Acta Orthop Belg, 1991, 57 Suppl 1, 16 - 21 Treatment of infected arthrodesis of the ankle; Harle A; In arthrodesis of the ankle joint the use of external fixation can cause severe problems owing to pintrack infections . As long as infection is active, bony consolidation of the arthrodesis is delayed . In the potentially infected area a normal internal osteosynthesis is risky . Our treatment rationale comprises a two-stage procedure with treatment of infection first by implant removal, thorough debridement and implantation of Septopal beads and then secondary internal stabilization with an antibiotic-releasing bone plate . Of the 42 cases amputation had to be performed in 3; of the remaining 39, infection was cured long-term in 36 . In all 39 a stable bony fusion was achieved. J Ocul Pharmacol, 1991 Summer, 7(2), 157 - 62 Quantitation of scleral tobramycin levels; Snyder RW et al.; We have devised a new method to solubilize sclera in order to permit quantitative determination of tobramycin by commercially available and widely utilized means . The sclera, containing tobramycin, was digested with Alcalase (Subtilisn A, NOVO Enzymes) and the tobramycin level was quantitated by TDX autoflourophotometry . This technique is accurate and sensitive . The tissue digestion and antibiotic assay are relatively simple to perform and should be applicable to a variety of antibiotics and possibly other therapeutic agents. Chemotherapy, 1991, 37 Suppl 3, 7 - 10 Once-daily ceftriaxone outpatient therapy in adults with infections; Tice AD; Since 1981 our physicians' office has developed an outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy programme which has shown advantages in patient care and provided significant cost savings . While we were able to provide any parenteral antibiotic available, the mainstay of our programme was ceftriaxone because of its broad range of activity, safety, and once-daily administration . Two hundred and ninety cases of outpatient ceftriaxone usage were recorded between January 1989 and March 1990 . Ceftriaxone was found to be most useful for bone, soft tissue, and gynaecological infections . Not only was it highly clinically successful, but it was safe to use in the twice-weekly monitoring parameters we routinely perform in our office . The use of ceftriaxone alone during the 15-month period accounted for savings of over US $1.2 million compared to the cost of hospitalization during this period. Urol Res, 1991, 19(2), 141 - 4 Experimental bacterial prostatitis in rats; Goto T et al.; Experimental acute bacterial prostatitis in rats was induced by four different routes of bacterial inoculation . The most simple and reproducible method of producing bacterial prostatitis was to instil the bacterial suspension into the prostatic urethra after the administration of an appropriate antibiotic to prevent associated pyelonephritis. An Otorrinolaringol Ibero Am, 1991, 18(3), 231 - 8 {Ambulatory aerosol therapy in the treatment of chronic pathology of the O.R.L . region}; Millan Guevara J et al.; This study considers the efficacity of the ambulatory aerosol therapy in chronic cases of the ENT area . A nebulizer, air-jet type, of 4 microns MMAD, was the device employed, and an ample spectre antibiotic (cefotaxime) a mucolytic (N-acetyl-cysteine) plus a corticoid (methyl-prednisolone) the associated drugs . The antibiotic was discarded when otitis were the problem . The results have been favourable in 75 percent of the cases whilst negative in the resting 24 percent of the treated subjects. Khirurgiia (Sofiia), 1991, 44(3), 34 - 8 {Granulomatous orchitis}; Khinev A et al.; Granulomatous orchitis is a rare inflammatory disease of poorly understood etiology . Its differentiation from testicular tumor is difficult and is resistant to antibiotic therapy . Five cases of this disease are reported . In 3 of them orchiectomy was performed and in 2 the testis was preserved after biopsy specimen examination . Relapses or injury to the contralateral testis were not recorded during the follow-up period . A review of the literature is made and the etiopathogenesis, clinical and therapeutic aspects of this disease are discussed. Chem Biol Interact, 1991, 79(2), 137 - 49 The origin of the DNA induced circular dichroism of CC-1065 and analogs; Krueger WC et al.; The calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) and poly(dI-dC).poly(dI-dC) binding properties of the natural antitumor antibiotic CC-1065 and selected analogs of CC-1065 were studied by circular dichroism (CD) and absorbance methods . The results indicate that the intense long wavelength DNA-induced CD band of these molecules originates from a chiral electronic transition which is delocalized over the whole molecule . Both the covalently bound species (N-3 adenine adduct) and the reversibly bound species exhibit the characteristic spectral behavior of an inherently dissymmetric chromophore when these agents bind within the minor groove of B-form DNA . This mechanism of optical activity accounts for why CC-1065 shows a weak CD in buffer but a very intense induced CD at long wavelength when bound to DNA, why the intensity of the induced CD of CC-1065 analogs depends upon how many fused ring systems the analog contains, and why covalently bound analogs having the mirror image configuration of the natural configuration also exhibit an intense positive induced CD band at long wavelength. Rev Pneumol Clin, 1991, 47(1), 21 - 7 {Randomized therapeutic trials of community-acquired lung diseases . Analysis of studies published between 1978 and 1988}; Vercken JB; The authors have evaluated the methodology of 21 randomized therapeutic trials concerning community acquired pneumonia . Only 33% of these trials were entirely devoted to community acquired pneumonia; the remainders included various respiratory infections . Only 8 trials were of the double-blind type . The presence of radiological opacity was mentioned as a criterion of inclusion in only 10 trials, and in 9 trials the diagnosis of pneumonia was not defined . The criterion of judgement, which separates success from failure, remained undefined in 6 trials . The number of patients analyzed was much lower than that of patients admitted because of exclusions for negative cultures or for isolation of a bacteria resistant to one of the antibiotics tested . Finally, in only 2 of the 21 trials it was concluded that an antibiotic was superior to the other(s) . Clearly then, the quality of these randomized therapeutic trials needs to be improved by a better definition of their purpose and of the criteria of patients' admission, and by analysis of an intention to treat which is the nearest thing to the future use of the drug under study. Bone Marrow Transplant, 1991, 7 Suppl 2, 85 - 6 Human recombinant GM-CSF in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for leukaemia: double-blind placebo controlled trial; Powles R et al.; A double-blind randomised trial compared 20 patients with leukaemia receiving human recombinant granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM CSF), with 20 patients receiving placebo for 14 days after allogeneic matched sibling bone marrow transplantation . The median neutrophil count at 14 days was significantly higher in the GM CSF group (1.90 vs . 0.46 x 10(9)/l) . The duration of hospital stay, the number of antibiotic days, and the number of fever days was the same for both patient groups . The lymphocyte count was significantly higher in the GM-CSF group than in the placebo group between days 10 and 15 after transplantation . The GM-CSF group had lower haemoglobin concentrations and platelets counts, and higher plasma urea creatinine and bilirubin, than the placebo group . There was no evidence that GM CSF was associated with a greater incidence of leukaemic relapse. Klin Khir, 1991, (5), 15 - 7 {Prevention of suppurative-infectious complications after radical surgery in rectal cancer}; Evdokimova EV; In 32 patients with rectal cancer, the endolymphatic antibiotic therapy was performed 2-5 days before and for 7-10 days after radical operation . Attenuation of an inflammation around a tumor, decrease in bacterial contamination of the perineal wound, reduction in incidence of postoperative purulent-inflammatory complications were noted. Gen Pharmacol, 1991, 22(3), 465 - 74 Effects of NA0344, a new smooth muscle relaxant, on the actin-myosin-ATP interaction and myosin light chain phosphorylation in vitro; Kohama K et al.; 1 . Effects of antibiotic NA0344, a smooth muscle relaxant, on phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC, 20 kDa) were compared with those on actin-myosin-ATP interaction using native actomyosin preparation containing MLC kinase activity . 2 . MLC kinase was shown to be the site of action of NA0344 . 3 . NA0344 inhibited the interaction and phosphorylation with IC50 = 7.5 x 10(-6) and 1.6 x 10(-5) M, respectively . 4 . The discrepancy between the inhibitory effects is explained that myosin is in an active form when myosin is fully phosphorylated . 5 . However, the inhibitory effects of NA0359 and NA0362, analogs of NA0344, on the phosphorylation were similar to or more effective than those on the interaction, which cannot be explained by the active form hypothesis . 6 . Plausible explanations for the discrepancies are discussed. Zentralbl Chir, 1991, 116(8), 505 - 13 {Management of femoral neck fracture with an intermediate (dual head) prosthesis in geriatric surgery}; Kaschner AG et al.; Between 1980 and 1989 in 195 elderly patients with fractures of the femoral neck a duo-cup endoprosthesis was inserted . The average age was 78 years, most of them were high risk patients with sometimes more than 2 preexisting diseases . The hospital mortality after hip replacement was 9.7%, specific complications like protrusio acetabuli and shaft fractures were not observed . In 2 cases immediate postoperative luxation required reintervention . The incidence of infection was significantly reduced to 2.4% after antibiotic therapy . When discharged from hospital, 86% had a good functional result . We regard hemiarthroplasty with duo-cup endoprosthesis as an acceptable alternative to total hip replacement in elderly patients with fractures of the femoral neck. Scand J Infect Dis, 1991, 23(2), 233 - 8 Evaluation of cloxacillin concentrations in plasma and muscle tissue during cardiopulmonary bypass; Kullberg BJ et al.; Concentrations of cloxacillin in plasma and deep thoracic muscle tissue were measured in 10 patients who underwent elective coronary bypass surgery or valve replacement . One g of cloxacillin was administered after the induction of anaesthesia and 1 g cloxacillin was added to the oxygenator pump priming fluid before the start of the procedure . Blood and tissue samples were obtained before, during and after cardiopulmonary bypass . The relation between unbound plasma concentrations and total tissue contents of the drug was calculated . It was shown that measurement of the free plasma concentration may provide fairly reliable information on the free concentrations of cloxacillin in the tissues, and that determination of tissue contents may therefore not be necessary . Due to the administration of the second dose of cloxacillin at the start of cardiopulmonary bypass free tissue contents were just adequate in most patients . However, to obtain adequate tissue concentrations after bypass it is recommended that a third dose of the antibiotic be administered before the end of the operation. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, 1991, 86 Suppl 2, 51 - 4 Recent advances in pharmacologic study of natural anticancer agents in China; Xu B; In this paper a number of anticancer agents of natural origin will be presented . Hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) was found to produce a strong inhibitory action on a variety of animal tumors . It is also effective for treatment of patients with gastric carcinoma, liver carcinoma, tumor of head and neck or leukemia . Pharmacologic studies showed that it could depress S phase of tumor cells significantly and cause formation of cellular chromatid breaks . By means of alkaline elution and nick translation methods it has been proved that HCPT induced DNA single strand breaks remarkably . Homoharringtonine (HHRT) was shown to be effective against acute leukemia . Recent experiments in tumor-bearing mice indicated that (HHRT) could diminish tumor metastasis . Using molecular hybridization technique it was demonstrated that (HHRT) decreased the content of c-myc RNA in the cytoplasm but not in the nuclei . Lycobetaine (LBT) possessed strong inhibitory effects on a number of ascites tumors . In clinical trials it was effective against ovarian and gastric carcinomas . It is able to intercalate into DNA . Oxalysine (OXL) is a new antibiotic and shown to be effective against tumor metastatis . When used in combination with 5-FU, its anticancer action could be enhanced . Other natural compounds such as indirubin, beta-elemene, irisquinone, oridonine, norcantharidin and PSP have been also found to possess antitumor action. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, 1991, 86 Suppl 2, 17 - 9 Current status of biotechnology in China; Yang SL; There has been increasing interest over past decade in exploring the possibility of using new biotechnology to produce new products and to improve the old productive process . The researches and applications of genetic engineering, cell fusion, mutagenesis, cell and enzyme immobilization in enzyme, antibiotic, vitamins, steroid, amino acid, organic acid, solvent, food and brewage industries is reviewed. Drugs Exp Clin Res, 1991, 17(10-11), 525 - 9 Safety of multiple doses of ofloxacin in healthy volunteers; Stein GE et al.; A safety profile of ofloxacin, a new fluoroquinolone antibiotic, was assessed in twelve healthy male volunteers . Ofloxacin was dosed at 400 mg twice daily over a 10-day course of treatment . This evaluation included chemistry and haematologic profiles, neurologic evaluations, ophthalmologic examinations, audiometric testing, and electrocardiogram before, during and the end of the study . In addition, plasma samples were analysed for ofloxacin prior to each morning dose and a complete plasma concentration profile was performed on day 6 . Gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea, diarrhoea and upset were the most frequent side effects reported . The only other adverse event that occurred in more than one volunteer was headache . None of the subjects in this study developed a serious side effect and no physical or psychological changes were observed . Laboratory values remained in their normal ranges with the exception of one volunteer who developed a 3-fold rise in one liver function test at the end of the study . The subject was asymptomatic and this aberration resolved without sequelae . In summary, a 10-day course of ofloxacin was found to be safe and have a low potential for toxicity . The side effects observed in this study were mild and similar to those observed with other fluoroquinolones. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet, 1991, Spec No 3, 250 - 5 Model choice for teicoplanin kinetics in man; Danese A et al.; Teicoplanin is a new long half life antibiotic, characterized by a polyexponential profile . A pharmacokinetic study was made in healthy volunteers receiving 15, 20 and 25 mg/Kg iv doses of Teicoplanin . Plasma concentration-time data were fitted by a polyexponential equation, consisting of two, three, four and five terms . The software was PCNONLIN, using the Gauss-Newton method with Harley's and Levenberg's modification and 1/Y2 as a weighting factor, where Y is the predicted concentration . The increase of the number of exponential terms from two to five resulted in a continuous minimization of the sum of the weighted squared residuals . To test whether or not this sum had been sufficiently reduced to justify the fitting with additional exponential terms, Akaike, Gallant and F-ratio test criteria were used . The four exponential equation best fit most of the data sets . However, the estimates of the main parameters (AUC, V, Vss, CL, Css min, Css max, number of doses to reach 95%ss) calculated according to tri and four-exponential models did not significantly differ . In the dose range studied teicoplanin pharmacokinetics are linear . In conclusion, an additional exponential term in the equation can significantly improve the best fit of teicoplanin plasma curves according to the above criteria, but it may not lead to a significant variation of the main pharmacokinetic parameters and derived values . This indicated that for clinical purposes a tri exponential model suffices for describing the kinetics of Teicoplanin in man. J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris), 1991, 20(8), 1063 - 7 {The role of anti-inflammatory agents in the treatment of acute salpingitis . A randomized study of 40 patients with celioscopic control}; Bassil S et al.; In a randomised second look laparoscopic study, concomitant antibiotic--anti-inflammatory therapy for the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease (P.I.D.) was studied . Six weeks after medical treatment results were evaluated during second look laparoscopy based on three parameters: residual inflammation, pelvic adhesions and tubal patency . The combination treatment resulted in decreased pelvic adhesion and tubal occlusion in severe forms of P.I.D . Anti-inflammatory agents combined with anti-biotics are not more beneficial than anti-biotics alone in mild and moderate forms of P.I.D . so combination therapy must be reserved for severe forms of P.I.D. Free Radic Biol Med, 1991, 11(6), 573 - 80 Reduction of daunorubicin in the presence of sulfur-containing peptides; Houee-Levin C et al.; Daunorubicin, an anthracycline antitumor antibiotic, was reduced in the presence of reduced (GSH) or oxidized (GSSG) glutathione to evaluate the possibilities of detoxification or of potentiation of the drug by these compounds . The reductants were .COO- free radicals produced by gamma radiolysis . In both cases, the final product is 7-deoxydaunomycinone, i.e., the same as without glutathione . The reduction yield is also the same as without GSH or GSSG (0.23 mumol.J-1) . No glutathione depletion was observed . Limits for the rate constants of some possible nonenzymatic detoxification reactions are given . To evaluate the possible interactions of daunorubicin with sulfur-containing proteins, the reduction of this drug by .COO- free radicals was also studied in the presence of a polypeptide containing two disulfide bridges, aponeocarzinostatine . The final product is also 7-deoxydaunomycinone . The yields of reduction of the drug and of a protein disulfide bridge are, respectively, 0.23 mumol.J-1 and less than or equal to 6 nmol.J-1 . These values indicate that disulfide radical anions of the protein can reduce the drug, giving back the disulfide bridge, but that the drug transients neither oxidize nor reduce the protein. Eur J Cancer, 1991, 27(10), 1263 - 8 Doxorubicin interactions at the membrane: evidence for a biphasic modulation of inositol lipid metabolism; Thompson MG et al.; Doxorubicin, when incubated for 30 minutes with {32P}-labelled human erythrocyte membrane vesicles, produced an elevation of {32P}inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate levels . The maximum rise was obtained with 10(-8) mol/l doxorubicin {132 (S.E . 13%) of control, n = 6, P = 0.001} . However, when the inositol lipids were examined, there was no evidence that doxorubicin stimulated the breakdown of {32P}phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate under resting conditions, suggesting that the elevated levels of {32P}inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate were not the result of the stimulation of phospholipase C . Instead, it was found that the dephosphorylation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate by a 5'-phosphomonoesterase was partially inhibited by 10(-8) mol/l doxorubicin so that the rise in {32P}inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate resulted from the inhibition of the breakdown of constitutively released {32P} inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate . Similar data was also obtained with another aminoglycoside antibiotic, neomycin . The release of {32P} inositol 1,4-bisphosphate and {32P} inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and the breakdown of the inositol lipids in response to calcium (2.5 x 10(-4) and 10(-3) mol/l) stimulation was enhanced by doxorubicin (10(-6) to 10(-12) mol/l) . These effects on resting and stimulated inositol lipid metabolism are discussed with reference to the paradoxical effects of doxorubicin to both stimulate and inhibit proliferation, according to concentration. Gynecol Obstet Invest, 1991, 31(4), 231 - 4 Pelvic abscesses: pelviscopy or laparotomy; Mecke H et al.; Between 1983 and 1988, we treated 66 patients with pelvic abscesses . Twenty-five patients required laparotomy and 41 underwent pelviscopy for treatment . The choice of the operative procedure, laparotomy or pelviscopy, depended on the age of the patient, the clinical presentation and the operative findings . The two collectives demonstrated no differences in the duration of hospitalization and in-patient treatment with antibiotics . A conservative, organ-preserving procedure could be performed in 80% of patients operated pelviscopically . In follow-up examinations 1-2 years after operation, 27% of the patients treated per pelviscopy complained of chronic abdominal pain as compared to 37% of those treated per laparotomy . In young patients, pelviscopic treatment of pelvic abscesses is a valuable alternative to laparotomyPIP: Physicians at Christian Albrecht University Hospital in Keil, West Germany treated 66 women with pelvic abscesses between 1983-1986 . Pelviscopically treated patients were younger than laparotomy treated patients and IUD usage occurred 17% vs . 20% respectively . They 1st treated many patients with ampicillin and metronidazole or ampicillin and clavulanic acid . They were able to perform pelviscopy on 25 of the 33 patients with inflamed Fallopian tubes . 9 of these women experienced either a uni- or bilateral salpingectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy . They were able to do an organ preserving procedure designed to preserve fertility in 80% of the women, especially pelviscopically treated patients (81% vs . 16% laparotomy patients) . They performed a laparotomy on the 6 patients with bilateral total abdominal tuboovarian abscesses . Of the 25 women who underwent a laparotomy, 20 required only a uni- or bilateral salpingectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy and 5 required a total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy . No differences existed between pelviscopically and laparotomy patients in number of days in the hospital and duration of inpatient antibiotic therapy . Even though more laparotomy treated patients (37%) experienced chronic abdominal pain following treatment than pelviscopically treated patients (27%), the laparotomy patients initially experienced more severe and extensive infections than did pelviscopically treated patients . Of the 45 patients who were able to be examined 1-2 years after surgery, only 3 experienced recurrent pelvic inflammatory disease (8% of pelviscopically treated patients and 5% of laparotomy patients) which the physicians found encouraging since pregnancies may occur . In conclusion, to preserve fertility, they advocated pelviscopy along with organ preservation for patients in their reproductive years . Biol Met, 1991, 4(1), 23 - 32 Iron(III) hydroxamate transport across the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli; Koster W; Transport of iron(III) hydroxamates across the inner membrane into the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli is mediated by the FhuC, FhuD and FhuB proteins and displays characteristics typical of a periplasmic-binding-protein-dependent transport mechanism . In contrast to the highly specific receptor proteins in the outer membrane, at least six different siderophores of the hydroxamate type and the antibiotic albomycin are accepted as substrates . A fhuB mutant (deficient in transport of substrates across the inner membrane) which overproduced the periplasmic FhuD 30-kDa protein, bound {55Fe} iron(III) ferrichrome . Resistance of FhuD to proteinase K in the presence of ferrichrome, aerobactin, and coprogen indicated binding of these substrates to FhuD . FhuD displays significant similarity to the periplasmic FecB, FepB, and BtuE proteins . The extremely hydrophobic FhuB 70-kDa protein is located in the cytoplasmic membrane and consists of two apparently duplicated halves . The N- and C-terminal halves {FhuB(N) and FhuB(C)} were expressed separately in fhuB mutants . Only combinations of FhuB(N) and FhuB(C) polypeptides restored sensitivity to albomycin and growth on iron hydroxamate as a sole iron source, indicating that both halves of FhuB were essential for substrate translocation and that they combined to form an active permease . In addition, a FhuB derivative with a large internal duplication of 271 amino acids was found to be transport-active, indicating that the extra portion did not disturb proper insertion of the active FhuB segments into the cytoplasmic membrane . A region of considerable similarity, present twice in FhuB, was identified near the C-terminus of 20 analyzed hydrophobic proteins of periplasmic-binding-protein-dependent systems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo), 1991 Jan, 39(1), 170 - 6 Neocarzinostatin: selective tryptophan oxidation and neocarzinostatin-chromophore binding to apo-neocarzinostatin; Edo K et al.; Neocarzinostatin (NCS), an antitumor protein antibiotic, is composed of apo-neocarzinostatin (apo-NCS) and neocarzinostatin-chromophore (NCS-chr), the principle of the biological activities of NCS . Apo-NCS having two tryptophan (Trp) residues at positions (39 and 83) was chemically modified by N-bromosuccinimide in a study on the correlation of the binding site(s) of NCS-chr . Selective oxidation of Trp residues was observed when NCS was titrated with N-bromosuccinimide . In contrast, non-selective oxidation of the two Trps on apo-NCS was observed and both Trp (39 and 83) of apo-NCS were titrated with N-bromosuccinimide . After selective oxidation, the remaining Trp residue of NCS was assigned as Trp (83) . These results clearly indicate that the Trp (83) residue of apo-NCS changed from the "reactive type" to the "non-reactive type" after the binding of NCS-chr with apo-NCS . The fluorescence emission intensity of apo-NCS generated from the Trp (39) residue was quenched by NCS-chr . These data suggest that NCS-chr directly interacts with the Trp (39) residue and that a beta-sheeted loop containing the Trp (83) residue of apo-NCS changes the high-order structure upon binding with NCS-chr. Med Oncol Tumor Pharmacother, 1991, 8(4), 261 - 3 Late complications of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation; Bacigalupo A et al.; This report underlines the occurrence of multiple early and late complications after allogeneic BMT . Most of these are caused by the conditioning regimen, and especially by the use of total body irradiation . This should discourage the use of radiation for patients with non-malignant disorders such as aplastic anemia . We have shown that interstitial pneumonia is greatly reduced after fractionated TBI, and this should also be considered when designing transplant protocols . Prolonged immunodeficiency post-BMT is responsible for a high rate of infections: this suggests that long-term prophylactic antibiotic therapy should be considered . Great attention should be given to the quality of life of long-term survivors: to this respect a specific program for monitoring and treating gonadal complication can be extremely useful. J Clin Dent, 1991, 2(4), 103 - 6 An assessment of Plax pre-brushing dental rinse used according to directions with supervised toothbrushing; Emling RC et al.; This study assessed the