Infect Control, 1980 May-Jun, 1(3), 153 - 6 Topical antibiotic ointments for staphylococcal nasal carriers: survey of current practices and comparison of bacitracin and vancomycin ointments; Bryan CS et al.; One measure used in the management of staphylococcal disease outbreaks in newborn nurseries is to obtain nasal cultures from nursery personnel and then treat nasal carriers with topical antibiotic ointments . Because recent infection control guide-surveyed current practices in larger hospitals in the U.S.A . Seventy-one percent of respondents indicated that they would obtain nasal cultures from personnel during a staphylococcal disease outbreak, and 40% indicated that they would prescribe topical antibiotic ointments for personnel with positive nasal cultures before the results of bacteriophage typing became known . Because little has been written about the efficacy of topical intranasal antibiotics within the past decade, we compared bacitracin ointment with a vancomycin ointment for treatment of the staphylococcal nasal carrier state . Both ointments reduced nasal carriage in the majority of instances . However, similar reduction was also observed in an untreated control group . The need for different approaches to the problem of nasal carriers is discussed. J Gen Microbiol, 1980 May, 118(Pt 1), 143 - 57 Anaerobic glucose and serine metabolism in Staphylococcus epidermidis; Sivakanesan R et al.; Anaerobically grown Staphylococcus epidermidis fermented glucose with the production of lactate and trace amounts of acetate, formate and CO2 . Isotopic and inhibitor studies, assays for key enzymes of different metabolic pathways, and fermentation balances, all indicated that glucose was metabolized principally via glycolysis and to a very limited extent by the hexose monophosphate oxidative pathway . Serine fermentation proceeded via deamination and dismutation yielding NH3 and equimolar amounts of lactate, acetate and CO2; small amounts of formate arose by the operation of pyruvate-formate lyase . Incorporation of 0.5% (w/v) glucose in the growth medium depressed serine metabolism by repressing the activities of serine dehydratase and pyruvate dehydrogenase but, conversely, enhanced the activities of phosphofructokinase and lactate dehydrogenase . Glucose-grown organisms at various stages of anaerobic batch growth showed an inverse relationship between the rates of fermentation of serine and glucose . L-Lactate dehydrogenase activity in crude extracts depended on fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase was found to be a class I aldolase . Despite the presence of ribokinase, D-ribose-5-phosphate isomerase, transaldolase and transketolase, the organisms utilized ribose only after growth aerobically in basal medium, and then at a slow rate after an initial lag period. Pediatr Res, 1980 May, 14(5), 715 - 21 Ultrastructure and function of alveolar macrophages from cystic fibrosis patients; Thomassen MJ et al.; Alveolar macrophages were isolated from three cystic fibrosis patients, and the structure and function of these cells were compared to that of normal alveolar macrophages . The cystic fibrosis (CF) and normal alveolar macrophages were able to phagocytize Pseudomonas in the presence of normal serum, but cells from both sources had decreased phagocytosis of Pseudomonas in the presence of CF serum . Phagocytosis of Staphylococcus was not inhibited . Ultrastructural studies showed CF macrophages to be morphologically normal, however, in contrast to CF polymorphonuclear cells, they had not been heavily engaged in phagocytosis . The similarities between CF and normal macrophages suggest that the chronic pulmonary infection of CF may be due to an extrinsic factor in an altered lung environment rather than to any intrinsic cellular defect of the alveolar macrophage. J Med Microbiol, 1980 May, 13(2), 223 - 30 The action of formaldehyde on staphylococcal delta haemolysin; Stearne LE et al.; Native staphylococcal delta haemolysin was poorly immunogenic in the mouse . After treatment with formaldehyde at pH 5 or pH 7.5, haemolytic activity was rapidly lost but antigenic reactivity retained and, at pH 5, immunogenicity was enhanced . Treatment of the haemolysin with formaldehyde at pH 9.5 reduced haemolytic activity by 97% but did not enhance immunogenicity . There was no evidence of polymerisation of formaldehyde-treated delta haemolysin, and the enhanced immunogenicity was considered to be partly due to a reduced affinity for phospholipids. J Med Microbiol, 1980 May, 13(2), 213 - 21 Immunogenicity and molecular characterisation of staphylococcal delta haemolysin; Birkbeck TH et al.; In rabbit antisera to staphylococcal delta haemolysin the haemolysin-neutralising activity was associated with the IgG fraction as well as with the alpha and beta lipoproteins . On an equal-weight basis, the neutralising capacity of specific antibody was not significantly greater than that of serum alpha or beta lipoproteins . Anti-alpha haemolysin was not detected in any of the anti-delta-haemolysin antisera . Amino-acid analysis of delta haemolysin showed that lysine, aspartic acid, threonine and isoleucine were the predominant amino acids present; histidine, arginine, proline, cysteine and tyrosine were absent . The molecular weight of delta-haemolysin in phosphate-buffered saline was approximately 210 000. J Infect Dis, 1980 May, 141(5), 637 - 43 Plasmid profiles in epidemiologic studies of infections by Staphylococcus epidermidis; Parisi JT et al.; Plasmid profiles of cultures of Staphylococcus epidermidis obtained by agarose gel electrophoresis were used, in conjunction with phage typing, biotyping, and antibiograms, in epidemiologic studies of infections in neonates and patients with cancer . In some cases, patients had cultures that were lysed by a single phage, belonged to the same biotype, and had identical antibiograms, but had distinctly different plasmid profiles . In other instances, almost identical plasmid profiles were observed in cultures lysed by a single phage, belonging to the same biotype, and with markedly different antibiograms . The plasmid profile technique was valuable in detecting distinct strains of S . epidermidis, and its use could be helpful in epidemiologic studies of infections by other organisms. J Immunol, 1980 May, 124(5), 2436 - 41 Interferon enhances the expression of Fc gamma receptors; Fridman WH et al.; Murine T2D4 cells derived from a T cell hybrid line were incubated with partially purified or electrophoretically pure mouse interferon and tested for the expression of Fc gamma R as assessed by a) counting the number of cells forming rosettes with IgG-sensitized sheep erythrocytes, and b) incubating the cells with heat-aggregated rabbit IgG and then determining either the number of cells stained with fluorescein conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG or the extent of labeling by using radioactive iodinated staphylococcus protein A . Although interferon induced a rapid increase in Fc gamma R expression on the Fc gamma R-positive T2D4 cells, it did not induce either Fc gamma R on the Fc gamma R negative BW5147 cells or Fc gamma R on either cell line . Human leukocyte interferon enhanced the expression of Fc gamma R on human Burkitt cells (Daudi) but did not affect the expression of Fc gamma R on mouse cells . We suggest that interferon may influence several effector functions of the immune system by modulating Fc receptor expression. J Biol Chem, 1980 Apr 10, 255(7), 2878 - 85 Primary structure of a histidine-rich proteolytic fragment of human ceruloplasmin . I . Amino acid sequence of the cyanogen bromide peptides; Kingston IB et al.; A histidine-rich fragment, Cp F5, with a molecular weight of 18,650 was isolated from human ceruloplasmin . It consists of 159 amino acids and contains a possible copper-binding site . The sequence of the first 18 NH2-terminal residues of Cp F5 was determined by automated Edman degradation . Cp F5 was cleaved by cyanogen bromide to produce nine fragments of from 2 to 63 residues . The amino acid sequence of all of the cyanogen bromide fragments was investigated using automated and manual Edman degradation, the fragments being digested with trypsin, chymotrypsin, thermolysin, staphylococcal protease, and pepsin as appropriate . The results, in conjunction with the data on the tryptic peptides reported in the accompanying paper (Kingston, I.B., Kingston, B.L., and Putnam, F.L . (1980) J . Biol . Chem . 255, 2886-2896), establish the complete amino acid sequence of Cp F5. Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1980 Apr, 124(4), 33 - 7 {Change in the immunological reactivity of patients with diffuse suppurative peritonitis under the influence of stimulating therapy}; Zaritskii GV; Immune reactivity was studied in 275 patients with diffuse purulent peritonitis of different etiology . It was established that among various methods of stimulating therapy the most pronounced effect of stimulation of the defence forces of the organism was produced by transfusion of blood, albumin and native plasma, passive and active immunization by means of administration of antistaphylococcic plasma, gammaglobulin and staphylococcic anatoxin, use of methyluracil and pentoxyl . The complex of curative measures used in order to stimulate the defense forces of the organism, to the author's mind, contributes to reducing the number of complications of infectious character, to better results of the treatment of patients with diffuse purulent peritonitis. J Neurosurg, 1980 Apr, 52(4), 553 - 6 Diphtheroid infections of cerebrospinal fluid shunts . The changing pattern of shunt infection in Cleveland; Rekate HL et al.; In the process of trying to decrease infection rates, gentamicin has been used to irrigate shunt systems at the time of surgery . The infection rate did not change, but the epidemiology of infecting organisms changed from Staphylococcus epidermidis to diphtheroids . These indolent and sometimes asymptomatic infections can progress to cause systemic disease with nephritis, peritonitis, or blocked shunts, and are difficult to detect . Laboratory values of cerebrospinal fluid and blood may not be helpful, but prolonged culture incubation on anaerobic media will subsequently yield the organism . Systemic and intraventricular antibiotics may rid the system of diphtheroids and avoid morbidity of shunt revision if the infection is found before systemic disease occurs. Antibiotiki, 1980 Apr, 25(4), 285 - 9 {Effect of streptomycin on experimental indices of immunity and nonspecific protection}; Beloklitskaia GF et al.; It was found that streptomycin administered to rabbits immunized with adsorbed staphylococcal anatoxin did not induce any decrease in the antitoxic antistaphylococcal immunity or suppress the activity of the nonspecific protection factors . The level of the antistaphyloccal immunity observed in the experiments provided the rabbit resistance to experimental staphylococcal infection and prevented its generalization. Jpn J Antibiot, 1980 Apr, 33(4), 427 - 8 {Clinical experience with cefamandole in the field of obstetrics and gynecology (author's transl)}; Yamada F; Cefamandole, a new antibiotic with various characteristics was applied clinically in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, and following results were obtained . Cefamandole was administered to 8 cases with cystitis, 2 cases with pelvic infection . The organisms isolated were 5 cases of Escherichia coli, 4 cases of Staphylococcus epidermidis and one case of Klebsiella . Bacteria disappeared in all cases after 5-day treatment with cefamandole . No side effects of the drug were noticed throughout all cases . From the above mentioned clinical experience, cefamandole is considered to be a useful drug for clinical application. Am Rev Respir Dis, 1980 Apr, 121(4), 723 - 33 Regulation of the release of alveolar macrophage-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor; Gadek JE et al.; In order to further clarify the physiologic role of the neutrophil-directed chemotactic factor derived from alveolar macrophages, we evaluated those stimuli that possess the potential to regulate the quantity and kinetics of its release in vitro . In short-term culture, particulate stimuli (Staphylococcus albus, Micropolyspora faeni, zymosan, and Sepharose 4B) as well as IgG-immune complexes induced normal guinea pig alveolar macrophages to release significant quantities of this chemotactic factor . In addition, serum opsonization of particulate stimuli resulted in significant augmentation of release of the chemotactic factor from alveolar macrophages responding to these particles . This serum augmentation was associated with the fixation of C3b to the particle surface via the alternative complement pathway . Purified C3b, by itself, was also capable of inducing release of this macrophage-derived mediator . Partial characterization of this chemotactic factor revealed that it was a material of low molecular weight (400 to 600 daltons), and that it was antigenically and physically distinct from C5a . These studies suggested that the induction of chemotactic factor release from alveolar macrophages responding to microorganisms, noninfectious particulates, antigen-complexed IgG, and C3b may contribute to the pathophysiologic events observed in those lung diseases characterized by an influx of neutrophils into the pulmonary parenchyma. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf), 1980 Apr, 12(4), 375 - 8 Coxsackie B virus antibody responses in juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus; Ray CG et al.; A prospective serological study of patients with recently diagnosed juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus was carried out to determine neutralizing antibody responses to Coxsackie B viruses . The sera were tested with and without staphylococcal protein A absorption, to selectively ascertain whether specific IgM or IgG antibody predominated . Of eleven patients studied, ten had reciprocal antibody titres of sixteen or greater to at least one serotype . Three patients showed no reduction in titre in at least one serum sample after protein A absorption, suggesting a predominant IgM-specific primary response to a recent infection by a Coxsackie B virus . The findings support the possibility that at least some cases of juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus are closely related to Coxsackie B virus infections. