Biochemistry, 1993 Oct 12, 32(40), 10750 - 6 Identification and characterization of a factor which is essential for assembly of transcarboxylase; Shenoy BC et al.; Transcarboxylase (TC) from Propionibacterium shermanii is a biotin-containing enzyme which catalyzes the reversible transfer of a carboxyl group from methylmalonyl-CoA to pyruvate . It is composed of a central, hexameric 12S subunit with six outer, dimeric 5S subunits held in a stable 26S complex by twelve 1.3S biotinyl subunits . Each of these subunits has been cloned from the P . shermanii genome and expressed in Escherichia coli . The purified, expressed recombinant proteins are all indistinguishable from their authentic counterparts except for the recombinant 5S subunit (termed 5S WT), which does not form TC complexes or catalyze the overall transcarboxylase reaction . Circular dichroism and isoelectric focusing suggested differences existed between the authentic and E . coli-expressed 5S proteins . HPLC gel filtration was used to separate the authentic 5S dimer from additional components in the preparation . 5S dimer thus purified was unable to form TC complexes or catalyze the overall reaction, behaving identically to the recombinant 5S WT subunit . Fractions from the HPLC gel-filtration purification of authentic 5S were then added to 5S WT or 5S dimer, and one fraction was identified which catalyzed the assembly of TC complexes with either 5S preparation . This assembly activity was shown to be dependent on the concentration of this HPLC fraction . Assembly-promoting factor (APF) is heat-stable and probably a protein, on the basis of its protease susceptibility . Studies with APF and the other TC subunits demonstrate its ability to promote complex formation with 12S and 1.3S subunits . Since the APF was purified from crystals of 26S TC, we believe it to be a novel, previously unidentified subunit of transcarboxylase. Protein Expr Purif, 1993 Oct, 4(5), 456 - 64 Purification and characterization of the recombinant 5 S subunit of transcarboxylase from Escherichia coli; Xie Y et al.; Transcarboxylase from Propionibacterium shermanii is a biotin-containing enzyme which catalyzes the reversible transfer of a carboxyl group from methylmalonyl-CoA to pyruvate . It is composed of a central, hexameric 12 S subunit, 6 outer dimeric 5 S subunits which are held in a complex by 12 1.3 S biotinyl subunits . The transcarboxylase reaction requires two partial reactions, one of which is specific to 5 S . The cloning and expression of each of these subunits in Escherichia coli have been reported . We have designed a method for the purification of the 5 S subunit from an E . coli expression system . Protein purified to homogeneity by this method was shown to be active in the 5 S partial reaction, but unable to catalyze the overall transcarboxylase reaction . This protein was characterized as to its ability to form stable dimers, associate with the 1.3 S subunit in stable complexes referred to as 6 S, and assemble whole TC . The latter activity was shown to be lacking . The purified protein has a native molecular weight of 120 kDa and a subunit molecular weight of 60 kDa, consistent with the 5 S dimer . Plasma emission analysis of the metal content of the recombinant protein demonstrated the presence of both Co and Zn, comparable to the authentic protein . Fluorescence analysis verified the ability of the purified protein to bind substrates and 1.3 S subunits appropriately . Sequencing of the amino terminus and determination of the amino acid composition of the recombinant protein relative to that of the authentic subunit further verified the identity of the purified protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Eur J Biochem, 1993 Oct 1, 217(1), 37 - 43 Molecular cloning of a cDNA encoding an inducible calmodulin-dependent nitric-oxide synthase from rat liver and its expression in COS 1 cells; Adachi H et al.; Calmodulin-dependent nitric-oxide synthase, with an apparent molecular mass of 125 kDa, was induced in the liver of rats treated with Propionibacterium acnes and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide . Clones were isolated from a cDNA library obtained from induced rat liver using oligonucleotide probes which were synthesized based on the amino acid sequences of peptides of the purified enzyme . Four overlapping cDNA clones for a 3.8-kbp region were isolated and the nucleotide sequences were determined . These clones encompassed an open-reading frame of 3441 bases encoding 1147 amino acids . The deduced amino acid sequence of the cDNA suggested that the protein contains binding sites for NADPH, FAD and FMN . The structure of the possible calmodulin-binding site, consisting of a strongly hydrophobic region surrounded by basic amino acids, is present . The full-length cDNA was expressed in COS 1 cells under the control of a cytomegalovirus promoter and the expressed enzyme was found to be a calmodulin-dependent nitric-oxide synthase . A structural comparison suggested that the liver nitric-oxide synthase is the same as the macrophage enzyme . Northern-blot analysis showed that the mRNA in the liver is approximately 4.2 kb long and is induced transcriptionally by treatment with P . acnes and lipopolysaccharide. FEBS Lett, 1993 Sep 13, 330(2), 191 - 6 Primary structure of the 5 S subunit of transcarboxylase as deduced from the genomic DNA sequence; Thornton CG et al.; Transcarboxylase from Propionibacterium shermanii is a complex biotin-containing enzyme composed of 30 polypeptides of three different types . It is composed of six dimeric outer subunits associated with a central cylindrical hexameric subunit through 12 biotinyl subunits; three outer subunits on each face of the central hexamer . Each outer dimer is termed a 5 S subunit which associates with two biotinyl subunits . The enzyme catalyzes a two-step reaction in which methylmalonyl-CoA and pyruvate form propionyl-CoA and oxalacetate, the 5 S subunit specifically catalyzing one of these reactions . We report here the cloning, sequencing and expression of the monomer of the 5 S subunit . The gene was identified by matching amino acid sequences derived from isolated authentic 5 S peptides with the deduced sequence of an open reading frame present on a cloned P . shermanii genomic fragment known to contain the gene encoding the 1.3 S biotinyl subunit . The cloned 5 S gene encodes a protein of 519 amino acids, M(r) 57,793 . The deduced sequence shows regions of extensive homology with that of pyruvate carboxylase and oxalacetate decarboxylase, two enzymes which catalyze the same or reverse reaction . A fragment was subcloned into pUC19 in an orientation such that the 5 S open reading frame could be expressed from the lac promoter of the vector . Crude extracts prepared from these cells contained an immunoreactive band on Western blots which co-migrated with authentic 5 S and were fully active in catalyzing the 5 S partial reaction . We conclude that we have cloned, sequenced and expressed the monomer of the 5 S subunit and that the expressed product is catalytically active. J Bacteriol, 1993 Sep, 175(17), 5723 - 4 Pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructo-1-kinase complements fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase but not phosphofructokinase deficiency in Escherichia coli; Kemp RG et al.; The gene from Propionibacterium freudenreichii for PPi-dependent phosphofructo-1-kinase, an enzyme that is found in some bacteria, in a number of anaerobic protists, and in plants, complements the absence of fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase in Escherichia coli but does not complement the deficiency of the ATP-dependent phosphofructokinase. J Bacteriol, 1993 Sep, 175(17), 5301 - 8 Primary structure of the monomer of the 12S subunit of transcarboxylase as deduced from DNA and characterization of the product expressed in Escherichia coli; Thornton CG et al.; Transcarboxylase from Propionibacterium shermanii is a complex biotin-containing enzyme composed of 30 polypeptides of three different types: a hexameric central 12S subunit to which 6 outer 5S subunits are attached through 12 1.3S biotinyl subunits . The enzyme catalyzes a two-step reaction in which methylmalonyl coenzyme A and pyruvate serve as substrates to form propionyl coenzyme A (propionyl-CoA) and oxalacetate, the 12S subunit specifically catalyzing one of the two reactions . We report here the cloning, sequencing, and expression of the 12S subunit . The gene was identified by matching amino acid sequences derived from isolated authentic 12S peptides with the deduced sequence of an open reading frame present in a cloned P . shermanii genomic fragment known to contain the gene encoding the 1.3S biotinyl subunit . The cloned 12S gene encodes a protein of 604 amino acids and of M(r) 65,545 . The deduced sequence shows regions of extensive homology with the beta subunit of mammalian propionyl-CoA carboxylase as well as regions of homology with acetyl-CoA carboxylase from several species . Two genomic fragments were subcloned into pUC19 in an orientation such that the 12S open reading frame could be expressed from the lac promoter of the vector . Crude extracts prepared from these cells contained an immunoreactive band on Western blots (immunoblots) which comigrated with authentic 12S . The Escherichia coli-expressed 12S was purified to apparent homogeneity by a three-step procedure and compared with authentic 12S from P . shermanii . Their quaternary structures were identical by electron microscopy, and the E . coli 12S preparation was fully active in the reactions catalyzed by this subunit . We conclude that we have cloned, sequenced, and expressed the 12S subunit which exists in a hexameric active form in E.coli. J Biol Chem, 1993 Aug 5, 268(22), 16413 - 9 Effect of deletion from the carboxyl terminus of the 12 S subunit on activity of transcarboxylase; Woo SB et al.; Transcarboxylase from Propionibacterium shermanii is a biotin-containing enzyme which catalyzes the reversible transfer of a carboxyl group from methylmalonyl-CoA to pyruvate . The central hexameric 12 S subunit of the enzyme associates with six 6 S subunits in the complete enzyme complex . We have constructed a series of cloned genes which encode COOH-terminal truncations of the 12 S subunit . Five of these subunits, which remained soluble following expression in Escherichia coli and were missing from 39 to 97 COOH-terminal amino acids, were purified and compared to the full-length subunit after enzyme complexes were assembled in vitro . All of the truncated subunits were 90% as active in the transcarboxylase reaction as wild type except the reaction containing the shortest complex, TC-12 S (1-507), which had 54% of the wild type activity (TC-12 S-WT) . The reduced activity was not due to a lack of CoA ester binding sites or the Km for substrate . However, TC-12 S (1-507) was slower to form than TC-12 S-WT and had more incomplete complexes as judged by high performance liquid chromatography gel filtration profiles and electron microscopy . Isolated TC-12 S (1-507) was 70-80% as active as TC-12 S-WT . We also noted that the truncated form was heat-labile compared to wild type . We conclude that the COOH-terminal region of the 12 S subunit plays a role in assembly and stability of the hexamer and also affects the binding of 6 S subunits to form enzyme complexes . Once complexes do form, the catalytic capacity of TC-12 S (1-507) is almost the same as TC-12 S-WT. J Gen Microbiol, 1993 Aug, 139 ( Pt 8), 1745 - 51 Interaction of Propionibacterium acnes with skin lipids in vitro; Gribbon EM et al.; Propionibacterium acnes is the predominant microbial resident within the pilosebaceous follicles of sebum-rich areas of human skin . This study investigated the effects of known hydrophobic components of sebum on the physiology and nutrition of this microorganism, grown anaerobically at 33 degrees C, under defined conditions using continuous culture techniques . The medium used was chemically defined, comprising eight amino acids, with glucose as the main carbon energy source, and the culture pH was maintained at 5.6 . The range of sebum lipids assayed was based on the C18 monounsaturated fatty acid 9-cis-octadecenoic acid (oleic acid) . Stock micronized solutions were aseptically pulsed into continuous cultures in the presence and absence of glucose, and nutritional effects monitored . None of the lipid substrates significantly affected P . acnes growth either in terms of maximum specific growth rate (mu max) or final culture biomass yield . Glycerol (3 mg ml-1) was found to be a poor carbon/energy source in comparison to glucose . Bacterial cells did, however, adhere with varying degrees, to the different lipid species, with maximum adherence occurring with the free fatty acid . This observation was confirmed by preliminary uptake experiments using {14C}oleic acid . The interactive site for cell adherence may be the lipid-fibrillar layer associated with the cell surface of P . acnes, as discerned in electron microscopical studies . The findings of this investigation suggest that one function of the P . acnes lipase may be to aid colonization within the pilosebaceous follicle, by promoting cell adherence to components such as oleic acid. Arch Biochem Biophys, 1993 Aug 1, 304(2), 359 - 66 The conserved methionines of the 1.3 S biotinyl subunit of transcarboxylase: effect of mutations on conformation and activity; Shenoy BC et al.; Transcarboxylase from Propionibacterium shermanii is a biotin-containing enzyme which catalyzes the reversible transfer of a carboxyl group from methylmalonyl-CoA to pyruvate . Transcarboxylase 26 S complexes consist of a central, hexameric 12 S subunit with 6 outer, 5 S subunits attached by 12 1.3 S biotinyl subunits . Each of the subunits has been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli in active form . We have used the cloned genes in mutagenic studies of the structure-function interactions of these subunits . One particular target of our studies has been the evolutionarily conserved tetrapeptide Ala-Met-Bct-Met which surrounds the biotinyl lysine . We have investigated the properties of subunits containing leucine substitutions at each methionine (1.3 S M88L and 1.3 S M90L) by assaying their activity in the two partial reactions in which this subunit participates . Partial reaction assays demonstrate that leucine substitution at either position has a greater effect on the 12 S partial reaction than on the 5 S reaction and Met 88 is more significant catalytically than Met 90 . To determine whether structural alterations in the 1.3 S mutants were responsible for the effects on activity, the conformations of these mutants were investigated . In vitro hydrolysis studies with trypsin and V8 protease demonstrated differences in the susceptibility of 1.3 S M88L relative to 1.3 S WT and 1.3 S M90L . Complexes of avidin with 1.3 S WT or mutant subunits, as monitored by fluorescence properties, indicated that the microenvironment of the biocytin of 1.3 S M88L was different from those of 1.3 S WT and 1.3 S M90L . By contrast, substrate binding (oxalacetate for 5 S and methylmalonyl-CoA for 12 S) was unaffected by any of the 1.3 S mutants . Taken together, these results indicate that the conserved tetrapeptide of the 1.3 S biotinyl subunit, particularly Met 88, is required to provide an essential conformation and proper binding properties for catalysis of the partial reactions and the overall reaction. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1993 Aug, 59(8), 2369 - 74 Paracrystalline surface layers of dairy propionibacteria; Lortal S et al.; We examined 70 dairy propionibacteria and detected a crystalline surface layer (S-layer) in only 2 organisms (Propionibacterium freudenreichii CNRZ 722 and Propionibacterium jensenii CNRZ 87) by freeze-etching and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) . Both S-layers exhibited oblique (p2) symmetry (a = 9.9 nm; b = 5.4 nm; gamma = 80 degrees) and completely covered the cell surface . Treatment for 15 min at the ambient temperature with 5 M guanidine hydrochloride or acidic conditions (250 mM ammonium acetate, pH 2.7) efficiently extracted the S-layer protein from intact cells of strain CNRZ 722, whereas treatment with 5 M guanidine hydrochloride at 100 degrees C for 15 min was necessary to isolate the S-layer protein of strain CNRZ 87 . The precipitates obtained after dialysis of the extracting agents produced no regular patterns . The molecular masses of the two S-layer proteins, as estimated by SDS-PAGE, were 58.5 kDa for the strain CNRZ 722 and 67.3 kDa for the strain CNRZ 87 . Mass spectrometry of the isolated S-layer protein of strain CNRZ 722 gave a molecular mass value close to the expected value (56,533 Da) . The N-terminal sequences of the two purified S-layer proteins differed, as did their amino acid compositions, except that the same high hydrophobic amino acid content (52%) was observed. Clin Investig, 1993 Aug, 71(8), 644 - 8 Influence of topical erythromycin preparations for acne vulgaris on skin surface pH; Korting HC et al.; Topical erythromycin is a standard regimen for inflammatory acne vulgaris because of its action against Propionibacterium acnes . Changes in P . acnes colonization are inducible by long-lasting changes of skin surface pH . Therefore, the influence of six erythromycin preparations with approximative pH values of 7.5 (preparation A) to 10.2 (C) on the skin surface pH was evaluated in healthy volunteers using a cross-over design . Following a 14-day run-in period, a constant skin surface pH (5.0) was found . Ten subjects received single doses 2-3 days apart; 20 volunteers applied preparations A and C for 28 days . Single doses of preparations A and E (pH 8.0) increased skin pH to 6.99 and 8.61, respectively, at 15 min; it then gradually declined . The other preparations induced only a minor rise of short duration . At the end of the long-term application, the skin surface pH amounted to 5.73 (A) and 5.39 (C) . There was no correlation between the effect on skin surface pH and the approximative pH of the preparations . A close relation of single-dose and long term-effects was observed, however . The skin surface pH during the application of preparation A is high enough to increase P . acnes growth about fourfold as compared with normal skin and thus may counteract the antibacterial effect . Clinical relevance should be evaluated in a controlled clinical trial comparing the efficacy of preparation A with that of preparation C. J Clin Microbiol, 1993 Jul, 31(7), 1913 - 5 Evidence for the absence of hyaluronidase activity in Porphyromonas gingivalis; Grenier D et al.; The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of Porphyromonas gingivalis to degrade hyaluronic acid . No hyaluronidase activity was detected using a turbidimetric method, whereas a standard plate assay showed a positive reaction for P . gingivalis . We postulated that the high proteolytic activity of P . gingivalis may account for this observation . A modified plate assay was designed to avoid false-positive reactions caused by proteolytic bacteria . The new assay, based on the formation of a water-insoluble salt between hyaluronic acid and the polyanion cetylpyridinium chloride, indicated that P . gingivalis does not have hyaluronidase activity . By this modified plate method, it was found that among 24 different oral bacterial species tested, Propionibacterium acnes and Prevotella oris were the only species that possess hyaluronidase activity. Genetika, 1993 Jun, 29(6), 914 - 21 {Cloning of recA and lexA genes on the plasmid with a broad host range}; Papkova SV et al.; The recA gene from Escherichia coli and Propionibacterium shermanii and lexA gene from E . coli were cloned of the plasmid pBI101 with a broad host range . The correlation of induction of the SOS function and the dose of UV-light, MMS and 4-NQO was studied in E . coli cells carrying the plasmid pJE43 . The level of SOS response in recA cells carrying the plasmid pBI101::recA E . coli and pBI101::recA P . shermanii was higher than a SOS response level in EC1000 with a normal recA gene . However, no complete complementation of the SOS function was observed in recA cells when pBI101 with recA and lexA genes was incorporated and under the action of all mutagenic factors. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo), 1993 Jun, 41(6), 1066 - 73 Synthesis and pharmacological activities of novel cyclic disulfide and cyclic sulfide derivatives as hepatoprotective agents; Ito S et al.; In order to search for anti-hepatitis drugs, we synthesized a series of eight- and nine-membered cyclic disulfides (1) and six- and seven-membered cyclic sulfides (2) and evaluated them for ability to reduce mortality in the model of acute hepatic failure induced by Propionibacterium acnes-lipopolysaccharide in mice . Compounds 1 were synthesized by oxidative cyclization of the corresponding dithiol derivatives (3) with diethyl bromomalonate or iodine . Compounds 2 were prepared from the methyl esters of 1 by desulfurization with tris(diethylamino)phosphine followed by deprotection . Compounds 1 were generally found to be more active than compounds 2 . Compound 1b (SA3443) was found to exhibit potent protective activity . The synthesis and structure-activity relationships are discussed. J Bacteriol, 1993 Jun, 175(11), 3511 - 9 Cloning, sequencing, and expression of the gene encoding methylmalonyl-coenzyme A mutase from Streptomyces cinnamonensis; Birch A et al.; In streptomycetes, the conversion of succinyl-coenzyme A (CoA) into methylmalonyl-CoA, catalyzed by methylmalonyl-CoA mutase, most likely represents an important source of building blocks for polyketide antibiotic biosynthesis . In this work, the structural gene for methylmalonyl-CoA mutase from Streptomyces cinnamonensis was cloned by using a heterologous gene probe encoding the mutase from Propionibacterium shermanii . A 5,732-bp fragment was sequenced, within which four open reading frames were identified on one DNA strand . The two largest (mutA and mutB) overlap by 1 nucleotide and encode proteins of 616 and 733 residues showing high amino acid sequence similarities to each other and to methylmalonyl-CoA mutases from P . shermanii and mammalian sources . The transcriptional start of the mutA-mutB message, determined by S1 mapping, coincides with the first nucleotide of the translational start codon . Evidence that these two open reading frames encode a functional mutase in S . cinnamonensis was obtained by subcloning and expression in Streptomyces lividans TK64 . The mutA and mutB gene products were detected in Western blots (immunoblots) with mutase-specific antibodies and by direct detection of mutase activity with a newly developed assay method . The methylmalonyl-CoA mutase was unable to catalyze the conversion of isobutyryl-CoA into n-butyryl-CoA, another closely related adenosylcobalamin-dependent rearrangement known to occur in S . cinnamonensis. Chemotherapy, 1993 May-Jun, 39(3), 169 - 74 Antibacterial activity of oral antibiotics against anaerobic bacteria; Cullmann W et al.; The spectrum and the antibacterial susceptibility of anaerobic bacteria to oral antibiotics isolated from clinical specimens was assessed in two different centres, the first receiving specimens from University departments and the second from general practitioners and small hospitals . Susceptibility was studied with a microtiter ready-to-use panel system, using the manufacturer's modified Wilkins-Chalgren's broth as the test medium for the following antibiotics: ampicillin, ampicillin+sulbactam, amoxicillin+clavulanic acid, cephalexin, cefaclor, cefuroxime, cefetamet, clindamycin, doxycycline and erythromycin . Anaerobic bacteria frequently encountered in clinical specimens from the University departments were mainly resistant Bacteroides spp., especially Bacteroides fragilis, Propionibacterium spp . and Peptostreptococcus spp., whereas in the outpatient center, Peptostreptococcus spp, Actinomyces spp . and Veillonella parvula (usually considered as colonizing flora) represented 90% of the cultured bacteria . The study shows that the members of most Bacteroides spp . encountered in a hospital environment are resistant to most of these agents (except clindamycin, amoxicillin+clavulanic acid, and ampicillin+sulbactam), whereas the gram-positive pathogens are widely covered by most of the orally available agents studied including cefetamet. Br J Dermatol, 1993 May, 128(5), 556 - 60 Tetracycline-resistant propionibacteria from acne patients are cross-resistant to doxycycline, but sensitive to minocycline; Eady EA et al.; Antibiotic-resistant propionibacteria are being isolated with increasing frequency from antibiotic-treated acne patients . Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of three tetracyclines, extensively used in acne therapy, were determined for 46 resistant and 19 sensitive propionibacteria isolates . Sensitive strains were inhibited by < or = 1 microgram/ml of all three tetracyclines . For every resistant strain tested, the MIC of tetracycline exceeded that of doxycycline which, in turn, exceeded that of minocycline . The mean MIC for resistant strains was 20.61 +/- 4.56 micrograms/ml of tetracycline, 9.70 +/- 2.03 micrograms/ml of doxycycline and 1.95 +/- 0.35 micrograms/ml of minocycline . In order to determine whether these strains could be inhibited by concentrations of minocycline achievable in vivo, serum levels of minocycline were determined in acne patients receiving either the recommended dose of 50 mg b.d . (20 males, 14 females), or twice this dose (21 males, 12 females) . Serum levels were significantly higher (P < 0.001, Student's t-test) in patients receiving 100 mg b.d . Males on 50 mg b.d . had significantly lower serum levels than females on the same dose (P < 0.05 . Student's t-test) . For all patients, the mean serum level on high-dose minocycline was 2.46 +/- 0.45 micrograms/ml, compared with 1.38 +/- 0.30 micrograms/ml on the smaller dose . These results indicate that tetracycline-resistant propionibacteria should be considered clinically minocycline sensitive, if patients who harbour such strains are prescribed 100 mg b.d . The recommended dose of minocycline for treating acne, especially in male patients, should be re-assessed. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo), 1993 May, 41(5), 876 - 81 Synthesis of thiazolidine-2-thione derivatives and evaluation of their hepatoprotective effects; Yoneda K et al.; A series of N-(mercaptoalkyl)thiazolidine-2-thiones and their derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for hepatoprotective activities against Propionibacterium acnes-lipopolysaccharide (P . acnes-LPS)-induced liver injury in mice and in vitro lipid peroxide (LPO) formation in rat liver microsomes . Reaction of N-(p-methoxybenzylthioalkyl)cysteine methyl ester (11) with 1,1'-thiocarbonyldiimidazole followed by deprotection gave the corresponding thiazolidine-2-thione derivatives . Among the compounds synthesized, 1a and 2a showed the most potent hepatoprotective activities against P . acnes-LPS-induced liver injury . Compounds 1a-f and 4 inhibited LPO formation in vitro . Compounds 1a and 2a were chosen for further pharmacological evaluations. Genetika, 1993 May, 29(5), 777 - 84 {Cloning of the recA gene of the propionic acid bacterium Propionibacterium shermanii in Escherichia coli cells}; Pankova SV et al.; Propionibacterium are producers of vitamin B-12 and organic acids and are of importance in national economy . Genetics of this organism was studied insufficiently . We constructed the genomic library of Propionibacterium shermanii in cells of Escherichia coli using the plasmid vector pVZ361 and identified recA gene . The vector gives a chance for direct selection of Str-resistant clones containing an insert in BamHI site . The recombinant plasmid carrying the recA gene of P . shermanii was isolated from the genomic library using complementation in E . coli . Strains E . coli C600 and HB101 were transformed by hybrid plasmids, and UV-light-resistant clones were identified . The clones were purified and subjected to treatment with 4-NQO and MMS . Diagrams reflecting survival dependence of the bacteria carrying recombinant plasmids and lacking them on the mutagen concentration and UV-light dose clearly confirmed functioning of P . shermanii recA gene in E . coli cells . The insert with recA gene underwent restriction analysis . The 1.7 kb fragment with recA gene was then transferred to pBI101 plasmid and the resultant recombinant plasmid was used in the SOS test . The mutagens (MMS, 4-NHQ) and UV-light induced the SOS response in E . coli HB101 (recA) carrying the recombinant plasmid. Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 1993 Apr, 100(4), 149 - 51 Prophylactic application of Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 in swine with acute experimental infections . I . Viral infections--Aujeszky's disease and classical swine fever; Markowska-Daniel I et al.; The usefulness of the prophylactic application of Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 (PA), a potent stimulator of the macrophage-monocyte system and inducer of endogenous interferons, was demonstrated in swine infected experimentally with Aujeszky's disease or classical swine fever viruses . Some of the infected animals were preimmunized with respective vaccines containing live, attenuated viruses . In vaccinated and non-vaccinated swine infected with Aujeszky's disease virus, pretreatment with PA lowered the morbidity rate, shortened the period of fever and fastened the recovery . Infection with classical swine fever virus resulted in 100% mortality of PA-pretreated non-vaccinated swine, but the length survival of the animals was significantly longer (p < 0.05). Ophthalmology, 1993 Apr, 100(4), 447 - 51 Postoperative Propionibacterium endophthalmitis . Treatment strategies and long-term results; Winward KE et al.; PURPOSE: Postoperative Propionibacterium endophthalmitis is a condition characterized by exacerbations and remissions that has often been accompanied by recurrence after treatment . The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of initial therapies in preventing recurrent endophthalmitis and to assess the safety of intraocular lens (IOL) exchange performed during treatment of active endophthalmitis . METHODS: The records of 22 patients with culture-proven Propionibacterium endophthalmitis treated at one facility were retrospectively reviewed . RESULTS: Two patients presented acutely, were treated with intraocular antibiotic injection alone, and experienced no recurrent inflammation . Twenty patients presented with chronic, delayed-onset pseudophakic endophthalmitis . Eight of these were treated initially with intraocular antibiotic injection alone, and recurrent endophthalmitis developed in seven . Twelve patients with chronic endophthalmitis were initially managed surgically with either pars plana vitrectomy or IOL exchange . Four of the 12 experienced recurrent endophthalmitis . Patients undergoing capsulectomy as part of initial management experienced the lowest rate of recurrent endophthalmitis . Eight patients eventually underwent total capsulectomy and IOL explantation, seven of whom had IOL exchange . None of these eight patients had recurrent endophthalmitis . In seven of the eight, persistent bacterial colonization of the lens capsular remnants was demonstrated . CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that recurrent Propionibacterium endophthalmitis is due to persistence of viable organisms sequestered within lens capsular remnants, and that initial therapy directed toward surgical removal of these sequestered organisms results in a reduced frequency of recurrent endophthalmitis . Intraocular lens exchange with complete capsular removal during active endophthalmitis was not associated with recurrent or persistent endophthalmitis. Ophthalmic Surg, 1993 Apr, 24(4), 268 - 72 Preliminary study of a new intraocular method in the diagnosis and treatment of Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis following cataract extraction; Owens SL et al.; Late endophthalmitis, due to Propionibacterium acnes, developed in three patients following uncomplicated extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC-IOL) insertion . Cultures from the capsular bag yielded P . acnes in all three . With topical anesthesia and through an anterior chamber paracentesis, culture specimens were taken from and clindamycin irrigated into the capsular bag . Filtered 100% oxygen was introduced into the anterior chamber in two; the third also received an injection of gentamicin and dexamethasone into the capsular bag . After treatment, two patients received oral antibiotics; one received hyperbaric oxygen therapy . Visual acuity was improved and inflammation reduced in all three . However, after treatment, ocular toxic effects due to clindamycin were suspected in one . This approach offers several clear advantages, including topical anesthesia, outpatient management, elimination of the need for vitrectomy, and retention of the intraocular lens (IOL). APMIS, 1993 Apr, 101(4), 330 - 6 Immunohistochemical localization of an inducible form of nitric oxide synthase in various organs of rats treated with Propionibacterium acnes and lipopolysaccharide; Bandaletova T et al.; Immunohistochemical localization of an endotoxin-inducible form of nitric oxide synthase was examined using rabbit polyclonal antibody against the enzyme purified from rat liver . In rats treated with Propionibacterium acnes and lipopolysaccharide, immunostaining was observed in macrophages, occasional lymphocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils in red pulp of spleen, Kupffer cells, endothelial cells and hepatocytes in liver, alveolar macrophages in lung, macrophages and endothelial cells in adrenal glands, and histiocytes, eosinophils, mast cells and endothelial cells in colon . Immunoreactivity was also evident in the following tissues: histiocytes and endothelial cells in kidney; histiocytes and neutrophils in esophagus; macrophages and eosinophils in duodenum; macrophages, some lymphocytes and mast cells in ileum; histiocytes in thymus; and endothelial cells in heart and aorta . Immunoreactivity was not detected in these organs from untreated rats . Positively staining cells in these rat organs appeared within 2.5 h after lipopolysaccharide administration; their number dramatically increased within the next 2.5 h, remained at high levels for a further 19 h, and then decreased over the following 24 h . The number of positive cells appearing correlated well with the nitric oxide synthase activity biochemically determined in the same organs. J Biol Chem, 1993 Mar 5, 268(7), 5085 - 8 Identification of active site residues in pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructo-1-kinase by site-directed mutagenesis; Green PC et al.; The primary structure of pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase (PFK) from Propionibacterium freudenreichii exhibits a low but significant level of sequence identity with Escherichia coli ATP-dependent PFK, permitting the tentative assignment of residues that may be involved in catalysis . Based on these assignments, the roles in catalysis of 2 aspartyl residues (Asp151 and Asp153) and 2 lysyl residues (Lys80 and Lys85) were examined . Mutagenesis of the Asp151 to alanine and serine reduced kcat by a factors of 2 x 10(4) and 4 x 10(5), respectively, while showing no change in Km for either substrate in the forward reaction or for metal ion in the back reaction . The kcat for Asp153 was decreased by a factor of 700 with no change in Km for pyrophosphate and an increase of about 20-fold in Km for fructose 6-P and close to 4-fold for magnesium ion . That these changes in the mutants were not the result of global conformational changes was indicated by their identical behavior during substrate-specific elution chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, and limited proteolysis by trypsin and subtilisin . Mutations of Lys80 and Lys85 showed no significant changes in kinetic parameters, suggesting no involvement in mechanism or substrate binding . These and other results permit preliminary modeling of the active site of pyrophosphate-dependent PFK. Genetika, 1993 Mar, 29(3), 539 - 42 {Molecular cloning of threonine biosynthesis genes from Propionibacterium shermanii in Escherichia coli cells}; Pankova SV et al.; Cloning the genes for threonine biosynthesis from Propionibacterium shermanii was performed in Escherichia coli cells using the plasmid vector pVZ361 . The cloned genes were identified via complementation of thrB, thrC, thrA1 and thrA2 mutations of E . coli . The gene complementing thrB of E . coli was located within a 5.1 kb fragment of P . shermanii chromosomal DNA . The cloned DNA fragment hybridized with a chromosomal fragment of P . shermanii of the same size . The plasmid pSPt4 (with the thrB gene) was digested with Sau3A and ligated with the BamHI-restricted pUC19 vector . The 1.8 kb DNA fragment of P . shermanii was shown to complement the thrB gene function in E . coli cells. Gastroenterol Jpn, 1993 Mar, 28 Suppl 4, 30 - 2; discussion 33-5 Network of cytokine and arachidonic acid cascade in acute hepatic failure; Mizoguchi Y et al.; When heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes (P . acnes) was intravenously injected into mice and 7 days later a small amount of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin was administered, most of the mice died of massive liver necrosis . In this liver injury model, cytokines, immunomediators, and eicosanoids, inflammatory products, were produced by Kupffer cells and liver-infiltrated macrophages, which were thought to participate, directly or indirectly, in the induction of liver cell damage . Furthermore, these two networks seemed to regulate each other . Thus, this regulatory mechanism might play an important role in the induction of liver cell injury. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1993 Mar 1, 90(5), 1766 - 70 Adipose pyruvate carboxylase: amino acid sequence and domain structure deduced from cDNA sequencing; Zhang J et al.; The complete amino acid sequence of 3T3-L1 adipocyte pyruvate carboxylase (PC) {pyruvate:carbon-dioxide ligase (ADP-forming), EC 6.4.1.1} has been deduced from sequencing overlapping cDNA clones obtained from an adipocyte cDNA library constructed in the lambda Zap vector . The encoding mRNA for PC promoter contains 4067 nt, including a 3534-nt coding sequence and noncoding regions of 100 and 433 nt at the 5' and 3' ends, respectively . The biotinylated lysine of the encoded PC promoter (1178 amino acids with a calculated M(r) of apocarboxylase = 129,784) is located 35 residues from the COOH-terminal end and, as in most other biotin enzymes, is in the consensus sequence AMKM . The adipocyte PC is closely similar (53% identity) to the yeast enzyme and contains different segments that are homologous with regions from the biotin carboxylase component of Escherichia coli acetyl-CoA carboxylase, the keto acid-binding subunits of Propionibacterium shermanii oxaloacetate transcarboxylase and Klebsiella pneumoniae oxaloacetate decarboxylase, and to the biotin carboxyl-carrier protein of the bacterial biotin enzymes . In addition to the putative mitochondrial targeting signal, functional domains are readily identifiable in the sequence and are in the following order: biotin carboxylase-carboxyltransferase-biotin carboxyl-carrier protein, as proposed for yeast PC. Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao, 1993 Mar, 14(2), 183 - 6 {Effects of protein kinase C activator and inhibitor on release of tumor necrosis factor from mouse peritoneal macrophages}; Hu ZL et al.; The effects of protein kinase C (PKC) activator 1-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and inhibitor 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7) and quercetin were studied on release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) from mouse peritoneal macrophages primed with Propionibacterium acnes (PA) . The results showed that TPA (1-100 ng.ml-1) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) (1-100 ng.ml-1) induced the release of TNF from PA-primed mouse peritoneal macrophages in dose- and time-dependent manners in vitro, and the effects of TPA and LPS were inhibited by H-7 (12.5-100 mumol.L-1) or quercetin (6.25-25 mumol.L-1) in a dose-dependent manner . After ip H-7 (50 mg.kg-1), LPS-induced release of TNF in vivo decreased significantly . These results suggest that PKC may play a critical role in release of TNF from PA-primed macrophages. Biochem J, 1993 Mar 1, 290 ( Pt 2), 551 - 5 Methylmalonyl-CoA mutase from Propionibacterium shermanii: characterization of the cobalamin-inhibited form and subunit-cofactor interactions studied by analytical ultracentrifugation; Marsh EN et al.; A large proportion of adenosylcobalamin-dependent methylmalonyl-CoA mutase from Propionibacterium shermannii is isolated in an inactive form which contains a tightly bound cobalamin . Even when the enzyme was denatured in 5.0 M guanidine hydrochloride the cobalamin remained associated with the protein . However, when dithiothreitol was added to the denatured protein, the pink inhibitor was rapidly converted into a yellow-brown compound which could be removed by dialysis . Enzyme activity could be recovered after removal of the denaturant, although surprisingly this did not depend on prior treatment with dithiothreitol . The interaction between the protein and inhibitor was investigated by using analytical ultracentrifugation under denaturing conditions . The sedimentation coefficient s20,w was measured in various concentrations of guanidine hydrochloride . A complicated picture emerged in which at low denaturant concentrations subunit dissociation, partial unfolding and aggregation occur, whereas at high concentration the protein behaves as a monodisperse species . No major differences in sedimentation were observed between the enzyme-cobalamin complex and the cobalamin-free enzyme, suggesting that the inhibitor does not significantly stabilize higher-order structure within the protein. Can J Microbiol, 1993 Feb, 39(2), 180 - 6 Measurement of the intracellular pH of Propionibacterium acnes: comparison between the fluorescent probe BCECF and 31P-NMR spectroscopy; Futsaether CM et al.; The intracellular pH of the Gram-positive