Antimicrobial activity of synthetic bornyl benzoates against Trypanosoma cruzi.

We report here for the first time the in vitro effects of (1S,2R,4S)-1,7,7-trimethyl-bicyclo[2·2·1]heptan-2-yl-3',4',5'-trimethoxy benzoate (1) and (1S,2R,4S)-1,7,7-trimethyl-bicyclo[2·2·1]heptan-2-yl benzoate (2) on the growth and ultrastructure of Trypanosoma cruzi. These two synthetic compounds exerted an antiproliferative effect on the epimastigote forms of the parasite. The ICs(50/72h) of two synthetic L-bornyl benzoates, 1 and 2, was 10·1 and 12·8 µg/ml, respectively. Both compounds were more selective against epimastigotes than HEp-2 cells. Ultrastructural analysis revealed intense cytoplasmic vacuolization and the appearance of cytoplasmic materials surrounded by membranes. The treatment of peritoneal macrophages with compounds 1 and 2 caused a significant decrease in the number of T. cruzi-infected cells. L-Bornyl benzoate derivatives may serve as a potential source for the development of more effective and safer chemotherapeutic agents against T. cruzi infections.

Efficacy of selective venous sampling to localize a small ovarian androgen-producing tumor.

Two cases of androgen-producing tumors, including a Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor in a woman of reproductive age and a Leydig cell tumor in a postmenopausal woman, are reported herein. In both cases, only selective venous sampling was able to detect the presence of the androgen-producing ovarian tumors.

Treatment of bone loss in oophorectomized women with a combination of ipriflavone and conjugated equine estrogen.

OBJECTIVE: We previously reported that 0.625 mg/day of conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) could not prevent acute bone loss in the first year after oophorectomy. The effect of additional administration of ipriflavone on bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical indices of bone remodeling were studied to investigate whether concurrent use of CEE and ipriflavone prevent acute bone loss in the early stages following surgical menopause. METHODS: One-hundred and sixteen oophorectomized women were randomly divided into four groups according to treatment; group 1: placebo, n = 30; group 2: CEE (0.625 mg/day), n = 29; group 3: ipriflavone (600 mg/day), n = 30; group 4: CEE (0.625 mg/day) plus ipriflavone (600 mg/day), n = 27. Vertebral BMD was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and two biochemical indices of bone metabolism, urinary pyridinoline (Pyr) and serum intact human osteocalcin (hOC), were also measured before, 24 weeks, and 48 weeks after initiation of treatment. RESULTS: BMD was reduced 48 weeks after treatment by 6.1, 3.9 and 5.1% in groups 1-3, respectively, but by only 1.2% in group 4. Pyr decreased by 49.5, 32.0 and 41.5% in groups 2-4, respectively. hOC also decreased by 45.2 and 21.6% in groups 2 and 4, but increased by 40.5% in group 3, suggesting an inhibitory action of CEE and ipriflavone on the turnover of bone metabolism and stimulatory action of ipriflavone on bone formation. CONCLUSION: Concomitant use of ipriflavone with CEE from an early stage after oophorectomy inhibited bone loss and was considered to be effective in maintaining bone mass after oophorectomy.

Colocalization of connexin 43 and connexin 45 but absence of connexin 40 in granulosa cell gap junctions of rat ovary.

The expression and localization of gap junction family proteins (connexins) were examined in nonstimulated and gonadotrophin-stimulated ovarian follicles of immature rats. Immunoblot and RNA blot analysis showed the presence of connexin (Cx) 43, Cx40 and Cx45 in ovarian tissue. Of these connexin proteins, Cx43 and Cx45 were identified by immunofluorescent microscopy between granulosa cells in characteristic expression patterns related to follicular developmental stages, while Cx40 was not expressed in granulosa cells but was detected in blood vessels in ovarian stroma. In some plaques of gap junction between granulosa cells, Cx45 was found to be colocalized with Cx43. In immunofluorescent microscopy, the expression of Cx43 was increased with follicular growth, but decreased after induction of ovulation by injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin. In contrast, the Cx45 protein was constantly expressed through follicular development; however, after ovulation, no staining of Cx45 was detected in the corpus luteum. Dual expression and the functional role of Cx43 and Cx45 in cell-to-cell communication in ovarian granulosa cells at various developmental stages were discussed.

Airway hyperresponsiveness after endotoxin inhalation depends on leukocyte infiltration.

We have investigated the relationship between acute airway hyperresponsiveness and polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) migration in airways following saline or endotoxin (ET) aerosol inhalation in 63 guinea pigs. In 20 of these animals, granulocytopenia was induced by prior treatment with hydroxyurea (HU). Airway responsiveness (AR) to inhaled methacholine, together with leukocyte counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and in tracheal epithelium, was also examined before and at 30 min, 1, 3 and 6 hr after saline or ET inhalation. In saline inhalation groups, AR and PMN counts in BALF and in tracheal epithelium did not differ from control animals at any time points. However, in ET inhalation groups AR increased significantly at 1 and 3 hr and returned to the pre-exposure level at 6 hr. This period of hyperresponsiveness was associated with an increment of PMN migration into tracheal epithelium. However, the increment of PMN counts in BALF was delayed to 3 and 6 hr after ET. In HU treated animals, AR and PMN counts in BALF and in tracheal epithelium did not change during 6 hr after ET inhalation. These results suggest that the hyperresponsiveness induced by ET inhalation either depends upon PMN migration into the tracheal epithelium.

