Targeted colonic release formulations of mesalazine - A clinical pharmaco-scintigraphic proof-of-concept study in healthy subjects and patients with mildly active ulcerative colitis.

Colonic targeting of orally applied therapeutic drugs remains a challenge. Tablet coatings relying on gastrointestinal pH and colonic bacterial enzymes as triggers in association with an inner alkaline layer are expected to improve targeting efficiency. Mesalazine release from three differently coated tablets labelled with 1 MBq 153Sm was characterised in a single centre, open-label, parallel group study in nineteen healthy subjects and seven patients with mildly active ulcerative colitis. Two semi-organic and one aqueous-based outer coating with different ratios of enteric polymer and resistant starch were tested. All coatings showed comparable release lagtimes in biorelevant dissolution media and were not affected by neutron-activation of the samarium tracer. Mesalazine pharmacokinetics and gamma scintigraphy were used to characterise drug release, anatomical site of tablet disintegration and gastrointestinal transit. Initial tablet disintegration occurred at the ileo-caecal junction or beyond in 92 % of the subjects. Time to initial tablet disintegration was inversely correlated with maximal plasma concentrations and systemic mesalazine exposure. Although high inter-subject variability precluded detection of differences between solvent types and different enteric polymer to polysaccharide ratios, the dual pH and enzymatic triggered release system in combination with an inner alkaline layer promoted mesalazine release at the target site with high accuracy.

Anaerobic Chemolithotrophic Growth of the Haloalkaliphilic Bacterium Strain MLMS-1 by Disproportionation of Monothioarsenate.

A novel chemolithotrophic metabolism based on a mixed arsenic-sulfur species has been discovered for the anaerobic deltaproteobacterium, strain MLMS-1, a haloalkaliphile isolated from Mono Lake, California, U.S. Strain MLMS-1 is the first reported obligate arsenate-respiring chemoautotroph which grows by coupling arsenate reduction to arsenite with the oxidation of sulfide to sulfate. In that pathway the formation of a mixed arsenic-sulfur species was reported. That species was assumed to be monothioarsenite ([H2As(III)S(-II)O2](-)), formed as an intermediate by abiotic reaction of arsenite with sulfide. We now report that this species is monothioarsenate ([HAs(V)S(-II)O3](2-)) as revealed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Monothioarsenate forms by abiotic reaction of arsenite with zerovalent sulfur. Monothioarsenate is kinetically stable under a wide range of pH and redox conditions. However, it was metabolized rapidly by strain MLMS-1 when incubated with arsenate. Incubations using monothioarsenate confirmed that strain MLMS-1 was able to grow (µ = 0.017 h(-1)) on this substrate via a disproportionation reaction by oxidizing the thio-group-sulfur (S(-II)) to zerovalent sulfur or sulfate while concurrently reducing the central arsenic atom (As(V)) to arsenite. Monothioarsenate disproportionation could be widespread in nature beyond the already studied arsenic and sulfide rich hot springs and soda lakes where it was discovered.

[Influence of salinity and temperature on fatty acid composition of Pseudomonas fluorescens GNP-OHP-3 membrane]. / Influencia de la concentración salina y la temperatura en la composición de acidos grasos de membrana de Pseudomonas fluorescens GNP-OHP-3.

The bacteria respond to environmental changes modifying their composition. One of the most important modifications is the variation on fatty acid composition of cellular membranes to maintain the homeoviscosity. The action of temperature, hydrostatic pressure and solvents on Pseudomonas putida has been thoroughly studied. In this paper, the combined action of the temperature and salinity on fatty acid composition of cellular membranes of Pseudomonas fluorescens GNP-OHP-3, a bacterial strain isolated from a petroleum contaminated habitat, was studied. The modifications in the fatty acid composition of Pseudomonas fluorescens GNP-OHP-3 membrane were similar to those described for other members of Pseudomonas: an increase in saturated fatty acids and a decrease in unsaturated fatty acids were observed with the increase of the temperature. Variations of main fatty acids were in general erratic in the range of assayed saline concentrations. The variation of cyclopropane fatty acids could be expressed with mathematic equations that allowed to predict their percentage in relation to sodium chloride concentration.

