Microorganism

Microb Pathog, 1987 Jan, 2(1), 3 - 14
Experimental murine tularemia caused by Francisella tularensis, live vaccine strain: a model of acquired cellular resistance; Anthony LS et al.; We have established a model of experimentally-induced tularemia in mice, using the live vaccine strain of Francisella tularensis . A sublethal, intravenous inoculation of this organism caused in C57BL/6 strain mice an acute infection which lasted approximately 12 days . The clearance of Francisella from the bloodstream was shown to be complete by 5.5 hours postinfection . At this time, approximately twice as many bacteria were isolated from the spleen as from the liver . Mice which had recovered from a primary infection demonstrated a significant resistance to re-infection with autologous Francisella, a memory which persisted for at least 15 weeks . Resistance to experimental tularemia could be passively transferred from infected mice to naive mice by means of non-adherent spleen cells . Cells capable of adoptive transfer of resistance were present at a maximal concentration 7 days following infection, and persisted in significant numbers within the spleen cell population for at least 20 days after infection . Treatment of mice with serum from recovered animals caused a decrease in resistance when measured in the livers, and an increase in resistance when measured in the spleens . Suppression of T cell-mediated immunity during infection by treatment with cyclosporin A resulted in a dramatic increase in the tissue bacterial counts . Cyclosporin A-induced suppression of antitularemic resistance was first noted 2-3 days following infection and remained apparent for at least 8 days . The results of these experiments demonstrate that resistance to experimental murine tularemia is mediated predominantly by a cell-mediated mechanism . This mechanism involves T cells which become activated as early as 2-3 days following infection . Experimental, non-lethal infection with Francisella tularensis is thus an excellent model for investigating the mechanisms of acquired cellular immunity.

Biomed Chromatogr, 1987, 2(2), 76 - 8
Evaluation of vaginal malodor and efficacy of treatment by high performance ion exchange chromatography; Stanek R et al.; High performance ion exchange chromatography was employed to evaluate the presence of short chain organic acids in the vaginal fluid of a woman troubled by persistent foul vaginal odor, but who did not have typical bacterial vaginosis . The vaginal secretions from this patient were collected on a weighed cotton swab and eluted into water and extracted by acidified ether . Salts of the acids were back-extracted into aqueous solution and chromatographed on an H-form resin column and compared to commercially available standards . A strikingly large amount of caproic acid was found . The caproic acid disappeared after metronidazole therapy, and a subsequent follow-up chromatogram showed a predominance of lactic acid . The success of this technique in evaluating the present case suggests that such a method may prove useful in other types of vaginal infection.

Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1987, 35(3), 289 - 302
Immunostimulation in recurrent respiratory tract infections therapy in children; Prusek W et al.; Selected immunologic parameters and effectivity of immunotherapy was evaluated in 117 children (12-month-10-year-1-old) suffering from recurrent respiratory tract infections . All the children displayed a profound depression of T lymphocytes number, which resemble the situation seen in AIDS patients . An increase of serum IgM concentration was also noted . Immunotherapy included treatment with the following preparations: TFX and Levamisol which stimulate T cell functions, Broncho-Vaxom which stimulates specific antibody production and a complex herb preparation PADMA showing undefined general stimulatory activity . Separate group of children was subjected to climatotherapy in Czerniawa Sanatorium and received no immunostimulants . All methods of treatment employed had beneficial effect . The highest percentage of positive results was obtained in children receiving TFX and Levamisol . In all groups under study, an elevation of T cells percentage was observed . This was especially evident in Levamisol treated patients . There was no correlation, however, between T cells number and clinical improvement.

Arch Oral Biol, 1987, 32(11), 765 - 72
Biochemical and scanning electron microscope study of lipids chloroform-methanol extracted from unerupted and erupted human tooth enamel; Goldberg M et al.; Almost twice as much fatty acid was extracted without demineralization from the mature enamel of erupted teeth treated with 2:1 chloroform-methanol as from the enamel of unerupted teeth (32.64 micrograms/g versus 15.60 micrograms/g) . Palmitic C16:0, stearic C18:0, oleic C18:1 omega 9 and linoleic acids C18:2 omega 6 were the chief fatty acids detected by gas-liquid chromatography . The percentage of free fatty acids and diglycerides was larger in unerupted than erupted teeth, whereas that of triglycerides, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine was larger in erupted teeth . These changes may be due to bacteria and other contaminants (saliva and pellicle) . The large amounts of free fatty acids, diglycerides, cholesterol and phospholipids as intrinsic components were probably due to the persistence of membrane remnants entombed during enamel formation, as indicated by the visualization of holes and by the increase in the size and number of focal holes after lipid-solvent interaction with the enamel surface . These defects always occurred in rods and never in inter-rod material . Other minute defects, including empty-widened intercrystal spaces, were also observed inside some rods.

Acta Med Austriaca, 1987, 14(1), 1 - 4
{Clinical manifestations of acquired immunologic deficiency syndrome (AIDS)}; Goebel FD; The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome AIDS is caused by the retrovirus HIV . About 20% develop after the inoculation of the virus an acute clinical picture resembling infectious mononucleosis . Several weeks to months after the infection antibodies can be demonstrated in the serum . Lateron a lymphadenopathy syndrome or AIDS related complex may develop . Most of the patients with LAS or ARC will progress to the full blown picture of AIDS . This is defined as immunodeficiency complicated by Kaposi-sarcoma or central nervous system malignance lymphoma or opportunistic infections . The most common infections are due to certain parasites, c . e . pneumocystis carinii, toxoplasma gondii and cryptosporidia . Fungi, bacteria and viruses can also cause opportunistic infections.

Dev Biol Stand, 1987, 67, 171 - 6
Recombinant DNA manipulations and their interfaces with protein technology; Nagley P; In recent years molecular biologists have learnt to mimic and exploit the natural processes of cell biology which are based on the fundamental principle that the amino acid sequence of a protein is encoded within the nucleotide sequence of DNA in its gene . The resultant set of novel methodologies, termed recombinant DNA technology, or genetic engineering, has revolutionized the study of almost all branches of biology and has presented radical new methods of producing proteins otherwise available only in very small quantities . Central technical features of the recombinant DNA technology are the ability to isolate and propagate individual genes from natural sources, and to express into the protein products the information intrinsic to such genes, using the most appropriate biological production systems (e.g . bacteria, yeast or cultured mammalian cells) . Embracing powerful analytical techniques such as DNA sequencing, and novel gene manipulations based on chemically synthesized oligonucleotides, the recombinant DNA technology is now having substantial impact on analytical and preparative protein technologies . The contemporary integrated approach to protein engineering involves not only protein chemistry and tools such as antibodies, but also has a dynamic interactive contribution from the recombinant DNA technology and its gene manipulation and expression skills . This integrated approach is particularly relevant to blood components such as clotting factors, antibodies, hormones and other proteins or peptides of powerful biological activity and specificity . Current work is focussed on the large-scale production of individual proteins as well as the molecular dissection of their biological actions and the development of products displaying novel biological activity.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1987 Jan, 84(1), 6 - 10
Cloning and cDNA sequence of the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase from Dictyostelium discoideum; Mutzel R et al.; cDNA clones encoding the regulatory subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (ATP:protein phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.37) from Dictyostelium discoideum were isolated by immunoscreening of a cDNA library constructed in the expression vector lambda gt11 . High-affinity cAMP-binding activity was detected in extracts from bacteria lysogenized with these clones . Nucleotide sequence analysis of three overlapping clones allowed the determination of a 1195-base-pair cDNA sequence coding for the entire regulatory subunit and containing nontranslated 5' and 3' sequences . The open reading frame codes for a protein of 327 amino acids, with molecular weight 36,794 . The regulatory subunit from Dictyostelium shares a high degree of homology with its mammalian counterparts, but is lacking the NH2-terminal domain required for the association of regulatory subunits into dimers in other eukaryotes . On the basis of the comparison of the regulatory subunits from Dictyostelium, yeast, and bovine tissues, a model for the evolution of these proteins is proposed.

Ann Rech Vet, 1987, 18(4), 429 - 37
Anti-Brucella cell-mediated immunity in mice vaccinated with a cell-wall fraction; Plommet M et al.; Immunity against Brucella, a facultative intracellular bacteria, can be induced in mice by live or by killed-whole-cell or fraction vaccine . This immunity can be adoptively transferred from live vaccinated donor to recipient mice, or passively with immune serum raised against bacterial fractions . A protein-bound peptidoglycan fraction (PG) was used to immunize DBA/2 donor mice intravenously or subcutaneously in the hind footpads . Splenic or popliteal lymph nodes cells were transferred to recipients that were intravenously challenged with a B abortus virulent strain . Brucella spleen counts, and in some cases liver counts, were done 15 days later or at successive times . Spleen cells depleted from macrophages and lymph nodes cells conferred immunity to recipients . This immunity increased after transfer for about 21 days . Lymph nodes cells were more efficient to transfer immunity than spleen cells . This immunity was abated but not abrogated by treatment of cells by anti-Thy serum and was transferred by both nylon wool non adherent (T enriched) or adherent (B enriched) cells . Comparative transfer experiments with DBA/2 versus CBA mice, live vaccine versus PG fraction vaccine, virulent versus avirulent (vaccinal) challenge evidenced that the three factors were involved in induction and/or expression of immunity . DBA/2 mice responded better to fraction vaccine and virulent challenge whereas CBA responded better to live vaccine and to avirulent challenge strain . In contrast DBA/2 X CBA F1 responded equally well against the virulent challenge to transfer of cells from live vaccine or PG fraction vaccinated donor mice . Two cell-mediated immune mechanisms may thus be involved in transferred immunity the expression of which may be genetically determined.

Pediatrie, 1987, 42(8), 585 - 7
{Treatment of purulent leukorrhea in young girls}; Berlier P; The case of a prepuberal girl complaining of a more or less purulent genital discharge, eventually associated with bleeding, evokes a vulvovaginitis . Vulvovaginitis is much less frequent than vulvitis . When a vulvovaginitis is resistant to medical treatment or is recurrent, an endoscopic examination is required in order to eliminate the presence of a vaginal foreign body . Treatment includes local cleaning, local antibiotics and sometimes a short course of oestrogen therapy . Oral antibiotics are indicated only in specific germ infections.

Pediatr Pathol, 1987, 7(4), 447 - 55
Mineral oil embolization and lipid pneumonia in an infant treated for Hirschsprung's disease; Rabah R et al.; A 5-month-old infant girl with Hirschsprung's disease died 1 month after colostomy as a result of mineral oil embolism and lipid pneumonia . She had received multiple mineral oil enemas and irrigations as treatment for impacted stools . Mineral oil peritonitis was present on the surface of the bowel adjacent to the stoma and covered large portions of the surface of the liver and spleen . There was 600 cc of slightly cloudy and bloody peritoneal fluid . The peritoneal exudate contained bacteria that were associated with only a minimal inflammatory reaction . This case calls attention to a previously unreported complication of the use of mineral oil.

Microbiol Immunol, 1987, 31(11), 1113 - 5
A plasmid of group Q which confers resistance to trimethoprim and sulfonamides; Hedges RW; A 5.2-Mdal plasmid, determining resistance to trimethoprim and sulfonamides, is a member of incompatibility group Q.

Arkh Patol, 1987, 49(11), 16 - 26
{Diagnosis of infectious diseases in the practice of pathologic anatomists}; Tsinzerling AV; A review of laboratory and morphologic methods currently used to study tissues in diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, mycoplasmas, fungi, and protozoa . Special attention is given to cytologic examination of smears and scrapings from viscera whereby valuable information that should be included in the death certificate can be obtained before histologic sections have been prepared and the laboratory examination has been completed.

Am J Ind Med, 1987, 12(6), 759 - 64
The health investigation of cotton textile workers in Beijing; Liu MZ; This study reports findings from a survey of byssinosis among 289 cotton workers in certain cotton textile mills in Beijing . Incidence of byssinosis was 4.2% (12 cases) . It decreased with a lower concentration of cotton dust and increased with yearly increment of cotton dust exposure . An elevation in body temperature over 37 degrees C was present among 14.2% of the workers on the first working day after rest . Acute lung function decrement was related to high dust concentration in the rooms . The higher the dust concentration in the rooms, the more evident was the chronic lung function decrement . Chronic bronchitis in cotton workers was higher than in controls . Incidence of byssinosis in smoking cotton workers was higher than in nonsmoking cotton workers.

Acta Neuropathol (Berl), 1987, 75(2), 185 - 98
Brain pathology induced by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) . A histological, immunocytochemical, and electron microscopical study of 100 autopsy cases; Budka H et al.; Neuropathological examination of brain tissue of 100 patients with infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), including 98 with clinically manifest acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), revealed distinct multifocal-disseminated and diffuse brain tissue lesions, which can be regarded as HIV-induced brain lesions: multifocal giant cell encephalitis (MGCE; 4) and progressive diffuse leukoencephalopathy (PDL; 25) . These lesions were found in 38 brains, and in 17 in absence of infectious, necrotizing or inflammatory changes of other types . In 13 brains, a combination of MGCE with PDL was seen, suggesting a spectrum of HIV-induced brain lesions . MGCE is characterized by perivascular accumulations predominantly of rod cells, monohistiocytes and macrophages, all of which are strongly labeled with a monoclonal antibody to macrophages . Most conspicuous are multinucleated giant cells which are also labeled by anti-macrophage antibody, and which can be regarded as evidence of the local presence of HIV, as confirmed by electron microscopical detection of HIV particles in four MGCE brains, and by immunocytochemical detection of HIV proteins in two MGCE brains . PDL is characterized by a triad: diffuse myelin loss, astroglial proliferation, and infiltration by mono- and multinucleated macrophages . HIV-induced lesions can be morphologically differentiated from histopathological brain lesions known in immunosuppression, including what is called here nodular encephalitis {"subacute encephalitis" of the literature, in most cases attributable to cytomegalovirus (CMV) or toxoplasmosis}, by their characteristic histopathology including the hallmark presence of multinucleated giant cells, by direct immunocytochemical and electron microscopical demonstration of HIV in the lesions, and by the absence of opportunistic agents (bacteria, fungi, Toxoplasma, CMV, HSV or papovaviruses) . Diffuse poliodystrophy (diffuse proliferation of astroglia with swollen nuclei, occasionally minor neuronal loss and rod cell proliferation) was found in the cerebral cortex and other gray matter in half of all brains, including cases with gyral atrophy, and may be another correlate of HIV damage to the brain . Morphological delineation of HIV-induced brain lesions is a necessary prerequisite for a meaningful clinical definition of HIV-induced cerebral disease.

J Math Biol, 1987, 25(5), 543 - 51
A piecewise-linear growth model: comparison with competing forms in batch culture; Kolker Y; A simplified one-dimensional growth model based on the mass conservation law is proposed . Mathematically, it represents an easiest special case of so called L-systems . The model developed being considered as a descriptive tool of the growth curves is compared with four other similar and widely used models, in application to numerical data of bacteria (taken from literature) and of algae (an original experiment) growing in batch . Identification of free constants of the five models in comparison is performed using a nonlinear least squares iterative procedure, for which special programs were written . Theoretical and practical (approximative) merits of the new model are shown and discussed.

Biorheology, 1987, 24(6), 541 - 9
Secretion and ion transport in airways during inflammation; Nadel JA et al.; Water and secretions interact in airways to produce the sol and gel layers that allow for entrapment of foreign materials and subsequent clearance by ciliary movement and by cough . Active Cl ion transport produces fluid, and this process is activated by products of mast cells (leukotrienes), eosinophils (major basic protein), and by other inflammatory mediators (prostaglandins, bradykinin) . Gland secretions produce the bulk of the volume of secretions . Airway irritation stimulates gland secretion reflexly via vagal muscarinic pathways . Recently, the sensory nerves have been discovered to release substance P and other neuropeptides when the airways are irritated . The stimulatory effects of neuropeptides on gland secretion (and on other inflammatory sites) are modulated by enkephalinase a membrane-bound enzyme that cleaves neuropeptides and thereby inactivates them . Up- or down-regulation of enkephalinase is predicted to change the degree of inflammatory response to neuropeptides . Finally, the cell surface of airway epithelial cells have been discovered to secrete large molecular weight glycoconjugates; these secreted products are increased markedly by a series of proteinases produced by inflammatory cells (neutrophils, mast cells) and by bacteria . Their exact physiologic roles are still unknown but they may contribute to the bulk and viscoelastic properties of airway secretions, and they may serve an important role in bacterial, viral and inflammatory cell adhesion.

Ciba Found Symp, 1987, 131, 124 - 39
Relationship of tumour necrosis factor and endotoxin to macrophage cytotoxicity, haemorrhagic necrosis and lethal shock; Rothstein JL et al.; In this communication we discuss preliminary evidence suggesting a very strong synergism between tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or between TNF and other bacteria in causing haemorrhagic necrosis and lethal shock . We found that TNF by itself does not cause haemorrhagic necrosis when injected into normal skin . TNF also had a rather low systemic toxicity when injected into disease-free, germfree-derived, defined-flora animals . On the other hand the addition of small amounts of LPS markedly raised the lethality of intravenous TNF treatments, and LPS injected into normal skin 'prepared' the site of injection for subsequent induction of haemorrhagic necrosis by locally injected TNF . Similar synergism was observed between TNF and mycoplasma . We suggest that the synergism between TNF and bacterial endotoxin (or other bacteria or bacterial products) may be part of an important defence mechanism against infections which is independent of specific immunity mediated by B and T cells . This synergism may be useful in increasing the therapeutic effects of TNF on tumours if the development of systemic toxicity in this treatment can be prevented.

Cancer Invest, 1987, 5(6), 615 - 25
Perioperative blood transfusion and solid tumor recurrence--a review; Blumberg N et al.; Evidence regarding the association of blood transfusions with recurrence of solid tumors is largely conflicting . This is perhaps not surprising given the retrospective nature of the studies, the complexity of the disease and its treatment, and variations in local transfusion practices . Nonetheless, data demonstrating that transfusions of whole blood are associated with earlier cancer recurrence are most readily explained by a cause and effect relationship . There is a growing literature documenting previously unforeseen immunologic consequences of homologous blood transfusion . These possible clinical consequences may include earlier cancer recurrence, and increased susceptibility to infection with bacteria and viruses . The questions raised in this review will likely be answered by further studies . For the present, the prudent clinician will select red blood cells rather than whole blood for transfusion, and recognize that blood transfusion is a therapy with considerable benefits, but also considerable risks.

Dev Comp Immunol, 1987 Fall, 11(4), 679 - 704
A review of fixed phagocytic and pinocytotic cells of decapod crustaceans, with remarks on hemocytes; Johnson PT; Clearance of foreign materials from the hemocoel of decapod crustaceans involves several distinct kinds of cells . Proteins, and possibly viruses below 30 nm diameter, are known to be removed by the branchial podocytes, which are specialized pinocytotic nephrocytes located in the gills . These cells, and podocytes of the antennal gland (excretory organ) which may also be of importance in clearance, are similar to podocytes of Bowman's capsule of the vertebrate kidney . Phagocytic clearance of particulate material (with possible exception of the small viruses) is accomplished by three kinds of cells, one free and the other two fixed to tissues facing hemal spaces . The hemocytes, free cells suspended in the hemolymph, are the most abundant and generalized of these phagocytic cells . Phagocytic reserve cells are applied to myofibers in the heart of penaeid and palaemonid shrimp, and probably the same as reserve cells found throughout the hemocoel of all decapods . They are minimally involved in clearance of injected carbon and carmine, but are not known to phagocytize naturally occurring particles such as bacteria or viruses . The fixed phagocytes are very important in the clearance of some substances . They are located on the exterior surfaces of arterioles in hemal spaces of the hepatopancreas . They are highly specialized cells designed to sequester large amounts of various types of particulate matter, not only through phagocytosis but by trapping and retaining vast numbers of particles within a net- or sievelike layer of granular material which surrounds the free surface of the fixed phagocyte . Derivation, morphology, development, and function of the above cell types are described and discussed.

Am J Ind Med, 1987, 12(6), 737 - 42
Some opinions on byssinosis in China; Xing GC; On the basis of some study results in China and reports from abroad, a conclusion should be drawn that leads to the recognition of a pneumoconiosis-like lesion of interstitial fibrosis . This disease is called "cotton pneumoconiosis" and we may classify these occupational lesions into four types: 1) byssinosis; 2) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); 3) cotton fever; and 4) cotton pneumoconiosis . Byssinosis, COPD, cotton fever and cotton pneumoconiosis may be different types of responses due to the different duration of exposure, the different parts of bronchial tree (upper respiratory tract, small airway, and respiratory part) where deposition occurs, and the different components of cotton dust (broken cotton fibers, bracts, pericarps, bacteria, and fungi) . These responses, which include histaminelike reaction, allergy, and stimulation of foreign material, happen in different symptoms of the syndrome among cotton mill workers . But no matter whether responses caused by inhalation of dust are inflammation or allergic reaction, cotton dust is foreign stimulation on deposited sites, causing lung fibrosis after lung stimulation . For the health of cotton workers, we must pay attention not only to the acute effects but also to the chronic lesions . We therefore suggest that these four types of occupational lung disorders caused by inhalation of cotton dust may be called by the joint name, "Byssinosis syndrome."

Arch Oral Biol, 1987, 32(7), 473 - 6
Proteolytic activities in the supragingival plaque of monkeys (Macaca fascicularis); Smith K et al.; Thirteen peptidase substrates were hydrolysed by this plaque . After fasting the monkeys for 24 h, the rates of hydrolysis of N-leucyl-, N-alanyl-, N-isoleucyl- and N-tyrosyl-2-naphthylamines, glycyl-L-proline 4-nitroanilide, N alpha-benzoyl-DL-arginine-2-naphthylamine and L-leucyglycine were significantly increased . Changes in these peptidase activities may serve to enhance the mobilization of amino acids and peptides, and they may explain why the growth rates of dental-plaque bacteria in vivo are generally unaffected by the availability of the host's diet.

J Dent Res, 1987 Jan, 66(1), 2 - 9
Possible mechanisms involved in the immunoregulation of chronic inflammatory periodontal disease; Seymour GJ; It is generally agreed that immunological mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease; however, regulation of these mechanisms has hitherto received scant attention . Regulatory networks exist at both a cellular and a molecular level . At the cellular level, the existence of helper (T4-positive) and suppressor (T8-positive) T lymphocytes, the expression of Class II major histocompatibility complex antigens, and the heterogeneity of macrophage subpopulations are central to an understanding of the regulatory mechanisms involved . It is only recently that studies of these separate components, in both humans and experimental animals, have begun to provide a basis for understanding the complex interactions occurring in periodontal disease . Studies using the human experimental gingivitis model have shown an immunoregulatory picture consistent with a controlled immunological reaction with an essentially normal T4:T8 ratio of 2.0 . In contrast, studies utilizing cells extracted from adult periodontitis lesions have shown a reduced T4:T8 ratio (approximately 1.0) and an inability to respond in, or to stimulate, an autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction . Animal studies using athymic nude rats have supported the concept of a central role for T-cell control in periodontal disease and the possibility of an imbalance in this control with disease progression . These results are reviewed and areas of future research explored.

Annu Rev Nutr, 1987, 7, 157 - 85
Dietary regulation of gene expression: enzymes involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism; Goodridge AG; The mechanisms of the responses of an enzyme to different hormones and metabolites or several enzymes to a single hormone are surprisingly varied . There is neither an operon for lipogenic enzymes nor a common step at which hormones and metabolites coordinately regulate the expression of lipogenic genes . In bacteria, coordinated expression of several enzymes in a single metabolic pathway often is achieved by organizing the genes into operons . An operon is a group of genes linked together in a linear fashion and producing a polycistronic mRNA . Trans-acting factors regulate the transcription of these genes by interacting with promoter/regulatory sequences in the 5'-flanking region of the most 5'-ward of the genes . In vertebrate animals, however, coordinated control of gene transcription is not achieved by linking the individual genes, but by putting in the 5'-flanking regions of these genes a regulatory sequence that interacts with common trans-acting factors . Genes controlled by different hormones are expected to have regulatory elements for each hormone . The presence of glucocorticoid and cyclic AMP regulatory elements at the 5'-end of the PEPCK gene is consistent with this notion . Transcription is not the only step at which hormones and metabolites control the pathways for gene expression . The levels of the mRNAs for L-PK, ME, S11, and S14 are increased by T3 at post-transcriptional steps . Glucagon also regulates the accumulation of ME mRNA post-transcriptionally . Neither the mechanism nor the sequence organization of regulatory elements is known for post-transcriptional control of gene expression . In the case of PEPCK and HMG-CoA reductase, the next steps will be to determine more precisely the sequences in the 5'-region that mediate hormone sensitivity and feedback inhibition, respectively, and whether trans-acting factors are involved . For the other genes discussed, identification of the regulated step must precede identification of sequences that confer hormone or metabolite-sensitive regulation on a specific gene . In general, it is probable that the hybrid gene approach, so successful for PEPCK and HMG-CoA reductase, also will be effective in defining cis-acting hormone- or metabolite-regulatory elements in other genes . These techniques should be applicable to both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms . Our long-term objective is to understand the molecular basis of each event that intervenes between the binding of hormone or metabolite to its appropriate receptor and altered enzyme level.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Comp Biochem Physiol B, 1987, 86(3), 423 - 38
What is the function of protein carboxyl methylation?
van Waarde A.
The following functions of protein carboxyl methylation seem to be reasonably well established: Multiple, stoichiometric methylation of chemotactic receptors in bacteria at glutamyl residues serves as one (but not the only) adaptation mechanism of the transduction chain to constant background levels of chemotactic stimuli . Stoichiometric methylation of hormones and hormone carrier proteins plays a role in hormone storage and secretion by the pituitary gland . Substoichiometric methylation at D-aspartyl residues is involved in a repair mechanism of aged proteins . Stoichiometric methylation of calmodulin modulates the sensitivity of calmodulin-dependent processes to calcium . Research of the past 3 years has indicated that in order to demonstrate an involvement of methylation in the coupling of surface receptors to intracellular events three new criteria have to be met: (a) the cell should possess a protein carboxyl methylase with relatively narrow substrate specificity; (b) methylation should take place at L-amino acid residues; (c) the methyl accepting proteins should be methylated in a stoichiometric fashion.

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg, 1987, 1(3), 158 - 64
Factors predisposing to wound infection in cardiac surgery . A prospective study of 517 patients; Wilson AP et al.; Postoperative wound infection can greatly prolong hospital stay after cardiac surgery, so the identification of predisposing factors may help in prevention or early institution of treatment . Transfer of organisms from the leg to the sternum during coronary artery surgery has been proposed as a major additional cause of sepsis . The definition of wound infection is not standardised and therefore makes comparison between centres difficult . In a prospective study of 517 patients, a wound scoring method (ASEPSIS) has been used to register all abnormal wounds to maximise the chances of identifying factors predisposing to infection . Abnormal healing was noted in 99 (19%) sternal wounds and 29 (8%) leg wounds . Obesity was the principal risk factor (P less than 0.005) . Diabetes, reoperation, length of preoperative hospital stay, age, sex, or previous cardiac surgery had little effect on wound healing . The range of bacteria isolated from chest wounds after coronary artery surgery was similar to that after valvular surgery, but the rate of isolation was significantly greater . With careful attention to technique, leg wound infection rarely presented a clinical problem and did not appear to be a source of bacteria infecting the chest wound.

Pol Arch Weter, 1987, 27(1), 81 - 91
{Activity of porcine anti-Brucella abortus immunoglobulins in the acid plate agglutination test (APAT)}; Stryszak A et al.; Serological activity of swine IgM and IgG against Brucella abortus in RBPT was determined in relation to four other reactions used in Poland for diagnosing brucellosis standard agglutination test, complement fixation test, antiglobulin test, 2-mercaptoethanol test) . Isolation of IgG was performed by the method of filtration on Sephadex gel G-200 of swine sera raised against Brucella abortus S19 by double immunization with suspension of killed bacteria . The presence of a certain Ig class in the fractions thus obtained was confirmed by immunoelectrophoresis and immunodiffusion tests . RBPT revealed the reaction of antibodies of IgM and IgG class which proves usability of this reaction diagnosis both early (IgM) and chronic (IgG) infection with brucellosis . Both classes of antibodies mentioned above were active also in SAT and CTT . Also the results obtained in AGT and MET were found interesting . In one of the sera, the absence of incomplete antibodies was observed, whereas positive reaction in antiglobulin test was found in its fractions containing IgG . This phenomenon was determined as concealment of incomplete agglutinins through higher level of complete antibodies in normal serum . In swine (the results were different from those obtained for cattle), apart from incomplete antibodies in IgG class, the presence of these agglutinins in IgM class was noted . On the other hand, the results obtained in MET proved that IgM antibodies of swine were not totally reduced when affected by 2-mercaptoethanol.

Gene, 1987, 59(1), 77 - 86
Cloning of a Drosophila melanogaster adenine phosphoribosyltransferase structural gene and deduced amino acid sequence of the enzyme; Johnson DH et al.; The Aprt locus of Drosophila melanogaster encodes the structural gene for adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) . DNA cloned from microdissected salivary gland polytene chromosome region 62B7-12 was used in conjunction with chromosome walking and hybrid selection of mRNA to isolate the Aprt gene . Aprt lies at cytogenetic position 62B9 and is closely flanked by other genes of unknown function . Nucleotide sequencing shows that four APRT cDNAs have a common 5' terminus with an apparent cap consensus sequence but two different 3' sites of polyadenylation . The distribution of conserved amino acid sequences in APRT from vertebrates, insects and bacteria suggests that they may have shared a common ancestral gene for this ubiquitous enzyme.

Lasers Surg Med, 1987, 7(6), 467 - 72
Endogenous porphyrin fluorescence in tumors; Harris DM et al.; The fluorescence of endogenous porphyrins in tumors has been attributed to the presence of several different species of bacteria inhabiting ulcerated and necrotic tissues . We have examined this "autofluorescence" in carcinogen-induced tumors in the hamster oral mucosa and in patients with cancer of the oral cavity . In several instances, bright autofluorescence of normal tissues has been observed . This represents a potential false-positive identification of cancer when systemic hematoporphyrin derivative fluorescence is used as a diagnostic technique.

Acta Otolaryngol Suppl, 1987, 435, 85 - 9
Prognosis and endotoxin contents in middle ear effusions in cases after acute otitis media; Iino Y et al.; We analysed the endotoxin content of middle ear effusion (MEE) from patients after acute otitis media, by a Limulus assay . Endotoxin was positive in 70% of the cases treated with antibiotics at an acute event for more than 5 days, while the incidence of bacteria was only 22% . One month after the sample collection, cases with a high concentration of endotoxin in MEE still tended to have effusion . These results suggest that endotoxin in MEE cannot be easily inactivated and may be involved in the development of acute otitis media into chronic otitis media with effusions.

Langenbecks Arch Chir, 1987, 370(3), 173 - 83
{Measuring chemiluminescence in phagocytic granulocytes--simultaneously a parameter of their killing function?}; Dziwisch L et al.; The results of the chemiluminescence activity determined in whole blood samples very often were used to compare the unspecific defense mechanism of polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) against causative organisms to preoperative capable risk parameters in surgery . Our investigations try to compare the results of a bacteria-induced chemiluminescence with those we received from a standardized agar killing plate-test . It could be shown that there is no correlation between the used two test systems . Therefore it is not possible to conclude from the chemiluminescence results especially made out of whole blood samples to the potency of the defense mechanism of PMN granulocytes.

J Mol Evol, 1987, 24(4), 357 - 65
Accumulation pattern of amino acid substitutions in protein evolution; Kunisawa T et al.; A simple method for the evolutionary analysis of amino acid sequence data is presented and used to examine whether the number of variable sites (NVS) of a protein is constant during its evolution . The NVSs for hemoglobin and for mitochondrial cytochrome c are each found to be almost constant, and the ratio between the NVSs is close to the ratio between the unit evolutionary periods . This indicates that the substitution rate per variable site is almost uniform for these proteins, as the neutral theory claims . An advantage of the present analysis is that it can be done without knowledge of paleontological divergence times and can be extended to bacterial proteins such as bacterial c-type cytochromes . It is suggested that the NVS of cytochrome c has been almost constant even over the long period (ca . 3.0 billion years) of bacterial evolution but that at least two different substitution rates are necessary to describe the accumulated changes in the sequence . This "two clock" interpretation is consistent with fossil evidence for the appearance times of photosynthetic bacteria and eukaryotes.

