Influence of alkali-treated cornsteep liquor containing medium on protein A production by Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus cultivated in liquid media containing untreated cornsteep liquor (CSL) and alkali-treated CSL produced similar biomass yields (6.5-6.9 g/L). However, contents of protein A in the biomass was 0.5% and 1.56% for untreated CSL and treated CSL, respectively. Addition of treated CSL at 20 g/L achieved optimal enhancement of protein A production (0.11 g/L). Probable factors associated in treated CSL for the enhanced protein A production are discussed.

Preliminary studies on production of extracellular lipase by an isolate from soil : Aspergillus flavus oryzae.

In our routine screening programme, using agar diffusion assay method, lipolytic activity was detected around a colony of a fungus. The fungus was isolated from a soil sample which was brought from a location near oil-mill. This lipolytic fungus was then identified to belong to Aspergillus flavus oryzae. A medium was then formulated and optimized which would not only support good growth but also would yield good extracellular lipolytic activity. It was observed that a conventional carbohydrate-protein containing medium supported good growth of the fungus but moderate lipase activity, whereas, a hydrocarbon containing medium, although supported relatively less growth, yielded much more lipase activity.

Urinary excretion of platelet-activating factor in human and experimental nephrosis.

BACKGROUND: Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a phospholipid that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis and can be synthesized by glomerular cells in response to different stimuli. PAF increases glomerular permeability to proteins and urinary PAF has been determined to be of renal origin. In order to assess whether urinary PAF can be found augmented in situations of glomerular damage without glomerular leukocyte infiltration, urinary PAF was quantified in human and experimental nephrosis. METHODS: Urinary PAF was quantified by platelet bioassay and glomerular PAF by incorporation of 3H-acetate into PAF. PAF was characterized by its behaviour on thin-layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography and the blockade of its bioactivity by receptor antagonists. RESULTS: Urinary PAF excretion was significantly higher in patients with active idiopathic nephrotic syndrome than in controls (5.8+/-1.5 versus 1.7+/-0.75 mg/24 h; P<0.05) and patients in remission (1.63+/-0.75 ng/24 h; P<0.02). In rats with nephrosis induced by puromycin aminonucleoside there was an early increase in urinary PAF excretion (138+/-19 versus 49+/-22 pg/24 h in controls; P<0.035) that coincided with the augmented glomerular PAF synthesis (67+/-3.4 versus 36+/-1.2 DPM/mg protein in controls; P<0.003). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the synthesis of PAF in the kidney may be involved in the pathogenesis of the proteinuria in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and that urinary PAF excretion may be a good marker of disease activity.

Menstrual disorders in girls with systemic lupus erythematosus treated with cyclophosphamide.

To study the ovarian toxicity associated with cyclophosphamide in girls with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we retrospectively reviewed the charts of 30 SLE girls aged 16 yr or younger at diagnosis, followed at three university hospitals. Gynaecological history was extracted from the charts or obtained prospectively. Ten had not received cyclophosphamide therapy, six were treated with daily oral cyclophosphamide, 10 with intravenous pulses and four with daily oral and intravenous pulses. Median oral cyclophosphamide dose was 38 g (inter-quartile range 75) and median intravenous dose 12.95 g (inter-quartile range 6.2). Six girls had oligomenorrhoea (20%) and one amenorrhoea (3%). Two treated with oral cyclophosphamide had oligomenorrhoea (33%) and one amenorrhoea (17%), two treated with both oral and intravenous pulses had oligomenorrhoea (50%), and none of those treated with intravenous pulses alone had menstrual disturbances (50% oral vs 0% intravenous pulses; P = 0.016). Girls who had menstrual disturbances had received higher doses of cyclophosphamide than those who did not (medians: 63 vs 15 g; P < 0.05). In summary, menstrual disturbances in SLE girls treated with cyclophosphamide are related to the total dose and perhaps to the administration method.

Mitochondrial DNA deletion in a patient with mitochondrial myopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) and Fanconi's syndrome.

Large-scale mitochondrial DNA deletion was found in a 5-year-old girl with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) and Fanconi's syndrome. Muscle biopsy disclosed ragged-red fibers and cytochrome c oxidase negative fibers. Respiratory chain studies were normal. Southern blot analysis demonstrated a 10.5-Kb heteroplasmic deletion in both muscle and blood. Deleted genomes represented 40% of total mitochondrial DNA in muscle and 63% in blood. There was no evidence of point mutations characteristic of MELAS. We suggest that not only patients with progressive external ophthalmoplegia syndromes, but also those with defined syndromes [e.g., MELAS or myoclonic epilepsy and ragged-red fibers (MERRF)] without characteristic point mutations, be screened for mitochondrial DNA deletions.

Increase of tumour necrosis factor alpha synthesis and gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

The pathogenesis of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (minimal change nephropathy and its variants) is not completely understood. In recent years it has been speculated that a cytokine released by circulating blood mononuclear cells could alter the permeability of the glomerular capillary wall. In this study we have explored the potential participation of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), a cytokine mainly produced by monocytes, in 25 children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. TNF alpha was determined by cytotoxicity bioassay in the L-929 cell line and by double antibody/RIA. Patients in activity had higher serum TNF alpha levels and TNF alpha production by monocytes than patients in remission and controls. TNF alpha mRNA expression in blood mononuclear cells was analysed by Northern blot. The TNF alpha mRNA levels in patients in activity were increased compared to controls and to patients in remission. No significant differences in IL-1 beta and IL-6 synthesis were found between patients and controls. Our results suggest that TNF alpha, but not other cytokines such as IL-1 beta and IL-6, could play a role in the pathogenesis of the proteinuria in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

Ifosfamide-induced renal tubular defect.

We describe 2 cases of proximal tubular defects induced by the administration of ifosfamide at a dosage of 6 g/m2/course over 2 days in children with a diagnosis of malignant mesenchymal tumors. This adverse effect could be minimized dividing dosage of the drug. However at present it is not clear if divided doses are completely safe.

Pyelic benign fibroepithelial polyp in childhood: a case report.

Intraluminal masses within the upper urinary tracts are rare, are almost always benign, and most commonly take the form of fibroepithelial polyps within the ureters. Only exceptionally are these lesions found within the renal pelvis and for that reason may cause diagnostic difficulty. We present a new case of fibroepithelial polyp of the renal pelvis treated successfully in our hospital.