Optical rotary connector.

As optical fiber usage widens, a new kind of optical fiber connector becomes necessary. This connector would be connecting two optical fiber bundles with different speeds around an axis without interruption. It is difficult to make such a connector, especially one with a hollow axis used for mechanical power transmissions.

Comparison of two bromovinyl nucleoside analogs, 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-E-5-(2-bromovinyl)uracil and E-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine, with acyclovir in inhibition of Epstein-Barr virus replication.

The effect of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-E-5-(2-bromovinyl)uracil (BV-araU), a new antiviral drug, on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was studied and compared with those of E-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (BVdU) and acyclovir (ACV). BV-araU effectively inhibited EBV replication both in superinfected Raji cells and in virus producer P3HR-1(LS) cells, as determined by density gradient centrifugation, in situ cytohybridization with an EBV DNA probe, and cRNA-DNA hybridization. The 50% effective doses for viral DNA replication were 0.

Efficacies of antiherpesvirus nucleosides against two strains of herpes simplex virus type 1 in Vero and human embryo lung fibroblast cells.

Antiviral activities of five nucleoside analogs against the VR-3 and WT-34 strains of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) were investigated in Vero and human embryo lung fibroblast (HEL) cells. In HEL cells, the compounds showed antiviral activities against both strains of HSV-1, but in Vero cells, the antiviral activities of the compounds were reduced in proportion to their antiviral indexes (the 50% inhibitory dose [ID50] for cell growth divided by the 50% plaque reduction dose for virus). The ratio of the ID50 in Vero cells to the ID50 in HEL cells was larger in VR-3-infected cells than in WT-34-infected cells.

Metoclopramide in gastroesophageal reflux of infancy.

This study examined the effect of metoclopramide on lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, and frequency and duration of reflux episodes in 28 children (mean age (+/- SD) 9 +/- 11 months) referred for evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Esophageal manometry was performed before and after one intravenous dose of metoclopramide (0.125 mg/kg), and esophageal pH was monitored over a 24-hour baseline period, followed by oral metoclopramide therapy (0.

Esophageal function following Livaditis repair of long gap esophageal atresia.

Proximal pouch esophagomyotomy (Livaditis) allows for repair of long gap esophageal atresia (EA). Postoperative esophageal functional studies in these patients are lacking. Six such infants were followed for up to 42 months.

Palatopharyngeal incompetence in association with esophageal dysmotility, acquired glucocorticoid deficiency, and deficient tear production.

An 8 1/2-year-old male is described with the rare triad of acquired adrenal insufficiency, esophageal dysfunction, and alacrima. In addition, he had velopharyngeal insufficiency, which is a previously unreported feature of this syndrome. Although the pathophysiology of this disorder remains to be demonstrated, a defect may be present, linking hormone-receptor cyclic AMP-mediated processes with abnormalities in parasympathetic and voluntary neuronal innervation or transmission.

Comparative metabolism of E-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine and 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-E-5-(2-bromovinyl)uracil in herpes simplex virus-infected cells.

The antiviral activities and metabolic fates of E-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (BrVdUrd) and 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-E-5-(2-bromovinyl)uracil (BrVaraUra) were compared in a dThd kinase-deficient human fibroblast cell line, infected with parental strains of herpes simplex virus, and other strains expressing no viral dThd kinase activity. Metabolic experiments were performed at concentrations well above the ID50 for each compound because radiolabeled agents were not available. BrVaraUra and its nucleotides qualitatively displayed chromatographic and anabolic characteristics which closely paralleled those of BrVdUrd and its nucleotides.

Antiviral activity of various 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-E-5-halogenovinyluracils and E-5-bromovinyl-2'-deoxyuridine against salmon herpes virus, Oncorhynchus masou virus (OMV).

1-beta-D-Arabinofuranosyl-E-5-bromovinyluracil (BVaraU), 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-E-5-iodovinyluracil (IVaraU), 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-E-5-chlorovinyluracil (CVaraU) and 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-5-vinyluracil (VaraU) were examined for antiviral activity against salmon herpesvirus, Oncorhynchus masou virus (OMV) in vitro using Yamame (Oncorhynchus masou) kidney cells (YNK). BVaraU, IVaraU, CVaraU and VaraU were highly active against OMV; 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50): 0.01, 0.

Susceptibility of varicella-zoster virus to thymidine analogues.

