J Biol Buccale, 1980 Dec, 8(4), 299 - 313 {Scanning electron microscopy of dental plaque and tartar on the surface of human cementum}; Bercy P et al.; Supragingival plaque covering cementum, exposed through withdrawal of the epithelial attachment, presented the same bacterial polymorphism as nature dental plaque . Rounded, filamentous and rod-shaped organisms were observed . In some areas, the presence of extracellular material corresponded to plaque matrix . Corn cob configurations consisting of central filamentous bacteria associated with peripheral cocci were often seen in the supragingival plaque overlaying the cementum . The observation of cementum calculus allowed the differentiation of supragingival and subgingival calculus . The first consisted mostly of calcified dental plaque . The calcification started more often in the interbacterial matrix, but sometimes an initial calcification of the bacterial bodies was noted . Beside this calcified bacterial plaque, crystalline inorganic deposits devoid of micro-organisms were observed . The same differences were noted in subgingival calculus but the proportion was clearly reversed . Amicrobial crystalline deposits were more frequent and calcified bacteria were more uncommon. Am Fam Physician, 1980 Dec, 22(6), 120 - 4 Eye cytology; Schumann GB et al.; Scrapings of the conjunctiva should be obtained as part of the evaluation of the inflamed eye . Conjunctival specimens are obtained by a simple technique using readily available materials . Anesthesia is usually not required . Viral or fungal elements, as well as bacteria, can be identified . Cytologic studies reveal the character of exudates and premalignant or malignant lesions . Adenovirus and herpes simplex produce characteristic cellular changes and inclusion bodies. Science, 1980 Nov 28, 210(4473), 973 - 8 Silent nucleotide substitutions and the molecular evolutionary clock; Jukes TH; Half of the nucleotide substitutions during the evolutionary divergence of genes in animals, bacteria, and viruses are silent changes . These result from an inherent biochemical property of DNA and are fixed by genetic drift . Evolution may be viewed as a device for protecting DNA molecules from extinction. Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1980 Nov-Dec, 131B(3), 223 - 37 {Polypeptidic composition analysis of "Chlamydia" purified elementary bodies by polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis (author's transl)}; Lefebvre JF et al.; The study of the polypeptidic components of elementary bodies of various strains of Chlamydia might help in the classification of these bacteria . The use of a satisfactory method for the preparation of purified elementary bodies has permitted the electrophoretic analysis of their crude lysate on polyacrylamide gel in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate . Differences between the strain LB 1 C . trachomatis and the strains Loth and MP 1 C . psittaci were found. J Cell Physiol, 1980 Nov, 105(2), 313 - 25 Mammalian cells do not have a stringent response; Pollard JW et al.; A key attribute of the stringent response of bacteria is the rapid inhibition of ribosomal RNA synthesis mediated by unusual nucleotides in respnse to uncharged tRNA . The question as to whether mammalian cells show a stringent response analogous to that of bacteria was critically tested by the effective rapid amino acid starvation of both normal and transformed cells . Rapid starvation giving a high proportion of uncharged tRNA for leucine was produced within 7 minutes of expression of a nonleaky ts leucyl tRNA synthetase mutation in transformed CHO cells (tsH1) and in its normal growth control revertant (L-73) . To control for the effect of temperature alone, ts revertants of tsH1 and L-73 were included in the study, and to control for effects due simply to the inhibition of protein synthesis, the translational elongation inhibitor cycloheximide was used . In addition, rapid starvation for histidine was effected by incubation of both the CHO cell lines and of freshly explanted normal Chinese hamster embryo fibroblasts in histidine-free medium containing high concentrations of histidinol . The rate of preribosomal RNA synthesis and the extent of its maturation to mature rRNA was measured using (3H-methyl) methionine as a donor of methyl groups during synthesis and methylation of pre-rRNA . There was no effect on pre-rRNA synthesis of the rapid generation of uncharged tRNA for 45 minutes for any of the cell types tested . A nonspecific inhibition of maturation of 18S rRNA and late (3 hour) inhibition of pre-rRNA synthesis was observed, but could be mimicked by the inhibition of protein synthesis to comparable levels with cycloheximide . Less severe amino acid starvation resulting in a more physiological inhibition of protein synthesis to 30% also had no specific effect on pre-rRNA synthesis and maturation . Intracellular nucleotide pools were also examined for the appearance of unusual nucleotides such as guanosine tetraphosphate or pentaphosphate and for changes in the levels of normal nucleotides after severe amino acid starvation . No such changes could be detected . We conclude that although mammalian cells may have some biochemical reactions which respond to uncharged tRNA, they do not possess a macromolecular control system analogous to the stringent response of bacteria. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1980 Nov 1, 177(9), 854 - 7 Disseminated hexamitiasis in Siamese fighting fish; Ferguson HW et al.; One hundred forty Siamese fighting fish became inappetent and lethargic and developed swollen abdomens . One hundred fish died, many with perforated stomachs . Hexamitid parasites were found in large numbers in the abdominal cavity and in the mesentery and the parenchyma of the liver, spleen, and kidney, where they were closely associated with a chronic inflammatory response . Species of bacteria recovered from the peritoneal cavity were believed to be secondary invaders . The 40 surviving fish, including some sick ones, were treated with nifurpirinol at the rate of 0.2 mg/L and 5 mg/kg of body weight, by means of a bath and a feed medication, respectively . The sick fish recovered, and no more died. J Clin Pathol, 1980 Nov, 33(11), 1086 - 91 An investigation into the efficiency of disposable face masks; Rogers KB; Disposable face masks used in hospitals have been assessed for the protection afforded the patient and the wearer by challenges of simulated natural conditions of stress . Operating theatre masks made of synthetic materials allow the wearer to breathe through the masks, and these have been shown to protect the patient well but the wearer slightly less . Cheaper paper masks are worn for ward duties, and of these only the Promask protected in area in front of the wearer: air does not pass through this mask, expired air is prevented from passing forward, and the wearer breathes unfiltered air . All the other paper masks tested allowed many bacteria-laden particles to pass through them. Cesk Patol, 1980 Nov, 16(4), 169 - 73 {Granulomatous orchitis}; Povysil C; Granulomas consisted of mononuclear elements of different size, and fell into the following three basic categories: 1 . phagocytic type of epitheloid cells with multiple tiny phagolysosomal-type dense bodies, 2 . epitheloid cells without phagolysosomal apparatus, 3 . macrophages with larger phagolysosome sporadically containing particles reminiscent of residua of partially "digested" bacteria . Isolated malacoplakic bodies were found in elements of this type . The findings are examined in the discussion section. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 1980 Nov 1, 105(21), 892 - 9 {Water activity as a parameter of keeping quality (author's transl)}; Labots H et al.; Water activity (aw) is an important property of foods, particularly in relation to the keeping quality . Ever since the Council Directive 77/99/EEC of December 21, 1976 regarding sanitary conditions of meat products for inter-community trade came into operation, water activity was introduced as a parameter in the assessment of meat products . Water activity, i.e . the ratio of the equilibrium vapour pressure of the product to the equilibrium vapour pressure of pure water, can be determined by various methods . Reliable results were obtained using the Sinascope, an electronic hygrometer . Less accurate results were obtained with Lufft's polyamide thread hygrometer . The distinction between perishable and storable meat products, based on pH and aw, is not very rational and lacks a sufficiently scientific foundation. Pediatrics, 1980 Nov, 66(5), 720 - 4 Fever; Kluger MJ; Fever, the regulation of body temperature at an elevated level, is a common response to infection throughout the vertebrates . Mammals and birds rely on both physiologic and behavioral mechanisms to raise their body temperatures to this elevated thermoregulatory "set-point" during infection . Lower vertebrates such as fishes and reptiles primarily rely on behavior to elevate their body temperatures . For example, the febrile lizard will spend greater lengths of time near a heat source, and as a result its body temperature rises . A fever appears to be induced by a variety of substances such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi . These inducers of fever result in various types of phagocytes producing a heat-labile protein(s?), endogenous pyrogen . It is this endogenous pyrogen that is thought to result, ultimately, in the thermoregulatory set-point being raised . Within the past several years considerable evidence has accumulated that moderate elevations in body temperature are beneficial to the infected host . Studies with bacterial and viral infected animals have shown that moderate fevers increase survival rate . Many components of the nonspecific host defense response to infection such as leukocyte mobility, lymphocyte transformation, and effects of interferon, appear to be enhanced by elevations in temperature that simulate moderate fevers . In addition, some evidence indicates that a fever in conjunction with the changes in plasma iron levels known to occur during infection is a synergistic host defense response . More research needs to be done to determine for specific diseases whether moderate fevers are beneficial, neutral, or harmful to the infected host. Biochem J, 1980 Nov 1, 191(2), 561 - 9 Structure of diabolic acid-containing phospholipids isolated from Butyrivibrio sp; Clarke NG et al.; The structures of the diabolic acid-containing phospholipids of Buryrivibrio S2 grown in the presence of palmitic acid have been investigated . Generally they consist of two conventional bacterial phospholipid or galactolipid structures linked by esterification through a single diabolic acid residue . The main lipid consists of the butyroyl ester of sn-1-alkenylglycero-3-phospho-1'-sn-glycerol joined in this way to the butyroyl ester of sn-1-alkenyl-3-galactosylglycerol by esterification of the vacant 2-hydroxy groups of the alkenyl-substituted glycerol molecules . A lipid that possess a palmitoyl group rather than one of the butyroyl groups of the latter structure has also been detected . The lipid occurring in the second highest concentration consists of two molecules of sn-1-alkenylglycero-3-phospho-sn-1'-glycerol butyroyl ester linked through diabolic acid in a similar manner to the main lipid . Other lipids with the latter structure either minus a butyroyl group or with palmitoyl group, instead of one of the buryroyl groups, exist as minor components. Arch Toxicol, 1980 Nov, 46(1-2), 195 - 8 International programme for the evaluation of short-term tests for carcinogenicity; Purchase IF et al.; A brief report of the design and initial results from the International Programme for the Evaluation of Short-Term Tests for Carcinogenicity is presented . A total of 42 chemicals, including 14 structurally-related, carcinogen/non-carcinogen pairs were coded and submitted for testing in 35 assays . Several of the assays provided good predictions of carcinogenic potential . The results revealed the advantages and disadvantages of the assays used and provide some indication of the applicability of the tests to screening for carcinogenicity. Acta Otolaryngol, 1980 Nov-Dec, 90(5-6), 342 - 52 Ultrastructural morphology of mucoid effusion in secretory otitis media; Sipila P et al.; The ultrastructural morphology of 19 mucoid middle ear effusions in 14 children with secretory otitis media was studied . Phagocytosing neutrophil granulocytes were the most common inflammatory cells, and ingested bacteria were present in some of them . The next in frequency were macrophages and lymphocytes . Monocytes and polyblasts were also present in most specimens . No plasma cells, eosinophil granulocytes or mast cells were seen . Epithelial cells were common, and great numbers of free and phagocytosed mucus granules were found . Considerable numbers of all the celltypes were in various stages of disintegration . Thus, it seems that the effusion in secretory otitis media is primarily of inflammatory origin, and the dissolution of the cells with liberated cellular contents, together with the secretion of the mucosa, contributes to the formation of the effusion. Am J Clin Nutr, 1980 Nov, 33(11), 2338 - 45 Lectins in the United States diet: a survey of lectins in commonly consumed foods and a review of the literature; Nachbar MS et al.; Plant lectins or phytohemagglutinins possess potent in vivo biological activities . Some, primarily of the family Leguminosae, have been shown to have deleterious nutritional effects . Little information exists, however, regarding the prevalence of lectins or the specific foods that contain lectins in the United States diet . In the present study the edible parts of 29 of 88 foods tested, including common salad ingredients, fresh fruits, roasted nuts, and processed cereals were found to possess significant lectin-like activity as assessed by hemagglutination and bacterial agglutination assays . Based on this survey and a review of the literature we conclude that dietary exposure to plant lectins is