Microbiological

Rheumatol Int, 1984, 4 Suppl, 1 - 9
Analysis of T-cell cultures and clones from a patient with classic rheumatoid arthritis--evidence for the existence of autoreactive T-cell clones in blood and synovial fluid; Schlesier M et al.; Using lectin-free IL-2 as the only initial stimulus, bulk cultures and T-cell clones were established from synovial fluid (SFL) and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) . The cloning efficiency of growing bulk cultures was 3%-4% as evaluated by Poisson statistics and was not enhanced by the addition of autologous synovial fluid or serum . The majority of the cloned T cells expressed the OKT8+ phenotype; several clones were OKT4+ and one clone expressed OKT8+ and OKT4+ antigens . None of the cloned T cells exhibited high NK or lectin-dependent cytotoxicity, although bulk cultures had high NK activity . In primed lymphocyte typing responses, bulk cultures and two T-cell clones established from rheumatoid SFL and PBL showed consistent autoreactivity, which we have never before observed with MLC-derived bulk cultures and T cell clones . One of the autoreactive rheumatoid T-cell clones (B25) was found to provide strong helper activity to autologous B cells in the absence of mitogen . Attempts to reveal reactivity of RA-derived T-cell clones to microbial antigens have so far only been successful with Mycoplasma pneumoniae preparations . Careful analysis of this reactivity revealed, however, that Mycoplasma pneumoniae induces a stimulator cell-dependent mitogenic effect rather than an antigen-specific MHC-restricted T-cell proliferation.

Annu Rev Med, 1984, 35, 469 - 79
Viral infections predisposing to bacterial infections; Mills EL; Epidemiological and experimental evidence support the hypothesis that primary viral infection increases host susceptibility to secondary microbial invasion . The evidence is most compelling for a correlation between upper respiratory tract viruses and bacterial sinopulmonary disease; and cytomegalovirus and opportunistic fungal, bacterial and protozoal pathogens invading multiple sites . While a number of virus-induced alterations in host defenses have been described, the determinants of virus pathogenicity are still poorly understood.

Ukr Biokhim Zh, 1984 Jan-Feb, 56(1), 24 - 7
{Properties of urease immobilized on silochrome by means of disulfide bonds}; Liubinskii GV et al.; Grafting of SH-groups to the silica surface through the hydrolytically stable Si-C-bond is conducted by gamma-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane . After 2,2'-dithiobis-p-nitrobenzoic acid (Ellman's reagent) activation of sulphydryl groups urease of microbial origin was immobilized by these carriers . Certain properties of the preparations obtained were studied . The Km of the enzyme during nonporous silicon aerosil immobilization is shown to remain without considerable changes . The found variations in properties of silochrome-immobilized urease are caused by the diffusion inhibition for the substrate and product of the reaction observed even when the substrate concentration is two orders higher than Km.

J Mol Cell Immunol, 1984, 1(2), 91 - 100
Acquisition of paralytic activity by inducer cells; Hu SK et al.; Clones of inducer cells activated by antigen and class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene products synthesize large amounts of several distinct mRNA species not detected in other activated cell types, including antigen-activated suppressor or killer cell clones . Although inducer cells continued to synthesize and secrete peptides at about the same rate for 5 days after activation by adherent cells and antigen, they expressed a new set of mRNAs approximately 3 days after activation . We therefore tested the functional activity of purified Ly1 cells at different days after activation by adherent cells and antigen . We wished to find out (a) whether there was a qualitative or quantitative change in the level of inducer activity, and if so, (b) whether this functional change was an intrinsic property of Ly1 cells or, rather, was dependent on signals from the cellular environment, in particular from adherent antigen-presenting cells . We incubated purified Ly1 cells and splenic adherent cells for 1-7 days in vitro, and tested inducer activity in cultures containing highly purified B cells and sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) . Anti-SRBC plaqueforming cells were counted 5 days later . We found that inducer cells that have been incubated with adherent cells in culture for more than 72 h (a) did not induce B cells to produce antibody, and (b) prevented virgin but not immune B cells from receiving T-helper signals . We term this latter phenomenon "paralysis." Acquisition of the ability to paralyze virgin B cells required an I-E gene-regulated interaction between inducer cells and in vitro-activated adherent cells . This interaction did not require antigen and was associated with transition from Ly1:Qa1- to Ly1:Qa1+ cell-surface phenotype . Taken together these findings indicate that (a) interactions between inducer cells and adherent antigen-presenting cells result first in classical inducer ("helper") activity and later in expression of paralytic activity and (b) sequential expression of these inducer activities depends on two distinct signals, supplied by resting and activated adherent cells, respectively . The signal supplied by autologous activated adherent cells is regulated by I-E gene products and is independent of corecognition of foreign proteins . The physiologic significance of this paralytic inducer activity in the prevention of potentially harmful immune reactions to foreign microbial agents is discussed.

C R Seances Soc Biol Fil, 1984, 178(6), 722 - 9
{Demonstration of hormonal actions on Escherichia coli K 12 by potentiometry in the presence of lipoic acid; correlation with measurements of microbial growth and glucose consumption}; Selegny A et al.; The action of hormones on Escherichia coli K 12 was followed by potential-time measurements in the presence of lipoic acid (LA), photometric determinations of growth and glucose titrations . Bovine growth hormone (5 to 60 IU/1) increased O2 consumption . The (10 IU/1) insulin-facilitated transport of LA was stimulated by glucose . Adrenaline (0.5 to 15 mg/l) increased more glucose and O2 consumption than growth.

Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 1984, 19(4), 327 - 79
Radiation preservation of foods of plant origin . Part 1 . Potatoes and other tuber crops; Thomas P; In Part 1 of a planned series of articles on preservation of foods of plant origin by gamma irradiation, the current state of research on the technological, nutritional, and biochemical aspects of sprout inhibition of potatoes and other tuber crops are reviewed . These include varietal responses, dose effects, time of irradiation, pre- and postirradiation storage, and handling requirements; postirradiation changes in carbohydrates, ascorbic acid, amino acids, and other nutrients; respiration; biochemical mechanisms involved in sprout inhibition; wound healing and microbial infection during storage; formation of wound and light-induced glycoalkaloids and identification of irradiated potatoes . The culinary and processing qualities with particular reference to darkening of boiled and processed potatoes are discussed . The prospects of irradiation on an industrial scale as an alternative to chemical sprout inhibitors or mechanical refrigeration are considered.

Acta Chem Scand B, 1984, 38(3), 219 - 23
High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of analogous amino and oxo acids for the determination of amino acid oxidase and transaminase activities; Brodelius P; An analytical method, based on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, for the determination of analogous amino and oxo acids, has been developed . The assay may be employed to monitor amino acid oxidase and transaminase activities . Simultaneous quantitative determination of substrate and product is readily achieved . In particular, the amino acid oxidase activity within whole microbial cells immobilized by entrapment in Ca2+-alginate has been studied . The assay of transaminases has been exemplified with glutamic-pyruvic transaminase.

Arch Oral Biol, 1984, 29(7), 521 - 7
The effect of fluorhydroxyapatite in experimental human dental plaque on its pH, acid production and soluble calcium, phosphate and fluoride levels following glucose challenge; Pearce EI et al.; Plaque grown on terylene gauze in the mouths of 5 volunteers was treated with a mineralizing solution intermittently for 4 days to deposit fluorhydroxyapatite . Control plaque grown simultaneously was not treated . Sixteen hours after the last treatment, plaque gauzes were incubated in 0.28 M glucose under N2 at 37 degrees C . The mean pH, reached by the 5 mineralized plaques after 30 min, (4.78) was significantly higher than the mean pH reached by control plaques (4.13), a difference that was due neither to unequal microbial mass nor to unequal acid concentrations . Acid neutralization following the dissolution of apatite was probably mainly responsible for the pH differences although a small antiglycolytic effect from leached F could not be ruled out . Mineralized plaque lost on average 24 per cent of its Ca, 25 per cent of its P and 16 per cent of its F, resulting in 0.868 mM Ca, 0.676 mM P and 0.075 mM F in the supernatant . Test plaque fluid was saturated with respect to fluorapatite and only moderately undersaturated with respect to hydroxyapatite at the end of the incubation period; this could explain the pronounced caries-protective effect of plaque fluorhydroxyapatite shown previously.

Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev, 1984, 2, 1 - 39
The impact of new technologies on vaccine development; Winther MD et al.; The ability to move genetic determinants between species using in vitro gene-manipulation techniques has opened up new approaches to vaccine development . This has rapidly grown into an exciting area of research in both academic and industrial laboratories . There are numerous scientific challenges which require multidisciplinary teams to solve problems in creating new immunogens . This has challenged our existing knowledge about protein structure and conformation, microbial pathogenicity and the immune system . Recombinant-DNA techniques are invaluable as tools of analysis and antigen production . The surface of micro-organisms can also be minutely explored with the use of synthetic peptides and monoclonal antibodies . Nevertheless, these new technologies do not allow us to circumvent the need for detailed understanding of pathogens and the disease process . What is apparent from the work carried out so far is that there are few easy answers to vaccine development and it is not realistic to expect rapid solutions to these problems . As there are many potential targets for constructing novel vaccines for both human and animal diseases, it is helpful to establish some priorities . There is a tendency to look at the existing effective vaccines and simply direct research at producing them more economically or with enhanced safety and stability . The advantage of this approach is that considerable background work will have already been carried out establishing the basis for the application of recombinant DNA techniques . However, this can also lead to conflicts (often within the same institute or company) between the new and old technologies . This could be to the detriment of the new technologies which are still only partly developed and may not be good enough yet to compete with existing vaccines in cost or efficacy . The more ambitious, and eventually more rewarding, approach is to attempt to develop new vaccines where none had existed before . There is a vast untapped market, especially in the parasitic diseases, but the scientific problems may be considerable and much more background work is likely to be necessary . Indeed, most of the work in this area is more accurately referred to as basic research rather than vaccine development as totally new, effective vaccines are still some way off . Having directed research towards a specific organism or disease there are still many options available as to the scientific strategy to adopt . As discussed in this review it may be possible to consider subunits, synthetic antigens and live (attenuated or heterologous) organisms as possible vaccines.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1984, 33(3-4), 249 - 56
CO2 release as an index of biological activity of cultivated soils; Golebiowska J et al.; In 15 soils from the region of Wielkopolska, estimations of CO2 release and bacterial biomass size were made . It follows from the present studies that CO2 release from the soil can be an index of its metabolic activity . It is necessary to take into consideration also the dynamics of that process in each type of soil and to determine the degree and time of its response to variation of ecological conditions . However, not always microbial numbers, particularly microbial biomass in the soil, may be a sufficient measure of the soil metabolic activity.

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1984, 33(3-4), 239 - 47
A comparison of bacterial and fungal biomass in several cultivated soils; Kaczmarek W; Bacterial and fungal biomass was estimated in incubated samples of three cultivated soils, the influence of glucose, ammonium nitrate and cattle slurry on its formation being studied . The microbial biomass was determined in stained microscopic preparations of soil suspension . Bacterial biomass in the control samples was from 0.17 to 0.66 mg dry wt per 1 g dry soil and independently of the applied supplements was on the average two times larger in muck soils than in sand . Fungal biomass in the control soils ranged from 0.013 to 0.161 mg dry wt per 1 g dry soil, no relationship being found between its size and the soil type . As a result, the ratio of the size of fungal to bacterial biomass was dependent on the soil type; in sand the fungal biomass corresponded to 1/3 of the bacterial biomass, and in muck soils--only to 1/7.

J Appl Bacteriol, 1983 Dec, 55(3), 429 - 38
The rapid estimation of microbial contamination of raw meat by measurement of adenosine triphosphate (ATP); Stannard CJ et al.; Bacteria were separated from raw meat homogenate by a simple three-stage process . Centrifugation (10 s at 2000 g) removed coarse particles; stirring with the cation exchange resin Bio-Rex 70 removed smaller particles and filtration through 0.22 micron membranes removed soluble materials . By this process 70-80% of the microbial populations of meat homogenates were consistently isolated on the filters . A linear relationship was found between log10 microbial ATP and log10 colony count of meat over the range 10(5)-10(9) cfu/g . The value of ATP/cfu for meat samples was within the range previously reported for pure cultures . These data indicated that ATP extracted from the filters originated from bacteria in the meat samples . Several samples can be analysed simultaneously in an elapsed time of 20-25 min . The variability associated with estimates of both colony counts and ATP levels has been determined.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1983 Dec, 46(6), 1331 - 8
Role of catabolite regulatory mechanisms in control of carbohydrate utilization by the rumen anaerobic fungus Neocallimastix frontalis; Mountfort DO et al.; Neocallimastix frontalis PN-1 utilized the soluble sugars D-glucose, D-cellobiose, D-fructose, maltose, sucrose, and D-xylose for growth . L-Arabinose, D-galactose, D-mannose, and D-xylitol did not support growth of the fungus . Paired substrate test systems were used to determine whether any two sugars were utilized simultaneously or sequentially . Of the paired monosaccharides tested, glucose was found to be preferentially utilized compared with fructose and xylose . The disaccharides cellobiose and sucrose were preferentially utilized compared with fructose and glucose, respectively, an cellobiose was also the preferred substrate compared with xylose . Xylose was the preferred substrate compared with maltose . In further incubations, the fungus was grown on the substrate utilized last in the two-substrate tests . After moderate growth was attained, the preferred substrate was added to the culture medium . Inhibition of nonpreferred substrate utilization by the addition of the preferred substrate was taken as evidence of catabolite regulation . For the various combinations of substrates tested, fructose and xylose utilization was found to be inhibited in the presence of glucose, indicating that catabolite regulation was involved . No clear-cut inhibition was observed with any of the other substrate combinations tested . The significance of these findings in relation to rumen microbial interactions and competitions is discussed.

J Steroid Biochem, 1983 Dec, 19(6), 1789 - 97
1-Ene-steroid reductase of Mycobacterium sp . NRRL B-3805; Goren T et al.; The microbial enzymatic reduction of 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione (ADD) to 4-androstene-3,17-dione (AD), testosterone and 1-dehydrotestosterone (DHT) is described . Two reducing activities observed in washed cell suspensions and cell free extracts of Mycobacterium sp . NRRL B-3805 were found to account for these bioconversions . One was a 1-ene-steroid reductase and the other a 17-keto steroid reductase . The first reducing activity was found to appear in the soluble cell fraction whereas the latter could be precipitated by centrifugation . Maximum 1-ene-steroid reductase specific activity was achieved during the exponential growth phase of the organism and significantly increased upon induction with ADD . The 1-ene-steroid reductase was partially purified (30-fold) by ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel-filtration and ion-exchange chromatography, and was eluted from a Sephacryl S-300 column with an Mr = 115,000 . The 1-ene-steroid reductase activity was NADPH-dependent and had specificity towards steroid compounds containing C-1,2 double bond with an apparent Km for ADD of 2.2 X 10(-5) M . The reverse reaction catalyzing C-1,2 dehydrogenation could not be detected in our preparations . The results suggest that in Mycobacterium sp NRRL B-3805 and B-3683 the steroid C-1,2 dehydrogenation and 1-ene reduction are two separable activities.

Mol Biol Evol, 1983 Dec, 1(1), 109 - 24
Role of cryptic genes in microbial evolution; Hall BG et al.; Cryptic genes are phenotypically silent DNA sequences, not normally expressed during the life cycle of an individual . They may, however, be activated in a few individuals of a large population by mutation, recombination, insertion elements, or other genetic mechanisms . A consideration of the microbial literature concerning biochemical evolution, physiology, and taxonomy provides the basis for a hypothesis of microbial adaptation and evolution by mutational activation of cryptic genes . Evidence is presented, and a mathematical model is derived, indicating that powerful and biologically important mechanisms exist to prevent the loss of cryptic genes . We propose that cryptic genes persist as a vital element of the genetic repertoire, ready for recall by mutational activation in future generations . Cryptic genes provide a versatile endogenous genetic reservoir that enhances the adaptive potential of a species by a mechanism that is independent of genetic exchange.

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1983 Dec, 49(6), 585 - 95
Characterization of microbial proteolytic enzymes in the rumen; Prins RA et al.; Up to 43% of the viable bacteria from the rumen of cows fed grass and concentrates grew on a medium containing casein as the main substrate . Proteolytic counts for a cow fed on straw and concentrates or for a hay-fed cow were lower than counts for cows fed grass and concentrates, both in absolute terms and in relation to the total anaerobic count . In crude enzyme preparations derived from the rumen protozoa, amino acid arylamidase (leucine aminopeptidase)-like activity was the main proteolytic activity observed . In enzyme preparations extracted from the rumen bacteria in the presence of Triton X-100, trypsin-like activity was predominant . Amino acid arylamidase- and metal-chelating proteinase-like activity together with lower activities of carboxypeptidase A and B and a very low chymotrypsin-like activity were found as well . Studies with enzyme inhibitors showed that the bacterial trypsin-like activity was largely of the cysteine-protease type in a hay-fed cow, but in addition comprised serine-protease activity in a cow fed grass and concentrates . Total proteolytic activity of the enzymes in the bacterial fraction and the spectrum of proteolytic enzymes were found to vary with the ration.

Mycopathologia, 1983 Dec 1, 84(1), 3 - 16
Entomogenous Fusarium species; Teetor-Barsch GH et al.; Fusarium species are known for their abundance in nature and their diverse associations with both living and dead plants and animals . Among animals Fusarium is found primarily in relationship with insects . This literature review of the past 50 years includes both non-pathogenic and pathogenic relationships between Fusarium and insects . Special attention is given to the host range, particularly between plant- and insect-hosts, and to the possible microbial potential of the fungus to control insect pests . Correct classification of this fungus has been difficult because of its diverse and non-uniform morphological features . However, by now a usable and reliable taxonomic system has been developed . The fungus can be easily cultured and mass produced . Among the non-pathogenic associations mutualism and allotrophy are found between Fusarium and wood-inhabiting and flour beetles, respectively, enhancing development and production of beetle larvae . Some insects contribute to the dispersal of the fungus in the environment by means of spore passage through their guts . Plant-pathogenic Fusarium species gain access to host tissue by plant-feeding insects . A large number of Fusarium spp . are entomopathogenic; some are weak, facultative pathogens, especially of the lepidopteran and coleopteran orders, and they will colonize their dead hosts as saprophytes . In a few cases pathogenicity to both plant and insect by one isolate was found . Strong pathogens were reported primarily from homopterans and dipterans from field observations of natural mortalities as well as from pathogenicity tests . Potential Fusarium isolates which cause high insect mortalities also show high host specificity and no damage to crop plants . The question of host invasion has been addressed by few investigators . Entrance of the fungus via the oral route, oviposition tubes, wounds, or ectoparasitic activity, were stated, but no claim for penetration of the insect cuticle . Mycotoxins, such as trichothecenes (T-2) and other secondary metabolites, contributed to mortalities of termites, mealworms, flour beetles, maize borers and blow flies, while zearalenone (F-2) exhibited a beneficial effect on egg production in flour beetles and a detrimental effect on fecundity in mammals . Studies on adverse effects of the fungus on beneficial organisms (including mammals and plants) revealed that both harmful as well as safe Fusarium isolates exist in nature . Highly host-specific and strongly entomopathogenic Fusarium isolates should be more extensively studied and tested for their possible use in biological control.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1983 Dec, 128(6), 1077 - 83
A guinea pig model to study effects of persistent intrabronchial antigenic stimulation and inflammation; Wallace JM et al.; Chronic antigenic stimulation and inflammation of the bronchial tree occurs in several diseases involving microbial airway colonization . We developed a guinea pig model to study the effects of persistent intrabronchial antigenic stimulation with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) . Sepharose beads 200 to 300 micron in diameter conjugated with 300 micrograms KLH were injected via a tracheostomy catheter, causing them to lodge in the bronchial tree . When lung sections from these animals and animals given uncoupled sepharose beads were examined histologically, it became apparent that in this model the persistent antigenic stimulus is accompanied by local inflammation caused by an irritant effect of the beads . To determine how the intrabronchial antigen was distributed locally and systemically, 125I labeled KLH-coupled beads were administered . Radioactivity remained predominantly in the lung, where 13 +/- 5% of the administered dose was still detectable by Day 30 . Autoradiographs of Day 30 lung sections demonstrated that the radioactivity was concentrated on the individual beads, indicating that it largely represented KLH persisting in the bronchial tree . Minute amounts of radioactivity were detected systemically and in the regional lymph nodes (LN) . A radioimmune assay of serum collected on Day 1 demonstrated that some of the circulating radioactivity represented antigenic KLH . When anti-KLH antibody-forming cells (AFC) were measured in lung homogenate, regional LN, blood, and spleen cell preparations after KLH-coupled bead administration, they were initially detected only in the spleen . Significant concentrations appeared in the lung homogenate, regional LN, and spleen by Day 10 and thereafter through Day 20.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibiotiki, 1983 Dec, 28(12), 915 - 23
{Can extrachromosomal genetic elements be recognized as inventions?}; Bartoshevich IuE et al.; The legal bases for acknowledgement of plasmids (vectors) as inventions, in particular within the classes of the "substance" and "microbial strain" are discussed . There is a definite similarity in a number of features between phages recognized as inventions and plasmids . Therefore, in principle their acknowledgement as inventions may be considered possible, since it raises no new problems as those occurring in legal protection of microbial strains . At the same time there is no pressing need in acknowledgement of plasmids (vectors) as inventions and their legal protection should be rather of the prestige character.

J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1983 Dec, 72(6), 649 - 56
Occupational skin disease; Emmett EA; Occupational skin diseases are the most frequent occupational diseases . Certain industries are at a particularly high risk . Important factors to consider include percutaneous absorption and alterations in resistance to microbial agents . The most common condition is contact dermatitis, usually irritant but frequently causing allergy . Other selected conditions include photosensitization, acne and chloracne, fiberglass dermatitis, pigmentary changes, and skin tumor . The approach to the patient and diagnostic criteria for occupational skin disease are described.

Mutat Res, 1983 Dec, 112(6), 313 - 27
X-ray-sensitive mutants of Chinese hamster ovary cell line . Isolation and cross-sensitivity to other DNA-damaging agents; Jeggo PA et al.; A standard technique of microbial genetics, which involves the transfer of cells from single colonies by means of sterile toothpicks, has been adapted to somatic cell genetics . Its use has been demonstrated in the isolation of X-ray-sensitive mutants of CHO cells . 9000 colonies have been tested and 6 appreciably X-ray-sensitive mutants were isolated . (D10 values 5-10-fold of wild-type D10 value.) A further 6 mutants were obtained which showed a slight level of sensitivity (D10 values less than 2-fold of wild-type D10 value) . The 6 more sensitive mutants were also sensitive to bleomycin, a chemotherapeutic agent inducing X-ray-like damage . Cross-sensitivity to UV-irradiation and treatment with the alkylating agents, MMS, EMS and MNNG, was investigated for these mutants . Some sensitivity to these other agents was observed, but in all cases it was less severe than the level of sensitivity to X-irradiation . Each mutant showed a different overall response to the spectrum of agents examined and these appear to represent new mutant phenotypes derived from cultured mammalian cell lines . One mutant strain, xrs-7, was cross-sensitive to all the DNA-damaging agents, but was proficient in the repair of single-strand breaks.

Hosp Formul, 1983 Dec, 18(12), 1124 - 8
Final in-line filtration: removal of contaminants from IV fluids and drugs; Rapp RP et al.; The administration of intravenous fluids or drugs may allow particulate and microbiologic contamination to enter the bloodstream . Studies have implicated injected particles as a cause of postinfusion phlebitis . The process of manufacturing the infusion product will influence the type and quantify of injected particles . Particles greater than 8 microns are filtered by the lung, and depending on their reactivity, can cause pulmonary granulomas . Particles below 8 microns are initially filtered, cleared by phagocytosis, and ultimately migrate to the liver and spleen . Both nonvisible particles and microbial contaminants of fluids and drugs can be effectively removed by 0.45- or 0.22-micron in-line final filtration . When filters are employed, problems can occur, including air locking, clogging, and drug-binding . A knowledge of why and to what extent these problems can occur will allow in-line filters to be used effectively by health care practitioners.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1983 Nov, 36(11), 1463 - 7
Microbial conversion of anthracycline antibiotics . II . Characterization of the microbial conversion products of auramycinone by Streptomyces coeruleorubidus ATCC 31276; Hoshino T et al.; Auramycinone was subjected to microbial conversion by Streptomyces coeruleorubidus ATCC 31276, a producer of baumycins . As a result, auramycinone was converted to 11-hydroxyauramycinone and 9-methyl-10-hydroxydaunomycin (feudomycin D) . The results implicate auramycinone as a presumptive intermediate in the biosynthesis of 9-methyl-10-hydroxydaunomycin by S . coeruleorubidus.

J Pharm Sci, 1983 Nov, 72(11), 1291 - 4
Microbial transformations of natural antitumor agents XXII: Conversion of bouvardin to O-desmethylbouvardin and bouvardin catechol; Petroski RJ et al.; Bouvardin is a cyclic hexapeptide antitumor agent which undergoes two major microbial transformation reactions . Screening with 220 cultures revealed 17 different strains capable of producing O-desmethylbouvardin in good yield . O-Desmethylbouvardin was isolated and characterized from preparative scale incubations with Streptomyces rutgersensis NRRL B-1256 . Four aspergilli and one streptomycete formed bouvardin catechol when O-desmethylbouvardin was used as substrate . Bouvardin catechol was isolated and characterized from a preparative scale incubation with Aspergillus ochraceous UI 398.

Infect Immun, 1983 Nov, 42(2), 812 - 7
Diphtheria toxin does not enter resistant cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis; Morris RE et al.; Diphtheria toxin (DT) and pseudomonas toxin are two distinct microbial toxins which inhibit protein synthesis in an identical manner, i.e., by the inactivation of cytoplasmic elongation factor 2 . Although murine cells bind both toxins, they are 10,000-fold less sensitive to DT than to pseudomonas toxin . This suggests that the level of resistance resides at some event after binding . We have previously shown that pseudomonas toxin enters mouse LM fibroblasts by receptor-mediated endocytosis, a process in which ligand is internalized via specialized clathrin-coated pits and moves to the Golgi region and then to the lysosomes . Here, we visually follow the entry and trafficking of DT by resistant mouse fibroblasts . A biotinyl-toxin-avidin-gold system was used to visualize DT on the ultrastructural level . DT entered resistant cells through non-clathrin-coated regions of the plasma membrane and within 2.5 to 5 min was seen in lysosomes . Only rarely was DT seen in coated pits or in the Golgi region . Furthermore, the temperature dependence of internalization of 125I-labeled horseradish peroxidase and 125I-labeled DT by LM cells was similar . On the basis of these observations, we postulate that DT does not enter DT-resistant LM cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis and that receptor-mediated endocytosis is required for efficient expression of toxicity.

Arch Dermatol, 1983 Nov, 119(11), 934 - 45
Delayed-type hypersensitivity skin testing . A review; Ahmed AR et al.; Delayed hypersensitivity skin testing is based on the reaction that occurs in response to the intradermal injection of an antigen . The technique, interpretation, and pitfalls of interpretation of delayed hypersensitivity skin testing are presented . The histologic findings and immunologic mechanisms characterizing this form of immunologic response are discussed . The diagnostic and clinical importance of reactivity to recall skin test batteries, common microbial antigens, dinitrochlorobenzene, and tumor-associated antigens is also discussed.

Gan To Kagaku Ryoho, 1983 Nov, 10(11), 2309 - 17
{Phase I study of forphenicinol, a new biological response modifier}; Terakado T et al.; Forphenicinol, {L-(4-hydroxymethyl-3-hydroxyphenyl) glycine}, a new biological response modifier, is a derivative of forphenicine, an inhibitor of chick intestine alkaline phosphatase, discovered by H . Umezawa from the microbial culture filtrate . In order to find an optimal dose schedule of forphenicinol, the drug was given p.o . at doses ranged from 10, 50, 100, 400 to 800 mg once a day for 7 days to 103 patients (39 malignant and 64 benign) . No side effect was observed . Statistical analysis was performed on immunological parameters, including WBC; lymphocyte, T-cell, B-cell, T gamma-cell (each % and count); S.I . of PHA and Con A, NK cell activity and K cell activity before and after administration . The patients were divided into the "low-dose" group given less than 100 mg/day of the drug and the "high-dose" group given more than 400 mg/day . Further, on the basis of values of each parameter before administration, the patients were divided into the "low-before" or the "high-before" group, when the pretreated value of parameters was lower or higher than the median of all cases . In the malignant patients, lymphocyte (% and count), T-cell (% and count) and B-cell (% and count) significantly increased in the "low-dose"-"low-before" group (p less than 0.05), but B-cell (%) and S.I . of PHP and Con A decreased in the "low-dose"-"high-before" group . On the contrary, there was no significant change in both the "low-before" and the "high-before" group, when "high-dose" of the drug was given . In the benign patients T gamma-cell (% and count) and NK cell activity were found to be significantly increased in the "high-dose"-"low-before" group, indicating some difference in response of parameter from cancer patients . An optimal dose of forphenicinol for cancer patients was considered to be in a range of 10-100 mg/day.

Br J Rheumatol, 1983 Nov, 22(4 Suppl 2), 168 - 71
Neutrophil function and HLA-B27; Repo H et al.; The pathogenesis of HLA-B27 linked diseases, including reactive enteroarthritides, is not known . Differences in immune response, cross-reaction between microbial antigens and host cell structures, attachment of microbial components on the host cell surfaces with subsequent autoimmune reaction, and inflammatory responsiveness of the host may be involved . In this contribution we present evidence to show that HLA-B27 positive subjects may be prone to an exaggerated inflammatory response, as compared with HLA-B27 negative subjects.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1983 Nov, 36(11), 1458 - 62
Microbial conversion of anthracycline antibiotics . I . Microbial conversion of aclacinomycin B to aclacinomycin A; Hoshino T et al.; Streptomyces galilaeus OBB-111 and its blocked mutant were found to convert aclacinomycin B and related anthracycline glycosides of the B type to the corresponding A-type glycosides . Only the cell fraction of cultures of S . galilaeus OBB-111 was capable of catalyzing the reaction . The activity was associated with growth but disappeared before the start of rapid production of aclacinomycins A and B.

Br J Rheumatol, 1983 Nov, 22(4 Suppl 2), 161 - 7
Macrophage 'receptors' for bacterial cell-wall sugars and immune response genes: possible determinants of susceptibility to infection; Weir DM et al.; Recognition of bacteria, antigen presentation and regulation of the immune response by the class II antigens of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are among the many factors that influence a host's response to microbial infection . 'Lectin-like' receptors on the macrophage membrane recognize a variety of bacteria by interaction with their cell-wall sugars . These receptors are susceptible to environmental factors and appear to be associated with the I-A subregion of the mouse MHC . Possible effects of this recognition system on the pathogenesis of microbial infection and reactive arthritides are considered.