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1980 Mar 28, 607(1), 36 - 42 Replicative DNA synthesis and unscheduled DNA synthesis in permeable sarcoma cells studied by nuclease digestion; Seki S et al.; About 20% of DNA replicated in vitro in permeable mouse ascites sarcoma cells showed higher sensitivity to staphylococcal nuclease than the sensitivity of bulk DNA, and the remaining part showed the same nuclease sensitivity as that of parental chromatin DNA . The sensitivity of DNA replicated in permeable cells was higher than that of DNA newly replicated in vivo in intact cells, and close to that of DNA newly replicated in vivo in the presence of cycloheximide . Bleomycin-induced unscheduled DNA synthesis in permeable cells was highly sensitive to the nuclease . The results suggest that DNA replicated in vitro and parental nuclear protein form immature nucleosomes, probably in the same way as in vivo chromatin replication in the presence of protein synthesis inhibitors . It also appears that bleomycin-induced, unscheduled DNA synthesis occurs largely in the internucleosomal region. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1980 Mar, (3), 89 - 92 {Antibodies to staphylococcal autostrains in polypoid tissue of the human nasal mucosa}; Lebedev KA et al.; The immune response of the body to different clones of nasal staphylococcal population in polypous rhinosinusitis has been studied . The titers of antibodies to different staphylococcal clones were shown to differ considerably . The titers of antibodies to different clones in polypous tissue were found to be higher or lower than the respective titers in the general blood stream . Thus different immunologic conditions for the development of microorganisms could locally appear in the presence of intensive general immune reaction . This seems to be due to differences in the intensity of the production of antibodies to these microorganisms in the lymphoid tissue of the nasal mucosa. Am J Vet Res, 1980 Mar, 41(3), 399 - 404 Modification of lethality induced by staphylococcal enterotoxin B in Dutch rabbits; Liu CT et al.; Intramuscular injection of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) at a dosage level of 50 microgram/kg of body weight caused death in Dutch rabbits . Lethality was not modified markedly by morphine pretreatment or by hyperthermia, thyrotoxicosis, propylthiouracil feeding, thyroparathyroidectomy, water deprivation, or fasting . The administration of acetylsalicylic acid to the SEB-inoculated rabbit also failed to protect the rabbits from the effect of SEB . Seemingly, the SEB molecular destruction was not markedly modified by alteration of cellular metabolism, and lethal effects of SEB remained unchanged in the morphine- or acetylsalicylic acid-treated rabbits . When SEB was given to six rabbits 3 days after total-body X-irradiation, fever persisted and three rabbits survived . An identical dose of SEB to nonirradiated rabbits produced fever initially, followed by hypothermia and death of all six rabbits. Surg Neurol, 1980 Mar, 13(3), 224 - 6 Pyogenic psoas abscess secondary to infection of the lumbar disc space; Russell NA et al.; Two cases of staphylococcol psoas abscess are reported . These occurred many years after operations on lumbar discs, complicated by post-operative disc space infection . Clinical and radiological findings are reported . The features of psoas abscess and the management are discussed. Pediatrics, 1980 Mar, 65(3), 484 - 6 Early diagnosis and management of cerebritis in a child; Liston TE et al.; A 3 1/2-year-old boy with primary staphylococcal septicemia presented with elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein and pleocytosis . Serial computerized tomography examinations revealed the development of an intracranial lesion suggestive of an early infectious process . All cultures of cerebrospinal fluid taken before and after antibiotic treatment revealed no growth . Although no focal neurological findings evolved, both clinical and radiologic abnormalities resolved with antibiotic therapy . Computerized tomography can provide a means to diagnose cerebritis and to evaluate therapeutic response. Arch Surg . 1980 Mar;115(3):326. Intra-abdominal abscess caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis; Ebright JR et al.; An immunologically compromised patient was found to have a postoperative intra-abdominal abscess from which Staphylococcus epidermidis was the sole isolate . Studies of the isolate in a rabbit and in mice showed no evidence for unusual virulence of the organism . The S epidermidis probably was introduced into the peritoneal cavity during surgery and, because of the patient's neutropenia, produced a serious infection within a few weeks . To our knowledge, this is the first case of a intra-abdominal abscess associated with S epidermidis to be described in the literature. Eur J Biochem, 1980 Mar, 104(2), 423 - 31 Kinetics of nuclease digestion of Physarum polycephalum nuclei at different stages of the cell cycle; Jalouzot R et al.; The kinetics of nuclease digestion of Physarum polycephalum nuclei by staphylococcal nuclease and DNase I has been studied at different stages of the cell cycle . Significant differences in the digestion behaviour of nuclei from metaphase and interphase have been detected with DNase I but not with staphylococcal nuclease . Furthermore the structure of newly replicated DNA in S phase differs from the bulk in that it is more easily degraded to acid-soluble products by either staphylococcal nuclease or by DNAase I . At least four types of chromatin structure can be distinguished by our digestion kinetics experiments. Thromb Haemost, 1980 Feb 29, 42(5), 1388 - 97 A simple rapid method for isolating soluble fibrin complexes from fibrinogen by treatment with thrombin and t-AMCHA; Hayashi S et al.; Using treatment with thrombin associated with trans-aminomethylcyclohexane carboxylic acid (t-AMCHA), a simple and rapid method for isolating soluble fibrin complexes (SFC) from fibrinogen in the plasma was developed . By this procedure, the recovery rates of SFC and early FDP (mainly X) increased according to the concentration of t-AMCHA, reaching a maximum at 286 mM t-AMCHA . On the other hand, the recovery rate of fibrinogen remained below 1.5% and that of late FDP was almost 100% at all concentrations of t-AMCHA . These results suggested that SFC and FDP could be isolated from fibrinogen by thrombin and t-AMCHA (286 MM) treatment . Moreover, it was possible to isolate SFC from FDP using gel filtration after treatment with thrombin and t-AMCHA . The SFC could be quantified by assay of the eluted fractions containing SFC by the staphylococcal clumping test. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1980 Feb 27, 621(2), 233 - 40 The secondary structure of staphylococcal enterotoxins A, B and C; Middlebrook JL et al.; The circular dichroism (CD) of staphylococcal enterotoxins A, B and C was measured . The CD of enterotoxins B and C were almost identical from 250 to 320 nm, but differed from the CD of enterotoxin A . The spectrum of enterotoxin A in this wavelength region contained the same bands with respect to both location and sign, but with significant differences in intensity . The CD spectra of enterotoxins B and C were also much more alike from 190 to 250 nm . Although all three enterotoxins had a major negative extremum at 215--218 nm, its magnitude was equal in enterotoxins B and C, but was substantially decreased in enterotoxin A . The secondary structure of the enterotoxins contained little alpha-helix as analyzed with CD models . A secondary structure of entertoxin B compured from a scheme based on a joint prediction histogram of five separate methods, placed 29 residues in alpha-helices, 71 in beta-pleated sheets, 88 in beta-turns and 55 in aperiodic conformation. N Z Med J, 1980 Feb 27, 91(654), 129 - 31 Deaths from influenza A, subtype H1N1, during the 1979 Auckland epidemic; Eason RJ et al.; We report seven cases of influenza-associated deaths in persons under twenty-two years of age, five of whom were previously fit and well, during an influenza A epidemic affecting Auckland city during the second quarter of 1979 . Despite intensive care in three of the patients, all followed a similar course of fatal hypoxaemia . The failure of appropriate therapy in those patients with staphylococcal superinfection was a further feature . Influenza A-subtype H1N1 was isolated from throat swabs and/or post-mortem lung in five of the cases . This subtype has not been responsible for epidemic influenza or influenzal outbreaks in New Zealand since the early 1950s . The isolates were most similar to the A/Brazil/11/78 strain which has not previously been isolated in New Zealand . The susceptibility of young people is attributed to lack of previous antigenic exposure in those born since the mid-1950s. Lancet, 1980 Feb 16, 1(8164), 327 - 9 Cyclosporin A to prevent graft-versus-host disease in man after allogeneic bone-marrow transplantation; Powles RL et al.; Cyclosporin A has been used in conjunction with allogeneic bone-marrow transplantation in the treatment of 23 patients--21 with acute leukaemia, 1 with chronic granulocytic leukaemia, and 1 with aplastic anaemia . The drug was given twice daily from the day before transplant . At the start of the study cyclosporin prophylaxis was stopped in 3 patients within 44 days of transplantation because of non-specific rashes and/or deteriorating renal function . All 3 patients had acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and died . Thereafter the drug was not stopped because of possible toxic manifestations, and 20 patients have been studied (median follow-up 7 months; maximum 13 months) . 2 patients have acquired GVHD; 1 patient died of acute GVHD and 1 has chronic mild disease . 3 other patients have died, 2 of recurrent leukaemia and a third of staphylococcal pneumonia with renal failure . Of the remaining patients, 1 has recurrent leukaemia and 1 has moderately severe renal failure . Several toxic effects of cyclosporin A have been observed but they are mostly reversible and no second malignant neoplasm has developed. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol, 1980 Feb, 1(4), 301 - 8 Permeability of the middle ear to staphylococcal pyrogenic exotoxin in otitis media; Goycoolea MV et al.; Middle ear permeability after instillation of staphylococcal pyrogenic exotoxin was studied in each of 12 cats, 6 of them with otitis media induced by obstructing their eustachian tubes . This is the first report that there is passage of toxin to the perilymph, cerebrospinal fluid and blood not only in diseased ears, but also in normal controls, 25 min and 12 h after exposure of the middle ear cavity and round window membrane to toxin . The data suggest a pathophysiological explanation for the association of otitis media and sensorineural hearing loss and/or endolymphatic hydrops; potentially both entities can be caused by exotoxins . It also documents the extraordinary capabilities of movement of staphylococcal exotoxin. Parasitology, 1980 Feb, 80(1), 83 - 94 Damage to surface membrane of Schistosoma mansoni by pristane (2, 6, 10, 14 tetramethyl pentadecane) and other hydrophobic compounds; Kusel JR et al.; Intraperitoneal injection of cercariae into pristane (2, 6, 10, 14 tetramethyl pentadecane)-primed Balb/c mice led to greatly diminished numbers of portal and peritoneal worms compared with untreated mice . Schistosomula taken from the peritoneal cavity of pristane-primed mice carried globules of pristane on their surfaces, were contracted and were permeable to Trypan blue . Pristane globules bound also to adult worms in vitro and in vivo causing rapid damage to the surface membrane . Hydrophobic compounds other than hydrocarbons either bound without causing gross damage, or did not bind to the adult worms . 51Cr release studies showed that pristane had no effect on the permeability of human erythrocytes, while causing significant release from both schistosomula and adult worms . The binding of hydrocarbon globules to a variety of other parasites did not occur . The binding of n-{1-14C}hexadecane to adult Schistosoma mansoni was significantly decreased by extraction of the parasite with organic solvents or treatment with staphylococcal delta toxin, which interacts with phospholipids in the membrane . Possible mechanisms of damage of the parasite by the hydrocarbons are discussed. Infect Immun, 1980 Feb, 27(2), 431 - 4 Isolation of specific and common antibodies to staphylococcal enterotoxins B, C1, and C2; Lee AC et al.; Staphylococcal enterotoxins C1 and C2 elicit the production of antibodies in rabbits that give precipitin reactions with both toxins and gel diffusion plates . These enterotoxins also elicit the production of antibodies that are specific for each of the enterotoxins . Enterotoxin B elicits the production of antibodies in some rabbits that react with enterotoxins B, C1, and C2 in gel diffusion plates and in radioimmunoassay . Antibodies specific for enterotoxin B are produced also . Enterotoxin C1 elicits the production of antibodies that cross-react weakly with enterotoxin B, indicating that the antigenic sites involved in the cross-reactions are not identical in the two toxins . The antibodies have been isolated by affinity chromatography. Immunology, 1980 Feb, 39(2), 231 - 7 Immune mechanisms against canine distemper . III . Role of complement lysis in the immunity and persistent infection of canine distemper virus; Ho CK et al.; Antibody-mediated complement lysis of Vero cells and canine macrophages infected with canine distemper virus (CDV) was demonstratee in an in vitro 51Cr release assay . This cytolytic activity was found to be highly efficient and was optimal under conditions which favoured the capping of redistribution of surface viral antigens . A prozone was observed in the presence of high antibody concentration and could not be eliminated by repeated washings . By tagging antibody-coated target cells with 125I-labelled staphylococcus protein A, it was found that the extent of protein A binding was parallel to the degree of cytotoxicity suggesting that the mechanism of this prozone effect was similar to that of a precipitation test. Am J Vet Res, 1980 Feb, 41(2), 274 - 6 Isolation of Staphylococcus hyicus subsp hyicus from a pig with septic polyarthritis; Phillips WE Jr et al.; Staphylococcus hyicus subsp hyicus (coagulase-positive) was isolated in pure culture from the left coxafemoral and right shoulder joints of a 4-week-old pig with septic polyarthritis . Present taxonomic criteria and DNA-DNA hybridization studies with reference strains were utilized to identify the isolate . There were no clinical signs or generalized skin lesions of porcine exudative epidermitis noticed in this pig. Arch Ophthalmol, 1980 Feb, 98(2), 274 - 6 Orbital abscess; Krohel GB et al.; A staphylococcal orbital abscess developed in a 55-year-old diabetic woman . Initial antibiotic therapy was apparently incomplete and resulted in an unusual clinical manifestation for an orbital infection . These unusual features included an insidious course of monocular visual loss and proptosis in the absence of fever, substantial orbital pain, and evidence of sinus disease; pancytopenia rather than leukocytosis was present . Surgical drainage followed by intravenous and oral antibiotic therapy resulted in marked clinical improvement, including a partial return of visual acuity . In the patient, however, a staphylococcal osteomyelitis of the shoulder and subsequent fatal septicemia developed several months later . Orbital infection continues to be a life-threatening condition, especially in debilitated patients. Eur J Biochem, 1980 Feb, 103(3), 447 - 61 Complete amino-acid sequences of DNA-binding proteins HU-1 and HU-2 from Escherichia coli; Laine B et al.; The DNA-binding protein HU from Escherichia coli is a heterodimer constituted of two polypeptide chains termed HU-1 and HU-2, of 90 residues each . Their primary structures were established from structural data obtained from tryptic peptides of each monomer in addition to the structural data provided by the automated Edman degradation of the dimer and by peptides derived from cleavage of the dimer with trypsin, chymotrypsin, V8 staphylococcal protease and dilute acid . The results presented in this paper confirm the amino-terminal and carboxy-terminal sequences of the dimer HU reported previously {Laine et al . (1978) FEBS Lett . 