Sex Transm Dis, 1983 Oct-Dec, 10(4 Suppl), 240 - 3 Chemical composition and ultrastructure of Mycoplasma hominis; Christiansson A et al.; Mycoplasma hominis belongs to the family Mycoplasmataceae, which includes the smallest free-living organisms known to exist . Despite the small size of the organism, its chemical composition and cell structure are almost as complex as in other bacteria . The cytoplasm contains typical 70S bacterial ribosomes and a circular double-stranded DNA molecule . Both of these structures have been well characterized . Like other mycoplasmas, M . hominis lacks a cell wall . The cytoplasmic membrane is the outer boundary of the cell . The membrane lipid and protein composition of M . hominis has been established . The presence of various high-molecular-weight proteins at the extracellular side of the membrane in different strains is probably important in terms of the immunogenic heterogeneity of M . hominis . Furthermore, sugar-containing structures at the outside of the membrane may be important in the interaction between M . hominis and the mucosal surfaces of its human hosts . However, the information available on the cell structure of M . hominis is still inadequate for an exact definition of the relation between host and parasite. J Chir (Paris), 1983 Oct, 120(10), 543 - 5 {Localized tetanus after esophagogastrectomy}; Becq-Giraudon B et al.; Post-operatory partial tetanus is a more and more rare event . It can outcome after any type of surgery but especially after abdominal surgery . The contamination is usually endogenous through the digestive bacteria and it develops in anaerobic context . These different factors were united in this report . The diagnosis is difficult if not keep in mind . The treatment is usual, but prevention might be pointed out. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1983 Oct, 36(10), 1336 - 44 Chemical modification of spiramycins . I . Synthesis of the acetal derivatives of neospiramycin I; Sano H et al.; Tetrahydrofuranyl and tetrahydropyranyl derivatives of neospiramycin I at 3 and/or 4' position were synthesized . In vitro and in vivo activities of these derivatives were correlated with the position and configuration of acetal groups . The most effective derivative, 3-a, 4'-a-di-O-tetrahydrofuranylneospiramycin I was comparable to spiramycin I. Infect Immun, 1983 Oct, 42(1), 431 - 3 Stickland reactions of dental plaque; Curtis MA et al.; Dental plaque samples from monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were shown to contain proline reduction activity in coupled Stickland reactions with other amino acids and also with certain end products of bacterial glucose metabolism . The unusually high concentration of bound and free proline in the oral environment may be of importance in both the production of base and in the removal of acid from the tooth surface after dietary carbohydrate ingestion. Gut, 1983 Oct, 24(10), 876 - 80 Intracolonic environment and the presence of colonic adenomas in man; van der Werf SD et al.; A promoting effect of large bowel contents on colonic carcinogenesis as seen in the animal model is still incompletely explored in man . We investigated simultaneously deoxycholate absorption (as marker of colonic mucosal exposure to tumour promoting bile salt metabolites), mouth-anus transit time, and the ratio of anaerobic to aerobic bacteria in stool in 10 persons with colonic adenomas and in 10 age matched control subjects . We found that anaerobic/aerobic ratios and colonic deoxycholate absorption were higher in patients with colonic adenomas (p less than 0.002 and p less than 0.001) and that these parameters were clearly interrelated, which also applied to intestinal transit times and the anaerobic/aerobic ratios . These data are consistent with a promoting effect of the intracolonic environment on development of adenomas in man . Long term induction of a more aerobic colon flora and shortening of intestinal transit time may diminish bile-salt induced tumour promotion in adenoma patients. Scand J Dent Res, 1983 Oct, 91(5), 365 - 70 Alpha-amylase activity in supragingival dental plaque in humans; Fiehn NE et al.; Supragingival plaque samples were examined for alpha-amylase activity before and after cultivation . Amylase activity was determined by disappearance of 14C-labeled starch in a phosphate buffer, pH 6.9 . In all plaque samples alpha-amylase activity was observed . On an average 75% of this activity was soluble, while the rest was bound to various plaque components . Known inhibitors of human alpha-amylase inhibited the enzyme activity in the plaque samples almost totally . The electrophoretic patterns of alpha-amylases in the plaque and human saliva samples were identical . Bacteria cultivated from the plaque samples showed no or low alpha-amylase activity . The results indicated that most of alpha-amylase activity in supragingival plaque samples are of salivary origin . The greater part of the enzyme activity is extracellular in the plaque, may be located at the plaque surface, and only a minor part is bound to the cells or to the insoluble components in the plaque. J Prosthet Dent, 1983 Oct, 50(4), 497 - 504 An evaluation and comparison of the pulpal response to gold foil and indium alloy; Dowden WE et al.; All teeth restored with gold foil had pulpal changes marked by persistent hemorrhage, destruction of odontoblasts, and inflammation . Bacteria were found more frequently on cavity walls of teeth restored with gold foil and with increasing frequency for all materials as the observation period became longer . The presence or absence of bacteria could not be related to the pulpal response for either indium alloy or gold foil . Because this and previous studies indicated that gold foil in direct contact with prepared dentin surfaces produces pulpal injury, a base to protect the pulp is indicated . Indium alloy or another appropriate base could be used for the required pulpal protection. J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 1983 Oct, 41(10), 687 - 8 Instrument-marking tapes: an unnecessary hazard; Samit A et al.; Instrument-marking tapes facilitate instrument preparation and packaging but can be responsible for increased surgical morbidity by fragmenting into the wound or harboring bacteria when old or damaged . Four cases of submandibular abscess formation and the potential failure of an oro-antral closure were directly attributed to the use of marking tapes. J Biomol Struct Dyn, 1983 Oct, 1(2), 371 - 81 The conformation of a conserved stem-loop structure in ribosomal RNA; van Knippenberg PH et al.; The RNA of small ribosomal subunits contains a conserved stem-loop structure near the 3' end . Characteristics for the hairpins are: (a) a nine-basepairs stem: (b) a conserved A-UU-G junction in the stem: (c) a conserved sequence Gm6(2)AM6(2)A sequence in the loop (except yeast mitochondria and mutants from bacteria) . We are using UV-optics, micro-calorimetry and 500 MHz-NMR to investigate fragments of about 50 nucleotides cleaved from the 3' ends of small ribosomal subunit RNA's by bacteriocins . Our preliminary conclusions are: (1) Dimethylation of the adenines in the loop destabilizes the hairpin because of an increased stacking; (2) melting of the hairpin starts at the ends as well as in the middle at the A-UU-G junction; (3) basepair substitutions have an unexpectedly large effect on thermal stability. Sex Transm Dis, 1983 Oct-Dec, 10(4 Suppl), 232 - 9 Morphology of the cells and colonies of Mycoplasma hominis; Robertson JA et al.; Studies of the morphology Mycoplasma hominis have shown that the cells resemble those of small coccoid or ovoid bacteria; the microstructure of the organism is compatible with reproduction by a fission process . Although dividing forms with equal-sized lobes are common, fragmenting filaments and replicating buds sometimes occur, perhaps in response to suboptimal growth conditions . Data based on morphometric analysis show that cells of M . hominis ATCC 14027 have average dimensions of 0.27 X 0.74 micron and a mean diameter of 0.42 micron . The volume of a M . hominis cell was only about 60% of that of Ureaplasma urealyticum T960, a species that has a mean cell diameter of 0.5 micron and that is sometimes a pathogen of the human genital tract . There are wide variations in the colonial morphology of M . hominis. Tijdschr Gerontol Geriatr, 1983 Oct, 14(5), 187 - 94 {Immune function and aging in man}; Schuurman HJ et al.; Ageing in immune reactivity is described at the level of lymphoid cells, at that of lymphoid organs and organ function, and at that of regulation of cell and organ function . Apart from shifts in numbers of lymphoid cell subpopulations, the decrease in communication capacity between lymphoid cell populations and in binding of invaders (like bacteria) is an important aspect of ageing . These aspects may contribute to the decreased immune reactivity to invaders and the enhanced incidence of immune reactions to self-components (autoimmune reactivity) . Studies on the physiology and pathophysiology of ageing in the immune system lead to improvement in prevention and therapy of immunological diseases of ageing, with prospect on an enhanced life quality of aged people and an extension of the mean lifespan of man. J Hyg (Lond), 1983 Oct, 91(2), 167 - 78 Interaction of L . pneumophilia and a free living amoeba (Acanthamoeba palestinensis); Anand CM et al.; Co-cultivation of Legionella pneumophila serogroup I and Acanthamoeba palestinensis in Neff's medium at 35 degrees C resulted in the intracellular multiplication of the bacteria as demonstrated by electron microscopy and immunofluorescence . In the closed experimental system used, the number of legionellae rose from 10(7) colony forming units (c.f.u.)/ml initially to a maximum of 10(10) c.f.u./ml on day 5 . Legionellae were seen in expelled phagosomes, in some amoebae filling the cytoplasm and in others in which the process of encystment appeared to have commenced . At 20 degrees C the acanthamoebae phagocytosed and digested the legionellae . The bacteria disappeared from the co-cultivation flask by day 2 but reappeared in low numbers (10(2) c.f.u./ml) by day 6 suggesting that even at this temperature some intra-amoebal multiplication occurred. Hum Pathol, 1983 Oct, 14(10), 888 - 900 Applications of electron microscopy to diagnostic pulmonary pathology; Wang NS; Viruses and other possible causative agents should be sought light and electron microscopically in all cases of ill-defined diseases including "sarcoid." Ideally, tissue should be prepared for electron microscopic examination as soon as a specimen is obtained; however, when this has not been done, tissue preserved in formalin solution can be used . Viruses, some bacteria, and other agents suspected on the basis of light microscopic findings can be verified electron microscopically by reprocessing paraffin-embedded tissue from areas that show smudge cells, focal necrosis with atypical cellular proliferation, and nuclear inclusions . Electron microscopically, all dying cells show swelling and rupture of cellular organelles and membranes; reactive changes include proliferation of branching tubules and paracrystalline and other types of proteinaceous precipitates (inclusions) in both the nucleus and cytoplasm . Qualitative and quantitative changes of cellular organelles, fibrils, microvilli, and intercellular junctions reflect hyperplasia, metaplasia, or dysplasia of the cell and may enable identification of the diseases, e.g., desquamative interstitial pneumonia . In various conditions, basal laminae become irregular, disruptive, or reduplicated following epithelial necrosis and regeneration . Electron microscopic evidence of immunologic damage to basal lamina and cells and immuno-electron-microscopic features of the lung in general require further studies . Electron microscopic features of transbronchial biopsy specimens may be diagnostic in cases of alveolar proteinosis, histiocytosis X, and amyloidosis . Ultrastructural abnormalities of cilia are common; primary ciliary defects are rare . Finally, light microscopic, scanning electron microscopic, and x-ray energy-dispersive spectrometric examinations of paraffin-embedded sections appear most practical for the pathologic evaluation of cases of pneumoconiosis. Cryobiology, 1983 Oct, 20(5), 613 - 24 Adventitious chemistry at reduced water activities: free radicals and polyhydroxy agents; Heckly RJ et al.; Free radicals have been associated with loss of viability of lyophilized bacteria exposed to oxygen . Free radical concentration was proportional to the log of the oxygen pressure in the sample . Sugars, such as lactose or sucrose, preserved viability and inhibited free radical production . Lyophilized tissue, particularly liver and spleen, also reacted with oxygen to produce free radicals, which appear to be associated with ascorbic acid in the tissues . Pure ascorbic acid in air does not produce free radicals, but when mixed with protein before lyophilization it reacts with oxygen in air . When a mixture of sodium ascorbate and phenylalanine or tryptophan is lyophilized, free radicals identical to those observed in tissue are obtained . Propyl gallate and di- or trihydroxybenzoates also react with oxygen when lyophilized with phenylalanine, but the g value of the free radical is significantly less than that obtained with ascorbate . A number of amino acids and similar nitrogenous compounds act as catalysts to form propyl gallate free radicals . As with the bacterial or tissue preparations, various sugars or similar carbohydrates inhibited free radical production by either ascorbate or gallate . In the absence of water the free radicals produced by the action of oxygen on lyophilized samples are stable for years . The rate of free radical production is increased by small amounts of moisture (exposure to moist air), but at humidities over 30% rh the radicals are unstable. Br J Ophthalmol, 1983 Oct, 67(10), 674 - 6 Tonometer disinfection and viruses; Nagington J et al.; Tonometer disinfectants in current use are frequently inactive against viruses and enable transfer of infection between patients . We selected