Dyspepsia and dyspepsia subgroups in Japan: symptom profiles and experience with cisapride

In 240 patients with symptoms of dyspepsia, recruited consecutively and investigated in 12 hospitals in Japan, 24.2% were diagnosed having organic dyspepsia; 75.8% had functional dyspepsia, of whom 63.2% were diagnosed by the investigator having dysmotility-like, 13.7% ulcer-like, 11.5% reflux-like, and 11.5% non-specific dyspepsia. There was, however, considerable overlap of symptom profiles. Cisapride therapy initiated in functional dyspeptic patients resulted in moderate or marked improvement in 79.1% of the patients with the highest response rates for dysmotility-like (85.2%), reflux-like (81.0%), and non-specific dyspepsia (76.1%) (versus 52.0% for ulcer-like dyspepsia).

[Clinical studies on cefprozil in pediatrics]

Cefprozil (CFPZ, BMY-28100) fine granules were given orally to 21 children with acute bacterial infections including 15 cases of acute tonsillitis and 3 each of acute bronchitis and urinary tract infections. Good to excellent clinical responses were obtained in 19 of the 21 patients and bacterial eradications were obtained for all 11 strains found in these cases. Loose stool and eosinophilia were observed in 1 case each. From the above clinical results, it appears that CFPZ is a useful antibiotic for the treatment of pediatric patients with various bacterial infections.

Intra- and extracellular localization of hyaluronic acid and proteoglycan constituents (chondroitin sulfate, keratan sulfate, and protein core) in articular cartilage of rabbit tibia

To demonstrate the intra- and extracellular localization of hyaluronic acid (HA) in articular cartilage of the rabbit tibia, biotinylated HA binding region, which specifically binds to the HA molecule, was applied to the tissue. In comparison with the localization of HA, that of chondroitin sulfate (CS), keratan sulfate (KS), and the protein core (PC) of the proteoglycan was examined by immunohistochemistry. Strong positive staining for HA was detected in chondrocytes located in the transition between the superficial and middle zones of the tissue. Pre-treatment with chondroitinase ABC, keratanase II, or trypsin enhanced the stainability for HA in peri- and intercellular matrices. Immunohistochemistry with or without enzymatic pre-treatment demonstrated that immunoreactivity for CS, KS, and PC was distinctly discerned in chondrocytes and in the extracellular matrix located in the middle and deep zones. In particular, the immunoreactivity for KS and PC was augmented by pre-treatment with chondroitinase ABC not only in chondrocytes but in the extracellular matrix located in the middle and deep zones. Microbiochemical analysis corresponded well with histochemical and immunohistochemical results. These results suggest that HA is abundantly synthesized and secreted in chondrocytes located in the transition between the superficial and middle zones.

[Irritable bowel syndrome--criteria, sub-classification, etiology]

The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common condition in gastroenterology clinics, but yet it is one of the pooly understood. A international working team in Rome, 1988, proposed that IBS is a functional intestinal disorder with chronic or recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms without structural or biochemical abnormalities. IBS was sub-classified into 3 groups; abdominal pain as the prominent feature with diarrhea, with constipation, with both while painless diarrhea and simple constipation without pain were excluded from IBS. There is a lot of data suggesting that IBS has a gut dysmotility, which is influenced by many stimuli (food, hormone, drug, menses, mechanical dilatation), including psychological stress. Moreover, currently available evidences implicate that IBS is a more generalized disorder of smooth muscle function not only in the intestine but also outside of the intestine.

[Clinical effects of six-month short time biofiltration]

The clinical effects of six-month short time biofiltration (SBF) were evaluated using a B-A-B' study (B, B': conventional bicarbonate hemodialysis; CBHD, A:SBF) in ten patients maintained on CBHD three times a week. An F80 hemodiafilter (1.9 m2, polysulfone, Fresenius) was used. In addition to routine clinical parameters for a patient on regular dialysis treatment, plasma von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF) (an index of stimulation of vascular endothelium), and the methylguanidine/creatinine ratio (MG/Cr) and malondialdehide (MDA) (indices of the levels of oxygen radicals), were evaluated. Nine patients completed the study, one patient dropping out at the 12th week of A because of muscle cramps during SBF. The treatment time was 2 hours in six cases and 2.5 hours in three cases. The mean blood flow rate was 280 +/- 42 (SD) minutes. Using the urea kinetics model, the mean KT/V was 1.26 +/- 0.28, and the mean protein catabolic rate was 1.22 +/- 0.18 g/kg body weight/day at the end of A. No change in ultrafiltration, blood pressure, cardiac function (assessed by echocardiography), CTR, human atrial natriuretic peptide, total protein, albumin, uric acid, serum creatinine, sodium, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, vWF, or MDA was found between each period. Blood urea nitrogen, c-PTH, and MG/Cr increased during the A period. Serum magnesium and beta-2 microglobulin decreased during the A period. Blood gas results, on the whole, did not change. In a patients, however, acidosis gradually developed. An increase in substitution fluid from 5 L/session to 7.5 L/session improved the acid-base balance in that patient. In conclusion, SBF is as effective as CBHD in removing small molecules and maintaining cardiocirculatory status, and is superior to CBHD in removing beta 2-microglobulin and is less stimulative to the endothelium than CBHD.

