A new cognition-enhancing agent, (R)-(-)-1-(benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl)- 2-[2-(N,N-diethylamino)ethoxy]ethanol hydrochloride. Effects on memory impairment in rats generated by cerebral embolization and basal forebrain lesions

The title compound (T-588) has been evaluated for its ameliorating effect on memory impairment generated by cerebral embolization and by a basal forebrain (BF) lesion in male Wistar rats. The memory and learning deficits induced by injection of carbon-microspheres into the internal carotid artery were significantly improved by T-588 at oral dose of 3-10 mg/kg, as determined by an active avoidance response assay, whereas the reference drugs (tacrine, idebenone and indeloxazine) proved almost inactive in the same assay procedure. As far as the embolization was concerned, a significant decrease in cerebral acetylcholine and monoamines was observed. The effect on the memory impairment caused by an electrolytic lesion of the BF was assessed by a passive avoidance task. T-588 exhibited a bell-shaped dose-response curve and was most active at 1 mg/kg (oral dose), while tacrine showed equal activity at 10 mg/kg.

Effect of acute renal failure on neurotoxicity of cimetidine in rats

PURPOSE

We investigated the effect of acute renal failure on the neurotoxicity of cimetidine in rats.

METHODS

Experimental acute renal failure was produced by bilateral ureteral ligation. Cimetidine was intravenously infused to ureter ligated (UL) and control rats, and cimetidine concentration in plasma, brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were compared.

RESULTS

The cimetidine concentration in plasma was rapidly increased in UL rats as compared to control rats. The cimetidine concentration in CSF at the onset of convulsion did not depend on the infusion rate, suggesting that cimetidine in CSF equilibrates rapidly with the site of action for clonic convulsion. The cimetidine concentration in CSF of UL rats at the onset of clonic convulsion was lower than those of control rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased sensitivity to the drug on the central nervous system may contribute to increased toxicity of cimetidine with renal failure.

Androgen status in adolescent women with acne vulgaris

Androgens are essential for the development of acne. The object of this study was to elucidate the androgen status of women with adolescent (Tanner's stage IV-V) acne alone and compare them to age-matched normal controls. We measured serum levels of total testosterone (T), free testosterone (FT), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) in 15 women with adolescent acne and 13 age-matched healthy controls. No significant differences were found between the mean levels of T, FT or DHT levels in patients and controls. However, the mean levels of DHEA-S in the patient population (1886 +/- 829 ng/ml) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than normal controls (1287 +/- 620 ng/ml). There was also no correlation between androgen levels and acne severity. Thus it is unlikely that serum androgens play a principal role in women with adolescent acne.

[General pharmacology of T-3761, a new oral quinolone antibacterial agent (2). Effect on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, autonomic nervous system and other functions]

General pharmacological effects of T-3761, a new oral quinolone antibacterial agent, on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, autonomic nervous system and other functions were investigated in laboratory animals. The results obtained are summarized as follows. 1. Respiratory and cardiovascular systems: Oral administration of T-3761 at doses of 100-1,000 mg/kg did not affect in conscious rats. But intravenous administration of T-3761 at doses of 10-100 mg/kg caused an increase in respiratory rate, induced hypotension, caused increase or decrease in heart rate and altered ECG patterns (elevation of T waves and reduction of voltage of QRS complexes, etc.) in anesthetized dogs. Intravenous administration of T-3761 at doses of 10-100 mg/kg showed respiratory rate increase or decrease, hypertension, heart rate decrease and ECG patterns changes (T waves elevation and extrasystole) in anesthetized rabbits. 2. Autonomic nervous system and smooth muscle organs: T-3761 increased the epinephrine-induced contraction of the isolated guinea pig vas deferens at concentration of 10(-5)-10(-4) g/ml. T-3761 decreased the acetylcholine-induced contraction of the isolated guinea pig ileum and epinephrine-induced relaxation of the isolated guinea pig trachea-chain at concentration of 10(-4) g/ml. T-3761 increased the norepinephrine-induced contraction of the isolated rabbit thoracic aorta at concentration of 10(-4) g/ml. Oral administration of T-3761 at a dose of 1,000 mg/kg exerted slight mydriasis in mice. 3. Digestive system: T-3761 decreased the spontaneous motilities of isolated ileum and colon at concentration of 10(-4) g/ml. Oral administration of T-3761 at a dose of 1,000 mg/kg inhibited gastric output and intestinal transit time in rats or mice. 4. Renal functions: Oral administration of T-3761 at a dose of 300 mg/kg increased Na+ excretion but did not affect PSP excretion in rats. 5. Hematological examinations: T-3761 showed no effects on resistance to hemolysis, blood coagulation and platelet aggregation in rabbits at concentration of 10(-6)-10(-4) g/ml. Oral administration of T-3761 at dose of 100-1,000 mg/kg did not affect bleeding time or blood glucose level in rats. 6. Miscellaneous effects: Intravenous administration of T-3761 at a dose of 100 mg/kg slightly inhibited the twitch tension of gastrocnemius in anesthetized rats. Oral administration of T-3761 at doses of 300-1,000 mg/kg exerted slight augmentation of carrageenin-induced hind paw edema in rats. From these results, it can be assumed that T-3761 had a wide safety margin as an oral antibacterial agent.

