Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 1985 Oct 15, 110(20), 830 - 5 {The use of monoclonal antibodies in plant production}; Boonekamp PM; Due to the high specificity of monoclonal antibodies (MCAs) the most important application of MCAs in the plant production may be diagnosis . Specific MCAs have been produced against plant pathogens including viruses, bacteria, fungi and nematodes and against plant substances . In general, however, MCAs are still less suitable than polyclonal antisera for application as diagnostic tools in plant extracts. Biochem Pharmacol, 1985 Oct 15, 34(20), 3755 - 63 Formation and disposition of nitrosochloramphenicol in rat liver; Ascherl M et al.; It has been suggested that in the chloramphenicol-induced aplastic anemia nitrosochloramphenicol may be involved as a toxic intermediate . We found that aminochloramphenicol, which reportedly is formed from chloramphenicol by intestinal bacteria, is N-oxygenated by liver microsomes of untreated rats with apparent Km = 0.4 mM and Vmax = 0.28 nmole/min/mg protein . These values are in close agreement with those reported for aniline N-oxygenation . Reductive reactions, however, eliminate the N-oxygenation products at markedly higher rates . As judged from hemoglobin-free single-pass liver perfusion experiments, N-hydroxy-chloramphenicol is reduced at rates faster than 300 nmole/min/g liver wet, and nitrosochloramphenicol is eliminated at rates faster than 1.5 mumole/min/g liver . At least two NADPH- and two NADH-dependent cytosolic enzymes are responsible for nitrosochloramphenicol reduction . Determination of the kinetic parameters of these enzymes by stop-flow analysis revealed the contribution of enzymes, one of it being alcohol dehydrogenase, with Michaelis constants in the micromolar range . Despite this high reducing capacity, about 10% of nitrosochloramphenicol reacted with GSH under formation of glutathionesulfinamidochloramphenicol and GSSG released from the liver into bile and venous effluent . At high nitrosochloramphenicol load these reactions led to glutathione depletion of the liver, caused membrane damage, and impaired bile production . At low nitrosochloramphenicol load, i.e . below 0.5 mumole/min/g, no relevant nitrosochloramphenicol passed the liver . These data together with the previously reported reactions of nitrosochloramphenicol within human blood suggest that nitrosochloramphenicol, if formed at all in the intestine or liver, is rather unlikely to be transferred to the critical target. J Biol Chem, 1985 Oct 5, 260(22), 12219 - 23 Structure of a novel phosphoglycolipid from Deinococcus radiodurans; Anderson R et al.; The chemical structure of a major phosphoglycolipid from Deinococcus radiodurans has been shown to be 2'-O-(1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho)-3'-O-(alpha-galactosyl)-N-D-gl yceroyl alkylamine . By infrared spectroscopy, the lipid was shown to contain both carbonyl ester and amide linkages . Chemical analysis demonstrated a molar ratio of fatty acid, carbohydrate, and phosphorus of 2:1:1 . The lipid was shown to contain an sn-3-phosphatidic acid backbone by digestion with phospholipase A2 . Phosphodiester bond cleavage of the lipid with hydrofluoric acid liberated a component which contained galactose, glyceric acid, and alkylamines . Using NMR and permethylation/hydrolysis procedures, galactose was shown to be linked alpha-glycosidically to the 3-O-position of glyceric acid. Environ Health Perspect, 1985 Oct, 62, 41 - 8 In vivo formation and persistence of modified nucleosides resulting from alkylating agents; Singer B; Alkylating agents are ubiquitous in the human environment and are continuously synthesized in vivo . Although many classes exist, interest has been focused on the N-nitroso compounds, since many are mutagens for bacteria, phage, and cells, and carcinogens for mammals . In contrast to aromatic amines and polyaromatic hydrocarbons which can react at carbons, simple alkylating agents react with nitrogens and oxygens: 13 sites are possible, including the internucleotide phosphodiester . However, only the N-nitroso compounds react extensively with oxygens . In vivo, most possible derivatives have been found after administration of methyl and ethyl nitroso compounds . The ethylating agents are more reactive toward oxygens than are the methylating agents and are more carcinogenic in terms of total alkylation . This is true regardless of whether or not the compounds require metabolic activation . It has been hypothesized that the level and persistence of specific derivatives in a "target" cell correlates with oncogenesis . However, no single derivative can be solely responsible for this complex process, since correlations cannot be made for even a single carcinogen acting on various species or cell types . Some derivatives are chemically unstable, and the glycosyl bond is broken (3- and 7-alkylpurines), leaving apurinic sites which may be mutagenic . These, as well as most adducts, are recognized by different enzymatic activities which remove/repair at various rates and efficiencies depending on the number of alkyl derivatives, as well as enzyme content in the cell and recognition of the enzyme . Evaluation of human exposure requires early and sensitive methods to detect the initial damage and the extent of repair of each of the many promutagenic adducts. Arch Tierernahr, 1985 Oct, 35(10), 747 - 60 {Protein and amino acid metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract of young bulls . 3 . Flow of NH3-free raw protein into the duodenum}; Gabel M et al.; The amount of NH3-free crude protein getting into the duodenum corrected by the endogenous crude protein quota was determined on the basis of 28 differently composed rations for growing bulls in the live weight range of 140-460 kg provided with duodenal re-entrant cannulae . The experimental results were generalized by means of regression analysis and can be summarized as follows: The amount of NH3-free crude protein getting into the duodenum can partially be calculated with the regression equation (Formula: see text) resp . NH3-free crude protein D = 155 app . dig . org . matter + 0.262 pure protein +/- 42 . The remaining dispersion amounts to +/- 6% of the mean value . The coincidence between the values calculated with these equations and those measured experimentally is very good . There is an interaction between the pure protein of feed getting into the duodenum in % of pure protein intake (y) and the bacteria crude protein D/kg app . dig . org . matter (x) characterized by the equation y = 116.8-0.52 x +/- 12.9 . The amount of NH3-free crude protein duod . is not influenced by the flow rate (kg digesta/kg intake of org . matter) and not by the "dilution rate' (g bacteria free org . matter duod./kg live weight 0.75/h) either at a DM intake adequate to the production level . Apart from the partial estimation of the NH3-free crude protein duod . a evaluation based on the crude protein and pure protein concentration in app . dig . org . matter of the ration is possible. Vet Parasitol, 1985 Oct, 18(3), 209 - 21 Host finding and feeding in Hydrotaea irritans (Diptera, Muscidae): the role of chemical senses; Thomas G et al.; Hydrotaea irritans is commonly considered to be the primary vector for the bacteria which cause summer mastitis in cattle . A behavioural physiology approach was used to investigate potential host odours (kairomones) that may be used by the fly in finding its host and to determine which substrates or sites on the host may be utilised in feeding . Attractant odours include CO2 and butyric, propionic and acetic acids: the latter three are also produced by the bacteria causing summer mastitis . When milk, slaver, nasal secretion, mastitis secretion and blood were offered to flies as feeding substrates only the last three produced significant increases in feeding duration in comparison to controls offered distilled water. J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Oct, 131 ( Pt 10), 2619 - 26 Langmuir and scatchard parameters do not describe the binding of Actinomyces viscosus to saliva-treated hydroxyapatite; Moncla BJ et al.; The binding of Actinomyces viscosus T14V to saliva-treated spheroidal hydroxyapatite (SHA) beads was studied . The association constant (K) and the total number of binding sites (N) obtained from the Langmuir plots were in good agreement with those reported by other workers (approx . 3 X 10(-8) and 3 X 10(8), respectively) . The values for N obtained from Scatchard plots differed from those obtained from Langmuir plots by factors of 10(6) or more . These results suggest that either these equations are inappropriate to describe binding or certain assumptions regarding this system are not being met . The use of these models requires, among other constraints, that the process be reversible and that measurements be taken at equilibrium . A method was developed which allowed a close examination of the equilibrium dynamics without perturbation of the system . The results suggest that the adsorption process is only poorly reversible . Adsorption to SHA was not at equilibrium after 1.5 h . Even when bacteria were allowed to adsorb for longer periods, and the system appeared to approach equilibrium, the increased time of adherence did not significantly alter the derived K or N values . Our results suggest that the use of Scatchard and Langmuir plots is inappropriate to describe binding of A . viscosus to SHA. J Biol Stand, 1985 Oct, 13(4), 309 - 14 A quantitative Western Blot method for protein measurement; Dennis-Sykes CA et al.; A radioimmunologic assay method for the quantitation of small amounts of protein in recombinant vaccines at the level of 20-150 ng is evaluated which uses the techniques of SDS-PAGE and electrophoretic protein transfer ("Western Blot') . Known amounts of the protein being determined are included on the same gel as the unknown . After protein blotting, the nitrocellulose membrane is treated with antibody specific for the protein being determined and subsequently with {125I} Protein A . An autoradiogram is produced which corresponds directly to the nitrocellulose blot . It can, therefore, serve as a template to locate the labeled protein which is excised from the blot and measured in a gamma counter . The technique is found especially useful for evaluating cell lysates of recombinant bacteria and yeast for the percentage of the recombinant protein in the total protein mixture. Br J Surg, 1985 Oct, 72(10), 844 - 5 Are the lesions of duct ectasia sterile? Bundred NJ, Dixon JM, Lumsden AB, Radford D, Hood J, Miles RS, Chetty U, Forrest AP. A prospective study was established to determine whether, using suitable transport media, bacteria could be isolated from the lesions of mammary duct ectasia . The results indicate that both aerobic and anaerobic organisms are present in a high proportion of patients with nipple discharge associated with this condition and in all patients who develop peri-areolar sepsis (abscess and mammillary fistulae) as part of the syndrome . The lesions of duct ectasia are therefore not sterile and the possibility exists that bacteria have a role in the aetiology and pathogenesis of this condition. Arch Surg, 1985 Oct, 120(10), 1141 - 4 Pentoxifylline in the treatment of experimental peritonitis in rats; Chalkiadakis GE et al.; The objective of this study was to determine the effect of pentoxifylline on the clinical and pathologic course of experimentally induced peritonitis in rats . This drug is a methyxanthine derivative that has vasodilating properties and may decrease platelet aggregation . Peritonitis was induced in 40 Wistar rats by creating a closed ileal loop 4 cm long 5 cm from the ileocecal valve . The animals were divided into two groups of 20 animals each . The first group served as controls, while each animal of the second group received 17 mg/kg/day of pentoxifylline intramuscularly from the day of operation until 30 days postoperatively . The survival rate was significantly increased in the group receiving pentoxifylline and adhesion or abscess formation was considerably reduced . We concluded that the administration of pentoxifylline prolongs significantly the survival of animals with experimental peritonitis and reduces the development of adhesions and abscesses in the peritoneal cavity . This beneficial effect may be attributed to decreased fibrinogen deposits and increased fibrinolytic activity within the peritoneal cavity, thus rendering the bacteria more susceptible to cellular and noncellular clearing mechanisms. Cancer, 1985 Oct 1, 56(7), 1538 - 42 Comparison of peripheral blood lymphocyte C3 receptor capping properties in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma; Hendrick AM et al.; Bacteria-antibody complexes were used to study capping of receptors for the activated third component of complement on peripheral blood lymphocytes . The impairment of C3d receptor capping improves in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia responding to therapy, but this does not necessarily correspond to the fall in peripheral lymphocytosis . Following lymphapheresis, increased capping appears to be due to selective removal of noncapping cells, but the mechanisms of improvement remain unexplained following other therapeutic measures . Lymphoma capping at 37 degrees C was normal in untreated patients but impaired after treatment, suggesting that this is related to the therapy itself . A high proportion of lymphocytes had receptors in the capped configuration in the basal state before incubation . In non-Hodgkin's lymphoma this was unrelated to treatment status, but it occurred only in untreated patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma with no further increment in capping after incubation . These receptors may exist in the aggregated state without the addition of exogenous ligand. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1985 Oct, 33(8), 819 - 23 {Demonstration of lipoprotein anomalies in leptospirosis . Prospective study in 10 patients}; Estavoyer JM et al.; Abnormalities of lipid metabolism have never been shown in human leptospirosis . A prospective study of plasma lipids was performed in 10 consecutive patients with leptospirosis . Significant increase of triglycerides with low levels of the high-density lipoproteins and cholesterol fraction was observed in 8 patients . Electrophoresis of lipoproteins showed a fusion of beta and pre-beta lipoproteins and a marked decrease of alpha lipoproteins . The respective role of bacteria, liver and kidney could be suggested to explain these abnormalities of lipoproteins in leptospirosis. Surgery, 1985 Oct, 98(4), 708 - 17 The efficacy of polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution versus traditional mechanical bowel preparation for elective colonic surgery: a randomized, prospective, blinded clinical trial; Fleites RA et al.; This study documents the efficacy, safety and patient tolerance of GoLYTELY (Braintree Laboratories, Inc., Braintree, Mass.) an orally administered, nonexplosive, polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution, in elective colonic surgery . Fifty-three patients admitted for colonic surgery were randomized to either GoLYTELY or a traditional 3-day bowel preparation . Both groups received oral and perioperative antibiotics . Pre- and postpreparation weights, blood chemistries, and hematologic values were obtained . Postpreparation patient tolerance was assessed . During surgery the surgeon scored the bowel for the presence of retained air, fluid, or feces . Standardized semiquantitative aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts were obtained from sigmoid aspirates . Postoperative infectious complications were recorded . Mechanical preparation with GoLYTELY resulted in a greater feeling of fullness, while the traditional preparation produced more hunger and abdominal cramping . The use of GoLYTELY resulted in better scores of overall quality and bowel appearance, reflecting a greater efficiency with which it removed air, fluid, and feces from the bowel . GoLYTELY also resulted in significantly fewer total aerobic and anaerobic organisms in sigmoid aspirates . This study suggests that GoLYTELY is a safe, well-tolerated, and effective orthograde lavage solution that has significant advantages over other mechanical preparations and should be considered the preparation of choice for elective colonic surgery. Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Oct, 38(10), 3070 - 6 {Clinical study of ceftizoxime suppositories in acute suppurative otitis media in children and tissue concentration of ceftizoxime in the palatine tonsil after administration of ceftizoxime suppositories}; Kinoshita H et al.; The newly developed ceftizoxime rectal suppository (CZX-S) contains 125 mg or 250 mg ceftizoxime (CZX) in potency . From the laboratory and clinical studies on CZX-S, the following results were obtained . Concentration of CZX in serum and palatine tonsil when 250 mg of CZX-S was rectally administered reached the peak level rapidly . The serum levels were 9.39 micrograms/ml in 30 minutes, 6.00 micrograms/ml in 45 minutes, 4.55 micrograms/ml in 60 minutes, 3.87 micrograms/ml in 90 minutes and 2.65 micrograms/ml in 120 minutes . The palatine tonsil levels were 2.73 micrograms/g in 30 minutes, 1.83 micrograms/g in 45 minutes, 1.54 micrograms/g in 60 minutes, 0.99 micrograms/g in 90 minutes and 0.74 micrograms/g in 120 minutes . About 30% of serum concentrations were distributed into palatine tonsil . CZX-S was administered at a daily dose of 375 mg or 750 mg divided 3 times for 4 approximately 9 days in 19 cases of acute suppurative otitis media of children . The overall clinical effect was excellent in 7 cases, good in 7 cases, fair in 2 cases and poor in 3 cases . The effectiveness rate was 73.7% . No side effects were observed in any cases. Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Oct, 38(10), 2932 - 42 {Clinical experience with ceftizoxime suppositories in pediatrics}; Kobashi H et al.; Ceftizoxime suppositories (CZX-S), containing 250 mg or 125 mg of CZX, were given to 6 children, 4 with acute bronchopneumonia and 2 with acute pharyngobronchitis, who were not suited to treatment with injectable or oral form of the drug . The clinical response was "good" in all the children and the causative organisms were eradicated in 2 children (H . influenzae or S . aureus) . Adverse reactions consisted of 1 case each of diarrhea and transiently increased GPT . In conclusion, CZX-S proved to be highly effective in the treatment of bacterial infections in children. Avian Dis, 1985 Oct-Dec, 29(4), 1066 - 77 Influence of temperature on the growth of Bordetella avium in turkeys and in vitro; Arp LH et al.; Effects of temperature on growth of three strains of Bordetella avium were determined in young turkeys and in vitro . Colonization of the tracheal mucosa by two virulent strains of B . avium was significantly greater in cold-stressed turkeys than in heat-stressed turkeys . The avirulent vaccine strain, ART-VAX, colonized tracheas of cold-stressed turkeys to a limited extent but failed to colonize heat-stressed turkeys . Growth rates of the three B . avium strains were determined in brain-heart infusion broth at 30, 35, 40, and 45 C . All three strains grew best at 35 C but were killed by 45 C . Compared with virulent strains, ART-VAX grew markedly less at all temperatures, and most cultures of ART-VAX grew at 40 C only after a variable period of declining numbers of viable bacteria . This study indicates that temperature affects growth of B . avium in vivo and in vitro and that growth of the ART-VAX strain is fundamentally different from growth of virulent strains. Pediatrie, 1985 Oct-Nov, 40(7), 553 - 6 {Branhamella catarrhalis in neonatal pulmonary infectious pathology}; Haddad J et al.; Bronchopulmonary infections has been described for the most part in adults . ORL and upper respiratory tract infections are encountered in children . In neonates, only conjunctivitis have been reported . In their report, the authors describes the first cases of bronchopulmonary infections due to Branhamella Catarrhalis in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome . Three cases are described in which this bacteria has been isolated in bronchial secretions and in the culture of the nasotracheal tube . Clinical and biological features were not specific . Only orosomucoid serum level was increased . A favourable outcome was obtained by macrolides . Epidemiological survey permitted the isolation of Branhamella Catarrhalis in one of the nurse who had taken care of the neonates . Otherwise, these infections occurs in immunologically compromised hosts . Hyaline membrane disease appears most likely as an auspicious factor. Cancer Res, 1985 Oct, 45(10), 4760 - 2 Glutathione dependence of neocarzinostatin cytotoxicity and mutagenicity in Chinese hamster V-79 cells; DeGraff WG et al.; Neocarzinostatin (NCS) is mutagenic in bacteria, yeast, fungi, and mammalian cells . In cell-free systems, DNA strand breakage induced by NCS requires a reducing agent like 2-mercaptoethanol, unless very high (greater than 100 micrograms/ml) concentrations of NCS are used . In this study, we have investigated the role of the sulfhydryl compound glutathione (GSH), which is usually the most common intracellular thiol, in the bioactivation of NCS to a toxic and mutagenic species . Chinese hamster V79 cells were pretreated with one of two GSH depleting agents, buthionine sulfoximine or diethyl maleate . These agents deplete GSH via different mechanisms, but both will lower GSH levels within the cell to less than 5% of control (untreated) values . GSH-depleted cells and control cells were then exposed to NCS concentrations of 0.5-2.5 micrograms/ml for 1 h, assayed for survival, and plated for expression of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase-negative (HGPRT-) mutants . After an expression period of 7 days, during which the cultures were subcultured twice, HGPRT- mutants were selected by plating in hypoxanthine-free medium containing 5 micrograms of 6-thioguanine per ml, at a density of 2 X 10(5) cells per 100 mm dish . NCS alone decreased the surviving fraction to about 1% at 2.5 micrograms/ml and produced dose-related increases in HGPRT-mutants that reached greater than 10 times the spontaneous mutation frequency at 2.5 micrograms NCS per ml . In GSH-depleted cells, however, NCS was only mildly cytotoxic (60-80% surviving fraction) and did not produce dose-related increases in HGPRT- mutants over cells treated only with diethyl maleate or buthionine sulfoximine . Thus, GSH appears to be the main reducing agent for the bioactivation of NCS to a toxic and mutagenic species in Chinese hamster V79 cells. J Bacteriol, 1985 Oct, 164(1), 367 - 78 Regulation of the glucose phosphotransferase system in Brochothrix thermosphacta by membrane energization; Singh SP et al.; Uptake of 2-deoxyglucose, alpha-methylglucopyranoside, and glucose into intact cells of Brochothrix thermosphacta (formerly Microbacterium thermosphactum, ATCC 11509) was stimulated by KCN or CCCP . The glucose analogs were recovered almost totally as the sugar phosphates . Membrane vesicles were isolated from protoplasts and shown to be right side out by freeze fracturing and by using ATPase as a marker for the cytoplasmic membrane surface . Uptake of glucose into vesicles was dependent on the presence of phosphoenolpyruvate . NADH oxidation, K+ -diffusion gradients, and externally directed lactate gradients (pH greater than 7 initially) were used to generate transmembrane potentials across membrane vesicles . Above a threshold value of about -50 mV, uptake of glucose into membrane vesicles was reduced . Likewise, the maximum uptake of glucose and its two analogs into cells occurred when the protonmotive force was less than about -50 mV. Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1985 Oct, 93(5), 327 - 30 Actinomycotic infections of the central nervous system . Two case reports; Tvede M et al.; Two cases of CNS infections caused by Actinomyces israelii one a fatal case of brain abscess and the other a case of subdural empyema with complete recovery, are reported . One of the patients suffered from a congenital ventricular septal defect, and in both patients a pulmonary focus was found . When slow-growing bacteria such as Actinomyces may be suspected, it is important to cultivate anaerobically for at least five days. Anal Biochem, 1985 Oct, 150(1), 13 - 7 Immunostaining free oligosaccharides directly on thin-layer chromatograms; Magnani JL; Oligosaccharides are chromatographed on amino-bonded high-performance thin-layer chromatography silica gel plates and after chromatography the aldehydes on the reducing ends of the oligosaccharides react with the amino groups on the silica gel . Bound oligosaccharides are immunostained directly on the chromatograms by monoclonal antibodies . The binding of antibodies is detected by autoradiography after a second incubation with 125I-labeled goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin . Using this method, 10 pmol of lacto-N-difucopentaose I (Leb hapten) and lacto-N-fucopentaose III (Lex hapten) are detected directly on the thin-layer chromatograms by monoclonal antibodies 10c17 and 534F8, respectively . Previously undescribed larger oligosaccharides containing these epitopes are also detected in human milk . This method may be used to identify and characterize antibody-binding oligosaccharides liberated from glycoconjugates by hydrazinolysis, by trifluoroacetolysis, by ozonolysis, or by treatment with endoglycosidases . This technique may also be used to determine the structural specificity of other carbohydrate-binding proteins such as lectins, toxins, and hormones or of bacteria and viruses that bind to cell surface glycoproteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1985 Oct, 82(20), 6955 - 9 Rapid determination of 16S ribosomal RNA sequences for phylogenetic analyses; Lane DJ et al.; Although the applicability of small subunit ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) sequences for bacterial classification is now well accepted, the general use of these molecules has been hindered by the technical difficulty of obtaining their sequences . A protocol is described for rapidly generating large blocks of 16S rRNA sequence data without isolation of the 16S rRNA or cloning of its gene . The 16S rRNA in bulk cellular RNA preparations is selectively targeted for dideoxynucleotide-terminated sequencing by using reverse transcriptase and synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide primers complementary to universally conserved 16S rRNA sequences . Three particularly useful priming sites, which provide access to the three major 16S rRNA structural domains, routinely yield 800-1000 nucleotides of 16S rRNA sequence . The method is evaluated with respect to accuracy, sensitivity to modified nucleotides in the template RNA, and phylogenetic usefulness, by examination of several 16S rRNAs whose gene sequences are known . The relative simplicity of this approach should facilitate a rapid expansion of the 16S rRNA sequence collection available for phylogenetic analyses. Cancer, 1985 Sep 15, 56(6), 1305 - 10 Human interferon alpha in malignant lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease . Results of the American Cancer Society trial; Horning SJ et al.; Forty-nine patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease were entered into a multi-institutional phase II trial to evaluate the antitumor activity of human interferon alpha, prepared from buffy coats . Interferon alpha was administered intramuscularly in doses of 1 X 10(6) u, 3 X 10(6) u or 9 X 10(6) u daily for 30 days . Objective partial responses were seen in 3 of 18 patients with nodular lymphoma, all at the 9 X 10(6) u dose . Interferon alpha was not observed to be of therapeutic benefit in the other subtypes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease . The major toxicities consisted of fatigue, fever, myalgias and weight loss . Serum interferon levels obtained 3 to 4 hours after injection varied widely, even among patients treated at the same dose level . Despite the relatively low doses of interferon used and the brief period of administration, this study extends the earlier observations of the antitumor effect of interferon in nodular lymphoma . These results are discussed in relation to the cumulative experience in human lymphoma using alpha interferons induced