Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis, 2002 Jun, 70(2), 111 - 8 Contrary to BCG, MLM fails to induce the production of TNF alpha and NO by macrophages; Rojas-Espinosa O et al.; Pathogenic mycobacteria must possess efficient survival mechanisms to resist the harsh conditions of the intraphagosomal milieu . In this sense, Mycobacterium lepraemurium (MLM) is one of the most evolved intracellular parasites of murine macrophages; this microorganism has developed a series of properties that allows it not only to resist, but also to multiply within the inhospitable environment of the phagolysosome . Inside the macrophages, MLM appears surrounded by a thick lipid-envelope that protects the microorganism from the digestive effect of the phagosomal hydrolases and the acid pH . MLM produces a disease in which the loss of specific cell-mediated immunity ensues, thus preventing activation of macrophages . In vitro, and possibly also in vivo, MLM infects macrophages without triggering the oxidative (respiratory burst) response of these cells, thus preventing the production of the toxic reactive oxygen intermediaries (ROI) . Supporting the idea that MLM is within the most evolved pathogenic microorganisms, in the present study we found, that contrary to BCG, M . lepraemurium infects macrophages without stimulating these cells to produce meaningful levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) or nitric oxide (NO) . Thus, the ability of the microorganisms to stimulate in their cellular hosts, the production of ROI and RNI (reactive nitrogen intermediates), seems to be an inverse correlate of their pathogenicity; the lesser their ability, the greater their pathogenicity. Parasitology, 2002 Aug, 125(Pt 2), 177 - 85 Characterization of Meloidogyne javanica surface coat with antibodies and their effect on nematode behaviour; Sharon E et al.; The surface coat of the 2nd-stage juveniles (J2) of plant-parasitic nematodes is considered to be involved in interactions with microorganisms in the soil and rhizosphere, as well as with the host plant . Characterization of surface antigens might be important in the development of new nematode control strategies . In this study, polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies raised against Meloidogyne javanica, M . incognita and other plant-parasitic nematodes were tested for their binding to the surface coat and secreted-excreted products of M . javanica . Some of the monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies raised against M . incognita showed cross-reactivity with the surface coat of M . javanica . Western blot analysis of M . javanica surface coat extracts revealed labelling of several polypeptides with a 48 kDa main band for the polyclonal antibody IACR-PC Mi 373, and a 55 kDa main band for PC Mj E2 . Further characterization of the antigens recognized by the polyclonal antibody PC Mj E2, in planta, showed that they were present in the parasitic stages J2 and J3 and that the surface coat was shed during root penetration . The hypodermis of the infective juveniles was labelled by PC Mj E2 and the monoclonal antibody IACR-Misec 3F.4, suggesting that these surface antigens are produced in the hypodermis . Nematode behaviour was affected by all the antibodies that bound to the surface coat of the pre-parasitic J2, and we demonstrated that the movement pattern of the M . javanica J2 was affected by these antibodies . Continuous binding of the antibodies to the M . javanica surface inhibited the infection of Arabidopsis thaliana roots on agar plates. Proteins, 2002 Nov 1, 49(2), 216 - 31 Impact of incorporating the 2C5 crystal structure into comparative models of cytochrome P450 2D6; Kirton SB et al.; Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) metabolizes approximately one third of the drugs in current clinical use . To gain insight into its structure and function, we have produced four different sets of comparative models of 2D6: one based on the structures of P450s from four different microorganisms (P450 terp, P450 eryF, P450 cam, and P450 BM3), another on the only mammalian P450 (2C5) structure available, and the other two based on alternative amino acid sequence alignments of 2D6 with all five of these structures . Principal component analysis suggests that inclusion of the 2C5 crystal structure has a profound effect on the modeling process, altering the general topology of the active site, and that the models produced differ significantly from all of the templates . The four models of 2D6 were also used in conjunction with molecular docking to produce complexes with the substrates codeine and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP); this identified Glu 216 {in the F-helix; substrate recognition site (SRS) 2} as a key determinant in the binding of the basic moiety of the substrate . Our studies suggest that both Asp 301 and Glu 216 are required for metabolism of basic substrates . Furthermore, they suggest that Asp 301 (I-helix, SRS-4), a residue thought from mutagenesis studies to bind directly to the basic moiety of substrates, may play a key role in positioning the B'-C loop (SRS-1) and that the loss of activity on mutating Asp 301 may therefore be the result of an indirect effect (movement of the B'-C loop) on replacing this residue . Am J Phys Anthropol, 2002 Sep, 119(1), 27 - 36 Investigation of the link between visceral surface rib lesions and tuberculosis in a Medieval skeletal series from England using ancient DNA; Mays S et al.; Seven human skeletons from a large assemblage from a rural English Medieval burial site show lesions, predominantly proliferative in nature, on the visceral surfaces of the ribs . In order to investigate whether these rib lesions were regularly associated with tuberculous infection, these individuals, together with a group of age- and sex-matched control skeletons without bony signs of infection, were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays aimed at detecting traces of DNA from infecting microorganisms of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex . The results provided no evidence for any regular association between visceral surface rib lesions and the presence of M . tuberculosis complex DNA in the study group . The significance of these findings for the paleopathological interpretation of visceral surface rib lesions is discussed . Atherosclerosis, 2002 Nov, 165(1), 79 - 88 Chlamydia pneumoniae activates IKK/I kappa B-mediated signaling, which is inhibited by 4-HNE and following primary exposure; Donath B et al.; Chlamydia pneumoniae may be involved in atherosclerosis by inducing inflammation as well as LDL oxidation . The transcription factor NF-kappa B is found in an active state in atherosclerotic lesions . This study examined the effect of C . pneumoniae exposure on the NF-kappa B system in human monocytic lineage cells . Short exposure to C . pneumoniae as well as chlamydial heat shock protein 60 activated NF-kappa B, accompanied by increased cytokine production . Incubation with C . pneumoniae-induced depletion of I kappa B-alpha and later I kappa B-epsilon which was preceded by I kappa B kinase complex activation . 4-Hydroxynonenal, an aldehyde LDL oxidation product, was shown to inhibit C . pneumoniae induced NF-kappa B activation by preventing I kappa B phosphorylation/proteolysis . During long-term incubation with C . pneumoniae I kappa B-alpha returned to baseline, whereas the levels of I kappa B-epsilon and p65 were upregulated . Interestingly, long-term preincubation with C . pneumoniae selectively prevented restimulation by this microorganism, which appears to be at least partly facilitated by inhibition of I kappa B proteolysis . C . pneumoniae-induced NF-kappa B activation as well as the inhibition of that effect under certain conditions may contribute to chronic inflammation with potential relevance to vascular disease. Respir Res . 2002;3(1):21 . Epub 2002 Aug 07. Activation of adherent vascular neutrophils in the lung during acute endotoxemia; Sunil VR et al.; BACKGROUND: Neutrophils constitute the first line of defense against invading microorganisms . Whereas these cells readily undergo apoptosis under homeostatic conditions, their survival is prolonged during inflammatory reactions and they become biochemically and functionally activated . In the present study, we analyzed the effects of acute endotoxemia on the response of a unique subpopulation of neutrophils tightly adhered to the lung vasculature . METHODS: Rats were treated with 5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (i.v.) to induce acute endotoxemia . Adherent neutrophils were isolated from the lung vasculature by collagenase digestion and sequential filtering . Agarose gel electrophoresis, RT-PCR, western blotting and electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to evaluate neutrophil activity . RESULTS: Adherent vascular neutrophils isolated from endotoxemic animals exhibited decreased apoptosis when compared to cells from control animals . This was associated with a marked increase in expression of the anti-apoptotic protein, Mcl-1 . Cells isolated 0.5-2 hours after endotoxin administration were more chemotactic than cells from control animals and expressed increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA and protein, demonstrating that they are functionally activated . Endotoxin treatment of the animals also induced p38 and p44/42 mitogen activated protein kinases in the adherent lung neutrophils, as well as nuclear binding activity of the transcription factors, NF-kappaB and cAMP response element binding protein . CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that adherent vascular lung neutrophils are highly responsive to endotoxin and that pathways regulating apoptosis and cellular activation are upregulated in these cells. Science, 2002 Aug 30, 297(5586), 1543 - 5 Natural product terpenoids in Eocene and Miocene conifer fossils; Otto A et al.; Numerous saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons, but not polar compounds, originating from plants and microorganisms (biomarkers) have been reported in sediments, coals, and petroleum . Here we describe natural product terpenoids found in two fossil conifers, Taxodium balticum (Eocene) and Glyptostrobus oregonensis (Miocene) . A similar terpenoid pattern is also observed in extant Taxodium distichum . The preservation of characteristic terpenoids (unaltered natural products) in the fossil conifers supports their systematic assignment to the Cypress family (Cupressaceae sensu lato) . The results also show that fossil conifers can contain polar terpenoids, which are valuable markers for (paleo)chemosystematics and phylogeny. Water Sci Technol, 2002, 45(12), 175 - 9 Isolation and characterization of the ethynylestradiol-biodegrading microorganism Fusarium proliferatum strain HNS-1; Shi JH et al.; We cultivated hundreds of sediment, soil, and manure samples taken from rivers and farms in a medium containing ethynylestradiol (EE2) as the sole source of carbon, so that microorganisms in the samples would acclimatize to the presence of EE2 . Finally, we isolated an EE2-degrading microorganism, designated as strain HNS-1, from a cowshed sample . Based on its partial nucleotide sequence (563 bp) of the 28S rRNA gene, strain HNS-1 was identified as Fusarium proliferatum . Over 15 days, F . proliferatum strain HNS-1 removed 97% of EE2 at an initial concentration of 25 mg.L-1, with a first-order rate constant of 0.6 d-1 . Unknown products of EE2 degradation, which may be more polar compounds that have a phenolic group, remained in the culture medium. Appl Environ Microbiol, 2002 Sep, 68(9), 4431 - 40 Molecular evidence for a uniform microbial community in sponges from different oceans; Hentschel U et al.; Sponges (class Porifera) are evolutionarily ancient metazoans that populate the tropical oceans in great abundances but also occur in temperate regions and even in freshwater . Sponges contain large numbers of bacteria that are embedded within the animal matrix . The phylogeny of these bacteria and the evolutionary age of the interaction are virtually unknown . In order to provide insights into the species richness of the microbial community of sponges, we performed a comprehensive diversity survey based on 190 sponge-derived 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences . The sponges Aplysina aerophoba and Theonella swinhoei were chosen for construction of the bacterial 16S rDNA library because they are taxonomically distantly related and they populate nonoverlapping geographic regions . In both sponges, a uniform microbial community was discovered whose phylogenetic signature is distinctly different from that of marine plankton or marine sediments . Altogether 14 monophyletic, sponge-specific sequence clusters were identified that belong to at least seven different bacterial divisions . By definition, the sequences of each cluster are more closely related to each other than to a sequence from nonsponge sources . These monophyletic clusters comprise 70% of all publicly available sponge-derived 16S rDNA sequences, reflecting the generality of the observed phenomenon . This shared microbial fraction represents the smallest common denominator of the sponges investigated in this study . Bacteria that are exclusively found in certain host species or that occur only transiently would have been missed . A picture emerges where sponges can be viewed as highly concentrated reservoirs of so far uncultured and elusive marine microorganisms. Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr, 2002 Sep, 58(Pt 9), 1494 - 6 Epub 2002 Aug 23. Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of a xylanase from the psychrophile Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis; Van Petegem F et al.; The 46 kDa xylanase from the Antarctic microorganism Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis is an enzyme that efficiently catalyzes reactions at low temperatures . Here, the crystallization of both the native protein and the SeMet-substituted enzyme and data collection from both crystals using synchrotron radiation are described . The native data showed that the crystals diffract to 1.3 A resolution and belong to space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 50.87, b = 90.51, c = 97.23 A . SAD data collected at the peak of the selenium absorption edge proved to be sufficient to determine the heavy-atom configuration and to obtain electron density of good quality. Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr, 2002 Sep, 58(Pt 9), 1476 - 8 Epub 2002 Aug 23. Preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of a soluble form of MntC, a periplasmic manganese-binding component of an ABC-type Mn transporter from Synechocystis sp . PCC 6803; Adir N et al.; Manganese is recruited in microorganisms by way of ABC-type transporter systems . Here, the expression, purification and preliminary crystallographic analysis of a soluble form of the MntC solute-binding protein component of the MntABC manganese-import system from the cyanobacterium Synechococystis sp . PCC 6803 is reported . The protein (321 amino-acid residues) was expressed exclusively in inclusion bodies, which required unfolding and refolding in the presence of manganese prior to purification . The purified protein was crystallized in the presence of PEG and zinc . The crystals belong to space group P6(2)22, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 128.1, c = 90.0 A and a single molecule in the asymmetric unit . The crystals diffract to 2.6 A under cryoconditions using synchrotron radiation. Helicobacter, 2002, 7 Suppl 1, 50 - 5 Helicobacter pylori infection in pediatrics; Roma-Giannikou E et al.; In the past year the main interest was focused on the role of family for transmission of Helicobacter pylori to children; the evaluation of noninvasive diagnostic tests, especially in young children; extra-intestinal clinical manifestations; the lack of consensus on treatment; and the problem of high resistance of the microorganism to antibiotics. Vnitr Lek, 2002 Jul, 48(7), 657 - 66 {The role of infection and inflammation in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis}; Jaber J et al.; Pathogenesis of the atherosclerotic process is deemed as multifactorial . To the most important risk factors, besides certain family predisposition, there belongs hypercholesterolemia, arterial hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, smoking and others . In the last years there are more and more data about the role of inflammation and infection in the whole development of atherosclerosis . The witness for this hypothesis is the findings of high parameters of inflammation in involved vessels as well as in the blood of atherosclerosis suffering persons . Opinions about the inflammation theory appear from the 90th . Local sterile inflammation in the subendotelium of the middle and big arteries has been proved to consist of specific immune reaction (activation of the T-lymphocytes) as well as nonspecific characteristic by elevated monocytes in the artery wall during the whole process of atherogenesis . Inflammation in the plaque can trigger and hold several factors engaged in the atherosclerotic process, such as oxidized LDL cholesterol, elevated production of various superoxides, activated macrophages, activated T-lymphocytes, cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, interferon gamma) and lipoprotein Lp (a) . In this inflammation process levels of CRP (acute phase protein), fibrinogen and erythrocyte sedimentation are elevated as a reaction of the organism to nonspecific chronic infections . Because of this it is thought that elevated fibrinogen and erythrocyte sedimentation are markers of the cardiovascular risk . Some papers deal with antiinflammatory effects of statins, because these lower CRP levels so they also lower atherosclerotic risk through not only lowering of cholesterol levels . Also asprine, as an antiinflammation agent, changing the CRP levels, would be of benefit for patients with vascular disease because its antiaggregation and antiinflammatory effects . ACE inhibitors are also antiinflamatory through blocking of tissue production of angiotensin II (artery wall and atherosclerotic plaque) . Enzymatic inhibitors changing angiotensin can also have a partial antiinflammatory effect . The infection theory is supported also by tracing of some microorganisms in the atherosclerotic plaque or in the blood, as e.g . Helicobacter pylori or Chlamydia pneumoniae; to the autoimmune origin is indicated the presence of the specific immunity reaction against heat shock proteins (HSP) or oxidized LDL . This infection theory offers new therapy possibilities . Therefore eradication for example by antibiotics can lead to stabilization of the atherosclerotic plaque with positive consequences, as it was discovered by many studies. Diabetes Care, 2002 Sep, 25(9), 1534 - 8 Acidic drinking water and risk of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes; Stene LC et al.; OBJECTIVE: To estimate the associations of acidity and concentration of selected minerals in household tap water with the risk of type 1 diabetes . RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We designed a population-based case-control study with 64 cases of type 1 diabetes and 250 randomly selected control subjects . Acidity, color, and mineral content were measured in tap water from each participant's household . RESULTS: Tap water pH 6.2-6.9 was associated with a fourfold higher risk of type 1 diabetes compared with pH > or =7.7 (OR 3.73, 95% CI 1.52-9.15) . This result was similar after exclusion of individuals with the highly protective HLA-DQB1*0602 allele, but adjustment for maternal education, urban/rural residence, sex, and age tended to strengthen the estimated association . Higher tap water concentration of zinc was associated with lower risk of type 1 diabetes after adjustment for pH and other possible confounders, but the overall association was strictly not significant . CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the possibility that quality of drinking water influences the risk of type 1 diabetes . The possible mechanisms by which water acidity or mineral content may be involved in the etiology of type 1 diabetes remain unknown, but the mechanisms are most likely indirect and may involve an influence on survival of microorganisms in the water. Genetics, 2002 Aug, 161(4), 1395 - 410 The tRNA-Tyr gene family of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: agents of phenotypic variation and position effects on mutation frequency; Ito-Harashima S et al.; Extensive phenotypic diversity or variation exists in clonal populations of microorganisms and is thought to play a role in adaptation to novel environments . This phenotypic variation or instability, which occurs by multiple mechanisms, may be a form of cellular differentiation and a stochastic means for modulating gene expression . This work dissects a case of phenotypic variation in a clinically derived Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain involving a cox15 ochre mutation, which acts as a reporter . The ochre mutation reverts to sense at a low frequency while tRNA-Tyr ochre suppressors (SUP-o) arise at a very high frequency to produce this phenotypic variation . The SUP-o mutations are highly pleiotropic . In addition, although all SUP-o mutations within the eight-member tRNA-Tyr gene family suppress the ochre mutation reporter, there are considerable phenotypic differences among the different SUP-o mutants . Finally, and of particular interest, there is a strong position effect on mutation frequency within the eight-member tRNA-Tyr gene family, with one locus, SUP6, mutating at a much higher than average frequency and two other loci, SUP2 and SUP8, mutating at much lower than average frequencies . Mechanisms for the position effect on mutation frequency are evaluated. Hamostaseologie, 2002 Feb, 22(1), 43 - 7 {Inhibitors of factor XIIIa}; Prasa D et al.; Factor XIIIa (FXIIIa) catalyzes the covalent crosslinking of fibrin polymers and incorporation of proteins into the fibrin network and thus confers on the thrombus additional structural stability and relative resistance to plasmin-mediated degradation . Moreover, FXIIIa is involved in other physiological and pathophysiological processes such as wound healing and arteriosclerosis . Selective FXIIIa inhibitors may be a valuable tool for evaluation of the various functions of FXIIIa and their pharmacological control . This paper presents an overview of the inhibitors of FXIIIa . Analogues of natural FXIIIa substrates - including glutamine containing peptides and low molecular weight substituted alkylamines - are incorporated into the fibrin network and thus prevent crosslinking of fibrin . Naturally occurring, direct inhibitors of FXIIIa have been isolated from a leech species and microorganisms . With effective concentrations in the nanomolar range the peptide tridegin is the most potent FXIIIa inhibitor up to now . The majority of the synthetic, low molecular Weight inhibitors bind covalently to Cys314 at the active site of FXIIIa . Besides the relatively nonspecific thiol reagents, azol derivatives, azolium salts and related substances are described as specific inhibitors of FXIIIa . They inhibit the activity of FXIIIa at nanomolar concentrations . Animal experiments have demonstrated improved thrombolysis by a plasminogen activator in combination with a FXIIIa inhibitor. J Immunol, 2002 Sep 1, 169(5), 2719 - 26 Functional activation of myelin-specific T cells by virus-induced molecular mimicry; Olson JK et al.; Molecular mimicry is the process by which T cells activated in response to determinants on an infecting microorganism cross-react with self epitopes, leading to an autoimmune disease . Normally, infection of SJL/J mice with the BeAn strain of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) results in a persistent CNS infection, leading to a chronic progressive, CD4(+) T cell-mediated demyelinating disease . Myelin damage is initiated by T cell responses to virus persisting in CNS APCs, and progressive demyelinating disease (50 days postinfection) is perpetuated by myelin epitope-specific CD4(+) T cells activated by epitope spreading . We developed an infectious model of molecular mimicry by inserting a sequence encompassing the immunodominant myelin epitope, proteolipid protein (PLP) 139-151, into the coding region of a nonpathogenic TMEV variant . PLP139-TMEV-infected mice developed a rapid onset paralytic inflammatory, demyelinating disease paralleled by the activation of PLP139-151-specific CD4(+) Th1 responses within 10-14 days postinfection . The current studies demonstrate that the early onset demyelinating disease induced by PLP139-TMEV is the direct result of autoreactive PLP139-151-specific CD4(+) T cell responses . PLP139-151-specific CD4(+) T cells from PLP139-TMEV-infected mice transferred demyelinating disease to naive recipients and PLP139-151-specific tolerance before infection prevented clinical disease . Finally, infection with the mimic virus at sites peripheral to the CNS induced early demyelinating disease, suggesting that the PLP139-151-specific CD4(+) T cells could be activated in the periphery and traffic to the CNS . Collectively, infection with PLP139-151 mimic encoding TMEV serves as an excellent model for molecular mimicry by inducing pathologic myelin-specific CD4(+) T cells via a natural virus infection. Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao, 2002 May, 18(3), 276 - 81 {Gene and gene engineering of carotenoid biosynthesis}; Tao J et al.; Carotenoids have a range of diverse biological functions and actions, especially playing an important role in human health with provitamin A activity, anti-cancer activity, enhancing immune ability and so on . Human body can't synthesis carotenoids by itself and must absorb them from outside . However, carotenoid contents in many plant are very low, and many kinds of carotenoid are difficult to produce by chemical ways . With the elucidation of carotenoid biosynthetic pathway and cloning genes of relative enzymes from microorganisms and higher plants, it is possible to regulate carotenoid biosynthesis via genetic engineering . This article reviews gene cloning of carotenoid biosynthetic enzymes in microorganisms and higher plants, and advances in the studies of carotenoid production in heterologous microorganisms and crop plants using gene-manipulated carotenoid biosynthesis. Immunol Rev, 2002 Jul, 185, 136 - 58 Cellular immunology in a historical perspective; Good RA; Bruton's XLA and DiGeorge syndrome patients show that two basic immune systems are distinct from each other in humans - thymus-dependent cell-mediated immunodeficiencies vs . antibody-based immunodeficiencies . The appendix-sacculus lymphoid organ of rabbits, like the bursa of Fabricius, represents a central lymphoid organ . Chronic granulomatous disease of childhood (CGD) revealed that phagocytosis killing of catalase-positive microorganisms employ oxidative burst . Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) proved life saving in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) . The first BMT cured XSCID and the second BMT cured a complicating aplastic anemia launching BMT as a treatment of many diseases . Now 75 fatal diseases have been cured by myeloablative BMT . BMT also cured experimental autoimmune diseases . BMT alone did not cure lupus with polyarthritis in MRL/lpr mice or polyarthritis in NZB/KN mice, but BMT plus bone (stromal cell) transplants cured these diseases . Autoimmune diseases and lethal glomerulonephritis were prevented or cured in BXSB mice by mixed allogeneic plus syngeneic BMT . X-linked Hyper IgM syndrome (XHIM) was also cured by BMT from a 2-year-old MHC-matched sibling donor . Nonmyeloablative BMT plus mesenchymal stem cells (stromal cells) was effective treatment for a form of collagen-vascular disease and also a lethal form of hypophosphatasia . Mannan-binding lectin, an opsonin that activates the complement system when mutated and at low levels in blood, opens a door to frequent infections throughout childhood and adult life . This new immunodeficiency is based on genetic mutations that involve a native defense system. South Med J, 2002 Aug, 95(8), 884 - 8 Incidental granulomatous inflammation of the uterus; Hoff E et al.; BACKGROUND: Granulomas of the uterine corpus have been reported in a variety of pathologic conditions but are relatively rare findings in routine histopathologic material . METHODS: This retrospective clinicopathologic study reviewed patients diagnosed with uterine granulomas between 1980 and 1999 in a tertiary referral center . RESULTS: The study group was comprised of 11 women, ranging in age from 37 to 90 years . All patients had histologically confirmed, non-necrotizing granulomas . The most common symptom prompting biopsy or hysterectomy was abnormal bleeding . Several concomittant histopathologies were noted . Eight of 11 patients had a known history of uterine instrumentation . None of the patients had clinical evidence of sarcoidosis or systemic infection, and stains for microorganisms were negative in all cases . Polarizable or foreign materials were not seen . CONCLUSIONS: Well-formed, non-necrotizing granulomas are an infrequent finding in the uterus . A history of instrumentation may explain the presence of granulomas in a subset of patients. Pol J Vet Sci, 2002, 5(2), 99 - 101 Pathogenicity of the microorganisms of the family Chlamydiaceae respecting the changes in their classification; Niemczuk K et al.; The comparison of names of the species before the reclassification of the family Chlamydiaceae into two genera with the species names acknowledged at present is presented . The pathogenicity of these species for animals and man is characterised. J Agric Food Chem, 2002 Aug 28, 50(18), 5167 - 78 Chitosan as an edible invisible film for quality preservation of herring and atlantic cod; Jeon YJ et al.; The effect of chitosan with different molecular weights as coatings for shelf-life extension of fresh fillets of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and herring (Clupea harengus) was evaluated over a 12-day storage at refrigerated temperature (4 +/- 1 degrees C) . Three chitosan preparations from snow crab (Chinoecetes opilio) processing wastes, differing in viscosities and molecular weights, were prepared; their apparent viscosities (360, 57, and 14 cP) depended on the deacetylation time (4, 10, and 20 h, respectively) of the chitin precursor . Upon coating with chitosans, a significant (p < or = 0.05) reduction in relative moisture losses of 37, 29, 29, 40, and 32% was observed for cod samples coated with 360 cP chitosan after 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 days of storage, respectively . Chitosan coating significantly (p < or = 0.05) reduced lipid oxidation as displayed in peroxide value, conjugated dienes, 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and headspace volatiles, chemical spoilage as reflected in total volatile basic nitrogen, trimethylamine, and hypoxanthine, and growth of microorganisms as reflected in total plate count in both fish model systems compared to uncoated samples . The preservative efficacy and the viscosity of chitosan were inter-related; the efficacy of chitosans with viscosities of 57 and 360 cP was superior to that of chitosan with a 14 cP viscosity . Thus, chitosan as edible coating would enhance the quality of seafoods during storage. Water Sci Technol, 2002, 45(10), 313 - 9 Novel anaerobic process for the recovery of methane and compost from food waste; Han SK et al.; Multi-step sequential batch two-phase anaerobic composting (MUSTAC) process was used to recover methane and composted material from food waste . The MUSTAC process consists of five leaching beds for hydrolysis, acidification and post-treatment, and an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor for methane recovery . This process involves the combined methods of sequential batch operation and two-phase anaerobic digestion for simple operation and high efficiency . Rumen microorganisms are inoculated due to their enhanced cellulolytic activity . Each leaching bed is operated in a sequential batch mode . Five leaching beds are operated in a multi-step mode with a two-day interval between degradation stages . Acidified products in the leachate from the leaching beds are converted to methane in the UASB reactor . The MUSTAC process demonstrated that it was capable of removing 84.9% of volatile solids (VS) and converting 85.6% of biochemical methane potential (BMP) into methane at 10.9 kg VS/m3 x d in 10 days . Methane gas production rate was 2.31 m3/m3 x d . The output from the post-treatment of residues in the same leaching bed without troublesome moving met the Korean regulation on compost, indicating that it could be used for soil amendment. Environ Sci Technol, 2002 Aug 1, 36(15), 3290 - 4 Dechlorination of chlorobenzenes by a culture containing bacterium DF-1, a PCB dechlorinating microorganism; Wu Q et al.; Polychlorinated benzenes were reductively dechlorinated by an enrichment culture containing the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) dechlorinating bacterium DF-1 . The culture dechlorinated hexachlorobenzene (hexa-CB) --> pentachlorobenzene (penta-CB) --> 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene (1,2,3,5-CB) --> 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene (1,3,5-CB) and did not dechlorinate other tetrachlorobenzenes or any trichlorobenzenes . This restricted series of reactions is the most predominant and frequently reported pathway for the dechlorination of hexa-CB and penta-CB by enrichment cultures inoculated with either freshwater or estuarine sediments . The culture did not dechlorinate hydroxylated and methoxylated polychlorinated benzenes or a hydroxylated PCB . Bacterium DF-1 was detected by PCR/DGGE analysis following dechlorination of penta-CB but was not detected when a chlorinated benzene (CB) was not dechlorinated; detection of other members in the communitywas unaffected by the presence or absence of CB dechlorination . This is the first report of a bacterium that reductively dechlorinates both PCBs and CBs and the first identification of an organism that can dechlorinate a CB with more than four chlorines. Water Res, 2002 Jul, 36(13), 3193 - 202 Biological leaching of Mn, Al, Zn, Cu and Ti in an anaerobic sewage sludge effectuated by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and its effect on metal partitioning; Lombardi AT et al.; The chemical fractionation and bioleaching of Mn, Al, Zn, Cu and Ti in municipal sewage sludge were investigated using Thiobacillus ferrooxidans as leaching microorganism . As a result of the bacterial activity, ORP increase and pH reduction were observed . Metal solubilization was accomplished only in experimental systems supplemented with energy source (Fe(II)) . The solubilization efficiency approached approximately 80% for Mn and Zn, 24% for Cu, 10% for Al and 0.2% for Ti . The chemical fractionation of Mn, Al, Zn, Cu and Ti was investigated using a five-step sequential extraction procedure employing KNO3, KF, Na4P2O7, EDTA and HNO3 . The results show that the bioleaching process affected the partitioning of Mn and Zn, increasing its percentage of elution in the KNO3 fraction while reducing it in the KF, Na4P2O7 and EDTA fractions . No significant effect was detected on the partitioning of Cu and Al . However, quantitatively the metals Mn, Zn, Cu and Al were extracted with higher efficiency after the bacterial activity . Titanium was unaffected by the bioleaching process in both qualitative and quantitative aspects. J Chromatogr A, 2002 Jul 19, 963(1-2), 411 - 8 Detection of explosives and their degradation products in soil environments; Halasz A et al.; Polynitro organic explosives {hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT)} are typical labile environmental pollutants that can biotransform with soil indigenous microorganisms, photodegrade by sunlight and migrate through subsurface soil to cause groundwater contamination . To be able to determine the type and concentration of explosives and their (bio)transformation products in different soil environments, a comprehensive analytical methodology of sample preparation, separation and detection is thus required . The present paper describes the use of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2), acetonitrile (MeCN) (US Environmental Protection Agency Method 8330) and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) for the extraction of explosives and their degradation products from various water, soil and plant tissue samples for subsequent analysis by either HPLC-UV, capillary electrophoresis (CE-UV) or GC-MS . Contaminated surface and subsurface soil and groundwater were collected from either a TNT manufacturing facility or an anti-tank firing range . Plant tissue samples were taken fromplants grown in anti-tank firing range soil in a greenhouse experiment . All tested soil and groundwater samples from the former TNT manufacturing plant were found to contain TNT and some of its amino reduced and partially denitrated products . Their concentrations as determined by SPME-GC-MS and LC-UV depended on the location of sampling at the site . In the case of plant tissues, SC-CO2 extraction followed by CE-UV analysis showed only the presence of HMX . The concentrations of HMX (<200 mg/kg) as determined by supercritical fluid extraction (SC-CO2)-CE-UV were comparable to those obtained by MeCN extraction, although the latter technique was found to be more efficient at higher concentrations (>300 mg/kg) . Modifiers such as MeCN and water enhanced the SC-CO2 extractability of HMX from plant tissues. Microb Ecol, 2002 Jul, 44(1), 59 - 68 Epub 2002 Apr 04. Effectiveness of municipal waste compost and its humic fraction in suppressing Pythium ultimum; Pascual JA et al.; The effect of addition of a municipal solid waste (MSW) compost and its water-soluble and humic fraction to suppress the effect of Pythium ultimum on pea plants was studied and compared with that of a chemical pesticide (metalaxyl) . The biotic and abiotic characteristics of compost involved in the biocontrol effects of these materials were also evaluated . The addition into soil of whole composts and their humic fractions reduced the effect of the pathogen on pea plants, significantly reducing the number of root lesions and Pythium populations and avoiding reductions of plant growth . The greatest pathogen suppression was achieved with the chemical pesticide . However, it also caused a significant decrease in the number of nontarget bacteria and fungi and on beneficial soil microorganisms such as Trichoderma and Pseudomonas . Addition of organic amendments increased population size of nontarget and specific biocontrol microorganisms . The humic fraction showed similar results to compost . All this suggests that metalaxyl has a nonspecific effect, producing adverse effects on aspects of soil quality . This was avoided if the chemical pesticide was reduced and replaced by organic amendments such as an MSW compost or its humic fraction. Biol Pharm Bull, 2002 Aug, 25(8), 945 - 53 Regulating factors for microglial activation; Nakamura Y; Microglia, residential macrophages in the central nervous system, can release a variety of factors including cytokines, chemokines, etc . to regulate the communication among neuronal and other types of glial cells . Microglia play immunological roles in mechanisms underlying the phagocytosis of invading microorganisms and removal of dead or damaged cells . When microglia are hyperactivated due to a certain pathological imbalance, they may cause neuronal degeneration . Pathological activation of microglia has been reported in a wide range of conditions such as cerebral ischemia, Alzheimer's disease, prion diseases, multiple sclerosis, AIDS dementia, and others . Nearly 5000 papers on microglia can be retrieved on the Web site PubMed at present (November 2001) and half of them were published within the past 5 years . Although it is not possible to read each paper in detail, as many factors as possible affecting microglial functions in in vitro culture systems are presented in this review . The factors are separated into "activators" and "inhibitors," although it is difficult to classify many of them . An overview on these factors may help in the development of a new strategy for the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases. Orig Life Evol Biosph, 2002 Apr, 32(2), 103 - 27 D-amino acids in living higher organisms; Fujii N; The homochirality of biological amino acids (L-amino acids) and of the RNA/DNA backbone (D-ribose) might have become established before the origin of life . It has been considered that D-amino acids and L-sugars were eliminated on the primitive Earth . Therefore, the presence and function of D-amino acids in living organisms have not been studied except for D-amino acids in the cell walls of microorganisms . However, D-amino acids were recently found in various living higher organisms in the form of free amino acids, peptides, and proteins . Free D-aspartate and D-serine are present and may have important physiological functions in mammals . D-amino acids in peptides are well known as opioid peptides and neuropeptides . In protein, D-aspartate residues increase during aging . This review deals with recent advances in the study of D-amino acids in higher organisms. Dent Traumatol, 2002 Apr, 18(2), 47 - 56 The role of endodontics in the treatment of luxated permanent teeth; Barnett F; Pulp necrosis is a common complication following traumatic dental injuries and is related to the type and severity of the injury, as well as to the stage of development of the injured tooth . Endodontic intervention is required when there are clinical and radiographic signs of pulpal infection and its sequelae . Arrested tooth development with periradicular pathosis, external inflammatory root resorption, sinus tract formation and pain on percussion are indicative of root-canal infection in the post-traumatized teeth, and require immediate endodontic treatment . The use of calcium hydroxide in the treatment of teeth with post-traumatic pulp necrosis and its sequelae has been