Correlation between canine NK cell mediated cytotoxicity and radical production

We investigated the relationship between natural killer (NK) mediated cytotoxicity and radical production in canine peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). Canine NK cell mediated cytotoxicity, measured by 51Cr release assay, was found to be the highest in the T-cell (Thymus cell) subpopulation which partitioned into the 35-40% percoll fraction by centrifugation through a discontinuous gradient. Radical production showed a similar tendency in luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) assay. Furthermore, enrichment of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) was observed in the cell fraction from the same percoll density. These results suggest that NK cell mediated cytotoxicity is related to radical production in canines.

Release of natural killer cytotoxic factor (NKCF) from canine natural killer (NK) cells stimulated with cytoplasmic membrane of target cells

The presence of canine natural killer cytotoxic factor (NKCF) and the mechanism of the release of the NKCF by canine natural killer (NK) cells were studied. The cytotoxicity in the culture supernatant of effector cells cultured with target cells was dependent on the count of NK cells. Therefore, this suggests that the cytotoxic factor in this culture supernatant is NKCF. The NK-sensitive live target cells stimulated the release of NKCF from NK cells, but the NK-insensitive target cells did not. Moreover, NKCF was also released from NK cells stimulated with either killed target cells or their cytoplasmic membrane as well as live target cells. These findings suggest that the structure of the cytoplasmic membrane of target cells is involved in the recognition, binding and the release of NKCF by NK cells.

Multiple arteriovenous malformations of spinal cord and brain in a child

A case of concurrent intracranial and spinal cord arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is described. A 3-year-old girl presented with paraparesis, bladder-bowel disturbances and bilateral dysesthesia of the lower extremities due to a spinal hematoma, resulting from a spinal AVM. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a hematoma and abnormal vessels in the spinal cord. The AVM was embolized with polyvinyl alcohol particles and silk sutures and was surgically removed. Later, this girl presented with disturbance of consciousness due to an intraventricular hemorrhage, resulting from a cerebral AVM. The cerebral AVM was surgically resected. The coexistence of bleeding cerebral and spinal AVMs is very rare.

Interleukin-4 acts as a potent stimulator for expression of monocyte chemoattractant JE/MCP-1 in mouse peritoneal macrophages

The recruitment of monocyte/macrophages to inflammatory sites is one of the important events in inflammatory reactions. We show herein that interleukin-4 (IL-4) acts as a potent stimulator for expression of monocyte chemoattractant JE/MCP-1 in mouse peritoneal macrophages. IL-4 induced the JE/MCP-1 gene expression in dose and time dependent fashion. Run-on assay suggests that IL-4 stimulates the JE/MCP-1 gene expression at transcriptional level. Monocyte chemotactic activity was detected in culture medium of the cytokine-treated cells. The chemotactic activity in the culture supernatant was completely neutralized by anti-JE/MCP-1 antiserum.

