Am J Hematol, 1985 Feb, 18(2), 213 - 9 Extravascular hemolysis following the administration of cefamandole; Branch DR et al.; Hemolytic anemia occurred in a 70-year-old female after a five-day course of intravenous cefamandole . The patient's serum contained an IgG antibody which was reactive with red blood cells which had been coated in vitro with cefamandole but not with uncoated cells . An in vitro assay of allogeneic mononuclear phagocytosis of cefamandole-coated red cells sensitized with the patient's anti-cefamandole indicated that the anti-cefamandole could induce significant phagocytosis . The anti-cefamandole was easily inhibited in vitro by cefamandole as well as by a variety of related cephalosporins indicating broad cross-reactivity, with the antigenic site primarily the 7-amino-cephalosporanic acid nucleus . Penicillins could inhibit the anti-cefamandole but only when using concentrations 3-10 X those of cephalosporins . Eleven examples of anti-penicillin tested failed to react with cefamandole-coated red cells . Screening of 344 random sera from hospitalized patients found only five (1.5%) reactive with cefamandole-coated red cells; three of these sera were also reactive with penicillin-coated red cells . The patient's hemolysis subsided following cessation of the drug . This is the first report of anti-cefamandole-induced hemolytic anemia. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1985 Feb, 33(2), 121 - 8 {Biliary excretion of apalcillin . Experimental study and evaluation in man}; Brogard JM et al.; Biliary excretion of apalcillin, a new derivative of the ureido-penicillin group, was investigated both experimentally and in humans . After adding 10 mg of this antibiotic to the circulating blood of an isolated rabbit liver perfusion model (n = 5), mean total apalcillin biliary recovery (0-3 h) accounted for 30.7% of the administered dose; the biliary peak averaged 686.0 +/- 135.9 micrograms/ml . In 5 healthy subjects, a mean maximum level of 1088 +/- 582 micrograms/ml was measured in the duodenal fluid collected during the 4 hours following an i.v . injection of Ig of apalcillin . In 10 cholecystectomized patients provided with T-tube drainage, after the same dosage, a mean biliary peak of 2093 +/- 859 micrograms/ml was reached at the third hour and cumulative biliary recovery of apalcillin over a period of 12 hours amounted to 12.1% of the injected dose . In 20 patients, undergoing biliary tract surgery, intra-operative assays performed 1 hour after i.v . injection of 1 g of apalcillin, showed simultaneous mean antibiotic activity of 65.5 +/- 5.0 micrograms/ml in serum, 3860 +/- 551 micrograms/ml in main duct bile and 2552 +/- 627 micrograms/ml in gallbladder bile . The results of these investigations were compared with data previously obtained under identical procedures with 13 other beta-lactam derivatives. Genitourin Med, 1985 Feb, 61(1), 27 - 32 Changes in intravascular complement, kininogen, and histamine during Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction in secondary syphilis; Loveday C et al.; Nine patients with secondary syphilis and one control subject were observed for eight hours after the administration of penicillin . Serial clinical observations were made, and blood samples were obtained for the analysis of complement, histamine, and kininogen . Six patients showed Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions, the intensities of which were found to parallel certain changes in activity of complement and concentrations of histamine and kininogen . Results were analysed statistically . Significant falls were seen in: total haemolytic complement (CH50), C1 inhibitor, C3, functional (haemolytic) C4, and to a lesser extent total C4 . Split products of C3 were shown in five of the six patients who had a reaction . There was no change in total glycine rich beta-glycoprotein (GBG) or glycine rich gamma-glycoprotein (GGG) or evidence of conversion of GBG to GGG . Plasma kininogen concentrations fell and plasma histamine concentrations rose appreciably before and during the clinical phase of the reaction . These results are discussed in relation to the clinical features and possible pathogenic mechanisms of the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction. J Reprod Med, 1985 Feb, 30(2), 145 - 8 Abdominal wall actinomycosis associated with an IUD . A case report; Adachi A et al.; PIP: This paper presents the 1st reported case of actinomycosis of the subcutaneous tissues and abdominal wall without pelvic organ involvement in an IUD user . The patient, a 39-year old woman, para 4-0-1-4, presented with lower abdominal pain . Pap smear findings were reported as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, grade I-II, and endocervical curettage showed colonies of Actinomyces species . A subsequent cone biopsy revealed carcinoma in situ but no evidence of Actinomyces . The final diagnosis was cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, leiomyomata, and actinomycotic abscesses of the abdominal wall . It is suggested that systemic actinomycosis be included in the differential diagnosis of pain in IUD users when Actinomyces is found on Pap smears or in endocervical curettings . Treatment of actinomycosis generally involves intravenous aqueous penicillin, 10-20 million units/day for 4-5 days, followed by 2-15 million units/day of oral penicillin for 3 weeks-1 year . Longterm antibiotic therapy is particularly important prior to any surgical intervention . If left untreated, actinomycosis can lead to infection, brain abscess, or death . Brain Res, 1985 Jan 28, 325(1-2), 261 - 9 Kainic acid and penicillin: differential effects on excitatory and inhibitory interactions in the CA1 region of the hippocampal slice; Aitken PG; The effects of kainic acid (KA, 0.05-1.0 microM), and penicillin (PN, 3.4 mM) were studied in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices . Three components of the overall input/output function were taken: (1) the amplitude of the presynaptic compound action potential (prevolley) vs stimulation current applied to Schaffer collaterals, (2) the magnitude of the focally recorded synaptic potential (population EPSP) vs prevolley amplitude; and (3) the amplitude of the focally recorded population spike vs population EPSP magnitude . Recurrent inhibition was measured using the antidromic-orthodromic paired pulse method . KA caused a significant and reversible enhancement of all 3 component input/output functions while having no effect on paired pulse inhibition . PN caused a left shift in the EPSP-population spike relationship and decreased or abolished paired pulse inhibition; the other two measures of excitability were not changed . These results suggest that PN and KA differ fundamentally in the mechanisms by which they produce seizures: PN by removing inhibition while not affecting neuronal excitability per se; KA by exerting a generalized excitatory effect on neural membranes and on synaptic function while leaving recurrent inhibition unchanged. Dermatologica, 1985, 171(6), 429 - 34 Penicillin allergy and the relevance of epicutaneous tests; Bruynzeel DP et al.; Epicutaneous tests with penicillins are important in the evaluation of penicillin allergy in patients who have shown a delayed urticarial or maculo-papular rash after the administration of penicillin derivatives . Of 23 patients who showed positive epicutaneous tests only 5 also showed immediate-type reactivity upon subsequent intracutaneous tests with the major determinant of penicillin . Moreover, patients with positive epicutaneous tests were evidently immunologically reactive on penicillins, since lymphocytes from 14 out of 17 patients showed increased DNA synthesis induced by penicillin G and ampicillin in vitro . The performance of epicutaneous tests with various penicillin derivatives is recommended as a first step in establishing penicillin allergy, because it is a safe method and because an extra group of sensitized patients is detected. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol, 1985 Jan, 21(1), 39 - 44 A simple method for the establishment of tissue culture melanocytes from regenerating fowl feathers; Bowers RR et al.; A quick and simple method for the establishment of tissue cultures of nonembryonic domestic fowl melanocytes was desired . The selected source of these cells was the 14-d-old regenerating feather . Three procedures were compared on the basis of the yield and purity of melanocytes . For the first method, 2 mm of the proximal end of the feather was cut off under sterile conditions and placed immediately in Hanks' balanced salt solution (BSS) containing antibiotics . The feather was split longitudinally and the pulp removed . The tissue was placed pulp side down in several drops of Ham's F12 medium containing 2.5 micrograms/ml Fungizone, 50 micrograms/ml gentamicin, 100 micrograms/ml streptomycin, 100 micrograms/ml penicillin, and 10% fetal bovine serum . After 2 h at 37 degrees C, the tissue was attached to the dish and new medium was added and changed every 3 d thereafter . Cells migrated from the tissue starting on Day 2 and the tissue was removed on Day 5 . Large dendritic peripheral cells and small round central cells were seen . Approximately 6.5 X 10(4) cells were present on Day 10 and 8 X 10(4) cells were counted on Day 20 . By Day 30, the pigmented melanocytes were large, flat, dendritic cells . Electron microscopy and the use of the dopa reaction indicated that the population of cells was almost entirely melanocytes . The second method used was similar to the first, the only difference being that the feather sheath was also removed and thus only the collar of cells remained . The third method tried was similar to the second with the difference that the collar of cells was gently agitated with 0.25% trypsin for 5, 10, and 20-min intervals at 37 degrees C . The trypsin supernatant fluid was removed by gentle centrifugation and medium plus fetal bovine serum was added to stop tryptic action . The second method showed no advantage over the first . The purity and yield of melanocytes in the third method were lower than in either of the previous two methods . The number of cells desired can be controlled by varying the number of the feather pieces used per culture. Diagn Immunol, 1985, 3(4), 182 - 6 Flow cytochemical analysis of atopic reactions; Milson TJ et al.; The technicon H-6000 has the unique ability among automated hematology systems to discriminate basophils from other hematopoietic cells on the basis of astra blue positivity of heparin-containing granules . We therefore examined the ability of this flow cytochemistry system to predict allergic diathesis in vitro by examining the number of basophils detected before and after incubation with a variety of allergens . One hundred subjects with documented atopic reactions to known allergens were examined and compared to 13 patients who had undergone successful desensitization and 12 normal subjects who had no history of atopy . One subject who had a previous anaphylactic response to penicillin but was skin-test negative to the major antigenic determinant demonstrated 55% degranulation after incubation with penicillin G . Finally, the basophil degranulation as assessed by the Technicon H-6000 was compared to a histamine release assay to determine the sensitivity of the automated system . The results suggest that flow cytochemistry may prove a valuable tool in predicting the success of desensitization therapy for common allergens and may have the potential to screen atopic reaction in the routine hematology laboratory. J Craniofac Genet Dev Biol, 1985, 5(4), 351 - 5 Improved development of rat embryos in culture during the period of craniofacial morphogenesis; Eto K et al.; To study the mammalian craniofacial development, the culture conditions of rat whole embryo during the period of major craniofacial morphogenesis were examined . The improved rotating apparatus which is gassed continuously was used . Rat embryos explanted at 11.5 days (plug day 0) developed in vitro for up to 72 hr, that is, throughout the period of major craniofacial morphogenesis, and cultured embryos showed normal facial formation . The medium was equilibrated with a gas mixture of 95% 02, 5% CO2 . The 100% rat serum improved the protein content of embryos cultured for 48 hr compared with the medium consisting of 50% rat serum and 50% Tyrode solution, although somite number was not altered . Furthermore, 100% rat serum containing 2 mg/ml glucose was the best medium for supporting growth of embryos when it was measured by protein content . Thus, the best culture medium was pure rat serum containing 50 units/ml penicillin, 50 micrograms/ml streptomycin, and 2 mg/ml glucose . Protein content, body weight, craniofacial formation, and somite number of embryos cultured for 48 hr with continuous gassing were much better than those cultured with noncontinuous gassing. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1985, 79(3), 355 - 8 Provocation of poliomyelitis by multiple injections; Wyatt HV; Injections of vaccines provoked paralytic poliomyelitis in children in the UK and elsewhere . The effect of multiple injections has not been recognized previously but could be important in the tropics where children receive many injections . A number of epidemics of poliomyelitis between 1914 and 1962 are related to children with congenital syphilis or yaws under treatment with arsenicals or penicillin . Rates of 25% of children with paralysis occurred in epidemics while in non-epidemic periods the increase in susceptibility was about 25 fold . Other possible cases of provocation are discussed . Although in the tropics injections before paralysis may be causal, it will be difficult to prove that they are not coincident . The very high rate of paralysis following multiple injections is powerful evidence that injections in the tropics are often causal. Drugs, 1985, 29 Suppl 5, 210 - 2 Single dose therapy with temocillin in acute gonorrhoea; Reimer G et al.; Temocillin has pronounced in vitro activity against both penicillin-sensitive and penicillinase-producing gonococci . A single intramuscular injection of temocillin 0.5 g or 1.0 g resulted in the disappearance of the infecting gonococci in 91% of 75 patients and 94% of 192 patients in 2 separate trials . The systemic and local tolerance of the drug was unusually favourable and no serious side effects were observed. J Fr Ophtalmol, 1985, 8(4), 321 - 31 {Uveitis in acquired syphilis}; Touboul JP et al.; Syphilis is a well-established cause of uveal disease and is thought to be responsible for several distinct types of intraocular inflammation . Four cases of acquired syphilitic uveitis are reported . The diagnosis was essentially based on the clinical picture, the elimination of other possible causes, the results of reliable blood immunologic tests eg, the TPHA, FTA and Nelson tests, and the rapid response to penicillin therapy . Evaluation of anti-Treponema pallidum antibodies in the aqueous humor does not contribute to the diagnosis of syphilitic uveitis . Two cases needed large amounts of penicillin (total dosage, 440 million units) . Oral steroids were used to control the associated inflammatory reaction and to prevent a Herxheimer reaction . All the patients responded well to therapy. Int Surg, 1985 Jan-Mar, 70(1), 39 - 40 Superinfected actinomycotic abscess of the liver; Gertsch P et al.; Isolated actinomycotic liver abscess is rare . We report a case with fulminant evolution, which was treated successfully with surgery and penicillin . In human actinomycosis, Actinomyces israeli is the main infective agent . An abdominal localisation is uncommon, occurring in less than 25% of cases . Isolated liver lesions are extremely rare; their presence might be interpreted as the result of the hematogenous spread of a no longer present intestinal lesion . The evolution of actinomycosis is usually torpid . In the present case, mixed infection with Fusobacterium nucleatum might explain the acute evolution. Dev Comp Immunol, 1985 Spring, 9(2), 261 - 70 Antibody diversity in fish . Isoelectrofocalisation study of individually-purified specific antibodies in three teleost fish species: tench, carp and goldfish; Wetzel MC et al.; Natural anti-DNP antibodies were isolated by affinity chromatography from individual sera of three Cyprinid fish species (carp, goldfish and tench) and their electrofocusing (IEF) spectra were analysed in reducing conditions . In addition, immune anti-penicillin and anti-BSA antibodies were isolated from individual and pooled tench sera, and studied by IEF techniques on reduced samples . Diversity rates appeared to be rather low in the three fish species, and striking similarities arose between individuals of a same species . These results can be interpreted by the existence of particular selective pressures operating in poikilothermic species as it was already suggested by Du Pasquier . No enhancement of antibody heterogeneity could be detected in the tetraploid (carp and goldfish) species . This result is also in accordance with the selection of a restricted germ-line determined antibody repertoire in lower vertebrates. Scand J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1985, 19(1), 45 - 8 Effect of high-dose ampicillin and cloxacillin on bleeding time and bleeding in open-heart surgery; Pillgram-Larsen J et al.; To determine if platelet dysfunction caused by high doses of penicillin compounds is of practical importance in patients with additional haemostatic defects perioperatively, a study was made of patients undergoing open-heart surgery . They were randomly assigned to prophylactic treatment with ampicillin 8 g plus cloxacillin 4 g daily for three days, or with cephalothin 8 g daily for three days . Fifty patients in each group were evaluated . The median bleeding time preoperatively and on days 1 and 4 postoperatively did not differ between the groups . The bleeding time was prolonged beyond the normal range in eight patients of the ampicillin/cloxacillin group and in three of the cephalothin group (p less than 0.05) . Prolonged bleeding time was not associated with lower platelet count or greater blood loss . The total blood loss and the amounts of transfused blood, platelets and cryoprecipitate were all greater in the ampicillin/cloxacillin group, but the difference was not statistically significant . Combined use of ampicillin and cloxacillin in open-heart surgery is associated with increased bleeding, but the increase is without practical importance. J Pharm Sci, 1985 Jan, 74(1), 68 - 71 Epimerization kinetics of moxalactam, its derivatives, and carbenicillin in aqueous solution; Hashimoto N et al.; The mechanism of the epimerization of moxalactam was studied by measuring the rate of epimerization after deuteration of the C-7 side-chain chiral carbon, introduction of different substituents on the side chain, and variation of the ring system . Deuteration slowed the epimerization rate considerably . The rate was also influenced by the choice of the ring system and the substituent on the C-7 side-chain chiral carbon . When the penicillin ring system with the 2-carboxy-2-phenyl-acetamide was studied, the epimerization rate decreased indicating that the same ring system needed to be used throughout the epimerization studies . Thus, experiments were conducted with different substituents replacing the phenolic group at the C-7 side-chain chiral carbon of moxalactam . The epimerization rate decreased in the substituent order thienyl, phenyl, 4-hydroxyphenyl, the ionized form of 4-hydroxyphenyl, and ethyl . These results showed that dehydrogenation of the chiral carbon seems to be the rate-determining step and that the stronger the electron-donating effect of the substituent, the slower the epimerization rate becomes. J Pediatr Orthop, 1985 Jan-Feb, 5(1), 104 - 6 Skeletal presentation of congenital syphilis: case report and review of the literature; Toohey JS; Congenital syphilis is a rare disease . Primary skeletal presentation is also unusual, and recognition and prompt treatment are necessary to avoid devastating consequences . Differential diagnoses include trauma, Caffey's disease, scurvy, and hypervitaminosis D . Penicillin treatment will reverse most changes. Epilepsia, 1985 Jan-Feb, 26(1), 69 - 73 Bicuculline methiodide in the blood-brain barrier-epileptogen model of epilepsy; Remler MP et al.; Focal epilepsy can be produced by a blood-brain barrier (BBB)-excluded systemic convulsant (penicillin, folic acid, etc.) in the presence of a focal BBB lesion . Bicuculline methiodide, a gamma-aminobutyric acid blocking epileptogen, crosses the normal BBB of rats poorly and produces no consistent abnormality behaviorally or on EEG at 36 mg/kg . When the BBB is opened in 0.25 ml of cortex by 6,000 rad of alpha particles, by a pin trauma lesion, or by a heat lesion, the rats are normal clinically and on EEG . When these lesioned rats are challenged with bicuculline methiodide, 36 mg/kg, an intense, highly localized epileptiform discharge results that begins approximately 20 min after injection and lasts 30-90 min . The plausibility and experimental utility of the BBB-epileptogen model of epilepsy are enhanced by these observations. Epilepsia, 1985 Jan-Feb, 26(1), 103 - 8 Brain distribution of carbamazepine and phenobarbital given in combination in experimental epilepsy; Monaco F et al.; This study describes the brain distribution of carbamazepine (CBZ) and phenobarbital (PB) given intraperitoneally in combination to cats rendered epileptic by parenteral penicillin and by penicillin topically applied on neocortex . A control group of normal cats was also evaluated pharmacokinetically . Levels of both drugs were extremely low in brains of controls (CBZ 0.8 +/- 0.02 micrograms/g; PB 1.49 +/- 0.7 micrograms/g of fresh tissue), but higher levels were found in brains of epileptic cats with CBZ showing the greater increase (peak concentrations five- to sixfold higher than the corresponding CSF free fraction vs . three- to fourfold higher for PB) . This might have been partially due to the ability of CBZ to prevent the metabolic alterations associated with severe convulsions, and hence the binding impairment . As this event had no effect of potentiation on CBZ anticonvulsant activity, the present data confirm previous reports indicating that there is no experimental evidence that two drugs are better than one in controlling epilepsy. Pharmacology, 1985, 31(2), 115 - 20 Absorption of oral penicillin before and after gastroplasty for morbid obesity; Miskowiak J et al.; Gastroplasty for morbid obesity results in a small proximal pouch with a narrow stoma to the distal stomach . Absorption of phenoxymethylpenicillin given in tablets and liquid form was evaluated in 8 females before and 3 months after gastroplasty . Penicillin absorption was not affected to any significant extent . Oral penicillin can therefore safely be given for the treatment of infections in patients after gastroplasty. Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1985 Jan, 99(1), 27 - 9 {Effect of acupuncture on the activity of experimental epileptogenic foci in the hippocampus of rabbits}; Gusel' VA et al.; Experiments were performed on rabbits with electrochemotrodes implanted into the left and right dorsal hippocamp . The evidence was obtained for the first time as to the marked inhibitory effect of acupuncture on epileptogenic foci created by penicillin microinjections into the hippocamp . The most effective was stimulation of the Min-Men point . The antiepileptic effect was potentiated on combined stimulation of the Min-Men and Yao-Yan-Guan points . The efficacy of the procedure was significantly decreased on stimulation of the points of another acupunctural canal . The epileptiform activity was potentiated by affecting the knowingly inactive points . The antiepileptic effect of acupuncture was significantly reduced with an increase in the number of acupunctures . This might be connected with the development of tolerance to enkephalins by which the effect of acupuncture is most likely mediated. Microbios, 1985, 43(174-175), 177 - 9 Rapid practical method for detection of beta lactamase-producing bacteria; Brook I et al.; A method is described for rapid detection of beta lactamase-producing organisms within 24 h . The specimen is plated on agar medium, and a standard penicillin susceptibility disc is placed at the site of the lung inoculum . Penicillin resistant bacteria will grow at the area of inhibition . Beta lactamase activity can then be ascertained by utilizing a rapid disc test. Med Cutan Ibero Lat Am, 1985, 13(4), 335 - 9 {Visual and auditory evoked potentials in latent syphilis}; Vignale RA et al.; The evoked potentials visual and auditory are studied in 43 patients with latent syphilis without previous mucocutaneous lesions . Twenty nine of them had not received treatment, and 14 due to their positive serology were treated with benzathine penicillin . At the visual potential evoked there were no abnormalities but in 20 cases evoked auditive potential were abnormal . This findings suppose the existence of subclinical neurological indicates the existence of lesions in almost 50% of the cases of this period of syphilis . All these patients had positive circulate immune complexes and normal cerebro-spinal fluid . The neurological alteration consists in a lesion of the cerebral trunk . According to these results the auditory potential evoked test is very important . The authors doubt on the efficacity of the benzathine penicillin in this period of syphilis. Mol Gen Genet, 1985, 201(3), 499 - 504 Binding of penicillin to thiol-penicillin-binding protein 3 of Escherichia coli: identification of its active site; Houba-Herin N et al.; In order to determine the active site of penicillin-binding protein 3 of Escherichia coli (PBP3), the serine residue at position 307 was replaced with alanine, threonine or cysteine by oligonucleotide-directed site-specific mutagenesis . Since a unique BanII site exists at the position corresponding to serine-307, BanII digestion of the plasmid DNA after mutagenesis resulted in significant enrichment of the mutant plasmids . For mutagenesis, the gene coding for PBP3 (ftsI) was inserted into the expression cloning vector pIN-IIB . The hybrid protein produced was able to bind penicillin while mutant PBP3 in which serine-307 was replaced with either alanine or threonine did not lead to any detectable binding . However, contrary to the report of Broome-Smith et al . (1985) thiol-penicillin-binding protein 3, in which serine-307 was replaced with cysteine, was still able to bind penicillin . Replacement of serine-445 with an alanine residue had no effect on penicillin binding to PBP3. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol, 1985 Jan, 21(1), 15 - 21 Regulation of hormone biosynthesis in cultured islet cells from anglerfish; Bauer GE et al.; The effects of glucose and arginine on islet hormone biosynthesis were investigated using primary cell cultures prepared from islets of the anglerfish (Lophius americanus) . After dispersion under sterile conditions, islet cells were maintained at 23 degrees C in medium containing RPMI 1640 with Hanks' buffer, pH 7.5, modified by the adjustment of glucose (to 0.56 or 5.6 mM) and arginine (to 0.1, 1.15, or 10 mM) with the addition of 10% fetal bovine serum (dialyzed, heat inactivated) and penicillin/streptomycin . After 48 h, media were replaced by incorporation media containing {14C}isoleucine and {3H}tryptophan and incubated for an additional 8 h under otherwise identical conditions . Culture samples (cells plus media) were extracted, desalted, and gel filtered to identify and quantitate {14C}insulin, {3H}glucagon(s) plus {3H}somatostatin-28, and {3H}somatostatin-14 . In some experiments, {14C}insulin, {3H}glucagon(s), {3H}somatostatin-28, and {3H}somatostatin-14 were separated by high performance liquid chromatography . Raising the medium glucose from 0.56 (control) to 5.6 mM resulted in an augmentation in incorporation of {14C}isoleucine into insulin and an augmentation of {3H}tryptophan into glucagon(s) and somatostatin-14, but no change in incorporation of {3H}tryptophan into somatostatin-28 . Raising the concentration of arginine from 0.1 to 1.15 or 10 mM resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of labeled amino acid incorporation into all hormones except somatostatin-28 . The results demonstrate the usefulness of the culture system for studying the modulation of hormone biosynthesis in anglerfish islet cells. Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol, 1985 Fall, 7(3), 235 - 9 Treatment of sickle cell disease in early childhood in Jamaica; Serjeant GR; The Jamaican sickle cell cohort study, based on neonatal diagnosis of all cases of sickle cell disease among 100,000 consecutive births, has identified acute splenic sequestration (ASS) and pneumococcal disease as the most important complications in early life . The etiology of ASS is unknown and prophylaxis is therefore not possible . For first attacks, attention has been directed to parental education to achieve earlier diagnosis . Recurrent attacks may be prevented by prophylactic splenectomy . A controlled trial on the prevention of pneumococcal disease has indicated many pneumococcal septicemias in children given the 14 valent pneumococcal vaccine between the ages of 6 months and 3 years . No pneumococcal isolations occurred during the same period in children given monthly long-acting prophylactic penicillin . A controlled trial of folate supplementation for 1 year in children aged 6 months to 4 years indicated no difference between control and treatment groups in hemoglobin levels or weight and height velocity . The MCV was 4 fl less in the supplemented group . A controlled trial of feeder vessel photocoagulation in the therapy of proliferative retinopathy indicated significantly less vitreous hemorrhage in treated patients, but choroidal neovascularisation was a common complication of xenon arc therapy, and retinal tears commonly followed the use of the Argon laser . A new trial of scatter therapy is in progress. Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1985, 45, 1 - 70 Tick-borne Borrelia infection in Sweden; Stiernstedt G; Spirochetes were cultivated from 17% of 114 Ixodes ricinus ticks in the Stockholm area . Three strains of these spirochetes were selected for studies by electron microscopy . These three strains had definite morphological similarities to spirochetes of the genus Borrelia, as judged by the number of flagella, absence of cytoplasmic tubules, and dimensions . The three strains were not identical, but seemed to consist of two different kinds of cells, one with eight and one with eleven flagella . The three strains were also shown to react with a monoclonal antibody that reacts with Lyme disease spirochetes (Borrelia burgdorferi), but not with strains of other Borreliae, Treponemes, or Leptospiras . These results indicate the possibility of transmission of Borrelia spirochetes from ticks to humans in Sweden . The antibody response to one of the spirochetal strains isolated from Swedish I . ricinus was studied in 37 patients with the typical clinical picture of erythema chronicum migrans (ECM), in 45 patients with chronic meningitis (CMe) cured by high-dose intravenous penicillin, in 298 patients with post-infectious arthritis, and in controls . The antibody response was estimated by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . The antibody levels differed significantly between patients with CMe and healthy individuals (p less than 0.001), both with respect to serum antibody levels and CSF-antibody levels . The antibody levels also differed significantly between patients with ECM and healthy controls as measured by ELISA (p less than 0.05), whereas the difference was not significant as measured by IFA . Five of 298 patients with post-infectious arthritis had higher titers than any of the controls, and two of these five patients had titers higher than any patient with CMe or ECM . These results indicate spirochetal aetiology of ECM, and in some patents with CMe or postinfectious arthritis . As a diagnostic test for ECM, both IFA and ELISA were of limited value, since only 5/37 (14%) ECM patients were positive by IFA, and 14/37 (38%) by ELISA . Regarding patients with CMe, 23/45 (51%) were seropositive by IFA and 30/45 (67%) by ELISA . However, measurement of CSF-antibodies were found to be a more sensitive method than measurement of serum antibodies both by IFA and ELISA, since 38/45 (84%) CMe patients were positive by IFA, and 41/45 (91%) by ELISA . In addition, estimation of CSF antibodies was also found to be a more specific method than estimation of serum antibodies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) EMBO J, 1985 Jan, 4(1), 231 - 5 Production of thiol-penicillin-binding protein 3 of Escherichia coli using a two primer method of site-directed mutagenesis; Broome-Smith JK et al.; The active site serine residue of penicillin-binding protein 3 of Escherichia coli that is acylated by penicillin (Ser-307) has been converted to a cysteine residue using a simple and efficient two primer method of site-directed mutagenesis . The resulting thiol-penicillin-binding protein 3 was expressed under the control of the lacUV5 promoter in a high copy number plasmid . Constitutive expression of the thiol-enzyme (but not of the wild-type enzyme) was lethal, and the plasmid could only be maintained in E . coli strains that carried the lacIq mutation . Induction of the expression of the thiol-enzyme resulted in inhibition of cell division and the growth of the bacteria into very long filamentous cells . The inhibition of septation was probably due to interference of the function of the wild-type penicillin-binding protein 3 in cell division by the enzymatically inactive thiol-enzyme, and this implies that penicillin-binding protein 3 acts as part of a complex in vivo . We were unable to detect any acylation of the thiol-enzyme by penicillin, but it is not yet clear if this was because the thioester was not formed at an appreciable rate, or if it was formed but was too unstable to be detected by a modified penicillin-binding protein assay. Ann Fr Anesth Reanim, 1985, 4(3), 313 - 5 {Allergy to chymopapain: value of predictive tests before chemonucleolysis}; Moneret-Vautrin DA et al.; It is possible to treat vertebral disc hernias by chemonucleolysis because of the enzymatic properties of chymopapain extracted from Carica papaya . But, 1% of the general population would seem to have a latent sensitivity to this protein, and would thus be at risk of presenting life-threatening anaphylactic shock . Recent clinical studies have identified different risk factors: atopy, previous food and drug allergies . A case is here reported of a 35 year old woman with a history of urticaria following anti-tetanus serum and penicillin injections, who frequently ate exotic fruit, and who was intolerant to alcohol . HBDT and prick tests confirmed both drug allergies . A prick test to chymopapain 1 mg X ml-1 gave a borderline result; the HBDT was positive, with 45% degranulation . Both these tests had been previously assessed by a study of 20 volunteers in good general health: negative prick tests in all 20, and negative HBDT in 19 out of the 20, with chymopapain concentrations ranging from 10 micrograms X ml-1 to 1 micrograms X ml-1 . The one volunteer with a positive HBDT probably had latent sensitivity to the enzyme . The great sensitivity of both prick tests and HBDT in detecting IgE specific for food proteins is recalled . It is suggested that a routine predictive immuno-allergological assessment be carried out, with prick tests to the standard airbone allergens (to find a possible atopy), and a prick-test with 1 mg X ml-1 chymopapain, and a HBDT to the enzyme . A sample of serum should be kept for possible RAST and FAST carried out later.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Ann Inst Pasteur Microbiol, 1985 Jan-Feb, 136A(1), 111 - 8 Is there a correlation between membrane phospholipid metabolism and cell division? Michel GP, Karibian D, Bonnaveiro N, Starka J. The specificity of lipid/protein interactions in bacterial membranes is based on the diversity and variability of whole phospholipid molecules and of their polar and non-polar moieties . Of particular interest is the synthesis and turnover of anionic phospholipids facilitating variations in the phosphatidylglycerol (PG)/diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG) ratio in correlation with cell growth and division . Accumulation of DPG increases the anionic character of the cell membrane which is known to hinder the septation process . Consequently, the decrease in PG/DPG observed in stationary and in penicillin- or UV-inhibited non-dividing bacteria can be explained in this manner . On the other hand, the presence of lysophosphatidylethanolamine observed in the chain-forming mutant envC PM61 of Escherichia coli, and resulting from an anomaly in the deacylation-reacylation cycle, appears to be an indirect consequence rather than the cause of septation deficiency . Variations in the ratio of saturated/unsaturated fatty acids in phospholipids are also correlated with the physiological state of the cell . Hence, the levels of fluid and non-fluid phospholipids, their polymorphism and interaction with membrane proteins appear to be implicated in cell wall modelling . Future work will show how all these correlations function on the genetic and molecular levels. Diagn Imaging Clin Med, 1985, 54(1), 1 - 6 Computed tomography and ultrasound appearance of liver disease in secondary syphilis; Vas W et al.; Liver disease occurring as a manifestation of secondary syphilis is unusual, and this association is not readily recognized or considered in the differential diagnosis of obscure hepatic disease, thereby causing delay in treatment . We describe a case of liver involvement in secondary syphilis with computed-tomography and ultrasound findings . This entity should be considered in patients with hepatomegaly coexisting with the clinical stigmata of secondary syphilis, as treatment with penicillin results in rapid improvement in both the clinical and biochemical findings. J Bacteriol, 1985 Jan, 161(1), 243 - 8 Location of some proteins involved in peptidoglycan synthesis and cell division in the inner and outer membranes of Escherichia coli; Rodriguez-Tebar A et al.; Inner and outer membranes of Escherichia coli were separated by isopycnic centrifugation in sucrose gradients and analyzed for the presence of penicillin-binding proteins . All penicillin-binding proteins--except penicillin-binding protein 3, which is found almost exclusively in the cytoplasmic membrane and is involved in septum formation--are also found in gradient fractions corresponding to the outer membrane . Our results support the hypothesis that approximately half of the total amount of penicillin-binding proteins may be sacculus-located proteins linked to the outer membrane, probably through peptidoglycan bridges. N Engl Reg Allergy Proc, 1985 Spring, 6(2), 166 - 9 Treatment of venereal disease in the penicillin-allergic patient: administration of penicillin following testing with major and minor determinants; Greenberger PA et al.; We describe the administration of penicillin for venereal disease in three penicillin-allergic patients for whom alternative antibiotics were not considered suitable . Each patient was skin test negative to the major penicillin determinant benzylpenicilloyl-polylysine and a minor determinant mixture of potassium penicillin, benzylpenicilloate and benzylpenicilloyl-n-propylamine provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases . Therapeutic doses of penicillin were administered without anaphylaxis, but one patient developed serum sickness on day five following benzylpenicillin . The skin testing results were determined within 30 minutes such that penicillin or its derivatives could be administered safely and rapidly to seriously ill patients, i.e . disseminated gonococcemia . When treating neurosyphilis or disseminated gonococcal infection for which non-penicillin therapy is unacceptable, use of the current skin test reagents provides a level of safety in avoiding anaphylaxis not previously attainable. N Engl Reg Allergy Proc, 1985 Spring, 6(2), 160 - 5 Advances in the diagnosis and management of penicillin allergy; Sullivan TJ; IgE-mediated acute systemic reactions to penicillin continue to be an important clinical problem . Advances in our understanding of the immunochemistry of penicillin allergy have improved our ability to predict and to avoid these reactions . Immunodiagnostic techniques can identify patients at risk for anaphylaxis to beta-lactam antibiotics with a high degree of precision . Clinical and immunologic studies have