J Virol, 1981 Nov, 40(2), 350 - 7 Viral protein synthesis in mouse hepatitis virus strain A59-infected cells: effect of tunicamycin; Rottier PJ et al.; We identified eight protein species in virions of mouse hepatitis virus strain A59 . Based on their sizes, prosthetic groups, and locations in virions, these proteins were designated gp180/E2, gp90/E2, pp54/N, gp26.5/E1, gp25.5/E1, p24/E1, p22/X, and p14.5/Y . The positions of the last two proteins in virions are not known . Host protein synthesis in Sac(-) cells infected with mouse hepatitis virus strain A59 was inhibited, and the following novel proteins appeared: gp150, gp90, p54, gp26.5, gp25.5, p24, p22, and p14.5 . Except for gp150, these polypeptides all co-electrophoresed with mouse hepatitis virus strain A59 structural proteins . In addition, all of these proteins could be immunoprecipitated with a convalescent mouse serum or a rabbit antiserum raised against purified disrupted virus . After a 15-min pulse of infected cells with radioactive amino acids at 7h postinfection, gp90 was not detected, whereas gp26.5 and gp25.5 were only labeled to a small extent . During a subsequent chase period gp150 was processed to gp90, whereas the radioactivity in gp26.5 and gp25.5 increased concomitantly with a reduction of label in p24 . Tunicamycin, an antibiotic which inhibits the synthesis of glycopeptides bearing N glycosidically linked oligosaccharides, prevented the appearance of gp150 in mouse hepatitis virus strain A59-infected cells . Instead, a 110,000-dalton protein accumulated . In contrast, the syntheses of the smaller viral glycoproteins gp26.5 and gp25.5 were resistant to this drug, indicating that these glycosylations were of the O glycosidical type . Although the production of infectious virus in tunicamycin-treated cells was inhibited by more than 99%, release of noninfectious viral particles continued . An analysis of these particles revealed that they lacked the peplomeric glycoproteins gp90/E2 and gp180/E2 . Obviously, although the surface projections were not essential for budding of virus particles from the cells, they were required for infectivity. Biofizika, 1981 Nov-Dec, 26(6), 1100 - 2 {Effect of polymyxin B on ion permeability of bacterial membranes}; Kapitanova NG et al.; Effect of polymyxin B on the movement of K+ and H+ in polymyxin-sensitive cells of E . coli under different metabolic states has been studied . It was shown that polymyxin B induced the efflux of K+, decreased the efflux of H+ and inhibited the consumption of oxygen in bacterial cells . The effect of antibiotic on ion movement was independent of respiratory conditions . It was suggested that polymyxin B increased ion permeability and destroyed lipid-protein interactions of the respiratory chain simultaneously. Pharmacotherapy, 1981 Nov-Dec, 1(3), 201 - 5 Topically administered clindamycin in the treatment of acne vulgaris and other dermatologic disorders; Rosen T et al.; Clindamycin is a macrolide antibiotic that has been used orally and topically in the treatment of acne vulgaris . Unfortunately, oral administration is associated with pseudomembranous colitis in up to 10% of patients; consequently, it is no longer a generally accepted form of acne therapy . Topical application is an effective, safer alternative . Topical formulations may be extemporaneously prepared or purchased as a pre-mixed hydroalcoholic solution . Adverse effects associated with topical preparations are few and mostly minor . Topical clindamycin is also used in the treatment of erythrasma, rosacea, periorificial facial dermatitis, and folliculitis. Cancer Res, 1981 Nov, 41(11 Pt 1), 4471 - 7 Chemical synthesis of radiolabeled bleomycin A2 and its binding to DNA; Roy SN et al.; A method for the preparation of biologically active {3H}- and {13C}bleomycin A2 is described . Demethyl Cu(II):bleomycin A2, isolated after pyrolysis of Cu(II):bleomycin A2, was methylated with either {3H}-or {13C}methyl iodide, which resulted in Cu(II):bleomycin A2 labeled in the dimethylsulfonium moiety . Copper was removed by treatment with dithizone in chloroform, and structures were verified by thin-layer chromatography and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy . Copper-free {3H}-and {13C}bleomycin A2 are active in the degradation of DNA in vitro . Gel exclusion chromatograhy and equilibrium dialysis were used to determine the apparent equilibrium constants for binding of {3H}bleomycin A2 and Cu(II):{3H}bleomycin A2 to calf thymus DNA, noncovalently associated polydeoxyguanylate:polydeoxycytidylate, and noncovalently associated polydeoxyadenylate:polydeoxythymidylate . In 2.5 mM sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, binding data obtained by gel filtration with calf thymus DNA reveal an apparent equilibrium constant for {3H}bleomycin A2 of 5.7 X 10(5)/mol and for Cu(II):{3H}bleomycin A2 of 3.9 X 10(5)/mol . One molecule of {3H}bleomycin A2 binds for every 3.7 base pairs in DNA, and one molecule of Cu(II):{3H}bleomycin A2 binds for every 2.8 base pairs in DNA . Analysis of binding data with calf thymus DNA, noncovalently associated polydeoxyguanylate:polydeoxycytidylate, and noncovalently associated polydeoxyadenylate:polydeoxythymidylate obtained by equilibrium dialysis reveals, in each instance, 2 types of binding sites for both the copper and metal-free form of the antibiotic . For those sites in calf thymus DNA with tighter binding affinity, the apparent equilibrium constant for {3H}bleomycin A2 was 6.8 X 10(5)/mol and for the Cu(II):{3H}bleomycin A2 complex, 4.4 X 10(5)/mol . As seen with calf thymus DNA, the affinity of {3H}bleomycin A2 is slightly greater than that of Cu(II):{3H}bleomycin A2 for the synthetic DNAs, although more of the copper form of the drug binds to these polymers. Br J Pharmacol, 1981 Nov, 74(3), 701 - 7 Polymyxin B sulphate protects cats against the haemodynamic and metabolic effects of E . coli endotoxin; Hughes B et al.; 1 The intravenous administration of E . coli endotoxin (2 mg/kg) in cats anaesthetized with pentobarbitone resulted in an initial acute increase in right atrial pressure and a transient systemic hypotension . Later (from 1 h onwards) there was a progressive decrease in cardiac output, a reduced right atrial filling pressure, systemic hypotension and a profound metabolic acidosis (lactate of 30 +/- 1 mg/100 ml at 5 h compared with 5.1 +/- 0.5 mg/100 ml pre-endotoxin) . Only one of eight animals so treated survived 8 h . 2 Polymyxin B sulphate, given intravenously (1 min before endotoxin) as a bolus injection (5 mg/kg) followed by a continuous intravenous infusion (additional 5 mg/kg given over a 30 min period) prevented the endotoxin-induced pulmonary (right atrial) hypertension but not the acute systemic hypotension . 3 Polymyxin B sulphate reduced the delayed haemodynamic effects of endotoxin (systemic hypotension, decrease in cardiac output); all the eight animals so treated survived 8 h compared with only 1/8 of the controls . 4 Polymyxin B did not prevent the initial (1-3 h) and marked metabolic acidosis following endotoxin; however, after 3 h, arterial lactate levels returned towards control whereas in the endotoxin-alone group they continued to increase until death . 5 The mechanism of this marked protective effect of the antibiotic and the possible clinical repercussions are discussed; the most likely explanation for the protection is in chemical combination with the lipid A moiety of the endotoxin. Minerva Chir, 1981 Oct 31, 36(20), 1365 - 72 {Importance of surgical gowns and drapes as barriers for prevention of postoperative infections}; Moylan JA et al.; The gown and drape barrier system has been shown to be an important factor in the prevention of wound infection . Performance differences between disposable and reusable materials as influencing wound infections were demonstrated . A disposable spun-bonded olefin gown and drape system significantly reduced the postoperative wound infection rate . No therapeutic benefit in clean surgical operations was observed for either the preoperative antibiotic group of local wound irrigation group . Factors indicating populations at higher risks for wound infection include age, sex and those requiring long and an emergency type operations . Special attention should be given to the infection prone groups . Unless factors, such as percentage of type of operation, emergency nature, age and sex, are weighed, a comparison of wound infections between hospitals is invalid. Z Hautkr, 1981 Oct 15, 56(20), 1326 - 33 {Resistance to griseofulvin (author's transl)}; Hantschke D et al.; The antibiotic griseofulvin has been used for more than two decades in the treatment of dermatophyte-induced mycoses . During the first 10 years of use griseofulvin-resistant dermatophytes were demonstrated only in a few cases . During the seventies we did not find an increase in these strains . During this period of time the total number of dermatophytes studied by us was 489 of which 5 proved resistant, that is 4 strains of Trichophyton rubrum and one strain of Trichophyton mentagrophytes, which were still growing at a concentration of 100 gamma griseofulvin per ml culture medium . We consider these strains to have a secondary resistance and did not observe dermatophytes with a primary resistance . Accordingly, the number of non-responders cannot generally be explained by the presence of resistant dermatophytes, but rather by other reasons which have already been discussed . For the time being the problem of an increasing incidence of griseofulvin-resistant dermatophytes does not exist. Am J Infect Control, 1981 Nov, 9(4), 120 - 2 Infection control as a quality control in an integrated hospital quality assurance program; Fifer WR; I have discussed infection control in the context of a quality control system in a hospital . To date hospital "quality assurance" has been unfocused, retrospective, and CME related-an inappropriate response to such quality problems as inappropriate antibiotic usage, hospital related infection, and professional (malpractice) liability . I have suggested that the control paradigm (a concurrent signal leads to response system) may provide the approach needed to enhance the effectiveness of the whole hospital quality assurance effort. Nouv Presse Med, 1981 Oct 3, 10(35), 2889 - 91 {Bacterial endocarditis on mitral prolapse revealed by cutaneous and neurological disorders . Usefulness of immunological investigations (author's transl)}; Barrere M et al.; In a 32-year-old woman with mitral prolapse, bacterial endocarditis was preceded by a long period of neuralgias and skin lesions . Thrombosis of the Sylvian artery heralded the onset of the disease which remained for a long time apyretic and was marked by several cerebral vascular accidents . After failure of antibiotic therapy the mitral valve was replaced by a Starr valve and the patient recovered . In view of the presence of immunological abnormalities in this patient, the mechanisms of the vascular lesions is discussed . Many authors are new giving a large place to "immunoallergic" theories in their attempts to explain the occurrence of non-specific arteritis in bacterial endocarditis. Arch Sci Med (Torino), 1981 Oct-Dec, 138(4), 621 - 6 {2 cases of hairy cell leukemia}; Moda S et al.; Two cases of tricholeukaemia are reported . In both, onset and course of the disease were dominated by infectious episodes of varying gravity . Diagnosis was based on the finding in the blood and bone marrow of mononucleate cells containing the characteristic cytoplasmatic projections, best recognised in the phase contrast microscope, and on the cytochemical finding of intense positivity of the acid phosphatase reaction, that a very serious septic state starting from a dental abscess was possible in a patients by associating infusions of paps of leucocyte concentrates with massive target antibiotic therapy . Splenectomy carried out in the same patient led to an increase in the number of circulating platelets and leukocytes . After operation, two episodes of cutaneous inflammation presented by the same patient were less serious than similar previous infectious episodes. Eur J Cell Biol, 1981 Oct, 25(2), 289 - 99 Plasma membrane cholesterol in myocardial muscle and capillary endothelial cells . Distribution of filipin-induced deformations in freeze-fracture; Severs NJ; Glutaraldehyde-fixed rabbit myocardium was treated with the polyene antibiotic, filipin, which binds specifically to sterols in membranes, producing distinct 25 nm-diameter deformations . These deformations (lesions) serve as labels for the presence of cholesterol-rich membranes and membrane domains . The distribution and density of filipin-induced lesions was examined in the plasma membranes of cardiac muscle and capillary endothelial cells by freeze-fracture electron microscopy . In the exposed fracture faces of endothelial plasma membranes, more than 99% of the surface area was covered with lesions, whereas about 90% of the plasma membrane area in the muscle cells remained unaffected by the treatment . Muscle cell plasma membranes revealed a patchy response; the lesions occurred in clusters which were separated by interconnecting expanses of unaffected membrane . Endothelial cell plasmalemmal vesicles, and muscle cell caveolae and transverse tubules displayed the same response to filipin as neighbouring areas of plasma membrane . However, gap junctions and desmosomes of the muscle intercalated disc membrane, and coated pits in both cell types were completely resistant to filipin treatment . These results provide evidence that the plasma membranes of the two cell types possess markedly different overall cholesterol levels, and that each has a characteristic pattern in the planar distribution of cholesterol. Eur J Cell Biol, 1981 Oct, 25(2), 258 - 64 Sterol-deficient domains correlate with intramembrane particle arrays in the plasma membrane of Chlamydomonas