sodium hypochlorite as a readily available alternative which is active against viruses and bacteria . At 500 p.p.m . it destroys herpes simplex, adenovirus 8, and enterovirus 70 within 10 minutes . A simple technique is described which is clinically acceptable and has been in daily use for one year. Morphol Embryol (Bucur), 1983 Oct-Dec, 29(4), 247 - 57 Lung pathogenesis . IV . Persisting pathogens and accumulative-proliferative cellular reactions in chronic lung processes (a systemic approach); Eskenasy A; Persistence of pathogens within lung structures is due to the co-operation of the impairment of local defence means, of the aerial concentration and of the immunopathogenic component of processes . The action of pathogens, analysed in the framework of factor assemblies determining the process sequences, induced, as the most frequent reaction, cell proliferation and accumulation with the insertion of chemotactically retained circulating cells and their homing within alveolar wall interstitia and peribronchovascular sheets . The relations between the different inserting cells and the local ones are analyzed, with emphasis upon the derepression of local mechanisms of the steady state, secondary proliferation of both local and newly inserted cells, and current evolution to fibrosis. J Bacteriol, 1983 Oct, 156(1), 186 - 91 Protein synthesis by intact Coxiella burnetii cells; Zuerner RL et al.; Coxiella burnetii was isolated from persistently infected fibroblast host cells by a rapid mechanical lysis technique . Macromolecular synthesis was initiated in these otherwise dormant cells by incubation at pH 4.5 . The synthesis of protein proceeded for as long as 24 h . Initiation of protein synthesis in C . burnetii was dependent upon RNA synthesis . Approximately 24 species of polypeptides were synthesized, and some of these appeared to be major synthetic products . Increases in protein biomass of 15 to 30% were calculated to occur during incubation . Inhibition of DNA synthesis affected protein synthesis after 12 h of incubation . The results suggest that although these parasitic bacteria did not grow in the axenic media devised, significant biosynthetic processes occurred. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1983 Sep 30, 115(3), 878 - 81 ESR characteristics of sulfhydryl-containing peptide-nickel (III) complexes: implication for nickel (III) center of hydrogenases; Sugiura Y et al.; The Ni(III) complexes of N-mercaptoacetylglycyl-L-histidine and N-mercaptoacetylglycylglycylglycine clearly show the rhombic ESR pattern and g-values similar to the Ni(III) chromophore of hydrogenases . The present results strongly suggest that the Ni(III) center of hydrogenases contains one cysteine sulfur coordination as equatorial ligand in a tetragonal geometry . In addition, axial nitrogen ligand and a sulfur-rich Ni(III) site as in an S4 donor set may be ruled out . Indeed, the Ni(III) ESR features are a useful probe of the Ni(III) center in hydrogenases. J Biol Chem, 1983 Sep 25, 258(18), 10839 - 45 Formate dehydrogenase from Methanobacterium formicicum . Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy of the molybdenum and iron-sulfur centers; Barber MJ et al.; Formate dehydrogenase from Methanobacterium formicicum was examined by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy . Although oxidized enzyme yielded no EPR signals over the temperature range 8-200 K, dithionite reduction resulted in generation of two paramagnetic components . The first, a nearly isotropic signal visible at temperatures below 200 K with g1 = 2.018, g2 = 2.003, and g3 = 1.994, exhibited nuclear hyperfine interaction with two equivalent protons (A1 = 0.45, A2 = 0.6, and A3 = 0.55 milliTeslas) . EPR spectra of partially reduced 95Mo-enriched formate dehydrogenase exhibited additional 3-4 milliTeslas splittings, due to spin interaction with the 95Mo nucleus . Thus, this signal is due to a Mo center . This is the first reported example of a Mo center with gav greater than 2.0 in a biological system . The second species, a rhombic signal visible below 40 K with g values of g1 = 2.0465, g2 = 1.9482, and g3 = 1.9111 showed no hyperfine coupling and was assigned to reduced Fe/S . Both paramagnetic species could be detected in samples of M . formicicum whole cells anaerobically reduced with sodium formate . The Mo(V) signal was altered following addition of cyanide (g1 = 1.996, g2 = 1.988, and g3 = 1.980) . Growth of bacteria in the presence of 1 mM WO4(2-) resulted in abolition of the Mo(V) EPR signal and formate dehydrogenase activity . Em, 7.7 was -330 mV for Mo(VI)/Mo(V) and -470 mV for Mo(V)/Mo(IV). FEBS Lett, 1983 Sep 19, 161(2), 171 - 5 Control of redox properties of cytochrome c by special electrostatic interactions; Moore GR; An assessment is made of the proposal: electrostatic interactions between the ferric ion of oxidised cytochrome c and its haem propionate sidechains assists in determining the value of the redox potential and plays an important role in the redox state conformation change . Differences between the properties of homologous cytochromes are proposed to be due to differences associated with the charge on their haem propionates. Life Sci, 1983 Sep 12, 33(11), 1051 - 6 Formation of benzophenone and alpha, alpha-diarylacetophenone metabolites of the antiestrogen nitromiphene (CI628) in the presence of rat cecal contents; Ruenitz PC et al.; Incubation of the nonsteroidal antiestrogen nitromiphene (CI628) with rat cecal content suspension under aerobic or anaerobic conditions resulted in extensive biotransformation, yielding three metabolites, as determined by thin-layer chromatography . These metabolites were not recovered from incubation mixtures containing previously frozen suspension, and recoveries were decreased (that of nitromiphene was increased) when incubations were carried out in the presence of 2mM EDTA . Spectral and chromatographic comparison of two of the purified metabolites resulted in their structural characterization, as p-{beta(N-pyrrolidinyl)ethoxy}p'-methoxybenzophenone, and a similarly substituted alpha, alpha-diphenyl-acetophenone . These metabolites are, in turn, due formally to ethylenic bond cleavage and nitro group reduction/hydrolysis of nitromiphene. J Biol Chem, 1983 Sep 10, 258(17), 10193 - 6 Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of a cDNA clone coding for the cell attachment domain in human fibronectin; Oldberg A et al.; A cDNA clone coding for the cell attachment domain in human fibronectin has been isolated using synthetic oligonucleotides . Three sets of mixed tetradecamer oligonucleotides were synthesized based on amino acid sequences in the 108-amino acid cell attachment domain (Pierschbacher, M . D., Ruoslahti, E., Sundelin, J., Lind, P., and Peterson, P . A . (1982) J . Biol . Chem . 257, 9593-9597) . One of these sets was made complementary to amino acids located near the COOH terminus of the cell attachment domain and synthesized as a mixture of 24 sequences . This oligonucleotide mixture was used to prime cDNA synthesis with mRNA prepared from a human fibrosarcoma as a template . A cDNA library was constructed with the oligonucleotide-primed sequences in the vector pBR322 . Colonies that hybridized with the primer were isolated from the library and further identified by hybridization with oligonucleotides deduced from an amino acid sequence located 45 amino acid residues NH2-terminal of the primer sequence . One clone which hybridized to both probes was characterized in detail . The insert was 380 base pairs long and its nucleotide sequence agreed completely with the corresponding amino acid sequence of human plasma fibronectin, showing that the sequences for this region are identical in plasma fibronectin and fibronectin from a cell line . This clone should be useful for studies on the expression of fibronectins and may also allow for the production of the biologically active cell attachment domain of fibronectin in bacteria. Immunology, 1983 Sep, 50(1), 139 - 48 Cultivation, proliferation and characterization of thymic macrophages; Gallily R et al.; Successful long-term culture of murine thymic macrophages was achieved by plating adherent thymic cells, in the presence of L cell-conditioned medium, on dishes coated with an extracellular matrix . Adherent thymic cells in normal conditions of in-vitro culture do not proliferate . Those maintained on plastic tissue-culture dishes, and exposed to L cell-conditioned medium, proliferate slowly to a limited degree and form very small colonies . In contrast, when cultured in dishes coated with an extracellular matrix formed by corneal endothelial cells, in the presence of L cell-conditioned medium, adherent thymic cells proliferate rapidly and after 12-21 days in culture form large colonies (about 3-5 mm in diameter) . The proliferating cells were identified to be mononuclear phagocytes by their morphological appearance, their ability to ingest both bacteria and antibody-coated erythrocytes and by their nonspecific esterase activity . These cells were also shown to exhibit cell surface antigens that are characteristic of differentiated macrophages, e.g . Fc receptors and the specific macrophage cell surface marker F4/80 . A high percentage of these cultured cells were found to bear I-A antigens . The adherent thymic mononuclear phagocytes could be trypsinized and passaged while maintaining both their ability to proliferate and their specific macrophage characteristics for a period of 70 days . Thus, monocyte-macrophage stem cells ae present in the thymus, and under appropriate in-vitro conditions, can be made to proliferate and mature to I-A-bearing macrophages. Eur J Biochem, 1983 Sep 1, 135(1), 109 - 12 Uroporphyrinogen III, an intermediate in the biosynthesis of the nickel-containing factor F430 in Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum; Gilles H et al.; Factor F430 is a nickel-containing porphinoid present in methanogenic bacteria . The synthesis of this nickel tetrapyrrole from 5-aminolevulinic acid was studied in Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum . This anaerobic archaebacterium was found to accumulate {14C}uroporphyrinogen III (1.8 mumol/g) when growing on nickel-free medium (less than 50 nmol/l) supplemented with 2 mM 5-amino-{14C}levulinic acid . The accumulated urophorphyrinogen III was quantitatively converted to factor F430 when the cells were incubated in aminolevulinate-free medium with 5 microM NiCl2 . The newly synthesized factor had the same specific radioactivity as the precursor uroporphyrinogen III . These findings indicate that the nickelporphinoid is biosynthetically derived from uroporphyrinogen III . The presence and some properties of the enzymes catalyzing the synthesis of uroporphyrinogen III from 5-aminolevulinic acid in M . thermoautotrophicum are also described. Dig Dis Sci, 1983 Sep, 28(9), 827 - 32 Comparison of phenolphthalein and phenolphthalein glucuronide on net water transport in rat ileum and colon; Sharaiha ZK et al.; Phenolphthalein is an odorless, tasteless compound, poorly soluble in water, but readily soluble in alcohol or ether . Although its laxative activity was discovered in 1902, the mechanism of action remains unclear . Phenolphthalein has been found to be an ineffective laxative in both jaundiced patients and in experimental animals with ligated common bile ducts . In contrast to the poor solubility of phenolphthalein, phenolphthalein glucuronide is highly water-soluble . In addition, phenolphthalein glucuronide is found in bile following oral phenolphthalein administration, suggesting an enterohepatic circulation . We compared the effect of phenolphthalein and phenolphthalein glucuronide on net water absorption of the ileum and colon of Sprague-Dawley rats using a single-pass perfusion technique . Perfusion of phenolphthalein (10 mg/dl in 154 mM NaCl with 0.5% ethanol and 0.1 g/l gum arabic) resulted in significantly reduced water absorption in both the ileum and colon (66% and 64%, respectively, P less than 0.05) . In contrast, phenolphthalein glucuronide did not have a significant effect on net water flux compared to control perfusion in either the ileum or colon . In the ileum only 77 +/- 3% and colon 71 +/- 1.2% of the phenolphthalein infused was recovered, suggesting that much of the infused phenolphthalein was absorbed . In contrast there was no evidence of absorption of phenolphthalein glucuronide, as 98.9 +/- 1.2% was recovered from ileal and colon perfusions . Phenolphthalein glucuronide is not the active form of phenolphthalein, although it may be an effective laxative after deconjugation by colonic bacteria. Jpn J Antibiot, 1983 Sep, 36(9), 2297 - 301 {Clinical effect of latamoxef on newborn and premature infants}; Takimoto M et al.; Eleven infants ranging 2 days to 3 months of age were studied for clinical evaluation . Ten of them were diagnosed as sepsis or suspected to be septic . Another one contracted umbilical infection . In 7 of 10 cases, causative bacteria were detected by blood culture, that is S . epidermidis in 3 cases, E . cloacae in 2 cases, K . pneumoniae in 1 case and A . calcoaceticus in another . Those infants were treated by parenteral LMOX . Dosage was 30 to 75 mg/kg per day . Clinical results were excellent in 6 cases (3 cases of S . epidermidis, 2 of E . cloacae and 1 of K . pneumoniae) and good in another case (A . calcoaceticus) . The other 3 infants clinically diagnosed as sepsis but not proven by blood culture were also treated successfully . The result of the umbilical infection in 1 case was good . Another group of 5 infants ranging 4 to 22 days of age were also treated by LMOX because of suspected bacterial infections . With these infants pharmacokinetic study was done . Peak serum levels after 1 hour drip infusion of 20 mg/kg ranged from 43 to 53 micrograms/ml . Average of half-lives was 2.7 hours . Estimation of distribution volume resulted in 350 to 523 ml/kg body weight. Aust Vet J, 1983 Sep, 60(9), 261 - 4 Comparison of different antigenic preparations for the detection of ovine serum antibodies against Brucella ovis by ELISA; Chin JC; An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has been