Recovery of nanomolecular electronic states from tunneling spectroscopy: LDOS of low-dimensional phthalocyanine molecular structures on Cu(111).

Organic nanomolecules have become one of the most attractive materials for new nanoelectronics devices. Understanding of the electronic density of states around the Fermi energy of low-dimensional molecules is crucial in designing the electronic properties of molecular devices. The low dimensionality of nanomolecules results in new electronic properties owing to their unique symmetry. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy is one of the most effective techniques for studying the electronic states of nanomolecules, particularly near the Fermi energy (±1.5 eV), whereas these molecular electronic states are frequently buried by the tunneling probability background in tunneling spectroscopy, resulting in incorrect determination of the molecular electronic states. Here, we demonstrate how to recover nanomolecular electronic states from dI/dV curves obtained by tunneling spectroscopy. Precise local density of states (LDOS) peaks for low-dimensional nanostructures (monolayer ultrathin films, one-dimensional chains, and single molecules) of phthalocyanine (H2Pc) molecules grown on noble fcc-Cu(111) were obtained.

Hepatotoxicity of sub-nanosized platinum particles in mice.

Nano-sized materials are widely used in consumer products, medical devices and engineered pharmaceuticals. Advances in nanotechnology have resulted in materials smaller than the nanoscale, but the biologic safety of the sub-nanosized materials has not been fully assessed. In this study, we evaluated the toxic effects of sub-nanosized platinum particles (snPt) in the mouse liver. After intravenous administration of snPt (15 mg/kg body weight) into mice, histological analysis revealed acute hepatic injury, and biochemical analysis showed increased levels of serum markers of liver injury and inflammatory cytokines. In contrast, administration of nano-sized platinum particles did not produce these abnormalities. Furthermore, snPt induced cytotoxicity when directly applied to primary hepatocytes. These data suggest that snPt have the potential to induce hepatotoxicity. These findings provide useful information on the further development of sub-nanosized materials.

Increased plasma levels of high mobility group box 1 in patients with acute liver failure.

BACKGROUND: High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a monocyte-derived late-acting inflammatory mediator, which is released in conditions such as shock, tissue injury and endotoxin-induced lethality. In this study, we determined the plasma and hepatic tissue levels of HMGB1 in patients with acute liver failure (ALF). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We determined the plasma levels of HMGB1 and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in 7 healthy volunteers (HVs), 40 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), 37 patients with chronic hepatitis (CH), 18 patients with severe acute hepatitis (AH), and 14 patients with fulminant hepatitis (FH). The 14 patients with FH were divided into two subgroups depending upon the history of plasma exchange (PE) before their plasma sample collection. The hepatic levels of HMGB1 were measured in tissue samples from 3 patients with FH who underwent living-donor liver transplantation and from 3 healthy living donors. Hepatic tissue samples were also subjected to immunohistochemical examination for HMGB1. RESULTS: The plasma levels of HMGB1 (ng/ml) were higher in patients with liver diseases, especially in FH patients with no history of PE, than in HVs (0.3 ± 0.3 in HVs, 4.0 ± 2.0 in LC, 5.2 ± 2.6 in CH, 8.6 ± 4.8 in severe AH, 7.8 ± 2.7 in FH with a history of PE, and 12.5 ± 2.6 in FH with no history of PE, p < 0.05 in each comparison). There was a strong and statistically significant relationship between the mean plasma HMGB1 level and the logarithm of the mean AST level (R = 0.900, p < 0.05). The hepatic tissue levels of HMGB1 (ng/mg tissue protein) were lower in patients with FH than in healthy donors (539 ± 116 in FH vs. 874 ± 81 in healthy donors, p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining for HMGB1 was strong and clear in the nuclei of hepatocytes in liver sections from healthy donors, but little staining in either nuclei or cytoplasm was evident in specimens from patients with FH. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that plasma HMGB1 levels were increased in patients with ALF. Based on a comparison between HMGB1 contents in normal and ALF livers, it is very likely that HMGB1 is released from injured liver tissue.

First report of hepatobiliary Mycobacterium avium infection developing obstructive jaundice in a patient with neutralizing anti-interferon-gamma autoantibodies.

This study describes a patient who experienced hepatobiliary Mycobacterium avium infection associated with neutralizing anti-interferon gamma (IFN-γ) autoantibodies during treatment for disseminated M. avium disease. Hepatobiliary M. avium infection should be considered in jaundiced patients with neutralizing anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies, including those receiving antimycobacterial therapy for disseminated M. avium disease.

