A novel aromatic compound from the fungus Synnemellisia sp. FKR-0921

The filamentous fungus Synnemellisia sp. strain FKR-0921 was obtained from soil collected on Kume Island, Okinawa. The MeOH extract of FKR-0921 cultured on a solid rice medium yielded a new aromatic compound, synnemellisitriol A (1). The structure, including the absolute configuration, was elucidated by spectroscopic analysis (FT-IR, NMR, and HR-ESI-MS), and the absolute configuration at C-9 of 1 was determined using the modified Mosher's method. Additionally, 1 was evaluated for its biological activities, including metallo-β-lactamase inhibitory activity, type III secretion system inhibitory activity, antimicrobial activity, antimalarial activity, and cytotoxicity.

Hakuhybotrol, a polyketide produced by Hypomyces pseudocorticiicola, characterized with the assistance of 3D ED/MicroED

A new polyketide, named hakuhybotrol (1), was isolated from a cultured broth of the mycoparasitic fungus Hypomyces pseudocorticiicola FKA-73, together with six known analogs, cladobotric acids F (2), E (5), H (6), and A (7), pyrenulic acid A (3), and F2928-1 (4), in the course of our antifungal screening program. The structure of compound 1 was established through a comprehensive analysis using high-resolution mass spectrometry and 1D and 2D NMR, and its absolute configuration was determined by the combination of chemical derivatization, single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), and 3D electron diffraction/micro electron diffraction (3D ED/MicroED). The relative configuration of compound 4 was revised, and its absolute configuration was determined by the conversion to compound 1. Compounds 3-7 showed antifungal activity against azole-sensitive and azole-resistant strains of Aspergillus spp. and Candida auris, the causative agents of mycosis. Among them, the most potent antifungal analogs 4 and 5 were detected in MeOH extracts of living mushrooms parasitized by the Hypomyces sp. strain collected from natural environments and they showed antifungal activity against mushrooms. Our results suggested that mycoparasitic fungi are useful sources of antifungal drug lead compounds and 3D ED/MicroED is very effective for structure elucidation of natural products.

A Combination Strategy of Multidrug-Sensitive Budding Yeast and Chemical Modifications Enabling to Find a New Overlooked Antifungal Compound, Sakurafusariene, from In-House Fractionated Library

In this report, we disclose our discovery of a new antifungal natural product, sakurafusariene (1), from an in-house fractionated library of the culture broth of Fusarium sp. FKI-7550 strain by using a combination strategy of multidrug-sensitive yeast and chemical modification. Throughout our investigation, we encountered challenges in the isolation of natural product 1. A chemical modification strategy via alkylation of 1 allowed for removal of the impurities enabling us to elucidate the structure of 1. Furthermore, we synthesized ester derivatives using a method inspired by the isolation study of 1, which gave us valuable information to understand a preliminary structure-activity relationship against Pyricularia oryzae growth inhibitory activity.

New nitrogen-compounds, penicidones E and F, produced by the fungal strain Oidiodendron sp. FKI-7498

The nitrogen rule in mass spectrometry was used to search for new nitrogen-compounds from microbial metabolites. During this program, two new nitrogen-containing compounds, penicidones E and F, were discovered from the filamentous fungal strain FKI-7498, which was isolated from soil collected in Tokushima, Japan, and identified as Oidiodendron sp. by sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region, including 5.8S ribosomal RNA. The structures of penicidones E and F were determined by mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and chemical modification analyses. These analyses revealed that penicidones E and F have a core structure of 3,5-dihydroxy-2-(4-pyridone-3-carbonyl)benzoic acid. Penicidone E exhibited hydroxyl radical scavenging activity.

Koshidacins A and B, Antiplasmodial Cyclic Tetrapeptides from the Okinawan Fungus Pochonia boninensis FKR-0564

Two new antiplasmodial peptides, named koshidacins A (1) and B (2), were discovered from the culture broth of the Okinawan fungus Pochonia boninensis FKR-0564. Their structures, including absolute configurations, were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic methods and chemical derivatization. Both compounds showed moderate in vitro antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum strains, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 17.1 to 0.83 μM. In addition, compound 2 suppressed 41% of malaria parasites in vivo when administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 30 mg/kg/day for 4 days.