[Radiation therapy combined with hyperthermia in advanced cancer].

Radiation therapy combined with radiofrequency (RF) hyperthermia was performed on 5 advanced cancer patients. Included were one each with urinary bladder cancer, hepatoma with left axillary node metastasis, breast cancer, tongue cancer with left cervical metastasis, and mandibular cancer. All had large tumours, which were judged to be uncontrollable by radiotherapy alone. They were treated with irradiation (Linac: 10 MV X-ray 1.8-2.0 Gy/day, 5 days/week), followed within an hour by RF hyperthermia once or twice a week. Partial response was obtained in the urinary bladder cancer patient. Surface overheating around the margin of electrodes occurred in all but no severe complications were observed.

Resistance to cefsulodin and gentamicin in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains in five areas of Japan between 1980 and 1983.

The activities of cefsulodin and gentamicin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from clinical specimens from five hospitals in different geographical areas of Japan, from 1980 to 1983, were compared in vitro. The incidence of resistant strains was higher for gentamicin. In 1982 the sensitivity to both drugs decreased from 1980 and 1981 levels, largely because of the isolation of numbers of cefsulodin-gentamicin cross-resistant bacteria from three of the five hospitals. In 1983, the incidence of resistant strains was similar to that in 1982. This linked cefsulodin-gentamicin resistance may have been selected by the use of the cephalosporins, cefmenoxime, cefoperazone, cefotaxime, ceftizoxime and latamoxef, which had been prescribed extensively in the hospitals where cross-resistance was encountered. Although cefsulodin-resistant strains of P. aeruginosa have increased since 1982, the in-vitro activity of cefsulodin in 1983 remained greater than that of these third-generation cephalosporins.

[A case of intracranial multiple fibrous histiocytoma. Case report and review of literature].

A case of intracranial multiple fibrous histiocytom is arising from the dura mater and both lateral ventricles is presented. To the authors' knowledge, this is the ninth case of intracranial fibrous histiocytomas reported in the literature. A 10-year-old girl was admitted with a 6 month history of cerebellar ataxia. Radiological examination including CT scan revealed a large mass in occipito-suboccipital region. On November 1, 1978, subtotal resection of the tumor was performed. Yellowish hard tumor, weighing 195 g had wide attachment to the dura mater, but did not invade the brain tissue. Postoperative CT scan, three months later revealed the other tumors in the left lateral ventricle and in the suprasellar region in addition to the lesion that had been operated on. In the course of hospitalization, the suprasellar tumor enlarged rapidly despite of 60Co radiation therapy, then led her to hypothalamic dysfunction. In January, 1981, she had paraplegia and paresis of the right upper extremity. Spinal lesion at the level of C-5 was presumed, but further examination was not performed because of her poor condition. On February 19, 1981, she expired. Autopsy of the head revealed four independent lesions in both lateral ventricles, the suprasellar region and the residual lesion which had been resected subtotally at the operation, respectively. Entire falx cerebri was invaded continuously by the tumor in occipito-suboccipital area. Microscopically, all tumors were identical in histology and were composed of spindle shaped cells with storiform pattern, foam cells and rare giant cells. Any mitotic figures were not detected. Clinical behavior was aggressive but histological figures suggested fibrous histiocytoma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparison of airway responsiveness to exercise and histamine inhalation in asthmatics.

In order to investigate the differences between EIA positive and negative subjects, pulmonary function data at rest, atopic tendency and bronchial sensitivity and reactivity were compared. Pulmonary function data revealed no significant difference between two groups except closing volume which was higher in EIA positive patients (p less than 0.01) and also Rrs which was higher in EIA positive patients only in female (p less than 0.05). Incidence of positive skin tests and higher levels of IgE were more frequent in EIA positive, however, IgE was not significantly different. Relationship between % fall of FEV1 after exercise and bronchial sensitivity was examined, however, no correlation was found in two parameters. Bronchial reactivity was not different in two groups. This suggests that EIA positive patients cannot be distinguished from EIA negative by pulmonary function data at rest or by atopic tendency, and also that different mechanisms play a role to produce airway constriction following exercise and inhalation challenge.

Peculiar congenital parieto-occipital head tumor: report of 3 cases.

3 infantile cases of congenital parieto-occipital midline soft tumor, the clinical and pathological findings of which did not correspond precisely to a known congenital head tumor, are reported. One of them probably belongs to McLaurin's type of encephalocele with heterotopic glial rest, and the remaining two to McLaurin's type of meningocele without central connection. The types of anomaly shown by the present cases should generally be called 'atretic cephalocele' or 'rudimentary cephalocele'.

Brain edema in immature animals. An experimental study in rats.

Applying several procedures to produce brian edema, the authors examined electron microscopically immature rat brains, and the findings were compared with those in adult rat brains. Using Na-fluorescein and ferritin as tracers, the authors also examined the blood brain barrier (BBB) functionally. It was clarified that immature rat brains showed resistance to the brain edema of the vasogenic type in spite of breakdown of the BBB. On the basis of these results the authors discussed on genesis of brain edema of the vasogenic type.