Biochemistry, 1982 Mar 2, 21(5), 1033 - 6 Substrate specificity of an adenohypophyseal endopeptidase capable of hydrolyzing luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone: preferential cleavage of peptide bones involving the carboxyl terminus of hydrophobic and basic amino acids; Horsthemke B et al.; The substrate specificity of a peptidase from anterior pituitaries that is capable of hydrolyzing luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH; less than Glu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2) at the Tyr5-Gly6 peptide bond has been investigated by using inhibitors and model substrates . While trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors from plants and animals are without any effect, many microbial protease inhibitors and synthetic peptides containing hydrophobic and basic amino acids inhibit the degradation of radiolabeled LH-RH by this enzyme . The model substrates N-acetyl-Phe-Gly-Leu-beta-naphthylamide, N-acetyl-Leu-Gly-Leu-beta-naphthylamide, and N alpha-benzoyl-Arg-Gly-Leu-beta-naphthylamide are hydrolyzed at the X-Gly peptide bonds; N-acetyl-Gly-Gly-Leu-beta-naphthylamide is not degraded . Hydrolysis of typical amino- and carboxypeptidase substrates was not observed . Degradation of the general protease substrates insulin B chain and denatured hemoglobin also could not be detected . Thus, the enzyme is not LH-RH specific but may be characterized as an endopeptidase that hydrolyzes peptides preferentially at the carboxyl terminus of hydrophobic and basic amino acids. Thorax, 1982 Mar, 37(3), 181 - 4 Microbial flora in carcinoma of oesophagus; Finlay IG et al.; The microbial flora associated with carcinoma of the oesophagus was studied in 12 patients . Oesophageal mucosa was biopsied at thoracotomy and cultured under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions . A heavy mixed growth of aerobic and anaerobic organisms was obtained in all patients . One-third of isolates were anaerobic . The flora was of oral origin . The most appropriate antibiotic combination in this study was ampicillin or penicillin with gentamicin and metronidazole. Lipids, 1982 Mar, 17(3), 241 - 9 Constituents of human meconium: II . Identification of steroidal acids with 21 and 22 carbon atoms; St Pyrek J et al.; Monohydroxylated acid fraction isolated from human meconium was found to contain, in addition to C20 and C24 acids identified previously, three C22 bile acids-(20S)-3 alpha-hydroxy-23,24-bisnor-5 beta-cholan-22-oic, (20S)- and (20R)-3 beta-hydroxy-23,24-bisnor-chol-5-en-22-oic, and one C21 acid-3 beta-hydroxypregn-5-en-21-oic . These compounds were identified by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and by comparison with standards . It is postulated that these C22 acids, as well as the two monohydroxylated C24 bile acids (lithocholic and 3 beta-hydroxychol-5-enoic) are produced in the maternal intestine by microbial flora and transferred to the fetus through the placenta. Hautarzt, 1982 Mar, 33(3), 145 - 7 {Free fatty acid composition in psoriasis vulgaris}; Nissen HP et al.; The composition of free fatty acids of hair lipids from subjects with psoriasis vulgaris (n = 60) and a control group (n = 30) was determine by gas liquid chromatography . The analysis indicates that the percentage composition of longer chain fatty acids was distinctly higher in psoriasis vulgaris . It is suggested that patients with psoriasis vulgaris have either a different air lipid composition and a different microbial activity or different activities of the epidermic esterases. Biofizika, 1982 Mar-Apr, 27(2), 297 - 303 {Comparative analysis of evolution of Eigen's hypercycles and microbial populations in open systems}; Pechurkin NS et al.; The models of evolution of Eigen's hypercycles and microbial populations were compared . It has been proved that both above mentioned model descriptions of evolution completely coincide for the case of support constant organization (1) . It has been shown that in the case of constant flows (2) for the Eigen's model it is necessary to take into account the dynamics of concentration of energy monomers . The experimental results of microevolution of microbial populations for conditions 1 and 2 are presented. Arch Surg, 1982 Mar, 117(3), 363 - 7 Pyoderma gangrenosum . A possible cause of wound necrosis; Schwaitzberg SD et al.; Pyoderma gangrenosum is a destructive cutaneous disorder characterized by painful, rapidly enlarging ulcers with under-mined bluish and purplish red margins . This disease is most frequently found in association with ulcerative colitis . However, in the last three years, four cases of pyoderma gangrenosum precipitated by surgical procedures have occurred, and only one of these patients had ulcerative colitis . All four patients responded to steroid therapy and local wound care . Pyoderma gangrenosum can first be suspected by recognition of the previously described classic lesion . In addition, the absence of significant microbial growth and the lack of a specific etiology ascertained on routine and special staining of biopsy material is suggestive of the diagnosis . Histologic characteristics are entirely nonspecific but can be helpful in ruling out other specific entities . The progressively destructive nature of this process in the face of what would seem to be appropriate therapy for bacterial wound infection requires that pyoderma gangrenosum, as well as other aspects of the differential diagnosis of a persistent ulcerative lesion, such as fungal infection, factitious ulcer, or vasculitis, be considered. J Am Acad Dermatol, 1982 Mar, 6(3), 325 - 7 The role of mononitrochlorobenzene as a contaminant in dinitrochlorobenzene; Doubleday CW et al.; Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) has been purported to possess potential mutagenic and carcinogenic hazards . This potential hazard may be due to contamination of DNCB with known carcinogenic precursors, mononitrochlorobenzenes . Three samples of commercially available DNCB were analyzed for the presence of such mononitrochlorobenzenes, which were absent in all samples tested . The implications of product contamination with mutagenic and/or carcinogenic impurities may be important for both in vitro Ames microbial assays and potential carcinogenic exposure in human therapy. Gut, 1982 Mar, 23(3), 211 - 4 Studies of the immunoglobulin-producing cells of the human intestine: the defunctioned bowel; Wijesinha SS et al.; An indirect immunoperoxidase method was used to visualise immunoglobulin-containing cells in the large intestinal mucosa of 10 children who had defunctioning colostomies . Intestine deprived of its usual exposure to intraluminal antigens contained less immunocytes per unit area than intestinal mucosa subjected to normal stimulation by dietary and microbial antigens . These findings substantiate in man the conclusion based on observations made on animals that continued mucosal exposure to antigenic stimulation is necessary for the existence of an adequate population of intestinal immunocytes. Ukr Biokhim Zh, 1982 Mar-Apr, 54(2), 145 - 8 {Properties of urease immobilized on the functional organic silica surface}; Liubinskii GV et al.; The paper deals with kinetics of the urea hydrolysis by microbial-origin urease dissolved and immobilized on the organic silica surface . It is shown that hydrolysis kinetics for soluble urease is described by the Michaelis-Menten equation until the concentration of urea reaches 1 M . Two fractions differing in the Michaelis constant are revealed for silochrome immobilized urease . The rate of urea hydrolysis by native and immobilized urease was studied depending on the pH value in presence of the substrate in the 1 M and 5 mM concentration . The hydrolysis rate of 1 M urea in the buffer-free solution by silochrome-immobilized urease is practically independent of pH within 4.5-6.5 . Application of a 2.5 mM phosphate-citrate buffer as a solvent causes an increase in the hydrolysis rate within this pH range . For a soluble urease the 1 M urea hydrolysis rate dependence on pH is ordinary at pH 5.8-6.0 . If the substrate concentration is 5 mM, the pH-dependences for the rate of the urea hydrolysis by silochrome- and aerosil-immobilized urease are close and at pH above 6.0 coincide with those for a soluble enzyme . The found differences in the properties of soluble and immobilized ureases are explained by the substrate and reaction products diffusion. Food Chem Toxicol, 1982 Feb, 20(1), 43 - 6 Aflatoxin distribution and total microbial counts in an edible oil extracting plant . I . Preliminary observations; Abalaka JA et al.; Groundnut (peanut) kernels, groundnut and cotton-seed pellets and groundnut and cotton-seed oils (crude and refined) were screened for aflatoxins . The groundnut kernels and groundnut and cotton-seed pellets were additionally examined for total microbial counts as well as for certain types of micro-organism . All samples contained aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1 and G2) while a quantitative estimation of aflatoxin B1 revealed that all samples contained this aflatoxin in varying amounts . The study identified in substantial numbers several types of micro-organisms that have been associated with industrial and health hazards. J Dairy Res, 1982 Feb, 49(1), 39 - 49 Effects of dietary supplements of protected lipids on the concentration and transport of beta-carotene and cholesterol in bovine blood and milk: unusual chromatographic behaviour of the high-density lipoprotein with high levels of beta-carotene; Ashes JR et al.; The effects of feeding lipids protected against microbial degradation in the rumen, on the metabolism of beta-carotene and cholesterol in the blood and milk of cows were studied . The diets fed to the cows consisted of a basal mixture of crushed oats and lucerne hay with a protected vitamin supplement containing a-tocopheryl acetate and beta-carotene fed in conjunction with either (i) protected sunflower oil-seed rich in linoleic acid (PO), (ii) protected tallow (PT), or (iii) formaldehyde-treated casein (C) as a control . Diets PO and PT raised the concentrations of beta-carotene and cholesterol in the blood plasma over that observed for diet C . Milk cholesterol concentrations were not affected by dietary supplements, but the level of beta-carotene in milk of cows on diet PO showed a tendency fo fall compared with milk from cows fed PT or C . The properties of the high density lipoprotein (HDLP) of the blood plasma which contained the beta-carotene were affected by the PO diet . As a result of feeding this diet, the fatty-acid composition of the HDLP was altered and it emerged from a gel-filtration chromatographic column earlier than the control . This change in chromatographic behaviour was used as a measure of the effect of the diet, which for some cows, was apparent long after the diet was changed . It is suggested that the altered lipid composition resulting from the PO diet affected the distribution of particle sizes of the HDLP and might interfere with the transfer of beta-carotene from plasma to milk. Clin Chem, 1982 Feb, 28(2), 284 - 90 A candidate reference method for uric acid in serum . I . Optimization and evaluation; Duncan PH et al.; We describe our optimization and evaluation of a candidate Reference Method for uric acid in serum . Reaction parameters were optimized for a manual, enzymic method for uric acid in which highly purified microbial uricase is used to quantitate uric acid by a differential ultraviolet procedure . We evaluated the method in terms of freedom from interferences, analytical recovery, precision, and comparison with five other uric acid methods . We conclude that (a) the candidate uric acid Reference Method exhibits the least interference; (b) all six methods exhibit satisfactory analytical recoveries and precision; and (c) results by all six methods agree well . As a result of this evaluation study, the manual ultraviolet uricase method for uric acid, with Tris as buffer, was chosen as the candidate Reference Method for uric acid. Ann Rech Vet, 1982, 13(2), 199 - 204 {Effect of route and place of minocycline administration on the zootechnical performance of rabbits}; Camguilhem R et al.; Minocycline administered to rabbits per os or intramuscularly (30 mg/kg) over a period of three days led neither to digestive problems nor mortality . Administration per os left the growth curve unchanged . Intramuscular administration reduced rate of growth, and on the 15th day weight loss compared to controls was 3.2% or 11.7% depending on whether the place of administration was in the back muscles or in the thigh, and this despite a normal food intake . Minocycline did not modify microbial flora and level of ammonia in the caecum . Level of acetic acid was reduced by 50% on the fourth and 15th day after intramuscular administration of minocycline into the thigh . The depressive effect of minocycline on growth remains unexplained. Reprod Nutr Dev, 1982, 22(2), 387 - 94 Microbial flora in the digestive tract and action of lactose on mineral metabolism; Andrieux C et al.; Germ-free (GF) and conventional (CV) adult rats were given for 4 weeks a semi-synthetic diet containing 10 p . 