Characterization and comparison of lipids in different squid nervous tissues.

We have studied the lipid composition of brain (optic and cerebral lobes), stellate ganglia and fin nerves of the squid. Cholesterol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine were the major lipids in these nervous tissues. Phosphatidylethanolamine contained about 3% of its amount in [corrected] plasmalogen form. Phosphatidylserine and -inositol, sphingomyelin and ceramide 2-aminoethylphosphonate were also present in significant amounts. In addition, cardiolipin and free fatty acids were detected in brain (each 2-3% of total lipids) and stellate ganglia (about 1% each), but not in fin nerves. Phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol from brain contained large amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids, namely 20:4, 20:5 and 22:6 in the n-3 family. On the other hand, phosphatidylcholine, cardiolipin, and sphingomyelin, and ceramide 2-aminoethylphosphonate contained only saturated or monounsaturated C16-C18 fatty acids. The aldehyde moieties of ethanolamine plasmalogen were also C16-C18 saturated or monounsaturated. These lipid compositions are compared with those in other invertebrate nervous systems.

A more sensitive and less time-consuming sandwich enzyme immunoassay for insulin in human serum with less serum interference.

This paper describes an improved sandwich enzyme immunoassay for insulin in human serum. The detection limit was significantly improved from 0.1 mU/L to 0.02 mU/L, by incubation with guinea-pig anti-insulin Fab'-peroxidase conjugate in the presence of normal guinea-pig F(ab')2 to reduce the non-specific binding of the conjugate. The degree of serum interference was considerably reduced by coating polystyrene balls with acid-treated anti-insulin IgG and by incubating the polystyrene balls with serum samples at a lower temperature for a shorter time. The time for incubation with anti-insulin Fab'-peroxidase conjugate was also shortened. As a result, the volume of serum that could be used increased from 10 microliters to 50 microliters, and the time for immuno-reactions was reduced from 8 h to 4 h. Applicability of the present improvement to enzyme immunoassay of other antigens in human serum is discussed.

Electron cooling of high-energy protons in a multiring trap with a tank circuit monitoring the electron-plasma oscillations.

Electron cooling of energetic protons in a multiring trap was investigated experimentally with a tank circuit monitoring electron-plasma oscillations in the trap. The energy of protons was determined by time-of-flight measurements. It is found that a simple model can explain the qualitative behavior of both electron and proton energy when the initial energy of protons is less than 2 keV. Monitoring the electron-plasma temperature with a tank circuit can be an effective tool when energetic particles are electron cooled in a multiring trap.

Technology for recovering phosphorus from incinerated wastewater treatment sludge.

A bench-top study of phosphorus-recovering technology from ash associated with incinerated wastewater (sewage) treatment sludge was conducted by adding sulfuric acid to ashes for the elution of phosphorus. With the exception of lead, which is insoluble in sulfuric acid, when the pH of the ash fell below 2.0, phosphorus and various heavy metals in the ash were extracted. The study found that, when alkalis were added to adjust the pH of the ash extract to 4.0, phosphorus was subsequently recovered via filtration. Furthermore, when alkalis were added to adjust the pH to 10, the recovery of various heavy metals was observed. In addition, disposal of the remaining solution (wastewater), which consists of a relatively low concentration of salts, is not considered to be a significant issue since it is within wastewater discharge standards and has been found to be useful as an acid-treating substance.

[Clinical experience with cefamandole in bacterial infections of children (author's transl)].

In order to evaluate efficacy and safety, cefamandole, a new cephalosporin, was given intravenously to 12 children with respiratory tract infections (11 cases) and urinary tract infection (1 case), who ranged in age from 2 months to 5 years old. Cefamandole sodium was administered 74 approximately 112 mg/kg/day in three or four equally divided doses by one-shot injection. The overall efficacy rate was 83.3% in 12 cases, i.e., good in 8, fairly good in 2, and poor in 2 cases. No adverse reaction was noted on any of our 12 cases.