Differentiation, 1987, 33(3), 197 - 206
Distinct developmental regulation and properties of the responsiveness of different genes to cyclic AMP in Dictyostelium discoideum; Bozzone DM et al.; Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is known to be an important mediator of gene expression in eukaryotic cells . At present, little is known about the developmental events which render specific genes responsive to cAMP in distinct cell types, or about the biochemical mechanisms by which cAMP exerts these regulatory effects . By examining the effects of cAMP treatment on specific mRNA levels in Dictyostelium discoideum cells with different 'developmental histories', we defined the developmental states in which specific genes display responsiveness to cAMP . We focused on two specific rapid responses: the ability of cAMP to inhibit the expression of an 'early' developmentally regulated mRNA (discoidin-I) and to stimulate the expression of a 'late', prespore-specific mRNA (PL3) . Using this approach, we showed that, for both mRNAs, the ability to respond rapidly to cAMP is absent from vegetative cells grown on bacteria, and is acquired during development on filters . Furthermore, we identified several developmental states in which the discoidin-I response to cAMP is present, but in which the PL3 response is not . In experiments designed to examine the effects of cAMP analogues on the levels of these two mRNAs, we demonstrated that the analogue specificities of the discoidin-I and PL3 responses are different, and that the specificity for the PL3 response depends on the developmental state . The developmental kinetics and analogue specificity of the PL3 response suggest a two-step mode of action of cAMP in activating the expression of this gene . We discuss possible implications of these findings for the mechanisms of action of exogenous cAMP as well as for the role of cAMP in controlling the changes in gene expression that accompany normal development.

Parasitol Res, 1987, 73(3), 199 - 202
Detection of Leishmania parasites by DNA in situ hybridization with non-radioactive probes; van Eys GJ et al.; In situ hybridization techniques develop rapidly into diagnostic tools of considerable value for detection of viruses and bacteria . Here we report the application of this technique for the detection of Leishmania parasites . Biotin-labelled total promastigote DNA was hybridized to cultured Leishmania parasites and to blood and impression smears of infected mice . In promastigotes kinetoplasts were strongly stained, nuclei somewhat more diffuse . In amastigotes both nuclear and kinetoplast DNA hybridized strongly . Amastigotes were easily detected in tissue of infected mice by their stable configuration of kinetoplast and nuclei . Cross-hybridization was observed between Leishmania donovani and L . tropica, but not between these two and L . braziliensis or Trypanosoma cruzi . A minor aspecific staining of host cell nuclei in the smears did not interfere with the detectability of the parasites.

J Cell Biochem, 1987 Jan, 33(1), 39 - 51
Site-specific mutagenesis of cDNA clones expressing a poliovirus proteinase; Semler BL et al.; The cleavage of poliovirus precursor polypeptides occurs at specific amino acid pairs that are recognized by viral proteinases . Most of the polio-specific cleavages occur at glutamine-glycine (Q-G) pairs that are recognized by the viral-encoded proteinase 3C (formerly called P3-7c) . In order to carry out a defined molecular genetic study of the enzymatic activity of protein 3C, we have made cDNA clones of the poliovirus genome . The cDNA region corresponding to protein 3C was inserted into an inducible bacterial expression vector . This recombinant plasmid (called pIN-III-C3-7c) utilizes the bacterial lipoprotein promoter to direct the synthesis of a precursor polypeptide that contains the amino acid sequence of protein 3C as well as the amino- and carboxy-terminal Q-G cleavage signals . These signals have been previously shown to allow autocatalytic production of protein 3C in bacteria transformed with plasmid pIN-III-C3-7c . We have taken advantage of the autocatalytic cleavage of 3C in a bacterial expression system to study the effects of site-specific mutagenesis on its proteolytic activity . One mutation that we have introduced into the cDNA region encoding 3C is a single amino acid insertion near the carboxy-terminal Q-G cleavage site . The mutant recombinant plasmid (designated pIN-III-C3-mu 10) directs the synthesis of a bacterial-polio precursor polypeptide that is like the wild-type construct (pIN-III-C3-7c) . However, unlike the wild-type precursor, the mutant precursor cannot undergo autocatalytic cleavage to generate the mature proteinase 3C . Rather, the precursor is able to carry out cleavage at the amino-terminal Q-G site but not at the carboxy-terminal site . Thus, we have generated an altered poliovirus proteinase that is still able to carry out at least part of its cleavage activities but is unable to be a suitable substrate for self-cleavage at its carboxy-terminal Q-G pair.

Nature, 1987 Jan 1-7, 325(6099), 70 - 3
Bovine papillomavirus E2 trans-activating gene product binds to specific sites in papillomavirus DNA; Androphy EJ et al.; Enhancers are cis-acting elements that activate transcription in higher eukaryotes independently of their position or orientation relative to the promoter that they activate . The mechanisms by which enhancers activate transcription are poorly understood, in part because, with the exception of the glucocorticoid receptor, the proteins that directly interact with enhancers have not been purified, nor have the genes encoding them been cloned . The upstream regulatory region (URR) that immediately precedes the early genes of the bovine papillomavirus type 1 genome (BPV) has enhancer activity when it is activated by a trans-acting gene product of the BPV E2 open reading frame (ORF) (Fig . 1) . It is not known whether this enhancement represents a direct or indirect effect of E2 on the URR . We have used an E2 peptide expressed in bacteria and a DNA-protein complex immunoprecipitation assay to study E2-mediated enhancement of transcription by the URR . We show here that this peptide directly binds to four specific sites in the BPV URR, and to one site in the human papillomavirus (H)PV16 URR . All the binding sites contain a related sequence of nucleotides; a 23 base pair (bp) fragment containing this sequence can specifically prevent binding of the E2 protein to the BPV URR . The BPV E2-URR enhancer interaction may therefore represent a useful model system for studying the mechanism of transcriptional enhancement, as both an effector protein and its target enhancer can be purified and genetically manipulated.

Annu Rev Cell Biol, 1987, 3, 143 - 78
Molecular aspects of B-lymphocyte activation; DeFranco AL; The activation of B lymphocytes from the resting stage to the proliferating stage and then to the fully differentiated antibody-secreting stage is a highly regulated and complicated process . B-cell activation can clearly proceed by a number of different routes, each promoted by different regulatory cells (macrophages, two types of helper T cells) and each dependent upon the properties of the relevant antigen molecules . In most cases the nature of the antigen may simply control the magnitude and/or duration of antigen receptor signaling . An antigen that by itself generates inefficient signaling may require additional signals from helper T cells to induce B-cell activation . In contrast, antigens derived from bacterial cell surface components, such as LPS, can directly activate B cells and macrophages . This vigorous, polyclonal responsiveness to certain bacterial components probably represents a specialized system to enhance antibody responses to bacteria, whereas helper T cell-dependent responses may be primarily useful in making antibodies against soluble proteins and viruses . Thus multiple pathways of B-cell activation probably are needed to generate adequate antibody responses against the variety of pathogenic micro-organisms encountered by vertebrates.

Dev Comp Immunol, 1987 Summer, 11(3), 649 - 60
Analysis of suppressor factor in delayed immune responses of a bat, Pteropus giganteus; Chakravarty AK et al.; Bat spleen and mesenteric lymph node cell cultures treated with varying doses of LPS showed significant blastogenic and DNA synthetic responses between 72-96h . Peak responses were not different when the cell culture medium was supplemented either with autologous serum or heterologous serum indicating the absence of any significant suppressor factor in autologous bat serum . In contrast, blastogenesis and DNA synthesis peaks appeared early, at 48h, in lymphocytes depleted of suppressor T cells by pretreatment with cyclophosphamide . Direct antibody producing cells against SRBC were studied in normal spleen and mesenteric lymph node cell cultures . The peak PFC response was lacking even at 120h while CY pretreated bat lymphocytes, showed peak PFC responses at 96h . Thus the delayed immune response in bats seems to be a function of suppressor T cells but serum suppressor factor(s) possibly exerts no significant effect . The function of suppressor cells in bats in relation to their role as carriers of several dreaded bacteria and viruses is discussed.

Isozymes Curr Top Biol Med Res, 1987, 16, 49 - 65
Modified beta-D-N-acetylhexosaminidase isozymes for enzyme replacement in GM2 gangliosidosis; Rattazzi MC et al.; The therapeutic potential of enzyme replacement in lysosomal storage disorders has remained largely unfulfilled, perhaps because of negative reactions to the initial disappointing results . Despite the existence of several animal models that can be utilized to explore solutions to the problems of exogenous enzyme targeting, the interest in ERT prevalent during the 1970's seems to have subsided to be replaced by active interest in bone marrow transplantation (BMT, Krivit and Paul {1986}) . This is a logical approach to enzyme replacement in storage disorders of the RE system, and indeed some encouraging results have been obtained . However, in addition to having high morbidity and mortality, in the ultimate analysis BMT presents the same targeting problems as conventional ERT . In our opinion, these problems can be solved more easily in the case of ERT by exploiting the existing cellular uptake mechanisms and infusing enzymes whose structure has been suitably modified by simple biochemical manipulations . Accordingly, we have explored a methodology that takes advantage of negative charges on the cell surface to obtain nonspecific but effective membrane binding of beta-hex coupled to the highly positively charged PLL, followed by internalization and routing to the lysosomes . This system increases uptake of exogenous enzyme by some neurons in vitro and possibly in vivo, but its efficiency depends on the cells' endocytic activity that, in the case of neuronal soma, apparently is low . Thus, we have chosen as recognition marker for specific neuronal uptake a nontoxic fragment of TTx that is efficiently taken up by these cells . The initial results are encouraging; they support our contention that effective enzyme replacement methodologies can be devised, and encourage us to continue our work in this direction . Finally, recombinant DNA techniques are now being applied to a number of LSD, and the genes for several of the pertinent enzymes have been or are being isolated . In addition to representing a first step towards gene replacement therapy, the results of this work will permit the generation of large amounts of human enzymes from bacteria by recombinant DNA methods, thus obviating the problem of enzyme supply for ERT . Since human lysosomal enzymes obtained from bacteria will be nonglycosylated, to obtain cell uptake it will be necessary to resort to the type of modifications that we are trying to develop at this time, i.e., covalent linkage to moieties that allow non-glycosyl-mediated cellular uptake . Thus, our work on beta-hex may provide a model for biochemical manipulations of bacterially produced enzymes applicable to several LSD.

Comp Biochem Physiol B, 1987, 87(1), 35 - 9
Inhibition of energy metabolism by benzoxazolin-2-one; Niemeyer HM et al.; The effects of the title compound (BOA) on energy-linked reactions in mitochondria were studied . BOA inhibited electron transfer between the flavin and ubiquinone in Complex I, and ATP synthesis at the F1 moiety of the ATPase complex . These results are discussed in relation to the toxicity of BOA towards a wide range of aerobic organisms.

Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol, 1987, 225(1), 45 - 9
Immunological and immunopathological aspects of opsin-induced uveoretinitis; Broekhuyse RM et al.; In an extension of our previous studies, experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) was induced in Lewis rats by injection of very high doses of bovine opsin . The induced reaction consisted predominantly of a mild posterior retinitis . Varying the amount of injected opsin between 300 and 1,000 micrograms did not influence this result, provided that the antigen was injected in Freund's complete adjuvant . Pathogenicity of opsin appeared to be lower than that of interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP) or S-antigen, while EAU induced by the latter antigens was much more dose-dependent than EAU induced by opsin . An increase of the dose strongly accelerated the onset and increased the incidence of EAU from low to moderate . However, severe inflammation and high incidence were only obtained by co-injection of Hemophilus pertussis bacteria . This adjuvant especially increased cellular immune responses to opsin as measured by lymphocyte transformation . No marked effects on humoral responses were detected by ELISA, using different types of opsin preparations . Development of opsin-induced EAU was inhibited by ciclosporin, a suppressor of certain specific T cell functions . Ciclosporin injections lowered the antibody response of the rats and eliminated measurable lymphocyte transformation in vitro . Induction of opsin-EAU therefore appears to be T-cell-dependent . The effect of pertussis adjuvant may be explained by enhancement of the T cell responses to opsin and by increasing the permeability of the blood-retina barriers . Other properties of the adjuvant may be of importance as well . A relationship between change in molecular conformation and uveitogenicity of opsin is discussed.

Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1987, 82(2), 159 - 67
Effect of polymeric IgG on human monocyte functions; Mannhalter JW et al.; Fc and iC3b receptors are involved in various biological functions of phagocytic cells, such as immune adherence and phagocytosis of opsonized particles, degranulation and superoxide generation . In the present study we examined the expression of specific receptors for the Fc portion of IgG (FcR) and for iC3b (CR3), a cleavage product of the third complement component, on human monocytes following in vitro treatment with polymeric and monomeric IgG . Interaction of polymeric IgG (fluid phase) with the monocyte membrane led to a concomitant modulation of both Fc and iC3b receptors . Monomeric IgG, however, down modulated Fc receptor expression only if surface bound . Under these conditions, no concomitant modulation of the iC3b receptor could be observed . The down modulation of Fc and iC3b receptors induced by fluid-phase IgG polymers was also accompanied by a decrease in monocyte functions as expressed by reduced Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis, decreased release of oxygen metabolites following stimulation by aggregated IgG and opsonized zymosan, as well as in impaired killing of bacteria . These data suggest that a down modulation of Fc and iC3b receptors might have important implications for host defense mechanisms, since interaction with these receptors is required for the proper elimination of many pathogens.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1987, 32(5), 382 - 7
Characterization of the submerged growth of Moraxella bovis; Mandl M et al.; A submerged batch cultivation of Moraxella bovis in a medium containing enzymic casein hydrolyzate and supplemented with dialyzed ram blood was described . Up to the growth limitation the bacteria grew exponentially without a lag phase and with a doubling period of 64 min . During the exponential phase no significant decrease of viable cells and cell autolysis were observed . Amino acids were the limiting factor . At the end of growth glutamic acid, threonine and serine were detected at the lowest concentrations . Substrate limitation led to an irreversible decrease of the metabolic activity . Growth yield on oxygen was 2.3 X 10(9) cells per mg O2 . The fraction of respiration required for growth-uncoupled processes was negligible . During the cultivation ammonia was produced and the pH increased but it was not the inhibitory factor . Respiration was not limited by oxygen at concentrations higher than 0.63 mumol O2 per L . Sufficient pili were produced.

J Biol Stand, 1987 Jan, 15(1), 17 - 26
The detoxification of Bordetella pertussis with glutaraldehyde; Iida T et al.; To improve the whole-cell pertussis vaccine we have studied the inactivation of the biological properties characteristic of Bordetella pertussis phase I bacteria, i.e . histamine-sensitizing, lymphocytosis-promoting and mouse protective activities, by treating a concentrated bacterial suspension with various concentrations of glutaraldehyde . Under the experimental conditions, treatment with 10 mM glutaraldehyde at 37 degrees C for 30 min resulted in a marked reduction of the toxic activities without grossly diminishing the protective potency . Further tests were performed on the stability of the protective potency, on the agglutinin production in mice, and on the freedom from abnormal toxicity in guinea-pigs.

Am J Cardiovasc Pathol, 1987, 1(2), 147 - 56
Cardiovascular effects of congenital infections; Rosenberg HS; In the course of gestation, many bacteria, parasites, and viruses may infect the pregnant woman, but few cross the placenta to affect the fetus and fewer still affect the fetal heart . Although the incidence of fetal cardiac infection is low, the effect on the fetus is major . In terms of frequency, rubella virus, Toxoplasma gondii, and Coxsackie virus B are the principal infectious agents affecting the fetal heart, but any number of organisms may cross the placenta to affect the fetus . The pathogenesis of infection of the fetal heart relates to the agent and to the time of gestation when the infection occurs . The agent affects the heart along one or more of three separate pathways: inhibition of cell growth, cytolysis, and interference with the blood supply . Most agents cause cytolysis, stimulating inflammation and scarring . Although several agents carry the suspicion of teratogenicity, only rubella virus has been incriminated with certainty as capable of functioning along each of the three pathways with the potential to serve as teratogen.

Curr Genet, 1987, 11(4), 309 - 14
Phylogenetic implication of heterogeneity of the nontranscribed spacer of rDNA repeating unit in various Neurospora and related fungal species; Verma M et al.; Nontranscribed spacer (NTS) regions of ribosomal (r)RNA genes are non-conserved and are shown to be useful for phylogenetic studies . 32P-labelled N . crassa NTS pCC3400 DNA, was used as a molecular probe to hybridize Southern blots of genomic DNAs obtained from Neurospora, Gelacinospora, Sordaria, bacteria, plants, and animals . Our studies conclude that: (a) the homotahllic species of Neurospora should not belong to genus Gelacinospora (a historical question) and that Neurospora homothallic species are closer to Gelacinospora than to Sordaria; and that (b) all of the filamentous fungal species tested are indeed closer to the higher plant genome than to higher primate animal genome based on shared restriction sites of 12 enzymes . Our studies also demonstrate the usefulness of nontranscribed rRNA gene probes in resolving questions regarding phylogenetic relatedness between widely separated organisms using the parsimony principle based on mutation sites from DNA restriction maps; it has not been possible to do this using DNA: DNA hybridization procedures that involved the total genome.

Crit Rev Microbiol, 1987, 15(2), 117 - 40
The genetics and biochemistry of mercury resistance; Foster TJ; The ability of bacteria to detoxify mercurial compounds by reduction and volatilization is conferred by mer genes, which are usually plasmid located . The narrow spectrum (Hg2+ detoxifying) Tn501 and R100 determinants have been subjected to molecular genetic and DNA sequence analysis . Biochemical studies on the flavoprotein mercuric reductase have elucidated the mechanism of reduction of Hg2+ to Hg0 . The mer genes have been mapped and sequenced and their protein products studied in minicells . Based on the deduced amino acid sequences, these proteins have been assigned a role in a mechanistic scheme for mercury flux in resistant bacteria . The mer genes are inducible, with regulatory control being exerted at the transcriptional level both positively and negatively . Attention is now focusing on broad-spectrum resistance involving detoxification of organomercurials by an additional enzyme, organomercurial lyase . Lyase genes have recently been cloned and sequencing studies are in progress.

Vet Med Nauki, 1987, 24(6), 10 - 8
{Etiological study of viral gastroenteritis in swine}; Ignatov G et al.; Studied were the etiology and spread of nonbacterial gastroenteritis in pigs over a period of five years . Ascertained were cases of diarrhea caused by the virus of transmissive gastroenteritis, epizootic diarrhea, and rotaviruses . The transmissive gastroenteritis virus was found in 14.1 per cent of the investigated material, mostly in the winter months (67.8 per cent), which was 65.6 per cent of the positive cases . The number of cases and that of the farms involved abruptly rose in the last two years of the investigated period when as many as 73.4 per cent of the positive findings were recorded . Thirty to 37.7 per cent of the studied farms proved to be infected . Enzootic diarrhea was recorded on seven out of the 12 studied farms, whereas 30 to 50 per cent of the sampled material was positive . The serologic study of reconvalescent blood sera of pigs from three infected farms revealed that 90 up to 100 per cent of them contained antibodies . In a great part of the sera (from 15 to 68.9 per cent) there were transmissive gastroenteritis antibodies as well . In 6.8 per cent of the Investigated samples and on 30 per cent of the farms there were also findings of rotaviruses . Cases of rotavirus gastroenteritis were recorded the year round with a rising trend in the cold months . Antibodies to these viruses were established on a large scale--from 58.13 to 100 per cent . There were also mixed infections--corona- and rotaviruses or viruses and bacteria.

Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1987, 66(2), 158 - 60
{Antiviral activity of a chemical contraceptive (nonoxynol-9)}; Barbi M et al.; The aim of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the antiviral activity of a chemical contraceptive (Nonoxynol-9) . The results have demonstrated that such a compound is able to inhibit the infectivity of enveloped viruses . It seems that the activity of this contraceptive is due to the lesion of the envelopePIP: The action in vitro of chemical intravaginal contraceptives against bacteria and fungi has already been demonstrated and its antiviral activity is now undergoing testing . Nonoxynol-9 was tested on herpes simplex type II, respiratory sincipital virus and polio virus type II; the viruses were grown in human fetal fibroblasts, continued-line human cells, and continued-line monkey kidney cells . A cytotoxic effect was demonstrated up to a 1-10 dilution of the basic solution within 1 minute, without variances between different cellular lines . The results were tested against untreated control colonies . This study shows the efficacy of 1 chemical contraceptive against unrelated viruses; the target seems to be the pericapsidic membrane . This suggests a possible role for these drugs in the prevention of sexually transmitted venereal diseases such as HTLV-III and herpes .

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1987, 895(1), 25 - 39
Principles of coupling between electron transfer and proton translocation with special reference to proton-translocation mechanisms in cytochrome oxidase; Krab K et al.; The recent general acceptance of the proton-pumping function of cytochrome oxidase has stimulated discussion and experiment on possible underlying molecular mechanisms . Adequate experimental design requires clear understanding of the theoretical principles governing such a linked function . The increasing structural knowledge of cytochrome oxidase also contributes to a present-day requirement of more precise chemical and physical description of redox-linked proton translocation, which is the fundamental process underlying conservation of energy from aerobic metabolism in all eukaryotes and many bacteria . This essay is based on our original theoretical treatment of this problem, which is expanded here to include discussion of more recent analyses by others, classification of different types of coupling principles, as well as some concrete proposed molecular mechanisms . The latter will be analysed qualitatively, and in some cases quantitatively where this is possible, using a common theoretical framework to help comparison between models . Experimental findings relevant to this problem will be critically reviewed, and some suggestions will be made to stimulate further experiments dedicated to clarify the problem.

Indian J Lepr, 1987 Jan-Mar, 59(1), 9 - 19
A rapid method for viability and drug sensitivity of Mycobacterium leprae cultured in macrophages and using fluorescein diacetate; Bhagria A et al.; The ability of viable M . leprae to hydrolyze Fluorescein diacetate and retain fluorescein inside the bacteria was used to identify viable M . leprae inside the cultured in vitro macrophages . The subjective microscopic count of the FDA test was demonstrated as useful routine test by confirming the results obtained therein with a quantitative and non subjective measurement of fluorescence in spectrofluorimeter . Using this method loss of viability of M . leprae in presence of dapsone and rifampicin was demonstrated . Such an assay, was well correlated with another in vitro assay, the Fc receptor test and also the in vivo mouse foot test . The drug resistance of clinical isolates of M . leprae demonstrated by mouse foot pad was also correlated with FDA test system . Thus we have reported a reliable, consistent and rapid in vitro test system for determining viability and drug sensitivity of M . leprae.

Dev Biol Stand, 1987, 67, 281 - 7
The clinical use of intravenous gammaglobulin; Dwyer JM; The availability of safe and effective preparations of human immune globulin that can be administered intravenously has revolutionized replacement therapy for patients suffering from hypogammaglobulinaemia . Of equal importance and greater interest, however, has been the recognition that super physiological doses of IgG can manipulate an abnormal immune system . Future prospects for the use of immunoglobulin preparations to supply specific antibodies includes the standardization of procedures, whereby patients with acute sepsis may receive antibiotics and immunoglobulin simultaneously . Already there is in vitro evidence that suggests that opsonized bacteria are more readily affected by aminoglycosides . It seems certain that gamma globulin will be used routinely in the management of patients with a number of immunomalignancies, such as chronic lymphatic leukaemia and multiple myeloma that feature hypogammaglobulinaemia, especially when chemotherapy is being administered . Control trials are underway to determine whether gamma globulin given intravenously to premature babies will satisfactorily correct their immuno-deficient state and improve their chances of survival . The immunomanipulative capacity of immunoglobulin is yet to be fully realized . Success in ideopathic thrombocytopenic purpura had led to a trial of gamma globulin in a number of autoimmune conditions . Success has been reported in myasthenia gravis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, patients with circulating antibodies to factor VIII and Kawasaki's disease . The mechanism of action is unknown but almost certainly multifactorial . Two proven mechanisms that will be added to in the future, include blockade of the Fc receptors on cells of the reticulo-endothelial system and manipulation of immunoregulatory T cells by the presence of anti-idiotypic antibodies in the preparation.

Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis, 1987, 10(1), 9 - 23
Partial characterization of a Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 immunodominant antigenic determinant recognized by a monoclonal antibody . Legionella specific antigenic determinant; Petitjean F et al.; A monoclonal antibody was used to characterize a serogroup 1 specific Legionella pneumophila Philadelphia strain 1 antigenic determinant . A quantitative fluorometric assay was developed to quantitate the antibody sites (2.7 +/- 0.4 X 10(5)) on Legionella bacteria and to determine the physico-chemical parameters of the antibody-antigen interaction (at 4 degrees C: delta G = -10.9 Kcal X mol-1, delta H = 1.7 Kcal X mol-1, delta S = 45 cal X K-1 X mol-1) . The same method was used to study the modification or the removal of the antigen by chemical and enzymatic means (trypsin, papain, lysozyme, acetone, chloroform-methanol and Tris-EDTA); only Tris-EDTA extraction resulted in a significant decrease in antibody binding sites . Inhibition studies of the fluorescein-labelled antibody binding were performed with different sugars of which only L-fucosylamine was inhibitory, and with other monoclonal antibodies to Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 in order to compare their fine specificity and affinity . The results indicate that the epitope recognized was an immunodominant carbohydrate including an aminodideoxyhexose and carried by the lipopolysaccharide.

Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol, 1987, 27, 279 - 300
Health effects of exposure to diesel exhaust particles; McClellan RO; Diesel-powered vehicles emit substantially more particles than do gasoline-powered vehicles with contemporary emission control systems . The DEP are submicron in size and readily inhaled . Approximately one-fourth of the particle mass inhaled by people is deposited in the pulmonary region, some of which is retained with a half-life of several hundred days . In animal studies, exposure to high levels of DEP overwhelms the normal clearance mechanisms and results in lung burdens of DEP that exceed those predicted from observations at lower exposure concentrations . A variable amount of the mass of DEP is extractable with strong organic solvents . The extracted material contains more than a thousand individual compounds and is mutagenic in a number of bacterial and mammalian cell assays . Bioassay-directed chemical analysis of DEP had identified several hundred compounds . Many are PAHs, some of which are considered to have human carcinogenic potential . A number of nitrated compounds have been identified that account for a significant portion of the mutagenicity assayed in bacteria . The mutagenicity of the DEPE is generally reduced by addition of an S-9 cellular fraction or of serum proteins . Macrophages rapidly reduce the recoverable mutagenic activity associated with DEP . These findings support a hypothesis that detoxification of DEP-associated organics occurs rapidly in vivo . The association of benzo(a)pyrene and nitropyrene with DEP prolongs their retention in the lungs . This increased retention suggests the need to clarify the relative importance of competing mechanisms that detoxify particle-associated compounds and those that serve to enhance the retention of toxicologically important compounds . Some extracts of DEP evoke tumorigenic responses in skin-tumor bioassays, suggesting their carcinogenic potential in mammals . A number of large-scale studies have been conducted with laboratory rodents to evaluate the effects of chronic inhalation exposure to DE . An increased incidence of lung tumors, some of which were diagnosed as malignant, was observed in 5 studies with rats following exposure for 2 or more years to high levels of DE . Most of the lung tumors were observed after 2 years . Similar studies in Syrian hamsters have yielded negative results . Studies with mice have given mixed results . The results of some studies with laboratory animals exposed to DE and known carcinogens suggest that exposure to DE enhances the effect of the known carcinogens . The specific mechanisms of tumor induction in the DE-exposed rats are unknown . Hypotheses and experimental data have been advanced in support of both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of action of the DE.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Microbios, 1987, 49(198), 47 - 54
Effects of anti-Ureaplasma urease antibody on homologous and heterologous urease activities; Eng H et al.; Among organisms in the class Mollicutes only Ureaplasma species possess urease . Antiserum to urease of U . urealyticum strain T960 (CX8) was used to examine the cross-reactivity of urease from other Ureaplasma species, as well as urease of jack bean and several urease-possessing walled bacteria . Immunological cross reactivity was used to establish phylogenetic relationships between various antigens . The ability of monospecific anti-urease antibody to inhibit urease activity was examined . The antiserum inhibited urease activity of the homologous strain the least of any Ureaplasma tested . It is postulated that urease possesses a minimum of two sets of epitopes . Binding of antibody to one epitope causes inhibition of enzyme activity; this epitope is common to urease of all Ureaplasma species . Binding of antibody to the other epitope prevents binding to the inhibition epitope; this epitope is specific to U . urealyticum strain T960 (CX8) . No inhibition was observed with urease from jack bean or several walled bacteria.

Biochemistry, 1986 Dec 30, 25(26), 8447 - 53
Evidence that heme d1 is a 1,3-porphyrindione; Chang CK et al.; Heme d1 is the noncovalently associated heme prosthetic group of the bacterial nitrite reductase known as cytochrome cd1 . Additional evidence has been obtained in support of a dioxoisobacteriochlorin, or 1,3-porphyrindione, skeleton for this heme . The new data include the natural abundance 13C NMR spectrum of the free base methyl ester derivative of d1, mass spectrometric determinations of the molecular mass of the free base methyl ester and the Cu and the Zn chelates, visible and 1H NMR spectral comparisons between d1 and synthetic porphyrindione model compounds, and the isolation and characterization of several byproducts formed during the purification of the free base methyl ester of d1 . The accumulated evidence strongly supports the following structure for the skeleton of d1: 1-oxo-2-methyl-2'-acetyl-3-oxo-4-methyl-4'-acetyl-5-methyl-6-acrylyl+ ++-7- propionyl-8-methylporphyrin.

Cancer, 1986 Dec 15, 58(12), 2640 - 5
Tuberculosis-associated hemophagocytic syndrome . A systemic process; Campo E et al.; Virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome has been recently identified as a benign, reactive histiocytic proliferation distinct from Rappaport's malignant hystiocytosis . Other etiologic agents, including different bacteria, have also been identified . Three autopsy cases of hemophagocytic syndrome associated to acute tuberculous sepsis are presented . Benign histiocytic proliferation with striking hemophagocytosis was present in a disseminated, multisystemic pattern in all three cases . A relationship between systemic histiocytic proliferation and an anergic status in these patients is suggested.

Ann Gastroenterol Hepatol (Paris), 1986 Dec, 22(7), 391 - 3
{Abdominal actinomycosis: a rare complication of gastric surgery? Apropos of a case}; Dellagi K et al.; One case of abdominal actinomycosis is reported which was detected in a diabetic patient three years after surgery for duodenal peptic ulcer . Gastric actinomycosis is very rare and is usually discovered during surgery for gastric mass . The role of surgery as a predisposing condition to infection is discussed . The diagnosis rely on the characterization of the bacteria in cultures from a discharging wall fistula and on histopathologic examination which reveals the characteristic actinomycotic granules.

Clin Nephrol, 1986 Dec, 26(6), 303 - 6
Clindamycin phosphate kinetics in subjects undergoing CAPD; Schwartz MT et al.; The kinetics of intraperitoneally administered clindamycin phosphate were studied in 9 volunteer subjects undergoing CAPD . Volunteers were assigned to 2 groups with the first group receiving clindamycin phosphate 300 mg/l in exchanges 1 through 5, and the second group receiving clindamycin phosphate 300 mg/l in exchange 1, and then 30 mg/l in exchanges 2 through 5 . Clindamycin serum and dialysate effluent levels were determined by bioassay . When admixed with dialysate fluid and instilled into the peritoneal cavity, clindamycin phosphate is rapidly activated . Serum concentrations of clindamycin were rapidly achieved in both groups during the first exchange . Subjects in groups I and II had peak serum levels of active drug within 3 (3.94 ug/ml) and 5 (7.35 ug/ml) h, respectively . These results support the practice of not only administering intraperitoneal clindamycin phosphate to treat CAPD-related peritonitis, but using this route of administration to treat systemic infections due to susceptible bacteria in patients without intravenous access.

Am J Vet Res, 1986 Dec, 47(12), 2618 - 20
Adherence of Bordetella avium to turkey tracheal mucosa: effects of culture conditions; Arp LH; Adherence of Bordetella avium to the tracheal mucosa of turkeys was evaluated, using bacteria grown under different culture conditions . Several solid and liquid media were used at incubation times of 12, 24, 36, or 48 hours with incubation temperatures of 18, 26.5, or 35 C . Adherence of B avium was greatest when the bacteria were grown on solid media at 35 C . Use of Bordet-Gengou or brain-heart infusion agar was associated with significantly greater (P less than 0.05) adherence compared with adherence of bacteria grown on other media . Adherence was greatest, using cultures in the stationary phase of growth; however, with some media, adherence diminished when incubation was extended beyond 36 hours . Adherence of B avium was reduced but not completely prevented when cultures were incubated at 18 C.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1986 Dec, 134(6), 1287 - 8
Pyrazinamide is not active in vitro against Mycobacterium avium complex; Heifets LB et al.; Strains of M . tuberculosis that elaborate pyrazinamidase are typically susceptible in vitro and in vivo to pyrazinamide (PZA) . However, we found that 33 strains of M . avium complex (MAC), all of which were pyrazinamidase-positive, were resistant in vitro to a high concentration (100 micrograms/ml) of PZA when tested at low pH in 7H12 broth by radiometric (BACTEC) method . The drug was equally ineffective against these bacteria within cultured normal human macrophages . We conclude that the pyrazinamidase test is not suitable for susceptibility studies against M . avium complex . On the basis of our in vitro studies, which support earlier data, we believe that PZA is not appropriate for therapy of MAC disease.