89, 116--120} . The amino acid sequences of proteins HU-1 and HU-2 are identical to those of proteins NS-1 and NS-2 respectively, determined independently by Mende et al . {FEBS Lett . (1978) 96, 395--398} . The amino acid sequences of proteins HU-1 and HU-2 are closely related but differ by 28 residues . These proteins are characterized by their high content of hydrophobic residues represented mostly by alanine . In both proteins, half of the basic residues are scattered along the polypeptide chain and the remainder is found within two short sequences located in the carboxy-terminal part of the molecule . No sequence homology could be established between the proteins HU-1 and HU-2 and any one of the five histones from different eukaryotes. J Natl Cancer Inst, 1980 Feb, 64(2), 365 - 72 Specificity of heteroantisera developed against purified populations of intact murine ovarian carcinoma cells; Bast RC Jr et al.; Antisera were raised in New Zealand White rabbits against purified populations of murine ovarian carcinoma (MOT) cells that were freed from contaminating host leukocytes and erythrocytes . In contrast to other antisera raised against this tumor, heteroantisera from rabbits immunized with purified tumor cell suspensions consistently retained antitumor activity after exhaustive absorption with syngeneic (C3HeB/FeJ) adult and fetal tissues . Absorbed antisera inhibited tumor growth in vivo and reacted with MOT cells in vitro as judged by indirect immunofluorescence, binding of staphylococcal protein A, and complement-mediated cytotoxicity . Appropriately absorbed antisera failed to bind to fetal tissues or to adult spleen, ovary, and kidney cells . Antisera with similar specificity could be obtained with the use of populations purified on a fluorescence-activated cell sorter or on discontinuous rabbit serum albumin gradients . Optimal titers against tumor were raised with multiple injections of 5 x 10(5) gradient-purified MOT cells. J Med Microbiol, 1980 Feb, 13(1), 151 - 3 Neutralisation of immunologically distinct staphylococcal delta haemolysins by antibodies; Turner WH et al.; Antibodies against delta-haemolysin from Staphylococcus strain CN4108 (Newman) did not neutralise delta-haemolysin from the canine strain of S . aureus CN7450 to the same extent as delta-haemolysin prepared from S . aureus strain CN4108 . This is additional evidence for the immunological distinctness of delta-haemolysin from these two S . aureus strains of human and canine origin. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 1980 Feb, 20(1), 62 - 4 Pelvic actinomycosis following insertion of an intrauterine contraceptive device; Gudgeon CW et al.; PIP: 200 cases of pelvic actinomycosis have been recorded so far, including those which are IUD-related . This paper describes a case of Actinomycosis associated with IUD use . The patient was a 46-year old woman (para 3) who was seen complaining of a 2-week old lower abdominal and pelvic pain and a pelvic mass . She had an IUD inserted 10 weeks before but had it removed 2 weeks prior to referral due to pain and bleeding . Degenerating uterine fibroids was the initial diagnosis, and laparotomy was performed . Biopsy of a segment of the Fallopian tube revealed a lesion which clinically resembled an invasive carcinoma but pathological diagnosis revealed actinomycosis . Penicillin therapy (20 million units daily for 6 weeks and 4 g orally/day for 16 weeks) was instituted and the patient recovered uneventfully . Actinomycosis is a subacute or chronic, usually progressive disease, of orofacial, thoracic or abdominal tissues . Development of infection is associated with trauma, teeth extraction, perforation of hallow viscera, and foreign bodies . Initial diagnoses of this disease usually include tuberculosis, chronic staphylococcal infection, and malignant diseases . Treatment of choice is penicillin given in massive doses over a long period of time, 3 to 6 million units daily for 6 months as advocated by Fisher and Harvey (1956) . Antibiotics such as aueromycin (McVay et.al., 1951); chloramphenicol (Littman et.al., 1952); isoniazid (McVay and Sprunt, 1953); oxytetracycline (Lane et.al., 1953); lincomycin (Mahr et.al., 1970); and clindamycin (Rose and Rytel, 1972) have also been used successfully in the management of this disease . Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1980 Feb, 88(1), 53 - 6 Antibodies in rabbits immunized with staphylococcal lipoteichoic acid; Aasjord P et al.; Fractionated rabbit antiserum to staphylococcal lipoteichoic acid (LTA) was tested for reaction with homologous antigen by precipitation in agar gel, countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis, immunoperoxidase technique and electron microscopy . The antibodies to LTA present in the rabbit antisera examined were found to be of the IgM class. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1980 Feb, 77(2), 910 - 4 Actin nascent chains are substrates for cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation in vivo; Steinberg RA; Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of extracts of S49 mouse lymphoma cells labeled with {35S}methionine in the presence of inducers or analogs of cyclic AMP reveals a protein that both affinity purification and peptide mapping show to be a form of nonmuscle actin . This actin species also exhibits cyclic AMP-dependent labeling with {32P}phosphate, and, after acid hydrolysis, 32P label is found associated with phosphoserine . Phosphorylated actin does not appear when cells prelabeled with {35S}methionine are treated with an inducer of cyclic AMP in the presence of emetine, an inhibitor of protein synthesis; this suggests that only the nascent form of actin is a substrate for cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation . As well as differing slightly in isoelectric points, beta and gamma actins are found to yield different partial proteolytic cleavage products with staphylococcal protease . This microheterogeneity in the major cellular actin component is repeated in both the metabolically labile delta/epsilon actin and phosphorylated actin, suggesting that these three forms of actin derive from the same two gene products. Biochemistry, 1980 Jan 22, 19(2), 306 - 15 Primary structure of murine major histocompatibility complex alloantigens: amino acid sequence of the amino-terminal one hundred and seventy-three residues of the H-2Kb glycoprotein; Uehara H et al.; The amino-terminal 173 residues of the murine histocompatibility antigen H-2Kb have been assigned by using radiochemical methodology . The complete sequence of an 86 residue glycopeptide (CN-Ib), which is one of the five major CNBr fragments of Kb, was determined by analysis of peptides obtained from digests using thrombin and V8 staphylococcal protease . Complete sequences were obtained for the three large thrombic peptides, and these were aligned by using peptides from the V8 protease digest . Alignment of the CNBr fragments was carried out by using {35S}Met-labeled peptides from a tryptic digest of the papain-cleaved H-2Kb molecule . Positive identification was possible for all the common amino acids except Asp (Asp) which was indirectly assigned and which is designated in italics . The sequence obtained in our studies was Gly-Pro-His-Ser-Leu-Arg-Tyr-Phe-Val-Thr-Ala-Val-Ser-Arg-Pro-Gly-Leu-Gly-Glu-Pro-Arg-Tyr-Met-Glu-Val-Gly-Tyr-Val-Asp-Asp-Thr-Glu-Phe-Val-Arg-Phe-Asp-Ser-Asp-Ala-Glu-Asn-Pro-Arg-Tyr-Glu-Pro-Arg-Ala-Arg-Trp-Met-Glu-Gln-Glu-Gly-Pro-Glu-Tyr-Trp-Glu-Arg-Glu-Thr-Gln-Lys-Ala-Lys-Gly-Asn-Glu-Gln-Ser-Phe-Arg-Val-Asp-Leu-Arg-Thr-Leu-Leu-Gly-Tyr-Tyr-(Asn)-Gln-Ser-Lys-Gly-Gly-Ser-His-Thr-Ile-Gln-Val-Ile-Ser-Gly-Cys-Glu-Val-Gly-Ser-Asp-Gly-Arg-Leu-Leu-Arg-Gly-Tyr-Gln-Gln-Tyr-Ala-Tyr-Asp-Gly-Cys-Asp-Tyr-Ile-Ala-Leu-Asn-Glu-Asp-Leu-Lys-Thr-Trp-Thr-Ala-Ala-Asp-Met-Ala-Ala-Leu-Ile-Thr-Lys-His-Lys-Trp-Glu-Gln-Ala-Gly-Glu-Ala-Glu-Arg-Leu-Arg-Ala-Tyr-Leu-Glu-Gly-Thr-Cys-Val-Glu-Trp-Leu-Arg-Arg-Tyr-Leu-Lys . These data represent the longest reported amino acid sequence determined by utilizing radiochemical methodology and provide the first extensive information on the primary structure of murine histocompatibility antigens. Nucleic Acids Res, 1980 Jan 11, 8(1), 197 - 214 DNase I sensitivity of ribosomal genes in isolated nucleosome core particles; Giri CP et al.; The level of chromatin structure at which DNase I recognizes conformational differences between inert and activated genes has been investigated . Bulk and ribosomal DNA's of Tetrahymena pyriformis were differentially labeled in vivo with {14C}- and {3H}-thymidine, respectively, utilizing a defined starvation-refeeding protocol . The 3H-labeled ribosomal genes were shown to be preferentially digested by DNase I in isolated nuclei . Staphylococcal nuclease digested the ribosomal genes more slowly than bulk DNA, probably owing to the higher GC content of rDNA . DNase I and staphylococcal nuclease digestions of purified nucleosomes and of nucleosome core particles isolated from dual-labeled, starved-refed nuclei were indistinguishable from those of intact nuclei . We conclude from these studies that DNase I recognizes an alteration in the internal nucleosome core structure of activated ribosomal genes. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg, 1980, 96(3), 221 - 4 Some immunological aspects of staphylococcal haematogenous osteomyelitis; Eid AM et al.; Patients with primary (haematogenous) staphylococcal osteomyelitis have been suspected for being deficient in their immune response . Serum levels of the three major circulating immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, and IgM) have been determined in 90 patients with this disease of varying duration and activity and in 100 control subjects . Of 270 measurements in the patient group, 80% fell within or below the normal (control) range . A small group of eight patients, however, were found to have sufficiently large increases in IgM levels to raise the mean value of the whole series to a statistically significnat level . Similarly IgA production was increased in chronic infection . These findings, on the whole, indicate that a majority of patients suffering from primary osteomyelitis may have depression of their normal immune response to infection. Zentralbl Bakteriol A, 1980, 247(2), 170 - 6 {Protein-A-hemagglutination test, a reliable method for rapid identification of S . aureus (author's transl)}; Essers L et al.; 369 staphylococcal strains isolated from clinical material were examined for tubeagglutination with sensitized sheep red cells in a standardized assay to study its reliability for routine identification of S . aureus . Colonies isolated from blood agar plates correlated in 99.5% with the (optimized) coagulase reaction . The test is easily to perform and results can be read after 2 hours, whereas the reference methods coagulase, hyaluronidase and deoxyribonuclease took as much as 24 h . The reliability of these tests is discussed. Arch Dermatol Res, 1980, 268(1), 1 - 7 Skin test and lymphocyte stimulation in delayed hypersensitivity against staphylococcal antigens . Relation to bacterial cell fractions; Meyer-Bloch JC et al.; Staphylococcal homogenate was fractionated into cell walls (CW), cell membranes (CM) (insoluble part left after removal of the cell wall fraction) and a soluble fraction . The capacity of these fractions to evoke delayed skin reactions and to stimulate lymph node and peripheral blood lymphocytes from guinea pigs sensitized with staphylococcal homogenate in Freund's complete adjuvant was tested 21 days after sensitization . Highest skin reactivity was observed with the cell wall fraction . In the lymphocyte stimulation test similar results were obtained with all three fractions . With peripheral blood lymphocytes higher stimulation indices were observed than with lymph node lymphocytes. Folia Biol (Praha), 1980, 26(4), 261 - 6 Binding of non-mammalian immunoglobulins to staphylococcal protein A; Zikan J et al.; Immunoglobulins M of the chicken (about 3% of serum IgM), clawed toad (12%) and carp (13%) bind to the protein A-Sepharose . A monomeric immunoglobulin with four domain heavy chains from the chicken serum is also bound (30% of bound immunoglobulins) . The protein A-Sepharose can be utilized for isolation of IgM of