Microbial

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 1990 May, 33(2), 139 - 44
A study of N- and P-dependence of nikkomycin production in continuous culture with immobilized cells; Truck HU et al.; The influence of nitrogen and phosphate on the biosynthesis of nikkomycin was studied in chemically defined medium . Cells of Streptomyces tendae were immobilized on porous glass particles in a fluidized-bed reactor for continuous production of nikkomycin . Phosphate had no significant influence on the biosynthesis of nikkomycin . However, even a very low concentration of phosphate in the production medium (0.0125 mmol/l) resulted in microbial growth on the particles . The concentration of nitrogen was highly effective in the regulation of the biosynthesis of nikkomycin . A high level of antibiotic production (maximum 3.05 mg/g dry cell weight per hour) was maintained for a period of about 200 h in a medium that contained nitrogen at a concentration of 0.2 g NH4NO3/l.

Fortschr Med, 1990 Apr 20, 108(12), 232 - 4
{Occupational respiratory tract allergies}; Baur X; Numerous occupation-related substances of plant, animal, microbial and chemical origin are potent immunogens and allergens . In the Federal Republic of Germany, the most common form of occupational obstructive airways disease is baker's asthma, caused by the inhalation of flour dust and other related substances . Compliance with the industrial threshold limit values (TIL) at the workplace reduce the risk of contracting disease, but cannot exclude it completely . Apart from obtaining a detailed history, and performing a physical examination, the diagnostic work-up also requires inclusion of special allergy tests (prick, intradermal, RAST)--in equivocal cases also, after a prior exposure--free preparatory period, re-exposure and inhalative work-place-related provocative testing . Therapeutically, elimination of exposure heads the list of measures; in concrete terms, this can also mean a change of occupation or even occupational re-training.

Ugeskr Laeger, 1990 Apr 9, 152(15), 1086 - 9
{Insuject-X for children . A clinical trial of the NPH insulin pen}; Rix M et al.; The use of Insuject-X for NPH insulin was tested by 21 children, age less than or equal to 10 years with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus less than or equal to 1 year, on conventional treatment with NPH insulin once or twice daily . After a preliminary period of one month the syringe injection regimen was changed to injections by Insuject-X for a four-month "pen" period . We observed no significant changes in metabolic control . The mean potency of NPH insulin in partly used cartridges was 103.6 +/- 5.6 IU/ml (range 91.0-118.1, n = 39) with no correlation to the residual volume or days of use . Measurements over 110 IU/ml were seen at the end of the study indicating the need of repeated instruction in use of the pen by children . No microbial contamination of the cartridges, nor any local reactions at injection sites were found . We observed more technical problems than in adult studies indicating that children handle the pen more roughly . The accept of Insuject-X was good as a more convenient means of injecting . All of the children preferred to continue using it.

Biophys Chem, 1990 Apr, 35(2-3), 271 - 85
Physiochemical characterization of substituted chromeno{4,3-b}{1,5}benzodiazepine stereoisomers designed as cell membrane active antitumor agents; Werner W et al.; As an alternative to naturally occurring pyrrolo{2,1-c}{1,4}benzodiazepines (e.g., antramycin) which possess properties of DNA alkylation, we have designed several antileukemic chromeno{4,3-b}{1,5}benzodiazepine derivatives with potential activity toward leukemia cell membranes and the cyclic nucleotide system . The cis and trans diastereoisomers were characterized by NMR . The absolute configurations of the enantiomers were established by X-ray diffraction and circular dichroism (CD) measurements . By means of absorption spectroscopy and determinations of fluorescence and fluorescence decay, it was found that the cancerostatically active compound (+)(6aR, 13aS)-3,4-dimethoxy-10,11-dimethyl-6,6a,7,8,13, 13a-hexahydrochromeno{4,3-b}{1,5}benzodiazepine (ZIMET 54/79) and its biologically inactive (-) enantiomer (ZIMET 55/79) interact with liposomal membranes . At pH values of 6.0 and 7.3 the long-wave absorption bands of these agents showed weak bathochromic and hypochromic effects upon addition of neutral, and positively and negatively charged phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol liposomes . Such spectral changes are interpreted as resulting from the binding of both agents to phospholipid bilayers . Steady-state determinations using the membrane probe 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonic acid (1,8-ANS) led to the observation of a small decrease in fluorescence intensity in the presence of either agent . Time-resolved measurements demonstrate that the mechanism of action of the agents occurs mainly through the partial displacement of probe molecules from regions of hydrophobic binding to areas of greater solvent accessibility . No significant differences in binding between the cancerostatically active and inactive enantiomers with liposomes (archiral systems) were detectable on the basis of spectrophotometric and fluorescence determinations . Cell membrane bound adenylate cyclase is stimulated by ZIMET 54/79, resulting in an increase of 103% in the level of cAMP in mouse L1210 leukemia cells . On examination of structure-activity relationships, it was found that the biological activity (leukemia L1210, P388, Lewis lung carcinoma, melanoma B16, increase in cAMP) is correlated with the particular configuration (6aR,13aS) and type of substituent at positions 3 and 4 of the benzo ring in the case of alkoxy groups and positions 10 and 11 for methyl groups . No activity was detected toward DNA/RNA using microbial test systems.

Helv Chir Acta, 1990 Apr, 56(6), 947 - 50
{Simple references of the differential blood picture in assessing the immune status of immunologically compromised severely injured patients}; Holch M et al.; Infectious complications threaten the survival of severe traumatized patients in the intensive care unit . Major cause is a secondary immunodeficiency syndrome as a consequence of overloading the immune system by tissue debris and microbial antigens . Antigen presenting cells of the monocyte-macrophage line become activated unspecifically and produce immunosuppressive monokines, which modulate the T- and B-cell systems and weaken the specific immune response to antigens . In 150 severe injured patients (mean ISS 31; 15 patients died due to infections) we found that a decrease of lymphocytes below 1000/microliters and an increase of monocytes up to more than 1000/microliters within the first 24 hours correlate with developing infection in such a manner, that the lymphocyte/monocyte-quotient on day 1 was 2.0 in survivors and 0.9 in subjects, who died due to infections.

J Econ Entomol, 1990 Apr, 83(2), 374 - 6
Confirmation of the safety of Lagenidium giganteum (Oomycetes: Lagenidiales) to mammals; Kerwin JL et al.; Lagenidium giganteum Couch, a fungal parasite of mosquito larvae, is considered a promising agent for operational control . Quantitative reisolation of the fungus from rodent blood and tissue is easily accomplished because the cell walls are much more persistent than those of mammalian cells . The mycelium forms discrete, septate cells very early in its development, in marked contrast to filamentous fungi . The fungus is rapidly cleared from mice following intraperitoneal injection of large quantities of mycelium and oospores . More than 95% of viable cells are cleared within 24 h . Mortality following intravenous injection of mycelium in tail veins of mice is caused solely by embolism of heart and lung tissue . Recently revised U.S . Environmental Protection Agency protocols for testing of microbial pest control agents may have to be altered further to accommodate physically large microbial agents such as L . giganteum.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1990 Apr, 56(4), 1012 - 6
Microbial degradation of trichloroethylene in the rhizosphere: potential application to biological remediation of waste sites; Walton BT et al.; The possibility that vegetation may be used to actively promote microbial restoration of chemically contaminated soils was tested by using rhizosphere and nonvegetated soils collected from a trichloroethylene (TCE)-contaminated field site . Biomass determinations, disappearance of TCE from the headspace of spiked soil slurries, and mineralization of {14C}TCE to 14CO2 all showed that microbial activity is greater in rhizosphere soils and that TCE degradation occurs faster in the rhizosphere than in the edaphosphere . Thus, vegetation may be an important variable in the biological restoration of surface and near-surface soils.

Cornea, 1990 Apr, 9(2), 122 - 4
Acridine orange and Gram stains in infectious keratitis; Groden LR et al.; Two hundred thirty consecutive cases of presumed infectious keratitis were reviewed . Cultures were positive in 49.5% (114 of 230) . Acridine orange stain sensitivity (81%) was significantly greater than gram stain sensitivity (65%) (p less than 0.002) . Gram stain specificity was 92%, and acridine orange specificity was 89% . In keratitis with low or moderate growth, acridine orange was positive in 73% (61 of 84) as compared with Gram stain 53% (45 of 84), (p less than 0.001) . In cases of heavy microbial growth, Gram stain was positive in 97% (29 of 30), acridine orange in 100% (30 of 30) . This study demonstrates that both Gram stain and acridine orange stain are excellent in cases of infectious keratitis with heavy microbial growth, but that acridine orange is significantly better than Gram stain in cases with low amounts of organisms.

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1990 Apr, 69(4), 437 - 43
An animal model for mucositis induced by cancer chemotherapy; Sonis ST et al.; Mucositis induced by chemotherapy is a painful and often dose-limiting side effect of cancer therapy . Furthermore, loss of the integrity of the oral epithelium often provides a microbial portal of entry and leads to sepsis . The present study describes the first animal model for chemotherapy-induced mucositis . The combination of three intraperitoneal injections of 5-fluorouracil at 5-day intervals and superficial mechanical mucosal irritation resulted in clinical breakdown of the oral mucosa characterized by ulcerative mucositis in Golden Syrian hamsters . Both clinical and histologic evaluation demonstrated that these changes were similar to those described in human beings and followed a pattern influenced by the degree of myelosuppression . This model should be of significance in establishing the stomatotoxicity of new chemotherapeutic agents, in evaluating medicaments to treat mucositis, and in studying the influence of oral mucosal breakdown on sepsis in myelosuppressed persons.

J Immunol, 1990 Apr 1, 144(7), 2745 - 50
Requirement of lipophosphoglycan for intracellular survival of Leishmania donovani within human monocytes; McNeely TB et al.; The function of the lipophosphoglycan of Leishmania donovani parasites was investigated in human peripheral monocytes . In contrast to wild-type L . donovani which grow in monocytes, incubation of monocytes with two variant lines of L . donovani, defective in lipophosphoglycan expression, resulted in the entry of the variant cells into the monocytes and their subsequent destruction . Passive transfer of lipophosphoglycan to the variant cells led to prolonged survival in monocytes . These results indicate that lipophosphoglycan is required by the parasite for intracellular survival . To investigate one possible protective role of the glycoconjugate, preincubation of monocytes with a suspension of lipophosphoglycan and subsequent treatment of the cells with PMA or opsonized zymosan resulted in an attenuation of the oxidative burst; the attenuation effect was concentration dependent on the glycoconjugate and independent of preincubation time . Moreover, hydrophobic beads, coated with lipophosphoglycan, were phagocytized by monocytes and found to inhibit oxygen consumption in monocytes activated with PMA . These results suggest a possible relationship between the absence of lipophosphoglycan in the variant parasites and their inability to survive within monocytes . Although the precise molecular basis remains to be elucidated, the ability of lipophosphoglycan to impair the microbial oxidative response may be a contributing factor in its requirement for intracellular survival.

Scand J Work Environ Health, 1990 Apr, 16(2), 85 - 95
Biosafety considerations in industries with production methods based on the use of recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid; Andrup L et al.; Since no occupational accidents or diseases have been attributed specifically to the use of constructions containing recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA), this paper evaluates the occupational health risks in industries utilizing genetically manipulated organisms mainly on the basis of theoretical considerations . Bacteria, filamentous fungi, yeasts, and mammalian cells in culture are in use . For each of these systems the possible hazards are considered . Concerning microbial production systems, infections are regarded as the main problem, but the risk of infection is considered extremely low . As for cells in culture, only dormant viruses are regarded as problematic, but well-defined production cell lines should not contain such undetected and dangerous viruses . Overall, the additional risks posed by rDNA-modified micro-organisms are minor . Only long-term observations can, however, confirm this assumption, and consequently the highest feasible containment measures should still be used in the years to come.

FASEB J, 1990 Apr 1, 4(6), 1591 - 7
Bifunctional thymidylate synthase-dihydrofolate reductase in protozoa; Ivanetich KM et al.; Protozoa contain thymidylate synthase (TS) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) on the same polypeptide . In the bifunctional protein, the DHFR domain is on the amino terminus, TS is on the carboxyl terminus, and the two domains are separated by a junction peptide of varying size depending on the source . The native protein is composed of a dimer of two such subunits and is 110-140 kDa . Most studies of the bifunctional TS-DHFR have been performed with the protein from anti-folate resistant strains of Leishmania major, which show amplification of the TS-DHFR gene and overproduction of the bifunctional protein . The Leishmania TS-DHFR has also been highly expressed in heterologous systems . There appears to be extensive communication among domains and channeling of the H2folate product of TS to DHFR . Anti-folates commonly used to treat microbial infections are poor inhibitors of L . major DHFR . However, selective inhibition of L . major vs . human DHFR does not appear difficult to achieve, and selective inhibitors are known . The TS-DHFR from Plasmodium falciparum has also been cloned and has recently been expressed in Escherichia coli, albeit in small amounts . Interestingly, pyrimethamine-resistant strains of P . falciparum all have a common point mutation in the DHFR coding sequence (Thr/Ser 108 to Asn), which causes decreased binding of the folate analog . It is suggested that if an appropriate inhibitor of the pyrimethamine-resistant P . falciparum DHFRs can be found, it may serve in combination with pyrimethamine as an antimalarial regimen with low propensity for the development of resistance . In the future, we project that we will have a detailed knowledge of the structure and function of TS-DHFRs, and have the essential tools necessary for a molecular-based approach to drug design.

Exp Parasitol, 1990 Apr, 70(3), 367 - 71
Thymidylate synthase-dihydrofolate reductase in protozoa; Ivanetich KM et al.; In protozoa, thymidylate synthase (TS) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) exist on the same polypeptide . The DHFR domain is on the amino terminus, TS is on the carboxy terminus, and the domains are separated by a junction peptide of varying size depending on the source . The native protein is a dimer of two such subunits and is 110-140 kDa . Most studies of bifunctional TS-DHFR have been performed with the protein from anti-folate resistant strains of Leishmania major, which show amplification of the TS-DHFR gene and overproduction of the bifunctional protein . The Leishmania TS-DHFR has also been highly expressed in heterologous systems . There is extensive communication between domains, and channeling of the H2folate product of TS to DHFR . Anti-folates commonly used to treat microbial infections are poor inhibitors of L . major DHFR . However, selective inhibitors of L . major vs human DHFR have been found . The TS-DHFR from Plasmodium falciparum has also been cloned and sequenced . Interestingly, pyrimethamine-resistant strains of P . falciparum have a common point mutation in the DHFR coding sequence which causes decreased binding of the folate analog . A detailed knowledge of the structure and function of protozoan TS-DHFRs will soon be available.

J Dairy Sci, 1990 Apr, 73(4), 985 - 94
Interaction between the respiratory burst activity of neutrophil leukocytes and experimentally induced Escherichia coli mastitis in cows; Heyneman R et al.; The respiratory burst activity of neutrophil leukocytes from bovine peripheral blood was studied before and during an experimentally induced Escherichia coli mastitis . The competence of neutrophils to generate reactive oxygen species following stimulation with opsonized particles prior to infection was negatively correlated with severity of subsequently induced E . coli mastitis . In the presence of the soluble activator, phorbol myristate acetate, no such correlation was obtained . However, combination of blood neutrophil numbers with phorbol myristate acetate induced respiratory burst competence, called reactive oxygen species-generating capacity, displayed a negative correlation with the intensity of a subsequent inflammation of the bovine mammary gland . At the onset of mastitis, a concomitant reduction in blood neutrophil numbers, a strong shift in cell types, and a substantial decrease in production of reactive oxygen species occurred . Reestablishment and even enhancement of the respiratory burst activity coincided with the reappearance of mature neutrophils . Possible stimulatory effects on neutrophil superoxide generation are discussed . Data suggest that generation of reactive oxygen species by mature neutrophils may be of primary importance for microbial killing during the onset and recovery from mastitis.

Trends Biochem Sci, 1990 Apr, 15(4), 158 - 62
Comparison of active sites of some microbial ribonucleases: structural basis for guanylic specificity; Sevcik J et al.; Crystallographic studies of enzymes complexed with suitable ligands are an important tool to aid our understanding of biological catalysis . To this goal, a contribution is made by analysing structures of complexes formed by three guanyl-specific ribonucleases with guanosine 3'-monophosphate.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1990 Apr, 43(4), 397 - 402
Method of search for microbial inhibitors of mevalonate biosynthesis using animal cells; Kumagai H et al.; A new screening method for specific inhibitors of mevalonate biosynthesis was established using Vero cells, an animal cell line . The cultures selected were those which inhibited the growth of Vero cells in the EAGLE's minimum essential medium supplemented with 2% calf serum (2% CS-MEM) but lacked inhibitory activity against the growth of cells in 2% CS-MEM supplemented with 1 mM mevalonate . By this screening method, inhibitors of the two enzymes involved in mevalonate biosynthesis, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) synthase and HMG-CoA reductase, were selected from about 11,000 soil isolates . The beta-lactone 1233A, a fungal metabolite, was found to be the first naturally occurring compound which inhibits HMG-CoA synthase specifically and strongly . Monacolins K and J, inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase, were also detected and identified.

J Biotechnol, 1990 Apr, 14(1), 99 - 114
Monitoring of enzymes during chromatographic separations; Stamm WW et al.; An on-line enzyme assay is presented based on flow injection techniques combined with fluorimetric detection . It allows to monitor NAD-dependent oxidoreductases during the purification of microbial crude extracts or partially purified enzymes by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) in a near real-time mode . The arrangement is simple and can be easily integrated in the chromatographic system avoiding dead volumes . A high measuring frequency (up to 180 samples h-1) and a short response time (10-30 s) are achieved . The method has a low limit of detection (approximately 0.01 U ml-1), and a good reproducibility (1-4%), the injected sample volume is only 2 microliters.

J Biotechnol, 1990 Apr, 14(1), 63 - 70
Prerequisites for the on-line control of microbial processes by flow injection analysis; Ogbomo I et al.; Problems associated with the use of biosensors in process control, e.g . difficulties of sterilization and sensor fouling, are shortly displayed, and possibilities to overcome them are outlined . The advantages of flow injection analysis (FIA) are demonstrated and examples for efficient sampling systems connected with this method are reviewed . Special emphasis is given to problem-orientated sample pretreatments, preventing fast inactivation of immobilized enzymes in the analysis system . Examples of problem-orientated sample pretreatment units are given . A proposal for a computer-controlled self-calibrating FIA system is given.

Nature, 1990 Mar 29, 344(6265), 395 - 400
Signal transduction in bacteria; Stock JB et al.; Cells display a remarkable ability to respond to small fluctuations in their surroundings . In simple microbial systems, information from sensory receptors feeds into a circuitry of regulatory proteins that transfer high energy phosphoryl groups from histidine to aspartate side chains . This phosphotransfer network couples environmental signals to an array of response elements that control cell motility and regulate gene expression.

Vestn Otorinolaringol, 1990 Mar-Apr, (2), 52 - 6
{The cause-effect interdependence in the pathogenesis of chronic tonsillitis as an infectious allergic process}; Iakovenko VD et al.; Clinical and immunological examinations of 360 patients with chronic tonsillitis and 286 patients suffering from systemic complications of chronic tonsillitis at various post-tonsillectomy stages demonstrated that the major immunopathological factor in the case of chronic compensated tonsillitis was microbial allergy and in the case of chronic decompensated tonsillitis, autoimmune disorders . The high titer of autoantibodies to tonsillar antigen that persisted at various post-tonsillectomy stages made it necessary to use systemic immune correction as part of therapy of chronic tonsillitis.

J Appl Bacteriol, 1990 Mar, 68(3), 279 - 83
Investigations of the effectiveness of detergent washing, drying and chemical disinfection on contamination of cleaning cloths; Scott E et al.; Detergent washing, drying and chemical disinfection for decontamination of cleaning cloths was investigated with cloths contaminated by use in the domestic environment . Detergent washing produced only limited reductions in microbial contamination and cloths then stored at room temperature for 24 h showed increases in contamination due to multiplication of residual survivors . For effective and consistent decontamination of cloths, detergent washing followed by drying at 80 degrees C for 2 h was required . Hypochlorite and phenolic disinfectants produced significant reductions in contamination, but chemical disinfection may be unreliable where cloths are heavily contaminated.

Br J Ophthalmol, 1990 Mar, 74(3), 133 - 5
Contamination of contact lens storage cases by Acanthamoeba and bacteria; Larkin DF et al.; In order to identify possible risk factors for microbial keratitis the storage cases for contact lenses of 102 asymptomatic lens wearers were tested for contamination by bacteria and free-living amoebae . Of this group 43 had significant counts of viable bacteria and only 40 had negligible counts . Seven had contamination by acanthamoebae, of whom six also had significant bacterial counts . These results were categorised according to the type of contact lens worn and the lens disinfection method . The high rates of contamination by apathogenic and pathogenic organisms, in particular Acanthamoeba, and the probable support by contaminating bacteria of Acanthamoeba, are discussed.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1990 Mar, 56(3), 590 - 4
Detection of ruminal bacteria that degrade toxic dihydroxypyridine compounds produced from mimosine; Allison MJ et al.; Leucaena leucocephala, a tropical leguminous shrub, contains a toxic amino acid, mimosine . Successful utilization of leucaena as a ruminant forage depends on colonization of the rumen by bacteria that degrade dihydroxypyridines (DHP), which are toxic intermediates in the metabolism of mimosine . Populations in the rumina of animals in some parts of the world, however, do not include bacteria that are able to carry out this degradation . We thus describe tests for the presence of DHP degraders in ruminal populations that are based on degradation (loss) of DHP compounds from culture media . Results obtained with the tests indicate that DHP degraders were not part of microbial populations in the rumina of cattle, sheep, and goats in Iowa, while most rumen samples examined from animals from the Virgin Islands and Haiti contained DHP degraders . These results confirm and extend the findings of others about geographic limits to the distribution of these important ruminal bacteria.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 1990 Mar, 11(3), 139 - 43
Alcohol for surgical scrubbing?
Larson EL, Butz AM, Gullette DL, Laughon BA.
To test the effects of four surgical scrub products on colonizing hand flora, 60 healthy adult volunteers were assigned by block randomization (12 subjects per group) to use one of the following formulations: 70% ethyl alcohol with 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate (ALC); a liquid detergent base containing 1% triclosan (TRI); a liquid detergent base containing 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG); a liquid detergent base containing 7.5% povidone-iodine (PI); or a nonantimicrobial liquid soap (control) . Using standard protocol, subjects performed a surgical scrub daily for five consecutive days . Hand cultures were obtained at baseline and on test days 1 and 5 immediately after the scrub and following four hours of gloving . After the first and last scrubs, ALC, CHG and PI resulted in significant reductions in colonizing flora when compared to the control . Additionally, by day 5 ALC was associated with an almost 3-log reduction as compared to an approximate 1.5-log reduction for CHG and PI and less than a 1-log reduction of TRI and the control (p = .009) . After four hours of gloving on both days 1 and 5, microbial counts on hands of subjects using ALC, TRI and CHG were significantly lower than counts for the control (p less than .001), whereas there was no significant difference in counts between the PI and control groups (p = .41) . Skin assessment by study subjects rated products from least to most harsh as follows: control, TRI, CHG, ALC and PI p = .00001) . It was concluded that ALC could be an efficacious and acceptable alternative for surgical scrubbing.

Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop, 1990 Mar, 97(3), 213 - 8
Effects of orthodontic bands on microbiologic and clinical parameters; Huser MC et al.; The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of placement of orthodontic bands on the gingival tissues and the microbial composition of dental plaque . Ten subjects undergoing orthodontic treatment completed the study . In each subject four sites were examined: two test sites with orthodontic bands and two control sites free of bands . Clinical and bacterial examinations were performed before the beginning of the treatment and 5, 7, 47, 72, and 90 days after placement of the orthodontic appliances . Plaque index (Pl I) and bleeding scores increased significantly on banded teeth as compared with control sites . Probing depth remained within normal values for both test and control groups . The composition of dental plaque determined by dark-field microscopy showed significant shifts in the test sites after banding . Changes consisted of an increase in the percentage of spirochetes, motile rods, filaments, and fusiforms; conversely, a decrease in cocci was noted . During the same period no significant changes in the bacterial distribution were observed in the control group.

Antibiot Khimioter, 1990 Mar, 35(3), 3 - 6
{Study of the conditions for reproducing the processes of antibiotic biosynthesis . Determining the limiting stage of the process of mass transfer of oxygen}; Kuz'mina LM et al.; A theoretical method for estimating limiting stage of oxygen mass transfer is proposed . The method is based on calculation and comparison of particular resistance of separate stages of mass transfer: mass transfer through the gas-liquid boundary, oxygen transport in the liquid phase, mass transfer through the liquid-cell boundary and oxygen consumption by microbial cells . With the proposed method, particular resistance was calculated and conditions for oxygen mass transfer were analyzed in the biosynthesis of sisomicin as an example . As a result the conditions for reproducibility of the process in apparatus of various size were determined.

World J Surg, 1990 Mar-Apr, 14(2), 227 - 30
Nonoperative antiinfective treatment of intraabdominal infections; Pollock AV; There are many causes of peritonitis . Primary peritonitis is rare, but may complicate cirrhosis of the liver or may, in developing countries, be caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis . It is occasionally iatrogenic, particularly as a complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis . It is, however, most frequently the result of perforation of a hollow viscus, caused by either trauma or disease . Its most lethal form follows breakdown of an intestinal anastomosis . Primary and iatrogenic peritonitis should be treated with antibiotics, and localized abscesses can sometimes be cured by percutaneous aspiration . Secondary peritonitis requires resuscitation, antibiotics, and operation . When there is gross microbial invasion, it is wise to avoid suture of the hollow viscus . If there is a strong chance of recurrence of intraabdominal abscesses, nonclosure of the abdomen is theoretically desirable and allows frequent reexploration . This is particularly applicable to pancreatic abscesses.

Microbiol Rev, 1990 Mar, 54(1), 75 - 87
Influence of interfaces on microbial activity; van Loosdrecht MC et al.; Bacterial adhesion in natural and artificial systems has been critically reviewed to investigate the influences exerted by the presence of interfaces . Numerous investigations have demonstrated that, in the presence of a solid phase, the activity of bacterial cultures is changed . Reviewing relevant literature, two problems were encountered . One is of an experimental nature . Due to lack of similarity in experimental conditions, disparate experiments often cannot be compared; their results may even appear conflicting . The other problem is of an interpretational nature: several hypothetical theories exist which try to explain the effect of surfaces on microbial activity . These theories often confuse changes in the medium and limitations in mass transfer which are due to the presence of solid surfaces (indirect influences) with changes in cell properties (direct influences) . Whenever a surface is reported to influence the metabolism of bacteria, the action is found almost exclusively to be due to changes in the medium or environment and is therefore indirect . Based on data reported in the literature, and by using thermodynamic and kinetic considerations, it is concluded that so far neither experimental nor theoretical evidence exists for a direct influence of interfaces on microbial activity.

J Anim Sci, 1990 Mar, 68(3), 863 - 9
New food safety initiatives in the Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S . Department of Agriculture; Norcross MA et al.; The production of meat and poultry products has become increasingly complex . Technological growth has contributed to the need for sophistication in determining the origin and risk of food-borne microbial infections as well as environmental contaminants . The increasing use of agricultural chemicals in animal production and to some extent in processed foods has led to the presence of chemical residues in meat and poultry . These changes have caused the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), a public health agency within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), to institute new food safety initiatives and procedures for inspection of meat and poultry products . The goal is to reduce risks to the public health from conditions observed during antemortem and postmortem inspection or detected during processing . FSIS is committed to scientific innovation and has implemented several rapid inplant tests that have given the Agency inexpensive, less disruptive methods to determine product adulteration contamination.

Am J Gastroenterol, 1990 Mar, 85(3), 231 - 7
Bacterial overgrowth; Kirsch M; Small bowel bacterial overgrowth is a syndrome manifested by malabsorption, weight loss, and diarrhea . Human intestinal flora is part of a complex ecosystem regulated by host mechanisms, environmental factors, and bacterial interactions . Numerous conditions can tilt this balance to favor bacterial contamination of the gut . Knowledge of intestinal microbial control enables the clinician to better understand the pathophysiology and the clinical features of this disorder . Current strategies in diagnosis and therapy are discussed.

Arch Tierernahr, 1990 Mar, 40(3), 245 - 57
Studies on the evaluation of feed protein for ruminants . 1 . Passage of nitrogen fractions to the duodenum of dairy cows fed different protein and carbohydrate sources; Voigt J et al.; The duodenal passages of non-ammonia nitrogen (NAN), amino acid N (AA-N) and microbial N (MN) were measured in seven duodenal fistulated dairy cows (6130 kg FCM/305 d) during lactation receiving 30 different rations similar to those used in dairy practice . The rations consisted of roughage (protein-rich silages, hay) and concentrate mixture (corn, barley, oat) in a ratio of 60:40 on a DM basis or roughage/concentrate mixture/fodder beets in the proportions 60:20:20 or 60:0:40 respectively . N supplements consisted of soya bean meal and peas meal (untreated or treated with formaldehyde in each case), rapeseed meal, fish meal and urea . DM intake varied between 9.6 and 19.1 kg/d, the crude fibre content between 166 and 270 g/kg DM, the crude protein (CP) content between 111 and 184 g/kg DM, the AA content (N basis) of the CP between 51 and 82%, the unfermentable CP content of the CP between 23 and 49% and the organic matter digestibility between 70 and 79% . The duodenal passage of NAN was 24.2 +/- 2.7 g/kg DM intake, 34.9 +/- 4.1 g/kg apparently digestible organic matter (in total tract, DOM), 43.3 +/- 5.5 g/kg apparently digestible carbohydrates or 4.2 +/- 0.5 g/MJ net energy fat, (y +/- s, n = 90) . The value measured for AA-N was 16.8 +/- 2.9 g/kg DM intake, and that for RNA-labelled microbial CP was 146 +/- 26 g/kg DOM . NAN passage (g/kg DM intake) correlated more closely with the duodenal digesta flow rate (DFR) (kg digesta/kg DM intake) as an intrinsic animal factor (r = 0.78) and with the rumen content dilution rate (RDR) (passage of microbial-free organic matter at duodenum/kg BW0.75.h) as a ration dependent factor (r = 0.64) than with the UDP fraction (% of ration CP) (r = 0.50) or other ration parameters . It was concluded that the specific effect of protein concentrates in mixed rations on duodenal NAN yields in lactating dairy cows is lower than hitherto assumed . The duodenal NAN yield of a single feedstuff or ration (g/kg DM) in cows is dependent on animal and feeding factors . The DFR could represents a suitable target for breeding activities.

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses, 1990 Mar, 6(3), 393 - 9
Muramyl dipeptide inhibits replication of human immunodeficiency virus in vitro; Masihi KN et al.; In the search for compounds capable of inducing endogenous production of colony-stimulating factor (CSF) and possessing activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), an immunomodulator, muramyl dipeptide (MDP), was investigated . MDP can enhance monocyte-macrophage CSF in serum and promote nonspecific resistance against a variety of microbial pathogens . MDP exhibited an inhibitory activity against HIV infection of CD4+ H9 lymphocytes and U937 monocytoid cells . An inhibitor of viral reverse transcriptase, 2', 3'-dideoxyadenosine, produced potent inhibition in cultures which were similarly infected with HIV . MDP could partially reduce antigen production in persistently HIV-infected KE37/1 lymphocyte cultures.