Biochem Cell Biol, 1986 Dec, 64(12), 1333 - 8
Sea urchin sperm peroxidase is competitively inhibited by benzohydroxamic acid and phenylhydrazine; Schuel H et al.; Sea urchin sperm contain a phenylhydrazine-sensitive peroxidase that is believed to use hydrogen peroxide produced by the fertilized egg to reduce sperm fertility and thereby assist in the prevention of polyspermy . Strongylocentrotus purpuratus sperm were treated initially with hypotonic phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) to remove catalase and then extracted with 0.5% Triton X-100 in 0.5 M acetate buffer (pH 5.0) . Peroxidase activity in this detergent extract was assayed using 3,3',5,5'-tetramethyl benzidine (TMB) as oxidizable substrate . Kinetic studies showed that the Km for TMB is 250 microM . Benzohydroxamic acid and phenylhydrazine are known to be competitive inhibitors of a variety of plant and animal peroxidases . These substances were found to competitively inhibit the sea urchin sperm peroxidase: for benzohydroxamic acid, Ki = 51.2 microM, mean inhibitory dose (ID50) = 146.7 microM; for phenylhydrazine, Ki = 201 nM, ID50 = 303 nM . These findings indicate that the biochemical properties of the sea urchin sperm peroxidase resembles those of peroxidases found in somatic tissues where oxygen radicals are produced by phagocytes to kill bacteria and support our hypothesis that the sperm peroxidase has a functional role in the prevention of polyspermy during fertilization.

Virology, 1986 Dec, 155(2), 593 - 9
Cytoplasmic localization of the HTLV-III 3' orf protein in cultured T cells; Franchini G et al.; HTLV-III, the etiological agent of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, contains in its genome coding regions for several novel proteins . One of these, the 3' open reading frame (3'orf) encodes proteins of 26-27 kDa which are expressed in infected cells both in vivo and in vitro . A specific antiserum has been raised against the recombinant 3'orf protein synthesized in bacteria and used to localize the viral proteins by subcellular fractionation and immunofluorescence on HTLV-III infected cells . The antiserum specifically immunoprecipitated the 26- to 27-kDa proteins from both the cytoplasmic (S100) and the membrane fractions, with an enrichment in the latter . The proteins were not detected in the nucleus or organelle (S100 pellet) fractions . These proteins were also recognized in the same subcellular fractions by human sera from patients with AIDS . Indirect immunofluorescence on fixed infected cells confirmed the presence of the proteins in the cytoplasm . Immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis of total proteins from disrupted HTLV-III virions with the specific antiserum failed to detect the 3'orf protein products, suggesting that they are not a major component of mature virions and may be involved in the intracellular regulation of viral replication.

Clin Orthop, 1986 Dec, (213), 211 - 5
Preoperative use of povidone-iodine . A prospective, randomized study; Zdeblick TA et al.; One hundred one adult orthopedic surgical patients were studied in a randomized, prospective clinical trial to compare the effectiveness of the standard povidone-iodine scrub and paint with povidone-iodine painting alone for presurgical skin preparation . No infections occurred in either group . The scrub-plus-paint group showed a 0.601 logarithmic reduction in bacteria counts, compared with 0.622 with painting alone . Further, 36.8% of the patients in the scrub-plus-paint group had skin counts that actually increased after preparation, compared with 13.8% of patients in the paint-only group . The preparation bacterial counts among inpatients, who received preoperative hexachlorophene showers, were significantly lower than that of outpatients, who did not receive preoperative showers . The data support the use of the preoperative hexachlorophene shower and the omission of scrubbing from the surgical skin preparation technique.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1986 Dec, 263(1-2), 133 - 6
A role for interleukin-1 in the pathogenesis of Lyme disease; Beck G et al.; Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is the major immunoregulatory molecule produced by macrophages in response to a variety of environmental insults including chemicals, phagocytosis, bacteria, and bacterial products . Macrophages stimulated by Borrelia burgdorferi produced large quantities of IL-1 when spirochetes were added to macrophages at a ratio of 10 spirochetes per macrophage . The release of IL-1 was dose dependent: a single spirochete per macrophage was sufficient to produce significant quantities of IL-1 . Spirochetal lipopolysaccharide was not required for this activity in that polymyxin B in the spirochete-macrophage culture had no effect on IL-1 production . Normal murine fibroblasts cultured with this IL-1 were shown to have an increased rate of DNA synthesis and an increase in secreted collagenase . IL-1 was found in joint fluids from Lyme disease patients . When IL-1 was injected intradermally into the backs of rabbits, the injection sites became indurated, erythematous, and warm to the touch after 4 hrs and annular lesions much like those of erythema chronicum migrans were seen in some animals after 24 hrs . B . burgdorferi is a powerful inducer for IL-1 in vitro, and it is reasonable to presume that it acts similarly in Lyme disease patients . Our results suggest that IL-1 in turn, may play a role in many of the clinical manifestations of Lyme disease.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1986 Dec, 183(1), 70 - 8
{Recent studies on the recolonization of drinking water}; Schoenen D; About the re- or aftergrowth in drinking water there are some reports . But there are still no real ideas about the reasons and the colony counts to which the water may rise under practical conditions when there is no external influence . In these investigations drinking water was stored in a reservoir for 3-6 weeks and the increase of colonies was observed . In all six tests there was an increase in the colony count . The maximum counts fluctuated between 8-2000 colonies/ml . The water, a mixture of surface- and groundwater, had not a homogeneous tendency of re- or aftergrowth . The chemical parameters gave no indications to these differences.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Dec, 30(6), 852 - 5
Evaluation of a radiometric method for pyrazinamide susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Tarrand JJ et al.; Pyrazinamide susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis requires an acid environment . By controlling the method of acidification and the quality and quantity of the inoculum, the test can be performed with the BACTEC radiometric system (Johnston Laboratories, Towson, Md.) . We acidified BACTEC 7H12 medium with buffered phosphoric acid and adjusted the test inoculum to 1/10 of that usually employed in BACTEC protocols; after 5 days of growth we correctly identified 36 of 36 strains susceptible to 50 micrograms of pyrazinamide per ml . All 18 resistant strains were classified as pyrazinamide resistant . (Susceptibility or resistance had been determined by standard plate assays.) The test was able to detect small resistant populations in artificial mixtures of 1 or 2% resistant bacteria with a susceptible strain (10 mixtures each) . We tested 70 M . tuberculosis strains in acidified BACTEC 7H12 medium and by the plate dilution test at pH 5.5 . All strains grew in the BACTEC medium, but three strains failed to grow on plates and were not tested further; the results of both methods agreed for the remaining strains.

Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis, 1986 Dec, 54(4), 578 - 83
Separation of Mycobacterium leprae from contamination with armadillo-liver-derived "pigment" particles; Lloyd GM et al.; Mycobacterium leprae isolated from armadillo liver by the widely used IMMLEP protocol is sometimes contaminated with a particulate "pigment." This paper describes a simple, efficient, and rapid method for purifying large quantities of contaminated bacteria, which may readily be used as an additional step added at the end of the protocol when necessary . The process involves a discontinuous Percoll gradient and generates an essentially pure fraction containing greater than 90% of the original bacteria, and a fraction of "pigment" slightly contaminated with bacteria . Use of the system should release large additional numbers of pure M . leprae suitable for use in human vaccine trials.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1986 Dec, 30(6), 883 - 7
Microplate phosphocellulose binding assay for aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes; Cooksey RC et al.; We modified the phosphocellulose binding assay for aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AMEs) by use of microdilution plates and a multichannel micropipette . Batteries of aminoglycoside substrates for screening organisms for the presence of AMEs as well as for subclassifying enzymes were prepared and stored in microdilution plates . When tested in parallel with the conventional tube reaction assay, the microplate assay yielded comparable radioactive counts and therefore equally correct identifications of AMEs in 32 isolates representing nine bacterial species . Other modifications, such as multichannel dispensing of crude enzyme preparations and radioisotopic precursors, provided a more rapid, convenient, and less expensive means of examining large collections of organisms for AMEs.

Infect Immun, 1986 Dec, 54(3), 811 - 9
Role of mononuclear phagocytes in expression of resistance and susceptibility to Mycobacterium avium infections in mice; Stokes RW et al.; The growth of Mycobacterium avium 702 in the spleens and livers of four inbred strains of mice varied such that the mice could be separated into naturally susceptible (BALB/c and C57BL/6) and naturally resistant (A/Tru and DBA/2) strains . This phenomenon was independent of the size of the infecting inoculum of bacteria in that both low (10(4))- and high (10(7))-dose inocula of M . avium grew progressively in susceptible strains and were eliminated from the target organs of resistant strains . Resistance and susceptibility were also demonstrated in in vitro preparations of macrophages from these strains of mice . Over a 7-day period, replication of M . avium in susceptible mouse macrophages was far greater than that in resistant macrophages . Evidence was obtained to suggest that toxic oxygen metabolites were not responsible for this difference . Though no difference was found in the rate of clearance of M . avium from the blood of susceptible or resistant mice, resident macrophages from susceptible mice ingested more M . avium in vitro than did resident macrophages from resistant animals . Growth of M . avium in spleens of susceptible mice induced a large influx of phagocytes, whereas this was not observed in resistant mice . In contrast to this it was found that, after injection of a variety of inflammatory agents, influx of leukocytes into the peritoneal cavity could not be used to distinguish susceptible and resistant strains of mice.

Infect Immun, 1986 Dec, 54(3), 827 - 32
Changes in isoenzyme patterns of a cloned culture of nonpathogenic Entamoeba histolytica during axenization; Mirelman D et al.; The axenization of an Entamoeba histolytica isolate with a nonpathogenic isoenzyme electrophoretic pattern (zymodeme) was recently achieved for the first time (15) . Forty days after the cells were transferred to the medium used for axenic cultivation, the amebae developed virulence properties, and the zymodeme converted to a pathogenic pattern . To exclude the possibility that the original isolate consisted of two zymodeme populations and that conditions of growth selected for a particular population, the experiment was repeated with a cloned culture of a nonpathogenic (zymodeme III) strain, E . histolytica SAW 1734R clAR, isolated by and obtained from P . G . Sargeaunt . Axenization was accomplished, as before, by transferring trophozoites to TYI-S-33 medium containing a mixture of antibiotics to suppress the growth of the associated bacterial flora and a nutritional supplement consisting of gamma-irradiated bacteria . A change in the hexokinase and phosphoglucomutase isoenzyme pattern was observed 21 days after the amebae had been transferred to the axenic medium but before complete axenization of the amebae had occurred . The change in zymodeme was accompanied by an increase in virulence, as evidenced by the ability of fewer amebae to induce hepatic abscesses in hamsters . A reverse conversion to a nonpathogenic zymodeme was also accomplished by reassociating and subculturing the newly converted pathogenic trophozoites of strain SAW 1734R clAR with the bacterial flora that accompanied this ameba in the original xenic culture . The electromobilities of the hexokinase isoenzymes changed back to their original pattern 7 days after the amebae were returned to xenic growth conditions . Our in vitro results demonstrate that culture conditions and bacterial flora can cause changes in the zymodeme and virulence of a cloned ameba isolate and raise the concern that this could happen also in vivo . Thus, the finding of a particular zymodeme in a culture of E . histolytica isolated from a carrier should not be used to predict a clinical condition or serve as a basis for the recommendation of therapy.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Dec, 168(3), 1180 - 8
Oxygen-regulated mRNAs for light-harvesting and reaction center complexes and for bacteriochlorophyll and carotenoid biosynthesis in Rhodobacter capsulatus during the shift from anaerobic to aerobic growth; Zhu YS et al.; The stability and regulation by oxygen of mRNAs for the photosynthetic apparatus in Rhodobacter capsulatus have been studied by using proflavin to inhibit transcription and by shifting cells from anaerobic to aerobic conditions . The results from the inhibition experiments show that the mRNA for the light-harvesting LH-II polypeptides (beta, alpha) is more stable than that for the light-harvesting LH-I polypeptides (beta, alpha) during anaerobic growth, whereas the mRNAs for the reaction center polypeptides L (RC-L), M (RC-M), and H (RC-H) are less stable than both the LH-I and LH-II mRNAs . When photosynthetic cells are shifted from anaerobic to aerobic conditions, an immediate decrease in the levels of mRNA for the LH-I, LH-II, RC-L, RC-M, and RC-H proteins was observed . The level of mRNA for the LH-II proteins, however, is more sensitive to oxygen and is reduced faster than the level of mRNA for the LH-I proteins . These results suggest that oxygen represses the expression of genes coding for the light-harvesting antenna and reaction center complexes and may selectively accelerate the degradation of mRNA for the LH-II proteins . The mRNAs for several enzymes in the bacteriochlorophyll biosynthetic pathway are regulated by oxygen in a similar manner . The mRNAs for carotenoid biosynthetic enzymes, however, are regulated by oxygen in a different way . We have found that the amounts of mRNAs for carotenoid biosynthetic enzyme, relative to the amounts of mRNAs for LH and RC, increased during the shift from anaerobic to aerobic conditions . We have particularly shown that although the expression of most photosynthetic genes in R . capsulatus is repressed by oxygen, the crtA gene, located in the BamHI H fragment of the R' plasmid pRPS404 and responsible for the oxidation of spheroidene to spheroidenone, responds to oxygen in an opposite fashion . This exzymatic oxidation may protect the photosynthetic apparatus from photooxidative damage.

Postgrad Med, 1986 Nov 15, 80(7), 112 - 9
Hand infections--the academic surgeon's perspective . 2 . A rundown of various causes; Byrne JJ; A large number of organisms can cause infections of the hand, and they can enter the body in a number of ways--in animal or human bites, in punctures, by direct inoculation, or through the bloodstream, intravenous needles, or prosthetic implantation procedures . In addition, all types of scratches and abrasions can become contaminated--by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and a wide variety of marine organisms . When the body's defenses are impaired by disease or other factors, the organisms are more likely to take hold . Treatment depends on the organism involved and the extent of infection, but proper wound care and aseptic technique are paramount in all cases.

J Immunol, 1986 Nov 15, 137(10), 3211 - 5
Induction of colony-stimulating activity (CSA) by a synthetic muramyl peptide (MDP): synergism with LPS and activity in C3H/HeJ mice and in endotoxin-tolerized mice; Galelli A et al.; Injection of MDP into mice induces a rapid elevation of monocyte-macrophage CSA in the serum . This effect can also be observed in LPS-hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mice . MDP and LPS induce CSA synergistically in normal mice . In contrast to the tolerance that is rapidly observed after repeated administration of LPS, MDP does not lose its capacity of inducing serum CSA after repeated injections . Repeated daily injections of MDP also fail to induce tolerance to the LPS-CSA inducing effect . Furthermore, whereas mice rendered tolerant to LPS become hyporesponsive to many other bacteria or bacterial products, they remain responsive to MDP . These data showing that MDP can act synergistically with another CSA inducer, can be injected repeatedly, and can stimulate mice unresponsive to LPS suggest potentially important in vivo applications.

Poult Sci, 1986 Nov, 65(11), 2098 - 103
Microelements in the circulation of coccidiosis-infected chicks; Turk DE; Four-week-old Single Comb White Leghorn male chicks were inoculated with either Eimeria acervulina, E . necatrix, E . brunetti, E . tenella, or left uninfected . On Days 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 21, 28, and 35 after inoculation, blood was removed from five birds in each group; content of copper, zinc, and iron in plasma and total iron-binding capacity were determined . Copper content in plasma was increased during the acute phase of the infections by lower intestinal tract (E . brunetti, E . tenella) infections but not by upper tract (E . acervulina, E . necatrix) infections . Zinc content in plasma was decreased by E . acervulina and E . necatrix infections on the 7th day and was increased by E . acervulina, E . brunetti, and E . tenella infections on the 9th or 10th days . Iron content in plasma was decreased during the acute phase (Days 5 to 7) of E . acervulina, E . brunetti, and E . tenella infections . Total iron-binding capacity was decreased by acute phase E . acervulina and E . brunetti infections . Eimeria tenella infections increased total iron-binding capacity during both the acute and early recovery phases . Plasma content of all components returned to normal by the latter part of the recovery phase of the infections and remained so thereafter . Plasma trace mineral content appeared to be influenced by mineral absorption effects, by hemorrhaging, and perhaps by invasion of the bloodstream by gut bacteria as a result of mucosal damage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Clin Exp Immunol, 1986 Nov, 66(2), 457 - 62
Development of anti-polysaccharide antibodies in asplenic children; Hammarstrom L et al.; Splenectomized patients are highly susceptible to infections with capsulated bacteria and an impaired response to vaccination with bacterial polysaccharides has frequently been observed in these individuals . Based partly on experimental animal data, an important role for the spleen in the production of specific anti-carbohydrate antibodies, i.e . mostly IgG2 in normal adults, has been suggested . We therefore determined the immunoglobulin class and subclass pattern of serum antibodies from asplenic patients against protein and carbohydrate antigens . Normal levels of total serum IgM, IgG2 and specific IgM and IgG2 anti-polysaccharide antibodies were observed, suggesting only a minor role for the spleen in determining the antibody repertoire . The data imply that the impaired phagocytic capacity and/or the inability to mount a sufficiently rapid antibody response are the main factors underlying the increased susceptibility to bacterial infections noted in these patients.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1986 Nov, (11), 94 - 9
{Mechanism of the transmission of the causative agents of infectious diseases}; Kuznetsov VA; Another interpretation, differing from the commonly acknowledged one, of the transfer mechanism is presented . The factors transporting pathogens in the body are the integral part of the transfer mechanism . They ensure the interrelation of the infectious and epidemic processes . In typical contact infections these factors function integrally as the transfer mechanism consisting of two components . This is the sum total of environment and internal factors, specific for a given pathogenic species . These factors ensure the travel of the pathogens from an infected body to a new one . From this viewpoint, the source of infection cannot be an independent element of the infectious process . It is only a transfer factor . The localization of the pathogen, constituting just one of the stages of its travel route in the body, cannot determine the specificity of the transfer mechanism . Its specificity depends on the properties of the pathogen.

Genetics, 1986 Nov, 114(3), 717 - 30
General nonchemotactic mutants of Caulobacter crescentus; Ely B et al.; We have examined 35 mutants that have defects in general chemotaxis . Genetic analysis of these mutants resulted in the identification of at least eight che genes located at six different positions on the Caulobacter crescentus chromosome . The cheR, cheB and cheT genes appeared to be located in a three-gene cluster . Mutations in these three genes resulted in the inability of the flagellum to reverse the direction of rotation . Defects in the cheR gene resulted in a loss of the ability to methylate the methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins . In vitro experiments showed that the lack of in vivo methylation in cheR mutants was due to the absence of methyltransferase activity . Defects in the cheB gene resulted in greatly reduced chemotaxis-associated methylation in vivo and a loss of methylesterase activity in vitro . The specific defects responsible for the lack of a chemotactic response have not been determined for the other identified che genes.

J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1986 Nov, 78(5 Pt 1), 887 - 90
Cell-mediated immunity in cat-scratch disease; Gerber MA et al.; The importance of cell-mediated immunity in cat-scratch disease (CSD) is suggested by the positive skin test reactions and granulomatous histopathology noted in patients with this disease . However, an earlier investigation found that lymphocytes from patients with CSD and control subjects were equally unresponsive in vitro to cat-scratch antigen . In contrast, we found that 16 patients with CSD had significantly increased lymphocyte transformation responses to cat-scratch antigen when patients were compared to control subjects . This cell-mediated immune response may be directed against nonviable bacteria in the involved lymph nodes and may be the major mechanism responsible for the granulomatous reaction and clinical features of CSD.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Nov, 168(2), 799 - 804
Biochemical and immunochemical properties of the cell surface of Renibacterium salmoninarum; Fiedler F et al.; The biochemical composition of the cell envelope of Renibacterium salmoninarum was investigated in a total of 13 strains isolated from different salmonid fish species at various geographical locations of the United States, Canada, and Europe . A marked similarity with the type strain R . salmoninarum ATCC 33209 was found both in the peptidoglycan and the cell wall polysaccharide . The primary structure of the peptidoglycan was found to be consistent with lysine in the third position of the peptide subunit, a glycyl-alanine interpeptide bridge between lysine and D-alanine of adjacent peptide subunits, and a D-alanine amide substituent at the alpha-carboxyl group of D-glutamic acid in position 2 of the peptide subunit . The cell wall polysaccharide contained galactose as the major sugar component which was accompanied by rhamnose, N-acetylglucosamine, and N-acetylfucosamine . The polysaccharide amounted to more than 60% of the dry weight of the cell walls . It was found to be covalently linked to the peptidoglycan and was released by hot formamide treatment . On gel filtration chromatography the extracted polysaccharide behaved like a homogeneous polymeric compound . The purified cell wall polysaccharide showed antigenic activity with antiserum obtained by immunization of rabbits with heat-inactivated trypsinized cells of R . salmoninarum . Immunoblotting experiments with nontrypsinized cell walls and antisera raised against R . salmoninarum cells revealed that antigenic proteins were attached to the cell walls.

Arch Intern Med, 1986 Nov, 146(11), 2173 - 5
Polymicrobial bacterascites . A unique entity in the spectrum of infected ascitic fluid; Runyon BA et al.; A retrospective analysis of 1578 abdominal paracenteses revealed ten cases of polymicrobial bacterascites, ie, growth of multiple organisms in ascitic fluid with a neutrophil count less than 250 cells/cu mm . Six of the ten paracenteses that documented this condition were traumatic (bloody or producing feculent material) . Clinical peritonitis developed in only one patient . No one died as a result of the infection . Polymicrobial bacterascites is rare (0.6% of paracenteses) . It is frequently due to a traumatic paracentesis (bowel entry by the paracentesis needle), and is associated with low morbidity.

J Virol, 1986 Nov, 60(2), 525 - 30
Adsorption of mycoplasmavirus MV-L2 to Acholeplasma laidlawii: effects of changes in the acyl-chain composition of membrane lipids; Steinick LE et al.; The enveloped mycoplasmavirus MV-L2 and its host Acholeplasma laidlawii JA1 were used to study the ways in which changes in the membrane lipid bilayer affect virus adsorption . The physical state of the membranes was altered by (i) using viruses and bacteria with different membrane lipid acyl-chain compositions, (ii) using incorporation of cholesterol, and (iii) changing the temperature . Adsorption of viruses was strongly dependent on the acyl-chain composition of the virus and the host . Adsorption to homologous hosts was poor, whereas adsorption to hosts with highly different membrane lipid acyl-chain composition was much stronger . We found a heterogeneity within virus populations produced from hosts with different acyl-chain compositions . In a given virus population, various subpopulations differing in acyl-chain composition were found that differed in their ability to adsorb to cells with a specific acyl-chain composition . The adsorption rate increased slightly when cholesterol was present in the viral membranes but decreased considerably when cholesterol was present in the bacterial membranes . The rate of adsorption was temperature dependent with an increase in adsorption rate above 20 degrees C (for hosts with equal amounts of palmitoyl and oleoyl acyl chains) . MV-L2 did not adsorb to the persistently L2-infected strain JA1(2R) but adsorbed very well to the virus-resistant strain A(EF22) . The physicochemical properties of the lipid matrix of both virus and host are obviously important factors in the adsorption process.

Infect Immun, 1986 Nov, 54(2), 347 - 53
Entry of Bartonella bacilliformis into erythrocytes; Benson LA et al.; Bartonella bacilliformis, which causes the human diseases Oroya fever and verruga peruana, binds to human erythrocytes in vitro and produces substantial and long-lasting deformations in erythrocyte membranes, including cone-shaped depressions, trenches, and deep invaginations . The deforming force is probably provided by the polar flagella of these highly motile bacteria . Deep invaginations containing bacteria are commonly seen, and membrane fusion at the necks of the invaginations leads to the formation of intracellular vacuoles containing bacteria . Fluorescent compounds present externally render the vacuoles fluorescent and, occasionally, lightly fluorescent cells are seen, suggesting that the vacuoles sometimes rupture to admit the bacteria to the cytoplasm . Vacuoles present in fluorescent erythrocytes prepared by preloading the erythrocytes with fluorescent compounds are seen as dark areas from which the fluorescent marker is excluded . Entry of the bacteria appears to be the result of a process of forced endocytosis.

Exp Cell Res, 1986 Nov, 167(1), 119 - 26
Relationship between cellular diadenosine 5',5'''-P1,P4-tetraphosphate level, cell density, cell growth stimulation and toxic stresses; Segal E et al.; In order to elucidate the postulated role of diadenosine 5',5'''-P1,P4-tetraphosphate (Ap4A) in cell growth regulation, the Ap4A cellular content was measured in cells submitted to various treatments affecting the cell growth . Ap4A level was found to increase ten times when cells reached confluence, whereas no significant variation of the ATP pool was observed . Cell growth arrest after serum depletion did not cause any variation in the Ap4A pool . A limited increase in the Ap4A pool was observed when growth of arrested cells was reinitiated but this variation reflected only the increase of cell density . No significant variation in the Ap4A intracellular level was observed after submitting two eukaryotic cell lines to various stresses (cytotoxic drugs, ethanol and heat-shock treatments) . These results suggest that, in eukaryotic cells, Ap4A is not involved in cell growth stimulation but rather is associated with cell contact growth inhibition . They also suggest that Ap4A is not an 'alarmone', contrary to what has been proposed for bacteria.

Med Hypotheses, 1986 Nov, 21(3), 249 - 52
The presence of trans unsaturated fatty acids in ruminant meat and milk is unnatural; Booyens J; It is proposed that the presence of large quantities of trans unsaturated fatty acid isomers as final metabolic products of the rumen bacteria and their consequent presence in ruminant tissues and milk is completely unnatural . This results from excessive feeding of domestic ruminants and the consequent passage of bacteria containing partially hydrogenated trans fatty acids into the small intestine . Digestion of such bacteria and the subsequent absorption of the released trans fatty acids could account for their unnatural presence in ruminant tissues and secretion in milk . It is also proposed that the feeding of ruminants, poultry and pigs with unsaturated fatty acid-containing concentrates, could also be a source of trans fatty acids which occur in their tissues.

J Clin Periodontol, 1986 Nov, 13(10), 939 - 43
Metronidazole: a double-blind trial in untreated human periodontal disease; Watts T et al.; The effect of metronidazole was assessed in 20 subjects with untreated periodontitis, in a double-blind trial . Subjects received a 1-week course of drug or placebo immediately after baseline examination, and were reassessed 1 month and 3 months later . A 0.25 N constant force probe and darkfield microscopy were used . At 1 month, a difference was observed between the deepest individual pockets in experimental and control groups, with regard to change in probing depth and the proportions of non-motile organisms . At 3 months, differences were observed in 1-3 mm baseline pockets, where a greater proportion of control pockets increased in probing depth, and in 4-6 mm pockets, where a greater proportion of baseline bleeding pockets had ceased to bleed in the experimental group . The differences were of limited clinical significance when compared to studies where metronidazole was used as an adjunct to other therapy, and the results were equivocal with regard to the specific plaque hypothesis, since inhibition of connective tissue attachment loss was not unambiguously demonstrable.

J Clin Microbiol . 1986 Nov;24(5):859.
Evaluation of a xylene substitute in Ehrlich indole test; Egleton JH et al.; Hemo-De (PMP Medical Industries, Inc., Irving, Tex.) was evaluated and found to be a suitable substitute for xylene in the Ehrlich modification of the indole test.

J Dent Res, 1986 Nov, 65(11), 1349 - 52
The effects of the availability of diet on the levels of exoglycosidases in the supragingival plaque of macaque monkeys; Smith K et al.; Supragingival plaque from macaque monkeys was assayed for 13 exoglycosidase enzymes, with appropriate p-nitrophenylglycosides and N-acetylneuramin-lactose used as substrates . Protein in each plaque sample was quantitated with a Coomassie Brilliant Blue dye binding assay, and the specific activity of each enzyme was calculated . In monkeys fed a starch-based diet, fasting resulted in significant increases in the levels of alpha-L-fucosidase, beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase, beta-N-acetyl-D-galactosaminidase, and neuraminidase . Such changes are consistent with the hypothesis that plaque bacteria degrade salivary glycoproteins for their growth and maintenance in both the presence and especially the absence of dietary food . In contrast, fasting monkeys previously fed a sucrose-rich diet showed no significant alterations in the specific activities of those enzymes whose levels were increased in the starch-based diet group . It is considered likely that, under the conditions prevailing when the sucrose-rich diet is fed, the effective and maximal utilization of sucrose by plaque bacteria necessitates the increased mobilization of nitrogen sources, including the amino sugars of glycoproteins.

J Clin Periodontol, 1986 Nov, 13(10), 900 - 4
Dark ground microscopy in relation to 3 clinical parameters of chronic inflammatory periodontal disease; MacPhee IT et al.; This paper examines the relationships between 3 clinical parameters: pocket depth, gingival index, and bleeding index and 2 laboratory parameters: spirochaete counts and motility counts on the basis of analysis of 883 observations made in the mouths of 41 patients . The results were consistent with the findings of other studies in that deeper pockets tended to harbour higher %s of spirochaetes and motile organisms . The same overlap between all the parameters in general and between spirochaetes and pocket depth in particular as existed in our previous study was demonstrably evident . 8% of shallow pockets had spirochaete counts in excess of 20% and 79% of deep pockets had spirochaete counts of less than 20, 18% having no demonstrable spirochaetes . These results are consistent with those of our previous study and with the findings of Evian et al . that even in pockets of the order of 7 mm, the proportions of spirochaetes found varies from what may be expected at healthy sites to what may be expected at diseased sites.

Biol Reprod, 1986 Nov, 35(4), 1059 - 63
Purification of human sperm by a discontinuous Percoll density gradient with an innercolumn; Kaneko S et al.; Human sperm were highly purified through the use of a discontinuous Percoll density gradient placed in an inner column of a centrifuge tube . Six ml of 80% Percoll solution were poured into a centrifuge tube with an inner column containing successive 1.0-ml layers of 70, 60, and 40% Percoll solutions . Diluted semen was placed on top of the gradient, and the tube was centrifuged at 600 X g for 30 min using a swing-out rotor . After centrifugation, the majority of the progressive motile sperm were isolated in the sediment; they had a mean motility of 93 +/- 4.1% (n = 10) . Other cellular components, including bacteria, remaining in the inner column . The level of bacterial contamination in the purified sperm fraction was below detection for most of the species quantified . The purified sperm were found to be more than 92 +/- 3.2% viable, as judged by dye exclusion, and abnormal sperm were reduced to 5.2 +/- 1.4% . Because of the use of the inner column, the contamination by seminal plasma was negligible in the purified sperm, as estimated by residual protein, fructose, and acid phosphatase activity.

Arzneimittelforschung, 1986 Nov, 36(11), 1651 - 5
In vivo activation of functional properties in mouse peritoneal macrophages by Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton; Mine Y et al.; Exudative cells in the peritoneal cavity of mice, particularly polymorphonuclear leukocytes significantly increased 1 day after intraperitoneal injection of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton (N-CWS) . Macrophages and lymphocytes significantly increased 4 to 7 days after injection . N-CWS also enhanced peritoneal macrophage functions such as phagocytosis of latex particles, production of superoxide anion, production and secretion of lysosomal enzymes such as beta-glucuronidase, lysozyme and acid phosphatase, phagocytosis and intracellular killing of bacteria, and in vitro chemotaxis . The phagocytic function of the reticuloendothelial system was also enhanced . These results indicate that macrophages were activated in vivo by N-CWS.

Transplantation, 1986 Nov, 42(5), 484 - 90
Pulmonary complications of orthotopic liver transplantation; Jensen WA et al.; Pulmonary complications following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) were prospectively evaluated in 18 individuals transplanted at the New England Deaconess Hospital . Of sixteen patients who survived the immediate postoperative period, 12 (75%) sustained a pulmonary complication . Of these complications, 64% were noninfectious--whereas 22% were infectious, and 14% probably infectious . Six of eight documented infections were caused by viruses of the herpes group . In four cases of viral pneumonitis other pulmonary pathogens were isolated (fungi-3, protozoan-1, bacteria-1) . Unlike noninfectious complications, pulmonary infections were associated with a fatal outcome in five of six patients who died after OLT . Pulmonary complications are frequent and serious occurrences after OLT, and contribute to both the morbidity and mortality of this procedure . Compared with pulmonary complications seen after transplantation of other organs, OLT was associated with a higher proportion of noninfectious complications but a similar spectrum of pulmonary infections.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1986 Nov, 83(22), 8664 - 8
Charomids: cosmid vectors for efficient cloning and mapping of large or small restriction fragments; Saito I et al.; Charomids are cosmid vectors up to 52 kilobases (kb) long, bearing 1-23 copies of a 2-kb spacer fragment linked in head-to-tail tandem arrays . Like cosmids and lambda phage, charomids can be packaged in vitro for efficient introduction into bacteria . Charomids contain a polylinker with nine unique restriction sites for cloning and can be used without preparing vector arms . Using a charomid of appropriate size, one can clone inserts of any size up to 45 kb . For example, charomid 9-36 (9 cloning sites, 36 kb long) is too small to be packaged efficiently without an insert and can be used to clone fragments of 2-16 kb . The structure of charomids facilitates restriction mapping of the insert DNA and, after cloning, all the spacer fragments can be removed easily . After enrichment by size fractionation in an agarose gel, a specific single-copy genomic sequence can be cloned rapidly from approximately 3 micrograms of DNA . Using charomid 9-36, we have cloned and mapped an amplified novel DNA fragment from a cell line resistant to N-(phosphonoacetyl)-L-aspartate and carrying about 100 copies of the CAD (carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase/aspartate carbamoyltransferase/dihydroorotase) gene . The fragment lies at the center of an inverted duplication of this gene.

