J Interferon Res, 1982, 2(4), 479 - 91 Effects of HuIFN-alpha 2 and HuIFN-alpha (Namalwa) on breast cancer cells grown in culture and as xenografts in the nude mouse; Taylor-Papadimitriou J et al.; The activity of HuIFN-alpha 2 produced in bacteria has been compared with that of HuIFN-alpha from Namalwa cells (HuIFN-alpha N) as an antiviral (against EMC virus) and antiproliferative agent in normal and malignant cultured human breast cells . The IFN preparations show the same spectrum of antiviral and antiproliferative activity in the human cell strains and lines examined, and are equally effective, when comparable amounts of IFN protein are used . Both interferon preparations inhibit virus growth (EMC) in four types of bovine cells but neither inhibit the growth of these cells . HuIFN-alpha 2 and HuIFN-alpha N can also be shown to effectively inhibit the growth of a transplantable human breast cancer, grown as xenografts in the nude mouse, although the amounts of IFN protein required may not be the same for both preparations. J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1982, 26(3), 235 - 41 Some aspects of the immunology of pseudotuberculosis; Besednova NN et al.; Integral evaluation of some humoral and cellular immunity factors in patients with pseudotuberculosis (Far-East scarlatinoid fever) with varying severity of its course was carried out . Inadequate immune reaction of human organism in response to infection with pseudotuberculosis was established at the level of both specific (sporadic cases of lacking synthesis or poor synthesis of IgM antibodies, lacking synthesis of IgG antibodies) and non-specific factors (incomplete phagocytic reaction) . Phagocytosis is higher in monocytes than in neutrophils during pseudotuberculosis . The opsonizing properties of blood serum, the intensity of which increases in the course of disease, are great importance in freeing the organism from bacteria of pseudotuberculosis . The most rapid and technically simplest is the determination of antibodies in blood serum of the patients by means of the reaction of indirect hemagglutination . For this purpose the authors developed a new, highly sensitive, and specific preparation - the dry erythrocyte antigenic diagnostic agent. Vet Pathol, 1982 Jan, 19(1), 67 - 78 Intestinal lesions in specific-pathogen-free lambs associated with a cryptosporidium from calves with diarrhea; Angus KW et al.; Small and large intestines of seven specific pathogen-free lambs infected with cryptosporidia from calves with diarrhea were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and by light microscopy . The small intestine was infected in all the lambs, and the cecum and colon in three . Small intestinal alterations were severe villous atrophy and dilatation of the crypts of Lieberkuhn . Epithelial cross-bridging between contiguous villi caused much villous fusion . Epithelial cells constituting the bridges were connected by desmosomal junctions, and were continuous with the epithelial coverings of the associated villi . The lamina propria was heavily infiltrated with neutrophil leukocytes . Infected crypts in cecum and colon were dilated and devoid of mucus-secreting cells, while the ridges between crypts were hypertrophied, and the lamina propria was infiltrated by neutrophils . Cell vegetations with adherent bacteria were present in the surface intestinal epithelium of two lambs infected for 11 and 14 days, respectively . No adherent bacteria were seen in any site in lambs killed up to six days post-inoculation. Princess Takamatsu Symp, 1982, 12, 237 - 47 Structure and function of the hepatitis B virus genome; Will H et al.; A preliminary map of the hepatitis B virus genome has been derived from the nucleotide sequence of cloned human hepatitis virus (HBV) DNA . The genes for two viral antigens were identified and their expression was studied using SV40 vector systems . HBV DNA cloned and amplified in bacteria induces hepatitis in chimpanzees demonstrating that the cloned HBV DNA is functionally intact. Dev Biol Stand, 1982, 52, 321 - 31 Herpes simplex virus subunit vaccine: characterization of the virus strain used and testing of the vaccine; Hilfenhaus J et al.; Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) used for vaccine production was isolated from a nasal recurrent infection and propagated over a limited number of passages in human diploid cells only . It was designated as HSV-1 BW3 and has been characterized by neutralizing antibodies as a typical HSV type 1 strain . In vitro transformation studies performed with this isolate in mouse or hamster cells revealed only very low, if any, transforming capacity . A preparation of HSV-1 BW3 which can be used as seed lot for vaccine production has been proven to be free of any adventitious agents such as bacteria, fungi mycoplasma or viruses other than HSV-1 BW3 . An envelope antigen (EAG) preparation was obtained from purified HSV-1 particles . It was free of detectable viral DNA and could be proven to be efficacious in mouse models against challenge infections with either HSV-1 or HSV-2 . The potency of the vaccine was greatly enhanced by the addition of poly-inosinic-poly-cytidylic acid complexed with poly L-lysine and carboxymethylcellulose (PICLC) as adjuvant . A single vaccine dose was sufficient to protect mice from morbidity and the fatal outcome of HSV infection, but not from the establishment of latency . Persistent ganglionic infections could be, however, significantly reduced by repeated administration of the vaccine before primary infection. Carcinogenesis, 1982, 3(11), 1361 - 6 In vitro formation of methyldiethyldithiocarbamate after the reaction of nitrosoacetoxymethylmethylamine or methylnitrosourea with disulfiram; Bertram B et al.; Analysis by scintillation measurement, mass spectrometry and h.p.l.c . showed that diethyldithiocarbamic acid (DDTC), the main metabolite of disulfiram (DSF), forms methyldithiocarbamate (MeDDTC) when incubated with {14C}nitrosoacetoxymethylmethylamine ({14C}NAMM) or {14C}methylnitrosourea ({14C}MNU) in different media (bacteria, esterases, rat liver 9000 x g supernatant fraction and microsomes) . When DSF instead of DDTC was used, MeDDTC was formed only when soluble enzymes were present which are required to split DSF into two DDTC moieties . No physiological methylation of DDTC takes place as was shown by experiments with {3H}MNU . {14C}Methanol, formed by the decay of {14C}NAMM and {14C}MNU was shown to have no alkylating properties. CRC Crit Rev Biochem, 1982, 13(3), 287 - 323 Studies on sequence recognition by type II restriction and modification enzymes; Modrich P; Type II DNA restriction and modification systems are ideally suited for analysis of mechanisms by which proteins specifically recognize unique DNA sequences . Each system is comprised of a unique DNA recognition site and two enzymes, which in those cases examined in detail, are comprised of distinct polypeptide chains . Thus, not only are the DNA substrates extremely well defined, but each system affords the opportunity to compare distinct proteins which interact with a common DNA sequence . This review will focus only on those Type II systems which have been examined in sufficient molecular detail to permit some insight into modes of specific DNA-protein interaction. Microbiologica, 1982 Jan, 5(1), 25 - 33 Adenosine triphosphatase activity of Ureaplasma urealyticum; Romano N et al.; Adenosine triphosphatase activity of U . urealyticum is an integral membrane-bound protein which cannot be detached from the membrane by mild treatment with EDTA in low-ionic strength media nor by ionic detergents which rapidly inactivated the enzyme . The enzyme was Mg++ dependent; Mn++ and Co++ could replace Mg++ to some extent . A slight stimulatory effect was also exerted by sodium and lithium . The enzyme showed a nucleotide triphosphatase activity, but ADP was hydrolyzed at close to 40% the rate of ATP and other nucleotide monophosphatase were hydrolyzed at a very slow rate . Oubain and oligomycin did not inhibit the adenosine triphosphatase activity, whereas DCCD, NBD-Cl and several sulfhydryl-blocking reagents strongly reduced its activity . The enzyme could not be stimulated by trypsin pretreatment . It seems that the complex enzyme is tightly linked to the lipid bilayer of the membrane and differs in many aspects from the F0-F1 (Mg++, Ca++)-ATPase of bacteria. Arch Toxicol Suppl, 1982, 5, 129 - 32 Pertussis antigens--screening models on toxicity; Ronneberger H et al.; From the same batch of B . pertussis bacteria two types of DPT-vaccines were produced after harvest of the inactivated organisms by centrifugation or acid precipitation . The first vaccine contained whole pertussis bacteria and the second an extracted antigen complex . In a screening programme with reliable animal tests, such as a modified mouse-weight-gain assay, mouse leukocytosis test, histamine sensitization in mice, allergic encephalitis in rats, and the limulus test it could be demonstrated that the vaccine with whole inactivated bacteria was more toxic than that with extracted antigens . Cell material harvested by centrifugation showed a lower rate of toxicity than that containing acid-precipitated pertussis organisms. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol, 1982, 22, 19 - 29 Food and drug interactions; Carr CJ; A significant contribution could be made to patient care if nutritional biochemists, basic and clinical toxicologists, and pharmacologists in the various fields were to mount the studies needed to understand the nature of food-drug interactions . If only a small fraction of the 120 billion dollars per year spent for food or the 10 billion dollars expended for drugs were allocated for research in this area, advances might be made for the health of the nation . Changes in man's diet produce marked effects on drug metabolism . We know that changing a customary diet to one high in protein and low in carbohydrate increases the rates of metabolism of antipyrine and theophylline, and shifting to an isocaloric diet of low protein-high carbohydrate slows the rates of metabolism of these drugs . Presumably, high-protein-low carbohydrate diets in man resemble the animal studies with high protein diets that show enhanced hepatic drug metabolism . However, numerous studies emphasize the considerable individual variability to changes in human diets; some people have dramatic changes, whereas others exhibit little or no response . Similar individuality has been found in the response to enzyme induction by smoking . Numerous foods and food ingredients affect drug metabolism in human beings and apparently follow the same patterns as found in experimental animal studies with changes in the levels of cytochrome P-450 dependent monooxygenases in the liver and intestine . These changes presumably exert some protective action against environmental carcinogens, cocarcinogens, or promoters . Dietary modifications are brought about by use of weight-reducing diets, vegetarian diets, hospitalization, or post-operative regimens . These diets are often continued for long periods of time and it is likely they result in changes in the metabolism by the body of subsequently administered drugs or exposure to environmental chemicals . Methods are needed to measure inter-individual and inter-group differences in metabolism of foreign compounds in order to accurately assess dietary influences on drug metabolism and vice versa . Epidemiologic studies of rigorously selected human populations, coupled with the newer sensitive chemical analytical methods, will provide the necessary data base for these investigations. Jpn J Antibiot, 1982 Jan, 35(1), 202 - 5 {Clinical studies with cefmenoxime in the otorhinolaryngeal field (author's transl)}; Takeda T et al.; We conducted a therapeutic trial with cefmenoxime in the field of otorhinolaryngology on a total of 14 subjects including 7 cases of otitis media, 5 cases of peritonsillar abscess, 1 case of chronic sinusitis and 1 case of congenital aural fistula . 1 . The effective rate for peritonsillar abscess was extremely high being judged 'markedly effective' in 3 cases and 'effective' in 2 cases . 2 . The effective rate for otitis media was also remarkably high; it was judged effective in 85.7% of the cases . It is thought that this is probably due to the fact that therapy and supervision were carried out on inhospital patients . 3 . The 1 case of chronic sinusitis and the 1 case of congenital aural fistula were each judged 'effective' and 'markedly effective' . The only side effect observed was a slight case of skin eruption in 1 of the patients. Biochimie, 1982 Jan, 64(1), 49 - 53 {Purification and study of some properties of a collagenase produced by Empedobacter collagenolyticum}; Labadie J et al.; A collagenase from Empedobacter collagenolyticum was extracted from the culture medium of the bacteria . The complete purification of the enzyme was achieved by successive ammonium sulfate precipitation . Sephadex G 200 gel filtration and DEAE cellulose chromatography . This collagenase is active on insoluble collagen, and on the synthetic peptide Pz-Pro-Leu-Gly-Pro-D-Arg . Its optimum activity was at 30 degrees C and at pH 7.6 . A strong inhibition was observed with chelating agents such as O-phenanthroline and EDTA . Among the cations tested to restore the activity, only Ca2+ has a measurable effect . Heavy metals, Pb, Hg, Cd, Cu, Fe, Co, strongly inhibit the enzyme activity . Zn2+ is also highly inhibitory; 10 microM ZnCl2 completely inhibits the collagenase . p CMB, iodoacetate have little effect on the collagenase . This new collagenase ressembles by most of its properties the already known bacterial collagenases. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1982, 67(1), 96 - 8 Boosterable IgE antibody response in mice without the use of adjuvant; Hall E et al.; A mouse model is presented giving boosterable IgE antibody responses preceding the IgG antibody responses without using adjuvants . Groups of CBA mice were injected subcutaneously with minute doses of penicilloyl bovine gammaglobulin, 3.8-94 ng daily for one or two 10-day periods . Some groups of animals were simultaneously given Bordetella pertussis bacteria intraperitoneally . The IgE antibody responses were recorded with passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in rats as well with RAST . IgG antibody responses were determined with a double antibody assay . An overall good agreement between the antibody activity in the PCA and RAST was seen, both tests showing boosterable IgE antibody responses . Some discrepancies between the two tests are discussed. J Exp Med, 1982 Jan 1, 155(1), 264 - 75 Mitochondrial N-formylmethionyl proteins as chemoattractants for neutrophils; Carp H; Mitochondria synthesize several hydrophobic proteins . Like bacteria, mitochondria initiate protein synthesis with an N-formylmethionine residue . Because N-formylmethionyl peptides have been found to be chemotactic for polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), mitochondria isolated from cultured human cells and purified bovine mitochondrial proteins were tested for PMN chemotactic activity in vitro . Nondisrupted mitochondria were not chemotactic . However, intact mitochondria that had been incubated with a lysosomal lysate did stimulate PMN migration . Antibodies directed against two mitochondrial enzymes, cytochrome oxidase and ATPase, (both of which contain mitochondrially synthesized subunits) but not anti-C3 or anti-C5 decreased mitochondrially derived chemotactic activity . In addition, purified bovine mitochondrial N-formylmethionyl proteins stimulated PMN migration in vitro, whereas nonformylated mitochondrial proteins did not . Furthermore, the chemotactic activity of purified mitochondrial proteins and disrupted mitochondria was decreased by the formyl peptide antagonist butyloxycarbonyl-phenylalanine-leucine-phenylalanine-leucine-phenylalanine . Finally, disrupted mitochondria and purified mitochondrial proteins stimulated PMN-directed migration (chemotaxis), according to accepted criteria . In addition to other chemotactic factors, release of N-formylmethionyl proteins from mitochondria at sites of tissue damage, may play a role in the accumulation of inflammatory cells at these sites. Acta Vitaminol Enzymol, 1982, 4(1-2), 135 - 40 Vitamins and immunity: II . Influence of L-carnitine on the immune system; De Simone C et al.; Vitamin A affects the antibody responses and may affect phagocytic function and properdin levels . Pyridoxine deficiency impairs nucleic acid synthesis and depresses antibody formation, delayed hypersensitivity reactions and the ability of phagocytes to kill bacteria . Pantothenic acid deficiency impairs antibody formation . Vitamin C deficiency increases the incidence of infection, primary by a negative influence on reparative processes . Deficiencies of other vitamins either have not been sufficiently studied or have a variable effect . Moreover, even substances which for their biosynthesis require an adequate vitamin supplementation may exert immunomodulatory influences . With this respect the authors report their results on the influence of L-carnitine on the immune system . L-carnitine increases the proliferative responses of both murine and human lymphocyte following mitogenic stimulation and increase polymorphonuclear chemotaxis . Furthermore, L-carnitine, even at minimal concentrations, neutralizes the lipid induced immunosuppression. Allerg Immunol (Leipz), 1982, 28(1), 13 - 20 {Robert Koch--also a pioneer in immunological research? (author's transl)}; Drossler K; On March 24, 1982 we will celebrate the 100th anniversary-day of discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis . The article deals with the great merits of Robert Koch as physician and investigator and above all with his importance for the beginning of the immunologic research . Thereby three themes are especially discussed: 1 . The beginnings of active and passive immunization processes, 2 . Koch's Old tuberculin and the first steps in immunodiagnosis and -therapy, 3 . the role of phagocytes in protection against mycobacteric infection . Though not all the scientific investigations of Robert Koch were so successful as his studies on colouring, determination and cultivation of several infectious bacteria, there is no doubt, that his experimental works provided one of the fundaments on which modern immunology is built. J Membr Biol, 1982, 67(1), 1 - 12 Energy coupling to ATP synthesis by the proton-translocating ATPase; Maloney PC; This review summarizes recent work on energy coupling to ATP synthesis by the reversible, proton-translocating ATPase to mitochondria, chloroplasts, and bacteria . In the first sections, this enzyme is distinguished from other ATP-linked ion transport systems, and progress in the biochemical analysis is discussed . There is at present a reasonably consistent idea of the overall structure of the enzyme, and one can begin to assign specific functional roles to individual subunits of the complex . The latter half of the review deals with mechanisms of energy coupling, about which there is clear divergence of opinion . An "indirect coupling" model would allow for the possibility that H+ translocation transmits energy for ATP synthesis by driving the enzyme through a sequence of conformational states, so that H+ translocated need not take part in the chemistry of ATP synthesis . By contrast, a "direct coupling" mechanism would specify that H+ translocated must participate in the chemical reaction by combining with oxygen must participate in the chemical reaction by combining with oxygen from phosphate during the synthetic step . Such discussion is preceded by an outlined of the "proton well," since this idea forms the basis of one direct coupling model . In addition, it is suggested that the idea of a proton (ion) well may be of more general significance to the analysis of ion-coupled transport, because it includes the postulate that mechanistically significant ion binding can occur within the profile of the electric field . A proton (ion) well can be derived from both kinetic and equilibrium treatments, and from mechanistic considerations in fields as distinct as biochemistry and neurophysiology . As a result, it illustrates how further advances in formulating mechanisms of energy coupling might profit by a merger of technique and perspective from areas that have as a common goal an understanding of how large proteins catalyze movements of small molecules across a membrane. J Biol Chem, 1981 Dec 25, 256(24), 13159 - 64 The isolation of a hexaheme cytochrome from Desulfovibrio desulfuricans and its identification as a new type of nitrite reductase; Liu MC et al.; Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (ATCC 27774), a strictly anaerobic sulfate-reducing bacteria, is able to perform anaerobic nitrate respiration in which nitrate is first reduced to nitrite by the action of nitrate reductase, and nitrite reductase then catalyzes the six-electron reduction of nitrite to ammonia . The nitrite reductase was found to be a membrane-bound enzyme and has been purified to electrophoretic homogeneity . The purified enzyme has a minimal Mr = 66,000 as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis and contains 6 c-type heme groups/molecule . Pure nitrite reductase exhibits a typical c-type cytochrome absorption spectrum with reduced alpha-band at 552.5 nm . NADH and NADPH do not function as direct electron donors for the nitrite reductase . Desulfovibrio vulgaris hydrogenase, however, is able to transfer electrons from H2 to the nitrite reductase using FAD as the electron transfer mediator . The dithionite-reduced nitrite reductase was demonstrated to be auto-oxidizable even in the presence of potassium cyanide . On addition of nitrite, the dithionite-reduced enzyme is re-oxidized immediately . Hydroxylamine, however, can only partially re-oxidize the reduced enzyme . Ascorbate reduces the enzyme to a limited extent and the partially reduced enzyme is neither auto-oxidizable nor re-oxidizable by nitrite or hydroxylamine . Purified nitrite reductase has a pH optimum in the range of 8.0-9.5 and optimal activity at 57 degrees C . Purified nitrite reductase also has hydroxylamine reductase activity, and the Km for nitrite was determined to be 1.14 mM and that for hydroxylamine is 113.5 mM . The difference in Km values seems to exclude the possibility of hydroxylamine being a free intermediate in the reduction of nitrite. Lancet, 1981 Dec 19-26, 2(8260-61), 1389 - 90 Experimental transmission of legionnaires' disease by exposure to aerosols of Legionella pneumophila; Baskerville A et al.; Pyrexia and pneumonia developed in guinea-pigs after exposure to aerosols of Legionella pneumophila in a Henderson apparatus . Mortality was high 1-3 days after exposure . Histopathological changes were of an acute fibrinopurulent pneumonia, with widespread fibrin exudation and accumulation of neutrophils and macrophages in alveoli-lesions similar to those of legionella pneumonia in man . Rhesus monkeys given low doses of bacteria had slight fever and mild histological lesions in the lungs . Aerosol infection of these species offers suitable experimental models of legionnaires' disease. Mol Cell Biochem, 1981 Dec 4, 41, 73 - 97 Tuftsin, Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg . Anatomy of an immunologically active peptide; Fridkin M et al.; Tuftsin, a natural occurring tetrapeptide, has been found to exhibit several biological activities connected with immune system function . Although little is known about tuftsin's 'biogenesis', much information has been gleaned about its structure-function relationships, which have shown that several features of the molecule are essential for expression of full biological activity . Furthermore, specific receptor sites for tuftsin have been found to exist exclusively on phagocytic cells . Research indicates that tuftsin binding to target cells effect intracellular calcium and cyclic nucleotide levels . Implication of these facts on tuftsin's mode of action are discussed . Basic peptidic segments resembling tuftsin are found in a variety of regulatory peptides . Questions are, therefore, raised as to the biospecificity an cross-reactivity of these sequences . Substance P, one such peptide, which binds with and activates tuftsin receptors, is described . In light of tuftsin's therapeutic potential, assays for its determination have been introduced . When applied to analyze human blood serum of normal as well as of various pathological origins, direct correlation was found between tuftsin levels and susceptibility to bacterial infections. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {C}, 1981 Dec, 89(6), 379 - 85 A simple method for the isolation of flagella from Treponema Reiter; Petersen CS et al.; Flagella from Treponema Reiter were purified from a sonicate of the bacteria by diethylaminoethyl-cellulose chromatography followed by gel filtration on Sepharose CL-2B . The yield (0.8 mg flagellar protein per 8 g wet weight of treponemes) was identical to that obtained by previously described more time consuming methods . Crossed immunoelectrophoresis of the chromatographically isolated flagella against rabbit anti-T . Reiter immunoglobulin, monospecific anti-T . Reiter flagellar antibodies or human syphilitic serum in the upper gel showed two parallel but closely apposed precipitates . No contaminating material was found by electron microscopy of suspensions of flagella isolated by the new method . Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of dissociated flagella showed three major and one minor band . It is concluded that the new method is quantitatively and qualitatively equal to earlier described purification procedures, but simpler to use. J Med Chem, 1981 Dec, 24(12), 1487 - 92 Chemical modification of aminoglycosides . 3 . Synthesis of 2"-deoxykanamycins from neamine; Reid RJ et al.; The preparation of 2"-deoxykanamycin B (12) and 2",3',4'-trideoxykanamycin B (14) from neamine (1) is described . Key intermediates in the synthesis of these 2"-deoxyaminoglycoside antibiotics are 3',4'-bis-O-(p-nitrobenzoyl)-1,2',3,6'-tetrakis-N-(trifluoroacetyl)neamine (6) and 3',4'-dideoxy-1,2',3,6'-tetrakis-N-(trifluoroacetyl)neamine (9) . The amino groups of these intermediates are blocked by the trifluoroacetyl group, a blocking group not widely used in aminoglycoside chemistry. J Bacteriol, 1981 Dec, 148(3), 956 - 65 Active transport of amino acids in Thiobacillus thioparus is a low-affinity process; Stark AA et al.; A method for the isolation of amino acid auxotrophs of Thiobacillus thioparus is described . Characterization of a leucine auxotroph indicated that leucine biosynthesis in T . thioparus was not different from that of heterotrophic bacteria . T . thioparus cells accumulated amino acids via an active mechanism . Kt values of amino acid transport were between 15 and 330 microM, and Vmax values were 200 to 350 pmol min-1 mg of protein-1 . Amino acid transport was carried out by a limited number of systems, each responsible for the uptake of several amino acids . Amino acid auxotrophs of T . thioparus exhibited transport and growth properties similar to those of transport-deficient mutants of heterotrophs which lost the high-affinity, but retained the low-affinity, amino acid transport systems. Am J Clin Pathol, 1981 Dec, 76(6), 813 - 5 Extrathoracic localization of Legionella pneumophila in Legionnaires' pneumonia; Evans CP et al.; Extrathoracic organs of 12 fatal cases of Legionnaires' disease from the 1977 Vermont epidemic were reviewed for the presence of Legionella pneumophila . The bacteria were identified by direct immunofluorescence microscopy of paraffin-embedded spleen, liver, lymph node, and kidney tissue . Extrathoracic bacteria were demonstrated in six of the 12 cases (3/7 spleens, 2/9 livers, and 2/10 kidneys) . In the liver and spleen, the legionellae were associated with cells of the reticuloendothelial system . In the kidney, the bacteria were restricted to the interstitium and renal tubules . There were no acute inflammatory lesions in any of these organs . The distribution of bacteria in the extrathoracic viscera is compatible with dissemination through the blood stream. Nucleic Acids Res, 1981 Nov 25, 9(22), 6129 - 37 An unusual 5S rRNA, from Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, and its implications for a general 5S rRNA structure; Stahl DA et al.; The nucleotide sequence of the 5S ribosomal RNA of the thermoacidophilic archaebacterium Sulfolobus acidocaldarius was determined . The high degree of evident secondary structure in the molecule has implications for the common higher order structure of other 5S rRNAs, both bacterial and eukaryotic. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1981 Nov 15, 141(6), 709 - 16 Renal infection and pregnancy outcome; Gilstrap LC et al.; To evaluate the impact of renal infection on pregnancy outcome, we studied a group of pregnant women with asymptomatic renal bacteriuria and another group who had acute pyelonephritis . In 248 women with asymptomatic bacteriuria, infection was localized by the antibody-coated bacteria method . These women were prospectively matched with abacteriuric control subjects and we found no adverse effects of treated renal or bladder infection . Specifically, the number of women with hypertension and anemia in each group was similar, and infants born to these women were comparable regarding perinatal mortality, mean gestational age, and birth weight, as well as indices of maturity . A total of 487 women with acute pyelonephritis were evaluated in a case-control study and observations of the correlation of maternal anemia and pyelonephritis were confirmed . Women with antepartum infection had no increased adverse perinatal outcome; however, in some women with intrapartum infection, pyelonephritis appeared to have initiated premature labor . We concluded that treated renal infection, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, does not significantly modify pregnancy outcome. Ann Clin Lab Sci, 1981 Nov-Dec, 11(6), 546 - 9 Brain stem glioma complicated by Strongyloides stercoralis; McLarnon M et al.; The simultaneous occurrence of brain stem glioma and disseminated Strongyloides stercoralis infestation in an Ecuadorian male is reported . The unusual finding of Strongyloides larvae in the potassium hydroxide preparation for fungi and in the Gram stain for bacteria from a sputum during hemoptysis fortuitously established the diagnosis of disseminated strongyloidiasis . Of interest was the demonstration of various stages of Strongyloides in the sputum during treatment . Strongyloides infestation must be assiduously searched for in susceptible patients who are, or who are to be, immunosuppressed. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1981 Nov, 34(11), 1447 - 55 Semisynthetic cephalosporins with alpha-oximino acid side chains . The preparation and coupling of 4-acylamino-alpha-oximinobenzeneacetic acids and 1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-alpha-oximino-2-oxo-3-pyridineacetic acid to 7-aminocephalosporanic acid; Domagala JM et al.; A series of 4-acylamino-alpha-oximinobenzeneacetic acids, and 1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-alpha-oximino-2-oxo-3-pyridineacetic acid were prepared and coupled to 7-aminocephalosporanic acid and its 3'-(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)thiolo analogue . Several coupling methods and oxime protecting groups were thoroughly examined . The best coupling procedure employed dimethylchloroformiminium chloride, and the tetrahydropyranyl (THP) group was selected for oxime protection . The cephalosporins prepared were tested and compared to cefuroxime and cefotaxime . The corresponding alpha-keto acids, and O-methyl oximes were also examined. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1981 Nov 1, 141(5), 508 - 15 Prospective randomized study of corticosteroids in the management of premature rupture of the membranes and the premature gestation; Garite TJ et al.; A prospective randomized study involving patients with premature rupture of the membranes between the twenty-eighth week and the thirty-fourth week of pregnancy was conducted . Patients with chorioamnionitis, advanced labor, and fetal distress, as well as those with mature lecithin/sphingomyelin ratios and/or Gram stains positive for bacteria, were delivered immediately . The remaining patients were randomized . One group received betamethasone . Tocolytic agents were used in this group when necessary . After 48 hours all patients given corticosteroids (CS group) were delivered) . The second group was managed expectantly (EM group) and were delivered only when spontaneous labor or infection occurred . A total of 160 patients were randomized, 80 in each group . Maternal outcome, including chorioamnionitis and cesarean section rates, was not different; however, the endometritis rate was significantly higher in the CS group (p less than 0.05) . Neonatal outcome did not differ in mean birth weights, perinatal death rates, neonatal infections, or incidences of respiratory distress . The frequency of prolonged hospital stay (greater than 4 weeks) was higher in the neonates in the CS group (p less than 0.01) . The conclusion is that corticosteroids and active management in patients with premature rupture of the membranes and premature gestations do not decrease the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome or perinatal mortality and may aggravate certain infectious complications. J Clin Microbiol, 1981 Nov, 14(5), 591 - 2 Evaluation of detection of positive blood cultures by pH changes; King GS et al.; We observed that the pH of positive blood culture broths was significantly lower than that of negative broths . However, significantly pH changes were generally not observed for subculture-positive, macroscopically negative blood culture broths . Therefore, although the pH of most positive blood culture broths was reduced significantly, this change was generally not useful for the early detection of positive cultures. J Clin Microbiol, 1981 Nov, 14(5), 589 - 90 Valuable of terminal subcultures from negative BACTEC blood culture bottles; Araj GF et al.; Terminal subcultures from 5,354 negative BACTEC blood culture bottles did not significantly improve the detection of positive cultures . Only 15 of the 545 total isolates were recovered from the terminal subcultures . All 15 of these isolates were either considered contaminants or had been previously detected. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 1981 Nov-Dec, 89(6), 1007 - 12 Chemotactic activity in middle ear effusions; Bernstein JM et al.; A study of chemotactic activity in different middle ear effusions (MEE) was undertaken using a technique that has overcome some of the pitfills of previous chemotactic investigations on MEE . In the present study, neutrophils were made to migrate upwards toward a chemotactic gradient . Chemotactic activity was differentiated from increased random migration by the use of a two-filter paper system . The study indicated that directed migration or chemotaxis was present in 65% of purulent effusions, in approximately 25% to 30% of serous and seromucinous effusions, but in less than 20% of mucoid effusions . Chemotactic agents in MEE have been discussed . Chemotactic activity for neutrophils may be an important part of the inflammatory response in otitis media with effusion (OME) and responsible for the elimination of bacteria and other foreign particles . On the other hand, prolonged chemotactic activity owing to immunologic or nonimmunologic mechanisms may be responsible for the release of lysosomal enzymes and the subsequent maintenance of an inflammatory response in middle ear tissue . The exact mechanism and nature of the underlying chemotactic response for leukocytes in OME remain to be determined. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1981 Oct 27, 655(3), 383 - 9 Purification and some properties of ATP-dependent deoxyribonuclease of Caulobacter crescentus; Markiewicz Z et al.; An ATP-dependent deoxyribonuclease has been partially purified from extracts of Caulobacter crescentus cells in a procedure involving ion-exchange and affinity chromatography . The enzyme was purified approximately 350-fold and was free of contaminating nucleolytic and ATPase activity . The nuclease hydrolyzes linear, double-stranded DNA with subsequent release of short oligonucleotides, mostly from one to four bases in length . The release of nucleotides is accompanied by hydrolysis of ATP, 7.6 nmol ATP being consumed for each nmol of acid-soluble products of DNA degradation . The enzyme shows an absolute requirement for divalent cations and in most active at pH 7.6 to 8.8 . The molecular weight of the nuclease, estimated by gel filtration and sucrose density gradient centrifugation, is 280 000. C R Seances Acad Sci III, 1981 Oct 19, 293(6), 313 - 8 {Single step isolation of a hemoglobin binding protein present in chicken plasma}; Musquera S et al.; A one step procedure for the purification of a Chicken hemoglobin binding protein is reported here for the first time . The method includes a single affinity chromatography step on Sepharose coupled to Chicken hemoglobin . The protein obtained is pure, its ability of binding hemoglobin is maintained and the recovery is close to 100% . Moreover, the same affinity system may be used again. Clin Chim Acta, 1981 Oct 8, 116(1), 63 - 8 Quantitative endotoxin determination in blood with a chromogenic substrate; Thomas LL et al.; A method is described for the quantitative determination of endotoxins in blood . The method is based upon the endotoxin-dependent activation of a proenzyme present in Limulus amebocyte lysate . This activated enzyme is measured by using the chromogenic substrate S 2422 . Inhibitors and activated coagulation factors possibly interfering in the assay are removed by dilution and boiling . The method has been proven to be fast (2.5 h), sensitive and reproducible with a detection limit of 10 ng/l . Preliminary results comparing the results of blood cultures with the endotoxin assay indicate a good correlation. Science, 1981 Oct 2, 214(4516), 74 - 5 Immunology of archaebacteria that produce methane gas; Conway de Macario E et al.; The antigenic map of 17 methanogenic bacteria representing the entire range of available species was determined by multiple assay with antibody probes . Four major clusters of antigenically related strains coincide with the females proposed on the basis of 16S ribosomal RNA analysis . Immunological mapping uncovered relationships not yet shown by other methods and allowed identification and classification of two new bacterial isolates. J Urol, 1981 Oct, 126(4), 448 - 51 Radionuclide cystography: the significance of retention time of the refluxed radioisotope; Nissenkorn I et al.; We studied 36 patients with vesicoureteral reflux into 45 renal units by means of isotope cystography and a dynamic renal function scan performed 24 to 48 hours after the cystography . Functional impairment was found in 21 renal units . To evaluate the significance of the time between voiding and complete disappearance of the radioisotope that refluxed from the kidney (retention time) the presence of the labeled particles in the kidney was followed continuously and intermittently during a prolonged interval . There was a significant difference between the retention time found in the impaired kidneys and that in the normally functioning kidneys . In 91.7 per cent of the normally functioning kidneys retention time was less than 5 minutes, whereas in 86 per cent of the impaired kidneys it was more than 10 minutes and in 56 per cent it was more than 20 minutes . No significant correlation was found between the retention time and intrarenal reflux or dilatation of the collecting system (patients classified as having radiological grades III and IV reflux were not included in this study) . A retention time greater than 10 minutes may be correlated with decreased renal function . The retention of technetium sulfur colloid particles may be analogous to the retention of similar size bacteria and suggests a possible pathophysiologic explanation for the development of renal dysfunction owing to the prolonged presence of bacteria in the kidney after reflux. J Immunol, 1981 Oct, 127(4), 1666 - 70 Opsonization of pneumococci . II . Metabolic effects of a "third" human serum activity that mediates intracellular killing; Guckian JC et al.; We investigated the mechanisms by which a serum activity, neither complement nor immunoglobulin, mediates killing of pneumococci by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) . Electron microscopy revealed type 25 pneumococci to be within PMN when incubated in normal serum, in serum absorbed twice at 0 degrees C with type 25 pneumococci, or in absorbed plus heat-inactivated serum . Uptake of radiolabeled bacteria, and activation of oxygen consumption and of the hexose monophosphate shunt by PMN with pneumococci, were similar in normal serum, absorbed serum, or the combination of absorbed and heat-activated serum . Reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) and of cytochrome c by PMN in the presence of type 25 pneumococci and absorbed serum, with or without heat-inactivated serum were one-third and one-half, respectively, of those in normal serum . Likewise, protein iodination was one-half that in normal serum . Reduction of cytochrome c by cytochalasin B-treated PMN was the same in normal, absorbed, or absorbed plus heat-inactivated serum . Furthermore, release of beta-glucuronidase from PMN after ingestion of pneumococci in 10% normal, absorbed, or absorbed plus heat-inactivated serum was identical . These data indicate that the "third" serum activity is not necessary for attachment of pneumococci to or ingestion by PMN, nor is it necessary for stimulation of the plasma membrane oxidase . Rather, it functions somehow in intracellular killing. Am J Clin Pathol, 1981 Oct, 76(4), 403 - 9 Simple and sensitive assay employing stable reagents for quantification of plasminogen activator; Lewis JG et al.; A simple and sensitive indirect assay for quantifying plasminogen activator using {3H}-casein as substrate is described . The assay has been used to measure plasminogen activators from various sources including bacteria, cultured cells, and human plasma . The assay is linear with respect to concentration