DNA-binding domain of RCC1 protein is not essential for coupling mitosis with DNA replication

The RCC1 protein that is required for coupling mitosis with the S phase has a DNA-binding domain in the N-terminal region outside the repeat. We found that RCC1 protein without any DNA-binding activity complemented the tsBN2 mutation with the same efficiency as that of intact RCC1 protein. In ts+ transformants of tsBN2 cells transfected with the RCC1 cDNA lacking the DNA-binding domain, an endogenous RCC1 disappeared at 39.5 degrees C, and the deleted RCC1 protein encoded by the transfected cDNA was found in the cytoplasm, but a significant amount of it was also found in the nuclei. This deleted RCC1 protein was eluted from the nuclei with the same concentration of NaCl and DNase I as was used for the intact RCC1 protein in BHK21 cells. Furthermore, the deleted RCC1 protein co-migrated with the nucleosome fraction on sucrose density gradient analysis. These results indicate that the RCC1 protein binds chromatin with the aid of other unknown protein(s). Thus, the DNA-binding domain of RCC1 protein is not essential for coupling between the S and M phases, but was shown instead to function as a nuclear translocation signal.

[Clinical studies on panipenem/betamipron in pediatrics]

Panipenem/betamipron (PAPM/BP) was given by 30 minutes drip infusion to 15 children with acute bacterial infections including 11 with acute pneumonia, 2 each with staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome and urinary tract infections. Good to excellent clinical responses were obtained in all of the 15 patients and bacterial eradications were obtained for all 12 strains identified in these cases. Urticaria considered to be drug related was observed in 1 patient. Slight elevations of GOT and GPT and eosinophilia were observed in 1 case each. From the above clinical results, it appears that PAPM/BP is a useful antibiotic for treatment of pediatric patients with various bacterial infections.

Behavioral analysis of internal memory states using cooling-induced retrograde amnesia in Limax flavus

Temporal evolution of internal memory states in a terrestrial mollusk, Limax flavus, was studied using cooling-induced retrograde amnesia. The slug was conditioned to avoid carrot odor by temporally correlated presentation of carrot juice and a bitter-taste stimulus of quinidine sulfate. We could induce retrograde amnesia by cooling of the conditioned slug immediately after the training trial. Thus, we studied the memory states in the slug using the retrograde amnesia according to strategies used in the studies of memory states in mammals or insects. In the early process of memory acquisition, at least two distinctive memory states were observed, short-term memory and long-term memory (LTM). For LTM, two states were also observed. One was a reactivated state of LTM, which was sensitive to the cooling used to induce the amnesia. The other was a so-called resting state of LTM, which was insensitive to cooling. A few days after memory acquisition, further evolution was observed in that the amnesia could not be induced even if the memory trace was reactivated. The results obtained in Limax flavus was comparable with those obtained in a variety of animals.

[Clinical effect of proton pump inhibitors on reflux esophagitis]

The clinical efficacy of proton pump inhibitors (PPI, omeprazole 20 mg or lansoprazole 30 mg), once daily, after breakfast, was studied in patients with erosive/ulcerative reflux esophagitis. The following results were obtained. 1) Twenty-four hour esophageal pH monitoring was performed before treatment and on 7th day of PPI medications. Omeprazole reduced the percent time pH less than 4 from 29.1 to 1.2 and lansoprazole from 68.0 to 2.4. 2) The cumulative disappearance rate of overall symptom was 52% after 1 week and 62% after 2 weeks with omeprazole these were 66% and 91%, and with lansoprazole respectively 3) The endoscopic healing rate was 63% was after 2 weeks and 76% after 4 weeks with omeprazole medication, and 76% and 97% respectively with lansoprazole. These results indicate that PPI medication inhibits the acid reflux almost completely and is a more useful therapeutic agent for GERD than H2-antagonists.

Molecular cloning of the human gene, CCG2, that complements the BHK-derived temperature-sensitive cell cycle mutant tsBN63: identity of CCG2 with the human X chromosomal SCAR/RPS4X gene

A temperature-sensitive mutant tsBN63 cell line was isolated by the fluorodeoxyuridine method from the BHK21/13 cell line after mutagenesis with nitrosoguanidine. When cultures of tsBN63 cells growing asynchronously at 33.5 degrees C were shifted to 39.5 degrees C, a nonpermissive temperature, the ability for protein synthesis was rapidly reduced and cell proliferation stopped mainly at G1 phase, and partly at G2 phase. Synchronized cultures of tsBN63 cells did not commence DNA synthesis when shifted up in G1 phase. The human gene complementing the tsBN63 mutation was cloned by DNA-mediated gene transfer and its cDNA of 1.1 kb conferring ts+ phenotype on tsBN63 cells was isolated from the cDNA library of Raj (mer+) cells with a frequency of 10(−3). On the basis of the determined nucleotide sequence, the isolated human gene turned out to be the X chromosomal RPS4X encoding the ribosomal protein S4. The size of the CCG2 gene was estimated to be about 12 kb by complementation analysis of the tsBN63 mutation with cloned genomic DNA.