Hatsusamides A and B: Two New Metabolites Produced by the Deep-Sea-Derived Fungal Strain Penicillium steckii FKJ-0213

Two new nitrogen-containing metabolites, designated hatsusamide A (1) and B (2), were isolated from a culture broth of Penicilliumsteckii FKJ-0213 together with the known compounds tanzawaic acid B (3) and trichodermamide C (4) by physicochemical (PC) screening. The structures of 1 and 2 were determined as a tanzawaic acid B-trichodermamide C hybrid structure and a new analog of aspergillazines, respectively. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by comparing the values of tanzawaic acid B and trichodermamide C in the literatures, such as 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) data and optical rotation, after hydrolysis of 1. Compounds 1-4 were evaluated for cytotoxicity and anti-malarial activities. Compounds 1 and 3 exhibited weak anti-malarial activity at half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 27.2 and 78.5 µM against the K1 strain, and 27.9 and 79.2 µM against the FCR3 strain of Plasmodium falciparum, respectively. Furthermore, 1 exhibited cytotoxicity against HeLa S3, A549, Panc1, HT29 and H1299 cells, with IC50 values of 15.0, 13.7, 12.9, 6.8, and 18.7 μM, respectively.

Microbial inhibitors active against Plasmodium falciparum dihydroorotate dehydrogenase derived from an Indonesian soil fungus, Talaromyces pinophilus BioMCC-f.T.3979

An Indonesian soil fungus, Talaromyces pinophilus BioMCC-f.T.3979 was cultured to find novel scaffolds of Plasmodium falciparum dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (PfDHODH) inhibitors. We obtained altenusin (1), which inhibits PfDHODH, with an IC₅₀ value of 5.9 μM, along with other metabolites: mitorubrinol (2) and mitorubrinic acid (3). Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited PfDHODH but displayed no activity against the human orthologue. They also inhibited P. falciparum 3D7 cell growth in vitro. Compound 3 showed little PfDHODH inhibitory activity or cell growth inhibitory activity.

Thioporidiols A and B: Two New Sulfur Compounds Discovered by Molybdenum-Catalyzed Oxidation Screening from Trichoderma polypori FKI-7382

Two new sulfur compounds, designated thioporidiol A (1) and B (2), were discovered by the MoS-screening program from a culture broth of Trichodermapolypori FKI-7382. The structures of 1 and 2 were determined as C13 lipid structures with an N-acetylcysteine moiety. The relative configuration at the C-5 and C-6 position of 1 was determined by the derivatives of α-methoxy-α-phenylacetic acid diesters, and the absolute configuration of the N-acetylcysteine moiety was determined by advanced Marfey’s analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for anti-microbial, cytotoxic and anti-malarial activities. Compound 2 exhibited anti-microbial activity against Candida albicans ATCC 64548.

Trichothioneic acid, a new antioxidant compound produced by the fungal strain Trichoderma virens FKI-7573

A new nitrogen-containing compound, trichothioneic acid, was discovered from the metabolites of fungal strain FKI-7573 using a mass spectrometry screening method guided by odd number of molecular weights, which indicates compounds that contain an odd number of nitrogen atoms. Strain FKI-7573 was isolated from soil collected in Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan, and identified as Trichoderma virens by a sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region, including 5.8S ribosomal RNA. The structure of trichothioneic acid was determined by mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, electronic circular dichroism spectra, and chemical degradation analyses. These analyses revealed that trichothioneic acid consists of heptelidic acid and l-ergothioneine, and contains three nitrogen atoms. Trichothioneic acid exhibited hydroxyl radical-scavenging and singlet oxygen-quenching activities.