Milbemycin derivatives: epoxidation of milbemycins

Epoxidation reactions (MCPBA epoxidation and Sharpless epoxidation) were examined as a means of chemically modifying milbemycins as part of our program for discovering anthelmintics. 8,9-Epoxy-, 14,15-epoxy-, 8,9-14,15-diepoxy-, and 3,4-8,9-14,15-triepoxymilbemycin A4 were selectively obtained from milbemycin A4 and its derivatives, in which either the C-5 and C-7 hydroxyl groups or C-5 alone were protected as appropriate by a silyl ether (in the former case) or a carbonyl group. Further silylation or epoxidation on these epoxidized compounds indicated that the configuration of each epoxide moiety of the mono- and diepoxides is in accord with that of the corresponding epoxide moiety of the triepoxide. Furthermore, in order to confirm the absolute configurations of these epoxide functionalities, an X-ray analysis of a carbamate derivative from the triepoxymilbemycin was conducted.

Phorbol myristate acetate stimulates osteoclast formation in 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-primed mouse embryonic calvarial cells by a prostaglandin-dependent mechanism

Our previous study provided a novel assay system utilizing devitalized bone slices for study of the differentiation of osteoclast progenitors into preosteoclasts and mature osteoclasts among calvarial cells of mouse embryos. Using this assay system, we examined the effect of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) on osteoclast formation as assessed by the appearance of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells and bone resorption lacunae. PMA alone was directly unable to induce the appearance of TRAP-positive cells and bone resorption lacunae of calvarial bone cells of mouse embryos. However, PMA markedly stimulated increases in the number of TRAP-positive cells and area of the resorption lacunae of the calvarial cells when the bone cells were primed by 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3. This stimulatory effect of PMA was dose dependent. H-7, having relatively high affinity for protein kinase C, strongly inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion the stimulatory effect of PMA on the bone resorption of the hormone-primed calvarial cells. We also examined the involvement of prostaglandin in this stimulatory effect of PMA. Indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, markedly abolished the stimulatory effect of PMA on the bone resorption of the calvarial cells. PMA stimulated prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production by the calvarial cells primed with 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 in a dose-dependent fashion. However, the PMA stimulation of the PGE2 production was significantly inhibited by H-7 and also by indomethacin. Furthermore, we observed that the addition of PGE2 to the calvarial cells primed with 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 for 1 or 3 days resulted in an increased number of TRAP-positive cells and increased bone resorption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pharmacological characterization of the novel anxiolytic beta-carboline abecarnil in rodents and primates

beta-Carboline abecarnil was behaviorally and biochemically characterized as a new anxiolytic agent in rodents and primates in comparison with the benzodiazepine (BZ) anxiolytics. Oral treatment with abecarnil (0.5-10 mg/kg) showed a potent anticonflict activity in the water-lick test in rats. The minimal effective dose was lower than those of BZ anxiolytics, such as etizolam, diazepam, clotiazepam and tofisopam. Abecarnil also showed taming effects to suppress fighting and aggressive behaviors in mice and monkeys with little sedative and ataxic effects, in contrast to the BZ anxiolytics producing marked sedative and ataxic effects. Furthermore, abecarnil suppressed both the sedative and ataxic effects induced by diazepam. Abecarnil bound to rat cerebellar BZ1 receptors (Ki = 0.24 nM) with higher affinity than to rat spinal cord BZ2 receptors (Ki = 1.3 nM), whereas BZ derivatives bound to both the receptors with a low and equal affinity. GABA-ratios of abecarnil were 1.9 for the BZ1 receptors and 2.8 for the BZ2 receptors, and they were smaller than those of diazepam and flunitrazepam. Thus, in contrast to the BZ derivatives, abecarnil may act as a selective partial agonist at central BZ1 receptors, resulting in its potent anticonflict and taming effects with little sedative and ataxic effects.