Antibiotiki, 1983 Nov, 28(11), 818 - 22
{Purification of antibiotics by ultrafiltration through semi-permeable membranes}; Ustiuzhanina IIu et al.; The process of purification of benzylpenicillin, penicillin V and erythromycin solutions with the use of semi-permeable membranes was studied . Practically complete separation of high-molecular admixtures and microbial colonies and separation of significant amounts of the colored compounds were shown to be possible . The purification process may be used effectively at the early stages of antibiotic production.

J Am Dent Assoc, 1983 Nov, 107(5), 766 - 70
Periodontal disease in juvenile and adult diabetic patients: a review of the literature; Manouchehr-Pour M et al.; Epidemiologic studies have suggested that the severity of periodontitis is greater in juvenile and adult onset diabetes . In juvenile diabetic patients, the periodontal disease seems to be initiated around puberty and progresses by age . Reviewing the medical literature indicates a similar age of onset for known systemic complications resulting from diabetes . Angiopathy, abnormal collagen metabolism, abnormal PMN function, and altered sulcular microbial flora have been found to be closely associated with the severity of periodontitis in diabetic patients . The association between abnormal neutrophil function and severity of periodontal disease in diabetic patients provides an opportunity for examining the role of neutrophil in periodontal disease . Future investigation in the function of sulcular PMN may shed light on the complex mechanism of periodontal disease.

Br J Nutr, 1983 Nov, 50(3), 701 - 9
A comparison of the chemical composition of mixed bacteria harvested from the liquid and solid fractions of rumen digesta; Merry RJ et al.; Steers, equipped with simple rumen cannulas, were given diets of approximately equal parts of rolled barley and straw supplemented with urea . The diets provided sufficient estimated rumen degradable nitrogen (RDN; RDN:metabolizable energy values of 1:3) to maintain maximum microbial synthesis . In some experiments Na235SO4 was introduced into the rumen to label microbial protein . Rumen digesta samples were taken before feeding and mixed rumen bacteria were separated from the solid (solid-associated bacteria; SAB) and liquid (liquid-associated bacteria; LAB) fractions of digesta . The most effective method of removing SAB from the fibre was a combination of homogenizing and pummelling . This process did not affect the physical form or chemical composition of the bacteria . Samples of SAB contained significantly (P less than or equal to at least 0.05) less ash, total N, RNA and diaminopimelic acid (DAP) and significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) more lipid than samples of LAB . Concentrations (g/kg dry matter) of ash, total N, RNA, DAP and lipid in SAB were approximately 87, 70, 35, 2.2 and 245 respectively . Corresponding values for LAB were 157, 80, 50, 3.8 and 124 respectively . RNA-N:total N and DAP-N:total N values in SAB were significantly lower than those in LAB (P less than or equal to 0.05 and 0.02 respectively) . 35S:total N values were similar in both groups of bacteria . The importance of differences in constituent:total N values in the two groups of bacteria in relation to their use as indices of microbial protein synthesis is discussed.

Exp Cell Res, 1983 Oct 15, 148(2), 525 - 9
Effects of thiol protease inhibitors on intracellular degradation of exogenous beta-galactosidase in cultured human skin fibroblasts; Ko YM et al.; The effects of low molecular weight (LMW) protease inhibitors of microbial origin were evaluated on the intracellular degradation of beta-galactosidase purified from Aspergillus oryzae and taken up by cultured human skin fibroblasts with beta-galactosidase deficiency . Only thiol protease inhibitors showed an effect to increase the enzyme activity . E-64, a specific inhibitor of thiol proteases, prolonged 3-fold a half life of the exogenous beta-galactosidase and when the enzyme was supplied as liposomes, the half life was prolonged 9-fold in these cells . The role of thiol proteases in the degradation of enzyme molecules was discussed.

Toxicol Lett, 1983 Oct-Nov, 19(1-2), 171 - 8
Toxicity of miserotoxin and its aglycone (3-nitropropanol) to rats; Majak W et al.; The toxicity of miserotoxin (3-nitro-1-propyl-beta-D-glucoside) and its aglycone, NPOH, were compared in rats . Miserotoxin, a component of certain legumes, was relatively innocuous given orally (LD50 greater than 2.5 g/kg) but NPOH (LD50 = 77 mg/kg) was at least 10 times more toxic . Miserotoxin was readily absorbed from the upper regions of the digestive tract but the degree of gastrointestinal hydrolysis was small . The low toxicity of miserotoxin was attributed to a low level of microbial hydrolysis . NPA was not detected in the gastrointestinal tract during miserotoxin digestion . A simple method for isolating miserotoxin by column chromatography is described.

Z Hautkr, 1983 Oct 1, 58(19), 1399 - 408
{Effects of rifamycin SV and a neomycin-bacitracin combination on the healing of microbial eczema}; Vogt E; 21 patients suffering from microbial eczema were locally treated with antibiotics over a period of 14 days . As antibiotics we chose rifamycin SV and a combination of neomycin and bacitracin . S . aureus--most frequently traceable on microbial eczema--is usually sensitive to rifamycin SV as well as neomycin and bacitracin in combination.

J Steroid Biochem, 1983 Oct, 19(4), 1509 - 11
A new microbial degradation pathway of steroid alkaloids; Gaberc-Porekar V et al.; In the degradation pathway of the steroid alkaloid tomatidine by Gymnoascus reesii the A-ring of tomatidine is opened with the formation of the 4-hydroxy-3,4-secotomatidine-3-oic acid, which was identified in the form of N-acetyl-3,4-tomatidine-carbolactone by mass, IR and 1H NMR spectra . Cleavage of the A-ring in the starting reaction indicates that an alternative pathway must be operating, instead of the general oxidative one.

J Steroid Biochem, 1983 Oct, 19(4), 1451 - 8
Side chain degradation and microbial reduction of different steroids by Aspergillus auroefulgens; Viola F et al.; The Aspergillus aureofulgens ability to cleave the side chain of progesterone (I) and the related C-21 steroids was studied . The enzymic system responsible for the progesterone side chain degradation was demonstrated to be adaptative and to operate by a Baeyer-Villiger mechanism . The cleavage of the side chain of the progesterone and of the related compounds was followed by the stereospecific reduction of the formed androst-4-ene-3,17-dione(II) to the 5 beta-androstan derivatives . Both the oxygenase and reductase activities seemed to be influenced by the growth conditions . Several steroids bearing different skeleton functions and different side chains were also tested in order to correlate the chemical structure with the microbial activity.

Lab Anim Sci, 1983 Oct, 33(5), 446 - 50
Viral cross contamination of rats maintained in a fabric-walled mass air flow system; Thigpen JE et al.; Rates for microbial cross transmission were measured in sentinel rats housed for 60 days in a fabric-walled mass air flow system . Naturally infected rats housed in the enclosure were the source of the infectious material . The cross transmission rates for rat coronaviruses, Kilham's rat virus, pneumonia virus of mice, Sendai virus, and Toolan's H-1 virus, were measured by positive seroconversion . The mass air flow system did not prevent, over a 60-day period, the transmission of the rat coronaviruses or Sendai virus between rats housed on separate racks maintained 81 cm apart . At 15 days, all sentinel rats had acquired two or more additional bacterial organisms, indicating rapid cage to cage cross transmission . It was concluded that rats from different sources with different microbial profiles should not be housed in this room at the same time.

Cryobiology, 1983 Oct, 20(5), 567 - 73
Improved survival after cryogenic exposure of shoot tips derived from in vitro plantlet cultures of potato; Towill LE; In vitro plantlets were used for axillary shoot tip isolation to avoid microbial contamination which often occurred from use of greenhouse-grown plants . Periodic subculturing gave a supply of uniform plantlets necessary for obtaining shoot tips for cryogenic experiments . Previous results have shown that all cells within a shoot tip did not survive cryogenic exposure and the regrowth percentage depended upon the composition of the culture medium . A medium containing 0.5 mg/liter zeatin, 0.2 mg/liter gibberellic acid, and 0.5 mg/liter indoleacetic acid gave regeneration of a multiple-shoot mass from control and some frozen shoot tips . The two-step cooling procedure (0.2-03 degrees C/min to -35 degrees C followed by immersion in liquid nitrogen) gave high percentages of regrowth in the cultivars Norland and Red Pontiac . Shoots were obtained from treated materials in both cultivars.

Br J Surg, 1983 Oct, 70(10), 590 - 5
Prevention of postoperative renal failure in patients with obstructive jaundice--the role of bile salts; Cahill CJ; Preoperative administration of the simple bile salt sodium deoxycholate has been shown in this study to prevent postoperative endotoxaemia and renal failure in patients with obstructive jaundice . Fifty-four per cent of jaundiced patients not given the salt were found to have systemic endotoxaemia, associated with renal impairment in two-thirds of the cases . No patient given sodium deoxycholate 500 mg 8 hourly for 48 hours before operation had portal or systemic endotoxaemia, and none had evidence of renal impairment (P less than 0 X 02, X2 with Yates' correction) . The incidence of endotoxaemia in untreated jaundiced patients was very significantly greater than in non-jaundiced patients undergoing elective upper abdominal surgery (P less than 0 X 005), but this difference is abolished by the prophylactic administration of the oral bile salt . The mechanism of action of bile salts in preventing endotoxin absorption from the small bowel has been investigated, and the lack of any significant alteration in the small bowel microbial flora in obstructive jaundice suggests that a direct effect on the endotoxin molecule is involved . Nearly 20 per cent of patients with obstructive jaundice still develop postoperative renal insufficiency, but preoperative prophylactic use of sodium deoxycholate should reduce this very significantly.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1983 Oct 1, 147(3), 240 - 6
Premature rupture of membranes: the role of C-reactive protein in the prediction of chorioamnionitis; Hawrylyshyn P et al.; A group of 52 patients with premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) before 34 weeks' gestation were evaluated prospectively and managed expectantly . Of 42 patients who were delivered of their infants, 26 (61.9%) had significant chorioamnionitis on histopathology, and 18 had positive microbial cultures at delivery . However, only seven patients (16.7%) developed clinical signs of chorioamnionitis . There were no maternal deaths or perinatal deaths attributable to sepsis . Only two infants (less than 5%) had positive blood cultures . All patients were assessed daily for the development of chorioamnionitis . Amniocenteses were not routinely performed . White blood cell counts, band neutrophil counts, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate determinations were found to be unreliable . C-reactive protein determinations were found most reliable with a high sensitivity and specificity . Elevated C-reactive protein levels correlated better with pathologic confirmation of chorioamnionitis than with the clinical febrile morbidity . Clinical implications for the management of PROM are discussed.

Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol, 1983 Oct, 42(1), 135 - 43
The use of a B subtilis in a pre-incubation assay for the detection of dna-modifying agents; Donnelly KC et al.; A microbial bioassay for the detection of agents which induce increased lethal damage in DNA repair deficient strains of B . subtilis was modified and evaluated using six established mutagens . This modified procedure used a liquid pre-incubation technique with the plate incorporation assay allowing detection of mutagenic compounds which require metabolic activation and are sparingly soluble in water.

J Pharm Sci, 1983 Oct, 72(10), 1162 - 5
Simultaneous determination of tegafur and 5-fluorouracil in serum by GLC using nitrogen-sensitive detection; Kawabata N et al.; A sensitive assay of both tegafur (I) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) using GLC with a nitrogen-phosphorus-sensitive detector is described . The drugs were extracted from rabbit serum with ethyl acetate and methylated with diazomethane . Linearity was obtained over the concentration ranges of 3.13-200 micrograms/ml for I and 0.0313-2 micrograms/ml and 10-50 ng/ml for 5-FU . The detection limits of I and 5-FU in serum were 50 and 8 ng/ml, respectively . The serum concentrations of the drugs determined by the present method closely agreed with those obtained by spectrophotometry for I and microbial assay for 5-FU.

Biokhimiia, 1983 Oct, 48(10), 1680 - 6
{Isolation of a specific inhibitor of microbial serine proteinase from kidney bean seeds}; Mosolov VV et al.; A protein acting as a specific inhibitor of microbial serine proteinases was isolated from kidney bean seeds . The purification procedure included complex formation between the inhibitor and Aspergillus oryzae proteinase . The protein with a Mr approximately 10 000 inhibits subtilisin and Asp . oryzae proteinase but does not affect trypsin and chymotrypsin . The inhibitor molecule contains no half-cystine residues.

J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo), 1983 Oct, 29(5), 523 - 31
Radioassay of the folate-hydrolyzing enzyme activity, and the distribution of the enzyme in biological cells and tissues; Oe H et al.; A sensitive radioassay method has been developed to quantitate the activity of the folate-hydrolyzing enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of folic acid to pteroic acid and glutamic acid . The method is based on analyzing {2-14C}pteroic acid separated by a thin-layer chromatography on an Avicel SF cellulose plate using 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, as a solvent . This method was found to be more sensitive than a conventional photometric method to determine the activity of the folate-hydrolyzing enzyme . High activities of the enzyme were found in Crithidia fasciculata ATCC 12857, Neurospora crassa IFO 6979 and rat liver . Smaller activities of the enzyme were widely distributed in other microbial cells and mammalian tissues.

J Wildl Dis, 1983 Oct, 19(4), 324 - 9
Serologic survey for selected microbial pathogens in Alaskan wildlife; Zarnke RL; Antibodies to Brucella spp . were detected in sera of seven of 67 (10%) caribou (Rangifer tarandus), one of 39 (3%) moose (Alces alces), and six of 122 (5%) grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) . Antibodies to Leptospira spp . were found in sera of one of 61 (2%) caribou, one of 37 (3%) moose, six of 122 (5%) grizzly bears, and one of 28 (4%) black bears (Ursus americanus) . Antibodies to contagious ecthyma virus were detected in sera of seven of 17 (41%) Dall sheep (Ovis dalli) and five of 53 (10%) caribou . Antibodies to epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus were found in sera of eight of 17 (47%) Dall sheep and two of 39 (6%) moose . Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus antibodies were detected in sera of six of 67 (9%) caribou . Bovine viral diarrhea virus antibodies were found in sera of two of 67 (3%) caribou . Parainfluenza 3 virus antibodies were detected in sera of 14 of 21 (67%) bison (Bison bison) . Antibodies to Q fever rickettsia were found in sera of 12 of 15 (80%) Dall sheep . No evidence of prior exposure to bluetongue virus was found in Dall sheep, caribou, moose, or bison sera.

J Biol Chem, 1983 Sep 25, 258(18), 10821 - 3
Inhibition of hepatic protein degradation by synthetic analogues of chymostatin; Grinde B et al.; Analogues of the microbial proteinase inhibitor chymostatin have been synthesized . The two most promising analogues were tested on protein turnover in isolated rat hepatocytes . Their effect is much similar to the effect of chymostatin, but the analogues are even more powerful inhibitors, probably due to an increased effect on lysosomal thiol proteinases . The analogues blocked most of the lysosomal (i.e . methylamine-sensitive) degradation of endogenous protein and caused a 50% inhibition of the non-lysosomal degradation; the effect occurred rapidly and was reversed upon washing the cells . One of the analogues, Z-Arg-Leu-Phe(H), is the most potent inhibitor of hepatic protein degradation so far found.

J Dairy Sci, 1983 Sep, 66(9), 1873 - 80
Effect of rumen protein degradability on milk yield of dairy cows in early lactation; Erdman RA et al.; Twenty-four mature Holstein cows were fed diets of 40% corn silage and 60% concentrate (dry matter) beginning at parturition through wk 16 of lactation . A control concentrate (corn, soybean meal, and barley) was fed through wk 4 followed by assignment of cows to either a concentrate of low or high rumen protein degradability . In situ trials with two fistulated cows fed similar diets yielded rumen protein degradabilities of 78.5, 70.3, 69.9, 67.3, 49.1, and 36.5% for barley, corn, corn gluten feed, soybean meal, brewer's grains, and cottonseed meal . The low degradability concentrate (corn, cottonseed meal, brewer's grains, and corn gluten feed) had an estimated rumen protein degradation of 52.9% and a total ration crude protein of 14.3% . The high degradability concentrate containing corn, barley, and soybean meal was 72.8% rumen degradable, and total ration protein for this treatment was 14.5% . Dry matter intakes were 21.0 and 22.0 kg/day for the low and high degradability diets . Milk yield, fat percent, and fat-corrected milk were not affected by treatment . Milk protein percent and protein yield decreased from 3.00 to 2.84% and 1.07 to .99 kg/day in the high and low degradability diets . Efficacy of use of degradability as a criterion for feed formulation is questioned until understanding of both feed protein breakdown and microbial synthesis is greater.

Br J Nutr, 1983 Sep, 50(2), 463 - 70
The nutritive value of rumen micro-organisms in ruminants . 1 . Large-scale isolation and chemical composition of rumen micro-organisms; Storm E et al.; A method is described whereby a large quantity of rumen microbial dry matter of high purity was isolated from whole rumen contents obtained from abattoirs, by means of a continuous process of one filtration through four sieves followed by three differential centrifugations . The contents of ash, carbohydrate, lipid, nitrogen, RNA, DNA and individual amino acids of the three centrifugal fractions are given and compared with values summarized from more than sixty published reports on the chemical composition of rumen micro-organisms isolated from both whole rumen contents and pure cultures . The amino acid composition of isolated rumen micro-organisms, in particular that of the bacteria, was found to be remarkably constant.

Br J Nutr, 1983 Sep, 50(2), 427 - 35
Factors affecting the capture of dietary nitrogen by micro-organisms in the forestomachs of the young steer . Experiments with {15N}urea; Salter DN et al.; For a period of at least 2 weeks before an experimental collection each of four young steers received total daily intakes consisting of approximately (g/kg) 600 straw and 400 concentrates with the nitrogen provided mainly as urea and in which the main energy source was starch (tapioca) for diet 1 and glucose for diet 2 . Concentrates were given twice daily at about 09.00 and 17.00 hours, straw at 17.00 hours only . The value for the ratio, rumen-degradable N: metabolisable energy (g/MJ) in the daily intake was estimated to be approximately 1.2 . On the day that an experimental collection was to be made the urea normally given in the feed at 09.00 hours was labelled with 15N . This urea and sometimes the appropriate energy source were added either as a single dose (SD) at 09.00 hours or in three equally-divided doses (DD) at 09.00, 11.00 and 13.00 hours . Treatments, given in a Latin-square design, were: (A), starch (SD) + urea (SD); (B), starch (SD) + urea (DD); (C), glucose (SD) + urea (DD); (D), glucose (DD) + urea (DD) . Doses of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and 144Ce (as cerous chloride) were given as markers with the urea . After these doses were given, samples of abomasal and duodenal digesta were taken periodically for 72 h . It appeared that virtually all the PEG had left the rumen by this time and mean recovery of 144Ce relative to PEG was approximately 90% . From recoveries of non-ammonia-15N (microbial 15N) at the abomasum, estimated relative to PEG, values for mean fractional efficiencies of conversion of urea-N to microbial-N were calculated to be 0.59, 0.59, 0.40 and 0.41 for treatments A, B, C and D respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1983 Sep, (9), 17 - 20
{Immunochemical determination of human lactoferrin}; German GP et al.; The immunochemically pure preparation of lactoferrin was isolated from human colostrum and used for the immunization of animals with a view of obtaining antiserum, and also as a reference preparation for the determination of the content of lactoferrin in the standard . The monospecific antiserum to lactoferrin, obtained as the result of this procedure, was used for the determination of the content of lactoferrin in samples of human milk by the method of radial immunodiffusion . Through the content of lactoferrin in human milk showed considerable fluctuations, its level essentially decreased on the second week of lactation . In cases of the microbial contamination of milk the tendency towards an increase in the content of lactoferrin was observed irrespective of the time of lactation.

Mikrobiologiia, 1983 Sep-Oct, 52(5), 750 - 4
{Isolation and study of the biological properties of a protease biosynthesis stimulating factor in an associative fungal culture}; Buiak LI et al.; A factor stimulating the production of exoproteases by Aspergillus kanagawaensis both in a single culture and during combined cultivation with Aspergillus wentii was isolated from the cultural broth of a component in the microbial association according to our scheme . The factor is a pigment of the hydroxyanthraquinone nature . It made the enzyme biosynthesis increase 3.7 times . Its effect on the biosynthesis was compared to that produced by other anthraquinone pigments, viz . alizarin, rubomycin and cinerubins . The compounds stimulated the biosynthesis only 2 to 2.5 times.

Br J Nutr, 1983 Sep, 50(2), 345 - 55
Hydrolysis of 14C-labelled proteins by rumen micro-organisms and by proteolytic enzymes prepared from rumen bacteria; Wallace RJ; Proteins were labelled with 14C in a limited reductive methylation using {14C}formaldehyde and sodium borohydride . The rate of hydrolysis of purified proteins was little (less than 10%) affected by methylation and the 14C-labelled digestion products were not incorporated into microbial protein during a 5 h incubation with rumen fluid in vitro . It was therefore concluded that proteins labelled with 14C in this way are valid substrates for study with rumen micro-organisms . The patterns of digestion of 14C-labelled fish meal, linseed meal and groundnut-protein meal by rumen micro-organisms in vitro were similar to those found in vivo . The rates of hydrolysis of a number of 14C-labelled proteins, including glycoprotein II and lectin from kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), were determined with mixed rumen micro-organisms and with proteases extracted from rumen bacteria . Different soluble proteins were digested at quite different rates, with casein being most readily hydrolysed . Proteins modified by performic acid oxidation, by cross-linking using 1,6-di-iso-cyanatohexane or by diazotization were labelled with 14C . Performic acid treatment generally increased the susceptibility of proteins to digestion, so that the rates of hydrolysis of performic acid-treated proteins were more comparable than those of the unmodified proteins . Cross-linking resulted in a decreased rate of hydrolysis except with the insoluble proteins, hide powder azure and elastin congo red . Diazotization had little effect on the rate of hydrolysis of lactoglobulin and albumin, but inhibited casein hydrolysis and stimulated the breakdown of gamma-globulin.

Br J Nutr, 1983 Sep, 50(2), 479 - 85
The nutritive value of rumen micro-organisms in ruminants . 3 . The digestion of microbial amino and nucleic acids in, and losses of endogenous nitrogen from, the small intestine of sheep; Storm E et al.; An experiment was conducted with three sheep maintained entirely by intragastric nutrition to estimate the digestibility of isolated individual constituents and amino acids (AA) of rumen micro-organisms (RMO) in the small intestine . Five levels of RMO were infused into the abomasum . The apparent and true disappearance of the individual components were measured by regression of abomasal input on the passage at the ileum . The true digestibility values of N, AA-N, DNA and RNA were 0.82, 0.85, 0.81 and 0.87, respectively . The digestibility of individual AA varied between 0.80 and 0.88, the only exceptions being diaminopimelic acid (0.37), histidine (0.68) and cystine (0.73), which were significantly lower than the average (0.847) . The endogenous components in the ileal fluid in sheep given protein-free infusions, expressed in mg/kg live weight0.75 per d, were total N 42 and AA-N 20.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1983 Aug, 96(8), 94 - 7
{Stimulation of postradiation regeneration of erythropoiesis in mice with Bordetells pertussis vaccine}; Khorobrykh VV et al.; Inoculation into mice of killed B . pertussis vaccine (10(10) microbial cells) one day before their sublethal irradiation (6.0 Gy) was accompanied by accelerated regeneration of erythropoiesis in the bone marrow, particularly in the spleen as was judged by the 59Fe incorporation . B . pertussis also induced an increase in endocolonization when inoculated 4-5 days after irradiation . The latter suggests a possible effect of vaccine on the hematopoietic cells, less differentiated than erythropoietin-sensitive cells (ESC), inasmuch the sensitivity of the ESC to erythropoietin commonly appeared at the later stages . When B . pertussis was inoculated into BALB/c mice one day before their infection by Rauscher's leukemia virus noticeable activation of leukemogenicity was observed . It is believed that the reason for this is the stimulation of erythroid target cells for the virus after B . pertussis vaccination . The data obtained indicate that B . pertussis vaccine activates erythropoiesis in both normal and irradiated mice.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1983 Aug, 36(8), 1059 - 66
Immunoactive peptides, FK-156 and FK-565 . III . Enhancement of host defense mechanisms against infection; Mine Y et al.; We investigated the effect of immunoactive peptides, FK-156 and FK-565 on host defense mechanisms against microbial invasion . It was shown that these drugs given to normal mice increased the counts of phagocytes in both peripheral blood and peritoneal cavity, and enhanced the chemotactic, phagocytic and killing activities of peritoneal macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and stimulated the phagocytic function of the reticuloendothelial system . Enhanced host resistance to microbial infection by these immunoactive peptides might be induced by both increase in counts and enhancement of functions of phagocytes . FK-156 restored decreased counts and functions of phagocytes in mice immunosuppressed by cyclophosphamide, hydrocortisone or tumor . These findings suggest that these immunoactive peptides could be applied to prevent intractable infection in immunocompromised hosts.

J Appl Biochem, 1983 Aug-Oct, 5(4-5), 235 - 60
Fungal glucoamylases; Manjunath P et al.; Glucoamylase (alpha-1,4-glucan glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.3) from fungal sources is one of the microbial glycoproteins that has received considerable attention particularly because it is used in the commercial production of dextrose . Several investigators have isolated glucoamylase from various fungal sources . In many instances the presence of more than one form of enzyme is common . The enzymes from most sources have pH optima between 4 and 5 and exhibit maximum activity between 40 and 60 degrees C . The enzyme does not require any cofactors for activity or for stability . The enzyme has an Mr between 48,000 and 80,000 and usually has no subunit structure . The amino acid composition of multiple forms of glucoamylases differ in general, but all of them are glycoproteins . The carbohydrate content of the enzyme ranges from 3 to 30% containing mainly mannose, but glucose, galactose, and in some instances glucosamine and xylose are also present . In the enzyme from Aspergillus the carbohydrate structures are present as mono-, di-, tri-, and tetrasaccharide units linked O-glycosidically through mannose to the hydroxyl groups of serine and threonine . In the enzyme from Rhizopus part of the carbohydrate is present as disaccharide (Man-Man-) units linked O-glycosidically and the remainder is present as large heterosaccharide structures attached by N-glycosidic linkages involving aspargine and glucosamine . Carbohydrate moieties seem to have no influence on the enzyme activity or antigenicity but appear to stabilize the enzyme by preserving the three-dimensional structure.

J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo), 1983 Aug, 29(4), 447 - 54
Effect of soybean protein on coprostanol production and cholesterol metabolism in cholesterol-fed rats; Tanaka C et al.; The effect of soybean protein on coprostanol production and cholesterol metabolism was studied in cholesterol-fed rats . Plasma cholesterol was decreased in the soybean protein diet group compared to the casein diet group . Although coprostanol was produced more in rats fed soybean protein than in those fed casein, no difference was observed in the levels of total neutral steroids at any part of the intestine . The activity of microbial conversion from cholesterol to coprostanol was evidently high in rats fed soybean protein . The total amount of neutral steroids excreted in feces had a tendency to increase . These data seem to indicate that the increase of the unabsorbed soybean protein causes the increase of intestinal coprostanol production.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1983 Aug, 36(8), 1051 - 8
Immunoactive peptides, FK-156 and FK-565 . II . Restoration of host resistance to microbial infection in immunosuppressed mice; Yokota Y et al.; The immunoactive peptides, FK-156 and its analogue, FK-565 were evaluated in various models of mice immunosuppressed with cyclophosphamide, hydrocortisone, mitomycin C, carrageenan and tumor cells . Treatment with FK-156 (subcutaneous) and FK-565 (oral) markedly restored host defense ability against microbial infection . The therapeutic effect of ticarcillin or gentamicin alone against pseudomonal infection in cyclophosphamide- and hydrocortisone-treated mice and tumor-bearing mice was much lower than in normal mice . The therapeutic effect of these antibiotics against pseudomonal infection in immunosuppressed mice was enhanced markedly by combined use with FK-156 . The killing ability of macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes of the immunosuppressed mice was also markedly enhanced by dosing with FK-156.

J Inorg Biochem, 1983 Aug, 19(1), 19 - 39
Factors that influence siderophoremediated iron bioavailability: catalysis of interligand iron (III) transfer from ferrioxamine B to EDTA by hydroxamic acids; Monzyk B et al.; Deferriferrioxamine B (H3DFB) is a linear trihydroxamic acid siderophore with molecular formula NH2(CH2)5{N(OH)C(O)(CH2)2C(O)NH(CH2)5}2N(OH)C(O)CH3 that forms a kinetically and thermodynamically stable complex with iron(III), ferrioxamine B . Under the conditions of our study (pH = 4.30, 25 degrees C), ferrioxamine B, Fe(HDFB)+, is hexacoordinated and the terminal amine group is protonated . Addition of simple hydroxamic acids, R1C(O)N(OH)R2 (R1 = CH3, R2 = H; R1 = C6H5, R2 = H; R1 = R2 = CH3), to an aqueous solution of ferrioxamine B at pH = 4.30, 25.0 degrees C, I = 2.0, results in the formation of ternary complexes Fe(H2DFB)A+ and Fe(H3DFB)A2+, and tris complexes FeA3, where A- represents the bidendate hydroxamate anion R1C(O)N(O)R2- . The addition of a molar excess of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to an aqueous solution of ferrioxamine B at pH 4.30 results in a slow exchange of iron(III) to eventually completely form Fe(EDTA)- and H4DFB+ . The addition of a hydroxamic acid, HA, catalyzes the rate of this iron exchange reaction: (formula; see text) A four parallel path mechanism is proposed for reaction (1) in which catalysis occurs via transient formation of the ternary and tris complexes Fe(H2DFB) A+, Fe(H3DFB)A2+, and FeA3 . Rate and equilibrium constants for the various reaction paths to products were obtained and the influence of hydroxamic acid structure on catalytic efficiency is discussed . The importance of a low energy pathway for iron dissociation from a siderophore complex in influencing microbial iron bio-availability is discussed . The system represented by reaction (1) is proposed as a possible model for in vivo catalyzed release of iron from its siderophore complex at the cell wall or interior, where EDTA represents the intracellular storage depot or membrane-bound carrier and HA represents a low molecular weight hydroxamate-based metabolite capable of catalyzing interligand iron exchange.

