Supermicrovascular anastomosis training using chicken wings and colored water

Plastic surgeons require experience in supermicroscopic vascular anastomosis. Herein, we report a simple, rapid, and cost-effective training method using chicken wings and colored water. The avian ventral metacarpal artery was selected for dissection and anastomosis to mimic supermicrosurgery. Over 14 weeks (one anastomosis per day), the ulnar artery in 100 chicken wings was exposed by dissection, cut proximally, and injected with blue food dye-colored water by an inexperienced surgeon. After ligating the artery branches, it was cut and subjected to end-to-end anastomosis. Next, colored water was injected into the ulnar artery to check for suture sufficiency. The vessel was re-dissected to inspect the lumen and sutures qualitatively. Of the 100 wings, the first and last 20 wings' ventral metacarpal artery dissection, anastomosis times, and leakage frequency were compared. Avian ventral metacarpal artery diameter was recorded, and the cumulative anastomosis time where individual anastomosis times started decreasing was determined. Leakage rates before and after this point were compared. The avian ventral metacarpal artery diameter was 0.7-0.8 mm. The last 20 wings had significantly shorter median dissection times (12:27 vs. 17:45 min), anastomosis times (9:02 vs. 12:29 min), and leakage rates (15% vs. 70%); more even stitching and parallel ligature points; and less vessel layer inversion than the first 20 wings. After a cumulative anastomosis time of 10 h 26 min, individual times sharply decreased, and the leakage rate decreased significantly (58.3% vs. 23.8%). The proposed method significantly improved supermicrosurgical anastomosis. Thus, we believe that this method will help surgeons improve their supermicrosurgical skills.

Response measurement of single-crystal chemical vapor deposition diamond radiation detector for intense X-rays aiming at neutron bang-time and neutron burn-history measurement on an inertial confinement fusion with fast ignition

A neutron bang time and burn history monitor in inertial confinement fusion with fast ignition are necessary for plasma diagnostics. In the FIREX project, however, no detector attained those capabilities because high-intensity X-rays accompanied fast electrons used for plasma heating. To solve this problem, single-crystal CVD diamond was grown and fabricated into a radiation detector. The detector, which had excellent charge transportation property, was tested to obtain a response function for intense X-rays. The applicability for neutron bang time and burn history monitor was verified experimentally. Charge collection efficiency of 99.5% ± 0.8% and 97.1% ± 1.4% for holes and electrons were obtained using 5.486 MeV alpha particles. The drift velocity at electric field which saturates charge collection efficiency was 1.1 ± 0.4 × 10(7) cm/s and 1.0 ± 0.3 × 10(7) cm/s for holes and electrons. Fast response of several ns pulse width for intense X-ray was obtained at the GEKKO XII experiment, which is sufficiently fast for ToF measurements to obtain a neutron signal separately from X-rays. Based on these results, we confirmed that the single-crystal CVD diamond detector obtained neutron signal with good S/N under ion temperature 0.5-1 keV and neutron yield of more than 10(9) neutrons/shot.

Small molecular microbial products enhancing immune response

Plasmids are involved in the biosynthesis of many microbial secondary metabolites, and compounds which have various chemical structures are produced by microorganisms. Therefore, it is possible to find microbial products which have no antimicrobial activities but pharmacological activities. Aminopeptidases, alkaline phosphatase and esterase have been found to appear on the cell surface and their strong inhibitors have been confirmed to enhance or decrease immune response. These inhibitors have a very low toxicity without cytotoxic action. Bestatin, which inhibited aminopeptidase B and leucine aminopeptidase, enhanced delayed-type hypersensitivity in a wide range of its low dosis (0.1-100 micrometer/mouse) and produced an immune resistance to the second inoculation of the same tumor cells. It showed a synergistic action with antitumor agents in treatment of experimental tumors. Treatment with bestatin alone exhibited a strong therapeutic effect on slowly growing solid tumors.