J Virol, 1986 Nov, 60(2), 548 - 57
Identification of the major structural and nonstructural proteins encoded by human parvovirus B19 and mapping of their genes by procaryotic expression of isolated genomic fragments; Cotmore SF et al.; Plasma from a child with homozygous sickle-cell disease, sampled during the early phase of an aplastic crisis, contained human parvovirus B19 virions . Plasma taken 10 days later (during the convalescent phase) contained both immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G antibodies directed against two viral polypeptides with apparent molecular weights of 83,000 and 58,000 which were present exclusively in the particulate fraction of the plasma taken during the acute phase . These two protein species comigrated at 110S on neutral sucrose velocity gradients with the B19 viral DNA and thus appear to constitute the viral capsid polypeptides . The B19 genome was molecularly cloned into a bacterial plasmid vector . Restriction endonuclease fragments of this cloned B19 genome were treated with BAL 31 and shotgun cloned into the open reading frame expression vector pJS413 . Two expression constructs containing B19 sequences from different halves of the viral genome were obtained, which directed the synthesis, in bacteria, of segments of virally encoded protein . These polypeptide fragments were then purified and used to immunize rabbits . Antibodies against a protein sequence specified between nucleotides 2897 and 3749 recognized both the 83- and 58-kilodalton capsid polypeptides in aplastic plasma taken during the acute phase and detected similar proteins in the tissues of a stillborn fetus which had been infected transplacentally with B19 . Antibodies against a protein sequence encoded in the other half of the B19 genome (nucleotides 1072 through 2044) did not react specifically with any protein in plasma taken during the acute phase but recognized three nonstructural polypeptides of 71, 63, and 52 kilodaltons present in the liver and, at lower levels, in some other tissues of the transplacentally infected fetus.

J Gerontol, 1986 Nov, 41(6), 690 - 4
Influence of aging and protein deficiency on neutrophil function; Lipschitz DA et al.; This study examined the effect of age and protein deficiency on the function of mouse neutrophils . Compared with appropriate controls aging and protein deficiency caused significant reductions in respiratory burst activity, exocytosis, and enzyme release from neutrophils . Individually, neither aging nor protein deficiency caused decreases in the ability of the neutrophil to phagocytose or kill bacteria . When aged animals were fed a protein deficient diet, however, further reductions in neutrophil function occurred that resulted in significant decreases in phagocytosis and bacterial cell kill . These findings indicate that both aging and protein deficiency compromise neutrophil function . When both variables are present the abnormalities become sufficient to affect the neutrophils' most critically important functions . The results emphasize the importance of protein deficiency in the aged and help explain the high prevalence of bacterial infection in malnourished older individuals.

Infect Immun, 1986 Nov, 54(2), 516 - 21
Modulation of Actinomyces viscosus colonization of mouse teeth in vivo by immunization with fimbrial adhesins; Crawford PC et al.; Experiments were performed to determine whether immunization of mice with fimbrial adhesins isolated from Actinomyces viscosus T14V could modulate infection of tooth surfaces in animals challenged with the homologous strain . Saliva and sera from animals immunized in the submandibular gland region contained elevated levels of fimbria-specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG, whereas saliva and sera from sham-immunized animals did not . There was a statistically significant inverse correlation between the presence of fimbria-specific antibodies in saliva and serum and the levels of bacterial colonization on molar tooth surfaces . These results suggest that fimbrial adhesins may effectively modulate infection of tooth surfaces by periodontopathic bacteria.

Infect Immun, 1986 Nov, 54(2), 472 - 6
Type 2 fimbrial lectin-mediated phagocytosis of oral Actinomyces spp . by polymorphonuclear leukocytes; Sandberg AL et al.; Phagocytosis of Actinomyces viscosus T14V and A . naeslundii WVU45 by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the absence of antibody or complement was mediated by the lectin associated with the type 2 fimbriae of these bacteria . This effect was markedly enhanced by exogenous sialidase, an enzyme also secreted by these actinomyces . Since sialidase treatment of the bacteria did not result in increased phagocytosis, this enzyme presumably acts by unmasking receptors for the fimbrial lectin on phagocytic cells . The viability of A . viscosus T14V, which possesses type 1 and type 2 fimbriae (1+ 2+), and A . naeslundii WVU45, which possesses only type 2 fimbriae (2+), was decreased by at least 98% following incubation with polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the presence of sialidase . Entirely analogous findings were obtained with a 1- 2+ mutant of A . viscosus T14V . In contrast, the phagocytosis of 1+ 2- and 1- 2- mutants of A . viscosus T14V and a 2- mutant of A . naeslundii WVU45 was minimal or absent . Lactose and beta-methylgalactoside inhibited the destruction of the bacteria, whereas cellobiose and alpha-methylgalactoside were ineffective . Thus, the type 2 fimbriae of the oral actinomyces recognize galactose-containing receptors on polymorphonuclear leukocytes which have been exposed by the removal of sialic acid, an interaction that is followed by internalization and subsequent killing of the bacteria.

J Protozool, 1986 Nov, 33(4), 478 - 86
Acid intracellular vesicles and the cytolysis of mammalian target cells by Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites; Ravdin JI et al.; Entamoeba histolytica kills mammalian target cells in a multi-step sequential process with separate adherence, cytolytic, and phagocytic events . In the studies reported here, we used fluorescein isothiocyanate linked to dextran to label the endocytic vesicles of the HM1 strain of E . histolytica and measure vesicle pH (5.1 +/- 0.2 by spectrofluorimetry) . Concentrations of NH4Cl (1.0-10.0 mM) sufficient to increase vesicle pH to greater than or equal to 5.7 inhibited amebic killing of target Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells as assayed by trypan blue staining, by the release of 3H-thymidine previously incorporated into CHO cell monolayers, and by the release of 111indium oxine from radiolabeled CHO cells . Similar effects were also observed with two other weak bases, primaquine and chloroquine (both 50 microM) . In contrast, NH4Cl (10 mM) did not affect either the adherence or phagocytic events, as measured by amebic adherence to CHO cells at 4 degrees C and by the binding and ingestion of 3H-leucine-labeled bacteria . In the presence of NH4Cl and the carbohydrate ligand asialofetuin, there was no evidence of intracellular trapping of the amebic galactose-inhibitable lectin; inhibition of adherence by cycloheximide (10 micrograms/ml for 3 h) suggested rapid turnover of the surface lectin . Prolonged exposure to NH4Cl for 48 h (which had no effect on amebic protein synthesis) or shorter exposure to cycloheximide (10 micrograms for 3 h) produced persistent inhibition of cytolysis . These results indicate that an uninterrupted acid pH in intracellular endocytic vesicles is necessary for the cytolysis of target cells by E . histolytica trophozoites.

Cell, 1986 Oct 10, 47(1), 89 - 97
Control of ColE1 plasmid replication: binding of RNA I to RNA II and inhibition of primer formation; Tomizawa J; Formation of the primer for ColE1 DNA replication from the primary transcript, RNA II, is regulated by an antisense transcript, RNA I . Exposure of elongating RNA II 100-360 nucleotides long to RNA I inhibits subsequent primer formation . However, primer forms normally for transcripts longer than 360 nucleotides . Therefore, the rate of binding of RNA I to RNA II is crucial to regulation . The binding rate varies among RNA II transcripts of different lengths . Transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides are bound faster than shorter ones . The Rom protein enhances binding of RNA I to these longer transcripts, whereas it suppresses binding to some shorter ones . The insensitivity to RNA I of transcripts longer than 360 nucleotides is not due to the absence of RNA I binding but to this binding having no effect on primer formation.

ASAIO Trans, 1986 Oct-Dec, 32(2), 705 - 10
Fiberoptic biosensors in artificial organs; Schultz JS; A large variety of assay methods based on optical principles can be miniaturized and adapted for use as in vivo monitors with the currently available optical fiber technology . Especially exciting is the capability of adapting the selectivity of immunoassays to continuous on-line biosensors by the use of hollow dialysis fibers . Thus, one can envision biosensors that could have many different applications in artificial organ development, from passive systemic monitoring to active feedback control devices for drug delivery.

Mol Immunol, 1986 Oct, 23(10), 1125 - 32
Potential of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes to synthesize and secrete sulfated proteoglycans; Levitt D et al.; To analyze the function of proteoglycans (PG) in different types of leukocytes, both the relative amounts and specific types of proteoglycans produced by cultured human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were were determined and compared to mononuclear leukocytes (PBMC) . Media from 3-day cultured PMN contained significantly less (less than 10%) 35SO2-4-labeled PG than media from PBMC cultures . Incorporation of 35SO2-4 into cell-associated material was comparable for both types of white blood cells . In contrast to PBMC, PMN could not increase their synthesis or secretion of PG after exposure to concanavalin A or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate . Various inducers of leukocyte chemotaxis also failed to enhance PG production by PMNs . Release of prelabeled PG from PMNs could be induced by exposure to either opsonized or unopsonized zymosan (yeast) as well as the bacteria S . aureus, suggesting that particle ingestion may be accompanied by PG exocytosis . Both chondroitinase ABC and AC digested greater than 90% of PMN 35S-labeled material in media and 75% in cell lysates; HNO3 treatment removed less than 5% of N-linked 35SO4 from radiolabeled media and 25% from cells . Treatment with 0.5 N NaOH released shortened glycosaminoglycan chains from 35S-labeled PMN cell lysates . beta-D-xylosides did not stimulate an increase in polysaccharide chain production by cultured PMNs . These data suggest that PMNs can produce chondroitin 4-sulfate PG whose synthesis is not affected by treatments that alter PMN functions; in contrast to PBMCs, PMNs will actively release these molecules when exposed to micro-organisms that stimulate phagocytosis.

Z Kinderchir, 1986 Oct, 41(5), 272 - 4
Unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia in hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, an enigma; Etzioni A et al.; In a search of features that might be relevant to the understanding of the hyperbilirubinaemia of infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS), we examined the duodenal fluid in 11 infants with this condition . Four (36%) had an unconjugated bilirubin level above 2.5 mg/dl in the serum . Levels of electrolytes, bicarbonate, liver function tests and cholesterol were similar in the jaundiced and the non-icteric infants . Examination of duodenal fluid for pH, concentration of bilirubin, bile salts, electrolytes and beta-glucuronidase levels also did not disclose any significant differences between the HPS patients and the controls . Bacterial culture of the fluid yielded similar results in both groups . We may conclude that the unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia observed in some patients with HPS is not associated with overgrowth of bacteria, changes in glucuronidase levels, pH, electrolytes or biliary obstruction.

J Submicrosc Cytol, 1986 Oct, 18(4), 761 - 71
Ultrastructural features of normal mouse colon epithelium . Unique characteristics of a species; Shamsuddin AK et al.; Ultrastructural studies of the colon epithelium of normal C57Bl/Ha and ICR/Ha mice revealed some unique characteristics not seen in human or rat colon . The most striking feature was the presence of a unique type of intracytoplasmic organelle with crystalline internal structure . These organelles measured 1-2 micron in diameter, usually rounded or oval showing marked variation in size and shape . They were surrounded by a single layer of trilaminar plasma membrane and their core structure was mildly electron dense with markedly dense crystalline substructure . Grimelius silver stain done at ultrastructural level revealed these to have staining properties identical to neuroendocrine granules . Approximately 1-5% of the epithelial cells of mouse colon were usually filled with these organelles . But occasionally they were also present in the endocrine cells of colon . The other striking feature of the mouse colon epithelium is the presence of an inordinate number of bacteria . These rod shaped bacteria were present deep inside crypts in large numbers . They were also present within the goblet type of mucous cells and the so-called columnar cells of the surface epithelium . A third unique feature of mouse colon was the presence of mitotic figures in cells with conspicuous mucous vacuoles . This contrasts with human and rat colon where mitosis occurs in cells with little or no mucus . Since the ultrastructural morphology of the normal mouse colon is distinctly different from the human and rat, caution must be exercised in extrapolating colon carcinogenesis data from mouse to human.

J Vasc Surg, 1986 Oct, 4(4), 345 - 50
Cholelithiasis and aortic reconstruction: the problem of simultaneous surgical therapy . Conclusions from a personal series; Fry RE et al.; From 1976 to 1983, 682 patients have undergone aortic reconstruction at Parkland Memorial Hospital and the Veterans Administration Hospital in Dallas, Texas . Thirty-five patients (5.1%) had a biliary tract operation performed before, during, or after their aortic procedure . Fourteen percent of patients had bacteria in the bile and 11.4% needed common bile duct exploration . Twelve patients had their aortic reconstruction first . Biliary pancreatitis developed postoperatively in one patient . Two patients who had infected prostheses removed had acalculous cholecystitis after operation and one had jaundice and fever 3 years after operation, but no biliary disease was found . Twenty-one patients had the biliary procedure first . Four patients were operated on for suspected aneurysm rupture an average of 18 months after operation . There was one true rupture; this patient had no gallstones . One patient had acute aortic thrombosis 10 days after emergency operation for acute cholecystitis . Only two patients underwent combined operative procedures; both were patients with acute aortic problems in whom chronic and subacute biliary disease was found . Eight operative deaths occurred, all in the patients undergoing aortic procedures . There were no ruptured aneurysms or acute biliary problems needing emergency operation in any patient with cholelithiasis . On the basis of our experience, we believe that concomitant cholecystectomy and aortic reconstructions rarely need to be performed and then only in those patients in whom the risk of not treating both biliary and aortic conditions is greater than the operative risks . In these circumstances, cholecystostomy should be considered to decrease operative time and the risk of graft contamination.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Oct, 168(1), 309 - 17
Three-dimensional structure of the tetragonal surface layer of Sporosarcina ureae; Engelhardt H et al.; The three-dimensional structure of the regular surface layer of Sporosarcina ureae has been determined to a resolution of 1.7 nm by electron microscopy and image reconstruction . The S-layer has p4 symmetry, a lattice constant of 12.9 nm, and a minimum thickness of 6.6 nm . The reconstruction reveals a distinct domain structure: a massive core, arms connecting adjacent unit cells, and spurs which make contact at the subsidiary fourfold symmetry axes . In the z-direction the domains appear to be arranged in three planes, creating two entirely different surface reliefs . The S-layer has a complex pattern of pores and gaps that are 2 to 3 nm wide . In addition, the secondary-structure composition has been determined by infrared spectroscopy: about 35% of the polypeptide appears to have a beta-structure conformation.

Clin Pediatr (Phila), 1986 Oct, 25(10), 520 - 2
Anaerobic pulmonary abscesses . Hematogenous spread from head and neck infections; Shanks GD et al.; Multiple anaerobic pulmonary abscesses in previously healthy children are rare . Two cases are presented in which the discovery and adequate drainage of infectious foci in the head and neck were key to controlling the infection.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1986 Oct, 18 Suppl C, 127 - 32
Ecological factors influencing the transfer of plasmids in vitro and in vivo; Corpet DE; Plasmid transfer in the gut depends on the concentrations of recipient and donor bacteria and on their fertility . The main determining factors for the former are flow rate, concentration of limiting substrate, growth rates, adhesion, contamination and segregation and of the latter plasmid content, growth phase, and ecological conditions . These factors have to be measured with experimental models, and included in mathematical models, to estimate their relative incidence.

Am J Phys Anthropol, 1986 Oct, 71(2), 173 - 83
Periodontal disease in ancient populations; Clarke NG et al.; Recent clinical and anthropological findings indicate that the conventional concept of the pathogenesis of periodontal disease requires review . The periodontal lesion has been defined as a generalised horizontal loss of crestal bone resulting from host immune and inflammatory responses triggered by the action of commensal bacteria, and the extension of gingivitis into the deeper periodontium to become periodontitis has been assumed to occur slowly but steadily over many years . Anthropological and clinical investigations reveal that the widespread loss of crestal tissue is relatively unusual and that lesions of the alveolus are commonly localised and severe . Longitudinal studies have shown that the disease progresses in bursts and is stable in both the gingivitis and periodontal modes in between the burst activity . The findings of the present study demonstrate that generalized horizontal periodontitis has been unusual and has not been responsible for tooth loss . Other factors responsible for deficient alveolar margins in dry bones have been overlooked in most studies, leading to overassessment of the incidence of periodontal disease in postmortem materials; the same assumptions have led to overassessment of periodontal disease in clinical studies and practice.

Isr J Med Sci, 1986 Oct, 22(10), 740 - 4
Prevalence of anti-Legionella antibodies in a healthy population and in patients with tuberculosis or pneumonia; Bornstein N et al.; The prevalence of antibodies to 13 Legionella antigens was compared in three populations: 583 blood donors, 140 tuberculosis patients and 66 patients with acute non-legionellosis pneumonia . Antibody levels were determined by indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) using formalin-fixed antigens prepared from bacteria developed in embryonated hen yolk sac . The very weak prevalence of anti-L . pneumophila antibodies in a healthy population {almost 0 for serogroups (SG) 2, 3, 4 and 5; 1.5% for SG 6 and a maximum of 2.5% for SG 1 at a titer of 1: 16} confirms the criteria that have been recommended by the Centers for Disease control, USA . For the other legionellae studied, these criteria cannot be applied due to a higher prevalence in healthy populations (14.5% with levels of 1: 16-32 and 1% with levels of 1: 64-128 for L . bozemanii and progressively decreasing by as much as 2% for the other species: L . micdadei, L . longbeachae, L . gormanii, L . dumoffii and L . jordanis), in tuberculosis patients (12.1% with a level at 1: 64-128 for L . bozemanii, and for the same titer, 9.2% for L . gormanii, 5.7% for L . micdadei, 5% for L . longbeachae 2), and also in acute pneumonia (2 to 3.3% with levels of 1: 64-128 for L . longbeachae 1 and 2, L . jordanis, L . dumoffii, L . micdadei and L . bozemanii) . Although the significance of these prevalences remains to be discussed, with formalin-fixed antigens, it seems reasonable for these species to assign a threshold of 1: 256 for the presumptive serodiagnosis following seroconversion.

J Periodontol, 1986 Oct, 57(10), 617 - 24
Smoking and periodontal disease . A review of the literature; Rivera-Hidalgo F; The literature related to smoking and periodontal disease is reviewed . The effects of smoking on oral hygiene, gingivitis, necrotizing gingivitis, periodontitis, bacteria and the host's response are presented . From this review it is apparent that while the relationship between smoking and periodontal disease needs further study, smoking is detrimental to periodontal health as it worsens the oral hygiene status and depresses the host's defense posture.

Surg Clin North Am, 1986 Oct, 66(5), 891 - 915
The role of non-nutritive dietary constituents in carcinogenesis; Palmer S et al.; Very low levels of a large variety of non-nutritive chemicals occur in the diet . Among those that occur naturally are metabolites of molds (for example, mycotoxins) and bacteria (for example, nitrosamines) and natural constituents of plants (for example, pyrrolizidine alkaloids) . Many of these are occasional contaminants, whereas others are normal components of relatively common foods . Some compounds (for example, aflatoxin, nitrosamines, and hydrazones) have been found to be carcinogenic in laboratory animals and mutagenic in bacterial and other systems, thereby posing a potential risk to humans . However, there have been very few definitive epidemiologic studies . Therefore, further investigations are necessary to determine the significance of these experimental findings for humans . It is apparent that many foods naturally contain substances with mutagenic properties and that some substances found in foods can enhance or inhibit the mutagenic activity of other compounds . Furthermore, mutagens can be formed during the cooking or processing of foods . However, caution is needed in the interpretation of these findings . Although mutagens by definition are "suspect" carcinogens, many mutagens detected in foods have not been adequately tested for carcinogenicity, and therefore their significance for human health cannot be fully assessed . With the exception of studies on non-nutritive sweeteners like saccharin and cyclamate, or those on nitrate and nitrite, very few epidemiologic studies have been conducted to examine the effect of food additives on cancer risk . Of the few direct food additives that have been tested and found to be carcinogenic in animals, all except saccharin have been banned from use in the food supply . Minute residues of a few indirect additives that are known either to produce cancer in animals (for example, vinyl chloride and acrylonitrile) or to be carcinogenic in humans (for example, vinyl chloride) are occasionally detected in foods . Thus far, the increasing use of food additives does not seem to have contributed significantly to the overall cancer risk for humans . However, the relatively short duration of use of many of these substances and the inadequacy of the data base preclude definitive conclusions . Very low levels of a large and chemically diverse group of substances--environmental contaminants (for example, residues of pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and traces of toxic metals)--may be present in foods.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Gastroenterology, 1986 Oct, 91(4), 1007 - 18
Effect of ursodeoxycholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid on cholesterol and bile acid metabolism; Tint GS et al.; Orally administered UDCA dramatically reduces the secretion of cholesterol into the bile . During UDCA therapy cholesterol balance is maintained by a reduction in both the relative and absolute absorption of cholesterol and, perhaps, by a combined moderate enhancement of bile acid synthesis and a suppression of cholesterol production . The percentage of UDCA in the bile is limited by the inability of UDCA to suppress bile acid synthesis from cholesterol and by the conversion of UDCA to CDCA by the intestinal bacteria.

J Biomater Appl, 1986 Oct, 1(2), 274 - 304
Spandra: a sustained release battlefield wound dressing; Szycher M et al.; In 1981, our laboratories developed a family of elastomers which could be cured by ultraviolet (UV) radiation . Curing by UV radiation was a significant advance in chemistry, since it allowed ultra-fast curing of elastomers in a matter of seconds, as compared to several hours at 110 degrees C for conventional heat curing . We applied for a patent based on this technology, and the patent was allowed in mid-1984 {29} . Based on this technology, Thermedics submitted a proposal to the US Army for the development of a sustained-release battlefield wound dressing containing antibiotics and coagulants . The drugs were evenly distributed in the oligomer matrix, and subsequently cured in seconds under UV illumination, without the use of heat, organic solvents or water . Because delicate drugs are not subjected to heat, organic solvents or water, the pharmacological activity of the drugs is insured . Therefore, theoretically any drug may be incorporated into our dressing . Sustained release dressings were first developed at Thermedics in 1983, spurred by a contract from the US Army Medical Research and Development Command . Under this contract, the Company developed a new type of wound dressing capable of accelerating the healing process, retarding infection, and minimizing pain . Based on our TECOFLEX materials technology, the dressing performs like temporary artificial skin . Its transmission properties for oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor are similar to those of intact skin . Thus, while excluding bacteria from the wound site, the dressing maintains an optimal moist environment for the promotion of rapid healing . The new drawing shown in Figure 10 minimizes pain during healing by preventing dehydration and shrinkage in the wound . Patient comfort is also enhanced by the incorporation of a special fabric which imparts flex properties to the bandage that are almost identical to those of human skin, with greater stretch in one direction than in another . This also facilitates application to complex body contours by only one attendant, an important feature in both hospital and emergency situations . Materials currently in use in hospitals are difficult to handle, requiring two or three nurses to apply large dressings . Thermedics' military wound dressing not only has the significant advantage of ease of application, but this dressing can also be used for delivery of drugs to a specific site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Eur J Clin Invest, 1986 Oct, 16(5), 368 - 75
Effects of Legionella pneumophila sonicate on human neutrophil granulocyte and monocyte chemotaxis; Rechnitzer C et al.; The interaction of L . pneumophila serogroup 1 sonic extract with human polymorphonuclear neutrophils and monocytes was studied in an in vitro chemotaxis assay . The sonicate showed heat-stable chemotactic activity towards neutrophils and monocytes . It also exhibited cytotoxicity for neutrophils but not for monocytes . Incubation and pretreatment with the sonicate at apparently non-toxic concentration resulted in inhibition of the chemotactic response of neutrophils to various chemoattractants while monocyte chemotaxis was unaffected . The inhibitory activity was reduced to one half by heat treatment of the sonicate . High endotoxic activity was demonstrated in both heated and non-heated extract . Only two antigens (nos 1 and 61) were identified in the sonicate exposed to 121 degrees C for 1 h . It is therefore suggested that the lipopolysaccharide (no . 61) of L . pneumophila could contribute to the chemotactic activity . The adverse effects exerted by L . pneumophila on neutrophils may be one of the mechanisms by which Legionella bacteria resist the normal phagocytic host defenses.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Oct, 168(1), 444 - 8
Occurrence of coenzyme F420 and its gamma-monoglutamyl derivative in nonmethanogenic archaebacteria; Lin XL et al.; Analysis of the fluorescent compounds extracted from six different species of halobacteria and one species each of Sulfolobus and Thermoplasma revealed the universal occurrence of coenzyme F420, (N-{N-{O-{5-(8-hydroxy-5-deazaisoalloxazin-10-yl)-2,3,4-trihydroxy -4-pentoxyhydroxyphosphinyl}-L-lactyl}-L-gamma-glutamyl}-L -glutamic acid), or its gamma-monoglutamyl derivative or both . The total amount (approximately 100 pmol/mg {dry weight}) of these compounds found in the halobacteria studied was approximately 5% of the amount previously reported for methanogenic bacteria . The amount of F420 found in the Sulfolobus and Thermoplasma strains was approximately 1% of that found in the halobacteria . The major compound in all but one of the examined strains was the gamma-monoglutamyl derivative of F420; one strain of halobacteria contained only F420 . For the halobacterium-derived samples, the additional glutamic acid was shown to be linked by a gamma-glutamyl peptide bond to the terminal glutamic acid of the F420 core structure by enzymatic hydrolysis of the samples with three different gamma-glutamyltranspeptidases . The product of this enzymatic hydrolysis was F420 with one less glutamic acid in the side chain.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1986 Oct, 18 Suppl B, 1 - 10
General aspects of virus drug resistance with special reference to herpes simplex virus; Coen DM; The features of virus drug resistance are reviewed with examples from studies of herpes simplex virus drug-resistant mutants . Virus drug resistance, compared with drug resistance of bacteria or eukaryotes, is distinguished by its ability to provide information on drug selectivity . Identification of genes in which mutations arise to confer drug resistance defines gene products which contribute to antiviral selectivity . The gene products can then be dissected functionally with the aid of these mutations . Laboratory studies of the frequency of mutation to drug resistance and the features of drug-resistant mutants may have predictive value for the clinic.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Oct, 168(1), 96 - 102
Association of transformation of xenosomes from nonkiller to killer with extrachromosomal DNA; Soldo AT et al.; Extrachromosomal DNA in the form of covalently closed circular DNA molecules was isolated from killer and nonkiller xenosomes, bacterial endosymbionts of the marine protozoan Parauronema acutum . Restriction endonuclease digests of these molecules derived from 12 isolates revealed consistent, readily identifiable, differences in the pattern of fragments of the killer as compared with those present in the nonkiller . Transformation of the nonkiller to killer by infection is also accompanied by a change from the nonkiller to killer pattern . Based on analysis of fragments resulting from restriction endonuclease digests, two circular duplex DNA molecules, each 63 kilobase pairs (kbp) in length, were identified in the 263-20 nonkiller stock and mapped . The maps revealed that each possesses a single BamHI site and multiple BglI, BstIIE, PstI, and SalI sites . A distinguishing feature of these maps is that the two molecules share a region about 17 kbp in length in which multiple restriction sites are in register with each other . Allowing for a 0.5-kbp insertion or deletion and the introduction or removal of only a few restriction sites, an additional stretch extending approximately 31 kbp beyond this sequence could also be considered to be homologous . The structure of the killer plasmid appears to be more complex, and we have been unable, as yet, to construct physical maps for this DNA . We postulate that the killer plasmid DNA is composed of three, perhaps four, circular 63-kbp duplexes, at least one which contains a single BamHI site and another which contains two BamHI sites . The remaining molecules may represent copies of either or both of the other two, modified to contain additional restriction sites . Transformation from the nonkiller to the killer is visualized as the insertion of restriction sites at various points along parent nonkiller plasmid DNA molecules . The mechanism by which these sites are introduced is unknown.

Int J Radiat Biol Relat Stud Phys Chem Med, 1986 Oct, 50(4), 665 - 74
Physical mechanism for inactivation of metallo-enzymes by characteristic X-rays; Jawad HH et al.; Measurements have been made of the inactivation of the metallo-enzyme dihydro-oratic dehydrogenase in solution by characteristic X-rays at energies above and below the K absorption edge of the constituent iron atom . From the dose-survival curves and knowledge of the equilibrium electron spectrum generated by the X-ray 'field', inactivation cross-sections are deduced and expressed in terms of intrinsic efficiencies for the various proposed direct and indirect mechanisms of inactivation . It is concluded that the inactivation is caused by direct X-ray interaction in an area equivalent to about 30 per cent of the mean geometrical cross-section of the molecule, and is independent of whether the target is wet or dry . The contribution from Auger electron cascades, Coulomb charges etc . initiated by the inner-shell vacancy in the metal atom is negligible--possibly due to saturation effects . It seems that the presence of the metal atom simply serves to enhance the overall interaction probability with the molecule in a manner consistent with expectations from the photon absorption coefficients . No anomalously large damage is detected . These conclusions are supported by comparison with published results for other metallo-enzymes and bromine-loaded bacteria.

Dev Biol, 1986 Oct, 117(2), 550 - 6
Changes during differentiation in requirements for cAMP for expression of cell-type-specific mRNAs in the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum; Oyama M et al.; A number of genes encoding developmentally regulated mRNAs in the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum, have been described . Many of these are regulated by cAMP . Analysis of the earliest time at which elevated levels of cAMP can induce the expression of these mRNAs reveals a more complex pattern of regulation in which genes change in their ability to be induced in response to cAMP with developmental stage . A prestalk mRNA (C1/D11) previously thought not be regulated by elevated levels of cAMP is inducible by cAMP between aggregation and loose mound stage; later in development its expression becomes independent of elevated cAMP . The early prespore genes (prespore class I) also show two modes of regulation; early in development they are induced independently of continuous elevated levels of cAMP, while later in development their expression is dependent upon elevated cAMP . The period during development when the prestalk genes are cAMP inducible precedes by 2 hr the first time at which either the early prespore class I or late prespore class II mRNAs are inducible by continuous elevated levels of cAMP . Previous analysis of these mRNAs has been carried out using Dictyostelium cells grown axenically . In this report we have studied the developmental expression of these mRNAs in cells grown on bacteria . A substantial shutoff of the class I prestalk and early prespore (class I) mRNAs not seen in axenically grown cells is observed when bacterially grown cells are plated for development . Less than 10% of the maximal level of these mRNAs remains in the cells at the time of mature spore and stalk differentiation . Additionally, in the bacterially grown cells two distinct patterns of developmental regulation are observed for mRNAs which in axenically growing cells appear to be constitutively expressed throughout growth and development.

Arch Biochem Biophys, 1986 Oct, 250(1), 112 - 9
Organization of the pathway of de novo pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis in pea (Pisum sativum L . cv Progress No . 9) leaves; Doremus HD; The organization of the enzymes of de novo pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis in pea (Pisum sativum L . cv Progress No . 9) has been studied . The first three enzymes of the pathway, carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase, aspartate carbamoyltransferase, and dihydroorotase, are readily separable from one another; they are not part of a multifunctional complex . The final two activities of the pathway, orotate phosphoribosyltransferase and orotidylate decarboxylase, copurify and appear to be complexed in vivo . This organizational pattern is distinct from those reported for bacteria, yeast, and mammals . The differences in organization, in a pathway which is present in all organisms, make the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway a very interesting candidate for evolutionary studies.

J Exp Med, 1986 Oct 1, 164(4), 1310 - 8
Idiotypic network connectivity and a possible cause of myasthenia gravis; Dwyer DS et al.; Extensive idiotypic connectivity has been discovered between the antibodies composing the immune responses against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and alpha-1,3-dextran . The idiotypic connections form an elaborate network linking these disparate antigen systems, and there is an hierarchical organization of the antibodies in this network . The key anti-Ids that interconnect these two responses are more crossreactive, lower-affinity antibodies . Interestingly, 15% of patients with MG, which is caused by autoantibodies against the AChR, have serum antibodies against DEX . Control sera are negative for anti-DEX antibodies . Certain anti-DEX antibodies also bind to anti-AChR antibodies via idiotypic interactions . These findings suggest a model for the initiation of autoimmunity in MG . Antibodies made in response to DEX epitopes on the surface of certain bacteria would elicit the production of anti-Ids . However, some of these anti-Ids would also be autoantibodies against the AChR . Thus, is some circumstances, autoimmunity may develop as a consequence of the normal operation of regulatory idiotypic networks.