of plasminogen activator and time of incubation and is independent of concentration of plasminogen . The assay can routinely be used to quantify as few as 8 X 10(-3) international units ml-1 of streptokinase . Results obtained with the {3H}-casein assay correlate well with those obtained by the fibrin plate method (R = 0.83 by Spearman's ranked co-efficient of correlation) . The reagents are extremely stable and easily stored . The ease with which the assay can be performed gives the clinical laboratory the potential to test large numbers of patients upon short notice and within a short period of time. Am Rev Respir Dis, 1981 Oct, 124(4), 491 - 6 Lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis and hypogammaglobulinemia in children; Church JA et al.; Lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis is an uncommon process, and an association with hypogammaglobulinemia in children is rare . Three patients, a 10-yr-old boy (Patient 1), a 17-yr-old girl (Patient 2), and a 13-yr-old boy (Patient 3) were evaluated for progressive interstitial pneumonitis and hypogammaglobulinemia . At presentation, symptoms or signs of lung disease had been present for 9, 6, and 1.5 yr and consisted of severe exertional dyspnea asymptomatic pneumonitis on roentgenogram, and mild exertional dyspnea, respectively . Serum immunoglobulin deficiencies were variable with IgG and IgA being depressed in all patients and IgM being within normal limits in Patient 2 . In vitro neutrophil function and T lymphocyte number and mitogen responses were normal . Measurement of in vitro immunoglobulin production suggested a primary B lymphocyte dysfunction . Pulmonary function testing revealed restrictive lung disease in Patient 1, arterial hypoxemia in Patients 1 and 2, and increased alveolar-arterial oxygen differences in all patients . Microscopic examination of lung specimens from each patient revealed diffuse lymphoid parenchymal infiltration with formation of follicles with occasional germinal centers, varying degrees of fibrosis, and negative examinations for viruses, bacteria, and fungi . The factors responsible for the cessation of antibody production and for the striking lympho-proliferative process seen in these patients remain to be identified. J Periodontol, 1981 Oct, 52(10), 630 - 8 The inhibitory effect of chlorhexidine digluconate on dental plaque formation . A scanning and transmission electron microscope study; Yamaguchi H et al.; The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of chlorhexidine digluconate mouthrinses on the development of dental plaque in man . The dental plaques were formed on strips of triacetylcellulose film (TAC), which were attached to the lingual surfaces of the mandibular incisors by silk suture thread on 20 human volunteers . Differences in the degree of plaque formation on TAC films after 2, 4 and 24 hours were observed in placebo vs . chlorhexidine treated samples using both scanning and transmission electron microscopy . It was found that (1) solutions containing chlorhexidine digluconate and lactic aluminum have an inhibitory effect of the development of dental plaque on the TAC film as evaluated by electron microscopy, (2) the TAC film was a convenient model for the study of early dental plaque formation by electron microscopy, (3) the three types of pellicle reported by Tryggve Lie (1977) were also observed, (4) the method enabled evaluation of the bacterial accumulation of TAC films . After 2 hours, there was no visible difference in the bacterial accumulations on placebo or chlorhexidine treated films . After 4 and 24 hours considerable differences were observed. Biochem J, 1981 Oct 1, 199(1), 245 - 50 Purification and properties of the methanol dehydrogenase from Methylophilus methylotrophus; Ghosh R et al.; 1 . A dye-linked methanol dehydrogenase, resembling many others from a variety of methylotrophic bacteria, was purified to homogeneity from extracts of methanol-grown Methylophilus methylotrophus . 2 . The enzyme was very stable in the presence of methanol; in the absence of methanol it had a half-life of 1-2 days at 4 degrees C . 3 . The value of A1% 1cm,280 was 17.5 . 4 . The enzyme retained bound methanol after passage through Sephadex G-25 . This tightly-bound methanol slowly exchanged with free {14C}-methanol from a value of 0.27 mol of {14C}methanol/mol of enzyme after 48 h incubation at 4 degrees C to a limiting value of approx . 2.5 mol of {14C}methanol/mol of enzyme after 3 weeks incubation at 4 degrees C . 5 . One mol of this enzyme reduced 89.4 mol of 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol (via phenazine methosulphate) in the absence of any additional methanol in the assay mixture . The source of the electrons involved in this reduction is not known. J Virol, 1981 Oct, 40(1), 11 - 9 Sequence complexity of circular Epstein-Bar virus DNA in transformed cells; Griffin BE et al.; A simplified procedure, based on several methods previously used to isolate circular DNA molecules from bacteria, was derived for the preparation of covalently closed circular viral DNA molecules from large quantities of lymphocytes transformed by Epstein-Barr virus . The protocol can be applied both to virus nonproducer lines and to lines containing cells activated to virus production . Sufficient amounts o highly purified viral DNA of intracellular origin were obtained from B95-8 and Raji cells to allow direct visual analysis of their sequence complexities after cleavage with EcoRI and separation of fragments by gel electrophoresis . No major differences in complexity were observed between circular DNA and linear virion DNA from B95-8 cells . The fragment patterns observed in this fashion agree well with those detected by conventional blotting and hybridization methods . The procedure can also be used as an analytical method to assay for small amounts of circular Epstein-Barr virus DNA molecules in other transformed cells . In this connection, no circular Epstein-Barr virus DNA was detected in Namalva cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1981 Oct, 78(10), 6186 - 90 Amino acid sequence of a human leukocyte interferon; Levy WP et al.; The primary structures of three major species of human leukocyte interferon differ from the structure predicted from the DNA sequence of recombinants containing leukocyte interferon-coding regions . Compared to the recombinant interferon produced in bacteria, three of the purified natural proteins isolated from leukocytes lack the 10 COOH-terminal amino acids suggested by the DNA sequence. J Immunol, 1981 Oct, 127(4), 1318 - 22 Detection and localization of a lectin on Actinomyces viscosus T14V by monoclonal antibodies; Cisar JO et al.; A cell-associated lectin activity that mediates lactose-inhibitable adherence of Actinomyces viscosus T14V has been localized to a specific population of fimbriae by the use of monoclonal antibodies . Nine monoclonal antibodies were produced that reacted with only 1 of 2 immunoelectrophoretically distinct fimbrial components on T14V . The fibrillar morphology of this component was revealed by the immunoelectronmicroscopic examination of bacteria incubated with the monoclonal antibodies . The lectin activity associated with these structures was detected when isolated fimbriae were cross-linked with monoclonal antibodies to form immune complexes with agglutination activity for neuraminidase-treated human erythrocytes, a reaction that was inhibited by lactose . Although the 9 monoclonal antibodies differed in their fine specificities, they reacted only with strains of A . viscosus and A . naeslundii that exhibited lactose-inhibitable adherence . These findings indicate that the lectin activity common to these bacteria resides on fimbriae that are antigenically related to those of T14V. J Biol Chem, 1981 Sep 25, 256(18), 9750 - 4 Purification and characterization of recombinant human leukocyte interferon (IFLrA) with monoclonal antibodies; Staehelin T et al.; Recombinant human leukocyte interferon produced in bacteria (IFLrA) was purified to homogeneity with the use of monoclonal antibodies against leukocyte interferon . The purified interferon exhibited a single band of Mr = approximately 19,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . Amino acid analysis and the NH2-terminal sequence were consistent with the sequence predicted from the DNA . Some of the purified product contained NH2-terminal methionine; the terminal methionine was removed from the rest of the chains. J Neuroimmunol, 1981 Sep, 1(3), 333 - 41 Intrathecal synthesis of antibodies to diphtheria and tetanus toxoids in multiple sclerosis patients; Salmi A et al.; Antibodies to diphtheria and tetanus toxoids were measured in 30 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and 30 neurological control patients by enzyme-immunoassays . The frequency of antibody-positive patients and the titer distribution were similar in both groups . In spite of this, some MS patients had intrathecal antibody synthesis to these toxoids . The histories of these patents did not reveal any diseases caused by diphtheria of tetanus bacteria but they had been vaccinated 2-24 years before the first clinical symptoms of MS . The findings suggest that lymphocytes earlier committed to specific antibody synthesis outside the brain compartment could enter the brain before or after the clinical onset of MS. Nord Vet Med, 1981 Sep-Nov, 33(9-11), 446 - 53 {Quality changes in iced shrimps (Pandalus borealis) . III . Indole and pH in shrimps caught in the Barents Sea compared with shrimps caught in the Far East (author's transl)}; Solberg T et al.; The content of indole and the pH have been determined post mortem in shrimps (Pandalus borealis) caught in the Barents Sea and in shrimps caught outside Malaysia, India and Taiwan . These two criteria were compared with organoleptic assessment and the contents of volatile nitrogen bases (ammonia, trimethylamine) and living bacteria . For shrimps caught in the Barents Sea, both raw shrimps stored in ice and processed (broiled, peeled and single-frozen) shrimps were investigated . The results showed that only low levels of indole had been formed during ice-storage . Not until an advanced state of spoilage could a distinct increase in the indole content in raw and in boiled, peeled shrimps be discerned . pH increased slowly and varied in the area between acceptable and not acceptable quality . Neither the indole content nor the pH seems therefore to be a useful criterion for quality assessment either of raw shrimps caught in the Barents Sea or of such shrimps after processing (boiling and peeling) . Most of the samples of boiled, peeled shrimps from the Far East were assessed organoleptically as less good-spoiled, and bacterial growth was significant . The content of trimethylamine oxide and volatile nitrogen was low, while the content of indole was high and exceeded 25 microgram/100 g in 8 or 14 samples . This is the upper limit for import in USA . The content of indole seems to be an important quality criterion for shrimps caught in warmer countries . The content of indole exceeded 25 microgram/100 g in some samples which were assessed organoleptically as acceptable . The pH was lower in brine-treated shrimps than in the others. Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex, 1981 Sep-Oct, 38(5), 763 - 70 {Determination of serum lysozyme in infants with septicemia}; Cetina Sauri G et al.; The literature on serum lysozyme was reviewed and the normal values for this enzyme were analyzed in 40 healthy children (control group) and 40 children with a clinical diagnosis of septicemia . The patients were 1 to 18 months old and were hospitalized in the H.P . of the C.M.N., I.M.S.S . In 12 of these, the blood cultures developed bacteria, while 26 were negative . It was found that the normal values varied in healthy children from 5 to 24 microgram/ml . In the group of infected patients, the values varied from 4.4 to 53.3 microgram/ml . The group of healthy patients (control) was compared with the infected patients and a significantly difference was found (p less than 0.05), although in some infected children the readings for lysozyme were normal . In all patients, lysozyme returned to normal when the infection cleared . The mortality rate in this study was 15 per cent . It is concluded that in patients with severe infection, the levels of lysozyme in the serum may the elevated, while in patients with clinical signs of septicemia with positive blood cultures, there is a rise in lysozyme. Microsc Acta, 1981 Sep, 85(1), 45 - 58 An universal and accurate replica technique for scanning electron microscope study in clinical dentistry; Lambrechts P et al.; One of the main concerns of dental research is the observation of the oral tissues and the materials applied to the dentition . The changes in composition and structure of the outer surfaces and the materials deposited on these surfaces are of special interest . In the literature, a variety of replica techniques for these purposes is described (Grundy in 1971 {12}; Saxton in 1973 {25}) . The use of these techniques is limited because of artifacts in the samples, and a restricted resolution power resulting from useful magnifications in the order of 800x . An accurate and universal replica technique for the examination of specimens to be viewed under the SEM has been developed . The first impression is made by a light body silicone elastomer (President Coltene) . The positive replica is made by electrodeposition of copper in an electro plating bath (Acru plat 5 electronic, Dr . Th . Wieland, D-7530 Pforzheim) . The reliability and accuracy of this replica technique was verified by a scanning electron microscopic comparison of the replicas and the actual structures of etched enamel . To illustrate the applicability of the replica technique to structures with much lower hardness, also high resolution images of dental plaque were produced . The copper surface offers a perfect, original and proper electroconductive medium that withstands the bombardment of electrons and the relatively severe conditions in the scanning electron microscope . Reproducibility was accurate as judged by the