widespread . The spectrum of nutritional consequences of such exposure remains to be determined. J Periodontol, 1980 Nov, 51(11), 642 - 51 Neutrophils and IgG at the host-plaque interface on children's teeth; Newman HN; This study is part of an investigation aimed at discovering how subcontact area plaque, unlike corresponding embrasure plaque, survives the host response and enters the gingival crevice . Approximal gingival margin plaques incorporating these two sites were obtained from children's teeth and subjected to transmission electron and immunoelectron microscopy . The specimens were examined for the main components of the initial host response at the plaque-host interface, namely polymorphonuclear leukocytes and IgG . Both were found preferentially at the actual apical border of plaque, especially in embrasures . Some polymorphs showed evidence of phagocytosis . Most of those in contact with plaque showed lysosome and glycogen loss and occasional phagocytosis . It was concluded that at least one important mechanism by which chronic gingivitis and approximal caries are initiated, involves lack of polymorph activity apical to the contact area . Possible explanations include the stagnation of gingival fluid so that neutrophils do not reach the plaque, failure of neutrophils to adhere to tapering border plaque, lysis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) or elaboration of antichemotactic or other factors inhibiting PMN function by the colonizers of the gingival crevice. J Dent Res, 1980 Nov, 59(11), 1946 - 52 Some observations on in vitro dental plaques; Bibby BG et al.; A method is described for growing plaques in vitro in a flow of human saliva . Similarities between these in vitro plaques and natural in vivo plaques are seen in physical properties, bacterial composition, and pH response to sucrose solution. J Protozool, 1980 Nov, 27(4), 491 - 7 Electron microprobe analysis of zinc incorporation into rumen protozoa; Bonhomme A et al.; With the aid of electron microprobe analysis on ciliate spreads, we detected zinc in ciliates and its accumulation in the endoplasm . A correlation was found between the amount of zinc accumulation and its concentration in the medium . By the same microprobe analysis of of ultrathin sections, we determined semiquantitatively the zinc accumulation in the intracytoplasmic granules and its presence in macronuclei and in intra- and extracellular bacteria. Infect Immun, 1980 Nov, 30(2), 409 - 12 Comparison of muramyl dipeptide, trehalose dimycolate, and dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide as adjuvants in Brucella abortus 45/20 vaccines; Woodard LF et al.; The capacity of trehalose dimycolate (TDM), muramyl dipeptide (MDP), and dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide (DDA)--alone or in combination--to potentiate the immunogenicity of killed Brucella abortus 45/20 bacteria was studied in guinea pigs . Bacterins that contained TDM in oil droplet emulsion were as effective in the prevention of brucellosis as those emulsified in Freund complete adjuvant, wereas bacterins that contained a combination of TDM and MDP were most effective . Vaccinal emulsions of bacteria and MDP were ineffective in the prevention of splenic infections . Likewise, DDA was unable to potentiate acquired resistance to Brucella . Addition of DDA to 1% oil emulsions of bacteria, TDM, and MDP eliminated protection . Adjuvants without bacteria were not able to nonspecifically protect animals from infection, although TDM was able to significantly reduce the numbers of splenic Brucella . A positive correlation (P < 0.0001) between splenic infection and splenic weight was found. J Bacteriol, 1980 Nov, 144(2), 592 - 602 Capnocytophaga spp . contain sulfonolipids that are novel in procaryotes; Godchaux W 3rd et al.; A group of unusual sulfonolipids was found in bacteria of the genus Capnocytophaga . One of these lipids, to which we have assigned the trivial name capnine, was isolated in 98% pure form and was identified, by infrared absorption spectrometry, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and other methods, as 2-amino-3-hydroxy-15-methylhexadecane-1-sulfonic acid . Another lipid appears to be an N-acylated version of capnine; after acid hydrolysis, its sulfur was recovered in a form chromatographically indistinguishable from that of capnine . The new lipids are related structurally to sphingosine and the ceramides, respectively, but differ markedly from those compounds in important respects, notably the presence of the sulfonate group . Some Capnocytophaga strains accumulated mostly capnine, whereas others accumulated mostly N-acylcapnine . All seven strains examined were found to contain the new lipids, in amounts ranging from 7 to 16 mumol/g of cells (wet weight) . The lipids were found in isolated cell envelopes, where they were present in amounts ranging up to 400 mg/g of envelope protein; they are, accordingly, major cell components. J Periodontol, 1980 Nov, 51(11), 632 - 41 The effect of different plaque control modalities on the keratinizing potential of the sulcular epithelium in monkeys; Bye FL et al.; The purpose of this study was to determine if various plaque control regimes would be effective in permitting the gingival sulcular epithelium to keratinize . Three adult Rhesus monkeys had their teeth scaled and were placed on specific plaque control regimes including various combinations of prophylaxes, topical chlorhexidine and systemic tetracycline . Over the 2-month experimental period, weekly Plaque and Gingival Indices were determined . Subgingival plaque samples were obtained during the first 2 treatment weeks and at the end of the 1st month . Block sections of individual teeth from the different experimental regimes were serially sectioned to be evaluated histologically for inflammation and keratinization . Plaque and Gingival Indices were significantly reduced by the end of the 8th week compared to the pretreatment levels for all experimental regimes, except that the regime consisting only of three prophylaxes per week failed to reduce the Gingival Index significantly . Rubber cup prophylaxes were less effective in reducing plaque and inflammation than when the prophylaxes were combined with topical chlorhexidine application or systemic tetracycline administration . However, all experimental regimes were capable of reducing the subgingival bacterial flora to a level permitting sufficient reduction in gingival inflammation so that sulcular keratinization would occur . Some degree of sulcular keratinization was observed for every tooth of all experimental regimes . All regimes caused a significant decrease in the Inflammatory Indices relative to the control values . A negative correlation was found between the Crestal Inflammatory Index and the Keratin Width and Keratin Length, while a positive correlation was apparent between the Keratin Width and Keratin Length. Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1980 Nov, 125(11), 3 - 9 {Pathogenesis and treatment of endotoxic shock}; D'iachenko PK; In addition to foci of suppurative inflammation the cyclic income of bacteria and products of their decay into the general circulation from the zone of microcirculation may be responsible for the transit septic toxemia and endotoxic shock . Highly virulent bacteria which had lost the connection with the primary focus can find their temporary refuge and conditions for their reproduction in non-functioning rest capillaries with the closed precapillary sphincters . The author proposes a method of provocative-infusive antiseptic therapy aimed at opening the capillaries with the help of vasoleptic agents (novocain, gangliolytic drugs), the elimination of bacteria in the sites of their cultivation and in the vascular bed (stroke doses of antiseptic drugs of the purposeful action), accelerated release of toxins by forced diuresis (osmodiuretics) which was found to be effective in 8 of 9 patients with endotoxic shock. Science, 1980 Oct 17, 210(4467), 329 - 30 Genotoxicity of the antihypertensive drugs hydralazine and dihydralazine; Williams GM et al.; The genotoxicity of the antihypertensive agents hydralazine and dihydralazine was tested in mammalian cells and bacteria . Both drugs elicited DNA repair in rat hepatocyte primary cultures . In the Ames test, both with and without an S-9 fraction, hydralazine was mutagenic in strains TA100 and TA1537, whereas dihydralazine was weakly mutagenic in strain TA1537 . These findings support the observation that hydralazine is carcinogenic in mice . The carcinogenicity of many chemicals results from interaction with DNA . Since these studies demonstrate that hydralazine and dihydralazine damage DNA in mammalian cells, these drugs should be viewed as potential human carcinogens. Can J Microbiol, 1980 Oct, 26(10), 1184 - 90 Psychrophiles, psychrotrophs, and mesophiles in an environment which experiences seasonal temperature fluctuations; Ferroni GD et al.; The quantification of psychrophilic/psychrotrophic and mesophilic, heterotrophic bacteria from a lake which experiences seasonal temperature fluctuations showed that the psychrophilic/psychrotrophic population ranged in number from 1212 to 87000/mL, whereas the mesophilic population ranged from 67 to 3783/mL, for sediment-water interface samples over the yearly cycle . The relative abundance of psychrophiles/psychrotrophs and mesophiles varied with season, but psychrophilic/psychrotrophic bacteria were found to predominate on every sampling occasion . A considerable number of the 37 degree C isolates were found to be psychrotrophs having broad temperature ranges for growth . An especially notable result was the isolation os psychrophiles on every sampling occasion, and in such high numbers, from this "nonpermanently cold" environment . A total of 388 isolates were described according to Gram reaction, colony and cell morphology, biochemical activities, and thermal type, and on the basis of similarities they were grouped into 158 "working types" with their frequencies of occurrence, for all four samplings, did not reveal a direct relationship between numerical predominance and growth rate as determined by temperature. Arch Dis Child, 1980 Oct, 55(10), 810 - 2 D-Lactic acidosis in a boy with short bowel syndrome; Schoorel EP et al.; Metabolic acidosis in a 3-year-old child with short bowel syndrome led to the discovery of massive D-lactic aciduria . After normalisation of the intestinal bacterial flora, D-lactate disappeared together with the acidosis . Dysbacteriosis with excessive production of D-lactate by intestinal bacteria (unidentified) and subsequent absorption explains this unusual cause of metabolic acidosis. J Clin Pathol, 1980 Oct, 33(10), 921 - 5 Monocytes in inflammatory bowel disease: phagocytosis and intracellular killing; Mee AS et al.; The ability of peripheral blood monocytes from patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease to phagocytose and kill a standard strain of Staphyloccus aureus has been studied . Using lysostaphin, a rapidly acting muralytic enzyme, phagocytosis could be accurately differentiated from intracellular killing . When compared with normal healthy individuals and patients with gastrointestinal diseases not thought to be immunologically mediated, monocytes from patients with inflammatory bowel disease showed a statistically significant increase in the number of bacteria phagocytosed in 2 hours . There was no difference, however, between patients with Crohn's disease and those with ulcerative colitis . For all groups studied, more than 95% of ingested organisms were killed, and there was no difference between groups . These results suggest that peripheral blood monocytes in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are activated . It is unlikely that the granulomata of Crohn's disease result from a defect in the microbicidal function of the monocyte/macrophage system. Arch Surg, 1980 Oct, 115(10), 1207 - 9 Effect of cholecystectomy on cold insoluble globulin; Robbins AB et al.; Levels of cold insoluble globulin (CIG), also called opsonic alpha2 surface-binding glycoprotein, humoral recognition factor, and fibronectin, are depressed as a result of major trauma . This protein normally promotes the phagocytosis and removal of abnormal particles and bacteria by cells of the recticuloendothelial system . Although CIG depends on macrophages as the effector cells for its opsonic function as is true of both antibody and complement, CIG is neither part of nor dependent on these systems for its opsonic activity . Using a new, rapid bioassay, we have demonstrated that in humans subjected to operative trauma, circulating CIG levels are considerably depressed in the early hours after operation and return to normal within 24 hours . The observed decreases in titer varied in extent, time of onset, and duration . Continuing study is designed to determine potential correlation between initial levels of CIG, decreases in titer resulting from operation, and the incidence of postoperative infection. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1980 Oct, 40(4), 840 - 6 Characteristics of anaerobic oxalate-degrading enrichment cultures from the rumen; Dawson KA et al.; Enrichment cultures of rumen bacteria degraded oxalate within 3 to 7 days in a medium containing 10% rumen fluid and an initial level of 45 mM sodium oxalate . This capability was maintained in serially transferred cultures . One mole of methane was produced per 3.8 mol of oxalate degraded . Molecular hydrogen and formate inhibited oxalate degradation but not methanogenesis; benzyl viologen and chloroform inhibited both oxalate degradation and methanogenesis . Attempts to isolate oxalate-degrading bacteria from these cultures were not successful . Oxalate degradation was uncoupled from methane production when enrichments were grown in continuous culture at dilution rates greater than or equal to 0.078 h-1 . Growth of the uncoupled population (lacking methanogens) in batch culture was accompanied by degradation of 45 mM oxalate within 24 h and production of 0.93 mol of formate per mol of oxalate degraded . Oxalate degradation by the uncoupled population was not inhibited by molecular hydrogen or formate . Cell yields (grams {dry weight}) per mole of oxalate degraded by the primary enrichment and the uncoupled populations were 1.7 and 1.0, respectively. