[A clinical trial of astromicin, a new aminoglycoside antibiotic, in thoracotomized patients and astromicin concentrations in the lung tissue]

There have been no report on concentrations in human lung tissue of aminoglycoside antibiotics which are frequently used in combination with cephem antibiotics in the treatment of severe respiratory infections. The authors examined lung tissue concentration of astromicin (ASTM) during clinical trials in thoracotomized patients using intravenous drip infusion just before operation. And the following conclusions have been obtained: 1. The average peak serum level obtained upon intravenous drip infusion of ASTM 200 mg for 1 hour just before operation was 11.2 micrograms/ml at 1 hour after starting the administration and half-life of ASTM in beta phase was 2.90 hours. 2. ASTM concentrations in the lung tissue upon 1 hour intravenous drip infusion just before operation at a dose level of 200 mg reached a maximum at 2 hours after the start of the administration averaging 7.7 micrograms/ml and were 27.7-68.8% of serum peak level. 3. Bronchiolar concentrations of ASTM 200 mg upon 1 hour intravenous drip infusion just before operation were 33.0-72.3% of peak serum level. These concentrations appear to be sufficient for the treatment of target infections. 4. The 1 hour intravenous drip infusion of ASTM 200 mg appeared to be clinically safety and useful as was the intramuscular injection of ASTM 200 mg.

[Clinical study on transfer into lung tissue and postoperative prophylactic effect of new cephamycin antibiotics, particularly cefotetan and cefbuperazone]

The following findings were obtained in our clinical study on the transfer of cefotetan (CTT) and cefbuperazone (CBPZ), new antibiotics of cephamycin series, into the lung tissue and on their postoperative prophylactic effect. 1. The mean serum concentration 30 minutes after the start of an intravenous drip infusion of 1 g of CTT over a period of 30 minutes was 99.4 micrograms/ml, and it decreased gradually thereafter with the half-life of 2.45 hours. After an intravenous drip infusion of 1 g of CTT over a period of 1 hour, the mean peak concentration of 104.1 micrograms/ml appeared 1 hour after the start of the infusion, and mean concentrations at 2, 4 and 6 hours after the infusion were 63.4, 34.3 and 27.0 micrograms/ml, respectively, with the half-life of 2.35 hours during phase beta. 2. Following 30 minutes of an intravenous drip infusion of CTT, the tissue CTT level in normal lung tissues was Tmax 1.82 hours and Cmax 19.8 micrograms/g. After 1 hour of an intravenous drip infusion the mean concentration in the tissues was at the peak of 39.7 micrograms/g in 2 hours after the start of an administration, while mean levels at 3, 4 and 6 hours after an administration were 32.2, 22.2 and 8.76 micrograms/g, respectively, with Tmax of 1.82 hours and Cmax of 30.5 micrograms/g. 3. Following an intravenous drip infusion of 1 g of CBPZ over a period of 1 hour, the mean serum drug concentration 1 hour after the start of infusion was at its peak, 83.3 micrograms/ml, while mean values at 2, 4 and 6 hours after the start of an administration were, respectively, 40.4, 19.8 and 9.62 micrograms/ml, with the beta-phase half-life of 2.03 hours. 4. By 1 hour after the start of intravenous drip infusion of CBPZ, the mean tissue level in normal lung tissues was at the peak of 31.6 micrograms/g, while mean levels at 3, 4 and 8 hours after an administration were 16.2, 11.0 and 4.56 micrograms/g, respectively, with Tmax of 1.67 hours and Cmax of 21.9 micrograms/g. 5. Infused CBPZ was transferred into bronchiole tissues. Drug concentrations in these tissues at 3 and 5 hours after the start of the infusion were 7.87 and 4.85 micrograms/g, respectively, with their ratios to the peak serum level were 9.4 and 5.8%, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Electron microprobe X-ray analysis of polyphosphate granules in Plesiomonas shigelloides

Electron-dense inclusion bodies were found in most Plesiomonas shigelloides cells, regardless of the incubation time. At the 4-hr incubation period, the size of inclusion bodies was distributed in the range of 50 to 150 nm in diameter, and at the logarithmic phase of growth it increased up to a size visible by light microscope. By an electron microprobe X-ray analysis, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium were detected in the inclusion bodies which confirms the assumption of Pastian and Bromel (Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 47: 216 (1984] that the inclusion bodies have a very similar elemental composition to the polyphosphate granules of C. diphtheriae.