100 lactose (L) or no lactose (LO) . The axenic state had an unfavourable effect on sodium and potassium absorption . On the contrary, it increased the absorption and retention of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium . The favourable effect of lactose on magnesium metabolism was not different in GF and CV rats . On the contrary, lactose increased the absorption and retention of phosphorus and calcium more in GF than in CV animals . It augmented the amount of calcium present in a soluble, ultrafiltrable form in the caecum of only the GF rats . These results are discussed and compared to previous data on younger rats . They lead to the hypothesis that the voluminous caecum of the GF rat is the site of a calcium absorption which is accentuated by presence of lactose in the diet. IARC Sci Publ, 1982, (41), 357 - 63 Analysis and formation of nitrosamines in the human intestine; Archer MC et al.; The method employed for nitrosamine analysis gave high recovery values and did not produce artefactual nitrosamines . Nitrosation reactions are not catalysed by the microbial ecosystem of human feces . Rapid loss of nitrate and nitrite in feces also precludes nitrosamine formation, unless very high concentrations of precursors are present . These concentrations are not physiological and it is therefore unlikely that N-nitroso compounds form in the lower gastrointestinal tract of man. Acta Microbiol Acad Sci Hung, 1982, 29(2), 77 - 82 Stimulatory effect of herbicide 2,4-D on the heterotrophic microbial community in the water of three fish ponds; Jana BB et al.; Herbicide 2,4-D at a dosage of 500 mg l-1 stimulated the proliferation of the heterotrophic bacterial community present in the water of three fish ponds over a period of one year . 2,4-D due to its toxic action might kill the planktonic algal population occurring in the pond water, which on degradation generated more nutrients conductive to bacterial proliferation . The microbial density in different hours were closely correlated (p less than 0.01 less than 0.05) with the variations of each of NH4-N, NO2-N and specific conductivity of water, while the relationship between the former and PO4-P was reciprocal (P less than 0.001). Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1982, 22(6), 373 - 8 Effect of medium treatment on microbial degradation of sterols by Nocardia; Komel R; The rate of transformation of cholesterol by Nocardia sp . is affected by the culture medium composition as well as by the way it has been treated before inoculation . When 1% of peptone was sterilized separately and afterwards added to the basic medium, the transformation of cholesterol to bisnorchola-1,4-dienic acid, as well as further aerobic degradation, was accelerated by a factor of 2 . If this enriched medium was kept at rest overnight, the rate of transformation was lowered to half . Heating of additional peptone together with a basic medium resulted only in a slight diminution of the transformation of the preceding 4-ene metabolite to the final 1,4-diene when compared with a normal basic medium without any additive. Curr Med Res Opin, 1982, 7(Suppl 2), 29 - 32 A paediatrician's view of the newborn baby and its epidermis; Stroud CE; Almost all babies born in the United Kingdom are born in hospital and with the continuing improvements in neonatal care more survive than ever before, particularly those of very low birth weight . The use of the manipulative and invasive procedures so necessary to monitor and assist their healthy development often result, however, in skin problems arising from intolerance of adhesives, perforating wounds, cleansing solutions, etc . In the older newborn infant, the main skin problems of the anal and neck regions, in particular, are usually associated with artificial milk feeding and inadequate drying of the skin . Many of the skin rashes seen in the newborn, although worrying, are of no consequence, but all those which are petechial or due to microbial infection require prompt investigation and adequate treatment . Despite the advances of recent years, there is still need for further research into procedures and products to ensure that the infant's protective yet delicate covering is disturbed as little as possible and kept in a healthy condition. J Environ Sci Health B, 1982, 17(2), 143 - 52 Persistence and mobility of nitrofen (niclofen, TOK) in mineral and organic soils; Murty AS et al.; Residues of nitrofen in farm soils, persistence of nitrofen in field microplots, mobility of nitrofen in natural soils and the role of microbial flora in its degradation were studied . Muck soils from vegetable farms in southwestern Ontario contained up to 35 ppm nitrofen in mid-season (August), which decreased to 18 ppm by October . The herbicide was less persistent in sand than in muck . Degradation was slightly faster in sand and muck soils receiving two sprays, than in those sprayed once . From an initial deposit of ca . 2 and 10 ppm resp., in sand and muck field microplots, ca . 2 and 15% persisted after 16 wk . Leaching of nitrofen by water through sand was negligible, and it was even more strongly adsorbed onto organic soil . Natural microbial flora seemed to play an important role in the degradation of nitrofen in soil . Ca . 15 and 38% resp., of the initial concentration persisted in natural sandy loam and muck 16 wk after treatment at 10 ppm, whereas about 94 and 82% resp., persisted in sterilized sandy loam and muck at the same period. Adv Enzyme Regul, 1982, 20, 337 - 50 Modification of rat liver fructose biphosphate aldolase by lysosomal proteinases; Katunuma N et al.; In vivo proteolytic modification of liver aldolase on administration of leupeptin, a thiol proteinase inhibitor of microbial origin, is reported . When leupeptin was injected into rats, the activity of aldolase in the liver decreased to 40% of that in control rats . Molecular properties of aldolase isolated from the livers of control rats and leupeptin-treated rats indicated that a decrease of aldolase activity is attributable to hydrolysis of a peptide linkage(s) near the carboxyterminal of the enzyme . Injection of leupeptin also caused marked increase in the activities of free lysosomal proteinases, such as cathepsin A and cathepsin D and moderate increase of cathepsin B and cathepsin L . Increase in free activity of cathepsin A returned to the level of control rats by 12 hr after injection of leupeptin, whereas 36 hr was required for recovery of decreased aldolase activity . When insulin was coinjected with leupeptin, increase in the activity of free cathepsin A and decrease of activity of aldolase produced by the injection of leupeptin was prevented . These findings indicate that modification of aldolase may be due to action of a lysosomal protease(s) . Incubation of the purified aldolase with the lysosomal fraction produced the same changes in properties of aldolase as those observed in vivo on injection of leupeptin . The aldolase inactivating proteinase in the lysosomal fraction was inhibited by PMSF and leupeptin and not by pepstatin . Purified cathepsin A (a serine proteinase), cathepsin B and cathepsin L (thiol proteinase) are potent inactivators of aldolase but cathepsin H and cathepsin D are not . Cathepsin A, B and L are involved in inactivation of aldolase in lysosomes . Endogenous thiol proteinase inhibitor which inhibits lysosomal thiol proteinases (cathepsin B, L and H) is found in the cytosol fraction of liver . The level of thiol proteinase inhibitor actually decreased to 60% of that in control rats in leupeptin-treated rats, suggesting that non-thiol proteinase cathepsin A is a major factor in inactivation of aldolase in lysosomes . Not only leupeptin but also other proteinase inhibitors (antipain, E-64-D, chloroquine) caused increase of labilization of the lysosomes and decrease in aldolase activity . Physiological stimuli which are known to induce the labilization of the lysosomal membrane, such as starvation and glucagon, caused slight or no significant increase of activities of free cathepsin A and D and resulted in no apparent change in aldolase activity. Prog Clin Biol Res, 1982, 88, 31 - 41 Liquid storage of granulocytes; Glasser L; The length of time that neutrophils can be stored is the most limited of any of the formed elements of the blood that are presently transfused clinically . Several methods have been used to evaluate the storage of granulocyte concentrates . These include cell counts, cell volume, morphology, dye exclusion, oxygen consumption, hexose monophosphate shunt activity, nitroblue tetrazolium dye reduction, chemiluminescence, phagocytosis, microbial killing, adhesion, locomotion, intravascular recovery and half life . These tests indicate that the sequential loss of various neutrophil functions during storage is in the reverse order of their chronological acquisition during cellular maturation . Chemotaxis is the most sensitive indicator of neutrophil damage . In vitro tests show that neutrophils can be stored for approximately 24 hours . However, in vivo tests of chemotaxis suggest that this may be too optimistic . Whole blood, plasma and synthetic media have been evaluated for storage . Investigations of the latter are embryonic and further efforts should be encouraged . Several storage conditions have been evaluated . These studies suggest that the ideal conditions for storage area a pH of 7.2, room temperature (20-24C) and no agitation . Neither premedication of the donor with glucocorticoids nor irradiation of the granulocyte concentrate alters the storage potential of the unit . Cells collected by filtration leukapheresis should not be stored. Scand J Rheumatol, 1982, 11(2), 75 - 80 Functional characteristics of synovial fluid and blood mononuclear cells in rheumatoid arthritis and traumatic synovitis; Petersen J et al.; The activity of blood mononuclear cells (BMC) and synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SMC) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and traumatic synovitis (TS) was assessed by means of {14C}thymidine incorporation and production of leukocyte migration inhibitory factor (LIF) . When compared with normal controls, spontaneous LIF production by BMC was found in 5 of 9 TS patients, whereas spontaneous LIF production by rheumatoid arthritis BMC and by SMC from both patient groups was infrequently seen . ConA-induced LIF production by BMC and SMC from both patient groups did not differ significantly from that of normal controls . Thymidine incorporation by unstimulated SMC and BMC was low in both patient groups . After stimulation with polyclonal activators, SMC showed significantly reduced proliferation in comparison with BMC, but the responses to microbial antigens were equal to or higher than those of BMC . The proliferative responses of stimulated SMC from TS patients were higher than the responses displayed by stimulated SMC from RA patients. J Immunol Methods, 1982, 50(2), R65 - 83 Crossed immunoelectrophoresis: qualitative and quantitative considerations; Emmett M et al.; Invented 20 years age, crossed immunoelectrophoresis (X-IEP) today is a technique of unusual power and myriad application . It combines very high resolution with exquisite specificity by alloying 2-dimensional electrophoresis with immunoprecipitation for symbiotic new potentialities . The consequent matchless quantitative/qualitative capabilities of X-IEP for analyzing antigens in complex mixtures, particularly by their idiomatic internal comparison, are still not widely recognized . Because of this and the supposed complications of its use and interpretation, X-IEP is more rarely used than it should be . This essay discusses contemporary X-IEP with the particular aims of demonstrating that it is not difficult to use and of explaining with selected examples why it is peculiarly powerful for analyzing antigen mixtures like the body fluids, tissue and cell extracts, and microbial homogenates. Adv Intern Med, 1982, 27, 345 - 72 C-reactive protein and the acute phase response; Gewurz H et al.; Since its discovery approximately fifty years ago, CRP has been recognized as the prototype acute phase reactant . Now appreciated as a trace serum protein that elevates markedly in concentration in association with inflammation and tissue necrosis, CRP also has been found deposited at sites of cell injury . Together with its long appreciated ability to initiate precipitation, agglutination, and capsular swelling reactions, these considerations early led to the surmise that CRP may play a role in the host adaptive response . Studies of its binding specificities have indicated that CRP has reactivity with (a) phosphocholine and phosphate esters, and hence with lipids widely distributed in mammalian and microbial cells; and (b) with multiple widely distributed polycations, including those derived from leukocyte granules . Interaction with either of these ligands has been shown to alter CRP in such a way that it can bring about activation of the complement system with generation of all the known C-dependent reactivities, including component consumption, adherence, phagocytosis, and cytolysis . Similarly, modified CRP has been shown to react with the FcR or a closely related receptor of monocytes and lead to phagocytosis, to react with certain FcR-bearing lymphocytes, and to activate the platelet . Thus, CRP shares with immunoglobulins the ability to initiate multiple effector functions that have been associated with the inflammatory response, as well as to bring about primary recognition reactions . Obviously CRP-ligand reactions would be favored during intervals of acute inflammation and tissue necrosis, when larger amounts of CRP are available . Therefore, in addition to serving as a diagnostic aid for the presence of inflammatory and necrotic processes, elevated levels of CRP may well provide an important component of the nonspecific host mechanisms, particularly in the early stages following inflammatory stimuli . Inquiries into the structure and function of CRP indicated an unexpected relationship of this molecule to an amyloid-related protein . The amyloid P component shows remarkable structural similarity to CRP and also exhibits calcium-dependent reactivity with widely distributed ligands; those appreciated to date have mainly involved polysaccharides derived from fungi and natural products . While the only relationship of SAP to an immune-related effector system found to date is reactivity with altered C3, it nonetheless seems plausible that SAP, which like CRP recognizes certain microbial and altered host molecules and has the potential of activating a host effector system at the recognition site . Further inquiry into the structure and functional relationships of these