Biomedical subjects

S Matsuda

Publications and source records attributed to S Matsuda.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Encapsulation of mammalian cells into synthetic polymer membranes using least toxic solvents.

Immunoisolation, that is, enclosure of cells within a semipermeable membrane to protect them from immunological rejection, may enable the transplantation of cells without use of immunosuppressive drugs. Therefore, in addition to naturally-occurring ionic polymers, several synthetic nonionic polymers which can form dense and strong membranes in water have been studied as materials for immunoisolation. However, such nonionic polymers are required to be soluble in organic solvents which are mostly cytotoxic. In this report we describe enclosure of insulin-releasing cells into water-insoluble poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) membranes using X-ray contrast medium as a solvent without use of any special apparatus. The contrast medium employed in our study is iopamidol aqueous solution. Insulin release was observed for 1 months when insulin-releasing cells were encapsulated into these membranes. The permeability of five solutes through the membranes prepared from the iopamidol aqueous solution was also studied to determine their potential immunoisolative efficacy.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Setting Priorities in Occupational Health Research in Vietnam.

To set priorities for occupational health research in Vietnam, the authors developed a questionnaire, using a consensus-conference approach. The questionnaire, which was composed of two parts (five main categories with subgroups), was distributed to 51 specialists in occupational safety and health (OSH) in Vietnam. The responses from 50 persons were analyzed. Among the main categories, the environmental impact of industrial activity was rated the most important, followed by ergonomics and engineering of OSH, incidence/prevalence of work-related diseases and identification of susceptible groups, social impact of industrial activity, and OSH problems of agricultural workers. Among the three problems in the subgroup "environmental impact of industrial activity," individual health effects was considered the most important. These results were evaluated to arrive at an understanding of the actual situation of OSH problems in Vietnam.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1997

Human urinary macrophage colony-stimulating factor reduces the incidence and duration of febrile neutropenia and shortens the period required to finish three courses of intensive consolidation therapy in acute myeloid leukemia: a double-blind controlled study.

PURPOSE: To determine whether macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) reduces the incidence and duration of febrile neutropenia during three courses of intensive consolidation therapy and whether it shortens time to complete consolidation therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 198 adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in complete remission (CR), M-CSF (8 x 10(6) U/d) or placebo was administered from 1 day after the end of each consolidation chemotherapy for 14 days. RESULTS: The duration and incidence of febrile neutropenia was significantly reduced by 34% (P = .00285) and 17% (P = .02065), respectively, in 88 assessable patients in the M-CSF group compared with those in 94 assessable patients in the placebo group. Patients in the M-CSF group had 565 days and 133 episodes of febrile neutropenia during 7,901 days at risk, while patients in the placebo group had 977 days and 185 episodes during 9,077 days at risk. The median period required to finish the three courses of consolidation therapy was 93 days in the M-CSF group, which was significantly shorter than 110 days in placebo group (P = .0050). In the M-CSF group, the recovery of neutrophils and platelets was significantly faster (P = .0348 and P = 0.0364, respectively), the administration of systemic antimicrobial agents tended to be less (P = .0839), and the frequency of platelet transfusion (P = .0259) and the total volume of transfused platelets (P = .0292) were significantly less. However, there was no significant difference in the disease-free survival. CONCLUSION: M-CSF significantly reduced the incidence and duration of febrile neutropenia during the intensive consolidation therapy, and shortened the time to complete consolidation chemotherapy in AML.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1997

Magnetic resonance imaging at the demyelinative foci in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

Using MRI, we investigated the morphology and blood-nerve barrier function of the peripheral nerve trunk in 10 patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Eight patients had a focal demyelinative segment in the median or ulnar nerve trunk that was defined by conduction block or abnormal temporal dispersion over a short distance. These demyelinative foci showed nerve enlargement with high signal intensity on proton or T2-weighted images. In four patients with progressive illness or relapse, the enlarged segment showed gadolinium enhancement that disappeared during remission induced by immune therapies. The other four were in the steady phase and showed no gadolinium enhancement of the enlarged nerves. The two patients who showed conduction slowing, but no focal demyelinative focus, had neither nerve enlargement nor gadolinium enhancement. In CIDP, focal conduction abnormalities correlate well with anatomic changes that suggest intermittent, repeated inflammation associated with the breakdown of the blood-nerve barrier.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Suppression by platelet factor 4 of the myogenic activity of basic fibroblast growth factor.