duplication in position, size, and shape of the fine detail at magnifications of 7500x offering a resolution of 25 nm. Am J Pathol, 1981 Sep, 104(3), 196 - 205 Biochemical mechanisms of lipid-A-mediated enhancement of platelet secretory responses to aggregated immunoglobulins; Landes RR et al.; The mechanism by which endotoxins enhance the secretory response of washed preparations of human platelets to aggregated immunoglobulins (Agg-HGG) has been examined . Preparations of endotoxins from several rough mutants of bacteria enhance, by approximately 50-fold, the release of serotonin initiated by Agg-HGG . Endotoxins from smooth strains do not manifest this enhancement, and all endotoxin preparations are completely inactive in the absence of Agg-HGG . Preincubation and wash experiments have demonstrated that the critical initial interaction is the formation of complexes between the endotoxin and the Agg-HGG stimulus and is not dependent on an initial endotoxin-platelet interaction . Pretreatment of platelets with substimulatory concentrations of Agg-HGG, followed by the addition of endotoxin, causes a temporal decay in the degree of endotoxin-induced enhancement, which is inversely related to the concentration of Agg-HGG . This stimulus-specific desensitization suggests that the endotoxin-Agg-HGG complexes initiate release by a pathway similar to that initiated by Agg-HGG alone . We postulate that the endotoxin either enhances or stabilizes a localized platelet membrane perturbation or deformation, initiated by the Agg-HGG stimulus. Infect Immun, 1981 Sep, 33(3), 893 - 907 Role of L-forms of Nocardia caviae in the development of chronic mycetomas in normal and immunodeficient murine models; Beaman BL et al.; Single-cell suspensions of Nocardia caviae 112 were injected into normal, athymic, and asplenic mice by several different routes . The 50% lethal dose values, kill curve characteristics, histological and electron microscopic properties, organ clearance patterns, and induction of L-forms during the acute and chronic phase of disease were determined in groups of mice for up to 2 years after infection . From these data we concluded the following . (i) Athymic and asplenic animals were significantly more susceptible to N . caviae than their littermate controls regardless of inoculation route . (ii) All mice were most susceptible to lethal infection after intranasal administration and least affected when the organisms were injected into the peritoneal cavity . (iii) Chronic, progressive disease leading to the formation of mycetomas occurred only in mice injected intravenously . (iv) T-cell-deficient animals were impaired in the development of typical mycetomas . (v) L-forms of N . caviae were induced within immunocompetent hosts, whereas the cell wall-less state of the bacteria was not observed in the immunodeficient animals . (vi) Two colony types of the cell wall-deficient state were isolated from infected animals . (vii) These cell wall-deficient organisms were intimately involved in the pathogenesis of disease and bacterial persistence within the host . Finally (viii), with this strain of Nocardia, cell wall-deficient organisms played a major role in the development of the characteristic bacterial granule formed within the mycetomatous lesions 6 months to 1 year after intravenous inoculation. Clin Nucl Med, 1981 Sep, 6(9), 411 - 2 Unsuspected purulent pericarditis detected by gallium-67 scanning: a case report; Shreiner DP et al.; A Ga-67 scan performed because of a suspected intraabdominal infection demonstrated marked pericardial uptake of the isotope instead, and thus provided the first clue to the diagnosis of purulent pericarditis . Subsequent studies and surgery revealed an esophagopericardial fistula, gas in the pericardial sac, and purulent pericarditis caused by multiple bacteria . This report presents an unusual cause of pericardial uptake of Ga-67 . The use of Ga-67 scanning of diagnose purulent pericarditis in the absence of typical clinical findings is illustrated. Arch Latinoam Nutr, 1981 Sep, 31(3), 586 - 603 {Agronomic, nutritional and processing characteristics of soybean germ plasm with colored seed coats}; Lam-Sanchez A et al.; Ten soybean varieties with colored seed coats were evaluated in Jaboticabal, with the objective of obtaining information as to color preference in the direct use of soybeans in human consumption . The above-mentioned material showed good adaptation to the local environmental conditions: plant cycles were smaller than the Santa Rosa (121 days), varying from 107 to 119 days, in spite of the fact that some varieties started blooming later than Santa Rosa . All materials are within the minimum standards for local planting; however, some of them showed a lodging problem, and all varieties are susceptible to bacterial pustule . They have smaller seeds than Santa Rosa, and in relation to yield, varieties as the NC-55, Aksarben 1S (Black), Aksarben 1S (Brown) and Chi kei 13 did not statistically differ from the Santa Rosa . Protein content showed a variability of 37.90 to 43.90% and oil varied from 14.72 to 21.34% . Methionine content was between the known limits (0.907 to 1.644 g/16 g N), but lysine was higher than any reported data (7.584, to 10.877 g/16g N) . The Tanner, Chi kei 13 and Chi kei 15 presented a high percentage of hard beans . This fact had a positive influence on the seed hydration characteristics, but their experimental cooking times were very low, varying from 51 and-a-half to 122 minutes . The term "hydration time" is being introduced here, which is defined as the time, in hours, required for a seed to double up its weight when submerged in water. Hepatology, 1981 Sep-Oct, 1(5), 458 - 65 Endotoxin, reticuloendothelial function, and liver injury; Nolan JP; The concept that relates intestinal bacteria and their toxins as a common pathway of liver injury by toxic agents has interested investigators for a long period . Recently, a number of studies in experimental animals and in patients with liver disease support this contention, and are reviewed . Evidence is presented to suggest that: (a) function of the sinusoidal cells is critical to integrity of the hepatocyte; (b) damage to these lining cells by several agents may be the initial injury leading to decreased ability of the liver to detoxify endotoxin (LPS); (c) following this primary injury to Kupffer and endothelial cells, LPS causes damage at amounts which are ordinarily innocuous and may represent a final pathway of liver necrosis; (d) "spillover" of LPS may lead to systemic manifestations of liver disease, and (e) modification of endotoxin toxicity or absorption may protect against several acute and chronic liver injuries. Immun Infekt, 1981 Sep, 9(5), 177 - 82 {Comparison of in vitro methods for the determination of the activity of fosfomycin with the efficacy determined in experimentally infected mice (author's transl)}; Haag R et al.; Effective doses of fosfomycin against 17 strains of bacteria were determined in therapeutic experiments using infected mice . The peak serum levels obtained after administration of these doses were compared with the minimum inhibitory concentrations determined in vitro . Reasonable minimum inhibitory concentrations were obtained only with Mueller-Hinton agar containing glucose-6-phosphate: 1 . Correlation of in vivo and in vitro efficacy is much better in comparison with the use of media without glucose-6-phosphate . 2 . Minimum inhibitory concentrations below the levels obtained after therapeutic doses were found only in Mueller-Hinton agar containing glucose-6-phosphate . 3 . Minimum inhibitory concentrations are better reproducible when determined on solid media than in broth. J Exp Med, 1981 Sep 1, 154(3), 726 - 36 Immune responsiveness of SM/J mice . Cellular characteristics and genetic analysis of hyperresponsiveness to B cell mitogens; Engel D et al.; We tested the proliferative responses of splenocytes from a panel of inbred mouse strains to AVIS, a B cell mitogen from Actinomyces viscosus bacteria . The SM/J strain was found to exhibit severalfold higher responsiveness than any of the other strains . SM/J splenocytes were also hyperresponsive to the B cell mitogens lipopolysaccharide, dextran sulfate, and purified protein derivative of tuberculin, but responsiveness to the T cell mitogen phytohemagglutinin was normal . (B6 X SM)F1 and F1 x B6 backcross mice were tested for AVIS and lipopolysaccharide responsiveness, and it was determined that hyperresponsiveness was under polygenic, autosomal, non-H-2-linked gene control . Genetic control of response to B mitogens in SM/J mice appears to be expressed solely through the B lymphocyte because removal of T lymphocytes or macrophages did not reduce the magnitude of responsiveness in vitro . SM/J mice may provide a useful model for testing questions regarding B cell triggering, differentiation, and function, and to examine the genes involved with B cell proliferation. Trans Ophthalmol Soc U K, 1981 Sep, 101 (Pt 3)(3), 301 - 3 Perpetuation of inflammation in uveitis; Silverstein AM; A large number of different and predominantly non-specific mechanisms has evolved to amplify and to perpetuate inflammatory reactions . Which of these mechanisms enters into play depends upon the nature of the primary insult . Thus, pyogenic bacteria call forth polymorphonuclear leucocytes, which release enzymes and other pharmacologically active substances to enhance the response . Other organisms elicit a predominantly monocytic response, whose active monokines contribute further to the infiltration and activation of inflammatory cells . Those stimuli involving antigens act primarily upon lymphocytes, whose lymphokines contribute significantly to the amplification and perpetuation of inflammation . This paper will present examples of these and other mechanisms that enhance and prolong the inflammatory response, with special emphasis on those that contribute to immunopathological disease. Can J Microbiol, 1981 Sep, 27(9), 871 - 7 Effect of inoculation of Zea mays with Azospirillum brasilense strains under temperate conditions; O'Hara GW et al.; Seven strains of Azospirillum brasilense were compared for their effect on the growth of Zea mays grown under temperate conditions in sand--vermiculite pot cultures . Inoculation with all seven strains tested, including Fix(-) mutant strains, increased dry weight and total nitrogen content of shoots, but nitrogen concentrations were unaffected . Low and variable rates of acetylene reduction activity were observed from excised roots of inoculated plants without preincubation . Estimates of N2-fixing A . brasilense associated with inoculated roots showed differences between strains in establishing themselves in the rhizosphere and endorhizosphere . In some strains enrichment in the endorhizosphere of roots occurred following inoculation, but the relative numbers and location of the strains did not appear to affect the yield response. Br J Nutr, 1981 Sep, 46(2), 371 - 84 Kinetics of large ciliate protozoa in the rumen of cattle given sugar cane diets; Leng RA et al.; 1 . Experiments were undertaken to examine the kinetics of large ciliate protozoa in the rumen of cattle on sugar-cane diets . 2 . Three Zebu bulls were fed once daily on a diet of sugar cane and wheat bran . The diurnal patterns of volatile fatty acids and ammonia concentrations, and the numbers of protozoa in rumen fluid were determined . The numbers of protozoa reached values of 5 X 10(4)/ml for holotrichs (large ciliates) mainly Isotricha and Dasytricha spp and 4 X 10(5) for smaller protozoa, mainly Entodinia (small ciliates) . 3 . A method was developed which allowed large ciliate protozoa in rumen fluid to be separated from plant material and bacteria and concentrated in a relatively uncontaminated form . Analysis of these protozoa indicated that 1.8 X 10(5) large ciliates contained 1 mg nitrogen and approximately 32 mg dry matter . 4 . A labelled preparation consisting mainly of large ciliates (principally Isotricha spp.) was obtained by incubating isolated protozoa in rumen fluid (free of plant materials) containing {14C-methyl}choline and then isolating them by sedimentation and differential centrifugation . 5 . A portion of the preparation containing labelled protozoa was incubated in vitro with rumen fluid to determine the turnover of 14C-labelled metabolites . There was no apparent dilution of the label in the protozoa over a 22 h period . 6 . A major portion of the preparation containing labelled protozoa was returned to the rumen of each of the donor cattle as a single injection . The specific radioactivity in the large protozoa (microCi/mg N) was monitored frequently for over 30 h, and thereafter daily for a further 12 d . The kinetics of tracer dilution were analyzed to give estimates of the size of the pool of these large ciliates in the rumen (24-46 g N), and of their apparent rate of turnover . 