use of a pre-brushing rinse followed with toothbrushing with toothpaste in compliance with label directions . The treatment pre-brushing rinse was compared to a placebo pre-brushing rinse in a cross-over design . The study was started with 20 subjects . One subject developed a throat infection after the first session and was administered an antibiotic prescription and the data was not included in the analyses . No side effects or reactions to the solutions were observed or reported during or following the study . At baseline, the two groups were found to have similar plaque area scores on buccal, lingual, and total tooth surfaces . After rinsing with the pre-brushing solution (Plax) and brushing with an American Dental Association-approved toothbrush and a commercially-available fluoride toothpaste, there was significantly less plaque area when compared to the same regimen with the placebo pre-brushing rinse . For both buccal and lingual plaque area scores the differences were statistically significant at the p less than .05 level favoring Plax . On all surfaces the subjects removed significant amounts of plaque area following rinsing and brushing with toothpaste compared to their baseline scores. Beitr Trop Landwirtsch Veterinarmed, 1991, 29(3), 363 - 7 Influence of AVOTAN (avoparcin) containing salt licks on the daily weight gain of bulls; Flachowsky G et al.; 3 group feeding experiments were carried out with the glycopeptide antibiotic avoparcin . Avoparcin was added to salt licks (2.5 g per kg lick stone) and offered to 30 (experiment I), 80 (experiment II), or 20 (experiment III) growing cattle ad libitum over 210, 122, or 281 days . Control animals consumed unsupplemented lick stones . The avoparcin intake amounted to 60 (experiment I), 145 (experiment II), and 100 mg (experiment III) per cattle per day . The daily weight gain increased from 750 to 808 (experiment I), 553 to 649 (experiment II), and from 812 to 822 g per animal per day (experiment III) when avoparcin was added . Avoparcin is a safe feed additive and should be supplemented to various lick stones to improve ruminant performances under tropical rangeland conditions . 15 to 30 mg avoparcin per kg dry matter intake are recommended. Otolaryngol Pol, 1991, 45(6), 405 - 10 {Otogenic brain abscesses in children}; Szmeja Z et al.; In the years 1953-1989 in the Department of Otolaryngology, Medical Academy in Poznan 75 patients were treated for otogenic brain abscesses, among them 19 were children . In the last ten years the number of cases of this complication was not increased significantly in children and adults . In 3 cases abscess was diagnosed in acute otitis media, in the remaining cases it was a complication of chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma . Brain abscesses were situated more frequently in the temporal lobe . In children they developed more frequently on the right side . The survival in temporal lobe abscesses in children was 90%, and in cerebellar abscesses 75% . In adults the survival rate was about 80% for both localizations . In the treatment of these otogenic complications wide radical operation on the middle ear or ++antro-mastoidectomy with exposure of the dura and simultaneous approach to the abscess from the postoperative ear cavity, with puncture of the abscess and replacement of its contents with normal saline with antibiotic is the routine method in the Department. Infection, 1991, 19 Suppl 7, S372 - 7 Ofloxacin in lower respiratory tract infections; Petermann W; In order to determine the efficacy and safety of the new quinolone ofloxacin in the treatment of chronic lower respiratory disease, 674 patients (353 with chronic bronchitis, 212 with community-acquired pneumonia and 109 with hospital-acquired pneumonia) were treated with ofloxacin 200 mg twice a day . In total, 627 patients (93%) showed a satisfactory clinical response, and 47 patients (7%) had no change or deterioration . Neither severe side effects nor interactions between ofloxacin and coadministered theophylline were seen . This is important in patients suffering from chronic obstructive airways disease . The antibiotic spectrum of ofloxacin covers nearly all bacterial pathogens causing infectious respiratory disease; furthermore, ofloxacin reaches high concentrations in pulmonary secretions and tissue . Ofloxacin is a proven antibiotic substance useful in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1991, 85 Suppl 1, 17 - 8 Cytokines in the pathogenesis of bacterial meningitis; Mertsola J; Adjunctive dexamethasone therapy to antibiotic therapy for bacterial meningitis has been shown in several studies to be beneficial . The roles of interleukin 1 beta and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in bacterial meningitis and in an experimental rabbit model are reviewed; both cytokines play a pivotal role in induction of meningitis . Using dexamethasone with the initial dose of antibiotics caused a decrease in TNF-alpha and modulated the inflammatory response . Early use of adjunctive dexamethasone is important in therapy of bacterial meningitis. Pediatrician, 1991, 18(4), 312 - 6 Role of sinusitis in asthma; Zimmerman B et al.; Chronic sinusitis has been suggested to play a causal role in creating recalcitrant asthma . However, this hypothesis has never been confirmed in a blind placebo-controlled study . Several studies have documented an association between abnormal sinus X-rays and asthma in 30-70% of patients, depending on criteria chosen for evaluation of the radiologic changes . Asthma is associated with inflammation in the lower airways, and the same inflammation might involve the sinuses in a parallel fashion . It is now felt that early therapy of this inflammation can modify the course of asthma resulting in its amelioration . Conversely, delay in institution of this therapy might result in the inflammation entrenching airway reactivity . It must be clearly proven in a controlled fashion that antibiotic or other therapy of sinusitis will improve the course of asthma since such therapy could delay the aggressive management of inflammation. Infection, 1991, 19 Suppl 6, S330 - 6 Efficacy and safety of cefotaxime in the management of pediatric infections; Jacobs RF; The utilization of cephalosporins in serious bacterial infections in children has become more widely accepted by pediatric infectious disease specialists over the past five years . The use of cephalosporins has become increasingly popular in empiric antibiotic regimens . The recognition that age-specific bacterial pathogens in neonates, older infants and children can be effectively treated with cephalosporins alone, or in combination with ampicillin, has led to this increasing popularity . This review will discuss the use of cephalosporins in empiric antibiotic regimens and relate the efficacy and safety of specific cephalosporins in the treatment of serious bacterial infections in children. Ann Dent, 1991 Winter, 50(2), 3 - 7, 48 Infections of the lateral pharyngeal space: anatomy, diagnosis and management; Lee CY et al.; The incidence of lateral pharyngeal space infections and its dreaded complications have decreased tremendously due to antibiotic therapy . However, this fascial space infection of the deep neck is still occasionally seen . In this article, we emphasize the anatomy, diagnosis and aggressive management of this type of neck infection because of its morbid complications and mortality if not treated promptly. Acta Chir Hung, 1991, 32(1), 13 - 5 A case of Fournier's gangrene; Czalbert H et al.; Authors report their case of Fournier's gangrene on the basis of their own observations and relying on data of the literature . Complete healing can be expected of immediate radical surgery and of aggressive intensive and antibiotic treatments. Pharmacology, 1991, 43(5), 242 - 6 Influence of the mode of intravenous administration on the penetration of ceftazidime into tissues and pleural exudate of rats; Miglioli PA et al.; The influence of the mode of intravenous (i.v.) administration (bolus injection or continuous infusion) on the tissue penetration of ceftazidime was studied in the rat . The antibiotic concentration was monitored in serum, pleural exudate, vitreous humor, kidney, liver, lung, testicles and epididymal fat tissue . Administration as a bolus resulted in a significantly higher AUC in pleural exudate and in higher peak levels in serum, liver and lung than continuous infusion, which produced a higher peak concentration in kidney than a bolus . No differences in AUC and peak concentrations between the two methods of administration were observed in the other tissues or fluids . With either method of administration the highest antibiotic accumulation was observed in kidney. Scand J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1991, 25(3), 167 - 74 Surgical treatment of infective aortic valve endocarditis; Varstela E et al.; Fifty-eight adult patients treated with aortic valve replacement for infective endocarditis were retrospectively reviewed . The operation was performed during antibiotic therapy (group I, n = 25) or after completion of such therapy, on average 17 months after diagnosis (group II, n = 33) . Preoperatively 68% of group I and 24% of group II were in NYHA class IV . Bacterial aetiology was verified in 78% of all cases . Preoperative embolic complications occurred in six group I and three group II cases, causing hemiplegia in eight . At operation the aortic valve was bicuspid in 29 of the 58 patients . Vegetations and cusp perforation were present in most cases . Bacteria were demonstrated in 11 of the excised specimens . A mechanical valve prosthesis was inserted in all cases . Three patients died, one perioperatively and two during their time in hospital (2 from group I) . Low-output syndrome was the commonest postoperative complication . During follow-up averaging 66 months, 12 patients died (6 of cardiac causes) . Late complications were periprosthetic leakage (2 cases), significant embolism (5), and prosthetic valve endocarditis (4), causing periprosthetic leakage in one case. Probl Tuberk, 1991, (6), 29 - 32 {Immunomodulation in patients with cavernous kidney tuberculosis using piperazine adipinate and amniocene}; Kozin IuI et al.; Findings of a complex immunologic examination of 138 patients with active cavernous tuberculosis of the kidneys concurrent with secondary immunodeficiency are presented . Biostimulators and immunomodulating drugs were administered as conservative treatment in this case . Changes in cellular and humoral immunity indices as well as those of the mononuclear-phagocyte system before and after treatment were traced in the groups of patients receiving biogenic stimulators (such, as aloe extract, vitreous body, plasmol, Fibs) and immunoregulating drugs (like piperazine adipinate and injected amniocene) . It was found that the biogenic stimulators fail to have a pronounced effect on the immunologic indices . The inclusion of piperazine adipinate and injected amniocene into a complex of antibiotic and chemotherapy brings about a significant improvement of the cellular immunity indices and the mononuclear-phagocyte system function which are inhibited to a greater extent in patients with active destructive nephrophthisis . A recommended use of piperazine adipinate and amniocene as adjuncts to a complex treatment has been proved in patients of this category by means of clinicoimmunologic correlations. Klin Khir, 1991, (9), 36 - 40 {Comprehensive therapy of acute cholecystitis in elderly and very old patients}; Zhumadilov ZhSh et al.; A high effectiveness of the use of target transport of antibiotics in the autological erythrocytic shadows in the complex of surgical treatment of acute cholecystitis in 65 elderly and senile patients when compared with that in use of the existing methods of conservative treatment was revealed . The method developed permits to create in the bile a high and prolonged antibiotic concentration, and as well to reduce 4.5-fold the time for cupping off acute cholecystitis, to increase the quality of examination, preoperative preparation and elective operative treatment of the patients. Ind Health, 1991, 29(3), 93 - 102 Isolation of mouse cells with heavy metal-dependent resistance to G418; Koizumi S; Metallothioneins (MTs) are heavy metal-binding proteins which play key roles in protection against heavy metal toxicity, and therefore it is toxicologically important to understand the regulatory mechanism of MT production . In the present work, I isolated mouse cell clones which express the bacterial neo gene (G418-resistance gene) under the control of an MT gene regulatory sequence; such cells will serve as parents for the isolation of mutants defective in MT gene regulation . C-127 and L-929 cells were transformed with a plasmid construct containing the regulatory region of the human MTIIA gene linked to the neo structural gene, and stable G418-resistant transformants were selected . When Zn was given during the selection, the number of the resulting colonies increased significantly, suggesting a Zn-induced expression of the introduced neo gene . The C-127 transformants selected in the presence of Zn have several copies of the neo sequence in the chromosome, and express a neo message in a Zn-inducible manner . When Zn was removed from the medium, G418 damaged the cells . These cell clones are expected to be useful for isolating mutants that will help further understanding of the control mechanism of MT gene expression. Nucleic Acids Symp Ser, 1991, (25), 147 - 8 The molecular recognition mechanism of DNA by bleomycin; Hiroaki H et al.; The interaction between the antibiotic bleomycin (BLM) and an oligonucleotide d(CCACCTAGGTGG) was studied by 1H NMR . The DNA oligomer was titrated with BLM-VO(III), which is an 'inactive analogue' of BLM-Fe(II) . A marked upfield shift was observed for the T10N3H signal, but no other imino proton signals either shifted or broadened . When BLM-VO(III) was titrated with d(CCACCTAGGTGG), a large upfield shift (0.27 ppm) was observed for the delta NH signal of