Retinoic Acid Deficiency Underlies the Etiology of Midfacial Defects

Embryonic craniofacial development depends on the coordinated outgrowth and fusion of multiple facial primordia, which are populated with cranial neural crest cells and covered by the facial ectoderm. Any disturbance in these developmental events, their progenitor tissues, or signaling pathways can result in craniofacial deformities such as orofacial clefts, which are among the most common birth defects in humans. In the present study, we show that Rdh10 loss of function leads to a substantial reduction in retinoic acid (RA) signaling in the developing frontonasal process during early embryogenesis, which results in a variety of craniofacial anomalies, including midfacial cleft and ectopic chondrogenic nodules. Elevated apoptosis and perturbed cell proliferation in postmigratory cranial neural crest cells and a substantial reduction in Alx1 and Alx3 transcription in the developing frontonasal process were associated with midfacial cleft in Rdh10-deficient mice. More important, expanded Shh signaling in the ventral forebrain, as well as partial abrogation of midfacial defects in Rdh10 mutants via inhibition of Hh signaling, indicates that misregulation of Shh signaling underlies the pathogenesis of reduced RA signaling-associated midfacial defects. Taken together, these data illustrate the precise spatiotemporal function of Rdh10 and RA signaling during early embryogenesis and their importance in orchestrating molecular and cellular events essential for normal midfacial development.

Mucor pulmonary embolism in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome

Mucormycosis is a life-threatening infectious disease that occurs most commonly in immunocompromised patients such as those with hematological malignancies. Its clinical symptoms and associated radiological findings vary and specific biomarkers and culture characteristics have not been defined. An 85-year-old man who had been treated for myelodysplastic syndrome and tuberculosis for several months presented with subacute fever and worsening left-side chest pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography images depicted massive tumor-like consolidation without enhancement, expanding from the left lower lobe. Emboli that did not respond to anticoagulants were detected in the left descending pulmonary artery. Despite intensive treatment he developed multiple organ failure and died 47 days after hospitalization. Gross pathology of a lung autopsy specimen revealed left lower pulmonary arterial emboli and pulmonary infarction, which was concluded to be the direct cause of death. The emboli were histopathologically identified as invasive mycelia in vessels. Mucor sp. was detected via real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistopathological analyses revealed that the mold in the blood vessels of lung tissue was partially positive for the mucor antigen. In the present case of Mucor sp. pulmonary emboli in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome, radiographic findings were hard to distinguish from those typical of a lung abscess.

Role of red blood cells in the anemia-associated bleeding under high shear conditions

BACKGROUND

Red blood cells (RBCs) contribute to hemostasis under blood-flow, and anemia might contribute to a hemorrhagic diathesis. The majority of current laboratory techniques to assess hemostasis do not consider the effects of RBCs. An assay to determine the role of RBCs in hemostasis could be beneficial for clinical management.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the influence of RBCs in hemostasis.

METHODS

Hemostasis was investigated using a novel microchip flow-chamber system (T-TAS^® ) in an anemic patient with von Willebrand disease. Subsequently, the effects of RBCs in total thrombus analysis system (T-TAS) were examined using reconstituted whole blood at various hematocrit levels.

RESULTS

In vivo: When the patient was anemic and demonstrated persisted hemorrhagic symptoms despite the maintained adequate von Willebrand factor ristocetin cofactor activity levels, thrombus formation determined by T-TAS was delayed. However, transfusions of RBCs resolved bleeding symptom and, accordingly, the thrombus formation in T-TAS improved. In vitro: Thrombus formation determined by T-TAS at 1000 s^-1 was dose-dependent on hematocrit (the time to reach 10 kPa (T₁₀ ): 10.0 ± 0, 9.5 ± 1.4, 6.7 ± 2.4, 2.8 ± 1.6 min at hematocrits of 0%, 12.5%, 25% and 50%, respectively). Markedly defective thrombus formation (T₁₀ >10 min) was confirmed at a hematocrit <25% at 2000 s^-1 .

CONCLUSION

Red blood cells play an essential role in hemostasis under high shear, and RBC transfusions could be effective for refractory bleeding in patients with anemia. T-TAS measurements appear to reflect the hemostatic consequences of diminished red cell numbers under blood-flow, and could provide a valuable means for monitoring patients.

Assessing the clinical severity of type 1 von Willebrand disease patients with a microchip flow-chamber system

BACKGROUND

The clinical phenotype of von Willebrand disease (VWD) is heterogeneous, and von Willebrand factor ristocetin cofactor activity (VWF:RCo) does not always reflect clinical severity, especially in VWD type 1. We have reported the potential of a microchip flow-chamber system (Total-Thrombus Formation Analysis System [T-TAS®]) for assessing physiologic hemostasis in VWD. Aim To evaluate the relationship between T-TAS, bleeding score (BS) and laboratory test results in type 1 VWD patients.