The effect of platelet factor 4 (PF4) on myoblast cultures with or without basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or other growth factors was investigated in the present in vitro experiments, with reference to bFGF binding to myoblast membrane fraction. When PF4 was added to the culture medium 1 day after myoblast cultivation, the nuclei of both myoblasts and myotubes were markedly reduced in number in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the inhibitory effect of PF4 on myoblast development was not observed when PF4 was added to the culture medium 3, 7, or 14 days after myoblast cultivation. In contrast, bFGF significantly increased the numbers of myoblast and myotube nuclei. When bFGF and PF4 were simultaneously added to the culture medium, PF4 abolished the facilitatory effects of bFGF on myogenesis. The real-time biospecific interaction analysis (BLA) core system showed that the myoblast membrane fraction at 1 day after cultivation contains bFGF-binding elements which are blocked by PF4 in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, [126I]-bFGF binding experiments indicated the existence of both high and low affinity binding sites on myoblast membranes, although the high affinity binding sites decreased in number and the dissociation constant increased in value as the culture period was prolonged. Among the six other growth factors examined, acidic fibroblast growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor-BB stimulated myogenesis, and their effects were blocked by PF4 treatment. These findings suggest that: 1) PF4 inhibits myoblast proliferation and myotube formation only for a limited initial period of cultivation, possibly because of the time-dependent down-regulation of high affinity bFGF receptors: and 2) PF4 may be used as a tool to investigate the function of endogenous heparin-binding growth factors upregulated transiently at a certain developmental stage or in case of tissue damage and repair, even though it is not monospecific to bFGF.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

A study of complaints of fatigue by workers employed in Vietnamese factories with newly imported technology.

The aim was to study the actual situation of subjective fatigue among the Vietnamese workers in factories with newly imported technology. A cross-sectional study concerning working conditions and the fatigue complaints of 389 workers who are employed in 10 Vietnamese factories with newly imported technology, was conducted from August to September 1994. About 60% of the workers were satisfied with their current working conditions. Regarding occupational risks at the workplace, heat, dust and noise were identified as the three most dangerous risks. About 46% of the workers complained about the incompatibility of the machines and equipment they were using, which are too large for Vietnamese workers. One third of all workers felt that the work pace is too rapid. Seventeen percent of the workers considered their working conditions monotonous. Finally, among 150 female workers under 40 years old, 45 workers (30.0%) complained of irregularity of menstruation. Generally these problems were more common among workers in textile factories. The prevalence rate of subjective fatigue complaints was significantly increased after work in all 30 items. The fatigue level were substantially high among workers in textile factories. Female workers in this sector had a high prevalence rate of irregularity of menstruation. There were many problems observed in the Vietnamese factories with newly imported technology. Special consideration is required to improve the working conditions of female workers in the textile industry. Both the Vietnamese government and donor countries have to give special attention to the transfer of worker-friendly technology to Vietnam, in order to achieve sound economic development.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Occupational exposure and chronic respiratory symptoms--a population based study in Vietnam.

In order to investigate the relationship between occupational exposure to dust/chemicals (toxic gases/fumes) and chronic respiratory symptoms in Vietnam, the questionnaire standardized by the American Thoracic Society was applied to 368 subjects living in Ha Thai district of Vietnam. According to the results of multiple logistic regression analyses, the odds ratios of chronic respiratory symptoms by occupational exposure are over unity, except for the relationship between chronic cough and occupational exposure to chemicals. Especially for chronic breathlessness, significantly higher odds ratios are observed among people with a history of occupational exposure to dust or chemicals: 2.925 (95% CI: 1.130-7.574) for dust, and 3.721 (95% CI: 1.412-9.803) for chemicals. As for the interaction between occupational exposure to dust and cigarette smoking, it is considered that occupational exposure leads to an increase in chronic respiratory symptoms independent of the effects of cigarette smoking.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Myocardial iodine-123-metaiodobenzylguanidine images and autonomic nerve activity in normal subjects.