In Vitro Cell Dev Biol, 1990 Mar, 26(3 Pt 1), 275 - 9
Fish cell lines: establishment and characterization of three new cell lines from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella); Lu YA et al.; Three new cell lines were established from tissues of the grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella . Derived from the fin, snout, and swim bladder of two apparently healthy diploid fry, these cell lines have been designated GCF, GCS-2, and GCSB, respectively . The cells grew at temperatures between 24 degrees and 36 degrees C with optimal growth at 32 degrees C and have been subcultured more than 50 times since their initiation in August 1986 . Two of the lines remained diploid or pseudodiploid after 38 passages . The cells were tested for microbial contamination, and plating efficiencies were determined . The three cell lines were sensitive to Rhabdovirus carpio (RVC), infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), golden shiner virus (GSV), chum salmon virus (CSV), and infectious pancreatic necrosis virus serotype VR299 IPNV) . They were refractory to channel catfish virus (CCV), channel catfish reovirus (CRV), chinook salmon paramyxovirus (CSP), and an Ab serotype of IPNV.

J Bacteriol, 1990 Mar, 172(3), 1180 - 5
Microbial growth patterns described by fractal geometry; Obert M et al.; Fractal geometry has made important contributions to understanding the growth of inorganic systems in such processes as aggregation, cluster formation, and dendritic growth . In biology, fractal geometry was previously applied to describe, for instance, the branching system in the lung airways and the backbone structure of proteins as well as their surface irregularity . This investigation applies the fractal concept to the growth patterns of two microbial species, Streptomyces griseus and Ashbya gossypii . It is a first example showing fractal aggregates in biological systems, with a cell as the smallest aggregating unit and the colony as an aggregate . We find that the global structure of sufficiently branched mycelia can be described by a fractal dimension, D, which increases during growth up to 1.5 . D is therefore a new growth parameter . Two different box-counting methods (one applied to the whole mass of the mycelium and the other applied to the surface of the system) enable us to evaluate fractal dimensions for the aggregates in this analysis in the region of D = 1.3 to 2 . Comparison of both box-counting methods shows that the mycelial structure changes during growth from a mass fractal to a surface fractal.

Trends Pharmacol Sci, 1990 Mar, 11(3), 122 - 6
Somnogenic activity of immune response modifiers; Krueger JM; Sleepiness is a presenting symptom in nearly all infectious diseases . James Krueger describes how microbial products, such as muramyl peptides, lipid A and double-stranded RNA, as well as endogenous products elicited by these substances, such as interleukin 1, modulate sleep . The altered sleep during infection seems to result from an exaggerated activation of physiological sleep mechanisms, since normal sleep is controlled by a wide range of substances including many of these immune response modifiers.

Infection, 1990 Mar-Apr, 18(2), 86 - 90
Efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulins in patients with advanced HIV-1 infection . A randomized clinical study; Brunkhorst U et al.; 40 adults with symptomatic HIV-1 infection (AIDS related complex {ARC} WR 2B-4B or AIDS WR 5-6) were randomized into two groups, receiving either 200 mg of an i.v . immunoglobulin preparation (ivIg)/kg body weight every other week or no such treatment . Medical care and antibiotic therapy were comparable in the two groups . Frequency of opportunistic infections, "B"-symptoms, number of T-helper cells, change of disease stage (Walter Reed Classification, WR), delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity, onset and clinical course of Kaposi's sarcoma, neurological manifestations and proportion of patients alive at the end of the observation period were evaluated . After an average observation period of 13.8 months, decreased mortality was observed in ivIg treated patients of WR 5-6 (p less than 0.004) . Frequency and microbial spectrum of opportunistic infections, the most frequent cause of death, were not influenced significantly by ivIg treatment . No statistically relevant differences concerning the other parameters were observed . A similar beneficial effect of ivIg in WR 2B-4 patients has not become apparent so far.

J Exp Med, 1990 Mar 1, 171(3), 819 - 29
Human anti-p68 autoantibodies recognize a common epitope of U1 RNA containing small nuclear ribonucleoprotein and influenza B virus; Guldner HH et al.; Autoantibodies from patients with systemic rheumatic diseases were used to map antigenic sites on the 68-kD autoantigen (p68) associated with (U1)RNA-containing small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) particles . With truncated recombinant fusion proteins and synthetic peptides, a subset of anti-p68 autoantibodies was found to recognize the amino acid sequence motif Glu-Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg (ERKRR) . To investigate the possible involvement of epitopes shared by microbial antigens and host self-components in initiation of autoimmunity (molecular mimicry), a sequence data bank was screened for proteins containing an amino acid motif identical or related to ERKRR . The identical motif was found on the M1 matrix protein of influenza B viruses, and affinity-purified human anti-ERKRR autoantibodies recognized this epitope also in the viral amino acid sequence context . The common epitope recognized by human autoantibodies suggests that influenza B virus infection may play a role in initiation of the anti-p68 and anti-(U1)RNP autoimmune response.

Anal Biochem, 1990 Feb 15, 185(1), 136 - 42
Direct analysis of microbial extracts containing metabolites of ethylenediamine-type antihistamines via high-performance liquid chromatography-thermospray mass spectrometry; Korfmacher WA et al.; The utility of high-performance liquid chromatography-thermospray mass spectrometry (HPLC-TSMS) for the characterization of the ethylenediamine-type antihistamines, pyrilamine, methapyrilene, tripelennamine, and thenyldiamine, and their methylene chloride-extractable microbial metabolites from a biological matrix is demonstrated . Typically, the {M + H}+ ion was detected as the base peak in the TS mass spectra of these compounds . The ethylenediamine-type antihistamine metabolites were detected in an extract of a fungal culture grown in the presence of 5 mg of the antihistamine . A detection limit of 200 ng was observed for the HPLC-TSMS analysis of pyrilamine.

Planta Med, 1990 Feb, 56(1), 24 - 6
Pharmacological effects of three phenylpropanoid glycosides from Mussatia; Cano E et al.; The phenylpropanoid glycosides 1 (4-cinamoylmussatioside), 2 (4-dimethylcaffeoylmussatioside), and 3 (4-p-methoxycinnamoylmussatioside) isolated from the methanolic extract of Mussatia sp . showed inhibitory action on ADP-induced rat platelet aggregation . The order of activity was 1 greater than 2 greater than 3 . This antiplatelet effect is likely to be related to the reported inhibition of cAMP-phosphodiesterase . On the other hand, compounds 1-3 had no effect on blood pressure and heart rate, on microbial growth, or on prostaglandin biosynthesis.

Vet Microbiol, 1990 Feb, 21(4), 329 - 37
The effect of Mycoplasma bovis on fertilization processes in vitro with bull spermatozoa and zona-free hamster oocytes; Eaglesome MD et al.; The effect of Mycoplasma bovis (Donetta strain) on the ability of bull spermatozoa to interact with zona pellucida-free hamster oocytes was studied in an in vitro assay . Ejaculates of semen from a fertile Holstein bull were used fresh on the day of collection (unextended semen) as well as diluted with egg yolk-citrate and used the following day (extended semen) . The addition of M . bovis to both unextended and extended semen at a mycoplasma to sperm cell ratio of 10:1 significantly reduced sperm penetration rates and the mean number of sperm per penetrated egg . Similarly, the ability of spermatozoa to form pronuclei and the activation of penetrated oocytes were adversely affected by M . bovis . No apparent effect on sperm motility was detected . When M . bovis was added to the oocytes, there was a marked reduction in the sperm penetration rates and fertilization processes suggesting that the organism affects certain oocyte function(s) . The results indicate that the presence of M . bovis in semen or in the female reproductive tract may affect fertilization . Moreover, the in vitro assay with hamster oocytes was found to be useful for demonstrating the effects of contaminating microbial agents on bovine fertilization processes.

J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 1990 Feb, 252(2), 526 - 30
Phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate-induced vasoconstriction in vivo: characterization of response in genetic hypertension; Bilder GE et al.; To assess the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the control of vessel tone in vivo in genetic hypertension, the vascular effects of phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), a PKC activator, was measured in the autoperfused hindlimb of reserpinized spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) . PDBu infusion (1-3000 ng/kg/min) into the hindlimb elevated perfusion pressure in a dose-related manner . Vasoconstriction response characteristics (latency, T1/2 to peak effect, decay of effect) of PDBu were significantly longer (2- to 10-fold) than that produced by membrane receptor agonists; phenylephrine, SKF 89748, a lipophilic alpha-1 agonist, angiotensin II and 5-hydroxytryptamine . The tonic vasoconstriction induced by PDBu was not antagonized by prazosin, rauwolscine, cyproheptadine, {Sar1lle8}-angiotensin II but was inhibited reversibly by microbial PKC-inhibitors, K252a and staurosporine at concentrations (1.56-2.8 micrograms/kg/min) which did not block vasoconstriction by phenylephrine or 5-hydroxytryptamine . The EC50 for PDBu was identical in SHR and WKY . However, the maximal response to PDBu was significantly greater in SHR compared to WKY . Staurosporine lowered mean arterial pressure equally in SHR (20%) and WKY (17%) but reduced perfusion pressure in SHR (13%) to a slightly greater extent than in WKY (5%) . Unlike the in vivo response, aortic rings removed from SHR were more sensitive to cumulative doses of PDBu than rings from WKY . It is concluded that PDBu-vasoconstriction in vivo is mediated largely through activation of PKC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Gastroenterology, 1990 Feb, 98(2), 493 - 6
Acute necrotizing esophagitis; Goldenberg SP et al.; Esophagitis of varying degrees and significance is caused by reflux, infections, radiation, and ingestion of chemical agents . A case of necrotizing esophagitis, seen as a black esophagus on endoscopy in a postoperative patient and resulting in long tubular stricture which ultimately required esophagectomy, is reported . Although the course of necrotizing esophagitis may parallel that associated with ischemia, severe caustic injury, or overwhelming infection, its etiology is uncertain . Diminished mucosal defenses, microbial implantation by a nasogastric tube placed perioperatively or sepsis, and transient ischemia with oxyradical formation and resultant reperfusion injury are hypothesized as important causative factors in the pathogenesis of acute necrotizing esophagitis.

Quintessence Int, 1990 Feb, 21(2), 141 - 51
Oral ulcerations; Woods MA et al.; Ulcerations are common occurrences in the mouth . Causes include physical trauma, radiation, chemical injury, and microbial infection (bacterial, viral, and fungal) . Some ulcerations, such as recurrent aphthous stomatitis, Behcet's syndrome, and erythema multiforme, are of uncertain etiology, whereas others (eg, pemphigus, pemphigoid) are apparently of immunologic origin . Malignant neoplasms also may present as ulcerations . Because the natural history and treatment varies with the diagnosis, the practitioner should become familiar with the clinical appearance of the various types of ulcerations so that appropriate treatment can be instituted.

Clin Biochem, 1990 Feb, 23(1), 67 - 71
Nitrosamines as potential environmental carcinogens in man; Lin JK; Nitrosamines are ubiquitous in our environment and diet . Many nitroso compounds are carcinogenic in animals and most probably in man . Nitrosamines are formed from the reaction of nitrite with primary, secondary, or tertiary amines in an acid medium . Nitrate should be considered as a nitrosating agent because it can be converted to nitrite by microbial action . Many aliphatic and nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds can be nitrosated to form carcinogenic substances . The occurrence in food and in some drugs of several nitrosamines or their nitrosatable precursors is described . Several tobacco-specific nitrosamines have been considered as possible causative agents for human cancer . Nitrosamines may be implicated in the induction of certain human gastric cancers.

Nippon Juigaku Zasshi, 1990 Feb, 52(1), 63 - 70
Comparative distribution of immunoglobulin-containing cells in stomach, intestine and associated lymph nodes of cattle; Sato S et al.; Immunoglobulin (Ig)-containing cells were investigated immunohistochemically in the stomach, intestine and associated lymph nodes of clinically normal calves, cows and fetuses to examine mucosal immune responses in the forestomach to rumen microbial flora . IgG-containing cells were observed in the mucosal propria of the forestomach of a 32 day-old, a 37 day-old, two 90 day-old calves, and of all 5 cases of cows . However, no IgA- and IgM-containing cells were observed . Further, no Ig-containing cells were detected in the associated lymph nodes of all calves and cows . Various numbers of Ig-containing cells, predominantly IgG, were observed in the mucosal propria of the abomasum, small intestine and cecum, and in the mesenteric lymph nodes of aged calves and all cows . No Ig-containing cells were observed in any tissues of fetuses . The results suggest that the development of mucosal immune responses in the forestomach may be incomplete as compared with that of the intestine.

J Clin Invest, 1990 Feb, 85(2), 563 - 9
Regulation of macrophage function by interferon-gamma . Somatic cell genetic approaches in murine macrophage cell lines to mechanisms of growth inhibition, the oxidative burst, and expression of the chronic granulomatous disease gene; Goldberg M et al.; The importance of oxidative cytocidal mechanisms of phagocytic cells in immune protection against microbial pathogens is uniquely revealed by chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), a genetic deficiency disease of man . This cytocidal response in mononuclear phagocytes is principally regulated by IFN-gamma . A somatic cell genetic approach was taken to select oxidative variants from a cloned murine macrophage cell line, J774.16, which formally permitted us to dissociate three regulatory effects of IFN-gamma on these cells: the antiproliferative effect, the antiviral effect, and production of superoxide anion . Half of the variants defective in O-2 production after phorbol myristate acetate stimulation were also resistant to the antiproliferative effects of IFN-gamma . This result suggests that IFN-gamma-induced growth inhibition and production of cytocidal oxygen intermediates are mediated via a common pathway . The somatic cell genetic approach has allowed us to develop in vitro macrophage models for several forms of CGD . One variant characterized in detail, D9, was unable to produce superoxide after stimulation by phorbol esters . At the molecular level, Northern blot analysis revealed that the mRNA encoding the large subunit of the putative CGD gene product, cytochrome b558, was absent in this variant . Another class of variants constitutively unable to produce O-2 or the cytochrome b558 mRNA could be induced to do so by IFN-gamma . These somatic mutants may be useful models in clarifying the role of the CGD gene product and its regulation in the production of cytocidal oxygen intermediates.

Infect Immun, 1990 Feb, 58(2), 427 - 32
Involvement of gamma interferon in antibody enhancement by adjuvants; Odean MJ et al.; In a previous study the adjuvant action of a monophosphoryl lipid A, a nontoxic derivative of endotoxic lipopolysaccharide (LPS), was found to be negated by a monoclonal anti-gamma interferon (anti-IFN-gamma) antibody . The present investigation centered on three other adjuvants of diverse microbial origins, testing for their capacity to affect the release of IFN-gamma as an explanation for their antibody-enhancing action . The adjuvant action of each of the three, a wild-type LPS, synthetic poly(A)-poly(U) complexes, and a synthetic muramyl dipeptide, n-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-glutaminyl-n-butyl ester (murabutide), was transferable by adjuvant-stimulated T cells to normal spleen cells on coculture . Supernatant fluids from these T cells contained increased levels of IFN-gamma . Addition of a monoclonal anti-IFN-gamma antibody to adjuvant-stimulated spleen cell cultures reduced the adjuvant action by approximately one-half . Removal of natural killer cells from spleen cell populations prior to culture with antigen had no effect on the enhancement induced by LPS and monophosphoryl lipid A . It was concluded that the enhancement induced by the adjuvants LPS, poly(A)-poly(U), and murabutide is mediated in part by their action on T cells resulting in release of IFN-gamma suggesting activation of a common transmembrane signal.

J Formos Med Assoc, 1990 Feb, 89(2), 115 - 20
Short-course treatment of bacteremia with ceftriaxone monotherapy; Wang LS et al.; The efficacy of short-course ceftriaxone monotherapy in treatment of bacteremia was evaluated in an open protocol . Patients with laboratory-proven bacteremia were randomly treated with one of three dosing schedules for a duration of 5 to 7 days . Fifty-seven (62%) out of the 92 evaluable infections had successful results . Successful responses were seen in 20 (59%) out of 34 infections given 4 g every 24 hours, 15 (54%) out of 28 given 2 g every 12 hours, and 22 out (73%) of 30 given 2 g every 24 hours . The results showed no significant differences . The cases evaluated as failures were largely due to infections with resistant organisms or inadequate drainage of the primary infectious foci . Forty-nine (94%) of the 52 infections had successful results with one of the short-course treatment regimens, provided that they had no factors indicative of a poor prognosis . We stress the importance of anti-microbial susceptibility and adequate removal of the primary foci in the treatment of bacteremia . Our experience indicates that once-daily administrations of 2 g ceftriaxone as monotherapy is preferred for short-course treatment of bacteremia since it is equally effective, but more economical than higher dose regimens.

J Periodontol, 1990 Feb, 61(2), 95 - 102
Morphologic and histochemical characteristics of the dental cuticle in teeth affected by prepubertal periodontitis; Lopez NJ et al.; A study was undertaken to determine the nature and composition of the cuticle found in teeth with generalized prepubertal periodontitis (PP) . This was accomplished by using histological and histochemical methods on decalcified specimens . Forty-six permanent teeth which were extracted from three prepubertal periodontitis patients (siblings) were used . Nineteen of the 46 teeth were obtained with the facial or interdental gingiva . As a control, 20 healthy teeth extracted from 10 children for orthodontics reasons, and 22 teeth affected by terminal adult periodontitis (AP), were used . All the teeth with PP showed a thick coat covering the root surface from the cemento-enamel junction to the junctional epithelium . In some teeth the cuticle extended a few microns coronally to the cemento-enamel junction . The cuticle had a thickness which varied between 10 to 80 microns . It usually presented a very regular surface in the coronal portion of the root, and showed laminations suggesting appositional growth . In the middle and apical portions of the root exposed to the pocket, the cuticle was lobular with a very irregular surface and was covered with a thick microbial plaque . The staining reactions indicated that the cuticle was made of proteins probably derived from the inflammatory exudate . None of the healthy teeth examined nor those affected by AP showed a cuticle similar to those with PP . The cuticle formed on the teeth with PP appears to be an abnormal structure of proteinaceous nature, characteristic of these teeth, and may possibly play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Cancer Res, 1990 Feb 1, 50(3), 533 - 8
Regulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor by growth-modulating agents: effects of staurosporine, a protein kinase inhibitor; Friedman B et al.; Staurosporine is a potent microbial inhibitor of a number of protein kinases, including protein kinase C, cyclic AMP-dependent kinase, and the tyrosine kinase pp60src . We have used staurosporine to investigate the role of phosphorylation in the regulation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor in both human epidermal carcinoma A431 cells and mouse Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts . We report here that staurosporine treatment causes enhancement in high affinity EGF binding and a decrease in the phosphorylation state of the unstimulated receptor at a number of residues, including threonine 669 . Staurosporine also antagonizes the inhibition of high affinity EGF binding and the increase in phosphorylation state of the unstimulated EGF receptor by phorbol esters and the calcium ionophore A23187 . Staurosporine is an effective inhibitor of the EGF-stimulated receptor tyrosine kinase in vitro and thus does not enhance EGF stimulation of EGF receptor autophosphorylation in vivo . These results suggest that phosphorylation plays a major role in the regulation of the high affinity binding state of the EGF receptor in both unstimulated and mitogenically activated cells.

J Immunol, 1990 Jan 15, 144(2), 420 - 4
The use of transfected fibroblasts and transgenic mice establishes that stimulation of T cells by the Mycoplasma arthritidis mitogen is mediated by E alpha; Cole BC et al.; Mycoplasma arthritidis produces a soluble protein which is active for murine and human lymphocytes when presented by Ia-bearing accessory cells . By using fibroblasts transfected in vitro with various class II Ag, we demonstrated that presentation of the M . arthritidis mitogen (MAM) to T cells was mediated by E alpha-containing molecules . We also showed that splenocytes from transgenic mice expressing E alpha heterozygously (B10.TRG E alpha+) or homozygously (B10.E alpha TG +/+) underwent a similar proliferation in response to MAM as compared with the failure of control B10.TRG E alpha- splenocytes to respond to MAM . Although splenocytes from inbred C3H and CBA mice exhibited much higher proliferative responses to MAM than did those from B10.TRG.E alpha+ or B10.E alpha TG +/+ mice, flow cytometry showed similar levels of E alpha expression . Furthermore, gamma-irradiated splenocytes from B10.TRG E alpha + mice presented MAM to T hybridoma cells with a similar efficacy as did splenocytes from C3H mice . The lesser response to MAM of lymphocytes from the E alpha transgenic mice as compared with those from C3H and B10.K mice was likewise not due to differential expression of their V beta TCR . We conclude that presentation of MAM to T cells is accomplished by E alpha-containing molecules . The studies also suggest that the conserved, nonpolymorphic regions of class II molecules may play an important role in host immune response to microbial products.

Curr Top Microbiol Immunol, 1990, 150, 129 - 57
Visualization of the bacterial polysaccharide capsule; Bayer ME; The highly hydrated capsule of E . coli strains is composed of a large number of polysaccharide fibers of which the thinnest measure about 2 nm in width . The fibers may span the entire distance from the outer membrane to the outer rim of the capsule and show a propensity to associate with each other to form thicker filaments . Presence of thick filaments may also indicate a partial collapse of the capsular organization due to removal of water . The in vivo capsule represents a relatively open structure with the negatively charged polysaccharide fibers permitting the binding of large quantities of water and ions, and providing intracellular space for diffusing molecules to access the envelope membranes even in conditions of high cell density . Negative charge and steric hindrance of the polysaccharide strands protect the cells against attack by a large variety of harmful macromolecules and against infection by most bacteriophages . Two types of procedure have been most successful in maintaining the size and overall structure of the capsule: (a) the interaction of cationic molecules with the in vivo capsule, and (b) the use of antibody to stabilize capsules for subsequent dehydration and plastic embedding . A further type of potentially useful procedure, cryofixation and cryosubstitution, has shown interesting results in a number of cases . These techniques are expected to play a significant role in structural studies in the near future . The sites of export of capsular antigen have been described in earlier conventional electron microscopic studies . Data obtained from the recent technique of "on-section" labeling support the model that both the capsular antigen and the O antigen are assembled at junctions of the inner and outer membrane . It is anticipated that one will be able to discern in greater ultrastructural detail the membranes at which the antigen is translocated . Novel membrane fixation and isolation techniques will have to be established and employed in a combination of sensitive microscopic techniques and immuno- and enzyme localization methods . These developments will make it possible to explore questions pertaining to the maintenance and structural organization of microbial capsules and the functional interaction of polysaccharides with natural surfaces, man-made substances and drugs.

Dent Clin North Am, 1990 Jan, 34(1), 1 - 11
Chemotherapy . A viable periodontal treatment modality?
Deasy MJ.
Because bacterial plaque is composed chiefly of micro-organisms, use of chemotherapeutic agents directed against a susceptible flora would seem a conceptually valid therapeutic modality, in terms of inhibition of plaque, for the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease . The objective of treatment largely dictates the modality used . If, for example, the philosophy of treatment is elimination or reduction of pocket depth, chemotherapy against supragingival plaque may complement mechanical oral hygiene in the absence of a plaque-free environment . On the other hand, access to the subgingival flora can only be achieved through systemic administration of drugs or the use of controlled delivery systems . Notwithstanding their potential benefit as adjunctive therapy, in cases of refractory periodontitis and juvenile periodontitis in which elimination of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans by mechanical debridement alone is extremely difficult, the potential for adverse reactions from the administration of antibiotics must be weighed and their use, in general, considered unwarranted . The dynamics of the inter-relationship between supragingival and subgingival plaque necessitates control of both for the successful treatment of periodontal disease . Although there are chemical agents that have been shown to be effective in the treatment of gingivitis, the evidence pertaining to their effectiveness in the treatment of periodontitis, either alone or in conjunction with conventional therapy, is inconclusive . If specific microbial floras are associated with different forms of periodontal disease, chemotherapeutic agents to which such micro-organisms are susceptible would have to be employed for their elimination . Until accurate predictors of disease activity--including definitive indicators of which particular sites are, at any one time, actively undergoing attachment loss--are available, the use of chemotherapeutic agents directed at the subgingival flora appears extremely limited and impractical . However, with the development of predictors of disease activity, including sophisticated methods of determining even small increments of attachment loss, new drugs, and a better understanding of subgingival ecologic systems, chemotherapy may yet play a significant role in the treatment of periodontal disease.

Int J Artif Organs, 1990 Jan, 13(1), 44 - 50
Peritoneal leucocyte response to bacterial peritonitis in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis; Shah GM et al.; We evaluated the quantitative peritoneal leucocyte response to antibiotic therapy in 25 CAPD patients with 57 episodes of bacterial peritonitis . Eighty-eight percent of the peritonitis episodes were initially treated with a first generation cephalosporin, but results of microbial sensitivity studies led to a change in the initial antibiotic regimen in 23 episodes . Overall, 47/57 (82%) episodes were cured by antibiotic therapy alone (responders), while 10/57 (18%) required removal of the peritoneal catheter as a curative procedure (nonresponder) . Neither the duration of symptoms on initial presentation nor the status of being a nonresponder could be related to the baseline peritoneal leucocyte values, either the total (PLC) or polymorphonuclear counts (PMN) . Since the baseline PLC and PMN showed a 500-fold variation, subsequent changes were expressed as a percent {PLC (%) and PMN-PLC (%)} of the baseline value . On day 3 of peritonitis, PLC (%) and PMN-PLC (%) were less in responders (26% and 10%) than nonresponders (251% and 254%) (p less than 0.001) . Differentiation between responders and nonresponders based on PLC (%) and PMN-PLC (%) was associated with a high degree of sensitivity (90%) and specificity (90%) . Similar results were obtained for day 4 . These data suggest that the temporal pattern of PLC and PMN, when expressed as a percentage of the baseline value, may be useful in predicting those episodes of peritonitis which require removal of the peritoneal catheter.

Comp Biochem Physiol B, 1990, 96(3), 475 - 82
Distribution of branched-chain fatty acid in the skin surface lipid of laboratory animals; Oku H et al.; 1 . The distribution of the branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA) was studied in skin surface lipids of laboratory animals (rat, mouse, hamster and rabbit) and the experimental animal for the study of the metabolic fate of BCFA was chosen . 2 . The monoester fraction resistant to microbial degradation was the index of which fatty acids were identified and the compositions were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) . 3 . The contents of monoester fractions in rat, mouse, hamster and rabbit were 78.9, 15.9, 30.4 and 45.6% of the total skin surface lipid, respectively . 4 . BCFAs were exclusively identified to be either iso- or anteiso-series type by means of mass spectrometry . 5 . The sum of iso- and anteiso-acid was the highest in hamster comprising 53% in male and 38% in female of the monoester acid . 6 . Sex related differences of BCFA concentration were not so evident in the other three species . 7 . BCFA contents in the monoester fractions were as follows: rat 32%, mouse 25% and rabbit 3% . 8 . Concentrations of iso-series fatty acid were consistently higher than that of anteiso-series type in all animals studied . 9 . Abundance of 2-hydroxy fatty acid in the rabbit monoester fraction was noted for the first time . 10 . Suitability of these laboratory animals for the study of BCFA metabolism was discussed.

J Basic Microbiol, 1990, 30(4), 297 - 300
Selective and rapid solubilization of the microbial membrane enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase; Hommel R et al.; An improved solubilization procedure for the membrane-bound quinoprotein aldehyde dehydrogenase from Acetobacter rancens CCM 1774 was established . After the first solubilization of membrane enzymes by Brij 35 which provided important extraction of membrane proteins other than aldehyde dehydrogenase, the application of Trition X-100 resulted in an almost 20-fold purification of quinoprotein aldehyde dehydrogenase . The optimal solubilization was closely connected with definite detergent/protein ratios.

Med Lab Sci, 1990 Jan, 47(1), 42 - 5
Use of a bacterial sampler for rapid transfer of microvolumes into microplates; Rawlinson J et al.; A method has been devised to transfer very small volumes of serum from microplates prepared during routine screening of blood into microplates containing diluent . Simultaneous transfer of 96 samples is achieved without the need for disposable tips, while still avoiding carry-over between different plates . Using this method a mean transfer volume of 0.9 microliters (cv 8.9%) was obtained, which lent itself conveniently to testing for high-titre anti-microbial antibodies for which high dilution factors are required.

Probl Tuberk, 1990, (3), 36 - 41
{Identification of Mycobacteria species by liquid-gas chromatography}; Pinchuk LM et al.; Principles and characteristic features of gas chromatographic indentification of Mycobacterium from the fatty acid composition were considered . The results of their differentiation by gas chromatography agree with Myco . indentification according to the complex of morphological, cultural and biochemical, and other characteristics . Copyrolysis has a number of advantages compared to the routine identification techniques, i.e . it reduces the time needed for the analysis down to 2-3 hours; allows one to use small portions of microbial mass; and provides for a complete automation of the procedure . The advisability of putting the gas chromatographic identification of Myco . species into practice of the antituberculosis medical and veterinary institutions is pointed out.

Vopr Virusol, 1990 Jan-Feb, 35(1), 64 - 8
{Characteristics of Namalwa cells--a substrate for production of human interferon}; Shukhmina NR et al.; The properties of lymphoid Namalwa cell line propagated at the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences Research Institute of Viral Preparations for interferon production are described . The scanning and transmissive electron microscopy studies of the cells showed their morphological stability and the absence of microbial contamination . The 46-48-chromosome cells comprised 85% of the population, hypodiploid cells (44-45 chromosomes), 9%, tetraploid and hypertetraploid cells, 3% . Spontaneous aberrations were detected in 3% of the chromosome . Inoculation of the cells into unsuppressed laboratory animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, adult or suckling mice) or chick embryos did not cause the development of any pathological process . Namalwa cells were shown to produce interferon after multiple (up to 4 times) induction with Newcastle disease virus.

Vestn Akad Med Nauk SSSR, 1990, (2), 46 - 8
{Transcription of nucleoplasmatic and nucleolar sites of DNA sensitive to the protease inhibitor antipain}; Iarygin VN et al.; Age-related changes in the transcriptional activities of Purkinje cells chromatin and sympathetic cranial cervical ganglion under the influence of morphine and some natural and synthetic peptide compounds were found . It was shown that at different stages of the ontogenesis, morphine was capable of increasing the template activity of nucleolar and/or extranucleolar chromatin, and that this process was inhibited by antipain . The findings suggest the presence of DNA sites in the eucaryotic genome, that are induced by the protease mechanism and are likely to be similar to the SOS-genes of procaryotes . The SOS-genes of procaryotes are activated under unfavourable conditions and promote the survival of the microbial population, while in eucaryotes these genes are believed to provide the formation of definite cell populations whose composition is the most adequate for the living conditions of an adult organism.