Recent advances in antitumor antibiotics

An effective treatment schedule with bleomycin in combination with mitomycin and a new effective area in treatment with neocarzinostatin was introduced. Studies on more useful derivatives or analogues of bleomycin and anthracycline antitumor antibiotics were described. Bleomycin PEP thus selected may become a useful agent. Aclacinomycin and various other anthracycline glycosides were isolated from beer fermentation and tested. Future progress in microbiol secondary metabolites useful in cancer treatment was discussed.

Early and late outcomes of inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms: comparison with the outcomes after open surgical and endovascular aneurysm repair in literature reviews

AIM

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics, operative management and early and late outcomes of Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (IAAAs) in our vascular service, retrospectively and to compare with the outcomes of open and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in the patients with IAAAs in literature reviews.

METHODS

Between January 1990 and December 2011, this series included twenty-four patients with IAAAs who underwent surgical treatment. The mean length of follow-up was 37.6 months (range 3-108). Kaplan-Meier life tables were used to calculate survival rate.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients (60%) were symptomatic including 3 patients with hydronephrosis. Seven patients with severe symptoms underwent emergency operations. Twenty four patients underwent open surgical AAA repair. The 30 - day mortality rates were 0%. All patients had successful post operative courses and followed as outpatients in an elective situation. The ten year cumulative survival rate was 70%. The early and late mortality was the same for open repair compared to non-inflammatory AAA.

CONCLUSIONS

IAAA compared with non-IAAA is associated with a higher incidence of preoperative morbidity, however operative mortality rates are lower. EVAR has lower early operative mortality rates, however, there are some problems such as remaining periaortic fibrosis and hydronephrosis in approximately half of IAAA patients after EVAR.

Spin Seebeck insulator

Thermoelectric generation is an essential function in future energy-saving technologies. However, it has so far been an exclusive feature of electric conductors, a situation which limits its application; conduction electrons are often problematic in the thermal design of devices. Here we report electric voltage generation from heat flowing in an insulator. We reveal that, despite the absence of conduction electrons, the magnetic insulator LaY(2)Fe(5)O(12) can convert a heat flow into a spin voltage. Attached Pt films can then transform this spin voltage into an electric voltage as a result of the inverse spin Hall effect. The experimental results require us to introduce a thermally activated interface spin exchange between LaY(2)Fe(5)O(12) and Pt. Our findings extend the range of potential materials for thermoelectric applications and provide a crucial piece of information for understanding the physics of the spin Seebeck effect.

Production of secretory component and pathogenesis of gastric cancer in Helicobacter pylori-infected stomach

The purpose of this study was to examine the production of secretory component (SC) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the gastric mucosa with Helicobacter pylori infection and to investigate the influence of immunological reactions on various phases of infection (gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, gastric cancer). Production of SC and IgA was assessed by immunohistochemical staining in (1) endoscopic biopsy samples of H. pylori-eradicated cases (n = 25), and (2) surgically resected stomach tissues of H. pylori-positive gastric cancer cases, intestinal type (IGC, n = 25) and diffuse type (DGC, n = 25). Before eradication therapy, all samples showed positive staining of SC and IgA in epithelial cells, and IgA was also positive in plasma cells in the mucosal layer. H. pylori bacteria were positively stained for SC and IgA. After treatment, the degree of SC and IgA staining in epithelial cells was reduced with successful eradication; but with intestinal metaplasia, SC staining was positive regardless of the results of treatment. In nonmetaplastic mucosa, SC-positive cells were increased in the glandular neck zone to the surface mucosal layer; and the intensity of SC staining was increased in proportion to the degree of mucosal inflammation and IgA-positive cell aggregation. In intestinal metaplasia, SC was positive irrespective of the degree of inflammation. Most cancer foci also showed positive staining of SC, irrespective of histological type. Production of SC and IgA was thought to be a specific reaction against H. pylori infection, occurring from the early to the late stages and not limited to intestinal metaplasia. It was suggested that immunological reactions against H. pylori infection might generally be involved with the pathogenesis of intestinal metaplasia and both histological types of gastric cancer (IGC and DGC).