UNLABELLED: We studied the relationship between myocardial [123I]metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) uptake and autonomic nerve activity in normal subjects. METHODS: MIBG scintigraphy and power spectral analysis (PSA) of heart rate variability were performed simultaneously in 15 normal subjects. Anterior planar images and SPECT images were taken at five and two points after the injection of [123I]MIBG, respectively. In 10 of 15 subjects, 201TI myocardial SPECT was performed immediately after MIBG scintigraphy. RESULTS: The heart/upper mediastinum MIBG uptake ratio in the planar image obtained at 240 min (r = 0.64, p < 0.01) and the washout rate of MIBG in the heart between 15 min and 240 min (r = 0.51, p < 0.05) showed significant correlation with the percentage of low frequency component of PSA (percent LF), an index of sympathetic nerve activity. Regional MIBG uptake in the inferior wall normalized by individual maximal uptake among all pixels was significantly correlated with the high frequency component of PSA, an index of parasympathetic nerve activity (r = -0.58, p < 0.05) and with mean R-R interval in a resting ECG (r = -0.82, p < 0.001) but did not correlate with percent LF, percent uptake of 201TI in the inferior wall or the liver/heart uptake ratio. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that myocardial MIBG uptake correlates with sympathetic nerve activity in normal subjects. Our data indicate that heterogeneous MIBG distribution in the left ventricle is a physiologic rather than artifactual phenomenon and may be related to vagal tone rather than sympathetic nerve activity.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗

PubMed1997

Glucocorticoid- and mineralocorticoid receptors in microglial cells: the two receptors mediate differential effects of corticosteroids.

Effects of steroid hormones on the regulation of function and morphology of microglial cells were investigated using the cultured cells isolated from forebrain of newborn rats. Cortisol, corticosterone, and aldosterone at 100 nM caused a strong shrinkage of microglial cells cultured in a serum-supplemented medium. However, cholesterol, pregnenolone, testosterone, estradiol, and dehydroepiandrosterone did not exhibit any significant effects. The corticosteroids also inhibited the GM-CSF-mediated ramification of microglia in a serum-free medium. An anti-glucocorticoid agent RU38486 abolished the effects of corticosteroids on the microglial morphology, suggesting the presence of functional glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in microglial cells. The presence of GR was confirmed by immunoblotting with an antibody to the receptor. Cytokines GM-CSF and interleukin-3 altered the level of GR expression. Binding experiments with [3H]-corticosterone demonstrated the presence of not only GR but also mineralocorticoid receptor (MR): the dissociation constants (Kd) and the number of binding sites (Bmax) were 0.8 nM and 15 fmol/mg protein for MR and 5.0 nM and 73 fmol/mg protein for GR, respectively. The pure glucocorticoid RU28362 and dexamethasone at 20 nM (but not aldosterone and corticosterone at the same concentration) inhibited proliferation of microglial cells, as revealed by PCNA immunocytochemistry. RU28362 inhibited the activities of inducible nitric oxide synthase and acid phosphatase at concentrations higher than 1 nM. Aldosterone and corticosterone exhibited the similar inhibitory effect at 100 nM, and this inhibition was completely overcome by RU38486. On the other hand, corticosterone and aldosterone at concentrations lower than 1 nM enhanced the activities of both enzymes. The antimineralocorticoid agent spironolactone eliminated the stimulatory effects of corticosterone on the enzyme activities. In accordance with these biochemical results, electron microscopic observations revealed that glucocorticoids enhanced the formation of lysosomal vacuolation in microglial cells and aldosterone increased the number and size of lysosomes. In conclusion, it is suggested that GR and MR mediated the opposite effects of corticosterone on the functions of microglial cells; the hormone acted as an inhibitor through GR and as an stimulator through MR.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed1997

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1995). III. Differences in susceptibilities from previous years].

