Radiats Biol Radioecol, 2001 Jul-Aug, 41(4), 431 - 4 {Quantitative evaluation of 90Sr, 137Cs, 239Pu, 241Am transfer from polluted soil to gastric and intestine juice of cows}; Chizhevskii IV; Quantitative parameters of 90Sr, 137Cs, 239Pu and 241Am transfer from solid phase of soil to gastric, intestine juice of cows as well as to imitating solutions have been estimated on the base of results of laboratory incubation experiments . A prevailing role of enzyme complex and microflora of gastrointestinal tract in radionuclides transfer from solid phase of soil to solution has been shown. Curr Opin Biotechnol, 2001 Oct, 12(5), 499 - 502 Food processing: probiotic microorganisms for beneficial foods; Schiffrin EJ et al.; Human studies have demonstrated that selected probiotic strains can influence the composition of the intestinal microflora and modulate the host immune system . Considerable promise was also demonstrated for the application of probiotics in human disease . However, the extension of probiotic applications demands increasing scientific attention to their functionality and the identification of molecular structures. Drug Metab Dispos, 2001 Nov, 29(11), 1440 - 5 Identification of new derivatives of sinigrin and glucotropaeolin produced by the human digestive microflora using 1H NMR spectroscopy analysis of in vitro incubations; Combourieu B et al.; One- and two-dimensional (1)H NMR spectroscopy were used to study the biotransformation of two dietary glucosinolates, sinigrin (SIN), and glucotropaeolin (GTL) by the human digestive microflora in vitro . The molecular structures of the new metabolites issued from the aglycone moiety of the glucosinolate were identified, and the modulation of carbon metabolism was studied by quantifying bacterial metabolites issued from the xenobiotic incubation in the presence or absence of a source of free glucose . Unambiguously and for the first time, it was shown that SIN and GTL were transformed quantitatively into allylamine and benzylamine, respectively . The comparison of the kinetics of transformation of SIN and GTL with and without glucose clearly showed that the presence of glucose did not modify either the nature of the metabolites or the rate of transformation of the glucosinolates (complete degradation within 30 h) . The main end products of the glucose moiety of glucosinolates were characteristic of anaerobic carbon metabolism in the digestive tract (acetate, lactate, ethanol, propionate, formate, and butyrate) and similar to those released from free glucose . This work represents the first application of (1)H NMR spectroscopy to the study of xenobiotic metabolism by the human digestive microflora, demonstrating allyl- and benzylamine production from glucosinolates . Whether these amines are produced in vivo from dietary glucosinolates remains to be established . This would reduce the availability of other glucosinolate metabolites, notably cancer-protective isothiocyanates. Rev Argent Microbiol, 2001 Jul-Sep, 33(3), 133 - 40 {Clinical and microbiological study of adult periodontal disease}; Nogueira Moreira A et al.; The aim of this study was to carry out a microbiological evaluation of sites with and without clinical evidence of moderate and severe periodontitis and their correlation with clinical parameters . A total of 52 disease sites and 10 healthy sites were selected according to clinical criteria . The following clinical indexes were measured for all the sites: plaque index, gingival index, blood on probing, depth on probing and insertion level . Samples of subgingival plaque were collected for culture and for differential counts of microbial morphotypes . In disease sites the most frequently isolated were: Prevotella intermedia/nigrescens (65%), Porphyromonas gingivalis (23%), Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (23%), Fusobacterium nucleatum (10%) and Peptostreptococcus sp . (31%) . The aerobic gram-positive microflora was predominant in healthy sites . Significant differences were observed in microbial morphotypes between healthy and disease sites: cocci 18.71% and 78.90%, motile rods 46.12% and 16.70%, total spirochetes 26.48% and 2.80%, respectively . The presence of motile rods, spirochetes and P . intermedia/nigrescens were the parameters with most sensitivity to suspect periodontal disease . There were significant differences in the subgingival microflora between healthy and disease sites in patients with moderate and severe periodontitis. Int J Food Microbiol, 2001 Sep 19, 69(1-2), 37 - 44 The interaction between yeasts and bacteria in dairy environments; Viljoen BC; The general environment from which raw dairy products originate and the microbiological quality of the products in its processed state inevitably admit yeast growth and spoilage . Only part of the primary microflora survives under the selective pressures exerted by the intrinsic and extrinsic biotic factors present, processing procedures and preservatives . Yeasts that possess the proper physiological attributes to counteract the specific ecological determinants will be favored . Eventually, a particular yeast community will develop, and if the environmental factors permit, this characteristic yeast community will result in a specific association contributing positively or negatively to the final product . The association that develops between yeasts and bacteria is governed by specific key properties selecting for a few predominant yeasts . These yeasts may either stimulate or inhibit normal bacterial growth . The extent to which interaction between yeasts and bacteria contribute to the final product is discussed. Int J Food Microbiol, 2001 Sep 19, 69(1-2), 135 - 40 Identification and biochemical characteristics of yeast microflora of Rokpol cheese; Wojtatowicz M et al.; Yeast microflora on the surface and interior of Rokpol cheese was examined for cheeses produced at three dairies located in Lower Silesia, Poland . Yeast populations on the surface of the cheeses ranged from 10(5)-10(9) cfu/g, but were 10-100 times lower for interior samples . The occurrence and proportions of yeast species varied, depending on the dairy plant and cheese sample . The most frequently isolated species were: Candida famata and C . spherica, followed by C . intermedia and Geotrichum sp . Other species such as Saccharomyces kluyveri, C . kefyr and C . lipolytica were found occasionally . Extracellular and intracellular proteolytic and lipolytic activities were examined for 39 isolates of C . famata. Bull Tokyo Dent Coll, 2001 May, 42(2), 97 - 100 Effect of weak electric current on reducing oral bacteria in vitro; Ichimura K et al.; The ions generated by weak electric current may be used for removal of dental plaque . Also, it has been judged from changes in the viable bacterial cell count and the amount of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the saliva that the passage of such a current also has a bactericidal effect on the oral microflora . We confirmed in vitro that 0.5 and 1.0 mA currents that passed for 10 min through phosphate buffered saline containing salivary bacteria were effective in killing the bacteria. Klin Med (Mosk), 2001, 79(8), 23 - 8 {The course of infectious endocarditis in IV drug abusers and in subjects predisposed to heart diseases}; Mazurov VI et al.; 40 patients with infective endocarditis (IE) abusing intravenous drugs (heroin, opium surrogates) and 9 IE patients predisposed to heart diseases were examined by Duke diagnostic criteria . IE in drug abusers is characterized by acute course of the disease with affection of the intact valves of the right heart (97.5%) and septicemia provoked by high-virulent microflora (Staph . aureus in 65%) . Drug abusers showed the following principal clinical syndromes of IE: thromboembolic (65%); septic with formation of acute DIC syndrome (75%), development of pyodestructive foci in the organs and polyorganic insufficiency (23.3%); acute circulatory insufficiency (37.5%); secondary nephropathy (100%) . In IE abusers with predisposition to heart diseases IE ran subacutely in the presence of bacteriemia caused by low-virulent microflora (Strept . viridans in 11%) or in the absence of microbial growth in blood seeding (78%) . High IE lethality in drug abusers (40%) is explained both by severe complications and concomitant diseases (viral hepatitis B and C, HIV infection, etc.). J Periodontol, 2001 Sep, 72(9), 1183 - 91 Effect of different mouthrinses on morning breath; van Steenberghe D et al.; BACKGROUND: Morning breath odor is an often-encountered complaint . This double-blind, crossover, randomized study aimed to examine the bad breath-inhibiting effect of 3 commercially available mouthrinses on morning halitosis during an experimental period of 12 days without mechanical plaque control . METHODS: Twelve medical students with a healthy periodontium refrained from all means of mechanical plaque control during 3 experimental periods of 12 days (with intervening washout periods of at least 3 weeks) . A professional oral cleaning preceded each period . During each experimental period, as the only oral hygiene measure allowed, the students rinsed twice a day with one of the following formulations in a randomized order: CHX-Alc (a 0.2% chlorhexidine {CHX} solution); CHX-NaF (CHX 0.12% plus sodium fluoride 0.05%); or CHX-CPC-Zn (CHX 0.05% plus cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05% plus zinc lactate 0.14%) . After 12 days, morning breath was scored via volatile sulfur compound (VSC) level measurements of the mouth air and organoleptic ratings of the mouth air, the expired air, and a scraping of the tongue coating . At the 12-day visit, a questionnaire (subjective ratings) was completed and samples taken from both the tongue coating and the saliva for anaerobic and aerobic culturing and vitality staining . The de novo supragingival plaque formation was also recorded . All parameters were correlated with the baseline registrations . RESULTS: Although oral hygiene during the 3 experimental periods was limited to oral rinses, bad breath parameters systematically improved, with the exception of a slight increase in VSC levels while using CHX-Alc, a finding which was associated with the direct influence of the CHX on the sulfide monitor . The oral microbial load after the use of CHX-NaF remained unchanged, while for the CHX-Alc and CHX-CPC-Zn, significant reductions in both aerobic and anaerobic colony forming units (CFU)/ml were noticed in comparison with baseline data for both tongue coating and saliva samples . The composition of microflora, on the other hand, did not reveal significant changes . The supragingival plaque formation was inhibited, in descending order, by CHX-Alc, CHX-CPC-Zn, and CHX-NaF . The subjective scores for the rinses indicated a higher appreciation for CHX-CPC-Alc and CHX-NaF because of a better taste and fewer side effects . CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that morning halitosis can be successfully reduced via daily use of mouthrinses . CHX-Alc and CHX-CPC-Zn mouthrinses result in a significant reduction of the microbial load of tongue and saliva. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem, 2001 Aug, 65(8), 1872 - 5 Role of activity of gastrointestinal microflora in absorption of calcium and magnesium in rats fed beta1-4 linked galactooligosaccharides; Chonan O et al.; Rats fed a diet containing beta1-4 linked galactooligosaccharides (GOS) (5 g/100 g of diet) absorbed calcium and magnesium more efficiently than those fed the control diet . However, the increment obtained through GOS-feeding was reduced by neomycin sulfate (0.67 g/100 g of diet) . Since the decrease in cecal pH in rats fed GOS was suppressed by neomycin-feeding, bacterial action in the digestive tract was considered to be reduced by neomycin-feeding . Our findings suggest that the action of intestinal bacteria is necessary for the effects of GOS. Carcinogenesis, 2001 Oct, 22(10), 1721 - 5 Intestinal microflora plays a crucial role in the genotoxicity of the cooked food mutagen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo {4,5-f}quinoline; Kassie F et al.; We investigated the impact of the intestinal microflora on the genotoxicity of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo{4,5-f} quinoline (IQ), a mutagenic/carcinogenic heterocyclic amine commonly found in fried meats and fish . In parallel, we also examined the effect of the microflora on the protective effect of glucotropaeolin (GT), a glucosinolate contained in cruciferous vegetables, towards IQ-induced genotoxic effect . Conventional (NF), human flora associated (HFA) and germ free (GF) rats were treated either with 90 mg/kg IQ alone, 150 mg/kg GT alone or a combination of the two by gavage and DNA damage was determined in liver and colon cells using the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) or comet assay . IQ caused a significant effect in both organs of all groups . However, DNA damage was most pronounced in NF animals . In colon cells, DNA migration was 6-fold more in IQ-exposed rats as compared with untreated controls . The effect measured with liver cells was similar . In comparison to NF rats, in HFA rats, tail length of the comets was 22 and 53% lower in liver and colon cells, respectively . Significantly weaker effects were seen in GF animals (66 and 75% lower damage in hepatocytes and colonocytes, respectively, than in NF animals) . Pretreatment with GT led to a complete reduction of IQ-induced DNA damage regardless of the microbial status of the animals . In addition, a moderate decrease in spontaneous DNA damage was seen in animals that received GT alone . Our results show that the microflora has a strong impact on the genotoxic effects of IQ . We conclude that the alkaline SCGE assay with rats harbouring different flora opens new possibilities to investigate the role of intestinal bacteria on health risks caused by dietary carcinogens. J Clin Microbiol, 2001 