[Mitral valve disease and atrial natriuretic polypeptide]

We compared plasma ANP concentration and atrial content of ANP as well as plasma concentrations of other fluid regulating hormones and renal function between the MVR group (n = 12) and the non MVR group (n = 14) during open heart surgery. Preoperatively there was no significant difference in plasma ADH and ACTH between two groups, however plasma ANP was significantly higher in the MVR group (96.9 +/- 16.2 pg/ml) than in the non MVR group (22.8 +/- 8.6 pg/ml) (p less than 0.01). During extracorporeal circulation ANP was at a low level because of aortic clamping. Tissue concentration of ANP in right appendages was higher (p less than 0.02) in the MVR group (61.8 +/- 11.8 nmol/g wet weight) (n = 6) than that in the non MVR group (14.9 +/- 3.1 nmol/g wel weight) (n = 15). Also, concentration in left appendages of the MVR group (50.0 +/- 10.4 nmol/g wet weight) (n = 4) was higher than that in right appendages of the non MVR group (p less than 0.05). From these results it may be concluded that increased secretion of ANP is elicited by left atrial load and probably playing an important role on circulating blood volume regulation.

Establishment and characterization of T-cell lines (Yana-I and Yana-II) derived from a patient with chronic adult T-cell leukemia (ATL)

ATL-cell lines producing C-type retroviruses were established by culture of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a patient with chronic ATL. These cell lines had the surface feature of inducer/helper T-cells with electron microscopic finding of C-type retrovirus on the cell surface. Chromosome analysis revealed the presence of a marker chromosome, but did not identify 7 trisomy nor 14q+. Of the cell lines, the line established by culture with TCGF was named "Yana-I" and the line established by culture of Yana-I without adding TCGF was named "Yana-II". Serum ATLA-antibody was positive in 1.5% of the healty individuals examined (4/257). Among malignant lymphoma patients, ATLA antibody was positive in none of the patients with B-cell type lymphoma (0/10) and Hodgkin's disease (0/2). In contrast, ATLA antibody was found in half of the patients with T-cell type lymphoma (3/6) and all with ATL (4/4). This suggested that C-type retrovirus in closely associated with ATLL.

A study on the cell kinetics of the canine gastric mucosa by the cytofluorometric method: an evaluation of chemically induced gastric cancer

The cell kinetic alteration in the background mucosa of canine gastric cancer induced by N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (ENNG) was evaluated by cytofluorometry in which the rate of S and G2 + M phase cell in gastric mucosal cells could be calculated, and a triphasic alteration was demonstrated; an initial reduction phase, an increase phase and a plateau phase with a high value. The initial reduction phase was caused by non-specific toxicity of ENNG as observed in drug induced gastric mucosal lesions, and subsequent increase and plateau phases originated from the action of ENNG itself to activate the mucosal turn-over and from histological changes in the background mucosa such as regenerative hyperplastic change after mucosal erosion and atrophic changes, sometimes including intestinal metaplastic change. Further, in comparison to carcinogenesis in chemically induced gastric cancer with and without a surfactant (Tween 60), it was suggested that one of the promotion effects of Tween 60 was closely related with activation of the mucosal turn-over.

Gastric emptying in deformed stomach

To evaluate the relationship between the onset of peptic ulcer and gastric emptying, some factors which were thought to regulate gastric emptying, i.e. the stage of the ulcer, the location of the ulcer and gastric acidity were studied in cases of gastric ulcer with deformed stomach and were proven to have little influence on gastric emptying. Further, the main cause of delayed gastric emptying was revealed to be the deformity itself, because the shortening of the distance from the gastric angle to the pyloric ring at the lesser curvature (sac-shaped stomach) and the indentation of the corpus ventriculi (hourglass-shaped stomach) significantly delayed gastric emptying. Moreover, it was found that the healing of gastric ulcer was delayed in cases of deformed stomach with delayed gastric emptying when the ulcer was at an active stage. Therefore the improvement of gastric emptying by some methods was thought to be necessary to promote ulcer healing and prevent ulcer recurrence in gastric ulcer patients who had a deformed stomach.

[Immunological investigation of late cerebral vasospasm in subarachnoid hemorrhage. (Part 1)]

Although the occurrence of so-called late cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to ruptured cerebral aneurysm is well-known, its etiology still remains obscure. This time, the authors investigated the etiology by immunological research. Following results were obtained, Out of 13 cases of SAH due to ruptured cerebral aneurysm, angiographic cerebral vasospasm was observed in 9 cases. In these 9 cases, tendency of decrease in the number of peripheral blood T lymphocytes, depression on the lymphocyte PHA (phytohemagglutinin) and Con A (concanavalin A) response, and tuberculin anergy were found. These results suggest that the depression of cell-mediated immunity function might induce the occurrence of so-called late cerebral vasospasm after SAH.