Acute effects of intravenous nicardipine on hemodynamics and cardiac function in patients with a healed myocardial infarction and no evidence of congestive heart failure

Acute effects of intravenous nicardipine (10 micrograms/kg) on systemic hemodynamics and cardiac function were evaluated in 17 patients with a healed myocardial infarction and no evidence of congestive heart failure. Mean New York Heart Association functional class was 1.6 +/- 0.5 (mean +/- standard deviation). Aortic systolic pressure (p less than 0.001) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure decreased (10 +/- 3 to 8 +/- 3 mm Hg, p less than 0.01), and systemic vascular resistance decreased significantly (p less than 0.001), whereas pulmonary and right atrial pressure and pulmonary arteriolar resistance did not change. Cardiac and stroke indexes showed biphasic changes. Although positive and negative maximal rate of left ventricular pressures decreased significantly (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01, respectively), they did not change significantly when aortic systolic pressure was corrected. There was a significant inverse correlation between the negative rate of left ventricular pressure/aortic systolic pressure before nicardipine infusion and its maximal percent increase after infusion (r = -0.56, p less than 0.05), indicating a beneficial effect on diastolic relaxation in patients with impaired diastolic function. Our data show that a low dose (10 micrograms/kg) of intravenous nicardipine exerts a favorable effect on impaired diastolic function, but depresses left ventricular pump function with much less effect on right heart circulation.

The human CCG1 gene, essential for progression of the G1 phase, encodes a 210-kilodalton nuclear DNA-binding protein

The human CCG1 gene complements tsBN462, a temperature-sensitive G1 mutant of the BHK21 cell line. The previously cloned cDNA turned out to be a truncated form of the actual CCG1 cDNA. The newly cloned CCG1 cDNA was 6.0 kb and encoded a protein with a molecular mass of 210 kDa. Using an antibody to a predicted peptide from the CCG1 protein, a protein with a molecular mass of over 200 kDa was identified in human, monkey, and hamster cell lines. In the newly defined C-terminal region, an acidic domain was found. It contained four consensus target sequences for casein kinase II and was phosphorylated by this enzyme in vitro. However, this C-terminal region was not required to complement tsBN462 mutation since the region encoding the C-terminal part was frequently missing in complemented clones derived by DNA-mediated gene transfer. CCG1 contains a sequence similar to the putative DNA-binding domain of HMG1 in addition to the previously detected amino acid sequences common in nuclear proteins, such as a proline cluster and a nuclear translocation signal. Consistent with these predictions, CCG1 was present in nuclei, possessed DNA-binding activity, and was eluted with similar concentrations of salt, 0.3 to 0.4 M NaCl either from isolated nuclei or from a DNA-cellulose column.

[Interdigestive migrating complex (IMC) and effect of cisapride in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD)]

The 24-hr gastric and duodenal pressure measurement was performed in 5 patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD). The reduction of incidence of IMC and prolongation of the first appearance of IMC after evening meal were observed in NUD patients. The gastroprokinetic agent, cisapride 5 mg, 3 times a day for 7 days significantly increased the incidence of IMC and shortened the time before the first appearance of IMC after evening meal. This result indicates that in NUD patients impaired gastrointestinal motility is present in fasting phases and cisapride may be useful for correcting motility disorders.

Comparative efficacy of acid reflux inhibition by drug therapy in reflux esophagitis

The advent of histamine H2 receptor antagonists (H2-RA) has allowed the treatment of reflux esophagitis (RE) to be controlled over a relatively long term. The authors have experienced some cases resistant to H2-RA, but it was revealed that these cases can be successfully treated with proton pump inhibitors. It has been suggested that esophagogastric dysmotility can lead to RE. RE has been treated for many years by using GI-prokinetic agents, which theoretically inhibit acid reflux and improve esophageal acid clearance. In order to compare the effects on acid reflux of an H2-RA (famotidine), a proton pump inhibitor (omeprazole) and a GI-prokinetic agent (cisapride), we measured the 24-hour pH in the esophagus and stomach simultaneously, before and after treatment in 17 patients with RE. It was found that the proton pump inhibitor was the most effective drug for inhibiting esophageal acidification, followed by famotidine and then cisapride. Furthermore, we found that cisapride often actually exacerbated acid reflux. The differences in inhibitory effects on acidification allowed us to draw conclusions regarding the treatment of RE. It was concluded that the stronger the inhibitory effect of a drug on acid secretion, the more useful it was in the treatment of RE. The GI-prokinetic drug did not inhibit acid reflux as much as we had expected.