Oct, 39(10), 3486 - 90 Molecular analysis of Malassezia microflora on the skin of atopic dermatitis patients and healthy subjects; Sugita T et al.; Members of the genus Malassezia, lipophilic yeasts, are considered to be one of the exacerbating factors in atopic dermatitis (AD) . We examined variation in cutaneous colonization by Malassezia species in AD patients and compared it with variation in healthy subjects . Samples were collected by applying transparent dressings to the skin lesions of AD patients . DNA was extracted directly from the dressings and amplified in a specific nested PCR assay . Malassezia-specific DNA was detected in all samples obtained from 32 AD patients . In particular, Malassezia globosa and M . restricta were detected in approximately 90% of the AD patients and M . furfur and M . sympodialis were detected in approximately 40% of the cases . The detection rate was not dependent on the type of skin lesion . In healthy subjects, Malassezia DNA was detected in 78% of the samples, among which M . globosa, M . restricta, and M . sympodialis were detected at frequencies ranging from 44 to 61%, with M . furfur at 11% . The diversity of Malassezia species found in AD patients was greater (2.7 species detected in each individual) than that found in healthy subjects (1.8 species per individual) . Our results suggest that M . furfur, M . globosa, M . restricta, and M . sympodialis are common inhabitants of the skin of both AD patients and healthy subjects, while the skin microflora of AD patients shows more diversity than that of healthy subjects . To our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of a nested PCR as an alternative to fungal culture for analysis of the distribution of cutaneous Malassezia spp. Acta Odontol Scand, 2001 Aug, 59(4), 244 - 7 Regulation of experimental mucosal inflammation; Strober W et al.; Studies conducted over the past 10 years have provided ample evidence that many types of inflammations arising from basic abnormalities of immune regulation are ultimately 'funneled' through a Th1 or Th2 T cell-mediated immune reaction . Thus, by understanding these types of reactions and, in particular, by identifying their natural checkpoints, one can control the inflammation regardless of its more basic causes . A case in point is the inflammatory disease of the intestine known as Crohn disease, a disease now thought to be due to one or more abnormalities leading to an excessive immune response to elements of the bacterial microflora of the gut . Both in murine models and by study of Crohn disease itself, we have shown that Crohn inflammation is due to a Th1 T-cell abnormality involving overproduction of interleukin (IL)-12, interferon (IFN-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha . In addition, we and others have shown that treatment of mice with anti-IL-12 or other agents that downregulate the level of IL- 12 secretion can have a dramatic effect on the inflammation . This is because anti-IL-12 administration leads to apoptosis of activated Th1 T cells . A second checkpoint of Th1 T-cell-mediated inflammation involves its downregulation by the suppressor cytokine, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta . We have been delivering TGF-beta to mice with experimental intestinal inflammation, using several novel approaches . In particular, we have successfully treated such mice with intranasally administered DNA encoding active TGF-beta . Another approach currently under investigation is delivery of TGF-beta by gene therapy . These and other developments in the understanding of inflammation paint a bright future for cytokine-based therapeutic agents . It is now apparent that these therapies are not only effective and safe but also potentially long-lasting. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 2001 Jul-Aug, (4), 95 - 7 {Effect of radio wave-induced hyperthermia on microflora of the prostate in the treatment of prostatitis associated with infertility}; Kuz'min MD et al.; The influence of hyperthermia induced by radiowaves on the microflora of the prostate in cases of male sterility was studied . The use of hyperthermia was shown to produce a stable decrease in bacteriospermia and the persistence potential of bacteria isolated from sperm . Hyperthermia produced a bactericidal effect not only on microorganisms contained in sperm but also on the microflora of prostatic tissues 1 cm deep . The study gave grounds for treating male sterility with the use of hyperthermia induced by radiowaves and a subsequent course of antibiotics to achieve the stable decrease of bacteriospermia and the restoration of the reproductive function. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 2001 Jul-Aug, (4), 84 - 6 {Spectrum of microflora isolated from various areas of the female reproductive tract}; Deriabin DG et al.; The composition of microflora in different sections of the reproductive tract of women with disturbances of reproductive function was studied . The study revealed that the spectrum of microorganisms isolated from a bioptic specimen taken from the cavity of the small pelvis was narrower in comparison with such spectrum in material aspirated from the uterine cavity . The latter was narrower in comparison with that in the microflora of the lower sections of the reproductive tract . The possibility for one and the same patient to have both similarities and essential differences in the spectra of microflora in different sections of the reproductive tract was shown. Stomatologiia (Mosk), 2001, 80(4), 24 - 7 {Microbiology of the buccal mucosa in elderly patients with general somatic diseases}; Tokmakova SI et al.; Sixty-two patients with cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and endocrine diseases aged over 60 years and 27 healthy young people aged 16-18 years (controls) were examined in order to evaluate the qualitative composition and dissemination of oral microflora in elderly people with general somatic diseases . Microbiological study revealed changes in the qualitative composition and dissemination of the oral mucosa microflora, which depended on patient's age, disease, and treatment administered for somatic disease. Ann Ital Chir, 2001 Mar-Apr, 72(2), 227 - 31 {Necrotizing soft tissue infections as the only clinical manifestation of retroperitoneal colonic perforation}; Piardi T et al.; Necrotizing infections are rapidly progressive potentially lethal bacterial diseases of the soft tissues . In based on the widely varying levels of soft tissues affected and the variety of the microflora, two types of necrotizing soft tissue infections need to be delineated: pure Chlostridial myonecrosis and other necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI) . From an etiopathogenetic point of view NSTI can be secondary to perianal or urogenital abscesses, traumatic lesions, wound infections, trophic or decubitus ulcers, oral cavity abscesses; only in a limited number of cases their origin can be idiopathic . Exceptionally it can happen that a NSTI could represent the only clinical manifestation of a retroperitoneal colic perforation . The Authors report their experience regarding two clinical cases recently observed . The first patient, who previously underwent colic resection for sigmoid carcinoma and adjuvant chemotherapy, had developed as only clinical manifestation of retroperitoneal anastomotic fistula a necrotizing infection at the root of the hip, extended along the whole leg . The second patient, with diverticular perforated disease, had developed rhe necrotizing infection in the lumbar region and in the perirenal tissues . Here will be discussed the sensitivity of the possible diagnostic investigative techniques and the therapeutical strategies that brought both the patients to a complete recovery. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 2001 May-Jun, (3), 76 - 80 {Effect of the lavage of the digestive tract on microflora in patients with polyps in the large intestine}; Korshunov VM et al.; The microbial status of the intestine and the influence of lavage with polyethylene glycol and balanced electrolyte solution (PEG + E), used in the process of the preparation of patients to polypectomy, on this status were evaluated . The study of microflora was made before oral lavage after, and 48-72 hours later its completion . For control, a group of healthy volunteers, also subjected to oral lavage with PEG + E, was used . The lavage of the digestive tract with PEG + E led to a sharp change in the microbial status in both groups . Some microorganisms, previously absent in the intestine, were found after lavage . The processes of the restoration of intestinal microflora after lavage in healthy volunteers and in patients with polyps had certain differences . In healthy volunteers intestinal microflora was completely restored, and even improved, 48-72 hours after lavage with PEG + E, while at the expiration of this time intestinal microflora in the patients with polyps could be characterized as dysbiotic. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 2001 May-Jun, (3), 72 - 5 {Age-dependent characteristics of intestinal microbiocenosis in Kemerovo residents}; Levanova LA et al.; In 873 residents of Kemerovo aged 1-60 years and older the microflora of the large intestine was studied . The study revealed that in all examined subjects dysbiotic changes in the composition of normal microflora were observed . More profound disturbances of microbiocenosis were found in children aged 1-2 years, in adolescents and in adults over 60 years of age. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 2001 May-Jun, (3), 57 - 60 {Human microflora in the norm and in pathology studied with laser fluorescence}; Morozova OA et al.; On the basis of experimental and clinical data the use of laser fluorescence for indication of microflora in normal and pathological states has been substantiated . Standardized intensity characteristics of fluorescence integrally reflect the presence and activity of the total microflora and its changes in dysbiosis and pyo-inflammatory diseases . The possibility of its use in clinical practice is shown. Dig Dis, 2001, 19(2), 144 - 7 Helicobacter pylori treatment: a role for probiotics? Cremonini F, Canducci F, Di Caro S, Santarelli L, Armuzzi A, Gasbarrini G, Gasbarrini A. Many new therapeutic strategies are studied to improve Helicobacter pylori eradication rate . Probiotics are live microorganisms which, upon administration, may interact with the human microflora and positively affect the health status . The use of probiotics in the field of H . pylori infection has been proposed for improving eradication rate and tolerability and for compliance of multiple antibiotic regimens used for the infection . Results from laboratory studies and from clinical trials seem to confirm the expectancies, but there is lack of standardization in terms of type of probiotic strain used, dosage and timing of supplementation . Before further ongoing trials and future studies will clarify these points, probiotics could remain a useful adjunct to standard anti-H . pylori therapies, but cannot take the place of other validated options . Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 2001 Mar-Apr, (2), 61 - 4 {Intestinal microflora in children from Mongolia, Russia, and Switzerland}; Korshunov VM et al.; Intestinal microflora was studied in 3 groups of children; 55--living in Mongolia, 18--in Switzerland and 28--in Russia . Age of children of both sexual groups was 1.5-3 years . This study revealed that in none of these groups of clinically healthy children living in different regions and having different diet normal intestinal microflora corresponded to the standard considered to be the norm . The revision of norm criteria for normal intestinal microflora in children is recommended. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 2001 Mar-Apr, (2), 57 - 61 {Qualitative composition of the normal intestinal microflora in individuals from the various age groups}; Korshunov VM et al.; The study of the microflora of the large intestine in healthy adult volunteers of different age groups (25-36, 55-68 and 88-94 years old), living in Switzerland, has been carried out . As revealed by the analysis of the result obtained in this study, normal intestinal microflora in adults has different qualitative and quantitative characteristics at different periods of their life . The greatest diversity of intestinal microflora is observed at a mature age (55-68 years old), while the poorest microflora is observed in people more advanced in age . The amount of microorganisms inhabiting the intestine reaches its maximum in people of mature age and is low in elderly people . Changes in normal intestinal microflora are probaly linked with morpho-functional transformations in the host body at different periods of life . It is expedient to work out the criteria of norm for the microflora of different age groups with a view to use these criteria for the evaluation of the microbial status of the intestine in persons of different age. Life Support Biosph Sci, 1999, 6(3), 193 - 7 Experimental microcosms as models of natural ecosystems for monitoring survival of genetically modified microorganism; Popova LYu et al.; An experimental approach for investigation of genetically modified microorganisms (GMMO) introduced into model ecosystems to evaluate potential risk of propagation of recombinant plasmids in surrounding medium has been developed . The object of modeling was Escherichia coli Z905 strain with a recombinant plasmid with bacterial luminescence genes, which was introduced into water microcosms of different structure . The approach involves comprehensive investigation of GMMO at four hierarchical levels: molecular (retaining the structure of the plasmid and expression of cloned genes); cellular (variation of metabolic activity); population (competitive power and metabolic interactions of GMMO with indigenous