Cerebral blood volume changes in patients with eating disorders during word fluency: a preliminary study using multi-channel near infrared spectroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the characteristics of cerebral oxygenation changes in eating disorders patients (ED) and normal controls during the cognitive tasks, using a highly time-resolved, and non-invasive instrument. METHOD: Eleven female patients with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa were recruited, and 11 healthy females participated. The relative concentrations of oxy-hemoglobin [o-Hb] and deoxy-hemoglobin [d-Hb] were measured during word fluency task using multichannel near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). RESULTS: The increases of o-Hb and d-Hb during the task were compared between the groups. ED patients showed lower activation and a gradual increase in o-HB during the task. In the frontal, d-HB concentrations decreased during the task in ED patients. CONCLUSION: These specific patterns of oxygenation changes may indicate less supply and less demand of cerebral blood volume. Bedside measurements of cerebral oxygenation changes using NIRS are useful on understanding of neurophysiological features of ED.

High molecular mass type i.v. collagen-specific metalloprotease from human carcinoma tissue.

A protease degrading type IV collagen was purified more than 8000-fold from human stomach carcinoma tissue. This protease degraded type IV collagen, while type I, II, III and V collagen, laminin, fibronectin, casein, albumin and hemoglobin were not affected. This enzyme had a pH optimum of pH 7.0-8.0 and was inhibited completely by EDTA and o-phenanthroline, but not by seryl, thiol and carboxyl protease inhibitors. Furthermore, the molecular mass of this enzyme was estimated to be 1 MDa by Sepharose 6B column and HPLC-gel filtration. The molecular mass and substrate specificity of this metalloprotease from human carcinoma tissue indicate it to be a new protease.

Synthesis and antiinflammatory activities of 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylidene)pyrrolidin-2-ones.

A series of 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylidene)pyrrolidin-2-ones was synthesized and evaluated as candidate antiinflammatory/analgesic agents as well as dual inhibitors of prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis. Some compounds that showed dual inhibitory activity were found to possess equipotent antiinflammatory activities to indomethacin, with reduced ulcerogenic effects. One of the compounds, N-methoxy-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylidene)pyrrolidin-2-o ne, was found to have a wider safety margin than indomethacin or piroxicam, and was selected for detailed evaluation as a candidate drug for clinical application.

Clinical features of Pseudomonas cepacia pneumonia in an epidemic among immunocompromised patients.

Between January 1990 and August 1991, there were 37 patients admitted to our Department of Internal Medicine with hematologic malignancies or solid tumors who showed colonization of the respiratory tract with Pseudomonas cepacia. Extensive surveillance cultures of the environmental surfaces and respiratory equipment of the hospital revealed that all nebulizing devices were contaminated with P cepacia. To characterize this outbreak, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 37 patients colonized with this organism. All had used nebulizers to deliver aerosols containing polymyxin B and amphotericin B as prophylaxis against infection. Sixteen of these 37 patients developed pneumonia, which was caused in 14 by P cepacia. The majority of the 14 patients showed lobular infiltrates on chest x-ray films. Cavity formation and pleural effusion were observed in 4 of the 14 (29 percent). All strains of P cepacia were resistant to piperacillin, cefotiam, sulbactam/cefoperazone, moxalactam (latamoxef), cefuzonam, amikacin, tobramycin, ofloxacin, imipenem, and carumonam. Ceftazidime was effective against 84.7 percent of the strains, while minocycline was effective against 63.5 percent of the strains. This appears to be the first report to describe the clinical features of an epidemic of nosocomial P cepacia pneumonia in immunocompromised patients.

Elevation of plasma truncated elastase alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complexes in patients with inflammatory lung diseases.