Clinical evaluation of the effect of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and intra-arterial papaverine infusion for the treatment of vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

The clinical efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and intra-arterial papaverine infusion for treatment of vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage was investigated. Between 1990 and 1993, 84 patients were treated for cerebral vasospasm in National Defense Medical College Hospital. Angioplasty was performed for asymptomatic vasospasm in 18 patients and for symptomatic vasospasm in 12 patients. Intra-arterial papaverine infusion was performed for asymptomatic vasospasm in 10 patients and for symptomatic vasospasm in four patients. The other 40 patients were treated with standard conservative therapy including hypervolemic and hypertensive hemodilution. The outcomes of these patients were analyzed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale. The outcome tended to be better for patients treated with angioplasty, but not for those treated with papaverine infusion, than for those treated conservatively. Recurrence of vasospasm was more frequent after papaverine infusion than after angioplasty. Undesirable complications such as abrupt development of unconsciousness were experienced during papaverine infusion but not during angioplasty. We conclude that percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is superior to intra-arterial papaverine infusion for prevention and treatment of vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Topographic distribution of Helicobacter pylori in the resected stomach

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to elucidate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and its distribution in order to clarify the frequency of H. pylori infection and the most appropriate site of endoscopic biopsy for studies of H. pylori infection associated with different gastric diseases.

DESIGNS AND METHODS

Swiss role mucosal strips from 275 resected stomachs, which included the greater curvature, anterior wall and lesser curvature of the antrum, incisura and corpus, were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and H. pylori antibody.

RESULTS

The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 97% in duodenal ulcers, 98% in gastric ulcers, 98% in intestinal-type carcinomas and 99% in diffuse-type carcinomas. H. pylori was present at a rate of 100% in any site in cases of duodenal ulcer, but was diffusely distributed in the antrum and patchily distributed in the corpus. The detection rate of H. pylori was 50-100% in gastric ulcers, 30-100% in intestinal-type adenocarcinomas and 63-100% in diffuse-type adenocarcinomas depending on the site of the stomach examined.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of H. pylori infection was very high in peptic ulcers of the duodenum and stomach and gastric carcinomas of Japanese patients. Biopsy specimens for evaluation of H. pylori infection should be taken routinely from both the greater curvature of the antrum and corpus. Immunohistochemical staining should be used to assay for H. pylori when few organisms are present or eradication therapy has been used.

[Dural arteriovenous fistula presenting as acute-onset dementia: a case report]

We report here a unique case of acute-onset dementia caused by a posterior fossa dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF), which was successfully treated by surgical resection of the isolated transverse-sigmoid sinus combined with endovascular procedures. A 70-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with acute-onset dementia and pulsatile tinnitus on the left side. CT scan revealed a low-density area in the parieto-temporal region. Cerebral angiography revealed a dural AVF of the transverse-sigmoid sinus with retrograde drainage into cerebral cortical veins. After transarterial endovascular embolization of the dural AVF, a xenon-CT scan revealed increased cerebral blood flow. Four months postoperatively, however, she was admitted to our hospital again with seizure and aphasia due to recanalizaion of the dural AVF. After trans-arterial embolization, transvenous embolization was attempted, but was unsuccessful due to inaccessibility of the isolated sinus segment. Since this patient could not be cured by endovascular embolization, an open surgical resection of the isolated sinus segment was performed. Following this, CT scans revealed that the low density area present on the first admission had disappeared. The patient's dementia resolved postoperatively. We discuss the pathophysiological mechanism by which venous ischemia due to dural AVF can cause reversible dementia.

Penetrating injury of the vertebral artery caused by a nail gun: preoperative embolization

We describe a penetrating injury of the vertebral artery caused by a nail gun. The artery was preoperatively embolized using mechanical detachable coils (MDC).