developed for the detection of antibodies against Brucella ovis using serum from control rams (Con-S), naturally infected rams (Inf-S), rams inoculated intravenously with B . ovis (IV-S) and rams vaccinated intramuscularly (IM-S) . The serum was titrated by serial double dilutions from 1/25 to 1/25,600 against whole bacteria, B . ovis lipopolysaccharide and a detergent-extracted component of the outer membrane complex of B . ovis as antigens immobilised on microtitre plates . Sheep antibodies bound to antigen were assayed with rabbit anti-sheep gammaglobulin and alkaline phosphatase conjugated protein A . A high level of antibody activity against intact B . ovis cells was detected in Inf-S and IM-S . When lipopolysaccharide was the immobilised antigen, only IM-S yielded significant antibody activity . The component from detergent extracts of the outer membrane complex of B . ovis reacted best with serum (up to 1/6,400) from field-infected rams, while serum from vaccinated and intravenously inoculated rams registered significant titres up to a serum dilution of 1/800 and 1/200 respectively . These results indicate that ELISA is a very sensitive test but its value as a serodiagnostic procedure is dependent upon the choice of antigen used in the assay. Pharmazie, 1983 Sep, 38(9), 589 - 90 Synthesis and biological activity of some new benzimidazolyl-azetidin-2-ones and -thiazolidin-4-ones; Abdel-Rahman AE et al.; Arylidene-2-aminobenzimidazoles (1) were prepared by condensation of 2-aminobenzimidazole with aromatic aldehydes . Cyclocondensation of mercaptoacetic acid, chloracetylchloride and phthaloyl glycyl chloride on 1 giving the corresponding 4-thiazolidinones (2) and azetidinones (3 and 4) respectively, in good yields . The biological activities of the prepared compounds were screened against several strains of bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1983 Sep, 46(3), 710 - 5 Kinetics of two subgroups of propionate-using organisms in anaerobic digestion; Heyes RH et al.; A novel method for measuring the kinetics of a subgroup of organisms growing in mixed culture was used to measure the kinetics of propionate-using organisms in a mixed-population anaerobic digester . It was shown that there are at least two subgroups of propionate-using organisms with distinctly different growth kinetics . Both subgroups could grow without reducing sulfate . The slower-growing subgroup had a Ks of 11 mg/liter and a mumax of 0.0054 h-1 which is similar to the mumax reported for Syntrophobacter wolinii . The faster-growing group had a mumax of 0.050 h-1 and a Ks of 330 mg/liter . The slower-growing group was inhibited by a pH shock from 7.0 to 6.0, whereas the faster-growing group was less sensitive to the pH shock. Naturwissenschaften, 1983 Sep, 70(9), 434 - 8 Mutations and the conformational stability of globular proteins; Grutter MG et al.; The elucidation of the three-dimensional structure of now over 100 proteins provides the basis for describing the nature of interactions stabilizing native protein structure . To understand the forces responsible for maintaining the native structure, it is necessary to analyze the contributions of the specific forces like a hydrogen bond, a salt bridge or a hydrophobic interaction to the overall stability of a protein . Using mutant proteins carrying a single amino acid substitution, specific interactions in a protein can be altered and the effect can be studied . In this paper the results of such studies on stability variants of human haemoglobin and of T4 phage lysozyme are described. Can Anaesth Soc J, 1983 Sep, 30(5), 506 - 11 The effects of intravenous anaesthetic agents on human neutrophil chemiluminescence; White IW et al.; Intact neutrophil function is essential for the defence against infection . Any alteration in neutrophil function, which decreases their ability to phagocytose and kill bacteria, might contribute to mortality and morbidity . We investigated the effects of clinical concentrations of thiopentone, Alfathesin, methohexitone, morphine, lidocaine and diazepam on the microbicidal oxidative function of human neutrophils . The oxidative activity was assessed utilizing the technique of chemiluminescence, which is a measure of free radical generation . Thiopentone and Alfathesin produced a significant dose dependent depression in chemiluminescence . There was a 27 per cent reduction in activity with thiopentone 5 micrograms X ml-1, a concentration equivalent to the free plasma concentration achieved following an anaesthetizing dose of thiopentone . There was a 55 per cent reduction in chemiluminescence at an alphaxolone concentration of 1.25 micrograms X ml-1, a concentration equivalent to the free plasma level obtained after induction of Alfathesin anaesthesia . The effect of thiopentone and Alfathesin was reversed by cell washing . Methohexitone, morphine, diazepam, and lidocaine caused no significant reduction in chemiluminescence over the dose ranges studied . These observations indicate that thiopentone and Alfathesin can adversely affect leucocyte function in vitro and, therefore, may contribute to impaired host resistance in the perioperative period and in the intensive care unit. Am J Physiol, 1983 Sep, 245(3), R379 - 85 An investigation of the age-related deficits in the febrile response of the rabbit; Ferguson AV et al.; The febrile response of the New Zealand White rabbit in animals less than 1 yr old was compared with that in 3-yr-old animals . A reduced febrile response to both endotoxin and live bacteria injected intravenously was observed in the older group of animals . Peripheral vasoconstriction was observed, suggesting the drive to increase body temperature remained . Plasma catecholamines increased significantly in both groups of animals during fever . However, significantly greater increases in plasma epinephrine were observed in the older animals . A significant deficit in catecholamine-induced thermogenesis was observed in the older group of rabbits . This deficit alone does not explain the reduced febrile response, as beta-adrenergic blockade does not suppress the febrile response of young animals . Thus it is suggested that the primary deficit resulting in a reduced febrile response in the 3-yr-old rabbits is due to other age-related changes in the thermoregulatory system. J Clin Microbiol, 1983 Sep, 18(3), 645 - 51 Influence of inoculum growth phase on microdilution susceptibility tests; Barry AL et al.; Two types of commercially available microdilution trays were inoculated with log-phase cultures, stationary-phase cultures, and direct suspensions of 18- to 24-h colonies, with essentially comparable results . Direct pick-up of colonies was also tested with two Prompt inoculation systems (3M Co.); they were found to be convenient and reliable methods for standardizing inocula without preincubation in broth and without turbidity adjustment. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1983 Sep, 80(17), 5261 - 5 Methylation involved in chemotaxis is regulated during Caulobacter differentiation; Shaw P et al.; Caulobacter crescentus carries a flagellum and is motile only during a limited time in its cell cycle . We have asked if the biochemical machinery that mediates chemotaxis exists coincident with the cell's structural ability to respond to a chemotactic signal . We first demonstrated that one function of the chemotaxis machinery, the ability to methylate the carboxyl side chains of a specific set of membrane proteins (methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins, MCPs), is present in C . crescentus . This conclusion is based on the observations that (i) methionine auxotrophs starved of methionine can swim only in the forward direction (comparable to smooth swimming in the enteric bacteria), (ii) a specific set of membrane proteins was found to be methylated in vivo and the incorporated {3H}methyl groups were alkali sensitive, (iii) this same set of membrane proteins incorporated methyl groups from S-adenosylmethionine in vitro, and (iv) out of a total of eight generally nonchemotactic mutants, two were found to swim only in a forward direction and one of these lacked methyltransferase activity . Analysis of in vivo and in vitro methylation in synchronized cultures showed that the methylation reaction is lost when the flagellated swarmer cell differentiates into a stalked cell . In vivo methylation reappeared coincident with the biogenesis of the flagellum just prior to cell division . In vitro reconstitution experiments with heterologous cell fractions from different cell types showed that swarmer cells contain methyltransferase and their membranes can be methylated . However, newly differentiated stalked cells lack methyltransferase activity and membranes from these cells cannot accept methyl groups . These results demonstrate that MCP methylation is confined to that portion of the cell cycle when flagella are present. Diabetes Care, 1983 Sep-Oct, 6(5), 479 - 82 Phagocytotic activity of monocytes from diabetic patients; Katz S et al.; The phagocytotic activity of monocytes from diabetic patients and healthy controls was studied . It was found that the number of phagocytizing cells from diabetic patients was significantly reduced in comparison with that from control individuals . However, the number of bacteria phagocytized per cell was similar in both groups . Plasma from healthy controls added to diabetic monocytes did not cause any significant change in their phagocytotic capacity . Addition of insulin to the plasma of diabetic patients failed to alter the number of phagocytizing diabetic monocytes . Similarly, addition of glucose to control plasma did not affect the number of control monocytes capable of phagocytosis . Protein synthesis was increased during phagocytosis in both control and diabetic cells . The importance of monocytes in the defense mechanism of the organism is discussed. J Dairy Sci, 1983 Sep, 66(9), 1863 - 72 Influence of nonprotein nitrogen and protein of low rumen degradability on nitrogen flow and utilization in lactating dairy cows; Kung L Jr et al.; Four lactating cows, each fitted with a rumen cannula and duodenal and ileal t-cannulae, were used to measure flow and digestion of nitrogenous compounds in the digestive tract . Dietary dry matter contained 17% crude protein and 50:50 forage:concentrate . Treatments were: 1) corn silage-soybean meal; 2) corn silage-heated soybean meal; 3) ammonia-treated corn silage-soybean meal; and 4) ammonia-treated corn silage-heated soybean meal . Flow of organic matter to the duodenum was overestimated when lanthanum or chromium ethylene-diaminetetraacetate was used as an indigestible marker . This resulted in low estimates of ruminal digestion of organic matter and high estimates of nitrogen flow to the duodenum . However, calculations using lanthanum or lignin as markers yielded similar organic matter flow to ileum and feces . With acid-detergent lignin as a marker, estimates of dietary nitrogen degraded in the rumen were: corn silage-heated soybean meal, 55.0% ammonia-treated corn silage-heated soybean meal, 58.8%; ammonia-treated corn silage-soybean meal, 63.3%; and corn silage-soybean meal, 66.0% . Digestion in the small intestine of nonammonia nitrogen was equal for all treatments suggesting that availability of heated soybean meal in the intestine was not different, although ruminal degradability tended to be lower . Feeding diets containing nonprotein nitrogen did not decrease available nitrogen at the duodenum. J Natl Cancer Inst, 1983 Sep, 71(3), 529 - 34 Antitumor activity of cell walls from Brucella abortus; Collet B et al.; The ip inoculation of inactivated Brucella abortus, strain B19 R, protected mice against a subsequent graft of an ascites lymphoma . The bacterial components responsible for this effect were investigated . Centrifugation supernatants of sonicated bacteria supposed to contain mainly cytoplasmic products did not offer protection against the lymphoma . Cell walls (CW's) prepared by enzyme digestion of pellets of lysed bacteria and checked for purity by electron microscopy prolonged survival of mice and induced cytotoxic macrophages in their peritoneal cavities . CW peptidoglycan (PG) did not seem to play an important part in this effect . Enzyme digestion of CW, in particular by lysozyme, was found to reduce a PG characteristic component (diaminopimelic acid) without altering CW antitumor activity . Conversely, a purified PG preparation did not influence tumor growth . Extraction of CW by an ether:water mixture did not alter its antitumor activity, while incubation in NaOH abolished its activity almost completely . All CW preparations were found to elicit hypersensitivity reactions in Brucella-infected animals. Fundam Appl Toxicol, 1983 Sep-Oct, 3(5), 431 - 6 Biochemistry of selenium: a brief overview; Reddy CC et al.; The chemistry of Se suggests that, in biological systems, it is most likely present as the selenol (selenomercaptan)R-SeH, or, as the Se ether analogous to sulfur in the amino acid methionine . Selenols are stronger acids than mercaptans and, at physiological pH, exist mainly in anionic form (R-Se-) whereas the sulfhydryl group exists mainly in the protonated form . The anionic form of the selenohydryl group is a good nucleophile as well as a good leaving group . Also, it binds metals strongly, which is the principle behind the use of Se compounds for heavy metal detoxification . Conversely, metal ions can strip Se from organoselenium compounds and Hg, Cd, Pb, and Cu are highly effective in this capacity . In vivo, Se compounds tend to undergo reduction in contrast to sulfur compounds which are acquired in reduced form and generally undergo oxidation . Biosynthesis of methylated Se compounds, yielding dimethyl selenide, dimethyl diselenide, or trimethyl selenonium ion, appears to be the major pathway of Se metabolism/detoxification in animals . The highest activity of the pathway has been found in liver and kidney followed by lung, skeletal muscle, spleen, and heart . Selenium (Se) appears to be incorporated into proteins via post transcriptional modification of polypeptides . Six proteins that incorporate/require Se have