Cornea, 1990, 9 Suppl 1, S59 - 61; discussion S62-3
A review of relative risks associated with four types of contact lenses; Bailey CS; This paper reviews the data of Frank et al . in the light of increasing concern over the safety of contact lenses used for extended wear . Relative risks were calculated for four types of contact lenses (CLs): extended wear soft, daily wear soft, rigid gas-permeable (RGP), and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) lenses--worn by a group of patients who presented themselves for emergency ocular treatment . The cases comprised 329 CL wearers who were found to have lens related metabolic disorders, toxic or hypersensitivity reactions, cornea abrasions, microbial keratitis, or some other lens-induced problem . Controls comprised 64 CL wearers whose ocular problems were unrelated to lens use . It was found that extended wear soft lenses were nearly 7 times more likely to be associated with an ocular disorder than PMMA hard lenses, and approximately 3.4 times more likely than daily wear soft lenses . Furthermore, extended wear soft lenses were nearly 5 times more likely to be linked with microbial keratitis than daily wear soft lenses, and approximately 7.5 times more likely than RGP lenses . Metabolic disorders were also more common with extended wear lenses (relatively risk: 3.3) than with either RGP (1.8) or daily wear soft lenses (2.0) or PMMA lenses (1.0) . If the association between extended wear soft lenses and ocular complications is borne out in large population studies, eye-care professionals may need to reconsider the wisdom of prescribing these lenses for the cosmetic correction of vision.

Toxicon, 1990, 28(1), 101 - 5
Effect of storage temperature on the stability of the liquid polyvalent antivenom produced in Costa Rica; Rojas G et al.; The effect of storage temperature on the stability of the liquid polyvalent (crotaline) antivenom produced at the Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Costa Rica, was studied during a twelve-month period . The following parameters were evaluated: neutralizing potency against lethal activity of Bothrops asper venom; protein and phenol concentrations; pH; turbidity; safety; and sterility . Analyses were performed each month on different samples of a batch, stored at 4, 23, 30 and 37 degrees C . No significant (P greater than 0.1) variations occurred in potency, protein and phenol concentrations, pH, sterility or safety, at any of the storage temperatures during the study period . However, visual inspection revealed a moderate increase in turbidity of the samples stored at 23, 30 and 37 degrees C, at nine, four and three months, respectively . Culture of samples excluded the possibility of microbial contamination of the product leading to turbidity . Chromatographic and electrophoretic analyses demonstrated that turbidity was caused by the formation of heterogeneous protein aggregates of high molecular weight . Present results support the conclusion that, although storage temperature (up to 37 degrees C for twelve months) does not alter antivenom potency, it significantly influences the formation of protein aggregates . This phenomenon can be prevented by recommending the storage of antivenom at refrigeration temperature.

Stomatologiia (Mosk), 1990 Jan-Feb, 69(1), 29 - 31
{A difference in the mechanisms of the development of periodontitis}; Mashchenko IS; The study based on immunological and epidemiological evaluation of large groups of population has revealed the factors responsible principally for periodontitis pattern . They are: 1) microbial and tissue sensitization, 2) immune defences, 3) disturbed microcirculation in periodontal tissues . In view of various causes underlying periodontitis it is advisable to take them into consideration when evaluating diagnostic data and deciding on indications for immunocorrective therapy.

Nahrung, 1990, 34(1), 37 - 46
{Water binding of adsorptive immobilized lipases}; Loose S et al.; It is supposed that not only the total water content of lipase preparations but more their state of water binding is of technological importance in enzymatic interesterification reactions in systems nearly free from water . The isotherms at 65 degrees C of two microbial lipases immobilized on various adsorbents as well as different adsorbents themselves are shown . The water binding capacity in the range of water content of technological interest decreases from the anion exchange resin Amberlyst A 21 via nonpolar adsorbent Amberlite XAD-2 to kieselguhr Celite 545 . It is demonstrated that water binding by lipases is depending on temperature but is also affected by adsorptive immobilization . Adsorptive immobilized lipases show hysteresis, which is very important for preparing a definite water content of the enzyme preparations.

J Dairy Sci, 1990 Jan, 73(1), 142 - 8
Influence of synchronizing protein and starch degradation in the rumen on nutrient utilization and microbial protein synthesis; Herrera-Saldana R et al.; A 4 x 4 Latin square design with four multiparous cows in midlactation fitted with duodenal cannulae was used to determine the effect of synchronization of protein and starch degradation in the rumen on nutrient availability in lactating cows . As major starch and protein sources, diets contained: barley plus cottonseed meal; barley plus brewers dried grains; milo plus cottonseed meal; and milo plus brewers dried grains . Experimental periods were 12 d and consisted of 8 d adjustment and 4 d collection . Chromium oxide was used as the marker to determine digestibility and nutrient flow from the rumen . Microbial protein synthesis was estimated from nucleic acid content in duodenal samples . Apparent and corrected rumen digestibilities of DM, organic matter, CP, and starch were higher for diets containing barley than milo but were not affected by protein source . For diets containing barley and milo, starch digested postruminally averaged 820 and 2190 g/d and percentage digestibility was 70 and 77% . No difference among diets was found in DM, organic matter, and CP flow to the small intestine; however, microbial N synthesis was higher in diets containing barley than in diets containing milo.

J Submicrosc Cytol Pathol, 1990 Jan, 22(1), 79 - 90
Ultrastructural comparative distribution of carbohydrates in human tracheal and frog palate mucosa using neuraminidase and lectin-colloidal gold complexes; Plotkowski MC et al.; We have compared, at the ultrastructural level, the carbohydrate structure of glycoconjugates of the different types of secretory cells of the human tracheal mucosa (HTM) and the frog palate mucosa (FPM), proposed as a model for studying bacterial adherence to mucus-coated respiratory epithelium . In addition to reactivity with Concanavalin A and Lens cullinaris agglutinin, reactivity of Epon-embedded HTM and FPM secretory granules was studied by transmission electron microscopy using neuraminidase-gold complex and colloidal gold-adsorbed lectins with affinity for sugar residues of human mucins, namely the following: Helix pomatia, Lotus tetragonolobus, Ricinus communis II, Wheat germ and Limax flavus agglutinins . The affinity of HTM and FPM mucous and serous cells for the different colloidal-gold complexes was very similar, however Limax flavus agglutinin labelled only HTM and not FPM secretory granules . The FPM mucous and serous secretory granules were nevertheless intensely labelled by the neuraminidase-gold complex, demonstrating the presence of sialic acid residues . The close ultrastructural and histochemical similarities between HTM and FPM suggest that the FPM may be a valuable model for studying the specific interaction between microbial lectins and mucus glycoproteins in the bacterial adherence phenomenon.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1990 Jan, 38(1), 36 - 42
{Interleukins and inflammation}; Cavaillon JM; Interleukins (IL) are a heterogeneous class of cytokines involved in activation of T lymphocytes (IL-1, 2, 4, 6 and 7), B lymphocytes (IL-1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7), and macrophages (IL-1 and 4), and hematopoiesis (IL-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7), acting either by themselves, or as co-stimulator factors . Interleukin-1 (IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta) is induced by different signals including microbial products; it mediates various events occurring during inflammation (e.g . fever, osteolysis, leucopenia, hypotension, hyperalgia, etc...) . Such mechanisms are often the consequences of the induction by IL-1 of lipid mediators (e.g . prostaglandins, platelet activating factor, etc) . IL-1 often acts synergistically with Tumor Necrosis Factor during the pro-inflammatory process . IL-1 as well as microbial products induces the production of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 . IL-6 also plays a role in inflammation, mainly as an inducer of acute phase proteins synthesis by hepatocytes . IL-8 has chemotactic and activating properties for neutrophils.

J Steroid Biochem, 1990 Jan, 35(1), 107 - 13
Inhibition of microbial cholesterol oxidases by dimethylmorpholines; Hesselink PG et al.; Cholesterol oxidase is a potentially important enzyme in steroid transformations, catalysing the conversion of 3-hydroxy-5-ene steroids to 3-keto-4-ene derivatives via a 3-keto-5-ene intermediate . Morpholine derivatives, especially fenpropimorph and tridemorph, were found to block selectively the isomerisation activity of cholesterol oxidases isolated from Nocardia erythropolis, Streptomyces sp., Pseudomonas testosteroni and Schizophyllum commune . These enzymes differ strongly in physical characteristics and catalytic behaviour . The effectiveness of the inhibitors varied with the cholesterol oxidase tested . Fenpropimorph was most effective with each of the 4 enzymes, 50 mg/l inhibiting about 50% of the enzyme activity . Inhibition was instantaneous and followed a reversible competitive mechanism in Streptomyces sp . and a reversible non-competitive mechanism in Nocardia erythropolis and Schizophyllum commune . An irreversible type of inhibition was observed for P . testosteroni cholesterol oxidase.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1990 Jan, 141(1), 179 - 85
Direct cytotoxicity of polymorphonuclear leukocyte granule proteins to human lung-derived cells and endothelial cells; Okrent DG et al.; Neutrophils, in the course of defending the host against microbial invasion, release a potent arsenal of proteins that can potentially damage host tissues . Defensins are major peptides of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) granules and are both broadly microbicidal and cytotoxic to several tumor cell lines . To determine whether these peptides could play a role in neutrophil-mediated lung injury, we examined the cytotoxicity of defensins and other PMN granule proteins in a chromium release assay with human lung-derived cell lines MRC-5 (lung fetal fibroblast), A549 (lung adenocarcinoma with features of alveolar epithelium), and primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) . Crude fractionation of an acid extract of human PMN granules yielded four fractions A-D . Only fraction D (containing mostly defensins) was significantly cytotoxic to all three target cells . In contrast, fraction A (containing myeloperoxidase and lactoferrin) and fraction C (containing lysozyme) had little effect, and fraction B (containing chiefly cathepsin G and elastase) was only injurious to endothelial cells . The cytotoxicity of whole PMN granule extracts on pulmonary epithelial and fibroblast targets could be completely accounted for by their defensin content . Fraction D- and defensin-mediated cytotoxicity was concentration dependent, required at least 10 to 12 h to become manifest, and was inhibited by serum . The role of these peptides in lung damage during acute and chronic inflammation deserves further study.

Adv Biochem Eng Biotechnol, 1990, 42, 97 - 131
Application of immobilized growing cells; Tanaka A et al.; Immobilized living and growing cells are attracting worldwide attention because these biocatalysts have self-proliferating and self-regenerating properties of catalytic systems and are able to catalyze efficiently multifunctional and multistep reactions involving coenzyme regeneration . This article summarizes the application of microbial, plant, and mammalian cells, genetically improved or not, immobilized by different methods to the production of amino acids, organic acids, antibiotics, steroids, medicines, enzymes, bioactive peptides, etc., emphasizing the recent results . Effects of the gel properties on the efficient performance of bioprocesses are also discussed.

Biopolymers, 1990, 30(3-4), 239 - 56
The solution conformations of ferrichrome and deferriferrichrome determined by 1H-NMR spectroscopy and computational modeling; Constantine KL et al.; We have applied computational procedures that utilize nmr data to model the solution conformation of ferrichrome, a rigid microbial iron transport cyclohexapeptide of known x-ray crystallographic structure {D . van der Helm et al . (1980) J . Am . Chem . Soc . 102, 4224-4231} . The Al3+ and Ga3+ diamagnetic analogues, alumichrome and gallichrome, dissolved in d6-dimethylsulfoxide (d6-DMSO), were investigated via one- and two-dimensional 1H-nmr spectroscopy at 300, 600, and 620 MHz . Interproton distance constraints derived from proton Overhauser experiments were input to a distance geometry algorithm {T . F . Havel and K . Wuthrich (1984) Bull . Math . Biol . 46, 673-691} in order to generate a family of ferrichrome structures consistent with the experimental data . These models were subsequently optimized through restrained molecular dynamics/energy minimization {B . R . Brooks et al . (1983) J . Comp . Chem . 4, 187-217} . The resulting structures were characterized in terms of relative energies and conformational properties . Computations based on integration of the generalized Bloch equations for the complete molecule, which include the 14N-1H dipolar interaction, demonstrate that the x-ray coordinates reproduce the experimental nuclear Overhauser effect time courses very well, and indicate that there are no significant differences between the crystalline and solution conformations of ferrichrome . A similar study of the metal free peptide, deferriferrichrome, suggests that at least two conformers are present in d6-DMSO at 23 degrees C . Both are different from the ferrichrome structure and explain, through conformational averaging, the observed amide NH and CH alpha multiplet splittings . The occurrence of interconverting peptide backbone conformations yields an increased number of sequential NH-CH alpha and NH-NH Overhauser connectivities, which reflects the mean value of r-6 dependence of the dipolar interaction . Our results support the idea that, in the case of structurally rigid peptides, moderately accurate distance constraints define a conformational subspace encompassing the "true" structure, and that energy considerations reduce the size of this subspace . For flexible peptides, however, the straight-forward approach can be misleading since the nmr parameters are averaged over substantially different conformational states.

J Med Vet Mycol, 1990, 28(4), 303 - 15
An extended QBASIC program for the normalization and computation of whole-cell protein profiles and the application to clinically important Candida species; Smit EJ et al.; The computer program described enables a rapid calculation of relative molecular masses of proteins from different yeasts and microbial pathogens, by interpolation from a molecular weight calibration curve that comprises stepwise linear regression between the protein bands produced by the internal standards . A similarity matrix can then be produced, taking into account variations between calculated molecular masses caused by small differences in bandwidths and/or positions of specific protein bands . This program has been applied to different Candida species and the similarity data obtained further analysed numerically utilizing CLUSTAN II on a SPERRY 1100 multi-processor.

Adv Microb Physiol, 1990, 31, 183 - 223
Microbial stress proteins; Watson K; There is general agreement that a function, perhaps the major function, of stress proteins under normal physiological conditions is to help assembly and disassembly of protein complexes and to catalyse protein-translocation processes . It remains unclear, however, as to what role these processes play in stressed cells . It could be that cells under stress produce abnormal, misfolded or otherwise damaged proteins and that increased synthesis of stress proteins is required to counter protein modifications . A role for stress proteins in recovery of cells from stress, as opposed to a role in helping cells to withstand a lethal stress, is thus suggested . The intracellular location of stress proteins, in the unstressed and stressed cell, is worthy of further studies . Members of the hsp70 family are associated with the cytosol, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum . There is evidence, particularly from studies on mammalian cells (Tanguay, 1985; Welch and Mizzen, 1988; Arrigo et al., 1988), that following stress hsps migrate to various cellular compartments and subsequently delocalize after stress . However, there is little comparable data from microbial systems for this phenomenon (e.g . Rossi and Lindquist, 1989) . The question as to the role of stress proteins in the transient acquisition of thermotolerance remains to be answered . It is insufficient to equate the kinetics of stress-protein synthesis with acquisition of thermotolerance . Quantitative data on the amount of stress protein present at various times, including the recovery period, is required . The demonstration that microbial stress proteins are important antigenic determinants of micro-organisms causing major debilitating diseases in the world is an exciting observation . Studies on the interplay of pathogen and host, both carrying similar antigenic hsp determinants, will be a challenging area for future research . It is likely that E . coli and Sacch . cerevisiae, with their well-established biochemical and genetic properties, will continue to be the experimental systems of choice for studies on stress proteins . On the other hand, it is encouraging that studies on other micro-organisms have expanded in the past few years and have made substantial contributions towards our understanding of the stress response . The ubiquitous nature of the stress response and the remarkable evolutionary conservation of the stress proteins continue to be attractive areas for research.

Reprod Nutr Dev, 1990, 30(4), 533 - 40
Microbial degradation in the rumen of wheat straw and anhydrous ammonia treated wheat straw observed by electron microscopy; Grenet E et al.; With the exception of the phloem and the crown of the parenchyma, which borders the medullary lacuna, the walls of the tissues of both treated and untreated straw were lignified . The walls of the treated straw were not fluorescent in the ultraviolet probably because the treatment had modified the phenolic acids . They also had a stronger reaction to Schiff reagent particularly in the sclerenchyma indicating that their polysaccharides were more accessible . The tissues of the treated straw degraded faster in the rumen . The walls of the sclerenchyma of the treated straw were attacked by micro-organisms . Both treated and normal straw were abundantly colonized by rumen fungi, especially in the sclerenchyma . The increase in the digestibility of the treated straw was due to the greater access the micro-organisms had to the polysaccharides of the lignified walls.

Adv Exp Med Biol, 1990, 264, 79 - 84
Effects of glycyl-histidyl-lysyl chelated Cu(II) on ferritin dependent lipid peroxidation; Miller DM et al.; The copper binding tripeptide, glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine {GHK:Cu(II)} has a plethora of biological effects related to the wound healing process . The presence of iron complexes in damaged tissues is detrimental to wound healing, due to local inflammation, as well as microbial infection mediated by iron . To test if the wound healing properties of GHK:Cu(II) are due to an affect on iron metabolism, we examined the effects of GHK:Cu(II) on iron catalyzed lipid peroxidation . GHK:Cu(II) inhibited lipid peroxidation only if the iron source was ferritin . Whereas GHK:Cu(II) inhibited ferritin iron release it did not exhibit significant superoxide dismutase-like or ceruloplasmin-like activity . We propose that GHK:Cu(II) binds to the channels of ferritin involved in iron release and physically prevents the release of Fe(II) . Thus, a biological effect of GHK:Cu(II), possibly related to wound healing, may be the inhibition of ferritin iron release in damaged tissues, preventing inflammation and microbial infections.

Nahrung, 1990, 34(8), 701 - 17
{The characterization of microbial lipases . 1 . The determination of lipase activity}; Bariszlovich M et al.; In the selection of an appropriate method for activity determination of lipases existing technical equipment, kind of enzymes, number of samples investigated (e.g . in routine analysis), and expected sensitivity range have to be taken into account . Titrimetric methods and above all copper salt methods with their high detection sensitivity are the most suitable procedures for activity determination of lipases used in laboratories and institutions without equipment for radiochemical analysis.

Cytobios, 1990, 62(250-251), 191 - 9
A further study on the regulation of microbial proteases; Kuo WN et al.; Various agents were tested for their effects on microbial proteases, which activity was monitored by the analysis of cleaved peptide bands in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . Using casein as a substrate, fungal protease (type XIX) was inhibited by the phenyl methyl sulphonyl fluoride, chymostatin, antipain and leupeptin, while bacterial protease (type XXVI) was inhibited by phosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidyl inositol and sphingosine . MS2 RNA exerted minor inhibition on the bacterial proteolysis of regulatory subunits of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (A-PK) . The cleavage of DNA binding protein by both proteases was inhibited, in the presence of MS2 RNA and lambda DNA . In comparison, phosphatidyl serine slightly stimulated the fungal protease on the cleavage of ribonuclease T1 . RNA polymerase is a good substrate of the bacterial protease as indicated by the generation of multiple cleaved peptide fragments, whereas alkaline phosphatase is not susceptible to proteolysis.

Cancer Detect Prev, 1990, 14(4), 471 - 81
Tumor-cytolytic human macrophages cultured as nonadherent cells: potential for the adoptive immunotherapy of cancer; Helinski EH et al.; Tumor-cytolytic lymphokine (e.g., interleukin-2; IL-2)-activated killer cells are currently being evaluated in IL-2/LAK cell adoptive immunotherapy regimens for the treatment of cancer . Monocyte-derived macrophages (M phi) are also known to be efficient tumor killer cells; accordingly, M phi that have been activated in vitro may also be of therapeutic merit . However, attempts to cultivate M phi for morphological and functional studies have often been compromised because M phi adhere rapidly and tenaciously to cultureware . Studies that we have conducted to address this problem have proven successful in developing procedures for the long-term cultivation of non-adherent immunocompetent M phi in serum-free medium using petri dishes containing a thin Teflon liner . The utility of this technology is documented by the results of studies presented herein in which light and scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze tumor-cytolytic human M phi . In these experiments, we demonstrated that nonadherent immunocompetent human M phi can be prepared for detailed examinations of their pleomorphic membrane architecture . Moreover, nonadherent human M phi could readily be collected for preparing conjugates of M phi and tumor cells . It is anticipated that this technology should prove useful for future structure-function studies defining the topographical location and spatial distribution of antigens and receptors on M phi membrane ultrastructures, particularly the microvilli-like projections that bridge together an immunocompetent effector M phi and target cell (e.g., tumor cells and microbial pathogens) and which provide the physical interaction required for the initial phases of a cellular immune response that includes antigen recognition and cell-to-cell adhesion.

Biosens Bioelectron, 1990, 5(4), 273 - 89
Oscillometric instrument for the non-invasive detection of low-level microbial activity . Part 2: Growth characteristics, detection limits and impedimetric assays; Cossar JD et al.; Instrument performance and application was evaluated with a variety of microbial suspensions . Data were compared with those obtainable from current commercial apparatus in terms of resolution and detection times . Trials with growing and non-growing cultures indicated periodic synchronous ion exchange processes . Media composition, particularly salt and nutrient ratios, remain crucial to early and rapid detection of viable microbial activity at low concentrations . With appropriate conditions very significant improvements in detection times with typical detection thresholds of 300 min for start concentrations of 10(2) are shown . It is concluded that with regard to resolution and stability, the system out-performs current systems and is superior in terms of potential test costs, sample handling and sample transport.

Reprod Nutr Dev, 1990, Suppl 2, 161s - 162s
{Degradability in small bags of nitrogenous components of feed concentrates: standardization of the method and intra- and interlaboratory variability}; Verite R et al.; In sacco degradability of feed protein (DT) was measured in 13 feedstuffs by 4 laboratories according the French standardized procedure . Adjustment for variations in microbial activity by reference to DM disappearance of a standard sample of lucerne decreased within and between lab variability . When the standardized procedure was carefully followed, results were in rather good agreement between labs.

Adv Appl Microbiol, 1990, 35, 171 - 94
Microbial levan; Han YW; Levans are natural polymers of the sugar fructose found in many plants and microbial products . Like dextrans, they are formed as an undesirable by-product of sugar juice processing . On the other hand, levans, which can only be produced from sucrose, have potential industrial applications as thickeners and encapsulating agents and could provide additional, valuable products from sugarcane juice . A strain of B . polymyxa (NRRL B-18475) produced a high yield of polysaccharide when grown on sucrose solution . Hydrolysis and subsequent analyses showed the product to consist entirely of D-fructose . 13C-NMR and methylation analyses indicated the products to be a beta(2----6)-linked polymer of fructose, with 12% branching . The polysaccharide has a Mr of approximately 2 million and is readily soluble in water . Levan has not been utilized, but if developed, could be useful in food and other industrial applications.

Prev Assist Dent, 1990 Jan-Feb, 16(1), 7 - 10
{Disinfection of toothbrushes . Experimental research}; Fratto G et al.; Aim of the present paper is to verify in a vitro study, the possible disinfection of the toothbrushes with an UV instrument (Dentec 4000) . The modifications in microbic concentration after a contamination with microbial suspension of oral cavity have been estimated.

Biol Met, 1990, 2(4), 191 - 6
Roles of trace metals in transcriptional control of microbial secondary metabolism; Weinberg ED; Secondary metabolism in bacteria and fungi requires a much narrower range of environmental concentrations of key trace metals than that permitted for primary metabolism . The cells acquire appropriate quantities of the key metals at the initiation of the shift from primary to secondary metabolism . Evidence suggests that these essential micronutrients participate in regulating the expression of genes responsible for synthesis of secondary metabolites and/or morphological alterations associated with cellular differentiation.

Cornea, 1990, 9 Suppl 1, S25 - 7; discussion S31-2
Is daily wear better than extended wear? Arguments in favor of daily wear; Weissman BA et al.; The use of contact lenses for extended wear appears to be accompanied by an increase in several complications, the most serious of which is corneal infection . It has been proposed that infection is due to corneal epithelial layer microtrauma and lens care system contamination, but noncompliance, contamination of care systems, and microtrauma {especially among keratoconics and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) lens users, for example} are so common in daily wear that we believe they are insufficient to explain the approximately sixfold increase in the rate of corneal infection with extended wear . Perhaps the chronic hypoxic stress of extended wear use of contact lenses substantially reduces the resistance of the epithelium to either injury or microbial infection . Until evidence is provided that new contact lenses have sufficient oxygen transmissibility (Dk/L) to fully satisfy corneal oxygen needs under extended wear conditions, and the extended wear use of such lenses is thoroughly tested in a study population, we believe that the majority of contact lens patients should be maintained on daily wear schedules.

Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol, 1990, 30, 369 - 85
Mutational spectrometry in animal toxicity testing; Thilly WG; The microbial geneticists who pioneered the study of mutational spectra have shown us how rich a source of mutagen-specific information it can be for the pharmacologist and toxicologist . Contributions by physical chemists and molecular biologists have led to a practical means to observe mutation spectra directly from the DNA of cultured human cells and this review suggests that the same methodology may be applied successfully to the study of mutations and mutational spectra in tissues of experimental animals and humans . In toxicological testing, the new field of mutational spectrometry offers a previously unattainable level of sensitivity and specificity as well as new tools for dissecting mechanisms of pharmacologic and toxic action.

Klin Khir, 1990, (1), 1 - 3
{Prevention of microbial contamination of surgical wounds}; Buianov VM et al.; Comparative analysis of 3707 operations on the organs of the abdominal cavity has shown the significant advantage of the suggested by the authors method for intraoperative wound protection with latex rubber in combination with placing the longitudinal removable sutures over the subcutis and skin, and dressing-free management of the wounds in prophylaxis of the postoperative purulent wound complications . After 310 operations of different contamination degree performed with the use of the given method, no suppuration of the operative wounds was noted.

Artery, 1990, 17(3), 170 - 5
Influence of acarbose (a glucosidase inhibitor) on experimental atherosclerosis in the rabbit; Kritchevsky D et al.; Acarbose, a complex oligosaccharide of microbial origin, was added at levels of 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg to an atherogenic diet fed to New Zealand White rabbits . The rabbits consumed 75 g/day of each diet, thus the daily intake of Acarbose was 7.5, 15 and 30 mg . Rabbits fed 30 mg/day of Acarbose showed reduced levels of plasma cholesterol, intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) . Aortic sudanophilia was inhibited by 23% in rabbits fed 7.5 mg/day of Acarbose and by 43% in rabbits fed 15 or 30 mg/day . Acarbose had been shown previously to lower serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in rats and mice . Our studies demonstrate that it also inhibits atherogenesis in rabbits fed 0.2% cholesterol.

Arch Microbiol, 1990, 153(4), 329 - 36
Soluble and membrane-bound ferrisiderophore reductases of Escherichia coli K-12; Fischer E et al.; After uptake of microbial ferrisiderophores, iron is assumed to be released by reduction . Two ferrisiderophore-reductase activities were identified in Escherichia coli K-12 . They differed in cellular location, susceptibility to amytal, and competition between oxygen and ferrichrome-iron(III) reduction . The ferrisiderophore reductase associated with the 40,000 X g sediment (membrane-bound enzyme) was inhibited by 10 mM amytal in contrast to the ferrisiderophore reductase present in the 100,000 X g supernatant (soluble enzyme) . Reduction by the membrane-bound enzyme followed sigmoid kinetics, but was biphasic in the case of the soluble enzyme . The soluble reductase could be assigned to a protein consisting of a single polypeptide of Mr 26,000 . Reduction of iron(III) by the purified enzyme depended on the addition of NADH or NADPH which were equally active reductants . The cofactor FMN and to a lesser degree FAD stimulated the reaction . Substrate specificity of the soluble reductase was low . In addition to the hydroxamate siderophores arthrobactin, schizokinen, fusigen, aerobactin, ferrichrome, ferrioxamine B, coprogen, and ferrichrome A, the iron(III) complexes of synthetic catecholates, dihydroxy benzoic acid, and dicitrate, as well as carrier-free iron(III) were accepted as substrates . Both ferrisiderophore reductases were not controlled by the fur regulatory system and were not suppressed by anaerobic growth.

Eicosanoids, 1990, 3(1), 1 - 22
The neutrophil and leukotrienes--role in health and disease; Konig W et al.; The granulocyte plays a major role in inflammatory processes by its capability to produce and release proinflammatory mediators such as the leukotrienes . This class of mediators exerts multiple functions in various physiological and pathophysiological processes . The interdependent interaction among the various mediator cascades, the inflammatory cells as well as the neuroendocrine system are areas of current interest . Appropriate stimuli (immunological, non immunological) by their defined pattern of signal transduction are responsible for priming, cellular activation and deactivation of granulocytes as it is shown for microbial infection . Thus the mediators may provide the prerequisites for a balanced homeostasis during host defense . It is clear that among the complexity of mediators not a single factor but the interaction of multiple mediator cascades reflect the final outcome of the disease process . In this regard the actual concentrations at local sites are obviously more relevant as those in whole body fluids.

Adv Exp Med Biol, 1990, 256, 101 - 19
Structure-activity relationship of chemically synthesized nonreducing parts of lipid A analogs; Homma JY et al.; Some synthetic compounds of the nonreducing part of lipid A were found to preserve significant immunopharmacological activities of the endotoxin, at the same time showing very slight if any endotoxic activity such as pyrogenicity lethality or Shwartzman reactivity . Thus, divers activities of the endotoxin which had earlier been considered intrinsic and inseparable were shown to be separable when certain synthetic analogs of lipid A-subunit are at work . The combination of acyl components as well as phosphorylation and acylation positions in these partial structure analogs of lipid A affect the expression of biological activities of the endotoxin . Moreover, stereospecificities of acyl substituents contribute differently to enhance the various biological activities of the endotoxin . It was remarkable that protective activities of the endotoxin such as enhancing nonspecific resistance against microbial infections and antitumor activity are preserved in lipid A-subunit analogs of small molecular weight of ca . 1,000, which at the same time lose all or most toxic activity such as pyrogenicity, lethality and Shwartzman reactivity . It is hoped that new derivatives of lipid A and/or lipid A-subunit which exert only limited biological activities of endotoxin, whether they be protective or toxic, can be synthesized in order to clarify the structural requirements for expressing a given activity . Such compounds will be useful not only for promoting basic endotoxin research but also for application in clinical medicine . Further detailed experiments on the structure-activity relationships of the newly synthesized 4-O-phosphono-D-glucosamine derivatives binding acyl substituents of varying carbon chain length at the 2-N- and 3-O- positions are in progress.

Biosens Bioelectron, 1990, 5(1), 13 - 26
Piezoelectric crystal biosensors; Ngeh-Ngwainbi J et al.; The recent development of piezoelectric devices as biosensors is reviewed . Biological materials, like enzymes, lipids, antibodies and antigens, have been used as specific coatings and were utilized for the determination of different substrates . Methods of protein coating and several applications are reported including microgravimetric immunoassays, microbial assays, DNA hybridization, enzyme detections and gas phase biosensors . Although the piezoelectric immunochemical sensor is convenient to use and very promising, a thorough understanding of the different phenomena associated with crystals frequency measurement in biological reactions is still lacking and deserves further investigation.

Microbios, 1990, 63(256-257), 165 - 71
Detection of microbial trypsin-like enzymes by use of an agar gel; Pederson ED et al.; Certain oral micro-organisms associated with periodontal diseases elaborate trypsin-like enzymes . This study describes a single assay for these enzymes, based on the incorporation of the synthetic substrate N-alpha-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPNA) into ion-agar gel . The system can provide quantitative or qualitative data within 24 h and is suitable for use in the dental clinic.

J Basic Microbiol, 1990, 30(3), 209 - 24
Microbial DNA topoisomerases and their inhibition by antibiotics; Zimmer C et al.; Supercoiling of bacterial DNA is regulated by topoisomerases and influences most of the metabolic processes involving DNA . The present review is devoted to a brief outline of the supercoiled state of DNA in bacteria and to all microbial topoisomerases hitherto described . Recent studies on topoisomerases of archaebacteria led to the discovery of a so-called reverse gyrase, the properties of which are also discussed . Special emphasis is given to a selective treatment of the effects of those antibiotics which act as gyrase inhibitors.

