[Pharmacokinetic and clinical studies of ceftizoxime in the perinatal period. The Chemotherapy Research Group for Mothers and Children]

Pharmacokinetic and clinical studies of ceftizoxime (CZX) in the perinatal period gave the following results: 1. Peak concentrations of CZX in the maternal serum, umbilical cord serum and amniotic fluid in mothers after one intravenous injection of 1 g were, respectively, 70.2 micrograms/ml at 0 hour; 15.7 micrograms/ml at 0.5 hour; and 10-30 micrograms/ml at 3-6 hours. Concentrations of CZX in the neonatal serum were 0.87-13.5 micrograms/ml during 6-14 hours after parturition. The mean concentration of CZX in the milk in 1-8 hours after injection was less than 0.32-0.52 microgram/ml. 2. Good or excellent clinical efficacy was obtained in 28 of the 29 patients with perinatal infections, with an efficacy rate of 96.6%. Prophylactic effectiveness was obtained in 14 of the 15 patients, with an efficacy rate of 93.3%. 3. No side effects were observed in 44 cases. GOT and GPT values increased slightly in 1 patient. No abnormal values in total serum bilirubin or other parameters were found in any neonates after parturition. 4. The above results suggest that CZX is safe and effective for the treatment and prophylaxis of infection in the perinatal period.

Male odors that influence the preference of female mice: roles of urinary and preputial factors

Female mice preferred to investigate the odor of normal male urine to that of either castrated or preputialectomized male urine. Females showed no particular preferences in two-choice tests among castrated, castrated-preputialectomized and preputialectomized male urine. These results suggest that both urinary and preputial factors of males are involved in female attraction. In an experiment with urine mixtures, females preferred a mixture of urine from preputialectomized males and castrated males to a mixture of urine from preputialectomized males and castrated-preputialectomized males. This strongly suggests that the urinary factor is androgen-dependent, while the preputial factor is possibly androgen-independent. Further experiments demonstrated the possibility that the preputial odorous factor involved in female attraction is increased or newly formed after excretion of the secretion.

Correlation of the size of isolated right ventricular infarction with the changes of ST segment in dogs

Vectorcardiographic, electrocardiographic, and hemodynamic changes in isolated infarction (infarct confined to the right ventricular free wall) were studied in 19 mongrel dogs. An isolated right ventricular infarction was produced by embolizing the right coronary artery with Spongel under closed chest conditions. The size of the infarct, identified by TTC staining, accounted for 6-65% (35.9 +/- 22.0%, mean +/- SD) of the right ventricular free wall. The STx, STy, STz, and the spatial magnitude of the ST segment (STM) were continuously recorded with an automated, real-time vectorcardiographic ST-segment analyzer (ST-monitor) using the Frank lead system. The cardiac index (CI) ratio (CI after embolization/CI before embolization) of all dogs with larger infarcts (infarct greater than 35% of the right ventricle) was below 1.0. In dogs with smaller infarcts (% RVI less than or equal to 35%), there were no differences in the hemodynamic data before and 4 h after embolization. In dogs with larger infarcts, however, pulmonary arterial pressure and heart rate 4 h after embolization were significantly decreased compared with those before embolization. In addition, right atrial pressure 4 h after embolization in the larger infarct group was significantly elevated compared with that in the smaller infarct group. In dogs with larger infarcts, STx, STy, and STM were significantly larger than in those with smaller infarcts both 15 min and 4 h after embolization. There were no significant correlations between infarct size and change in vectorcardiographic ST segments in the smaller infarct group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Zinc content in Japanese food and estimated average daily intake

The zinc content of 284 types of 1, 693 food items commonly eaten by the Japanese was measured and a zinc content table was prepared based on the Food Standard Composition Table (4th edition). A good correlation was found between the values calculated using this table and the zinc content of 15 cooked meals. This table provides an estimate of the zinc intake in the average diet of Japanese people. Urban adult inhabitants were asked about the foods they had eaten using the 24-hour recall method and the average daily zinc intake was calculated to be 10.8 mg for males and 9.5 mg for females.

