Occurrence and characterisation of intervening sequences (IVSs) within 16S rRNA genes from two atypical campylobacter species, c. sputorum and c. curvus.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was carried out on 21 isolates of atypical Campylobacter sputorum (n=14) and C. curvus (n=7) using a primer pair to amplify the helix 11 region within 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences. Following sequencing and alignment analysis, 14 C. sputorum (100%) and six C. curvus (86%) isolates were shown to carry intervening sequences (IVSs) in this region. Interestingly, the nucleotide sequences of all the IVSs were identical among the 14 C. sputorum isolates (n=5 C. sputorum biovar [bv] paraureolyticus; n=5 by fecalis; n=4 by sputorum). In addition, two different nucleotide lengths and sequences of IVSs were identified among the six C. curvus isolates. On the first prediction of the secondary structure model of the IVSs in 16S rRNA genes, stem and loop structures were identified. In the purified RNA fractions from the 20 Campylobacter isolates carrying IVSs, no 16S rRNA was evident. Instead, other smaller RNA fragments were identified. Thus, the primary 16S rRNA transcripts may have been fragmented in the 20 isolates. This is the first demonstration of atypical C. sputorum and C. curvus isolates carrying IVSs in the helix 11 region in 16S rRNA genes.

Greater fat oxidation with diacylglycerol oil consumption for 14 days compared with triacylglycerol oil consumption in overweight men and women.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported increased fat oxidation with diacylglycerol (DAG) oil consumption. However, the effects of long-term DAG oil consumption on energy metabolism remain to be investigated. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of 14 days of either DAG or triacylglycerol (TAG) oil consumption on substrate oxidation, energy expenditure (EE) and dietary fat oxidation. DESIGN: Eight males and six females participated in this randomized, double-blind, crossover feeding study. Each patient consumed the 14-day controlled test diet containing either 10 g day(-1) of DAG or TAG oil for acclimatization before a respiratory chamber measurement, followed by a 2-week washout period between diet treatments. Substrate oxidation and EE were measured in the respiratory chamber at the end of each dietary treatment. The patients consumed test oil as 15% of total caloric intake in the respiratory chamber (mean test oil intake was 36.1+/-6.6 g day(-1)). RESULTS: Twenty-four hour fat oxidation was significantly greater with 14 days of DAG oil consumption compared with TAG oil consumption (78.6+/-19.6 and 72.6+/-14.9 g day(-1), respectively, P<0.05). There were no differences in body weight or body composition between diet treatments. Dietary fat oxidation was determined using the recovery rate of (13)CO(2) in breath, and was significantly enhanced with DAG oil consumption compared with TAG oil consumption, measured over 22 h after ingestion of (13)C-labelled triolein. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) was significantly greater with DAG oil consumption compared with TAG oil consumption (1766+/-337 and 1680+/-316 kcal day(-1), respectively, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Consumption of DAG oil for 14 days stimulates both fat oxidation and RMR compared with TAG oil consumption, which may explain the greater loss of body weight and body fat with DAG oil consumption that has been observed in weight-loss studies.

Speed of back-swimming of Lymnaea.

The pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis, can locomote on its back utilizing the surface tension of the water. We have called this form of movement 'back-swimming'. In order to perform this behavior, the snail must flip itself over on its back so that its foot is visible from above. Little is known about the mechanism of this back-swimming. As a first step for the elucidation of this mechanism, we measured the speed of back-swimming of Lymnaea at the different times of the day. They back-swam significantly faster in the morning than just before dark. These data are consistent with our earlier findings on circadian-timed activity pattern in Lymnaea. Lymnaea appear to secrete a thin membrane-like substance from their foot that may allow them to back-swim. To confirm the existence of this substance and to examine whether this substance is hydrophobic or hydrophilic, we applied a detergent onto the foot during back-swimming. A single drop of 1% Tween 20 drifted Lymnaea away that were still kept at the water surface. These results suggest that Lymnaea secrete a hydrophobic substance from their foot that floats to the water surface allowing Lymnaea to back-swim.