microflora, migration of recombinant and natural plasmids); ecosystem (effect of GMMO and cloned genes on ecosystem parameters) . The experimental evidence and theoretical estimates are intended to form grounds to develop a basic version of an ecological certificate for different GMMO variants. Acta Astronaut, 1980 Jan, 7(1), 113 - 21 Study of physiological effects of weightlessness and artificial gravity in the flight of the biosatellite Cosmos-936; Gurovsky NN et al.; In the 18.5-day flight of the Soviet biosatellite Cosmos-936 (3-22, August 1977) com-parative investigations of the physiological effects of prolonged weightlessness (20 rats) and artificial gravity of 1 g (10 rats) were carried out . Throughout the flight artificial gravity was generated by means of animal rotation in two centrifuges with a radius of 320mm . Postflight examination of animals and treatment of the flight data were performed by Soviet scientists in collaboration with the specialists from Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, the German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Poland, Rumania, France and the U.S.A . During the flight the total motor activity of the weightless rats was higher and their body temperature was lower than those of the centrifuged animals . Postflight examination of the weightless rats showed a greater percentage of errors during maze an increase in water intake and a decrease in diuresis; a fall of the resistance of peripheral red cells; an increase in the conditionally pathogenic microflora in the mouth; a decrease of oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production and energy expenditures; a drop in the static physical endurance; a decline in the capacity to keep balance on the rail; an increase in the latent period of the lifting reflex, etc . The centrifugal animals displayed lesser or no change of the above type . These findings together with the biochemical and morphological data give evidence that during and after flight adaptive processes in the centrifuged rats developed better. Adv Space Res, 1999, 24(3), 309 - 18 Understanding plant-soil relationships using controlled environment facilities; Andersen CP et al.; Although soil is a component of terrestrial ecosystems, it is comprised of a complex web of interacting organisms, and therefore can be considered itself as an ecosystem . Soil microflora and fauna derive energy from plants and plant residues and serve important functions in maintaining soil physical and chemical properties, thereby affecting net primary productivity (NPP), and in the case of contained environments, the quality of the life support system . We have been using 3 controlled-environment facilities (CEF's) that incorporate different levels of soil biological complexity and environmental control, and differ in their resemblance to natural ecosystems, to study relationships among plant physiology, soil ecology, fluxes of minerals and nutrients, and overall ecosystem function . The simplest system utilizes growth chambers and specialized root chambers with organic-less media to study the physiology of plant-mycorrhizal associations . A second system incorporates natural soil in open-top chambers to study soil bacterial and fungal population response to stress . The most complex CEF incorporates reconstructed soil profiles in a "constructed" ecosystem, enabling close examination of the soil foodweb . Our results show that closed ecosystem research is important for understanding mechanisms of response to ecosystem stresses . In addition, responses observed at one level of biological complexity may not allow prediction of response at a different level of biological complexity . In closed life support systems, incorporating soil foodwebs will require less artificial manipulation to maintain system stability and sustainability. J Paleontol, 1984 May, 58(3), 738 - 72 Microfossils in stromatolitic cherts from the upper proterozoic Min'yar formation, southern Ural Mountains, USSR; Nyberg AV et al.; A diverse assemblage of exceptionally well-preserved microorganisms, including several previously unknown taxa, has been discovered in stromatolitic black chert from the ca . 680-790 Ma-old Min'yar Formation (Suite) of the southern Ural Mountains, USSR . Like most ancient and modern stromatolitic communities, the Min'yar microflora is dominated by filamentous and unicellular cyanobacteria . Geologic evidence indicates that the microbial community inhabited a shallow water, presumably marine environment . The microfossils occur in two interlaminated and thinly interbedded sedimentary fabrics: 1, fact to wavy-laminated Stratifera-like stromatolitic laminae that presumably were deposited during periods of little wave action; and 2, intraclast grainstone that formed as a result of desiccation and (or) wave agitation . Microfossils are both better preserved and more abundant in the intraclasts than in the Stratifera-like laminae . The occurrence of probable pseudomorphs after replacement of sulfate minerals provides additional evidence for a shallow water, periodically emergent depositional environment for the Min'yar microbial mats . Kerogenous microfossils are three-dimensionally preserved, permineralized in fine-grained silica of primary or early diagenetic origin . In many aspects the Min'yar assemblage is comparable to that of the well-known ca . 850 Ma-old Bitter Springs Formation of central Australia . The following taxa are herein described: Division? Schizomycophyta or ? Cyanophyta, Biocatenoides sp.; Family Oscillatoriaceae, Eomycetopsis robusta Schopf emend . Knoll and Golubic, Rhicnonema antiquum Hofmann, Entosphaeroides? sp., Palaeolyngbya? sp., Siphonophycus capitaneum n . gen., n . sp.; Family? Oscillatoriaceae or? Rivulariaceae, Caudiculophycus? sp.; Family? Scytonemataceae or? Stigonemataceae, Ramivaginalis uralensis n . gen., n . sp.; Family Chroococcaceae, Sphaerophycus medium Horodyski and Donaldson, Eosynechococcus amadeus Knoll and Golubic, Gloeodiniopsis lamellosa Schopf emend . Knoll and Golubic, Gloeodiniopsis magna n . sp., Eoaphanocapsa oparinii n . gen., n . sp.; Division? Chlorophycophyta or? Rhodophycophyta, Glenobotrydion majorinum Schopf and Blacic . Also discussed in the taxonomic section, but not formally described, are intermediate-diameter tubular sheaths (Oscillatoriaceae), small tubular sheaths enclosed by larger tubular sheaths (Oscillatoriaceae?), and undifferentiated spheroidal unicells. Acta Astronaut, 1995 May-Jun, 35(9-11), 573 - 6 The problems of microbial safety in regenerative life support systems exploration; Victorov AN et al.; NASA: The hazards of microbial contamination in life support systems onboard spacecraft during long duration missions are presented . Tables present information about microbial characteristics of moisture-containing substrates and wastes submitted to and passing the regeneration system; the content of microflora on different types of polymers typically used in regenerative systems; and medical risks associated with microflora isolated from space object construction materials in spacecraft . Priorities for decontamination are total decontamination, localization of decontaminating equipment before and after regeneration, and physical methods of decontamination . Bioscience, 1997 Oct, 47(9), 575 - 85 Bios-3: Siberian experiments in bioregenerative life support; Salisbury FB et al.; NASA: The Russian experience with the bioregenerative life support system Bios-3 at Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, is reviewed . A brief review of other bioregenerative systems examines Biosphere 2 in Oracle, Arizona, and the Bios-1 and Bios-2 systems that preceded Bios-3 . Physical details of the Bios-3 facility are provided . The use of Chlorella and higher plants for gas exchange is examined . Long-term studies of human habitation are discussed . Other topics include microflora in Bios-3, the theory of closed systems, and problems for the future . J Basic Microbiol, 1991, 31(1), 3 - 12 Diversity of micro-fungi in an Antarctic dry valley; Baublis JA et al.; The fungal microflora of a dry valley in Southern Victoria Land near McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, was investigated . Samples were collected from introduced objects such as a mummified penguin and spent chewing tobacco in addition to the sparse soil found in rock fissures, isolated moss colonies, shoreline deposit materials, CaCO3 precipitates, and microbial mat debris obtained from the frozen surface of the lake in the basin of Taylor Valley . Using conventional media and techniques, all collection sites yielded populations of yeasts and filamentous fungi . Water samples and live microbial mats from beneath the lake ice yielded species of fungi along with an abundance of bacteria. J Br Interplanet Soc, 1992 Jan, 45(1), 39 - 41 Drying as one of the extreme factors for the microflora of the atmosphere; Lysenko SV et al.; An investigation of the effects of drying and drying-rewetting cycles under vacuum conditions of 10(-2) torr at -30 degrees C on conidia of the atmospheric strain Penicillium chrysogenum from 48-77 km heights, collected by meteorological rockets found that survival and restoration of the initial physiological properties were possible through some very efficient protective cellular mechanisms . Such adaptive possibilities explain the widespread diffusion of microbial cells throughout the biosphere of our planet. Adv Space Res, 1996, 18(1-2), 333 - 7 Selection of sterilization methods for planetary return missions; Trofimov VI et al.; Two tasks must be accomplished to provide planetary protection for Mars return missions: (1) sterilization of the scientific module to be landed on Mars and (2) reliable sterilization of all material returned to Earth, while ensuring the scientific integrity of martian samples . This paper examines similarity and differences between these two tasks, and includes a discussion of technological implementation conditions and the nature of terrestrial and hypothesized martian microflora . The feasibility of a number of chemical and physical (ultraviolet and ionizing radiation and heating) methods of sterilization for use on the ground and onboard are discussed and compared . A combination of different methods will probably be selected as the most appropriate for ensuring planetary protection on the return mission. J Gravit Physiol, 1994 May, 1(1), P110 - 1 The effects of micro-gravity on hornet's nest building and activity; Ishay JS et al.; Principal scientific objectives: 1.) Comb building by hornet workers in micro-G: randomness of orientation, structural integrity, delay or rapidity of construction, all as a function of developmental state of the hornet . 2.) Dark-light effects on building hornets--will light provide building cues? 3.) Effect of domicile geometry on building practices--will the hornets build in spherical, domed or cube-shaped containers? 4.) Semiconductive properties of hornet cuticle and comb--will these be different than in the controls? Will the yellow granules developed in space be physico-chemically different from control granules? 5.) Post flight experiments--Will the hornets returned from space--build and oviposit as usual? Will the laid eggs embryonate? Will the comb be orientated as usual? How about other parameters of orientation (geotaxis) and social behavior (thigmotaxis)? Will there be any changes in the dominant gut microflora of returned hornets? Acta Astronaut, 1991, 23, 163 - 9 Problems of microbial ecology in man space mission; Lizko NN; The state of microflora should be considered as one of the important links in chain of the specific functional disorders involving the spaceflight factors effects . At the same time, there occurs an establishment of nonspecific disbiotic response of the human microflora in the space flights of various duration characterized by a decrease up to a reduction of the "defense" group of microorganisms; by an appearance of unusual microorganisms in various biotypes, by accumulation of the potential of pathogenic species of automicroflora with their succeeding colonization and long term persistence . In experimental animal models to simulate dysbacteriosis and with the use of SPF-rats and primates flow aboard Cosmos biosatellites, the significance of indigenous microflora for preserving microecological homeostasis . Theoretically based and experimentally proven need for increasing the colonization resistance is confirmed by the practical use of the measures to stabilize microflora of the cosmonauts during space flights. Gig Sanit, 2001 Jul-Aug, (4), 15 - 7 {Development of opportunistic microorganisms in the area of disposal of heated waters from atomic power stations}; Suzdaleva AL; Long-term studies conducted on cooling water reservoirs of the Kursk, Kalinin, and Smolensk atomic power stations have indicated that disposal of heated waters causes a considerable increase in the water count of opportunistic microorganisms . Possible factors that promote the increased number of these bacteria . The paper shows it necessary to perform microbiological studies of not only water lands of cooling water reservoirs, but of the inner surface of technical units of the water supply systems of an atomic power stations where favourable conditions may be created for the opportunistic and pathogenic microflora to develop. J Periodontol, 2001 Aug, 72(8), 977 - 89 Osseointegrated implants in patients treated for generalized chronic periodontitis and generalized aggressive periodontitis: 3- and 5-year results of a prospective long-term study; Mengel R et al.; BACKGROUND: The successful use of osseointegrated implants in periodontally healthy patients has been documented in numerous longitudinal studies in recent years . However, the extent to which these positive results apply to periodontally diseased patients remains unclear . The aim of the present prospective longitudinal study of partially edentulous