Antimalarial agents. 1. alpha-Santonin-derived cyclic peroxide as potential antimalarial agent

An alpha-santonin-derived cyclic peroxide (7) related to qinghaosu (1) has been synthesized and tested for antimalarial activity in vitro against the chloroquine-resistant (Smith) isolates of Plasmodium falciparum as well as in vivo against Plasmodium berghei in mice and was found to be devoid of activity.

Effects of gastrointestinal hormones and their related compounds on gastric motility in the rat

We examined the effects of certain gastrointestinal hormones on gastric motility using rat stomach preparatios in vivo. Changes of water level caused by the movement of the stomach which was filled with saline were recorded. Single injections of cholecystokinin (1, 2 and 4 micrograms/kg) induced relaxation of the stomach. Single injections of bombesin in low doses (below 0.2 microgram/kg) induced relaxation and in high doses (over 0.2 micrograms/kg) contraction after brief relaxation. Single injections of neurotensin (1, 2, 4 and 8 micrograms/kg), somatostatin (5, 10 and 20 micrograms/kg) and substance P (1, 2, 4 and 8 micrograms/kg) induced relaxation followed by contraction, but their dose-response relations were obscure. Infusions of neurotensin (1, 5 and 25 micrograms/kg/h) and somatostatin (2.5 and 5 micrograms/kg/h) enhanced the stomach tension, whereas substance P (1, 5 and 25 micrograms/kg/h) reduced it. Single injections and infusions of neurotensin, somatostatin or substance P showed different effects on gastric motility. On the other hand, Met-enkephalin (1, 10 and 100 micrograms/kg) and porcine motilin (1, 10 and 100 micrograms/kg) did not affect gastric motility in our rat stomach preparations. These results suggest that some gastrointestinal hormones take part in stomach movements.

The relation between Ames test data and electronic structure for a series of benzidine derivatives investigated by using cluster analysis

The dose-response curves of benzidine derivatives calculated from Ames test data were analyzed by combining the least-squares method with cluster analysis. The calculations of the electronic structures of various benzidine derivatives have at the same time been performed by using the CNDO/2 method. The cluster analysis was carried out on various parameters concerning the electronic structure, such as total electron density, frontier electron density, the energy level of HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital), and so on. It was found that the total electron density on the nitrogen atom gives a similar pattern of classification to that for mutagenic compounds in cluster analysis. In other words, it may be inferred that the nitrogen atoms of the benzidine derivatives play an important role in the metabolic activation of the compounds. Consequently, cluster analysis with a parameter of electronic structure should be a useful initial screening procedure for various analogous mutagenic compounds as well as carcinogenic compounds.

Determination of localization of allergen and IgG inducing antigen in Dirofilaria immitis by immunofluorescent antibody method

More detail studies were made into the localization of IgE inducing antigen (allergen) and IgG inducing antigen in the body of adult male and female Dirofilaria immitis worms by the indirect immunofluorescent antibody method using rat sera against purified allergen and IgG inducing antigen. Allergen was detected in large amounts in the body cavity fluid and the excretory canal, and it was also detected in the cuticles and the lateral lines in the vicinity of the excretory canal. IgG inducing antigen was found in the largest amount in the site of musculature inside of cuticle. Besides the musculature, it was also recognized in smaller amounts in the muscle layer, the body cavity fluid and the excretory canal. In females it was also detected on the surface of microfilaria in the uterus. As to allergen as well as IgG inducing antigen, the fluorescence was recognized most strongly in the central part of the worm body, and it tended to diminish gradually as it approached the head and tail. The concentration of allergen determined by the immunofluorescent antibody method was higher in males than in females. Especially in the excretory canal, a difference was seen between males and females. Allergen was thought to be secreted mainly out of the excretory canal and present largely in the body cavity fluid. On the other hand, the site of the musculature inside of cuticle and the muscular layer were supposed to be the major constituents of IgG inducing antigen.