Ann Biol Clin (Paris), 1990, 48(5), 323 - 30
{Free radicals and aging}; Crastes de Paulet A; The aging process is an universal phenomenon . All individuals of a given species are dead by some age characteristic of the species . In spite of many biological and clinical observations on the changes that occur during aging, understanding about the causes of aging or the mechanisms determining "the life span potential" is till now dissatisfying, due to a plenty of theories: programmed aging (Hayflick), error catastrophe theory (Orgel) and free radical theory (Harman) are the most widely to be discussed, with a growing tendance to blend one into the other . The free radical theory of aging is basically found on three main observations: free radicals (FR) are extremely reactive species; oxy free radicals production, mainly superoxide anions O2-., is a constant phenomenon in our organism, with beneficial (defense against microbial aggression by phagocytes) but also highly damaging effects at the molecular and cellular levels; natural defense or control mechanisms occur, both enzymatic (superoxide dismutase--SOD--, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) or chemical ("antioxidants" such as vitamin E, vitamin C, glutathion) . In the free radical theory of aging, some inbalance between production and control mechanisms is supposed to result in the continuous or progressive production and accumulation of deleterious changes throughout the cells and tissues, generating intense functional disorder at each level of organization (ultra structures, cells, organs) . This could be the causality of "normal aging", but not the only one.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ann Rech Vet, 1990, 21(1), 1 - 11
{Molecular and epidemiological bases of bacterial resistance to antibiotics}; Guillot JF; The emergence of resistance to antibiotics is related to the genetic determinants of microbial resistance . The characteristics and properties of chromosomal mutations, plasmids, transposons and the various mechanisms of resistance are described . The range of bacterial and genetic exchanges in determining the epidemic spread of resistance to an antibiotic are illustrated and discussed.

Z Versuchstierkd, 1990, 33(5), 221 - 7
{Leukocyte agglutination test for the determination of microbial burden}; Juhr NC et al.; Transfer of laboratory animals from the breeder to the experimental unit includes in most cases a change of the microbial environment even under SPF-conditions . Many experimental treatments may also disturb the balance between host and microbial load and provoke infections . With the aim to detect such undesired effects in the course of the experiment the suitability of the leukergy test was investigated . SPF-rats, endotoxin-treated rats, and conventionalized germ-free rats were checked for leukocyte agglomeration, and the findings were compared with total leukocyte number, blood picture, endotoxin content in the blood and body temperature . A rise of leukergy from 10 to more than 20% was recorded in endotoxin-treated and conventionalized rats.

Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 1990, 39(4), 417 - 8
Concentration of phenoxymethylpenicillin in tonsillar tissue; Roos K et al.; Seventeen patients underwent tonsillectomy 55-120 min after receiving oral phenoxymethylpenicillin 12.5 mg/kg bodyweight . The penicillin concentration in serum and tonsillar tissue in each patient was determined by a microbial assay . In 9 patients with tonsillar hyperplasia, but with no prior history of tonsillitis, the mean penicillin concentration in serum and in tonsillar tissue was 5.0 mg.l-1 and 1.32 mg.g-1, respectively, and in 8 patients with manifest tonsillitis the corresponding values were 3.01 mg.l-1 and 0.67 mg.g-1 . It appears that the penicillin concentration in tonsillar tissue is about 1/5 to 1/4 of that in serum, regardless of whether the tonsils are inflamed or hypertrophied.

Klin Khir, 1990, (1), 4 - 6
{Clinico-morphologic evaluation of the course of the wound process after treatment of suppurative wounds with the CO2 laser}; Khodos VA et al.; The complex examination and treatment of 238 patients with suppurative wounds of the soft tissues were carried out . Treating a suppurative wound by means of CO2-laser leads to reduction in microbial colonization of the tissues in its depth, accelerates maturation of granulations, wound cicatrization . The use of CO2-laser permitted to achieve primary healing of 94.3% of the wounds . The average duration of hospital stay of the patients was (9.2 +/- 1.4) days, in control--(11.8 +/- 1.6) days.

Klin Khir, 1990, (1), 29 - 30
{Experimental substantiation of the use of CO2 laser radiation for preventing suppuration of the surgical wound}; Kurbanov IA; It was revealed, that irradiation in the experiment of the spore-forming and non-spore-forming microbial cultures, irrespective of the density of growth, was accompanied by their complete destruction in density of radiant energy of the "Scalpel-1" CO2-laser equal to 32.2 J/cm2 (power density--32.2 W/cm2) and more, and exposure for 1 s.

Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1990, 74, 34 - 41
Liposomes and lipid carriers in the treatment of microbial infections; Bakker-Woudenberg IA et al.; Since antibiotic treatment of severe infections is not always successful, intensification of the antibiotic treatment is needed . Targeting of antibiotics to infected tissues or cells by encapsulation in liposomes is under investigation and may be of importance in the treatment of infections that prove refractory to conventional forms of antibiotic therapy . In animal models of intracellular infections involving the mononuclear phagocyte system--parasitic, fungal, bacterial and viral infections--an improved therapeutic index and reduced toxicity resulting from encapsulation of the antibiotics in liposomes have been demonstrated . By varying the lipid composition of the liposomes it is possible to manipulate their intracellular degradation and thereby the intracellular release and therapeutic availability of the antibiotic . Efficacy of liposome-encapsulated antibiotics in the treatment of infectious diseases outside the mononuclear phagocyte system may be realized by manipulation of the liposome composition . Evidence for this is found in the treatment of systemic fungal infections, in which liposome appear to be very effective as a carrier of amphotericin B . The most advanced application of liposome-based therapy is in this field, and clinical studies with liposome-encapsulated amphotericin B have been in progress for several years.

Adv Exp Med Biol, 1990, 277, 283 - 90
Perfluorochemicals for gas transport and improvement of cell cultures; King AT et al.; This paper has considered the effects and potential application of PFCs, their emulsions and emulsion components for regulating growth and metabolic functions of microbial, animal and plant cells in culture . PFCs will help to overcome problems encountered in conventional culture systems (e.g . limited gas supply, mechanical damage), especially where cells are grown to high density . While the commercial potential of PFCs for in vitro systems has not yet been fully exploited, the most exciting areas for future developments are in the culture of animal and plant cell lines of importance in biotechnology and medicine.

J Enzyme Inhib, 1990, 4(1), 35 - 42
Peptide diazomethyl ketones are inhibitors of subtilisin-type serine proteases; Ermer A et al.; Peptide diazomethyl ketones, well known as specific cysteine protease inhibitors are also potent inhibitors of the microbial serine proteases thermitase (EC 3.4.21.14) and subtilisin Carlsberg (EC 3.4.21.14) . The affinity of the enzymes towards the synthetic inhibitors Z-Ala(n)-PheCHN2 (n = 0, 1, 2) depends on the chain length and is in the same range as for the corresponding chloromethyl ketones . Both kinds of inhibitors react irreversibly in a 1:1 ratio with the enzymes and covalently bind to the active site histidine of both subtilisin Carlsberg and thermitase despite the fact that thermitase contains an active-site cysteinyl residue . The mechanism of the inhibition reaction is discussed.

Drugs Exp Clin Res, 1990, 16(6), 249 - 53
Inhibition of tyrosine kinase and epidermal growth factor receptor internalization by lavendustin A methyl ester in cultured A431 cells; Onoda T et al.; Lavendustin A is a novel microbial secondary metabolite that strongly inhibits tyrosine kinase in vitro . But, since it was found that it did not inhibit tyrosine kinase in situ, possibly because of its poor penetration into the cells, the authors therefore synthesized a methyl ester derivative of lavendustin A . Lavendustin A methyl ester inhibited autophosphorylation and internalization of epidermal growth factor receptor in cultured A431 cells . It also inhibited phosphatidylinositol kinase in vitro and phosphatidylinositol turnover in situ.

Ciba Found Symp, 1990, 154, 40 - 7; discussion 47-55
Ethnopharmacology and the search for new drugs; Cox PA; Bioactive molecules occur in plants as secondary metabolites and as defence mechanisms against predation, herbivores, fungal attack, microbial invasion and viral infection . Throughout the world indigenous peoples have discovered plants with pharmacological activity; many useful drugs such as vincristine, reserpine, quinine, and even aspirin, have their origins in indigenous ethnopharmacologies . Three features characterize indigenous cultures that are most likely to have discovered useful natural products: (1) possession of a conservative ethnomedical tradition with established cultural mechanisms for accurate transmission of ethnopharmacological knowledge; (2) residence in an area with a diverse flora; and (3) continuity of residence in the area over many generations . Ethnopharmacological data derived from such cultures can be considered as analogues of human bioassay data . Yet indigenous ethnomedical traditions are rapidly disappearing . To preserve indigenous discoveries and make them accessible and useful to Western medicine, collaboration is required between linguistically sophisticated ethnobotanists, pharmacognosists, natural product chemists and pharmacologists . Ethnopharmacologists must be aware of all three components of indigenous medical traditions (a cosmological foundation, a repertoire of crude natural products, and a health care delivery system) to facilitate transfer of useful compounds and information to Western medicine, as well as to protect the interests and cultural integrity of indigenous peoples.

Blood Purif, 1990, 8(4), 190 - 8
High-permeable membranes and hypersensitivity-like reactions: role of dialysis fluid contamination; Bigazzi R et al.; We have recently observed repeated hypersensitivity-like reactions (skin flush, face and tongue tingling, hypotension, and dispnea) during the first 5 min of dialysis in a small number of our dialysis population treated with high-flux membranes and traditional acetate dialysate . This prompted us to investigate the relationship between these reactions and the presence of contamination of the dialysate fluid . We hypothesized that in the presence of contaminated dialysate fluid and high-flux membranes backfiltration of pyrogens may occur through the membrane into the blood compartment, leading to hypersensitivity-like reactions . These events are more likely to occur at the onset of dialysis due to rapid changes of hydrostatic pressure gradients across the dialysis membranes . 6 out of 48 dialysis patients who experienced hypersensitivity-like reactions were followed for 4 weeks . During the 1st week they were treated with high-permeable membranes and during the 2nd week with cuprophane membranes . The dialysate showed high levels of contamination with bacteria and endotoxin during dialysis with both types of membranes (microbial count 4,123 +/- 2,756 and 1,991 +/- 1,950 colony-forming units/ml; endotoxin 26.2 +/- 8.4 and 23 +/- 4.2 endotoxin units/ml, respectively); however the symptoms occurred only during dialysis with high-flux membranes . This suggests that backfiltration of contaminated dialysate into the blood might have occurred during the early phases of dialysis only when using high-flux membranes, but not when using cuprophane membranes . To test this possibility we introduced a new dialyzer-rinsing device consisting of two simple connection lines which allow to rinse, in a concurrent manner, the dialysate and the blood compartments of the dialyzer with sterile saline solution.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pharmacol Ther, 1990, 48(3), 345 - 55
Metabolism of antimalarial sesquiterpene lactones; Lee IS et al.; Metabolism of artemisinin derivatives, which are antimalarial sesquiterpenes, appeared to lead to the production of the more polar metabolites in general . Presence of the endoperoxide moiety in the A/B ring structure seems crucial for the expression of antimalarial activity of these compounds . Microbial models served as effective predictors for the mammalian metabolism of artemisinin derivatives as well as producing quantities of metabolites for reference standards and structure elucidation studies . Combination of 2D-NMR and Thermospray HPLC/MS techniques was very useful for the structure elucidation of metabolites.

Nauchnye Doki Vyss Shkoly Biol Nauki, 1990, (11), 5 - 25
{The lipids of mycelial fungi and the prospects for the development of microbial oleo-biotechnology . I . The lipids of mycelial fungi}; Feofilova EP; The importance of mycelial fungi as a source of lipids for development of modern oleo biotechnology is considered . For this purpose the data on fungal lipid composition and the main enzymes of fatty acid synthesis in fungi as compared with procaryotes and higher eucaryotes as well the data on the effect of a number of physicochemical factors on the yield and composition of the lipids of the micromycetes are presented . The information on the fungi producers according to the lipid composition able to substitute the vegetable oil and be the source of linolic, linolenic and arachidonic acids is put forward.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1990, 35(3), 266 - 72
The influence of artificial colonization with E . coli strain O83 on the intestinal flora in infants; Slavikova M et al.; Dominant bacterial strains present in stool (with particular emphasis on E . coli strains) were examined in 4 groups of healthy infants: breast-fed and bottle-fed, colonized with E . coli O83, and control (non-colonized) breast-fed and bottle-fed newborns . The presence of fimbriae was examined by hemagglutination, the P-fimbriae-bearing strains were tested by the PPA latex test . In addition, adherence to cell line HT-29 and serotyping was performed in selected strains . The E . coli strain O83 was found to possess type 1 fimbriae . Fewer bacterial strains possessing type 1 fimbriae were found in E . coli O83-colonized infants (except the O83 serotype) than in control infants . The E . coli O83 strain colonized significantly better the breast-fed than the bottle-fed infants; its higher adherence activity was demonstrated even in cell line HT-29 . Finally, colonization with E . coli O83 influenced the character of microbial intestinal flora: the frequency of positive E . coli isolates was significantly higher in colonized (both breast- and bottle-fed) than noncolonized infants.

J Exp Pathol, 1990, 5(3), 111 - 22
The role of interferon and tumor necrosis factor in the pathogenesis of AIDS; Lau AS et al.; Cytokines including interferon (IFN) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are potent modulators of immune processes . They are synthesized in response to microbial infections and inflammation . TNF and IFN interact with other cytokines to elicit differentiation and cellular responses of specific target cells . In view of their multiple biological effects, we have postulated that dysregulation of IFN and TNF may contribute to the pathogenesis of HIV infection . Here, we review data showing that the expression of IFN-alpha receptors is down-regulated in patients with AIDS . As a consequence, HIV-infected cultured cells and cells from AIDS patients show hyporesponsiveness to IFN action . This could contribute to mechanisms by which HIV evades the antiviral activity of IFN-alpha in HIV-infected cells and raise the question of the usefulness of IFN-alpha in the treatment of end-stage AIDS . TNF is a major mediator of inflammation and sepsis and also is capable of inducing the replication of HIV . TNF synthesis and its receptor expression are upregulated by the acid-labile IFN-alpha subtype present in the sera of HIV-infected individuals . In addition, the acid-labile IFN present in AIDS sera may contribute to the pathophysiological changes in sepsis by rendering the cells from AIDS patients hypersensitive to endotoxin stimulation resulting in further synthesis of TNF . Thus aberrant regulation of these cytokines and their cognate receptors are likely contributing factors to the pathogenesis of AIDS.

Biodegradation, 1990, 1(2-3), 121 - 32
Microbial degradation of chelating agents used in detergents with special reference to nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA); Egli T et al.; The extensive use of phosphate-based detergents and agricultural fertilizers is one of the main causes of the world-wide eutrophication of rivers and lakes . To ameliorate such problems partial or total substitution of phosphates in laundry detergents by synthetic, non-phosphorus containing complexing agents is practiced in several countries . The physiological, biochemical and ecological aspects of the microbial degradation of the complexing agents most frequently used, such as polyphosphates, aminopolycarboxylates (especially of nitrilotriacetic acid), and phosphonates are reviewed.

Bioprocess Technol, 1990, 10, 15 - 69
Use of recombinant DNA technology for engineering mammalian cells to produce proteins; Kaufman RJ; The recent advances in molecular biology have merged with somatic cell genetics and cell biology to allow mammalian cells to be extremely useful for the expression of foreign genes . This chapter has focused primarily on the approaches and potential limitations to high-level expression of proteins in mammalian cells . Future developments will involve the modification of mammalian cells in order to increase the efficiency of the various steps in protein processing and secretion . The ability to genetically engineer mammalian cells to produce high levels of desired proteins is presently complemented by advances in biochemical engineering which involve the ability to grow mammalian cells in very large volumes or at very high densities with reduced serum requirements . As a result, the cost for production of gram quantities of a protein from a mammalian host cell are approaching the cost of proteins from a mammalian host cell are approaching the cost of proteins similarly derived from microbial systems with all the advantages that mammalian systems afford.

Bioprocess Technol, 1990, 9, 143 - 75
Enzymatic cell lysis for product release; Asenjo JA et al.; The development of expression systems for recombinant proteins and recombinant protein particles which cannot be secreted and are located in specific cell locations necessitates the development of novel, more selective techniques for cell lysis and or product release . Mechanical cell disruption methods do not discriminate the release of the desired product from among a host of other contaminating molecules and cell debris, and they may also damage the protein product . In contrast, the use of lytic enzyme systems, which can provide biological specificity to the process of cell lysis and product release, shows an interesting potential for controlled lysis . In this chapter we have reviewed the enzymes presently available for cell lysis of bacteria and yeast and have described mathematical models developed to describe the process of lysis, particularly of yeast cells, including simple, structured, and population balance models . Factors affecting the kinetics of lytic enzyme reactions, enzyme recovery, and the effect on downstream operations as well as conditions for use have been discussed . Sources of lytic enzymes and latest developments on enzyme production have been reviewed . Finally, the potential for large-scale use of lytic enzyme technology has been discussed . The design and use of lytic enzyme systems for differential product release from microbial cells have been reviewed . Lytic enzyme systems are usually specific either for yeast or for different types of bacteria . The activity profile of a lytic system will have an effect on the product distribution . This profile can be manipulated at the genetic, physiological, production reactor, enzyme purification, and lysis reactor levels . Alternative process designs that will allow the sequential release of products from different cell locations are discussed . Alternatives are explored by process modeling, process simulation, and optimization techniques . These studies show that the use of lytic enzyme systems has tremendous promise as a method of controlled lysis and differential product release.

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 1990 Jan, 32(4), 485 - 9
Effect of the addition of microbial surfactants on hydrocarbon degradation in a soil population in a stirred reactor; Oberbremer A et al.; The hydrocarbon degradation rate could be doubled by the addition of sophorose lipids as biosurfactants in a model system containing 10% soil and a 1.35% hydrocarbon mixture of tetradecane, pentadecane, hexadecene, 1,2,4-trimethylcyclohexane, pristane (2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane) phenyldecane and naphthalene suspended in mineral salts medium . The adaptation phases for two degradation phases were shortened, and the extent of degradation and final biomass were increased . The added biosurfactants were degraded after they had facilitated degradation of all hydrocarbon components.

J Ind Microbiol, 1990 Jan, 5(1), 45 - 57
Environmental factors influencing methanogenesis in a shallow anoxic aquifer: a field and laboratory study; Beeman RE et al.; The environmental factors influencing methanogenesis in a shallow anoxic aquifer were probed in a combined field and laboratory study . Field data collected over a year revealed that 'in situ' rates of methane production were depressed in winter and elevated in summer . Over the same period, ground water pH values ranged from 6.0 to 7.8 while temperatures varied from 7-22 degrees C . 'In situ' methanogenesis was severely inhibited at temperatures less than 13 degrees C or by pH values less than 7 . The influence of these factors on microbial methane formation from both endogenous and exogenous substrates were tested in aquifer slurries adjusted to pH 5-9 and incubated at temperatures ranging from 5-45 degrees C . Temperature optima for methane production from endogenous substrates varied as a function of pH, but the pH optimum was 8 at all temperatures . Optimal conditions for acetoclastic methanogenesis were found at pH 8 and 35 degrees C . An analysis of variance revealed that pH, temperature, and a pH-temperature interaction are all significant variables influencing aquifer methanogenesis . In addition transient sulfate accumulations were also found to limit methane production in some areas . A comparison of field and laboratory methane production patterns suggest that pH, temperature, and sulfate accumulations are important, but not the only environmental variables influencing the mineralization of organic matter in shallow aquifers.

FEBS Lett, 1989 Dec 18, 259(1), 61 - 3
Potent selective inhibitors of protein kinase C; Davis PD et al.; A series of potent, selective inhibitors of protein kinase C has been derived from the structural lead provided by the microbial broth products, staurosporine and K252a . Our inhibitors block PCK in intact cells (platelets and T cells), and prevent the proliferation of mononuclear cells in response to interleukin 2 (IL2).

Zentralbl Hyg Umweltmed, 1989 Dec, 189(3), 266 - 71
{The mutagenicity of organic microcontaminants in the environment . IV . The mutagenicity of volatile organic halogens in the SOS-chromotest}; Mersch-Sundermann V et al.; To determine the sensitivity and responsibility of microbial shortterm-tests for detection of the mutagenic potency of volatile halogenated hydrocarbons (OHC) 18 pure substances from the groups of halomethanes, -ethanes and ethylenes were examined with the SOS-Chromotest . The strain Escherichia coli PQ37 was used in the standard procedure (macro procedure) with and without metabolic activation by Aroclor 1254 induced rat-liver microsomes . Although the selected OHC were tested to high doses, none of the tested compounds showed mutagenic effects in Escherichia coli PQ37 . Also those OHC's, which showed positive results in the Ames test or being suspected of carcinogenicity, showed no positive results in the SOS-Chromotest . Therefore, the standard procedure of SOS-Chromotest is not suitable to detect the mutagenicity of volatile organic and halogenated compounds . Supplementary investigations with modified methods are necessary to check the results, because there is a good correlation between Ames test and SOS-Chromotest by testing other groups of compounds.

Chest, 1989 Dec, 96(6), 1393 - 9
Lung defenses against opportunistic infections; Lipscomb MF; This review has examined the possible role of CMI in providing protection against three pathogens that can be opportunists in the lung . Monoclonal antibodies that identify the cellular components of the immune response and recombinant cytokines are important tools to better understand how pulmonary immunity is regulated . Although not discussed in detail, recombinant microbial antigens are useful for understanding various aspects of protective immunity and immunosuppression as well as for advancing vaccine development . There are important problems to address in order to continue steady progress in understanding pulmonary defenses, including some of those mentioned in this brief review . There should be an increased use of infectious models that more closely mimic naturally occurring infections, and comparisons should be made between results obtained with parenteral versus intrapulmonary routes of infection.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1989 Dec, 108(12), 730 - 2
{The effect of hydrocortisone on neutrophil functional activity}; Maianskii DN et al.; The male (CBA X C57BL) FI mice received 125 mg of hydrocortisone per kg body weight intraperitoneally . The functional activity of neutrophils has been evaluated by means of nitroblue terazolium test (NBT-test) values taken before or after heat-killed S . marcescens cell stimulation in vitro by 2, 12, 24 h 3, 7 or 14 days post hormonal treatment . Throughout the 1st day after hydrocortisone administration the NBT-test values taken prior to as well as post microbial neutrophil stimulation were steadily increased . This effect could be seen as early as 2 h post hormone administration and it was linked with growing leukopenia and total decrease of blood granulocyte content . By the 3rd day the same very values turned up to become normal . The NBT-test values after microbial stimulation of neutrophils were 1.7 or 2.4 lower after hydrocortisone had been added to blood in vitro in a dose 3.5 X 10(-6) M or 7 X 10(-5) M.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 1989 Dec, 10(12), 557 - 61
Microbial contamination of arterial infusions used for hemodynamic monitoring: a randomized trial of contamination with sampling through conventional stopcocks versus a novel closed system; Crow S et al.; Arterial catheters are now commonly used to monitor blood pressure and obtain blood samples for arterial blood gas and other laboratory determinations . Stopcocks inserted into the pressure monitoring circuit have been the primary means of obtaining blood from arterial catheters . However, these stopcock systems have been associated with nosocomial contamination and bacteremias . Because of the problems of bacterial contamination and blood wasting with the stopcock sampling systems, we compared the frequency and extent of contamination of external sampling ports and the monitoring tubing fluid in stopcocks with that of a novel closed needle-sampling system (Lab-Site, Migada Ltd, Rehovot, Israel), incorporated into pressure monitoring tubing (Abbott Laboratories Inc., North Chicago, Illinois) . We found that use of the novel sampling system resulted in significantly fewer episodes of internal bacterial contamination of the arterial monitoring line (7%) than did the use of a stopcock system (61%) . External contamination of the sampling port was also lower in the novel system (8%) than in the stopcock system (37%) . This suggests that the closed system may reduce the risk of nosocomial infections in patients requiring arterial pressure monitoring.

J Anim Sci, 1989 Dec, 67(12), 3425 - 36
Feed intake, digestion and digesta characteristics of cattle fed Bermudagrass or orchardgrass alone or with ground barley or corn; Brake AC et al.; Feed intake, digestion and digesta characteristics of cattle fed bermudagrass (BG) or orchardgrass (OG) alone or with supplemental ground corn or barley were determined in two 6 x 6 latin squares with 2 x 3 factorial treatment arrangements . In Exp . 1, beef cows (Hereford, Angus and Hereford-Angus; 452 kg) cannulated in the rumen and duodenum were fed BG (7.9% CP, 79% NDF and 8.7% ADL) or OG (9.8% CP, 79% NDF and 7.2% ADL) hays at 1.2% of BW per day either alone or with added ground barley (.64% BW) or ground corn (.60% BW daily) . The increase in microbial OM flow with corn was greater for OG than for BG; corn elevated microbial OM flow more than did barley with OG but less than with BG (forage type x grain source interaction; P less than .10) . The increase in total tract OM digestion with grain was greater for BG than for OG (supplementation effect and forage type x supplementation interaction; P less than 05) . In Exp . 2, Holstein steers (228 kg) were fed BG and OG hays ad libitum either alone or with addition of either 1.07% of BW per day of barley or 1.00% BW of corn . Total DM intake was 2.19, 3.03 and 2.82% BW for BG and 2.14, 2.80 and 2.52% BW for OG alone or with barley or corn supplements, respectively, being affected by forage type, grain supplementation, grain type and a forage type x grain supplementation interaction (P less than .05) . Organic matter digested daily (g/d) was higher for OG than for BG, higher with than without grain and higher for barley than for corn (P less than .05).

Biomed Environ Mass Spectrom, 1989 Dec, 18(12), 1046 - 50
Analysis of glycolipids by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry; Bosch MP et al.; The positive and negative ion fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectra of four glycolipids obtained from microbial cultures are reported . The spectra of the glycolipids in the positive ion mode are characterized by abundant {M + Na}+, {M + Na + matrix}+ and {M + 2Na - H}+ species . In negative FAB conditions the molecules yield {M - H}- . Our understanding of the FAB behaviour of glycolipids in both positive and negative modes has been considerably aided in the structure elucidation, without any derivatization or degradation reaction of the compounds studied . The technique allows unambiguous molecular weight determination of low-microgram amounts of these glycolipids purified from biological sources and provides useful fragmentation information.

Ann Thorac Surg, 1989 Dec, 48(6), 882 - 6
Organ procurement for pulmonary transplantation; Zenati M et al.; Selection of suitable donors is critical to the success of clinical pulmonary transplantation . Requirements for lung donors, management before explantation, and methods of preservation were reviewed for the 70 heart-lung, eight double-lung, and two single-lung transplantations performed at the University of Pittsburgh since 1982 . Careful observation of trends of hyperoxygenation studies, chest roentgenograms, and Gram stain and culture results of tracheal secretions, as well as findings on bronchoscopy, can help identify which lungs not only have adequate function but are acceptable for transplantation . In spite of the rigid criteria used, 76% of tracheal cultures from donors deemed acceptable grew organisms . The presence of oropharyngeal flora has been shown to correlate with the development of early intrathoracic infections in the recipient . Prophylactic broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment of the donor is desirable to treat microbial contamination that could cause focal injury to the donor lung and predispose to infection in the recipient . Acceptance of less than ideal donors is ill-advised even though rejection of such donors conflicts with the current shortage of organs.

Vrach Delo, 1989 Dec, (12), 81 - 3
{The relation of disorders of the blood acid-base equilibrium to immunologic and neurohumoral changes in patients with eczema}; Shulipa IV et al.; A study of patients with real and microbial eczema showed a direct relation between blood pH, partial pressure, oxygen saturation of the blood and excess of bases and an inverse relation between these values and partial pressure of blood carbon dioxide . A marked inverse relationship was found between the concentration of histamine, serotonin, immunoglobulin G, local autohemolysis and extension of the eczematous process on the one hand and blood pH, partial pressure of oxygen, blood oxygen saturation, excess of bases on the other . The revealed changes give the possibility to design an assumed scheme of development of the eczematous process.

Diabetes Res, 1989 Dec, 12(4), 173 - 6
Impaired sweating in the diabetic neuropathic foot and its influence on skin flora; Newrick PG et al.; Three groups each of 10 subjects, were defined by clinical and neurophysiological studies: diabetic with neuropathy (Group A), diabetic without neuropathy (Group B) and normal control (Group C) . Sweating on the foot was quantified and the bacterial flora on the dorsum of the foot and deltoid area were examined . There were no significant differences in type of density of bacterial species found on either foot or deltoid regions between any of the three groups . Diabetics free of clinical infection have a similar skin microbial flora to non-diabetics even when sweating is seriously impaired . It is therefore unlikely that a change in the resident microbial flora is involved in the propensity of diabetic neuropathic patients to foot ulceration and infection.

Infect Dis Clin North Am, 1989 Dec, 3(4), 683 - 700
Molecular analysis of nosocomial epidemics; John JF Jr; Newer developments in molecular biology offer the hospital epidemiologist and clinical microbiologist powerful tools for analysis of nosocomial epidemics . Plasmid fingerprinting and genomic REA are rapid and often more definitive alternatives to serotyping and biotyping . Isolation of specific plasmids for special study involves more complicated manipulations . Polypeptide patterns, though at times diffuse in appearance, can be easily produced with SDS-PAGE of whole cells or outer membranes . Specific monoclonal antibodies as probes for individual proteins can generate more definitive answers about the exact type of protein(s) present . Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLE) has become an ingenious tool for characterizing closely related nosocomial bacterial strains . The newest molecular methods using ribotyping, DNA probes, and the PCR will open many doors into the microbial genomes that were previously closed to the hospital microbial detective . These advances will compel hospitals to plan for their funding and implementation . Yet, like other scientific progress, the new biology in the nosocomial setting will raise as many questions as it will answer.

Int J Cancer, 1989 Nov 15, 44(5), 865 - 70
Staurosporine stimulates expression of the urokinase-type (u-PA) plasminogen activator in LLC-PK1 cells; Dierks-Ventling C et al.; In LLC-PK1 porcine epithelial cells, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) mRNA and protein can be induced either by stimulation of the protein kinase C (PKC) pathway using a tumor promoter (PMA) or by stimulation of the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway with calcitonin (SCT) . By contrast, addition of 10(-7) M staurosporine, an inhibitor of PKC, to LLC-PK1 cells also stimulated urokinase production . In contrast to the in vitro situation (where staurosporine inhibited PKC activity), in the cell-culture system the microbial agent caused an early translocation of PKC and inhibited PKA . Addition of staurosporine together with PMA or with SCT further increased urokinase mRNA and protein synthesis . Maximal stimulation was obtained when all 3 agents were added together . We thus assume that in LLC-PK1 cells the PKA and PKC signal-transferring pathways can function independently.