Effects of famotidine on upper gastrointestinal motility in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis

The effects of famotidine on human upper gastrointestinal motility were investigated, together with the relationship of gastric alkalinization and serum gastrin levels to changes produced by famotidine. Intravenous famotidine (20 mg), at a dose level in which an inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase activity is not recognized, was given to 13 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis but no other disorders. Gastric phasic motor activity was not changed significantly, but the lower esophageal sphincter pressure was elevated significantly in comparison with 15 controls given physiological saline, even when gastric phasic motor activity was taken into consideration. Gastric alkalinization with 7% sodium bicarbonate did not significantly increase the sphincter pressure in all 7 subjects so treated. No significant correlation was recognized between the serum gastrin level, the lower esophageal sphincter pressure, and the gastric motility index in any of the 3 groups. It was, therefore, concluded that intravenous administration of famotidine affected upper gastrointestinal motility, especially the lower esophageal sphincter pressure, through an as yet unknown mechanism other than inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity, gastric alkalinization, or elevation of serum gastrin levels.

[Clinical studies on cefpirome in pediatrics]

Cefpirome (CPR, HR 810) was given intravenously to 10 children with acute bacterial infections including 8 with acute pneumonia, 1 each with acute pleuritis and urinary tract infections. Good to excellent clinical responses were obtained in all of the 10 patients and bacterial eradication were obtained for all 8 strains found in these cases. Slight elevation of GOT, GPT and eosinophilia were observed in 1 case each. From the above clinical results, it appears that CPR is a useful antibiotic for treatment of pediatric patients with various bacterial infections.

Simultaneous recordings of cytosolic Ca2+ level and membrane potential and current during the response to thyroliberin in clonal rat anterior pituitary cells

The response to thyroliberin in prolactin-producing rat GH4C1 clonal cells was studied using fura-2 to monitor the cytosolic Ca2+ level ([Ca2+]i) in single cells, combined with recordings of membrane potential and current. The average value of [Ca2+]i was 109 nM (mean +/- SD, n = 112), and evoked action potentials caused transient elevations of about 100 nM. At higher firing frequencies these transients merged to a sustained elevation. In 100% of the cells thyroliberin caused an instant rise in [Ca2+]i, peaking at 795 +/- 300 nM (n = 112). This first phase of the thyroliberin response was associated with hyperpolarization in current clamp and outward current in voltage clamp, caused by the opening of Ca2(+)-activated K+ channels. In 75% of the cells the initial peak in [Ca2+]i was followed by a prolonged plateau phase at 247 +/- 76 nM (n = 84). In current clamp the second-phase elevation of [Ca2+]i was linked to either a modest depolarization in combination with enhanced firing frequency or a more pronounced depolarization in silent cells. This elevation of [Ca2+]i was reversed by hyperpolarizing current injection. No second-phase elevation of [Ca2+]i was observed during voltage clamp at a holding potential of -50 mV. Short exposure to Ca2(+)-free conditions eliminated the second-phase elevation in [Ca2+]i, whereas the first phase remained intact. Our experiments show a direct relationship between electrical activity and [Ca2+]i in the GH4C1 cells. The second-phase elevation of [Ca2+]i caused by thyroliberin is the result of influx through voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels, without involving agonist-gated channels.

The relationship between interdigestive gallbladder and gastroduodenal motility in man

The relationship between interdigestive gallbladder and gastroduodenal motility simultaneously with the behavior of plasma motilin and CCK levels in 20 subjects was investigated. We used an infusion catheter method for the measurement of gastroduodenal motility, and real-time ultrasonography for the measurement of gallbladder size. In gastric phase II, the gallbladder contracted with extension of the major axis and shrinking of the minor axis, with its minimum volume being 84% of the volume in phase I. The gallbladder then filled rapidly assuming a sphere-like shape with extension of the minor axis and shrinking of the major axis in gastric phase I. This motility was recognized only during the gastrointestinal interdigestive migrating complex (GI-IMC) cycle, originating in the stomach, and was associated with an increase of motilin levels, it was not seen before or after the intestinal IMC (I-IMC), which originated in the duodenum without contraction of the stomach or an increase of motilin levels. Furthermore no apparent relationship was recognized between CCK and gastric or gallbladder motility. Our findings suggest that gallbladder motility in the interdigestive period has a close relationship with gastroduodenal motility and is related to the appearance of the GI-IMC.

