Loss of sorting nexin 5 stabilizes internalized growth factor receptors to promote thyroid cancer progression

Thyroid carcinoma is the most common endocrine malignancy and its prevalence has recently been increasing worldwide. We previously reported that the level of sorting nexin 5 (Snx5), an endosomal translocator, is preferentially decreased during the progression of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma into poorly differentiated carcinoma. To address the functional role of Snx5 in the development and progression of thyroid carcinoma, we established Snx5-deficient (Snx5^-/- ) mice. In comparison to wild-type (Snx5^+/+ ) mice, Snx5^-/- mice showed enlarged thyroid glands that consisted of thyrocytes with large irregular-shaped vacuoles. Snx5^-/- thyrocytes exhibited a higher growth potential and higher sensitivity to thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). A high content of early endosomes enriched with TSH receptors was found in Snx5^-/- thyrocytes, suggesting that loss of Snx5 caused retention of the TSH receptor (TSHR) in response to TSH. Similar data were found for internalized EGF in primary thyrocytes. The increased TSH sensitivities in Snx5^-/- thyrocytes were also confirmed by results showing that Snx5^-/- mice steadily developed thyroid tumors with high metastatic potential under high TSH. Furthermore, a thyroid cancer model using carcinogen and an anti-thyroidal agent revealed that Snx5^-/- mice developed metastasizing thyroid tumors with activation of MAP kinase and AKT pathways, which are postulated to be major pathways of malignant progression of human thyroid carcinoma. Our results suggest that thyrocytes require Snx5 to lessen tumorigenic signaling driven by TSH, which is a major risk factor for thyroid carcinoma. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

High frequency of Bob1lo T follicular helper cells in florid reactive follicular hyperplasia

Florid reactive follicular hyperplasia (FRFH), which is characterized by large germinal centers (GCs) within normal lymphoid follicles, is often observed in benign lesions of lymph nodes and other tissues. Because of the histologic similarity of FRFH to tumorous lesions such as follicular lymphoma, careful pathological examination is required to evaluate such lesions; however, little is known about the mechanism underlying the development of FRFH. In this study, we investigated T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in hyperplastic tonsils of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA), which frequently exhibits typical FRFH. When we analyzed tonsils of OSA and recurrent tonsillitis (RT) as a control, tonsils of OSA were found to harbor Tfh cells with a nearly 3-fold higher ratio in total CD4⁺ T cells than that in tonsils of RT. Further analysis showed that, in comparison to Tfh cells of RT tonsils, Tfh cells of OSA tonsils were relatively tolerant to CD3-mediated activation-induced cell death (AICD) and also expressed lower levels of a Bob1 transcription coactivator and IL-4, which fosters the development of GC-B cells. Given that Bob1 controls the proliferative activity in response to CD3 stimulation and has been suggested to have a role in the production of IL-4 in Tfh cells, the unique structure of FRFH is possibly associated with the function of Bob1^lo Tfh cells.

Identification of a novel human memory T-cell population with the characteristics of stem-like chemo-resistance

High-dose chemotherapy may kill not only tumor cells but also immunocytes, and frequently induces severe lymphocytopenia. On the other hand, patients who recover from the nadir maintain immunity against infection, suggesting the existence of an unknown memory T-cell population with stress resistance, long-living capacity, proliferation and differentiation. Recently, the differentiation system of T-cell memory has been clarified using mouse models. However, the human T-cell memory system has great diversity induced by natural antigens derived from many pathogens and tumor cells throughout life, and profoundly differs from the mouse memory system constructed using artificial antigens and transgenic T cells. Here we report a novel human T-cell memory population, “young memory” T (T_YM) cells. T_YM cells are defined by positive expression of CD73, which represents high aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) activity and CXCR3 among CD8⁺CD45RA⁺CD62L⁺ T cells. T_YM proliferate upon TCR stimulation, with differentiation capacity into T_CM and T_EM and drug resistance. Moreover, T_YM are involved in memory function for viral and tumor-associated antigens in healthy donors and cancer patients, respectively. Regulation of T_YM might be very attractive for peptide vaccination, adoptive cell-transfer therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

HIV-associated cystic lesions of the parotid gland

We present two cases of an HIV-associated parotid gland cyst. One case was a 36-year-old HIV infected woman. She was diagnosed with HIV infection and presented with slowly enlarged parotid gland cysts together with elevation of HIV viral RNA copies/mL in her serum. She was performed parotid gland biopsy under the general anesthesia. The histopathologic analysis revealed negative HIV p24-antigen in her parotid gland tissue. The other case was a 43-year-old man found his parotid gland swelling shortly after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). He was diagnosed with HIV infection 2 years previously. He had started HAART several days before. He showed exceeding elevation of IgE in his serum. We treated him with medication using anti-histamic drugs for his cyst. A computed tomography scan revealed a complete response of his parotid gland cyst 4 weeks after the medication. His serum IgE level was decreased to half of the level before the medication. These findings suggested that the parotid gland swelling associated with HIV was due to various factors including immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). In case such a parotid gland swelling, we could avoid invasive treatments.

Bob1 limits cellular frequency of T-follicular helper cells

T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are involved in specific humoral immunity at initial and recall phases. The fact that the transcription repressors B‐cell lymphoma‐6 and Blimp‐1 determine lineages of Tfh cells and other types of effector CD4⁺ T cells, respectively, suggests that there are unique mechanisms to establish Tfh‐cell identity. In this study, we found that Tfh cells preferentially express the transcriptional coactivator Bob1. Bob1 of Tfh cells was dispensable for the expression of B‐cell lymphoma‐6 and the functional property of the cells for B cell help. However, upon initial immunization of foreign antigens, the percentages of Tfh cells in Bob1^−/− mice were much higher than those in wild‐type (WT) mice. In addition, expansion of Tfh cells within Bob1^−/−CD4⁺ T cells transferred into WT mice revealed that the high frequency of Tfh cells was caused by a T‐cell‐intrinsic mechanism. These findings were further supported by the results of in vitro studies demonstrating that Bob1^−/− Tfh cells had greater proliferative activity in response to stimuli by CD3/CD28 monoclonal antibody and were also refractory to CD3‐induced cell death in comparison to WT Tfh cells. These results suggest that Tfh cells harbor a Bob1‐related mechanism to restrict numerical frequency against stimulation of TCRs.

Studies of Tonsils in Basic and Clinical Perspectives: From the Past to the Future

The tonsils are located at the entrance of the pharynx as a cardinal constituent of Waldeyer's ring, taking part not only in local immune responses, but also in systemic immunity. Functional deficits of tonsils primarily underlie the pathogenesis of various characteristic disorders, including tonsillar focal infections such as palmoplantar pustulosis and IgA nephropathy, in addition to the highly prevalent sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Although the mechanisms underlying these disorders remain unknown, the tonsils have long been postulated as a unique and enigmatic immune organ. Lymphoid cells and tissues from surgically resected tonsils are often employed to analyze the human immune response from a retrospective view. This approach has provided much new fundamental evidence for understanding innate and acquired immune responses, thereby facilitating further studies in the fields of mucosal immunity and specific humoral immunity originating in the germinal center. Future studies of the tonsils in basic and clinical research are expected to reveal the mechanisms of tonsil-related disorders as well as the nature of human immunity. In this review, which is primarily based on our original research over the past 3 decades, we summarize our findings and discuss the future prospects of studies focusing on the tonsils.

Alteration of circulating type 2 follicular helper T cells and regulatory B cells underlies the comorbid association of allergic rhinitis with bronchial asthma

Allergic rhinitis (AR), the most common allergic disorder of the airway, is often accompanied by bronchial asthma. However, little is known about the mechanism by which AR advances to AR comorbid with bronchial asthma (AR+Asthma). To determine the pathophysiologic features of AR and AR+Asthma, we examined subsets of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells and regulatory B (Breg) cells in peripheral blood from AR and AR+Asthma patients. The results showed polarization of Tfh2 cells within Tfh cell subsets in both AR and AR+Asthma cases. Interestingly, the %Breg cells in total B cells were decreased in AR cases and, more extensively, in AR+Asthma cases. Moreover, we found significant correlations of fractional exhaled nitric oxide and blood eosinophil levels with the index %Tfh2 cells per %Breg cells. Our findings indicate that relative decrease in Breg cells under the condition of Tfh2 cell skewing is a putative exaggerating factor of AR to bronchial asthma.