in human leukocytes and those produced in bacteria by recombinant DNA techniques. Nature, 1985 Sep 12-18, 317(6033), 124 - 9 Molecular mechanisms of receptor desensitization using the beta-adrenergic receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase system as a model; Sibley DR et al.; Desensitization, the tendency of biological responses to wane over time despite the continuous presence of a stimulus of constant intensity, is observed in organisms as diverse as bacteria and mammals . Recently, new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena have emerged from the study of the receptors coupled to the ubiquitous second messenger-generating system adenylate cyclase . These mechanisms involve sequestration or down-regulation of the receptors from the cell surface as well as functionally significant covalent modifications of the receptors and/or guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins. J Pharmacobiodyn, 1985 Sep, 8(9), 718 - 25 Structural transformation of saikosaponins by gastric juice and intestinal flora; Shimizu K et al.; Structural transformation of saikosaponin a and saikosaponin d, main components of Bupleuri Radix, were investigated using rat gastric juice (pH 1.5) and mouse intestinal flora in vitro and the excretion of saikosaponin derivatives in rat feces was also studied . Quantitative analysis of saikosaponins and their derivatives was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography . By the incubation of saikosaponins in rat gastric juice, saikosaponin a decreased with time dependently . After 3 h, saikosaponin a disappeared completely and saikosaponin b1 which possessed heteroannular diene moiety at C-11,13(18) and saikosaponin g which possessed homoannular diene moiety at C-9(11),12 were detected with the ratio of 3:1 . On the other hand, saikosaponin d rapidly changed to only saikosaponin b2 (heteroannular diene structure) completely 30 min after the incubation . Next, by the anaerobic incubation of saikosaponin a with mouse intestinal flora, the formation of saikogenin F, a genuine aglycone of saikosaponin a, reached to the maximum 1 h after the incubation and its yield was 80% . A minor peak of prosaikogenen F, a monofucoside of saikogenin F, was also detected at 15 min . By the same procedures, saikosaponin b1, g, d and b2 also changed to the corresponded prosaikogenin A, H, G and D and saikogenin A, H, G and D with the almost similar pattern to that of saikosaponin a . Finally, the contents of nine excreted metabolites from saikosaponin a, 5 and 20 mg/kg, in feces after its oral administration was investigated using fasted or non-fasted rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Hinyokika Kiyo, 1985 Sep, 31(9), 1667 - 74 {Clinical experience of norfloxacin (Baccidal) in the urological field}; Fukuoka H et al.; The clinical effectiveness of a new synthetic pyridoncarboxylic acid derivative, norfloxacin (NFLX: Baccidal) was studied in the urological field . NFLX was given clinically to 50 patients with urogenital tract infections; 40 cases were acute simple cystitis and 10 cases were complicated UTI satisfied the criteria of the UTI committee . Thirty two bacterial strains were isolated from the group of acute simple cystitis and 10 bacterial strains were isolated from the group of complicated UTI . Susceptibility of NFLX by the method of distribution and disk sensitivity was 97% in the former group and 89% in the latter group . The overall clinical efficacy rate estimated by the criteria of the UTI committee in 32 cases with acute simple cystitis was 97% and in 10 cases with complicated UTI was 60% . The incidence of side effect was 8.0% (4/50) . All of these side effects which were nausea, abdominal fullness and headache may be attributable to the administration of NFLX . No abnormal laboratory findings were observed except for elevation in GOT and GPT values in 1 case (4.0%), which returned to normal after NFLX treatment . Therefore NFLX is suggested to be a clinically useful and safe drug in the treatment of UTI. Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Sep, 38(9), 2587 - 93 {Clinical study of SM-4300 in infectious diseases of pediatrics}; Mikuni K et al.; SM-4300, a new developed immunoglobulin preparation with ion-exchange treatment, was used intravenously for 12 infectious diseases . These 12 cases (under 10 years old) were including 4 sepsises, 3 pneumonias, 1 pyothorax, 1 ventriculitis, 1 purulent meningitis, 1 aseptic meningitis and 1 cellulitis . To evaluate the effect of SM-4300, 2 cases were excluded from evaluation because of blood transfusion or immediately death . Since antibiotics were used at the same time, it was surely difficult to evaluate the effect of SM-4300 . In 10 cases, 2 cases were excellent effective, 4 cases were fairly effective and others were not effective . Including fairly effective cases, the rate of efficacy was 60% . In all cases, there were no significant side effects regarding clinical findings and laboratory examinations . SM-4300 may be available for severe infectious diseases with antibiotics therapy. Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Sep, 38(9), 2559 - 63 {The use of SM-4300 against severe infections complicated with hematological diseases}; Ikeda S et al.; The intravenous human gamma-globulin (SM-4300) was used with antibiotics for 9 patients who had severe bacterial infections resisted to the antibiotics . All of these patients had underlying hematological diseases, acute leukemia, aplastic anemia, malignant lymphoma and pure red cell aplasia . In many of the cases the leukocyte counts were extremely decreased . In 11 episodes of the infections, 4 cases were successfully treated by SM-4300 and 4 cases were not . No adverse reaction was found . It seems that the use of SM-4300 is effective for the treatment of these severe infections. Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Sep, 38(9), 2509 - 14 {Clinical effects of SM-4300 in severe infectious patients}; Yamamoto T et al.; A newly developed human immunoglobulin preparation for intravenous use, SM-4300, has been studied in Nagoyashi-Koseiin Geriatric Hospital on the effects of 14 cases of the various severe infections in the combined use with antibiotics . The following results were obtained: The patients had many kinds of underlying diseases . Cerebral vascular disease was the most frequent underlying disease, and found in 70% of 14 patients, followed by heart failure . Among them 8 cases were chosen for the clinical evaluation by doctors in charge . SM-4300 effected good in 1 case, fairly 3 and poorly 4 . The efficacy rate was summarized as 12.5% . In all cases, there were no significant side effects regarding symptoms, hematological analysis, renal and live functions . Based on these results, SM-4300 may be safe and a drug worth to try in treatment of severe infections. Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Sep, 38(9), 2387 - 96 {Clinical trial of cefpiramide in the gynecological field}; Obata I et al.; Cefpiramide (CPM) was administrated intramuscularly to 27 cases of gynecological infections to evaluate its clinical efficacy and safety and the following results wee obtained . CPM was effective to all the cases of gynecological infections, and excellent was seen in 14 cases and good was seen in 13 cases . CPM eliminated 75% of clinical isolates . Laboratory tests were performed to blood samples and functions of liver and kidney before and after CPM treatment . Elevation of GPT was observed in 2 cases but required no treatment. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Sep, 50(3), 704 - 5 Statistical association of dietary components with Simonsiella species residing in normal human mouths; Gregory DA et al.; Members of the genus Simonsiella, aerobic, multicellular filamentous gliding bacteria, were detected in swabbings from the palates of 32% of 212 human subjects free of gross oral pathologies . Nutritional evaluations for 142 of the subjects showed a significantly greater daily intake among 53 Simonsiella carriers for 13 dietary variables, including four fat components, but there was no significantly greater daily intake for any of the carbohydrate components . Overall, there was a general excess dietary intake by Simonsiella carriers . The mean dietary intake of the carriers was numerically greater than that of the noncarriers for 70 of 74 dietary variables. An Esp Pediatr, 1985 Sep, 23(3), 194 - 200 {Hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy . Its possible relation with heat stroke}; Labay Matias MV et al.; A comparative study of two patients, one affected by haemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy (HSE) and the other by heatstroke is reported . Both presented shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, neurological damage and hepatopathy . A lowered alpha 1-antitrypsin concentration as well as a slightly increased circulating immune complexes and complement consumption were observed in the HSE patient but not in the heatstroke one . In both, cultures for bacteria were negative, the viral serology was non-specific and hepatitis A and B studies were negative . HSE patient died . A possible relationship between HSE, heatstroke, malignant hyperthermia and halothane hepatitis is postulated . Fever, potentially hepatotoxic drugs or unknown agents (HSE) might trigger this clinical picture. Br J Nutr, 1985 Sep, 54(2), 429 - 35 A comparative study of phytate hydrolysis in the gastrointestinal tract of the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) and the laboratory rat; Williams PJ et al.; The role of bacterial, dietary and intestinal phytases (EC 3.1.3.8) in the hydrolysis of phytate was investigated in the golden hamster and rat by assaying phytase in the small intestine and by measuring the disappearance of phytate from the stomach and large intestine, using chromium oxide as an insoluble solid-phase marker . It was confirmed that an active phytase was present in the proximal third of the small intestine of the rat but the enzyme was undetectable in the hamster . Extensive bacterial breakdown of phytate occurred in the pregastric pouch and true stomach of the hamster with both phytase-containing and phytase-free diets, with phytate digestibilities in the true stomach ranging from 0.69-0.90, confirming that the hamster can be regarded as a pseudo-ruminant . With a phytase-free diet, the digestibility of phytate in the stomach of the rat was very low (0.05) but with a wheat-based diet substantial breakdown of phytate occurred (digestibility up to 0.49), presumably under the influence of the cereal phytase . Intestinal phytase did not appear to be of great significance in the rat but some further hydrolysis of the residual phytate probably occurred in the large intestine of both species by bacterial phytase. Arch Biochem Biophys, 1985 Sep, 241(2), 472 - 6 A comparison of the effects of cyanide, hydrogen peroxide, and phenylglyoxal on eucaryotic and procaryotic Cu,Zn superoxide dismutases; Borders CL Jr et al.; The Cu,Zn superoxide dismutases from bovine liver, yeast, Caulobacter crescentus, and Photobacter leiognathi were compared for their susceptibilities to inhibition by cyanide and to inactivation by hydrogen peroxide and phenylglyoxal . All of these enzymes were affected by these reagents, albeit with some differences in sensitivity . The yeast and the bacterial enzymes were thus more sensitive to cyanide than was the bovine enzyme, while the bovine and the yeast enzymes were inactivated more rapidly by hydrogen peroxide and less rapidly by phenylglyoxal than were their bacterial counterparts . The qualitative similarities in the behavior of all of these enzymes suggest overriding similarities in their active site regions . However, a quantitative comparison of the data suggests that the bacterial enzymes are more like each other than they are like the eucaryotic enzymes, and furthermore, are more like the yeast enzyme than the bovine enzyme. J Bacteriol, 1985 Sep, 163(3), 1087 - 94 Uptake of intact nucleoside monophosphates by Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J; Ruby EG et al.; The degraded nucleic acids and ribosomes of its prey cell provide Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J with a source of ribonucleoside monophosphates and deoxyribonucleoside monophosphates for biosynthesis and respiration . We demonstrate that bdellovibrios, in contrast to almost all other bacteria, take up these nucleoside monophosphates into the cell in an intact, phosphorylated form . In this way they are able to assimilate more effectively the cellular contents of their prey . Studies with UMP and dTMP demonstrate that they are transported and accumulated against a concentration gradient, achieving internal levels at least 10 times the external levels . Treatment of the bdellovibrios with azide or carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone eliminates their ability to either transport or maintain accumulated UMP and suggests the presence of a freely reversible exchange mechanism . There are at least two separate classes of transport systems for nucleoside monophosphates, each exhibiting partial specificity for either ribonucleoside monophosphates or deoxyribonucleoside monophosphates . Kinetic analyses of UMP transport in different developmental stages of strain 109J indicate that each stage expresses a single, saturable uptake system with a distinct apparent substrate affinity constant (Kt) of 104 microM in attack phase cells and 35 microM in prematurely released growth phase filaments . The capacity for transport of UMP by the growth phase filaments was 2.4 times that of the attack phase cells . These data, in addition to the apparent lack of environmental control of UMP transport capacity in attack phase cells, suggest that there are two transport systems for UMP in bdellovibrios and that the high-affinity, high-capacity growth phase system is developmentally regulated. Dig Dis Sci, 1985 Sep, 30(9), 891 - 5 Intradiaphragmatic abscess . An extremely rare complication of pneumatic dilatation of the esophagus; Mercer CD et al.; A patient with dysphagia initially diagnosed as achalasia but now thought to have spinocerebellar degeneration manifesting itself in the esophagus as achalasia, developed an intradiaphragmatic abscess, presumably as a complication of pneumatic dilation of the esophagus . This previously unreported complication occurred as a result of transmural spread of bacteria at the time of dilatation with seeding of the diaphragmatic muscle . An intradiaphragmatic abscess may be mistakenly diagnosed clinically and radiologically as a subphrenic abscess or loculated empyema . Management of intradiaphragmatic abscess is discussed briefly. Crit Care Med, 1985 Sep, 13(9), 753 - 5 Colonization of intravascular monitoring devices; Samsoondar W et al.; This randomized prospective study of all invasive catheters inserted in our ICU tested the hypothesis that daily dressing changes would reduce the 25% infection rate associated with these catheters . Significant growth was noted in eight (7%) of 133 vs . nine (6.7%) of 135 skin cultures from patients whose dressings and infusion tubings were changed at 24 vs . 