Of the 68 strains of beta-lactamase-producing Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis isolated in Japan that were studied, 62 (91%) produced the BRO-1-type beta-lactamase and 6 (9%) produced the BRO-2 type. There were no strains containing the BRO-3-type beta-lactamase. We compared the susceptibility of BRO-1- and BRO-2-producing strains to various oral beta-lactam antibiotics. We found that the BRO-1-producing strains were less susceptible than the BRO-2-producing strains. Although the BRO-1 and BRO-2 types showed a similar hydrolysis pattern, the specific activity of BRO-1 was 3-fold that of BRO-2. We examined the transfer of the BRO-1 and BRO-2 genes to non-beta-lactamase-producing M. catarrhalis No. 4020 and found that of the 13 donor strains producing BRO-1, 11 (85%) were able to transfer the gene for BRO-1 production by conjugation. Of the 6 donor strains producing BRO-2, 2 (33%) were able to transfer the gene for BRO-2 production by conjugation. For 3 of the 13 (23%) BRO-1-producing strains and 1 of the 6 (17%) BRO-2-producing strains, about 13 Mdalton of plasmids were detected. These plasmid-containing strains were used as donors, and in beta-lactamase-producing transconjugants the same size of plasmids was detected. However, when the total DNA is extracted from strains with the ability to transfer by conjugation, the transformation of the beta-lactamase-producing gene can occur regardless of the presence or absence of plasmids. Furthermore, even if purified plasmids are transformed, beta-lactamase-producing transformants are not obtained.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Conjugation, Genetic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Interaction of beta-lactam antibiotics with the penicillin-binding proteins of penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae.

The binding of five structurally diverse beta-lactam antibiotics to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) of two clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae resistant to penicillin G was compared with that of a susceptible strain. A common feature of the PBP patterns of the resistant strains was the absence of PBP 1a detected in the susceptible strain. For each beta-lactam antibiotic tested, there appeared to be significant decreases in the affinity for BPB 1b, 2a and 2b of the resistant strains. We attempted to evaluate a quantitative correlation between the antibacterial activity of the drugs for three strains and their affinity for the various PBPs. A close correlation was found between the minimum inhibitory concentrations and the affinity for PBP 2a, but not for any of the other PBPs.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Microlaparoscopy in gynecology: analysis of 16 cases and review of literature.

Microlaparoscopy represents the development of endoscopic surgery towards a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The advantages include fewer surgical complications, faster return to daily activities, more comfortable postoperative recovery, and satisfactory aesthetic results. The possibility of performing surgery under sedation may result in shorter hospitalization, lower hospital costs, and easier anesthetic procedures. The authors report their preliminary experience with the use of microlaparoscopy, using optics and 2mm instruments, as well as a review of the literature since the introduction of this new technique. The report of these 16 cases demonstrates that microlaparoscopy is a feasible technique with satisfactory results. On the other hand, this new technique requires precise indications and a training period for the development of the skills necessary for performing these surgeries.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Serum concentration of pyridinoline cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

The serum concentration of pyridinoline cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) was examined in 83 patients with metastatic breast cancer. ICTP levels were significantly higher in patients with bone metastases than in those without bone metastasis. In patients with bone metastasis, significantly higher ICTP levels were observed in those with multiple lesions than in those with a solitary lesion and these levels reflected therapeutic response. Sequential monitoring of ICTP revealed that this elevation was correlated with disease progression. Combined with imaging studies, monitoring of ICTP appears to offer additional information for detection of bone metastasis and evaluation of therapeutic response to bone metastasis.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A comparative study of subcutaneous mastectomy with radical mastectomy.

The purpose of this study was to compare the results of 133 cases (131 patients) of subcutaneous mastectomy with axillary dissection between 1983 and 1999 and 910 cases of radical mastectomy during the same period. The median follow-up period of the subcutaneous mastectomy group and the radical mastectomy group were 66 months and 81 months, respectively. The age at operation was significantly (p<0.01) younger in the subcutaneous mastectomy group than in the radical mastectomy group and the clinical stage was significantly (p<0.01) earlier. Lymph node metastasis was significantly (p<0.01) higher in the radical mastectomy than in the subcutaneous mastectomy group. There was no difference in ER status between the two groups. There was local recurrence in 5 (3.8%) members of the subcutaneous mastectomy group and in 12 (1.3%) members of the radical mastectomy group. There was no difference in disease-free survival and overall survival between the two groups. Divided into two subgroups by lymph node status, there was no difference in disease-free survival and overall survival between the two groups. Local recurrence occurred more frequently (p<0.05) in the subcutaneous mastectomy group, however, than in the radical mastectomy group when no lymph node metastasis was found. Multivariate analysis using the Cox hazard model showed that operation method and lymph node status were independent prognostic factors for local recurrence, whereas, lymph node status and ER status were independent prognostic factors of disease-free survival. In conclusion, subcutaneous mastectomy presents a risk factor for local recurrence, but the survival rate of the subcutaneous mastectomy group is as favourable as the radical mastectomy group.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Beta 2 microglobulin in lymphoproliferative status].

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Humans↗