Synthesis of possible metabolites of 1-cyclopropyl-1,4-dihydro-6-fluoro-5-methyl-7-(3-methyl-1-piperazinyl)- 4-oxo-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid (Grepafloxacin, OPC-17116).

Grepafloxacin (1-cyclopropyl-1,4-dihydro-6-fluoro-5-methyl-7-(3-methyl-1-piperazinyl )-4-oxo-3-quinoline-carboxylic acid, OPC-17116) (1) exhibits potent and broad-spectrum in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity. In order to identify the structures of the metabolites of grepafloxacin, 17 possible metabolites were prepared. Among them, 6 compounds were found to be actual metabolites (2a, b, 4a, b and 6a, b) of grepafloxacin in rats, dogs and/or humans.

The evaluation of sizing accuracy of particle counters for parenteral drugs.

Our evaluation of electronic liquid-borne particle counter systems has shown that, for accurate measurement of particulate matter in injections, the half count values of voltage thresholds from the particle counter itself should be used in the calibration for the particle sizes being evaluated. The manual method which uses the half count values in the USP XXIII<788> was improved, and the validity of our calibration method was supported by the results based on the ratio test, at 10 microns to those obtained at 15 microns is between 1.5 and 3.

Effect of total adipose weight and systemic hypertension on left ventricular mass in children.

To investigate the effect of obesity and hypertension on left ventricular (LV) mass in children, we performed echocardiography and measured the height, weight, and blood pressure of 267 healthy children (145 boys and 122 girls) aged 12 years. The percentage of body fat was estimated using bioelectric impedance to derive the total adipose weight and lean body weight. End-diastolic measurements of LV parameters were obtained from M-mode echocardiograms.

Rapid and sensitive detection of benzodiazepines and zopiclone in serum using high-performance thin-layer chromatography.

We developed a rapid and sensitive method of identifying benzodiazepines and zopiclone in human serum using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). These drugs were developed and separated on plates within 8-11 min and detected by means of UV radiation and colour. Each drug was accurately identified by means of the values of RF x 100 and the spot colour in three systems.

EVA-related activities in Japan.

Recognizing the importance and fertility of the extra vehicular activity technologies in future space development and utilization, some related research activities have been conducted in Japan, though it has not committed itself to developing its own manned space flight capability. The purpose of this paper is to introduce and evaluate these EVA-related activities and to indicate the next step for Japan to get into the era of manned space activities including EVA in reality.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of pro-gastrin-releasing peptide for small cell lung cancer patients in comparison with neuron-specific enolase measurement.

Our previous study demonstrated that pro-gastrin-releasing peptide(31-98), or ProGRP, is a specific tumor marker in patients with small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). Using a newly developed, highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for ProGRP, we analyzed 1,446 samples including those obtained from 478 lung cancer patients to evaluate the clinical usefulness of this ELISA. Several properties indicated that ProGRP is a useful tumor marker for SCLC.

Synthesis of 4-(phenylamino)quinoline-3-carboxamides as a novel class of gastric H+/K+-ATPase inhibitors.

In search for inhibitors of gastric H+/K+-ATPase, 4-(phenylamino)quinoline-3-carboxamides were synthesized and evaluated for antisecretory activity against histamine-induced gastric acid secretion in rats. These compounds were synthesized by condensation of aniline derivatives with N-substituted 4-chloroquinoline-3-carboxamides, which were obtained from treatment of 4(1H)-quinolinone-3-carboxylic acid with thionyl chloride. Most of the compounds inhibited histamine-induced gastric acid secretion in rats.

Enantioselective determination of thiamylal in human serum by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Thiamylal, a widely used anesthetic drug, has two enantiomers. We developed a novel and simple method for measuring thiamylal enantiomers in human serum using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. R(+)- and S(-)-Thiamylal were separated using a chiral mobile phase containing beta-cyclodextrin, and detected at the range of 50 ng/ml-25 micrograms/ml in serum.

Comparison of the effects of glycerol, mannitol, and urea on ischemic hippocampal damage in gerbils.

The effects of glycerol and mannitol, as well as urea, on delayed neuronal death (DND) in the gerbil hippocampus were investigated. 20% solution of glycerol, mannitol and urea were prepared, and 6.5 ml/kg of each agent, or saline, was administered to male Mongolian gerbils intraperitoneally 30 min before ischemia.

[Protective effects of glycerol and mannitol on delayed neuronal death in the gerbil hippocampus].

Glycerol and mannitol are used clinically as hyperosmolar agents for the treatment of brain edema. In the present study the effects of pre-ischemic treatment with glycerol or mannitol on delayed neuronal death in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 region were examined. In addition, the effects of post-ischemic treatment with glycerol were studied.

Cross-linking connectivity in bone collagen fibrils: the COOH-terminal locus of free aldehyde.