Epidemiology of rotavirus in Guayaquil, Ecuador

Detection of rotavirus by electron microscopy was conducted with fecal specimens from 1,722 infants and young children with acute diarrhea, during a 41-month survey from April 1978 through December 1981 in Guayaquil, Ecuador; 376 of these specimens (21.8%) were positive. The detection rate was higher during the dry season (May to November; 25.2%) than during the rainy season (December to April; 14.7%). When rotaviruses isolated from 59 patients hospitalized with diarrhea (from April 1979 to July 1981) were subjected to genome RNA analysis by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, a single dominant electropherotype was found with other less common electropherotypes. An atypical rotavirus with a unique property was also found.

Arterial chemoembolization with cisplatin microcapsules

Cisplatin (CDDP) was microcapsulated with ethylcellulose. Sustained release of CDDP from the microcapsule, particularly non-protein-bound CDDP, which should have antitumour activity, was demonstrated by an in vitro test. Using a bioassay, it was proven that the biological activity of CDDP was not affected by the microencapsulation process. When CDDP-mc were infused into the maxillary artery of patients with carcinoma of the maxillary sinus or oral cavity, the CDDP level in the circulating blood was significantly lower than that of the patients given non-encapsulated CDDP intravenously. However, a significantly higher CDDP concentration in tumour tissue was found in patients treated with CDDP-mc. These results suggest that selective arterial infusion of CDDP-mc could exert intensive topical antitumour effects on lesions through microinfarction effects, and prolonged drug release, with minimum systemic side effects.

Isolation of smooth muscle excitatory substances from chicken rectum and their characterization

Acid-acetone extracts of the chicken rectum were subjected to chromatographic and electrophoretic separation, and two new smooth muscle-contracting substances close to purity were obtained. One of them showed chemical and biological characteristics similar to those of substance P, but it was clearly different from substance P on the basis of chromatographic and electrophoretic criteria. Thus, one could be a peptide belonging to the substance P-family. The other substance was also shown to be of peptide nature since its biological activity was destroyed by chymotrypsin and carboxypeptidase A. Parallel bioassay on the two tissues of the longitudinal muscle of the guinea-pig ileum and the isolated whole chick rectum revealed that none of the peptides such as substance P, physalaemin, kassinin, eledoisin, bradykinin and angiotensin II could be a candidate for the active substance. The biological activity was not antagonized by naloxone, suggesting that the substance was a peptide other than the opioid compounds. The molecular sizes estimated by gel filtration are 1300 for the substance P-like peptide and 1600 for the other substance. The possible physiological roles of the two substances as an excitatory non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic transmitter were discussed.

Purification and properties of two endo-1,4-beta-xylanases from Irpex lacteus (Polyporus tulipiferae)

Two different endo-1,4-beta-xylanases [1,4-beta-D-xylan xylanohydrolases, EC 3.2.1.8], named Xylanases I and III, were purified to homogeneity by gel filtration and ion exchange column chromatography from Driselase, a commercial enzyme preparation from Irpex lacteus (Polyporus tulipiferae). The purified enzymes were found to be homogeneous on polyacrylamide disc electrophoresis and their specific activities toward xylan were increased approximately 28.7 and 19.8 times, respectively. The activities of each enzyme were considerably inhibited by Hg2+, Ag+, and Mn2+. Their molecular weights were estimated to be approximately 38,000 and 62,000 by gel filtration and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide electrophoresis, respectively. Their carbohydrate contents were 2.5% and 8.0% as glucose, and their amino acid composition patterns resembled each other, showing high contents of acidic amino acids, serine, threonine, alanine, and glycine. Both enzymes were most active at pH 6.0 but Xylanase I was more stable as to pH. Their optimum temperatures were 60 degrees C and 70 degrees C, respectively. Xylanase I split up to 34.5% of larchwood xylan whereas Xylanase III split only 18.9% of it. The products with the former were mainly xylose (X1), xylobiose (X2), and xylotriose (X3), whereas X2 and X3 were the main products with the latter. Both enzymes did not hydrolyze X2. Xylanase I produced almost equal quantities of X1 and X2 from X3, while Xylanase III did not attack this substrate. Both enzymes showed no activity toward glycans, other than xylan, such as starch, pachyman and Avicel (microcrystalline cellulose), except the almost one twentieth activity of Xylanase III toward sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC).