METHODS

Microchips coated with collagen (platelet chip [PL-chip]) or collagen/thromboplastin (AR-chip) were used to assess platelet thrombus formation (PTF) at high shear rates or fibrin-rich PTF at low shear rates, respectively, in whole blood from 50 patients. The times needed for the flow pressure to increase by 10 kPa and 30 kPa (T10 and T30 ) from baseline were calculated from flow pressure curves. BS was determined by the use of a standardized questionnaire.

RESULTS

PL-T10 values correlated with BS (R(2) ~ 0.45) better than VWF:RCo (R(2) ~ 0.36), irrespective of the flow rate, whereas AR-T10 showed only a weak correlation with BS (R(2) ~ 0.18). Patients with PL-T10 > 10 min or AR-T10 > 30 min had lower VWF levels and higher BS than those with PL-T10 ≤ 10 min or AR-T10 ≤ 30 min, and the greatest differences were observed with PL-T10. Clinical severity appeared to correlate best with PL-T10 > 8 min. BS was significantly higher in patients with VWF:RCo of < 10 IU dL(-1) than in those with VWF:RCo of 10 IU dL(-1) to < 25 IU dL(-1) and 25-40 IU dL(-1). In patients with VWF:RCo of < 10 IU dL(-1) , BS was significantly higher in those with PL-T10 > 8 min than in those with PL-T10 ≤ 8 min.

CONCLUSION

T-TAS could be a useful technique for discriminating and predicting BS in VWD type 1 patients.

The pharmacokinetics and safety profiles of belimumab after single subcutaneous and intravenous doses in healthy Japanese volunteers

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVES

Belimumab is a recombinant human monoclonal antibody that binds and antagonizes the biological activity of soluble B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) protein. BLyS appears to play a role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus, and the biological profile of belimumab suggests that it may have a therapeutic benefit in the treatment for the disease. In this healthy Japanese subjects study, we investigated the pharmacokinetics and safety of a single subcutaneous and intravenous injection of belimumab administered as a 200 mg/mL liquid formulation.

METHODS

This was an open-label, randomized, parallel-group, single-dose study in healthy Japanese subjects. Each subject received a single intravenous infusion or a subcutaneous injection of 200 mg belimumab. The pharmacokinetic parameters and safety parameters including local tolerance (injection site), biomarkers, immunogenicity and adverse events were evaluated up to 70 days post-dosing.

RESULTS

After a single intravenous or a subcutaneous administration of 200 mg belimumab, all 16 subjects completed the study. There were no serious adverse events or adverse events related to injection site reactions. All seven adverse events were considered mild or moderate in intensity and deemed unrelated to belimumab except for cellulitis following intravenous administration. The bioavailability of the single subcutaneous dose of 200 mg belimumab in the subjects was estimated to be 77·5%. Time to the maximum serum concentration after subcutaneous injection was 6·5 days (median). The geometric mean terminal half-life was comparable between the two administration routes (17·7 days intravenous and 15·9 days subcutaneous). Serum immunoglobulin G level decreased slightly after each treatment. No subjects were found to produce antibelimumab antibodies.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSIONS

A favourable absolute bioavailability in healthy Japanese subjects was seen following a subcutaneous injection of 200 mg belimumab. Considering the intersubject variability, exposures were consistent with those previously observed in healthy non-Japanese subjects. Safety and biomarker data were also consistent with previous non-Japanese clinical studies.

The pharmacokinetic and safety profiles of zanamivir after single and repeat intravenous administration in healthy Japanese males

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Neuraminidase inhibitors are important options for the treatment of infection by the influenza virus. For the treatment of severe influenza, parenteral administration of a neuraminidase inhibitor may be desirable. This study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetic and safety profiles of intravenous zanamivir, an influenza viral neuraminidase inhibitor, in Japanese subjects to further characterize these profiles particularly following relatively high-doses when compared with inhalation doses and to provide reassurance that there are no marked differences with profiles reported for other ethnically different populations.

METHODS

Single doses of 100, 300, 600 mg zanamivir were administered to healthy Japanese men in a randomized, double-blind, ascending dose, placebo-controlled, incomplete three-period cross-over study. In period 3, subjects were given 600 mg of zanamivir on day 1, followed by a 60 h washout period and then a 5-day course of 600 mg zanamivir twice daily. Each subjects received two of three active dosages of zanamivir from 100, 300 and 600 mg, and placebo.