[Spontaneous extradural hematoma localized in the ventral side of the thoracic spinal cord--a case report]

A case of spontaneous spinal extradural hematoma was reported. The patient, a 25-year-old housewife, was hospitalized with back pain, followed by paralysis of both legs and urinary disturbance during next 2 hours. A myelogram demonstrated that contrast medium was incompletely blocked at the level from the 3rd to the 4th thoracic spine by extradural mass. Unfortunately X-ray CT scan was not examined, however, a NMR-CT scan excluded disc protrusion and dissecting aneurysm of the aorta. Eight hours after onset, wide laminectomy was performed as emergency operation and an epidural hematoma located in the ventral side with compression of the thoracic cord was removed as completely as possible. She was discharged with excellent recovery after operation. The spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is rare emergency. The exact etiology is unknown, and no explanation is offered as to why the hematoma is usually dorsal in location. To our knowledge, only three cases of spinal epidural hematoma which located in the ventral side were reported. Considering from our experience and other reports, it seems to be the most important point to avoid the unnecessary pressure on the spinal cord and to search the exact bleeding point in the operative procedure of ventral epidural hematomas.

The N-terminal sequence of rat pepsinogen

The amino-acid sequence of 96 residues in the N-terminal region of rat pepsinogen I was determined and the first 46 residues were found to constitute the activation peptide segment. There was high degree of homology between the activation segments of rat pepsinogen and some pepsinogens A (pig, cow, Japanese monkey and human). However, the number of residues substituted between rat and the other pepsinogens were considerably larger than those among pepsinogens A. In the N-terminal 24 residues of active pepsin, homology (88%) between rat pepsin and human gastricsin was higher than that (50%) between rat pepsin and pepsin A from human or pig. This strongly suggests that rat pepsin should be classified as pepsin C.

[Our experiences of PISCES (percutaneously inserted spinal cord electrical stimulation) in SMON and other neurologic disorders]

Percutaneously inserted spinal cord electrical stimulation (PISCES) was carried out in eleven intractable pain cases and in one spastic paraplegic case. The causes of intractable pain constitute subacute myelo-optic neuropathy (SMON) 6 cases, cerebrovascular disease 2 cases, multiple sclerosis (MS) 1 case, Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) 1 case and transverse myelitis (TM) 1 case. The cause of spastic paraplegia was due to the ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). A trial stimulation was performed about two weeks before planning a permanent implantation of PISCES system. For the trial stimulation, epidural electrodes were percutaneously inserted with a guide of fluoroscopy in a X-ray room. The conditions of stimulation were adjusted to give an optimal electric dysesthesia. We employed pulse width 0.1-1.0 msec, pulse rate 1-120 Hz and pulse amplitude 0-10 Volt. If an excellent effect was obtained by trial study, we proceeded to the chronic implantation of PISCES system which were composed of epidural electrodes, a subcutaneous receiver and a surface antenna. The procedure of implantation was carried out in an operating room under local anesthesia. In our series, seven subjects (58%) experienced a rewarding effect by the trial stimulation and three underwent the permanent implantation of PISCES. We summarized the clinical courses of these three cases which were OPLL, CMT and SMON. Compared with the other methods for pain relief, PISCES is most characteristic in its safety and simplicity. To date, PISCES has been applied to various disorders; such as ataxia, spasticity, intractable pain, neurogenic bladder and peripheral vascular disease. But its efficacy has not been established in all these disorders.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Nasal cancer mortality in areas with a high proportion of wood and furniture workers in Japan

To see whether or not death from nasal cancer (ICD 160) increased in the areas where a proportion of woodworkers is high in Japan, two studies were carried out by examining standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) of nasal cancer at a Health Center and in 10 cities selected as wood industry areas. No excess risk of nasal cancer with statistical significance was seen. It would be very difficult to conclude that there is a definite excess risk of nasal cancer among woodworkers in Japan. Further investigation is needed.

Purification and properties of a cathepsin D-like acid proteinase from rat gastric mucosa

A unique acid proteinase was purified from rat gastric mucosa by DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B chromatography, gel filtration and isoelectric focusing. The purified enzyme was homogeneous by polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 86000 by gel filtration on a Sephadex G-100 column. In SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the enzyme showed a single band corresponding to a molecular weight of 42000. So it was concluded that the native enzyme is composed of two identical monomeric units. The enzyme is a glycoprotein and its isoelectric point was determined to be 4.33. The enzyme hydrolyzed bovine hemoglobin with maximum activity at pH 3.0, but it showed considerably lower activity on bovine serum albumin or casein than on bovine hemoglobin. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by pepstatin, but not by urea or thiol-reactive inhibitors. These results lead us to conclude that this enzyme is a cathepsin D-like acid proteinase.