Influencia de la concentración salina y la temperatura en la composición de ácidos grasos de membrana de Pseudomonas fluorescens GNP-OHP-3 / Influence of salinity and temperature on fatty acid composition of Pseudomonas fluorescens GNP-OHP-3 membrane

Las bacterias responden a los cambios ambientales modificando su composición, para evitar el daño que dichos cambios podrían ejercer. Una de las modificaciones más importantes es la variación de la composición de los ácidos grasos de las membranas celulares, que le permite mantener la homeoviscosidad ante situaciones de estrés. Trabajos previos han estudiado la acción de la temperatura, presión hidrostática y diferentes solventes sobre cepas de Pseudomonas putida. En este trabajo se estudió la acción conjunta de la temperatura y la salinidad sobre la composición de ácidos grasos de membranas celulares de Pseudomonas fluorescens GNP-OHP-3, una cepa bacteriana aislada de un hábitat contaminado con petróleo. Pseudomonas fluorescens GNP-OHP-3 respondió a las variaciones de temperatura modificando los ácidos grasos de sus membranas de manera similar a lo descripto en otros integrantes de su género: ante el aumento de temperatura se observó un incremento de ácidos grasos saturados y una disminución de los ácidos grasos insaturados. En el rango de concentraciones salinas ensayadas las variaciones de los ácidos grasos mayoritarios fueron en general erráticas. La respuesta de los ácidos grasos ciclo propano pudo expresarse con ecuaciones matemáticas que permitieron predecir el porcentaje de estos ácidos en relación a la concentración de cloruro de sodio.

The bacteria respond to environmental changes modifying their composition. One of the most important modifications is the variation on fatty acid composition of cellular membranes to maintain the homeoviscosity. The action of temperature, hydrostatic pressure and solvents on Pseudomonas putida has been thoroughly studied. In this paper, the combined action of the temperature and salinity on fatty acid composition of cellular membranes of Pseudomonas fluorescens GNP-OHP-3, a bacterial strain isolated from a petroleum contaminated habitat, was studied. The modifications in the fatty acid composition of Pseudomonas fluorescens GNP-OHP-3 membrane were similar to those described for other members of Pseudomonas: an increase in saturated fatty acids and a decrease in unsaturated fatty acids were observed with the increase of the temperature. Variations of main fatty acids were in general erratic in the range of assayed saline concentrations. The variation of cycle propane fatty acids could be expressed with mathematic equations that allowed to predict their percentage in relation to sodium chloride concentration.

Energization of Comamonas testosteroni ATCC 17454 for indicating toxic effects of chlorophenoxy herbicides.

The toxicity of chlorophenoxy herbicides to a bacterium, strongly related to the well-known species Delftia (formerly Comamonas) acidovorans that are able to detoxify these xenobiotics, was investigated. The oxidation of n-hexanol via alcohol dehydrogenases, coupled with the generation of ATP by electron transport phosphorylation (ETP), was used as an indicator for energy-toxic effects on the growth of Comamonas testosteroni ATCC 17454. Uncoupling--reductions in ATP synthesis accompanied by increased respiration--was found to be induced by 1 mM of the classic uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) at pH 7.0 and 8.0. At pH 5.4 and 6.0, the ATP synthesis and respiration were strongly inhibited by both 2,4-DNP and the chlorophenoxy herbicides tested. In contrast, 5 mM of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and of 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-propanoic acid (2,4-DCPP) were required for detectable uncoupling effects--reduction of the P/O ratios by about 30%--at pH 7.0. These chemicals may have less uncoupling power because the concentration of their protonated (undissociated) forms (pKa values 2.7 and 3.0) is an order of magnitude lower than that of 2,4-DNP (pKa = 4.0) at this pH value. Strong uncoupling accompanied by increased respiration, like that induced by 1 mM 2,4-DNP, was also caused by 5 mM 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-butyric acid (2,4-DCPB), which correlates with its high pKa value of 4.6. The order of toxicity of the chlorophenoxy herbicides (2,4-D < 2,4-DCPP < 2,4-DCPB) to the ETP, which correlates well with the lipophilicity of their undissociated forms (log P 2.7 < 3.4 < 3.5, respectively), was confirmed by measuring their capacity to inhibit the growth of Comamonas testosteroni ATCC 17454. The results show that energization via alcohol dehydrogenases can be used as an indicator for investigating energy-toxic effects of organics on the ETP and growth of chlorophenoxy herbicide-detoxifying bacteria.

Clinical significance of tolerant strains of streptococci in adults with infective endocarditis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the characteristics of patients with endocarditis due to tolerant and non-tolerant Streptococcus strains. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective nine-year study was conducted in a single tertiary-care hospital. The study included 24 cases of streptococcal endocarditis with known beta-lactam minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations. RESULTS: Ten of the 24 patients concerned were infected with tolerant streptococcal strains, and 14 with non-tolerant strains. Bacterial tolerance was not associated with higher mortality or increased frequency of surgery. Fewer patients infected with tolerant than non-tolerant strains had serum bactericidal titers reaching success-predictive levels, and more of these experienced failure of initial antibiotic treatment and needed longer treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study strongly suggest that penicillin tolerance of the streptococci responsible for endocarditis has a clinical impact. Consequently, pending a larger prospective study addressing the problem of tolerance, it is clinically relevant to determine the minimal inhibitory and bactericidal penicillin concentrations for all streptococcal isolates causing endocarditis.