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein polymorphism associated with macroangiopathy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

A polymorphism in the gene for cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) has been reported to be associated with serum cholesterol levels and risk for atherosclerotic vascular diseases, and to clarify the relationship between the gene polymorphism for CETP and macroangiopathy in diabetes mellitus, a cross-sectional study was performed. The subjects of the study were182 Japanese (age: 59.6+/-8.6 years) with type 2 diabetes and no signs of renal dysfunction, 24 of whom had macroangiopathy, and 158 of whom did not. The genotype of the subjects for the TaqIB polymorphism of CETP in intron one was analyzed by using polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism. Serum CETP levels were significantly higher in the B1/B1 genotype than in the other genotypes (P<0.05). The serum CETP levels were correlated with the serum LDL cholesterol levels (P<0.01), but not with the HDL cholesterol levels. Macroangiopathy was more frequently observed in subjects with the B1/B1 genotype than in the other genotypes (odds ratio=2.953, 95% confidence interval=1.250-6.977, P=0.0136). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the CETP genotype was independently associated with macroangiopathy. The exact mechanism underlying the association remains unknown, but differences in serum CETP levels may be involved.

Comparison of in vivo binding of aromatic nitro and amino compounds to rat hemoglobin.

The hemoglobin (Hb) binding of five nitroarenes, i.e. nitrobenzene (NB), 4-nitrobiphenyl (4-NBP), 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), 2-nitronaphthalene (2-NN) and 2-nitrofluorene (2-NF), and the corresponding amines, administered p.o. to male S.D. rats, was determined by HPLC, to evaluate the extent of in vivo reductive and oxidative activations of these compounds to N-hydroxylamines, which covalently bind to Hb to form acid-labile sulfinamides. Hb binding of the nitroarenes, except for NB, was significantly lower than that of the corresponding amines. Among the aromatic amines, 4-aminobiphenyl exhibited extremely high Hb binding. Hb binding of NB and 4-NBP decreased markedly after pretreatment with a mixture of antibiotics, but the binding of the others did not decrease appreciably. 1-Aminopyrene and 1-NP bound abundantly to plasma proteins, although the Hb binding was slight. Based on the Hb binding and the in vitro metabolism by liver microsomes and intestinal bacteria, the extent of in vivo reductive activation of nitroarenes is discussed.

Stratum corneum lipid abnormalities in UVB-irradiated skin.

Stratum corneum (SC) lipids are of particular importance in maintaining the permeability barrier function. Although many studies have demonstrated that UVB irradiation of mammalian skin reduces barrier function, the responsible alterations in SC lipid profiles are not known. In this study, we investigated both compositional and morphological alterations in SC lipids with the development of barrier abnormalities caused by daily UVB irradiation in hairless rat skin. The UVB irradiation of suberythemal doses (0.5 minimal erythema dose) significantly increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) relative to nonirradiated control, indicating a diminished barrier function. Under these conditions, the total amounts of major SC lipid species (ceramides, cholesterol, free fatty acids) in UVB-irradiated SC did not differ from those in nonirradiated SC. However, electron microscopic observations revealed marked abnormalities in the intercellular domains of UVB-irradiated SC, where naturally occurring intercellular multilamellar structures were often absent and leaving the area with the appearance of an empty space. Moreover, in UVB-irradiated SC, individual corneocytes often showed small amounts of intercellular deposition product with abnormal lamellar structure, where lamellar body sphingomyelinase activity was present. These observations demonstrated a partial failure of lamellar body secretion in UVB-irradiated SC and suggested that a defect in the secretion of lamellar body-derived lipids and enzymes to SC intercellular space is, at least in part, responsible for the observed abnormal intercellular structure and barrier disruption.

Secretion of GIP in responders to acarbose in obese Type 2(NIDDM) patients.