Ten strains of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) were tested for susceptibility to 17 nucleoside analogues by a plaque reduction assay using human embryonic lung fibroblast cells. The compounds employed were 5-substituted arabinosyluracils and 2'-deoxyuridines, 2'-fluoro-arabinosylpyrimidines (F-araPyr) and acyclovir. In terms of the 50% plaque reduction dose (PD50), 4- to 40-fold difference were found between the 10 strains of VZV in susceptibilities to each compound.

Comparison of susceptibilities of varicella-zoster virus and herpes simplex viruses to nucleoside analogs.

The susceptibilities of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) to 17 nucleoside analogs were compared by a plaque reduction assay with human embryonic lung fibroblast cells. The susceptibility of VZV to certain nucleoside analogs was different from that of HSV-1. Against VZV the 5-halogenovinyl-arabinosyluracils were the most potent of the compounds tested.

In vitro and in vivo antiviral activity of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-E-5-(2-bromovinyl)uracil (BV-araU) and related compounds.

BV-araU and related compounds such as CV-araU, IV-araU and BV-araUMP showed marked activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in human embryonic lung fibroblast cells. BV-araU, CV-araU and BV-araUMP were also effective in mice infected intracerebrally with HSV-1. Especially, when mice were infected with a low dose of virus, both intravenous and oral treatment with BV-araU proved capable of increasing the mean survival time and decreasing the final mortality of the infected mice.

Antigenicity of mouse interferons induced in vitro and in vivo by poly(I).poly(C).

Various mouse IFNs induced by poly(I).poly(C) or poly(ICLC) were analyzed for the antigenic types by neutralization tests using anti-IFN-alpha and anti-IFN-beta antibodies. The IFN samples included IFNs produced by L cells, by spleen cells in vitro and ex vivo, and in plasma of mice injected with the inducers.

Spondylolysis of the axis. Report of four cases.

Spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis of the cervical spine, especially of the upper cervical spine, is very rare. The authors report four cases of spondylolysis of the axis and outline its roentgenographic features for differential diagnosis. The clinical course of the cases and the unvarying roentgenographic findings throughout the course strongly suggest that the lesion is congenital in origin.

Oxidation of acetylpolyamines by extracellular polyamine oxidase produced by Penicillium sp. No. PO-1.

The oxidation of acetylpolyamines by an extracellular polyamine oxidase of Penicillium sp. No. PO-1 was investigated.

Comparison of the in vitro and in vivo anti-herpes activities of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylthymine and its 5'-monophosphate.

In vitro and in vivo anti-herpes activities of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylthymine 5'-monophosphate (ara-TMP) were compared with those of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylthymine (ara-T). On a molar basis ara-TMP was almost as active as ara-T against six strains of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) as monitored by a cytopathogenicity-inhibition and a plaque reduction assay in human embryonic lung fibroblast cells. When tested against experimental encephalitis in mice inoculated intracerebrally with HSV-1, intraperitoneal or intravenous treatment with 150 mg/kg/day of ara-TMP or 100 mg/kg/day of ara-T, for 5 days was effective in increasing in the mean survival time of mice.

[Effect of interferon inducer (poly ICLC) in the treatment of malignant brain tumor (author's transl)].

Interferon inducing activity, antitumor activity and toxicity of poly ICLC (poly IC stabilized with poly L-Lysine and carboxymethyl cellulose) in rodents were studied. SD strain rats were injected intravenously with poly IC or poly ICLC. Interferon in rat plasma was assayed by a plaque reduction method using stomatitis virus.

Inhibitory effects of antiherpesviral thymidine analogs against varicella-zoster virus.

Thymidine analogs highly active against herpes simplex virus were compared in their inhibitory action against seven strains of varicella-zoster virus by a plaque reduction assay. E-5-Bromovinyl-arabinosyluracil (BV-ara-U) was most active, followed by E-5 chlorovinyl-arabinosyluracil, E-5-bromovinyl-2'-deoxyuridine (BV-dUrd), 2'-fluoro-5-methyl-arabinosyluracil, 2'-fluoro-5-iodo-arabinosylcytosine, arabinosylthymine, 5-vinyl-arabinosyluracil, acycloguanosine, and 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine, in order to decreasing activity. BV-ara-U was more than 10 times as active as BV-dUrd and almost completely inhibited plaque development of five strains of varicella-zoster virus at a concentration as low as 1 ng/ml.