[Analysis of the cases in which Schizophyllum commune was isolated]

Infections caused by Schizophyllum commune have recently been on the increase. We analyzed cases in which this fungus was isolated from clinical samples from 1991 to 1995. Regular morphological methods were first employed in the identification of S. commune, and when necessary, mating was made with a known S. commune isolate. IgG antibodies against S. commune in the patients' serum were determined by the ELISA method. Profiles of the cases were analyzed and the English-language medical literature was reviewed. S. commune was isolated from 12 patients. Eighty three percent of the patients were female, most of which presented with allergy-related pulmonary diseases, i. e. allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis or mucoid impaction of bronchi. IgG antibodies were detectable in nine of eleven patients examined (82%). Fifty eight percent of the isolates were monokaryotic, and therefore, unidentifiable by regular morphological methods. In contrast, analysis of the English literature disclosed that sinusitis is the most common form of infection, and that hyphal invasion into the tissue was seen in 50% of reported cases. Our study shows that S. commune should be regarded as a pathogenic fungus, and is infecting humans much more frequently than previously assumed. Further investigation is warranted.

Responses of heat shock proteins hsp27, alphaB-crystallin, and hsp70 in rat brain after kainic acid-induced seizure activity

We determined the changes in the levels of the mammalian small heat shock protein of 25-28 kDa (hsp27) and the hsp alphaB-crystallin in various regions of rat brain after kainic acid-induced seizure activity by means of specific immunoassays. The levels of hsp27 in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex were markedly increased and reached a maximum (1.5-2 microg/mg of protein) 2-4 days after the seizure. The levels of hsp27 in these regions were considerably high even 10 days after the seizure. A marked increase in levels of mRNA for hsp27 was also observed in the hippocampus of rats 1-2 days after the seizure. A severalfold increase in the levels of alphaB-crystallin was observed in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex of rats 2 days after the seizure. However, the maximum levels were <50 ng/mg of protein. The levels of protein sulfhydryl group and glutathione were significantly reduced in the hippocampus of rats at 24 h after the seizure, which might have enhanced the expressions of hsp27 and alphaB-crystallin. The expression of inducible mammalian hsp of 70 kDa (hsp70) was also enhanced in the hippocampus of rats after the seizure, as detected by western and northern blotting analyses. Immunohistochemically, an intensive staining of hsp27 was observed in both glial cells and neurons in the hippocampus, piriform cortex, and entorhinal cortex of rats with kainic acid-induced seizure. However, in the cerebellum, where the receptors for kainic acid are also rich, hsp27 was barely induced in the same rats. This might be due to high levels of the cerebellar calcium-binding proteins parvalbumin and 28-kDa calbindin-D, which might have a protective effect against the kainic acid-inducible damage.

Selective stimulation of Hsp27 and alphaB-crystallin but not Hsp70 expression by p38 MAP kinase activation

The levels of Hsp27 and alphaB-crystallin in C6 rat glioma cells, that had been heated at 43 degrees C for 30 min with a subsequent culture for 16 h at 37 degrees C, were markedly increased. The exposure of the cells to a low concentration (0.1-3 microg/ml) of anisomycin for a few hours after heat stress stimulated the accumulation of the small stress proteins Hsp27 and alphaB-crystallin, but not that of Hsp70. The levels of mRNAs for Hsp27 and alphaB-crystallin but not that for Hsp70 increased in cells that had been exposed to heat and subsequently for 2 h to 0.1-3 microg/ml anisomycin. The results of a reporter assay, using an alphaB-crystallin promotor fused to a luciferase reporter gene, suggested that the increase in level of alphaB-crystallin mRNA was due to the production of new mRNA. The activation of the binding of heat shock factors to heat shock elements induced in cells that had been heat stressed was barely affected by subsequent exposure to anisomycin at 0.3 microg/ml. The stimulatory effects of anisomycin were also observed in cells that had been exposed to NaAsO2 or CdCl2. The active form of p38 mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase was increased in cell that had been subjected to heat shock and subsequent exposure to 0.3 microg/ml of anisomycin. The heat-induced accumulations of Hsp27 and alphaB-crystallin were also stimulated by cycloheximide, another stimulator of p38 MAP kinase. SB202190, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase, suppressed the stimulation by anisomycin of the heat stress-induced expressions of Hsp27 and alphaB-crystallin. These results suggest that the signal transduction pathway of the stress-induced expressions of Hsp27 and alphaB-crystallin in C6 glioma cells includes a process that is sensitive to p38 MAP kinase.