[Pharmacokinetic and clinical experience with flomoxef in bacterial infection in children].

Pharmacokinetic and clinical studies were performed on flomoxef (FMOX, 6315-S), a new oxacephem antibiotic, as follows. 1. Pharmacokinetics Serum concentrations of FMOX were measured in 2 cases given 20 mg/kg bolus injection. In the 2 cases, peak concentrations of the drug were 44.3 and 197 micrograms/ml at 15 minutes, T1/2 (beta) were 0.76 and 0.47 hour and AUC were 44.8 and 169.5 micrograms.hr/ml, respectively. Urinary recovery rates for these cases during 6 hours were 83.1 and 54.9%, respectively. The extremely high peak serum concentration in one case may be attributed to dehydration. 2. Clinical efficacy FMOX was administrated intravenously to 12 patients, 6 with pneumonia, 2 with cellulitis, 1 each with bronchitis, tonsillitis, purulent lymphadenitis and subcutaneous abscess, in doses of 55.0-120.0 mg/kg (average 82.2 mg/kg) t.i.d. for 4-13 days (average 6.2 days). The overall efficacy rate was 100%, with excellent responses in 10 and good in 2. Bacteriological efficacy was excellent; 4 of 5 strains were eradicated and 1 strain was decreased. No clinical side effect was observed. Laboratory abnormality was observed in 1 case with transient eosinophilia. The above results suggested that FMOX would be an useful antibiotic for treating pediatric bacterial infections.

[Clinical studies on aspoxicillin in the field of pediatrics].

Clinical studies were performed as follows on aspoxicillin (ASPC), a new semisynthetic penicillin. ASPC was intravenously given to 12 patients in doses of 57.7-129.0 mg/kg on average) t.i.d. or q.i.d. for 4-7 days (5.7 days on average): 9 with pneumonia, 1 with tonsillitis, 1 with purulent lymphadenitis and 1 with urinary tract infection. The overall efficacy rate was 83.3%, i.e. efficacy was excellent in 8 (66.7%), good in 2 (16.7%), fair in 1 (8.3%) and poor in 1 (8.3%). Bacteriological efficacy was excellent, i.e. 6 of the 6 strains disappeared. No clinical side effects were observed during treatment. Laboratory abnormalities were observed in 3 cases, slight elevation of GOT in 1, slight elevations of GOT and GPT in 1 and mild eosinophilia in 1. The above results suggest that ASPC is an useful antibiotic for treating pediatric bacterial infections.

[Clinical experience with clarithromycin in the pediatric field].

Clarithromycin (TE-031, A-56268) was orally administered to 20 children with the following acute bacterial infections; 1 case of acute pharyngitis, 3 cases of acute tonsillitis, 11 cases of acute bronchitis, 1 case of exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, 1 case of acute bronchopneumonia, 2 cases of Mycoplasma pneumonia and 1 case of impetigo. Clinical effectiveness was obtained in 15 out of the 20 cases (75.0%). No clinical side effects and laboratory abnormalities were observed. The above results suggest that TE-031 is a useful antibiotics for treating pediatric patients with various bacterial infections.

[Clinical study on sulbactam/ampicillin in the pediatric field].

A combination drug of sulbactam/ampicillin (SBT/ABPC) was intravenously administrated to 18 patients with ages 3 months to 10 years 10 months with various acute infections including 14 cases of pneumonia, 1 case each of tonsillitis, subacute bacterial endocarditis, empyema and suspected sepsis. Clinical responses were excellent in 14 cases and good in 4 cases. Bacteriological responses of 8 isolated strains were: 7 strains were eradicated and 1 strain was decreased. No side effect was observed in any case. Eosinophilia was observed in 2 cases, thrombocytosis in 2 cases, elevation of GOT in 1 case and elevations of GOT and GPT in 1 case. From the above results, it seemed that SBT/ABPC was a useful drug for the treatment of bacterial infections in the pediatric field.