RESULTS

Adverse events reported in the study were all mild in intensity and resolved without any treatment. The mean AUC0-∞ values after single intravenous administration of 100, 300 and 600 mg were 16768, 53462 and 100400 ng·h/mL, respectively, demonstrating dose proportionality. No accumulation or time variance was observed after 5 days of twice-daily administration of 600 mg zanamivir. Urinary concentrations of zanamivir after single doses ranging from 100 to 600 mg indicated that over 94% of the zanamivir administered was excreted in urine within 24 h.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Single and 5-day BID repeat dosing of 600 mg were safely administered in Japanese healthy subjects. The pharmacokinetic profile of zanamivir after intravenous administration was consistent with previously reported findings in non-Japanese subjects.

Ductility and Strength in Mo Modified TiAl

An investigation has been made on the effect of ternary additions of Mo and other elements on the room temperature tensile ductility and high temperature strength, including creep rupture strength in TiAl based alloys. Mo modified Ti-rich TiAl in an annealed condition exhibited higher tensile ductility at room temperature than other well-known Cr or Mn modified alloys, this resulting from the refinment of mean grain size in the duplex structure of lamellar (γ+α2) and single phase (γ) rather than the crystalline tetragonality of the γ phase. Moreover, creep strength in as cast Ti-rich TiAl is improved with the addition of Mo, and lowered with the addition of Mn. These results suggest that Mo modified Ti-rich TiAl can enhance, the potential of TiAl as a high temperature material more than other ternary modified TiAl.

Cloning, functional expression and promoter analysis of xylanase III gene from Trichoderma reesei

In this study, the xyn3 gene from the filamentous mesophilic fungus Trichoderma reesei (Hypocrea jecorina) PC-3-7 was cloned and sequenced. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence of XYN III revealed considerable homology with xylanases belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 10. These results show that XYN III is distinguishable from XYN I and XYN II, two other T. reesei xylanases that belong to the glycosidase family 11. When xyn3 was expressed in Escherichia coli, significant activity was observed in the cell-free extract, and higher activity (13.2 U/ml medium) was recovered from the inclusion bodies in the cell debris. The sequence of the 5'-upstream region of the gene in the parent strain QM9414 is identical to that of PC-3-7, although the expression level of xyn3 in PC-3-7 has been reported to be at least 1,000 times greater than in QM9414. These results suggest that xyn3 expression in T. reesei QM9414 is silenced. The consensus sequences for ACEI, ACEII, CREI, and the Hap2/3/5 protein complex are all present in the upstream region of xyn3. Deletion analysis of the upstream region revealed that two regions containing consensus sequences for the known regulatory elements play important roles for xyn3 expression.

A comparison of vibration magnitudes on the tool with different subject according to the ISO 8662-7 standard

Recently, ISO has defined the guidelines for the evaluation of the measurement and exposure limits of hand-transmitted vibrations at the handle of hand-held portable power tools. In a measurement of vibrations at pneumatic impact wrenches that tighten and remove screws. ISO 8862-7 standard: 1997 and ISO 5349 standard: 1986 are set as international standards. In order to make an exact measurement of the quantities of vibrations exposed to the hand-arm system of a human body, ISO 8662-7 gives specifications to a measurement device and a loading device. As to a measurement device, for instance, the mass, installation method etc. of transducers and mechanical filters are defined. In addition, it specifies with each tolerance the working conditions of a pneumatic tool, the number of revolutions of socket in a loading device, the feed force, the number of subjects, and such an evaluation method as how to decide a declaration value of vibrations. These specifications give toolmakers a comparative measurement of vibration values of their tools before shipment. Meanwhile, although the measurement condition described in ISO8662-7: 1997 is that skilled operators conduct vibration measurement, no provisions as to operators are made in detail. Hence, this study focuses its concern on ambiguous work experience years in measuring vibrations of the tools in conformity with ISO 8662-7, and hereby the effect of years of work experience upon measurement values is considered and at the same time a knowledge of how to select operators is made clear.

Occurrence of tetrodotoxin-related substances in the nontoxic puffer Takifugu xanthopterus

Instead of tetrodotoxin, significant amounts of tetrodotoxin-related substances with no mouse lethality were detected in the nontoxic liver specimen of puffer fish, Takifugu xanthopterus. The tetrodotoxin-related substances, which were demonstrated to be tetrodotoxin derivatives by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, were similar to tetrodonic acid in HPLC but distinguishable from it in electrophoresis. Our results suggest that nontoxic puffer fish contains nontoxic tetrodotoxin derivatives as precursors or metabolites of tetrodotoxin.

Quinone profiles of Thermoplasma acidophilum HO-62

Quinones of Thermoplasma acidophilum HO-62 were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Menaquinone, methionaquinone, and 2-trans and 2-cis forms of thermoplasmaquinone were identified. The relative amount of thermoplasmaquinone increased under anaerobic conditions, and those of menaquinone and methionaquinone increased under aerobic conditions.