Specific targeting of a naturally presented osteosarcoma antigen, papillomavirus binding factor peptide, using an artificial monoclonal antibody

Osteosarcoma is a rare but highly malignant tumor occurring most frequently in adolescents. The prognosis of non-responders to chemotherapy is still poor, and new treatment modalities are needed. To develop peptide-based immunotherapy, we previously identified autologous cytotoxic T lymphocyte-defined osteosarcoma antigen papillomavirus binding factor (PBF) in the context of HLA-B55 and the cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope (PBF A2.2) presented by HLA-A2. PBF and HLA class I are expressed in ∼90 and 70% of various sarcomas, respectively. However, the expression status of peptide PBF A2.2 presented by HLA-A2 on osteosarcoma cells has remained unknown because it is difficult to generate a specific probe that reacts with the HLA·peptide complex. For detection and qualification of the HLA-A*02:01·PBF A2.2 peptide complex on osteosarcoma cells, we tried to isolate a single chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody directed to the HLA-*A0201·PBF A2.2 complex using a naïve scFv phage display library. As a result, scFv clone D12 with high affinity (KD = 1.53 × 10(-9) M) was isolated. D12 could react with PBF A2.2 peptide-pulsed T2 cells and HLA-A2+PBF+ osteosarcoma cell lines and simultaneously demonstrated that the HLA·peptide complex was expressed on osteosarcoma cells. In conclusion, scFv clone D12 might be useful to select candidate patients for PBF A2.2 peptide-based immunotherapy and develop antibody-based immunotherapy.

Sorting nexin 5 of a new diagnostic marker of papillary thyroid carcinoma regulates Caspase-2

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is a well-differentiated endocrine malignant tumor that develops from thyroid follicular epithelium. The tumor represents the most common type of endocrine malignancy; however, its tumorigenesis is not fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to address the functional role of the sorting nexin (SNX) family in PTC because of recent experimental evidence suggesting that the SNX family members actively control endocytotic transportation as well as cell fate. Expression profiles of SNX family members of PTC showed a significant quantity of transcripts of SNX5. Further immunohistochemical analysis with an SNX5-specific monoclonal antibody established in this study consistently demonstrated the preferential expression of SNX5 in PTC (94.2%, 113/120 cases) as indicated by studies on 440 cases of various tumors. In contrast, other major carcinomas originating from the lung (2.6%, 1/38 cases), breast (5.1%, 2/39 cases), and intestine (4.2%, 1/24 cases) scarcely expressed SNX5. When we investigated models of murine thyroid tumors induced by the administration of carcinogens, high expression of Snx5 was also observed in well-differentiated thyroid tumors, further implying that the tumorigenesis of the thyroid gland was tightly associated with the abundance of SNX5/Snx5. Moreover epithelial cells expressing excess SNX5 showed high levels of Caspase-2 of an initiator caspase. Collectively these findings suggest that the evaluation of SNX5 expression would support pathological diagnosis of primary and secondary PTC.

POU2AF1(+) follicular helper T (Tfh) cells in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) (69.3)

OSAS is attributable to periodic collapse of the upper airway due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy, featuring prominent germinal centers and wide interfollicular zones. However, the mechanism is still unclear. Here we present the possible involvement of Tfh cells in the pathogenesis of OSAS as indicated by comprehensive analysis of tonsillar lymphocytes of OSAS patients. The results revealed that tonsillar Tfh cells were plentiful in OSAS compared to recurrent tonsillitis (RT) without any discrepancy of T-cell components between the tonsils of OSAS and RT patients, indicating a ‘Tfh shift’ in OSAS tonsils. In addition, in vitro experiments delineated a unique function of the Tfh cells of OSAS, which could help expand the number of naive B cells and, more extensively, memory B cells, which allowed the Tfh cells to produce larger amounts of IL-4 and IFN-γ. Microarray studies newly identified transcripts characterizing the Tfh cells, including TIGIT and POU2AF1 regulating CXCR5 of B cells. Indeed, B-cell expansion was under the control of TIGIT, and large numbers of POU2AF1(+) Tfh cells were observed in and outside of germinal centers of OSAS tonsils. Overall these findings indicate that POU2AF1(+) Tfh cells cooperate with regional B-cell subsets to induce lymphoid hyperplasia.Focusing on the TIGIT-selective regulation of POU2AF1(+) Tfh cells, further investigations may provide a new modality for a noninvasive approach to treatment of this condition.

A novel autocrine-paracrine loop of TSLP in atopic dermatitis is modulated by p63. (71.4)

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common disease affecting over 10% of children and adults, which severely impairs quality of life. Accumulating evidence has revealed that thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) of a pleiotropic cytokine play a critical role in the maintenance of AD. Currently, epidermal cells of AD are postulated as a major producer of TSLP, eventually leading to unfavorable local inflammation. However a property of the epidermal cells of AD is largely unknown. In the present study we assessed a functional significance of an epitheliotropic transcription factor p63 of a p53 homologue in the skin lesions of AD. Interestingly immunohistochemical analysis indicated constitutive downregulation of p63 of the epidermal cells in AD-affected skin areas. Further in vitro experiments using primary epidermal cells demonstrated that TSLP stimulation efficiently allowed cells to secrete TSLP as well as several inflammatory cytokines. Moreover it was found that the levels of expression of TSLP receptor (TSLPR) were under the control of p63. Collectively these indicate that the downregulation of p63 may cause chronic inflammation through providing a harmful TSLP-TSLPR axis to epidermal cells. Together with the evidence that innate ligands to TLRs like TLR3 could steadily suppress p63, our data would provide new insight into the pathogenesis of AD, especially with respect to the operation of innate immune responses by epidermal p63.

Arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase establishes adaptive humoral immunity by controlling primary B cells and their cognate T-cell help

In this study, we report the unique role of arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (Alox5) in the regulation of specific humoral immune responses. We previously reported an L22 monoclonal antibody with which human primary resting B cells in the mantle zones of lymphoid follicles are well-defined. Proteomics analyses enabled identification of an L22 antigen as Alox5, which was highly expressed by naive and memory B cells surrounding germinal centers. Cellular growth of mantle cell lymphoma cells also seemed to depend on Alox5. Alox5(-/-) mice exhibited weak antibody responses specific to foreign antigens at the initial and recall phases. This was probably attributable to the low number of follicular and memory B cells and the functional loss of interleukin-21-mediated responses of follicular B cells. Moreover, Alox5(-/-) mice could not fully foster the development of follicular B helper T (Tfh) cells even after immunization with foreign antigens. Further experiments indicated that Alox5 affected mortality in experimentally induced enterocolitis in germ-prone circumstances, indicating that Alox5 would endow immunologic milieu. Our results illustrate the novel role of Alox5 in adaptive humoral immunity by managing primary B cells and Tfh cells in vivo.

A novel fluorescence reagent, 10-hydroxybenzo[h]quinoline-7-sulfonate, for selective determination of beryllium(II) ion at pg cm(-3) levels

A facile method has been developed for the highly sensitive and selective determination of ultratrace Be(II) ion using a new fluorimetric reagent, 10-hydroxybenzo[h]quinoline-7-sulfonate (HBQS), under extremely alkaline conditions, at pH 12.0. This reagent is quite suitable for the very small ion, Be(II), to form a 6-membered chelate ring, compatible with a high fluorescence yield. The stoichiometry of the chelate is 1:1 for Be-HBQS at pH 12.0. The calibration graph gave a wide linear dynamic range, 2-100 nmol dm(-3) of Be(II) ion with the detection limit (3s blank) of 0.52 nmol dm(-3), or 4.7 pg cm(-3). The excellent sensitivity and toughness toward the matrix influence were demonstrated using the artificial sample solutions for air-dust. Coupled with the simple masking procedure using EDTA, the method enables one to determine Be(II) ion at nanomolar levels in the presence of metals at the natural abundance levels in air-dust samples, typically Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Pb, and Zn at 130, 150, 1.0, 70, 33, 3.0, and 8.0 micromol dm(-3), respectively, in the final solution. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of Be in urban air.