reinhardii; Robenek H et al.; The planar distribution of 3-beta-hydroxysterols in the plasmalemma of the green flagellate Chlamydomonas reinhardii has been studied with the freeze-fracture technique using the polyene antibiotic filipin and the saponin tomatin as cytochemical markers . Filipin-sterol complexes were predominantly observed as 25 to 30 nm protuberances on the E-face of the plasmalemma with corresponding invaginations on the P-face . Generally filipin-sterol and tomatin-sterol complexes were randomly distributed, but were virtually absent from sites of intramembrane particle arrays (IMP-arrays, i.e . the flagellar necklace, the flagellar bracelet including strut arrays, the eyespot membrane) . The results suggest that IMP-arrays of Chlamydomonas are deficient in 3-beta-hydroxysterols and may therefore be regarded as special lipid arrays . IMP-arrays might require an altered lipid environment for proper function . Some functional aspects of IMP-arrays in Chlamydomonas are discussed. J Cell Sci, 1981 Oct, 51, 95 - 107 Structural heterogeneity of endocytic membranes in macrophages as revealed by the cholesterol probe, filipin; Montesano R et al.; The polyene antibiotic, filipin, by specifically interacting with cholesterol, produces approximately 25-nm protuberances (filipin-sterol complexes) in freeze-fractured membranes, and the addition of filipin to aldehyde fixatives has been recently introduced as a cytochemical technique for the localization of cholesterol in cell membranes . In a previous study we showed that, in fibroblasts filipin-sterol complexes are absent from endocytic coated pits . To establish whether the absence of filipin-sterol complexes is a phenomenon restricted to coated pits or is correlated with endocytosis in general, we applied the filipin probe to cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages, in which different forms of endocytosis take place . The macrophages were incubated with bovine albumin or concanavalin A (Con A) to induce pinocytosis, and with heat-killed straphylococci or opsonized erythrocytes to induce phagocytosis, then fixed in glutaraldehyde/filipin and freeze-fractured . Filipin-sterol complexes were plentiful on the plasma membrane, on the smooth-membrane invaginations and vesicles induced by albumin, on the large endocytic vacuoles induced by Con A, and on the membrane of phagosomes but, in contrast, they were absent from coated pits and vesicles, as well as from coated segments of invagination or vesicles . These results indicate that the membranes involved in different types of endocytosis do not react in the same way with filipin and may, therefore, have a different cholesterol content . This could reflect different mechanisms of formation for the various types of endocytic vesicles. Antibiotiki, 1981 Oct, 26(10), 769 - 73 {Method of determining grisin residues in animal husbandry products}; Danielova LT et al.; The possibility of grisin binding in animal organs and tissues was studied and more accurate methods for determination of grisin in animal foods were developed . Such products as meat, milk, fat, eggs and subproducts (liver, kidneys, lungs), as well as organs and tissues of rabbits were tested . The antibiotic was added to the feed in an amount of 400 mg per head . The animals and poultry were killed 1 hour after the feeding . It was shown that grisin was partially bound in vitro and in vivo in the organs and tissues and could not be detected with the routine methods . A procedure for enzymatic hydrolysis of the homogenates with pancreatin, a proteolytic enzyme was elaborated by the authors for determination of the adsorbed or bound antibiotic . The procedure of the enzymatic hydrolysis used alone or in combination with thermal treatment provided determination of 90-100 per cent of grisin contained in the products, while the routine method of homogenization without thermal treatment revealed only 50-60 per cent (or 20-35 per cent in the liver) . The use of the procedure increased the accuracy of the grisin traces determination 2.8-15.6 times as compared to the routine methods . It allowed one to obtain more correct data on the true levels of the drug in organs and tissues. Antibiotiki, 1981 Oct, 26(10), 731 - 5 {Process of sodium fusidate inactivation as affected by oxygen and humidity}; Suchkova GS et al.; The effect of oxygen and moisture on stability of sodium fusidate was studied . It was shown that inactivation of the antibiotic in the atmosphere of oxygen was due to its oxidation in the preparations with low humidity levels . In the preparations with high humidity levels, the main cause of the antibiotic inactivation was hydrolysis with respect to C-16-O-acetyl group . When sodium fusidate was air stored, the salts of 24, 25-dioxy-and 24, 25-dioxy-11-monoketofusidic acids were identified among the products of its inactivation . The salts of 24,25-dioxy-11-monoketofusidic acid were also prepared by oxidation of fusidic acid with potassium permanganate in a weak alkaline medium . The possibility of using sodium sulfite and metabisulfite as stabilizers for th antibiotic storage was shown. Antibiotiki, 1981 Oct, 26(10), 728 - 31 {Rifampicin preparations for internal use and their bioavailability}; Zak AF et al.; Bioavailability of rifampicin in 150 mg capsules manufactured by 5 different companies was studied . Conditions for investigation of the rate of the antibiotic transfer into solution with the use of the "Rotating Basket" apparatus were determined and statistically significant differences were found . The drugs also differed in the level and rate of antibiotic absorption into the blood of humans. Dis Colon Rectum, 1981 Oct, 24(7), 555 - 61 Evanescent colitis; Heron HC et al.; Evanescent colitis was first reported in 1971 . This clinical entity is manifested by abrupt onset of colicky abdominal pain usually out of proportion to the physical findings, loose stools progressing to hematochezia, and segmental colonic involvement with spontaneous resolution in a matter of days . The diagnosis can be suggested by abdominal flat plate; confirmation depends upon barium-enema examination early in the course of the illness . The clinical presentation is identical to that of colonic ischemia with one remarkable exception: while colonic ischemia has come to be regarded as a disease of the elderly, usually with underlying vascular disease, evanescent colitis occurs in young people who are otherwise free of disease . In this report the authors present nine cases whose course is classic for colonic ischemia except that they are all less than 50 years of age and free of underlying vascular disease . Two of the patients were on oral contraceptive medication . A review of the literature revealed 15 additional cases . Five of these cases were associated with oral contraceptives . Conditions to be excluded in the differential diagnosis of this disease are the specific infectious colitides, idiopathic ulcerative colitis, granulomatous colitis and antibiotic-related pseudomembranous colitis. Am J Clin Pathol, 1981 Oct, 76(4), 442 - 9 A multivariate approach to prognostication in experimental bacterial meningitis; Giampaolo C et al.; Known concentrations of type III pneumococci were inoculated into eighty-one rabbits by cisternal puncture . Antibiotic therapy was started the following day . Aliquots of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma were sampled on day one immediately before therapy was started and at regular intervals thereafter for up to eight days . Samples were analyzed for glucose, lactate, lactic dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase in various combinations . Leukocyte counts were performed on all CSF specimens . The timing of the specimens proved critical to the prognostic utility of the analyses performed . Day two plasma glucose was the most important single measurement for prognostication . Day one values for CSF glucose, lactate, and leukocyte count were also important . Substantial gains in prognostic accuracy were achieved when clinical laboratory measurements were used in combination by discriminant function analysis. J Acoust Soc Am, 1981 Oct, 70(4), 1036 - 44 Rate-versus-intensity functions and related AP responses in normal and pathological guinea pig and human cochleas; Harrison RV; Cochlear fiber discharge rate-versus-intensity functions, across frequency, have been measured in pathological guinea pig cochleas (ototoxic antibiotic poisoning) and compared with the normal animal . The frequency dependence of the slopes of these functions is reduced in cochlear pathology which results in minimum threshold elevations of more than 50 dB, i.e., there is a reduction in this frequency dependent nonlinearity . The rate functions at characteristic frequency (CF) become abnormally steep (e.g., 4--5 spikes/s/dB compared with a normal 1--2 spikes/s/dB), and comparable to those of the low-frequency tail region of normal cochlear fibers . The CF dynamic range is reduced from 30--40 to 10--15 dB in cochlear pathology . The fiber study has been confirmed by (and has confirmed) a method of indirect measurement of rate functions from AP suppression-versus-intensity functions using a pure-tone forward masking paradigm {Abbas and Gorga, J . Acoust . Soc . Am . 69, 492--499 (1981)} . This method has been used in normal and pathological guinea pigs, and the results parallel the single fiber study . In addition, AP suppression functions, across frequency, have been obtained in human subjects with (near) normal hearing thresholds, and in patients with sensorineural hearing loss of cochlear origin, during transtympanic electrocochleography . The AP suppression curves in pathology indicate, as for the animal studies, a loss of the frequency dependency of the rate function slopes, and predict steep rate functions at CF (and thus reduced dynamic range) in cochlear deafness . The findings are related to loudness recruitment. Am J Vet Res, 1981 Oct, 42(10), 1816 - 8 Luteolysis in mares after endometrial biopsy; Baker CB et al.; The length of diestrus was not changed in 4 mares by taking endometrial biopsy specimens during estrus . In contrast, taking endometrial biopsy specimens on postovulation day 4 induced premature luteolysis and significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced the length of diestrus . A concurrent decrease in serum progesterone occurred to verify the premature luteolysis in these mares . Bacterial cultures of endometrial swab samples from these mares were negative for growth at the first estrus before and after the last biopsy procedures, indicating that luteolysis was induced by the biopsy procedure and was not due to uterine infection . Seemingly, infusion of antibiotic solution after endometrial biopsy on postovulation day 4 prevented premature luteolysis. Exp Hematol, 1981 Oct, 9(9), 945 - 9 Piperazinedione (NSC 135758) and total body irradiation as an ablative bone marrow transplantation regimen in mice; Zander AR et al.; Piperazinedione, an antitumor antibiotic with activity against leukemia, has been incorporated into a regimen for clinical bone marrow transplantations . Studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of piperazinedione on hemopoietic stem cells and the recovery of hemopoiesis after syngeneic transplantation . The effect of piperazinedione on hemopoietic stem cells is short in duration (nadir day 1) . Myelosuppression does not appear to be its limiting toxicity, since mice could not be rescued by syngeneic bone marrow at increased doses of piperazinedione . Piperazinedione given prior to total body irradiation has an enhancing effect on colony-forming unit culture (CFUC) and colony-forming unit spleen (CFUS) recovery from day 7 to day 90 post transplantation when compared with total body irradiation alone. J Cell Sci, 1981 Oct, 51, 63 - 84 Freeze-fracture study of phagocytosis in Dictyostelium discoideum; Favard-Sereno C et al.; The plasma membrane and its derivative, the phagosome membrane, were studied during and after ingestion of yeast of latex beads in Dictyostelium discoideum . Freeze-fracture electron microscopy, which provides information on the internal architecture of the membranes, and observation of thin sections of cells treated by cytochemical methods were used in parallel . For visualization of membrane sterols in the replicas, the cells were fixed in the presence of digitonin or the antibiotic filipin . No lateral phase separation occurred during yeast engulfment: the intramembranous particles (IMPs), phospholipids and sterols remained distributed at random in the forming phagosome membrane . In contrast architectural modifications of the membrane were observed upon phagosome internalization . Compared to the plasma membrane, the phagosome membrane displayed 2-3 times more IMPs a shift in the IMP size distribution and a higher sterol content . These changes were completed soon after phagosome closure; they were not related either to the nature of the ingested particles (yeast, latex beads) or to the pH in the membrane environment . The membrane changes too place when the phagosomes began to fuse with pre-existing digestive or autophagic vacuoles and lysosomes . Some of the experimental evidence suggests that the restructuring of the membrane may be related to the presence of hydrolases. Antibiotiki, 1981 Oct, 26(10), 777 - 82 {Chemoprophylactic and chemotherapeutic characteristics of the infectious complications in the early period following a kidney transplant}; Vasina TA et al.; Antibiotic therapy was effective in the majority of cases with early identified infectious complications after the kidney transplantation . The treatment dose of the antibiotic should be individually corrected for every patient with a transplanted organ with an account of kidney transplant function . When immunodepressants are used in addition to the chemotherapy it is necessary to control the immunological indices. Mol Biochem