Serological studies on schistosomiasis mansoni in the northeast Brazil (I)

Sera from the patients (N = 10) with schistosomiasis mansoni of the hospital of Federal University of Pernambuco, the Schistosoma mansoni egg-positive (N = 51) and -negative (N = 452) inhabitants in Cabo City area, out-patients (N = 37) of the IMIP hospital and Japanese immigrants (N = 127) in Petrolina City area of northeast Brazil as well as Japanese healthy subjects (N = 30) were examined by serological tests including an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with antigens prepared from eggs (ELISA-egg) and adult worms (ELISA-adult). The ELISA with egg or adult antigen correctly identified 100% of the uninfected individuals lived in non-endemic area of schistosomiasis. Moreover, when examined cross-reactivity of our ELISA with sera isolated from 78 subjects infected with various intestinal parasitic infections, only one of these sera reacted with the egg and adult antigens. On the examination of 51 sera from the egg-positive subjects, the ELISA-egg revealed the highest sensitivity (98.0%), whereas a large number of false negative reactions of ELISA-adult, Ouchterlony method using adult antigen, circumoval precipitation and immediate intradermal skin test were observed. A low sensitivity of these serologic tests except for ELISA-egg appears to be primarily due to their inability to detect antibody in the sera from egg-positive infantiles. There was no positive correlation between the absorbance values of these two types of ELISA among the sera isolated from ELISA-positive subjects. Rather, by the reactivity of these sera to egg or adult antigen, they could be divided into two subgroups; one reacted more positively with egg antigen and the other with adult antigen. Moreover, it was confirmed that the sera from young subjects (under 20 years old) appear to be highly reactive to the egg antigen than did aged ones. These data suggest that the ELISA with egg antigen, but not with the adult antigen, appears to be useful for the serological survey of schistosomiasis mansoni in the endemic area of northeast Brazil.

Premature chromosome condensation is induced by a point mutation in the hamster RCC1 gene

At the nonpermissive temperature, premature chromosome condensation (PCC) occurs in tsBN2 cells derived from the BHK cell line, which can be converted to the Ts+ phenotype by the human RCC1 gene. To prove that the RCC1 gene is the mutant gene in tsBN2 cells, which have RCC1 mRNA and protein of the same sizes as those of BHK cells, RCC1 cDNAs were isolated from BHK and tsBN2 cells and sequenced to search for mutations. The hamster (BHK) RCC1 cDNA encodes a protein of 421 amino acids homologous to the human RCC1 protein. In a comparison of the base sequences of BHK and BN2 RCC1 cDNAs, a single base change, cytosine to thymine (serine to phenylalanine), was found in the 256th codon of BN2 RCC1 cDNA. The same transition was verified in the RCC1 genomic DNA by the polymerase chain reaction method. BHK RCC1 cDNA, but not tsBN2 RCC1 cDNA, complemented the tsBN2 mutation, although both have the same amino acid sequence except for one amino acid at the 256th codon. This amino acid change, serine to phenylalanine, was estimated to cause a profound structural change in the RCC1 protein.

Protein engineering for thermostability

Studies with small, monomeric proteins indicate that, to some extent, the effects of amino acid substitutions can be predicted. However, conformational and other changes may complicate the prediction. Site-directed mutagenesis is leading both to a better understanding of protein stability and to the production of more stable proteins.

The effect of sodium hyaluronate on the migration of rabbit corneal epithelium. I. An in vitro study

The effect of sodium hyaluronate (Na-HA) on the migration of corneal epithelium was investigated in vitro using corneo-scleral sections of rabbits. The effect on migration was evaluated by the length of migrating epithelium on the cut surface of corneal stroma after incubation in media containing Na-HA of various molecular weights or concentrations. The medium concentration of Na-HA was 400 micrograms/ml, and the molecular weights were 0.4 x 10(4), 2 x 10(4), 10 x 10(4), 68 x 10(4), 102 x 10(4) and 216 x 10(4). Regarding Na-HA with a molecular weight of 102 x 10(4); media containing Na-HA at concentrations of 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 2000 and 4000 micrograms/ml were also investigated. When the concentration of Na-HA was 400 micrograms/ml, Na-HA with molecular weights of over 68 x 10(4) accelerated significantly the epithelial migration. Regarding Na-HA with a molecular weight of 102 x 10(4), acceleration was observed at concentrations of 200, 400 and 800 micrograms/ml. Furthermore, the concentration of fibronectin (FN) in medium containing the effective Na-HA was significantly lower than that in the control medium after the incubation. These results suggest a possibility that the accelerative effect of Na-HA depends on the reduction of FN release from the cornea or the facilitation of FN deposition on the cornea.

[Evaluation of the anti-ulcer drugs using image analysis technology: effect of aldioxa containing preparation on the experimental gastric ulcer in rats]

Direct measurements under a microscope have been employed to evaluate experimental gastric ulcers, but the following problems have been left unsettled: it takes too much time, and much experience is required to perform accurate, objective measurements. The present study demonstrates the usefulness of image analysis technology for evaluating anti-ulcer drugs. With this newly developed method, the region of gastric mucosal injury can be automatically and/or mechanically chosen on the basis of three different factors: intensity, hue and purity. Consequently, this method can be used to rapidly obtain analytical data such as the number, area and length of gastric ulcers. Effect of NNP, a preparation containing aldioxa, on three different types of experimental ulcer formation (stress-induced, ethanol-induced, and pylorus-ligation) was studied by image analysis technology. In all cases, NNP (2,562 mg/kg, p.o.) almost completely inhibited the formation of rat gastric ulcer. From the finding that image analysis technology is very useful for evaluating anti-ulcer drugs, we conclude that this method will help further the development of anti-ulcer drugs.