[Outcomes and predictors of mortality in elderly patients requiring artificial ventilation]

We retrospectively examined the outcomes and the predictors of mortality in 97 patients aged 70 years and over (mean: 79.3 years) who required artificial ventilation for more than 3 hours. The median duration of artificial ventilation was 16 days (range: 1-85). Of these patients, 61% survived ventilator weaning and 37% were discharged from hospital alive. We performed univariate and logistic regression analysis to determine the predictors of dying before weaning and hospital discharge using severity of illness data. The predictors of hospital mortality were examined in 86 patients, excluding those who had malignant disease, all of whom died in hospital. Activities of daily living (ADL) were ranked as "bedridden", "in wheelchair", or "independent". In the three age groups-up to 70 years, 75 to 84 years and 85 years and over-the respective survival rates were 63% (weaned) and 67% (discharged), 69% (weaned) and 39% (discharged), and 33% (weaned) and 12% (discharged); the overall p values being 0.026 (weaned) and 0.003 (discharged). The predictors of dying before weaning according to univariate analysis were as follows: age (p = 0.026), respiratory or cardiac arrest on admission (p = 0.003), acute physiology score (APS) of 25 or more on admission (p = 0.000), systolic blood pressure below 90 mmHg on admission (p = 0.001), hemoglobin less than 11 g/dl (p = 0.044), and total protein less than 6 g/dl (p = 0.007). The predictors of hospital mortality by univariate analysis were as follows: age (p = 0.003), limited ADL (p = 0.001), respiratory or cardiac arrest on admission (p = 0.011), APS 25 or more on admission (p = 0.049), systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg on admission (p = 0.002), hemoglobin less than 11 g/dl (p = 0.028), and GOT or GPT more than 50 IU (p = 0.038). The relative risk of dying before weaning decreased in the order: respiratory or cardiac arrest on admission, systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg on admission, total protein less than 6 g/dl (Odds ratios: 6.04, 3.90, 3.51, respectively), or, respiratory or cardiac arrest on admission, APS more than 25 in admission, total protein less than 6 g/dl (Odds ratio: 6.94, 3.99, 3.76, respectively). The relative risk of hospital mortality decreased in the order: "bedridden", systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg on admission, "with wheel chair" (Odds ratios: 11.76, 6.44, 3.57, respectively). In the older patients, successful ventilator weaning was not indicative of hospital discharge. Ventilator weaning depended mainly on acute health status on admission, but hospital discharge depended also on the presence of limited ADL and preexisting malignant disease.

[Susceptibilities of bacteria isolated from patients with respiratory infectious diseases to antibiotics (1995)]

The bacteria isolated from the patients with lower respiratory tract infections were collected by institutions located throughout Japan, since 1981. Ikemoto et al. have been investigating susceptibilities of these isolates to various antibacterial agents and antibiotics, and characteristics of the patients and isolates from them each year. Results obtained from these investigations are discussed. In 23 institutions around the entire Japan, 567 strains of presumably etiological bacteria were isolated mainly from the sputa of 459 patients with lower respiratory tract infections during the period from October 1995 to September 1996. MICs of various antibacterial agents and antibiotics were determined against 74 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 82 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 104 strains of Haemophilus influenzae, 85 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (non-mucoid strains), 18 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (mucoid strains), 52 strains of Moraxella subgenus Branhamella catarrhalis, 25 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae etc., and the drug susceptibilities of these strains were assessed except for those strains that died during transportation. 1) S. aureus. S. aureus strains for which MICs of oxacillin (MPIPC) were higher than 4 micrograms/ml (methicillin-resistant S. aureus) accounted for 52.7%. Arbekacin (ABK) showed the most highest activity against S. aureus with MIC80 of 0.5 micrograms/ml. Vancomycin (VCM) showed the next highest activity with MIC80 of 1 microgram/ml. These drugs showed the high activities against MRSA with MIC80S of 1 microgram/ml. 2) S. pneumoniae. Most of drugs tested showed potent activities against S. pneumoniae. Imipenem (IPM) and panipenem (PAPM), carbapenems, showed the most potent activity with MIC80S of 0.063 microgram/ml. Cefotaxime (CTX), cefmenoxime (CMX) and cefpirome (CPR) of cephems showed the next most potent activities with MIC80S of 0.25 microgram/ml. Erythromycin (EM) and clindamycin (CLDM) showed low activities with MIC80S 128 micrograms/ml or high. Among these strains, however, 48.8% and 65.9% of respective strains were quite toward sensitive these agents with MICs of 0.063 microgram/ml. 3) H. influenzae. The activities of all drugs were potent against H. influenzae test with all MICs at 4 micrograms/ml or below. Cefotiam (CTM), CMX, cefditoren (CDTR) and ofloxacin (OFLX) showed the most potent activity with MIC90S to 0.063 microgram/ml. 4) P. aeruginosa. (mucoid strains) IPM and tobramycin (TOB) showed the most potent activity against P. aeruginosa (mucoid strains) with MIC80S of 1 microgram/ml. Ceftazidime (CAZ), cefsulodin (CFS) and carumonam (CRMN) showed next potent activity, with MIC80S of 2 micrograms/ml. The MIC80S of the other drugs ranged from 4 micrograms/ml to 32 micrograms/ml. 5) P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid strains). TOB and ciprofloxacin (CPFX) showed the most potent activities against P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid strains) with MIC80S of 1 microgram/ml. The MIC80 of ampicillin (ABPC) was 128 micrograms/ml in 1994, it was 16 micrograms/ml in 1995. 6) K. pneumoniae. All drugs except ABPC were active against K. pneumoniae. CPR and CRMN showed the most potent activities against K. pneumoniae with MIC80S of 0.063 microgram/ml. The MIC80S of the other drugs ranged from 0.125 microgram/ml to 2 micrograms/ml. 7) M. (B.) catarrhalis. Against M. (B.) catarrhalis, all the drugs showed good activities with MIC80S at 4 micrograms/ml or below. And MICs of all strains were 8 micrograms/ml or below. IPM, OFLX and minocycline (MINO) showed the most potent activity with MIC80S of 0.063 microgram/ml. Also, we investigated year to year changes in the characteristics of patients, their respiratory infectious diseases, and the etiology. Patients' backgrounds were examine for 567 isolates from 459 cases. The examination of age distribution found that the proportion of patients with ages over 60 years was 66.3% of all the patients showing a slight increase over that in 1994. Proportion of differe

Bioprocessing in microgravity: applications of continuous flow electrophoresis to rat anterior pituitary particles

In this report we describe the results of a continuous flow electrophoresis (CFE) experiment done on STS-65 in which we tested the idea that intracellular growth hormone (GH) particles contained in a cell lysate prepared from cultured rat anterior pituitary cells in microgravity might have different electrophoretic mobilities from those in a synchronous ground control cell lysate. Collectively, the results suggested that CFE processing in microgravity was better than on earth; more sample could be processed/time (6 x) and more variant forms of GH molecules could be resolved as well. We had also hoped to carry out a pituitary cell CFE experiment, but failure of the hardware required that the actual cell electrophoresis trials be done on earth shortly after Shuttle landing. Data from these experiments showed that space-flown cells possessed a higher electrophoretic mobility than ground control cells, thereby offering evidence for the idea that exposure of cultured cells to microgravity can change their net surface charge-density especially when the cells are fed. Collectively, the results from this pituitary cell experiment document the advantage of using coupled cell culture and CFE techniques in the microgravity environment.