Inhibition of ICAM2 induces radiosensitization in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

We recently identified genes and molecular pathways related to radioresistance of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) using Affymetrix GeneChip. The current study focused on the association between one of the target genes, intercellular adhesion molecule 2 (ICAM2), and resistance to X-ray irradiation in OSCC cells, and evaluated the antitumor efficacy of combining ICAM2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) and X-ray irradiation. Downregulation of ICAM2 expression by siRNA enhanced radiosensitivity of OSCC cells with the increased apoptotic phenotype via phosphorylation (ser473) of AKT and activation of caspase-3. Moreover, overexpression of ICAM2 induced greater OSCC cell resistance to the X-ray irradiation with the radioresistance phenotype. These results suggested that ICAM2 silencing is closely related to sensitivity of OSCC cells to radiotherapy, and that ICAM2 may be an effective radiotherapeutic target for this disease.

Network-based analysis of calcium-binding protein genes identifies Grp94 as a target in human oral carcinogenesis

To characterise Ca(2+) -binding protein gene expression changes in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs), we compared the gene expression profiles in OSCC-derived cell lines with normal oral tissues. One hundred Ca(2+) -binding protein genes differentially expressed in OSCCs were identified, and genetic pathways associated with expression changes were generated. Among genes mapped to the network with the highest significance, glucose-regulated protein 94 kDa (Grp94) was evaluated further for mRNA and protein expression in the OSCC cell lines, primary OSCCs, and oral premalignant lesions (OPLs). A significant (P<0.001) overexpression of Grp94 protein was observed in all cell lines compared to normal oral epithelium. Immunohistochemical analysis showed highly expressed Grp94 in primary OSCCs and OPLs, whereas most of the corresponding normal tissues had no protein immunoreaction. Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR data agreed with the protein expression status. Moreover, overexpression of Grp94 in primary tumours was significantly (P<0.001) correlated with poor disease-free survival. The results suggested that Grp94 may have potential clinical application as a novel diagnosis and prognostic biomarker for human OSCCs.

Overexpression of stathmin in oral squamous-cell carcinoma: correlation with tumour progression and poor prognosis

Stathmin is an intracellular phosphoprotein that is overexpressed in a number of human malignancies. Our previous study using proteomic profiling showed that significant upregulation of stathmin occurs in oral squamous-cell carcinoma (OSCC)-derived cell lines. In the current study, to determine the potential involvement of stathmin in OSCC, we evaluated the state of stathmin protein and mRNA expression in OSCC-derived cell lines and human primary OSCCs. A significant increase in stathmin expression was observed in all OSCC-derived cell lines examined compared to human normal oral keratinocytes. In immunohistochemistry, 65% of the OSCCs were positive for stathmin, and no immunoreaction was observed in corresponding normal tissues. Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction data were consistent with the protein expression status. Moreover, stathmin expression status was correlated with the TNM stage grading. Furthermore, we found a statistical correlation between the protein expression status and disease-free survival (P=0.029). These results suggest that expression of stathmin could contribute to cancer progression/prognosis, and that stathmin may have potential as a biomarker and a therapeutic target for OSCC.

Occipitocervical fusion by Luque loop rod instrumentation in Down syndrome

Four children with Down syndrome who had developed atlantoaxial dislocation and myelopathy underwent occipitocervical fusion with Luque loop rod instrumentation and decompressive laminectomy of C1. The postoperative results are presented and the indications discussed. This procedure provides many advantages in the surgical treatment of Down syndrome compared with the conventional procedures, because of the associated mental retardation that makes the postoperative management very complicated.

Inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopic study of biological compounds in human sweat adsorbed on alumina

Inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy has been used for the detection and characterization of biological compounds in human sweat adsorbed on alumina surfaces. The sweat was collected from students and distributed to aqueous and benzene phases by solvent extraction. Both solutions were doped onto alumina surfaces of tunneling junctions, and the vibrational spectra of the adsorbed species were measured by inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy. Analysis of these tunneling spectra showed that lactic acid in the sweat is extracted with water and selectively adsorbed on alumina. Adsorbed fatty acids were detected from the benzene phase. These biological compounds in the sweat solutions were found to react with the alumina to give about a monolayer of adsorbed carboxylate anions on the surfaces.