[A penetrating injury of the extracranial vertebral artery: a case report]

Penetrating injury to the vertebral artery is a very rare accident and no case except ours has been reported to date in Japan. We reported a case of successful treatment of a penetrating injury by a nail to the left vertebral artery with the use of interventional radiologic procedure. A 27-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of penetrating injury in his neck. Left vertebral angiography revealed that a nail had penetrated into the vertebral artery at the C6 level. Considering the possibility of thrombus formation around the metallic foreign body and the risk of uncontrollable bleeding, we performed embolization of the injured vertebral artery with Interlocking Detachable Coil.

Stable prostacyclin improves postischaemic microcirculatory changes in hypertensive rats

The prostacyclin analogue TTC-909 is incorporated in lipid microspheres and is chemically very stable. We examined the efficacy of TTC-909 on cerebral microcirculation following focal cerebral ischaemia. Focal cerebral ischaemia was produced by the occlusion of the distal middle cerebral artery in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. Intravenous administration of TTC-909 (100 ng/kg/day) or vehicle was started 30 minutes after the occlusion and repeated for 7 days. On day 7, cerebral blood flow and blood-brain barrier permeability were measured autoradiographically. Brain oedema was estimated by the gravimetric method. The size of the infarction was calculated from area measurements on serial histologic sections. Treatment with TTC-909 resulted in significant improvement in regional blood flow in the ischaemic rim (p < 0.01) and the surrounding area (p < 0.05). With TTC-909 treatment, the increased permeability was significantly reduced in the ischaemic centre (p < 0.01) and rim (p < 0.05). A decrease in specific gravity in the ischaemic region and the remote non-ischaemic regions was prevented by the treatment (p < 0.01). We assumed that the efficacy of TTC-909 maintains the blood supply in the ischaemic area, improves disruption of the blood-brain barrier and prevents development of ischaemic oedema.

Local cerebral blood flow and glucose metabolism in chronic focal ischaemia of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

The relationship between local cerebral blood flow (ICBF) and local cerebral glucose metabolism (ICGU) at the chronic stage of focal cerebral ischaemia was assessed in young stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) following occlusion of the distal middle cerebral artery (MCA). On day 7 following this occlusion, ICBF and ICGU were measured by autoradiographic methods using 14C-iodoantipyrine and 14C-2-deoxyglucose (2DG), respectively. The infarct was limited to the ipsilateral cerebral cortex. A narrow band of increased uptake of 14C-2DG was observed in the border zone at the periphery of infarcted areas. The ICBF in the ischaemic cortex revealed a graded reduction from the ischaemic centre to the surrounding tissues. A significant reduction in ICGU coupled to CBF was also observed in 4 of 13 selected noninfarcted regions ipsilateral to the MCA occlusion. The ischaemic regions had a significant increase in water content. The region with ischaemic oedema was limited to a narrow area compared with the findings regarding ICBF and ICGU. The SHRSP strain has more severe cerebral ischaemia, oedema formation, and metabolic derangement at the chronic stage of focal ischaemia, compared to normo-tensive animals.

Pituitary apoplexy caused by endocrine stimulation tests: a case report

The case of a 60-year-old woman with a giant pituitary adenoma who suffered symptomatic pituitary apoplexy is reported. Hemorrhaging occurred during endocrine stimulation tests (triple bolus test) in and around the tumor. Both the level of consciousness and the hemiparesis improved after emergency decompression. Histologically the tumor was a chromophobe adenoma of the papillary type with diffuse hemorrhage. Subtotal removal of the tumor was successfully accomplished in a second operation. Routine anterior pituitary stimulation tests have the potential to develop pituitary apoplexy, and we advise that caution should be taken when such tests are planned. The possible mechanism resulting in bleeding is discussed.

Blood-brain barrier, cerebral blood flow, and brain edema in spontaneously hypertensive rats with chronic focal ischemia

This study was conducted to explore the participation of blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and cerebral blood flow (CBF) on the development of ischemic brain edema in rats with chronic arterial hypertension. Young spontaneously hypertensive rats were used, and focal ischemia was produced by occluding the distal middle cerebral artery (MCA). On day 7 after MCA occlusion, BBB permeability and CBF were measured by autoradiographic methods using 14C-alpha-amino-isobutyric acid (AIB) and 14C-iodoantipyrine. BBB permeability (transfer constant for AIB) was significantly higher in the ischemic center and periphery. The CBF of the ischemic cortex showed a graded reduction from the ischemic center to the surrounding area. The ischemic brain regions showed significantly decreased specific gravity. We conclude that SHRSP may be more vulnerable to BBB disruption after ischemia.