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1980 Oct, 40(4), 777 - 82 Mercury methylation by fish intestinal contents; Rudd JW et al.; A new radiochemical method has been applied to the examination of mercury methylation in fish intestinal contents . Intestinal contents of six freshwater fish species were found capable of converting 203Hg2+ to CH3203Hg+ . This activity was observed in fish from five of six lakes tested whether or not there was mercury pollution . Bacterial activity in the intestinal contents is most likely responsible for this methylation . Methylating activity of piscivors increased with decreasing quantity of intestinal contents . Generally, pike and walleye intestinal contents methylated a larger fraction of 203Hg2+ than those of whitefish and suckers . These data contradict the previous general conclusion that there is no mercury methylation in fish. Antibiotiki, 1980 Oct, 25(10), 738 - 43 {Equations of the relationship of biomass growth and metabolic product biosynthesis in the presence of an inhibition effect}; Biriukov VV; Equations of relationship between the rate of metabolite biosynthesis q and specific rate of the culture growth mu were set up theoretically on the basis of kinetic equations connecting q and mu with the environment factor S . The inhibiting effect of S on q and/or mu was considered in the Ierusalimsky or Andrews equations . The equations of relation q (mu) provide consideration of various experimental relations . The equation choice is based on the character of the convexity of concavity of the experimental curves of relation q (mu) . Equations q(mu) posess a less number of constants than both equations q (S) and mu (S) . It was found that when S affected mu as a limiting or inhibiting factor depending on its value, relation q(mu) was not simple . In this connection it is not convenient for use in mathematical description of the process and control problems. Acta Zool Pathol Antverp, 1980 Oct, (75), 149 - 64 {Methods used for the in vivo study of the mutagenic properties of chemical substances}; Leonard A; Since man is much more closely related to other mammals than to bacteria fungi, plants or Drosophila, information obtained from mammals have obviously a much greater relevance to man than those from lower animals . Only the intact mammal can be utilized to obtain information on pharmacokinetic aspects such as absorption, elimination, biotransformation both inside and outside the target cells . Most mammalian assay systems employed for routine screening of mutagenic action rely on the detection of chromosome breaks in bone marrow, testis or in the dominant lethal test . In conclusion, it can be stated that in all cases, on should be guided by the consideration that no genetic risk whatsoever is acceptable when the mutagenic compound presents no clear benefit or when an alternative is available . Is this not the case, risks must be carefully balanced against possible benefits of the application of the mutagenic agent in question. Biochem J, 1980 Oct 1, 191(1), 37 - 43 cis,cis-Muconate cyclase from Trichosporon cutaneum; Gaal A et al.; The inducible enzyme catalysing the conversion of cis,cis-muconate to (+)-muconolactone was purified 300-fold from the yeast Trichosporon cutaneum, grown on phenol . The enzyme has a sharp pH optimum at pH 6.6 . It reacts also with several monohalogen derivatives and with one monomethyl derivative of cis,cis-muconate, but not with cis,trans- or trans,trans-muconate or 3-carboxy-cis,cis-muconate . In contrast with the corresponding enzymes in bacteria, the yeast enzyme does not require added divalent metal ions for activity and is not inhibited by EDTA . The purified enzyme can be resolved into two peaks by isoelectric focusing . The two forms have pI 4.58 (cis,cis-muconate cyclase I) and pI 4.74 (cis, cis-muconate cyclase II), respectively . Each of these is homogenous on polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in the absence or presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate . The two enzyme forms have the same molecular weight (50000) as determined by gel filtration and by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis . They have the same Km value (25 microM) for cis,cis-muconate . They differ with respect to their content of free thiol groups . cis, cis-Muconate cyclase I contains one thiol group, essential for activity, but relatively stable upon storage . cis, cis-Muconate cyclase II contains two thiol groups that are readily oxidized during storage with concomitant loss of activity. Can J Microbiol, 1980 Oct, 26(10), 1247 - 52 Pedigreed stocks of Mycobacterium lepraemurium for cultivation and metabolic studies; Dhople AM et al.; Experience has shown that a prime requirement for investigations with Mycobacterium lepraemurium is pedigreed stocks of cells which provide constant baselines over a long period of time . Biochemical indicator, ATP, was employed to devise a method for preservation of metabolic pools of M . lepraemurium during storage . ATP assays were made by the luciferin-luciferase bioluminescent method . Several cryoprotective agents were compared at -76 and 4 degrees C . The essential steps have been found to be (i) for prolonged storage and constant supply of material, to freeze the intracellular bacteria within infected cells containing 28% proteins, i.e., to freeze the infected tissue; and (ii) when a large number of diverse experiments are to be undertaken on a single suspension, to stabilize working stocks of refrigerated cells for 12-16 weeks by using bovine serum albumin, fraction V, and Difco yeast supplement B to compensate for the leaching of intracellular cofactors, metabolites, nucleotides, etc. Laryngoscope, 1980 Oct, 90(10 Pt 1), 1717 - 9 Draining ears in acute otitis media: reliability of culture; Schwartz RH et al.; The purulent exudates in the ear canal of 69 children who presented with acute otorrhea were cultured directly onto standard media . No effort was made to either suction out the exudate lying in the canal or to use antiseptic agents on the canal wall . Potential pathogens such as H . influenzae, S . pneumoniae and S . pyogenous were recovered from two-thirds of the patients who suffered spontaneous otorrhea . Reliable cultures can be obtained from such patients provided the cultures are plated expeditiously on solid agar. Dig Dis Sci, 1980 Oct, 25(10), 802 - 6 Malabsorption in jejunal diverticulosis treated with resection of the diverticula; Drude RB Jr et al.; Patients with jejunal diverticula usually are asymptomatic unless bacterial overgrowth within the diverticula is sufficient to cause vitamin B12 deficiency, by direct uptake of the vitamin by the bacteria, or malabsorption resulting from bacterial deconjugation of bile salts and impaired lipid digestion . The administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics usually constitutes effective treatment that suppresses bacterial flora, with surgery reserved for complications such as hemorrhage, perforation, and abscess formation, and acute or chronic intestinal obstruction . Our patient had many diverticula, and two courses of antibiotics failed to provide prolonged relief of symptoms . After surgical exploration to exclude the presence of partial intestinal obstruction or infiltrating disease of the terminal ileum, the segment of jejunum bearing diverticula was resected . Since operation the patient has remained asymptomatic, which suggests that in certain patients, even with many diverticula, surgical exploration and excision of the diverticula may be curative. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1980 Oct, 77(10), 6199 - 203 Characterization of Y73, an avian sarcoma virus: a unique transforming gene and its product, a phosphopolyprotein with protein kinase activity; Kawai S et al.; The Y73 strain of avian sarcoma virus recently isolated in Japan is defective in replication and is associated with subgroup A leukosis virus (YAV) . The virus caused sarcoma but not acute leukosis when inoculated into chickens . Studies on the viral RNA showed that a 26S RNA, etimated to be 4.8 kilobases long, was Y73 viral RNA carrying a transforming gene . The 26S RNA has sequences in common with the RNA of an avian leukosis virus but no homology with the src gene sequence of avian sarcoma virus (ASV) . Thus, Y73 has a unique sarcoma-inducing gene . A phosphorylated polyprotein of 90,000 daltons (p90) was immunoprecipitated from extracts of Y73-transformed chicken embryo cells by a variety of antisera reacting with gag gene products . When a bacteria-bound immunocomplex containing the p90 protein was incubated with {gamma-32P}ATP, the Y73-specific p90 and the IgG heavy chain were phosphorylated by a p90-associated protein kinase . The amino acid phosphorylated in vitro was exclusively tyrosine in both cases, whereas p90 phosphorylated in vivo contained phosphoserine as a major phospho amino acid with traces of phosphotyrosine and phosphothreoine. J Bacteriol, 1980 Oct, 144(1), 406 - 12 Timing of swarmer cell cycle morphogenesis and macromolecular synthesis by Hyphomicrobium neptunium in synchronous culture; Wali TM et al.; The swarmer cycle of Hyphomicrobium neptunium consists of a temporal sequence of discrete developmental events . To time morphogenesis and to investigate modulations in macromolecular synthesis, we attempted methods for synchronous culture . During synchrony, swarmer maturation occurred over 32%, hyphal growth occurred over 36%, and bud maturation occurred over 32% of the time required to complete the swarmer cycle . Daughter cells were released after 265 min . Deoxyribonucleic acid replication was discontinuous, having a G1 period of approximately 180 min . In addition, ribonucleic acid and protein syntheses were depressed during the earlier phases of development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1980 Oct, 77(10), 5869 - 73 Nucleotide sequence of a cloned structural gene coding for a precursor of pancreatic somatostatin; Goodman RH et al.; We have constructed and cloned, in bacteria, recombinant plasmids containing DNA complementary to mRNA coding for a pancreatic pre-prosomatostatin, a product of the cell-free translation of pancreatic islet mRNAs shown previously by immunoprecipitation to be a precursor of somatostatin . A clone containing a nearly full-length cDNA insert of 550 base pairs was identified and appeared to contain the entire coding sequence for the somatostatin precursor in addition to portions of the 5' and 3' untranslated regions . mRNA coding for the pre-prosomatostatin is 600-630 bases long as determined by agarose gel electrophoresis and hybridization with labeled cDNA . Analyses of the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA revealed a protein of 119 amino acid beginning with methionine followed by a typical leader sequence containing 18 hydrophobic amino acids . The tetradecapeptide somatostatin, identical in sequence to mammalian hypothalamic somatostatin, is located at the carboxy terminus followed immediately by a stop codon . An ARg-Lys sequence immediately preceding the sequence of somatostatin is typical of a prohormone cleavage site . A sequence Ala-Pro-Arg-Glu preceding the Arg-Lys cleavage site is identical to that found in porcine prosomatostatin . The evolutionary conservation of the identical amino acid sequence of the somatostatin tetradecapeptide from fish to mammals is remarkable . In addition, similar conservation, in fish and mammals, of the sequence Ala-Pro-Arg-Glu-Arg-Lys preceding the coding region for somatostatin suggets that this particular sequence may have biologic importance in cellular processing of the somatostatin precursor. J Biol Chem, 1980 Sep 10, 255(17), 8063 - 8 Mechanism of photooxidation of bacteriochlorophyll c derivatives . A possible model for natural chlorophyll breakdown; Brown SB et al.; The photooxidation of methyl pheophorbides, derived from bacteriochlorophyll c, yields ring-opened acetylbilitrienes which are structurally related to mammalian bile pigments . The mechanism of this photooxidation, and that of certain mesomethyl-substituted model compounds, has been studied using 18O labeling with molecular oxygen . In all cases, the methine bridge carbon atoms were retained in the ring-opened photoproducts and both oxygen atoms incorporated into the acetylbilitriene photoproducts were derived from a single oxygen molecule . In this respect, ring opening of bacteriochlorophyll c derivatives and mesomethyl-substituted model compounds differs from the nonphotochemical (enzymatic) ring opening of heme which involves elimination of the methine bridge carbon atom as carbon monoxide and insertion of two oxygen atoms, each from a different molecule of molecular oxygen . The process of photooxidation of bacteriochlorophyll c and mesomethyl-substituted model compounds studied may have implications for the mechanism of natural degradation of chlorophyll a and b during leaf senescence and grain ripening. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1980 Sep 5, 592(2), 240 - 57 Carotenoid triplet yields in normal and deuterated Rhodospirillum rubrum; Rademaker H et al.; Quantum yields of carotenoid triplet formation in Rhodospirillum rubrum wild type and fully deuterated cells and chromatophores were determined in weak laser flashes for excitation wavelength lambda i = 530 nm (mainly absorbed by the carotenoid spirilloxanthin) and for lambda i = 608 nm (mainly absorbed by bacteriochlorophyll) in the presence and absence of magnetic fields . All experiments were performed at room temperature and in the absence of oxygen . The quantum yield of reaction center bacteriochlorophyll oxidation in wild type preparations, in which all reaction centers are in state PIX, at lambda i = 608 nm is close to unity, whereas the quantum yield of antenna carotenoid triplet formation is low (about 5%); P is the primary electron donor, a bacteriochlorophyll dimer, I the primary acceptor, a bacteriopheophytin, and X the secondary acceptor, an iron-ubiquinone complex . In cells in which the reaction centers are in the state P+IX(-), the antenna carotenoid triplet yield is about 0.2 . In contrast, at lambda i = 530 nm, the quantum yield of P+ formation is relatively low (0.3) and the yield of the antenna carotenoid triplet state in state PIX unusually high (0.3) . At increasing light intensities of 530 nm only about 3 carotenoids per reaction center of the 15 carotenoids present are efficiently photoconverted into the triplet state, which indicates that there are two different pools of carotenoids, one with a low efficiency for transfer of electronic excitation to bacteriochlorophyll and a high yield for triplet formation, the other with a high transfer efficiency and a low triplet yield . The absorption difference spectrum of the antenna carotenoid triplet, excited by 608 or 530 nm light in the state P+IX(-) does not show the peak at 430 nm, that is present in the difference spectrum of the reaction center carotenoid triplet, mainly observed at lambda i = 608 nm with weak flashes . The yield of the reaction center carotenoid triplet, generated in chromatophores in the state PIX(-), is decreased by about 10% by a magnetic field of 0.6 T . In a magnetic field of 0.6 T the yield of the carotenoid triplet, formed by 530 nm excitation in chromatophores at ambient redox potential, is decreased by about 45% . The high quantum yield of formation and the pronounced magnetic field effect for the carotenoid triplet generated by direct excitation at 530 nm can be explained by assuming that this triplet is not formed by intersystem crossing, but by fission of the singlet excitation into two triplet excitations and subsequent annihilation (triplet pair mechanism), or by charge separation and subsequent recombination (radical pair mechanism) . Fully deuterated bacteria give essentially the same triplet yields, both in the reaction center and in the antenna carotenoids and show the same magnetic field effects as non-deuterated samples . This indicates that hyperfine interactions do not play a major role in the dephasing of the spins in the radical pair P+I- nor in the formation of the antenna carotenoid triplet. Agents Actions, 1980 Sep, 10(4), 358 - 60 Endogenous inhibitor of prostaglandin biosynthesis in inflammation; Di Rosa M et al.; Rat serum exhibits a concentration-related inhibition of PG biosynthesis by rat peritoneal leucocytes phagocytosing killed bacteria . The serum inhibitory potency is increased by inducing carrageenan foot oedema in animals whereas it is not altered by dextran oedema . The increase of the inhibitory activity of serum from carrageenan-treated rats develops in a time-dependent way reaching its maximum at 24 h . Since the increased inhibitory activity does not occur following indomethacin administration we suggest that PG formation at the inflammatory site may stimulate the ability of serum to inhibit PG biosynthesis. J Behav Med, 1980 Sep, 3(3), 233 - 43 Stress and dental caries in the rat; Borysenko M et al.; The stress of crowding and exposure to inescapable electric shock increased both the incidence and the severity of dental caries in rats housed in a conventional animal facility . Male Osborne-Mendel rats were inoculated intraorally with cariogenic bacteria, fed a high-sucrose diet, and housed in either a conventional or a sheltered facility . Rats in both housing conditions were subdivided into control and stress groups . At the end of the 56-day trial period, stressed rats from conventional housing had a significant increase in both incidence and severity of dental caries in comparison to their controls . In contrast, stressed rats from sheltered housing had a trend toward increased cariogenesis which reached significance in only one of five scores . These rats also failed to gain weight comparable to their controls, making it possible that stress-induced reduction in appetite partially offset stress-induced exacerbation in cariogenesis. Am J Trop Med Hyg, 1980 Sep, 29(5 Suppl), 1093 - 5 Eukaryotic gene transfer and the new genetics; Hamer DH; The function of specific eukaryotic DNA sequences can be assessed by the following procedure . First, the gene of interest is purified, usually by cloning in bacteria, and its structure is determined . Second, biochemical techniques are used to introduce mutations into the regions of interest . Finally, the normal and mutant genes are introduced into an appropriate eukaryotic cell where their expression can be examined in detail . In this paper I review some of the techniques that can be used for gene transfer, and speculate on how they might be applied to parasites. Antibiotiki, 1980 Sep, 25(9), 648 - 52 {Kinetic equations for the biosynthesis of metabolic products with biomass-specific growth rate as the determining parameter}; Biriukov VV; Equations connecting the rate of metabolite biosynthesis and the specific growth rate were found analytically in the simplest case when both of the kinetic characteristics depended on the substrate concentration in the medium according to the Monod equation . The character of the relation in connection with the ratio of the kinetic constants for the growth and biosynthesis was analysed . It was shown that the equations based on the kinetic regularities were rather simple and correlated with the Luedeking and Piret equation when the kinetic constants were equal . The choice of the equation type was determined by the character of the curve convexicy of the relationship between q and mu . An example of experimental result approximation by one of the equations is presented. J Bacteriol, 1980 Sep, 143(3), 1215 - 22 Analysis of caulobacter crescentus lipids; De Siervo AJ et al.; The lipids of Caulobacter crescentus, a procaryotic species which differentiates into stalked and swarmer cell types, were analyzed . Major lipid classes were purified by chromatography and identified by both chromatographic and chemical methods . Approximately half of the total lipid fraction of this organism consisted of glycolipis, which were primarily monoglucosyldiglyceride and an acylated glucuronic acid . Two of the phospholipids of C . crescentus were identified as phopshatidylglycerol and acylphosphatidylglycerol . Commonly occurring bacterial phospholipids, such as phosphatidylethanolamine and cardiolipin (diphosphatidylglycerol), were not detected . Monoglyceride and diglyceride were found in the neutral lipid fraction, which made up 10% of the total lipid . Quantitative lipid compositional studies, performed by the incorporation of {14C}acetate and {32P}orthophosphate into growing cultures, revealed that separated swarmer and stalked cells had similar lipid compositions . However, stationary-phase cultures, compared with logaritmic cultures, had decreased amounts of phosphatidylglycerol and diglyceride and increased amounts of acylphosphatidylglycerol and a glucuronic acid-containing glycolipid, glycolipid X . In addition, two glycolipids were only detected in stationary-phase cultures . These studies indicate that C . crescentus has a distinctive lipid composition compared with those of other procaryotic species which have been analyzed. Pol J Pharmacol Pharm, 1980 Sep-Oct, 32(5), 801 - 6 Preparation and biological activity of some 2-substituted 3-(4'carboxyphenyl)-7-nitro-4 (3H)-quinazolinones; Varma RS et al.; 2-Methyl-7-nitro-3,1-(4H)-benzoxazin-4-one (4) (1) has been treated with various carboalkoxy anilines to furnish 2-methyl-3-(4'carboalkoxyphenyl)-7-nitro-4 (3H)-quinazolinones (1-3) . Condensation of 1-3 with aromatic aldehydes yielded 2-styryl-3-(4'carboalkoxyphenyl)7-nitro-4 (3H)-quinazolinones (4-21 except 6) . Comp . 17 was the most active one against B . subtilis and S . aurens. J Clin Microbiol, 1980 Sep, 12(3), 472 - 4 Rapid test for determination of esculin hydrolysis; Qadri SM et al.; An esculin hydrolysis test is described which distinguishes over 97% of bacteria that can convert esculin to esculetin in a buffered solution, from those that cannot, within an hour. J Clin Microbiol, 1980 Sep, 12(3), 445 - 6 Optimal time for routine early subculture of blood cultures; Sliva HS et al.; Routine aerobic subcultures performed between 6 and 12 h and between 12 and 17 h after blood collection yielded 36 and 63%, respectively, of isolates from blood cultures, whereas only 10% of isolates were recovered in a preliminary study when cultures were subcultured within 6 h of blood collection for cultures. Diabetes Care, 1980 Sep-Oct, 3(5), 615 - 22 Insulin treatment for the early 80s: facts and questions about old and new insulins and their usage; Galloway JA; Recent data now emphasize the importance of blood glucose control as a means of forestalling diabetic microvascular disease . As a result, attempts are being made to optimize conventional insulin therapy, and new modes of insulin delivery (e.g., pumps) are being adopted . Also, improvements in manufacturing technology have resulted in the commercial availability of porcine insulin, which is highly effective in preventing the complications of insulin therapy in those patients receiving only this material . Human insulin, produced biosynthetically in bacteria using recombinant DNA technology, is now being tested . While these developments in insulin and its administration offer great promise to the diabetic patient, many more studies will be needed to determine their absolute clinical benefits. Br J Surg, 1980 Sep, 67(9), 633 - 5 Comparison of skin closure using continuous and interrupted nylon sutures; McLean NR et al.; Skin closure using continuous nylon sutures was compared with closure using interrupted nylon sutures in 105 consecutive patients undergoing laparotomy . Particular note was made of wound healing and wound infection . The incidence of wound infection was similar (3.9 per cent and 3.7 per cent respectively) and all wounds healed satisfactorily . The continuous method was quicker and cheaper. J Biol Buccale, 1980 Sep, 8(3), 213 - 28 {Supplemental data to the ultrastructural study of Trichomonas tenax . Intra-cellular distribution of acid phosphatase}; Ribaux CL et al.; In scanning electron microscopy, the flagella come out from the cellular body following different configurations: either separately or in groups . The undulating membrane lasted up to 2/3 of the cell body: at its end the recurrent flagella seems to penetrate again into the cell . The costa starts from the cinetosome of the recurrent flagella: the two parabasal filaments start from two different cinetosomes and follow the costa for a small distance . The nucleus is surrounded by a membrane which is not always visible . The axostyle has a cylindrical shape in the posterior two thirds of the cell . Bacteria at different stages of phagocytosis have been observed . The acid phosphatase is localized in the saccules and vesicles of the Golgi apparatus, in the lysosomes and phagolysosomes and in the terminal lamina of the undulating membrane. J Am Dent Assoc, 1980 Sep, 101(3), 476 - 80 Ill effects of improper oral hygeine procedure; Gillette WB et al.; Improper use of the tools that prevent tooth decay and gingival disease can also produce harmful effects . For example, dental floss can cause inflammation; toothbrushes could cause abscesses; and water-irrigation devices might drive foreign material into soft tissue . This report discusses the effects of incorrect oral hygiene, the signs the practioner should notice, and the proper corrective steps . Although effective oral hygiene is essential for the maintenance of healthy teeth and supporting tissues, analysis of the literature and clinical observation suggested that six problem areas may be associated with common oral hygiene measures . --Overly vigorous toothbrushing or using the wrong type of brush for the technique often leads to cervical tooth abrasion, gingival irritation, and gingival recession, or all of these problems . --Uncontrolled or overly vigorous dental flossing may lead to irritation, ulceration, or defects of the gingiva . Proximal root surfaces are rarely abraded . --Dentifrices, mouthwashes, and chewing gum may elicit allergic or toxic reactions in susceptible persons . These reactions take a variety of traumatic injuries, especially if used at high pressure . Perhaps, detailed individual instruction should be given by dental personnel before use . --Abscess of gingival tissues may occur from implantation of fragments of such oral hygiene aids as toothbrush bristles and toothpicks . --Bacteria may enter the bloodstream during certain oral hygiene measures, especially in patients with advanced chronic gingival disease . The rate of occurrence is unknown because of conflicting results in different studies . These bacteremias are of concern to patients who have rheumatic heart disease, prosthetic heart valves, prosthetic joints, and renal dialysis shunts, or fistulas used in renal dialysis . A classification of oral hygiene-caused disorders is proposed, based on the injury and the causative agent. Eur J Biochem, 1980 Sep, 110(1), 85 - 92 Deoxyribonucleotide biosynthesis in synchronous algae cells; Feller W et al.; Synchronous cells of the green alga, Scenedesmus obliquus, cultured in a 14-h/10-h light/dark regime, contain a peak of ribonucleoside-diphosphate reductase activity and maximum deoxyribonucleoside 5'-triphosphate concentrations at the 12th hour of the cell cycle, coinciding with DNA synthesis and preceding the formation of eight daughter cells . The intracellular dTTP pool reaches 4.5 pmol and the other pools 2-3 pmol/10(6) cells . Algal reductase activity is sensitive to cycloheximide, but not to lincomycin . These correlations demonstrate the functioning of the NDP leads to dNDP leads to dNTP pathway of DNA precursor biosynthesis in plant cells . In the presence of 20 micrograms 5-fluorodeoxyuridine/ml, an inhibitor of thymidylate synthesis, the dTTP pool is rapidly depleted and DNA synthesis ceases . 