J Gen Microbiol, 1975 May, 88(1), 65 - 74 Purification and characterization of a polyphosphate kinase from Arthrobacter atrocyaneus; Methyltrophic enzyme distribution in Methylosinus trichosporium; Key enzymes involved in the oxidation and fixation of methane by Methylosinus trichosporium were examined for localization within the bacterial cells . A differential centrifugation scheme following cell disruption was used to provide membrane and soluble fractions for the enzyme assays . All the methylotrophic enzymes examined were found to be soluble with this fractionation scheme . Electron transport involving a cytochrome c2 with absorption peaks at 416, 522, and 550 nm and oxidative phosphorylation were found in the membrane fractions . Mixed soluble and membrane fractions coupled the oxidation of emthanol and formate with cytochrome reduction. J Dent Res, 1975 May-Jun, 54(3), 487 - 92 Staining reaction of dental plaque after various extraction procedures; Christie TM et al.; After water and dilute alkali extraction, a sample of dental plaque that was stained by the PA-CrA-silver technique showed staining intracellularly on the cell wall and extracellularly . When more prolonged and stronger alkali extraction was used, reacting material was retained on the cell wall and intracellualarly . There was a noticeable loss of extracellular reacting material. Med Klin, 1975 Apr 25, 70(17), 760 - 5 {Pathophysiologic significance of small intestine flora in the stagnant loop syndrome}; Hoffgen KU et al.; A report is given about a 53 years old man with a "stagnant loop syndrome" associated with a diverticulosis of the whole small intestine and colon . Steatorrhoea was the main clinical symptom . The classification, distribution and frequency of intestinal diverticulosis is based on radiological results . The pathological values of the absorption tests prompted for a discussion of new examinations in the "stagnant loop syndrome" . The property of the intestinal bacteria to influence the absorption of fat, xylose and vitamin B12 is stressed . Finally the possible methods of treating the diverticulosis with "stagnant loop syndrome" are discussed. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1975 Apr 16, 390(1), 82 - 93 A dissociation factor from embryos of Xenopus laevis; Decroly M et al.; A dissociating factor has been extracted from the ribosomal KCl wash and from the cytosol of developing embryos of Xenopus laevis . No dissociating activity could be detected in the KCl wash of ribosomes from full grown oocytes and unfertilized eggs . As in bacteria, the acitivity of the dissociation factor seems to be correlated with the rate of protein synthesis suggesting a physiological role of the dissociation factor . The possibility that the dissociation factor might be one of the components which limits the rate of protein synthesis in the oocytes is discussed. J Immunol, 1975 Apr, 114(4), 1221 - 5 Capping of the lymphocyte C3 receptor and temperature-dependent loss of C3 rosettes; Gormus BJ et al.; The percentage of mouse spleen cells rosetted by bacteria-antibody-complement complexes (BAC) was found to be temperature dependent . Maximal rosetting was observed when BAC and spleen cells were incubated in ice (0.5 degrees C), whereas less rosetting resulted from 37 degrees C incubations . When rosetted cells were incubated at 37 degrees C, cap formation was found to occur, and indirect evidence suggested that the capped bacteria were subsequently shed from the lymphocyte surface . Neither capping nor shedding occurred at 0.5 degrees C, suggesting that these phenomena were responsible for the decreased percentage of rosetted cells found after incubation at 37 degrees C . An incidental observation indicated that a second factor potentially contributing to the loss of rosetted cells at 37 degrees C was the removal of BAC from the surface of cells by phagocytes. Sem Hop, 1975 Apr 8, 51(17), 1167 - 73 {Different pathogenic power of the original BCG strain of the Pasteur Institute and of an isoniazid resistant strain . Histopathological study and significance of local abscesses after inoculation of guinea pig}; Levaditi JC et al.; The inoculation into guinea pigs of 10 mg of BCG, obtained either from the Pasteur Institute original strain, or from a mutant isoniazid resistant strain, B1 catalase positive, caused in 40.4% of cases, the onset of abscesses at the point of injection . The frequency and course of these abscesses appear quite different with the two strains, 92.8% with the classical strain, persisting in more than half of the cases after one year, and 23.5% with the INH-resistant strains which regressed within 6 months . Histologically, the structure of the recent abscesses, with a large histiocytic wall often rich in bacteria, and a very cellular necrotic content, appears different from that of old abscesses with a thin wall and a heterogeneous content, calcification with reaction to foreign bodies, and presence of granules due to the persistance of bacteria . The INH-resistant strain is thus in the guinea pig, less aggressive and more rapidly eliminated than the classical Pasteur strain . The course and morphology of abscesses in guinea pigs are very similar to certain old lesions of human tuberculosis and involve, in all strains, phenomena of cell immunity both general and local. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1975 Apr 7, 385(2), 387 - 93 Studies on the mechanism of metabolic stimulation in polymorphonuclear leucocytes during phagocytosis . II . Presence of the NADPH2 oxidizing activity in a myeloperoxidase-deficient subject; Patriarca P et al.; 1 . The biochemical properties of leucocytes from a myeloperoxidase-deficient subject were compared with those of leucocytes from healthy subjects . 2 . Myleoperoxidase-deficient leucocytes responded to phagocytosis of heat-killed bacteria with increased respiration, increased oxidation of glucose through the hexose monophosphate shunt and increased production of H2O2 as normal leucocytes do . 3 . The ability of granules isolated from myeloperoxidase-deficient leucocytes to oxidize nicotinamide coenzymes was comparable to that of granules isolated from normal leucocytes . 4 . The results argue against the hypothesis that oxidation of NADPH2 in leucocytes is performed by myeloperoxidase. Z Erkr Atmungsorgane, 1975 Apr, 143(1), 82 - 8 {Proposals for inhalation therapy with ultrasonic nebulizers (author's transl)}; Gottschalk B et al.; With aerosols active substances (drugs) can be transported for treatment . Their effect depends on the choice of apparata, the drugs used, and the procedure of inhalation . The use of electronic nebulizers is effective because a sufficient volume of liquid substances can be nebulized by this way . Bronchospasmolytics, secretolytics, antiphlogistics, and antibiotics may be used . The right connexion of the patient, who should inhale in a closed system is important for an effective treatment . The patient is exposed to some hazards by contamination with inhaled bacteria, by hyperventilation, bronchospasm and by allergic reactions. Appl Microbiol, 1975 Apr, 29(4), 551 - 2 Method for sampling meat surfaces; Yokoya F et al.; A new method for sampling meat surfaces was developed . Bacterial counts of beef carcasses by the cotton swab technique and by the new method showed that the latter gave higher counts . These counts were closely correlated with data obtained by using the swab method . Advantages of the new method are its simplicity, rapidity, and adaptability to routine use on any type of carcass. Br J Pharmacol, 1975 Apr, 53(4), 539 - 46 A chemotactic role for prostaglandins released from polymorphonuclear leucocytes during phagocytosis; Higgs GA et al.; 1 . Prostaglandin E1 is chemotactic at concentrations down to 10 ng/ml for rabbit polymorphonuclear (PMN) leucocytes . Prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha have little or no chemotactic effect at concentrations up to 10 mug/ml . 2 . Washed PMN leucocytes produced a chemotactic agent during phagocytosis, but not in the presence of indomethacin (28 muM) . 3 . Phagocytosing PMN leucocytes produce up to ten times as much prostaglandin as do resting cells . Some of this is prostaglandin E1 as judged by thin layer chromatography and differential bioassay . This prostaglandin production by PMN leucocytes is abolished by indomethacin (28 muM) . 4 . Ultrasonicated suspensions of PMN leucocytes produced prostaglandin from arachidonic aicd . This synthesis is inhibited by indomethacin . 5 . Homogenates of PMN leucocytes which have been pre-incubated withe bacteria for 30 min show more prostaglandin synthetase activity than homogenates from PMN leucocytes which have not been exposed to bacteria . 6 . It is concluded that in some forms of inflammation, prostaglandin E1 may play a controlling role in cellular migration . 7 . PMN leucocytes may contribute to the generation of prostaglandins found in some inflammatory lesions. Arch Dis Child, 1975 Apr, 50(4), 304 - 7 Serum levels of lysozyme in term and preterm newborns; Xanthou M et al.; Serum lysozyme levels were studied in term babies at the time of delivery and again between 7th and 30th postnatal days, and in preterm babies on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th postnatal days . Levels in term babies at delivery (mean 2.28 mug/ml) were similar to those found in adults, but they fell between the 7th and 30th postnatal days . In premature babies lysozyme levels on the first day of live (mean (0.82 mug/ml) were lower than in term babies . They tended to rise during the first 5 days, by which time they had reached levels found in term babies between the 7th and 30th days . The low lysozyme levels in preterm and in term babies after the first few days of life may contribute to the poor ability of the newborn baby to localize infection and to kill bacteria extracellularly. J Wildl Dis, 1975 Apr, 11(2), 263 - 8 The histopathology of fin rot disease in winter flounder from the New York Bight; Murchelano RA; The histopathology of fin rot disease in winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, from the New York Bight is described . Fin rot in winter flounder was characterized by progressive loss of portions of the anal and dorsal fins . Microscopic findings included epidermal hyperplasia accompanied by dermal fibrosis, hyperemia, and hemorrhage . Bacteria were not observed in situ and a pronounced leukocytic inflammatory response was not noted. Arch Environ Health, 1975 Apr, 30(4), 201 - 4 Utensil swab test: its effectiveness in food service sanitation programs; Seligmann R et al.; The effectiveness of the utensil swab test as part of the periodic inspection of food establishments was studied both as an indicator of cleanliness during the period between inspections and as an educational tool . Two to seven samplings were taken at intervals of two to three months at 95 food establishments in rural areas in the northern part of Israel . A statistical analysis showed a high variation and almost no correlation between repeated samplings of the same establishment . Also, no trend to suggest an educational effect was found . We concluded that, though the swab test had proved to be useful in special projects, it had no value as part of the periodic sanitary inspections. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1975 Apr, 40(4), 589 - 600 Accelerated host metabolism of L-thyroxine during acute infection: role of the leukocyte and peripheral leukocytosis; DeRubertis FR et al.; Metabolism of thyroid hormones is accelerated during acute infection in man and in experimental animals . The pathogenetic mechanisms mediating this phenomenon are uncertain, but activated leukocytes of the infected host have been implicated as potentially important sites of hormone degradation . The present studies were conducted in an attempt to assess the in vivo contribution of leukocytes and peripheral leukocytosis to the enhancement of L-thyroxine (T4) clearance seen during infection, and to evaluate further the possible roles of fever and of changes in the extracellular binding of T4 . In 10 rhesus monkeys inoculated with virulent yellow fever (YF) virus, peripheral disposal of T4 was significantly accelerated (2-fold) during the febrile phase of the illness . This experimental viral infection was not accompanied by neutrophilic leukocytosis nor by detectable changes in serum free T4 levels, suggesting that neither an increased circulating neutrophil mass nor diminished extracellular binding of T4 contributed appreciably to the increase in metabolism of T4 . A pathogenetic role for fever in the enhancement of T4 degradation was not specifically excluded in these infected monkeys . However, the failure of T4 turnover to increase during other febrile infections, such as that which followed inoculation of monkeys with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, indicates that the acceleration of peripheral disposal of T4 seen in infection is not a simple concomitant of fever . In monkeys with bacterial sepsis and in those inoculated iv with zymosan particles, T4 turnover was similarly accelerated in the absence of detectable changes in serum free T4 levels, suggesting a pathogenetic role for enhances cellular uptake and metabolism of hormone . However, in these monkeys deiodination of T4 by leukocytes did not appear to account for the increase in T4 disposal . During sepsis and following zymosan administration, T4 turnover was markedly increased in both intact monkeys with a neutrophilic leukocytosis and in those with irradiation-induced neutropenia . Therefore, the cellular sites of increased T4 degradation during infection remain uncertain . Fixed tissue macrophages serve as the major site of clearance of YF virus, circulating bacteria and zymosan particles . Accordingly, a relationship between activation of these phagocytic cells and the acceleration of T4 metabolism seemed possible but was not established by our studies. Can J Microbiol, 1975 Apr, 21(4), 481 - 4 Bacteriostasis in soils sterilized by gamma irradiation and in