[Prosthetic reconstruction of the trachea and carina]

We have performed prosthetic reconstruction of the trachea and carina in 12 patients since 1979. We used Neville's prosthesis in 7 patients and Katsura's prosthesis in 5 patients. Seven patients were operated on for lung cancer, 2 patients for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea and the others for large cell carcinoma of the trachea, thyroid cancer and tuberculous granuloma, respectively. Prosthetic reconstruction of the trachea was performed in 4 patients. Carinal resection was performed in 8 patients: With right sleeve pneumonectomy in 4 patients, with right upper lobectomy in 2 patients and only carinal resection in 2 patients. Prosthetic reconstruction after the carinal resection was performed using 3 straight types, 1 curved type and 4 bifurcated types. With regard to the complications of the prosthetic reconstruction, dehiscence at the anastomotic site was seen in 5 patients, granulation in 4 patients, empyema in 3 patients, massive hemorrhage in 2 patients and migration of the prosthesis in 1 patient. Five patients survived more than 1 year. The longest survival time was 43 months. To prevent complications of the prosthetic reconstruction, we improved the anastomotic method, reinforced the anastomotic site with Marlex mesh and protected the surrounding vessels with Lyodura.

Purification and properties of glucoside 3-dehydrogenase from Flavobacterium saccharophilum

A membrane-bound glucoside 3-dehydrogenase [EC 1.1.99.13], which oxidizes validoxylamine A to the 3-keto derivative, was solubilized from the membrane fraction of Flavobacterium saccharophilum by Triton X-100 and purified about 280-fold with an overall yield of 30% from the membrane fraction by column chromatography on DEAE- and CM-Sepharose CL-6B and gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300. The purified enzyme exhibited a single protein band on disc gel electrophoresis, and FAD was shown to be the prosthetic group. The enzyme had a molecular weight of 270,000 as determined by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300 and consisted of 4 identical subunits each with a molecular weight of 66,000. The enzyme reacted with various artificial electron acceptors such as 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIP), phenazine methosulfate, and ferricyanide. The optimum pH for DCIP reductase activity was 6.0. The enzyme was inhibited by Hg2+ and p-chloromercuribenzoate. D-Glucose and methyl-alpha- and beta-D-glucoside showed the highest susceptibility to the enzyme, and were converted to the corresponding 3-keto sugars.

[Pharmacokinetic and clinical studies of cefotiam during the perinatal period in pregnant women]

Pharmacokinetic and clinical studies of cefotiam (CTM) were carried out in pregnant women. The results obtained are summarized below. The concentration of CTM in amniotic fluid increased gradually up to 14.7 micrograms/ml at 4.5 hours after administration and gradually declined thereafter. This amniotic fluid concentration was sufficiently higher than reported MIC90's of CTM against E. coli strains. Passages of CTM to embryo, fetus and fetal appendages were minimal. The passage of CTM to milk was minimal. The CTM was used in the treatment of 6 pregnant patients with pyelonephritis and unknown fever and 1 with puerperal pyelonephritis. Clinical responses were positive in 85.7% (6/7). The CTM was used 7 patients with rupture of the membrane and 2 patients with operation for the purpose of prophylaxis and it was effective in 77.8% (7/9). Neither noteworthy adverse reactions nor abnormal laboratory data in our patients or neonates were observed throughout the studies.

[Fundamental and clinical studies of imipenem/cilastatin sodium in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Study group of imipenem/cilastatin sodium in the field of obstetric and gynecological infections]

