Antibiotiki, 1980 May, 25(5), 349 - 52 {Pharmacokinetic interpretation of the myorelaxant effect of kanamycin}; Firsov AA et al.; Changes in the neuromuscular conductivity and pharmacokinetics of kanamycin in the blood serum were studied in parallel on anesthetized cats treated with the antibiotic administered intravenously in a dose of 85 mg/kg or by means of infusion at a rate of 6.5-8 mg/kg . min . Combination of the logistic equation of the effect kinetics with the bioexponential equation of kanamycin pharmacokinetics resulted in analytical interrelations between the rate of the neuromscular conductivity suppression and kanamycin concentrations in the central and peripheral compartments of the two-compartmental model . The concentration-response curves in the first case were of the same S-shaped form, while in the second case they were of an irregular character . This suggested that the biophase was attributed formally to the central compartment of the model . However, the values of kanamycin concentrations in this compartment corresponding to the same level of the effect at the period of its development was always higher than those for the period of its extinction . This was indicative of the kinetic heterogeneity of the central compartment and biophase . Irrespective of the kanamycin administration regimen, the character of the effect-concentration relationship was the same and the antibiotic blood level determined after intravenous and infusion administration of the drug and corresponding to 50% reduction of the neuromuscular conductivity were close . Administration of kanamycin by means of infusion is more convenient, since it prevents development of undesirable respiration arrest in the animals. Antibiotiki, 1980 May, 25(5), 338 - 44 {Fluorimetric study of methacycline complex formation with beryllium, aluminum, magnesium, calcium and zinc ions}; Alykov NM et al.; Complex formation of metacycline (Pv) with beryllium, aluminium, magnesium, calcium and zinc ions in aqueous solutions was studied fluorometrically . The antibiotic formed the following compounds: CaPv2 (pH 9.45), MgPv (pH 10.40), Be Pv (pH 7.0 and 11), Ca Pv (pH 13.5), Zn Pv (pH 7.15) and Al Pv (pH 6.0) . Relationship between the solution fluorescence level and the values of pH, the quantum yield of fluorescence of Pv and the complexes and the kinetics of the reactions of complex formation of Pv with Be and Al were studied . The mechanism of Pv complex formation with the metal ions is discussed . A method for analysis of microgram amounts of Pv in biological fluids was developed . The method is based on the antibiotic fluorescent reaction with magnesium ions. J Pharm Sci, 1980 May, 69(3), 275 - 9 Fluorometric determination of thiazole-containing compounds; Shim JS et al.; Fluorescence spectroscopy was applied to the development of sensitive analytical methods for the determination of thiazole and several congeners that contain substituted thiazole rings . Treatment to yield thionine, previously used spectrophotometrically to measure thiazole and fluorometrically only for sulfur determinations in inorganic systems, is further characterized and illustrated with the determination of the antibiotic thiopeptin . This method is selective for submicrogram quantities of thiazole rings in the presence of fused-ring derivatives and reduced analogs . It has a precision of +/- 2% RSD (n = 11) at the 15-ng/ml thiazole concentration level with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1 . For thiopeptin, this method has an accuracy of 5% mean relative error (n = 8) over the 5--20-ppm range in medicated feed. J Clin Microbiol, 1980 May, 11(5), 488 - 91 Coagglutination and counterimmunoelectrophoresis for detection of pneumococcal antigens in the sputum of pneumonia patients; Edwards EA et al.; Coagglutination was compared with counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) for sensitivity and specificity in the detection of pneumococcal antigens in sputum . Initial sputum samples from patients with pneumococcal pneumonia (less than 12 h of antibiotic therapy) were positive for antigens in 37 of 44 cases (84%) by either test . There was a decline in the number of positive results with sputum samples obtained during continuing antibiotic therapy, but the decline was greater with CIE (only 29% of samples were positive at 3 days of therapy) than with coagglutination (61% of samples were positive at 3 days of therapy) (P less than 0.05) . Sputum from 3 of 11 patients (27%) and from 2 of 11 patients (18%) with nonpneumococcal pneumonia was positive for pneumococcal antigens by CIE and coagglutination, respectively, indicating a similar degree of non-specificity . Coagglutination produced the same results as CIE with sputum from patients with chronic bronchitis but without pneumonia; 9 of 23 of these patients were positive . Coagglutination was simpler to perform than CIE and required only a fraction (about 1/30) of the antiserum required for CIE . These advantages, plus the greater sensitivity of coagglutination with sputum samples obtained during antibiotic therapy, suggest that coagglutination is preferable to CIE. Clin Orthop, 1980 May, (148), 163 - 8 Total hip replacement in a laminar flow environment with special reference to deep infections; Ha'eri GB et al.; A clean air enclosure with standard drapings was inadequate in the prevention of deep infection in total hip replacement and an overall deep infection rate of 2.2% still existed . This suggested that a sterile atmosphere under these circumstances could not ensure a bacteria-free deep wound at the end of a lengthy procedure . Additional antibiotic coverage, however, gave a deep wound infection rate of zero . A larger number of cases must be studied before final conclusions can be reached . Subsequent studies under these conditions have shown that the contamination appears to come from both patient and surgeon--principally the latter . Patient-derived organisms can be eliminated by impermeable draping . Contamination from the surgeon possibly can be eliminated only by drastic modification of conventional surgical attire. Can J Surg, 1980 May, 23(3), 297 - 302 Lung abscess: surgical implications; Delarue NC et al.; The management of lung abscess continues to challenge both physicians and surgeons . The experience at the Toronto General Hospital over a 50-year period (1928 to 1975) has been analysed to define the challenge and to clarify current recommendations for treatment . The 413 patients studied were divided into three sequential chronologic groups that illustrate the initial impact of antibiotic therapy and later appreciation of the pathogenetic importance of aspiration and anaerobic infection . Although cure rates increased dramatically (from 30 to 61%) between 1936 and 1954 with the advent of antibiotics and the decrease in mortality was equally striking (from 47% to 21%), the recent statistics are not as encouraging . In the current period (1962 to 1975), the cure rate with medical treatment has risen from 61% to 73%, and with surgical therapy from 81% to 89% . Unfortunately, the overall mortality has increased from 12% to 25% . The mortality with medical treatment has increased from 10% to 27% but, in contrast, the surgical mortality continues to decrease (14% to 11%) . The increased mortality with medical treatment is important . Prolonged antibiotic therapy is frequently necessary, but when resolution is not progressing or when complications ensue, operation must not be delayed. Am J Dis Child, 1980 May, 134(5), 499 - 502 Falsely normal radionuclide scans for osteomyelitis; Fleisher GR et al.; Three children are described with osteomyelitis confirmed by roentgenogram, blood culture, bone culture, and/or histologic findings . None had an abnormal technetium scintigram . Despite the lack of falsely normal bone scans for osteomyelitis reported in the literature, our cases demonstrate the importance of instituting antibiotic therapy on the basis of clinical suspicion since no single nonsurgical procedure can be relied on to make a diagnosis of osteomyelitis. Am J Clin Pathol, 1980 May, 73(5), 685 - 6 Myospherulosis--further observations; Wheeler TM et al.; Myospherulosis has recently been shown to be composed of altered erythrocytes . Mysopherules have been produced in vivo and in vitro using a petrolatum-based tetracycline antibiotic ointment (Achromycin) . In the reported study, myospherules were produced in vitro using either lanolin or petrolatum, the two components of the vehicle of this ointment . Additionally, human fat produced myospherules in vitro. Genetics, 1980 May, 95(1), 49 - 61 An antisuppressor that acts on omnipotent suppressors in yeast; Liebman SW et al.; Six partially dominant antisuppressors were obtained that reduce the efficiency of two omnipotent yeast suppressors, sup45 and sup35, thought to be ribosomal ambiguity mutations . Each of these six antisuppressors was shown to fall within a single Mendelian locus, named asu9 . The asu9 mutations are specific for omnipotent suppressors; they have no effect on several dominant tRNA-like suppressors . In the absence of suppressors, asu9 causes sensitivity to the aminoglycoside antibiotic, paromomycin . The properties of asu9 are consistent with the hypothesis that asu9 alters yeast ribosomal proteins. Arthritis Rheum, 1980 May, 23(5), 605 - 7 Culture-negative septic arthritis and bacterial endocarditis . Diagnosis by synovial biopsy; Wofsy D; The capacity of bacterial endocarditis to mimic other systemic illnesses is well known . This report describes a patient with blood culture-negative bacterial endocarditis who presented with features suggestive of rheumatoid arthritis . Despite sterile synovial fluid, synovial biopsy culture resulted in identification of the causative organism and led to specific antibiotic therapy and cure . This is the first report of such a case. Arch Otolaryngol, 1980 May, 106(5), 272 - 4 Myospherulosis: a preventable iatrogenic nasal and paranasal entity; Wheeler TM et al.; We discuss a disorder that, although at first considered of possible fungal origin, now is known to be due to an alteration of erythrocytes induced by petrolatum-based antibiotic ointment . In this country, the structures of myospherulosis have been seen most often in tissues from the nose and paranasal sinuses following surgery in this region . Our studies show that both components of the vehicle of a commonly used tetracycline antibiotic ointment, lanolin and petrolatum, either separately or together, produce the structures of myospherulosis in vitro . It is recommended that a nonpetrolatum-based substance be used in nasal packing for purposes of hemostasis. Plast Reconstr Surg, 1980 May, 65(5), 561 - 70 Improvements in craniofacial reconstruction: methods evolved in 235 consecutive patients; Whitaker LA et al.; Quality evaluation following craniofacial operative procedures is largely aesthetic and almost impossible to measure . Relapse rates are measurable, and morbidity and mortality can be determined . In our series, infections have decreased from 12.5 to 1.3 percent; operating times have been reduced from a mean of 7 1/2 to 4 hours; and blood loss has been reduced from 86 to 56 percent of the total blood volume . Methods we feel are largely responsible for these improvements are (1) maintaining separation of cranial from oronasal cavities, (2) modification of osteotomies around the orbits, (3) infant surgery and extensive use of craniectomy bone, (4) frequent use of onlay bone grafts, (5) a variety of lesser technical refinements, (6) antibiotic use and anesthetic modifications, and (7) consistent team organization . No deaths or blindness have occurred in any patients in the entire series. Infect Immun, 1980 May, 28(2), 310 - 3 Immune responses to Rickettsia akari infection in congenitally athymic nude mice; Kenyon RH et al.; Athymic BALB/c nude mice and euthymic BALB/c mice were infected with Rickettsia akari by the intraperitoneal route . The rickettsialpox infection was terminated in euthymic mice with only two intraperitoneal injections of the antibiotic oxytetracycline, whereas prolonged treatment was necessary to terminate the infection in athymic mice . Both athymic and euthymic mice produced specific antibody, but athymic mice were still susceptible to reinfection . Killed R . akari served as a protective immunogen in euthymic, but no in athymic, mice . When spleen cells from convalescent euthymic mice were transferred to syngeneic athymic mice, recipients showed protection against challenge . This suggests that a T-cell-dependent step is generally necessary to terminate the rickettsialpox infection. J Gen Microbiol, 1980 May, 118(Pt 1), 189 - 95 Regulation by aromatic amino acids of the biosynthesis of candicidin by Streptomyces griseus; Gil JA et al.; The biosynthesis by Streptomyces griseus of candicidin, an aromatic polyene macrolide antibiotic, was inhibited by L-tryptophan, L-phenylalanine and, to a lesser degree, by L-tyrosine . A mixture of the three aromatic amino acids inhibited candicidin biosynthesis to a greater extent than did each amino acid separately . L-Tryptophan strongly inhibited the incorporation of the labelled precursors propionate or 4-aminobenzoic acid into candicidin . Incorporation of propionate into candicidin was 50% inhibited by 2.5 mM-tryptophan . Inhibition by tryptophan did not require protein synthesis as the same effect was observed in cells in which protein synthesis was prevented by chloramphenicol . The inhibitory effect of L-tryptophan was partially reversed by exogenous 4-aminobenzoic acid suggesting that this effect is exerted at the level of 4-aminobenzoic acid synthase. J Protozool, 1980 May, 27(2), 202 - 8 Effect of fumagillin on in vitro multiplication of Encephalitozoon cuniculi; Shadduck JA; Encephalitozoon cuniculi (Levaditi, Nicolau & Schoen) is an obligate intracellular pathogenic parasite of rabbits, carnivores, laboratory rodents, and a variety of other mammals . Cell cultures of rabbit and canine cells were infected with rabbit and dog isolates of E . cuniculi . Four days later 5 microgram/ml of fumagillin was introduced into the culture medium . The multiplication of the parasite was inhibited within 48 h and this effect was maintained as long as the antibiotic remained in the medium . There was no effect when spores and proliferative forms of the parasite were incubated with fumagillin before being used for infecting host cells . No infection occurred, however, if the antibiotic was added to the culture medium before introduction of E . cuniculi . On electron-microscopic examination, the treated parasites were found to have severe cytoplasmic swelling, vesicular distortion of the plasma membrane, and marked reduction in cytoplasmic ribosomes . it was concluded that fumagillin blocks multipliation of E . cuniculi in vitro . The drug may be useful for the treatment or prevention of spontaneous encephalitozoonosis. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1980 May, 33(5), 494 - 500 Interaction of oleficin with the inner membrane of rat liver mitochondria; Meszaros L et al.; The effects of oleficin, a polyene antibiotic of the nonmacrolide type, on isolated rat liver mitochondria were studied . Oleficin at a concentration of about 10 nmoles/mg protein increases both the rate of state 4 respiration and the "basal" ATPase activity of mitochondria . In contrast to this it inhibits the rate of both state 3 and uncoupled respiration and the DNP-stimulated ATPase activity . These inhibitions can be prevented by low concentrations (2 approximately 5 mM) of magnesium ions . Oleficin induces a high amplitude swelling of non-respiring mitochondria in the isoosmotic nitrate and chloride solutions of K+, Na+, Tris+, Tea+ or Mg2+ . In contrast to that it does not induce swelling of mitochondria treated with ruthenium red in isoosmotic calcium acetate . Indirect evidence suggests that oleficin increases also the proton permeability of the inner membrane . The swelling observed in the isoosmotic solutions of monovalent cations can be prevented by low concentration (2 approximately 5 mM) of Mg2+ . In the presence of the antibiotic Mg2+ and Ca2+ but not K+ and Na+, are transferred from an aqueous phase into a butanol-toluene bulk phase . Oleficin depletes Mg2+ and Ca2+ from mitochondria in a concentration dependent manner . Complete depletion of Mg2+ occurs only in the presence of EDTA, while that of Ca2+ does not need the chelator . It is concluded that the effects of oleficin on mitochondrial functions can be explained on the basis of an increase of the inner membrane permeability as the consequence of the depletion of Mg2+ from mitochondria caused by the antibiotic. J Bacteriol, 1980 May, 142(2), 499 - 507 Effect of mitochondrial functions on synthesis of yeast cytochrome c; Siemens TV et al.; The effects of the mitochondrial protein synthesis inhibitor chloramphenicol and the mitochondrial F0 adenosine triphosphatase inhibitor oligomycin on the synthesis of nucleus-encoded cytochrome c protein were studied . Both inhibitors stimulated cytochrome c protein synthesis in the derepressed state (growth in media containing 2% raffinose) but had no effect on the synthesis of the cytochrome c protein in the repressed state (growth in media containing 5% glucose) . Oligomycin uncoupled the synthesis of the apoprotein from its processing into the hemoprotein . Neither antibiotic had a significant effect on the rate of glucose repression of cytochrome protein synthesis . The kinetics of cytochrome c derepression and the effects of these two antibiotics on these kinetics were also studied . Cells were derepressed by transfer from glucose- to faffinose-containing media, and the rate of cytochrome c synthesis increased from the repressed to the derepressed level during the second hour of derepression . Chloramphenicol delayed this derepression, but after 5 h the rate of cytochrome c protein synthesis increased to twice the rate of synthesis in uninhibited cells . On the other hand, oligomycin inhibited derepression of cytochrome c . These results are discussed with respect to the effects of mitochondrial function in the derepressed and repressed states and during the processes of repression and derepression of cytochrome c. Can J Neurol Sci, 1980 May, 7(2), 163 - 7 Meningo-ependymitis in Whipple's disease; Lapointe LR et al.; Six years after apparent complete recovery from intestinal Whipple's disease, a 56 year old man developed insidious progressive somnolence and gait ataxia . Studies showed hydrocephalus with obstruction of the aqueduct and CSF leukocytosis and elevated protein . Arachnoid biopsy during craniotomy revealed chronic inflammatory infiltration with PAS-positive macrophages . The patient died 5 years later despite two courses of antibiotic therapy . This is the first report of histologically confirmed cerebral Whipple's disease during life . Whipple's disease is a systemic infectious disorder . Cerebral involvement even in neurologically asymptomatic patients should be sought with periodic CSF cytologic studies and a search for hydrocephalus . The possibility of cerebral Whipple's disease should be considered in the presence of unexplained hydrocephalus and/or chronic inflammatory changes in the spinal fluid, especially in those with past or active intestinal disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1980 May, 77(5), 2524 - 7 Transfer of mannose from GDP-mannose to lipid-linked oligosaccharide by soluble mannosyl transferase; Spencer JP et al.; A solubilized mannosyl transferase(s) was obtained by treatment of the pig aorta particulate enzyme with the nonionic detergent Nonidet P-40 followed by centrifugation at 100,000 X g for 60 min . This enzyme preparation catalyzed the transfer of mannose from GDP-{14C}mannose (but not from {14C}mannosylphosphoryldolichol) to form a heptasaccharide-lipid . The synthesis of this heptasaccharide-lipid required the addition of an acceptor lipid that was isolated from pig liver . The oligosaccharide portion of the acceptor lipid appeared to be a mixture of trisaccharide and pentasaccharide . The formation of heptasaccharide-lipid did not require divalent cation, was not inhibited by EDTA, and was not inhibited by the antibiotic amphomycin . The heptasaccharide portion of the heptasaccharide-lipid had the same migration properties on paper chromatograms in two different solvent systems as a previously characterized Man5GlcNAc2 oligosaccharide {Li, E . & Kornfeld, S . (1979) J . Biol . Chem . 254, 2754-2758} . It also had the same migration properties as the oligosaccharide that accumulates in the presence of amphomycin . All three of these oligosaccharides emerged from a Bio-Gel P-4 column in the same position . Radioactive mannose was released from the heptasaccharide by digestion with alpha-mannosidase . These data demonstrate that at least some of the alpha-linked mannose residues in the heptasaccharide-lipid are donated directly from GDP-mannose. Antibiotiki, 1980 May, 25(5), 359 - 63 {Replication and transcription in Drosophila cells treated with novobiocin}; Leibovich BA; The effect of novobiocin on replication and transcription in the cells of Drosophila was investigated by incorporation of 3H-thymidine and 3H-uridine into the diploid cell nuclei of the ganglia and imaginal discs, as well as into the polythene nuclei of the salivary gland cells of the Drosophila larvae . An inhibitory effect of the antibiotic on these processes was shown . Possible mechanisms of the novobiocin effect on DNA and RNA synthesis are discussed. Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 1980 May-Jun, 17(6), 564 - 6 Heparin therapy in postcesarean septic pelvic thrombophlebitis; Malkamy H; Eleven cases of septic pelvic thrombophlebitis and persistant fever following cesarean section and cesarean hysterectomy are presented . Addition of heparin to the antibiotic regimen of these patients produced a clinical response within 1--5 days, except in two patients who developed septic pulmonary emboli, which finally resolved with continued heparin therapy . An incidental finding was a high incidence of pelvic thrombophlebitis following hypogastric artery ligation . The results justify a trial of heparin therapy, before resorting to exploratory laparotomy, in postpelvic surgery patients who have unexplained fever. Biochemistry, 1980 Apr 29, 19(9), 1928 - 33 Differential effects on energy transduction processes by fluorescamine derivatives in rat liver mitochondria; Ramirez F et al.; Intact rat liver mitochondria were treated with compounds derived from the reaction of fluorescamine with various types of primary amines, including the mycosamine-containing antibiotics amphotericin B and nystatin . The effect of varying amounts of these compounds on ATPase-linked inorganic phosphate (Pi) formation on oxygen consumption, and on MgATP-linked and succinate-linked proton movements was examined . The antibiotic-fluorescamine compounds did not affect the Pi formation rate but strongly inhibited both the ATPase-linked and the succinate-linked H+ extrusion rates to approximately the same extent . The antibiotic derivatives decreased the oxygen consumption rate, but this effect was much smaller than the decrease in the respiration-dependent proton extrusion rate . The benzylamine-fluorescamine compound significantly increased the Pi formation rate, in contrast to the antibiotic analogues . The benzylamine derivative, like the antibiotic derivatives, inhibited both types of proton extrusion rates . The slight decrease in the oxygen consumption rate caused by the benzylamine derivative was significantly smaller than the corresponding decrease observed with the antibiotic derivatives . These studies, in which fluorescamine derivatives bind reversibly to mitochondria, are compared with previous studies in which fluorescamine itself binds irreversibly to mitochondria and results in a Pi formation rate increase and MgATP- and succinate-linked proton extrusion rate inhibition but has no effect on the oxygen consumption rate. Med Clin (Barc), 1980 Apr 10, 74(7), 268 - 70 {Primary peritonitis . Study of four cases (author's transl)}; Badosa Gallart F et al.; Four cases of primary peritonitis in the adult, with favourable evolution, are presented . This is a rare condition which still involves a not unappreaciable mortality rate . The treatment was surgical in three cases, in one case a paracentesis was performed and antibiotics were administered . The treatment included an exploratory laparotomy, smear with Gram stain and culture of the pus, washing of the peritoneal cavity with isotonic saline solution, appendectomy, closing of the abdominal cavity without drainage and parenteral antibiotic therapy . Exclusive medical treatment carries a greater risk of complications and should be reserved for those patients in very precarious general condition. Med J Aust, 1980 Apr 5, 1(7), 323 - 4 Pseudotumour cerebri associated with minocycline therapy for acne; Beran RG; A case of pseudotumour cerebri (PTC) in a 13-year-old girl is reported . This patient experienced menarche seven months before presentation, and subsequently developed acne which necessitated antibiotic therapy . She had been treated with minocycline hydrochloride (100 mg twice a day) for two months before admission to hospital . The role of minocycline therapy associated with menarche in the aetiology of PTC is discussed. Biochem Genet, 1980 Apr, 18(3-4), 263 - 80 Search for ribosomal mutants in Podospora anserina: genetic analysis of mutants resistant to paromomycin; Dequard M et al.; It has recently been shown that paromomycin, an antibiotic of the aminoglycoside family, is also active on eukaryotic cytoplasmic ribosomes . In the fungus Podospora anserina, genetic analysis of ten mutants resistant to high doses of paromomycin shows that this resistance is caused by mutations in two different nuclear genes . These mutants display pleiotropic phenotypes (cold sensitivity, mycelium and spore appearance and coloration, cross-resistance to other antibiotics) . Double mutants are either lethal or very altered and unstable . Moreover, the cytochrome spectra of these mutants seem to indicate that cytoplasmic protein synthesis is affected . The mutants also display a slight suppressor effect . We can therefore assume that these mutations affect cytoplasmic ribosomes. Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb, 1980 Apr, 118(2), 200 - 7 {Results and experiences about the treatment of exogenous chronic osteomyelitis with the flow-irrigation -- suction method (author's transl)}; Lehnhardt K; A report is given on the results of an examination of 25 patients with exogenous chronic osteomyelitis, that was treated by a twin-flow-irrigation-technique at the orthopedic department Balgrist (Zurich) . Modifications of this technique are also discussed . In addition to the discussion of general principles and techniques of this method, the problems of choice of the antibiotic mixture and the duration of application are also dealt with . Etiology, surgical procedure and germ distribution of the twin-flow-irrigation-technique are also mentioned . Follow-up checks have indicated good to very good results in 3/4 of all cases, long preoperative infection periods and repeated surgical treatment, however, impair the prognosis. Jpn J Antibiot, 1980 Apr, 33(4), 472 - 7 {Stability of sulbenicillin and cefacetrile in bile (author's transl)}; Yoshida M et al.; The antibiotic activity of sulbenicillin and cefacetrile was determined after storage at -20 degrees C for up to 7 days in human gall-bladder and common duct bile . In gall-bladder bile, both drugs could not retain their initial activity after 3 days . The decay curves in antibiotic activity in the ductal bile revealed large variations, as given in Figs . 