New inhibitors of melanogenesis, OH-3984 K1 and K2. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and biological characteristics

Melanogenesis inhibitors, OH-3984 K1 and K2 were isolated from fermentation broth of Streptomyces sp. OH-3984. OH-3984 K1 and K2 inhibited the melanogenesis of B16 melanoma cells at concentrations of 7.5 and 3.8 micrograms/ml, respectively, whereas inhibition of tyrosinase activity has not been observed. The microbial metabolites showed no antimicrobiological activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi or yeast at a concentration of 1,000 micrograms/ml.

Evidence of docosahexaenoic acid synthesis and predominant existence of arachidonic acid in livers of fetal and neonatal crab-eating monkeys: comparisons with adults

The microsomal synthesis of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from radiolabeled eicosapentaenoic acid was tested in vitro using the livers of crab-eating monkeys. The test animals included 1 fetus (embryonic day 120), 2 neonates (full-term, embryonic day 165), and 2 adults. DHA was formed equally in the liver microsomes of each animal. Neonatal livers were found to contain higher percent of arachidonic acid than adult livers in both phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. DHA contents remained constant in the liver phospholipids of all test animals.

Stroke and meningitis in a case of SLE with anti-phospholipid antibodies

Anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) are concerned with many central nervous system diseases in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, no report has described the relationship between aseptic meningitis and aPL in SLE. We report a case of SLE with aPL, presenting cerebral infarction and aseptic meningitis. A 14 year old female with SLE with aPL experienced cerebral infarction and recurrent aseptic meningitis. Combination therapy with steroids and aspirin improved the condition and prevented relapses. The aPL are associated with cerebral infarction, even in young patients with SLE. In addition, aPL may induce aseptic meningitis in SLE.

New inhibitors of melanogenesis, OH-3984 K1 and K2. II. Physico-chemical properties and structural elucidation

New melanin synthesis inhibitors, OH-3984 K1 and K2, were isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces sp. OH-3984, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and by chemical transformations. OH-3984 K1 (M.W.: 306; C18H26O4) and K2 (M.W.: 308; C18H28O4) have unique gamma-lactone rings, both of which correspond to oxidative products derived from C1-O14 cleavage of the 14-membered lactone group.

Physarum vitronectin-like protein has extensive homology to dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase

Physarum vitronectin-like protein with a molecular mass of 70 kDa cross-reacts with anti-bovine vitronectin and promotes cell-spreading (Miyazaki, K. et al. 1992. Exp. Cell Res., 199: 106-110.). The amino-terminal sequence of Physarum vitronectin-like protein is, however, distinct from those of animal vitronectins but shows significant sequence homology with dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase, a component of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. We have investigated the structural relationships between Physarum vitronectin-like protein and dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase by using both antibody and protein-chemical methods. The vitronectin-like protein reacted with both anti-bovine vitronectin IgG and anti-rat pyruvate dehydrogenase complex IgG, indicating that it shares common antigenic determinant(s) with rat pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Furthermore, sequencing studies of peptides obtained by lysylendopeptidase digestion indicated that internal sequences of Physarum vitronectin-like protein show significant homology with dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase, but do not show any homology with the primary structures of authentic vitronectins. Immunocytochemistry revealed that the protein is widely localized in cytoplasm and nuclei of Physarum polycephalum, but is not present in the central area of vacuoles. Our results indicate that Physarum vitronectin-like protein is a molecule structurally and immunologically related to dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase but functionally similar to animal vitronectin, although its localization is unique.

Absorption of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) from rat nasal mucosa

Nasal absorption of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) was examined in the rat. The relative bioavailability of rhG-CSF for subcutaneous administration was approximately 2%, as evaluated from the immunologically active rhG-CSF concentration in rat plasma and the area under the curve (AUC) of the plasma rhG-CSF concentration versus time for 8 hr. Pharmacological availability relative to subcutaneous administration was determined from the increase in total blood leukocyte numbers. The pharmacological availability was 5-10%, determined from the AUC for the increased ratio of total leukocyte numbers versus time for 48 hr; it was slightly dependent on the pH and the osmotic pressure of the dosing solution. Accordingly, the plasma concentration of rhG-CSF did not always reflect its pharmacological effects. Relative bioavailability and pharmacological availability were increased about 23 times and 3 times, respectively, by polyoxyethylene 9-lauryl ether (Laureth-9), but no increase in availability occurred with sodium glycocholate. The increase in total leukocyte numbers was maintained during multiple rhG-CSF dosing, and the addition of Laureth-9 further increased the pharmacological effects of this agent. This study indicates that nasal administration of rhG-CSF is an effective parenteral administration route.