the clawed toad and carp directly from the serum. J Immunol Methods, 1980, 35(3-4), 249 - 58 Use of fluorescein conjugated staphylococcal protein-A as a labeling agent for porcine lymphocytes; Baxi PU et al.; Staphylococcal Protein-A conjugated to fluorescein (FPA) was compared to a fluorescein conjugated sheep immunoglobulin anti-pig IgG (FSAPG) as a labeling agent for surface IgG positive (sIg+) porcine lymphoid cells . At plateau concentration of the reagents, more lymphoid cells were labeled with FPA than with FSAPG . However, on a protein concentration basis, FPA was less sensitive than FSAPG . As a control, FPA proved to be a poor labeling agent for sIg+ bovine lymphoid cells when compared to FITC conjugated rabbit IgG anti-bovine IgG (FRABG) . Adsorptions of porcine lymphoid cells onto Protein-A Sepharose were performed in order to study the differential specificity of the Protein-A for sIg and for free immunoglobulins . The results of such absorptions showed that Protein-A Sepharose, whatever its affinity for Fab fragments from porcine immunoglobulins, could be used to enrich the sIg negative lymphoid cell populations in the pig. Scand J Immunol, 1980, 11(4), 369 - 76 Characterization of human lymphocyte surface receptors for mitogenic and non-mitogenic substances; Skoog VT et al.; To compare the receptor patterns for mitogenic and non-mitogenic substances, surface glycoproteins of human lymphocytes were labelled with the lactoperioxidase-catalysed iodination technique and with a galactose oxidase-tritiated sodium borohydride technique . Labelled cells were detergent-solubilized, and the lysates were allowed to react with insolubilized purified mitogenic lectins, phytohaemagglutinin, leucoagglutinin and an insolubilized non-mitogenic lectin, oxidized leucoagglutinin . Lectin-reactive proteins were eluted with sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) buffer . Cell membrane components reactive with anti-lymphocyte globulin (ALG) were retrieved by indirect immunoprecipitation with protein-A-bearing staphylococcus Cowan I strain (SaCI) . Lectin- and ALG-reactive proteins were analysed by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . Iodinated glycoproteins regularly showed four major components with molecular weights of 120,000, 70,000, 60,000 and 43,000 daltons, respectively, on 7% gels . An additional broad peak in the molecular weight range 20,000--35,000 daltons was found on 10% gels . Tritiated glycoproteins also showed four major components with MW 120,000, 70,000, 60,000 AND 42,000, RESPECTIVely, which reacted with lectin and ALG . In addition, ALG reacted with some glycoproteins with MW between 150,000 and 230,000 daltons . On 10% gels additional lectin- and ALG-binding glycoproteins with MW around 30,000 daltons were found . The similarity in structures bound by mitogenic and non-mitogenic substances indicates that lymphocyte activation may depend on some property conferred by the mitogen. Br J Dermatol, 1980 Jan, 102(1), 75 - 83 The experimental production of high-level intraepidermal splits; Skerrow CJ; The effects of trypsin at 37 degrees C and 4 degrees C on adhesion between keratinocytes in normal human epidermis were assessed by light and electron microscopy . The results provide evidence for the contribution of both extracellular and intracellular factors to keratinocyte adhesion and for changes in the nature of adhesion in the granular layer . Trypsinization at 4 degrees C produced a high-level intraepidermal split identical in location and intercellular route to that observed in the staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1980 Jan, (1), 92 - 5 {Importance of sanitary-antiepidemic measures in preventing staphylococcal infections in maternity hospitals}; Kitel' VS et al.; The results of the realization of antistaphylococcal measures in maternity hospitals, carried out under the guidance and control of the sanitary and epidemiological service, are presented . The sanitary and epidemiological station registered each case of staphylococcal infection in nursing mothers and infants and investigated its epidemiological aspects . The exposure of the causes responsible for the disease allowed to take up the necessary antiepidemic measures in due direction, thus preventing the spread of hospital infections. Vox Sang, 1980, 38(1), 12 - 8 Detection of quinidine-specific antibodies with platelet 125I-labeled staphylococcal protein A test; Kekomaki R et al.; Remarkably higher titers (80--160) of quinidine-specific antibodies were detected in the serum of 5 patients with suspected quinidine purpura, when 125I-labeled staphylococcal protein A was used as the marker of IgG bound onto platelets . During a follow-up of 3 of the patients, the antibody titers declined . The antibodies could be detected even when the final drug concentration was reduced from 0.3 to 0.003 mmol/l (i.e . therapeutic levels) . The reaction between serum and platelets was independent of the type of quinidine salt used . No cross-reactivity occurred with quinine . Heat inactivation of the serum did not decrease the quantity of specific antibodies detected on the platelets . The sedimentation behavior of antiplatelet activity in density gradient centrifugation resembled that of 7 S antibodies . When sedimentation was, however, effected on the drug-serum mixture, the reactivity of 7 S decreased. Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1980 Jan, 124(1), 97 - 100 {Treatment of staphylococcal pneumonia in children}; Savitskii VI et al.; Semisynthetic antibiotics combined with heparin and proteolysis inhibitors were used for the complex treatment of 110 children with staphylococcal destruction of lungs . Eleven children died . No heparin and inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes were used in the treatment of 158 children . Of this group 25 children died. Infection, 1980, 8(1), 8 - 12 The early serological detection of colonisation by Staphylococcus epidermidis of ventriculo-atrial shunts; Holt R; Simple quantitative serological tests demonstrating Staphylococcus epidermidis agglutinins and C-reactive protein were used for the early detection of ventriculo-atrial shunt colonization by this organism . Tests in normal children and adults in various age groups throughout life confirmed Bayston's ovservations that those tested attained a titre up to 1:160 TO S . epidermidis agglutinogen . In contrast, the titre in children with colonised shunts and in adults with S . epidermidis endocarditis, both conditions which are usually accompanied by bacteraemia, rose to much higher levels, sometimes up to 1:5120 . The routine combination of both tests has proven to be of considerable diagnostic value, particularly in early or recent colonisation. J Immunol Methods, 1980, 32(2), 157 - 66 Mitogenic responses of canine peripheral blood lymphocytes to staphylococcal protein A; Betton GR et al.; In order to produce long term lymphoid cell cultures from canine lymphocytes of known histocompatibility antigen specificities, mitogenic responses to staphylococcal protein A (SpA) were examined and compared with those of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A) . SpA was found to be the strongest mitogen tested with significant responses to concentrations as low as 31 ng/ml . There was a decrease in responsiveness above optimal mitogen concentrations with SpA and PHA . Peak responses were observed at lower concentrations for longer incubation times . PHA showed a rapid fall off in thymidine uptake below optimal concentrations whereas the SpA dose-response curve was less steep and a shoulder or secondary peak of activity was observed at low SpA concentrations in some cases . Continuous SpA stimulation of lymphocyte cultures resulted in an initial period of cell proliferation followed usually by a second period of cell proliferation around week 7 of culture . To date, viable cell cultures have been maintained for up to 12 weeks in vitro . SpA lymphoblast cultures behave normally in microcytotoxicity tests for serologically defined DLA histocompatibility antigens and remain functional in natural killer (NK) and PHA induced cell mediated cytotoxic reactions against 51Cr-labelled tumour target cells but were not themselves susceptible as target cells for NK activity. Infect Immun, 1980 Jan, 27(1), 280 - 2 Transduction of staphylococcal enterotoxin B synthesis: establishment of the toxin gene in a recombination-deficient mutant; Shafer WM et al.; Cotransduction of enterotoxin B synthesis into a recombination deficient mutant only occurred when the donor contained the pEntB plasmid . Enterotoxin B from chromosomal genotypes could not be established in such hosts . These data suggest that the entB gene is not capable of high-frequency translocation. Ann Thorac Surg, 1980 Jan, 29(1), 74 - 5 Rifampin in the management of early prosthetic staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis; George T et al.; Staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis occurred four days following aortic valve replacement with a Bjork-Shiley prosthesis . Antimicrobial therapy, shown to be effective by in vitro and in vivo studies, failed to eradicate the infection . When rifampin was added to the existing antibiotic regimen, peak serum bactericidal activity increased, the patient defervesced, and blood cultures became negative. Pediatrics, 1980 Jan, 65(1), 89 - 93 Acquired pulmonary artery aneurysm in an infant; Viart P et al.; An aneurysm of the left pulmonary artery developed in an infant during a staphylococcal generalized infection . The successful surgical treatment required a left pneumonectomy . In this report the causes of that rare lesion and the prognosis of pneumonectomy in infancy are reviewed. Pediatr Radiol, 1980, 9(1), 41 - 2 Staphylococcal pelvic and rectal infection in a neonate; Hammond BL et al.; An infant with neonatal staphylococcal infection had evidence of pelvic inflammation, peritonitis and proctitis which resulted in narrowing of the rectosigmoid, uterectasis, pyelocaliectasis, and partial obstruction of the inferior vena cava . Appropriate treatment resulted in resolution of these findings. Dermatologica, 1980, 160(2), 106 - 12 Repeated staphylococcal pyoderma in two siblings with defective neutrophil bacterial killing; Rebora A et al.; 2 children with undue susceptibility to skin infections and isolated defective neutrophil bacterial killing are described . Since the NBT-reducing capabilities of granulocytes were normal, a mild form of chronic granulomatous disease was excluded . Ascorbic acid was effective in delaying and eventually suppressing infectious episodes. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol, 1980, 7(2), 112 - 5 Modifications of the coagulation factors during normal and pathological pregnancies; Paternoster D et al.; Levels of fibrinogen and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (F.D.P.) have been mesurated respectively by thrombin time and by staphylococcus clumping test in 33 pregnant patients, recovered in the Obstetric and Gynaecological Clinic - University of Padua, during the ninth month of pregnancy . A control group of 16 normal pregnancies, a second group of 12 hypertensive patients, and a third group of 15 pregnancies who had given birth to rather small babies for date, were considered . A significative increase (p less than 0,001) of the F.D.P . values was found both in the pregnant women with hypertension and in those with foetal insufficiency respect to the control group . The fibrinogen levels did not vary in any of the three groups. Ophthalmologica, 1980, 181(6), 320 - 5 Lacrimal lysozyme alterations in experimental protein deficiency; Ratnakar KS et al.; Protein deficiency increases the susceptibility of the host to infection . Depressed phagocytic function, fall in non-specific protective substances of the serum, and poor immune response have all been recorded in the literature . The malnourished population exhibit recurrent ocular infections . The role of local defence mechanisms, principally lysozyme, is not known hitherto . In the present report, protein-deprived weaning Wistar rats showed a significant reduction in lysozyme against Staphylococcus aftermentas. Microbiol Immunol, 1980, 24(9), 871 - 8 The interactions of porcine and ovine, serum and colostral immunoglobulins with staphylococcal Protein A; Bennell MA et al.; The purpose of these studies was to determine the proportion of each immunoglobulin class/subclass in blood and colostrum of the pig and sheep, which would bind to staphylococcal Protein A . The concentrations of porcine IgG, IgM, and IgA were determined for serum and colostral whey from five sows . Similar measurements were made on two fractions produce by elution of the sample through a Protein A-Sepharose column: fraction 1, immunoglobulins which did not bind to Protein A, and fraction 2, immunoglobulins which bound to Protein A . The concentrations of ovine IgG1, IgG2, IgM, and IgA were measured for serum and colostral whey from six ewes, and again similar measurements were made after elution of each ovine sample through Protein A-Sepharose . All classes/subclasses of porcine and ovine serum and colostral immunoglobulins bound to Protein A to some extent . More than 90% of IgG from both porcine colostral whey and serum bound to Protein A . Ovine IgG1 from most ewes possessed a low affinity for Protein A whereas ovine IgG2 generally possessed a high affinity; 100% of the IgG2 in ovine colostral whey samples bound to Protein A . There was remarkable variation between individuals in the binding capacity of porcine IgM and each of the ovine immunoglobulins . For the ovine samples, in particular there were distinct differences between Protein A binding capacity of serum and colostral immunoglobulins of the same class/subclass. J Dial, 1980, 4(4), 179 - 84 Vancomycin therapy for serious staphylococcal infections in chronic hemodialysis patients; Bierman MH et al.; Vancomycin therapy during 7 episodes of serious staphylococcal infections in chronic hemodialysis patients was monitored by a sensitive bioassay technique . One gm of vancomycin was given during dialysis at a mean dosage interval of 7 days for a mean duration of 48 days . Serum peak and trough vancomycin levels were monitored during therapy . Accumulation of vancomycin occurred in 1 patient on prolonged therapy; progressive rising through levels required a