patients treated for generalized chronic periodontitis and generalized aggressive periodontitis was a clinical, microbiological, and radiographic comparison of teeth and implants and assessment of the implant success rate . METHODS: Five partially edentulous patients treated for generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) and 5 treated for generalized chronic periodontitis (GCP) were enrolled in this study . The GAgP patients received 36 implants, and the GCP patients 12 implants . The teeth were examined 2 to 4 weeks before extraction of the non-retainable teeth (baseline), and 3 weeks after insertion of the final abutments (second examination) . All further examinations were performed during a 3-month recall schedule over a 5-year period for the GAgP patients and over a 3-year period for the GCP patients . At each session clinical parameters were recorded at teeth and implants and the composition of the subgingival microflora was determined by dark-field microscopy and DNA analysis . Intraoral radiographs of the teeth and implants were taken for control purposes at baseline; after insertion of the superstructure; and 1, 3, and 5 years later . RESULTS: The clinical findings indicated healthy periodontal and peri-implant conditions in both patient groups throughout the study . However, an increased probing depth and an attachment loss were recorded in the GAgP patients after the third year (P<0.001) . The distribution of the microorganisms revealed no significant differences between the patient groups or between implants and teeth . Moderate bone loss at teeth and implants was registered in both groups . The success rates recorded were 100% in the GCP patients and 88.8% (maxilla: 85.7%; mandible: 93.3%) in the GAgP patients . CONCLUSIONS: The 3-year and 5-year follow-ups show that osseointegrated implants may be successful in oral rehabilitation of partially edentulous patients treated for generalized aggressive periodontitis and generalized chronic periodontitis . However, as no significant differences were recorded between conditions at teeth and at implants, progression of the disease cannot be ruled out. Klin Med (Mosk), 2001, 79(6), 39 - 41 {Impact of the impaired intestinal microflora on the course of acne vulgaris}; Volkova LA et al.; The paper deals with studies of the intestinal microflora in 114 patients with acne vulgaris (94 and 20 with its papulopustular and nodulocystic forms) . Sixty-one (54%) patients have either the first (21%) or second (78.7%) impaired bacterial microflora . At the same time, there are no great differences in the content of the intestinal microflora in different forms of acne . It is noted that adding intestinal microflora-correcting agents to combined therapy in patients with papulopustular acne vulgaris and verified dysbacteriosis reduces the duration of treatment by over twice and makes its duration the same as that in patients without dysbacteriosis. J Environ Monit, 2001 Aug, 3(4), 394 - 7 Toxic effect caused on microflora of soil by pesticide picloram application; Prado AG et al.; The toxic effect of the herbicide picloram on the microbial population of a typical Brazilian red Latosol soil was studied in a series of microcalorimetric experiments . The activity of the soil was stimulated by the addition of 6.0 mg of glucose and 6.0 mg of ammonium sulfate, under 34.8% controlled moisture, to a 1.50 mg soil sample, at 298.15 +/- 0.02 K . The net thermal effect due to the addition of the picloram to the soil was determined by interpreting the power-time curves, which were recorded on the microcalorimeter . The total thermal effect evolved by the microorganisms was affected by the increasing doses of herbicide, and varied from 0 to 10.00 micrograms g-1 . An increase in picloram exposure caused a decrease of the original thermal effect, reaching a null value above 20.89 micrograms of herbicide per gram of soil . The decreases of the thermal effect evolved by microorganisms and the increase of the lag phase period are associated with the death of the microbial population . The effects caused by picloram application in this typical Brazilian soil resulted in a strong effect on the soil microbial communities. Khirurgiia (Mosk), 2001, (7), 42 - 4 {Features of surgical infection of soft tissues}; Fadeev SB et al.; Microflora from surgical infection foci of soft tissues was studied in 92 patients with local, 78 patients with spread and 10 patients with generalized forms of pyo-inflammatory processes . Increase of bacterial contamination of surgical infection foci, more frequent detection of gram-negative bacteria, associations of microorganisms, high antibiotics resistance and persistent characteristics of bacteria in spread and generalized forms of surgical infections were found . Increase of persistent potential of infective agents is significant for prolongation of the disease and generalization of infectious process. J Med Chem, 2001 Aug 30, 44(18), 3001 - 13 Novel azo derivatives as prodrugs of 5-aminosalicylic acid and amino derivatives with potent platelet activating factor antagonist activity; Carceller E et al.; This paper describes the synthesis of a series of azo compounds able to deliver 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) and a potent platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonist in a colon-specific manner for the purpose of treating ulcerative colitis . We found it possible to add an amino group on the aromatic moiety of our reported 1-{(1-acyl-4-piperidyl)methyl}-1H-2-methylimidazo{4,5-c}pyridine derivatives or on British Biotech compounds BB-882 and BB-823 maintaining a high level of activity as PAF antagonist . A selected compound UR-12715 (49c) showed an IC(50) of 8 nM in the in vitro PAF-induced aggregation assay, and an ID(50) of 29 microg/kg in the in vivo PAF-induced hypotension test in normotensive rats . Through attachment of 49c to the 5-ASA via azo functionality we obtained UR-12746 (70) . Pharmacokinetics experiments with {14C}-70 allow us to reach the following conclusions, critical in the design of these new prodrugs of 5-ASA . Neither the whole molecule 70 nor the carrier 49c were absorbed after oral administration of {14C}-70 in rat as was demonstrated by the absence of plasma levels of radioactivity and the high recovery of it in feces . Effective cleavage of azo bond (84%) by microflora in the colon is achieved . These facts ensure high topical concentrations of 5-ASA and 49c in the colon . Additionally, 70 exhibited a potent anticolitic effect in the trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced colitis model in the rat . This profile suggests that UR-12746 (70) provides an attractive new approach to the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Lik Sprava, 2001 Mar-Apr, (2), 84 - 6 {Microbial intestinal disturbances in children with frequent acute complicated pneumonia}; Shamsiev FM; In the investigation designed to study intestinal microflora in children with acute complicated pneumonia having developed against the background of frequently recurring diseases such as acute respiratory infections, 91.1 percent of pediatric examinees demonstrated microecologocal disturbances in the intestines, with grade III dysbacteriosis in 46.6 percent . In that case the enterocolitic syndrome in pneumonia should be regarded as a clinical manifestation of disturbances in biocenosis of the intestines, in the functional capability of its microflora . Intestinal dysbacteriosis aggravates the course of acute complicated pneumonia in children at early ages and warrants a purposive therapy normalizing the intestinal microflora. Vopr Pitan, 2001, 70(3), 6 - 8 {Microbiological aspect of balanced nutrition}; Kuiarov AV et al.; Analysis of modern resources of normal human microflora correction has shown an importance of microbiological aspect in principles of a balanced feeding for realization of the optimum mechanism of normal human microflora maintenance. Mutat Res, 2001 Jun 27, 493(1-2), 39 - 54 A comparison of intraperitoneal and oral gavage administration in comet assay in mouse eight organs; Sekihashi K et al.; One of the important advantages of the comet assay is its ability to detect genotoxicity in many different organs . Since the exposure route of the test compounds is likely to influence the genotoxicity detected in a given organ, it is an important factor to consider when conducting the assay . In this study, we compared the effects of numerous model compounds on eight organs when administered to mice by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection and oral (p.o.) gavage.Groups of four mice were treated once i.p . or p.o . at the identical proportion of LD50 for each route, and the stomach, colon, liver, kidney, bladder, lung, brain, and bone marrow were sampled 3, 8, and 24h after treatment . For 19 of the 20 tested mutagens with various modes of action, genotoxicity in some organs varied with treatment route; only the genotoxicity of methyl methane sulfonate was not affected . Treatment route, however, did not produce a qualitative difference in the genotoxicity of promutagens at the sites of conversion to ultimate mutagens, with aromatic hydrocarbons as the exception . When chemicals with positive responses in at least one organ were considered to be comet assay-positive, the administration route made no difference . Since azo reduction is mediated by azo reductase synthesized in the gastrointestinal wall and by gut microflora and i.p.-administered azo dyes bypass their activation site (colon), the administration route is expected to make a difference in their in vivo genotoxicity . Direct-acting mutagens are expected to affect the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract when given p.o . For those mutagens, however, the administration route did not make a qualitative difference in gastrointestinal tract genotoxicity . Moreover, although the gastrointestinal mucosa is the first site to be exposed to p.o . administered agents, the peak times in the stomach tended to be the same as in most other organs . Based on those results, we concluded that the genotoxicity at high exposures was due to a systemic effect, and that both routes are acceptable for the comet assay when the liver and gastrointestinal organs are sampled, so long as appropriate dose levels for systemic exposure are selected for each route. J Food Prot, 2001 Aug, 64(8), 1138 - 44 Effect of different levels of beef bacterial microflora on the growth and survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on beef carcass tissue; Berry ED et al.; The influence of various levels of endogenous beef bacterial microflora on the growth and survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on bovine carcass surface tissue was investigated . Bacterial beef microflora inoculum was prepared by enriching and harvesting bacteria from prerigor lean bovine carcass tissue (BCT) and was inoculated onto UV-irradiated prerigor BCT at initial levels of 10(5), 10(4), 10(3), and <10(3) CFU/cm2 . Additional control BCT was inoculated with sterile H2O . E . coli O157:H7 was inoculated onto all tissues at an initial level of 10(2) CFU/cm2 . Following a 48-h incubation at 4 degrees C, BCT was incubated up to 14 days at 4 or 12 degrees C, either aerobically or vacuum packaged . Regardless of the microflora level, there was no substantial growth of E . coli O157:H7 on BCT during storage at 4 degrees C under either aerobic or vacuum-packaged conditions . Instead, viable cell numbers at 4 degrees C remained constant, with no reduction in numbers associated with the different beef microflora levels . E . coli O157:H7 grew on all BCT stored at 12 degrees C, regardless of microflora inoculation treatment, reaching higher populations on aerobic samples than on vacuum-packaged samples in 10 days . However, the presence of the beef microflora did appear to delay the onset of growth or slow the growth of the pathogen, and E . coli O157:H7 counts on BCT without added microflora were generally higher following 7 to 10 days of 12 degrees C storage than those counts on BCT inoculated with beef microflora . These data demonstrate the importance of temperature control during meat handling and storage to prevent the outgrowth of this pathogen and indicate that proper sanitation and processing practices that prevent and reduce contamination of carcasses with E . coli O157:H7 are essential, regardless of background microflora levels. Cent Eur J Public Health, 2001 Aug, 9(3), 133 - 9 Comparison of the indoor air quality in mould damaged and reference buildings in a subarctic climate; Hyvarinen A et al.; The purpose of this study was to search for objective parameters most relevant to indicate microbial problems of buildings in cold climate . Various indoor characteristics were compared in nine buildings with known history of moisture problems and visible mould (index) and in nine matched reference buildings . The concentrations of airborne viable fungal had a clear difference between the two groups of buildings . In this study, airborne concentrations of viable bacteria, formaldehyde, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and the occurrence of house dust mites in these index buildings were compared with the levels of the pollutants in matched reference buildings . Fungal growth and flora on moist building materials were also studied . The concentrations of TVOC were slightly higher in the index buildings than in the reference buildings . However, the differences in the concentrations or appearance of any of the studied pollutants were not significant . These parameters do not seem to be relevant indicators of microbial growth or surrogates of microbial exposure . Thus, fungal concentration and composition of fungal genera in the air still seems to be the best indicator for moisture problems among the studied pollutants . In the moist building materials, some fungal genera, such as Ulocladium and