Mikrobiol Z, 1996 Jan-Feb, 58(1), 57 - 64 {The serological properties of a lysine producer developing in a batch culture}; Sergeichuk MG et al.; Immune sera specific to bacterial cells at various development stages of periodic culture have been obtained with the purpose to study serological properties of lysin producer . Using the method of immunoenzyme analysis ELISA it is shown that there is certain dependence between the producer properties and the culture age . Different strains-producers used in production to-day are serologically close between each other . When using 49 strains-contaminants of lysin production (representatives of 10 genera) the absence of serological affinity between the producer and foreign microflora has been demonstrated . Preliminary data prove the prevalence of cells producers of thermostable antigens on the cell surface. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 1996 Jan, 44(5), 668 - 75 Microbial degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils affected by the organic matrix of compost; Kastner M et al.; This paper describes the degradation of naphthalene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, and pyrene in soil and soil/compost mixtures . Compost addition facilitated the degradation of 500 mg naphthalene/kg soil and 100 mg/kg each of other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) within 25 days in soil systems with water contents below the water-holding capacity . By means of a humic acid extraction, it was demonstrated that the decrease of PAH concentrations after compost addition was not caused by a sorption to organic matter preventing PAH analysis . The enhanced PAH degradation was examined in a series of batch experiments with contaminated soil to evaluate whether the effect of compost addition is caused by the microorganisms of the compost itself, by the properties of the organic matrix of the compost material, or by water-soluble fertilising substances . The experiments revealed that the release of fertilising substances from the compost and the shift of soil pH brought about by the compost did not cause the stimulatory effect . The microorganisms inherent to the compost were also not necessary for the enhanced degradation . Sterilised compost was recolonised by soil microorganisms after a lagphase yielding a degradation activity similar to that of the non-sterilised compost . The presence of the solid organic matrix of the compost seemed to be essential for the enhanced degradation . The soil/compost microflora, which was separated from the organic matrix in liquid cultures, exhibited a much lower degrading activity than in the presence of the solid organic material. Radiats Biol Radioecol, 1996 Jan-Feb, 36(1), 52 - 7 {Microecology of nuclear reactor pool water}; Mal'tsev VN et al.; In the course of research it was found that the circulation of pool water through the nuclear reactor core produces a bactericidal effect of microflora due to the influence of radiation of various types . The amount of microbes returns to initial level after 2-4 months after circulation was stopped . Microflora of pool water comprises large amounts of coccus, Gram-positive rods, fungi and a lower content of Gram-negative rods if compared to water which had been used to fill reactor pool . No difference in radioresistance was noticed for unitype microbes isolated from initial water and from reactor pool water . Quality of microflora reflects a unique phenomenon called "selection" which results in vanishing of all the radiosensitive types of microbes and survival of the radioresistant types . Radioresistance grows with increasing of catalase and nuclease activity. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1996 Jan, 69(1), 67 - 74 Anaerobic degradation of xenobiotics by organisms from municipal solid waste under landfilling conditions; Ejlertsson J et al.; The potential for biological transformation of 23 xenobiotic compounds by microorganisms in municipal solid waste (MSW) samples from a laboratory scale landfill reactor was studied . In addition the influence of these xenobiotic compounds on methanogenesis was investigated . All R11, 1,1 dichloroethylene, 2,4,6 trichlorophenol, dimethyl phthalate, phenol, benzoate and phthalic acid added were completely transformed during the period of incubation ( > 100 days) . Parts of the initially added perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, R12, R114, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate and benzylbutyl phthalate were transformed . Methanogenesis from acetate was completely inhibited in the presence of 2,5 dichlorophenol, whereas 2,4,6 trichlorophenol and R11 showed an initial inhibition, whenafter methane formation recovered . No transformation or effect on the anaerobic microflora occurred for R13, R22, R114, 3 chlorobenzoate, 2,4,6 trichlorobenzoate, bis(2 ethyl)hexyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate and dinonyl phthalate . The results indicate a limited potential for degradation, of the compounds tested, by microorganisms developing in a methanogenic landfill environment as compared with other anaerobic habitats such as sewage digestor sludge and sediments. Ginekol Pol, 1996 Jan, 67(1), 28 - 33 {Bacterial flora of the vagina and the effect of endogenous and exogenous factors on its changes}; Bulanda M et al.; The paper describes composition of the bacterial vaginal flora and its basic mechanisms enabling coexistence of different bacterial species residing in this region . A role of the dominant bacteria in maintaining stability of the microflora was stressed . Also various factors influencing ecological balance of the vaginal flora were presented. J Dent, 1996 Jan-Mar, 24(1-2), 65 - 9 Rings and watches: should they be removed prior to operative dental procedures? Field EA, McGowan P, Pearce PK, Martin MV. OBJECTIVES: There is no clear evidence to support the recommendation that rings and watches should be removed prior to operative dental procedures . The aim of this study was to measure and identify the bacteria isolated from the skin under rings and watches worn by a group of dental surgeons and to compare the results with a group of non-clinical staff . METHODS: Forty volunteers participated in the study; of these 20 were dental surgeons and 20 were non-clinical staff . Four skin sites were sampled for each volunteer; the skin directly under the ring and on the same finger of the other hand and the skin under the watch face and wrist of the control hand . Bacteria on the swabs were dispersed and inoculated onto plates, which were incubated aerobically for 24 h at 37 degrees C . RESULTS: In both groups of volunteers there was a significantly greater number of bacteria isolated from under rings and watches compared with control sites . Few qualitative differences were found between the microflora found on the skin under rings and watches in the two volunteer groups . CONCLUSIONS: The bacterial flora isolated from volunteers do not commonly cause oral infections but could pose a threat to the immunocompromised patient, particularly in the event of gloves becoming torn or perforated . Effective hand disinfection is difficult to achieve if ring and watches are not removed; they should therefore be removed prior to hand disinfection and donning of gloves. J Clin Periodontol, 1996 Jan, 23(1), 24 - 9 Topical metronidazole application compared with subgingival scaling . A clinical and microbiological study on recall patients; Stelzel M et al.; The aim of this study was to compare the topical application of a metronidazole 25% dental gel with subgingival scaling . 30 patients from the recall program participated in this open randomised study with split-mouth design . Pocket probing depths (PPD) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were measured before and 2, 12 and 24 weeks after the end of the treatment period . In addition, subgingival plaque samples were taken from all mesial sites and analysed with dark-field microscopy . All patients had at least 1 tooth in each quadrant with a PPD of 5 mm or more that should bleeding on probing, when entering the study . The treatment consisted of 2 applications of the dental gel in 2 randomly selected quadrants (on days 0 and 7) as well as simultaneous subgingival scaling of the remaining quadrants . Oral hygiene instruction was given on day 21 . The average PPD and the average frequency of BOP were calculated for all sites with an initial PPD of 5 mm or more and continued at each examination, using the same sites . The statistical analyses showed that both treatments were effective in reducing PPD and BOP over the 6-month period . At the end of the follow-up period, the mean reduction in PPD was 1.3 mm after gel treatment and 1.5 mm after subgingival scaling . BOP was reduced by 35% and 42%, respectively . No significant differences between the 2 treatments were detected . Dark-field microscopy showed a shift toward a more healthy microflora for both treatment modalities; this persisted throughout the 6-month period . Application of a 25% metronidazole dental gel on recall patients seems to be as effective on the investigated clinical and microbiological parameters as subgingival scaling. J Comp Physiol {B}, 1996, 165(7), 580 - 91 Evolution of digestion of carbohydrates in the separate parts of the digestive tract of the edible snail Helix lucorum (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Stylommatophora) during a complete 24-hour cycle and the first days of starvation; Flari V et al.; In the present study we examined carbohydrase activities during a complete 24-h cycle and during the first days of starvation in both adult and juvenile snails . The results indicated the predominant role of the digestive gland in the secretions of the enzymes responsible for degradation of most of the carbohydrates tested . Salivary glands secreted some digestive enzymes but in amounts lower than secreted by digestive gland . Enzymatic activities fluctuated during the first hours of digestion and also after the digestive tract was empty . The relatively high enzymatic activities recorded 24 h after the intake of food and during starvation could be due to the circadian rhythm of this species and/or to the participation of an existing microflora in the digestive tract of Helix lucorum . The double origin (exogenous and endogenous) of some digestive enzymes such as cellulases is discussed. Hepatology, 1996 Jan, 23(1), 97 - 103 Bacterial translocation in acute liver injury induced by D-galactosamine; Kasravi FB et al.; Acute liver injury is associated with a high rate of infectious and septic complications . Most of these infections are produced by gram negative enteric bacteria . We evaluated bacterial translocation, intestinal permeability, blood flow, portal pressure, and intestinal microflora after induction of liver injury and 70% liver resection in the rat . The rate of translocation to both portal and arterial blood was 100% at 24 hours and 50% at 48 hours after liver resection compared with 83% to portal vein and 50% to aortic blood at both time points after acute liver injury . Translocation to intraabdominal organs (liver, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes) was 100% in both groups at both 24 and 48 hours . The rate of translocation increased after liver injury at 48 hours with progression of the liver injury but was decreased in the 70% liver resection group with improvement of liver function . "Total aerobic" and "total anaerobic" bacterial counts in small intestine and cecum were not affected . Pulmonary, distal small intestine, and cecal blood flow were decreased in both groups, whereas blood flow in the proximal small intestine was unaffected . Portal pressure and flow were increased after 70% liver resection, but they were decreased in acute liver injury . After acute liver injury, permeability of both distal small intestine and cecum increased, but after liver resection only cecal permeability increased . The results of this experiment show that bacterial translocation occurs in experimental acute liver injury and that its dynamic, pattern and fate are different from that observed after liver resection, which is a reversible surgical model of liver insufficiency. J Clin Periodontol, 1995 Dec, 22(12), 946 - 52 Periodontal healing and periopathogenic microflora in smokers and non-smokers; Preber H et al.; The aim of the present study was to monitor the clinical and microbiological effects of non-surgical therapy in smokers and non-smokers . The subject material included 32 patients (age range 32-61 years), 11 men and 21 women with moderate to severe periodontitis . 