In vitro and in vivo activity of DQ-2556, a new cephalosporin

The antibacterial activity of DQ-2556, a new cephalosporin, was compared with that of cefepime, cefpirome, and other antibiotics. DQ-2556 was more active than cefepime and less active than cefpirome against gram-positive bacteria. DQ-2556 was the most active compound against most members of the Enterobacteriaceae, such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Proteus, Salmonella spp., and Shigella spp., and Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In vivo, treatment with DQ-2556 was as or more efficacious than that with reference compounds in both systemic and respiratory tract infections in mice. DQ-2556 achieved higher concentrations than cefepime and cefpirome in lungs and kidney of mice.

Changes in circulating immune complex and charge distribution with upper respiratory tract inflammation in IgA nephropathy

The circulating IgA class immune complex (IgA-IC) and its charge distribution, at the appearance of macroscopic hematuria and after tonsillectomy in patients with IgA nephropathy, were investigated in the present study. 3.5% polyethylene glycol precipitate (3.5% PEG-IgA) was used for IgA-IC detection and isoelectric focusing for its charge distribution. The level of IgA in 3.5% PEG-IgA, principally IgA1, and the proportion of anionic 3.5% PEG-IgA (isoelectric point, pl, 4.8-5.6) were significantly elevated in episodes of macroscopic hematuria with upper respiratory tract inflammation and with the appearance of macroscopic hematuria 1 day after tonsillectomy. Therefore, an increase in anionic IgA-IC (pl 4.8-5.6), principally IgA1, and the tonsils were considered to be concerned with the mechanism involved in the appearance of macroscopic hematuria.

Transient expression assay for antisense RNAs using episomal replication of plasmids: effective reduction of retinoblastoma gene (Rb-1) product by its antisense RNA complementary to 3'-untranslated region

We have developed a transient expression assay for selection of effective antisense RNAs using episomal replication of plasmids in COS-7 cells, an African green monkey kidney-derived cell line expressing SV40 large T antigen. The transient expression assay was enabled by a liposome-mediated DNA transfection method, by which about 70% of the cells were reproducibly transfected with exogenous DNAs. Plasmids expressing antisense RNAs for the retinoblastoma gene (Rb-1) mRNA and harboring SV40 ori were constructed and introduced into COS-7 cells to examine their inhibitory effect on the accumulation of endogenous Rb protein (pRb). Only the antisense RNA complementary to the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) in Rb-1 mRNA was expressed stably at high levels for 3 days after the transfection. This antisense RNA reduced by 73% the content of endogenous pRb 70 h after transfection. A similar inhibition was detected in mouse mammary carcinoma cells (FM3A) that were stably transfected with the antisense RNA expressing vector directed to 3'UTR. In contrast, no obvious change in pRb was observed with antisense RNAs complementary to the coding region of Rb-1 mRNA. The cellular content of these antisense RNAs was lowered by degradation; thus these RNAs did not affect the levels of pRb in COS-7 and FM3A cells. These results, taken together, suggest that the expression levels and the stability of antisense RNAs are involved in their repressive activity, and our transient expression assay provides a rapid and easy system for evaluation of ectopic antisense RNA activity in COS-7 cells.

[An autopsied case of primary pulmonary hypertension complicated by hepatopulmonary syndrome]

A 57-year-old man, who had received a transfusion five years before, was admitted to our hospital complaining of worsening dyspnea on exertion. Cardiac catheterization was performed, and pulmonary hypertension was diagnosed. Liver dysfunction was also documented. We administered diuretics and observed his clinical course. Gradually worsening hypoxemia and radioisotope accumulation in the kidney following a lung perfusion scintigram suggested the existence of an intrapulmonary shunt. The patient died seven years later due to exacerbation of heart failure secondary to pulmonary infection. Autopsy revealed remarkable hypertensive pulmonary arteriopathy as well as abnormal dilation of precapillary pulmonary arterioles. Esophageal varices suggested portal hypertension. Marked hypoxemia and intrapulmonary vascular dilation suggest the contribution of an hepatopulmonary syndrome.

Evaluation of new medium with chromogenic substrates for members of the family Enterobacteriaceae in urine samples

A new medium containing 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-glucuronide cyclohexylammonium salt (Glu agar) for Escherichia coli and a new medium containing 5-bromo-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactoside (Gal agar) for beta-galactosidase-positive members of the family Enterobacteriaceae were compared with MacConkey agar in a diagnostic trial with 3,562 urine specimens. The isolation rates of E. coli and beta-galactosidase-positive Enterobacteriaceae were increased 8.4 and 19.5%, respectively. The sensitivities and specificities of Glu agar and Gal agar were 98.5 and 100% and 99.2 and 99.5%, respectively.