[Diphyllobothrium latum infection in Akita Prefecture. Infections occurring from 1974 to 1981 and the clinical effect of paromomycin sulfate]

Forty-one patients, aged 2 to 68 years old, infected with Diphyllobothrium latum in Akita prefecture were treated using paromomycin sulfate from 1974 to 1981. Paromomycin sulfate was administered orally in a single dose of 20, 30 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg. Twenty-three cases expelled tapeworms. However, only 9 (28.1%) out of 32 tapeworms expelled had their scolex. It can be said that all cases were successfully treated with paromomycin sulfate, since they showed the egg-negative on 3 weeks or 1 month after the treatment. The drug was well tolerated and no side effects were encountered in any patients. It was suggested that paromomycin sulfate was effective and also safe therapeutic agent for the treatment of D. latum infection.

Genetic variation of pepsinogen 1 in the rat

A pepsinogen (Pg 1) polymorphism was observed in gastric mucosal samples of Wistar rats by polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis. Three phenotypes were observed: S (a slow-moving band), F (a fast-moving band), and FS (both bands). Pg 1 variation was controlled by a pair of codominant alleles at a single autosomal locus. Interstrain variation of Pg 1 was studied in five strains of laboratory rats. Genetic variation of Pg 1 was detected only in the Wistar strain.

Effects of pentagastrin, histamine, carbamylcholine and catecholamines on gastric secretion, motility and emptying in the rat

We developed a simplified method for the simultaneous measurement of gastric secretion and gastric motility in the rat. By using this method, we investigated the actions of pentagastrin, histamine, carbamylcholine and catecholamines on the stomach. Carbamylcholine stimulated acid secretion and induced contraction of the stomach, but norepinephrine tended to inhibit acid secretion and induced relaxation of the stomach. Histamine induced relaxation first and then contraction after 2-5 min. Pentagastrin induced a relaxation that did not show dose dependence, but tachyphylaxis. Isoproterenol, which stimulated acid secretion in our experiments, induced relaxation of the stomach in a dose-dependent manner. We also investigated the relationship between gastric motility and gastric emptying. Carbamylcholine caused an enhancement of gastric emptying, but isoproterenol caused its suppression. Pentagastrin, histamine and norepinephrine did not affect gastric emptying. As shown in the results of our experiments, carbamylcholine caused stimulation of acid secretion, contraction of the stomach, and enhancement of gastric emptying. However, other secretagogues did not always induce contraction of the stomach or increase gastric emptying.

[Traumatic aneurysm of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (author's transl)]

The incidence of traumatic intracranial aneurysms are rare. In review of literature, only six cases of traumatic aneurysms in posterior fossa are reported. The patient, 15-year-old girl, was admitted on Dec. 18th, 1979, presented with unconsciousness after a traffic accident. She was developed impaired consciousness and left hemiparesis with right hemotympanum and nasal bleeding. Skull film showed an occipital linear fracture and a laminal fracture of the atlas. CT scan demonstrated traumatic subarachnoid, intraventricular hemorrhage and pneumocephalus. After accident, she regained consciousness with conservative therapy, but she deteriorated on the 10th hospitalized day. On the 17th day, lumbar puncture and CT scan revealed recurrent subarachnoid and intraventricular hemorrhage. The saccular aneurysm on the lateral medullary segment of the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery was obtained by cerebral angiogram on the 35th day. The configuration and size of the aneurysm was easily demonstrated by CT scans and cerebral angigrams. On the 43rd day, the clipping of the common trunk of the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery was employed. Her postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged on the 97th day in good condition. This aneurysm was suggested to be induced by severe head injury with clinical ad operative findings. With the introduction of CT scan, CT scan is more available diagnostic modality than cerebral angiography in the follow up study with severe head injuries. And in the absence of pathological CT scan findings, suspicion of traumatic cerebrovascular impairments such as aneurysm should be paid. As the conservative management of traumatic intracranial aneurysms carries high mortality rate up to 30-50%, the prompt diagnosis and direct surgical intervention are recommended.