17 patients were smokers ( > or = 15 cigarettes/day) and 15 non-smokers . All patients were subjected to non-surgical periodontal therapy performed by a dental hygienist . Periodontal variables (plaque index, gingival index and probing depth) were registered and bacterial samples were collected before and 2 months after treatment . The treatment resulted in significant reductions towards very low plaque and gingival indices in smokers and non-smokers alike (p < 0.05) . Although probing depth was reduced in both smokers and non-smokers, the probing pocket depth reduction was significantly smaller in smokers than non-smokers (p < 0.05) . Microbiologically, the same therapeutical efficacy was attained in both smoking groups, indicating an almost total eradication of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis . Concerning Prevotella intermedia, out of 14 smokers and 10 non-smokers positive at baseline, 9 and 5, respectively, remained positive after treatment . The results suggest a less favourable clinical outcome of non-surgical therapy in smokers than non-smokers in spite of the fact that the therapy was equally effective with regard to reducing the alleged periopathogens A . actinomycetemcomitans, P . gingivalis and P . intermedia. J Endod, 1995 Dec, 21(12), 617 - 21 A microbiological and immunological study of endodontic-periodontic lesions; Kurihara H et al.; The microflora and humoral immune response in tissue from the periodontal pockets and root canals of five teeth with endodontic-periodontic lesions were examined . We found more microbes in the periodontal pockets than in the root canals . The flora in the periodontal pockets was dominated by rods and motile organisms, whereas that in the root canals was largely rods and cocci . We detected no spirochetes in the root canals . The cultivable microflora in the periodontal pockets comprised a high number of different species of bacteria, whereas those in the root canals included only a small number of species . There was no correlation between microbial isolates and antibody titer in the apical tissues or periodontal pockets . We conclude from these studies that the microflora of infected root canals is simple and limited, and that the local humoral immune response does not seem to affect the pathogenesis of disease directly. Am J Physiol, 1995 Dec, 269(6 Pt 1), G827 - 32 Alterations in intestinal bacterial flora modulate the systemic cytokine response to hemorrhagic shock; Guo W et al.; To test the hypothesis that the resident gut flora plays an active role in modulating the cytokine response to hemorrhagic shock, plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were measured from the following three groups of rats before, immediately after, and 3, 8, or 24 h post-hemorrhagic shock (90 min at 30 mmHg)/sham shock: 1) rats with a normal gut flora (NF), 2) rats whose gut flora had been decontaminated with oral antibiotics (AD), and 3) rats with intestinal overgrowth with E . coli . In all three groups, portal and systemic TNF and IL-6 levels were 2- to 10-fold higher in the shock than the sham-shock rats (P < 0.05), with the highest TNF and IL-6 levels observed in the rats that were colonized with Escherichia coli (P < 0.05 vs . AD and NF) . TNF levels were higher in the NF than the AD groups at 3 and 8 h postshock . The present study suggests that changes in the gut microflora modulate the systemic cytokine response to hemorrhagic shock with intestinal bacterial overgrowth leading to the greatest increase in plasma IL-6 and TNF levels. Clin Exp Immunol, 1995 Dec, 102(3), 448 - 55 Tolerance exists towards resident intestinal flora but is broken in active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Duchmann R, Kaiser I, Hermann E, Mayet W, Ewe K, Meyer zum Buschenfelde KH. Hyporesponsiveness to a universe of bacterial and dietary antigens from the gut lumen is a hallmark of the intestinal immune system . Since hyperresponsiveness against these antigens might be associated with inflammation, we studied the immune response to the indigenous intestinal microflora in peripheral blood, inflamed and non-inflamed human intestine . Lamina propria monocuclear cells (LPMC) isolated from inflamed intestine but not peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of IBD patients with active inflammatory disease strongly proliferated after co-culture with sonicates of bacteria from autologous intestine (BsA) . Proliferation was inhibitable by anti-MHC class II MoAb, suggesting that it was driven by antigen . LPMC from adjacent non-inflamed intestinal areas of the same IBD patients and PBMC or LPMC isolated from non-inflamed intestine of controls and patients with IBD in remission, in contrast, did not proliferate . PBMC or LPMC which had been tolerant to bacteria from autologous intestine, however, strongly proliferated after co-culture with bacterial sonicates from heterologous intestine (BsH) . This proliferation was associated with an expansion of CD8+ T cells, increased expression of activation markers on both CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte subsets, and production of IL-12, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and IL-10 protein . These results show that tolerance selectively exists to intestinal flora from autologous but not heterologous intestine, and that tolerance is broken in intestinal inflammation . This may be an important mechanism for the perpetuation of chronic IBD. Gastroenterology, 1995 Dec, 109(6), 1890 - 9 Effect of germfree state on the capacities of isolated rat colonocytes to metabolize n-butyrate, glucose, and glutamine; Cherbuy C et al.; BACKGROUND & AIMS: Among substrates available to the colonic mucosa, n-butyrate from bacterial origin represents a major fuel . The present work investigated possible modifications of energy substrate metabolism in colonocytes isolated from germfree rats . METHODS: Colonocytes isolated from germfree vs . conventional rats were incubated (30 minutes at 37 degrees C) in the presence of 14C-labeled n-butyrate (10 mmol/L), glucose (5 mmol/L), or glutamine (5 mmol/L) . 14CO2 and metabolites generated were measured . Possible regulatory steps were also investigated . RESULTS: Glucose use rate was 25% lower in germfree rat colonocytes due to a reduced glycolytic capacity in these cells . Differences in 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase activity could account for this decrease . In contrast, glutamine use rate was 45% higher, and this was correlated with a higher maximum velocity of glutaminase in these cells . Nevertheless, the capacities to oxidize glucose and glutamine remained unchanged . Although the capacity to use n-butyrate was maintained in colonocytes of germfree rats, the ketogenic capacity was lower, whereas the capacity to oxidize n-butyrate was higher . The mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A synthase protein was identified in the colonic mucosa . Moreover, the messenger RNA and amount of protein were 75% lower in the germfree state . CONCLUSIONS: The absence of an intestinal microflora induces specific changes in the metabolic capacities of colonocytes. J Periodontal Res, 1995 Nov, 30(6), 418 - 25 Temperate bacteriophages are common among Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans isolates from periodontal pockets; Sandmeier H et al.; Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is a suspected etiologic agent in destructive periodontal diseases . The detection of bacteriophages in A . actinomycetemcomitans in the subgingival plaque of patients with rapidly destructive forms of periodontitis led to the hypothesis that bacteriophage infection might increase the virulence of this bacterium (19) . A . actinomycetemcomitans was isolated from 68 subjects from the Netherlands and Switzerland with localized juvenile periodontitis, rapidly progressing periodontitis, or adult periodontitis, and was tested for the presence of temperate bacteriophage with the overlay plate technique . More than half of the A . actinomycetemcomitans strains were found to release bacteriophage which formed individual plaques on indicator strains . Electron microscopy of preparations from 7 strains revealed virions with an icosahedral head and a contractile tail typical for double-stranded DNA bacteriophages . The presence of A . actinomycetemcomitans carrying temperate bacteriophage was not correlated with the composition of the subgingival microflora nor with the clinical form of periodontal disease . Destructive periodontal disease of subjects with phage-carrying A . actinomycetemcomitans was not more severe than of subjects with phage-free A . actinomycetemcomitans as determined by several clinical parameters . In contrast, the pocket depth and the attachment loss were significantly lower for adult periodontitis subjects with phage-carrying A . actinomycetemcomitans . It seems unlikely that the frequently occurring temperate bacteriophages increase significantly the virulence of A . actinomycetemcomitans. Cytokine, 1995 Oct, 7(7), 713 - 9 The influence of E . coli implantation in axenic mice on cytokine production by peritoneal and bone marrow-derived macrophages; Nicaise P et al.; To assess the involvement of bacterial microflora in the development of host defenses, we compared in vitro LPS-induced cytokine production by macrophages in germ-free and E . coli monoxenic mice . E . coli implantation significantly increased IL-1 and IL-6 and, to a lesser extent, TNF activities of peritoneal and bone marrow-derived macrophages . These results suggest that exposure to microflora primes macrophages for an enhanced cytokine production, which may contribute to the activation of the antiinfectious defense . The priming was not restricted to peritoneal macrophages but was associated with a more general effect of the flora since the enhanced response of bone marrow-derived macrophages indicates an effect on macrophage precursors . Furthermore, a higher ability of peritoneal macrophages to produce IL-1 in axenic and monoxenic mice was observed as compared to bone marrow-derived macrophages . In contrast, bone marrow-derived macrophages demonstrated a higher ability to produce IL-6 and TNF but only 3 weeks after bacterial administration. J Am Dent Assoc, 1995 Oct, 126(10), 1384 - 93 Assessing the contribution of anaerobic microflora of the tongue to oral malodor; De Boever EH et al.; Research suggests that the tongue plays an important role in the production of oral malodor . To investigate the role of tongue surface characteristics and oral bacteria in halitosis development, the authors tested associations between odor measurements, volatile sulfur compound levels, periodontal parameters, tongue surface characteristics, presence of trypsinlike activity of organisms on the tongue and teeth and bacteriological parameters in 16 participants with complaints of oral malodor . The data indicate that the proteolytic, anaerobic flora residing on the tongue plays an essential role in the development of halitosis. Lab Invest, 1995 Oct, 73(4), 558 - 64 The influence of diets and gut microflora on lectin binding patterns of intestinal mucins in rats; Sharma R et al.; BACKGROUND: The mechanisms responsible for the biosynthesis, storage, secretion, or degradation of intestinal mucins are still unclear . Little is known about the carbohydrate composition of mucins in response to changes in the intestinal lumen, so lectin histochemical techniques were used to study the alterations in glycoconjugate synthesis of mucins in rats under different diets and microfloras . EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Nine-week-old germ-free and conventional rats were given either a purified diet of finely powdered ingredients, including cellulose as a source of fiber, or a more coarsely ground commercial diet of natural ingredients containing crude fiber of cereal origin . To mimic the human situation more closely, a group of rats born germ-free, inoculated with a suspension of human feces, and fed a purified diet were used as an experimental model . RESULTS: In rats fed a commercial diet, the surface goblet cells in the small intestine were more intensely labeled with N-acetyl-glucosamine and sialic acid-linked D-galactose-specific lectins than in rats fed the purified diet . A similar increased staining with a N-acetylgalactosamine-specific lectin was observed in the large intestine of rats fed a commercial diet . The microbial flora modified the crypt-surface glycosylation of fucosyl and sialic acid residues in the large intestine . The human flora specifically altered the goblet cell glycoconjugates in the surface epithelium . CONCLUSIONS: The significant changes in goblet cell glycoconjugates reflect the adaptation of the intestinal mucosa to different diets and microbial populations . An overall reduction in sialic acid-linked D-galactose residues in conventional rats and a loss of crypt-to-surface gradient of fucosyl expression in the large intestine of human flora rats are likely to be due to differing strains of glycosidases in the two microflora. Antibiot Khimioter, 1995 Sep, 40(9), 14 - 6 {Operation of systems for purification of sewage and surface waters based on sorption-oxidative technology}; Faingol'd ZL et al.; A universal scheme for the treatment of water containing different concentrations of organic compounds is described . The treatment is based on the principle of the water saturation with an active oxidant followed by aerobic purification in units with microflora fixed on active carbon . Active chlorine forming during the electrochemical treatment provides the water disinfection and plays the role of a source of the formation of monatomic and molecular oxygen during the dechlorination. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants, 1995 Sep-Oct, 10(5), 578 - 82 Microflora associated with percutaneous craniofacial implants used for the retention of facial prostheses: a pilot study; Toljanic JA et al.; Craniofacial implants have been used successfully for the retention of facial prostheses . However, complications occur that can lead to the loss of implant integration . One such complication is infection possibly resulting from crevicular microflora activity . As part of an ongoing study, samples from crevicular sites surrounding 17 craniofacial implants were collected and submitted for microbiological assay . The results demonstrated the presence of opportunistic pathogens in many sites regardless of subjects' hygiene efforts . The significance of the findings is reviewed. Klin Lab Diagn, 1995 Sep-Oct, (5), 48 - 9 {Rapid methods in microbiological examinations of the blood}; Liagina IA et al.; Two rapid (pilot) methods for the determination of blood microflora are compared . One of them is based on bacterioscopy, the other on culturing of bacteria . Use of these methods helps increase the detection rate of microorganisms in the blood from 34.8 to 59.6% in a shorter time, 1-3 days instead of 5-7 . No additional staff or sophisticated equipment and tests kits are needed for the tests . The methods are recommended for research and clinical laboratories. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 1995 Sep, 36(10), 2020 - 31 A major human lacrimal gland mRNA encodes a new proline-rich protein family member; Dickinson DP et al.; PURPOSE . To examine the existence of novel protein products of the human lacrimal gland . METHODS . cDNA clones corresponding to a highly abundant human lacrimal gland mRNA were isolated and sequenced . Tissue distribution of expression was studied by Northern blot analysis, RNase protection analysis, and in situ hybridization . RESULTS . A highly abundant 600-base mRNA was identified, and corresponding cDNA clones were isolated . The mRNA has a 134-residue open reading frame encoding a secreted protein of 13458 Da . This protein shows 45.5% similarity to human salivary acidic proline-rich protein PRP 1 and has a similar domain structure, but, unlike other members of the proline-rich protein family, it lacks a conserved repetitive domain . The lacrimal proline-rich protein is encoded by a single gene, designated as LPRP . Expression of LPRP was also detected in the human submandibular, von Ebners, sublingual, and parotid glands . LPRP was expressed in the acinar cells of the lacrimal gland, and in the submandibular gland expression of the LPRP and PRP 1 genes was localized to the serous acini and demilunes . CONCLUSIONS . The human lacrimal gland produces a previously unknown member of the proline-rich protein family . By analogy with other proline-rich proteins, this LPRP most likely mediates protective functions in the eye, such as modulation of the microflora . In contrast to other proline-rich protein genes, LPRP is expressed in the lacrimal acinar cells, and other anterior exocrine glands . LPRP should be a useful marker for human lacrimal gland acinar cell function in vitro. J Pharmacokinet Biopharm, 1995 Aug, 23(4), 397 - 406 In vivo pharmacokinetic study for the assessment of poly(L-aspartic acid) as a drug carrier for colon-specific drug delivery; Leopold CS et al.; Glucocorticoids remain one of the mainstays of therapy for acute attacks of inflammatory bowel disease despite systemic side effects that limit their use . Prodrugs that selectively deliver glucocorticoids to the colon may lower the required dose and side effects . Because enzymes of gut microflora are able to cleave certain peptide and ester bonds, the ability of an ester prodrug consisting of dexamethasone (DX) as model drug and poly(L-aspartic acid) (weight-average mol wt = 30,000) as drug carrier was investigated to selectively release the drug in the large intestine . Prodrug and drug solutions (1.18 mg DX/ml DMSO) were administered to two groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats by intragastric infusion using an ALZET osmotic pump . All rats were infused for sufficient time to achieve steady state in both blood and GI-tract tissues . DX concentrations in blood and tissue samples were measured with HPLC . The steady state DX concentrations at these sites were used to calculate a drug delivery index (DDI) . DX blood concentrations were significantly lower (p < 0.05) after intragastric administration of the prodrug . Moreover, prodrug administration resulted in significantly higher DX concentrations in the cecum and colon mucosa and the cecum muscle tissue compared to DX administration (p < 0.05) . The prodrug led to an increase of the DX concentration in the large intestinal tissues by factors of 1.3-2.0 and to an 1.3-fold decrease of DX blood concentrations . Thus, this novel conjugate should both increase efficacy and reduce toxicity to some extent. Oral Health, 1995 Jul, 85(7), 23 - 6, 29-30, 33; quiz 34 Juvenile periodontitis: microbiology and the therapy approach; Artzi Z et al.; Juvenile periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the periodontium, characterized by rapid destruction of the periodontal tissues around more than one tooth in the permanent dentition . These lesions progress rapidly after onset, but tend to slow with time . The age of onset is circumpubertal, usually manifesting in a localized form around the incisors and first molars, although some generalized cases have been reported . Clinically, there is often a small amount of supragingival plaque and calculus that is not commensurate with the amount of destruction present . In addition to a unique bacterial flora, a genetic influence and an altered host response have also been demonstrated as etiologic factors . This article discusses subgingival microflora, the host response, the host-parasite interaction in juvenile periodontitis and the outcome of the treatment plan. Int Surg, 1995 Jul-Sep, 80(3), 264 - 6 The effect of octreotid on bacterial translocation from the gut . An experimental study; Turkcapar AG et al.; Octreotid (OC) is a somatostatin (ST) analog which is being increasingly used during the management of various gastrointestinal disorders . This study was undertaken to assess the probable effects of OC on intraintestinal microflora and bacterial translocation . To our knowledge, no previous work has addressed this issue . Ten rats forming the study group were injected 20 micrograms/kg of OC subcutaneously for seven days . A control group (n = 10) received an equal volume of isotonic saline for seven days . All animals were sacrificed on the eighth day and tissue cultures were obtained from the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and spleen . Cultures were also made from the caecal content and a piece of terminal ileum was removed for histopathological examination . For statistical analysis, Mann Whitney-U, and Fisher's exact tests were used . Caecal bacterial content, and bacterial translocation were found to be significantly increased in the study group in comparison to the control group (p < 0.05) . Among the study group, there was also a statistically significant increase in the caecal bacterial content in rats with evidence of bacterial translocation (p < 0.05) . Histopathological evaluation drew a great deal of attention to submucosal edema present in the study group . OC significantly increases bacterial overgrowth, and translocation in rats . Studies on humans are needed to demonstrate similar clinical effects of OC. Lett Appl Microbiol, 1995 Jul, 21(1), 38 - 40 Distribution of a genetically-engineered Escherichia coli population introduced into soil; Recorbet G et al.; The spatial localization of the cells and the DNA of a genetically-engineered Escherichia coli population introduced into soil was investigated . Inoculated soils were size fractioned and bacterial numbers and E . coli EL1003 specific chromosomal DNA target sequences were enumerated in each fraction using plate-counting and MPN-PCR, respectively . Different numbers of either indigenous or introduced bacteria were found in each fraction indicating that their distribution in the soil was non-uniform . The distributions of the indigenous bacteria and the E . coli cells within the size fractions were significantly different: the E . coli population was mainly associated with the dispersible clay fraction (79.0%) from which only 10.7% of the indigenous bacteria were recovered . The distribution of the E . coli target DNA sequences was in agreement with the location of the cells . The different distribution of the two populations is likely to restrict genetic interactions . These results are relevant to potential interactions between native soil microflora and populations introduced into soil for competitive purposes. Comp Biochem Physiol A Physiol, 1995 Jul, 111(3), 369 - 77 Gastrointestinal growth in rats as influenced by indigestible polysaccharides and adaptation period; Brunsgaard G et al.; Hypertrophy of the small intestinal tissue evolved during the initial 9 days in rats fed pectin or guar gum . Hypertrophy of the caecal and colonic tissue continued beyond day 9 . Caecal hypertrophy was observed in rats fed pectin, guar gum or resistant starch, while colonic hypertrophy was observed only in rats fed pectin or resistant starch . There is a time lag in the adaptive response of the caecum and colon as compared with the small intestine, at least for dietary polysaccharides . This time lag is suggested to be related to the time required for the microflora to adapt to the dietary PS. J Anim Sci, 1995 Jul, 73(7), 2102 - 4 Abortifacient response and plasma vasoconstrictive activity after feeding needles from ponderosa pine trees to cattle and sheep; Short RE et al.; Consumption of needles from Pinus ponderosa (PN) during late pregnancy causes cattle, but not sheep, to abort . This differential response may be caused by differences in ruminal microflora or postabsorptive metabolism . Pine needles were fed (2 kg.cow-1.d-1 or .4 kg.ewe-1.d-1) mixed with corn silage . In Exp . 1, cows were assigned at 250 d of pregnancy to feed treatments (T): 1) silage, 2) PN+silage, or 3) pretreated with sheep ruminal fluid and fed PN+silage . Interval to parturition was 34.3, 11.3, and 8.3 d for the T1, T2, and T3, respectively (T1 vs T2 + T3, P < .01; T2 vs T3, P > .5) . Inoculation with sheep ruminal fluid did not alter activity of the abortifacient agent of PN . In Exp . 2, pregnant and nonpregnant ewes and cows were fed silage or PN mixed with silage, and plasma was analyzed for uterine vasoconstrictive activity in an in vitro placentome perfusion bioassay . Consumption of PN decreased interval to parturition in cattle (P < .01) but not in sheep (P > .5) and increased vasoconstrictive activity (P < .05) in plasma from nonpregnant and pregnant cows and ewes . The PN-fed ewes had a greater incidence of dead lambs at parturition (0/8 vs 5/8 for control vs PN-fed, P < .01) . We conclude that pregnancy is not required for increased vasoconstrictive activity induced by pine needles, that sheep and cattle do not differ in ruminal metabolism of the abortifacient compounds in PN, and that species differences are subtle and due to postdigestive differences in response to the abortifacient agent. Indian J Exp Biol, 1995 Jul, 33(7), 543 - 4 Bio-metabolic disposition of metanil yellow, orange II and their blend by caecal microflora of rats; Singh S et al.; Caecal microflora were employed to study the degradation pattern, with time course of Metanil yellow and Orange II-two extensively used non-permitted food colours . Metanil yellow and Orange II showed the respective Degradation Index 50 (DI 50) values of 369 and 288 min . However, the blend of Metanil yellow and Orange II (1:1) resulted in the D1 50.value of 288 min . Metanil yellow, Orange II and their blend were resolved into respective metabolites in different solvent systems. Br J Nutr, 1995 Jul, 74(1), 101 - 13 Recovery of inulin from Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) in the small intestine of man; Bach Knudsen KE et al.; The recovery of inulin, a naturally occurring beta (2-->1)-fructan isolated from Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.), in the small intestine of man was studied in ileostomy subjects . The ileostomists were given a low-dietary-fibre diet based on white wheat bread and virtually free of inulin, and the same diet with the addition of 10 g and 30 g inulin product respectively, and the recovery and mean transit time (MTT) of inulin were estimated by tracking inulin in ileal effluent . The recovery of inulin was approximately 87% at both ingestion levels . MTT was 4.9 (SE 0.6) h at an intake of 10 g inulin product decreasing to 3.4 (SE 0.3) h at an intake of 30 g inulin product . A significant change in the fructose:glucose ratio of inulin from ingestion (4.1) to recovery in ileal effluent (4.5-4.7) and a lower recovery of the glucose residue than of the fructose residue of inulin indicate that the low-molecular-weight inulins are more sensitive to hydrolysis than the high-molecular-weight fragments . The loss of inulin during passage through the small intestine is presumably due to hydrolysis by either acids or enzymes and to microbial degradation by the microflora permanently colonizing the distal small intestine . The concentrations of lactic acid (LA) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in frequently collected ileal effluents on the control day were approximately 6 nmol/l and approximately 55 mmol/l respectively . During periods with inulin ingestion the concentration of LA increased to 18-26 mmol/l (P < 0.052), while the concentration of SCFA ran converse and decreased to 18-32 mmol/l (P < 0.023) . The osmotic loads (68 and 204 mosmol/l) associated with the ingestion of inulin product caused minor malabsorption of low-molecular-weight sugars. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1995 Jun 15, 129(2-3), 267 - 71 Growth, incidence and activities of dissimilatory sulfate-reducing bacteria in the human oral cavity; Willis CL et al.; Viable counts and activities of sulfate-reducing bacteria were determined in the oral cavities of 12 healthy volunteers . Of these, 10 harboured viable sulfate-reducing bacteria populations . Six separate sites were sampled: the posterior tongue, anterior tongue, mid buccal mucosa, vestibular mucosa, supragingival plaque and subgingival plaque . Sulfate-reducing bacteria occurred in all areas, with the highest incidence in supragingival plaque . Viable counts and sulfate-reducing activities in each of the regions varied from 0 to 10(8) cfu (g wet weight)-1 and from 0 to 50 nmol (g wet weight)-1 h-1, respectively . As sulfate-reducing bacteria can be detected in the oral cavity, they may potentially be involved in terminal oxidative processes carried out by the microflora of the mouth. Microb Pathog, 1995 Jun, 18(6), 373 - 85 Adhesins of Escherichia coli associated with extra-intestinal pathogenicity confer binding to colonic epithelial cells; Adlerberth I et al.; Escherichia coli adhesins are virulence factors in intestinal and extra-intestinal infections, but their role in normal intestinal colonization has not been defined . We investigated the intestinal adherence of E . coli with Dr hemagglutinin, S fimbriae, CFA/I or CFA/II, using freshly isolated ileal or colonic enterocytes and cells from the human colonic cell line HT-29 . E . coli with S-fimbrial adhesins (Sfa I or Sfa II), P or type 1 fimbriae, adhered in a non-polarized manner, and in similar numbers to colonic and ileal enterocytes . S fimbriae of the variety Sfa II (originating from a meningitis isolate), mediated a stronger binding than Sfa I (of uropathogenic origin) . Strains expressing Dr hemagglutinin adhered preferentially to the brush borders, slightly better to colonic than ileal enterocytes . Strains expressing CFA/I or II adhered to colonic and ileal enterocytes, although brush border adherence was predominantly observed with ileal cells . Binding to HT-29 cells paralleled binding to colonic enterocytes for all adhesin specificities except CFA/I . The results suggest that Dr hemagglutinin, P-, type 1- and S-fimbrial adhesins mediate binding to both colonic and ileal enterocytes . These specificities may contribute to the establishment of E . coli in the intestinal microflora, which precedes their spread to extra-intestinal sites. Mutat Res, 1995 Jun, 343(2-3), 109 - 19 Stability of 1-nitropyrene and 1,6-dinitropyrene in environmental water samples and soil suspensions; Tahara I et al.; This study examined the stability of mutagenic 1-nitropyrene (1-NP) and (1,6-dinitropyrene (1,6-diNP) in environmental water samples and various soil suspensions containing 0.1% peptone and in water samples containing no peptone . The water samples or the soil suspensions were mixed with NPs and incubated at 30 degrees C . The stability of NPs was expressed as mutagenic activity remaining in the test solutions . The mutagenicity decreased rapidly when 1-NP or 1,6-diNP was incubated in unautoclaved test solutions containing 0.1% peptone but not when incubated in autoclaved test solutions . The mutagenicity in the soil suspensions, especially in the sludge, decreased faster than in the water samples . This was due to the large number of colony-forming units (CFU) in the soil suspensions . In the water samples containing 0.1% peptone, the mutagenicity of NPs in the polluted Tamiya River water decreased faster than in the unpolluted Yoshino River water . The rate of decrease was dependent on the number of CFU in the water samples . A large number of CFU decreased the mutagenicity more rapidly than did a small number of CFU in samples . The disappearance of mutagenicity was dependent on the initial concentrations of NPs . The periods required for a 50% decrease in the mutagenicity of 1-NP at the low concentration (0.2 microgram/ml) was shorter than that at the high concentration (3 micrograms/ml) . 1-Aminopyrene was detected in the 1-NP test solution after incubation when it was analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography . In the water samples containing no peptone, the mutagenicity of 1-NP (0.2 microgram/ml) decreased gradually during 30 days of incubation . After incubation for 1540 days, the remaining mutagenicity of 1-NP in the water samples was almost the same as that in autoclaved water samples . On the other hand, the mutagenicity of 1,6-diNP (10 ng/ml) decreased and the remaining mutagenicity, except in the Yoshino River water, was less than 20% after 30 days of incubation and was completely lost during the 1540-day incubation . However, the mutagenicity of 1,6-diNP in autoclaved water samples was very stable and almost all mutagenicity, except in sea water, remained after 1540 days of incubation at 30 degrees C . These results suggest that the microflora in the environment plays an important role in the primary degradation and decontamination of relatively low concentrations of NPs. Shock, 1995 Jun, 3(6), 398 - 402 Presence of the stress-inducible form of hsp-70 (hsp-72) in normal rat colon; Beck SC et al.; The expression of heat shock proteins (hsp) is probably one of the most primitive mechanisms of cellular protection from stress . Pathogens such as viruses and bacteria have recently been found to induce the heat shock gene expression . In the present study hsp-72, the stress-inducible form of hsp-70, was detected by Western blotting in samples from rat distal colon (DC), proximal colon (PC), and terminal ileum (TI), but was not found in proximal small bowel (PSB) or other organs (liver, kidney, spleen, heart, and brain) of unstressed animals . The signal intensity of hsp-72 in colon (DC > PC > TI > PSB) correlates qualitatively with the presence of normal gut microflora . hsp-72 was also observed in DC, to a lesser extent in PC, but not in TI or PSB of bacteria-free or antibiotic-treated rats . Inflammatory states induced by the intravenous administration of endotoxin (1 mg/kg), the subcutaneous injection of zymosan (1 g/kg) or by cecal ligation and puncture (sepsis) failed to increase the hsp-72 levels in rat colon or other organs . These results demonstrate that hsp-72 is expressed in normal rat colon . However, the induction of hsp-72 expression may not be due solely to the presence of resident bacteria in the gut, but instead, may be the result of a more complex process. Oral Microbiol Immunol, 1995 Jun, 10(3), 138 - 45 Characterization of immunoglobulin G-degrading proteases of Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens; Jansen HJ et al.; Degradation of immunoglobulins is thought to be an important factor in the causation of periodontal diseases by hindering local host defenses and by providing nutrients to the periodontal microflora . In this study, we characterized the proteolytic activity against human immunoglobulin G (IgG) of 20 strains of Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens isolated from periodontal pockets and oral abscesses . IgG degradation was studied by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . All strains degraded IgG within 48 h after growth in trypticase-yeast extract medium (TY) supplemented with 0.3% IgG . Incorporating IgG in TY broth enhanced bacterial growth . Protease profiles (zymography), which revealed the presence of 1-4 IgG-degrading proteolytic bands in bacterial cell extracts, became more complex after growth in the presence of IgG . A 38-kDa protease capable of degrading IgG nonspecifically was present in almost all strains . The proteolytic activity was mainly located on the surface of the cell envelope . Two strains of P . intermedia and P . nigrescens ATCC 33563 were selected for further studies . Bacterial cell suspensions in phosphate-buffered saline completely degraded human IgG, IgA and IgM within 24 h . This activity depended on reducing conditions and was inhibited at temperatures above 50 degrees C . The pH optimum of immunoglobulin degradation was at pH 7 . Strains cultured at 42 degrees C showed a markedly reduced capacity to degrade IgG . Inhibition studies revealed that breakdown of IgG was caused by a cysteine protease(s) . The capacity of P . intermedia and P . nigrescens to degrade immunoglobulins may explain their association with polymicrobial oral diseases. J Periodontol, 1995 Jun, 66(6), 452 - 61 Periodontal status and selected cultivable anaerobic microflora of insulin-dependent juvenile diabetics; Sbordone L et al.; The periodontal status and subgingival microflora of insulin-dependent juvenile diabetic (JD) patients (n = 16, mean age = 11.3) were compared with that of their non-diabetic cohabiting healthy siblings (HS, n = 16, mean age = 13.2) . JD patients were monitored every 3 months for levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and clinical and microbial parameters were measured 6 weeks before drawing blood for levels of HbA1c (M% = 8.76) . Clinical indices, measured for the entire permanent dentition, included: probing depth (PD), attachment level (AL), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), and plaque index (PI) . Subgingival plaque samples were obtained at 2 sites from each subject; whenever possible, the site with the deepest probing depth and the mesial aspect of the maxillary right first molar were used . Microbial analyses were determined by cultural characteristics and biochemical tests . No significant differences were detected in any of the clinical indices for the entire dentition . The mean AL for JD sites was 2.32 +/- 0.83 mm and for HS sites was 2.2 +/- 0.85 mm . Mean percentage of total cultivable anaerobic microflora included Capnocytophaga spp . (JD, 13.21%; HS, 11%) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (JD, 5.1%; HS, 7.9%) . Differences between the two groups were not statistically significant . When cluster analysis was performed on sampled sites, one cluster group in JD patients showed significantly elevated P . gingivalis and lower Capnocytophaga spp . levels as compared to the overall mean . The clinical parameters of this cluster were characterized by statistically significant greater loss of attachment and probing depth . These data would suggest few differences between JD patients and their HS in this population. Biochem Pharmacol, 1995 May 26, 49(11), 1567 - 76 Sulphoxide reduction by rat intestinal flora and by Escherichia coli in vitro; Lee SC et al.; The caecal microflora from female rats show a greater ability to reduce the sulphoxide group of sulindac than either the liver or kidneys . Studies on sulphoxide reduction by Escherichia coli showed that NADH, NADPH and dithiothreitol (DTT), but not acetaldehyde could act as cofactors . The cytosolic fraction was responsible for about 90%, 80% and 60% of the total reducing activity with sulindac, diphenyl sulphoxide and sulphinpyrazone, respectively . The main NADPH linked activity in the E . coli cytosol was dependent on thioredoxin, since the activity was essentially abolished by passing through a G50 column or by the addition of anti-thioredoxin anti-serum . Partial purification and separation of sulphoxide reducing activity by DEAE-cellulose chromatography separated two main protein bands, each of which possessed sulindac reducing activity . The importance of thioredoxin for much of the NADPH dependent activity was confirmed but the eluate fractions also showed the presence of other activities with NADH, NADPH and DTT that were independent of thioredoxin . Incubation of the DEAE-cellulose eluate fractions with flosequinan and sulphinpyrazone showed that the reducing activity in the two main protein peaks showed different substrate specificities and that there were multiple sulphoxide reductase systems present in E . coli cytosol. Nutr Rev, 1995 May, 53(5), 127 - 30 Colonic microflora: nutrition and health . Summary and conclusions of an International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) {Europe} workshop held in Barcelona, Spain; Roberfroid MB et al.; The colonic microflora is an organism that performs a variety of unique activities . It is more important to evaluate these activities than to analyze bacterial composition in terms of genera, species, or strains . Unless the bacteria translocate, it is the activities of the colonic microflora that affect colonic and systemic physiology and not the bacteria themselves. Ann Gastroenterol Hepatol (Paris), 1995 May-Jun, 31(3), 181 - 8; discussion 188-9 {The involvement of polyamines in the malignant proliferative process . The anticancer effect of polyamine deprivation}; Quemener V et al.; The fact that tumors require polyamines for growth has been repeatedly demonstrated . In vivo polyamines are available both from endogenous (intracellular biosynthesis) and exogenous sources (food and intestinal microflora) . We investigated in rats grafted with Mat-Lylu prostatic adenocarcinoma the distribution between tumor and tissues of orally administered (14C) putrescine (Pt) . The amount of radioactivity retained by tumors was directly proportional to the tumor volume . In a tumor of 25 cm3 19% of the totally retained radioactivity was found . The accumulation of Pt by intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles prepared from tumor-bearing animals was significantly higher than by vesicles from healthy rats . Our results indicate that the presence of a tumor induces an adaptive response in the small intestine which stimulates the uptake of exogenous polyamines . Our therapeutic strategy was to realise a total blockade of all endogenous and exogenous sources of polyamines by feeding animals with a drug (DFMO, MDL 72527, antibiotics) containing polyamine deficient chow . We observed that polyamine deprivation largely reduced both primary tumor and metastatic development . Natural Killer cell cytotoxic activity and blood formula were restored to normal values after treatment . Furthermore polyamine deprivation enhanced anti-tumoral efficacy of chemotherapy. Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp, 1995 May-Jun, 46(3), 191 - 4 {Study of the nasopharyngeal microflora obtained by a cotton swab}; Lacosta JL et al.; Whether or not a representative sample of the nasopharyngeal microflora can be obtained by introducing a cotton swab through the nasal cavity has been evaluated . Also, a correlation between these results and those achieved from the middle ear effusions, has been searched . Ninety adenoidectomy-pending children, fifty of whom also presented otitis media with effusion, were included in the study . The research showed that there were a coincidence (p < 0.001) among the results obtained from the nasal cotton swab, those obtained from cultures of adenoid biopsies and the middle ear effusions. Parazitologiia, 1995 May-Jun, 29(3), 154 - 8 {The probable utilization of the protective properties of the vector's saliva by the causative agents of specifically tick-borne infections}; Alekseev AN et al.; It is proved that in the tick fluid saliva and in the cement plug produced by Rhipicephalus appendiculatus there are bactericidal substances very similar in their activity to the egg lysozyme . The possible role in the transmission and conservation of the specific tick-borne, insensitive to the lysozyme pathogens such as rickettsiae, tick-borne encephalitides virus and borreliae (pathogen of Lyme disease) is discussed . It is supposed, that bactericidal substances in the cement plug protect accumulated in it the tick-borne pathogens (TBE virus, borreliae) from the compete and destructive influence of the vulgar, mainly coccal microflora and from the purulent inflammation, which hinders not only tick feeding but probably specific tick-borne pathogens spreading in the vertebrate host. Alcohol Alcohol, 1995 May, 30(3), 271 - 85 Measuring and reporting the concentration of acetaldehyde in human breath; Jones AW; Most of the acetaldehyde generated during the metabolism of ethanol becomes tightly bound to endogenous molecules such as haemoglobin, amino acids and certain phospholipids . Free acetaldehyde passes the blood-brain barrier and traces of this toxic metabolite are excreted through the lungs and can be detected in the expired air . The blood/air partition coefficient of acetaldehyde at 34 degrees C, the average temperature of end-expired air, is about 190:1 . Because of various problems associated with measuring acetaldehyde in blood samples, several research groups have instead investigated the analysis of acetaldehyde in breath which offers an indirect and alternative approach for clinical and research purposes . However, care is needed when interpreting the results of breath acetaldehyde measurements, because of the possibility of local formation from microflora inhabiting the upper airways and mouth . The concentration of acetaldehyde exhaled in breath after drinking alcohol demonstrates large inter-individual differences depending on various genetic (racial) and environmental factors . Moreover, acetaldehyde is an endogenous metabolite and even without drinking any alcohol the concentrations expelled in breath span from 0.2 to 0.6 nmol/l, with higher levels observed in smokers and abstinent alcoholics . Breath acetaldehyde concentration reached between 5 and 50 nmol/l in European subjects who drank a moderate dose of ethanol (0.4-0.8 g/kg), with the highest values seen in smokers . The concentration of breath acetaldehyde in Japanese subjects after drinking alcohol reached between 200 and 500 nmol/l at the peak . These much higher levels follow because a large proportion of Orientals (40-50%) inherit an inactive form of the low Km mitochondrial isoenzyme of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) . The highest concentration of breath acetaldehyde were seen in healthy Caucasians who drank a small dose of alcohol (0.25 g/kg) after taking the alcohol-sensitizing drug calcium carbimide, which blocks the action of ALDH isozymes . During the most intense acetaldehyde-flush reaction, breath acetaldehyde reached between 200 and 1300 nmol/l, but even these abnormally high concentrations did not interfere with the analysis of ethanol in breath by means of non-specific infrared analysers currently used in many countries for testing drinking drivers. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1995 May, 61(5), 1679 - 87 Phylogenetic characterization of the epibiotic bacteria associated with the hydrothermal vent polychaete Alvinella pompejana; Haddad A et al.; Alvinella pompejana is a polychaetous annelid that inhabits active deep-sea hydrothermal vent sites along the East Pacific Rise, where it colonizes the walls of actively venting high-temperature chimneys . An abundant, morphologically diverse epibiotic microflora is associated with the worm's dorsal integument, with a highly integrated filamentous morphotype clearly dominating the microbial biomass . It has been suggested that this bacterial population participates in either the nutrition of the worm or in detoxification of the worm's immediate environment . The primary goal of this study was to phylogenetically characterize selected epibionts through the analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences . Nucleic acids were extracted from bacteria collected from the dorsal surface of A . pompejana . 16S rRNA genes were amplified with universal bacterial primers by the PCR . These genes were subsequently cloned, and the resulting clone library was screened by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis to identify distinct clone types . The restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis identified 32 different clone families in the library . Four of these families were clearly dominant, representing more than 65% of the library . Representatives from the four most abundant clone families were chosen for complete 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis . These gene sequences were analyzed by a variety of phylogenetic inference methods and found to be related to the newly established epsilon subdivision of the division Proteobacteria . Secondary structural model comparisons and comparisons of established signature base positions in the 16S rRNA confirmed the placement of the Alvinella clones in the epsilon subdivision of the Proteobacteria. J Surg Res, 1995 Apr, 58(4), 391 - 4 Parenteral antibiotics and selective intestinal decontamination do not prevent enteric bacterial overgrowth or translocation observed in a swine model of small bowel transplantation; Biffi R et al.; Alterations in the luminal microflora and increased intestinal translocation have been reported to occur following experimental and clinical small bowel transplantation (SBT) . Selective intestinal decontamination (SID) has been used to prevent luminal overgrowth and bacterial translocation . Despite the wide use of SID in clinical SBT, there are no data supporting its usefulness in this situation . Thus, the aim of this investigation was to examine the effects of cyclosporine A (CsA) and SID upon bacterial overgrowth and translocation in a swine model of SBT . Nineteen Large White female pigs weighing 30 +/- 2 kg underwent a total orthotopic SBT and were randomly allocated to one of the following experimental groups as follows: Group 1 (No . 8) CSA 25 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)/day administered subcutaneously and Cefazolin 2 g/day im . Group 2 (No . 6) received the identical immunosuppression but the Cefazolin 2 g/day im was discontinued on the 5th Postoperative Day (pod) and switched to a SID regimen consisting of Vancomycin, 1 g, Nystatin, 500,000 IU, Colistin, 1,500,000 IU, and Tobramycin, 100 mg, given through a gastrostomy tube . Group 3 (No . 5) received no immunosuppression but antibiotic consisting of Cefazolin 2 g im/day . Group 4 (No . 7) underwent a small bowel autotransplantation . Group 4 received SID as in group 2 but no immunosuppression was given . Finally, 17 normal animals were sham-operated and were used as normal controls (N group) . The animals in groups 1, 2, and 4 were sacrificed on the 29th pod . Those in group 3 were sacrificed on the 7th pod.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Intern Med, 1995 Apr, 237(4), 419 - 27 Gastrointestinal motility disorders and bacterial overgrowth; Husebye E; Data on the relationship between small intestinal motility, absorption, and nutrition are sparse and incomplete . Yet, impaired motility is considered to be a plausible cause of bacterial overgrowth, which may have deleterious effects on digestion and absorption . This review discusses the scientific validity and clinical relevance of the concept that intestinal motor abnormalities are responsible for enteric bacterial overgrowth . Disorders associated with intestinal dysmotility and bacterial overgrowth, are illuminated, and concurrent studies of intestinal motility and microflora are focused on in detail . Moreover, practical considerations are given with regard to the clinical management of patients with bacterial overgrowth . Available data allow the conclusion to be drawn that impaired intestinal motility, as evidenced by attenuated migrating motor complex activity, results in bacterial overgrowth . The criteria for an intestinal motility disorder likely to result in bacterial overgrowth have been determined in patients with late radiation enteropathy, but studies in other clinical conditions are needed to establish general guidelines. Pharmazie, 1995 Apr, 50(4), 263 - 9 {Development and characterization of water soluble dextran fatty acid esters as excipients for colon-targeting}; Kesselhut JF et al.; In this paper production methods of certain colon-degradable dextran fatty acid esters and their relevant properties as excipients for colon-targeting dosage forms are reported . Such dextran fatty acid esters must be insoluble in, resp . resistant against, gastric and small intestinal fluids . But to a certain degree they must be swellable in aqueous liquids in order to allow an enzymatic attack of the colonic microflora . Furthermore, they must be adequately soluble in pharmaceutically accepted solvents to permit the technological application of film coatings . Otherwise, they can only be used as embedding excipients or matrices . As the most suitable excipients for film coatings, biodegradable by the colonic microflora, but resistant against gastric and small intestinal fluids, the dextran lauroyl esters were found . Their molecular weight have to be between 60,000 and 250,000, and their average degree of substitution (DS) between 0.06 and 0.2 . Are the molecular weights higher the DS must be correspondingly lower. Cancer, 1995 Mar 15, 75(6 Suppl), 1508 - 15 The effects of dietary fiber from Lagenaria scineraria (yugao-melon) on colonic carcinogenesis in mice; Furukawa K et al.; BACKGROUND . The increasing trend of colon cancer in Japan is attributed to changes in dietary habits, that is, increased amounts of fat and decreased amounts of fiber in the diet . The effects of Japanese dietary fiber from Lagenaria scineraria (yugao-melon) on colonic carcinogenesis in mice were examined . METHODS . Eighteen ICR mice in each group were fed with either a basal diet or a diet containing 5%, 10%, or 20% of yugao powder for 35 weeks . All the mice received a weekly intraperitoneal injection of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH), 10 mg/kg body weight for 10 weeks . The effects of yugao powder on the mucosal and luminal variables involved in colonic carcinogenesis were then compared with those of wheat bran in the mice without any carcinogen treatment . RESULTS . The incidence of colon tumors (adenocarcinomas) was lower in the yugao powder diet groups than in the basal diet group at week 35 (24% vs . 50%, P < 0.05) . The bile acid concentration in the colon was reduced in all the fiber diet groups except for the 5% yugao powder diet group . The colonic luminal pH acidified as yugao powder contents also increased in the yugao powder diet groups . The findings on the colonic short chain fatty acids, microflora, and mucosal fatty acids and ornithine decarboxylase activity were all inconsistent with a tendency to either develop or to inhibit carcinogenesis in both the fiber diet groups . CONCLUSIONS . Dietary fiber from yugao-melon suppressed DMH-induced colonic carcinogenesis in mice by lowering the bile acid concentration and pH in the colon . The results of the luminal and mucosal variables examined also suggested that the mechanisms of action of yugao powder against colonic carcinogenesis differed from those of wheat brain. J Clin Periodontol, 1995 Mar, 22(3), 235 - 9 Microscopic spirochete counts in untreated subjects with and without periodontal tissue destruction; Lembariti BS et al.; The purpose of the study was to determine microscopically the %s of spirochetes at sites without periodontal destruction in subjects with destructive periodontal diseases (cases) and in subjects free of it (controls), who had not received professional prophylaxis . From a sample of 164 individuals aged between 30-44 years living in rural and urban areas of Tanzania, cases and controls were selected . Cases (n = 25) were selected who exhibited at least 3 teeth with pocket depth of > 5 mm . The controls (n = 28) had no pockets deeper than 3 mm . From each subject, 1 subgingival plaque sample was taken at the mid point of the lingual surface of 1 of the upper premolars which showed bleeding on probing but no calculus and no pockets . In addition, one subgingival sample was obtained from a pocket . Pockets contained the highest %s of spirochetes, which confirms earlier findings . A significant difference in % of spirochetes between cases and controls was found at non-destructive sites, indicating a host effect on the subgingival microflora . However, the spirochete counts at non-destructive sites did not provide a reliable measure to identify subjects with destructive periodontal disease. Drug Metab Dispos, 1995 Mar, 23(3), 354 - 62 Reduction of the prodrug loperamide oxide to its active drug loperamide in the gut of rats, dogs, and humans; Lavrijsen K et al.; Loperamide oxide (LOPOX) is a prodrug of loperamide (LOP) . The reduction of LOPOX to LOP was investigated to provide a pharmacokinetic basis for the pharmacodynamics and improved side effect profile of the prodrug . Reduction of LOPOX was studied in vitro in gut contents, gut flora, intestinal cells, and hepatocytes . In vivo pharmacokinetics and metabolism of LOPOX and LOP were compared in the dog . LOPOX could be efficiently reduced in the gut contents of rats, dogs, and humans, with the most extensive reduction found in cecal contents . Reduction was diminished to 13% of the anaerobic LOPOX reductase activity in the presence of oxygen and to 2.5% of the original activity by heat treatment of the contents . In human ileal effluents, LOPOX reductase activity was similar in oxygen and heat sensitivity . In the rat, the cecum contained on average 89.2% of the total activity in the contents of the upper part of the intestine . In the dog, there was a gradual increase in LOPOX reductase activity from the proximal small intestine toward the cecum . In germ-free rats, the cecum contained < 1% of the activity of the small intestine . Isolated intestinal microflora of rat and dog was able to reduce LOPOX to LOP under anaerobic conditions, indicating that the microflora was primarily involved in the reduction . In its absence (i.e . in germ-free rats), reduction could still be conducted by other unknown components of the gut contents . In isolated intestinal cells, the initial rate of drug uptake was approximately 3-10 times faster for LOP than for LOPOX.