Distribution of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 on leukocytes and corneal endothelium after endotoxin stimulation in rats

After stimulation with Salmonella typhimurium endotoxin, the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was studied on the corneal endothelium and associated leukocytes in rats using immunoscanning electron microscopy. Two hundred micrograms of the endotoxin was injected in Lewis rats. The corneae were excised at 0-h and 16-h-postinjection time (n = 5, respectively). The corneae were prepared in hypothermic University of Wisconsin (UW) solution for immunoscanning electron microscopy. Histotopographical examination visualized ICAM-1 antigen on cytoplasmic processes of the corneal endothelium, arranged along microfolds, especially at the peaks. In the leukocytes, ICAM-1 was located primarily in morphologically non-specialized domains of the cell body surface, and only rarely scattered on the surface of microvillar projections. We concluded that the endotoxin stimulation can increase ICAM-1 in both corneal endothelium and associated leukocytes. Increased ICAM-1 may be an important factor for the leukocytes to form clustering and adhering to the corneal endothelium.

[A case of Mycobacterium fortuitum pulmonary disease in a healthy young woman successfully treated with ciprofloxacin and doxycycline]

A 22 year-old woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of subtle fever and productive cough. She did not smoke and had no underlying disease. Her chest radiograph showed infiltration in the right upper lung field. A diagnosis of Mycobacterium fortuitum pulmonary disease was made on the basis of isolation of M. fortuitum from repeated sputum cultures. On admission, we administered standard antimycobacterial agents, but found the M. fortuitum isolated in this case to be completely resistant to them. We then administered antibiotics including 600 mg of ciprofloxacin and 200 mg of doxycycline. The pneumonic findings on chest X-ray and her clinical symptoms gradually improved thereafter. The in vitro susceptibility tests confirmed the efficacy of ciprofloxacin and doxycycline. We concluded that these drugs contributed significantly to improve the disease.

Hypercalcaemia in primary oxalosis: role of increased bone resorption and effects of treatment with pamidronate

Primary oxalosis is a rare congenital disorder characterised by widespread deposition of calcium oxalate crystals throughout the body. In this paper, we describe the development and treatment of hypercalcaemia associated with oxalosis in a child who had undergone renal transplantation, combined liver and kidney transplantation, and two liver retransplant procedures in the past 5 years. Hypercalcaemia occurred on three separate occasions in association with liver dysfunction due to graft rejection; renal function was not grossly impaired and serum intact parathyroid hormone levels were normal. Intravenous pamidronate therapy led to rapid normalisation of the serum calcium concentration on all three occasions. Iliac crest biopsy revealed large numbers of oxalate crystals in the bone marrow, many of which were associated with macrophages, identified using the antibody MAC 387. Bone histomorphometry demonstrated an increase in the percentage eroded surface but no increase in osteoid surface. These observations indicate that hypercalcaemia associated with oxalosis can occur in the absence of renal dysfunction and may result from excessive bone resorption, induced either directly or indirectly by macrophages surrounding oxalate crystals in the bone marrow. Pamidronate therapy was effective in restoring serum calcium to normal.

Usefulness of aspiration cytology in prostate cancer detection

Aspiration cytology and core needle biopsy were performed in 79 patients who were suspected of having prostate cancer. Aspiration cytology and TURP were done in 77 cases not suspected of the disease. In the former group, they were both positive in 13 cases, aspiration cytology was negative and core needle biopsy positive in 4, and the reverse in 3 cases in whom cancer was confirmed by repeat core biopsy. All of the latter group were judged by aspiration cytology as being benign. Three cancers were detected by TURP. Aspiration cytology is a recommendable method in subjects with suspected prostate cancer.

Immunohistochemical analysis of rat and human respiratory cilia with anti-dynein antibody: comparison between normal cilia and pathological cilia in primary ciliary dyskinesia

Wistar Imamichi rat and human respiratory cilia were examined with anti-dynein antibody (AD2), which is specific for sea urchin sperm flagellar dynein. AD2-labelled fresh-frozen normal rat and human cilia stained clearly by immunofluorescence and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique. On immunoelectron microscopy, AD2 labelled the outer dynein arms of normal human cilia. Paraffin-embedded normal human cilia also stained by immunofluorescence, although not always clearly. Neither the cilia of WIC-Hyd male rats, an animal model of Kartagener's syndrome, nor human cilia from patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) reacted positively by the immunofluorescence or PAP technique. Western blots of normal rat cilia yielded a single band of about 450 kDa. In conclusion, AD2 recognizes the outer arm dynein heavy chains of healthy cilia and may be useful in diagnosing and classifying PCD light microscopically especially when only paraffin-embedded specimens are available. This approach may be of potential use for better defining and classifying PCD.