reinoculated sterilized soils; Davis RD; An agar-disc method was used to compare the bacteriostatic properties of five soils with those of samples of the same soils sterilized by gamma irradiation . For three of the soils, bacteriostasis was removed either partially or entirely by sterilization . Bacteriostasis was completely restored to sterile soil by reinoculating it with natural soil . All the reinoculation treatments restored the level of bacteriostasis equally effectively, whatever the origin of the soil used as inoculum. Pathology, 1975 Apr, 7(2), 139 - 47 Malakoplakia of the prostate: a morphological and biochemical study; Sterrett GF et al.; A case of malakoplakia of the prostate is presented . Electron microscopic appearances support the origin of the Michaelis-Gutmann bodies from phagolysosomes in the histiocytes characteristic of the lesion . Biochemical analysis revealed the presence of muramic acid in the prostate with malakoplakia . This amino sugar is characteristic of bacterial cell walls and despite the absence of demonstrable bacteria in the affected tissues indicates the involvement of bacteria in the disease process. J Bacteriol, 1975 Apr, 122(1), 185 - 91 Determination of the active portion of the folic acid molecule in cellular slime mold chemotaxis; Pan P et al.; From earlier work it is known that folic acid attracts the amoebae of various species of cellular slime molds (11) . Here we have tested a wide variety of pteridines, pyrimidines, and pyrazines to determine what part of the folic acid molecule is chemotactically active . It was shown that the activity lies in the pteridine ring itself . Furthermore, the cell-free supernatants of slime mold amoebae contain an enzyme that renders pterin and folic acid chemotactically inactive, which apparently increases the chemotactic sensitivity of the amoebae to those compounds . Despite the fact that slime mold amoebae secrete small amounts of folic acid-related compounds, there is no evidence that folates are acrasins; rather it is postulated that attraction to folates may be a food-seeking device for the amoebae which prey on folate-secreting bacteria in the soil. Environ Health Perspect, 1975 Apr, 10, 73 - 83 Interactions of platinum metals and their complexes in biological systems; LeRoy AF; Platinum-metal oxidation catalysts are to be introduced in exhaust systems of many 1975 model-year automobiles in the U.S . to meet Clean Air Act standards . Small quantities of finely divided catalyst have been found issuing from prototype systems; platinum and palladium compounds may be found also . Although platinum exhibits a remarkable resistance to oxidation and chemical attack, it reacts chemically under some conditions producing coordination complex compounds . Palladium reacts more readily than platinum . Some platinum-metal complexes interact with biological systems as bacteriostatic, bacteriocidal, viricidal, and immunosuppressive agents . Workers chronically exposed to platinum complexes often develop asthma-like respiratory distress and skin reactions called platinosis . Platinum complexes used alone and in combination therapy with other drugs have recently emerged as effective agents in cancer chemotherapy . Understanding toxic and favorable interactions of metal species with living organisms requires basic information on quantities and chemical characteristics of complexes at trace concentrations in biological materials . Some basic chemical kinetic and thermodynamic data are presented to characterize the chemical behavior of the complex cis-{Pt(NH3)2Cl2} used therapeutically . A brief discussion of platinum at manogram levels in biological tissue is discussed. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1975 Mar 20, 376(3), 579 - 82 The magnetic susceptibility of reduced cytochrome P-450-cam; Champion PM et al.; The primary electron acceptor of Photosystem II has a midpoint oxidation-reduction potential of +95 mV at pH 7.0 in Photosystem II chloroplast fragments prepared by digitonin treatment . The midpoint potential of the acceptor has a pH dependence of -60 mV/pH unit . At concentrations that inhibit oxygen evolution, o-phenanthroline shifts the midpoint potential of the primary acceptor by +70 mV . The shifted potential retains the same dependence on pH . The effect of o-phenanthroline suggests that it interacts directly with the primary electron acceptor of Photosystem II in a manner similar to that reported previously for the primary electron acceptor in purple photosynthetic bacteria. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1975 Mar 20, 376(3), 583 - 7 The effect of o-phenanthroline on the midpoint potential of the primary electron acceptor of photosystem II; Knaff DB; The primary electron acceptor of Photosystem II has a midpoint oxidation-reduction potential of +95 mV at pH 7.0 in Photosystem II chloroplast fragments prepared by digitonin treatment . The midpoint potential of the acceptor has a pH dependence of -60 mV/pH unit . At concentrations that inhibit oxygen evolution, o-phenanthroline shifts the midpoint potential of the primary acceptor by +70 mV . The shifted potential retains the same dependence on pH . The effect of o-phenanthroline suggests that it interacts directly with the primary electron acceptor of photosystem II in a manner similar to that reported previously for the primary electron acceptor in purple photosynthetic bacteria. Arch Microbiol, 1975 Mar 10, 102(3), 179 - 85 Energy metabolism of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus . I . Energy production, ATP pool, energy charge; Gadkari D et al.; Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, strain Bd . 109 Sa, generates ATP mainly by oxidative phosphorylation during electron transport . During exponential growth the ATP pool is constant (9 mmoles/100 mugN) indicating that energy-producing and energy-consuming reactions are well balanced . The ratio of substrate respiration/endogenous respiration is approx . 2.5/1 . Energy charge is constant both in endogenous and substrate respiration at values of 0.62 to 0.64 . During endogenous respiration (starvation) the ATP pool oscillates at regular intervals . ATP over-production is started after the ATP pool has decreased to a minimum level of 6 nmoles/100 mug N . The alternating over- and under-production of ATP is interpreted as a special regulation which enables the organism to make economic use of its own cellular materials . Addition of substrate (glutamate) to starving cells does not influence the type of ATP pool oscillation as observed in endogenous respiration . The parasitic strain Bd . 109 Pa exhibits the same periodicity of ATP overproduction as does it saprophytic derivative, Bd . 109 Sa . Decrease of viability during starvation is paralleled by a decrease of the ATP pool. Mikrobiologiia, 1975 Mar-Apr, 44(2), 197 - 201 {Acetate photometabolism in Ectothiorhodospira shaposhnikovii}; Firsov NN et al.; The cells of Ectothiorhodospira were cultivated under autotrophic conditions and assimilated 14C-acetate in the presence of bicarbonate . The label was incorporated rapidly into phosphoglyceric acid (PGA) and phosphorous esters (PE) of sugars, into compounds of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TAC), aspartate, glutamate . After some time the content of the label became the highest in glutamate and decreased in other compounds . The same products were formed upon the assimilation of acetate by the cells cultivated in its presence . However, the amount of PGA and PE of sugars, especially those formed in the presence of sulphides, was less, and their curve had a positive slope . Fluoroacetate inhibited the incorporation of 14C from acetate in the cells and caused an increase of labeled citrate . Iodacetate inhibited almost completely the fixation of CO2 by the cells in the presence of sulphide; the fixation of carbon dioxide constituted about 60 percent of the control if both sulphide and acetate were present in the medium . Therefore, the assimilation of acetate by Ect . shaposhnikovii can be accomplished via the glyoxylate shunt and TAC, and also as a result of action of pyruvate synthase and the production of C4- and C5-organic acids with the participation of CO2 . The pathways of acetate metabolism depend on the growth conditions and on the presence of sulphide in the medium. J Rheumatol, 1975 Mar, 2(1), 36 - 44 Comparative study of NZB mice under germfree and conventional conditions; Unni KK et al.; Groups of New Zealand Black (NZB) mice born and reared in germfree conditions were studied at three, six, nine, and 12 months of age . Compared with NZB mice of the same ages raised under conventional conditions, the germfree mice showed: (1) significantly lower gamma-globulin levels, (2) significantly higher frequency of serum antinuclear factor (ANF), and (3) significant decreases in the incidence and severity of renal disease . The lower gamma-globulin levels probably reflect lack of antigenic stimulation by common bacteria . The higher frequency of ANF may be a chance finding or may reflect lack of deposition of complexes in the kidneys . The latter also may explain the decreased severity of renal disease . It is possible that complexes of antibody with common antigens (such as bacteria) may deposit in diseased kidneys and aggravate the condition. J Med Chem, 1975 Mar, 18(3), 231 - 3 Relationships between the biological and physicochemical properties of series of compounds; Hyde RM; An equilibrium model is described for relationships between the biological activity and the physicochemical properties of compounds in a congeneric series . An equation derived from the model is of the form, log C = log (a + 10-alpha) = b, where C is the total molar concentration of drug to produce a standard response, alpha ia a parameter of the form log K where K is an equilibrium constant, and a and b are coefficients . This equation provides a plausible fit to some nonlinear observations which have been studied. Klin Padiatr, 1975 Mar, 187(2), 134 - 41 {Treatment and results in necrotizing enterocolitis in infancy (author's transl)}; Spier J et al.; 29 children aged between 1 day and 22 months were treated for enteritis with complications . 2 children were cured conservatively . In 27 cases surgery was needed; of these 13 children survived . In 19 patients bacteria were found in the stools . Operation was indicated when there was diffuse peritonitis or when perforation could be shown radiologically . In cases of intestinal perforation the following technique was used in the last few years: 1 . resection of the segment involved and ileoor colostomy . 2 . Anastomosis and closure of colostomy 4--6 weeks later . Among 29 children with necrotizing enterocolitis there were 12 who also had malformations of the heart and lungs . This made worse a prognosis which was bad anyway. Pediatrics, 1975 Mar, 55(3), 376 - 87 Acute necrotizing enterocolitis in infancy: a review of 64 cases; Santulli TV et al.; Sixty-four cases of necrotizing enterocolitis are reviewed . The diagnosis was based on tissue examination in 57 and on the clinical syndrome, including pneumatosis, in 7 . Three factors are important in the development of the disease: injury to the intestinal mucosa, bacteria, and feedings . The indications for surgical intervention are pneumoperitoneum, signs of peritonitis, and intestinal obstruction . The importance of stress in the etiology of the disease is confirmed by the high incidence of perinatal complications, particularly hypoxia . The mortality was high, but results are improving with the institution of early aggressive treatment. J Lipid Res, 1975 Mar, 16(2), 102 - 6 Analysis of anomeric configurations in glyceroglycolipids and glycosphingolipids by chromium trioxide oxidation; Laine RA et al.; Acetylation and CrO(3) oxidation in acetic acid (Angyal and James, Aust . J . Chem . 23: 1209-1221, 1970) was applied to 18 different glyceroglycolipids and glycosphingolipids of known structure . The lipids studied contained from one to five pyranosic monosaccharide units including alpha- and beta-linked glucose, galactose, mannose, and N-acetylgalactosamine and beta-linked N-acetylglucosamine . Monosaccharides bound to the lipids through beta-glycosidic linkages reacted to the extent of 80-97 percent, but in the case of alpha-glycosidic linkages the oxidation proceeded only to the extent of 0-6 percent . A partial reaction was observed in lipids in which a given monosaccharide unit was present in both anomeric forms . Therefore, oxidation with CrO(3) allows the determination of anomeric configurations in simple glycolipids . Samples of only 100-300 mug are required. J Cell Sci, 1975 Mar, 17(3), 327 - 35 Rifampicin inhibition of the plastid rRNA synthesis of Marchantia polymorpha; Loiseaux S et al.; The effect of rifampicin on the synthesis of plastid rRNA in Marchantia polymorpha was studied in vivo . As bacterial rRNA and plastid rRNA have the same electrophoretic mobilities, this study was possible only after a method for inhibiting bacterial contamination was developed . It was established that 91-100% of the rRNA synthesized by cultures of bacteria from Marchantia, after a labelling period of 3 and 9 h by 32-P, is inhibited by 10 mug/ml of rifampicin . The same inhibition was observed when Marchantia was labelled for 3 h in the presence of 10 mug/ml of rifampicin, showing that no plastid rRNA was synthesized under out conditions, but only bacterial RNA . However, when labelling was continued for 9 h two important peaks of rRNA (23 and 19 s) were labelled in the presence of 10 or 20 mug/ml of rifampicin . These peaks are of chlorophastic origin as confirmed by the following facts: the labelling is light-activated; plastids isolated from thalli labelled for 12 h also show these two radioactive peaks . Cytoplasmic rRNA is synthesized under certain conditions . The synthesis of plastid rRNA is inhibited by higher concentrations of rifampicin, a concentration of 250 mug/ml producing at least 75% inhibition . Marchantia, a primitive multicellular plant, differs in this respect from higher