The effect of vitamin C deficiency on complement systems and complement components

The changes in the complement systems and complement hemolytic activities through classical and alternative pathways, and the individual components, C1, C4, C2 and C3 were demonstrated in the course of vitamin C deficiency in guinea pigs. During the course of vitamin C deficiency during the first week after the start of the experiment, all components except C1 slightly decreased, gradually increasing in the following weeks. This indicates that this period is important in the formation of an immune defence system in the host. At the time the symptoms of vitamin C deficiency appeared, C1, C2 and CH50 started to decrease. C3 increased when vitamin C deficiency became severe and showed a completely different pattern from those of the other components. The lowered C1 will be due to a collagen-like region in the characteristic of Clq subcomponent, since insufficient vitamin C state produces impaired collagen formation. The activity of the alternative pathway did not produce any change in this course, even in the severe stage. This indicates that the increase in C3 will contribute to maintaining the level of the alternative pathway and maintaining the body defence system in the vitamin D-deficient state, and that the complement system will be supported through the alternative pathway.

Thermostability of chromatin and variations in chromosomal proteins isolated under different ionic conditions

Chromatin was prepared from calf thymus by three different methods differing in the ionic composition of the solutions used. The contents of histones and nonhistones per DNA unit were dependent on the preparative method utilized. Variations in protein content were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Although the amount of all histones varied with the isolation method, the abundance of H1 histone in chromatin was the most sensitive to the presence of magnesium ions during the isolation procedure. The variation in protein content effects the thermal denaturation profiles of chromatin. The amount of low-temperature melting chromatin is most sensitive to the preparation method used. Additionally, a very high-temperature denaturation step, designated delta, is detected for chromatin prepared in the absence of magnesium.

PS-6 and PS-7, new beta-lactam antibiotics. In vitro and in vivo evaluation

Biological properties of two new beta-lactam antibiotics, PS-6 and PS-7, containing the carbapenem nucleus were studied. The in vitro activities of PS-6 and PS-7 were tested against clinical isolates of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in comparison with those of cefazolin, ampicillin and PS-5. In general, the antibacterial spectra of PS-6 and PS-7 were similar to that of PS-5. PS-7 was slightly less active than PS-5 and ABPC against Staphylococcus aureus. Clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria were found to be 2- to 8-fold more resistant to PS-6 than to PS-5, while PS-7 was 2-fold more active than PS-5 against Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Proteus, Serratia and Escherichia coli. The therapeutic effect of PS-6 seemed slightly less than that of PS-5 in an experimental infection with Staph. aureus Smith in mice.

Light-scattering studies of cation-stimulated filament assembly of newborn rat epidermal keratin

Effects of CaCl2 on in vitro polymerization of keratin extracted from cornified cells of newborn rat were investigated by means of light-scattering and supramolecular structures. Elongation and parallel assembly of filaments occurred with addition of CaCl2 to dialyzed keratin solutions and was detected by an increase in light-scattering intensity. Nonfibrous aggregates which occurred in higher buffer concentrations and in lower pH were also recorded as intensity increased. MgCl2, ZnCl2, and GdCl3 demonstrated similar effects, but NaCl and KCl showed no effect.

Low frequency dielectric relaxation and light scattering under AC electric field of DNA solutions

Low frequency dielectric relaxation of aqueous DNA was measured in a frequency range from 0.1 Hz to 30 kHz. Agreement was found between dielectric relaxation time and rotational one estimated from reduced viscosity for dilute solutions of DNA. The low frequency relaxation is thus ascribed to rotation of the major axis of DNA chains elongated by electrostatic repulsion between charges on the chain. A quasi-permanent dipole moment of DNA estimated from the dielectric increment is well explained by the fluctuation of dissociation of DNA. The above conclusion was confirmed for DNA samples of various molecular weights and for solutions in water ethanol mixtures. Effects of binding of salts and dyes are also interpreted in terms of the same mechanism. Light scattering of aqueous DNA under a.c. electric field supports the above conclusion.