Paralytic toxins in a ribbon worm Cephalothrix species (Nemertean) adherent to cultured oysters in Hiroshima Bay, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

In 1998, during the surveillance of the toxicity of various marine fouling organisms in Hiroshima Bay, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, specimens of the ribbon worm, "himomushi" Cephalothrix sp. (Nemertean) adherent to the shells of cultured oysters hanging onto floating culture rafts were found to contain toxins which showed strong paralytic action in mice throughout the survey period, February to May. The maximum toxicity (as tetrodotoxin, TTX) was 14,734 MU/g whole body. Attempts were made to identify the paralytic toxins in this worm. The "himomushi" toxin (HMT) was extracted from the worm with 80% methanol acidified with acetic acid and the extract defatted with dichloromethane. The aqueous layer was chromatographed on activated charcoal and the unbound and bound toxic fractions were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. It was rather unexpectedly revealed from these results that HMT was comprised of TTX, 4-epiTTX, anhydroTTX and three unidentified toxins. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of toxic organisms, containing a high concentration of TTX, adherent to cultured bivalves such as oysters.

Occurrence of a methyl derivative of saxitoxin in Bangladeshi freshwater puffers

A new component of paralytic shellfish poison was isolated from a Bangladeshi freshwater puffer Tetraodon cutcutia. Its structure was deduced to be carbamoyl-N-methylsaxitoxin based on electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, [1H] NMR, and conversion experiments.

Photoaffinity labeling of the ligand-interacting helix of the retinoic acid receptor alpha

Two photoaffinity-labeling probes for retinoic acid receptor (RAR) alpha, 4-[(3-(3-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-diazirin-3-yl)phenyl)carboxamido]ben zoic acid (3DIAM) and its para-isomer (4DIAM), were designed and synthesized. Both compounds possess high affinity for recombinant RAR alpha (MBP-RAR alpha/E) and bind covalently to its cognate ligand-binding site. The labeled site of MBP-RAR alpha/E with 3DIAM was determined, by the endoproteinase combination method, to be located in helix 11 of the ligand-binding domain of RAR alpha, which is the position at which the ligand is considered to bind, on the basis of the reported crystal structure of the retinoic acid/RAR gamma complex.

Design and synthesis of potent antitumor 5,4'-diaminoflavone derivatives based on metabolic considerations

Recently, we reported that 5,4'-diaminoflavone (1) exhibits potent and specific growth-inhibitory activity against the estrogen receptor (ER)-positive human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. However, when compound 1 was incubated with S-9 mix, its metabolites were observed. Moreover, addition of S-9 mix to the medium caused the drastic decrease in activity of compound 1. Since the 6-, 8-, and 3'-positions were considered to be metabolized oxidatively in vivo from MO calculations, a series of 5,4'-diaminoflavone derivatives substituted at such putative metabolic positions with various functional groups were synthesized aiming at the metabolically stable derivatives. Among them, 5,4'-diamino-6,8,3'-trifluoroflavone (14d) exhibited strong growth-inhibitory activity against MCF-7 cells even in the presence of S-9 mix. Moreover, orally administered compound 14d completely suppressed the growth of MCF-7 inoculated into nude mice, and the effect was more potent than that of compound 1. In addition to ER-positive breast cancer cells, compound 14d exhibited growth-inhibitory activity against a panel of human cancer cell lines including a part of ER-negative breast, endometrial, ovarian, and liver cancers. From these results, fluorine introduction to the putative metabolic positions of compound 1 was elucidated to be effective in the enhancement of the in vivo antitumor activity, probably due to the block of the metabolic deactivation.

Two new isomers of domoic acid from a red alga, Chondria armata

Isodomoic acids G and H, two new isomers of the neurotoxin domoic acid, along with isodomoic acids A, B, E and F, were isolated from a red alga, Chondria armata, collected at the southern tip of Kyushu Island. The structures of two of these were deduced to be (E, E) and (Z, E) isomers of 2-carboxy-4-(5-carboxy-l-methyl-2-hexenylidene)-3-pyrro- lidineacetic acid, based on electrospray ionization mass and [1H]nuclear magnetic resonance spectral analyses including [1H-1H]correlation spectroscopy and nuclear Overhauser effect correlation spectroscopy.

Novel 5-aminoflavone derivatives as specific antitumor agents in breast cancer

In the course of our search for new antitumor agents in breast cancer, novel amino-substituted flavone derivatives were synthesized and examined for antitumor activities. Among them, 5,4'-diaminoflavone and some of its congeners showed remarkable antiproliferative activity against the estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and estrogen-responsive human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. The activity was observed irrespective of the presence or absence of estrogen. The 5-aminoflavone derivatives (5-AFs) are not classical anti-estrogens because they did not compete with [3H]estradiol to bind the estrogen receptor. Moreover, 5-AFs showed antitumor activity highly selective to the ER-positive breast cancer cell line, and they showed no effects against the ER-negative human cancer cell lines HeLa S3, WiDr, and MDA-MB-453. Although the mechanism of their selective antitumor activity to ER-positive breast cancer cells is unclear, 5-AFs are expected to be a new type of antitumor agents in breast cancer.