shown to be extremely beneficial for the long-term retention of the injured teeth . Calcium hydroxide has been shown to arrest and repair external inflammatory root resorptive defects, eliminate the endodontopathic microorganisms from the root canal system and induce hard-tissue barrier formation at the apex of non-vital immature teeth . This paper reviews the endodontic treatment required by post-traumatic non-vital permanent teeth. Wiad Lek, 2002, 55(3-4), 158 - 63 {Antibodies seroprevalence for mycoplasma pneumoniae antigens in patients with bronchial asthma}; Friedek D et al.; Microorganisms causing respiratory system infections, mainly viruses but also bacteria, among which there are atypical such as Chlamydophila pneumoniae, play a role in etiopathogenesis of bronchial asthma . Mycoplasma pneumoniae is suggested to take part in the initiation and the bronchial asthma exacerbation . The aim of the paper was to determine the frequency of occurrence of anti-Mycoplasma pneumoniae antibodies in serum of patients suffering from bronchial asthma in comparison with the control group of healthy persons . The presence of IgG, IgM and IgA class anti-Mycoplasma pneumoniae antibodies was assessed by immunoenzymatic assay ELISA . Serologic markers of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection were more frequently observed in patients with bronchial asthma (15%) than in the control group (5.13%) . The diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is especially important in patients with bronchial asthma . The pathogen causing bronchial hyperreactivity is eliminated by the appropriate antibiotic therapy, which allows reducing the dose of inhaled corticosteroids . The immunoenzymatic assay determining the level and class of specific antibodies to find mycoplasmatic infection quickly and precisely. Int Microbiol, 2002 Jun, 5(2), 65 - 71 Biology of killer yeasts; Marquina D et al.; Killer yeasts secrete proteinaceous killer toxins lethal to susceptible yeast strains . These toxins have no activity against microorganisms other than yeasts, and the killer strains are insensitive to their own toxins . Killer toxins differ between species or strains, showing diverse characteristics in terms of structural genes, molecular size, mature structure and immunity . The mechanisms of recognizing and killing sensitive cells differ for each toxin . Killer yeasts and their toxins have many potential applications in environmental, medical and industrial biotechnology . They are also suitable to study the mechanisms of protein processing and secretion, and toxin interaction with sensitive cells . This review focuses on the biological diversity of the killer toxins described up to now and their potential biotechnological applications. J AOAC Int, 2002 Jul-Aug, 85(4), 979 - 83 Rapid detection of single cell bacteria as a novel approach in food microbiology; D'Haese E et al.; Solid-phase cytometry (SPC) is a novel technique that allows rapid detection of bacteria at the single cell level, without the need for a growth phase . After filtration of the sample, the retained microorganisms are fluorescently labeled on the membrane filter and automatically counted by a laser scanning device . Each fluorescent spot can be visually inspected with an epifluorescence microscope connected to the ChemScan by a computer-driven moving stage . Depending on the fluorogenic labels used, information on the identity and the physiological status of the microorganisms can be obtained within a few hours . Although SPC was originally recommended for the determination of the total viable microbial count in water and other liquid samples, it may also be a promising technique for the detection and enumeration of bacteria in food samples, provided they can be isolated from the unfilterable matrix . The short detection time inherent in this approach is a considerable advantage over conventional plate counting, especially for slow-growing microorganisms . The basic principles of SPC are discussed as well as its potential for the detection of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, a model example of a slow-growing bacterium in milk. Rev Argent Microbiol, 2002 Apr-Jun, 34(2), 57 - 65 {Inhibition of the proteolytic activity of Helicobacter pylori by mouse immune serum}; Gonzalez Segovia R et al.; The proteolytic activity (PA) of some microorganisms is an important pathogenic factor during tissue invasion . However, its role in Helicobacter pylori infection is not clear . Due to the importance of the immunological response to inhibit pathogenic factors of microorganisms, this study aims to establish an in vitro system to detect inhibitory antibodies to the PA of H . pylori in mouse serum . We obtained mouse sera from animals immunized by oral and intraperitoneal inoculations with the raw bacterial extract (BE) of H . pylori, in which we had previously detected PA . The degradation of azocasein subtract for BE was inhibited in 49.23% and 22.6% using 5 micrograms/ml of serum proteins (SP) from oral and intraperitoneal inoculation, respectively . However, when using more than 25 micrograms/ml of SP of immune serum, PA was inhibited in a similar way than with control serum . In conclusion we present a methodology for the detection of inhibitory antibodies to PA of H . pylori in the serum of the immunized mouse. Rev Argent Microbiol, 2002 Apr-Jun, 34(2), 100 - 3 {Quantitative cultures from catheters, using the Brun Buisson technique}; Soloaga R et al.; The objective of this collaborative work carried out in the Fundacion Favaloro and the Fundacion para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurologicas de la Infancia, was to determine optimal conditions for incubation (time and atmosphere) of quantitative cultures of catheters processed according to the technique of vortex agitation (Brun Buisson method) . From 689 processed catheters, 551 yielded negative cultures . From the 138 positive cultures, 125 yielded monomicrobial cultures and 13 polimicrobial cultures (total number of microorganisms was 151) . In the last situation each micoorganism was considered on an individual basis . A total of 58 episodes of catheter related bacteremias occurred, being 52 monomicrobial and 6 polimicrobial (total number of microorganisms was 64) . When colony counts were compared in aerobic and in 5-10% CO2 atmospheres, a very good correlation was obtained (p = 0.27; r2 = 0.9268) . No advantage was observed by incubating plates for more than 48 hours . Colony counts performed at the second versus the third day, and at the second day versus the seventh, gave very good correlation (p = 0.10 and r2 = 0.9996; p = 0.31 and r2 = 0.9995, respectively). Curr Opin Biotechnol, 2002 Jun, 13(3), 262 - 6 Fish spoilage bacteria--problems and solutions; Gram L et al.; Microorganisms are the major cause of spoilage of most seafood products . However, only a few members of the microbial community, the specific spoilage organisms (SSOs), give rise to the offensive off-flavours associated with seafood spoilage . Combining microbial ecology, molecular techniques, analytical chemistry, sensory analysis and mathematical modelling allows us to characterise the SSOs and to develop methods to determine, predict and extend the shelf life of products. Curr Opin Biotechnol, 2002 Jun, 13(3), 213 - 7 Molecular community analysis of microbial diversity; Dahllof I; New technologies that avoid the need for either gene amplification (e.g . microarrays) or nucleic acid extraction (e.g . in situ PCR) have recently been implemented in microbial ecology . Together with new approaches for culturing microorganisms and an increased understanding of the biases of molecular methods, these techniques form the most exciting advances in this field during the past year. Rev Gastroenterol Peru, 1997 Sep, 17(3), 203 - 213 {DUODENAL PEPTIC ULCER TREATMENT BY H . PYLORI ERADICATION: CONTROLED RANDOMIZED STUDY}; Paucar H et al.; As Helicobacter pylori infection represents a very important causal factor in the development of duodenal peptic ulcer, several therapeutic trials have been developed in order to obtain an efficient eradication of the microorganism . The aim of our study has been to evaluate, in patients with duodenal peptic ulcer, the effect of double antibiotic short therapy associated to famotidine on the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, cicatrization of ulcerous lesion and the histological changes after the treatment . Forty patients with duodenal ulcer and Helicobacter pylori infection were distributed al random in two groups (I and II) . Group I received tetracycline 2 gr per day plus furazolidone 400 mg per day for a week, and famotidine 40 mg per day for four weeks . Group II received just famotidine 40 mg per day for six weeks . Al the initial endoscopy, four biopsies were taken from the gastric antrurn for histological study and determination of Helicobacter pylori . The endoscopy was repeated between 6 and 8 weeks after the beginning of the antibiotic treatment, when four biopsies were taken again from the gastric antrum with the same purpose, and the results were compared . Twenty-eight patients completed the study, 14 in group I and 14 in group II . Helicobacter pylori eradication was obtained in 85,7% of patients in group I and 0% in group II (p=0.00002) . Ulcer cicatrization was obtained in 100% of patients of group I compared to 85,7% of patients of group II (p=0.48) . The histological degree of gastritis significantly diminished after the treatment in patients of Group I, in relation to the histological parameters of severity (p=0,002), activity (p=0,00002) and presence of lymphoid follicles (p=0.02) . These changes were not significantly observed in group II . Two patients of group I had mild sideeffects (14,3%), and none of them was observed in group II (p=0.48) . We concluded that the treatment used (tetracycline + furazolidone) was highly efficacious in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, as well as in the cicatrization, reduction of antral gastric mucous inflammation, and a low rate of side-effects. J Virol Methods, 2002 Aug, 105(1), 123 - 32 Simultaneous detection and identification of hepatitis A virus and rotavirus by multiplex nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) and microtiter plate hybridization system; Jean J et al.; Human rotavirus and hepatitis A virus (HAV) are two of the most common causes of virus-mediated food-borne illness . Epidemiological investigations of outbreaks associated with these viruses have been hindered by the lack of available methods for their detection in foodstuffs . In this study, a multiplex nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) system was developed to detect specifically and simultaneously human rotavirus and HAV . Two sets of primers selected from published nucleic acid sequences were used in the NASBA mixture to amplify viral RNA from both viruses . Denaturing gel electrophoresis revealed two distinct RNA products with 268 and 474 nucleotides amplified from rotavirus and HAV, respectively . The specificity of the multiplex NASBA was confirmed by a microtiter plate hybridization and detection system and by Northern blot analysis using specific oligonucleotide probes . The presence of non-homologous nucleic acid and non-target microorganisms did not have any effect on the specificity of the multiplex NASBA . Using the optimized NASBA and microtiter plate hybridization conditions, as little as 400 PFU ml x (-1) of HAV and 40 PFU ml x (-1) of rotavirus were detected . The multiplex NASBA system offers advantages over monoplex virus detection systems in terms of turnaround time and cost-effectiveness. Am J Ind Med, 2002 Jun, 41(6), 498 - 505 Exposure to culturable microorganisms in paper mills and presence of symptoms associated with infections; Haug T et al.; BACKGROUND: Previous studies of paper machine operators have to a large extent focused on endotoxins as a possible health hazard, but not culturable micro-organisms (MOs) . METHODS: Based on exposure assessment in 11 paper mills workers exposed to culturable bio-aerosols were grouped in three exposure groups . 781 exposed and 285 unexposed workers completed a questionnaire that provided data pertaining to infections and associated symptoms . RESULTS: Concentrations of culturable bacteria in process waters varied in the range 10(4)-10(6) colony forming units (cfu)/ml, and in bio-aerosols concentrations varied typically in the range 10(4)-->10(5) cfu/m3 . Operators exposed to bio-aerosols reported higher cumulative incidence of symptoms associated with infections compared to the reference population (ORs = 1.7-5.9), and the group of highest exposed workers reported higher cumulative incidence than the group of lowest exposed (ORs = 1.2-3.6) . CONCLUSION: Exposure to bio-aerosols containing culturable MOs may induce symptoms associated with infections among operators in paper mills. Clin Immunol, 2002 Jun, 103(3 Pt 1), 296 - 302 Human gamma delta T cells induce dendritic cell maturation; Ismaili J et al.; gamma delta T cells are known to be involved in the innate immune defenses against infectious microorganisms . Herein, we considered that gamma delta T cells could also influence adaptative immunity by interacting with dendritic cells (DC) in the early phase of the immune response . To investigate this hypothesis, gamma delta T cells isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy volunteers were cocultured with autologous monocyte-derived dendritic cells, which were subsequently analyzed for their expression of key surface molecules and for their production of IL-12 . First, we found that gamma delta T cells induced the upregulation of HLA-DR, CD86, and CD83 on DC . This effect did not require cell to cell contact and could be blocked by a neutralizing anti-TNF antibody . We then observed that gamma delta T cells activated by the synthetic phosphoantigen bromohydrin pyrophosphate (BrHPP) induced the production of IL-12 (p40) and IL-12 (p70) by DC, an effect that involved IFN-gamma production . The relevance of this finding to DC function was demonstrated by the increased production of IFN-gamma by alloreactive T cells when stimulated in a mixed leucocyte reaction with DC preincubated with activated gamma delta T cells . We conclude that gamma delta T cell activation might result in DC maturation and thereby in enhanced alpha beta T cell responses. Clin Infect Dis, 2002 Sep 1, 35(Suppl 1), S72 - 7 DNA probes and primers in dental practice; Conrads G; In clinical microbiology, molecular genetic techniques are increasingly being used to detect and/or differentiate uncultivable, anaerobic, or fastidious microorganisms . During the past decade, DNA probe hybridization and in vitro amplification by polymerase chain reaction have also been introduced to detect oral pathogens . The present review describes experiences with methods and commercial test systems for the detection of pathogens in periodontitis and caries. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 2002 Jul, 21(7), 546 - 8 Epub 2002 Jul 12. Improved decontamination method for recovering mycobacteria from patients with cystic fibrosis; Bange FC et al.; In order to improve the recovery of mycobacteria from patients with cystic fibrosis, the present study evaluated a two-step decontamination procedure for clinical specimens . A total of 920 specimens obtained from 239 patients with cystic fibrosis were treated initially with N-acetyl-L-cysteine/sodium hydroxide . Of these specimens, 31 (3.3%) showed mycobacterial growth and 415 (45.1%) remained contaminated . Contaminated specimens were then subjected to a second round of decontamination, using a combination of N-acetyl-L-cysteine/sodium hydroxide and oxalic acid . Following this second decontamination, the number of specimens overgrown by microorganisms other than mycobacteria was reduced to 7.3%, and an additional 10 specimens positive for mycobacteria were found . The results suggest this two-step protocol could improve the recovery of mycobacteria from heavily contaminated specimens. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 2002 Aug, 59(4-5), 523 - 8 Epub 2002 Jun 27. Comparison of green fluorescent protein expression in two industrial Escherichia coli strains, BL21 and W3110, under co-expression of bacterial hemoglobin; Kang DG et al.; Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb) has been successfully used to enhance production of foreign proteins in several microorganisms including Escherichia coli . We compared the expression of an oxygen-dependent foreign protein, green fluorescent protein (GFP) under co-expression of VHb in two typical industrial E . coli strains, BL21 (a B derivative) and W3110 (a K12 derivative), which have different metabolic properties . We employed the nar oxygen-dependent promoter for self-tuning regulation of VHb expression due to the natural transition of dissolved oxygen (DO) level during culture . We observed several interesting and differing behaviors in cultures of the two strains . VHb co-expression showed a positive influence on expression, and even on solubility, of GFP in both strains; while strain BL21 had the higher GFP expression level, W3110 showed higher solubility of expressed GFP . GFP expression in strain BL21 was very largely affected by variation of aeration environments, but W3110 was not significantly impacted . We surmised that this arose from different oxygen utilization abilities and indeed the two strains showed different patterns of oxygen uptake rate . Interestingly, the VHb co-expressing W3110 strain exhibited a peculiar increasing pattern of GFP expression during the late culture period even under low aeration conditions and this enhancement was more obvious in large-scale cultures . Therefore, this strain could be successfully employed in practical large-scale production cultures where DO levels tend to be limited. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop, 2002 Jul-Aug, 35(4), 395 - 9 Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of the severe pulmonary form of leptospirosis; Silva JJ et al.; Four cases of severe pulmonary form of leptospirosis (SPFL) are described . In all four of these blood culture proven cases, there was severe pulmonary injury characterized by alveolar hemorrhage and acute respiratory failure . Three patients died in less than 48 hours after onset of the first respiratory signs . Leptospiral antigen detection in lung tissues was positive by immunoperoxidase in all three of these cases, suggesting that the microorganism exerts a local direct destructive action . Patients with SPFL should be carefully monitored, as the abrupt onset of severe alveolar hemorrhage can lead to respiratory insufficiency and death . The authors emphasize the importance of radiological findings and blood gas analysis for prompt clinical diagnosis, and suggest that corticosteroids, associated with antibiotics, early respiratory support, and platelet transfusions are useful as an attempt to prevent further development of SPFL. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 2002 Aug, 110(2 Suppl), S21 - 6 Blood-borne pathogens and nosocomial infections; Goldmann DA; Guidelines to prevent the transmission of blood-borne infections have evolved rapidly since the recognition that "serum hepatitis" could be transmitted to health care personnel via percutaneous exposure to blood . The HIV epidemic focused renewed attention on the problem of protecting health care personnel, culminating in "standard precautions" for patient care, which emphasized the use of gloves for all contact with blood and body fluids . This focus on protection of the health care worker sometimes obscures the other important functions of gloves: protection of patients from microorganisms on the hands of providers and prevention of patient-to-patient transmission of nosocomial pathogens . The risk of infection after percutaneous exposure to the 3 major blood-borne viruses-hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV-varies greatly . The risk for a nonimmune individual exposed to HBV may be >30% if the source is Hb(e)Ag-positive . The average infection rate for HCV is 1.8% . For HIV, the average risk is 0.3%, but is higher with deep injury, when there is visible blood on the device, when a needle has been in an artery or vein, or when the source patient is in the terminal phase of HIV . Prompt administration of anti-HIV therapy reduces risk by about 80% . Mucous membrane and cutaneous exposures carry less risk . Recent efforts to reduce needlestick injuries in hospitals have reduced the risk to health care providers . Surgeons and other health care professionals who are infected with HIV or HCV pose a very small risk to their patients, although a number of outbreaks have been traced to surgeons who are HBV carriers; most have been Hb(e)Ag-positive. J Contemp Dent Pract . 2000 Nov 15;1(4):103. Strategic planning for infection control; Palenik CJ; Proper infection control procedures help to protect dental practitioners, patients, and the surrounding community . The two basic goals of dental asepsis are simple and straightforward: minimize the spread of potentially pathogenic microorganisms and neutralize organisms that have contaminated dental instruments, equipment, and other office environmental surfaces . Meeting these goals, however, can be complicated . A valuable tool would be the generation and maintenance of a written set of infection control procedures ("an office infection control manual") . One way to organize a procedures manual is to arrange required tasks in response to specific pathways of cross-infection . Also, the effectiveness of an infection control program can be positively affected by office design. J Contemp Dent Pract, 2000 Feb 15, 1(2), 28 - 41 Denture hygiene: a review and update; Shay K; Growth in the aging population has resulted in an increasing number of older persons requiring dentures . The microporous surfaces of an acrylic denture provide a wide range of environments to support microorganisms that can threaten the health of a physically vulnerable patient . The maintenance of denture prostheses is important for the health of patients and to maintain an esthetic, odor-free appliance . Mechanical, chemical, and a combination of mechanical and chemical strategies are available to patients to facilitate denture hygiene . Brushing is an ineffective method of denture disinfection . Household bleach or vinegar are effective as are the commercial, effervescent products sold for denture soaking . A new denture cleaner contains silicone polymer that provides a protective coating for dentures as a final step in the cleaning process . The coating helps to minimize the adhesion of accretions to the denture throughout the day until the next cleaning . Dental professionals must have a current knowledge of denture cleansing strategies in order to maximize the service offered to denture patients. Surg Endosc, 2002 Jul, 16(7), 1091 - 7 Epub 2002 Apr 09. Specific hygiene issues relating to reprocessing and reuse of single-use devices for laparoscopic surgery; Roth K et al.; OBJECTIVE: To determine whether reprocessed single-use devices (SUD) would (1) meet regulatory standards for sterility, and (2) meet the same material standards as new devices or if they pose an infection risk to other patients . DESIGN: The study included in the first stage single-use laparoscopic dissection devices and in the second stage a variety of clinically used and reprocessed SUDs . The suitability of these devices for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization was examined . METHODS: Testing of cleanability was conducted on devices contaminated with radioactively labeled blood . Instruments were cleaned using hospital recommended practices . Gamma counts/second were determined before and after cleaning to localize contaminants, which were additionally visualized using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) . X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to quantify contamination elements on the materials tested . Residual bioburden testing on instruments contaminated with microorganisms suspended in blood prior to reprocessing was carried out to establish the efficacy of disinfection and sterilization . RESULTS: During the first stage of the study all devices remained contaminated after cleaning, but were effectively disinfected . Sterilization could not eliminate the challenge microorganisms completely . The findings during the second stage--examination of clinically used devices--were as follows: 11% of the sterile packages were damaged; 33% of the devices were incomplete and parts were missing; 54% did not meet the criteria for functionality; light microscopy, SEM, and XPS showed contamination on the outside and inside of all devices . Of the tested SUDs, 40% remained unsterile following resterilization.CONCLUSIONS: None of the reprocessed SUDs were effectively cleaned or sterilized . This may provide an opportunity for survival and growth of non-resistant or nosocomial organisms and viruses . The use of such inadequately reprocessed SUDs increases the risk for the patient, and can lead to nosocomial infection and to legal consequences for the health care facility. Clin Exp Immunol, 2002 Aug, 129(2), 359 - 69 Combination of molecular mimicry and aberrant autoantigen expression is important for development of anti-Fas ligand autoantibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus; Mihara S et al.; We have reported previously that circulating anti-Fas ligand (FasL) autoantibodies able to inhibit Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis were present in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) . In the present study, we describe the epitopes recognized by these anti-FasL autoantibodies . Rabbit antihuman antibody, raised against a FasL fragment consisting of amino acids (aa) 103-179 (fragment 2.0), inhibited Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis, whereas an antibody against a FasL aa 103-146 fragment (fragment 1.0) did not . This suggested that an epitope around aa 146-179 was important for Fas/FasL interaction . Epitope mapping of anti-FasL autoantibodies using deletion mutants indicated that the epitope was located around aa 163-179 . Three-dimensional molecular modelling of the Fas/FasL complex revealed that the aa 162-169 region was located on the outermost side of FasL, which suggested that the anti-FasL autoantibody would easily have access to the epitope . FasL point mutants involving aa positions 162-169 resulted in complete loss of apoptosis-inducing capability, which suggested that the aa 162-169 region was important for Fas/FasL interaction . A synthetic FasL peptide consisting of aa 161-170 blocked the binding of anti-FasL autoantibodies to FasL fragment 2.0 (aa 103-179) . The FasL aa 161-170 sequence was found to be highly homologous with aa sequences from several infectious agents . Synthetic peptides derived from some of these microorganisms cross-reacted with the epitope recognized by the autoantibodies, suggesting that several foreign infectious agent-derived proteins may share an epitope with human FasL . As lymphocytes from SLE patients aberrartly expressed FasL, it is possible that infection by one of several infectious agents may trigger cross-reactive antibody responses, after which aberrantly expressed endogenous FasL might induce the shift from a cross-reactive response to an authentic autoimmune response . Therefore, a combination of molecular mimicry and aberrant autoantigen expression may be important for the development of anti-FasL autoantibodies in SLE patients. Khirurgiia (Mosk), 2002, (7), 11 - 3 {Efficacy of clinical-serologic diagnosis of wound infection in burned patients}; Pal'tsyn AA et al.; Titer of antibodies to microorganisms obtained from wound and blood of 46 patients with burns of IIIAB--IV degree was studied . The majority of the burned patients have ability to synthesize antibodies . Agglutination of the bacteria by antibodies promoted location of infectious agent in primary focus and impeded bacteria to spread into blood and generalization of process . Not all microorganisms of wound provoke antibodies synthesis, i.e . wound infection . Therefore bacteriologic study must be supplemented by serum diagnosis . Detection of bacteria in the blood without serologic data do not permit to consider these bacteria as etiologic factor of wound infection. Biochim Biophys Acta, 2002 Jul 1, 1554(3), 202 - 11 Production and preliminary characterization of a recombinant triheme cytochrome c(7) from Geobacter sulfurreducens in Escherichia coli; Londer YY et al.; Multiheme cytochromes c have been found in a number of sulfate- and metal ion-reducing bacteria . Geobacter sulfurreducens is one of a family of microorganisms that oxidize organic compounds, with Fe(III) oxide as the terminal electron acceptor . A triheme 9.6 kDa cytochrome c(7) from G . sulfurreducens is a part of the metal ion reduction pathway . We cloned the gene for cytochrome c(7) and expressed it in Escherichia coli together with the cytochrome c maturation gene cluster, ccmABCDEFGH, on a separate plasmid . We designed two constructs, with and without an N-terminal His-tag . The untagged version provided a good yield (up to 6 mg/l of aerobic culture) of the fully matured protein, with all three hemes attached, while the N-terminal His-tag appeared to be detrimental for proper heme incorporation . The recombinant protein (untagged) is properly folded, it has the same molecular weight and displays the same absorption spectra, both in reduced and in oxidized forms, as the protein isolated from G . sulfurreducens and it is capable of reducing metal ions in vitro . The shape parameters for the recombinant cytochrome c(7) determined by small angle X-ray scattering are in good agreement with the ones calculated from a homologous cytochrome c(7) of known structure. Bioelectrochemistry, 2002 Sep, 57(2), 173 - 8 Effect of initial carbon sources on the electrochemical detection of glucose by Gluconobacter oxydans; Lee SA et al.; An electrochemical system consisted of Gluconobacter oxydans as a microorganism and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (HNQ) as a mediator has been setup to examine the effect of initial carbon sources on the detection of glucose . Catalytic current due to the oxidation of glucose was observed only when both G . oxydans and HNQ were present . From amperometric measurements, it was found that the sensitivity strongly depended on the initial carbon sources . The sensitivity was highest for the cells cultured in a fructose-containing medium and decreased in the order, mannitol > sucrose > glucose > galactose > glycerol . The difference in sensitivity was explained by considering the current rising pattern at an initial stage of a microbial fuel cell constructed with the same components . The rising time, not the fuel cell efficiency, could directly be related to the sensitivity order . A sensor where G . oxydans was confined at the vicinity of the electrode by the semipermeable membrane was constructed . A linear response over a millimolar range of glucose concentration was observed with a cell grown in galactose-containing medium . This work demonstrates that the initial carbon source play an important role on glucose sensoring and should be considered in a real application. Demos, 1990, (3), 25 - 6 {It is imperative to stop environmental degradation}; Leff E; PIP: Environmental demography deals with socioenvironmental determinants of demographic processes . The fertility decline of recent years in Mexico is not associated with economic transformation, as the economic crisis, poverty, unemployment, and social inequality have been barely mitigated . Mexico is mainly urban: 51% of the population lived in cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants in 1990 taking an increasing toll on the environment . The metropolitan area of Mexico City has 50% of industrial production with 36,000 industrial plants, 2100 of all 5400 chemical plants, 22% of total population, and 25% of economically active population . There are 3 million cars . 11,000 tons of solid waste is generated daily (75% domestic and 25% industrial), and 5 million tons of contaminants are emitted annually . Sulphur, dioxide, nitrogen, ozone, and suspended particulate levels often exceed international standards . In the federal district more than 1000 squatter colonies are without drainage that affects 5 million people; and 30% of the population is without a sewage network . There are 35 cities with over 100,000 population that cannot meet their needs of drinking water with the result of a high level of gastrointestinal ailments, enteritis, diarrhea, rabies, and dengue fever caused by pathogenic microorganisms, the major cause of mortality . The degradation of the environment produces a pathological environmental emergency from chemical contamination of the air and from exposure to industrial emissions, to agrochemical products and toxic substances, to lead, insecticides, arsenic, and asbestos . Mexico has one of the highest levels of lead in the blood and DDT in mother's milk . In Mexico City lead concentration of 5 mg/cubic meter in the air, 20 mg/100 ml in maternal blood, and 13 mg/100 ml in the umbilical cord was detected associated with retardation of mental development in the 1st year of life and chronic lead poisoning . Przegl Lek, 2002, 59(2), 125 - 8 {Perioperative infections in implantative surgery . Patogenesis and prevention}; Szczepanik AM et al.; The last decades have been witnessing rapid development of the implantation surgery . The use of artificial materials to replace damaged tissues has become more and more popular . One of the complications of these procedures is graft infection . The presence of foreign body can impair local host defence on the tissue level and reduce the number of contaminating microorganisms necessary for infection to 104-105 . The most common pathogens responsible for graft infections are S . epidermidis, S . aureus and other Gram + and Gram - bacteria . The sources of infection are numerous and include patients, operative, and personnel factors . Graft-related infections are hazardous to the patients and can have even fatal consequences . Due to the limited effectiveness of applied methods to treat graft infections, more attention should be paid to prophylactic measures . These should cover all range of problems related to hospital work organisation, adequate sanitary and epidemiological conditions in the hospital wards and operating theatres as well as the use of local and systemic perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2002 Jul 12, 295(2), 458 - 62 ORF2 gene involves in the construction of high-order structure of bacterial cellulose; Nakai T et al.; An ORF2 gene located upstream of the cellulose synthase (bcs) operon of Acetobacter xylinum BPR2001 was disrupted and a mutant (M2-2) was constructed . In static cultivation, the parent strain produced a tough, colorless, and insoluble cellulose pellicle, whereas M2-2 culture produced a thin, yellow, and fragile pellicle . The results of X-ray diffraction and 13C solid-state NMR indicated that the product of M2-2 is a mixture of cellulose I, cellulose II, and amorphous cellulose . The cellulose I to cellulose II ratio of the mixture was evaluated from the signal areas of C6 to be about 1:2 . Electron microscopy revealed that the product of M2-2 included ribbon-like cellulose and irregularly shaped particles attached to the ribbons . On the other hand, the mutant complemented with plasmid pSA-ORF2/k containing the ORF2 gene and BPR2001 produced only cellulose I . These results indicate that the ORF2 gene is involved in the production and crystallization of cellulose I microfibrils by this microorganism. Cell, 2002 Jul 26, 110(2), 191 - 202 IRAK-M is a negative regulator of Toll-like receptor signaling; Kobayashi K et al.; Toll-like receptors (TLRs) detect microorganisms and protect multicellular organisms from infection . TLRs transduce their signals through MyD88 and the serine/threonine kinase IRAK . The IRAK family consists of two active kinases, IRAK and IRAK-4, and two inactive kinases, IRAK-2 and IRAK-M . IRAK-M expression is restricted to monocytes/macrophages, whereas other IRAKs are ubiquitous . We show here that IRAK-M is induced upon TLR stimulation and negatively regulates TLR signaling . IRAK-M prevented dissociation of IRAK and IRAK-4 from MyD88 and formation of IRAK-TRAF6 complexes . IRAK-M(-/-) cells exhibited increased cytokine production upon TLR/IL-1 stimulation and bacterial challenge, and IRAK-M(-/-) mice showed increased inflammatory responses to bacterial infection . Endotoxin tolerance, a protection mechanism against endotoxin shock, was significantly reduced in IRAK-M(-/-) cells . Thus, IRAK-M regulates TLR signaling and innate immune homeostasis. Sci Total Environ, 2002 May 27, 291(1-3), 73 - 83 Cadmium biosorption by free and immobilised microorganisms cultivated in a liquid soil extract medium: effects of Cd, pH and techniques of culture; Lebeau T et al.; Instead of soil clean-up, a process not very technically and economically suited to agricultural soil contaminated by heavy metals (with a low concentration of heavy metals but highly or potentially highly contaminated surfaces), the control of the transfer of cadmium from the soil to the crops may well be a convenient method . We tested the bacterium ZAN-044, the actinomycete R27 and a basidiomycete Fomitopsis pinicola isolated for their ability to biosorb Cd, in order to inoculate agricultural soils afterwards . We then compared the cadmium biosorption by viable microbial cells which were free or immobilised in alginate beads and incubated in a soil extract liquid medium at various pH values (5, 6 and 7) and cadmium concentrations (1 and 10 mg/l) . The Cd concentration in the medium had the most important effect on the percentage of Cd biosorbed by the microorganisms, but the culture mode (free or immobilised cells) was not a side effect . In the case of F . pinicola and the actinomycete R27, the percentage of Cd biosorbed by free cells did not decrease when the Cd concentration in the medium increased (6-42% at the lowest Cd concentration to 11-48% at 10 mg Cd/l) . On the other hand, with a low Cd concentration (1 mg Cd/l), the percentage of Cd biosorbed by the bacterium ZAN-044 was maximum (69%) at pH 7, while this bacterium did not grow at 10 mg Cd/l and it did not accumulate Cd . For the three micro-organisms tested, relatively low specific biosorptions of Cd were observed, when the microorganisms were cultivated with a soil extract medium ('poor' medium), comparatively to those with a 'rich' medium . Finally, the choice of microorganism for the inoculation of contaminated soils depends on the cadmium level in the medium and on the distribution of the metal between the biomass and the medium. J Clin Microbiol, 2002 Aug, 40(8), 2725 - 8 PCR-based method for detecting viral penetration of medical exam gloves; Broyles JM et al.; The test approved by the U.S . Food and Drug Administration for assessment of the barrier quality of medical exam gloves includes visual inspection and a water leak test . Neither method tests directly the ability of gloves to prevent penetration by microorganisms . Methods that use microorganisms (viruses and bacteria) to test gloves have been developed but require classical culturing of the organism to detect it . We have developed a PCR assay for bacteriophage phiX174 that allows the rapid detection of penetration of gloves by this virus . The method is suitable for use with both latex and synthetic gloves . The presence of glove powder on either latex or synthetic gloves had no effect on the ability of the PCR assay to detect bacteriophage DNA . The assay is rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive; requires only small sample volumes; and can be automated. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol, 2002 Jul, 52(Pt 4), 1277 - 83 Thalassospira lucentensis gen . nov., sp . nov., a new marine member of the alpha-Proteobacteria; Lopez-Lopez A et al.; A novel bacterium from the Mediterranean Sea was isolated under oligotrophic conditions at in situ temperature after prolonged continuous culture . The isolates were initially characterized by partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing . Similarity searches of one of the isolates, QMT2T, indicated high sequence identity to the well-characterized Rhodospirillum rubrum, {Aquaspirillum} itersonii and {Oceanospirillum} pusillum micro-organisms, which are representatives of the alpha-subclass of the Proteobacteria . The highest level of similarity of the complete 165 rRNA gene with respect to these microorganisms was 89% . Features such as the low similarities of 165 rRNA of QMT2T with its phylogenetically close neighbours, the distinct G+C content, and the differences in phenotypic features, including pigmentation, fatty acid composition, salt tolerance, the lack of bacteriochlorophyll a, and the capacity to use carbohydrates as carbon sources, are indicative of the novel nature of the isolate QMT2T among the alpha-Proteobacteria . This report describes the classification of strain QMT2T (= DSM 14000T = CECT 5390T) as a new genus and species, Thalassospira lucentensis gen . nov, sp . nov., in the family Rhodospirillaceae. Annu Rev Phytopathol, 2002, 40, 309 - 48 Epub 2002 May 13. Microbial populations responsible for specific soil suppressiveness to plant pathogens; Weller DM et al.; Agricultural soils suppressive to soilborne plant pathogens occur worldwide, and for several of these soils the biological basis of suppressiveness has been described . Two classical types of suppressiveness are known . General suppression owes its activity to the total microbial biomass in soil and is not transferable between soils . Specific suppression owes its activity to the effects of individual or select groups of microorganisms and is transferable . The microbial basis of specific suppression to four diseases, Fusarium wilts, potato scab, apple replant disease, and take-all, is discussed . One of the best-described examples occurs in take-all decline soils . In Washington State, take-all decline results from the buildup of fluorescent Pseudomonas spp . that produce the antifungal