5 and 6 . The 7th day activity of both drugs decreased with the rise in initial pH level of bile . Significant correlation was noted between bile acid concentration in bile and cefacetrile activity on the 7th day. Jpn J Antibiot, 1980 Apr, 33(4), 466 - 71 {Studies on the stability of aclacinomycin hydrochloride . I . Stability of solution of aclacinomycin hydrochloride (author's transl)}; Mori S et al.; Aclacinomycin is an antitumor anthracycline antibiotic isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces galilaeus MA144-M1 . In this study, the effects of heat, light and pH on the aqueous solution of aclacinomycin hydrochloride (ACM-HCl) were investigated . The following results were found: (1) The kinetic studies revealed that the thermal inactivation of ACM-HCl solution (pH 4.5) was based on the apparent first-order reaction and that Arrhenius equation was confirmed to be established between the rate constants and temperatures . When ACM-HCl solution was stored at 20, 10 and 5 degrees C, the estimated term of ACM-HCl solution at the time when the initial activity (100%) reduced to 90% residual concentration was 1.5, 6 and 12 months, respectively . (2) It was clarified by pH-log k profile that ACM-HCl solution was most stable near at pH 4.5 . (3) The higher the buffer concentration was used, the faster the degradation rate, but there was no difference between the residual activity ratios at the various concentrations of ACM-HCl solution . (4) The inactivation of ACM-HCl solution under sunlight occurred in a type of zero-order reaction so that the faster inactivation rates were obtained at the more diluted concentration of ACM-HCl . (5) The major degradation products of ACM-HCl solution were 1-deoxypyrromycin (DP), MA144 S1 (S1) and bisanhydroaklavinone (F1) . DP and S1 were mainly found at pH below 4.0 and F1 at pH above 5.0 . The degradation under sunlight gave L1 (N-monodemethyl ACM) accompanied by the degradation of aglycone moiety in part. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 Apr, 17(4), 699 - 706 Dissociation between the induction of potassium efflux and cytostatic activity of polyene macrolides in mammalian cells; Malewicz B et al.; The paper contains data on the induction of K+ efflux and viability of baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells after their treatment with macrolide antibiotics inducing specific pores in membrane . New water-soluble semisynthetic derivatives of amphotericin B and aureofacin (N-glycosyl and trimethylammonium methyl ester derivatives) as well as the parent compounds were used to compare the concentration of antibiotics inducing permeabilizing and cytostatic effects . We found that a two- to eight-times-higher concentration of polyene antibiotic was required to observe a cytostatic effect than for release of 50% of the cellular potassium (K50 concentration) from BHK-21 cells . These differences were larger for water-soluble derivatives than for the parent compounds . The amount of intracellular potassium in treated cells incubated under optimal growth conditions was higher than in cells which had been further washed with K+-free maintenance medium . The membrane permeability changes induced by low concentrations of specific polyenes were observed to be reversible . BHK-21 cells were able to repair polyene-induced membrane permeability within 3 to 12 h under optimal growth conditions, after cell treatment with K50 concentration of specific macrolide antibiotics . The repair phenomenon is postulated as an explanation for the dissociation observed between permeabilizing and cytostatic effect of specific polyenes in BHK-21 cells. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 Apr, 17(4), 526 - 9 Cefoxitin penetration into cerebrospinal fluid in patients with purulent meningitis; Galvao PA et al.; The penetration of cefoxitin into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was studied in 25 patients with purulent meningitis treated with antibiotics other than cefoxitin . Each patient received three 2-g doses of cefoxitin at 6-h intervals . Blood and CSF samples were obtained before and at 2, 4, or 6 h after the first and third doses . CSF cefoxitin concentrations were found in all patients and varied between 1.2 and 22.0 microgram/ml, with a majority of the concentrations falling within a range from 1.2 to 6.2 microgram/ml . The concentrations tended to be higher in CSF samples drawn after the third cefoxitin dose than in those drawn after the first cefoxitin dose, indicating an accumulation of cefoxitin in CSF with repeated doses . Peak cefoxitin concentrations in CSF seemed to occur between 2 and 6 h after intravenous administration of the drug since the highest concentrations were found in patients from whom CSF samples were taken 4 h after the doses . In patients with bacterial meningitis, it should be possible to achieve therapeutic cefoxitin levels in CSF by using nontoxic doses of the antibiotic. Mech Ageing Dev, 1980 Apr, 12(4), 339 - 53 Accuracy of in vitro protein synthesis: translation of polyuridylic acid by cell-free extracts of human fibroblasts; Buchanan JH et al.; Errors in translation have been measured in cell-free protein synthesising extracts derived from cultured MRC-5 human diploid fibroblasts of limited lifespan . Using polyuridylic acid as messenger, the error frequency for the misincorporation of leucine was 1-2% . It was found that varying the concentration of leucine increased the error frequency for leucine misincorporation . No difference could be detected in the accuracy of translation with increasing cell age, from passage 25 to 55 . The aminoglycoside antibiotic, paromomycin, was shown to have a profound effect on the leucine misincorporation, increasing the error frequency of this amino acid twenty-to fortyfold . However, there was no difference in the paromomycin-induced errors wtih increasing cell age . Another effect of this antibiotic is that it inhibits the incorporation of the cognate amino acid phenylalanine . It was found that passage 55 cell extracts were less inhibited by paromomycin than similar extracts made from lower passage cells (passages 25 and 40) . When the accuracy of translation of cell extracts made from human transformed cells (HeLa) and untransformed cells (MRC-5) was compared, no detectable difference could be found . Paromomycin increased the leucine errors in extracts made from HeLa cells to a similar degree to that observed for MRC-5 fibroblasts. J Pediatr Surg, 1980 Apr, 15(2), 193 - 4 Intestinal strangulation between two vertebra following an axial dislocation of L1/L2; Metaizeau JP et al.; An exceptional cause of intestinal obstruction is reported . Ileus is an 8-yr-old boy persisted for 9 days after successful reduction of an axial dislocation of L1 on L2 . At laparotomy, a paraduodenal hernia with bowel strangulated between the bodies of L1 and L2 was discovered . The successful treatment consisted of cleaning out the intervertebral space, resection of the necrotic bowel with anastomosis, antibiotic therapy, and a plaster jacket worn for 3 mo. J Infect Dis, 1980 Apr, 141(4), 510 - 7 Uptake of gentamicin by separated, viable renal tubules from rabbits; Barza M et al.; The proximal renal tubules have a marked affinity for gentamicin; they also are the major site of nephrotoxicity caused by this drug . The uptake of radiolabeled gentamicin in separated, viable renal tubules prepared by enzymatic digestion of rabbit kidneys was studied . The preparations showed rapid initial uptake of gentamicin followed by continued slower uptake . Accumulation was not affected by pH, but was significantly inhibited by ouabain, dinitrophenol, anoxia, and hypothermia in the absence of evident cellular damage . At gentamicin concentrations of greater than 50 microgram/ml in the medium, there was competition for drug uptake . Gentamicin efflux in tubules that were taken from a medium containing antibiotic and placed into antibiotic-free fluid was slow and incomplete . From these data it appears that gentamicin uptake by separated renal tubules occurs by a process that requires metabolic energy; thereafter, the drug resides in a poorly exchangeable cellular pool. Antibiotiki, 1980 Apr, 25(4), 296 - 9 {Benemycin (rifampicin) concentration in the sex gland excretions in chronic prostatitis}; Dobrovol'skaia LI et al.; Penetration of benemycin (rifampicin) into the prostate secretion and ejaculate of patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis was studied . It was found that oral administration of the drug in a dose of 300 mg 2 times a day provided bacteriostatic concentrations of the antibiotic in the sexual gland excretions and the treatment efficacy of patients with prostatitis. Antibiotiki, 1980 Apr, 25(4), 289 - 94 {Action of carminomycin on the structural integrity, primary damage susceptibility and postradiation regeneration of the DNA from Erhlich's ascitic carcinoma}; Paranosenkova VI et al.; Carminomycin added to the cell culture of Ehrlichs ascites carcinoma (EAC) induced single breaks in DNA whose number increased proportionally to the amount of the antibiotic and the incubation time with it (up to 1 hour) . The relationship between the incubation time and DNA injury is first of all defined by the necessity for the antibiotic metabolic activation or the properties of endonucleases . No increase in the number of one-thread breaks during the incubation period of 60 to 120 minutes indicated a possible reparation of DNA injury induced by the antibiotic in the late periods . The exposure of the EAC cells to carminomycin before gamma-irradiation did not result in any increase in the primary radiation injury to DNA but suppressed DNA postradiation reparation. Antibiotiki, 1980 Apr, 25(4), 280 - 4 {Experimental study of the effect of rifampicin on the embryogenesis of white rats}; Anufrieva RG et al.; The embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of rifampicin were studied on Wistar albino rats exposed to the antibiotic inhalations during the whole period of gravidity . It was found that in the concentrations used (6.1 +/- 0.4 and 0.81 +/- 0.08 mg/m3) the antibiotic did not induce any increase in the rate of the fetus intrauterine death or any pronounced anomaly in the fetus development . Still, at higher concentrations there was a decrease in the anthropometric characteristics of the fetus, higher incidence of hemoperitoneum and disorders in liver and renal functions of the 2-month-old progeny . The damaging effect of rifampicin on the fetus should be considered as mediated since it was observed in the presence of disorders in the mother's body (changes in liver and renal function, suppressed phagocytosis). Circulation, 1980 Apr, 61(4), 855 - 61 Two-dimensional echocardiographic findings in right-sided infective endocarditis; Berger M et al.; M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiograms were recorded in 12 narcotic addicts who had right-sided infective endocarditis . The two-dimensional echocardiogram showed vegetations in 10 patients (nine tricuspid and one pulmonic), while the M-mode echocardiogram was positive in six (five tricuspid and one pulmonic) . The use of multiple transducer positions resulted in better visualization of the valves and appeared to be an important reason for the large number of positive two-dimensional echocardiograms . Echocardiographic findings were also available after completion of antibiotic therapy in seven of 10 patients . Of these seven patients, the vegetation appeared unchanged in three, diminished in size in three and was no longer visualized in one . No patient required valve replacement . Two-dimensional echocardiography using a wide-angle sector scanner appears to offer distinct advantages over the standard M-mode technique in evaluating patients with right-sided infective endocarditis. Obstet Gynecol, 1980 Apr, 55(4), 511 - 4 Pregnancy in a patient with cystic fibrosis and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura; Friedman AJ et al.; A pregnant patient with cystic fibrosis and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is presented . Management of the pregnancy was complicated by the coexistence of the 2 diseases and consisted of antibiotic therapy, prolonged hospitalization, bed rest, exogenous pancreatic enzyme replacement, bronchodilators, blood and platelet transfusions, and high-dose steroids . A good outcome was obtained with cesarean section performed under local anesthesia at 32 weeks' gestation . Recommendations from the literature for the management of each disease are discussed. Z Kinderchir Grenzgeb, 1980 Apr, 29(4), 283 - 91 Abrasion method for the immediate management of surface thermal injuries of childhood; nii-Amon-Kotei D et al.; Retrospectively 173 cases of surface thermal injuries of childhood have been reviewed according to their respective modes of immediate surgical management of abrasion, open and closed-air treatment and discussed with reference to some publications . Despite the application of antibiotic or antiphlogistic dressings in the other two groups, the abrasion method using high speed rotating grinding heads to convert the burn into an easily manageable surgical wound shows a lesser frequency of infection and inflammation and promotes quick natural healing . The method which is not widely used proves conducive in the management of burns in childhood. Jpn J Antibiot, 1980 Apr, 33(4), 514 - 21 {Fundamental and clinical studies of sustained release cephalexin (L-Keflex) in the field of oral surgery (author's transl)}; Morihana T et al.; L-Keflex is a newly manufactured cephalexin product in order to maintain effective blood level of the drug for a long period of time . The results of the fundamental and clinical studies are as follows: 1 . Mean blood levels of the drug after its single oral dose of 1 g in fasting in 22 cases before operations were: 7.19 mcg/ml at 2 hours (peak), 4.35 mcg/ml at 4 hours, 4.21 mcg/ml at 6 hours, 2.47 mcg/ml at 8 hours and 1.81 mcg/ml at 12 hours, respectively . Existence of the drug in blood was observed for a long period of time . 