Role of cell-mediated immunity in the resistance to experimental sporotrichosis in mice

The in vitro activity of several new imidazoles, cloconazole, sulconazole, butoconazole, isoconazole and fenticonazole, were compared with those of amphothericin B, flucytosine, and three azoles: econazole, miconazole and ketoconazole against isolates of pathogenic Candida. A total of 186 clinical isolates of 10 species of the genus Candida and two culture collection strains were tested by an agar-dilution technique. Isoconazole was the most active azole, followed by butoconazole and sulconazole. Differences between some of the species in their susceptibility to the antifungal agents were noted. Sulconazole and cloconazole had the highest activity in vitro against 106 isolates of C. albicans. Butoconazole and isoconazole were also very active against isolates of C. albicans, and were the most active azole compounds against 80 isolates of Candida spp.     

Localization of the feline sarcoma virus fgr gene product (P70gag-actin-fgr): association with the plasma membrane and detergent-insoluble matrix.

The v-fgr oncogene codes for a unique transforming protein (P70gag-actin-fgr) that contains virus-specific determinants and cell-derived sequences for both a tyrosine-specific kinase domain and an actin domain. We examined the subcellular distribution of the v-fgr protein by immunofluorescence microscopy and various cell fractionation techniques. By immunofluorescence, the v-fgr protein was localized in a diffuse cytoplasmic pattern within transformed cells. The v-fgr protein was not detectable at substratum adhesion sites. Crude membrane preparations (P100) obtained from fgr-transformed cells contained elevated levels of P70gag-actin-fgr. Further analysis of membranes on discontinous sucrose gradients revealed that P70gag-actin-fgr cofractionated with plasma membranes. Using an alternate method of fractionation, we found that the majority of the v-fgr protein remained with the insoluble matrix obtained by treating cells with a buffer containing Triton X-100. When membranes were similarly treated with detergent, nearly all of v-fgr protein remained with the residual insoluble matrix. These results suggest that the transforming activity of P70gag-actin-fgr may be directed to subcellular cytoskeletal targets at or near the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane.     

DETERMINATION OF GUSTATORY SUCROSE THRESHOLD IN WATER BY USE OF A LINEAR SUCROSE GRADIENT

A novel experimental method was developed which allows the determination of the threshold concentration of sucrose by use of a linear sucrose gradient in water. With this method a continuous tasting of the test-liquid is possible. A panel of 15 persons experienced in taste-testing was used. Three gradients of different steepness were applied: 0 to 1.5% (w/w) sucrose in 2 min (I), 3 min (II) and 4 min (III). The results of the new method were compared with those of the standard method (DIN). With gradients I and II we found values which were significantly higher than those of the standard method (I: 0.49% (w/w); II: 0.46% (w/w); DIN: 0.31% (w/w)), whereas with gradient III the same threshold value was found as with the DIN-Method (III: 0.32% (w/w)).     

Effect of supplementall-tyrosine on pigment production in cultures of the Legionnaires' disease bacterium

The etiologic agent of Legionnaires' disease grows on certain agar media. Cultures of this organism on supplemented Mueller-Hinton agar are characterized by the appearance of brown pigment in and around areas of bacterial growth. The major peptone source in Mueller-Hinton agar is an acid hydrolysate of casein. Legionnaires' disease bacterium also grows on a medium in which the peptone source is 0.25% yeast extract, but no pigment is produced. If the yeast extract agar is enriched withl-tyrosine, pigment formation can occur. Pigmentation of cultures of Legionnaires' disease bacterium may be mediated by a phenolo-monooxygenase, or tyrosinase.     

应用气-质联用仪测定三种螺旋藻中的甾醇成分

应用GLC/MS联用仪对室内培养的钝顶螺旋藻(Spirulina platensis (Nordstedt) Geitler)、极大螺旋藻(S.maxima (Stechell & Gardiner) Geitler)和盐泽螺旋藻(S.subsalsa Oerst)的甾醇成分进行了测定。从钝顶螺旋藻和盐泽螺旋藻中共分出11个相同的甾醇组分:胆甾醇、胆甾烷醇、芸苔甾醇、麦角甾醇、海绵甾醇、菜子甾醇、豆甾醇、24-乙基-Δ~(5,7,22)-胆甾醇、β-谷甾醇、异岩藻甾醇和4α,23,24-三甲基Δ~(5,22)-胆甾醇;从极大螺旋藻中只分离出8个甾醇组分。其中胆甾醇含量最高。4α,23,24-三甲基-Δ~(5,22)-胆甾醇为蓝藻中首次报导。     

Biopharmaceutical studies of spirobishexahydropyrimidine.

Oral administration of spirobishexahydropyrimidine showed an increase in the activity of serum transaminases, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase. Biological half life and other pharmacokinetic parameters showed rapid absorption and slow elimination of the drug.     

Biopharmaceutical studies of 3-substituted isatin derivatives

The metabolic fate of isatin hydrazone (Ia), isatin-3-thiosemicarbazone (Ib), isatin-3-semicarbazone (Ic), isatin-3-phenylhydrazone (Id), isatin oxime (Ie) and 3-hydroxy-3-acetonyl oxindole (II) was studied in rabbits. The compounds were administered orally in the dose of 300 mg/kg body wt. Isatin anthranilic acid, tryptophan and nicotinic acid were identified as the major metabolites excreted in urine. The 3-hydroxy-3-acetonyl oxindole (II) gave on additional metabolite, oxindole. The major metabolites were separated and identified unambiguously on thin layer silica gel plate. Metabolic pathways have been proposed to explain the biotransformation of the compounds investigated.     

Amphotropic host range of naturally occuring wild mouse leukemia viruses.

Seven murine leukemia virus field isolates (uncloned) from wild mice (Musmusculus) of four widely separated areas in southern California show an unusually wide in vitro host range. They replicate well in human, feline, canine, guinea pig, rabbit, rat, and mouse cells, whereas bovine, hamster, and avian cells are resistant. Since this host range includes that of both mouse tropic (ecotropic) and xenotropic murine leukemia viruses, they are designated as "amphotropic". No purely xenotropic virus component is detectable in these field isolates. They may represent the "wild" or ancestral viruses from which the ecotropic and xenotrophic murine leukemia virus strains of laboratory mice have been derived.