metabolite 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol . Producers of this metabolite may have a broader role in disease-suppressive soils worldwide . By coupling molecular technologies with traditional approaches used in plant pathology and microbiology, it is possible to dissect the microbial composition and complex interactions in suppressive soils. Sci Total Environ, 2002 Jun 26, 292(3), 215 - 29 Soiling and decay of N.M.E.P . limestone tablets; Viles HA et al.; The British National Materials Exposure Programme (N.M.E.P.) ran from 1987 to 1995 and involved exposure of a range of materials samples (including tablets of Monks Park and Portland Limestones) at over 20 sites around Britain for 1-, 2-, 4- and 8-year periods, under known climate and pollution conditions . Deterioration of the limestone tablets has previously been recorded in terms of weight change, contents of soluble salts, and visual soiling . In the present study samples from exposed and sheltered positions at Wells, Bolsover and Lough Navar have been studied using a spectrophotometer, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate the distribution and nature of particulate material and its role in soiling and decay . Clearly, recognisable pollutant particles such as perforated cenospheres, are only rarely present . Organisms and organic remains, including filamentous microorganisms and pollen grains, are widely distributed . At each site, soiling has different characteristics in terms of composition and change over time related in part to differences in climate and pollution histories . There is no general link between degree of soiling and amount of decay (in terms of surface recession) as the nature of decay is a key influence on the relation between soiling and decay. Huan Jing Ke Xue, 2002 May, 23(3), 49 - 52 {Effect of the COD and total phosphorus concentration on biological phosphorus removal supplied with acetate as a sole carbon source}; Ruan W et al.; The effect of the concentration of acetate and total phosphorus on biological phosphorus removal process in sequencing batch reactor fed with sodium acetate (as sole carbon source) was studied in this paper . The reason of the inefficiency of phosphorus removal by sludge fed with high concentration acetate solution was analyzed . The results indicated that when COD < 600 mg.L-1 the phosphorus removal increased with the increase of COD/TP; and this removal increased obviously when COD/TP < 50 but not when COD/TP > 50 . The phosphorus removal descended at high acetate concentration (COD > 600 mg.L-1) and broke down when COD > 1000 mg.L-1 . It is the transmission of high acetate concentration from the anaerobic stage to the aerobic stage that led to the proliferation of the filamentous microorganism and the expansion of sludge, then polyP bacteria was wash out, which resulted in the drop of phosphorus removal. Eur Surg Res, 2002 Jul-Aug, 34(4), 275 - 84 Phagocytosis by emigrated, intra-abdominal neutrophils is depressed during human secondary peritonitis; Holzer K et al.; The phagocytic function of neutrophils is a crucial element in host defense against invading microorganisms . Patients with diffuse peritonitis depend on adequate reactivity of neutrophils, in particular locally in the peritoneal cavity as well as in the circulation . This study examined phagocytosis as well as numerical expression of Fcgamma I-III (CD16, CD32, CD64) and complement receptors (CD18, CD35) of emigrated, intra-abdominal and circulating neutrophils during human secondary peritonitis using fluorescence-activated cell analysis . Optimally opsonized E . coli bacteria were used independently of the well-known low level of opsonic molecules during peritonitis . Compared with controls (abdominal surgery without peritonitis), the percentage of emigrated neutrophils which engulfed E . coli bacteria was significantly depressed until 48 h after diagnosis of, and surgery for, peritonitis . When patients with complicated peritonitis (septic shock, multiple organ failure) were compared with patients without complications, phagocytosis was even more depressed in patients with complications . Numerical expression of CD64 (Fcgamma RI) and CD35 (CR1) increased significantly on emigrated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) during peritonitis when compared to controls . There was no difference in CD18 and CD32 (Fcgamma RII) expression between the two groups . Numerical expression of CD16 (Fcgamma RIII) on emigrated PMNs decreased significantly in peritonitis . This was more pronounced in patients with complicated peritonitis . We conclude that there is a long-lasting depression of phagocytosis by emigrated PMNs during peritonitis, independent of the opsonic activity . Our data suggest that decreased phagocytosis might be correlated to the profound drop in CD16 on these cells . Allergy, 2002, 57 Suppl 72, 75 - 8 Role of complement in xenotransplantation; Mollnes TE et al.; The xenotransplantation research is driven by the increasing gap between the number of patients with end-stage organ failure on waiting lists for transplantation and the supply of allografts . The lack of success in developing suitable artificial organs for permanent treatment of organ failure has further strengthened the need for xenotransplantation research . Pigs are now generally accepted to be the source animal of choice . Transplantation of pig organs to humans faces several barriers which have to be overcome before it comes to clinical application: (1) anatomical and physiological conditions; (2) immunological rejection mechanisms; (3) molecular compatibility between signal molecules of the two species; (4) risk of transmission of microorganisms, particularly pig endogenous retroviruses; and (5) legal and ethical aspects both with respect to the animal and the recipient . Here we will focus on the role of the complement system in the rejection of immediately vascularized pig-to-primate xenografts . The hyperacute rejection occurring within minutes after transplantation is mediated by binding of natural antibodies to the Galalpha(l-3)Gal epitope on the endothelial cells with subsequent complement activation . Whereas inhibition of complement activation protects against hyperacute rejection, the role of complement in the later rejection phases is less clarified. CLAO J, 2002 Jul, 28(3), 146 - 8 Infectious keratitis: correlation between corneal and contact lens cultures; Martins EN et al.; PURPOSE: This article reports a study of the effectiveness of performing contact lens cultures to identify causative organisms of infectious keratitis in patients using extended-wear soft contact lenses (cosmetic or therapeutic) . METHODS: Patients' records from the Ocular Microbiology Laboratory of the Department of Ophthalmology, Paulista School of Medicine, from 1976 to 2000, and data of patients with contact lens-related keratitis in which the contact lens had been cultured were collected and reviewed . RESULTS: One hundred thirteen patients were included . Only soft contact lenses had been cultured and 29.2% of them were therapeutic contact lenses . An overall concordance of 84.0% was found between cultures obtained from corneal scrapings and contact lenses, with a higher rate in fungal keratitis (100%) compared to amebic (80.0%) and bacterial (74.5%) keratitis . In cases of concomitant bacterial growth in cultures of scrapings and contact lenses, the same organism was detected in 97.04% . Most cases of bacterial infection were caused by Pseudomonas spp . Among the discordant cases (16%), a microorganism was more likely to be isolated by contact lens culture (94.4%) . CONCLUSION: Contact lens cultures may identify the causative organisms in most cases of contact lens-related keratitis . The clinical relevance of positive contact lens cultures in keratitis with negative corneal cultures needs further investigation. J Biotechnol, 2002 Sep 25, 98(2-3), 227 - 41 DNA chips for yeast biotechnology . The case of wine yeasts; Perez-Ortin JE et al.; The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is one of the most popular model organisms . It was the first eukaryote whose genome was sequenced . Since then many functional analysis projects have tried to find the function of many genes and to understand its metabolism in a holistic way . Apart from basic science this microorganism is of great interest in several biotechnology processes, such as winemaking . Only global studies of the cell as a whole can help us to understand many of the technical problems facing winemaking . DNA chip technology is one of the most promising tools for the analysis of cell physiology . Yeast has been the model organism for the development of this technique . Many of the studies can be applied to improve our knowledge of wine strains . Nevertheless wine strains are quite different in some aspects from the laboratory reference strains so a particular study of wine strains and especially during the winemaking process is needed . During the past two years some groups have started this study and the first results have been published . We review here the current state of the knowledge of wine yeast and the capacity of DNA chip technology for its improvement. Dig Dis Sci, 2002 Jul, 47(7), 1638 - 43 Helicobacter infection in patients with HCV-related chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma; Dore MP et al.; Chronic hepatitis may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) . HCC represents one of the most common human cancers . Incidence rates for this tumor vary widely on a worldwide, suggesting that environmental factors such as infectious microorganisms, carcinogens, or nutrition play a role in its pathogenesis . Several Helicobacter spp . colonize the liver of animals and induce hepatitis . The aim of this study was to determine whether Helicobacter infection was associated with HCV-related liver diseases in humans . Liver tissue samples, including biopsy and surgically excised tissues, were collected from patients positive for hepatitis C viruses (HCV) RNA in the serum . Genomic DNA was extracted from sections of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues by using the QIAamp Tissue Kit and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis using two sets of Helicobacter-specific 16S ribosomal RNA primers . To identify positive samples for H . pylori, a set of primers specific for a conserved region in the H . pylori vacA gene were also used . The patients' H . pylori status was determined by ELISA . Forty-one patients (mean age 54.9, range 19-78 years; 24 men) were studied . Thirty patients had chronic viral hepatitis (CH) without (N = 18) or with (N = 12) cirrhosis (CIR), and 11 patients had HCC . Anti-H . pylori IgG was detected in 54% . The expected 422- and 210-bp fragments of Helicobacter 16S rRNA were amplified from 27% of liver samples, including 17% of CH-CIR and 55% of HCC (P = 0.004) . The vacA sequence was amplified in 10 of 41(24%) samples (27% of those with HCC) . These data confirm the presence of H . pylori DNA sequences in human liver and suggest an association of Helicobacter spp . with HCV-related chronic liver diseases . Further studies are needed to ascertain whether Helicobacter spp . infection plays a role in the development of HCC. Dig Dis Sci, 2002 Jul, 47(7), 1447 - 57 Increased proliferation and apoptosis of colonic epithelial cells in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in rats; Vetuschi A et al.; We have evaluated morphologic alterations and epithelial cell apoptosis and proliferation of colonic mucosa in the acute and chronic phases of DSS-induced colitis . Colitis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by 7 days of 4% DSS oral administration followed by 7 days of tap water for one, two, and three cycles . Control rats receved tap water only . Morphological changes in colonic mucosa were evaluated and scored by light and scanning electron microscopy . Apoptosis was studied by TUNEL assay and cell proliferation by Ki-67 immunoreaction . The expression of both proapoptotic (Fas, FasL, Bax, p53) and antiapoptotic (Bc12) cellular proteins was determined by immunohistochemistry . Morphologic assessment showed the most severe colonic epithelial lesions and inflammation in the distal colon with a trend to increasing severity from the first to the third DSS cycle . In DSS rats, the epithelial apoptotic index increased 20-fold after the first cycle and 120-fold after the second and third cycles compared with the controls; in the same way, the expression index of proapoptotic proteins (Fas, FasL, Bax, p53) dramatically increased . The proliferative index increased about 40 to 60-fold compared to controls, with no difference among the three DSS cycles . In conclusion, DSS-induced colitis in rats, which has many structural and ultrastructural features similar to those seen in human ulcerative colitis, is a suitable model for studying increased epithelial apoptosis and proliferation . Further studies employing this model will permitt two hypotheses to be tested . (1) Increased apoptosis may lead to a breakdown of the epithelial barrier function and facilitate the mucosal invasion of intraluminal microorganisms and/or antigens . (2) Abnormal and persistent epithelial hyperproliferation could be causally related to the development of colorectal cancers in the setting of chronic colonic inflammation. Environ Sci Technol, 2002 Jul 15, 36(14), 3170 - 5 Fulvic acid oxidation state detection using fluorescence spectroscopy; Klapper L et al.; Humic substances are a heterogeneous class of moderate molecular weight, yellow-colored biomolecules present in all soils, sediments, and natural waters . Although humic substances are generally resistant to microbial degradation under anaerobic conditions, some microorganisms in soils and sediments can use quinone moieties in humic substances as electron acceptors . Laboratory experiments have shown that humic substances can act as electron shuttles in the microbial reduction of ferric iron . Field studies of electron shuttling processes have been constrained by the lack of methods to characterize the