[The management of malignant ascites with a streptococcal preparation, OK-432: relation between the clinical effect and auto-tumor cell killing activity by OK-432-induced ascites-derived lymphocytes]

Twelve patients with malignant ascites caused by gastro-intestinal cancer were treated by intraperitoneal administration of OK-432. Tumor cells from these patients were separated from ascitic fluid and cultured in vitro before OK-432 therapy. OK-432 was given intraperitoneally one to two times a week at doses ranging from 5 to 20 KE suspended in saline. Mononuclear lymphocytes were collected from the fluid at various intervals throughout the therapy. The effect of ascites-derived lymphocytes on ascites-derived autologous tumor cell growth was studied in vitro using microplate assay. Nine (responders) of 12 patients showed complete disappearance or significant reduction of ascitic fluid. Ascites-derived lymphocytes slightly inhibited autologous tumor cell growth only in one case before OK-432 therapy. Lymphocytes collected from ascites after OK-432 injection significantly inhibited auto-tumor cell growth in all of 9 responders. In 3 non-responders, however, auto-tumor cell growth inhibition was found only in one case. Interestingly, lymphocytes from non-responders significantly inhibited the growth of tumor cells taken from responders. Conversely, lymphocytes from responders did not inhibit non-responder-derived tumor cell growth. These findings imply that auto-tumor killing by OK-432-induced lymphocytes may depend more on the condition of the tumor cells than on the condition of the lymphocytes, and that the measurement of auto-tumor killing activity by ascites-derived lymphocytes may be useful as an indicator in OK-432 therapy.

Mechanism of enzymic isomerization and epimerization of D-erythrose 4-phosphate

The mechanism of the enzymic isomerization and epimerization of D-erythrose 4-phosphate (Ery4P) by an enzyme preparation from bovine liver was investigated with the use of 2H2O. The incorporation of 2H was quantitatively determined by a procedure using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. About one atom of 2H was incorporated per molecule of the enzymic epimerization reaction product of Ery4P (D-threose 4-phosphate) or that of D-ribulose 5-phosphate. Computer simulation of the Ery4P isomerization reaction indicated that the 2H of 2H2O was not directly incorporated into the enzymic reaction product (D-erythrulose 4-phosphate). Instead, intramolecular transfer of hydrogen atoms had occurred.

Methods for enzymatic and colorimetric determinations of D-erythrulose (D-tetrulose)

The specific determinations of D-erythrulose by enzymatic assay or colorimetric method, which permit the quantitative determination of between 20 and 400 nmol of the sugar, are described. Enzymatic determination of D-erythrulose made use of the D-erythrulose reductase purified from beef or chicken liver, which catalyzes specifically the reduction of D-erythrulose with concomitant conversion of NADH to NAD+. The colorimetric microdetermination of erythrulose could be carried out by utilizing the phenol-sulfuric acid reaction under low temperature. These methods are simple, rapid, and sensitive, and give reproducible results.

Kindling epileptogenesis in orbital and mesial frontal cortical areas of subhuman primates

Despite ready bilateralization of ictal and interictal EEG discharge throughout cortical kindling, the rate of convulsive seizure development was slow at both orbital and mesial frontal sites, even in the epileptic baboon. However, convulsive generalization occurred swiftly from the mesial frontal cortical (MF) sites once conjugate head, eye, and body adversion developed in the three primate species examined. Only epileptic baboons developed Stage 5 bisymmetrical and bisynchronous convulsion. Stimulation of the contralateral homotopic mesial cortical site readily produced afterdischarge that remained localized and convulsive seizure development did not occur. The findings suggest that (a) the frontal lobe plays an important role in the generation of nonconvulsive seizures, (b) the frontorolandic cortex plays a unique role in convulsive seizure generalization, (c) the role of the intrinsic (genetic) factor is significant in determining the quality of the kindled seizure, and (d) the development of focal epileptogenesis at one MF site interferes with clinical seizure development at the "mirror focus." Our findings underscore (a) the necessity of the conceptual differentiation between the EEG mirror focus and the epileptogenic focus capable of generating clinical seizures and (b) the importance of dissecting interictal behavior reflecting a "continuous disorder of neuronal function," which may cause symptoms other than seizures.