Quantitative analyses of the chemical state of the 16c residue of the alpha 1 chain of bone collagen were performed on samples from fetal (4-6-month embryo) and mature (2-3 year old) bovine animals. All of this residue could be accounted for in terms of three chemical states, in relative amounts which depended upon the age of the animal. Most of the residue was incorporated into either bifunctional or trifunctional cross-links.

Interface problems between material recycling systems and plants.

A most important problem to creating a CELSS system to be used in space, for example, for a Lunar Base or Manned Mars mission, seems to be how to design and operate the various material recycling systems to be used on the missions. Recent studies of a Lunar Base habitat have identified examples of CELSS configurations to be used for the Plant Cultivation Module. Material recycling subsystems to be installed in the Plant Cultivation Modules are proposed to consist of various sub-systems, such as dehumidifiers, oxygen separation systems, catalytic wet oxidation systems, nitrogen adjusting systems, including tanks, and so on.

Synthesis and antiulcer activity of optical isomers of 2-(4-chlorobenzoylamino)-3-[2(1H)-quinolinon-4-yl]propionic acid (rebamipide).

The enantiomers of 2-(4-chlorobenzoylamino)-3-[2(1H)-quinolinon-4-yl] propionic acid [(+/-)-1, rebamipide, OPC-12759], a new antiulcer agent that enhances mucosal resistance, were synthesized from optically active alpha-amino acid derivatives of 2(1H)-quinolinone. The key intermediates, alpha-amino acid derivatives, were prepared by asymmetric synthesis and optical resolution. The (+)-1 was about 1.

Leupeptin causes an accumulation of lipofuscin-like substances in liver cells of young rats.

Leupeptin, a thiol protease inhibitor, has previously been shown to cause a dense accumulation of substances resembling age pigment and called ceroid-lipofuscin, in brain cells of young rats. Thus far, however, attempts to produce age pigments in hepatocytes of normal young rats with protease inhibitor(s) have not been successful. The present study provides the first demonstration that leupeptin induces lipofuscin-like substances in normal young rat hepatocytes.

Endoscopic management of shoulder pain in long-term haemodialysis patients.

In 48 shoulders of 29 patients receiving long-term haemodialysis and complaining of intolerable shoulder pain, endoscopic resection of the coracoacromial ligament was performed under local anaesthesia on an outpatient basis, using the Universal Subcutaneous Endoscope system. Predominant endoscopic findings were proliferation of the subacromial bursae and popping between the coracoacromial ligament and the rotator cuff. Amyloid originating from beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2-M) was demonstrated in 87% of the resected coracoacromial ligaments and 86% of the subacromial bursae.

Production of S-(+)-ibuprofen from a nitrile compound by Acinetobacter sp. strain AK226.

S-(+)-2-(4'-Isobutylphenyl)propionic acid [S-(+)-ibuprofen] was produced from racemic 2-(4'-isobutylphenyl)propionitrile (Ibu-CN) by an isolated bacterial strain, Acinetobacter sp. strain AK226. Ammonium acetate, acetonitrile, or n-butyronitrile as a carbon source in the culture medium was effective for bacterial growth and induction of this activity.

Estimation of the molecular volumes of the reaction products between beta-lactam antibiotics and aminoglycoside antibiotics, and those of the degradation products of beta-lactam antibiotics by isotachophoresis.

The correlative equations between the molecular volume and the qualitative indication (hR) for beta-lactam antibiotics, the reaction products between beta-lactam antibiotics and kanamycin, and the degradation products of beta-lactam antibiotics were hR = 0.32 + 0.080 VA2/3//Z/(N = 15, r = 0.

Efficacy of emetic and United State pharmacopoeia ipecac syrup in prevention of drug absorption.

The efficacy of both the emetic syrup prepared in the previous report and the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) ipecac syrup concerning the prevention of drug absorption was investigated in 4 beagle dogs using a randomized and cross-over design. In order to control the intragastric pH of the beagle dogs, the administration of pentagastrin or hydrochloric acid (HCl)-glycine buffer (pH 1.5) was tested.

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of the metabolites of 9-fluoro-6,7-dihydro-8-(4-hydroxy-1-piperidyl)-5-methyl-1-oxo-1H,5H- benzo[i,j]quinolizine-2-carboxylic acid (OPC-7251).

The metabolites of 9-fluoro-6,7-dihydro-8-(4-hydroxy-1-piperidyl)-5-methyl-1-oxo-1H,5H- benzo[i,j]quinolizine-2-carboxylic acid (OPC-7251) (1), which has a potent antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria, characteristically Propionibacterium acnes, were synthesized to confirm their structures and to examine their antibacterial activity. The structures of three major metabolites (2, 3a and 4) were identified by means of comparison with the synthetic compounds. The antibacterial activity of the metabolites (2, 3a and 4) was found to be lower than that of 1.