Inhibitory effect of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroneopterin on adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity

The protective effect of the reduced form of neopterin, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroneopterin (NPH4), against the cardiotoxicity of adriamycin (ADR) was evaluated in mice by assay of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and heart lipid peroxide (i.e., thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS). The activity of CPK was drastically elevated at around 3 days after a single s.c. injection of ADR and had returned to normal at 6 days. There were no marked changes in the TBARS content of the heart by 6 days, but a significant increase was apparent at about 8 days after ADR treatment. The effect of NPH4 was evaluated in terms of the serum CPK activity at the 4th day and in terms of TBARS content at the 8th day after ADR treatment. The elevation of CPK activity induced by ADR was significantly suppressed by two treatments with NPH4 every day for 4 days, i.e., from day 0 to day 3 after injection of ADR, at doses of 3 mg/kg and 0.3 mg/kg. The increase of TBARS content in the heart at 8 days after ADR treatment was also suppressed at both doses of NPH4. The effect of the timing of NPH4 treatment on the suppression of elevated CPK was examined. The suppressive potency of NPH4 could not be elicited by any treatment schedule that terminated at or before 2 days after injection of ADR. Consecutive treatments from day 0 to day 3 after injection of ADR were effective, as was a simple schedule of only two treatments with NPH4 on day 3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of S-carboxymethylcysteine on ciliary activity in chronic sinusitis

This study was designed to investigate the possible pharmacological effect of S-carboxy-methylcysteine (S-CMC) on the ciliary activity, using an in vitro experimental system after removing mucus. Ciliary activity from healthy rabbit maxillary sinus and from healthy human nasal mucosa demonstrated no significant change in RPMI 1640 containing S-CMC. On the other hand, the effect of S-CMC on the reduced ciliary activity from patients with chronic sinusitis was quite varied among the cases examined. S-CMC demonstrated no stimulatory effect on the beating activity of cilia that have a baseline activity of less than 400 beats/min. However, S-CMC was able to enhance the beating activity of cilia that demonstrated a baseline activity of more than 400 beats/min. S-CMC at 0.5% induced a larger ciliostimulatory effect than 0.05% S-CMC. In conclusion, our study has clearly demonstrated that S-CMC could directly enhance ciliary activity of chronic sinusitis in the absence of significant organic change of ciliated cells.

[Changes in high energy phosphates and tissue blood flow in ischemia and reperfusion of jaundiced rat liver--effect of intermittent brief ischemia]

This study was focused on the changes of high energy phosphates and tissue blood flow (TBF) in ischemia and reperfusion, of jaundiced rat liver. We ligated and cut the bile duct of male Wistar rats to induce jaundice. The rats were divided into two groups, BDL-4W which had ligation four weeks before examination and control which had no ligation. Two studies were performed; In study A, ischemia was induced by clamping portal vein and hepatic artery for 60 minutes. In study B, 15 minutes of ischemia was repeated four times with intervals of 10 minutes of reperfusion. A: 1) In BDL-4W, ATP was significantly lower than that in control at pre-ischemia and reperfusion. Recovery ratios (RR) of ATP in BDL-4W were significantly lower than those in control. 2) RR or TBF in BDL-4W were significantly lower than those in control. 3) In BDL-4W, xanthine was significantly higher than that in control at reperfusion. B: 4) There were no significant differences in the RR of ATP after reperfusion between two groups. 5) There were no significant differences in the RR of TBF between two groups. 6) There were no significant differences in xanthine after reperfusion between two groups. We concluded that intermittent brief ischemia was useful when 60 minutes of ischemia was required for the operation of jaundiced liver.

Second-site suppressors of a cold-sensitive external scaffolding protein of bacteriophage phi X174

This report describes the isolation and characterization of second-site suppressors of a cold-sensitive (cs) external scaffolding protein, gpD, of bacteriophage phi X174. Seven genetically distinct suppressors were isolated. Six of them are located in gene F which encodes the major coat protein of the virus. The seventh is located in gene J which encodes the DNA-binding protein. A subset of the suppressors are trans-acting. These second-site suppressors do not exhibit allele specificity; they are able to suppress defects associated with a csD protein for which they were not selected. The initial characterization of the second-site suppressors and their locations within the major coat protein suggest that the mechanism of suppression may involve both structural and stoichiometric phenomena.

Na(+)-translocating NADH-quinone reductase of marine and halophilic bacteria

The respiratory chain of marine and moderately halophilic bacteria requires Na+ for maximum activity, and the site of Na(+)-dependent activation is located in the NADH-quinone reductase segment. The Na(+)-dependent NADH-quinone reductase purified from marine bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus is composed of three subunits, alpha, beta, and gamma, with apparent M(r) of 52, 46, and 32 kDa, respectively. The FAD-containing beta-subunit reacts with NADH and reduces ubiquinone-1 (Q-1) by a one-electron transfer pathway to produce ubisemiquinones. In the presence of the FMN-containing alpha-subunit and the gamma-subunit, Q-1 is converted to ubiquinol-1 without the accumulation of free radicals. The reaction catalyzed by the alpha-subunit is strictly dependent on Na+ and is strongly inhibited by 2-n-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide (HQNO), which is tightly coupled to the electrogenic extrusion of Na+. A similar type of Na(+)-translocating NADH-quinone reductase is widely distributed among marine and moderately halophilic bacteria. The respiratory chain of V. alginolyticus contains another NADH-quinone reductase which is Na+ independent and has no energy-transducing capacity. These two types of NADH-quinone reductase are quite different with respect to their mode of quinone reduction and their sensitivity toward NADH preincubation.