reduction in vancomycin dosage . Pre and post-dialysis vancomycin levels in one patient were unchanged . Vancomycin was effective in eradication of all staphylococcal infections and bacteremias . Three A-V shunt infections required surgical revision; 2 A-V fistula infections were salvaged with vancomycin therapy alone . We conclude that 1 gm vancomycin every 7 days is an effective regimen for serious staphylococcal infections in chronic hemodialysis patients . Monitoring of vancomycin levels insures maintenance of adequate levels and prevents toxic accumulation. J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1980, 24(2), 219 - 26 Cellular component of the immune mechanism of maintaining chemical homoeostasis in the internal environment of the organism; Bykova AA et al.; In the study of obtained data on the part of immune mechanism in maintaining chemical homeostasis the authors found, by means of in vitro experiments, certain properties characterizing participation of the lymphatic apparatus of various rabbit and rat organs in the synthesis of antibodies against mediators, their metabolites, enzymes and hormons in comparison with effect of stimulators, {fytohemagglutinin, staphylococcal filtrate, xenogenic mixed lymphocytic cultures}, active and passive immunization of potential cell preparations for the production of specific autoantibodies . Formation of the mechanism is shown on ontogenesis . It was ascertained that pathologic processes {adjuvant arthritis, rejection reaction, immobilization stress, sepsis} essentially act upon conditions of the immune mechanism of chemical homeostasis. J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1980, 24(2), 177 - 82 Detection of staphylococcal enterotoxigenicity . II . Field strains; Petras P et al.; The immunodiffusion micromethod was used to detect enterotoxin production in 5974 staphylococcal strains isolated during 1972-1978 from food, human milk and various specimens of clincial material . Of a total number of examined strain there were identified 3001 staphylococcal strains that produced the following enterotoxins or enterotoxin combinations: A, B, C, D, E, A + B, A + C, A + D, A + E, B + D, C + E and A + C + E. Med Cutan Ibero Lat Am, 1980, 8(4-6), 81 - 4 {Folliculitis decalvans}; Muvdi F; The author describes the main clinical and pathological aspects of Folliculitis decalvans, rare dermatosis, probably related with Staphylococcus sensibilization of the follicle . Although in some cases Staphylococcus are present in the lesions, the treatment is disappointing . Tetracycline oral and topically, sodium sulfacetamide and fusidic acid are mentioned by Rook . Alopecia is always definitive. Pharmazie, 1980, 35(11), 677 - 9 Studies of potential organo-fluorine antibacterial agents . Part 5: Synthesis and antibacterial activity of some new fluorine-containing indole-2,3-dione derivatives; Joshi KC et al.; A series of new 1-dialkylaminoacetyl-5/6-fluoroindole-2,3-diones and 3-arylhydrazino-5/6-fluoro-1-morpholinomethylindol-2-ones have been synthesized; the former by the reaction of different secondary amines with N-chloro-acetyl-5/6-fluoroindole-2,3-diones and the latter, by the condensation of substituted phenylhydrazines with 5/6-fluoro-1-morpholinomethylindole-2,3-diones . All synthesized compounds have been characterized by their IR, 1H-NMR and elemental analysis . These compounds have been screened for their antibacterial activity against the Gram positive bacterium Staphylococcus albus and the Gram negative bacterium Escherichia coli. J Immunol Methods, 1980, 39(1-2), 111 - 20 Protein A-peroxidase conjugates for two-stage immunoenzyme staining of intracellular antigens in paraffin-embedded tissues; Falini B et al.; Staphylococcal protein A conjugated to horseradish peroxidase was employed in an indirect immuno-staining technique to identify intracellular antigens in paraffin-embedded tissues . The sections were incubated with specific antisera and the antigen-IgG complexes demonstrated with protein A-peroxidase conjugate . Immunoglobulins, lysozyme and insulin were satisfactorily detected by this technique . A comparison of this method with the PAP, "labelled antigen" and peroxidase-labelled antibody sandwich techniques was made. J Immunol Methods, 1980, 32(2), 151 - 5 A solid-phase antibody binding-inhibition test, for the assay of Plasmodium berghei antigen and antibodies, using radioiodinated protein A; Avraham H et al.; Sonicated red blood cells (RBC) of rats infected with Plasmodium berghei (Pb) were used to coat plastic tubes with Pb antigens . The antigen-coated tubes were employed to detect Pb antigens and antibodies, with high efficiency . Anti-Pb antibodies were estimated by treating the tubes with rabbit or rat anti-Pb sera and assaying the bound Ig with radiolabeled Staphylococcus PrA . Pb antigens were detected by their capacity to inhibit the binding of the anti-Pb antibodies . Using a rabbit-Pb serum, sonicated, infected RBC (50% parasitemia) gave detectable inhibition up to 1 : 106 dilution. Johns Hopkins Med J, 1980 Jan, 146(1), 13 - 5 Fatal Staphylococcus epidermidis sepsis following bone marrow transplantation; Bender JW et al.; Staphylococcus epidermidis septicemia and pneumonia developed in an 18-year-old male undergoing bone marrow transplantation . The organism was isolated from multiple blood cultures, sputum cultures, an indwelling catheter tip and post-mortem lung biopsy specimens . The bacterium was resistant to penicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, vancomycin, gentamicin, cephalothin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, but was sensitive to rifampin . The rapid demise of this patient, as well as the difficulty in achieving effective antibiotic therapy, illustrates the potential pathogenicity of this organism in immunosuppressed patients. J Immunol Methods, 1980, 32(1), 51 - 8 A simple procedure to use whole serum as a source of either IgG- or IgM-specific antibody; Boyle MD et al.; Absorption of rabbit antiserum to Forssman antigen with immobilized staphylococcal Protein A or concanavalin A selectively removed IgG or IgM antibodies, respectively . This absorption procedure was more rapid than ion exchange chromatography on DEAE cellulose or molecular sieving on Sephadex G-200 and gave a better yield of functionally purer antibody . This absorption method gave antiserum suitable for the preparation of either IgM or IgG sensitized sheep erythrocytes and should be of value for the large-scale preparation of indicator cells required for the study of complement action and for detection of specific receptors on cell surfaces. Scand J Immunol, 1980, 12(2), 119 - 27 Some functional properties of the RNP nucleoplasmic antigen; Jonsson J et al.; The effect of nuclear stimulators and inhibitors on the nuclear contents of nucleoplasmic antigens (ENA) was studied by the indirect immunofluorescence technique . Human autoimmune sera, one reacting with RNase-A-sensitive and one with RNase-A-resistant components of ENA in the passive haemagglutination test, were used as indicators of the RNP and Sm antigens, respectively . Phytohaemagglutinin and concanavalin A both caused an accumulation of these antigens in normal blood lymphocytes . With pokeweed mitogen, staphylococcal protein A, or purified protein derivative the accumulation was apparently restricted to B cells, alpha-amanitine, 10 microgram/ml, prevented the mitogen-induced accumulation of RNP in normal human blood lymphocytes and reduced the contents of this antigen in several lymphoblastoid cell lines and in HeLa cells but did not significantly affect the contents of Sm antigen in any of these cell types . The experimental results suggest that the RNP and Sm nucleoplasmic antigens are normal rapid-phase reactants integrated in physiological nuclear mechanisms rather than inert structural constituents of the nuclear matrix or the products of a latent virus. Acta Microbiol Acad Sci Hung, 1980, 27(1), 79 - 87 The adherence of Staphylococcus epidermidis to human tonsil lymphocytes; Nagy Z et al.; Attachment of various bacteria to human, peripheral blood and tonsil lymphocytes was investigated in vitro . About 20% of tonsil lymphocytes bound Staphylococcus epidermidis, whereas the binding of other strains was negligible . The influence on cytoadherence of human serum, immunoglobulins (human IgM, IgG, IgA, as well as their respective anti-Ig's), and carbohydrates (mono and polysaccharides) was measured . It was found that heterogenous surface structures of the lymphocytes participate in the attachment. Infection, 1980, 8 Suppl 3, 248 - 54 {The Buckley syndrome: recurring, severe staphylococcal infections, eczema and hyperimmunoglobulinemia E . (author's transl)}; Daumling S et al.; Fifteen patients aged between three and 27 years were examined clinically and immunologically . Common to all patients were severe recurring cutaneous and pulmonary staphyloccal infections, chronic eczema, eosinophilia and an extremely elevated serum IgE level . Eight of the patients had in addition facial dysplasia characterised by coarse features, prognathism and poorly formed external ears . Marked osteoporosis, particularly of the vertebral bodies, was observed in eight patients . A constant defect of granulocyte chemotaxis was found in only three patients; fluctuating or constantly normal chemotaxis occurred in six patients . Polycloncal hypergammaglobulinemia was detected in 14 patients, elevated IgD in two patients, a partial T-cell defect in two patients and a history of lack of antibody response in one patient . Therapeutic trails anti-H2 receptor-antihistamines did not produce lasting or satisfactory clinical or immunological results in the pathogenetically unidentified disease. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1980, 62(1), 67 - 75 Effect of adult thymectomy on the development of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene contact sensitivity and other T lymphocyte functions in patients with myasthenia gravis; Roupe G et al.; 1-Chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB) contact sensitivity and other T lymphocyte functions were studied in thymectomized and non-thymectomized patients with myasthenia gravis . The ability to develop contact sensitivity was reduced in patients with myasthenia gravis and was further reduced after thymectomy . Memory lymphocyte function, as measured by skin tests with common microbial antigens, was intact . A positive phytohemagglutinin (PHA) skin test was found mainly in those patients who also developed contact sensitivity to DNCB . The number of rosette-forming T cells in the peripheral blood as well as mitogen stimulation with PHA was found to be normal in thymectomized as well as non-thymectomized patients . In the thymectomized group, mitogen stimulation with concanavalin A and staphylococcal protein A was also within the normal range, while increased stimulation was obtained with pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and purified protein derivative (PPD) . No alteration in mixed lymphocyte culture reactivity or immunoglobulin levels was obtained compared with healthy blood donors . On the basis of these results, it is concluded that non-thymectomized as well as thymectomized patients with myasthenia gravis may have a defective subpopulation of T cells possibly residing in the TH1-positive population . Furthermore, the increased lymphocyte stimulation obtained with PPD and PWM may indicate a reduction of suppressor cell activity after thymectomy. Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1980, Suppl 24, 165 - 72 Physico-chemical properties of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus as studied by aqueous polymer two-phase systems; Colleen S et al.; The physico-chemical surface characteristics, i.e . charge, charge density and hydrophobic interaction liability, of two strains of Staphylococcus saprophyticus were studied by the partition in aqueous polymer two-phase systems and compared to that of three strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis . The two strains of S . saprophyticus, one with and one without sheep erythrocyte agglutinating ability, were found to be negatively charged at pH 7.2 and 5.5, but exhibited a charge reduction at the lower pH . The three strains of S . epidermidis were found to carry a lower charge and lost relatively more charge at pH reduction than did S . saprophyticus . All strains of both bacterial species had a poor hydrophobic interaction liability . Incubation of one strain of S . saprophyticus with specific immune serum did not influence on hydrophobicity, but reduced charge drastically . Charge reduction was found to be associated with an immune serum fraction containing IgG and IgA. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1980, 63(4), 470 - 2 In vivo suppression and enhancement of the murine homocytotropic antibody response by staphylococcal enterotoxin A; Chen SE et al.; Effects of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) on the mouse homocytotropic antibody (HCA) system were studied . Groups of BDF mice received 10 micrograms SEA either orally or intraperitoneally at 0, 24, 48 h before or after immunization with 100 micrograms ovalbumin in 1 mg A1(OH)3 gel . Primary and secondary HCA responses were determined by 48-hour passive cutaneous anaphylactic reactions in genetically hairless mice . It was found that effects of SEA on HCA responses were dependent on the time and route of SEA administration . In general, early administration (48 h before immunization) of SEA showed suppression, while later administration (either 24 h before or after immunization) of SEA demonstrated enhancement . A further delay of SEA administration (48 h after immunization) exerted suppressive effects except when it was given intraperitoneally in the anamnestic HCA experiments . The mouse HCA system proved to be a suitable in vivo correlate of in vitro plaque-forming cell responses modulated by SEA. Vopr Virusol, 1980 Jan-Feb, (1), 95 - 7 {Morphologic and physico-chemical characteristics of staphylococcal bacteriophage SB-1 virions}; Chanishvili TG et al.; Virions of polyvalent staphylococcal bacteriophage SB-I have an octaedric head (800 X 700 A) and a long contractive process (1800 X 150 A) . The phage particle with a molecular weight of 150 X 10(6) daltons contains 48% double-stranded RNA and 52% protein . The proteinic component of the phage consists of 18 heterogeneic polypeptide chains. J Invest Dermatol, 1980 Jan, 74(1), 36 - 9 Cytotaxin production by comedonal bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes, Propionibacterium granulosum and Staphylococcus epidermidis); Puhvel SM et al.; The potential role of different species of comedonal bacteria as chemotactic stimuli in the inflammatory phase of acne vulgaris was investigated by comparing 12 strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis, 11 strains of Propionibacterium acnes, and 5 strains of P . granulosum for production of cytotaxin in vitro . Results indicated that not only were there marked differences in cytotaxin production between different strains of the same species grown under identical growth conditons, but there were often significant differences in cytotaxin activity of the same strain grown in different media . This finding is discussed in relation to development of inflammation in quiescent comedones in acne vulgaris. Trans Assoc Am Physicians, 1980, 93, 251 - 62 Immunoregulatory functions of cultured human T lymphocytes; Uchiyama T et al.; Twenty continuous cultures of human T cells (CTC) (15 from normal individuals and five from patients with T cell malignancy) growing in the presence of PHA-stimulated lymphocyte conditioned medium were studied for their ability to participate in the regulation of the in vitro immunoglobulin (Ig) production induced by five polyclonal activators, pokeweed mitogen (PWM), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Nocardia opaca water-soluble mitogen (NWSM), streptolysin O (SLO), and staphylococcl phage lysate (SPL) . The CTC did not produce significant amounts of Ig in the presence of any polyclonal activator . One out of 15 CTC examined showed helper activity of moderate degree when co-cultured with B cells rigorously depleted of T cells in PWM-driven Ig biosynthesis . Two of the other CTC helped minimally . Nine of 20 CTC examined (8 of 15 from normal individuals and 1 of 5 from patients with T cell malignancies) were found to have marked suppressor cell activity when co-cultured with normal lymphocytes in the PWM-induced Ig production system and four had moderate or variable suppressive effect . This suppression was apparently not due to simple "overgrowth" or nonspecific toxic effects of CTC because (1) the CTC did not proliferate when cultured without conditioned medium, (2) the CTC did not suppress Ig production when they were added 3 days after the beginning of the 12-day cultures, (3) the CTC did not show cytotoxic activity against normal T and B cells, and (4) the CTC did not inhibit tritiated thymidine incorporation into PWM- or EBV-stimulated lymphocytes when mixed with them at the onset of culture . Ig production induced by EBV or NWSM, which are relatively T cell-independent polyclonal activators, was suppressed significantly T cell-independent polyclonal activators, was suppressed significantly by only one out of nine and one out of six CTC examined, respectively . Four clones produced by a limiting dilution method from one suppressor CTC suppressed PWM-driven Ig synthesis as markedly as the uncloned suppressor CTC . Such CTC may be of considerable value in studies of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of immunoglobulin biosynthesis and in the preparation of antisera to T cell subsets. Mol Gen Genet, 1980, 180(2), 391 - 8 Physical mapping of the BglI, BglII, PstI and EcoRI restriction fragments of staphylococcal phage phi 11 DNA; Bachi B; A cleavage map of the generalized transducing staphylococcal phage phi 11 DNA has been constructed by reciprocal double digestion . All three BglI, the six BglII, the three PstI, and 11 out of 15 EcoRI sites have been mapped . The map is circular, with a total length of 42 kb, and has been divided into 100 map units . The phage DNA is cyclically permuted and has a terminal redundancy of about 11 kb . The preferential starting point and direction for packaging DNA lies at map unit 79 and proceeds towards higher map units. J Surg Oncol, 1980, 14(3), 219 - 25 Serological evaluation of human brain tumors using a microradioisotopic staphylococcal protein A assay; Cohen AM et al.; A microradioisotopic staphylococcal protein A assay was applied to the serological evaluation of preoperative sera from brain tumor patients . The assay was performed in Terasaki plates, and a stainless steel punch and multiholed die facilitated sample prearation . Using allogeneic astrocytoma target cells, 15/19 of the brain tumor patients' sera were reactive, compared to 1/21 controls 0/7 nonmalignant brain disease patients' sera were positive, and 5/20 sera from patients with epithelial malignancies . The brain tumor sera were not reactive against a rectal cancer cell line. J Immunol Methods, 1980, 32(2), 167 - 76 Use of the periodate oxidation coupling method for the detection of antibody and antibody-producing cells specific for staphylococcal lipoteichoic acid; Beining PR et al.; The periodate oxidation and chromium chloride coupling methods were compared for their ability to sensitize indicator erythrocytes with staphylococcal lipoteichoic acid (LTA) for the detection of specific antibody . Erythrocytes, sensitized with periodiate-activated lipoteichoic acid, were found to be superior for use in both passive immune hemagglutination and hemolysis tests as well as in the technique of localized hemolysis-in-gel for the detection of specific antibody-producing cells against LTA. Arch Toxicol Suppl, 1980, 4, 138 - 42 Effects of toxicants on T-cell subpopulations as determined by lymphokine activity; Archer DL et al.; Selective depletion of T1 and T2 lymphocyte subpopulations of mouse spleens was accomplished by injecting mice subcutaneously with 5 mg cortisone acetate (CA) or 0.1 ml antithymocyte serum (ATS), respectively . Selectively depleted and control spleen cells were cultured in vitro and were tested for their ability to produce the lymphokine immune interferon (IIF) in response to the following mitogens: staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA), concanavalin A (ConA), and phytohaemagglutinin-P (PHA) . The data indicate that SEA and PHA induce IIF from T1 and T2 cells respectively; ConA induces IIF from both T1 and T2 cells . Mice were also injected subcutaneously with 10 mg gallic acid (GA) and the pattern of mitogen-induction of IIF from GA-treated spleen cells was compared with that of CA- and ATS-treated spleen cells . GA pretreatment of mice, like CA pretreatment, resulted in a significant decrease in SEA-induced IIF; GA probably exerts its effect on T1 suppressor cells. Vox Sang, 1980, 38(3), 147 - 55 IgG subclasses in human gamma-globulin preparations for intravenous use and their reactivity with staphylococcus protein A; Skvaril F et al.; In two of four non-enzymatically treated gamma-globulin preparations C Immunoglobulin Schura, Immunoglobulin SRK), the distribution of IgG subclasses was found to be close to that of normal human serum . In two other preparations (sulphonated and beta-propiolactone-treated) IgG3 was not detectable by means of appropriate antiserum . The IgG residual portion of plasmin-treated gamma-globulin was enriched in IgG2, while IgG3 was absent . In affinity chromatography on protein A Sepharose, IgG3 in the unbound and IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4 in the bound fractions were found in Immunoglobulins Schura and SRK . In the sulphonated preparation no IgG was found in the unbound fraction, while IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4 were eluted from the bound fraction . In beta-propiolactone-treated gamma-globulin IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4 were present in both fractions . The testing of reactivity of IgG subclasses with Staphylococcus protein A can supply important information about the state of the Fc part in immunoglobulin preparations. J Immunol Methods, 1980, 34(2), 93 - 106 125I-labeled protein A as a general tracer in immunoassay: suitability of goat and sheep antibodies; Langone JJ; The immunoassay method in which 125I-labeled staphylococcal Protein A ({125I}PA) serves as a general tracer has been extended to include goat and sheep IgG antibodies . Goat and sheep IgG normally do not react significantly with PA . However, once IgG antibody is bound to immobilized antigen or hapten, binding of {125I}PA is enhanced markedly . Binding efficiencies of {125I}PA to immune complexed goat anti-human IgM, human IgE, methotrexate and sheep anti-IgE were determined and compared quantitatively to rabbit IgG with the corresponding specificity . Immunoassays were developed based on the inhibition of {125I}PA binding as a measure of antibody inhibition by fluid-phase homologous ligand . In terms of sensitivity and specificity, assays using goat and sheep antibodies were comparable to assays developed using rabbit IgG . Goat antibody to the monovalent hapten methotrexate behaved anomalously: for each concentration of IgG tested, there was an optimal amount of methotrexate beads that gave maximum binding of {125I}PA . In the other immune systems, for each antibody concentration maximum binding of tracer was a function only of the amount of immobilized antigen added . In contrast to the results obtained with solid-phase antigen, solutions containing antibody and amounts of antigen ranging from large antigen excess to antibody excess to antibody excess failed to react significantly with PA or {125I}PA. Int J Cancer, 1979 Dec 15, 24(6), 773 - 9 Comparative tumor-inhibitory and anti-bacterial activity of soluble and particulate glucan; Di Luzio NR et al.; A soluble fraction of particulate glucan was prepared and evaluated for its anti-tumor and anti-bacterial activity . Thin-layer chromatographic analysis indicated that the soluble preparation was composed of a variety of polyglucoses . Intravenous administration of soluble or particulate glucan resulted in significant reductions in the growth of a syngeneic anaplastic mammary carcinoma and melanoma B16 . Survival data demonstrated that intravenous administration of soluble or particulate glucan prolonged survival of A/J and C57BL/6J mice with subcutaneous tumor implants . As regards to bacterial infections, soluble and particulate glucan decreased renal necrosis in S . aureus challenged mice as compared to control mice . Although the exact nature of the active soluble fraction(s) of glucan remains to be delineated, these studies demonstrate that a soluble glucan preparation exhibits significant anti-tumor and anti-staphylococcal activity . The active soluble fraction of particulate glucan may be preferable to particulate glucan in view of the inherent ease of parenteral administration. Int J Cancer, 1979 Dec 15, 24(6), 762 - 9 An assay for estradiol preceptors using a staphylococcal protein-A--estradiol antibody adsorbent; Ronchi E et al.; Antiestradiol antisera were raised in rabbits by immunization with a steroid-protein conjugate Whole antisera and purified antiestradiol antibodies were reacted with heat-killed and formalin-fixed bacteria from the protein-A-bearing strain of Staphilococcus aureus (Cowan I, NCTC 8530) . The bacterial immunoadsorbent was used to estimate the estrogen-receptor proteins contained in several specimens from human breast carcinoma . Since the affinity constant for estradiol of antiestradiol antibodies is about 10(8) M-1 while those for breast estrogen-receptor complexes are about 10(9) to 10(10) M-1, it is possible to remove the free steroid from a reaction mixture containing tissue cytosol, radio-labelled estradiol, and the antiestradiol bacterial adsorbent by pelleting the bacteria at low-speed centrifugation . The radiolabelled estradiol molecules bound to their receptors remain in the supernatant and can be easily counted by liquid scintillation counting . The results obtained by this technique on specimens of human breast carcinomas compared more than satisfactorily with those obtained, on separated aliquots from the same specmens, by the dextran-coated charcoal method, according to the EORTC group (1973) . The versatility, specificity and stability of the antiestradiol bacterial immunoadsorbent recommend its use, rather than that of charcoal-coated dextran and other non-specific steroid adsorbents, in the mass screening of patients with breast carcinoma which could be amenable to hormonal therapy. Trop Geogr Med, 1979 Dec, 31(4), 525 - 9 Staphylococcal pericarditis with pyopericardium; Bentley SJ et al.; Seven previously well patients with acute staphylococcal pericarditis and purulent pericardial effusion are described . All had a septicaemic illness in which worsening heart failure with signs of cardiac tamponade became the major problems of management . Tropical pyomyositis was probably the predisposing illness in four patients . This number of proven cases within an 18-month period suggests that staphylococcal pyopericardium is in a tropical environment probably commoner than realised. J Infect Dis, 1979 Dec, 140(6), 837 - 43 Secretory immunity in influenza; Shvartsman YS et al.; The dynamics of secretory antibody formation, the duration of secretory antibody preservation, and changes in the concentration of secretory antibodies to antigens other than influenza virus were studied in 64 patients with influenza A, 105 patients with influenza B, and 23 persons who had had influenza A . Severe forms of influenza A were accompanied by antibody accumulation in sera and nasal secretions; in some cases of mild forms of this infection, this process was limited by the humoral immunity system . In the first days of severe forms, transudation of antibodies from sera to nasal secretions was noted . Secretory antibodies to influenza A virus were preserved at titers of greater than or equal to 1:4 for four to eight months in persons with mild forms of the disease and for more than eight months in those with severe influenza A complicated with pneumonia . Decreases in the titer of antibodies to agents other than influenza A virus, including influenza B virus, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, and staphylococcus toxin, were demonstrated in association with rises in titers of antibody to influenza A virus . Among patients with influenza B, who were infected with a new influenza virus variant, the formation of circulating antibodies was more intensely stimulated than was the formation of