Interaction of Vibrio cholerae toxin with sarcoma 180 cell membranes

Three discrete phases are discernible in the activation, by Vibrio cholerae toxin, of adenylate cyclase in fragments of sarcoma 180 cell membranes. In the first, or preparatory, phase the toxin must be exposed to dithiothreitol or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) in the absence of the membranes. In the second phase, the prepared toxin is dissociated to yield a macromolecular cyclase-activating factor (MCAF) in the presence of the membranes. In the third phase, membrane basal adenylate cyclase is activated by MCAF in the presence of NAD. The integrity of the catecholamine or beta-receptor associated with sarcoma adenylate cyclase is irrelevant in the activation of cyclase by MCAF. This activation proceeds undiminished even if the beta-receptor is desensitized or blocked by propranolol.

Monistat cream (miconazole nitrate) a new agent for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis

Monistat Cream (miconazole nitrate 2%), a new fungicidal agent indicated for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis, was evaluated in a comparative study with nystatin vaginal tablets (100,-000 units each). A total of 95 pregnant and non-pregnant patients were treated. Miconazole nitrate was administered once daily, at bedtime, for 14 days to 55 pregnant and non-pregnant patients. Overall, 74.5% (41 of 55 patients) were cured with one course of therapy. In contrast, of 40 nystatin-treated patients (both pregnant and non-pregnant) treated twice daily for 15 days, 22 patients (57.8%) were cured with one course of therapy. This difference in cure rates was statistically significant. Side effects were minimal and comparable in the two treatment groups. No recorded instances of birth defects were observed in infants born to mothers in either treatment group. Monistate Cream, in this study, was found to be a safe and effective drug in treating both pregnant and nonpregnant patients with confirmed candidiasis.

X-linked mixed deafness with congenital fixation of the stapedial footplate and perilymphatic gusher

An X-linked syndrome characterized in males by profound mixed deafness, vestibular abnormalities, congenital fixation of the stapes and perilymphatic otorrhea on attempted stapedectomy has been documented in a large Caucasian kindred. Female heterozygotes have similar but milder audiologic abnormalities. The syndrome of congenital fixation of the stapes with perilymphatic gusher may be a relatively common form of X-linked deafness and is an important clinical entity because affected males may be significantly benefited by sound amplification.