[Susceptibilities of bacteria isolated from patients with respiratory infectious diseases to antibiotics (1994)]

Bacteria isolated from lower respiratory tract infections were collected in cooperation with institutions located throughout Japan, since 1981. IKEMOTO et al. have been investigating susceptibilities of these isolates to various antibacterial agents and antibiotics, and characteristics of the patients and isolates from them each year. Results obtained from these investigations are discussed. In 23 institutions around the entire Japan, 492 strains of presumably etiological bacteria were isolated mainly from the sputum of 421 patients with lower respiratory tract infections from October 1994 to September 1995. MICs of various antibacterial agents and antibiotics were determined against 70 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 101 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 92 strains of Haemophilus influenzae, 61 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (non-mucoid strains), 25 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (mucoid strains), 48 strains of Moraxella subgenus Branhamella catarrhalis, 14 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae etc., and the drug susceptibilities of these strains were assessed except for those strains that died during transportation. 1. S. aureus. S. aureus strains for which MICs of oxacillin were higher than 4 micrograms/ml (methicillin-resistant S. aureus) accounted for 51.4%, but the frequency of the drug resistant bacteria decreased comparing to the previous year's 56.0%. Vancomycin showed the highest activity against S. aureus with MIC80 of 0.5 microgram/ml. 2. S. pneumoniae. Most of the drugs tested showed potent activities against S. pneumoniae. Imipenem of carbapenems showed the most potent activity with MIC80 was 0.063 microgram/ml. Erythromycin and clindamycin showed low activities with MIC80s > or = 256 micrograms/ml. Among these strains, however, 46.5% and 68.3% of strains, were quite sensitive toward these agents, respectively, with MICs of 0.063 microgram/ml. 3. H. influenzae. The activities of all drugs were potent against H. influenzae tested. Cefmenoxime a cephem, showed the most potent activity, the MICs of this drug against all of the 92 strains were 0.063 microgram/ml. Ofloxacin also showed a potent activity, and inhibited about 96% of strains with MIC of 0.063 microgram/ml. 4. P. aeruginosa (mucoid strains). Tobramycin showed the most potent activity against P. aeruginosa (mucoid strains) with MIC80 of 0.5 microgram/ml. Gentamicin, arbekacin and ciprofloxacin showed next potent activities, and their MIC80s were 2 micrograms/ml. 5. P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid strains). Tobramycin showed the most potent activity against P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid strains) with MIC80 of 2 micrograms/ml. Comparing to the activities against P. aeruginosa (mucoid strains), the activities of all the drugs tested were lower against P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid strains). 6. K. pneumoniae. Carumonam showed the most potent activity against K. pneumoniae with MIC80 of 0.063 microgram/ml. Cefozopran showed the next most potent activity with MIC80 of 0.125 microgram/ml. Ampicillin and cephems except cefpodoxime, cefozopran and cefditoren showed low activities and their MIC80s were > or = 16 micrograms/ml, and their MICs were all higher than > or = 4 micrograms/ml. 7. M. (B.) catarrhalis. Imipenem and ofloxacin showed the most potent activities against M. (B.) catarrhalis, their MIC80s were 0.063 microgram/ml. Erythromycin and minocycline showed the next highest activities with their MIC80s at 0.25 microgram/ml. Also, we investigated year to year changes in the background of patients, the respiratory infectious diseases, and the etiology of bacteria. Patients characteristics, in this period of investigation showed varieties of infectious diseases found in patients in a high age bracket, and the patients over age 60 accounted for 62.0% of all the cases. Different lower respiratory tract infectious were distributed as follows: chronic bronchitis and bacterial pneumonia accounted for the greatest number of cases with 35.6%, 27.1%, respectively, followed by

[Susceptibilities of bacteria isolated from patients with respiratory infectious diseases to antibiotics (1993)]

Bacteria isolated from respiratory tract infections were collected in cooperation with institutions located throughout Japan, since 1981, and the Ikemotor et al. have been investigating susceptibilities of the isolates of various antibacterial agents and antibiotics, and the relationships between the isolates and backgrounds of the patients and so forth each year. We discuss the results in detail. In 20 institutions around the entire Japan from October 1993 to September 1994, 584 strains of bacteria were isolated mainly from sputa of 473 patients with respiratory tract infections and presumed to be the etiological agents. MICs of various antibacterial agents and antibiotics were determined against 91 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 98 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 122 strains of Haemophilus influenzae, 91 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (non-mucoid), 34 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (mucoid), 42 strains of Moraxella subgenus Branhamella catarrhalis, 25 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae etc., and the drug susceptibilities of these strains were measured except the strains which died during transportation. 1. S. aureus S. aureus strain sfor which MICs of methicillin was higher than 4 micrograms/ml (methicillin-resistant S. aureus) accounted for 56.0%, but this frequency of the drug resistant bacteria was lower than the previous year's 61.4%. Arbekacin and vancomycin showed the highest activities against MRSA and MIC80s were 1 microgram/ml. 2. S. pneumoniae Benzylpenicillin among the penicillins showed potent activities against S. pneumoniae. Cefuzonam, cefotaxime and cefmenoxime among the cephems showed excellent antimicrobial activities against S. pneumoniae. Imipenem; carbapenems, showed the most potent activity, and MIC90 was 0.063 microgram/ml. 3. H. influenzae All the drugs tested were quite active against H. influenzae. Cefotaxime, cefmenoxime, cefuzonam and cefixime among the cephems showed the most potent activities, and MIC90 were 0.063 microgram/ml against H. influenzae. Ofloxacin also showed MIC90 of 0.063 microgram/ml. 4. P. aeruginosa (mucoid) Tobramycin showed the most potent activity against P. aeruginosa (mucoid), and MIC80 was 1 microgram/ml. Ceftazidime, cefsulodin, imipenem, aztreonam, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin showed potent activities with MIC80s of 2 micrograms/ml. 5. P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid) Tobramycin showed the highest activity against P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid), and MIC80 was 1 microgram/ml, followed by ciprofloxacin with MIC80 of 2 micrograms/ml. Comparing to activities against P. aeruginosa (mucoid), all the drugs tested had relatively low activities against P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid). 6. K. pneumoniae. The activities of all drugs except ampicillin and minocycline were high against K. pneumoniae. Cefozopran, imipenem and carumonam showed the highest activities and MIC80s were 0.125 microgram/ml. Flomoxef showed the next highest activities with an MIC80 of 0.25 microgram/ml. 7. M.(B.) catarrhalis Imipenem showed the most potent activity against M.(B.) catarrhalis, with an MIC80 of 0.063 microgram/ml, followed minocycline and ofloxacin with their MIC80s of 0.125 microgram/ml. We also investigated year to year changes in the background of patients, as well as types of respiratory infectious diseases, and the etiological agents. As for patients background, there were many infectious diseases found among patients a high age bracket, and the patients over age 60 accounted for 61.3% of the diseases. The distribution by respiratory tract infections was as follows: chronic bronchitis and bacterial pneumonia accounted for the greatest numbers of cases with 31.1% and 26.0%, respectively, followed by bronchiectasis with 10.4%. In this year chronic bronchitis under age 29 were 41.7%, thus was much higher than 12.5% in previous year. This marked change was first noted in your research during the recent 5 years. As for frequencies of etiologic bacteria by respiratory tract infections, S. pneumoniae (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

[Susceptibilities of bacteria isolated from patients with respiratory infectious diseases to antibiotics (1992)]