Synthesis of esters of coenzyme PQQ and IPQ, and stimulation of nerve growth factor production

Esters of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a cofactor of microbial quinoprotein enzyme, and imidazopyrroloquinoline (IPQ, from PQQ and glycine) were synthesized, and their chemical stability, toxicity to L-M cells and nerve growth factor (NGF) inducing activity in L-M cells were studied. PQQ esters were found to be potent enhancers of NGF production, but IPQ esters had only marginal effects on NGF production. The monoester of PQQ with a methoxycarbonyl group at C-2 of PQQ is a most effective compound because of its NGF inducing activity, limited toxicity, safety and chemical stability. These results suggest that PQQ-2-esters could be developed as a curative or preventive drug for retrograde neural diseases in the central and perpheral nervous system.

[Non-calcified line in calcification of the globus pallidus]

In recent years, high resolution X-ray CT has provided detailed information on calcification of the basal ganglia. At this institution, a review of 30 patients with 57 globus pallidus calcifications revealed curvilinear non-calcified lines in 19 calcifications. These were considered to be the medial medullary lamina of the globus pallidus. An attempt was made to classify calcifications of the globus pallidus into calcifications of the medial and lateral segments by the non-calcified line or location of the calcification, and to assess the tendency to calcify of both the medial and lateral segments. The results of this assessment revealed that the lateral segment tended to calcify more than the medial segment.

NGF stimulates differentiation of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

The activities of NGF on induction of IL-6, ALP and collagen were studied in cultured osteoblastic cells, MC3T3-E1. Treatment of the cells with NGF induced IL-6 production in a dose dependent manner and enhanced ALP activity and collagen biosynthesis without affecting cell proliferation. Cyclo-oxygenase was activated in NGF-treated cells and prostaglandinE2 was detected as a major metabolite from arachidonic acid. Since prostaglandinE2 is an enhancer of ALP activity and collagen biosynthesis in MC3T3-E1 and was found to induce IL-6 production in this study, it is possible that NGF works on MC3T3-E1 cells through the mediation by endogenous prostaglandinE2.

Effect of 6-hydroxydopamine injection into the arcuate hypothalamic nucleus on the osmotic release of vasopressin in conscious rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate a role in vasopressin secretion of the catecholaminergic neurons, including the tuberohypophysial dopaminergic neurons situated in the arcuate hypothalamic nucleus. A neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine (6 g/l), was injected locally into the arcuate nucleus and its effects on catecholamine levels of the hypothalamic tissue and the neurointermediate lobe, and on the plasma vasopressin concentrations before and during i.v. infusion (0.1 ml kg-1 min-1) of isotonic (0.15 mol/l) or hypertonic saline (2.5 mol/l), were examined in conscious rats. The infusion of hypertonic saline produced increases of plasma vasopressin 15 and 30 min later, accompanied by elevations of plasma osmolality, sodium, chloride and arterial pressure. The vasopressin response was potentiated markedly by the 6-hydroxydopamine injection performed 8 days before, which hardly affected the responses of the other variables. Histological examination indicated that the injection sites of 6-hydroxydopamine in those rats had been located in the area ranging from rostral to medial arcuate nucleus. The i.v. infusion of isotonic saline did not change plasma vasopressin, osmolality, sodium, chloride or arterial pressure, regardless of the presence or absence of pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopamine. It was confirmed that when 6-hydroxydopamine was injected into the arcuate nucleus region 8 days before, noradrenaline and adrenaline concentrations of the hypothalamic tissue containing the injection site were decreased remarkably, although we could not detect any significant alteration in the dopamine concentration of the hypothalamic tissue or the neurointermediate lobe. On the basis of these results, we concluded that catecholaminergic neurons in the arcuate nucleus may act to inhibit osmotic vasopressin secretion.