been isolated: Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), the selenoprotein of muscle, selenoflagellin, Se-transport protein, and the bacterial enzymes formate dehydrogenase and glycin reductase . There is evidence also that Se is an essential component of nicotinic acid hydroxylase, xanthine dehydrogenase, and a bacterial thiolase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Clin Chem Clin Biochem, 1983 Sep, 21(9), 555 - 60 Chemiluminescence measurements of immune cells--a tool in immunobiology and clinical research; Ernst M et al.; Since the initial observation of chemiluminescence associated with metabolic stimulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes a multitude of studies have confirmed that chemiluminescence is a) dependent on the generation of activated oxygen species and b) intimately correlated to the paramount function of granulocytes: to kill bacteria and to cause tissue damage at sites of chronic inflammation . Chemiluminescence is not exclusively generated by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and certainly not only generated by phagocytic stimuli . Besides phagocytic stimuli, surface active reagents (e.g . phorbol myristate acetate), lectins, antigen-antibody complexes, complement components, and some lymphokines are able to evoke chemiluminescence responses in polymorphonuclear leukocytes, monocytes, and macrophages . In this contribution we present evidence for a dependence of macrophage chemiluminescence during phagocytosis on the calcium binding protein calmodulin . In a second example of macrophage chemiluminescence we demonstrate that macrophage chemiluminescence is a good tool for testing the mediator function of a lymphokine, namely macrophage cytotoxicity factor . In a clinical application we determined the zymosan-induced and luminol-amplified chemiluminescence in diluted whole blood samples from healthy volunteers to establish the normal range of chemiluminescence activity of phagocytic cells . A significant day time variability of the chemiluminescence activity was observed in 6 volunteers . Therefore, blood sampling for the chemiluminescence measurements was standardized . Compared with the control group the specific chemiluminescence activity (activity related to 10(3) phagocytic cells) was significantly increased in both 1) patients with acute inflammatory disease and 2) in patients with carcinoma . The specific chemiluminescence activity of the two groups of patients did not differ.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Anim Sci, 1983 Sep, 57(3), 750 - 64 Future improvement of milk production; potential for nutritional improvement; Clark JH et al.; Milk production/cow has increased so dramatically in the past 30 yr that some people question the wisdom of attempting to further increase milk production for fear we will shorten the lives of our dairy cows . What is the limit to milk production? At least two cows have produced over 22,000 kg of milk in a single lactation and numerous cows consistently produce 9,000 to 14,000 kg of milk/lactation . Therefore, it is evident that there is room for great progress, but it is not possible to predict the limits to milk production by the cow because we cannot see beyond the horizon to tell us what lies ahead . However, we know that nothing in sight appears to be an obstacle to further progress. Arch Biochem Biophys, 1983 Sep, 225(2), 879 - 85 Extra proton translocation and membrane potential generation--universal properties of cytochrome bc1/b6f complexes reconstituted into liposomes; Hurt EC et al.; Isolated cytochrome complexes from different sources like beef heart mitochondria, spinach chloroplasts, cyanobacteria, and photosynthetic bacteria were incorporated into liposomes by sonication as revealed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation and electron microscopy . The reconstituted cytochrome complexes show suppressed rates of quinol-cytochrome c/plastocyanin oxidoreduction which can be stimulated by ionophores and uncouplers . In addition, extra proton translocation out of the vesicles and membrane potential generation during electron transport were observed, suggesting a universal mechanism of electron and proton transport through all the tested cytochrome complexes. Ultrastruct Pathol, 1983 Sep-Oct, 5(2-3), 113 - 22 Angulate lysosomes; Dingemans KP et al.; Under many circumstances, macrophages accumulate lipids (possibly in combination with other materials) in the form of micelles that by their rigidity and size impart an irregular, angulate shape to the lysosomes in which they are stored . When macrophages contain large numbers of these angulate lysosomes, they have a characteristic light microscopic appearance and are often designated Gaucher cells or Gaucher-like cells . In most instances, however, the angulate lysosomes are small in number or size and are not easily recognized by light microscopy . A search of the literature and our own files revealed angulate lysosomes in a considerable number of conditions in which they have not previously been observed or recognized . In most conditions, the evidence indicates that the material stored is derived from phagocytosed cells that are incompletely digested, either because they are simply too numerous to be handled by the macrophage or due to a primary metabolic deficiency, or both . In contrast to what has been assumed, angulate lysosomes not only arise in situations in which blood cells are phagocytosed, but also when various types of degenerating tumor cells, remnants of myelin sheaths, or bacteria accumulate inside macrophages . In yet other conditions, the origin of the lysosomal contents remains to be elucidated. J Clin Microbiol, 1983 Sep, 18(3), 689 - 96 Evaluation of the BACTEC radiometric method for recovery of mycobacteria and drug susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from acid-fast smear-positive specimens; Roberts GD et al.; A total of 463 respiratory specimens, all smear positive for acid-fast bacteria, were inoculated onto routine solid media and into BACTEC 7H12 Middlebrook medium for detection of mycobacterial growth . Conventional drug susceptibility testing (1% proportion method) was performed on Middlebrook 7H10/7H11 medium, and radiometric susceptibility testing was performed on BACTEC 7H12 medium . The average detection times for BACTEC-positive cultures were 8.3 days for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and 5.2 days for mycobacteria other than tuberculosis; by conventional methods, they were 19.4 and 17.8 days, respectively . These detection times do not include time required for identification, which was done by the conventional method only . There was an excellent correlation in the recovery rates of mycobacteria by the two methods . Drug susceptibility test results of M . tuberculosis isolates by the two methods showed 95.1 to 100% overall agreement . The average reporting time for drug susceptibility results ranged from 4.2 to 6.9 days for the BACTEC method and 13.7 to 21 days for the conventional methods . An average of 18 days was required by the BACTEC method for complete recovery and drug susceptibility testing of M . tuberculosis, as compared with 38.5 days for the conventional methods. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1983 Aug 29, 753(1), 60 - 4 Conversion of sterols and triterpenes by mycobacteria . I Formation of progesterone and 1-dehydroprogesterone from Mycobacterium aurum, strain A+; Prome D et al.; Side-chain degradation of sterols by bacteria is known to proceed via oxidation of a terminal methyl group followed by a succession of beta-oxidative steps . By this pathway, the pregnane backbone is not produced . However, examination of cholesterol degradation products using a strain of Mycobacterium aurum shows that progesterone and 1-dehydroprogesterone are present at low levels . These pregnane derivatives were identified by gas-liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry . This indicates that an alternative pathway for sterol side-chain degradation occurs in bacteria, which could be of great interest for the biological production of corticosteroid precursors. Lancet, 1983 Aug 27, 2(8348), 489 - 90 The pathogenesis of hepatitis in alcohol abuse and jejunoileal bypass; Barry RE; Acetaldehyde, produced in excessive amounts in alcohol abuse or after jejunoileal bypass, binds to hepatocyte plasma membranes by way of formation of an intermediate Schiff's base . This binding has no effect on cellular metabolism or membrane function but causes physical changes in membrane properties which activate the complement cascade and this results in hepatocellular damage. Nucleic Acids Res, 1983 Aug 25, 11(16), 5467 - 74 Isolation and characterisation of DraI, a type II restriction endonuclease recognising a sequence containing only A:T basepairs, and inhibition of its activity by uv irradiation of substrate DNA; Purvis IJ et al.; A type II restriction endonuclease, DraI, isolated from Deinococcus radiophilus ATCC 27603 recognises the palindromic hexanucleotide sequence (formula; see text) and cleaves it, as indicated by the arrows, to produce blunt-ended fragments . The yield of enzyme is 100 to 1000 times that of the only other known type II restriction endonuclease that recognises a sequence composed solely of A:T basepairs, the isoschizomer AhaIII (1) . Ultraviolet irradiation of the DNA substrate at relatively low doses inhibits the activity of DraI by "protecting" the recognition sequence and this may be exploited to give control of partial digestion of DNA by DraI. Eur J Biochem, 1983 Aug 15, 134(3), 561 - 9 Subunit structure and interactions of the phloem proteins of Cucurbita maxima (pumpkin); Read SM et al.; The two major proteins from the phloem exudate of Cucurbita maxima (pumpkin), PP1 and PP2, were stable in the absence of reducing agents after modification of their accessible cysteine residues with iodoacetamide . This permitted their purification without precautions to prevent oxidation . PP2, a lectin specific for oligomers of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, was shown by sedimentation-equilibrium ultracentrifugation to be a dimer of Mr of 48000 . Neither dithiothreitol nor tri-(N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) altered this value . The constituent polypeptides were linked by two buried disulphide bridges . PP2 behaved aberrantly on gel-filtration on both Sephadex and Bio-Gel unless tri-(N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) was added to the elution buffer; the Mr was then measured as 46000 . Other proteins which bind oligomers of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine are also retarded on gel-filtration . Soluble phloem filaments were prepared by collection of exudate into deaerated buffer containing iodoacetamide but no reducing agent . Oxidative gellation of the filaments was prevented by rapid modification of their many accessible cysteine residues, and is assumed to have maintained the degree of polymerisation found in vivo . Those disulphide bridges which were present allowed the incorporation of approximately 60% of the PP1 and 80% of the PP2 into polymeric material . It is concluded that PP1 and PP2 are both structural proteins present in the filaments observable in vivo . PP2 had an elongated binding-site for oligomers of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine . It is suggested that this lectin immobilises bacteria and fungi to the cross-linked filaments which seal wounded phloem sieve-tubes, and thus maintains sterility. Surgery, 1983 Aug, 94(2), 210 - 7 Opsonic fibronectin deficiency in patients with intra-abdominal infection; Richards WO et al.; The reticuloendothelial system provides host defense functions by the intravascular phagocytosis of bacteria and nonbacterial particulates . Fibronectin is opsonic for reticuloendothelial phagocytosis . Plasma fibronectin was measured before and after operation in patients with intra-abdominal infection . Preoperatively opsonic fibronectin was reduced by 39% of normal control levels in 16 patients with intra-abdominal infection . There was an even greater reduction of opsonic fibronectin after operation that was first observed in the recovery room . This deficiency persisted for the first 4 days with a tendency toward recovery of normal circulating levels by the fifth postoperative day . In contrast, patients who underwent elective major abdominal operation without infection manifested a transient opsonic fibronectin deficiency with recovery by the second and third postoperative days . Eight of 16 patients with intra-abdominal infection developed multiple organ failure . The opsonic fibronectin levels in those patients were lower than the levels in eight patients who did not develop multiple organ failure . Furthermore, there was no tendency toward recovery of normal circulating opsonic fibronectin in those patients . On all days when multiple organ failure occurred there was a marked deficiency of circulating opsonic fibronectin . We conclude that transient opsonic fibronectin deficiency occurs after major elective abdominal operation . Patients with intra-abdominal infection manifest opsonic fibronectin deficiency before operation, and further depletion of opsonic fibronectin occurs after operation . Postoperative multiple organ failure occurs only in association with severe opsonic fibronectin deficiency. Jpn J Antibiot, 1983 Aug, 36(8), 2007 - 16 {Clinical experience with cefoxitin in the field of gastrointestinal surgery}; Ishikawa T et al.; A total of 20 patients involved in gastrointestinal surgery was treated with cefoxitin (CFX) . Ten patients were treated for postoperative infections and the other 10 patients were given CFX to prevent postoperative infections . The following results were obtained: In 10 patients treated for postoperative infections, 5 responses were judged "excellent", 1 "good", 2 "fair", 1 "poor" and 1 "unknown" . In 25 strains of bacteria isolated from these patients, 21 were eradicated, 3 were replaced and 1 was unknown . In 10 patients given CFX for prevention of postoperative infections, 9 were judged "excellent" and the remaining 1 "good" . No side effects were observed in any of the patients treated with CFX. J Environ Sci Health B, 1983 Aug, 18(4-5), 529 - 51 Rapid methods in studies on the genetic changes induced by chemicals; Mikucki J et al.; Eight new compounds of the quaternary ammonium salts group were investigated for mutagenicity . Tests were carried out on onion roots (Allium test) and on bacteria (Ames' test) to examine the mitosis disturbances . None of the compounds produced mutagenic activity in the bacterial test, whereas in the Allium test two compounds produced a strong effect on mitotic cell division. Int J Pept Protein Res, 1983 Aug, 22(2), 251 - 6 Synthesis of some 3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carbonylamino acid and dipeptide derivatives; El-Naggar AM et al.; Synthesis of a series of 3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carbonylamino acid methyl esters (II-XI) and some of their corresponding hydrazides (XII-XXI), dipeptide methyl esters (XXII-XXXV) and dipeptide hydrazides (XXXVI-XXXIX) is described . 