5-Fluorouracil and methotrexate produce similar effects . At the same time the ribonucleotide reductase activity and also the dATP pool are greatly increased, especially when fluorodeoxyuridine treatment is combined with continued illumination of the algae . In contrast, arabinosylcytosine, an inhibitor of DNA replication, has no effect on ribonucleotide reduction . The control of de novo enzyme synthesis in the eucaryotic algae therefore appears to depend on the presence of dTTP (or a related nucleotide), but not directly coupled to DNA synthesis . This interdependence resembles the situation observed in HeLa cells, while it may differ in detail from control mechanisms of ribonucleotide reductase studied in bacteria. Can J Microbiol, 1980 Sep, 26(9), 1126 - 31 Hydrogen metabolism of Azospirillum brasilense in nitrogen-free medium; Chan YK et al.; Production of H2 by Azospirillum brasilense under N2-fixing conditions was studied in continuous and batch cultures . Net H2 production was consistently observed only when the gas phase contained CO . Nitrogenase activity (C2H2 reduction) and H2 evolution (in the presence of 5% CO) showed a similar response to O2 and were highest at 0.75% dissolved O2 . Uptake hydrogenase activity, ranging from 0.3 to 2.5 mumol H2/mg protein per hour was observed in batch cultures under N2 . Such rates were more than sufficient to recycle nitrogenase-produced H2 . Tritium-exchange assay showed that H2 uptake was higher under Ar than under N2 . Uptake hydrogenase was strongly inhibited by CO and C2H2 . Cyclic GMP inhibited both nitrogenase and uptake hydrogenase activities. Can J Microbiol, 1980 Sep, 26(9), 1029 - 37 Extracellular nucleases of Lysobacter enzymogenes: production of the enzymes and purification and characterization of an endonuclease; von Tigerstrom RG; Lysobacter enzymogenes produced a nonspecific extracellular nuclease and an extracellular RNAase when grown in tryptone broth . Both enzyme activities appeared after the exponential growth phase of the organism . The addition of RNA to the medium specifically inhibited the production of the nuclease and the addition of phosphate prevented the synthesis of the RNAase . DNA had no effect on the enzyme production . The Lysobacter nuclease was purified 274-fold and its molecular weight was estimated to be between 22 000 and 28 000 . Freshly purified nuclease showed one major protein band and one major activity band on polyacrylamide gels, whereas two major bands were seen after prolonged storage of the enzyme . The nuclease was most active at pH 8.0 and required Mg2+ or Mn2+ . Little activity was obtained in the presence of Ca2+ . The enzyme degraded double-stranded DNA more rapidly than single-stranded DNA or RNA and was essentially inactive with poly(A) or poly(C) as the substrate . Extensive hydrolysis of double-stranded DNA by the enzyme yielded oligodeoxyribonucleotides with terminal 5'-phosphate groups . The Lysobacter RNAase appeared to have a molecular weight approximately twice that of the nuclease and was specific for ribonucleotide polymers. J Clin Invest, 1980 Sep, 66(3), 599 - 602 Chronic granulomatous disease . Expression of the metabolic defect by in vitro culture of bone marrow progenitors; Newburger PE et al.; Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), an often fatal syndrome of recurrent infections results from the inability of patients' peripheral blood phagocytic leukocytes to generate superoxide despite otherwise normal phagocytic functions such as ingestion and degranulation . Circulating granulocytes and monocytes are the progeny of bone marrow progenitor cells, colony-forming units in culture . We compared the function of cells grown in two different in vitro cuture systems from the bone marrow of a CGD patient with those from normal subjects . The cells of normal colony-forming unit in culture colonies grown in semisolid medium reduced nitroblue tetrazolium dye when stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate; none of the cells from colonies derived from CGD marrow did so . Cells grown in liquid suspension culture from normal marrow generated superoxide nearly as well as normal peripheral blood granulocytes; those from CGD marrow produced no superoxide, similarly cultured cells from both normal and CGD marrow ingested opsonized bacteria at rates equal to peripheral blood granulocytes . CGD marrow-derived cells showed increased exocytic degranulation relative to both normal marrow-derived cells and normal peripheral blood granulocytes . These studies demonstrate that the basic functional characteristics of CGD are embedded in the genetic program of granulocyte progenitors. S Afr Med J, 1980 Aug 30, 58(9), 379 - 80 Amniotic fluid infection syndrome; Ross SM; Inflammatory changes in the extraplacental fetal membranes and subchorionic plate of the placenta are a common cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity in certain communities if associated with fetal pneumonia, and may also interfere with long-term psychomotor development . This latter complication is particularly likely to occur if there has been a moderate degree of hyperbilirubinaemia in the neonate . The pathway of infection is by ascent through the cervical os and the organisms involved are usually bacteria. Blood, 1980 Aug, 56(2), 173 - 6 Phagocytic plasma cells in a patient with multiple myeloma; Ludwig H et al.; A female patient with IgG multiple myeloma and phagocytosing plasma cells is presented . Electron microscopical investigation showed an unusually large number of small mitochondria in the myeloma cells . In 21%, intracytoplasmic incorporation of one or more red cells or occasionally of erythroblasts or cells of the myeloid series were found . Uptake of platelets was seen rarely only . Studies of the in vitro phagocytic activity of myeloma cells did not reveal phagocytosis of opsonized bacteria or of latex particles by the malignant plasma cells. Infect Immun, 1980 Aug, 29(2), 329 - 34 Demonstration of opsonizing antibodies to Francisella tularensis by leukocyte chemiluminescence; Lofgren S et al.; Twenty-three individuals were vaccinated with a viable attenuated strain of Francisella tularensis, and blood was collected at various time intervals during 4 weeks . To demonstrate opsonizing antibodies, a mixture of serum and vaccine bacteria was incubated, whereafter the chemiluminescence response of polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes to this mixture was recorded . No opsonizing antibodies against F . tularensis were found in sera obtained before vaccination . Eleven days after vaccination, sera from nine individuals, and 21 days after vaccination, sera from all 23 individuals contained antibodies . Antibodies were demonstrated earlier with the chemiluminescent technique that with the agglutination reaction . Heat treatment (56 degrees C, 30 min) or removal of complement component C3 from immune serum reduced the chemiluminescent response of the leukocytes . A high chemiluminescent response of the leukocytes was induced by immunoglobulin G (IgG)- and IgM-enriched fractions of immune serum in the presence of complement . In the absence of complement, the IgG fraction induced a low chemiluminescent response; the IgM fraction induced no response at all. Infect Immun, 1980 Aug, 29(2), 335 - 41 Influence of complement on the chemiluminescent response of human leukocytes to immune complex; Lofgren S et al.; Vaccine bacteria of Francisella tularensis were mixed with human serum containing specific antibodies against the same organism, and the mixture was incubated at 37 degrees C for 30 min . The mixture induced a two-peak chemiluminescent response in polymorphonuclear leukocytes . The initial peak was induced by a soluble agent, formed during incubation . The formation of this agent involved the activation of complement component C5 . The second peak of the chemiluminescent response was induced by the opsonized bacteria; this peak was augmented by complement component C3, whereas C5 had no influence. J Infect Dis, 1980 Aug, 142(2), 175 - 90 The role of opsonins in recovery from experimental pneumococcal pneumonia; Guckian JC et al.; The opsonization of type 1 and type 25 pneumococci in the rabbit lung early in the course of experimental pneumonia was studied . Bacteria washed from the lungs of animals with type 1 pneumonia were coated with IgG, IgA, and complement within 24 hr of infection; these bacteria were not phagocytized . Both type 1 and type 25 pneumococci, when incubatd in concentrates of nonimmune bronchopulmonary washings (BPC), adsorbed IgG, IgA, and C3, but neither type of pneumococci was opsonized . Killing of pneumococci by surface phagocytosis, with or without the use of nonimmune BPC, was not demonstrated . When nonimmune serum was used, opsonization of type 25 pneumococci depended on the presence of heat-labile adsorbable factors, and when immune serum and immune BPC were used, opsonization was dependent on adsorbable factors . Depletion of serum complement with cobra venom factor before infection with type 25 pneumococci resulted in severe bacteremic pneumonia in the rabbit, but immunization before complement depletion allowed animals to clear type 25 pneumococci from the blood and lungs within 24 hr . Thus, opsonization is required for efficient clearance of pneumococci from the lung, and in the nonimmune animal, complement is also required for clearance. J Dent Res, 1980 Aug, 59(8), 1368 - 73 Dentinal response against carious invasion: localization of antibodies in odontoblastic body and process; Okamura K et al.; The pulpal origin of dentinal immunoglobulins was demonstrated by means of immunohistological methods . Immunoglobulins were located both in the cytoplasm of odontoblasts in pulp and at odontoblastic processes in dentin . Positive reactivity of the immunoglobulins to antigens was confirmed using peroxidase-immunized rabbits . IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, and C4 were observed on some invasive bacteria in human carious dentin. Mutat Res, 1980 Aug, 78(4), 375 - 9 Mutagenic activity of 3 diazoacetylglycine derivatives on V79 Chinese hamster cells; Pani B et al.; 3 diazoacetylglycine derivatives, diazoacetylglycine amide (DGA), diazoacetylglycine ethyl ester (DGE) and diazoacetylglycine hydrazide (DGH), known as antitumour agents, and shown to be mutagenic in bacteria, were studied for their mutagenic activity in the HGPRT system of V79 Chinese hamster cells in culture (V79/HGPRT system) . All 3 drugs were highly effective in inducing 6-thioguanine-resistant mutants at concentrations that were not significantly cytotoxic. Aust Vet J, 1980 Aug, 56(8), 369 - 72 Vaccination of pregnant cows with low doses of Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccine; Alton GG et al.; Two groups, each of 9 Jersey cows, were vaccinated subcutaneously with reduced doses of Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccine (measured by the number of bacteria in the vaccine dose) early in their second pregnancy . Ten weeks later they were challenged, along with a similar group of non-vaccinated cows, by conjunctival instillation of a virulent strain of B . abortus biotype 1 . Cows in Group 1 received 1/20th and those in Group 2 received 1/400th the recommended dose of strain 19 . Marked reduction in the serological response to vaccination was seen only in Group 2 . Four cows in Group 1 excreted strain 19 after parturition, one of them aborted and another calved prematurely with heavy infection of the placenta and foetus with strain 19 in both cases . Resistance to challenge was similar in both vaccinated groups, and higher than previously demonstrated after conventional calfhood vaccination with strain 19 . It is concluded that pregnant cows can be effectively vaccinated by the subcutaneous administration of a dose of strain 19 vaccine containing approximately 3 x 10(8) organisms without undue interference with subsequent serological tests or inconvenience resulting from persistence of strain 19 infection. Am J Vet Res, 1980 Aug, 41(8), 1293 - 8 Feline respiratory tract disease in Louisiana; Bech-Nielsen S et al.; An investigation of feline respiratory tract disease (FRD) was made involving 65 affected cats (group 1) and 65 control cats (group 2) matched for age, sex, and residence . Feline calicivirus strains (FCV), feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), or both, were isolated from 59% of group 1 cats and from 7% of group 2 cats . Isolation of these viruses showed a significantly greater (P < 0.05) relative risk for group 1 cats . Virus isolations were three times more frequent from males than from females older than 1 year (both groups), but were equally distributed between males and females younger than 1 year . Bacteria and fungi had a secondary role in both FCV- and FHV-1 associated FRD . Intestinal infections of Ancylostoma spp, Dipylidium caninum, and Toxocara cati were diagnosed more frequently in group 1 cats than in control (group 2) . Paragonimus kellicotti was diagnosed in 3 group 1 cats, Taenia taeniaeformis in 1 group 1 cat, Isospora rivolta in 1 group 1 cat, and Giardia cati in 1 control cat . The present study supports the current concept of a primary viral cause for development of FRD. Fed Proc, 1980 Aug, 39(10), 2830 - 6 Sequencing the DNA of recombinant chromosomes; Maxam AM; With contemporary molecular cloning and DNA sequencing techniques, deriving the primary structure of higher cell genes is now routine . This publication reviews the chemical DNA sequencing method, and suggests strategies for sequencing recombinant DNA, whether arising naturally by chromosome rearrangement in vivo or created experimentally by gene splicing in vitro . One such strategy prepares end-labeled restriction fragments from an inserted or rearranged DNA region, for sequencing by the chemical method . Another maps the point at which the sequences of two related DNA regions diverge, and indicates which restriction endonucleases would be useful for sequencing across that point . These techniques can facilitate sequencing of DNA integrations, excisions, translocations, inversions, and introns in cloned chromosomal segments. J Biol Chem, 1980 Jul 25, 