demonstrated that penicillin allergic subjects may have allergic reactions to cephalosporins although the absolute frequency of clinical cross-reactions is not clear . If beta-lactam drugs are needed for treatment of penicillin allergic patients, acute desensitization appears to be an acceptably safe procedure for avoiding anaphylaxis. Rev Mal Respir, 1985, 2(6), 351 - 4 {True acute lobar pneumococcal pneumonia . Apropos of 51 cases}; Hajji M et al.; In a retrospective study of 51 cases of acute pneumococcal pneumonia in Morocco, predominantly male subjects were affected without past medical history or pathology . The pneumonia was accompanied by an effusion in 18% and a bacteraemia in 11% . The most serious pneumonias were those complicated by meningitis (12% of cases) or septic shock (1 case) . The presence of factors implying a poor prognosis (meningitis, septic shock, bacteraemia, advanced age) increases the mortality . Penicillin G is the antibiotic of choice . In low doses it is sufficient to achieve a cure in uncomplicated cases . In the severe forms, high doses do not always prevent a fatal outcome . The availability of a vaccine adapted for the African serotypes would enable people with special risk factors to be treated. Rev Neurol (Paris), 1985, 141(12), 780 - 5 {Meningoradiculitis caused by a spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi) after arthropod bite}; Dupuis M et al.; Eight cases of meningoradiculitis (Garin-Bujadoux-Bannwarth's syndrome) are presented; the first case followed an "unidentified insect" bite and erythema chronicum migrans, whereas the second and third cases were not preceded by any documented insect bite or erythema; they occurred during summer in 1984 and 1985 and were characterized by cranial or radicular neuritis, lymphocytic meningitis, positive serology by immunofluorescence against Borrelia Burgdorferi and a good response to Penicillin (20 000 000 U during 14 days I.V.) . Five other cases were observed in the same area as the first and second cases (Walloon Brabant) during the preceding summers; in two, serological proof of Borrelia Burgdorferi infection was obtained retrospectively . Lyme disease and Garin-Bujadoux-Bannwarth syndrome are both tick-born spirochetosis, due to two slightly different subtypes of Borrelia Burgdorferi . Their early neurological manifestations differ mainly by focalised pain on the bitten region in Garin-Bujadoux-Bannwarth's syndromes . This could be due to direct aggression of the peripheral nerve in Garin-Bujadoux-Bannwarth syndrome. Gene, 1985, 40(1), 9 - 14 A common precursor for the two subunits of the penicillin acylase from Escherichia coli ATCC11105; Oliver G et al.; Penicillin acylase (PA) is an industrial enzyme that is used to convert penicillin G into a precursor for semisynthetic penicillins . We have cloned a segment of DNA that codes for the two subunits required for PA activity . We also report the nucleotide sequence of a DNA fragment that codes for (i) the small subunit, (ii) the N-terminal region of the large subunit and (iii) a putative connecting peptide . These results confirm the existence of a common precursor for both peptides. Neirofiziologiia, 1985, 17(6), 737 - 47 {Sensitivity to GABA of the soma and dendrites of pyramidal cells in isolated sections of hippocampus in the rat}; Artemenko DP et al.; The depressing effect of GABA on excitation of nerve cells as well as the action of bicuculline, penicillin and thiopental on this process were examined on CA1 pyramidal neurons using rat hippocampal slices . It was found that GABA effectively and reversibly reduced the amplitude of antidromic population spike both in the region of somata and dendrites . The sensitivity of apical dendrites to GABA was greater by one order than that of somata, increasing along dendrites from their proximal to distal parts . The somata of pyramidal neurons showed strong desensitization to GABA . In distal parts of dendrites desensitization to GABA was absent . Bicuculline and penicillin antagonized the action of GABA at all investigated levels of CA1 pyramidal cells . Bicuculline blocked the effect of GABA on the somata and dendrites approximately equally . The antagonistic action of penicillin was 10 times larger in the pyramidal layer than in the region of dendrites . Thiopental intensified the depression produced by GABA . Potentiating effect of thiopental was stronger in dendrites . It is concluded that the membrane of CA1 pyramidal neurons has two types of bicuculline-sensitive GABA-receptors differing in their location (mainly on the soma or dendrites), in pharmacology and in ability to be desensitized by GABA. Mol Gen Genet, 1985, 200(2), 272 - 7 Dispensability of either penicillin-binding protein-1a or -1b involved in the essential process for cell elongation in Escherichia coli; Kato J et al.; A strain of Escherichia coli lacking the entire ponB gene and a strain lacking the proximal part of the ponA gene were constructed by substitution with a drug resistance gene . These strains lost either penicillin-binding protein(PBP)-1b or -1a totally and their growth was apparently normal at 30 degrees C and 42 degrees C except that growth of the ponB deletion strain was poor on a nutrient agar plate containing no NaCl at 30 degrees C as well as at 42 degrees C . Transductional experiments to introduce the ponB deletion into the ponA deletion strain, and vice versa, showed that the ponA ponB double deletion was lethal unless the deletion was functionally compensated, e.g., by the presence of a plasmid carrying either gene . Thus, either PBP-1b (ponB) or PBP-1a (ponA), but not both, is dispensable for cell viability, at least under ordinary culture conditions . Transductional experiments also suggested that the gamma component of PBP-1b or the PBP-1b lacking the C-terminal portion encoded in the distal region to the SphI site on the ponB was sufficient for supporting growth of the E . coli cell. Physiol Bohemoslov, 1985, 34(6), 562 - 6 Influence of valproate and carbamazepine on symmetrical cortical penicillin foci in the rat; Maresova D et al.; Two epileptogenic foci were formed in homotopic areas of sensorimotor cortices of both hemispheres by application of penicillin . Both valproate (200 and/or 400 mg/kg i.p.) and carbamazepine (50 and/or 100 mg/kg i.p.) did not significantly alter the synchronization of interictal focal discharges . The incidence of ictal phases was suppressed by both drugs in a dose-dependent manner--higher doses (valproate--400 mg/kg; carbamazepine--100 mg/kg i.p.) fully blocked the seizures . Both drugs did not suppress the projection of focal discharges into the opposite hemisphere but were efficacious against secondary generalization. Derm Beruf Umwelt, 1985, 33(4), 136 - 9 {Drugs in Poland: a review of literature on the symptoms of side effects}; Rudzki E; The present paper gives a review of the data published in Poland concerning side effects of drugs . The most numerous observations concern antibiotics (particularly penicillin), sulfonamides, salicylates and antitetanic serum . The most frequent complications were: shock, urticaria, erythema multiforme and exanthema maculopapulosum. Acta Microbiol Pol, 1985, 34(1), 19 - 24 Influence of penicillin and nalidixic acid on growth and cell division of Escherichia coli K-12; Hrebenda J et al.; Ultrastructure of E . coli K-12 cells and the synthesis of DNA in bacteria treated with low concentration of nalidixic acid and penicillin was investigated . In E . coli both drugs caused inhibition of cell division in period D of the life cycle although nalidixic acid inhibits division at an earlier stage of septum formation . The ability of cells to form filaments in the presence of nalidixic acid depends on their age, i.e . time at which cells are taken from synchronous culture. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1985, 76(1), 42 - 6 Three epitope-specific monoclonal antibodies against the hapten penicillin; de Haan P et al.; Three monoclonal antibodies (Pen 4, Pen 7 and Pen 9) were raised against the benzylpenicilloyl group and used to investigate the antigenicity of this group . The binding of Pen 4 to carrier-bound penicillin derivatives was shown in an ELISA to be dependent on the structure of the side chain in the derivative . Hence Pen 4 recognizes this side chain . From the difference in binding to carrier-bound penicillin derivatives in a competitive enzyme immunoassay it was concluded that Pen 7 mainly recognizes the new antigenic determinant which emerges from the binding of the penicillin derivative to a carrier . The binding of Pen 9 to carrier-bound penicillin derivatives was not influenced by the nature of the side chain . Neither was the bound or free nature of the derivative of influence on the binding . Therefore it is concluded that Pen 9 mainly recognizes the thiazolidine ring of penicillin . This study thus shows that in the benzylpenicilloyl group at least three epitopes can be recognized. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol, 1985 Jan, 60(1), 55 - 64 Threshold of synaptically elicited cortical spreading depression: drug-induced changes in rats; Koroleva VI et al.; The role played by synaptic phenomena in the initiation of Leao's spreading depression (SD) was examined in 30 rats anaesthetized with pentobarbital . SD was elicited by a train of 8 electrical pulses (0.1-0.3 msec, 10 Hz) applied through bipolar electrodes to the exposed cortical surface . The slow potential waves of SD were recorded from the stimulated site and from a remote cortical area . Threshold stimulus intensity (40 V) was increased above 80 V when low frequency stimulation (0.3 Hz, 10 V) was applied through the same electrodes . SD penetration into the stimulated area was blocked with higher stimulus rates (3-10 Hz) and intensities (20 V) . Systemic application of the pyrrolopyrimidine drug BE 58-271 decreased SD threshold from 40 V to 7 V and reduced also the intensity and frequency of stimulation inducing the SD blockade . Similar effects were obtained with local application of 2 microliters of 10(-3) M 4-amino-pyridine to the stimulated cortex . The SD threshold was reduced from 40 V to 5 V, probably by prolonged depolarization of axon terminals and increased output of transmitters . Estimation of SD threshold revealed a biphasic effect of locally applied penicillin: an initial threshold decrease which gradually changed with the development of regular interictal discharge into a threshold increase and eventual SD blockade . It is concluded that sudden synaptic activation of cerebral cortex elicits SD whereas prolonged continuous stimulation decreases SD susceptibility, probably by enhancing the K+ clearance. Folia Haematol Int Mag Klin Morphol Blutforsch, 1985, 112(2), 311 - 8 {The effect of selected drugs on the interpretation of hemostasis- related study results}; Steps G et al.; By applying in vitro and additional in vivo investigations of analysing coagulation in human beings with the routine methods TPZW, PTT and TZ it was possible to exclude influences of hemostasis described in literature and often uncritically generalised in papers and articles as well as assumed influences for such medicaments as acetylsalicylic acid, ascorbic acid, chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, gentamycin, haloperidol, lincomycin, methyldopa, sodium fluoride and penicillin G in therapeutic doses or concentrations in vitro respectively which correspond to therapeutic or toxic doses . For such solutions of infusion as infucoll 6% and gelafusal there exist these influences in the sense of an acceleration of coagulation in vitro . They can be regarded as shiftings within the normal range of methods which have no clinical relevance . Infucoll M 40 will to a concentration of 0.25 mmol/l of blood which corresponds to therapeutic conditions, to a shortening of Tz falling below the normal range of the method . These findings correlate with data in literature and could be identified even in lower concentrations by excluding the effect of dilution . According to literature these relations are identical with those in vivo some minutes after infusion. J Chromatogr, 1984 Dec 28, 317, 311 - 8 Determination of penicillin G and cloxacillin residues in beef and pork tissue by high-performance liquid chromatography; Moats WA; Tissues were homogenized and then deproteinized with acetonitrile . The acetonitrile extract was partitioned between dichloromethane and pH 2.2 buffer and then extracted with pH 7 buffer . After addition of ammonium sulfate to the aqueous solution, it was mixed with acetonitrile . The acetonitrile extract was separated and evaporated, and the residue was taken up in water . The aqueous solution was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a C18, 10-microns particle size, reversed-phase column using gradient elution with 0.01 M orthophosphoric acid-acetonitrile (from 80:20 to 40:60 in 20 min) at a flow-rate of 1 ml/min and UV absorbance detection at 220 nm . Recoveries were generally greater than 90% with all tissues . Data on incurred residues from a treated cow showed recoveries of penicillin which were frequently several times higher by HPLC than by bioassay . Sensitivity limits in muscle were about 0.05 ppm for both penicillin G and cloxacillin, but higher in liver and kidney because of interferences . The method is suitable for other monobasic penicillins but not for dibasic or amphoteric penicillins. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1984 Dec 15, 150(8), 945 - 7 Inadequate treatment of syphilis in pregnancy; Mascola L et al.; Pregnant women with untreated syphilis have high rates of adverse pregnancy outcome . Early syphilis in pregnancy, if not treated, results in 40% loss either by spontaneous abortions, stillbirth, or perinatal death . Another 40% of such pregnancies result in an infant born with congenital syphilis . Only 20% of such pregnancies result in a normal infant . Currently recommended treatment of early syphilis in pregnant women uses a dosage of 2.4 million U of benzathine penicillin G . Because of the potentially disastrous effect syphilis has on pregnancy outcome, the occurrence of any treatment failure must be considered seriously . In this brief report we present clinical summaries of four pregnant women treated for syphilis who represent probable treatment failures. Brain Res, 1984 Dec 10, 323(2), 239 - 46 Bicuculline epileptogenesis in the rat; Campbell AM et al.; Bicuculline has been applied electrophoretically from a fluid filled microelectrode at different depths within the primary somatosensory area of the cerebral cortex of rats anaesthetized with urethane . The delay between onset of drug application at a constant rate and onset of spontaneous focal interictal epileptiform discharges (FIEDs), detected by a nearby recording microelectrode, was least when bicuculline was applied at a depth of 0.65 mm below the pial surface . The subsequent frequency of FIEDs and their voltage excursion were also greatest at this depth . The relationship between the delay of onset of epileptiform spiking and the depth of drug application was very similar to that previously determined for penicillin . This similarity of the sensitivity profiles suggests that the epileptogenic actions of the two agents may be attributable to a common mechanism . At low concentrations, both agents specifically block GABAergic inhibitory synaptic transmission in brain tissue . This is likely to be the mechanism of their epileptogenic effects . Other synaptic and non-synaptic mechanisms cannot, however, be ruled out because of the high concentrations which are achieved locally when a chemical is applied from a point source. Brain Res, 1984 Dec 3, 323(1), 154 - 8 Penicillin induced hyperexcitability in the in vitro hippocampal slice can be unrelated to impairment of somatic inhibition; Avoli M; The effects induced by penicillin (PEN) upon the synaptic responses of CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells (HPCs) were studied in the 'in vitro' slice . Low concentrations of PEN (0.17-0.34 mM) evoked an increase in amplitude and duration of the orthodromic excitatory post-synaptic potential induced by stratum radiatum, while stimuli which were subthreshold in control conditions became effective in eliciting action potentials . These changes were not paralleled by any decrease of the recurrent inhibitory post-synaptic potential due to inhibitory interneurons located at or near the soma . However, the latter decreased and then disappeared as PEN concentrations were brought to levels higher than 0.68 mM . Since low concentrations of PEN increase CA1 HPCs responsiveness without decreasing somatic inhibition, it is concluded that this action is probably due to a reduced dendritic inhibitory mechanism. J S Afr Vet Assoc, 1984 Dec, 55(4), 195 - 8 A report of swine erysipelas in a litter of piglets; Bastianello SS et al.; Out of a litter of 7 two-week old Landrace piglets, 6 developed cutaneous haemorrhages especially on the limbs and ears . Two of these piglets died within 24 hours of the haemorrhages appearing whilst the other 4 recovered following penicillin therapy . The histopathological lesions were centred around the smaller vessels of the dermis and hypodermis . These included hyperaemia, leukostasis and intravascular fibrin coagulation or thrombosis . Bacterial emboli were present within the vessels of the skin, spleen, liver and kidney and loose in the areolar tissue of the dermis and hypodermis . Other lesions included scattered but extensive dermal and hypodermal haemorrhages and a mild cellular infiltration of the dermis and hypodermis. Arch Fr Pediatr, 1984 Dec, 41(10), 701 - 3 {Thoracic actinobacteriosis due to Actinomyces naeslundii}; Chapoy P et al.; The authors report the first case of thoracic actinomycosis due to Actinomyces Naeslundii . A precostal abscess with a large mediastinal and thoracic collection on CT scan was the presenting symptom . Evolution was favorable without sequelae after 6 weeks of Penicillin therapy (10.000.000 U/day). Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Dec, 3(6), 556 - 9 Endocarditis caused by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans; Siegman-Igra Y et al.; The first two cases of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans endocarditis in Israel are reported . One involved a 67 year old woman with mitral insufficiency and the other, a 48 year old alcoholic male with bioprosthetic mitral valve . The organism grew in three of seven and seven of fourteen blood culture specimens, taken during the first two or three days of hospitalization respectively . Blood cultures became positive after incubation for seven days . The first patient recovered after therapy with penicillin and an aminoglycoside, and the second one is still being treated . Previously described cases of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans endocarditis are reviewed. Br J Vener Dis, 1984 Dec, 60(6), 371 - 3 Penicillin concentrations in serum and cerebrospinal fluid after intramuscular injection of aqueous procaine penicillin 0.6 MU with and without probenecid; Goh BT et al.; Paired specimens of cerebrospinal fluid and serum were taken from 21 patients to estimate penicillin concentrations two to three hours after the last dose of a course of 14-21 daily intramuscular injections of procaine penicillin 0.6 MU . Of 10 patients treated with procaine penicillin alone, eight had no detectable penicillin and two had sub-treponemicidal concentrations (less than 0.018 mg/l) in the cerebrospinal fluid . Of 11 patients treated with procaine penicillin as above and probenecid 2 g a day by mouth, three had no detectable penicillin, two had sub-treponemicidal concentrations, and six had treponemicidal concentrations of penicillin in the cerebrospinal fluid . All 21 patients had treponemicidal concentrations of penicillin in the serum . This dose of procaine penicillin alone or with probenecid is therefore not recommended for treating neurosyphilis. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol, 1984 Dec, 46(3), 381 - 400 Effect of oxygen-carrying resuscitation fluids on the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine, diazepam, penicillin, and sulfamethazine in rats; Kemner JM et al.; The effects of exchange transfusion with an oxygen-carrying resuscitation fluid, Fluosol DA 20% or stroma-free hemoglobin, on the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine, diazepam, penicillin, and sulfamethazine were studied in rats . After transfusion with Fluosol DA 20% or stroma-free hemoglobin the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine, diazepam, and penicillin were unchanged when compared to control animals . After transfusion with Fluosol DA 20%, the t 1/2 of sulfamethazine was increased from 3.15 +/- 0.56 to 7.65 +/- 2.41 hr (p less than 0.05) and the Vd was increased from 60.7 +/- 17.5 to 152 +/- 16 ml (p less than 0.05) . In contrast, after transfusion with stroma-free hemoglobin, the AUC of sulfamethazine was decreased from 129 +/- 28 to 80.5 +/- 27.7 micrograms X h X ml-1 (p less than 0.05) and there was an increase in Cl from 12.2 +/- 3.4 to 20.2 +/- 6.0 ml X h-1 (p less than 0.05) and Vd from 60.1 +/- 11.8 to 132 +/- 49 ml (p less than 0.05) . The reason for these alterations is not clear . Fluosol DA 20% and stroma-free hemoglobin may alter the acetylation of sulfamethazine. Microbiol Sci, 1984 Dec, 1(9), 211 - 4 Penicillin-binding proteins and peptidoglycan peptide-interacting proteins; Rodriguez-Tebar A et al.; Peptidoglycan peptide-interacting proteins (PPIPs) which include the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) are bacterial enzymes which interact with beta-lactams (including penicillins and cephalosporins) and/or acyl-D-ala-D-ala analogues of a non-beta-lactam structure . The PBPs and other PPIPs of Escherichia coli are reviewed. No To Shinkei, 1984 Dec, 36(12), 1215 - 21 {Destruction of apical dendritic layers in penicillin-induced cortical epileptic focus}; Okamoto J et al.; It has been generally accepted that topectomy is a choice of treatment for patients who have an intractable cortical epileptic focus . However, the surgery is not indicated in the cases whose focus is functionally involved in the vital cortical regions . We have experienced a case of intractable traumatic cortical epilepsy, in which the patient underwent cortical surface coagulation on his motor cortex during the dissection of his wide-spread durocortical adhesion . Subsequently, his epileptic attacks have been abolished completely for over 7 years without motor deficit . It is the purpose of this work to confirm experimentally that destruction of apical dendrites on the epileptic focus may prevent occurrence of abnormal spike epileptic discharges without vital neuronal deficit . Fifty dogs were used in this study . In normal dogs, the antidromic cortical response, after stimulation of the internal capsule, showed three predominant negative waves axonal (the first), cortical neuronal (the second) and apical dendritic potentials (the third) by surface recordings . Upon creation of the penicillin-induced cortical epileptic focus, spike discharges appeared on the corticogram, and the third wave of the antidromic cortical response shifted from negative to positive . Selected destruction of the dendrites, in the first and the second cortical layers, in the area of the epileptic focus brought about disappearance of the third wave, to isopotentially, and a marked inhibition or complete disappearance of spikes on the corticograms . The possibility exists, as been suggested by our experiment, to clinically apply this method as a treatment for intractable cortical epilepsy with foci in the functionally vital regions, although there are yet many problems to be solved. J Clin Pathol, 1984 Dec, 37(12), 1392 - 4 Rapid method for detecting beta-lactamase producing bacteria in clinical specimens; Brook I et al.; The use of liquid media to detect the production of beta-lactamase by beta-lactamase producing organisms has been compared with the conventional method of inoculation on to agar media . Pharyngeal cultures were obtained from 162 children treated with penicillin for acute tonsillitis . beta-lactamase producing organisms were detected within 72 h in 80 (49%) of the specimens inoculated on to agar media, while beta-lactamase production was found in 76 (47%) of the specimens after their incubation in liquid media for 24 h . Twenty one of the cultures were positive only after anaerobic incubation while in liquid media while nine were positive only after aerobic incubation . Incubation in liquid media enabled detection of beta-lactamase activity in 53 of the 76 (70%) specimens within 12 h. J Bacteriol, 1984 Dec, 160(3), 889 - 94 Penicillin-insensitive incorporation of D-amino acids into cell wall peptidoglycan influences the amount of bound lipoprotein in Escherichia coli; Tsuruoka T et al.; Certain D-amino acids, such as D-methionine and D-cystine, were incorporated into cells of Escherichia coli under conditions inhibiting protein and cell wall synthesis . Part of the radioactivity of D-14C-amino acids incorporated into the cells was found in the isolated cell wall peptidoglycan . A covalent linkage between the amino group of the D-amino acids and the peptidoglycan was presumed to be the main cause of the binding of the D-amino acids to peptidoglycan, because the amino group of the D-amino acids in the incorporation product was substituted . Whether the carboxyl terminus was substituted was unknown . The formation of the D-amino acid-peptidoglycan linkage was insensitive to beta-lactam antibiotics such as benzylpenicillin and ampicillin (500 micrograms/ml) and therefore was not due to the reaction of DD-transpeptidation which is involved in the biosynthesis of peptidoglycan . The D-amino acids also strongly inhibited the formation of peptidoglycan-bound lipoprotein in the E . coli cells . The results may suggest the correlation between binding of D-amino acid to peptidoglycan and inhibition of formation of the bound form of lipoprotein. J Pharm Sci, 1984 Dec, 73(12), 1694 - 7 Kinetics and mechanism of enzymatic hydrolysis of pivampicillin monolayers; Valls O et al.; A study of the enzymatic hydrolysis of pivampicillin (an insoluble penicillin) extended as a monolayer on the aqueous interface at a constant surface pressure has been performed . Penicillinase promotes intensive hydrolysis of the pivampicillin monolayers, inducing their solubility . However, no action was observed with dog liver esterase . The hydrolytic process, which was dependent on the film surface pressure and on the quantity of the injected enzyme, is of the Michaelis-Menten type in two dimensions. Cell Mol Neurobiol, 1984 Dec, 4(4), 301 - 17 Interaction of penicillin and pentobarbital with inhibitory synaptic mechanisms in neocortex; Weiss DS et al.; In this study we characterized the responses of neocortical neurons to iontophoretically applied gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and examined how these GABA responses as well as the inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) were affected by the presence of penicillin or pentobarbital . Intracellular recordings were obtained from slices of