skin bacterium Propionibacterium acnes was determined using the pH-sensitive fluorescent probe 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and-6)carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) . The probe was introduced into the bacteria using the membrane-permeable acetoxymethyl ester BCECF-AM . The intracellular pH of the bacteria was determined by establishing a relation between the fluorescence ratio 505/450 and pH using the ionophore nigericin . To verify the intracellular pH determined using BCECF, the results were compared with those obtained using 31P-NMR spectroscopy . The effects of different external pH values and glucose addition upon the intracellular pH were examined using BCECF and 31P-NMR . Good correlation was obtained between the two techniques . Propionibacterium acnes maintained a pH gradient, inside alkaline, in the external pH range 5.0-7.4, which inverted when the pH was > 7.5 . At external pH > or equal to 8.5, the intracellular pH was close to the external pH . Glucose exposure did not affect the intracellular pH . Rapid, transient intracellular acidification and alkalinization brought about using NaHCO3 and NH4Cl, respectively, could be detected using BCECF . A limitation encountered when using BCECF was BCECF leakage, which could significantly affect the results if not taken into account. Exp Dermatol, 1993 Feb, 2(1), 12 - 6 Detection of Propionibacterium acnes polypeptides which have stimulated an immune response in acne patients but not in normal individuals; Holland KT et al.; Patient and normal volunteer sera were used as probes in two-dimensional PAGE of P . acnes culture supernatant fluid and cell extracts to determine whether specific P . acnes polypeptides were associated with the immune reaction in acne . Eight polypeptides, M(r) 20 to 131 x 10(3), pI 4.7 to 6.5 in the cell extract, and 7 polypeptides M(r) 10 to 24 kD, pI 4.8 to 7.5 in the culture supernatant fluid were specifically highlighted by patient sera and not volunteer sera . These polypeptides were not related to described extracellular enzymes of P . acnes . It is possible that these polypeptides are involved in the induction of acne. Vet Med (Praha), 1993 Jan, 38(1), 43 - 52 {Biochemical and physiologic properties of strains of Propionibacterium acnes isolated from the rumen of calves and lambs}; Koniarova I; Nineteen strains of Propionibacterium acnes isolated from the rumen wall of calves and lambs were subjected to examinations . Their biochemical characteristics and antibiotic resistance were evaluated while 10 strains were sensitive to all tested antibiotics . Urease activity was recorded in 20% of the examined strains with the mean value 3.42 +/- 0.97 nkat/ml/h . Proteolytic activity was observed in all the examined strains . The mean value of lactate-dehydrogenase activity was 4.96 +/- 1.01 nkat/ml . The production of volatile fatty acids in the course of glucose fermentation was also tested . On the basis of the values of adherence index the strains were evaluated as medium adherent with affinity to rumen epithelial cells. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1993 Jan, 59(1), 83 - 8 Isolation and purification of propionicin PLG-1, a bacteriocin produced by a strain of Propionibacterium thoenii; Lyon WJ et al.; Production of propionicin PLG-1 by Propionibacterium thoenii P127 was pH dependent, with maximal activity detected in supernatants of cultures grown at pH 7.0 Propionicin PLG-1 was purified by ion-exchange chromatography and isoelectric focusing . Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of propionicin PLG-1 purified through isoelectric focusing resolved a protein band with a molecular weight of 10,000 . Propionicin PLG-1 was bactericidal to sensitive cells, demonstrating single-hit kinetics . The producing strain harbored a single plasmid (pLG1) with an approximate size of 250 kb . Preliminary data indicate that both propionicin PLG-1 and immunity to the bacteriocin are encoded on the chromosome . Exposure of strain P127 to acriflavine or to N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine yielded isolates that no longer produced bacteriocin activity and isolates that were cured of the plasmid . However, loss of bacteriocin production was not correlated with loss of the plasmid . Isolates cured of the plasmid were phenotypically identical to plasmid-bearing cells in fermentation patterns, pigment production, and growth characteristics. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1993 Jan, 59(1), 347 - 50 Cloning and characterization of the gene encoding glutamate 1-semialdehyde 2,1-aminomutase, which is involved in delta-aminolevulinic acid synthesis in Propionibacterium freudenreichii; Murakami K et al.; The gene from Propionibacterium freudenreichii that encodes glutamate 1-semialdehyde 2,1-aminomutase (EC 5.4.3.8), which is involved in the C5 pathway for synthesis of delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a precursor in heme and cobalamin biosynthesis, was cloned onto a multicopy plasmid, pUC18, via complementation of an ALA-deficient mutant (hemL) of Escherichia coli . Subcloning of fragments from the initial 3.3-kb chromosomal fragment allowed the isolation of a 1.9-kb fragment which could complement the hemL mutation . Nucleotide sequence analysis of the 1.9-kb DNA fragment revealed an open reading frame (ORF) that was located downstream from a potential ribosome-binding site . The ORF encoded a polypeptide of 441 amino acid residues, and the deduced molecular mass of this polypeptide is 45,932 Da . A high G+C content (70 mol%) of the codons of the ORF was found and was consistent with the taxonomic features of Propionibacterium species . The amino acid sequence showed a high degree of homology with those of the HemL proteins from other organisms, and a putative binding site for pyridoxal 5'-phosphate was conserved, with the exception of a single substitution of phenylalanine for leucine . These results suggest that ALA is synthesized via the C5 pathway in a producer of vitamin B12, P . freudenreichii. Arch Biochem Biophys, 1993 Jan, 300(1), 309 - 19 The polyphosphate- and ATP-dependent glucokinase from Propionibacterium shermanii: both activities are catalyzed by the same protein; Phillips NF et al.; The glucokinase (EC 2.7.1.63) from Propionibacterium shermanii phosphorylates glucose using inorganic polyphosphate (poly(P)) or ATP as the phosphate donor . In this investigation, we have purified the glucokinase to homogeneity, using two methods and show that the polyphosphate and ATP-dependent glucokinase activities eluted as a single protein . The protein peak is shown to be homogeneous by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, reverse phase HPLC, and N-terminal sequence analysis . The purified protein eluted as a single peak from gel filtration and hydrophobic interaction HPLC columns and was found to display both the poly(P) and ATP glucokinase activities . Likewise, the two activities comigrated on a native isoelectric focusing gel . In addition, two analogues of ATP with different reactive groups displayed different inhibition patterns with respect to ATP and poly(P) . The 2',3'-dialdehyde of ATP, whose reactive group is the dialdehyde of the ribose ring, showed competitive and noncompetitive patterns with respect to ATP and poly(P), respectively . While, 5'-p-fluorosulfonylbenzoyl adenosine, whose reactive sulfonyl fluoride group is related to the gamma-phosphoryl group of ATP, displayed competitive inhibition patterns with both ATP and poly(P) . These observations provide evidence that the polyphosphate and ATP-dependent glucokinase activities of P . shermanii are the catalytic properties of a single enzyme and that the two substrates may have different binding sites on the enzyme with a common phosphorylating center. Padiatr Padol, 1993, 28(3), A33 - 5 {Recommendations for treatment of acne vulgaris}; Stogmann W; Acne vulgaris is by far the most prevalent of adolescent skin disease, involving 60-80% of the teenage population . By androgen-stimulation the production of sebum is increased and by hyperkeratinisation the canal of the pilosebaceous follicle will be closed, thereby causing formation of comedones . These will get infected with Propionibacterium acnes . The treatment of acne vulgaris therefore consists in 4 steps: sebosuppression (with Benzoylperoxid), keratolysis (with Vitamin A-acid and Azelainacid), bakteriostasis and stopping inflammation (with antibiotics) . A mild cure of the affected skin is necessary too. Med Dosw Mikrobiol, 1993, 45(2), 219 - 22 {Anaerobic Propionibacterium in opportunistic infections}; Dworniczek E et al.; In three cases, two of which regarded exudative pericardium inflammation and one of lung abscess, biopsy revealed negative bacteriological results . Blood cultures resulted in culture of anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria from Propionibacterium genus . Precise chemo- geno-taxonomic studies were performed which confirmed generic identification of isolated strains . These were following: in cell wall--L-DAP, alanine, glycine, galactose, glucose, mannose; lack if mycolic acids; %GC 58-59 . Basing on additional bacteriological studies it was established that two strains belong to the genus Propionibacterium acnes (type I), while third strain appeared to be Propionibacterium propionicum (before Arachnia propionica) . These results confirm growing participation of relative pathogenic bacteria in opportunistic infections . It suggests necessity of blood cultures in cases subjected to prolonged therapy, especially when immunosuppression is involved. Acta Microbiol Hung, 1993, 40(2), 107 - 13 The role of Propionibacterium propionicus in chronic canaliculitis; Csukas Z et al.; Delicate branching filaments, and cocci or rods, were seen by microscopic examination in the pus of the canaliculus lacrimalis in patients with chronic canaliculitis . Propionibacterium propionicus and different bacteria were cultivated and identified in the pus . After i.p . inoculation of mice with the Propionibacterium strains, the morphological changes characteristic of this microorganism were observed in the peritoneum, in the spleen and in the lung, giving an adequate explanation of the direct microscopic findings in the pus. Acta Univ Palacki Olomuc Fac Med, 1993, 136, 9 - 12 Biochemical aspects of immunomodulation by Propionibacterium acnes; Hajduch M et al.; The present paper deals with the effect of indomethacin and/or Propionibacterium acnes (Pa) on the cytochrome P-450 content in liver microsomal fraction, free fatty acids and lipase concentration in serum with respect to the phagocytic activities of monocytomacrophage system, changes in weight of the spleen and liver, survival after LD100 of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and histology of the spleen and liver . The results obtained indicate that INDO acts as an inhibitor of cytochrome P-450 and at the same time stimulates functions of the monocytomacrophage system in all the parameters studied . Pa, a classical immunomodulator, inhibits cytochrome P-450 . After the initial suppression phase (3rd day after administration), it stimulates significantly the activity of monocytomacrophage system and increases the amount of FFA in the serum . The combination of both preparations also inhibits the cytochrome P-450 concentration in the liver and stimulates functions of the monocytomacrophage system in all the studied parameters . However, no temporary suppression of phagocytic activities was observed on the 3rd day of the experiment, in contrast to the animals administered Pa alone . Serum FFA concentration increased significantly . The application of both preparations accelerated markedly the onset of proliferation and differentiation processes in lymphatic follicles of the spleen. Neurol Neurochir Pol, 1993 Jan-Feb, 27(1), 45 - 53 {Changes of cognitive and emotional processes during immunostimulatory treatment in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis}; Jakubowska T et al.; In 35 cases of SSPE sensibilized neuropsychological testing was done before and after 6 months of immunostimulatory and virostatic treatment . Three groups of patients were studied . All groups received isoprinosine, one group was given additionally TFX-thymus extract Polfa, and another group received additionally Propionibacterium granulosum KP-45 . A tendency for improvement of verbal function and emotional status was observed only in the group receiving isoprinosine with propionibacterium . In both remaining groups, receiving only isoprinosine or isoprinosine with TFX worsening was noted, particularly in the isoprinosine-only group . This was particularly evident in the visuospatial orientation . Prolongation of survival time in SSPE owing to specific treatment increases the need for psychoreactive and therapeutic influences for stimulation of cognitive processes. J Biol Chem, 1992 Dec 15, 267(35), 25385 - 8 Identification of inducible calmodulin-dependent nitric oxide synthase in the liver of rats; Iida S et al.; A calmodulin-dependent nitric oxide synthase was significantly induced in the liver of rats treated intravenously with heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes and 5 days later with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide . The apparent calmodulin-dependent and -independent isozymes were separated by Mono Q column chromatography after their partial purification by 2',5'-ADP-agarose affinity chromatography . Both enzymes had a molecular weight of 125,000 as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and required NADPH, tetrahydrobiopterin, and dithiothreitol as cofactors . Their activities were completely inhibited by the specific nitric oxide synthase inhibitors NG-monomethyl-L-arginine and N omega-nitro-L-arginine at 80 and 800 microM, respectively . The peptide maps of these two isozymes with lysylendopeptidase and their reverse-phase column chromatographic profiles were indistinguishable . In the presence of bovine calmodulin, the purified calmodulin-dependent isozyme behaved as a calmodulin-independent isozyme on Mono Q column chromatography . The purified