plants, which seem to be, in most cases, insensitive to rifampicin Med Clin North Am, 1975 Mar, 59(2), 495 - 501 Infections in the immunosuppressed patient; O'Loughlin JM; Infections in the immunosuppressed cancer patient are caused by a wide variety of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa; many of these in the normal individual are saprophytes but will cause disease in the immunosuppressed patient, often with treatment failure . Patterns of infection are recognized, and this should enable the physician to plan a meaningful course of action when infection occurs in the compromised host . Obviously, it would be much better to prevent rather than have to treat infection in these immunosuppressed patients . Ideally, in the future, it is hoped that drugs which have less suppressive effect on defense mechanisms will provide a partial solution to the problem of infection in the immunosuppressed patient. Farmaco {Sci}, 1975 Mar, 30(3), 185 - 96 {Preparation and pharmacological study of some N-substituted amino-1,8-naphthyridines}; Carboni S et al.; The synthesis of N-substituted amino-1,8-naphthyridines is described . Some products were subyected to pharmacological screening and the resulting data are reported. Can J Microbiol, 1975 Mar, 21(3), 293 - 300 A volatile factor inducing transmissible lysis in Gaeumannomyces graminis (Sacc.) Arx and Olivier var . tritici Walker; Sivasithamparam K et al.; Filtered water extract of Gabalong soil with a recent history of take-all in wheat caused lytic plaques to form in agar cultures of a virulent strain of Gaeumannomyces graminis var . tritici . The plaques resembled those produced by Bdellovibrio on plate seeded with bacteria . However, there was no evidence of the presence of bacteria, viruses, or mycoplasmas . The lytic factor was transmissible in culture filtrates to fresh subcultures of the fungus . Exposure of young healthy colonies to sublethal doses of ultraviolet light also induced transmissible lysis . The lytic factor was heat-stable, passed through a 25-nm filter, and was not affected by nuclease (enzymes) or severe irradiation with UV light . It also induced bysis in several other strains of G . graminis . Lysis was always preceded by a growth-stimulatory effect on the fungus . The lytic factor was active as a volatile chemical which induced transmissible lysis and continued to be formed, apparently as a self-perpetuating agent, in lysing cultures of the fungus. Scand J Dent Res, 1975 Mar, 83(2), 54 - 66 Pulp reactions in human teeth to tooth colored filling materials; Qvist V; In each of 49 intact premolars from children between 9 and 15 years of age, one buccal and one lingual cavity were prepared . The 98 cavities were filled with either Silicap, Sevriton Simplified or Adddent XV . After 2 weeks 19, and after 6 months 30 of the teeth were extracted . The histologic investigation included remaining dentin, reduction in the number of odontoblasts, inflammatory cells, necrosis, tertiary dentin and bacteria . After 2 weeks a loss of odontoblasts and inflammation was seen beneath two-thirds of the cavities, and small necrotic areas in 11 of the 38 instances . After 6 months the loss of odontoblasts was a little more pronounced, the inflammation a little less, and necrosis could not be observed . Tertiary dentin was registered beneath most of the cavities after 6 months . The reactions to the three filling materials were quite similar in quality and quantity . The amount of remaining dentin influenced the degree of inflammation and amount of tertiary dentin after 6 months beneath cavities filled with Silicap, and inflammation after 2 weeks and 6 months beneath Addent . Bacteria were observed in nearly all cavities 6 months after the treatment. Am Rev Respir Dis, 1975 Mar, 111(3), 307 - 12 Phage types of mycobacterium tuberculosis in cultures isolated from Eskimo patients; Mankiewicz E et al.; The phage type of each of 3 colonies selected at random from cultures of mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from 233 Eskimo patients was determined . In 33 cultures, colonies of different phage types were observed . In 22 cases, the differences in phage types paralleled differences in drug susceptibility of the bacteria . A comparative study with cultures of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from while patients did not reveal differences in phage types among 3 colonies from the same culture . This observation suggests that some of the numerous reactivations of the disease in Eskimo patients may be due to exogenous reinfections. Appl Microbiol, 1975 Mar, 29(3), 422 - 6 Powdered chitin agar as a selective medium for enumeration of actinomycetes in water and soil; Hsu SC et al.; Agar media made with 0.4% colloidal chitin plus mineral salts and adjusted to pH 8.0 was superior to four other commonly used media for the isolation and enumeration of actinomycetes from water samples . More actinomycetes developed on chitin agar, and the development of bacteria and fungi was suppressed . Frozen and vacuum-dried chitin from aqueous colloidal suspensions was finely divided and gave results comparable to those obtained with media prepared from colloidal suspensions. Mol Biol (Mosk), 1975 Mar-Apr, 9(2), 252 - 73 {Evolution of the DNA structure: direction, mechanism, rate}; Mazin AL; On the basis of the analysis of frequencies of occurence of pyrimidines of different length, the degree of clustering of DNA of a hundred species belonging to different taxons has been determined . A tendency towards increase in the index of DNA clustering was revealed in the sequence: bacteria, invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals . A mechanism is postulated, according to which an increase in the degree of clustering of DNA in the process of progressive evolution of species may be due to accumulation of mutations, Pyr in equilibrium Pur transversions, resulting in an increase in the degree of asymmetry of the complementary chains of DNA . That this mechanism does exist is proved by a positive correlation between the degree of clustering of DNA and the degree of asymmetry of natural DNA chains . The mean frequency of mutation of vertebrates is about 4,6-10(-8) substitutions per nucleotide per year . Evolution of different groups of organisms may be accompanied with an increase in the rate of evolution of DNA structure . With the help of a special computer program, proceeding from the amino acid sequence of cytochromes c in 40 species belonging to different taxons, the degree of clustering of pyrimidines and the degree of asymmetry of complementary chains of DNA cistrons coding for cytochrome c was determined . A general tendency towards an increase in the mean values of the corresponding parametres of structure was found in the following: bacteria, invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals . Thus, it was established that "neutral" amino acid substitutions in cytochromes are based on the selection of mutations leading to accumulation of pyrimidines in sense H-chain of DNA, and purines--in the corresponding mRNA . The frequency of mutation in cytochrome c of chordates is about 5,2-10(-8) of amino acid residues per year . It is assumed that the evolution modification of DNA structure may be due to increase in the disturbance stability of translation. Br J Ophthalmol, 1975 Mar, 59(3), 116 - 24 Cytology as a guide to the presence of chlamydial inclusions in Giemsa-stained conjunctival smears in severe endemic trachoma; Yoneda C et al.; Microscopical examination of 927 Giemsa-stained conjunctival smears from children with chronic trachoma in southern Tunisia showed 93 (10 per cent.) with typical trachoma (chlamydial) inclusions in epithelial cells . The accompanying cytological features were a useful indicator for inclusions . Inclusions were found only in slides with numerous polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and separation of the epithelial cells . When these two features alone were present, 3 per cent . of the smears were inclusion-positive; when many lymphocytes were present also, 25 per cent . were inclusion positive; when other cytological features (plasma cells, macrophages, blastoid, and stem cells) were present as well, 70 per cent . of the smears were inclusion-positive . The occurrence of these sets of cytological features can be a useful guide for selecting smears for intensive examination for chlamydial inclusions . Immunofluorescent (FA) staining and Giemsa staining of 527 pairs of matched smears detected trachoma agent in 67 (13 per cent.); in thirty by both methods, in thirteen by Giemsa staining alone, and in 24 by FA alone . The examination of Giemsa-stained smears for chlamydial inclusions is a useful technique for the diagnosis of trachoma or inclusion conjunctivitis by laboratories that do not have the specialized facilities for the identification of these chlamydial infections by the technically more complex procedures of immunofluorescent staining or isolation in embryonated eggs or tissue cultures. JAMA, 1975 Feb 24, 231(8), 841 - 2 Septic and crystalline joint disease . A simultaneous occurrence; McConville JH et al.; Bacteria and crystals were simultaneously recovered from the synovial fluid of two patients with acutely inflamed joints . The bacteria were initially identified on Gram stain and subsequently grown on supplemented peptone broth, and the crystals were readily identified by polarizing microscopy . Although cause-and-effect relationship between these two types of arthritis cannot be established, the need for thorough examination of synovial fluid is evident. Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 1975 Feb 21, 100(8), 342 - 6, 351-5 {Consumption coagulopathy and isolated platelet deficiency in childhood septicaemia}; Mitterstieler G et al.; In a retrospective study 40 children were selected out of 53 cases of septicaemia with thrombocytopenia . They were divided into two coincidentally equally large groups of patients with consumption coagulopathy on the one side and patients with isolated thrombocytopenia without consumption coagulopathy on the other side . Both groups were of comparable age and sex distribution . Two-thirds of the children were under three months . For the differential diagnosis of both groups the activated partial thromboplastin time, the thrombotest, the factor V plasma concentration, the serum concentration of fibrin (fibrinogen) degradation products as well as control coagulation studies can be considered to have the greatest diagnostic value . The results of the study permit the following conclusions: 1 . Platelet deficiency in sepsis does not prove the presence of consumption coagulopathy . 2 . Consumption coagulopathy and isolated thrombocytopenia differ statistically significantly according to the bacteria cultured from the blood, the circulatory state and the pH of the blood . 3 . The finding of thrombocytopenia in a patient with shock, acidosis and gramnegative septicaemia justify the suspicion of consumption coagulopathy. J Clin Microbiol, 1975 Feb, 1(2), 154 - 6 Effect of aerobic and anaerobic atmospheres on isolation of organisms from blood cultures; Blazevic DJ et al.; Blood was cultured in two vacuum bottles containing Columbia broth . Filtered air was admitted to one bottle (aerobic); the unvented bottle was considered anaerobic . Cultures were incubated at 35 C until growth occurred or for at least 7 days . Of 744 organisms isolated, 50% were isolated from both bottles, 30% from the aerobic bottle only, and 20% from the anaerobic bottle only . These results indicate the need for use of both an aerobic and anaerobic bottle for blood cultures. Am Fam Physician, 1975 Feb, 11(2), 167 - 73 Managing infections of the prostate gland; Bissada NK et al.; Each year members of a different well-known medical faculty prepare articles for "Practical Therapeutics." This is the eighth in a series from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine. Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1975 Feb-Mar, 126(2), 247 - 58 {Study of the inhibitory effect of acetylene on the biological methane formation in a paddy soil (author's transl)}; Raimbault M; A 0.05 atm partial pressure of acetylene stopped all the CH4 evolution during anaerobic paddy soil incubations when different carbon substances were added . It was shown proof that acetylene did not disturbe the volatil fatty acids yielding but prohibited the methane forming bacteria from doing future use of those . Acetylene does inhibit methane forming bacteria . Besides, the growth of a Methanosarcina strain was stopped by a 0.01 atm partial pressure of acetylene, and resting cells lost 98 per cent of their activity when the acetylene concentration was 0.5 x 10-3 M in the liquid . This acetylene inhibition can be used for studying the metabolism of methane forming bacteria. J Protozool, 1975 Feb, 22(1), 35 - 9 Fine structure of Bodo curvifilus Griessmann (Kinetoplastida: Bodonidae); Burzell LA; Bodo curvifilus Griessmann conforms in its fine structure to the criteria proposed for the genus Bodo, including the presence of subpellicular microtubules, a single large kinetoplast-mitochondrion, emergence of the 2 heterodynamic flagella from a subapical flagellar pocket, and the presence of a paraxial rod associated with the axoneme of each flagellum . B . curvifilus possesses cytoplasmic bodies which resemble endosymbiotic bacteria . These are similar to those found in Bodo saltans . Bodo curvifilus can be distinguished ultrastructurally from Bodo caudatus and B . saltans by the presence in B . curvifilus of a hitherto unreported structure, "the microtubular prism," consisting of a bundle of 19 microtubules . In cross section, 15 of these microtubules form a cross-linked prismatic array . This microtubular bundle originates near the flagellar pocket and extends for several micrometers into the body of the organism where it follows the periphery of the cell and the long finger-like projections of the kinetoplast-mitochondrion. Am J Clin Pathol, 1975 Feb, 63(2), 276 - 80 Improved culture method for the