Biodegradation, 1999 Feb, 10(1), 51 - 62 Degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with three to seven aromatic rings by higher fungi in sterile and unsterile soils; Gramss G et al.; Seven commercial 3- to 7-ring (R) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) as well as PAH derived from lignite tar were spiked into 3 soils (0.8 to 9.7% of organic carbon) . The disappearance of the original PAH was determined for the freshly spiked soils, for soils incubated for up to 287 d with their indigenous microflora, and for autoclaved, unsterile and pasteurized soils inoculated with basidiomycetous and ascomycetous fungi . Three to 12 d after spiking, 22 to 38% of the PAH could no longer be recovered from the soils . At 287 d, 88.5 to 92.7%, 83.4 to 87.4%, and 22.0 to 42.1% of the 3-, 4-, and 5- to 7-R PAH, respectively, had disappeared from the unsterile, uninoculated soils . In 2 organic-rich sterile soils, the groups of wood- and straw-degrading, terricolous, and ectomycorrhizal fungi reduced the concentration of 5 PAH by 12.6, 37.9, and 9.4% in 287 d . Five- to 7-R PAH were degraded as efficiently as most of the 3- to 4-R PAH . In organic-rich unsterile soils inoculated with wood- and straw-degrading fungi, the degradation of 3- to 4-R PAH was not accelerated by the presence of fungi . The 5- to 7-R PAH, which were not attacked by bacteria, were degraded by fungi to 29 to 42% in optimum combinations of fungal species and soil type . In organic-poor unsterile soil, these same fungi delayed the net degradation of PAH possibly for 2 reasons . Mycelia of Pleurotus killed most of the indigenous soil bacteria expected to take part in the degradation of PAH, whereas those of Hypholoma and Stropharia promoted the development of opportunistic bacteria in the soil, which must not necessarily be PAH degraders . Contemporarily, the contribution of the fungi themselves to PAH degradation may be negligible in the absence of soil organic matter due to the lower production of ligninolytic enzymes . It is concluded that fungi degrade PAH irrespective of their molecular size in organic-rich and wood chip-amended soils which promote fungal oxidative enzyme production. J Invest Surg, 1999 May-Jun, 12(3), 147 - 50 Postsurgical adhesion formation in germfree and ex-germfree rats--a study using three scoring scales; Bothin CG et al.; Postsurgical adhesions occur commonly after surgical procedures and are the source of substantial postoperative morbidity . No preventive or prophylactic regimen against adhesions has proven successful in all circumstances . The reasons for this are not clear . The basic mechanisms causing adhesion formation have not been elucidated fully, and furthermore, lack of accurate methods of measuring adhesions may be a contributing factor . Postoperative adhesions may occur in all kinds of surgery but are especially prominent in the abdomen, where the bowel flora may be a compromising factor . This study was undertaken to study the influence of the gastrointestinal microflora on adhesion formation . Germfree and ex-germfree DA rats were subjected to a cecal crush model, and adhesions were evaluated after 7 days using 3 different scoring scales . Germfree rats formed significantly fewer adhesions than their ex-germfree (conventionalized) counterparts . The differences were so great that all three scoring scales achieved significance (p < .005) . This study corroborates that the endogenous bowel flora per se is involved in adhesion formation without causing frank infection. J Food Prot, 1999 Jul, 62(7), 756 - 60 Enhancing microbiological safety of fresh orange juice by fruit immersion in hot water and chemical sanitizers; Pao S et al.; Trials were conducted with hot water and chemicals to sanitize Valencia oranges contaminated by natural microflora or inoculated with Escherichia coli . Microbial loads and sensory quality of fresh juice extracted from surface-heated fruit were also evaluated . E . coli on fruit surfaces was reduced by either hot water or chemical treatments . An estimated 5-log reduction of E . coli was attained by immersing inoculated fruit in hot water at 80 degrees C for 1 min or 70 degrees C for 2 min . Immersing inoculated fruit in various chemical solutions at about 30 degrees C for 8 min only reduced E . coli by about 1.8- to 3.1-log cycles on nonstem-scar surfaces of the fruit . In general, both hot water and chemical treatments were less effective at removing microflora from the stem-scar area . Rapid hot-water immersions at 80 degrees C for 1 min and 70 degrees C for 2 min reduced both fruit-surface and initial juice microbial loads without altering original sensory quality of fresh juice. Curr Opin Oncol, 1999 Jul, 11(4), 261 - 6 Research advances in oral mucositis; Peterson DE; Oral mucositis is a common toxicity of high-dose chemotherapy and upper mantle head and neck radiation . Published evidence from the past 14 months provides insight into the multiple possible mechanisms . In addition, the data highlight the clinical importance that this lesion exerts relative to infection risk, quality of life, and cost of care . Oral mucositis has emerged as a dose-limiting toxicity in selected cancer therapy models . Thus, it has direct impact on duration of disease remission, cure rates, and long-term survival . Because of its importance in the clinical setting, oral mucositis remains under extensive laboratory and clinical investigation . Advances in the 1980s relative to infection prevention and reduced duration of profound neutropenia via growth factors have elevated oral mucositis to a prominent toxicity of cancer therapy . A contemporary model for mucositis involving four principal phases was published in 1998 . Future research will likely add further insight into this model relative to the roles of mucosal immune dysregulation, colonizing microflora, and wound-healing mechanisms . Basic and clinical studies directed to these several components may well lead to effective preventive strategies in the future, with positive impact on quality of life and survival of cancer patients. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1999 Jun 30, 878, 335 - 46 Clinical trials of a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor in human periodontal disease . SDD Clinical Research Team; Ashley RA; After demonstration by Golub et al . of the ability of the tetracyclines to inhibit elevated collagenolytic activity in animal models of periodontal diseases, a clinical development program was initiated to demonstrate the potential of a subantimicrobial dose of doxycycline (SDD) to augment and maintain the improvements in clinical parameters of adult periodontitis (AP) afforded by conventional nonsurgical periodontal therapy . Clinical trials were carried out in which a number of different SDD dosing regimens and placebo were compared in patients administered a variety of adjunctive nonsurgical therapies . Measured parameters included levels of collagenase activity in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and gingival specimens, clinical attachment levels (cALv), probing pocket depths (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and subtraction radiographic measurements of alveolar bone height . When used as an adjunct to either scaling and root planing or supragingival scaling and dental prophylaxis, SDD was shown to reduce collagenase levels in both GCF and gingival biopsies, to augment and maintain cALv gains and PD reductions, to reduce BOP, and to prevent loss of alveolar bone height . These clinical responses arose in the absence of any significant effects on the subgingival microflora and without evidence of an increase in the incidence or severity of adverse reactions relative to the control groups . It is proposed that one of the mechanisms of action of SDD is as an inhibitor of pathologically elevated MMPs, including neutrophil and bone cell collagenases (MMP-8 and MMP-13), which are associated with the host response in chronic AP, and that SDD provides a novel systemic approach to the management of AP. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet, 1999 Jan-Mar, 24(1), 31 - 7 Influence of diet on the pattern of gastrointestinal biotransformation of netobimin and albendazole sulphoxide in sheep; Virkel G et al.; The in vitro biotransformation of the anthelmintic compounds, netobimin (NTB) pro-drug and albendazole sulphoxide (ABZSO), by ruminal fluid obtained from sheep fed either hay or concentrate-based diets was investigated . No metabolic activity was observed in boiled samples of ruminal fluid, which confirms the importance of ruminal microflora in the metabolism of the xenobiotics under investigation . NTB pro-drug was efficiently biotransformed by ruminal fluid in vitro . Albendazole (ABZ) and its sulphoxide derivative were the metabolic products recovered . The thioether ABZ was formed by sulphoreduction of ABZSO by ruminal fluid in vitro . A more efficient nitroreduction of NTB and sulphoreduction of ABZSO were observed for ruminal fluid collected from sheep fed the concentrate diet . The type of diet determines the composition and distribution of the microbial population in the rumen; this affects the pattern of drug biotransformation in the gastrointestinal tract, which may impact on drug therapy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1999 Jul 20, 96(15), 8359 - 64 Dynamics of Helicobacter pylori colonization in relation to the host response; Blaser MJ et al.; The dynamics of Helicobacter pylori colonization from its acquisition through the development of steady-state are examined through a mathematical model that includes the host response . The model encompasses both host and microbiological variation . The individual capacity of the host response is shown to be a key model parameter, leading to either transient or persistent colonization, whereas the growth rate of that response has little effect . Analyses of competing strains indicate that each must occupy a specific niche, otherwise exclusion occurs . The model implies that there exists a lower bound on the host response to the indigenous microflora that is consistent with current biological views of H . pylori . Parallel models may be useful in understanding other persistent host-microbial interactions. Crit Rev Microbiol, 1999, 25(2), 121 - 53 From field barley to malt: detection and specification of microbial activity for quality aspects; Noots I et al.; Barley grain carries a numerous, variable, and complex microbial population that mainly consists of bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi and that can partly be detected and quantified using plating methods and microscopic and molecular techniques . The extent and the activity of this microflora are determined by the altering state of the grain and the environmental conditions in the malt production chain . Three ecological systems can be distinguished: the growing cereal in the field, the dry barley grain under storage, and the germinating barley kernel during actual malting . Microorganisms interact with the malting process both by their presence and by their metabolic activity . In this respect, interference with the oxygen uptake by the barley grain and secretion of enzymes, hormones, toxins, and acids that may affect the plant physiological processes have been studied . As a result of the interaction, microorganisms can cause important losses and influence malt quality as measured by brewhouse performance and beer quality . Of particular concern is the occurrence of mycotoxins that may affect the safety of malt . The development of the microflora during malt production can to a certain extent be controlled by the selection of appropriate process conditions . Physical and chemical treatments to inactivate the microbial population on the barley grain are suggested . Recent developments, however, aim to control the microbial activity during malt production by promoting the growth of desirable microbial cultures, selected either as biocontrol agents inhibiting mycotoxin-producing molds or as starter cultures actively contributing to malt modification . Such techniques may offer natural opportunities to improve the quality and safety of malt. Gut, 1999 Aug, 45(2), 223 - 8 Gut origin of sepsis: a prospective study investigating associations between bacterial translocation, gastric microflora, and septic morbidity; MacFie J et al.; AIMS: To investigate the "gut origin of sepsis" hypothesis . METHODS: Prospective controlled study of 279 surgical patients in which cultures of nasogastric aspirates were compared with those obtained from mesenteric lymph nodes taken at laparotomy and the organisms cultured from subsequent septic complications . Bacterial translocation was confirmed if positive cultures were obtained from mesenteric lymph nodes . Postoperative sepsis was defined as any positive culture in the postoperative period . Bacterial species obtained in gastric microflora, mesenteric lymph nodes, and postoperative septic complications were compared . RESULTS: Only 85/279 patients (31%) had a sterile nasogastric aspirate; the most frequently identified organism was Candida spp . (54%) and the most common enteric organism cultured was E coli (20%) . Multiple organisms were isolated in 39% and occurred more frequently in patients aged over 70 years, those undergoing non-elective surgery, and in those requiring proximal gastrointestinal surgery . Postoperative sepsis was more common in these patients . Bacterial translocation occurred in 21% and was significantly more frequent in those with multiple organisms in their nasogastric aspirates . E coli was the commonest organism isolated from the lymph node specimens (48%) and septic foci (53%) . Fungal translocation did not occur . An identical genus was identified in the nasogastric aspirate and the septic focus in 30% of patients, in the nasogastric aspirate and the lymph node in 31%, and in the lymph node and a postoperative septic focus in 45% . CONCLUSIONS: Proximal gut colonisation is associated with both increased bacterial translocation and