[The effects of biotin on the metabolism of ammonia and amino acids in urease-induced hyperammonemic rats]

The effects of oral and intraperitoneal administration of biotin in urease-induced hyperammonemic rats, as well as the influence of biotin deficiency, have been studied. Biotin deficiency was produced by feeding standard diet MF (Oriental Yeast Co.) supplemented with dry egg-white (egg-white group). Egg-white + biotin group had free access to 0.0014% of biotin solution at all time. Following an intraperitoneal injection of urease, 25 U/kg (B.W.), plasma ammonia levels in egg-white + biotin group were lower than in egg-white group, especially there was significance (p less than 0.05) at 8 hours after the urease injection. Similarly, plasma ammonia levels in biotin-injected rats, in which 1 mg of biotin had been injected intraperitoneally prior to the experiment, were significantly low compared with saline-injected controls at 4 and 6 hours after urease administration. Results of plasma amino acid analysis, 9 hours after the urease injection indicated that Fischer's molar ratio (Leu + Ileu + Val/Tyr + Phe) was significantly higher in the biotin-injected rats than the saline-injected control. It suggests that biotin might decrease blood ammonia by facilitating the detoxification mechanism as follow: L-glutamate + NH3----L-glutamine.

Elevation of laminin and beta-subunit of prolyl 4-hydroxylase in the sera of human subjects with Schistosomiasis mansoni

Serum levels of several markers for liver fibrosis were measured utilizing three groups of human subjects related with schistosomiasis mansoni in northeast Brazil; (1) 20 Schistosoma mansoni egg-positives, who have never been administered with anti-schistosomal drugs, (2) 29 egg-negative inhabitants in the endemic area of schistosomiasis, and (3) 23 egg-negative Japanese immigrants in the non-endemic area. None of these sera were positive for antibody to the surface antigen of human hepatitis B (HBs) and circulating HBs antigen. There was no significant difference in the serum levels of N-terminal peptide of procollagen type-III between the egg-positive subjects and either of the egg-negative Brazilian or Japanese immigrants, whereas the mean value of serum laminin significantly increased in the egg-positive subjects. A significantly higher concentration of serum immunoreactive beta-subunit of prolyl 4-hydroxylase (IR beta PH) was also observed in the egg-positive subjects only in comparison with that of the egg-negative Brazilian. Serum laminin and IR beta PH concentrations of the egg-positive subjects did not correlate with the absorbance of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) which utilized crude antigens isolated from schistosome adults or eggs. No significant difference in these two parameters was observed between two subgroups of the egg-negative Brazilian or Japanese immigrants divided according to the serological data by ELISA. These findings suggest that serum laminin and IR beta PH levels are worth further evaluation for their usefulness as the marker for liver fibrosis in schistosomiasis.

[Clinical experience with cefodizime in pediatric field]

Cefodizime (CDZM, THR-221) was given intravenously to 20 children with the following acute bacterial infections: 2 cases each of tonsillitis, bronchitis, purulent cervical lymphadenitis, and urinary tract infections and 12 cases of pneumonia. Good clinical responses were obtained in 18 patients out of the 20, and bacteriologically, all of the 5 strains identified were eradicated. No side effect was obtained except one case of eosinophilia. From the above clinical results, it is apparent that CDZM is a useful antibiotic for the treatment of pediatric patients with various kinds of bacterial infections.

Tryptic digestion of NADH dehydrogenase from alkalophilic Bacillus

The alkalophile NADH dehydrogenase (NADH: 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol oxidoreductase) [EC 1.6.99.3] consists of two identical subunits of 65 kDa, and each subunit contains the catalytic and liposome-binding regions. On treatment with trypsin, the polypeptide exhibiting the liposome-binding property in one of the subunits was digested to form an enzymatically active hetero-dimer (40 and 65 kDa), and then the polypeptide in the other subunit was digested to form an active homo-dimer (40 and 40 kDa). The hetero-dimer bound to liposomes, but the homo-dimer did not. Kinetic analysis showed that removal of one or two of the polypeptides in the enzyme slightly affects its kinetic parameters. For all the enzyme species, NAD inhibited competitively with respect to NADH and non-competitively with respect to 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol. The partially determined amino acid sequence of this alkalophile enzyme suggested that (i) a long random-coiled peptide (58 amino acid residues) or a portion of the peptide is located between the polypeptides with liposome-binding and catalytic properties, (ii) the polypeptide exhibiting liposome-binding property is in the amino terminal region of the enzyme, (iii) the amino acid sequences around the subtilisin and trypsin cleavage sites of the peptide are hydrophilic and on the surface of the protein molecule and therefore are susceptible to digestion, and (iv) the FAD-binding site is located near the amino terminal region of the catalytic region.