Fundamental and clinical studies were performed by our study group to evaluate the usefulness of the combination (1:1) of imipenem (MK-0787), a carbapenem antibiotic, and cilastatin sodium (MK-0791), an inhibitor of dehydropeptidase-I, in the treatment of patients with obstetric and gynecologic infections. The following results were obtained. Antimicrobial activities of MK-0787 were tested with inocula of 10(6) cells/ml of organisms isolated from patients with obstetric and gynecologic infections. Peak MIC's of MK-0787 were less than or equal to 0.20 micrograms/ml for S. aureus, less than or equal to 0.20 micrograms/ml for S. epidermidis, 1.56 micrograms/ml for E. faecalis, 0.39 micrograms/ml for E. coli, less than or equal to 0.20 micrograms/ml for K. pneumoniae and less than or equal to 0.20 micrograms/ml for B. fragilis. When 0.5 g/0.5 g of MK-0787/MK-0791 was administered by a 30-minute intravenous drip infusion, maximum concentrations of MK-0787 in all female genital tissues were obtained at the end of the infusion, and Cmax ranged from 9.4 micrograms/g to 17.0 micrograms/g. In addition, the maximum concentration of MK-0787 in pelvic dead space exudate was 13.2 micrograms/ml at 88 minutes after the start of the infusion. The penetration of MK-0787/MK-0791 into female genital tissues and dead space exudate was found to be good and sufficient to cover MIC's against organisms isolated from patients with obstetric and gynecologic infections. Clinical efficacy was evaluated in 201 evaluable patients out of a total of 253 patients with obstetric and gynecologic infections. Clinical responses were excellent in 2, good in 181 and poor in 18 patients, and the efficacy rating was 91.0 percent. Efficacy ratings classified by types of infections were 93.2% (82/88) for intrauterine infections, 83.0% (39/47) for intrapelvic infections, 100% (26/26) for adnexitis, 90.0% (18/20) for infections of the external genital organs and 90.0% (18/20) for other infections. Side effects were observed in 6 of the 253 patients; rash in 4, nausea and vomiting in 1 and diarrhea in 1 patient. Abnormal laboratory findings were observed in 10 of the 253 patients; elevation of GOT, GPT, LDH and Al-P in 1, elevation of GOT, GPT and Al-P in 1, elevation of GOT and GPT in 4, elevation of GPT in 1, elevation of BUN in 1, increase of eosinophiles in 1, decrease of segmented neutrophils in 1 patient.

Further evidence for insulin hypersecretion not as an initial event but as a consequence of body growth and maturation in juvenile-onset obesity

According to our previous study, hyperinsulinism develops not before 10 years of age despite the presence of obesity but during the maturation years of 10-20. We aimed here at examining the growth-related islet B-cell change together with pituitary activity in non-familial juvenile obesity. Measurement of 24 h urine hormones was shown to be useful for evaluation of the diurnal hormones in plasma. In 56 non-obese and obese juveniles, a significantly positive correlation was found between age (6-18 years) and 24 h urine insulin and c-peptide, thus indicating that the age-related absolute value of body weight significantly affects insulin and c-peptide excretions both in non-obese and obese subjects. Consequently, urinary insulin and c-peptide excretions per kg of body weight were highly similar between obese and non-obese juveniles. However, when the lower specific gravity of fat mass compared with lean body mass and the relative shortage of circulating plasma in fat tissues are taken into consideration, it is obvious that obesity by itself specifically augments this physiologic B-cell maturation between 10 and 20 years of age. The possible interactions of growth hormone and pituitary gonadotropin in hyperinsulinism are discussed.

Existence of a novel enzyme, pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent polyvinyl alcohol dehydrogenase, in a bacterial symbiont, Pseudomonas sp. strain VM15C

A novel enzyme, pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) dehydrogenase, was found in and partially purified from the membrane fraction of a PVA-degrading symbiont, Pseudomonas sp. strain VM15C. The enzyme required PQQ for PVA dehydrogenation with phenazine methosulfate, phenazine ethosulfate, and 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol as electron acceptors and did not show PVA oxidase activity leading to H2O2 formation. The enzyme was active toward low-molecular-weight secondary alcohols rather than primary alcohols. A membrane-bound PVA oxidase was also present in cells of VM15C. Although the purified oxidase showed a substrate specificity similar to that of PQQ-dependent PVA dehydrogenase and about threefold-higher PVA-dehydrogenating activity with phenazine methosulfate or phenazine ethosulfate than PVA oxidase activity with H2O2 formation, it was shown that the enzyme does not contain PQQ as the coenzyme, and PQQ did not affect its activity. Incubation of the membrane fraction of cells with PVA caused a reduction in the cytochrome(s) of the fraction.