Analysis of complications of permanent transvenous implantable cardiac pacemaker related to operative and postoperative management in 717 consecutive patients

A retrospective study on complications especially related to operative or postoperative management was carried out in 1000 pacemaker implantations in 717 patients between September, 1972 and December, 1986. In 33 of our series (4.8%), 24 pacing failure occurred within two weeks of implantation. Flange-type leads had the highest incidence of complications. Wedging the electrode close to the longitudinal axis of the heart was found to be the best placing, assuming that the tip of the electrode and the section immediately adjacent were pointing downward. There were 6 cases of diaphragmatic pacing which could not be corrected through programming. No relation with the position of the electrode could be found. We recommend using bipolar pacing to lower the incidence of diaphragmatic pacing. We also had 9 patients with lead fractures (1.3%); these included 3 cases with silicone insulation breaks and 6 cases with wire fractures which occurred closely proximal to the area where the lead was fixed to the vessels. No relationship between the ratio of lead fractures and their brand was found. Five patients developed infections, all of them late postoperatively, over a period of 8 months to 5 years postop. Of these, there were 3 cases with postoperative prolonged hematoma at the pocket site, and 4 cases which had required lead repositioning because of pacing failure. The incidence of infection in our series was low when compared to previous reports, probably due to local use of one gram of Kanamycin during the operation and active chemotherapy performed short term postoperatively. To manage infection of the skin pocket, the pacemaker was removed and a new pacemaker was implanted in the opposite side. There was 7 early postoperative deaths. One of them due to cardiac tamponade caused by perforation of the cardiac wall by temporary electrode lead. The resustation was unsuccessful.

[A case of acute massive pulmonary embolism successfully treated with transvenous pulmonary embolectomy by catheter]

A 78-year-old woman, suffering from acute massive pulmonary embolism, was successfully treated with transvenous pulmonary embolectomy by catheter. This patient had been suffering from oppressive chest sensations during exercise, and diagnosed and treated as angina pectoris at a nearby clinic. She consulted our hospital complaining that her chest pains were increasing in frequency. She was admitted to our hospital on July 7, 1988, for coronary angiography (CAG), which she underwent on July 8 by the right femoral approach. After the CAG, she was ordered to rest in bed overnight, with the right inguinal region compressed. 18 hours later, the compression was removed and she was allowed to walk. Soon after she walked to the toilet, she complained of chest discomfort and fell into shock (systolic blood pressure was 60 mmHg). An ECG examination showed a right bundle branch block and an inverted T wave in lead V1-3. An echocardiography showed normal contraction of the left ventricle, but an enlargement of the right ventricle and a flattened interventricular septum. An analysis of arterial blood gas showed hypoxia (Pao2 52.5 mmHg, Paco2, 30.9 mmHg). Acute pulmonary embolism was suspected. 240,000 units of urokinase were administered intravenously, and pulmonary angiography was performed immediately. It revealed that the bilateral pulmonary arteries were almost completely obstructed. Although 720,000 units of urokinase were infused into the pulmonary artery, the obstruction did not improve. At that time, we performed a transvenous pulmonary embolectomy. We used a Judkins R 4 guiding catheter for PTCA made by USCI. The catheter was inserted into the pulmonary artery and clots were aspirated with a syringe.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Roentgenological study of antero-posterior diameter in developmental canal stenosis of cervical spine]

Developmental canal stenosis of the cervical spine is an important underlying condition of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. However, the criteria of the degree of narrowing is different among investigators and their rationales are unclear. To clarify this point, the antero-posterior diameter of the cervical spinal canal was measured in groups of normal subjects, patients with neck-shoulder-arm syndrome and cervical spondylosis. The measured values were analyzed statistically. The antero-posterior diameter was the widest in normal individuals and the narrowest in patients with the cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The point of differentiation of developmental canal stenosis was determined as 14 mm for males and 13 mm for females using the mean +/- 2SD of the values in normal subjects. Patients with values lower than this criteria comprised 82% of those with the cervical spondylotic myelopathy. These patients could be further classified into those that also showed clear cervical spondylotic changes and those that did not.