[Acute myelocytic leukemia and plasmacytoma secondary to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in a long-term survivor of small cell lung cancer]

A 68-year-old man was given a diagnosis of lung cancer of the right upper lobe (small cell carcinoma, T 4 N 2 M 0, stage IIIB) in February 1991. The tumor diminished after chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In February 1992, a partial resection of the lower lobe of the right lung was performed because of the appearance of a metastatic tumor. In September 1994, squamous cell carcinoma developed in the lower part of the esophagus, but disappeared after radiotherapy. In February 1998, a diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome was made. Two months later, the patient had an attack of acute myelocytic leukemia and died of cardiac tamponade. An autopsy determined that both the lung cancer and esophageal cancer had disappeared. Acute myelocytic leukemia and plasmacytoma of lymph nodes in the irradiated area were confirmed. These were regarded as secondary malignancies induced by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Serotonin-induced platelet intracellular Ca2+ responses in untreated depressed patients and imipramine responders in remission

BACKGROUND

Intracellular Ca2+ metabolism in platelets has been investigated as a peripheral marker of affective disorders.

METHODS

We investigated the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration in platelets in both untreated depressed patients with no medications and patients in remission who were treated by imipramine (IMI) (IMI responders) using a Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent probe fura-2.

RESULTS

The increases in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration in platelets induced by stimulation with serotonin (5-HT) ([Ca2+] delta) were significantly higher in both the untreated patients and the IMI responders compared with healthy controls; however, there were no significant differences in the basal Ca2+ levels in the platelets ([Ca2+]B) among the three groups. On the other hand, in the IMI responders, we observed positive correlations between the duration of the remission and [Ca2+]B, but not [Ca2+] delta.

CONCLUSIONS

Our present data suggest that the enhancement of 5-HT2A-induced Ca2+ responses persisted after remission in depressed patients, and that the duration of the remission is a factor varying the intracellular basal Ca2+ levels.

Double-blind test on the efficacy of methylcobalamin on sleep-wake rhythm disorders

The therapeutic effect of methylcobalamin (Met-12) on sleep-wake rhythm disorders was examined in a double-blind test. In the test group which was given a large dosage, a higher percentage of improvement was found compared to the control group with a small dosage, although the difference was not significant. The test group inconsistently showed significant improvement in both the sleep-wake cycle parameters and in clinical symptoms. The tendency was for the results to show a beneficial effect of Met-12 on rhythm disorders. However, because the percentage of improvement was low and significant improvement was inconsistent, Met-12 might be considered to have a low therapeutic potency and possible use as a booster for other treatment methods of the disorders.

AlphaB-crystallin in the rat lens is phosphorylated at an early post-natal age

We determined the developmental changes in the phosphorylation state of alphaB-crystallin in lenses from rats at various post-natal ages by isoelectric focusing gel electrophoresis or sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a subsequent Western blot analysis of extracts of lenses using antibodies that recognized the carboxy-terminal sequence or each of the three phosphorylated serine residues (Ser-19, Ser-45 and Ser-59) in alphaB-crystallin. Phosphorylated forms of alphaB-crystallin were barely detected at birth but they became detectable at 3 weeks of age and reached plateau levels at 8 weeks of age. The phosphorylation of alphaB-crystallin at Ser-45 was observed preferentially. The active form of p44/42 MAP kinase, which is responsible for the phosphorylation of Ser-45 in alphaB-crystallin, also increased in a development-dependent manner. Thus we found that the developmental increase of the phosphorylation at Ser-45 of alphaB-crystallin in the rat lens was due to the developmental activation of p44/42 MAP kinase.

Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase is a heparin-binding protein

Proteins with affinity to heparin under physiological conditions were isolated from bovine cerebral cortex. First, the extract of cerebral cortex was applied to a chondroitin polysulfate column under physiological conditions. Then, the pass-through fraction was applied to a heparin column. Among the bands on SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the fraction bound to the heparin column, the major one was identified as fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FPA), a cytosolic enzyme involved in the glycolytic pathway. The results indicated that FPA is a heparin-binding protein which exhibits no affinity to chondroitin polysulfate. The results of affinity chromatographies revealed that FPA binds to intact heparin and modified heparins desulfated at C2 OH of the iduronic acid residue or at C6 OH or C2 NH2 of the glucosamine residue. When 6-O-desulfated heparin was employed as the affinity ligand, a single peak having FPA activity was isolated from the extract of bovine cerebral cortex. By further Mono Q chromatography and Superdex gel-filtration, five isoenzymes were purified with more than 50% recovery. These isoenzymes were identified as FPA A4, A3C1, A2C2, A1C3, and C4 by native electrophoresis with and without 4 M urea and subsequent amino acid sequence analysis. The use of 6-O-desulfated heparin affinity chromatography thus facilitated the purification of FPA.

Gene targeting in the silkworm by use of a baculovirus

The Bombyx mori fibroin light (L)-chain gene was cloned and the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene inserted into exon 7. The chimeric L-chain-GFP gene was used to replace the polyhedrin gene of Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcNPV). This recombinant virus was used to target the L-chain-GFP gene to the L-chain region of the silkworm genome. Female moths were infected with the recombinant virus and then mated with normal male moths. Genomic DNA from their progenies was screened for the desired targeting event. This analysis showed that the chimeric gene had integrated into the L-chain gene on the genome by homologous recombination and was stably transmitted through generations. The chimeric gene was expressed in the posterior silk gland, and the gene product was spun into the cocoon layer.

Induction of ovulation by Sairei-to for polycystic ovary syndrome patients

In anovulatory patients ovulation is usually induced by clomiphene citrate (CC) or gonadotropin therapy, but in the case of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), diagnosed by the presence of several micropolycysts in the ovaries and a high LH/FSH ratio in the serum, CC is only minimally effective, and side effects are often a problem with gonadotropin therapy. In the present study we administered a Chinese herbal medicine Sairei-to which appears to have a steroidal effect in anovulatory PCOS patients. As a result of the treatment, serum LH and the LH/FSH ratio significantly decreased (P<0.01) and the ovulatory rate was 70.6%. Serum testosterone levels were within normal limits before the treatment, and did not significantly change during the treatment. Sairei-to may therefore be useful for the treatment of anovulation in PCOS patients.

Hemodynamic and hormonal responses to nicorandil in a canine model of acute ischemic heart failure: a comparison with cromakalim and nitroglycerin

The pharmacologic profiles of nicorandil in the cardiovascular system have been characterized by K-channel opening and nitrate activities. However, the effects of nicorandil on acute heart failure have yet to be elucidated. To investigate the effects of nicorandil under such pathophysiologic conditions, we administered nicorandil intravenously to dogs with acute ischemic heart failure induced by coronary embolization and compared the results with those induced by cromakalim and nitroglycerin. The heart failure in this experiment was demonstrated by a reduction of mean blood pressure (MBP) from 143+/-3 to 129+/-2 mm Hg (p < 0.01); cardiac output (CO) from 2.18+/-0.10 to 1.06+/-0.05 L/min (p < 0.01); stroke volume (SV) from 12.7+/-0.6 to 6.8+/-0.3 ml/min (p < 0.01); Vmax, an index of the contractility of the left ventricle, from 105.5+/-4.4 to 49.9+/-1.8 1/s (p < 0.01), and an increase in right atrial pressure (RAP) from 2.9+/-0.3 to 5.3+/-0.3 mm Hg (p < 0.01); left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) from 2.5+/-0.4 to 26.0+/-1.4 mm Hg (p < 0.01); and T, time constant of left ventricular relaxation, from 38.3+/-0.8 to 62.4+/-2.8 ms (p < 0.01). Furthermore, plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) increased (from 1.72+/-0.29 to 5.03+/-0.68 ng AngI/ml/h, p < 0.01; from 103.9+/-5.8 to 411.5+/-29.4 pg/ml, p < 0.01, respectively), whereas brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) remained unchanged (from 23.1+/-2.2 to 26.9+/-1.4 pg/ml). Nicorandil (10-40 microg/kg/min, i.v. infusion for 20 min for each dosing) or cromakalim (0.25-1 microg/kg/min) decreased MBP, systemic vascular resistance (SVR), RAP, and LVEDP, and increased CO, SV, and Vmax. However, the reduction of RAP in cromakalim was significantly smaller than those of nicorandil and nitroglycerin in comparison at similar hypotensive doses. Nitroglycerin (2.5-10 microg/kg/min) decreased MBP, RAP, and LVEDP, and increased Vmax but did not change CO or SV. Increased plasma ANP levels, an index of cardiac filling pressure after induction of acute ischemic heart failure, were decreased significantly by cromakalim and tended to decrease by nicorandil or nitroglycerin. Plasma BNP levels and PRA were not influenced by any of these drugs. These results suggest that nicorandil produces the reduction of both preload and afterload followed by an improvement of cardiac contractility in this model. The increase in CO may be mediated mainly by the drug's K-channel opening activities and the reduction of venous tone by its nitrate properties. Nicorandil may prove to be useful in the treatment of acute ischemic heart failure.

