Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1980 Jan, 124(1), 82 - 5 {Use of a tincture of birch buds for treating suppurative wounds}; Zakharov NA et al.; The treatment of purulent wounds with 20% tincture of birch buds in 70% alcohol was performed on 108 patients (83 patients had superficial wounds, 10--deep wounds, 15--cavitary wounds) . Good results were obtained after using the birch buds tincture in all the patients, including patients with antibiotic-resistant microbial flora. Br J Nutr, 1980 Jan, 43(1), 125 - 40 The effects of dietary sucrose and the concentration of plasma urea and rumen ammonia on the degradation of urea in the gastrointestinal tract of cattle; Kennedy PM; 1 . The rates of entry of urea into plasma, of urea degradation in the gastrointestinal tract, and the partition of that degradation between the rumen and post-ruminal tract were determined by use of {14C}urea and NaH14CO3 in Hereford steers receiving hay diets with or without sucrose . The concentrations of plasma urea and rumen ammonia were varied by infusions of urea into the rumen or abomasum . 2 . For all diets, plasma urea concentration was related to urea entry rate, to degradation of urea in the whole gastrointestinal tract, and to its degradation in the post-ruminal tract, but the relationship with its degradation in the rumen was poor . 3 . Degradation of urea in the rumen was related in a multiple regression in a curvilinear manner in three groups of diets (pasture-hay alone, pasture-hay--lucerne (Medicago sativa) mixtures, diets with sucrose), and negatively to rumen ammonia concentration for pasture-hay diets, and diets with sucrose . 4 . Ruminal clearance of urea (rate of urea degradation per plasma urea concentration) was negatively related to the rumen ammonia concentration for steers given diets with sucrose, of pasture-hay with or without urea infusions . Provision of sucrose in the diet significantly increased clearance . 5 . Enhanced urea degradation in the rumen associated with dietary sucrose supplements accounted for 0.4 of additional microbial N synthesis in the rumen . 6 . The partition of transfer of urea to the rumen via saliva and through the rumen wall is discussed. Isr J Med Sci, 1980 Jan, 16(1), 33 - 6 Production of immune and viral interferon by lymphocytes of newborn infants; Hahn T et al.; The ability of lymphocytes from newborn infants to produce two types of interferon was compared with that of lymphocytes from older children and adults . Cord blood lymphocytes were as capable of producing both viral interferon (stable at pH 2.0) following stimulation with polyriboinosinic acid-polyribocytidilic acid and immune interferon (unstable at pH 2.0) following stimulation with phytohemagglutinin as lymphocytes from older individuals . In a mixture of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells, it was the former that produced the interferon . Interferon may be important in the defense mechanism of the newborn infant against viruses and other microbial agents. Reprod Nutr Dev, 1980, 20(5B), 1691 - 4 {Preliminary study of the effect of supplementation of iron, copper, cobalt and zinc on cellulolytic activity in the cecum of the pony}; Tisserand JL et al.; We studied a caecum-cannulated pony fed hay libitum in order to determine the mineral elements likely to cause deficiencies which decrease microbial activity in the caecum . During four successive 1-month periods, we observed the effects of adding 50 mg of iron, 1 mg of cobalt, 40 mg of copper and 200 mg of zinc, respectively . Except for the introduction of zinc, which greatly diminishes cellulolytic activity measured with the nylon bag technique, there was no significant modification in that activity as shown by pH, NH3-nitrogen, total nitrogen and volatile fatty acid production (table 1) . It can be concluded that endogenous secretion in the pre-caecal part of the digestive system of the mineral elements used was sufficient to guarantee good symbiosis between the microbial population of the caecum and the organism. Intervirology, 1980, 14(5-6), 310 - 5 Activation of adenovirus type 5 latent infections of tissue culture; Ongradi J et al.; To study the in vitro activation of latent adenovirus type 5 infection and enhancement of virus production, primary human amnion and HEp-2 cell cultures were inoculated with low doses of virus and subsequently treated with steroid hormones, carcinogens, or a pyrogen drug 'Pyrago' containing killed cells of bacteria and fungi . Immunofluorescence and CPE revealed that only pyrogen induced conversion from latency to activation and that the drug also enhanced virus production . Although prednisolone failed to induce activation, it did have an enhancing effect on slowly multiplying virus . Presumably, activation and enhancement of virus replication do not occur as the result of the same mechanism but the latter may be influenced by hormones . Microbial products may produce both effects separately or simultaneously. IARC Sci Publ, 1980, (31), 531 - 40 Monitoring exposure of personnel to volatile nitrosamines in the laboratory environment; Issenberg P et al.; A convenient sampling method was developed for collection of volatile nitrosamines from large-volume air samples . Stainless steel tubes containing 0.3 g Tenax GC were employed to collect nitrosamines from 5-30 1 air samples . Nitrosamines were eluted from the sample tubes with diethylether to minimize formation of artifacts which were observed when thermal desorption was employed . Eluates were analysed directly by GC-TEA and nitrosamine identities were confirmed using high-resolution GC-MS with selected ion-monitoring . The detection limit was approximately 0.8 micrograms/m3 (0.3 ppb) for NDMA in 2 ml of diethylether extract . The laboratory operations studied included chemical synthesis, trace analysis, animal treatment, microbial mutagenesis tests and in vitro biochemical procedures . In most cases, nitrosamines were not detected in laboratory air, but levels of 200-800 micrograms/m3 (42 to 180 ppb) of N-nitrosomethyl-tert-butylamine were measured during animal treatment, 0.8-8.6 micrograms/m3 (0.3 to 2.8 ppb) of NDMA during mutagenesis assays, 12-22 micrograms/m3 (4-7 ppb) of NDMA during in vitro metabolism studies and 11 micrograms/m3 (3.6 ppb) of NDMA in a walk-in refrigerator . Appropriate corrective measures reduced all nitrosamine levels to below the detection limit . Hamsters and rats treated with NDAA (80 mg/kg, s.c.) excreted 4.4 and 12.9%, respectively, of the nitrosamine in expired air in 24 hr . This route of excretion may be metabolically significant and should be considered in the safe design of animal treatment and holding facilities. Ann Med Interne (Paris), 1980, 131(7), 443 - 7 {Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis . Autopsy study, clinico-pathological correlations (author's transl)}; Chomette G et al.; During the course of 6 000 autopsies, the number of cases of non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis discovered was 130 (absolute frequency of 2.1 p . cent) . Frequency was highest among patients with cancer, of which there were many in this series (4 p . cent of 2 287 autopsies) . In 83 p . cent of cases, therefore, the endocarditis was of paraneoplasic origin, usually associated with adenocarcinomas, especially those of bronchopulmonary, pancreatic or gastric origin . Less frequently, they developed during the course of shock or debilitating affections . The endocarditis lesion consists of a coagulated fibrin and platelet mass without microbial germs, located electively on the mitral and aortal valves . Emboli are a frequent consequence (47 p . cent of cases) affecting primarily the central nervous system, the kidneys, spleen, and hart . Ischemic effects of these latter, observed in 75 p . cent of cases, are generally latent . In some cases they produce clinical manifestations, and they may be the cause of death from a cerebral or myocardial infarct . Pathological examination demonstrates the frequent association of these endocarditis lesions with often multiple vascular thromboses, and disseminated intravascular coagulation affecting the same regions as the emboli . This emphasizes the major role of coagulation disorders in their genesis. Toxicology, 1980, 17(2), 189 - 93 Screening and characterization of membrane damaging effects in tissue culture; Thelestam M et al.; A leakage test system for specific detection, measurement and characterization of membrane damage in human lung fibroblasts is discussed . Examples of applications with various types of substances are presented, i.e . tobacco smoke compounds; animal, plant and microbial cytolysins; membrane damaging antibiotics. Mikrobiologiia, 1980 Jan-Feb, 49(1), 44 - 8 {Continuous cultivation of mono- and mixed cultures of yeasts growing in birch vernal sap flows}; Shkidchenko AN et al.; All of the studied yeast organisms were characterized by a similar range of temperatures optimal for growth and by the ability to grow well at a relatively low content of a nitrogen source in the medium; however, their growth rates were different . The lowest growth rate was typical of the primary, further displace, yeast flora of spring sap flows . Both positive and negative types of interrelationship between yeast species were established during combined cultivation of yeasts . There is a principal correlation between the data obtained upon continuous cultivation of mixed cultures in the laboratory and the results of studies of the natural microbial cenosis; therefore, it is possible to reproduce the growth of the latter in experiments with a sufficiently high degree of approximation. Infection, 1980, 8 Suppl 2, S219 - 20 Anaerobic microbiology in the NASA space program; Brewer JH; After briefly reviewing the earlier methods used to monitor the microbial load of returned lunar material, the author reports the more accurate research on the ability of terrestrial organisms to grow under simulated Martian environments . The possible importance of anaerobic microbiology can readily be seen because of the low level of O2 found on Mars . The question of whether any of the experiments on board the Viking landers show any indication of life on Mars is discussed in detail. Nahrung, 1980, 24(4-5), 335 - 50 Human nutrition: safety and risk; Haenel H; Man has always been existing in an "oecotoxic" environment and he will be existing in the future, though the noxious factors are changing . Today the output of modern chemical industry and its effects on health attract abundant interest . The risks in nutrition derive from imbalanced nutrition, food borne diseases of microbial origin, environmental contaminants, toxicants naturally present in food, food additives, and food allergens, the most important risks seem to connected with false nutrition and with microbial hazards . The toxic burden of modern man by chemicals can not be judged as the overwhelming nutrition health problem . This burden is only one factor, which--on the genetic background--dynamically interacts with innumerable social, cultural and economic factors, with climate, weather, noise, fatigue and relaxation, with health, functional state, special susceptibility, defense or repair capacity, nutritional situation, water intake, biochronological situation, microecology, coergism of xenobiotics and pharmaca, and others . In this biological system the single potential toxicant plays a quite variable role . The regard of a substance as safe poses a difficult task; the weigh between its toxic properties and its advantages, considering its practical use, should aim at the socially acceptable risk. Mikrobiologiia, 1980 Jan-Feb, 49(1), 102 - 9 {Species composition of mycococci}; Kogan IB et al.; The phenotypical similarity between 34 microbial strains was determined, and they were classified on the principle of maximal general similarity in 70 traits . All the strains were subdivided into three groups within which the similarity of the strains was not less than 85% . The groups correspond to the species Mycococcus capsulatus, M . ruber, and Mycobacterium brevicale . The results of the investigation suggest that the group of mycococci possesses a considerable number of characteristics which make it possible to consider it as a separate microbial genus . However, the principle of equal weight can be hardly applied to the taxonomy of mycococci since sharp variations in many traits do not permit to differentiate between specific and strain differences . Morphological and cultural properties still remain the most reliable criteria of the genus Mycococcus. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1980 Jan, 28(1), 25 - 8 {Cell-mediated immunity study by skin testing in 129 critically ill patients (author's transl)}; Offenstadt G et al.; Delayed hypersensitivity skin testing was performed in 129 critically ill patients . Six intradermal antigens were used: tuberculin, candidin, varidase, epidermophytin, trichophytin and CCB (a polyvalent microbial vaccine from the Pasteur Institute) . The response was judged as positive when one test or more were positive . Patients were devided in four groups: group A (40 cases): non-infected patients, a priori without immunodeficiency; group B (14 cases); suspected of immunodeficiency (cancers, hemopathies, collagen diseases receiving corticosteroids); group C (24 cases): decompensated chronic respiratory insufficienceis; group D (50 cases): overwhelming sepsis (septicaemias, septic acute respiratory distress syndromes, thoracic empyemas, purulent meningitis, peritonitis, mediastinitis) . A significant diminution of delayed hypersensitivity was observed in groups B, C and D . No relation was found between delayed hypertensitivity and prognosis in groups C and D. Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1980, Suppl 24, 58 - 62 Lymphocytes of synovial fluid and peripheral blood in reactive arthritis . A case report; Bjelle A et al.; Lymphocytes were isolated from eight samples of synovial fluid obtained over a period of six weeks from a patient with reactive arthritis after venereal infection of unknown microbial etiology . The percentages of T lymphocytes were consistently higher in synovial fluid than in paired blood samples, whereas those of B lymphocytes were consistently lower in synovial fluid than in blood . When incubated in vitro the spontaneous DNA synthesis of the synovial fluid and blood lymphocytes was low . When phytohaemagglutinin or tuberculin was present in the cultures the lymphocytes from blood as well as those from synovial fluid responded with synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid and phytohaemagglutinin dose response curves of lymphocytes from the two sources were similar . Thus T lymphocytes of synovial fluid showed a similar in vitro reactivity as those from blood. J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1980, 24(1), 77 - 83 Experimental study of the mechanism of autoantibody formation; Morozov VL et al.; A series of experiments on 78 albino mice demonstrated that cultivation in the presence of tuberculin of spleen cells of animals sensitized by BCG vaccine results in an increase of the number of cells producing antibodies to autologous, isologous and heterologous erythrocytes . This also applies to the cultivation of bone marrow cells . Thymus cells neutralize the stimulation of bone marrow cells . The conclusion has been drawn that autoantibodies are synthesized by B-lymphocytes stimulated during the specific immune reaction to microbial antigens . This process is controlled by the thymus whose cells have a suppressive effect on the synthesis of autoantibodies. Arch Toxicol Suppl, 1980, 4, 439 - 42 Toxicological tests on the safety of fermosin for pigs, a novel microbial feed from petroleum distillate; Netsch W et al.; The dog fodder yeast fermosin did not influence the health of pigs in long-term feeding experiments . It is recommended to use fermosin in concentrations up to 7.5% in mixed feed for pigs. Arzneimittelforschung, 1980, 30(1a), 198 - 206 Prevention of bacterial respiratory infection by an association of bacterial ribosomes and membranous proteoglycans . 2 . Objective assessment of the response and of the immunological stimulation; Michel FB et al.; Using a vaccine preparation administered by aerosol for respiratory anti-infectious purposes and corresponding to the original formula of ribosomes and membrane fractions of microbial germs, the authors investigated during a period of nine months whether an objective, transient or lasting stimulation of the total and specific immunoglobulin (Ig) appeared . They provide a statistical analysis based on several serum Ig measurements and demonstrate the stimulant and lasting effect of the vaccine in the production of specific Ig for a sample of patients compared with controls . In those treated they observed apparently disordered variations of the serum levels of the total Ig, which in fact correspond to the initiation of a dynamic equilibrium in relation to the immunogenicity of the vaccine, the initial level of the total Ig and the production of the specific Ig . Finally, after a booster sequence carried out five month after "primary vaccination", they established the restarting of production of specific Ig accompanied this time by a different dynamic response of the total Ig. Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1980, 20(6), 367 - 74 Anabolic-catabolic glucose utilization and product formation of Streptomyces griseus; Bormann EJ et al.; If in stationary growth phases appearing in the submerged cultivation of Streptomyces griseus several times the consumption rates of glucose and oxygen and the rates of streptomycin formation are put in relation, the following results are obtained: The yield coefficient Ysp of glucose was below 0.1 . Since from the stoichiometric equation of turnover for the biosynthesis of the streptomycin follows that the substrate and the product are in the same weight relation, it was possible to check whether the quantity of glucose that does not appear in the streptomycin is used for the energy supplying synthesis or conservation reactions . As a characteristic value was built up the quotient qo3/qgluc that in total substrate oxidations takes the numerical value 6 . This quotient varied between 2.0 and 6.0 so that anabolic side reactions during the production of secondary substances were concluded from . As possibilities are discussed syntheses of analytically disregarded primary metabolites or preliminary steps of the biosynthesis of streptomycin . Due to the decrease of the enthalpy production by anabolic reaction steps in stationary growth phases follows a physiological-energetical importance of microbial product syntheses with likely evolutive action. Exp Cell Biol, 1980, 48(6), 467 - 72 Effect of urethane on folate contents of chick embryos measured with a microbial assay; Gokhale V et al.; In earlier studies it was found that the effects of urethane could be reversed by folic acid and thymidine but not by uridine . It was further shown that urethane-treated chick embryos were unable to convert serine to glycine, homocysteine to methionine and uridine to thymidine, all of which are folate-dependent reactions . Due to the sensitivity of folic acid auxotrophs towards small amounts of folates present in the biological material, the folic acid contents of urethane-trewated and untreated chick embryos are studied, using microbial assay . It is found that there is a statistically significant reduction in the total folate content of chick embryos treated with urethane as compared to those from the untreated controls . It is conluded that urethane has an antifolate action. Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1980, 20(5), 303 - 14 {Gelatinous deposits of a special microbial population on pitwood}; Kraepelin G et al.; Conspicuous gelatinous deposits found on permanently drenched pitwood planks in an old ore mine were analyzed microscopically . They contained a very characteristic microbial community consisting primarily of bacteria producing various kinds of slime capsules, stalks, hyphae or other appendages . The high degree of morphological diversity and the remarkable enrichment of differentiated cell types may reflect selective advantages realized under the continuous pressure imposed by such an unusual biotope. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1980, 25(2), 140 - 3 Effect of starch and inorganic nitrogen on microbial transformations of organic compounds in soil; Novak B; It was found in long-term incubation experiments (100 weeks) that in soil non amended with organic compounds, mineralization proceeded in a steady state after an initial reactive respiration and corresponded approximately to the rate of mineralization of soil organic matter under natural conditions . The addition of nitrogen influenced this mineralization process only very slightly . The addition of starch decreased the stability of organic compounds in the soil at first but the newly formed organic substances were gradually stabilized again . The addition of nitrogen to starch increased the extent and the rate of these alterations . The overall extent of mineralization of the substrate after the addition of starch alone exceeds the amount of the added substrate; a small accumulation of the substrate could be observed after the addition of starch together with nitrogen. Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1980, Suppl 24, 119 - 27 The little-known determinants of virus pathogenicity; Smith H; Of the four cardinal facets of microbial pathogenicity: (1) entry to the host usually by penetrating mucous membranes; (2) multiplication in the host tissues; (3) interference with host defence; and (4) damage to the host; only multiplication (replication) has received much attention in studies of virus pathogenicity . This article points out the gaps in our knowledge of the other three areas emphasising that although some observations have been made on the invasive and pathological processes involved, the viral determinants concerned are mostly unknown. Acta Virol, 1980 Jan, 24(1), 37 - 44 Production of interferon and other lymphokines during murine tumour growth . I . Lymphokines in cell--free fluid of rat Zajdela ascites hepatoma; Zschiesche W et al.; Cell-free ascites of rat Zajdela hepatoma was assayed for the presence of lymphokine-like factors . Macrophage migration inhibitory and microbial growth inhibitory cytokines were detected with peak activities at day 4-8 and 10-11 after tumour inoculation, respectively . Occasionally, skin reactive activity was found, whereas only borderline titres of an interferon-like substance were demonstrated . Preliminary studies indicated that both migration inhibitory and microbial growth inhibitory factors are proteins resembling the corresponding lymphocyte-derived lymphokines . The cellular site of formation of these factors remains to be determined. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol, 1980, 9(1), 115 - 23 Influence of selected pesticides on the microbial degradation of 14C-triallate and 14C-diallate in soil; Anderson JP et al.; Degradation in soil of {allyl-2-14C}triallate and {carbonyl-14C}diallate herbicides, as affected by other selected pesticides, was studied in an incubation system that allowed recovery of 95 to 100% of added 14C . The amount and sequence of pesticide additions simulated field use in the protection of wheat (triallate) and sugar beets (diallate) . Neither the rate nor the pattern of triallate degradation in soil was influenced by the following sequence of formulated pesticides: dinoseb acetate, (bentazon + dichlorprop + 2,4,5-T), 2,4-D, (chlorcholinchloride + cholinchloride), tridemorph, and thiophanate . Similarly, diallate degradation was unaffected by pyrazon, dimethoate, and thiophanate . The effect of azinphosmethyl was unclear . In contrast, chlorpyrifos reduced diallate degradation by approximately 14% relative to the occurring in the insecticide's absence . This effect was caused by chlorpyrifos and not its formulation components . Chlorpyrifos was also found to partially inhibit degradation of triallate in soil . Inhibition of neither herbicide was considered to be of ecological significance . Triallate, diallate, and thiophanate were applied at 1 microgram/g; all others were at 2 microgram/g. Teratog Carcinog Mutagen, 1980, 1(3), 269 - 82 Kinetics of uptake and biliary excretion of benzo(alpha)pyrene and mutagenic metabolites in isolated perfused rat liver; Forti GC et al.; An isolated liver perfusion system was used as a simplifying tool to study the metabolism and excretion of benzo(alpha)pyrene (BP) as a prototype carcinogen/mutagen . Phenobarbital (PB) was used to induce liver microsomal enzymes in Sprague-Dawley male rats prior to isolated liver perfusion . Control livers were run simultaneously using generally tritiated (G-3H)BP/BP as substrate in the perfusion medium . Both biliary excretion and liver weight were increased in the induced compared to control liver, but biliary flow when corrected for liver weight is statistically the same for both control and PB-induced livers . The excretion rat of radioactivity in the bile is always higher for PB-induced than for control liver (maximum radioactive excretion at 1 hr) . There is a more rapid radioactivity removal in the liver perfusion medium for PB-induced than for control livers . Data are explained by increased metabolism of BP in induced liver leading to the presence of more polar metabolites undergoing preferential biliary excretion than in the control liver . Results support in vivo experimental data . Extracts from liver and bile were tested for microbial mutagenicity by the Ames test (TA 100) after TLC separation . The control liver shows virtually no mutagenicity in bile, only in TLC fractions from the liver . The PB-induced liver shows significant mutagenicity in several TLC fractions in both bile and liver . The net effect of induction is to produce more mutagenic metabolites of BP, excreted in the bile, and presenting a significant exposure of carcinogens/mutagens, and consequent hazard to man. Biochem J, 1979 Dec 15, 184(3), 613 - 8 The degradation of cholic acid by Pseudomonas sp . N.C.I.B . 10590; Tenneson ME et al.; The microbial degradation of cholic acid by Pseudomonas sp . N.C.I.B . 10590 was studied, and two major products were isolated and identified as 7 alpha, 12 beta-dihydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione and 7 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxopregna-1,4-diene-20-carboxylic acid . Four minor products were isolated and evidence is given for the following structures: 7 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione, 12 beta-hydroxyandrosta-1,4,6-triene-3,17-dione, 7 alpha, 12 beta, 17 beta-trihydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one and 7 alpha, 12 alpha-dihydroxy-3-oxopregn-4-ene-20-carboxylic acid . The significance of the production of the steroid products is discussed, along with the possible enzymic mechanisms responsible for their production. Chirurg, 1979 Dec, 50(12), 759 - 69 {Blood flow disorders of the colon and rectum and their therapy}; Saegesser F et al.; Ischemic colitis or proctitis shows three evolutionary stages . a . complete recovery, b . fibrous stenosis, and c . acute ischemia leading to gangrene . The two first stages result more frequently from hemodynamic disorders than from vascular occlusions because, in the presence of the latter, collateral circulation develops . In addition, the colonic ischemia occurs in a septic medium in the presence of an abundant microbial flora which may be highly pathogenic. Ann Med Interne (Paris), 1979 Dec, 130(12), 641 - 4 {Regressive dysautonomia associating orthostatic hypotension with an invariable pulse and choleriform diarrhea (author's transl)}; Cornet A et al.; The authors describe a case of very severe orthostatic hypotension with an invariable pulse arising during the course of considerable motor diarrhea . The diagnosis of primary dysautonomia was made only after eliminating the many organic causes of diarrhea: microbial, toxic, tumoral endocrine including diabetes . Shy and Drager's syndrome was rejected because of the spontaneously regressive course after a period of 4 years, the patient having had no further signs of orthostatic hypotension. Infect Immun, 1979 Dec, 26(3), 996 - 9 Cytotaxin receptors of neutrophils: evidence that F-methionyl peptides and pepstatin share a common receptor; Nelson RD et al.; Pepstatin, a chemotactic microbial pentapeptide, competes with f-Met-Leu-{3H}Phe for binding to human neutrophils . Furthermore, porcine neutrophils, which neither specifically bind nor respond chemotactically to the synthetic f-methionyl peptides, also fail to respond chemotactically to pepstatin . These results suggest that pepstatin shares a receptor on the neutrophil with f-methionyl peptides, despite their completely different amino acid compositions . The specificity of this cytotaxin receptor may therefore be broader than expected and depend on ligand characteristics distinct from primary structure. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1979 Dec, (12), 71 - 5 {Use of the systems approach in modeling the growth dynamics of a microbial biomass taking into account the cell division process}; Ugodchikov GA et al.; The possibility of using systemic approach in the construction of the mathematical model allowing for changes in the biomass and the number of cells is shown . Definite rules were followed in the process of construction, calculations were made with the use of a computer . The satisfactory coincidence of rated and experimental data was achieved (in this instance, E . coli M17 were used). CRC Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 1979 Dec, 12(2), 113 - 59 The effects of malnutrition on secretory and cellular immune processes; Watson RR et al.; About 15 million children under 5 years of age die each year due to suppressed immunity and the resulting increased infection . In severely malnourished children and animals some immune systems such as T-cell function, secretory IgA and complement are significantly suppressed . Other systems, such as the serum IgG or IgA, are normal or even elevated . Some of these changes are apparently caused by nutritional stress while others may be due to stimulation by increased incidence of infection and antigen load . On the other hand, marginal malnutrition stimulates increased phagocytosis and T-cell function with increased immunity to cancer but decreased resistance to certain microbial agents . The mechanisms of immune suppression by malnutrition, persistence of these effects after renutrition, and the effect of maternal malnutrition on newborn immunity are critically reviewed . Possible non-nutritional means of rapid immunological restoration of malnourished children are described. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 Dec, 38(6), 1184 - 5 Microbiology of bruised tissue; Gill CO et al.; No significant differences could be found in the microbial quality of bruised and unbruised tissue provided that the two types of tissue were treated identically . This suggests that there is no good reason for the condemnation of bruised tissue, which could well be used in manufactured products. J Prosthet Dent, 1979 Dec, 42(6), 619 - 23 Materials and methods for cleaning dentures; Budtz-Jorgensen E; Proper hygienic care of removable dentures is an important means of maintaining a healthy oral mucosa in denture wearers . Denture cleanliness is often poor due to improper mechanical cleansing and the relative inefficiency of most commercial products for chemical cleansing of dentures . Dentists and patients should realize that microbial plaque on dentures may be harmful to both the oral mucosa and the patient's general health . It is the responsibility of the patient to maintain oral hygiene through a daily home care routine . It is the obligation of the dentist to motivate and instruct the patient and provide the means and methods for plaque control . Future research should be directed to developing solution cleansers which can maintain plaque-free dentures with a daily soaking period of 15 to 30 minutes and not affect the color and surface luster of the denture acrylic resin. J Anim Sci, 1979 Dec, 49(6), 1631 - 9 Quantitative and dynamic aspects of nitrogen metabolism in the rumen: a modeling analysis; Baldwin RL et al.; A modeling approach to analyses of ruminant digestive function is described . The approach provides for evaluations of current concepts and data for adequacy as explanations of behavior of the real system . It also provides for evaluation of hypotheses for probable adequacy as explanations of real behavior where proven concepts fail, and for identification of critical experiments . Analyses of several aspects of microbial maintenance and growth and dietary protein degradation are emphasized. Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper, 1979 Nov 15, 55(21), 2267 - 73 {Addition of amino acids and oligopeptides to the diet of piglets . I . Effects on productive performance and development of intestinal microbial flora}; Zaghini G et al.; The effects in connection with the addition of small quantities of aminoacid and oligopeptide pools to balanced diets were studied on 36 male piglets, divided into three groups (1: control; 2: aminoacid pool; 3: aminoacid and oligopeptide pool) . Piglets receiving the aminoacid pool (group 2) exhibited better performances: an increased weight gain resulting in higher feed efficiency and an increased overall microbial count with a predominance of the useful population. J Biol Chem, 1979 Nov 10, 254(21), 10582 - 5 On the role of the sterol hydroxyl group in membranes; Lala AK et al.; The adequacy of sterol derivatives containing a blocked 3-hydroxyl group for sustaining the growth of two sterol auxotrophs has been investigated . Mycoplasma capricolum, a cholesterol-requiring bacterium, grows nearly as well on media supplemented with cholesteryl methyl ether or cholesteryl acetate as on free cholesterol . The two derivatives are recovered unchanged from the bacterial cells . Similarly, cholesteryl methyl ether or ergosteryl methyl ether replace cholesterol or ergosterol as sterol sources for a yeast mutant, strain GL7, defective in 2,3-oxidosqualene-lanosterol cyclization . During aerobic or semianaerobic growth, yeast cells demethylate some of the cholesteryl methyl ether to free cholesterol . However, cells growing on cholesterol methyl ether under strict anaerobic conditions do not produce free sterol . The bearing of these results on the postulated requirement of a free sterol hydroxyl group for membrane function is discussed . Sterol esterification does not appear to be essential for the two microbial systems. S Afr Med J, 1979 Nov 10, 56(20), 801 - 4 Hepatic infections . Part II . The effect of acute and chronic hepatitis B antigenaemia on the reaction to antibodies to sheep red cells (microbial antigens) and human T-activated cells (exposed autologous tissue antigens); Vos GH et al.; Using the agglutination of sheep red cells by human antibodies as an indicator of microbial antibody activity, a highly significant association was found between the response to the e antigen of the hepatitis B virus and the formation of strong antibody levels to microbial substances (chi 2(1) = 33) . This kind of association was not found among chronic carriers of the hepatitis B virus who do not produce antibodies to the e antigen (chi 2(1) = 3,7) . In the presence of e antigen activity, patients with acute virus B hepatitis almost always show significantly reduced levels of antibodies to microbial substances (chi 2(1) = 20) . The findings indirectly reveal that e activity is associated with the inability of the liver to trap bacterial antigens . Circumstantial evidence further suggests that the e factor may bear antigens on its immunoglobulin-like structure very similar to microbial cell wall components . Accepting that human antibodies to the T (Thomsen-Friedenreich) antigen represent reactions to cryptantigenic membrane structure of autologous tissues, it was significant to record that increased anti-t activity is always demonstrated when virus B infections progress from the acute to the chronic carrier stage (chi 2(1) = 73) . The most intense anti-T activity is commonly found in subjects who produce antibodies to the hepatitis B surface antigen (chi 2(1) = 138) . In the presence of e antigen the amount of anti-T in circulation is always significantly depressed . Since this type of depression is not seen in patients with acute virus B hepatitis who lack the e antigen, we suspect that the reduced anti-T levels in e antigen-positive patients are linked with the in vivo exposure of T receptors by microbial neuraminidase. Mikrobiologiia, 1979 Nov-Dec, 48(6), 1082 - 5 {Short-term changes in the biomass of fungi and bacteria in soddy-podzolic soil}; Zviagintsev DG et al.; Short-term (diurnal or daily) changes in fungal and bacterial biomass were studied using direct count . Diurnal changes in microbial biomass were found to be unreliable . Daily observations have shown that the length of fungal mycelium can change 3--4-fold within 10--30 days, and the number of bacteria, 2--3-fold, the frequency and amplitude of changes depending on the season . Fungal biomass was found to be greater than bacterial biomass by a factor of dozens; that is why, while estimating the biomass of soil fungi, other indices of the biological activity of soil (DNA content, enzymic activity, respiration, etc.) must be taken into account. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 Nov, 38(5), 945 - 55 Intestinal microbial flora of the of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana L; Bracke JW et al.; A morphological study employing scanning and transmission electron microscopy was made by the alimentary tract of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana L . A . complex microbiota of diverse morphology, which could not be readily dislodged, was observed and found to be restricted to the hindgut, particularly the colon . Numerous filamentous forms were noted, and some are described, including the morphologically distinct Methanospirillum . Flora was noted attached to the cuticular lining and cuticular filaments of the colon, and several spiral forms were observed in the luminal contents from the colon. Can J Microbiol, 1979 Nov, 25(11), 1310 - 4 Influence of soil texture on survival and saprophytic activity of Rhizoctonia solani in soils; Lewis JA; Survival of Rhizoctonia solani in precolonized tablebeet seed was greater in a light-textured sandy loam (SL 1) than in a heavy-textured silty clay loam (SiCL) . Reduction in survival as well as competitive saprophytic activity of the pathogen resulted when clays (kaolinite and montmorillonite) were added to SL to prepare soils of heavier texture . Survival and activity of R . solani, however, were not increased when sand was added to SiCL (suppressive to R . solani survival) to make this soil lighter in texture . In natural soils of different textures, activity of R . solani was maintained longer in two light-textured sandy loam soils than in a light-textured loamy sand or loam . During investigation of soil chemical and biological influences on R . solani survival, high K2O content in soil was significantly correlated with low saprophytic activity of the pathogen . In all instances where soil microbial activity as determined by a dehydrogenase assay was high, low saprophytic activity was found . Since high microbial activity or K2O content in soil were not associated with any particular soil type, biological or chemical factors may be more important than soil texture in influencing survival and activity of R . solani in soil. Neurosurgery, 1979 Nov, 5(5), 607 - 10 Primary amebic meningoencephalitis with cerebral and cerebellar abscesses: case report; Rinaldi I et al.; A case of fatal primary amebic meningoencephalitis is reported . We need to remind ourselves that, if the usual laboratory tests fail to show any microbial or fungal agents either in the CSF or in fluids or tissues obtained at operation, it is imperative that a warm wet slide preparation be made . Primary amebic meningoencephalitis is a very rare disease, and it is only by prompt recognition of the amebae that we can make an early diagnosis and institute the appropriate therapy. CRC Crit Rev Biochem, 1979 Nov, 7(1), 1 - 5 Speculations on the evolution of sterol structure and function; Bloch KE; The essential oxygen requirement for sterol biosynthesis dates this molecule as a relative latecomer in cellular evolution . Structural details of the cholesterol molecule and related sterols can be rationalized in terms of optimal hydrophobic interactions between the planar sterol ring system and phospholipid acyl chains in the membrane bilayer . The prediction that the cholesterol precursor lanosterol (4,4',14 trimethyl cholastadienol) is incompetent for membrane function is verified by in vivo experiments with eucaryotic sterol auxotrophs and microviscosity measurements of sterol-containing artificial membranes . For procaryotic cells the sterol specificity is very much broader . Methylococcus capsulatus produces 4,4-dimethyl- and 4-monomethyl sterols, but not sterols of the cholesterol type . Similarly lanosterol and its partially demethylated derivatives satisfy the sterol requirement of Mycoplasma capricolum . A more primitive but unspecified role of cyclized squalene derivatives is therefore postulated for procaryotic membranes . The finding that cholesterylmethyl ether satisfies the sterol requirement of certain microbial systems is at variance with current views on the role played by the sterol hydroxyl group in membrane organization and function. Pol J Pharmacol Pharm, 1979 Nov-Dec, 31(6), 661 - 6 Comparative study of mutagenic, inductive and transforming activities of ledakrin; Gajcy H et al.; Mutagenic activity of Ledakrin in microbial testing as well as its inductive effect on the release of free phages in lysogenic bacteria were compared with its transforming ability in human cell system . It has been found that Ledakrin is highy mutagenic both without metabolic activation and when activated in vivo . Ledakrin induces the release of free phages in E . coli K12(lambda +), but does not transform human fibroblasts in cell cuture in vitro. Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1979 Nov-Dec, 15(6), 878 - 82 {Application of the ultrafiltration method to the isolation of cholesterol oxidase of microbial origin}; Petrova LIa et al.; Ultrafiltration of solutions of intracellular cholesterol oxidase of Actinomyces lavendulae through semi-permeable membranes (N-vinyl pyrrolidone and methacrylate copolymers) of varying porosity and acetyl cellulase ultrafilter UAM-200 M was investigated . The ultrafiltration through membranes of both types involved both concentration and purification of cholesterol oxidase from low molecular weight protein admixtures . When copolymer membranes were used, their performance and degree of purification were higher and losses were lower than in case of UAM-200 M filter . The optimum hydrolytic mode of ultrafiltration of intracellular cholesterol oxidase through both filters was determined. J Pharm Sci, 1979 Nov, 68(11), 1366 - 9 N-Benzoyl derivatives of amino acids and amino acid analogs as growth inhibitors in microbial antitumor screen; Otani TT et al.; Twenty-seven N-benzoyl derivatives of amino acids and amino acid analogs were prepared and tested for growth-inhibitory activity in a microbial antitumor screen . Of these, 19 showed some inhibitory capacity, from a modest 13% to a potent 96% at 1 mg/ml . The activities of the "modest" inhibitors were comparable to those of most inhibitory chloracetyl and trifluoroacetyl derivatives reported earlier . The intermediate inhibitors were as active as N-chloroacetyl-beta-hydroxy-D-norleucine isomer B, the most active acyl derivative noted previously . The most active compounds in this study were N-benzoyl-p-chloro-DL-phenylalanine and N-benzoyl-m-fluoro-DL-phenylalanine, which inhibited the test organism almost completely under the assay conditions. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1979 Oct 26, 575(1), 156 - 65 Synthesis of various kinds of esters by four microbial lipases; Okumura S et al.; Ester synthesis by microbial lipases, using homogeneous enzyme preparations, were investigated . The amount of synthesized ester was estimated by alkalimetry, and products were identified by thin-layer chromatography and infrared spectroscopy . Lipases from Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus delemar, Geotrichum candidum and Penicillium cyclopium synthesized esters from oleic acid and various primary alcohols . Only Geotrichum candidum lipase synthesized esters of secondary alcohols . Esters of tertiary alcohols, phenols or sugar alcohols were not synthesized by any lipase . Rather high concentrations of alcohol were required to synthesize the esters of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or trimethylene glycol . Lipases from Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus delemar synthesized oleyl esters of various fatty acids and some dibasic acids . In contrast, lipases from Geotrichum candidum and Penicillium cyclopium synthesized oleyl esters only from medium or long chain fatty acids. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1979 Oct 19, 557(1), 156 - 69 Classification of microbial, plant and animal cytolysins based on their membrane-damaging effects of human fibroblasts; Thelestam M et al.; 38 cytolytic agents of mainly microbial origin were investigated with respect to membrane-damaging activity on human diploid fibroblasts . Increased plasma membrane permeability was measured as leakage of three defined cytoplasmic markers of various sizes: alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, uridine nucleotides and ribosomal RNA . The relative leakages of these markers, caused by different concentrations of the various cytolysins, yielded a leakage pattern for each substance . Five distinct types of leakage patterns were obtained . These were transformed into numerical expressions by calculating the ratios between the amounts of cytolysin needed to release 50% of the nucleotide and ribosomal RNA markers and the amounts required to release 50% of the alpha-aminoisobutyric acid marker (ED50 ratios) . A classification of the cytolysins into five groups was arrived at on the basis of the different types of leakage patterns with the aid of reference cytolysins with well-known mechanisms of membrane interaction . These groups comprised: (1) detergent-like agents, (2) agents interacting with only certain constituents of the cell membrane, (3) agents interacting with specific receptor molecules in the membrane, (4) agents inducing small functional holes of a definable size, and (5) agents inducing only a very limited increase in plasma membrane permeability . The system may be useful for characterization and differentiation of new cytolytic agents of various sources as it divides membrane-damaging agents into separate groups on the basis of their principal function on intact human cells. Eur J Biochem, 1979 Oct 15, 100(2), 559 - 67 beta-Galactosidase from Aspergillus niger . Separation and characterization of three multiple forms; Widmer F et al.; The enzyme beta-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23) from Aspergillus niger was purified and resolved into three multiple forms, using molecular sieving, ion-exchange, an hydrophobic chromatography . The isolated enzyme forms accounted for 83%, 8%, and 9% of the total beta-galactosidase activity, respectively . They were glycoproteins with estimated molecular weights of 124,000, 150,000 and 173,000, isoelectric points of about 4.6, and pH optima between 2.5 and 4.0 . Amino acid and carbohydrate analyses showed that multiplicity was mainly due to dissimilar carbohydrate contents (about 12.5%, 20.5% and 29% neutral carbohydrates, respectively) . The multiple form pattern might depend on the culture conditions . The beta-galactosidase forms were heat-stable up to about 60 degrees C . The Km values for lactose ranged from 85 mM to 125 mM, whereas those for the synthetic substrate o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside were equal to about 2.4 mM . The V values obtained at 30 degrees C for lactose and o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside were 104 units/mg enzyme protein and 121 units/mg enzyme protein, respectively (weighted averages for the three enzyme forms) . The slight reactional dissimilarities between the three enzyme forms are unlikely to be physiologically relevant . The biological significance of A . niger beta-galactosidase multiplicity might be related to the observed differences in carbohydrate content, as suggested by recent reports on other microbial glycoprotein enzymes. Rev Ig Bacteriol Virusol Parazitol Epidemiol Pneumoftiziol Bacteriol Virusol Parazitol Epidemiol, 1979 Oct-Dec, 24(4), 239 - 42 {Rapid method of testing microbiol sensitivity to antibiotics}; Lenghel Z et al.; The conventional technique for determining the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics is slow and a more rapid method becomes mandatory . The authors tested microbial sensitivity to antibiotics by measuring turbidity of the cultures in fluid medium . The method offers an orientation in the choice of an elective antibiotic within at most 4 hours. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1979 Oct, 32(10), 1016 - 8 Stereo-specific synthesis of 3-trifluoromethylcephalosporin derivative by microbial acylase; Serizawa N et al.; Cephalosporin acylase (EC 3.5.1.11) obtained from Kluyvera citrophila ATCC 21285 was found to catalyze synthesis of 7-{2-(2-thienyl)acetamido}-3-trifluoromethyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid from methyl thienylacetate and dl-7-amino-3-trifluoromethyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid . The enzymatically-synthesized compound showed {alpha}25 D + 42.7 degrees (c 0.058, MeOH) and its biological activity was about twice as much as that of racemic 7-{2-(2-thienyl)acetamidol}-3-trifluoromethyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid chemicall synthesized . As a result, N-acylation by this enzyme was demonstrated to be asymmetric synthesis. J Hyg (Lond), 1979 Oct, 83(2), 277 - 83 Microbial contamination of pharmaceutical products in the home; Baird RM et al.; One thousand, nine hundred and seventy-seven pharmaceutical products used in the home were examined for microbial contamination . Viable micro-organisms were recovered from 14.0% of samples . Medicines used in the home are apparently not exposed to the same opportunities for contamination as those used in hospital. Biotechnol Bioeng, 1979 Oct, 21(10), 1697 - 709 Immobilization of enzymes and microbial cells using carrageenan as matrix; Tosa T et al.; Conditions for the gelation k-carrageenan, which is a new polymer for immobilization of enzymes and microbial cells, were investigated in detail . k-Carrageenan was easily induced to gel by contact with metal ions, amines, amino acid derivatives, and water-miscible organic solvents . By using this property of k-carrageenan, the immobilization of enzymes and microbial cells was investigated . Several kinds of enzymes and microbial cells were easily immobilized with high enzyme activities . Immobilized preparations were easily tailor-made to various shape such as cube, bead, and membrane . The obtained immobilized preparations were stable, and columns packed with them were used for continuous enzyme reaction for a long period . Their operational stabilities were enhanced by hardening with glutaraldehyde and hexamethylenediamine. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 1979 Oct, 9(5), 341 - 5 Female genital actinomycosis; Beedham T et al.; PIP: Actinomycosis of the female genital tract is the subject of this brief review article, which adds 4 new cases to 300 previously reported . The problem of delayed diagnosis because of the nonspecific nature of the symptoms is emphasized, and at present no definitive tests for the disease exist, furthering the likelihood of serious complications . Clinical grounds are the only means of diagnosis, and if actinomycosis is suspected clinically, a careful examination of a cervical smear or endometrial biopsy may let the physician prescribe antibiotics before laparotomy (or removal of an IUD, if present) . Penicillin in large doses is recommended, but the organism is sensitive to many antibiotics . Recently, lincomycin and clindamycin have been used because of their better penetration into the circumscribed fibrotic abscess cavities which develop during actinomycosis, in addition to being effective against the secondary organims present . Abscess drainage and pelvic toilet at laparotomy are therapeutic, and at least 3 months of effective antibiotic treatment are required . The frequency of this pelvic infection is rising at an alarming rate, since doctors are now more likely to diagnose the condition . Infect Immun, 1979 Oct, 26(1), 202 - 10 Role of environment in the development of "natural" hemagglutinins in Minnesota miniature swine; Scheffel JW et al.; "Natural" hemagglutinin titers against a panel of fixed erythrocyte antigens were determined for groups of Minnesota miniature swine reared conventionally, in a specific pathogen-free facility, and in germfree isolators . Sera were assayed for hemagglutination (HA) titers by the microtiter method against 12 species of erythrocytes stabilized by treatment with pyruvic aldehyde and formaldehyde . These erythrocytes were stable for up to 2 years and gave slightly enhanced HA titers as compared to fresh, unfixed erythrocytes . Of the sera from conventional swine tested, the highest "natural" HA titers were directed towards rabbit, cat, swine dog, and burro erythrocytes (greater than 1:1,000), intermediate titers were detected against human A, B, and O, and sheep, pig, and chicken erythrocytes (1:64 to 1:1,000), whereas the lowest titers were found against ox and goat erythrocytes (less than 1:8) . Titers obtained with sera from specific pathogen-free swine were 2- to 16-fold lower than those of conventional swine, but were of a similar distribution with regard to the species of erythrocyte tested . Germfree swine sera uniformly exhibited HA titers less than 1:4 against all species of erythrocytes . The majority of these hemagglutinins were immunoglobulin M class but there were some agglutinins of immunoglobulin A class and a slight amount of immunoglobulin G class . Specificity of these agglutinins was examined by absorption tests . The results are consistent with the hypothesis that natural hemagglutinins develop due to dietary or microbial antigenic stimulation, or both. Contraception, 1979 Oct, 20(4), 339 - 51 Treatment of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with intravaginal rings impregnated with either progesterone or norethisterone; Wadsworth PF et al.; The effects of both progesterone- and norethisterone-loaded intravaginal rings were investigated in twenty-five rhesus monkeys for 52 weeks . The intravaginal rings were designed to provide a sustained release of either the human dosage level of the hormone or ten times this level . Untreated placebo rings were used for control purposes . The devices were well retained . With the exception of increased plasma fibrinogen levels in animals treated with norethisterone, no marked differences in either local or systemic toxicity between the progesterone and norethisterone intravaginal rings were apparent . Following insertion of the hormone-treated intravaginal rings, a dose-related decrease in vaginal bleeding was recorded . The vaginal microbial flora were assessed qualitatively and semiquantitatively and all groups including the placebo controls showed a changes in mcirobial populations . Terminal studies indicated that at high dose levels, ovulation was suppressed and widespread atrophy of the uterine mucosal and glandular endometrial epithelium had occurred . An increase in cervical mucus was observed within the lumen of the endocervical canal in a proportion of hormone-treated animals . In the vagina, a dose-related focal or diffuse atrophy of the mucosal epithelium was found. J Clin Ultrasound, 1979 Oct, 7(5), 365 - 8 Ultrasound findings in liver hydatid cysts; Hadidi A; Eighty-one liver hydatid cysts evaluated by gray-scale ultrasound were accumulated in our experience over a period of 2 years . The echographic evidence in accordance with our experience can be categorized as follows: (a) nonsuppurative hydatid cysts in which echo-free area within the fine homogeneous structure of the organ provide the basic clue to the diagnosis; then the echographic appearance of the wall offers further hints to the identity of solitary, multiloculated, and multiple cysts; (b) suppurative hydatid cysts in which, depending on the intensity of secondary microbial infection, the echo-free area turns to a low, medium, or high level of echoes while holding its constitutional pattern . This report is designed to present the various ultrasound patterns of hydatid disease of the liver and show how ultrasound may be most effective in achieving the correct diagnosis. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1979 Oct, (10), 76 - 80 {Isolation of fractions from Bordetella parapertussis extracts and their use for preparing an erythrocyte diagnostic preparation}; Samsonova VS et al.; Soluble parapertusis antigen, serologically active, having hemosensitive properties and containing only 2 antigenic components was obtained by the method of ethanol fractionation of microbial extracts . This method is simple and convenient for production purposes . The antigen thus obtained was used for the production of a highly specific erythrocytic diagnostic preparation (formalinized, liquid) . When tested in reaction with animal and human sera, the new diagnostic preparation proved to be sufficiently active and species specific. J Exp Med, 1979 Sep 19, 150(3), 653 - 75 Augmentation of macrophage complement receptor function in vitro . I . Characterization of the cellular interactions required for the generation of a T-lymphocyte product that enhances macrophage complement receptor function; Griffin JA et al.; The function of complement receptors of mouse peritoneal macrophages was converted in vitro from mediating only attachment of macrophage complement receptor function was achieved by treating freshly explanted macrophages with supernates from cultures containing T lymphocytes and appropriately triggered macrophages . Fc receptor-mediated phagocyctosis by macrophages was required for the production of active supernates, for neither ingestion via the cells' complement receptors nor ingestion via nonimmunologic means was a sufficient stimulus for the macrophages' participation in the generation of supernatant activity . Fc receptor-triggered macrophages interacted by a contact dependent, but histocompatibility independent, mechanism with T lymphocytes, thereby signalling the lymphocytes to elaborate the active product . The possible significance of enhanced macrophage complement receptor function in inflammation, host defense against microbial pathogens, immune complex disease, and neoplasia is discussed. Ann Clin Lab Sci, 1979 Sep-Oct, 9(5), 353 - 61 Legionnaires' disease pneumonia: histopathologic features and comparison with microbial and chemical pneumonias; Lattimer GL et al.; The histopathologic findings in lung tissue are reported from five cases of Philadelphia Legionnaire's Disease and the results are compared to pneumonias caused by other microbial and chemical agents . Histopathology of lung tissue was similar in all cases, despite the fact that death occurred between the fourth and 14th day of clinical illness . The inflammatory response was almost totally limited to the lower respiratory tract and primarily involved respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts and alveoli . Major bronchial branches and pulmonary interstices showed little or no involvement . There was considerable variation in the extent and nature of the consolidation, but the overall reaction pattern was highly characteristic of diffuse alveolar damage . Most involved areas showed intra-alveolar, fibrinocellular mononuclear cell predominant exudates, associated with pneumonocytic hyperplasia and slough . These findings plus the presence of erythroleucophagocytosis by macrophages and paucity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes are commonly associated with psittacine pneumonia, and much less so with classic patterns of bacterial, viral, fungal or rickettsial pneumonias . Of the toxic inhalants, nickel carbonyl, phosgene, nitrous oxide, cadmium oxide and some halogenated hydrocarbons have been associated with this tissue reaction pattern . Bacteria were notably absent in lung tissue stained by methods used to demonstrate the Legionnaires' Disease agent. Zentralbl Bakteriol {B}, 1979 Sep, 169(1-2), 164 - 205 {Microbial emission, immission and changes in the germ count in the cooling water during operation of wet cooling towers . IV . Communication: microbial immission in the vicinity of wet cooling towers (author's transl)}; Botzenhart K et al.; From the emission rates of the bacterial cooling tower emission determined in field measurements (see Comm . II) the mortality rate of enterbacteria on soil, grass and solid surfaces and the mortality rate in the atmosphere taken from literature the immission rates and the long-term effect on microbial surface flora were calculated and compared with our own measurements . The values used in the calculations include large margins for error . The atmospheric germ counts determined by experiment were no higher than the calculated values; they fluctuated in terms of concentration between 20 KBE m-3 and 200 KBE m-3 in ranges which were measured in areas with little or no anthropogenic influences . The maximum long-term surface load which occurs under these assumptions is 2.3.10(5) KBE M-2 . This relatively small additional load (approx . 10(-3%) would hardly be noticeable in a number of colonies of approximately 10(10) KBE m-2 normally occurring in soil and grass samples. Mikrobiologiia, 1979 Sep-Oct, 48(5), 906 - 15 {Character of short-term changes in the total number of soil bacteria, including ammonifiers, during the growing season}; Kutuzova RS; The total incidence of bacteria and the number of ammonificators were assayed to the direct count and plating techniques, respectively, several times within the vegetative period in the course of ten days under the field conditions . The incidence of the former and the latter varied though not in parallel, and the variations were temporal . The total bacterial incidence depended considerably on soil water content; in ammonificators, moisture determined only the level at which their number changed . The character of oscillations is suggestive of the rate of microbial growth at different periods of the vegetative stage . Daily determination of their number several times within the same period may result in contradictory conclusions. J Infect Dis, 1979 Sep, 140(3), 358 - 69 Microbial colonization and hepatic abnormalities in jejunoileal bypass with resection, ileal mucous fistula, and ileocolostomy; Edmiston CE Jr et al.; A role for bacterial colonization of the intestines in the pathogenesis of hepatic abnormalities after jejunoileal bypass was sought . Dogs were divided into groups according to the disposition of the bypassed segment; resection (group I), exteriorization as an ileal mucous fistula (group II), and drainage via an ileocolonic anastomosis (group III) . Weight loss, abnormalities in liver function, and hepatic steatosis were significantly greater in groups II and III than in group I . Concomitantly, there was a significant increase in the total number of bacterial colony-forming units in groups II and III . Moreover, a greater number of specific anaerobic genera was isolated in group III than in group II . It is concluded that: (1) retention of the bypassed intestinal segment is associated with greater changes in liver function and structure than when the segment is resected; (2) the changes in the liver correlated with bacterial proliferation in the bypassed intestinal segment; and (3) despite a greater number of anaerobic genera in the ileocolostomy than in the mucous fistula, both procedures were associated with hepatic abnormalities. Am J Ophthalmol, 1979 Sep, 88(3 Pt 2), 543 - 7 The microbial flora in extended-wear soft contact-lens wearers; Smolin G et al.; Of 857 cultures of material collected from the eyelids, conjunctivae, and contact lenses of 51 extended-wear soft-contact-lens wearers, 44 (5%) grew potential pathogens . The aphakic patients wearing contact lenses had fewer recoverable pathogens (24 of 295 or 8%) than a group of preoperative cataract patients (63 of 295 or 21%) . On five occasions, positive cultures accompanied clinical symptoms, and on three occasions, repeated cultures grew the same potential pathogen. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 Sep, 38(3), 559 - 63 MICRID: a computer-assisted microbial identification system; Kellogg ST; An extensive computer-assisted identification system for bacteria and yeasts (117 genera and 1,430 species) was developed, and applications proved very useful in teaching situations. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 Sep, 38(3), 466 - 70 Wipe-rinse technique for quantitating microbial contamination on large surfaces; Kirschner LE et al.; The evaluation of an improved wipe-rinse technique for the bioassay of large areas was undertaken due to inherent inadequacies in the cotton swab-rinse technique to which assay of spacecraft is currently restricted . Four types of contamination control cloths were initially tested . A polyester-bonded cloth (PBC) was selected for further evaluation because of its superior efficiency and handling characteristics . Results from comparative tests with PBC and cotton swabs on simulated spacecraft surfaces indicated a significantly higher recovery efficiency for the PBC than for the cotton (90.4 versus 75.2%) . Of the sampling areas sites studied, PBC was found to be most effective on surface areas not exceeding 0.74 m2 (8.0 feet 2). Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1979 Sep-Oct, 15(5), 699 - 701 {Application of lytic enzymes for disruption of microbial cell walls to isolate DNA}; Shurygin AIa et al.; The possibility of isolating DNA from yeast and actinomycete cells, previously exposed to enzymic disruption, was explored . The enzyme was produced from Actinomyces griseinus II . The highest yield of DNA from microbial cells was obtained as a result of detergent pretreatment of the yeast and actinomycetes and subsequent disruption of cell walls with the above enzyme. Zentralbl Bakteriol {B}, 1979 Sep, 169(1-2), 39 - 134 {Microbial emission, immission and changes in the germ count in the cooling water during operation of wet cooling towers ii . communication: measuring methods, emission values and changes in the germ count in the cooling system (author's transl)}; Werner HP et al.; The second in the series "Microbial emission, immission and changes in the germ count in the cooling water of wet cooling towers" describes measuring methods and results of the measurements for determining the emission values and the changes in the germ count in the cooling system . The content of colony-forming units (KBE) in the cooling water varied widely, depending on the germ content of the surface water and the preparation of the cooling water (filtration, chemical conditioning) . In summer the KBE values were as a rule higher than the values recorded in winter (factor of about 10) . The introduction of cooling tower water into the surface water thus did not result in any noticeable changes in germ content, either in summer or in winter . An emission rate of 8.3 10(7) KBE/s (CSA) measured at the top of the cooling tower was the maximum emission value recorded . This resulted in a total germ content in the plume of 1.2 . 10(4) KBE/m3 . In order to place this finding into perspective, it should be noted that fluctuations in the KBE values of the air of considerably more than 1000 KBE/m3 can occur because of biological release and meteorological conditions alone (see IVth communication) . The KBE-P values recorded (content of particles with units which are capable of forming colonies) in the plume were of the same order as the KBE values . From this it can be concluded that the drops of cooling water which are swept away with the plume are normally only charged with individual colony-forming units . It is worth noting that the KBE values of the plume are only indirectly dependent on the KBE values of the cooling water used in the cooling tower. J Lipid Res, 1979 Sep, 20(7), 825 - 33 Aminopropyl silica gel as a solid support for preparation of glycolipid immunoadsorbent and purification of antibodies; Kundu SK et al.; Aminopropyl silica gel was prepared from porous silica gel and was used as a solid support for immunoadsorbent in the purification of anti-glycolipid antibodies . For neutral glycosphingolipids, a carboxyl function was generated by oxidation of the olefinic double bond of the sphingosine moiety, whereas for gangliosides the carboxyl group of sialic acid was used to couple with aminopropyl silica gel in the presence of a carbodiimide . These compounds were used for purifying anti-glycolipid antibodies from serum of immunized rabbits . The antibodies bound to the su-strate were released by 2 M potassium thiocyanate and their immunological properties were studied . Aminopropyl silica gel may be preferred over conventional organic solid supports for the following reasons: 1) faster flow rate; 2) higher capacity; 3) easier handling; 4) more economical; and 5) lower susceptibility to microbial attack. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 Sep, 38(3), 514 - 20 Microbial conversion of ethylbenzene to 1-phenethanol and acetophenone by Nocardia tartaricans ATCC 31190; Cox DP et al.; A culture of Nocardia tartaricans ATCC 31190 was capable of catalyzing the conversion of ethylbenzene to 1-phenethanol and acetophenone while growing in a shake flask culture with hexadecane as the source of carbon and energy . This subterminal oxidative reaction with ethylbenzene appears not to have been previously reported for Nocardia species . When N . tartaricans was grown on glucose as its source of carbon and energy and ethylbenzene was added, no subsequent production of 1-phenethanol or acetophenone was observed . The mechanisms of 1-phenethanol and acetophenone production from ethylbenzene are thought to involve a subterminal oxidation of the alpha-carbon of the alkyl group to 1-phenethanol followed by biological oxidation of the latter to acetophenone. Surv Ophthalmol, 1979 Sep-Oct, 24(2), 97 - 105 Initial therapy of suspected microbial corneal ulcers . I . Broad antibiotic therapy based on prevalence of organisms; Baum JL; The initial treatment of bacterial ulcers of the cornea should consist of a combination of antibiotics that are effective against the major pathogens in the community . A gram stain may be misleading and therefore may suggest inappropriate therapy . Antibiotic therapy should include subconjunctival injections and concentrated eye drops, but not systemic administration except following perforation . Initially, we use cefazolin and tobramycin or gentamicin . Bacitracin may be substituted as a topical medication . Antibiotic therapy should be changed only if the pathogen is reported to be resistant to initial therapy and if the corneal ulcer continues to worsen. Arch Microbiol, 1979 Sep, 122(3), 241 - 7 Microbial oxidation of methane and methanol: purification and properties of a heme-containing aldehyde dehydrogenase from Methylomonas methylovora; Patel RN et al.; Procedures for the purification of an aldehyde dehydrogenase from extracts of the obligate methylotroph, Methylomonas methylovora are described . The purified enzyme is homogeneous as judged from polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . In the presence of an artificial electron acceptor (phenazine methosulfate), the purified enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of straight chain aldehydes (C1--C10 tested), aromatic aldehydes (benzaldehyde, salicylaldehyde), glyoxylate, and glyceraldehyde . Biological electron acceptors such as NAD+, NADP+, FAD, FMN, pyridoxal phosphate, and cytochrome c cannot act as electron carriers . The activity of the enzyme is inhibited by sulfhydryl agents {p-chloromercuribenzoate, N-ethylmaleimide and 5,5-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid)}, cuprous chloride, and ferrour nitrate . The molecular weight of the enzyme as estimated by gel filtration is approximately 45000 and the subunit size determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis is approximately 23000 . The purified enzyme is light brown and has an absorption peak at 410 nm . Reduction of enzyme with sodium dithionite or aldehyde substrate resulted in the appearance of peaks at 523 nm and 552nm . These results suggest that the enzyme is a hemoprotein . There was no evidence that flavins were present as prosthetic group . The amino acid composition of the enzyme is also presented. Eur J Biochem, 1979 Aug 15, 99(1), 89 - 96 Flavanone synthase from Petroselinum hortense . Molecular weight, subunit composition, size of messenger RNA, and absence of pantetheinyl residue; Kreuzaler F et al.; Flavanone synthase from irradiated cell suspension cultures of parsley was purified to apparent homogeneity . Molecular weights of about 77 000 for the enzyme and about 42 000 for the subunits were determined respectively by sedimentation-equilibrium measurements and disc-gel electrophoresis in the presence of dodecyl sulfate . A specific antiserum was prepared for the enzyme and was used in an assay for flavanone synthase mRNA activity in partially purified RNA preparations . The apparent molecular size of flavanone synthase mRNA was estimated by sucrose gradient centrifugation and gel electrophoresis under partially denaturing conditions . Values of about 17 S and Mr = 0.62 X 10(6) were obtained . The fractionation patterns suggested that flavanone synthase mRNA was homogeneous in size . All together, the results support the idea that the enzyme is composed of two subunits which are probably identical . Amino acid analysis and a microbial assay were carried out to test the possible occurrence of cysteamine, beta-alanine, and pantothenate in the enzyme . The results were negative, indicating the absence of pantetheine or a similar residue . The possible similarity in mechanism between flavanone synthase and 3-oxoacyl-(acyl carrier protein) synthase is discussed. Hautarzt, 1979 Aug, 30(8), 443 - 5 {Dermatology in French Guiana}; Grosshans EM et al.; In French Guayana, climatic and geographic conditions enhance development of numerous fungal, parasitic and microbial skin diseases . The most particular infectious diseases of this French department are lobomycosis, chromomycosis (Phialophora pedrosoi), creeping disease, cutaneous leishmaniasis, tungiasis, mycobacterial ulcus (Mycobacterium ulcerans) and papular dermatitis caused by nettling hairs of lepidoptera (Hylesia urticans) . The occurence of these skin diseases is demonstrative of pathological ecology of the Amazonian country. J Hyg (Lond), 1979 Aug, 83(1), 59 - 67 The effect of air ionization on the air-borne transmission of experimental Newcastle disease virus infections in chickens; Estola T et al.; The effect of artificial air-ionization on air-borne transmission of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) infection in chickens was studied in an isolated system consisting of two side-by-side cages with solid walls and a wire-gauze roof . During a 3-week observation period more than 90% of the uninoculated indicator chickens, housed in one of the cages, contracted the virus shed to the air by the NDV-inoculated, diseased birds in the neighbouring cage . This air-borne transmission of NDV was completely prevented by increasing the ion concentration in the test room by a constant negative corona discharge above the wire-gauze roof . On the other hand, spreading of the infection within a group of chickens housed in a single cage was not affected by air ionization . These and other results suggest that artificial air-ionization may protect animals from certain air-borne infections by interfering with microbial aerosol formation and/or by facilitating their decay. Aust Dent J, 1979 Aug, 24(4), 231 - 4 Dental plaque ecology related to caries and periodontal diseases; Newbrun E; Dental plaque consists of a dynamic microbiota which responds to ecological changes . There are major technical difficulties in obtaining representative plaque samples and in dispersing, cultivating, identifying and quantifying the microbial components . Cumulative findings on plaque microbiota associated with dental caries and different forms of periodontal disease support the specific plaque hypothesis . However, the data do not permit designation of any single organism as the distinct aetiological agent . The characteristic pattern is autogenic succesion, in which one or more microbial species alter the plaque environment and are replaced or succeeded by other species. Ann Intern Med, 1979 Aug, 91(2), 261 - 70 Fever: pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and purpose; Bernheim HA et al.; Fever appears to have evolved in vertebrate hosts as an adaptive mechanism for controlling infection . This phenomenon is produced by certain exogenous (largely microbial) stimuli that activated bone-marrow-derived phagocytes to release a fever-inducing hormone (endogenous pyrogen) . Endogenous pyrogen, in turn, circulates to the thermoregulatory center of the brain (preoptic area of the anterior hypothalamus) where it causes an elevation in the "set-point" for normal body temperature . Warm blooded animals produced fever by increasing heat production (through shivering) or reducing heat loss (by peripheral vasoconstriction), whereas cold blooded animals do so only by behavioral mechanisms (seeking a warmer environment) . This paper discusses current concepts that involve the mechanism of endogenous pyrogen production, the role of central transmittors, and the probable function of fever in combating disease. J Bacteriol, 1979 Aug, 139(2), 675 - 9 Microbial oxidation of gaseous hydrocarbons . II . Hydroxylation of alkanes and epoxidation of alkenes by cell-free particulate fractions of methane-utilizing bacteria; Patel RN et al.; Cell-free particulate fractions derived from methylotrophic bacteria catalyze the oxygen- and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent epoxidation of alkenes and hydroxylation of alkanes . Evidence presented indicates that the hydroxylation and epoxidation reactions are catalyzed by the same or a similar metal-containing monooxygenase. Arch Tierernahr, 1979 Jul-Aug, 29(7-8), 495 - 502 {Feed value of straw materials in the in vitro system . 3 . Measurement of in vitro protein synthesis on the basis of the incorporation of 15N in the TCA-precipitable fraction of rumen fluid}; Bergner H et al.; For several reasons the utilisation of 15N for the characterisation of the microbial protein synthesis in the artificial rumen seems to be, in contrast to the incorporation of 35S, not very suitable in order to characterise the feed value of straw materials. Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1979 Jul, 123(7), 3 - 9 {Bacterial proteolytic enzymes in the treatment of purulent wounds}; Gostishchev VK et al.; The enzyme therapy, the application of microbial proteases in particular, is one of rational ways of removing necrotic tissues from purulent wounds . The use of proteolytic enzymes combined with the methods of early closure of granulated wounds (primary, primary-delayed, early secondary sutures) considerably reduces the terms of treatment of patients with purulent wounds. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1979 Jul, 244(2-3), 316 - 23 Blood cultures with the BACTEC 225 radiometric microbial growth detection system; Groschel D et al.; The BACTEC 225 automated radiometric blood culture system was compared with a conventional blood culture bottle method for its ability to improve the rapid laboratory diagnosis of bacteremia in cancer patients . The BACTEC 225, in combination with routine blind subcultures and smears of radiometrically negative culture vials, detected two thirds, of all positive cultures within 24 h and shortered the detection time generally by 24-48 h . With the recommended growth index setting of 30, radiometrically false-positive findings are rare and are usually due to leukocytosis resulting from infection or leukemia. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1979 Jul, 48(1), 21 - 8 Relationship of oral complications to peripheral blood leukocyte and platelet counts in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy; Lockhart PB et al.; Patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy often suffer from oral complications as a result of their disease and its treatment . The effects of the chemotherapy on the bone marrow and oral mucosa, coupled with the patient's immunosuppressed state and altered oral microbial flora, predispose these patients to oral mucositis, infection, and hemorrhage . The oral mucosa appears to mirror the effects of the chemotherapy on the bone marrow, as there appears to be a direct relationship between the changing peripheral blood counts and the status of the oral mucosa. Infect Immun, 1979 Jul, 25(1), 139 - 45 Ecological determinants in microbial colonization of the murine gastrointestinal tract: adherence of Torulopsis pintolopesii to epithelial surfaces; Suegara N et al.; Torulopsis pintolopesii is a yeast indigenous to the gastrointestinal tracts of conventional mice and rats from many colonies . In such natively colonized animals, the organism forms layers on the surface of the epithelium in the secreting portion of the stomach and can be cultured from all areas of the gastrointestinal tract . When given in water or food to germfree mice or specific pathogen-free mice possessing an indigenous microbiota free of yeast, T . pintolopesii also can be cultured from all areas of the tract at population levels ranging from 10(5) to 10(8) cells per g (wet weight) . Likewise, as in its native hosts, the organism forms layers on gastric surfaces in the associated animals . The layers form on the secreting surface in both the specific pathogen-free and monoassociated ex-germfree mice . In the latter animal, however, a layer of yeast also forms on the nonsecreting gastric surface . In tests of its capacity to adhere to gastrointestinal surfaces in vitro, the organism adheres to epithelia from all areas of the mouse tract . These findings support an hypothesis that the capacity of T . pintolopesii to adhere to epithelial surfaces may be only one determinant influencing it to form layers on the gastric secreting surface in its native hosts. Drug Metab Dispos, 1979 Jul-Aug, 7(4), 211 - 4 Microbial transformations of natural antitumor agents . VIII . Formation of 8- and 9-hydroxyellipticines; Chien MM et al.; Microbial transformations of ellipticine with Aspergillus alliaceus (NRRL 315) yielded two phenolic metabolites