rat neocortex maintained in vitro; injection of the dye Lucifer yellow indicated that recordings were primarily from pyramidal neurons . Orthodromically evoked responses were always depolarizing at the cell's resting membrane potential . Such depolarizing responses could easily be reversed in polarity by depolarizing the cell 10-15 mV, suggesting that the response consisted partly of an IPSP . In some cases, depolarization unmasked a small, short-latency excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) . Responses to iontophoretically applied GABA were also depolarizing at rest . Biphasic hyperpolarizing-depolarizing responses were occasionally observed upon depolarization of the neuron . Bath application of penicillin (1.7-3.4 mM) decreased the amplitude of the IPSPs and increased their time to peak, an effect associated with the development of epileptiform activity . Penicillin also reduced the maximum response to iontophoretically applied GABA without affecting the dose required to obtain a half-maximal response, suggesting a noncompetitive antagonism . Pentobarbital (100-200 microM) prolonged the time course and increased the amplitude of the IPSPs while producing a leftward shift in the GABA charge-response relation . These results suggest that the convulsant penicillin and the anticonvulsant pentobarbital have opposing actions on GABAergic inhibition in the neocortex. Arch Ital Biol, 1984 Dec, 122(4), 281 - 300 Experimental studies on different thresholds for epileptiform activity; Yamauchi T et al.; This investigation was carried out to clarify the mechanisms for production of different seizure threshold . To study this problem changes of a single cell activity were examined by means of penicillin iontophoretical application to a single cell of both low seizure threshold hippocampus and the high seizure threshold olfactory bulb, and also topical application to the surface of hippocampus and olfactory bulb . Penicillin was applied iontophoretically using five barrel glass micropipettes . Extracellular recordings from 58 hippocampal pyramidal cells and 68 olfactory bulb mitral cells were analyzed . Penicillin increased the firing rate in most of both hippocampal pyramidal and olfactory bulb mitral cells . This suggests that penicillin finally had an excitatory effect on both cells . The results from the experiments of intermittent and continuous GABA application on a cell during penicillin iontophoresis revealed that GABA inhibitory action was reduced by penicillin in both cells . A progressively shortened duration of the post-discharge inhibition during penicillin iontophoresis also suggested that penicillin may reflect a decrease of GABA inhibitory action . No obvious seizure activity and/or no change of firing pattern were observed even after long penicillin iontophoresis . There was no significant different responses to penicillin iontophoresis in the hippocampus and the olfactory bulb single cell . Extracellular activity from 64 hippocampal pyramidal cells and 32 olfactory bulb mitral cells was recorded . The effects of penicillin topical application on single cell function were examined . From hippocampus surface, paroxysmal activity begun to appear within 6 min after topical application, and became more regular and stereotyped in form . The firing rate initially decreased in the majority of cells, with no increase prior to interictal or ictal events . The unit responses to both intermittent and continuous GABA iontophoresis was suppression in unit firing incidence, except for the burst patterns associated with the surface interictal or ictal discharges . Post-discharge inhibition was not significantly different either before or after the onset of the surface interictal discharges . These results indicate the firing rate and inhibitory function of the hippocampal pyramidal cells were not significantly changed during and following the development of interictal and/or ictal epileptiform activity . Olfactory bulb surface activity was not significantly changed and no epileptiform activity was observed even several hours after topical penicillin application.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) Hoppe Seylers Z Physiol Chem, 1984 Dec, 365(12), 1435 - 43 Kinetic studies on the mechanism of the penicillin amidase-catalysed synthesis of ampicillin and benzylpenicillin; Kasche V et al.; Hydrophobic protein chromatography was used to prepare homogeneous fractions of penicillin amidase (EC 3.5.1.11) from E . coli . The apparent ratios of the rate constants for the deacylation of the acyl-penicillin amidase formed in the hydrolysis of phenylacetylglycine or D-phenylglycine methyl ester, by H2O and 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA), were determined at different concentrations of the latter compound . The ratios were obtained from direct measurements of the initial rates of formation of phenylacetic acid and benzylpenicillin or D-phenylglycine and ampicillin . For the semisynthesis of ampicillin as well as of benzylpenicillin the ratio was found to depend on the concentration of 6-APA . This was observed for heterogeneous and homogeneous enzyme preparations . These results show that 6-APA must be bound to the acyl-enzyme before the deacylation, yielding ampicillin and benzylpenicillin, occurs . The dissociation constant KN for the formation of the complex was estimated to be approximately 10mM . This mechanism in which acyl-enzyme with and without bound nucleophile is involved, is in agreement with the principle of microscopic reversibility . Both acyl-enzymes can be deacylated by H2O . The finding that there is a specific binding site for 6-APA adjacent to the binding site for the phenylacetyl-(D-phenylglycyl-) group in the active site of the enzyme is supported by the observation that 6-APA acts as a mixed inhibitor in the hydrolysis of D-phenylglycine methyl ester . The ionic strength dependence indicates that the binding site for 6-APA of the acyl-enzyme is positively charged. J Biol Chem, 1984 Nov 25, 259(22), 13937 - 46 Functional biosynthesis of cell wall peptidoglycan by polymorphic bifunctional polypeptides . Penicillin-binding protein 1Bs of Escherichia coli with activities of transglycosylase and transpeptidase; Nakagawa J et al.; Dual enzyme activities for the biosynthesis of peptidoglycan of the cell wall are located in major higher molecular weight penicillin-binding proteins (PBP) of Escherichia coli . Each of these proteins catalyzes the two successive final reactions in the synthesis of cross-linked peptidoglycan from the precursor N-acetylglucosaminyl-N-acetylmuramyl peptide linked to undecaprenol diphosphate; namely, the transglycosylation that extends the glycan chain and the penicillin-sensitive DD-transpeptidation that cross-links the glycan chains through two peptide side chains . Both transglycosylation and transpeptidation catalyzed by PBP-1Bs represent de novo synthesis of cross-linked peptidoglycan . Under appropriate conditions, about 25% cross-linkage was observed during the reaction, the main reaction product supposedly being a regularly cross-linked network of peptidoglycan . The two domains for the transglycosylase and transpeptidase activities were found to be located on a 50-kDa portion of the PBP-1Bs, which are about 90 kDa . Gene recombination experiments indicated that the transglycosylase domain is located upstream, i.e . on the N-terminal side of the transpeptidase domain, suggesting that the gene for these bifunctional peptides may have been formed by fusion of the genes for transglycosylase and transpeptidase that were previously located separately on the chromosome in this order. Science, 1984 Nov 16, 226(4676), 855 - 7 Fast and slow magnetic phenomena in focal epileptic seizures; Barth DS et al.; The magnetic fields associated with penicillin-induced focal epilepsy were measured in laboratory rats . Interictal magnetic spikes were similar to those previously observed in humans with focal seizure disorders . The magnetic fields of the seizure itself displayed both slow and fast phenomena, reversing in direction on opposite sides of the head. Eur J Biochem, 1984 Nov 2, 144(3), 613 - 6 Labelling of penicillin-binding proteins with a photoreactive peptidoglycan-peptide analogue; Aran V et al.; Transpeptidases, DD-carboxypeptidases and endopeptidases from bacteria are usually detected by labelling with radioactive beta-lactam antibiotics, due to a selective stabilization of the enzyme-antibiotic complex, and are therefore generally known as penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) . However, as a general rule, PBPs cannot be detected by labelling with real peptidoglycan substrate analogues other than beta-lactams, partly due to the fact that the acyl intermediates formed do not usually accumulate . We here report the chemical synthesis of a radioactive photoreactive derivative of the peptidoglycan substrate L-lysyl-D-alanyl-D-alanine which is able, due to the shortness of its activated state, to label a number of PBPs of Escherichia coli by quenching the reaction at the intermediate step . Furthermore, by using this derivative we have been able to label other PBPs of higher molecular mass (190, 170, 146, 125 and 87 kDa) that were previously detected only by using either photoreactive derivatives of beta-lactam or bis-beta-lactam antibiotics. Am J Vet Res, 1984 Nov, 45(11), 2342 - 6 Use of whole blood lymphocyte stimulation test for immunocompetency studies in bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, and great horned owls; Redig PT et al.; Mitogen-induced whole blood lymphocyte stimulation tests for immunocompetency studies in bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), and great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) were developed . Combinations of incubation times, blood dilutions, concentrations of {3H}thymidine and {125I}2-deoxyuridine, antibiotics, phytohemagglutinin-P, and concanavalin A were tested for their effects on the stimulation index (SI) . An antibiotic combination of gentamicin plus amphotericin B yielded low SI with lymphocytes from bald eagles, but not with lymphocytes from great horned owls or red-tailed hawks . Penicillin plus streptomycin caused no such depression of SI . Lymphocytes from all 3 species yielded maximum responses with a 48-hour prelabel and 12- to- 16 hour postlabel incubation period at 41 C and 1:20 blood dilution . Optimal mitogen concentrations for lymphocytes from bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, and great horned owls were 25 micrograms, 10 micrograms, and 10 micrograms of phytohemagglutinin-P/well, respectively, and 2.5 micrograms, 10 micrograms, and 10 micrograms of concanavalin A/well, respectively . Differences in SI were not seen between the 2 radioactive labels . The optimal concentration of the {3H}thymidine label ranged from 0.06 to 0.125 microCi/well. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1984 Nov, (11), 56 - 60 {Pneumococcal serotypes in various diseases of children}; Vinnik AL et al.; The serotyping of pneumococci isolated from different material obtained from children aged 0 to 11 years was carried out . Out of 156 patients with different diseases, hospitalized in two clinics in Moscow during February-May 1983, pneumococci were isolated from 67 patients (43%) . The isolated pneumococcal strains belonged to 11 serotypes . Pneumococci of serotypes 3, 6, 9 and 19 were shown to occur most frequently in different diseases and constituted 50% of the isolated strains . The inoculation of the material by the quantitative method permitted the authors to find out the role of pneumococci as the etiological factor in the pathogenesis of some diseases . A certain dependence of diversity in the types of isolated pneumococci on the age of sick children was noted . Almost all isolated strains were found to be sensitive to penicillin, ampicillin and benzylpenicillin . But a few individual strains were sensitive only to one of these antibiotics . The data on some biological properties of pneumococci cultivated on solid culture media are presented. Hautarzt, 1984 Nov, 35(11), 585 - 7 {Erythema chronicum migrans with Bannwarth syndrome (Garin-Bujadoux-Bannwarth meningopolyneuritis)}; Kutzner H et al.; A 54-year-old male had erythema chronicum migrans (ECM), lymphocytic meningitis, and intense pain radiating along the distribution of the corresponding dermatomal segments . Neurologic involvement, described as Bannwarth syndrome or meningopolyneuritis Garin-Bujadoux-Bannwarth, is a typical late manifestation of ECM infection and requires high-dose intravenous penicillin therapy. In Vitro, 1984 Nov, 20(11), 859 - 68 Primary and long term epithelial cell cultures from human fetal normal colonic mucosa; Siddiqui KM et al.; Primary and passaged cultures of normal colon epithelial cells, derived from human fetuses (13 to 17 wk of conceptual age) have been established . These cultures have been passaged 16 times thus far . The cultures have been initiated and maintained in medium consisting of 50% Dulbecco's minimum essential medium and 50% Ham's F12 medium and supplemented with antibiotics (penicillin, 100 U/ml; streptomycin, 100 micrograms/ml); ascorbic acid, 40 micrograms/ml; L-isoleucine, 50 micrograms/ml; epidermal growth factor, 20 ng/ml; insulin, 5 micrograms/ml; cholera toxin, 5 ng/ml; transferrin, 1 microgram/ml; fetal bovine serum (10%); and HEPES, 25 mM final concentration, and incubated at 37 degrees C in humidified gas containing 5% CO2: 95% air . The cellular and subcellular characteristics of primary and passaged cultures were defined using light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy . The cells exhibited microvilli on cell surfaces and showed junctional complexes and interdigitations between cells . Indented nuclei with dense chromatin and marginated heterochromatin, numerous mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, polysomes, and extensive Golgi zones were conspicuous . Also, periodic acid Schiff's reagent-positive staining of the cells suggests the active synthesis of complex mucopolysaccharides in the cytoplasm. Am J Optom Physiol Opt, 1984 Nov, 61(11), 674 - 8 Contact lens wear problems: implications of penicillin allergy, diabetic relatives, and use of birth control pills; Harrison DP; A study was carried out on a random sample of contact lens patients seen in private practice . Some of these patients experienced contact lens wear problems including keratitis, hyperemia, and discomfort . The results indicate that: (1) Fifty percent of those who experienced problems with the wear of hard contact lenses had diabetic relatives . (2) It is likely that the wear of either hard or soft contact lenses is adversely affected by the use of birth control pills . (3) Forty-five percent of those patients who were allergic to penicillin experienced problems with soft contact lens care regimens containing thimerosal . Some implications of an immunological cross-reactivity between thimerosal-haptenated proteins and penicillin-haptenated proteins are discussed. Nurse Pract, 1984 Nov, 9(11), 36, 41 - 2, 44 Adverse toxic reaction to aqueous procaine penicillin G; Landis BJ et al.; Aqueous procaine penicillin G therapy is frequently used in ambulatory care settings and clinicians have long been alerted to the potential allergic reactions that may occur with this therapy; however, the nonallergic toxic reaction has not been as widely publicized . A possible psychotic-like, pseudoanaphylactic reaction may occur within 60 seconds following an injection of aqueous procaine penicillin G . Two case reports and a review of the literature will be presented to alert clinicians to this reaction . Suggestions for management will also be offered. Toxicol Lett, 1984 Nov, 23(2), 201 - 4 Effect of ampicillin on hepatic microsomal mixed-function oxidase system in male mice; Govindwar SP et al.; The effect of ampicillin {(D)-alpha-aminobenzyl penicillin} administration on the hepatic mixed-function oxidase (MFO) system was studied in male mice . Ampicillin (100 mg/kg, i.p., 3 days) decreased the levels of cytochrome P-450, aminopyrine N-demethylase, acetanilide hydroxylase and cytochrome c-reductase activity significantly . In carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-pretreated mice, ampicillin increased acetanilide hydroxylation compared with CCl4 treatment alone; however, all other parameters of the MFO system remained unchanged . Ampicillin exhibited type II binding with microsomes (trough at 388 nm, peak at 430 nm) . Thus ampicillin acts as an inhibitor of the MFO system. South Med J, 1984 Nov, 77(11), 1368 - 70 Anal syphilis; Adams RL et al.; We report an unusual case of anorectal syphilis . The literature reviewed supports the difficulty in identifying the varied presentations of this disease . Diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers are based on an understanding of the pathophysiology of luetic infections . Penicillin remains the drug of choice in treating all stages of syphilis. Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1984 Nov-Dec, 20(6), 787 - 92 {Properties of acylase preparations from an actinomycete culture}; Oreshina MG et al.; A comparative study of some physico-chemical properties of high-purified preparations of extracellular penicillin-V-acylase and aminoacylase, isolated from the actinomycete Streptoverticillium No 62, revealed the difference in pH and temperature optima, in the sensitivity to the ionic composition of buffer solutions, in the enzyme stability during storage . As for the aminoacylase preparation, its thermostability was studied at different pH values, as well as the effect of specific compounds was tested . Similar to other fungal enzymes, the aminoacylase possesses a wide substrate specificity, and by its stereospecificity can be related to L-aminoacylases, while penicillin-V-acylase is a high-specific enzyme, active against phenoxymethylpenicillin. Infection, 1984 Nov-Dec, 12(6), 390 - 4 The course, costs and complications of oral versus intravenous penicillin therapy of erysipelas; Jorup-Ronstrom C et al.; Oral versus intravenous antibiotic therapy of severe erysipelas was compared in a controlled trial of 60 patients . No clinical benefit of intravenous therapy was found, as evaluated by fever duration, hospital stay and sick leave . Untoward reactions were comparable between the groups . No difference in recurrence was found . The difference in administration time and drug cost was considerable . It is therefore suggested that erysipelas without complications should be treated orally. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1984 Nov, 26(5), 643 - 6 Hydroxylamine technique for in vitro prevention of penicillin inactivation of tobramycin; Falkowski AJ et al.; Hydroxylamine was evaluated and found to be a highly effective agent for the in vitro prevention of penicillin inactivation of tobramycin . This inactivation reaction resulted in an underestimation of tobramycin concentrations and was dependent on time, temperature, amount and type of penicillin, and amount of tobramycin . Plasma samples containing tobramycin and three clinically relevant concentrations of ticarcillin, carbenicillin, azlocillin, or piperacillin were incubated with and without hydroxylamine, and tobramycin concentrations were monitored at 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h . The inactivation reaction was found to be completely inhibited by hydroxylamine (1 mg/ml) compared with a 27 to 50% loss of measured tobramycin concentration in the unprotected tobramycin-penicillin samples . Hydroxylamine did not interfere with the Emit enzyme immunoassay (Syva Co.) at either high or low tobramycin concentrations . Hydroxylamine was effective in inhibiting the tobramycin inactivation at both room and refrigerator temperatures and was 100% effective in protecting tobramycin on a 1:1 molar basis. J Bacteriol, 1984 Nov, 160(2), 824 - 5 Trapping of the substrate-derived acyl enzyme intermediate of purified penicillin-binding protein 1a of Escherichia coli; Amanuma H et al.; Purified penicillin-binding protein 1a of Escherichia coli formed an acyl enzyme intermediate with the highly reactive synthetic substrate diacetyl-L-lysyl-D-alanyl-D-lactate at acid pH, although in extremely low yields. Brain Res, 1984 Oct 29, 321(1), 160 - 4 The anticonvulsive action of adenosine: a postsynaptic, dendritic action by a possible endogenous anticonvulsant; Lee KS et al.; Neural afterdischarges generated in the presence of penicillin or low extracellular calcium concentrations were found to be inhibited by adenosine in the rat hippocampus in vitro . This anticonvulsant effect of adenosine is observed in the absence, as well as in the presence, of chemical synaptic transmission and apparently occurs at a postsynaptic site which is most sensitive in the apical dendritic region of the CA1 pyramidal cells . The methylxanthine theophylline antagonizes the effect of adenosine; and, the anticonvulsant action of the L-isomer of the adenosine analogue phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA) is substantially more potent than the D-isomer, findings which are characteristic of an A1 type adenosine receptor . The endogenous release of adenosine may therefore serve to tonically reduce the tendency for repetitive discharge in CA1 pyramidal cells via an interaction with a high affinity A1 receptor which appears to be preferentially localized in the apical dendrites. Eur J Biochem, 1984 Oct 15, 144(2), 333 - 8 Conformational adaptation of RTEM beta-lactamase to cefoxitin; Citri N et al.; Cefoxitin, a poor substrate of the RTEM beta-lactamase (penicillin amido-beta-lactam hydrolase, EC 3.5.2.6), induces a reversible change in the conformation of the enzyme . The change is manifested in gradual loss of catalytic activity and increased susceptibility to proteolytic inactivation . It is prevented by antibodies, which stabilize the native conformation . By contrast, divalent cations, which have no effect on the native enzyme, delay recovery from the cefoxitin-induced state, presumably by reacting with sites made accessible in the partly unfolded enzyme . Prolonged exposure to excess of cefoxitin causes a similar delay . The kinetic evidence, namely, the initial burst of consumption of cefoxitin and the subsequent gradual recovery of activity with better substrates, appears to be consistent with acylation of the active site by cefoxitin followed by a slower deacylation step {Fisher et al . (1980) Biochemistry 19, 2895-2901} . However, additional evidence leads us to conclude that the kinetics observed reflect deformation of the active site, rather than its blockage, by cefoxitin . Of most significance is the transient change in specificity, i . e . a preferential interaction of the recovering enzyme with substrates which are closest in structure to cefoxitin. FEBS Lett, 1984 Oct 15, 176(1), 179 - 84 A gene fusion that localises the penicillin-binding domain of penicillin-binding protein 3 of Escherichia coli; Hedge PJ et al.; A gene fusion that links the COOH-terminal 349 amino acids of penicillin-binding protein 3 (60 kDa) of E . coli to the NH2-terminus of beta-galactosidase has been constructed . The fusion protein (38.5 kDa) retains the ability to bind benzylpenicillin with high affinity, establishing that the penicillin-binding domain (and presumably the penicillin-sensitive transpeptidase activity) of this high molecular mass penicillin-binding protein is located on a COOH-terminal functional domain. N Z Med J, 1984 Oct 10, 97(765), 675 - 8 Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease at the Rotorua Hospital 1971-1982; Purchas SH et al.; The case notes of all patients less than 30 years who had a discharge diagnosis of rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease and were admitted to Rotorua Hospital between January 1972 and April 1983 were examined . Information was analysed by computer and a register was begun locally on a card index system which may be computerised in future . There were 237 admissions involving 188 individuals with an average stay of 37 days . At least 63% of the 188 individual patients are known to have rheumatic heart disease . The average annual incidence for rheumatic fever was 20.1/100 000 with a Maori incidence in the 5-19 age group of 153.0/100 000 . The incidence was significantly higher in areas where males had a lower income . The recurrence rate for rheumatic fever during the study period was 12.4% . It is recommended that the register should be continued to gather epidemiological data and to conduct an effective secondary prophylaxis programme using long acting intramuscular penicillin. N Z Med J, 1984 Oct 10, 97(765), 674 - 5 Rheumatic fever prophylaxis: Gisborne experience; Frankish JD; There were 300 admissions to the Cook Hospital with rheumatic fever in 1958-83 . During 1958-73 oral penicillin was used for secondary prophylaxis and 77 (35%) of 223 admissions were recurrences . From 1974-83 when parenteral benzathine penicillin was increasingly used there were 77 admissions of which 14 (18%) were readmissions . An effective programme of secondary prophylaxis using benzathine penicillin and co-ordination of hospital and community health services is outlined . One hundred and eight patients with a first attack of rheumatic fever were seen in 1968-82 . The chance of a recurrence in patients in whom oral prophylaxis was instituted was 15% two years after the initial attack and 35% after six years . Institution of parenteral prophylaxis significantly reduced the risk of recurrence (p = 0.0009) which was 2% six years after the first attack. Brain Res, 1984 Oct 8, 311(1), 189 - 93 Focal cortical seizures prevent HRP and HRP-WGA labeling only in neurons bidirectionally connected to the cortex; Divac I et al.; Intracortical implants of polyacrylamide gel containing horseradish peroxidase labeled cortical efferents and perikarya in some cortical areas and a number of subcortical formations . When epileptogenic penicillin was added to the gel, no labeling was seen in the efferents and cell bodies of the cortex, thalamus, or claustrum, whereas the magnocellular nuclei of the basal forebrain, raphe nuclei and locus coeruleus did contain the label. Am J Med, 1984 Oct, 77(4), 719 - 22 Penicillamine-induced myositis . Observations and unique features in two patients and review of the literature; Halla JT et al.; Dermatomyositis developed during treatment with penicillamine in two patients with rheumatoid arthritis . Both were male without a history of penicillin allergy . Eosinophilia was present at the start of their illness, and HLA tissue typing showed the presence of HLA-DR2 in one patient . One patient was retreated with penicillamine and remained asymptomatic after three years of therapy, and the other was able to take penicillamine in a reduced dosage. Ophthalmology, 1984 Oct, 91(10), 1264 - 8 Iridocyclitis and an iris mass associated with secondary syphilis; McCarron MJ et al.; A 34-year-old white man developed iridocyclitis and an iris mass . The iridocyclitis was preceded by a nodular rash which spared the palms and soles . An anterior segment fluorescein angiogram was performed which showed numerous permeable vessels . An ultrasound examination of