molecules, which are broadly distributed through the vertebrates, should help to reveal the role that CRP and other acute phase proteins have in the body economy and provide additional insights to the understanding of body defense mechanisms in inflammatory, repair, and defense processes generally. Zentralbl Mikrobiol, 1982, 137(5), 381 - 5 Effect of vitamins on microbial production of citric acid by Aspergillus niger; Lal DN et al.; The effect of different concentrations of ascorbic acid, biotin, p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), riboflavin and thiamine on the growth and activity of Aspergillus niger strain AL 29 was studied at different incubation periods . It was observed that ascorbic acid and PABA inhibited the growth and activity of the mould, while the presence of thiamine and riboflavin stimulated the citric acid formation to the extent of 59.09% and 50.36%, respectively . However, biotin was found to be most suitable for increasing the mycelial growth and also enhancing the production of citric acid (66.4%). Scand J Rheumatol, 1982, 11(4), 235 - 8 Chlamydial infection in a family; Yli-Kerttula UI et al.; In a family comprising parents and two daughters, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) was observed to be the infective agent causing urethritis in the father and conjunctivitis in the newborn . CT was probably a trigger factor in Reiter's syndrome (RS) in the mother, who suffered from arthritis, microscopic pyuria and hematuria, cervicitis and ocular manifestations . The elder daughter's mucocutaneous manifestations, probably keratodermia blennorrhagica, broke out simultaneously with chlamydial infections in the other members of the family . Later she developed joint pains, conjunctivitis and vulvitis . The elder daughter and the father are HLA-B27 negative, whereas the mother is HLA-B27 positive . With this study we would like to emphasize the importance of observing the microbial environment in the family in the etiology of rheumatic disease . Simultaneous treatment of infections in family members might benefit the clinical course of rheumatic disease. Acta Med Scand, 1982, 211(6), 463 - 7 Neutrophil and lymphocyte function in patients with diabetes mellitus; Valerius NH et al.; Neutrophil granulocyte chemotaxis and intraneutrophilic and plasma levels of lysozyme as well as the number of T and B lymphocytes and lymphocyte transformation in vitro on stimulation with mitogens and microbial antigens were studied in four groups of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) . Twelve patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and ketoacidosis and 4 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were studied at the time of diagnosis and before and after start of treatment . Ten patients with IDDM of less than 10 years' duration which had been difficult to regulate well and 10 patients with IDDM well regulated for more than 20 years were studied at their regular outpatient visits . Apart from a slight increase in plasma lysozyme in group 1 from the first to the second examination, we found no differences between diabetics and healthy control persons . It is concluded that if patients with DM are more susceptible to infections, it is probably caused by elements of neutrophil or lymphocyte function not examined in this study or by factors unrelated to immunity. Ann Rheum Dis, 1982, 41 Suppl 1, 3 - 8 Immunosuppression and the rheumatic diseases; Denman AM; Ignorance of the basic nature of rheumatoid arthritis precludes the introduction of rational schemes for using cytotoxic drugs . It is still plausible that the autoimmune and other immunological abnormalities which accompany this disease are the secondary effects of persistent antigen, for example, related to microbial infections . In this event, cytotoxic drugs may diminish the inflammatory response but their effects on immune responses would be irrelevant or even undesirable . Should rheumatoid arthritis prove to be a primary immunoproliferative disorder, cytotoxic drugs may prove to be of value not because of their conventional immunosuppressive effects but because of their selective action on the proliferating cells . Indeed, current evidence suggests that these drugs enhance rather than depress conventional immune responses, at least in the doses given to patients with rheumatic disorders. Enzyme, 1982, 28(4), 392 - 5 The stereospecificity of 3 alpha- and 12 alpha-bile salt hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase systems from four microbial sources; Macdonald IA et al.; 5 beta-Cholanoates, having a hydroxyl group in the 3 alpha and 3 beta and/or 12 alpha and 12 beta configurations, were tested as substrates for two preparation of 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSDH) and two preparations of 12 alpha-HSDH . When the 3-OH group was in the alpha configuration, both 3 alpha-HSDH preparations reacted, but when it was in the beta configuration, neither 3 alpha-HSDH preparations reacted . This also held true for the 12 alpha-HSDH preparations. Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1982, 32, 59 - 63 Chlamydia trachomatis in acute and chronic endometritis; Ingerslev HJ et al.; The present report describes microbial, serological, and histological findings in chlamydial endometritis . Irregular bleeding, frequently seen in salpingitis patients, suggests endometritis, being a common manifestation of that disease . Chlamydia trachomatis is known to be a principal etiological agent of acute salpingitis . Chlamydiae can be recovered from the uterine cavity of such patients . A dense plasma-cell infiltration is seen in patients in whose endometrial epithelial cells chlamydial inclusions are found . A significant antibody response may be demonstrated in such patients . In acute salpingitis, the presence of chlamydial endometritis supports evidence from experimental animal studies that indicate a canalicular spread of chlamydiae from the cervix to the fallopian tubes. Carcinogenesis, 1982, 3(9), 977 - 80 Factors affecting the response of N,N-dimethylaminoazobenzene in the Ames microbial mutation assay; Robertson J et al.; The mutagenicity of N,N-dimethylaminoazobenzene (DAB) is difficult to demonstrate in Ames' test . Usually there are specific requirements for activation by post-mitochondrial supernatant fluid (S-9) from Aroclor-treated rat livers and the pre-incubation modification of the test . Results from this laboratory suggest, however, that pre-incubation is not essential; also, that, contrary to published reports, concentrations of S-9 greater than 10% in S-9 mix do not reduce the mutagenic response . Induction of enzyme activity well above normal levels, on the other hand, is necessary, but this requirement can be substituted by the addition of norharman . If a competent S-9 mix is used, pre-incubation with or without shaking does not alter the response and supplementation with ATP or NADH similarly has no effect . It is concluded that interlaboratory differences in the ability to demonstrate DAB mutagenicity reflect differences in the level of induction of liver enzymes and, possibly, the concentration of endogenous co-factors. Exp Pathol, 1982, 21(2), 99 - 116 Structural similarities between a membrane-like surface layer on the cell wall of some microbial cells and the lamellar layer of vesicles formed by short-chain phosphonic acids in water . A freeze-fracture study; Meyer HW; A thin layer on the cell wall of some microbial cells, among them such of medical importance (Aspergillus niger, Trichophyton sp.), is characterized by a mosaic-like rodlet pattern in freeze-fracture electron microscopy . A very similar texture could be found in freeze-fractured bilayer vesicles of n-octan phosphonic acid in presence of 50% glycerol . The formation of this structure in phosphonic acid vesicles is connected with the transformation of the bilayer into the solid crystalline state by cooling . The texture could be suppressed by a higher cooling velocity . In absence of glycerol by the normal quick freezing procedure predominantly intermediate stages were fixed . For the interpretation of the structures revealed a model is proposed, where trigonal subunits stick together, because they are hydrophobic on the one side . These subunits are small crystals with a diameter of 4--7 nm . They are in principle also able to construct a bilayer arrangement directly by a "subassembly-selfassembly" mechanism of selforganization . The membrane-like layer on the cell wall of microbial cells may consist of a crystalline bilayer arrangement of similar substances. Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1982, 22(2), 139 - 48 Microbial methane oxidation in the River Saar; Zaiss U et al.; In the River Saar, the distribution of methane-oxidizing bacteria and their metabolic activity were determined in vertical and longitudinal profiles . At the sediment surface about two orders of magnitude more methane oxidizers were detected than in the overlying water . In the river as well as in laboratory experiments, the rate of methane oxidation was closely related to the concentration of methane . Most of the methane produced by methanogenic bacteria in the the sediment escaped into the atmosphere . On the average only 1.2% of the produced methane was oxidized in the water phase. Arkh Patol, 1982, 44(3), 59 - 65 {Morphologic features of the phagocytosis of filamentous forms of bacteria by neutrophilic granulocytes}; Pigarevskii VE et al.; A model system has been developed (B . megaterium + granulocyte) imitating the mechanisms of phagocytosis of filamentous forms of bacteria by neutrophilic granulocytes . In the capture of multicellular microbial filaments by one or several granulocytes predominate the mechanisms of cell membrane invagination and formation of exocytic secretory system providing the inhibition of the activity of the phagocytized agent and release of microbicidal factors and enzymes into the extracellular environment . The importance and frequency of occurrence of the observed phenomenon in different pathological forms have not been elucidated. Arzneimittelforschung, 1982, 32(2), 106 - 10 {Absorption of isosorbide dinitrate in guinea-pig intestine and in the colon of sheep (author's transl)}; Schmidt A et al.; Segments of the intestine of anaesthetized guinea-pigs and the colon of conscious sheep were perfused with saline containing 0.1--25 mg/l 1,4:3,6-dianhydrosorbitol-2,5-dinitrate (isosorbide dinitrate, ISDN) . The increase in ISDN uptake was linearly related to its concentration . Absorption was rapid . In the jejunum and the ileum of guinea-pig, 7% of perfused ISDN was absorbed per 10 cm of intestine in the proximal and 15% in the distal colon, respectively . In the total colon of sheep, 83% disappeared during the perfusion . Per unit of length, surface or dry weight of mucosa the net flux of ISDN in the small intestine was only half that in the colon . Absorption from the colon per unit of wet weight of the gut was only slightly higher compared to the small intestine . 1 h after the infusion of 14C-labelled ISDN into the large intestine of sheep filled with normal contents 14C-activity was detected in the plasma, a maximum was reached after 4 h . Renal excretion of ISDN or its 14C-labelled metabolites was parallel to the ISDN concentration in blood . Microbial degradation of ISDN to CO2 in colon contents was insignificant. Scan Electron Microsc, 1982, (Pt 4), 1677 - 85 Isolation and ultrastructural examination of conidial wall components of Coccidioides and Aspergillus; Cole GT et al.; The role of the propagule in the initiation of fungal disease is not fully appreciated . Knowledge of the nature of early interactions between infectious propagules and host tissue during onset of respiratory mycoses is particularly scanty . This stems partly from lack of sufficient data on the structure, chemical composition and immunological activity of the microbial surface . In this study, a technique is described for isolation and subsequent ultrastructural examination of the surface wall components of infectious propagules (conidia) produced by the respiratory fungal pathogens, Coccidioides immitis and Aspergillus fumigatus . The SEM has proved very useful in monitoring the cell shearing procedure employed for isolation of the outer conidial wall fractions. Crit Rev Biomed Eng, 1982, 8(4), 311 - 33 Analysis of regularities and process efficiencies in living systems; Erickson LE et al.; In the analysis of microbial growth and product formation, regularities which utilize available electron concepts have been used with considerable success . The facts that the heat of reaction per electron transferred to oxygen, the number of available electrons per carbon atom in microbial biomass and the weight fraction carbon in microbial biomass are relatively constant constitute the regularities . Values of these regularities are presented for carbohydrates, proteins, and fats . The free energy of reaction per electron transferred to oxygen is also examined as a regularity . Results of prior work with regularities in living systems are reviewed . Work on the utilization of these concepts in the analysis of process efficiency in living systems is presented. Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(7), 553 - 9 Attachment of cell fragments of Fusobacterium nucleatum to oral epithelial cells, gingival fibroblasts and white blood cells; Falkler WA Jr et al.; The characteristic haemagglutination (HA) caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum strains was used for measuring their attachment to oral epithelial, gingival fibroblast and white blood cells . Whole cells and sonicated preparations of oral F . nucleatum strains VPI No . 4355, 10197 and ATCC No . 