A Xanthanolide with Potent Antibacterial Activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

This study was conducted to find constituents of an annual herb, Xanthium sibiricum Patr er Widd, with effective antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). By monitoring antibacterial activity against MRSA strains, it was shown that a sesquiterpene lactone, identified as [3aR-(3aα,7β,8aβ)]-3,3a,4,7,8,8a-hexahydro-7-methyl-3-methylene-6-(3-oxo-1-butenyl)-2H-cyclohepta[b]furan-2-one, or xanthatin, isolated from leaves of the herb, had outstandingly potent activity against S. aureus species, including MRSA; its activity against MRSA and MSSA strains was similar. Other bacteria, e.g. Staphylococcus epidermidis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi, were also susceptible at the concentrations tested but the compound had no inhibitory effect on some other bacteria, including Escherichia coli. The results show that xanthatin has outstandingly potent activity against strains of S. aureus but that the activity of the compound is highly species-specific.     

Effect of okadaic acid on histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells activated by anti-IgE

Abstract— The effect of okadaic acid, a potent inhibitor of protein phosphatase 1 and 2A, on histamine release from mast cells has been investigated. Okadaic acid strongly and dose-dependently inhibited histamine release from mast cells induced by anti-IgE. The IC50 value of okadaic acid on histamine release induced by anti-IgE was 3·2 Nm. However, okadaic acid failed to inhibit histamine release induced by A23187 and compound 48/80. Moreover, okadaic acid showed no effect on the initial rise in intracellular Ca²⁺, Ca²⁺-mobilization from intracellular Ca²⁺-stores and the generation of inositol trisphosphate. These results suggest a possible involvement of protein phosphatase 2A in the histamine release from mast cells induced by anti-IgE.     

Prognostic significance of thrombocytosis in renal cell carcinoma patients

Background: Thrombocytosis has been reported in many types of malignancies and has been studied as a prognostic factor. In the present study, we examined the incidence of thrombocytosis in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in order to evaluate the prognostic value of thrombocytosis. Methods: One hundred and ninety‐six patients treated by radical nephrectomy for RCC were enrolled in this study. We divided the patients into a normal platelet count group and a thrombocytosis group according to the presurgical platelet count. The two groups were compared pathologically and clinically, including prognosis. Results: Thrombocytosis was present in 16 patients (8.2%). Platelet counts had normalized after nephrectomy in all patients with thrombocytosis. There was no correlation between histological type or grade and thrombocytosis. However, there were correlations between thrombocytosis and tumor size and tumor stage. Patients with thrombocytosis had a worse prognosis than patients without thrombocytosis (P = 0.0028). When adjusted for stage or tumor size, the correlation was limited to low stage (stage 1 + 2: P = 0.0041, stage 3 + 4: P = 0.2983) or small tumors (tumor size: ≤4 cm, P = 0.0021; 4–7 cm, P = 0.0142; >7 cm, P = 0.8158). Conclusion: Thrombocytosis is an inexpensive and easy tool with which to evaluate the prognosis of RCC patients in daily medical practice.     

Perinephric urinoma secondary to neurogenic bladder with vesicoureteral reflux: Report of an adult case

We report a case of infectious perinephric urinoma in a 73-year-old woman who had a neurogenic bladder with vesico-ureteral reflux. The patient was admitted to our emergency room with right lumbago and high fever. Ultrasounds and computed tomography demonstrated a right large perinephric cystic mass, bilateral hydronephrosis and much residual urine. Percutaneous drainage of the cystic mass was performed with an indwelling urethral catheter. The content of the mass was urine infected with Escherichia coli. Antibiotic therapy was performed successfully and we then examined the cause of the urinoma. A urodynamic study demonstrated a low-compliance small bladder and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. A voiding cystourethrogram revealed right grade III vesicoureteral reflux. The patient was unable to be cleared with intermittent catheterization and had an indwelling urethral catheter inserted. In 1 year, the voiding cystourethrogram showed no vesicoureteral reflux and the patient was well with no evidence of recurrent urinoma without the urethral catheter. There have been only two reported cases of urinoma caused by neurogenic bladder with vesico-ureteral reflux in children and this is the first case reported in an adult.     