Human neutrophil elastase plays an important role in the development of several inflammatory lung diseases; however, there have been relatively few investigations using plasma samples. In this report, we describe alterations in the plasma elastase:alpha 1-PI complex in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (15 cases), COPD with infection (8), diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) (8), bronchiectasis (9), pneumonia (10), and the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (14), and in 15 normal volunteers. The elastase:alpha 1-PI complex concentration was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western immunoblot analysis of the elastase:alpha 1-PI complex was also performed. Plasma elastase:alpha 1-PI complex was also performed. Plasma elastase:alpha 1-PI complex levels in patients with COPD with infection (504 micrograms/L +/- 93 micrograms/L) were significantly higher, as compared with those with COPD but without infection (118 micrograms/L +/- 9 micrograms/L) and normal volunteers (122 micrograms/L +/- 4 micrograms/L). Increased complex concentrations were also found in patients with DPB and bronchiectasis (643 micrograms/L +/- 222 micrograms/L and 558 micrograms/L +/- 198 micrograms/L, respectively) as compared with normal volunteers. Increased complex concentrations were also found in patients with pneumonia and ARDS (450 micrograms/L +/- 101 micrograms/L and 1,400 micrograms/L +/- 438 micrograms/L, respectively). Western immunoblot analysis using anti-alpha 1-PI antibody and antineutrophil elastase antibody showed two types of elastase:alpha 1-PI complexes, one with a molecular weight of 60,000 daltons (60 kilodaltons [KD]) and the other at 50,000 daltons (50 KD). Although the native 80-KD elastase:alpha 1-PI complex was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, it was not found in plasma. In summary, these results demonstrated that levels of the truncated complex were increased in patients with various inflammatory lung diseases. This truncated form may play an important role in the pathophysiology of inflammatory processes.

Myasthenia gravis associated with small-cell carcinoma of the lung.

A 49-year-old man complained of a 3-month history of progressive generalized muscle weakness. He was diagnosed as having small-cell lung carcinoma at the same time. He received an intravenous injection of edrophonium chloride with remarkable improvement of muscle strength. Electromyographic studies revealed a compound muscle action potential that decreased after repetitive stimulation. These findings were considered representative of myasthenia gravis (MG), and inconsistent with Eaton-Lambert syndrome. The appearance of MG with small-cell lung carcinoma seems to be very rare, but possible.

Respiratory failure due to pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosis.

A man with primary lung cancer developed respiratory failure due to lymphangitis carcinomatosis that was diagnosed by transbronchial lung biopsy specimen. After combination chemotherapy with high-dose etoposide and cisplatin (CDDP), he was able to cease oxygen therapy and showed improvement of his lymphangitis carcinomatosis. He received a total dose of 13,400 mg/m2 of etoposide. This case suggested that respiratory failure due to lymphangitis carcinomatosis can be a treatable condition.

Serial measurements of plasma elastase alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complexes in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy.

We monitored the plasma elastase:alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complexes during chemotherapy for cancer and investigated the relationship between the elastase burden and the onset of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in 20 patients with primary lung cancer who received combination chemotherapy; 15 normal nonsmokers served as controls. Of the 20 patients, 6 developed pneumonia, and 6 developed ARDS. We measured peripheral WBCs, C-reactive protein (CRP), plasma elastase:alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complex (complex), and the ratio of complex/WBC during chemotherapy for cancer. In patients who did not experience complications during combination chemotherapy, WBC counts changed, but levels of complex were normal. In patients who developed pneumonia, levels of complex were abnormally high during the WBC nadir, and the complex/WBC count increased along with the level of CRP. In patients who developed ARDS during chemotherapy for cancer, levels of complex were abnormally high immediately after chemotherapy and remained high after the onset of ARDS. In addition, complex/WBC counts and CRP levels increased at the onset of ARDS. The maximum complex concentration was significantly higher in patients with pneumonia (414.3 +/- 57.2 ng/ml) and ARDS (683.2 +/- 72.8 ng/ml), compared with normal nonsmokers (130.2 +/- 5.5 ng/ml; p < 0.01) and patients who did not develop complications (211.5 +/- 23.3 ng/ml; p < 0.01). The maximum complex/WBC count was also significantly higher in patients with pneumonia (0.56 +/- 0.12) and ARDS (1.03 +/- 0.27), compared with normal nonsmokers (0.03 +/- 0.002; p < 0.01) and patients without complications (0.09 +/- 0.01; p < 0.01). These findings suggested a possible correlation between increased levels of complex and the onset of ARDS.

Specific increase in interleukin-8 concentrations in dialysis fluid of patients with peritonitis receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

AIMS: To evaluate the influence of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and other inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1 beta and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha)) on the occurrence of peritonitis in patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). METHODS: The study population comprised 12 patients with peritonitis, 33 without peritonitis, all undergoing CAPD, and five patients undergoing peritoneal catheter implantation. Cytokine concentrations in dialysis fluid were determined by immunoassay and their values compared. RESULTS: Concentrations of both IL-8 (median 147 pg/ml, range 20-2273 pg/ml; n = 12) and IL-6 (median 1120 pg/ml, range 96-10,600 pg/ml) were substantially elevated, while the IL-1 beta concentration was lower and TNF alpha was not detectable in patients at diagnosis. The IL-6 concentration was also elevated in patients undergoing catheter implantation as well as in those with peritonitis. The IL-8 concentration, however, was elevated only upon infection. Intraperitoneal production of IL-8 was evident on determination of paired serum and dialysis fluid cytokine concentrations, and immunostaining of peritoneal cells with monoclonal anti-IL-8 antibody. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that determination of the IL-8 concentration in dialysis fluid maybe useful as a specific marker for following patients with peritonitis receiving CAPD.