Characterization of an enzyme which catalyzes isomerization and epimerization of D-erythrose 4-phosphate

The enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of D-erythrose 4-phosphate to D-erythrulose 4-phosphate and D-threose 4-phosphate has been purified to homogeneity from a crude extract of beef liver. Analysis of the purified enzyme by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration and sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed it to be a dimer of relative molecular mass 43 000. From the gas chromatography/mas spectrometry analyses of the enzymatic reaction products, it appeared that about 90% of the total amount of tetrose 4-phosphate was present as D-erythrulose 4-phosphate after equilibration. The purified enzyme, which is tentatively called 'erythrose-4-phosphate isomerase' had no significant isomerase activities on D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate, D-ribose 5-phosphate, D-glucose 6-phosphate and D-fructose 6-phosphate, but a strong D-ribulose-5-phosphate 3-epimerase activity was co-purified with the erythrose-4-phosphate isomerase activity through every step in the isolation. Both the erythrose-4-phosphate isomerase and D-ribulose-5-phosphate 3-epimerase activities were inactivated at the same rate at the elevated temperature, and also inhibited to the same extent by various inhibitors. It is likely, that both activities are catalyzed by the single enzyme protein.

Release of thioltransferase from rabbit polymorphonuclear leucocytes by immune complex in vitro and inhibition of the enzyme by chloramphenicol

Immune complex induced the release of thioltransferase from rabbit peritoneal exudates polymorphonuclear leucocytes in vitro. The release of thioltransferase occurs from viable cells and does not depend on a cytolysis. The catalytic activity of the released enzyme with S-sulfocysteine and glutathione as substrates had a distinct optimum pH at 7.6. On the contrary, opsonized zymosan was not effective as a stimulus for the liberation of thioltransferase from polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Thioltransferase liberated by the stimulation with immune complex was inhibited by chloramphenicol, but not by bacitracin. The inhibition was non-competitive (apparent Ki of 0.2 mM).

Purification and some properties of rabbit liver cytosol thioltransferase

Thioltransferase was purified 650-fold from rabbit liver by procedures including acid treatment, heat treatment, gel filtration on Sephadex G-50, column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, isoelectric focusing (pH 3.5-10) and gel filtration on Sephadex G-75. The final enzyme preparation was almost homogeneous in polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis. Only one active peak with an apparent molecular weight (Mr) of 13,000 was detected by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50 and only a single protein band with a molecular weight of 12,400 was detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Isoelectric focusing revealed only one enzyme species, having an isoelectric point (pI) of 5.3. The enzyme has an optimum pH about 3.0 with S-sulfocysteine and GSH as substrates. The purified enzyme utilized some disulfides including S-sulfocysteine, alpha-chymotrypsin, trypsin, bovine serum albumin, and insulin as substrates in the presence of GSH. The enzyme does not act as a protein : disulfide isomerase (the activity of which can be measured in terms of reactivation of randomly reoxidized soybean Kunitz trypsin inhibitor). The enzyme activity was inhibited by chloramphenicol, but not by bacitracin. The inhibition by chloramphenicol was non-competitive (apparent K1 of 0.5 mM). Thioltransferase activity was found in the cytosol of various rabbit tissues.

Purification and properties of beef liver aldehyde reductase catalyzing the reduction of D-erythrose 4-phosphate

An aldehyde reductase catalyzing the NADPH-dependent reduction of D-erythrose 4-phosphate to D-erythritol 4-phosphate was purified from beef liver. It was proved to be homogeneous by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and ultracentrifugation analysis. The enzyme was proved to be a monomeric enzyme and its molecular weight was about 40,000. The enzyme was able to reduce not only tetroses but also trioses, aromatic aldehydes, D-glucuronate and succinic semialdehyde. Apparent Km-values for aromatic aldehydes were lower than those for tetroses, trioses, D-glucuronate and succinic semi-aldehyde. Barbiturates and valproate were potent inhibitors of the enzyme and their apparent K1-values were in the range of 80-180 microM. Quercitrin was the most potent inhibitor and its K1-value was about 7 microM. From the viewpoint of substrate specificity and inhibitor sensitivity, it seems that the enzyme belongs to the high-Km type aldehyde reductases.

Enzymatic isomerization and epimerization of d-erythrose 4-phosphate and its quantitative analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

An enzyme preparation from beef liver catalyzed the isomerization and epimerization of D-erythrose 4-phosphate to D-erythrulose 4-phosphate and D-threose 4-phosphate. The presence of D-erythrulose 4-phosphate and D-threose 4-phosphate was demonstrated by several analytical methods. After dephosphorylation, the presence of D-erythrulose and D-threose was confirmed by thin-layer chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography and an enzymatic method depending upon D-erythrulose reductase. The enzymatic products were also identified and simultaneously quantitated by a new procedure using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Each of three tetroses was distinguished by the combination of the reduction with sodium borodeuteride and the determination of relative intensities of the ion pairs m/z 379 and 380 of sugar tetritol trifluoroacetate. By gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, we observed that D-threose 4-phosphate was also converted into D-erythrulose 4-phosphate and D-erythrose 4-phosphate. At the equilibrium, about 90% of the tetrose 4-phosphate existed in the form of D-erythrulose 4-phosphate. On the basis of gas chromatography/mass spectrometric evidence together with gas chromatographic and thin-layer chromatographic patterns, it is suggested that the single enzyme of the beef liver catalyzed both reactions of isomerization and epimerization of aldotetrose 4-phosphate.