Environ Res, 1983 Aug, 31(2), 332 - 9
Effects of combinations of simulated acid rain and cadmium or zinc on microbial activity in soil; Bewley RJ et al.; There was little effect on the rate of CO2 evolution from glucose-supplemented soil, adjusted to pH 3.2 with a 2:1 combination of H2SO4 and fuming HNO3, and concomitant additions of 100 or 1000 ppm Cd or of 1000 or 10,000 ppm Zn (as sulfates) were no more inhibitory than in soil untreated with acid . In soil adjusted to pH 2.8, the lag in CO2 evolution was increased by 1 day, and was extended further by the concomitant addition of 10,000 but not 1000 ppm Zn or of 1000 but not 100 ppm Cd . The growth of Aspergillus niger in soil acidified to pH levels of 3.6 to 4.2 was further reduced by the addition of either 100 or 250 ppm Cd or of 1000 ppm Zn.

Dig Dis Sci, 1983 Aug, 28(8), 742 - 50
Light microscopic morphometric analysis of rat ileal mucosa . I . Component quantitation of IgA-containing immunocytes; Rodning CB et al.; A light microscopic morphometric analysis of IgA-containing immunocytes within samples of ileal mucosa was performed . The following groups of rats were studied: (1) animals raised in a gnotobiotic environment (microbial reduction); (2) animals with iatrogenic self-filling intestinal blind loops (microbial proliferation); and (3) control animals (sham operation) . The unlabeled antibody enzyme immunohistochemical localization technique was employed for the identification of intracellular IgA . Component quantitation involved use of a micrometer component quantitator . Numerical density of the immunocyte population was determined by component quantitation of individual and total immunocyte volumes and by application of the Floderus equation . The methodology employed provided a precise quantitative analysis of all mucosal components of normal and manipulated rat ileum . A statistically significant reduction in the volume percentage of IgA-containing immunocytes in association with both microbial reduction and microbial proliferation was observed . The volume percentage reduction of the IgA-containing immunocyte population associated with gnotobiosis may reflect decreased microbial antigenic stimulation, whereas that associated with microbial proliferation may reflect the presence of an increased population of immunocytes producing non-IgA immunoglobulins.

Mutat Res, 1983 Aug, 110(2), 297 - 310
The effect of two chemical mutagens ENU and MMS on MR-mediated reversion of an insertion-sequence mutation in Drosophila melanogaster; Eeken JC et al.; The effects of two mutagens ENU and MMS characterized by different alkylation patterns have been studied on the reversion of an MR-induced singed mutation to wild-type . Reversion of this unstable singed mutation under the influence of MR is assumed to represent the removal or transposition of an insertion element . Since MR acts primarily in spermatogonia, the mutagens were fed to 1st instar larvae . Recessive lethal tests were carried out simultaneously to calibrate for the mutagenic effectiveness of the chemicals . For both powerful mutagens, it was observed that the frequency of reversion remained far below of what would have been expected on the basis of the mutagenic effectiveness, as registered in the lethal tests . Thus 1 mM ENU, 5 mM and 10 mM MMS did not affect the reversion frequency at all, and with 3 mM ENU only a doubling of the reversion frequency was observed, despite a 5-fold increase in the lethal frequency . The threshold at 1 mM EMU and the low effectiveness of 3 mM on the reversion process are taken as an indication that ENU affected the transposition process in an indirect manner, rather than the excision events themselves . The data obtained with Drosophila are consistent with the microbial observations in that mutation involving removal or transposition of an insertion element is not affected by mutagenic treatments . This finding may have consequences for the evaluation of induced genetic damage on the basis of the spontaneous load of genetic detriment in man . An incidental observation was that non-MR Cy larvae exhibited greater sensitivity to the induction of recessive lethals by MMS than MR-individuals.

Anal Biochem, 1983 Aug, 133(1), 163 - 9
Colorimetric determination of catechol siderophores in microbial cultures; Rioux C et al.; A highly sensitive spectrophotometric method for the selective detection of catechol compounds such as catechol siderophores (e.g., enterobactin) is described . The basis of the method involves the ability of the vicinal aromatic hydroxyl groups under acidic conditions to bring about a reduction of Fe3+ (from ferric ammonium citrate) to Fe2+ . Detection of Fe2+ in the presence of Fe3+ is made with 1,10-phenanthroline under previously established conditions . The assay mixture is heated at 60 degrees C for 1 h to accelerate the development of color which is subsequently measured at 510 nm . The Beer-Lambert law is obeyed over the range of 0.16 to 60 microM 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid . Compared to the Arnow nitration method, the assay is more responsive, is approximately seven times more sensitive, and is effective with catechols substituted at positions 3 and 4 . The method gives positive results with catechols such as DL-DOPA, L-dopamine, (+/-)-epinephrine, and DL-norepinephrine . Very rapid color development is obtained with ascorbic acid and p-diols, while m-diols are poorly detected . Low degrees of reactivity are shown by hydroxylamino and hydroxamate compounds . Phenolic, sulfydryl, indolyl, and quinonyl derivatives do not interfere with the reaction . The method has been adapted to determine catechol compounds in the culture medium of bacterial cells grown at different iron concentrations.

Agents Actions, 1983 Aug, 13(5-6), 451 - 5
Vascular permeability changes induced by complement-derived peptides; Williams TJ; The polypeptides C3a and C5a are released as protein cleavage byproducts during activation of the complement system . These substances are able to release histamine from mast cells and this has generally been thought to be the link between complement activation and increased microvascular permeability in inflammatory reactions . Recent observations of inflammatory responses in the skin suggest that there is another link, which does not involve histamine . This is potentially of more general importance since antihistamines have limited effects on the majority of inflammatory reactions . One of the complement protein fragments, C5a (with or without carboxyl terminal arginine which is necessary for histamine release), is very potent in increasing vascular permeability . However, protein leakage leading to tissue oedema in skin is difficult to detect unless an arteriolar dilator is present . There is evidence that C5a and a vasodilator prostaglandin can be generated together extravascularly in response to a microbial stimulus . Unlike histamine, C5a does not act directly on venular endothelial cells, but triggers a very rapid interaction between circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes and venular endothelial cells which, by an unknown mechanism, results in elevated venular permeability to plasma proteins.

Am J Med, 1983 Jul 28, 75(1B), 37 - 43
Nonculture techniques using blood specimens for the diagnosis of infectious disease; Todd JK; Recent technological advances have increased the use of blood as a source for diagnosis of local and systemic infectious diseases . Traditionally, viable organisms may be cultured from the blood and others identified microscopically . The ability to detect microbial products by physicochemical, bioactivity, and antigenic techniques and the ability to detect specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) responses to infection improve our diagnostic capabilities but also present new problems in determining clinical relevance . The diagnostic use and reproducibility of new tests should be verified by comparative clinical field testing before implementation.

Lancet, 1983 Jul 23, 2(8343), 185 - 7
Pyoderma eczema and folliculitis with defective leucocyte and lymphocyte function: a new familial immunodeficiency disease responsive to a histamine-1 antagonist; Jung LK et al.; A new familial immunodeficiency disease characterised by recurrent and persistent pyoderma, folliculitis, and atopic dermatitis is described in a father and son . It is accompanied by abnormalities of lymphocyte function (including defective proliferative responses to phytomitogens, and subnormal response in immunoglobulin production after stimulation of the lymphocytes by pokeweed mitogen) and defective leucocyte chemiluminescence responses, which were associated with defective ability for intracellular killing of microbial organisms . The abnormalities of lymphocyte and leucocyte function, as well as the clinical manifestations, responded dramatically to treatment with the histamine-1 antagonist, chlorpheniramine, suggesting that the underlying defect in this disease may relate to defective histamine metabolism or abnormal expression of histamine receptors on lymphocytes and leucocytes.

J Steroid Biochem, 1983 Jul, 19(1A), 189 - 201
Selective reactions in the analytical characterisation of steroids by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; Brooks CJ et al.; The analytical characterization, by GC-MS, of individual compounds in mixtures of steroids, such as occur frequently in biological extracts, is difficult because of the close similarities in structure and properties of many components . The improved separating power of capillary (open-tubular) columns alleviates the problem, but does not solve it fully: for example, the coincidence of retention times of two different compounds may still be virtually complete . Comparative analyses on two distinctively different phases afford one valuable application of selectivity, but may not always be feasible when costly columns are required . Comparative analyses of the sample, before and after effecting its modification by well-defined reactions, are inexpensive and are particularly when selective transformations are used . The use of the microbial enzyme cholesterol oxidase as a selective oxidant for 3 beta-hydroxysteroids (chiefly limited to 4-ene, 5-ene and 5 alpha-types) is illustrated for a model mixture of androstanols related to the boar pheromone (5 alpha, 16-androsten-3 alpha-ol) . Retention regularities and changes in mass spectra enhance the reliability of identifications . An exploratory application of cholesterol oxidase in the analysis of minor "polar" sterols in human serum is reported . Most of the known minor sterols are good substrates for the enzyme, and their transformation products yield distinctive GC-MS data, as exemplified for the 7 alpha- and 7 beta-hydroxycholesterols . Another convenient and versatile selective reagent is methaneboronic acid, which yields cyclic esters of suitably constituted diols . These derivatives have shorter retention times (on "non-polar" phases) than the di-TMS ethers, chiefly by virtue of their much lower molecular weights . The mass spectra of cyclic boronates generally show clear molecular ions, also fragmentations that complement the information obtainable from the di-TMS ethers . These features are illustrated for a group of diols and triols of the 5 alpha-pregnane series.

Cutis, 1983 Jul, 32(1), 58 - 61, 63-4, 68
Kaposi's sarcoma and variably acid-fast bacteria in vivo in two homosexual men; Cantwell AR Jr; Current epidemiologic data suggest that a possible infectious and contagious microbial agent is responsible for the recent outbreak of Kaposi's sarcoma and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome affecting young homosexual men . In this histopathologic study, rare foci of acid-fast, and Giemsa-stained coccoid forms, and more rare foci of Gram-variable coccoid forms, were observed within the microscopic skin biopsy specimens from two young homosexual men with Kaposi's sarcoma . These findings, in addition to other previously reported histopathologic findings of similar bacteria in vivo in "typical" cases of Kaposi's sarcoma occurring in elderly Jewish men, suggest that bacteria may be implicated in the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma.

Arch Neurol, 1983 Jul, 40(7), 406 - 8
Epstein-Barr virus infection and antibody synthesis in patients with multiple sclerosis; Bray PF et al.; We studied infectious and immune mechanisms in demyelinating disease . The clinical diagnosis in this study of 313 consecutive cases of multiple sclerosis (MS) was based on the clinical conclusions of two or more neurologists and definite abnormalities in CSF IgG . Measurement of antibodies to six microbial agents was compared in 313 patients with MS and 406 controls in the same age range . Using a standardized immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) technique, we found a significantly higher prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and a higher level of serum viral capsid antigen IgG antibody titer in the MS population than in the controls . The MS population had a lower cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection rate and lower CMV complement fixing antibody production than controls . Except for the higher measles infection rate and antibody titer in patients with MS, data on the other viruses did not differ from controls.

J Reprod Fertil, 1983 Jul, 68(2), 407 - 12
Effect of various proteinase inhibitors on ovulation of explanted hamster ovaries; Ichikawa S et al.; Hamster ovaries explanted at 21:00-24:00 h on the day of pro-oestrus were incubated with microbial proteinase inhibitors until 10:30 h on the next morning and the ovulatory blocking effect of these inhibitors was examined . Amongst 11 proteinase inhibitors examined, talopeptin, a specific inhibitor for metallo-proteinases, and alpha-MAPI, a specific inhibitor for serine and thiol proteinases, were the strongest blockers . These 2 inhibitors exhibited a chronological discrepancy in their blocking effect on ovulation . S-SI, plasminostreptin, elastatinal, antipain and chymostatin, which are inhibitors for serine proteinases, partly but significantly inhibited ovulation . The results suggest that, in addition to a metallo-proteinase reported previously, a proteinase which is sensitive to alpha-MAPI is essential for the ovulatory process, and that serine proteinase(s) also participate in ovulation of the hamster ovary.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1983 Jul, 255(1), 138 - 44
The role of structure and invasiveness on the pathogenicity of Legionella; Rodgers FG; The pathogenetic mechanism and virulence factors involved in infections and Legionella are little understood . In vitro studies by thin-section and scanning electron microscopy show that legionella organisms attach to mammalian cells in culture, are taken into cytoplasmic vacuoles lined with ribosomes and replicate, probably utilising cell-derived amino acids . The presence of pili (fimbriae), lipopolysaccharide and protein structures at the bacterial surfaces is no doubt related to the initial adhesion to cell surface receptors . Motility through flagella and toxin production add to the potential invasiveness of these bacteria . Intracellular longterm survival and replication in alveolar macrophages affords a mechanism for increasing bacterial infectivity while avoiding the host's immune system, amplifying microbial pathogenicity.

Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1983 Jul, 131(7), 19 - 22
{Clinical evaluation of immunologic reactivity of the organism and immunotherapy in purulent surgical infection}; Iusupov IA et al.; The reaction of leukocytolysis with microbial standard allergens is found to be more sensitive than the intracutaneous test to detect the bacterial allergy in patients with a purulent surgical infection . The microbial allergization of the organism is followed by a considerable inhibition of the humoral and cell immunity . Immunotherapy must be included in the complex treatment of patients with purulent surgical infection for elimination of the specific sensibilization and improvement of the immune reactivity of the organism.

J Inorg Biochem, 1983 Jul, 18(4), 323 - 34
Thiomolybdates in rumen contents and rumen cultures; El-Gallad TT et al.; Examination of direct and (Cu)-difference spectra of i) the aqueous supernatants of in vitro cultures of bovine rumen contents incubated with MoO42- and potential sources of S2- and ii) samples drawn directly from the rumen of animals receiving high Mo diets yielded evidence of the presence of thiomolybdates . Only MoS42- was detected in the soluble phase of in vitro cultures . Although intense and variable background absorbance precluded full characterization of thiomolybdate species in samples drawn directly from the rumen, both spectral data and the biochemical and clinical responses of animals given high Mo diets were consistent with the conclusion that MoS42- rather than MoOS32- was the predominant thiomolybdate species present in the aqueous phase . Addition of Ca2+ either to rumen cultures before incubation or as a supplement to diets high in MoO42- content inhibited the appearance of MoS42- in the aqueous phase . Evidence of the sequestration of MoS42- and MoOS32- by particulate or microbial fractions of rumen contents is considered in relation to the inhibitory action of Mo upon Cu absorption by ruminants.

JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 1983 Jul-Aug, 7(4), 364 - 8
Microbial contamination of enteral feeding solutions in a community hospital; Schroeder P et al.; Seven related studies were done to estimate the type and amount of contamination that occurred in nutrient feeding solution when administered according to procedure in a community hospital . The initial study was done in a simulated nonclinical setting with select technicians monitoring for gavage systems delivering a commercially prepared nutrient feeding solution . The solution remained sterile over 48 hr . In the second study, various nurses maintained the enteral feeding simulations unaware of the objective of study . Significant contamination was found, but a decrease occurred when the study was duplicated and the nurses were made aware that contamination was the issue being studied . The subsequent study had all gavage equipment in clinical use in the hospital on a given day cultured for microbial contamination . Significant contamination was present and did not decrease when the study was duplicated following inservice training . Suggestions for standards of care are made.

JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 1983 Jul-Aug, 7(4), 390 - 7
The use of sterile and low microbial diets in ultraisolation environments; Aker SN et al.; The evidence for the use of sterile and low microbial diets in ultraisolation environments is reviewed . Studies have suggested that sterile food is not required for gut sterilization when oral nonabsorbable antibiotics are used, but if a low microbial food contains an antibiotic-resistant organism, colonization can occur . There may be a beneficial effect on the incidence of infection by serving pathogen-free foods, either sterile or low microbial, to the immunosuppressed patient regardless of type of environment, yet the comparative effectiveness of sterile and low microbial diets in preventing introduction of new pathogens accessing the host via the mouth, oropharynx, and esophagus has not been systematically evaluated.

Allergy, 1983 Jul, 38(5), 347 - 52
Circulating immune complexes and rheumatoid factors in patients with farmer's lung; Terho EO et al.; Circulating IgG immune complexes (CICs), IgM rheumatoid factors (RFs), complement level (C3 and C4), and IgG antibodies to Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus umbrosus, Thermoactinomyces vulgaris, and Micropolyspora faeni were analysed in the sera of 14 patients with farmer's lung (FL), 10 in the acute and four in the subacute phase of the disease . Ten spouses of FL patients served as exposed healthy controls . C3 and C4 were measured fluoronephelometrically . C3 levels were above the normal range and C4 levels near the upper limit of the normal range in both patients and controls; no statistically significant difference between patients and controls were observed . CICs were determined by enzyme immunoassays (EIA) of conglutinin-binding (KgB) and Clq-binding (ClqB) . CIC levels above the normal range were detected in 12 (KgB-EIA) and nine (ClqB-EIA) of the patients and three (KgB-EIA) and six (ClqB-EIA) of the controls . No statistically significant differences were found in the mean levels between patients and controls . In contrast, RF levels in the acute phase of FL were significantly higher in the patients (P less than 0.01) than in the controls . CICs correlated positively with most microbial IgG antibodies, but negatively with RFs . RFs also correlated negatively with microbial IgG antibodies, as well as with both C3 and C4 . In FL, the increased RF level may, in the absence of increased CIC and decreased complement levels, represent an immune response (IgM anti-IgG autoantibodies) induced by local mechanisms of IgG immune complexes in the lungs.

J Clin Periodontol, 1983 Jul, 10(4), 412 - 21
Phase contrast microscopy of microbial aggregates in the gingival sulcus of Macaca mulatta . Subgingival plaque bacteria in macaca mulatta; Leggott PJ et al.; The objective of this study was to study the relationship of microbial aggregates in the subgingival crevice to changes in periodontal health in Macaca mulatta . The sample included 68 oral sites from 17 Rhesus monkeys of various ages . The periodontal health of each site was evaluated using Plaque and Gingival Indices and crevice depth measurement . The subgingival plaque samples were examined by phase contrast microscopy and recorded on 16 mm film . A Microbial Index was developed based on a qualitative estimate of the numbers of organisms, morphology of predominant organisms, and the presence or absence of motility . The Microbial Index was demonstrated to be simple in use and highly reproducible . The findings indicate that changes in the Microbial Index are consistent with tissue changes seen in the periodontal status in M . mulatta . From this preliminary study, the oral flora of adult M . mulatta appears to have sufficient similarities to human oral flora to be used as a microbial model for experimental periodontal disease research . Future studies to refine and confirm the validity of the Microbial Index are warranted . It may prove to be a useful tool to monitor the effect of various treatment modalities on the periodontal flora and to determine the presence or absence of active disease.

J Am Dent Assoc, 1983 Jul, 107(1), 48 - 51
Prosthodontic considerations for patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy; DePaola LG et al.; Dentures for the patient receiving cancer chemotherapy must be constructed and maintained carefully, using sound basic principles of denture construction and tissue management inherent in the highest level of prosthodontic treatment . The objective of removable prosthodontic therapy is to improve the patient's quality of life, enhance nutrition by reducing oral irritation and ulceration, and control the oral microbial populations associated with chemotherapy and the wearing of a denture.

Arch Microbiol, 1983 Jul, 134(4), 320 - 3
Glutamic acid decarboxylase in Mycobacterium leprae; Prabhakaran K et al.; Suspensions of Mycobacterium leprae purified from the organs (mostly spleen) of experimentally-infected armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus, Linn) decarboxylated 1-(14C) glutamic acid liberating 14CO2 . The reaction was pyridoxal phosphate-dependent and was inhibited by hydroxylamine, suggesting that it is a true amino acid decarboxylase . Loss of the activity at higher temperatures indicated the enzymatic nature of the reaction . Excess substrate or substrate analogs inhibited the decarboxylase whereas alpha-ketoglutarate and glutarate stimulated it . The activity was four times higher at pH 4.5 than at pH 6.8, suggesting that the enzyme is of microbial origin and not derived form the host cells . Armadillo spleen did not decarboxylate the amino acid . The Km value of the enzyme in the organisms was similar to that in Escherichia coli . The results reported here show that glutamate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.15) is an inherent metabolic activity of M . leprae, and might explain its unusual neural affinity . Glutamic acid is the most abundant amino acid occurring in the nerve tissue.

Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1983 Jun 30, 409, 48 - 71
The IgA response: inductive aspects, regulatory cells, and effector functions; Michalek SM et al.; In this review, we have emphasized our current studies on the inductive aspects of the IgA immune response and homeostatic mechanisms involved in the induction of oral tolerance . By use of unique inbred mouse strains in restricted microbial environments, we have provided evidence for a central role of LPS in systemic unresponsiveness to orally encountered antigens . We have continued studies on characterization of GALT lymphoreticular cell types, including accessory cells, regulatory T-cells, and precursor IgA B-cells . We have placed recent emphasis on characterization of antigen-specific Th-cell clones derived from murine PP, which preferentially support IgA isotype responses . Relevant areas for continued research have been emphasized in this review.

J Biol Chem, 1983 Jun 25, 258(12), 7536 - 40
Carbon dioxide reduction factor and methanopterin, two coenzymes required for CO2 reduction to methane by extracts of Methanobacterium; Leigh JA et al.; Carbon dioxide reduction (CDR) factor is contained in a low molecular weight fraction of cell extract that is required for methane production from CO2 by resolved cell extracts . This fraction has been separated into two components both of which have been highly purified . One component is methanopterin, and for the other component the name CDR factor is retained . No known coenzymes tested substitute in the methane-producing assay for CDR factor and methanopterin, both of which are stable to boiling and exposure to air . The ultraviolet-visible spectrum of CDR factor has a peak at 273 nm, a shoulder at 280 nm, and at pH 1, a peak at 219 nm . The ultraviolet-visible spectrum of methanopterin isolated from the CDR fraction is similar to the spectrum previously reported for this compound (Keltjens, J . T., and Vogels, G . D . (1981) in Microbial Growth on C1 Compounds (Dalton, H., ed) pp . 152-158, Heyden and Son, Ltd., London) . The addition of CDR factor (0.8 micrograms) and methanopterin (50 micrograms) to the assay mixture increased by 12-fold the amount of methane formed from CO2.

Fed Regist, 1983 Jul 5, 48(129), 30759 - 63
Privacy Act of 1974; proposed new routine uses--PHS . Notification of new routine uses permitting disclosure of information from four Privacy Act systems of records; Mechanism of inactivation of a Fasciola proteolytic enzyme by peptide aldehydes and alkylating agents; A proteolytic enzyme of the liver fluke Fasciola sp . was purified as described previously by ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 column and L-phenylalanine-agarose chromatography . Leupeptin, a peptide aldehyde of microbial origin, competitively inhibited the enzyme activity with respect to the substrate alpha-N-benzoyl-L-argininamide; the apparent Ki value for leupeptin is 45 000-fold less than the apparent Km for the substrate . Incubation of the enzyme with leupeptin resulted in time-dependent inactivation of the globinolytic activity, with an inactivation constant (Kinact) of 0.4 microM giving the half-maximum inactivation velocity, and with a minimum inactivation half-time (T) of 2.7 min at infinite concentration of this compound . The inactivated enzyme was not reactivated by extensive dialysis . These results imply that leupeptin yields an affinity labelling of an active site of the enzyme . The activity of the Fasciola proteolytic enzyme was also inactivated by other peptide aldehydes and alkylating agents and inactivation constants observed were 0.5 microM for chymostatin, 13 microM for antipain, 2 microM for p-toluenesulfonyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone, 140 microM for p-toluenesulfonyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone and 40 microM for iodoacetate under the conditions used.

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1983 Jun 1, 182(11), 1218 - 22
Cutaneous atypical mycobacteriosis in cats; White SD et al.; Cutaneous infection with atypical mycobacteria was observed in 6 cats . All cats had cutaneous or subcutaneous masses, with or without fistulous tracts . Diagnosis was determined by microbial culture . Transmission studies were done in 1 case . Treatment, which included antibiotics or surgery, or both, was usually unsuccessful, but remission without treatment did occur . In 3 cats available for long-term evaluation, there has been no recurrence of disease.

Sci Total Environ, 1983 Jun, 28, 159 - 68
The role of soil and plant metabolic processes in controlling trace element behavior and bioavailability to animals; Cataldo DA et al.; Metabolic and physiological processes play important roles in regulating the transfer and behavior of trace elements in the soil/plant/animal system . The behaviors of Ni, Cd, Cr, T1, Np, Pu and Tc are used to illustrate important aspects of these processes . Microbial metabolism has both indirect and direct effects on trace element solubility in soils . Once non-nutrient trace elements are solubilized, the ability of plant roots to actively accumulate them is dependent on chemical activity of the element in soil solution, the presence of competing ions and the redox potential and absorption capacity of the root . After absorption in the plant, trace elements are translocated, metabolized and stored; fate and behavior varies with the properties of the element, but is generally analogous to nutrient elements . These processes can dramatically affect the availability of individual elements to animals consuming plants.

J Dent Res, 1983 Jun, 62(6), 738 - 42
Mechanism of action of an antiseptic, anti-odor mouthwash; Pitts G et al.; Inter-related determinants of oral malodor were measured over a three-hour period in 30 human subjects after mouthwash treatments . Re-odoration was important to mouthwash activity for 30 min . At post-treatment times of 60-180 min, the anti-odor activity of the product is due solely to its anti-microbial action.

Immun Infekt, 1983 Jun, 11(4), 109 - 22
{Pharmacological aspects of immunostimulation}; Eichelberg D et al.; Immunostimulants are chemical substances capable of increasing the overall activity of a normal immune system as well as normalizing the function of an impaired immune system (immune restauration ) . This review is concerned with substances of microbial or chemical origin and excludes the so-called physiological inductors or regulators, e.g . thymic factors, interferon etc . During the last decade considerable progress has been achieved with respect to the isolation of effective compounds and the elucidation of their chemical structure . However, the knowledge of their mechanism of action and their effects in the living organism is still poor because of the complexity of the immune system, lack of appropriate standardization methods, lack of internationally agreed test conditions or diseases in intact animals or conditions for controlled clinical trials in man.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1983 Jun, 36(6), 728 - 34
Immunochemical identification of the cell surface bound leucine aminopeptidase, the target enzyme for the immunostimulant bestatin; Leyhausen G et al.; The microbial product bestatin is known to inhibit soluble microsomal- and cytosolic leucine aminopeptidase (Leu-APm and Leu-APc) as well as aminopeptidase B (AP-B) . To clarify which of these enzymes is the target for bestatin on the cell surface, indirect immunofluorescence studies with antisera raised against purified Leu-APm and AP-B were performed . These antibodies (anti-Leu-APm and anti-AP-B) were found to react with intracellularly localized Leu-APm and AP-B of ethanol-treated L5178y cells . Using non-treated L5178y cells fluorescence was detected only on the cell surface after incubation with anti-Leu-APm . To confirm the supposition that only Leu-APm is present on the cell surface, the AP from the cell membrane was solubilized and analyzed electrophoretically . Based on relative migration data it could be shown, that the cell surface is charged with Leu-APm and not with detectable amounts of Leu-APc or AP-B . Moreover, it could be demonstrated that the solubilized Leu-APm binds to {3H}bestatin.

Immun Infekt, 1983 Jun, 11(4), 109 - 22
{Pharmacological aspects of immunostimulants}; Eichelberg D et al.; Immunostimulants are chemical substances capable of increasing the overall activity of a normal immune system as well as normalizing the function of an impaired immune system (immune restauration) . This review is concerned with substances of microbial or chemical origin and excludes the so-called physiological inductors or regulators, e.g . thymic factors, interferon etc . During the last decade considerable progress has been achieved with respect to the isolation of effective compounds and the elucidation of their chemical structure . However, the knowledge of their mechanism of action and their effects in the living organism is still poor because of the complexity of the immune system, lack of appropriate standardization methods, lack of internationally agreed test conditions or diseases in intact animals or conditions for controlled clinical trials in man.

J Chromatogr, 1983 May 13, 274, 1 - 25
Gas-liquid chromatography-frequency pulse-modulated electron-capture detection in the diagnosis of infectious diseases; Edman DC et al.; The extremely sensitive and selective gas-liquid chromatography-frequency pulsed-modulated electron-capture detection (GLC-FP-ECD) procedure has been applied to the diagnosis of bacterial, fungal, viral, rickettsial, and parasitic diseases by the examination of various body fluids, effusions and exudates, and excretion products . Carboxylic acid and alcohol, hydroxy acid, and amine product profiles of microbial or host-response origin, have been used to establish specific etiologies, these profiles are reproducible, and can be used to aid in the diagnosis of infections . In addition, we have used the GLC-FP-ECD procedure to analyze microbial metabolic products in vitro and to provide data for identification and classification . We also explored computer time-sharing for data analysis, profile library comparison, and eventual profile matching for diagnosis.

Med Instrum, 1983 May-Jun, 17(3), 211 - 5
Preconditioning for moisture control in ethylene oxide sterilization; Murtaugh JB et al.; The moisture condition of a product must be controlled to obtain sterility and maintain product viability during ethylene oxide sterilization . A sterilization process in which prehumidification of product is used to provide moisture condition control was shown to be effective in 2 years of production sterilization experience . On-stream process analysis with a gas chromatograph showed that addition of steam to the chamber was unnecessary when properly preconditioned medical devices packaged in corrugated paper-board were sterilized . Reproducible gas-chamber moisture control and microbial sterility assurance were obtained.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1983 May, 45(5), 1697 - 700
Detoxification of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid from contaminated soil by Pseudomonas cepacia; Kilbane JJ et al.; The strain of Pseudomonas cepacia, AC1100, capable of utilizing 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) as a sole source of carbon and energy can degrade 2,4,5-T in contaminated soil, removing more than 99% of 2,4,5-T present at 1 mg/g of soil within 1 week . Repeated application of AC1100 even allowed more than 90% removal of 2,4,5-T within 6 weeks from heavily contaminated soil containing as much as 20,000 ppm 2,4,5,-T (20 mg/g of soil) . Microbial removal of 2,4,5-T allowed the soil to support growth of plants sensitive to low concentrations of 2,4,5-T . After 2,4,5-T removal, the titer of AC1100 in the soil rapidly fell to undetectable levels within a few weeks.

Public Health Rep, 1983 May-Jun, 98(3), 229 - 44
Source, significance, and control of indoor microbial aerosols: human health aspects; Spendlove JC et al.; The usual profile of indoor microbial aerosols probably has little meaning to healthy people . However, hazardous microbial aerosols can penetrate buildings or be generated within them; in either case, they can have significant adverse effects on human health . These aerosols can be controlled to some extent by eliminating or reducing their sources . In this regard, careful consideration should be given in building construction to the design of ventilation and air-conditioning systems and to the flooring material, so that these systems and the flooring material will not act as microbial reservoirs . It is evident that in spite of the considerable body of data available on indoor microbial aerosols, little is known of their true significance to human health except in terms of overt epidemic disease . Continued research is needed in this area, particularly in respect to situations of high risk in such locations as hospitals and schools for young children.