[In vitro activity and clinical evaluation of aztreonam in the field of obstetrics and gynecology]

Antimicrobial activity of aztreonam (AZT) against 231 clinical isolates in the field of obstetrics and gynecology was determined by agar-plates dilution method. Almost of all strains of E. coli (108 strains) tested were susceptible to the concentration of 0.20 micrograms/ml of AZT. Anaerobic bacteria, however, were less susceptible to this antibiotic than to cefazolin. The concentrations of AZT were determined in serum and pelvic tissue samples obtained at various intervals after 1 hour intravenous drip infusion with 1 g. The concentrations of AZT in pelvic tissues were maximal 9.3 micrograms/g at 57 minutes but less than 0.6 micrograms/g at 3 hours or more after injection. Clinical efficacy of AZT was evaluated in 6 cases consisted of two each with Bartholin's abscess and intrauterine infection and one each with post partum endometritis and acute adnexitis. Clinical efficacies were seen in 5 cases.

[Fundamental and clinical studies of cefpiramide in the field of obstetrics and gynecology]

Fundamental and clinical studies of cefpiramide (CPM, SM-1652) a new semisynthetic cephalosporin were carried out in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. The results were obtained as follows: In vitro antibacterial activity of CPM against recent 255 clinical isolates was compared with those of cefazolin (CEZ), cefmetazole (CMZ) and cefoperazone (CPZ). CPM showed strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus, K. pneumoniae, Peptococcus and Peptostreptococcus. However the minimum inhibitory concentration of CPM was inferior to those of CEZ, CMZ and CPZ against E. coli. The transfer of CPM to the female genital organs was found to be good. Tissue levels over than 5 micrograms/g were maintained after 5 hours. CPM was administered to 10 patients with obstetrical and gynecological infections. Good responses were obtained in all of the cases. Neither adverse reactions nor abnormal laboratory findings were observed except 1 case with slight elevation of BUN.

[Fundamental studies on aspoxicillin in the field of gynecology. Penetration of the drug into the genital organs and the dead space fluid. Antibacterial activity of the drug against various strains of clinical isolates]

A new semisynthetic penicillin aspoxicillin (ASPC, TA-058) has been evaluated in regard to distribution into the genital organs and the dead space fluid and also in regard to antibiotic activity against various strains clinically isolated in the field of gynecology. The pharmacokinetic studies were made by using two-compartment model on the data of concentration in ovary, oviduct, endometrium, myometrium, cervix uteri and portio vaginalis of the genital organs and in dead space fluid. The following results were obtained. After one shot intravenous administration of 2.0 g ASPC, no marked difference was observed in concentration pattern between peripheral vein and uterine artery. Half-lives were 1.8 hours and 3.5 hours, respectively. The concentrations in various tissues of genital organs reached to the maximum at 36.2-73.6 micrograms/g during 0.07-0.44 hour with half-life varied from 0.53 to 1.3 hours. Area under the curves (AUC) of various tissues were reached to 30-65% of that uterine artery. After 2.0 g administration of ASPC drip intravenously (d.i.v.; for 30 or 60 minutes), there are no remarkable difference on simulation curve of concentration between peripheral vein and uterine artery. The peak level of various tissues attained to 22.5-40.3 micrograms/g during 0.53-0.56 hours and AUC of their concentration achieved about 20-40% of that of uterine artery after intravenous drip infusion for 30 minutes. After intravenous drip infusion for 60 minutes, tissue level reached to the maximum during 1.01-1.82 hours with half-life of 0.65-1.4 hours and AUC of tissue concentration achieved about 20-57% of that of uterine artery. The concentration of the drug in dead space fluid was reached to the maximum at 3.1 hours after the administration and its half-life was 5.3 hours. The in vitro activities of ASPC against clinical isolates were examined. The values of MIC70 and MIC80 were ranged 0.35-5.1 micrograms/ml against S. aureus, S. epidermidis, E. faecalis and P. mirabilis, respectively. Against E. coli, the value of MIC70 was attained 2.9 micrograms/ml, however, the value of MIC80 was more than 100 micrograms/ml due to the two-peaked activity of this drug against the bacteria. AUC and duration time of various tissue concentration were scrutinized regarding to the value of MIC80 of ASPC against S. aureus, S. epidermidis, E. faecalis and P. mirabilis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Bacteriological study of cefminox in the field of obstetrics and gynecology]