Chaetophoma were detected that were not found in indoor air showing that building material samples give additional information on the microflora of the building. Rev Biol Trop, 2000 Dec, 48(4), 897 - 918 {Index of the Venezuelan marine microflora: diatoms, dinoflagellates and cocolithophorids}; Diaz-Ramos JR; The marine phytoplankton of Venezuela has been studied on a regular basis since the mid 20th century . However, a species checklist that can be used as a framework for taxonomic studies is lacking . In this paper, an index of the marine microflora of Venezuela is presented for the first time . The index includes only those diatoms (89 centric and 186 pennate species), dinoflagellates (eight naked and 154 thecate species) and coccolithophores (24 species) for which formal diagnosis and illustrations (drawings and/or photographs) have been reported in the scientific literature (journals and/or first degree or master's theses) . It is ordered alphabetically according to class, order, family, and species . It includes the author (s) of the taxa. Dent Clin North Am, 2001 Jul, 45(3), 469 - 78, v-vi Maternal oral health; Casamassimo PS; Maternity changes a woman's body and can have an effect on fetal oral health . Prenatal counseling can improve oral health of both mother and child . Maternal diet, self-care, and lifestyle can lead to permanent changes in the offspring's oral health . Transmission of maternal oral microflora and use of fluorides are important in a baby's oral health early in life. Klin Khir, 2001 Mar, (3), 41 - 3 {Treatment of purulent-inflammatory complications of the soft tissues wounds in elderly and senile patients}; Shevchenko VS et al.; Experience of treatment of elderly and senile patients with purulent infection of the soft tissues wounds was summarized . For raising of the therapeutic effect of the local treatment the introduction of new combined medicinal forms, composition of which was scientifically substantiated according to the wound process pathogenesis with special attention to its phase and character of microflora (kind of microorganism and its sensitivity to antimicrobic agents), is perspective. Free Radic Biol Med, 2001 Aug 1, 31(3), 304 - 14 Intestinal release and uptake of phenolic antioxidant diferulic acids; Andreasen MF et al.; Diferulic acids are potent antioxidants and are abundant structural components of plant cell walls, especially in cereal brans . As such, they are part of many human and animal diets and may contribute to the beneficial effect of cereal brans on health . However, these phenolics are ester-linked to cell wall polysaccharides and cannot be absorbed in this form . This study provides the first evidence that diferulic acids can be absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract . The 5-5-, 8-O-4-, and 8-5-diferulic acids were identified in the plasma of rats after oral dosing with a mixture of the three acids in oil . Our study also reveals that human and rat colonic microflora contain esterase activity able to release 5-5-, 8-O-4-, and 8-5-diferulic acids from model compounds and dietary cereal brans, hence providing a mechanism for release of dietary diferulates prior to absorption of the free acids . In addition, cell-free extracts from human and rat small intestine mucosa exhibited esterase activity towards diferulate esters . Hence, we have shown that esterified diferulates can be released from cereal brans by intestinal enzymes, and that free diferulic acids can be absorbed and enter the circulatory system . Our results suggest that the phenolic antioxidant diferulic acids are bioavailable. Mikrobiologiia, 2001 May-Jun, 70(3), 370 - 3 {Bacterial microflora on disinfected sugar beets}; Kanivets VI et al.; Sugar beet seeds disinfected with the carbofuran-containing insecticide adifur and the fungicide tachygaren by seed-producing firms were found to be abundantly populated with bacterial microflora . The bacteria isolated from the seed surface were identified to a species level . The selection of bacteria with respect to pesticide resistance may lead to the obtaining of agronomically useful bacterial strains. J Vet Pharmacol Ther, 2001 Apr, 24(2), 117 - 24 Albendazole sulphoxide enantiomeric ratios in plasma and target tissues after intravenous administration of ricobendazole to cattle; Cristofol C et al.; The comparative concentration profiles of the (+) and (-) albendazole sulphoxide (ABZSO) enantiomers obtained in plasma and in selected target tissues/fluids after intravenous (i.v.) administration of a racemic formulation of ricobendazole (RBZ) to cattle were characterised . Fourteen Holstein calves received RBZ (racemic solution, 150 mg/mL) by i.v . administration at 7.5 mg/kg . Jugular blood samples were collected over 48 h post-treatment (plasma kinetic trial) and two animals were sacrificed at either 4, 12, 20, 28 or 32 h post-treatment to obtain samples of abomasal/small intestine mucosal tissue, abomasal/small intestine fluids, bile, liver and lung tissue (tissue distribution study) . The (-)ABZSO enantiomer was depleted significantly faster from plasma compared with the (+)ABZSO antipode . The plasma AUC for (+)ABZSO (38.3 microg . h/mL) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with that obtained for (-)ABZSO (20.5 microg . h/mL) . The (+)ABZSO enantiomer was the predominant antipode measured in bile, abomasal fluid and abomasal mucosa . For instance, at 12 h post-treatment the (+)/(-) concentration ratios were: 12.9 (plasma), 1.62 (abomasal mucosa), 13.0 (abomasal fluid), 2.92 (intestinal mucosa), 9.87 (intestinal fluid) and 21.5 (bile) . No marked differences between the concentration profiles of both enantiomers were observed in the liver tissue . Albendazole (ABZ) was recovered from the liver, lung and gastrointestinal (GI) mucosal tissues of RBZ-treated calves up to 32 h post-treatment, probably produced by a GI microflora-mediated sulphoreduction of RBZ . An enantioselective kinetic behaviour may account both for the faster depletion of the (-) enantiomer and for the higher availabilities of the (+) antipode observed in plasma and in most of the tissues/fluids investigated . The simultaneous evaluation of the plasma kinetics and tissue concentration profiles of both enantiomeric forms reported here, may help to interpret the relationship between chiral behaviour and pharmacological action for sulphoxide derivatives of benzimidazole (BZD) methylcarbamate anthelmintics. J Clin Periodontol, 2001 Aug, 28(8), 796 - 805 Changes in subgingival microflora and humoral immune response following periodontal therapy; Darby IB et al.; OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of scaling and root planing (SRP) on the microflora and humoral immune response in adult periodontitis . MATERIALS & METHODS: Clinical measurements, subgingival plaque samples, gingival crevicular fluid and sera were taken from 4 sites in 28 adult periodontitis patients before and after SRP . Polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the presence of A . actinomycetemcomitans, P . gingivalis, B . forsythus, P . intermedia, and T . denticola . ELISA was used to investigate the systemic and local antibody titres to these organisms, and thiocyanate dissociation for the determination of serum antibody avidity . RESULTS: SRP produced a good clinical improvement . On a subject basis there was little significant change in the microflora . However, on a site basis, there were significant reductions in P . intermedia, B . forsythus and T . denticola . There was little change in systemic and local antibody titres following SRP, although there was a significant reduction in antibody avidity to P . gingivalis and P . intermedia CONCLUSION: Post-therapy clinical improvement was associated with a reduction in bacterial prevalence, but statistical significance was only reached at a site level and this microbial reduction was not significant for all organisms . No significant post-therapy effects on the humoral immune response were noted other than a reduced antibody avidity to P . gingivalis and P . intermedia . The lack of a clear pattern in the humoral immune response may reflect a failure of the host response to produce adequate levels of biologically functional antibodies, and complex interactions between the subgingival flora and the host response. Reprod Nutr Dev, 2001 Mar-Apr, 41(2), 187 - 94 Fibrolytic activities and cellulolytic bacterial community structure in the solid and liquid phases of rumen contents; Michalet-Doreau B et al.; Four sheep were fed an alfalfa hay diet . Rumen content samples were collected three hours after feeding in order to total microorganism population (TP), solid attached population (SAP) and solid attached firmly population (SAFP) . Fibrolytic specific activities (xylanase, CMCase and beta-glycosidases) were estimated by the amount of reducing sugars or p-nitrophenol released from the appropriate substrate . The distribution of the three main cellulolytic bacterial species (Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus and Ruminococcus flavefaciens) was quantified by dot-blot hybridisation using specific 16S-rRNA-targeting probes . Specific activities of polysaccharidase enzymes were higher in SAP than in TP, and in SAFP than in SAP . The sum of RNA of the three cellulolytic bacterial species represented on average 9% of the total bacterial RNA, and increased after filtration . In all samples, the relative population size of F . succinogenes was higher than that of R . albus and of R . flavefaciens . These results demonstrate that the most active enzymes are secreted by the particle-associated microorganisms . The differences in composition of the microflora between the solid and liquid phase suggest that bacteria are not equally distributed throughout the rumen content: the cellulolytic species are present in a higher proportion in the solid phase of rumen contents. Environ Toxicol Chem, 2001 Jul, 20(7), 1457 - 64 Characterization of enzymes involved in biotransformation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in terrestrial isopods; de Knecht JA et al.; Little is known about the capacity of terrestrial invertebrates to transform organic soil pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) . Studies were designed to characterize microsomal mixed function oxygenase and accompanying conjugation enzymes from the hepatopancreas of the terrestrial isopods Porcellio scaber and Oniscus asellus using pyrene and 1-hydroxypyrene as model substrates . The hydroxylation of pyrene and the formation of pyreneglucoside and pyrenesulfate appeared to be sensitive measures for the activity of cytochrome P450 aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH), uridinediphosphateglucosyltransferase (UDPGT), and aryl sulfotransferase (ST), respectively . Treatment with the antibiotic riphampicine demonstrated that the enzyme activities originate from the animals themselves and not from symbiotic microflora present in the hepatopancreas and the gut . In both species, ST has a very high affinity for 1-hydroxypyrene with Km values two orders of magnitude lower than that of UDPGT . The Vmax values of UDPGT, however, are 10- to 20-fold higher than that of ST . Taking the P450 activities into consideration, both species are expected to transform PAHs in an equally effective way . When the isopods were fed with food containing benz{a}pyrene and 3-methyl-cholanthrene, none of the enzyme activities appeared to be inducible except for a small enhancement of UDPGT in O . asellus . Our findings indicate that terrestrial isopods have a high, noninducible capacity for biotransformation of PAHs and that the sulfate conjugation pathway is as important as the carbohydrate conjugation pathway . This conclusion is consistent with the low body residues of parent PAHs found in the field. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 2001 May, 32(5), 534 - 41 Gas production by feces of infants; Jiang T et al.; BACKGROUND: Intestinal gas is thought to be the cause abdominal discomfort in infants . Little is known about the type and amount of gas produced by the infant's colonic microflora and whether diet influences gas formation . METHODS: Fresh stool specimens were collected from 10 breast-fed infants, 5 infants fed a soy-based formula, and 3 infants fed a milk-based formula at approximately 1, 2, and 3 months of age . Feces were incubated anaerobically for 4 hours at 37 degrees C followed by quantitation of hydrogen (H2), methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), methanethiol (CH3SH), and dimethyl sulfide (CH3SCH3) in the head-space . RESULTS: H2 was produced in greater amounts by breast-fed infants than by infants in either formula group, presumably the consequence of incomplete absorption of breast milk oligosaccharides . CH4 was produced in greater amounts by infants fed soy formula than by infants on other diets . CO2 was produced in similar amounts by infants in all feeding groups . Production of CH3SH was conspicuously low by feces of breast-fed infants and production of H2S was high by soy-formula-fed infants . CH3SCH3 was not detected . Only modest changes with age were observed and there was no relation between gas production and stool consistency, although stools were more likely to be malodorous when concentrations of H2S and/or CH3SH were high . CONCLUSIONS: Gas release by infant feces is strongly influenced by an infant's diet . Of particular interest are differences in production of the highly toxic sulfur gases, H2S and CH3SH, because of the role that these gases may play in certain intestinal disorders of infants. Environ Pollut, 2001, 113(3), 255 - 62 Hydrocarbon deposition and soil microflora as affected by highway traffic; Tuhackova J et al.; The proximity of a busy highway (90,000 vehicles/day) increased the amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil at the depth of 5-15 cm from 106 ng/g as a grassland background to 3095 ng/g dry soil at