10953 haemagglutinated human and sheep red blood cells . Sonicated preparations of the organisms were tested for HA activity before and after absorption with human cells . Buccal epithelial, gingival fibroblast and white blood cells bound the HA-active fragments, as observed by: (1) decrease in the HA activity of the sonicated preparation after absorption, (2) increase in HA activity of the cells used for absorption, (3) presence of microbial fragments on the cells after absorption detected by fluorescent antibody . The HA-active fragments were released from the cells by EDTA; furthermore, galactose but not glucose inhibited the attachment of F . nucleatum to human cells . The role of cell binding in colonization by the organisms and in immune-stimulated damage to host cells is important. Reprod Nutr Dev, 1982, 22(5), 865 - 79 {Effect of diets low in phosphorus and high in dietary calcium on phosphatemia and phosphorus and calcium levels in rumen contents of sheep}; Durand M et al.; Four semi-purified diets with different calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) contents were given to adult sheep at a level of 1 kg daily plus 100 g of straw . The phosphorus was supplied as dicalcium phosphate, almost insoluble in rumen fluid . In the preliminary period, all the animals (16) were fed the test diet (NCa-NP) containing 8.4 g of Ca and 3.3 . g of P . In the experimental period (table 3) two trials were carried out . In trial 1, two groups of 5 sheep each were given for 5 weeks a diet low in P (1 g/kg) and either low (2 g/kg) (diet BCa-BP) or high (10 g/kg) (diet HtCa-BP) in calcium . In trial 2, which lasted for 19 weeks, the HtCa-BP diet was compared to a high Ca (10 g/kg) normal P (3.3 g/kg) diet (diet HtCa-NP); two groups of 2 sheep each were fed both these diets every 3 hours, and one group (HtCa-BP) was fed twice daily . The concentration of ultrafilterable inorganic Ca (CaiU) in the rumen contents was related to the Ca level of the diet (tables 4, 5) . However, individual variations were high and CaiU concentrations were negatively correlated to rumen pH (fig . 7) . When diets adequate in P were fed, ruminal concentrations of ultrafilterable P (PiU) were rather high (400-490 mg/l), showing the importance of endogenous P supply in the rumen . With an adequate P supply, a high Ca intake had no effect on either plasma or ruminal PiU . When low P diets were fed, there was a steady decrease in plasma Pi from 6 to 3.5 mg P/100 ml and in ruminal PiU from 500 mg/l to values lower than 300 mg/l up to 5-6 experimental weeks . These decreases were greatest with high Ca intake (HtCa-BP diet) (figs . 2, 3), some animals being markedly affected (ruminal PiU values lower than 20 mg/l) . However, the decreases in ruminal PiU were less pronounced with frequent feeding than with feeding twice a day . Considering all the results obtained, ruminal PiU concentrations were positively correlated with plasma Pi concentrations (r = + 0.77; n = 75) (fig . 8) . Therefore, high Ca intake can enhance the response to P deficiency and reduce further plasma Pi concentrations and levels of available P in the rumen . Microbial P requirements may not be satisfied in such conditions, which would reduce ruminal microbial digestion in some animals. Reprod Nutr Dev, 1982, 22(3), 575 - 81 Dietary fiber and cholesterol and bile acid metabolisms in axenic (germfree) and holoxenic (conventional) rats . II . Effect of pectin; Sacquet E et al.; Axenic and holoxenic rats were fed with a semi-synthetic diet containing 5 p . 100 pectin as the only fiber . Although the microbial flora of the digestive tract converted most of the bile acids in holoxenic rats, it hardly changed the other characteristics of cholesterol and bile acid metabolisms, except intestinal bile salt pools which were much larger in the axenic rats . When the pectin-containing and pectin-free diets were compared, it appeared that the former diet increased cecal weight, especially in axenic rats, but slightly modified cholesterol and bile acid metabolisms . However, the values of some characteristics of those metabolisms varied individually in the holoxenic rat fed with the pectin-containing diet, while they were very homogeneous in the other groups . This heterogeneity might result from pectin-digestive tract microbial flora interactions which would vary among individuals. Clin Ther, 1982, 5(1), 69 - 78 Clinical pharmacokinetics of cefotaxime and penetration in sputum, bone, and prostatic tissue; Braga PC et al.; Cefotaxime is a new powerful methoxycephalosporin with a broad anti-microbial spectrum, suitable for parenteral administration . In the present study, the concentrations of cefotaxime in serum and in bronchial secretion were determined after intramuscular injection of 1 gm every eight hours for seven days . Subjects were patients suffering from an exacerbation of chronic bronchitis . Serum levels versus time curve were interpreted in terms of a one-compartment open model . Pharmacokinetic parameters after single and multiple doses were investigated . No evidence of significant accumulation was found . Furthermore, a type of in vivo rate of killing with cefotaxime was investigated by evaluating the decrease in the number of colonies in bronchial mucus cultures daily for seven days . In two groups of volunteers who had to undergo surgery, bone and prostatic concentrations of cefotaxime were determined and correlated with serum levels. Basic Life Sci, 1982, 20, 361 - 78 Perspectives in molecular mutagenesis; Drake JW; The models and paradigms that underlie a vigorously developing science may tend to stifle progress or may serve to sharpen the knife edge of paradox . Working out mutagenic mechanisms is a conceptually and technologically demanding task, and we are accumulating an increasingly uncomfortable number of experimental and theoretical inconsistencies . First, there continue to be widespread difficulties in specifying the chemical nature of mutagenic DNA alterations, both because of the multitude of DNA reaction products induced by many mutagens and because of the intrinsic rarity of most mutational responses . For instance, alkylation of the 0(6) position of guanine to generate adducts of modest dimensions is widely believed to form the basis for the mutagenic and carcinogenic actions of numerous chemicals . However, while this scheme is supported by in vitro evidence, it has failed to explain why bacteriophages can be thus alkylated in vitro by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine without the production of mutations, or why microbial eukaryotes alkylated by ethyl methanesulfonate or N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine display no mutagenic response when their "error-prone repair systems" are mutationally inactivated . Second, a base pair is typically mutated at vastly different rates, and with different directional specificities, when it resides at different positions within a gene; whereas very little of this variability is explained by current theories that aim to describe the determinants of fidelity in DNA replication . (Some sizable portion of this variation now appears to depend not only upon neighboring base-pair influences but also upon much more subtle and distant effects) . Third, experimental modifications of enzymatic fidelity by means of amino acid substitutions, and perhaps also cation replacements, lead to such a diversity of modified mutation rates as to seriously challenge the ability of any simple theory to organize the experimental observations into a coherent and predictive network. Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1982 Jan-Feb, 18(1), 3 - 15 {Microbial alpha-galactosidase (a review)}; Ulezlo IV et al.; The review discusses properties, distribution and potential use of microbial alpha-galactosidase (alpha-D-galactoside galactohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.22), the enzyme catalyzing degradation of alpha-D-galactoside bonds . Recent years have witnessed many publications describing microbial alpha-galactosidase which, in contrast to the similar enzyme from higher plants, has been poorly studied . The microbial enzyme has certain specificities: a smaller substrate specificity, existence in one molecular form, etc . The present communication is an attempt to systematize the data about microbial alpha-galactosidase and to outline the most important investigations for the future. Drug Metab Rev, 1982, 13(3), 387 - 406 Toxicity of 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD); Kociba RJ et al.; In summary, the toxicity of TCDD has been comprehensively examined in multiple acute, subchronic, and chronic studies . Acute toxicity studies have shown marked species differences, with up to a 10,000-fold difference between the single oral LD50 dose for the guinea pig and hamster . TCDD is capable of causing an acnegenic response in man and a similar skin response in certain animals . It is also a potent inducer of microsomal enzymes in some but not all species . A dose-related suppression of cell-mediated immunity has been observed at higher dose levels in laboratory animals but not in humans manifesting TCDD-induced acnegenic response . TCDD causes a dose-related teratogenic response in mice, with the no-adverse-effect level of 0.1 micrograms TCDD/kg/day . In rats, TCDD causes embryo- and fetotoxicity above the no-adverse-effect level of 0.03-0.125 micrograms/kg/day . Dose-related reproductive effects have also been noted in monkeys at doses that elicit maternal toxicity, and additional long-term studies are presently underway . A multigeneration reproduction study as well as a lifetime chronic toxicity study have been completed with TCDD in rats; in both studies, the no-adverse-effect level was found to be 0.001 microgram TCDD/kg/day . Numerous mutagenic studies have been performed using in vitro plant and microbial test systems as well as in vivo tests in mammals and man . A mutagenic response was noted in a few of the vitro test systems, but there are no definitive in vivo correlates of TCDD mutagenicity in higher mammals or man . TCDD has been studied for carcinogenic potential in rats and mice . There is good correlation of the results, with a carcinogenic response noted in both species only after long-term ingestion of higher dose levels that induce toxicity . No carcinogenic response occurred at continuous dose levels of 0.001-0.0014 micrograms/kg/day in rats and 0.001-0.03 micrograms/kg/day in mice . Data presently available are more supportive of a nongenetic (?promotor) rather than a genetic mechanism of carcinogenesis . The most recent research, some of which is still underway, indicates that the biologic uptake and toxicity of TCDD may be significantly decreased if the TCDD is adsorbed onto carbon or soil particles . This information is helpful in hazard assessment of exposure to TCDD. Rev Fr Mal Respir, 1982, 10(6), 369 - 89 {Proteases, antiproteases and pulmonary emphysema}; Pelletier A et al.; A deficiency of alpha 1 antiproteases is associated with severe and early emphysema . This emphysema can be experimentally produced in animals by endotracheal instillation of elastolytic proteases . Thus it would seem that emphysema is linked to an imbalance between proteases and antiproteases at the pulmonary level . This work studies the proteases, whose role in the genesis of emphysema is highly probable in view of the data in the literature (leukocyte elastase), disputed (macrophage elastase) or transitory (microbial elastases) . We contrast the main agents capable of inhibiting these proteases (alpha 1 antiprotease and bronchial inhibitors) or of changing their activity (alpha 2 macroglobulins) . The relative importance of these antiproteases is discussed in the light of studies made on bronchial secretions and bronchoalveolar lavage . These irritants may influence the protease - antiprotease equilibrium and favour the development of emphysema by increasing the proteases or decreasing the antiproteases . It appears that tobacco, as well as infection and anything which sets in motion the pulmonary phagocytes favour the liberation of leucocyte elastase . These attacks inactive the alpha 1 antiproteases in addition to the bronchial inhibitor . They may be recognized by a change in elastolytic and anti-elastolytic activity observed in bronchial secretions and in bronchoalveolar lavage (which is more disputed in the latter). Digestion, 1982, 23(1), 57 - 64 Acute hemorrhagic pancreatic necrosis in mice . Effects of proteinase inhibitors on its induction; Lombardi B et al.; An acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis with fat necrosis (AHPN) was induced in female mice fed a choline-deficient diet containing 0.5% DL-ethionine . The effect of various proteinase inhibitors on the induction of the pancreatitis was evaluated using three parameters, the mortality of the animals, the appearance before death of a shock-like state, and the severity of the pancreatic pathology . Treatment of the animals with leupeptin, pepstatin, chymostatin and/or antipain, proteinase inhibitors of microbial origin, resulted in a distinct attenuation of the severity of the induced process, whereas aprotinin and chloroquine had no effect . The results indicate that use of the microbial proteinase inhibitors should be considered as potential therapeutic agents in cases of pancreatitis. Tokai J Exp Clin Med, 1982, 7 Suppl, 185 - 92 Fimbrial adherence factors from pathogenic Escherichia coli strains; Klemm P; The ability of many bacteria to adhere to specific host tissues is a factor of primary importance in diseases such as bacterial diarrhea, gonorrhea and bladder and kidney infections . Specific adherence allows the pathogen to resist removal by the flushing and cleaning mechanisms of the host, and determines the site of microbial invasion . In many bacteria, including pathogenic E . coli, such an adhesion is mediated by fimbria, of which several species have been characterized . A single fimbria consists of hundreds of identical subunits . Each provides an attachment site for a host epithelial receptor, and by subunit-subunit interaction furnishes the necessary structural integrity of the fimbria superstructure . Furthermore, segments of the fimbrial peptide chain are able to provoke an immune response in the host . In order to define structural and functional parameters in fimbriae one may use the information and inherent constraints provided in the molecular data on these bacterial adhesins now available. Gene, 1981 Dec, 16(1-3), 59 - 61 Plasmid reference center registry of transposon (Tn) allocations through July 1981; Lederberg EM; The criteria for transposable genetic elements (Cohen, 1976) were stated at the Cold Spring Harbor meeting in 1976 (Campbell et al., 1977) and defined and clarified further (Campbell et al., 1979) . At that meeting the Plasmid Reference Center agreed to serve as a clearing house for continuous transposon registry . Interim lists have been previously published (Lederberg, 1978, 1980, Microbial Genetics Bulletin 44 : 31; ibid 48 : 90) . A complete file of Tn elements is listed below. Xenobiotica, 1981 Nov, 11(11), 749 - 54 Bacterial degradation of aminopyrine; Blecher H et al.; 1 . Four strains of bacteria growing with aminopyrine as sole source of carbon were isolated from soil and were identified as strains of Phenylobacterium immobilis . 