Susceptibilities to various antimicrobial agents were examined for Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa that were isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 11 hospitals during June, 1995 through May, 1996, and the results were compared with those obtained during the same period in earlier years. 1. Macrolide resistant E. faecalis isolated from uncomplicated UTIs during the latest study period appeared to have increased compared to those in previous study periods. More than 50% of the isolated E. faecalis during the latest study period were resistant to macrolide antibiotics, for the first time in our history. 2. No obvious changes were observed through the years for susceptibilities of S. aureus to various antimicrobial agents. Vancomycin (VCM) showed the highest activity against S. aureus, with MICs below 2 micrograms/ml or below. 3. Among E. coli strains, those with low susceptibilities to quinolones appeared to have increased over the years with MIC90 changed from between 0.125 microgram/ml or below and 0.5 microgram/ml in the 1989-1990 period to between 8 micrograms/ml and 128 micrograms/ml in the latest study period. 4. Klebsiella spp. showed higher resistance to most antimicrobial agents during periods of 1993-1994 and 1994-1995, but somewhat lower resistance during period of 1995-1996. No resistant Klebsiella spp. were detected from uncomplicated UTIs during the latest study period. 5. Among P. aeruginosa isolates from complicated UTIs, resistance isolates to gentamicin appeared to be increasing over the years. Resistant strains to quinolones were isolated at lower frequencies during periods of 1991-1994, but higher frequency was observed in the latest period, and MIC50s were between 0.5 and 4 micrograms/ml during 1991-1994, but were 16-32 micrograms/ml during 1995-1996. These susceptibility changes should be utilized in determining clinical treatments.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1997

[Usefulness of 99mTc-tetrofosmin myocardial scintigraphy before and after coronary intervention].

Dipyridamole-loading 99mTc-tetrofosmin myocardial scintigraphy was performed for patients with coronary artery disease who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in order to examine whether SPECT imaging prior to treatment is useful for the determination of prognosis after coronary intervention. Thirty-six patients including 9 with angina pectoris (AP), 22 with old myocardial infarction (OMI) and 5 OMI with AP were underwent dipyridamole-loading 99mTc-tetrofosmin myocardial SPECT before and after coronary intervention. The length of follow-up was 185 +/- 107 days after PTCA. Improvement of myocardial uptake was observed on myocardial SPECT in all cases with AP. Improvement of the myocardial uptake was observed 50% (4/8) of patients with OMI who had no myocardial viability. It was suggested that the improvement of myocardial uptake after PTCA was due to incomplete fill-in in cases with AP and that the presence of fill-in was important for level of fill-in in patients with AP. The improvement of myocardial uptake in the scar tissue in patients with OMI contributed to the hibernating myocardium. We concluded that correct detection of hibernating myocardium was difficult despite the superior imaging capability of 99mTc-tetrofosmin myocardial SPECT.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Knee kinematics of posterior cruciate ligament sacrificed total knee arthroplasty.

Two different posterior stabilizing mechanisms in posterior cruciate ligament sacrificing total knee arthroplasty were evaluated to test knee kinematics, tibiofemoral contact location, and the quadriceps force needed to extend the knee. A posterior stabilizing post and a deeply dished polyethylene with a high anterior lip (anterior buildup stabilizing tibial articular surface) were tested in four anatomic specimen knees with a knee kinematics testing device. Both posterior stabilizing mechanisms partially restored anteroposterior stability, but the knees were still more lax than were the normal knees in the anteroposterior direction. The anterior buildup stabilizing tibial articular surface decreased rotational laxity in early flexion. Tibiofemoral contact location in the knees with the anterior buildup stabilizing tibial articular surface did not move posteriorly as the knee flexed, and the knees with this articular surface required significantly more quadriceps force to extend the knee than did the knees with a stabilizing post.

Humans↗

PubMed1997

[Is coronary spasmodicity unchangeable?: a study with acetylcholine or ergonovine in patients with ischemic heart disease].