Mol Cell Biol, 1983 May, 3(5), 931 - 45
Neoplastic conversion of preneoplastic Syrian hamster cells: rate estimation by fluctuation analysis; Crawford BD et al.; Analysis of the role of gene mutations in the multistep process of neoplastic transformation requires that the discrete steps in carcinogenesis first be dissected . Toward this end, we have isolated and characterized preneoplastic Syrian hamster cells which exhibit in vitro a trait highly correlated with neoplastic conversion in vivo . Previous findings (J . C . Barrett, Cancer Res . 40:91-94, 1980) indicate that spontaneous neoplastic transformation of Syrian hamster cells occurs in at least two steps . An intermediate stage, characterized by an aneuploid established cell line which has a propensity to become neoplastic spontaneously upon further growth in vitro, has been described . These preneoplastic cells differ from diploid early-passage Syrian hamster cells in becoming capable of anchorage-independent growth in semisolid agar, as well as becoming neoplastic in vivo when attached to a solid substrate . Evidence presented here demonstrates that anchorage-independent conversion in vitro is a reliable marker for neoplastic conversion in this cell system . Fluctuation analyses, patterned after those described by Luria and Delbruck for microbial genetics, demonstrate that anchorage-independent variants are generated randomly from clonally derived preneoplastic cells at the rate of 10(-8) to 10(-7) variants per cell per generation . These results establish a multistep stochastic process for transformation in vitro and indicate that conversion to anchorage independence may be necessary for Syrian hamster cells to become tumorigenic . The possible role of gene mutation in this step during neoplastic progression is discussed.

Anal Biochem, 1983 May, 131(1), 42 - 5
Quantitative analysis of formate in solutions containing phosphate; Fynn GH et al.; Standard colorimetric methods based on the initial reduction of formate to formaldehyde were found to yield erratic results when applied to the analysis of millimolar concentrations of formate in a microbial culture medium . The source of interference was identified as inorganic orthophosphate inhibition of the magnesium/hydrochloric acid reduction stage . Passivation of magnesium by millimolar concentrations of phosphate is known to occur at low pH and it is proposed that this phenomenon is responsible for the inhibition of the reduction process . The presence of orthophosphate in biological extracts is almost universal and would lead to acceptance of spuriously low values for formate concentration if the previously unreported inhibitory effect is not recognized . The colorimetric method of Barker and Somers in which formate is reacted directly with 2-thiobarbituric acid to form the chromophore was evaluated and proved to be entirely free from interference by orthophosphate and other medium components . This method although less sensitive than the formate reduction methods is therefore suggested as the method of choice for the determination of formate in biological or other solutions containing phosphate.

Am J Med Technol, 1983 May, 49(5), 313 - 21
Automated methods in microbiology: II . Identification and susceptibility testing; Malloy PJ et al.; This paper explores in detail three automated systems for microbial identification and susceptibility testing: Autobac, MS-2, and the AutoMicrobic System (AMS) . The systems' workings and their capabilities are described . A similar approach is taken with four automated microtiter systems: Sensititre, Sceptor, Micro-Coder II, and Micro Scan . Two new systems are described: the API UniScept System, and the COBAS (which is not yet on the market).

J Reprod Fertil, 1983 May, 68(1), 17 - 9
Blockage of ovulation in the explanted hamster ovary by a collagenase inhibitor; Ichikawa S et al.; Hamster ovaries explanted at 21:00 h on the day of pro-oestrus were incubated with talopeptin, a potent microbial inhibitor of collagenases, until 10:30 h on the next morning . A talopeptin concentration of 0.16 mM completely blocked ovulation in vitro . The blocking effect decreased markedly in ovaries excised at 23:00 h or later . The results suggest that proteolysis by collagenases is indispensable for the ovulatory process in the hamster.

Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper, 1983 Apr 30, 59(4), 560 - 4
{Initial observations on the biocompatibility of a polymer used as a skin dressing}; Russo F et al.; In the development of a dressing for burn wound covers, a material is required which combines good oxygen permeability, high water content and good biocompatibility with reasonable mechanical properties . One of the most important functions of the cover is to protect the burned surfaces from drying out and to constitute the first defence against microbial invasion . In this study composite sheets crosslinked either in presence of glicerol or diacetin, obtained by reinforcing PHEMA with a tricot PET net have been implanted subacute in rabbits, to test their biocompatibility . The same composites crosslinked in presence of diacetin and grafted on a polybutadene film, have been used as a skin graft on rabbits.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1983 Apr 14, 744(1), 76 - 89
Degradation of pigeon liver fatty acid synthetase in the absence of exogenous proteinases; Rabinowitz SS et al.; The homogeneity of pigeon liver fatty acid synthetase has been rigorously tested by physicochemical techniques and crossed-rocket immunoelectrophoresis . The enzyme has also been incubated for 1 h at 100 degrees C in 2% sodium dodecyl sulfate and 0.1 M dithiothreitol . The number of protein components on gel electrophoresis and of dansylated amino acids increased as a function of incubation time . Furthermore, the minor proteins observed after gel electrophoresis cross-reacted with antibody raised to the synthetase . Proteolysis was not chemically mediated by the detergent, the reducing agent or the buffer conditions chosen . Several commercially prepared proteins were not degraded by this procedure, and two proteins were recalcitrant to hydrolysis when included in the same incubation mixture as the synthetase . The inclusion of certain microbial proteinase inhibitors decreased the amount of degradation . This demonstrated that hydrolysis of the synthetase is mediated by a specific vertebrate enzyme which retains activity under denaturing conditions at 100 degrees C . Further degradation is also observed after individual treatment of four limited digestion products from the pigeon liver fatty acid synthetase, suggesting the possibility of an inherent proteolytic activity within the complex.

J Biol Chem, 1983 Apr 10, 258(7), 4195 - 201
The complete amino acid sequence of rabbit phenobarbital-induced liver microsomal cytochrome P-450; Heinemann FS et al.; The complete amino acid sequence of the major phenobarbital-induced cytochrome P-450 (P-450LM2) from rabbit liver microsomes has been determined . The protein contains 489 amino acid residues in a single polypeptide chain and has Mr = 55,464 . The sequence was compared with the amino acid sequence of P-450CAM and the nucleotide sequence of cDNA obtained from phenobarbital-induced rat liver cytochrome P-450 mRNA . These comparisons suggest that, despite functional similarities, the structural homology between microbial and microsomal cytochromes P-450 is limited to a single 8-residue region, and, in contrast, the structure of inducible microsomal cytochrome P-450 isozymes is highly conserved among mammalian species . Furthermore, we propose that the thiolate heme ligand of cytochrome P-450 is contributed by a cysteinyl residue near the COOH terminus, position 434 in the rabbit P-450LM2 sequence, based on the homology in this region with P-450CAM . The NH2 terminus of the protein from residues 1-310 is characterized by 8 hydrophobic segments 18-23 residues long, each of which is terminated by a cluster of charged amino acid residues . Residues 320-443 comprise a hydrophilic region which contains the putative heme binding cysteinyl residue as well as segments of homology with a constitutive rabbit cytochrome P-450 isozyme . The sequence data suggest that cytochrome P-450LM2 contains multiple transmembranous segments as well as a hydrophilic cytoplasmic domain . The hydrophilic domain contains regions of homology with several other cytochromes P-450, and thus appears to have an essential role in the biological function of the protein.

J Gen Microbiol, 1983 Apr, 129 (Pt 4), 1035 - 44
Microbial transformation of lucanthone by growing cultures, washed mycelia and non-germinating spores of fungi from the Aspergillus group; Zedan HH et al.; Whole broth cultures, washed mycelia and non-germinating spores of 13 aspergilli scored from among 91 moulds isolated from soil and air transformed lucanthone (I) into three to five products with increased polarity . Biotransformations brought about by actively growing cultures were also performed by washed mycelia and non-germinating spores of the same strains . Lucanthone (I) was oxidized by growing cultures, washed mycelia and spore suspensions of an Aspergillus species (no . 2) into: hycanthone (II) as the main product, its aldehyde analogue (III) and its carboxylic acid derivative (IV) . The pathway of lucanthone (I) oxidation by this strain involved hydroxylation of the 4-methyl group (to give hycanthone, II) followed by dehydrogenation of the resulting primary alcohol (to give the aldehyde, III) . The aldehyde III was finally slowly oxidized to the corresponding carboxylic acid analogue IV . Evidence is presented to show that mycelial and spore enzymes effecting these oxidative reactions are intracellular and non-inducible in nature . Spore-mediated transformations were found not to require a source of energy and could be conducted in distilled water over a wide range of incubation temperature (from 4 to 37 degrees C) . Use of the spores in successive transformations did not affect lucanthone (I) hydroxylation into hycanthone (II) or the dehydrogenation of the latter into the aldehyde analogue (III) but the ability of the spores to oxidize the aldehyde (III) to the carboxylic acid (IV) was lost.

J Anim Sci, 1983 Apr, 56(4), 930 - 7
Phosphorus: ruminal availability and effects on digestion; Witt KE et al.; The availability of P for ruminal digestion in vivo from a mono-dicalcium phosphate containing 21% P (mono-dical), a mono-dicalcium phosphate containing 18.5% P (dical), and defluorinated rock phosphate was compared with sodium phosphate (Na2HPO4 X 7H2O) . Mono-dical, dical and defluorinated rock phosphate were found to be 88, 62 and 40% as available as sodium phosphate in the rumen . Compared with sodium phosphate, P from mono-dical, dical and defluorinated rock phosphate was 46.4, 28.8 and 2.5% as soluble in an in vitro ruminal buffer . In vitro P solubility in abomasal fluid increased with incubation time up to 1 h . Relative solubilities of the P sources at 1 h were 100, 71.6, 41.3 and 29.7% for sodium phosphate, mono-dical, dical and defluorinated rock phosphate, respectively . These sources can be solubilized in the abomasum and become available postruminally despite low solubility in the rumen . To determine the effect of P on ruminal and total tract digestion, diets low (.12%) and adequate (.23%) in P were fed to ruminally cannulated steers (700 kg) in a crossover design . Although higher ruminal P concentrations were detected with the high P diet than with the low P diet (398 vs 208 mg/liter), dry matter disappearance rate from nylon bags of ground corn, cotton duck or cottonseed hulls was unchanged . Estimated retention of P was higher (P less than .01) with the high P diet (8.3 g/d) than with the low P diet (1.0 g/d), but total tract digestibility was not enhanced significantly by added P . It appears that increasing ruminal P concentration from 208 to 398 mg/liter did not increase microbial cellulose digestion, but the low level was inadequate for maintaining the adult ruminant animal's P stores.

J Prosthet Dent, 1983 Apr, 49(4), 527 - 8
The use of an interim protective prosthesis during cancer chemotherapy; DePaola LG; The use of an interim protective prosthesis during cancer chemotherapy allows immediate patient comfort and function by protecting ulcerated mucosa and providing a platform against which to masticate . Chemotherapeutically induced lesions can be exacerbated by trauma from the remaining natural dentition during mastication and parafunctional habits . The interim prosthesis protects ulcerated tissue from further injury, and healing is promoted . The greater the integrity of the oral tissues, the more resistant they become to microbial invasion, subsequent microbial colonization, and infection during periods of granulocytopenia . By the use of a conservative technique, the patients's quality of life is improved during cancer treatment, and definitive prosthodontic treatment is deferred until therapy can be better tolerated by the patient.

J Inorg Biochem, 1983 Apr, 18(2), 161 - 8
Rapid release of iron from ferritin by siderophores; Tidmarsh GF et al.; The ability of the microbial siderophores deferriferrichrome, deferriferrichrome A, and enterobactin to remove iron from ferritin has been investigated . In contrast to previously published data with other chelators, all three siderophores rapidly released iron from the mammalian storage protein . Enterobactin was found most efficient at removing ferritin-bound iron . Using this siderophore, the mechanism by which ferritin sequesters iron was studied . The relative iron saturation level of ferritin influenced the rate of chelation by the microbial siderophores.

Gan To Kagaku Ryoho, 1983 Apr, 10(4 Pt 2), 1071 - 86
{Secondary microbial metabolites with potentials for antineoplastic actions: antineoplastic antibiotics and immunopotentiators}; Umezawa H; Studies of microbial secondary metabolites are being continued for the purpose of finding compounds useful in the treatment of curing cancer . Derivatives and analogs which have lower characteristic toxicities of parent antitumor antibiotics such as adriamycin, bleomycin, mitomycin, etc . are being developed . The mechanism of therapeutic action and chemical synthesis have contributed to the development of new useful bleomycins . New screening methods have always been studied and new types of interesting antitumor antibiotics such as bactobolin, oxanosine, spergualin, etc . have recently been discovered . The research area of antitumor antibiotics has been expanded to low molecular weight immunity-enhancing compounds, and bestatin, forphenicinol, arphamenine, etc . have been discovered . The effects of bestatin on human and mouse immunity systems have been studied in detail . Moreover, the study of microbial products which inhibit the generation of suppressor cells has recently been started . Oxanosine, bestatin, forphenicinol, arphamenine, etc inhibit the generation of suppressor cells . Oxanosine has strong activity . The treatment with the combination of the compounds described above will contribute to the increase of the rate of cancer cure . In this paper, the studies by H . Umezawa and his collaborators are described.

Biochem J, 1983 Mar 15, 210(3), 829 - 36
Deoxycholic acid degradation by a Pseudomonas sp . Acidic intermediates with A-ring unsaturation; Leppik RA; The microbial catabolism of deoxycholic acid by a Pseudomonas sp . was studied, and six further acidic intermediates were isolated, as their methyl esters . Evidence is presented that the compounds are methyl 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxochol-4-en-24-oate, methyl 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-23,24-dinorchol-4-en-22-oate, methyl 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxochola-1,4-dien-24-oate, methyl 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-23,24-dinorchola-1,4-dien-22-oate, methyl 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxochola-1,4,22E-trien-24-oate and methyl 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-23,24-dinorchola-1,4,17(20)-trien-22-oate . On the basis of these compounds, together with the seven intermediates previously reported, a catabolic pathway is proposed.

Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol, 1983 Mar, 39(3), 463 - 75
Effect of bestatin analogues and other compounds on enkephalin hydrolysis by an aminopeptidase from the mesophiles pseudomonas sp ATCC 11299A and chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12540; Weiss B et al.; In our studies on newly synthesized compounds for their potential analgesic effect, we decided for purposes of convenience and economy to investigate non-mammalian sources for the presence of enkephalin degrading enzymes . An aminopeptidase that catalyzes the hydrolysis of the tyrosylglycyl bond of leucine- and methionine enkephalin was purified from the mesophiles Pseudomonas sp ATCC 11299a (Ps) and Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12540 (Cv) . Each preparation also hydrolyzed to varying extents neutral dipeptides, tripeptides, tetrapeptides and amino acid beta-naphthylamides . The Ps enzyme has a pH optimum of 6.8, Km of 80 microM and a Vmax of 6.7 nmoles/min/mg of protein . The Cv enzyme has a pH optimum of 6.8-7.2, Km of 111 microM and a Vmax of 42 nmoles/min/mg of protein . Both are sulfhydryl enzymes since they are activated by dithiothreitol (DTT) and inactivated by p-chloro- and p-hydroxymercuribenzoate . They are not glycoproteins since they pass unretained through a Con A-Sepharose column . The activity lost by dialysis against EDTA can be restored, wholly or in part, by Co+2, Mg+2, Mn+2 and Ni+2; ions exerting an inhibitory effect were A1+3, Cd+2, Cu+2, Hg+2 and Zn+2 . From a range of organic compounds, the greatest inhibition was elicited by the microbial peptides amastatin and bestatin . Several dipeptide analogues of bestatin, synthesized from DL-threo-2-amino-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropanoic acid (AHPP) as the N-terminal residue in order to define the stereospecific requirements of the alpha, beta-functional groups for maximal activity, were not as active as the parent compound.

J Exp Zool, 1983 Mar, 225(3), 501 - 3
Effects of protease inhibitors on early events in the conjugation of paramecium caudatum; Kitamura A; The effects of 11 different protease inhibitors on mating reactivity and pair formation in the conjugation process of the ciliated protozoan Paramecium caudatum were investigated . Of the 11 inhibitors tested, six microbial and three synthetic inhibitors showed no effect on either pair formation or mating reactivity even at their highest concentrations . Soybean trypsin inhibitor and ovomucoid also showed no effect on pair formation even though they temporarily repressed mating reactivity . These results indicate that the process of pair formation during the conjugation process does not involve an extracellular proteolytic reaction.

Int J Dermatol, 1983 Mar, 22(2), 123 - 5
A comparison of miconazole nitrate and selenium disulfide as anti-dandruff agents; Sheth RA; The anti-dandruff efficacy of two shampoos containing 2% miconazole nitrate and 2.5% selenium disulfide was compared in 15 subjects and eight subjects, respectively . The antifungal drug, miconazole nitrate, was found to possess anti-dandruff activity similar to selenium sulfide, a cytostatic compound . For evaluation, techniques of clinical grading and the corneocyte count were used and the latter was found inaccurate . Instead, clinical assessment by grading the severity, supplemented by cytodiagnosis by smear examination was found more helpful . The latter helps to evaluate both the altered pathophysiologic and microbial factors operating in a given case of dandruff, which is a symptom complex brought about by multiple etiologic factors.

J Dairy Sci, 1983 Mar, 66(3), 492 - 504
Effects of formaldehyde treated soybean meal on milk yield, milk composition, and nutrient digestibility in the dairy cow; Crooker BA et al.; The nutritional value of soybean meal that had been treated with formaldehyde (.3 g/100 g) to inhibit microbial degradation of soybean meal protein in the rumen was investigated . Four experimental diets were fed ad libitum during wk 4 to 43 of lactation to Holstein cows randomly assigned to diets in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of dietary crude protein (12 and 14%) and formaldehyde treatment (untreated and treated soybean meal) . Concentrate, corn silage, and alfalfa-grass hay provided 53.0, 35.4, and 11.6% of the daily intake of dry matter . Analysis of covariance revealed that digestibility of dietary crude protein by cows fed formaldehyde treated soybean meal was lower than by cows fed untreated soybean meal (62.4 versus 65.4%) . Similar quantities of milk, 4% fat-corrected milk, milk fat, and milk solids-not-fat (overall means of 7998, 7402, 281, and 660 kg/301 days of lactation) were produced by cows fed different diets . This was true whether the data were summarized during peak production (day 22 to 63), during days 22 to 119 when crude protein intake did not meet requirements, or during the complete experiment (days 22 to 301 of lactation) . Milk protein (total nitrogen x 6.38) produced by cows fed soybean meal treated with formaldehyde was less than by cows fed untreated soybean meal during days 22 to 63 and during days 22 to 119 (47 versus 44 kg/cow and 103 versus 97 kg/cow) . Changes in body weight of cows during lactation were similar among treatments . Treating soybean meal with .3 g formaldehyde/100 g may decrease availability of soybean meal protein for use by lactating dairy cows.

J Bone Joint Surg Am, 1983 Mar, 65(3), 357 - 62
Conversation in the operating theater as a cause of airborne bacterial contamination; Letts RM et al.; Using microspheres of human albumin sprayed on the face and in the nostrils under the facemask, we studied the role of conversation in contaminating the operating-room environment in addition to the microbial contamination of the air in an empty and in an occupied operating room . Conversation consistently increased the number of microspheres found in the simulated wound . The spatial relationship between the mask and the hood was important in reducing contamination . A complete hood overlapping the mask, with no gaps at the sides or bottom of the mask, was most efficient . The air contamination was increased by the presence of operating-room personnel and varied in different parts of the theater according to the density of traffic . We concluded that conversation contributes to airborne contamination in the operating theater but that contamination from this source can be lessened by wearing a face-mask that extends underneath an overlapping hood.

Bull Eur Physiopathol Respir, 1983 Mar-Apr, 19(2), 111 - 3
{Current aspects of chemotaxis of phagocytic cells}; Frobert Y et al.; Phagocytic cells, the first host defence against microbial attack, are remarkably mobile; they can move very rapidly to the infectious or inflammatory site . They migrate toward a chemotactic factor: C5a, lymphokines, bacterial products, leukotriene B4, etc . The binding of the chemotactic factor to its specific receptor on the cell leads to an activation of the phagocytic cell: the electric potential of the membrane changes, ionic fluxes and free calcium rate increase, arachidonic acid metabolites are produced, cyclic nucleotides are activated . This produces a change in shape, a polarization of the cell and, after cytoskeleton reorganization, migration of the cell towards the chemotactic factor . A constitutional or acquired abnormality of one of these steps induces a defect of chemotaxis for the phagocytic cells and severe infections.

Lancet, 1983 Feb 19, 1(8321), 381 - 3
Novel test for rapid viral diagnosis: detection of adenovirus in nasopharyngeal mucus aspirates by means of nucleic-acid sandwich hybridisation; Virtanen M et al.; Nucleic-acid sandwich hybridisation detected adenovirus in nasopharyngeal aspirates from children with acute respiratory infections within 20 h . The differentiation between subgroups of adenovirus (B and C) and the lack of false positives indicated the specificity of the method . The reference test was detection of an adenovirus protein (hexon) by means of radioimmunoassay . In nucleic-acid sandwich hybridisation the sample DNA mediates the binding of a labelled "probe" DNA fragment to a second DNA fragment bound on filter . The sample DNA itself is not fixed to a solid support, and the only pretreatment required is boiling in a detergent solution . The results indicate that the sandwich hybridisation is specific, quantitative, easy to do, and only marginally affected by the crude nature of the sample . It may therefore be a valuable addition to the range of rapid methods in microbial diagnosis.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {C}, 1983 Feb, 91(1), 69 - 75
Characterization of classes of intrathecally synthesized antibodies by imprint immunofixation of electrophoretically separated sera and cerebrospinal fluids; Vartdal F et al.; The use of imprint immunofixation (IIF) method to identify IgG, IgA and IgM classes of microbial antibodies in electrophoretically separated sera and cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) is described . The method was applied to the analysis of intrathecal antibody responses in mumps meningitis, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), neurosyphilis and multiple sclerosis (MS) . Intrathecally synthesized mumps virus-specific IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies were demonstrated in the CSF of patients with mumps meningitis . The intrathecally synthesized IgG and IgM antibodies displayed oligoclonal characteristics, while the IgA antibodies appeared to be mainly polyclonal . The intrathecal measles antibody responses in SSPE appeared to be confined to IgG antibodies . In neurosyphilis, the intrathecal treponemal antibody response was predominantly of the IgG class, but IgA antibodies were demonstrated in two of nine patients . Intrathecally synthesized IgG antibodies to measles and/or varicella-zoster viruses were demonstrated in 17 of 18 patients with MS; IgA or IgM antibodies to these viruses were not detected.

Biochem Med, 1983 Feb, 29(1), 23 - 30
A sensitive assay of sialidase activity with fluorogenic oligosaccharide derivatives; Koseki M et al.; Fluorogenic oligosaccharide derivatives, lactityl-aminopyridine and sialyllactityl-aminopyridines, were synthesized by reductive amination of lactose and sialyllactose with 2-aminopyridine in the presence of sodium cyanoborohydride . Lactityl-aminopyridine showed bluish-white fluorescence at 390 nm by excitation with ultraviolet light at 320 nm, and the intensity of the fluorescence was proportional to the concentration of lactityl-aminopyridine within a range from 20 to 9800 pmole/ml . Two isomers of sialyllactityl-aminopyridine were enzymatically hydrolyzed to sialic acid and lactityl-aminopyridine by the action of both microbial and mammalian sialidases, and their suitability as substrates for sialidase was investigated . The result showed that sialidase activity was determined with about 55-fold higher sensitivity than that of ordinarily used colorimetric methods.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1983 Feb, 45(2), 665 - 8
Inhibition of Naegleria fowleri by microbial iron-chelating agents: ecological implications; Newsome AL et al.; Deferrioxamine B and rhodotorulic acid, iron-chelating agents of microbial origin, exerted a pronounced inhibitory effect on pathogenic Naegleria fowleri at microgram levels . This inhibition was diminished by adding iron to the chelators before incubation with Naegleria isolates . These and related microbial iron chelators occur naturally in the environment . This could be of considerable ecological significance and provides a novel hypothesis to account for the proliferation of pathogenic Naegleria spp . in certain aquatic habitats.

Am J Ophthalmol, 1983 Feb, 95(2), 156 - 60
Aphakic extended-wear contact lenses after penetrating keratoplasty; Dangel ME et al.; Fifteen aphakic eyes in 15 selected patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty were successfully fitted with extended-wear contact lenses three to 42 months postoperatively . After an average follow-up of 17 months, there was no graft edema, no microbial corneal ulcers, and no episode of graft rejection . Three eyes developed minor (1 to 2 mm) graft neovascularization; the neovascularization was stable and did not require discontinuation of the contact lenses . Fourteen of the 15 patients had postoperative visual acuities of 20/70 or better; the one patient whose visual acuity was worse than 20/70 had a clear graft but also had senile macular degeneration.

Am J Clin Nutr, 1983 Feb, 37(2), 185 - 7
Possible biotin deficiency in adults receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition; Innis SM et al.; Two adult patients receiving total parenteral nutrition on a long-term home basis presented with severe loss of hair . Both patients had extensive gut resection, consumed no biotin orally and received no biotin parenterally . Supplementation with Berroca-C, one ampule containing 200 micrograms biotin per day resulted in gradual regrowth of healthy hair . The patients now receive a parenteral solution containing biotin and have shown no recurrence of alopecia . It is suggested that biotin deficiency can occur in the adult when no preformed biotin is provided to the body and the contribution of this vitamin from intestinal microbial biosynthesis is compromised.

Food Chem Toxicol, 1983 Feb, 21(1), 25 - 9
Metabolic profile of caecal micro-organisms from rats fed indigestible plant cell-wall components; Rowland IR et al.; A fibre-free diet, or the same diet supplemented with 100 g cabbage or carrot cell-wall preparation/kg, was fed to rats for 28 days and the activities of a number of caecal microbial enzymes (azoreductase, aryl nitroreductase, beta-glucosidase, beta-glucuronidase, imidazole nitroreductase and nitrite reductase) were determined in vitro . The plant cell-wall preparations diluted the gut contents and decreased the number of bacteria per gram of caecal contents . Enzyme activities per gram of caecal contents were also decreased, with the exception of beta-glucosidase activity which was significantly increased . These plant cell-wall preparations also increased caecal size, and thereby significantly increased total activity per caecum of microbial azoreductase, aryl nitroreductase, beta-glucosidase and beta-glucuronidase . When bacterial metabolism was expressed per 10(9) bacteria, all enzyme activities were significantly increased in caecal samples from rats fed the plant cell-wall preparations . There was an overall concordance of 0.91 between all the enzymes when expressed per 10(9) bacteria, but of only 0.38 when enzyme activities were expressed per gram of caecal contents.

Z Gesamte Inn Med, 1983 Jan 15, 38(2), 41 - 4
{Rapid gas chromatographic diagnosis of anaerobic infections}; Egerer K et al.; The microbial culture for the isolation and identification of anaerobic causative organisms is very expensive with regard to material and time . By means of the gas-chromatographic proof of short-chain fatty acids in the clinical material within a short time (30-45 minutes) the tentative diagnosis of an anaerobic infection can be made . In the present paper methods and advantages of this kind of determination are described.

FEBS Lett, 1983 Jan 10, 151(1), 36 - 40
Rifamycin B oxidase from Monocillium spp., a new type of diphenol oxidase; Han MH et al.; It was found that enzyme from a microbial strain, Monocillium spp . ATCC 20621, catalyzed the oxidative reaction of rifamycin B to form rifamycin O . The identification of the reaction products suggested that the reaction proceeded by the oxidative cyclization of rifamycin B to give rifamycin O, which spontaneously hydrolyzed to rifamycin S in neutral aqueous milieu . The characteristic of the enzyme was different as compared with that of other polyphenol oxidases such as laccase . It is proposed that this new type of enzyme be classified into a subgroup EC 1.10.3.6 with a trivial name rifamycin B oxidase.

Neurochirurgie, 1983, 29(2), 151 - 3
{Brain abscesses in Kinshasa (Republic of Zaïre)}; Beltchika K et al.; Brain abscesses are not as rare as would be thought in Zaire . Within a period of 3 years we met 28 cases at the University Clinics of Kinshasa . Any intracranial neoformation in patient under 20 years of age, should raise suspicion, the more so, if there exist suspicious pathological antecedent . There is much hope nowadays to considerable decrease the mortality rate by applying a more correct therapeutical strategy . In the acute phase, anti-edematous and anti-microbial therapies will be chosen rather than surgical excision . The availability of the Cat Scan represents a large progress in the management of cerebral abscesses, but in our contextes of developing countries; the carotidian arteriography still remains very useful to locate the site of the lesion without great danger for the patients . The availability of the Cat Scan has enabled considerable progress to be made in the management of cerebral abscess, but in the context of Third World medical care the use of carotid arteriography is still a valid method for localizing the lesion without major risks to the patient.

Nutr Cancer, 1983, 4(4), 267 - 72
Dietary protein and cecal microbial metabolism in the rat; Wise A et al.; Adult rats were fed diets containing 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, or 400 g lactalbumin/kg diet for 10 days, and the activities of six cecal microbial enzymes were determined . Total activity per cecum of azoreductase, beta-glucosidase, and urease increased significantly with increasing dietary protein, whereas the activities of beta-glucuronidase and nitroreductase were not significantly affected . Nitrate reductase activity decreased significantly . Total numbers of cecal bacteria were not significantly altered by the treatment.

Biosystems, 1983, 16(1), 75 - 8
ATP as a biomass indicator for closed ecosystems; Takano CT et al.; Nucleotide measurements have been used as biomass indicators in microbial ecology . We report the use of this metric in materially closed, energetically open microbial ecosystems . Our results indicate that: (i) both ATP concentrations and pO2 show an increase from time of closure; (ii) ATP concentrations (0.2 1.2 ng/ml) are approximately 2 3 times higher than open ocean water; (iii) there is an apparent oscillation of ATP concentrations on the order of 50 days; and (iv) within experimental limitations the ratios of ATP concentrations to observed total cell counts is constant.