Purification and some properties of bovine liver cytosol thioltransferase

A cytosol thioltransferase was purified 37,000-fold from bovine liver by essentially the same procedure as reported for rat liver enzyme by Axelsson et al. [1978) Biochemistry 17, 2978-2984). The purified enzyme appears to be homogeneous on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-gel electrophoresis and has a molecular weight (Mr) of 11,000, an isoelectric point (pI) of 8.1, and an optimum pH with S-sulfocysteine and GSH as substrates of 8.5. It is specific for disulfides including L-cystine, S-sulfocysteine, ribonuclease A, trypsin, soybean kunitz trypsin inhibitor, soybean Bowman Birk trypsin inhibitor and insulin, and converts Bowman Birk trypsin inhibitor to an inactive form. The enzyme does not act as a protein : disulfide isomerase, as measured by reactivation of "scramble" ribonuclease and Kunitz soybean trypsin inhibitor. Thioltransferase activity was found in cytosol of various bovine tissues.

Limbic kindling in the forebrain-bisected photosensitive baboon, Papio papio

When forebrain-bisected photosensitive baboons, Papio papio, were kindled from the amygdala or hippocampus, bilateralization of convulsive seizure proved difficult, and the final stage of bisymmetrical and bisynchronous convulsive seizure unique to this species did not develop despite more than twice the number of kindling stimulations required for its development in nonbisected baboons. At the secondary site amygdala, convulsive seizure development was suppressed. Findings of the present and previous studies suggest that the corpus callosum plays: (a) a major, if not an exclusive, role in convulsive seizure bilateralization ; and (b) a critical role in the development of primarily generalized convulsive seizures unique to this epileptic baboon. Finally, in the absence of the corpus callosum (and the hippocampal commissure) the transhemisphere seizures suppressing effect generated by amygdaloid kindling appears to be mediated through the subcortical pathway which presumably exists in the brainstem.

A rare case of early carcinoma of the gallbladder

A 38-year-old woman was diagnosed preoperatively to have a benign polyp of the gallbladder with a delineated polypoid mass, as demonstrated with drip infusion cholangiography and ultrasonography. Cholecystectomy was performed. Postoperatively, however, this tumor proved to be an early stage carcinoma of the gallbladder. In the neck of the gallbladder, there was a protruded polypoid elastic tumor of 1.1 X 0.9 cm in width and 2.5 cm in height. The tumor was supported by a stem of 0.1 cm in diameter and 0.2 cm in height. Histopathological examination revealed a well differentiated papillotubular adenocarcinoma, which exhibited no invasion of the stem itself or its basal region. This is a rare case of early carcinoma of the gallbladder (Stage I) which grew only towards the lumen of the gallbladder cavity, and did not invade the wall. Postoperatively, cholecystectomy alone was thought to be sufficient for cure.

New beta-lactam antibiotics, carpetimycins C and D

Two new carbapenem antibiotics, carpetimycins C and D have been isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. KC-6643, which produced carpetimycins A and B. The structures of carpetimycins C and D have been determined to be (5R,6R)-3-[2-acetamidoethyl-(R)-sulfinyl]-6-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl) -7-oxo-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid and (5R,6R)-3-[2-acetamidoethyl-(R)-sulfinyl]-6-(1-hydroxysulfonyloxy-1 -methylethyl)-7-oxo-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid, respectively. Studies on the fermentation, isolation and physico-chemical properties of these antibiotics are also described.

Poly-adenosine diphosphate ribose autoantibody in systemic lupus erythematosus and other related autoimmune diseases

The binding activities of poly-adenosine diphosphate-ribose (ADPR) and ds-DNA were measured in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other collagen diseases in comparison with normal subjects. High polyADPR binding activity was detected in the SLE sera. The polyADPR binding assay was as sensitive as the DNA binding assay for diagnosing SLE. In SLE sera, the increased polyADPR binding activity was correlated with that of ds-DNA and negatively with the complement (CH50) titer. With improvement of clinical symptoms of SLE, the binding activity of polyADPR decreased in parallel to the binding activity of ds-DNA and opposite to the CH50 titer. The polyADPR binding activity was occasionally high in other collagen diseases. Effects of steroid treatment of SLE on the binding activities of polyADPR and ds-DNA, and CH50 titer were examined over half a year, indicating that both binding activities are reliable parameters for judgment of the clinical course.