[Radiological approach to the pleura and pleural cavity with CT and MRI]

We discuss the efficacy and limitations of CT and MRI in the assessment of the pleura and pleural cavity. With CT and MRI findings from 610 patients, we address six topics: 1) Normal anatomy of the pleural cavity, 2) Pleural effusion, 3) Pleural tumors, 4) Pyothorax, 5) Lung cancer, and 6) The pleura as a mirror of systemic diseases. CT showed specific findings of acute bleeding. MRI was sensitive enough for the diagnosis of subacute bleeding and chylothorax. In the evaluation of pleural tumors, CT and MRI revealed specific evidence of pedunculated localized fibrous tumors and lipomas. In long-standing pyothorax, it is important to detect any associated secondary malignancies. CT and MRI show as a mass penetrating the bony thorax. B-cell non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma is the most commonly associated malignancy. The sensitivities for diagnosis of pleural extension of bronchogenic carcinoma are 80% with CT and 86% with MRI. The specificities are 89% with CT and 75% with MRI. To study the pleura as a mirror of systemic diseases, we used high resolution CT to examine 104 patients without evidence of the diseases mentioned above. Eighteen of those 104 patients were found to have pleural thickening, and all 18 were smokers. Of the 24 non-smokers, none had pleural thickening. The difference in the occurrence of pleural thickening between smokers and non-smokers was significant (p < 0.01).

[Mycobacterium kansasii lung infection associated with myelofibrosis--a case refractory to treatment with antitubercular agents]

A case of Mycobacterium kanasasii lung infection associated with myelofibrosis is reported. A 32-year-old woman was admitted to Keio University Hospital because of fever. One year before admission, a diagnosis of myelofibrosis was made at another hospital. The initial chest X-ray film showed bilateral diffuse infiltrative shadows and right hilar enlargement. Sputum cultures yielded Mycobacterium kansasii on 3 occasions. A fever of 38 degrees C or higher persisted for about 4 months despite the use of antitubercular agents, including INH, RFP, SM, and PZA. During the course of treatment, the hilar and mediastinal lymph node enlargement became more severe, and this was followed by calcification of the nodes. The fever and chest X-ray findings improved in response to the addition of treatment with EB, Ofloxacin, TH, and an increase in the doses of INH (from 300 to 500 mg/day) and RFP (from 450 to 600 mg/day). The patient was discharged 14 months after admission. It is rare especially in Japan for a Mycobacterium kansasii lung infection (not disseminated) to persist in spite of treatment with antitubercular drugs, including RFP or TH. The response to treatment may have been impaired by an immunological disorder associated with the myelofibrosis.

Profiles of outer membrane proteins and lipopolysaccharide of Pseudomonas aeruginosa grown in the presence of sub-MICs of macrolide antibiotics and their relation to enhanced serum sensitivity

We have previously reported that erythromycin at sub-inhibitory concentrations enhanced the serum sensitivity of some Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. To explore the mechanism of this effect, we have now examined the influence of macrolide antibiotics on outer membrane proteins and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of P. aeruginosa. The strains S-6 and PAO-1 of P. aeruginosa were used as susceptible and resistant strains respectively to assess enhancement of serum sensitivity by erythromycin. The strain S-6 became more serum-sensitive when grown on agar with sub-MICs of erythromycin or azithromycin, but not of josamycin, whereas no change was observed in the serum sensitivity of the strain PAO-1 after growth with any of these antibiotics. The analysis of outer membrane proteins showed that erythromycin treatment resulted in a reduction in the amount of the 38 kDa protein (OprF) and in a prominent increase of 41 kDa protein band in the strain S-6, but not in the strain PAO-1. By an immunoblotting assay, this 41 kDa protein was shown to be highly reactive to the immune serum against untreated P. aeruginosa. LPS of the strain S-6 were examined by SDS acrylamide gel electrophoresis. The treatment with erythromycin or azithromycin, but not with josamycin, reduced the amounts of LPS species with lower molecular weights although the levels of LPS species with high molecular weights were similar to those of untreated bacteria. These results suggest that the enhanced serum sensitivity of P. aeruginosa by erythromycin is associated with changes in bacterial surface components, such as outer membrane proteins and LPS.

Blood cell-producing site in the land slug, Incilaria fruhstorferi

Blood cell-producing site in a yeast-particle-injected slug, Incilaria fruhstorferi, was studied by light and electron microscopy, in vivo and in vitro. Cells lining the vascular system and hemocoel wall were discontinuous, scattered, and morphologically resembled fibroblasts. One hour after injection of yeast-particles as foreign material, the lining cells projected into the lumen and 3 h later, the cells were gradually released from the wall. They were morphologically similar to macrophage-like cells that phagocytose foreign material. In tissue culture of the hemocoel wall from yeast-injected slugs, cells that migrated from the explants consisted mainly of fibroblast- and macrophage-like cells. These two kinds of cells were weakly positive to non-specific esterase reaction, whereas circulating hemolymph cells were strongly positive. After administration of bromodeoxy-uridine (BrdU), labeled cells were most commonly found in the ventral side of the body and around the hemal space of the center of the dorsal wall. These results agree with our hypothesis that fibroblasts in the connective tissue of the hemocoel wall of the land slug can transform into macrophages of hemolymph.