J Immunol Methods, 1989 Nov 13, 124(1), 137 - 41
The effect of storage of antigen-coated polystyrene microwells on the detection of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi by enzyme immunoassay (EIA); Viljanen MK et al.; Qualitative and quantitative changes in the antigenic mosaic of coated solid-phase matrices occurring during storage may have a pronounced effect on the comparability of results obtained by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) . We have used, as a model antigen for studying the effects of storage, a sonic extract of Borrelia burgdorferi and a totally automatic EIA procedure . The IgM antibody concentrations of the sera originally determined to be high decreased by almost one half during 1 week's storage of the solid phase of 4 degrees C . In contrast, the IgM values of other sera, originally measured at medium or low, doubled upon storage . Thus, after storage the rank order of the sera was markedly affected compared to the values obtained with antigen freshly applied to the wells . In parallel determinations of IgG antibody levels the EIU relative unitage values of the test sera generally remained constant upon storage . The only exception was the serum with the highest original antibody concentration . Its relative antibody unitage more than tripled over the storage time . It is recommended that the coating of solid-phase matrices should be done immediately before each run in all EIAs where microbial extracts are used as antigens.

Anal Chem, 1989 Nov 1, 61(21), 2388 - 91
Microbial sensor for preliminary screening of mutagens utilizing a phage induction test; Karube I et al.; For the preliminary screening of mutagens, a novel microbial sensor system was developed utilizing a phage induction test . Escherichia coli lysogenic strain GY5027 and nonlysogenic strain GY5026 were used in this study . The number of living cells was determined by measuring the respiration of cells immobilized onto an oxygen electrode . The injection of a mutagen, such as AF-2 and MNNG, caused the phage induction in the lysogenic strain, resulting in the decreased respiration of only the lysogenic strain immobilized onto the oxygen electrode but not of nonlysogenic strain . The rate of current increase correlated well with the concentration of mutagens . The sensor responses to the antibiotics and bactericides were definitely different from those of mutagens . Therefore, utilization of this microbial sensor system makes possible the estimation of a substrate's mutagenicity.

Clin Immunol Immunopathol, 1989 Nov, 53(2 Pt 2), S83 - 91
Theoretical mechanisms by which immunoglobulin therapy might benefit myasthenia gravis; Zweiman B; The mechanisms underlying any clinical improvement observed in some patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) treated with normal immunoglobulin (Ig) are not defined . The pathologic alterations in the postsynaptic motor end plate in MG are likely due at least in part to one or more actions of antibodies against epitopes on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (anti-AChR Ab) . Such anti-AChR Ab are secreted by B lymphocytes and are increased in the serum of MG patients but not of controls . The stimulus for anti-AChR Ab production in MG is unknown with evidence for a role of thymic abnormalities, immunoregulatory disturbances, and some possible molecular mimicry of exogenous antigens (microbial?) . Postulated mechanisms underlying Ig effects in MG include: (i) competing with anti-AChR for binding to AChR; (ii) preventing attachment of Fc receptor-positive inflammatory cells to the anti-AChR Ab bound to the motor end plate; (iii) decreasing synthesis of anti-AChR Ab; and (iv) exerting an anti-idiotypic effect . Evidence for these mechanisms are discussed.

Rev Bras Biol, 1989 Nov, 49(4), 1039 - 51
{Natural microbial control of crickets populations (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae: Scapteriscus borellii): regulation of populations aggregated in time and space}; Fowler HG; From 1983 through 1988, a total of 1,762 collections, containing 31,312 individuals of the mole cricket, Scapteriscus borellii, were made, principally in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil . Collections were found to fit a negative binomial distribution both as whole and when divided into monthly collections . In these collections, an iridovirus, a entomogenous nematode, and the fungi Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana, Paecilomyces sp., and Entomophtora sp., were found to be agents of natural mortality, although usually as endozootics and relatively rarely as epizootics and panzootics . As a group, these diseases were also distributed in a binomial negative . These data suggest that the temporal and spatial aggregations of the mole crickets, produced by high rates of migration among suitable habitats, are adaptations to outbreaks of epidemics, which also serve as mole cricket population regulators . These ideas are develop and derived from simple mathematical models of population change.

J Pharm Belg, 1989 Nov-Dec, 44(6), 411 - 9
{Microbial contamination of raw materials of plant origin: incidence in cosmetic preparations}; Dony J et al.; The authors discuss their data on quantitative and qualitative microbial contamination of vegetal raw materials and some cosmetics . Microbial limits are proposed for the cosmetics.

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1989 Nov-Dec, 12(6), 457 - 61
Comparison of two commercial broth-culture systems for microbial detection in dialysates of patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis; Saubolle MA et al.; The capability of two commercial systems was studied for microbial detection in dialysis effluents from patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) . Two methods of processing dialysate from patients on CAPD were compared: (a) direct inoculation of 10 ml of dialysate into a single bottle broth culture system (Signal; Oxoid, U.S.A., Columbia, Maryland) and 5 ml into each of two BACTEC blood culture bottles (Johnston Laboratories, Towson, Maryland); and (b) centrifugation of 50 ml of dialysate and culture of the sediment in an Oxoid bottle . Of the 196 specimens cultured, 99 (51%) yielded growth . Recovery rates of significant isolates were 95% for the BACTEC system, 89% for the Oxoid system, and 88% for the centrifugation-Oxoid system . Recovery of eight isolates from the Oxoid system was by subculture rather than a visual "signal." The Oxoid system is a practical, cost-effective, alternative culture method for effluents from CAPD patients in laboratories not having access to the BACTEC system.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Nov, 55(11), 2773 - 8
Characterization of the acclimation period before anaerobic dehalogenation of halobenzoates; Linkfield TG et al.; The acclimation periods prior to detectable dehalogenation of halogenated benzoates in anaerobic lake sediments ranged from 3 weeks to 6 months . These acclimation periods were reproducible over time and among sampling sites and were characteristic of the chemical tested . The lengthy acclimation period appears to represent an induction phase in which little or no aryl dehalogenation is observed, followed by an exponential increase in activity typical of an enrichment response . Continuous growth from the time of the first exposure to the chemical is inconsistent with the extremely low per-cell activities estimated for the early days of the acclimation period and the fact that the dehalogenation yields no carbon to support microbial growth . The finding of a characteristic acclimation time for each chemical argues against nutritional deficiency, inhibition, or predation as an explanation for this phase of metabolism, while the reproducibility of the findings with time and space and among replicates argues against genetic changes as the explanation . The acclimation times did correlate with the eventual dehalogenation rates . This may reflect the general energy limitations in the anaerobic communities and suggests that those chemicals with faster dehalogenation rates provide more energy for the induction and growth phases of the active population.

Arch Tierernahr, 1989 Nov, 39(11), 963 - 70
{Determination of the benzo(a)pyrene content of microbial biomasses and protein feed}; Schadlich G et al.; A method for the fluorimetric determination of benzo(a)pyrene content is presented consisting of classical clean-up steps . The method was applied to microbial biomasses and different feed stuffs . The investigated yeasts grown on carbohydrates keep the limit of 5 ppb benzo(a)-pyrene recommended by the IUPAC . Yeast samples of the VEB Petrolchemisches Kombinat Schwedt grown on petroleum distillate have a constant quality with benzo(a)pyrene contents at 1 ppb . A selection of bacterial biomasses shows also contents less than 5 ppb . The benzo(a)pyrene contents of biomasses cultivated on liquid manure exceed the given limit.

Biol Chem Hoppe Seyler, 1989 Nov, 370(11), 1191 - 6
Microbial metabolism of quinoline and related compounds . III . Degradation of 3-chloroquinoline-8-carboxylic acid by Pseudomonas spec . EK III; Tibbles PE et al.; Bacteria have been isolated with the ability to use 3-chloroquinoline-8-carboxylic acid as sole source of carbon and energy . According to their physiological properties, these bacteria have been classified as Pseudomonas spec . Two metabolites of the degradation pathway have been isolated and identified . The first metabolite was 3-(3-carboxy-3-oxopropenyl)-2-hydroxy-5-chloropyridine, the meta-cleavage product of 3-chloro-7,8-dihydroxyquinoline . The second metabolite, 5-chloro-2-hydroxynicotinic acid, was not further metabolized by this organisms.

Z Gesamte Hyg, 1989 Nov, 35(11), 668 - 70
{Cleaning and disinfection in the area of processing and manufacturing of food from animal origins}; Kleiner U et al.; Contrary to cleaning and disinfection as regards prophylactic and special measures, food production is aiming at achieving a status of hygiene that avoids a hasty microbial spoilage of foodstuffs, that reduces the potential risk of food intoxications and infections to a minimum already in the production process, and that meets the aesthetic requirements of the consumer . Plans for cleaning and disinfection considering characteristic features of the factory are to be elaborated according to legal provisions . They should take those items into account as existing risk areas, indicator factors to find out the status of hygiene, the selection of cleaning and disinfection agents, methods of cleaning and disinfection, and the plans for checking the hygiene status . The cleaning and disinfections process involves the application of cleaning agents with disinfection effects and of disinfection agents . Principal mistakes made in cleaning and disinfection are being discussed about taking practical experience into close consideration . Sanitary programmes are to be realized as a complete sanitary chain, the realization of which requires a high consciousness of hygiene.

Sci Total Environ, 1989 Nov, 87-88, 381 - 95
Effects of cadmium on a microbial food chain, Chlamydomonas reinhardii and Tetrahymena vorax; Lawrence SG et al.; A steady-state microbial food chain consisting of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardii and the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena vorax was established in a two-stage, nitrogen-limited chemostat . The lowest concentration of cadmium which produced a toxic effect at the population level was between 7.5 and 10 micrograms l-1 . The algal population acclimated to the presence of cadmium up to 40 micrograms l-1 added in increments over time, but demonstrated lowered cell numbers and reduced cell weights . Protozoan populations acclimated to 40 micrograms Cd l-1 added incrementally if the rate of dilution was lowered . Abrupt elevation of the cadmium concentration to 40 micrograms l-1 resulted in extreme fluctuations in the specific growth rates of both populations and the incipient loss of all cells from the system (washout).

Br J Nutr, 1989 Nov, 62(3), 601 - 19
Nutrient supply and growth of cattle offered straw-based diets; Ortigues I et al.; An experiment was conducted using steers cannulated at the rumen, duodenum and ileum to study the effects of increasing the levels of barley and fishmeal in straw-based diets . Diets A, B, C and D contained ammonia-treated straw, barley and fishmeal in the ratios, 67:33:0, 66:23:11, 53:47:0 and 52:36:12 (by weight) and were offered in daily amounts of 3.9, 3.9, 4.8 and 4.8 kg dry matter . The effects of barley were attributable to increased intakes of digestible organic matter and consequently to increased flows of microbial matter to the duodenum . There were no modifications in the balance of energy to nitrogen-yielding nutrients available for absorption . Introducing fishmeal into diets improved digestibility of cellulose and xylose by up to 6.7 and 4.7% respectively, and shifted digestion towards the large intestine . Second, it increased amino acid N supply to the small intestine which averaged 52.2, 63.2, 68.8 and 84.0 g/d with diets A, B, C and D . Some changes were also noted in the balance of amino acids absorbed . Consequently, the contribution of amino acids to metabolizable energy intake increased with the proportion of fishmeal in diets (0.17, 0.20, 0.18 and 0.21 for diets A, B, C and D) . Growth rates measured in heifers amounted to 259, 431, 522 and 615 g/d for diets A, B, C and D . They appeared to be related to intestinal amino acid supply.

J Steroid Biochem, 1989 Nov, 33(5), 927 - 34
Microbial transformations of steroids--V . Transformation of progesterone by whole cells and extracts of Botryosphaerica obtusa; Smith KE et al.; Members of the genus Botryosphaerica are reported 7 alpha steroid hydroxylators {1} . We found that the species B . obtusa efficiently hydroxylated progesterone in a 1-day transformation but it gave 7 beta-hydroxyprogesterone as the main product rather than the expected 7 alpha-hydroxy isomer, which was produced in only trace amounts . Also formed in minor amounts were 6 beta-, possibly 9 alpha- (see main text), 14 alpha- and 15 beta-monohydroxyprogesterones . The transformation mixtures included appreciable amounts of dihydroxylated progesterones which were mainly based on 7 beta-hydroxyprogesterone . The second hydroxyl group was at one of the minor monohydroxylation sites . The relative concentrations of the progesterone diols increased and those of the mono-alcohols concomitantly decreased when transformation was extended beyond 1 day . Monohydroxylated 6-dehydroprogesterones began to accumulate after about 3 days and these compounds seemed to have been formed by 6,7-dehydration of the dihydroxyprogesterones . We prepared mycelial cell-free extracts which were capable of transforming progesterone and retained the site-specificity of whole cells . These extracts converted 7 beta-hydroxyprogesterone to its 6-dehydro derivative, confirming that ring B desaturation occurs in this organism by dehydration . The dehydratase activity necessary for the conversion was separable from the hydroxylase activity by ultra-centrifugation . All hydroxylase activity co-sedimented with the membrane fraction, implying that steroid hydroxylation is effected by a membrane-bound enzyme(s) . Dehydratase activity was present in both the pellet and the supernatant fractions, which suggests that it may involve a loosely bound, and easily removed, membrane-associated enzyme.

Pharm Res, 1989 Nov, 6(11), 982 - 7
Microbial models of mammalian metabolism: stereoselective metabolism of warfarin in the fungus Cunninghamella elegans; Wong YW et al.; Biotransformation stereoselectivity of warfarin was studied in the fungus Cunninghamella elegans (ATCC 36112) as a model of mammalian metabolism . This organism was previously shown to produce all known phenolic mammalian metabolites of warfarin, including 6-, 7-, 8-, and 4'-hydroxywarfarin, and the previously unreported 3'-hydroxywarfarin, as well as the diastereomeric warfarin alcohols, warfarin diketone, and aliphatic hydroxywarfarins . Using S-warfarin and R-warfarin as substrates, and an HPLC assay with fluorescence detection to analyze metabolite profiles, the biotransformation of warfarin was found to be highly substrate and product stereoselective . Both aromatic hydroxylation and ketone reduction were found to be stereoselective for R-warfarin . Ketone reduction with the warfarin enantiomers exhibited a high level of product stereoselectivity in that R-warfarin was predominantly reduced to its S-alcohol, while S-warfarin was reduced primarily to the corresponding R-alcohol.

J Appl Bacteriol, 1989 Nov, 67(5), 483 - 8
A predictive model for combined temperature and water activity on microbial growth during the growth phase; Davey KR; An empirical and generalized model is presented, based on a modified Arrhenius equation, for predicting the combined effect of temperature and water activity on the growth rate of bacteria . When it was applied to seven separate sets of wide ranging published results, spanning some 50 years and including a spore-former and a silage micro-organism, predictions explained between 92.9 and 99.0% of the variation in the results with an overall mean of 96.6% . Advantages over existing models are that it is relatively easy to fit to data using least squares regression and requires only five coefficients . These, together with its simplicity and demonstrated wide application, will facilitate its practical use.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1989 Nov, 42(11), 1698 - 703
Microbial conversion of anthracyclinones to carminomycins by a blocked mutant of Actinomadura roseoviolacea; Nakagawa M et al.; New anthracycline antibiotics, 1-hydroxy-11-deoxycarminomycin II and 11-deoxycarminomycin II were produced by a blocked mutant MuW1 of Actinomadura roseoviolacea from epsilon-pyrromycinone and aklavinone, respectively . We found that the enzyme catalyzing hydroxylation at the C-11 position was not lost but was down regulated in the strain MuW1.

Poult Sci, 1989 Nov, 68(11), 1527 - 34
Effect of vitamin C, environmental temperature, chlortetracycline, and vitamin D3 on the development of tibial dyschondroplasia in chickens; Edwards HM Jr; Seven experiments were conducted to test the influence of dietary supplementary ascorbic acid on the development of tibial dyschondroplasia in broiler chickens . Ascorbic acid supplementation significantly reduced the incidence and number of birds with a large mass of cartilage in the tibia in the first experiment but not in the two subsequent experiments . Because environmental temperature, microbial infection, and vitamin D3 status had been reported in the literature to influence ascorbic acid metabolism in the chicken, experiments were conducted to see if these variables could influence supplemental ascorbic acid effects on development of tibial dyschondroplasia . Results of the experiments indicated that none of these factors influenced the effect of ascorbic acid on the development of tibial dyschondroplasia . The presence of vitamin D3 in the diet significantly influences the incidence of this disorder.

Blood, 1989 Nov 1, 74(6), 1885 - 7
Inhibition of chemotaxis Ng-monomethyl-L-arginine: a role for cyclic GMP; Kaplan SS et al.; The metabolism of L-arginine to nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to be important for the effector functions of many cell types, including polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes . Its effect appears to be mediated at least in part by NO stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase . We evaluated the role of this pathway in two PMN effector functions: cell movement and microbial killing, using the competitive inhibitor of L-arginine conversion to NO, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMA) . We also evaluated the effect of additional L-arginine and dibutyryl cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) on any NMA-associated changes . Human peripheral blood neutrophils were used and the cells were incubated with and without NMA . Chemotaxis was evaluated using a 48-well micro-Boyden chamber . Microbial killing was evaluated using S aureus strains D2C and 502A . These studies demonstrated that chemotaxis to formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine was markedly inhibited in NMA-treated cells . This inhibition could be overcome if L-arginine or dibutyryl cGMP were added with the NMA . In contrast, microbial killing of S aureus was unaffected by NMA . These observations support the hypothesis that the L-arginine metabolism to NO and its effect on the cGMP level may be important for the dynamic changes required for neutrophil chemotaxis.

Khirurgiia (Mosk), 1989 Nov, (11), 103 - 6
{Surgical debridement of wounds in children using CO2 laser}; Livshits IuL; Experience in the use of the CO2 laser beam in complex surgical debridement of primary traumatic wounds in 77 children showed that in a power density range of 15 to the Wt/cm2 it led to a sharp decrease of microbial dissemination in the wound and in 81.3% of cases to sterility of the wound surface . Carbon-dioxide laser radiation has an effect on the surface leucocytic-necrotic layer, replacing it with a narrow zone of thermal coagulation necrosis, and on the polymorphonuclear leucocytes lying in the thickness of the tissue of the wound wall at different depths . As compared to the control group of patients (86 children with 91 wounds), the incidence of suppurations reduced from 14.2 to 2.6%.

Rev Infect Dis, 1989 Nov-Dec, 11 Suppl 7, S1551 - 63
Considerations for the prevention of infectious complications in patients with cancer; Pizzo PA; Methods of preventing the infectious complications that occur in patients undergoing therapy for cancer have been the focus of considerable research . Because infections arise from both the endogenous microbial flora and newly acquired organisms and because the pathogens include bacteria, fungi, viruses, and/or parasites and affect a number of different body sites, it has been difficult to conceive of a single or simple method of controlling these multiple infectious etiologies . The suppression or elimination of the host's own microbial flora by the use of various prophylactic antibiotics and the reduction in the patient's acquisition of new organisms by the use of isolation techniques have received the greatest attention . While a number of these approaches (including total protected isolation, nonabsorbable antibiotics, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, selective decontamination, and most recently the quinolones) have appeared to reduce the incidence of infections, few have stood the test of time . The advantages and disadvantages of each of these methods are reviewed, and newer promising areas for current and future investigation are considered.

J Immunol, 1989 Nov 1, 143(9), 2844 - 9
T lymphocytes from healthy individuals with specificity to self-epitopes shared by the mycobacterial and human 65-kilodalton heat shock protein; Munk ME et al.; The immune response to mycobacterial pathogens comprises a significant percentage of T cells with specificity for a 65-kDa heat shock protein (hsp) which is highly conserved in bacteria and man . PBMC were activated in vitro with killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis and afterward tested for CTL activity on autologous target cells primed with 1) killed M . tuberculosis, 2) intact recombinant 65-kDa hsp of Mycobacterium bovis/M . tuberculosis; or 3) tryptic fragments of the recombinant 65-kDa hsp . Strong CTL activity was observed on targets primed with killed M . tuberculosis or with tryptic fragments of the 65-kDa hsp, but not on those primed with the intact 65-kDa hsp . M . tuberculosis activated T cells from 2/13 donors tested exerted killer activity against unprimed targets . To assess whether T cell responses were directed against self-epitopes shared by the mycobacterial and human 65-kDa hsp, four peptides of at least 10 amino acids length were synthesized corresponding to fully or almost identical regions of these molecules . Peripheral blood T cells from 8/9 individuals tested, after activation with killed M . tuberculosis, expressed strong CTL activity toward autologous targets primed with one or more of these synthetic peptides . By using HLA-DR transfected murine L cells we found that the epitopes were recognized in the context of histocompatible HLA-DR (class II) molecules . We conclude that the demonstration of T cells with specificity to self-epitopes in vitro is not indicative for autoimmune disease . However, if at certain stages of infection such T cells are activated by crossreactive microbial epitopes they could cause autoimmune responses.

Ann Ig, 1989 Nov-Dec, 1(6), 1431 - 43
{Bacterial anti-Ig activity}; Del Piano M et al.; The production of the five classes of immunoglobulins represents the highest grade of the various system of defence the man puts in act against the microbial attack . So bacteria fight in several levels across the different stages of human antibodies synthesis processes and action, trying for cancelling the effect . Therefore, a more exact definition of the mechanisms of bacterial actions against human immunoglobulins would permit us to intervene in a more efficacious way in favour of defence powers of the human organism . In this way we could improve the knowledge of the bacterial damage process, increase the means of human immunization, and our therapy attempts . We analyzed therefore in this study the different defence mechanisms that bacteria use against human immunoglobulins . Bacteria can avoid "a priori" or divert antibodies formation, by synthesis of surface structural identical to components of the host . Bacteria can stop or hinder transmission of antigenic message working against the phagocytosis mechanisms . Bacteria can stop or lessen antibodies synthesis process . Bacteria can avoid specific contact with antibodies, especially, by masking the microbial surface . Bacteria can change their superficial structures to avoid antibodies action . Bacteria can destroy antibodies by synthesis of protease activity capable of hydrolyzing globulins.

Lakartidningen, 1989 Oct 25, 86(43), 3653 - 4
{Results of an inquiry: the preventive aspect of sexual transmission is an important part of the work of family planning departments}; Persson E et al.; PIP: The effects of the current campaign in Sweden to decrease the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are difficult to evaluate because little data is available on the sexual habits of Swedish people during the time before the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) campaign began . This paper presents the results of a limited survey which was performed in 1987 with 189 pregnant women who were admitted to 2 maternal care centers in northern Stockholm and who agreed to participate anonymously by answering a multiple choice questionnaire . The women ranged in age from 18-44 years with a mean of 28.2 . 93% of them were married or living with someone; 5% had a steady partner but were not living with him; and 2% were alone . 39% of the women stated that they had some type of sexually transmitted disease (chlamydia, gonorrhea, condyloma, herpes, trichomonas, syphilis, crab lice, cervicitis-salpingitis without known microbial genesis) . 1.3 of these women belonged to the group who had had 5 partners . This survey shows that a population of ordinary Swedish women who were planning a birth during 1989 had good knowledge of, and had access to, contraceptives . Although the majority had had relatively few sexual partners, a large proportion of then had, nevertheless, acquired sexually transmitted disease . This study indicates that expanded activity for diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted disease and increased use of condoms as a barrier to infection are important for preventing this type of disease in the future .

J Biol Chem, 1989 Oct 15, 264(29), 17428 - 31
Identification of major autolytic cleavage sites in the regulatory subunit of vascular calpain II . A comparison of partial amino-terminal sequences to deduced sequence from complementary DNA; McCelland P et al.; Purified calpain II from vascular smooth muscle is a heterodimer consisting of catalytic (Mr = 76,000) and regulatory (Mr = 30,000) subunits . In the presence of Ca2+, the regulatory subunit undergoes stepwise autolysis resulting in enzyme activation . By slowing autoproteolysis, we identified major autolytic intermediates of the regulatory subunit . Gas-phase sequencing of the regulatory subunit and its autolytic fragments revealed that the NH2-terminus of the Mr = 30,000 form was blocked, whereas each fragment yielded a unique amino acid sequence, suggesting that autolysis proceeds in an NH2- to COOH-terminal direction . By comparison of actual amino acid sequences of autolytic cleavage intermediates to the full sequence deduced from cDNA, we have identified the major autolytic cleavage sites . Three different peptide bonds were cleaved, with neutral amino acids predominating on both sides of the peptide bond hydrolyzed . Importantly, leucine or isoleucine was identified in the second position upstream from the cleavage site in all three autolytic sequences . The presence of an upstream leucine residue in the autolytic cleavage sequence is reminiscent of the structure of potent microbial and synthetic peptide inhibitors of calpain.

Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 1989 Oct, 22(1), 59 - 78
Growth rate determination of heterogeneous microbial population in swine manure; Ghaly AE et al.; The effect of manure concentration on the growth of the heterogeneous microbial population under batch condition was studied . Four manure concentrations were used in the study . The dehydrogenase activity was used as a measure of the active biomass in the manure . The chemical oxygen demand test was used to measure the change in organic material caused by biological activities . The growth curve of the heterogeneous microbial population in swine manure was essentially similar to that of a pure culture grown batchwise in that it had the four principle phases: lag, exponential growth, stationary, and death . The exponential growth phase followed a diauxic growth pattern . High concentration of manure had an inhibitory effect on the microbial growth . Manure diluted less than 1:3 (manure:water) depressed the specific growth rate of the microbial population.

J Clin Periodontol, 1989 Oct, 16(9), 580 - 7
Clinical and microscopic findings in edentulous patients 3 years after incorporation of osseointegrated implant-supported bridgework; Bower RC et al.; 15 mandibular fixed prostheses supported by osseointegrated titanium implants were examined 3 years after insertion . No implants had been lost after 3 years and all prostheses were present and continuously functional . The morphotypic analysis of the microbial plaque taken from titanium implants adjacent to clinically inflamed tissues was different from that described of the dental plaque associated with sites of gingival inflammation . Radiographs demonstrated early horizontal bone loss adjacent to osseointegrated fixtures and occasional continuing horizontal bone loss at some sites during the 1st and 2nd years after prosthesis installation . All fixtures remained integrated after 3 years of function supporting fixed prostheses . Minor differences between the results of this study and earlier studies may reflect differences in surgical technique.

J Bacteriol, 1989 Oct, 171(10), 5630 - 7
Isolation, purification, and properties of Penicillium charlesii alkaline protease; Abbas CA et al.; A serine protease with a pH optimum from 7 to 9 and activity over the range of pH 3 to 10 was isolated and purified from culture filtrates of Penicillium charlesii 16 days after inoculation . The enzyme was purified by the following sequence of procedures: (i) gel permeation chromatography through Sephacryl S-200, (ii) DEAE-Sepharose anion-exchange chromatography, and (iii) fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) over Superose 12 . Anion-exchange chromatography separated the protease activity into a major activity (protease PII, 82%) and two minor activities (proteases PI and PIII, 10 and 8%, respectively, of the total activity) . Protease PII has a molecular mass of 44 kilodaltons . Purified preparations of this enzyme are susceptible to autodegradation . FPLC of heat-treated PII gave one major species (PIIa), whereas untreated enzyme resulted in three species (PIIb, PIIc, and PIId) . PIIb and PIIc also catalyzed the hydrolysis of protein (hide powder azure) . PIIb and PIIc were in the molecular mass range of 10 to 20 kilodaltons . Protease PII is completely inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) . The protease has primary substrate specificity for phenylalanyl or arginyl amino acyl residues attached to amines . The enzyme has amidase, but no esterase activity toward similar synthetic substrates such as occurs with trypsinlike microbial serine proteases . The addition of PMSF (final concentration, 10(-4) M) to 1- and 2-day-old cultures of P . charlesii inhibited the production of extracellular peptidophosphogalactomannan (pPGM) by 41 and 34%, respectively, and inhibited the alkaline protease activity by 85% . These results suggest that the production and release of pPGM may be affected by alkaline protease.

Rinsho Byori, 1989 Oct, 37(10), 1096 - 102
{Bacterial infection and rapid laboratory microbial methods}; Furuta I; The key to treatment of bacterial infectious diseases is always to quickly identify the causative organism and understand its resistance to drugs . Recent progress in microbial laboratory methods has permitted rapid detection and identification of pathogenic organisms . Rapid test methods are classified into culture and non-culture methods . Non-culture methods are based mainly on immunoassay for detection of antigen or antibody of pathogenic organisms, but also include the DNA probe method and the RNA probe method . Immunoassay is achieved by fluorescent antibody techniques, agglutination and ELISA . On a related note, monoclonal antibodies have been developed with steady progress . For culture methods, commercial bacterial identification kits and automated instruments, all of which permit quicker identification than with conventional methods, are now used in a large number of laboratories . Quick identification with these automated instruments is possible owing to optical determination of drug resistance . Some automated instruments are capable of rapidly detecting bacteria in the sample . For example, Bactec, used for quick diagnosis of bacteremia, measures CO2 produced by bacteria in the culture bottle during the metabolic process, permitting early detection of bacterial proliferation . Other methods are available in which ATP produced by bacteria is measured on the basis of bioluminescence or chemiluminescence.

Dent Clin North Am, 1989 Oct, 33(4), 683 - 99
Biologic and clinical rationale for second-stage surgery and maintenance; Jaffin RA; Increased understanding of the biologic and functional demands of osseointegration procedures have enhanced predictability . Basic science and clinical research have added to our knowledge of the microbiologic, histologic, and functional requirements of what constitutes successful cases . It is evident that control of the microbial flora around abutments is vital in maintaining peri-implant health . It has also been shown that a potential pathogenic flora is more likely to occur in the partially edentulous patient . More predictable indicators of peri-implant disease must be established, as classic periodontal measurements do not correspond to the active disease state around implants . Second-stage surgery must create a peri-implant environment in which functional and biologic needs are met . The patient's esthetic and phonetic requirements must be fulfilled . Using procedures described in this article these standards can be achieved.

Z Stomatol, 1989 Oct, 86(6), 353 - 9
{Causation of stomatitis during cytostatic chemotherapy for head and neck tumors}; Mailath G et al.; In a prospective trial involving 17 patients with head and neck tumors an attempt was made to relate the occurrence of stomatitis during cytostatic chemotherapy to changes in the resident microbial population, if any . Of the 17 patients who received the same cytostatic regimen, 10 developed stomatitis after a mean interval of 12 days . Smears were taken of the 2 patient subgroups (with and without stomatitis) at the onset of treatment and after comparable intervals during treatment and compared to those of a normal control group . Pretreatment smears did not show any quantitative or qualitative differences in the aerobic and anaerobic microbial spectrum between the 3 subgroups examined . During treatment patients developing mucositis were found to show a statistically significant multiplication of pathogens, while the other 2 groups still did not differ from one another . Together with the direct cytostatic effect of chemotherapy, proliferation of pathogens in the oral cavity appears to contribute to the development of stomatitis.

Rev Clin Esp, 1989 Oct, 185(5), 225 - 9
{Pyogenic liver abscess . Review of 33 cases}; Comas Casanova P et al.; Thirty three cases of pyogenic liver abscess, (24 single and 9 multiple), diagnosed in our department during the past 6 years, were reviewed . Mean patient age was 54 years with a male predominance over females (1.5:1) . The most frequently encountered underlying pathology was bile duct disease (33%), followed by previous liver disease (21%) . Causal pathology could not be found in 4 cases (12%) . The most frequent sign was fever (76%) . Diagnosis was made by clinical picture and complementary exam (echography, CT scan and hepatic gammagraphy) in 29 cases (88%) . Blood and pus cultures were positive in 47 and 67% of cases respectively . Thirty nine per cent of microbial abscesses were polymicrobial . E . coli and S . milleri were the most frequently isolated . No micro-organism were identified in 5 cases (15%) . Antibiotic treatment was given to 33 patients . Surgical drainage was performed in 24 cases and percutaneous drainage in 7 patients . Two patients received antibiotics exclusively . Five patients died (15%), three of whom had a multiple abscess (33%) and the other two had a single abscess (8%) . The efficacy of percutaneous drainage for diagnosis and treatment is analyzed reviewing recent literature.