J Biol Chem, 1986 Sep 25, 261(27), 12520 - 5
The repetitive structure of the profilaggrin gene as demonstrated using epidermal profilaggrin cDNA; Haydock PV et al.; Filaggrin is the histidine-rich basic protein that aggregates keratin filaments in fully differentiated cells of the epidermis . Filaggrin is synthesized in the granular cell layer as a high molecular weight precursor protein (profilaggrin) that consists of multiple repeated copies of filaggrin . cDNA clones for rat and mouse epidermal profilaggrin have been constructed from sucrose gradient-enriched RNA in order to study the repetitive structure of profilaggrin . These clones hybridize to high molecular weight epidermal mRNA (23 kilobase pairs, rat and 19 kilobase pairs, mouse) and exhibit limited cross-hybridization between species . Several rat clones direct the synthesis of a portion of rat profilaggrin in bacteria . One of these, rat profilaggrin cDNA clone R4D6, is 2400 base pairs in length . The R4D6 cDNA is shown to contain repetitive sequence by restriction mapping and southern hybridization analysis of restriction digests of this plasmid, using subfragments of the plasmid as hybridization probes . Southern hybridization analysis of rat genomic DNA, digested to completion with several restriction enzymes, reveals a simple hybridization pattern of fragments equal in size to those of the cDNA . Partial digestion of rat genomic DNA results in a ladder of bands based on a 1200-base pair repeat, equal to the size of the repeating unit of the cDNA clone, and consistent with the expected repeating size of profilaggrin . Together, these results show that the profilaggrin mRNA and gene have repetitive structure and that the gene apparently lacks introns in the coding region.

Minerva Med, 1986 Sep 22, 77(36), 1625 - 38
{Pathology of infections in the resuscitation and intensive care center of the Biella Hospital}; Fanton G et al.; A survey was conducted into the problems of infections in intensive care units . After a short report on the survey methodology, the equipment most frequently involved in infection and the germs implicated are described . Results and conclusions agree with data from the literature reported in the introduction.

Eur J Biochem, 1986 Sep 15, 159(3), 519 - 24
The alternative oxidase of Candida parapsilosis; Guerin M et al.; The yeast Candida parapsilosis is able to grow on a glycerol medium, supplemented with antimycin A, due to a secondary mitochondrial pathway, able to reoxidize specifically cytoplasmic NADH . It is antimycin-A-insensitive, but inhibited by salicylhydroxamic acid and high cyanide concentrations . This pathway involves the participation of a specific pool cytochrome c, reducible by NADH but not by ascorbate/N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine, and a cytochrome 590 named cytochrome a1 in bacteria . In C . parapsilosis, both oxidases aa3 and a1 are implicated in the electron transfer pathway.

Pharmazie, 1986 Sep, 41(9), 632 - 4
Derivatives of 3-hydroxy acids: 4-oxo-1,3-dioxanes and 2-oxetanones; Batandier C et al.; Original 4-oxo-1,3-dioxanes and 2-oxetanones have been prepared from 3-hydroxy acids . Some pharmacological data and results from agricultural screenings are given.

J Gen Microbiol, 1986 Sep, 132 ( Pt 9), 2647 - 51
Mouse toxicity induced by lipids and cell walls isolated from actinomycetes; Ekizlerian SM et al.; The possibility was examined that the toxicity induced in mice by Actinomadura madurae, 'Streptomyces pelletieri' and Nocardia brasiliensis was due to lipid and cell-wall constituents . Mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with heat-killed bacteria, lipid extracts and cell-wall preparations emulsified in mineral oil: toxicity was evaluated by recording weight loss and deaths . Killed cells and cell-wall preparations of all three actinomycetes produced a pronounced loss of body weight, tissue necrosis, splenomegaly, a granulomatous inflammation and sometimes death . Mice inoculated with lipid extracts from A . madurae and 'S . pelletieri' neither died nor showed toxic effects, but mice injected with lipids isolated from N . brasiliensis did suffer toxic effects . They showed more marked wasting symptoms than observed after inoculation of heat-killed bacteria or of the cell-wall preparation.

J Med Assoc Thai, 1986 Sep, 69(9), 505 - 10
Vaccine requirements and priorities for developing countries; Thongcharoen P; PIP: The situation of viral vaccines used in Asian countries is reviewed, focusing on the following vaccines: smallpox, rabies, polio, measles, rubella, mumps, influenza, Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis B, varicella, dengue, and rotavirus . Vaccinations are among the most important strategies to combat communicable diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses . Active immunizations are more preferable in most instances than passive ones . It has taken almost 2 centuries to eradicate the highly contagious infection of smallpox from the world . In 1979 the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the global eradication of smallpox . Smallpox vaccination was 1st practiced in 1840 by Dr . Dan Beach Bradley, with the last 2 cases of smallpox reported in Thailand in 1962 . Despite the achievement for many years of more ideal rabies vaccine, Semple vaccine continues to be used in developing countries . Attempts should be intensified to produce newer tissue culture vaccines in developing countries themselves and to eradicate vectors . Instances of poliomyelitis were reported in Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand as late as 1983-84, but only a few sporadic cases have occurred in Malaysia since 1980 . This mixed record results from polio vaccine having been incorporated into national Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) programs in many countries . Measles remains 1 of the most common viral infections in children in most developing nations, but morbidity and mortality rates are not accurately obtainable in these countries . Rubella outbreaks have been reported from many countries in Southeast Asia with congenital rubella syndromes due to maternal rubella on the increase in many countries, including Thailand . Children who receive the mumps vaccination are those receiving the combined MMR vaccines . Monovalent mumps vaccine is not obtainable in developing countries . Influenza vaccine is impracticable in most developing countries . Japanese encephalitis vaccine has been used in Japan since 1954 . Because of the high cost of Hepatitis B vaccine, mass immunization cannot be practiced in any developing country . Current data suggest that OKA strain of varicella vaccine will be a useful vaccine to protect against chickenpox in immunocompromised children as well as normal children living in some settings . More years are needed to determine the feasibility of dengue immunization . At present, only rotaviruses are the enteric viral agents causing human diarrhea for which vaccination is indicated and feasible . Requirements for vaccines used in developing countries are outlined .

Toxicol Ind Health, 1986 Sep, 2(3), 163 - 82
A methodology for assessing mutagenic hazards of chemicals; Brown HS et al.; A comprehensive framework for identifying substances which represent a potential threat to public health due to mutagenicity and for relative ranking of their hazards has been developed . The methodology is designed to evaluate a range of genotoxic endpoints of potential significance to humans and is not merely a substitute for, or an adjunct to, the carcinogenicity assessment . A range of endpoints in both somatic and germ cells is considered . The biological test systems utilized here include humans and other mammals, bacteria, Drosophila, yeasts, molds, and plants . Bioassays conducted in vivo and in vitro, with and without metabolic activation, are included . Seventy-five different assays are considered, of which 73 are currently included in the Gene-Tox database . The tests are grouped into three categories on the basis of significance to humans, as well as sensitivity, specificity, validity, and reliability . Seven in vivo mammalian tests comprise Group I . The remaining 68 tests are divided between Groups II and III, in a decreasing order of significance and confidence in the tests . Tests with virtually identical endpoints and organisms are listed together . The system accomplishes two tasks: 1) organizes the data from short-term tests on chemicals, and 2) classifies chemicals into one of five hazard categories, designated by letters A to E, on the basis of that information . Classification into hazard categories depends on the overall strength of evidence that an agent may cause mutations in humans . Generally, score for each chemical is a function of the number and combination of results in each of the three groups of tests . Specifically, it is derived by weighing several variables: the number and type of endpoints measured, the number and type of species represented, the significance of positive and non-positive results, the relevance of specific tests for predicting effects in humans, the group classification (I, II or III) of each test result and the overall pattern presented . Assessment of data for one hundred chemicals shows a good representation of scores from A to E, with category E most commonly represented, followed by D and C.

Vet Microbiol, 1986 Sep, 12(3), 255 - 68
Generation of immunity against Fusobacterium necrophorum in mice inoculated with extracts containing leucocidin; Emery DL et al.; The capacity of extracts from toxigenic and non-toxigenic ruminant strains of Fusobacterium necrophorum to protect against challenge with homologous and heterologous bacteria was examined in mice . The numbers of F . necrophorum which were infective or lethal for mice increased 5- to 8-fold in animals which had been previously inoculated with complete Freund's adjuvant (FCA) . Although preparations containing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and outer membrane proteins (OMP) from several strains gave protection against a non-toxigenic strain (FnB-3), they did not significantly immunize mice against a challenge infection with a toxigenic bovine strain, FnB-1 . Only material which had been prepared by gel filtration of 18-h liquid culture supernates of toxigenic F . necrophorum elicited significant immunity against homologous challenge with FnB-1 . This preparation contained LPS and the majority of the leucotoxic activity . However, passive protection was not afforded to mice inoculated with bovine or rabbit sera which possessed high neutralization titres against the leucocidin.

Prenat Diagn, 1986 Sep-Oct, 6(5), 387 - 8
Spontaneous abortion after transcervical chorionic villus sampling: a case report; MacKenzie WE et al.; A case of spontaneous abortion after transcervical CVS is presented . Despite no evidence of bacteria in the vagina and cervix prior to sampling and the prophylactic use of Metronidazole, pathological evidence of chorioamnionitis was found . The implications of this are discussed.

Lab Invest, 1986 Sep, 55(3), 276 - 88
Pulmonary intravascular macrophages in sheep . Morphology and function of a novel constituent of the mononuclear phagocyte system; Warner AE et al.; Macrophages resident in the pulmonary capillaries of sheep avidly remove injected particles from the circulating blood . Both sheep and rats were injected intravenously with radiolabeled gold colloid and magnetic iron oxide particles . One hour later, particle uptake in various organs was quantified by gamma counting and magnetometry . Organ localization of both gold and iron oxide particles was predominantly hepatic in rats . In marked contrast, sheep had predominantly pulmonary uptake . Ultrastructural morphology showed that pulmonary iron oxide uptake was by intravascular macrophages . Pulmonary intravascular macrophages were present in ruminant lungs in large numbers . Lungs of sheep given no particles were fixed by intratracheal instillation of glutaraldehyde; randomly chosen tissue samples were routinely processed for electron microscopy and studied with stereological methods . We found that these macrophages occupied 15.3% of the intravascular volume, and had 15.9 m2 of free surface available for contact with blood . Intravascular macrophages were closely applied to 7.1% of the endothelial surface, including numerous short segments with 12 to 15 nm of membrane interspace, increased subplasmalemmal cytoplasmic density, and intercellular electron-dense material . We conclude that pulmonary intravascular macrophages in sheep comprise an important component of their mononuclear phagocyte system . Furthermore, we suggest that these macrophages, through phagocytic uptake of bacteria or endotoxin, may contribute to pulmonary inflammation and injury.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Sep, 167(3), 1025 - 34
Three-dimensional structure of the surface layer protein of Aquaspirillum serpens VHA determined by electron crystallography; Dickson MR et al.; The three-dimensional structure of the protein which forms the S layer of Aquaspirillum serpens strain VHA has been determined by electron microscopy . Structures have been reconstructed to a resolution of about 1.6 nm for single-layered specimens and about 4 nm for two-layered specimens . The structure, which has hexagonal symmetry, consists of a core in the shape of a cup, with six projections arising from the rim of the cup to join adjacent subunits at the threefold symmetry axes . The model is consistent with edge views of the S layer which have been obtained in this and other work . It is now clear from this work and from three-dimensional reconstructions of other bacterial S layers that a wide diversity exists in the morphology of surface layers.

Inflammation, 1986 Sep, 10(3), 321 - 32
Mechanism by which methylprednisolone inhibits acute immune complex-induced changes in vascular permeability; McLeish KR et al.; Intravital microscopy was used to quantitate protein leakage which resulted from the deposition of immune complexes in the vasculature of the rat cremaster muscle . Immune complex deposition was initiated by the addition of 80 micrograms/ml of ovalbumin to the bath surrounding the muscle, followed by the intravenous administration of antiovalbumin . Administration of 25 mg/kg of antiovalbumin produced significant leakage of protein from the third-order venules, while 7.5 and 2.5 mg/kg had no effect . Administration of methylprednisolone (MP), 30 mg/kg, 1 h prior to the deposition of immune complexes significantly inhibited protein leakage . In separate experiments, MP inhibited intradermal edema formation and protein exudation induced in rats by histamine, platelet activating factor, or C5a . However, MP had no effect on protein exudation or edema produced by xanthine oxidase or glucose oxidase . Intravenous administration of MP inhibited the ability of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) to phagocytize bacteria, but failed to alter hydrogen peroxide production . These results suggest that MP prevents acute changes in vascular permeability following immune complex deposition by inhibiting the effects of soluble mediators of edema on vascular endothelium and by inhibiting PMN phagocytosis.

Biochem Pharmacol, 1986 Sep 1, 35(17), 2869 - 74
Effect of emetine and chloroquine on phagocytic processes of rat macrophages; Antoni F et al.; Emetine and chloroquine caused a dose-dependent and time-dependent inhibition of bacterial phagocytosis in rat peritoneal macrophages . The effect of emetine was found to be stronger: 50% inhibition was achieved at 5 X 10(-6) M concentration . The inhibition of phagocytosis was irreversible . Neither the binding of bacteria to the surface of phagocytes nor membrane marker 5' nucleotidase was touched by this treatment . The adherence of macrophages to plastic dishes was also impaired by the drugs but only in a smaller extent . Both emetine and chloroquine blocked the amino acid incorporation into macrophage proteins . The effect of emetine was more marked; 10(-6) M decreased the incorporation to 25% of control, while 10(-4) M chloroquine produced a similar inhibition . The block of protein synthesis was also irreversible.

Ital J Orthop Traumatol, 1986 Sep, 12(3), 339 - 51
Septic complications in resection surgery for bone tumours; Boriani S et al.; Septic complications occurring in 482 resections for bone tumours performed from 1976 to 1984 at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute Tumour Centre are reviewed . There were 56 cases of infection (11.6%), the incidence of which was related to the type of resection surgery, type of reconstruction, and such risk factors as radiotherapy, the use of acrylic cement, and immunodepression due to antiblastics . With the proper treatment of such septic complications, however, good functional results may be maintained and amputation avoided.

Biofizika, 1986 Sep-Oct, 31(5), 825 - 8
{The character of K+ uptake in anaerobically grown S . typhimurium}; Ter-Nikogosian VA et al.; Tre character of K+ uptake in anaerobically grown S . typhimurium LT-2 is studied . In the alkaline media with glucose and moderate K+ activity these bacteria uptake K+ in two steps, the first of which has a high rate of K+ uptake, Km 2.1 mM and Vmax 0.44 mM/g . min and is sensitive to the medium osmolarity . Bacteria transfer from the media with high osmolarity to that with low one leads to a decrease of K+ uptake at the first step . The second increase of the medium osmolarity turns on the rapid K+ uptake only at alkaline pH . K+ uptake at the first step is inhibited by DCC and protonophores . In the absence of phosphate in the medium arsenate blocks K+ uptake at the first step, and when phosphate is available arsenate decreases K+ uptake . Valinomycin decreases the rate of K+ uptake . K+ uptake at the first step in S . typhimurium proceeds via Trk-like system which requires for K+ uptake both ATP and delta mu H+.

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol, 1986 Sep, 11(3), 237 - 46
The effect of intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in recurrent acute otitis media; Kalm O et al.; The effect of serial intravenous infusion of human immunoglobulin on the frequency of acute otitis media (AOM) episodes and on other upper respiratory tract infections was prospectively studied in a group of 22 otitis-prone children, 1-4 years old . After pair-matching, the children were allocated to immunoglobulin treatment or to a control group . Increased specific IgG antibody activities against pneumococcal types associated with recurrent AOM (rAOM) were generally achieved, but no significant difference was noted in the frequency of AOM attacks or other respiratory tract infections between the immunoglobulin-treated children and their pair-matched untreated controls . The results indicate that, although serum antibody activities against bacteria associated with AOM are increased by immunoglobulin infusions, this does not prevent the development of AOM in children suffering from rAOM.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1986 Sep, 52(3), 439 - 43
Comparison of Clark's presence-absence test and the membrane filter method for coliform detection in potable water samples; Pipes WO et al.; A total of 2,601 water samples from six different water systems were tested for coliform bacteria by Clark's presence-absence (P-A) test and by the membrane filter (MF) method . There was no significant difference in the fraction of samples positive for coliform bacteria for any of the systems tested . It was concluded that the two tests are equivalent for monitoring purposes . However, 152 samples were positive for coliform bacteria by the MF method but negative by the P-A test, and 132 samples were positive by the P-A test but negative by the MF method . Many of these differences for individual samples can be explained by random dispersion of bacteria in subsamples when the coliform density is low . However, 15 samples had MF counts greater than 3 and gave negative P-A results . The only apparent explanation for most of these results is that coliform bacteria were present in the P-A test bottles but did not produce acid and gas . Two other studies have reported more samples positive by Clark's P-A test than by the MF method.

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1986 Sep, 5(3), 207 - 13
Improvement of positive blood culture detection by agitation; Hawkins BL et al.; To evaluate the advantages of agitation in reducing the detection time and increasing the recovery rate of positive blood cultures, 1,000 three-bottle sets of tryptic soy broth on adult inpatients were analyzed . Two bottles were transiently vented, one of which was agitated (250 rpm) for 7-19 hr at 35 degrees C . The other vented bottle and the anaerobic bottle were incubated stationary at 35 degrees C . Smears and subcultures were performed 7-19 hr after collection on both agitated and nonagitated vented bottles . Subcultures were done on all bottles at 72 hr and smears were performed on the anaerobic bottle . There were 137 of 1000 (13.7%) positive cultures from 90 patients . The agitated bottle detected 112 of 137 (81.8%) positive cultures, was the first or only means of detection in 57 of 137 cultures (41.6%), and was the only positive bottle in 30 of 137 (21.9%) cultures . The nonagitated vented bottle detected 89 of 137 (65.0%) of positive cultures and was the only means of detection in 13 of 137 (9.5%), but was never the first means of detection . The anaerobic bottle detected 76 of 137 (55.5%) of positive cultures, was the first or only means of detection in 11 of 137 (8.0%), and was the first means of detection in one of 137 (0.7%) cultures . When both the agitated and nonagitated bottle were positive, the agitated bottle was positive on the average 35 hr earlier . We conclude that agitation of the vented bottle in a conventional blood culture system significantly decreases the detection time of positive blood cultures and increases the number of positive blood cultures detected.

Clin Chem, 1986 Sep, 32(9), 1726 - 33
Perspectives on the use of chemometrics in laboratory medicine; Boyd JC; Today's automated laboratory instruments are capable of generating prodigious volumes of high-quality measurements . Increasingly, the powerful mathematical and statistical methods of chemometrics are being called upon to help reduce these measurements to useful information . Chemometric methods have been important in automating various data-intensive functions of the clinical laboratory, including analysis of cellular images, identification of bacteria and fungi on the basis of their metabolic and chemical properties, and identification of drugs and toxic substances from their mass spectra . These methods also appear promising in aiding both the selection and interpretation of laboratory tests for diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis . In spite of the demonstrated potential of these methods, significant problems remain to be solved in the areas of measurement standardization, data-base collection, and user familiarity with these approaches before chemometric methods can be used most fully by the clinical laboratory.

J Clin Periodontol, 1986 Sep, 13(8), 774 - 82
Bleeding/plaque ratio and the development of gingival inflammation; Abbas F et al.; In a recent publication, it was hypothesized that the ratio between bleeding and plaque scores may act as a prognostic indicator for periodontal breakdown . Furthermore, it was found that the rate of development of gingival inflammation in terms of bleeding on probing during experimental gingivitis is more rapid in patients susceptible to periodontal breakdown than in subjects insusceptible to periodontal breakdown . The purpose of the present investigation was to compare the gingival reaction to dental plaque in an experimental gingivitis study in individuals without periodontal breakdown, having either a low or a high bleeding/plaque ratio . A group of 8 volunteers (18-23 years) with a low bleeding/plaque ratio and 7 volunteers (19-22 years) with a high bleeding/plaque ratio were selected . In both groups, an experimental gingivitis study of 23 days duration was carried out . Results showed that individuals with a high bleeding/plaque ratio developed significantly more clinical inflammation in terms of bleeding and swelling of the gingiva than individuals with a low bleeding/plaque ratio . After 23 days of plaque accumulation, gingival biopsies as well as supragingival plaque samples were taken from both groups . Phase-contrast microscopy of the plaque samples showed no significant differences between the 2 groups . Low %s of spirochetes and motile rods were found . Stereologic point-counting procedures showed equal amounts of infiltrated connective tissue in both groups . However, significant differences in composition of the infiltrate appeared to be present . The high ratio group showed more IgA producing plasma cells and complement activation than the low ratio group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cancer Treat Rep, 1986 Sep, 70(9), 1117 - 20
Association of severe and fatal infections and treatment with pentostatin; O'Dwyer PJ et al.; Pentostatin (dCF), an inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, has shown activity in the treatment of several lymphoid malignancies, even in the earliest phase I trials . An analysis of the first 300 patients treated in such trials shows a high incidence of severe infection (8%) during the relatively brief period of treatment . Of 24 patients in whom infection was diagnosed, 17 had no evidence of myelosuppression . The causative organisms included viruses, fungi, and bacteria of both high and low pathogenicity . Two-thirds of the infections were fatal . It is suggested that dCF may cause a syndrome similar to severe combined immunodeficiency during the course of treatment . Patients treated with dCF who show evidence of infection, even in the absence of neutropenia, should receive vigorous and rapid diagnostic evaluation to establish the cause of their infection, and aggressive treatment of suspected organisms.

J Clin Periodontol, 1986 Sep, 13(8), 752 - 7
Serum IgA and IgG antibodies to Treponema vincentii and Treponema denticola in adult periodontitis, juvenile periodontitis and periodontally healthy subjects; Lai CH et al.; 13 patients with untreated adult periodontitis (AP) were compared to 8 subjects free of periodontal disease (H) with respect to plaque index (PlI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD) and differential counts of subgingival bacterial morphotypes from a pooled sample of 6 surfaces with the greatest probing depth . Serum antibody levels to T . vincentii and T . denticola strains were also determined in these subjects as well as in the sera from 5 subjects with localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) . Subjects with AP had significantly elevated proportions of spirochetes and motile rods and lower proportions of coccoid cells than H subjects . They also exhibited significantly higher PlI and GI scores and greater probing depths . Antibody levels were normalized against a standard serum and expressed as ELISA units (EU) . IgA and IgG antibody levels to all tested spirochete strains were significantly elevated in AP subjects as compared to subjects in group H or subjects with LJP . No significant differences in antibody titers were detectable between the H and LJP groups with respect to any of the tested strains . No significant correlation could be demonstrated between serum antibody titers to any of the oral spirochete strains tested and the proportions of oral spirochetes determined microscopically.

J Biol Buccale, 1986 Sep, 14(3), 195 - 205
{Microanalysis of salivary calculi}; Faure J et al.; Eight salivary calculi were sectioned along a plane of symmetry and the sections studied by microanalysis . Three different regions were observed: a central region with one or several strongly mineralized nuclei, a stratified, less mineralized region with a lower Ca/P ratio and finally a peripheral weakly calcified region . Although inclusions with high silicium or sulfur concentrations were found in all samples, their role in the genesis of calculus is not clear . Most often filamentous mineralized bacteria were observed by scanning electron microscopy on the external stone surface.

ASDC J Dent Child, 1986 Sep-Oct, 53(5), 359 - 63
Management of dental caries as an infectious disease; Tinanoff N et al.; Dental caries is an infectious disease that demineralizes tooth structure as a consequence of bacterial metabolism . Chemical suppression of bacteria, especially using stannous fluoride, is gaining popularity because of its practicality and clinical efficacy.

J Oral Pathol, 1986 Sep, 15(8), 415 - 8
Pulpal responses to amalgam restorations in cavities with and without smear layer removal; Jodaikin A et al.; A conventional low copper amalgam was placed in cavities with and without smear layer removal and the amalgam restorations were covered with a resin overlay . The restored teeth were retrieved at 2, 28 and 56 days postoperatively in order to test for leakage and then pulpal reactions . More inflammation was seen in the teeth from which the smear layer had been removed . Abscesses were present in 6 teeth at 28 days but only one was associated with demonstrable bacteria . This study does not support smear layer removal before insertion of low copper amalgam restorations.

Fed Proc, 1986 Sep, 45(10), 2465 - 70
Benzidine: mechanisms of oxidative activation and mutagenesis; Josephy PD; Benzidine oxidative activation may proceed by peroxidase-catalyzed one-electron oxidation via free radical intermediates, or by N-acetylation followed by monooxygenase-catalyzed N-hydroxylation . The peroxidase route has been examined by using horseradish peroxidase or prostaglandin H synthase in vitro . In the presence of nucleophiles such as phenols, thiols, or nucleic acids, isolable adducts are formed . The structures of these adducts have been elucidated by spectroscopic methods . The Ames test provides a useful system for studying benzidine bioactivation to mutagenic intermediates . An endogenous bacterial acetylase plays an important auxiliary role in the hepatic S9-dependent activation of benzidine . Bacterial peroxidases may also support benzidine oxidation in the Ames test.

Vet Pathol, 1986 Sep, 23(5), 589 - 93
Pulmonary lesions in lambs experimentally infected with ovine adenovirus 5 strain RTS-42; Cutlip RC et al.; Twelve lambs were inoculated transtracheally and intranasally with Mastadenovirus ovi 5 strain RTS-42 and killed sequentially . Pulmonary lesions were studied by light and electron microscopy . Four lambs served as sham inoculated controls . Pulmonary lesions consisted of multifocal areas of bronchiolitis and alveolitis associated with necrosis and sloughing of isolated type I and type II alveolar epithelial cells and nonciliated bronchiolar epithelial cells . This was followed rapidly by hyperplasia of the remaining epithelium and repair of the damage . A cellular infiltrate of neutrophils and macrophages began at 2 days after inoculation, peaked at 4 days after inoculation, gradually diminished until minimal at 12 days after inoculation, and was resolved at 21 days after inoculation . Surfactant was abundant and, along with debris, was removed from the alveoli by macrophages . Clinical disease was not seen, but lesions were believed to be sufficient to allow bacteria to colonize the lungs and cause severe disease.

Am J Vet Res, 1986 Sep, 47(9), 1940 - 5
Inhibition of lacteal leukocyte phagocytosis by colostrum, nonlactating secretion, and mastitic milk; Targowski SP et al.; The Fc receptors on leukocytes obtained from normal milk, colostrum, nonlactating gland secretion, and mastitic milk were detected by rosette formation, using sensitized erythrocytes . The percentage of leukocytes bearing Fc receptors from normal milk was significantly (P less than 0.01) greater than that from other secretions . Fc receptors were found primarily on polymorphonuclear leukocytes from normal milk, mastitic milk, and colostrum . However, in nonlactating gland secretion obtained 6 weeks after milking was completed, Fc receptors were predominantly on macrophages . The low percentage of leukocytes bearing Fc receptors obtained from colostrum, nonlactating gland secretion obtained 7 days after milking was completed, and mastitic milk was associated with the presence of a blocking factor in these secretions, which specifically attached to Fc receptors . These secretions significantly (P less than 0.01) blocked the Fc receptors on leukocytes from normal milk and on other cells bearing FC receptors . The presence of Fc receptors on leukocytes obtained from normal milk was related to a high percentage of phagocytizing leukocytes through Fc receptors and a large number of phagocytized bacteria (phagocytic activities) . In contrast, the low percentage of leukocytes bearing Fc receptors from colostrum, from nonlactating gland secretion (7 days after milking), and from mastitic milk was associated with depressed phagocytic activities . Preincubation of leukocytes from normal milk with whey from colostrum, nonlactating gland secretion (7 days after milking), and mastitic milk significantly (P less than 0.01) inhibited phagocytosis . This effect was associated with the blocking of Fc receptors by these secretions . Possible mechanisms for and implications of these findings are discussed.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1986 Sep, 83(18), 6707 - 10
Surface structure recognized for covalent modification of the aspartate receptor in chemotaxis; Terwilliger TC et al.; The aspartate receptor involved in chemotaxis is modified by methyl esterification at four distinct glutamate residues during the adaptive response of this receptor . To explain the high degree of specificity of this modification, it has been proposed that the methyltransferase recognizes the sequence Glu-Glu-Xaa-Xaa-Ala-Ser/Thr in an alpha-helical conformation and methylates the second glutamate in this sequence . This hypothesis is strengthened here by localized mutagenesis studies . By reversing the alanine-threonine sequence to threonine-alanine at the principal site of methylation, Glu-309, a factor of 4 decrease in reactivity was achieved . Thus, the rate of methylation of this site is sensitive to the reversal of two residues of similar structure . These residues are somewhat distant in sequence from the glutamate that is modified but are adjacent in space if an alpha-helical structure is present . The other sites of modification, Glu-295, Glu-302, and Glu-491, are slightly increased in reactivity in the mutant . The 4-fold change in reactivity of the major site of methylation obtained with a relatively subtle change supports the recognition sequence hypothesis, including its structural implications . It is noted, in addition, that chemotaxis of bacteria expressing the mutant receptor does not seem to be greatly altered . This might be explained by the observation that the overall methylation levels of the mutant and wild-type receptors are similar.

Z Gesamte Inn Med, 1986 Aug 15, 41(16), 437 - 40
{The role of fibronectin in nonspecific defense from the immunologic viewpoint}; Lukowsky A et al.; The present article gives a review of the essential data of literature concerning the importance of fibronectin (Fn) for the unspecific defence . In this case the function of Fn postulated as unspecific opsonin stands in the foreground . Fn mediates the binding of gelatine particles, bacteria and other above all particular materials on phagocytizing cells (monocytes, macrophages and neutrophils) . Up to now it is, however, controversial whether or not this binding causes an increased endocytosis . The participation of cofactors or inhibitors and the problem whether Fn or certain proteolytic Fn-fragments are effective still need a further clarification . Fn, its fragments or Fn-substrate-complexes can activate phagocytes and have a chemotactic effect on them . The mechanism of activation is still unknown, for monocytes in increased expression of Fc- and C3b-receptors is supposed . Fn might consequently perform a defence function as an unspecific cell activator and at the same time have a pro-inflammatory influence . There are controversial opinions as to the questions which phagocytes are activated and which Fn-molecules (complete plasma-Fn or fragments) are responsible . The high sensitiveness of Fn to proteolytic enzymes and denaturating processes is supposed to be one of the causes for the different results.

Eur J Biochem, 1986 Aug 15, 159(1), 77 - 84
Structural analysis of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase in higher and lower eukaryotes; Scovassi AI et al.; A phylogenetic survey for the poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase has been conducted by analyzing enzyme activity in various organisms and determining the structure of the catalytic peptides by renaturation of functional activities of the enzyme in situ after electrophoresis in denaturing conditions (activity gel) . The enzyme is widely distributed in cells from all different classes of vertebrates, from arthropods, mollusks and plant cells but could not be detected in echinoderms, nematodes, platyhelminths, thallophytes (including yeast) and bacteria . The presence on activity gels of a catalytic peptide with Mr = 115,000-120,000 was demonstrated in vertebrates, arthropods and mollusks but no activity bands were recovered in many lower eukaryotes, in plant cells and bacteria . By using an immunological procedure that used an antiserum against homogeneous calf thymus poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, common immunoreactive peptides were visualized in mammals, avians, reptiles, amphibians and fishes, while lacking in non-vertebrate organisms . Our results indicate that the structure of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase is conserved down to the mollusks suggesting its important role for DNA metabolism of multicellular organisms.

Arch Fr Pediatr, 1986 Aug-Sep, 43(7), 497 - 9
{Acute mitral endocarditis in a 4-month-old infant}; Iselin M et al.; The authors report a case of bacterial endocarditis from unidentified bacteria, responsible for a rupture of chordae of the mitral valve in a 4 month-old infant with a previously normal heart . Bidimensional echocardiography led to diagnosis . The importance of the mitral loss thus created made a mitral plasty necessary with cardiopulmonary by-pass at age 2 years . Ultrasonographic data were then confirmed . Postoperative result was excellent . The features of acute bacterial endocarditis in infancy are reviewed.

Acta Pathol Jpn, 1986 Aug, 36(8), 1251 - 62
Renal and prostatic malakoplakia associated with submassive hepatic necrosis . A case report with immunocytochemical, ultrastructural and X-ray analytical observations; Nonomura A et al.; An autopsy case of malakoplakia involving the kidney and prostate was reported . The case was a 58-year-old Japanese male with submassive hepatic necrosis of three and half months' duration . He received 20 to 40 mg of prednisolone daily during the course of the disease (total 2,700 mg) . Malakoplakic lesions were incidentally found in the right renal parenchyma and prostate at autopsy . The lesions were characterized microscopically by an accumulation of macrophages with PAS-positive intracytoplasmic granules and with intracytoplasmic inclusions of owl's eye appearance called Michaelis-Gutmann bodies and, electronmicroscopically, by numerous phagolysosomes with varying numbers of bacteria . Immunocytochemical stain revealed that the bodies were positive for lysozyme, indicating that the Michaelis-Gutmann bodies are of lysosomal origin . No calcium, phosphorous, and iron were demonstrated in them by X-ray microanalysis, suggesting that they are of immature form in which a mineralization does not take place as yet . Malakoplakia has not been previously described in association with submassive hepatic necrosis . Administration of a large amount of steroid for the treatment of submassive hepatic necrosis was suspected to be implicated in the development of the malakoplakia in the present case.

Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys, 1986 Aug, 12(8), 1523 - 7
Sensitization to X ray by 5-chloro-2'-deoxycytidine co-administered with tetrahydrouridine in several mammalian cell lines and studies of 2'-chloro derivatives; Perez LM et al.; 5-Chloro-2'-deoxycytidine (CldC) + tetrahydrouridine (H4U) sensitizes mammalian cells (HEp-2, RIF-1, S-180) to X ray . This sensitization, as demonstrated previously with HEp-2 cells, is heightened when cells are pre-incubated with inhibitors of pyrimidine synthesis . CHO cells, which intrinsically lack both cytidine deaminase (CD) and deoxycytidylate deaminase (dCMPD), are sensitized to X ray by 5-chlorodeoxyuridine (CldU) but display no significant sensitization with CldC + H4U . The presence and level of these deaminases appears to correlate with X ray sensitization in cell culture . From experiments in cell culture, it can be inferred that one pathway of conversion, deoxycytidine kinase----dCMPD, or CD----thymidine kinase, may be sufficient for metabolizing CldC to a radiosensitizer . However, if both pathways are blocked, as in CHO cells, no X ray sensitization results . In addition to HEp-2 cells, which are extremely elevated in both CD and dCMPD activities, we have examined the sensitization of S-180 and RIF-1 cells to X ray by CldC + H4U . Both cell lines possess an enzymatic profile consistent with their sensitization to X ray by CldC + H4U . Dose enhancement ratios of 1.5 to 1.9 for cells treated with CldC + H4U and ratios of 2.0-2.7 for cells pre-treated with inhibitors of pyrimidine synthesis prior to CldC + H4U have been obtained . Based on reports of the marked X ray sensitization of bacteria by 2'-chloro-2'-deoxythymidine, we obtained 2',5-dichloro-2'-deoxycytidine and 5-bromo-2'-chloro-2-deoxyuridine and found these analogs to be X ray sensitizers of mammalian cells . The strategy that we propose with CldC + H4U and the related 2'-chloro derivatives, based on the elevation of CD and dCMPD in human tumors, offers a degree of selectivity that is not necessarily related to differences in cell kinetics; such that malignancies other than brain tumors may be amenable to this therapy.

J Occup Med, 1986 Aug, 28(8), 670 - 3
One-time screening to define the problem: Legionella exposure in an electric power company; Deubner DC et al.; An electric utility screened 1,455 production employees for job exposure to Legionella pneumophila sources, illness history, and antibodies to L pneumophila serotypes I-IV . L pneumophila-associated illness outbreaks had occurred in a neighboring electric utility district; bacteria serocompatible with L pneumophila had been detected in all four plants participating in an environmental survey, and the company was concerned about the implications of these findings for their employees and the public living near power plants with large cooling towers . The survey revealed a prevalence of antibodies in employees consistent with general population surveys . Within the employee group, antibody titer was not associated with either reports of recent illness or work exposure to potential L pneumophila sources . Inability to detect a relationship between exposure to potential L pneumophila sources and specific antibody results was used to define L pneumophila as a historic nonproblem for this company and to rationally advise against the need for an ongoing screening program.

Arch Ophthalmol, 1986 Aug, 104(8), 1156 - 60
Late development of ulcerative keratitis in radial keratotomy scars; Mandelbaum S et al.; We describe three patients in whom ulcerative keratitis developed seven months to 2 1/2 years after uncomplicated radial keratotomy . All ulcers occurred along keratotomy scars within the interpalpebral fissure or inferiorly . At least one case developed spontaneously; another patient may have sustained an unrecognized corneal injury . The third patient was using an extended-wear soft contact lens for correction of residual myopia . Bacteria were isolated from two of the ulcers . With therapy, all ulcers healed without reducing visual acuity . We hypothesize that the altered structure of the slowly healing keratotomy incisions coupled with redistribution of the tear film due to changes in corneal topography may result in intermittent epithelial irregularities . Alone or in conjunction with any form of mechanical or hypoxic corneal injury, these changes along keratotomy incisions may predispose to corneal infection.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Aug, 167(2), 655 - 9
Oxygen regulation of development of the photosynthetic membrane system in Chloroflexus aurantiacus; Foster JM et al.; Oxygen levels which control induction of the assembly of the pigment-protein photosynthetic polypeptides in dark-grown Chloroflexus aurantiacus were determined . The induction signal by low-oxygen tension is not directly related to the respiratory competence of these photosynthetic cells . Cytochrome c554, the primary electron donor to P865+ of the reaction center, is not present in dark-grown respiratory cells but is induced in parallel with bacteriochlorophylls a and c and at similar oxygen partial pressure . The development of these components of the photosynthetic apparatus and its electron transport chain is completely independent of the presence of any detectable light or bacteriochlorophyll c or a pigments in C . aurantiacus.

J Clin Periodontol, 1986 Aug, 13(7), 684 - 91
Detection and serotyping of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans isolates on nitrocellulose paper blots with monoclonal antibodies; McArthur WP et al.; A combination of blotting of bacterial colonies on nitrocellulose paper discs and immunoenzymatic detection of bound antigens with specific monoclonal antibodies was used to detect and serotype Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans directly off the initial agar culture dish . The A . actinomycetemcomitans antigens, representative of specific colonies, were identified immunoenzymatically using monoclonal antibody specific for a species-specific antigen . The serotype of the bacteria in colonies was identified by dividing the blotting paper into sections and immunoenzymatically identifying the serotype antigens with serotype-specific monoclonal antibodies . This procedure provides for simple, rapid, sensitive and accurate identification and characterization of A . actinomycetemcomitans isolates from the initial isolation agar plates.

Mol Cell Biol, 1986 Aug, 6(8), 2839 - 46
Cellular proteins homologous to the viral yes gene product; Sudol M et al.; We raised antibodies in rabbits against the amino-terminal portion of the viral yes protein produced in bacteria with the use of an expression vector based on the lac operon . The anti-yes serum thus obtained precipitated P90gag-yes from Yamaguchi 73 virus-transformed chicken embryo fibroblasts, and this immunoprecipitation was blocked by the purified antigen . The anti-yes serum did not recognize viral src, fps, or fgr proteins . Affinity-purified anti-yes immunoglobulin G (IgG) precipitated two proteins of 59 and 62 kilodaltons from lysates of normal chicken embryo fibroblasts . Two-dimensional tryptic peptide mapping showed that these proteins are closely related to P90gag-yes and that they are different from pp60c-src . Similar to P90gag-yes, the 59- and 62-kilodalton proteins were phosphorylated exclusively on tyrosine in an in vitro kinase reaction, whereas in vivo they were phosphorylated on serine and, to a lesser extent, on tyrosine as well . Expression of the 59- and 62-kilodalton proteins, determined by the immune complex kinase assay, was relatively high in brain, retina, kidney, and liver . The presence in normal chicken embryo fibroblasts and in chicken kidney of two transcripts, 3.7 and 3.9 kilobases in length, that hybridize with a yes-specific DNA probe, as well as the two proteins recognized by anti-yes IgG, suggests either differential splicing of cellular yes gene transcripts or the existence of another yes-related gene.

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 1986 Aug, 27(8), 1296 - 300
Uveoretinitis and pinealitis induced by immunization with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein; Gery I et al.; Rats immunized with microgram amounts of interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP), a glycoprotein which localizes specifically in the eye and pineal gland, developed uveoretinitis and pinealitis . The severity and onset of changes were found to be dose-related and to be enhanced by B . pertussis bacteria . In general, the inflammatory changes induced by IRBP resembled those provoked by S-antigen (S-Ag), but significant differences were noted between the two diseases . The possible usefulness of the new experimental autoimmune disease is discussed.

J Clin Periodontol, 1986 Aug, 13(7), 671 - 6
Effects of folate mouthwash on experimental gingivitis in man; Pack AR; Although the experimental gingivitis model has been used extensively since 1965, some doubts exist concerning the nature of the tissue response in this model . Accordingly, the present study was designed to determine whether or not experimental gingivitis responded to 0.1% folate mouthwash (MW) in a similar manner to that already reported for established gingivitis . 20 male dental students took part in a double blind cross-over study which involved two 3-week experimental periods with random allocation to folate or placebo MW . The experimental site was the lower anterior area and 24 points of gingival examination were made at baseline and weeks 1, 2 and 3 . Inflammation was assessed by presence or absence of colour change, and bleeding being slight, profuse or absent when gingivae were stroked with a blunt probe . A plaque sample was evaluated using dark field microscopy, and dry weight of accumulated plaque was measured at the end of each experimental period . Folate MW did not appear to have any statistically significant effects on accumulated plaque, or clinical signs of experimental gingivitis in this study . The different response of experimental gingivitis to folate MW, compared with the response of established gingivitis already reported, further suggests that experimental gingivitis may not represent an authentic replica of the cellular and immunological responses occurring in established gingivitis.

Scand J Dent Res, 1986 Aug, 94(4), 311 - 9
Macrophage colonization of infected and non-infected dental tissues in vitro; Wedenberg C et al.; Attachment and spreading of phagocytes on a mineralized tissue surface is crucial for their proper resorptive function . In other studies, attachment and spreading have been shown to be highly dependent on the nature and composition of the surface . In the present study, peritoneal macrophages were cultured on infected and non-infected mineralized and non-mineralized dental tissues, which were examined with scanning electron microscopy at different observation periods . Although some cells had attached to non-infected predentin, only a few showed signs of spreading, even after long incubation times . This contrasted with the behavior of macrophages cultivated on enamel, mineralized dentin and infected predentin . Most of these cells showed spreading and the characteristics of active, phagocytosing cells . The reluctance of macrophages to spread on non-infected predentin was suggested to be due to the non-mineralized nature of this tissue, although an influence of endogenous resorption inhibitors cannot be excluded.

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1986 Aug, 62(2), 152 - 4
Burning mouth sensation associated with fusospirochetal infection in edentulous patients; Katz J et al.; Six middle-aged and elderly edentulous, systemically ill patients complaining of burning mouth sensation had a fusospirochetal infection of the oral mucosa . Metronidazole was successful in the treatment of three of these patients.

J Dent Res, 1986 Aug, 65(8), 1053 - 6
A comparison of the potassium content and osmolality of plaque fluid and saliva, and the effects of plaque storage; Dibdin GH et al.; Previous determinations of osmolality and potassium concentrations in plaque fluid, much higher than those in saliva, suggest a restricted exchange between the two, which must be reconciled with recent findings of quite rapid diffusion in plaque . Possible reasons for the high values were considered, and of these the effect of solute leakage from bacteria to the plaque fluid during typical periods of storage was investigated . It was also shown that the osmotic pressure of plaque fluid could be measured quite accurately by vapor pressure osmometry on whole plaque samples without the need for centrifugation . Samples of plaque, or plaque fluid prepared by centrifugation at 12,000 g, were compared for osmolality or potassium content with matched samples prepared from plaque stored chilled or in liquid nitrogen . Saliva samples obtained just prior to plaque collection were also analyzed . Freshly collected plaque from overnight-fasted subjects had a plaque fluid osmolality of 156 +/- 35 as compared with 98 +/- 23 mOs/kg for saliva . Potassium in plaque fluid from freshly collected "mature" plaque was 40.6 +/- 5.1 as compared with 20.3 +/- 5.3 mmol/L for saliva, but for 1-2-day-old plaque from fasted subjects it was significantly lower (30.4 +/- 5.6 mmol/L) . These values for plaque fluid are all much less than those previously found, and storage was found to cause a marked increase (range, 35-100%) . Centrifugation at 12,000 g caused little change in plaque fluid osmolality but seemed to accelerate the rate of increase during subsequent storage.

Ann Plast Surg, 1986 Aug, 17(2), 125 - 33
A dressing system providing fluid supply and suction drainage used for continuous or intermittent irrigation; Svedman P et al.; In this article a dressing system is described that is capable of providing continuous or intermittent wound irrigation . It is based on a felt dressing provided with an adhesive cover and ports for fluid supply and suction drainage . At continuous irrigation (approximate rate, 70 ml/h), a 1-L fluid bag and a siphon about 30 cm in height are used; at intermittent irrigation (approximate rate, 60 ml/min), a 60-ml fluid bag and a suction balloon are used . In an experimental set-up it was shown that the supplied fluid diffused throughout the dressing felt and that the felt was partly saturated both during continuous and after intermittent irrigation, the effect of gravity being counteracted by capillary force and suction . The suction pressure at the drainage port and within the occlusively applied felt showed a linear relationship . The drainage of particles, while relatively impeded at low flow rates, was satisfactory at rates recommended for clinical use . The dressing felt was inert to adherence of bacteria and white blood cells . This dressing system would seem to provide access to the whole wound surface for active therapy through fluid supply and suction drainage.

Infect Control, 1986 Aug, 7(8), 419 - 24
An approach for selection of health care personnel handwashing agents; Larson E et al.; Given the wide range of available health care personnel handwashing agents, selection of an appropriate product may be difficult . This decision may be made on the basis of user preference, cost, or other factors unrelated to product effectiveness . Four criteria--efficacy, safety, cost, and acceptability--are appropriate for systematic evaluation of handwashing products . These criteria are applied to para-chloro-meta-xylenol (PCMX), a compound used with increasing frequency in health care personnel handwashing agents . Published data regarding the biochemical properties, efficacy, and safety of PCMX are summarized . We conclude that the substance appears to be safe and efficacious . However, the activity of PCMX is highly formula-dependent and many of the studies available in scientific literature have been conducted in Europe using a variety of testing conditions and formulations different from those currently available in the US . Clinical studies of marketed formulations are beginning to appear in the literature . Such studies will provide the data needed for adequate product evaluation.

Res Rep Health Eff Inst, 1986 Aug, (4), 3 - 30
The metabolic activation and DNA adducts of dinitropyrenes; Beland FA; Dinitropyrenes are contaminants in diesel emissions that are mutagenic in bacteria and mammalian cells, and tumorigenic in laboratory animals . In this project, we investigated the factors that contributed to the extreme genotoxicity of dinitropyrenes in bacteria and determined if these factors were important in mammalian cells . Xanthine oxidase, a mammalian nitroreductase, catalyzed the conversion of the dinitropyrenes to DNA-bound products, but the level of binding did not exceed that observed with 1-nitropyrene . This suggested that factors in addition to nitroreduction were important in the metabolic activation of dinitropyrenes . 1-Nitro-6-nitrosopyrene and 1-nitro-8-nitrosopyrene were synthesized and reacted with DNA under reducing conditions . The same C8-substituted deoxyguanosine adducts were formed that were found in the xanthine oxidase-catalyzed reactions, which confirmed that incubation with this nitroreductase generated reactive N-hydroxy arylamine intermediates . In incubations with rat and human liver microsomes and cytosol, 1-nitropyrene and 1,3-dinitropyrene were reduced to a lesser extent than 1,6- and 1,8-dinitropyrene, which was in accord with their relative mutagenicities . Each of the cytosolic incubations were similar in that oxygen decreased aminopyrene, but not nitrosopyrene, formation . The data indicated that reduced derivatives of the nitrosopyrenes were redox cycling with oxygen, which decreased cytosolic aminopyrene formation . In cytosolic incubations, oxygen inhibited the reduction of 1-nitropyrene and 1,3-dinitropyrene to a greater extent than 1,6- and 1,8-dinitropyrene . By comparison, in microsomal investigations, the nitroreduction of each nitrated pyrene was equally oxygen-sensitive . This apparently was caused by the initial nitroanion radicals reacting with oxygen to decrease nitrosopyrene formation . Although more extensive nitroreduction of each compound was detected in anaerobic incubations, aerobic reduction of these compounds did occur and may be important during in vivo exposure to nitrated pyrenes . When rat liver cytosol was incubated with the nitrated pyrenes, very low levels of DNA binding were detected . Addition of acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA) to these incubations increased the binding of the dinitropyrenes 20- to 40-fold, while the binding of 1-nitropyrene was not affected . The extent of AcCoA- dependent binding of the dinitropyrenes reflected the amount of nitroreduction; however, the increase in binding did not occur with dog liver cytosol, which was known to be deficient in N-acetylases . These results indicated that cytosolic nitroreductases catalyzed the formation of N-hydroxy arylamine intermediates, which in the case of dinitropyrenes were converted to reactive N-acetoxy arylamines by cytosolic AcCoA-dependent acetylases.

Gan No Rinsho, 1986 Aug, 32(10), 1100 - 4
{Immunotherapy}; Urushizaki I et al.; Immunotherapy against cancer gained popularity as a treatment modality based on the experimental model data that seemed to indicate that both specific stimulation of the immune response with antigen-bearing tumor cells and nonspecific stimulation with bacteria and other adjuvant-type compounds could enhance the existing immune response of the host and prevent recurrence or delay tumor growth . The recent, tremendous advances in molecular biology have given scientists the capability to clone individual genes and thereby produce huge quantities of highly purified products of the human genome . The role of biologically active substances as important pharmacologic reagents was initially explored in human with purified interferon . A purified recombinant interferon, using genes cloned and introduced into bacteria, was being tested in cancer-patients . The discovery of other potent biologically active substances, that is IL-2, TNF, IL-1, LT, thymic factor and monoclonal antibodies, has made tenable the initiation of clinical trials in cancer-patients.

J Biol Chem, 1986 Jul 25, 261(21), 9896 - 903
Genetically engineered calmodulins differentially activate target enzymes; Putkey JA et al.; Three mutant calmodulin (CaM) genes together with the normal chicken CaM cDNA have been expressed in bacteria for the purpose of determining structure/function relationships in CaM . The mutant CaM genes were generated by in vitro recombination between a chicken CaM cDNA and a processed pseudogene that encodes a full-length CaM but with 19 amino acid substitutions as compared to authentic vertebrate CaM . The calmodulin-like (CaML) proteins derived from the pseudogene are called CaML19, CaML16, and CaML3 and contain 19, 16, and 3 amino acid substitutions, respectively . CaML3 is functionally identical to CaM by all criteria tested . The functional characteristics of CaML16 and CaML19 are also indistinguishable yet quite different from normal CaM . CaML19 and CaML16 will maximally activate myosin light chain kinase but will only half-maximally activate calcineurin and CaM-dependent multiprotein kinase . In addition, CaML16 and CaML19 do not activate phosphorylase kinase . The differential activation of these enzymes does not result from the loss of Ca2+-binding sites, since CaML16 binds four Ca2+ with affinity similar to CaM or CaM23 . It is more likely that the functional characteristics of the mutant proteins result from an altered tertiary structure, since the Ca2+-dependent enhancement of tyrosine fluorescence and limited proteolysis pattern of CaML16 are different from that of CaM . The data demonstrate that the nature of the interaction of CaM with myosin light chain kinase is different from its interaction with calcineurin, CaM-dependent multiprotein kinase, and phosphorylase kinase and may involve different functional domains in CaM.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1986 Jul 24, 859(2), 198 - 208
Phospholipid transfer activity in synchronous populations of Rhodobacter sphaeroides; Tai SP et al.; Studies of intracytoplasmic membrane biogenesis employing steady-state synchronously dividing populations of Rhodobacter sphaeroides reveal that the translocation of pre-existing phospholipid into the growing membrane is concurrent with cell division (Cain, B.D., Deal, C.D., Fraley, R.T . and Kaplan, S . (1981) J . Bacteriol . 145, 1154-1166), yet the mechanism of phospholipid movement is unknown . However, the discovery of phospholipid transfer protein activity in R . sphaeroides (Cohen, L.K., Lueking, D.R . and Kaplan, S . (1979) J . Biol . Chem . 254, 721-728) provides one possible mechanism for phospholipid movement . Therefore the level of phospholipid transfer activity in cell lysates of synchronized cultures was measured and was shown to increase stepwise coinciding precisely with the increase in cell number of the culture . Although the amount of transfer activity per cell remained constant throughout the cell cycle, the specific activity of the phospholipid transfer activity showed a cyclical oscillation with its highest value coincident with the completion of cell division . Purified intracytoplasmic membrane can be used as phospholipid acceptor in the developed phospholipid transfer assay by employing either cytoplasmic membrane or liposomes as the phospholipid donor . Intracytoplasmic membrane isolated from the cells prior to division (high protein to phospholipid ratio) served as a better phospholipid acceptor in the phospholipid transfer system when compared with membranes derived from the cells following cell division (low protein to phospholipid ratio).

Cell, 1986 Jul 4, 46(1), 53 - 61
The period clock locus of D . melanogaster codes for a proteoglycan; Reddy P et al.; The period (per) gene of D . melanogaster is involved in the generation of biological rhythms . The most striking feature of the predicted coding sequence, corresponding to the key 4.5 kb transcript from this locus, is an extensive run of alternating Gly-Thr residues . This is homologous to a series of Gly-Ser repeats in a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan . To determine whether the per transcript codes for a proteoglycan, a region of its coding sequence was expressed (in bacteria) as part of a fusion protein, which was used to immunize rabbits . When the resultant immune sera were used to probe fly protein preparations, they detected an antigen that is present in wild-type flies and absent in a per- mutant . Biochemical characterization of this antigen indicated that it is indeed a proteoglycan.

Acta Anaesthesiol Scand, 1986 Jul, 30(5), 386 - 92
A prospective analysis of 1,400 pulmonary artery catheterizations in patients undergoing cardiac surgery; Damen J et al.; During 1983 and 1984, 1305 patients underwent 1,400 pulmonary artery (PA) catheterizations . Successful placement was achieved in 1397 (99.6%) of 1,403 attempts . The catheters were inserted via the right internal jugular vein on 1364 occasions . The median duration of monitoring was 28 h with a range from 3 to 220 h . Central venous puncture complications included carotid artery puncture in 67 instances (4.8%) and pneumothorax in one patient . Insertion of the catheters was associated with supraventricular arrhythmias on 11 occasions, ventricular arrhythmias on 930 (66.4%), right bundle branch block on two and a total heart block on one occasion . Eighteen (2.3%) of the 794 cultured catheter tips were positive . An in situ time of more than 72 h was associated with a significantly higher percentage (7.2%) of positive tip cultures compared with an in situ time of less than 72 h (P less than 0.01) . Repeated PA catheterization was not associated with significantly more complications than the initial catheterization . The results show that monitoring with a PA catheter in cardiac surgical patients is associated with a low incidence of morbidity.

J Inorg Biochem, 1986 Jul, 27(3), 173 - 7
Rates of pi-electron oxidation and reduction of free base and Zn(II) porphyrins, chlorins, and isobacteriochlorins; Strauss SH et al.; The rates of pi-electron oxidation and reduction of two homologous series of free base and Zn(II) porphyrins, chlorins, and isobacteriochlorins were studied by chronocoulometry at a platinum disk electrode . The macrocycles were octaethylporphyrin, tetraphenylporphyrin, and the chlorins and isobacteriochlorins derived therefrom . The rates were found to vary to within a factor of 3, and some consistent trends are noted . However, the most important conclusion of this work is that pi-electron redox processes for these macrocycles occur at essentially the same rate, despite the previously noted large differences in pi-electron redox potentials.

Arch Pathol Lab Med, 1986 Jul, 110(7), 618 - 21
Identification and significance of magnetite in human tissues; Moatamed F et al.; Magnetite or iron oxide has been identified in humans as well as certain animals and bacteria . With the current popularity of magnetic resonance imaging, the presence of these ferromagnetic particles in the tissues may impose biological significance . So far, identification of magnetite in tissue has been mainly based on magnetometry . Hence, a simple technique for direct identification of the magnetic particles in tissues is described . Lung tissues with abundant iron material and particles were digested in 1N sodium hydroxide solution . After rinsing, the sediments were suspended in 95% alcohol and placed on a glass slide located on a strong magnet . The iron-containing particles from the digestion procedure were aligned in a parallel manner along the north-south poles of the magnet and were confirmed to be magnetite by x-ray diffraction . No such effect was observed with hemosiderin-containing granules from the control liver tissues . The results of this experiment show that the "biological magnetite" is distinctly different from hemosiderin and has characteristic properties when subjected to a magnetic field.

Acta Paediatr Scand, 1986 Jul, 75(4), 645 - 51
Acute diarrhoea and asymptomatic infection in Chilean preschoolers of low and high socio-economic strata; Araya M et al.; Preschoolers who belonged to the high (Group I, n = 112) or the low (Group II, n = 90) socio-economic stratum were followed prospectively for six months . Mean monthly incidence of diarrhoea was 3 and 7 episodes per 100 children for Group I and Group II respectively (p less than 0.001) . Episodes were shorter and affected a smaller proportion of children in Group I (p less than 0.002 and p less than 0.05), respectively) . Bacterial enteropathogens were recovered in 12.6% and 13.5% of the episodes in Group I and Group II and parasites in 15.4% and 62.8%, respectively . Rotavirus was detected once in each group . Asymptomatic carrier rates for enteropathogenic bacteria were 12.0% in Group I and 7.2% in Group II . The corresponding figures for parasites were 28.2% and 62.8% (p less than 0.001) . Nutritional status was normal in all children . These results suggest that socio-economic stratum plays an important role in the characteristics of diarrhoeal illness in the groups which conform the population of the less developed countries . Acute diarrhoea is less frequent in preschoolers living in Santiago than in other developing areas . Rates of asymptomatic infection are high.

Am J Anat, 1986 Jul, 176(3), 321 - 31
Morphology and vascular anatomy of the accessory respiratory organs of the air-breathing climbing perch, Anabas testudineus (Bloch); Munshi JS et al.; The vascular organization and endothelial cell specialization of the air-breathing organs of Anabas testudineus were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy of fixed tissue and vascular corrosion replicas . The vessels supplying blood to the lining of paired suprabranchial chambers and the plicated labyrinthine organs within the chambers are tripartite, having a median artery and paired, lateral veins . Hundreds of respiratory islets, the functional units of gas exchange, cover the surfaces of both the chamber and labyrinthine organ . A median islet artery supplies the central aspect of each islet and gives rise to numerous short arterioles from which the transverse channels are formed . Transverse channels are parallel capillary-sized vessels that extend in two rows away from the medial arterioles and drain laterally into one of two lateral islet veins . Basally situated single rows of endothelial cells lining the transverse channels form thick, evaginated, tongue-like cytoplasmic processes that project freely into the lumen from the tissue side of the channel . Other thin, septate, cytoplasmic extensions of the same cells form valve-like septa that extend across the channel . Both the septa and tongue-like processes appear to direct the red blood cells to the epithelial side of the channel and thus decrease the diffusion distance between the air and red cell . A large sinusoidal space lies under the transverse channels and may support the channels and even elevate them during increased oxygen demand . The epithelium covering the transverse channels is smooth, which enhances air convection and minimizes unstirred layer effects . The epithelium between the channels contains microvilli that may serve to trap bacteria or particulates and to humidify the air chambers.

J Foot Surg, 1986 Jul-Aug, 25(4), 263 - 9
Prompt diagnosis of suspected osteomyelitis by utilizing percutaneous bone culture; Caprioli R et al.; The authors describe a single technique of percutaneous bone culture, performed in the doctor's office or at the patient's bedside, in patients with suspected osteomyelitis . This technique provides for definitive documentation and verification of causative organisms when radiographic and scintigraphic studies are inconclusive, and it avoids the over-utilization of potentially dangerous radioisotopes and/or antibiotics, particularly in compromised individuals . Also described is a protocol to expedite the diagnosis and treatment of osteomyelitis in the hospital setting when diagnostic related groups (DRG's) are in effect.

Cytometry, 1986 Jul, 7(4), 378 - 83
Binding, ingestion, and growth of Chlamydia trachomatis (L2 serovar) analyzed by flow cytometry; Levitt D et al.; We have developed a method for quantitatively assessing binding, ingestion, and growth of Chlamydia trachomatis (L2 serovar) in several mammalian cell lines using fluorescence staining and flow cytometry . Cells were incubated with chlamydia at 4 degrees C to monitor binding; ingestion was determined by raising the temperature to 37 degrees C for 1-4 h and removing extracellular bacteria with pronase . Growth of bacteria was measured by assessing brightly stained intracellular inclusions . Fixation with methanol prior to fluorescent staining provided the most intense specific staining with minimal background, as well as preserving cell morphology . Our data reveal relatively slow ingestion of L2 by McCoy fibroblasts (maximum ingestion by 4 h) and a sizeable population of McCoy cells (30-40% of total cells) that ingest L2 but do not permit its growth under certain infectious conditions . It was possible to correlate specific histogram patterns on the flow cytometer with fluorescent microscope observations . This system provides a means of analyzing quantitative interactions between chlamydia and individual host cells.

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1986 Jul, 5(2), 177 - 80
Group Ve infection: case report of group Ve-2 septicemia and literature review; Pien FD et al.; The second case of the Centers for Disease Control group Ve-2 septicemia from our hospital is reported herein . Literature review shows that group Ve bacteria can cause life-threatening disease in the debilitated hospital patient.

J Immunol, 1986 Jul 1, 137(1), 337 - 40
Rheumatoid factor production in 129/Sv mice: involvement of an intestinal infectious agent; Coutelier JP et al.; High titers of IgG2a-specific rheumatoid factors (RF) are frequently observed in colonies of 129/Sv mice . The involvement of a transmissible agent in this phenomenon was shown by the following findings: (i) cesarean-derived and isolator-reared offsprings of RF-positive dams were free of RF, ii) a single intragastric inoculation with intestinal fluid from RF-positive donors elicited chronic RF production in RF-negative recipients, and iii) intestinal fluid collected from these primary recipients induced a comparable RF response in a second set of animals . The nature of this RF-inducing agent, however, remained elusive . Although its ability to pass through filters that efficiently retained bacteria could be unequivocally established, systematic serological analysis failed to detect any significant correlation between RF production and antibody responses to common mouse viruses or Mycoplasma . Moreover, all attempts to identify the RF-inducing agent by electron microscopy or to grow it in nude or newborn mice, as well as in cell cultures, remained unsuccessful.

Indian J Lepr, 1986 Jul-Sep, 58(3), 367 - 72
Lipase activity in Mycobacterium leprae--an indicator of metabolic function; Talati S et al.; Presence of lipase, in Mycobacterium leprae obtained from human nodules and infected armadillo tissues, has been detected by demonstrating the ability of the bacteria to hydrolyze tributyrin . This capacity is expressed during incubation of the bacteria with the substrate and needs a source of carbon and other energy metabolites . The activity is blocked by anti M . leprae drug rifampicin . It is concluded that expression of lipase activity is a metabolic event of M . leprae, while they are maintained in an energy providing medium.

Andrologia, 1986 Jul-Aug, 18(4), 413 - 9
Granulocyte elastase as a sensitive diagnostic parameter of silent male genital tract inflammation; Jochum M et al.; Elastase, a specific inflammatory parameter of polymorphonuclear (PMN) granulocytes, was quantified with a sensitive enzyme immunoassay in the ejaculates of 188 patients consulting the andrological outpatient service . Correlations of the elastase concentrations to other parameters used up to now for the diagnosis of silent male genital tract inflammation were statistically evaluated by the CHI2-test . A correlation was found neither to the percentage of morphologically intact spermatozoa in the differential spermiocytogram and the total number of spermatozoa nor to the pH-value and viscosity of the ejaculate . However, release of elastase into the ejaculates was clearly associated with the occurrence of bacteria in native and stained smears or with the numbers of round cells present . Moreover, leukocyte counts in stained smears as well as an inflammation coefficient were highly significantly correlated to elastase concentrations . Obviously, quantification of granulocyte elastase in seminal plasma enables a rapid diagnosis of silent male genital tract inflammation, since even a single determination gives a reliable criterion and sequential determinations may allow the control of the course of the disease during therapy.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1986 Jul, (7), 61 - 4
{Determination of the optimal method of numerical taxonomy}; Nikonova VA; A great number of numeric taxonomy methods, varying in the techniques of coding signs, similarity calculations and group analysis, as well as the insufficiency of criteria for the evaluation of numeric taxonomy methods, permitted us to propose the quantitative approach to the evaluation of the optimum method of numeric taxonomy . The dendrograms obtained by different methods were compared by calculating the measure of "proximity" which was assumed to be the sum of distances between divisions on different grouping levels.

Rev Infect Dis, 1986 Jul-Aug, 8(4), 533 - 8
Otitis media among children in day care: epidemiology and pathogenesis; Henderson FW et al.; Acute and persistent middle-ear effusions are the most common complications of upper respiratory illness in young children . Knowledge of the impact of day care attendance on the incidence and prevalence of these conditions is not as complete as is desirable . Several studies suggest that the incidence of acute otitis media may be higher in children who attend group and home day care, but from these studies it is difficult to assess the magnitude of the risk of otitis media related to day care attendance . Research by Danish investigators indicates that the point prevalence of middle-ear effusion may be two to four times higher in children younger than four years old attending group day care centers than in children cared for at home or in smaller home day care settings . Recent epidemiologic and laboratory investigations have begun to elucidate the role of viral infections and of virus-bacteria interaction in the pathogenesis of acute middle-ear effusion . A thorough understanding of the relationship between day care attendance and the occurrence of otitis media with effusion would require studies that quantify the differential risk of disease in different care settings and that relate illness risk to the epidemiology of both viral and bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract in the different environments . This type of research has not yet been conducted.