Gyriform calcification after purulent meningitis

A 2-month-old baby developed bilateral frontoparietal gyriform calcification after purulent meningitis. Biopsy revealed severe cerebral cortical degeneration with many calcified foci. Another feature of interest was reabsorption of calcification over a period of 4.5 months.

Role of adrenergic agonists on gastric secretion in the rat

Following previous demonstration that isoproterenol stimulated and norepinephrine inhibited gastric acid secretion induced by secretagogues, role of adrenergic agonists was studied by measuring acidity the peptic activity of the effluent of the perfused rat stomach. Response of gastric secretion to isoproterenol was increased by theophylline treatment but was not affected by metiamide treatment. N6, O2'-Dibutyryladenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphoric acid sodium salt monohydride (dibutyryl-c-AMP) stimulated gastric secretion in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest the possibility that the action of isoproterenol in gastric acid secretion is mediated by c-AMP. However, gastric secretion induced by pentagastrin, histamine, or carbamylcholine was not affected by theophylline treatment. N2, O2'-Dibutyrylguanosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphoric acid sodium salt (dibutyryl-c-GMP) did not exert any effect on gastric secretion. Depression of pentagastrin-induced gastric secretion by norepinephrine was reversed by EGTA infusion. Moreover, Ca2+, depressed pentagastrin-induced gastric secretion. These results suggest that the action of norepinephrine is closely related to the concentration of Ca2+.

[A case of large germinoma in bilateral frontal region (author's transl)]

Though most of ectopic pinealoma occurs in the midline of cerebral base, only ten cases of frontal subcortical germinomas were reported in Japan as far as we know in literature. The patient, 20 year-old male, was admitted to our hospital because of blurred vision of the right eye and somnolence. Neurological examination on admission revealed bilateral choked discs and impaired visual acuity of both eyes with visual field defect of the right eye. A large deep bifrontal tumor was noted by cerebral angiography and pneumoventriculography done at the time of ventricular drainage. After subtotal removal of left frontal tumor and bifrontal V-P shunt, he came alert. No abnormality of posterior part of third ventricle was noted on the post-operative pneumonencephalogram. As the microscopic examination revealed that the tumor was germinoma of two-cell pattern, Co60 with a total dose of 5,900 rads was irradiated to the rest of the tumor. Brain scan with Tc99m 6 months after the surgery showed the disappearance of the tumor and CT scan 3 years later confirmed no recurrence of the tumor. Fine structure of the tumor was also presented and discussed.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the heart

A 33-year-old woman presented signs and symptoms which suggested mitral stenosis and insufficiency. Subsequent echocardiographic and angiographic testing demonstrated a left atrial tumor which was suspected clinically to be a left atrial myxoma. At surgery, the tumor was partially resected and histological examination revealed that the mass to be a malignant fibrous histiocytoma. At autopsy, the tumor was found to be localized in the heart, and there was no metastasis.

Factors contributing to the prognosis of falciparum malaria

Factors contributing to the poor outcome of imported falciparum malaria in adult patients were investigated and following conclusions were drawn. 1) In the case of primarily non-immune patients, a catastrophic course of the disease was precipitated when the inception of treatment was delayed beyond 6 days after the onset of illness. Nine fatal and 3 moribund cases presently reported fell in this category. However, there were exceptional cases who made an uneventful recovery, despite the delay in starting treatment, apparently due to appropriate treatment taken immediately upon confirmation of the grave situation. 2) The group of fatal and moribund cases usually had higher parasite and lower thrombocyte counts that the groups of patients who ran a favorable course. Exceptional cases were also seen: a moribund or a fatal case with a rather low parasite count or a satisfactorily recovered case with a high initial parasite count. 3) Abnormal kidney function was seen in all the fatal and moribund cases while the incidence was low or nil in the patients who ran a favorable course. 4) The patients with a past history of malaria or in recrudescence usually ran a smooth course despite the delay in the inception of treatment which was initiated beyond the second week of illness.