255(14), 6542 - 5 Activation of bovine and chicken liver dihydrofolate reductases and its relationship to a specific cysteine residue in their NH2-terminal amino acid sequences; Kaufman BT et al.; The enzymatic activity of bovine liver dihydrofolate reductase is activated approximately 1.5- to 2.5-fold on treatment with organic mercurials . In contrast to the almost instantaneous reaction and high degree of activation (approximately 10-fold) observed with chicken liver dihydrofolate reductase, the beef liver enzyme requires relatively specific conditions of pH, temperature, preincubation times, and presence of substrate to exhibit this degree of activation . It is also demonstrated that both chicken liver and beef liver dihydrofolate reductases (and perhaps all of the animal dihydrofolate reductases) contain a single sulfhydryl group within the 11 or so amino acids of the NH2-terminal sequence and that this is the site of mercurial interaction and activation . On the other hand, this sulfhydryl group and the characteristic activation does not occur in the corresponding bacterial reductases . It is suggested that although the reactive sulfhydryl group may be characteristic of animal dihydrofolate reductases, it is not directly required for substrate binding or the catalytic mechanism per se. Lancet, 1980 Jul 19, 2(8186), 118 - 21 Legionnaires' disease in a transplant unit: isolation of the causative agent from shower baths; Tobin JO et al.; Legionnaires' disease was diagnosed in two patients in a transplant unit, both patients having occupied the same postoperative cubicle shortly before onset of their illnesses . Legionella pneumophila was found in water taken from the cubicle shower bath and from other showers in the unit . To eradicate the legionellae, the water supply was treated with chlorine, but this had only a temporary effect. Anaesthesia, 1980 Jul 7, 35(7), 703 - 8 Cross-infection from contaminated anaesthetic equipment . A real hazard? Nielsen H, Jacobsen JB, Stokke DB, Brinklov MM, Christensen KN. A definite relationship between the use of contaminated anaesthetic equipment and subsequent pulmonary infection remains to be established . There is however indirect and circumstantial evidence suggesting that cross-infection may occur, and further an increased susceptibility of surgical patients to pulmonary infections has been demonstrated . Decontamination should be recommended before the equipment is re-used . Pasteurisation may prove sufficient and this can be obtained employing a specially designed dish-washing machine. Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1980 Jul-Aug, 131B(1), 59 - 68 {Evaluation of normal aerobic skin flora (author's transl)}; Cremieux A et al.; This work attempts the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the bacterial population from two different areas: elbow and groin . Bacteria are recovered using the method of Williamson and Kligman modified by Fleurette and Transy . Aerobic flora is determined from bacterial counts on various media . Results show a density of 475 to 630 bacteria/cm2 for elbow, and 1.9 to 2.4 X 10(5) bacteria/cm2 for groin (geometric and arithmetic mean, respectively) . Percentages of different species and types are calculated, and skin population is represented by a circular diagram. Cornell Vet, 1980 Jul, 70(3), 232 - 46 Cytologic interpretation of peritoneal fluid in the evaluation of equine abdominal crises; Adams SB et al.; Cytologic examination of serial peritoneal fluid samples of nine experimental ponies was performed during a 72 hour period following laparotomy . Six of the ponies had jejunal infarction induced by occlusion of the corresponding vasculature . Cytologic examination was also performed on the peritoneal fluid of a series of horses with naturally occurring abdominal crises presented to the Large Animal Clinic . A rapid staining technique allowed evaluation of smears within 5 minutes of obtaining the fluid . Alterations in peritoneal fluid of the experimental and clinical cases reflected an acute inflammatory response . In the experimental ponies, the degree of degenerate changes in the neutrophils varied considerably between the ponies with induced jejunal infarction and the controls . Extracellular bacteria and a severe degenerative inflammatory response in the peritoneal fluid of the experimental ponies and horses with naturally occurring abdominal crises provided a grave prognosis for survival . The ease of performing cytologic examination of peritoneal fluid and the potential value of the findings supports routine diagnostic use. Can J Comp Med, 1980 Jul, 44(3), 252 - 8 Experimental bovine genital ureaplasmosis . I . Granular vulvitis following vulvar inoculation; Doig PA et al.; Granular vulvitis was reproduced in ten virgin heifers following vulvar inoculation with strains of ureaplasma previously isolated from natural cases . The disease appeared one to three days postinoculation and was characterized by vulvar swabs but not from the upper mucopurulent discharge . At necropsy 13 to 41 days later, ureaplasmas were recovered consistently from vulvar swabs but not from the upper reproductive tract . It was concluded that some strains of ureaplasma are pathogenic and should be viewed as a cause of bovine granular vulvitis. J Bacteriol, 1980 Jul, 143(1), 307 - 12 Folic acid deaminase activity during development in Dictyostelium discoideum; Kakebeeke PI et al.; Folic acid attracts vegetative amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum . Secreted by bacteria, it may act as a food-seeking device . The inactivation of this attractant is catalyzed by a deaminase . As assay has been developed to measure the folic acid deaminase activity . In addition to cell-surface an intracellular deaminase, the amoebae of D . discoideum release the enzyme into the medium . The pH optimum of the extracellular enzyme was 6.0, and higher for the cell-associated deaminases . The extracellular enzyme was secreted maximally by vegetative amoebae, and its activity diminished during cell differentiation . The cell-surface bound enzyme was less active than the extracellular enzyme, and its activity decreased twofold during a 6-h starvation period . The enzyme activity of homogenates and 48,000 x g pellets diminished during this period 35 to 40% . The supernatant of a homogenate had a higher deaminase activity than the homogenate itself or its pellet; this suggests the presence of an inhibitor in the particulate fraction . The underlying mechanism for inactivation of folic acid has similar characteristics as that for inactivation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Infect Immun, 1980 Jul, 29(1), 271 - 4 Identification of a cytotoxin produced by Legionella pneumophila; Friedman RL et al.; Culture filtrates of Legionella pneumophila were cytotoxic for Chinese hamster ovary cells . The cytotoxin was found to be methanol soluble, heat stable, and stable from pH 5 through 8. Trop Doct, 1980 Jul, 10(3), 120 - 1 Breast feeding: a necessity for child health in the tropics; Jelliffe DB et al.; PIP: Attention needs to be directed to the disappearance of human milk and to investing as much in terms of both funds and ingenuity in trying to develop programs to cope with this major nutritional retreat as is now invested in other programs designed to improve the problem of childhood malnutrition . Bottle feeding in the type of circumstances existing in rural and urban areas of resource-poor, less developed countries is very difficult to undertake adequately due to small purchasing power, defective environmental hygiene, and low levels of maternal education . Under these circumstances, infants usually receive dilute, contaminated feeds containing homoeopathic doses of nutrients and massive quantities of bacteria . When breastfeeding is replaced by the necessarily inadequate bottle feeding found in developing countries, nutrition deteriorates, infections increase, and pregnancies become more frequent, closely spaced and risky . In order for bottle feeding to be successful in terms of producing satisfactory infant growth and survival, there must be an adequate economic, hygienic, and educational infrastructure . The size of the public health problems associated with the availability or lack of availability of human milk is huge, increasing, and almost totally unappreciated . In less technically developed and resource-poor nations, Bengoa (1974) estimated that there are 9.4 million cases of severe protein-calorie malnutrition annually . It is unknown how many are suffering from kwashiorkor or from marasmus . In the developed countries of the world, there are over 11 million births annually, and the partial or complete preventive effect of breastfeeding can also be very significant in these communities . Infect Immun, 1980 Jul, 29(1), 261 - 6 Aerosol infection of mice with Bordetella pertussis; Sato Y et al.; Aerosol inhalation of Bordetella pertussis Tohama phase I resulted in a reproducible and uniform infection of mice (strain DDY or ICR) . Mice in groups of 10 exposed for 30 min to aerosols generated from bacterial suspensions of 10(9) and 10(10) organisms per ml resulted in mean bacterial counts of 2.3 (+/- 0.3) X 10(4) and 1.0 (+/- 0.3) X 10(5) colony-forming units, respectively, in the lung of each animal . Subsequent studies using a 30-min aerosol inoculation of ICR mice with 2 X 10(9) bacterial cells per ml showed: (i) B . pertussis cells reached a maximum of about 10(7) colony-forming units per lung 14 days after inhalation . (ii) Deaths (10 to 100%, depending on mouse age) occurred 10 to 14 days after exposure . (iii) The lung weight and the leukocyte count increased from basal values of 100 mg and 10(4) leukocytes per mm3 to a plateau of 950 mg and 1.95 X 10(5) leukocytes per mm3, respectively, 14 days after challenge . (iv) There was a significantly reduced rate of body weight gain by infected mice compared to noninfected mice . (v) With mortality as the criterion for disease, susceptibility varied with the age of mice as follows: 10 days old greater than 18 greater than 28 greater than 49 . (vi) Bacteria were associated with ciliated respiratory epithelial cells by scanning electron microscopy. JAMA, 1980 Jun 13, 243(22), 2311 - 3 Unrecognized Legionnaires' disease as a cause of fatal illness; Fay D et al.; Lungs from 224 patients, obtained at autopsy, were examined for Legionella pneumophila by fluorescent antibody (FA) staining . Of 121 patients who died with pneumonia, L pneumophila was present in eight cases (6.6%) . (Two of the eight patients exhibited no important respiratory symptoms or fever, although pneumonia contributed considerably to their deaths . Preexisting underlying disease was present in all cases . Legionnaires' disease (LD), endemic in the central Ohio area, may cause up to 3.6% of the nosocomial pneumonias at the study site . Application of the local incidence of LD to the number of annual adult deaths in the United States indicates that many LD-associated deaths may occur each year . The study shows the importance of using the FA and Dieterle stains during routine pathological examination of lung tissue, especially from compromised hosts in endemic areas. J Gen Microbiol, 1980 Jun, 118(2), 535 - 8 Discrimination of micro-organisms using direct probe mass spectrometry; Puckey DJ et al.; Direct probe mass spectrometry of single colonies of different bacteria produced spectra which could be distinguished by calculations based on the intensities of 25 selected ions . Direct probe mass spectrometry has enormous potential as a rapid technique for characterizing micro-organisms. Leber Magen Darm, 1980 Jun, 10(3), 131 - 8 {Virus hepatitis, an overview (author's transl)}; Kuhn HA; It has now been known for 40 years that the particular liver disease which has been called "icterus catarrhalis" in former times is being caused by virus infection . Before that, Virchow's thesis ("occlusion of the papilla by mucus"), and later on Eppinger's thesis ("serous hepatitis due to intoxication by unidentified protein break-down products") were held to be true . Only after liver biopsy was introduced became it known that this particular disease is in fact an inflammatory process . Since neither bacteria nor protozoa could be found, it had to be assumed that viruses were the positive agents . It then took another 30 years until two viruses causing hepatitis (A and B) could be identified . The most important steps in this process of identification were: (1) proof of the oral and parental route of infection by Voegt in Germany and by American authors (following yellow fever vaccination in the US Army); (2) detection of the Australia (HBS) antigen by Blumberg; and (3) transfer of the infectious disease to monkeys . In conclusion, the present day status of hepatitis research (virology, epidemiology, immunology) is presented and chances of prevention are discussed. Onderstepoort J Vet Res, 1980 Jun, 47(2), 101 - 7 The aetiology of ram epididymitis; Jansen BC; A wide variety of organisms from the environment invade the preputial cavity of rams . Various of these organisms can be isolated from the deeper parts of the male genital tract, and especially from the accessory glands . Some of the bacteria present in the sheath can be stimulated to migrate to the deeper parts of the genital tract by injections into the host animal of luteinizing-hormone-releasing-hormone and injections of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin . The increase levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone in surgically prepared cryptorchids also stimulate migration of the organisms . The natural mode of development of genital infections in rams is formulated as follows: The preputial cavity of a ram becomes invaded by various organisms through contact with the environment . When, under the influence of systemic hormonal stimulation, the genitalia undergo development, suitable conditions are created for the migration of some of the bacteria in the sheath to the deeper-lying organs of the genital tract such as the vesiculae seminales, epididymides and testes . In these organs the bacteria can possibly initiate a pathological process. J Immunogenet, 1980 Jun, 7(3), 207 - 14 Discontinuous genes and DNA sequence transposition: a model for immunoglobulin chain synthesis; Lefranc G et al.; An attempt is made to account for immunoglobulin chain synthesis in terms of genetic events involving IS or controlling elements analogous to those found in bacteria, maize and drosophila . Transposition of variable and constant genes and normal immunoglobulin chain synthesis as well as qualitative and quantitative abnormalities might be explained by such regulatory elements . Intrachromosomal transpositions over short distances would be expressed as apparent hypermutability or redundancy of the variable DNA segment . The constant gene might comprise four sequences coding for the three homology domains and the hinge, separated by intervening sequences . A strong preference for short-range transposition on the same chromosome and immobilization of the controlling element in the end might account for allelic exclusion. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 1980 Jun, 24(6), 910 - 5 Effects of halogenated organic compounds on photosynthesis in estuarine phytoplankton; Erickson SJ et al.; Chlorine oxidants (chlorine gas, sodium hypochlorite, and calcium hypochlorite) are used as biocides to control fouling in seawater cooled power generating plants and to kill pathogens in sewage effluents entering estuarine waters . Organisms killed include algae, fungi, bacteria, barnacles, oysters, and clams . Use of these chemicals in saline waters results in the formation of halogenated by-products (JOHANNESSON 1958, DUURSAM & PARSI 1976, DOVE 1973) . BEAN et al, (1978), in a study of chlorinated seawater, identified eighteen organic compounds generated by chlorination . Due to rapid substitution of bromine for chlorine, brominated rather than chlorinated by-products are formed (FARKAS et al . 1949, GALAL-GORCHEV & MORRIS 1965, MACALADY et al . )977, SUGAM & HELZ 1977) . The effects of these chlorinated by-products on estuarine phytoplankton are not known . Experiments in this study examined singly the effects of fifteen commercially available compounds on photosynthesis by estuarine phytoplankton. J Infect Dis, 1980 Jun, 141(6), 727 - 32 Pittsburgh pneumonia agent: direct isolation from human lung tissue; Pasculle AW et al.; Pittsburgh pneumonia agent (PPA) was recently cultivated from infected egg yold on charcoal yeast extract agar . PPA has now been isolated both from infected egg yolk and human lung tissue on charcoal yeast extract agar and on a new medium, buffered charcoal yeast extract agar . PPA resembles Legionella pneumophila and other Legionella-like organisms in requirements for growth and composition of fatty acids . It differs in genetic relatedness, antigenic composition, and colonial morphology and has distinctive characteristics that allow it to be identified . The name Legionella pittsburgensis species nova is proposed for this organism. Arch Surg, 1980 Jun, 115(6), 772 - 5 Regeneration of the spleen after ectopic implantation and partial splenectomy; Alvarez FE et al.; Overwhelming postsplenectomy infection is a well-defined clinical entity resulting from the inability of the splenectomized host to combat infections with encapsulated bacteria . Because of this lethal complication, a number of alternatives to splenectomy have been studied, including autotransplantation of the removed spleen or partial splenectomy . The ability of the splenic tissue to regenerate depends on the type of procedure selected . In this study, the regenerating capacity of the splenic tissue is studied in 99 Sprague-Dawley rats . These animals were subjected to surgical autotransplantation and partial splenectomy . Our results demonstrated the superiority of partial splenectomy over autotransplantation in terms of regeneration of the splenic mass. Aust Dent J, 1980 Jun, 25(3), 135 - 8 Rational use of metronidazole; Altman EG; Metronidazole is the drug of choice in the chemotherapy of necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis . It is also used in high dosage in the chemoprophylaxis and treatment of many strictly anaerobic infections . Prolonged use has been advocated in the treatment of periodonititis . Attention is drawn to known drug interactions, toxic effects, and the possibility of development of resistant strains. Scand J Dent Res, 1980 Jun, 88(3), 219 - 28 Affinity chromatography of human saliva lysozyme and effect of pH and ionic strength on lytic activity; Vasstrand EN et al.; Lysozyme from human saliva was purified in one step by affinity chromatography on chitin . The recovery, however, was always very low, typically 25-40% . When the cationic exchanger BioRex 70 was used, the enzyme was isolated from saliva with only minor loss of activity, and the product appeared to be 60-70% pure . This partially purified enzyme bound completely and reversibly to chitin and was thereby purified to homogeneity with little loss of activity (< 10%) . Both saliva lysozyme and the chicken egg white lysozyme were found to exhibit their highest lytic activity at high pH/low ionic strength (pH 9.0, I = 0.03), and both enzymes required higher ionic strength) it was found, however, that the ratio of the specific activity of saliva lysozyme to that of chicken lysozyme varied considerably depending on the assay conditions used . We argue strongly, therefore, against the frequent use of chicken lysozyme as a standard of reference in work on human lysozyme. Arch Pathol Lab Med, 1980 Jun, 104(6), 283 - 6 Legionella pneumophila: identification in tissue sections by a new immunoenzymatic procedure; Suffin SC et al.; A modified glucose oxidase immunoenzyme technique was shown to be highly sensitive and specific for detection of serogroup 1 Legionella pneumophila in 4% formaldehyde solution-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections . There was complete concordance between infection with L pneumophila and detection of the organisms in tissue sections by glucose oxidase immunoenzyme staining . The L pneumophila organisms stained blue-black and were found within phagocytic cells as well as in the extracellular space . A cloud of blue-black pigment, probably representing diffusable antigen, was present in the extracellular spaces in the area of L pneumophila localization . No false-positive or false-negative reactions were found . This technique requires no specialized equipment, may be applicable to retrospective diagnostic problems, and can be adapted to routine diagnostic practice. J Biol Chem, 1980 May 25, 255(10), 4772 - 80 3-Carbanionic substrate analogues bind very tightly to fumarase and aspartase; Porter DJ et al.; We describe the interactions at 25 degrees C of the 3-carbanions (I-) and 3-carbon conjugate acids (I) of 3-nitropropionate, 3-nitro-2-hydroxypropionate, and 3-nitro-2-aminopropionate with fumarase and aspartase . (Formula: see text) 1 . Ia- and Ib- inhibit fumarase competitively and are bound more than 4000- and 18,000-fold more tightly, respectively, than Ia and Ib, and 5000- and 11,000-fold more tightly, respectively, than succinate . Ic inhibits aspartase competitively and is bound (depending on the ionization state of the 2-amino group) more than 220- to 1630-fold more tightly than Ic and 290- to 2200-fold more tightly than succinate . 2 . Fumarase and asparatse bind I- much more tightly than their respective substrates . Thus, Km/KIa- and Km/KIb- for fumarase are 375 and 900, respectively (with KIa- = 64 nm and KIb- = 27 nM at pH 7.0) . For asparatse, Km/KIa- = 519, while Km/KIc- = 1630 (2-amino group unprotonated) or 220 (2-amino group protonated) . 3 . The values of kI and k-I (FORMULA: SEE TEXT) for fumarase are respectively, 0.55 X 10(8) M-1 s-1 and 3.5 s-1 for Ia- and 2.6 X 10(8) M-1 s-1 and 6.9 s-1 for Ib- at pH 7.0 . These results, together with those of control experiments with Malic Enzyme, suggest that Ia-, Ib-, and Ic- are transition state, or transient intermediate, analogues and that the mechanisms of the fumarase and aspartase reactions involve enzyme-bound 3-carbanions. J Biol Chem, 1980 May 25, 255(10), 4447 - 52 Identification of an endogenous electron donor for biohydrogenation as alpha-tocopherolquinol; Hughes PE et al.; Four fluorescent compounds present in solvent extracts of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens could serve as electron donors for the biohydrogenation of cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoate in the presence of dithionite, which was itself inactive . One of the compounds was identified as alpha-tocopherolquinol and another as alpha-tocopherolquinone . A partially purified soluble enzyme preparation from B . fibrisolvens catalyzed the reduction of alpha-tocopherolquinone to alpha-tocopherolquinol in the presence of NADH with a stoichiometry of 1:1 . The ratio of alpha-tocopherolquinone produced to fatty acid reduced was 2:1 when the tocopherol derivatives were extracted aerobically . When the extraction was carried out anaerobically, the ratio was 1 . It is suggested that the oxidation of 2 molecules of alpha-tocopherolquinol, each to the semiquinone, provides the electrons required for the reduction of the cis-bond of the conjugated dienoic fatty acid . Although alpha-tocopherol, phylloquinol, and reduced menadione are inactive, ubiquinol-4, ubiquinol-10, and trimethylhydroquinone show about one-half the activity of alpha-tocopherolquinol . Plastoquinol and trimethylphytylbenzoquinol are as active as alpha-tocopherolquinol. Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1980 May-Jun, 16(3), 363 - 71 {Physico-chemical properties of water-soluble proteins from Spirulina platensis}; Voronkova SS et al.; By gel chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis it was demonstrated that water-soluble proteins from Spirulina platensis contained components differing in their structure and having molecular weights ranging from 300,000+/-30,000 to 11,000 +/- 1,000 . Electrophorectically the proteins were heterogeneous and their individual fractions differed in the number of pigment and protein components . The pigment-protein components were complexes in which the pigment was strongly bound to the protein . The protein components could be in a free state and in a pigment-bound state. Mol Biol (Mosk), 1980 May-Jun, 14(3), 624 - 31 {Conformational kinetic model of the functioning of the photosynthetic reaction center}; Venediktov PS et al.; A model for stabilization of separated charges in the pigment-protein complex of the photosynthetic reaction center (RC) in purple bacteria is proposed . Alongside with ordinary electron transfers, the model involves conformational transitions in the pigment-protein complex . Based on the proposed model, an estimation of basic parameters of conformational mobility of RC protein complexes is made. Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex, 1980 May-Jun, 37(3), 469 - 82 {Septicemia . Generalities on its diagnosis}; Larracilla Alegre J et al.; Considerations are made regarding the etiopathogenesis of septicemia and related factors in the patients and in the environment that favor the generalization of infections . Several clinical aspects, together with the frequency and distribution of infectious focuses in 128 patients with septicemia are evaluated . Considerations are made on clinical and laboratory findings that led to the diagnosis of septicemia and the current state of the investigation at our Hospital de Pediatria del Centro Medico Nacional, IMSS is discussed . A system of points is proposed giving values to the clinical and laboratory findings in order to establish the diagnosis of septicemia . The modern literature on the subject is reviewed. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 May, 17(5), 784 - 8 Purification of the viridicin produced by Aerococcus viridans; Ballester JM et al.; A new bacteriocin produced by Aerococcus viridans was purified . Bacteria grown on liquid medium synthesized a bacteriocin, viridicin, which can be extracted from the cells by treatment with 0.86 M NaCl solution . Viridicin production was not induced by ultraviolet irradiation or by treatment with mitomycin C . The bacteriocin was purified by ultrafiltration, gel filtration, and preparative polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis . The molecular weight was between 100,000 and 120,000 . The purified viridicin was homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . The viridicin was composed of protein, carbohydrate, and lipid. Ann Sclavo, 1980 May-Jun, 22(3), 299 - 309 {Epidemiological remarks on the "S . Arizonae" strains isolated from various animals in tuscany during 1969-1978 (author's transl)}; Agrimi P et al.; After a review of the taxonomic history of the genus Arizona culminated in the insertion of these bacteria in the Kauffmann-White schema, the most significant references concerning their pathogenicity and occurrence are related . In this paper, the outbreaks and sporadic cases by S . arizonae which occurred in Tuscan area during 1969-1978 are reported; between several animal species, turkeys were found frequently infect and the same serotype (S . arizonae 18:Z4,Z32:-) was identified . The epidemiological connections with the infection of turkeys and of other animals, humans inclusive, are discussed. J Anat, 1980 May, 130(3), 603 - 15 Changes in proliferation and surface morphology in the rat ileum in response to total parenteral nutrition; Heitman DW et al.; To find out how the ileum adapts to total parenteral feeding, two experiments were performed . In the first experiment rats were given total intravenous feeding for 10 days . The animals were injected with tritiated thymidine (1 muCi/g body weight) 1 hour before being killed . Portions of the ileum were used for (1) radioautography, (2) analysis of the tissue DNA content, (3) specific activity of the DNA, and (4) scanning electron microscopy . The DNA content of ileum was decreased 72% while the specific activity of DNA was increased 289% in the i.v . fed rats . In the second experiment rats were given total intravenous feeding