No abstract

The sat4 streptothricin resistance gene from Campylobacter coli BE/G4 was cloned into pUC18, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. Streptothricin acetyltransferase activity was detected in Escherichia coli cells containing recombinant plasmid pAT132 which carries the sat4 gene as an insert. The deduced amino acid sequence displayed 21-27% amino acid identity with streptothricin acetyltransferases from E. coli and streptothricin producers Streptomyces lavendulae and Streptomyces noursei. The sat4 gene was detected by hybridization in clinical and environmental isolates of Campylobacter spp.

The 9 % mortality among patients with acute myocardial infarction treated in the hospitals participating in the SAMI registry is low compared to that in similar collectives. The high number of patients who had thrombofibrinolysis and coronary interventions as well as the early initiation of drug therapy contributed to these results. Medical treatment in the prehospital phase of these patients remains still insufficient and to a substantial extent contributes to the mortality of acute myocardial infarction.

12 patients with obstructive airway diseases took part in a double-blind study in which 0.02 and 0.2 mg of Ba 253 as metered aerosols were compared with a placebo. Both doses of Ba 253 elicited a significant fall of mean total airway resistance compared to the placebo, and this fall was still discernible even 8 h after inhalation. Under the higher dose, the maximum response was significantly greater and it occurred about 2h after inhalation; the response was still significantly more pronounced 8 h after inhalation. There was no objective evidence of local or systemic side effects attributable to a vagus-blocking effect. In the light of published reports and our own experience, when Ba 253 is inhaled in the stated doses it appears to be equivalent to ipratropium bromide as regards potency, duration of action, tolerance and therapeutic safety margin.

The in vitro conversion of sodium [ 1,2- 14C] acetate into sterols and steroids was studied following the incubation of groups of ovaries from hypophysectomized immature rats with human gonadotrophins. Tritium labelled internal standards were used to monitor procedural losses and sterols and steroids were isolated in a radiochemically homogeneous form. The gonadotrophin preparations studied included a highly purified human urinary LH preparation (with no detectable FSH activity) as well as human urinary FSH and HCG preparations in which the LH and FSH-like activity, respectively, was selectively neutralized by the addition of appropriate antigonadotrophic sera. The ovaries of saline-treated control animals converted considerable quantities of labelled acetate into cholesterol and small amounts into cholesterol esters. Little, if any, acetate was converted by these ovaries into steroids. The injection of a human urinary LH-free FSH preparation or of a highly purified human urinary LH preparation resulted in a marked increase in the incorporation of labelled acetate into cholesterol, which was accompanied by a slightly increased incorporation into cholesteryl esters. Small amounts of carbon-14 labelled androstenedione and testosterone were also isolated but no pregnenolone or progesterone was found.