calmodulin-independent isozyme was converted to a calmodulin-dependent isozyme by EDTA and EGTA . Calmodulin blot analysis using 125I-calmodulin showed that the two isozymes bound calmodulin equally efficiently. Hepatogastroenterology, 1992 Dec, 39(6), 553 - 9 Importance of direct hepatocytolysis by liver macrophages in experimental fulminant hepatitis; Tsutsui H et al.; When lipopolysaccharide was administered to mice that had been injected with heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes, most of them died of massive liver necrosis . Previously, we demonstrated that a soluble hepatocytotoxic factor released by liver adherent cells fully activated by both P . acnes and lipopolysaccharide was attributable to the late stage of this severe liver injury . In this report, we focused on the hepatocytolysis by these liver adherent cells in a cell-cell interaction manner . Shortly after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, the P . acnes-elicited liver adherent cells almost completely killed the hepatocytes prepared from both normal syngeneic mice and P . acnes-treated ones . Since P . acnes-elicited liver adherent cells also proved to produce various kinds of cytokines in a short time, the role of cytokines in this liver injury was analyzed . Only TNF-alpha enabled the P . acnes-elicited liver adherent cells to kill hepatocytes prepared from the same mice, but none from the normal ones . These results suggest that the liver adherent cells accumulated and partly stimulated by P . acnes-treatment might rapidly lyse the autologous hepatocytes once triggered by lipopolysaccharide and that the TNF-alpha these liver adherent cells produced might upregulate their own hepatocytotoxic ability. Zentralbl Bakteriol, 1992 Dec, 277(4), 529 - 37 Adjuvant properties of propionibacterium avidum KP-40 in vaccination against endemic viral and bacterial infections . I . Swine immunized with live attenuated Aujeszky's disease virus vaccine and experimentally infected with virulent viruses; Markowska-Daniel I et al.; Forty 5-month old swine were treated with immunomodulating Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 (PA) and/or immunized with live attenuated Aujeszky's disease (AD) virus vaccine (SuivacA); 8 weeks later all animals were infected with virulent AD viruses (NIA-3) . Seven of 10 swine vaccinated without PA developed mild/moderate symptoms of infection with 3- to 5-day fever and a temporary halt in weight gain . Application of PA together with the vaccine lowered the morbidity rate, shortened the period of fever and speeded recovery . Only low levels of virus-neutralizing IgG antibodies were found in vaccinated swine and application of PA did not influence antibody titers. Zentralbl Bakteriol, 1992 Dec, 277(4), 547 - 53 Adjuvant properties of Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 in vaccination against endemic viral and bacterial infections . III . Swine immunized with live attenuated Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae vaccine and experimentally infected with virulent strains R203 and R270B of E . rhusiopathiae; Markowska-Daniel I et al.; Fifty 4-month old piglets were treated with immunomodulating Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 (PA) and/or immunized with live attenuated Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae vaccine (Orvac) . Four weeks after vaccination all animals were inoculated with viable Erysipelothrix rhusipathiae . The vaccine induced the appearance of high titers of specific IgG antibodies with peak values (1:115-1:200) three weeks after immunization . Administration of PA together with the vaccine did not influence antibody titers . Analysis of the course of experimental erysipelas infection in vaccinated and/or PA-treated swine revealed the prophylactic and beneficial effects of PA . PA-treated animals showed a significantly lower lethality rate than untreated controls and the course of the disease was considerably milder, with a shorter period of fever and a faster recovery . Vaccination provided good protection of swine against the development of erysipelas and therefore, the only significant difference in animals treated with PA applied together with the vaccine was a higher gain of body mass after infection. Osaka City Med J, 1992 Nov, 38(2), 111 - 25 Study on the mechanism of an experimental immunological intrahepatic cholestasis model; Shin T et al.; Tuberculin-sensitized guinea pigs were intravenously injected with heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes followed by an intravenous injection of purified protein derivatives 7 day later, resulting in the induction of intrahepatic cholestasis . Using this experimental model, the following results were obtained: (1) Both uptake and release of bile acid were inhibited in the hepatocytes prepared from the cholestasis guinea pigs . (2) The results of the erythritol clearance method indicated that the decrease in bile flow observed in the cholestasis guinea pigs was mostly attributable to the reduced bile excretion from the canaliculi . (3) The decrease in the formation of bile acid independent bile flow was the cause of the decrease in bile flow observed in the cholestasis guinea pigs . (4) There was no change in the permeability of the interhepatocellular tight junction in the cholestasis guinea pigs. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol, 1992 Nov, 78(2), 235 - 43 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits thromboxane release from activated macrophages; Horiuchi H et al.; 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) in concentrations from 0.1 to 10 nM suppressed immunoreactive thromboxane B2 (iTXB2) release from Propionibacterium acnes (P . acnes)-elicited liver adherent cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 microgram/ml) . These suppressive effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 were also observed in oyster glycogen-elicited peritoneal macrophages . On the contrary, it did not inhibit iTXB2 release from both resident Kupffer cells and peritoneal macrophages stimulated with the same concentration of LPS . Furthermore, 1,24(R)-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,24(R)-(OH)2D3), a vitamin D3 analogue, also inhibited iTXB2 release from liver adherent cells, but, another synthesized vitamin D3 analogue, 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 (1 alpha-OH-D3) tended to decrease iTXB2 release only at higher concentrations . These results suggest that active vitamin D3 analogues inhibit iTXB2 release from activated macrophages. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo), 1992 Nov, 40(11), 3013 - 6 Inhibitory effect of bis(2-aminohexyl) disulfide and bis(2-amino-3-phenylpropyl) disulfide on several mouse inflammations; Kohama Y et al.; The anti-inflammatory profile of the analogues of bis(2-aminopropyl) disulfide dihydrochloride with butyl (compd . II) and phenyl (compd . III) instead of the methyl group was studied in several mouse models related to phagocyte functions . The test samples were administered 2-3 h before the inflammatory stimulation or the peak of inflammation . Subcutaneously administered, compds . II and III significantly inhibited serotonin-induced paw edema in a dose-dependent manner (50% inhibitory dose values: 10 and 5 mg/kg, respectively), when orally administered at 25 mg/kg, these compounds were significantly effective, but their potencies were weaker . Neither compound had any irritant activity when administered at a dose of 12.5 micrograms/5 microliters/paw into the paw . In a sheep red blood cells (SRBC)-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction model, compd . II (25 mg/kg, s.c.) significantly inhibited the DTH responses when administered at two different times in relation to the time of challenge . However, there was only slight inhibition by compd . III (25 mg/kg, s.c.) on paw edema formation when administered 14 h after secondary immune response . In a model of experimental acute hepatic failure induced by successive injections of Propionibacterium acnes and lipopolysaccharide, both compounds increased mouse survived, compared with the control mice, and kept the serum levels of components involved in hepatic failure to nearly normal levels . These results demonstrate that compds . II and III possess an inhibitory effect on inflammation related to phagocytes. Agents Actions, 1992 Nov, 37(3-4), 297 - 304 Suppressive effects of E3330, a novel quinone derivative, on tumor necrosis factor-alpha generation from monocytes and macrophages; Miyamoto K et al.; E3330 {(2E)-3-{5-(2,3-dimethoxy-6-methyl-1,4-benzoquinoyl)}-2-nonyl-2- propenoic acid}, a novel synthesized hepatoprotective compound, has suppressive effects on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) generation from monocytes/macrophages in vitro . E3330 (1-100 microM) reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 mg/ml or 1 microgram/ml)-induced TNF-alpha generation from rat resident and Propionibacterium acnes (P . acnes)-elicited peritoneal macrophages, rat and human monocytes, rat Kupffer cells, and splenic mononuclear cells in a concentration-dependent manner . E3330 also (1-100 microM) suppressed TNF-alpha generation stimulated with egg-albumin immune complex in rat P . acnes-elicited peritoneal macrophages . Northern blot analysis showed that LPS-induced expression of TNF-alpha messenger RNA (mRNA) in human blood monocytes was suppressed by E3330 . These findings indicate that E3330 has a suppressive effect on TNF-alpha generation from monocytes/macrophages, regardless of origin or species, and this effect is based in part on the suppression of TNF-alpha mRNA expression. Zentralbl Bakteriol, 1992 Oct, 277(3), 364 - 70 Propionibacterium acnes-metabolites inhibit experimental lung metastasis of murine sarcoma L-1 in BALB/c-mice; Pulverer G et al.; Adhesive interactions between tumor cells and host tissue occur at several stages of metastasis . Such interactions might be inhibited by microbial metabolites resembling the binding regions of matrix molecules . Certain metabolite sequences including Gly, Asp, Arg, and Ser (GAAS) proved to be critical for cell interactions, e.g . with fibronectin . In vitro, the rosette formation of murine pulmonary cells and sarcoma L-1 cells decreased significantly in the presence of Propionibacterium acnes-metabolites rich in GAAS . In vivo, coinjection of Propionibacterium acnes-metabolites and sarcoma L-1 cells significantly inhibited the formation of lung colonies in BALB/c mice . The inhibition of lung colonization by these metabolites appeared to be noncytotoxic and obviously did not result from impairment of cellular tumorigenicity. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1992 Sep 30, 187(3), 1291 - 7 Polyclonal antibody against an inducible form of nitric oxide synthase purified from the liver of rats treated with Propionibacterium acnes and lipopolysaccharide; Ohshima H et al.; A polyclonal antibody was raised in the rabbit against an inducible form of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (EC 1.14.23) purified from the liver of rats with acute liver necrosis induced by i.v . administration of Propionibacterium acnes and lipopolysaccharide . The antibody immunoprecipitated NO synthase activities in the soluble extract of the liver from treated rats . Western blot analysis showed that the cytosols of the liver, lung and spleen from the treated rats but not from non-treated rats, and that of murine macrophages cultured in the presence of lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma, contained immunoreactive protein with a molecular weight of 125 kDa . The antibody, however, does not cross-react with a 150 kDa constitutive form of NO synthase present in the brain of rats, indicating that the inducible and constitutive enzymes are immunologically distinguishable. J Biol Chem, 1992 Sep 15, 267(26), 18407 - 12 The importance of methionine residues for the catalysis of the biotin enzyme, transcarboxylase . Analysis by site-directed mutagenesis; Shenoy BC et al.; Almost all biotin enzymes contain the conserved tetrapeptide Ala-Met-Bct-Met (Bct, N epsilon-biotinyl-L-lysine) . In the 1.3 S biotinyl subunit of transcarboxylase (TC), this sequence is present between positions 87 and 90 . The conserved nature of these amino acids implies a critical role in the function of biotin enzymes . In order to examine the role of these conserved amino acids, point mutations in the gene encoding the 1.3 S subunit have been made by site-directed mutagenesis to generate A87G, M88L, M90L, M88T, M88C, M88A, and a double mutant A87M, M88A in the 1.3 S subunit . TC, a multisubunit enzyme containing 12 S, 5 S, and 1.3 S subunits, catalyzes the transfer of a carboxyl group from methylmalonyl-CoA to pyruvate (overall reaction) . TC can be dissociated into individual subunits and also reconstituted by assembling isolated subunits to a fully active form . The mutants of the 1.3 S subunit have been reconstituted with native 5 S and 12 S subunits from Propionibacterium shermanii . The effects of mutations on the activity of TC were compared with that of TC-1.3 S wild type (WT) prepared in a similar manner . The results show that any substitution of a residue in the conserved tetrapeptide causes impairment of the rate of TC activity . Comparison of gel filtration profiles, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electron micrographs of the TC assembled with mutant 1.3 S and with wild type 1.3 S subunits showed that the impairment of the overall activity was not due to a failure of the subunits to assemble into complexes . Steady state kinetic analysis using the mutant 1.3 S subunits indicated that the Km for methylmalonyl-CoA or pyruvate did not change significantly indicating that the binding of substrates is not altered . However, the kcat values were significantly lower for mutants at positions 87 and 88 than for those at position 90 . The replacement of methionine at position 88 either by hydrophobic or hydrophilic residues significantly altered the activity in the overall reaction, while similar substitution at position 90 did not dramatically alter the kcat . These results suggest that Ala-87 and Met-88 are catalytically critical in the conserved tetrapeptide. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1992 Sep 15, 201(6), 886 - 8 Anaerobic bacterial infections causing osteomyelitis/arthritis in a dog; Hodgin EC et al.; A 3-year-old German Shepherd Dog was examined for lameness, signs of pain, swelling, a draining fistulous tract, and osteolysis after a dog bite on the left carpus . After failure of the lesion to respond to several antibiotics, Peptostreptococcus sp and Propionibacterium sp were isolated from swab specimens and then from surgically collected bone and soft tissue specimens . The bone fragments had mild purulent osteomyelitis associated with numerous gram-positive rods and cocci . The dog was successfully treated by surgical debridement of the lesion and clindamycin administration. FEBS Lett, 1992 Aug 10, 308(1), 22 - 5 Induction of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent NO synthase in various organs of rats by Propionibacterium acnes and lipopolysaccharide treatment; Oguchi S et al.; Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent nitric oxide synthase was found to be induced during rat liver necrosis caused by administration of Propionibacterium acnes and E . coli lipopolysaccharide to rats . Examination of the specific induction of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent NO synthase showed that the enzyme was induced in the lung, spleen and colon as well as the liver . Northern blot analysis revealed that the induction occurred at the transcriptional level. Eur J Biochem, 1992 Aug 1, 207(3), 981 - 5 Biosynthesis of vitamin B12 . Transformation of riboflavin 2H-labeled in the 1'R position of 1'S position into 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole; Lingens B et al.; The 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole moiety of vitamin B12 is formed from riboflavin in aerobic and some aerotolerant bacteria . Thereby C1' of riboflavin is transformed into C2 of the vitamin B12 base . In the present publication a study on this transformation with riboflavin 2H-labeled in the 1'R or 1'S position is described . This study was undertaken in order to find out if one of the two hydrogens at C1' is transferred to C2 of 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole . The 2H-labeled riboflavin samples were synthesized starting from unlabeled or 1-2H-labeled ribose and 3,4-dimethylaniline yielding N-beta-D-ribopyranosyl-3,4-dimethylaniline . The unlabeled riboside was reduced to N-D-ribityl-3,4-dimethylaniline with sodium cyanoborotrideuteride, the 2H-labeled riboside with sodium cyanoborohydride . The ribityl derivatives were transformed into N-D-ribityl-2-phenylazo-4,5-dimethylaniline, and condensed with barbituric acid to riboflavin . The reduction of the ribosyl compound to the ribityl derivative is only partially stereospecific . Thus the riboflavin synthesized from unlabeled ribose had a 2H ratio of 3/1 (1'R/1'S), the riboflavin obtained from D-{1-2H1}ribose of 1/3 (1'R/1'S) . The 2H content in these positions was determined from the 1H-NMR spectra . These spectra showed also that 1 mol 2H/mol riboflavin was present in position 1' . The deuterated riboflavin samples were incubated under aerobic conditions with broken cell preparations of Propionibacterium shermanii . The deuterium content of the 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole isolated was determined by mass spectrometry and by 1H NMR . These measurements revealed that the hydrogen in the pro-S position at C1' of riboflavin is retained during 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole formation, and is thus found at C2 of this base. Circ Shock, 1992 Aug, 37(4), 301 - 6 Beneficial effects of SK&F 105809, a novel cytokine-suppressive agent, in murine models of endotoxin shock; Olivera DL et al.; SK&F 105809 is a structurally novel dual inhibitor of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase-mediated arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism, which has demonstrated antiinflammatory activity in rodent models of inflammation . In addition, the active metabolite of this compound, SK&F 105561, has been shown in vitro to inhibit the production of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) in human monocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) . We report here that in vitro SK&F 105561 also blocks the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) from human monocytes (IC50 0.8-3 microM) . Furthermore, in a murine model of endotoxin shock in which animals are injected with LPS in combination with D-galactosamine (D-gal), SK&F 105809 (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg p.o.), delivered 30 min prior to LPS/D-gal, caused a dramatic reduction in serum TNF (40-90%) and protected the animals from the lethal effects of this treatment . Similar results were obtained in a second model of endotoxin shock in which mice were sensitized with Propionibacterium acnes 10 days prior to LPS injection . In this system 100-fold higher levels of serum TNF are elicited than with the LPS/D-gal model . Treatment with SK&F 105809 (30 and 100 mg/kg p.o.) delivered 30 min prior to LPS resulted in 90-100% inhibition of serum TNF . Protection from the lethal effects of LPS was observed at these doses in the P . acnes/LPS model. Jpn J Pharmacol, 1992 Aug, 59(4), 493 - 6 Inhibitory effect of (4R)-hexahydro-7,7-dimethyl-6-oxo-1,2,5-dithiazocine-4-carboxylic acid (SA3443), a novel cyclic disulfide, on the production of TNF-like factor from Propionibacterium acnes-primed rat liver macrophages/Kupffer cells; Sasano M et al.; The effect of (4R)-hexahydro-7,7-dimethyl-6-oxo-1,2,5-dithiazocine-4-carboxylic acid (SA3443), a novel cyclic disulfide, on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like factor production from Propionibacterium acnes (P . acnes)-primed rat liver macrophages/Kupffer cells was investigated . A remarkable increase in TNF-like activity was detected in the culture supernatants of the liver macrophages/Kupffer cells from P . acnes-treated rats . At concentrations of 1 x 10(-6) to 1 x 10(-4) M, SA3443 significantly inhibited the production/release of TNF-like factor from these P . acnes-primed/activated liver macrophages/Kupffer cells. Hepatogastroenterology, 1992 Aug, 39(4), 325 - 9 Immunotherapy of chronic active viral hepatitis B with propionibacterium granulosum KP-45 (a 5-year follow-up report); Gil J et al.; In the period 1982 to 1984, 14 HBS-AG-positive patients with chronic active hepatitis B were treated monthly with a cell wall preparation (5 or 10 mg) of Propionibacterium granulosum KP-45 (PG), intravenously administered for a period of 6 to 10 months . All 14 patients were monitored by serological and biochemical tests as well as liver biopsy two, three and five years after completing immunotherapy with PG . During this period the patients received neither a specific antiviral, corticosteroid or interferon therapy, nor PG . Re-appearance of HBSAG or HBeAG was never seen in patients who were already free from the antigens one year after completing PG immunotherapy . During the 5-year follow-up, spontaneous improvement in serological and morphological (liver biopsy) parameters of chronic virus B hepatitis occurred in six patients . Five years after completion of PG immunotherapy, only four of the 14 patients showed trace amounts of serum HBSAG (carriers), and in two low levels of anti-HBeAG were present, while the whole group showed a decreasing tendency and serum anti-HBc was still detectable in six patients . HBeAG- and DNA-polymerase-positivity was absent in all patients . Microscopic examination of liver biopsies 5 years after PG immunotherapy showed mild symptoms of chronic hepatitis with inflammatory infiltration, non-active cirrhosis, but without massive periportal and/or multilobular necrosis and trace amounts of HBsAG and HBcAG in hepatocytes only in the four carriers . The remaining 10 patients were free of symptoms of active hepatitis and/or active cirrhosis, but all the patients had moderate to intensive fibrosis in their liver biopsies. Br Heart J, 1992 Aug, 68(2), 218 - 20 Propionibacterium acnes causing an aortic root abscess; Horner SM et al.; A case of endocarditis caused by Propionibacterium acnes associated with an aortic root abscess is presented . This supports the current opinion that aortic root abscesses are not necessarily associated with microorganisms of high virulence. Cutis, 1992 Aug, 50(2), 113 - 6 Effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids on the pilosebaceous unit; Scott MJ 3rd et al.; Examination of skin biopsy specimens from persons using anabolic-androgenic steroids demonstrates dramatic hypertrophy of the sebaceous glands . High dosages of testosterone and anabolic-androgenic steroids, often self-administered by athletes, increase skin surface lipids, the cutaneous population of Propionibacteria acnes and the cholesterol and free fatty acids of the skin surface lipids . Acne, oily hair and skin, sebaceous cysts, hirsutism, androgenic alopecia, striae atrophicae, seborrheic dermatitis, and secondary infections including furunculosis may occur in persons using these drugs. Hepatology, 1992 Aug, 16(2), 462 - 8 Increased 5-lipoxygenase activity in massive hepatic cell necrosis in the rat correlates with neutrophil infiltration; Kawada N et al.; Rats were treated with heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes and subsequent injection of a small amount of lipopolysaccharide after 7 days . After 24 hr most of the rats died of massive liver cell necrosis . Nonparenchymal liver cells were isolated from this liver injury model and incubated with arachidonic acid . Reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography detected the 5-lipoxygenase metabolites (leukotriene B4 and 5-hydroxy-arachidonic acid), whereas these compounds were produced in negligible amounts when the rats were treated with P . acnes only . Immunohistochemical studies with 5-lipoxygenase antiserum revealed that the injured livers contained a large number of positively stained round cells with segmented nuclei, which were rarely found in the livers treated with P . acnes only . These positively stained cells were histologically identified as neutrophils . The results suggested that the increased 5-lipoxygenase activity in the injured rat liver is attributable to the infiltrating neutrophils rather than to nonparenchymal hepatic cells. Med J Aust, 1992 Jul 20, 157(2), 95 - 6 Some characteristics of blood shed into the Solcotrans postoperative orthopaedic drainage/reinfusion system; Harrap RS et al.; OBJECTIVE: To assess the suitability of blood shed into the Solcotrans orthopaedic autotransfusion system as a source of autologous blood for transfusion . DESIGN: Blood samples were taken from patients after surgery and from shed blood within the Solcotrans units . SETTING: Surgery was performed at a public hospital . PATIENTS: All six patients underwent total knee replacements . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurements were made of haemoglobin, haematocrit, platelets, pH, potassium, plasma haemoglobin, fibrinogen, D-dimer, plasminogen activator, thromboplastin and fibrinopeptide A . The non-activated partial thromboplastin time was estimated . Shed blood was compared with homologous whole blood to assess the thrombogenic potential of shed blood in vitro . RESULTS: The haemoglobin and haematocrit levels of the shed blood were significantly lower than venous blood (P = 0.008) . Levels of potassium in shed blood were normal although there was significant haemolysis . Shed blood was depleted of clotting factors, with increased levels of D-dimer (16-128 g/L) . Activation of the coagulation pathway within the shed blood was shown by a shortened non-activated partial thromboplastin time (90-120 s), and detectable levels of thromboplastin . Propionibacterium acnes was isolated from one of the units . CONCLUSION: Reinfusion of large volumes of shed blood should probably be avoided, but use of the Solcotrans orthopaedic transfusion system in conjunction with other autologous transfusion practices can reduce the patient's requirement for homologous blood. J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 1992 Jul, 262(1), 145 - 50 Protective effects of (2E)-3-{5-(2,3-dimethoxy-6-methyl-1,4- benzoquinoyl)}-2-nonyl-2-propenoic acid on endotoxin-mediated hepatitis in mice; Nagakawa J et al.; E3330 {(2E)-3-{5-(2,3-dimethoxy-6-methyl-1,4-benzoquinoyl)}-2-nonyl-2- propenoic acid} is a newly synthesized hepatoprotective quinone derivative . We examined the protective effects and possible mechanism of action of E3330 in three different endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide)-induced murine hepatitis models, in which tumor necrosis factor is suggested to play a critical role in the pathogenesis . One of these models was induced by i.v . injection of lipopolysaccharide in combination with D-galactosamine to mice . Oral pretreatment with E3330 improved the survival rate and attenuated the increase in plasma aminotransferase activities of the survivors . The other two models were induced by i.v . injection of lipopolysaccharide or a mixture of D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide in Propionibacterium acnes-primed mice . In both of these models, tumor necrosis factor was detected in the plasma within 3 hr of the injection . Oral pretreatment with E3330 attenuated the elevation of plasma tumor necrosis factor activity and protected mice from liver injury . Furthermore, E3330 inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor from cultured Propionibacterium acnes-elicited murine peritoneal macrophages on stimulation with lipopolysaccharide in vitro . These findings suggest that the inhibition by E3330 of tumor necrosis factor production is the major mechanism of the protective effect of E3330 in these endotoxin-mediated hepatitis models in mice. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem, 1992 Jul, 56(7), 1017 - 26 In vivo biotinylation of fusion proteins expressed in Escherichia coli with a sequence of Propionibacterium freudenreichii transcarboxylase 1.3S biotin subunit; Yamano N et al.; Biotinylation of fusion proteins in E . coli was studied using a sequence of Propionibacterium freudenreichii transcarboxylase 1.3S biotin subunit . As the biotinylation sequence, we examined two sequences: one was of amino acid residues {84-123} of 1.3S, a partial sequence containing a region from a conserved tetrapeptide (Ala-Met-Bct-Met) around the biotinyl lysine (Bct) to the carboxyl terminal; the other was of an almost entire sequence {18-123} . We constructed recombinant plasmids for fusion proteins of beta-galactosidase, of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, and of alkaline phosphatase . We found the biotinylation in the {18-123} sequence fused to alkaline phosphatase. J Immunol, 1992 Jun 1, 148(11), 3596 - 603 High serum IL-6 level reflects susceptible status of the host to endotoxin and IL-1/tumor necrosis factor; Yoshimoto T et al.; Patients with high level of serum endotoxin did not necessarily develop into lethal shock, whereas some patients died of septic shock even when their serum endotoxin levels were low . These results indicate that limiting factor which determines the host to be endotoxin shock principally depends on the host susceptibility to endotoxin instead of serum endotoxin level . To understand this susceptible status of the host to endotoxin, we used Propionibacterium acnes primed mouse endotoxin shock model . We found that P . acnes-primed mice responded to low dose of LPS by enhanced production of IL-1 and TNF . And such mice were highly susceptible to the lethal shock inducing effect of IL-1 and/or TNF, which also induced high level of serum IL-6 in these mice . Therefore, measurement of serum IL-6 level provides us with the information of the preceding exposure of the host to either LPS or IL-1 and/or TNF and the highly susceptible status of the host to these stimuli . Based on these results obtained from animal model, we investigated the relationship between serum IL-6 levels and serum endotoxin levels in the patients with malignant hematologic disorders . We found that these patients fell into two groups; an endotoxin susceptible group, equivalent to P . acnes-primed mice, showing high level of serum IL-6 with low level of serum endotoxin, and a nonendotoxin susceptible group, equivalent to P . acnes-nonprimed mice, showing low or undetectable level of serum IL-6 with high level of serum endotoxin . We propose that the measurement of serum IL-6 level in the patients positive for endotoxin is a useful tool in evaluating diagnosis and prognosis of endotoxin shock. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids, 1992 Jun, 46(2), 105 - 10 Enhancement of prostaglandin E2 production by liver macrophages (Kupffer cells) after stimulation with biological response modifiers; Kawada N et al.; PGE2 production by liver macrophages (Kupffer cells) activated by biological response modifiers was examined . Kupffer cells obtained from a normal rat liver possessed cyclooxygenase activity and produced TXB2, PGD2, and PGE2 from (1-14C)arachidonic acid . The major product was PGD2 . When Kupffer cells were incubated in the presence of lipo-polysaccharide (LPS), OK-432, or heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes for 24 h, the amount of arachidonate cyclooxygenase products increased and the major product changed from PGD2 to PGE2 . When liver macrophages including Kupffer cells were prepared from rats after an injection of LPS, OK-432, or heat-killed P . acnes, it was noticed that the number of cells obtained and PGE2 production increased compared with those of normal rat . These results suggested that PGE2 production by rat liver was induced when they were treated with biological response modifiers. Pol Tyg Lek, 1992 Jun 1-8, 47(22-23), 496 - 7 {Propionibacterium acnes in the etiology of endocarditis}; Abramczuk E et al.; Propionibacterium acnes is the gram positive anaerobic bacteria belongs to the normal skin and oral microbial flora . The participation of this microorganism in the infective endocarditis is still controversial . The aim of the study was to perform the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties in 5 patients with infective endocarditis caused by Propionibacterium acnes . In 3 out of 5 patients the infective endocarditis developed after prosthesis valve replacement, in 2 others on the native valves . The inserted prostheses were mechanical ones, propionibacterium acnes was identified as causative organisms in all of the causes (two positive blood and/or valve culture) . The bacterial strains were sensitive to the antibiotics as: penicillins, cephalosporins, clindamycin, and vancomycin, however cephalosporins used at the beginning of the treatment in 3 patients and clindamycin in 1 patient had limited clinical efficacy . Later treatment with timentin, augmentin and tienamycin was successful in 3 patients; one patient was cured with vancomycin . One patient died because of septic, embolic complication in early stage of illness . We conclude the effectiveness of penicillins in combination with clavulanic acid and tienamycin in therapy of infective endocarditis due to Propionibacterium acnes . The treatment should be lasted during 4-6 weeks. Biochemistry, 1992 May 26, 31(20), 4815 - 21 Identification of critical lysyl residues in the pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructo-1-kinase of Propionibacterium freudenreichii; Green PC et al.; Pyrophosphate-dependent 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase (PPi-PFK) from Propionibacterium freudenreichii was inactivated by low concentrations of the lysine-specific reagent pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) after sodium borohydride reduction . The substrates fructose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate protected against inactivation whereas inorganic pyrophosphate had little effect . An HPLC profile of a tryptic digest of PPi-PFK modified at low concentrations of PLP showed a single major peak with only a small number of minor peaks . The major peak peptide was isolated and sequenced to obtain IGAGXTMVQK, where X represents a modified lysine residue, corresponding to Lys-315 . Lys-315 was protected from reaction with PLP by fructose 1,6-bisphosphate . As indicated by HPLC maps of PPi-PFK modified with varying concentrations of PLP, a direct correlation was observed between activity loss and the modification of Lys-315 . Two of the minor peptide peaks were shown to contain Lys-80 and Lys-85, which were modified in a mutually exclusive manner . Partial protection against modification of these two residues was provided by MgPPi . The data were used to adjust the sequence alignment of the Propionibacterium enzyme with that of ATP-dependent PFK of Escherichia coli to identify homologous residues in the substrate binding site . It is suggested that Lys-315 interacts with the 6-phosphate of fructose 6-phosphate and that Lys-80 and -85 may be located near the pyrophosphate binding site. Br J Dermatol, 1992 May, 126(5), 505 - 9 The effect of zinc and erythromycin on the growth of erythromycin-resistant and erythromycin-sensitive isolates of Propionibacterium acnes: an in-vitro study; Holland KT et al.; The effect of zinc and erythromycin on cultures inoculated with mixtures of different ratios of erythromycin sensitive (ES) and resistant (ER) Propionibacterium acnes cells was studied in vitro . Propionibacterium acnes ES outgrew P . acnes ER in the absence of erythromycin and zinc . At low levels of erythromycin ES outgrew ER, whilst the addition of 600 pg/ml zinc further reduced the growth of ER compared to ES . Growth of ER and ES were similar at levels of erythromycin near the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ES cells . Concentrations above the MIC for ES cells inhibited ES but not ER cells . At the higher concentrations of erythromycin, the addition of 96 ng/ml zinc delayed the growth of ER cells, whilst the addition of 300 micrograms/ml zinc prevented the growth of ER cells . The combination of erythromycin and zinc, at appropriate concentrations, inhibits both ES and ER. Infect Immun, 1992 May, 60(5), 1994 - 2001 Gamma interferon mediates Propionibacterium acnes-induced hypersensitivity to lipopolysaccharide in mice; Katschinski T et al.; Pretreatment of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-responder C57BL/10ScSn mice with killed Propionibacterium acnes enhanced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) production and lethality in response to a subsequent challenge with LPS . Sensitization to LPS increased with time of pretreatment and reached its maximum after 7 days . Sensitization was paralleled by gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production that was detectable from day 3 onward . In contrast, a similar P . acnes pretreatment of LPS-nonresponder C57BL/10ScCr mice had no apparent effect on their high resistance to LPS . Challenge with LPS at any time during the 7-day period after P . acnes treatment led to no detectable TNF-alpha formation and caused no lethal effects . The absence of sensitization in C57BL/10ScCr mice was paralleled by an absence of IFN-gamma production . Administration of monoclonal IFN-gamma antibodies in C57BL/10ScSn mice up to day 3 of P . acnes treatment completely inhibited the overproduction of TNF-alpha by LPS . Anti-IFN-gamma administered later than day 3 had only a partial, although significant, inhibitory effect . Injection of appropriate amounts of anti-IFN-gamma also abolished the development of hypersensitivity to the lethal action of LPS . The effect of exogenously administered IFN-gamma on LPS sensitivity (e.g., TNF-alpha production, lethal effects) was studied in LPS-responder and nonresponder mice . Administration of murine recombinant IFN-gamma increased the sensitivity of C57BL/10ScSn mice to LPS and established LPS responsiveness in LPS-nonresponder C57BL/10ScCr and C3H/HeJ mice . The data provide evidence that IFN-gamma mediates the sensitization towards LPS induced by P . acnes. Rev Rhum Mal Osteoartic, 1992 May, 59(5), 349 - 51 {Tibial hyperostosis and Propionibacterium acnes}; Pillon P et al.; In a 39-year-old patient with tibial productive osteitis, Propionibacterium acnes was identified in a surgical specimen of the bone lesion . Similar cases have been reported by others . The possibility that P . acnes may play in a pathogenic role in the SAPHO syndrome by causing inflammatory or infectious changes is discussed. Ophthalmology, 1992 Apr, 99(4), 487 - 90 Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis after intracapsular cataract extraction; Chien AM et al.; The authors report a case of Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis after intracapsular cataract extraction with implantation of an anterior chamber intraocular lens . The patient's chronic inflammation persisted for 5 years after cataract surgery despite treatment with pars plana vitrectomy, intraocular lens removal, topical and oral steroids, and topical fortified antibiotics . Fluctuations in the inflammation were paralleled by changes in the size and appearance of a white plaque on the posterior corneal surface . Anterior chamber tap cultures were positive for P . acnes after 8 days of incubation under anaerobic conditions . The inflammation was not controlled until the posterior corneal plaque, which was the presumed nidus of the chronic infection, was removed and the patient was treated with intravitreal and oral antibiotics. Clin Cardiol, 1992 Apr, 15(4), 299 - 300 Propionibacterium acnes prosthetic valve endocarditis: a case of severe aortic insufficiency; Lazar JM et al.; Propionibacterium acnes rarely causes systemic disease . Few cases of P . acnes endocarditis have been reported . This report describes a 63-year-old man who presented with severe congestive heart failure . He had prosthetic valve endocarditis which resulted in severe acute aortic insufficiency . During surgery he was found to have complete disruption of the aorta and left ventricle with a false aneurysm encompassing the circumference of the aortic annulus . Cultures of the valve grew P . acnes . Thus, although P . acnes is a rare cause of endocarditis, it may pursue a very aggressive course, especially in the setting of a prosthetic valve. Eur J Ophthalmol, 1992 Apr-Jun, 2(2), 94 - 7 Chronic postoperative endophthalmitis caused by Propionibacterium acnes; Posenauer B et al.; Persistent intraocular inflammation after cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation is acquiring importance . Frequently, chronic uveitis or the "toxic lens syndrome" have to be differentiated from bacterial infection . This report describes five cases with chronic postoperative endophthalmitis where the anaerobic bacterium Propionibacterium acnes was found to be the causative organism . Adequate anaerobic culture media and proper sampling from the area around the lens haptics are the most important requirements for the detection of P . acnes. Z Naturforsch {C}, 1992 Mar-Apr, 47(3-4), 171 - 6 {Transformation of {5'-3H}riboflavin into 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole}; Kolonko B et al.; The 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole unit of vitamin B12 is formed from riboflavin via FMN in aerobic and some aerotolerant bacteria . Thereby C-1' of the ribityl side chain gets C-2 of 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole . Experiments with homogenates of Propionibacterium shermanii on the fate of C-atoms 2' to 5' of the ribityl side chain of riboflavin in this transformation are reported . It was found that {5'-3H}riboflavin leads to radioactive sugar phosphates . These were isolated, dephosphorylated, and separated . Thus 3H-D-fructose and 3H-D-glucose were detected . The degradation of 3H-D-glucose revealed that 14 per cent of the total radioactivity was located in C-1, and 86 per cent in C-6 . This indicates that during 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole biosynthesis a three carbon unit is formed from the ribityl side chain of riboflavin. Br Vet J, 1992 Mar-Apr, 148(2), 133 - 45 Stimulation of granulopoiesis in pregnant swine and their