Parasitol, 1981 Oct, 3(6), 357 - 67 Mg2+-activated adenosine triphosphatase from Crithidia fasciculata: purification and inhibition by suramin and efrapeptin; Higa AI et al.; The mitochondrial Mg2+-activated adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase; EC 3.6.1.4) from the insect flagellate Crithidia fasciculata ATCC 11745 has been extracted from the membrane by chloroform treatment and purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by a method involving ammonium sulphate fractionation, gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 and DEAE-cellulose chromatography . The molecular weight of the native enzyme, determined by gel filtration, was about 350 000 . Five subunits were detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate, with molecular weights of 54 000, 45 000, 35 000, 20 000 and 10 000 . The membrane-bound, but not the soluble (F1) ATPase was inhibited by oligomycin and leucinostatin . Both forms of the enzyme were strongly inhibited by the antibiotic efrapeptin and the trypanocidal drug suramin . The inhibition by efrapeptin was of the mixed type, with double-reciprocal plots intersecting below the abscissa, as in the case of the enzyme present in beef heart submitochondrial particles . Suramin, on the other hand, acted as a non-competitive inhibitor of the membrane-bound ATPase and as a strictly competitive inhibitor of the purified F1 ATPase. Biochemistry, 1981 Sep 29, 20(20), 5702 - 7 Effect of amphotericin B on membranes: a spin probe study; Aracava Y et al.; The effect of the polyene antibiotic amphotericin B on the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of lipid probes intercalated in model membranes was examined . When the antibiotic was added to the aqueous phase, no spectral effects occurred . However, when the antibiotic was incorporated during membrane preparation, changes in spectral parameters suggested the appearance of a new phase . The spectral changes do not necessarily corroborate the pore models proposed previously for amphotericin B in membranes . With a spin probe that partitions between water and membrane, an interaction between the amphotericin B and probe is observed . This interaction does not occur in the membrane, but in the aqueous phase, between the probe and the aggregated antibiotic . Some of the equilibria involving the antibiotic appear to be achieved slowly. J Biol Chem, 1981 Sep 25, 256(18), 9374 - 6 Differing requirements for glycosylation in the secretion of related glycoproteins is determined neither by the producing cell nor by the relative number of oligosaccharide units; Sidman C; Previous reports, using a variety of myeloma cell lines and activated normal B cells, have shown that different classes of immunoglobulins have different carbohydrate requirements for secretion . Thus, secretion of IgM and IgE was almost totally blocked by the antibiotic tunicamycin, secretion of IgA was partially inhibited, and secretion of IgG was essentially unaffected (Hickman, S., Kulczycki, A., Jr., Lynch, R . G., and Kornfeld, S . (1977) J . Biol . Chem . 252, 4402-4408; Hickman S., (1978) J . Immunol . 121, 990-996) . Here, similar experiments using hybridoma cell lines secreting IgM and IgG or IgD are reported . Tunicamycin prevented the majority of IgM secretion but did not affect IgG secretion in cells producing both isotypes . This shows that the differential effects of tunicamycin on IgM and IgG secretion are due to factors intrinsic to the respective heavy chain polypeptides themselves, rather than to other properties of the producing cells . The secretion of IgD, which is as heavily glycosylated as IgM, was not inhibited by tunicamycin . Thus, the simple degree of immunoglobulin heavy chain glycosylation does not determine the extent of the requirement for glycosylation in the secretion of that isotype. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1981 Sep 7, 646(3), 422 - 32 Study on the dehydrating effect of the red cell Na+/K+-pump in nystatin-treated cells with varying Na+ and water contents; Clark MR et al.; Using the antibiotic Nystatin, we have developed a systematic method for the preparation of red blood cells with independently selected levels of intracellular Na+ concentrations and water content . Such cells provided an experimental model to study the effect of Na+/K+ pump stimulation on red cell water content . Even in initially dehydrated cells, stimulation of the Na+/K+ pump by elevated intracellular Na+ caused subsequent further loss of cell water . Cell water loss was reflected in decreased monovalent cation content per unit mass of hemoglobin and by a shift in the density distribution of the cell populations to higher densities on discontinuous Stractan gradients . We conclude that the 3 Na+out : 2 K+in stoichiometry of the Na+/K+ pump results in a net desalting effect with increased pump activity . Under the conditions of these experiments, the cell appears to have no effective mechanism to compensate for a net loss of ions and water. Pediatr Med Chir, 1981 Sep-Oct, 3(5), 415 - 7 {The treatment of congenital obstructions of the lacrimal passages (author's transl)}; Fiore C et al.; The Authors describe their method of treatment of congenital dacryocystitis . Up to 3-4 months of age the treatment consists in the use of antibiotic eye drops and message of the lacrimal sack . After this age and up to 8 months of age irrigation of the lacrimal passages is carried out . If this is unsuccessful or if the children are older a probing is performed . The Authors report the results of the probing in a series of 118 children (146 eyes) . The best results are obtained when the probing is effectuated before 8 months of age . After this age the success decreases with the increase in age of the young children . There is no apprecciable difference between the unilateral and bilateral cases. Monatsschr Kinderheilkd, 1981 Sep, 129(9), 521 - 4 {Neonatal ventriculitis . A case report (author's transl)}; Statz A; Meningitis of the newborn is often accompanied by ventriculitis . This may be one of the reasons for the still unfavourable prognosis of neonatal meningitis . In a few cases we achieved sterile ventricular fluid with additional intraventricular application of antibiotics . An examination of ventricular fluids should be performed when there is the slightest suspicion of ventriculitis . Early institution of additional antibiotic therapy intraventricularly as well as some of the newer antibiotics (p.e . Cefotaxime) seem to produce better results . We observed the following complications of meningoventriculitis: hydrocephalus, porencephaly, and multicystic encephalopathy. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol, 1981 Sep, 33(3), 419 - 32 Comparative nephrotoxicity of dibekacin and gentamicin in rats; Elliott WC et al.; To evaluate the nephrotoxicity of the new aminoglycoside, dibekacin, relative to gentamicin, we administered both drugs in doses of 40 and 120 mg/kg per day to male and female Fischer 344 rats . At sacrifice, we determined serum creatinine, in vitro renal cortical uptake of 14C N-methyl nicotinamide and para-aminohippurate, renal cortical antibiotic concentrations, and real histology . Dibekacin and gentamicin were similar in overall toxicity . Dibekacin differed from gentamicin and other aminoglycosides (1) in failing to cause early transient stimulation of para-aminohippurate uptake in male rats and (2) in the location of histologic damage at the 120 mg/kg dose . We conclude that: 1) in this model, dibekacin is comparable to gentamicin in nephrotoxic potential, and 2) the lack of early stimulation of para-aminohippurate uptake in male rates after dibekacin treatment may be related to greater initial injury to the late proximal tubule than is caused by gentamicin. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol, 1981 Sep, 33(3), 403 - 18 Single dose gentamicin nephrotoxicity in the dog: early functional and ultrastructural changes; Riviere JE et al.; A single dose (15mg/kg) of the aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin was administered intravenously to 4 purebred 5-month old beagles . Six 24-hour creatinine, urea, phosphate, sodium, and potassium clearances were performed, three before and three after gentamicin infusions, as were hematology and urinalysis . Animals were necropsied on the fourth day after drug infusion . Renal clearances tended to decrease . Light microscopy revealed no significant renal lesions, but transmission electron microscopy demonstrated increased cytosomes with myeloid figures (cytosegresomes) in the proximal tubule cells of treated dogs . These structures are characteristic markers of gentamicin . therapy . In addition, the proximal tubules of treated dogs contained single membrane limited vesicles with granular proteinaceous material; a structure not previously reported to be associated with aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity . The significance and relationship of these vesicles to the pathogenesis of gentamicin toxic nephropathy is not known . This study suggests that a single moderate dose of gentamicin is nephrotoxic in the beagle as judged by functional and morphological criteria. Antibiotiki, 1981 Sep, 26(9), 699 - 703 {Tetracycline penetration into tissue by modified electro- and phonophoretic methods}; Ragelis SIu; A total of 451 experiments (130 with the method of electrophoresis and 321 with the method of phonophoresis) were performed on healthy rabbits of the same species, age, weight and sex with the use of the galvanization apparatus "Potok-1" and ultrasound therapeutic apparatus "VTP-1" . The penetration levels of tetracycline into the tissues after its administration with the modified methods of electro- and phonophoresis were determined . The dependence of the process on the current density, ultrasound intensity, time and antibiotic concentration was studied . The efficacy of the routine electro- and phonophoresis methods was compared with that of the modified ones . It was found that the tissue levels of tetracycline administered with the modified methods of electro- and phonophoresis increased with an increase in the current density or ultrasound intensity, the procedure time and antibiotic concentration . When tetracycline was administered with the modified method of electrophoresis its levels were highest in the skin, lower in the muscles and minimum in the bones . With the use of the modified method of phonophoresis the highest levels were in the skin, the lowest in the bones and the minimum in the muscles . The tissue levels of tetracycline administered with the modified methods of electro- and phonophoresis were higher than those obtained with the routine methods of electro- and phonophoresis. Head Neck Surg, 1981 Sep-Oct, 4(1), 64 - 8 Transtracheal microsurgical closure of tracheoesophageal fistulas; Gerhardt HJ; A patient with a 1.5- to 2.5-cm tracheoesophageal fistula secondary to prolonged assisted ventilation and feeding by a nasogastric tube was operated upon by a transtracheal microsurgical approach . The advantages of this approach are as follows: (1) the surgery is not extensive and therefore does not cause much stress to the patient; (2) this technique avoids the necessity for a wide mediastinotomy or sternotomy and thoracotomy, and therefore averts the danger of a widespread infection with the highly antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are always present in these cases; and (3) there is no risk of damage to the recurrent nerve . The ENT surgeon who is well-trained and experienced in microsurgery should try this approach in selected cases first . If this method fails, other methods are still available. Clin Orthop, 1981 Sep, (159), 201 - 7 Treatment of chronic osteomyelitis by necrectomy and gentamicin-PMMA beads; Vecsei V et al.; Irrigation and suction-drainage have certain disadvantages in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis . Some of these are: a long bed-restricted postoperative period; necessity of constant control of the flow system; careful and continuous physician and nursing care, and high costs of hospitalization . A new procedure, designed by Klemm, is the use of gentamicin-polymethylmethacrylate (G-PMMA) beads strung in chains after necrectomy . High local concentrations of antibiotic are achieved without systemic toxic side effects . External fixation is to be used when excessive dead bone resection produces instability, and cancellous grafting when significant bone defects that disturb bone healing must be filled . In the period between 1974 and 1979 more than 120 patients with chronic osteomyelitis were managed with this method . Twenty-five cases were available for follow-up three to five years after treatment: 96% had considerable improvement of their condition, and 88% became asymptomatic with no evidence of infection . G-PMMA bead treatment is encouraging not only for the high success rate, but also because it might eliminate the need for prolonged hospitalization. Can J Surg, 1981 Sep, 24(5), 468 - 70 Acute suppurative cholangitis secondary to malignant obstruction; Weissglas IS et al.; Acute suppurative cholangitis due to malignant obstruction of the distal biliary tract is uncommon . Only 16 cases have been documented in the English literature (excluding patients with previous surgery for their malignant tumours) . The authors add five new cases and discuss the clinical characteristics of the process . The possible relation of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography to the pathogenesis of acute suppurative cholangitis in these patients is presented and prophylactic antibiotic therapy is advised once obstruction is demonstrated . Immediate operative decompression of the obstructed common bile duct as a life-saving procedure is of prime importance, in preparation for a later palliative or curative surgical procedure. Can J Surg, 1981 Sep, 24(5), 458 - 60 