butylguanidinium residue (G) . Analysis of NOESY spectra of a 1:1 complex of DNA:BLM-VO(III) strongly suggests that the connectivities of the sequential NOEs of the DNA duplex are the same as those of free DNA . These results indicate that BLM does not intercalate between the base-pairs but binds to DNA in a different manner . A model of 'minor-groove binding' is more likely to explain our NMR data. Prep Biochem, 1991, 21(4), 257 - 68 Bleomycin A2 and B2 purification by flash chromatography for chemical and biochemical studies; Freyder CP et al.; The clinically used formulation of the anticancer antibiotic, Blenoxane, is a mixture of bleomycin congeners . A new approach to separating the major A2 and B2 congeners has been developed utilizing the flash chromatography technique . A 5-6-inch column of fine mesh silica gel with a solvent system of 1% ammonium formate:methanol (2:3) was used . Low air pressure was applied to the column to increase the flow rate such that separation was complete in approximately 20 min . Reverse phase size exclusion gravity chromatography with Sephadex G-15 column bedding was an effective, rapid procedure for removal of the 1% ammonium formate, the lowest percentage practical for separating the bleomycins . This separation approach does not damage the antibiotics, as demonstrated by NMR spectroscopy, thin layer chromatography, and DNA cleaving activity . Although not as useful for detection of trace amounts of the drug in biological systems as some of the known HPLC methods, this method is excellent for separating large quantities of the drug (8-32 mg) in order to obtain congeners pure enough for synthetic, biochemical, and biophysical studies. Biomed Sci, 1991, 2(2), 147 - 50 Covalent binding of bleomycin to concanavalin A and immunoglobulin G enhances the ability of the bleomycin-Fe(II) complex to destroy the erythrocyte membrane; Voznesenskii AI et al.; The antibiotic bleomycin was examined as a possible component of hybrid molecules composed of an address fragment and a generator of reactive oxygen species . The bleomycin-Fe(II) complex was found to destroy the erythrocyte membrane by generating reactive oxygen . The ability of antioxidants to slow down haemolysis points to a free-radical mechanism for this process . The protective effects of catalase and superoxide dismutase indicate that hydrogen peroxide and the superoxide radical formed on autoxidation of the complex are essential for membrane damage . Haemolytic activity is also exhibited by bleomycin-Fe(III) reduced in the NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase reaction . The covalent binding of bleomycin to such address molecules as concanavalin A and antierythrocyte immunoglobulin G enhances the ability of the bleomycin-Fe(II) complex to destroy the plasma membrane of erythrocytes. Environ Mol Mutagen, 1991, 18(2), 102 - 6 Analysis of bleomycin-induced mutagenic functions related to the PSO4 (= xs9) gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Severgnini A et al.; In the present work we analyse some properties of the pso4-1 (= xs9) mutant of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is blocked in both reverse mutation and recombination . We have applied the "apparent survival test" as a method to characterize putative inducible error-prone repair activities related to the PSO4 gene . As the mutagenic agent we have used bleomycin, which is an antitumour radiomimetic antibiotic . Survival, reverse mutation yield, and reverse mutation frequency were determined as a function of bleomycin concentrations (1-60 micrograms/ml) in the logarithmic phase of growth . It is shown that the PSO4 gene product is poorly involved in bleomycin sensitivity and that reverse mutation induced by this mutagen is dramatically reduced in the pso4-1 lys2 mutant strain, as compared with the isogenic SC7K (lys2) strain . M(x) functions exhibit linear-quadratic courses for both the SC7K (lys2) and the pso4-1 lys2 strains . The apparent survival functions display "humps" in both strains, corresponding to the resistant components of the survival functions . These facts suggest that the mutagenicity of bleomycin depends on at least one inducible error-prone repair pathway and that the PSO4 gene product could act as a mutation triggering factor. Int J Biochem, 1991, 23(7-8), 703 - 11 DNA damage by peplomycin and its repair in an in vitro system; Zhang B et al.; 1 . DNA damage by peplomycin, an antitumor antibiotic, and its repair by cellular enzymes were studied using pUC18 plasmid DNA . The DNA damage and repair were measured by monitoring the conformational changes of pUC18 DNA . 2 . Peplomycin-induced DNA damage was enhanced by addition of ferrous ion and inhibited by deferoxamine, a specific iron chelator, suggesting iron-requirement for the DNA damage . 3 . DNA damage by peplomycin was inhibited by superoxide dismutase in both native and heat-inactivated forms, possibly due to non-enzymatic interaction . 4 . Peplomycin-induced, single-strand breaks in pUC18 DNA was repaired by incubating with a priming factor (an exonuclease purified from mouse ascites sarcoma cells), DNA polymerase beta, four deoxynucleoside triphosphates, T4 DNA ligase and ATP . The average repair patch size was estimated to be approximately four nucleotide length. Anticancer Res, 1991 Jan-Feb, 11(1), 129 - 37 Different malignant phenotypes induced in a stable, subdiploid, benign epithelial clone by DNA transfection; Gibbins JR et al.; Progression to malignancy in carcinomas has been studied in a stable, benign, subdiploid, cloned epithelial cell line (A5P/B10) sensitive to Geneticin at 100 micrograms/ml . A total of 28 cell lines were selected for Geneticin - resistance and inoculated into the footpads of syngeneic animals following co-transfection with pSV2neo and genomic DNA, or transfection with plasmid constructs containing neo and the activated Ha-ras oncogene . The behavior of 12 cell lines cotransfected with normal genomic DNA and inoculated into 146 footpads was the same as the A5P/B10 cells . Low grade primary tumors were produced in 122 footpads by 13 cell lines transfected with Ha-ras, and a proportion (61/122) produced well-differentiated lymph node metastases . One of 3 cell lines cotransfected with genomic DNA from a malignant cell line (BC1) produced 8 anaplastic primary tumors with anaplastic metastases . Cell lines from lymph nodes involved by these anaplastic tumors were sensitive to Geneticin, and genomic DNA from 2 clones of these cells failed to produce a malignant phenotype when co-transfected into the A5P/B10 cells . These results indicated that the progression to a malignant phenotype induced in benign cells from a spontaneous epithelial tumor by co-transfection with genomic DNA from malignant cells was different from that induced by the ras oncogene. Med Pediatr Oncol, 1991, 19(2), 100 - 5 Early infectious complications after peripheral blood stem cell autografts in children; Watanabe T et al.; Seventeen children underwent marrow-ablative high-dose chemotherapy with peripheral blood stem cell autografts and were studied retrospectively to determine the type, frequency, and outcomes associated with infectious complications 3 months postgraft . The patients were kept in isolated rooms with a laminar air flow facility, but no decontamination procedures, such as gut sterilization with nonabsorbable antibiotics, nonmicrobial diet, and skin cleansing, were used . They were under their mothers' daily care to maintain good psychological conditions . After the completion of marrow-ablative chemotherapy and the infusion of stem cells, the absolute granulocyte count exceeded 0.5 x 10(9)/liter with a mean of 17.9 days (range 6-65 days) . Fifteen patients developed a total of 16 febrile episodes during the first 4 week period, and the confirmed diagnoses were mucositis (12), enterocolitis (nine), septicemia (four), central venous catheter-associated infection (three), pneumonia (one), perianal abscess (one), and possible invasive fungal infection (one) . All episodes were successfully treated with parenteral antibiotic therapy, and no patient died of infectious complications . The observations suggest that high-dose chemotherapy can be performed safely with simple and efficient patient management protocol followed by peripheral blood stem cell autografts. Drugs, 1991 Jan, 41(1), 60 - 8 Guidelines for drug treatment of male infertility; Haidl G et al.; The prerequisite for rational therapy of male fertility disorders is an exact diagnosis . While the possibilities of influencing disturbances of spermiogenesis are limited, male adnexal diseases can be successfully treated in many cases . Drugs for the treatment of fertility disorders must be applied with this in mind, and empiric therapy is often performed in addition to causal treatment which, however, may be quite rationally determined . The therapeutic spectrum in andrology includes antibiotic and antiphlogistic agents, mast cell blockers, zinc, vitamins, and immunosuppressive drugs (corticosteroids) . These agents are used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the testes and the accessory glands or for suppression of antispermatozoal antibodies . Hormonal disturbances are infrequently encountered by the andrologist, but they can be treated, with proven efficacy, with gonadotrophins, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) or androgens . In certain cases that are not hormonally related, the use of antiestrogens (clomifene, tamoxifen) as stimulating agents may be successful . Furthermore, tissue hormone releasing proteases (kallikrein) can be used both therapeutically (especially in motility disturbances that are not due to structural flagellar defects) and diagnostically (in order to distinguish between inflammatory and noninflammatory testicular damage) . Anticholinergics and alpha-sympathomimetics are applied to ameliorate ejaculation or emission failure . In addition to a review of these treatment forms, the development of new concepts, e.g . angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, is discussed. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1991 Jan 1, 198(1), 107 - 8 Bleomycin chemotherapy for metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in a ferret; Hamilton TA et al.; Bleomycin, an antitumor antibiotic, was effective in temporarily reducing the size of a metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in a ferret . The tumor had recurred after previous excision and had metastasized to the right submandibular lymph node . The ferret was treated without effect at a dosage of 10 U/m2, sc, once a week . The dosage was increased to 20 U/m2 once a week, and reduction of tumor size was observed. Environ Mol Mutagen, 1991, 17(1), 63 - 8 DNA damage and repair induced by bleomycin in mammalian and insect cells; Bianchi NO et al.; We assessed the response of mosquito (ATC-15) and mammalian (CHO) cells to bleomycin (BLM) . Comparison of the data obtained in both cell lines indicates that DNA in the chromatin of mosquito cells is 10 to 20 times more resistant to BLM, and that the DNA damage induced by this antibiotic is better repaired in mosquito than in mammalian cells . Permeability of the cell membrane for BLM was found to be the same for both cell lines . Moreover, the time-kinetics of BLM damage to nuclear DNA was similar for ATC-15 and CHO cells . The low sensitivity of mosquito cells to BLM is reflected in better growth efficiency . These cells exhibit a satisfactory growth at BLM doses that produce a permanent arrest of growth in CHO cells . It is proposed that variations in the chromatin structure and in the intracellular free amino acid pool may play an important role in the differential response of insect and mammalian cells to BLM. Comp Biochem Physiol C, 1991, 100(3), 413 - 5 The interaction of cefotaxime with the serum albumin of several mammalian species; Fernandez GM et al.; 1 . The interaction of cefotaxime with the serum albumin of several mammalian species; horses, swine, sheep, dogs and rabbits, was studied comparatively . The technique of ultrafiltration and spectrophotometric determination of the free antibiotic in the filtrate was used . 2 . Binding percentages, which vary according to the species studied, were found to be higher in swine and rabbit albumins (between 92 and 81%) and lower for sheep, dog and horse albumins (between 67 and 52%) . 3 . The number of binding sites is usually close to 2; in the case of the horse it is 2.43 . The apparent binding constants are: swine, 1.61 x 10(4) M-1; rabbit, 1.19 x 10(4) M-1; sheep, 2.33 x 10(3) M-1; dog, 2.00 x 10(3) M-1; horse, 1.42 x 10(3) M-1 . The Scatchard model was used for data analysis . 4 . Possible consequences of this interaction regarding clinical use of cefotaxime on different species are discussed. Comp Biochem Physiol A, 1991, 100(4), 945 - 7 Effects of stressors on blood glucose and hepatic glycogen concentrations in turkey poults; Donaldson WE et al.; 1 . The putatively stressful procedures of sexing, toe trimming, snood removal, beak trimming and injection of antibiotic solution, as performed in a commercial hatchery, elevated blood glucose levels and depressed hepatic glycogen levels in newly-hatched turkey poults . 2 . The first procedure performed, cloacal sexing, was sufficient to elevate blood glucose, but all procedures were required before depression of hepatic glycogen occurred . 3 . Blood glucose levels declined in both untreated (INITIAL) and fully-treated (FINAL) poults over a 24 hr holding period . 