2 . The distribution into the tissues of L-Keflex was generally good . The tissue levels in 19 of 22 samples ranged from 1.30 to 18.0 mcg/g, but 3 samples did not detect the drug in the tissues . Tissue level/blood level ratios were 0.19 approximately 2.67 . 3 . Half of 30 cases with mild dental infections was treated with a daily dose of 1 g with clinical response of 60.0%, and the other half with 2 g was 78.6% in clinical response . The overall efficacy rate was 69.0% . 4 . As a side effect of the drug, only one of 52 cases (fundamental 22 cases, clinical 30 cases) complained of edema on both eyelids . No . abnormality was observed in blood finding, hepatic and/or renal function . From the above results, it is considered that L-Keflex is an effective antibiotic product in infections in the field of oral surgery . Also, L-Keflex has an advantage in that its administration frequence (b.i.d) is less than that of regular cephalexin (q.i.d.). Mol Gen Genet, 1980 Apr, 178(1), 233 - 5 Curing of Escherichia coli K12 plasmids by coumermycin; Danilevskaya ON et al.; Low concentrations of the antibiotic coumermycin A1, the inhibitor of bacterial DNA gyrase, effectively eliminate pBR322, pMB9 and other ColE 1 related plasmids from E . coli K12 strains . The curing action of antibiotic seems to result from the plasmid degradation and not just from the inhibition of replication. Jpn J Antibiot, 1980 Apr, 33(4), 453 - 65 {Irritative effect of aclacinomycin A on the eye mucous membrane, skin and muscle (author's transl)}; Ohmori K et al.; Aclacinomycin A, a new anthracycline antitumor antibiotic, was given to rabbits by single instillation or single intracutaneous injection and to guinea pigs by single subcutaneous or intramuscular injection to examine the irritative effect . Slight dilatation of blood vessel and swelling in the conjunctiva and nictitating membrane were observed in the eyes of rabbits given 1% solution . Edema in the bulbar conjunctiva, iris and cornea was histologically noted . Washing of the eyes after drug instillation prevented these damages . Subcutaneous and intracutaneous injections of 1% solution (0.2 ml) gave hyperemia, swelling and necrosis at injection site . Cellular infiltration, fibrosis and necrosis were histologically detected . Intramuscular injection of 1% solution (0.2 ml) also provided induration and swelling at injection site . Histologically cellular infiltration and necrosis were observed . These irritative effects were much slighter in administration of 0.1% solution . No change was observed with 0.01% solution. Jpn J Antibiot, 1980 Apr, 33(4), 436 - 52 {Effect of aclacinomycin A on bone marrow (author's transl)}; Ohmori K et al.; Japan White rabbits were treated with aclacinomycin A, a new anthracycline antitumor antibiotic, at a dose of 6.25 or 25.0 mg/kg by single intravenous, or 12.5 or 50.0 mg/kg by single oral administration, respectively . Beagle dogs were treated at a dose of 3.0 or 6.0 mg/kg by single intravenous injection . In rabbits in higher dose groups, RBC and WBC counts as well as lymphocyte ratio in peripheral blood decreased on day 1 . Nucleated cell counts and erythroid elements in bone marrow decreased to raise M/E ratio (Myeloid/Erythroid ratio) on day 3 . In a dog given at 6.0 mg/kg, WBC and platelet counts, lymphocyte and neutrocyte per cents in peripheral blood and also nucleated cells, particularly erythroid elements in bone marrow remarkably decreased on day 3 accompanied with an increase in M/E ratio . These changes were almost completely recovered by day 14 in both animals . No abnormalities were found in lower dose groups . Male Wistar rats, treated with the drug at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg by daily intraperitoneal injection for 30 days, showed slight decreases in peripheral WBC and RBC counts and M/E ratio in bone marrow . No change was observed in rats treated at 0.75 mg/kg and less for 30 days. Aust N Z J Surg, 1980 Apr, 50(2), 194 - 6 Necrotizing gastritis and phlegmonous gastritis--are they separate entities? Webster VJ. Phlegmonous gastritis, although a rare condition, is a submucosal bacterial infection strictly confined to the stomach with characteristic macroscopic and histological findings . A case of necrotizing gastritis with perforation is presented, and another similar case is reviewed, in which the gross and microscopic features are considerably different from those ascribed to classical phlegmonous gastritis . There was no evidence of an infectious aetiology in either case, and the predominant feature was necrosis . It is proposed that this variant may represent a separate disease entity of unknown aetiology . A combination of early radical gastric resection and vigorous antibiotic therapy appears to be the treatment of choice in both classical phlegmonous gastritis and necrotizing gastritis. Aust N Z J Med, 1980 Apr, 10(2), 139 - 45 Clinical settings in pseudomembranous colitis; Goulston SJ et al.; Renewed interest in pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) has occurred in recent years due to an increased incidence following the introduction of the antibiotics clindamycin and lincomycin . However, the disease was well known before the antibiotic era . In this paper the histopathological features are reemphasised and the similarity to early amoebic colitis is stressed . From a background of 32 patients, some unusual clinical settings are described . These consist of an association with renal transplantation; the demonstration of the lesion on the mucosal surface of rectal polypi and metaplastic bladder mucosa; its occurrence in an area of isolated ileum presenting as a "blind loop syndrome"; and examples suggesting that this disease can exist for quite long periods of time or may recur several times in the same patient. Acta Endocrinol (Copenh), 1980 Apr, 93(4), 385 - 91 Further studies on the inactivation of thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH) by enzymes in the rat hypothalamus; Griffiths EC et al.; Thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) is known to be inactivated by enzymes present in the rat hypothalamus . To make a further study of the enzymes' action on the tripeptide, synthetic TRH was incubated with two hypothalamic subcellular fractions . By using a direct radioimmunoassay for TRH, the tripeptide was shown to be rapidly degraded by both supernatant and particulate fractions, with higher enzyme activity in the particulate fraction . Of several biologically-active peptides tested, only luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone was found to inhibit TRH inactivation; bacitracin, a polypeptide antibiotic, was also effective in inhibiting inactivation . Enzyme activity was highest in the middle hypothalamic area and lowest in the posterior hypothalamic area . Thin layer chromatography of the products of enzyme cleavage revealed the formation of only deamidated TRH in the supernatant fraction and the constitutent amino acids (pyroGlu, His, ProNH2) and histidylproline-diketopiperazine by the particular fraction, suggesting the presence of an amidase in the supernatant and two peptidases in the particulate fractions . These properties of the enzymes inactivating TRH may indicate that the enzymes could be of importance in regulating the endocrine and other functions attributed to this hypothalamic regulatory hormone. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1980 Apr, 77(4), 1970 - 4 Roles of chromophore and apo-protein in neocarzinostatin action; Kappen LS et al.; The methanol-extractable, nonprotein chromophore of the antitumor, protein antibiotic neocarzinostatin (NCS) has at least the full activity of the parent compound in inhibiting DNA synthesis and growth of HeLa cells and in causing DNA strand breaks in vivo and in vitro . In vitro DNA strand scission by the chromophore is markedly stimulated by 2-mercaptoethanol and is inhibited by guanidine hydrochloride and alpha-tocopherol . By high-pressure liquid chromatography, this activity has been localized to fractions eluting at greater than 90% methanol and having fluorescence emission at 420 nm (excitation at 340 nm) . The apo-protein of NCS is inactive by itself but complexes with the chromophore so as to regulate its availability during the in vitro reaction . In DNA strand scission the chromophore acts rapidly at both 0 and 37 degrees C, whereas native and reconstituted NCS are inactive at 0 degrees C and slowly active at 37 degrees C . Complex formation with apo-NCS stabilizes the chromophore . Reconstitution of NCS (pI 3.3) from chromophore and apo-protein (pI 3.2) was shown by both activity studies and isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide gels . "Pre-NCS," the biosynthetic precursor of NCS, is identical to apo-NCS in amino acid composition, spectral properties, isoelectric focusing on polyacryl-amide gels, and ability to complex with isolated chromophore to form material with all the properties of native NCS. J Virol, 1980 Apr, 34(1), 142 - 53 Effect of tunicamycin on herpes simplex virus glycoproteins and infectious virus production; Pizer LI et al.; The antibiotic tunicamycin, which blocks the synthesis of glycoproteins, inhibited the production of infectious herpes simplex virus . In the presence of this drug, {14C}glucosamine and {3H}mannose incorporation was reduced in infected cells, whereas total protein synthesis was not affected . Gel electrophoresis of {2-3H}mannose-labeled polypeptides failed to detect glycoprotein D or any of the other herpes simplex virus glycoproteins . By use of specific antisera we demonstrated that in the presence of tunicamycin the normal precursors to viral glycoproteins failed to appear . Instead, lower-molecular-weight polypeptides were found which were antigenically and structurally related to the glycosylated proteins . Evidence is presented to show that blocking the addition of carbohydrate to glycoprotein precursors with tunicamycin results in the disappearance of molecules, possibly due to degradation of the unglycosylated polypeptides . We infer that the added carbohydrate either stabilizes the envelope proteins or provides the proper structure for correct processing of the molecules needed for infectivity. J Bacteriol, 1980 Apr, 142(1), 153 - 61 Inhibition of deoxyribonucleic acid gyrase: effects on nucleic acid synthesis and cell division in Escherichia coli K-12; Fairweather NF et al.; Mutants of Escherichia coli resistant to the antibiotic clorobiocin are also coumermycin resistant, and the mutation to resistance in at least one mutant was mapped near gyrB . We conclude, therefore, that clorobiocin inhibits deoxyribonucleic acid gyrase, and the drug was used to probe the role of this enzyme in vivo . Deozyribonucleic acid synthesis was preferentially inhibited but not completely blocked by the antibiotic . Transcription and cell division were also markedly affected . However, unlike other inhibitors of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis, clorobiocin failed to induce the synthesis of protein X, the recA gene product . In mutants resistant to clorobiocin the replication velocity was unaffected, but initiation of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis appeared to be delayed . We conclude that deoxyribonucleic acid gyrase, and hence the supercoiled structure of the chromosome, is important for transcription, normal initiation of deoxyribonucleic acid replication, and cell division . The possible role of deoxyribonucleic acid gyrase in the elongation of replication forks is also discussed. Antibiotiki, 1980 Apr, 25(4), 256 - 60 {Effect of the extraction methods and drug form components on the determination of gramicidin C in buccal tablets}; Poliak MS et al.; The effect of solvents, extraction procedures and separate components of the troche mass on the results of biological activity determination of gramicidin S with the agar-diffusion method was studied . It was found that irrespective of the solvent and the number of extractions only 76--81 per cent of the antibiotic were determined in the troches . Fruit essence and sugar had a significant effect on the results of gramicidin S biological activity determination as compared to the other components of the dosage form . When accessory substances included in the troches were added to the standard solution, the values of their biological activity were close to the calculated ones. Aktuelle Traumatol, 1980 Apr, 10(2), 65 - 72 {Nebacetin¿ and taurolin as intraoperative disinfectant solutions in surgery of the locomotor system (author's transl)}; Burri C et al.; The anti-infective preventive action of intraoperative disinfection with physiological solution containing antibiotics, appears to be firmly established, judging from numerous publications . Since germs are showing a world-wide increasing resistance, the search for antibiotics which continue to be effective must be kept up, but alternative suggestions are equally necessary . Some publications have already been presented indicating that success similar to that previously obtained with antibiotics is possible by using disinfectants in the prophylaxis and treatment of infections . Hence, a comparative study was conducted using the non-absorbable broad-spectrum antibiotic Nebacetin inverted question mark and the disinfectant Taurolin in a 1% solution with a group of patients subjected to a total of 7699 major and minor surgical operations . Prospectively, early infections during the stay of the patient in the hospital, als well as disturbed wound healing, were included . No significant difference was found in the number of infections and the rate of disturbed wound healing . Indirectly, it is possible to conclude with the help of results from literature that the disinfectant Taurolin is suitable as an addition to intra-operative rinsing in the prophylaxis of infections. MMW Munch Med Wochenschr, 1980 Mar 21, 122(12), 431 - 4 {Cefazedone-results of a multicentre clinical test (author's transl)}; Koch E et al.; Cefazedone (Refosporin) was tested for efficacy and tolerance in 1161 patients . The trial was interrupted or unsuitable for evaluation in 54 cases . Diagnostical characteristics of the remaining 1107 patients tested for tolerance were: therapeutical and prophylactic use in surgery (37,5%) infections of the bronchial tract (30.8%), infections of the urogenital tract (17.9%), infections of the abdominocystic tract (6.2%), other infections (7,6%) . Of the 1085 patients tested for efficacy--in 22 cases the trial was interrupted because of undesired side effects (exanthema, nausea, local intolerance)--87% concerned exclusively antibiotic therapy with cefazedone . Cefazedone was administered only twice daily i . v . Combined medication with other antibiotics--mainly amino glycosides--was highly efficient. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1980 Mar 15, 136(6), 709 - 13 Management of acute chorioamnionitis; Gibbs RS et al.; Acute chorioamnionitis has been recognized as a major threat to both mother and fetus, but there has been little study of its therapy . On this service, the plan of management consists of parenteral, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and prompt action to effect delivery . Cesarean section was generally performed only when there were additional obstetric indications . No arbitrary time limit was set for the diagnosis-to-delivery interval . The perinatal mortality rate was increased fourfold, but few deaths could be attributed to infection . Maternal outcome was usually good following vaginal delivery and more complicated following abdominal delivery . Over 90% of patients were delivered within 12 hours of diagnosis of chorioamnionitis. J Biol Chem, 1980 Mar 10, 255(5), 2169 - 75 Effect of tunicamycin on the biosynthesis of the major human red cell sialoglycoprotein, glycophorin A, in the leukemia cell line K562; Gahmberg CG et al.; The human continuous leukemia cell line K562 synthesizes and expresses on its surface the major red cell sialoglycoprotein, glycophorin A . Glycophorin A contains 1 N-glycosidic and 15 O-glycosidic oligosaccharides, which are attached to known sites on the polypeptide chain . By immune precipitation with specific anti-glycophorin A antiserum of radioactively labeled cells followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, we have been able to study its biosynthesis in considerable detail . The synthesis of the N-glycosidic oligosaccharide of glycophorin A is inhibited by the antibiotic tunicamycin, while the O-glycosidic oligosaccharides are not affected . Incomplete glycophorin A, lacking the N-glycosidic oligosaccharide, is apparently incorporated normally into the surface membrane, but the total amount of glycophorin A is decreased . Thus, N-glycosylation is not necessary for externalization of glycophorin A. Cardiovasc Dis, 1980 Mar, 7(1), 104 - 111 Wound complications after median sternotomy: A study of 61 patients from a consecutive series of 9,279; Ott DA et al.; Among a consecutive series of 9,279 sternotomies performed during a period of 2(1/2) years, 61 (0.66%) patients developed significant wound complications . Of these, 58 (95.1%) survived . Sternal infection occurred in 36 patients (0.39%) . Predisposing factors included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, obesity, closed chest massage, prolonged assisted ventilation, and excessive bleeding after operation . Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) did not, in itself, predispose to sternal dehiscence . Intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) treatments caused excessive coughing, which may have increased the likelihood of dehiscence . Disposable drapes and expeditious surgery probably contributed to the low incidence of wound infection . Early diagnosis, surgical debridement, rewiring and primary closure with substernal drainage, without continuous antibiotic irrigation, resulted in satisfactory resolution in most patients. Arch Latinoam Nutr, 1980 Mar, 30(1), 75 - 87 {Broad beans (Vicia fava, L.) as an alternative source of protein in chick diets}; Bezares A et al.; Three experiments were conducted to study the possibility of improving the nutritive value of broad beans (Vicia faba, L.) in poultry diets . In the first experiment, raw and autoclaved (1.0 kg/cm2/15 min) beans, with and without antibiotic supplementation, were studied . The results after 21 days showed no significant differences among treatments in regard to body weight . In feed conversion, however, a significant difference was observed when diets prepared with raw beans were supplemented with 20 ppm of flavomycin . In the second experiment raw and autoclaved beans were supplemented with 0, 10, and 20 ppm of virginiamycin and 200 and 400 ppm of flavomycin to study the effect of these two antibiotics . After 28 days, the results indicated no significant differences with antibiotic supplementation in either raw or autoclaved beans . However, a significant difference (P < 0.05) in body weight was found when beans were autoclaved . In the third experiment, two levels, 31 and 76% of raw and autoclaved beans, were included in the chick diets . The results in body weight, after 28 days, did not show any significant differences between raw and autoclaved beans fed at a 31% level . With the 76% level the autoclaved treatment, however, induced a significantly higher body weight than the diets containing raw beans. Am J Gastroenterol, 1980 Mar, 73(3), 244 - 8 Comparative study of diarrhea associated with clindamycin and ampicillin therapy; Brause BD et al.; The incidence of diarrhea associated with clindamycin and ampicillin was studied prospectively among 606 adult inpatients during a 12-month period . Clindamycin was administered to 288 patients of whom 145 received clindamycin in combination with ampicillin . A comparable group of 318 patients received ampicillin alone . Underlying diseases, diets and medications other than antibiotics studied were implicated in the etiology of diarrhea in 25--40% of patients . The incidence of diarrhea due to ampicillin and clindamycin was 3.8 and 4.2%, respectively (P greater than 0.05) . The incidence of diarrhea in patients who received both drugs was 9.0% (P less than 0.05) . Diarrhea which developed after completion of antibiotic therapy was two-to-three fold longer in duration than that which occurred during drug administration . This finding underscores the necessity to follow patients closely for at least four to six weeks after receiving such medications. Cardiovasc Res, 1980 Mar, 14(3), 154 - 60 Estimation of protein and DNA synthesis in allograft organ cultures as a measure of cell viability; Henney AM et al.; Viability of human heart valves obtained routinely at necropsy was compared with that of antibiotic sterilised bank allografts and pathological valves, obtained at surgery, by assessing DNA and protein synthesis and tissue culture . None of the post-mortem samples nor any of the bank allografts showed viability comparable with that of surgical material . These findings imply absence of significant viability in heart valves prepared for grafting. Prostaglandins, 1980 Mar, 19(3), 455 - 6 Use of vaginal prostaglandin-E2 suppositories in septic abortion; Milano CT et al.; PIP: Prostaglandin-E2 vaginal suppositories were used to terminate a septic abortion in a 23-year-old multiparous female . The patient, at 18 weeks gestation, complained of 36 hours of ruptured membranes . Past obstetrical history included a Cesarean section at term for cephalo-pelvic disproportion . In an effort to avoid a potentially morbid hysterectomy, a trial of vaginal Prostaglandin-E2 suppositores was undertaken . 70 minutes after insertion of the first 20 milligram suppository, regular uterine contractions were noted . The patient was closely monitored for signs of vascular collapse and uterine rupture . 6 hours later a macerated fetus was expelled . The placenta remained loosely attached to the anterior uterine wall and required uneventful curettage for removal . Broad spectrum antibiotic coverage and supportive measures continued . The patient began apyrexic 10 hours following prostaglandin administration . The rapid and efficient results produced in this case suggest a new indication for vaginal Prostaglandin-E2 therapy for termination of septic mid-trimester abortions as long as close patient monitoring with appropriate antibiotic and supportive therapy are instituted . J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1980 Mar, 33(3), 322 - 7 Pharmacokinetics of cefamandole in rabbits with experimentally induced renal impairment; Campillo JA et al.; The pharmacokinetics of cefamandole have been studied in rabbits with normal renal function and varying degrees of renal impairment caused experimentally, by uranyl nitrate, after i.v . administration of a single dose of 30 mg/kg of the antibiotic . The plasma concentrations of cefamandole 80 minutes after administration were 3 micrograms/ml in normal rabbits reaching 90 micrograms/ml at 9 hours in the case of terminal renal impairment . With respect to the pharmacokinetic parameters established in rabbits with normal renal function, the following modifications may be observed in the case of rabbits with renal impairment: alpha, beta, K12, K21, K13, Vc and Vp are decreased, while there is an increase in t 1/2 alpha, t 1/2 beta and (AUC)infinity 0 . Linear relationships have been established between log alpha and log beta, respectively, and serum creatinine . Biliary excretion of cefamandole is increased parallel to the increase in the degree of renal impairment, there being a linear relationship between the percentage excreted of the antibiotic and serum creatinine . The values of KB fall from 0.57 h-1 in rabbits with normal renal function, to 0.26 h-1 in rabbits with severe renal impairment. Monatsschr Kinderheilkd, 1980 Mar, 128(3), 128 - 35 {Pylephlebitis after umbilical vein catheterization (author's transl)}; Wiedersberg H et al.; In spite of extensive precausions and antibiotic therapy, pylephlebitis was found in 11 of 200 dead newborns as complicat infection after umbilical vein catherization . All stages from local pylephlebitis to suppurative hepatitis were found . The clinical manifestations are not characteristic and therefore misinterpreted very often . Umbilical vein infection should be taken into account in every newborn child with or after umbilical vein catheterization, even when the umbilicus appears normal, when body temperature is rising, the general condition is turning to the worse, and icterus is increasing . Blood picture and transaminase values might be helpful parameters . Reviewing the literature and reporting a case of fatal portal hypertension, pylephlebitis after umbilical vein catheterization is shown as a possible cause of the pseudo-Banti-syndrome in children. Hear Res, 1980 Mar, 2(2), 95 - 109 Threshold elevation at high frequencies of the auditory nerve action potentials in acute versus chronic recordings in guinea pigs; Cazals Y et al.; Thresholds of the auditory nerve compound action potential (CAP) responses to filtered clicks from 0.5 to 40 kHz, defining a CAP frequency threshold curve, have been determined in the same guinea pigs: (1) in acute conditions, the animal still anesthetized at the end of the operation for permanent implantation of a round-window electrode, and (2) several days later in the implanted awake and unrestrained animal . The results show higher CAP thresholds for high frequencies in acute conditions as compared to chronic recordings . This difference appears above about 12.5 kHz and increases progressively to around 40 dB at 40 kHz . Similar effects, although somewhat less pronounced, were observed during anesthesia alone in already implanted guinea pigs . Thes observations could explain the discrepancies which appear between electrophysiological thresholds, acutely recorded either from single fibers or whole-nerve responses, and behavioral audiograms . Moreover, in the accurate evaluation of the cochlea, slight impairments may be masked by this phenomenon as illustrated in guinea pigs treated with low doses of ototoxic antibiotic. Ann Surg, 1980 Mar, 191(3), 264 - 70 Acute cholangitis; Boey JH et al.; The features of cholangitis were analyzed in 99 consecutive cases treated in the last ten years . The disease was severe and refractory in half the cases due to malignant stricture, and in 20% of those due to gallstones . Benign strictures, sclerosing cholangitis, and most cases of choledocholithiasis were associated with less severe cholangitis, which responded promptly to antibiotic therapy . High fever, a serum bilirubin level above 4 mg/dl, and hypotension characterized the most severe