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.

Neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leucocytes in obese children. Studies by Sudan Black B and electron microscope

In 378 obese and 35 control children, a patho-histometric study was performed regarding the relation of the morphology of neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leucocytes(PMNL) to obesity. Sudan Black B staining studies were undertaken to compare the change in PMNL in obese and nonobese childhood groups. The size and density of the cytoplasm of the PMNL were greater in the obese group. The average diameter of PMNL was 14.2 +/- 0.1 micra in the obese group and 13.6 +/- 0.2 in the control group. The electron microscopic feature of PMNL in the obese group included an increase in the number of the specific granules with diameter of 0.1 to 0.2 micron. These PMNL in obesity may be correlated with changes in the serum or hepatic lipid levels. An elevation of cholesterol, triglyceride, and beta-lipoprotein in the serum was found in obese children. The hepatic function was abnormal only in advanced degree of obesity.

Endoscopic features of adenoma of the duodenal papilla in familial polyposis of the colon

The duodenal papillae of 24 patients with familial polyposis of the colon were examined in detail by duodenofiberscopy and endoscopic biopsy. Adenomas were detected in 12 of the 24 patients (50%). Endoscopically the duodenal papilla had a white nodular or granular surface in most of the patients in whom adenoma was detected. In two patients, however, the endoscopic picture of the adenoma at the duodenal papilla was almost normal. Based on these observations, endoscopy and biopsy of the duodenal papilla should be added to the usual examination done in patients with this disease.

Drug-induced tardive dyskinesia

Drug-induced tardive dyskinesia, which occurs in the course of long-term administration of psychotropic drugs, especially neuroleptics, and persists for years even after drug removal, began to be reported in the late 1950s. Since then, more than 100 investigations on this subjects have been described. And it is estimated that 10 to 30 percent of long-term hospitalized psychiatric patients in Europe and North America exhibit tardive dyskinesia, whereas 5 to 20 percent of patients exhibit this syndrome in Japan. These findings suggest that the manifestation of tardive dyskinesia will become a serious problem in the investigation of psychotropic drug treatment. The author presents a review of the symptomatology, etiological factors, differential diagnosis, prognosis, and management of this syndrome. Results of the author's studies in the cross-national survey and on the reversibility of tardive dyskinesia are also described. In connection with biochemical theory of the etiology of tardive dyskinesia, a variety of therapeutic investigations have been carried out, but no successful therapy could be found among them. Therefore, the author stresses that the early diagnosis of dyskinetic symptoms, possible removal of responsible drugs, and preventive care in daily psychotropic drug treatment are regarded as extremely important in the management of this syndrome.

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.

Nutritional effects of intravenous infusion solutions on normal rats: effects of increased energy level and deletion of acidic amino acids

Nutritional effects of intravenous infusion of an amino acid (AA) mixture enriched with the branched chain AA were previously evaluated at a daily level of 45 kcal and 200 mg N using male rats weighing approximately 200 g. The present study was conducted with male rats weighing approximately 200 g to evaluate the nutritional effects of 1) an AA infusion solution at further increased energy level, and 2) an AA solution devoid of aspartic and glutamic acids. By increasing daily energy input from 45 to 55 kcal/rat, the body weight gain of rat was markedly increased and more positive nitrogen balance was observed. Glucose, albumin, and free AA levels were unchanged in plasma of rats after the infusion period, while plasma urea level was somewhat lowered. Organ weights and liver lipid content were also unchanged. The administration of an infusion solution devoid of aspartic and glutamic acids resulted in little alteration in the amounts of urinary excretion and plasma levels of these acidic AA. Furthermore, other parameters measured showed no significant effect of the deletion of the AA. These results indicate that no advantage is expected in the use of acidic AA for parenteral nutrition.

Diagnostic value of intraoperative fiberscopy for small-intestinal polyps in familial adenomatosis coli

X-ray examination and intraoperative fiberscopy of the small intestine were performed in 20 patients with familial adenomatosis coli. Roentgenographic study detected polypoid lesions in the upper jejunum in 2 patients (10%), and in the terminal ileum in 9 (45%). In contrast, endoscopic study revealed polyps in the jejunum in 10 patients (50%), and in the ileum in 14 (70%). Polyps in most cases were multiple and small in size (less than 3 mm in diameter). Histology revealed the lesions of the jejunum to be adenomas, and those of the ileum to be lymphoid hyperplasia with or without adenoma. The present study suggests that intraoperative endoscopy is much more valuable than roentgenography in detecting these minute polyps of the small intestine in this disease.

Feminizing adrenocortical carcinoma in man

A 37-year-old male with adrenocortical tumor presenting marked gynecomastia and impotence as initial symptoms was experienced. Abnormal elevations in urinary 17-KS, 17-OHCS and blood estrogen levels were noted. Total surgical removal of the tumor weighing 800g was performed. Postoperatively the gynecomastia disappeared and he regained libido with no signs of recurrence one year later.