Pulmonary resection in cystic fibrosis: a case report; Gelfand ET et al.; There is limited experience world wide in the management of patients with cystic fibrosis who undergo thoracotomy . Because of their shortened life-span and the diffuse nature of pulmonary involvement, resection is seldom performed for uncontrolled pulmonary infections . An 8-year-old boy with cystic fibrosis and a chronic infection of the right lung with abscess formation underwent pulmonary resection after 1 week of antibiotic therapy with tobramycin, ticarcillin and cloxacillin, and physiotherapy . Postoperatively, he was kept in the intensive care unit for 48 hours . Physiotherapy was begun immediately after operation and continued every 2 hours for the first day . The preoperative antibiotic therapy was continued . The postoperative course was smooth and the boy did well for 1 year . Over the next 6 months his condition deteriorated and he died 18 months after operation . Pulmonary resection should not be used in patients whose pulmonary infections can be controlled medically but may be of value for those with uncontrollable localized infections. South Med J, 1981 Sep, 74(9), 1040 - 2, 1046 Perineoscrotal gangrene: two-staged therapeutic approach; Pollak EW et al.; With approximately 350 reported instances of Fournier's disease (fulminating gangrene of the scrotum) since its description in 1883, individual experience is largely anecdotal and treatment remains controversial . Clarification is specially indicated as to how extensive diagnostic evaluation should be, whether, surgical incision and drainage is justified as initial therapeutic therapy, and that the priorities should be in patients having both severe systemic disease and rapidly advancing gangrene . Of four patients with Fournier's disease, three survived; the fourth died postoperatively in septic shock, diabetic ketoacidosis, and coma . A thorough diagnostic search is necessary to detect and treat all predisposing causes, especially when colorectal lesions are suspected . Simple incision and drainage did not arrest progression of disease even when combined with intensive antibiotic therapy . Critically ill patients with rapidly progressing gangrene present a therapeutic dilemma of priorities because neither immediate operation in unprepared patients nor extensive delay to treat the systemic illness first has proved to be adequate . The role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in preoperative preparation should be explored further. Eur J Pediatr, 1981 Sep, 137(1), 23 - 5 The therapeutic effect of amphotericin in acrodermatitis enteropathica: hypothesis and implications; Aggett PJ et al.; A nine year-old girl with acrodermatitis enteropathica developed typical clinical and biochemical features of zinc deficiency on two occasions while on an oral zinc supplement . On both occasions, these features responded immediately when she was treated with amphotericin B lozenges . Studies in vitro showed that amphotericin increases the permeability to zinc of pure lipid membranes containing cholesterol . We suggest that the antibiotic enhanced zinc absorption from the oral supplement thereby effecting resolution of the patient's zinc deficiency. Am J Cardiol, 1981 Sep, 48(3), 559 - 64 Permanent pacemaker infections: characterization and management; Choo MH et al.; From January 1974 to June 1980, a total of 46 patients were treated for infections involving permanent pacing systems . Demographic characteristics, types of infecting organisms, specific clinical features, significance of an infected foreign body and various medical and surgical treatment methods are described . Likely infecting organisms depend on the mode of presentation and the time course of the infection . Optimal treatment for the large majority of patients requires removal of the entire infected pacing system . In a subgroup of patients, a short course of antibiotic therapy followed by one stage surgery involving implantation of a new pacing system and concurrent explanation of the infected pacemaker was used safely with excellent results. Urologe A, 1981 Sep, 20(5), 255 - 7 {Operative treatment of fractures of the penis (author's transl)}; Futterlieb A et al.; 5 cases of penile fracture are described . 2 patients were referred directly and received immediate surgical treatment . The corpus cavernosum was exposed and the tunica albuginea repaired with absorbable sutures . The other 3 patients were referred from 10 to 19 days after the initial injury . On admission 2 of the were experiencing deviation of the erect penis, one also had painful erection . They too were explored and the tunica albuginea sutured to correct the deformity . All 5 patients were treated post-operatively with a broadspectrum antibiotic, an anti-inflammatory agent and tranquilizers to prevent erections . Except for one patient with delayed wound healing there were no complications of the operation . The long-term results were good, all patients experiencing satisfactory straight erections. Surgery, 1981 Sep, 90(3), 541 - 5 Mycotic emboli of the peripheral vessels: analysis of forty-four cases; Vo NM et al.; Two cases of mycotic emboli of the peripheral vessels are presented, and 42 additional cases from the literature are analyzed . Male patients predominate 3:1 . Candida and Aspergillus are the usual pathogens . Initial presentation as large vessel peripheral emboli is characteristic (77%), with emboli originating from either the aortic or mitral valves . Cerebral emboli may proceed of follow the peripheral embolization . Predisposing factors include open-heart surgery, antibiotic therapy, concomitant infection, and intravenous drug abuse . Early symptoms of fungemia are nonspecific, with blood cultures positive in only 43% of cases . The overall mortality rate was 84%-73% in patients who did not undergo previous open-heart surgery, and 96% in patients who underwent previous open-heart surgery . Patients with Candida infection seem to do better than those with Aspergillus endocarditis (19% survival versus 5%) . Aggressive therapy, including embolectomy, early valve replacement, and prolonged antifungal drug therapy, is advised. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1981 Sep, 78(9), 5367 - 70 Increased levels of threonyl-tRNA synthetase in a borrelidin-resistant Chinese hamster ovary cell line; Gantt JS et al.; The growth of Chinese hamster ovary cells in medium containing reduced concentrations of threonine is inhibited by borrelidin, a macrolide antibiotic . Borrelidin-resistant clones have been isolated after ethyl methanesulfonate mutagenesis . One clone, 1C-1, has a 3-fold increased level of threonyl-tRNA synthetase {L-threonine:tRNAThr ligase (AMP-forming), EC 6.1.1.3} as determined by both activity measurements and antiserum titrations . The levels of four other aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and of tRNAThr are the same in strain 1C-1 and in the wild-type parent . The phenotype of increased threonyl-tRNA synthetase activity is recessive to wild type in cell hybrids. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1981 Sep, 34(9), 1183 - 8 Mechanism of protection of protein synthesis against streptomycin inhibition in a producing strain; Sugiyama M et al.; The influence of streptomycin (SM) on protein synthesis in a SM-producing strain was investigated using polyuridylic acid-directed polyphenylalanine synthesis in cell-free extracts . Tolerance of protein synthesis to SM developed with increasing culture age of cells and could be attributed to a decrease in affinity of the ribosomes for SM and in increase in SM 6-kinase activity in cells . SM 6-phosphate produced from SM by SM 6-kinase did not bind to ribosomes and, furthermore, ribosome-bound SM was effectively released on phosphorylation with SM 6-kinase . Also a decrease in cell permeability to SM during the production phase may contribute in protecting protein synthesis from the antibiotic. Antibiotiki, 1981 Sep, 26(9), 694 - 6 {Bleomycetin antitumor activity in relation to solid mouse tumors}; Bazhanov VS et al.; The antitumor activity of bleomycetin or bleomycin A5 was studied with respect to sarcoma 180, Garding-Passey melanoma, cervical carcinoma CC-5 and lymphosarcoma L10-1 . Bleomycetin showed a high selective effect on the solid form of sarcoma 180 . Its activity against Garding-Passeys melanoma and cervical carcinoma CC-5 was lower . Lymphosarcoma L10-1 was most resistant to bleomycetin . The intravenous route of bleomycin administration had no advantages over subcutaneous administration of the antibiotic. Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper, 1981 Aug 30, 57(16), 1706 - 12 Synthesis and in vitro activity of aurodox carbamoyl-methyl ether and aurodox 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone; Chinali G; The synthesis of aurodox carbamoyl-methyl ether and aurodox 2,4,-dinitrophenylhydrazone from aurodox sodium salt is described . Both synthetic analogs were found to have virtually the same ability of the original antibiotic to inhibit poly(U)-directed poly(phenylalanine) synthesis in the in vitro system of E . coli . This indicates that derivatization at the acid hydroxy and cheto functions does not affect the protein synthesis inhibitory activity of aurodox. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1981 Aug 29, 111(35), 1269 - 73 {Prospective study on the prevention of wound infections after appendectomy for acute appendicitis}; Amgwerd R et al.; In the search for an appropriate antibiotic to reduce the rate of postoperative wound infection in patients with acute appendicitis, we have randomized 150 patients preoperatively in a prospective 3-arm study . The operation technique was standardized for all patients and involved the use of plastic wound protectors . Bacterial contamination was documented by 3 swabs taken during operation . In 2 arms, patients received short-term adjuvant prophylaxis with either cefazolin or clindamycin/tobramycin . The third arm served as a control . Wound contamination ws proven in 33% of all cases but only 4% developed a real wound infection . The rate of infection was almost identical in all groups, without a statistically significant difference in the chi2 test . It is concluded that wound infection after appendectomy cannot be prevented by prophylactic use of antibiotics . Careful operation technique with local protective steps is quite sufficient . Antibiotics should therefore be reserved for special indications. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1981 Aug 27, 655(1), 26 - 33 The synthesis of ribosomal 5 S RNA in cultured hamster cells during the inhibition of protein synthesis; Takenaka K et al.; Ribosomal 5 S RNA synthesis in Chinese hamster V79 cells treated with an inhibitory antibiotic of protein synthesis, cycloheximide, was quantitated by hybridization of RNA preparations with plasmid ColE1-pSC101 DNA carrying Xenopus 5 S DNA . In V79 cells, cycloheximide produced a notable decrease in the production of the higher molecular weight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) fraction, whereas the accumulation of both 5 S RNA and polyadenylate-containing messenger RNA was much less affected . When the cellular protein synthesis was inhibited by over 85% of the control, accumulation of 5 S RNA and of rRNA was respectively 40-50% and about 10% of the control . The size distribution analysis of RNA species revealed that 5 S RNAs obtained from V79 cells after treatment with 0.1 microgram/ml or 2.0 microgram/ml cycloheximide were indistinguishable from control . Inhibition of precursor uptake into 5 S RNA by cycloheximide was apparently phase-specific during the cell cycle and was 44-67% and 78-85% of the control for the S and the M phase, respectively . The responses of RNA polymerase III activities to cycloheximide in isolated nuclei from each phase of the cell cycle correlated very well with those of precursor uptake into 5 S RNA observed in vivo, while total solubilized RNA polymerase activities showed no inhibition by the drug at any phase of the cell cycle . Cytosine arabinoside, a specific inhibitor of DNA synthesis, did not cause any decrease in the cellular level of 5 S RNA. Biochemistry, 1981 Aug 18, 20(17), 5056 - 61 Reductive metabolism and alkylating activity of mitomycin C induced by rat liver microsomes; Tomasz M et al.; Mitomycin C, an antitumor antibiotic, is rapidly metabolized in the presence of rat liver microsomes . NADPH and anaerobic conditions are required for the process . The products isolated after reexposure to air are 2,7-diaminomitosene derivatives . Specifically, in the presence of inorganic phosphate, 1,2-cis- and -trans-2,7-diaminomitosene 1-phosphates, 1,2-cis- and -trans-2,7-diamino-1-hydroxymitosenes, and 2,7-diaminomitosene are formed . The last substance is a new mitomycin C derivative, and proof for its structure is presented . Mytomycin C has been previously postulated to be an alklating agent requiring reduction for activity (Iyer, V . N., & Szybalski, W . (1964) Science (Washington, D.C.) 145, 55} . The 1-phosphates above represent the first chemically characterized bioreductive alkylation products of the drug . 