Suitability of the trans/cis ratio of unsaturated fatty acids in Pseudomonas putida NCTC 10936 as an indicator of the acute toxicity of chemicals.

This study explored the suitability of using the trans/cis ratio of unsaturated fatty acids as an indicator of the acute toxicity of membrane active hazardous chemicals. The conversion of cis into trans fatty acids in Pseudomonas putida NCTC 10936 in response to 4-chlorophenol and temperature changes was compared with the results from another kind of toxicity test using the same organism, based on the sensitivity of its xylose oxidation-driven ATP synthesis to uncoupling. The response of both indicators is believed to be largely due to changes in the fluidity of the cytoplasmic membrane. However, the electron transport phosphorylation reacted faster and more sensitively to the fluidizing effect of 4-chlorophenol than the isomerization of unsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, measuring the trans/cis ratio does not provide as good early warning signals of acute toxicity as monitoring the response of the electron transport phosphorylation. If used as an indicator of chemostress, with Pseudomonas species as test organisms, the ratio should only be used in conjunction with other parameters reflecting the energetic state of the cells.

Indirectly primed CD8+ T cells are a prominent component of the allogeneic T-cell repertoire after skin graft rejection in mice.

BACKGROUND: Alloreactive CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes recognize antigen through both the direct and the indirect pathways. Although indirect priming of CD4+ T cells has been well described, little is known about the frequency and cytokine profile of indirectly primed CD8+ T cells during fully allogeneic graft rejection. METHODS: We used a cytokine enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay to characterize indirect priming of alloreactive CD8 and CD4 cells in mice. RESULTS: Interferon-gamma-producing CD8+ T cells specific for indirectly presented alloantigen were detectable in allograft-primed mice at a frequency of 50-100 per million cells (compared with 3000 per million for responses through the direct pathway) and were similar in frequency to indirectly primed CD4 cells. CONCLUSION: CD8+ T cells primed through the indirect pathway are a prominent component of the alloreactive T-cell repertoire induced after skin graft placement in mice, raising the possibility that these cells may play a significant role in the rejection process itself.

Exact mass measurements on-line with high-performance liquid chromatography on a quadrupole mass spectrometer.

Exact mass measurements were performed on-line with high-performance liquid chromatography on a quadrupole mass spectrometer. Compounds with molecular weights from 98 to 797, mainly aromatic sulfonates and sulfonamides, were analyzed with electrospray ionization in positive or negative mode. Internal mass calibration compounds were continuously added after separation. A Gaussian fit of the mass errors of 808 individual measurements (concentrations of 1-10 mg/L, 20-200 ng absolute on column) resulted in a mean error of 0.1 mmu (0.45 ppm) and a standard deviation sigma of 1.5 mmu (5.4 ppm). The 99.7% confidence intervals (3sigma) were +/-4.5 mmu (+/-16.2 ppm) for single mass measurements. Averaging 10 measurements further reduced the errors to less than +/-1.5 mmu (+/-5 ppm). Isobaric interferences with ions resulting from the mass calibrants were avoided by the use of complementary mass calibrants. The results were verified (differences below +/-4.5 mmu) with a LC/ oa-TOFMS. Limited mass range chromatograms were used to enhance selectivity in the analysis of mixtures. The method was applied to determine the elemental composition of a potential dye metabolite detected in anaerobically treated textile wastewater.

Membrane filtration of two sulphonamides in tertiary effluents and subsequent adsorption on activated carbon.

The adsorption behaviour of two polar organic micropollutants (N-n-butylbenzenesulphonamide and sulphmethoxazole) onto powdered activated carbon (PAC) under competitive conditions prior to and after filtration with a tight ultrafiltration membrane was examined. The sulphonamides were spiked into microfiltered tertiary municipal effluent in microg L(-1) quantities. Ultrafiltration of these effluents resulted in better adsorbability for both the micropollutants and the background organic matter in the permeates compared to the feed waters. This behaviour seems to be caused by a reduced blocking of micropores by lower concentrations of high molecular weight compounds in membrane filtrates. A combined treatment of ultrafiltration prior to adsorption can therefore reduce the carbon demand for potentially harmful micropollutants in effluents.