Radiobiologiia, 1986 Jul-Aug, 26(4), 447 - 52
{Possibility of inducing the adaptive response of cells to exposure to ionizing radiation}; Gaziev AI; Mechanisms of induction of the antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic adaptive repair response of cells to the effect of alkylating substances and other genotoxic agents are discussed . The possibility of induction of adaptive repair response of mammalian cells to low-level radiation is suggested.

J Assoc Off Anal Chem, 1986 Jul-Aug, 69(4), 671 - 6
Hydrophobic grid membrane filter method for aerobic plate count in foods: collaborative study; Entis P; Twenty-one laboratories participated in a collaborative study to validate a hydrophobic grid membrane filter (HGMF) method for aerobic plate count by comparing its performance against the AOAC/APHA pour plate method . Raw milk, raw poultry, whole egg powder, flours, and spices were included in the study . Counts obtained by the HGMF and pour plate methods did not differ significantly, except in the case of whole egg powder, for which the HGMF method produced significantly higher counts . The hydrophobic grid membrane filter method for aerobic plate count in foods has been adopted official first action.

Am J Vet Res, 1986 Jul, 47(7), 1446 - 51
Use of monoclonal antibodies to identify outer membrane antigens of Actinobacillus species; Healey MC et al.; Three monoclonal antibodies (LG17, LG30, and LG33) were used to identify outer membrane antigens of Actinobacillus sp (As8C isolate) cultured from the epididymides of an infected ram lamb . Specificity of the 3 antibodies to As8C antigens was determined by use of bacterial agglutination, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the indirect fluorescent antibody test . Results of immunoelectron microscopy confirmed that each antibody was specific for epitopes on As8C outer membrane antigens . Evaluation by use of enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot indicated that target antigens for LG17 and LG33 antibodies had molecular weights of 10 kilodaltons and 43 kilodaltons, respectively . Multiple-band staining was observed with the LG33 antibody . The target antigen for the LG30 antibody could not be discerned by use of enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot . For each of the 3 monoclonal antibodies, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titers were obtained for Actinobacillus seminis, A actinomycetemcomitans, and 10 field isolates of Actinobacillus spp . Target antigens for LG17 and LG30 antibodies occurred infrequently or were absent on these bacteria . However, the target antigen for the LG33 antibody was shared by Actinobacillus seminis, A actinomycetemcomitans, and the 10 field isolates of Actinobacillus spp, indicating some diversity of outer membrane antigens between isolates.

J Cell Biol, 1986 Jul, 103(1), 299 - 308
Rat retinal pigment epithelial cells show specificity of phagocytosis in vitro; Mayerson PL et al.; The retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell of the eye normally phagocytozes only retinal rod outer segments (ROS) . The specificity of this phagocytic process was examined by incubating RPE cells with a variety of particle types . Confluent RPE cell cultures were incubated for 3 h at 37 degrees C in the presence of rat ROS, rat red blood cells (RBC), algae, bacteria, or yeast . Other cell cultures were incubated with equal numbers of ROS and one other particle type . Quantitative scanning electron microscopy was used to determine the numbers and morphology of particles bound to RPE cells, while double immunofluorescence labeling (Chaitin, M . H., and M . O . Hall, 1983, Invest . Ophthalmol . Vis . Sci., 24:812-820) was used to quantitate particle binding and ingestion . Both assays demonstrated phagocytosis to be a highly specific process . RPE cells bound 40-250 X more ROS than RBC, 30 X more ROS than algae, and 5 X more ROS than bacteria or yeast . Ingestion was more specific than binding; RPE cells ingested 970 X more ROS than RBC, 140 X more ROS than bacteria, and 35 X more ROS than yeast . The phagocytic preference for ROS was maintained in competition experiments with other particle types . Serum was found to be essential for phagocytosis . This study demonstrates that both the binding and ingestion phases of phagocytosis are highly specific processes.

J Clin Periodontol, 1986 Jul, 13(6), 578 - 82
Darkfield microscopy of subgingival plaque of an urban black population with poor oral hygiene; Reddy J et al.; A low socio-economic community residing in Crossroads, Cape Town, consists of people who originated from the Eastern Cape areas of the Ciskei and Transkei . These individuals have had virtually no dental care, with the exception of emergency treatment for pain . A darkfield microscopic study of a random sample of 52 individuals was undertaken to determine the predominant morphological forms in the subgingival plaque of this population . Spirochetes were found to constitute 42.1% and motile rods, 7.7%, of the total darkfield microscopic count . Clinical assessment of the periodontal status of 100 individuals revealed the following mean values; plaque index (PI) = 1.44, gingival index (GI) = 1.31, probing depth (PD) = 2.35 mm and loss of attachment = 0.64 mm . Subgingival calculus deposits were present in 42% of the group and little or no mobility of the teeth was evident . Poor oral hygiene resulted in 90% of the tooth surfaces of the sampled population in Crossroads being covered with plaque, yet these individuals appear to be resistant to periodontitis . The high proportions of spirochetes and motile rods found in the subgingival plaque of this group were not indicative of periodontitis and therefore, fail to confirm the findings of other investigators.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Jul, 167(1), 179 - 85
Preparation of cell-free extracts and the enzymes involved in fatty acid metabolism in Syntrophomonas wolfei; Wofford NQ et al.; Syntrophomonas wolfei is an anaerobic fatty acid degrader that can only be grown in coculture with H2-using bacteria such as Methanospirillum hungatei . Cells of S . wolfei were selectively lysed by lysozyme treatment, and unlysed cells of M . hungatei were removed by centrifugation . The cell extract of S . wolfei obtained with this method had low levels of contamination by methanogenic cofactors . However, lysozyme treatment was not efficient in releasing S . wolfei protein; only about 15% of the L-3-hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A (CoA) dehydrogenase activity was found in the lysozyme supernatant . Cell extracts of S . wolfei obtained with this method had high specific activities of acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, enoyl-CoA hydratase, L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase . These activities were not detected in cell extracts of M . hungatei grown alone, confirming that these activities were present in S . wolfei . The acyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity was high when a C4 but not a C8 or C16 acyl-CoA derivative served as the substrate . S . Wolfei cell extracts had high CoA transferase specific activities and no detectable acyl-CoA synthetase activity, indicating that fatty acid activation occurred by transfer of CoA from acetyl-CoA . Phosphotransacetylase and acetate kinase activities were detected in cell extracts of S . wolfei, indicating that S . wolfei is able to perform substrate-level phosphorylation.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1986 Jul, 182(4), 421 - 9
{The ATP concentration of drinking water compared to the colony count}; Stutz W et al.; During a four months' period we have monitored the drinking water of the city of Berlin for its ATP-content and for its Total Colony Count . After concentrating the drinking water by a factor of 1000 by filtration, we obtained ATP-values which were always significantly above the blanks . The profile of the ATP-values roughly paralleled that of the Colony Counts; however, as we never observed Colony Counts nearly approaching 100 colonies/ml (which is the value not to be exceeded according to current German Law), we are unable to positively assess how the ATP-value would have behaved in samples with Colony Counts above 100 ml . Analysis of increasing dilutions of sewage tested for both Colony Counts and ATP indicate that values above 100 colonies/ml would have yielded ATP-values well above those normally seen in drinking water . Therefore, ATP could probably be taken as a measure for the Total Colony Count.

Rev Infect Dis, 1986 Jul-Aug, 8 Suppl 4, S391 - 5
IgG subclass composition of intravenous immunoglobulin preparations: clinical relevance; Heiner DC; Each immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass has unique physicochemical properties and, probably, unique functions . Each heavy chain is coded by a separate gene on chromosome 14 . Deficient synthesis of a subclass may be associated with recurrent or chronic infections, the deficiency not being detected by measurements of levels of total serum IgG . Measurement of levels of IgG subclasses should be part of the work-up of patients who have frequent infections but have normal levels of major immunoglobulin classes . Deficiencies of IgA or IgE frequently coexist with deficiencies of IgG2 or IgG4 . Patients with a subclass deficiency often benefit from replacement therapy with intramuscular or intravenous IgG or plasma from a donor free of hepatitis and HTLV-III viruses . It may be critical to provide IgG or plasma that is a good source of the missing immunoglobulin class or subclass . Sometimes it is necessary to administer a product with antibodies to the virus or bacteria responsible for a particular infection.

Med Hypotheses, 1986 Jul, 20(3), 317 - 38
Milk and arteriosclerosis; Rank P; Milk consumption is related to arteriosclerosis . Recent landmark studies confirm a previously suspected close correlation between milk intake and arteriosclerotic heart disease . Support is therefore provided for a recently proposed novel hypothesis that arteriosclerosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by blue-green bacteria and that milk is a carrier vehicle for these contaminant organisms . A revisionist view of diet and milk in the causation of arteriosclerosis is developed . Previous hypotheses relating milk consumption to arteriosclerosis and advances in pasteurization techniques are discussed and integrated with this infection theory.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1986 Jul, 52(1), 108 - 13
Tight coupling of root-associated nitrogen fixation and plant photosynthesis in the salt marsh grass Spartina alterniflora and carbon dioxide enhancement of nitrogenase activity; Whiting GJ et al.; The coupling of root-associated nitrogen fixation and plant photosynthesis was examined in the salt marsh grass Spartina alterniflora . In both field experiments and hydroponic assay chambers, nitrogen fixation associated with the roots was rapidly enhanced by stimulating plant photosynthesis . A kinetic analysis of acetylene reduction activity (ARA) showed that a five-to sixfold stimulation occurred within 10 to 60 min after the plant leaves were exposed to light or increased CO2 concentrations (with the light held constant) . In field experiments, CO2 enrichment increased plant-associated ARA by 27% . Further evidence of the dependence of ARA on plant photosynthate was obtained when activity in excised roots was shown to decrease after young greenhouse plants were placed in the dark . Seasonal variation in the ARA of excised plant roots from field cores appears to be related to the annual cycle of net photosynthesis in S . alterniflora.

J Bacteriol, 1986 Jul, 167(1), 423 - 6
Regulatory mutation that controls nif expression and histidine transport in Azospirillum brasilense; Fischer M et al.; Mutagenesis of Azospirillum brasilense with nitrosoguanidine and selection on ethylenediamine yielded prototrophs which fixed nitrogen in the presence of ammonia . Nitrogenase activity in mutant strains exceeded that of the wild type three- to sixfold . The same mutants were also constitutive for histidine transport . Enzyme activities involved in ammonia assimilation were not affected by the mutation . The data suggest that the mutation occurred at a site which regulates nif and histidine transport functions.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1986 Jul, 18(1), 139 - 44
Identification of individual aminoglycoside-inactivating enzymes in a mixture by HPLC determination of reaction products; Lovering AM et al.; A method is described for the detection and identification of two aminoglycoside-acetylating (AAC(2') or AAC(3) or AAC(6')) or -phosphorylating (APH(2'') or APH(3')) enzymes when these are present in the same crude enzyme extract . Crude enzyme extracts were prepared from reference strains of bacteria producing AAC(2'), AAC(3), AAC(6'), APH(2'') or APH(3') enzymes and mixed to give the following paired enzyme combinations: AAC(2') + AAC(3), AAC(2') + AAC(6'), AAC(3) + AAC(6') and APH(2") + APH(3') . These enzyme mixtures were examined by the radioenzymatic profile method for the identification of aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes and their reaction products with butirosin, lividomycin and kanamycin (AAC) or lividomycin and kanamycin (APH) characterized by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) . Only two of the eight enzymes present were identified by the radioenzymatic method, but all eight were correctly identified by the HPLC method.

J Virol, 1986 Jul, 59(1), 120 - 6
Localization of the v-rel protein in reticuloendotheliosis virus strain T-transformed lymphoid cells; Simek SL et al.; The protein (p59rel) encoded by the transforming gene of reticuloendotheliosis virus strain T (REV-T) has been identified in REV-T-transformed avian lymphoid cells by using antisera raised against synthetic peptides whose sequences were derived from three nonoverlapping regions of v-rel (N . R . Rice, T . D . Copeland, S . Simek, S . Oroszlan, and R . V . Gilden, Virology 149:217-229, 1986) . To obtain polyclonal antibodies directed against a larger number of p59rel epitopes, a 262-amino acid segment was expressed in bacteria . Antisera raised against this fusion protein (v-delta-rel) precipitated p59rel from lysates of {35S}methionine-labeled REV-T-transformed cells, thus confirming previous results obtained with the peptide antisera . We used this new antiserum to localize p59rel in REV-T-transformed cells by subcellular fractionation using differential centrifugation and by indirect immune fluorescent staining . After fractionation and immune precipitation, the majority of p59rel was found in the cytosolic fraction . Indirect immunofluorescence experiments also gave results consistent with the cytoplasmic localization of the v-rel protein in transformed lymphoid cells . In previous studies (Rice et al., Virology 149:217-229, 1986) it was shown that immune precipitates formed with one of the three p59rel peptide antisera possessed in vitro protein kinase activity . Immune precipitates formed with the fusion protein antiserum also showed kinase activity in the in vitro assay . Most of this activity was found in the soluble cytoplasmic fraction, indicating that the kinase may be p59rel or a protein closely associated with it.

J Leukoc Biol, 1986 Jul, 40(1), 97 - 111
Cell-surface carbohydrates in cell recognition and response; Brandley BK et al.; Complex carbohydrates coat the surfaces of cells and have the potential to carry the information necessary for cell-cell recognition . Sugar-specific receptors (lectins) are also present on cells, and can interact with sugars on apposing cells . This may result in the adhesion of the two cells via carbohydrates and specific cell-surface receptors . Such carbohydrate-directed cell adhesion appears to be important in many intercellular activities including infection by bacteria and viruses, communication among cells of lower eukaryotes, specific binding of sperm to egg; and recirculation of lymphocytes, among others . New approaches involving synthesis of chemically defined cell-surface analogs, in conjunction with inhibition experiments, are beginning to reveal the mechanics of a potential carbohydrate "language" involved in intercellular interactions.

Mol Biol (Mosk), 1986 Jul-Aug, 20(4), 884 - 901
{Structure and expression of human hepatitis B virus surface antigen}; Kozlovskaia TM et al.; In view of the growing occurrence rate of the virus-induced hepatitis B and also of the special role played by this particular virus (HBV) in the application of recombinant genetic techniques to the study of complex biological systems, an attempt was made to survey the available evidence concerning the widely investigated and practically the most important part of the viral genome, viz . the gene coding for the surface antigen (HBsAg) and the protein itself . The possible antigenic structure of the protein was investigated using data on the primary structure of 11 cloned HBsAg gene variants and on the synthesis of peptides simulating its immunological properties . Special emphasis was placed on quantitative assessment of antigenicity and immunogenicity . Expression of the gene in homologous systems was studied using cultures of eukaryotic tissues: both as part of HBV nucleotide sequences incorporated into the chromosome and as part of extrachromosomal DNA . The latest findings on HBsAg gene expression in yeast and bacteria are reviewed.

Food Chem Toxicol, 1986 Jun-Jul, 24(6-7), 721 - 9
Metabolizing systems in short-term in vitro tests for carcinogenicity; Platt KL et al.; Most mutagens require metabolic activation or can be metabolically inactivated . Lipophilic xenobiotics are typically metabolized by introduction and/or modification of a functional group and subsequent conjugation with a hydrophilic endogenous compound to allow excretion . Functional groups are most often introduced by the various cytochromes P-450 . The risk that a reactive intermediate is generated is relatively high at this stage . However, many reactive intermediates may be efficiently inactivated by other enzymes, which modulate functional groups or introduce hydrophilic moieties . In other apparently rare cases, activation may also occur during these metabolic steps . Since bacteria and most cultured mammalian cells used as targets in short-term in vitro carcinogenicity tests are largely deficient in the cytochromes P-450, exogenous metabolizing systems (purified enzymes, crude subcellular preparations, intact cells or (in host-mediated tests) whole animals) are routinely used in such tests . Purified enzymes and crude subcellular preparations supplemented with individual or several cofactors are useful in elucidating the enzymatic control of mutagenic metabolites . As crude subcellular preparations are easy to prepare and to store, they are the metabolizing system most frequently used (supplemented with NADPH) in short-term tests . They favour the enzymes preferentially involved in activation . In contrast, intact cells (e.g . freshly isolated hepatocytes) and host animals additionally elicit the various enzyme activities preferentially involved in inactivation, so the results strongly depend on the kind of metabolizing system used . The choice of system plays a pivotal role in tests in bacteria, which are deficient not only in the 'preferentially activating enzymes' but also in the 'preferentially inactivating xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes' . Mammalian cells in culture retain substantial activity of the latter enzymes . In our experience, results from in vitro mutagenicity tests in which adequate levels of activity of 'inactivating enzymes' are provided, either in the added metabolizing system or in the target cells, correlate better with carcinogenicity than tests in which the 'activating enzymes' are largely favoured.

Hinyokika Kiyo, 1986 Jun, 32(6), 897 - 901
{Effect of cefoperazone on acute prostatitis and epididymitis}; Hihara T et al.; Cefoperazone (CPZ) was intravenously administered to rabbits and the concentration of CPZ in the accessory male genitals was determined . The epididymis, prostate and testicles had a high enough concentration of CPZ to kill various kinds of bacteria . Therefore, CPZ was applied to 11 clinical cases of acute epididymitis and 4 cases of acute prostatitis, but clinical effects were not so satisfactory in the cases of acute epididymitis.

Pathol Res Pract, 1986 Jun, 181(3), 311 - 9
Possible role of neuraminidase in the pathogenesis of arteritis and thrombocytopenia induced in rats by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae; Nakato H et al.; The role of the neuraminidase produced by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (E . rhusiopathiae) in the pathogenesis of arteritis and induced thrombocytopenia was examined using young and adult rats . There was a close correlation between bacterial invasion, desialation and cell infiltration in the common iliac artery . E . rhusiopathiae induced arteritis from the second and third day after inoculation with 3 X 10(8) viable bacteria in the young and adult rats, respectively . This delay with age was closely related to the increase of free sialic acid in the plasma . The sites invaded by E . rhusiopathiae coincided with the desialated lesions, and the bacteria invaded the periarterial region which was always accompanied by desialation when examined with FITC-conjugated peanut lectin . The free sialic acid in the plasma was, at least partly, considered to originate from the desialation of the arterial wall caused by E . rhusiopathiae . The platelet number decreased significantly after inoculation . The sialic acid content of the platelets prepared from circulating blood at 12 and 18 hours after inoculation showed a slight decrease and decreased further when the platelets were incubated with the bacteria . Platelets obtained from circulating blood within 24 hours after inoculation or incubated with the bacteria had demonstrated desialated sites as detected by immunofluorescent staining with FITC-conjugated peanut lectin . In conclusion, free sialic acid in the plasma was considered to be a good marker of the desialation of the arteries caused by E . rhusiopathiae, and the neuraminidase produced by the bacteria would be a key to solve the pathogenesis of the arteritis and thrombocytopenia.

Kidney Int, 1986 Jun, 29(6), 1116 - 23
Accelerated renal cyst development in deconditioned germ-free rats; Gardner KD Jr et al.; The influence of environment on renal cyst growth was assessed in experiments utilizing 56 germ-free and 32 conventional male Sprague-Dawley rats fed 2% nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) . Among three groups of six germ-free rats allowed ad lib intake of NDGA for six weeks and deconditioned (placed into the ambient laboratory environment) at the start, at the midpoint, or not at all, cyst formation and interstitial changes (both severe) were noted only among animals deconditioned at the midpoint . Among 14 germ-free rats that were offered 0.4 g NDGA daily, deconditioned after two weeks, and sacrificed 0 to 15 days thereafter, nephron dilation and thymidine uptake by renal tubular epithelium appeared within one to three days and correlated in magnitude with each other and with the duration of the contamination interval . Deconditioning, a prior period of four or more days of exposure to NDGA in the germ-free state, the duration of the contamination period, and the presence of cecal flora were identified as prerequisites to accelerated cyst formation in this model, while the dose of ingested NDGA, the presence of bacteria within the kidney, an action of bacteria on NDGA within the colon, and the type(s) of organisms colonizing the host were not . These findings provide experimental evidence that environmental circumstance can modulate the expression of renal cystic disease.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1986 Jun, 94(3), 113 - 6
Improved yield of Mobiluncus species from clinical specimens after alkaline treatment; Pahlson C et al.; Reference strains and clinical isolates of Mobiluncus species and bacteria in samples of vaginal discharge from patients with bacterial vaginosis were examined for resistance to alkaline solutions . A prolonged survival time in buffers of high pH was shown for Mobiluncus, especially for isolates designated as M . curtisii . In a clinical study, alkaline treatment increased the number of culture-positive samples four times as compared to conventional culture . The improved culture-yield in combination with a shortened time for processing the samples makes the method suitable for isolation of Mobiluncus in clinical samples.

Tijdschr Gerontol Geriatr, 1986 Jun, 17(3), 99 - 103
{The biological basis of aging . The free radicals theory}; Koster JF; Several theories were formulated to explain the process of aging . Now they often appeared out of date . The free radical theory is a rather recent one that is based on the production of free radicals during normal physiological respiration . A lot of data indicate their role in the progress of aging . Clearly also other factors play a role in this process: the toxicity of free radicals may for instance depend on the availability of free iron . So on the one hand we need oxygen for existence and free radicals may destroy infectious bacteria; on the other hand oxygen appears to be toxic and may be supposed to underly the process of aging.

Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 1986 Jun 1, 111(11), 529 - 33
{Hygiene in poultry processing}; Oosterom J et al.; Investigations during the last two decades directed to measures designed to improve hygiene in poultry slaughtering are reviewed . Attention is paid to investigations on the degree and origin of bacterial contamination as well as on the mechanisms of attachment . Finally, future developments with regard to hygiene in poultry processing are discussed.

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1986 Jun 1, 188(11), 1296 - 8
Exogenous corticosteroids increase serum iron concentrations in mature horses and ponies; Smith JE et al.; Corticosteroid preparation was administered to 7 Shetland Ponies and 10 Quarter Horses . Serum iron concentration increased dramatically for 48 to 72 hours after the steroid treatment, whereas serum iron-binding capacity and serum ferritin concentration did not . An increase in available iron may allow bacteria to proliferate when ponies or horses are stressed or treated inappropriately with corticosteroids.

J Med Chem, 1986 Jun, 29(6), 1056 - 61
Synthesis and biological activity of resolved C-10 diastereomers of 10-methyl- and 10-ethyl-10-deazaminopterin; DeGraw JI et al.; Synthesis and evaluation of the antitumor drugs 10-methyl- and 10-ethyl-10-deazaminopterin (15a,b) were previously reported for the diastereomeric mixtures, lacking resolution at the C-10 position . In order to assess biological properties of the individual diastereomers, the C-10 isomers of 4-amino-4-deoxy-10-methyl- and 10-ethyl-10-deazapteroic acids (13a,b) were prepared by total synthesis . Coupling with L-glutamate afforded the appropriate diastereomers of the title compounds . Biochemical, transport, and cell growth inhibitory properties in L1210 cells and folate-dependent bacteria were measured . Differences were generally less than 2-fold between diastereomeric pairs, but a factor of 3 was noted for d,L-15b vs . l,L-15b in inhibition of DHFR from L1210 cells and in cytotoxicity toward L1210 cells . An in vivo comparison of the isomers of 15b with racemic compound against L1210 in mice did not show a significant efficacy difference (ILS) among the compounds . However, d,L-15b showed an acute toxicity about 2.5 times that of l,L-15b.

Infect Immun, 1986 Jun, 52(3), 664 - 70
Interaction between Chlamydia spp . and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in vitro; Register KB et al.; Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia trachomatis elementary bodies (EB) incubated in the presence of complement or specific antibody or both caused chemotaxis of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in vitro . Reticulate bodies and culture supernatants had no effect on these cells . The ability of chlamydiae to enter and survive in PMN under nonopsonizing conditions was investigated by measuring the association of 3H-labeled EB and of inclusion-forming units with these phagocytes . Both assays indicated that C . psittaci as well as C . trachomatis EB are efficiently internalized . The mechanism by which this is accomplished is distinct from classical phagocytosis in that it is not dependent upon the presence of complement or antibody . Furthermore, uptake of at least C . psittaci appeared to be rapid, with no additional increase occurring after 15 min . The majority of cell-associated chlamydiae were rendered acid soluble or noninfectious within 1 h . Subsequently, there was a small but steady loss of infectivity for up to 10 h, which may have been due to the conversion of EB to the noninfectious reticulate-body form of the organism . However, even at 10 h after entry a small percentage of bacteria was still capable of infecting a second target cell . This is noteworthy in that PMN are relatively short-lived cells, and after lysis, intracellular organisms may be free to infect adjacent tissue . Electron microscopic observations were consistent with the data on uptake and persistence . The ability of a small percentage of infecting chlamydiae to maintain infectivity in PMN for at least several hours may enable these organisms subsequently to establish productive infection in permissive host cells.

Aust Vet J, 1986 Jun, 63(6), 185 - 7
A technique for the purification of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis from the ileal mucosa of infected cattle; Ratnamohan TN et al.; Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, the causative agent of paratuberculosis, produces considerable economic loss in the cattle industry in many countries . The slow growth of M . paratuberculosis has hindered investigations of the antigenic composition of the organism and the development of species-specific antigen for serological detection of this disease . This paper describes a simple method for the isolation of large quantities of viable M . paratuberculosis from the intestinal mucosa of infected cattle by a combination of trypsin digestion, deoxyribonuclease/lysozyme treatment and differential centrifugation . Purity was about 99% and yield between 10(5)-10(9) bacteria/g tissue.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1986 Jun, 94(3), 117 - 25
Curved rods related to Mobiluncus--phenotypes as defined by monoclonal antibodies; Pahlson C et al.; 51 strains, including clinical isolates, type and reference strains of Mobiluncus, were studied as to phenotype and reactivity with a set of monoclonal antibodies to defined Mobiluncus antigens . Numerical analysis of phenotypic data and the reactivity with monoclonal antibodies showed that the bacteria are clustered to form the two main species, M . mulieris and M . curtisii, although some atypical variants occur . In indirect immunofluorescence assay, the unique antigens were fully exposed on the cell surface and could therefore be used as markers for specific microscopic identification of Mobiluncus in mixed vaginal samples from women attending an STD clinic . The monoclonal antibodies identified M . mulieris and M . curtisii, showing a high correlation with the detection of motile curved rods in wet smears and curved rods in Gram-stained preparations . 70% of the samples harbouring Mobiluncus as seen by direct identification with monoclonal antibodies were culture-positive when an elaborate dilution technique for culture was used.

J Anim Sci, 1986 Jun, 62(6), 1759 - 68
Recombinant DNA, gene transfer and the future of animal agriculture; Petters RM; Recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology and gene transfer are two areas of biotechnology that will have significant impact on animal agriculture . Applications to animal agriculture can be expected in animal health management, improved crops and feeds, manipulation of animal physiology, and genetic improvement of livestock species . Improved diagnostic reagents and vaccines that will improve herd health are currently under development . Yield of crop plants such as corn will be increased and the nutritional value of these feeds improved through applications of recombinant DNA technology . Administration of exogenous hormones synthesized by bacteria holds great promise for increasing the yield of milk and possibly meat . Research on the transfer of cloned genes into animals has progressed rapidly and has recently been accomplished in sheep and swine . Tissue-specific and developmentally regulated expression of transferred genes now seems possible with defined gene promoter sequences . Several applications of these biotechnologies can be expected within 5 to 10 yr, whereas others may require longer periods of research . The 21st century will herald a new era in animal science research and applications, with recombinant DNA and gene transfer playing major roles.

J Clin Pathol, 1986 Jun, 39(6), 661 - 5
Comparison of radiometric and gas capture system for blood cultures; King A et al.; A single bottle blood culture system that detects the gas produced by micro-organisms from substrates in a specially formulated medium was compared with the Bactec radiometric system . A total of 725 blood samples collected from patients with suspected bacteraemia yielded 75 clinically important isolates . Fifty five (73%) of these cultures were detected by both methods, 16 (21%) by only the Bactec system, and four (5%) by only the Oxoid system . No significant differences were found between the two systems after allowance was made for the different volume of sample inoculated into each system.

Aust N Z J Med, 1986 Jun, 16(3), 336 - 40
Crystal shedding in septic arthritis: case reports and in vivo evidence in an animal model; Gordon TP et al.; Two cases of coexisting septic and crystalline joint disease are reported . In one patient polyarticular septic arthritis occurred simultaneously with gout and pseudogout . In a second patient septic arthritis preceded the appearance of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals in the joint fluid, supporting an earlier postulate that lysosomal enzymes released during sepsis lead to shedding of crystals from cartilage and synovium into the joint space . This sequence was demonstrated in a rat air pouch model of synovium, in which CPPD crystals embedded in facsimile synovial tissue were released after injection of pyogenic bacteria . Coexisting septic arthritis should always be considered when crystals are identified in inflamed joints, particularly in elderly patients with concurrent infections.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1986 Jun, 39(6), 1519 - 25
{Clinical studies on imipenem/cilastatin sodium in the field of obstetrics and gynecology}; Chimura T et al.; The penetration of imipenem/cilastatin sodium (MK-0787/MK-0791) into tissues of 6 patients and clinical efficacy in 21 patients with infectious diseases were studied in the field of obstetrics and gynecology . The results are summarized below . The transfer of MK-0787/MK-0791 into genital organ tissues was very good . The clinical efficacy was evaluated for 11 patients with intrauterine infections, 5 patients with intrapelvic infections and 5 patients with other infections . Clinical responses were excellent in 7 (33.3%), good in 13 (61.9%) and poor in 1 patient (4.8%), and the efficacy rate was 95.2 percent . Infective bacteria were eradicated in 4, diminished in 2, unchanged in 1 and replaced by other bacteria in 2 patients . No side effect was observed.

J Leukoc Biol, 1986 Jun, 39(6), 713 - 6
Induction of macrophage growth by negatively charged phospholipids; Yui S et al.; The effects on macrophage growth of seven phospholipids that are normally present in cell membranes were examined . Phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin which are the main phospholipid constituents of mammalian cell membranes, had no effect on growth of macrophages . Phosphatidylinositol also had little effect . On the other hand, the relatively minor components phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylglycerol, cardiolipin, and phosphatidic acid, which are negatively charged phospholipids, significantly enhanced macrophage growth . These findings suggest that some acidic phospholipids may increase survival or growth of tissue macrophages when they are ingested by the cells in materials containing phospholipids, such as effete autologous cells or bacteria.

Immunol Invest, 1986 Jun, 15(4), 339 - 49
The oral immune system: dynamics of salivary immunoglobulin production in the inbred mouse; Deslauriers N et al.; In the oral cavity, salivary immunoglobulins (Igs) are the principal mediators of specific immunity . Using carbachol to stimulate saliva flow, we investigated, in a kinetic study, individual variations in salivary Ig concentrations in 23 adult BALB/c mice using an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) . It appeared that salivary Ig concentrations are highly variable in individual mice (IgA: 3-81 micrograms/mL; IgG: 0-2.9 micrograms/mL; IgM: 0.002-0.14 microgram/mL) . In individual mice stimulated at different times over a 3 week period there are considerable variations both in salivary Ig concentrations and in their respective ratio . Broad variations were also found in the levels of specific IgA and IgG antibodies to three indigenous oral murine bacteria . Present data thus indicate that among genetically identical mice of the same age and sex, sharing identical diet, there is considerable heterogeneity in salivary Igs . As this heterogeneity was mimicked at the cellular level in major and minor salivary gland-associated B-cells, it appears that antibody dynamics in the oral cavity could reflect the adaptive capacity of the oral immune system to local antigenic challenge.

Biochimie, 1986 Jun, 68(6), 875 - 84
Beta-carotene therapy for erythropoietic protoporphyria and other photosensitivity diseases; Mathews-Roth MM; This paper describes the development of the use of carotenoid pigments in the treatment of light-sensitive skin diseases . It also discusses the animal and human studies involved in determining whether carotenoids have any anti-cancer activity . The possible mechanisms of carotenoid photoprotective and anti-cancer actions are briefly discussed.

J Bioenerg Biomembr, 1986 Jun, 18(3), 225 - 34
Phorphorylative electron transport chains lacking a cytochrome bc1 complex; Kroger A et al.; Electron transport-coupled phosphorylation with fumarate as terminal acceptor in Wolinella succinogenes yields less than 1 ATP/2 electrons . The delta mu H generated by the electron transport is 0.18 V and the H+/electron ratio is 1 . The electron transport chain is made up of two dehydrogenases (hydrogenase and formate dehydrogenase) that catalyze the reduction of menaquinone, and fumarate reductase which catalyzes the oxidation of menaquinol . C-type cytochromes are not involved . The phosphorylative electron transport with sulfur as terminal acceptor in W . succinogenes or Desulfuromonas acetoxidans does not involve known quinones . The ATP yields should be even smaller than those with fumarate . Succinate oxidation by sulfur, which is a catabolic reaction in D . acetoxidans, is accomplished by reversed electron transport.