offspring by Propionibacterium avidum KP-40; Markowska-Daniel I et al.; Functional parameters of granulopoiesis were measured in gilts, in pregnant sows and in their offspring . Groups of dams and piglets were injected with a potent immunomodulator--killed lyophilized Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 (PA) . Administration of PA (0.1 mg/kg body wt for sows and 0.2 mg/kg body wt for piglets) resulted in significant stimulation of all measured parameters of granulopoiesis as well as in a faster gain of body weight . PA stimulation of sows prior to farrowing had no measurable influence on the development of their offspring. Nihon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi, 1992 Mar, 30(3), 412 - 7 {Release of interleukin-6 by alveolar macrophages in patients with sarcoidosis}; Kataoka M et al.; The supernatants from cultures of alveolar macrophages from 12 patients with sarcoidosis and 7 control subjects were assayed for interleukin-6 (IL-6) using an ELISA system . IL-6 was detectable without a stimulant in supernatants from all subjects with sarcoidosis and controls . However, the supernatants from 4 of 12 untreated patients with sarcoidosis contained significantly greater amounts of IL-6 . When macrophages were stimulated by Propionibacterium acnes (P . acnes), the mean level of IL-6 in the supernatant of patients with sarcoidosis was 5.18 +/- 1.46 ng/ml, which was significantly higher than in controls (3.34 +/- 0.39) (p less than 0.05) . Furthermore, in patients with sarcoidosis, the mean level of IL-6 in the supernatant was significantly correlated with the percentage of lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (p less than 0.05), the level of interleukin-1 released by alveolar macrophages stimulated by P . acnes (p less than 0.05), and the phagocytic index of alveolar macrophages (p less than 0.05) . The large amount of IL-6 in the supernatant after stimulation by LPS was measured in patients with sarcoidosis (24.49 +/- 13.36) and in controls (12.4 +/- 8.53), and there was no significant difference between patients with sarcoidosis and controls . Small amounts of IL-6 were detectable in bronchoalveolar fluid from only 2 of 26 patients with sarcoidosis; however, it was detected in none of 15 controls . It is suggested that the enhancement of IL-6 release by alveolar macrophages has a role in the activation of immune effector cells at sites of sarcoidosis. Folia Biol (Praha), 1992, 38(1), 31 - 9 Validity of delayed-type hypersensitivity and graft-versus-host reaction in testing of immunomodulators; Sula K; Assessment of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is an integral part of preclinical studies of pharmaceuticals and xenobiotics . Even if several tests to determine CMI are available, their interpretation is fraught with uncertainty whether identical results can be expected for each of these particular tests after the challenge with different immunomodulatory substances . This dilemma has been addressed by investigating the changes in two basic tests of CMI in vivo, i.e . delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to sheep red blood cells and regional graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR), after the challenge with several immunomodulators . Both immunosuppressive modifiers (monoclonal anti-Thy 1, 2 antibody, cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone, methotrexate) and immunostimulatory agents (lipopolysaccharide, double-stranded RNA, thymostimulin, adamantylamide dipeptide, Propionibacterium parvum, BCG), were used . Most of the immunosuppressive drugs stimulated DTH while inhibiting GVHR . Most of the immunostimulating substances suppressed DTH and failed to affect GVHR . The results of tests were time dependent . Regional GVHR and DTH cannot be used as mutually interchangeable in immunomodulatory testing, and different results of these tests after exposure to a given agent can be expected . Possible mechanisms of action which would explain these differences are suggested in the discussion. Acta Univ Palacki Olomuc Fac Med, 1992, 133, 19 - 23 Experimental nonspecific immunostimulation by the Propionibacterium acnes vaccine; Koukalova D et al.; The immunostimulation effect of the selected Propionibacterium acnes strain 16073 was described . The optimal conditions for the preparation of the P . acnes vaccine and the nonspecific immunostimulation effects of the vaccine on various experimental infections were evaluated. Arch Ophthalmol, 1991 Dec, 109(12), 1718 - 21 Torulopsis candida (Candida famata) endophthalmitis simulating Propionibacterium acnes syndrome; Rao NA et al.; Four months after undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction with implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens, a 74-year-old woman developed granulomatous anterior uveitis . Although she initially responded well to corticosteroid therapy, she experienced multiple recurrences on discontinuation of this therapy . Slit-lamp examination showed the ocular inflammation to be associated with white cortical material within the lens capsular sac . She underwent removal of the implant as well as the lens capsular sac . Anaerobic culture yielded no organisms, but fungus cultures yielded Torulopsis candida . Histopathologic and electron microscopic studies showed large numbers of yeast sequestered within the lens capsular sac and mild granulomatous inflammation around the sac . Torulopsis candida is occasionally isolated from specimens as a contaminant, but has not yet been shown to produce human disease . The case reported herein documents potential pathogenicity of Torulopsis candida and reveals the importance of organisms other than anaerobic bacteria in causing delayed and localized intraocular inflammation that is virtually identical to Propionibacterium acnes infection. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1991 Dec 1, 68(3), 295 - 300 Phylogenetic analysis of some LL-diaminopimelic acid-containing coryneform bacteria from human skin: description of Propionibacterium innocuum sp . nov; Pitcher DG et al.; A new species, Propionibacterium innocuum, is proposed to accommodate strains of coryneform bacteria from human skin with phenotypic characters similar to those of the classical propionibacteria but differing in exhibiting primarily aerobic respiration and possessing a unique cell wall composition in which LL-diaminopimelic acid and arabinose occur together . The partial 16S rRNA sequence confirms an affinity with the genus Pro-pionibacterium and indicates that the species represents a distinct line within the genus . The type strain of Propionibacterium innocuum is NCTC 11082. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1991 Dec, 28(6), 843 - 53 The in-vitro antimicrobial effects of azelaic acid upon Propionibacterium acnes strain P37; Bojar RA et al.; The in-vitro antimicrobial activity of azelaic acid a new topical acne treatment, upon Propionibacterium acnes strain P37 was studied . In phosphate buffer at pH 6.0 500 mM azelaic acid had bactericidal activity whilst the addition of nutrients reduced susceptibility . Bactericidal activity was greatly enhanced by reducing the pH to 5.6 . In a simple defined medium growth was inhibited by 100 microM azelaic acid . The accumulation of 14C azelaic acid was pH and temperature dependent with maximum uptake occurring at pH 4.6, 30 degrees C . Valinomycin, nigericin and CCCP (membrane-active inhibitors of energy transduction) inhibited uptake and azelaic acid was not accumulated by non-viable cells . The degradation of azelaic acid was repressed by glucose, and acetic acid was the major end-product of azelaic acid degradation in glucose depleted media . The incorporation of radiolabelled precursors into protein, DNA and RNA were inhibited in a dose dependent manner, and 50% inhibition occurred at 313, 3639 and 9226 microM respectively . The synthesis of proteins was shown to be significantly more sensitive to the action of azelaic acid than both RNA and DNA synthesis. Mikrobiologiia, 1991 Nov-Dec, 60(6), 83 - 9 {Antimutagenicity of propionic acid bacteria}; Vorob'eva LI et al.; The antimutagenicity of the cell extracts of Propionibacterium shermanii VKM-103, P . pentosaceum CCM 1859 and P . acnes CCM 3322 against mutagenicity of sodium azide and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine was demonstrated for the first time . The extracts of propionic acid cocci didn't show such effect . The antimutagenic factor acts as a desmutagen, has polypeptide nature and evidently is an enzyme (enzymes) . The inhibitory effect of the extract is due to the presence of more than one protein factor in it. Jpn J Pharmacol, 1991 Oct, 57(2), 127 - 36 Hepatoprotective effects of 1-{(2-thiazolin-2-yl)-amino}acetyl-4-(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-2,3,4,5- tetrahydro-1H-1-benzazepin-3,5-dione hydrochloride (KF-14363) in various experimental liver injuries; Yoshitake I et al.; Hepatoprotective effects of KF-14363 were investigated in the following experimental models . KF-14363 inhibited the increase in serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) dose-dependently, and a significant inhibition was noted at a dose of 30 mg/kg or more . KF-14363 significantly inhibited the D-galactosamine (D-gal)-induced increase in serum transaminase by oral administration at 250 mg/kg x 1 and 250 mg/kg x 2 doses . The D-gal-induced decrease in total protein levels was inhibited at doses of 100 mg/kg x 2 and 250 mg/kg x 2 . KF-14363 (100 mg/kg or more) significantly inhibited the increase in liver triglyceride levels induced by DL-ethionine (250 mg/kg x 3) . KF-14363 (300 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the D-gal plus lipopolysaccharide-induced increase in GPT . At 100 mg/kg or less, however, an inhibiting tendency was noted, which was not significant as the values varied widely . KF-14363 (100 mg/kg) significantly inhibited Propionibacterium acnes plus lipopolysaccharide-induced mortality at 7 and 8 hr, and it showed an inhibitory tendency at 24 hr . These results demonstrate that KF-14363 is a compound that has a protective effect against the damage induced in various experimental liver injury models with different mechanisms. Hinyokika Kiyo, 1991 Oct, 37(10), 1329 - 32 {Intrascrotal and seminal vesicular granuloma probably induced by propionibacterium acnes}; Yamamoto S et al.; A case of right intrascrotal and seminal vesicular granuloma probably induced by Propionibacterium acnes is reported . A 62-year-old man was admitted to our department because of low grade fever and the right intrascrotal and retrovesical masses without tenderness . Ultrasonography computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and vesiculography suggested a neoplasm . However, leukocytosis and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and c-reactive protein level (CRP) suggested inflammatory disease . He was treated for 1 week with parenteral cefazolin (CEZ) (4 g/day), and the intrascrotal mass was remarkably reduced in size . To rule out neoplasms, right orchiectomy and needle biopsy of the right seminal vesicle were performed and nonspecific chronic granuloma was identified histologically . On the 5th postoperative day he developed fever (39.2 degrees C) and P . acnes was isolated from blood culture . Gram stain revealed gram-positive rods in the specimen . Further chemotherapy normalized levels of ESR and CRP and white blood cell count and reduced the right seminal vesicle to its normal size . Recently several cases of infection induced by P . acnes have been reported, but this is the first report in the genitourinary tract. Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 1991 Oct, 98(10), 384 - 7 Prophylactic and therapeutic application of Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 in swine and calves with acute enzootic bronchopneumonia; Markowska-Daniel I et al.; The usefulness of the prophylactic or therapeutic application of Propionibacterium avidum KP-40, a potent stimulator of the monocyte-macrophage-system, was demonstrated in piglets and calves . After a 3-month-period of observation PA-treated piglets showed a significantly improved development (decreased number of infections, gain of body weight) . In piglets and calves the therapeutic use of PA together with oxytetracycline proved to be superior in the treatment of acute endemic enzootic bronchopneumonia (AEB) as compared to groups of animals receiving PA or oxytetracycline alone. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen, 1991 Sep 20, 111(22), 2741 - 2 {Bacterial endocarditis after treatment by a natural healer}; Scheel O et al.; We describe a case of endocarditis caused by Propionibacterium acnes after a series of 'vitamin' injections and semipermanent acupuncture needle maneuvers by a natural healer . The patient had prosthetic heart valves . We found that the most probable source of infection was the treatment by the natural healer and therefore wish to warn against invasive treatment of such high-risk patients by laymen . If such treatment is insisted upon in spite of such warnings, antibiotic prophylaxis should be considered. Eur J Biochem, 1991 Sep 15, 200(3), 699 - 705 Protein-kinase-C-independent activation of arachidonate release and prostaglandin E2 formation in macrophages interacting with certain bacteria; Svensson U et al.; Certain bacterial species, of which we selected Fusobacterium nucleatum, Gardnerella vaginalis, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius and Propionibacterium acnes, were found to induce release of arachidonic acid in a dose- and time-dependent manner in mouse macrophages . The release of arachidonic acid showed a characteristic lag period of approximately 10 min and was accompanied by selective transformation into prostaglandin E2 . Bacteria killed by various methods caused a similar response, indicating that bacterial surface structures rather than secreted products were involved . Down-regulation of protein kinase C by treatment of macrophages with 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate hardly affected the response to bacteria at all, except for a partial inhibitio