Biomaterials, 1989 Oct, 10(8), 574 - 6
N-acetylation in chitosan and the rate of its enzymic hydrolysis; Hirano S et al.; Partially N-acetylated derivatives (degree of substitution (d.s.) 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 for N-acetyl) of chitosan were prepared from prawn shell chitosan, and their susceptibility towards a lysozyme from hen egg-white, three microbial chitinases and a chitinase from potato skins was examined . The partially N-acetylated derivatives (d.s . 0.4-0.8 for N-acetyl) were 1.5-4.0 times more digestible than N-acetylchitosan (d.s . 1.0 for N-acetyl), and their enzymic hydrolysis rate is controlled by the d.s . for N-acetyl group . These data suggest that chitosan is usable as a digestible material in the biomedical and biotechnological fields.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Oct, 55(10), 2641 - 7
Model to predict aerial dispersal of bacteria during environmental release; Knudsen GR; Risk assessment for genetically engineered bacteria sprayed onto crops includes determination of off-site dispersal and deposition . The ability to predict microbial dispersal patterns is essential to characterize the uncertainty (risk) associated with environmental release of recombinant organisms . Toward this end, a particle dispersal model was developed to predict recovery of bacteria on fallout plates at various distances and directions about a test site . The microcomputer simulation incorporates particle size distribution, wind speed and direction, turbulence, evaporation, sedimentation, and mortality, with a time step of 0.5 s . The model was tested against data reported from three field applications of nonrecombinant bacteria and two applications of recombinant bacteria . Simulated dispersal of 10(5) particles was compared with reported deposition measurements . The model may be useful in defining appropriate populations of organisms for release, methods of release or application, characteristics of a release site that influence containment or dispersal, and in developing an appropriate sampling methodology for monitoring the dispersal of organisms such as genetically engineered bacteria.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Oct, 55(10), 2545 - 9
Microbial degradation of seven amides by suspended bacterial populations; Steen WC et al.; Microbial transformation rate constants were determined for seven amides in natural pond water . A second-order mathematical rate expression served as the model for describing the microbial transformation . Also investigated was the relationship between the infrared spectra and the second-order rate constants for these amides . Second-order rate constants (k2) ranged from a low of 2.0 X 10(-14) to a high of 1.1 X 10(-9) liters organism-1 h-1 for niclosamide (2',5-dichloro-4'-nitrosalicylanilide) and propachlor (2-chloro-N-isopropylacetanilide), respectively . The mechanism of degradation (i.e., microbially mediated hydrolysis) of the amides was consistent with that of other organic chemicals previously studied in a variety of natural waters . Preliminary investigations indicate that temporal variations in measured second-order rate constants are small . A simple linear regression of the infrared carbonyl-stretching frequency with log K2 gave a correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.962.

J Dairy Sci, 1989 Oct, 72(10), 2532 - 9
Prediction of duodenal nitrogen supply from degradation or organic and nitrogenous matter in situ; Arieli A et al.; The contribution of different feedstuffs to nitrogen reaching the duodenum was evaluated in situ . Dacron bags containing barley grain, corn grain, wheat silage, corn silage, alfalfa hay, rye grass, whole cottonseeds, or soybean meal were suspended in the rumens of three dairy cows fed roughage and concentrate diets . The effective degradability of the nitrogenous and organic matter of feedstuffs was calculated from their residues after incubation in the rumen for 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, or 48 h . The duodenal nitrogen content at ruminal outflows of 2, 5, or 8%/h was calculated as the sum of undegradable dietary nitrogen and potential microbial nitrogen (assuming 32 g N/kg ruminally degradable organic matter) . Comparison of the in situ estimates with previously reported in vivo measurements of duodenal nitrogen in cattle fed diets with similar ingredients to the tested feedstuffs yielded a linear relationship (r2 = .887) . The dacron bag technique appears to hold promise for the prediction of nitrogen flow to the duodenum.

J Am Podiatr Med Assoc, 1989 Oct, 79(10), 486 - 91
Infectious complications and therapy of bite wounds; Goldstein EJ; Bite wounds of the lower extremities present a challenge in diagnosis and management . Primary care of the initial injury remains controversial . Innocuous as these wounds may appear, severe infections are frequent . The microbial flora of the animal mouth harbor a multitude of unusual bacteria, aerobic and anaerobic, that make antibiotic selection difficult . A protocol for initial management and antibiotic selection is presented.

Monatsschr Kinderheilkd, 1989 Oct, 137(10), 632 - 7
{Kidney involvement in infectious diseases}; Michalk D; Involvement of the kidneys without direct invasion of them by the pathogenic agents has been recognized in a variety of infections with bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa . Pathogenetic importance attaches to immune mechanisms with formation and glomerular deposition of immune complexes, or direct damage caused to the renal parenchyma by microbial toxins . Signs and symptoms may range from minimal proteinuria and/or microhematuria, through nephritic or nephrotic syndrome, to acute or chronic renal failure . Accordingly, all kinds of glomerulonephritis or interstitial nephritis may be found on histological examination . With rapid elimination of the causative agent the prognosis is generally good.

Eur J Biochem, 1989 Oct 1, 184(3), 707 - 13
Purification and characterization of cytochrome P-450sca from Streptomyces carbophilus . ML-236B (compactin) induces a cytochrome P-450sca in Streptomyces carbophilus that hydroxylates ML-236B to pravastatin sodium (CS-514), a tissue-selective inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme-A reductase; Matsuoka T et al.; Pravastatin sodium (CS-514) is a tissue-selective inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, a key enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis . This compound is obtained by microbial hydroxylation of sodium ML-236B (compactin) carboxylate . The soluble cytochrome P-450 was induced by sodium ML-236B carboxylate in Streptomyces carbophilus of Actinomycetes as detected in its cell-free extract . This cytochrome P-450 was designated as cytochrome P-450sca after its origin . Cytochrome P-450sca was purified by successive chromatography on anion-exchange, gel filtration and hydroxyapatite columns . On hydroxyapatite cytochrome P-450sca was further separated into minor and major peaks, designated cytochrome P-450sca-1 and cytochrome P-450sca-2, respectively . Each peak yielded a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gels with molecular masses of 46 +/- 1 kDa . The activity hydroxylating sodium ML-236B carboxylate to pravastatin sodium was reconstituted in the presence of an electron transport system, an NADPH-generating system and oxygen . The Ks values of the cytochromes P-450sca-1 and P-450sca-2 for sodium ML-236B carboxylate were 179 microM and 229 microM, respectively . The CO versus reduced difference spectra of both cytochromes P-450 showed an absorption maximum at 448.5 nm . Their substrate difference spectra with sodium ML-236B carboxylate showed an absorption maximum at 386 nm . Amino acid analysis indicated that cytochrome P-450sca-1 and P-450sca-2 contained 46% and 47% hydrophobic residues, respectively . On Western blotting, cytochromes P-450sca-1 and P-450sca-2 were immunologically identical.

Am J Physiol, 1989 Oct, 257(4 Pt 1), G548 - 53
Effects of staurosporine on protein kinase C and amylase secretion from pancreatic acini; Verme TB et al.; The effects of staurosporine, a recently isolated microbial alkaloid, on amylase secretion and protein kinase C activity of guinea pig pancreatic acini were investigated . Staurosporine at a concentration of 1 microM completely inhibited both acinar protein kinase C activity (IC50 = 5.5 +/- 1.4 nM) and amylase secretion induced by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) (IC50 = 4.1 +/- 0.4 nM) . At this concentration, staurosporine reduced amylase secretion elicited by maximally effective concentrations of carbachol and cholecystokinin by approximately 50% but did not appreciably alter the potencies of the two secretagogues . In the presence of staurosporine, amylase secretion induced by carbachol was linear for at least 60 min . Staurosporine had no effect on amylase release elicited by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 . It did, however, inhibit secretion induced by vasoactive intestinal peptide, although with a reduced potency relative to its effects on amylase release stimulated by TPA, carbachol, and cholecystokinin (IC50 = 34 +/- 17 nM) . These results indicate that staurosporine is a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C activity in pancreatic acini and that protein kinase C has an important role as an intracellular mediator of digestive enzyme secretion induced by cholecystokinin and carbachol in the acinar cell . In addition, a separate staurosporine-insensitive coupling pathway, most likely involving Ca2+, appears to be equally important and can maintain long-term secretion in the absence of functional protein kinase C activity.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Sep 25, 264(27), 15818 - 23
Human liver serine dehydratase . cDNA cloning and sequence homology with hydroxyamino acid dehydratases from other sources; Ogawa H et al.; Rat liver serine dehydratase cDNA was used to screen a human liver cDNA library in lambda gt11 . One positive clone occurred in every 5,000 clones . Fifteen positive clones were plaque purified . The largest cDNA obtained contained an open reading frame of 987 base pairs, and 5' and 3' noncoding regions of 89 and 317 base pairs, respectively . The deduced amino acid sequence, with a calculated Mr of 34,615, was similar to that of rat liver serine dehydratase except for the absence of a segment consisting of 36 amino acid residues . In vitro transcription/translation with the cDNA resulted in the formation of a polypeptide with an Mr of approximately 35,000, which cross-reacted with the anti-rat serine dehydratase antibody . These results suggest that the human serine dehydratase is structurally cognate with the rat enzyme . Moreover, portions of the sequence postulated to be essential for activity in microbial threonine dehydratases are found in the mammalian serine dehydratases, suggesting that hydroxyamino and dehydratases may have originated from a common ancestor.

N Engl J Med, 1989 Sep 21, 321(12), 773 - 8
The relative risk of ulcerative keratitis among users of daily-wear and extended-wear soft contact lenses . A case-control study . Microbial Keratitis Study Group; Schein OD et al.; Over 13 million people in the United States wear soft contact lenses for refractive correction . Ulcerative keratitis is considered the most serious adverse effect of the use of contact lenses . We performed a case-control study with 86 cases patients, estimating separately for hospital-based (n = 61) and population-based (n = 410) controls the relative risk of ulcerative keratitis among users of extended-wear as compared with daily-wear soft contact lenses . The relative risk of ulcerative keratitis for extended-wear as compared with daily-wear lenses among the population-based controls was 3.90 (95 percent confidence interval, 2.35 to 6.48) and among the hospital-based controls, 4.21 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.95 to 9.08) . Thirty-eight percent of those with extended-wear lenses used them only during the day, and 11 percent of those with daily-wear lenses occasionally wore them overnight . When lens wearers were distinguished according to their overnight use of lenses, the users of extended-wear lenses who wore them overnight had a risk 10 to 15 times as great as the users of daily-wear lenses who did not, and the users of daily-wear lenses who sometimes wore them overnight had 9 times the risk of the users of such lenses who did not . For the users of extended-wear lenses, the risk of ulcerative keratitis was incrementally related to the extent of overnight wear . A reduction in risk associated with more frequent attention to lens hygiene was almost significant . We conclude that soft contact lenses worn overnight carry a significantly greater risk for ulcerative keratitis than soft lenses worn only during the day.

J Immunol, 1989 Sep 15, 143(6), 2038 - 44
Role of IFN-gamma in lethal and nonlethal malaria in susceptible and resistant murine hosts; Shear HL et al.; IFN-gamma plays an important role in host defense against microbial disease . Here, we studied the role of IFN-gamma in lethal and nonlethal murine malaria . Administration of recombinant murine IFN-gamma resulted in a dose-dependent protection of SW, BALB/cByJ, and CBA/J mice from the lethal variant of Plasmodium yoelii 17x (PyL) but had little effect on the course of the nonlethal variant of this parasite (PyNL) . Administration of recombinant IFN-gamma also resulted in the activation of peritoneal macrophages for increased phagocytosis of malaria-infected erythrocytes and release of H2O2, as measured in vitro . The ability of spleen cells from infected mice to produce endogenous IFN-gamma and release H2O2 during the course of malaria was also studied . In BALB/cByJ mice, which are relatively susceptible to PyL and PyNL, there was an initial burst of IFN-gamma only in response to PyNL whereas in CBA/J mice, which are relatively resistant to these parasites, there was an initial burst of IFN-gamma in response to both PyL and PyNL . The kinetics of H2O2 release corresponded to that of IFN-gamma . In all infections, levels of IFN-gamma declined as parasitemia increased; however, nonlethal infections were characterized by a recovery of both IFN-gamma activity and H2O2 release as parasitemia declined . These data suggest that IFN-gamma may play an important role in modulating the course of malaria infections by activating macrophages for both intracellular and extracellular parasite destruction.

Br J Nutr, 1989 Sep, 62(2), 493 - 507
A comparison of the digestion and reduction in particle size of lucerne hay (Medicago sativa) and Italian ryegrass hay (Lolium italicum) in the ovine digestive tract; Grenet E; Four types of hay were used: an early-cut and a late-cut lucerne (Medicago sativa) and an early-cut and a late-cut ryegrass (Lolium italicum) . Digestibility and voluntary intake were measured on six adult sheep maintained in metabolism crates and fed 10% above the previous day's consumption, in equal portions at 08.00 and 16.30 hours . Lucerne intake was higher than that of ryegrass at similar digestibilities . The rate of digestion of the four hays was measured using nylon bags and the rates of digestion of dry matter for late-cut lucerne were faster than those for the late-cut ryegrass . Eleven adult sheep fitted with oesophageal (four), rumen (four) or duodenal (three) fistulas were used for collecting digesta samples at the different sites . They were fed successively with the four hay types . Each was offered to appetite, once daily, in a meal taken over 4 h . The rumen of rumen-fistulated sheep was completely emptied by hand once before feeding (08.00 hours) and once after removal of refusals (12.00 hours) . The number of times the ingested hay was chewed during the meal and the time spent masticating was greater for the late-cut hays and greater for the ryegrass compared with the lucerne hays . The particle size of the boluses was greater than that of the rumen contents, which in turn was greater than that of the duodenal contents and faeces . The percentage of particles greater than 8 mm in the boluses from the ryegrass was higher than that of lucerne, and that of the early-cut ryegrass was greater than that of the late-cut ryegrass . This was also the case for the percentage of particles greater than 1.6 mm in the rumen contents after the meal . The rate at which dry matter disappeared from the rumen was greatest during the meal except with late-cut ryegrass; it was particularly high with late-cut lucerne, a little less with early-cut ryegrass and much lower with the other two hays . When nylon bags containing food boluses were placed in the rumen, it was apparent that without rumination, with the exception of the very digestible early-cut ryegrass, microbial degradation alone did not reduce the particle size.

Br J Nutr, 1989 Sep, 62(2), 389 - 98
Intestinal distribution and absorption of biotin in the chicken; Bryden WL; The initial distribution and absorption of biotin in chickens was studied in vivo from either changes in the composition of intestinal contents or analysis of blood draining the gut . The progressive decline in biotin concentration and flow along the small intestine demonstrated absorption throughout this organ . Quantitatively the duodenum was the most significant site of biotin absorption when crystalline biotin was included in the diet and when dietary ingredients contained highly available biotin . In contrast, when diets of low biotin availability were given the distal segments of the small intestine contributed a relatively greater amount to biotin absorption . During passage of digesta from the ileum to the caecum there was a tenfold increase in biotin concentration . About half the amount was of ileal origin with the remainder presumably resulting from microbial synthesis . About 20% of caecal biotin was in a 'free' form but the degree of absorption from the caeca was not determined . The amount of biotin disappearing from the gut of birds given maize-based diets was similar to the quantity appearing in portal blood . Biotin absorption was not detected from wheat-based diets using arteriovenous differences.

J Neuroimmunol, 1989 Sep, 24(1-2), 33 - 9
T lymphocyte activation antigens in Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic idiopathic demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy; Taylor WA et al.; Activated circulating T lymphocytes were measured in ten patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and in ten with chronic idiopathic demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), each paired with an age- and sex-matched healthy control . Activated T cells were identified by double labelling with phycoerythrin-conjugated anti-CD3 antibody and biotinylated antibodies to activation antigens: human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR, transferrin receptor (TFR) or interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) visualised with an avidin-biotin-fluorescein system . The frequency of activated T cells was increased in the GBS group . The median of the DR-positive T cells in the patients was 3.4% (range 0.5-9.4%), compared with 1.4% (range 0-4.3%) in the controls (P less than 0.01) . For TFR the corresponding medians were 3.3% (range 0.5-6.2%) in the patients and 0% (range 0-2.5%) in the controls (P less than 0.01), and for IL-2R 3.7% (range 0-6.0%) in the patients compared with 0% (range 0-2.9%) in the controls (P less than 0.01) . In the CIDP group the median percentage of activated T cells was also increased but the differences were less significant: for DR, patients 2.4% (range 0-3.8%), controls 0.5% (range 0-2.0%, P less than 0.05); for TFR, patients 0% (range 0-5.3%), controls 0% (range 0-1.0%, not significant), and for IL-2R, patients 0% (range 0-2.5%), controls 0% (range 0-0.5%, not significant) . The activated cells might be directed against microbial antigens encountered during the infection preceding GBS, autoantigens, bacterial antigens encountered during concurrent infection, or a combination of these.

Biomed Environ Sci, 1989 Sep, 2(3), 179 - 248
Risk assessment of the mycotoxin ochratoxin A; Kuiper-Goodman T et al.; Ochratoxin A (OA) is a mycotoxin which has been found to occur in foods of plant origin, in edible animal tissues, as well as in human blood sera and tissues . The ability of OA to move up the food chain is aided by its long half-life in certain edible animal species . In this report, an evaluation of the health risks to Canadians due to the presence of OA in food products is presented . The first part of the report deals with the physicochemical aspects, mycology, laboratory production, analytical methods, and natural occurrence in plant products, animal products, and human tissues . The stability of OA in foods and feeds, the effects of food processing, and the removal from foods and feeds by physiochemical means are also discussed . From these data, the worst case estimate for the daily exposure of Canadians to OA, from the consumption of pork-based food products and cereal foods, is approximately 5 ng OA/kg body wt (mean of eaters) for young children, the highest consumption group on a body weight basis . The second part of the report deals with the metabolic disposition as well as the available toxicity database for OA in laboratory animals, farm animals, and humans . The major target for OA toxicity in all mammalian species tested is the kidney, and endemic nephropathies affecting livestock as well as humans have been attributed to OA . OA is also teratogenic, and in the fetus the major target is the developing central nervous system . Recent studies have provided "clear evidence" of the carcinogenicity of OA in two rodent species . OA was found to be nonmutagenic in various microbial and mammalian gene mutation assays, but weak genotoxic activity to mammalian cells was noted . In addition, OA was found to suppress immune function . Based on the NTP carcinogenicity study with OA in rats, the estimated tolerable daily intake in humans ranges from 0.2 to 4.2 ng OA/kg body wt, depending on the method of extrapolation used . In view of the toxic properties of OA, it is recommended that exposure to OA be kept to a minimum . In Canada, further monitoring programs are required to better define the overall residue profile of OA in cereal grains, animal feeds, animal food products, and human blood . Such data are required to better assess dietary exposure and to ascertain the need for regulatory controls or other control mechanisms.

Postgrad Med, 1989 Sep 1, 86(3), 71 - 7
Septic shock . What to do until a breakthrough comes along; DePriest JL; Septic shock is a multisystem disorder that represents the host's response to microbial invasion in its most fulminant form . One of the critical defects is a widespread inability to use available substrate for energy production . Endogenous mediators, particularly the cytokines, appear to play an essential role in this defect and in the entire host-mediated cascade . Traditional therapy remains primarily supportive . However, newer, investigational forms of therapy show promise by more directly treating the underlying disturbances.

Mutat Res, 1989 Sep, 221(2), 133 - 52
Azathioprine, a genotoxic agent to be considered non-genotoxic in man; Voogd CE; Azathioprine, an immunosuppressive drug, has been used for 25 years . Azathioprine is rapidly converted into a number of metabolites after absorption . Maximum blood levels in experimental animals (mice) were 11.3 micrograms/ml after a dosage of 33.3 mg/kg . Generally, levels of less than 1 microgram/ml are found . As azathioprine is ineffective in hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT)-deficient patients, it will be clear that for immunosuppressive activity azathioprine must be metabolised . Regarding mutagenic activity, its mutagenicity for bacteria seems irrelevant for man because the nitroimidazole moiety can be reduced by bacteria but not or hardly at all by mammalian tissues . So 6-mercaptopurine (a metabolite of azathioprine) and its metabolites should be regarded as the active compounds . In vitro azathioprine can induce chromosome aberrations and other cytogenetic events at high, non-physiological doses . However, in view of the low blood levels it is unlikely that azathioprine can induce chromosome aberrations in kidney transplant patients . It is more probable that azathioprine inhibits the elimination of such aberrant cells through its immunosuppressive activity . It should be pointed out that in microbial mutagenicity systems also, azathioprine concentrations that are not reached in patients are needed to obtain an increased mutation rate.

J Parenter Sci Technol, 1989 Sep-Oct, 43(5), 226 - 30
Sterility assurance based on validation of the sterilization process using steam under pressure . Committee on "Microbial Purity" . F.I.P . (International Federation of the Pharmaceutical Industries)
Assessment of the effect of training on management of acute diarrhoea in a primary health care setting.
Health care providers were trained to treat patients with acute diarrhoea using WHO-recommended oral rehydration therapy (ORT) in a rural area of Haryana, India . One year after the completion of the training programme, the diarrhoea management practices of these trainees were observed while they were treating 240 children with acute diarrhoea . The patients were treated by 12 Multipurpose Health Workers (MPHW), 12 Community Health Guides (CHG), and 11 childcare volunteers, called Anganwadi Workers (AWW), in 12 randomly selected villages . In addition, 9 doctors practising in Primary Health Centres and in a 50-bed hospital were also studied . The assessment of patients on the basis of the history of illness taken and the results of physical examinations varied significantly between the various health functionaries . Doctors assessed dehydration in 80% of patients, MPHWs in 65%, CHGs in 60% and AWWs in only 45% of patients (p less than 0.05) . Oral rehydration solution (ORS) was given to every case . However, anti-microbial and anti-diarrhoeal drugs were used at a significantly higher rate by doctors than by other functionaries (p less than 0.05) . The method of ORS preparation was explained to most (85-90%) of the parents by all types of functionaries but the quantity to be given to the child was told by doctors to 67%, MPHWs to 60%, CHGs to 63% and AWWs to only 43% of patients . Advice on feeding normal food during diarrhoea was either not given or restrictions to food intake were suggested by all types of functionaries . However, continuation of breast feeding during treatment was advised by all types of functionaries for the majority of patientsPIP: Health care providers were trained to treat patients with acute diarrhea using HOW-recommended oral rehydration therapy (ORT) in rural area of Haryana, India . 1 year after the completion of the training program, the diarrhea management practices of these trainees were observed while they were treating 240 children with acute diarrhea . The patients were treated by 12 multipurpose health workers (MPHW), 12 community health guides (CHG), and 11 child-care volunteers, called Anganwadi workers (AWW), in 12 randomly selected villages . In addition, 9 doctors practicing in primary health centers and in a 50 bed hospital were also studied . The assessments of patients on the basis of the history of illness taken and the results of physical examinations varied significantly between the various health functionaries . Doctors assessed dehydration in 80% of patients (p 0.05) . Oral rehydration solution (ORS) was given to every case . However, anti-microbial and anti-diarrheal drugs were used at a significantly higher rate by doctors than by other functionaries (p 0.05) . The method of ORS preparation was explained to most (85-90%) of the parents by all types of functionaries but the quantity to be given to the child was told by doctors to 67%, MPHWs to 60%, CHG to 63% and AWW to only 43% of patients . Advice on feeding normal food during diarrhea was either not given or restrictions to food intake were suggested by all types of functionaries . However, continuation of breast feeding during treatment was advised by all types of functionaries for the majority of patients .

Med Parazitol (Mosk), 1989 Sep-Oct, (5), 52 - 4
{The biological activity of the lipopolysaccharide complexes in ascarids}; Sapach VK; Lipopolysaccharide complex with chemical structure similar to that of complexes of microbial origin was isolated from Ascaris suum by not phenol-aqueous extraction.

Vrach Delo, 1989 Sep, (9), 15 - 6
{Autologous skin flora studied to determine the active areas in acute myocardial infarct}; Sabinin AA et al.; The active points of the autologous skin flora (Botkin-Erb and sei-shu) were evaluated in 36 patients with myocardial infarction . It was established that there was an increase of the number of microbial cells in patients with macrofocal infarction in the Botkin-Erb and sei-shu points while in patients with microfocal myocardial infarction on changes were observed only in the Botkin-Erb point.

J Dairy Sci, 1989 Sep, 72(9), 2325 - 30
Microbial inoculation of alfalfa haylage: ensiling characteristics and milk production response when fed to early lactation dairy cows; Kent BA et al.; Third-cutting alfalfa hay harvested at bud stage and wilted to approximately 65% moisture was treated with a live bacterial inoculant at the rate of 300,000 cfu/g fresh alfalfa . Treated alfalfa was packed in polyethylene bags . Samples were taken at time of ensiling and d 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 28 postensiling . Mean pH was lower in the treated haylage (5.09 and 5.71 for treatment and control, respectively) . Mean temperatures were higher in the treated haylage (30.0 and 28.0 degrees C for treatment and control, respectively) . Mold count, water-soluble carbohydrate, alpha amino nitrogen, CP, and ADF were not affected by treatment . Regardless of treatment, pH, mold counts, and water-soluble carbohydrates declined with time . There was no significant difference between treatments for DM intake, milk production, and milk composition.

Clin Chem, 1989 Sep, 35(9), 1843 - 8
Use of polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of inherited disorders; Boehm CD; The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a rapid method for generating a 10(6)- to 10(7)-fold increase in the number of copies of a discrete DNA or RNA sequence . The technique is being used for rapid prenatal diagnosis and carrier testing of several inherited disorders . After PCR, mutations producing single-gene disorders can be detected by several different methods, including endonuclease digestion and gel electrophoresis (applicable when a mutation affects an endonuclease recognition site), gel electrophoresis (used for detection of deletions), and hybridization to an oligonucleotide probe specific for a mutation . Less often, gene sequencing of a PCR product is used to rapidly identify a mutation . In addition, the PCR technique can be applied to polymorphism analysis to provide diagnosis by linkage analysis . In other areas, PCR is being used to detect and characterize microbial pathogens and to characterize mutations associated with carcinogenesis . The PCR method is useful in situations in which the amount of DNA sample is limited, such as in forensics and prenatal testing, or in which the quality of the DNA sample is poor.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Sep, 55(9), 2280 - 6
Mechanisms of microbial movement in subsurface materials; Reynolds PJ et al.; The biological factors important in the penetration of Escherichia coli through anaerobic, nutrient-saturated, Ottawa sand-packed cores were studied under static conditions . In cores saturated with galactose-peptone medium, motile strains of E . coli penetrated four times faster than mutants defective only in flagellar synthesis . Motile, nonchemotactic mutants penetrated the cores faster than did the chemotactic parental strain . This, plus the fact that a chemotactic galactose mutant penetrated cores saturated with peptone medium at the same rate with or without a galactose gradient, indicates that chemotaxis may not be required for bacterial penetration through unconsolidated porous media . The effect of gas production on bacterial penetration was studied by using motile and nonmotile E . coli strains together with their respective isogenic non-gas-producing mutants . No differences were observed between the penetration rates of the two motile strains through cores saturated with peptone medium with or without galactose . However, penetration of both nonmotile strains was detected only with galactose . The nonmotile, gas-producing strain penetrated cores saturated with galactose-peptone medium five to six times faster than did the nonmotile, non-gas-producing mutant, which indicates that gas production is an important mechanism for the movement of nonmotile bacteria through unconsolidated porous media . For motile strains, the penetration rate decreased with increasing galactose concentrations in the core and with decreasing inoculum sizes . Also, motile strains with the faster growth rates had faster penetration rates . These results imply that, for motile bacteria, the penetration rate is regulated by the in situ bacterial growth rate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Zhonghua Kou Qiang Yi Xue Za Zhi, 1989 Sep, 24(5), 292 - 4, 319
{Observations on human natural dental plaque associated with normal, periodontally diseased and carious teeth by scanning electron microscopy}; Chen P; A study on the structure of human natural dental plaque on the mesial surface of normal teeth, gingivitis teeth, periodontitis teeth, juvenile periodontitis teeth and carious teeth was carried out using scanning electron microscopy . The aim of this study was to contrast their mutual structure characteristics . From this investigation it can be concluded that 1 . the structure and microbial composition of the dental plaque differs markedly in normal teeth, periodontally diseased teeth and carious teeth . 2 . the significant higher proportion of spirochetes in subgingival plaque plays an active role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis . 3 . the results of this study also point out that the pathogenic agents and pathogenesis differ in gingivitis, periodontitis, juvenile periodontitis and caries.

Ann Ig, 1989 Sep-Oct, 1(5), 1269 - 78
{Methodological possibilities for in vitro evaluation of the antibiotic sensitivity of bacterial plaque from periodontal pockets}; Caravaglio N et al.; Two different methods for making the subuletic bacterial antibiogram were compared, namely, the inhibition halo technique and that of percentage reduction . The first, of the more classical nature, is based on the introduction of the antibiotic inside a small cavity made in the culture medium, which leads to the formation of circular haloes around the cavity itself . The magnitude of the hales is all the greater, the more effective the antibiotic . The percentage-reduction technique calculates the reduction, expressed as a percentage, of the total number of colonies grown in the cultural medium containing the antibiotic, with respect to the number of colonies grown on a control culture-plate without antibiotic . Both techniques gave unambiguous results in 92.8% of the cases, both showing satisfactory validity; however, the percentage reduction technique proved to be more complex, to require fuller investigation and to be more expensive than the other . In fact, to make the antibiogram of a bacterial plaque concerning the seven antibiotics tested, 24 plates of agar-culture were necessary with the "r" method, whereas, with that of "inhibition haloes" only two sufficed . In addition, in the case of plaques with scarce microbial density or in the presence of highly invasive germs, by using the "inhibition haloes" method, it is always possible to have some information, which is impossible with the other method.

Wien Med Wochenschr, 1989 Aug 31, 139(15-16), 366 - 8
{Retrospective study of mycotic and other colpitis pathogens}; Pupp C et al.; We had 170 female patients with presenting symptoms of vaginal itching, dysuria, dyspareunia, burning and vaginal discharge . We performed 200 times vaginal microbial exploration on the said 170 patients, with the repetition of the procedure on 30 out of these 200 patients for the second time . We had a positive result for vulvovaginal candidosis on 60 occasions . These positive results for yeast infection can be related to the incidence of other microbial infections such as mycoplasma-, ureaplasma-, trichomonas-, gonococcal- and chlamydia infections.

Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 1989 Aug 31, 324(1224), 461 - 76
Genetic engineering applied to the development of vaccines; Murray K et al.; The simplest application of the modern genetic manipulation methods to vaccine development is the expression in microbial cells of genes from pathogens that encode surface antigens capable of inducing neutralizing antibodies in the host of the pathogen involved . This procedure has been exploited successfully for development of a vaccine against hepatitis B virus (HBV) that is now widely used . Similar approaches have been directed towards formulations for immunization against several other animal and human diseases and some of these preparations are now presently in trials . Of no less importance is the impact of biotechnology in providing reagents for fundamental studies of topics such as the determination of virulence, antigenic variation, virus receptors and the immunological response to viral antigens . The core antigen of HBV is a good example of a product of genetic engineering that is a valuable diagnostic reagent, and that is finding important use in immunological studies of particular pertinence to vaccine development.

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 1989 Aug, 9(2), 173 - 7
Heterogeneity in intraepithelial lymphocyte subpopulations in fetal and postnatal human small intestine; Spencer J et al.; Intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) are present in fetal human small intestine from 14 weeks' gestation independent of exogenous dietary or microbial antigens . We have now studied the heterogeneity of IEL in 18-22-week-old human fetal intestine and in postnatal small intestine by single and sequential immunoenzyme histochemistry . In normal children and adults, there were 6-27 CD3+ IEL per 100 epithelial cells, whereas in fetal gut there were 3-5 CD3+ IEL per 100 epithelial cells . Postnatal intestine contained a population of CD3-,7+, non-T cell IEL (7-25% of total CD7+) . These cells were absent from fetal IEL but were occasionally seen in the fetal lamina propria . About 6% of CD3+ postnatal IEL were CD4-,8- . In contrast in the fetus, 35-70% of CD3+ IEL were subset negative . Since CD3 and CD7 are always co-expressed on fetal IEL, 28-58% of fetal IEL were also CD7+,4-,8- . Only about 20% of the CD3+ IEL expressed the gamma delta chains of the T cell antigen receptor . We conclude from these studies that CD3+,4-,8- T cells migrate to the epithelium in the absence of exogenous antigen and that there is a population of CD3-,7+ non-T cells in postnatal gut which is absent in fetal gut.

J Dairy Sci, 1989 Aug, 72(8), 2055 - 61
Apparent digestibility of nitrogen in rumen and whole tract of Friesian cattle fed direct-cut and wilted grass silages; Narasimhalu P et al.; Spring grass consisting of Lolium perene L . (81%), Poa pratensis L . (9%), and annual weeds (5%) was stored as direct-cut or as wilted silage and used in feeding trials to determine the effects of wilting on N utilization . Six mature Friesian cattle, fitted with rumen and simple duodenal cannulae, were fed the silages for ad libitum intake in a crossover design consisting of two 49-d periods . Wilting increased intake of organic matter and decreased ruminal apparent digestibility or organic matter and whole tract apparent digestibilities of organic matter, NDF, and total N . Rumen degradability of silage N was increased by wilting (.7 vs . .67) . Direct-cut silage, in comparison with wilted silage, provide (g/d) less N intake (232 vs . 286) and lower duodenal flows of total N (215 vs . 293), non-NH3 N (202 vs . 280), microbial N (111 vs . 177), and total amino acids (1056.8 vs . 1342.7) . Duodenal flows of NH3 N and undegraded N were not different between silages . Efficiency of bacterial N synthesis in rumen was higher for wilted than for direct-cut silage (32.3 vs . 21.4 g N/kg organic matter apparently digested in rumen) . It was concluded that wilting increase silage intake, rumen bacterial synthetic efficiency, and duodenal flow of non-NH3 N in cattle.

J Pediatr, 1989 Aug, 115(2), 208 - 13
Correlation of interleukin-1 beta and cachectin concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid and outcome from bacterial meningitis; Mustafa MM et al.; Because interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and cachectin (tumor necrosis factor) are thought to mediate the body's response to microbial invasion, we measured IL-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor concentrations in paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples (on admission to the hospital, CSF1; 18 to 30 hours later, CSF2) from 106 infants and children with bacterial meningitis . In CSF1, IL-1 beta was detected in 95% of samples; the mean (+/- 1 SD) concentration was 944 +/- 1293 pg/ml . Patients with CSF1 IL-1 beta concentrations greater than or equal to 500 pg/ml were more likely to have neurologic sequelae (p = 0.001) . Tumor necrosis factor was present in 75% of CSF1 samples; the mean concentration was 787 +/- 3358 pg/ml . In CSF2 the mean IL-1 beta concentration was 135 +/- 343 pg/ml, and IL-1 beta concentrations correlated significantly with CSF2 leukocyte count, with glucose, lactate, protein, and tumor necrosis factor concentrations, and with neurologic sequelae . Tumor necrosis factor was detected in CSF2 specimens of 53 of 106 patients, with a mean concentration of 21 +/- 65 pg/ml . Of the 106 patients, 47 received dexamethasone therapy at the time of diagnosis . These patients had significantly lower concentrations of IL-1 beta and higher glucose and lower lactate concentrations in CSF2, and they had a significantly shorter duration of fever compared with the values in patients not treated with steroids (p less than or equal to 0.002) . Our data suggest a possible role of IL-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor as mediators of meningeal inflammation in patients with bacterial meningitis, and might explain, in part, the beneficial effect of dexamethasone as adjunctive treatment in this disease.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Aug, 55(8), 1934 - 42
Estimation of microbial densities from dilution count experiments; Haas CN; Although dilution counts have been widely used in quantitative microbiology, their interpretation has always been widely discussed both in microbiology and in applied statistics . Maximum-likelihood (most-probable-number) methods hae generally been used to estimate densities from dilution experiments . It has not been widely recognized that these methods are intrinsically and statistically biased at the sample sizes used in microbiology . This paper presents an analysis of proposed method for correction of such biases, and the method was found to be robust for moderate deviations from Poisson behavior . For analyses at greater variance with the Poisson assumptions, the use of the Spearman-Karber method is analyzed and shown to yield an estimate of density of lesser bias than that produced by the most-probable-number method . Revised methods of constructing confidence limits proposed by Loyer and Hamilton (M.W . Loyer and M.A . Hamilton, Biometrics 40:907-916, 1984) are also discussed, and charts for the three- and four-decimal dilution series with five tubes per dilution are presented.

J Am Dent Assoc, 1989 Aug, 119(2), 283 - 9
Effect of toothbrushing with 0.4% stannous fluoride and 0.22% sodium fluoride gel on gingivitis for 18 months; Wolff LF et al.; This study determined the effect of brushing with 0.4% stannous fluoride (SnF2) or 0.22% sodium fluoride (NaF) on clinical and microbial parameters associated with gingivitis . The study included three groups of 281 subjects . Subjects in all three groups were instructed to brush twice daily with an ADA-accepted fluoride dentifrice, rinse their mouths with water, and subsequently brush with 0.4% SnF2, 0.22% NaF, or a fluoridefree placebo gel . More stain was detected in the SnF2 group than in the other two groups at all periods except at baseline . However, no differences were observed in gingivitis, bleeding, or mean proportions of microbial forms in the SnF2 or NaF groups when compared with the placebo group at 18 months . Results indicate that 0.4% SnF2, or 0.22% NaF is no more effective than a placebo in reducing gingivitis.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1989 Aug, 161(2), 336 - 41
Infection and labor . IV . Cachectin-tumor necrosis factor in the amniotic fluid of women with intraamniotic infection and preterm labor; Romero R et al.; A growing body of evidence supports a causal link between subclinical intrauterine infection and preterm labor . The mechanisms responsible for the onset of parturition in this setting have not been elucidated . The conventional view has been that bacterial products increase prostaglandin biosynthesis by intrauterine tissues and this, in turn, leads to the onset of labor . An alternative or complementary mechanism is that microbial products activate the host monocyte-macrophage system and that cytokines released during this process signal the initiation of parturition by stimulating prostaglandin biosynthesis by intrauterine tissues . This study was conducted to determine if cachectin-tumor necrosis factor is present in the amniotic fluid of women with intraamniotic infection and whether this cytokine can alter the rate of prostaglandin biosynthesis by intrauterine tissues . Amniotic fluid from 54 women was assayed for tumor necrosis factor . Tumor necrosis factor was not detectable in the amniotic fluid of women without intraamniotic infection regardless of the presence or absence of term or preterm labor . On the other hand, the amniotic fluid of 11 of 15 women with preterm labor and intraamniotic infection had measurable tumor necrosis factor . This cytokine stimulated prostaglandin E2 biosynthesis by amnion cells in monolayer culture in a dose-dependent fashion . These data support the concept that macrophage activation is involved in the onset of human parturition in the setting of infection . We propose that the host (fetus and/or mother) signals the onset of parturition through the secretion of inflammatory cytokines released in response to bacterial invasion.

Crit Care Med, 1989 Aug, 17(8), 812 - 3
Glass ampules and associated hazards; Kempen PM et al.; Accessing drugs dispensed in glass ampules is always associated with glass fragment contamination of the ampule contents on opening . In this study, the glass fragment contamination from the external surface of the ampule occurred 60% of the time with 1-ml sized ampules (p less than .01) . Glass contamination has been shown to increase with larger ampule size . The glass ampule poses a potential source of microbial infection to the patient, as well as other hazards to the user . Increased precautions and improved drug container design appear to be desirable.

Bratisl Lek Listy, 1989 Aug, 90(8), 608 - 13
{Use of native microscopic examination of the vaginal flora in the diagnosis of trichomoniasis}; Unzeitig V et al.; Microscopic diagnosis of vaginal discharge established so far by means of microbial vaginal pictures (MVP) has proved to be insufficient . Phase contrast microscopy has an irreplaceable value in diagnosing vaginal infections transmitted by sexual intercourse . It yields quick and exact diagnosis of the disease, thus providing the possibility to administer treatment addressly and immediately . In equivocal findings and relapses vaginal cultivation is indispensable . In a series of 600 examined women vaginal trichomoniasis was diagnosed in 28.5% of cases . Simultaneous occurrence of other sexually transmitted diseases was recorded in 42% of 171 women infected with Trichomonas vaginalis . In these cases, the course of the disease was markedly altered by the associated infection . The result of MVP was incomplete or false in 26% of the examined women, trichomoniasis failed to be diagnosed in 80 cases.

Kosm Biol Aviakosm Med, 1989 Aug-Sep, 23(4), 69 - 73
{The effect of somatotropin on the healing of skin wounds under hypoxic conditions}; Khomullo GV et al.; Using cytological, histological, histochemical and histoautoradiographic methods, it was demonstrated that skin recovery in the hypoxic state can be stimulated by somatotropin (STH) . STH was shown to stimulate wound healing at every stage: cell migration to the injured area was accelerated, microbial phagocytosis and proliferation of epithelial and connective tissue cells were activated . This led to faster granulation and epithelialization of the wounded surface . The de novo formed epithelium showed a higher activity of succinate dehydrogenase and the granulation tissue - a higher activity of alkaline phosphatase . The hormone treatment reduced destruction of cell elements, newly formed vessels and fibrous structures of the wound which was caused by the hypoxic effect.

J Hosp Infect, 1989 Aug, 14(2), 153 - 8
A comparison of four film-type dressings by their anti-microbial effect on the flora of the skin; Wille JC et al.; Two polyurethane dressings ('Tegaderm' and 'OpSite') were compared with their respective povidone iodine and chlorhexidine acetate-impregnated dressings ('Tegaderm Plus' and 'OpSite CH') for their effectiveness in reducing recolonization of skin after application of the dressings . After 7 days the average number of cfu on undamaged skin, covered with the four dressings, was significantly lower than the number of cfu on skin which had not been covered . The number of cfu on the skin covered with OpSite CH was significantly lower than with all other dressings tested . OpSite CH possesses most anti-microbial activity in relation to the flora of the skin.

J Anim Sci, 1989 Aug, 67(8), 2123 - 8
A review of the use of intrinsically 14C and rare earth-labeled neutral detergent fiber to estimate particle digestion and passage; Smith LW; Methodology that allows simultaneous measurement of dynamic events affecting NDF digestion in passage from the rumen should improve our understanding of factors influencing intake and digestion . Ideally, particle flow is measured with a marker indelibly attached to or intrinsically part of the feed . If flow measurements are to reflect physiological conditions, marked and unmarked feed must be digested and passed with identical fractional rates . Application of 14C-labeled plant fiber to the study of ruminal dynamics has been slow because of expense and difficulty in producing 14C-labeled plant material . Recently, alfalfa was intrinsically labeled with 14C under field conditions to produce plant material similar in composition to unlabeled material . Carbon-14 specific activity was similar in all particle sizes, and in indigestible and digestible NDF . Greater concentrations of ytterbium (Yb) were associated with smaller vs larger particles . Larger differences in turnover rates among animals than differences attributable to treatments force comparisons of markers to be made within animal or with in vitro systems . The uncertainty about how extrinsic markers respond under various environments resulting from interaction of feed properties and gut function, and the high error inherent in measuring dynamic systems, raise serious questions on the interpretability of results . Advantages of 14C-labeled NDF over other markers include simultaneous measurements of particle breakdown, digestion and passage rates as well as the potential to study microbial attachment, VFA, CO2 and CH4 production and rate of incorporation of labeled metabolites into tissues.

Exp Cell Res, 1989 Aug, 183(2), 399 - 412
The effects of bestatin, a microbial aminopeptidase inhibitor, on epidermal growth factor-induced DNA synthesis and cell division in primary cultured hepatocytes of rats; Takahashi S et al.; We investigated the effects of microbial protease inhibitors, in particular the aminopeptidase inhibitor bestatin, on DNA synthesis and cell division induced by epidermal growth factor (EGF) in hepatocytes . Although bestatin did not significantly affect binding of EGF to hepatocytes, it inhibited EGF-induced DNA synthesis and cell division . DNA synthesis in rat hepatocytes was maximal 24-26 h after EGF addition to the medium . The time required for maximal DNA synthesis was not affected if bestatin was removed less than 12 h after addition, but synthesis was partially inhibited if bestatin was added to the medium several hours after EGF addition, depending on the time of bestatin addition . Our results suggest that bestatin arrests the new cell cycle induced by EGF at about 12 h after the initiation . Considering also our results obtained by employing other protease inhibitors, we concluded that specific proteases play important roles in hepatocyte DNA synthesis and cell division induced by EGF.

Cancer, 1989 Aug 1, 64(3), 686 - 90
Prevention of prostate cancer and liver tumors in L-W rats by moderate dietary restriction; Pollard M et al.; Aging conventional (CV) and germfree Lobund-Wistar (L-W) rats developed spontaneous tumors, predominantly in the prostate, liver, and adrenal glands . In CV L-W rats a 30% reduction of daily intake (natural ingredient diet L-485) had the following effects: (1) reduction of the incidence of metastatic prostate adenocarcinomas (PA) from 25.7% to 6.3% and extension of the average latent periods from 26.6 to 36.7 months; and (2) reduction of the incidence of hepatomas from 59% to 26% and extension of the average latent periods from 31.3 to 34 months . Adrenal medullary tumors developed in approximately 60% of rats older than 19 months, regardless of dietary intake and microbial status . Stromal hyperplasia developed among 36 of 78 (46%) rats older than age 30 months . Rats with PA were free of stromal hyperplasia, and the reverse was also true . Germfree L-W rats developed all of the above tumors, but the diet-related differences were not as significant as those among the conventional counterpart rats . The incidence of prostatis was reduced from 22% to 6% among the diet-restricted rats, but this lesion did not develop among the germfree rats.

Antibiot Khimioter, 1989 Jul, 34(7), 526 - 30
{Multifactor analysis of parameters of immunity under the combined action of doxycycline and a low molecular weight immunomodulator of microbial origin}; Nikitin AV et al.; The effect of doxycycline combination with a low molecular immunomodulator of microbial origin on the primary immune response to the vaccine EV antigens was studied in multifactor experiments . Mathematical processing of the data provided construction of polynomial statistic models of the second order describing increased delayed type hypersensitivity (IDTH) and the antibody titer . Analysis of the quasimonofactor models revealed different character of regulation of the cellular and humoral response . Nomograms were plotted for precise quantitative estimation of the dose-time parameters of the regimens for combined use of the antibiotic and immunomodulator providing the required levels of IDTH and the antibody titer.

Tsitologiia, 1989 Jul, 31(7), 807 - 17
{The effect of culturing conditions on the karyotypic structure of two cell sublines of Indian muntjak skin fibroblasts}; Polianskaia GG; The "therapeutic" doses of antibiotics, routinely applied to prevent microbial contamination in cultured cells, decrease the frequency of modal class cells and increase that of cells of other classes in sublines of Indian muntjak skin fibroblasts . In MT-subline, with 9 chromosomes in the modal class, the loss of cells with some large chromosomes occurred almost frequently . In terms of the formula of the karyotype main structural variant, this change is described as (-1-0-1-1) . In M-subline, with 7 chromosomes in the modal class, the similar result is mainly achieved due to a decrease in the cell number with Y1-chromosome to be described as (0-0-0-0-1) . The study of frequency of deviation from the chromosome number in the MSVK has shown that in the MT-subline, rather than in the M-subline, different chromosomes are incidentally involved in the karyotypic rearrangement . In both the sublines antibiotics induced chromosomal aberrations, primarily increasing the number of dicentrics . Preferential involvement of some chromosomes in the dicentric formation was observed . Cytogenetical parameters are more affected by antibiotics in the MT-subline . The data obtained indicate that even low concentrations of antibiotics may induce karyotypic changes in cells cultures.

Med Parazitol (Mosk), 1989 Jul-Aug, (4), 14 - 8
{Characteristics of the transphase and transovarial transmission of Rickettsia sibirica by ixodid and argasid ticks}; Podboronov VM et al.; Both the specific vector Dermacentor silvarum and the nonspecific one Ornithodoros papillipes are shown to become Rickettsia sibirica infected while sucking blood on the infected guinea pigs . Meanwhile, the specific vector D . silvarum is more sensitive to R . sibirica than the nonspecific . O papillipes . The infectivity of D . silvarum and O . papillipes ticks by R . sibirica was found to be dependent on the intensity of guinea pigs' rickettsemia . Transovarial transmission of Rickettsia has been established for the D . silvarum and O . papillipes ticks, but the Rickettsia titer in the infested D . silvarum larvae exceeded that O . papillipes . Survival of D . silvarum ticks infected by various concentrations of the R . sibirica microbial bodies was found to exceed that of O . papillipes.

Food Chem Toxicol, 1989 Jul, 27(7), 437 - 43
Mutagenicity of rutin and the glycosidic activity of cultured cell-free microbial preparations of human faeces and saliva; Laires A et al.; Genotoxic testing of flavonol glycosides, which account for most of the human intake of flavonoids, is dependent on the use of enzymatic extracts that exhibit beta-glycosidic activity . This study was aimed at characterizing further the beta-glycosidic activity of cultured cell-free microbial extracts from human faeces (faecalase) and saliva (salivase) . Using o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactoside as substrate, the optimum pH and apparent Km and energy of activation were shown to be 7.6, 3.5 x 10(-4) M and 8.65 kcal/mol, respectively, for faecalase, and 7.4, 8.7 x 10(-5) M and 3.8 kcal/mol, respectively, for salivase . Rutin (quercetin-3-O-rutinoside) was shown to be a competitive inhibitor for faecalase, whereas no inhibitory activity could be found for salivase . Enzymatic hydrolysis of rutin gave the mutagenic product quercetin that was detected in the Ames assay and using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 1989 Jul-Aug, 96(7), 368 - 70
{The dust and microbial content in a horse stable during the use of a dust-binding agent}; Hartung J et al.; Dust in horse barns is assumed to contribute to pulmonary disease, it is attempted to reduce the airborne dust by soaking or sprinkling the hay before feeding . Both means cause considerable efforts and increase the relative humidity of the air . This is why a commercial dust-binding agent (Revesto pur) was used in a pilot investigation which was carried out during 2 weeks - one week for control and one week using the agent - in a private horse barn where three horses were regularly stable . The airborne dust was measured by a continuously working instrument . Once a day (7.00 a.m.) the number of airborne germs was estimated . The dust is reduced to 0.03 mg/m3 during the night, (8.00 p.m . to 6.00 a.m.), as compared to the control (0.05 mg/m3) . However, the total dust content during 24 h increases after spraying with the aid of the instruments supplied by the manufacturer to 0.12 mg/m3 (control 0.07 mg/m3) . The airborne germs show a decreasing tendency after application of the agent . The use of the sprayers is very time-consuming, their use inside of the barn obviously increases the particles in the air . Thus, it seems advisable to spray outside of the stable . Further investigations are necessary in order to evaluate whether the reduction of the dust during night which was indicated in this study may have a positive clinical effect.

J Parenter Sci Technol, 1989 Jul-Aug, 43(4), 158 - 66
Design and use of a novel peracetic acid sterilizer for absolute barrier sterility testing chambers; Davenport SM; Increasing use is being made of absolute barrier chambers in the pharmaceutical industry for sterility testing of sterile pharmaceuticals . Since these barriers are designed to form a microbial-tight enclosure to eliminate laboratory microbial contamination derived from the operator and the environment,it is important that the method used to sterilize these barriers, product containers, and articles used within, provide a high degree of sterility assurance . A major part of incorporating absolute barriers in the sterility testing laboratory at the Upjohn Company was to design an automated sterilization system to facilitate the spraying of a liquid sterilant, e.g., peracetic acid, inside these barriers . This article focuses on general design considerations, specific details of the apparatus, and the operational steps . The sterilization efficacy of this method is also described, with particular emphasis on validation criteria and results . Finally, operational sterility testing results are discussed.

J Med Assoc Thai, 1989 Jul, 72 Suppl 2, 26 - 8
Bacterial contamination of re-usable and disposable syringes and needles; Danchaivijitr S et al.; Re-usable glass and disposable plastic syringes and needles were tested for their sterility . Ninety-one re-usable glass, 111 disposable plastic syringes, 105 re-usable and 91 disposable needles were determined for microbial contamination by direct method using soy-bean-casein digest and fluid thioglycolate media . The positive results were 2.2 per cent (2/91), 0.9 per cent (1/111), 2.9 per cent (3/105) and 3.3 per cent (3/91) for re-usable and disposable syringes and needles, respectively . It is concluded that there is no difference in the rates of contamination of re-usable and disposable items.

J Steroid Biochem, 1989 Jul, 33(1), 81 - 7
Microbial transformations of steroids--III . Transformation of progesterone by Sepedonium ampullosporum; Smith KE et al.; The 16 alpha-steroid hydroxylating fungus Sepedonium ampullosporum (CMI strain 203 033) transformed progesterone into 16 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and four other major metabolites which have not been reported previously for this organism, 6 beta-hydroxyprogesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, 16 alpha-hydroxyandrostenedione and 16-oxotestosterone (16-ketotestosterone) . Among the minor metabolites we have been able to identify 15 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone . This compound has not been reported for S . ampullosporum . The conditions used for transformation had comparatively little effect on the relative proportions of products formed, 16 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone always being the predominant metabolite, but had a major effect on the total yields of metabolites isolatable . These findings suggest that one or more constitutive enzyme systems were responsible for the transformations.

Rev Odontostomatol (Paris), 1989 Jul-Aug, 18(4), 337 - 42
{Use of phase contrast microscopy in periodontology}; Mousques T et al.; Dark field microscopy and phase contrast microscopy allow subgingival microbial plaque examination to differentiate healthy state and pathogenic stages of periodontal disease . These microbial technics are appropriate to inform the patients about the bacterial etiology of their periodontitis and motivate them for a better oral hygiene.

Med Lab Sci, 1989 Jul, 46(3), 207 - 14
The bacterial screening of food and water; Renton-Skinner P; The application of microbiology to the prevention of microbial hazards in food and water is reviewed . The limits and appropriateness of the various approaches are discussed . Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) is presented as a more logical method of preventing microbial hazards than screening.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1989 Jul, (7), 66 - 71
{The diagnosis of antileptospiral antibodies in human subjects by solid-phase immunoenzyme analysis}; Sergeev AA et al.; The possibility of using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the diagnosis of leptospirosis has been shown . This method has proved to be more simple and sensitive than the leptospiral microagglutination and lysis test . The data on obtaining genus-specific leptospiral antigens are presented . As revealed in this study, the antigens obtained by the complex treatment of microbial cells with ultrasound and detergents show the maximum activity in ELISA . The optimum parameters of the ELISA system for the diagnosis of leptospirosis have been established.

Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 1989 Jul-Aug, 96(7), 344 - 6
{The collection and treatment of feed samples, particularly when suspecting mycotoxins}; Schmidt HL; The sampling-procedure for feedstuffs in the official supervision of these products is performed according to the standards decreed by the feedstuff order in which the sampling tools, the wrapping and the pattern of acting are specified . In suspicion cases for mycotoxins in feedstuffs it is suitable to complete the sampling protocol with additional informations about feed and feeding practice as well as possibly observed health disturbances in animals . In this connection attention is directed to microbial caused changes of feedstuffs, which sometimes are clearly observable . Such indications allow to accommodate sampling to a present situation and can help substantially in clearing up cases of mycotoxicoses . In scope of mycotoxin research, sampling technique and procedure will be subjected to the special scientific questions.

J Nutr, 1989 Jul, 119(7), 1055 - 61
Recent developments in trace element metabolism and function: trace elements, disease resistance and immune responsiveness in ruminants; Suttle NF et al.; Evidence for the influence of trace elements on disease resistance in ruminants is reviewed with emphasis on susceptibility to infection in vivo during the more common deficiencies (copper, selenium and cobalt) . Copper deficiency associated with increases in pasture molybdenum increased the susceptibility of lambs to microbial infections . Under experimental conditions, dietary molybdenum decreased the establishment of abomasal and intestinal nematodes but not their pathogenicity to lambs . Molybdenum may enhance inflammatory responses leading to parasite rejection by the host . Decreased incidence of metritis in selenium-treated dairy cows provides a rare example of an association between selenium deficiency and decreased disease resistance . Improved antibody responses following selenium administration have also been found in sheep . Cobalt deficiency has reduced lamb survival and increased susceptibility to parasitic infection transiently in cattle and lastingly in sheep . In copper-, selenium- or cobalt-deficient sheep and cattle, there are many reports of impaired leucocyte and lymphocyte responses to in vitro challenges, but their relevance to disease resistance in vivo is unproven . Disease resistance may have priority for limited micronutrient supplies, leaving other processes vulnerable.

Mutat Res, 1989 Jul, 221(1), 1 - 9
Genetic toxicology of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP); Teramoto S et al.; 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) is a nematocide, which has been used extensively as a soil fumigant in agriculture . Since sterility was found among male workers involved in the manufacture of DBCP, great concern has been focused on the genetic hazards of DBCP . DBCP gave positive results in many tests such as microbial, in vitro cytogenetics, and Drosophila studies . In mammalian test systems, DBCP caused chromosomal aberrations in the bone marrow cells and dominant-lethal mutations in germ cells in rats . In mice, there were no signs of DBCP-induced heritable mutation in germ cells, although point mutations were detected in somatic cells . The occurrence of Y-chromosomal non-disjunction was indicated in DBCP-exposed male workers by an increased number of sperm containing 2 Y-chromosomes.

J Clin Invest, 1989 Jul, 84(1), 36 - 42
Inhibition of endotoxin-induced bacterial translocation in mice; Deitch EA et al.; The primary functions of the gut are to absorb nutrients and exclude bacteria and their products . However, under certain circumstances the gut may lose its barrier function and serve as a reservoir for systemic microbial infections . These experiments were performed to determine the mechanisms whereby endotoxin causes bacteria to escape (translocate) from the gut . Bacteria translocated from the gut to the mesenteric lymph nodes of mice challenged with nonlethal doses of Escherichia coli 026:B6 or E . coli 0111:B4 endotoxin . Physical disruption of the gut mucosal barrier appears to be the primary mechanism whereby endotoxin promotes bacterial translocation . Mucosal injury and endotoxin-induced bacterial translocation were reduced by inhibition (allopurinol) or inactivation (tung-sten diet) of xanthine oxidase activity (P less than 0.01), but were not affected by the platelet-activation factor antagonists, SRI 63-441 or BN 52021 . Because the inhibition or inactivation of xanthine oxidase activity reduced both the extent of mucosal injury and endotoxin-induced bacterial translocation, the effect of endotoxin on the gut appears to be mediated, at least to some degree, by xanthine oxidase-generated, oxygen-free radicals.

Plant Mol Biol, 1989 Jul, 13(1), 31 - 42
Purification of (1-->3)-beta-glucan endohydrolase isoenzyme II from germinated barley and determination of its primary structure from a cDNA clone; Hoj PB et al.; A (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan 3-glucanohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.39) of apparent M(r) 32,000, designated GII, has been purified from germinated barley grain and characterized . The isoenzyme is resolved from a previously purified isoenzyme (GI) on the basis of differences in their isoelectric points; (1-->3)-beta-glucanases GI and GII have pI values of 8.6 and > or = 10.0, respectively . Comparison of the sequences of their 40 NH2-terminal amino acids reveals 68% positional identity . A 1265 nucleotide pair cDNA encoding (1-->3)-beta-glucanase isoenzyme GII has been isolated from a library prepared with mRNA of 2-day germinated barley scutella . Nucleotide sequence analysis of the cDNA has enabled the complete primary structure of the 306 amino acid (1-->3)-beta-glucanase to be deduced, together with that of a putative NH2-terminal signal peptide of 28 amino acid residues . The (1-->3)-beta-glucanase cDNA is characterized by a high (G+C) content, which reflects a strong bias for the use of G or C in the wobble base position of codons . The amino acid sequence of the (1-->3)-beta-glucanase shows highly conserved internal domains and 52% overall positional identity with barley (1-->3, 1-->4)-beta-glucanase isoenzyme EII, an enzyme of related but quite distinct substrate specificity . Thus, the (1-->3)-beta-glucanases, which may provide a degree of protection against microbial invasion of germinated barley grain through their ability to degrade fungal cell wall polysaccharides, appear to share a common evolutionary origin with the (1-->3, 1-->4)-beta-glucanases, which function to depolymerize endosperm cell walls in the germinated grain.

Transplantation, 1989 Jul, 48(1), 111 - 5
The influence of T cell depletion on recovery of T cell proliferation to herpesviruses and Candida after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation; de Gast GC et al.; To test the influence of T cell depletion of the marrow in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation on functional T cell recovery, in vitro lymphocyte proliferation tests (LPTs) to microbial antigens were regularly performed in 23 recipients of normal BM and in 25 patients receiving BM with a fixed low number of T cells (1 x 10(5) T cells/kg body weight; recipients of T-depleted BM) . The long-term recovery of positive LPT to at least 1 of the 4 tested microbial antigens--Candida, herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), and cytomegalovirus--was nearly similar in both groups: 16/23 versus 18/25 . Recovery of LPT to Candida and HSV in the first 3 months appeared to be greatly influenced by prophylactic measures; only 2/23 recipients of normal BM, receiving amphotericin B, showed a positive LPT to Candida versus 13/25 recipients of T-depleted BM (P less than 0.01) . In contrast, only 1/23 seropositive recipients of T-depleted BM, receiving acyclovir, showed a positive LPT to HSV versus 9/22 recipients of normal BM (P less than 0.05) . A positive LPT to CMV in the first 3 months was found in 9/9 seropositive recipients of normal BM, versus in 5/11 seropositive recipients of T-depleted BM (P less than 0.05) . Five of the 6 patients with a negative LPT died of CMV-interstitial pneumonia versus 1/14 with positive LPT (P less than 0.01) . We conclude that in CMV-seropositive recipients of allogeneic BM, T cell depletion of the graft affects the early recovery of T cell proliferation to CMV, which is associated with a higher risk of fatal CMV-interstitial pneumonia.