Bacteria isolated from lower respiratory tract infections were collected in cooperation with institutions located throughout Japan since 1981, and Ikemoto et al. have been investigating susceptibilities of the isolates to various antibacterial agents and antibiotics, and the relationships between the isolates and characteristics of the patients and so forth each year. We discuss the results in detail. In 20 institutions around the entire Japan from October 1992 to September 1993, 690 strains of bacteria were isolated mainly from sputa of 549 patients with lower respiratory tract infections and presumed to be the etiological bacteria. MICs of various antibacterial agents and antibiotics were determined against 101 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 121 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 122 strains of Haemophilus influenzae, 92 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (non-mucoid), 32 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (mucoid), 52 strains of Moraxella subgenus Branhamella catarrhalis, 28 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae etc., and the drug susceptibilities of these strains were measured except the strains which died during transportation. 1. S. aureus S. aureus strains for which MICs of methicillin were higher than 4 micrograms/ml (methicillin-resistant S. aureus) accounted for 61.4% and the frequency of the drug resistant bacteria was higher than the previous year's 58.3%. MICs values indicated that arbekacin was as active as vancomycin against all the strains on S. aureus. 2. S. pneumoniae Benzylpenicillin among the penicillins showed potent activities against S. pneumoniae. Cefuzonam, cefazolin, cefotaxime and cefmenoxime among the cephems showed excellent antimicrobial activities against S. pneumoniae. Imipenem; carbapenems, showed the most potent activity, and MIC80 was 0.015 microgram/ml. 3. H. influenzae All the drugs tested were potent against H. influenzae. Ampicillin among the penicillins showed MIC80 1 microgram/ml against H. influenzae. Cefotaxime, cefmenoxime, cefuzonam and cefixime showed the most potent activities, and MIC80s were 0.063 microgram/ml. The antimicrobial activity of ofloxacin was equivalent to those of cephems. 4. P. aeruginosa (mucoid) Ciprofloxacin showed the most potent activity against P. aeruginosa (mucoid), and MIC80 was 1 microgram/ml. Cefsulodin, aztreonam, carumonam and tobramycin showed the next most potent activities with an MIC80s of 2 micrograms/ml. 5. P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid) Tobramycin and ciprofloxacin showed the highest activities against P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid) with an MIC80s of 2 micrograms/ml. Norfloxacin also showed some activity, and MIC80 was 4 micrograms/ml. Comparing to activities against P. aeruginosa (mucoid), all the drugs tested showed lower activities against P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid). 6. K. pneumoniae The activities of all drugs except penicillins were high activities against K. pneumoniae. Carumonam showed the most potent activity with an MIC80 of 0.063 microgram/ml, followed by flomoxef, cefixime and cefozopran with their MIC80s of 0.125 microgram/ml. 7. M.(B.) catarrhalis Imipenem; carbapenems, showed the most potent activity against M.(B.) catarrhalis with an MIC80 0.063 microgram/ml. Minocycline and ofloxacin showed MIC80s 0.125 microgram/ml, respectively. We also investigated year to year changes in the background of patients, as well as types of respiratory infectious diseases, and the etiological bacteria. As for patients backgrounds, there were many infectious diseases found among patients in a high age bracket, and the patients over age 60 accounted for 60.8% of the diseases. The distribution by lower respiratory tract infections was as follows: bacterial pneumonia and chronic bronchitis accounted for the greatest numbers of cases with 30.4%, 29.5%, respectively, followed by bronchiectasis with 12.2%. As for frequencies of etiologic bacteria for respiratory tract infections, H. influenzae: 22.2%, and S. pneumoniae: 15.1% in chronic bronchitis; S. pneumoniae: 2

[Susceptibilities of bacteria isolated from patients with respiratory infectious diseases to antibiotics (1991)]

Isolated bacteria from respiratory tract infections were collected since 1981 in cooperation with institutions located throughout Japan, and have been investigated for their sensitivities to various antibacterial agents and antibiotics and reported by IKEMOTO, et al. Relationships between these isolates and backgrounds of the patients were also studied each year. These results are discussed in detail in this report. In 20 institutions around the entire Japan from October 1991 to September 1992, 631 strains of bacteria were isolated mainly from sputa of 529 patients with respiratory tract infections and tentatively determined to be etiological agents. MICs of various antibacterial agents and antibiotics against 96 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 112 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 111 strains of Haemophilus influenzae, 114 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (non-mucoid), 41 strains of Moraxella subgenus Branhamella catarrhalis, 39 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (mucoid), Klebsiella pneumoniae and some others, were determined, and the drug sensitivities of these strains were determined except for the strains that had been killed during transportation: 1. S. aureus. S. aureus strains for which MICs of methicillin were higher than 4 micrograms/ml (methicillin-resistant S. aureus) accounted for 58.3% and the frequency of the drug resistant bacteria increased over previous year's 42.5%. As shown by the MICs, arbekacin was active as vancomycin against all the strains on S. aureus. 2. S. pneumoniae: Benzylpenicillin among the penicillins showed a potent activity against S. pneumoniae. Cefuzonam, cefmenoxime, cefozopran and cefotaxime among the cephems showed excellent antimicrobial activities against S. pneumoniae. Imipenem; a penem antibiotic, showed the most potent activity with MIC80 of 0.03 micrograms/ml. 3. H. influenzae: Activities of all drugs were excellent against H. influenzae strains tested. Ampicillin showed MIC80 of 1 micrograms/ml against H. influenzae. Cefuzonam showed the most potent activity among cephems, it completely killed all bacteria at MIC 0.06 micrograms/ml. Cefotaxime and cefmenoxime showed next most potent activities with MIC80s of 0.06 micrograms/ml. The antimicrobial activity of ofloxacin was equivalent to those of cephems. 4. P. aeruginosa (mucoid). Ciprofloxacin and tobramycin showed the most potent activities against P. aeruginosa (mucoid), and their MIC80s were 4 micrograms/ml. 5. P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid): Similarly, ciprofloxacin and tobramycin showed the most potent activities against P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid) with MIC80 of 2 micrograms/ml. Comparing to activities against P. aeruginosa (mucoid), all the drugs tested showed lower activities against P. aeruginosa (non-mucoid). 6. K. pneumoniae: The activities of all drugs except for penicillins were very high against K. pneumoniae.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Separation of bacterial cells by free flow electrophoresis under microgravity: a result of the SpaceLab-Japan project on Space Shuttle flight STS-47

We demonstrated free flow electrophoresis (FFE) of charged cells under microgravity, where gravitational effects are almost eliminated. Separation of a mixture of three bacterial strains (mutants of Salmonella typhimurium LT2) by FFE was conducted on NASA Space Shuttle flight STS-47 (September 1992). The experiment was designed to differentiate three strains having different lipopolysaccharide core structures in the cell membrane. The results were compared to those of ground experiments, in order to examine whether or not FFE in a weightless environment provides distinct advantages. Smooth strain SL1027 and rough strain SL3749 migrated to two separated fractions. The quality (viability) and the yields of the separated samples were sufficient to show the advantage of microgravity. Another rough strain, SL1102, exhibited unexpected electrophoretic behavior, which prevented the complete resolution of the three strains. All the strains were recovered as viable cells after 8 days of flight. The present study suggests that electrophoretic separation of bacterial cells is much more effective under microgravity conditions with relatively good resolution in comparison with the ground operation.

[Susceptibilities of bacteria isolated from patients with respiratory infectious diseases to antibiotics (1990)]

These investigations have been continued since 1981. In this year the isolation frequencies and sensitivities to antibiotics were investigated for 654 bacterial strains isolated from respiratory tract infections in 20 institutions during the period of October 1990 to September 1991. Among Staphylococcus aureus isolated from inpatients, many were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and the frequency of their isolation was 56.3% for inpatients and 4.3% for outpatients. Of the relation to antibiotic administration, the isolation frequency of MRSA before administration of antibiotics was 19.6% (10/51), and after administration was 75.0% (27/36). The sensitivities of S. aureus to imipenem and clindamycin (MIC80) decreased from 0.2 microgram/ml to 64 micrograms/ml and from 0.2 micrograms/ml to 128 micrograms/ml, respectively. We investigated year to year changes in the backgrounds of patients with respiratory tract infections. Bacterial pneumonia was 31.6% among respiratory tract infections in the period of the study, this trend has increase from 1989. Frequencies of different etiological bacteria in respiratory tract infections did not change appreciably from year to year, and S. aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most showing some frequent pathogens.