72 h, respectively . Catheter tip cultures were positive in six (5.9%) of 102 vs . eight (7.5%) of 107 for the 24- and 72-h groups, respectively . Paradoxically, blood cultures were positive in three (6.7%) of 45 vs . 12 (23.1%) of 52 from the 24- and 72-h groups, respectively (p less than .03) . However, there was no correlation between the positive blood cultures and the organisms cultured from the catheter tips. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med, 1985 Sep, 179(4), 522 - 8 Retention of ingested latex particles in Peyer's patches of germfree and conventional mice; Lefevre ME et al.; Conventional and germfree mice ingested a suspension of 2-micron latex particles in drinking water for a 15-day period . Number and distribution of intestinal Peyer's patches did not differ significantly in the two types of mice . Cleared Peyer's patches were compared with regard to size and particle content . The location of particles within Peyer's patch follicles of germfree mice was similar to that of conventional mice, but the latter had significantly larger follicles and greater accumulations of latex particles . Latex concentration varied with patch location . Proximal patches contained the majority of particles in germfree mice, whereas particles were most abundant in distal patches of conventional mice . The results show that particle uptake into Peyer's patches takes place even in the complete absence of bacteria in the gut. Obstet Gynecol, 1985 Sep, 66(3 Suppl), 8S - 9S Chronic granulomatous disease in pregnancy; Veille JC et al.; The ability of phagocytes to kill certain bacteria is impaired in chronic granulomatous disease . This results in frequent infection in the childhood period and frequent death in the early teens . Survival beyond this period is rare and often occurs in patients who have a mild variant of the disease . Reported herein is the obstetric course of a patient with chronic granulomatous disease. J Lipid Res, 1985 Sep, 26(9), 1120 - 5 C15, C20, and C25 isoprenoid homologues in glycerol diether phospholipids of methanogenic archaebacteria; Mancuso CA et al.; The glycerol diether phospholipids of 25 monocultures of methanogenic bacteria were isolated and degraded with hydriodic acid . The resulting alkyl iodides were converted to acetate esters and alcohols which were examined using capillary gas-liquid chromatography . The presence of C20 phytanol was observed in accordance with previous studies . Soft fragmentation by chemical ionization mass spectrometry combined with selected ion monitoring enabled the detection, for the first time, of C15 and C25 isoprenologues as components of the diether phospholipids in several strains. Am J Physiol, 1985 Sep, 249(3 Pt 1), G416 - 21 Migrating action potential complex: unmasked by 6-hydroxydopamine; Mathias JR et al.; We have previously described the myoelectric characteristics of a single moving ring contraction, the migrating action potential complex (MAPC), in rabbit ileal loops exposed to certain bacteria or their enterotoxins . The MAPC is thought to act as a defense mechanism of the host, clearing unwanted substances from the lumen . In the present study, 6-hydroxydopamine, a substance that selectively destroys adrenergic varicosities containing the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, unmasked the MAPC from the activity front of the migrating motor complex in an unanesthetized rat model . The animals developed diarrhea and lost weight . The study suggests that the MAPC may also be a physiological complex and under the modulation of the enteric nervous system . The MAPC may not be seen under normal control conditions because the complex migrates with the activity front and is under inhibitory control . Destroying the inhibitory mechanisms unmasked the MAPC from the activity front of the migrating motor complex and allowed neural transmission of the ring contraction. Cent Afr J Med, 1985 Sep, 31(9), 166 - 70 The clinical features and laboratory findings in acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Harare, Zimbabwe; Stein CM et al.; PIP: The immune status of patients in Harare modifies their response to acute P.falciparum infection . Malnourished children were the group at greatest risk and fits were a feature of malaria in this age group . Fever and headache were the commonest symptoms overall, but 12,5% of patients were never pyrexial . Splenomegaly was common in young children but uncommon in adults . A leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia and normochromic normocytic anemia were common features of acute P . falciparum malaria as were hyponatremia and hypokalemia . The leukocytosis and hypokalemia are not well documented features of acute malaria and genetic differences may account for varying responses . The diagnosis was proven in only 26% of cases thought clinically to have malaria . In several cases malaria was not considered in the differential diagnosis . More than 1/2 the patients with positive blood slides received antibiotics as well as chloroquine . Bacteria were isolated from blood cultures in 8 patients . Septicemia may be an uncommonly recognized complication of acute P . falciparum malaria . Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Sep, 38(9), 2526 - 31 {Therapeutic effect of human immunoglobulin, SM-4300, against severe respiratory tract infections}; Niki Y et al.; SM-4300, a newly developed human immunoglobulin for intravenous use, has been studied for the safety and effectiveness/efficacy in the 7 patients with severe respiratory infections and a patient with fever of undetermined origin . Severe infections in the patients considered of 3 cases of pneumonia, 2 of obstructive pneumonia due to lung cancer, 2 of diffuse panbronchiolitis and 1 of fever of undetermined origin . Clinical effects of SM-4300 were excellent in 1 case, good in 1, fair in 2 and poor in 4 . The efficacy rate was 25.0% . The appearance of subjective and objective clinical side effects and abnormal laboratory findings related to SM-4300 administration were not noted. Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Sep, 38(9), 2453 - 80 {A comparative double blind study of lenampicillin and talampicillin in the treatment of oral infections}; Sasaki J et al.; A comparative double blind study of lenampicillin (LAPC, KBT-1585) and talampicillin (TAPC) was carried out in order to objectively evaluate efficacy, safety and utility of LAPC in treatment of 238 patients with oral infections . Cases accepted by the Central Committee for evaluation of efficacy and utility were 218, consisting of 101 of the LAPC group and 117 of the TAPC group; safety were 234, consisting of 110 of LAPC and 124 of TAPC . Clinical effectiveness as rated by attending doctor was 84.2% for the LAPC group and 82.9% for the TAPC group . The clinical utility rating was 82.2% in the LAPC group and 82.1% in the TAPC group, showing no significant difference between the 2 drugs . Adverse reactions were found in 6 cases (5.5%) in the LAPC group and 5 cases (4.0%) in the TAPC group, showing no significant difference between the 2 drugs . Cases accepted by the controllers for evaluation of efficacy and utility were 236, consisting of 111 cases of LAPC and 125 cases of TAPC . Those for safety were 236, consisting of 111 cases of LAPC and 125 of TAPC . The clinical effectiveness rating was 77.5% in the LAPC group and 79.2% in the TAPC group . Clinical utility rating was 75.7% in the LAPC group and 78.4% in the TAPC group . Rate of adverse reactions was 5.4% in the LAPC group and 4.0% in the TAPC group, showing no significant difference between the 2 drugs . Cases evaluated for efficacy according to numerical rating on the 3rd day were 200 cases, consisting of 93 of LAPC and 107 of TAPC . The effectiveness rate was 83.9% in the LAPC group and 95.3 in the TAPC group, showing a significant difference between the 2 drugs . On the other hand, taking into consideration evaluation scores of the 5th day, the effectiveness rate was 88.7% in the LAPC group and 96.1% in the TAPC group, showing no significant difference between the 2 drugs . The effectiveness rate in cases of isolated organisms was 84.9% in the LAPC group and 79.7% in the TAPC group, showing no significant difference between the 2 drugs . Adverse reactions were mostly of gastrointestinal origin . Symptoms were not serious and disappeared soon after administration was discontinued or immediately after administration was completed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis, 1985 Sep, 53(3), 365 - 72 Results from cation and mass fingerprint analysis of single cells and from ATP measurements of M . leprae for drug sensitivity testing: a comparison; Seydel U et al.; The physiologic states of Mycobacterium leprae isolated from patient biopsies were studied using single cell mass spectrometry by laser microprobe mass analysis (LAM-MA) and ATP bioluminescence assay . The changes in the physiologic state of M . leprae after the patients had been treated with dapsone (DDS) monotherapy were also studied . The shift of the low intracellular Na+, K+-ratio of untreated M . leprae cells to higher values under DDS therapy, as measured from a limited number of single bacteria, correlates with a decrease in the ATP content . Further information on the influence of the drug could be drawn from the multivariate analysis of mass fingerprints of the organic matrix of the cells . Evidence is provided that the combination of the measurement of the intracellular cation ratios and of the mass fingerprint analysis could give fast answers to the question of drug resistance and to the persister hypothesis . The ATP bioluminescence assay and the single cell mass analysis should be alternatives to the mouse foot pad test. J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Sep, 22(3), 419 - 21 Clinical utility of a monoclonal direct fluorescent reagent specific for Legionella pneumophila: comparative study with other reagents; Edelstein PH et al.; Twenty-four lower respiratory tract samples taken from patients with culture-confirmed Legionella pneumophila infection were examined with three different direct immunofluorescent antisera to L . pneumophila, as were 29 samples from similar sources taken from patients without Legionnaires disease . The reagents studied were Genetic Systems Corp . (GS) monoclonal L . pneumophila conjugate, which reacts with all known serogroups of L . pneumophila, BioDx polyvalent L . pneumophila serogroups 1 through 6 conjugate, and Centers for Disease Control polyvalent pool A L . pneumophila serogroups 1 through 4 conjugate . The specimens had been frozen at -70 degrees C for 0.5 to 5 years . Randomization was used in coding the samples, which were stained and read by an independent observer . All three conjugates correctly identified all positive and negative samples . No difference was noted among the conjugates in the absolute numbers of fluorescent L . pneumophila bacteria per sample . The GS conjugate had a much cleaner background than did the other two reagents . Mean staining intensity scores were 3.4, 3.9, and 3.7 for the GS, BioDx, and Centers for Disease Control conjugates, respectively . This study demonstrates that the diagnostic efficiency of all three conjugates is equivalent . Since the GS conjugate is easier to read, does not cross-react with non-L . pneumophila bacteria, and reacts with serogroups 1 through 10 of L . pneumophila, it appears to be preferable for use in diagnostic testing on nonhistopathologically processed specimens. Mol Cell Biol, 1985 Sep, 5(9), 2265 - 71 Recombination and deletion of sequences in shuttle vector plasmids in mammalian cells; Chakrabarti S et al.; Shuttle vector plasmids were constructed with directly repeated sequences flanking a marker gene . African green monkey kidney (AGMK) cells were infected with the constructions, and after a period of replication, the progeny plasmids were recovered and introduced into bacteria . Those colonies with plasmids that had lost the marker gene were identified, and the individual plasmids were purified and characterized by restriction enzyme digestion . Recombination between the repeated elements generated a plasmid with a precise deletion and a characteristic restriction pattern, which distinguished the recombined molecules from those with other defects in the marker gene . Recombination among the following different sequences was measured in this assay: (i) the simian virus 40 origin and enhancer region, (ii) the AGMK Alu sequence, and (iii) a sequence from plasmid pBR322 . Similar frequencies of recombination among these sequences were found . Recombination occurred more frequently in Cos1 cells than in CV1 cells . In these experiments, the plasmid population with defective marker genes consisted of the recombined molecules and of the spontaneous deletion-insertion mutants described earlier . The frequency of the latter class was unaffected by the presence of the option for recombination represented by the direct repeats . Both recombination and deletion-insertion mutagenesis were stimulated by double-strand cleavage between the repeated sequences and adjacent to the marker, and the frequency of the deletion-insertion mutants in this experiment was again independent of the presence of the direct repeats . We concluded that although recombination and deletion-insertion