[Laboratory and clinical studies on cefminox in the pediatric field].

Laboratory and clinical studies were performed as follows on cefminox (CMNX, MT-141), a new cephamycin antibiotic. Pharmacokinetics Serum concentrations of CMNX were measured in 4 patients given CMNX for prophylactic purpose during cardiac catheterization. In 2 patients given 20 mg/kg of CMNX by intravenous bolus injection, the average of peak serum concentration was 178.9 micrograms/ml at 15 minutes. The mean urinary recoveries in these 2 cases was 66.9% within 6 hours after injection. In 2 patients given 20 mg/kg of this drug by 1 hour drip infusion, the peak serum concentration was obtained at the time drip was completed, and the average value was 68.3 micrograms/ml. Clinical efficacy CMNX was administrated intravenously to 13 patients in dose of 52.9 approximately 96.0 mg/kg t.i.d. or q.i.d. for 4 approximately 7 days; 3 with tonsillitis, 6 with bronchitis, 1 with bronchopneumonia, 1 with UTI, 1 with lymphadenitis and 1 with enterocolitis. The overall efficacy rate was 92.3%, i.e., efficacy was excellent in 12, and poor in 1. Bacteriological efficacy was excellent, i.e., 3 of 3 strains disappeared. Side effects were observed in 3 cases, i.e., 1 case of eruption, 1 case of diarrhea and 1 case of transient eosinophilia. The above results suggest that CMNX is a useful antibiotic for treating pediatric bacterial infections.

[Clinical experience with an ampicillin suppository (KS-R1) in bacterial infections in children].

In order to evaluate effectiveness of ABPC suppository (KS-R1) in the treatment of bacterial infections of children, the clinical studies were carried out. KS-R1 was given in rectum to 14 patients in doses of 24.2 approximately 65.8 mg/kg (average 38.5 mg/kg) in 3 approximately 4 divided doses for 3 approximately 8 days (average 4.0 days); 6 with acute tonsillitis, 3 with pneumonia, 1 with otitis media, 4 with UTI. The overall efficacy rate was 100%. Bacterial efficacy was good, i.e. 8 of the 8 strains disappeared. Any clinical side effects and laboratory abnormalities were not observed during treatment. The above results suggested that KS-R1 is a useful antibiotics for pediatric bacterial infections.

[Clinical experience with ceftizoxime suppositories in bacterial infections in children].

A clinical trial of ceftizoxime suppositories (CZX-S) was performed to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness in children with bacterial infection. The subjects were 10 children comprising 4 with pneumonia, 3 with lacunar tonsillitis, 2 with pharyngitis, and 1 with UTI. They were given 1 suppository containing either 125 mg or 250 mg of CZX 2 to 4 times a day. The daily per kg body weight dose ranged from 17.1 to 60.0 mg. The result was "markedly effective" in 3, "effective" in 6, and "failure" was recorded in 1. Bacteriologically, successful eradication of causative organisms was confirmed in all the 4 children who underwent the test. No clinical side effects were observed. The only laboratory test abnormality recorded in a single patient was eosinophilia, which was not definitely ascribable to CZX-S. In conclusion, CZX-S have proved to be a clinically safe and effective antibiotic preparation in infantile infection, even in children whose treatment with conventional antibiotics is associated with difficulties.

[Clinical experience with cefoxitin in bacterial infections of children (author's transl)].

Using a new cephamycin antibiotic, cefoxitin, clinical studies were carried out, and the following results were obtained: (1) Cefoxitin was administered to 52 children with 38 respiratory tract infections, 2 urinary tract infections, 1 acute otitis media and others, who ranged in age from 2 months to 11 years old. (2) Cefoxitin was given intravenously at a daily dose of 27.3 mg/kg to 110.5 mg/kg. (3) The overall efficacy rate was 80% in 46 cases, i.e., excellent in 10, good in 27, fair in 7 and poor in 2. (4) Clinical side effects were not seen except exanthema in 1 patient. Elevation of GOT and GPT was seen in 2 patients, elevation of A1-P in 1 and eosinophilia in 2 by laboratory tests. However, these findings were alleviated rapidly following the cessation of therapy.