Effects of nicotinamide and niacin on bleomycin-induced acute injury and subsequent fibrosis in hamster lungs

Nicotinamide (500 or 250 mg/kg body wt) or niacin (100 or 50 mg/kg body wt) was administered to hamsters given an intratracheal injection of bleomycin (BLM). At 7 days after the BLM injection, when compared with BLM-control animals, both nicotinamide- and niacin-treated animals showed similar acute lung injury, recognized as increases in the wet-to-dry lung weight ratio, intraalveolar albumin concentration, inflammatory cell number, and elastase activity. At 30 days after the BLM injection, both nicotinamide and niacin attenuated the development of pulmonary fibrosis, as indicated by fewer fibrotic changes and a decreased amount of lung hydroxyproline. Histologic examination revealed that, compared with nicotinamide, niacin had more potent antifibrotic effects. Lung nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide (NAD) was less depleted in nicotinamide-treated animals than in BLM-control animals. Nicotinamide- and niacin-treated animals had more intraalveolar cells than the BLM-control animals. These findings suggest that the development of pulmonary fibrosis induced by BLM was prevented through maintaining NAD by the administration of nicotinamide or niacin. Since neither nicotinamide nor niacin attenuated the inflammatory response to acute lung injury, the amelioration of fibrosis by these treatments appears to be independent of the early events.

Lesions of the arytenoid region in a patient with exertional dyspnoea

A 63 year old woman presented with a 3 year history of exertional dyspnoea. Spirometry suggested extrathoracic airway obstruction (decreased inspiratory flow and saw-tooth pattern of flow-volume curves), and bronchoscopy revealed structural lesions and a trembling motion in the arytenoid region, causing upper airway obstruction on forced respiratory efforts. As there were no abnormal findings other than the lesions, the exertional dyspnoea was probably caused by impaired movement of the arytenoid region.

Lesions of the arytenoid region in a patient with exertional dyspnoea

A 63 year old woman presented with a 3 year history of exertional dyspnoea. Spirometry suggested extrathoracic airway obstruction (decreased inspiratory flow and saw-tooth pattern of flow-volume curves), and bronchoscopy revealed structural lesions and a trembling motion in the arytenoid region, causing upper airway obstruction on forced respiratory efforts. As there were no abnormal findings other than the lesions, the exertional dyspnoea was probably caused by impaired movement of the arytenoid region.

Administration of bromodeoxyuridine in early postnatal rats results in lung changes at maturity

The purpose of this study was to examine how lungs in early postnatal animals that are administered bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), a thymidine analog known to be a cytogenetically toxic agent, change in adult life. BrdU was injected (1 mg/g body weight) intraperitoneally in suckling rats on day 6 after birth. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that BrdU was incorporated in alveolar cells, and infrequently in the mesothelium, endothelium, and bronchiolar epithelium. The number (per high-power field) of alveolar cells incorporating BrdU was 8.76 +/- 0.50 in the interstitium and 1.66 +/- 0.25 in the epithelium. The animals were sacrificed at 2 and 8 weeks and 12 months of age. Control animals were treated the same as the BrdU-treated animals except for the injection of BrdU. Body weight, body size (nose-tail length), and lung weight were identical between BrdU-treated animals and control animals at all experimental periods. The histopathology and physiology of these lungs were studied. At 2 weeks of age, the BrdU-treated animals appeared morphologically and functionally similar to control animals. At 8 weeks and 12 months of age, the lungs in the BrdU-treated animals showed abnormal enlargement of the airspace, few alveoli, and less complexity in pulmonary architecture with or without increased lung compliance. These findings suggest that lung injured cytogenetically in early postnatal life may develop functional and structural abnormalities in later life.

[Consequences of DNA damage and the relationship between respiratory diseases in childhood and in adult hood]

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that lung injury at an early postnatal age results in respiratory disease in later life. One mg/g body weight of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected intraperitoneally in suckling rats on day 6 after birth. The animals were sacrificed at 2 and 8 wk of age. Although the lungs of BrdU-treated animals at 2 wks of age were similar to those in the control animals, the BrdU-treated animals at 8 wks of age had an abnormal enlargement of airspace and an increased compliance. The results show that lungs injured cytogenetically in early postnatal life may develop pulmonary functional and structural abnormalities in later life.

Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of rat apolipoprotein E

A sandwich ELISA for rat apo E was developed. Blood was drawn from rats that had been administered with triamcinolone diacetate to increase apo E-rich HDL in serum. Apo E was purified from the d less than 1.225 g/ml lipoproteins, and antiserum was raised in rabbits. Diluted samples and standards were added into the wells of polystyrene microtiter plates precoated with immunoaffinity-purified IgG and incubated for 90 min. After washing, immunoaffinity-purified Fab'-horseradish peroxidase conjugate was added to each well and incubated for 90 min. The bound enzyme was assayed by a colorimetric method. Samples and standards were pretreated with 6 M guanidine. HCl to maximize the antigenic response of apo E. The sensitivity lies around 1 pg apo E, and the working range was 0.1 to 1.0 ng. All assay procedures were completed within 4-5 hr. The mean intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were 1.8 and 4.1%, respectively. Serum apo E concentrations were 21.2 +/- 2.1 and 61.3 +/- 17.0 mg/dl (mean +/- SD) for young (8-12 weeks old, n = 9) and old (36-40 weeks old, n = 16) rats, respectively. As determined by gel filtrations, most of the apo E in fasted rat serum was associated with larger HDL particles (or HDL1) and a small portion of apo E was present in a free form.

[Susceptibility of bacteria isolated from patients with lower respiratory tract infections to antibiotics (1987)]

Since 1981, in cooperation with research institutions across the nation, Ikemoto, et al. have been collecting clinical isolates from patients with respiratory tract infections and conducting an annual retrospective survey of patients' background factors and of isolated strains and their sensitivities to various antibacterial agents and antibiotics. In the period from October, 1987 to September, 1988, 17 institutions participated in the survey and a total of 706 strains which were demonstrated to be causative organisms were isolated from 562 patients with respiratory tract infections. Strains were mostly isolated from the sputum. The taxonomic breakdown of these strains was: Staphylococcus aureus (69 strains), Streptococcus pneumoniae (120), Haemophilus influenzae (170), Mucoid-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (42), Non-mucoid-producing P. aeruginosa (87), Escherichia coli (11), Klebsiella pneumoniae (35), Brahamella catarrharis (72), etc. Of these strains, 629 were used to determine MICs of various antibacterial agents and antibiotics for susceptibility analyses. Relationships between patient backgrounds and diagnoses and between infections diseases and causative organisms were also investigated. Most of the major causative organisms, such as H. influenzae and P. aeruginosa, showed no substantial changes from previous years, with regard to their sensitivities to antibiotic agent, but S. aureus, particularly methicillin/cephem-resistant strains of S. aureus (MCRSA) showed somewhat lower sensitivity to beta-lactams, and as in recent years, to ofloxacin, a new quinolone drug, as well. Regarding background factors of patients, the age distribution was heavily concentrated in age brackets of 50 years and older, thus patients in these age group accounted for 75.2% of all the patients, which was comparable to 73.5% in 1985 and 77.9% in 1986. Among infections encountered, bacterial pneumonia was most frequent at 28.3%, followed by chronic bronchitis (27.2%) and bronchiectasis (16.0%). Bacterial pneumonia was actually the most frequent, throughout the entire age groups accounting for 34.3% of patients up to 29 years, 26.6% in the group of 30-69 years and 30.7% in patients aged 70 years and older. Chronic bronchitis was next most frequent and accounted for 20.0%, 26.4% and 30.7% among the three age groups, respectively. Breaking down clinical isolates by diagnosis, H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa were isolated frequently from most of the infectious diseases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Susceptibility of bacteria isolated from patients with lower respiratory tract infections to antibiotics (1986)]