2 . Strain M13 and strain E, the type species of Phenylobacterium immobilis (DSM 1986), which had been isolated by enrichment with chloridazon (5-amino-4-chloro-2-phenyl-2H-pyridazin-3-one) were used to investigate the bacterial degradation of aminopyrine . 3 . Three metabolites were isolated and identified as: 4-(dimethylamino)-1,2-dihydro-1,5-dimethyl-2-(2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxy-4,6-cyc lohexadien-1-yl)-3H-pyrazol-3-one, 4-(dimethylamino)-1,2-dihydro-1,5-dimethyl-2-(2,3-dihydroxyphenyl)-3H-pyrazol-3 -one and 4-(dimethylamino)-1,2-dihydro-1,5-dimethyl-3H-pyrazol-3-one . 4 . An enzyme extract from cells of strain m13 was shown to further metabolize the catechol derivative of aminopyrine, with the formation of 2-pyrone-6-carboxylic acid . 5 . Results indicate that the benzene ring of aminopyrine is the principal site of microbial metabolism. Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1981 Nov, 127(11), 124 - 7 {Treatment errors in suppurative and inflammatory diseases}; Mazchenko NS; The experience of treatment of 1011 patients with suppurative inflammatory diseases is described . In 292 of them the surgical intervention was found to be late . The analysis of errors has shown that it is not necessary to wait for the appearance of reliable symptoms of accumulation of pus . In the postoperative period 34 patients were not given proper drainage of purulent cavities . When prescribing corticosteroids, contraindications should be taken into consideration as well as hormonal characteristics of the patient and the sensitivity of his microbial flora of antibiotics. Br J Nutr, 1981 Nov, 46(3), 549 - 58 The absorption and secretion of calcium in the gastrointestinal tract of germ-free and conventional chicks; Palmer MF et al.; 1 . The uptake transport and secretion of calcium into the gastrointestinal tract of germ-free (GF) and conventional (CV) chicks was determined by a variety of in vivo and in vitro techniques using 45Ca as a marker following a standard fast-fed regimen . 2 . Following an oral dose of Ca in conscious chicks, the transit time of digesta in the GF birds was appreciably faster than in the CV controls . 3 . Although the proportion of the Ca dose absorbed was similar in both groups of chicks, the accumulation of Ca in the intestinal wall was much greater in CV birds . Distribution of the labelled Ca in plasma and bone was similar in both groups . 4 . Following intravenous CA injection in conscious chicks in Ca secretion into the intestinal lumen was similar in both groups, but the amount appearing in the gut wall was appreciably greater in CV chicks . 5 . There were regional differences in the ability of the gut to absorb Ca . There was a tendency for Ca uptake to be greater in the GF chicks but only in the proximal ileum did this approach significance . 6 . When the Ca was confined to an intestinal loop the uptake/g tissue was similar in the proximal ileum of both groups but significantly greater in the distal ileum of the GF group . Uptake/10 mm gut was similar in both groups at both the proximal and the distal size . 7 . It is suggested that the absence of a microbial load does not affect the ability of the enterocyte to absorb Ca but the subsequent removal of the absorbed load from the intestinal wall is appreciably slower in the CV group. J Immunol, 1981 Nov, 127(5), 1931 - 6 Stimulation of mouse lymphocytes by a mitogen derived from Mycoplasma arthritidis . I . Transformation is associated with an H-2-linked gene that maps to the I-E/I-C subregion; Cole BC et al.; Cell-free supernatant derived from broth cultures of Mycoplasma arthritidis functions as an effective T cell mitogen for lymphocytes from H2k and H2d strain mice . Lymphocytes from animals of the H2b, H2q, and H2s haplotypes failed to respond to this mitogen . By employing lymphocytes derived from congenic and recombinant strains we established the H2 linkage and mapped the controlling gene to the I-E/I-C subregion . In addition, these studies suggested that a correlation existed between responsiveness to this microbial product and the presence of the Ia7 specificity, a product of the I-E subregion. Agents Actions, 1981 Nov, 11(5), 458 - 72 Mechanisms of action of gold; Leibfarth JH et al.; Since the successful introduction of injectable gold compounds for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis over 50 years ago, numerous studies on the possible mechanism of action have been performed . This heavy metal has been show to possess a bewildering array of biological effects . Studies using gold performed both in vitro and in vivo can be grouped into anti-microbial, anti-immunologic, anti-inflammatory, anti-enzymatic and other effects . In this survey, we have analyzed these multiple approaches to the study of the mechanism of action of injectable gold preparations and apply the findings to rheumatoid arthritis. Hoppe Seylers Z Physiol Chem, 1981 Nov, 362(11), 1435 - 45 Synthesis of leupeptins and inhibition of proteinases . I . Inhibition of acrosin and trypsin; Borin G et al.; A series of leupeptin analogs R-L-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-argininal with variable N-terminal substituents has been synthesized using N alpha-tert-butyl-oxycarbonyl-NG-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-arginine-delta-lactam as the starting material . The modified leupeptins proved to be strong competitive inhibitors of the endoprotease acrosin from mammalian spermatozoa . Inhibition constants were found in the range of 4.7 X 10(-7)M (R = H) to 9.7 X 10(-9)M (R = tert-butyloxycarbonyl) . N alpha-tert-butyloxycarbonyl leupeptin represents the strongest acrosin inhibitor synthesized so far . Two of the leupeptin derivatives (R = trifluoroacetyl, R = tert-butyloxycarbonyl) were more effective than the natural leupeptins from microbial sources (Ki = 5.9 X 10(-8)M) . The potential use of synthetic leupeptins as antienzymatic contraceptives is discussed. Surg Gynecol Obstet, 1981 Nov, 153(5), 749 - 55 Plasma proteins and wound healing; Powanda MC et al.; In response to injury, the concentrations of several plasma proteins are characteristically altered . In part, these changes reflect an essential contribution of many of these proteins, acting in concert, to the processes involved in wound healing . There is evidence that plasma proteins support tissue repair by metabolic as well as functional activity . Specifically, plasma proteins may directly facilitate wound healing by: provision of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids in a usable form as biosynthetic precursors and energetic substrates; the transport of trace metal cofactors involved in various wound repair processes; adhesion of regenerating tissue; modulation of the rate of structural protein synthesis; alignment of collagen subunits; organization of cellular elements wound repair; prevention of autoimmune reactions; hormone transport and local modulation of hormonal effects; neutralization of the potentially toxic products of the inflammatory response and the inhibition of microbial invasion and colonization. Z Gesamte Inn Med . 1981 Nov 1;36(21):840. {Immunological data in the clinical evaluation of Hodgkin's diseases}; Burchardt K; 87 adult patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease were examined to analyse the pattern of immune alterations with regard to the clinical stage and course of disease, and the response to treatment . Patients with advanced stages of the disease or with radio- or chemotherapeutically induced remission showed a decrease in total lymphocyte counts and a diminished count of T-lymphocytes . The lymphocyte transformation and the reactions in skin tests with DNCB and microbial antigens were the more disturbed the more the disease was advanced . Below a critical number of circulating T-lymphocytes measuring 500 cells per mm3 of peripheral blood an inhibition of T-cell function has been found . The authors conclude that a positive correlation between an undisturbed immune status and a good prognosis in Hodgkin's disease is highly probable. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1981 Nov, (11), 84 - 9 {Diagnostic significance of immunoglobulins in infectious allergic bronchial asthma}; Zheltvai VV et al.; In 100 patients with infectious allergic bronchial asthma the levels of IgM . IgG and IgA were determined by Mancini's method and the levels of IgE, tissue and microbial antibodies by the Prausnitz - Kustner test before and after combined treatment carried out under conditions of the microclimate of the salt mines in the village of Solotvino . The data on the content of immunoglobulins in the blood serum allowed the authors to establish 3 types of immediate hypersensitivity . THe decreased content of IgM in the blood serum indirectly revealed the role of immune complexes in the pathogenesis of infectious allergic bronchial asthma . The high content of IgE suggested that atopy could take some part in the infectious process. Clin Exp Immunol, 1981 Nov, 46(2), 250 - 8 The isolation of the antibody moieties of immune complexes from serum by the pepsin digestion of conglutinin-anti-conglutinin complexes; Lachmann PJ et al.; A technique is described which allows the antibodies of circulating immune complexes to be isolated as their F(ab')2 fragments . The method is based on the precipitation of the complexes by the sequential addition of conglutinin and anti-conglutinin, and the subsequent digestion of these precipitates by pepsin . Using this technique it has been possible to show antibodies to Epstein-Barr (EB) virus antigens in the immune complexes of patients with Burkitt's lymphoma and to microbial antigens in two patients with nephritis . By substituting DNAase for pepsin it has also been possible to show antibodies to DNA-containing nuclear antigens in the serum of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Biochemistry, 1981 Oct 27, 20(22), 6457 - 62 Structure of pseudobactin A, a second siderophore from plant growth promoting Pseudomonas B10; Teintze M et al.; The structure of nonfluorescent pseudobactin A, one of two extracellular siderophores (microbial iron transport agents) produced by the plant growth promoting bacterium Pseudomonas B10, was determined by comparison of its 1H and 13C NMR spectra with those of yellow-green, fluorescent pseudobactin, the other siderophore . The molecular and crystal structure of ferric pseudobactin is reported in the preceding paper in this issue {Teintze, M., Hossain, M . B., Barnes, C . L., Leong J., & van der Helm, D . (1981) Biochemistry (preceding paper in this issue)} . The only structural difference between pseudobactin and pseudobactin A was that the latter was saturated at carbons 3 and 4 of the quinoline derivative, whereas pseudobactin is unsaturated at these positions . A mechanism is proposed for the observed conversion of pseudobactin A into pseudobactin in aqueous solution. Biochemistry, 1981 Oct 13, 20(21), 6185 - 90 Thermal denaturation of streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor, subtilisin BPN', and the inhibitor-subtilisin complex; Takahashi K et al.; The thermal unfolding of the microbial proteinase inhibitor Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor (SSI) {Sato, S., & Murao, S . (1973) Agric, Biol . Chem . 