Hautarzt, 1983 Jan, 34(1), 38 - 43
{Immunological functions of Langerhans cells}; Baer RL; Langerhans cells are the body's outer-most immunologic bastion against harmful environmental substances . They are a dendritie bone-marrow-derived subgroup of the mononuclear macrophages and serve an important immune regulating function . Langerhans cells are the antigen-presenting cells in the epidermis and play an important role in the induction and elicitation of delayed allergic hypersensitivity reactions against contact allergens, microbial antigens in the skin and antigens formed by cutaneous tumors.

Jpn J Clin Oncol, 1983, 13 Suppl 1, 91 - 4
Clinical use of bioclean rooms in Japan with special reference to medical isolators; Yamada K et al.; A survey on the clinical use of medical isolators was undertaken by sending out a questionnaire to the major medical and pediatric oncology services in Japan . As of December, 1981, laminar-air-flow rooms (LAFR) were installed in hospital rooms of 79 institutions . To date, 68 patients with leukemia, 12 with malignant lymphoma and 10 with aplastic anemia have been treated in LAFR for the purpose of bone marrow transplantation . So far, 501 patients with leukemia, 24 with malignant lymphoma and 14 with solid tumor have been treated in LAFR for the purpose of intensive chemotherapy . A variety of items as to the clinical use of medical isolators, such as type of LAFR, decontamination of isolators, protective clothing, food and gut sterilization and attending staff were surveyed . There remain many problems in the use of medical isolators, such as the high cost of establishing and maintaining a bioclean system, the shortage of nursing staff, the lack of space and accessory equipment and so on . Nevertheless, the author will continue to recommend isolation with a physical barrier, protective clothing for attending staff, pathogen-free food and oral prophylactic anti-microbial agents.

J Chromatogr Sci, 1983 Jan, 21(1), 34 - 8
Normal-phase HPLC analysis of microbial carotenoids and neutral lipids; Gillan FT et al.; A facile, reproducible HPLC procedure for the analysis of algal and bacterial carotenoids has been developed . By selection of appropriate detection wavelengths, it is possible to determine wavelength ratios that typify selected carotenoids and permit rapid distinction between coeluting pigments with different numbers of conjugated double bonds . The concurrent isolation of individual neutral lipid classes with the carotenoid analysis is also demonstrated.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1983 Jan, 36(1), 20 - 4
Microbial conversion of grisorixin, a monovalent cation ionophorous antibiotic; Cuer A et al.; The isolation and identification of a bioconversion product of grisorixin from a strain of Streptomyces rimosus is reported . The structure of this product was elucidated from physicochemical data, in particular 13C NMR spectra . Its ionophorous and antibiotic properties are markedly different from those of grisorixin.

Arkh Patol, 1983, 45(11), 66 - 74
{Acute peritonitis as an inflammation problem}; Paukov VS et al.; Clinical features and morphology of circumscribed, general, and diffuse peritonitis were studied on the clinical material including 66 observations and in 320 small animals . In the reactive stage of the process because of rapidly increasing toxicity microcirculation was shown to be disturbed, immunoglobulins were fixed in basal membranes of the microvessels and peritoneum, endotheliocytes and mesotheliocytes decreased in number which facilitated marked plasmorrhagy but prevented migration of leukocytes from the vessels . The function of leukocytes and nonspecific resistance of the organism increased . Cell-mediated immune reactions appeared only by the end of the first 24 hours of the disease . In the toxic and terminal stages, severe degenerative changes developed in leukocytes, and pathological processes progressed . Some pathogenetic mechanisms of common forms of peritonitis are discussed . The authors believe that the severe course of peritonitis is associated with rapidly increasing toxicity due to the effect both of microbial toxins and disorders in the microcirculation preventing adequate supply of leukocytes into the zone of inflammation as well as with late involvement into the process of protective cell-mediated immune responses.

Vet Med Nauki, 1983, 20(8), 28 - 35
{Effect of artificial air ionization on broilers}; Stoianov P et al.; Tested was the artificial ionization of the air in climatic chambers in attempts to maintain the abiotic ecologic factors within the parameters required by the industrial technology of raising . The feeding and raising of birds were carried in accordance with the provisions of the Bulgarian State Standard requirements . The experiments were carried out with day-old chick broilers divided into two equated groups . All parameters of the production milieu in which the groups were kept were unified with the exception of the ionization of air . The latter was effected following the pattern of a special programme worked out by the authors' team, providing for various exposures and concentrations of the ions in dependence on the age of birds . The investigation of the abiotic and biotic factors acting in the two chambers has revealed a reliable drop of the microbial contamination of the air under the effect of artificial ionization . It has been found that air ionization applied according to the tested programme stimulates the life processes in the body of broilers as evidenced by the anabolic processes with proteins, the higher vitamin A and E level in the liver, and the activation of haemopoiesis . As the result of the reduced microbial contamination of the air and the biologic action of the air ions on the body of the birds in the test group higher weight was obtained (by 19 g) as against the controls at a lower feed intake per unit of gain, with higher indices of the poultry meat . The chemical investigation of such meat of the test group birds has revealed higher protein and essential amino acid content.

Adv Exp Med Biol, 1983, 166, 159 - 69
Clinical Phase I investigation of intravenous oil attached mycobacterial components as immunotherapeutic agents; Vosika G et al.; The toxicity and immunological effects of suspensions of mycobacterial cell wall skeleton (CWS) and trehalose dimycolate (TDM) attached to oil droplets and given intravenously in doses of 100 to 200 micrograms/M2 every one or two weeks was investigated . The major limiting side effect was fever and chills at a dose of 2 mg/M2 . There was no major hematopoietic, renal, hepatic toxicity, or pulmonary toxicity . Intravenous therapy with CWS/TDM/Oil was associated with complete regression of a bronchial squamous cell arcinoma in one of three patients receiving 2000 micrograms/M2 weekly . The continued development and clinical study of surface attached purified and/or synthetic microbial adjuvants is a promising area of investigation.

Adv Exp Med Biol, 1983, 166, 117 - 58
Muramyl dipeptides: prospect for cancer treatments and immunostimulation; Kotani S et al.; The immunopharmacological activities of bacterial cell walls and muramyl peptides were collected in table form with a comprehensive literature . The past and present studies emphasizing the host-defense enhancing activities of muramyl peptides for antitumor immunotherapy were surveyed along three possible approaches: 1) the nonspecific enhancement of natural defense ability of host against tumor cells themselves; 2) the enhancement of nonspecific resistance of host to microbial infections which are frequently encountered and difficult to treat in the advanced stage of tumor patients; and 3) the stimulation of immunity against tumor-specific or tumor-associated immunogens . Finally, the prospects of successful antitumor immunotherapy with muramyl peptides and their derivatives was discussed.

Acta Otorhinolaryngol Belg, 1983, 37(4), 565 - 73
{Physiology of the sinuses . Physiopathology of sinusitis}; Melon J; Ventilation and drainage are the two essential intrinsic functions of the sinus . Both of them are dependent upon the permeability of the ostium, whose caliber is extremely variable with respect to anatomical factors, and dynamic factors associated with the vasomotricity of the mucous membrane . In many subjects the ostial permeability is precarious, thus explaining the frequency of inflammatory sinus reactions . These are due, as the level of the middle ear, either to a transostial inoculation of pathogenic germs creating a microbial sinusitis, or to an ostial obstruction responsible for a hypoxia, a hypercapnia, and a local depression creating a a vacuo sinusitis . The second situation leads to conditions that are favorable for the development of the first and vice versa.

J Biol Response Mod, 1983, 2(5), 450 - 7
Effect of in vivo administration of interferon on human monocyte function; Territo M et al.; We studied the function of peripheral blood monocytes in patients receiving interferon . Patients received i.m . injections of Wellferon at doses ranging from 0.75 to 50 X 10(6) U every 12 h for 7 days . Monocyte function was evaluated prior to and 7-28 days following the institution of interferon therapy . As a group, these patients showed some rise in chemokinesis, but evaluation of phagocytosis, adhesion, spreading, chemotaxis, microbial killing, and tumor cytotoxicity failed to demonstrate clear evidence of monocyte activation . About half of the patients did show a significant rise in their monocyte count, Candida killing, and chemotaxis following interferon therapy . More patients demonstrated a rise in monocyte count and chemokinesis with higher doses of interferon, but other functional assays were either unaffected or had fewer patients demonstrating activation with the higher doses . Patients whose tumors showed stabilization or partial response after interferon were more likely to exhibit a rise in monocyte count, Candida killing, spreading, and tumor killing than were patients whose disease progressed.

Ophthalmic Res, 1983, 15(4), 208 - 11
Hemolytic complement in tears; Mondino BJ et al.; We performed hemolytic assays for C1, C4, C3 and C5 on tear samples from 7 normal subjects and 10 patients with corneal ulcers . Hemolytic activities in tears were determined by 50% hemolysis of sensitized sheep red blood cells . Absent or low hemolytic activities of C1, C4 and C3 were found in normal tears . C5 was detected in tear samples from 4 of 7 normal subjects . Tear samples from patients with corneal ulcers showed elevated levels of C1, C4, C3 and C5, but wide ranges in values were found . C5 had the highest hemolytic activities in both normal tears and tears from eyes with corneal ulcers . Complement in tears may contribute to host defense in microbial corneal ulcers.

Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1983, 23(5), 319 - 43
{Secondary metabolites as endogenous effectors of microbial cytodifferentiation}; Grafe U; The present survey covers the regulatory role of microbial secondary metabolites and related compounds as endogenous signals of cell differentiation of the producing organisms . Several antibiotics have been shown to exert autoregulatory effects on differentiation-associated functions . The mechanisms of self-protection of the producing cells against the autotoxicity of secondary metabolites are discussed in terms of an integral part of the modulation of signal strength . As a further topic, the review deals with the hormone-like interference of particular metabolites with differentiating cells . Conclusive discussion concerns the potential use of microbial signal molecules either as tools for directed manipulations of product syntheses or as pharmaceutics.

Vox Sang, 1983, 45(3), 252 - 6
Autoimmunity and the Kell blood groups: auto-anti-Kpb in a Kp(a+b-) patient; Manny N et al.; An example of auto-anti-Kpb in a Kp(a+b-) patient is described . The antibody present in the patient's serum and in eluates from her red cells was IgG . It did not bind complement, and did not cause in vivo hemolysis . 9 months after recognition of the autoimmune state the direct antiglobulin test had become negative and anti-Kpb was no longer detectable . It is postulated that autoimmunity involving the Kell blood group may be precipitated by antigens or enzymes of microbial origin.

Ann Immunol (Paris), 1983 Jan-Feb, 134C(1), 43 - 53
Induction of autoantibodies and circulating immune complexes in mice after injection of Brucella fraction "PI" or inoculation with live Brucella suis; Cannat A et al.; "PI", a vaccinating fraction with B mitogenic and polyclonal activator (PCA) activity extracted from Brucella melitensis, was i . p . injected into B6 and DB mice . In B6 mice, this led to an important but transient increase in the level of anti-ssDNA antibodies, the induction of rheumatoid factor (RF) and the appearance of circulating immune complexes (CIC) . In DB mice, on the other hand, the only significant effect consisted of a slight and ephemeral peak of CIC in sera from day 7 . Similarly, while i . v . inoculation of live B . suis did not influence the levels of anti-ssDNA, RF or CIC in DB mice, in the B6 mice it exerted effects which were comparable to those of PI but considerably weaker, more transient and somewhat delayed . These results are discussed in terms of the importance and significance of strain-dependence for the induction of autoimmune phenomena by PCA and microbial infections.

Acta Paediatr Scand, 1983 Jan, 72(1), 13 - 7
A suggested role for precolostrum in preterm and sick newborn infants; Lewis-Jones DI et al.; Samples of precolostrum (colostrum gravidarum), colostrum and mature milk obtained from five women during their antenatal and postnatal periods were measured for IgA, IgG, IgM, alpha-1-antitrypsin, lactoferrin, lysozyme, B1A globulin (C3) and B1E globulin (C4) by single radial immunodiffusion . Protein concentrations in precolostrum were equal to or greater than those found in colostrum obtained during the first 12-48 hours following delivery . Secretion of precolostrum is common, occurs early in the antenatal period and may often be of considerable volume . The anti-microbial proteins contained within this milk can be preserved intact by freezing . This represents an untapped pool of bacteriostatic proteins with specific activity against neonatal pathogens . We suggest that a potential protective effect against serious infection may be obtained by administering precolostrum to "at risk" infants during the first few days of life.

Am J Med, 1983 Jan, 74(1), 14 - 22
Nonspecific vaginitis . Diagnostic criteria and microbial and epidemiologic associations; Amsel R et al.; Numerous previous studies of nonspecific vaginitis have yielded contradictory results regarding its cause and clinical manifestations, due to a lack of uniform case definition and laboratory methods . We studied 397 consecutive unselected female university students and applied sets of well defined criteria to distinguish nonspecific vaginitis from other forms of vaginitis and from normal findings . Using such criteria, we diagnosed nonspecific vaginitis in up to 25 percent of our study population; asymptomatic disease was recognized in more than 50 percent of those with nonspecific vaginitis . A clinical diagnosis of nonspecific vaginitis, based on simple office procedures, was correlated with both the presence and the concentration of Gardnerella vaginalis (Hemophilus vaginalis) in vaginal discharge, and with characteristic biochemical findings in vaginal discharge . Nonspecific vaginitis was also correlated with a history of sexual activity, a history of previous trichomoniasis, current use of nonbarrier contraceptive methods, and, particularly, use of an intrauterine device . G . vaginalis was isolated from 51.3 percent of the total population using a highly selective medium that detected the organism in lower concentration in vaginal discharge than did previously used media . Practical diagnostic criteria for standard clinical use are proposed . Application of such criteria should assist in clinical management of nonspecific vaginitis and in further study of the microbiologic and biochemical correlates and the pathogenesis of this mild but quite prevalent disease.

Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1983, 413, 551 - 3
Syntheses of optically active amino acids by the combination of chemical methods and microbial techniques; Yokozeki K et al.; The newly developed processes combining the advantages of chemical methods and microbial techniques brought about optically active amino acids (D- or L-) from racemic compounds . In all cases, the other isomer of substrates (L- or D-) that cannot be catalyzed by hydrolyzing enzymes were easily racemized under reaction conditions . Then, optically active amino acids were produced quantitatively from the racemic compounds.

Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1983, 413, 197 - 210
The influence of dilution rate, temperature, and influent substrate concentration on the efficiency of steady-state biomass production in continuous microbial culture; Quinlan AV; The efficiency of steady-state biomass production was defined as the ratio of the biomass produced at steady state to the biomass that would be produced if influent substrate were completely and permanently incorporated . The scope of analysis was confined to microbial growth processes described by a Monod reaction mechanism . A thermo-kinetic analysis of this mechanism with coefficient values estimated from experimental data showed: (table; see text) (1) As the dilution rate was increased, the efficiency passed through a single peak . Raising the temperature did not markedly change the peak efficiency, but did broaden and shift the peak toward higher dilution rates . In contrast, elevating the influent substrate concentration significantly improved the peak efficiency while still broadening and shifting the peak toward higher dilution rates . (2) As the temperature was raised, the efficiency also showed a single peak . Increasing the dilution rate did not significantly alter the peak value or breadth, but did shift the peak to higher temperatures . In contrast, elevating the influent substrate concentration substantially improved the peak efficiency and caused the peak to shift toward lower temperatures without broadening . (3) As the influent substrate concentration was elevated, the peak efficiency improved and asymptotically approached unity . These results suggested that relatively high influent substrate concentrations, low temperatures, and moderate dilution rates would be needed to optimize the efficiency of steady-state biomass production by Monod processes with coefficient values similar to those used in this paper.

Arch Oral Biol, 1983, 28(5), 459 - 64
Light- and electron-microscopic study of the microbial deposits present on the tongue and dentition of macropods; Beighton D et al.; The dental deposits in the kangaroos and wallabies were similar to human calculus with lysed bacterial cell remnants embedded in previously mineralized areas . The surface of the microbial deposits in contact with the enamel showed: (a) triangular structures 3-5 micron deep and 4-5 micron wide at their base repeating every 4 or 5 micron which probably occupied the remnants of Tomes processes which in macropods do not flatten out; (b) irregular, short (1 micron) projections that probably occupied the inter-prismatic areas . Few organisms were observed on the anterior or dorsal surfaces of the tongues but on the posterior region there was abundant microbial colonization . Large amounts of extracellular matrix were preserved using a fixation technique designed to minimize the loss of water-soluble material . Bacteria were arranged perpendicular to the epithelial cell surfaces and were present on either surface of desquamating epithelial cells . Aqueous fixation erroneously suggested that inter-bacterial and bacterial-epithelial cell adhesion was primarily by fine fibrillar strands.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1983 Jan, 177(1-2), 156 - 69
{Microbial colonization of the nasopharynx, external auditory canal, hair of the head and armpit in high performance swimmers}; Graf W et al.; From 50 high-performance swimmers, who were subdivided into three training groups, swabs were taken before and after the swimming training from the nose, throat and the external auditory canal, and bacterial samples were taken according to the Rodac method from the hair of the head and the armpit for a quantitative and qualitative analysis . - No significant quantitation differences were found to exist in the bacterial flora before and after the swimming training, except for the external auditory canal where the bacterial population had increased, and the armpit where it had diminished . - A qualitative comparison of the normal flora revealed no noticeable differences in the population before and after the swimming training for the three training groups . - However, differences in the pathogenic flora were identified in the three training groups . A higher germ count was found in those swimmers who had been training more intensely for a longer period of time than the members of a junior training group . This finding is particularly striking for P . aeruginosa which was located in the ears of those high-performance swimmers who belonged to the group with the most intensive swimming training . The carriers of Staph . aureus accounted for 46 per cent of the test persons . This species had primarily settled in the vestibule of the nose . - The swimming training hardly influences the invasion of the hair of the head with pathogens . The compulsory use of bathing cap serves general hygienic aspects rather than prophylactic hygienic purposes.

Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 1983, 53(1), 77 - 85
Studies on the metabolic conversion of ascorbate; Schmidt K et al.; In the intact animal guinea pigs metabolize (1-14C)ascorbic acid much faster to (14C)carbon dioxide (peak exhalation at 30 min) than rats (peak exhalation at 2 to 3 h) following single oral administration, but total excretion was comparable . This finding might be related to the differences in the absorption mechanism of ascorbic acid in these species . The large difference in retention capacity of ascorbic acid in the liver is suggested to be due to multiple recirculation of ascorbic acid in the guinea pig when compared to the rate . Homogenate preparations of rat stomach, small intestine or liver as well as cultured intestinal microbial flora did not cause metabolic degradation on incubation with (1-14C)ascorbic acid to (14C)carbon dioxide . It is therefore suggested that the observed excretion of (14C)carbon dioxide is due to spontaneous non-enzymatical reaction in liver and possible other tissues . Analysis of ascorbic acid metabolites formed on incubation by analytical isotachophoresis suggests that ascorbic acid is a rather stable substrate whereas dehydroascorbate and 2,3-diketogulonic acid are rapidly degraded . This allows the assumption that in vivo metabolism of ascorbic acid might not involve dehydroascorbic acid . Our data do not support the hypothesis that ascorbic acid undergoes presystemic metabolism to carbon dioxide in the intestinal wall.

Angiology, 1983 Jan, 34(1), 11 - 22
Transdermal absorption of nitroglycerin from microseal drug delivery (MDD) system; Karim A; A recent important advance in biopharmaceutics has been the utilization of controlled delivery of drugs to the systemic circulation through the intact skin . With the conventional tablet and capsule dosage forms, the amount of drug absorbed through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract varies depending on the quantity and types of food in the stomach, on the GI motility and transit time . Acid and/or alkaline labile drugs may be deactivated prior to absorption from the GI tract while some drugs also get deactivated by GI microbial flora . In the case of drugs with a high hepatic extraction ratio, the absorbed drug may be largely deactivated by first-pass metabolism before reaching the systemic circulation . Drug absorption through the GI tract can therefore result in variable and/or unpredictable blood levels . Some of this variability can be minimized by administering controlled-release tablet or capsule formulations . However, these dosage forms cannot eliminate the inherent variability associated with first-pass metabolism.

Clin Physiol Biochem, 1983, 1(2-5), 160 - 72
Monoclonal antibodies: methods and clinical laboratory applications; Nakamura RM; Kohler and Milstein have shown that individual clones of normal antibody-secreting lymphocytes could be immortalized by fusion with myeloma cells . These investigators initiated a new era of technology with the successful in vitro production of monoclonal antibodies via somatic cell hybridization . With the use of monoclonal antibodies, many major problems arising from the limited specificity and reproducibility of conventional antisera can be solved . Some of the commonly employed methods for the production of monoclonal antibody are: (1) fusion of sensitized lymphocytes and myelomas from different sources to produce continuous antibody-producing cell lines; (2) in vitro viral transformation of sensitized lymphocytes to form continuous antibody-producing cells; (3) hybrid fusion of sensitized lymphocytes and continuous B lymphocyte cell lines . During the past few years, monoclonal antibody methodology has been used in almost every area of biological research . Monoclonal antibodies have been used as structural probes for proteins and hormones, and as highly specific agents for histocompatibility testing, tumor localization, immunotherapy, purification of molecules, identification of new surface antigens on lymphocytes and tumor cells, and detection of drug levels and microbial and parasitic diseases . In addition, several investigators have developed alternative methods for the production of human as well as mouse and rat monoclonal antibodies . The new technology of in vitro production of animal and human monoclonal antibodies will have many future applications in diagnosis and therapy in laboratory and clinical medicine.

Diagn Immunol, 1983, 1(1), 33 - 8
A rapid immunofluorescent procedure for serodiagnosis of Q fever in mice, guinea pigs, sheep, and humans; Ascher MS et al.; The ability to diagnose Q fever has been hampered by the fact that diagnosis depends upon difficult serologic tests such as complement fixation (CF) or slide immunofluorescence performed only at reference laboratories . A new quantitative solid phase fluorescent antibody test (FIAX) has recently been developed and applied to measure antibodies in several microbial systems . The test takes less than 2 hr to perform and employs stable reagents . We have utilized this technique and developed a rapid immunofluorescent assay for detection of antibodies to Coxiella burnetii in man and animals . Sera from guinea pigs and mice immunized with phase I vaccine and from naturally infected sheep show high levels of fluorescence against both phase I and phase II antigens by this technique . We have tested over 100 CF positive humans from a recent laboratory outbreak of Q fever and find an excellent correlation between FIAX and CF results.

Spec Top Endocrinol Metab, 1983, 5, 227 - 93
Role of polyamines and their antimetabolites in clinical medicine; Janne J et al.; Polyamine research, which began with a clinical observation more than 300 years ago, has progressed for several decades as pure basic research, sometimes considered as an academic triviality . The role of polyamines in clinical medicine is coming of age . The fruits of polyamine research are just now entering into the realm of practical application and in a very multidisciplinary manner . Basic research on polyamine metabolism and the elucidation of their physiologic functions has involved many academically interesting, even revolutionary, aspects, but the imagination of biochemists and cell biologists may no longer be sufficient to discover the best ways to translate the results of this basic research into clinical practice . It is almost certain that polyamine antimetabolites will soon find their place among the drug regimens used for the treatment of human malignancies and, possibly, also of hyperproliferative skin diseases . The elucidation of the role of polyamines in cell differentiation may offer fundamental applications regarding the regulation of cell cycle events . The discovery of the antiparasitic properties of polyamine antimetabolites may have a major impact on the well-being of millions of people in the developing world . The potential application of polyamine research in microbial and viral diseases is an area in which investigational insight is just beginning . Finally, the clinical chemistry of extracellular polyamines, although initially disappointing, has not yet been explored in depth and may offer applications useful for the diagnosis or follow-up of a variety of common diseases.

Ann Biol Clin (Paris), 1983, 41(6), 383 - 92
{Infectious agents : current concepts and perspectives}; Pijck J et al.; The authors present a detailed discussion on infectious agents and their development in the immediate future and the anti-microbial strategies which need to be developed . After describing a series of new diseases and the suspected microbial aetiology of little known syndromes, they describe the major lines of development of chemotherapy: new products which need to be developed; microbial enzyme inhibitors; selective transport . The proper use of the range of drugs already available should not be underestimated . Finally, the authors review recent developments and the prospects for the future in the immunological field: new vaccines or the improvement of existing vaccines and the immense possibilities of immunological techniques of identification.

J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1983, 27(3), 253 - 7
Phagocytic capacity of human leukocytes preincubated with Imuran and prednisone; Kotulova D et al.; The phagocytic and microbicidal activities of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) were tested after a short-term preincubation of phagocytic cells with Imuran or Prednisone, using C . albicans strains as a test organism . The tests showed that both immunosuppressive agents reduced significantly the microbicidal activity of PMNL cells by 35-40% . Detectable differences in the phagocytic activity and phagocytic index values were not statistically significant . The decreased ability of PMNLs to kill ingested C . albicans strains appears thus to sensitively reflect the altered PMNL function and can be utilized in the biologic monitoring of immunosuppression . The reduced microbicidal potential of phagocytic cells may be also one of the causes of recurrent microbial infections that are so frequent in immunosuppressant-treated patients.

DNA, 1983, 2(3), 183 - 93
In vitro deletional mutagenesis for bacterial production of the 20,000-dalton form of human pituitary growth hormone; Adelman JP et al.; The 20,000-dalton (20K) variant form of human growth hormone (hGH) present in extracts from pituitary glands differs from the major form of hGH (22K, 191 amino acids) by the deletion of amino acid residues 32-46 . Using oligonucleotide-mediated mutagenesis, the DNA coding for these amino acids was deleted from the gene previously constructed by us (Goeddel et al., 1979) for microbial hGH production . The DNA to be deleted was looped out by the annealing of a synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotide to the coding strand of the hGH gene contained on recombinant phage M13 mp8 DNA . Resulting heteroduplex structures were stabilized using primer-directed in vitro DNA synthesis in the presence of T4 DNA ligase . On transformation of Escherichia coli, these heteroduplex DNAs yielded phage whose genomes contained either the original or the partially deleted hGH gene, and genotypes were distinguished by in situ plaque hybridization with synthetic oligonucleotide probes . A gene with the correct deletion was used to express the short hGH variant in E . coli.

Ciba Found Symp, 1983, 99, 113 - 37
Cell biology of host-parasite membrane interactions in leishmaniasis; Chang KP et al.; Molecular interactions at the host-parasite interface are crucial for the outcome of microbial infection, particularly in infection by intracellular parasites, such as Leishmania donovani and Leishmania mexicana, whose natural transmission begins with the delivery of the promastigote stage by the sandfly vector into the susceptible host . The ensuing event is intracellular parasitism of macrophages in the host by the amastigote stage . The establishment of this event in leishmaniasis must follow the sequence: (1) Leishmania-macrophage attachment; (2) entry of Leishmania species into macrophages; (3) intra-macrophage survival and differentiation of Leishmania species; and (4) intracellular multiplication of Leishmania species . This sequence precedes all clinical symptoms and pathological consequences in different forms of the disease . Study of these cellular events in Leishmania-macrophage systems in vitro indicates that host-parasite membrane interactions dictate many of the cellular events . Some morphological and functional changes of macrophages in response to leishmanial infection are related to their membrane activities, i.e . endocytosis and exocytosis . Leishmania parasites undergo profound plasma membrane-related changes, on entry into macrophages, at the morphological, antigenic and molecular levels . Most of these changes probably reflect necessary steps for the transition of Leishmania species from an extracellular to an intracellular life . The remarkable ability of Leishmania species subsequently to live in the secondary lysosome of the macrophage may also be due to certain intrinsic structures and dynamic properties of the parasite plasma membrane . Further analysis of leishmanial surface molecules and their interactions with macrophages is essential in any attempt to understand the pathogenic mechanism in leishmaniasis.

Lasers Surg Med, 1983, 3(1), 39 - 44
Microbial contamination by a medical carbon dioxide laser; Eli I et al.; One of the advantages in using the carbon dioxide laser in medicine is the sterilization of the wound at the site of surgical intervention . In microbial studies, using the Sharplan Model 743 Medical Laser, we found substantial contamination of the area directly below the probe by viable bacteria and fungi . The levels of contamination varied from experiment to experiment, but were always substantial . The contamination is likely due to the stream of nitrogen gas emitted during and following laser irradiation in order to cool the lens . Following the implementation of several simple prophylactic procedures, including insertion of a filter on the end of the tube emitting the nitrogen gas, contamination by the gas stream was reduced to insignificant levels.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1983, 28(4), 309 - 40
Immobilized cells; Vojtisek V et al.; Three basic types of immobilization (i.e . without carrier, entrapment and immobilization on the carrier surface) of microbial cells, nonmicrobial cell populations and subcellular organelles are reviewed . These are further developed into a number of combined and less frequently used techniques of immobilization and application of cell biocatalysts for industrial biotransformation in pharmacy, food industry and agriculture, including novel approached and some unpublished authors' results.

Acta Biochim Pol, 1983, 30(2), 159 - 64
Inactivation of human plasma alpha 1-antichymotrypsin by microbial proteinases; Kress LF; Incubation of human plasma alpha 1-antichymotrypsin with proteinases from various microbial sources resulted in the enzymatic inactivation of the inhibitor as determined by loss of inhibitory activity against alpha-chymotrypsin . Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the reaction products indicated that intact alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (Mr 67000) had been converted to an inactive form (63000) by limited proteolysis . No stable proteinase/inhibitor complexes were detected, and no random proteolysis of the inactivated inhibitor occurred even after prolonged incubation with the proteinases . Metallo- and serine proteinases from several microbial sources all readily inactivated alpha 1-antichymotrypsin . Since alpha 1-antichymotrypsin is also an early stage acute phase reactant, its inactivation may be important in disrupting bodily defense mechanisms.

Annu Rev Med, 1983, 34, 205 - 17
Dermatologic manifestations of infection in the compromised host; Wolfson JS et al.; The skin occupies an important position in the prevention and evaluation of infection in patients who are immunocompromised . The skin can provide a portal of entry for both locally invasive and disseminated infection; and, not infrequently, skin lesions may be the first sign of disseminated infection from other primary sites . The first clinical principle in approaching this problem is that the skin must be protected from trauma, maceration, or alteration in its normal microbial flora . The second principle is that any lesion, no matter how innocuous, should be carefully evaluated in this patient population . Since the gross morphology of the lesion is so frequently modified by the altered inflammatory response of the immunocompromised patient, an aggressive biopsy approach is essential for diagnosis and therapy.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1983 Jan-Feb, 19(1), 20 - 32
{Use of water-organic systems in the enzymatic transformation of steroids}; Arinbasarova AIu et al.; This review surveys existing data on the use of water-organic systems, one of the promising methods of enzymic transformation of steroids . The procedures for reducing the inhibitory effect of solvents on enzymes and microbial cells are discussed . It is shown that hydrophobic capacity of gels and substrates, polarity of solvents, and coefficients of the distribution of reaction components between phases are to be taken into consideration when performing steroid transformation in the presence of organic solvents in order to increase its efficiency.