isolation of Histoplasma capsulatum and Blastomyces dermatitidis form contaminated specimens; Smith CD et al.; Studies were performed to evaluate a method for selective isolation of Histoplasma capsulatum and Blastomyces dermatitidis from contaminated specimens . Ammonium hydroxide placed on an agar medium surface was found to inhibit the growth of many bacteria, yeasts, and saphrophytic fungi normally found in specimens such as animal tissues and sputum . In one study involving the culture of B . dermatitidis from canine tissues, 24% more isolations were obtained on a medium using NH4OH compared with a similar medium . Increases in the isolation of H . capusulatum from sputum specimens were also obtained, ranging from 20 to 32% compared with four other media without NH4OH. Can J Microbiol, 1975 Feb, 21(2), 186 - 95 Endosymbiosis in a leafhopper, Helochara communis Fitch (Cicadellidae: Homoptera): symbiote translocation and auxiliary cells in the mycetome; Chang KP et al.; At times, symbiote populations in mycetomes of Helochara communis are apparently increased by translocation of symbiotes from adjacent mycetocytes . These symbiotes appear to reproduce in mycetomes and become phagocytosed by 'auxiliary' cells (probably hemocytes) that invade mycetomes at zones of disruption supposedly resulting from reproduction of the translocated symbiotes . Some phagocytosed symbiotes degenerate in large vacuoles; others become lodged in smaller vacuoles that supply a third membrane . The hemocytes fuse and form additional mycetomal syncytia. Immun Infekt, 1975 Feb, 3(1), 32 - 5 {Possibilities of a quality control in the diagnosis of tuberculosis (author's transl)}; Michl J et al.; A method is described which allows a quality control for demonstrating mycobacteria in the diangosis of tuberculosis . It does not test the differentiating procedures, but the manner of culturing and concentrating the bacteria by applying a statistical evaluation of serial experiments, thus allowing the statistically proven determination of the bacterial count . For this an evaluation method given by Cavalli-Storza was employed. J Hyg (Lond), 1975 Feb, 74(1), 17 - 22 An "in-production" method for testing the sterility of infusion fluids; Rycroft JA et al.; The addition of dehydrated broth powder to a random selection of bottles from each batch of infusion fluids before sterilization, followed by incubation of the bottles after sterilization, provides a method of sterilty testing which possesses many advantages over the traditional method of culturing small samples from bottles after sterilization. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1975 Feb, (2), 80 - 5 {Hemolytic and lethal properties of Ps . aeruginosa exotoxin}; Akatova NS et al.; Hemolytic and lethal properties of tbe preparations of exotoxin obtained from three Ps . aeruginosa strains in cultivation of bacteria on a hard medium covered with cellophane were studied . The exotoxin possessed a high hemolytic activity and after intraperitoneal administration caused the death of mice in the course of 24 hours . A marked thermostability and a wide range of temperature conditions and of the pH of the medium for expression of the hemolytic activity of the exotoxin was noted . Four fractions (one of which--the protein one, rapidly moving in the direction of the anode possessed hemolytic activity) were revealed by paper electrophoresis . Lethal activity failed to correlate with the hemolysin titre . At the same time the lethal factor, as in the case of hemolysin, was precipitated by trichloracetic acid and practically failed to be precipitated by chloroform; thermal treatment (70 degrees C for 30 min and 100 degrees C for 60 min) of the exotoxin failed to eliminate its toxicity; however, it somewhat delayed the periods of death of the animals. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med, 1975 Feb, 148(2), 351 - 7 Biosynthesis of Phospholipids and neutral lipids of monkey kidney cells (LLC-MK-2) infected with Chlamydia trachomatic strain lymphogranuloma venereum (38538); Fan VS et al.; The biosynthesis of phospho-lipids and neutral lipids in normal and monkey kidney cells infected with lymphogranuloma venereum were compared using 14C-acetate and 14-C-serine in pulse-chase experiments . Synthesis of phospholipids and nutral glycerolipids were inhibited in infected cells . Phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE) synthesis increased while phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl serine and cardiolipin synthesis decreased in infected cells within 36 hr after infection . Sphingomyelin syntheisis decreased after 48 hr of infection . The synthesis of PE in the infected cell followed a similar pathway found in bacteria and could be distinguished from the normal host cell . An explanation of the parsitic requirement for lipid precursors has been proposed. Can J Microbiol, 1975 Feb, 21(2), 164 - 72 Ultrastructural effects of lysozymes on the cell wall of Caryophanon latum; Trentini WC et al.; When Caryophanon latum was exposed to egg white lysozyme in isotonic sucrose and observed by phase-contrast microscopy, protoplasts emerged along the length of the trichomes, apparently at sites corresponding to cross septa . Electron microscopy of sections revealed that this enzyme initially attacked the core of the septal peptidoglycan and delamination of septa resulted . The inner densely staining layer of the lateral and polar wall (considered to contain peptidoglycan as the major component) remained intact except for destruction at the advancing tip of partial septa; protoplasts or cell debris could escape from the gaps formed at developing septa . Treatment of intact trichomes with pronase, a lipase - phospholipase C mixture, EDTA, glutaraldehyde, or heat, before exposure to egg white lysozyme did not alter this pattern nor did it render the remaining peptidoglycan more susceptible to attack . The wall material external to the peptidoglycan was solubilized by pronase . The peptidoglycan remaining after lysozyme treatment was not morphologically changed by treatment with pronase . Lysozyme derived from Chalaropsis hydrolyzed incomplete septa initially, while the lateral and polar wall and complete septa were degraded later . Therefore, it is most probable that the inner dense layer does contain the peptidoglycan component and that some biochemical maturation distinguishes the substrate for these enzymes in the lateral wall and septa. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1975 Feb, 23(2), 151 - 9 {Viral contamination in laboratories and hospital units}; Chastel C; Viral contamination is at least as important in hospital laboratories and wards as contamination by bacteria or microscopic fungi, but it is much more insidious and sometimes unrecognized . There are two main types: The first has a purely technical effect and only interest the virologist . This is contamination of reagents, reference strains, cell cultures, etc.., by foreign viral agents . It may be the cause of errors on diagnosis or regrettable errors of interpretation of certain experimental data . It is most difficult to detect, if not to avoid . The second is much more worrying as it is liable to cause disease in man, which may induce severe, and even fatal infections in patients or in the medical, para-medical and technical personnel . This is the case with type B hepatitis virus which tends to invade surgical units using extra-corporeal circulation, hemodialysis units and transplantation units, blood transfusion centres, dental units and even causes victims in routine laboratories . However, type B hepatitis is not the only virus which may lead to severe infections; other viruses include: poxvirus, cytomegalovirus, arbovirus, etc . Finally, other often severe accidents may occur in research laboratories and in the pharmaceutical industry, owing to manipulation of dangerous viruses or by contact with experimental animals, e.g . rodents, or monkeys, which contain the virus in a latent state, e.g . lymphocytic choriomeningitis, Sabin virus, Marburg virus, type A hepatitis virus, etc . With regard to such accidents, we are almost completely powerless from the therapeutic point of view and, even poorly equipped, from the point of view of prophylaxis. Laryngol Rhinol Otol (Stuttg), 1975 Feb, 54(2), 157 - 62 {Evidence of viral aetiology in exudative otitis media in childhood (author's transl)}; Danielewicz J et al.; Many clinical observations point to a primary viral cause in exudative otitis media . This seromucinous inflammation may then develop into a purulent inflammatory phase as a result of subsequent bacterial infection . The aetiology of otitis media may thus be viral, viral bacterial or bacterial . Viruses and bacteria multiply in a different manner within the organism . They also give rise to different defence reactions and physical signs of their different pathogenic effects . Viral otitis is characterised by proliferative tissue changes, such as telangiectatic granulations, adhesions, cholesteatomas and limitation of pneumatisation of the mastoids . Destructive tissue damage is predominant in bacterial infections, e.g., tympanic perforations and bone destruction . 100 children were examined virologically during acute exudative otitis media and in the presence of a cholesteatoma . Viral aetiology was proved in many cases and viral antigens were demonstrated in the cholesteatomatous material. Laryngol Rhinol Otol (Stuttg), 1975 Feb, 54(2), 140 - 7 {Tympanoplasty after previous mastoidectomy (author's transl)}; Lange G et al.; Suppuration in ears suffering from a central perforation of the ear drum can frequently be stopped by mastoidectomy . This previous operation prepares ears for later tympanoplasty . 64 ears (55 patients) were treated by this way . Suppuration ceased in 47 ears . Spontaneous closure of the perforation could be seen in 7 cases . 23 ears underwent tympanoplastic procedures, always during a second intervention, 17 patients did not want further operations after the suppuration of their ears had stopped . Another 17 ears continued to reveal suppurative secretion in spite of mastoidectomy, mostly because of severe infection (resistant bacteria) or of insufficient mastoidectomy. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1975 Jan 27, 243, 7 - 19 Pharmacologic and biochemical considerations of dimethyl sulfoxide; Wood DC et al.; DMSO has multiple known pharmacological properties . In addition to those referred to include: cryoprotective action, radioprotective effect, influence on serum cholesterol in experimental hypercholesteremia, and platelet aggregation antagonism . How the multiple properties of this chemical affect therapy in clinical medicine must yet be explained . It is clear, however, that DMSO does affect biological systems, and that this influence has many clinical applications . Perhaps one of the most interesting and significant properties of DMSO is its ability to move other drugsthrough membranes . When mixed with DMSO, many drugs appear to be potentiated in their physiologic effect; thus smaller doses are required and less toxicity is demonstrated . In cancer chemotherapy, this value already has practical use . Some of the studies to be reported in this monograph will describe additional, almost unbelievable observations . Perhaps the mechanism of action of these clinical phenomena will be found in one or more of the pharmacological properties described . It would not be surprising, however, if we were to conclude with a resolution to search for new explantations of the mystery of DMSO, for it would appear that DMSO is really a new principle in medicine and cannot always be measured by existing standards. C R Acad Sci Hebd Seances Acad Sci D, 1975 Jan 27, 280(4), 503 - 6 {Demonstration of brucella antigens in situ in mouse cells and spleen by electron microscopy}; Oberti J et al.; The immunoglobulins of rabbit anti-brucella immunsera were conjugated to horse radish peroxydase and used to revell the bacterial antigens during the experimental infection of mice with Brucella suis . The technique seems to make possible the identification of bacteria that have undergone morphological modifications after phagocytosis. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1975 Jan 13, 381(1), 78 - 96 Cellulose synthesis by Acetobacter xylinum . I . Low molecular weight compounds present in the region of synthesis; Cooper D et al.; An analysis has been made of the low molecular weight fraction present in the region of cellulose synthesis in Acetobacter xylinum suspensions . A number of nucleic acid bases, nucleosides and nucleotides, together with alpha-glucose 1-phosphate and UDPG, were detected in various extracts of washed cells supplied with glucose . Since glucose-6-P could be detected in extracts of ultrasonically disrupted cells, but not in extracts of whole cells, it was concluded that separate pools of hexose phosphate exist in A . xylinum . Preferential release of alpha-glucose-1-P, UDPG and nucleotides was observed during ethanol and EDTA treatment of bacteria . Electron microscopic examination of treated and untreated cells revealed that extensive modification of the cell wall region occurred during such treatments . The results support the proposal that alpha-glucose-1-P, UDPG and nucleotide pools are localised in the cell envelope region, possibly in the periplasm, and that A . xylinum possesses a second permeability barrier outside the cytoplasmic membrane . Nucleic acid bases and nucleosides were observed to diffuse freely through the cell wall and accumulate in the medium, probably as the result of nucleic acid breakdown . The results imply that the effects of cell damage caused by the isolation of the bacteria from the surface pellicle of the culture medium, together with nutrient deprivation, should be considered in work using the non-proliferating system . A stydy of the variation in concentration with time of alpha-glucose-1-P and UDPG, during cellulose synthesis, indicated that both components may play an immediate role in cellulose synthesis . Glycosylated lipid compounds were detected in both cell wall extracts and supernatant fluid, but it is not certain whether these compounds are constituents of the supernatant fluid in vivo. Vet Rec, 1975 Jan 11, 96(2), 30 - 4 Equine infectious respiratory disease; Powell DG; During the past 20 years the equine population of Great Britain and Ireland has increased with the result that the practising veterinary surgeon is more frequently called upon to advise on equine problems . A significant portion of this advice is concerned with the examination of horses showing signs of this advice is concerned with the examination of horses showing signs of respiratory disease . Numerous pathogens, which include viruses, bacteria, parasites and moulds invade the respiratory tract causing similar signs of illness . It is therefore difficult to provide an aetiological diagnosis based on a clinical examination . Field studies supported by laboratory investigations have established that influenza and herpes viruses are frequently responsible for outbreaks of disease . Epidemiological studies suggest that other factors including the immune state of the equine population influence the distribution and severity of respiratory disease . The aetiology, diagnosis, treatment and control of equine infectious respiratory disease are discussed below. J Biol Chem, 1975 Jan 10, 250(1), 337 - 41 Coordinated incorporation of nascent peptidoglycan and teichoic acid into pneumococcal cell walls and conservation of peptidoglycan during growth; Tomasz A et al.; Choline-containing pneumococcal cell wals are sensitive to autolysin, whereas ethanolamine-containing walls are not . Bacteria were labeled with radioactive peptidoglycan precursors while growing either in choline- or in ethanolaminecontaining media . Subsequently, the labeled cells were allowed to grow for four to five generations in nonradioactive medium supplemented with the alternative amino alcohol source (i.e . cells labeled in choline medium yields ethanolamine; cells labeled in ethanolamine medium yields choline) . The autolysin sensitivity of the isotope label in cell walls prepared from such bacteria indicates that nascent peptidoglycan and teichoic acid units that are synthesized at the same time are attached to one another, incorporated into the cell surface at the cellular equator, and remain conserved during growth the division of the bacteria. Acta Biol Med Ger, 1975, 34(11-12), 1807 - 25 {Distribution of endogenous inhibitors of the respiratory chain in plants}; Schewe T et al.; 70 phosphate buffer extracts of various plant tissues of 40 species as well as of 2 bacteria were tested for the presence of endogenous inhibitors of the respiratory chain . Electron transfer particles (ETP) from beef heart mitochondria served as test object . The NADH oxidase (spectrophotometrically) and the succinate oxidase activity (manometrically) were measured . Inhibitory activities could be detected in all the plant species tested, but there were quantitative differences by orders of magnitude . The inhibitory effects were more frequent and higher in the NADH oxidase system than those in the succinate oxidase system . The highest inhibitory activities were observed with blossoms of Forsynthia intermedia, male blossoms of Corylus avellana, inflorescences of Brassica oleracea, fronds of Pteridium aquilinum and gallnuts of Quercus . The specific inhibitory activities (related to the dry mass of the extracts) suggest very efficient inhibitors having concentrations of half-inhibition in the muM-range . With 6 extracts the inhibitory activity on the NADH oxidase system was completely destroyed by boiling (Brassica oleracea, Amoracia rusticana, leaves of Digitalis purpurea, roots of Allium cepa, fruit pips of Malus domestica and mushrooms of Lactarius vellereus) . The results with some plant species (Bryophyllum daigremonteanum, Allium cepa, male blossoms of Corylus avellana, Pteridium aquilinum) suggest a biological dynamics of the inhibitory activity . The inhibitor from Bryophyllum was partially characterized with regard to its mode of action . The following supposed biological functions of endogenous respiratory inhibitors of plants are discussed: 1 . Involvement in the degradation of mitochondria in the course of differentiation, maturation and involution processes as well as in biologically controlled senescence processes; 2 . A switch-over to the alternative mitochondrial respiratory pathway; 3 . Induction and maintenance of a resting metabolism, e.g . in dormancy, by action as growth inhibitors; 4 . Action as phytoncides (phytoallexines) for the defense against parasites. Vet Pathol, 1975, 12(5-6), 446 - 59 The ultrastructure of macrophages in granulomatous colitis of Boxer dogs; Van Kruiningen HJ; Thirteen cases of granulomatous colitis of Boxer dogs were studied by electron microscopy to define the contents of macrophages and to seek infectious agents . Macrophages were of three types . The most numerous were distended with residual bodies composed of membranes and parallel pairs of membranes, many arranged in circular patterns . A second common form had heterogeneous cytoplasm distended with phagosomes containing numerous small granular spheres of various sizes and electron densities . The least common were "young" macrophages containing phagocytic vacuoles . Rare macrophages in four of 13 dogs contained bacteria . Macrophages in five of the dogs contained abundant coccoid, coccobacillary of lobulated granular structures, 100-500 nm in diameter, resembling chlamydia . Transition from phagocytic particle to phagosome to residual body was apparent . Granulomatous colitis of Boxer dogs is probably caused by a lipid-rich, ribosome-rich, coccoid to coccobacillary organism that possesses a cell membrane and sometimes a nucleoid, and ranges from 100 to 500 nm in size. Biochimie, 1975, 57(10), 1185 - 8 Transfer of the methyl group of methionine to choline and to tRNA in the honeybee Apis mellifica L; Tekitek A et al.; Contrary to some previous reports on the absence of biological transmethylation reactions in some insect species, the transfer of the methyl group of methionine-methyl 14C leading to choline and to methylated bases in tRNA was shown in the honeybee Apis mellifica . The addition of antibiotics to the food of the insect does not diminish the incorporation of radioactivity, proving that intestinal bacteria are not responsible for the methylation reactions observed. Polim Med, 1975, 5(2), 157 - 62 {Use of ethylene oxide for the sterilization of thermoplastic articles}; Ciszecki J; The author applied ethylene oxide for sterilization of articles incompatible with thermal sterilization . This method has been widely accepted in many counteries . The tests have been made in the Warsaw Medical School Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, the Polish made "Rotanox" being the source of ethylene oxide . The following items served as sterilizing chambers in this order: Polyethylene foil bags, glass flask and pressurized chambers . The gas pressure of 1 at and temperature of 40-50 degrees C were maintained in the chamber . Sterilized material was closed in the polyethylene foil bags . The effectiveness of this method was proved by bacterial tests. Natl Inst Anim Health Q (Tokyo), 1975 Winter, 15(4), 186 - 91 A procedure to produce gnotobiotic calves by cesarean section; Kashiwazaki M et al.; An effective and economical method was developed for procuring and rearing calves in gnotobiotic conditions . To evaluate apparatuses and surgical techniques, three calves, 1 to 3, welf 1 was weak and pale at delivery and died within 5 hours after delivery . Calf 2 was delivered alive, but died from a human error at 3 days of age . It was free from demonstrable bacteria and fungi at that time . Calf 3 was also successfully delivered and raised . It was killed at 10 days of age, since fungi were isolated from the feces and waste materials from it. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1975, 20(5), 402 - 8 Biological changes in the rhizosphere of wheat after foliar application of chlorocholinechloride, urea and 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid; Vrany J; In field experiments wheat in the phase of shooting was sprayed with solutions of chlorocholinechloride (CCC) and urea, CCC and ammonium salt MCPA (Aminex) or CCC, urea and Aminex . The effect of the treatment on dry weight of overground parts of wheat, number of bacteria, production of carbon dioxide, urease activity and content of ammonium in the rhizosphere soil was investigated . In all cases evolution of carbon dioxide in the rhizosphere soil was higher than that in the control soil . Highest numbers of bacteria were found in the rhizosphere soil of plants treated with urea, the herbicide and their mixtures . Content of ammonium was higher in the control soil than in the rhizosphere soils, the urease activity was highest in the rhizosphere soil of plants treated with the solution of the herbicide and with the combination of the herbicide with urea. Basic Life Sci, 1975, 5B, 459 - 69 The radiobiology of DNA strand breakage; Johansen I; The yield of single-strand breaks in lambda DNA within lysogenic host bacteria was measured after exposure to 4-MeV electrons (50 msec) and rapid transfer (45 msec) to alkaline detergent . In nitrogen anoxia the yield was 1.2 X 10(-12) DNA single-strand breaks per rad per dalton, and under full oxygenation the yield increased to 5 X 10(-12) breaks per rad per dalton . A search for the presence of fast repair of strand breaks operating within a fraction of a second . Strand breaks produced in the persence of oxygen were repaired in 30-40 sec, while breaks produced under anoxia were rejoined even slower . A functional product from the po{A} gene was needed for the rejoining of the broken molecules . Intermediate levels of DNA strand breakage seen at low concentrations of oxygen are dependent on the concentration of cellular sulfhydryl compounds, suggesting that in strand breakage oxygen donors compete for reactions with radiation-induced transients in the DNA . Intercomparisons of data on radiation-induced lethality of cells and single-strand breaks in episomal DNA allow the distinction between two classes of radiation-induced radicals, R-1 and R-2, with different chemical properties; R-1 reacts readily with oxygen and N-oxyls under formation of potentially lethal products . The reactivity of oxygen in this reaction is 30-40 times higher than that of TMPN . R-2 reacts 16 times more readily that R-1 with oxygen under formation of single-strand breaks in the DNA . R-2 does not react with N-oxyls. Bibl Haematol, 1975, (40), 117 - 31 Molecular mechanism of in vitro transformation of mammalian cells by chemical carcinogens; di Mayorca G et al.; BHK21 clone 13 cells transformed by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) or nitrosomethylurea (NMU) ("alkylating" chemical carcinogens) appear to be restricted by temperature in the expression of their transformed phenotype . When grown at 38.5 degrees C, they exhibit a transformed phenotype (clonal morphology and ability to plate in agar), when grown at 32 degrees C, their phenotype is normal . Conversion from the normal to the transformed phenotype and the reverse is possible by temperature shifts . Conversely of the BHK21 clone 13 cells, of the rat fibroblasts (R111) transformed by 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (NQN), some exhibit a transformed phenotype restricted by temperature while others are not restricted by temperature in the expression of transformation . A working hypothesis is proposed suggesting that the phenotype of cells transformed by chemical carcinogens may be determined by the nature of the chemical reaction with the cell DNA . "Alkylating" carcinogens cause prevalently point mutation in bacteria (of the base substitution kind); in the case of transformation of mammalian cells temperature-sensitive phenotypes will be obtained . "Frameshift" carcinogens cause frameshift mutation in bacteria and cells transformed by this class of carcinogens will exhibit a transformed phenotype unrestricted by temperature. Ann Chir Gynaecol Fenn, 1975, 64(1), 24 - 9 Pulmonary sequestration; Mattila SP et al.; 31 surgically treated cases of pulmonary sequestration are reported . There were 23 of intralobar and 8 of extralobar type, 23 were on the left and 8 on the right . All but three had symptoms most of them pointing to a respiratory tract infection . Six patients had pneumonia, five haemoptyses, three patients pleurisy and two patients empyema before the operation . In addition to chest x-ray, aortogram appeared to be the most valuable tool in providing the accurate diagnosis preoperatively . Most of the cases were treated by lobectomy, in 7 cases by sequestrectomy and in 2 cases by pneumonectomy . One of the patients died from pulmonary infarction due to anomalous ipsilateral pulmonary venous draingae and ligation of the veins by oversight during right lower lobectomy . The rest of the patients recovered uneventfully . On microscopical examination of the specimens a case of aspergillosis was noted, which has not been described previously in the literature in association of pulmonary sequestration . In one case acid-fast bacteria were found in the necrotic mass of the cavities in the sequestration. Adv Exp Med Biol, 1975, 58(00), 103 - 15 Cytochrome P-450 in the activation and inactivation of carcinogens; Greim H et al.; The capacity of isolate mouse liver microsomes to alter the mutagenicity for bacteria of the primary carcinogen N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanisine (MNNG) and the secondary one dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) was studied . Microsomal activation of DMN and inactivation of MNNG were decreased by protein- and protein-cholinedeficient diets and were increased by pretreatment with microsomal enzyme inducers . The decrease and increase paralleled the content of cytochrome P-450 present in the different microsomal preparations . With human liver microsomes of differing cytochrome P-450 contents similar correlation was obtained, whereas normal rat liver microsomes did not activate or inactivate DMN or MNNG . Oxidative demethylation of DMN by mouse liver microsomes and the activation of DMN to a mutagen followed similar kinetics . Both reactions were inhibited by carbon monoxide and the inhibition was maximally reversed by monochromatic light at 450 nm . These observations indicate that at least some carcinogens are activated or inactivated by the unspecific cytochrome P-450 dependent enzyme system, suggesting that the extent of this biotransformation may be one factor influencing human carcinogenesis. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1975, 231(1-3), 206 - 13 {The virulence of erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae strains and their neuraminidase production (author's transl)}; Krasemann C et al.; We studied the virulence of 20 Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae strains in albino mice and investigated the interdependence between virulence, growth rate, and neuraminidase production . The minimal number of germs, lethal to mice (LD100) varied among the strains between 10(1) and mor ethan 10(7) per animal . The course of the disease was also very different . Some strains killed the mice rapidly within 3 days . In other strains, however, even a very high number of bacteria caused death only 7 days after infection or later, in which cases the disease became manifest long in advance by ruffled fur and glutinous eyes . A significant correlation was found between the average neuraminidase production in different media and the virulence (p equal to 99%; Fig . 2) . We found a less marked dependence between growth rate and virulence (Fig . 3) . Neuraminidase activity and growth rate seem to influence virulence rather independently . This is concluded from the fact, that some virulent strains are characterized by quick growth and by producing either no neuraminidase or in small quantities only . On the other hand, neuraminidase production cannot be separated completely from growth rate . An induction of neuraminidas activity in vivo was not observed, even when the bacteria persisted in the mice over a long period of time . We therefore conclude that a short term enzyme induction is not probable. Birth Defects Orig Artic Ser, 1975, 11(1), 567 - 70 Studies of the biologic effects of selective C4 deficiency; Frank MM et al.; The role of the several pathways of complement activation in mediating a number of the biologic activities of complement has been examined in an animal model, the C4-deficient guinea pig . It has been shown that the presence of an intact classic pathway (C1, 4, 2) is requisite for damage of antibody-sensitized mammalian cell membranes and for the development of thrombocytopenia and the hypercoagulable state following in vivo endotoxin administration . Both the classic and alternate pathways participate in defense against the lethal effects of endotoxin, in opsonization and lysis of bacteria and in mediation of the events of inflammation. J Lab Clin Med, 1975 Jan, 85(1), 82 - 6 The influence of phorbol myristate acetate on the metabolism of neutrophils from carriers of sex-linked chronic granulomatous disease; Repine JE et al.; The present investigation has compared the influences of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and heat-killed bacteria (HKB) on oxygen consumption and glucose oxidation by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) from carriers of sex-linked chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) . PMA or HKB caused neutrophils from CGD carriers, considered as a group, to consume oxygen and oxidize glucose-1-14C at rates that were statistically distinguishable from rates of normal controls and affected CGD hemizygotes . PMA at a final concentration of 1.0 micrograms per milliliter wass more effective and reproducible than a ratio of 50 HKB: 1 PMN in discriminating the partial abnormality of carrier PMN from normal PMN . Moreover, a deficiency in glucose oxidation by the PMN of one individual carrier was detectable using PMA stimulation when no defect was apparent with HKB . Results of the present investigation confirm and extend previous observations which have demonstrated the similarity in responses of PMA-treated normal and CGD PMN to the reactions produced by particulates under similar conditions. Biokhimiia, 1975 Jan-Feb, 40(1), 192 - 5 {Hydrogenase activity in Thiocapsa roseopersicina according to the D2--H20 metabolic reaction}; Zorin NA et al.; Extracts of Thiocapsa roseopersicina cells show hydrogenase activity, measured by evolution of H2 from reduced methylviologene (MV) and by D2-H2O exchange reaction . According to these reactions the most part of hydrogenases is found to be in the soluble fraction . Hydrogenase activity measured in the exchange reaction is completely inhibited by p-chloromercurybenzoate (5-10- minus 3 M), iodacetate (1-10- minus 2 M) and 26% inhibited by KCN and o-phenanthroline (5-10- minus 3 M) . Evolution of H2 from reduced MV was not inhibited by o-phenanthroline, KCN and iodacetate and was inhibited by 66% only with p-chloromercurybenzoate . Light and ATP stimulated hydrogenase activity of chromatophores did not affect on its activity in the soluble fraction . The results obtained show that there are certain differences in hydrogenase systems responsible for the exchange reaction and evolution of H2. Beitr Pathol, 1975, 154(1), 27 - 51 {Experimental erysipelas in different species as a model for systemic connective tissue disease . II . The chronic phase with special reference to polyarthritis (author's transl)}; Schulz LC et al.; Introduction: In part I of this paper (Schulz et al., 1975) it was shown that in the initial phase of experimental erysipelas a transition from the vascular processes to a systemic connective tissue reaction can be demonstrated in different species . It is the purpose of this paper to describe the chronic phase of the disease with special emphasis on polyarthritis . Materials and methods: 12 spontaneously diseased and 22 experimentally infected pigs were used in experiments to study the pathogenesis of the disease . In addition, 74 Wistar rats and 148 Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the experiments . All experimental animals were specific-pathogen-free and were parenterally infected with the standardized E . insidiosa serotype B strain T 28 . The observation period for the pigs was up to 2 years, for the rats up to 11 months . The methods used for pathohistological and electron microscopical studies are described in part I . Immunihistological studies were carried out on synovial tissue with peroxidase-conjugates of goat-anti-pig-IgG, goat-anti-pig-IgM, pig-collagen, E . insidiosa-homogenate and heat-aggregated-pig-IgG . Furthermore, goat-anti-pig-IgG and rabbit-anti-pig-C3 conjugated with FITC were used . Passive hemagglutination tests and Latex agglutination test (Singer and Plotz) were performed to demonstrate rheumatoid factors and collagen antibodies . Results: Polyarthritis occurred in pigs between the 4th and 10th day p.i . and between the 4th and 8th day p.i . in nearly 100% of the infected rats . Fibrinous exudation, proliferation and destruction with pannus formation are marked in most of the joints examined during the first three months . Fibrosis begins 30 days p.i . in the rats' joints and is most severe in both species between the 5th and 8th month . 3 types of lining cells may be differentiated electron microscopically: A (M) cells, B (F) cells and an intermediate form which is found in both species most frequently . Swelling of the endothelial cells together with constriction of the lumen and thickening of the basal membrane occurs in the capillaries . Discussion: A comparison of chronic erysipelas polyarthritis in pigs and rats with rheumatoid arthritis of men reveals many morphological and immunological similarities between the two diseases . Systemic connective tissue activation manifests itself in organs predilected for rheumatic changes, such as heart valves, endocardium and joints . The possible prepetuation of the processes by specific or nonspecific immunomechanisms or by deposits of fibrin is discussed . In addition, experimental erysipelas is reproducible in nearly 100% of the animals given one single subcutaneous application of one defined bacteria strain . Therefore too, erysipelas is suited as an animal model for human rheumatic diseases. Can J Microbiol, 1975 Jan, 21(1), 90 - 8 Theoretical studies on the coexistence of competing species under continuous-flow conditions; Taylor PA et al.; In continuous-flow environments, such as a chemostat, we find that, in theory, stable mixed populations of competing species obeying Monod/Michaelis-Menten growth kinetics (extended to more than one limiting substrate) cannot coexist unless the number of growth-limiting substrates is equal to or greater than the number of species . Additional restrictions on the relative values of the growth-yield constants and input-substrate concentrations must also be satisfied . Examples of the theoretical growth of mixed cultures after initial inoculation in stable and unstable cases are presented . The ecological consequences of these findings are briefly discussed. J Cell Sci, 1975 Jan, 17(1), 79 - 94 Ultrastructural localization of cationic proteins in cytoplasmic granules of chicken and rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes; Macrae EK et al.; Cytoplasmic granules known to contain cationic arginine-rich proteins can be identified by the ammoniacal silver reaction (ASR) which provides a cytochemical marker detectable under the electron microscope . Only the large rod-shaped granules of the chicken polymorphonuclear leukocytes (heterophils) and the large spherical azurophilic granules of the rabbit neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes show the ASR product as a discrete particulate electron-dense deposit . The other smaller granules are devoid of reaction product, as are membranes and mitochondria . The intracellular localization of the ASR product, as are membranes and mitochondria . The intracellular localization of the ASR product on the large granules coincides with the ASR product localization on the same isolated granule populations, when the ammoniacal silver reaction is applied to these granules after their separation by sucrose-density gradients . The cationic proteins may have intraleukocytic bacteriolytic properties, since ASR product, presumably indicating cationic protein from discharged granules, appears to surround ingested bacteria within cytoplasmic phagosomes. Birth Defects Orig Artic Ser, 1975, 11(1), 244 - 9 Immunodeficiency in leprosy; Lim SD et al.; It is known that the impairment of cell-mediated immunity (CM) exists in lepromatous leprosy patients . This was shown by 1) delayed skin reaction to various test antigens, 2) decreased transformation of lymphocytes by various antigens, 3) delayed rejection of skin allograft, 4) decreased migration inhibitory fa-tor (MIF) formation, and 5) histologic study of the lymph node . In addition to these previous works, we have studied T and B lymphocytes in peripheral blood of leprosy patients; T cells by the technic of rosette formation, and B cells by staining surface immunoglobulins . The result of our study shows decreased numbers of T cells and increased numbers of B cells in peripheral blood of lepromatous patients . A the same time, we found that allogenic leukocyte infusion treatment reversed T and B-cell abnormalities . We know that repeated infusions of allogenic leukocytes dramatically brought about improvement of the clinical status of the patients, resolution of skin lesions, subsidence of erythema nodosum leprosum reaction, clearance of bacteria from the skin and lymph nodes, and reconstitution of peripheral lymph nodes. Cytogenet Cell Genet, 1975, 14(1), 9 - 25 X inactivation, differentiation, and DNA methylation; Riggs AD; A model based on DNA methylation is proposed to explain the initiation and maintenance of mammalian X inactivation and certain aspects of other permanent events in eukaryotic cell differentiation . A key feature of the model is the proposal of sequence-specific DNA methylases that methylate unmethylated sites with great difficulty but easily methylate half-methylated sites . Although such enzymes have not yet been detected in eukaryotes, they are known in bacteria . An argument is presented, based on recent data on DNA-binding proteins, that DNA methylation should affect the binding of regulatory proteins . In support of the model, short reviews are included covering both mammalian X inactivation and bacterial restriction and modification enzymes. Sci Total Environ, 1975 Jan, 3(3), 293 - 300 Changes of the coliform populations of the shoreline waters, Shediac, New Brunswick; Lakshminarayana JS et al.; This paper presents the results of a survey of the changes in the coliform populations of the shoreline waters, Shediac, New Brunswick . The sanitary quality of these waters showed more than 1000 organisms/100 ml of coliforms thereby indicating post-winter and pre-summer contamination of these waters . The membrane filter method is found to be equally efficient to that of the MPN method . The sanitary quality of these waters in relation to other ecological parameters like temperatures, pH salinity and availability of oxygen are considered. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1975 Jan, 72(1), 11 - 5 Isolation of a polypeptide that has lymphocyte-differentiating properties and is probably represented universally in living cells; Goldstein G et al.; A polypeptide of 8500 molecular weight is described that induces the differentiation of T (thymus-derived) cell and B (bone-marrow-derived) cell immunocytes in vitro, apparently via beta-adrenergic receptors and adenylate cyclase activation . This polypeptide shows a high degree of evolutionary conservation, exhibiting close structural, functional, and immunological similarity when isolated from such diverse origins as cells of mammals and higher plants . This polypeptide was detected in animal cells, yeast, bacteria, and higher plants, and so may well be a universal constituent of living cells. Z Exp Chir, 1975, 8(4), 236 - 40 {Beta-propiolactone for cold sterilization of heart valve transplants}; Wutzler P et al.; Biologic cardiac valve substitutes were sterilized at room temperature using beta-propiolactone with a 0.5 vol.