the highway verge (a sum of 10 PAH species) . The PAH concentration was related to the distance from the source and exhibited a biphasic character, which is interpreted in terms of bimodal distribution of the exhaust microparticles with different rates of deposition . Similarly, the tendency of benz(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene to decrease their proportion with distance from the highway, in contrast to phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene, and benzo(g,h,i)perylene, was attributed to their prevalent localisation on the heavier particle fraction . The abundance of bacteria (8.33 x background) and fungi (3.17 x background) close to the highway is thought to be a consequence of hydrocarbon deposition from the traffic that serves as a significant energetic input into the soil . The elevated concentrations of hydrocarbon substrates, as indicated by PAHs, increased both the absolute and relative numbers of the microbial degraders of diesel fuel, biphenyl, naphthalene, and pyrene . Their maximum numbers at 0.5-1.5 m from the pavement reached 1.3 x 10(4), 1.2 x 10(5), 1.1 x 10(4), and 6.6 x 10(3) colony-forming units (CFU) or infection units per gramme dry soil, respectively . On the other hand, the number of anthracene degraders (1.1 x 10(3) CFU per g dry soil) remained close to the detection limit of the enumeration technique used (0.1-0.2 x 10(3) per g dry soil), consistently with the absence of anthracene and higher linear PAHs in the investigated soil samples . The amounts of persisting PAHs justify artificial inoculation with effective degrader strains in the vicinity of motorways. Environ Toxicol, 2001 Jun, 16(3), 197 - 208 Preliminary risk assessment of the wet landscape option for reclamation of oil sands mine tailings: bioassays with mature fine tailings pore water; Madill RE et al.; Chemical and biological assays have been carried out on the "pore water" that results from the settling of the tailings that accompany bitumen recovery from the Athabasca oil sands . Examination of the nonacidic extracts of pore water by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy allowed the identification of numerous two- to three-ring polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), to a total concentration of 2.6 micrograms/L of pore water . The PACs were biodegraded by microflora naturally present in the pore water . Acute toxicity was associated principally with the acidic fraction (naphthenic acids) of pore water extracts according to the Microtox assay; other work has shown that acute toxicity dissipates fairly rapidly . Both individual PACs and concentrated pore water extracts showed minimal levels of binding to the rat Ah receptor and induced minimal ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity in primary rat hepatocytes, showing an insignificant risk of inducing monooxygenase activity . Taken together with previous work showing negligible mutagenic activity of these extracts, we conclude that it should be possible to develop tailing slurries into biologically productive artificial lakes. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, 2001 Jul, 281(1), G144 - 50 Mechanism of thiamine uptake by human colonocytes: studies with cultured colonic epithelial cell line NCM460; Said HM et al.; Thiamine (vitamin B(1)) is essential for normal cellular functions and growth . Mammals cannot synthesize thiamine and thus must obtain the vitamin via intestinal absorption . The intestine is exposed to a dietary thiamine source and a bacterial source in which the vitamin is synthesized by the normal microflora of the large intestine . Very little is known about thiamine uptake in the large intestine . The aim of this study was, therefore, to address this issue . Our results with human-derived colonic epithelial NCM460 cells as a model system showed thiamine uptake to be 1) temperature- and energy dependent, 2) Na(+) independent, 3) increased with increasing buffer pH from 5 to 8 and after cell acidification but inhibited by amiloride, 4) saturable as a function of concentration, 5) inhibited by thiamine structural analogs but not by unrelated organic cations, and 6) inhibited by modulators of a Ca(2+)/calmodulin-mediated pathway . NCM460 cells and native human colonic mucosa expressed the recently cloned human thiamine transporter THTR-1 (product of the SLC19A2 gene) at both mRNA and protein levels . These results demonstrate for the first time that human NCM460 colonocytes possess a specific carrier-mediated system for thiamine uptake that appears to be under the regulation of an intracellular Ca(2+)/calmodulin-mediated pathway . It is suggested that bacterially synthesized thiamine in the large intestine may contribute to thiamine nutrition of the host, especially toward cellular nutrition of the local colonocytes. Mikrobiologiia, 2001 Mar-Apr, 70(2), 253 - 8 {Coexistence of transgenic Escherichia coli strains and natural microorganisms in experimental aquatic microcosms}; Kargatova TV et al.; In experimental aquatic microcosms (AMCs), the population of the Escherichia coli strain Z905 harboring the recombinant plasmid pPHL7 (AprLux+) was found to gradually accumulate AMC-adapted cells, which retained the plasmid but differed from the original cells in some biochemical and physiological characteristics . Both the original and the AMC-adapted E . coli cells could coexist with the native AMC microflora for a year or longer . When introduced into AMCs together with native pseudomonads, the AMC-adapted E . coli Z905-33 (pPHL7) cells were more competitive than nonadapted cells. Inflamm Bowel Dis, 2001 May, 7(2), 136 - 45 Adaptation of bacteria to the intestinal niche: probiotics and gut disorder; Dunne C; The gastrointestinal tract is a complex ecosystem host to a diverse and highly evolved microbial community composed of hundreds of different microbial species . The interactions that occur between this complex microbial community and the human host have become the focus of scientific research due to increases in the incidence of illnesses associated with deficient or compromised microflora (e.g., gastrointestinal tract infections, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), irritable bowel syndrome, antibiotic-induced diarrhea, constipation, food allergies, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers) . Effective multidisciplinary research programs now complement conventional microbiology with molecular ecology techniques to provide culture-independent analysis of the gastrointestinal ecosystem . Furthermore, as we acquire an understanding of gut microflora composition and processes such as intestinal adherence, colonization, translocation, and immunomodulation, we are also elucidating mechanisms by which these can be influenced . This knowledge not only allows scientists to define the activities and interactions of "functional food"-borne beneficial bacteria in the gut, but will also provide the scientific basis for the development of innovative biotechnology-based products tailored to prevent specific diseases and promote overall human gastrointestinal health. Am J Clin Nutr, 2001 Jun, 73(6), 1094 - 100 Determinants of serum enterolactone concentration; Kilkkinen A et al.; BACKGROUND: The lignan enterolactone, which is produced by the intestinal microflora from dietary precursors, may protect against hormone-dependent cancers and cardiovascular diseases . OBJECTIVE: We examined the cross-sectional associations between the serum enterolactone concentration and variables related to diet and health in Finnish adults . DESIGN: Serum enterolactone was measured by using time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay in 2380 Finnish men and women aged 25-64 y who were participating in a cross-sectional national survey in 1997 . Background information was collected with self-administered questionnaires and the diet was assessed with a food-frequency questionnaire . RESULTS: The median serum enterolactone concentration was 13.8 nmol/L (range: 0-95.6 nmol/L) in men and 16.6 nmol/L (range: 0-182.6 nmol/L) in women . Multiple regression analyses showed positive associations in men between the serum enterolactone concentration and constipation, consumption of whole-grain products, and intake of fruit and berries . In women, the serum enterolactone concentration was positively and independently associated with consumption of vegetables, subject age, and constipation and was negatively associated with smoking . Furthermore, female subjects of normal weight had significantly higher serum enterolactone concentrations than did their underweight or obese peers . CONCLUSIONS: The serum enterolactone concentration varies widely in the population . Of the variables we examined, the most important determinants of the serum enterolactone concentration were consumption of lignan-containing foods and constipation; however, these appeared to explain only a small part of the variation . Therefore, the role of gut microflora in the metabolism of lignans might be very important . Further studies will also be needed to determine the bioavailability and absorption rate of lignans. Microbiol Res, 2001, 156(1), 83 - 6 Epiphytic microflora of poplar clones susceptible and resistant to infection by Dothichiza populea; Weyman-Kaczmarkowa W et al.; One-year-old poplar shoots (nodes, internodes and lenticels) of clones susceptible to infection by the pathogenic fungus Dothichiza populea, viz . Populus nigra Italica and P . Robusta, resistant ones, viz . P . Grandis and P . Hybrida 275, as well as a hybrid of a susceptible and a resistant clone, viz . P . maximowiczii x P . nigra (P . Kornik 42), were used . The plate method was employed to determine: 1 . the abundance of the epiphytic microflora on a mineral medium with glucose; 2 . the quantitative composition of epiphytic communities by determining the numbers of typical bacteria (including rod-shaped, spherical and sporulating forms), actinomycetes and yeasts in microscopic preparations from epiphyte colonies; 3 . the abundance and level of activity of epiphytes antagonistic towards Dothichiza populea . In all poplar clones the epiphytic microflora was most abundant on nodes and least abundant on lenticels . In the resistant clones epiphytes were 7 (P . Grandis) to as many as 84 times (P . Hybrida 275) less numerous than in the susceptible ones . In the microflora communities of the susceptible poplars, rod-shaped bacteria were the most abundant, and in the resistant ones and the hybrid, yeasts, which made up from 60% to 70% of the strains tested . Spherical and sporulating bacteria as well as actinomycetes were found in numbers not exceeding 4% of the total number of epiphytes . The proportion of antagonistic microflora in whole epiphytic communities was higher in the resistant clones and the hybrid than in the susceptible clones, with the microflora having a more restrictive effect on the development of the pathogen. GMHC Treat Issues, 1996 Apr, 10(4), 1 - 4 Slow progress on HIV vaccines; Santiago L; AIDS: News on recent progress made in developing an effective HIV vaccine was presented at this winter's Conference on Advances in AIDS Vaccine Development . Presentations covered developments in areas such as mucosal immunity and vaccine delivery mechanisms . In spite of some impressive results, it appears that pharmaceutical companies are not interested in investing in vaccine development . The work done on vaccines that evoke neutralizing antibodies showed promise in causing antibody production in animal and human tests, but it is unclear whether these antibodies will protect against HIV infection . The ALVAC vaccine is in early studies and is being met with enthusiasm since it acts on both cellular and humoral immunity . Studies on various mucous membranes in the body indicate that some membranes are more prone to infection, and that vaccination could target the most susceptible areas . New goals addressed include preventing disease, not infection, by means of vaccines and by use of barriers, such as male and female condoms, and by maintaining overall health . One study indicated that the use of microbiocides could disrupt normal vaginal microflora, which have been shown to kill HIV . J Mol Microbiol Biotechnol, 2001 Jul, 3(3), 467 - 70 An evolutionary alternative system for aryl beta-glucosides assimilation in bacteria; Faure D et al.; Some bacteria of the soil microflora or of the digestive systems of mammals can grow on aryl beta-glucosides as sole carbon sources . The bgl operon of E . coli is the paradigm for such a catabolic pathway . In Azospirillum irakense, the two adjacent genes salAB encode beta-glucosidases which are required for salicin assimilation . In this report, we analyse the sequence of salC, the last gene to be identified in the salCAB operon and investigate the phylogenetic origins of the sal and bgl genes . The results suggest an alternative model for the assimilation of aryl beta-glucosides in bacteria. Can J Microbiol, 2001 Apr, 47(4), 302 - 8 A comparison of sole carbon source utilization patterns and phospholipid fatty acid profiles to detect changes in the root microflora of hydroponically grown crops; Khalil S et al.; Sole carbon source utilization (SCSU) patterns and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles were compared with respect to their potential to characterize root-inhabiting microbial communities of hydroponically grown crops . Sweet pepper (Capsicum annum cv . Evident), lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv . Grand Rapids), and four different cultivars of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cvs . Gitana, Armada, Aromata, and Elin) were grown in 1-L black plastic beakers placed in a cultivation chamber with artificial light . In addition to the harvest of the plants after 6 weeks, plants of one tomato cultivar, cv . Gitana, were also harvested after 4 and 8 weeks . The cultivation in this study