refractory cases in which emergency surgery was mandatory . Patients without manifestations were nearly always controlled successfully with antibiotics . We conclude that the term "suppurative cholangitis" is an unsatisfactory synonym for severe cholangitis, because the correlation between biliary suppuration and clinical manifestations in cholangitis is inexact; some patients with severe sepsis do not have pus in the bile duct, and a few patients with suppurative bile are only moderately ill. Antibiotiki, 1980 Mar, 25(3), 201 - 6 {Pharmacokinetic basis of the nephrotoxic action of sisomycin . The pharmacokinetics of sisomycin in single and multiple administrations to rats}; Firsov AA et al.; The pharmacokinetics of sisomicin was studied on Wistar rats . The antibiotic was used in single or repeated doses of 12.5 and 25 mg/kg . The kinetic data of the antibiotic titration in blood serum within 1 and 24 hours of intramuscular administration of the drug were formalized with the use of a linear two-compartment model . The average values of the elimination constant and the constants of sisomycin transfer from the central compartment into the peripheral one were 0.64, 0.34 and 0.13 hours-1 respectively . The value of the apparent distribution volume in the central compartment was 0.38 ml/kg and that of the stationary and kinetic distribution volumes was 1.37 and 3.06 1/kg respectively . The value of the general clearance was 0.24 1/(kg.hour) and that of the sisomicin half-life was 8.7 hours . Comparison of the antibiotic levels estimated with a model and actually measured in the blood after repeated administrations revealed the drug cumulation . When the antibiotic was used in a dose of 25 mg/kg daily, its cumulation was observed earlier (by the 5th--8th day) than on its use in a dose of 12.5 mg/kg (by the 30th day) . Irrespective of the dose, sisomicin cumulation was accompanied by prolongation of the antibiotic half-life in the rats. Antibiotiki, 1980 Mar, 25(3), 199 - 201 {Placental permeability for rifampicin}; Anufrieva RG et al.; Albino rats were exposed to rifampicin inhalations for a prolonged period of time (during gravidity) . It was found that the antibiotic penetrated through the placental barrier and its levels in the fetus were proportional to its content in the air inhaled . At later gravidity periods rafampicin absorption in albino rats increased and in parallel its levels in the ovum also increased . The exposure of albino rats to rifampicin inhalations during the whole period of their gravidity in concentrations lower than the Limac (the limit of the acute effect with respect to the general toxic parameters) did not affect the structure of the placenta and its permeability by the antibiotic. Antibiotiki, 1980 Mar, 25(3), 179 - 84 {Properties of tetracycline hydrochloride tablets and their bioavailability}; Zak AF et al.; The properties of tetracycline hydrochloride tablets from various manufacturers were studied . Differences depending on the character of the coating were found: the film-coated tablets differed from dragee by a shorter period of the antibiotic transfer to solution, better disintegration, lower content of anhydroderivatives and higher stability . Correlation between the rate of tetracycline transfer to solution in vitro and the antibiotic absorption into blood on the oral use of the tablets was shown. Antibiotiki, 1980 Mar, 25(3), 175 - 9 {Fluorometric extraction determination of olivomycin}; Alykov NM; An extraction fluorometric method for determination of olivomycin in biological materials was developed as a result of the study on the antibiotic complex formation with the gallium ions in aqueous solutions . The method is based on measurement of the fluorescence of a benzene extract of chlorgallate ionic associate with rodamine-6Zh. Am J Clin Pathol, 1980 Mar, 73(3), 439 - 43 Transient deficiency of antihemophilic factor (AHF) procoagulant and AHF-like antigen during administration of tetracycline; Stefanini M; A 35-year old woman showed a transient reduction in level of both moieties of antihemophilic factor (AHF; factor VIII, AHG), following the accidental administration of oral tetracycline . This effect could be reproduced under controlled conditions . No anti-AHF antibodies nor antibodies against tetracycline could be demonstrated . It is suspected that the antibiotic temporarily suppressed the biosynthesis of the AHF procoagulant and AHF-like antigen. J Trauma . 1980 Mar;20(3):242. Management of hot tar burns; Demling RH et al.; Burns due to hot tar present a difficult management problem because the tar is difficult to remove without inflicting further injury to the underlying burn . We have found the surface active agent polyoxyethylene sorbitan (Tween 80, Sigma, St . Louis, MO) or Polysorbate (Sigma), by itself or in combination with an antibiotic ointment (neomycin sulfate) to be a safe and effective means of tar removal. J Trauma, 1980 Mar, 20(3), 223 - 8 Hyperosmolality in the burn patient: analysis of an osmolal discrepancy; Kulick MI et al.; In our study of 262 hospitalized flame burn patients, serum hyperosmolality, defined as having at least two reported osmolality values greater than 310 mOsm/kg, was observed in 15 patients (6%) . From this group, nine patients were found to have an osmolal discrepancy (reported serum osmolality minus calculated serum osmolality) . All patients in this group had a burn surface area greater than 35% TBS . The discrepancy between reported osmolality values of two patients from this group, determined by freezing point depression and vapor point analysis, suggested that a volatile substance was contributing to the osmolality . Further analysis by gas chromatography revealed propylene glycol as the agent accounting for most of the osmolal discrepancy . The only exposure to this polyalcohol was from the topical antibiotic cream (silver sulfadiazine) used in their treatment. Arch Surg, 1980 Mar, 115(3), 305 - 7 Acute abdomen in children with infected ventriculoperitoneal shunts; Hubschmann OR et al.; During the past 48 months, seven children with infected ventriculoperitoneal shunts with acute abdominal emergencies in the absence of neurological signs or symptoms were encountered . Initial confusion in the correct diagnosis led to unnecessary laparatomy in three children and a dangerous delay in the initiation of appropriate treatment in all seven patients . The correct diagnosis was made by analysis of ventricular fluid obtained from the shunt reservoir . Diversion of infected CSF from the inflamed peritoneal cavity combined with intravenous and intraventricular antibiotics resulted in prompt resolution of abdominal signs and successful sterilization of the CSF . Total shunt replacement in uncontaminated CSF followed by postoperative antibiotic therapy administered intravenously effected complete cures in all patients . Awareness of this syndrome and its proper management is of paramount importance. Postgrad Med, 1980 Mar, 67(3), 200 - 4, 207-8 Gonococcal arthritis syndromes: an update on diagnosis and management; Bayer AS; The primary care physician can diagnose gonococcal arthritis with virtual certainty in the presence of migratory polyarthralgia, tenosynovitis of the upper extremity, and characteristic skin lesions . The exquisite antibiotic sensitivity of most gonococcal organisms has made outpatient oral therapy reasonable, with rapid resolution of symptoms usually resulting. Zentralbl Bakteriol A, 1980 Mar, 246(2), 276 - 84 Mechanized technique for phage typing and determination of antibiograms; Guinee PA et al.; A device for mechanical application of either drops of phage suspensions or antibiotic-containing tablets was developed . The device consists of a Transport Apparatus which transports petri dishes from one side of the apparatus to the other in such a way that the plate and the lid of a petri dish become entirely separated at a particular stage . Either a Phage Applicating System or an Antibiotic Tablet Dispenser can be connected to the apparatus . In this way a maximum of 27 phages of 7 antibiotic tablets per plate can be applied pneumatically. Antibiotiki, 1980 Mar, 25(3), 210 - 5 {Nucleotide specificity of sibiromycin interaction with DNA}; Koz'mian LI et al.; Sibiromycin binds selectively to poly(dG).poly (dC) and poly(dG--dC).poly (dG--dC) and does not interact with poly(dA--dT).poly(dA--DT), poly (dI).poly (dC) and poly(dI--dC).poly(dI-dC) as is evident from the changes in the UV spectrum of the antibiotic at 310 mn, differential CD spectrum and inhibition of the template activity of polynucleotides in the DNA-dependant RNA-polymerase system . Sibiromycin efficiently interacts with GC-rich DNA specifically methylated at N-7 of guanine and glucosilated DNA of T2 phage . Therefore, specific interaction of sibiromycin with the guanine sites may take place rather in the narrow groove than in the large groove of the double helix. J Trauma, 1980 Mar, 20(3), 229 - 38 High-pressure injection injuries of the hand; Schoo MJ et al.; One hundred twenty-seven case reports of high-pressure injection injuries have been analyzed, and five patients of our own are reported . The injury usually occurs to young, working males, most often to their nondominant index finger . Without proper surgical intervention, the injected part often progresses to necrosis, debilitating fibrosis, and stiffness . The pathology is that of inflammation and foreign body granulomatous formation . Damage results from impact, ischemia resulting from vascular compression, chemical inflammation, and secondary infection . Recommended treatment has traditionally been early surgical decompression, removal of injected material, and antibiotics . There is some evidence that anti-inflammatory medication is of value . In the patients treated early with steroids and proper antibiotics, infection has not been a problem . We feel that treatment of these injuries should include: 1) Immediate, high-dose, parenteral steroids followed by high-dose oral steroids in tapered doses . Our present regimen consists of initial doses of hydrocortisone sodium succinate 100 mg intravenously every 6 hours until it appears that swelling and erythema have maximized and begun to diminish, then changing to oral prednisone 25 mg twice daily . Prednisone is then slowly tapered in 5- to 10-mg increments per day until stopped . If swelling, pain, and erythema begin to worsen, high-dose steroids are resumed and tapered again . 2) Extensive and complete surgical decompression and drainage of the injured part . 3) Appropriate broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage. Jpn J Antibiot, 1980 Mar, 33(3), 294 - 319 {Chronic toxicity of aclacinomycin A in rats (author's transl)}; Shirai M et al.; Male and female Wistar rats were treated with aclacinomycin A, a new anthracycline antitumor antibiotic, at 5 dosage levels (0.08, 0.15, 0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 mg/kg/day) by daily intraperitoneal injections for 180 days for a chronic toxicity study . Recovery was also examined for 30 days after completion of the administration . Mortality was as follows: Male 5/24, female 3/24 in 0.6 mg/kg/day dose group and male 19/24, female 8/24 in 1.2 mg/kg/day dose group . Anorexia, depression of spontaneous activity and unformed feces were observed in rats in 0.6 and 1.2 mg/kg/day dose groups after day 90 . Body weight gain decreased during the period . No significant change was found in rats receiving the drug at 0.3 and less mg/kg/day all through the observation period . Remarkable decreases in WBC count were noted in rats in the two highest dose groups on day 90 . Autopsy findings included atrophy of the thymus and hyperemia and hemorrhage in the gastrointestinal tract and mesenteric lymph node in the animals treated at 0.6 and 1.2 mg/kg/day in the examination on day 90 . Histologically, atrophy of the thymus and hyperplasia of the spleen were observed in the higher dose groups on day 90 . But no remarkable abnormalities were found in histological examination on day 180 . The changes in general symptom and decrease in body weight gain, which were observed during the dosing period in rats in 0.6 mg/kg/day dose group, recovered within 30 days after the drug administration was discontinued but no complete recovery of the WBC count decrease was observed. J Pediatr, 1980 Mar, 96(3 Pt 1), 447 - 51 Epidemiology of necrotizing enterocolitis: a case control study; Stoll BJ et al.; All neonates with necrotizing enterocoltis cared for at Grady Memorial Hospital from July, 1977, through February, 1979, were compared with controls matched for birth weight and time of admission to the nursery, to examine risk factors which have been implicated in the etiology of the disease . Data on maternal history, birth history, and hospital course were uniformly collected and contrasted for 35 cases and 98 controls . Low birth weight was associated with an increased incidence of NEC and an increased case fatality rate . All babies 36 weeks or more at birth were diagnosed by seven days . More immature infants developed the disease later in their hospital course . In addition, preterm babies who developed NEC after 2 weeks of age appear to be smaller and sicker . Factors previously thought to predispose an infant to the development of the disease, such as prolonged rupture of membranes, infectious complications of pregnancy, low Apgar scores, patent ductus arteriosus, and use of umbilical catheters, were found with equal frequency in cases and controls and may simply represent the descriptive characteristics of a population of sick premature infants . Feeding history and antibiotic use were examined in depth and were not correlated with the development of NEC. Arch Surg . 