[Application of DNA fingerprinting to investigation of genetic relationships between laboratory rabbit strains]

It is well known that laboratory rabbits are not controlled genetically like laboratory mice and rats. In order to test the usefulness of DNA fingerprinting in investigation of genetic uniformity of the laboratory rabbits strains and their relationships, we applied DNA fingerprinting using bacteriophage M13 probe to five strains (2 inbreds (JWY-NIBS and DuY-NIBS) and 3 outbreds (JW-NIBS, Icl:JW and WHHL)). DNA fingerprints of 2 inbred strains showed the same banding patterns within each strain but the strain-specific patterns. Although there were no rabbits showing the same banding patterns in 3 outbred strains, average percent differences (APD) were 13.7 to 18.6. A dendrogram based on APD of DNA fingerprints was constructed by 2 large clusters, JW group and DuY. The dendrogram was essentially similar to that based on rabbit mandible measurements. These results suggest that DNA fingerprinting is available not only for the genetic monitoring of the laboratory rabbit strains but also for the investigation of their genetic relationships.

Local cerebral blood flow and glucose metabolism in hydrostatic brain edema

This study investigated the effect of hydrostatic pressure gradient on the cerebrovascular dynamics and metabolism during the development of brain edema. Hydrostatic brain edema was induced by bolus injection of autologous blood through the common carotid artery in Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were divided into two groups, with craniectomy (Cr+ group) and without (Cr- group). Animals were sacrificed 0, 24, and 48 hours after hypertensive insult. Brain water content was determined by the gravimetric method. Regional cerebral blood flow and local cerebral glucose utilization were measured by the quantitative autoradiographic method using [14C]iodoantipyrine and [14C]deoxyglucose, respectively. Hypertensive insult produced multifocal lesions stained by Evans blue. Brains from the Cr- group showed a transient increase in water content and no significant change in cerebrovascular dynamics and metabolism. Brains from the Cr+ group showed a pronounced increase in water content which persisted 48 hours later. Misery perfusion was also observed 24 hours after the insult and the cerebrovascular dynamics and metabolism were significantly decreased after 48 hours. These results indicate that an increased hydrostatic pressure gradient enhances tissue damage and causes reopening of the blood-brain barrier.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of 4'-O-acylanthracyclines

4'-O-Acyl derivatives of doxorubicin, daunorubicin, 13-deoxocarminomycin, 13-deoxo-10-hydroxycarminomycin, 13-deoxo-11-deoxycarminomycin were synthesized through the formation and mild acid hydrolysis of 2-oxazoline intermediates. The antitumor activity of these 4'-O-acyl derivatives against P388 leukemia was similar to or more effective than the parent anthracyclines.

Ascorbic acid and adriamycin toxicity

Adriamycin (ADR) is effective against a wide range of human neoplasms. However, its clinical use is compromised by serious cardiac toxicity, possibly through induction of peroxidation in cardiac lipids. Ascorbic acid, a potent antioxidant, was examined for effect in reducing ADR toxicity in mice and guinea pigs. Ascorbic acid had no effect on the antitumor activity of ADR in mice inoculated with leukemia L1210 or Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, but it significantly prolonged the life of animals treated with ADR. ADR elevated lipid peroxide levels in mouse heart, and ascorbic acid prevented the elevation. The significant prevention of ADR-induced cardiomyopathy in guinea pigs by ascorbic acid was proved by electron microscopy. Ascorbic acid and the derivatives may delay general toxicity of ADR and also prevent the cardiac toxicity. The results also suggest the clinical efficacy of the combined treatment of ADR and ascorbic acid or the derivatives.