A new saxitoxin analogue from a xanthid crab Atergatis floridus

A novel paralytic toxin was isolated from toxic specimens of a xanthid crab Atergatis floridus inhabiting the Pacific coast of Shikoku Island. Its structure was deduced to be 11-saxitoxinethanoic acid (SEA) based on high-performance liquid chromatography, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and 1H and 13C-NMR spectrometries. This acid was assumed to exist as an equilibrium mixture of three tautomers, the main tautomer being the hydrate form 11 beta-epimer. SEA showed a specific toxicity of 830 mouse units per mumole on i.p. injection into mice.

Poisoning by the red alga 'ogonori' (Gracilaria verrucosa) on the Nojima Coast, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

A food poisoning case due to the ingestion of 'ogonori', an edible red alga, occurred at Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, in late October 1993, resulting in two victims, including one death (female). No causative agent present in the ogonori was found from a routine bioassay for marine toxins. From the production of increased amounts of prostaglandins (PGs), mainly PGE2, by the alga on stimulation by cutting or soaking in fresh water, and further increase of PGE2 by addition of arachidonic acid, it appeared that an enzyme, probably fatty acid cyclooxygenase, in the ogonori and the body of the victim, was acting on the highly unsaturated fatty acids in the oil of the ingested seafood and in the blood hemorrhaged from the stomach of the victim. This resulted in the production of over 30 mg of PGE2 and small amounts of other PGs in a comparatively short time. With this dosage the victim suffered from nausea, vomiting, and hypotension, and died of hypotensive shock. PGE2 seems to work more selectively on females. This type of poisoning is very unusual, and differs from the more familiar forms of poisoning occurring after ingestion of marine organisms.

6H-pyrazolo[4,5,1-de]acridin-6-ones as a novel class of antitumor agents. Synthesis and biological activity

The 7-substituted 6H-pyrazolo[4,5,1-de]acridin-6-ones with (aminoalkyl)amino and/or (hydroxyalkyl)amino groups in the side chains were synthesized by bromination using N-bromosuccinimide and the subsequent reaction with amines from the 7-substituted 5-bromo-2-methyl-6H-pyrazolo-[4,5,1-de]acridin-6-one. The substitution reaction of the amines with alkyl bromide (the C2 position) and aryl bromide (the C5 position) was accomplished by choosing the proper reaction conditions. These compounds show DNA intercalating ability in ethidium fluorescence assay and antiproliferative activity against Hela S3 cells. Impressive antitumor activity in vivo against murine P388 leukemia and murine sarcoma 180 solid tumor in mice was demonstrated for the 7-hydroxy analogs. In addition, some of these showed excellent antitumor activity against adriamycin-resistant murine P388 leukemia (P388/ADM) in mice.

Occurrence of carbamoyl-N-hydroxy derivatives of saxitoxin and neosaxitoxin in a xanthid crab Zosimus aeneus

Two novel paralytic toxins were isolated from toxic specimens of a xanthid crab Zosimus aeneus inhabiting Ishigaki Island, Okinawa. The structures of two of these were deduced to be carbamoyl-N-hydroxysaxitoxin and carbamoyl-N-hydroxyneosaxitoxin based on electrophoresis, high performance liquid chromatography, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and conversion experiments. They showed specific toxicities of 1700 and 1400 mouse units per mg on i.p. injection into mice.

Presence of Tetrodotoxin and Tetrodotoxin-Producing Bacteria in Freshwater Sediments

The occurrence of tetrodotoxin (TTX) in sediment from Lake Suwa, Japan, was confirmed by a tissue culture assay, high-performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Altogether, 17 TTX-producing bacteria belonging to five genera were isolated from Lake Suwa and Pond Inokasira. Our results indicate that TTX and TTX-producing bacteria occur even in freshwater environments.