The regulation of HIV by retinoic acid correlates with cellular expression of the retinoic acid receptors

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the effect of retinoic acids (RA) on HIV-1 expression and correlate this effect with expression levels of RA receptors (RARs) in T-lymphoid and monocytoid cell lines.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The effect of all-trans and 9-cis RA on HIV-1 production in T-lymphoid (H9, CEM) and monocytoid (U937,THP-1) cell lines was measured during acute and chronic infection. The expression levels of human RAR alpha (hRAR alpha, receptor for all-trans RA) and the human retinoid-X receptor alpha (hRXR alpha receptor for 9-cis RA) were determined by Northern blot analysis.

RESULTS

Both all-trans and 9-cis RA inhibited virus replication in HIV-1 IIIB-infected monocytoid cells, in the presence and absence of the co-stimulatory agent phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The retinoids had weak or no stimulatory effects on HIV production by T-cell lines. HIV production by PMA-stimulated T-cell lines was inhibited by these retinoids. The 9-cis RA was generally more effective than all-trans RA in inhibiting HIV production and in combination generally more effective than the single agents alone. Human RAR alpha was expressed in H9, U937 and THP-1 cells, but almost undetectable in CEM cells. Human RXR alpha was significantly expressed in U937 and THP-1 cells, weakly expressed in H9 cells and not detectable in CEM cells. After stimulation by PMA, RXR alpha expression increased in H9 and U937 cells but not in CEM cells. Human RAR alpha expression was unchanged in H9 and CEM cells, and elevated in U937 cells, after PMA stimulation.

CONCLUSION

The effect of RA on HIV-1 expression was cell-type-dependent and partially correlated with cellular expression of RARs. Endogenous or exogenously administered RA may have a significant role in HIV regulation.

[Distribution of the 70kD stress protein in corneas with alkali burns]

The immunolocalization of 70kD stress-protein (SP 70) was investigated in white rabbit corneas with alkali burns. Corneal alkali burn injuries were induced with 6 mm circular filter paper discs soaked in 1N NaOH. Corneas of 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after alkali injury were immunostained with mouse monoclonal anti-SP 70 antibody. In the control rabbit cornea, immunostaining for SP 70 was observed in the nuclei of the basal cells and of the wing cells. On day 1 after alkali injury, total epithelial defect was observed. Immunostaining for SP 70 was not seen in corneas with total epithelial defect. Three days after injury, epithelial resurfacing with corneal edema was observed. Basal cells showed immunostaining for SP 70 in their nuclei and cytoplasm. Five days after injury, irregular basal cells and a few wing cells with cytoplasmic processes were recognized. Both cells showed diffuse cytoplasmic and nuclear immunostaining for SP 70. Seven days after injury, the corneal wound was healed, and SP 70 was observed in the nuclei of the epithelial cells again. It appears that SP 70 has a role in corneal epithelial healing after alkali burn injury.

A novel diagnostic method of adult T-cell leukemia: monoclonal integration of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I provirus DNA detected by inverse polymerase chain reaction

Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) is neoplasm of the mature helper T lymphocytes and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-I (HTLV-I) has been shown to be causative virus of ATL. Because HTLV-I integrates its provirus randomly into host chromosomal DNA, monoclonal integration of HTLV-I provirus indicates the clonal proliferation of HTLV-I-infected cells. Therefore, demonstration of clonality of HTLV-I proviral DNA is essential to diagnosis of ATL. Southern blot analysis was used for this purpose. We developed the novel method using inverse polymerase chain reaction (IPCR) to detect the clonality of HTLV-I proviral DNA. This method identified the clonality in all ATL cases. Diagnosis could be made within 3 days using this method. It enabled us to detect specifically the presence of minimal numbers of ATL cells with high sensitivity. It also identified the monoclonal or oligoclonal proliferations of HTLV-I-infected cells in HTLV-I carriers and the intermediate state, in which no clonality could be shown by conventional Southern blot analyses. This finding indicated that even HTLV-I carriers had monoclonal proliferation of HTLV-I-infected cells without any symptoms. This novel method is shown to be useful for the diagnosis of ATL and provides information on the natural course of HTLV-I infection.