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Mikrobiologiia, 1995 Mar-Apr, 64(2), 234 - 8 {Antimutagenic activity of the enzyme preparation "binase" in microbial test systems}; Ivanchenko OB et al.; The occurrence of microorganisms and the rates of terminal biogenic reduction of sulfates and synthesis of methane in stratal waters in deposit 302 of Bashkir Carboniferous deposition at the Romashkinskoe oil field were studied . It was shown that deposit 302 is a dynamic, highly reduced ecosystem containing sulfates and hydrogen sulfide in considerable concentrations, in which active biogenic processes occur . Sulfate reduction is a dominating anaerobic process by which the organic constituents of oil are transformed . The sulfate-reducing microflora is quite varied and characterized by high metabolic potentials . Enriched cultures, which can oxidize many organic substances, such as benzoate, acetate, ethanol, or lactate, at the expense of reduction of sulfates and ferric ion, were isolated from the samples extracted from deposit 302 . It was suggested that the sulfate-reducing microflora might be responsible not only for sulfate reduction in the stratum but also for mobilization of part of insoluble iron oxides in the oil trap rock . The findings indicate that the dissimilation sulfate- and iron-reducing bacteria can contribute to the geochemistry of organic and mineral compounds in underground ecosystems. Gut, 1995 Feb, 36(2), 209 - 14 Rat intestinal mucosal responses to a microbial flora and different diets; Sharma R et al.; The effects of diet on the histochemical composition of intestinal mucosubstances and the morphology of the villi and crypts were investigated by comparing the data of germ free and conventionally maintained rats fed either a purified diet or a commercial diet . The influence of intestinal microflora was evaluated by comparing the germ free rats and those harbouring either a conventional rat flora or a human microbial flora . In both germ free rats and those maintained conventionally, feeding a purified diet resulted in shallower crypts in the small intestine but deeper crypts in the large intestine compared with their counterparts fed on the commercial diet . The preliminary data obtained with association of human flora showed a reduction of the villus height and crypt depth in the small intestine and, to some extent, the amount of neutral mucins in the goblet cells of both small and large intestine and an increase in the amount of sulphated mucins in the large intestine . In rats given the commercial diet the periodic acid Schiff staining for neutral mucins was more intense in the upper crypts of the small intestine than in the lower crypts, and to a lesser extent in the upper crypts of the large intestine . These results provide evidence that the dietary composition, microbial flora, as well as the interactions between the dietary constituents and microbial flora change the mucosal architecture and the mucus composition and therefore alter the functional characteristics of the intestinal tract. J Clin Periodontol, 1995 Feb, 22(2), 124 - 30 The microbiota of osseointegrated implants in patients with a history of periodontal disease; Mombelli A et al.; The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of suspected periodontal pathogens in the peri-implant microflora of osseointegrated implants exposed 3 and 6 months to the oral environment of patients previously treated for periodontal disease . Subgingival microbial samples were taken in the deepest residual pocket of each quadrant in 10 patients before placement of ITI implants and in 10 patients before abutment connection of Branemark implants . The samples were cultured using continuous anaerobic techniques . 4 patients were positive for P . gingivalis, 13 for P . intermedia, 2 for A . actinomycetemcomitans, 16 for Fusobacterium, 7 for C . rectus and 12 showed microscopic evidence of spirochetes . After 3 and 6 months exposure of the implants to the oral environment, one sample was obtained from the peri-implant sulcus in each patient . P . gingivalis was found in 2 patients in the peri-implant samples after 3 and 6 months . 6 peri-implant samples were positive for P . intermedia after 3 months, 7 after 6 months . Fusobacterium was present in 13 peri-implant samples after 3, and in 12 samples after 6 months . 4 patients showed evidence of for C . rectus after 3 months, 2 after 6 months . Spirochetes were seen in 3 peri-implant samples after 3 and in 5 after 6 months . None of the implants were found to be colonized by A . actinomycetemcomitans, although the organism was detected on teeth in 1 individual . Similar distribution patterns were noted for ITI and Branemark type implants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Dairy Sci, 1995 Feb, 78(2), 404 - 11 Gestation and lactation of dairy cows: a role for folic acid? Girard CL, Matte JJ, Tremblay GF. Twenty-four multiparous and 16 primiparous dairy cows were assigned by parity, BW, and milk production to 20 blocks of 2 cows each . Within each block, the cows were injected weekly with either 0 or 160 mg of folic acid from 45 d after mating to 6 wk after parturition . Supplementary folic acid augmented the placental and colostral transfer of folates to the calf but had no effect on blood hemoglobin, birth weight, or growth and feed intake of the calf during the first 10 wk of life . The supplemental folic acid increased serum folates but had no marked effect on blood hemoglobin and BW of cows . Supplementary folic acid tended to increase milk folates, milk production, and the percentage of milk protein during the last half of the lactation curve but had no effect on milk folates and milk production during the first 6 wk after parturition when the injections of folic acid increased the percentage of milk protein in multiparous cows but had no effect on primiparous cows . The supply of folates by the diet and the synthesis by ruminal microflora is sufficient to prevent folic acid deficiency in dairy cows and to maintain normal gestation and lactation, but not to achieve maximal production of milk and protein in multiparous dairy cows during gestation and lactation. J Clin Pediatr Dent, 1995 Fall, 20(1), 23 - 9 Effect of chlorhexidine gluconate mouth wash on the plaque microflora in children using intra oral appliances; Amitha H et al.; The effect of 0.2% chlorhexidine mouth wash (Hexidine) on the plaque microflora was evaluated on children wearing intra oral removable appliances . Plaque samples were collected from the enamel sections, both primary and permanent, mounted on the removable appliances . These appliances were worn by 12 children for one week . Plaque was allowed to accumulate on the in situ test sites and on the adjacent natural dentition . At the end of the experimental period the plaque microflora associated with the enamel sections were compared with that obtained from lingual and interproximal areas of the lower molar teeth . It was also compared with a control group of 12 children without an appliance . In addition, the effect of 0.2% chlorhexidine mouth wash on the plaque microflora for the next 14 days was also determined on both the groups . Although some quantitative difference was found between the proportion of isolates obtained from the different enamel surfaces, it was not statistically significant . There was a statistically significant increase in the isolates of plaque microflora after the insertion of removable appliance in children which decreased significantly with the use of 10 ml of 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouth wash twice a day . The study indicates that the primary and permanent tooth specimens mounted on the intra-oral device collected plaque microflora similar to that present on the adjacent natural dentition and that chlorhexidine gluconate mouth wash therapy is effective in reducing plaque microflora in children with removable appliances. Medinfo, 1995, 8 Pt 2, 1298 - 302 Estimation of motility of subgingival microflora using high speed shutter camera and image analysis system; Ojima M et al.; This paper reports on the development of a motility measuring system for human subgingival microflora using a high speed shutter camera and an image analysis system . The paper first presents the method for estimating the motility of subgingival microflora by the total number of pixels and then describes the evaluation of the total number of pixels as an indicator of bacterial motility . Our results with this system demonstrate that the motility of subgingival microflora can be expressed as the total number of pixels. Dermatology, 1995, 191(4), 276 - 80 The concept of the acid mantle of the skin: its relevance for the choice of skin cleansers; Schmid MH et al.; Whereas soap has long been the only cleansing agent, a new generation of cleansers, the so-called synthetic detergents or syndets, has been developed during the last decades . They offer a wide variety of formulations and are therefore becoming more and more important for cleansing of diseased and healthy skin . Among the syndets, especially those with a pH of about 5.5 seem to be relevant . In contrast to alkaline soap, they do not interfere with the cutaneous microflora, whose composition is linked to the skin surface pH . As their irritancy potential might be even lower than that of soap, the benefit-to-risk ratio of syndets appears favorable. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig, 1995, 46(2), 183 - 92 {The breakdown of the fungicide carbendazim in an aqueous environment}; Bogacka T; The study of the breakdown of the fungicide carbendazim widely used in Poland was carried out under model conditions simulating the environment of river water moderately polluted, distilled water, and dynamic aqueous ecosystem . The experiments were conducted using the fungicide in concentrations about 1 and 5 mcg/l at two temperatures-about 20 degrees C and 5 degrees C, and after adaptation of microorganisms to the presence of the fungicide . Taking the results of the experiment with river water the rate of the breakdown was studied, determining also the kinetic parameters of the breakdown process: rate constants and half-times of breakdown . This process agreed, as a rule, with the kinetic equation of first order and depended on the type of water, initial concentration, temperature and microflora adaptation to the environment of the tested substance . The process of carbendazime breakdown after adaptation of the microorganisms of river water to the fungicide was occurring at a much higher rate at both test temperature and depended on the initial concentration . Temperature decrease to about 5 degrees C inhibited the process of carbendazime degradation, but only if the initial concentration was higher . The concentrations of carbendazime in aqueous environment under dynamic conditions during 14-day exposure decreased by 14-19% and had no negative influence on the biocenosis of the experimental ecosystem Carbendazime was not taken up by water-thyme and Lebistes reticulata in the experimental ecosystem, was poorly concentrated by snails and accumulated slightly in the sediments of the ecosystem. Vestn Ross Akad Med Nauk, 1995, (3), 25 - 8 {Effects of chemical agents on the immunity status of workers at Novomoskovsk enterprises}; Vorob'ev AA et al.; A comprehensive study was made of the body's immunological and microbiological responses to industrial health hazards at chemical enterprises . For this, a total of 284 workers from the Novomoskovsk Bytchim and Orgsintez Production Associations were investigated by the conventional procedures . The workers were found to have immunological changes at the cellular and humoral levels as compared with the persons who were not engaged in chemical industry . There are also changes in the structure of the intestinal microflora at the expense of higher quantities of opportunistic microbes . The findings suggest that the workers of chemical enterprises experience great immunological influences of chemical compounds in their working places, despite the existing safety and protection measures . A number of proposals have been introduced to prevent immunological and microbiological changes in this group of persons. Nahrung, 1995, 39(2), 156 - 65 Influence of harvesting and drying techniques on microflora and mycotoxin contamination of figs; Ozay G et al.; Mould growth and mycotoxin (aflatoxins and ochratoxin A) formation were examined in the 1993 dried figs crop . The relationships between mould/mycotoxin contamination and orchard conditions, different harvesting techniques, harvesting time and intactness of fruits were investigated . The fruits were examined during drying and effects of different pretreatments, sun drying and solar drying on the mould and mycotoxin contamination in figs were also studied . Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1 and G2) were not present in the firm or shrivelled ripe figs . Among the samples examined during drying, only one of the 32 samples was found to be aflatoxin positive . Ochratoxin A was not detected in any of the samples analysed . The moisture content, aw and pH values of full ripe and shrivelled fruits were suitable for mould growth and mycotoxin formation while these parameters in pretreated and dried fruits were found to be too low to allow such outcome . It was observed that harvesting the fruit by hand-treating with different solutions and application of solar drying were effective in reducing contamination level. Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 1995 Jan, 102(1), 50 - 2 {The metabolism of trichothecenes in swine}; Bauer J; Trichothecenes like T-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, and deoxynivalenol, which occur in feed, are metabolized preponderant in a biphasic way . Oxidation and hydrolysis are carried out in phase 1, while the transformation products are conjugated with glucuronic acid in phase 2; in addition, the epoxide ring is cleaved by the gut microflora . Metabolites of T-2 toxin are HT-2 toxin, 3'-hydroxy-T-2 toxin, 3'-hydroxy-HT-2 toxin, neosolaniol, 4-deacetylneosolaniol, T-2 triol, T-2 tetraol, and de-epoxide T-2 tetraol . Diacetoxyscirpenol is transformed to 15-monoacetoxyscirpenol, scirpenetriol, de-epoxide 15-moneacetoxyscirpenol, and de-epoxide scirpenetriol . Deoxynivalenol undergoes no extensive metabolism; only the production of deoxynivalenol glucuronide and de-epoxide deoxynivalenol is assumed . As trichothecenes are rapid metabolized, the diagnosis of an intoxication by the analysis of samples of pig origin should be hardly possible; for the same reason, the possibility of an enrichment of trichothecene metabolites in edible tissues is graded as low. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1995 Jan-Feb, (1), 87 - 90 {The Amben regulation of the intestinal microflora and macrophage functional activity in an experiment}; Gorskaia EM et al.; The possibility of the correction of intestinal microflora disorders and the functional activity of macrophages in dysbiosis, caused by the intragastric administration of ampiox, with the use of amben (PAMBA), an inhibitor of proteolytic enzymes, was studied . Quantitative and qualitative changes in the main representatives of automicroflora, the functional activity of macrophages in the phagocytosis of 51Cr-labeled sheep red blood cells, the intensity of protein synthesis, the content of cathepsin D, acidic phosphatase and nitro blue tetrazolium activity were determined . The combined administration of ampiox and amben normalized quantitative and qualitative ratios of the main representatives of intestinal microflora, as well as the characteristics of macrophage functional activity, studied in this investigation . The administration of amben to intact animals was found to stimulate bifido- and lactoflora. Stomatologiia (Mosk), 1995, 74(1), 43 - 5 {Changes in the oral microflora under the influence of pulsed periodic CO2 laser radiation in operations on the jaw bones}; Bazikian EA et al.; Effects of pulsed periodical laser exposure on oral microflora were studied . Bacterial growth was suppressed immediately after surgery if pulsed periodical CO2 laser was used . Later only quantitative changes in the bacterial composition were observed . Asepticism of laser radiation does not depend on the discreteness of laser beam, radiation frequency, pulse duration, but depended on the radiation power, exposure duration, and area of exposure. Stomatologiia (Mosk), 1995, 74(1), 16 - 9 {The clinico-immunological characteristics of the course of recurrent aphthous stomatitis}; Maksomovskaia LN et al.; Clinical and laboratory examinations of 86 patients with relapsing aphthous stomatitis making use of a complex of clinical, immunological, cytochemical, and microbiological methods, helped specify the clinico-anamnestic features in the course of this disease . An immunobacterial concept of the pathogenesis of relapsing aphthous stomatitis has been formulated; according to this concept, the disease is initiated by disorders of T and B immunity system and nonspecific defense factors, leading to increase of the content and virulence of oral microflora, and thus stimulating the bacterial sensitization of the organism of patients with relapsing aphthous stomatitis. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol, 1995, 22(1), 23 - 7 Hysteroscopic tubal catheterization in diagnosis and treatment of proximal oviductal obstruction; Spiewankiewicz B et al.; Hysteroscopic tubal catheterization in patients with proximal tube obstruction, was successful in our material in 11 out of 15 cases . In 36.6% women this pathology was connected to the presence of pathologic microflora in the oviducts, as confirmed by bacteriological examination of tubal fluid . The pregnancy rate in endoscopically treated patients reached 13.3% . Three months follow-up HSG showed that in 78% of cases insertion of a catheter into their oviducts resulted in their complete patency . Hysteroscopic tubal catheterization failed in 4 women, who were subsequently qualified to IVF . The present study shows that hysteroscopic tubal catheterization in patients with proximal tubal obstruction can be used both as a diagnostic and considerably effective therapeutic method. Rev Gastroenterol Peru, 1995 Jan-Apr, 15(1), 35 - 41 {Study of intestinal microflora in children with acute and persistent diarrhea}; Garcia Cristia Y et al.; The etiology and pathogenesis of persistent diarrhoea is usually multifactorial and sometimes can not be identified . It is necessary to define if an alteration of the enteric microflora is a risk factor that influence the duration of the diarrhoea . 30 infants with acute diarrhoea and 30 with persistent diarrhoea were studied . A sample of duodenal content was taken by a double-lumen tube and processed microbiologically in search for enteric microorganisms, anaerobic and Candida . These results were correlated with the nutritional status, the previous use of Metronidazole and the results of the stool culture . The presence of bacterial overgrowth and the identification of the duodenal microflora is an important factor for the persistence of the diarrhoea . There was a quantitative and qualitative alteration of the duodenal flora in both groups of patients. Mikrobiol Z, 1995 Jan-Feb, 57(1), 71 - 6 {A new preparation of biosporin and its effect on the intestinal microflora in dysbacterioses in newborn infants}; Slabospitskaia AT et al.; Biosporin, a new biological drug made on the basis of sporulating aerobic bacteria, has been studied for its effect on the intestine microflora in case of dysbacterioses and acute digestive disorders in 53 newborn children with perinatal pathology . The results obtained prove high prophylactic and therapeutic efficiency (clinical and bacteriological) of biosporin for dysbacterioses and diarrheas in the newborn children . No negative after effects were observed . The preparation not only decontaminated pathogenic microorganisms, but also promoted necessary correction bacteriotherapy. Mikrobiol Z, 1995 Jan-Feb, 57(1), 59 - 63 {The characteristics of pneumococcal contamination of the respiratory tract in healthy and sick children}; Lomnyts'ka VB et al.; The results of six-year-long investigations of microbiological indices of pneumococcal microflora in healthy carriers and in children with chronic respiratory pathology are presented in the paper . Peculiarities of pneumococcal contamination of nasopharynx mucosa in the both groups were detected . A difference in the intensity of pneumococcus colonization and localization in upper respiratory tract between healthy and sick children was found . Data on adhesive and lysozyme activity of the obtained stocks as factors favourable for microflora contamination and persistence on nasopharynx mucosa are given . An analysis of antibiograms of the obtained pneumococcus cultures was performed . The recent trend of preservation of pneumococcus sensitivity to the main groups of commonly used antibiotic preparations has been affirmed. J Clin Periodontol, 1995 Jan, 22(1), 56 - 62 Clinical, microbiological and host defense parameters associated with a case of localized prepubertal periodontitis; Yoshida-Minami I et al.; A 4-year-old Japanese boy was referred to Osaka University Dental Hospital because of severe mobility and pain of the right lower primary canine . The canine had severe bone loss and a pocket depth exceeding 5-6 mm . The left lower canine showed slight mobility and moderate alveolar bone loss . The other primary teeth showed no pathogenic findings . The subgingival microflora from the right lower canine was dominated by gram-negative rods, especially capnocytophaga and fusobacterium, while actinomyces sp . were the most common gram-positive bacteria . While neutrophil functions of the patient were within the normal ranges of healthy subjects, some lymphocyte functions such as IL-2 production and IgG and IgM syntheses were lower in the patient . 7 months after the extraction of the right lower primary canine, the patient complained of pain around the right lower primary lateral incisor . In 3-4 weeks, the alveolar bone was lost rapidly and mobility of the lower anterior teeth increased significantly . The primary lateral incisor was extracted and the other primary teeth were treated by sealing and systemic and local administration of antibiotics . After treatment, the lower anterior teeth became less mobile and the gram-positive cocci predominated. Chemotherapy, 1995, 41 Suppl 1, 5 - 15 Gut flora in normal and disordered states; Salminen S et al.; Infections of the gastrointestinal tract are a major health problem for both adults and children worldwide . Changes in the normal human gut microflora result in the development of intestinal disorders . Pathogenic bacteria alter the intestinal microecology and intestinal colonization resistance . A healthy gastrointestinal microflora forms a barrier against invading organisms . Normal intestinal microbes and some probiotic bacteria can enhance the host's defence mechanisms against pathogens . They can also improve intestinal immunity by adhering to intestinal mucosa and stimulating local immune responses . Thus the maintenance of a balanced intestinal microecology improves the ability to preserve intestinal integrity. Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1995, 96, 28 - 33 Carbapenems: monotherapy in intra-abdominal sepsis; Wilson SE; Meropenem is the first of a new class of dehydropeptidase-stable carbapenems which is highly active against the microflora associated with intra-abdominal infection . Three randomised, prospective multicentre studies, have compared meropenem monotherapy with imipenem/cilastatin and cefotaxime plus metronidazole in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections: meropenem (1 g) versus cefotaxime (2 g) plus metronidazole (500 mg); meropenem (1 g) versus imipenem/cilastatin (1 g); meropenem (500 mg) versus imipenem/cilastatin (500 mg), all administered intravenously every 8 hours . Of the 641 patients with intra-abdominal infections randomised to treatment, 555 (87%) were clinically evaluable and 445 (69%) were bacteriologically evaluable . At the end of treatment a majority of the patients in each of the 3 studies was clinically cured or improved (91-100%) . There were no clinically significant differences between the treatment regimens . Meropenem was effective over a range of intra-abdominal infections and as well tolerated as imipenem/cilastatin, and cefotaxime plus metronidazole. Vestn Ross Akad Med Nauk, 1995, (5), 59 - 63 {Microbiocenotic changes in the large intestine of patients with various diseases}; Vorob'ev AA et al.; The specific features of the components of human large bowel microbiocenosis were studied in healthy persons and patients with various pyo-inflammatory and other diseases in relation to the physiological status . The presence of a pathological process was demonstrated to be a powerful factor of intestinal microbiocenotic variations . No specific changes in the large bowel microflora were found in the abnormalities in question. Acta Microbiol Immunol Hung, 1995, 42(1), 45 - 52 Bacteria adherent to the hindgut of terrestrial isopods; Drobne D; The gut microflora of three terrestrial isopod species was investigated by means of scanning electron microscope . The gut cuticle of intermoult specimens of Ligidium hypnorum and Porcellio scaber was densely colonized with bacteria . Some moulting specimens of the same species were observed with the guts free of bacteria . In all investigated specimens of Hyloniscus riparius the guts were completely free of microflora . In this case our finding could not be interpreted in relation to the moulting stage of the animal. Probl Tuberk, 1995, (3), 47 - 8 {State of immunobiological reactivity of experimental animals to tuberculosis and exposure to coal tar}; Pavlov VA et al.; Among most common environmental factors microflora and xenobiotics are capable of changing immunological resistance of human and animal body . Combined action of these factors on the animals has never been studied . Guinea pig experiments showed that M . tuberculosis can significantly change immunogram of the animals exposed for a long time to coal tar . On the one hand, the effect may be negative, but on the other, in certain conditions coal tar enhanced guinea pig's resistance to M . tuberculosis. Arq Gastroenterol, 1995 Jan-Mar, 32(1), 19 - 23 {Small intestine flora in chagasic patients with megaesophagus and/or megacolon: study using the H2 breath test}; Machado WM; The author use the H2 breath test to study the small bowel microflora of chagasic patients with megaesophagus and/or megacolon . Compare this group with a control one . Find a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the small bowel flora of chagasic group . It is concluded that H2 breath is a simple and useful test to detect alteration in intestinal flora. SAAS Bull Biochem Biotechnol, 1995, 8, 1 - 6 Biomass degrading enzymes from anaerobic rumen fungi; Chen H et al.; Obligately anaerobic fungi are part of the natural microflora of the alimentary tract of many herbivorous mammals . They produce a complete set of polysaccharide hydrolytic enzymes which efficiently degrade plant cell-walls . This article summarizes the present work on biomass degrading enzymes with special emphasis on their cellulases, xylanases, and esterases from both monocentric and polycentric anaerobic fungi . The possibility of the cellulosome or xylanosome-like high molecular mass complexes in the fungi are also discussed. J Oral Implantol, 1995, 21(1), 19 - 22 The microbial flora associated with stable endosseous implants; Sordyl CM et al.; Eleven patients with 36 stable endosseous implants in function for at least six months were selected for culturing in this study . Each patient had been restored with a mandibular implant-borne bar overdenture . The bacterial samples were taken from the superior aspect of the