Modification of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 metabolism by introduction of 26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro atoms in human promyelocytic leukaemia (HL-60) cells: isolation and identification of a novel bioactive metabolite, 26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1 alpha,23(S),25-trihydroxyvitamin D3

To study whether the introduction of fluoro atoms into C-26 and C-27 positions on the 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1 alpha,25(OH)2D3] molecule could affect metabolism in human promyelocytic leukaemia (HL-60) cells, we compared the metabolism of 26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [26,27-F6-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3] and 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 in HL-60 cells. 26,27-F6-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 was mainly converted into a new bioactive metabolite, 26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1 alpha,23(S),25- trihydroxyvitamin D3 [26,27-F6-1 alpha,23(S),25(OH)3D3], but not into 26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1 alpha,24(R),25-trihydroxyvitamin D3 [26,27-F6-1 alpha,24(R),25(OH)3D3] in HL-60 cells. 26,27-F6-1 alpha,23(S),25(OH)3D3 was identified by combinations of h.p.l.c., u.v. spectroscopy and g.c.-mass spectrometry. Evidence is presented that 26,27-F6-1 alpha,25(OH)2D2 was metabolized to 26,27-F6-1 alpha,23(S),25(OH)3D3 by C-23 hydroxylation as a first step of the metabolism, and the 23-hydroxylated bioactive metabolite was accumulated in the cells, whereas 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 was initially deactivated and metabolized to 1 alpha,24(R),25(OH)3D3 by C-24 hydroxylation through a side-chain oxidation pathway resulting in C23-C24 cleavage, yielding 24,25,26,27-tetranor-1 alpha,23(OH)2D3 in HL-60 cells. These results show that 26,27-F6-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 and 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 are metabolized by different metabolic pathways in HL-60 cells.

Nanoscale packed capillary liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry: analysis of penicillins and cephems

A series of seventeen penicillins and cephems (cephalosporins and cephamycins) was examined by electrospray ionization. Separations by nanoscale packed-capillary liquid chromatography, with sub-microliter flow-rates, were performed using methanol-water and acetonitrile-water both containing trifluoroacetic acid gradients. In the on-column analyses, the protonated species usually predominate, and the fragment ions are often present which can be used for confirmation of compound identity. With combined nanoscale packed-capillary liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, separations and full-scan mass spectra can be obtained on *q12-15 ng of analyte, allowing the analysis of therapeutic levels of these antibiotics from only a few microliters of serum.

Pre-column derivatization and its optimum conditions for quantitative determination of urinary hydroxylysine glycosides by high-performance liquid chromatography

A method has been developed for rapid analysis of the urinary hydroxylysine glycosides [glucosyl-galactosyl-hydroxylysine (GGH) and galactosyl-hydroxylysine (GH)] as collagen metabolites. The glycosides were fluorometrically derivatized with 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl chloride, and then subjected to reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using a gradient system. Suitable standard hydroxylysine glycosides which were not diastereoisomers were prepared from human urine. Urinary GGH and GH were analyzed within 1 h, including column washing. This method was applied to the urine samples of 68 healthy persons of different ages.

Targeting cancer chemotherapy using a monoclonal antibody (NCC-LU-243) conjugated with mitomycin C

Two kinds of immunoconjugate (T-3M and T-11M) of murine monoclonal antibody with mitomycin C (MMC) were developed using spacers containing a disulfide (T-3M) or thiocarbamate (T-11M) bond. A murine monoclonal antibody (NCC-LU-243) raised against a human small cell lung carcinoma cell line, Lu-24, in nude mice, is an IgG2a monoclonal antibody that recognizes a 145-kDa protein on the cell surface membrane. T-3M and T-11M showed affinity for the LU-243 antigen-positive H-69 cell line but not for the antigen-negative Lu-65 cell line in vitro. In the in vitro MTT assay, the order of efficacy of these compounds was T-11M > T-3M > MMC against antigen positive H-69 and T-11M = MMC > T-3M against antigen-negative K562. When antigen-positive H-69 was transplanted into nude mice for in vivo assay, the maximum tolerated dose of T-3M was twice as high than that of the parent compound MMC. Furthermore, T-3M showed higher antitumor activity against antigen-positive H-69 than MMC conjugated with a non-specific rabbit IgG in vivo. When the maximum tolerated doses of T-3M and MMC were administered to H-69-bearing nude mice, the effect of T-3M was superior to that of MMC, whereas no differences were observed between the antitumor activity of T-3M and MMC against antigen- negative MX-1, a human breast carcinoma. These two immunoconjugates of monoclonal antibody with mitomycin C are thought to be useful for targeting cancer chemotherapy against human small cell lung carcinomas.

