Lactobacillus

J Dent Res, 1982 Sep, 61(9), 1052 - 5
Age dependency of stimulated salivary flow rate, pH, and lactobacillus and yeast concentrations; Parvinen T et al.; No significant influence of age on the stimulated salivary flow rate or pH was observed in a cross-sectional study of unmedicated adults . The females had a lower output than did the males in every age group . A tendency toward higher salivary counts of lactobacilli and yeasts with aging was observed.

J Gen Microbiol, 1982 Sep, 128 (Pt 9), 2113 - 20
Common antigens of streptococcal and non-streptococcal oral bacteria: isolation and biochemical characterization of the extracellular protein antigen; Scholler M et al.; An extracellular soluble common protein (ECP) has been purified from extracellular soluble fractions of exponential phase cultures of Streptococcus sanguis OMZ9, of a representative strain of each of Bratthall's seven serological groups of Streptococcus mutans, and of one strain each of Lactobacillus salivarius and Actinomyces viscosus . The ECP antigens from the different strains were prepared from SDS-dissociated immunoprecipitates by affinity chromatography on an anti-rabbit immunoglobulin column . The identity of such purified ECP antigens was demonstrated by their behaviour in immunodiffusion analysis, in SDS-PAGE, in which an identical molecular weight (60000) was found, and by virtue of their similar amino acid and sugar compositions . This common antigen (ECP) consisted of 90% protein and 10% sugar.

Antibiotiki, 1982 Aug, 27(8), 612 - 7
{Bacteriocin typing of Lactobacillus cultures using a basic set of bacteriocinogenic strains}; Filippov VA; Lactic bacilli of 15 species were divided into 78 bacteriocin types by their sensitivity spectra with respect to the main set of the bacteriocinogenic strains . L . acidophilus-L . salivarious, L . jugurti, L . casei, L . plantarum, L . fermentum, L . brevis, L . buchneri, L . helveticus, L . lactis and L . leichmannii were used in the study . The cultures were divided into 30, 9, 7, 25, 5, 20, 13, 8, 2.2 and 2 bacteriocin types respectively . The method of determining the lactic bacilli sensitivity spectra to 8 bacteriocinogenic strains of the main kit is simple and economic . It allows marking of lactic bacilli and their dividing into bacteriocin types within the species . This may be used in taxonomy and epidemiological studies.

Antibiotiki, 1982 Aug, 27(8), 607 - 12
{Bacteriocin sensitivity as a supplementary taxonomic sign of bacteria belonging to the genus Lactobacillus}; Filippov VA; It was shown that 90.6 per cent of the Lactobacillus isolates belonging to 15 species was sensitive to one or more lactocin types . Lactocins produced by bacteriocinogenic strains of Lactobacillus in liquid media are characterized by a narrow spectrum limited by the representatives of Lactobacillus . The lactocin sensitivity test may be used with taxonomic purposes as an additional indication of the bacteria belonging to Lactobacillus . A kit of 8 bacteriocinogenic strains of Lactobacillus producing 8 lactocin types is recommended to be used in determination of Lactobacillus sensitivity to bacteriocins.

J Med Microbiol, 1982 Aug, 15(3), 339 - 50
Immunisation of rhesus monkeys with Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus and lipoteichoic acid for protection against dental caries; Caldwell J et al.; An attempt was made to protect rhesus monkeys from dental caries by immunisation with Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) . The vaccine composed of S . mutans gave significant protection against caries, a decrease in the number of S . mutans, an increase in IgG antibodies and a moderate increase in complement-fixing antibodies to LTA . When LTA was used as immunogen, there was only a small reduction in caries, without any detectable antibodies to LTA and a slight increase in IgG antibodies to cell of S . mutans . Vaccines of L . acidophilus or L . fermentum gave no protection . A combined vaccine of S . mutans and L . acidophilus did not reduce the incidence of caries but the antibody titre to cells of S . mutans was raised to a level comparable with that in the S . mutans-immunised monkeys . The results of this investigation in a subhuman primate confirm that immunisation with S . mutans induces protection against caries, unlike the attempt to immunise with two selected strains of lactobacilli . More studies are required to establish the role of specific serotypes of lactobacilli in the development of dental caries.