oxidation state of quinone moieties in humic substances at natural concentrations . All humic substances have fluorescent properties, and fluorescence spectroscopy can indicate differences in precursor organic source of humic substances . Here we show that the quinone moieties responsible for electron transfer reactions contribute significantly to the fluorescence of humic substances . Further we use fluorescence spectroscopy to elucidate the oxidation state of quinone moieties in humic substances at natural concentrations found in sediment interstitial waters. Br J Haematol, 2002 Aug, 118(2), 654 - 62 Induction and characterization of cutaneous lymphocyte antigen on natural killer cells; Tsuchiyama J et al.; Cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA) has been reported to be expressed mainly by memory/effector T lymphocytes infiltrating inflammatory skin lesions and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma . It has been suggested that CLA is a specific homing receptor, facilitating the T-cell migration into skin lesions, and also an indicator of the skin-homing T-cell subset . In the present study, we investigated the expression of CLA in natural killer (NK) cells defined phenotypically as surface CD3- and CD56+ cells in peripheral blood . CLA was definitely expressed on CD3-CD56+ cells at a level comparable to CD3+ cells in peripheral blood of normal Japanese volunteers . After in vitro stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with interleukin 2 (IL-2) and IL-12, there was a significant increase in the number and percentage of CLA+ NK cells but not CLA+ T cells (P < 0.01) . To analyse the characteristics of CLA expressed by NK cells, we investigated a CLA+ NK-leukaemia cell line, NK-YS, established from a patient with NK leukaemia/lymphoma with skin infiltration . In the in vitro study, the CLA-expressing NK-leukaemic cell line bound to E-selectin-transfected cells and was inhibited by HECA 452 antibody or neuraminidase treatment of leukaemic cells . These findings suggest that CLA expressed by NK cells is a homing receptor for the E-selectin molecule and may explain skin infiltration by NK cells and NK lymphoma cells analogous to T cells . An NK-cell subset expressing CLA must play an important role in host defence against microorganisms and neoplasms in skin lesions. Biochemistry (Mosc), 2002 Jul, 67(7), 826 - 35 Novel class of polytopic proteins with domains associated with putative protease activity; Grigorenko AP et al.; A significant proportion of early onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) is caused by mutations in human genes for amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilins 1 and 2 (PSEN1,2) . AD associated mutations in PSEN1,2 genes alter the gamma-secretase cleavage activity of APP resulting in increased production of amyloidogenic Abeta42 . PSEN dependent intramembrane proteolysis was described as an important step required for cleavage of Notch receptors, Notch-dependent signal transduction, and processing of other proteins . It is still unclear whether presenilins are unusual intramembrane proteases or they are necessary cofactors of gamma-secretase cleavage of APP and Notch . Identification of other proteins similar to presenilins may resolve this dilemma . We describe here the identification of novel families of genes encoding polytopic transmembrane proteins of Eukaryotes (IMPASes) and Arachaea(membrases) . These proteins have a predicted structure similar to presenilins . The amino acid similarity is significant in domains carrying invariant amino acid residues, which are critical in specific presenilin-regulated endoproteolysis . Many members of the IMPAS family have protease associated domains (PA) typical of proteases . We identified and cloned five human IMPAS genes . Expression analysis of the hIMP1 gene (located on chromosome 20) was performed in human cell tissues and transfected cell cultures . The data demonstrate that a conservative class of putative protease-related polytopic proteins related to presenilins exists in multicellular eukaryotes and microorganisms. Anal Chem, 2002 Jul 15, 74(14), 3336 - 41 Biosensor for asparagine using a thermostable recombinant asparaginase from Archaeoglobus fulgidus; Li J et al.; Asparaginase from the hyperthermophilic microorganism Archaeoglobus fulgidus was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with a polyhistidine tail . After heat treatment to denature most of the native E . coli proteins, the enzyme was purified by an immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography method . The activity of the enzyme was determined by monitoring the change in ammonium concentration in solution . It was found that the enzyme is thermostable at temperatures as high as 85 degrees C . The KM for L-asparagine was 8 x 10(-5) and 5 x 10(-6) M at 37 and 70 degrees C, respectively . The catalytic activity for L-asparagine was 5-fold higher than for D-asparagine . The enzyme was immobilized in front of an ammonium-selective electrode and used to develop a biosensor for asparagine . The biosensor had a detection limit of 6 x 10(-5) M for L-asparagine . Unlike a sensor based on asparaginase from E . coli, the biosensor based on recombinant asparaginase from A . fulgidus demonstrated higher stability. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 2002 May, 55(5), 480 - 94 Cyclipostins, novel hormone-sensitive lipase inhibitors from Streptomyces sp . DSM 13381 . II . Isolation, structure elucidation and biological properties; Vertesy L et al.; Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is a key enzyme of lipid metabolism and its control is therefore a target in the treatment of diabetes mellitus . Cultures of the Streptomyces species DSM 13381 have been shown to potently inhibit HSL . Ten inhibitors of HSL, termed cyclipostins, have been isolated from the mycelium of this microorganism and a further nine related compounds detected . Their structures were characterized by 2-D NMR experiments and by mass spectrometry and were found to comprise neutral cyclic enol phosphate esters with an additional y-lactone ring . On account of their ester-bound fatty alcohol side chain, the cyclipostins have physicochemical properties similar to those of triglycerides . The outstanding characteristic of the cyclipostins is their strong anti-HSL activity, with IC50 values in the nanomolar range. Middle East J Anesthesiol, 2002 Jun, 16(5), 529 - 34 An alternative simple method in laryngoscope blade decontamination; Orhan ME et al.; The cleaning and disinfection of laryngoscope blades is controversial . The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of two different chemical disinfectant agents and tap water where the laryngoscope blades were contaminated by different microorganisms and try to create a simple, effective and easy decontamination method . The results of our study demonstrate that the decontamination of the laryngoscope blades, which are cleansed with tap water, is not a reliable approach . In conclusion, mechanical cleaning of blades with water and the immersion in 2% glutaraldehyde or 10% polyvinyl pyrrolidine iodine for 10 minutes is an effective method for decontamination of laryngoscope blades. Gene, 2002 Jun 26, 293(1-2), 161 - 8 Differences in expression of two endoxylanase genes (xynA and xynB) from Penicillium purpurogenum; Chavez R et al.; A number of xylanolytic microorganisms secrete to the medium several molecular forms of endoxylanases . The physiological function of these isoforms is not clear; one possibility is that they are produced under different growth conditions . To study this problem, we have used two endoxylanases (XynA and XynB) produced by the fungus Penicillium purpurogenum . These enzymes have been previously purified and characterized; they belong to family 10 and 11 of the glycosyl hydrolases, respectively . The promoters of the xynA and xynB genes have been sequenced; both present consensus sequences for the binding of the carbon catabolite repressor CreA, but otherwise show substantial differences . The xynB promoter has eight boxes in tandem for the binding of the XlnR activator and lacks the consensus sequence for the PacC pH regulator . On the other hand, the xynA promoter contains one XlnR box and three PacC consensus sequences . To investigate if these differences are reflected in gene expression, Northern blot assays were carried out . The xynA gene is transiently expressed when oat spelt xylan is used as carbon source, but negligible expression was observed with birchwood xylan, xylose or xylitol . In contrast, xynB is broadly induced by all these carbon sources; this may be related to the presence of several XlnR boxes . Similar results were obtained by zymogram analysis of the expressed proteins . The different induction capabilities of birchwood and oat spelt xylan may be due to differences in their composition and structure . Expression assays carried out at different pH reflects that, despite the lack of PacC binding sites in the xynB promoter, this gene is tightly regulated by pH . The findings described here illustrate new and important differences between endoxylanases from families 10 and 11 in P . purpurogenum . They may help explain the production of multiple endoxylanase forms by this organism. Mediators Inflamm, 2002 Jun, 11(3), 149 - 53 Effects after inhalation of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan and relation to mould exposure in the home; Beijer L et al.; BACKGROUND: Damp conditions indoors favour the growth of microorganisms, and these contain several agents that may cause inflammation when inhaled . Moulds contain a polyglucose in their cell wall, defined as (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan, exhibiting effects on inflammatory cells . AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether an inhalation challenge to purified (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan (grifolan) in humans could induce effects on inflammatory markers in blood, and to evaluate whether the reactions were related to the home exposure to (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan . METHODS: Seventeen subjects in homes with high levels of airborne (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan (G-high) and 18 subjects in homes with low levels of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan (G-low) underwent two randomised, double-blind inhalation challenges, one to (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan suspended in saline and one to saline alone . A blood sample was taken before and after the challenges, and differential cell count, granulocyte enzymes in serum and the secretion of cytokines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were measured . RESULTS: Inhalation challenge with (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan induced a decrease in the secretion of tumour necrosis factor alpha from endotoxin-stimulated PBMC in the G-high group as well as in the G-low group . In the G-high group, the inhalation of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan induced an increase in blood lymphocytes that was significantly different from the saline-induced effect . CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that an inhalation challenge to (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan has an effect on inflammatory cells and this effect may be related to a chronic exposure to moulds at home. Chemosphere, 2002 Jul, 48(1), 133 - 8 Integrated assessment for aerobic biodegradability of organic substances; Jiang Z et al.; In this paper, the amount of oxygen consumption, end products and activities of microorganisms are considered as the three factors which affect the biodegradability of organic substances in water . Two integrated assessment methods for biodegradability of organic substances, fuzzy clustering integrated assessment and weighted integrated assessment, have been developed . Simultaneously, the detail steps for assessing a new organic substance biodegradability with these two integrated assessment methods are proposed. Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr, 2002 Aug, 58(Pt 8), 1374 - 5 Epub 2002 Jul 20. Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic studies of rice alpha-galactosidase; Fujimoto Z et al.; alpha-Galactosidases catalyze the hydrolysis of galactooligosaccharides and galactopolysaccharides to alpha-galactose residues and are widely distributed in microorganisms, plants and animals . alpha-Galactosidase from rice (Oryza sativa L . ssp . japonica) was crystallized by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method . The crystals belong to space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 63.1, b = 71.3, c = 85.6 A, and diffract beyond 1.9 A resolution. Int J Antimicrob Agents, 2002 Jun, 19(6), 466 - 70 The role of Chlamydia trachomatis in prostatitis; Weidner W et al.; Ascending chlamydial infections have been thought to be an infective cause of prostatitis for the last three decades . Unfortunately, the definitive association between isolation of an infective agent and its prostatic origin is limited by various factors, although modern techniques of molecular biology for identification of the microorganisms are available . Two major problems are: (1) diagnostic material passing the urethra may reflect only urethral contamination, (2) prostatic biopsy specimens from the gland may also contain urethral material . The ejaculate has the same limitations, and an ideal test for detection of Chlamydia species in ejaculate specimens is not available yet . Investigations for local chlamydial IgA-antibodies may be useful; the overlap with Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia psittaci means a clear differentiation on an type-specific basis is necessary, which is normally provided by the 'elaborate' microimmunofluorescence test . Modern p-ELISAs using major outer membrane protein parts as antigens may deliver identical results in the future . In the follow-up of standardized prostatitis patients, a combination of such urological tests in EPS and seminal plasma com