In vivo and in vitro antitumor activity of mitomycin C conjugates at 7-N position through a linker containing thiocarbamate bond with CD10 monoclonal antibody

Through a linker containing thiocarbomate bound to the 7-N position of mitomycin C (MMC), conjugates with a monoclonal antibody to CD10 (NL-1) were prepared, and their antitumor activities were examined. All five conjugates, except one, showed in vitro cytotoxicity to two CD10+ lymphoid cell lines superior to MMC. The conjugate displaying the highest cytotoxicity was selected and further tested against three CD10+ and two CD10- lymphoid cell lines in vitro. The conjugate with NL-1 antibody demonstrated higher cytotoxic activity against CD10+ tumor cells than the control conjugate with normal immunoglobulin, while there was no significant difference, when tested against CD10- tumors. The cytotoxic activity of the NL-1 conjugate to CD10+ tumors was significantly blocked by NL-1 antibody. In vivo antitumor activity of the NL-1 conjugate was then tested against a CD10+ tumor transplanted to nude mice, and side effects were recorded. The NL-1 conjugate (4 mg/kg) showed an in vivo antitumor effect similar to MMC (2 mg/kg), which is at nearly maximal tolerable dose; the latter induced decreases in numbers of leukocytes and platelets, while the former did not, suggesting less side effect by the NL-1 conjugate. Since MMC demonstrates a broad spectrum of antitumor activity, the conjugate, as such, may be applicable for the treatment of cancer patients.

Application of nanoscale packed capillary liquid chromatography (75 μm id) and capillary zone electrophoresis/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to the analysis of macrolide antibiotics

Nanoscale separation techniques, nanoscale packed capillary columns (75 μm id), and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), on-line with electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI/MS), were applied to the separation of a series of ten macrolide antibiotics. Both techniques use sub-microliter-per-minute flow rates through the analytical column and therefore require an electrospray probe that incorporates coaxial sheath flow. Positive ion electrospray mass spectra of these compounds yielded mainly protonated molecules. Fragmentation to yield structurally significant fragment ions was achieved by collision-induced dissociation (CID) at increased skimmer voltages. Separations were achieved using both techniques, with CZE/ESI/MS showing improved peak shapes and detection limits combined with faster analysis times. Nanoscale packed capillary columns provided better chromatographic resolution and was less susceptible to peak broadening caused by overloading of the analytes.

Tetrodonic acid-like substance; a possible precursor of tetrodotoxin

A tetrodonic acid-like substance which was hardly distinguishable from authentic tetrodonic acid in thin-layer chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, etc., was successfully purified from the ribbon worm and flatworm by a method consisting mainly of Bio-Gel P-2 column chromatography. The tetrodonic acid-like substance showed a specific toxicity of approximately 700 mouse units/mg as tetrodotoxin, unlike tetrodonic acid which is a completely non-toxic substance. Instrumental analyses including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, secondary ion mass spectrometry and thin-layer chromatography/fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry disclosed that the tetrodonic acid-like substance had a structure similar to, but not the same as, that of tetrodotoxin. This, along with its high convertibility into tetrodotoxin during storage and other experimental operations, suggested that the tetrodonic acid-like substance is a precursor of tetrodotoxin.

ECG-gated cardiac scan and echocardiographic assessments of left ventricular hypertrophy: reversal by 6-month treatment with diltiazem

Serial changes of left ventricular (LV) mass and LV function were evaluated in nine patients with essential hypertension and LV hypertrophy (LVH) after administration of diltiazem (180 mg/day). LV mass and LV function were determined at baseline and at 6 months of therapy by electrocardiogram-gated cardiac CT (ECG-gated CCT) scanning and two-dimensional-guided M-mode echocardiography. At baseline measurements, ECG-gated cardiac scanning clearly showed LVH in two patients in whom no LVH was observed by echocardiography. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures were reduced significantly after 6 months of drug therapy (189-156 mm Hg; p less than 0.01, 111-96 mm Hg; p less than 0.01, respectively). Sequential ECG-gated cardiac scanning revealed a marked reduction in thickness of the interventricular septum (IVS), LV anterior wall (AW), and LV posterior wall (PW) (15.0-12.1 mm; p less than 0.01, 12.5-9.7 mm; p less than 0.01, 10.7-8.3 mm; p less than 0.05, respectively). Simultaneous echocardiographic measurements revealed a reduction in LV mass in six of these patients and a significant reduction in thickness of the IVS (12.1-11.0 mm; p less than 0.05). ECG-gated cardiac scanning demonstrated significant reductions in the thickness of the LVAW, which are difficult to detect by echocardiography. Diltiazem had no effect on the ejection fraction (EF) measured by both methods. In conclusion, ECG-gated cardiac scanning allowed more accurate diagnosis and quantitation of LVH than conventional echocardiography, and LVH in patients with essential hypertension could be reversed by the administration of diltiazem.