mutagenesis were both stimulated by double-strand cleavage, the molecules which underwent the two types of change were drawn from separate pools. Int Dent J, 1985 Sep, 35(3), 180 - 9 Oral effects of sugars and sweeteners; Kleinberg I; Increasingly, sweeteners are being used in the diets of caries-prone individuals to reduce sugar intake . Such substitution deprives the bacteria in the dental plaque of the sugars many of them use to produce the acids that cause demineralization of tooth tissue and development of the caries lesion . Sweeteners are particularly effective replacements for dietary sugars because they also stimulate the flow of saliva which can, through several mechanisms, prevent demineralization and even bring about remineralization of already demineralized enamel, dentine or cementum . More saliva means that more of its nitrogen-containing substances will reach the dental plaque where they can be degraded by plaque bacteria and thus produce base and the alkaline conditions that are conducive to a shift from tooth demineralization to tooth remineralization . At the same time, the additional saliva brings to the plaque more calcium and phosphate ions, the necessary ingredients for the remineralization process . At alkaline pH, saliva also provides a source of easily solubilized calcium phosphate that, in association with salivary carbohydrate protein, becomes part of the dental plaque . Because it is dissolved by acid more easily than is the calcium phosphate of the tooth, plaque calcium phosphate acts as a substitute for the tooth tissues when periods of acid attack occur following sugar ingestion . It is proposed that diagnostic tests be developed that can conveniently determine the acid-base and demineralization-remineralization potentials of different dental plaques and that these tests be used to determine the extent to which sugars in the diets of caries-active individuals be replaced with sweeteners. Arch Pathol Lab Med, 1985 Sep, 109(9), 810 - 2 Fine-needle aspiration of lymphadenopathy of suspected infectious etiology; Layfield LJ et al.; We present a protocol for culture of lymph node find-needle aspirations in a series of 44 patients . Clinical indications for inclusion in the protocol included fever, localized erythema, pain or heat, an independent clinical diagnosis of infection by the referring physician, or a grossly purulent appearance of the initial aspirate material . Organisms (fungi, bacteria, or mycobacteria) were isolated in 13 (30%) of the aspirates . The probable contamination rate was 9% . These figures approached the culture yields obtained from open biopsy specimens as reported in the literature . A notable discrepancy existed between the cytologic appearance of the aspirates and culture results in three cases of mycobacteria . Six unsuspected malignancies were diagnosed . There were no complications from the procedure in this series . Based on this study, we present recommendations for culture of fine-needle aspirates from lymph nodes. Dis Colon Rectum, 1985 Sep, 28(9), 653 - 7 Efficacy of a simplified lower gastrointestinal flexible endoscope cleaning method; Matteucci DJ et al.; Published guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) "strongly recommended" gas sterilization or 30 minutes of high-level disinfection with either 2 percent glutaraldehyde or 6 percent hydrogen peroxide following each flexible endoscope cleansing for proper care . The guidelines were proposed on the basis of previous CDC studies performed on glutaraldehyde disinfection of respiratory equipment . A prospective study was performed culturing flexible endoscopes following cannulation of the lower gastrointestinal tract and cleansing . A uniform endoscope cleansing method without gas sterilization or high-level disinfection was used between patients . Thirty aerobic and 30 anaerobic RODAC bacterial culturings revealed no obligate anaerobic organism growth and only sparse, aerobic, environmental and cutaneous organism growth . There were no instances of documented or suspected postendoscopy infectious complications . Our results indicate that high-level disinfection and gas sterilization of flexible endoscopes are not necessary to prevent bacterial disease transmission from patient to patient. Biochem J, 1985 Sep 1, 230(2), 543 - 9 A critical appraisal of evidence for localized energy coupling . Kinetic studies on liposomes containing bacteriorhodopsin and ATP synthase; Van der Bend RL et al.; In intact systems (chloroplasts, mitochondria and bacteria) many experiments have been reported which are indicative of localized coupling between ATP synthase and electron transfer complexes . We have carried out similar experiments with a system in which we may assume that specific interactions between the proton pumps are absent: reconstituted vesicles containing bacteriorhodopsin and yeast mitochondrial ATP synthase . The only experiment that gives results which differ from those previously published for intact systems concerns the effect of uncouplers on the rate of ATP synthesis at different levels of inhibition of the ATP synthase . We propose that this type of experiment may discriminate between localized and delocalized coupling. Ukr Biokhim Zh, 1985 Sep-Oct, 57(5), 63 - 74 {H+-adenosine triphosphatases from plasma membranes}; Palladina TA; New data are presented on the organization of H+-pumps in plasma membranes of cells of bacteria fungi, plants and animals . It is shown that H+-ATPase of bacteria differs in principle from H+-ATPases of plasma membranes of other organisms . The transport H+, K+-ATPase functioning in cells of mucous membrane of the animal stomach as an electroneutral H+-pump is similar by its properties to Na+, K+-ATPase of plasma membranes of animal cells . H+-ATPase of plasma membranes in cells of fungi and higher plants which functions as an electrogenic H+-pump differs essentially from H+-ATPases of F0 X F1-type . Distribution of H+-ATPases in cells of different organisms and their evolution are under discussion. J Hosp Infect, 1985 Sep, 6(3), 277 - 80 A comparison of cefotetan and cephazolin for prophylaxis against wound infection after elective cholecystectomy; Drumm J et al.; In a prospective randomized study 168 patients received a single dose of either cephazolin or cefotetan (1 g) as a prophylactic against wound infection after cholecystectomy . In the cephazolin group 10.3% and the cefotetan group 14.4% developed wound infections (Chi-squared = 0.34 P = less than 0.6 greater than 0.5). Acta Cytol, 1985 Sep-Oct, 29(5), 676 - 82 The cytologic features of chlamydial cervicitis; Lindner LE et al.; Chlamydial cervicitis is a common and important infection . Diagnostic cytologic criteria have been proposed, but not generally accepted . To better evaluate the cytologic changes, cervical cultures for Chlamydia trachomatis and duplicate cervical smears for Papanicolaou staining and immunofluorescence staining for chlamydial organisms were taken from 496 patients . A total of 61 (12.3%) of the patients had a positive culture for C . trachomatis . By immunofluorescence, the organisms were present as very small extracellular elementary bodies in mucus or as similar bodies in leukocytes; inclusions within epithelial cells were seen in only two cases . The organisms did not stain with the Papanicolaou stain . Chlamydial infection correlated with the degree of inflammation, with the presence of histiocytes and lymphocytes, especially large "transformed" lymphocytes, and with the presence of unidentified short bacteria, which stained red with the Papanicolaou stain . These features predict which patients should be tested more definitively for the presence of chlamydial organisms . However, we found no cytologic criteria that can reliably permit its diagnosis. J Infect Dis, 1985 Sep, 152(3), 529 - 35 Treatment of Brucella canis and Brucella abortus in vitro and in vivo by stable plurilamellar vesicle-encapsulated aminoglycosides; Fountain MW et al.; Stable plurilamellar vesicles (SPLVs) entrapping aminoglycosides were used to treat infections due to Brucella species (Brucella canis and Brucella abortus) . SPLV-entrapped antibiotics effectively eliminated internalized B . canis in cultures of resident murine peritoneal macrophages and internalized B . abortus in cultures of resident guinea pig peritoneal macrophages . In vivo studies demonstrated that SPLV-entrapped aminoglycosides administered to B . canis-infected mice and B . abortus-infected guinea pigs effectively eliminated bacteria from infected organs . The dosage schedule used involved two intraperitoneal administrations of SPLV-entrapped aminoglycosides at three-day intervals . The results demonstrate the superiority of SPLV-entrapped aminoglycosides to free aminoglycosides in effecting elimination of facultative intracellular bacteria in vitro and in vivo . The use of SPLVs as a drug carrier has broad application to treatment of infections due to other organisms. Science, 1985 Aug 30, 229(4716), 862 - 4 Stereostructure of the archaebacterial C40 diol; Heathcock CH et al.; The stereostructure of the archaebacterial C40 diol has been established as (3R,7R,11R,15S,18S,22R,26R,30R)-3,7,11,15,18,22,26,30- octamethyldotriacontane-1,32-diol by stereorational total synthesis . This provides the final evidence necessary to establish the structure of an archaebacterial membrane substance that is a 72-membered-ring tetraether with 18 stereocenters. Eur J Biochem, 1985 Aug 15, 151(1), 131 - 40 Solubilization and purification of the ATPase from the tonoplast of Hevea; Marin B et al.; The tonoplast-bound ATPase of Hevea brasiliensis (caoutchouc tree) was solubilized with dichloromethan and purified 100-fold with two ammonium sulfate precipitation steps and a G-200 gel filtration step . The resulting ATPase activity eluted according to a molecular mass of approximately 200 kDa and chromatographed at an isoelectric pH of 5.3 . Subunits of molecular mass 110 kDa, 68 kDa, 24 kDa and 12 kDa appeared after treatment with 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate or spontaneously during storage of the solubilized ATPase . Dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis yielded four polypeptides of molecular mass 54 kDa, 66 kDa, 23 kDa and 13 kDa . From protein determination by ultraviolet absorption and Coomassie stain it appears that the 54-kDa and the 66-kDa polypeptides exist in multiple copies . No close resemblance to the membrane-bound ATPase of mitochondria, plastids, plasmalemma, chromaffin granules and synaptic vesicles is seen . No antibody cross-reaction to F1 of bacteria is observed . Therefore it is concluded that the vacuolar ATPase represents a novel type of ATPase . Many properties of the tonoplast-bound ATPase such as pH-dependence, substrate specificity, ion-dependence and inhibitor sensitivity did not change when the enzyme had been solubilized and purified . The phosphatase activity was lost during the purification procedure . The stimulation of ATP-hydrolysis in tonoplast vesicles by uncouplers and ionophores was absent in the solubilized ATPase, and also the stimulation by chloride was significantly reduced . Anion channel blockers, such as triphenyltin and 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-disulfonic acid stilbene, which are strong inhibitors of membrane-bound ATPase, fully or partly lost their inhibiting effect after solubilization of the ATPase . These results are interpreted to indicate that ionophores do not directly affect the ATPase molecule, whereas chloride might have a small direct effect on the ATPase besides its effect as a permeating anion. J Cell Sci, 1985 Aug, 77, 19 - 26 Successive asexual life cycles of starved amoebae in the cellular slime mould, Dictyostelium mucoroides var . stoloniferum; Bonner JT et al.; Dense masses of spores of Dictyostelium mucoroides var . stoloniferum have the ability to germinate and aggregate rapidly in the absence of food . This is made possible by the presence of a dominant, self-produced spore germination activator . The germination-aggregation cycle can be repeated in as many as six successive generations . In each generation the spore size is reduced so that ultimately they are only a fraction of the size of those produced by the parental, bacteria-fed amoebae. Hinyokika Kiyo, 1985 Aug, 31(8), 1381 - 5 {Formation of the staghorn calculi}; Takeuchi H et al.; To study the process of formation of staghorn calculi, 58 patients with staghorn calculi were evaluated clinically and the removed stones were studied architecturally . Of 35 patients with infection stones composed of struvite and/or apatite in the nuclei as well as peripheral layers, 18 had identified predisposing factors related to infection . Of 13 patients with infection stones containing calcium oxalate in the nuclei, 7 had predisposing factors of infection but only 2 had metabolic disorders . The patients with infection stones who had no predisposing factors may have transient or subclinical abnormalities . Initial stone formation of oxalate may also be one of the predisposing factors of infection . Most of the patients with staghorn calculi composed of uric acid, oxalate and cystine, had metabolic disorders related to these substances . Large numbers of bacteria and large amounts of organic matrix were found extensively within infection stones and were thought to be important components as well as crystals . Metabolic stones contained little matrix . In this case crystal aggregation is thought to play the most important role in stone formation. Pharmazie, 1985 Aug, 40(8), 540 - 1 {Synthesis and biological activity of 1,4-benzoquinone-guanylhydrazone-thiosemicarbazone analogs . 1 . Substitution at the S atom}; Schulze W et al.; The synthesis of S-substituted derivatives of 1,4-benzoquinone-guanylhydrazone-thiosemicarbazone is described . The obtained 1,4-benzoquinone-guanylhydrazone-S-alkyl (resp . aralkyl)-isothiosemicarbazones, in comparison with the unsubstituted standard compound, showed a significantly decreased biological activity against the murine leukemias L 1210 and P 388 as well as against the growth of several kinds of bacteria . Therefore the S-substitution seems not to be useful for reaching a maximum activity. Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Aug, 38(8), 2348 - 59 {Fundamental and clinical studies on cefpiramide in the field of obstetrics and gynecology}; Ito K et al.; Transfer of cefpiramide (SM-1652, CPM) to female genital organs was studied . CPM concentration was determined in the uterine artery, portio vaginalis, myometrium, ovary and oviduct of patients undergoing hysterectomy, and in the pelvic dead space exudate of patients undergoing radical hysterectomy due to uterocervical cancer . Data obtained were analyzed by three-compartment model . The maximum concentration at 1 hour after intravenous drip infusion of CPM in a dose of 1 g were 244.31 micrograms/ml in both the uterine arterial serum and uterine venous serum, 31.41 micrograms/g in the portio vaginalis, 32.99 micrograms/g in the myometrium, 31.67 micrograms/g in the ovary and 31.99 micrograms/g in the oviduct . The concentration in the pelvic dead space exudate reached to the maximum level of 5.32 micrograms/ml at 5.84 hours and thereafter decreased slowly . The clinical effect of CPM was examined in 6 patients with various female genital infections and found to be effective in all cases . Side effects and abnormal laboratory finding values were not observed at all. J Lipid Res, 1985 Aug, 26(8), 982 - 8 Extractable and lipopolysaccharide fatty acid and hydroxy acid profiles from Desulfovibrio species; Edlund A et al.; An analysis of the phospholipid ester-linked and the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) fatty acids and hydroxy fatty acids of six lactate-utilizing Desulfovibrio-type sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) has been performed using capillary gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GLC-MS) . The concentrations of normal fatty acids were essentially similar, with the possible exception of a high content of normal fatty acids in the LPS of Desulfovibrio gigas . Determination of monounsaturated acid double bond configuration was performed by GLC-MS analysis of the derivatized fatty acids . A total of nine branched chain and eight straight chain monounsaturated fatty acids was detected in the Desulfovibrio species analyzed . The major component detected in five Desulfovibrio was the 17-carbon iso-branched monoenoic acid which showed cis unsaturation {i17:1(n-7)c} seven carbons from the terminal methyl group of the fatty acid chain . D . gigas, in contrast, contained almost no unsaturated fatty acids and was greatly enriched in iso-branched 15:0 . Major differences between strains were found in the phospholipid and LPS hydroxy fatty acids . These components, in addition to the i17:1(n-7)c and other characteristic branched chain unsaturated acids, can possibly be utilized as signatures of the lactate-utilizing SRB. J Dairy Sci, 1985 Aug, 68(8), 2100 - 7 Factors related to milk loss in quarters with low somatic cell counts; Fox LK et al.; Relationship between milk production and milk composition was studied through comparisons of udder halves within cow . Cows were milked by milking unit for separate quarters of udder . Six trials had six cows per trial . Trial length was 3 d, and milkings were at 12-h intervals . Foremilk samples were taken aseptically for bacterial analysis . Milk weights by quarter were recorded, and samples by quarter were analyzed for concentrations of lactose, somatic cells, and chloride . Milk cell differential counts and N-acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase activity also were determined . Eighty-four percent of quarter milk samples contained less than 400,000 cells/ml . Differences between right and left udder halves with respect to all measurements were computed . For halves of udders within-cow correlation coefficients for differences between production and log(base 2) somatic cell count, lactose, chloride, bacterial presence, neutrophil percent, lymphocyte percent, macrophage percent, and N-acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase activity were -.16, .23, -.31, .09, .12, .01, -.14, and -.41 . Regression coefficients of milk production (kg) on somatic cell count log(base 2) cells per milliliter, lactose (%), chloride (mg/100 ml), and N-acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase (nmol/min per ml) were -.12, .57, -.05, and -.46 . From negative correlations between production and concentrations of chloride, somatic cells, and N-acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase activity, differences between udder halves in production may be related to changes of the blood-milk barrier, leukocyte diapedesis, and loss of integrity of secretory cells. Clin Nephrol, 1985 Aug, 24(2), 88 - 92 On four cases of hemolytic-uremic syndrome without microangiopathy; Bohle A et al.; Four cases of hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) are presented in which light and electron microscopic examination of renal biopsies (2 cases) and light microscopic examination of the kidneys on autopsy material (2 cases) revealed no changes reflecting microangiopathy . Based on these findings and on personal observation of 197 cases of HUS with glomerular or vascular changes, it is considered questionable whether the results of animal experiments by Brain et al . {1962} and Brian and Brain {1968} can be transferred to man . The cause of hemolytic anemia in HUS is considered unclarified, except for cases in which hemolysis is triggered by neuraminidase-producing bacteria and viruses. J Pathol, 1985 Aug, 146(4), 355 - 62 The gastro-duodenal epithelium in peptic ulceration; Steer HW; Mucosa-related bacteria, intra-epithelial lymphocytes and intra-epithelial polymorphonuclear leucocytes have been studied in 35 patients with duodenal ulceration, 27 patients with gastric ulceration and eight control subjects with normal gastro-duodenal mucosa . Mucosa-related bacteria were found in approximately 80 per cent of peptic ulcer patients and rarely in controls . The bacteria were most numerous at the sites of active chronic gastritis . There was a positive correlation between the number of bacteria and the number of intra-epithelial polymorphonuclear leucocytes . There was no correlation between the peripheral blood white cell count and the number of intra-epithelial polymorphonuclear leucocytes . The number of intra-epithelial lymphocytes was increased in peptic ulceration. J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Aug, 22(2), 245 - 9 Aggregation of platelets by Fusobacterium necrophorum; Forrester LJ et al.; Broth cultures and washed cells of 13 of 24 bovine isolates of Fusobacterium necrophorum aggregated human platelets in platelet-rich plasma . The cell-free culture fluid was inactive . Bacteria stored at 4 degrees C in saline remained active for at least 3 months, but they did not release activity into the storage solution . Aggregation typically began within 1 min after the addition of 10(3) bacteria to 10(3) platelets was complete within 5.5 min . Assays for cytosolic lactic dehydrogenase revealed that platelet lysis did not occur . The release of {14C}serotonin from platelets preincubated with this amine accompanied aggregation, indicating that this was a typical aggregation-degranulation reaction . Platelet aggregation was inhibited by EDTA (88% at 2.0 mM), aspirin (75% inhibition at 1.0 mM), and quinacrine (80% inhibition at 0.25 mM) . Thus the reaction was an ion-dependent, cyclooxygenase-sensitive event . Gel-filtered platelets were less sensitive to aggregation than were platelets in plasma, but this sensitivity was fully restored by the addition of plasma and partially restored with fibrinogen . Biotyping of the cultures revealed that none of the avirulent, B-type strains of F . necrophorum could aggregate platelets, whereas 13 of 16 virulent A type strains were positive . These results suggest that platelet aggregation by F . necrophorum is related to the virulence of this organism. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1985 Aug 1, 187(3), 249 - 53 Cecal perforation in the horse; Ross MW et al.; The case records of 23 horses with cecal perforation (CP) were reviewed . The horses averaged 4.5 years of age (6 weeks to 13 years) and included 9 intact males, 12 mares, and 2 geldings . Twelve of the horses were Standardbreds, 9 were Thoroughbreds, and 1 each, a Belgian and Morgan . The horses were allotted to 2 groups: group I-13 hospitalized horses in which CP occurred unexpectedly, and group II-10 horses with CP at the time of admission . The horses characteristically had been sick or affected with disease unrelated to the cecum . Sixteen horses had been given nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs before the onset of CP . Twelve of the 13 hospitalized patients (group I) had vague, scarcely recognizable clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease before CP . The clinical signs and clinical laboratory changes that appeared in affected horses were identifiable with severe endotoxin shock, secondary to peritoneal contamination with ingesta and bacteria . All horses died . At necropsy of the horses, the cecum was large and firm and was filled with ingesta, and the colon was empty; however, in 1 postpartum mare, the cecum and colon contained the usual amount of ingesta and were normal in size . In all horses, a single perforation was present, which appeared at various sites . The most common was a transverse perforation along the ventral aspect of the cecal body . Gross and microscopic examinations uncovered no existing disease near the perforation site or in other areas of the cecal wall or cecocolic orifice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Exp Cell Res, 1985 Aug, 159(2), 323 - 34 Phagocytic behavior of the predatory slime mold, Dictyostelium caveatum . Cell nibbling; Waddell DR et al.; The predatory slime mold, D . caveatum, feeds upon other amoebae by phagocytosis . The D . caveatum amoebae begin feeding upon cells the same size or larger by nibbling pieces of cells . While feeding upon other amoebae as opposed to bacteria, they increase in size . This behavior resembles that of phagocytes in higher organisms . A novel method was used to follow the time course of phagocytosis . A lytic toxin, phallolysin, and mutants resistant to the toxin were utilized in an assay to separate the phagocytes from the prey cells . Since a broad spectrum of cells are sensitive to the toxin, the method has general applicability. South Med J, 1985 Aug, 78(8), 1020 - 1 Infectious endocarditis caused by Cardiobacterium hominis; Robison WJ et al.; We have described a patient with Cardiobacterium hominis endocarditis who had a paucity of symptoms and ultimately required valve replacement. Mutat Res, 1985 Aug, 147(4), 139 - 51 Cluster analysis of short-term tests: a new methodological approach; Benigni R et al.; A totally data-based approach to the evaluation of short-term tests is proposed . The performances of 22 tests over a range of 42 chemicals (data from literature) were studied by cluster analysis . The comparison between them was performed only on the basis of their responses to the chemicals . Two different clustering methods produced a coincident classification, pointing to a clear resolution of all tests into 3 groups with common characteristics . With respect to carcinogen discrimination, cluster 1 showed the highest sensitivity and the lowest specificity . Cluster 3 had opposite characteristics . The tests of cluster 2 showed intermediate features . As far as the membership to clusters is concerned, the literature data about the responses to chemicals indicated a strong test system specificity . This apparently overcame both phylogeny and end-point community . A major characteristic of the present approach is the ability to elicit underlying patterns, the knowledge of which can contribute both to hypothesis formulation and be useful for practical purposes. J Bacteriol, 1985 Aug, 163(2), 724 - 9 Purification and characterization of glutamate synthase from Azospirillum brasilense; Ratti S et al.; Growth conditions for Azospirillum brasilense Sp6 were devised for maximal expression of glutamate synthase . The enzyme levels were largely affected by the type and concentration of the nitrogen source . A 10-fold increase in the synthesis of the enzyme was observed at a limiting concentration of ammonia . The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by a procedure which was fairly rapid and allowed a good recovery of enzyme (30%) . Azospirillum glutamate synthase is a complex iron-sulfur flavoprotein with a stoichiometry of 1 flavin adenine dinucleotide:1 flavin mononucleotide:8 Fe:8 S per protomer with a molecular weight of 185,000 . The protomer is composed of two dissimilar subunits with molecular weights of 135,000 and 50,000 . Kinetic parameters were determined . Km values for NADPH, 2-oxoglutarate, and L-glutamine were 6.25, 29, and 450 microM, respectively . The optimum pH was about 7.5 . Complete reduction of the enzyme under anaerobic conditions was obtained either by NADPH (in the presence of a regenerating system) or dithionite or by photochemical reduction (in the presence of EDTA and 5-deazariboflavin) . No stable long-wavelength intermediates were observed. Carcinogenesis, 1985 Aug, 6(8), 1135 - 40 Studies in gastric carcinogenesis . II . Absence of elevated concentrations of N-nitroso compounds in the gastric juice of Greek hypochlorhydric individuals; Kyrtopoulos SA et al.; The concentrations of nitrate, nitrite, N-nitroso compounds and bacteria were measured in 96 samples of fasting gastric juice, pH 0.90-8.50, obtained from 56 individuals just before or at various times (8 days - 1 year) after gastric operation . The mean pH of the post-operative samples {4.66 +/- 0.39 (SEM)} was significantly higher than that of the pre-operative ones {3.29 +/- 0.33 (SEM)} . A positive correlation with pH was observed for the concentrations of total and nitrate-reducing bacteria (median values 5.0 X 10(5) organisms/ml and 9.2 X 10(4) organisms/ml, respectively, for samples with pH greater than or equal to 1.2 X 10(3) organisms/ml and 0 organisms/ml, respectively, for samples with pH less than or equal to 2.5) and nitrite {mean values 22.5 +/- 3.1 (SEM) microM and 3.20 +/- 0.5 (SEM) microM for samples with pH greater than or equal to 6.5 and pH less than or equal to 2.5, respectively} . No