Stimulation and inhibition of DNA synthesis and cell growth by paraquat in cultured cells

Paraquat, a popular herbicide, is known to be very toxic to man and animals. Using cultured mammalian cells (human embryo lung cell, R-66), the effect of paraquat has been studied. With autoradiography, stimulation of DNA synthesis was observed when the cells were exposed to 0.08 or 0.4 microM of paraquat; however, DNA synthesis was inhibited with 40 microM of paraquat. To determine cell growth rate, accumulation of mitotic cells was determined after addition of colcemid (0.2 microgram/ml) into the culture medium. The ratios of mitotic cells observed were proportional to the level of DNA synthesis. And the stimulation and inhibition of cell growth were observed even after washing off paraquat from media.

A human atypical rotavirus found in an Ecuador infant with diarrhea

One strain of atypical rotavirus, morphologically indistinguishable from known rotaviruses but lacking the common group antigen of typical rotavirus detectable by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was isolated from one of 152 Ecuadorian infants with acute rotavirus gastroenteritis. The genome analysis by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a unique RNA pattern clearly distinct from that of typical rotaviruses.

Microcapsule chemoembolization for head and neck cancer

Cisplatin (CDDP) was microencapsulated with ethylcellulose, and microcapsules (CDDP-mc) were infused into the maxillary arteries of patients with various head and neck carcinomas. We then found that the CDDP level in the circulating blood was significantly lower than that in patients administrated intravenous non-excapsulated CDDP. However, significantly high concentrations of CDDP were found in the tissues of patients treated with CDDP-mc. Our results suggest that selective arterial infusions of CDDP-mc can exert an intensive topical antitumor effect through microinfarction of malignant tissues. The prolonged release of drug from the microcapsules has also been associated with minimal systemic side effects.

The mechanisms of systemic symptoms following nasal administration of allergens

A nasal provocation test was performed by consecutively placing allergen discs on the nasal mucosa of patients with pollinosis. This brought easily the systemic symptoms such as cough, periorbital oedema, and urticaria. Similarly, the nasal administration of large doses of the allergen induced a change in the respiratory response in sensitized guinea pigs. These results indicate that nasal mucosa absorbs a high molecular substance such as allergens.

The nasal local antibody production of rats against respiratory infections

For better understanding the nasal defense mechanism against infection, an experiment on bacterial inhalation was performed using rats with and without artificial nasal obstructions. Local antibodies in the nasal cavity may exert a wide defensive influence on inhaled pathogens. Their production can be affected by nasal obstruction.

A direct evidence for defect in glucose-6-phosphate transport system in hepatic microsomal membrane of glycogen storage disease type IB

Uptake of glucose-6-phosphate by microsomes of hepatocyte in rats, human controls and patients with glycogen storage disease type Ia and Ib was studied. In rat the uptake of glucose-6-phosphate increased rapidly and reached to a plateau, but mannose-6-phosphate was not accumulated. These findings indicate that a glucose-6-phosphate specific transport system exists in the microsomal membrane. In human controls and patients with glycogen storage disease type Ia the uptake of glucose-6-phosphate was clearly observed. On the other hand, no accumulation of it was detected in a patient with glycogen storage disease type Ib. These data provide a direct evidence of the defect in the glucose-6-phosphate transport system of hepatic microsomal membrane in glycogen storage disease type Ib.

Morphological and biological properties of a new coronavirus associated with diarrhea in infant mice

Biological and morphological properties of a virus, isolated from the intestine of infant mice with clinical signs of diarrhea and designated as diarrhea virus of infant mice (DVIM), were examined. The first infective virus was detected on the cells 4 hours post infection, followed by rapid release of the virus into the culture fluids. Virus-induced syncytia in BALB/c-3T3 cell cultures caused hemadsorption at 4 degrees C and viral antigens were shown to be located in the cytoplasm of the syncytia by immunofluorescent techniques. By scanning electron-microscopy, budding virus-like particles were detected on the surface of virus-induced syncytia. Morphologically the virus was shown to be enveloped and approximately 100 nm in diameter. Two types of projections were demonstrated, one type of projection was club-shaped, 20 nm in length and the other type was small, granular, 5 nm in length. The latter type of projection might be the basal part of the club-shaped type and related to the hemagglutinating activity.