5'-Uridylic acid is alkylated analogously under these conditions, to give cis- and trans-2,7-diaminomitosene 1-(5'-uridylate), while the phosphodiester UpU and uridine itself are inert . Hydrogen gas/PtO2 gives the same results as microsomes/NADPH . The formation of the observed compounds indicates that enzymatic (or chemical) reduction of the quinone system of mitomycin C induces ring opening of the aziridine function, generating a reactive center at the C1 position as previously postulated by others (ibid.) . The second alkylating center, also postulated, is not evident, however, under the conditions tested, indicating that the aziridine is the primary bioreductive alkylation function of mitomycin C . Identification of the products and mechanism of the microsomal anaerobic metabolism of mitomycin C are significant in view of the reported toxicity of the drug to anaerobic cancer cells. Acta Pharmacol Toxicol (Copenh), 1981 Aug, 49(2), 98 - 101 Failing effect of digoxin on myocardial uptake of violamycin B1; Hoffmann H et al.; The effect of digoxin on both the negative inotropic action and the myocardial uptake of a new anthracycline antibiotic violamycin B1 has been studied in isolated guinea pig atria . In concentrations upto 2.0 X 10(-7) M/l digoxin did not prevent the negative inotropic effect of violamycin B1 caused by the concentrations of 0.7 and 5.0 X 10(-4) M/l . Corresponding to these findings, the uptake of violamycin B1 into the atrial tissue was not influenced by digoxin . However, violamycin B1 in the cardiotoxic concentration of 5.0 X 10(-4) M/l decreased the atrial uptake of digoxin . It is suggested that no competition seems to exist in myocardial uptake of anthracycline antibiotics and cardiac glycosides. J Radiol, 1981 Aug-Sep, 62(8-9), 471 - 4 {Meniscus and sequestrum images during pulmonary suppuration . A case of pulmonary gangrene (author's transl)}; Lacombe P et al.; Pulmonary gangrene, a rare form of suppurative lung lesion, is the result of bacterial infection associated with vascular thromboses . It is one of the few affections that produce a meniscus image delimiting the pulmonary sequestrum . A case is reported of a woman with pulmonary venous hypertension from mitral disease who developed gangrene limited to Fowler's segment . Recovery occurred after antibiotic therapy and percutaneous drainage. Biochem Genet, 1981 Aug, 19(7-8), 729 - 40 Ribosomal suppressors and antisuppressors in Podospora anserina: altered susceptibility to paromomycin and relationships between genetic and phenotypic suppression; Coppin-Raynal E; Informational suppressors and antisuppressors have been previously isolated in Podospora anserina, and their properties suggest that they could be ribosomal mutants involved in the control of translational fidelity . In this paper we present results concerning relationships between these mutants and paromomycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic known to stimulate translational errors . The mutants were found to manifest an altered growth sensitivity to this drug as compared with the wild-type strain: Most of the suppressors were more sensitive and, in contrast, most of the antisuppressors were more resistant to paromomycin . Moreover, phenotypic suppression of an auxotrophic mutation by paromomycin was observed only if a suppressor and an antisuppressor had been introduced in the strain . These results suggest that ambiguity levels could be altered in the suppressor and antisuppressor strains . In addition, paromomycin was shown to abolish sporulation, which suggests relationships between mistranslation and a step of cellular differentiation. Antibiotiki, 1981 Aug, 26(8), 612 - 7 {Sisomicin pharmacokinetics in rat tissues in single and long-term administration}; Umnova LV et al.; The pharmacokinetics of sisomicin administered intramuscularly to rats in daily doses of 12.5 and 25 mg/kg for 30 days was studied . After a single administration of the drug in the above doses the highest and the lowest levels of sisomicin were observed in the kidney cortical layer and liver, respectively . The antibiotic level in the tissues rose with an increase in the antibiotic dose and duration of the drug use . The two-fold rise in the dose resulted in an elevation in the sisomicin level in the kidney cortical layer by 1.7 times, in the medullary layer by 3 times, and in the blood serum, lungs and spleen by 2.3, 1.2 and 1.5 times, respectively . After treatment with a dose of 25 mg/kg for 8 days the antibiotic level in all tissues studied was higher than that after the first administration of the drug: in the cortical and medullary layers of the kidneys by 5-7 times and in the blood serum and other tissues by 1.2-2 times . When sisomicin was used repeatedly in any dose, stabilization of or some decrease in the mean integral concentration of the antibiotic in the kidney cortical layer and a continuous increase of this value with respect to the medullary layer (up to the 30th day) were noted . The difference between the antibiotic levels in the kidney layers after the repeated administration of the drug was less pronounced than that after a single administration of the drug . The cumulation index of sisomicin in the kidney cortical layer persisted at the same level and that in the medullary layer gradually increased . In this connection it is concluded that correlation between the sisomicin nephrotoxic effect and the level of the antibiotic in the kidney cortical layer is more pronounced than that in the medullary layer. Antibiotiki, 1981 Aug, 26(8), 575 - 7 {Effect of the quality of regenerated butanol on the process of producing the potassium salt of benzylpenicillin}; Torgovanova TV et al.; The effect of water and butylacetate contained in butanol used in production of potassium benzylpenicillin on the yield and quality of the latter was studied . It was found that normal butyl alcohol with the moisture level not more than 0.2 per cent provided the optimal conditions for the antibiotic production . Butyl acetate contained in butanol in an amount of 25 per cent was shown also to have practically no effect on the yield and quality of benzylpenicillin. Vet Rec, 1981 Aug 1, 109(5), 95 - 6 Efficacy of a new oxytetracycline aerosol against foot rot in sheep; Harding RB et al.; A test was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a new oxytetracycline aerosol in the treatment of foot rot in sheep . Of 186 sheep, 66 were treated with the test preparation, 61 were treated with an existing oxytetracycline aerosol and 50 acted as unmedicated controls . All affected feet in the three groups were first paired and then, for the two treatment groups, a single application of antibiotic aerosol was given . There was little difference in response between the two treated groups, but the improvement in both these groups was significantly greater than in the control group . The test was also applied to 60 cases of scald . One application of either the test product or its comparable antibiotic aerosol was effective in the treatment of scald. J Gen Physiol, 1981 Aug, 78(2), 171 - 200 The kinetics of monazomycin-induced voltage-dependent conductance . I . Proof of the validity of an empirical rate equation; Muller RU et al.; Monazomycin (a positively-charged, polyene-like antibiotic) induces a strongly voltage-dependent conductance in thin lipid membranes when added to one of the bathing solutions . We show here that the kinetics of conductance changes after a step of membrane potential are only superficially similar to the kinetics of the potassium gating system of squid giant axons, in that the beginning of conductance increases are growth functions of the time, as opposed to power functions of the time . We find that the rate constant (reciprocal of the time constant) of the growth varies with the approximately 2.6 power of the monazomycin concentration . The rate constant also varies exponentially with membrane potential such that an e-fold change is associated with a 10-11 mV change of membrane potential . We show that solutions of a simple differential equation are able to reproduce the actual conductance changes almost exactly . In the accompanying paper (Muller and Peskin . 1981 . J . Gen . Physiol . 78:201-229), we derive the differential equation from a molecular model and use the theoretical equation so obtained to investigate the gating current of this system and to predict an interesting form of memory. J Comp Physiol Psychol, 1981 Aug, 95(4), 556 - 64 Inhibition of cerebral protein synthesis does not prolong short-term memory; Davis HP et al.; Male Swiss albino CD-1 mice given a single subcutaneous injection of a cerebral protein synthesis inhibitor, anisomycin (ANI; 1 mg/animal), 20 min prior to a single trial of passive avoidance training demonstrated impaired retention at tests given 3 hr, 6 hr, 1 day, and 7 days after training . Retention was not significantly different from that of saline controls when tests were given .5 or 1.5 hr after training . Prolonging inhibition of brain protein synthesis by giving either one or two additional injections of ANI at 2 hr or at 2 and 4 hr after training did not prolong good retention performance . The temporal development of impaired retention in ANI-treated mice could not be accounted for by drug dosage, duration of protein synthesis inhibition, or nonspecific sickness at test . In contrast to the suggestion that protein synthesis inhibition prolongs short-term memory, the results of this experiment indicate that short-term memory is not prolonged by antibiotic drugs that inhibit cerebral protein synthesis . All evidence seems consistent with the hypothesis that short-term memory is independent of protein synthesis and that the establishment of long-term memory depends on protein synthesis during or shortly after training. Br J Surg, 1981 Aug, 68(8), 585 - 6 Perforation of a suppurative solitary renal cyst; Finlay DB et al.; A fatal case of rupture of a large infected renal cyst is presented . Antibiotic therapy is indicated after aspiration of a suppurative renal cyst, and recurrence, particularly if large, is an indication for prompt surgical intervention. Br Heart J, 1981 Aug, 46(2), 179 - 85 Surgical experience with persistent truncus arteriosus in symptomatic infants under 1 year of age . Report of 13 consecutive cases; Musumeci F et al.; Between January 1974 and November 1980, 13 symptomatic infants under 1 year of age with persistent truncus arteriosus type I or II underwent surgery . Pulmonary artery banding was performed in 10 cases, with five deaths . Among the survivors, one developed severe pulmonary vascular disease and only two underwent late intracardiac repair . Primary total correction was performed in three infants and all are well, though one required conduit replacement five and a half years after the initial procedure . Recently, antibiotic sterilised homograft conduits, rather than heterografts, have been preferred as extracardiac conduits in infancy . Early intracardiac repair followed, if necessary, by later conduit replacement appears to have significant advantages over "conventional" pulmonary artery banding and late total correction . Concern remains on the treatment of choice in infants under 3 months of age. Am J Dis Child, 1981 Aug, 135(8), 726 - 8 Hepatic abscess in neonates; Moss TJ et al.; Hepatic abscess in the neonatal period is a rare but serious disorder . To our knowledge, only 24 cases have been reported in the literature; this study presents 13 additional cases . The most common associated factors are sepsis, vessel cannulation, and abdominal surgery . The etiologic agent is variable . The abscess is usually multiple in the liver and involves other organs as well . In such instances, only supportive and vigorous antibiotic therapy can be offered . However, solitary liver abscess does occur, and this is theoretically amenable to surgical drainage . Thus, its recognition is of great importance. Clin Nephrol, 1981 Aug, 16(2), 107 - 8 Fulminant spontaneous acute bacterial peritonitis in maintenance hemodialysis; Wainer E et al.; Two patients on maintenance hemodialysis therapy developed fulminant spontaneous acute bacterial peritonitis (S.A.B.P.) . Both had positive blood cultures and died within a few hours despite intensive antibiotic and supportive therapy . No intra-abdominal source of the peritonitis was found in either case . Though septicemia is an important cause of death in the hemodialyzed patient, this form of presentation (S.A.B.P.) has not been previously reported. Arch Ophthalmol, 1981 Aug, 99(8), 1392 - 5 Acute syphilitic optic neuritis; Weinstein JM et al.; Two patients experienced acute unilateral visual loss as a manifestation of early infectious (secondary) neurosyphilis . In both cases, optic disc swelling was preceded by the development of a characteristic rash accompanied by mild signs of meningeal inflammation . Other signs of ocular inflammation, such as uveitis or retinal vasculitis, were absent . Optic neuritis may occur as a manifestation of the meningeal inflammation that can accompany secondary syphilis . In such patients, it is important to confirm involvement of the CNS and to institute appropriate antibiotic therapy. S Afr Med J, 1981 Aug 1, 60(5), 204 - 5 {Tympanoplasty in septic cases . A new technic}; Wagenfeld DJ; The very incidence of postoperative sepsis in tympanoplasty operations on ears with infected cholesteatoma prompted the development of a new technique to improve the control of local infection . An irrigation tube is placed into the mastoid antrum at the time of operation, through which the ear is irrigated in the postoperative period with an antibiotic solution . In 25 tympanomastoidectomy operations, only 6 patients developed postoperative sepsis, 5 of which were due to faulty administration of the antibiotic . In 13 tympanoplasty operations, 6 patients had an unsuccessful outcome . Four of these were due to poor patient selection . Systemic antibiotics are given immediately preoperatively, and continued in the postoperative period until the course has been completed. Circulation, 1981 Aug, 64(2 Pt 2), II210 - 6 Surgical treatment of mitral regurgitation caused by floppy valves: repair versus replacement; Yacoub M et al.; Between October 1969 and April 1980, 132 patients underwent operation for floppy mitral valve . The 46 patients in group A underwent valve replacement using an inverted, fresh, unstented, antibiotic-sterilized aortic homograft and the 86 patients in group B underwent valve repair . The onset of symptoms was sudden . More than 80% of the patients in both groups were in New York Association functional class III or IV . The dominant lesion in both groups was ruptured chordae to the posterior cusp (72% in group A and 58% in group B) . There were five early deaths (11%) and 15 late deaths (32%) in group A and four early deaths (5%) and five late deaths (7%) in group B . The actuarial survival rate at 5 years was 62% in group A and 90% in group B . In group A, five patients (11%) had valve failure, which led to late death in two . Four patients (8%) in group A required reoperation . Two patients in group B developed a loud mitral systolic murmur soon after operation and required reoperation . Two patients in group B had thromboembolism before routine anticoagulation . Sixteen patients (61%) in group A and 56 (76%) in group B were functional class I after operation. Surg Clin North Am, 1981 Aug, 61(4), 885 - 92 Acute suppurative cholangitis; Chock E et al.; Acute suppurative cholangitis is characterized by obstruction, inflammation, and pyogenic infection of the biliary tract associated with the clinical pentad of fever (and chills), jaundice, pain, shock, and central nervous system depression . The disease occurs most commonly in the elderly who have a history of calculous biliary tract disease . The disease represents a true surgical emergency . Appropriate antibiotic therapy and immediate surgical decompression of the biliary tract are essential and carry a mortality rate of approximately 33 per cent . Nonoperative management is uniformly fatal . If inadequately treated or untreated, the disease follows a fulminant course of progressive systemic sepsis, hepatic abscess formation, and heptic failure leading ultimately to death . Acute suppurative cholangitis, the most serious sequela of calculous biliary tract disease, is preventable by early elective surgical treatment for benign biliary tract disease. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1981 Aug, 34(8), 951 - 8 New anthracycline metabolites from mutant strains of Streptomyces galilaeus MA144-M1 . I . Isolation and characterization of various blocked mutants; Yoshimoto A et al.; During genetic study on obtaining high-yield variants of aclacinomycin A-producer, a variety of blocked mutants were isolated from Streptomyces galilaeus MA144-M1 and were characterized . The isolated mutants included those which accumulated only specific components of parental glycosides, those which produced new aklavinone glycosides devoid of parental rhodosamine or both rhodinose and cinerulose, those which produced non-glycosidic aglycones, and antibiotic-negative mutants, some of which were able to glycosidate exogenous aklavinone . By biotransformation with the aglycone feeding culture, the precursor activity of new aglycones was also tested . From the results and in relation to the characterization of isolated mutants, the biosynthetic pathway of aclacinomycin A and related antibiotics is discussed. Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb, 1981 Aug, 119(4), 364 - 5 {Skeletal scintigraphy as early diagnostic aid in acute haematogenous osteomyelitis in the iliosacral joint (author's transl)}; Bereiter H et al.; For the scintigraphic diagnosis of bone disease 99mTechnetium MDP has been shown to be of great value . In acute haematogenous pelvic ostemyelitis scintigraphy is one of the most important early diagnostic aids . The rare and difficult diagnosis with an initial negative X-ray can be confirmed by a high uptake on scintigraphy . Through early selected antibiotic therapy in high doses the development of radiologic changes were prevented which is shown in the two reported cases with acute haematogenous osteomyelitis in the iliosacral joint. J Biochem Biophys Methods, 1981 Aug, 5(2), 83 - 94 Spin label reduction kinetics, a procedure to study the effect of drugs on membrane permeability: the effects of monosodium urate, dimethyl sulfoxide and amphotericin B; Aracava Y et al.; A method is presented to study the effect of drugs on membrane permeability . It is based on the reduction of a spin label trapped in the internal aqueous compartment(s) of membranes by ascorbate ions added to the bulk aqueous phase . The decay of the electron spin resonance signal of the spin label as a function of time gives an indication of the effect of added agents on the permeability of membranes . To demonstrate the technique, the effect on model membranes of egg phosphatidylcholine of the gout-implicated compound monosodium urate, the aprotic solvent dimethyl sulfoxide and the polyene antibiotic amphotericin B were examined . Monosodium urate did not affect the permeability, casting doubt on a proposed mechanism whereby the agent disrupts the membranes via hydrogen bonding . Dimethyl sulfoxide promoted a gradual increase in rate of solute passage across cholesterol-containing model membranes . Amphotericin B had a pronounced effect on the permeability of cholesterol-containing membranes, causing nearly total loss of paramagnetism immediately after addition . Some aspects of the mechanism of action of the drugs are discussed as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the method . The experiments also allow the evaluation of the effect of surface charge and cholesterol on the dimensions of model membranes. Scand J Immunol, 1981 Aug, 14(2), 201 - 5 Effect of tunicamycin on the assembly and antigenicity of HLA antigens: analysis with monoclonal antibodies; Wilson BS et al.; The effect of glycosylation on the assembly and antigenicity of HLA antigens was investigated by examining HLA antigens synthesized in the presence of the antibiotic tunicamycin, an inhibitor of asparagine-linked oligosaccharide addition, with monoclonal antibodies specific for a variety of antigenic determinants . The monoclonal antibody Q5/13 reactive with a determinant expressed on the beta chain of human Ia-like antigens immunoprecipitated alpha and beta subunits with reduced apparent molecular weights from tunicamycin-treated cells, indicating that glycosylation is not required for association of the Ia-like antigen alpha and beta subunits . Immunoprecipitation of HLA-A,B,C antigens from tunicamycin-treated cells with four monoclonal antibodies specific for the heavy chain and one specific for beta 2-microglobulin showed that the heavy-chain determinant detected by the antibody Q6/64 is absent from the non-glycosylated molecule . This is the first demonstration that carbohydrate addition during biosynthesis affects the protein conformation of the HLA-A,B,C heavy chain. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1981 Aug, 34(8), 1039 - 45 Synthetic analogs of aurodox and kirromycin active on elongation factor Tu from Escherichia coli; Chinali G; The activities of kirromycin oxime, aurodox 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone and four O-derivatives of aurodox have been compared to those of kirromycin (mocimycin) and its natural N-methyl analog aurodox in the in vitro system of E . coli . All synthetic derivatives were able to inhibit protein biosynthesis like the original antibiotics . Moreover, the analogs did promote all the effects of kirromycin on the reactions dependent on elongation factor Tu . From these results it can be concluded that the acidic hydroxyl and keto functions of kirromycin and aurodox are not directly involved in the action of the antibiotics on elongation factor Tu and can, thus, be chemically modified without loss of activity . In most cases, however, derivatization lowered the affinity of the antibiotic for elongation factor Tu . This suggests that the pyridone moiety of kirromycin and aurodox and the first part of its side chain should play a role in the association of these antibiotics with elongation factor Tu. MMW Munch Med Wochenschr, 1981 Jul 31, 123(31), 1197 - 9 {Pruritus in diabetics (author's transl)}; Knick B; The most frequent skin affections accompanied by pruritus in diabetics are due to the underlying metabolic changes, especially in unsatisfactorily stabilized diabetes with raised blood sugar levels and accentuating diabetes-specific complications . The principles of treatment are therefore optimal stabilization of diabetes and diabetic control and prescription of mycostatics and local or systemic antibiotic therapy if indicated. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1981 Jul 27, 654(2), 175 - 80 Binding of netropsin to DNA in complexes with polypeptides containing repetitive lysine sequences; Votavova H et al.; The interaction of the antibiotic netropsin with calf thymus DNA, T4 DNA and poly(dA-dT) . poly(dA-dT) in complexes with sequential polypeptides containing repetitive lysine sequences and histone H1 was investigated using circular dichroism spectroscopy and equilibrium dialysis . Both soluble DNA-polypeptide complexes and insoluble complexes showed binding of netropsin . The possibility of displacement of polypeptides from DNA binding sites by competition with netropsin molecules was eliminated by experiments using 14C-labelled polypeptides . From the analysis of CD titration behavior as well as from the results of equilibrium dialysis studies it follows that netropsin does not compete with polypeptides for DNA binding sites, which suggests that these two ligands occupy different sites . Various explanations for minor differences in the CD behavior of the bound netropsin in the saturation region are also discussed. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1981 Jul 15, 179(2), 166 - 8 Gentamicin aerosol therapy in 18 dogs: failure to induce detectable serum concentrations of the drug; Riviere JE et al.; Gentamicin was administered as an aerosol to 18 dogs, using a pneumatic nebulizer attached to a face mask . Serum samples were assayed for gentamicin by radioimmunoassay . The antibiotic was not detected in the serum of any dog . It was concluded that the aerosol administration of gentamicin could be considered as topical therapy of the upper respiratory tract and would not induce therapeutic or toxic systemic drug concentrations. Eur J Pharmacol, 1981 Jul 10, 72(4), 271 - 80 Presynaptic effects of bekanamycin at the frog neuromuscular junction . Reversibility by calcium and aminopyridines; Uchiyama T et al.; The effects of bekanamycin (5-320 microM) on evoked and spontaneous transmitter release were examined in frog neuromuscular junctions in vitro by using conventional electrophysiological techniques . Bekanamycin in a concentration-dependent fashion reduced reversibly the quantal content of the end-plate potentials while it had no observable effect on the configuration of the extracellularly recorded presynaptic action potential . The reduction in evoked transmitter release produced by bekanamycin could be antagonized either by increasing the external calcium concentration or by drugs like the aminopyridines which are to greatly enhance transmitter release from motor nerve terminals . Regarding the possible mode of action of bekanamycin on transmitter release our results are consistent with the hypothesis that there is competition between calcium and bekanamycin in the excitation-secretion coupling process and that the site of competition has a higher affinity for bekanamycin than for calcium . Bekanamycin also reduced in a dose-dependent manner the acceleration of miniature end-plate potentials induced by increasing the extracellular K+ concentration while it had no effect on spontaneous miniature end-plate potential frequency in resting junctions . Besides its inhibitory pre-junctional effects bekanamycin in concentrations higher than 40 microM decreased dose-dependently the amplitude of miniature end-plate potentials . However, presynaptic effect predominated and seemed to be quantitatively more important for the neuromuscular block than was a possible postsynaptic action of the antibiotic . It is concluded that bekanamycin exerts potent inhibitory effects on transmitter release probably by interfering with the influx of calcium that occurs during depolarization of motor nerve terminals. J Anim Sci, 1981 Jul, 53(1), 206 - 16 Prevention of lactic acidosis in cattle by lasalocid or monensin; Nagaraja TG et al.; Intraruminal administration of lasalocid or monensin (1.3 mg/kg body weight) effectively prevented in glucose- or corn-induced lactic acidosis in cattle . Administering the antibiotics for 7 days before experimentally inducing acidosis with corn (27.5 g/kg body weight), effectively prevented acidosis, while 2 days' were sufficient to prevent glucose-induced acidosis (12.5 g/kg body weight) . The different responses observed in the two trials probably stemmed from the difference in amounts of carbohydrate used to induce acidosis . Antibiotic-treated cattle had higher rumen pH values and lower L(+) and D(-) lactate concentrations that control cattle that received no antibiotics . Ruminal VFA in control cattle decreased, while total VFA and the molar proportion of propionate increased in antibiotic-treated cattle after grain engorgement . Control cattle exhibited classic signs of acidosis, such as lowered blood pH; increased blood lactate, particularly D(-) isomer; hemoconcentration, and depleted alkali reserve with a pronounced based deficit . Antibiotic-treated cattle exhibited no signs of systemic acidosis. Am J Gastroenterol, 1981 Jul, 76(1), 35 - 40 Cervical spine disease and dysphagia . Four new cases and a review of the literature; Lambert JR et al.; Four cases of dysphagia associated with disease of the cervical spine have been presented . One of the patients had cervical spondylosis with osteophyte formation while the other three had Forestier's disease or ankylosing hyperostosis . Symptoms of dysphagia dominated the clinical picture and led to their referral for further management . Two patients underwent surgical procedures and one died in the postoperative period . Two patients were managed conservatively, one with antibiotics, and both did reasonably well . The literature of 40 cases published in the last 54 years has been reviewed . We suggest that dysphagia due to cervical spine disease while an uncommon complication of these bony growths, is by no means rare . The dysphagia may be due to bony protuberances into the hypopharynx or into the esophagus and may be accompanied by soft tissue inflammation . Although most patients have been treated surgically, there may be a role for anti-inflammatory or antibiotic therapy in the first instance as surgery is often morbid and sometimes fatal. Acta Chir Belg, 1981 Jul-Aug, 80(4), 161 - 9 Wound infections in general surgery . A two-year prospective study in a private hospital; Van Damme JP et al.; The major and minor infection rate in 1,219 surgical wounds in which infection was a possible hazard was 4.2% . For the clean group the infection rate was 1%, for the clean-contaminated 6%, for the contaminated 15% and for the dirty class 19% . The mortality was 0.8% but there were no deaths due to infection or septicaemia . The results are classified according to the kind of surgery . They reflect a two-year prospective study in a conventional operating room without special air handling systems, in a private hospital . The series is characterized by a low antibiotic use (32% of the patients), the complete absence of anastomotic leaks and a systematic change of gloves, drapes and instruments before abdominal wound closure. Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1981 Jul, 127(7), 21 - 6 {Kanamycin sulfate and sodium cephazolin pharmacokinetics in experimental strangulation obstruction of the small intestine}; Eriukhin IA et al.; The experimental investigation of pharmacokinetic properties of kanamycin and cephazolin has shown the antibiotic to penetrate well into the blood, lymph, abdominal exudate . Transport of kanamycin in the wall of the strangulated intestine and its mesentery through the lymphatic system and by adsorption from the abdominal exudate is supposed to be possible . Normal concentration of the antibiotic was determined in the tissues around the strangulation zone . The concentration peak of both antibiotics was noted 1 hour after introduction in all the biosubstrates studied which may serve as an orientator for the optimal time of operation. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1981 Jul, 34(7), 898 - 901 A rapid method to produce anti-gentamicin antibody; Liu MB et al.; The aminoglycoside antibiotic, gentamicin, was conjugated to erythrocytes or bovine serum albumin (BSA) by a simple procedure in which ECDI was employed as the coupling reagent . When rabbits were immunized by injecting gentamicin-goat erythrocyte conjugates, three kinds of antibody were produced: 1 . anti-gentamicin antibody, 2 . anti-ECDI antibody, 3 . goat erythrocyte agglutinins . The interfering anti-ECDI antibody was easily neutralized by adding acidified ECDI solution to the immune serum . Goat agglutinins were avoided by employing rabbit erythrocytes as the carrier cell in the hemagglutination titration . Highly specific anti-gentamicin antiserum was produced in rabbits by first injecting an initial dose of gentamicin-BSA conjugate as an emulsion in incomplete Freund's adjuvant via the foot pad, followed by multiple intravenous injections of gentamicin-erythrocyte conjugates . The immunization took approximately 21 days . High titered anti-gentamicin antibody was also produced by foot pad inoculation of gentamicin-BSA conjugates; however, the time necessary to achieve comparable titers was considerably longer (55 days) . The antibodies produced by both immunization procedures were mainly of the IgG class. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1981 Jul, 34(7), 845 - 9 High performance liquid chromatographic assay of neothramycin in biological fluids; Kusama T et al.; A high performance liquid chromatographic method for quantitative determination of neothramycin in plasma was developed . The procedure involves pretreatments for the removal of endogenous materials in plasma samples and separation on a reversed phase column . The antibiotic was monitored with a fluorescence detector and confirmed by a specific sulfite adduct shift of retention time . A linear response for serum samples containing neothramycin ranging from 50 to 500 ng/ml was obtained . The sensitivity of this method was sufficient to measure neothramycin in human plasma for 120 minutes after a 24 mg/m2 (body surface area) intravenous injection. J Tenn Med Assoc, 1981 Jul, 74(7), 492 - 3 Pelvis actinomycosis associated with intrauterine contraceptive devices; Barrett JM et al.; PIP: In the last 10 years, several cases of pelvic actinomycosis have been reported in women using an IUD . 1 such case of a 35-year-old white woman, gravida 2, para 2, is reported . The woman had been using a Dalkon Shield for over 7 years . Exploratory laparotomy revealed bilateral tubo-ovarian abscesses and bilateral therapeutic salpingo-oophorectomy was performed . Although the abscess wall revealed "sulfur granules" characteristic of actinomycosis infection, the cultures were negative . The presumptive diagnosis remains actinomycosis based on the finding of sulfur granules . It is felt that IUDs predispose to actinomycosis colonization by causing chronic trauma to the endometrium, resulting in a mass of necrotic tissue which serves as a culture medium for the organism . The problem has been noted with both metallic and plastic IUDs . Most of the severe cases have occurred in women using an IUD for more than 3 years . It is not known whether the actinomycosis is the major pathogen or whether it causes changes in the pelvic tissue predisposing to additional organisms . Symptoms of actinomycosis are: pelvic pain, purulent discharge, bleeding, and fever . Signs include pelvic tenderness and a pelvic mass . There can, however, be severe infection with only minimal symptoms . Treatment includes both surgery to drain the abscess and antibiotic therapy . Clin Orthop, 1981 Jul-Aug, (158), 195 - 7 Neonatal osteomyelitis of the calcaneus following a heel pad puncture: a case report; Goldberg I et al.; Osteomyelitis of the calcaneus developed in a 6-day-old girl subsequent to heel pad puncture for taking blood samples . A review of the literature indicates that as a complication, osteomyelitis is very rare, considering the thousands of punctures performed . There is no mention in the orthopedic literature of such cases being treated in neonatal units . The present case, like others reported thus far, is characterized by the benign course of the disease . Theoretically, it is possible that infectious process could spread from the heel primary site to other bones or joints . Some difficulty in early diagnosis may be encountered in the incipient stages of the disease because of the benign course and lack of radiologic findings . In such cases, when local findings and the history of heel pad punctures suggest an infectious process involving the bone, a bone scan is helpful inasmuch as it is positive before the radiologic signs become manifest . An adequate course of antibiotic therapy, immediately administered, is usually successful, with normal X-ray of the healed os calcis being evident after two to three months . Nevertheless, prophylactic therapy is strongly recommended. Clin Nephrol, 1981 Jul, 16(1), 40 - 3 Pharmacokinetics of intravenous and intraperitoneal cefuroxime in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis; Local FK et al.; The pharmacokinetics of cefuroxime sodium, a parenteral beta-lactam antibiotic, were investigated in 9 patients during peritoneal dialysis . In 6 patients cefuroxime 500 mg was administered intravenously . Mean plasma levels of cefuroxime thereafter fell from 28.0 +/- 5.0 mg/l at 1 hr to 6.0 +/- 1.6 mg/l at 24 hr . Mean peak levels 4.6 +/- 1.9 mg/l in peritoneal effluent were found 7 hr after dosing and clearance of the drug by peritoneal dialysis averaged 4.7 ml/min . There was no evidence of net tubular secretion or of increased non-renal elimination . In 5 patients, the administration of cefuroxime, 100 mg/2 l dialyzate, in each cycle of dialysis maintained mean cefuroxime levels of 25.4 +/- 13 mg/l in the dialysis effluent . An average of 44% of the dose was not recovered in the effluent, and was presumably absorbed by the patient, and mean plasma levels of cefuroxime increased from 1.1 +/- 0.4 mg/l at 1 hr to 14.0 +/- 8.1 mg/l at 24 hr . If cefuroxime is used to treat peritoneal infections associated with peritoneal dialysis it should be given by both intraperitoneal and intravenous routes and followed up with parenteral therapy alone. Antibiotiki, 1981 Jul, 26(7), 519 - 22 {Physiochemical characteristics of 3 states of the nystatin molecule}; Travkin OV et al.; Conditions for production of nystation in three main states, i.e . inert, native and activated were determined . It was found that nystatin used in medical practice is in the inert state which is most stable for this antibiotic . Under certain conditions this state is transferred into the native or activated state . Solid forms can be prepared . The native and activated states are significantly less stable . The physicochemical characteristics of these nystatin states are presented . The data obtained can be used for the development of effective methods for nystatin production and purification. Antibiotiki, 1981 Jul, 26(7), 500 - 3 {Experimental study of the dynamics in the biochemical parameter changes in the oxytetracycline biosynthesis process in apparatus of varying capacity}; Semenova LE et al.; An increase in the input of the mechanical power speeds up the culture growth, which correlates with the rate of carbohydrate and nitrogen consumption during the first phase of the process, the time of the biosynthesis phase onset and the level of the antibiotic production during this phase . During the second half of the process the antibiotic biosynthesis markedly decreases, especially in the apparatus with a high input of the mechanical power . Deficiency in carbon and nitrogen is one of the causes of this decrease . The activity level at the end of the biosynthesis in such apparatus does not differ significantly, since it depends on the biosynthesis rate during the whole cultivation period. Klin Padiatr, 1981 Jul, 193(4), 325 - 7 {Benign intracranial hypertension in childhood following mastoiditis (author's transl)}; Zeumer H et al.; Case report concerning a three years old boy with benign intracranial hypertension . The typical symptoms are results of increased intracranial pressure, associated with headache, vomiting, choked disk, occasionally dehiscence of cranial sutures and sixth nerve paresis . In computed tomography there were no tumor signs . In childhood a possible cause in thrombosis of the lateral sinus following an occult mastoiditis after antibiotic therapy . Mastoidectomy, intensive antibiotic therapy as well as serial lumbar punctures led to complete recovery in most cases. Am J Clin Pathol, 1981 Jul, 76(1), 112 - 6 Pityrosporum isolate from the upper respiratory tract; Oberle AD et al.; A 49-year-old white man experienced maxillary sinus osteitis after removal of a portion of the maxilla containing root tips from a previous molar tooth extraction . After the patient had received long-term antibiotic therapy for that infection, a yeast-like organism was observed on smears from the patient's left nasal passage and its surgically enlarged communication with the maxillary sinus . The fungus has appeared on all subsequent smears, but early attempts to culture the organism were unsuccessful . A lipophilic yeast-like fungus, morphologically similar to the organisms seen on the direct smears and consistent with the genus Pityrosporum, was isolated in culture at this facility . Electron microscopy of the organism revealed cellular morphologic features believed to be unique to the Pityrosporum genus, thereby confirming the identity of the isolate as a member of that genus. Drug Intell Clin Pharm, 1981 Jul-Aug, 15(7-8), 594 - 7 Prescribing restriction: implications and reactions; Wolfson DJ et al.; The adoption of area antibiotic policies carries with it the restriction of prescribing . The reactions of the medical staff to this potential challenge were assessed by a questionnaire distributed to them and completed anonymously . Results showed that the doctors adopted a generally cooperative and progressive attitude . Their views provided encouragement for the adoption of further prescribing policies which, although producing probable financial savings and the educational benefit of a deeper knowledge of fewer drugs, would place a further restriction on the drugs available for their patients. Chest, 1981 Jul, 80(1), 61 - 7 Evaluation of aortic valve endocarditis by two-dimensional echocardiography; Berger M et al.; Fourteen patients with aortic valve endocarditis were evaluated . Twelve patients had vegetations detected by two-dimensional echocardiography and two were diagnosed anatomically . M-mode echocardiography was positive in eight patients . Two-dimensional echocardiography was superior to M-mode in determining size, shape, and mobility of vegetations . The following three morphologic types of vegetative lesions were seen on two-dimensional echocardiogram: globular polypoid masses (seven); irregular, elongated lesions with chaotic movement (four); and a cord-like structure (one) . Serial two-dimensional echocardiograms performed after completion of antibiotic therapy in seven patients revealed no change in appearance in five and complete disappearance in two patients . Among the 12 patients with vegetations visualized on the two-dimensional echocardiogram, seven responded to medical therapy, four required aortic valve replacement, and one patient died . One of the patients who initially responded to medical therapy eventually required aortic valve replacement following a second episode of aortic endocarditis . In those patients with negative two-dimensional echocardiograms, the vegetations were 3 mm in diameter