[Clinical experience with cefroxadine in bacterial infection of children (author's transl)].

In order to evaluate effectiveness of cefroxadine (CXD) in the treatment of bacterial infections of children, the clinical studies were carried out. CXD was orally administered to 30 patients at daily dose of 27.5 approximately 50.0 mg/kg (average 32.3 mg/kg) in 3 approximately 4 divided dose for 3 approximately 10 days (average 4.9 days). The overall efficacy rate in 30 cases was 93.3%, i.e., excellent 22 (73.3%), good in 6 (20.0%), fair in 1 (3.3%) and poor in 1 case (3.3%). Drug eruption and transient eosinophilia were observed in 1 case each out of 30 cases (6.7%), but any other abnormality was not observed throughout this series. Based on the above results, CXD was thus considered to be a useful antibiotic in treatment of pediatric infections.

[Reliability of the exercise ECG in detecting silent ischemia in patients with prior myocardial infarction].

To assess the reliability of the exercise ECG in detecting silent ischemia, ECG results were compared with those of stress-redistribution thallium-201 single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in 116 patients with prior myocardial infarction and in 20 normal subjects used as a control. The LV was divided into 20 segmental images, which were scored blindly on a 5-point scale. The redistribution score was defined as thallium defect score of exercise subtracted by that of redistribution image and was used as a measure of amount of ischemic but viable myocardium. The upper limit of normal redistribution score (= 4.32) was defined as mean +2 standard deviations derived from 20 normal subjects. Of 116 patients, 47 had the redistribution score above the normal range. Twenty-five (53%) of the 47 patients showed positive ECG response. Fourteen (20%) of the 69 patients, who had the normal redistribution score, showed positive ECG response. Thus, the ECG response had a sensitivity of 53% and a specificity of 80% in detecting transient ischemia. Furthermore, the 116 patients were subdivided into 4 groups according to the presence or absence of chest pain and ECG change during exercise. Fourteen patients showed both chest pain and ECG change and all these patients had the redistribution score above the normal range. Twenty-five patients showed ECG change without chest pain and 11 (44%) of the 25 patients had the abnormal redistribution. Three (43%) of 7 patients who showed chest pain without ECG change had the abnormal redistribution score. Of 70 patients who had neither chest pain nor ECG change, 19 (27%) had the redistribution score above the normal range. Thus, limitations exist in detecting silent ischemia by ECG in patients with a prior myocardial infarction, because the ECG response to the exercise test may have a low degree of sensitivity and a high degree of false positive and false negative results in detecting silent ischemia.

Ionization of helium and argon by very slow antiproton impact.

The total cross sections for single ionization of helium and single and double ionization of argon by antiproton impact have been measured in the kinetic energy range from 3 to 25 keV using a new technique for the creation of intense slow antiproton beams. The new data provide benchmark results for the development of advanced descriptions of atomic collisions and we show that they can be used to judge, for the first time, the validity of the many recent theories.

[Clinical study for prediction of postoperative visual acuity in cataract patients].

In order to predict more quantitatively postoperative visual acuity in cataract patients, we employed the potential acuity meter (PAM). The PAM projects a Snellen visual acuity chart into the eye by a minute aerial aperture approximately 0.1 mm in diameter. The value of determining potential visual acuity is evident because of the frequent co-existence of macular abnormalities in cataract patients. The 20 cataract patients had an average of 64.8 years (range, 48 to 84 years), and 8 were men and 12 were women. In 23 of the 25 eyes examined, postoperative visual acuity was within two lines or better than the predicted visual acuity with the PAM. Provided the operator is skillful, and if one recognizes its limitations and indications, the PAM is a useful means of predicting postoperative visual acuity in patients with mild or moderate cataracts.