4 . Hepatic glycogen declined with 24 hr holding of INITIAL poults but increased with holding of FINAL poults. Masui, 1991 Jan, 40(1), 109 - 12 {Possible bronchospasm after administration of vecuronium}; Uratsuji Y et al.; A 62 year-old female developed bronchospasm after intravenous vecuronium administration . Vecuronium is reported to have major advantages over pancuronium due to the lack of significant histamine-releasing activity and cardiovascular side effects . However, macular rash, systemic collapse and bronchospasm have been reported before . The patient received cholecystectomy under general anesthesia . She had a history of urticaria when she had had a intravenous pyelography and showed positive skin test to antibiotic, ceftizoxime . During induction with thiopental plus vecuronium and on addition of vecuronium, bronchospasm was induced within five minutes in each time . Both episodes of bronchospasms were relieved with intravenous aminophylline and methylprednisolone . During the operation arterial blood gas samples were taken twice and showed no abnormal findings . Further blood samples were taken for complement C3, C4, plasma IgE and white blood cell counts . Skin test to vecuronium was also performed . In spite of these data, the mechanism of bronchospasm remained obscure . Careful attention should be paid to the use of vecuronium, especially for the patient who showed allergic response to some drugs. Acta Trop, 1991 Jan, 48(3), 173 - 84 In vitro development of Brugia pahangi and Brugia malayi in cultured mosquito thoraces; Nayar JK et al.; In vitro cultivation of Brugia pahangi and subperiodic Brugia malayi one-day old larvae to infective stage larvae (L3) within thoraces excised from Aedes aegypti (Black Eye, Liverpool) and Anopheles quadrimaculatus was attempted . The mosquito thoraces were excised under aseptic conditions, 24 h after a blood meal on either B . pahangi- or B . malayi-infected jirds . The excised thoraces were washed aseptically and inoculated into a diphasic media . A nutrient agar base was overlaid with either Grace's insect cell culture medium or Schneider's Drosophila medium or a mixture (1:1) of these two media . Each overlay medium contained a 1 x concentration of antibiotic/antimycotic mixture plus 20% fetal bovine serum . The excised thoraces provided the intracellular milieu for development of Brugia larvae . In Grace's or Schneider's insect tissue culture medium alone, the filaria larvae of both species developed only to the second larval stage after 12 days; whereas, in a mixture (1:1) of Grace's and Schneider's media, some one-day old larvae of both Brugia species developed to the infective larval (L3) stage after 12 days . However, large numbers of both species of larvae developed to the infective larval stage when, prior to providing an infective blood meal, the mosquitoes of both species were fed 1 x concentration of antibiotic/antimycotic mixture in a 10% sucrose solution containing 0.1% p-aminobenzoic acid for 6 days . These results showed for the first time that if one-day old Brugia larvae are confined intracellularly in excised thoraces, they can then develop in insect tissue culture media without adding a feeder layer of mosquito cells or conditioning the media with mosquito cell lines. Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1991-92, 70(1-2), 527 - 9 Fluconazole resistance of Candida krusei; Manso E et al.; We present a case of young male treated for a recurrence of Acute Non Lymphoid Leukemia who presented a colonization by C . krusei during prophylaxis with Fluconazole . The fever episode, which he developed while neutropenic, was resolved with the addition of Amphotericin B after the failure of empiric antibiotic therapy . No isolation was performed in blood cultures . A second cycle of antiblastic chemotherapy was needed because of the resistance shown to the first . Despite the prophylaxis with Fluconazole a stream of C . krusei grew in all the blood cultures collected while febrile . Amphotericin B administered did not control the fungemia . We discuss the resistance of C . krusei to Fluconazole. Acta Clin Belg, 1991, 46(5), 327 - 32 Intrahepatic cholestasis induced by amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (Augmentin): a report on two cases; Alexander P et al.; Two patients who developed a severe but reversible cholestatic jaundice during and after treatment with an amoxicillin/clavulanic acid preparation (Augmentin) are described . The diagnosis of drug-induced intrahepatic cholestasis was based on the clinical course, biochemical pattern and on histological findings . Since amoxicillin alone does not induce liver injury, the combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid or clavulanic acid alone could be responsible for this adverse reaction, probably through a metabolic idiosyncrasy or a hypersensitivity mechanism . Although more than 100 cases of hepatotoxic reactions have been reported to the pharmaceutical company (Beecham Laboratories) and several reports have been published, the incidence of hepatotoxicity of this antibiotic is relatively rare, since this antibiotic has been widely used . However, recognition of this benign and reversible cholestatic syndrome is important to avoid unnecessary, expensive and invasive diagnostic procedures. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol, 1991, 117(6), 503 - 4 Rifampicin as cytotoxic agent for cholangiocarcinoma: preliminary report of seven cases; Sali A et al.; Seven consecutive patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma of the major bile ducts, referred to one surgical department with a hepatobiliary interest, were treated by biliary decompression and with the antibiotic rifampicin in an uncontrolled preliminary study . Three patients were also given tamoxifen . Five of the seven are dead, the mean survival being 26 months (expected mean survival 8 months), and two are alive and well in May 1991, 48 and 30 months respectively from the time of presentation . A controlled study of rifampicin with and without tamoxifen is indicated in unresectable cholangiocarcinoma. J Basic Microbiol, 1991, 31(2), 141 - 7 Highly transformable mutants of Streptomyces aureofaciens containing restriction-modification systems; Muchova J et al.; Streptomyces aureofaciens 13 is a mutant defective in chlortetracycline production . It was chosen as a potentially useful host for gene cloning in investigations of the organization of the biosynthetic genes for the tetracycline antibiotic pathway . From the Streptomyces aureofaciens 13 strain, three suitable clones were used for our work . The conditions for optimal formation and efficient transformation of protoplasts with plasmid DNAs have been determined . Transformation frequencies of about 10(4) to 10(5) per microgram of plasmid DNA were obtained when plasmids were isolated from Streptomyces strains . From the patterns of restriction enzyme digestion of plasmid DNA isolated from Streptomyces aureofaciens transformants, it was observed that the clones express modification systems which render plasmid DNAs resistant to cleavage by HindIII and EcoRI . Additionally, one of the clones produces the restriction endonuclease Sau13I (isoschizomer of SauI) . The presence of the restriction-modification system of Sau13I does not reduce the efficiency of plasmid transformation. Tsitologiia, 1991, 33(1), 24 - 32 {An ionometric study of Na+ and K+ fluxes across the nystatin-modified human erythrocyte membrane}; Borisov IuA et al.; The application of ion-selective electrodes is discussed for the kinetic determination of K+ and Na+ concentrations in the system, containing human red blood cells modified by nystatin . A series of mixed solutions was worked out, according to which the Na(+)-glass and the K(+)-thick membrane valinomycin electrodes were calibrated . The human erythrocytes were washed for 3 times with the basic solution (in mol per liter: 0.141 NaCl, 0.004 KCl, 0.002 CaCl2, 0.003 MgCl2, 0.01 glucose), and then were resuspended in it . The suspension was kept in a shaking bath at 37 degrees C . The modification of the cell membranes was performed by the introduction of different amounts of the antibiotic nystatin into the probe . Under these conditions the concentration of Na+ decreased, while K+ concentration increased . The values of concentration were registered ionometrically . In an hour and a half the stationary lines were obtained . Being based on the values of the stationary cation concentrations and the final concentrations, registered after the complete lysis of erythrocytes promoted by saponin, the ratio of cation fluxes across the modified membrane to the flux across the nonmodified membrane was calculated in accordance with the Hodgkin-Katz equation. Hum Gene Ther, 1991 Spring, 2(1), 33 - 9 L-histidinol provides effective selection of retrovirus-vector-transduced keratinocytes without impairing their proliferative potential; Stockschlaeder MA et al.; Retroviral vectors carrying the neomycin phosphotransferase (neo) gene have been shown to confer G418 resistance to canine keratinocytes at relatively high frequency . To investigate the usefulness of keratinocytes as potential target cells for gene therapy, we used a retroviral vector (LASN) that contains both human adenosine deaminase (hADA) and neo genes . We show here that LASN-transduced canine keratinocytes expressed high levels of hADA, a human protein of therapeutic relevance . Selection of LASN-transduced keratinocytes in medium containing G418 resulted in a population of cells that expressed even higher levels of hADA, about 80-fold higher than the endogenous canine ADA level . However, the G418-selected cells had a reduced proliferative potential and altered morphology indicative of terminal differentiation . To test whether L-histidinol is more beneficial for selection of keratinocytes than G418, we constructed two retroviral vectors that contain both the neo and the histidinol dehydrogenase (hisD) genes . Cocultivation of primary keratinocytes with lethally irradiated PA317 retrovirus packaging cells that produce these vectors gave rise to 12-53% drug-resistant colonies in either G418 or L-histidinol . In contrast to G418, selection of transduced keratinocytes in L-histidinol had no apparent effect on the proliferative potential or morphology of drug-resistant cells containing the vectors . Given the utility of this selection system, two hisD-based generic constructs containing cloning sites for cDNA expression from either the retroviral promoter or from an internal human cytomegalovirus immediate early promoter were constructed . Our results suggest that hisD will be a useful selectable marker for use in studies of keratinocyte differentiation and for transfer of genes into keratinocytes for the purposes of gene therapy. JAMA, 1990 Dec 26, 264(24), 3161 - 5 Derivation and validation of a clinical diagnostic model for chlamydial cervical infection in university women; Johnson BA et al.; We developed and prospectively tested a logistic regression model for chlamydial cervical infection . Study subjects included 2271 women receiving gynecologic care in our student health clinic . Clinical data were collected in a standardized fashion . We identified cell culture--isolated Chlamydia trachomatis from 133 (9%) of 1458 subjects in the derivation set and 73 (10%) of 729 subjects in the validation set . Model variables included a new sexual partner within 2 months or more than one sexual partner within 6 months; cervical ectopy; cervical friability; at least 20 polymorphonuclear leukocytes per high-power field in cervical secretions; white blood cells in vaginal secretions; and use of an antibiotic active against C trachomatis within a month . This model can distinguish women with low, medium, and high risks of chlamydial infection (on derivation set: receiver operating characteristic curve area, 0.710; SE, 0.026; on validation set: area, 0.698; SE, 0.035) using simple clinical information obtained in the office. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1990 Dec 15, 120(50), 1945 - 9 {The evaluation of prescribing practice in a general internal medicine outpatient clinic with special reference to gastrointestinal medicines}; Conen D et al.; Prescribing patterns of 13 residents in a medical outpatient clinic were evaluated between March and June 1986 . Prescribed drugs influencing the gastrointestinal tract were also analyzed in order to define quality of the therapeutic process . Advertising for these special drugs in 3 Swiss medical journals was analyzed and compared with the prescribing behavior of participating physicians . 6300 patients with 3346 prescriptions (0.5 prescription/patient) were enrolled in the study . 16.5% of all prescriptions involved cardiovascular, 13.5% gastrointestinal, 9.5% non steroidal antirheumatic, 9.1% analgesic, 7.7% psychotropic and 7.4% antibiotic drugs . The share of 14 other classes of drugs was less than 4% . 471 prescriptions of gastrointestinal acting drugs were distributed over 288 patients (0.6 prescription/patient) . 160 patients had irritable bowel syndrome, 40 ulcer disease, 23 inflammatory/infectious bowel disease, 18 gastroesophageal reflux, 18 anal diseases, 11 other gastrointestinal disorders and 15 were treated without diagnosis . Distribution of drugs was as follows: 27.5% bulk laxatives, 26% antacids, 15.7% H2-receptor antagonists, 13.5% anticholinergic agents, 4.9% laxatives, 3.4% loperamide, 9% other drugs . There was an increase in prescriptions per visit from 0.8 in 1980 to 1.5 in 1986 . No important influence of drug advertising in 3 different medical journals published between January and June 1986 could be found . Considering the documented diagnoses, the therapeutic decisions were correct in 95.5% of cases treated . In conclusion, drug prescribing habits are permissive, the therapeutic approach is acceptable and the influence of drug advertising is negligible. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1990 Dec 14, 1030(2), 289 - 95 The effect of surfactants on the aggregation state of amphotericin B; Tancrede P et al.; We have studied the effect of two surfactants, one non-ionic, lauryl sucrose (LS) and the other ionic, sodium deoxycholate (DOC), on the aggregation state of amphotericin B (AmB) and its selectivity towards ergosterol and cholesterol . It is shown that the addition of these surfactants has very similar effects on the AmB micelles . Below the critical micellar concentration of the surfactants, mixed micelles with AmB are first formed as a result of the penetration of the surfactant molecules into the AmB micelles . At higher concentrations of the surfactant molecules, the micellar structure is completely destroyed and AmB is found as monomers in solution . When the concentration of the surfactant is further increased, micelles of the surfactant molecules are built up, AmB remaining in monomeric form . However, the critical micellar concentration of LS is modified by the presence of AmB in solution, while that of DOC is not affected, thereby indicating that the interactions of AmB with LS are stronger than those of DOC with AmB . We also show that both surfactants enhance the selectivity of the AmB binding to sterols at exactly the concentrations of the surfactants which induce the monomerization of the antibiotic . It is observed that the maximal selectivity is found at a concentration of the surfactants corresponding to their particular CMC in presence of the antibiotic. Science, 1990 Dec 14, 250(4987), 1583 - 7 Homologous recombination and stable transfection in the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei; Lee MG et al.; Development of methods for the manipulation of the genomes of parasitic protozoa will lead to enhanced understanding of parasite biology and host-parasite relationships . Efficient gene transfer and targeted integration by homologous recombination were achieved in the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of sleeping sickness . An expression vector with the neomycin phosphotransferase gene (neo), under the control of a procyclic acidic repetitive protein (PARP) gene promoter, was targeted into an intergenic region in beta alpha-tubulin-gene tandem array . Sixteen copies of neo were found in a tandem array in one of the transfectants where the PARP promoter controlled alpha-amanitin-resistant transcription of neo, whereas transcription of tubulin genes remained alpha-amanitin-sensitive. Clin Mater, 1991, 7(3), 227 - 31 Methods for improving drug release from poly(methyl)methacrylate bone cement; Downes S; Poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) is a widely used material with both dental and orthopaedic applications . The acrylic cement is produced by the combination of polymethylacrylate beads with methylmethacrylate monomer . After polymerisation, a heterogeneous and porous matrix is formed which can be used to deliver therapeutic agents . In this work, the release of antibiotic, growth hormone and serum albumin is demonstrated . The mechanism is similar for all agents; a rapid release followed by a slow continuous release . The quantity of drug released depends upon the formulation of both the PMMA and the drug . The polymer-to-monomer ratio can greatly affect the ratio of drug release; increased polymer-to-monomer ratio leads to increased release of antibiotic . Optimum release is achieved if a crystalline formulation of the drug is used rather than a fine powder . Experimental methods to improve the drug release performance of bone cements are presented. Clin Mater, 1991, 8(3-4), 243 - 9 The effects of biological wound dressings on the healing process; May SR; Three major biological dressings are available for the temporary closure of wounds: partial-thickness cadaveric human allograft skin, several forms of partial-thickness antibiotic-treated porcine xenograft skin, and human amnion . Generally, biological dressings reduce pain, close the wound to contamination and fluid loss, and prepare the wound bed for permanent closure, usually with autografts . The three types of biological dressings differ in their performance, with allograft skin being clearly superior in its wound maintenance and preparation characteristics, while porcine xenograft presents serious difficulties in incorporation into the wound bed and antigenic challenge to the recipient, and amnion is excessively fragile and tends to allow wound desiccation . The most serious potential liability of biological wound dressings is transmission of infection; however, the actual incidence of such transmission is extremely low . The advantages of physiological coverage provided by biological wound dressings greatly outweighs the chance for harm in the case of human allograft. Home Health Care Serv Q, 1991, 12(3), 59 - 108 Home intravenous therapy: Part I--Issues; McAbee RR et al.; Concerns related to providing home intravenous therapy were among the top ten clinical problems identified by Northwest Medicare-certified home care agencies in a 1986 survey . This paper addresses issues related to home intravenous therapy and provides lists of resources for the development of home intravenous therapy programs . Part I of the paper covers concerns related to intravenous therapy as expressed by home care agencies in the Northwest and synthesized the literature about home intravenous therapies . Survey results are presented, followed by a discussion of client and caregiver concerns . These include: discharge planning, client admission criteria and client and caregiver education . Standards, staffing, and staff education issues are discussed followed by sections on economics, marketing regulations and legal and ethical concerns . Finally, there is a discussion of issues related to specific types of intravenous therapies: parenteral nutrition, antibiotic therapy; chemotherapy; blood and blood component therapy and other less frequently used types of intravenous therapies . Each therapy is discussed with regard to complications, client and caregiver instruction and financial considerations . Part II of the paper is a resource guide which lists resources that agencies may use to develop a home intravenous therapy program . In the first section, national organizations and journals and books concerned with intravenous therapy are listed as well as journal articles, guidelines and guidebooks and client and provider educational materials . National and regional product and service representatives of intravenous therapy related companies are also listed . In the second section, addresses for the State Boards of Nursing are given for Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington . Each state section includes a list of those agencies who indicated in the 1988 survey that they would be willing to share materials . In addition, product and service vendors of intravenous therapy supplies and equipment are listed for the State of Washington. Nature, 1990 Dec 6, 348(6301), 555 - 7 Synthetic analogues of fumagillin that inhibit angiogenesis and suppress tumour growth; Ingber D et al.; Neovascularization is critical for the growth of tumours and is a dominant feature in a variety of angiogenic diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, haemangiomas, arthritis and psoriasis . Recognition of the potential therapeutic benefit of controlling unabated capillary growth has led to a search for safe and effective angiogenesis inhibitors . We report here the synthesis of a family of novel inhibitors that are analogues of fumagillin, a naturally secreted antibiotic of Aspergillus fumigatus fresenius . We first isolated this fungus from a contaminated culture of capillary endothelial cells . Purified fumagillin inhibited endothelial cell proliferation in vitro and tumour-induced angiogenesis in vivo; it also inhibited tumour growth in mice, but prolonged administration was limited because it caused severe weight loss . Synthesis of fumagillin analogues yielded potent angiogenesis inhibitors ('angioinhibins') which suppress the growth of a wide variety of tumours with relatively few side-effects. J Immunol Methods, 1990 Dec 5, 134(2), 227 - 35 The use of N-(aminobenzoyloxy) succinimide as a two-level heterobifunctional agent for the preparation of hapten-protein conjugates . Daunomycin as a model hapten with an amino group; Fujiwara K et al.; Three geometric ortho-, meta-, and para-isomers of N-(aminobenzoyloxy)succinimide (ABS) were synthesized, and their usefulness as a two-level heterobifunctional cross-linking agent in the preparation of hapten-protein conjugates was evaluated . The conjugation was based on the principle that ABS reacts immediately with an amino group of a hapten, and an aminobenzoyl group incorporated into the hapten is then activated by diazotization to a functional diazobenzoyl group acting on tyrosine or histidine residues of the protein . Using the anti-tumor antibiotic daunomycin (DM) as a model hapten, the three isomers of ABS were compared for their ability to conjugate DM with bovine serum albumin (BSA); DM incorporation onto a BSA molecular was found to occur to the highest degree with m-ABS, followed by p-ABS . while o-ABS completely failed to conjugate under the same coupling conditions . Using m-ABS it was possible to introduce more than 10 molecules of DM per BSA molecule . One of the DM-BSA samples was used as the immunogen for the production of anti-DM serum in a rabbit . The antibody specificity was shown to be direct to DM but not to other anti-cancer drugs (bleomycin, mitomycin C, actinomycin D and 5-fluorouracil) by the double antibody enzyme immunoassay (DEIA) using DM-beta-galactosidase conjugate as a label . An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-DM IgG was developed using a DM-human serum albumin (DM-HSA) conjugate similarly prepared with m-ABS and horseradish peroxidase-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG as the solid-phase antigen and the labelled second antibody, respectively . This ELISA permitted us to measure accurately as little as 50 ng of anti-DM IgG per ml using a standard anti-DM IgG which had been purified from the anti-DM serum using an affinity column of Sepharose 4B with DM-HSA as the ligand . Using this ELISA as well as a sandwich enzyme immunoassay (SEIA) for total IgG, serum levels of anti-DM IgG and total IgG levels were easily monitored in a rabbit following immunization with DM-BSA . These results indicate that the use of DBS provides a novel method for preparing hapten-protein conjugates which will be useful in biochemistry and immunochemistry. J Biol Chem, 1990 Dec 5, 265(34), 21000 - 4 Purification and characterization of elongation factor G from bovine liver mitochondria; Chung HK et al.; The mitochondrial protein synthesis translocase elongation factor Gmt (EF-Gmt) from bovine liver has been purified to greater than 90% homogeneity by a combination of conventional gravity and high performance liquid chromatography . The purification scheme results in an approximate overall 14,000-fold purification with 2% total recovery of EF-Gmt activity . Gel filtration chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicate that the mitochondrial factor is a single polypeptide with a molecular weight of 80,000 . EF-Gmt displays similar levels of activity on its homologous mitochondrial ribosomes and on Escherichia coli ribosomes . The mitochondrial translocase is sensitive to temperatures above 37 degrees C, but the factor is partially protected from heat inactivation in the presence of GTP or GDP . The activity of EF-Gmt is inhibited by treatment of the factor with N-ethylmaleimide . In contrast to all other translocases tested to date, EF-Gmt is completely resistant to the inhibiting effect of fusidic acid when tested on its homologous ribosomes . It displays weak sensitivity to this antibiotic when assayed in the presence of heterologous E . coli ribosomes. Nippon Jibiinkoka Gakkai Kaiho, 1990 Dec, 93(12), 2028 - 37 {Auricular hematoma--case report of ruptured othematoma and bibliographic review}; Yamasoba T et al.; Auricular hematoma is not rare condition and its prognosis has been considered to be good in Japanese textbooks . Recurrence of the hematoma, however, frequently occurs by use of simple aspiration or incision, and a pressure dressing . In this paper, we report a case of ruptured othematoma and review the biliographies concerning the pathology and treatment of othematomas . A 37-year-old man sustained a fist blow to his left ear at the beginning of May, 1989 . He was first seen with auricular hematoma on July 4, but refused a surgical treatment . The laceration of the skin overlying the hematoma occurred by once more fist blow on July 26, with the upper auricle divided into anterior and posterior parts . The auricular cartilage was broken into several pieces, some of which attached to the anterior side and the others to the posteriors side . Under general anesthesia, fibrin glue was applied to the dead space after irrigation, minimal debridement, and removal of the clots . Four horizontal mattress sutures were put through the entire pinna after the anterior skin was protected by fluffed gauze with antibiotic ointment and the posterior skin by buttons . The dressing was allowed to remain in place ten days and was then removed . Nine months after the operation the pinna appeared almost normal . In recent reports, the othematoma is considered to occur between the perichondrium and the cartilage, or within the cartilage . Various techniques have been applied to treat the othematoma, which are classified into three types: incision and drainage, pressure dressing with splinting mold, or with mattress suture . Treatment of choice is discussed, with reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of each method. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1990 Dec, 26 Suppl E, 63 - 9 Efficacy and tolerance of cefpodoxime proxetil compared with co-amoxiclav in the treatment of exacerbations of chronic bronchitis; Periti P et al.; This European, multicentre trial evaluated the efficacy and tolerance of cefpodoxime proxetil in comparison with co-amoxiclav (amoxycillin plus clavulanic acid) in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis . The study design was double-blind and double-placebo controlled . Doses of either 200 mg bd of cefpodoxime proxetil or 500 mg/125 mg tds amoxycillin plus clavulanic acid were given orally for 9.6 +/- 1.8 days . Two hundred and fifty-one patients were enrolled in 27 centres in West Germany, France, and Italy . The overall clinical efficacy was 97.2% in the cefpodoxime proxetil group compared with 94.7% in the co-amoxiclav group . Fifty-eight adverse events, mainly gastrointestinal, occurred in 42 patients with no significant difference between the groups . A significant difference in the number of resistant pathogens on pre-treatment culture to the advantage of cefpodoxime was noted . In our experience, both drugs were of similar value in the treatment of respiratory tract infections . Thus, cefpodoxime proxetil should be an effective antibiotic for the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. Blut, 1990 Dec, 61(6), 379 - 80 Improvement of pneumonia and arthritis in Felty's syndrome by treatment with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF); Lubbe AS et al.; A 63-year old man with Felty's syndrome and pneumonia of unknown origin was treated with GM-CSF . Granulocyte counts increased and arthritis-related symptoms improved under GM-CSF . Pneumonia was treated effectively with antibiotics only during or after GM-CSF application . This suggests, that antibiotic-resistant infections can be treated effectively in patients with Felty's syndrome when granulocyte counts are raised by GM-CSF. Anat Rec, 1990 Dec, 228(4), 449 - 55 Calcium in the developing Ambystoma neural axis shown by 3H and fluorescent chlortetracycline and atomic absorption spectrometry; Moran DJ; The calcium ion has been implicated in the mediation of the morphogenetic movements that occur during neural tube formation . The present study identifies high levels of calcium in the neuroepithelium of the neural plate, folds, and tube . These levels are substantially higher than those discerned elsewhere in the embryo . The calcium is localized in morphogenetically active regions by using the antibiotic chlortetracycline (CTC) which chelates calcium and is demonstrated in this investigation by both autoradiography and calcium-linked fluorescence . The specificity of CTC reaction for calcium in the developing neural axis is confirmed by EGTA competition . A comparison of the actual calcium levels in the developing neural axis (dorsal) with equivalently weighted ventral tissues was obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) . This method provides a total count of the calcium without any loss during tissue processing . For AAS, living tissues were precisely excised and immediately dessicated . Each tissue sample (dry weight 1.5 mg) was then solubilized for analysis . The spectrometric data reveal that the embryonic dorsal aspect forming the neural tube contains 57% more calcium than an equivalent weight of the ventral aspect. Rev Prat, 1990 Dec 1, 40(28), 2600 - 3 {Management of children with sickle-cell disease}; Quinet B et al.; The management of children with sickle-cell disease in specialized centres may take place either during the intercritical phase of the disease or in the period of vaso-occlusive phenomena and acute complications . Without any doubt, a regular follow-up of these children, starting immediately after the diagnosis is made, improves the prognosis . Repeated visits enable the physician to inform the family and thereafter the child on the disease, its consequences and its transmission and to implement such prophylactic measures as preventive antibiotic therapy, specific immunizations and advice on hydration . As years go by, this monitoring is modified according to the patient's age, the course of the disease and the age-related complications . Acute accidents are frequent and often difficult to diagnose . In the immediate and well-adjusted management they require rehydration, rest, analgesics and antibiotics play a major role . The purpose of management is to avoid most complications and raise the child to adulthood in the best possible conditions. J Clin Microbiol, 1990 Dec, 28(12), 2845 - 7 Fatal encephalitis caused by Dactylaria constricta var . gallopava in a snowy owl chick (Nyctea scandiaca); Salkin IF et al.; Dactylaria constricta var . gallopava (Cooke) Salkin et Dixon was found to cause fatal encephalitis in a 28-day-old, captivity-bred snowy owl chick (Nyctea scandiaca) . The previously healthy bird suddenly developed ataxia, severe torticollis, and extensor rigidity of the legs . Since the animal did not improve with antibiotic or vitamin-mineral supplement therapy, the chick was euthanized 5 days after the onset of neurologic signs . At necropsy, all tissues except the brain were grossly normal . Cultures inoculated with blood from the brain and heart yielded a dematiaceous mould that subsequently proved to be D . constricta var . gallopava . This is the first report of natural central nervous system infection caused by D . constricta var . gallopava in a snowy owl. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 1990 Dec, 28(6), 367 - 74 Gentamicin impregnated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads in the treatment of primary chronic osteomyelitis of the mandible; Grime PD et al.; Primary chronic osteomyelitis (chronic diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis) of the mandible is an uncommon condition, probably arising as a consequence of infection with bacteria of low virulence, in which bone deposition rather than bone resorption occurs . These bacteria are most likely derived from skin or oral mucosa gaining access to bone from the periodontium or through the circulation . Furthermore, delayed hypersensitivity and ischaemic changes within bone may contribute to the inflammatory response, which once initiated is very difficult to eradicate . When the likely aetiological factors are considered a logical approach to management includes the surgical removal of affected bone and the topical application of a broad spectrum antibiotic to the resultant surgical bed. Pediatr Infect Dis J, 1990 Dec, 9(12), 873 - 7 Epidemiology of acute respiratory infections in young children from Thailand; Sunakorn P et al.; A prospective evaluation of the epidemiology and presentations of acute respiratory infections in children younger than 5 years of age admitted to Children's Hospital Bangkok (1988 to 1989) was supported by the World Health Organization . There were 226 patients with the inclusion criteria: 1 to 5 years of age; duration of illness less than 2 weeks; no prior antibiotic therapy; and low socioeconomic status . The disease categories included: croup, 19 cases; bronchiolitis, 60 cases; and pneumonia, 147 cases . Pathogens isolated were: respiratory syncytial virus (40); parainfluenza III (1); influenza B (1); and adenovirus (1); bacterial infections were proved in 23 cases . No significant differences in clinical features between bacterial and viral pneumonia were found . Interstitial radiographic patterns were more common in viral pneumonia whereas alveolar patterns were more common in bacterial pneumonia . However, 91% of mixed radiographic patterns (interstitial and alveolar) in chest films were from viral pneumonia. Kyobu Geka, 1990 Dec, 43(13), 1084 - 7 {Successful management of a ruptured infected aneurysm of the thoracic aorta: report of a case}; Gohra H et al.; A successful removal of the infected thoracic aortic aneurysm ruptured to the lung is reported . A 59-year-old man who had been suffering from high fever showed sudden hemoptysis and shock during antibiotic therapy . Immediately a so-called temporary bypass grafting from ascending aorta to descending aorta was placed with a woven Dacron prosthesis, and then aneurysmectomy with upper lobectomy of the left lung was carried out . Finally the graft was left as a permanent bypass graft . In addition, the left subclavian artery was reconstructed with a EPTFE graft . The patient is now well one year after operation. Mol Reprod Dev, 1990 Dec, 27(4), 288 - 94 Culturing two- to eight-cell caprine embryos using domestic chicken eggs; Blakewood EG et al.; Early-stage caprine embryos were placed in the chick embryo amnion to determine if this culture method would support the development of embryos from a farm animal species . Following superovulation and natural mating, two- to eight-cell embryos were surgically collected from crossbred donor goats . Embryos were allotted to in vitro culture treatments across two different experiments (EXP) . In EXP-I, embryos allotted to Treatment A (control) were cultured in Ham's F-10 with 10% fetal calf serum and 1% antibiotic-antimycotic (HF-10) . Embryos in Treatment B were placed on a bovine fetal uterine fibroblast monolayer in HF-10, embryos allotted to Treatment C were agarose embedded and injected into the amniotic cavity of a day-4 chick embryo and those placed in Treatment D were co-cultured in HF-10 with day-15 caprine trophoblastic vesicles . In EXP II Treatments A, B, and C were the same; however Treatment D was omitted . EXP-I and EXP-II also differed in that chick embryo co-culture was for 72 hr in EXP-I but was extended to 96 hours in EXP-II . Additionally, the monolayer co-culture was limited to 96 hr in EXP-II; whereas, embryos in EXP-I remained on monolayer culture for 96 hr plus an additional 72 hr for subsequent embryo evaluation . Results indicate that the amniotic cavity of the developing chick embryo enhanced the development of two- to eight-cell caprine embryos through to hatching blastocysts when compared with that of the control medium alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1990 Dec, 70(6), 741 - 3 Dexamethasone as an adjunct in oropharyngeal obstruction in a patient with leukemia; Barrett AP; Incipient airway obstruction due to fulminating bacterial infection of pharyngeal tissues requires prompt and definitive intervention . A case is presented in which dexamethasone was a key adjunct to antibiotic therapy in averting this problem in a severely neutropenic patient with acute leukemia. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1990 Dec, 163(6 Pt 2), 2146 - 52 Factors affecting the enterohepatic circulation of oral contraceptive steroids; Orme ML et al.; Oral contraceptive steroids may undergo enterohepatic circulation, but it is relevant for only estrogens, because these compounds can be directly conjugated in the liver . Animal studies show convincing evidence of the importance of the enterohepatic circulation, but studies in humans are much less convincing . The importance of the route and the rate of metabolism of ethinyl estradiol are reviewed . Some antibiotics have been reported anecdotally to reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptive steroids, but controlled studies have not confirmed this observation . Although gut flora are altered by oral antibiotics, the blood levels of ethinyl estradiol are not reduced, and one antibiotic at least (cotrimoxazole) enhances the activity of ethinyl estradiol. Chest, 1990 Dec, 98(6), 1322 - 6 Utility of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in nonresolving pneumonia; Feinsilver SH et al.; Although fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) has been traditionally used to evaluate nonresolving pneumonia, its efficacy is unknown . We, therefore, reviewed FOB in 35 consecutive patients who had (1) a roentgenographic infiltrate, (2) cough, (3) either temperature greater than 38.1 degrees C, leukocytosis, sputum production, (4) symptoms present for at least ten days, and antibiotic therapy for at least one week . Known lung cancer and AIDS were excluded . Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was diagnostic in 86 percent (12/14) in whom a specific cause was found . No patient had endobronchial cancer . Two patients with nondiagnostic FOB and persistent systemic symptoms had open lung biopsy specimens showing Wegener's granulomatosis and bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP) . Twenty-one patients with nondiagnostic FOB had no final diagnoses other than community-acquired pneumonia . We conclude that FOB is extremely useful in finding a specific diagnosis for a nonresolving pneumonia when a specific diagnosis can be made . Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was most likely to yield a specific diagnosis in nonsmoking patients with multilobar infiltrates of long duration and could have been avoided in older, smoking, or otherwise compromised patients with lobar or segmental infiltrates with no decrease in diagnostic yield in our series. Ann Thorac Surg, 1990 Dec, 50(6), 868 - 81 Treatment of postoperative infection of ascending aorta and transverse aortic arch, including use of viable omentum and muscle flaps; Coselli JS et al.; Postoperative infection of the ascending aorta and aortic arch in 40 patients was treated by antibiotic therapy alone (4 patients) or by operation and lifelong suppressive antibiotic therapy (36 patients) . Complications of infection included antibiotic-resistant infection, infected false aneurysm, rupture of suture line, aortocutaneous fistulas, aortic-right ventricular fistulas, arterial embolus, aortic valve insufficiency, aortobronchial fistula, mediastinal abscess, and chest wall problems . These were treated by a variety of operations including composite valve-graft replacement, graft replacement, patch-graft closure of false aneurysm, simple suture of disrupted suture lines and false aneurysm, and debridement of mediastinum and chest wall . The area of reconstruction was covered, and mediastinal dead space was reduced by mobilization of viable tissue, including local tissue and distant structures such as flaps of muscle and omentum . Thirty-three patients (83%) were early survivors, and 28 patients (70%) were alive and well at last follow-up 4 months to 6.5 years after operation. J Neurosurg, 1990 Dec, 73(6), 962 - 4 Subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a fungal aneurysm of the vertebral artery as a complication of intracranial aneurysm clipping . Case report; Piotrowski WP et al.; Intracranial aneurysms are an uncommon manifestation of fungal infection . A case is described in which the formation of an aneurysm followed an intracranial intraoperative Aspergillus infection attributable to a long period of preoperative antibiotic medication and immunosuppressive therapy with steroids. J Clin Oncol, 1990 Dec, 8(12), 1998 - 2004 Early hospital discharge of children with cancer treated for fever and