Fluctuations of spasmodicity have been reported in affected vessels in patients with vasospastic angina, but the incidence of spasmodicity induced by pharmacologic agents on both vessels with spasm and vessels without induced spasm has not been investigated. Repeated spasm provocation tests by acetylcholine or ergonovine were performed at 13.1 +/- 9.9 month intervals (3-50 months) in 111 vessels of 50 patients with ischemic heart disease, consisting of 19 old myocardial infarction and 31 angina pectoris, who did not undergo angioplasty or have signs of advancing atherosclerosis. Spasm was defined as present when more than 90 percent stenosis was accompanied by the appearance of usual chest pain or significant electrocardiographic changes. Ninety-six vessels (86.5%), 65 without spasm and 31 with spasm, revealed coincident responses and the remaining 15 vessels contrary reacted. The coincidence rate of spasmodicity in patients at intervals of within 24 months (90.2%) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that at intervals of over 24 months apart (70.4%). The spasm coincidence rate was 67.3% in the vessels with provoked spasm by either the first or second tests. Only one (0.9%) out of the 111 vessels showed obvious progressive atherosclerosis during this study. The majority of vessels showed identical spasmodicity within 2 years. In conclusion, coronary spasmodicity might remain unchanged for at least 2 years despite medication with calcium channel blockers and isosorbide dinitrate.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1997

Lengthening of the lower limbs in patients with achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia.

Ten years of experience in lower limb lengthening achieved in 35 patients with achondroplasia and seven patients with hypochondroplasia is reported. A uniform method of callus distraction (callotasis) was used in all cases, although the order of lengthening of each bone differed among the cases. The mean age of the patients at the time of first operation was 14.5 years; at followup, the mean age was 18.8 years. The mean lengthening achieved in the femur was 7.2 cm (range, 4.5-12 cm) and in the tibia 7.1 cm (range, 4.5-13 cm). More lengthening was achieved in the more recent cases. The function of lengthened limbs, evaluated by physical strength tests, was better at followup than before lengthening in the growing children, although the mechanical axes of the lengthened bones were not necessarily in correct alignment.

Achilles Tendon↗

PubMed1997

[Clinical efficacy of post-TUR prophylactic chemotherapy for superficial bladder cancer--the result of co-operative prospective randomized trial].

We have performed a prospective randomized clinical trial of post-operative prophylactic therapy for superficial bladder cancer since October in 1991. The criteria were as follows; age < or = 80 y.o., Ta/T1, TCC G1/G2, without CIS lesion and resectable cancer by TUR. The therapeutic arm was divided into three as follows: arm A intracystic instillation with Epirubicin; arm B: oral administration with 5-FU; arm C: combination of arm A and arm B. The number of registered patients were 20 in arm A, 18 in arm B, and 18 in arm C. The patient characteristics in every group were not significantly different. The prophylactic efficacy of arm A was superior to that in the other two groups.

Administration, Intravesical↗

PubMed1997

[A case of Isaacs' syndrome preceding the recurrence of malignant thymoma--generating site of ectopic activity and therapy].

We described a-44-year old male patient with Isaacs' syndrome occurring 8 months before the recurrence of malignant thymoma. Electrophysiological examination suggested that spontaneous muscle activities were generated at the distal terminals of the motor nerves. Double filtration plasmapheresis alleviated the symptoms of neuromyotonia for a short term. Administration of valproic acid had more prolonged effects lasting for 2 months until his death from relapsed thymoma. Our results support that autoimmune mechanisms, especially humoral factors, are playing an important role in the pathogenesis of Isaacs' syndrome and that anti-convulsants therapy is important.

Anticonvulsants↗

PubMed1997

[An analysis of factors associated with the increase of in-patient medical expenditures for the elderly in Fukuoka Prefecture].

In order to evaluate factors associated with the increase in the in-patient medical expenditures for the elderly in Fukuoka prefecture during the period from 1987 to 1991, an analysis was conducted based on the data of 10 Health Care Regions. According to the results, there were two patterns in the increase. The first was the pattern observed in the southern part of the prefecture, where most of the increase in the in-patient medical expenditures for the elderly was explained by the increase of medical expenditures per capita. Furthermore, this increase per capita was due to the increase in utilization rate. This pattern is considered to be associated with the increase of general hospital beds as well as with the increase of the dependent elderly in the regions. The second pattern was observed in urban regions, such as Fukuoka and Kitakyushu, where the increase of in-patient medical expenditures for the elderly was mainly due to the increase in the number of elderly in the regions. This pattern is considered to be associated with the increase in the population categorized as the aged household. The present result suggests that in order to control the medical expenditures for the elderly, different service-mix strategies will be necessary, respecting the socio-economic characteristics of each region.