Renal silica calculi in an infant

We report on a rare case of urinary silica calculi in a 10-month-old boy. The boy showed acute pyelonephritis with left hydronephrosis. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a calculus at the left ureteropelvic junction and three additional calculi in the left renal pelvis. Because his acute pyelonephritis was refractory to conventional chemotherapy, the patient underwent successful left percutaneous nephrostomy followed by percutaneous nephrolithotripsy for the renal calculi. All stones disappeared and his postoperative course was uneventful. On infrared spectrophotometry, the wavelength pattern of the stones exhibited two peaks at 1100 and 1650 cm(-1), consistent with the determination that the calculi consisted of a mixture of silicate (78%) and calcium oxalate (22%). We consider that the etiology of the calculi in this child can be ascribed to the silicate-rich water used to dilute milk. In Japan, 46 adult patients with urinary silicate calculi have been reported in the literature; however, there is no report of the disease in an infant in Japan.     

Advanced prostate cancer with extremely low prostate-specific antigen value at diagnosis: An example of high dose hook effect

A 67-year-old man presented with a lower abdominal mass. Radiographic examination revealed a huge mass filling the entire pelvis. Although prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 1.4 ng/ml, percutaneous needle biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma compatible with prostate cancer, which stained positive for PSA. Hormone therapy was initiated and 1 month later his PSA was as high as 2713 ng/ml, although the mass had decreased in size. High dose hook effect was suspected and hormone therapy was continued. PSA is presently under control and below 0.1 ng/ml. When prostate cancer with very high PSA is suspected and the PSA value is unexpectedly low hook effect should be considered and PSA should be re-analyzed.     

A case of Turner syndrome with schizophrenia: Genetic relationship between Turner syndrome and psychosis

Abstract An 82-year-old woman with Turner syndrome and schizophrenia, and her 46-year-old daughter with schizophrenia are described. 45X/46XX chromosomal mosaicism was identified in the peripheral leukocytes of the mother, who showed several Turner dysmorphisms and cavum septi pellucidum in the brain. She had a normal reproductive life-span. The daughter resembled the mother in terms of schizophrenic symptoms, but she did not show any signs of Turner dysmorphism or chromosomal abnormality. The phenotype-karyotype relationship of Turner syndrome and the genetic relationship with psychosis are discussed.     

Pharmacokinetic behaviour in polymorphonuclear leucocytes of N,N-dimethylcarbamoylmethyl α,2-dimethyl-5H-[1]benzopyrano[2,3-b]-pyridine-7-acetate (Y-23023), a new prodrug type of antiinflammatory agent,and indomethacin after oral administrations in rats

Abstract— N,N-Dimethylcarbamoylmethyl α,2-dimethyl-5H-[1]-benzopyrano[2,3-b]pyridine-7-acetate (Y-23023) is a prodrug developed as a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Y-23023 is rapidly hydrolysed to an active metabolite, α,2-dimethyl-5H-[1]benzopyrano[2,3-b]pyridine-7-acetic acid (M₁) following its absorption and then exhibits a strong anti-inflammatory activity. We have examined the pharmacokinetic behaviour in polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) of M₁ and of indomethacin after oral administration to rats of Y-23023 and indomethacin, respectively. Y-23023 was rapidly absorbed, producing a mean C_max (1·13 μg mL^?1) of M₁ after 1 h in plasma. Indomethacin was less rapidly absorbed, producing a mean C_max (3·38 μg mL^?1) after 3 h in plasma. The mean AUC of M₁ and indomethacin in plasma were 5·45 μg h mL^?1 and 22·49 μg h mL^?1, respectively. The mean t_max, C_max and AUC of M1 in PMNs were 1 h, 11·1 ng (41 pmol)/10⁸ cells and 58·6 ng (164 pmol) h/10⁸ cells, respectively. The same parameters for indomethacin in the PMNs were 3 h, 15·4 ng (57 pmol)/10⁸ cells and 95·2 ng (266 pmol) h/10⁸ cells, respectively. The PMNs/plasma ratio of M₁ was about 2·8 times that of indomethacin. These results indicate that the association of M₁, an active metabolite of Y-23023, from blood to the PMNs is greater than that of indomethacin.     

Non-existence of a positive correlation between urinary levels of α1 -microglobulin and ulinastatin in patients with Parkinson's disease

Urinary levels of a,-microglobulin (αlM) and of ulinastatin (UT) and the αlM/UT ratio did not differ significantly between age-matched controls and patients with Parkinson's disease, and among subdivided groups based on Yahr's stages in Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, these indexes did not correlate with Yahr's stages. Although αlM and UT levels did not correlate in patients with Parkinson's disease, a positive correlation was observed in the control group. The non-existence of a positive correlation between αlM and UT levels distinguishes Parkinson's disease from other neuropsychiatric diseases such as dementia (Alzheimer-type and vascular dementia), schizophrenia and mood disorder.