Stimulation of the stress-induced expression of stress proteins by curcumin in cultured cells and in rat tissues in vivo

Curcumin, a major component of turmeric, a seasoning commonly used in Indian food, and a known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic agent, is a potent stimulator of the stress-induced expression of Hsp27, alphaB crystallin and Hsp70. When C6 rat glioma cells were exposed to arsenite (100 microM for 1 h), CdCl2 (100 microM for 1 h) or heat (42 degrees C for 30 min) in the presence of 3-10 microM curcumin, induction of the synthesis of all three proteins was markedly stimulated, as detected by specific immunoassays, Western blot analysis and Northern blot analysis. A gel mobility shift assay revealed that curcumin prolonged the stress-induced activation of the heat shock element-binding (HSE-binding) activity of heat shock transcription factor (Hsf) in the cultured cells. The stimulatory effect of curcumin on the responses to stress was also observed in BRL-3A rat liver cells and Swiss 3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Induction of Hsp27, alphaB crystallin and Hsp70 in the liver and adrenal glands of heat-stressed (42 degrees C for 20 min) rats was also enhanced by prior injection of curcumin (20 mg/kg body weight). As curcumin is a potent inhibitor of arachidonic acid metabolism, it is suggested that the mechanism of the stimulation by curcumin of the stress responses might be similar to that of salicylate, indomethacin and nordihydroguaiaretic acid.

Anticryptococcal activity of voriconazole against Cryptococcus neoformans var. gatti vs var. neoformans: comparison with fluconazole and effect of human serum

Voriconazole (VCZ), a new wide-spectrum antifungal triazole currently in development, was tested for activity against Cryptococcus neoformans (CN) var. gattii and var. neoformans in RPMI-1640 (RPMI) or RPMI plus human serum. In RPMI VCZ was 10-fold more inhibitory than FCZ for both varieties of CN. In the presence of human serum neither VCZ nor FCZ had enhanced activity against CN var. gattii. By contrast, both VCZ and FCZ had significantly increased activity in the presence of serum against CN var. neoformans. The lack of serum-enhancing activity for VCZ or FCZ against CN var. gattii may reflect the in vivo situation and predict less efficacy in CN var. gattii infections.

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding a serine proteinase inhibitor named marinostatin from a marine bacterium, Alteromonas sp. strain B-10-31

The gene (mstI) encoding a serine proteinase inhibitor named marinostatin from marine Alteromonas sp. strain B-10-31 was cloned and its nucleotide sequence was analyzed. A short open reading frame of 192 bp encoded 63 amino acids with a molecular weight of 6,985. Furthermore, the initial product of marinostatin (marinostatin L) was purified and its amino acid sequence was analyzed. These results indicate that marinostatin is produced as a unique precursor consisting of the mature peptide and the leader peptide for an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, and furthermore the initial product of marinostatin is dehydrated and processed by proteolysis to give homologous forms of marinostatin.