was performed twice . Principal component analysis was used to analyze the data . Both characterization methods had the ability to discriminate between the root microflora of different plant species, cultivars, and one tomato cultivar at different ages . Differences in both SCSU patterns and PLFA profiles were larger between plant species than between cultivars, but for both methods the largest differences were between the two cultivations . Still, the differences between treatments were always due to differences in the same PLFAs in both cultivations . This was not the case for the SCSU patterns when different plant ages were studied . Furthermore, PLFA profiles showed less variation between replicates than did SCSU patterns . This larger variation observed among the SCSU data indicates that PLFA may be more useful to detect changes in the root microflora of hydroponically grown crops than the SCSU technique. Oral Dis, 2000 Nov, 6(6), 371 - 5 Production of volatile sulphur compounds in diseased periodontal pockets is significantly increased in smokers; Khaira N et al.; OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken in order to test the hypothesis that the consequences of tobacco smoking may include increased synthesis of toxic volatile sulphur compounds in diseased periodontal pockets . DESIGN: A cross-sectional, parallel study comparing groups of smokers and non-smokers with periodontitis and the level of volatile sulphur compounds in the gingival sulci of these subjects . PATIENTS AND METHODS: Levels of volatile sulphur compounds were measured in diseased periodontal sites of 12 smokers and 11 non-smokers using a portable sulphide monitor . Anaerobic and aerobic counts of the total cultivable subgingival microflora of both groups were also determined . RESULTS: The percentage of sites per subject with high levels of sulphides (> or = 10 units) detected in moderate (4-6 mm) and deep (> or = 7 mm) periodontal pockets was found to be significantly higher in smokers, compared to non-smokers (P = 0.040 and P = 0.005, respectively) . No significant difference in the microbiological parameters tested were observed between the two groups . CONCLUSIONS: Increased production of volatile sulphur compounds may represent a further mechanism of increased susceptibility to periodontitis in smokers and also help to explain the reported association between smoking and halitosis. Rev Biol Trop, 2000 Jun-Sep, 48(2-3), 511 - 7 The influence of air pollution on the phyllosphere microflora composition of Tillandsia leaves (Bromeliaceae); Brighigna L et al.; The effect of air pollution on total phyllospheric microflora from two species of the epiphytic neotropical genus Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae) was studied by comparing unpolluted plants living in a forest (Escazu, San Jose) with polluted ones from an urban site of Costa Rica (San Jose city) . Dilutions of homogenized leaf samples were plated on media suitable for each microbial group . For each microorganism group, total counts were performed and purified strains of randomly chosen colonies were identified . There was a global reduction in the number of living microorganisms due to pollution effects, especially yeasts and bacteria, while nitrogen-fixing microorganisms and fungi were less affected . Our results showed that the phyllosphere microflora of Tillandsia plants living in a tropical urban environment changes in terms of number and species composition of yeasts and bacteria with respect to plants living in unpolluted environment. J Clin Periodontol, 2001 May, 28(5), 404 - 10 Clinical and microbial evaluation of a histatin-containing mouthrinse in humans with experimental gingivitis; Mickels N et al.; OBJECTIVE: P-113, a 12 amino acid histatin-based peptide, was evaluated in a mouthrinse formulation for safety, prevention of the development of experimental gingivitis, and for its effects on periodontal flora . METHOD: 159 periodontally healthy subjects abstained from oral hygiene procedures and self-administered either 0.005%, 0.01%, 0.05% P-113 or placebo mouthrinse formulations twice daily over a four week treatment period . During this time, the safety, anti-plaque, and anti-gingivitis effects of P-113 were evaluated . RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in plaque (p=0.046) and a reduction in gingivitis (p=0.086) for subjects using 0.01% P-113 mouthrinse . Significantly more subjects in the 0.01% and 0.05% treatment groups showed a small increase in plaque index of <0.25 as compared to the placebo group (p<0.05) . Similar trends were noted for changes in the % of sites with bleeding on probing in the 0.01% P-113 group . There were no treatment-related adverse events, and there were no adverse shifts in supragingival microflora during the study . CONCLUSION: These data suggest that P-113 mouthrinse is safe and reduces plaque, gingivitis and gingival bleeding in the human experimental gingivitis model. Infect Immun, 2001 Jun, 69(6), 3719 - 27 Selective enhancement of systemic Th1 immunity in immunologically immature rats with an orally administered bacterial extract; Bowman LM et al.; Infant rats primed during the first week of life with soluble antigen displayed adult-equivalent levels of T-helper 2 (Th2)-dependent immunological memory development as revealed by production of secondary immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibody responses to subsequent challenge, but in contrast to adults failed to prime for Th1-dependent IgG2b responses . We demonstrate that this Th2 bias in immune function can be redressed by oral administration to neonates of a bacterial extract (Broncho-Vaxom OM-85) comprising lyophilized fractions of several common respiratory tract bacterial pathogens . Animals given OM-85 displayed a selective upregulation in primary and secondary IgG2b responses, accompanied by increased gamma interferon and decreased interleukin-4 production (both antigen specific and polyclonal), and increased capacity for development of Th1-dependent delayed hypersensitivity to the challenge antigen . We hypothesize that the bacterial extract functions via enhancement of the process of postnatal maturation of Th1 function, which is normally driven by stimuli from the gastrointestinal commensal microflora. J Appl Microbiol, 2001 May, 90(5), 733 - 40 Biogeochemical cycling bacteria as indices of pond fertilization: importance of CNP ratios of input fertilizers; Jana BB et al.; AIMS: The influence of carbon-nitrogen and nitrogen-phosphorus ratios of input fertilizers, and that of pond water, on the growth of heterotrophic and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria of water and sediment, was examined in relation to fertilizer mineralization indices using different modes of fertilization through inorganic and organic sources . METHODS AND RESULTS: The first experiment used carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus ratios varying from 12 : 2 : 1 to 151 : 6 : 1, applied at the rate of 0.043 g l(-1) week(-1), whereas in the second ratios varied from 25.6 : 6.2 : 1 to 150 : 12 : 1 applied once at the rate of 3.33 g l(-1) . Different fertilizers (cattle dung, poultry droppings, urea, single superphosphate and starch) were mixed in different proportions to achieve the desired carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus ratio . The heterotrophic and phosphate-solubilizing populations were more responsive to an early manuring phase than later, implying that pond fertilization was microbiologically more dynamic in the earlier phase . The carbon-nitrogen and nitrogen-phosphorus ratios of 11.8 (88.6 : 7.5) and 7.5 (7.5 : 1), respectively, of input fertilizers favoured growth of both heterotrophic and phosphate-solubilizing bacterial populations much better than the other ratios tested . Likewise, water carbon-nitrogen and nitrogen-phosphorus ratios of 11.9 and 3.34 induced bacterial growth . The carbon-nitrogen ratios of 12.63 (101 : 8) (input fertilizer)-4.54 (water), and nitrogen-phosphorus ratios of 8 (8 : 1) (input fertilizer)-2.93 (water), gave gross primary productivity values higher than the remaining ratios, exhibiting overall curvilinear relationships . The values of gross primary productivity were the direct function of values of fertilizer mineralization indices for carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus . CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the mixed fertilizer (carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus-88.6 : 7.5 : 1) comprising cattle dung (95%), poultry droppings (2.5%), urea (2%) and single superphosphate (0.5%), applied at the rate of 23,000 kg ha(-1) year(-1), was a suitable cost-effective fertilization option for aquaculture practices . SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: As chemical fertilizers are expensive and cause some adverse effects on the soil structure, composition, microflora and other characteristics of the pond, mixed combinations of inorganic and organics with narrow range of carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus ratio can be suitable and cost-effective fertilization tools in aquaculture practices, which is to be linked with the microbial activities of the pond. Med Hypotheses, 2001 Apr, 56(4), 448 - 50 Redefining 'self': the role of microflora (commensals) mismatch in the development of GvHD after allogeneic stem cell transplantation and some possible remedies; Singh HP et al.; The discovery of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules and their role in allorecognition has facilitated the initiation of allogeneic stem cell transplantation in human beings . HLA mismatch to a large extent explains the phenomenon of graft rejection and graft versus host disease (GvHD) . Incidence of GvHD even in syngeneic transplants suggests a role for extra genetic factors in the causation of GvHD . We hereby propose a hypothesis that the definition of 'self' (in the immunological sense) should be broadened to include both genetically determined molecules (e.g . HLA) and the microbial flora that colonize an individual . This hypothesis explains several observations about GvHD which can not fully be accounted for by the HLA mismatch theory and gives some clues towards circumventing GvHD . J Periodontol, 2001 Apr, 72(4), 454 - 60 The characteristic cellular organization and CEACAM1 expression in the junctional epithelium of rats and mice are genetically programmed and not influenced by the bacterial microflora; Heymann R et al.; BACKGROUND: The epithelial cell adhesion molecule CEACAM1 exhibits an interesting dynamic expression during tooth development . It is first expressed in the reduced enamel epithelium, its expression then increases in the orally faced reduced epithelium and the overlying oral epithelium that then fuse to give rise to the junctional epithelium . The expression of CEACAM1 remains at high levels in the junctional epithelium, in contrast to the surrounding oral sulcular epithelium which shows much lower expression levels . We investigated if the high expression levels of CEACAM1 and the loosely organized cells characteristic of the junctional epithelium are genetically programmed or result from bacterial infiltration . METHODS: Oral tissues from germ-free rats and mice and animals with conventional bacterial flora were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemical staining for CEACAM1 . RESULTS: The junctional epithelium of both germ-free and conventional animals was identical with respect to both CEACAM1 expression and morphology . Also the presence of leukocytes was the same in both types of animals . CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the characteristic morphology and the high expression levels of CEACAM1 in the junctional epithelium are genetically programmed and not a result of bacterial infiltration . This suggests that CEACAM1 has an important role for the structural integrity of the junctional epithelium . This conclusion was supported by the observation that the junctional epithelium does not express any E-cadherin, which is another abundant epithelial cell adhesion molecule. J Dent Educ, 2001 Apr, 65(4), 313 - 21 Impact of tobacco use on periodontal status; Johnson GK et al.; This article reviews the effects of smoked and smokeless tobacco on periodontal status, including the impact of smoking on periodontal therapy and potential mechanisms for the adverse effects of tobacco on the periodontium . Approximately half of periodontitis cases have been attributed to either current or former smoking . Both cigar and cigarette smokers have significantly greater loss of bone height than nonsmokers, and there is a trend for pipe smokers to have more bone loss than nonsmokers . Unlike smokers, who experience widespread periodontal destruction, the most prevalent effects of smokeless tobacco are localized to the site of placement, in the form of gingival recession and white mucosal lesions . Smoking has an adverse effect on all forms of periodontal therapy, and up to 90 percent of refractory periodontitis patients are smokers . The pathogenesis of smoking-related periodontal destruction has been attributed to alterations in the microflora and/or host response . Some data indicates that smoking may increase levels of certain periodontal pathogens, but there is more evidence that smoking has a negative effect on host response, such as neutrophil function and antibody production . An encouraging finding is that periodontal disease progression slows in patients who quit smoking and that these individuals have a similar response to periodontal therapy as nonsmokers . The facts presented in this paper will assist dental health professionals in treatment-planning decisions and provide them with important information to share with patients who use tobacco products. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol, 2001 Apr, 30(3), 235 - 40 Usage of Aplysia lectin interactions with T antigen and poly-N-acetyllactosamine for screening of E . coli strains which bear glycoforms cross-reacting with cancer-associated antigens; Gilboa-Garber N et al.; Aplysia gonad lectin (AGL), which strongly agglutinates cancer cells, was found, in the present study, to bind to erythrocyte T antigen, in addition to its affinity to Ii system antigens . These antigens were reported to be overexpressed and to contribute to tumor progression and invasion . In healthy human sera, there are antibodies against them, stimulated by the normal intestinal microflora, which bear similar glycoforms . Since the levels of these antibodies were reported to be lower in most cancer patients' sera, we have examined the applicability of AGL to isolation of enteric commensal Escherichia coli strains which bear glycoforms cross-reacting with the cancer-associated antigens . Among 30 E . coli isolates examined, two were agglutinated by AGL . One of them was also agglutinated by certain related galactophilic lectins, which bind to the T and Tn antigens . The agglutination of the two bacteria by healthy human sera, as a group, was stronger than that displayed by the cancer patients' sera . These results indicate that AGL might be useful for identification of the desired bacteria, which could potentially serve for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Int J Parasitol, 2001 May 1, 31(5-6), 628 - 31 The endosymbionts of tsetse flies: manipulating host-parasite interactions; Dale C et al.; Through understanding the mechanisms by which tsetse endosymbionts potentiate trypanosome susceptibility in tsetse, it may be possible to engineer modified endosymbionts which, when introduced into tsetse, render these insects incapable of transmitting parasites . In this study we have assayed the effect of three different antibiotics on the endosymbiotic microflora of tsetse (Glossina morsitans morsitans) . We showed that the broad-spectrum antibiotics, ampicillin and tetracycline, have a dramatic impact on tsetse fecundity and pupal emergence, effectively rendering these insects sterile . This results from the loss of the tsetse primary endosymbiont, Wigglesworthia glossinidia, which is eradicated by ampicillin and tetracycline treatment . Using the sugar analogue and antibiotic, streptozotocin, we demonstrated specific elimination of the tsetse secondary endosymbiont, Sodalis glossinidius, with no observed detrimental effect upon W . glossinidia . The specific eradication of S . glossinidius had a negligible effect upon the reproductive capability of tsetse but did effect a significant reduction in fly longevity . Furthermore, elimination of S . glossinidius resulted in increased refractoriness to trypanosome infection in tsetse, providing further evidence that S . glossinidius plays an important role in potentiating trypanosome susceptibility in this important disease vector . In the light of these findings, we highlight progress made towards developing recombinant Sodalis strains engineered to avoid potentiating trypanosome susceptibility in tsetse . In particular, we focus on the chitinase/N-acetyl-D-glucosamine catabolic machinery of Sodalis which has previously been implicated in causing immune inhibition in tsetse. Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 2001 Apr, 25(4), 513 - 6 Effect of 4-methylpyrazole on endogenous plasma ethanol and methanol levels in humans; Sarkola T et al.; BACKGROUND: Endogenous methanol and ethanol levels are found in human blood . It is assumed that these compounds are derived mainly from microflora in the gastrointestinal tract and that the small amounts formed are consequently eliminated, mainly in the liver, by the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) pathway . The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP), a specific ADH inhibitor, on endogenous plasma methanol and ethanol levels in healthy women and men . METHODS: A double-blind placebo-controlled interventional study was carried out . RESULTS: A significant elevation in plasma endogenous ethanol and methanol levels was observed after intake of 4-MP (10-15 mg/kg p.o.) . For methanol levels, a linear increase from 20 +/- 14 micromol/l before intake to 39 +/- 22 micromol/l at 420 min from intake of 4-MP (levels 20 +/- 14 micromol/l and 14 +/- 9 micromol/l during the corresponding placebo time points) was found . For ethanol, concentrations increased from levels below detection limit (i.e., < 5 micromol/l, determined by headspace gas chromatography) before intake to 30 +/- 20 micromol/l at 195 min from intake of 4-MP . A small increase in ethanol levels, to 13 +/- 8 micromol/l, but not in methanol levels, was observed after the intake of lingonberry juice containing no ethanol or methanol . No sex differences in the ethanol and methanol levels before or after the intake of 4-MP were found . CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides conclusive evidence for a constant endogenous production as well as clearance of ethanol and methanol in humans . In addition, the study shows that the ethanol and methanol produced are, at least in part, eliminated by the ADH pathway. Appl Environ Microbiol, 2001 May, 67(5), 2345 - 53 Biotransformations of paralytic shellfish toxins by bacteria isolated from bivalve molluscs; Smith EA et al.; Due to the possibility that bacteria could be involved in the clearance of paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) from bivalve molluscs, investigations into which, if any, bacteria were able to grow at the expense of PST focused on several common shellfish species . These species were blue mussels, oysters, razor fish, cockles, and queen and king scallops . Bacteria associated with these shellfish were isolated on marine agar 2216 and characterized by their carbon utilization profiles (BIOLOG) . Selected isolates from groups demonstrating 90% similarity were screened for their ability to metabolize a range of PST (gonyautoxins 1 and 4 {GTX 1/4}, GTX 2/3, GTX 5, saxitoxin, and neosaxitoxin) using a novel screening method and confirming its results by high-performance liquid chromatography . Results suggest that molluscan bacteria have different capacities to utilize and transform PST analogues . For example, isolates M12 and R65 were able to reductively transform GTX 1/4 with concomitant production of GTX 2/3, while isolate Q5 apparently degraded GTX 1/4 without the appearance of other GTXs . Other observed possible mechanisms of PST transformations include decarbamoylation by isolate M12 and sulfation of GTXs by isolates Q5, R65, M12, and C3 . These findings raise questions as to the possible role of bacteria resident in the shellfish food transport system . Some researchers have suggested that the microflora play a role in supplying nutritional requirements of the host . This study demonstrates that bacteria may also be involved in PST transformation and elimination in molluscan species. Appl Environ Microbiol, 2001 May, 67(5), 2145 - 55 Predator-specific enrichment of actinobacteria from a cosmopolitan freshwater clade in mixed continuous culture; Pernthaler J et al.; We investigated whether individual populations of freshwater bacteria in mixed experimental communities may exhibit specific responses to the presence of different bacterivorous protists . In two successive experiments, a two-stage continuous cultivation system was inoculated with nonaxenic batch cultures of the cryptophyte Cryptomonas sp . Algal exudates provided the sole source of organic carbon for growth of the accompanying microflora . The dynamics of several 16S rRNA-defined bacterial populations were followed in the experimental communities . Although the composition and stability of the two microbial communities differed, numerous members of the first assemblage could again be detected during the second experiment . The introduction of a size-selectively feeding mixotrophic nanoflagellate (Ochromonas sp.) always resulted in an immediate bloom of a single phylotype population of members of the class Actinobacteria (Ac1) . These bacteria were phylogenetically affiliated with an uncultured lineage of gram-positive bacteria that have been found in freshwater habitats only . The Ac1 cells were close to the average size of freshwater bacterioplankton and significantly smaller than any of the other experimental community members . In contrast, no increase of the Ac1 population was observed in vessels exposed to the bacterivorous ciliate Cyclidium glaucoma . However, when the Ochromonas sp . was added after the establishment of C . glaucoma, the proportion of population Ac1 within the microbial community rapidly increased . Populations of a beta proteobacterial phylotype related to an Aquabacterium sp . decreased relative to the total bacterial communities following the addition of either predator, albeit to different extents . The community structure of pelagic microbial assemblages can therefore be influenced by the taxonomic composition of the predator community. Int J Paediatr Dent, 2000 Dec, 10(4), 298 - 305 An investigation of the oral status and reported oral care of children with heart and heart-lung transplants; al-Sarheed M et al.; AIM: To investigate the oral health status and oral microflora of children who have received heart and heart-lung transplants . Parental knowledge and current practice of oral health procedures by the child were also investigated . SAMPLE AND METHOD: Thirty-five children attending the Cardio-Thoracic Transplant Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children were included . Measurements were compared with children matched by age and gender attending the trauma clinic at the Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Eastman Dental Hospital . Teeth were examined for the presence or absence of caries or enamel defects . Plaque deposition, gingivitis, gingival bleeding and gingival enlargement were measured and a swab was taken to look at the oral microbial flora . A questionnaire was used to assess parental knowledge of dental health procedures and the current practice of these . RESULTS: There were no significant differences between transplant and control children in caries experience, plaque or gingivitis . Children with heart or heart-lung transplants had significantly greater numbers of enamel defects and more gingival enlargement than control children, children in the heart transplant group had significantly more gingival bleeding . There was little difference in the dental knowledge and reported behaviour of the transplant group compared to the control group . CONCLUSION: The dental needs of heart and heart-lung transplant patients treated at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children were similar to those of the control group in this study, however further improvement could be made in educating parents and children on the importance of caries prevention and good oral hygiene. J Agric Food Chem, 2001 Apr, 49(4), 1751 - 60 Screening of intestinal microflora for effective probiotic bacteria; O'Sullivan DJ; Increasing consumer awareness of health-promoting intestinal bacteria has fueled the addition of viable probiotic bacteria as functional ingredients in certain foods . However, to effectively market the enhanced attributes of these foods, the added probiotic bacteria need to have scientific credibility . The scientific rationale for using many of the strains of probiotic bacteria currently on the market is weak . Furthering the current understanding of what features a bacterium needs to have for effective probiotic functionality will enable the selection of strains with a more credible scientific rationale . To screen for effective strains, one must understand the microbial diversity in the intestines of healthy individuals . The advent of molecular tools has greatly enhanced our ability to accomplish this . These tools comprise genetic fingerprinting, specific probes, molecular speciation, and techniques for the in situ analysis of specific microbial groups in the intestine . This review will detail these scientific approaches and how their impact will improve criteria for selection of probiotic bacteria. Scand J Gastroenterol, 2001 Mar, 36(3), 265 - 9 Increased levels of specific leukocyte- and platelet-derived substances during normal anti-tetanus antibody synthesis in patients with inactive Crohn disease; Nielsen HJ et al.; BACKGROUND: Crohn disease is considered a consequence of inappropriate upregulation of immune reactions evoked by the intestinal microflora or luminal antigens . Since the intestinal mucosa is continuously exposed to tetanus toxoid we studied the antibody response to tetanus toxoid booster immunization in patients with Crohn disease and the subsequent release of various inflammatory mediators and growth factors in blood . METHODS: Ten patients with inactive disease and no concurrent medication and 12 age-and gender-matched healthy volunteers with anti-tetanus antibody levels less than 0.1 IU/ml were inoculated with 1 ml (6 Lf units) of tetanus toxoid vaccine . The anti-tetanus antibody levels were determined in serum obtained before inoculation and after 7, 14 and 28 days, respectively . C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), histamine, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were determined in serum or plasma obtained on the same days . RESULTS: After inoculation anti-tetanus antibody levels were equally raised in patients and healthy volunteers . Pre-inoculation CRP levels were below the upper level of the normal range (<10 mg/l) in all inoculated patients/volunteers . No differences in IL-6, TNF-alpha, MPO or histamine levels between patients and healthy volunteers were observed . CRP levels were within the normal range and IL-6, TNF-alpha, MPO and histamine levels were unchanged in patients and volunteers during the study period . The levels of VEGF, TIMP-1 and PAI-1 were unchanged in the healthy volunteers during the study period, but were