Cefminox (CMNX, MT-141), a new cephem antibiotic, was determined of its antibacterial activity against 304 clinical isolates with following results. CMNX was inferior to CEZ or CMZ in the activity against 78 isolates of Staphylococcus sp., but it was superior to these antibiotics in the activity against 104 isolates of E. coli. Against 53 isolates of Bacteroides sp., CMNX showed higher activity than CEZ or CMZ. In the activity against 69 isolates of Peptococcus sp. and Peptostreptococcus sp., CMNX was almost equal to CEZ.

[Coronary thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction]

The effect of early perfusion after intracoronary infusion of urokinase (PTCR) in patients with acute myocardial infarction was assessed. Coronary perfusion was reestablished in 7 of 10 patients receiving intracoronary urokinase. We compared the recanalized group after intracoronary urokinase (n = 7) with the standard therapy group (n = 32). Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, cardiac index, angiographic ejection fraction, radionuclide ejection fraction, defect score by Thallium-201 scintiscan and regional ejection fraction by the left ventriculogram, measured at about one month after the onset of acute myocardial infarction, were compared according to the site of the main coronary lesion (right coronary artery or left anterior descending coronary artery). No statistically significant differences between the recanalized group after the administration of intracoronary urokinase and the control group were found at each coronary lesion. On the other hand, the comparison between two patients with and without PTCR, who matched the clinical and coronary angiographic findings, showed that PTCR on acute myocardial infarction might be of value. However, evaluation of the long-term effects of coronary thrombolysis on survival and myocardial function will require controlled randomized trials of a large number of patients.

[In vitro activity and clinical evaluation of ceftriaxone in the field of obstetrics and gynecology]

In vitro activity of ceftriaxone (CTRX) was examined by agar plates dilution method against 398 strains isolated from the infections in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. MIC90 of CTRX against Staphylococcus (107 strains), E. coli (54 strains), K. pneumoniae (27 strains), Peptococcus and Peptostreptococcus (106 strains) and Bacteroides (104 strains) was more than 100 micrograms/ml, less than 0.20 micrograms/ml, less than 0.20 micrograms/ml, 6.25 micrograms/ml and 50 micrograms/ml, respectively. The concentrations of CTRX 16.9 hours after 1 hour intravenous drip infusion with 1 g were 46.2 micrograms/ml in the uterine artery, 48.0 micrograms/ml in the cubital vein, 11.0 micrograms/g in the endometrium, myometrium and cervix uteri, and 14.0 micrograms/g in the portio vaginalis. These concentrations of CTRX in the serum and uterine tissues were higher than the level required to inhibit 90% of the strains of E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and Peptococcus and Peptostreptococcus, isolated from the infections in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Clinical efficacy of CTRX was evaluated in 7 cases consisting of 2 with puerperal fever and one each with puerperal intrauterine infection, intrauterine infection, pyometra, adnexitis and Bartholin's abscess. Clinical and bacteriological efficacies were seen in 6 and 4 cases, respectively. Neither noteworthy adverse reactions nor laboratory abnormalities were observed throughout this study.

Space Experiments with Particle Accelerators

Electron and plasma beams and neutral gas plumes were injected into the space environment by instruments on Spacelab 1, and various diagnostic measurements including television camera observations were performed. The results yield information on vehicle charging and neutralization, beam-plasma interactions, and ionization enhancement by neutral beam injection.