% solution within 120 minutes, with a 1.0 vol.% solution within 90 minutes, and with a 1.5 resp . 2.0 vol.% solution within 60 minutes . The physico-chemic properties of the graft can be influenced by appropriately chosen concentration and sterilizing period . Enlarged procedures for decontamination are not necessary because of the rapid dissolution of aqueous beta-propiolactone solutions. Ann Nutr Aliment, 1975, 29(6), 553 - 61 {Carbohydrates synthesized by the spirulines}; Quillet M; Carbohydrates roughly constitute 15 p . 100 of the dry matter of Sirulina . They are extracted after complete delipidation, by successive exhaustions: first with ethanol of decreasing title, then with cold water slightly acidified by chlorhydric acid in order to drain out the calcium of the phytate; then by neutral boiling water; at last by alkaline or acidic warm solutions . After neutralization, suitable defecation and concentration, carbohydrates are either purified by a slow cristalization or hydrolyzed and analysed by usual techniques of chromatography on paper or on column of borated resins . Glucose, levulose, sucrose, glycerol and several polyols are so detected . They are in small amounts and of little nutritional interest . There is no trehalose . The carbohydrate storage products are mainly a glucosan and a rhamnosan, both containing glucosamine . There is about 2 p . 100 of the glucosan and 10 p . 100 of the rhamnosan, the composition of which are, in molar ratio: (see text) . More or less phosphated cyclitols constitute, together with a small amount of glycogen, the rest of the metabolisable part . The cell-walls which could not be perfectly purified were degraded either by HC1 or by enzymes (pronase, neuraminidase) . So have been found glucosamine and muramic acid, associated with peptides rich in glycine, serine, alanine, glutamic acid . These results joined to the presence, formerly signaled, of a rhamnosan, reveal a relationship between Spirulina and some Gram(+) bacteria . It is a fact that the celle-walls of Spirulina actually, though weakly, take the Gram coloration . To conclude, Spirulina presents some alimental interest. Symp Soc Exp Biol, 1975, (29), 21 - 38 Symbiotic theory of the origin of eukaryotic organelles; criteria for proof; Margulis L; The purpose of a scientific theory is to unite apparently disparate observations into a coherent set of generalizations with predictive power . Historical theories, which necessarily treat complex irreversible events, can never be directly tested . However they certainly can lead to predictions . The 'extreme' version of the serial endosymbiotic theory argues that three classes of eukaryotic organelles had free-living ancestors: mitochondria, basal bodies/flagella/cilia {(9 + 2) homologues} and photosynthetic plastids . Many lines of evidence support this theory and can be interpreted in relation to one another on the basis of this theory . Even if this theory should eventually be proved wrong it has the real advantage of generating a large number of unique experimentally verifiable hypotheses. Ann Rech Vet, 1975, 6(4), 345 - 56 Vaccination against bovine brucellosis with a low dose of strain 19 administered by the conjunctival route . I.--Protection demonstrated in guinea pigs; Plommet M et al.; Guinea pigs were vaccinated with different doses of strain Brucella abortus B 19, subcutaneously (SC) or by the conjunctival route (C), once or a second time three months later . Agglutination and complement fixation titers were determined on sera of guinea pigs taken at random at intervals from each vaccine group . Protection afforded by the vaccination was determined by intramuscular injection of the challenge strain, B . abortus 544 (5 X 10(3) bacteria) three months after the last vaccination . Forty days later the guinea pigs were killed and Brucella looked for and counted in the spleen and lymph nodes . After conjunctival vaccination with 10(6) or 10(7) bacteria, seriological responses were weak and transient even after the re-vaccination, and were lower than after subcutaneous vaccination with the 10(6) dose, and much lower than after the standard vaccination dose of 7 X 10(9) given subcutaneously . Protection, expressed as percentage of guinea pigs free of infection at autopsy (table 4) was 40 p . 100 in the standard vaccination group (SC, 7 X 10(9)) and 57 p . 100 in groups receiving successively 7 X 10(9) (SC) and 10(6) or 10(7) (C) . Two successive conjunctival vaccinations with the 10(6) to 10(9) doses gave 47 to 60 p . 100 protection; two SC vaccinations with the 10(6) dose gave 75 p . 100 protection . All the control guinea pigs were heavily infected . The differences in protection rate among the groups vaccinated twice were not significant . Since vaccination through the conjunctiva with two successive instillations of 10(7) bacteria induced only a weak antibody response and protection equivalent to that of standard subcutaneous vaccination, the method appears worthy of application in cattle. Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1975, 15(5), 333 - 7 Influence of ultraviolet irradiation on nutrient-gleaning capacity of two unicellular algae; Kumar HD et al.; Two unicellular algae, viz., Anacystis nidulans and Chlorella vulgaris, growing in polluted effluents, were isolated in unialgal and bacteria free culture . They were mutagenically exposed to ultraviolet radiation and variant strains endowed with differing capacities for growth and nutrient-gleaning were successfully isolated as distinct clones on agar plates . One such clone each of the two species was tested further and found stable . While these variant strains grew more slowly than untreated controls, statistically significant differences with respect to phosphate and nitrate uptake were found between treated and control strains of the two species. Orig Life, 1975 Jan-Apr, 6(1-2), 45 - 57 Structures of biogenic origin from Early Precambrian rocks of Euro-Asia; Lopuchin AS; Spheroidal microfossils mainly 20 to 100 mug in diameter and exhibiting granular surface textures have been recovered from Early Precambrian rocks by applying a new method of water separation in combination with thin chemical preparation . In contrast to the Acritarcha, these microfossils are characterized by a relatively low specific weight (close to one) and considerable fragility due to impregnation by mineral matter . They occur in Archean sediments of Hindustan, in rocks of the Baltic and Aldan Shields with ages of 3.0 to 3.5 billion (10-9) years, and in Proterozoic deposits in many regions of Euro-Asia . They commonly occur in great number in Precambrian sediments of West Africa, Australia and North America . These forms are here regarded as Menneria Lopuchin and are considered to be blue-green algae . Menneria resembles alga-like forms reported by Engel, Nagy and their co-workers from the Onverwacht Series and microfossils reported by Schopf and Barghoorn from the Fig Tree Series, both of the Swaziland System of southern Africa . In addition to spheroidal microfossils, ribbon-like and filiform microstructures are here reported from Archean deposits . The biogenic structures here described from the Early Precambrian of Euro-Asia are considered to have been photosynthetic and planktonic . Their progressive evolution, intensive production of organic matter, and biogeochemical role in concentration of rare elements is discussed. Arch Microbiol, 1975, 102(2), 103 - 9 A new bacteriochlorophyll from brown-colored Chlorobiaceae; Gloe A et al.; A new bacteriochlorophyll has been isolated by thin layer chromatography from all strains of the brown-colored Chlorobiaceae Chlorobium phaeobacteroides and Chlorobium phaeovibriodes . The new bacteriochlorophylle--like the bacteriochlorophylls c and d--represents the major amounts of bacteriochlorophyll a . Bacteriochlorophyll e can be differentiated from the bacteriochlorophylls c and d by its absorption maxima in aceton and its different Rf-value in the thin layer chromatogram . The structure of the new bacteriochlorophyll e has been elucidated on the basis of mass spectra, 1H-and 13C-NMR-spectra, the UV/VIS-spectrum as well as IR-, ORD-, and CD-spectra . The new bacteriochlorophyll has the same relationship to bacteriochlorophyll c as chlorophyll b from green plants to chlorophyll a; therefore, bacteriochlorophyll e represents the first formyl-substituted chlorophyll from bacteria . Similar to the bacteriochlorophylls c and d, the new bacteriochlorophyll e consists of a mixture of at least three homologues which differ from each other by different substituents on the pyrrol rings II and III. Am J Pathol, 1975 Jan, 78(1), 33 - 48 Cytostatic, cytocidal and potential antitumor properties of a class of quinoid compounds, initiators of the dormant state in the spores of Agaricus bisporus; Vogel FS et al.; Evidence indicates that dormancy is initiated in the spores of Agaricus bisporus by two quinoid compounds that appear in the zygote during the prodromal period of sporulation . Both are derivatives of a phenol, gamma-L-glutaminyl-4-hydroxybenzene . When purified, these quinoids specifically inhibit mitochondrial respiratory enzymes and protein synthesis in the mushroom and have comparable effects with rat liver mitochondria and ribosomes, with intact bacteria, and with bacterial ribosomes and RNA polymerase in vitro . Five species of mouse ascites tumor cells showed prompt and marked inhibitions of nucleic acid and protein synthesis when millimolar concentrations of these quinoids were added to the tissue culture medium of the tumor cells . Only a small percentage of the cells was killed immediately, as judged by trypan blue uptake . When large numbers of exposed BP8 sarcoma and EL4 leukemic cells were reinjected intraperitoneally into histocompatible mice, the survival times of these animals were notably prolonged beyond those of animals injected with tumor cells that had not been exposed to these inhibitors . In a dose-dependent manner, increasing concentrations of inhibitors produced proportionate increments in survival time, while higher concentrations totally abolished tumor cell growth . The findings indicate that these simple quinoid compounds, which initiate the dormant state in spores, produce a cytostatic state in mammalian tumor cells and thus potentially have strong antitumor properties (Am J Pathol 78:33-48, 1975). Am Surg, 1975 Jan, 41(1), 37 - 40 Surgical treatment of pulmonary infections caused by atypical mycobacteria; Muangsombut J et al.; Pulmonary disease caused by atypical mycobacteria frequently constitutes an indication for operative treatment, since these bacteria are usually resistant to most forms of chemotherapy . Since 1968 11 patients having pulmonary infection caused by atypical mycobacteria underwent pulmonary resection . All patients, except one who had bilateral disease, left the hospital with negative sputum status . Pulmonary resection is an effective means of therapy for atypical mycobacterial pulmonary infection . Such treatment can be carried out with low morbidity and mortality, and is indicated in cases of poor response to drug treatment or persistent residual lesions. Symp Soc Exp Biol, 1975, (29), 145 - 73 Symbiosis in Paramecium Bursaria; Karakashian MW; Paramecium bursaria normally appears green dut to several hundred symbiotic Chlorella which are dispersed throughout its cytoplasm . The symbionts are situated within individual vacuoles and these alga-vacuole complexes grow and divide at a rate compatible with that of the paramecium . The symbiotic units also persist through conjugation and the subsequent reorganization of the host . Studies of the benefit of the symbiosis to the ciliate hosts have shown that they are able to grow and survive better than aposymbiotic animals in environments deficient in bacteria . The symbionts are also able to extract nourishment from the host when it is well fed and they are deprived of light . The biochemical nature of these exchanges has not been determined . Potential symbionts usually enter the host in food vacuoles . If they are ingested in sufficient numbers, they are able to interfere with the normal course of host digestion, perhaps by preventing the release of digestive enzymes into the food vacuole . All natural symbionts of P . bursaria appear able to reinfect aposymbiotic cells . Some freeliving strains of Chlorella and related algae are also infective, but these associations are relatively unstable and provide little evident benefit to the host . Host susceptibility to infection by certain strains of free-living algae is invariably lost with time . This loss is specific and often rapid, but it does not occur simultaneously in subcultures derived from the original susceptible culture . The basis for these susceptibility changes is still unknown, but they may be related to long-lasting effect of the previous symbionts on the digestive efficiency of the paramecium host. Pharmacol Ther Dent, 1975, 2(2), 109 - 31 Factors related to the cariogenic potential of breakfast cereals; Katz S et al.; Reported is a series of studies in which several breakfast cereals were tested for the following properties: sugar retained by, and plaque formed on, extracted teeth that chewed the cereals: ability of the cereals to induce acid formation when incubated with saliva and to neutralize acids when mixed with water: and, as a summary, ability to induce caries formation under mouth-simulation conditions . It was found that the cariogenic potential of the cereals tested is not dependent upon their sugar content, their retentiveness on the teeth, the amount of sugar retained by the teeth, or the amount of plaque formation they induced on the teeth . The only parameter that related well with the carcinogenic potential of the cereals was their buffering (or acid-neutralizing) ability: the greater the buffering, the lesser the carcinogenic potential . These results, which were confirmed in independent animal studies, case some doubts upon the role traditionally attributed to sugars in caries formation . At least they caution against generalizations and point out other factors that should be studied before a thorough understanding of the factors determining the cariogenicity of foods can be gained. J Supramol Struct, 1975, 3(1), 1 - 16 On the physiological functions of teichoic acids; Tomasz A et al.; The choline-containing teichoic acids of pneumococci can be modified by biosynthetic replacement of the choline residues with certain structural analogues, such as ethanolamine (EA) or the N-monomethyl-(MEA) and N-dimethyl-(DEA) amino derivatives of ethanolamine . Cells containing such analogues in their teichoic acids develop pleiomorphic alterations in several physiological properties, which include resistance to detergent-induced lysis and inhibition of cell separation (chain formation) . We report here the results of physiological studies on the mechanism of these two phenomena . Our results are summarized in the following: (a) Pneumococci grown on various amino alcohols produce cell walls of identical amino sugar and amino acid composition . (b) Both choline- and EA-containing teichoic acids seem to follow the same conservative pattern of segregation during growth and cell division.