Chemical modification of deltamycins. I. 4''-O-acyl analogs of deltamycins

Using 4''-O-deacyldeltamycin as a starting material, various 4''-O-acyl derivatives were chemically synthesized by the following scheme: 2'-O-acetylation leads to 4''-O-acylation leads to 2'-O-deacetylation. 4''-O-Deacyldeltamycin is produced during the fermentation of deltamycin producing organisms or can be prepared by the biological deacylation of the deltamycins. 4''-O-Phenylacetyl-4''-O-deacyldeltamycin (PAD) showed good activity against various bacteria and mycoplasma. Among para-substituted PAD derivatives, NPAD (p-nitrophenylacetyl-) and SPAD (p-methylsulfonylphenylacetyl-) showed increased potency as compared to PAD against certain bacteria. The PAD was evaluated by in vivo experiments for plasma levels in mice and dogs and curative activity on the infected mice with Staphylococcus aureus Smith by subcutaneous or oral administration.

PS-5 inhibition of a beta-lactamase from Proteus vulgaris

Inhibition of Proteus vulgaris beta-lactamase by a new beta-lactam antibiotic, PS-5 was studied kinetically. There were two stages of inhibition. In the early stage, PS-5 inhibited the beta-lactamase by formation of a Michaelis-complex, and showed a competitive inhibition pattern with Ki-value of 0.22 microM (substrate, cephaloridine). After the formation of a Michaelis-complex between PS-5 and the enzyme, PS-5 showed a characteristic progressive inhibition pattern with time. Maximum inactivation was obtained after several minutes of preincubation of the enzyme with PS-5; as hydrolysis of PS-5 progressed, the enzyme activity was gradually recovered. Reactivation by an excess of substrate (cephaloridine) was not substantially realized in the presence of PS-5. PS-5 was very slowly hydrolyzed by the enzyme, showing a triphasic pattern in its reaction curve.

Cytotaxin production by comedonal bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes, Propionibacterium granulosum and Staphylococcus epidermidis)

The potential role of different species of comedonal bacteria as chemotactic stimuli in the inflammatory phase of acne vulgaris was investigated by comparing 12 strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis, 11 strains of Propionibacterium acnes, and 5 strains of P. granulosum for production of cytotaxin in vitro. Results indicated that not only were there marked differences in cytotaxin production between different strains of the same species grown under identical growth conditons, but there were often significant differences in cytotaxin activity of the same strain grown in different media. This finding is discussed in relation to development of inflammation in quiescent comedones in acne vulgaris.

On the metabolic detoxication of thymol in rabbit and man

The metabolic detoxication of thymol was investigated in rabbit and man. Thymol glucuronide which the aglycone is intact, was isolated from thymol medicated rabbit urine and identified as a acetyl derivative of methyl glucuronate. The hydroxylated product of thymol, thymohydroquinone, was recognized in a small amount in thymol medicated human urine. It was presumed that thymohydroquinone is excreted as ethereal sulfuric acid conjugate in man.

Controlled biosynthesis of neoviridogriseins, new homologues of viridogrisein. IV. In vitro synergism between neoviridogrisein II and the antibiotics of the mikamycin A group

Neoviridogrisein II is a homologue of viridogrisein in which the hydroxyproline residue is replaced by proline. Neoviridogrisein II proved to be more active than the parent antibiotic against Gram-positive bacteria and Mycoplasma species. When neoviridogrisein II or viridogrisein was combined with griseoviridin, a non-peptidyl macrocyclic lactone, synergism was observed: maximum synergistic effect was observed for a combination ratio that depended on the test bacterium used. Neoviridogrisein II also exerted synergism when combined with mikamycin A and A-2315A.