Antitumor activity of a novel nucleotide derivative, 5'-(1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho)-5-fluorouridine (TJ14026) on murine tumors

The antitumor activity of a nucleotide derivative, 5'-(1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho)-5-fluorouridine (TJ14026), was confirmed following both intraperitoneal and oral administration against a number of murine experimental tumor systems in vivo, which included Meth A fibrosarcoma, B16 melanoma, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistant P388 leukemia, P815 mastocytoma and L5178Y-ML lymphoma. Successive i.p. injections of a small dose (10 mg/kg/d x 10) or intermittent i.p. injections of a larger dose (50 mg/kg/d x 3) were equally effective against the solid form of Meth A fibrosarcoma. Intraperitoneal injection of TJ14026 prolonged the life of mice with 5-FU resistant P388 leukemia. Oral administration of TJ14026 was also effective against P815 mastocytoma and L-5178Y-ML lymphoma in the liver, an P388 leukemia metastasized to the lymph nodes. Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) levels were elevated in the serum of un-treated mice bearing P815 mastocytoma but not in mice treated with TJ14026.

Transgenic mice with antisense RNA against the nucleocapsid protein mRNA of mouse hepatitis virus

In this study transgenic mice which expressed antisense RNA against the nucleocapsid protein gene of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) under the control of RSV LTR were produced. These transgenic mice were able to transmit the foreign gene to their progeny in a Mendelian fashion. Antisense RNA was detected in various tissues from the transgenic mice including liver and brain, the target organs of MHV infection. One strain of transgenic mice derived from founder mouse No. 19 was more resistant to the lethal challenge of MHV than non-transgenic mice. The results of the present study show the ability of antisense RNA against the viral gene to protect against viral infection in vivo.

Intravenous lidocaine as a suppressant of coughing during tracheal intubation in elderly patients

The effects of intravenously administered lidocaine on cough suppression in elderly patients over the age of 60 yr during tracheal intubation under general anesthesia were evaluated in two studies. In the first study, 100 patients received a placebo of either 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 mg/kg lidocaine intravenously 1 min before tracheal intubation. All visible coughs were classified as coughing. The incidence of coughing decreased as the dose of lidocaine increased. A dose of 1.5 mg/kg or more of intravenous lidocaine suppressed the cough reflex significantly (P < 0.01). In the second study, 108 patients received 2 mg/kg lidocaine intravenously or a placebo 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, or 15 min before intubation. The same criteria for determining whether a patient did or did not cough during tracheal intubation were used as in Study 1. The incidence of coughing decreased significantly (P < 0.01) when 2 mg/kg lidocaine was injected intravenously between 1 min and 3 min before attempting intubation. The cough reflex was almost entirely suppressed by plasma concentrations of lidocaine in excess of 4 micrograms/mL. The results suggest that intravenous administration of lidocaine is effective in suppressing the cough reflex during tracheal intubation in elderly patients under general anesthesia, but that relatively high plasma concentrations of lidocaine may be required for suppression of coughing.

[Clinical evaluation of Augpenin (clavulanic acid-ticarcillin) in urinary tract infections: especially against beta-lactamase producing strains]

Augpenin contains ticarcillin (TIPC) and clavulanic acid (CVA), at a ratio of 15:1. The beta-lactamase inhibitor, CVA, has been added to protect the TIPC from inactivation by beta-lactamase. To investigate the drug efficacy and safety against urinary tract infections (UTI), Augpenin was administered to 33 patients with chronic complicated UTI and 7 patients with acute pyelonephritis. Thirty two cases were evaluable by the UTI criteria. Excellent results were obtained in 6 of the cases of acute pyelonephritis, and moderate results in 1 case, with an overall effectiveness rate of 100%. Excellent results were obtained in 14 of the cases of chronic complicated UTI, moderate results in 9 cases, and poor results in 2 cases, with an overall effectiveness rate of 92%. No adverse reactions were noted, but a transient elevation of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels was observed in 2 cases.