which were isolated and characterized as 8- and 9-hydroxyellipticines . The latter is a major metabolite and its structure was determined by NMR and mass-spectometric analyses, and by comparison with authentic 9-hydroxyellipticine prepared by chemical demethylation of 9-methoxyellipticine . The structure of 8-hydroxyellipticine was determined primarily by NMR spectrometry . Whereas 8-hydroxyellipticine is a new derivative, 9-hydroxyellipticine has been described, and it is one of the major mammalian metabolites of the antitumor alkaloid ellipticine. J Mol Evol, 1979 Jun 8, 13(1), 85 - 93 On the analysis of unrestricted mixed cultures in determining the fitness of microbial mutants; Vinopal RT; Equations describing the growth of two microbial strains in unrestricted mixed culture are developed and their use described . With this treatment, mixed cultures maintained in growth by periodic dilution or by use of a turbidostat may be used to obtain a quantitative measure of the adaptive or maladaptive effects of specific mutant alleles. J Immunogenet, 1979 Jun, 6(3), 197 - 214 Relationship between the responsiveness of maternal and foetal lymphocytes to phytohaemagglutinin and to microbial antigens; Gill TJ 3rd et al.; The response of 105 maternal-foetal lymphocyte pairs to specific and non-specific stimulation were evaluated using a newly defined method of analysis . There were no significant differences in the responses of maternal or foetal lymphocytes to phytohaemogglutinin (PHA) or the various antigens as a function of concentration over the ranges tested . The maternal lymphocytes were stimulated by all of the antigens and responded to PHA three--five times more strongly than to the antigens . The foetal lymphocytes were stimulated by PHA and tetanus toxoid only and were suppressed by streptokinase-streptodornase (SKSD) . They responded to stimulation by antigens at a lower level than did the maternal lymphocytes, but they responded at a much higher level to PHA . Unstimulated cultures of foetal lymphocytes incorporated more isotope than did those of maternal lymphocytes in both autologous and AB plasma . The data were cross-classified to determine whether the responses of the foetal lymphocytes varied concordantly with the responses of the maternal lymphocytes in both autologous and AB plasma by the Chi-square test for independence and by rank correlation analysis . There was no significant correlation in either plasma to stimulation with the antigens . Thus, the presence of antigen reactive lymphocytes in the circulation of the mother does not mean that the foetus is sensitized to that antigen . Comparison of the lymphocyte responses in autologous plasma with those in AB plasma provided evidence for the presence of circulating immunoregulatory substances . Autologous maternal plasma suppressed the lymphocyte responses to high concentrations of candida and SKSD and stimulated the response to mumps, varicella and tetanus toxoid . Autologous fetal plasma suppressed the lymphocyte responses to candida, varicella and SKSD and stimulated the response to PHA . The responsiveness of maternal lymphocytes to PHA was less in foetal plasma than in autologous maternal or AB plasma. Can J Microbiol, 1979 Jun, 25(6), 722 - 9 Minute tubular forms in soil; Casida LE Jr et al.; Large numbers of minute, flat, long, straight, but often broken structures were observed in aqueous extracts of soil . We have applied the purely descriptive term 'tubules' to these structure, because they apparently became flattened during preparation for electron-microscopic viewing . The tubules appeared to be composed of parallel fibers held together by protein . Most of the tubules fell within a ranged of 10 to 50 nm in width . Lengths (of broken pieces) ranged from 0.2 to 1 micron or more . A few unbroken ends were found . They were rounded . Tubular structures of similar dimensions were found surrounding lysed cells in sectioned preparations of bacteria that had been separated from soil . The tubules were present in surface soils but not a subsurface sample . Their numbers decreased during bacterial multiplication in soil or broth containing soil . No evidence was found of cleared areas or increase in number of tubules when the tubules were plated with a heterogeneous microbial flora from soil. Am J Med Technol, 1979 Jun, 45(6), 532 - 6 A ladder curriculum in clinical microbiology; Barr JT; A continuum of four microbiology courses for medical technology majors has been developed by the Medical Laboratory Science Program at Northeastern University . Using a system approach to curriculum design, the academic and clinical faculty identified career-entry capabilities, delineated appropriate subject content, and developed an instructional system which placed individual topics into one of four courses in the ladder curriculum: a basic, second-year, university-based clinical microbiology course stressing microbial technique and common organism identification; third-year microbiology and cellular physiology courses developing theoretical aspects; a fourth-year, hospital-based clinical microbiology rotation emphasizing isolation and identification techniques for significant pathogens; and a fourth-year, university-based, didactic course covering host defense-organism virulence interactions, infectious disease principles, and new techniques and unusual isolates as reported in the recent journal literature . Based on four years of experience with this system and in light of the publication of the 1978 American Society for Medical Technology (ASMT) Competency Statements, the Northeastern Medical Laboratory Science Program faculty is currently reexamining the continuum to insure completeness and appropriateness of overall subject content, to provide reinforcement, and to remove unnecessary duplication among the courses in the curriculum. J Histochem Cytochem, 1979 Jun, 27(6), 1003 - 10 Accumulation of peroxidase in the cap rays of Acetabularia during the development of gametangia; Menzel D; Accumulation of peroxidase was demonstrated by light and electron microscopy to occur in Acetabularia in certain regions of the cap rays in relation to the development of the gametangia (cysts) . Peroxidase was found to be incorporated into special, cell wall-like obstructions that separate the cap rays from the stalk when the secondary nuclei have settled in the cap rays . It is assumed that peroxidase acts as an anti-microbial protectant of the gametangia. Infect Immun, 1979 Jun, 24(3), 939 - 47 Experimental Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in different strains of cortisonized mice; Walzer PD et al.; Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was produced in eight different strains of mice by the administration of corticosteroids, low (8%)-protein diet, and tetracycline in the drinking water . Heavier degrees of P . carinii infection were most consistently found in C3H/HeN mice; intermediate levels occurred in BALB/c AnN, C57BL/6N, B10.A(2R), AKR/J, and Swiss Webster mice; lighter degrees were found in DBA/2N and DBA/IJ mice . Histopathologically, P . carinii organisms were morphologically indistinguishable from human and rat P . carinii, and elicited a predominantly mononuclear response that was similar among the various mouse strains . The optimal cortisone acetate regimen was 1 mg injected subcutaneously twice weekly . Higher doses shortened the life span of the mice, presumably by inducing overwhelming bacterial infection . This problem occurred not only in different strains of mice, but also in the same strain of mice obtained from different breeders . Thus, cortisonized mice should be useful in the study of experimental P . carinii infection . Success of this model depends on the corticosteroid dose, as well as the strain, source, general health, and preexisting microbial flora of the mice chosen for study. Sem Hop, 1979 May 18-25, 55(19-20), 1021 - 5 {Fulminating pneumococcal septicemia (author's transl)}; Andrieu J et al.; Two cases of fulminating pneumococcal septicemia (FSP) are reported, and 47 confirmed cases were discovered after a review of the published literature . The syndrome is that of a malignant infection with fever, collapse, and disseminated intravascular coagulation, with a rapid mortal outcome in most cases . Etiologically, FSP is usually the consequence of functional or anatomical asplenia, and the relative frequency of this affection after splenectomy following trauma confirms this observation . Lack of a splenic filter and a deficiency in the phagocytic system are the reasons for microbial proliferation in the blood, and the lymphocytic defence mechanisms are inactive because of the absence of any focus of infection. Arch Pathol Lab Med, 1979 May, 103(5), 261 - 4 Legionnaires' disease: ultrastructural appearance of the agent in a lung biopsy specimen; Katz SM et al.; During the Legionnaires' disease epidemic that occurred in Philadelphia in 1976, we performed a transbronchial lung biopsy on a patient who suffered from Legionnaires' disease that was confirmed by serology . The biopsy was performed in an attempt to detect a causal agent for the patient's pneumonia at a time when the cause of the epidemic was a mystery . We detected pleomorphic microbial structures that were both intracellular and extracellular in location . By electron microscopy, they ranged in size from 350 nm to 2.5 mu . Some displayed cell walls and fine cytoplasmic granules that resembled ribosomes . Our findings illustrate the appearance of the Legionnaires' disease agent in acutely infected, antibiotic-treated human lung obtained from biopsy specimens. Hoppe Seylers Z Physiol Chem, 1979 May, 360(5), 621 - 32 {Microbial degradation of papaverine (author's transl)}; Haase-Aschoff K et al.; A bacterium growing on papaverine as sole carbon and nitrogen source was isolated by incubation of soil with papaverine . The bacterium could be identified as a Nocardia strain by morphological and physiological tests . When growing on papaverine, this strain excretes metabolites into the medium . Based on the structure of the metabolites 1--9 a degradation pathway is proposed . 1 = 1-(3,4-Dimethoxybenzyl)-3,4-dihydro-6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-isoquinolinediol; 2 = 1-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-isoquinolinediol; 3 = 2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-{2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4,5-dimethoxyphenly}ethanone; 4 = 2-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxybenzeneethanol; 5 = 3,4-dimethoxybenzeneacetic acid; 6 = 2-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyoxybenzeneacetic acid; 7 = 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzeneacetic acid; 8 = 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde; 9 = 2-(hydroxymethyl)-4,5-dimethoxybenzeneethanol. Br J Nutr, 1979 May, 41(3), 521 - 7 The contribution of protozoa to the protein entering the duodenum of sheep; Harrison DG et al.; 1 . Four sheep, each fitted with a rumen fistula and a re-entrant cannula at the proximal duodenum were fed a semi-purified diet containing urea as the only nitrogen source . The quantities of total protozoal amino acid-N (TPAN) present in the rumen and entering the duodenum were determined when the mean rumen dilution rate (D) was low (0.034/h) and when D was increased to 0.078/h by the intraruminal infusion of artificial saliva . 2 . Increasing the dilution rate had no significant effect upon the proportions of TPAN present in the total microbial amino-acid-N (TMAN) of the rumen fluid and duodenal digesta . With both dilution rates the mean proportion of TPAN in the duodenal TMAN (0.24) was markedly less than the equivalent proportion (0.45) found in the rumen fluid . 3 . The daily flow of TPAN, as measured at the duodenal cannula at both dilution rates were equivalent to only 41% of the flow of TPAN as predicted from measurements of rumen outflow, indicating that a substantial proportion of rumen protozoal protein was retained within the rumen. Am J Hosp Pharm, 1979 May, 36(5), 605 - 8 Assuring the quality of intravenous admixture programs; Stolar MH; Several aspects of quality assurance (QA) methods in i.v . admixture programs are discussed, and a basic framework for developing QA programs for admixture services is presented . The objective of QA is to insure that admixture products: (1) are therapeutically and pharmaceutically appropriate to the patient; (2) are free from microbial and pyrogenic contaminants; (3) are free from undesirable levels of particulate or toxic contaminants; (4) contain drugs in correct amounts; and (5) are labeled, stored and distributed under principles of good drug control . Three types of QA criteria bases which may be used as indicators of quality are discussed (resources, facilities and organization; required procedures; end-products or results) . Because end-product monitoring has certain limitations in the admixture setting, QA must rely heavily on procedure-centered review methods . General guidelines for developing QA programs are outlined . Adherence to procedure is the key to assuring the quality of admixture products . In developing a QA program, the highest priority should be given to the education and training of admixture personnel, particularly with respect to aseptic technique and pharmaceutical calculations. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 May, 37(5), 886 - 91 Microbial cleavage of various organophosphorus insecticides; Rosenberg A et al.; Bacteria able to utilize Aspon, Azodrin, Dasanit, diazinon, malathion, Orthene, parathion, Trithion, dimethoate, Dylox, methyl parathion, and Vapona as sole phosphorus sources were isolated from soil and sewage . Individual isolates used from 3 to 10 of these insecticides as sole phosphorus sources . The extent of growth of two Pseudomonas strains in media containing diazinon and malathion was in the range expected from the amount of insecticide supplied, and their proliferation resulted in disappearance of the chemical . Resting cells of the pseudomonads derived from cultures grown on diazinon or malathion but not orthophosphate caused extensive destruction of these two organophosphates in the presence or absence of chloramphenicol . Extracts of the two bacteria derived from organophosphate-grown cultures catalyzed the disappearance of Aspon, Azodrin, Dasanit, diazinon, malathion, Orthene, parathion, and Trithion but not dimethoate, Dylox, methyl parathion, and Vapona . Results from gas chromatographic analysis suggested that the extracts formed dimethyl phosphate from azodrin, dimethyl phosphorodithioate from malathion, diethyl phosphorodithioate from Trithion, and diethyl phosphorothioate from Dasanit, diazinon, and parathion . Dimethyl phosphate, dimethyl phosphorothioate , dimethyl phosphorodithioate, diethyl phosphate, and diethyl phosphorothioate were not used by the pseudomonads as sole phosphorus sources. Hautarzt, 1979 May, 30(5), 236 - 41 {Therapeutic aspects of seborrhea oleosa and pityriasis simplex capillitii}; Gloor M; The treatment of seborrhoea oleosa capillitii should aim at inhibiting depletion of the sebaceous glands, lipid synthesis in the sebaceous gland and microbial lipolysis of the triglycerides in the scalp and hair lipids . The use of isopropyl alcohol as a vehicle in a hair tonic reduces sebum depletion . Coal tar and estrogens reduce the lipid synthesis in the sebaceous gland . The lipolysis can be inhibited by various surfactants, isopropyl alcohol, colloidal sulphur, selenium disulphide, Omadine MDS and benzoyl peroxide . In the treatment of pityriasis simplex capillitii (dandruff) one aims at achieving inhibition of mitosis in the epidermis and, if possible, an additional "keratolytic" effect . Inhibition of mitosis could be demonstrated for coal tar, corticosteroids, selenium disulphide, cadmium sulphide, Omadine MDS, Zn Omadine and ichthyol sodium . Colloidal sulphur, salicylic acid, Omadine MDS and various surfactants act "keratolytically". Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 May, 37(5), 878 - 85 Comparative effects of Aroclor 1254 (polychlorinated biphenyls) and phenanthrene on glucose uptake by freshwater microbial populations; Sayler GS et al.; The effects of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and phenanthrene stress on glucose uptake by natural microbial populations were examined by the heterotrophic potential technique . Temporal and spatial distributions in glucose uptake velocities were examined for natural samples as well as PCB- and phenanthrene-stressed samples . Statistical analysis indicated significant variability among the various samples . It was demonstrated that the environmental variables contributed significantly to the variability in uptake kinetics . Although general trends indicated a PCB-induced stimulation in uptake velocities, these trends were in part masked by sample variability . Data analysis indicated no statistically significant PCB or phenanthrene effect on either total glucose uptake velocities or the proportion of 14CO2 evolved, as compared to natural unstressed samples. Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1979 May, 87(5), 452 - 4 {Myoglobin content and oxygen tension in the muscle tissues in allergic reactions}; Pleshkova SM; The influence of sensitization to horse serum, brucelia and BCG, and the allergic reactions induced by these antigens, on the oxygen tension and myoglobin content in the muscle tissues was studied . The lowering of myoglobin concentration associated with higher sensitivity formation was noted only in sensitization to living microbial strains . The allergic responses of immediate and delayed types provoked the decrease in myoglobin content both in the heart and skeletal muscles . The tension of oxygen in the skeletal muscle was reduced. Chromosoma, 1979 Apr 30, 72(2), 131 - 50 Yeast chromosomal DNA molecules have strands which are cross-linked at their termini; Forte MA et al.; The microbial eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae has 18 chromosomes, each consisting of a DNA molecule of 1 x 15 x 10(8) daltons (150 to 2,300 kilobase pairs) . Interstand cross-links have now been found in molecules of all sizes by examining the ability of high molecular weight DNA to snap back, i.e., to rapidly renature after denaturation . Experiments in which snap back was assessed for molecules broken by shearing indicate that there are probably two cross-links in each chromosome . Evidence that the cross-links occur at specific sites in the genome was obtained by treating total chromosomal DNA with the endonuclease EcoRI which cleaves the yeast genome into approximately 2,000 discrete fragments . Cross-link containing fragments were separated from fragments without cross-links . This purification resulted in enrichment for about 18 specific fragments . To determine whether the cross-links are terminal or at internal sites in chromosomal DNA, large shear-produced fragments were examined by electron microsopy . With complete denaturation few fragments exhibit the X-shaped single strand configuration expected for internal cross-links . When partially denatured fragments were examined some ends had single strand loops as expected for (AT-rich) cross-linked termini . We propose that a duplex chromosomal DNA molecules have cross-linked termini . We propose that a duplex chromosomal DNA molecule in this eukaryote consists of a continuous, single, self-complementary strand of DNA . This structure has implications for the mechanism of chromosome replication and may be the basis of telomere behavior. Eur J Pediatr, 1979 Apr 25, 131(1), 43 - 8 Effect of gammaglobulin injection on circulating immune complexes in various diseases; Schwenk HU et al.; Immune complexes (ICs) participate in the pathogenesis of various diseases and can be shown in 18% of all hospitalized patients (excluding those with infectious diseases) by means of a sensitive method such as the Raji-cell radioimmune assay . However, before this test can be applied to quantify disease activity in renal, connective tissue and neoplastic diseases, it must be recognized that febrile infections of the upper respiratory tract also induce ICs in 86% of all patients . The immune complexes containing microbial antigens can be reduced or removed by a single injection of human immunoglobulin . This is a simple method to distinguish between the immune complexes of different specifities . The resulting removal of some immune complexes may be the explanation for the claimed therapeutic effect of gammaglobulin injection in normogammaglobulinemic patients. Res Exp Med (Berl), 1979 Apr 23, 175(1), 1 - 6 Inhibition of human intestinal alpha-glucosidehydrolases by a new complex oligosaccharide; Caspary WF et al.; The effect of a new complex oligosaccharide (Bay g 5421) of microbial origin on human intestinal alpha-glucosidehydrolase activity was tested in mucosal homogenate from human small bowel biopsy specimens . The alpha-glucosidehydrolase inhibitor (alpha-GHI) exerted a potent inhibitory effect on glucoamylase, sucrase, and maltase, was minimally effective on isomaltase, and did not affect trehalase and lactase activity . Kinetic analysis revealed a fully competitive type of inhibition with a Ki of 1.3 x 10(-6) M; thus the inhibitor had a 15,000-fold higher affinity to the enzyme sucrase than its natural substrate sucrose . The new compound may prove to be useful in the study of carbohydrate maldigestion and malabsorption and may possibly be of therapeutic benefit in diabetes and obesity. Experientia, 1979 Apr 15, 35(4), 480 - 1 Biodegradability of Tioctilate; Pipyn P et al.; The biodegradability of Tioctilate (octylthiobenzoate), a new pesticide, has been examined by means of 5 tests . The compound appears to be susceptible to microbial metabolism. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 Apr, 37(4), 774 - 8 Evidence by electron micrographs for a high incidence of bacteriophage particles in the waters of Yaquina Bay, oregon: ecological and taxonomical implications; Torrella F et al.; A variety of viral particles, the majority of them clearly identifiable as bacteriophages, were found in the seawater of Yaquina Bay, Oregon . These phages were obtained as free particles from the seawater without employing specific hosts for enrichments or further purification in the laboratory . A variety of electron micrographs showing different morphologies of phages as well as phage-bacterium interactions found in the seawater are presented . In the area where the bay received organic enrichment from seafood processing plants, a minimum of 10(4) phage particles per ml was estimated . Since the technique used was designed to concentrate particles 0.2 micrometer in diameter or larger it is assumed that the actual number of phage particles is higher than 10(4) particles per ml . The implications of the presence of such phage concentrations in bays and estuaries with a certain level of eutrophication are of obvious importance in considering the microbial ecology of these environments. Cancer, 1979 Apr, 43(4), 1483 - 92 Nonspecific immune determinants in the patient with unresectable gastrointestinal carcinoma; Moertel CG et al.; Assays of immune function (recall skin tests to microbial antigens; total circulating lymphocytes, T-cells, B-cells; lymphocyte blastogenesis with PHA, Con A, and pokeweed mitogens; and serum immunoglobulins IgA, IgM, IgG) were obtained in 408 patients with unresectable gastrointestinal carcinoma . The overall patient population, in comparison to normal controls, was characterized by reduced response to recall skin tests, reduced total lymphocyte and T-cell counts, reduced lymphocyte blastogenesis assays, increased B-cell counts and increased IgA and IgM . Significant immunosuppression was associated with prior radiation or chemotherapy, and with impaired patient performance status . There was no apparent correlation between extent of clinically evident malignant disease and immune function within this patient population . No assay of immune function matched the prognostic value of the more readily available and less expensive determinations of performance status, serum alkaline phosphatase, or SGOT . Only reactivity to recall skin tests had a significant correlation to patient survival independent of performance status . Among patients with little or no disability, only intensity of skin test reactivity correlated significantly with survival; and among those with greater disability, there was correlation only with proportion of skin tests positive . The combination of candida and streptokinase antigens provided the best recall skin test survival correlation . Adding a third, fourth, or fifth antigen did not add to prognostic value . From an overall standpoint, the immune determinants which we studied do not appear to provide useful additions to the evaluation of the patient with unresectable gastrointestinal cancer. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1979 Apr, (4), 21 - 5 {Biological preparations in the overall therapy of children convalescing after dysentery}; Kurnosova NA et al.; In studying the state of microbial population in the intestine of children after dysentery dysbacteriosis was revealed in 72.7% of cases . Use of biological preparations normalizing microbial population in the intestine (colibacterin) in 859 children reduced the incidence of protracted forms of the disease and of repeated excretion of the causative agent in comparison with the control group (785 children). J Oral Rehabil, 1979 Apr, 6(2), 183 - 8 Qualitative changes in dental plaque formation related to removable partial dentures; Ghamrawy EE; A study was performed on the microbial composition of dental plaque developing on fifteen abutment teeth in nine partially edentulous subjects . Bacteria were counted in samples of plaque which had formed on vestibular surfaces, and on proximal surfaces facing edentulous spaces, during a period when dentures were not worn, and then for a period when dentures were being worn . It was found that the presence of removable partial dentures favoured a proliferation of spiral organisms. Antibiotiki, 1979 Apr, 24(4), 246 - 50 {Aspects of the biosynthesis of actinomycin C}; Orlova TI et al.; The protoplasts of Actinomyces sp . 26--115 producing actinomycin C were obtained by the action of lysozyme on the mycelial paste of a 48-hour microbial culture . The protoplast capacity for synthesizing actinomycin was decreased as compared to that of the intact mycelium . The transport of L-isoleucine, a precursor of actinomycin C biosynthesis in the protoplasts also decreased but this could not be the only cause of the decrease in the actinomycin biosynthesis capacity . The biosynthesis of actinomycin C by the protoplasts of Actinomycin sp . 26--115 did not require galactose and was not inhibited by glucose and exogenic actinomycin. Arch Microbiol, 1979 Mar 12, 120(3), 271 - 3 Separation of algal mixtures and bacterial mixtures with flow-microfluorometer using chlorophyll and ethidium bromide fluorescence; Paau AS et al.; The applicability of flow-microfluorometer to separate microbial cells was demonstrated with algal and bacterial cells . Algal mixtures were sorted according to the natural chlorophyll fluorescence and the bacterial mixtures were sorted according to the fluorescence of ethidium bromide-stained nucleic acid. Tubercle, 1979 Mar, 60(1), 37 - 43 Preservation of mycobacteria at -70 degrees C: survival of unfrozen suspensions in transit; Kubica GP et al.; Mycobacteria stored at -70 degrees C retain 100% viability and maintain their definitive taxonomic, serologic, immunologic, and pathogenic properties . When shipped at ambient temperatures, however, suspensions of all mycobacteria lose viability in transit, with those species having a narrow temperature range for growth (Mycobacterium tubercul