Carcinogenesis, 1983, 4(3), 347 - 52
A demonstration of the in vitro bacterial mutagenicity of procarbazine, using the microtitre fluctuation test and large concentrations of S9 fraction; Gatehouse DG et al.; The anti-neoplastic agent procarbazine is genetically active in a variety of short term mutagenicity tests, and it also possesses carcinogenic and teratogenic potential . This compound has consistently yielded false negative results in in vitro microbial mutagenicity tests in the presence and absence of mammalian metabolic activation . In this study, procarbazine was not mutagenic in standard and preincubation Ames tests using large S9 concentrations and bacterial test strains devoid of the rfa mutation . The microtitre fluctuation test is a sensitive technique for the detection of bacterial mutagens . Using this assay, procarbazine proved to be a bacterial mutagen after in vitro metabolic activation at concentrations as low as 200 micrograms/ml . Activity was dependent upon liver S9-concentrations which were higher than those usually attained within agar assays, and was only observed when such fractions were derived from aroclor-treated or phenobarbitone plus beta-naphthoflavone treated rat livers . The excision-repair proficient strain E . coli WP2 was equally, if not more, sensitive than the repair deficient strain E . coli WP2 uvrA . Furthermore, the differential mutagenic effects obtained using S . typhimurium strains TA1535, TA1530 and his G46 indicated that the absence of an rfa mutation was essential for procarbazine mutagenesis . Procarbazine was also mutagenic for E . coli D494 in a forward mutation fluctuation assay measuring resistance to ampicillin . In this assay lower concentrations of S9-fraction were sufficient, reflecting the increased sensitivity of the test strain towards the mutagenic metabolites of the drug . In conclusion, the results suggest that rat liver S9-fraction contains only low levels of enzymes capable of activating procarbazine to a mutagen . This may be a result of rapid breakdown during storage, or due to intrinsically low levels in rat liver extracts . Inducing agents appear to increase these levels . The low concentrations of mutagenic species formed in vitro, may only be detectable using a highly sensitive assay such as the microtitre fluctuation test.

J Fam Pract, 1983 Jan, 16(1), 131 - 40
Pelvic inflammatory disease; Quan M et al.; The rising incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), coupled with the development of more sophisticated and effective diagnostic techniques, has created a new body of knowledge regarding the microbiology, diagnosis, and natural history of this disease . Acute pelvic inflammatory disease is the major gynecologic health problem in the United States . Distinguishing acute PID from the other causes of acute pelvic pain is often a difficult task . Careful consideration of a patient's risk profile for PID and utilization of the diagnostic techniques available are invaluable in helping the clinician accurately make this differentiation . The microbial spectrum involved in PID is complex and must be taken into consideration when selecting an antibiotic regimen . The recent addition of new, broad-spectrum antibiotics to the physician's therapeutic armamentarium has led to increasingly effective management options . Despite the effectiveness of current medical and surgical therapy, the staggering economic, medical, and social consequences of PID mandates more aggressive efforts at its prevention.

Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1983, 413, 71 - 87
Kinetics of product formation and plasmid segregation in recombinant microbial populations; Bailey JE et al.; Experimental and mathematical analysis of productivity of cultures containing recombinant plasmids is based in this work on the following paradigm: molecular controls leads to single cell kinetics leads to cell population dynamics leads to reactor productivity . Mathematical models have been developed for replication control of the lambda dv plasmid and for efficiency of the lac promoter-operator based on the molecular control mechanisms of these systems in Escherichia coli . A special and important attribute of these models is their ability to describe quantitatively a wide range of genetic effects as well as environmental influences on molecular control function . Equations describing plasmid maintenance and distribution in growing cell cultures have been determined based on the population-balance equations applicable to a segregated culture model . The washout dilution rate for continuous cultivation of plasmid-containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae in selective medium is given in terms of single-cell division-cycle parameters and plasmid copy number for one single-cell model of plasmid replication and segregation . A new experimental method based on flow cytometry for rapid characterization of heterogeneity of single-cell accumulation of a plasmid gene product is also described . Generalization of these methods and of the overall strategy should provide a useful framework for synthesis of biological and engineering principles and methods to optimize organisms and processes based on recombinant DNA technology.

Comp Biochem Physiol B, 1983, 76(3), 585 - 9
Influence of the microbial flora on the amount of CCK8- and secretin21-27-like immunoreactivity in the intestinal tract of mice; Pen J et al.; Determination of CCK8- and secretin21-27-like immunoreactivity in the intestinal tract of germ-free and control mice with the modified-phage assay showed that in germ-free mice as well as in control mice the highest amount of immunoreactivity is present in extracts from the small intestines . CCK8-like immunoreactivity is about 2 times higher and secretin21-27-like immunoreactivity is about 3 times lower in an extract from the small intestines of control mice than in the comparable extract of germ-free mice . The extracts from the small intestines of germ-free and control mice were applied to a Sephadex G-50 column . Higher molecular weight CCK8- and secretin21-27-like immunoreactive material was found to be present in the extract from the small intestines of control mice and virtually absent in the extract from the small intestines of germ-free mice.

Mol Cell Biochem, 1983, 50(1), 47 - 64
Alamethicin and related membrane channel forming polypeptides; Mathew MK et al.; Alamethicin and several related microbial polypeptides, which contain a high proportion of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) residues, possess the ability to modify the permeability properties of phospholipid bilayer membranes . Alamethicin induces excitability phenomena in model membranes and has served as an excellent model for the study of voltage sensitive transmembrane channels . This review summarizes various aspects of the structural chemistry and membrane modifying properties of alamethicin and related Aib containing peptides . The presence of Aib residues in these sequences, constrains the polypeptides to 3(10) or alpha-helical conformations . Functional membrane channels are formed by aggregation of cylindrical peptide helices, which span the lipid bilayer, forming a scaffolding for an aqueous column across the membrane . After consideration of the available data on the conductance characteristics of alamethicin channels, a working hypothesis for a channel model is outlined . Channel aggregates in the lipid phase may be stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen bonding, involving a central glutamine residue and also by interactions between the macro-dipoles of proximate peptide helices . Fluctuations between different conductance states are rationalized by transitions between states of different aggregation and hence altered dimensions of the aqueous core or by changes in net dipole moment of the aggregate . Ion fluxes through the channel may also be affected by the electric field within the aqueous core.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1983 Jan-Feb, 19(1), 130 - 5
{Purification of lipase of microbial origin by silochrome chromatography}; Lestrovaia NN et al.; The possibility of purifying lipase from Geotrichum asteroides by chromatography with a modified silochrome used as sorbent has been explored . The paper presents a scheme of adsorption and subsequent desorption of lipase from octylsilochrome which requires that ethylene glycol, Na-deoxycholate and Triton X-100 be used as eluents . Triton, the last in the sequence, eluates the major portion of the enzyme . This eluent can be removed from the lipase solution by means of ultrafiltration through the Ripore-4 membrane in the presence of glycerol.

J Biol Stand, 1983 Jan, 11(1), 35 - 46
The detection and inhibition of proteolytic enzyme activity in concentrated preparations of inactivated foot-and-mouth disease virus; Doel TR et al.; Proteolytic enzyme activity was detected in a large number of concentrated preparations of inactivated foot-and-mouth disease virus . Several lines of evidence indicated that at least some of this activity could be attributed to BHK cells, although low levels of microbial contamination in many of our preparations could not be discounted and would certainly enhance the cellular proteolytic activity . From an experiment with different concentrations of trypsin, it was concluded that the proteolytic activities of virus concentrates were sufficient to cause significant degradation of VP1 . It was also shown that Trasylol and ox serum were effective inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes in concentrated virus preparations stored at 4 degrees C for 8 months.

Vet Pathol, 1983 Jan, 20(1), 57 - 64
Electron microscopy of radiating clubs in tonsillar crypts of swine; Gilka F; Tonsils of 25 adult swine with inflamed crypts were screened for the presence of radiating clubs, and five were selected for electron microscopic study of pathogenesis of clubs . Radiating clubs in crypts were surrounded by an exudate which principally contained neutrophils . Clubs were present on the outer surface of bacterial microcolonies; they also were present on the outer surface of plant particles wedged in crypts or on the cell walls of these particles near bacterial microcolonies . The study demonstrated development of clubs from an amorphous material derived from bacterial and leukocytic cells and also from precipitated proteins . The amorphous material was shaped into clubs by a protracted phagocytic activity of numerous neutrophilic leukocytes . The lesions with radiating clubs within crypts were not surrounded by granulomatous inflammation due to the intact epithelial lining of crypts, and therefore they differ from the granulomas having clubs around microbial colonies . They could, however, serve as models of pathogenesis of radiating clubs in the purulent core of specific granulomas with radiating clubs.

Aust J Biol Sci, 1983, 36(3), 251 - 62
Integumental chitin synthase activity in cell-free extracts of larvae of the Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina, and two other species of diptera; Turnbull IF et al.; Chitin synthase activity has been demonstrated in crude homogenates of larval integuments from L . cuprina and in similar preparations from Musca domestica and Calliphora erythrocephala . This is the first report of an insect integumental chitin synthase . This activity brings about the incorporation of radioactivity from UDP-N-acetyl-{14C}glucosamine into an ethanol- and alkali-insoluble form . A major part of this labelled product has been characterized as chitin by its insolubility in alkali, resistance to degradation by proteases and its susceptibility to digestion by chitinase and HCl . Most of the radioactivity solubilized during digestion by chitinase co-migrates with N-acetylglucosamine, glucosamine and chitobiose during paper chromatography . Some radioactivity also becomes incorporated into non-chitin products in this system . There is substantial evidence that incorporation is not brought about by whole epidermal cells or by microbial contamination in the homogenates . The extent of incorporation obtained with the homogenates is limited by the presence of degradative enzymes which rapidly break down the substrate (UDP-N-acetylglucosamine) . The incorporation was partially inhibited (50-70%) by both polyoxin-D (apparent Ki 0.04 microM) and diflubenzuron (apparent Ki 5-8 microM) . This is the first report of a cell-free chitin-synthesizing system derived from insect tissue which is sensitive to inhibition by diflubenzuron.

Dermatologica, 1983, 167(2), 57 - 63
The follicular biopsy; Mills OH Jr et al.; The 'follicular biopsy' is an extension of the noninvasive 'surface biopsy' technique originated by Dawber and Marks . A quick-setting cyanoacrylate polymer is used to extract the contents of sebaceous follicles . The retrieved material can be examined histologically at the light or electron microscopic level . Many types of analyses may be performed; microbial density, lipid components (acne), mite population (Demodex), hair retention (trichostasis), penetration of topical drugs and chemicals, localization of enzymes, etc . The follicular biopsy is useful for studying the contents of sebaceous follicles in health and disease.

Scand J Rheumatol, 1983, 12(3), 299 - 304
Synovial fluid and blood monocyte influence on lymphocyte proliferation in rheumatoid arthritis and traumatic synovitis; Petersen J et al.; The influence of synovial fluid and blood monocytes on autologous lymphocyte proliferation in vitro was investigated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and traumatic synovitis (TS) . In cultures stimulated with PHA, PWM and ConA, thymidine incorporation by RA blood mononuclear cells (BMC) increased considerably in most cases after addition of 10% or 30% synovial fluid monocytes and a similar effect was seen after stimulation with Candida extract or PPD . A comparable helper activity was observed after addition of synovial fluid monocytes to monocyte-depleted blood cells in RA . The augmenting effect of synovial fluid monocytes was likewise demonstrated in TS patients . Synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SMC) from RA and TS patients displayed low proliferative responses to PHA and ConA in comparison with BMC, while the responses to microbial antigens were similar or greater . The proliferative activity of SMC or of monocyte-depleted synovial fluid cells after polyclonal and antigenic stimulation was not affected by addition of blood monocytes . This was observed in both RA and TS patients . It is concluded that the regulatory properties of synovial fluid monocytes in RA and TS do not explain the low proliferative responses of SMC to polyclonal activators.

Environ Health Perspect, 1983 Jan, 47, 269 - 81
Bioavailability and biotransformation of the mutagenic component of particulate emissions present in motor exhaust samples; Vostal JJ; The pharmacokinetic concepts of bioavailability and biotransformation are introduced into the assessment of public health risk from experimental data concerning the emissions of potentially mutagenic and carcinogenic substances from motor vehicles . The inappropriateness of an automatic application in the risk assessment process of analytical or experimental results, obtained with extracts and procedures incompatible with the biological environment, is illustrated on the discrepancy between short-term laboratory tests predictions that wider use of diesel engines on our roads will increase the risk of respiratory cancer and the widely negative epidemiological evidence . Mutagenic activity of diesel particulates was minimal or negative when tested in extracts obtained with biological fluids, was substantially dependent on the presence of nitroreductase in the microbial tester strain, and disappeared completely 48 hr after the diesel particles had been phagocytized by alveolar macrophages . Similarly, long-term animal inhalation exposures to high concentrations of diesel particles did not induce the activity of hydrocarbon metabolizing enzymes or specific adverse immune response unless organic solvent extracts of diesel particles were administered intratracheally or parenterally in doses that highly exceed the predicted levels of public exposure even by the year 2000 . Furthermore, the suspected cancer producing effects of inhaled diesel particles have thus far not been verified by experimental animal models or available long-term epidemiological observations . It is concluded that unless the biological accessibility of the active component on the pollutant as well as its biotransformation and clearance by natural defense mechanisms are considered, lung cancer risk assessment based solely on laboratory microbial tests will remain an arbitrary and unrealistic process and will not provide meaningful information on the potential health hazard of a pollutant.

Environ Health Perspect, 1983 Jan, 47, 141 - 52
Evaluation of the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of motor vehicle emissions in short-term bioassays; Lewtas J; Incomplete combustion of fuel in motor vehicles results in the emission of submicron carbonaceous particles which, after cooling and dilution, contain varying quantities of extractable organic constituents . These organics are mutagenic in bacteria . Confirmatory bioassays in mammalian cells provide the capability of detecting chromosomal and DNA damage in addition to gene mutations . In order to evaluate the mutagenicity of these organics in mammalian cells, extractable organics from particle emissions from several diesel and gasoline vehicles were compared in a battery of microbial, mammalian cell and in vivo bioassays . The mammalian cell mutagenicity bioassays were selected to detect gene mutations, DNA damage, and chromosomal effects . Carcinogenesis bioassays conducted included short-term assays for oncogenic transformation and skin tumorigenesis . The results in different assay systems are compared both qualitatively and quantitatively . Good quantitative correlations were observed between several mutagenesis and carcinogenesis bioassays for this series of diesel and gasoline emissions.

J Nat Prod, 1983 Jan, 46(1), 79 - 91
Microbial models of mammalian metabolism; Smith RV et al.; A solid basis for the M4-approach has been developed over the past 10 years . Recent examples of the production of difficult-to-synthesize mammalian metabolites through microbial transformations attest to the utility of the methodology . There is, however, much more to be done . Model studies should be conducted to test parallels between microbial and mammalian S- and N-oxidations, O-glucuronidations, and ester and amide hydrolyses . Subsequently, even greater applications of M4- work can be envisioned . We have been pleased to see our colleagues in industry and academia adopt the M4- approach to solve difficult pharmacological and toxicological problems . In large measure, this has been our greatest reward for efforts initially presented before the membership of the American Society of Pharmacognosy in 1973.

Princess Takamatsu Symp, 1983, 14, 125 - 37
Distribution and characterization of environmental promoter substances as assayed by synergistic Epstein-Barr virus-activating system; Ito Y et al.; The application of a new screening procedure which utilizes the synergistic effect of short-chain fatty acids and tumor-promoting diterpene esters enabled rapid and easy detection of environmental substances with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-activating/tumor-promoting potency . Over 500 samples were tested and more than 30 substances with such activities were identified . Most, if not all, were plant diterpene esters derived from Euphorbiaceae and Thymelaeaceae families and a few were indole alkaloids of microbial origin . We attempted to link these laboratory findings with those of epidemiological field studies on three virus-associated diseases, Burkitt's lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, which are known to have a peculiar geographical distribution . Our hypothesis was that EBV-activating/tumor-promoting substances might be present in the abundant areas where such diseases are endemic . We noticed that many active diterpene ester-containing plants are widely used as herbal medicaments in Africa and China and determined many plant species that had such activities . One example is Aleurites fordii, a plant commonly grown in Southern China for industrial purposes which yielded a potent promoter substance (12-O-hexadecanoyl-16-hydroxyphorbol-13-acetate, HHPA) . The active diterpene esters were purified and their possible mechanism was studied from the view of receptor-binding, protein kinase C activation and transmembrane signaling.

Biochemistry, 1982 Dec 21, 21(26), 6699 - 703
Substrate specificity of bacterial glycerophospholipid:cholesterol acyltransferase; Buckley JT; The substrate specificity of a bacterial analogue of the plasma enzyme lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) has been examined with small unilamellar liposomes and Triton mixed micelles . In contrast to LCAT, the microbial enzyme is capable of using all of the naturally occurring phospholipids as acyl donors . In general reaction rate depends more on the length or degree of unsaturation of the acyl chains than on the nature of the phospholipid head group . Among a series of disaturated phosphatidylcholines in liposomes, dilauroylphosphatidylcholine is the preferred acyl donor . Like LCAT, the enzyme will catalyze acyl transfer by using other alcohols in addition to cholesterol . Of saturated straight chain primary alcohols 1-decanol is the preferred acyl acceptor . Cholesterol, however, is a far better acceptor than any non-sterol alcohol tested . Other steroids with equatorial hydroxyls at position C-3 and trans-fused A:B rings will also act as acceptors whereas those steroids with axial hydroxyls at C-3 or cis-fused rings are inhibitors of acyl transfer . The ability of steroids to act as acyl acceptors may be due to the nature of their interaction with the phospholipid acyl donor.

Biophys J, 1982 Dec, 40(3), 209 - 19
Effects of cell motility and chemotaxis on microbial population growth; Lauffenburger D et al.; A mathematical model is developed to elucidate the effects of biophysical transport processes (nutrient diffusion, cell motility, and chemotaxis) along with biochemical reaction processes (cell growth and death, nutrient uptake) upon steady-state bacterial population growth in a finite one-dimensional region . The particular situation considered is that of growth limitation by a nutrient diffusing from an adjacent phase not accessible to the bacteria . It is demonstrated that the cell motility and chemotaxis properties can have great influence on steady-state population size . In fact, motility effects can be as significant as growth kinetic effects, in a manner analogous to diffusion- and reaction-limited regimes in chemically reacting systems . In particular, the following conclusions can be drawn from our analysis for bacterial populations growing at steady-state in a confined, unmixed region: (a) Random motility may lead to decreased population density; (b) chemotaxis can allow increased population density if the chemotactic response is large enough; (c) a species with superior motility properties can outgrow a species with superior growth kinetic properties; (d) motility effects become greater as the size of the confined growth region increases; and (e) motility effects are diminished by significant mass-transfer limitation of the nutrient from the adjacent source phase . The relationships of these results for populations to previous conclusions for individual cells is discussed, and implications for microbial competition are suggested.

Arch Tierernahr, 1982 Dec, 32(12), 841 - 52
{Examination of protein digestibility in individual intestinal segments under in vivo conditions in experimental rats by the isotope dilution method}; Bergner U et al.; Test rats were labelled with 15N over a period of 7 days and killed on the 12th day . 220 min . before they were killed the diet was changed (wheat diet leads to whole egg diet) and they were given a 14C-leucine injection . The 15N-labelling of the digesta proved to be suitable for the determination of the digestibility of the feed proteins in the individual sections of the intestines . If the atom-% 15N-excess of the TCA-soluble fraction of the digesta is = 100%, the resulting digestibility of the protein fraction (TCA-precipitable fraction) corresponds to the 15N-dilution of the unlabelled feed protein . The following digestibility values were ascertained: (formula; see text) The calculation method suggested here cannot be applied to the large intestine because microbial activity influences the quotients . 14C-labelling was also insufficient for gathering statements on the digestibility of proteins.

Int J Epidemiol, 1982 Dec, 11(4), 402 - 5
Antibiotic use in a rural community in Bangladesh; Hossain MM et al.; Antibiotic use by 175 000 people in the Matlab rural surveillance area (MSA) of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) was studied to identify practices which might affect microbial drug resistance . We surveyed a 3% sample of drug purchases from pharmacies in the MSA over a four-week period in August and September 1980 . Fifty-seven drug purchases were made per thousand Matlab residents per week; 9% of these were of tetracycline and 26% were antibiotics . Forty-eight per cent of the antibiotic tablets or capsules for persons aged 15 years or more were purchased in quantities which represented less than a single day's dose and rarely was a full course of therapy purchased at one time . The rate of tetracycline purchase for young children--in whom it is usually contraindicated--equalled the rate for older children and young adults . These practices have probably not led to improvements in health and may have promoted the emergence and persistence of drug-resistant micro-organisms . To optimize antibiotic use, control measures at government, producer, prescriber and consumer levels need to be pursued.

Biosci Rep, 1982 Dec, 2(12), 995 - 1002
Cleavage of human placental lactogen precursor by an enzyme from microbial membranes; Foreman RC et al.; When membranes from Escherichia coli MRE 600 are added to an in vitro translation system, they are able to cleave correctly prehuman placental lactogen to yield the mature hormone . The protein was identified by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and by determining its amino acid sequence . These studies were aided by the development of a new method for the separation of human placental lactogen from its precursor.

Mutat Res, 1982 Dec, 102(4), 413 - 24
Microbial mutagenicity of selected hydrazines; Rogan EG et al.; Selected hydrazines and related compounds were examined for their mutagenic activity in S . typhimurium strains TA1535 and TA1537 . These in vitro assays were conducted with and without metabolic activation by Aroclor-induced rat-liver enzymes . Relatively high levels of mutagenicity were observed with phenylhydrazine X HCl, methylhydrazine, N'-acetyl-4-(hydroxymethyl)phenylhydrazine, and 4-(hydroxymethyl)benzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate, the stabilized salt of a carcinogenic metabolite of agaritine; only low levels of mutagenicity were observed with other compounds, although most are strong carcinogens . Several of the compounds were highly toxic to the bacteria, and detection of mutagenicity was enhanced by calculating the increase in mutagenic activity on the basis of the surviving fractions of bacteria.

Arch Pathol Lab Med, 1982 Dec, 106(13), 657 - 61
Automated cytology . The state of the art; Goerttler K et al.; Analytical cytology is the science of automatically analyzing morphologic, biochemical, biophysical, and functional aspects of cells by machine . Two basic techniques are used: image cytometry, in which microscopic objects on a slide or in a photograph are analyzed; and flow cytometry, in which biologic particles in aqueous suspensions are forced to pass through a measuring device . The latter technique has the added power of sorting particles according to type for further study . Currently, analytic cytology is being studied for use in the following areas: WBC differentiation, cell-cycle kinetics, prescreening for uterine cancer, screening of high-risk groups, monitoring of tumor therapy, and microbial and chromosome analysis . In all these areas, analytic cytology has the potential to improve existing techniques and to make results more uniform; likewise, its sensitivity, accuracy, and speed may well allow a breadth and depth of analysis not presently allowed by human study.

Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 1982 Dec 1, 299(1097), 575 - 84
Anion transport in the colon; Edmonds CJ; The principal anions transported by colonic epithelium are Cl-, HCO3- and organic anions (OA-), particularly acetate, butyrate and pyruvate, these last being formed by microbial degradation of carbohydrate . In the normal absorptive rat colon, Cl- is transported from lumen to plasma both by the transcellular and paracellular pathways . The transcellular route appears to depend on amiloride-insensitive coupling of Na+-Cl- at the mucosal (apical) membrane, the Na+ electrochemical gradient energizing Cl- uptake . Intraluminal {HCO3-} rises as Cl- as absorbed, and a mucosal Cl- -HCO3- exchange carrier has been postulated . In some species (and in distal colon of the rat when sodium-depleted), the putative Na+-Cl- carrier is absent so that Cl- absorption then depends largely on the paracellular electrochemical gradient . Absorption of OA- is independent of the transepithelial p.d., is associated with HCO3- secretion and is considerably reduced by acetazolamide . In the absence of Cl-, OA- supports Na+ absorption but does not depend on it continuing unchanged when the latter is blocked . Colonic epithelium can become secretory and an example of this state is congenital chloridorrhoea in which an elevated transepithelial p.d . is associated with excessive Cl- secretion . Here, it appears that the Na+-Cl- and Cl- -HCO3- carriers are lost and Cl- conductance of the mucosal membrane substantially increased . The transepithelial uphill movements of Cl- or HCO3- in the absorptive and secretory colon appear to depend on coupling to other ionic flows, and there seems to be no need to postulate active transport of these ions.

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1982 Nov 15, 181(10), 1074 - 9
Respiratory tract immune response to microbial pathogens; Wilkie BN; Effective resistance to respiratory tract infection depends principally on specific immunity on mucosal surfaces of the upper or lower respiratory tract . Respiratory tract immune response comprises antibody and cell-mediated systems and may be induced most readily by surface presentation of replicating agents but can result from parenteral or local presentation of highly immunogenic antigens . Upper and lower respiratory tract systems differ in immunologic competence, with the lungs having a greater inventory of protective mechanisms than the trachea or nose . Several effective vaccines have been developed for prevention or modification of respiratory tract diseases.

J Pharm Sci, 1982 Nov, 71(11), 1246 - 50
Microbial transformations of natural antitumor agents XVIII: Conversions of vindoline with copper oxidases; Eckenrode F et al.; Vindoline occurs structurally intact in the clinically important Vinca alkaloids vinblastine and vincristine . It is oxidized by human ceruloplasmin and fungal and plant laccases into a reactive intermediate which undergoes intramolecular cyclization to an enamine which ultimately dimerizes . Transformations of vindoline by these copper oxidases are enhanced when enzyme incubations are performed with cofactors such as chlorpromazine . The role of copper oxidases in alkaloid metabolic interconversions and the possible implications of these reactions in Vinca alkaloid toxicity are discussed.

Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1982 Nov, 129(11), 19 - 26
{Difficulties in the treatment of wound infection and complications of suppurative wounds}; D'iachenko PK; The investigation of sepsis and a number of complications of purulent wounds in 336 patients has shown the expediency to distinguish three stages of the microbial and metabolic toxemia . The third stage of toxemia is found to be the most dangerous (terminal) one . The lethality rate by the data of different scientists can reach 95% . The effective antiseptic method was found to be microvasoplegy, forced antiseptics (antibiotics) with forced diuresis or peritoneal dialysis . The third stage of toxemia with multiple metastases gave poor results after treatment by all the routine methods.

J Dairy Sci, 1982 Nov, 65(11), 2170 - 3
Simple determination of microbial protein in rumen liquor; Makkar HP et al.; A method for microbial protein determination based on Lowry's assay was devised . Differential centrifugation was used to separate bacterial cells from rumen liquor . Proteins from cells were released by suspending in .25 N sodium hydroxide and heating in boiling water bath for 10 min . Protein was determined by the Folin phenol method . The method is simple, accurate, reproducible, sensitive, specific, brief, and can be performed with small amount of rumen liquor (5 ml) . A large number of samples can be handled conveniently.

Infect Immun, 1982 Nov, 38(2), 681 - 5
Silica enhancement of murine endotoxin sensitivity; Vogel SN et al.; Silica has been used for many years as an agent which selectively alters macrophage functions and, as such, has been used to assess the role of macrophages in the immune response to a variety of microbial and chemically defined agents . Silica treatment of C3H/HeN mice 1 day before challenge with protein-free Escherichia coli endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide {LPS}) resulted in a marked increase in LPS sensitivity, as evidenced by accelerated signs of endotoxemia as well as a fourfold decrease in the LPS 50% lethal dose . The silica-mediated increase in responsiveness to LPS was associated with increased production of macrophage-derived soluble factors both in vivo (interferon) and in vitro (Interleukin 1; previously referred to as lymphocyte activating factor or LAF) upon endotoxin stimulation . These findings support the central role of the macrophage and its products in mediating endotoxic reactions.

Aust Vet J, 1982 Oct, 59(4), 97 - 101
Bovine nasal granuloma: nasal eosinophilia; Carbonell PL et al.; A prospective study of nasal eosinophil counts was made in Jersey and Friesian dairy cattle at Leongatha, and of Hereford, Aberdeen Angus and Shorthorn cattle at Kilmore, Victoria . Mean nasal eosinophil counts in subgroups of cattle were found to correlate with the known susceptibility of Jerseys and Friesians to develop bovine nasal granuloma, and to reflect the known seasonal activity of the disease, thus confirming the validity of nasal eosinophil counts as an index of clinical activity of nasal granuloma . Peaks in mean nasal eosinophil counts in cattle which developed lesions of bovine nasal granuloma during study correlated with periods of warm moist environmental conditions . This finding suggests microbial spores may be the allergen(s) in bovine nasal granuloma, and indicates that the allergen(s) might be identified by simultaneously monitoring the pasture particle content and assessing nasal eosinophilia in cattle with the disease . The detection of nasal eosinophilia in some cattle by 6 to 9 months of age also suggests early sensitisation to allergen(s); if the allergen(s) were identified they might be used to detect cattle prone to nasal granuloma at this early age . Early detection of predisposed animals would open the possibility of control of the disease by genetic selection.

Clin Exp Immunol, 1982 Oct, 50(1), 231 - 7
Radiometric ligand binding assay for C-reactive protein . Complexed C-reactive protein is not detectable in acute phase serum; De Beer FC et al.; A radiometric ligand binding assay for human C-reactive protein (CRP) was established using pneumococcal C polysaccharide (CPS) coupled to magnetizable cellulose particles as the solid phase ligand . Competition for binding to the solid phase between 125I-CRP and unlabelled CRP permitted detection of 30 micrograms/l of CRP and the precise assay of concentrations up to 3000 micrograms/l . Identical results were obtained when the assay was used to quantitate isolated pure CRP and pure CRP added to normal human serum . However in vitro addition of known ligands for CRP to acute phase serum resulted in lowering of the apparent CRP concentration in this assay and addition of as little as 1 microgram/l of free CPS or 1 mg/l of lecithin was demonstrable in this way . A combination of the ligand binding assay and the standard electroimmunoassay for CRP was therefore used to test acute phase sera for the presence of CRP complexed in vitro . No evidence of complexed CRP was detected among sera containing between 1-319 mg/l of CRP from patients with Hodgkin's disease (10), rheumatoid arthritis (10), Crohn's disease (19) and various microbial infections (11), including six with subacute bacterial endocarditis . Since it is likely that CRP does form complexes with its ligands in the plasma these results suggest that complexed CRP is rapidly cleared from the circulation.