or less at surgery or autopsy . Vegetations that were visualized on two-dimensional echocardiography were found to be at least 5 mm in diameter at the time of operation . Two-dimensional echocardiography is a valuable noninvasive tool in the evaluation of patients with aortic valve endocarditis. Cancer Res, 1981 Jul, 41(7), 2962 - 6 Copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase and manganese-containing superoxide dismutase in human tissues and human malignant tumors; Westman NG et al.; Superoxide dismutases might conceivably protect against both ionizing radiation and free radical-producing antibiotic antitumor drugs . Copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (CuZn superoxide dismutase) and manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (Mn superoxide dismutase) were specifically assayed in human malignant tumors and for comparison in human tissues . The tumors possessed less CuZn superoxide dismutase than did the more metabolically active tissues, but there was a large overlap between the tissue and the tumor levels . Mn superoxide dismutase was found in all tumors, and the ratio between the activities of CuZn superoxide dismutase and Mn superoxide dismutase was not different from that of the normal tissues . Human tumors are thus different from tumors from other species which have been reported to be deficient or very low in Mn superoxide dismutase . There was no obvious relation between sensitivity to ionizing radiation and content of the enzymes among the tumors and the tissues, nor did tumor types known to be responsive to radical-producing drugs possess less CuZn superoxide dismutase or Mn superoxide dismutase than other tumors. Arch Neurol, 1981 Jul, 38(7), 462 - 3 Legionnaires' disease associated with acute encephalomyelitis; Harris LF; A 26-year-old man had Legionnaires' disease associated with encephalomyelitis and abnormal CSF . Neurologic symptoms antedated the appearance of the pulmonary infiltrate and have persisted despite appropriate antibiotic therapy . A review of the literature revealed only one other similar case . Legionnaires' disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of encephalomyelitis even in the absence of a pneumonic infiltrate. Laryngoscope, 1981 Jul, 91(7), 1129 - 36 Complications of space infections of the head and neck; Wills PI et al.; Life threatening infections of odontogenic or upper airway origin may extend to potential spaces formed by fascial planes of the lower head and upper cervical area . The incidence of these "space infections" has been greatly reduced by modern antibiotic therapy . However, serious morbidity and even fatalities continue to occur . Two cases of deep neck infection, (one of odontogenic and one tonsillar in origin) with subsequent mediastinitis, empyema, pericarditis and ultimate survival are reported . One case of deep neck infection, (of odontogenic etiology) and suppurative thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein with ultimate fatal outcome is also reviewed . Review of the literature reveals only one previous case report of a survivor of an odontogenic deep neck infection complicated by mediastinitis, empyema and pericarditis . The anatomy, etiology and treatment of complications of these "space infections" of the head and neck are briefly reviewed. J Neurosurg, 1981 Jul, 55(1), 82 - 8 Treatment of subdural empyema; Bannister G et al.; A review of 66 cases and a survey of the literature indicates that survival rates of around 90% should now be expected from patients with subdural empyema . Factors affecting the outcome are discussed . In addition to prompt surgical treatment and appropriate antibiotic therapy, the most important step seems to be extensive craniotomy and direct removal of subdural pus, particularly from the interhemispheric fissure . Treatment through burr holes is not acceptable . In the absence of a culture of the organisms and known antibiotic sensitivities, chloramphenicol is recommended as the drug of choice. Eur J Biochem, 1981 Jul, 117(2), 251 - 5 Polyamine requirement for streptomycin action on protein synthesis in bacteria; Goldemberg SH et al.; The effect of streptomycin on polypeptide synthesis in vivo and in vitro has been investigated using polyamine auxotrophic mutants of Escherichia coli grown in the presence or in the absence of putrescine . We found that streptomycin caused a marked inhibition of protein synthesis in polyamine-supplemented cells whereas bacteria starved for polyamines were less sensitive to the action of the antibiotic . Neomycin, kanamycin and kasugamycin had a behaviour similar to streptomycin while spectinomycin, gentamicin and tetracycline brought about a strong inhibition of protein synthesis both in polyamine-starved and unstarved bacteria . The increase of misreading induced by the addition of streptomycin in vivo was higher in extracts derived from bacteria cultivated in the presence of polyamines . This effect was observed in cell-free systems of streptomycin-sensitive and resistant strains . In contrast, spermidine added in vitro caused an improvement in the accuracy of translocation . Analysis of sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the labelled polypeptides synthesized in vivo seems to indicate that the starvation for polyamine or the presence of streptomycin may lead to premature termination with the appearance of unfinished peptide chains. Br J Surg, 1981 Jul, 68(7), 493 - 4 Whole-body nuclear magnetic resonance imaging: the first report of its use in surgical practice; Pollet JE et al.; This is the first report of whole-body nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging being of value in clinical surgery . Following aortobifemoral grafting, a 54-year-old man developed a pyrexia and hypotension which did not respond to antibiotic therapy and which was thought to be caused by early graft infection . Whole-body NMR imaging showed the graft and iliac arteries to be normal and an empyema of the gallbladder to be present, NMR imaging is a safe, non-invasive technique for imaging the body in transverse sections and specifically measures the water concentration of tissues, enabling normal and inflamed tissues to be differentiated. Histochem J, 1981 Jul, 13(4), 535 - 46 beta-Hydroxysterol distribution as determined by freeze-fracture cytochemistry; Friend DS et al.; Filipin, a polyene antibiotic, fluoresces and forms 15-25 nm aggregates when combined with beta-hydroxysterols, rendering sterols detectable by fluorescence microscopy and by electron microscopy of thin sections and freeze-fracture replicas . We applied filipin in a glutaraldehyde fixative to tissue-cultured cells of Drosophila melanogaster larvae, in which sterol concentration can be regulated . Since the number of filipin-sterol aggregates observed in membranes was found to be proportional to the amount of sterol experimentally inserted, utilizing filipin is a valid method for quantifying, as well as for mapping, sterol distribution in biological membranes . Other antibiotics may be similarly used for localizing some species of negatively charged phospholipids . In addition to cytochemical identification of specific lipids, rapid freezing and deep etching of unfixed, non-cryoprotected cells may permit us to examine membrane lipids in different physical states: liquid-crystalline and gel . Combining these several techniques has resulted in new data concerning the disposition of lipids during the intimate juxtaposition of membranes preceding fusion . For example, in guinea-pig sperm, foci of closely apposed membranes are bereft of beta-hydroxysterols and intramembranous particles . Such regions of membrane sometimes exist in a crystalline state and may be rimmed by negatively charged phospholipids . As previously noted in other areas of cytochemistry, the in situ localization of specific substances provides information unobtainable by morphological or biochemical techniques alone. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1981 Jul, 78(7), 4525 - 9 Structural analysis of a new B-cell-differentiation antigen associated with products of the I-A subregion of the H-2 complex; Huber BT et al.; Ia.W39 is a private specificity of the I-Ab subregion of the H-2 complex . It is selectively expressed on a subset of B lymphocytes that is absent in newborn normal and adult mutant mice carrying the xid gene . Immunoprecipitation and one-dimensional NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the molecule bearing Ia.W39 consists of two noncovalently linked glycoproteins of apparent Mr 33,000 and 28,000 . Anti-Ia.W39 serum did not preclear the Iab molecule; however, the conventional allo-anti-I-Ab serum cleared Ia.W39 completely . In view of the identical two-dimensional gel pattern generated by the Ia.W39 and the conventional Iab immunoprecipitates, we believe that all Ia molecules bear the conventional specificities and only a subset would in addition express Ia.W39 . Ia.W39 is probably not a carbohydrate antigen, because the antibiotic tunicamycin had no influence on its expression . It may be a conformational determinant on the A alpha and A beta complex induced by the association of an unknown molecule with these chains. Int J Dermatol, 1981 Jul-Aug, 20(6), 445 - 8 Topical tetracycline hydrochloride vs . topical clindamycin phosphate in the treatment of acne: a comparative study; Padilla RS et al.; In a comparative study of topical antibiotic solutions, clindamycin phosphate vs . tetracycline hydrochloride for the treatment of mild t moderate inflammatory facial acne, clindamycin phosphate solution proved to be a superior agent in the reduction of papules and pustules . Both preparations had minimal side effects. Cancer Res, 1981 Jul, 41(7), 2786 - 90 Alkylation of DNA in rat tissues following administration of streptozotocin; Bennett RA et al.; Streptozotocin, an antibiotic widely used for induction of diabetes in experimental animals and for the treatment of pancreatic neoplasms, was shown to be a potent methylating agent reacting with DNA in vitro to form methylated purines . The reaction was similar in extent and relative proportions of methylation products to that produced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, the aglycone of streptozotocin . When streptozotocin was administered to rats by i.v . injection, DNA was methylated with the formation of 7-methylguanine, O6-methylguanine, 3-methyladenine, and 7-methyladenine in liver, kidney, intestine, and pancreas . In contrast to N-methyl-N-nitrosourea which produced approximately equal amounts of methylation in DNA of liver, brain, and kidney, streptozotocin caused virtually no methylation in brain DNA; but, both liver and kidney DNA were alkylated to a greater extent than with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea . This methylation of renal DNA may account for the ability of streptozotocin to induce renal tumors . Streptozotocin produced significant methylation of pancreatic DNA which, if concentrated in the beta-cells, may account for their destruction . Pretreatment with nicotinamide reduced the extent of methylation of pancreatic DNA but did not affect the methylation in the liver or kidney . Methylation of beta-cell DNA in the pancreas may lead to the initiation of tumors if the extent of alkylation is not so great that cell death occurs. Coll Relat Res, 1981 Jul, 1(4), 309 - 25 Cell-free synthesis of putative type V procollagen chains programmed by Chinese hamster lung cell mRNA; Haralson MA et al.; A messenger RNA fraction isolated from cultured Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells programs in a cell-free system prepared from wheat germ the efficient incorporation of {14C} proline into newly synthesized protein with a significant fraction of the incorporated substrate being digestible with bacterial collagenase . This reaction requires both subcellular fractions, an energy source, and is inhibited by the antibiotic puromycin . The relative amount of collagenase-digestible to non-digestible cell-free product depends upon the ratio of CHL mRNA to wheat germ lysate, is not affected by either the Mg2+ or K+ concentrations employed, and under optimal condition, approximately 38% of the total incorporated substrate is collagenase-sensitive . Electrophoresis on SDS-polyacrylamide gels of the products programmed by CHL mRNA indicates that the collagenase-digestible material corresponds in size to a procollagen chain with an apparent molecular mass of approximately 170,000 daltons . These studies suggest that the collagen alpha 1 (V) chain is initially synthesized as a precursor procollagen chain and demonstrate that a significant amount of the mRNA in Chinese hamster lung cells codes for this protein. G Batteriol Virol Immunol, 1981 Jul-Dec, 74(7-12), 335 - 46 {The mechanism of action of aminoglycosides}; Cavallo G et al.; The mechanism of action of aminoglycosides depends on the inhibition of polypeptide synthesis . In fact, some of them such as Streptomycin, Sisomicin and Gentamicin are believed to cause codon misreading, by increasing the incorporation of certain aminoacids into polypeptide in the ribosome-polyribonucleotide system . Their primary site of action seems to be located in the bacterial ribosome system . Experiments with Sisomicin showed that this antibiotic arrest cell growth, aminoacid incorporation and Beta-galactosidase synthesis, but not incorporation of uracil in ribonucleic acid in E . coli cultures . When polypeptide synthesis is directed by endogenous messenger in cell-fre extracts, the antibiotic stimulates the incorporation of some amino acids into protein. Wien Klin Wochenschr, 1981 Jun 12, 93(12), 393 - 5 {External ventricular drainage: a possible method of treating cerebrospinal shunt infections and ventriculitis (author's transl)}; Grubbauer HM et al.; Infectious complications of hydrocephalus shunts are serious problems . A possible method of treating s