Milbemycin derivatives: modification at the C-5 position

Protection of the hydroxyl group at the C-5 position of milbemycin A4 and D was carried out to investigate the influence of the C-5 hydroxyl group on the anthelmintic potency of these derivatives. Moreover, the hydroxyl group was converted into amide groups as bioisosters. Biological activities of these derivatives were measured against Nippostrongylus brasiliensis in vitro, and minimal concentrations which induce 100% immotility in worms were determined for each derivative. Biological testing revealed that the hydroxyl group at C-5 is a structural requirement for retaining anthelmintic activity.

Novel subtype of peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase deficiency and bifunctional enzyme deficiency with detectable enzyme protein: identification by means of complementation analysis

We describe four infants with a novel subtype of an isolated deficiency of one of the peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzymes with detectable enzyme protein. The patients showed characteristic clinical and biochemical abnormalities, including hypotonia, psychomotor retardation, hepatomegaly, typical facial appearance, accumulation of very-long-chain fatty acids, and decreased lignoceric acid oxidation. However, beta-oxidation enzyme proteins were detected by immunoblot analyses, and large peroxisomes were identified by immunofluorescence staining. In order to identify the underlying defect in these patients, complementation analysis was introduced using fibroblasts from these patients and patients with an established deficiency of either acyl-CoA oxidase or bifunctional enzyme, as identified by immunoblotting. In the complementing combinations, fused cells showed increased lignoceric acid oxidation, resistance against 1-pyrene dodecanoic acid/UV selection, and normalization of the size and the distribution of peroxisomes. The results indicate that two patients with a more severe clinical course were suffering from bifunctional enzyme deficiency and that the other two infants, who were siblings and had a less severe clinical presentation, were the first patients with acyl-CoA oxidase deficiency with detectable enzyme protein.

Terguride as a new anti-hyperprolactinemic agent: characterization in rats and dogs in comparison with bromocriptine

Terguride, a derivative of the ergot alkaloid, was characterized as a new anti-hyperprolactinemic agent in rats and dogs in comparison with bromocriptine. Terguride was found to bind selectively to the pituitary dopamine D2-receptors with a high affinity (Kd = 0.39 nM). In reserpinized rats, terguride at 0.03 mg/kg, p.o. significantly reduced the serum prolactin (PRL) level. The PRL lowering effect and the effective dose were longer lasting and about 30 times lower than those of bromocriptine, respectively. In rats bearing estrogen-induced pituitary prolactinoma, chronic terguride induced shrinkage of the prolactinoma as well as reduction of the high serum PRL level. In lactating rats, terguride (1.0 mg/kg, s.c.) reduced milk production in the mammary gland, whereas bromocriptine showed no significant effect up to 10 mg/kg, s.c. Terguride (10 mg/kg, p.o.) did not induce any stereotypy and hypermotility in reserpinized rats, while bromocriptine induced both stereotypy and hypermotility significantly at 10 mg/kg, p.o. In dogs, terguride, like bromocriptine, reduced the serum PRL level, but did not affect the serum levels of growth hormone and luteinizing hormone. In dogs, bromocriptine induced both emesis and PRL-lowering at almost the same dose, whereas emesis-inducing doses of terguride were about 100 times higher than the PRL-lowering dose. These results suggest that terguride as a dopamine D2-agonist is a potent inhibitor of PRL secretion with less neurotropic side effects compared to bromocriptine, and thus a useful drug for the treatment of galactorrhea and hyperprolactinemia including prolactinoma.

A case of pseudo-Zellweger syndrome with a possible bifunctional enzyme deficiency but detectable enzyme protein. Comparison of two cases of Zellweger syndrome

Three infants with peroxisomal disorders were investigated clinicobiochemically and neuroradiologically. Two had classical Zellweger syndrome, and cranial CT scans showed typical disproportionate enlargement of the occipital horns of the lateral ventricles (colpocephaly) with marked hypodensity of the white matter. In one female infant, although the clinical findings were similar to those in Zellweger syndrome, some findings, such as elevated transaminase levels, liver fibrosis, the absence of renal cortical cysts and colpocephaly, were negative or milder. Biochemical analyses revealed increased very long-chain fatty acids, dicarboxylic aciduria and impaired beta-oxidation of lignoceric acid. However, peroxisomes were abundantly present in hepatocytes and cultured fibroblasts, and all peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzyme proteins were detected on immunoblot analysis. A cell fusion study suggested that the enzyme responsible for this case of 'pseudo-Zellweger syndrome' is bifunctional.