septic morbidity . The commonality of organisms identified supports the gut origin of sepsis hypothesis. Coll Antropol, 1999 Jun, 23(1), 117 - 24 Inflammatory mediators in saliva of patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis during war stress induced incidence increase; Aurer A et al.; Rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP) results from the interaction between the periodontal microflora and the host . Stress is believed to play an important role in determining host responses, and it has been proposed that hyperactivity of host defense mechanisms significantly increases tissue destruction typical for this disease . During a period of four months we have diagnosed 20 patients with acute RPP, all of them active participants in battles of the Croatian liberation war with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related symptoms . In these patients we analyzed biochemical parameters in unstimulated saliva and performed microbiological analyses of periodontal pockets . These findings were compared with those of patients with adult periodontitis (AP), edentulous and healthy persons, none of whom participated in the war . Persons with AP had reduced concentrations of host humoral defense factors in saliva (C-reactive protein, C3 component of complement, and aplha alpha 2-macroglobulin), while patients with RPP had increased concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) . IL-6 is released by host inflammatory cells and is a mediator of bone resorption . Actinobacillus actinomycetemcommitans and Peptostreptococcus were more frequently isolated from patients with RPP . We interpret these results as indicators of the importance of stress in the causation of RPP, with host inflammatory hyperactivity playing an important role in tissue destruction, specially alveolar bone resorption possibly caused by increased local levels of IL-6. J Nutr, 1999 Jul, 129(7 Suppl), 1398S - 401S Concepts in functional foods: the case of inulin and oligofructose; Roberfroid MB; Recent advances in biosciences support the hypothesis that diet modulates various body functions . Diet may maintain well-being and reduce the risk of some diseases . Such discoveries have led to the concept of "functional food" and the development of the new discipline, i.e., "functional food science." A practical and simple definition of a "functional food" is a food for which a claim has been authorized . The food components to be discussed as potential "functional food ingredients" are the inulin-type fructans, i.e., chicory inulin and oligofuctose . The targets for their effects are the colonic microflora, the gastrointestinal physiology, the immune functions, the bioavailability of minerals, the metabolism of lipids and colonic carcinogenesis . Potential health benefits include reduction of risk of colonic diseases, noninsulin-dependent diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis and cancer . The documentation of such benefits requires scientific evidence that must be evaluated in terms of "health claims." Previous assessments have concluded that, in terms of "functional claims," strong evidence exists for a prebiotic effect and improved bowel habit . The evidence for calcium bioavailability is promising, and positive modulation of triglyceride metabolism is undergoing preliminary evaluation . Scientific research still must be done to support any "disease risk reduction claim," but sound hypotheses do already exist for designing the relevant human nutrition trials. J Nutr, 1999 Jul, 129(7 Suppl), 1395S - 7S Functional foods and health promotion; Milner JA; Statements about the ability of selected foods to reduce the risk of diseases and to enhance the quality of life continue to captivate, and at times polarize, opinions . Interests in these "functional" foods and their active components are being propelled by increasing health care cost, recent legislative events and mounting scientific evidence . Increasingly, scientists are being asked to clarify the precise role that foods have in maintaining and promoting health . Accepting this movement as an opportunity to "optimize nutrition" rather than as a way in which to endorse good or bad foods or as a marketing gimmick will surely make it more acceptable to many scientists . However, the response to functional foods depends on several factors, including genetics, physiologic state and the composition of the entire diet . Although evaluation of the benefits or risks of foods normally does not entail the same extensive examination as that required of drugs, this does not negate the need for sound scientific information for making recommendations to the consumer . Identification of sensitive and reliable biomarkers will be key to adequate assessment of the true effect of foods and their components . Inulin and oligofructose are components of the diet that deserve added attention for their potential health benefits . Evidence that oligofructose and inulin alter several biomarkers, including gastrointestinal transit time, experimentally induced neoplasia and colonic microflora, suggests that these nondigestible carbohydrates are naturally occurring dietary constituents that may improve the quality of life and increase disease resistance in both humans and animals. J Appl Microbiol, 1999 Jun, 86(6), 1033 - 8 Total counts, culturable and viable, and non-culturable microflora of a French mineral water: a case study; Defives C et al.; The changes in bacterial counts during the storage of a natural mineral water from a French spring were studied . Samples were taken from the spring and the bottling line . Viable cultivable (VC) bacteria were counted on R2A medium . Total counts, viable and dead bacteria were counted using the LIVE/DEAD Bac Light VIABILITY kit and epifluorescence microscopy . Viable but non-cultivable (VNC) bacteria were estimated by difference between viable and VC counts . Isolates were clustered by phenotype . The microflora in the spring water increased from < 10-3 x 10(5) bacteria ml-1 after 6 d in storage and then stabilized . Mechanical bottling increased the allochthonous bacteria in the water that stabilized at 10(5) bacteria ml-1 . Maximal growth is controlled by the low concentration of nutrients in the mineral water and the lysis of dead cells . The allochthonous bacteria came from the aquifer and colonized the filling line . The changes in the VC and VNC populations showed that the bacteria used starvation-survival and entry into the VNC state to adapt to the bottling stress and the enclosed oligotrophic environment. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1999 Jul, 65(7), 3158 - 63 Formation of hyodeoxycholic acid from muricholic acid and hyocholic acid by an unidentified gram-positive rod termed HDCA-1 isolated from rat intestinal microflora; Eyssen HJ et al.; From the rat intestinal microflora we isolated a gram-positive rod, termed HDCA-1, that is a member of a not previously described genomic species and that is able to transform the 3alpha,6beta, 7beta-trihydroxy bile acid beta-muricholic acid into hyodeoxycholic acid (3alpha,6alpha-dihydroxy acid) by dehydroxylation of the 7beta-hydroxy group and epimerization of the 6beta-hydroxy group into a 6alpha-hydroxy group . Other bile acids that were also transformed into hyodeoxycholic acid were hyocholic acid (3alpha, 6alpha,7alpha-trihydroxy acid), alpha-muricholic acid (3alpha,6beta, 7alpha-trihydroxy acid), and omega-muricholic acid (3alpha,6alpha, 7beta-trihydroxy acid) . The strain HDCA-1 could not be grown unless a nonconjugated 7-hydroxylated bile acid and an unidentified growth factor produced by a Ruminococcus productus strain that was also isolated from the intestinal microflora were added to the culture medium . Germfree rats selectively associated with the strain HDCA-1 plus a bile acid-deconjugating strain and the growth factor-producing R . productus strain converted beta-muricholic acid almost completely into hyodeoxycholic acid. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol, 1999 Jun, 29(3), 238 - 61 Evaluation of veterinary drug residues in food for their potential to affect human intestinal microflora; Cerniglia CE et al.; The use of veterinary drugs in food-producing animals may result in trace quantities of the drugs or their metabolites being present as residues in food . The effects of veterinary drugs intended for use in food-producing animals on intestinal microflora are evaluated in drug registration since these residues may pose a risk due to their antibiotic activity . This article reviews the different in vivo and in vitro experimental test systems and approaches used by animal health industries, contract laboratories, and regulatory authorities to assess the safety of veterinary drug residues in foods for human consumption . Furthermore, we propose a systematic approach to assess the effects and safety of veterinary drug residues on the human intestinal microflora . Microb Ecol, 1999 Jul, 38(1), 1 - 26 Bacterial Interactions in Early Life Stages of Marine Cold Water Fish; Hansen GH et al.; > Abstract The intensive rearing of various fish species in aquaculture has revealed intimate relationships between fish and bacteria that eventually may affect establishment of a "normal" mucosal microflora or result in disease epizootics . Interactions between bacteria and mucosal surfaces play important roles both at the egg and larval stages of marine fish . Bacterial adhesion and colonization of the egg surface occur within hours after fertilization . The diverse flora which eventually develops on the egg appears to reflect the bacterial composition and load of the ambient water, but species-specific adhesion at the egg surface may also play a role in development of the egg epiflora . Proteolytic enzymes produced by members of the adherent epiflora may cause serious damage to the developing egg and may also affect further adhesion of the epiflora . Ingestion of bacteria at the yolk sac stage results in establishment of a primary intestinal microflora which seems to persist beyond first feeding . Establishment of a gut microflora is likely to undergo several stages, resulting in an "adult" microflora weeks to months after first feeding . Ingested bacteria may serve as an exogenous supply of nutrients or essential factors at an early life stage . Early exposure to high bacterial densities is probably important for immune tolerance, and thus for the establishment of a protective intestinal microflora . Successful rearing of early life stages of several marine fish species depends on knowledge of the complex interactions among the cultured organisms and the bacterial communities which develop at the mucosal surfaces and in the ambient water and rearing systems . The routine use of antibiotics during rearing of fish larvae is not advisable, since it may increase the risk of promoting antibiotic resistance and adversely affect the indigenous microflora of the larvae . The use of probiotics has proven advantageous in domestic animal production, and the search for effective probiotics may have a great potential in aquaculture of marine organisms . Bacteria with antagonistic effects against fish pathogens have been successfully administered to several fish species, resulting in decreased mortality or increased growth rate.http://link.springer-ny.com/link/service/journals/00248/bibs/38n1p1.html J Food Prot, 1999 Jun, 62(6), 610 - 4 Comparison of three protocols for the isolation of Arcobacter from poultry; Johnson LG et al.; The microaerophilic bacterium Arcobacter has received increasing attention in recent years regarding its presence in food products . There exist a limited number of methods for the detection of this microorganism, with currently available methods being cumbersome to perform, time consuming, and limited in specificity . The objective of this study was to develop a selective enrichment broth to isolate accurately three Arcobacter spp . from concentrated chicken microflora by comparing the efficacy of various selective and growth-promoting additives in order . This newly developed enrichment broth was incorporated into an isolation protocol using a previously developed plating medium, and this new protocol was compared with two existing methods for the isolation of Arcobacter from poultry . Method 1 consisted of enrichment in Ellinghausen-McCullough-Johnson-Harris Polysorbate 80 broth followed by plating on cefoperazone-vancomycin-amphotericin B medium . Method 2 consisted of enrichment in Arcobacter selective broth and plating onto Arcobacter selective medium . Method 3 (the JM method), used a newly developed enrichment broth followed by plating on a previously described JM agar . The JM method isolated Arcobacter strains in 42 out of 50 broiler chicken samples, while methods 1 and 2 detected the organism in only 24 and 15 out of 50 samples, respectively. J Clin Periodontol, 1999 Jun, 26(6), 401 - 4 Intra-familial distribution of Fusobacterium nucleatum strains in healthy families with optimal plaque control; Suchett-Kaye G et al.; Fusobacterium nucleatum, a Gram-negative anaerobic rod associated with periodontal disease, is also found in healthy individuals and is considered part of the indigenous oral microflora . Although intra-familial transmission of periodontal pathogens has been documented, there are no data relating transmission of F . nucleatum . This study investigated the distribution of F . nucleatum strains in 4 strictly healthy families . 