Synthesis of 3'-deoxy-3'-fluorokanamycin A and 3',4'-dideoxy-3'-fluorokanamycin A

3'-Deoxy-3'-fluorokanamycin A (14) has been prepared by condensation of 6-azido-2,4-di-O-benzyl-3,6-dideoxy-3-fluoro-alpha-D-glucopyranlsyl++ + bromide (8) and 6-O-(2-O-acetyl-4,6-O-cyclohexylidene-3-deoxy- 3-tosylamino-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-2-deoxy-1,3-di-N-tosylstre ptamine (10). Compound 8 was obtained from 3-deoxy-3-fluoro-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-D-glucofuranose in seven steps. 3',4'-Dideoxy-3'-fluorokanamycin A (22) has been prepared from 12 through selective 4'-chlorodeoxygenation, a key reaction. Both 14 and 22 were more active than 3'-deoxykanamycin A against both sensitive and resistant bacteria.

Post-ischaemic treatment with the prostacycline analogue TTC-909 reduces ischaemic brain injury

The effects of stable PGI analogue TTC-909 on CBF and glucose metabolism was studied in the chronic stage of cerebral ischaemia produced by occluding the distal MCA in SHRSP. Administration of TTC-909 (100 ng/kg/day during 7 days) prevented the development of ischaemic oedema and improved secondary metabolic derangement coupled to flow in postischaemic tissues, particularly in the ischaemic rim.

Local cerebral blood flow and glucose metabolism in hydrostatic brain oedema

Two hydrostatic factors such as acute hypertension and decompressive craniectomy were chosen and assessment was focused on how the hydrostatic pressure gradient altered the cerebrovascular dynamics and metabolism during the process of development of brain oedema. Hydrostatic oedema was induced by bolus injection of autologous blood through the common carotid artery in Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were divided into two groups, one with craniectomy (Cr+) and the other without craniectomy (Cr-). Animals were sacrificed immediately, 24 and 48 h after the hypertensive insult. Brain water content was determined by the gravimetric method. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and glucose metabolism (1CGU) were measured by quantitative autoradiographic methods using 14C-iodoantipyrine and 14C-deoxyglucose, respectively. The hypertensive insult produced multifocal lesions stained by Evans blue. In the brains of the Cr- group, there was a transient increase in water content and no significant change of rCBF and 1CGU. In the Cr+ group, the increase in water content was pronounced and continued until 48 h later. In addition, misery perfusion was observed at 24 h after the insult and both rCBF and 1CGU were significantly decreased after 48 h. These results indicate that the increased hydrostatic pressure gradient enhances tissue damage and causes the reopening of blood-brain barrier.

Mannostatins A and B: new inhibitors of alpha-D-mannosidase, produced by Streptoverticillium verticillus var. quintum ME3-AG3: taxonomy, production, isolation, physico-chemical properties and biological activities

Mannostatins have been isolated as part of a program designed to find microorganism-produced inhibitors of alpha-D-mannosidase from Streptoverticillium verticillus var. quintum. They were purified by sequential use of active carbon and Dowex resins and then isolated as colorless powders. Mannostatins A and B have the molecular formula, C6H13NO3S and C6H13NO4S, respectively. They were competitive with the substrate, and the inhibition constants (Ki) of mannostatins A and B were 4.8 x 10(-8) M.

Changes in relationship between blood glucose level and plasma 1,5-anhydroglucitol level in KK mice

We compared the relationship of the blood glucose level to the plasma 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5AG) level between KK mice with abnormal glucose metabolism and ICR mice as controls. Although the plasma 1,5AG level did not show any significant correlation with the blood glucose level in the controls, it tended to logarithmically decrease with the rise in the blood glucose level in KK mice. Thus it is possible that the plasma 1,5AG level is specifically related to the abnormal glucose metabolism in this model of diabetes mellitus and that its routine examination in diabetic patients may help delineate the metabolic derangement in the disease.