Investigation of nosocomial respiratory infection due to Pseudomonas cepacia by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction.

We used DNA fingerprinting by the arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) technique for an epidemiologic investigation of Pseudomonas cepacia nosocomial isolates obtained from patients attending our hospital. This approach was compared with conventional phenotypic typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The patterns of gel electrophoresis of the products of AP-PCR differed significantly according to differences in the concentration of Mg2+ and in pH. AP-PCR and PFGE was identical in their resolving power, as the two methods generated four different profiles and identified the same group of strains. The AP-PCR method constitutes an easy alternative to the well-established PFGE method.

Sister chromatid exchanges in ring chromosomes following X-irradiation of human lymphocytes.

PURPOSE: To examine whether X-rays induce sister chromatid exchanges (SCE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peripheral lymphocytes irradiated in vitro or in vivo were cultured and treated with okadaic acid to generate premature chromosome condensation (PCC). When identical spreads were analysed using conventional Giemsa staining and pan-centromeric fluorescence in situ hybridization painting, ring chromosomes were observed. RESULTS: In PCC preparations, cells in the late G(2) phase and late M phase were observed. In late M phase cells, 17-20% of ring chromosomes lacked one chromatid (single-chromatid ring), irrespective of dose. Both the distribution patterns of centromeres in rings and intercentromere distances in dicentric rings indicate that a considerable number of single-chromatid rings might be formed by SCE occurring in a chromosome-type ring, thereby joining strands of two rings, followed by a transformation into one ring. These single-chromatid rings were less stable in vivo than chromosome-type rings. CONCLUSION: Single-chromatid rings visualized clearly using PCC techniques indicate SCE in the respective rings. Contrary to the conventional SCE-detecting technique, this approach does not require the use of bromodeoxyuridine, which itself leads to SCE. Some of the observed SCE might be secondary products resulting from the repair of radiation-induced DNA damage, while others may be spontaneous.

Rumbrin, a new cytoprotective substance produced by Auxarthron umbrinum. II. Physico-chemical properties and structure determination.

The structure of rumbrin (Fig. 1), a new cytoprotective substance, was elucidated by NMR spectral analysis. Rumbrin was found to possess a novel skeleton containing alpha-pyrone, tetraene and pyrrole moieties.

Thiazohalostatin, a new cytoprotective substance produced by Actinomadura. II. Physico-chemical properties and structure determination.

Thiazohalostatin is a new cytoprotective substance produced by Actinomadura sp. HQ24. Its structure was elucidated as shown in Fig. 1 by NMR spectral analyses and chemical modifications. Thiazohalostatin was found to possess a novel skeleton containing trichloropyrrole and thiazoline ring moieties.

FR191512, a novel anti-influenza agent isolated from a fungus strain No.17415. II. Biological properties.

FR191512, a novel polyphenolic compound, inhibited the infectivity of influenza A virus in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells in vitro. Furthermore, FR191512 showed good in vivo anti-influenza activity in a mouse model of intranasal infection with influenza A virus. The cytotoxic activity of FR191512 against MDCK cells was very weak.

Phenazoviridin, a novel free radical scavenger from Streptomyces sp. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation, structure elucidation and biological properties.

Phenazoviridin is a newly discovered free radical scavenger from microorganisms. It was isolated from the culture of Streptomyces sp. HR04. The structure of phenazoviridin was determined as 6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)phenazine-1-carboxylic acid 6-deoxy-alpha-L-talopyranose ester on the basis of its spectroscopic and physico-chemical properties. The novel substance showed strong inhibitory activity against lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate and exhibited antihypoxic activity in mice.

Plipastatins: new inhibitors of phospholipase A2, produced by Bacillus cereus BMG302-fF67. I. Taxonomy, production, isolation and preliminary characterization.

Plipastatins have been isolated as part of a program designed to find inhibitors of porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2. They were purified from fermentation broth of Bacillus cereus BMG302-fF67 and finally separated into four fractions by reverse phase HPLC. The respective fractions were designated as plipastatins A1, A2, B1 and B2. Plipastatins also inhibited phospholipases C and D.