[Clinical experience with sulbactam/ampicillin in the pediatric field]

Sulbactam/ampicillin (SBT/ABPC) was given intravenously to 20 children with the following acute bacterial infections; 14 cases of pneumonia, 2 cases of purulent cervical lymphadenitis and 1 case each of bronchitis, pyothorax, cellulitis, and purulent meningitis. Good clinical responses were obtained in 18 out of 20 patients, and bacteriologically, all of the 14 isolated strains were eradicated. No side effect was observed except 2 cases of eosinophilia, and 1 case each of loose stool and elevated thrombocyte. From the above clinical results, it is apparent that SBT/ABPC is a useful antibiotic for the treatment of pediatric patients with various kinds of bacterial infections.

[Clinical observations with clarithromycin in pediatrics]

Clarithromycin (TE-031, A-56268) was given orally to 25 children with acute bacterial infections including 5 with bronchitis, 8 with pneumonia, 4 with Mycoplasma pneumonia, 2 with pertussis and 6 with Campylobacter enteritis. Good to excellent clinical responses were obtained in 22 patients with bacterial eradication of all 10 strains. No side effect was observed. From the above clinical results, it appears that TE-031 is a useful antibiotic for the treatment of pediatrics with various bacterial infections.

Monoclonal antibody against Leptospira interrogans serovar canicola

Nine cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against Leptospira interrogans serovar canicola strain Moulton were established by the cell fusion technique. The immunological reactivity of these MAbs with various kinds of serogroups, serovars and strains were examined by microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). MAbs W1-W3 derived from mice, which were immunized with whole cells of the strain Moulton, reacted with the serogroups Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Pyrogenes. On the other hand, MAbs A1-A6 derived from mice immunized with the outer envelope (OE) fraction, which showed a potent protective activity and was extracted with ammonium hydroxide from the strain Moulton, reacted specifically with the serogroup Canicola alone in MAT. A difference in antigenic structure between subserogroup A (canicola subgroup) and subserogroups B (schüeffneri subgroup) of the serogroup Canicola was demonstrated by MAT using the MAbs. All the MAbs clearly agglutinated serovars of subserogroup A except for serovars kamituga, jonsis and bindjei, but did not react with any serovars of subserogroup B. These findings suggest that MAb highly specific to each serovar is readily available by OE immunization and is useful for the classification of Leptospira.

Regional localization of CCG1 gene which complements hamster cell cycle mutation BN462 to Xq11-Xq13

The human CCG1 gene, which complements the temperature-sensitive hamster cell cycle mutations BN462 and ts13, has recently been cloned and shown to be located on the X chromosome. We have used somatic cell hybrids segregating portions of multiple X--autosome translocations to localize this gene to the Xq11 to Xq13 region of the human X chromosome.

[Clinical studies on sultamicillin in pediatrics]

Sultamicillin (SBTPC) fine granule was given orally to 15 children with acute bacterial infections including 4 with acute pharyngitis, 5 with acute tonsillitis, 2 each with acute bronchitis and urinary tract infections, and 1 each with acute pneumonia and cervical purulent lymphadenitis. Good to excellent clinical responses were obtained in all of the 15 patients and bacterial eradication of all 4 strains found in these cases. Loose stool was observed in 1 case. From the above clinical results, it appears that SBTPC is a useful antibiotics for the treatment of pediatric patients with various bacterial infections.

Molecular cloning of the cDNA of human X chromosomal gene (CCG1) which complements the temperature-sensitive G1 mutants, tsBN462 and ts13, of the BHK cell line

The tsBN462 cell line, a temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant isolated from the hamster cell line, BHK21/13 has a ts defect in G1 progression and belongs to the same complementation group as the ts13 cell line. We cloned human cDNA which can complement both tsBN462 and ts13 mutations, from the cDNA library of the secondary ts+ transformant (K-1-1) of tsBN462 cells using, as a probe, the isolated human X chromosomal genomic DNA. The cloned DNA is 5.3 kb long and has an open reading frame of 4662 bp, encoding a protein of 178,768 daltons. The putative protein is hydrophilic with a tandem repeat of 120 amino acids in the C-terminal region. An amino acid sequence (PPKKKRRV), similar to the consensus sequence for the nuclear translocation signal, is located immediately before the tandem repeat of amino acids.

Clonal isolation and characterization of myoblast-like reconstituted cells formed by fusion of karyoplasts from mouse teratocarcinoma cells with rat myoblast cytoplasts

