dry weight. The abilities to store poly-D(-)-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHV) of three strains of A. latus were investigated. With Na-propionate as PHV precursor, strain A. latusDSM 1122 had better PHV accumulation ability than strains A. latus DSM 1123 and 1124. Strain A. latus DSM 1123 could store PHV when Na-valerate but not Na-propionate served as the PHV precursor. PHB and PHV accumulation by A. latus DSM 1124 rapidly increased when propionic acid and acetic acid were together added to the fermentor. This increase was not obtained in the culture shaker flask and fermentor growing the same strain when Na-propionate alone served as a PHV precursor.

Dehydroandrographolide succinic acid monoester as an inhibitor against the human immunodeficiency virus

Dehydroandrographolide succinic acid monoester (DASM) is the dehydroandrographolyl ester of succinic acid; and andrographolide, from which DASM is made, is the major diterpenoid lactone found in the Chinese medicinal herb, Andrographis paniculata. DASM has been found to be an inhibitor against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in vitro. It was nontoxic to the H9 cell at the concentrations of 50-200 (average, 108) micrograms/ml and was inhibitory to the HIV-1 (IIIB) at the minimal concentration of 1.6-3.1 (average 2.0) micrograms/ml. It was also inhibitory to two other strains of HIV-1 and a strain of HIV-2. This inhibitory effect could also be demonstrated in cultures of activated human blood mononuclear cells; the 50% toxic dose and the 50% HIV inhibitory dose were about 200-greater than or equal to 400 and 0.8-2 micrograms/ml, respectively. At the subtoxic concentration, DASM partially interfered with HIV-induced cell fusion and with the binding of HIV to the H9 cell. Presumably, it also interfered with HIV replication at another unidentified step(s).

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome in 12 of 9,792 Chinese inpatients exposed to neuroleptics: a prospective study

In a prospective study of an estimated 9,792 inpatients treated with neuroleptic medication at a large Chinese psychiatric hospital, 12 patients developed neuroleptic malignant syndrome. The estimated prevalence of neuroleptic malignant syndrome in these psychiatric inpatients was 1.23/1,000 (95% confidence interval = 0.63/1,000 to 2.14/1,000). Unlike other investigators, the authors found that young adulthood, nonschizophrenic illness, oral high-potency neuroleptics, and concurrent use of lithium were not important risk factors for neuroleptic malignant syndrome. However, depot fluphenazine decanoate, particularly if used without an antiparkinsonian agent, was a risk factor.

[The impact of antituberculosis drugs upon liver function in patients with positive HBVM]

Through the liver function analysis of 100 tuberculosis cases in the course of antituberculosis chemotherapy the authors found that the abnormal liver function rate turned to be 50% in the positive HBVM Group but only 2.4% in the negative, HBVM Group. There is a significant statistical difference between the two groups of cases (P less than 0.01). For this reason, the authors suggested the HBVM should be determined one by one before taking the antituberculosis chemotherapy in the area with high incidence of B-type hepatitis, the data indicated clearly that, the abnormal phenomena of liver function after the antituberculosis treatment for those patients, mainly caused by the drugs.

A sociocultural study of koro epidemics in Guangdong, China

Koro, a culture-related psychiatric disorder characterized by panic due to fear of genital retraction, occurred as the rare phenomenon of koro epidemics in a remote region of Guangdong, China, in 1984-1985 and 1987. The sociocultural and historical backgrounds of the area are described. The life pattern and attitudes toward supernatural beings and the commonly shared folk belief of evil-induced genital retraction were considered grounds for the panic, while the community's anxious reaction and hysterical atmosphere facilitated the intensification and recurrence of the episodes. Geographic seclusion associated with localism in folk beliefs and practices may have kept the epidemics confined to the region.