Naturally developing memory T cell xenoreactivity to swine antigens in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Naturally developing xenospecific Abs are well-documented barriers to xenograft transplantation in humans, but whether analogous xenoreactive T cell immunity develops is not known. We used an enzyme-linked immunospot assay to determine the frequency and cytokine profiles of xenoreactive PBLs from a panel of human volunteers. Because naive T cells produce only IL-2 in short term culture, IFN-gamma production by this approach is a measure of a memory immune response. Stimulation of human PBLs or purified T lymphocytes with stimulator cells from inbred swine revealed a high frequency of IFN-gamma producers with 5-fold fewer IL-2 producers. In contrast, lymphocytes obtained from neonatal umbilical cord blood contained swine-specific IL-2 producers but few IFN-gamma producers, which is what one would expect to find with a naive phenotype. Moreover, PBLs from adults with a history of abstention from pork consumption responded to swine cells with a significantly lower frequency of IFN-gamma producers than PBLs from adults with unrestricted diets did, suggesting that pork consumption may result in priming of swine-specific T cell immunity. Our findings provide the first evidence for naturally occurring xenospecific T cell immunity in humans. The detected strength of this memory response suggests that it will present a formidable barrier to transplantation of swine organs.

Detection and identification of sulphonamide drugs in municipal waste water by liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry.

High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with positive-ion electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry was used for the determination and confirmation of 13 sulphonamide drugs in environmental water samples in the low ng/L-range. Enrichment with concentration factors of 130-670 was performed by solid phase extraction, achieving recoveries of 50 to 90%. After gradient elution HPLC, detection and quantification was performed using selected reaction monitoring (SRM) with limits of detection between 0.2 and 3.7 microg/L. Confirmation was obtained by either SRM transitions of collision induced dissociation reactions or daughter ion mass spectra. Primary and secondary effluents of municipal waste water treatment plants and different surface waters were examined. The compounds sulphamethoxazole and sulphadiazine were detected and confirmed with concentrations ranging between 30-2000 ng/L and 10-100 ng/L, respectively. The compound sulphamethizole was detected in low amounts but could not be positively confirmed.

[Sarcoidosis in interferon-alpha therapy]. / Sarkoidose bei Interferon-alpha-Therapie.

Sarcoidosis is characterised by the formation of sarcoidal granulomas in all affected organs. Despite intensive research, the cause of the disease in unknown. There are only a few reports suggesting an induction of sarcoidosis by interferons. Three patients are presented in whom sarcoidosis developed during or after interferon alpha therapy. The probability of interferon therapy as cause of sarcoidosis is discussed.

The toxicity of substituted phenolic compounds to a detoxifying and an acetic acid bacterium.

In the detoxifying bacterium Acinetobacter calcoaceticus 69-V and in the acetic acid bacterium Acetobacter methanolicus MB 58, glucose and xylose are oxidized, respectively, via PQQ-dependent membrane-bound dehydrogenases, which are linked to the respiratory chain in a manner enabling energy conservation via electron transport phosphorylation (ETP) in the cytoplasmic membrane. Neither the glucose and gluconic acid nor the xylose and xylonic acid are metabolized. Therefore, measurements of sugar oxidation-driven ATP syntheses ought not to be disturbed by ATP drainage caused by anabolic processes. Studying the effect of substituted phenolic compounds on these energization processes reveals that their toxicity increases with an increasing degree of chlorination and that A. calcoaceticus 69-V is more stable than A. methanolicus MB 58 against chlorinated phenols. On the other hand, A. methanolicus MB 58 is more stable against 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), especially in the acidic pH range, in which the sensitivity of ATP synthesis to the uncouplers is higher than that of respiration. The toxicity caused by protonophoric activities ought to be barely detectable by respiratory and dehydrogenase tests. The luminescence system of Photobacterium phosphoreum tested in the luminescent bacteria test was much more sensitive. This test system should be used as a screening tool and the effects measured must be confirmed by toxicity tests evaluating the stability of bacteria themselves involved in processes of detoxification as well as the production of toxic metabolites, monitored with respect to their velocity and efficiency.

[Reactive angioendotheliomatosis in chronic lymphatic leukemia]. / Reaktive Angioendotheliomatose bei chronisch lymphatischer Leukämie.

An 82-year-old patient with untreated chronic lymphatic leukaemia known for 6 years developed large livid red plaques with central blisters and subsequent ulceration of the lower legs. Reactive angioendotheliomatosis was diagnosed based on histological immunohistological and electronmicroscopic examination, since proliferating endothelial cells with intravascular fibrin thrombi were identified. When the leukaemia was treated the skin eruption healed completely.

Expression of a glycoprotein of the carcinoembryonic antigen family in normal and neoplastic sebaceous glands. Limited role of carcinoembryonic antigen as a sweat gland marker.