Determination of phenol in honey by liquid chromatography with amperometric detection

A sensitive, selective analytical method has been developed for determination of phenol in honey by liquid chromotography (LC) with amperometric detection (AMD). Phenol is extracted with benzene from the distillate of honey. The benzene extract is washed with 1% sodium bicarbonate solution and then reextracted with 0.1N sodium hydroxide followed by cleanup on a C18 cartridge. Phenol is determined by reverse-phase LC with amperometric detection. An Inertsil ODS column (150 X 4.6 mm, 5 microns) is used in the determination. The mobile phase is a mixture (20 + 80 v/v) of acetonitrile and 0.01M sodium dihydrogen phosphate containing 2mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, disodium salt (EDTA) with the pH adjusted to 5.0. The flow rate is 1 mL/min under ambient conditions. The applied potential of the AMD using a glassy carbon electrode is 0.7 V vs an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Average recoveries of phenol added to honey were 79.8% at 0.01 ppm spiking level, 90.4% at 0.1 ppm, and 91.0% at 1.0 ppm. Repeatabilities were 3.4, 1.3, and 1.8%, respectively. The detection limit of phenol in honey was 0.002 ppm. For analysis of 112 commercial honey samples, the range and average values of 32 detected samples were 0.05-5.88 ppm and 0.71 ppm, respectively.

Tetrodotoxin and related substances in a ribbon worm Cephalothrix linearis (Nemertean)

A ribbon worm Cephalothrix linearis (Nemertean) showed a high toxicity, of up to 22,000 MU/g proboscis and 13,600 MU/g body, in terms of tetrodotoxin. This organism secreted the toxin from the skin when wiped with gauze. The toxin was partially purified from the secretion as well as the wiped body by ultrafiltration and Bio-Gel P-2 column chromatography. Thin-layer chromatographic, electrophoretic, high performance liquid chromatographic, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analyses showed that the secreted toxin was composed almost exclusively of a tetrodonic acidic-like substance, whereas the remaining toxin in the wiped body consisted of the said substance and tetrodotoxin.

Mutagenicity of the reaction products of carbazole in the presence of nitrogen dioxide and nitrocarbazole

The mutagenicity of the photochemical reaction products of carbazole in the presence of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitrocarbazole was investigated using a high-pressure mercury lamp (100 W). Samples extracted from the photochemical reaction products of carbazole with NO2 were more mutagenic than those of acridine and phenazine with NO2 for Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98 in the absence of S9 mix with a trend toward detoxification in the presence of the metabolic system. The mutagenicity of the photochemical reaction products of carbazole with NO2 were higher than those of the reaction products of carbazole with a mixture of NO2 and sulfur dioxide (SO2) and no irradiation. Mononitro- and dinitro-carbazole in the samples extracted from the reaction products were analyzed by mass spectrometry. It was suggested that mononitrocarbazole, which seemed to be weakly mutagenic, and dinitrocarbazole were readily formed by the reaction of carbazole with NO2, and that the other high-potency mutagens were formed by the photochemical reaction of carbazole with NO2 with irradiation by light.

Tetrodotoxin in two species of ribbon worm (Nemertini), Lineus fuscoviridis and Tubulanus punctatus

Extracts of two species of ribbon worm, Lineus fuscoviridis and Tubulanus punctatus, had lethal potencies in mice from 15-503 MU/g of worm and from less than 10-540 MU/g, respectively. The toxins were partially purified by ultrafiltration and column chromatography using Bio-Gel P-2 and Bio-Rex 70 (H+ form). Thin-layer chromatographic, high performance liquid chromatographic and gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analyses revealed the presence of tetrodotoxin and anhydrotetrodotoxin plus some unidentified compounds.

Marine bacteria which produce tetrodotoxin

A number of type strains of marine bacteria, including members of the family Vibrionaceae, were cultured and examined for tetrodotoxin productivity by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Most of the Vibrionaceae strains produced tetrodotoxin, anhydrotetrodotoxin, or both.

Occurrence of tetrodotoxin and anhydrotetrodotoxin in Vibrio sp. isolated from the intestines of a xanthid crab, Atergatis floridus

Vibrio sp. isolated from a xanthid crab, Atergatis floridus, was cultured, and tetrodotoxin (TTX) and anhydroTTX were indicated to be present in several fractions of the cell extract and the culture medium by reverse phase HPLC. The presence of the C9-base in alkaline hydrolyzates of these fractions was confirmed by GC-MS and UV spectrometry. These results showed the production of TTX and anhydroTTX in the Vibrio sp., thus indicating one of the origins of TTX in nature.

A tetrodotoxin-like substance as a minor toxin in the xanthid crab Atergatis floridus

Toxins were extracted from the xanthid crab Atergatis floridus inhabiting Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, and subjected to several types of chromatography, resulting in separation into gonyautoxin and saxitoxin fractions. Thin-layer chromatographic and electrophoretic analyses showed that the gonyautoxin fraction was composed of gonyautoxins 1-4, along with some unknown compounds. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry demonstrated that the gonyautoxin fraction gave rise to the C9-base when alkali-hydrolyzed, indicating that this fraction contained a tetrodotoxin-like compound possessing the quinazoline skeleton specific to tetrodotoxin. The saxitoxin fraction consisted of neosaxitoxin, saxitoxin and two unknown compounds.