Enlisting the help of various research institutions across the nation, Ikemoto et al. have been pooling cultures of clinical isolates of respiratory tract infections and mapping out the correlations between patient backgrounds and the causative bacteria and the changes in the sensitivity spectra of the bacteria to various antibacterial and antibiotic agents annually since 1981. The following is a report of the 1986 findings. During the period from September, 1986 to March, 1987, 558 cases of respiratory infections were reported at 17 institutions across the nation and a total of 657 apparent causative strains were isolated from sputum samples. Of these strains, 75 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 108 of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 150 of Haemophilus influenzae, 107 of Pseudomonas aeruiginosa (non-mucoid production type), 21 of P. aeruginosa (mucoid production type), 32 of Klebsiella pneumoniae, 8 of Escherichia coli, and 55 of Branhamella catarrhalis were subjected to MIC determination of various antibacterial and antibiotic agents to map drug sensitivities. In addition, diagnoses, age distributions by diagnoses, frequencies of infectious diseases, types of isolated bacteria, and usage statuses of the antibacterial and antibiotic agents the times of at isolation were also investigated. MIC determinations were carried out to investigate susceptibilities of causative organisms of respiratory tract infections to various antibacterial and antibiotic agents. From the 558 cases of respiratory tract infections, 657 strains were detected at concentrations not less than 10(4-6)/ml and identified to be the causative organisms. Of these strains, 603 could be used for MIC determination. An overwhelming majority of major causative bacteria, inclusive of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae, showed sensitivity patterns similar to the sensitivity patterns found a year earlier, P. aeruginosa alone, however, showed some increase in its susceptibility to penicillin and cephem antibiotics. Regarding patient backgrounds, the age distribution was heavily biased towards the higher end of the scale, which patients with ages of 50 or higher accounting for 77.9%, compared to 73.5% in 1985. When the patients were classified by diagnoses, chronic bronchitis, bacterial pneumonia and bronchiectasis accounted for the majority of the infections: 28.7%, 23.3%, and 19.0%, respectively. The percentages of chronic bronchitis and bacterial pneumonia 28.7% and 23.3%, respectively, were somewhat higher in 1986 than in 1985. The disease which was comparatively frequent in all age groups was bronchiectasis, which accounted for 44.0% in patients with ages 29 years or lower, 18.4% in patients between 30 years and 69 years, and 16.7% in patients with ages 70 years or higher. The next most frequent infection was bacterial pneumonia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in patients with Behçet's disease

Serum cholesterol concentrations among very low, low, and high density lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL and HDL) in 12 male patients with Behçet's disease were compared with those of 12 normal male subjects. Serum lipoproteins were separated by a combination of ultracentrifugation and gel filtration chromatography. The patients had significantly (p less than 0.001) lower concentrations of HDL-cholesterol than the control subjects (356 +/- 62 mg/l vs. 573 +/- 108 mg/l, means +/- SD). The cholesterol concentrations in apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins (VLDL and LDL) from the patients tended to be reciprocally higher than those of the controls, though not statistically significant. There was no difference in serum total cholesterol concentrations. The chemical composition of HDL from the patient group was characterized by higher protein and lower cholesterol (both esterified and free) contents compared with the control HDL.

[Susceptibility of bacteria isolated from patients with lower respiratory tract infections to antibiotics (1985)]

Collaborated studies on species of respiratory tract infection (RTI)-related organisms for their identification and drug susceptibilities have been carried out since 1981 at about 20 centers in Japan. On this occasion, the data obtained between 1982 and 1985 were reanalyzed to determine whether or not drug susceptibilities differed depending upon diseases, from which the organisms were isolated. The results summarized below were obtained in this study. 1. Among Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa examined, differences in drug susceptibilities according to different diseases were found among S. aureus and also mucoid strains of P. aeruginosa. 2. Susceptibility to beta-lactam antibiotics was definitely lower in S. aureus strains isolated from pneumonia than in those isolated from chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasia. 3. The isolation frequency of methicillin-and cefazolin-resistant strains of S. aureus was 30.3% and 25.9%, respectively, and was especially high among strains isolated from pneumonia. The antibiotic potency of minocycline against S. aureus, including methicillin resistant S. aureus, was the strongest among 9 drugs examined; S. aureus maintained relatively sufficient sensitivity to dicloxacillin among beta-lactam antibiotics. 4. Mucoid producing strains of P. aeruginosa isolated from chronic bronchitis had slightly lower drug susceptibility than those isolated from bronchiectasia. 5. When drug susceptibilities of H. influenzae were compared among groups separated according to diseases using MIC50, MIC80 and MIC90 as indicators, there were no clear differences. The isolation frequency of ampicillin (ABPC)-resistant strains, however, was clearly different among diseases; namely, resistant strains were the most and the least frequently isolated from chronic bronchitis and from pneumonia, respectively. In addition, the drug susceptibility of H. influenzae isolated in 1985 was analyzed in relation to the production of beta-lactamase. As a result, it was suspected that some factors, other than beta-lactamase, participated in the mechanism of ABPC-resistance. 6. These results suggest that drugs to be used for the chemotherapy of RTI should be selected considering the fact that drug susceptibilities of the pathogens differ, even among the same species, according to diseases.

Calcium-activated membrane depolarization via modulation of chloride efflux from parietal cells during gastrin stimulation

In the isolated parietal cell the following observations were made: gastrin led to an increase in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) even in the absence of medium Ca2+ and to transient membrane depolarization in both the absence of the medium Ca2+ and the fura-2-loaded cell. The incorporated Ca2+ chelator BAPTA inhibited the gastrin-induced membrane depolarization. The magnitude of depolarization caused by gastrin was unchanged on removal of medium Na+. Furosemide but not tetraethylammonium inhibited the gastrin-induced depolarization. The results suggest that the Ca2+ released from the store(s) induces membrane depolarization, possibly via modulation of a Cl- efflux across the luminal surface during gastrin stimulation.

[Susceptibility of bacteria isolated from the patients with lower respiratory tract infections to antibiotics (1985)]

It has been more than 4 years since third-generation cephems were introduced into clinical practice. The range of our drug selection definitely tends to increase, because we today have more antibiotics with wider spectrum, antibiotics with strong activities only against Gram-negative strains, such as monobactams, and those with tremendously high activities such as quinolone carboxylic acid derivatives, in comparison to those we had in the past. Among isolates obtained mainly from sputa of 567 patients with lower respiratory tract infections at 16 institutions throughout Japan between September of 1985 and March of 1986, 741 strains were determined to be causative organisms. MIC's of various antimicrobial agents were determined against 67 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 100 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 199 strains of Haemophilus influenzae, 92 strains of non-mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 40 strains of mucoid P. aeruginosa, 29 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, 10 strains of Escherichia coli and for 42 strains of Branhamella catarrhalis out of the above 741 strains to determine their drug sensitivities. As for types of lower respiratory tract infections found in 1981--1983, 57.9--64.5% of the infections were chronic respiratory infections; i.e., chronic bronchitis, chronic bronchiolitis and bronchiectasis. These chronic infections, including diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB), were found in 63.1% of lower respiratory tract infections in 1984. Their incidence dropped to 54.0% in 1985, even though DPB was included; i.e., the incidence of chronic bronchiolitis was 5.5%, that of DPB was 7.1%, and that of bronchial asthma associated with lower respiratory tract infections in 1985 was 8.8% which was twice as much as that found in 1981--1984. Although bacterial pneumonia was found in 24.8% of all the cases in 1981, its incidence was reduced to 11.0% in 1983, 15.1% in 1984, and 17.6% in 1985. This reduction seemed to have resulted from gradual decreases in the occurrence of bacterial pneumonia among the young population. As with usual years, a high incidence rate in a total lower respiratory tract infections in 1985 was found among older patients; namely, 73.5% was at the age of 50 or over (417/567). Next, we determined relationships between clinical isolates and isolates from respiratory infections, including chronic bronchitis, chronic bronchiolitis, bronchiectasis and DPB. H. influenzae was isolated from 50.5% of patients with these infections in 1981; however, the detection rate decreased by about 20% to 29.7% in 1985. P. aeruginosa was consistently isolated, between 24.1% and 30.4% every year.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Susceptibility of bacteria isolated from the patients with lower respiratory tract infections to antibiotics (1984)]

Bacterial isolates from patients with pulmonary infections have been collected over the last 4 years in collaboration with investigators at 14 hospitals in various parts of Japan to study isolation frequency of pathogens from patients and drug susceptibilities of these isolates. Possible causative pathogens mainly isolated from sputum of patients with lower respiratory tract infections were collected during a period from September 1984 to March 1985. We first determined types of respiratory diseases and found that, between 1981 and 1983, 57.9 approximately 64.5% of the examined diseases were chronic respiratory infections such as chronic bronchitis, chronic bronchiolitis and bronchiectasis, and that these infections including diffuse panbronchiolitis accounted for 63.1% in 1984. Bacterial pneumonia was found to be 24.8% in 1981, but it was 11.0% in 1983 and 15.1% in 1984. These results seemed to reflect decreases in the occurrence of bacterial pneumonia in young population. We then investigated the correlations between these infections and isolates and found that distributions of causative organisms of chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis during the 4 years were similar while the detection rate of Staphylococcus aureus from bacterial pneumonia increased in 1982 and 1983, and that of Gram-positive organisms such as Enterococcus faecalis rose in 1984. Branhamella catarrhalis was considered to be a non-pathogenic organism normally harbored in the upper respiratory tract. Recently, however, respiratory infections caused by this organism have been reported by some investigators. In our research also, this Gram-negative diplococcus was isolated as a causative organism of respiratory infections as 6 strains were found in 1983 and 29 strains in 1984, hence an increase was observed.