correlation with pH was seen for the concentrations of nitrate {mean value 0.48 +/- 0.06 (SEM) mM} or N-nitroso compounds {mean value 0.30 +/- 0.06 (SEM) microM} . The concentrations of bacteria and nitrite, although increased in hypochlorhydric individuals, were lower than those reported for corresponding individuals in other, primarily British, studies . It is suggested that the relatively low concentrations of nitrite observed in our hypochlorhydric population may account for the absence of elevated concentrations of N-nitroso compounds and that the latter phenomenon may be related to the relatively low frequency of gastric cancer in Greece. Mol Immunol, 1985 Aug, 22(8), 879 - 85 A non-immune interaction between the light chain of human immunoglobulin and a surface component of a Peptococcus magnus strain; Myhre EB et al.; The immunoglobulin-binding capacity of a Peptococcus magnus strain was studied in a sensitive binding assay using purified human immunoglobulin preparations . The P . magnus strain 312 was capable of binding 48% of polyclonal IgG . Twenty-four of 40 purified myeloma proteins (60%) representing immunoglobulin classes A, G and M showed definite reactivity with an uptake level ranging from 45 to 90% . The remaining 16 monoclonal proteins were non-reactive, binding less than 15% . One myeloma protein with antistaphylolysin and two with antistreptolysin O specificity, i.e . monoclonal proteins with defined antigen specificity, were highly reactive . Binding capacity was observed in all four IgG subclasses and in Ig classes A and M . Twenty-three of 27 myeloma proteins of kappa type were reactive but only one of 13 myeloma proteins of lambda type interacted with the P . magnus strain . Isotope-labelled Fab gamma, F(ab')2 gamma and F(ab')2 alpha fragments were effectively bound by the strain . IgG Fc fragments were completely non-reactive . Isolated light immunoglobulin chains inhibited in a dose-dependent way the uptake of intact IgG to bacteria . Purified heavy chains were non-inhibitory . Isotope-labelled antistaphylolysin IgG F(ab')2 fragments preincubated with staphylolysin were as reactive as free antibody fragments, suggesting that the bacterial binding structure is located outside the antibody-combining site . The immunoglobulin reactivity of P . magnus was not affected by heating the bacteria to 80 degrees C for 5 min nor by treatment with trypsin or sodium metaperiodate . Digestion of 2 X 10(9) organisms with 100 micrograms of pepsin and papain reduced the binding by 58 and 90%, respectively . These data indicate that the binding of immunoglobulin to P . magnus is a non-immune reactivity mediated by a heat-stable surface protein interacting with specific sites on the light chain of the immunoglobulin molecule. J Clin Invest, 1985 Aug, 76(2), 898 - 901 Thromboxane synthase is preferentially conserved in activated mouse peritoneal macrophages; Tripp CS et al.; Resident macrophages isolated from uninfected animals produce large quantities of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites . Immunizing animals with protein antigens or bacteria activates macrophages and causes an 80% reduction in the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolites relative to resident cells . Since some products have been shown to modulate immune functions, we examined how the AA metabolic enzyme activities regulate the products that are synthesized . We demonstrate that the cyclooxygenase, 5-lipoxygenase, prostacyclin synthase, and probably prostaglandin (PG) endoperoxide E-isomerase activities were decreased in activated peritoneal macrophages . In sharp contrast, thromboxane synthase activity was selectively unchanged or enhanced in the activated macrophages . Thus the immune response appears to modulate the activity of the AA and PG endoperoxide-dependent enzymes, thus dictating a major shift in the profile of metabolites synthesized by macrophages. J Biochem (Tokyo), 1985 Aug, 98(2), 349 - 54 Structural characterization of high 800 nm-absorbing light-harvesting complexes from Rhodospirillales from their resonance Raman spectra; Robert B et al.; Resonance Raman spectroscopy provided evidence that high 800 nm-absorbing antennae from Rhodopseudomonas (Rps.) acidophila and Rps . palustris have similar structures around their dweller bacteriochlorophylls . These host-site structures are different from those of B 850-800 complexes from Chromatiaceae, which also exhibit a high absorbance at 800 nm . As also shown by previous biochemical data, these complexes might be stoichiometrically different from other antenna complexes, having one more BChl per minimal size unit of protein . A new classification of B 850-800 complexes is proposed, on the basis of resonance Raman and biochemical data: this classification distinguishes a class of B 850-800 S (involving the B 850-800 complexes from sulfur purple bacteria), two classes of B 850-800 NS (involving the B 850-800 complexes from non sulfur purple bacteria) and a class of H 800 complexes (involving the B 850-800 complexes from non sulfur purple bacteria exhibiting a high absorbance at 800 nm). Am Rev Respir Dis, 1985 Aug, 132(2), 292 - 8 Airway responsiveness to inhaled antigen, histamine, and methacholine in inbred, ragweed-sensitized dogs; Mapp C et al.; We studied the responses to antigen in animals selected from a colony of inbred dogs sensitized to specific allergens to determine if they had characteristics similar to those of human asthmatics . They were immunized with ragweed and grass pollen extracts (10 micrograms in alum) immediately after routine vaccination with attenuated live virus (distemper and hepatitis) and killed bacteria (Leptospira) at 4, 8, and 12 wk of age . Subsequently, ragweed and grass injections were repeated every 2 months . Immunized dogs made specific IgE-antibodies in serum averaging 3 to 4 times that of control animals (no immunization with pollen or vaccine) . They showed positive skin responses to the injection of ragweed pollen extract, whereas control dogs did not respond to ragweed pollen by quantitative skin test or inhalation challenge . In immunized dogs under barbiturate anesthesia, air-flow resistance of the total respiratory system increased from 0.60 +/- 0.07 (mean +/- SEM) before to 12.6 +/- 3.4 cm H2O/lps 5 min after the start of antigen aerosol; respiratory resistance remained increased for 20 min and was associated with 0 hypoxemia and increased arterial plasma histamine . In addition, airway responsiveness to both inhaled histamine and methacholine was greater in immunized dogs than in nonimmunized dogs of comparable age . Airway responses to each agonist were highly reproducible on repeated testing . These results indicate that physiologic responses to antigen by inbred, ragweed-sensitized dogs resemble human asthma closely and that these dogs appear suitable for a variety of experimental studies of asthma with respect to pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Ann Emerg Med, 1985 Aug, 14(8), 714 - 23 Science and shock: a clinical perspective; Wilson RF; In spite of all the scientific and technical advances in recent years, shock that is not rapidly correctable with fluid can have a morbidity rate exceeding 80% . Consequently awareness of such precipitating factors as sepsis and early diagnosis and treatment are essential . Treatment should be rapid and should follow a previously outlined protocol . Such protocols should include correction of the precipitating problem and aggressive resuscitation to assure adequate ventilation and oxygenation of the blood and optimal oxygen delivery to the tissues . Fluid and blood should be given as needed until filling pressures begin to rise rapidly with further fluid infusion . With hemorrhagic shock in previously healthy individuals, a hemoglobin level of 10.0 g/dL is usually adequate . In older, septic, or cardiogenic shock patients, a hemoglobin level of 12.5 to 14.0 may be preferable . If an optimal preload does not increase cardiac output to normal or higher levels, inotropic agents should be used . If shock still persists, one must be sure that the arterial pH is not excessively high or low . Glucocorticoids may then be given in low dose (200 mg hydrocortisone) in case some degree of adrenal insufficiency is present . They can also be given in high doses (equivalent to 150 mg/kg hydrocortisone) early in septic shock primarily to prevent excess complement activation and to preserve membrane integrity . Vasopressors may occasionally be required if there is excessive vasodilation, especially if there is persistent hypotension in the presence of high-grade coronary or cerebral artery stenosis . Vasodilators may be used to try to correct myocardial ischemia (nitroglycerin), excessive preload (nitroglycerin), or excessive afterload (nitroprusside or hydralazine) . Combinations of vasodilators and inotropic agents may be required in some patients with high systemic vascular resistance and persistently low cardiac outputs . Mechanical assist with IABP can be of great value in persistent cardiogenic shock . Diuretics may occasionally help prevent renal failure in patients who are persistently oliguric after blood flow and pressure are restored . Heparin is occasionally of value if DIC develops with no concomitant fibrinolysis . Antibiotics are important in septic shock and may also be important if persistent shock has reduced gastrointestinal mucosal integrity so that bacteria and bacterial products can enter the portal system.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) Mutat Res, 1985 Aug, 143(4), 201 - 5 Simultaneous measurement of toxicity and mutagenic activity; Lojo MM et al.; The assay of mutagenic activity of toxic drugs is difficult to perform and analyze, because one needs to know the kinetics of both effects in order to draw reliable conclusions . This is the case with niflumic acid (NA), which reduced the viability of S . typhimurium TA1535 100 times in the Ames test, but the background microcolonies show no difference from controls and the number of revertants was not altered by the drug . A test which measures the kinetics of growth of viable bacteria and mutants in liquid medium has been developed and applied to NA . No mutagenic activity was detected and elimination of the toxicity from the medium is suggested. J Clin Periodontol, 1985 Aug, 12(7), 591 - 606 Morphology of polymorphonuclear neutrophils during periodontal disease in the cynomolgus monkey; Brecx M et al.; The polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) appears to be an important cell in the protection of the host from pathogenic periodontal micro-organisms . The purpose of the present histological studies was to observe the emigration of the PMN from the gingival vessels to the periodontal pocket during gingivitis and ligature-induced periodontitis in the cynomolgus monkey . 2 adult female monkeys were treated by application of a silk ligature around selected posterior teeth . After 9 weeks, the monkeys were perfused and block sections of both ligated (early periodontitis) and non-ligated (gingivitis) sites were obtained, cut into smaller blocks containing a single interdental area (N = 15 for periodontitis, N = 5 for gingivitis) and processed for light and electron microscopic observations . Morphologically, no differences in PMNs between gingivitis and periodontitis were observed and therefore the following description applies to both disease states . In the vessels, the endothelial cells appeared to be actively involved in PMN emigration, maintaining long processes which surrounded the PMNs . Within the connective tissue, the PMNs maintained their typical morphology which included polylobated nuclei and numerous lysosomal granules . Many intact PMNs were observed intercellularly within the connective tissue and the epithelium . Within the periodontal pocket, a multilayer of PMNs surrounded the plaque mass . Cells with numerous bacteria-containing phagolysosomes were observed with increasing frequency as they approached the plaque . Deeper within the bacterial deposit, PMNs were seen in varying stages of degeneration . These histologic studies, when interpreted in the light of reports of severe, rapidly-progressive periodontitis in patients with PMN disorders, suggest that the interaction of PMNs with bacterial plaque may serve to maintain a defensive boundary which protects the host tissues from irreversible destruction. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1985 Aug, 38(8), 1008 - 15 Adechlorin, a new adenosine deaminase inhibitor containing chlorine production, isolation and properties; Omura S et al.; Adechlorin exhibiting a potent inhibitory activity against calf intestinal adenosine deaminase was isolated from the cultured broth of Actinomadura sp . OMR-37 . The molecular formula was C11H15N4O4Cl . The aglycone of adechlorin was identical with that of the known adenosine deaminase inhibitors coformycin and 2'-deoxycoformycin . Adechlorin did not exhibit inhibitory activity against various bacteria and fungi at 1.0 mg/ml . The Ki values for adechlorin, coformycin and 2'-deoxycoformycin against adenosine deaminase were determined to be 5.3 X 10(-10) M, 2.1 X 10(-10) M and 7.6 X 10(-11) M, respectively . Adechlorin as well as coformycin and 2'-deoxycoformycin enhanced the antiviral activity of Ara-A . The acute toxicity of adechlorin in mice was less than those of coformycin and 2'-deoxycoformycin. Mol Cell Biol, 1985 Aug, 5(8), 1833 - 8 Transformation of cultured Drosophila melanogaster cells with a dominant selectable marker; Rio DC et al.; We have developed a method for the stable and efficient introduction of foreign DNA into Drosophila melanogaster tissue culture cells . A plasmid vector was constructed that carries the bacterial neomycin resistance gene under the transcriptional control of the copia transposable element long terminal repeat promoter . After calcium phosphate-DNA transfection, this vector rendered D . melanogaster cells resistant to the aminoglycoside G-418, a derivative of gentamicin . The vector DNA appeared to be integrated in long tandem arrays of 10 to 20 copies per cell and was stable for many generations in the absence of selection . To test the usefulness of this system for introducing nonselected DNA into D . melanogaster cells, a gene fusion between the P transposable element and the hsp70 promoter was inserted into the copia-neomycin resistance plasmid . After transfection and establishment of a G-418-resistant cell line, the hsp-P fusion gene was found to be efficiently transcribed after heat shock. Tohoku J Exp Med, 1985 Aug, 146(4), 379 - 83 Immunomodulation in offspring mice after neonatal immunostimulation of mothers or newborn mice; Binder P et al.; Mothers of offspring Balb/c mice were stimulated after birth by two substances, a bacterial lysate (LAB) and a chemical, diethyldithiocarbamate (DETC) . Anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) antibodies were studied after immunization of stimulated mothers or offspring . An increase of anti-SRBC was observed in LAB-stimulated mothers, but these antibodies were decreased in their offspring before weaning . Sometimes, these antibodies were increased in LAB-stimulated newborn mice . DETC stimulation of mothers induced an elevation of antibody response in mothers and newborns . The same results were obtained in previous investigations where the pregnant mother was stimulated with the same agents. Chemioterapia, 1985 Aug, 4(4), 329 - 38 Survival of pathogenic organisms in immunocompetent hosts; Cohen S; Pathogens have evolved highly individual means of immune evasion . These involve their location within relatively shielded sites, the variability shedding or disguise of surface antigens and modifications of the host immune response . The latter include the use of proteases to split surface-bound antibodies, the production of compounds which consume complement, the avoidance of phagocytosis or the evasion of lysosomal systems of phagocytes and the excretion of products which inactivate effector functions of specific host cell populations . The continued study of immune evasion will enhance understanding of parasitism and promote the means for controlling organisms which are important pathogens of man and domestic animals. J Pharm Sci, 1985 Aug, 74(8), 889 - 91 Enzyme inhibition . VIII: Mode of inhibition of reverse transcriptase activity by analogues, isomers, and related alkaloids of coralyne; Sethi ML; Coralyne analogues, isomers, and related alkaloids were examined as inhibitors of reverse transcriptase of RNA tumor viruses in the presence of polyriboadenylic acid-oligodeoxythymidylic acid (Poly rA.oligo dT), polydeoxyadenylic acid-oligodeoxythymidylic acid (Poly dA.oligo dT), polyribocytidylic acid-oligodeoxyguanylic acid (Poly rC.oligo dG), activated calf thymus DNA, and 70S RNA template primers . The inhibition of the reverse transcriptase exhibited by analogues, isomers, and related alkaloids of coralyne was due to the interaction of the alkaloids with the template primers and was competitive . Furthermore, the addition of the alkaloids stopped instantly the DNA polymerization processes . Comparison of the inhibition of reverse transcriptase, antileukemic activities exhibited by the alkaloids, and the structure-activity relationships have been published elsewhere. J Biol Chem, 1985 Jul 25, 260(15), 8951 - 5 Relationships between in vitro selenium supply, glutathione peroxidase activity, and phagocytic function in the HL-60 human myeloid cell line; Speier C et al.; Utilizing the HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cell line cultured in defined medium, we examined the quantitative and temporal relationships between Se supply and the activity of the selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase, as well as the effects of selenium deficiency on phagocytic function . Glutathione peroxidase activity depended on the medium Se concentration up to 2.6 X 10(-8) M (sodium selenate, 5 ng/ml), above which a plateau occurred . HL-60 cells grown in medium without Se supplementation became GSH peroxidase deficient, with activity 1-3% that of Se-replete cells . Replenishment of the medium with sodium selenate returned enzyme activity to 23% that of replete cells by 24 h and to 85% by 7 days, a process blocked by cycloheximide . Se-deficient HL-60 cells induced to granulocytic differentiation by dimethylformamide showed decreased hexose monophosphate shunt activity in response to phorbol myristate acetate and to an exogenous enzymatic H2O2-generating system . However, Se-deficient and -replete cells showed equal responses to methylene blue, which stimulates the shunt independently from the glutathione cycle . Se-deficient mature HL-60 cells stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate released 2.3-fold more H2O2 than Se-replete cells and only slightly (not significantly) less O2 . Se-deficient and -replete differentiated HL-60 cells did not differ significantly in their capacities for cell motility or for ingestion of serum-opsonized bacteria . Differences between the findings of the present study and previous in vivo rat studies may reflect both the defined in vitro environment of the cell line and the inverse ratios of catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in human and rat granulocytes. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1985 Jul 11, 817(1), 33 - 41 Membrane-bound ATPase of a thermoacidophilic archaebacterium, Sulfolobus acidocaldarius; Wakagi T et al.; The membranes of Sulfolobus, a thermoacidophilic archaebacterium showed two types of ATP hydrolyzing activity . One was that of a neutral ATPase at an optimum pH around 6.5 . This enzyme was activated by 10 mM sulfate with a shift of optimum pH to 5 . In these respects, the enzyme was similar to membrane-bound ATPase of Thermoplasma, another thermoacidophilic archaebacterium, reported by Searcy and Whatley {1982) Zbl . Bakt . Hyg., I . Abt . Orig . C3, 245-257) . The enzyme hydrolyzed ATP and other NTPs, but not ADP or AMP . It was highly thermostable, but irreversibly inactivated in 0.1 M HCl . The other activity was that of an acidic apyrase at an optimum pH around 2.5 . This enzyme was extremely stable toward high temperature and acid and inhibited by sulfate . Both of these ATP hydrolyzing enzymes were resistant to N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), azide, oligomycin, N'-ethylmaleimide, p-chloromercuribenzoate, orthovanadate, or ouabain . Sulfolobus ATPases differ from F1 and other transport ATPases so far described. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr), 1985 Jul-Aug, 13(4), 317 - 21 Local immunotherapy for chronic respiratory allergic pathology with allergen aerosols . II . Treatment of bronchial asthma; Moshkevich VS; Efficacy of hyposensitization of patients suffering from different forms of bronchial asthma caused by bacterial, house dust and epidermal allergens was studied . Allergens were delivered to the mucous membrane of bronchi with the help of aerosol inhalers on a schedule worked out by the author . The results of treatment with this method were compared to the results in the group of patients treated by the routine method of intradermal or subcutaneous injections of allergens . There were demonstrated advantages of the method of projecting allergens directly on to the shock organ, which proved more effective and less reactogenic. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr), 1985 Jul-Aug, 13(4), 311 - 6 Local immunotherapy for chronic respiratory allergic pathology with allergen aerosols . I . Treatment of allergic rhinitis; Moshkevich VS; For treatment of patients with chronic allergic rhinitis of pollen, dust, fungal and bacterial etiology two methods of specific therapy were employed . The first one consisted of projecting allergen aerosols into the nasal cavity on a special dosage schedule for a month or two; the second was the method of intradermal or subcutaneous injections of allergens . It was ascertained that local treatment has its advantages over a generally accepted method of injections . Good clinical effect combined with positive immunological shifts and decrease of nasal mucous membrane hypersensitivity to support this. Contraception, 1985 Jul, 32(1), 87 - 95 Immunoglobulin levels in the serum and cervical mucus of tailed copper IUD users; Eissa MK et al.; Immunoglobulin levels were measured by agar gel single radial immunodiffusion in the serum and cervical mucus of 50 tailed copper IUD users, 20 combined oral contraceptive users and 20 women not using contraception (controls) . IgG, IgA and IgM levels were significantly higher in the copper IUD users compared to the other two groups . It is not known whether this was related to the small numbers of bacteria found in the uterine cavity of tailed IUD users or to the foreign body reaction of the device. J Laryngol Otol, 1985 Jul, 99(7), 637 - 42 Histochemical study of cartilage autografts in tympanoplasty; Elwany S; Histochemical examination of lactic dehydrogenase enzyme activity was used to detect the effect of certain factors on the viability of cartilage autografts in the middle ear . The study shows that the presence of perichondrium on both sides of the strut and placing the lateral end of the strut increase the chance of survival of chondrocytes . On the other hand, middle ear infection has a very bad effect on the viability of chondrocytes . The length of the strut and the presence of silastic film in the middle ear have been found to be unimportant as far as the survival of the graft is concerned. Immunology, 1985 Jul, 55(3), 547 - 53 A comparative study on the internal defence system of juvenile and adult Lymnaea stagnalis; Dikkeboom R et al.; The immunological immaturity of juvenile specimens of some snail species, e.g . Lymnaea stagnalis, may contribute to their greater susceptibility to infection by schistosome parasites . In a comparison between juvenile and adult specimens of the pond snail L . stagnalis, we have shown that the blood cells (amoebocytes) of juvenile snails are less efficient at phagocytosing: fewer amoebocytes are competent and the average number of particles engulfed per cell is lower . This functional immaturity seems to correlate with morphological immaturity of the amoebocytes . Opsonic and haemagglutinating activities are low in juvenile snail plasma, but much higher in adult plasma . Finally, however, the initial rate at which injected bacteria are eliminated from the circulation seems only slightly slower in juvenile snails than it is in adults. Br J Dermatol, 1985 Jul, 113(1), 77 - 83 Acute palmoplantar pustulosis; Burge SM et al.; This paper describes five cases of an uncommon acral rash, acute palmoplantar pustulosis, which is precipitated by infection, and may represent a true pustular bacteria . Acute and chronic palmoplantar pustulosis are probably different forms of the same disease, but the prognosis in the acute form is good and aggressive therapy is not indicated . The relationship to psoriasis is discussed. Am Surg, 1985 Jul, 51(7), 363 - 6 An aggressive treatment approach for adult osteomyelitis; Smith DJ Jr et al.; Osteomyelitis in the adult patient has been associated with failure of eradication, late recurrence, nonunion, and prolonged hospitalization . A staged aggressive approach has been used for the past seven years to treat 53 patients with adult osteomyelitis . This approach includes: evaluation of bone necrosis and identification of the etiologic organisms by deep bone culture; radical surgical debridement of devascularized tissue; intensive systemic antibiotics; and early bone and soft tissue reconstruction . All patients have been followed at least 1 year (mean, 33 months) . Lower extremity bones predominated in the series (24 tibias, 13 femurs); and 19 patients had bony instability . Thirty-seven patients had initial successful eradication of their infections with 26 of these returning to full activity status . The remaining 16 patients developed recurrent infection; however, 11 patients totally responded to further aggressive treatment . Of the five failures in the total series, three patients required amputation and two patients have persistent infection . Fifteen of the 19 patients with bony instability healed with initial treatment, and the remaining four patients healed with subsequent treatment . Six patients had primary muscle flap soft tissue reconstruction, and an additional two patients had reconstruction as a secondary procedure . In all these patients with tibial instability, bony union was accelerated compared to those patients with tibial instability not receiving muscle flaps (4 months vs 12 months) . The muscle coverage provided by either pedicled flaps or transferred by microvascular anastomoses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Hum Pathol, 1985 Jul, 16(7), 732 - 8 Scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and electron microprobe analysis of calcific deposits on intrauterine contraceptive devices; Khan SR et al.; Deposits found intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) were studied by scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis . All seven devices, including five plastic and two copper IUDs, were coated with a crust containing cellular, acellular, and fibrillar material . The cellular material was composed of erythrocytes, leukocytes, cells of epithelial origin, sperm, and bacteria . Some of the bacteria were filamentous, with acute-angle branching . The fibrillar material appeared to be fibrin . Most of the acellular material was amorphous; calcite was identified by x-ray diffraction, and x-ray microanalysis showed only calcium . Some of the acellular material, particularly that on the IUD side of the crust, was organized in spherulitic crystals and was identified as calcium phosphate by x-ray microanalysis . The crust was joined to the IUD surface by a layer of fibrillar and amorphous material . It is suggested that the initial event in the formation of calcific deposits on IUD surfaces is the deposition of an amorphous and fibrillar layer . Various types of cells present in the endometrial environment adhere to this layer and then calcify . Thus, the deposition of calcific material on the IUDs is a calcification phenomenon, not unlike the formation of plaque on teeth . Hum Pathol 16:732-738, 1985. J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Jul, 22(1), 36 - 8 Identification of endemic foci of Lyme disease: isolation of Borrelia burgdorferi from feral r