neutropenia: identification and management of the low-risk patient; Mullen CA et al.; Children with leukemia and solid tumors are often hospitalized for empiric broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy because of fever during periods of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia . Conventional practice dictates that parenteral antibiotics be continued until the patient is afebrile and has recovered from neutropenia, ie, until the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) exceeds 500 cells per cubic millimeter . However, the practice in our center has been to discontinue parenteral antibiotic therapy and discharge many such patients before resolution of neutropenia . Since the feasibility and safety of this approach has not been studied, we reviewed the records of 114 consecutive hospitalizations for fever and neutropenia in 61 patients during a 13-month period . Seventy-seven children (68%) were discharged to their homes while still neutropenic after they had been afebrile for 1 to 2 days on parenteral antibiotics, had negative blood cultures, appeared well, and usually had some evidence of bone marrow recovery . Five patients (4.4%) developed recurrent fever and required rehospitalization within 7 days of discharge . Only three of the 77 patients (3.9%) who were sent home with neutropenia had recurrent fever . Each had a brief and uneventful second hospitalization . Two of the 37 children discharged with an ANC over 500 cells per cubic millimeter required rehospitalization . A declining ANC and advanced malignancy were risk factors in predicting recurrence of fever following discharge . A rising monocyte count was a predictor of imminent recovery from neutropenia . These results suggest that "early" discharge of an afebrile yet still neutropenic patient is safe when the patient is in remission, has no evidence of serious infection, appears clinically stable, and has indications of bone marrow recovery . The conventional approach of routinely continuing the hospitalization until resolution of neutropenia may be unnecessary in such low-risk patients. Arch Dis Child, 1990 Dec, 65(12), 1297 - 300 Roseola infantum and other syndromes associated with acute HHV6 infection; Irving WL et al.; Eight cases of acute human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV6) infection in infants were diagnosed serologically by the demonstration of IgM anti-HHV6 (8/8) and a significant change in total anti-HHV6 antibody titre (6/8) . Four infants were sufficiently ill to require admission to hospital and further investigations: one with encephalitis and three with gross hepatosplenomegaly, two of whom had evidence of simultaneous infection with another herpes-virus . The remaining four infants had an illness compatible with roseola infantum, although this diagnosis had not been made clinically . Sera from two of those infants with rash had been sent for analysis to exclude rubella because the infants' mothers were pregnant . The other two had received antibiotics when febrile, and the subsequent appearance of the roseola rash had raised the possibility of antibiotic allergy . The data suggest that there are clinical syndromes in addition to roseola infantum associated with the presence of IgM anti-HHV6, in which serological screening for evidence of acute HHV6 infection may be useful. J Med Chem, 1990 Dec, 33(12), 3160 - 9 Arabinofuranosylpyrrolo{2,3-d}pyrimidines as potential agents for human cytomegalovirus infections; Krawczyk SH et al.; Protection of the 3'- and 5'-hydroxyl groups of the nucleoside antibiotic toyocamycin (1) with 1,3-dichloro-1,1,3,3-tetraisopropyldisiloxane was followed by (trifluoromethyl)sulfonylation of the 2'-hydroxyl group . A displacement of the resulting triflate ester moiety with lithium chloride, lithium bromide, sodium iodide, and lithium azide in hexamethylphosphoramide was followed by a removal of the disilyl moiety with tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride to afford the appropriate (2'-deoxy-2'-substituted-arabinofuranosyl)toyocamycin analogues 6a-d . Hydrolysis of the carbonitrile moieties of 6a-d with hydrogen peroxide gave the corresponding sangivamycin analogues (7a-d) . A reduction of the azido moiety of 6a and 7a with 1,3-propanedithiol furnished the corresponding amino derivatives (6e and 7e) . The antiproliferative activity of 6a-e and 7a-e was evaluated in L1210 cell cultures . None of these compounds caused significant inhibition of cell growth . Evaluation of these compounds for antiviral activity showed that all the toyocamycin analogues were active against human CMV, but of the sangivamycin analogues, only (2'-deoxy-2'-azidoarabinosyl)sangivamycin (7a) was active against this virus . None of the compounds were active against HSV-1 or HSV-2 . (2'-Deoxy-2'-aminoarabinofuranosyl)toyocamycin (6e) was studied more extensively and showed some separation between antiviral activity and cytotoxicity as measured by effects on DNA synthesis, cell growth, and cell-plating efficiency . Although 6e also was active against murine CMV in vitro, it was not active against this virus in infected mice . We conclude that arabinosylpyrrolopyrimidines have potential as antivirals, but no members of the current series are potent enough to show significant activity in vivo. Riv Eur Sci Med Farmacol, 1990 Dec, 12(6), 359 - 66 {A new anti-inflammatory--analgesic--antipyretic for the treatment of acute disease of the bronchi }; Girbino G et al.; Sixty adult patients, 31 men and 29 women, aged 44 to 60, and affected by acute bronchitis of probable bacterial aetiology were randomly divided into 3 groups of 20 and treated respectively with: 1) morniflumate (one 700 mg tablet twice a day) + amoxicillin (one 1 g tablet twice a day); 2) feprazone (one 200 mg tablet twice a day) + amoxicillin (one 1 g tablet twice a day); 3) amoxicillin (one 1 g tablet twice a day) . Mean therapy duration was 9 days . The action of the drugs under study was assessed by objective chest examination and by evaluating the modifications of cough intensity and frequency, chest pain expectorating difficulty, amount of expectoration, body temperature . The overall assessments were completed by side-effect recording and by laboratory examinations carried out at the beginning and end of the study . Checks were made regularly on admission, and in the 3rd, 5th, 7th and last day of therapy . The above mentioned parameters showed a quicker regression of bronchial inflammation in the subjects treated also with the antiinflammatory drug compared to those treated only with the antibiotic . Furthermore, in the subjects treated with morniflumate such improvement was more rapidly achieved compared to those who received feprazone . The analgesic and antipyretic effects of morniflumate were also remarkable . All tested drugs were well tolerated. Antibiot Khimioter, 1990 Dec, 35(12), 7 - 11 {Molecular cloning of chlortetracycline resistance gene from chlortetracycline producer Streptomyces aureofaciens}; Sezonov GV et al.; The chlortetracycline (CT) resistance gene ctr was cloned from S . aureofaciens 633, a strain producing the antibiotic . The 6.6-kb DNA Bam HI fragment containing the resistance gene was cloned with the plasmid vector pIJ699 . Comparison of the restriction maps of the cloned gene and the oxytetracycline (OT) resistance gene otrA from S . rimosus revealed their similarity which enabled identification of the cloned resistance gene as otrA . Investigation of the resistance determinants in S . aureofaciens 633 made it possible to identify a mtr gene(s) . It was demonstrated that introduction of a ctrA gene into S . lividance provided a simultaneous increase in the resistance of the recipient strain to CT and a number of macrolide antibiotics . The CT resistance determinants in S . lividans TK64 showed properties of exogenous induction by CT and the macrolide antibiotics similar to the properties of the mtr gene(s) of S . aureofaciens . Possible adaptation properties of mtr genes are discussed. Antibiot Khimioter, 1990 Dec, 35(12), 26 - 9 {Development of the system for protoplast generation in Streptomyces aureofaciens strains--chlortetracycline producers}; Isaeva LM et al.; Conditions for preparation and regeneration of protoplasts in a commercial strain of the culture producing chlortetracycline and its derivatives were determined . The protoplasting level depended on the conditions of the mycelium cultivation and composition of a regeneration medium . Under the optimal conditions it amounted up to 10(6) protoplasts/ml . A mutant able to form regenerating protoplasts at a rate of 10(9) protoplasts/ml was isolated . An autoinhibition effect in regenerating protoplasts was observed . As a result ofprotoplast generationing, the morphological variation increased and the protoplast antibiotic activity changed within wide ranges . Variants with higher productivity in comparison to that of the initial strain were isolated . Stability of the inherited property of antibiotic production in the variants is being studied. Antibiot Khimioter, 1990 Dec, 35(12), 14 - 7 {Cloning of grisin resistance gene gsr and the study of its functioning in Streptomyces griseus Kr . strain}; Sezonov GV et al.; S . griseus Kr . is a commercial strain producing grisin, an antibiotic of the streptothricin group used as a feed additive . It was shown earlier that genetic instability of the strain was very high which was evident from a high frequency of nonreverting Grn- Grns mutants . With densitographic analysis of chromosomal DNA electrophoregrams and DNA-DNA hybridization it was revealed that the molecular basis of the genetic instability of the S . griseus strain was deletion of a DNA fragment about 20 kb in size containing a grisin resistance gene . The resistance gene designated as gsr was cloned to S . lividans TK 64 within the plasmid vector pIJ699 . The restriction map of a cloned DNA fragment with a gsr gene was constructed and its similarity to that of a nat gene resistant to norseothricin, another streptothricin was observed . Introduction of a gsr gene within the multicopy plasmid pIJ699 into S . griseus 212, a highly productive strain synthesiing the antibiotic, led to an increase in its resistance and productivity . Proceeding from the preliminary data on possible linkage of a gsr gene and grisin biosynthesis genes, it appeared possible to use the cloned gene as a molecular probe in cloning the biosynthesis genes. Zhonghua Shen Jing Jing Shen Ke Za Zhi, 1990 Dec, 23(6), 374 - 6, 386 {Non-operation management of 12 cases with brain abscess demonstrated by CT scan}; Long J; This paper reported 12 cases with brain abscess demonstrated by CT scan . Using antibiotic management without surgical intervention, in 10 cases the curative effects were satisfactory . The paper indicated that CT scan was very useful in prompt and correct diagnosis of brain abscess and with sequential CT scan medical therapy was feasible . It is significant in treatment of brain abscess especially for the patients who have a poor general condition, have the brain abscess located in important functional area or have multiple abscesses so that the operation is difficult for them. Biochimie, 1990 Dec, 72(12), 885 - 7 MoMuLV-derived self-inactivating retroviral vectors possessing multiple cloning sites and expressing the resistance to either G418 or hygromycin B; Marty L et al.; To facilitate cloning procedures in recombinant murine leukemia virus-derived retroviruses, we have constructed vectors that both carry a polylinker with multiple restriction sites and express resistance to either G418 or hygromycin B . Our vectors are self-inactivating retroviruses that suppress interferences between LTR enhancers and internal promoters and avoid transcriptional stimulation of host cell genes . They can also be used as expression vectors in direct transfection assays, since no translation initiation codon lies between the 5' LTR and the cloning polylinker. Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 1990 Dec, 97(12), 520 - 3 Supplementing salinomycin to diets for growing-finishing pigs; De Schrijver R et al.; Feeding experiments with growing-finishing pigs were carried out to study the effect of different dietary salinomycin concentrations upon animal performance . Besides a dietary treatment without antibiotic, three treatments consisted of 20/10 mg/kg, 40/20 mg/kg and 60/30 mg/kg salinomycin (the first and second number refer to the salinomycin content in grower and finisher diet, respectively) . Compared to the control group, feeding diets with 20 or 40 mg/kg salinomycin resulted in significantly higher weight gain in the grower period (25-45 kg body weight), while also feed conversion was lower (although not statistically significant) . In the finisher period (45-100 kg body weight) salinomycin had no significant effect upon weight gain or feed conversion efficiency, but the 20 and 30 mg/kg treatments yielded the best results . Considering the grower and finisher period together the dietary treatments 40/20 mg/kg and 60/30 mg/kg showed highest growth rate and most favourable feed conversion, although not statistically significant . Carcass characteristics (dressing percentage, carcass length, backfat thickness, percent meat) were not affected by dietary salinomycin supplementation. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1990 Dec, 34(12), 2354 - 7 Intraoperative concentrations of ofloxacin in serum, bile fluid, and gallbladder wall tissue; Chin A et al.; To evaluate concentrations of ofloxacin in serum, bile fluid, and gallbladder wall tissue after intravenous administration, patients greater than or equal to 16 years old diagnosed with acute cholecystitis were randomly assigned to receive ofloxacin (400 mg) intravenously every 12 h or ceftazidime (2 g) intravenously every 8 h . Doses of each regimen were given preoperatively . Serum, bile fluid, and gallbladder wall tissue samples of consecutive patients in the ofloxacin group were obtained intraoperatively . The samples were frozen at -70 degrees C until analyzed by high-pr