J Microencapsul, 1989 Jul-Sep, 6(3), 389 - 94
Encapsulation of vitamin A; Markus A et al.; Vitamin A was protected from degradation in the first compartment of the ruminant stomach by encapsulation by a phase-separation technique . The matrix components consisted of substituted cellulosic materials, fatty acids or a variety of proteins . Antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene and ethoxyquin were incorporated in the formulations . The protective efficiency of the formulations as estimated by exposing the encapsulated vitamin A to gastric juice (microbial degradation) and to a pepsin solution (enzymatic degradation) . The capsules prepared with substituted cellulosic materials gave the best protection to vitamin A from degradation.

Am J Gastroenterol, 1989 Jul, 84(7), 756 - 62
Lactase and placebo in the management of the irritable bowel syndrome: a double-blind, cross-over study; Lisker R et al.; A double-blind, cross-over, therapeutic, clinical trial of the efficacy of exogenous, microbial beta-D-galactosidase to reduce the symptoms of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was conducted in 12 patients whose customary diets regularly included milk . Eight of the 12 subjects (67%) proved to be lactase-nonpersistent, lactose-maldigesters when challenged with a aqueous dose of 12.5 g . The study lasted 4 months, with the first month a non-intervention, control period and the latter 3 months alternating in the sequence, treatment/placebo/treatment, or placebo/treatment/placebo . When symptoms during trial months were analyzed by the cumulative sum procedure, gastrointestinal symptoms were found to be independent of lactase treatment . We found a positive temporal association of the severity of both gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal symptomatology . In populations with a high prevalence of lactose deficiency, IBS symptoms appear to be independent of lactose maldigestion.

Rev Infect Dis, 1989 Jul-Aug, 11(4), 549 - 68
Neutrophil activation by recombinant cytokines; Steinbeck MJ et al.; Interest in the use of recombinant cytokines for immunotherapy is increasing as more information becomes available on the influences of these products on effector cells (e.g., neutrophils) involved in the resistance of the host to disease . This review summarizes the information available on in vitro and in vivo activation of neutrophils by recombinant cytokines . The emerging theme is that various cytokines (e.g., colony-stimulating factors, interleukins, tumor necrosis factors, and interferons) have direct and often synergistic abilities that activate the neutrophil to have enhanced cytocidal activity towards microbial and cellular stimuli . Equally important (although less well studied), cytokines have been shown in some cases to enhance the function of neutrophils isolated from immunosuppressed animals . These neutrophils have depressed function, and influences of cytokines on these cells may be different from their influences on normal neutrophils . Only recombinant cytokine data are included in this review because of the potential for contamination of naturally produced cytokines with unknown biologically active substances.

Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen . 1989 Jun 30;109(19-21):2037.
{Candida species produce IgA proteases--an important biological property}; Kett K; IgA-specific microbial proteases possess the ability to reduce the protective effects of secretory IgA antibodies . The fact that fungi such as Candida produce both IgA1-and IgA2-specific proteases has not been acknowledged in articles and discussions concerning the chronic Candida syndrome . Therefore a short survey of these interesting proteases is presented, along with hypotheses concerning alterations IgA fragments may induce in immunoregulation and uptake of antigens from the gut.

Eur J Biochem, 1989 Jun 15, 182(2), 327 - 32
A novel L-glutamate oxidase from Streptomyces endus . Purification and properties; Bohmer A et al.; A new flavoenzyme using molecular oxygen to oxidize L-glutamic acid has been purified to homogeneity, as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, from the culture medium of Streptomyces endus . Hydrogen peroxide, 2-oxoglutaric acid and ammonia are formed as products . Among 25 amino acids tested including D-glutamic acid, L-glutamine and L-aspartic acid, only L-glutamic acid is converted . The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be about 90 kDa by gel chromatography and 50 kDa by SDS/PAGE . The subunit contains 1 molecule noncovalently bound FAD . The absorption spectrum shows maxima at 273, 355 and 457 nm and the isoelectric point is at pH 6.2 . The Km value for L-glutamic acid in air-saturated phosphate pH 7.0 was estimated to be 1.1 mM, the Km for oxygen was calculated to be 1.86 mM at saturating concentration of L-glutamic acid . The enzymic reaction is inhibited by Ag+ and Hg2+ ions . The enzyme described here distinctly differs from two microbial L-glutamate oxidases purified hitherto, with regard to extremely high substrate specificity and to the subunit structure.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1989 Jun 15, 161(2), 700 - 5
A novel metabolite in the microbial degradation of 2-chlorobenzoate; Fetzner S et al.; A bacterium which utilizes 2-chlorobenzoate as sole source of carbon and energy was isolated from water and tentatively identified as a Pseudomonas sp . During growth on 2-chlorobenzoate, the chlorine substituent was released quantitatively and a metabolite accumulated in the culture medium . Based on thin-layer chromatography, high-pressure liquid chromatography and gas chromatography linked to mass spectrometry this compound was unequivocally identified as 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate, a compound not described before in the degradation of 2-chlorobenzoate.

Int J Cancer, 1989 Jun 15, 43(6), 1155 - 64
Microbial flora in the gastrointestinal tract abolishes cytostatic effects of alpha-difluoromethylornithine in vivo; Hessels J et al.; Although treatment with the ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) leads to depletion of intracellular polyamines and to related growth inhibition in vitro, its cytostatic effects in vivo are disappointing . This may be due to abolition of DFMO-induced growth inhibition by polyamines released during normal body cell turnover, to dietary polyamines, or to putrescine synthesized by the microbial flora in the GI tract . We studied selectively (aerobic) and totally (aerobic + anaerobic) GI tract-decontaminated LI210-bearing mice fed with 3 types of diet differing in their polyamine and carbohydrate residue contents and treated with combinations of intraperitoneal DFMO and oral deuterium-labelled putrescine . Our data show that, irrespective of diet type, total decontamination markedly potentiates the moderate tumor growth inhibition that is caused by DFMO alone . During total decontamination, growth-inhibited L1210 cells accumulate in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle . Although orally administered deuterium-labelled putrescine gave rise to deuterium labelling of L1210 putrescine, spermidine and spermine, the polyamine levels in our diets played only a minor role.

Fortschr Kieferorthop, 1989 Jun, 50(3), 231 - 9
{Microbial colonization and various cleaning procedures for orthodontic appliances}; Diedrich P; The cleaning of removable appliances was analysed in three groups: 1 . cleaning with tooth-brush/toothpaste, 2 . self-acting cleansing agent, 3 . ultrasonic treatment . In the same patient group identical plates were fitted each for one month and cleaned by the different procedures . The microbial population and the cleansing effects were analysed by scanning electron microscopy . The findings shows clearly, that the toothbrush alone is unsatisfactory for achieving effective decontamination in the hygiene-critical areas of the plates . In contrast to this cleansing tablets and ultrasonic treatment were more effective in plaque-accumulating areas . None of the cleansing procedures effected complete decontamination of the removable appliances.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Jun, 55(6), 1574 - 7
Hybridization of DNA probes with whole-community genome for detection of genes that encode microbial responses to pollutants: mer genes and Hg2+ resistance; Barkay T et al.; Nucleic acids extracted from microbial biomass without prior culturing were hybridized with probes representing four mer operons to detect genes encoding adaptation to Hg2+ in whole-community genomes . A 29-fold enrichment in sequences similar to the mer genes of transposon Tn501 occurred during adaptation in a freshwater community . In an estuarine community, all four mer genes were only slightly enriched (by three- to fivefold), suggesting that additional, yet uncharacterized, mer genes encoded adaptation to Hg2+.

Epidemiol Infect, 1989 Jun, 102(3), 485 - 92
Microbial organisms carried by brown-banded cockroaches in relation to their spatial distribution in a hospital; Le Guyader A et al.; A simultaneous study of cockroach (Supella supellectilium) distribution and of associated carried bacterial flora has been made in the main hospital in Rennes (France) . Wild cockroaches carry a high number of bacterial species that can be related to the normal environmental flora and a contaminant flora acquired from particular environments . The diversity of carried bacterial species reveals a proximity factor between continguous floors of the building which leads us to suppose that cockroaches are able to forage from one floor to the other.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 Jun, 86(12), 4604 - 8
A gene encoding the tryptophan synthase beta subunit of Arabidopsis thaliana; Berlyn MB et al.; The DNA sequence of a tryptophan synthase gene and the flanking 5' and 3' regions has been determined for Arabidopsis thaliana . The sequence encodes only the beta subunit domain, indicating that alpha and beta subunits are specified by separate genes . The gene contains four introns and encodes 470 amino acid residues . The plant amino acid sequence is highly conserved with respect to corresponding microbial sequences . The NH2-terminal amino acid sequence is characteristic of chloroplast transit peptides . Identity of the sequences of the genomic exons and a cDNA clone and the presence of cellular RNA corresponding in size and 5' sequence to the gene indicate that the gene is expressed . Analysis of Arabidopsis genomic DNA suggests the presence of a second gene for the beta subunit.

Prim Care, 1989 Jun, 16(2), 501 - 13
Fever of unknown origin in the elderly; Wakefield KM et al.; Fever is a prominent sign of an acute-phase response induced by microbial invasion, tissue injury, immunologic reactions, or inflammatory processes . This generalized host response is produced by a multiplicity of localized or systemic diseases and characterized by acute, subacute, or chronic changes in metabolic, endocrinologic, neurologic, and immunologic functions . The fundamental event is an initiation of the acute-phase response by the production of a mediated molecule called IL-1 . This polypeptide is produced primarily from phagocytic cells such as blood monocytes, phagocytic lining cells of the liver and spleen, and other tissue macrophages . IL-1 produces a local reaction but also enters the circulation, acting as a hormone to mediate distant organ system responses to infection, immunologic reaction, and inflammatory processes . Fever is the result when IL-1 initiates the synthesis of prostaglandins, notably prostaglandin E2 in the thermoregulatory center located in the anterior hypothalamus . The thermostatic set point is then raised and mechanisms to conserve heat (vasoconstriction) and to produce heat (shivering) are initiated . The result is a sudden rise in body temperature . The same basic mechanisms are involved in FUO . Many of the biologic and biochemical changes that are seen in FUO are also evidence of an acute-phase response . The elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate is partly due to increased synthesis of hepatic proteins, including compliment components, ceruloplasmin, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein . IL-1 acts directly on the bone marrow to increase absolute numbers and immaturity of circulating neutrophils . Anemia is produced by many mechanisms, including the reduction of circulating serum iron . Although fever production in the elderly maybe delayed or of less intensity, it is still a marker of significant disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Int J Radiat Biol, 1989 Jun, 55(6), 963 - 81
Factors affecting and significance of G2 chromatin radiosensitivity in predisposition to cancer; Sanford KK et al.; The frequencies of chromatid breaks and gaps in metaphase cells fixed 2 h after G2 phase X-irradiation (1 Gy) were in almost all cases at least two- to three-fold higher in skin fibroblasts from individuals with genetic conditions predisposing to cancer than in comparable cells from clinically normal controls . Previously, we reported this response in all cancer-prone genetic disorders tested including ataxia telangiectasia, Bloom's syndrome, Fanconi's anemia, xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), familial polyposis, Gardner's syndrome, hereditary malignant melanoma, dysplastic nevus syndrome and cancer family members . One exception was XP-A . In this report we add information on skin fibroblasts from retinoblastoma, Wilms' tumor and XP-C patients, 13 clinically normal controls and six cell lines from fetal or infant cells . Factors affecting the response are identified and include pH, temperature, cell density, culture medium or serum, microbial contamination and visible light exposure (effective wavelength 405 nm) . Because of experimental variability, known normal controls should be used in each group of assays . With adequate control of the above factors this response could provide the basis of a test for detecting individuals carrying genes that predispose to a high risk of cancer.

J Nutr, 1989 Jun, 119(6), 879 - 86
Effects of dietary fiber and protein concentration on growth, feed efficiency, visceral organ weights and large intestine microbial populations of swine; Anugwa FO et al.; Finishing barrows (average initial weight 55.5 +/- 2.4 kg) were used to determine the effects of high dietary fiber or protein on performance, visceral organ weights and large intestine microbial populations and to monitor the duration of regression of swine visceral organ mass and microbial populations to control values following transfer from the high fiber or high protein diet to the control diet . Four pigs from each diet were killed on d 17, 34, 48 and 66 . From d 34 until slaughter 14 and 32 d later, all remaining pigs were fed the control diet ad libitum . High fiber resulted in significantly higher relative weight of the total gastrointestinal tract after 34 d and higher relative stomach weight up to d 48 . Compared with the control diet, the high protein diet resulted in increased relative liver and kidney weights up to d 48 . The number of proteolytic and cellulolytic bacteria increased in the colon contents of pigs fed a high protein or high fiber diet, respectively, but declined to below control values within 14 d of transferring pigs from the high protein or high fiber diet to the control diet . The results indicate that diet composition plays a more specific role in visceral organ hypertrophy than can be explained by the normal relative changes in organ size as body weight increases . Thus, high dietary fiber and protein may indirectly increase the animal's maintenance requirement by causing a repartitioning of nutrients from the edible carcass to the visceral organs.

Offentl Gesundheitswes, 1989 Jun, 51(6), 296 - 8
{Microbial contamination of drinking water by a polyamide feedpipe}; Schoenen D et al.; An incident is described with high colony counts in the drinking water from a well . The well was disinfected with sodium hypochlorite for several times, but without permanent success . After that the search for the reason of the high colony counts started . It turned out that the polyamide rising-pipe produced the microbial growth . Besides the colony increase in the water there was a microbial growth upon the surface of the polyamide pipe as well . When a high grade steel pipe was installed instead of the polyamide pipe there was no colony increase in the water any more.

Khirurgiia (Mosk), 1989 Jun, (6), 54 - 8
{Use of CO2 lasers in the surgical treatment of suppurative wounds of soft tissues}; Dotsenko AP et al.; Treatment of a purulent wound by means of a 400-500 J/cm2 power density CO2-laser after preliminary ordinary debridement improves the results of the last-named by reducing the level of microbial dissemination in the tissues to minimum (10(1) microbial bodies per 1 g tissue) . This improves the conditions for the development of the wound process and leads to sharp shortening of the duration of its phases and wider indications for the application of primary and primary-postponed sutures to the purulent wound . If primary sutures cannot be applied in the first postoperative days due to unfavourable conditions, open management of the wound is indicated to prepare it for application of primary-postponed sutures . Closure of a purulent wound with primary-postponed sutures after its treatment with a CO2-laser creates favourable conditions for its healing by first intention.

Anasth Intensivther Notfallmed, 1989 Jun, 24(3), 181 - 5
{Contamination of respirators in long-term ventilation}; Bonath K et al.; The role of artificial ventilation as an exogenous source of nosocomial pneumonia in long-term ventilated patients is well established . Hence, decontamination of respirators after use is inevitable, although this procedure is costly and time-consuming . The purpose of the study was to prove the efficacy of bacterial filters (Ultipor BB 50, Pall Ltd., Dreieich) in preventing microbial contamination of respirators during long-term ventilation . We investigated the impact of the patient tracheal flora on different parts of the ventilation system . A total of 30 patients included 9 patients treated with an aminoglycoside intratracheally and whose ventilators were equipped with breathing system filters, 10 patients treated with the aminoglycoside intratracheally and without filters, and finally 11 patients without antibiotic prophylaxis and without filters . 1495 samples were taken from different parts of the ventilation circuit . The data obtained suggest that there is no significant influence on the contamination rate of the ventilators by application of bacterial filters or intratracheal aminoglycoside . The use of the breathing system filters to protect the ventilator from microbial contamination, therefore, seems to be unnecessary.

Arch Intern Med, 1989 Jun, 149(6), 1457 - 8
Oerskovia infection caused by contaminated home parenteral nutrition solution; Guss WJ et al.; Only three cases of human infection with Oerskovia have been reported . A woman receiving home total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was admitted for catheter-related sepsis caused by Oerskovia . She was discharged on an intravenous regimen of vancomycin, but symptoms recurred her first night home, and she was readmitted . Cultures of the TPN solution and peripheral blood yielded Oerskovia . The patient was successfully treated at home with 5 weeks of intravenous vancomycin therapy (30 mg/kg per day) . Home TPN solutions provide an optimal incubation period for growth of microbial contaminants . Although quality control measures appropriate for hospital TPN solutions may be inappropriate for home TPN solutions, no standards currently exist for manufacturers of home TPN solutions . Thus, physicians should inquire about quality controls when choosing a company for home intravenous therapy referrals.

Am J Clin Nutr, 1989 Jun, 49(6), 1233 - 7
Relative efficiency of yogurt, sweet acidophilus milk, hydrolyzed-lactose milk, and a commercial lactase tablet in alleviating lactose maldigestion; Onwulata CI et al.; The relative effectiveness of commercially available plain yogurt (Y), sweet acidophilus milk (SAM), hydrolyzed-lactose milk (HLM), a lactase tablet (LT), and whole milk (WM) was evaluated in 10 lactose-intolerant black subjects . In a 5 x 5 Latin square design, hourly breath hydrogen excretion (BHE) was measured for 5 h after the subjects consumed the above products (18 g lactose in each except HLM, which had 5 g) . Mean BHE (ppm) for Y, SAM, LT, HLM, and WM were 12, 37, 29, 18, and 33, respectively . There was a significant (p less than 0.05) positive correlation of 0.808 between the symptoms reported and the mean peak BHE . However, the correlation between the symptoms and diagnosis by history was not significant . Although Y was as effective as HLM in minimizing lactose maldigestion, it was the least accepted by the subjects in sensory evaluations . Results of this study also indicate that microbial endogenous lactase in yogurt is superior to exogenous commercial lactase in alleviating lactose maldigestion.

J Autoimmun, 1989 Jun, 2 Suppl, 93 - 100
The mycobacterial GroEL stress protein: a common target of T-cell recognition in infection and autoimmunity; Lamb JR et al.; The 65 kD protein of mycobacteria is an immunodominant antigen for both T and B lymphocytes . Sequence analysis has revealed that this protein belongs to the highly conserved family of stress proteins, related to the GroEL gene product of E . coli, that are present in all cells from bacteria to man . We demonstrate here that human T cells from healthy individuals and disease sites are able to recognize determinants within the 65 kD protein that are either specific for M . tuberculosis or are conserved between GroEL of mycobacterial, E . coli or human origin . The induction of T cells that recognize with cross-reactive sequences of GroEL may provide an explanation for the autoimmune phenomena often associated with infection by microbial pathogens . However, both the magnitude and the biological significance of this component of the T-cell repertoire reactive with self stress proteins will be influenced by local environmental factors as well as the MHC haplotype of the individual.

J Chromatogr, 1989 May 19, 469, 281 - 91
Analysis of warfarin and its metabolites by reversed-phase ion-pair liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection; Wong YW et al.; A high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of warfarin and its metabolites (diastereomeric warfarin alcohols and 6-, 7-, 8-, 4'- and 3'-hydroxywarfarin) in microbial cultures . Ion-pair chromatography with tetrabutylammonium ion as the counter ion allowed for the complete resolution of all compounds at pH 7.5 on a reversed-phase (C18) column, thus permitting direct fluorescence detection without the use of post-column pH switching techniques . Analysis of cell suspension cultures of the fungus Cunninghamella elegans (ATCC 36112) indicated that this organism metabolizes warfarin to all known mammalian metabolites, plus the previously unreported 3'-hydroxywarfarin . Detection limits for all compounds were in the low nanogram range.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1989 May 15, 160(3), 1379 - 86
The binding activities of proteins that bind Ap4A, an alarmone, are stimulated in the presence of ethanol or phosphatidylethanolamine; Kobayashi Y et al.; Three proteins binding Ap4A which is known to increase in the heat-shocked cells or to trigger DNA synthesis in G1-arrested eukaryotic cells were purified from E . coli cell extract . For the binding activities of the proteins, glutathione or dithiothreitol and manganese or iron ion were absolutely required . Glutathione, which exists in relatively high concentration in the cells and had been reported to be related to oxidant shock, was far more effective than an artificial antioxidant, dithiothreitol . Ethanol, which has an effect similar to heat or oxidant shock on microbial or eukaryotic cells, enhanced several fold the Ap4A-binding activity . Phosphatidylethanolamine, a major component of phospholipids of cytoplasma and membrane of E . coli cell also stimulated the Ap4A-binding activity.

Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1989 May, 142(5), 58 - 60
{Pulse jet administration of liquid in the treatment of suppurative wounds}; Peregudov IG et al.; The work presents data on dynamics of microbial dissemination of purulent wounds in the process of surgical treatment with an additional action of the beating jet of liquid and repeated treatment by the beating jet of antibiotics . An analysis of results of healing the wounds has shown efficiency of the method when finishing the surgical treatment of purulent wounds by putting sutures as well as by plastic closure of the wounds.

Immunology, 1989 May, 67(1), 103 - 8
Lymphocyte subsets in jejunal and ileal Peyer's patches of normal and gnotobiotic minipigs; Rothkotter HJ et al.; The size and location of Peyer's patches (PP) in the jejunum and ileum and their composition of lymphocyte subsets (B, CD2+, CD4+, CD8+) have been studied in conventional and gnotobiotic Gottingen minipigs . Each PP in the small intestine remained at the same site and was of comparable length between 2 and 12 months of age . In 1.5-month-old conventional minipigs the histology of the compartments differed between the continuous PP in the terminal ileum (ilPP) and the discrete PP in the jejunum (jejPP) . No such difference was seen in gnotobiotic or in 12-month-old animals . The composition of lymphocyte subsets showed striking differences with significantly more B and less T, CD4+ and CD8+ cells in ilPP in 1.5-month-old minipigs in comparison with 12-month-olds . Mesenteric lymph nodes and jejPP displayed a typical pattern of lymphocyte subsets . The size of the lymphocyte compartments in PP and their cellular composition depends largely on age and microbial influences from the gut lumen, which might be of major importance for studies on the function of the gut-associated immune system in the pig.

Arch Ophthalmol, 1989 May, 107(5), 683 - 6
Transient hypopyon with marked anterior chamber fibrin following pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil injection; Johnson RN et al.; In a retrospective review of 30 cases of complex retinal detachment, which had been managed by pars plana vitrectomy techniques together with silicone oil injection, we found that two patients developed marked postoperative anterior chamber fibrin and hypopyon . In all 30 cases, the same silicone oil was used: purified and heat-sterilized trimethylsiloxy-terminated, polydimethylsiloxane of 1000-centistoke viscosity . Although the silicone oil itself remained clear and without emulsification, the differential diagnosis of this postoperative inflammation included microbial endophthalmitis . These two cases were treated with frequent topical steroids and antibiotics while we closely monitored the retraction of the anterior chamber fibrin . In both cases, clinical improvement and long-term retinal reattachment with satisfactory visual function were achieved . The use of intense scatter laser endophotocoagulation and the presence of impurities in the silicone oil may have contributed to the excessive postoperative inflammation in these cases.

Cancer, 1989 May 1, 63(9), 1856 - 62
A fatal case of multicentric Kikuchi's histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis; Chan JK et al.; Kikuchi's histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi's disease) is a histologically alarming but self-limiting lesion typically affecting the cervical lymph nodes of young adults . The authors report the first case of fatality occurring during the active phase of Kikuchi's disease . The 38-year-old patient presented with fever and generalized lymphadenopathy . During hospitalization, he developed abrupt onset of heart failure and died . Postmortem examination revealed enlarged lymph nodes all over the body showing typical histologic changes of Kikuchi's disease, but there was no encroachment on vital structures . The heart was dilated and flabby, with multiple microscopic foci of necrosis and mild fatty change . There were no other significant findings, and all cultures were negative . The authors speculate that large amounts of cytokines produced by the histiocytes or high endogenous catecholamines resulting from the stress response might be responsible for the myocardial damage . Alternatively, infection by an as yet uncharacterized microbial might be the underlying cause for both the lymphadenitis and myocardial disease.

Br J Nutr, 1989 May, 61(3), 741 - 8
Inhibitory effects of sulphur compounds, copper and tungsten on nitrate reduction by mixed rumen micro-organisms; Takahashi J et al.; 1 . The inhibitory effects of inorganic and organic sulphur-containing compounds, copper and tungsten on nitrate reduction by mixed rumen micro-organisms were investigated in two in vitro studies . 2 . Coarsely strained rumen fluid from nitrate-adapted (Expt 1) or non-adapted (Expt 2) Suffolk Down wethers maintained on lucerne (Medicago sativa) cubes was used as an inoculum . In Expt 1, anaerobic incubation was carried out for 24 h for each medium supplemented with 10 mM-sodium nitrate and the following chemicals: 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and 10 mM-sodium sulphide, 1 and 10 mM-sodium sulphite, 1 and 10 mM-sodium sulphate, 1 and 10 mM-L-cysteine, 1 and 10 mM-DL-methionine, 1 mM-sodium tungstate and 1 mM-copper sulphate . In Expt 2, 1 and 10 mM-Na2S, 1 and 10 mM-L-cysteine, 1 mM-Na2WO4, and 1 mM-CuSO4 were added to incubation media to test for chemical inhibition of microbial reduction of nitrate . 3 . In Expt 1, the amount of nitrite formed decreased with increasing concentration of sulphide-S added . The additions of L-cysteine, W and Cu suppressed nitrite formation in media from both nitrate-adapted and non-adapted sheep . 4 . In contrast to the effects of sulphide, L-cysteine and W counteracted, to some degree, nitrate-induced reduction of volatile fatty acid (VFA) production . Addition of Cu to the media resulted in a further depression of VFA production.

J Anal Toxicol, 1989 May-Jun, 13(3), 185 - 7
Application of HPLC-thermospray ionization mass spectrometry for the analysis of triprolidine and its metabolite hydroxymethyltriprolidine in biological samples; Hansen EB Jr et al.; High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to positive ion mode thermospray ionization mass spectrometry has been used to characterize triprolidine and its known metabolite hydroxymethyltriprolidine . The method allows direct analysis of these compounds in complex biological matrices . Analysis of an extract from a microbial biotransformation experiment with triprolidine was performed and the results included two baseline-resolved chromatographic peaks . The {M + H}+ ion obtained from the mass spectrum of the first peak was consistent with that of hydroxymethyltriprolidine, and the mass spectrum of the second peak corresponded to triprolidine . Under the described conditions, the minimum detectable level of triprolidine without filament enhancement was estimated at about 10 micrograms injected on column.

Xenobiotica, 1989 May, 19(5), 539 - 46
Propranolol metabolism by Cunninghamella bainieri; Foster BC et al.; 1 . Incubations of racemic propranolol alone or in the presence of either quinidine or sparteine were performed with Cunninghamella bainieri . 2 . Five mammalian metabolites of propranolol (4-hydroxypropranolol, desisopropyl-propranolol, 1-naphthoxylactic acid, propranolol glycol and 1-naphthoxyacetic acid) were present in unhydrolysed extracts of the incubation medium according to h.p.l.c . and g.l.c . analyses . The relative proportion of 4-hydroxypropranolol increased after enzymic treatment . 3 . Propranolol not only had a fungistatic effect, but also caused morphological changes in the organism, which were accompanied by decomposition of 4-hydroxypropranolol and formation of a greenish-brown colour in the incubation medium . 4 . Drug interaction experiments yielded results which paralleled those reported in mammals . 5 . The findings indicate that C . bainieri may be a useful microbial model for drug disposition and interaction studies.

Acta Cytol, 1989 May-Jun, 33(3), 393 - 6
Fine needle aspiration cytologic findings and differential diagnosis of solitary pseudorheumatoid nodule; Zamora T et al.; The cytologic findings in fine needle aspirates of two solitary pseudorheumatoid nodules are presented . The main characteristic of the smears was a necrotic granular and filamentous background accompanied by a granulomatous inflammatory infiltrate . The differential diagnosis is analyzed . The results in these cases indicate that the diagnosis of a solitary pseudorheumatoid nodule may be made by fine needle aspiration cytology after a critical evaluation of the cytologic and clinical data and with the help of special stains and microbial culture.

Prakt Zubn Lek, 1989 May, 37(4), 97 - 103
{Condition of the periodontium in patients with fixed dentures}; Fassmann A et al.; The authors examined 29 patients with fixed prostheses . They investigated the condition of the periodontium of pillar teeth of these dentures and examined the vestibular and oral dental surfaces, the adjacent gingiva and the presence of microbial dental plaque . They recorded also the period of use of the denture . The periodontium was evaluated by Russel's according to Silness-Lo . In 16 dentures the assessed values ware compared with intact teeth on the contralateral side of the same jaw . The values of periodontal indices in pillar teeth of fixed prostheses are higher than in teeth without prosthetic treatment and they are proportional to the standard of hygiene and the period for which the prosthesis has been used.

Izv Akad Nauk SSSR Biol, 1989 May-Jun, (3), 429 - 34
{Substrate specificity of the biotransformation enzymes in a Nocardia erythropolis culture}; Klimashina MM et al.; Substrate specificity of biotransformation enzymes of culture Nocardia erythropolis was studied . Products of transformation of cholesterol and three sterols of microbial origin: ergosterol, ergosta-5,7-dien-3 beta-ol and ergosta-7,22-dien-3 beta-ol was identified with a help of thin-layer chromatography, UV spectrophotometry and mass-spectrometry . It was established, that delta 22-bond in the side chains of sterols and delta 7-bond slows and delta 5-bond makes impossible cleavage of side chains of sterols.

Rev Infect Dis, 1989 May-Jun, 11(3), 452 - 63
Pathogenesis of experimental endocarditis; Baddour LM et al.; Numerous important observations concerning the pathogenesis of infective endocarditis have been made over the past 18 years . Many of these observations have been obtained with animal models of endocarditis in which an indwelling catheter has been used to produce predisposing endocardial lesions for subsequent infection . Unlike several previously used animal models, the catheter-induced endocarditis models have many characteristics similar to infective endocarditis in humans . Key findings regarding microbial adherence and persistence and the host response to endocardial infection have led to a better appreciation of the complex issues operative in the pathogenesis of endocarditis.

Bioessays, 1989 May, 10(5), 163 - 6
Evolutionary aspects of urea cycle enzyme genes; Takiguchi M et al.; The functions and expression pattern of urea cycle enzymes have undergone considerable changes during the course of evolution . Sequence analyses shows that urea cycle enzymes from mammals are homologous to microbial enzymes of the arginine-metabolic pathway . Recently, an unexpected relationship was found between argininosuccinate lyase (EC 4.3.2.1), the fourth enzyme of the cycle, and delta-crystallin, a lens structural protein of birds and reptiles.

Nor Tannlaegeforen Tid, 1989 May, 99(9), 344 - 7, 349
{Periodontal disease--specific or nonspecific infection?}; Bellagamba SJ et al.; The concept of a non-specific etiology of periodontal disease has been predominant during the last century . It was believed that this disease was caused by the normal oral microbial flora and dependent on the state of the immune system of the host . The specific plaque hypothesis, which is currently discussed, claims that specific oral bacteria cause different forms of periodontal disease . High counts of these bacteria have been found in association with different forms of periodontal disease . These bacteria have also been found to have stronger pathogenic potential than other members of the oral microbiota . It is concluded that there are different forms of periodontal disease and that some of these forms are probably opportunistic infections associated with different microbial etiologies.

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