Microbial production of hydroxy and oxo fatty acids by several microorganisms as a model of adipocere formation

Some varieties of aerobic or anaerobic microorganisms from the human stool and adipocere were separated and identified. These separated microorganisms together with other authentic ones produced 10-hydroxystearic acid from oleic acid. Some bacteria could convert oleic acid to 10-oxostearic acid as well as 10-hydroxystearic acid. These findings indicate that the microbial enzyme(s) catalyzes the hydration of oleic acid and probably the oxidation of this hydrated product. Aerobic bacteria as well as anaerobic microorganisms were found to be involved in the formation of adipocere.

[Susceptibility of bacteria isolated from lower respiratory tract infections to antibiotics (1983)]

Bacterial isolates from the patients with pulmonary infections have been collected over these 3 years, in collaboration with investigators at 13 hospitals in various parts of Japan for the study on frequency of isolation of pathogens among the patients and their drug susceptibilities. Possible causative pathogens mainly isolated from sputum in patients with lower respiratory tract infections during period from September 1983 to March 1984, were collected. The frequency of bacterial isolates from the sputum and their drug susceptibility on H. influenzae among the various pathogens are discussed. The kinds of bacterial species isolated from the patients with respiratory tract infections associated with chronic bronchitis, chronic capillary bronchitis or bronchiectasis and their relative frequency of isolation were as follows; Total numbers of bacterial isolates collected from various hospitals were 220 strains in 1981, 168 strains 1982 and 258 strains in 1983. H. influenzae was always isolated with highest frequency of 50.5% in 1981, 45.8% in 1982 and 40.7% in 1983, and followed by P. aeruginosa (24.1%), S. aureus (8.2%), S. pneumoniae (7.3%) and K. pneumoniae (5.9%) and E. coli (4.1%) in 1981; P. aeruginosa (30.4%), S. pneumoniae (11.9%), S. aureus (4.8%), K. pneumoniae (3.0%) and E. coli (1.8%) in 1982; P. aeruginosa (26.7%), S. pneumoniae (10.1%), S. aureus (7.8%), K. pneumoniae (3.5%) and E. coli (3.5%) in 1983. The drug susceptibility test of H. influenzae to ampicillin (ABPC), piperacillin (PIPC), mezlocillin (MZPC), sulbenicillin (SBPC), gentamicin (GM), amikacin (AMK), cefotiam (CTM), cefmetazole (CMZ), cefoperazone (CPZ), cefotaxime (CTX), ceftizoxime (CZX), cefmenoxime (CMX) and latamoxef (LMOX) was done by using agar micro-broth dilution methods. H. influenzae was most markedly susceptible to cephems of the third generation, especially to CMX, CZX and CTX by which about 95% of H. influenzae tested were inhibited the growth under the concentration with less than or equal to 0.10 microgram/ml of the drugs. Furthermore, annual changes in susceptibility of H. influenzae to various antibiotics was analyzed over the period from 1981 to 1983. The frequency of S. pneumoniae isolated from patients with chronic bronchitis or bronchiectasis was about 10% in this survey. However, in the case of respiratory infections associated with bacterial pneumonia, the frequencies were as follows; 24.8% (77 cases/311 cases) in 1981, 17.7% (44 cases/248 cases) in 1982, and 11.0% (39 cases/355 cases) in 1983. The frequency of isolation of S. pneumoniae decreased every year.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Susceptibility of bacteria isolated from lower respiratory tract infections to antibiotics (1982)]

Two hundred seventy-six bacterial strains were isolated as possible causative pathogens mainly from sputum in 248 patients with lower respiratory tract infections at 12 medical institutions in various parts of Japan during the period from September 1982 to March 1983. Of these, 272 isolates including 28 Staphylococcus aureus strains, 38 Streptococcus pneumoniae strains, 107 Haemophilus influenzae strains, 68 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, 17 Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, 9 Escherichia coli strains and 5 strains of other species were tested in vitro for MICs of various antibiotics, and their drug sensitivity distributions determined. Data were also analyzed for distribution of cases by clinical entities, age and sex, interrelations between the types of infections and the species and frequency of isolation of organisms, and relations of the antimicrobial regimens at collection of clinical specimens to the species and frequency of isolation of the organisms. It engenders great interest that there was a significant increase in frequency of S. aureus isolation within 7 days after antibiotic therapy, compared to pretreatment isolation frequency, in the 1982 series. This seems to deserve further investigation in detail. The H. influenzae strains isolated with the highest frequency in 1981 and those in 1982 were examined as to susceptibility to several representative antibiotics, with interdrug comparisons: ABPC vs. SBPC, CTM vs. CMZ, and CMX vs. LMOX. The isolates demonstrated high degrees of susceptibility to these drugs and there was no conspicuous change in bacterial sensitivity to the drugs.

Experimental Sendai virus-induced labyrinthitis in guinea pigs. An ultrastructural study of cochlear lesions

Guinea pigs were inoculated with a Sendai virus into the scala tympani and subsequent pathological changes of the cochleas were investigated by electron microscopy. Replication of the virus was indicated by buddings at the endolymphatic surface and by the intracytoplasmic occurrence of filamentous substances, ie, nucleocapsids. Budding viruses or free virus particles observed in a series of our experiments were identified as Sendai viruses by means of the immunological labeling with ferritin. Viral lesions, which were defined as the pathological changes of the cells associated with virus multiplication, were found in eight cochleas out of 20. This study revealed that the early lesions of the cochleas infected by Sendai viruses were primarily confined to Reissner's membrane and the stria vascularis, but the sensory cells were not affected.

Identification of 10-hydroxy-12-octadecenoic acid in adipocere

Studies are reported on separation and identification of 10-hydroxy-12-octadecenoic acid in human adipocere. The chemical structure was determined by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

[Susceptibility of bacteria isolated from lower respiratory tract infections to antibiotics (1981)]

During the period from September 1981 to March 1982, 363 bacterial isolates were obtained as possible pathogens from 311 patients with lower respiratory tract infections at 12 medical institutions in Japan. Of these clinical isolates, mostly from the sputum, a total of 231 isolates including 19 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 33 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 90 strains of Haemophilus influenzae, 65 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 17 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and 7 strains of Escherichia coli were tested in vitro for minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 17 antimicrobial agents, and their antimicrobial susceptibility distribution and cumulative percentages of inhibited isolates by increasing concentrations of drugs were determined. The data were further analyzed to investigate the interrelation between such parameters as the age-distribution of patients by diseases of the respiratory system, sex and types of infection and the species and frequency of isolation of the organisms, and also the relationship between the antimicrobial chemotherapy prior to collection of clinical specimens and the species and incidence of the bacterial isolates. In respiratory infections, it is frequently that chemotherapy should be instituted with an appropriate drug even before the causative organism can be identified and assessed for its antimicrobial susceptibility. The present data may provide valuable informations in selecting appropriate drugs in practical, clinical use.