To examine the roles of the cytoplasms of differentiated somatic cells on nuclear gene expression, reconstituted cells (RC-cells) were isolated clonally by fusing karyoplasts (isolated nuclei) from neomycin-resistant mouse teratocarcinoma PCC4-neor cells with cytoplasts (isolated cytoplasms) of chloramphenicol (CAP)-resistant rat myoblasts L6TG.CAPr cells, and after double selection in the medium containing 400 micrograms/ml of neomycin and 100 micrograms/ml of CAP (G418 plus CAP medium). The RC-cells were characterized by the presence of two genetic markers, neomycin- and CAP-resistance, by the absence of latex beads which had incorporated into karyoplast donor PCC4-neor cells as a cytoplasmic physical marker, and by the similar karyotypes as that of parental PCC4-neor cells. In contrast to the teratocarcinoma cybrids previously isolated, all the isolated RC-clones expressed myoblast-like morphologies of three types. The phenotypic expression of these RC-cells was compared with that of PCD-1 cells, a teratocarcinoma-derived myoblast line. RC-cells and PCD-1 cells did not express alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity while parental PCC4-neor expressed it strongly. After induction of myogenic differentiation by treatments with excess thymidine and conditioned medium, two clones were capable of forming short multinucleated cells. The protein synthetic patterns of RC-cells analysed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel were different from PCC4-neor cells, and quite resembled those of PCD-1 cells. Particularly, multinucleated RC-clones expressed alpha-tropomyosin, and contained 10 nm filaments, characteristic markers of early myogenic cells. These results suggest that the RC-cells are myoblast-like cells, that a few of them maturate to partially differentiated myogenic cells, that the rat myoblast cytoplasm contains regulatory factor(s) able to determine the myogenic cell lineage of the undifferentiated stem cells, and that this factor is continuously expressed in these myoblasts.

[Clinical experience with flomoxef in the pediatric field]

Flomoxef (FMOX, 6315-S) was given intravenously to 21 children with the following acute bacterial infections; 10 cases of bronchopneumonia, 3 cases each of purulent lymphadenitis and urinary tract infection, 2 cases of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome and 1 case each of peritonsillar abscess, pyothorax and purulent meningitis. Good clinical responses were obtained in 18 out of 21 patients, and bacteriologically, all of the 17 isolated strains were eradicated. No side effect was observed except for 1 case with soft stool and 2 cases of eosinophilia. From the above clinical results, it is apparent that FMOX is a useful antibiotic for treating pediatric patients with various bacterial infections.

Isolation and characterization of the active cDNA of the human cell cycle gene (RCC1) involved in the regulation of onset of chromosome condensation

The human RCC1 gene was cloned after DNA-mediated gene transfer into the tsBN2 cell line, which shows premature chromosome condensation at nonpermissive temperatures (39.5-40 degrees C). This gene codes for a 2.5-kb poly(A)+ RNA that is well conserved in hamsters and humans. We isolated 15 cDNA clones from the Okayama-Berg human cDNA library, and found two that can complement the tsBN2 mutation with an efficiency comparable to that of the genomic DNA clone. The base sequences of these two active cDNA clones differ at the 5' proximal end, yet both have a common open reading frame, encoding a protein of 421 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 44,847 and with seven homologous repeated domains of about 60 amino acids. This human RCC1 gene was located to human chromosome 1 using sorted chromosomal fractions.

Calcium-permeable channel in sarcoplasmic reticulum of rabbit skeletal muscle

Membrane vesicles from sarcoplasmic reticulum of rabbit skeletal muscle were incorporated into a bilayer lipid membrane. With this system, single current fluctuation was observed in the presence of 50 mM Ba-gluconate. This channel activity was observed only in vesicles from terminal cisternae. The single channel conductance was 14.1 pS, and the channel state was almost wholly open. The open-close transition of the channel obeyed simple two-state kinetics and was voltage-independent. The ionic selectivity was also studied, and the channel showed no selectivity among Ba, Ca, Mn, and Mg. On the other hand, it was less permeable to Cs than to Ba. Based on these results, the relation of the Ca channel to excitation-contraction coupling is discussed.

Isolation of a human X chromosome-linked gene essential for progression from G1 to S phase of the cell cycle

The tsBN462 cell line, a temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant isolated from the hamster cell line, BHK21/13, cannot progress into S phase at 39.5 degrees C, following the release from isoleucine deprivation. The mutant cells were transfected with high molecular weight (HMW) DNA from human KB cells, and several human DNA bands were found to be conserved through three cycles of ts+ transformation. Conserved human DNA was isolated from the cosmid library of the secondary ts+ transformant (K-1-1), using 32P-labelled total human DNA as a probe. The isolated human DNA covers about 70 kb of human DNA flanked with hamster DNA, and originates from the human X chromosome. The middle part (56 kb) of the isolated human DNA was conserved through the primary, secondary and tertiary ts+ transformation, without gross rearrangement.

[Clinical observations on cefuzonam in pediatrics]

Cefuzonam (L-105, CZON) was given intravenously to 20 pediatric patients with the following acute bacterial infections: 13 of bronchopneumonia and 1 each of tonsillitis, purulent cervical lymphadenitis and acute tonsillitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, pyothorax, purulent meningitis complicated with septic arthritis, and urinary tract infection. Good clinical responses were obtained in all of the 20 patients and bacterial eradication of all 16 strains. No side effect was observed except 3 cases of slight elevation of transaminase, and 1 case each of soft stool and eosinophilia. From the above clinical results, it appears that CZON is a useful antibiotic for the treatment of pediatric patients with various kinds of bacterial infections.