1980 Mar;115(3):324. Expanded applications of Broviac catheter; Ponsky JL et al.; Sixteen Broviac catheters were inserted in 15 patients ranging from 15 to 61 years of age for purposes other than parenteral nutrition . These patients required long-term intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy for cystic fibrosis or chemotherapy for malignant neoplasm . There were no major complications . The Broviac catheter provides excellent long-term IV access for total parenteral nutrition . In addition, it may be used very effectively in patients requiring extended IV antibiotic therapy and/or chemotherapy. Arch Surg, 1980 Mar, 115(3), 293 - 5 Polyglycolic acid, silk, and topical ampicillin . Their use in hernia repair and cholecystectomy; Andersen JR et al.; The effect of topical ampicillin sodium and polyglycolic acid and silk sutures on the recurrence of an existing hernia or an incisional hernia and on infection rates in clean abdominal wounds (herniotomies and simple cholecystectomies) was studied in a triple-blind, randomized trial with 398 consecutive patients . One infection, three suture sinuses, and two incisional hernias occurred among 113 patients with cholecystectomies, while the corresponding rates in 285 patients with hernia repairs were 11 infections, no suture sinuses, and three recurrent hernias . No effect of ampicillin could be demonstrated, nor was any difference between polyglycolic acid and silk sutures shown . No interaction between the antibiotic and suture material was found, and no side effects were observed . Wound infection was significantly more frequent in patients with postoperative seromas or hematomas. Mycopathologia, 1980 Feb 29, 70(1), 9 - 12 Interaction between aspergilli and streptomycetes in the soil of potted indoor plants: a preliminary report (contribution to the epidemiology of human aspergillosis); Staib F et al.; The soil of potted ornamental plants as a reservoir for Aspergillus species pathogenic for man is of epidemiological and ecological interest . Isolation of A . niger as the sole hyphomycete from the soil of potted African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha, Gesneriaceae), prompted us to look for A . inger on the surface of the roots of this plant . Small pieces of the roots were inoculated in the nutrient-free agar-gel with and without antibiotics . On the antibiotic-free gel, a dense growth of Streptomyces griseus was consistently observed around the root pieces . But the gel fortified with antibiotics showed pure growth of only A . niger . One of the two strains of S . ariseus isolated from the African violet, showed inhibitory effect against a number of fungi including A . niger but the other strain had no effect on this fungus . The possible influence of streptomycetes on the occurrence of aspergilli in the soil of potted ornamental plants is discussed. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1980 Feb 28, 596(2), 165 - 79 Polymyxin B-phosphatidylglycerol interactions . A monolayer (pi, delta V) study; El Mashak EM et al.; Through a monolayer investigation (pi, delta V), it is shown that the cationic antibiotic polymyxin B (or E) strongly interacts with films of acidic lipids, namely the didodecanoyl- and dihexadecanoylphosphatidylglycerol . The zwitterionic dihexadecanoylphosphatidylcholine was an unsuitable substrate . Interactions occurred at and above a polymyxin B concentration in the subphase of 2.5 . 10(-7) M, bringing about a considerable increase of both pi and delta V . These interactions proceeded in two steps, as revealed by a biphasic change of delta V with time . They were independent of the film molecular packing (fluid or gel states) and of the initial film pressure . Since it was possible to monitor the relative number of polymyxin B and didodecanoyl- or dihexadecanoylphosphatidylglycerol molecules in the monolayer, it is demonstrated that, at saturation, one polymyxin B molecule is bound to five phosphatidylglycerol molecules, a result which accounts for an exact neutralization of the charges . From competition experiments, it is shown that Na+ is ineffective in removing polymyxin B from the interface . Ca2+ appeared to be a stronger competitor but no complete antibiotic desorption was observed even at a Ca2+ concentration of 100 mM . As a working hypothesis, the antibiotic/lipid (1/5) system was assumed to constitute by itself one molecular species . The mixing of the polymyxin B/didodecanoylphosphatidylglycerol (1/5) system with an excess of lipid molecules in the monolayer was found to be ideal both in terms of pi and delta V . With dihexadecanoylphosphatidylglycerol, a small condensing effect could be detected only at intermediate surface pressures, in a region where the lipid phase transition occurred . The molecular area of polymyxin B interacting with didodecanoylphosphatidylglycerol can be calculated to be 1.23 +/- 0.05 nm2 . It is proposed that the whole antibiotic molecule penetrates the film, the five bound lipid molecules being distributed aroung the peptide structure, at given positions imposed by the five 2,4-diaminobutyric acid residues. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1980 Feb 27, 621(2), 338 - 42 Inhibition of tubulin assembly by ethylacetylacrylate, a sulfhydryl reagent and potential analog of cytochalasin A; Himes RH et al.; Ethyl acetylacrylate reacts rapidly with 2-mercaptoethanol and the sulfhydryl groups of tubulin . The structure of ethyl acetylacrylate resembles that of the reactive portion of cytochalasin A and potentially can serve as an analog of this antibiotic. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1980 Feb 15, 596(1), 137 - 40 Poly (d trp-L Leu), poly (D Phe-L Leu) and poly (D Val-L Val-D Val-L Ala) as model polymers for the elucidation of the gramicidin a conformation; Heitz F et al.; From infrared observations it is concluded that the conformation of poly (D Trp-L leu), poly (D Leu-L Trp), poly (D Phe-L leu) and poly (D val-L Val-D Val-L Ala) wich are model polymers of Gramicidin A is the same as one species of the antibiotic . Diffraction investigations indicate that poly-(D Phe-L Leu) and poly (D Val-L Val-D Val-L Ala) have a helical conformation which is most probably the pi DL 8 helix. Public Opin Q, 1979 Summer, 43(2), 206 - 17 Physician response rates to mail and personal interview surveys; Shosteck H et al.; This paper reports the outcome of a randomized experiment, sponsored by the Food and Drug Administration, which compares mail and personal administration of a 12-page questionnaire dealing with physician antibiotic prescription practices . To overcome the barrier created by the lack of clearly defined and accepted definitions of survey outcomes, the authors introduce six concepts for describing and comparing survey outcomes . Overall, mail surveys appear to require less time, to be less costly, and to generate higher response rates than equivalent personal contacts . The report describes methods for gaining maximum benefit from the mail technique. Chirurg, 1980 Feb, 51(2), 110 - 114 {Wound-healing disorders and mortality in one- and multi-stage sigma and rectum resections}; Kummer D et al.; From 1958 to 1978, the Surgical Clinic of the Tubingen University carried out 427 sigmoidal and rectal resections with a one-, two-, or three-stage proceeding . The comparison proves that, as was to be expected, the one-stage resection more often shows an anastomotic insufficiency . On the other hand, there occur less infections of the abdominal wall because of the absence of a smear-infection deriving from the temporary intestinal fistula . The primary lethality through anastomotical complications does not differ in the one-, two-, or three-stage proceeding if in the latter you effect an only mechanical cleaning of the inactive colon leg . The irrigation of the inactivated colon with an antibiotic solution before the tumor resection leads, compared to the cleaning with saline solution, to much less infections of the abdominal wall, less anastomotic insufficiencies and to the reduction of the primary lethality . This three-stage proceeding is, with a lethality of 1,5%, still the most secure action for the patient. Acta Orthop Scand, 1980 Feb, 51(1), 43 - 8 Effects of oxytetracycline on solubility and synthesis of collagen in young rats; Engesaeter LB et al.; In a recent study we demonstrated that the antibiotic oxytetracycline reduces both growth and mechanical strength of bone and skin in young rats . The present study deals with the effects of 14 days of oxytetracycline medication on salt solubility of collagen (cross-linking) and conversion of 14C-proline to 14C-hydroxyproline in collagen (synthesis) . At the end of the medication period, significantly higher solubility of collagen was found in the femurs and skin of rats receiving oxytetracycline than in controls . No effect of the antibiotic on the rate of collagen synthesis could be demonstrated . These findings may indicate that oxytetracycline in young rats causes reduced mechanical strength of bone and skin by interfering with the cross-linking of collagen. Jpn J Antibiot, 1980 Feb, 33(2), 219 - 26 {Animal test for evaluation of ototoxicity and safety of KW-1062 (author's transl)}; Akiyoshi M et al.; KW-1062, a new aminoglycoside antibiotic, was tested for the evaluation of audiotoxicity in administration at higher dosage and compared with the audiotoxicity of gentamicin . KW-1062 was given at dosage of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg intramuscularly for 4 weeks to each group consisting of 10 healthy guinea pigs, respectively . Gentamicin was administered at dosage of 25, 35, 50 and 100 mg/kg in the same way as in KW-1062 to the guinea pigs . In the present study the differential frequency pinna reflex test in the frequency range from 20 kHz to 0.5 kHz was performed before and during administration of the drugs, to evaluate the audiotoxicity . Comparison of number of animal with pinna reflex loss and extent of frequency range of pinna reflex loss revealed that KW-1062 at dose of 150 mg/kg is less audiotoxic than gentamicin at 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, and approximately equivalent in audiotoxicity to gentamicin at dose of 35 mg/kg. Antibiotiki, 1980 Feb, 25(2), 88 - 92 {Effect of lincomycin on its own producer, Actinomyces roseolus, during prolonged passage on a liquid culture medium}; Listvinova SN et al.; Act . roseolus rapidly lost its antibiotic activity on passages in liquid media . Degeneration with respect to the antibiotic production property was accompanied by changes in the physiological and morphological characteristics . The culture became low differentiated during the whole developmental cycle . The capacity of the ribosomes for formation of the polysomes and aggregation was decreased or completely lost . The developmental cycle of the culture was shortened because of earlier autolysis and limited formation of the daughter microcolonies . Lincomycin retarded the rate of these changes . The culture preserved its morphological similarity with the initial strain and its viability increased . Therefore, lincomycin promoted some stabilization of the properties of the culture during its passage. South Med J, 1980 Feb, 73(2), 183 - 4 Prostatic needle examination: current clinical concepts; Turner BI et al.; A survey of urologic training programs was undertaken to determine the clinical usage of needle biopsy technics in evaluating prostatic disease . The most popular procedure was transperineal (57%), performed on an inpatient basis (62%) . Transrectal biopsy was slightly less popular (43%), with 100% of the surveyed institutions using prebiopsy antibiotic coverage versus only 24% with the transperineal technic . An average of 3.25 cores per biopsy procedure were obtained . Various advantages and disadvantages of each procedure including the use of anesthesia and analgesia are discussed and future direction is proposed. Antibiotiki, 1980 Feb, 25(2), 140 - 4 {Comparison of carminomycin and rubomycin action on the dynamics of the immune response to the T-independent Vi-antigen of S . typhi}; Malkova IV; The effect of carminomycin and rubomycin on the dynamics of the primary immune response to T-independent Vi-antigen of S . typhi was studied . Differences in the character of the antibiotic effect indicative of the high selective effect of carminomycin on the multiplying cells or precursors of the antibody forming plasmocytes were noted . It was found that the carminomycin inhibitory effect on synthesis of hemagglutinins to Vi-antigen was higher than that to sheep red blood cells . Carminomycin was shown to impair the formation of the immunological memory, while rubomycin did not suppress the development of the "memory cell" clone to T-independent antigen. Jpn J Antibiot, 1980 Feb, 33(2), 138 - 49 {Acute toxicity of aclacinomycin A in mice, rats and dogs (author's transl)}; Shirai M et al.; New antitumor anthracycline antibiotic, aclacinomycin A was given to dd-mice and Wistar rats for acute toxicity study . The LD50 values were 29 approximately 39 mg/kg (i.v., i.p . and s.c.) and 62 approximately 69 mg/kg (p.o.) in mice, and 18 approximately 28 mg/kg (i.v., i.p . and s.c.) and 58 approximately 59 mg/kg (p.o.) in rats, respectively, which were calculated by mortality rate during a 14 day observation period . Depression of spontaneous activity, anorexia, diarrhea and slight alopecia were observed . Autopsy findings in animals killed by drug included atrophy of the thymus and spleen, and hyperemia and hemorrhage in the stomach and intestines . But no remarkable change was found in animals which survived through the observation period . Mongrel dogs were given the drug intravenously at 3, 5, 