(c)Lysis sensitivity of pneumococci requires the juxtaposition oflysissensitive (choline-containing) cell walls and endogenous autolysin at the cell wall growth zone . (d) Upon readdition of choline to ethanolamine-containing cells, lysis sensitivity and catalytically active (C-type) autolysin reappear in the bacteria with the same kinetics . (e) The chains of EA-grown pneumococci contain fully compartmentalized cells and normal cross walls. Ciba Found Symp, 1975, (31), 125 - 46 Bioluminescence: from chemical bonds to photons; Hastings JW; The biological transformation of chemical to photic energy involves an enzyme-mediated chemiluminescent reaction, in which one of the products exists in an electronically excited state, emitting a photon as it returns to the ground state . The colour of bioluminescence differs in different organisms, ranging from the deep blue (460 nm) of certain crustacea, through the bluish green (490 nm) of some bacteria, the green (530 nm) of mushrooms to the red (about 600 nm) of the railroad worm . In one case, energy transfer has been demonstrated from the enzyme system to material that emits light with a longer wavelength . The energies involved range from about 165 to 250 kJ/einstein (40 to 60 kcal/einstein) . Boyle first showed that air was involved in bioluminescence in 1668 in his experiments with an air pump . Over the past 100 years, it has become clear that most if not all bioluminescent systems require molecular oxygen . The recent isolation and characterization of an oxygen-containing (peroxide) enzyme intermediate from the bacterial system is described and a reaction mechanism is postulated . This scheme is compared with other hypothetical mechanisms, in particular those involving a four-membered ring intermediate, a dioxetane, in which the simultaneous cleavage of two bonds leaves one product in an excited state . I shall discuss the special role of luciferases in bioluminescence, especially in flashing mechanisms involving 'precharged' intermediates. Birth Defects Orig Artic Ser, 1975, 11(1), 322 - 7 Increased susceptibility to infection in sickle cell disease: defects of opsonization and of splenic function; Johnston RB Jr et al.; Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) have an increased susceptibility to bacterial infections and die more frequently from infection than any other cause . Their sera do not promote the phagocytosis of pneumococci normally, apparently because of an inability to utilize the alternate pathway for C3 fixation as a means of opsonization . The splenic dysfunction which exists in SCD may result in depressed synthesis of alternate pathway factor(s), as well as in decreased phagocytic clearance of bacteria. J Bacteriol, 1975 Jan, 121(1), 192 - 6 Factor 420-dependent pyridine nucleotide-linked formate metabolism of Methanobacterium ruminantium; Tzing SF et al.; Methanobacterium ruminantium was shown to possess a formate dehydrogenase which is linked to factor 420 (F420) as the first low-molecular-weight or anionic electron transfer coenzyme . Reduced F420 obtained from the formate dehydrogenase can be further linked to the formation of hydrogen via the previously described F420-dependent hydrogenase reaction, thus constituting an apparently simple formate hydrogenlyase system, or to the reduction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate via F420:nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidoreductase . The results indicate that hydrogen and formate, the only known energy sources for M . ruminantium and many other methanogenic bacteria, should be essentially equivalent as sources of electrons in the metabolism of this organism. Appl Microbiol, 1975 Jan, 29(1), 21 - 6 Development of a simple method for concentrating enteroviruses from oysters; Sobsey MD et al.; The development of a simple method for concentrating enteroviruses from oysters is described . In this method viruses in homogenized oyster tissues are efficiently absorbed to oyster solids at pH 5.5 and low salt concentration . After low-speed centrifugation, the supernatant is discarded and viruses are eluted from the sedimented oyster solids by resuspending them in pH 3.5 glycine-buffered saline . The solids are then removed by low-speed centrifugation, and the virus-containing supernatant is filtered through a 0.2-micronm porosity filter to remove bacteria and other small particulates without removing viruses . The virus-containing filtrate is then concentrated to a volume of a few milliliters by ultrafiltration, and the concentrate obtained is inoculated directly into cell cultures for virus assay . When tested with pools of oysters experimentally contaminated with small amounts of different enteroviruses, virus recovery efficiency averaged 63%. Connect Tissue Res, 1975, 4(1), 7 - 10 Indoluble collagen II . The use of fluorescein labelled polymeric collagen fibrils in a very sensitive assay procedure for enzymes degrading insoluble collagen; Steven FS et al.; 98% of the collagen in mature connective tissue is in the form of insoluble collagen fibers, consisting of bundles of polymeric collagen (PC) fibrils . The enzymes concerned in connective tissue remodeling degrade PC rather than tropocollagen (TC) . TC is the most usual substrate for collagenase assays, and we believe it is essential to employ PC in any study of the activity of collagenolytic enzymes . In order to facilitate the study of enzymic degradation of PC we have labelled PC with fluorescein iso-thiocyanate to produce F-PC fibrils, containing 5 fluorescein labelled epilson-NH2 groups of lysine per TC molecule within the PC . The fluorescent F-PC is degraded at the same rate as PC with the release of hydroxyprolyl peptides but has the great advantage that the solubilised F-peptides can be quantitated by their fluorescent emission . The technique is described in detail employing bacterial collagenase and mammalian collagenase preparations to illustrate the methodology . The advantages of the fluorescent technique over the collagenolytic assay methods currently in use are outlined. Am J Surg, 1975 Jan, 129(1), 10 - 5 A comparative appraisal of emphysematous cholecystitis; Mentzer RM Jr et al.; There is ample evidence from this retrospective comparison to indicate that emphysematous cholecystitis does merit clinical distinction apart from acute cholecystitis . It is an acute infection of the gallbladder caused by a specific group of bacteria that may be aided by some aspect of local ischemia . Cholelithiasis does not seem to be a major factor in the pathogenesis of emphysematous cholecystitis, and this, in association with some dependence upon ischemia, may account for the predominance of this disease in males rather than females . Gangrene is a common feature of the pathologic process, and thus it is not surprising that the diagnosis of emphysematous cholecystitis implies a risk of gallbladder perforation that is five times that expected from ordinary acute cholecystitis . The key to identifying this disease is the plain abdominal roentgenogram which in most instances will make the diagnosis and provide an impetus for early operative intervention. Proc Eur Dial Transplant Assoc, 1975, 11, 300 - 7 Pulmonary infections after kidney transplantation; Vereerstraeten P et al.; Seventy-five pulmonary infections out of 173 kidney transplantations have been observed in 62 graft-recipients, from 1965 to 1973 . The aetiologic organism is a bacteria in 80% of the cases, a fungus in 8% of the cases, cytomegalovirus and Pneumocystis Carinii in 11% of the cases . A close relationship between infection and a previous transplant crisis was noted in 66% of the cases . The most efficient diagnostic procedures were pleural and open lung biopsy as well as cultures of blood, pleural fluid and tracheobronchial secretions . Treatment was effective in 60% of bacterial and Pneumocystitis Carinii infections; on the other hand, it was less useful in fungal infections and totally ineffective in cytomegalovirus infections . Despite a possible increase in the risk of rejection, reduction or even arrest of immunosuppressive therapy is recommended in severe infections. Biomedicine, 1975 Jan, 22(1), 18 - 24 Biorhythms in toxicology and pharmacology . I . Generalities, ultradian and circadian biorhythms; Stupfel M; According to their periods, rhythms can be classified in ultradian (period inferior to one day), circadian (period equal to one day) and infradian (period superior to one day) . Different biorhythms of endogenous origin are modified mostly relatively to their amplitude by definite doses of the effects of pharmacological or toxic agents . Circadian variations of the effects of drugs, of the toxicities of gases as well as circadian modifications of the reactions to different stresses and agressions have been demonstrated amply in animals (mostly nocturnal rodents) and sometimes in man . In a general way reactions are more rapid and more marked in the active period where enzymatic reactions show a peak activity corresponding to a maximal energy output than during the rest and sleep periods. Orig Life, 1975 Jan-Apr, 6(1-2), 253 - 6 Evolution of photosystems of photosynthetic organisms; Karapetyan NV; It is generally accepted that two photosystems function successively in photosynthetic electron transport chain of plants and algae . The interaction of these photosystems results in the enhancement of photosynthesis . It was suggested that only one photosystem is present in purple bacteria, the most primitive photosynthetic organisms . The functioning of this photosystem is accompanied by absorption changes at 890 nm . Recently new spectral changes were found in Chramatium chromatophores under reductive conditions, more favorable for bacterial growth . Some of that spectral changes take place even at liquid nitrogen temperature . It is proposed these absorption changes could be related to other photosystem functioning in low potential region . Such a photosystem is necessary for reduction of NAD in Chromatium, for which the reverse electron transport to NAD was not shown . In contrast to photosystems of plants, the bacterial photosystems appear to function independently because the enhancement of bacterial photosynthesis is not found . Apparently the evolution of photosystems involved interaction between independent photosystmes, one of them functioning under more oxidative conditions. Orig Life, 1975 Jan-Apr, 6(1-2), 169 - 74 Models of prebiological phosphorylation; Halmann M; The hypothesis that contemporary metabolic pathways envolved from analogous chemical reaction sequences on the primitive Earth leads to a reexamination of models of prebiological phosphorylation . Present-day phosphate uptake by algae and bacteria seems to involve two transport systems: (a) A n active transport process occurring at low external phosphate concentrations (as in umpolluted natural waters), with a transport constant Ks of 10(-7) to 10(-6) M Pi . (b) Another (probably diffusive) process at higher phosphate concentrations (greater than 10-6 M)(as in the interstitial water of reducing sediments) . Laboratory model experiments are described for the reation of reducing sugars with orthophosphate in the presence of cyanogen, producing glycosyl phosphates . These reactions proceed with appreciable yields only at high phosphate concentrations (greater than 10-3 M), and may thus possibly serve as simulations of prebiological phosphorylation with diffusive transport, as it may have occurred in the intestial water of reducing sediments. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1975, 230(2), 210 - 22 Studies on the immunizing capacity of orally administered particulate antigens . I . The efficiency of killed Bordetella pertussis cells; Hof H et al.; The single i.p . injection of 2.5 times 10-8 killed B . pertussis cells protected 23 out of a group of 24 NMRI mice (95.8%) against the subsequent intracerebral infection, whilst 13 out of 24 mice (54.2%) survived the intracerebral challenge with virulent B . pertussis cells after prior oral administration of 2.5 times 10-11 killed B . pertussis cells, as demonstrated by the mouse protection test . Similar treatment with non-specific substances, such as egg white and saline, did not result in any increase of resistance . Systemic anaphylactic hypersensitivity to bovine serum albumin could also be achieved, when either both the protein antigen and the B . pertussis vaccine were given by the oral route or when the B . pertussis vaccine was injec