7 . In contrast to the slow turnover of the large ciliates, the rate of turnover of the rumen fluid pool (approximately 54 1), estimated from the rate of dilution of polyethylene glycol, was considerably faster . Large ciliates were therefore selectively retained within the rumen. Am J Public Health, 1981 Sep, 71(9), 1026 - 30 Occurrence of enteroviruses in community swimming pools; Keswick BH et al.; Municipal swimming pools and wading pools were examined for the presence of human enteric viruses using a portable virus concentrator at the site to concentrate viruses from 100-gallon to 500-gallon samples . Ten of 14 samples contained viruses; three of these were positive for virus in the presence of residual free chlorine . Enteroviruses were isolated from two pools which exceeded the 0.4 ppm free residual chlorine standard . This study appears to be supportive of recent evidence that indicates a higher incidence of enterovirus infection among bathers . All seven wading pool samples contained virus . Coxsackieviruses B3 and B4, poliovirus 1, and echovirus 7 were isolated . Total coliform bacteria were not adequate indicators of the presence of virus, as six of the samples were positive for virus but negative for coliforms . Total plate counts appeared to provide a better indication of the sanitary quality of the pool water, but viruses could still be detected in samples that met currently recommended bacterial levels . It is possible that swimming and wading pools may serve as a means of transmission of enteroviral disease, especially in children, during summer months. Cancer Res, 1981 Sep, 41(9 Pt 2), 3700 - 5 Dietary fat and its relationship to large bowel cancer; Reddy BS; Epidemiological data have provided clues to the etiological factors involved in large bowel cancer development . High intake of dietary fat tends to promote colon carcinogenesis . Studies in metabolic epidemiology have shown that the high dietary fat affects the metabolic activity of gut bacteria as well as the levels of secondary bile acids that may act as tumor promoters for the colon . Animal model studies indicate that total dietary fat, rather than type of fat, exerts a promoting role in colon carcinogenesis. J Gen Microbiol, 1981 Sep, 126(Pt 1), 77 - 84 Growth and cell division of Mycobacterium avium; Rastogi N et al.; The rates of cell division and of protein, DNA and RNA synthesis upon transition of Mycobacterium avium to and from rich medium were examined . The changes in cell morphology (elongation) were also examined by optical and electron microscopy . Upon transfer from poor to rich medium, the rate of synthesis of RNA increased rapidly, followed by an increase in protein synthesis within 3 h and by an increase in DNA synthesis within 7 h; cell division began after a lag of about 10 h . Upon transfer from rich to poor medium, the preshift rates for protein and DNA synthesis changed to postshift rates after 3 h and 7 h, respectively; RNA synthesis stopped immediately, there was a transient fall in total RNA, and synthesis was resumed at a new rate only after 24 h . After the period of adjustment to new medium, the bacteria entered the postshift growth in which cell size, the increase in cell mass (absorbance at 650 nm) and viable counts, and the rates of synthesis of protein, DNA and RNA were constant . Ultrastructural examination of elongated cells during the adjustment period showed that they had septa at different stages of formation, but no evidence of fragmentation was found . It was concluded that cell division in M . avium was by binary fission, and that the notion of a life-cycle was not supported by present findings. Psychiatr Neurol Med Psychol (Leipz), 1981 Sep, 33(9), 549 - 57 {Whipple disease of the CNS}; Welcker ER et al.; By the example of two cases that could only be cleared up by a postmortem examination the affection of the central nervous system by Whipple's disease is dealt with . The granulomatous inflammatory process which is almost exclusively localised in the grisea and shows a particular concentration in the diencephalon, in the cortex of the frontal, temporal and islet regions as well as in the deeper brain stem, had resulted in a variety of neurological-psychiatric symptoms, in most cases a systemic psychosyndrome, myoclonism and paresis of ocular movement . In both cases the diagnoses was verified by the electromicroscopic identification of the bacteria in the typical SPC cells. JAMA, 1981 Aug 28, 246(9), 970 - 3 Encephalopathy following jejunoileostomy; Ayub A et al.; A neurological syndrome characterized by episodes of confusion, slurred speech, and unsteadiness is described in patients who have undergone jejunoileostomy for obesity . This syndrome has been noted in seven of 110 patients studied, although it may be more common . It appears to subside spontaneously or may respond to oral food restriction, with or without intravenous fluid plus vitamins and minerals . Episodes tend to recur in a given patient . Reversible changes in the EEG have been observed . Pertinent clinical and laboratory findings are described but no definite etiologic factor has been identified . The possible mechanisms involved in this syndrome of metabolic encephalopathy following jejunoileostomy are discussed. Mol Cell Biochem, 1981 Aug 11, 38 Spec No(Pt 1), 19 - 48 Enzymatic synthesis and function of folylpolyglutamates; McGuire JJ et al.; Derivatives of folic acid occur in nature predominantly as poly (gamma-glutamyl) derivatives containing 2-8 glutamate residues . The data regarding the function of these derivatives, and their biosynthesis by eucaryotic and procaryotic folylpolyglutamate synthetases, is reviewed . The most universal functions of folylpolyglutamates appear to be (a) as the actual cofactors in vivo for folate dependent enzymes, (b) as inhibitors of folate dependent enzymes for which they are not substrates, and (c) to increase retention of folates after they are transported into cells as monoglutamates . Folylpolyglutamates also have numerous specialized functions in specific organisms, e.g . as structural components of some coliphage, and as allosteric regulators in Neurospora crassa . A single enzyme appears responsible for synthesis of all polyglutamate derivatives, regardless of length . With the recent introduction of sensitive assays this folylpolyglutamate synthetase has begun to be characterized . Although procaryotic and eucaryotic synthetases have many dissimilar properties, both types catalyze the ATP-dependent addition of L-glutamate to the gamma-carboxyl of the glutamate present in the folate . Both types also require a monovalent cation and relatively high pH . The most significant differences between the two types are in their folate substrate specificity and the product lengths derived from various folates. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1981 Aug 6, 646(1), 1 - 9 Preparation of cell-size unilamellar liposomes with high captured volume and defined size distribution; Kim S et al.; Cell-size unilamellar vesicles were made by removing solvents from microscopic chloroform spherules containing smaller water droplets within . The average diameter of the vesicles in a typical preparation was 9.2 mum, comparable to that of human erythrocytes (7 mum) . The standard deviation of the size distribution was 3.0 mum . The unilamellarity and bilayer unit membrane of vesicles were demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy . Materials so far successfully incorporated into vesicles include glucose, sucrose, Arsenazo III and Ponceau S dyes, thymidine triphosphate, methotrexate, agarose, collagen, ferritin, polyadenylic aid, DNA, and whole bacteria . The captured volume per milligram of lipids (up to 144 microliter/mg) was almost an order of magnitude greater than the highest value reported in the literature to date (up to 15.6 microliter/mg) (Szoka, F.C . and Papahadjopoulos, D . (1978) Proc . Natl . Acad, Sci . U.S.A . 75, 4194-4198). J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1981 Aug, 34(8), 971 - 9 3-Hydroxyrifamycin S and further novel ansamycins from a recombinant strain R-21 of Nocardia mediterranei; Traxler P et al.; The structures of 3-hydroxyrifamycin S and six further novel ansamycins isolated from the recombinant strain R-21 of Nocardia mediterranei were identified by spectroscopic methods . Three types of structure were distinguished: Type 1: Ansamycins of the rifamycin S type Type 2: Ansamycins of the rifamycin G type Type 3: Ansamycins of the rifamycin W type. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1981 Aug, 89(4), 243 - 4 Septicaemia caused by Cardiobacterium hominis . A case report; Ronnevik PK et al.; Septicaemia caused by Cardiobacterium hominis in a woman aged 67 is reported . She had been treated for metastatic adenocarcinoma for nine months with cytostatic drugs prior to the development of a fatal septicaemia . She had no known pre-existing heart disease . Isolation and identification of the strain are discussed. Exp Lung Res, 1981 Aug, 2(3), 165 - 75 Dose response of the pulmonary macrophagic system to various particulates and its relationship to transepithelial passage of free particles; Adamson IY et al.; Alveolar macrophages are thought to arise from both marrow-derived monocytes and pulmonary interstitial cells . Macrophage kinetics are now studied under various conditions of alveolar loading using several doses of carbon (0.03 micrometers diameter), polystyrene latex (0.1 and 1.0 micrometers), and heat-killed bacteria . In serial studies we examined the number of macrophages recovered by lavage, DNA synthesis by lung cells on autoradiographs, and the passage of free particles into lung tissues by electron microscopy . The dual origin of the alveolar macrophage was confirmed for each particulate . The observed peak in macrophagic output at 1 day may be explained by monocytic egress . With greater loads, the peak value did not increase, but the continuing macrophagic production correlated with a period of interstitial cell proliferation . For all particles used, the number of new macrophages was related more closely to number of particles instilled than to the total dose by weight delivered to the lungs . With increasing number, more free particles of carbon and latex crossed the Type 1 epithelium to be phagocytized by interstitial macrophages . The results suggest that the adaptive outpouring of alveolar macrophages occurs by an acceleration of the normal biphasic pathway; when the adaptive response is prolonged, the interstitial compartment appears to be the predominant source of new cells. Environ Health Perspect, 1981 Aug, 40, 189 - 95 Effect of metals on mutagenesis and DNA repair; Rossman TG; Unlike the situation with organic compounds, metals do not show a high correlation between carcinogenicity and mutagenicity . An agent may be mutagenic by causing misreplication of DNA due to alterations of the DNA template, decreased fidelity of DNA polymerase, or inhibition of the proofreading of DNA replication . In addition, bacteria have an inducible, error-prone DNA repair system (SOS repair) whose activity results in mutagenesis . In the best studied example of metal mutagenesis, chromate, there is little evidence for the involvement of the SOS system . Metals may act as comutagens by inhibiting the repair of damage to DNA caused by another agent . This has been demonstrated for arsenite . Comutagens would not be detected by standard screening methods. J Parasitol, 1981 Aug, 67(4), 481 - 6 Immunoconglutinin and antibody against fibrinogen products in hemolytic anemia and nephritis resulting from infection with a Haemobartonella-like agent; Thoongsuwan S et al.; An agent morphologically similar to Haemobartonella muris was isolated from the blood of rats infected with a strain of Trypanosoma lewisi kept at this Department . It caused acute hemolytic anemia, splenomegaly, glomerulonephritis, and death within 5 to 8 days in mature Sprague-Dawley rats . The disease was less severe in weanling rats which usually recovered within 3 to 4 wk . The anemia was accompanied by phagocytosis of erythrocytes by monocytes of the spleen and bone marrow, by high titers of cold-active hemagglutinin, high titers of antibody to the third component of fixed complement (immunoconglutinin), and antibody to fibrinogen/fibrin related products . Filtrates of blood from anemic rats passing a 0.20-micron filter did not produce disease or signs of infections, but filtrate from a 0.45-micron filter was infective . Attempts to grow the agent on rat embryo fibroblast cultures and in embryonated chicken eggs were successful . Tests for bacteria, mycoplasma, and spirochetes gave negative results . Blood of infected rats did not produce signs of infections when inoculated into laboratory mice, and normal rats housed in cages with acutely infected rats did not develop signs of infection or disease . Morphological similarity did not allow differentiation of the agent from H . muris . However, its virulence for mature rats differs markedly from that usually seen in H . muris infection. Am Rev Respir Dis, 1981 Aug, 124(2), 167 - 73 Correlation of effects of inhaled versus intratracheally injected males on susceptibility to respiratory infection in mice; Hatch GE et al.; Effects of intratracheally administered air pollutant chemicals on susceptibility of mice to infection by aerosolized bacteria were compared with effects of the same chemical previously studied by the inhalation route . Out of 22 compounds previously studied by inhalation, the same 3 (CdSO4, CuSO4, and ZnSO4) that caused significantly increased mortality because of infection after a 3-h exposure to 1 to 2 mg/m3 showed large (greater than or equal to 40% over sham injected) mortality increases when administered by intratracheal injection at lung concentrations calculated to be equivalent to those achieved during inhalation exposures (0.6 to 1.2 microgram) . Dose-effect curves of these compounds were similar by the 2 routes . Five of the compounds caused a moderate (20 to 30%) enhancement in the mean excess mortality at concentrations of 2 to 3 microgram/animal . The remaining compounds, which showed no significant effect by inhalation, also showed no effect when given by intratracheal injection . Thus, similar effects on susceptibility to lung bacterial infection were seen whether chemicals were deposited in te lung by inhalation or by intratracheal injection. Eur J Biochem, 1981 Aug, 118(2), 395 - 9 Characterization of the second prosthetic group in methanol dehydrogenase from hyphomicrobium X; Verwiel PE et al.; Procedures are described for preparing 2,7,9-tricarboxy-1H-pyrrolo {2, 3-f}quinoline-4,5-diol (pyrrolo-quinoline quinol) from 2.7,9-tricarboxy-1 H-pyrrolo{2,3-f}quinoline-4,5-dione (pyrrolo-quinoline quinone) . When methanol dehydrogenase is denatured, two compounds are liberated which have the same properties as the quinone and quinol mentioned above . On analysing the extract by high-performance liquid chromatography, one molecule of the quinone and one molecule of the quinol per enzyme molecule are found . Mixtures of pyrrolo-quinoline quinone and pyrrolo-quinoline quinol at high pH produce the semiquinone form and, under certain conditions, a diamagnetic complex . Since electron spin resonance (ESR) shows that methanol dehydrogenase contains the semiquinone and the absorption spectrum suggests the presence of a diamagnetic dimer, it is tentatively concluded that the two prosthetic group molecules in the enzyme interact with each other . NMR experiments of pyrrolo-quinoline quinone in 2H2O demonstrate that it is partly hydrated, most probably at the C-5 position . Although methanol adds in the same way, it is still questionable whether the product of this addition plays a role in the mechanism of the enzymic reaction . Potentiometric titrations show a midpoint potential of the quinone/quinol couple of + 90 mV at pH 7.0 and the formation of the semiquinone as an intermediate in the titration at pH 13.0. Aust N Z J Surg, 1981 Aug, 51(4), 354 - 7 Treatment of granulating wounds with silastic foam dressings; Smith RC et al.; We have examined the usefulness of a Silastic foam dressing in the management of open granulating wounds in 55 outpatients . It is an acceptable and comfortable dressing, which allows earlier discharge from hospital . The method of making the dressing, and the daily care of the wound are described . Improved wound care is achieved by providing two dressings, so that when one is in place the other is being thoroughly cleaned . This technique has been shown to reduce bacterial contamination of the wounds and to improve wound healing (p less than 0.02). Laryngoscope, 1981 Aug, 91(8), 1226 - 30 Peritonsillar abscesses in children; Holt GR et al.; A follow-up retrospective study was performed on 41 children who presented with peritonsillar abscesses from 1970-1980 . The ages ranged from 3 to 16 years, with the mean age of 10 years . There were 26 females and 15 males . The abscesses were predominantly left-sided (28 vs . 