3-Hydroxynaphthalene-2-CO-L-Tyr-N2H3 (XX) and the corresponding L-Val-L-Ala-N2H3 (XXXVI) were found to be active against a number of micro-organisms. Clin Genet, 1983 Aug, 24(2), 73 - 89 Family studies in Bechterew's syndrome (ankylosing spondylitis) III . Genetics; Moller P et al.; The results of segregation analyses in 75 families where the proband had ankylosing spondylitis, are presented . Of the 278 adult, living first degree relatives, approximately 85% cooperated in the study . Clinical and radiographical examinations were performed and HLA typing was conducted . The results were in agreement with our hypothesis that ankylosing spondylitis is part of a syndrome where different genetic factors interact . Such known factors are HLA B27 associated disease susceptibility, susceptibility to psoriatic arthropathy and susceptibility to entero-arthropathy . Radiographical sacro-iliitis was restricted to HLA B27 positive relatives, and was more frequently found in relatives to probands with psoriasis than in relatives to probands without psoriasis . Environmental factors (intestinal bacteria) are known to trigger the disease at least in some persons, and we have postulated that all or most of them have the predisposition to develop disease . Thus, the syndrome has a multifactorial etiology . The phenotypic expressions of the different genetic predispositions involved, include sacro-iliitis, psoriasis, acute anterior uveitis, peripheral arthropathy and inflammatory bowel disease . We suggest the descriptive name HEREDITARY MULTIFOCAL RELAPSING INFLAMMATION (HEMRI) for this syndrome . Ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthropathy and entero-arthropathy may be regarded as clinical sub-types of the syndrome. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1983 Aug, 24(2), 279 - 81 Intraperitoneal penetration of cefotetan; Wise R et al.; The intraperitoneal penetration of cefotetan was studied after a 1-g intravenous injection in 25 patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal surgery . Levels of peritoneal fluid were high within 10 min after administration and increased to 44% of the serum levels after 30 min, rising to 115% at 3 h . The mean concentration of cefotetan between 3 and 5 h after administration was 32.3 micrograms/ml . These findings suggest that 1 g of cefotetan administered before abdominal surgery would result in intraperitoneal cefotetan levels necessary to inhibit susceptible pathogens for 5 h or more. Scand J Dent Res, 1983 Aug, 91(4), 263 - 73 Actinomyces viscosus and Actinomyces naeslundii agglutinins in human saliva; Ellen RP et al.; The objectives were to determine the degree of Actinomyces agglutinating activity in human saliva and to begin characterizing the agglutination mechanism . Agglutination titres of whole saliva collected from adults and 6-yr-old children were compared . Titres for A . naeslundii were always higher than for A . viscosus . The mean A . naeslundii titre for the adults' and children's samples were equivalent . The children had a slightly lower mean titre than the adults for A . viscosus . No correlation was found between IgA concentrations and agglutination titre . Agglutinating activity was partially impaired by incubation with anti-IgA serum . Activity in submandibular/sublingual saliva was resistant to heat at 56 degrees C but sensitive to boiling . Boiling the bacteria had no effect . In sugar inhibition tests, only galactosides (beta-Gal) and glucosamine (for A . viscosus) affected Actinomyces agglutination but impairment was only temporary . Agglutinating activity was diminished by incubating saliva with hydroxyapatite . Thus, Actinomyces agglutinins 1) are probably distinct from IgA but may complex with it; 2) may include both beta-Gal and higher affinity sites; and 3) may contribute to salivary pellicle. J Dent Res, 1983 Aug, 62(8), 862 - 5 Lipids of supragingival calculus; Slomiany BL et al.; The matrix of supragingival calculus constitutes 15.7% of the calculus dry weight and contains 54.9% protein and 10.2% lipids . Of the total lipids, 61.8% are represented by neutral lipids, 28% by glycolipids, and 10.2% by phospholipids . The neutral lipids exhibit a high content of free fatty acids (63.9%) and triglycerides (15.8%) . The glycolipids are comprised of simple glycosphingolipids (17.2%), mainly lactosyl- and glucosylceramides, and of neutral and sulfated glyceroglucolipids (82.8%) . The phospholipids contain large quantities of phosphatidylethanolamine (34.2%) and diphosphatidylglycerol (25.5%) . Comparison with salivary and submandibular stone lipids indicates that both saliva and bacteria contribute to the lipid content of supragingival calculus. Agents Actions, 1983 Aug, 13(5-6), 470 - 86 Molecular mechanisms in endotoxin fever; Dinarello CA; Two important concepts are presented in this review . First, endotoxin fever, like all fevers, is mediated by a host product, leukocytic pyrogen (LP) . The mechanism by which LP production is initiated by endotoxin is discussed and evidence is provided which clearly distinguishes the biological and physical differences between LP and endotoxins . The second concept is that many of the molecular and neurochemical mechanisms by which LP causes fever by its action on the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center are also observed when endotoxins are introduced into the central nervous system . Thus, there may be experimental and clinical situations in which endotoxins can directly affect the hypothalamus and initiate fever . Although this bi-modal effect of endotoxin on the production of fever can occur, the importance of LP in mediating endotoxin and other fevers cannot be overstated. Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1983 Aug, 91(4), 285 - 9 Antibody response in rabbits to gonococcal lipopolysaccharide-bovine serum albumin conjugates; Rodahl E et al.; The elicitation of antibodies to gonococcal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was studied . Rabbits were immunized with whole cells of gonococci, purified LPS, or LPS linked to bovine serum albumin with glutaraldehyde . Purified LPS was not immunogenic . Anti-LPS antibodies were produced by rabbits receiving the LPS-BSA conjugate . These animals showed an earlier IgG anti-LPS antibody response than animals receiving whole bacterial cells . Antiserum to the LPS-BSA conjugate gave rise to a single precipitation line against ultrasonically disrupted gonococci, and agglutinated heat-treated cells of the bacteria. Br J Vener Dis, 1983 Aug, 59(4), 249 - 54 Infection of female squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) with trichomonas vaginalis as a model of trichomoniasis in women; Street DA et al.; Marmosets, tamarins, owl monkeys, and squirrel monkeys were inoculated intravaginally with Trichomonas vaginalis . The latter animal species was most susceptible, trichomonads being recovered from four of six monkeys for periods ranging usually up to one month . Vaginal discharge was seen in most infected animals but polymorphonuclear leucocytes were rare . Infected animals developed serum IgG antibody responses and also local IgG and IgA responses, the latter occurring sometimes on reinoculation in the absence of organism recovery . Antibody responses were, however, of short duration and, overall, immunity was weak because two animals were reinfected on a second or subsequent challenge . Some of the observations are relevant to vaginal trichomoniasis in women. J Appl Toxicol, 1983 Aug, 3(4), 203 - 7 Reactivity, SCE induction and mutagenicity of benzyl chloride derivatives; Hemminki K et al.; Benzyl chloride, benzyl bromide, p-methylbenzyl chloride, and p-nitrobenzyl chloride were used to study chemical reactivity with 4-(p-nitrobenzyl)-pyridine (NBP), and with guanosine in vitro, in relation to mutagenic potency in S . typhimurium and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) induction in CHO cells . Benzyl bromide was found to be the most reactive compound, followed by p-methylbenzyl chloride, benzyl chloride and p-nitrobenzyl chloride . The order of mutagenicity was p-nitrobenzyl chloride much greater than benzyl bromide greater than benzyl chloride approximately equal to p-methylbenzyl chloride . The compounds tested caused base-pair mutations only . The order of SCE-inducing ability decreased as follows: benzyl bromide greater than benzyl chloride approximately equal to p-nitrobenzyl chloride approximately equal to p-methylbenzyl chloride . The particularly high mutagenicity of p-nitrobenzyl chloride in bacteria may be due to reactions other than direct aralkylation, or it may react particularly actively with DNA . Among the other compounds, benzyl bromide was the most active aralkylating compound, mutagen and SCE inducer . The results suggested that reaction of N2 of guanine, as compared with N-7 of guanine, failed to show any remarkable mutagenicity or SCE induction, since p-methylbenzyl chloride, reacting preferentially at N2 of guanosine, failed to show unexceptional potency. Mutat Res, 1983 Aug, 110(2), 231 - 42 Apparent antimutagenic effect of ultraviolet irradiation; Brunner DP et al.; Strain SL3367 is a S . typhimurium LT2 hisG46 stock which spontaneously reverts to His+ at a high frequency . Plates of defined medium with 1% (v/v) nutrient broth inoculated with ca . 10(8) washed SL3367 cells were incubated, untreated or after UV irradiation . After 2 days at 37 degrees C, an average of 165 His+ colonies were obtained per control plate but significantly fewer, 105 His+ colonies, on plates irradiated at a fluence of 7 J/m2 . The dry weight of bacteria in washings from plates incubated 14 h (by which time growth of His- cells had ceased) was the same for irradiated and non-irradiated plates but the yield of colony-forming units from irradiated plates was less than from control plates, by about the same factor as the reduction in yield of His+ colonies caused by the same fluence . Washings from incubated irradiated plates, but not those from control plates, contained long filaments as well as bacteria of normal size; on transfer to nutrient-agar slide cultures cells of normal size grew into microcolonies but filaments did not grow . The reduced plateau yield of viable His- cells caused by consumption of much of the growth-limiting supply of histidine by irradiated cells growing into non-viable filaments reduces the number of auxotrophic bacteria at risk for spontaneous reversion and so accounts for the apparent antimutagenic effect of UV irradiation . This effect was partly reversed by the presence of D,L-pantoyl lactone in the selection medium, and was also observed for yield of Trp+ colonies from trpE8 cultures with a high spontaneous reversion rate . Treatments not inducing cell filamentation did not result in the depression of spontaneous revertants and were detected as being mutagenic . The apparent antimutagenic effect may be expected for reversion of any auxotroph, unless masked by induced revertants and is particularly apparent in an auxotroph which reverts spontaneously at high frequency. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1983 Aug, 24(2), 237 - 9 Pharmacokinetics of ceftizoxime in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis; Burgess ED et al.; The pharmacokinetics of ceftizoxime were studied in 12 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis . After a 3-g intravenous dose, the steady-state volume of distribution was 0.23 +/- 0.05 liter kg-1, with an elimination half-life of 9.7 +/- 5.1 h . The peritoneal clearance of ceftizoxime (2.8 +/- 0.7 ml min-1) contributed modestly to the overall serum clearance of the drug (17.1 +/- 7.4 ml min-1) and was greater than the renal clearance (0.8 +/- 0.8 ml min-1) . The peritoneal concentration rose to 91 +/- 29 micrograms ml-1 at 6 h, which was 0.61 +/- 0.17 of the serum concentration . A 3-g intravenous dose of ceftizoxime given every 48 h would result in adequate activity against most susceptible organisms, but more frequent dosing may be necessary for less susceptible organisms. Infect Immun, 1983 Aug, 41(2), 516 - 22 Modulation of Bordetella pertussis by nicotinic acid; McPheat WL et al.; Growth of Bordetella pertussis in a high concentration of nicotinic acid (NA) had a modulating effect on several properties and activities of the bacteria . Compared with normally grown cells, those grown in a high concentration of NA had reduced capacity for taking up both NA and nicotinamide (ND); they had reduced adenylate cyclase activity and showed loss of agglutinogen factors 2 and 3, but an increase in factor 1 . By contrast, cells grown in a high concentration of ND showed only a slightly decreased capacity for uptake of ND and none of the other changes . Modulation of B . pertussis by NA varied with the strain and culture conditions and appeared to be distinct from the antigenic modulation induced by high Mg2+ in the culture medium . Evidence is presented for the association of a small proportion of the extracytoplasmic adenylate cyclase with the outer membrane of B . pertussis. Blood, 1983 Aug, 62(2), 298 - 304 Cytochemical, functional, and proliferative characteristics of promonocytes and monocytes from patients with monocytic leukemia; van Furth R et al.; This article deals with a prospective study on the cytochemical, functional, and proliferative characteristics of promonocytes and bone marrow and peripheral blood monocytes of 20 patients with acute monocytic leukemia and 7 patients with chronic monocytic leukemia . The results show a wide variation in the peroxidase and esterase activities in these cells, whereas the percentages of mononuclear phagocytes with Fc gamma and C3b receptors did not differ appreciably from those in normal individuals . A discriminant analysis of these data and corresponding data from normal individuals showed that a below-normal peroxidase activity of circulating monocytes has predictive value for the presence of monocytic leukemia; a below-normal esterase activity has less, but nevertheless some, predictive value in this respect . An increase in the percentage of circulating monocytes, a decrease in the percentage of Fc gamma or C3b receptors, and a decline in the ability to phagocytose bacteria has no predictive value for the presence of monocytic leukemia . The mean percentage of patients' promonocytes that incorporated 3H-thymidine amounted to 80.9%, which is close to the control value in normal individuals . The mean values for the labeling indices of cultured bone marrow and peripheral blood monocytes are 1.0% and 0.74%, respectively; when 3H-thymidine was added to whole blood, the labeling index of the monocytes amounted to 3.6% . These percentages are only a little higher than those found for monocytes of normal individuals . These results indicate that the majority of the circulating monocytes in acute and chronic monocytic leukemia are not actively dividing or blast cells. Arch Microbiol, 1983 Aug, 135(1), 45 - 50 A phylogenetic analysis of Legionella; Ludwig W et al.; Four species of Legionella, L . pneumophila NCTC 11192, L . bozemanii NCTC 11368, L . micdadei NCTC 11371 and L . jordanis ATCC 33623 have been characterized by oligonucleotide cataloguing of their 16S ribosomal RNA . All four species are phylogenetically closely related, while no specific relationship could be detected with any other group of organisms investigated so far with respect to this method . At a low level of relationship legionellae are members of the broad group of purple photosynthetic bacteria and their non-phototrophic relatives, in which Legionella form an independent line of descent. J Mol Biol, 1983 Jul 25, 168(1), 203 - 5 Preliminary crystallographic data on a ferredoxin from Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (Norway strain); Guerlesquin F et al.; The ferredoxin (Fd I) (Mr2 X 6000, one (4 Fe-4 S) cluster per subunit) from the sulphate-reducing bacteria Desulfovibrio desulfuricans Norway 4 has been crystallized . The space group is P4(2)32 with a = 71.8 A . The two monomers of the molecule are probably related by a dyad axis. J Dairy Sci, 1983 Jul, 66(7), 1445 - 54 Propionate for fatty acid synthesis by the mammary gland of the lactating goat; Massart-Leen AM et al.; Isolated mammary glands of lactating goats were perfused with heparinized and oxygenated blood for 8 to 15 h . Adequate quantities of glucose, acetate, and amino acid were added to the perfusate . After addition of propionate to the perfusion blood, concentrations of odd-numbered and of monomethyl-substituted fatty acids other than those with iso and anteiso configuration increased in the milk fat . These acids seem to be synthesized de novo in the mammary gland . The increase of C17:0 concentration was weak and problematic . We suggest that propionate is acting as a precursor for monomethyl-substituted fatty acids by way of methylmalonyl-CoA . The activating effect of propionate administration upon milk fatty acid production was largest for odd-numbered followed by monomethyl-substituted fatty acids . No increase of iso acids was observed in milk fat in the propionate-infused glands whereas the increase of anteiso acids was extremely small . This agrees with the conception that iso and anteiso fatty acids are synthesized by rumen bacteria. Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1983 Jul, 96(7), 81 - 3 {Production of antibodies to influenza virus A by human lymphoid cells in vitro}; Ispolatova AV et al.; The data are presented on studying the production of antibodies to influenza A (H3N2) virus by lymphoid cells of the amygdaline tonsils and mediastinal lymph nodes in vitro during stimulation of these cells with influenza virus or lipopolysaccharide of typhoid bacteria. J Med Chem, 1983 Jul, 26(7), 1014 - 20 A simplified high-pressure liquid chromatography method for determining lipophilicity for structure-activity relationships; Brent DA et al.; A highly deactivated octadecyl-bonded silica column and a mobile phase consisting of an water-methanol mixture in the range of blood pH and ionic strength are used to correlate log kappa' with biological activity for a series of sulfonamides and barbiturates . The results were compared to literature methods by using retention volume (VR) and retention indexes (I) . For the nine sulfonamides tested, log VR and log kappa' were used with and without correction for ionization . For each biological end point (protein binding and minimum inhibitor concentration against Eschericia coli from two sources) and each independent variable (log kappa' and log VR) the residual standard derivation for the regression was determined . the standard derivations were compared in an F test for each of 12 relevant regressions . Log kappa' was statistically superior in for cases, while log VR was superior in one case . Overall, the methods were statistically indistinguishable . Log kappa' values and I values for 15 barbiturates were regressed against three biological end points {hypnotic activity (the minimum effective dose in rabbits), inhibition of Arbacia egg cell division, and inhibition of rat brain respiration} . Standard deviations were compared by an F test, and the two methods were indistinguishable as far as the goodness of biological correlations are concerned . Procedures for controlling the column's activity are presented . Choices for an appropriate mobile phase are discussed, and a method of calculating pH and ionic strength in a methanol-aqueous mobile phase is presented. Ann Surg, 1983 Jul, 198(1), 25 - 9 Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage . Complications due to multiple duct obstructions; Clouse ME et al.; The medical histories of fifty-three consecutive patients who were scheduled for percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) were reviewed for incidents of sepsis . Among the 52 patients who were successfully catheterized, there were 14 incidents of sepsis, three incidents of abscess and sepsis, and two incidents of sepsis following a pulled catheter (a total incidence of 36.5%) . In 14 instances, the sepsis was attributed primarily to the presence of enteric bacteria combined with bile stasis caused by multiple duct obstruction from disseminated malignancy . The presence of bacteria in the bile of well-drained patients did not necessarily lead to sepsis . This series highlights the importance of medical alert for signs of sepsis in biliary drainage patients and suggests that external drainage is preferable in patients with incomplete emptying of the biliary system during PTBD. Nord Vet Med, 1983 Jul-Sep, 35(7-9), 300 - 5 Some aspects concerning the causal relation in connection with the development of hydrogensulfide (H2S) in codfish; Hanusardottir M; The purpose of this study has been to investigate if there is any relation between the development of H2S and the growth of H2S producing bacteria and the reduction of TMAO respectively . Further, the relative importance of entrail enzymes and the growth of bacteria for the H2S development has been investigated . It has been concluded that in case where entrails were mixed with minced fish meat, the H2S development was entirely caused by entrail enzymes, whereas the presence of kidney blood did not seem to be of any importance . On the other hand, however, both kidney blood and entrails in particular had a clear effect on the reduction of TMAO to TMA when mixed up with minced cod meat . No significant relation was found between the reduction of TMAO to TMA and the development of H2S. Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1983 Jul, 62(3), 251 - 6 {Presence of Caulobacter genus in distilled water}; Callerio D et al.; Schizomycetes have been examined by optical microscope at monochromatic reflected light system, after treatment with a ferrotannic ammoniacal silver solution according to Blenden and Goldberg (1) . The bacterial preparations appeared to contain some cellular forms which because of their morphology, could belong to the family Caulobacteriaceae . Further investigations showed that these Caulobacters derived from the distilled water used to prepare the solutions. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1983 Jul, 255(1), 120 - 6 Pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations of L . pneumophila; Schurmann D et al.; In three of five fatal cases of Legionnaires' Disease (LD) bacteria have been detected by DFA in extrapulmonary organs including spleen, liver, kidney, heart and brain . Typical fluorescent pleomorphic rods were seen mostly intravascularly and occasionally in phagocytes of the mononuclear phagocytic system . Legionellae were found extravascularly in the myocard and in the brain tissue together with single cell necrosis of either muscle fibres or ganglion cells in the respective organ . It was of special interest in this context that the clinical data and functional abnormalities reported for the respective cases might well be explained by the histopathological findings. Res Vet Sci, 1983 Jul, 35(1), 116 - 7 Method for chronic catheterisation of the amniotic sac in cattle; Mohamed AR et al.; The chronic catheterisation of the amniotic sac of eight pregnant cows of 180 to 200 days gestational age is described using an indwelling catheter of polyvinyl tubing . Although strict asepsis was followed, the main problem encountered was preventing contaminant bacteria from overwhelming the fetus, causing its death . This was successfully achieved in four animals, three of which received a mixture of ampicillin and cloxacillin sodium intra-amniotically and parenterally in the dam . Daily sequential samples of amniotic fluid were readily obtained until just before fetal death. J Cell Sci, 1983 Jul, 62, 371 - 83 Morphology of hyaluronidase-sensitive cell coats as seen in the SEM after freeze-drying; Bard JB et al.; Many adherent cells in vitro are surrounded by a transparent exclusion zone or halo, several micrometers thick, which red blood cells, bacteria and carbon particles cannot penetrate . This halo is rapidly and specifically removed by hyaluronidase and its high degree of hydration is demonstrated by the fact that, although fixation does not eliminate the halo, solvent dehydration does . This latter observation means that the halo cannot be visualized by conventional electron microscopic techniques . We report here that the exclusion-zone material can, however, be seen in the scanning electron microscope if cells are fixed and frozen rapidly and then freeze-dried . Many cells in cultures from a murine fibrosarcoma or from human embryonic lung treated in this way appear to be covered by a matrix that obscures the microvilli that are visible on critical-point-dried or hyaluronidase-treated, freeze-dried cells . Only where the coat is, for some reason, missing can microvilli be seen on freeze-dried cells . The coat structure varies from amorphous to an assembly of fine fibres approximately 100 nm in diameter and its appearance is very similar to that of small drops of hyaluronic acid (10(-5) micrograms ml-1) treated in the same way . Halo material is fragile and detaches itself from the cell surface within an hour of fixation . These observations suggest that the halo phenomenon reflects only the production of extracellular matrix and its turnover . The fragility of the haloes implies that, if they do exist in vivo, they are unlikely to play any structural role . The results suggest that the technique will yield information on other highly hydrated, unstable structures. Z Gesamte Inn Med, 1983 Jul 1, 38(13), 337 - 44 {Recent immunobiochemical advances on the function of the immune system of the mucous membrane in the gastrointestinal tract}; Kolb E; In the mucous membrane of the gastro-intestinal canal large quantities of T- and B-lymphocytes appear which are in constant renovation . The lymphocytes situated intraepithelially and in the lamina propria have a contact with the antigens touching the mucous membrane or taken into it (alimentary proteins, bacteria, viruses, protozoa), by means of which a more or less important evocation of immune reactions is brought about . IgA-molecules formed by plasma cells of the mucous membrane are given into the lumen and there they bind antigens, by means of which these are prevented from the connection with the epithelial cells . A part of the IgA-molecules is transported into the liver via the blood plasma and the lymph, respectively, where a destruction of the antigen-IgA-complexes takes place . The IgA-molecules are excreted via the bile into the intestine . Under certain conditions an allergy against alimentary proteins (lactoprotein, egg white protein, cereal protein) develops . Lymphocytes carried off from the intestinal canal settle in other tissues and may mediate "immunological experience", which is particularly of importance in the milk secretion. J Clin Periodontol, 1983 Jul, 10(4), 443 - 51 Cementum hypoplasia in teeth affected by juvenile periodontitis; Lindskog S et al.; The cemental surface of teeth affected by juvenile periodontitis was examined using scanning electron microscopy . Molars affected by chronic marginal periodontitis and healthy molars were included as controls . The entire mesial root of teeth affected by juvenile periodontitis showed extensive areas of cementum hypoplasia with exposed dentinal tubules . The hypoplasias were found also on the infracrestal part of the root indicating that they had not been caused by exposure to the oral environment or by any treatment . Cementum hypoplasias were not found in any teeth from the control material . The impaired periodontal attachment in the hypoplasia may facilitate penetration by the special motile bacteria which have been found in plaque from teeth with juvenile periodontitis . Based on the findings in the present study and the hereditary background of juvenile periodontitis it was suggested that development of the disease is initiated by a hereditary developmental disturbance of the cementum. Can J Comp Med, 1983 Jul, 47(3), 358 - 62 Gill diseases of cultured salmonids in Ontario; Daoust PY et al.; Between 1977 and 1981, the Fish Pathology Laboratory of the Ontario Veterinary College received 239 cases from trout farms of southern Ontario, 51 (21.3%) of which had diseased gills . Branchial lesions in 86.3% of these 51 cases were characterized by marked lamellar epithelial hyperplasia with epithelial hypertrophy and lamellar fusion . Filamentous bacteria were seen on the surface of the branchial filaments and lamellae in 68.6% of the cases . Our observations highlight the importance of gill diseases as a production problem of farmed salmonids in southern Ontario. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1983 Jul, 255(1), 127 - 31 Extracellular proteases from Legionella; Berdal BP; Bacterial endopeptidase (proteinase) activity can be specifically registered using synthetic chromogenic peptides . This method does not replace, but adds to the previously existing methods for measuring proteolytic activity . The use of concentrated broth filtrates from Legionella bacteria on a number of different peptides has permitted the establishment of peptide hydrolysis patterns . To some extent these patterns appear species specific . Thus, a close similarity is demonstrated between strains belonging to Legionella pneumophila, as well as a difference between L . pneumophila and other species within the genus Legionella . L . micdadei strain Tatlock does not present extracellular endopeptidase activity . Recently, a number of cell- or cell wall-bound endopeptidases has also been registered . They are found in all Legionella strains hitherto assayed, including the Tatlock strain. J Gen Microbiol, 1983 Jul, 129 (Pt 7), 2321 - 5 Enzymes of malate oxidation in Mycobacterium leprae grown in armadillo livers; Wheeler PR et al.; A NAD-dependent malate dehydrogenase is the principal enzyme for malate oxidation by Mycobacterium leprae, FAD-dependent malate-vitamin K reductase was detected at about 1% the level of the NAD-dependent activity . Both enzyme activities were detected in extracts from M . leprae treated with NaOH to abolish host-derived activities which might be adsorbed to the bacteria and the NAD-dependent enzyme was shown to be electrophoretically distinct from the host-tissue enzyme, thus establishing that these were both authentic bacterial enzymes . Mycobacterium leprae does not possess malic enzyme. Vet Pathol, 1983 Jul, 20(4), 460 - 71 Experimental transmission of a feline mycobacterial skin disease (feline leprosy); Schiefer HB et al.; Non-culturable acid-fast bacteria from two spontaneous cases of so-called feline leprosy were transmitted to rats and cats and further passaged in rats or cats . Two to six months after infection, cats developed cutaneous lesions that were indistinguishable from spontaneous cases, including the occurrence of nasal granulomata in one cat . When injected into rats, the mycobacteria caused a generalized mycobacteriosis and the granulomatous reaction was composed chiefly of macrophages without polymorphonuclear granulocytes . Infection of cats with Mycobacterium lepraemurium did not produce any lesions . The feline disease may be a suitable model for the study of human leprosy (Hansen's Disease). Appl Environ Microbiol, 1983 Jul, 46(1), 233 - 6 Paper replication method for isolation of radiation-sensitive mutants; Tan ST et al.; A filter paper replication system particularly useful for isolation of radiation-sensitive mutants of pigmented bacteria was devised . The fidelity of replication was high . Adhesion between a paper disk and a properly dried master plate provided adequate contact pressure . The replicas arising from this technique constitute a convenient apparatus for general application in isolation of clones sensitive to a discriminating treatment. J Infect Dis, 1983 Jul, 148(1), 117 - 24 Effect of virulent and less virulent strains of Nocardia asteroides on acid-phosphatase activity in alveolar and peritoneal macrophages maintained in vitro; Black CM et al.; Since virulent strains of Nocardia asteroides grow within macrophages, experiments were designed to determine whether this intracellular pathogen affects lysosomal enzyme levels . Peritoneal and alveolar macrophages from mice were infected in vitro with live or killed N asteroides of the virulent strain GUH-2 or with live nocardiae of the less virulent strain 10905, which is killed by macrophages . The activity of acid phosphatase in individual macrophages was quantitated by means of a computer-assisted cytospectrophotometry system . Slide preparations were Gram stained for quantitation of ingested nocardiae in the same macrophages . The level of acid phosphatase activity in alveolar and peritoneal macrophages was decreased by infection with live cells of the virulent strain; the level of activity was inversely proportional to the number of nocardiae ingested . This effect was not seen with killed bacteria of this strain or with live bacteria of the less virulent strain . These results demonstrate a relation between the virulence of N asteroides strains and the extent of reductions in lysosomal acid-phosphatase activity of macrophages. J Infect Dis, 1983 Jul, 148(1), 125 - 30 Adherence of Bordetella pertussis to human respiratory epithelial cells; Tuomanen EI et al.; Adherence of Bordetella pertussis to ciliated respiratory tract mucosa is important in the pathogenesis of whooping cough . The adherence of B pertussis to human respiratory epithelial cells was investigated using cells obtained by brushing at bronchoscopy . B pertussis attached exclusively to the ciliary tufts of ciliated cells . A mean +/- SEM of 5.0 +/- 0.3 organisms attached per cell when bacteria in a concentration of 2 X 10(9)/ml were incubated with ciliated cells . Organisms examined by electron microscopy were found to adhere to the cilia both by direct apposition and by filaments coursing between bacteria and cilia . The specificity of the adherence of B pertussis to ciliary tufts may explain the unique ability of this organism to infect the human tracheobronchial mucosa. J Nat Prod, 1983 Jul-Aug, 46(4), 576 - 81 UV-mediated genotoxicity of furanoquinoline and of certain tryptophan-derived alkaloids; Towers GH et al.; Certain furanoquinolines of the Rutaceae and a number of the widely distributed beta-carboline or harmane alkaloids are photosensitizers in near ultraviolet light (320-400 nm) . These compounds have been shown to be phototoxic to yeasts and bacteria . In addition, two canthinones of the Rutaceae and the N-methylpyrolidine substituted harmane alkaloid, brevicolline (from Carex), display phototoxicity towards bacteria and fungi in near ultraviolet light . All of these alkaloids are phototoxic to Chinese hamster ovary cells, inhibiting mitosis and causing gross chromosomal changes . The target for their phototoxicity appears to be the cell nucleus. Infect Immun, 1983 Jul, 41(1), 44 - 9 Effects of alpha-amylase on in vitro growth of Legionella pneumophila; Bortner CA et al.; Sterile parotid saliva inhibited growth of Legionella pneumophila on solid media, and the salivary component involved in this inhibition has been shown to be amylase . Disk diffusion and well plate assays were used to study possible mechanisms for this effect . The amylolytic activity of saliva copurified with inhibitory activity, and both activities were sensitive to proteinase K digestion and heat treatment . In addition, purified alpha-amylase from several sources (bacteria, fungi, porcine pancreas, and human saliva) exhibited similar activity . Incorporation of charcoal or bovine serum albumin into media blocked inhibition by amylase . Replacement of Bacto-Agar with Noble agar (both from Difco Laboratories) prevented growth inhibition in the absence of starch . However, when corn starch was present with Noble agar, amylase-induced growth inhibition occurred . Purification of starch by washing with methanol eliminated some toxic component . The toxic component from starch could be recovered from the methanol wash and inhibited growth of L . pneumophila in the absence of amylase activity . The results suggest that toxic substances exist in media components which may be unmasked during salivary amylase digestion of starch . This effect may explain, in part, the difficulty in recovery of the organism from clinical specimens containing amylase. Anal Biochem, 1983 Jul 1, 132(1), 202 - 8 Luminometric determination of FAD in subpicomole quantities; Hinkkanen A et al.; Very small quantities of FAD were able to reactivate apo-D-amino acid oxidase . In the presence of D-alanine, luminol, horseradish peroxidase, and an excess of the apoenzyme, a quantitative luminometric determination of FAD was possible . The maximal photon emission measured in a bicarbonate buffer, pH 9.2, at 37 degrees C was proportional to the amount of FAD added . FMN, riboflavin, or 5-deazaflavin produced no chemiluminescence and had no inhibitory effect in the assay when added together with FAD . With this method, FAD could be quantitatively determined with high accuracy in perchloric acid extracts of animal tissue and bacteria. J Biol Chem, 1983 Jun 25, 258(12), 7592 - 6 Investigation of immunoadsorbent efficiency and capacity for the isolation of tRNAs containing N6-(delta 2-isopentenyl)adenosine derivatives; McLennan BD et al.; Antibodies directed to modified nucleosides recognize the nucleoside (antigen) when it is present in an intact tRNA molecule . The general application of anti-nucleoside immunoadsorbent chromatography, however, has been greatly impeded by the apparent inefficiency and low capacity of conventional immunoadsorbents for transfer RNA . Antibodies specific for isopentenyladenosine (i6A) were employed to investigate the efficacy of various immunoadsorbents with respect to immobilization of antibody protein and with respect to their ability to bind i6A-containing tRNAs . Biologically active anti-i6A was recovered in high yield (80-88%) by affinity chromatography on i6A-adipate-Sepharose 4B or i6A-butane diglycidyl ether-Sepharose 4B using either 15% pyridine in phosphate-buffered saline or 0.2 M acetic acid as eluents . The binding capacity of various anti-i6A antibody immunoadsorbents was evaluated . While both anti-i6A antibody-protein A-agarose-iminothiolane (ITL) and anti-i6A antibody-protein A-agarose-dimethyl suberimidate showed a high capacity for i6A-tRNA, the latter column is much less efficient with respect to antibody immobilization . Under optimal conditions, the ITL immunoadsorbent binds 5-6 nmol of i6A/mg of antibody protein . With respect to bulk tRNA, 1 mg of antibody protein (ITL immunoadsorbent) binds all of the i6A-tRNA in a 1-mg sample. Nucleic Acids Res, 1983 Jun 25, 11(12), 4077 - 92 Solubilization and immune-detection of beta-galactosidase hybrid proteins carrying foreign antigenic determinants; Stanley KK; Three DNA fragments representing almost the entire E1 gene of Semliki Forest virus (SFV) were inserted into a cro-lacZ expression vector by oligo dC.oligo dG tailing . Fragments inserted close to the 5' end of the lacZ gene gave rise to hybrid proteins which were rapidly degraded . Insertion of the same fragments at the 3' end, however, resulted in the synthesis of stable hybrid proteins which precipitated in an insoluble form within the bacteria . Insufficient hybrid protein was soluble to allow detection by immunoradiometric assay . Colonies grown on nitrocellulose filters, however, could be solubilized in SDS and subsequently renatured such that antibodies raised against the intact or SDS-denatured E1 protein cross-reacted with the hybrid proteins in a high percentage of colonies . This model system demonstrates a simple procedure for identifying DNA exon fragments by the immunological detection of expressed hybrid proteins. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1983 Jun 15, 182(12), 1370 - 3 Gastroesophageal ulceration and candidiasis in foals; Gross TL et al.; Gastroesophageal candidiasis in association with ulceration was diagnosed in 5 foals in which signs of colic had been nonresponsive to medical treatment . The ulceration was found in the stomach of all foals and in the esophagus of 1 foal . Candida colonized hyperkeratotic mucosa surrounding the ulcers, and the associated inflammation resulted in splitting of the mucosal epithelium . Loss of the superficial mucosa may have allowed invasion by bacteria, leading to ulceration. FEBS Lett, 1983 Jun 13, 156(2), 209 - 16 Isoelectric focusing and isoelectric points of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases; Lorber B et al.; Isoelectric points and isoelectric focusing behaviour of 10 highly purified eukaryotic aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases from 3 sources, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Euglena gracilis and Phaseolus vulgaris were examined . The pI-values measured on polyacrylamide gels under native conditions are situated between pH 5.0-7.5 . A microheterogeneity was observed for 9 enzymes appearing otherwise homogeneous on gel electrophoresis . A compilation of the isoelectric points of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases is given and literature data are compared with our experimental results. Nucleic Acids Res, 1983 Jun 11, 11(11), 3811 - 22 BAL 31 nuclease as a probe in concentrated salt for the B-Z DNA junction; Kilpatrick MW et al.; The BAL 31 nuclease, an extracellular nuclease from A . espejiana, specifically recognizes and cleaves the salt induced conformational junction between B and Z-DNA . Short segments of (dC-dG) left-handed Z-helix, comprising approximately 1% of the total DNA, are specifically detected within two different recombinant plasmids . The BAL 31 enzyme is highly resistant to inactivation by the presence of high concentrations of a variety of electrolytes that stabilize left-handed helices, is active at physiological pH, and can be used to probe both linear and circular DNAs . Additionally, the nuclease cleaves left-handed (dC-dG)n only very poorly, if at all . Thus, the BAL 31 nuclease can be utilized as a probe for helical junctions and consequently for segments of left-handed DNA that might exist within predominantly right-handed naturally occurring genomes. Lymphology, 1983 Jun, 16(2), 115 - 20 Role of the spleen in pneumococcal infection; Hosea SW; Complement and the spleen interact in host defense against the encapsulated Pneumococcus, responsible for most OPSI . Splenectomized patients lack splenic phagocytes specialized to clear bacteria coated with only small amounts of IgG from the bloodstream, and they are unable to mount a sufficient antibody response for liver macrophages to overcome the defect. Lab Anim Sci, 1983 Jun, 33(3), 290 - 1 Facial hair barbering in rats; Bresnahan JF et al.; Facial alopecia was observed in three of four adult, female, Fischer 344 rats sharing the same cage for 2 months . Alopecia was characterized by irregular areas of hair loss between the eyes, which occasionally extended below the eyes and between the ears . These areas were nonpruritic and were not associated with dermatophytes, pathogenic skin bacteria, or ectoparasites . When the unaffected rat was removed and allowed to cohabit with new cagemates, facial alopecia became apparent in those animals within 6 days, and the hair of the original cagemates grew back within 3 weeks . The alopecia was caused by hair barbering by a dominant female rat. J Clin Microbiol, 1983 Jun, 17(6), 1132 - 40 Electrophoretic characterization of soluble protein extracts of Legionella pneumophila and other members of the family Legionellaceae; Lema M et al.; The soluble peptides of strains of Legionella pneumophila, Tatlockia micdadei, Fluoribacter bozemanae, Fluoribacter dumoffii, and Fluoribacter gormanii were studied by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . Characteristic patterns were seen for Legionella and Tatlockia strains, whereas the patterns for the Fluoribacter strains were variable as would be expected for this genetically heterogeneous group . Grouping by peptide pattern was consistent with proposed taxons based on DNA-DNA homology . By using a new silver stain technique, the sensitivity and ease of pattern recognition were enhanced significantly . This technique is an easily applied general method for distinguishing between strains in epidemiological studies. J Anim Sci, 1983 Jun, 56(6), 1427 - 33 Effects of breed, diet and sex on the alkaline phosphatase activity in walls of the bovine rumen and abomasum; Fay JP et al.; Alkaline phosphatase (APase) activity in tissue samples, with adherent bacteria, was measured from two sites in the rumen and from two sites in the abomasum of 57 yearling Angus and Hereford bulls and heifers fed a high or a low energy diet . In the rumen, APase activity was higher at the caudoventral blind sac than at the dorsal sac in animals of both breeds fed the high energy diet and in Angus bulls fed the low energy diet, but the reverse was observed in Hereford bulls fed the low-energy diet (P less than .01) . In the abomasum, APase levels were higher for bulls than heifers (P less than .01) and higher at the fundic than at the pyloric region (P less than .01) . Morphological studies also showed that rumen samples from animals fed a high energy diet exhibited a more widely distributed APase activity and an increase in the digestive recycling of epithelial cells that produced some "pitting" of the tissue . The higher APase activity of the epithelial tissue of animals fed the high energy diet may be explained by the greater rate of cell death and renewal indicated by the higher mitotic index reported by other researchers who have studied the cell cycle of the rumen epithelium in ruminants fed high and low energy diets. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1983 Jun 1, 182(11), 1223 - 6 Suppurative cholangitis in cats; Hirsch VM et al.; Suppurative cholangitis in 5 aged cats was characterized clinically by weight loss, depression, dehydration, icterus, and fever . The major abnormal laboratory findings were a severe left shift of WBC and a high, conjugated bilirubin concentration consistent with an inflammatory process and cholestasis . Gross pathologic findings included periductal biliary fibrosis (4 cats), periductal pancreatic fibrosis (2 cats), cholelithiasis (2 cats), deformation of the gallbladder (2 cats), and chronic interstitial pancreatitis (2 cats) . Histopathologic findings in all cases were portal hepatic fibrosis, biliary hyperplasia, and suppurative exudate within dilated intrahepatic biliary ducts . Weight loss and portal fibrosis were suggestive of chronic, intermittent illness . The pathogenesis appeared to involve invasion of the bile duct by enteric bacteria . Cholangitis was observed to occur in association with pancreatitis, cholelithiasis, or anatomic abnormalities of the biliary tract. Am Rev Respir Dis, 1983 Jun, 127(6), 702 - 4 The pathogenesis of the low pleural fluid pH in esophageal rupture; Good JT Jr et al.; To determine the possible mechanisms responsible for the low pH pleural effusion associated with esophageal rupture we evaluated the following possibilities: (1) gastric acid reflux, (2) bacterial metabolism, and (3) leukocyte metabolism . Neither elimination of gastric hydrogen ion contribution by distal esophageal ligation nor elimination of bacteria with antibiotics prevented the progressive fall in pleural fluid pH after esophageal rupture . Only elimination of polymorphonuclear leukocytes from the pleural space by rendering animals leukopenic with nitrogen mustard, prevented a low pH effusion after esophageal rupture . It appears that pleural fluid leukocyte metabolism is primarily responsible for the low pH effusion associated with esophageal rupture. J Pathol, 1983 Jun, 140(2), 77 - 90 Ultrastructure of pulmonary alveoli and macrophages in experimental Legionnaires' disease; Baskerville A et al.; Guinea pigs, rhesus monkeys and marmosets infected with Legionella pneumophila in small particle aerosols developed an acute fibrinopurulent bronchopneumonia . Changes from 24 hr included exudation into alveoli of protein-rich, often fibrinous fluid and many polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) and macrophages . Damage to alveolar capillary endothelium consisted of widespread cytoplasmic swelling and vesiculation, but necrosis of endothelium and the associated alveolar epithelium was focal and less common . Phagocytosis of L . pneumophila organisms was predominantly by macrophages, but the bacteria were also seen in PMN . Free organisms were present in alveoli and capillary lumina at all stages of the infection but were not observed in lung parenchymal cells . Some infected macrophages and PMN became necrotic and lysed to release intact bacteria . In all species of experimental animal, intracytoplasmic aggregations of granular material, believed to be glycogen, were seen frequently in macrophages and PMN which had phagocytosed L . pneumophila . These deposits of glycogen may reflect either an increased energy demand by the host cell or an interference with its carbohydrate metabolism. J Bacteriol, 1983 Jun, 154(3), 1137 - 44 Synthesis and assembly of flagellar components by Caulobacter crescentus motility mutants; Johnson RC et al.; Cultures of wild-type Caulobacter crescentus and strains with fla mutations representing 24 genes were pulse-labeled with 14C-amino acids and analyzed by immunoprecipitation to study the synthesis of flagellar components . Most fla mutants synthesize flagellin proteins at a reduced rate, suggesting the existence of some mechanism to prevent the accumulation of unpolymerized flagellin subunits . Two strains contain deletions that appear to remove a region necessary for this regulation . The hook protein does not seem to be subject to this type of regulation and, in addition, appears to be synthesized as a faster-sedimenting precursor . Mutations in a number of genes result in the appearance of degradation products of either the flagellin or the hook proteins . Mutations in flaA, -X, -Y, or -Z result in the production of filaments (stubs) that contain altered ratios of the flagellin proteins . In some flaA mutants, other flagellin-related proteins were assembled into the stub structures in addition to the flagellins normally present . Taken together, these analyses have begun to provide insight into the roles of individual fla genes in flagellum biogenesis in C . crescentus. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 1983 Jun, 14(2), 255 - 9 A study of commensal rodents and shrews with reference to the parasites of medical importance in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand; Chenchittikul M et al.; A total of 622 and 110 commensal and forest rodents and shrews was examined in the urban and rural areas of Chanthaburi Province, Thailand . A higher density of commensal animals was found in urban than rural areas . Five enteropathogenic bacteria, and four helminth species of significant medical importance were collected . The Oriental rat-flea, X . cheopis was found prevalent among these animals . The findings of adult A . cantonensis worm in S . murinus the first reported case of the parasite developed into adult in an abnormal host. Rev Esp Fisiol, 1983 Jun, 39(2), 183 - 92 {Possible role of biliverdin as an initiator of liver regeneration}; Castell J et al.; Biliverdin has been proposed as the biological signal that triggers liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy, since a transitory increase of plasma levels is found shortly after partial hepatectomy . We have carried out a detailed study to establish the feasibility of such a hypothesis . When biliverdin is administered i.p., it binds to albumin . This became evident by electrophoresis and affinity chromatography . Biliverdin disappears from the peritoneal cavity following a 1st order kinetics (t 1/2 = 40 min, K = 0.0175 min -1) . Biliverdin reductase activity in the peritoneal exudate was high (1.04 mumol Bv min -1/mg protein), and very small amounts of biliverdin in comparison to the administered dose were found in plasma . However, unconjugated bilirubin level was high in plasma and the conjugated bilirubin in bile flux reached its maximum 90 min after administration . On the basis of blood elimination of biliverdin when administered intravenously (t 1/2 = 11 min, K = 0.068 min -1), a series of experiments was designed to reproduce the levels of plasma biliverdin as found shortly after partial hepatectomy . Our results showed a total absence of liver regeneration . There is, however, increase of the mitotic index if biliverdin is administered intraperitoneally . This effect is not directly related to biliverdin but to unspecific (?) stimulation of peritoneal cavity since the same effect was obtained after administration of unrelated substances (diatomaceous earth, killed bacteria) . The mitotic figures did not incorporate 3H-thymidine, and it is suggested that those cells came from a G2 blocked quiescent cell population in liver . We therefore conclude that biliverdin is not the physiological trigger of liver regeneration. Arch Microbiol, 1983 Jun, 134(3), 227 - 32 O-Acetylserine sulfhydrylase and S-sulfocysteine synthase activities of Rhodospirillum tenue; Hensel G et al.; O-Acetylserine sulfhydrylase in cell-free extracts of Rhodospirillum tenue was markedly repressed after growth in the presence of sulfide or thiosulfate, whereas S-sulfocysteine synthase activity remained almost unchanged . Purification on DE52 cellulose resulted in the separation of two proteins: Protein I with a molecular weight of 57000 had O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase activity only, while protein II with a molecular weight of 46000 had S-sulfocysteine synthase activity in addition . The activity of protein II with O-acetylserine plus sulfide was about 1.5 of that with O-acetylserine plus thiosulfate . Protein I from sulfate-grown cells possessed 74% of the total O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase, protein II 26% . Growth with sulfide repressed only the synthesis of protein I, which after separation showed only 19% of the measurable O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase, whereas protein II now possessed 81% . Regulatory and kinetic phenomena of the two activities were studied . In addition to the phototrophic bacteria studied earlier, also Rhodomicrobium vannielii, Rhodopseudomonas acidophila, Rhodocyclus purpureus and Thiocystis violacea were found to contain O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase activities; the latter two species contained S-sulfocysteine synthase activities in addition. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1983 Jun, 49(2), 167 - 72 Glyoxylate conversion by Hyphomicrobium species grown on allantoin as nitrogen source; Van der Drift C et al.; Glyoxylate, formed as a result of allantoin degradation, is converted by Hyphomicrobium species to glycerate via tartronate semialdehyde . Glyoxylate carboligase and tartronate semialdehyde reductase, the two enzymes involved, are present only in cells grown on allantoin as nitrogen source. J Periodontol, 1983 Jun, 54(6), 354 - 6 The evaluation of a new technique for anaerobic sampling of deep periodontal pockets; Gajewska M et al.; A new technique for the anaerobic sampling of deep periodontal pockets has been developed and evaluated in vitro and in vivo . The mean percentage difference of total viable counts from pairs of samples from nine deep periodontal pockets was found to be 76.4% . This compared favorably with an established technique for which the equivalent figure was 147.4% . Evidence was obtained that the first sample taken with the new s