A new broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic complex, sporaricin. IV. Sporaricins C and D

Two new aminoglycoside antibiotics, sporaricins C and D have been isolated from the culture broth of Saccharopolyspora hirsuta subsp. kobensis, which produced sporaricins A and B. The structures of sporaricins C and D have been determined to be 4-N-carbamoyl-glycylsporaricin B and 4-N-formylglycylsporaricin B, respectively. Sporaricins C and D are active against Gram-negative and Gram-negative bacteria including aminoglycoside-resistant strains.

A new aminoglycoside antibiotic, sannamycin C and its 4-N-glycyl derivative

Streptomyces sannanensis KC-7038 used for the production of sannamycins A and B has also produced another antibiotic sannamycin C, in the culture broth. Physico-chemical characterization revealed that sannamycin C is a new aminoglycoside antibiotic having 6-N-methylpurpurosamine C and 2-deoxy-3-epi-fortamine. Its 4-N-glycyl derivative indicated inhibitory activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria containing aminoglycoside resistant strains.

Analytical applications of condensed phosphoric acid-IV Iodometric determination of sulphur in sulphate and sulphide ores and minerals and other compounds after reduction with sodium hypophosphite and tin metal in condensed phosphoric acid

Sulphate in sulphate ores, e.g., alunite, anglesite, barytes, chalcanthite, gypsum, manganese sulphate ore, is reduced to hydrogen sulphide by the hypophosphite-tin metal-CPA method, if a slight modification is made. Sulphide ores, e.g., galena, sphalerite, are quantitatively decomposed with CPA alone to give hydrogen sulphide. Suitable reducing agents must be used for the quantitative recovery of hydrogen sulphide from pyrite, nickel sulphide, cobalt sulphide and cadmium sulphide, or elemental sulphur is liberated. Iodide must be used in the decomposition of chalcopyrite; the copper sulphide is too stable to be decomposed by CPA alone. Molybdenite is not decomposed in CPA even if reducing agents are added. The pretreatment methods for the determination of sulphur in sulphur oxyacids and elemental sulphur have also been investigated.

A new broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic complex, sporaricin. I. Fermentation, isolation and characterization

Two new aminoglycoside antibiotics, sporaricins A (C17H35N5O5) and B (C15H32N4O4) produced by a rare actinomycetales, Saccharopolyspora hirsuta subsp. kobensis have been isolated by column chromatography on a cation-exchange resin. Sporaricin A is highly active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including aminoglycoside-resistant strains.

Secondarily generalized convulsive seizures induced by daily amygdaloid stimulation in rhesus monkeys

Amygdaloid kindling in rhesus monkeys resulted in development of secondarily generalized convulsive seizures in an average of 196 days. Prior pharmacologic (bemegride) kindling accelerated this seizure development in one animal. None of the animals reached the stage 5 primary generalized seizure of baboons (Papio papio), even after 400 daily amygdaloid stimulations. Seizure stage instability, with frequent regression to an earlier stage, and the difficulty of establishing a generalized seizure triggering threshold in most of the rhesus monkeys, contrasts with our experiences in Papio papio. Thus, differences in the speed of kindling and in the quality of kindled convulsion between rhesus monkeys and epileptic baboons probably reflect the presence or absence of an epileptogenic predisposition in these two species. The difficulty of developing convulsive seizure in rhesus monkeys suggests that this species is particularly suited for the study of partial complex seizure. These studies indicate that the abrupt onset of human epilepsy with a fully developed convulsive seizure must represent and overwhelming central pathophysiologic event resulting from an endogenous, exogenous or a combined insult interacting with a genetically predisposed seizure susceptibility.

Recurrent spontaneous seizure state induced by prefrontal kindling in senegalese baboons, Papio papio

In our earlier study of amygdaloid kindling in Papio papio (Pp), the development of partial complex seizure and of focal motor seizure was correlated with bifrontal theta discharge and increasing Rolandic spike discharge respectively and the final stage was characterized by primary generalized convulsive seizure. Since the latter seizure pattern is known to originate from the frontal focus in man, the frontal cortex became suspect in the development of the final stage seizure pattern. Daily prefrontal stimulation showed that Pp can be kindled from this site, culminating in a recurrent spontaneous seizure state identical to that induced by amygdaloid kindling in this species. However, our observation did not support our original assumption regarding the genesis of primary generalized convulsive seizure. Prefrontal and amygdaloid kindling are significantly different with respect to morphology, distribution and propagation of after discharge and interictal spike discharge, and speed and pattern of clinical seizure development. Most intriguingly, inter-ictal behavioral aberration associated with depth EEG changes was observed only in the prefrontal animals and not in the amygdaloid animals.