32 F . nucleatum strains were isolated from 19 individuals (8 parents and 11 children aged 1-13 years) . DNA was extracted and digested with the restriction endonucleases EcoRI, TaqI and HindIII . The digests were separated by electrophoresis through 0.8% agarose gels at 40 V overnight, in TBE buffer containing 1 microg/ml ethidium bromide, and photographed . The DNA was transferred to nylon filters by Southern blotting and hybridized with a digoxigenin labelled E . coli rRNA probe (Kit Dig DNA Labelling mixture - Boehringer) . Probed DNA was visualized colorimetrically (CSPD Luminescent Detection Kit Boehringer) and photographed (Amersham) . We found that 10/11 children shared identical ribotypes with at least one of their respective parents . Some of the children also harbored a unique additional ribotype . On the basis of indistinguishable restriction endonuclease and ribotype patterns these results support the hypothesis that intra-familial transmission of F . nucleatum is possible. Int J Food Microbiol, 1999 Apr 1, 48(1), 59 - 65 A survey of the microbiological quality of bottled water sold in the UK and changes occurring during storage; Armas AB et al.; Eight brands of domestic and imported bottled water were microbiologically analysed within three hours of purchase at a local supermarket . Viable numbers of microorganisms were estimated on Plate Count Agar (PCA) and PCA diluted to quarter and tenth strengths (1/4 PCA and 1/10 PCA) and incubated at temperatures of 10, 15, 25 and 37 degrees C . Plate count agar diluted to 1/4 and 1/10 incubated at 25 degrees C yielded the highest initial counts, up to 10(4) cfu ml(-1) . Pseudomonas spp . was the predominant species . After 6 months of storage at room temperature (18-25 degrees C), few quantitative and qualitative differences were found in the microflora. Exp Anim, 1999 Apr, 48(2), 95 - 100 Blood biochemical characteristics, cecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acid composition in fistula implanted rats; Sakata T et al.; We raised an experimental rat implanted with a cecal fistula and investigated various characteristics of fistula-implanted rats . Male F344/N Sic rats at 14 weeks of age were divided into three groups, the fistula group (n = 5) which consisted of fistula-implanted rats, the sham group (n = 7) which consisted of sham-operated rats, and the control group (n = 7) which were not subjected to any surgical procedure . Four weeks after the fistula implantation surgery, we compared the blood biochemical indices, the microflora composition and the short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentration in cecal contents of fistula-implanted rats with those of sham-operated and control rats . The blood albumin concentration of the fistula group was significantly lower than that of the sham group and the control group, and the hematocrit value of the fistula group was significantly lower than that of the control group, but there were no significant differences in the SCFA concentration and the microflora composition among these three groups . In conclusion, it was considered that the fistula-implanted rats are useful for taking cecal contents and determining the microflora composition and the metabolites concentration at any time, without disturbing the physiological functions of the intestinal tract. Vet Res, 1999 Mar-Jun, 30(2-3), 299 - 316 Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC); Dho-Moulin M et al.; Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) cause aerosacculitis, polyserositis, septicemia and other mainly extraintestinal diseases in chickens, turkeys and other avian species . APEC are found in the intestinal microflora of healthy birds and most of the diseases associated with them are secondary to environmental and host predisposing factors . APEC isolates commonly belong to certain serogroups, O1, O2 and O78, and to a restricted number of clones . Several experimental models have been developed, permitting a more reliable evaluation of the pathogenicity of E . coli for chickens and turkeys . Hence, virulence factors identified on APEC are adhesins such as the F1 and P fimbriae, and curli, the aerobactin iron sequestering system, K1 capsule, temperature-sensitive hemagglutinin (Tsh), resistance to the bactericidal effects of serum and cytotoxic effects . Experimental infection studies have shown that the air-exchange regions of the lung and the airsacs are important sites of entry of E . coli into the bloodstream of birds during the initial stages of infection and that resistance to phagocytosis may be an important mechanism in the development of the disease . They have also demonstrated that F1 fimbriae are expressed in the respiratory tract, whereas P fimbriae are expressed in the internal organs of infected chickens . The role of these fimbrial adhesins in the development of disease is not yet, however, fully understood . The more recent use of genetic approaches for the identification of new virulence factors will greatly enhance our knowledge of APEC pathogenic mechanisms . Diagnosis of APEC infections is based on the clinical picture, lesions and isolation of E . coli . This may be strengthened by serotyping and identification of virulence factors using immunological or molecular methods such as DNA probes and PCR . Approaches for the prevention and control of APEC infections include the control of environmental contamination and environmental parameters such as humidity and ventilation . Antibiotherapy is widely used, although APEC are frequently resistant to a wide range of antibiotics . Vaccines containing killed or attenuated virulent bacteria protect against infection with the homologous strain but are less efficient against heterologous strains . Hence, vaccination for colibacillosis is not widely practised because of the large variety of serogroups involved in field outbreaks. Ann Nutr Metab, 1999, 43(1), 60 - 5 Effects of guar gum and cellulose on cecal enzyme activity and cecal short-chain fatty acids in young and aged mice; Tamura M et al.; The effects of cellulose or guar gum on cecal enzyme activity and cecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in young and aged mice were studied . Male Crj:CD-1 (ICR) mice were fed an MF diet for 4 (young mice) or 23 months (aged mice) . The MF diet was then replaced with a semisynthetic diet supplemented with 5% guar gum or 5% cellulose . The mice were fed the guar gum or cellulose diet for 3 weeks . There was no significant difference in cecal content between the two diet groups . There were no significant differences in total short-chain fatty acid production between the young mice fed the cellulose and those fed the guar gum diet, and between the aged mice fed the cellulose and guar gum diet . There were significant differences in cecal enzyme activity between the young mice fed the cellulose and those fed the guar gum diet . Beta-glucuronidase activity was significantly higher in the young mice fed the guar gum diet than in those fed the cellulose diet . There were also significant differences in cecal enzyme activity between the aged mice fed the cellulose diet and those fed the guar gum diet . Beta-glucuronidase activity was significantly higher in the aged mice fed the guar gum diet than in these fed the cellulose diet . Beta-glucosidase activity was significantly lower in the aged mice fed the guar gum diet than in those fed the cellulose diet . The effect of cellulose on the microflora between the young and aged mice might be different from the effect of guar gum . The degree of adaptation to the diet of microflora in young and aged mice fed the cellulose diet might differ from that in those fed the guar gum diet . The higher enzyme activities of microflora in aged animals compared to young animals, might have some relation with the incidence of colon cancer in aged animals. Clin Exp Immunol, 1999 Jun, 116(3), 521 - 6 Mode of delivery directs the phagocyte functions of infants for the first 6 months of life; Gronlund MM et al.; Factors that direct the immune responsiveness of the newborn beyond the immediate post-natal period are not known . We investigated the influence of mode of delivery and type of feeding on the phagocyte activity during the first 6 months of life . Sixty-four healthy infants (34 delivered vaginally and 30 by elective Caesarean section) were studied at birth and at the ages of 2 and 6 months . Phagocyte functions were studied by measuring the chemiluminescence (CL) activity of whole blood and isolated leucocytes and by investigating the expression of phagocyte receptors (FcgammaRI (CD64), FcgammaRII (CD32), FcgammaRIII (CD16), CR1 (CD35), CR3 (CD11b) and FcalphaR (CD89)) on neutrophils, monocytes and eosinophils by using receptor-specific MoAbs and immunofluorescence flow cytometry . Infants born by elective Caesarean section had significantly higher CL activity than those delivered vaginally during the entire 6-month follow up . In addition, infants who received formula feeds had significantly higher CL activity at 6 months of age and higher expression of FcgammaRI-, Fcalpha- and CR3-receptors on neutrophils than infants exclusively breast-fed . We suggest that stress reaction associated with labour influences the phagocytic activity measured in the cord blood but later during infancy the intraluminal antigens, gut microflora and diet, become important determinants in immune programming of human individuals. Pediatr Dent, 1999 May-Jun, 21(3), 186 - 91 Growth and development considerations in the diagnosis of gingivitis and periodontitis in children; Bimstein E et al.; Increasing information emphasize the relevance of the prevention, early diagnosis and early treatment of periodontal diseases in children . In order to avoid erroneous diagnosis and unnecessary treatments, the pediatric dentist is required to differentiate between pathologic processes and normal changes that take place in the periodontum with age . The present review outlines structural and functional changes of the periodontal structures, the establishment and maturation of the oral microflora and immune defense reactions to periodontal pathogens in children and adolescents . The age-related tendency to develop gingivitis, that is evident in children and adolescents, may be related to changes in the bacterial composition of the dental plaque, the inflammatory cell response, hormonal changes, morphological differences, tooth eruption and shedding . The hormonal influence on the gingival tissues and the composition of the dental plaque are of particular relevance during puberty . Large ranges for the prevalence of attachment loss, periodontitis or destructive periodontal disease in children and adolescents have been reported . The variance in values may be related to population characteristics, method of examination or diagnostic criteria that may include measurements of attachment loss and distances from the cementoenamel junction to the alveolar bone crest, both of which may be either physiological or pathological . The pediatric dentist should be able to diagnose gingival inflammation, attachment loss or distances from the cementoenamel junction to the alveolar crest which are out of proportion to the child's age and the amount of dental plaque . These may be indicative of a high susceptibility to periodontal diseases or reflect systemic conditions that affect the periodontum. J Microbiol Methods, 1999 May, 36(1-2), 107 - 14 Analysis of bacterial communities on historical glass by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of PCR-amplified gene fragments coding for 16S rRNA; Rolleke S et al.; The present study describes the analysis of bacterial communities on historical window glass by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of PCR-amplified 16S rDNA fragments . So far, only a few studies have been published in which the microflora and the corrosion mechanisms of glass surfaces have been investigated . Some microorganisms, especially fungi, have been isolated from different glass samples in the past . However, our results demonstrate that bacterial communities on biodeteriorated glass surfaces are much more complex than previously believed . In addition, bacteria were identified, which have never been isolated from glass samples before. Fogorv Sz, 1999 Apr, 92(4), 99 - 110 {The effect of smoking on the spread and frequency of periodontal disease}; Gera I; In recent years substantial data accumulated in the literature supporting the direct detrimental effect of tobacco smoking on periodontal health . The significantly inferior periodontal condition of smokers cannot be solely attributed to poor oral hygiene, increased calculus formation and altered subgingival microflora . Smoking imposes a direct threat to the periodontal tissues . Smokers with excellent oral hygiene show significantly less periodontal bone height and attachment level than matches non-smokers . Smoking entails a 2.5 to 3.5 risk ratio for severe periodontal attachment loss . Smoking also interferes with the outcome of nonsurgical and surgical periodontal treatment and impairs periodontal regeneration . The pathomechanism of the tobacco smoking related periodontal destruction is just partly understood . Tobacco products can alter normal host responses to neutralize infections and can also stimulate pathologic mechanisms to destroy the surrounding tissues . Tobacco products can directly impair polymorphonuclear leukocyte functions . Smokers have less salivary IgA and decreased serum IgG concentration as well as depressed number of helper T lymphocytes . Consequently smoking today is considered as one of the major risk factors for destructive periodontitis . Periodontitis is also considered as a decisive risk factor for systemic diseases especially for cardiovascular disorders . A strong association has been shown between periodontal disease and coronary heart diseases, as well as between periodontal disease and cerebrovascular diseases (stroke) . The subgingival microflora and the continuous latent bacteremia and endotoxemia originated from the periodontal pockets might be responsible for the damage of the vascular endothelial integrity, platelet functions and blood coagulation . Modern periodontal epidemiology rediscovered the old ide of "focal infections" and indicated that the general health has a crucial impact on the periodontal health and periodontal disease has also a major impact on the general health status of the patient. Am J Vet Res, 1999 May, 60(5), 563 - 70 Synergistic effects of concurrent challenge with bovine respiratory syncytial virus and 3-methylindole in calves; Bingham HR et al.; OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential synergy between bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and 3-methylindole (3MI) in inducing respiratory disease in cattle . ANIMALS: 20 mixed-breed beef calves . PROCEDURE: A 2 X 2 factorial design was used, with random assignment to the following 4 treatment groups: unchallenged control, BRSV challenge exposure (5 X 10(4) TCID50 by aerosolization and 5.5 X 10(5) TCID50 by intratracheal inoculation), 3MI challenge exposure (0.1 g/kg of body weight, PO), and combined BRSV-3MI challenge exposure . Clinical examinations were performed daily . Serum 3MI concentrations, WBC counts, PCV, total plasma protein, and fibrinogen concentrations were determined throughout the experiment . Surviving cattle were euthanatized 7 days after challenge exposure . Pulmonary lesions were evaluated at postmortem examination . RESULTS: Clinical respiratory disease was more acute and severe in cattle in the BRSV-3MI challenge-exposure group than in cattle in the other groups . All 5 cattle in this group and 3 of 5 cattle treated with 3MI alone died or were euthanatized prior to termination of the experiment . Mean lung displacement volume was greatest in the BRSV-3MI challenge-exposure group . Gross and histologic examination revealed that pulmonary lesions were also most severe for cattle in this group . CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Feedlot cattle are commonly infected with BRSV, and 3MI is produced by microflora in the rumen of all cattle . Our results suggest that there is a synergy between BRSV and 3MI . Thus, controlling combined exposure may be important in preventing respiratory disease in feedlot cattle. Reprod Nutr Dev, 1999 Mar-Apr, 39(2), 201 - 12 Nutritional value of the proteins of soybeans roasted at a small-scale unit level in Africa as assessed using growing rats; Ouedraogo CL et al.; Increasing the roasting time of soybeans from 15 (RSF15) to 25 (RSF25) min led to an important decrease in the antitryptic activity and immunoreactivity of the storage globulins, but it did not seem to greatly affect the concentrations of the indispensable amino acids in the protein . The RSF15 and RSF25 flours were used as the only protein sources in balanced diets for growing rats, and they were compared to a diet based on casein in a pair-feeding experiment . When roasted as usually happens at the workshop level (RSF15), soybean flour induced a significant hypertrophy of the pancreas . Increasing the roasting time by up to 25 min considerably improved the nutritional value of the soybean protein, without apparent consequence on the levels of free amino acid pools in the plasma and muscles . The data also indicated that the tissues of the small and large intestines of the young rat were sensitive to the hyperactivity of the intestinal microflora, and also possibly to the residual activity of some antinutritional factors. Planta Med, 1999 Apr, 65(3), 277 - 8 Micropropagation and in vitro flowering of Rauvolfia tetraphylla; a potent source of anti-hypertension drugs; Sarma D et al.; A simple protocol for in vitro mass multiplication of Rauvolfia tetraphylla (Apocynaceae) has been developed . The endophytic microflora was controlled by adopting integrated measures . Multiple shoot development was achieved on MS + Kin (0.1-0.2 mg/l) + BAP (0.4-0.5 mg/l) media . Rooting from in vitro shoots occurred on NAA containing media . In vitro flowering was induced in shoot multiplication media. Vestn Otorinolaringol, 1999, (2), 11 - 4 {Polypous ethmoiditis}; Filatov VF et al.; Investigations of etiology, pathogenesis and treatment of polypous ethmoiditis show the role of chronic inflammation, sensitization and autoimmune reactions in mechanisms of nasal polyposis (NP) . The development of postoperative recurrences of NP depends on the microflora, defective microcirculation, permeability of the histohematic barriers of the nasal and labyrinthine mucosa and metabolism of glycosaminoglycanes in the above mucosa . Adequate treatment methods are suggested: He-Ne laser radiation, UV blood radiation, cryotherapy, corticosteroids . Promising are also autovaccine, autovaccine with tissue (polypous) antigen, ozone solutions. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol, 1999 May, 6(3), 434 - 6 Estimation of growth rates of Escherichia coli BJ4 in streptomycin-treated and previously germfree mice by in situ rRNA hybridization; Rang CU et al.; The growth physiology of Escherichia coli during colonization of the intestinal tract was studied with four animal models: the streptomycin-treated mouse carrying a reduced microflora, the monoassociated mouse with no other microflora than the introduced strain, the conventionalized streptomycin-treated mouse, and the conventionalized monoassociated mouse harboring a full microflora . A 23S rRNA fluorescent oligonucleotide probe was used for hybridization to whole E . coli cells fixed directly after being taken from the animals, and the respective growth rates of E . coli BJ4 in the four animal models were estimated by correlating the cellular concentrations of ribosomes with the growth rate of the strain . The growth rates thus estimated from the ribosomal content of E . coli BJ4 in vivo did not differ in the streptomycin-treated and the monoassociated mice . After conventionalization there was a slight decrease of the bacterial growth rates in both animal models. Reprod Nutr Dev, 1999 Jan-Feb, 39(1), 27 - 48 Intestinal absorption, blood transport and hepatic and muscle metabolism of fatty acids in preruminant and ruminant animals; Hocquette JF et al.; Current research on lipid metabolism in ruminants aims to improve the growth and health of the animals and the muscle characteristics associated with meat quality . This review, therefore, focuses on fatty acid (FA) metabolism from absorption to partitioning between tissues and metabolic pathways . In young calves, which were given high-fat milk diets, lipid absorption is delayed because the coagulation of milk caseins results in the retention of dietary fat as an insoluble clot in the abomasum . After weaning, the calves were fed forage- and cereal-based diets containing low levels of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) but leading to high levels of volatile fatty acid (VFA) production by the rumen microflora . Such differences in dietary FA affect: i) the lipid transport system via the production of lipoproteins by the intestine and the liver, and (ii) the subsequent metabolism of lipids and FA by tissues . In preruminant calves, high-fat feed stimulates the secretion of triacylglycerols (TG)-rich lipoproteins (chylomicrons, very-low density lipoproteins (VLDL)) . Diets rich in polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) stimulate the production of chylomicrons by the intestine (at peak lipid absorption) and of high density lipoproteins by the liver, leading to high blood concentrations of cholesterol . High levels of non-esterified FA (NEFA) uptake by the liver in high-yielding dairy cows in early lactation leads to TG infiltration of the hepatocytes (fatty liver) . This is due to the low chronic capacity of the liver to synthesise and secrete VLDL particles . This abnormality in hepatic FA metabolism involves defects in apolipoprotein B synthesis and low availability of apolipoproteins and lipids for VLDL packaging . Fatty liver in calves is also caused by milk containing either soybean oil (rich in n-6 PUFA), or coconut oil (rich in C12:0 and C14:0) . The ability of muscle tissue to use FA as an energy source depends on its mitochondrial content and, hence, on many physiological factors . The uptake and partitioning of LCFA between oxidation and storage in muscle is regulated by the activity of key intracellular enzymes and binding proteins . One such protein, carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT I) controls the transport of LCFA into mitochondria . Metabolites derived from LCFA inhibit glucose oxidation, decrease the activity of CPT I and decrease the efficiency of ATP production by mitochondria . Most research on tissue lipid metabolism in ruminants is focused on: i) the partitioning of FA oxidation between intracellular peroxisomes and mitochondria in the liver and in muscles; (ii) the regulation of lipid metabolism by leptin, a recently discovered hormone secreted by mature adipocytes; and iii) the effects of activation of the nuclear receptors (PPARs and RXR) by LCFA or by phytol metabolites derived from chlorophyll. J Gastroenterol, 1999 Feb, 34(1), 54 - 60 Colonization of microflora in mice: mucosal defense against luminal bacteria; Fukushima K et al.; To investigate the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, it is critical to develop a system that uses simple and reproducible models for analyzing the "normal" mucosal defense mechanism . In the present study, germ-free mice were conventionalized by the oral administration of microorganisms prepared from the feces of genetically identical mice . Histological assessment and mucin characterization of small intestine and colon were then carried out . Histological findings in the gut were site-dependent and clearly time-dependent . Acute inflammation was most evident in the cecum . The cecal mucosa exhibited hyperplastic changes in epithelial cells, infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells, crypt abscesses, and epithelial projections on the epithelial surface 7 days after conventionalization . Some of the changes were similar to those seen in human ulcerative colitis . The histological findings in the conventionalized mice were comparable to those in specific pathogen-free mice after 28 days . Mucin histochemistry revealed that bacterial colonization altered the number of rectal goblet cells and the mucin composition in a time-dependent fashion . Although this model shares only some characteristics of human inflammatory bowel disease, it is unique in demonstrating the acquisition of mucosal defense . Understanding of this process is critical for the elucidation of inflammatory bowel disease pathogenesis. Probl Khig, 1997, 22, 17 - 24 {An experimental study of a microbiological index in the complex setting of standards for lead, copper and zinc in the soil}; Balabanov Ts et al.; Anthropological pollutions falling in the soil by different routes evolve multitude unfavourable consequences for human being and health . The present publication considers a laboratory survey on the influence of lead, copper and zinc by their combined presence in soil onto soil autocleaning ability . The results from the experiments will serve the goals of complex hygiene standards of these three soil pollutants . A number of micro-organisms, relating to soil as an ecological compartment, are tested by two hygienic microbiological methods . The results from experiments point out as maximum permissible concentration (MPC) the following combination of concentrations within the range of the microbiological index: lead--54 mg/kg, copper--90 mg/kg, zinc--165 mg/kg . Concentrations over the above-mentioned have an oppressive effect on saprophytic microflora in higher rate than the observed impact of pathogenic micro-organisms . In conditions of MPC higher than the reached ones the autocleaning ability of the soil is threatened and thus a basis with unfavourable epidemiological indicators is established. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med, 1999 Apr, 220(4), 271 - 5 Tea and health: the underlying mechanisms; Weisburger JH; Detailed multidisciplinary research on the effect of tea and the associated tea polyphenols has led to major advances on the underlying mechanisms . In most studies, green and black tea have similar effects, four of which are reviewed in this paper . 1) Tea polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that may play a role in lowering the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol, with a consequent decreased risk of heart disease, and also diminish the formation of oxidized metabolites of DNA, with an associated lower risk of specific types of cancer . 2) Tea and tea polyphenols selectively induce Phase I and Phase II metabolic enzymes that increase the formation and excretion of detoxified metabolites of carcinogens . 3) Tea lowers the rate of cell replication and thus the growth and development of neoplasms . 