Effects of 2-carboxythylgerumanium sesquioxide (Ge-132) as an immunological modifier of post-surgical immunosuppression in dogs

The effect of 2-carboxythylgerumanium sesquioxide (Ge-132) as an interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) inducer on post-surgical immunosuppression was evaluated from the immunological response augmented in canine neutrophils, macrophages and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) using the chemiluminescence technique. Experimental gastrotomy was performed on dogs in two groups; one group was subjected to sham-surgery without any medication, and the other was treated by Ge-132 administration at 24 hr before operation. Although the phagocytic activities of neutrophils, macrophages and PBL in the sham-operated group were depressed transiently after surgery, those in the Ge-132-administered group (Ge-132 group) were enhanced for a long time after surgery. It appeared that the generated free radical, which blocked the phagocytosis of macrophages and PBL, was activated by IFN-gamma. These results suggest that Ge-132 pre-treatment may be efficacious and useful in preventing the multifaceted clinical symptoms induced by post-operative immunosuppression in dogs.

An epidemiological survey of severely mentally and physically disabled children in Okinawa

A survey of severely mentally and physically disabled children (SDC) aged 6-15 years was conducted in Okinawa. There were a total of 170 SDC on 1 May 1989, the prevalence rate being 0.89/1,000. The prevalence rate of SDC over the last 20 years has shown a decreasing trend, which seems to be associated with the decreased incidence of cerebral palsy (CP) in the latter half of the 1970s and the first half of the 1980s. Furthermore, CP accounted for the largest percentage (51.8%) of underlying disorders or conditions of SDC, similar to 20 years ago. This suggests that the incidence of CP could be an important factor in the prevalence of SDC. In addition, the percentages of SDC with CP with profound mental impairment and epilepsy, 97.7% and 79.5%, respectively, were larger than 20 years ago. This suggests that SDC with CP who have severe associated impairments have increased.

Use of two miniplates for intermaxillary skeletal fixation in the treatment of jaw deformity and fracture

Special techniques of skeletal intermaxillary fixation are described, which may be used in edentulous patients or those with many missing teeth or multiple fractures of the jaw. Two such cases are described in which the usual fixation techniques could not provide sufficient stabilization because of linguoversion and mesioversion or lack of teeth, resulting in inability to maintain a vertical interocclusal relationship. Two long eight-hole Champy miniplates were therefore used distally to the canines on both sides. In the first case, they provided fixation following a sagittal ramus osteotomy to advance the mandible, and in the second case they were used in the treatment of a mandibular fracture.

A study of psychosocial factors in the psychosomatic symptoms of adolescents in Okinawa

High school students (N = 902) in Okinawa were asked to participate in a questionnaire survey which was designed to investigate the psychosocial factors in the psychosomatic symptoms of adolescents. The questionnaire focused on mental distress, perception of school and home environment and psychosomatic symptoms. The Japanese Edition Cornell Medical Index-Health Questionnaire (JCMI) for evaluating emotional instability and the New TK Diagnostic Test for Parent-Child Relationship were also utilized. Distress in relationships with family or friends, finding little pleasure in school and/or home, showing emotional instability as diagnosed according to regions III and IV of JCMI, or showing strained parent-child relationships according to the TK Test items were found to be closely associated with psychosomatic symptoms. In addition, students with human relations problems, especially family problems, tended to have a strained relationship with parents and tended to show autonomic hyperactivity represented by orthostatic dysregulation. Students with peer problems tended to have emotional instability and to find little pleasure in school; they had mental as well as urinary and bowel symptoms. The findings of this study suggest that distresses in family or peer relationships, emotional instability and a strained parent-child relationship are important factors in the onset of psychosomatic symptoms in adolescents.