for 10 days . The animal were injected with colchicine (1 mg/kg body weight) 3 hours before being killed . The number of labelled cell nuclei per ileal crypt section was significantly decreased by parenteral feeding as was the number of colchicine collected metaphase figures . Light microscopy revealed the crypt and the villus height to be shorter and the number of goblet cells per unit surface area to be increased in parenterally fed rats as compared to those fed solid food orally . Enterocytes of the exfoliative zone from the ileal villi of rats fed solid food showed three distinct types of surface architecture whereas those from i.v . fed rats all possessed abundant microvilli . No bacteria were seen in ilea of i.v . fed animals but many were seen embedded in enterocytes from orally fed rats . Because the amount of DNA per cell is known to be constant, we concluded that the overall number of cells in the lieum decreased about 72% in the i.v . fed rats and that cell proliferation in the crypts, although significantly deceased, was still supporting an epithelial renewal process. Mol Biol (Mosk), 1980 May-Jun, 14(3), 539 - 48 {Linear dichroism of pigments associated with spherical chromatophores . Models of orientation in polyacrylamide gels}; Abdurakhmanov IA et al.; Linear dichroism and orientation of pigments in chromatophores of photosynthetic bacteria Chromatium minutissimum and Rhodospirillum rubrum using a novel method of orientation in polyacrylamide gel was studied . A model is proposed for orientation of spherical membranes of chromatophores or other similar vesicules . The value of linear dichroism is derived for known deformation of the gel and a certain angle between the transition dipole and a unit vector perpendicular to the membrane plane . The analysis of linear dichroism spectra permits calculation of angles between the normal to the membrane and the transition dipoles in Chr . minutissimum 65 degrees +/- 1.5 degrees (890 nm absorption band), 63 degrees +/- 1 degree (860 nm), 63 degrees +/- 1 degree (800 nm), 45.5 degrees +/- 1 degree (590 nm), 50.5 degrees +/- 0.5 degree (450--550 nm) and in Rsp . rubrum: 71 degrees +/- 1.5 degree (890 nm), 66.5 degrees +/- 1 degree (870 nm), 69 degrees +/- 1.5 degree (800 nm), 37 degrees +/- 0.5 degree (590 nm), 49.5 degrees +/- 0.5 degree (450--550 nm) . The 860 nm band shift to shorter wave-lengths observed in Chr . minutissimum chromatophores treated with 0.01 M potassium ferricyanide is not related to reorientation of transition dipoles, but rather to certain changes of lipid-protein environment. Med J Aust, 1980 Apr 19, 1(8), 352 - 4 Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis: fifteen years later; Thong YH; Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis is a fulminant and rapidly fatal diseases which principally affects children and young adults . The causative organism is Naegleria fowleri, an amoebo-flagellate found in most soil and freshwater habitats . The portal of entry is the nasopharynx from which the amoeba makes its way into the brain by penetration of the olfactory mucosa and cribriform plate . Diagnosis should be suspected in all cases of purulent meningitis and meningoencephalitis in which bacteria are not evident in the cerebrospinal fluid . Diagnosis can be made by microscopic examination of a fresh specimen of cerebrospinal fluid, or a specimen strained with Wright's or Gram's stain . Combination chemotherapy with amphotericin B and tetracycline, or amphotericin B and rifamycin, by intravenous, intrathecal, and when possible, intraventricular instillation, may offer some hope of success . Preventive measures include constant surveillance of domestic water supplies and swimming pools for amoebic contamination, and education of the public to avoid swimming in contaminated areas. Can Med Assoc J, 1980 Apr 5, 122(7), 780 - 4 Specific immunoprophylaxis in experimental tumour-host systems; Prager MD et al.; A variety of animal species have been rendered resistant to syngeneic tumours of many histologic types of immunoprophylaxis . Among the types of preparation of tumour-associated antigens that have merit as vaccines are tumour cells treated with radiation, mitomycin C, certain viruses, neuraminidase, sulfhydryl blocking agents and lipoidal reagents . Alternatively, tumour-associated antigens of the cell membrane may be solubilized and used for vaccination . Recent studies with dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDA) indicate that it both modifies tumour cells and serves as an immunologic adjuvant in that it enhances protective responses to iodoacetamide-treated lymphoma cells and acts as a potent macrophage activator . By judicious application of DDA either delayed hypersensitivity or antibody response may be selectively enhanced . Several advantages of DDA over other adjuvants are its water solubility, the fact that it does not produce deleterious lesions at the site of injection and the fact that it eliminates the risk of systemic infection that exists with the use of live bacteria. Lancet, 1980 Apr 5, 1(8171), 727 - 9 Are nitrite and N-nitroso compounds in gastric juice risk factors for carcinoma in the operated stomach? Schlag P, Bockler R, Ulrich H, Peter M, Merkle P, Herfarth C. The concentration of nitrite and N-nitroso compounds was examined in the fasting gastric juice of 44 patients operated on for ulcer disease an average of 2.5 years previously and in 26 age-matched patients with healthy stomachs (controls) . The concentration of nitrite and N-nitroso compounds in the gastric juice of the vagotomised patients did not differ from that of the controls . On the other hand, significant increases in nitrite concentrations were found in the gastric juice of patients managed by Billroth I or II procedures . The fraction of N-nitroso compounds was significantly increased only in the Billroth II resected stomach . These findings are relevant to the known cancer risk inherent in the gastric stump. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1980 Apr 2, 590(2), 182 - 93 Short-lived delayed luminescence of photosynthesizing organisms . II . The ratio between delayed and prompt fluorescence as studied by the modulation method; Godik VI et al.; The ratio between the intensities of delayed and prompt fluorescence was studied for different photosynthetic objects under different conditions by modulation method . The method is based on excitation of luminescing objects by light, modulated harmonically, and on a combined study of phase shifts and demodulation coefficients of the luminescence as related to excitation light . The presence of intense delayed emissions was revealed in purple bacteria, Ectothiorhodospira shaposhinokovii, Rhodospirillum rubrum and Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides, in the micro- and nanosecond range . Under conditions of saturating light, their proportion was several percent of the total emission . The most striking phenomenon was observed under reducing conditions (addition of 1 . 10(-2) M Na2S2O4 to whole-cell suspensions of purple bacteria) where the intensity of the delayed emissions grew dramitically and became comparable to that of prompt fluorescence . The data obtained indicate that, at room temperature, reversal of some early stages of charge separation in bacterial reaction centres may proceed largely via the channel that includes generation of the reaction-centre bacteriochorophyll in the excited singlet state, followed by excitation-energy migration to antenna bacteriochlorophyll . The relation of these phenomena to the efficiency of solar energy utilization in photosynthetic apparatus is discussed. Ann Clin Res, 1980 Apr, 12(2), 59 - 63 Outcome of patients admitted to the hospital with suspected pneumonia; Sulkava R et al.; In 1976, 220 patients over 15 years of age were admitted to the adult medical services of Aurora Hospital, Helsinki, with a provisional diagnosis of pneumonia . All patients had an infiltrate on the chest X-ray . Acute pneumonia was found in 193 patients (87.7%) . Other diseases in this series were pulmonary tuberculosis in 14 cases (6.4%), carcinoma of the lung in 6 cases (2.7%), and carcinoma of the lung with acute pneumonia in 5 cases (2.3%), aspergilloma in one case (0.5%) and an eosinophilic infiltrate in one case (0.5%) . Previous or associated illnesses in the pneumonia patients were previous pneumonia (40.4%), chronic alcoholism (26.8%) and congestive heart failure (25.8%) . The probable infectious aetiology of pneumonia was found in 45 cases (22.7%) . The commonest agents were influenza A, 17 cases (8.6%); Pneumococcus, 9 cases (4.6%); and Mycoplasma pneumoniae 8 cases (4.0%) . Bacteria were accepted causal if grown from blood cultures; tests for detecting antibodies against Pneumococcus were not used . Sputum cultures were not helpful in the study of bacterial pneumonia . Alcoholism seemed to predispose to pneumococcal pneumonia, but in the alcoholic patients leukocyte counts on admission were not lower than in the other patients . The overall mortality of pneumonia was 5.5%, only 3.5% of patients died during the first 3 weeks. Avian Dis, 1980 Apr-Jun, 24(2), 517 - 9 An intermittent problem with tibial dyschondroplasia; Meinecke CF et al.; Broilers observed in the summer of 1978 had an excessively high incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia, causing both downgrading and loss of parts from broken legs . No etiological agent was determined . Birds held to 16 weeks of age retained the cartilaginous lesions . Bone ash was not diagnostic . Serology indicated no correlation with infectious bursal disease . No bacteria were isolated . The condition was not observed in the next placement of chicks. J Math Biol, 1980 Apr, 9(2), 147 - 77 Biased random walk models for chemotaxis and related diffusion approximations; Alt W; Stochastic models of biased random walk are discussed, which describe the behavior of chemosensitive cells like bacteria or leukocytes in the gradient of a chemotactic factor . In particular the turning frequency and turn angle distribution are derived from certain biological hypotheses on the background of related experimental observations . Under suitable assumptions it is shown that solutions of the underlying differential-integral equation approximately satisfy the well-known Patlak-Keller-Segel diffusion equation, whose coefficients can be expressed in terms of the microscopic parameters . By an appropriate energy functional a precise error estimation of the diffusion approximation is given within the framework of singular perturbation theory. Carcinogenesis, 1980 Apr, 1(4), 337 - 46 Optimal levels of S9 fraction in the Ames and fluctuation tests: apparent importance of diffusion of metabolites from top agar; Forster R et al.; For activation of 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) there is an optimal level of rat liver S9 fraction which is considerably lower in the fluctuation test than in the Ames test . The optimal level of S9 is not markedly affected by the dose of AAF used, nor by the ratio of S9 to bacteria, nor by the presence of soft agar . The difference between Ames and fluctuation tests appears to be due to diffusion of some substance or substances from the top agar layer in the Ames test . Diffusion of the co-factors NADP and glucose-6-phosphate is not responsible for the difference in S9 optima, nor is diffusion of soluble S9 constituents although this may considerably affect the performance of the S9 mix . We present evidence that diffusion of non-mutagenic metabolites of AAF from the Ames test top agar may be responsible for the difference in S9 optima . Our results are consistent with a model whereby lipophilic non-mutagenic metabolites accumulate in the microsomes and inhibit further activation . When the metabolites are able to diffuse away, a higher level of S9 will be optimal . The model is consistent with some other phenomena of S9 activation. Environ Health Perspect, 1980 Apr, 35, 89 - 100 Interaction between environmental pollutants and respiratory infections; Ehrlich R; The major aspects that must be considered in studies of the health effects of environmental pollutants are: the direct damage due to the exposure, the role of pre-existing disease, and effects of the exposure on the response to secondary stresses . In experimental studies at concentrations of air pollutants found in urban environments frank toxicological responses are rarely observed . However, exposure to a secondary stress, i.e . respiratory challenge with infectious bacteria, can exacerbate the response of the experimental host . Changes in the resistance to respiratory infections provide a highly sensitive experimental animal model system, which is increasingly used in studies of health effects of air pollutants . This model indicates the impairment of the basic defense mechanisms of the respiratory system by the combined exposure to low concentrations of pollutants and the superimposed bacterial infection . Changes in the resistance to respiratory infections were studied in various species of laboratory animals . S . pyogenes and K . pneumoniae are the bacteria of choice to induce the pulmonary infection . Included in the studies are short-term single and multiple exposures as well as long-term exposures to gaseous pollutants such as O3 and NO2 and particulate pollutants such as sulfates and nitrates . Changes in the resistance are measured as excess mortalities and reduced survival time as compared to those in infected animals not exposed to the pollutants . Other parameters measured ranged from changes in the immune response to changes in retention rates of bacteria in lungs. Biochem J, 1980 Apr 1, 187(1), 221 - 6 The prosthetic group of methanol dehydrogenase . Purification and some of its properties; Duine JA et al.; Methanol dehydrogenases isolated from bacteria belonging to different classes of methylotrophs contain the same prosthetic group . A procedure for its purification from whole cells is given . The reduced and oxidized form of the enzyme from Hyphomicrobium X and those of the isolated group are compared and it is