13 right-sided) and the mean duration of symptoms was 3 days . Of the patients, 39% had been treated with antibiotics prior to the abscess development . Only 15% of the patients had a documented past history of exudative tonsillitis . Of the 41, 1 patient was lost to follow-up, and 11 underwent tonsillectomy for the abscess . Thus, 29 patients were reviewed who received no surgical therapy for their peritonsillar abscess other than incision and drainage . These patients were contacted for an interval history with a period of follow-up ranging from 6 months to 10 years . Only 2 of the 29 patients (7%) had recurrent abscesses . Two other patients (7%) had further recurrent bouts of exudative tonsillitis but not abscesses . These 4 children were in an initial group of 6 who had a prior history of documented tonsillitis . The incidence of recurrent peritonsillar abscesses reported in the literature has ranged from 7.6 to 16% in series which were comprised mainly of adults . The low incidence of recurrent abscesses (7%) in this series would indicate a need to reevaluate the indication for tonsillectomy for peritonsillar abscess in the pediatric age group . The authors recommend that tonsillectomy be performed in those children who present with a previous history of documented tonsillitis or suffer a complication at the time of the first abscess (neck abscess or airway compromise). J Oral Pathol, 1981 Aug, 10(4), 261 - 8 An evaluation of the specificity of salivary agglutinins; Rundegren J et al.; Four bacterial strains collected from tooth surface, oral buccal mucosa, skin of the upper lip, and rectum were used to evaluate the specificity of salivary agglutinins . A saliva sample was absorbed with each of the strains, and the remaining supernatants were tested for agglutinin activity against all strains . The effect of concanavalin A and pH on the S . mutans and S . mitior agglutinins was studied . The conclusion was drawn that the agglutinins for the S . mutans and S . mitior strains differed but that the S . mitior strain rested carried a receptor site for the S . mutans agglutinin without becoming agglutinated . The S . mutans agglutinin seems to have either unsubstituted mannopyranosyl or N-acetylated glucopyranosyl residues as structural components. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1981 Aug, 89(4), 245 - 51 Use of selected ion monitoring for detection of tuberculostearic and C32 mycocerosic acid in mycobacteria and in five-day-old cultures of sputum specimens from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis; Larsson L et al.; Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and selected ion monitoring (SIM), employing both electron (EI) and chemical ionization (CI), was used to detect 10-methyloctadecanoic (tuberculostearic) and 2, 4, 8, 8-tetramethyloctacosanoic (C32 mycocerosic) acids in bacteria of 14 species of Mycobacterium and 3 species of Nocardia . Tuberculostearic acid was found in all species studied, while C32 mycocerosic acid was demonstrated only in M . africanum, M bovis, M . bovis strain BCG, M . kansasii and M . tuberculosis . The relative amounts of these acids in the organisms of these five species varied, thereby constituting a presumptive diagnostic technique . The lowest detectable amount of C32 mycocerosic acid was approximately 5 pg when using EI-SIM, monitoring at m/zz 88 and m/z 101 . When using CI, employing isobutane as reactant gas, and focusing at m/z 495, 2 pg could be detected, and when ammonia was the reactant gas, the corresponding figure was 1 pg, monitoring at m/z 512 . Tuberculostearic acid was demonstrated in 5-day incubated sputum specimens from 6 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, including 5 patients infected with M tuberculosis and 1 patient infected with M . avium . C32 mycocerosic acid was detected in 4 of the 5 patients with M . tuberculosis infection . None of the acids was found in a further 8 patients who had viral or bacterial (non-mycobacterial) pneumonia . Tuberculostearic acid could be demonstrated in 10 of another 12 sputum specimens from patients with tuberculosis, when the samples were analyzed directly, viz prior to culturing . The possibility of using SIM for the rapid diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis is thus worth consideration. Infect Immun, 1981 Aug, 33(2), 602 - 10 Immunological and biochemical relationships among flagella isolated from Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1, 2, and 3; Elliott JA et al.; Flagella were isolated from virulent Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1, 2, and 3 . Antiserum made against purified serogroups 1 flagellin agglutinated live, flagellated serogroups 1, 2, and 3 but not heat-killed or nonflagellated bacteria . A single line of identity was seen in immunodiffusion slides between the flagella isolated from the three serogroups and antibody to flagellin isolated from serogroups 1, 2, and 3 . Indirect immunoperoxidase staining showed that antibody to flagellin isolated from serogroup 1 organisms reacted with flagella on serogroup 1, 2, and 3 bacteria . Indirect immunoperoxidase staining was also showed that antibody to flagellin isolated from serogroup 1 L . pneumophila did not react with the serogroup-specific cell surface antigen, thus demonstrating that the flagella- and the serogroup-specific antigen are separate antigens . The amino acid content of the flagella from the three serogroups was essentially the same, with aspartate, glutamate, alanine, and threonine comprising 41% of the total . Thirty-five percent of the amino acids were hydrophobic, and there were not detectable amounts of cysteine, tryptophan, or tyrosine. J Bioenerg Biomembr, 1981 Aug, 13(3-4), 109 - 21 Structure of F1-ATPase; Amzel LM; F1-ATPases are large multimeric proteins that can be isolated from the membrane bound system that catalyzes the phosphorylation of ADP by inorganic phosphate in bacteria, plants, and mitochondria . They can be visualized in electron micrographs of the inner mitochondrial membranes where they appear as large protruding spheres 90 A in diameter . The purified F1-ATPases have a molecular weight of 320,000 to 400,000 daltons and are composed of five non-identical subunits (alpha, beta, gamma, delta and epsilon) . The stoichiometry of these subunits in the complex is still unknown but compositions of the type alpha3beta3gamma delta epsilon and alpha2beta2gamma2delta2epsilon2 were found to be consistent with some of the available experimental data . This review discusses the recent data and the experimental approaches utilized for the structural characterization of F1-ATPases. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1981 Aug, 20(2), 272 - 4 Sodium polyanethol sulfonate inactivation of aminoglycosides; Krogstad DJ et al.; Sodium polyanethol sulfonate and another polyanion (dextran sulfate) both inhibited aminoglycoside activity in vitro . This effect was not produced by an otherwise similar neutral carbohydrate (dextran) or by neutral detergents (Brij-35, Triton X-100) but was antagonized by an anion-exchange resin (Dowex 1X8-50) . We conclude that the inactivation of aminoglycosides by sodium polyanethol sulfonate results from its polyanionic nature and is unrelated to its detergent properties. Clin Exp Immunol, 1981 Jul, 45(1), 107 - 12 Immunodeficiency associated with a deletion in the short arm of the X-chromosome; Nurmi T et al.; The immunocapacity of a 28-year-old mentally retarded proband and her clinically normal mother and sister, all having a deletion of the short arm of one of the X-chromosomes {46, X, del (X) (pter to 22: :p11 to qter)}, was evaluated . The concentrations of immunoglobulin IgA (0 . 4 g/l), IgG (4 . 4 g/l) and IgM (0 . 2 g/l) were low in the proband . The serum IgA (0 . 9 g/l) concentration of her mother was also at the lower normal limit . The serum concentration of complement component C4 was low both in the proband (0 . 17g/l) and in her mother (0 . 18 g/l) . Phagocytosis and killing of bacteria by granulocytes were normal in all of them . However, the chemotactic response of granulocytes was at the lower normal level in the patient . The in vitro responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes to the polyclonal T-clonal mitogens, PHA and Con A, were about half normal in the patient and were also decreased in her mother . The response was also decreased against PWM, to about one-sixth of the normal value in the patient and to one-half in her mother . The Con A response was decreased in the sister, while her PHA and PWM responses were normal . In contrast to these findings, the responses against the antigen-specific stimulators, PPD and oidiomycin, were normal in all subjects . Natural killer cell activity against the K-562 cell line was decreased in the patient but normal in her mother and sister . The number of B cells was at the normal limit in all subjects . The amount of E rosette-forming T lymphocytes was normal but the amount of ANAE-positive cells was decreased, especially in the proband (31%) . Our results describe a new human immunodeficiency state, probably associated with X-chromosome deletion . We suggest that the short arm of the X-chromosome exerts its effect on regulatory T cells . Whether the humoral defect is connected with suppressor T cells remains to be established. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1981 Jul, 34(7), 862 - 8 Semisynthetic penicillins . A structure - activity study of a new series of acyl amino acid - pyridone and pyrimidone amoxicillin analogs; Haskell TH et al.; The synthesis and biological activities of a series of 12 new semisynthetic penicillins is described . These compounds consisted of acylated amino acid analogs of 6-substituted-1,2-dihydro-2-oxonicotinic acid and 2-substituted-3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid attached to amoxicillin . The effect of the amino acid substituent, chirality of amino acid and acyl function on biological properties is discussed. Arch Microbiol, 1981 Jul, 129(5), 401 - 2 Sporulation and further nutritional characteristics of Desulfotomaculum acetoxidans; Widdel F et al.; Acetate-oxidizing sulfate-reducing bacteria of the Desulfotomaculum acetoxidans type have been enriched from animal manure, rumen content and dung contaminated freshwater habitats, indicating that they are primarily intestinal bacteria . Sporulation was observed only when acetate was the organic substrate; with butyrate, which allowed faster growth than acetate, spore formation never occurred . The cone-shaped highly refractile areas adjacent to the spores in spore-forming mother cells were shown to be gas vacuoles . Biotin was the only growth factor required by Desulfotomaculum acetoxidans strain 5575 in minimal media with sulfate and acetate or other organic substrates. J Assoc Off Anal Chem, 1981 Jul, 64(4), 980 - 90 Bacitracin determination in feeds: evaluation of methods; Ragheb HS; Assay of bacitracin activity in feeds is subject to many sources of variation . Bacitracin standards are complex mixtures and may contain various amounts of less active forms of bacitracin . Test organisms may respond differently to these mixtures . Collaborative studies should involve the use of one standard, perhaps USP zinc bacitracin . The use of different types of bacitracin standards (regular or zinc) in a laboratory may contribute to variation in sample potency . The pyridine extraction method is subject to serious operational difficulties . Among the contributing factors are incomplete evaporation of pyridine (causing positive bias), allowing the temperature to increase too much during evaporation (causing negative bias), and the numerous manipulative steps in the technique (causing large variability) . Because of these factors and the toxic properties of pyridine, the method finds little use . Methanol extraction offers a better substitute for determining zinc or methylene disalicylate bacitracin in premixes and complete feeds by the plate method. Arch Surg, 1981 Jul, 116(7), 943 - 5 Neutropenic typhlitis in adults; Ikard RW; Typhlitis is a necrotizing process of the cecum, occurring in neutropenic patients who are usually receiving combined chemotherapy . The atonic cecum is affected because of its poor arterial perfusion, the presence of colonic bacteria, and the milieu of immunosuppression . It is a serious but not inevitably fatal complication of the patient's basic illness . Resection of necrotic bowel is necessary . Because this will usually be done on an emergency basis in a very ill patient with