Two collagen-binding domains of vitronectin

Vitronectin is a cell-adhesive glycoprotein present in animal blood and extracellular matrix. To establish the molecular basis of vitronectin interactions with extracellular matrix macromolecules, the binding site of vitronectin to collagen has been investigated. Vitronectin fragments obtained by formic acid cleavage were separated by heparin-affinity chromatography followed by gel filtration chromatography. The collagen-binding activity of the fragments was assayed in terms of inhibitory activity on the binding of 125I-vitronectin to immobilized collagen. There were two groups of collagen-binding fragments. One group consisted of 5 heparin-binding fragments with estimated molecular masses of 12 kDa, 14 kDa, 16 kDa, 18 kDa, and 19 kDa in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The other group consisted of 2 heparin-nonbinding fragments migrating at 18 kDa and 40 kDa. These results indicate that there are two collagen-binding sites in the vitronectin molecule; one located close to the heparin-binding domain in the COOH-terminal half and the other located in the NH2-terminal half of vitronectin.

The effects of cold preservation on steatotic graft viability in rat liver transplantation

Clinical experience suggests that grafts obtained from steatotic livers result in primary nonfunction more frequently than those from nonsteatotic livers. To date, however, only a few studies have been done to verify the accuracy of this observation. To investigate the effects of cold preservation on steatotic liver viability, liver grafts obtained from rats fed with a choline-deficient diet were transplanted after periods of cold preservation. Recipient survival rates with normal liver grafts were 8/8 (100%) and those with steatotic liver grafts were 7/8 (88%) (P > 0.05) after 1-hr preservation with UW solution. After 9-hr preservation, however, these rates decreased significantly to 0/8 (0%) with steatotic grafts (P < 0.01), but were not significantly decreased with normal grafts. LDH levels in the effluent at the time of transplantation were 133 IU/L (1-hr) and 512 IU/L (9-hr) in normal livers, but in steatotic livers these were elevated to 598 and 3141 IU/L, respectively (P < 0.01). Recovery rates of hepatic blood flow measured by laser Doppler flowmeter after revascularization were 99% (1-hr) and 96% (9-hr) in normal grafts, but in steatotic grafts they were 98% (1-hr) and 63% (9-hr, P < 0.01). In addition, the oxidative phosphorylation ability of liver mitochondria obtained from steatotic grafts was decreased significantly after cold preservation. The present results suggest that steatotic liver grafts are prone to lose their viability more easily than normal liver grafts after prolonged periods of cold preservation due to a combination of causes.

Expression of the gene for nerve growth factor (NGF) in the monkey central nervous system

The expression of the gene for nerve growth factor (NGF) was examined in the central nervous system of adult and fetal monkeys. In adults, the highest level of NGF mRNA was found in the hippocampus and relatively high levels were observed in the cerebral cortices and thalamus. NGF mRNA was also detected in the cerebellum and the caudate nucleus. In the spinal cord, there was no evidence of the mRNA. The levels of NGF mRNA were closely correlated with those of NGF. At embryonic day 140 (E140), levels of NGF mRNA in the visual cortex and cerebellum were three times higher than those at the adult stage. Our previous study on the ontogeny of NGF (Hayashi, M. et al., Neuroscience, 36 (1990) 683-689) showed that the level of NGF in the visual cortex at E140 is the same as that at adult stage. Thus, at the fetal stage, NGF may be actively transported from the cerebral cortex to other regions of the brain, such as the basal forebrain area. By contrast, the levels of NGF and NGF mRNA in the cerebellum were almost the same at the adult and fetal stages, suggesting that NGF, which is synthesized in the cerebellum, may be taken up locally by cerebellar cells.

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.

Three-dimensional videomonitor in microsurgery

The operation microscope was equipped with two small camera heads on both sides, with a 35-mm still camera, and with or without a binocular observer tube. These camera heads were connected with a 3-dimensional (3D) converter. The operator can observe the 3D images of the operation field on a TV monitor through polarization glasses. The microscope with two camera heads is easy to handle because these camera heads are small and light. This is a promising monitoring system for microsurgery.

Localization of electrocutaneous stimuli on the fingers and forearm: effects of electrode configuration and body axis

Four experiments were done on the effects of electrode configuration (concentric vs. unifocal) and body axis (longitudinal vs. transverse) on localization of electrocutaneous pulse stimuli at the fingers and forearm. Subjects pointed to the apparent location of current pulses. For the transverse placement of electrodes, pulses were localized correctly, whatever the configuration and the body site might be. In addition, intrasubject variability at the forearm was smaller for the transverse axis than for the longitudinal axis. For the longitudinal placement of electrodes, pulses were localized as a function of configuration and body site. At the fingers, concentric electrodes provided precise localization but unifocal electrodes provided a great mislocalization; and intrasubject variability of localization was larger for the unifocal electrodes than for the concentric electrodes. At the forearm, whatever the configuration might be, the pulses were localized more proximally than the stimulus site; and intrasubject variability of localization did not differ between the configurations. These results are related to Boring's anchor theory, apparent distance between two points, and the localization of other somatosensory stimuli.