Demography↗

PubMed1997

[Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1995). I. Susceptibility distribution].

The frequencies of isolation and susceptibilities to antimicrobial agents were investigated on 704 bacterial strains isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 11 hospitals during the period of June 1995 to May 1996. Of the above bacterial isolates, Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 29.8% and a majority of them were Enterococcus faecalis. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 70.2% and most of them were Escherichia coli. Susceptibilities of several isolated bacteria to antimicrobial agents were as followed; 1. Enterococcus faecalis Ampicillin (ABPC) and imipenem (IPM) showed the highest activities against E. faecalis isolated from patients with UTIs. The MIC90S of them were 1 microgram/ml. Vancomycin (VCM) and piperacillin (PIPC) were also active with the MIC90S of 2 micrograms/ml and 4 micrograms/ml, respectively. The others had low activities with the MIC90S of 16 micrograms/ml or above. 2. Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA VCM showed the highest activities against S. aureus isolated from patients with UTIs. Its MIC90 was 1 microgram/ml against both S. aureus and MRSA. Arbekacin (ABK) was also active with the MIC90 of 2 micrograms/ml. The other except minocycline (MINO) had very low activities with the MIC90S of 64 micrograms/ml or above. 3. Staphylococcus epidermidis ABK and MINO showed the strongest activities against S. epidermidis isolated from patients with UTIs. The MIC90S of them were 0.25 microgram/ml. VCM was also active with the MIC90 of 1 microgram/ml. The MIC90S of cephems ranged from 2 micrograms/ml to 16 micrograms/ml in 1994, but they ranged from 8 micrograms/ml to 128 micrograms/ml in 1995. These results indicated that some resistances existed among S. epidermidis to cephems. 4. Streptococcus agalactiae All drugs except gentamicin (GM) were active against S. agalactiae. ABPC, cefmenoxime (CMX), IPM, erythromycin (EM), clindamycin (CLDM) and clarithromycin (CAM) showed the highest activities. The MICs for all strains were lower than 0.125 microgram/ml. The MIC90S of the others were 2 micrograms/ml or below. 5. Citrobacter freundii IPM showed the highest activity against C. freundii isolated from patients UTIs. Its MIC90 was 1 microgram/ml. GM was also active with the MIC90 of 2 micrograms/ml. Cefpirome (CPR), cefozopran (CZOP) and amikacin (AMK) were also active with the MIC90S of 4 micrograms/ml. Penicillins and cephems except CMX, CPR and CZOP showed low activities with MIC90S of 256 micrograms/ml or above. 6. Enterobacter cloacae IPM showed the highest activity against E. cloacae. The MICs for all strains were equal to or lower than 1 microgram/ml. MINO and tosufloxacin (TFLX) were also active with the MIC90S of 8 micrograms/ml. Penicillins and cephems except CPR and CZOP showed lower activities with the MIC90S of 256 micrograms/ml or above. 7. Escherichia coli. Most of the antimicrobial agents were active against E. coli. Particularly CPR, CZOP and IPM showed the highest activities against E. coli. The MICs for all strains were equal to or lower than 0.5 microgram/ml. CMX and TFLX were also active with the MIC90S of 0.125 microgram/ml or below. Penicillins were slightly active with MIC90S of 128 micrograms/ml or above. 8. Klebsiella pneumoniae K. pneumoniae was susceptible to all drugs except penicillins, with MIC90S of 2 micrograms/ml or below. Carumonam (CRMN) had the strongest activity against K. pneumoniae, the MICs for all strains were equal to or lower than 0.125 microgram/ml. Comparing with the result of 1994, the sensitivities of K. pneumoniae against all drugs had obviously changed into a better state. For example, the MIC90S of cephems ranged from 0.25 microgram/ml to 16 micrograms/ml in 1994, but they were all lower than 2 micrograms/ml in 1995. 9. Proteus mirabilis P. mirabilis was susceptible to a majority of drugs. CMX, ceftazidime (CAZ), cefixime (CFIX), and CRMN showed the highest activities against P. mirabilis isolated from patients with UTIs. MICs of CRMN for all

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