4) Tea modifies the intestinal microflora, reducing undesirable bacteria and increasing beneficial bacteria . The accumulated knowledge suggests that regular tea intake by humans might provide an approach to decrease the incidence of and mortality from major chronic diseases. Med Klin (Munich), 1999 Feb 15, 94 Suppl 1, 6 - 11 {"Targeted delivery" in the gastrointestinal tract}; Leopold CS; Drug delivery to the intestine has become attractive to researchers with the main interest in the delivery of peptide drugs to the large intestine and the treatment of colonic diseases . There are currently 4 strategies that are pursued to reach colon specificity: 1 . by relying on the pH difference between the small and the large intestine; 2 . by exploiting the enzymatic activity of the colonic microflora; 3 . by relying on the relatively constant small intestinal transit time and 4 . by taking advantage of the increase of the luminal pressure in the colon due to strong peristaltic waves . Drug delivery to the small intestine may be achieved by pH-controlled and time-controlled drug release mechanisms . Diffusion-controlled systems allow drug delivery over the entire gastrointestinal tract. Eur J Biochem, 1999 Apr, 261(1), 148 - 54 Two-dimensional electrophoresis of Malassezia allergens for atopic dermatitis and isolation of Mal f 4 homologs with mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase; Onishi Y et al.; The yeast Malassezia furfur is a natural inhabitant of the human skin microflora that induces an allergic reaction in atopic dermatitis . To identify allergens of M . furfur, we separated a crude preparation of M . furfur antigens as discrete spots by 2-D PAGE and detected IgE-binding proteins using sera of atopic dermatitis patients . We identified the known allergens, Mal f 2 and Mal f 3, and determined N-terminal amino acid sequences of six new IgE-binding proteins including Mal f 4 . The cDNA and genomic DNA encoding Mal f 4 were cloned and sequenced . The gene was mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase and encoded Mal f 4 composed of 315 amino acids and a signal sequence of 27 amino acids . We purified Mal f 4, which had a molecular mass of 35 kDa from a membrane fraction of a lysate of cultured cells . Thirty of 36 M . furfur-allergic atopic dermatitis patients (83.3%) had elevated serum levels of IgE to purified Mal f 4, indicating that Mal f 4 is a major allergen . There was a significant correlation of the Phadebas RAST unit values of Mal f 4 and the crude antigen, but not between Mal f 4 and the known allergen Mal f 2. Eur J Clin Invest, 1999 Jan, 29(1), 33 - 40 The effects of ABT-229 and octreotide on interdigestive small bowel motility, bacterial overgrowth and bacterial translocation in rats; Nieuwenhuijs VB et al.; BACKGROUND: Interdigestive small bowel motility has a regulatory function on the microflora of the upper small bowel . Here we investigate the effects of ABT-229 and octreotide on morphine-induced dysmotility, the accompanying bacterial overgrowth and bacterial translocation . METHODS: Rats were fitted with jejunal myoelectrodes and a subcutaneous cannula for continuous infusion of saline or morphine . Fasting motility was measured for 6 h on four occasions: one control measurement (day 0) and three measurements on consecutive days (days 1-3) while receiving saline alone (group A), morphine alone (group B), saline + ABT-229 (group C), morphine + ABT-229 (group D), saline + octreotide (group E) or morphine + octreotide (group F) . Samples from the mesenteric lymph node complex (MLN), liver, spleen, duodenum and ileum were taken for quantitative microbial culturing on day 4 . RESULTS: Neither ABT-229 nor octreotide increased the number of propagated activity fronts during saline infusion . During morphine-induced dysmotility, ABT-229 induced more propagated activity fronts in group D (13.4, 9.8 and 8.8 per 6 h) than in group B (7.0, 4.5, 3.8 per 6 h) on days 1, 2 and 3 (P < 0.05 for all days) Octreotide did not induce more propagated activity fronts . Disruption of small bowel motility by morphine led to bacterial overgrowth in the duodenum . ABT-229 and octreotide did not reduce the bacterial growth levels . The total incidence of bacterial translocation was significantly higher in the morphine-treated animals than in the saline-treated animals . Neither ABT-229 nor octreotide reduced the bacterial translocation incidence . The number of propagated activity fronts on day 3 and duodenal bacterial growth correlated significantly in groups A, E and F . CONCLUSIONS: ABT-229, but not octreotide, reduced morphine induced dysmotility . Small bowel bacterial overgrowth and bacterial translocation were not prevented . Fasting small bowel motility has a regulatory function on the intestinal microflora of the upper small bowel. Am J Med, 1999 Jan 25, 106(1A), 20S - 23S; discussion 50S-51S Nutritional regulation of gene expression; Cousins RJ; Genes are regulated by complex arrays of response elements that influence the rate of transcription . Nutrients and hormones either act directly to influence these rates or act indirectly through specialized signaling pathways . Metabolites of vitamins A and D, fatty acids, some sterols, and zinc are among the nutrients that influence transcription directly . Components of dietary fiber may influence gene expression indirectly through changes in hormonal signaling, mechanical stimuli, and metabolites produced by the intestinal microflora . In addition, consumption of water-soluble fibers may lead to changes in gene expression mediated through indirect mechanisms that influence transcription rates . In the large intestine, short-chain fatty acids, including butyric acid, are produced by microflora . Butyric acid can indirectly influence gene expression . Some sources of fiber limit nutrient absorption, particularly of trace elements . This could have direct or indirect effects on gene expression . Identification of genes in colonic epithelial cells that are differentially regulated by dietary fiber will be an important step toward understanding the role of dietary factors in colorectal cancer progression. Chemosphere, 1999 Mar, 38(6), 1305 - 11 Inefficiency of Mycobacterium chlorophenolicum PCP-1 to enhance mineralization of pentachlorophenol in soil microcosms; Combrisson J et al.; We examined the mineralization of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in sterile and non-sterile soil with or without added bacteria (Mycobacterium chlorophenolicum PCP-1) . The soil used had no history of PCP contamination . Microcosms (30 g dry weight of soil) were incubated with labelled PCP (6.76% 13C, a non-radioactive stable isotope, 22 mg kg-1 dry weight) for 60 days . M . chlorophenolicum PCP-1 (7.8 x 10(6) cells g-1 dry weight) was added to some samples . 50% of the PCP was mineralized in non-sterile soil with or without the exogenous bacteria . Only 5% of the PCP was mineralized in sterile soil with or without bacteria . These data suggest that the PCP was not accessible to M . chlorophenolicum and that the indigenous soil microflora can mineralize PCP. J Nutr, 1999 Feb, 129(2S Suppl), 490S - 493S Cellular uptake of biotin: mechanisms and regulation; Said HM; This review describes our knowledge of biotin transport in the small intestine of humans and other mammals and presents recent findings in the area . Previous studies have shown that biotin transport across the brush border membrane of the small intestinal absorptive cells occurs via a carrier-mediated, Na+ gradient-dependent, electroneutral mechanism . Exit of biotin out of the enterocyte, i.e., transport across the basolateral membrane, also occurs via a carrier-mediated process, but the process is Na+ independent and electrogenic . Recent studies from our laboratory have shown that the uptake process of biotin in Caco-2 cells, a human-derived cultured intestinal epithelial cell line, are under the cellular regulation of both a protein kinase C- and a Ca/calmodulin-mediated pathway . In addition, the uptake process is shared by another water-soluble vitamin, pantothenic acid . For the first time, other recent studies have detected the existence of a Na+-dependent, carrier-mediated mechanism for biotin uptake at the apical membrane of colonocytes, which could theoretically mediate absorption of the biotin synthesized by colonic microflora . This system was again found to be shared by pantothenic acid, which is also synthesized by the normal microflora of the large intestine. Physiol Res, 1998, 47(5), 357 - 63 Early ontogeny of monocytes and macrophages in the pig; Rehakova Z et al.; Prenatal development of cord blood monocytes and tissue macrophages was studied in pig foetuses by immunophenotyping and functional assays . The function of peripheral blood monocytes was compared in germ-free and conventional piglets . First macrophages were identified by electron microscopy in foetal liver on the 25th day of gestation . Monoclonal antibodies against porcine CD45 and SWC3 antigens were used for flow cytometric identification of myelomonocytic cells in cell suspensions prepared from the yolk sac, foetal liver, spleen and cord blood . Leukocytes expressing the common myelomonocytic antigen SWC3 were found in all organs studied since the earliest stages of development . Opsonized zymosan ingestion assay was used to determine the phagocytic capacity of foetal mononuclear phagocytes isolated from cord blood, liver and spleen . In the foetal liver, avid phagocytosis of apoptic cells had been found to occur before cells were able to ingest zymosan in vitro . The first cells capable of ingesting zymosan particles were found on the 40th day of gestation in umbilical blood and 17 days later in foetal spleen and liver . Their relative proportion increased with age . Cord blood monocytes and peripheral blood monocytes in germ-free piglets had low oxidatory burst activity as shown by iodonitrophenyl tetrazolium reduction assay . A remarkable increase of oxidatory burst activity was observed in conventional piglets, probably due to activation of immune mechanisms by the microflora colonizing gastrointestinal tract. Khirurgiia (Mosk), 1999, (1), 9 - 11 {Etiopathogenetic principles fo surgical treatment for purulent wounds}; Svetukhin AM et al.; Application of gas-liquid chromatography methods and mass-spectrometry enabled the authors to develop objective criteria, which provided prompt acceptance of quantity information about the stage ams severity of the wound process, its influence on the organism and prognosis of expectant complications (taking into account aerobic or anaerobic components of microflora) and early correction of surgical policy. Lik Sprava, 1998 Oct-Nov, (7), 170 - 4 {Microflora as a risk factor for workers in the manufacture of mixed feeds}; Chudnovets AIa; Microbial contamination of the industrial environment was studied at the animal-feed factories in Ukraine . Microorganisms and microscopic fungi are detectable in the air of production areas in concentrations appreciably exceeding MPL (50,000/m3 of air) . The microscopic fungi group is represented by a wide range of potentially harmful strains, a great many of which fungi are producers of mycotoxins . The above industrial conditions can exert an adverse effect on the organism of workers and serve as a risk factor for the health of people. Biochemistry (Mosc), 1999 Jan, 64(1), 40 - 6 Secretory immunoglobulins A from human milk possess affinity to oligonucleotides and nucleic acids; Kit YY et al.; The antibody (AB) fraction containing sIgA and IgG was isolated from human milk by Protein A-Sepharose chromatography and was shown to possess affinity to DNA-cellulose . Ion-exchange HPLC of these AB on a TSK DEAE-5PW column resulted in the isolation of a fraction containing sIgA and oligonucleotides (ON) . Gel-filtration of the AB fraction revealed the presence of ON with length 4-8 nucleotides co-isolating with sIgA . sIgA Preparations purified on DEAE-Fractogel and DNA-cellulose contained lipids which were phosphorylated in the presence of {gamma-32P}ATP . The affinity of HPLC-purified IgG and sIgA to calf thymus DNA, Escherichia coli DNA and total tRNA, and plasmid DNA was demonstrated . IgG was shown to bind to thymus DNA and E . coli DNA, and sIgA was shown to bind to E . coli DNA and tRNA . Nucleic acids of intestinal microflora are supposed to participate in induction of the secretory immune response. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1998 Nov-Dec, (6), 57 - 60 {Comparative analysis of general and local immunoreactivity in patients with chronic vulvovaginitis of mixed etiology}; Uchevatkina AE et al.; The clinical and pathogenetic importance of local immunity in patients with chronic vulvovaginitis (CVV) caused by fungi of the genus Candida or by mixed microflora was studied . 73 patients were examined during the period of exacerbation and 11 patients, at the phase of the remission of the disease . The levels of interferon, interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha in vaginal washings (VW) were determined for the evaluation of local reactiveness and the subpopulation composition of peripheral blood lymphocytes was established . Patients with CVV in the phases of exacerbation and remission were found to have essential differences in the content of cytokines in VW, while the results obtained in the groups of patients at the stage of remission and control subjects were found to be highly similar. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1999 Feb, 65(2), 846 - 8 Isolation of Deinococcus species from commercial oyster extract; Chan WF et al.; Deinococci with radiation resistance greater than that of Deinococcus radiophilus (ATCC 27603) were isolated from three commercial oyster extracts stored at 4, 20, and 30 degreesC . During storage the number of other bacteria declined and deinococci became the predominant group in the microflora, particularly at 20 degreesC, although at 30 degreesC the number of deinococci as well rapidly declined . The results suggest that the natural habitat of deinococci is an aerobic environment containing a slightly elevated saline content, soluble protein, and low sugar levels. Int J Food Microbiol, 1998 Nov 24, 45(1), 3 - 6 Quality control of culture media--perspectives and problems; Curtis GD et al.; The Working Party on Culture Media (WPCM) of the International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS) has promoted and facilitated the development of methods for quality control of culture media used for the detection and enumeration of food-borne microorganisms since the early 1980s . While progress has been made in establishing protocols to test for productivity and selectivity of media, problems associated with the influence of food constituents and background microflora, as well as the presence of sublethally injured cells in test foods, are yet to be fully addressed before optimum methods for assessing the quality of media can be defined . However, for various reasons, the development of standardised procedures which account for the influence of food constituents or state of debilitation of target microorganisms may not be practical or even desirable. Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult, 1998 Sep-Oct, (5), 17 - 9 {Changes in the intrabronchial microflora of patients with chronic bronchitis after inhaling mineral water}; Bellometti S et al.; The authors' investigations show that inhalations of sodium chloride bromine-iodine water given in spray modify intrabronchial microflora of patients with chronic bronchitis reducing the number of the pathogenic bacteria and elevating the number of bacteria typical for physiological composition of the bronchial mucus. Aviakosm Ekolog Med, 1998, 32(5), 57 - 62 {Residential colonization of orbital complex "Mir" environment by penicillium chrysogenum and problem of ecological safety in long-term space flight}; Viktorov AN et al.; Results of many years of the survey of highly specific evolution of quantitative and species composition of microflora of the MIR environment are reviewed . Analysis of the data enabled listing of microorganisms-declinous fungi with the ability of residential colonization of structural materials of the interior and equipment of habitable modules of the space station . Results of the studies of variability and level of similarity/affinity on the basis of DNA, polymorphism of strains isolated in space flight, convincingly confirmed this characteristic in the Penicillium chrysogenum cultures . In view of the common origin determined from the signs of genetic alliance, the P . chrysogenum strains isolated on MIR in 1995 can be considered descendants of the cultures found at the beginning of the MIR operation . This ecological expansion of P . chrysogenum in the space station environment gains in prominence due to the fact that representative of this particular species known for its active biodestructive nature were, as a rule, detected in the areas where structural materials of the SALYUT and MIR space stations incurred biological degradation. Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 1998 Dec, 12(12), 1185 - 200 Review article: olestra and its gastrointestinal safety; Thomson AB et al.; Olestra is a fat substitute made from sucrose and vegetable oil . Olestra is neither digested nor absorbed, and therefore adds no calories or fat to the diet . Because the gut is the only organ that is exposed to olestra, the potential for olestra to affect gastrointestinal structure and function, and the absorption of nutrients from the gut, has been investigated . Histological evaluations performed after long-term feeding studies have shown no indications that olestra causes injury to the gastrointestinal mucosa . Olestra is not metabolized by the colonic microflora, and has no meaningful effects on the metabolic function of these organisms . Studies of gastrointestinal transit have shown that the consumption of olestra with food does not affect gastric emptying, or small or large bowel transit times . Olestra does not affect the absorption of macronutrients, water-soluble vitamins or minerals . It causes a dose-responsive decrease in the availability of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K; however, this potentially adverse effect is offset by the addition of vitamins to olestra-containing foods . Olestra has no consistent effect on the amount of total bile acids excreted in the faeces, and therefore probably has no significant effect on bile acid absorption . The occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea, loose stools, gas and abdominal cramping, after consumption of olestra under ordinary snacking conditions is comparable to that following consumption of triglyceride-containing snacks. Arch Pharm Res, 1998 Feb, 21(1), 17 - 23 Intestinal bacterial metabolism of flavonoids and its relation to some biological activities; Kim DH et al.; Flavonoid glycosides were metabolized to phenolic acids via aglycones by human intestinal microflora producing alpha-rhamnosidase, exo-beta-glucosidase, endo-beta-glucosidase and/or beta-glucuronidase . Rutin, hesperidin, naringin and poncirin were transformed to their aglycones by the bacteria producing alpha-rhamnosidase and beta-glucosidase or endo-beta-glucosidase, and baicalin, puerarin and daidzin were transformed to their aglycones by the bacteria producing beta-glucuronidase, C-glycosidase and beta-glycosidase, respectively . Anti-platelet activity and cytotoxicity of the metabolites of flavonoid glycosides by human intestinal bacteria were more effective than those of the parental compounds . 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and 4-hydroxyl-phenylacetic acid were more effective than rutin and quercetin on anti-platelet aggregation activity . 2,4,6-Trihydroxybenzaldehyde, quercetin and ponciretin were more effective than rutin and ponciretin on the cytotoxicity for tumor cell lines . We insist that these flavonoid glycosides should be natural prodrugs. Br J Nutr, 1998 Sep, 80(3), 231 - 4 Effects of the bacterial status of rats on the changes in some liver cytochrome P450 (EC 1.14.14.1) apoproteins consequent to a glucosinolate-rich diet; Nugon-Baudon L et al.; The aim of the present work was to investigate the influence of the intestinal microflora on the changes in hepatic cytochrome P450 apoproteins induced by dietary glucosinolates . Ten rats harbouring a conventional digestive microflora were offered either a diet containing 390 g myrosinase-free rapeseed meal/kg (n 5) or a control diet devoid of glucosinolates (n 5) . A similar trial was performed using germ-free rats . After 4 weeks of exposure to the dietary regimens, animals were slaughtered and their livers removed for preparation of microsomes and analysis of cytochrome P450 (EC 1.14.14.1) . The glucosinolate-rich diet decreased the concentration of total cytochrome P450 in conventional rats only (-34%) . The bacterial status did not modify the concentration of apoproteins CYP1A2 and CYP2B1/B2, but greatly decreased the concentration of the male constitutive isoform CYP2C11 (-53 and -45% respectively in conventional and germ-free rats) . Germ-free rats fed on the glucosinolate-rich diet had a greater concentration of CYP3A (+139%) and a lower concentration of CYP2E1 (-32%) than their counterparts fed on the control diet . However, these differences were absent in conventional animals . On the whole, the influence of the intestinal microflora on the changes in hepatic cytochrome P450 due to the consumption of cruciferous vegetables is very complex and obviously involves different mechanisms according to the apoprotein. Scand J Immunol, 1998 Dec, 48(6), 585 - 91 Influence of intestinal microflora on murine bone marrow and spleen macrophage precursors; Nicaise P et al.; To investigate the adjuvant effect of intestinal flora on macrophage-colony-stimulating factor-responsive macrophage progenitors from spleen and bone marrow, we compared progenitor numbers and phenotypic characteristics of in vitro matured macrophages in germ-free and flora-associated mice (conventional, Escherichia coli-monoassociated and conventionalized mice) . The data obtained show that the flora affected differentially bone marrow and spleen progenitors . It increased the numbers of progenitors in the spleen but not in the bone marrow . It did not modify the expression of F4/80, Mac-1 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II on bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM), while it clearly up-regulated MHC class II expression on spleen-derived macrophages (SDM) . This effect was more pronounced in flora-associated ex germ-free mice than in conventional mice and it was greatly enhanced in the absence of M-CSF . In vitro stimulation by lipopolysaccharide had no effect on marker expression of BMDM, while it decreased F4/80 and enhanced MHC class II molecules on SDM from germ-free and flora-associated mice . However, the expression of MHC class II remained lower in germ-free mice . Enhancement of MHC class II molecule expression on SDM may contribute to the protective role of flora, because successful immune responses are dependent on the expression of these molecules. Int J Colorectal Dis, 1998, 13(5-6), 196 - 207 Pouchitis: pathophysiology and treatment; Kuhbacher T et al.; Pouchitis is a potential complication after proctocolectomy and restorative ileoanal anastomosis . It is more frequent in UC than in familial polyposis . Little is known about the etiopathology of pouchitis . Risk factors include the presence of extraintestinal manifestations, primary sclerosing cholangitis, cessation of smoking, and previous course of disease . A host of pathophysiological pathways have been identified as potential mechanisms of pouchitis, which include inflammatory mediators, adhesion molecules, oxygen radical species, p-ANCA, and short-chain fatty acids . The microflora in the pouch may also be an important factor in causing inflammation . The risk of developing cancer in cases of pouchitis has not been established as clearly as in those of UC . Particular attention should be paid to patients who have remaining anorectal mucosa after pouch construction . Experience in the treatment of chronic relapsing and chronic refractory pouchitis is limited . The continuation of conventional anti-inflammatory treatment is successful only in a small percentage of patients . New biological response-modifying therapies which target novel immunoregulatory molecules in IBD will also have impact on the systemic and topical treatment of pouchitis. Klin Khir, 1998, (8), 25 - 6 {Dysbiotic changes of colonic microflora in patients with Crohn's disease}; Kravchenko TI; In patients with Crohn's disease the dysbiotic changes in colonic lumen was revealed, what was testified by reducing the quantity of saprophytic and increasing the quantity of the conditionally-pathogenic microorganisms . The application of "Salofalk" preparation do not influence the colonic microflora composition. Ann Agric Environ Med, 1998, 5(2), 169 - 75 Study on exposure of pig farm workers to bioaerosols, immunologic reactivity and health effects; Mackiewicz B; Occupational inhalation of organic dust may be a cause of numerous symptoms and diseases . Organic dust consists of various biological compounds which induce inflammatory reactions in the lungs on an immunotoxic or allergic basis . Bacteria and their metabolites, moulds and their spores, mycotoxins, glucans, and other still unidentified substances, can be potential aetiologic factors of diseases caused by organic dust . The aim of this study was to determine the concentration and composition of airborne microflora in typical Polish swine buildings and to assess the health conditions of the workers employed within them . Total concentration of microorganisms in the air of five examined swine breeding farms ranged from 613.7-1246.7 x 10(3) cfu/m3 (mean value 930.6 x 10(3) cfu/ m3).The examination of 53 employees working in the swine buildings included their medical history, physical examination, spirometry, and allergological tests . Work-related symptoms were reported by 31 (58.5%) of the subjects . No abnormal findings were present upon physical and spirometric examinations . The results suggest the common occurrence of work-related respiratory disease in swine workers, mostly corresponding to the Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome (ODTS). Can J Microbiol, 1998 Sep, 44(9), 905 - 9 Tannin-tolerant ruminal bacteria from East African ruminants; Odenyo AA et al.; Three strains of tannin-tolerant rumen bacteria were isolated from enrichment cultures of rumen microflora of sheep, goat, and antelope and established in medium containing high concentrations of crude tannin extract or tannic acid . These three strains (EAT2, ES3, and EG19), characterized as Selenomonas species, were curved rods, obligately anaerobic, Gram negative, highly motile, and grew in media containing 50 g of tannin extract/L and 50-70 g of tannic acid/L . Strain EAT2 was able to hydrolyze gallic acid, while strains ES3 and EG19 hydrolyzed tannic acid but not gallic acid . All isolates were able to grow in media containing up to 8 g of condensed tannins/L . Growth was very slow when soluble carbohydrate was not added to the medium. Am J Clin Nutr, 1998 Dec, 68(6 Suppl), 1333S - 1346S Phytoestrogens: the biochemistry, physiology, and implications for human health of soy isoflavones; Setchell KD; The importance of estrogens in homeostatic regulation of many cellular and biochemical events is well illustrated by the pathophysiologic changes that occur with estrogen deficiency . Many of the major diseases of Western populations are hormone dependent and epidemiologic data have shown a strong association between their incidence and diet . In particular, the importance of a plant-based diet is evident from the current dietary recommendations that emphasize an increase in the proportion and amount of fruit and vegetables that should be consumed . Although interpretation of the role of individual components of the diet is difficult from epidemiologic and dietary studies, it is recognized that there are many plant-derived bioactive nonnutrients that can confer significant health benefits . Among these phytochemicals is the broad class of nonsteroidal estrogens called phytoestrogens, and in the past decade there has been considerable interest in the role of isoflavones because of their relatively high concentrations in soy protein . The isoflavones in modest amounts of ingested soy protein are biotransformed by intestinal microflora, are absorbed, undergo enterohepatic recycling, and reach circulating concentrations that exceed by several orders of magnitude the amounts of endogenous estrogens . These phytoestrogens and their metabolites have many potent hormonal and nonhormonal activities that may explain some of the biological effects of diets rich in phytoestrogens. Mt Sinai J Med, 1998 Oct-Nov, 65(5-6), 362 - 9 Periodontal disease: an overview for physicians; Fenesy KE; Periodontitis is now seen as resulting from a complex interplay of bacterial infection and host response, often modified by behavioral factors . There has been a fundamental change in the prevailing periodontal disease model of the 1960s, which suggested that the susceptibility to periodontitis increases with age, and that all individuals are susceptible to severe periodontal disease . More recent research has changed the belief in universal susceptibility to the current view that only some 5-20% of any population suffer from severe generalized periodontitis, and that only moderate disease affects a majority of adults . One major risk factor is smoking, as there is now a clear association between smoking and periodontal disease independent of oral hygiene, age, or any other risk factor . In human periodontitis, there is no simple, direct pathogen-disease link . There are three pathogens that have a strong association with progressive periodontal disease: Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, spirochetes of acute necrotizing gingivitis, and Porphyromonas gingivalis . These pathogens may be the cause of continued loss of periodontal attachment in all periodontal disease classifications despite diligent periodontal therapy . This loss of attachment, or destruction of the periodontal ligament and loss of adjacent supporting bone, is seen in adult periodontitis, as well as in early-onset periodontitis, which affects young persons who otherwise appear healthy . The three forms of early-onset periodontitis are prepubertal periodontitis, localized and generalized juvenile periodontitis, and rapidly progressive periodontitis . They are distinguished from adult periodontitis by the age of onset of the disease, the rapid rate of disease progression, manifestations of defects in host response, and the composition of the subgingival microflora . Prepubertal periodontitis is associated with attachment loss around teeth of the deciduous and/or permanent dentition, and is often associated with severe congenital defects of hematological origin, and alterations in neutrophil chemotaxis function . Periodontitis may also be associated with systemic conditions such as metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus, female hormonal alterations), drug-induced disorders, hematologic disorders/leukemia, and immune system disorders . These systemic disorders have been documented as capable of affecting the periodontium and/or treatment of periodontal disease . In order to rationally treat and prevent periodontal disease, we need to know the etiologic agents for specific patients, and the mechanism of bacterial pathogenesis in periodontitis . In systemic diseases in which the periodontal tissues are affected as well, early detection and carefully managed therapeutics with the physician and periodontist working together may prove beneficial to the patient's general health and quality of life. Br J Nutr, 1998 Aug, 80(2), 199 - 204 The bioavailability of alpha- and beta-carotene is affected by gut microflora in the rat; Grolier P et al.; The present study examined whether the intestinal microflora could affect the bioavailability and vitamin A activity of dietary alpha- and beta-carotene in the rat . In the first set of experiments, we used conventional, germ-free (axenic), and human-flora-associated (heteroxenic) rats . In a second series, conventional rats were treated with either an antibiotic mixture or a potent inhibitor of gastric secretion (Omeprazole) . All animals were first depleted of vitamin A over 4 weeks and then were fed on a sterilized diet supplemented with 14 mg beta-carotene and 3 mg alpha-carotene/kg for 2 weeks . In both experiments, a reduction in the intestinal microflora resulted in an increased storage of beta-carotene, alpha-carotene and vitamin A in the liver . Neither the nature of the metabolism of the intestinal microflora (aerobic or anaerobic) nor treatment with omeprazole, to modify intestinal pH, induced a significant effect on the measured variables . When incubated with 15 mumol beta-carotene/l for 72 h, neither the anaerobic nor the aerobic sub-fractions obtained from rat or human faeces contributed to beta-carotene degradation or to vitamin A synthesis . These findings suggest that reduction in gut microflora results in a better utilization of alpha- and beta-carotene by rats, although bacteria do not have a direct effect on the bioavailability of these pigments. Vopr Pitan, 1998, (4), 11 - 7 {Physiological role of dietary carbohydrates in diet of hungarian population . Epidemiological study}; Biro D et al.; Authors reviews--upon literature data--the metabolism of carbohydrates, with special regard to lipogenesis, which is of less importance and has no role in obesity . Out of the plasma lipids, in the case of extreme sugar consumption, only the level of triglicerides shows increase . Sugar is one but not the only factor caries . Sugar promotes the learning and remembering function of the brain and possibly, affects behaviour, too . Oligosaccharides may contribute to the favourable changes in the intestinal microflora . Carbohydrates and within them, sugars, play no unfavourable role in the development of diabetes mellitus, obesity, cardiovascular disease, when nutrition is well balanced. Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1998, 157(4), 46 - 9 {Portal and systemic bacteremia as a manifestation of the functional failure of the enteral barrier in acute intestinal obstruction}; Chernov VN et al.; A complex investigation of 72 patients, with acute bowel obstruction (ABO) having clinico-laboratory signs and symptoms of endotoxicosis (ET), was carried out . It was proven that ABO was accompanied by profound decrease of the immuno-secretory function of the small bowel and its extensive bacterial contamination as a result of significant increase in the concentration of gram-negative symbiotic microflora, which leads to increased permeability of bowel barrier . Consequently there is massive translocation of the internal medium of the organism by enteral microflora and most of all in the portal zone and in the presence of inadequate hepatic barrier function--the systemic blood supply which corresponds to the clinical picture of endotoxic shock. Immunology, 1998 Nov, 95(3), 443 - 9 Expression of CD2 on porcine B lymphocytes; Sinkora J et al.; Remarkable interspecies differences in CD2 expression on B lymphocytes have been reported in mammals . Human and rat B cells lack CD2, whilst B lymphocytes in mice are CD2+ . In pigs, B cells have been supposed not to express CD2 . We show here, however, that CD2 is present at a low level on a prominent subset of porcine B cells . Moreover, we describe changes in the proportions of CD2+ and CD2- B-cell subsets during ontogeny . Before contact with microflora, the majority of peripheral surface immunoglobulin M+ (sIgM+) B cells express CD2 and sIgM+CD2- B cells are rare . Shortly after colonization of conventional (CV) piglets with complex intestinal microflora, numerous CD2- B cells appear in the periphery and their relative number increases with age in both CV and specific pathogen-free (SPF) pigs . However, monoassociation of germ-free (GF) piglets with a single Escherichia coli strain does not result in a significant increase of sIgM+CD2- B cells in the periphery . We suggest that CD2 is down-regulated in porcine B lymphocytes upon activation with microflora in mucosa-associated lymphatic tissues . In bone marrow (BM), we identified putative porcine B-cell precursors . These cells express CD2 at low density and do not bear either the common myelomonocytic antigen or T and B-lymphocyte receptors . Similar to mouse and human pre-B cells, this lymphocyte-sized subset expresses CD25 and class II antigens . CD2 positivity of these cells indicates that CD2 is expressed earlier than sIgM during B lymphopoiesis in pigs. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1998, 43(5), 545 - 50 Autoimmunity, immunodeficiency and mucosal infections: chronic intestinal inflammation as a sensitive indicator of immunoregulatory defects in response to normal luminal microflora; Tlaskalova-Hogenova H et al.; Despite the fact that target antigens and the genetic basis of several autoimmune diseases are now better understood, the initial events leading to a loss of tolerance towards self-components remain unknown . One of the most attractive explanations for autoimmune phenomena involves various infections as possible natural events capable of initiating the process in genetically predisposed individuals . The most accepted explanation of how infection causes autoimmunity is based on the concept of "molecular mimicry" (similarity between the epitopes of an autoantigen and the epitopes in the environmental antigen) . Infectious stimuli may also participate in the development of autoimmunity by inducing an increased expression of stress proteins (hsp), chaperones and transplantation antigens, which leads to abnormal processing and presentation of self antigens . Superantigens are considered to be one of the most effective bacterial components to induce inflammatory reactions and to take part in the development and course of autoimmune mechanisms . It has long been known that defects in the host defense mechanism render the individual susceptible to infections caused by certain microorganisms . Impaired exclusion of microbial antigens can lead to chronic immunological activation which can affect the tolerance to self components . Defects in certain components of the immune system are associated with a higher risk of a development of autoimmune disease . The use of animal models for the studies of human diseases with immunological pathogenesis has provided new insights into the influence of immunoregulatory factors and the lymphocyte subsets involved in the development of disease . One of the most striking conclusion arising from work with genetically engineered immunodeficient mouse models is the existence of a high level of redundancy of the components of the immune system . However, when genes encoding molecules involved in T cell immunoregulatory functions are deleted, spontaneous chronic inflammation of the gut mucosa (similar to human inflammatory bowel disease) develops . Surprisingly, when such immunocompromised animals were placed into germfree environment, intestinal inflammation did not develop . Impairment of the mucosal immune response to the normal bacterial flora has been proposed to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of chronic intestinal inflammation . The use of immunodeficient models colonized with defined microflora for the analysis of immune reactivity will shed light on the mode of action of different immunologically important molecules responsible for the delicate balance between luminal commensals, nonspecific and specific components of the mucosal immune system. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1998, 43(5), 531 - 4 Differences in development of lymphocyte subpopulations from gut-associated lymphatic tissue (GALT) of germfree and conventional rats: effect of aging; Stepankova R et al.; The aim of the study was to compare the phenotype of lymphocyte subpopulations of the GALT (gut-associated lymphatic tissue) in germfree (GF) and conventionally (CV) reared rats, i.e . to analyze the effect of microbial colonization on the development of intestinal lymphocyte subsets . Surface marker characteristics were studied in cell suspensions isolated from Peyer's patches, mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen and the intraepithelial lymphocyte compartment of 2- and 12-month old inbred AVN rats . The pattern of T lymphocyte phenotypes in Peyer's patches, mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen determined by FACS analysis did not reveal differences between GF and CV rats . In contrast, a 2-month conventionalization of GF rats led to substantial changes in the composition of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocyte subsets (IELs): increase of CD4+, CD8 alpha+, CD8 beta+, TcR alpha/beta+ bearing lymphocytes was observed after colonization of rats with normal microflora . Surprisingly, the relative numbers of lymphocytes bearing TcR gamma/delta+ did not change during conventionalization . The effect of aging was also studied and differences in IELs composition of aged (GF) and (CV) rats were found to be more pronounced: 6.6% and 30% of lymphocytes bearing TcR alpha/beta were present among IELs in two-month old GF and CV rats, respectively . 30% of IELs in 2-month old GF rats, 80% of IEL from 12-month old CV rats were found to bear TcR alpha/beta . This finding demonstrates that during conventionalization and aging the TcR alpha/beta bearing population of IELs substantially expands . It suggests that mainly this lymphocyte subset responds to microflora stimuli and is probably involved in the protection of the epithelial cell layer of intestinal mucosa. Chem Biol, 1998 Oct, 5(10), R245 - 9 Molecular biological access to the chemistry of unknown soil microbes: a new frontier for natural products; Handelsman J et al.; Cultured soil microorganisms have provided a rich source of natural-product chemistry . Because only a tiny fraction of soil microbes from soil are readily cultured, soil might be the greatest untapped resource for novel chemistry . The concept of cloning the metagenome to access the collective genomes and the biosynthetic machinery of soil microflora is explored here. Aviakosm Ekolog Med, 1998, 32(3), 62 - 6 {The study of biocide effectiveness of ultraviolet treatment in media stimulating space station environment}; Vasin VB et al.; An experiment was performed to study the biocide effect of ultraviolet treatment of simulated space station milieu . UV generated by low and moderately power-intensive sources (from 10 W to 1 kW) showed a good promise for decontaminating, within the reach, solid structural materials, and the air and water in the cabin . For instance, within 10 minutes of the UV-treatment aerial bacteria in 20 m3 were reduced in 12 to 30 times while fungal microflora was fully suppressed . Water containing spores and vegetative cells of both pathogenic and nonpathogenic microorganisms became essentially sterile after 4 to 10 minutes of treatment with low UV (in the order of 0.01 W/cm2) . Different UV modalities can lay the basis for development of specific technologies of microbial decontamination of various spacecraft. Aviakosm Ekolog Med, 1998, 32(3), 54 - 8 {The effect of opportunistic pathogenic microflora in drinking water on the cellular composition of the splenic lymphoid tissue of rats}; Vovkogon AD; In a 6-month study of the morphologic reactions of spleenic immune structures to antigen attacks of varying intensity, one group of Wistar male rats was given water containing 100 opportunistic pathogens per 1 ml, the other, water containing 1,000 opportunistic pathogens per 1 ml . In the control, rats