Br J Exp Pathol, 1982 Oct, 63(5), 506 - 13
Experimental production of pulmonary granulomas; II . Age dependency and immune modulation of granuloma production; Hamamoto Y et al.; Endobronchial instillation of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) induced epithelioid cell granulomas in the lungs of juvenile rabbits which had been kept free from contamination with the microbiol antigens . The granulomas were named "juvenile granulomas", because, unlike FCA granulomas in adult animals, prior immunization was unnecessary for their induction . The granulomas developed in several weeks with a peak at 14 weeks of age, after which the production decreased gradually . The rate of granuloma production seemed to vary with the acquisition of skin hypersensitivity to tuberculin (OT), suggesting that granuloma production, as well as skin hypersensitivity, is in the category of T-dependent immune reactions . In fact, T-generating lymphoid organs developed in parallel with the dermal and pulmonary reactions . Thus, juvenile rabbits at about 14 weeks of age are most susceptible to the microbial antigens . This susceptibility results in the unexpected production of immune granulomas in response to depot antigens at the site of instillation . The treatment of foetal or neonatal rabbits with FCA markedly suppressed granuloma production in juveniles but not in adults and did suppress but gradually enhanced the tuberculin skin reaction . It is suggested that generation of suppressor T cells is the cause of suppression of juvenile granuloma production.

Nuklearmedizin, 1982 Oct, 21(5), 164 - 8
{Intrinsic value of a radioimmunologic TSH assay}; Mahlstedt J; TSH-measurements in plasma as a single parameter for the evaluation of thyroid status need a highly sensitive radioimmunoassay, hitherto not available from commercial sources . The results, however, of such an assay allow to distinguish satisfactorily between suppressed, partially suppressed and normal regulation as well as overstimulation of the thyroid . For several indications, the TRH-test could be replaced by a basal TSH-value . Suppressed regulation without measurable TSH-levels is not to be identified automatically with clearcut hyperthyroidism because of several disturbing factors to be considered in clinical circumstances . Normally the positive TRH-test includes basal TSH-levels between 0.5 and 5 microunits/ml thereby excluding significant hormone excess as a possible cause of clinical signs of hyperthyroidism; however, some exceptions do exist (TSH-secreting pineal tumors; partial TSH-resistance of the hypophysis; crossreacting immunoglobulins after microbial vaccination) and should be considered in case of conflicting results . From a clinical point of view a highly sensitive TSH-RIA would be very interesting but would require the use of most recent technologies.

J Exp Med, 1982 Oct 1, 156(4), 1268 - 73
The acute-phase response in (NZB X NZW)F1 and MRL/l MICE; Rordorf C et al.; The acute-phase plasma protein response to disease activity in murine models of autoimmune lupus-like disease was investigated by measurement of the concentration of serum amyloid P component (SAP) in NZB X W and MRL/l mice . The levels of SAP, which is a major acute-phase protein in mice, did not rise at all in response to progression of disease in NZB X W mice between the ages of 1 and 9 mo . This resembles the behavior of acute-phase proteins such as C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A protein in human systemic lupus erythematosus, and just as in human lupus, where the occurrence of intercurrent microbial infection can stimulate an acute-phase response, so injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide or casein into the NZB X W mice stimulated "normal" acute-phase SAP production . In marked contrast, MRL/l mice developed greatly increased levels of SAP, which correlated closely with progression of their pathology as they aged . The disease profile of the MRL/l strain includes rheumatoid factors and spontaneous polyarthritis and their SAP response resembles the behavior of acute phase proteins in human rheumatoid arthritis . Different patterns of acute-phase response in different autoimmune disorders may thus be a reflection of the genetic predisposition to particular diseases and/or contribute to their pathogenesis . The existence of animal counterparts for the various clinical patterns of human acute-phase protein production will assist in experimental investigation of the underlying mechanisms and of the biological role of the acute-phase response.

J Clin Microbiol, 1982 Oct, 16(4), 627 - 31
Comparison of six different criteria for judging the acceptability of sputum specimens; Wong LK et al.; A series of 391 unselected expectorated sputum specimens was examined microscopically, and six different published criteria for judging the acceptability of the specimens were applied . Of the 391 specimens, 234 were found to be acceptable or unacceptable by all six criteria; 157 specimens were discrepant . By the criteria of Murray and Washington and of Barry, 25 and 23% of the specimens, respectively, were rejected; only 19 of 143 specimens which contained potential pathogens as part of their predominant microbial flora were rejected by both sets of criteria . The criteria described by Geckler et al . and Bartlett missed fewer potential pathogens; only 9 or 17% of the specimens, respectively, were found unacceptable . The criteria of Heineman and Radano and of Van Scoy resulted in the greatest percentages of specimens judged unacceptable (28 and 29%, respectively), including 19 and 24% of specimens containing potential pathogens . The reproducibility of sputum screening results was also assessed, comparing the method of Murray and Washington with that of Barry . Six separate slides were prepared from each of 45 different specimens: three samples with purulent or bloody flecks and three samples in which the specimens had been mixed with an applicator swab . Satisfactory reproducibility was observed with both criteria and both sampling methods; no significant differences in reproducibility could be documented in this limited series.

J Hyg (Lond), 1982 Oct, 89(2), 279 - 93
An investigation of microbial contamination in the home; Scott E et al.; An investigation of the bacterial flora in over 200 homes is reported . The occurrence of potential pathogens and the levels of contamination at individual sites, particularly in the kitchen, toilet and bathroom is described and the implications for hygiene practices in the home discussed.

Med Hypotheses, 1982 Oct, 9(4), 437 - 43
Etiology of rheumatoid arthritis; Rafter GW; The major thesis of the proposed hypothesis is that in the absence of microbial material synovial macrophages in rheumatoid arthritis patients continue to release interleukin 1, which perpetuates the inflammation so characteristic of the disease . Its release is suggested to result from an altered synovial macrophage glutathione metabolism brought about by the action of interleukin 1 on host copper metabolism . Three anti-rheumatic drugs are suggested to act at different points in this pathogenic chain reaction . Alclofenac on interleukin 1, gold thiolates on copper-inhibited macrophage glutathione reductase, and D-penicillamine on IgC catabolism . Drawing upon the hypothesis some suggestions are made for drug design.

J Periodontol, 1982 Oct, 53(10), 595 - 8
Bacterial variability within diseases periodontal sites; Evian CI et al.; The purpose of this study was to examine the variability in bacterial proportions between individual periodontal sites in patients with chronic periodontitis by means of differential dark-field microscopy . Fourteen patients with untreated, moderate to advanced disease were included . Probing depth, plaque and gingival index scores were recorded for each patient . Microbial samples were collected from the tooth surface with the greatest proving depth in each sextant and examined individually by dark-field microscopy . The results indicated that proportions of spirochetes and motile rods at any given probing depth varied considerably, ranging from those expected at healthy sites to those expected at diseased sites . In accordance with previous studies, mean percentages of spirochetes tended to vary directly with increased PD, PlI and GI scores, while mean percentages of coccoid cells tended to follow a reverse pattern . However, no significant correlations could be demonstrated when measurements from individual sites were analyzed . Most of the variance in the data was due to differences between subjects rather than differences between sites . It is postulated that the large variance between subjects and sites is due in part to the cyclical nature of the disease and to the lack of synchrony between remissions and exacerbations at different sites and in different patients.

Med Biol, 1982 Oct, 60(5), 227 - 36
Gastrointestinal mucins . Structures and antigenicities of their carbohydrate chains in health and disease; Hounsell EF et al.; The carbohydrate chains of gastrointestinal mucins are of wide interest because the same structures occur on glycoproteins and glycolipids of cell membranes and they express a variety of antigens recognized by polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies . In this article we summarize the information available on the structures found in three domains ('peripheral', 'backbone' and 'core' regions) of the carbohydrate chains of mucins . We discuss the various antigens expressed on these domains and the changes in their expression in benign and malignant diseases of the gastrointestinal tract . These antigens include the major blood group antigens A, B, H, Lea and Leb, the Ii antigens and some hybridoma-defined antigens termed SSEA-1, VEP8/9 and FC 10.2, all of which are now regarded as differentiation antigens with changing expression during embryogenesis and stages of cell differentiation . The functions of these diverse carbohydrate chains have eluded us thus far; they deserve systematic investigation as possible receptors involved in cellular interactions and reactions with microbial agents.

J Periodontol, 1982 Oct, 53(10), 599 - 603
The effect of sodium bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide on the microbial flora of periodontal pockets . A preliminary report; Cerra MB et al.; This study investigated the effects of sodium bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide on the microbial flora of 4 to 7 mm periodontal pockets . Four selected patients were instructed to brush assigned quadrants daily with a sodium bicarbonate-3% hydrogen peroxide paste utilizing a split-mouth design . The paste was pumped between the teeth and gingiva via sulcular brushing and a Perio Aid . The control sides were treated in the identical manner with fluoridated paste . Probing depths on each patient were taken on Days 1 and 21 and examined under dark-field microscopy . For each sample, morphology and motility of all cells were recorded . The data were analyzed by three factor repeated measures analysis of variance . No statistically significant differences were found between the control and medicament sites at the 0.005 level regarding changes in the microbial flora . Probing depths were reduced during the study . However, similar results were found on both medicament and control sites . It appeared that sodium bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide have no unusual benefits in reducing the microbial flora of periodontal pockets.

Anat Rec, 1982 Sep, 204(1), 33 - 8
Light microscopic morphometric analysis of rat ileal mucosa: II . Component quantitation of Paneth cells; Rodning CB et al.; A quantitative light microscopic morphometric analysis of lysozyme- and IgA-containing Paneth cells within the ileal mucosa of physiologically manipulated and control (sham operation) animals was performed . The experimental groups of rats included animals raised in a gnotobiotic environment (microbial reduction) and animals with ileal self-filling blind (microbial proliferation) and Thiry-Vella (intestinal discontinuity) loops . The unlabeled antibody enzyme immunohistochemical localization technique was employed for the identification of intracellular lysozyme and IgA . Component quantitation was performed by use of a micrometer component quantitator . Marked Paneth cell hyperplasia was noted in association with gnotobiosis and with the Thiry-Vella fistula . This observation quantitatively confirms previous subjective impressions of increased Paneth cell differentiation in association with those physiologic states . Since the neurovascular component of the Thiry-Vella fistula is intact, the normal intraluminal succus entericus would appear to be involved in modulation of Paneth cell differentiation . The recognition of Paneth cell hyperplasia in association with the Thiry-Vella fistula suggests that this may be a useful experimental model for an evaluation of the life cycle and functional characteristics of this cell population . The results also revealed that no significant change in the volume percentage of Paneth cells and a decreased volume percentage of Paneth cells containing IgA occurred in association with the self-filling blind loop . A decreased volume percentage of IgA-containing immunocytes in association with the blind loop has previously been reported . The data are most consistent with the interpretation that the Paneth cell and immunocyte response to antigenic stimulation are interrelated and that the Paneth cell population has a restricted latitude of response to microbial proliferation.

J Assoc Off Anal Chem, 1982 Sep, 65(5), 1186 - 92
Rapid screening assay for beta-lactam antibiotics in milk: collaborative study; Charm SE et al.; A 15 min assay for beta-lactam antibiotics has been used by dairies for several years as a screening procedure for testing milk tankers before they unload . The test is based on a competition between 14C-penicillin and beta-lactam antibiotics in the milk samples for sites on a microbial cell wall that specifically binds beta-lactam . In a collaborative study, 11 laboratories correctly distinguished 10 coded zero penicillin G samples and 10 coded 0.01 IU/mL samples . The proposed test is qualitative, positive or negative, and can detect the presence of beta-lactam antibiotics at the 0.01 IU/mL level . The control point for determining positive or negative samples is more than 3 standard deviations from the mean of 0.01 IU/mL . The method has been adopted official first action.

Am J Med, 1982 Sep, 73(3), 372 - 80
Aspergillus antigen detection in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with invasive aspergillosis and aspergillomas; Andrews CP et al.; Improved diagnostic techniques have been needed for pulmonary aspergillosis, a common opportunistic fungal infection with a high mortality rate . Radioimmunoassay was used in this study to detect Aspergillus antigen in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid . In four patients with invasive aspergillosis or aspergillomas, Aspergillus antigen was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid . In two patients, results of fungal cultures were negative or delayed . The specificity of antigen detection in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was 91 percent in 35 control patients with a variety of pulmonary disorders . The technique or radioimmunoassay detection of microbial antigen in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid appears promising for the diagnosis of aspergillosis.

Br J Nutr, 1982 Sep, 48(2), 417 - 31
Estimation of the proportion of non-ammonia-nitrogen reaching the lower gut of the ruminant derived from bacterial and protozoal nitrogen; Steinhour WD et al.; 1 . A method for estimating the proportions of bacterial- and protozoal-N in the total non-ammonia-N reaching the lower gut of the ruminant under steady-state conditions was evaluated . Three trials using two different diets were conducted with a Holstein steer equipped with a rumen cannula and duodenal re-entrant cannulas . 2 . An intraruminal primed infusion of (15NH4)2SO4 was administered for 68 h during each trial . Bacteria and protozoa samples were isolated from rumen fluid at approximately 6 h intervals during each infusion period . Total non-ammonia-N was isolated from duodenal digesta samples taken at approximately the same times . All of these samples were analysed for 15N enrichment . A computer program was used to fit equations to the 15N-enrichment curves of bacterial- and protozoal-N . Models of both bacterial- and protozoal-N kinetics consisted of a small pool which equilibrated rapidly with rumen NH3 and a large pool with a fractional turnover rate of 0.045-0.070/h for bacterial-N and 0.056-0.069/h for protozoal-N . 3 . Abomasal fluid turnover was estimated by a single injection of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 4000) into the rumen followed by sampling of rumen fluid and duodenal digesta . 4 . Estimates of abomasal fluid turnover, bacterial-N turnover, and protozoal-N turnover were entered into an equation which was adjusted by computer iteration to fit the 15N-enrichment curve of duodenal digesta non-NH3-N generated from each (15NH4)2SO4 infusion period . The computer fit of this equation to the observed results gave estimates of 0:39-0.45 and 0.22-0.41 for the proportion of duodenal non-NH3-N derived from bacterial-N and protozoal-N respectively . 5 . This method is potentially useful in estimating microbial protein passage to the lower gut in ruminants . Sampling digesta from the omasum rather than the duodenum would simplify the method and possibly increase the reliability of the estimates.

J Clin Periodontol, 1982 Sep, 9(5), 386 - 92
Anti-bacterial effect of citric acid treatment of periodontally diseased root surfaces in vitro; Daly CG; This investigation examined whether citric acid may exert an anti-bacterial effect against plaque deposits on root surfaces in vitro . Aerobic and anaerobic blood-agar plate cultures were prepared from plaque samples obtained from the proximal root surfaces of 20 periodontally diseased human teeth following extraction . Ten teeth were exposed to saturated citric acid (pH 1) for 3 min, followed by rinsing in sterile 0.85% saline and plaque samples were then obtained immediately adjacent to those sites sampled initially . Controls consisted of using sterile water instead of citric acid on a further five teeth . The numbers of colonies present on pre- and post-treatment culture plates were counted at 24 h . The results indicated that citric acid application reduced, in all instances, the numbers of colonies grown from post-exposure plaque samples as compared to pre-exposure samples . No colonies were detected in 55% of aerobic and 30% of anaerobic cultures of acid-treated root surface samples . For aerobic cultures, citric acid exposure reduced the number of colonies grown from greater than 10(4) to less than 100 in 95% of the root surfaces sampled, while for anaerobic cultures, reduction from greater than 10(4) to less than 100 was found in 80% of surfaces sampled . The findings indicate that citric acid exerts anti-bacterial activity against microbial plaque deposits present on periodontally diseased root surfaces in vitro.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1982 Sep, 79(17), 5337 - 41
Somatic cell parasitism and the evolution of somatic tissue compatibility; Buss LW; Selection pressures proposed to account for the convergent evolution of self/not-self recognition systems in lower organisms include defense against microbial parasites and somatic cell variants . Direct support for the existence of somatic cell parasites in natural populations has been lacking . I here report the occurrence of a somatic cell parasite in the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium mucoroides and discuss the implications of this phenomenon to the evolution of mechanisms of somatic tissue compatibility.

Infect Control, 1982 Sep-Oct, 3(5), 397 - 400
Comparison of broth and filtration methods for culturing of intravenous fluids; Longfield JN et al.; Ninety-six specimens of intravenous fluid solutions (D5/025 NS) were inoculated with S . aureus, E . coli, P . aeruginosa, K . pneumoniae, E . agglomerans, or C . albicans in concentrations of .1, 1, 10, or 10(2) organisms/ml . They were cultured in tubes containing 5 ml of double enriched broth and after passage through a .45 mu pore membrane filter . After 24 hours of incubation, broth cultures were 68% as sensitive as the filter cultures (p less than .001) . At the lowest concentration (.1 organism/ml) broth cultures wer only 45% as sensitive as the membrane filter technique after 24 hours of growth (p less than .001) . Membrane filters provide a rapid method to accurately detect and quantitate the presence of microbial contamination even at very low levels of concentration . The simplicity and accuracy of the filtration method offers the clinician a valuable adjunct in managing suspected cases of intravenous fluid related sepsis.

Br J Nutr, 1982 Sep, 48(2), 399 - 415
Dynamics of protozoa in the rumen of sheep; Leng RA; Protozoa were labelled by incubating 100 ml rumen fluid with {14C}choline for 1 h . The protozoa were concentrated by centrifugation and then washed with rumen fluid . This reduced residual 14C in the fluid medium to insignificant amounts while still retaining the viability of the labelled protozoa . Washing procedures using formal saline (40 g formaldehyde/1 saline (9 g sodium chloride/1)) and saline were developed to isolate protozoa for estimation of specific radioactivity . 2 . The protozoal pool in freshly-collected rumen fluid incubated in vitro retained 90% of the radioactivity for up to 6 h following addition of 14C-labelled protozoa produced as indicated previously . The specific radioactivity of protozoa did not change during the incubation period . 3 . Protozoa labelled with {14C}choline and then stored until they died rapidly lost 14C to methane when they were incubated in rumen fluid or were injected into the rumen . Some {14C}choline was salvaged under these conditions by the live protozoa present as they apparently incorporated up to 13% of the label from the dead protozoa . However, protozoal debris from the injected solution could also have been present in the isolated protozoa . 4 . The in vitro results suggested that the protozoal preparations were viable, and that the incorporated choline did not have a turnover in excess of the turnover of nitrogen (i.e . specific radioactivity remained constant with time in vitro) suggesting that the dilution of specific radioactivity of protozoa following mixing of a 14C-labelled dose of protozoa represented the rate of irreversible loss and also replacement of protozoa in the rumen . 5 . 14C-labelled protozoa had a half-life in the rumen which was greater than that of rumen fluid and in six animals the protozoal replacement rate was 1-4.1 mg N/min . 6 . Losses of 14C from labelled protozoa in the rumen in methane or via abomasal digesta were 65 and 35% respectively . 7 . The results suggest that protozoal growth may be as high as 32% of the total microbial protein synthesis in the rumen but that 65% of the protozoa die and are degraded in the rumen.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1982 Sep-Oct, 18(5), 713 - 7
{Method of determining the molar concentration of proteinase inhibitors and their affinity for the enzymes}; Bogacheva TI et al.; This paper describes a graphic method for measuring the affinity and molar concentration of proteinase inhibitors from different sources, using data on the titration of the inhibitor by the enzyme of a known molar concentration . Linearization of experimental data in the (formula; see text) coordinates makes it possible to measure the value Ki with respect to the slope of the curve and to determine the inhibitor concentration with respect to the curve intercept with the ordinate axis . The method can be used to characterize proteinase inhibitors during microbial screening and at certain purification stages.

Acta Virol, 1982 Sep, 26(5), 382 - 9
Production of interferon and other lymphokines during murine tumour growth . III . Characterization of microbial growth inhibitory activity in cell-free supernatants of rat Zajdela ascites hepatoma; Fahlbusch B et al.; A microbial growth inhibitory factor (MGIF) detected in the cell-free fluid of Zajdela ascites hepatoma of the rat was characterized by means of gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography and isoelectric focusing . It was shown that MGIF is a nondialysable protein with a molecular weight of about 19,000 to 25,000 . Charge heterogeneity was revealed by isoelectric focusing which demonstrated pI of 3.8--4.5 and 5.0--6.0 . MGIF seems to differ from tumour cell-derived MIF detected in the same ascitic fluids.

Steroids, 1982 Aug, 40(2), 157 - 69
Microbial transformations of natural antitumor agents . 23 . Conversion of withaferin-A to 12 beta- and 15 beta-hydroxy derivatives of withaferin-A; Fuska J et al.; Microbial transformation experiments were conducted with the antitumor lactone withaferin-A . Cunninghamella elegans NRRL 1393 transformed withaferin-A (1a) to 15 beta-hydroxywithaferin-A (2a) and 12 beta-hydroxy-withaferin-A (3a) . The hydroxylated metabolites were isolated by solvent extraction and were purified by column and thin-layer chromatography . Structures of the hydroxylated metabolites were determined by proton-and carbon-13 NMR, IR and mass spectral analyses, and by the preparation of acylated derivatives . Compounds 2a and 3a inhibited the growth and biochemical functions of in vitro grown P-388 lymphocytic leukemic cells.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1982 Aug, 35(8), 1049 - 54
Antitumor effect of forphenicinol, a low molecular weight immunomodifier, on murine transplantable tumors and microbial infections; Ishizuka M et al.; The antitumor activities of forphenicinol against murine transplantable tumors were examined . Ehrlich carcinoma was suppressed by treatment with 0.08 approximately 0.31 mg/kg/day of forphenicinol given for 10 days starting 5 days after tumor inoculation . IMC carcinoma was also suppressed by treatment with 0.5 approximately 5 mg/kg/day given for 5 days starting 8 days after the inoculation . The antitumor activity was dependent on the number of tumor cells inoculated, schedule of administration and dose . However, even in case of fast growing tumors such as L1210 and inoculation with a large number of tumor cells, forphenicinol markedly enhanced the antitumor effect of 6-mercaptopurine, aclacinomycin and cyclophosphamide . Forphenicinol showed a protective effect on Pseudomonas infection in mice.

Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 1982 Aug, 10(4), 193 - 203
Differing profiles of periodontal disease in two similar South Pacific island populations; Cutress TW et al.; The periodontal condition of a cross-section of individuals aged between 15-59 years was characterised from clinical and radiographic observations of dental calculus, gingival inflammation, the level of the gingival attachment , alveolar bone loss, teeth missing or requiring extraction for periodontal reasons . The common characteristics of the profile in Tonga and W . Samoa were a high prevalence of the factors common to periodontal disease: calculus and gingival inflammation; a progressive apical movement of the gingival attachment; and alveolar bone loss . All these criteria showed a positive age dependency with calculus (particularly subgingival calculus) and gingival inflammation being very commonly associated with all tooth types at an early age, less than 30 years . Tooth loss observed was presumed to be previously associated with periodontal disease because the prevalence of dental caries was very low in both populations . Substantial differences were observed in the number of missing teeth between Tongan and Samoan populations, the Tongan subjects having a high rate of tooth loss . From radiographic interpretations of the periodontal conditions fewer subjects in Tonga were assessed as having no disease, and there was a higher prevalence of progressive destructive disease in Tonga than in W . Samoa . The proportion of subjects in both countries with no disease decreased rapidly with age . There was no evident explanation of the greater severity of disease in Tonga than in W . Samoa . The prevalence of microbial plaque, calculus and gingival inflammation was very high in all subjects at all ages particularly over 30 years in both populations.

J Reprod Med, 1982 Aug, 27(8), 455 - 8
Vaginal flora . A dynamic ecosystem; Mehta PV; The understanding of the dynamics of the genital flora in humans is not yet complete . Of the many extrinsic factors that influence the susceptibility of the female genital tract to colonization by bacteria, sex-hormone secretion is considered of prime importance . Hence the knowledge of any cyclic change in the microbial flora could help in reducing postoperative infections by enabling the surgeon to synchronize the surgery with the phase of minimal growth . The aim of this study was to determine the relationship, if any, of bacterial growth in the vagina and hormonal status . To study the bacterial flora and hormonal status, vaginal swab and serial colpocytology were done on five occasions at intervals of four days . Of 89 women studied, 54 were regularly menstruating, 22 had irregular cycles, and 13 were postmenopausal . An endometrial biopsy was done in all cases on the last day of the smears . The swabs were cultured for the presence of aerobic and anaerobic flora . The smears were stained by the Papanicolaou method to evaluate the hormonal status . The results indicated that there was no correlation between the hormonal status and the growth of bacteria.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1982 Aug, 44(2), 512 - 3
Comparison of bacterial recovery by Reuter centrifugal air sampler and slit-to-agar sampler; Placencia AM et al.; Bacterial recovery by a portable Reuter centrifugal air sampler and a standard Mattson-Garvin slit-to-agar air sampler was compared in a series of experiments . Microbial air quality was monitored in seven typical laboratory locations . Tests showed that the Reuter centrifugal air sampler yielded significantly higher recoveries than did the slit-to-agar unit.

Gan To Kagaku Ryoho, 1982 Aug, 9(8), 1380 - 6
{Therapeutic effect of an antineoplastic agent (peplomycin) adsorbed on activated charcoal (PEP-AC)}; Ekimoto H et al.; Therapeutic effects of PEP-AC and PEP-saline on pulmonary growth of intratracheally implanted tumor and metastasis into the hilar lymph nodes were studied in mice . Pharmacokinetic studies of PEP-AC and PEP-saline were made by autoradiography (ARG) using 3H-PEP and microbial assay method using B . subtilis . The ARG using 3H-PEP-AC and 3H-PEP-saline demonstrated qualitatively slower elimination of PEP-AC from mouse lung than that of PEP-saline . The half-life time (t1/2) of PEP-AC was estimated to be about 3 days by bioassay method, while about 60 min . was given for PEP-saline . Intratracheal administration of PEP-saline produced no therapeutic effect to pulmonary growth of B16 melanoma, while that of PEP-AC gave a good response depending on doses . Furthermore, PEP-AC inhibited metastasis of B16 melanoma into the hilar lymph nodes . Better therapeutic effects were produced by PEP-AC when decreased inoculum sizes of B16 melanoma or P388 leukemia cells were transplanted.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1982 Aug, 44(2), 413 - 22
Activity and growth of microbial populations in pressurized deep-sea sediment and animal gut samples; Tabor PS et al.; Benthic animals and sediment samples were collected at deep-sea stations in the northwest (3,600-m depth) and southeast (4,300- and 5200-m depths) Atlantic Ocean . Utilization rates of {14C}glutamate (0.67 to 0.74 nmol) in sediment suspensions incubated at in situ temperatures and pressures (3 to 5 degrees C and 360, 430, or 520 atmospheres) were relatively slow, ranging from 0.09 to 0.39 nmol g-1 day-1, whereas rates for pressurized samples of gut suspensions varied widely, ranging from no detectable activity to a rapid rate of 986 nmol g-1 day-1 . Gut flora from a holothurian specimen and a fish demonstrated rapid, barophilic substrate utilization, based on relative rates calculated for pressurized samples and samples held at 1 atm (101.325 kPa) . Substrate utilization by microbial populations in several sediment samples was not inhibited by in situ pressure . Deep-sea pressures did not restrict growth, measured as doubling time, of culturable bacteria present in a northwest Atlantic sediment sample and in a gut suspension prepared from an abyssal scavenging amphipod . From the results of this study, it was concluded that microbial populations in benthic environments can demonstrate significant metabolic activity under deep-ocean conditions of temperature and pressure . Furthermore, rates of microbial activity in the guts of benthic macrofauna are potentially more rapid than in surrounding deep-sea sediments.

Lancet, 1982 Jul 31, 2(8292), 231 - 4
Serum amyloid-A protein concentration in inflammatory diseases and its relationship to the incidence of reactive systemic amyloidosis; De Beer FC et al.; Serum amyloid-A protein (SAA) is the putative precursor of amyloid-A (AA) protein which forms the fibrils in reactive systemic or secondary amyloidosis . By means of a novel immunoradiometric assay, the concentration of SAA was found to be greatly elevated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile chronic arthritis and correlated with activity of their primary disease . However, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus SAA levels were only modestly raised, even in those with severe active disease, unless significant intercurrent microbial infection was also present . In Crohn's disease SAA levels showed a pattern similar to that seen in rheumatoid arthritis, whereas in ulcerative colitis it resembled that of systemic lupus erythematosus . The level of SAA response in these different disorders corresponds with the incidence of reactive systemic amyloidosis in them . These observations support the view that major increases in SAA levels are a necessary condition for the deposition of this form of amyloid and suggest that prospective monitoring of the SAA concentration in predisposing diseases may help to identify those individuals who are most at risk for amyloidosis.

Klin Wochenschr, 1982 Jul 15, 60(14), 754 - 5
Regulation of macrophage accessory functions by interactions involving lymphokines and endotoxin; Moore RN; It is important to reemphasize the observation that two distinct regulatory molecules, colony-stimulating factor (CSF) and interferon, can directly influence macrophage accessory functions . CSF stimulates macrophages to secrete interleukin 1 (IL 1) whereas interferon induces a conversion to Ia antigen expression . Either directly or indirectly these functions can also be influenced by a combination of lymphokines and bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) . As is the case with effector functions, it is apparent that specific regulatory molecules exist which function to amplify the influence of microbial products on macrophage accessory activities.

J Biol Chem, 1982 Jul 10, 257(13), 7310 - 3
Differential anticoagulant activity of heparin fragments prepared using microbial heparinase; Linhardt RJ et al.; Heparin of an average molecular weight of 13,000 with known polydispersity was degraded using microbial heparinase . The kinetics of this degradation were followed by four assays which measured the anticoagulant activity of the heparin digestion products . Both clotting and amidolytic chromogenic assays were used to measure heparin-potentiated inhibition of both thrombin and Factor Xa . These assays showed different profiles throughout the digestion and were related to the average molecular weight of the digestion products.l The final products of this enzymatic digestion were fractionated on the basis of size and their anticoagulant activities were measured . Fragments causing Factor Xa inhibition but not thrombin inhibition were isolated . Anticoagulant activity was found in a fragment as small as a tetrasaccharide.