implants after bar and abutment removal . The plaque specimens contained predominantly Gram-positive microflora, although Gram-negative species were present in low numbers . This study serves to corroborate previously published reports regarding the characterization of the microflora associated with stable endosseous implants. Sci Total Environ, 1994 Dec 11, 157(1-3), 207 - 15 Biological pathways of radionuclides originating from the Chernobyl fallout in a boreal forest ecosystem; Guillitte O et al.; In an attempt to understand the mechanisms governing the transfer and retention of radiocaesium in the understorey vegetation, 39 macromycetes species and 33 plant species, together with humus samples, were systematically collected from the undercover vegetation in a boreal coniferous forest . The results indicate that the main factors determining interspecific differences in contamination level are the rooting depth in plants, the depth of mycelium in fungi, and the ecophysiological behaviour of fungi, mycotrophism or plant parasitism . A comparison between the investigated species and the same species growing in similar ecosystems, albeit under different climatic conditions, resulted in an almost identical ranking in terms of radiocaesium contamination levels; the contamination ratios between species were also relatively constant . From an experiment involving humus samples, it was shown that up to 40% of the radiocaesium could be retained by the microflora, particularly by mycelia. J Nutr, 1994 Dec, 124(12 Suppl), 2672S - 2676S Evaluation of nutrient utilization in the canine using the ileal cannulation technique; Walker JA et al.; Nine mature mongrel dogs were used to evaluate a surgical technique for the cannulation of the terminal ileum and used in two experiments to determine the effect of carbohydrate source on starch and dry matter digestion . Dogs (16.2 +/- 2.0 kg body weight; means +/- SD) were fitted with an ileal T-cannula constructed of polyvinyl chloride pipe . The cannula was inserted into the terminal ileum approximately 10 cm proximal to the ileocecal junction and the cannula was exteriorized through a small incision on the right flank . Dogs recovered quickly from surgery (5d) . A preliminary study using Cr:EDTA in the food indicated that sampling for 12 h postprandially allowed near complete representation of digesta flow for a meal; peak flow occurred 4-to 8-h postfeeding . Two experiments were performed evaluating the effect of carbohydrate source on ileal starch and dry matter digestibility . Dogs were fed two meals daily with Cr2O3 used as a digesta marker . Diets contained 67% extruded grain (corn, rice, oats or barley) and 33% canned meat supplement on a dry matter basis . Starch digestion was complete (> 98%) within the small intestine and was unaffected by carbohydrate source . In experiment 1, prececal and total tract dry matter digestibilities were higher for rice than corn, and in experiment 2, barley was higher than oats . The ileal T-cannula allows for measurement of small intestinal nutrient disappearance without the confounding effects of colonic microflora . This method may be useful when applied to the study of other nutrients in dogs. Ir J Med Sci, 1994 Dec, 163(12), 544 - 9 Current concepts of the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease; Shanahan F; Although the cause of inflammatory bowel disease is not known, the pathogenesis involves an immune-mediated tissue damage that is the result of an interaction among genetic predisposing factors, exogenous triggers and endogenous modifying influences . Multiple genes are involved and operate at the level of the immune response and at the target organ . Exogenous triggers include the enteric microflora which might stimulate the mucosal immune system in genetically predisposed individuals . Endogenous modifying factors such as the psychoneuroendocrine system have regulatory effects on the immune system and the inflammatory response, and may influence the course of the disease . While autoimmune phenomena do occur, particularly in ulcerative colitis, there is no evidence that they are directly responsible for the tissue damage . It appears more likely, particularly in Crohn's disease, that tissue injury may occur as an indirect or "bystander" effect of mucosal T-cell hyperactivation, perhaps in response to a normal enteric microbial antigen . Most of the immunologic and histologic features of Crohn's disease can be explained by the effects of T-cell derived and other cytokines on the epithelium, the local immune system, the microvasculature, and the recruitment of auxiliary effector cells such as neutrophils. Gastroenterology, 1994 Nov, 107(5), 1259 - 69 Microflora modulates endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal mucosa of the rat; Uribe A et al.; BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastrointestinal peptides and biogenic monoamines participate in the regulation of gastrointestinal functions . The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the microflora on the distribution of endocrine cells and on the release of gastrointestinal peptides . METHODS: A quantitative morphological study using stereological methods was performed in gastrointestinal sections of conventional and germ-free rats . Tissue and plasma concentrations of peptides were measured . RESULTS: The total volumes of gastrin- and serotonin-immunoreactive cells were significantly increased in the gastric mucosa of germfree rats (P < 0.05), as well as the total volumes of serotonin- and motilin-immunoreactive cells in the ileum (P < 0.05) and serotonin-immunoreactive cells in the colonic mucosa (P < 0.05) . The tissue concentration of somatostatin was significantly higher in the jejunum (P < 0.05) and lower in the ileum of germfree rats than in controls (P < 0.05) . Plasma glucagon was significantly increased in germfree rats (P < 0.05) . The total volume of the fundic mucosa was enlarged in germfree rats (P < 0.05), whereas the total volume, the mucosal thickness, and the number of crypt cells of the colonic mucosa were significantly reduced in these rats compared with controls (P < 0.05) . CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the intraluminal microflora influences the release of biologically active peptides and that it participates in the regulation of gastrointestinal endocrine cells and the epithelial structure. Pharm Res, 1994 Nov, 11(11), 1640 - 5 Colonic absorption and bioavailability of the pentapeptide metkephamid in the rat; Langguth P et al.; The concept of delivering systemically active peptide drugs to the colon in order to improve their oral absorption requires reasonable peptide permeability of the large intestinal wall and stability against the activity of the colonic microflora . In addition, the role of hepatic extraction needs to be addressed . In this study the absorption of the pentapeptide metkephamid following single pass perfusion of rat ascending colon was investigated by monitoring its disappearance from the large intestine and simultaneous appearance in the portal vein, the hepatic vein and the aorta . In addition its stability against colonic microflora was tested in vitro using pig caecal contents . Metkephamid was absorbed from the large intestine and appeared in the blood circulation; peptide concentrations in the portal vein increased over-proportionally with increasing perfusate concentrations (0.1-4.6 mmol/L) from 0.19 microgram/mL +/- 0.12 (SD, n = 7) to 31.6 micrograms/mL + 20.65 (SD, n = 4), respectively, and thus suggesting a saturable transport or metabolism . Concentrations in the hepatic vein were significantly lower than in the portal vein, hepatic extraction ratios were 0.35 +/- 0.14, 0.61 +/- 0.18 and 0.62 +/- 0.28 (SD, n = 4) for 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mM metkephamid perfusate concentrations, respectively . In the anaerobic colon metabolism model the degradation half-life of the peptide was 14.9 hours, thus, indicating relative stability in the bacterial environment of the colon . The results of the present study encourage further investigations on colonic delivery of peptide drugs. Bull Acad Natl Med, 1994 Nov, 178(8), 1591 - 605; discussion 1606-8 {Involvement of polyamines in malignant proliferative processes: antineoplastic effects of a polyamine deficiency}; Quemener V et al.; The fact that tumors require polyamines for growth has been repeatedly demonstrated . In vivo polyamines are available both from endogenous (intracellular biosynthesis) and exogenous sources (food and intestinal microflora) . We investigated in rats grafted with Mat-Lylu prostatic adenocarcinoma the distribution between tumor and tissues of orally administered {14C}putrescine (Pt) . The amount of radioactivity retained by tumors was directly proportional to the tumor volume . In a tumor of 25 cm3 19% of the totally retained radioactivity was found . The accumulation of Pt by intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles prepared from tumor-bearing animals was significantly higher than by vesicles from healthy rats . Our results indicate that the presence of a tumor induces an adaptive response in the small intestine which stimulates the uptake of exogenous polyamines . Our therapeutic strategy was to realise a total blockade of all endogenous and exogenous sources of polyamines by feeding animals with a drug (DFMO, MDL 72527, antibiotics) containing polyamine deficient chow . We observed that polyamine deprivation largely reduced both primary tumor and metastatic development . Natural Killer cell cytotoxic activity and blood formula were restored to normal values after treatment . Furthermore polyamine deprivation enhanced antitumoral efficacy of chemotherapy. Rev Prat, 1994 Oct 15, 44(16), 2201 - 5 {Cerebral abscess and empyema}; Korinek AM; Brain abscess and subdural empyema are serious infections which can be metastasis of chronic suppurative diseases (bronchectasia, lung or abdominal abscesses) or of congenital cardiopathy, but they are more frequently seen in healthy adults suffering from chronic sinusitis or otitis . Brain CT scan with contrast media injection is the best tool for diagnosis and follow-up . It has transformed the prognosis of brain abscesses . Anaerobic oropharyngeal microflora is the main source of bacteria responsible for suppurative brain diseases . Surgical treatment consists of aspiration or, rarely now, of excision of the lesion . Medical treatment alone can be successful in selected cases, provided patients are closely monitored and antibiotics with good penetration into the brain parenchyma are used. Transplantation, 1994 Oct 15, 58(7), 808 - 16 Altered gene expression of cytokine, ICAM-1, and class II molecules precedes mouse intestinal allograft rejection; Quan D et al.; Rapid and severe rejection remains a major obstacle to successful clinical intestinal transplantation (IT) . The aggressive nature of rejection in IT has been attributed to the increased massive immune stimulus provided by large numbers of resident lymphocytes, antigen presentation capacity of enterocytes, and graft damage mediated by luminal microflora . Early small bowel expression of proinflammatory cytokines, MHC class II, and adhesion molecules may also promote IT rejection, but the lack of a mouse model has hampered extensive studies of gene expression in IT . Using a recently developed surgical model, we examined the temporal pattern of gene expression in CB6F1 (H-2b/d) vascularized, heterotopic intestinal allografts transplanted into BALB/c (H-2d) mice . Although histological evidence of rejection was not present until day 7 in allografts, Northern blot analysis demonstrated increases in TNF alpha gene transcripts as early as day 3, followed by the expression of IL-1 beta, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and MHC class II by day 5 . Using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, IFN-gamma was detected in allografts by day 3 and persisted to day 10 . In contrast, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-6 mRNA transcripts peaked by day 5 and then decreased, suggesting that both Th1 and Th2 subsets are involved in the rejection of unmodified small bowel allografts . The early and progressive expression of TNF alpha and IL-1 beta as well as IFN-gamma, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and MHC class II in IT rejection may contribute to the difficulty in controlling IT rejection with present immunosuppression. Comp Biochem Physiol Physiol, 1994 Oct, 109(2), 503 - 10 Evidence for the absence of participation of the microbial flora in the hypocholesterolemic effect of guar gum in gnotobiotic rats; Alvarez-Leite JI et al.; Germ-free (GF) and heteroxenic (Hx) rats were given a hypocholesterolemic diet (Hyper) with or without 5% guar gum (GG) for 4 weeks . The GF and Hx rats fed GG diets showed a lower hepatic and plasmatic cholesterol level when compared with Hyper groups . This reduction of cholesterolemia was due to a decrease in the chylomicron + very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) fraction . The caecal and portal concentrations of propionate were 30% higher in Hx rats fed the GG diet than in Hx rats fed the Hyper diet . These results exclude the participation of the intestinal microflora in the hypocholesterolemic effect of GG, and show that guar gum nullifies the effect of the hypocholesterolemic diet in the GF rats. Infect Immun, 1994 Oct, 62(10), 4325 - 32 Development of large intestinal attaching and effacing lesions in pigs in association with the feeding of a particular diet; Neef NA et al.; Hysterotomy-derived piglets were kept in gnotobiotic isolators and artificially colonized at 7 days of age with an adult bovine enteric microflora . At 3 weeks of age, the pigs were transferred to conventional experimental accommodation and weaned, either onto a solid diet that had been associated with field cases of typhlocolitis in pigs or onto a solid control diet . At necropsy at 5 weeks of age,