Antimicrobial activity of Enterococcus faecalis against Listeria monocytogenes

Six strains of Enterococcus faecalis were tested for antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes. Using the agar spot test, E. faecalis NRIC 1143 and 1144 showed strong activity against all of five strains of L. monocytogenes tested. Antimicrobial activities of these strains were inhibited by some proteolytic enzymes.     

Effect of metoclopramide-induced prolactin on aldosterone secretion in normal subjects

We investigated the role of prolactin (PRL) on modurating the secretion of aldosterone in normal male subjects. Metoclopramide (5mg) which causes a significant rise of PRL was given by intravenous injection. The peak of PRL level at 30 min. after i.v. injection of metoclopramide (20.0 ± 1.6 ng/ml, mean ± S.E.) was significantly higher than the basal level (6.4 ± 2.1 ng/ml, P < 0.01), but plasma aldosterone, serum sodium, potassium and plasma renin activity did not change significantly throughout the period of the study. Cortisol levels, however, reduced significantly after 30 min. and remained significantly low, probably because of diurnal variation. Present results suggest that PRL might at least not play a physiological role on regulating the secretion of aldosterone in man.     

Raman spectroscopic studies on the interaction between divalent counterion and polyion

The nature of the interaction between polyacrylalc ion and several divalent cations, such as Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ba²⁺ and Mg²⁺, was investigated using Raman spectroscopy. A specific Raman band characteristic of a carboxyl group is shifted upon addition of Cu²⁺. Zn²⁺ and Mn²⁺ to partially neutralized poly(acrylic acid). On the other hand. no frequency shift of the specific Raman band is observed on addition of Mg²⁺ and Ba²⁺*, though the intensity of the specific Raman band decreases with concentration of MgCl₂. It is concluded from these Raman data that the interaction between polyacrylatc ion and Cu²⁺. Zn²⁺ or Mn²⁺ includes a specific interaction with bond formation, whereas in the case of Mg²⁺ and Ba²⁺, the electrostatic interaction is dominant.     

Imaging modalities for monitoring acute therapeutic effects after near-infrared photoimmunotherapy in vivo

Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) induces immediate cell death after irradiation with near-infrared (NIR) light. Acute therapeutic effects caused by NIR-PIT before the change of tumor size is essential to be monitored by imaging modalities. We summarized and compared the imaging modalities for evaluating acute therapeutic effects after NIR-PIT, and aimed to provide a better understanding of advantages and disadvantages of each modality for evaluation in clinical applications. Fluorescence imaging and fluorescence lifetime, with high resolution, remains high accumulation of fluorescence dyes in the normal organs. High resolution and noninvasiveness are the major advantages of magnetic resonance imaging, while ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography provides information about the glucose metabolism. Optical coherence tomography provided more information about the blood vessels. Thus, all of the imaging modalities play an important role in evaluating acute therapeutic effects after NIR-PIT. Clinicians should choose suitable modality according to specific purpose and conditions in clinical application.     

Presence of a Na+-activated ATPase in the Plasma Membrane of the Marine Raphidophycean Heterosigma akashiwo

Highly purified plasma membranes were isolated from Heterosigmaakashiwo cells, a marine raphidophycean unicellular biflagellate,by the silica microbead method, and the ATPase activity of themembranes was characterized. The ionic requirements and spectrumof effective inhibitors enable us to identify a novel Na⁺-activatedATPase in the plasma membrane of this organism. Furthermore,we detected two phosphorylated intermediate forms of ATPases,with molecular weights of 150 kDa and 95 kDa as judged by acidSDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of extracts of isolatedplasma membrane. The 150 kDa intermediate was phosphorylated in the presenceof both Mg²⁺ and Na⁺, while the 95 kDa intermediate was phosphorylatedin the presence of Mg²⁺ alone. Both were dephosphorylated inthe presence of monovalent cations. These results indicate thatthe former intermediate was a Na⁺-activated ATPase, similarto Na⁺,K⁺-ATPases from animals, and the latter was similar toH⁺,K⁺-ATPases from higher plants. The physiological significanceof the two kinds of ATPase in the plasma membrane of marinealgae. (Received March 15, 1989; Accepted June 23, 1989)     

Hyperreninemia and hypertension observed during Kaufmann therapy of patients with gonadal dysgenesis and hypopituitarism

Cyclic replacement therapy using estrogen and progesterone was instituted in 28 patients with gonadal dysgenesis and 13 patients with hypopituitarism. When estriol was given at a dose of 2 mg per day, 10 patients (9 gonadal dysgenesis and 1 hypopituitarism) developed hyperreninemia and 3 of the 10 patients (all gonadal dysgenesis) were associated with hypertension. These side effects subsided within 6 months when the therapy was discontinued or the dose of estriol was decreased to 1 mg per day in addition to beta-blocker. Hypercholesterolemia was observed in 8 patients, but not related to high blood pressure. Attention should be paid to plasma renin activity and blood pressure when estrogen and progesterone are given for the development of genitalia in patients with gonadal dysgenesis.     

Effort-reward imbalance and its association with health among permanent and fixed-term workers

Background  

In the past decade, the changing labor market seems to have rejected the traditional standards employment and has begun to support a variety of non-standard forms of work in their place. The purpose of our study was to compare the degree of job stress, sources of job stress, and association of high job stress with health among permanent and fixed-term workers.