A case of eosinophilic granuloma arising in the mandible

Eosinophilic granuloma is a disease of the reticuloendothelial system and its pathogenesis is not yet completely clear. The histopathological findings are granulomatous proliferation of histiocytes accompanied by diffuse infiltration of eosinophils. We recently experienced a case of eosinophilic granuloma arising monostotically in the body of the mandible in the 76 [symbol: see text] region. There has been no local recurrence 17 months after surgical removal of the lesion.

[Determination of the main metabolite (desethyl KBT-3022) of a new antiplatelet agent, KBT-3022 in plasma by gas chromatography]

A highly sensitive, accurate and reproducible gas chromatographic method for the determination of a main metabolite, 2-[4,5-bis(4-methoxy-phenyl)thiazol-2-yl] pyrrol-ylacetic acid (desethyl KBT-3022) of a new antiplatelet agent, ethyl 2-[4,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)thiazol-2-yl]pyrrol-1-ylacetate (KBT-3022), in the human or dog plasma has been developed. Desethyl KBT-3022 in the plasma was extracted with a mixture of n-hexane and dichloromethane (1:1), and was derivatized using pentafluorobenzyl bromide. The obtained pentafluorobenzyl derivative of desethyl KBT-3022 in the plasma was separated by high-performance liquid chromatography. After the separation, the pentafluorobenzyl derivative of desethyl KBT-3022 was detected by gas chromatography. Gas chromatography was performed with a Ultra 1 column (12 m x 0.22 mm i.d., film thickness 0.33 microns), using an electron capture detector. 2-[2-(4,5-Bis(4-methoxyphenyl)thiazol-2-yl)pyrrol-l-yl]propionic acid was used as an internal standard. The detection limit of desethyl KBT-3022 in the plasma was 0.2 ng/ml. The coefficients of variation were below 5.3%. This method was applied to the determination of the plasma concentration of desethyl KBT-3022 after oral administration of KBT-3022 to dogs.

Hypersensitivity of rat glioma sublines with acquired ACNU resistance to L-asparaginase

Cell lines resistant to 1-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl)methyl-3- (2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea hydrochloride (ACNU) show a high degree of collateral sensitivity to L-asparaginase. The mechanism for this phenomenon was investigated by comparing the nutritional requirements and asparagine synthetase activity of the resistant sublines to those of parent cells. Nine ACNU-resistant sublines were isolated from rat glioma 9L cells after incubation with various concentrations of ACNU in Ham's F-12 medium. The 9L cells grew independently of asparagine, developing well in asparagine-deficient Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. In contrast, the growth rates of all nine ACNU-resistant sublines decreased under the same conditions and required the addition of 10(-4) M asparagine for maximum growth. Asparagine synthetase activity in the ACNU-resistant cells was much lower than in the 9L cells, suggesting that the requirement for asparagine in the resistant sublines was due to reduced activity of this enzyme. A growth-inhibition assay showed that the ACNU-resistant sublines were more sensitive to L-asparaginase than 9L cells by up to 2 x 10(5)-fold. These results suggest that L-asparaginase therapy has the potential to become a new approach for treating acquired ACNU resistance.

Portable digital subtraction angiography in the operating room and intensive care unit

A simple, inexpensive method of portable digital subtraction angiography (DSA) using an image processor (Sigma X), still-videorecorder and control panel combined with a surgical x-ray television unit can provide real time subtraction images on the monitor. This portable DSA unit was used in 161 cases (130 in the operating room and 31 in the intensive care unit). In the operating room it is useful: 1) to confirm patency of the parent artery and its branches after aneurysm clipping, 2) to identify feeding arteries of arteriovenous malformation and to confirm total extirpation, 3) to confirm the patency of extracranial-intracranial bypass, 4) to confirm patency of the internal carotid artery and absence of flap formation after carotid endarterectomy. In the intensive care unit, it is particularly useful for visualizing cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage and recanalization of an occluded major intracranial artery. Absence of intracranial circulation can be demonstrated in patients with suspected brain death.