Biochemical and immunological characterizations of rat pepsinogens and pepsins

Biochemical and immunological properties of two kinds of pepsinogens isolated from the gastric mucosal extracts of adult Wistar rats were studied. Their activated enzymes were prepared from the zymogens using a DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B column. The isoelectric points of pepsinogens I and II were estimated to be 3.90 and 3.75, respectively, by isoelectric focusing, and those of pepsins I and II to be 3.60 and 3.45, respectively. Amino acid compositions of the two pepsinogens or pepsins were strikingly similar to each other and neither pepsinogen I nor II contained organic phosphate. The biochemical properties of rat preparations compared with porcine pepsinogens A and C and pepsins A [EC 3.4.23.1] and C [EC 3.4.23.3] showed that rat pepsinogens and pepsins resembled porcine pepsinogen C and pepsin C, respectively. Pepsinogens I and II were demonstrated to share a similar immunogenic molecular structure by double diffusion analysis and Laurell immunoelectrophoresis. Rabbit antipepsinogen I serum cross-reacted with the mouse preparation but did not with the rabbit and porcine preparations. The possibility of the genetically controlled occurrence of pepsinogens I and II in the rat is discussed.

Aminotransferase activities and involution of the thymus in rats bearing AH 130 tumors

Involution of the thymus was observed in rats bearing AH 130 (solid-type) tumors. The thymus weight decreased with tumor growth. Daily injection of a pharmacological dose of hydrocortisone into normal rats resulted in involution of the thymus and marked increase in alanine aminotransferase activity. This treatment also caused slight increase in the activity of tyrosine aminotransferase but not of aspartate aminotransferase in these animals. Involution of the thymus in tumor-bearing rats, however, was not accompanied by appreciable increases in the activities of these aminotransferases, even at an advanced stage of tumor growth when the plasma corticosterone level was very high and significant increase in the activities of all these enzymes was observed in the liver. Further, additional injections of hydrocortisone into rats with tumors weighing more than 5% of the body weight did not cause any appreciable change in alanine aminotransferase activity in the thymus, although in rats with smaller tumors it slightly increased the enzyme activity in the thymus. Furthermore, in normal rats, increase in alanine aminotransferase activity in the thymus with involution of the glands was observed with a dose of corticosterone close to the physiological range attained in rats with tumors in an advanced stage.

Purification and characterization of rat pepsinogens whose contents increase with developmental progress

Two pepsinogens, the contents of which increase with developmental progress, were purified from the gastric mucosa of the adult rat by ammonium sulfate fractionation and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B columns. The purified zymogens, designated as pepsinogens I and II, were each shown to be homogeneous by polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis. Pepsinogen II had a greater electrophoretic mobility toward the anode at pH 8.0 than pepsinogen I. The molecular weights of both zymogens were estimated to be 38,000 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The activated enzymes, pepsins I and II, each had the same molecular weight of 32,000. The pH optima for both enzymes were found to be 2.0. The enzymes showed high stabilities at pH 8.0, while they lost their activities within 60 min at pH 10.0. The enzymes were inhibited by pepstatin and diazoacetyl-DL-norleucine methyl ester (DAN). The activities of the enzymes in hydrolyzing N-acetyl-L-phenylalanyl-3,5-diiodo-L-tyrosine (APDT) were about 1/8 of that of porcine pepsin. These results suggest that pepsins I and II are very similar.

Restoration by adrenalectomy of weight and binding capacity of glucorcorticoid receptors of the thymus in AH 130 tumor-bearing rats

The binding capacity of specific receptors for dexamethasone (11beta,17alpha,21-trihydroxy-9alpha-fluoro-16alpha-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione) in the cytoplasm of the thymus of rats bearing AH 130 (solid-type) tumors decreased significantly during tumor growth. Adrenalectomy restored the binding capacity of the glucocorticoid receptors and the weight of the thymus to nearly the normal values in rats bearing tumors. The affinity of these receptors for dexamethasone was very low in rats bearing tumors, but it was also restored to nearly the normal value by adrenalectomy.