Acarbose has been shown to reduce postprandial hyperglycemia and to improve lipid parameters in diabetics via its inhibitory effects on intestinal alpha-glucosidases. Response to acarbose may therefore be dependent upon gastric or pancreatic hormone function. To test this hypothesis, we treated 27 mild type 2 (NIDDM) Japanese diabetics who were mildly obese with low-dose acarbose (150 mg/day) for 3 months. We then performed a responder analysis to determine specific hormonal responses that may be associated with a good response to acarbose. At the end of the treatment period, a total of 15 evaluable patients was grouped as responders (n=6) and nonresponders (n=9) based on an effective decrease in postprandial glucose levels (>30 mg/day) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels (>0.5%). There were no differences between the two groups in demographic variables or mean postprandial glucose levels at baseline. There was a small but significant increase in postprandial cholecystokinin (CCK) in responders, and fasting gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) levels were significantly increased in responders and all patients after treatment. Serum leptin levels were reduced by treatment in our mildly obese responders and this was associated with a significant decrease in body weight. These results suggest that treatment with low-dose acarbose may reduce hyperglycemia in mild type 2 Japanese patients and may improve metabolic control by regulating hormones involved in glycemic control and digestive absorption. Acarbose may provide a safe adjunct to help treat insulin resistance in type 2 patients.

Relationship between covalently bound ceramides and transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

The stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of the skin, functions as an important barrier to maintain biological homeostasis. The multilamellar structures formed by intercellular lipids present in the stratum corneum are considered to play an important role in barrier function. Most intercellular lipids are unbound and can be extracted by organic solvents, but some intercellular lipids are covalently bound to cornified envelope proteins. Decreases in unbound lipid levels reduce the barrier function of the stratum corneum, but the relationship between bound lipid and the barrier function of the stratum corneum is not well understood. In this study, we examined the relationship between the amount of covalently bound ceramide, the main bound lipid, and the barrier function of the stratum corneum. A single dose of UVB irradiation (2 x MED), or continuous UVB irradiation (0.5 x MED/day for 14 days) to the back, or feeding with an essential fatty acid-deficient (EFAD) diet for 8 weeks caused a significant elevation of TEWL and a significant reduction in covalently bound ceramides in hairless rats. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the intercellular multilamellar structures in the stratum corneum of treated rats were incomplete (folding, defects, unclear images) compared to the structures seen in the stratum corneum of non-UVB-irradiated and non-EFAD rats. These results suggest that the amount of covalently bound ceramides is highly correlated with the barrier function of the skin, and that covalently bound ceramides play an important role in the formation of lamellar structures, and are involved in the maintenance of the barrier function of the skin.

Solubilization of phytosterols in diacylglycerol versus triacylglycerol improves the serum cholesterol-lowering effect.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate the difference in the serum-cholesterol- and triglyceride-lowering activities between phytosterols dissolved in diacylglycerol (PS/DG) and dispersed in triacylglycerol (PS/TG). The effects of the solvent on the concentrations of serum beta-sitosterol and campesterol were examined. DESIGN: The study had a randomised crossover design. SUBJECTS: Twelve healthy normocholesterolemic or moderately hypercholesterolemic men aged 29-50 y participated in this study. INTERVENTIONS: For 2 weeks before the test period (designated as the control period), all subjects consumed control mayonnaise (PS free) daily with supper and were randomly assigned to two groups for the 2 week test period; one group was given mayonnaise containing PS (500 mg/day) dissolved in DG (10 g/day), and the other mayonnaise containing PS (500 mg/day) dispersed in TG (10 g/day). After a wash out period consuming control PS-free mayonnaise for 4 weeks, the groups were reversed for 2 weeks. RESULTS: PS/TG feeding had no effect on the serum cholesterol level. In contrast, PS/DG feeding significantly reduced the total and LDL cholesterol levels from the initial value of 5.57 to 5.31 mmol/l (4.7%; P<0.05) and from 3.69 to 3.39 mmol/l (7.6%; P<0.05), respectively. Moreover, the degree of total cholesterol reduction induced by PS/DG feeding in the test period was significantly greater than that induced by PS/TG feeding (P<0.05). In addition, the serum beta-sitosterol and campesterol concentrations did not change during the PS/TG or PS/DG feeding periods. CONCLUSIONS: Dissolution of PS in DG had a better serum cholesterol lowering effect than dissolution in TG. SPONSORSHIP: Kao Corporation.