[Experimental studies on oral administration of nitrosourea anti-tumor agent, MCNU]

Experimental studies with orally administered MCNU, a water-soluble nitrosourea, yielded the following results. MCNU produced a significant increase in life span, and 60-day survivors were observed by various schedules in L1210 leukemia. The therapeutic ratios of MCNU were almost similar to those of CCNU. With Lewis lung carcinoma and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma implanted into the stomach wall, its antitumor activity by oral administration was slightly more effective than by intravenous route. In Beagle dogs, hematologic toxicity and gastrointestinal toxicity (vomiting, diarrhea) were noted by oral administration, similar to intravenous administration, but its toxicity was mild. The maximum blood level of MCNU was noted at 30 minutes after oral administration in Beagle dogs. The half life (23.7 min) by oral administration was similar to that by intravenous route. From these results, the oral administration of MCNU deserves the consideration as a form of treatment now given other MCNU routes.

[Effect of combination chemotherapy of nitrosourea MCNU with various anti-tumor agents]

The combination chemotherapy of water-soluble nitrosourea MCNU with various anti-tumor agents was studied using L1210 leukemia, Lewis lung carcinoma and B16 melanoma. The combinations of MCNU with 5-fluorouracil, cytosine arabinoside, adriamycin, mitomycin C, carboquone or cyclophosphamide produced significantly enhanced anti-tumor effects in L1210 leukemia. By combination with antimetabolites such as 5-fluorouracil or cytosine arabinoside, marked anti-tumor effects were observed over a wide range of dosage. It was suggested that 2-drug combination of MCNU plus 5-fluorouracil or 3-drug combination of MCNU plus 5-fluorouracil and adriamycin was useful in Lewis lung carcinoma or B16 melanoma. From these results, it was recognized that the multiple drug combination chemotherapy of MCNU was therapeutically useful, when given with 5-fluorouracil or cytosine arabinoside.

Substituted (omega-aminoalkoxy) stilbene derivatives as a new class of anticonvulsants

A series of substituted (omega- aminoalkoxy )stilbene derivatives has been synthesized and screened for anticonvulsant activity. The effect of structural modification of these molecules on the activities has been systematically examined. Potent anticonvulsant activity was displayed by 2-[4-(4-methyl-1 piperazinyl)butoxy]stilbene (20) and some 2-[4-(3-alkoxy-1-piperidino)butoxy]stilbene derivatives (21, 37, 38, and 40), as determined by maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsion tests in mice. Compound 21 exhibited more potent anti-MES activity than diphenylhydantoin and carbamazepine in further pharmacological tests in rats, and its therapeutic index was superior to those of two antiepileptic drugs.

Effects of late coronary artery reperfusion after myocardial necrosis is complete

Early reperfusion salvages reversibly injured ischemic myocardium. Late reperfusion, after necrosis is complete, could be beneficial by accelerating healing, or the hemorrhage and contraction-band necrosis associated with reperfusion could impair healing. In closed-chest anesthetized dogs the left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded with a balloon-tipped catheter for either 1 day followed by reperfusion for 6 days (n = 9) or for 7 days without reperfusion (n = 9). All dogs were killed after 7 days. Pathologic changes were studied in transverse whole-mount ventricular histologic sections. When the two groups were compared, no differences were found in: (1) infarct size, 15.7 +/- 9.9% vs 10.2 +/- 8.6 (mean +/- SD); (2) number of transmural infarcts, 5 of 9 vs 6 of 9; (3) ratio of infarcted/normal wall thickness, 0.93 +/- 0.09 vs 0.95 +/- 0.13; (4) thickness of zone of collagen deposition at periphery of infarct, 1.69 +/- 1.16 mm vs 1.67 +/- 0.56; and (5) amount of hemorrhage, calcification, and inflammation. Thus, in this model, reperfusion after necrosis is complete did not improve or impair healing.