7.5, 10 and 15 mg/kg, respectively . All dogs (3/3) in the three higher dose groups and 1/3 dog in 5 mg/kg dose group died within day 0 approximately 5 . Others survived more than 27 days . Depression of spontaneous activity and anorexia were found from 30 minutes to 2 hours after administration, followed by vomiting and diarrhea . Increase of GOT, GPT and LDH and decrease of WBC count were detected in dogs which died . Hyperemia and hemorrhage of the lungs, stomach and intestine were found among the groups given higher doses, whereas no significant changes were recognized among the two lower dose groups. Br J Surg, 1980 Feb, 67(2), 93 - 6 Clindamycin in the treatment of soft tissue infections: a review of 15 019 patients; Wilson DH; A retrospective survey of 15 019 patients treated with clindamycin for a soft tissue infection was carried out to determine whether the incidence of serious side effects was sufficient to preclude the continuing use of this antibiotic . Thirteen patients were found to have had severe diarrhoea and 2 of these required inpatient treatment for pseudomembranous colitis . Certain limitations of the use of clindamycin are suggested but, in view of the recently improved understanding of the nature of pseudomembranous colitis and more effective methods of treatment of this complication, it is concluded that this antibiotic still has a useful role to play in the treatment of acute soft tissue infection. Arch Surg, 1980 Feb, 115(2), 203 - 5 Infected prosthetic grafts . Local therapy with graft preservation; Popovsky J et al.; Three cases of infected vascular prosthesis in the groin were treated successfully with antibiotics, local debridement, and continuous irrigation of the area with the appropriate antibiotic solution . We describe a system developed to permit steady instillation of antibiotic solution and complete drainage by suction to remove serous and necrotic material . In selected cases of infected vascular grafts, when they have not thrombosed, aggressive local and systemic therapy may control the infection and permit salvage of the prosthesis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 Feb, 17(2), 193 - 8 Sensitive assay for measuring tetracycline levels in gingival crevice fluid; Gordon JM et al.; An increased interest in the clinical use of antibiotics as an adjunct to periodontal therapy has created a need to determine antibiotic concentrations in fluid obtained from the gingival crevice . For this purpose, an increase in sensitivity beyond that possible with current tetracycline assays is essential because sample volumes of gingival fluid typically obtained are less than 0.5 microliter . This report describes the development of an agar-diffusion assay technique capable of measuring the concentration of tetracycline in samples of gingival crevice fluid in the range of 0.1 to 4.0 microgram/ml . The assay will detect amounts of tetracycline in gingival crevice fluid samples as low as 50 pg . The high sensitivity of this assay was achieved by optimizing the medium depth, inoculum density, agar concentration, pH, period of prediffusion, and selection of basal medium . Use of this assay indicated that the concentration of tetracylcine in gingival crevice fluid was greater than that found in blood and persisted at elevated levels for longer periods. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1980 Feb, 33(2), 226 - 30 Studies on antitumor activity of prumycin . III . Mode of action of prumycin on HeLa S-3 cells; Okubo S et al.; The mode of action of prumycin was investigated using synchronized and asynchronous cultured HeLa S-3 cells . Prumycin inhibited significantly the growth of HeLa S-3 cells at the concentration over 5 mcg/ml . DNA synthesis as well as protein synthesis was strongly inhibited at the concentration of 10 mcg/ml of prumycin, but RNA synthesis was not inhibited by the same concentration . Prumycin did not block the transition of the cells from M phase to G1 phase, however, G2 phase cells were blocked clearly by this antibiotic. MMW Munch Med Wochenschr, 1980 Jan 11, 122(2), 50 - 4 {The cerebral abscess (author's transl)}; Scharfetter F et al.; The incidence of cerebral abscess is assessed at 1 in 500,000 per annum, the relative frequency among neurosurgical operations at 2 per thousand . The most common mode of development is metastatic from chronic cranial or pulmonary infections . The abscess develops from the initial stage of the focal encephalitis, often with few symptoms, after a latent stage of weeks or months to the third stage of the manifest encapsulated cerebral abscess, a macroscopicsketch of which is drawn . In metastatic and advanced abscesses resulting from chronic infection, anaerobic organisms predominate, in primary cerebral infections due to trauma or operation, aerophilic colonization . Among the clinical diagnostic procedures computer tomography is dominant . The results of combined antibiotic and surgical therapy are good with early computer tomography: mortality less than 2% . postoperative morbidity is, however, more than 15%. J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris), 1980, 9(5), 557 - 9 {Suppurative endometritis of a pregnancy . A diagnosis made during a caesarean operation (author's transl)}; Elhaik S et al.; An endometritis with abscess formation in pregnancy is very rare . A case that was discovered during a caesarean operation is described . The diagnosis is difficult because there is not much in the way of symptoms . The aetiology could be an infection of the cervix and vagina, a long-standing endometritis or a maternal extra-genital infection . Apart from antibiotic therapy the best treatment seems to be as conservative as possible. Infection, 1980, 8 Suppl 2, S209 - 11 Case report of actinomycosis caused by Arachnia propionica; Novak A et al.; Arachnia propionica was isolated from a cervicofacial lesion . During the antibiotic therapy the swelling was measured . A response to ampicillin was observed. Cytogenet Cell Genet, 1980, 28(1-2), 87 - 94 Demonstration of a heritable fragile site in human chromosome 16 with distamycin A; Schmid M et al.; Fragile sites are induced in chromosome 16 (band q22) of lymphocytes from some individuals, when the lymphocyte cultures are treated with the oligopeptide antibiotic distamycin A . These induced fragile sites are inherited in a Mendelian fashion; there are interfamilial differences in their appearance . The interactions between distamycin A and chromosomal DNA and the possible composition of the DNA at the induced fragile sites are discussed. Biopharm Drug Dispos, 1980 Jan-Mar, 1(3), 127 - 32 The effect of displacement from protein binding on serum and tissue fluid levels of cephazolin; Polacek I et al.; Displacement of cephazolin, a highly protein-bound beta-lactam antibiotic, by sulpha-phenazole was studied in vitro and in vivo . In vitro, the sulphonamide was effective in displacing the antibiotic from its binding sites at the concentration 100--1000 mumol 1(-1) . In vivo, both the serum and the tissue fluid concentration of free cephazolin increased significantly in rats concomitantly treated with sulphaphenazole. Arch Exp Veterinarmed, 1980, 34(4), 515 - 26 {Control of puerperium in swine under conditions of extremely shortened nursing method . 1 . Results of histological studies in postpartum involution and regeneration of the uterus under conditions of extremely shortened nursing period and medicamentous control of puerperium}; Rummer HJ et al.; Uterus tissue samples were taken from 31 sows which had been under regimes of extremely shortened nursing periods and differentiated medication to control their puerperium . The samples were taken following laparotomy during the first postpartum oestrus as well as in subsequent phases of the cycle and histologically tested for puerperal involution and regeneration . The endometrium and myometrium of sows in oestrus were found to be in a condition which widely corresponded to normal oestrus condition of the uterus wall, when their piglets had been weaned in the third postpartum week . However, untreated sows in oestrus, whose piglets had been weaned extremely soon, that is in the second postpartum week, displayed numerous signs of inadequate postpartum involution and regeneration . Oxytocin was found to work well in speeding up regeneration of both the endometrium and myometrium . Intramuscular injection of twice nine International Units per die, from the first through ninth days postpartum, helped to complete largely all regeneration processes up to the first oestrus, when piglets had been weaned in the second postpartum week . Oral antibiotic medication (chlortetracycline) and parenteral application of vitamins failed to produce any substantive and histologically recordable effect on puerperal involution processes. Acta Paediatr Acad Sci Hung, 1980, 21(1), 15 - 7 Appendicitis in premature babies; Kontor EJ et al.; From 1st January, 1973, to 30th September, 1977, 11 cases of appendicitis were observed in premature babies . All patients were subjected to operation . One patient was lost . For the diagnosis, anamnestic data concerning infections, the general and localized symptoms, laboratory data and X-ray findings should be taken into consideration . Close observation of the patient is necessary for determining the optimum time for surgery . This and rational antibiotic and postoperative therapy are essential in the treatment of the condition. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1980, 25(6), 464 - 6 Production of rhodomycins in Streptomyces griseoruber 4620; Podojil M et al.; The strain Streptomyces griseoruber 4620 produces, besides the anthracycline antibiotics beromycins, some other anthracyclines of the rhodomycin type . Twelve isolates exhibiting a higher antibiotic activity (up to 2.5X), as compared to the parent strain, were obtained after a spontaneous selection . The following species were isolated from the hydrolysate of mycelial extract: beta-rhodomycinone, beta-isorhodomycinone, alpha 2-rhodomycinone, epsilon-rhodomycinone and 10-deoxy-beta-rhodomycinone, which has not yet been described. J Int Med Res, 1980, 8(Suppl 1), 58 - 63 Tissue and fluid concentrations of cefadroxil monohydrate; Bernhardt LL; In summary, there are several tissues and fluids in which the penetration of cefadroxil appears to be superior to that of other antibiotics, including other cephalosporins . A possible explanation for this relates to the characteristic solubility of cefadroxil in both aqueous and lipid solvents . A study comparing IV, IM and PO administration of cefadroxil appears to support this thesis . Clinically, based on work which shows that patients who had higher concentrations of antibiotic in sputum made a faster recovery, cefadroxil may have an advantage since sputum is one of the fluids in which the drug appears to have superior and earlier penetration . In addition, in comparison with cephalexin, penetration of skin-blister fluid by cefadroxil was superior, suggesting an advantage in treating disorders of the skin and skin structures, such as impetigo . The possibility of different dosage requirements for male and female patients, based on the difference in the availability of lipid deposit sites, cannot be considered clinically significant at this time. Czech Med, 1980, 3(3), 191 - 7 Infection in vascular prosthesis; Malek P et al.; 1 . The method of protected coagulum has withstood the test of time for three decades and, as confirmed by the literature, its principle has been in recent years increasingly applied in the form of single-dose perioperative administration of antibiotics . 2 . The method has proved its value in vascular prosthesis as blood coagula are the source of morphogenesis of the vascular wall in prosthesis . 3 . In 1 657 patients undergoing arterial reconstructive procedures the method reduced infection rate of 0.9% . 4 . There is experimental evidence that, given in therapeutically active doses, tobramycin, lincomycin and cephazolin form protected coagula with prolonged antibiotic action. J Fr Ophtalmol, 1980, 3(6-7), 401 - 8 {The ocular toxicity of cephaloridine - A clinical and experimental study (author's transl)}; Turut P et al.; Cephaloridine is an antibiotic well known for its remarkable efficacy and absence of ocular toxicity . However four cases have been reported with severe ocular affect; a unilateral retinitis pigmentosa with extinction of the E.R.G . and total irreversible blindness has been noted in three cases after sub-conjunctival or intra-camerular injection of cephaloridine, one case showed a slight improvement . In an experimental study undertaken on rabbits no ocular toxicity has been noted during sub-conjunctival or intra-camerular injection whilst very low doses of intravitreous injection reproduce exactly the same facts as observed in man . These various studies give proof of the ocular toxicity of cephaloridine and involves particular caution in its utilizaiton for endo-ocular diseases. Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1980, 20(4), 265 - 9 Stability of Streptomyces hygroscopicus IMET JA 6599 under different cultivation conditions in the chemostat; Hilliger M et al.; The stability of the macrolide antibiotic-producing strain Streptomyces hygroscopicus IMET 6599 (wild type) was investigated during cultivation in a chemostat with glucose limitation . No changes in the antibiotic-producing ability were found . But under special experimental conditions which consist of a sequence of nearly steady states interrupted by batch processes linked with excess of glucose, colonies with vigorous changed morphology and a green pigment after transfer to surface culture were obtained . The antibiotic activity of th