the mass showed that it extended to the ciliary body . He had both a positive RPRCT and FTA-Abs . A skin biopsy was done which disclosed the nodules to be a rare form of secondary syphilis . The patient was treated with topical steroids and a cycloplegic agent, and later prednisone and intravenous penicillin, with eventual resolution of iris mass, iridocyclitis and skin nodules. Br Poult Sci, 1984 Oct, 25(4), 519 - 28 Studies on the action of pectin in depressing the growth of chicks; Bishawi KO et al.; Citrus pectin (40 g/kg diet) significantly depressed weight gain and food utilisation when fed to young chicks . This effect was not associated with pathological manifestations or signs of deficiency . Feeding pectin at 40 g/kg diet did not affect the retention of energy, nitrogen, lipids or calcium, but decreased serum and liver total cholesterol and altered the glucose tolerance of chicks by retarding clearance of ingested glucose from blood . Supplementation of the pectin-containing diet with penicillin (70 mg/kg), with selected essential elements and vitamins, or increasing the energy density of the diet had no ameliorating effect on the depressed growth . Pair-feeding showed that pectin depressed food intake, reduced carcase lipid content and increased carcase moisture content. Tsitologiia, 1984 Oct, 26(10), 1199 - 203 {Effect of functional loading on the operation of the active transport system for organic acids in the proximal kidney tubules of rats after unilateral nephrectomy and in the early postnatal period}; Rebane EN et al.; The influence of a prolonged introduction of exogenic organic acid penicillin (that is functional loading) on the level of accumulation of an anionic dye (fluorescein) in renal proxima tubules was studied after unilateral nephrectomy and early postnatal period . Injection of penicillin 2 days after unilateral nephrectomy slowly increased Na-independent and strongly increased Na-dependent component of active fluorescein transport in renal proximal tubules of randombred, but strongly decreased both Na-independent and Na-dependent transport in renal tubules of the Campbell rats . When newborn random-bred, Wistar and Campbell rats were pretreated with penicillin, we obtained a slow increase in Na-independent and a strong increase in Na-dependent component of fluorescein transport in renal tubules of random-bred and Wistar rats, but a significant reduction in both Na-independent and Na-dependent transport . It is concluded that the ability for adaptive (or substrate) stimulation of active transport of organic anion in renal proximal tubules is controlled genetically . Adaptive stimulation of organic acid transport in renal tubules referred to in literature as "carried induction", was accomplished apparently by the increase in driving force of the active transport, that is evidently the level of electrochemical Na+-gradient. Ann Cardiol Angeiol (Paris), 1984 Oct, 33(6), 395 - 9 {Cardiac manifestations of Lyme disease . Apropos of 2 cases}; Cornuau C et al.; Lyme disease, a well-known entity in the United States, has featured only rarely in the French literature . We report two cases from the Cardiology Department with acute symptomatic atrio-ventricular block . The illness begins with migratory chronic erythema, which is the best marker of the condition . This is followed by neurological, joint and cardiac manifestations . Cardiac involvement consists essentially in A-V block of varying severity, which rapidly regresses . Until the recent discovery of the arthropod vector responsible (Ixodes dammini), the diagnosis was clinical and was confirmed by negative serological results for the other infectious agents . Penicillin and tetracycline are effective at the skin lesion stage . It is important to recognise this condition since there is no case of complete A-V block lasting longer than 2 weeks. Neurosurgery, 1984 Oct, 15(4), 552 - 6 Transverse myelitis from intraarterial penicillin; Stafford WW et al.; A child was given intramuscular benzathine penicillin and experienced manifestations of sudden, irreversible transection of the spinal cord in the lower thoracic region . The biopsy supported an intravascular injection with occlusion of the spinal vasculature as the etiological mechanism . A review of similar cases reveals a recurring pattern--intramuscular injection with standard techniques and sites into a small muscle mass without evident blood return followed by rapid progression of paralysis . The problem seems to turn upon an inability to recognize the inadvertent intraarterial injection. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1984 Oct, 74(4 Pt 2), 589 - 93 Penicillin allergy; Sogn DD; Although many new antibiotics are available, penicillin and its many semisynthetic derivatives are first-line drugs for many infections . These agents are relatively nontoxic even at high doses; however, their use frequently leads to allergic reactions . Withholding penicillin therapy from patients at high risk of allergic reaction to it is the most effective means of preventing such occurrences . Because immunoglobulin E-mediated reactions account for significant mortality and morbidity in association with penicillin use, the thrust of research on penicillin allergy has been to prevent such reactions . The many risk factors associated with subsequent immunoglobulin E-mediated penicillin allergy include history, timing and nature of previous penicillin exposure and/or allergy, age, route of administration, and response to skin testing with major and minor determinants of penicillin . The relative predictive values of each are discussed . Cross-reactivity between penicillin and its many analogs is reviewed and an approach to the patient who has a positive history for penicillin allergy and is in need of penicillin is offered. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1984 Oct, 74(4 Pt 2), 567 - 72 Risk factors for drug allergy; Adkinson NF Jr; Judging from available data on penicillin allergy there appear to be multiple definable risk factors for drug-induced immunopathology . The induction of a drug-specific immune response can be influenced by the age of the patient; underlying genetic or metabolic factors, which may restrict ability to initiate a drug-specific immune response; the chemical properties of the drug, largely its protein reactivity; and the dose and duration of treatment as well as the route of drug administration . The elicitation of drug-induced immunopathology is a function of the persistence of a drug-specific immune response; the frequency of drug treatment and its dose and duration; and probable constitutional factors that may determine in an important way the efficiency with which a drug-specific immune response can be translated into a systemic allergic reaction. Sex Transm Dis, 1984 Oct-Dec, 11(4), 287 - 90 Moxalactam treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea in women; Jones RB et al.; The efficacy of a 1-g dose of moxalactam was evaluated in the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea in women . Of 100 infected women, 96 had negative cultures after treatment . Two of the four who were not cured may have been reinfected, while therapy appeared to have failed in the other two . The MICs of moxalactam and penicillin were less than 1 microgram/ml for 100% and less than 0.06 micrograms/ml for 90% of the 115 pre- and post-treatment isolates tested . Moxalactam appears to be safe and effective in the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea in women . All of four white women and one of seven black women with pharyngeal gonorrhea gave a history of fellatio . Among those without pharyngeal gonorrhea, 20 of 35 white women and 15 of 111 black women gave such a history . Thus, a history of fellatio may not adequately predict which patients are at risk of pharyngeal gonorrhea, especially for black women. J Immunogenet, 1984 Oct-Dec, 11(5-6), 319 - 26 Influence of non-H-2 genes on the in vivo response to penicillin-treated autologous platelets; Claas FH et al.; Mice of different inbred strains were injected intravenously on day 0 and day 6 with autologous platelets incubated in a penicillin solution . After the second injection mice of most strains died immediately with anaphylactic symptoms . Both passive transfer experiments and indirect immunofluorescence studies suggest that a serum factor (probably IgM) is involved in this phenomenon . Only mice with a C3H background were unable to respond to autologous penicillin-treated platelets, although C3H platelets did induce a lethal response in B10.A mice . Experiments in which B10.A mice were primed with autologous penicillin-treated platelets and rechallenged with allogeneic penicillin-treated platelets, showed that the response is directed against a polymorphic non-H-2 antigen in combination with penicillin. Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 1984 Oct-Dec, 9(5-6), 421 - 37 Novel approaches to the purification of penicillin acylase; Mahajan PB et al.; Penicillin acylase of E . coli NCIM 2400 has been purified to homogeneity using a combination of hydrophobic interaction chromatography and DEAE-cellulose treatment . A variety of substituted matrices were synthesized using D- or DL-phenylglycine, norleucine, ampicillin, or amoxycillin as ligands, all of which retained penicillin acylase at high concentrations of ammonium sulfate or sodium sulfate . The enzyme could be eluted nonbiospecifically by buffer of lower ionic strength with over 95% recovery of the activity . Ammonium chloride, ammonium nitrate, sodium chloride, sodium nitrate, and potassium chloride were ineffective in either adsorption or elution of the enzyme on these columns . Further purification of this partially pure enzyme with DEAE-cellulose at pH 7.0-7.2 yielded an enzyme preparation of very high purity according to electrophoretic and ultracentrifugal analyses, its specific activity being as high as 37 U/mg protein . The purified enzyme has a molecular weight of 67,000 a sedimentation coefficient of 4.0S, and resolves into two forms upon isoelectric focusing . Overall recoveries ranged between 75 and 85% . Ease of operation, high recoveries, high purity of the enzyme and prolonged reuse of the conjugates make the process economically feasible and possibly of great commercial importance. Can J Microbiol, 1984 Oct, 30(10), 1239 - 46 Properties of cell wall peptidoglycan synthesized by amino acid deprived re1A mutants of Escherichia coli; Vanderwel D et al.; Cell wall peptidoglycan synthesis in Escherichia coli is under stringent control . During amino acid deprivation, peptidoglycan synthesis is inhibited in re1A+ bacteria but not in re1A mutants . The relaxed synthesis of peptidoglycan by amino acid deprived re1A bacteria was inhibited by several beta-lactam antibiotics at concentrations which inhibited cell elongation in growing cultures suggesting that the transpeptidase activity of penicillin-binding protein (PBP-1B) was involved in this process . Structural studies on the peptidoglycan also indicated the involvement of transpeptidation in relaxed peptidoglycan synthesis . The peptidoglycan synthesized during amino acid deprivation was cross-linked to the existing cell wall peptidoglycan, and the degree of cross-linkage was the same as that of peptidoglycan synthesized by growing control cells . The relaxed synthesis of peptidoglycan was also inhibited by moenomycin, an inhibitor of the in vitro transglycosylase activities of PBPs, but the interpretation of this result depends on whether the transglycosylases are the sole targets of moenomycin in vivo . Most of the peptidoglycan lipoprotein synthesized by histidine-deprived re1A+ bacteria was in the free form as previously reported, possibly because of the restriction in peptidoglycan synthesis . In support of this proposal, most of the lipoprotein synthesized during histidine deprivation of re1A mutants was found to be covalently linked to peptidoglycan . Nevertheless, the peptidoglycan synthesized by amino acid deprived re1A bacteria was apparently deficient in bound lipoprotein as compared with peptidoglycan synthesized by normal growing control bacteria suggesting that the rate of lipoprotein synthesis during amino acid deprivation may be limiting. N Z Med J, 1984 Sep 26, 97(764), 634 - 7 Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in the Hamilton health district: II . Long term follow-up and secondary prophylaxis; Talbot RG; An analysis is made of follow-up and prophylaxis of 289 first attacks of acute rheumatic fever occurring over a ten year period in under 30 year olds in the Hamilton health district, New Zealand . Hospital clinics originally undertook to follow 84.4% of patients but after ten years, regular contact was maintained with 45% of this group while general practitioners maintained contact with 32% of their group . Fifty percent of all cases (and 77% of cases occurring in the past five years) are on regular benzathine penicillin usually administered by the district nursing service . Co-ordination with extramural services and the use of the computer based register as means of improving follow-up and prophylaxis are advocated, with more attention being given to defaulters. Brain Res, 1984 Sep 24, 310(2), 201 - 12 Influence of morphine and cyclazocine on the cortical epileptic foci in rabbits; Massotti M et al.; The effects of morphine, cyclazocine and naloxone on penicillin- and strychnine-induced epileptic foci were studied in rabbits . The intracortical injection of penicillin (75, 150 and 300 units) elicited isolated spikes followed by repeated ictal events . The application of strychnine (