J Bioenerg Biomembr, 1986 Jun, 18(3), 181 - 93
The semiquinone cycle . A hypothesis of electron transfer and proton translocation in cytochrome bc-type complexes; Wikstrom M et al.; The Q cycle and the b cycle are the main current models of action of the cytochrome bc-type complexes of mitochondria, bacteria, and chloroplasts . Both are based on the concept, proposed in 1972, of two sequential one-electron oxidations of (ubi)quinol along two discrete pathways which operate at different redox potentials, and with bound semiubiquinone as an intermediate . The models differ in two respects, viz . in the pathway of electron transfer and the principle of linkage of electron transfer to proton translocation . In this article we outline a new model, called the semiquinone or, simply, SQ cycle, which is based on the electron transfer principles of the b cycle but which incorporates the Q cycle concept of direct coupling between electron transfer and proton translocation through action of ubiquinone.

Regul Toxicol Pharmacol, 1986 Jun, 6(2), 171 - 80
The use of epidemiology, scientific data, and regulatory authority to determine risk factors in cancers of some organs of the digestive system . 5 . Stomach cancer; Cordle F; In 1930, stomach cancer was the leading cause of death due to cancer among men in the United States . Among women it was the third leading cause of cancer deaths . Although it is well known that death rates for stomach cancer have diminished dramatically over the past 50 years, stomach cancer still has the third poorest 5-year relative survival rate of the different cancers, after pancreatic and lung cancer . Most evidence indicates that environmental factors play an important role in the development of stomach cancer . The remarkable decrease in stomach cancer mortality over the past 50 years and the results of a variety of migrant studies support this review . Several published case-control studies have shown positive associations with preserved meat and salted and pickled food in general . However, there are negative associations with vegetables, fruits and milk; vitamin C is implicated . Milk has both positive and negative associations . This points to the possibility of a carcinogen produced by traditional preservation methods such as salting and suggests that fresh vegetables and fruits and high intakes of vitamin C may reduce the risk . What specific role/s the diet plays in the incidence of stomach cancer remains to be seen . There is a need to elaborate the relationship of such factors as age, sex, migration, geography, environmental factors, and diet to the carcinogenic process that produces cancer of the stomach.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1986 Jun, 83(12), 4408 - 12
Isolation of molecular probes associated with the chromosome 15 instability in the Prader-Willi syndrome; Donlon TA et al.; Flow cytometry and recombinant DNA techniques have been used to obtain reagents for a molecular analysis of the Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) . HindIII total-digest libraries were prepared in lambda phage Charon 21A from flow-sorted inverted duplicated no . 15 human chromosomes and propagated on recombination-proficient (LE392) and recBC-, sbcB- (DB1257) bacteria . Twelve distinct chromosome 15-specific probes have been isolated . Eight localized to the region 15q11----13 . Four of these eight sublocalized to band 15q11.2 and are shown to be deleted in DNA of one of two patients examined with the PWS . Heteroduplex analysis of two of these clones, which grew on DB1257 but not on LE392, revealed stem-loop structures in the inserts, indicative of inverted, repeated DNA elements . Such DNA repeats might account for some of the cloning instability of DNA segments from proximal 15q . Analysis of the genetic and physical instability associated with the repeated sequences we have isolated from band 15q11.2 may elucidate the molecular basis for the instability of this chromosomal region in patients with the PWS or other diseases associated with chromosomal abnormalities in the proximal long arm of human chromosome 15.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1986 Jun, 83(11), 3693 - 7
Redox pathways in electron-transfer proteins: correlations between reactivities, solvent exposure, and unpaired-spin-density distributions; Tollin G et al.; The relative reactivities toward reduction by free flavin semiquinones of cytochromes (c-type cytochromes, cytochrome b5, c'-type cytochromes) iron-sulfur proteins (high-redox-potential ferredoxins, rubredoxins, low-redox-potential ferredoxins), and blue copper proteins (plastocyanin, azurins) are shown to correlate with calculations of the solvent exposure of the various prosthetic groups . In the case of the c-type cytochromes, one of the major centers of exposure is the sulfur atom of the thioether bridge that covalently links heme ring C to the protein . Charge-iterative extended Huckel calculations on a heme c model indicate that both porphyrin pi and Fe(III)d pi orbitals can delocalize onto the bridging sulfur atom . Unpaired spin densities are comparable to those obtained for individual aromatic porphyrin ring carbon atoms . Thus, the exposed sulfur of ring C may act to facilitate electron transfer.

J Clin Microbiol, 1986 Jun, 23(6), 1046 - 8
Comparison of blood-free medium (cyclodextrin solid medium) with Bordet-Gengou medium for clinical isolation of Bordetella pertussis; Aoyama T et al.; Cyclodextrin solid medium (CSM) developed by us was evaluated to be a suitable synthetic medium for the clinical isolation of Bordetella pertussis when compared with Bordet-Gengou (BG) medium . The addition of 5 micrograms of cephalexin (CEX) per ml to CSM not only supported the good growth of B . pertussis but also sufficiently suppressed the growth of nasopharyngeal flora . During period 1 of this study, nasopharyngeal specimens from 60 patients with clinical pertussis were inoculated on CSM supplemented with 5 micrograms of CEX per ml . The isolation rate was 70% (42 of 60) . To confirm the efficacy of CSM, another study was performed . During period 2 of this study, nasopharyngeal specimens were cultured on both CSM and BG medium, each with 5 micrograms of CEX per ml . The comparative isolation rates were 100% (40 of 40 specimens from 29 patients) on CSM with 5 micrograms of CEX and 65% (26 out of 40) on BG medium with 5 micrograms of CEX . The excellent efficacy of CSM as measured by the isolation rate was thought to be due to the poor nutrition of this medium for the growth of nasopharyngeal bacteria . CSM retained its efficacy in clinical isolations even after 3 months of storage in a refrigerator . These data led us to conclude that CSM with 5 micrograms of CEX was much better than BG medium with 5 micrograms of CEX, determined by both the isolation rate and preservativity considerations, and that CSM with 5 micrograms of CEX per ml can be successfully used instead of BG medium as a medium for the clinical isolation of B . pertussis.

J Pediatr, 1986 Jun, 108(6), 915 - 22
Childhood common variable immunodeficiency with autoimmune disease; Conley ME et al.; Clinical and laboratory findings in eight patients with childhood common variable immunodeficiency and autoimmune disease are described . Six of the eight patients had initial signs of the disease, persistent secretory diarrhea, recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, or both, in the first year of life . Autoimmune manifestations included idiopathic thrombocytopenia (4/8), hemolytic anemia (3/8), secretory diarrhea (4/8), arthritis (2/8), chronic active hepatitis (2/8), parotitis (2/8), and Guillain-Barre syndrome (2/8) . In addition to the expected sinusitis, otitis, and pneumonia caused by encapsulated bacteria, these patients also had severe infections with viruses of the herpes group . Most of these patients had lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, growth failure, and failure to develop secondary sexual characteristics . Laboratory studies demonstrated a significant increase in the ratio of T cells expressing the T helper phenotype (OKT4) to T cells expressing the T suppressor-cytotoxic phenotype (OKT8) (T4/T8) . This increase could be attributed to a decrease in the absolute number of T8 cells . Additional findings included fluctuating levels of serum immunoglobulins and markedly diminished in vitro antibody production by B cells . The clinical course was relapsing and remitting, and dominated by the autoimmune manifestations of the disease . This group of patients constitutes a distinct subset of children with hypogammaglobulinemia, a subset with a complex, multisystemic disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

J Theor Biol, 1986 May 21, 120(2), 151 - 79
A mechanism for exact sensory adaptation based on receptor modification; Segel LA et al.; We provide a theoretical explanation for the observation that in many sensory systems a step increase in stimulus triggers a response that goes through a maximum and then returns to the basal level . Considered here is a receptor molecule that in the absence of ligand can be found in either of two states R and D . Two more states, RL and DL, are formed upon the addition of ligand L . It is assumed that the receptor triggers activity in a sensory system, and that the activity is proportional to a weighted combination of the fractions of molecules that are in each of the four states . It is shown that judicious choice of the weights can provide both an adequate response and exact adaptation to step increases in stimuli . The interconversion between states may operate without energy expenditure or through covalent modification . In both cases, adaptation is associated with receptor modification that acts as a counterweight to changed external conditions . Application to cAMP secretion in Dictyostelium discoideum and to chemotaxis in bacteria is discussed.

Anal Biochem, 1986 May 15, 155(1), 149 - 54
Direct assay of thymidine kinase bound to ion-exchange paper for dot spotting and enzyme blotting analysis; van den Berg KJ; The direct assay of thymidine kinase (Tk) bound to ion-exchange paper was investigated as a means to further simplify the analytical procedure . Thymidine kinase bound firmly and quantitatively to ion-exchange paper at near neutral pH . The enzymatic properties of Tk did not change while bound to the ion-exchange paper . The amount of phosphorylated 125IdU or 125IdC formed on ion-exchange paper was proportional to the amount of applied Tk . Enzymatic activity could be determined visually by autoradiography or by gamma counting . This method was relatively independent of the protein concentration or volume of the sample and which allows the assay from dilute solutions . A simplified dot spot method that can be used for the assay of thymidine kinase activity in cell extracts is described . Thymidine kinase could also be visualized after electrophoresis and blotting on ion-exchange paper.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1986 May 14, 136(3), 1078 - 82
The occurrence of cyclic AMP in archaebacteria; Leichtling BH et al.; Cyclic AMP was found in species representative of the three major groups of the archaebacteria . In Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum starvation for H2 led to a significant increase in cellular cAMP . The findings suggest that the occurrence of cAMP antedates the divergence of the major kingdoms of biology; the observations also imply that cAMP constitutes a very early regulatory molecule.

Science, 1986 May 2, 232(4750), 641 - 3
A mutation in the R body-coding sequence destroys expression of the killer trait in P . tetraurelia; Dilts JA et al.; This report describes a mutant strain of Caedibacter taeniospiralis 169 that does not produce refractile (R) bodies or kill sensitive paramecia, but still renders its host resistant to killing by wild-type strains of Caedibacter taeniospiralis . The mutation is due to insertion of a 7.5-kilobase, transposon-like element into the R body-coding region of the plasmid pKAP169 . The results provide strong evidence that R body synthesis is required for expression of the killer trait.

J Dairy Res, 1986 May, 53(2), 179 - 85
The bovine teat canal: information from measurement of velocity of milk flow from the teat; Williams DM et al.; The velocity of milk flow from the teat during the peak flow rate period of milking was estimated to be approximately 8.5 m/s with a liner vacuum of 50 kPa and 7.5 m/s at 40 kPa . These results confirm the applicability of the Bernoulli theorem for estimating velocity of milk flow through the teat canal during milking . Concurrent measurements of mass flow rate and velocity indicate that the effective diameter of the open teat canal is approximately 2 mm . Further calculations indicate that the shear force due to milk flow acting to debride the surface of the open teat canal is about 1.8 X 10(-2) N . The opposing surfaces of the 'closed' teat canal may be approximately 100 micron apart immediately after milking . If so, bacteria present in the milk residue within the teat canal would never be more than 50 micron from a surface.

Acta Otolaryngol, 1986 May-Jun, 101(5-6), 467 - 74
Antibody activity before and after pneumococcal vaccination of otitis-prone and non-otitis-prone children; Kalm O et al.; The antibody activity of the IgM class and subclasses of IgG and IgA against pneumococcal bacteria of types 3, 6A and 19F was studied before and after administration of a pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax) in a group of children with recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM) and in groups of non-otitis-prone children . Only occasionally was there a significant rise in antibody activity after vaccination in any of the groups . There was no difference in the response to vaccination between rAOM children and healthy children . However, rAOM children exhibited lower antibody activities in most Ig subclasses against pneumococcus type 6A--a common causative agent in AOM--before as well as after vaccination compared with the healthy children . The results indicate that the response to vaccination is equally poor in all children, irrespective of whether they have a history of frequent attacks of acute otitis media, but, in contrast to healthy children, the rAOM children seem to have an inability to mobilize antibodies in response to infections with some pneumococcal types.

Can J Microbiol, 1986 May, 32(5), 438 - 42
Multiplication of Legionella pneumophila Philadelphia-1 in cultured peritoneal macrophages and its correlation to susceptibility of animals; Yoshida S et al.; Intracellular growth of Legionella pneumophila Philadelphia-1 strain in peritoneal macrophages (PMP) from various rodents was measured and its correlation to the level of susceptibility of the animal was examined . In guinea pig PMP, the organism grew well and the guinea pig was very susceptible to it (50% lethal dose, LD50 = 7.6 X 10(4)) . On the other hand, the bacteria hardly multiplied in mouse PMP and the animal was resistant to infection (LD50 = 6.7 X 10(7)) . Intracellular growth rate correlated well with susceptibility in these animals . In golden hamsters, a discrepancy between intracellular growth and susceptibility was found . The organism grew intracellularly as rapid as in guinea pig PMP, but the golden hamster was very resistant to infection (LD50 = 2.2 X 10(8)) . In rat PMP, the organism did not grow intracellularly during a 24-h period of infection, but started to grow after that and the growth rate thereafter was as rapid as in guinea pig PMP . WKA rats were resistant and the LD50 in the animal was 1.9 X 10(7) . In vivo natural resistance of rats and golden hamsters to the organism was considered to be a result of other factors than macrophages.

Neurosurgery, 1986 May, 18(5), 616 - 21
Intervertebral disc infection after lumbar chemonucleolysis: report of a case; Zeiger HE Jr et al.; Intervertebral disc space infection can be a serious and disabling complication of any procedure that affords entry for bacteria into the susceptible disc space . Most disc space infections occur after cervical or lumbar laminectomies . Discitis has been reported after myelography, lumbar puncture, paravertebral injection, and obstetrical epidural anesthesia . A case of septic discitis occurring after intradiscal therapy with chymopapain is presented . Patients who return for evaluation of recurrent spinal pain after chemonucleolysis, especially those with paravertebral muscle spasm, should be evaluated for the possibility of disc space infection by obtaining an erythrocyte sedimentation rate, peripheral white count, differential cell count, and plain roentgenograms . Radionuclide bone scans, although not specific, may provide further objective evidence leading to the diagnosis of an intervertebral disc space infection.

J Hand Surg {Am}, 1986 May, 11(3), 434 - 6
Hand infection caused by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans; Bromley GS et al.; A case of chronic wrist synovitis and subcutaneous abscess of the hand caused by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is described . There are no previous reports in the literature of hand infections secondary to this unusual bacteria.

J Bacteriol, 1986 May, 166(2), 644 - 50
Isolation of a surface glycoprotein from Myxococcus xanthus; Maeba PY; The isolation of a glycoprotein from vegetative cells of Myxococcus xanthus is reported . The protein, abbreviated VGP, was first identified during a survey of surface proteins as a major protein that could be radioiodinated in vegetative, but not developing, cells (P.Y . Maeba, J . Bacteriol . 155:1033-1041, 1983) . The protein was extracted from membranes with Triton X-100 and subsequently purified by DEAE-cellulose chromatography, chromatofocusing, and gel filtration . The protein has an Mr of approximately 74,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and an isoelectric point of 3.2 to 3.3 . The carbohydrate moiety which made up approximately 13.5% of the weight of the VGP comprised primarily neutral sugars and smaller amounts of hexosamines and uronic acids . The amino acid content revealed no unusual features, but analysis by the method of Barrantes (F . Barrantes, Biochem . Biophys . Res . Commun . 62:407-414, 1975) indicated it is likely a peripheral membrane protein . The protein makes up approximately 1% of the total cell protein and is a prominent surface structure . Because glycoproteins have been implicated in cellular interactions in a number of systems, the VGP may play an important role in the social behavior exhibited by M . xanthus.

Gut, 1986 May, 27(5), 491 - 8
Evaluation of the nitrosamine hypothesis of gastric carcinogenesis in precancerous conditions; Hall CN et al.; A 24 hour gastric aspiration study was carried out on nine Polya gastrectomy, eight pernicious anaemia, and nine matched control subjects . Intragastric pH, bacteria, nitrite, and N-nitroso compounds were assessed half hourly whilst ambulant and hourly when in bed . Both total and nitrate reducing bacterial counts were positively related to pH (chi 2 = 279.3; p less than 0.001), as was nitrite concentration (F = 19.1; p less than 0.0001) . By contrast, total (F = 40.6; p less than 0.0001) and stable (F = 257.4; p less than 0.0001) N-nitroso compound concentrations were negatively related to pH . Clear differences in these gastric juice factors were not apparent between matched control and either pernicious anaemia, or Polya gastrectomy because the Polya gastrectomy and matched control groups were heterogeneous for gastric acidity . Thus, although eight of eight pernicious anaemia subjects were hypoacidic (defined as intragastric pH greater than 4 for greater than 50% of both daytime and night time periods), only five of nine Polya gastrectomy and two of nine matched control subjects were hypoacidic . When subjects were rearranged into hypoacidic (n = 15) and acidic (n = 11) groups, bacterial counts (p less than 0.01) and nitrite concentrations (p less than 0.01) were higher, whereas N-nitroso compounds tended to be lower (NS) in the hypoacidic group . These data suggest that, although hypoacidity predisposes to bacterial overgrowth and nitrite generation, it does not enhance nitrosation . Instead, this is maximal at low pH, suggesting chemical rather than bacterial nitrosation, contrary to the nitrosamine hypothesis of gastric carcinogenesis.

Hand Clin, 1986 May, 2(2), 353 - 9
Complications of skin grafts and pedicle flaps; Browne EZ Jr; Skin coverage complications of hand wounds can be divided into two categories: those associated with problems of the wound bed itself and those associated with failure of the skin graft or flap coverage . Wound problems generally are the result of inadequate preparation, infection, or excess scarring due to a long interval between injury and time of coverage . If the wound is adequately debrided, removing all devitalized tissue or tissue colonized with bacteria, coverage can usually be undertaken no later than 3 days after injury . Injuries that result in loss of skin only are best treated with skin grafts . If the bed is well vascularized, complications generally are only mechanical ones, either establishment of a barrier such as hematoma between the bed and the graft, or shearing forces tearing the graft from the bed . Skin flaps carry their own blood supply so they are not generally subject to those kinds of complications; but they are dependent upon continuation of adequate circulation until vascularization takes place . Because they are much thicker than grafts, this is a slower process, and the flap is vulnerable to problems of kinking or tension of the base . Careful attention must be paid to prevention of these problems, especially in the first few days . Axial flaps are preferable to random ones, but any flap must be carefully planned in order to assure adequate vascular perfusion and minimal tension.

Dig Dis Sci, 1986 May, 31(5), 535 - 9
Specific metabolic effect of sodium nitrite on fat metabolism by mucosal cells of the colon; Roediger WE et al.; The effect on the mucosa of sodium nitrite that enters the colon from the ileum or transmucosally from the circulation is unknown . Isolated colonic mucosal cells and Roux-en-Y colostomies were used to test whether high doses of sodium nitrite (5-40 mM) had any harmful histological or inhibitory metabolic actions on the mucosa . Luminal instillation of 40 mM NaNO2 (3 ml/24 hr) for 7-14 days produced no microscopic changes in the mucosa either of damage (ulceration, mucus cell depletion) or of new growth (dysplasia, neoplasia) . Beta oxidation of bacterial fatty acids (n-butyrate) by colonic epithelial cells in rat and man was enhanced by 50% (P less than 0.001) with 10 mM NaNO2, while oxidation of glucose and amino acid (proline) was not affected . Sodium nitrite significantly depressed ketogenesis (P less than 0.001) by the colonic mucosa of rat and man . In conclusion, sodium nitrite in the presence of bacteria has no damaging effect on the colonic mucosa but causes selective stimulation of fatty acid oxidation in the colonic mucosa of rat and man.

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1986 May, 61(5), 508 - 13
Intentional replantation of periodontally involved and endodontically mistreated tooth; Lu DP; This article presents a case in which a tooth was intentionally replanted after it was endodontically mistreated; there was also a severe periodontal involvement . The unusually long period of time that the tooth survived might be attributed to a different approach to the replantation technique, such as occlusion adjustment prior to replantation, preoperative reduction of oral cavity bacteria and of the harmful aerosols commonly found in the dental operatory, placement of a noneugenol periodontal packing under the acrylic splint to prevent residual liquid monomer from seeping into the periodontal space, use of the patient's own blood and no other material to moisten the root while it was out of the socket, a short extraoral period, loose splinting, complete isolation of the operative site in the oral cavity, and completion of periodontal therapy before intentional replantation.

Br J Nutr, 1986 May, 55(3), 593 - 602
Nitrogen transactions in the digestive tract of lambs exposed to the intestinal parasite, Trichostrongylus colubriformis; Poppi DP et al.; 1 . Ten 5-month-old lambs (29 (SE 1.2) kg), reared parasite-free and prepared with rumen duodenal and ileal cannulas, were paired and given rations of Ruminant Diet AA6 (90 g/kg live weight0.75) by means of continuous feeders . From 6 months of age one of each pair was dosed daily with 2500 Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae for 14 weeks . Untreated animals received the amount of ration consumed by their infected pair-mates the previous day . 2 . During three periods, {1) the week before and the first 2 weeks of dosing with infected larvae, (2) during weeks 5-7 and (3) during weeks 11-13 of dosing) all lambs underwent a series of experiments to determine their nitrogen balance, the amounts of N leaving the small intestine, the amount of 51CrCl3-labelled plasma protein leaking into the small intestines, and the disappearance of 35S-labelled bacteria from the small intestine . 3 . The infection caused varying degrees of feed refusal in all infected animals . As a result the values for N balance and for the flow of N at the ileum during the latter two periods were regressed against dry-matter intakes for each group in each period . 4 . The infection caused a reduction (P less than 0.05) in N retention and increased (P less than 0.05) flow of N at the ileum . The increase in N flow at the ileum of infected lambs was greater (P less than 0.01) at weeks 11-13 of dosing (infected-control 3.6 g N/d (standard error of difference (SED) 0.57), P less than 0.01) than at weeks 5-7 of dosing (infected-control 1.5 g N/d (SED 0.57), P less than 0.05) . 5 . There were no between-treatment or between-period differences in the disappearance of 35S-labelled bacteria from the small intestines of infected or control lambs, but the infection did cause an increase in plasma N leakage during both periods . During weeks 5-7 and 11-13, plasma N leakage in infected lambs was 1.1 g N/d (P less than 0.01) and 1.7 g N/d (P = 0.056) respectively higher than that in the control lambs . 6 . A proportion of the endogenous secretions which enter the small intestine is likely to be resorbed before the ileum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1986 May, 182(3), 254 - 66
Investigations concerning the standardisation of control-investigations of supply-air in air-conditioning systems in hospitals; Eikmann T et al.; In the following investigation, air-germ measurements were conducted--using the Reuter-Centrifugal-Sampler (RCS) and the Sartorius-Sampler MD 3 (SAR), and using standardized nutrient-substratum and breeding conditions--in order to detect differences in the measuring process itself . The aim of the study was to find a standard for routine-measurements in hospitals . A special "Supply-Air-Box" was developed because of the known turbulences during the emission of air from the channel; in order to cut off the interference-factor during the measurements caused by the blending with the room-air . The results of the air-germ measurements showed a sufficient reproducability and a good representation of the results in differing measuring positions with both devices during repeated measurements . A marked difference between the two measuring-devices are the markedly higher CFU-numbers in the measurements using the RCS-device and the resulting higher variability of the single-values . The measurements using the supply-air-box show that--with the usual measuring position immediately in front of the supply-air grille screen or without grille screen at the channel end--a considerable part of room-air is also registered during the determination of the CFU-number because of the existing turbulences . Because of the markedly lower CFU-numbers with this procedure, new recommendations were suggested for the maximal mean CFU-number in the supply-air . Accordingly, not more than 5 CFU/m3 of air should be found with three-step-filtered supply-air in well-maintained installations for the inrestricted utilization of the rooms, and not more than a mean value of 30 CFU/m3 of air with two-step-filtered supply-air.

J Oral Pathol, 1986 May, 15(5), 297 - 9
Botryomycosis of the oral regions; Altini M et al.; Botryomycosis is an unusual bacterial infection capable of producing chronic granulomatous inflammation and characterised by the production of distinctive grains formed by the interaction of the infective bacteria with the host tissues . The occurrence of this infection in a healthy individual generally results in locally destructive lesions which can clinically mimic a sarcoma . A case is reported involving the oral regions of a healthy adult male which illustrated these features and a discussion is presented of the diagnostic features of this condition.

Nucl Med Commun, 1986 May, 7(5), 327 - 36
The sterility testing of dispensed radiopharmaceuticals; Brown S et al.; The benefits of retrospective sterility tests on radiopharmaceuticals, were assessed by following the survival of bacteria in non-radioactive and radioactive kits and generator eluate over a period of 5 days . The response of bacteria inoculated into non-radioactive materials ranged through death, survival and growth . The response of bacteria inoculated into radioactive materials was either death or survival . The value of retrospective sterility testing is doubtful and an improved test method is suggested.

Vet Pathol, 1986 May, 23(3), 227 - 39
Pathogenesis of placentitis in the goat inoculated with Brucella abortus . II . Ultrastructural studies; Anderson TD et al.; Pregnant goats were inoculated intravenously or in uterine arteries with Brucella abortus, and tissues from the uterus and placenta were examined by electron microscopy . Identification of B . abortus in placentae was with antibody-coated colloidal gold . B . abortus was first seen in phagosomes of erythrophagocytic trophoblasts and in the rough endoplasmic reticulum of chorioallantoic trophoblasts . Subsequently, trophoblast necrosis and ulceration of chorioallantoic membranes were present . Coincidently, B . abortus was present in the lumen of placental capillaries . In late stages of infection, placental vasculitis was present, and placentomal trophoblasts were separated from maternal syncytial epithelium . In lesions with vasculitis, large numbers of B . abortus were in connective tissue of chorionic villi . Within the placentome, trophoblasts that lined chorionic villi contained no intracellular bacteria and were separated from B . abortus by intact basement membranes . These results suggest that bacteremic B . abortus is endocytosed by erythrophagocytic trophoblasts and that B . abortus replicates in the rough endoplasmic reticulum of chorioallantoic trophoblasts . Replication of brucellae in trophoblastic rough endoplasmic reticulum is unique; we believe that B . abortus may utilize endoplasmic reticulum for synthesis and glycosylation of bacterial membrane proteins or that B . abortus catabolizes trophoblast secretory proteins.

Hum Genet, 1986 May, 73(1), 81 - 5
Adaptation-like response to the chemical induction of sister chromatid exchanges in human lymphocytes; Morimoto K et al.; Experiments have been performed to determine whether human lymphocytes in primary cultures can show an "adaptive" response to the induction of cellular lesions (manifested as a production of sister chromatid exchanges, SCEs) as previously found in bacteria and established human and mammalian cell lines . Human lymphocytes were pretreated with various subtoxic concentrations (5-50 ng/ml) of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) once every 6h for 72 h, and subsequently challenged by a high dose (4 micrograms/ml) of MNNG . The lymphocytes in MNNG-challenged cultures had the lowest frequency of SCEs when pretreated with 10 ng/ml MNNG . Further cross-resistance study revealed that repeated pretreatments of lymphocytes with 10 ng/ml MNNG for 72 h can render the cells resistant to the induction of SCEs by the following challenge with a high dose of MNNG, but not of mitomycin C or ethyl nitrosourea . The data also suggest variations in the degree of the adaptation-like response among individuals.

Mol Cell Biol, 1986 May, 6(5), 1787 - 95
Foreign DNA introduced by calcium phosphate is integrated into repetitive DNA elements of the mouse L cell genome; Kato S et al.; We investigated the sites of integration of exogenous DNA fragments introduced by DNA-mediated gene transfer . Mouse Ltk- cells were transformed with the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene and pBR322 DNA by the calcium phosphate precipitation method . Some of the integrated exogenous DNA sequences were recovered from the stable tk+ transformants in the form of plasmids that were capable of propagation in bacteria . Four plasmids derived from two cloned cell lines were analyzed in detail by nucleotide sequencing and hybridization techniques . These plasmids contained a total of seven cellular-exogenous DNA junctions . In all cases, there was no sequence homology between the exogenous and cellular DNA sequences adjacent to the joining sites, and no specific exogenous or cellular sequences occurred at the junctions . Rearrangement or deletion of Ltk- DNA was always associated with the integration of exogenous DNA . All of the assignable cellular sequences at the junctions were repetitive sequences . Two of these sequences were from the MIF-1 repetitive sequence family, and a third consisted of a 40-base pair simple copolymer of alternating deoxyadenosine-deoxythymidine . Our results suggest that repetitive sequences are relatively favorable sites for the integration of exogenous DNA.

Hautarzt, 1986 May, 37(5), 250 - 4
{Dermatologic diseases in patients with AIDS}; Meigel W et al.; This short review deals with the cutaneous manifestations of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), which comprise Kaposi's sarcoma, as an important marker disease for AIDS, as well as various skin infections caused by bacteria, fungi and viruses . In patients at risk of acquiring AIDS, an extensive immunological investigation should be performed if skin infections are established . In addition, a large number of cutaneous complications encountered in AIDS patients have an immunological background, e.g . an extreme hypersensitivity to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole . Therefore, the dermatological investigation of patients at risk of acquiring AIDS is urgently recommended as a regular part of the general check-up.

Pediatrics, 1986 May, 77(5), 698 - 702
Presence of respiratory viruses in middle ear fluids and nasal wash specimens from children with acute otitis media; Chonmaitree T et al.; During a 28-month period, 84 children with acute otitis media were studied by viral and bacterial cultures of middle ear fluid and viral cultures of nasal lavage fluid . Viruses were isolated from the middle ear fluid of 17 (20%) patients . Evidence of viral infection was demonstrated by positive viral cultures of middle ear fluid and/or nasal lavage fluid in 33 (39%) patients . Rhinovirus in one patient and influenza b virus in another were the only pathogens isolated . Influenza virus, enterovirus, and rhinovirus were the most common viruses found in middle ear fluids . Parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus were found less often . In 82% of cases, the virus isolated from middle ear fluid was also isolated from nasal lavage fluid, but only 44% of viruses found in nasal lavage fluid were also found in middle ear fluid . Mixed bacterial and combined viral-bacterial infections were common . Only 15% of patients had no pathogen isolated from middle ear fluids . Using tissue culture techniques, we demonstrated that enterovirus and rhinovirus are also common middle ear pathogens . Our data reemphasize the significance of viruses as etiologic agents of acute otitis media and propose several questions regarding the viral-bacterial interactions and the types of viruses involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.

J Bacteriol, 1986 May, 166(2), 673 - 8
Analysis of the products of the Myxococcus xanthus frz genes; Blackhart BD et al.; The frizzy (frz) genes of Myxococcus xanthus control the ability of cells to reverse direction of gliding motility . The orientation of the frz genes was studied by isolating transcriptional fusions with the transposon derivative Tn5-lac . The frz genes were then cloned in the proper orientation in an expression vector . By using maxicell experiments, we were able to identify several labeled bands which were plasmid encoded . To identify the labeled proteins and their respective genes, we constructed deletion plasmids in which various regions of the insert DNA had been removed . The plasmid-encoded proteins were then labeled in maxicell experiments, and the bands which correspond to the frzCD, frzE, and frzF gene products were identified . The sizes of the gene products agreed with the genetic and physical map of the cloned DNA.

J Bacteriol, 1986 May, 166(2), 618 - 22
Effects of K+ on the proton motive force of Bradyrhizobium sp . strain 32H1; Gober JW et al.; In previous studies, respiring Bradyrhizobium sp . strain 32H1 cells grown under 0.2% O2, conditions that derepress N2 fixation, were found to have a low proton motive force of less than -121 mV, because of a low membrane potential (delta psi) . In contrast, cells grown under 21% O2, which do not fix N2, had high proton motive force values of -175 mV or more, which are typical of respiring bacteria, because of high delta psi values . In the present study, we found that a delta psi of 0 mV in respiring cells requires growth in relatively high-{K+} media (8 mM), low O2 tension, and high internal {K+} . When low-{O2}, high-{K+}-grown cells were partially depleted of K+, the delta psi was high . When cells were grown under 21% O2 or in media low in K+ (50 microM K+), the delta psi was again high . The transmembrane pH gradient was affected only slightly by varying the growth or assay conditions . In addition, low-{O2}, high-{K+}-grown cells had a greater proton permeability than did high-{O2}-grown cells . To explain these findings, we postulate that cells grown under conditions that derepress N2 fixation contain an electrogenic K+/H+ antiporter that is responsible for the dissipation of the delta psi . The consequence of this alteration in K+ cycling is rerouting of proton circuits so that the putative antiporter becomes the major pathway for H+ influx, rather than the H+-ATP synthase.

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