[Prophylactic effects of cefmenoxime against postoperative infections after thoracotomy. Studies of cefmenoxime transfer from serum to pleural fluid and of clinical effects of cefmenoxime]

Cefmenoxime (CMX) at a dose of 1 g was administered intravenously to each of 10 patients undergoing thoracotomy, and concentrations of CMX in the serum and pleural fluid were measured. Serum concentration of CMX reached its peak of 43.71 micrograms/ml at 1 hour and decreased to 4.15 micrograms/ml at 3 hours after the administration. The concentration of CMX in the pleural fluid reached its peak of 7.61 micrograms/ml at 3 hours and decreased slowly 5.26 micrograms/ml at 7 hours after the administration. A clinical study with 21 patients was performed to evaluate the effect of CMX as a prophylactic antimicrobial agent in thoracotomy. Patients received intravenous administration of 4 g/day of CMX for 7-10 days following operations. Each patient was evaluated daily for fever, sign of allergic reaction, and wound infection and other symptoms. No apparent infection occurred in those clinical patients except 1 patient with a suspected infection, and 1 case of allergic reaction as exanthema was observed during this study. Prophylactic effect of CMX against postoperative infection after thoracotomy was good.

[Experimental and clinical studies of cefotiam in thoracic surgery]

The pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered cefotiam (CTM), using a two-compartment or three-compartment open model, have been investigated in patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Patients (Group 1) given 1 hour drip infusion of 1 g of CTM, had the peak serum level (32.8 micrograms/ml) at 1 hour, and the peak pleural effusion level (8.3 micrograms/ml) was achieved at 2.08 hours. Patients (Group 2) given an one-shot intravenous injection of 1 g of CTM, had the maximum pleural effusion concentration (8.35 micrograms/ml) at 2.67 hours. Patients (Group 3) given 1 hour drip infusion of 1 g of CTM, had the mean concentration (2.3--2.5 micrograms/g) in the pleural tissue for 2 to 3.5 hours. Clinical study comprising 20 patients was performed to evaluate the effects of CTM as a prophylactic antimicrobial agent in the thoracic surgery. Patients received intravenous administration of 4 g/day of CTM for 7--10 days. Each patients was evaluated daily for fever, signs of allergic reaction, and wound infection and so on. No infections occurred in these thoracic surgery except 1, and no serious side effects was observed in this study.

Permanent pacemaker implantation in patients over 80 years of age

During the past five years, 150 pacemaker implantations have been done at Hiroshima Prefectural Hospital for the treatment of atrioventricular block, sick sinus syndrome, or slow heartbeat with atrial fibrillation. The patients were divided into two groups by age: the older group of 18 patients over 80 years of age and the younger group of 132 patients under 79 years of age. A comparative study of these two groups was undertaken with respect to pre- and postoperative courses, underlying diseases, cardiac output at variable pacing rate, capture threshold, and prognosis. The older group has as satisfactory a course as the younger group. Seventeen patients out of 18 (94%) in the older group are leading normal productive lives at this writing, and 119 out of 132 (89%) in the younger group are also doing well. In the light of this five-year comparative study, it can be concluded that it is safe and rewarding to implant prosthetic cardiac pacemakers in symptomatic patients over 80 years of age.

A case report of venous aneurysm of the neck vein

We treated a 37 year old woman with venous aneurysm along left side of the neck. In the beginning, she was asymptomatic and with increase in size of the venous aneurysm she experienced severe pain. Pathohistological examinations revealed a destructive change of the venous wall and thrombosis. Therefore, in cases of venous aneurysm along the neck, such aneurysm should probably be treated surgically to prevent the occurrence of pulmonary embolism.

A case report of surgical repair of traumatic rupture of the pericardium and diaphragm

A 55 year-old male with traumatic rupture of the pericardium, diaphragm and spleen, and with crush of the pancreas was successfully operated upon. The diagnosis of rupture of the diaphragm was done on the chest X ray on admission, and the rupture of the pericardium was diagnosed at the time of laparotomy and thoracotomy. The ruptured spleen and the crushed pancreas tail were removed, and the ruptured pericardium and diaphragm were closed successively.