37, 1067-1074), the bacterial proteinase subtilisin BPN' (EC 3.4.21.14), and the complex formed by these two proteins has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) . The thermal denaturation of SSI at pH 7.00 is fully reversible while those of subtilisin BPN' and its complex with SSI are not . The DSC data show that dimeric SSI remains dimeric as the temperature is raised until it unfolds and that it then dissociates during the unfolding process . The apparent specific heat of denatured SSI decreases rapidly with increasing temperature, a behavior not previously observed for proteins . The shape of the DSC curves observed with the enzyme-inhibitor complex suggests that the two components of the complex undergo their unfolding transitions more or less independently . The enthalpies of unfolding of mixtures of enzyme and inhibitor in various molar ratios indicate a substantially large enthalph of interaction than that deduced from fluorescence titrations (Uehara, Y., Tonomura, B., & Hiromi, K . (1978) J . Biochem . (Tokyo) 84, 1195-1202). Science, 1981 Oct 2, 214(4516), 24 - 30 Natural killer cells: their roles in defenses against disease; Herberman RB et al.; Natural killer cells are a recently discovered subpopulation of lymphoid cells that are present in most normal individuals of a range of mammalian and avian species . Natural killer cells have spontaneous cytolytic activity against a variety of tumor cells and some normal cells, and their reactivity can be rapidly augmented by interferon . They have characteristics distinct from other types of lymphoid cells and are closely associated with large granular lymphocytes, which comprise about 5 percent of blood or splenic leukocytes . There is increasing evidence that natural killer cells, with the ability to mediate natural resistance against tumors in vivo, certain virus and other microbial diseases, and bone marrow transplants, may play an important role in immune surveillance. Antibiotiki, 1981 Oct, 26(10), 756 - 61 {Experimental effect of the polysaccharide mannan on lymph and blood serum biochemical indices}; Polosova RG et al.; The effect of mannan, a polysaccharide of the microbial origin on the content of protein fractions, total protein, glucose, cholesterol (total, free and bound), urea, urea nitrogen and residual nitrogen in the lymph and serum of blood was studied on rabbits . Mannan was administered intramuscularly in the form of a 0.06 per cent solution in single doses of 0.06-6 mg/kg and repeatedly in doses of 0.60-3 mg/kg for 3-49 days . The lymph specimens were collected from the thoracic duct 1 and 24 hours after mannan administration . The study showed that in any dose administered once mannan induced an increase in the content of upsilon-globulin in the lymph and no increase in the blood serum, characterized by changes in the ratio of the other protein fractions . No other changes in the biochemical indices of the blood lymph and serum in the experimental animals were noted . When used repeatedly mannan had no effect on the content of protein fractions in the blood lymph and serum . the study on changes in the biochemical indices of the lymph provided additional data on the character of the mannan effect in the host. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1981 Sep, 42(3), 461 - 3 Microbial formation of secondary and tertiary amines in municipal sewage; Thomas JM et al.; Dimethylamine was formed in municipal sewage that was amended with creatinine, and trimethylamine was formed from choline or phosphatidylcholine . The maximum level of product that accumulated was equivalent to 0.13, 0.096, and 6.7% by weight, respectively, of the added chemicals . No dimethylamine or trimethylamine was detected in sewage amended with betaine, and no dimethylamine was found in sewage that was amended with methylamine and methionine. Br J Nutr, 1981 Sep, 46(2), 357 - 70 The effect of grinding and pelleting on the digestion of Italian ryegrass and timothy by sheep; Beever DE et al.; 1 . Primary growths of Italian ryegrass and timothy were harvested in late May, high-temperature dried and either retained in the chopped form or ground through a 2 mm sieve and pelleted . All diets were fed to four sheep fitted with re-entrant cannulas into the proximal duodenum and measurements of the sites of energy and protein digestion and the synthesis of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and microbial protein were made . 2 . Grinding and pelleting significantly reduced rumen digestion of organic matter and structural carbohydrate (P less than 0.05) and the synthesis of rumen VFA (P less than 0.01), whilst significantly more digestion occurred in the hind gut, although this was not sufficient to prevent a decline in over-all digestibility on the pelleted diets (P less than 0.05) . The magnitude of all responses was much larger on the Italian ryegrass diet . 3 . Net microbial protein synthesis was 15% less on the pelleted diets but efficiency of microbial protein synthesis was unaffected (mean 188 g/kg rumen digested organic matter) . Pelleting reduced the degradation of dietary protein from 69% to 47%, and dietary protein represented significantly more of the total protein flowing to the duodenum on the pelleted diets (chopped 28%, pelleted 41%) . 4 . Over-all, grinding and pelleting reduced total absorbed energy supply by 10% but increased absorbed protein supply by 15% which may contribute to some of the improvements seen in the net energy value of pelleted diets. Am J Hosp Pharm, 1981 Sep, 38(9), 1301 - 3 Airborne drug levels in a laminar-flow hood; Kleinberg ML et al.; The airborne levels of fluorouracil and cefazolin sodium injections after manipulation of these drug products inside a horizontal laminar-flow hood were measured . The Biotest RCS Centrifugal Air Sampler, generally used to measure microbial levels in air, was adapted with a paper filter to measure drug levels in air . In each of nine trials, five ampuls of fluorouracil were opened in the hood and transferred to empty vials . Likewise, in each of nine trials, 50 vials of cefazolin sodium 1 g were reconstituted and transferred to small-volume i.v . solutions . Drug manipulations were performed between the hood's filter and the Biotest, which was placed inside the hood . Drug collected on the filter in the Biotest was assayed with ultraviolet spectrophotometry after extraction . The range of fluorouracil collected by the Biotest was from 0 to 14 microgram, corresponding to 0-0.07 microgram/liter of sample air . Recovered cefazolin sodium ranged from 28 to 131 microgram, or 0.02-0.11 microgram/liter of sampled air . Following routine manipulation of drug products in a laminar-flow hood, the drug can contaminate, the air flowing over the product. Pediatrics, 1981 Sep, 68(3), 416 - 9 Dental caries potential of liquid medications; Feigal RJ et al.; Cariogenicity of seven commonly prescribed liquid medications was studied . Sucrose content of the medications ranged from 0 to 70 gm/100 ml . Initial pH and buffering capacity were measured and found to vary widely among the medications . Intraoral microbial plaque pH changes were determined at intervals for 30 minutes following an oral rinse with each medication . These data were compared with plaque pH changes caused by rinsing with an established cariogenic challenge, 10% sucrose solution . Decreased plaque pH was caused by each medication tested . The extent and duration of the pH drop varied among the medications . Patterns of the pH curves are discussed in relation to sucrose content, endogenous pH, and buffering capacity of the medications . Intraoral pH response to several medications equaled or exceeded that seen when sucrose rinses alone were given . The findings are discussed in relation to dental caries-producing potential of long-term therapy with liquid medications, and two cases are presented that implicate liquid medications as a major etiologic factor leading to rampant dental decay . It is concluded that health practitioners should be aware of the sucrose content of pediatric medications . Patient education to ensure adequate oral clearance following each dose of medication is an essential first step in minimizing the risk of dental decay posed by long-term therapy with liquid medications. Br J Nutr, 1981 Sep, 46(2), 301 - 13 The effect of type and level of protein, fibre and starch on nitrogen excretion patterns in rats; Beames RM et al.; 1 . Three series of nitrogen balance experiments were performed with growing rats to test the effect of type and level of protein, fibre and starch on N excretion patterns . The design involved eighteen treatments in a 3 X 3 X 2 factorial experiment with five rats per dietary treatment . The eighteen treatments resulted from a combination of three protein treatments, three fibre treatments and two starch treatments . Protein treatments consisted of one level (15 g N/kg DM) of casein fortified with methionine, a protein of high digestibility, and two levels (15 and 20 g N/kg DM) of autoclaved brown beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), a protein source of low digestibility . The fibre treatments were two levels of cellulose powder and one level of barley hulls . The two starch treatments were autoclaved potato starch and autoclaved and raw potato starch (1:1, w/w) . 2 . The inclusion of raw potato starch reduced true protein digestibility markedly when the protein source was casein, but the corresponding biological values were increased significantly with this treatment . This strongly indicated a movement of urea from the blood to the intestines . This assumption was also supported by significantly lower blood urea concentrations in animals given raw starch . The influence of raw starch on true protein digestibility was, however, significantly less when cellulose and barley hulls were included . This is probably due to reduced transit time from fibre inclusion . The nature of the gut contents also supported this hypothesis . 3 . The inclusion of raw potato starch when brown beans were the source of protein had much less effect on true protein digestibility and biological value than when casein was the protein source . This was probably due to the low digestibility of DM and protein in this food leaving sufficient energy and protein for maximum microbial growth . The inclusion of fibre also had little effect on N excretion patterns with the brown-bean diets . 4 . An increase in the level of brown bean inclusion reduced true protein digestibility only on the diets containing raw starch whereas the biological value was consistently reduced regardless of starch treatment . The lower biological values were associated with significantly higher blood urea concentrations . Increasing the level of brown bean inclusion also resulted in higher fresh weights of caecum, colon and contents . 5 . The present work proves that, through dietary manipulation, it is possible to affect nitrogen excretion patterns in rats. Int J Cancer, 1981 Aug 15, 28(2), 175 - 8 Natural killing and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in specific-pathogen-free miniature swine and germ-free piglets . II . Ontogenic development development of NK and ADCC; Huh ND et al.; The ontogenic development of natural killing (NK) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) in germ-free and specific-pathogen-fee (SPF) miniature swine were compared . Activities of NK and ADCC were tested by a short-term (2.5 to 4 h) 51Cr-labelled human myeloid cell line K562 and TNP-conjugated human B-cell line SB as target cells for NK and ADCC, respectively . Animals obtained by aseptic hysterectomy 3-5 days prior to term showed ADCC activities similar to adult levels but lacked NK activity . Hysterectomy-derived piglets which were colostrum-deprived and maintained in germ-free isolators developed NK activity at 3-4 weeks of age . In comparison, naturally-farrowed, colostrum-fed piglets maintained in our SPF facility developed NK activity at 2-3 weeks of age . Thereafter, there was no significant difference in the levels of either NK or ADCC between germ-free and SPF animals . This suggests that microbial flora and environment do not affect the development of effector cells for ADCC but do play some role in the maturation of NK cells during ontogeny . The difference in ontogeny of NK an ADCC further support our previous suggestion that the effector cells for NK and ADCC in swine are distinct sub-populations. Arch Androl, 1981 Aug, 7(1), 1 - 7 Immunological properties of seminal vesicle fluid; Veselsky L; Protective significance of some seminal plasma components is described . Lactoferrin is characterized as a primary defense factor against microbial invasion . The agglutinating factor in seminal vesicle fluid may prevent premature elimination of the spermatozoa by leukocytes infiltrating into the female genital tract . The protease inhibitors neutralize the activity of the proteases, thereby protecting the tissues and spermatozoa against proteolytic degradation . Antigens absorbed to spermatozoa during the ejaculation may protect the spermatozoa against the immune system of female reproductive tract . Ejaculated spermatozoa contain immunosuppressive substances that inhibit cell-mediated cytotoxicity as well as lymphocyte response to allogenic cells . These substances may constitute the system that prevents immune damage of spermatozoa. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1981 Aug, 42(2), 222 - 5 Precision of the all-glass impinger and the andersen microbial impactor for air sampling in solid-waste handling facilities; Lembke LL et al.; A method was devised to determine the precision of the all-glass impinger and the Andersen six-stage microbial impactor over a wide range of aerosol concentrations like those found in facilities which process solid waste . Simultaneous samples were collected inside a municipal solid-waste recovery system, and the data were treated statistically to estimate the precision of each air-sampling device . All-glass impingers yielded colony counts which indicated a linear relationship between samplers over an observed aerosol concentration of 1.1 X 10(3) to 2.8 X 10(7) colony-forming units per m3 of air . Impactors also yielded colony counts which indicated a linear relationship over an observed aerosol concentration range of 3.9 X 10(3) to 1.9 X 10(5) colony-forming units per m3 of air . The coefficients of variation for the all-glass impinger and the six-stage impactor in an environment with a high and variable dust level were determined to be 0.38 and 0.23, respectively. J Natl Cancer Inst, 1981 Aug, 67(2), 445 - 53 Genetics, regulation, and specificity of murine natural antitumor antibodies and natural killer cells; Chow DA et al.; A concurrent study of specificity, regulation, ontogeny, and genetics of murine natural killer (NK) cell and natural antibody (NAb) activities {in DBA/2, CBA/J, A/Sn, and A/J inbred mice, Bg/Bg + mice of the inbred C57BL/6J background, (C57BL/6 x DBA/2) F1 mice, and (CBA x DBA/2) F1, (A/Sn x DBA/2)F1, and (A/J x DBA/2)F1 mice} revealed that : a) The expressions of NAb and NK cell specificities associated with the YAC-1 tumor were directly related and could not be distinguished on the basis of inhibition and absorption studies, whereas the expressions of the specificities associated with a second NK cell-sensitive tumor, the SL2 lymphoma, were not directly related . b) Treatment of mice with the adjuvants proteose peptone and lipopolysaccharide or the interferon inducers polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid and 2-amino-5-bromo-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinol resulted in increases in NAb levels and NK cells, which suggested that certain aspects of the regulation of these activities may be similar or the same . c) High NK cell activity was codominantly inherited and high serum NAb levels were recessive, which argues against the theory that the NK cell receptor is a passively acquired NAb . d) NK cell activity declined with increasing age in contrast with NAb levels that remained constant throughout adult life . e) Bg/Bg mutants that exhibit an NK Cell defect expressed normal levels of NAb . Despite the differences in their genetics, murine antitumor NAb and NK cells bear certain common features-in particular, their response to microbial products and interferon inducers and at least a portion of antigen repertoire against which they are directed. Am J Hosp Pharm, 1981 Aug, 38(8), 1148 - 50 Evaluation of a device for monitoring sterility of injectable fluids; Mayhall CG et al.; An evaluation of a sterility-testing device (Addi-Chek) that uses total-sample membrane filtration is presented . Parenteral nutrition solutions were deliberately contaminated at low levels with 16 bacterial and four fungal strains . Some contaminated solutions were stored at 20 degrees C or 4 degrees C for up to 24 hours before testing; the rest were tested immediately . Additionally, one liter of pharmacy-prepared infusion fluid was tested each day for 100 days . Broth (added to the Addi-Chek unit after filtration to permit microbial growth) was cultured when it became turbid or after a 10-day incubation . Fifty-nine deliberate-inoculation tests were done . The organism was recovered from 56 of these; the other three tests may have been negative because no organisms were present in the aliquot used for inoculation or because of experimental error . The number of organisms used for inoculation varied from 1 to 80; 86% of the tests used 25 organisms or less . Storage for up to 24 hours at 20 degrees C and 4 degrees C had no effect on the results of sterility testing . In testing 100 units of pharmacy-prepared fluid (not deliberately contaminated), one unit (1%) was found to be contaminated . Pharmacy personnel correctly identified positive and negative Addi-Chek units based on visual turbidity of the broth . It is concluded that Addi-Chek is easy to use and effective in detecting low-level contamination in intravenous fluids. Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Jul-Aug, 3(4), 668 - 77 Methodologic issues in hospital epidemiology . II . Time and accuracy in estimation; Freeman J et al.; Nosocomial infections comprise a variety of diseases that have all of the characteristics and problems traditionally associated with the epidemiology of chronic disease . Each infection is multifactorial in origin, and most of these factors remain either unknown or unquantified . The microbial agent is not the sole determinant of outcome . Time is also an important variable, especially with regard to variation in incubation (latent) period for different infections, and variation in duration of hospitalization (exposure and follow-up) . Methods used for the study of chronic diseases may be employed in evaluating some aspects of nosocomial infection . When time is considered as a variable, it is possible to use a common, interconvertible set of definitions of rates that includes measures of both prevalence and incidence of infection . Accuracy in estimation also may be improved by further consideration of the choice of subjects (validity of selection), experimenter effects, misclassification (validity of information), and confounding (validity of comparison. Sangyo Igaku, 1981 Jul, 23(4), 355 - 65 {Application of the microbial mutation test in occupational health and its future problems (author's transl)}; Takemura N; The microbial mutation test developed by Ames has been revealed that many chemical carcinogens, which had been considered non-mutagenic, are actually mutagens and that a number of mutagens, the carcinogenicity of which has not yet been investigated, are carcinogens . The method is useful, in the chemical industry, for screening chemicals for carcinogenic potential because of its rapidity and economic return . The mutagenic activity of hundreds of chemicals has been investigated by this Ames test and a close relationship between mutagenicity and carcinogenicity has been demonstrated . It is considered that the application of this screening test is useful for prevention of occupational cancer in the chemical industry . In this paper the results of this test for industrial chemicals and the future problems are reviewed. Steroids, 1981 Jul, 38(1), 11 - 27 7 beta -hydroxycardenolide glycosides; Szeleczky Z et al.; The microbial transformation of digitoxin (I) by Streptomyces sp . yielded digoxin (III) as main product along with the by-products 7beta -hydroxydigitoxin (II) and 7beta -hydroxydigoxin (IV) . The present paper is concerned with the structure elucidation of 7beta-hydroxycardenolides as well as with the formation of some of their derivatives. Isr J Med Sci, 1981 Jul, 17(7), 604 - 7 Mycoplasmal toxins; Tully JG; Mycoplasmal toxins cover a wide range of substances, including diffusible components of microbial metabolism that are toxic for host cells, endotoxin-like compounds in the mycoplasma membrane, or toxins with characteristics of some classical exotoxins . There is little definitive evidence that the diffusable metabolic products play a primary role in mycoplasma pathogenicity, although they may provoke profound secondary host responses to potentiate infection . Like-wise, although the lipoglycans isolated from acholeplasmas produce potent endotoxin-like responses, their role in pathogenicity is still uncertain . There seems to be little question that the toxin from Mycoplasma neurolyticum is intimately connected to the neurological consequences observed in natural or mixed infections with this organism . Whether this is a true exotoxin may now be open to some doubt . Further information on this neurotoxin may clarify the role of mycoplasmas in a number of infections where neurological complications occur. Isr J Med Sci, 1981 Jul, 17(7), 548 - 54 Respiratory and genital mycoplasmosis of laboratory rodents: implications for biomedical research; Cassell GH et al.; Murine respiratory mycoplasmosis (formerly murine chronic respiratory disease) has been conclusively shown to be due to Mycoplasma pulmonis . Based upon experimental studies, it is clear that the disease is an insidious, protracted process involving a variety of interrelated factors . Intracage NH3 (25 to 250 ppm) greatly increases disease incidence, severity and progression . In mice, the presence of other infectious agents, like Sendai virus, also potentiates disease . However, comparisons of animals matched for age, sex, microbial, and environmental factors indicate that heredity is one of the most critical determinants of disease . M . pulmonis is generally thought to be transmitted via aerosol, but recent evidence indicates that in utero transmission is also possible . M . pulmonis can colonize and produce disease in all parts of the female genital tract . While the natural occurrence of both respiratory and genital mycoplasmoses seriously restricts the usefulness of rats and mice for other research purposes, the experimental diseases represent useful models for the study of human disease, particularly mechanisms involved in chronic pulmonary inflammation and reproductive failure. Can J Microbiol, 1981 Jul, 27(7), 692 - 7 Effect of nitrate on reduction of ferric iron by a bacterium isolated from crude oil; Obuekwe CO et al.; A Pseudomonas sp . isolated from crude oil reduced ferric ions (Fe(III)) to ferrous ions (Fe(II)) . In the presence of nitrate (NO3-) after prolonged incubation, the amount of Fe(II) was lower than in its absence . However, during short incubation periods, the presence of NO3- significantly increased (99.5% confidence limit) the amount of Fe(II) produced . The decrease in Fe(II) on prolonged incubation was associated with increased production and accumulation of nitrite (NO2-) . Under low NO3- levels, where the production of NO2- was limited, a decrease in NO2- concentration was accompanied by an increase in Fe(II) production to levels comparable with those obtained in the absence of NO3- . Preinduction of cells for nitrate reductase, which favoured rapid NO2- production, resulted in a more rapid decrease in Fe(II) production than in cells that were not preinduced . It is proposed that the inhibitory effect of NO3- on microbial reduction of Fe(III) is due to a secondary reaction, which involves the chemical oxidation of Fe(II) by NO2-. Isr J Med Sci, 1981 Jul, 17(7), 563 - 8 Mycoplasma detection-an obligation to scientific accuracy; Stanbridge EJ; Mycoplasma contamination of cell cultures is, unfortunately, a common occurrence . Because of their extremely small size the contamination is not readily apparent and the presence of mycoplasmas is confirmed by culture on agar . Certain mycoplasmas, most notably Mycoplasma hyorhinis, often do not form colonies on agar due to the presence of toxic components . Other noncultural methods have been devised to detect these "noncultivable" mycoplasmas . A brief overview of these methods will be presented and an attempt made to compare their relative efficiency in detecting microbial contamination in cell cultures. Mutat Res, 1981 Jul, 89(3), 229 - 36 Genetic activity of actinomycin D in Saccharomyces cerevisiae but not in Escherichia coli; Nestmann ER et al.; The potential of actinomycin D for induction of forward mutation (ADE-), reversion (TRP+), gene conversion, and mitotic recombination, was examined using haploid and diploid strains of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae . No increase in forward or reverse mutations or gene conversion was detected, but actinomycin D induced up to 13-fold increases in mitotic recombinants and a 2-fold increase in numbers of aberrant colonies, in a non-selective assay for genetic activity . Actinomycin D was non-mutagenic in a fluctuation test using Escherichia coli strain WP2 UvrA- . This furnishes an example of a mutagen which is negative in bacteria but has genetic activity in yeast, emphasizing the need for using a battery of microbial tests for determining the genetic activity of any given chemical. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1981 Jul, 52(1), 44 - 50 Epidermoid carcinoma of the gingiva: a possible relationship to PUVA therapy; Krutchkoff DJ et al.; A case of squamous cell carcinoma arising in the gingiva of a 30-year-old nonsmoking woman receiving PUVA therapy for vitiligo is reported . There were no typical predisposing factors for oral cancer in the history, other than the latter therapy . Although there are several previous reports of cutaneous carcinoma developing in patients under PUVA therapy, most of such involve development of tumors on skin surfaces exposed to direct ultraviolet radiation either through sunlight or via therapeutic mode.s In this case, there was no direct ultraviolet exposure at the site of carcinoma . We suggest the possibility that, in this case, PUVA may exerted a carcinogenic influence via systemic distribution of ultraviolet-activated psoralens or its metabolites to the gingiva . The possibility of microbial interaction with substances within gingival inflammatory exudate to produce carcinogenic substances is postulated. Br J Radiol, 1981 Jul, 54(643), 615 - 21 The effects of NMR exposure on living organisms . I . A microbial assay; Thomas A et al.; Various bacterial strains have been exposed to a homogeneous magnetic field of 1 Tesla and to the conditions found in an NMR imaging experiment of the type used in a recent abdominal scan (Mansfield et al., 1978) . No mutagenic or lethal effects were observed . The activity of the bacterial enzyme beta-galactosidase was also found to be independent of the applied magnetic field. J Wildl Dis, 1981 Jul, 17(3), 453 - 61 Serologic survey for selected microbial agents in mammals from Alberta, 1976; Zarnke RL et al.; Blood samples were taken from humans and several species of free-ranging wild mammals from five different geographic areas of Alberta, Canada . Sera were tested for antibody to eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus, western equine encephalitis (WEE) virus, St . Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus, Powassan (POW) virus, the snowshoe hare (SSH) strain of the California group (CAL) of viruses, Northway (NOR) virus, Klamath (KLA) virus, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus, and two bacteria, Brucella abortus and Francisella tularensis . CAL antibody was found in 63% of 11 snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), 33% of 167 black bears (Ursus americanus), and 19% of 55 humans (Homo sapiens) . NOR antibody was found in 0.4% of 258 hares, 11% of 9 bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), 20% of 44 moose (Alces alces), 4% of 56 bears, 14% of 22 woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus), and 2% of 50 humans . IBR antibody was detected in 14% of 14 moose . B . abortus antibody was found in 1% of 283 bears . F . tularensis antibody was detected in 2% of 52 humans . These findings represent extension of: (1) the natural host range of IBR, CAL, and NOR; (2) the geographical distribution of NOR infection in North America; and (3) the geographical distribution of CAL infection within Alberta. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1981 Jun 15, 659(2), 378 - 89 Proteolytic modification of rat liver fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase by administration of leupeptin in vivo; Kominami E et al.; When leupeptin, a thiol protease inhibitor of microbial origin, was injected into rats, the activity of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (D-fructose-1,6-bisphosphate D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-lyase, EC 4.1.2.13) in the liver decreased to about 60% of that in control rats . However, the concentration of aldolase protein in the liver extracts, measured with a specific antibody obtained with enzyme purified on a phosphocellulose column, remained unchanged . Injection of leupeptin also caused a marked increase in the activities of free lysosomal proteases, such as cathepsin B (EC 3.4.22.1), cathepsin L (EC 3.4.22.-), cathepsin D (EC 3.4.23.5) and lysosomal carboxypeptidase A in the cytosol fraction . A clear inverse relationship between aldolase and cathepsin B activities in the cytosol fraction was demonstrated . The possibility that the less active form of aldolase detected in the livers of leupeptin-treated rats was produced during homogenization was excluded by showing that the aldolase activity was not changed by addition of various protease inhibitors to the homogenization medium., When insulin was coinjected with leupeptin, increase in the activity of free cathepsin L and decrease of activity of aldolase produced by the injection of leupeptin was prevented . These findings indicate that modification of aldolase may be due to the action of a lysosomal protease(s) . Enhanced sensitivity of lysosomes to osmotic shock was demonstrated in the livers of leupeptin-treated rats, suggesting that the lysosomal membrane is labilized by administration of leupeptin . Incubation of the purified aldolase with the lysosomal fraction produced the same changes in properties of aldolase as those observed in vivo on injection of leupeptin. Br J Ophthalmol, 1981 Jun, 65(6), 385 - 7 Bilateral herpetic keratitis; Wilhelmus KR et al.; Thirty patients with bilateral herpetic keratitis were evaluated, 40% of whom were atopic . Stromal keratitis occurred in 40% of the eyes and recurrent ulceration in 68% . Four patients (5 eyes) developed secondary microbial keratitis . Visual acuity decreased to 6/60 or less because of corneal opacification in 17% of the eyes. J Clin Microbiol, 1981 Jun, 13(6), 1060 - 5 Bacterial fouling of a hospital closed-loop cooling system by Pseudomonas sp; du Moulin GC et al.; During the summer of 1979 the air-conditioning system at a hospital in Boston deteriorated, and this led to total failure of some chilling units . Patient care and operating-room areas were affected . Investigation of the problem ruled out mechanical and electrical causes, but revealed a strain of Pseudomonas sp . biofouling heat transfer tubes of the closed chilled water system . The pseudomonads apparently were stimulated to grow by low concentrations of ethylene glycol antifreeze . The proximate source of these organisms was an expansion tank located in a 33 degrees C environment . The organisms probably originated from the potable water supply of the hospital . Fouling was eventually cleaned by prolonged and expensive treatments of the closed chilled water system . Pseudomonas sp . is frequently isolated from hospital-acquired infections at our institution (Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, Mass.); however, our studies with fluorescent dye tracers indicated that organisms were prohibited from entering patient areas via contaminated water from the chillers . Microbiologists must become cognizant of seemingly unimportant microbial environments within hospitals that may indirectly contribute to hospital-acquired infections. Can J Microbiol, 1981 Jun, 27(6), 633 - 5 The assay of adenosine 5'-triphosphate extracted from salt-marsh microbiota; Stevenson LH et al.; The light-emitting reaction of firefly luciferin and luciferase is a common ingredient in the quantification of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) extracted from the microbiota of environmental samples . Both portions of the light-emission phase of the luciferase reaction, the primary flash within 3 s of mixing and the secondary decay in the luminescence following the flash, have been used to quantify extracted ATP . However, the magnitude of the secondary phase is influenced by nucleotides other than ATP . The impact of this influence on the quantification of ATP was studied in samples collected from the water covering a salt marsh . Analysis by integration of the secondary decay portion of the emission yielded values of ATP per cubic metre that were consistently higher than those obtained by peak height analysis of the same extracts . Assays using the integration technology resulted in values that were up to 8 (mean = 3.6) times higher than corresponding values determined by peak height analysis in unfractionated samples (total microbial biomass) and up to 16 (mean = 4.8) times higher in water that had been prefiltered with a 1.0 micrometer filter (bacterial biomass). J Bone Joint Surg Am, 1981 Jun, 63(5), 811 - 3 Efficacy of double-gloving as a barrier to microbial contamination during total joint arthroplasty; McCue SF et al.; After ten total hip replacements in which a double-glove technique was used, 275 outer and inner gloves were tested for microbial contamination and for holes . The operating rooms were equipped with specially designed air-filtration mechanisms . The results indicated that the gloves that most frequently were contaminated were the ones used exclusively for draping . This finding suggests that using a separate pair of outer gloves only for draping is a valuable technique during total hip replacement . Clinical Relevance: Although the practice of using double gloves during a total joint-replacement procedure is accepted widely, there is little evidence that double-gloving actually decreases microbial contamination . The results of this study indicate that changing outer gloves at appropriate times during the procedure is indeed an important way to minimize contamination. Cancer Lett, 1981 Jun, 13(1), 29 - 37 A short-term in vitro assay for promoter substances using human lymphoblastoid cells latently infected with Epstein-Barr virus; Ito Y et al.; We designed a short-term in vitro assay for detecting tumor promoters, utilizing the activation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) expression in EBV genome-carrying human lymphoblastoid cells . This system is composed of EBV-non-producer Raji cells as the indicator, n-butyrate as the EBV-inducer, and the test substance . After addition of the latter 2 components to the culture medium, the cells are cultivated for 48 h at 37 degrees C and the ratio of EBV early antigen (EA)-expressing cells was assessed using immunofluorescence . This assay system allows for a rapid detection of the activity of the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and its related compounds and also of the Euphorbiaceae plant extracts containing such active principles . Among several microbial products tested, teleocidin, an indole-alkaloid produced by a Streptomyces species, was also detected and had an activity level comparable to that of TPA . Other promoters, such as anthralin, phenol, Tween 60 and 80 and the carcinogenic ("initiator") substances including benzopyrene, did not react with the system . The test is simple to perform, reproducible and should be applicable for mass-screening of promoter substances in the environment. J Clin Microbiol, 1981 Jun, 13(6), 1011 - 6 Clinical manifestations of diarrhea in calves infected with rotavirus and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli; Tzipori SR et al.; The susceptibility of gnotobiotic, colostrum-derived, or suckling calves to four bovine rotavirus isolates was found to be age dependent . Calves older than 7 days remained clinically normal, although they excreted virus in their feces and subsequently developed antibody against the virus, Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, fed to gnotobiotic, colostrum-deprived, or suckling calves ranging in age from a few hours to 26 days old, only caused diarrhea in animals younger than 24 h old . In contrast, diarrhea was consistently induced in 1- and 2-week-old calves infected with both enterotoxigenic E . coli and rotavirus . In general, diarrhea appeared after a rotavirus incubation period of approximately 3 days and was independent of the order in which the two microbial agents were given, the age of the calf, or the level of circulating rotavirus antibodies . The disease episode coincided with the excretion of rotavirus, rather than enterotoxigenic E . coli, in the feces . Infection with enterotoxigenic E . coli became established within 24 h of inoculation, and in older calves enterotoxigenic E . coli was often excreted in very small numbers and for a longer period than rotavirus. J Dent Res, 1981 Jun, 60(6), 1008 - 14 The relation of keratinization to bacterial colonization on the baboon tongue as demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy; Aufdemorte TB et al.; Scanning electron microscopic observations of the baboon tongue demonstrating specificity of microbial distribution as related to epithelial keratinization are presented . The number of bacteria inhabiting a surface was related to the degree of keratinization . Orthokeratotic dorsal tongue surfaces were most heavily colonized by bacteria . The parakeratotic and non-keratinized surfaces were less heavily populated, with non-keratinized areas showing the fewest numbers of bacteria. Med Hypotheses, 1981 Jun, 7(6), 719 - 27 A possible role for calcium in cyclic nucleotide mediated fluid secretion; Knoop F et al.; This article suggests that calcium acts as an intermediate for intestinal fluid secretion mediated by adenosine-3':5'-cyclic monophosphoric acid (cAMP) and guanosine -3':5-'cyclic monophosphoric acid (cGMP) . It is hypothesized that microbial enterotoxins disrupt the normal interrelationships between calcium and cyclic nucleotides, thereby leading to adverse biological effects . It is further proposed that the inhibitory effect of chlorpromazine on calmodulin accounts for the ability of this drug to inhibit enterotoxins which separately elevate cAMP or cGMP concentrations. Med J Aust, 1981 May 30, 1(11), 590 - 2 Hospital microbial environment: need for continual surveillance; Levey JM et al.; In an epidemic of nosocomial infection, Pseudomonas cepacia emerged as a significant pathogen capable of causing severe infection . The epidemic was controlled by tracing and controlling the source of the infection, which proved to be "sterile" water and "in-use" dilution antiseptic . Problems of sterile water were controlled by regular maintenance of equipment and surveillance . Antiseptic problems were overcome by changing the type of antiseptic, and paying attention to correct concentration of "in-use" dilution . A four-year follow-up of the water supply shows no further problems . Further infectious episodes caused by P . cepacia have not been encountered. Biochem J, 1981 May 15, 196(2), 499 - 504 On the insensitivity of sheep to the almost complete microbial destruction of dietary choline before alimentary-tract absorption; Dawson RM et al.; 1 . Injection of {Me-14C}choline into sheep indicated that the small amount of phosphatidylcholine present in abomasal digesta was largely (69%) of non-dietary or ruminal origin . 2 . Long-term feeding of {Me-3H}choline to sheep produced insignificant labelling of plasma phosphatidylcholine, indicating that more than 99% of the choline body pool was of non-dietary origin . 3 . In contrast, when rats were fed with {Me-3H}choline for similar periods, 18-54% of the tissue phosphatidylcholine was derived from dietary choline . 4 . The loss of {14C}choline and 32P from the plasma phosphatidylcholine after a single injection of these isotopes indicated a markedly slower turnover of choline in the sheep compared with the rat . This observation, coupled with a lack of liver glycerophosphocholine diesterase, provides an explanation for the insensitivity of the sheep to an almost complete microbial destruction of dietary choline before alimentary-tract absorption. Int J Cancer, 1981 May 15, 27(5), 611 - 5 Studies on the role of cellular immunity and genetics in the etiology of rapidly progressing breast cancer in Tunisia; Levine PH et al.; It has been suggested that poussee evolutive (PEV) or rapidly progressing breast cancer (RPBC) represents a failure in the host immune system to control the proliferation of breast cancer cells . To evaluate this possibility, we have performed in vivo and in vitro assays of cellular immunity in Tunisian patients with breast cancer . Studies of delayed hypersensitivity using microbial antigens and in vitro including lymphocyte transformation tests and measurements of B and T cells indicated that RPBC patients had an immune response comparable to that of breast cancer patients without evidence of rapid progression . Normal Tunisians were more immunocompetent, however, an appeared to have a higher level of immune activity than normal individuals in the United States . In a second, independent series, an increased frequency of blood group A was found in RPBC patients, suggesting a genetic predisposition to this form of breast cancer . However HLA typing for A, B and DRW antigens revealed no specific RPBC-associated HLA antigen . Our studies clearly demonstrate that RPBC, or PEV, is not a reflection of immunodeficiency. J Bacteriol, 1981 May, 146(2), 460 - 6 Metabolism of resorcinylic compounds by bacteria: new pathway for resorcinol catabolism in Azotobacter vinelandii; Groseclose EE et al.; We present evidence to document a third pathway for the microbial catabolism of resorcinol . Resorcinol is converted to pyrogallol by resorcinol-grown cells of Azotobacter vinelandii . Pyrogallol is the substrate for one of two ring cleavage enzymes induced by growth with resorcinol . Oxalocrotonate, CO2, pyruvate, and acetaldehyde have been identified as products of pyrogallol oxidation catalyzed by extracts of r