secretory antibodies . No correlation between the level of IgA and the antibody titer in nasal secretions was found. J Bacteriol, 1979 Dec, 140(3), 859 - 63 Presence and synthesis of cholesterol in stable staphylococcal L-forms; Hayami M et al.; The sterol which was present in two strains of a stable staphylococcal L-form was analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography and combined gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry . The retention time of the sterol on gas-liquid chromatography was the same as that of authentic cholesterol . Analysis of the sterol by mass spectrometry showed a molecular ion at an m/e of 386 and the same patterns of major ions above an m/e of 145 as those of authentic cholesterol . As a result, the sterol in staphylococcal L-form was identified as cholesterol . A parent strain and its L-forms were cultured in medium containing {14C}acetate, and the synthesis of cholesterol was examined . In the L-forms, 0.52% of the total lipid radioactivity was found in cholesterol fraction, whereas no significant radioactivity was detected in the cholesterol fraction of the parent strain, indicating that staphylococcal L-forms have acquired the capacity to synthesize cholesterol. Cell, 1979 Dec, 18(4), 1173 - 83 A phase relationship associates tRNA structural gene sequences with nucleosome cores; Wittig B et al.; DNA (760 bp) isolated from nucleosome tetramers of staphylococcal nuclease-digested chicken embryo chromatin was highly enriched for tRNA genes and subsequently cloned in E . coli chi 1776 . The location of genes coding for chicken embryo tRNALys, tRNAPhe and tRNAiMet within the cloned nucleosome tetramer DNA was determined using restriction endonucleases for which single cleavage sites could be predicted from the respective tRNA base sequence . All our tRNA genes reside nonrandomly at four locations on nucleosome tetramer DNA . The spacing between the tRNA gene locations is approximately 190 bp, similar to the DNA repeat length of chicken embryo chromatin . The four tRNA gene locations were also defined in noncloned nucleosome tetramer DNA highly enriched for tRNA genes . The majority of genes coding for tRNALys, tRNAPhe and tRNAiMet, respectively, are located in equal proportion 40-45, 230, 420 and 610 bp distant from the 5' end of the tRNA-identical strand . Thus the tRNA structural gene sequences all appear to begin about 20 bp "inside" the nucleosome core . As observed with nucleosomal DNA not enriched for tRNA genes, the phase relationship between tRNA genes and nucleosome location is maintained over a distance of 4-6 subsequent nucleosomes . A cloned molecule of nucleosomal DNA containing both a tRNALys gene and a tRNAiMet gene in the same polarity reveals that a phase adjustment might be necessary for the nucleosomes between these two tRNA genes in chicken embryo chromatin. Arch Intern Med, 1979 Dec, 139(12), 1350 - 2 Endocarditis associated with porcine valve xenografts; Downham WH et al.; Review of porcine valve xenografts in 68 patients over a 32-month period disclosed seven episodes of endocarditis in six patients, an attack rate of 10% . Four patients died as a result of the infections . The presence of Staphylococcus epidermidis in every case was most striking as was the preponderance of methicillin sodium resistance . The clustering of cases within a restricted time period, and the absence of subsequent cases, suggests the strong possibility of a nosocomial occurrence. Am J Ophthalmol, 1979 Dec, 88(6), 1052 - 5 Staphylococcal ophthalmia neonatorum and the staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome; Fox KR et al.; A 3-week-old infant had neonatal ophthalmia neonatorum, treated in a routine manner which rapidly developed into an advanced case of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome . The infant had sudden onset of widespread erythematous and tender areas of skin with subsequent exfoliation of large surface areas . We emphasize the recognition of this syndrome and the understanding that it may rapidly become a serious consequence of staphylococcal ophthalmia neonatorum . We stress the need for initial microbiologic studies and early antibiotic therapy for ophthalmia neonatorum. South Med J, 1979 Dec, 72(12), 1557 - 8, 1563 Comparison of staphylococcal and nonstaphylococcal endocarditis in narcotic addicts; Ogbuawa O et al.; In a 54-month retrospective review, we compared the clinical features of 26 narcotic addicts with staphylococcal endocarditis (group 1) and ten other addicts with nonstaphylococcal endocarditis (group 2) . The admission temperature and the respiratory rate of patients in group 1 were significantly higher (P less thn .05 and less than .02 respectively) than those of patients in group 2 . Group 1 also differed from group 2 in the following variables: (1) bilateral multiple pulmonary infiltrates in 46% vs none in group 2; (2) greater incidence of symptoms referable to the central nervous system (50% vs none in group 2); and (3) gastrointestinal symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation in 62% vs 10% in group 2 . Serious cardiovascular, renal, and other complications were more frequent in staphylococcal endocarditis . Tricuspid regurgitation occurred with equal frequency in both groups and was of no value in differentiating staphylococcal from nonstaphylococcal endocarditis. J Can Assoc Radiol, 1979 Dec, 30(4), 218 - 22 Native children's lung; Houston CS et al.; A high proportion of Cree and other North American Indian children have a chronic cough and many have bronchial wall thickening on radiographs, reminiscent of white children with asthma, mild cystic fibrosis, or immune deficiency . When compared to postmortem studies, radiographs underestimate the degree of bronchial wall thickening present . As compared to white children, Indian children in the first two years of life are more susceptible to recurrent bronchitis and pneumonia, are much more likely to develop pneumonia with rubeola and pertussis, and are more likely to develop chronic lung disease after adenovirus infections . Staphylococcal complications with pneumatocele formation are more common . A greater number acquire pneumonia while in hospital with other medical or surgical problems . Indian children with pneumonia recover more slowly, and some continue to deteriorate even after admission to hospital. Chest, 1979 Dec, 76(6), 647 - 52 Complications of pulmonary artery catheterization in the care of critically ill patients . A prospective study; Elliott CG et al.; In order to evaluate the incidence and the significance of complications resulting from the use of flow--directed, balloon--tipped catheters to monitor critically ill patients, we made a prospective study of 116 pulmonary artery catheterizations . Indications for catheterization included shock, pulmonary edema, or hemodynamic instability following surgery . Arrhythmias, including premature atrial or ventricular depolarizations, ventricular tachycardia, and transient right--bundle branch block occurred during 90 of the 116 insertion procedures, but were unassociated with morbidity or mortality . In two cases (1.7 percent) staphylococcal bacteremia probably originated from the catheter . In addition, the pulmonary artery catheter led to two cases (1.7 percent) of subclavian vein thrombosis . Postmortem examinations revealed perforations of the pulmonic valve in one case . We conclude that although significant complications may result from pulmonary arterial catheterization and monitoring of critically ill patients, the incidence is low. J Neurosurg, 1979 Dec, 51(6), 804 - 11 Long-term analysis of cerebrospinal fluid shunt infections . A 25-year experience; George R et al.; The authors have retrospectively analyzed 840 cerebrospinal fluid shunting procedures over a 25-year period to determine the relationships between infection rates and several possible influences on infection . Two-thirds of all shunt infections occurred within 1 month of surgery . The very young and very old had higher infection rates . Infections became less prevalent over the period of the study, and mortality from infection decreased from 35% to 6% . Successive shunts (revisions) were found to have progressively higher infection rates . Ventriculoatrial and ventriculoperitoneal silicone plastic shunts had similar infection rates (11.4% and 12.0%) . The uncontrolled use of prophylactic antibiotics had no effect on shunt infections . Staphylococcus epidermidis became gradually more prevalent over the period of the study, and eventually caused one-half of all infections . Where infection occurred in the presence of prophylaxis, the infectious organism was usually sensitive to the antibiotic being used . The surgeon was found to be the largest single factor in the incidence of shunt infections . A 25-fold variance in infection rates among surgeons could be related to individual experience and technique. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1979 Dec, 76(12), 6326 - 30 Organization of spacer DNA in chromatin; Lohr D et al.; Detailed analysis of the DNA fragment patterns produced by DNase I digestion of yeast, HeLa, and chicken erythrocyte nuclei reveals surprising features of nucleosome phasing . First, the spacer regions in phased yeast chromatin must be of lengths (10m + 5) base pairs, where m = 0, 1, 2,....This feature is not seen in parallel studies of chicken erythrocyte chromatin . The 5-base pair increment in the yeast spacer imposes interesting restraints on the higher order structure of yeast chromatin . Second, we have been able to simulate the DNase I cutting patterns and get good agreement with the observed yeast patterns . Third, three different chromatins show a long range periodicity in the DNase I digest pattern, with a period half that of the staphylococcal nuclease repeat . These results suggest that the amount of chromatin observed in discrete extended-ladder bands is a minimum estimate of phasing and in fact phasing may be a more general feature. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1979 Dec, (12), 87 - 90 {State of the nonspecific humoral factors of the body's natural resistance in patients with suppurative and septic infections having various ABO system blood groups}; Romanov VA et al.; The results of surveying 140 patients with severe purulent and septic infections of staphylococcal etiology, when compared with the distribution of the blood groups (as classified according to the ABO system) in 180 healthy donors, revealed that generalized purulent infections occurred most frequently in patients with blood groups A (II) and AB (IV), and more seldom in patients with blood groups O (I) and B (III) . The average content of lysozyme, complement and normal antibodies to E . coli, as well as the average level of general bactericidal activity in the blood sera of the patients were considerably lower than in the blood sera of healthy donors; at the same time content of lysozyme, complement and normal antibodies in the blood sera of patients having different groups of blood did not reflect the degree of their predisposition or resistance to staphylococcal infections . The general bactericidal activity of the blood serum was found to correlate with the degree of predisposition or resistance to purulent septic infections of staphylococcal etiology to a greater extent than other characteristics. Blood, 1979 Dec, 54(6), 1330 - 7 The use and limitation of labeled staphylococcal protein A for study of antineutrophil antibodies; McCallister JA et al.; Antineutrophil antibodies can be detected following their attachment to neutrophils by employing labeled staphylococcal protein A (SPA) . Radiolabeled SPA provides a sensitive means for identifying the presence of IgG restricted to subclasses IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 that will specifically bind to neutrophils and that are found in the serum of patients with isoimmune and autoimmune neutropenia . However, SPA bound to the Fc region of IgG does not interfere with the attachment of IgG to the Fc domain of the neutrophil . Fluorescein-labeled SPA, in turn is useful in monitoring the functional consequences of antibody attachment to the surface of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) . Both heterologous and isoimmune antisera induced lateral movement of surface antigens into polar-capped pseudopodia . The formation of such pseudopodia may facilitate leukoagglutination and the subsequent removal of sensitized cells from the circulation. J Reprod Immunol, 1979 Dec, 1(4), 219 - 27 Cord blood lymphocyte subpopulations and mitogenic activity in whole blood microculture; Griffin JF et al.; Comparative studies on cord and adult blood showed that cord blood contained at least twice as many lymphocytes as adult blood . Relatively, the percentage of T cells (E-RFC) was significantly lower in cord blood lymphocytes . The percentage of B cells (EAC-RFC and SmIg bearing cells), as well as the total number of T and B cells (mm(-3)), was significantly higher in cord blood . In vitro mitogen transformation of cord and adult lymphocytes in while blood, cultured for different times and diluted to contain equivalent numbers of lymphocytes per culture, showed significant qualitative and quantitative differences . Responses to the T cell mitogens phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A) were examined from 3 to 6 days in culture . Cord blood lymphocytes were significantly more responsive when cultured for 3 to 4 days, similar to adult cells after 5 days, but significantly less responsive after 6 days in culture . The optimal levels of T cell mitogen responsiveness in cord cells (Day 4) were similar to adut cells (Day 6) . Spontaneous transformation of unstimulated lymphocytes and B cell mitogen transformation with pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and staphylococcal protein A (SpA) were all significantly higher in cord blood than in adult whole blood cultured for 5 days. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1979 Dec, (12), 83 - 6 {Characteristics of the mitogenic activity of different staphylococcal strains}; Iliushin VA et al.; The mitogens of human peripheral lymphocytes were detected in the metabolic products of 59 out of 71 S . aureus strains . The preparations of S . epidermidis were inactive . When stimulated with filtrates of various S . aureus strains, 72-hour lymphocyte cultures were found to have 0--46% of blasts . Two-year observation of a strain showed its stable mitogenic characteristics . The mitogenic properties of the preparations did not correlate with their coagulase, alpha-toxic, dermonecrotoxic, cytotoxic, enterotoxigenic, neutrophil-stimulating activity and the quantitative content of A protein. Infect Immun, 1979 Dec, 26(3), 949 - 55 Induction of an inhibitor of interferon action in a mouse lymphokine preparation; Fleischmann WR Jr et al.; An inhibitor of interferon action was identified in mouse lymphokine preparations . The inhibito was first detected in the supernatant fluid of mouse spleen cells at 72 h after stimulation by staphylococcal enterotoxin A . Inhibitor was not detected in supernatant fluids from unstimulated cultures . This inhibitor blocks the antiviral activity of both immune and fibroblast interferons . The inhibitor was purified 1,000-fold by two-step column chromatography . The partially purified inhibitor blocked the antiviral activity of up to 400 U of interferon . The immunosuppressive effect of interferon was also blocked by the inhibitor, suggesting that the inhibitor may modulate the immunoregulatory function of interferon. Am Rev Respir Dis, 1979 Dec, 120(6), 1239 - 44 Effects of Sendai virus infection on function of cultured mouse alveolar macrophages; Mills J; Cultured mouse alveolar macrophages supported the growth of Sendai virus (murine parainfluenza I virus), as measured by both a 10-fold increase in extracellular virus titers and development of viral antigens on most of the cells . Synthesis of virus continued for at least 1 month without cytopathic effects . Macrophage phagocytic activity for Candida, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and opsonized erythrocytes remained unaffected by the infection, and the ability of the cells to kill S . epidermidis and S . Aureus was also unchanged . The defects in alveolar macrophage function observed in Sendai-infected mouse lungs probably are not due to a direct effect of the virus on macrophage function. Cancer, 1979 Dec, 44(6), 2244 - 8 Acquired myeloperoxidase deficiency and recurrent infections in a patient with acute myelomonocytic leukemia; Kitahara M et al.; Acquired myeloperoxidase deficiency has been reported in several hematological malignancies . The clinical course of a patient with acute myelomonocytic leukemia is described which was characterized by staphylococcal infections prior to therapy and again during a period of relapse . Neutropenia was not a feature of these two periods but in vitro studies revealed decreased bacterial killing capacity and decreased neutrophil myeloperoxidase activity . Infectious complications were not observed during drug-induced remission when bacterial killing capacity and myeloperoxidase activity were improved toward normal . These observations suggest that the myeloperoxidase deficient neutrophils were derived from leukemic progenitors. Zhonghua Min Guo Wei Sheng Wu Xue Za Zhi, 1979 Dec, 12(4), 149 - 53 Detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin in foods; Lee CL; A method has been developed for the detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin A in the boiled rice extract . The procedure utilized was the batch adsorption of enterotoxin from the cell-free culture supernatant by CG-50 ion exchange resin at pH 5.6 . The enterotoxin was eluted by various concentrations of elution solution with different pH values . The lyophilized eluate was dissolved in Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS) solution and analyzed with a quantitative double diffusion method . The desorption of enterotoxin from ion exchange resin appeared to be less effective by increasing the concentration of elution solution than by elevating the pH value of elution solution . The pH below 6.2 seemed to lose the ability to elute the enterotoxin from ion exchanger but enough to elimate non-specific extra proteins . The quantitative double diffusion method was able to detect enterotoxin in food with approximation in quantitation. J Immunol, 1979 Dec, 123(6), 2673 - 81 The specificity of human autoantibodies that react with both cell nuclei and plasma membranes: the nuclear antigen is present on core mononucleosomes; Rekvig OP et al.; We have examined the nature of the nuclear antigen recognized by certain natural human antibodies that react specifically with both cell nuclei and plasma membranes from many species . Partial purification of these antibodies, called X-ANA, is achieved by binding to and rapid elution from the surface of viable human leukocytes . Chicken erythrocyte chromatin was solubilized by digestion with staphylococcal nuclease and fractionated into a 0.15 M NaCl soluble fraction that consisted of core mononucleosomes lacking H1/H5, and a 0.15 M NaCl insoluble fraction composed of polynucleosomes with H1/H5 present . No proteins other than histones were detected . Native and reconstituted mononucleosomes displaced IgG of the leukocyte eluates from nuclei of frozen mouse kidney sections and from the walls of plastic tubes coated with polynucleosomes . The reconstituted core mononucleosomes were 4- 10-fold less efficient inhibitors than native mononucleosomes . Trypsin digested mononucleosomes, free high m.w . DNA, and free histones displayed no or very weak inhibitory activity . The data indicate that X-ANA recognize a complex consisting of the core histones H2A, H2B, H3, H4, and DNA of 140 to 200 base pairs in length. Biochemistry, 1979 Nov 27, 18(24), 5410 - 6 Amino acid sequence studies on the alpha chain of human fibrinogen . Overlapping sequences providing the complete sequence; Watt KW et al.; The complete amino acid sequence of the alpha chain of human fibrinogen has been determined . It contains 610 amino acid residues and has a calculated molecular weight of 66,124 . The chain has 10 methionines, and fragmentation with cyanogen bromide yields 11 peptides {Doolittle, R.F., Cassman, K.G., Cottrell, B.A., Friezner, S.J., Hucko, J.T., & Takagi, T . (1977) Biochemistry 16, 1703} . The arrangement of the 11 fragments was determined by the isolation of peptide overlaps from plasmic and staphylococcal protease digests of fibrinogen and/or alpha chains . In addition, certain of the cyanogen bromide fragments, preliminary reports of whose sequences have appeared previously, have been reexamined in order to resolve several discrepancies . The alpha chain is homologous with the beta and gamma chains of fibrinogen, although a large repetitive segment of unusual composition is absent from the latter two chains . The existence of this unusual segment divides the sequence of the alpha chain into three zones of about 200 residues each that are readily distinguishable on the basis of amino acid composition alone. Biochemistry, 1979 Nov 27, 18(24), 5405 - 10 Amino acid sequence studies on the alpha chain of human fibrinogen . Exact location of cross-linking acceptor sites; Cottrell BA et al.; Human fibrinogen was clotted under conditions that promote latent factor XIII activity and in the presence of a radioactive substitute cross-linking donor ({14C}glycine ethyl ester) . The labeled fibrin was reduced and alkylated in the presence of 6 M guanidinium chloride . After dialysis and freeze-drying, the preparation was separated into its constituent polypeptide subunits by chromatography on (carboxymethyl)cellulose in the presence of 8 M urea . Under the incorporation conditions used, the radioactivity was limited to gamma chains (one donor molecule/chain) and alpha chains (two donor molecules/chain) . The labeled alpha chains were digested with cyanogen bromide and fractionated on Sephadex G-50 . All the radioactivity was found in a fragment previously designated H alpha CNI, the largest of the cyanogen bromide fragments in the alpha chain . The fragment was further fragmented by digestion with plasmin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and/or staphylococcal protease . The incorporated radioactivity was found to reside in equal amounts at two different sites located 38 residues apart . These were determined to be positions 88 and 126 in H alpha CNI, which correspond to glutamine-328 and glutamine-366 in the alpha chain. Biochemistry, 1979 Nov 27, 18(24), 5399 - 404 Amino acid sequence studies on the alpha chain of human fibrinogen . Complete sequence of the largest cyanogen bromide fragment; Strong DD et al.; The largest fragment produced by complete cyanogen bromide digestion of the alpha chain of human fibrinogen contains 236 residues and has a calculated molecular weight of 23,949 . The complete amino acid sequence of the fragment was determined by the isolation of peptides generated by plasmin, trypsin (including digestion of citraconylated material), staphylococcal protease, and chymotrypsin . In addition, some key subfragmentation was achieved by selective chemical cleavage at tryptophan residues . The fragment has an unusual amino acid composition, more than half of its residues being glycine, serine, threonine, and proline . There are very few nonpolar residues, although 7 of the alpha-chain's 10 tryptophans occur in this fragment . The fragment contains 2 cysteine residues located 30 residues apart which are connected by an intrachain disulfide bond in the native molecule . The tryptophans occur with a definite periodicity that highlights a series of 13-residue homology repeats . The fragment also contains the two principal alpha-chain cross-linking sites. Nucleic Acids Res, 1979 Nov 24, 7(6), 1713 - 35 The similarity of DNA sequences remaining bound to scaffold upon nuclease treatment of interphase nuclei and metaphase chromosomes; Razin SV et al.; The fragments of DNA attached to protein skeleton of interphase nuclei or metaphase chromosomes were obtained . Both the method involving restriction endonuclease treatment/1,2/and a novel procedure based on mild staphylococcal nuclease digestion were used . In the latter case, DNA fragments remaining bound to nuclei or chromosomes are not enriched in satellite but only in abundant middle repetitive DNA . The shorter the fragments of attached DNA, the higher the content of middle repetitive DNA in the fraction . It has a slightly higher density in a CsCl gradient comparing to the main DNA . The yield of attached DNA, its distribution in a CsCl density gradient, and its renaturation properties are essentially the same for interphase and metaphase chromosomes . The average size of DNA loops was found to be equal to approximately 60 kb for both metaphase chromosomes and interphase nuclei . The conclusion has been drawn that the bulk of attachment sites of DNP fibrils to axial chromosomal structures remains unchanged during the cell cycle. Nucleic Acids Res, 1979 Nov 24, 7(6), 1525 - 40 Subnucleosome particles containing high mobility group proteins HMG-E and HMG-G originate from transcriptionally active chromatin; Bakayev VV et al.; Subnucleosome particles SN2 and SN3 containing short DNA fragments and non-histone proteins of the high mobility group, HMG-G and HMG-E respectively, were purified from the chromatin preparations of mouse L cells partially digested with staphylococcal nuclease . Labeled DNAs prepared from these particles were hybridized to an excess of nuclear RNA . The binding of subnucleosomal DNA was about 3-fold higher comparing to total cellular DNA fragmented to the same size . Special control experiments showed that DNA.protein complexes present in subnucleosomes SN2 and SN3 preexisted in nontreated nuclei . The conclusion has been drawn that non-histone proteins HMG-G and HMG-E are associated with the DNA of transcriptionally active chromatin and are released by nuclease as subnucleosomes. Nucleic Acids Res, 1979 Nov 10, 7(5), 1343 - 61 Distribution of DNA damage in chromatin and its relation to repair in human cells treated with 7-bromomethylbenz(a) anthracene; Oleson FB et al.; We have examined the relationship between the distribution of DNA damage and repair in chromatin from confluent human fibroblasts treated with the carcinogen 7-bromomethylbenz (a) anthracene . Analysis of staphylococcal nuclease (SN)4 digestion kinetics and gel electrophoresis revealed that more total damage occurs in nucleosome core DNA (approximately 80-85% of chromatin DNA) than in SN sensitive DNA (APPROXIMATELY15-20%) . Furthermore, over a 24 hr period, damage is removed at about the same rate from these two regions . In contrast, virtually all of the nucleotides incorporated during repair synthesis are initially SN sensitive even when measured at 12 hr after damage . With time many repair-incorporated nucleotides become SN resistant and coelectrophorese with nucleosome core DNA . To explain these data we propose a model whereby excision repair occurs in both linker and core DNA; however, in core DNA the repair process induces conformational changes resulting in temporarily increased SN sensitivity; subsequently, rearrangement occurs and results in the re-establishment of native or near-native nucleosome conformation and SN resistance. Nucleic Acids Res, 1979 Nov 10, 7(5), 1263 - 81 Structure of plant nuclear and ribosomal DNA containing chromatin; Leber B et al.; Digestion of plant chromatin from Brassica pekinensis and Matthiola incana with staphylococcus nuclease leads to a DNA repeat of 175 plus or minus 8 and a core size of 140 base pairs . DNase I digestion results in multiples of 10 bases . Ribosomal RNN genes were studied as a model system for active plant chromatin because of their great redundancy and their high transcriptional activity in growing and differentiating tissues . The actively transcribed genes were identified by nascent RNA of ribosomal origin still attached to its matrix DNA . Hybridization techniques were used to demonstrate that even transcriptionally active gene sequences are present in nuclease generated chromatin subunits . Comparison of the DNase I kinetics of chromatin digestion with the amount of ribosomal RNA genes which is available for hybridization at the given times indicated that ribosomal RNA genes are digested, but not preferentially degraded by DNase I. J Biol Chem, 1979 Nov 10, 254(21), 11148 - 53 Irreversible thiophosphorylation and activation of tension in functionally skinned rabbit ileum strips by {35S}ATP gamma S; Cassidy P et al.; Rabbit ileum strips were functionally skinned by exposure to staphylococcal alpha-toxin . Incubation