BACKGROUND: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a well-known marker for sweat gland differentiation in adnexal neoplasms. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the expression of glycoproteins of the CEA family, that is, CEA-180, nonspecific cross-reacting antigens (NCAs), and biliary glycoprotein (BGP), in sebaceous glands and in neoplasms with sebaceous differentiation. METHODS: Normal adult and fetal skin, hyperplasias, hamartomas, and neoplasms with sebaceous or follicular differentiation were stained immunohistochemically with a panel of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies highly specific for CEA-180, NCAs, and BGP. Double immunostaining was performed to correlate the CEA expression with that of epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), a glycoprotein consistently found in differentiating sebocytes. RESULTS: Whereas sweat glands coexpressed CEA, NCAs, BGP, and EMA, sebaceous glands were exclusively labeled with the antibodies recognizing BGP or EMA. Staining of the sebaceous glands was restricted to mature sebocytes, sparing immature cells. At the ultrastructural level immunoreactivity for BGP and EMA was demonstrable in the golgi area, in small vesicles, and along the cell membranes. During fetal development BGP was not found until the sebaceous glands matured. The expression of BGP and EMA was highly conserved in reactive, hamartomatous, and neoplastic proliferations of adnexal structures with sebaceous differentiation. CONCLUSION: The expression of BGP, a CEA glycoprotein, in differentiating sebocytes accounts for the reactivity of many anti-CEA antibodies with sebaceous glands and thus disqualifies the CEA family as a monospecific marker for sweat gland differentiation.

[Association of chronic urticaria with Helicobacter pylori-induced antrum gastritis]. / Assoziation der chronischen Urtikaria mit Helicobacter pylori-induzierter Antrum-Gastritis.

In spite of its high incidence, not much is known about the etiology of chronic urticaria. We performed gastroscopic evaluation of 10 patients in whom no cause for chronic urticaria had been found. In 8 of these 10 patients, Helicobacter pylori was identified in the gastric mucosa. The chronic urticarial lesions disappeared within a few days after starting therapy with amoxicillin and omeprazol.

[Muir-Torre syndrome. Diagnostic criteria and review of the literature]. / Muir-Torre-Syndrom. Diagnosekriterien und Literaturübersicht.

We report on a 63-year-old female patient with Muir-Torre syndrome (MTS). In the course of this disease two carcinomas of the colon, a kerato-acanthoma and multiple sebaceous gland tumours, including four sebaceous carcinomas, appeared. This case is thought to be a hereditary form as one of daughters was also found to have a sebaceous epithelioma. MTS is a mostly autosomal-dominant disease with the association of sebaceous gland tumours and internal carcinomas. As the malignant tumours only show slight aggressiveness the prognosis is quite favourable. Oral isotretinoin therapy was successfully used for the inhibition of sebaceous gland proliferation. A narrower definition is presented and an updated survey of the published cases is given. Furthermore, the histopathologic peculiarities of sebaceous gland tumours, especially of sebaceous gland carcinomas, are discussed and compared to sebaceous gland tumours not connected with MTS. A total number of 100 of the 135 published cases of MTS were included and analysed regarding sebaceous gland tumours and other skin tumours. The data on internal carcinomas were taken from the work of Cohen et al. (1991) and 11 current cases were added.

The glucose dehydrogenase-mediated energization of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus as a tool for evaluating its susceptibility to, and defence against, hazardous chemicals.

Cells of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus 69-V could be energized by glucose oxidation after the growth on acetate, ethanol, hexanol and benzoate. The velocities of glucose oxidation-driven ATP syntheses were relatively constant in the range from pH 5.4 to 7.5. With decreasing pH values (7.0, 6.0, 5.4) ATP synthesis was inhibited more strongly by the action of 2,4-dinitrophenol and at the same pH value glucose oxidation was nearly unimpaired or inhibited more weakly. This finding is expressed by a decrease of the P/O ratios, indicating the uncoupling of the electron-transport phosphorylation by 2,4-dinitrophenol. The sensitivity towards this uncoupling effect was higher in ethanol-grown cells of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus 69-V than in hexanol- or acetate-grown cells. This increase in sensitivity was accompanied by a decrease of the ratio of saturated (mainly C16:0) to unsaturated (C16:1, C18:1) fatty acids in ethanol-grown cells compared with hexanol-grown ones. The knowledge of such differences in the susceptibility and its molecular background, e.g. possible substrate-induced changes of the fatty acid composition of the cytoplasmic membranes, should help elucidate mechanisms of poisoning by membrane-active hazardous chemicals and develop defence strategies.