Phlebitis associated with the intravenous use of cephapirin and cephalothin in the combination therapy of antibiotics.

Phlebitis related to antibiotic infusion is one of the most frequent causes of morbidity in the debilitated patients with severe infection. There are a number of causes of infusion-induced phlebitis such as pH of intravenous fluid, needle used, and contamination of venipuncture site. Vein used to play an important role, particularly in patients with granulocytopenia receiving intravenous infusion. Cephalothin is an effective antibiotic in the treatment of granulocytopenic infection and is widely used currently. When cephalothin was introduced commercially, the frequency of phlebitis was as high as 50%. The main reason was thought to be acidity of the antibiotic solution. The cephalothin solution used currently is neutral in pH, but prevention of phlebitis is still not perfect. In contrast, cephapirin recently developed cephalosporin antibiotic, which resembles cephalothin in the antimicrobial activity and pharmacological properties caused less phlebitis than cephalothin in initial clinical studies. The patients receiving chemotherapy for malignant diseases frequently die of infections. A cephalosporin antibiotic is administered intravenously for a prolonged time in the presence of thrombocytopenia, and under such circumstances, other antibiotics such as carbenicillin (CBPC) and aminoglycoside are usually used in combination. The influence of these antibiotics injected through the same vein must be considered, but the possibility of phlebitis due to CBPC and aminoglycoside is negligible. In the present clinical study, 24 granulocytopenic patients were treated with the combination of antibiotics, cephapirin-carbenicillin-amikacin and cephalothin-carbenicillin-amikacin. Besides the clinical effect of the antibiotics, the incidence and severity of phlebitis were studied.

[Phase I-II study of 7-N-(P-hydroxyphenyl)-mitomycin C (KW2083, M83)].

A phase I-II study of KW2083, an analog of mitomycin C (MMC) was performed in a total of 22 patients. KW2083 was escalated by single intravenous administration of 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 mg/m2 doses. Treatments were repeated every 4-6 weeks unless unacceptable toxicities occurred. The median times taken to reach nadir for each dose level were 9-12 days for leukocytes and 7-13 days for platelets respectively. The median times taken for recovery were 8-22 days for leukopenia and 10-37 days for thrombocytopenia. Variable and non-predictable hematological toxicity was observed in some cases. Biphasic hematological toxicity was observed in 4 courses. Acute toxicity occurred in 17 courses for 11 patients and consisted of nausea (44%), vomiting (13%), diarrhea (2.7%) and stomatitis (2.7%). Nephrotoxicity (elevation of BUN, 8.1% and proteinuria, 5.4%) occurred in 3 patients who had no previous impairment of renal function. Alopecia (8.1%) was also observed. Marked elevations of hepatic enzymes were noted in one patient who developed acute fulminant hepatitis with the second dose of KW2083. Objective response was observed in one of 20 evaluable patients. From this preliminary study, the maximum tolerable dose is 70 mg/m2 and the optimal dose of KW2083 was determined to be 50 mg/m2 at 6-week intervals. KW2083 has been introduced as an MMC analog of potential interest. However, hematological and non of hematological toxicities are very similar to those of MMC and does not appear that KW2083 will supersede MMC.

[Phase II study of VP-16 (capsule) in solid tumors. A cooperative study].