Selective inhibition of thrombin by (2R,4R)-4-methyl-1-[N2-[(3-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-8-quinolinyl++ +) sulfonyl]-l-arginyl)]-2-piperidinecarboxylic acid

The potency of thrombin inhibition by 4-methyl-1-[N2-[(3-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-8-quinolinyl)-sulfony l]- L-arginyl]-2-piperidinecarboxylic acid (MQPA) depended on the stereoconformation of the 2-piperidinecarboxylic acid moiety. Ki values for bovine alpha-thrombin were 0.019 microM with (2R,4R)-MQPA, 0.24 microM with (2R,4S)-MQPA, 1.9 microM with (2S,4R)-MQPA, and 280 microM with (2S,4S)-MQPA. (2R,4R)-MQPA of the four stereoisomers of MQPA was also the most potent inhibitor for other trypsin-like serine proteases with Ki values of 5.0 microM for trypsin, 210 microM for factor Xa, 800 microM for plasmin, and 1500 microM for plasma kallikrein. Examination of the potency of thrombin inhibition by arginine derivatives related to MQPA in structure suggested the presence of a specific binding site for the carboxamide portion (C-terminal side). The relative inhibitory potency of the four stereoisomers of MQPA for trypsin was nearly identical with that for thrombin, suggesting that the specific binding site for the carboxamide portion is present in both enzymes. Modification of thrombin by phosphopyridoxylation or the presence of heparin did not significantly alter the binding of MQPA.

Microbial degradation of validamycin A by Flavobacterium saccharophilum. Enzymatic cleavage of C-N linkage in validoxylamine A

The enzymatic cleavage of C-N linkage in the degradation of validamycin A by Flavobacterium saccharophilum was examined using N-p-nitrophenyl derivatives of validamine and valienamine as synthetic model substrates for validoxylamine A. Incubation of N-p-nitrophenylvalidamine with the membrane fraction from the organism led to formation of N-p-nitrophenyl-3-ketovalidamine, and succeeding cleavage of C-N linkage. As the products of the cleavage step, one was identified as p-nitroaniline and another keto compound could not be purified enough because of its instability. However, on the basis of its hydrogenation products, the structure of the keto compound could be established as 5D-(5/6)-5-C-(hydroxy-methyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one. The same experiment was carried out with N-p-nitrophenylvalienamine. In this case, N-p-nitrophenyl-3-ketovalienamine could be isolated as an intermediate but the desired keto compound from the cleavage step could not be isolated because of its instability. The participation of two enzymes, that is, a dehydrogenase and a C-N lyase on the cleavage of C-N linkage was assured, and moreover, the analysis of its products, together with those of the previous studies allow us to propose a degradation pathway of validamycin A by Flavobacterium saccharophilum.

[Ceftazidime: antibacterial activity and clinical efficacy in obstetrics and gynecology]

Ceftazidime ( CAZ ) exhibited in vitro activity greater than cefoperazone, cefotiam, cefmetazole and cefazolin and almost equal to cefotaxime (CTX), ceftizoxime (CZX) and latamoxef ( LMOX ) against E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolated from obstetrical or gynecological infections excluding urinary tract infections. This drug demonstrated less activity than other 6 cephems against B. fragilis. Against anaerobic Gram-positive cocci, it showed less activity than other cephems. CAZ was administered to 11 patients with obstetrical and gynecological infections. The clinical results of this drug were as follows; excellent in each 1 case of parametritis , wound infection and BARTHOLIN's abscess, good in 7 cases including 1 of puerperal fever, 2 of intrauterine infection and 4 of adnexitis, and poor in 1 cases of adnexitis. No side effects or haematobiochemical abnormalities were observed throughout this trial.