Allergol Immunopathol (Madr), 1982 Jul-Aug, 10(4), 301 - 4
The effect of microbial antigens on elicitation of leukemia in mice; Kwapinski G et al.; Repeated injections of microbial polysaccharide-nucleoproteins into mice elicited progressive hyperplasia of the reticuloendothelial system and fulminating proliferation of undifferentiated cells in the spleen, lymph nodes and liver, displaying the pathology of acute leukemia and resulting in the death of afflicted animals within a few months . It is postulated that long-lasting exposures to microbial antigens of the individuals genetically predisposed to leukemia may present a mechanism for its pathogenesis.

Int J Pept Protein Res, 1982 Jul, 20(1), 16 - 25
Allomalformin; Bodanszky M et al.; In an attempt to find explanation for the initial erroneous sequence assignment for malformin, a sequence-isomer of the natural product, 3-isoleucine-5-valine malformin or briefly "allomalformin" that on partial acid hydrolysis could have given rise to misleading fragments, was synthesized and compared with both natural and synthetic preparations of malformin . Allomalformin is identical to the parent microbial peptide (malformin A, or briefly malformin) with respect to biological activity and conformation (ORD and CD spectra) and is indistinguishable from it by high pressure liquid chromatography . Yet, the two isomers have slightly different Rf values on thin-layer chromatograms and by this method no allomalformin could be detected in samples of the natural product . On the other hand both high pressure liquid chromatography and thin-layer chromatography demonstrated the presence of the lower homolog, 5-valine malformin, in the samples examined . On partial acid hydrolysis this natural analog should liberate Val-Cys, while Cys-Val forms from malformin itself . Similarly, the corresponding desthio cyclopentapeptides should give rise to Val-Ala and Ala-Val respectively; the former being more resistant to further hydrolysis persists in the partial hydrolysates . The presence of Val-Cys in partial hydrolysates of malformin and of Val-Ala in the partial hydrolysates of desthiomalformin, both originating from the accompanying lower homolog rather than from malformin itself, is likely to have led to the postulation of the erroneous Cys-Val-Cys partial sequence.

J Surg Oncol, 1982 Jul, 20(3), 187 - 91
Human colorectal carcinoma: patterns of sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents in the human tumor stem cell assay; Agrez MV et al.; The human tumor stem cell assay (HTSCA) was applied to 103 primary and metastatic colorectal carcinomas . Thirty-four carcinomas could not be evaluated for colony formation (clonogenicity) because of microbial contamination . Of the remaining 69 carcinomas, 18 (26%) demonstrated clonal growth in vitro . Colony formation did not correlate with the clinicopathologic stage of the tumor, the histological grade of the tumor, the method used to disperse the solid tumors into single cells (mechanical or enzymatic), or cell viability (exclusion of trypan-blue) prior to plating . The in vitro chemotherapy sensitivity data of the 18 tumors which formed colonies indicated that most tumors were generally resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs and that a few tumors were sensitive to multiple agents . Use of the human tumor stem cell assay may facilitate an individualized approach to clinical chemotherapy of colorectal carcinoma for certain patients.

J Exp Med, 1982 Jul 1, 156(1), 230 - 42
Low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein are selectively bound by aggregated C-reactive protein; de Beer FC et al.; C-reactive protein (CRP), the classical acute-phase protein, can bind phospholipids by virtue of its specific, calcium-dependent reactivity with phosphorylcholine residues . However, analysis of acute-phase serum by gel filtration and by density gradient ultracentrifugation showed that the CRP was in a free, uncomplexed form, despite the coexistent presence of the various classes of serum lipoproteins, all of which contain phospholipids . In contrast, when isolated CRP was aggregated by immobilization at a sufficient density on a solid phase and then exposed to normal human serum, it selectively bound low density lipoprotein (LDL) and traces of very low density lipoprotein . The reaction was calcium dependent and reversible by free phosphorylcholine but not by heparin . LDL isolated from normal plasma was also bound by aggregated CRP . CRP reacts in vitro with a wide variety of different ligands both of extrinsic and of autogenous origin, e.g., microbial products and damaged cell membranes, respectively . If CRP aggregated in vivo by complexing with these ligands than acquires the capacity to selectively bind LDL, the phenomenon may have significant implications for the function of CRP and for the metabolism, clearance, and deposition of LDL.

J Clin Periodontol, 1982 Jul, 9(4), 305 - 16
Differential dark field microscopy of subgingival bacteria as an aid in selecting recall intervals: results after 18 months; Listgarten MA et al.; Differential dark field microscopic examination of subgingival microbial forms has been used to assign customized recall intervals to a population of adults with minimal periodontal disease . Results after 18 months indicate that a substantial proportion of the test subjects remained in good periodontal health despite the absence of regular biannual prophylaxes . One half of these subjects, who had not received a prophylaxis for periods of 15-18 months, did not demonstrate any detectable worsening of their periodontal status . No correlation could be established in this population between proportions of certain microbial forms and susceptibility to gingivitis.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1982 Jul, 94(7), 74 - 6
{Sensitivity of the smooth muscles of the guinea pig trachea to microbial allergens}; Barysheva AV; A study was made of the possibility of using the test of anaphylactic contraction of the guinea-pig tracheobronchial chain for the appraisal of biological activity of bacterial allergens . The test was noted to be highly specific since it enables the evaluation of allergenicity of specific microbial antigens . Anaphylactic contraction of the tracheobronchial chain is regarded as a model fit for examining the mechanism of a bronchospasm in response to bacterial allergens.

Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 1982 Jun 11, 297(1088), 631 - 9
Genetic interactions between mixed microbial populations; Williams PA; Of the various mechanisms by which DNA has been shown to be transferred between bacteria in the laboratory, the combination of promiscuous plasmids and transposable DNA seems the most likely means by which this occurs in Nature . Not only can this lead to the direct transmission of the associated genes, but it can also lead to various structural and genetic changes in other DNA, particularly chromosomal, which might play an important role in microbial evolution . The changes in the DNA in a Pseudomonas strain that has evolved to degrade a novel substrate are considered in this context.

Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 1982 Jun 11, 297(1088), 517 - 32
Surface-associated growth; Ellwood DC et al.; In natural ecosystems, microbial activity is often associated with the presence of a surface, particularly in low-nutrient environments . The chemostat allows the study of such low-nutrient environments together with the precise control of other growth parameters . By using this system, enrichment cultures with inocula from two different river sources have been made . A more diverse community attached itself to surfaces placed in the chemostat when the cultures were carbon-limited than when the limiting nutrient was nitrogen . Further studies on a pseudomonad isolated from the carbon-limited enrichment cultures have shown that surface-associated organisms grow at approximately twice the rate of the same organism in the free surrounding medium . A hypothesis to explain this phenomenon based on the chemiosmotic theory is discussed.

Food Chem Toxicol, 1982 Jun, 20(3), 269 - 71
Nitrate reductase activity and nitrite levels in the saliva of habitual users of various tobacco products; Murdia US et al.; Nitrite found in human saliva is the product of the microbial reduction of nitrate circulating through the salivary glands . Saliva samples were collected under controlled conditions from volunteers who were habitual users of different types of tobacco products (tobacco chewers, cigarette smokers, bidi smokers and masheri users) and from controls . The saliva samples were analysed for nitrite levels and for nitrate reductase activity spectrophotometrically . Samples were collected from two different areas, Bombay (urban) and Ghodegaon (rural) . Salivary nitrite levels in the control groups ranged from 1.6 ppm in Ghodegaon to 11 ppm in Bombay . The nitrite levels of the masheri-using groups from both locations and of the tobacco-chewing group from Bombay were significantly higher than those of the controls . A number of volunteers showed undetectable levels of salivary nitrate reductase . Volunteers who chewed tobacco or used masheri had higher levels of nitrate reductase activity than the controls . However, there did not seem to be any clear correlation between nitrite levels and nitrate reductase activity in the saliva.

Z Exp Chir, 1982 Jun, 15(3), 152 - 3
{Detoxication of methanal preserved bioprostheses}; Wenzel KP; The substitutes could be decontaminated by means of six to eight times soaking into sterile sodium chloride solution (154 mmol/l = 9 g/l) in each case half an hour if a short preparation time for the implantation of protein cross-linked and methanal storaged bioprotheses is existent . This procedure must be carried out under strict aseptic conditions . A microbial recontamination of the preparations threats moreover.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1982 Jun, 43(6), 1451 - 63
Microbial flora of the mouse ileum mucous layer and epithelial surface; Rozee KR et al.; We have developed new methods to minimize fluid shear during preparation of specimens for electron microscopy and to retain the mucous blanket that covers the tissue surface of the ileum in mice . We also used general stabilization by nonspecific antibodies to minimize the collapse of the mucous layer during dehydration for electron microscopy . These methods allowed us to visualize the gradual progression of the mucous blanket from a thin diaphanous layer in newborn animals to a very thick (ca . 50 micrometers), coherent structure in older animals that contained a mixed population of bacteria and protozoa . Some bacteria, notably filamentous forms, were patently anchored to the epithelial tissue but projected into the mucous blanket, whereas others clearly existed within the mucous blanket and were unattached to the epithelial surface . Similarly, some protozoa were firmly attached to the tissue surface, whereas others were suspended in the viscous mucous blanket . In an adult animal, the mucous blanket was a very thick layer which actually occluded most of the tissue surface and contained a rich variety of bacteria and protozoa.

Am J Vet Res, 1982 Jun, 43(6), 1096 - 9
Quantitation of hyaluronic acid in equine synovia; Rowley G et al.; An assay for the determination of hyaluronic acid concentration in equine synovia (synovial fluid) was investigated . The method involved the degradation of hyaluronic acid, using a highly specific microbial enzyme . The unsaturated tetra- and hexasaccharide products were oxidized with periodate and caused to react with thiobarbituric acid for form a chromophore which absorbed in the visible range of the spectrum . The method was precise within acceptable limits for synovia and compared favorably with the widely used carbazole method of Bitter and Muir (Anal Biochem 4:330-334, 1962) . The between-assay coefficient of variation was 1.7% and the method was found to be linear to 100 microgram of hyaluronic acid . The mean value for hyaluronic acid concentration in synovia of health horses was 127 mg/100 ml.

Leber Magen Darm, 1982 Jun, 12(3), 95 - 107
{Ethanol and carcinogenesis}; Seitz HK et al.; Chronic alcoholism and incidence of carcinoma of the oropharynx, the larynx, the esophagus and the liver (and probably as well of the pancreas and rectum) are correlated, as epidemiological studies have shown . In animal experiments ethanol is not carcinogenic, but it enhances carcinogenesis induced by other compounds; it may influence the initial as well as the promotional phase of carcinogenesis . A local effect could be the responsible mechanism in carcinogenesis of the upper gastrointestinal tract . Ethanol does influence regenerative, secretory, motility nd microbial patterns of the gastrointestinal tract . In addition changes of hormone, vitamin and mineral metabolism and of the immune system induced by ethanol may contribute to carcinogenesis . Ethanol enhances activation of a number of procarcinogens in the small intestine, in the liver and in the lung . It is also known that different alcoholic beverages contain carcinogens.

Infect Immun, 1982 Jun, 36(3), 1096 - 101
Macrophages in resistance to rickettsial infection: strains of mice susceptible to the lethal effects of Rickettsia akari show defective macrophage Rickettsicidal activity in vitro; Nacy CA et al.; Activation of macrophages was assessed in strains of mice inoculated intraperitoneally with 1,000 times the 50% lethal dose of Rickettsia akari . Macrophages from mice resistant to R . akari infection (C3H/HeN, C57BL/10J, and BALB/cN) were nonspecifically tumoricidal 2 to 4 days after rickettsial inoculation . Moreover, these macrophages were microbial for R . akari in vitro; cells were resistant to infection with the bacterium and were capable of killing intracellular rickettsiae . In contrast, macrophages from strains of mice susceptible to R . akari (C3H/HeJ, C57BL/10SnCR, and A/J) failed to develop nonspecific tumoricidal activity over the course of lethal disease and became infected with R . akari in vivo within 2 days of rickettsial inoculation . Macrophages from uninfected mice of strains susceptible to R . akari also could not be activated for rickettsicidal or tumoricidal activities by treatment with macrophage-activating agents (Mycobacterium bovis BCG) in vivo or by treatment with lymphokines in vitro.

Am J Physiol, 1982 Jun, 242(6), G650 - 3
Sucrase metabolism in germfree rats; Olsen WA et al.; We studied degradation of the intestinal brush-border protein sucrase-isomaltase in germfree animals as well as in ex-germfree animals and conventional controls to determine the mechanism by which intestinal bacteria alter disaccharidase levels . Our results indicate that sucrase-isomaltase turnover is as rapid in germfree animals as in the other groups and are consistent with surface removal of disaccharidases by pancreatic proteases under physiological conditions . Our results also suggest that elevated disaccharidase levels in germfree animals are in large part the consequence of an increased number of mature enterocytes, which persists for at least 2 wk after exposure of animals to a conventional microbial flora.

J Pharm Sci, 1982 Jun, 71(6), 714 - 5
Batch-swirl method for detoxification of isopropyl myristate used for sterility testing of oils and ointments: membrane selection; Placencia AM et al.; A 1-hr batch-swirl method was developed for the preparation of isopropyl myristate to be used in the sterility testing of oils and ointments . The method is simpler and faster than that in USP XX . Flow rates of various membrane filters were tested . Cellulose acetate filters increased the filtration rate of oils and ointments and, thus, reduced the exposure time of possible microbial contaminants to the toxicity of isopropyl myristate.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1982 May, 35(5), 549 - 55
2-Ethyl-5-(3-indolyl)oxazole from Streptomyces cinnamomeus discovered by chemical screening . Characterization and structure elucidation by X-ray analysis; Noltemeyer M et al.; In the lipophilic extracts from Streptomyces cinnamomeus 2-ethyl-5-(3-indolyl)oxazole (1a) was detected by chemical screening methods . The structure of the crystalline 1a was determined by spectroscopic and X-ray analysis . The new mono- and dibromo derivatives 1b and 1c are described . 1a is identical with pimprinethine and belongs to a group of microbial indole alkaloids, which can be regarded as masked tryptamine derivatives.

Rev Infect Dis, 1982 May-Jun, 4 Suppl, S18 - 34
Derrick Edward Award Lecture . The pathogenic potential of mycoplasmas: Mycoplasma pulmonis as a model; Cassell GH; For years the ubiquity of Mycoplasma pulmonis in rodents overshadowed its pathogenic potential . Its etiologic significance in murine chronic respiratory disease was established only by recognition of the delicate equilibrium between organism and host . Environmental factors and genetic predisposition of the host rather than microbial virulence are the critical determinants of disease . The prevalence of M . pulmonis is undoubtedly related to the recently demonstrated in utero transmission and the ability of the organism to colonize and produce disease in the genital tract . The etiologic significance of Ureaplasma urealyticum in human genitourinary disease, like its murine counterpart, has been surrounded by controversy . Recent studies indicate that only a subgroup of colonized individuals develop clinical manifestations of disease, ranging from infertility to fetal wastage . While the natural occurrence of both respiratory and genital mycoplasmoses seriously restricts the usefulness of rats and mice for other research purposes, they represent useful models fo the study of human disease . The recognized morphologic similarities and similar natural histories of chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, and emphysema in humans and of M . pulmonis respiratory disease in rats and mice make the latter a particularly useful model for study of the pathogenesis of chronic pulmonary inflammation . At the same time, murine genital mycoplasmosis represents one of the few naturally occurring genital tract diseases in laboratory animals and therefore makes an attractive model for elucidating those subtle host-parasite interactions that predispose to genital disease and subsequent reproductive failure.

Vet Pathol, 1982 May, 19(3), 280 - 93
Murine respiratory mycoplasmosis in LEW and F344 rats: strain differences in lesion severity; Davis JK et al.; Pathogen-free weaning rats of the LEW and F344 strains were caged together for two months to eliminate microbial and environmental differences, and then infected intranasally with 10-fold dilutions of viable Mycoplasma pulmonis . At necropsy 28 days post-inoculation, F344 rats had no gross lung lesions, even those given the maximum dose of 1.4 X 10(9) colony-forming units of M . pulmonis . LEW rats often had extensive gross lesions with a gross-pneumonia-dose50 of 1.1 X 10(7) colony-forming units/rat . Histological examination of the respiratory tract (nasal passages, larynges, tracheae, and lungs) and tympanic cavities showed both qualitative and quantitative differences in lesions between the two strains, particularly in the lungs . Hyperplasia of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue occurred in both strains, but was more extensive in LEW rats . Atelectasis, alveolar consolidation (due primarily to mononuclear inflammatory cells), and suppurative bronchitis and bronchiolitis were seen only in LEW rats . Infiltrates of lymphoid cells into the lungs distal to bronchi and around blood vessels also were seen primarily in LEW rats . These differences between the two rat strains provide excellent model systems with which to dissect the role of cell responses in the pathogenesis of a naturally occurring chronic lung disease.

Cancer Lett, 1982 May-Jun, 16(1), 19 - 23
Similarity of Epstein-Barr virus early polypeptides induced by various tumor promoters; Kawanishi M et al.; Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-harboring non-producer Raji cells were activated to express Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EA) by the combined use of n-butyrate and various tumor promoters such as 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), Euphorbiaceae plant extracts and the toxic microbial metabolite, teleocidin . With regard to the structural differences among the inducing agents (promoters), the patterns of EBV early polypeptides were strikingly similar . A common pathway is probably involved in the activation of the latent genomes of the virus in the host cells.

J Clin Periodontol, 1982 May, 9(3), 266 - 74
Histological assessment of periodontally involved cementum; Daly CG et al.; Contamination of periodontally involved cementum by bacterial substances such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is considered a major reason for root planing . The purpose of the present study was to investigate the presence and location of lipid and polysaccharide within involved cementum as compared with uninvolved cementum . Frozen sections were prepared from the decalcified roots of 36 periodontally diseased and two control teeth . Serial sections were stained for either lipid (Oil-Red-O) or polysaccharide (Alcian Blue - PAS) and also with haematoxylin & eosin (H & E) or Huberstone's gram stain . Specimens of involved and uninvolved cementum were then examined under the light microscope for assessment of differences . Involved cementum from 12 of the periodontally diseased teeth exhibited strongly PAS-positive stained processes penetrating 3-7 mum into the surface of cementum from overlying plaque . Such processes were not observed in uninvolved cementum, suggesting a possible bacterial origin . Lipid granules were noted in only one involved specimen where they were situated up to 10 mum beneath the cemental surface . Similar granules were observed within plaque deposits but never in uninvolved cementum, again suggesting a possible bacterial origin . H & E and gram-stained specimens revealed the presence of microbial deposits in surface defects and within defects at the cemento-dentinal junction (CDJ), as well as penetration of micro-organisms into cementum in the absence of any surface defects . The results indicate that although lipid and polysaccharide of possible bacterial origin may be present within the 10 mum surface zone of involved cementum, the finding of microbial deposits down to the level of the CDJ suggests that all periodontally involved cementum should be removed during root planing, in order to achieve a root surface free of bacterial contamination.

Gan To Kagaku Ryoho, 1982 Apr, 9(4), 740 - 9
{Law, guidelines and standards relevant to laboratory animals and animal experimentation}; Takagaki Y; Presently available laws guidelines and standards relevant to laboratory animals and animal experimentation are reviewed . In Japan there exist Animal Protection and Management Act, and the Guideline for Animal Care and Management which was later prepared in accordance with the former act . These are comparable in quality to those seen in foreign countries such as the Cruelty to Animals Act of Great Britain or the Animal Welfare Act of U.S.A . As for laboratory animals, however, only basic matters appear there, and that is why the Japanese National Academy of Science in 1980 proposed legislation of a guideline for animal experimentation to the government . It is awaited to legislate sooner the one comparable to the Guidelines for the Regulation of Animal Experimentation prepared by ICLA in 1974 . Other laws and regulations referred and discussed here are: *standards and guidelines for breeding, care and management of laboratory animals *veterinary laws and regulations which should be referred when domestic or wild animals are to be used for experiments *laws and regulations for general housing construction and environmental protection *regulations for particular experiments where radioisotopes, microbial infections or recombinant DNA are in use

Steroids, 1982 Apr, 39(4), 399 - 409
Microbial transformation of 17 alpha-cyanomethyl-17-hydroxy-4,9-estradien-3-one (STS 557) and 17 alpha-cyanomethyl-19-nortestosterone by Mycobacterium smegmatis; Hobe G et al.; Microbial transformation of the new progestagen STS 557 (17 alpha-cyanomethyl-17-hydroxy-4,9-estradien-3-one) by Mycobacterium smegmatis yielded predominantly ring A-aromatized compounds: 17 alpha-cyanomethyl-1,3,5(10),9(11)-estratetraene-3, 17-diol, 17 alpha-cyanomethyl-1,3,5(10)-estratriene-3,17-diol and the corresponding 3-methyl ethers . The analogous compound without the 9(10) double bond, 17 alpha-cyanomethyl-19-nortestosterone, was transformed mainly to 5 alpha-hydrogenated metabolites: 17 alpha-cyanomethyl-17-hydroxy-5 alpha-estran-3-one, 17 alpha-cyanomethyl-17-hydroxy-5 alpha-1-estren-3-one, 17 alpha-cyanomethyl-5 alpha-estrane-3 alpha, 17-diol, and 17 alpha-cyanomethyl-5 alpha-estrane-3 beta, 17-diol . From these results, it is concluded that 4,9-dien-3-oxo compounds are not substrates for enzymatic 5 alpha-hydrogenation.

Parasitology, 1982 Apr, 84(Pt 4), 269 - 96
Assessment of the human and ecological hazards of microbial insecticides; Harrap KA; A comprehensive account is given of the evolution of registration guidelines and safety testing procedures for microbial insecticidal agents . Particular emphasis is given to the use of viruses for pest control and the various guidelines developed to assess their possible hazards . The likely gains and risks associated with using viruses are discussed . Several meetings have been held in the last 10 years to assess the hazards of virus insecticides . Some of these meetings have produced recommendations, some have developed guidelines for safety testing . These meetings are reviewed . The various guidelines developed for safety testing are critically evaluated and the UK Registration Criteria for Biological Agents used as Pesticides are reproduced in full . Examples of viruses that have been safety tested and registered for use are given and the criteria used are described . Conclusions are drawn on the merits of the guidelines presently available and the likely future development of safety testing schemes is considered.

Hoppe Seylers Z Physiol Chem, 1982 Apr, 363(4), 431 - 7
{Microbial degradation and 4-chlorophenylacetic acid . Chemical synthesis of 3-chloro-4-hydroxy-, 4-chloro-3-hydroxy- and 4-chloro-2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (author's transl)}; Markus A et al.; Pseudomonas spec . CBS 3 converts 4-chlorophenylacetic acid partly into 3-chloro-4-hydroxy-, 4-chloro-3-hydroxy-, and 4-chloro-2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid by the action of monooxygenases . However, these compounds are not intermediates in the degradation of 4-chlorophenylacetic acid . Pseudomonas spec . CBS 3 is not able to grow with 3-chloro-4-hydroxy- and 4-chloro-3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid as sole carbon source . 4-Chloro-2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid is slowly degraded forming 4-chloro-2,3-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid . The actual degradation of 4-chlorophenylacetic acid seems to be initiated by the attack of a dioxygenase . The syntheses of 4-chloro-3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid and of 4-chloro-2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid are described.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1982 Apr, 77(4), 430 - 5
Clinical significance of titered circulating microbial antibody in bacteremia; Nagai T et al.; Using an indirect immunofluorescent antibody technic, the authors determined the serum microbial antibody titer (MAT) in 26 patients (five with infective endocarditis, eight with septicemia without endocarditis, and three with access device-related bacteremia, three with fungemia without endocarditis, and seven with false-positive blood cultures) . The MAT in the early clinical stage of infective endocarditis (IE) exceeded 350; after appropriate antibiotic therapy, it decreased to below 50 with clinical improvement . MAT in patients with septicemia was above 20 and less than 200; in patients with bacteremia, above 10 and less than 50; and in patients with false-positive blood cultures, it was less than 10 . The authors suggest that MAT against isolated bacteria may be useful in diagnosing septicemia with or without IE, in determining the appropriate length of treatment, and in differentiating bacteremia from false-positive blood cultures.

Infect Immun, 1982 Apr, 36(1), 357 - 62
Release of Mycoplasma pneumoniae substances after phagocytosis by guinea pig alveolar macrophages; Kist M et al.; Antibody-opsonized Mycoplasma pneumoniae cells with various radioactive markers were sedimented onto monolayers of guinea pig alveolar macrophages (AM) . After 2 h of incubation, about 50% of the activity of {3H}palmitate-labeled mycoplasmas was associated with AM . Nonspecific attachment of the opsonized mycoplasmas to AM-free plastic surface areas was negligible . The occurrence of phagocytosis was proven by electron microscopy and monitoring of AM surface-bound antigen by 125I-labeled F(ab)2 fragments . The activity of {3H}palmitic acid-labeled mycoplasmas was only slowly released into the supernatant . About 55% of the activity remained AM-associated up to 70 h after phagocytosis . After phagocytosis of {3H}thymidine-labeled cells, about 70% of the radioactivity found non-precipitable by trichloracetic acid . 3H-amino acid-labeled protein was released to 50% within 8 h . Supernatants and AM were tested for M . pneumoniae antigen with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . Considerable amounts of antigenically active material could be found in the supernatant within 8 h . This antigen was totally inactivated by heat (80 degrees C) . Trypsin treatment (1 mg/ml, 10 min) reduced the antigenicity by 80% . The results suggest a selective release of microbial material after phagocytosis.

Scand J Dent Res, 1982 Apr, 90(2), 124 - 30
Effect of the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose, on disaccharide splitting enzymes in human dental plaque; Fiehn NE et al.; Inhibition of microbial enzymes in human dental plaque catalyzing the cleavage of the disaccharides maltose, sucrose and lactose was carried out with the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose . The maltases from plaque homogenates were totally inhibited, whereas the inhibition of the invertases varied considerably . With increasing inhibitor concentrations, from 1 mM to 50 mM, the inhibition of the invertases increased . Preincubation for 30 min of the plaque homogenate with inhibitor resulted in a 20% increase of the inhibition of invertase activity . The inhibitor showed non-competitive inhibition of the invertases in the homogenates, whereas the maltases were competitively inhibited . The lactases were not inhibited at all . The invertases from human dental plaque may be alpha-glucosidases and/or beta-fructosidases.

Scand J Immunol, 1982 Apr, 15(4), 419 - 26
Intrathecal immune responses in mumps meningitis patients; Reunanen M et al.; The in vitro 3H-thymidine incorporation of peripheral blood (PB) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lymphocytes from 11 mumps meningitis patients was studied after stimulation with non-specific mitogens and microbial antigens . Although corresponding viral antibodies were always found in the CSF of seropositive patients by a sensitive radioimmunoassay, their intrathecal synthesis was directed mainly against mumps virus . Most of the patients had PB lymphocytes that reacted on stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) or pokeweed mitogen (PWM), but a smaller number of them had reactive CSF cells . Only four patients showed stronger responses to PHA in the CSF than in PB . Most patients had mumps-reactive lymphocytes in PB but only two of them in the CSF . In contrast, these patients more often had increased CSF cell reactivity when tested with purified protein derivative, measles, and herpes simplex virus antigens . The results could not be explained by a damaged blood-brain barrier alone but may reflect the immunological status of the brain compartment in these patients.

Allergy, 1982 Apr, 37(3), 191 - 201
Studies on hypersensitivity to bacterial antigens in intrinsic asthma; Koch C et al.; Twelve children, aged 4 to 14 years, with moderate to severe intrinsic asthma (IA) were studied . Symptom-Score charts were used to confirm the relationship of acute respiratory tract infections to exacerbations of asthma . Hypersensitivity to eight commonly occurring bacteria from the normal flora of the upper respiratory tract was studied by skin test, by crossed immunoelectrophoresis, and by basophil histamine release in vitro, using ultrasonicates of the bacteria as antigens . Skin tests were all negative . All children contained low titers of precipitating antibodies against most of the bacteria, but in this respect they did not differ from normal children . In contrast, release of histamine was induced in leukocytes from the IA children by all, or most sonicates, while such reactions, were less frequent in control children . The pattern of responses indicated an element of specificity . These was no correlation to precipitating antibodies, or to the microbial flora of the children . Positive responses were characterized by low values of maximal histamine release, and by a tendency to fluctuations with time . Because of these fluctuations, and because the IA children and control children were tested on separate occasions, we cannot be certain as to the real difference between these two groups . Our studies do, however, demonstrate that water-soluble constituents of all the bacterial strains tested were capable of causing the release of histamine in vitro, but that this phenomenon is not restricted to IA . The clinical significance of these findings awaits further investigations on the mechanism(s) of release in vitro by such agents.

Am J Otol, 1982 Apr, 3(4), 297 - 314
The enzymatic mechanism of the otospongiotic disease and NaF action on the enzymatic balance; Causse JR et al.; Extensive research on enzymes led to the discovery of the innermost mechanism of the otospongiotic disease . The authors present the results of multiple correlations made from February 1976 to September 1980 on 648 samples of perilymph taken during stapedectomies performed on otosclerotic patients . We studied microdosages of three selected enzymes--trypsin, alpha 1 antitrypsin, and alpha 2 macroglobulin--in each of the samples and their relationship with cochlear deterioration expressed in dBs of bone conduction decrease in pure-tone audiometry testing . This study allowed us a better knowledge of the enzymatic mechanism of the otospongiotic disease, based on the previously reported trypsin-alpha 1 antitrypsin balance, but in which alpha 2 macroglobulin appears to play a role as essential as that of alpha 1 antitrypsin . This enzymatic mechanism explains NaF efficiency, which is due in fact to a double action: not only direct trypsin inhibition, but also an overall reduction in enzymatic values in the perilymph of otospongiotic/otosclerotic patients . Current studies could lead to the possibility of future NaF replacement by proteinase inhibitors either of microbial origin, under study by Japanese researchers, or even of synthetic origin, which should be investigated . In fact, the role of NaF therapy could already be taken over by diphosphonates currently under study.

Biochem J, 1982 Mar 15, 202(3), 747 - 51
Deoxycholic acid degradation by a Pseudomonas species . Acidic intermediates from the initial part of the catabolic pathway; Leppik RA; The microbial catabolism of deoxycholic acid by a Pseudomonas species was studied, and three acidic products were isolated as their methyl esters . Evidence is presented that the compounds are methyl 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-23,24-dinor-5 beta-cholan-22-oate, methyl 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-5 beta-cholan-24-oate and methyl 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-23,24-dinor-5 beta-cholan-22-oate.

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