A phase II study of VP-16, a semisynthetic Podophyllotoxin, was performed in patients with solid tumors. VP-16 was administered orally at a dose of 200mg/day for 5 consecutive days at 3 to 4-week intervals. Out of 41 patients who were entered into the study, 35 patients comprising 17 lung cancer, 10 hepatoma and 8 other tumors were evaluable. There were 4 partial responses (23.5%) for lung cancer, 1 (10.0%) for hepatoma and 1 for rhabdomyosarcoma. Overall response rate was 18.2% for patients with prior chemotherapy and 15.4% for those given no prior chemotherapy respectively. Thus the results indicated VP-16 has no cross-resistance to other antitumor agents. Leukopenia (less than 4,000/mm3) and thrombocytopenia (less than 10 X 10(4)/mm3) were observed in 72.7% and 29.4% of the patients, respectively. Other toxicities were alopecia (59.5%) and gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea (46.2%), vomiting (20.5%) and anorexia (20.5%), but these were all well tolerated.

[Phase II trial of mitoxantrone in patients with relapsed and refractory acute leukemia].

Mitoxantrone, a new anthracenedione, was administered to thirty-nine patients with relapsed and refractory acute leukemia and to 12 patients with blastic crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia between August 1981 and September 1984. Eleven patients were not evaluable and 40 were analysed. There were 24 males and 16 females with a median age of 37 yrs (range 6-73 yrs). Three of these were less than 15 yrs and 7 more than 60 yrs. The initial dose employed was 1.9 mg/m2/day X 5. Although eventually a starting dose of 12.3 mg/m2/day X 5 was used, about one half of cases were given more than 5 mg/m2/day X 5 by i.v. bolus. Among 25 patients with acute non-lymphocytic leukemia, there were 4 complete and 6 partial remissions. Among 7 patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia there was one complete remission and one partial remission. All patients except one who attained remissions had received prior anthracyclines. One of 8 patients with blastic crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia had a partial remission. The durations of complete remission were 1, 1, 5+, 13+ and 17 weeks, respectively. Side-effects showed expected bone marrow depression. Mucositis occurred in ten patients. Gastrointestinal symptoms were noted in approximately 50%, but were mostly mild. Mild alopecia occurred occasionally. The trials were too short to allow evaluation of possible cardiac toxicity. These data indicate that mitoxantrone is non-toxic but hematological and a promising single drug for use in treating relapsed and refractory acute leukemia and suggest that further study would be worthwhile in order to identify its role in the first-line therapy of acute leukemia.

[The combination chemotherapy of vincristine, methotrexate, ACNU, and adriamycin for anaplastic carcinoma of the lung].

Recent advances in the chemotherapy of malignant diseases, particularly, in hematopoietic malignancies, has opened oncologists' eyes in wonder, whereas the chemotherapy of solid malignant diseases including the carcinoma of the lung is not satisfactory compared with the results of other modalities such as radiotherapy and surgery. The chemotherapy, however, gradually becomes a great importance because the majority of the cases of lung cancer is that of advanced one. Between June, 1974 and December 1980 we experienced 54 inoperable cases of lung cancers among which there were 11 cases diagnosed as an anaplastic carcinoma. The combination chemotherapy of vincristine (1 mg/body, iv, day 1), methotrexate (30 mg/body, iv, day 1 and 5), ACNU (100mg/body, iv, day 2) and adriamycin (40mg/m2, iv, day 2) was employed. Vincristine and methotrexate were given every 3 weeks and ACNU and adriamycin were repeated every 9 weeks. If the moderate degree of neuropathy due to vincristine occurred it was suspended and methotrexate was stopped if WBC was less than 2000/mm or if patients were suffered from stomatitis which disturbed their swallowing. According to the response criteria of Koyama-Saito 4, cases were responded and one of them survived 17 months after the initiation of above 4-drug combination chemotherapy, although she received another combination chemotherapy because of the relapse of disease. The combination chemotherapy of ACNU and adriamycin was tried to utilize the advantage of their time different effects on the bone marrow suppression and to cover heterogenous histopathological diagnosis of anaplastic carcinoma. The heterogeneity of anaplastic carcinoma included undifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma and even small cell carcinoma. In taking consideration of these points, the drug-combination was designed. Clinically, however, the long resting period made the tumor regrow in some cases due to severe delayed myelosuppression by the combination of ACNU and adriamycin. Thus, more cautiously-designed combination should be considered.