Phosphorylation of alphaB-crystallin in mitotic cells and identification of enzymatic activities responsible for phosphorylation

The immunofluorescence localization of alphaB-crystallin in U373 MG human glioma cells with an antibody specific for alphaB-crystallin that had been phosphorylated at Ser-45 revealed an intense staining of cells in the mitotic phase of the cell cycle. Phosphorylated forms of alphaB-crystallin in mitotic cells were detected in all cell lines examined and in tissue sections of mouse embryos. Increases in the levels of alphaB-crystallin that had been phosphorylated at Ser-45 and Ser-19, but not at Ser-59, were detected biochemically by isoelectric focusing or SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a subsequent Western blot analysis of extracts of cells collected at the mitotic phase. When we estimated the phosphorylation activity specific for alphaB-crystallin in extracts of mitotic U373 MG cells, using the amino-terminal 72-amino acid peptide derived from unphosphorylated alphaB2-crystallin as the substrate, we found that the activities responsible for the phosphorylation of Ser-45 and Ser-19 were markedly enhanced but that the activity responsible for the phosphorylation of Ser-59 was suppressed. The protein kinases responsible for the phosphorylation of Ser-45 and Ser-59 in the amino-terminal 72-amino acid peptide were partially purified from extracts of cells that had been stimulated by exposure to H2O2 in the presence of calyculin A. The activities responsible for the phosphorylation of Ser-45 and Ser-59 were eluted separately from a column of Superdex 200 at fractions corresponding to about 40 and 60 kDa, respectively, while the kinase for Ser-19 was unstable. p44/42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and MAP kinase-activated protein (MAPKAP) kinase-2 were concentrated in the Ser-45 kinase fraction and Ser-59 kinase fraction, respectively. Recombinant human p44 MAP kinase and MAPKAP kinase-2 purified from rabbit muscle selectively phosphorylated Ser-45 and -59, respectively. The Ser-45 kinase fraction and Ser-59 kinase fraction phosphorylated myelin basic protein and hsp27, respectively. These results suggest that the phosphorylations of Ser-45 and Ser-59 in alphaB-crystallin are catalyzed by p44/42 MAP kinase and MAPKAP kinase-2, respectively, in cells and that the phosphorylation of Ser-45 by p44/42 MAP kinase is enhanced while the phosphorylation of Ser-59 by MAPKAP kinase-2 is suppressed during cell division.

Electrolytes in erythrocytes of patients with depressive disorders

The concentrations of calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium in the erythrocytes of patients were measured in the active and remission phases of depressive disorders. Twelve patients in the active phase and 19 patients in remission with major depression were studied and compared with 20 age-matched healthy controls. Patients with major depression in both active and remission phases showed significantly lower calcium concentrations in the erythrocytes compared with controls, although no significant differences in sodium, potassium or magnesium concentrations were found among the three groups. In addition, no differences were found in the electrolyte concentrations between the active and remission phases in the same patients. This calcium concentration had no relationship to the age, gender, or medication drugs of the subjects. Low calcium concentrations were found in the erythrocytes of depressed patients, which may be a relevant marker for depression.

Chronic imipramine administration amplifies the serotonin2A receptor-induced intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in C6 glioma cells through a calmodulin-dependent pathway

In the present study, we examined whether chronic exposure of C6BU-1 cells to 100 nM of several different types of antidepressants directly influences serotonin2A (5-HT2A) receptor-stimulated intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. Imipramine, desipramine, clomipramine, and maprotiline amplified the 5-HT response at 48, but not at 2, h. Imipramine increased the maximum response to 5-HT without altering the EC50 of the dose-response curve. This effect was time dependent and cycloheximide blocked the maximal induction, suggesting an essential role for protein synthesis in this process. Previous exposure of the cells to thrombin or isoproterenol did not influence 5-HT2A receptor function and pretreatment with imipramine did not alter the thrombin- or bradykinin-induced Ca2+ mobilization, which indicates that the effects of imipramine appear to be specific to the 5-HT2A receptor. The effect of imipramine was potently suppressed by a calmodulin antagonist, W-13, in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, this amplified 5-HT response was blocked by KN-93, but not by H-7. Taken together, these results suggest that imipramine has a modulatory effect on the 5-HT2A receptor-coupled intracellular Ca2+ in C6 cells through a calmodulin-dependent pathway, possibly involving Ca2+/calmodulin kinase activation.