Physical-chemical properties of chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid

It is now relatively well established that chenodexoycholic acid (CDCA) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), which are 7-OH epimer, are cholesterol gallstone dissolving agent. We investigated physical-chemical properties of CDCA and UDCA with respect to critical micellar concentration (CMC), micellar molecular weights (MMW) and solubilizing power of cholesterol. CMCs of CDCA and UDCA, measured by surface tension method, were 3.6 mM and 6.4 mM respectively. Light scattering technique revealed the MMW as 7700 in CDCA and 7400 in UDCA of only one molecule's difference per micelle in the aggregation number. Solubilization of cholesterol in model bile system disclosed remarkable difference. The degree of solubilized cholesterol by UDCA was smaller than that of CDCA by a factor of about 19. Addition of lecithin produced a greater increment of solubilized cholesterol in UDCA, but the solubilizing power was still larger in CDCA. It is curious and of interest that there exists much difference in the aspects of solubilizing efficiency for cholesterol in the in vitro model system, inspite of their little difference in the molecular structure, CMC and MMW between CDCA and UDCA. 7 beta-OH might affect the function of micelle against solubilization in UDCA.

Determination of haloperidol in human serum by radioimmunoassay

A radioimmunoassay has been developed which enables accurate determination of haloperidol in human serum. Antiserum was prepared by immunizing guinea pigs with haloperidol (O-carboxymethyl)oxime derivative (III) coupled with bovine serum albumin. With the antiserum, 3H-haloperidol and dextran-coated charcoal, the assay of haloperidol in serum was possible over a concentration range of 1 to 50 ng/ml, using 0.1 ml of human serum without the need of an extraction procedure. Data obtained by radioimmunoassay are in good agreement with those obtained by gas chromatography. No appreciable cross-reactivity was observed neither with haloperidol metabolites nor with other butyrophenone neuroleptics. Serum levels of haloperidol in schizophrenic patients receiving single oral dosing (6 mg/subject) have also been determined.

Evaluation of an infusion solution enriched with branched chain amino acid in parenteral nutrition of rats

Nutritional effects of an infusion solution enriched with branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) were investigated with young adult rats. Continuous infusion through a central venous cannula was carried out for 7 days with three kinds of solutions: 1) 21.8% glucose (S-1); 2) 18.6% glucose plus 2.50% amino acids based on human milk pattern (S-2), and 3) 18.6% glucose plus 2.58% amino acids enriched with BCAAs (S-3). Rats received daily 50 ml of the solution, containing 45 kcal and 200 mg N in S-2 and S-3. The body weights of rats in the S-2 and S-3 groups were only slightly reduced, while those of the S-1 group were extremely reduced. The rats were in positive nitrogen balance in the S-2 and S-3 groups on days 2-7. Its value was somewhat, but not significantly, larger in the S-3 group than in the S-2 group. The plasma BCAA levels determined 15 minutes after the end of infusion were higher in the S-3 group than in the S-2 group, but there was no significant difference except for the leucine level. The urinary levels of creatinine and 3-methylhistidine, the plasma levels of urea and glucose, and liver lipid content were similar in the S-2 and S-3 groups. The plasma albumin level was somewhat higher in the S-3 group than in the S-2 group. The present data suggest that an infusion solution enriched with BCAAs served to maintain the normal rats in desirable nutritional status.

[Studies on angiotensin II receptors in the adrenal glands and in the aorta (author's transl)]

The angiotensin II receptor in the rabbit, rat and human adrenal gland and that in the rabbit and rat aorta were studied by using [3H]-angiotensin II ([3H]-AII). The adrenal glands and the aorta of each species were centrifuged at 20,000Xg for 30 min, and pellets which contained 95% of binding sites were collected and diluted by a buffer [20 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.4), 120 mM NaCl, 0.2% BSA, 1 mM EDTA] and used as a membrane fraction. The binding study was done by incubating the membrane fraction and [3H]-AII. After incubation at 25 degrees C for 30 min, the binding of the membrane fraction and [3H]-AII reached the equilibrium state, and free and bound angiotensin II were separated by 0.48 micrometer filters. Protein concentration was determined according to the method of Lowry. The binding sites fulfilled the criteria of the receptor which has organ and structure specificities, high affinity and reversibility. We could thus measure angiotensin II receptor in this study correctly and concisely. The properties of the angiotensin II receptor were analysed by Scatchard plot. The number of rabbit adrenal receptors (12833 +/- 2115 x 10(-15) mol/mg.protein) (M ++/- SD) was greater than that of the rat (1780 +/- 166 x 10(-15) mol/mg.protein) and that of the human (356 +/- 124 x 10(-15) mol/mg.protein). But the dissociation constant of all species was the same. The number of aorta binding sites was less than that of the adrenal in rabbits and rats. But the dissociation constant of rabbits and rats aorta binding sites was quite similar to that of adrenal glands.