unprepared bowel, a two-stage procedure rather than primary anastomosis is advisable . Surgical results may be better in adult than pediatric patients . The incidence of the problem has probably increased since the advent of aggressive drug therapy of the leukopathic states . Judging from the low number of reported adult cases and the apparent inaccuracy of preoperative diagnosis, there may be inadequate physician awareness of typhlitis. Arch Dermatol, 1981 Jul, 117(7), 384 - 7 Topical treatment of alopecia areata; Swanson NA et al.; It has been shown previously that alopecia areata can be treated with dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and other contact allergens . Whether these agents work by inducing immunologic stimulation or simply a nonspecific inflammatory reaction has not been definitively demonstrated . To test the relative importance of these two mechanisms, we have randomly studied 22 patients with alopecia areata to whom either DNCB or croton oil was applied topically . Sixty-three percent of patients without spontaneous regrowth of hair regrew hair after DNCB application . None of those treated with croton oil regrew hair when treated later with DNCB . Therefore, a proved contact allergen was shown to be required for therapeutic success . Patient acceptance of the induced contact dermatitis was excellent . In light of recent data on the mutagenicity of DNCB to bacteria, other contact allergens for topical immunotherapy are being sought. J Invest Dermatol, 1981 Jul, 77(1), 86 - 90 DNA repair responses in human skin cells; Hanawalt PC et al.; Sunlight and some environmental chemical agents produce lesions in the DNA of human skin cells that if unrepaired may interfere with normal functioning of these cells . The most serious outcome of such interactions may be malignancy . It is therefore important to develop an understanding of mechanisms by which the lesions may be repaired or tolerated without deleterious consequences . Our models for the molecular processing of damaged DNA have been derived largely from the study of bacterial systems . Some similarities but significant differences are revealed when human cell responses are tested against these models . It is also of importance to learn DNA repair responses of epidermal keratinocytes for comparison with the more extensive studies that have been carried out with dermal fibroblasts . Our experimental results thus far indicate similarities for the excision-repair of ultraviolet-induced pyrimidine dimers in human keratinocytes and fibroblasts . Both the monoadducts and the interstrand crosslinks produced in DNA by photoactivated 8-methoxypsoralen (PUVA) can be repaired in normal human fibroblasts but not in those from xeroderma pigmentosum patients . The monoadducts, like pyrimidine dimers, are probably the more mutagenic/carcinogenic lesions while the crosslinks are less easily repaired and probably result in more effective blocking of DNA function . It is suggested that a split-dose protocol that maximizes the production of crosslinks while minimizing the yield of monoadducts may be more effective and potentially less carcinogenic than the single ultraviolet exposure regimen in PUVA therapy for psoriasis. Endoscopy, 1981 Jul, 13(4), 178 - 80 Tuberculosis of the pancreas; Stock KP et al.; In a case report, the rate condition of tuberculosis of the pancreas is described . There are two conceivable ways in which the pancreas may become diseased: 1 . toxic-allergic reaction of the pancreas in response to generalized tuberculosis (so-called concomitant pancreatis) 2 . Invasion of the pancreas by tubercle bacteria disseminated via the blood, or through penetration of the organ by adjacent caseating abdominal lymph nodes . Histologically, epithelioid cells and Langhans' giant cells are only rarely found; caseation usually develops, with subsequent calcification, which can lead to stenosis of the pancreatic duct . In patients with generalized tuberculosis and abdominal complaints, the diagnosis is most reliably established on the basis of ERCP and CAT . In the presence of pain, resection of the affected portion of the pancreas may be considered as means of treatment. Cancer Res, 1981 Jul, 41(7), 2912 - 6 Serum sialyltransferase and liver catalase activity in cachectic nude mice bearing a human malignant melanoma; Kondo Y et al.; Cachexia is rare in nude mice bearing human malignant tumors even when the transplanted tumors become as large as the body size of the host . In our series on heterotransplantation of a variety of human malignant tumors into nude mice, a malignant melanoma (SEKI) was found to induce severe body weight loss in the host at the early stage of transplantation . There was no electrolyte disturbance, hyper- or hypoadrenocorticism, hyperthyroidism, or destruction of cells of vital organs to account for the weight loss . Moreover, no evidence was obtained for concomitant infection with bacteria, Mycoplasma or fungi . These cachectic mice revealed remarkably increased levels of serum sialyltransferase and decreased liver catalase activity . The removal of tumor tissues from these mice resulted in prompt recovery of body weight, serum sialyltransferase, and liver catalase activity within 1 to 2 weeks . On the basis of the results obtained, the SEKI melanoma was thought to have produced a pathophysiological state in host nude mice which was very similar to that of cachexia in cancer patients . Nude mice bearing transplants of SEKI melanoma may provide a useful system for the study of cancer cachexia in humans. Am J Med, 1981 Jul, 71(1), 161 - 4 Granulomatous tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome caused by Sporothrix schenckii; Stratton CW et al.; Although the usual form of sporotrichosis is a lymphocutaneous lesion, Sporothrix schenckii can cause articular disease that is difficult to diagnose . We describe two patients with sporotrichosis who presented with tenosynovitis and the carpal tunnel syndrome . A tissue specimen is required for a precise diagnosis; granulomatous tenosynovitis suggests an infectious cause . Unless appropriate cultures for bacteria, mycobacteria and fungi are obtained, the diagnosis may be missed or delayed . Mouse inoculations may be required to isolate S . schenckii from tissue, which rarely shows the delicate fungus in histologic sections . Our patients were cured by a combination of synovectomy and the intravenous administration of amphotericin B . Sporotrichosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the carpal tunnel syndrome, particularly when surgical exploration discloses a granulomatous tenosynovitis. J Neurosurg, 1981 Jul, 55(1), 99 - 107 Shunt nephritis . Role of the complement system in its pathogenesis and management; Wyatt RJ et al.; Three cases of shunt nephritis in which serial complement levels were obtained during the course of treatment are presented to illustrate the value of monitoring complement levels in the management of this condition . In shunt nephritis, circulating immune complexes are formed which contain antigen from bacteria of low virulence . These complexes, which activate the classical complement pathway, are reflected in most cases by lowering of the serum levels of C1, C2, C4, and C3 . These levels promptly return to normal after the initiation of effective therapy . Serial determinations of serum levels of complement protein provide a sensitive and reliable method for early determination of efficacy of therapy in shunt nephritis. J Clin Microbiol, 1981 Jul, 14(1), 116 - 8 Lack of clinical relevance in routine terminal subculturing of blood cultures; Gill VJ; The usefulness of performing final blind subcultures of previously negative blood cultures was evaluated over a 21-month period . From over 14,000 blood culture bottles blindly subcultured after 7 days of incubation, only 12 potentially significant organisms were found . The finding of these 12 organisms did not influence patient care since in 11 instances the same organism had already been reported from prior positive bottles and in 1 instance the patient had already died . These results suggest that blind 7-day subcultures are of minimal value . Other factors that need to be considered before eliminating the final subculture are presented. J Periodontol, 1981 Jul, 52(7), 367 - 73 Lymphocyte transformation responses in gingivitis and periodontitis . A review; Campana LR; Recent research in oral immunology has implied that cell-mediated immune reactions are a possible pathogenic mechanism in gingivitis and periodontitis . The basis for the most commonly used in vitro test, lymphocyte transformation, and the possible interpretation are explained . The application of this test to a study of medically healthy subjects with varying degrees of periodontal disease yielded conflicting results . Previous reports in the literature have not established a relationship between blastogenic responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes in periodontally diseased patients, and their disease status . The possibility of subclinical sensitization is discussed, although a cause-and-effect relationship has not been proven. Ann Immunol (Paris), 1981 Jul-Aug, 132D(1), 15 - 24 Genetic factors involved in murine susceptibility to experimental brucellosis; Cannat A et al.; C57BL/6 are more resistant than DBA2 mice to Brucella suis 1330 . This difference does not concern the blood clearance of the i.v . inoculated bacteria or the number of infective colonies in the spleen at very early stages but the splenic infection at later stages with maximal differences on day +7 . The "resistance" character is inherited by F1 and back-crosses as a partially dominant character with polygenic control and a better expression of resistant factor(s) in females . This phenomenon of sex limitation is independent of male-female matings and therefore not sex-linked . Association of the "resistance" character with known genetic markers was investigated using (B6 X DB) X DB back-crosses, BALB/B, BALB/c, C3H/eb and C3H/HeJ mice . No correlation of "resistance" with Ig allotypes, the "d" coat color or the LPS genes was evidenced . On the other hand significant differences in the number of splenic colonies on day 7 were observed according to the H-2 haplotype or the "b" coat color phenotypes . These results are discussed in terms of: a) the partially common and partially independent genetic regulation of susceptibility to experimental brucellosis and antibody response to Brucella antigens; b) the possible importance of sex-dependent and MHC or chromosom 4-linked genetic factors for bacterial immunity. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1981 Jul, 20(1), 30 - 2 Epimers of moxalactam: in vitro comparison of activity and stability; Wise R et al.; Moxalactam exists in two epimeric forms, R and S . The in vitro activity of these two epimers was compared with that of material available for clinical and laboratory use (R + S moxalactam) . Generally, R moxalactam was twice as active as the S form . The stability of R + S moxalactam was studied at 37, 20, 4 and -20 degrees C in buffer and serum . Only in serum at 37 degrees C was there any appreciable loss of activity (half-life, 8 h) . The stability of R and S epimers was studied separately, and the composition of the resulting equilibrium was investigated . At 37 degrees C in serum, one-half of the excess of either R or S over the equilibrium mixture was converted into the equilibrium mixture in 1.5 h . The proportions of R to S in an equilibrium mixture in buffer were 50:50, but in serum they were 45:55 . It is doubtful whether these differences in stability and activity will have any significant clinical importance. Lab Anim, 1981 Jul, 15(3), 235 - 42 Lethal pneumonia in guinea pigs associated with a virus; Naumann S et al.; No bacteria were observed in an epizootic of lethal pneumonia in guinea pigs . Necrotic bronchitis and bronchiolitis with basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in bronchial epithelial cells were characteristic . Although adenovirus infection of guinea pigs has not previously been reported, histological findings paralleled those found in adenovirus infections of other animals including man . Virus particles found by electron-microscopical examination of the lung tissue closely resembled adenoviruses . The disease seemed to have a low contagiousness, a low morbidity (about 0.7%), but an acute course and a high mortality (100%). Appl Environ Microbiol, 1981 Jul, 42(1), 89 - 96 Regulation of urease and ammonia assimilatory enzymes in Selenomonas ruminantium; Smith CJ et al.; Urease and glutamine synthetase activities in Selenomonas ruminantium strain D were highest in cells grown in ammonia-limited, linear-growth cultures or when certain compounds other than ammonia served as the nitrogen source and limited the growth rate in batch cultures . Glutamate dehydrogenase activity was highest during glucose (energy)-limited growth or when ammonia was not growth limiting . A positive correlation (R = 0.96) between glutamine synthetase and urease activities was observed for a variety of growth conditions, and both enzyme activities were simultaneously repressed when excess ammonia was added to ammonia-limited, linear-growth cultures . The glutamate analog methionine sulfoximine (MSX), inhibited glutamine synthetase activity in vitro, but glutamate dehydrogenase, glutamate synthase, and urease activities were not affected . The addition of MSX (0.1 to 100 mM) to cultures growing with 20 mM ammonia resulted in growth rate inhibition that was dependent upon the concentration of MSX and was overcome by glutamine addition . Urease activity in MSX-inhibited cultures was increased significantly, suggesting that ammonia was not the direct repressor of urease activity . In ammonia-limited, linear-growth cultures, MSX addition resulted in growth inhibition, a decrease in GS activity, and an increase in urease activity . These results are discussed with respect to the importance of glutamine synthetase and glutamate dehydrogenase for ammonia assimilation under different growth conditions and the relationship of these enzymes to urease. Science, 1981 J