Controlled biosynthesis of neoviridogriseins, new homologues of viridogrisein. III. Production, structures and biological properties of neoviridogriseins I and III

The high response of our isolate of Streptomyces griseoviridus was exploited to provoke the synthesis of new viridogrisein homologues by adding various amino acids to the culture medium in an attempt to replace the alanine, sarcosine, leucine and phenylsarcosine moieties of virdogrisein. Among the amino acids added, L- and DL-alpha-amino-n-butyric acid and L-methionine gave new TLC spots which we named neoviridogriseins I and III and neoviridogrisein VII, respectively. The structures of neoviridogriseins I and III were elucidated: In both compounds, the alanine moiety of viridogrisein is replaced by a L-alpha-amino-n-butyric acid residue; furthermore, in neoviridogrisein I, the allo-hydroxy-D-proline is replaced by D-proline.

Effect of malnutrition and nutritional rehabilitation on tuberculin reactivity and complement level in rats

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of differing nutritional states on various components of the immune system, especially on the interplay of the complement system and cell-mediated immunity. Malnutrition was induced in Sprague—Dawley rats by feeding them diets containing 5% protein or 0.5% protein as compared with 18% protein in the diet of the controls. Nutritional rehabilitation was achieved in some experimental groups by transferring those fed 0.5% protein diet to the 18% protein diet. Malnutrition was confirmed by weight changes, biochemical findings in the sera, haematological observations and histological observation of the liver, and rehabilitation was confirmed by body weight increase and changes in other measurements. In rats suffering malnutrition, the tuberculin skin reactivity was suppressed. After feeding the 0.5% protein diet for 8 weeks, all the rats showed negative tuberculin skin reactions. In the malnourished rats, including those fed with 0.5% protein, the serum complement level decreased but did not show any significant differences as compared with the well nourished control group. After 1 week of nutritional rehabilitation, the tuberculin reactivity of six out of ten rats remained negative and after 2 weeks, all rats showed positive tuberculin reactions. After 1 week of nutritional rehabilitation, all the rats showed a normal or higher serum complement level. At this stage, two of the tuberculin-negative rats showed significantly higher titre of serum complement than even the controls.

Controlled biosynthesis of neoviridogriseins, new homologues of viridogrisein II. Production, biological properties and structure of neoviridogrisein II

Our isolate of Streptomyces griseoviridus, which produced three minor factors in addition to viridogrisein and griseoviridus, which produced three minor factors in addition to viridogrisein and griseoviridin, was more sensitive to the addition of L-proline than the type culture of Streptomyces griseoviridus (NRRL2427). Yield improvement of these minor factors was attempted by the so-called controlled biosynthesis with L-proline. Addition of L-proline increased the production of neoviridogrisein II in which allo-hydroxy-D-proline in viridogrisein was replaced by D-proline.

PS-5, a new beta-lactam antibiotic. II. Antimicrobial activity

PS-5, a new beta-lactam antibiotic, has relatively potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, especially the Enterobacter groups, Serratia marcescens, the Proteus groups and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The activity of PS-5 against many beta-lactamase-producing organisms is greater than that of cefoxitin or cefazolin. PS-5 has good therapeutic activity in mice infected with Staphylococcus aureus Smith or Enterobacter cloacae 45.

PS-5, a new beta-lactam antibiotic. III. Synergistic effects and inhibitory activity against a beta-lactamase

PS-5 was shown to have synergistic activity in combination with other beta-lactam antibiotics and it markedly decreased the minimum inhibitory concentration values of ampicillin or cephaloridine with a beta-lactamase-producing Proteus vulgaris strain on agar plates. The synergistic activities were also shown in bactericidal activity in liquid medium. PS-5 was shown to be inhibitory against an extracted beta-lactamase of P. volgaris.

The occurrence of calicivirus in infants with acute gastroenteritis

Calicivirus was detected in 8 (1.2%) of 647 hospitalized patients during a survey of acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children, conducted between December 1974 and September 1977. Morphologically calicivirus was approximately 30 nm in diameter with an easily recognizable staining "star of David" configuration. Its buoyant density in cesium chloride was 1.38-1.40 gm/ml. The serologic response to calicivirus by immune electron microscopy (IEM) was demonstrated only in paired sera from patients who shed the virus in their stools. The results suggest that calicivirus might be a cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children.