Stimulation of the stress-induced expression of stress proteins by curcumin in cultured cells and in rat tissues in vivo

Curcumin, a major component of turmeric, a seasoning commonly used in Indian food, and a known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic agent, is a potent stimulator of the stress-induced expression of Hsp27, alphaB crystallin and Hsp70. When C6 rat glioma cells were exposed to arsenite (100 microM for 1 h), CdCl2 (100 microM for 1 h) or heat (42 degrees C for 30 min) in the presence of 3-10 microM curcumin, induction of the synthesis of all three proteins was markedly stimulated, as detected by specific immunoassays, Western blot analysis and Northern blot analysis. A gel mobility shift assay revealed that curcumin prolonged the stress-induced activation of the heat shock element-binding (HSE-binding) activity of heat shock transcription factor (Hsf) in the cultured cells. The stimulatory effect of curcumin on the responses to stress was also observed in BRL-3A rat liver cells and Swiss 3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Induction of Hsp27, alphaB crystallin and Hsp70 in the liver and adrenal glands of heat-stressed (42 degrees C for 20 min) rats was also enhanced by prior injection of curcumin (20 mg/kg body weight). As curcumin is a potent inhibitor of arachidonic acid metabolism, it is suggested that the mechanism of the stimulation by curcumin of the stress responses might be similar to that of salicylate, indomethacin and nordihydroguaiaretic acid.

Polypoid bronchial lesions due to Scedosporium apiospermum in a patient with Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease

A 69 yr old female was hospitalized for further examination of abnormal shadows on chest radiographs. She had a history of tuberculous pleurisy, rheumatoid arthritis and gold-induced interstitial pneumonia. On admission she still suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. A chest computed tomography scan on admission showed clusters of small nodules in subpleural regions of both lungs combined with bronchiectasis. Mycobacterium avium complex was cultured repeatedly from the sputum. Bronchoscopic examination disclosed white-yellow polypoid lesions in the orifice of the left B4 bronchus. Cultures of the brushing specimen of the polypoid lesions and bronchial aspirates from the B4 bronchus yielded smoky-grey mycelial colonies that were later identified as Scedosporium apiospermum. It was concluded that the polypoid bronchial lesions due to Scedosporium apiospermum were formed in the preexisting dilated bronchus caused by Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease.

Damage to yeast cells of Cryptococcus neoformans by voriconazole and fluconazole: a culture and microscopic study

A systematic cultural, cytological and microscopic study of voriconazole (VCZ) and fluconazole (FCZ) damage to Cryptococcus neoformans over time was made. When haemocytometer counts were compared with colony-forming units (cfu) viability decreased with increased drug concentration and prolonged treatment time up to 48 h. Percentage viability by vital staining correlated with cfu. Concentrations of VCZ were found to be 10-fold more potent than FCZ. At 72 h, percentage viability increased in cultures with lower drug concentrations, indicating outgrowth of surviving yeast cells. Drug treatment resulted in a cytological change in a large percentage of yeast cells characterized by a large central vacuole easily observed microscopically. Vital staining showed that there was no direct relationship between cytological changes and non-viability. These novel findings add a new approach for studying the antifungal action of VCZ and FCZ against C. neoformans and provide a new perspective on their antifungal action.

[Pulmonary pseudallescheriasis in a patient with diabetes mellitus and alcoholic liver cirrhosis]

A 62-year-old man with diabetes mellitus and alcoholic liver cirrhosis was admitted to the hospital because of hemoptysis. Chest X-ray films and computed tomograms showed a dense infiltrative lesion and a healed tuberculous cavity with a possible fungus ball in the upper lobe of the right lung. Bronchoscopy revealed that the hemoptysis originated from the right upper-lobe bronchus. The bleeding stopped after thrombin was applied into the bronchus. Filamentous fungi were seen in lavage fluid from the right upper-lobe bronchus. The fungi were identified as Pseudallescheria boydii, and pulmonary pseudallescheriasis was diagnosed. the patient was treated successfully with miconazole (400 mg/day) for 2 months. Pseudallescheriasis should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of aspergilloma-like lesions.

Antimalarial activity of radicicol, heptelidic acid and other fungal metabolites

In the course of our screening program for artemisinin-like antimalarial compounds from microorganisms, seven fungal metabolites such as radicicol and heptelidic acid were identified as active compounds. Some of them exhibited antimalarial activity in vitro against the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum to the extent of approximately 1/10 as potent as artemisinin. Radicicol was moderately active in vivo against Plasmodium berghei in mice.