Hemagglutination and structural polypeptides of a new coronavirus associated with diarrhea in infant mice

The hemagglutination (HA) and receptor destroying enzyme (RDE) activities of a newly isolated mouse enteric coronavirus (designated as DVIM) are described. DVIM agglutinates mouse or rat red blood cells (RBC) at 4 degrees C. At 37 degrees C the agglutination was rapidly reversed. The optimal pH for HA and for RDE activities using mouse red cells were shown to be 6.5 and 7.3 respectively. Hemagglutination by DVIM was not inhibited by pretreatment of RBCs with Vibrio cholerae filtrate or by pretreatment with Influenza-A neuraminidase. Therefore, the DVIM receptors on RBCs differ from the receptors of Influenza-A, and the RDE activity of DVIM acts specifically on this receptor. In addition, an analysis of the DVIM polypeptides showed that the virions contain five major, VP1 (M.W. 139,000), VP2 (68,000), VP3 (53,000), VP4 (38,000), VP5 (22,000) and two minor, VP1a (110,000), VP1b (100,000) polypeptides. VP1 and VP1b were digested by bromelain, suggesting that they constitute the surface glycoproteins.

Morphological characterization of two established cell lines, T24 and MGH-U1, derived from human urinary bladder carcinoma

Two cell lines, T24 and MGH-U1, established from human urinary bladder carcinoma showed typically epithelial features. Although the proliferating cell population presented a polymorphic appearance including polygonal and elongated cells, ultrastructural studies failed to identify different types of cells in each cell line. Extensive cytoplasmic organelles, microvilli on the cell surface and cell continuity with the junctional complex were common findings in both the cell lines. Virus-like particle was not detected. Chromosome numbers of these cell lines were distributed from hypertriploidy to hypertetraploidy. T24 cell line contained a large number of elongated cells and well developed microvilli as compared with MGH-U1 cell line. The present results suggest that T24 cell line has been transformed to a relatively uniform cell population during the long-term culture as referred to in a previous report.

Steroidal 21-diazo ketones: photogenerated corticosteroid receptor labels

The 21-diazo derivatives of 9 alpha-fluoro- and 9 alpha-bromo-21 deoxycorticosterone, 21-deoxycorticosterone, and progesterone were synthesized for use as photoaffinity labels for corticosteroid receptors. In the isolated toad bladder system, 9 alpha-bromo-21-diazo-21-deoxycorticosterone was as active as d-aldosterone and more active than 9 alpha-fluoro-cortisol in augmenting active Na+ transport. The activities of 21-diazoprogesterone and progesterone were equal; both were much less potent than d-aldosterone, however. These results indicate that the 21-diazo derivatives had significant functional activity in the toad bladder system. The rat kidney slice system was used to estimate the relative affinities of the diazo steroids for aldosterone receptor sites by competition experiments. At 100-fold excess of competitor to [3-H]aldosterone, the order of affinities was 9 alpha-fluoro-21-diazo-21-deoxycorticosterone greater than 9 alpha-bromo-21-diazo-21-deoxycorticosterone greater than 21-diazoprogesterone. Moreover, 9 alpha-bromo-21-diazo-21-deoxycorticosterone reduced binding of [3-H]aldosterone to cytoplasmic and nuclear forms of the receptor proportionately. On the basis of competition for [3-H]corticosterone binding, presumably to corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), the order of affinities was 21-diazo-21-deoxycorticosterone greater than 21-diazoprogesterone greater than 9 alpha-bromo-21-diazo-21-deoxycorticosterone. These findings indicate that 21-diazo steroids may be suitable as photogenerated affinity labels for mineralocorticoid receptors. The tritiated derivative, [1,2-3-H]-9 alpha-bromo-21-diazo-21-deoxycorticosterone (specific activity 25 Ci/mol) was synthesized and used in model experiments on photogenerated covalent binding to rat plasma proteins. Irradiation with uv light resulted in binding of [1,2-3-H]-9 alpha-bromo-21-diazo-21-deoxycorticosterone to plasma proteins, that was resistant to extraction with methylene dichloride and did not exchange with unlabeled corticosterone. The diazocorticosteroids, therefore, may have the requisite functional and selectivity properties for photoaffinity labeling of corticosteroid-binding proteins. Further studies are needed, however, to assure that photogenerated labeling with these steroids was site specific.

Bulk flow in the cerebrospinal fluid system of the dog

Ventriculo-cisternal, intracranial subarachnoid-to-subarachnoid space and spinal subarachnoid space perfusions were carried out on dogs. The perfusate contained inulin as a tracer and the design of these experiments was based upon the concept that inulin leaves cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compartments only by means of bulk absorption, and that actual diffusion and active transport of inulin is negligibly small. Inulin was removed from different CSF spaces by bulk absorption at rates which varied linearly with hydrostatic pressure. The rate of formation of CSF is equal to inulin clearance plus the difference between outflow and inflow rates. The total CSF formation in dogs weighing 12 to 17 kg was measured as 0.065 ml/min, and 58.5 per cent of this amount was found to come from extraventricular CSF space. The rates are independent of hydrostatic pressure in the range studied.