Multiple enzymes related to differentiation of lymphocyte subpopulations in man

We studied the relation of various enzymes to subpopulations of lymphocytes in man. T cell-rich fractions were separated with a nylon column from mononuclear cells in the buffy coat. Comparing the enzymatic profiles of the two fractions, we found that the difference between the two groups came from the dominancy of B cells and/or macrophages in the former fraction, and from that of T cells in the latter. The enzymes characterizing T cells included N-Ac-beta-D-glucosaminidase (GlcNAc-ase), prolyl endopeptidase (Post-Pro-Enz), and dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV (DAP-IV), whereas those characterizing B cells and/or macrophages include poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase, leucine aminopeptidase (Leu-AP), AP-B, cathepsin B, sialidase, and AP-A. Inhibitors of these enzymes may lead to modification of the function of T and B cells.

The differentiation-promoting potential of a cytostatic fluoro-pyranosyl adriamycin analog (FAD 104)

Acute toxicity to the hematopoietic cell renewal system is a critical side effect of most anticancer agents. Here we compared the effects of FAD-104 to those of the parent compound adriamycin (ADM) and of epi-adriamycin (epi-ADM) on the growth and differentiation of normal as well as leukemic human myeloid progenitor cells. FAD-104 was less toxic to myeloid colony-forming cells (GM-CFU) than ADM or epi-ADM. In addition, FAD-104 but not ADM induced a clonal down-grading in both normal and leukemic blast cells, and it stimulated the terminal differentiation of myeloid leukemia cells. Therefore, FAD-104 may be useful in the treatment of some forms of myeloid leukemia.

Benadrostin, new inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase, produced by actinomycetes. II. Structure determination

Benadrostin, a new inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase, has been isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces flavovirens MH499-O'F1. The structure of benadrostin was defined as 8-hydroxy-2H-1,3-benzoxazine-2,4-dione by an analysis of spectral properties and chemical studies of benadrostin and its derivatives.

Benadrostin, new inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase, produced by actinomycetes. I. Taxonomy, production, isolation, physico-chemical properties and biological activities

Benadrostin, a new inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase was discovered in the fermentation broth of Streptomyces flavovirens MH499-O'F1. It was purified by chromatography followed by solvent extraction and then isolated as colorless prisms. Benadrostin has the molecular formula of C8H5NO4. It was competitive with the substrate, and the inhibition constant (Ki) was 34 microM.

Strong binding of ditrisarubicin B to DNA

DNA binding characteristics of ditrisarubicin B were studied by the fluorescence titration technique. Ditrisarubicin B bound to calf thymus DNA with an affinity higher than any we have ever seen among anthracyclines. The apparent association constant (Kapp) of ditrisarubicin B was 2.36 X 10(8) M-1, which is 22.7 times larger than that of doxorubicin. The apparent number of binding sites (napp) of ditrisarubicin B per nucleotide of DNA was 0.164, and this value is identical with that of doxorubicin. Betaclamycin A, which has a trisaccharide chain at C-7 but no carbohydrate at C-10 in the aglycone, interacted with DNA to give a Kapp of 5.92 X 10(6) M-1 and napp of 0.178. These results suggest to us that the high affinity of ditrisarubicin B for DNA is caused by the existence of a glycosidic chain at C-10.

Antitumor activity of new morpholino anthracyclines

Antitumor activity of 3'-deamino-3'-morpholino anthracyclines was examined. Morpholino derivatives of 13-deoxocarminomycins, MX2 (1), MX (2) and MY5 (3) shown in Fig. 1, administered iv showed increase in life span (ILS) values over 110% against ip-inoculated P388 leukemia. The ranges of effective doses of these compounds were broader than those of their parent drugs. The morpholino derivatives of doxorubicin and carminomycin, however, were not so effective as their parent drugs. Among these compounds, MX2 administered orally showed nearly the same effects as those obtained by iv administration against P388 leukemia. MX2 administered iv showed 89% ILS against intracerebrally-inoculated L1210 leukemia. The highly lipophilic nature of MX2 could contribute partly to achieving chemotherapeutic responses against intracerebrally-inoculated tumors or by oral administration.