drank sterile water . In the second experimental group, spleenic sites of reproduction reduced the relative count of lymphocytes and mitoticly dividing cells and increased the counts of immature plasmocytes and macrophages . Destructively changed cells grew in number in the mantle, the marginal zone, the lymphoid nodes w/o reproduction sites, PALC and the cellular (lymphoid) aggregation in the red pulp in both experimental groups . There were immature eosinophils in the marginal zone and red pulp cellular aggregations in the second experimental group . Lymphoid nodes w/o reproduction sites and PALC showed a significant reduction in the relative count of middle lymphocytes . Relative counts of middle lymphocytes in the red pulp cellular aggregation as well as plasmocytes and macrophages were on the rise whereas the count of small lymphocytes decreased. Am J Physiol, 1998 Nov, 275(5 Pt 1), C1365 - 71 Biotin uptake by human colonic epithelial NCM460 cells: a carrier-mediated process shared with pantothenic acid; Said HM et al.; Previous studies showed that the normal microflora of the large intestine synthesizes biotin and that the colon is capable of absorbing intraluminally introduced free biotin . Nothing, however, is known about the mechanism of biotin absorption in the large intestine and its regulation . To address these issues, we used the human-derived, nontransformed colonic epithelial cell line NCM460 . The initial rate of biotin uptake was found to be 1) temperature and energy dependent, 2) Na+ dependent (coupling ratio of 1:1), 3) saturable as a function of concentration {apparent Michaelis constant (Km) of 19.7 microM}, 4) inhibited by structural analogs with a free carboxyl group at the valeric acid moiety, and 5) competitively inhibited by the vitamin pantothenic acid (inhibition constant of 14.4 microM) . Pretreatment with the protein kinase C (PKC) activators phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and 1, 2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol significantly inhibited biotin uptake . In contrast, pretreatment with the PKC inhibitors staurosporine and chelerythrine led to a slight, but significant, increase in biotin uptake . The effect of PMA was mediated via a marked decrease in maximal uptake velocity and a slight increase in apparent Km . Pretreatment of cells with modulators of the protein kinase A-mediated pathway, on the other hand, showed no significant effect on biotin uptake . These results demonstrate, for the first time, the functional existence of a Na+-dependent, specialized carrier-mediated system for biotin uptake in colonic epithelial cells . This system is shared with pantothenic acid and appears to be under the regulation of an intracellular PKC-mediated pathway. Dev Immunol, 1998, 6(3-4), 171 - 8 Antigenic stimuli do not influence thymic B lymphocytes: a morphological and functional study in germ-free and conventionally reared piglets; Cukrowska B et al.; We have recently reported that thymic B lymphocytes (TBL) are the first B-cell subpopulation undergoing isotype switching to IgG and IgA during embryonic life . The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of antigenic stimulation on TBL location and activity using a germ-free (GF) newborn pig model, in which maternal antibodies and antigens do not affect B-cell development . Immunohistological analysis showed that TBL were disseminated mainly in the thymic medulla . There were no differences in the distribution of TBL, both in GF newborn piglets before and after colonization with Escherichia coli and in older conventionally reared (CONV) piglets . The number of immunoglobulin (Ig)-secreting cells measured by the ELISPOT method was not influenced by microflora and food antigens . IgM-positive cells secreting IgM and CD45RC-positive cells spontaneously producing IgM, IgG, and IgA were detected in newborn thymus . Our findings suggest that TBL differentiation and Ig switching to IgG and IgA-secreting cells is not influenced by external antigens and that the thymic microenvironment plays an important role in this process. Scanning Microsc, 1996, 10(3), 905 - 15; discussion 915-6 Common epidermal lesions of the bowhead whale, Balaena mysticetus; Henk WG et al.; Samples of common skin abnormalities from 23 subsistence-harvested bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) were examined . Most lesions fell into three broad classes: shallow lacerations, circular depressions, and epidermal sloughing . Both circular depression lesions and epidermal sloughing lesions may be divided into more than one subgroup based on morphological criteria . Examination of each of the subgroups using light and scanning electron microscopy suggests relationships among the subgroups of a class . These proposed relationships are discussed, as are some possible etiologies . Scanning electron microscopy reveals abundant bacteria and diatoms present in association with each lesion class but no evidence of a particular association characteristic of a lesion class . The microflora were especially abundant wherever the stratum spinosum was exposed at the skin surface. J Nutr, 1998 Nov, 128(11), 1969 - 77 The 15N amino acid dilution method allows the determination of the real digestibility and of the ileal endogenous losses of the respective amino acid in pigs; Hess V et al.; We assessed the influence of sampling site when using the isotope dilution method to determine ileal endogenous N losses . Three growing pigs were prepared with ileorectal anastomoses and fitted with three catheters (portal, jugular and carotid) . A 15N-leucine solution was infused for 24 d, alternating between the carotid artery and the jugular vein . Blood was sampled from the portal catheter and from the systemic catheter not used for the infusion . The pigs were fed successively a protein-free diet, an isolated pea protein diet and a hydrolyzed pea protein diet according to a Latin-square design . The 15N was transferred from leucine to isoleucine, valine, alanine, glycine and proline . Free 15N alanine, glycine and valine enrichments were closer to the respective amino acid enrichments in secretory tissues in the portal vein than in the systemic blood . The enrichment of total nitrogen was higher in the trichloroacetic acid-soluble fraction of the plasma than in the ileal digesta of pigs fed the protein-free diet . Lysine enrichment was significantly different from zero in all tissues except muscle, suggesting that essential amino acids can be synthesized by microflora and used for protein synthesis in the host . We conclude that the total nitrogen isotope dilution method is inappropriate to determine the endogenous loss of amino acids . Moreover, the amino acid dilution method should be performed with portal blood sampling . The main limitation of this method is that a number of essential amino acid losses cannot be determined. J Periodontol, 1998 Oct, 69(10), 1127 - 30 Association of oxygen tension in human periodontal pockets with gingival inflammation; Tanaka M et al.; The objective of this study was to investigate the association of the oxygen tension in the periodontal pockets with clinical parameters of gingival inflammation of the maxillary anterior teeth of 32 patients . The pocket oxygen tension (pO2) was measured by a polarographic method with electronic compensation for temperature change . The oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SO2) in the gingiva was determined with tissue reflectance spectrophotometry . Gingival crevicular fluid flow (GCF) was measured with electronic impedance . No significant association was found between pocket pO2 and the modified gingival index, the plaque index, and GCE Pocket pO2 showed significant correlation with probing depth (r = -0.57, P = 0.0005) . Significant correlation was observed between pocket pO2 and gingival SO2 (r = 0.69, P < 0.0001) . When all variables were entered into a multiple regression model, only gingival SO2 had a significant independent effect on the pocket pO2 (P = 0.0005) . These results indicate that the oxygen sufficiency in the gingiva has a significant independent influence on the pocket oxygen tension . These studies provide the basis for understanding the oxygen tension in the periodontal pocket, which likely is a major determinant of the subgingival microflora . The studies may also lead to the development of methods for diagnosing and monitoring periodontal diseases. J Food Prot, 1998 Oct, 61(10), 1375 - 7 A rapid microbiological method for enumerating Escherichia coli from broiler chicken carcasses; Edmiston AL et al.; Experiments were conducted to evaluate a rapid method for enumerating Escherichia coli from broiler chicken carcasses . In three separate trials, carcasses were obtained from a commercial processing plant, temperature abused at 37 degrees C for 0, 3, 6, 9, or 12 h, and then rinsed . E . coli were enumerated from carcass rinses using Petrifilm E . coli count plates (PC) and by placing the rinse into double-strength colifiform medium supplemented with 2% dextrose (CMD) . The CMD mixture was placed into a Bactometer module and conductance was measured at 44 degrees C . Once a detection time (DT) was recorded, the sample was immediately recovered from the module well, diluted, and spread onto plate count agar . Colonies on plates at the highest dilution from each module well were randomly selected and identified . After 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 h of temperature abuse, E . coli was the bacterial species identified 97, 92, 88, 87, and 61% of the time, respectively . These results indicate that the medium/temperature combination was excellent for enumerating E . coli from samples that contain mixed microflora using conductance . Significant linear correlations were observed between time of abuse (TA) and log10 PC (LPC) or DT (R2 = 0.86 and R2 = -0.90, respectively) . A significant linear correlation was observed between LPC and DT (R2 = -0.92) . This rapid method (1 to 7.6 h) for enumeration of E . coli on chicken should provide a way to determine E . coli levels before a product is shipped, and it should aid the poultry industry in meeting the E . coli testing requirement of the U.S . Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service pathogen reduction regulation. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1998 Aug, 17(8), 542 - 50 Primary and secondary peritonitis: an update; Laroche M et al.; Intraabdominal infections are commonly encountered in clinical practice and represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality . The most common etiology is contamination of the peritoneal space by endogenous microflora secondary to loss of integrity of the gastrointestinal tract which results in secondary peritonitis . Primary peritonitis or spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is less common and usually occurs in the presence of ascites without an evident source of infection . Peritonitis associated with chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis is not discussed in this review . This review summarizes the significant progress which has been made with regard to primary and secondary peritonitis in the last two decades . The review emphasizes the issues of etiology, pathogenesis, microbiology, diagnosis, medical treatment and prevention. Dig Dis Sci, 1998 Oct, 43(10), 2291 - 5 Microflora of gastric biopsies from patients with duodenal ulcer and gastric cancer: a comparative study of patients from Korea, Colombia, and the United States; Osato MS et al.; It remains unclear why the spectrum of H . pylori-related diseases differs among different geographic regions . We examined the non-H . pylori contamination rates of the stomach in patients with duodenal ulcer or gastric adenocarcinoma from three different regions with different spectra of H . pylori-related diseases . Gastric biopsies were cultured from patients with duodenal ulcer or histologically proven gastric cancer from Seoul, Korea; Bogota, Colombia; and Houston, Texas . The frequency of non-H . pylori contamination was tallied in relation to the clinical diagnosis . Cultures from 247 duodenal ulcer patients and 165 patients with gastric cancer had bacterial growth . H . pylori was isolated from 207 (73.7%) patients with duodenal ulcer and 90 (47.1%) patients with gastric cancer (P < 0.001) . In patients with duodenal ulcer (DU) or gastric cancer (GC), the rate of positive cultures for H . pylori were not statistically different (P > 0.143 for DU, P > 0.190 for GC) between regions . The frequency of isolation ranged from 69% to 79% for DU patients and from 39% to 50% for gastric cancer patients . Non-H . pylori bacterial contamination was found more frequently (63%) in Colombian duodenal ulcer patients compared to 30% ulcer patients from the United States or Korea (P < 0.001) . Non-H . pylori growth occurred in 50.8-75.5% of cancer patients and was significantly lower in US patients than in patients from either Colombia or Korea (P < 0.01) . The geographic location as well as disease status affects the rate of H . pylori recovery and non-H . pylori contamination of the stomach and may play a role in the geographic differences in manifestation of H . pylori infection . The fact that the proportion of gastric cancer patients in the United States with non-H . pylori contamination was significantly less than that of Korea or Colombia shows that the notion of an almost universal increase in gastric microbial content in gastric adenocarcinoma should be reconsidered. Antibiot Khimioter, 1998, 43(8), 23 - 7 {Epidemiology of infectious inflammatory diseases and role of Candida in newborns}; Samsygina GA et al.; The results of a 20-year microbiological monitoring of full-term newborns with infectious inflammatory diseases hospitalized from maternity homes of Moscow are presented . The incidence of candidiasis within that period was shown to increase 7 times at the account of the events of cutaneous and mucocutaneous candidiasis, gastrointestinal candidiasis and candidiasis of the central nervous system . One o