[Experimental and clinical evaluation of latamoxef during the peripaturient period]

The concentrations of latamoxef (LMOX) in maternal serum, fetal cord serum and amniotic fluid were measured simultaneously at various times after administration to parturient women. The drug concentrations in fetal cord serum taken from 11 minutes to 12 hours and 37 minutes after administration ranged from 1.1 to 16 micrograms/ml. At the points from 3 to 5 hours after administration the maximum level of LMOX seems to be attained there. LMOX in amniotic fluid was increasing gradually to be attained 21.0 micrograms/ml as the peak concentration at 5 hours after administration. Thereafter, it began to decrease very slowly, 6.9 micrograms/ml was still kept in amniotic fluid at 19 hours after. These findings lead expectation that the effective concentration to mainly recognized pathogens from obstetrical and gynecological infections was kept in amniotic fluid through 19 hours or more. LMOX was given to each 4 peripartal and puerperal infections and 11 patients with premature rupture of the membranes for the purpose of prophylaxis. All cases showed effective responses clinically and bacteriologically. Neither noteworthy adverse reactions nor laboratory data abnormalities were caused throughout the studies.

Porcine liver aminopeptidase. Further characterization of its sulfhydryl groups

Porcine liver aminopeptidase was inactivated by various sulfhydryl-reactive reagents, whose inactivation rates were in the order: p-chloromercuribenzoate(PCMB) greater than HgCl2 greater than 2,2'-dithiodipyridine greater than 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)(DTNB). The processes of inactivation by these reagents did not follow pseudo-first-order kinetics, and prolonged incubation did not alter the level of maximum inactivation. The substrates provided no protection against the inactivation by DTNB, and the numbers of sulfhydryl groups titrated with the reagent were not influenced by the presence or absence of puromycin (a competitive inhibitor). The modification of sulfhydryl groups caused a slight increase in the Km value for the enzyme and a significant decrease of the Vmax value. There are two ionizable groups (pKe, 6.2; 7.8 and pKes, 6.0; 7.8) in the catalytic action of the enzyme. From the pKi vs. pH profile of inhibition with PCMB, the pK value of 7.8 does not correspond to the ionization of a sulfhydryl group. The thiol-modified enzyme was activated by cobalt ion, as was the native enzyme (Kawata, S., et al. (1982) J. Biochem. 92, 1093-1101). But in contrast with the native enzyme, the thiol-modified enzyme was activated about 2.5-fold and the maximum activation remained almost constant during prolonged incubation with cobalt ion. These results suggest that the sulfhydryl groups of the enzyme are located apart from the binding site of cobalt ion and do not participate directly in the catalytic process.

Noninvasive diagnosis of neonatal coarctation and associated anomalies using two-dimensional echocardiography

Two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) was used to study 51 neonates in whom coarctation of the aorta had been diagnosed clinically. In 40 patients, studies showed coarctation or arch interruption that was later confirmed at angiography, surgery, or autopsy. Of the remaining 11 studies, one gave a false positive result, one was technically poor, three had echocardiographic evidence of only mild arch narrowing and are being followed clinically, and six were negative. There were two false negative studies. Four studies were apparently true negatives. Many additional lesions were correctly identified by echocardiography although some, such as patent ductus arteriosus and small ventricular septal defect, were frequently missed. Twelve patients underwent surgery without preoperative catheterization. 2DE has proven extremely useful in confirming the diagnosis of neonatal coarctation of the aorta and sometimes obviates the need for invasive catheterization.

[Experimental and clinical evaluation of T-1982 (cefbuperazone) in the field of obstetrics and gynecology]

Experimental and clinical studies of T-1982 (cefbuperazone), a new cephamycin antibiotic, were performed in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, and the following results were observed. T-1982 was determined for its in vitro activity against 180 recent clinical isolates in comparison with cefmetazole (CMZ) and cefazolin (CEZ). The activity of T-1982 was superior to that of CMZ against E. coli (101 strains) and B. fragilis (19 strains), and similar to that of CMZ and CEZ against Peptococcus (34 strains). High concentrations of T-1982 exceeding the MIC values against various bacteria were maintained for a few hours in the female genital organs and postoperative retroperitoneal exudate after intravenous drip infusion of 2 g. T-1982 was administered to a total of 6 patients in daily dose of 2 approximately 3 g for 2 approximately 10 days. The clinical results were excellent or good in 5 cases. Drug eruption was observed in 1 case. These results suggest that T-1982 is highly effective for the treatment of bacterial infections in this field.