J Med Chem, 1982 Aug, 25(8), 960 - 4
Methotrexate analogues . 15 . A methotrexate analogue designed for active-site-directed irreversible inactivation of dihydrofolate reductase; Rosowsky A et al.; N alpha-(4-Amino-4-deoxy-N10-methylpteroyl)-N epsilon-(iodoacetyl)-L-lysine (1) was synthesized as a potential active-site-directed irreversible inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) . In an ultraviolet spectrophotometric assay of dihydrofolate reduction of Lactobacillus casei DHFR, 1 and methotrexate (MTX, 4-amino-4-deoxy-N10-methylpteroyl-L-glutamic acid) had ID50 values of 4.5 and 6.2 nM . The corresponding ID50 values in a competitive radioligand binding assay against {3H}MTX were 31 and 16 nM . Thus, as reversible inhibitors of this enzyme over a short exposure time, 1 and MTX had comparable activity . On the other hand, when L . casei DHFR was incubated for up to 6 h with 0.1 or 1.0 microM 1, a progressive decrease in the ability of {3H}MTX to subsequently displace the drug was observed . When MTX itself was used at the same concentrations, the extent of displacement of {3H}MTX did not decrease with time . These results were consistent with rapid reversible binding of 1 to the enzyme, followed more slowly by covalent bond formation near the active site . The pH profile for this effect followed a curve with a sigmoidal shape . The apparent inflection point near pH 7.2 was consistent with alkylation of a histidine residue.

Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1982 Aug, 1(4), 223 - 7
Evaluation of a commercially available semi-automated bioluminescence system for bacteriuria screening; McWalter PW et al.; A commercially available semi-automated bioluminescence adenosine triphosphate assay system for rapid detection of significant bacteriuria was evaluated . Excellent reproducibility of results using the bioluminescence apparatus was noted, and there was no bacterial carry-over using a pre-diluter . The results obtained with 2,000 urine specimens tested by bioluminescence and a routine cultural technique were compared . The bioluminescence system gave no false negative results and a bioluminescence positive/culture negative finding of 13.6% in general specimens and 45.0% in ante-natal and maternity specimens . In the latter group, the majority of urines yielded growth of lactobacilli and/or diphtheroids (less than 10(4) organisms/ml) when subcultured on enriched media . Results indicated that bioluminescence may identify urinary tract infections in patients receiving antimicrobial therapy . The advantages of this 45 minute technique for bacteriuria screening are presented.

G Batteriol Virol Immunol, 1982 Jul-Dec, 75(7-12), 383 - 9
{Changes in aerobic bacterial flora in the oral cavity of subjects with neoplasms of the head and neck area undergoing antiblastic therapy}; Gismondo MR et al.; The AA . refer their experience about the oral bacterial flora change in patients with malignant diseases regarding to cervic - cefalic district . An increase of Lactobacilli and cariogenic Streptococci was showed in telecobaltotherapy patients, but not in patients chemotherapy treated . Therefore the AA . conclude that the radiotherapy is the most important treatment in these subjects .

Arkh Anat Gistol Embriol, 1982 Jul, 83(7), 68 - 73
{Intestinal mucosa of gnotobiotic rats administered lactobacilli}; Iuldashev AIu et al.; When lactobacilli are administered to gnotobiotic rats (Fischer strain), a gradual increase of lymphocytic, eosinophilic and mast cell infiltration of the intestinal connective tissue stroma, dilatation of vessels and their filling with lymphocytes is observed . Radioautographically 7 months later, migration and differentiation of enterocytes in the crypta--villus system of the iliac mucous tunic increases . In the mesenteric lymph nodes the postcapillary venules increase in number, lymphocytes migrate out of them, focal plasmocytic reaction with presence of some blastic forms takes place . Specific antibodies for lactobacilli in the blood serum either are absent or occur in low titers (1:2-1:8) . Owing to the data obtained, a conclusion can be made on a weak immunogenecity of the lactobacilli . Their administration to the germ-free rats produces a certain cellular reaction, probably T-dependent, though any definite signs of hormonal response are absent . One--14 days after lactobacilli have been injected, in the rat intestine mucous tunic no microorganisms are revealed to fix to enterocytes . In cytoplasm of the absorbtive cell villi, the Golgi complex is subjected to hyperplasia and occupies an essential area over the nucleus . Within its cysterns, as well as in the mitochondrial and nuclear membrane areas, myelin-like bodies are revealed; evidently, they demonstrate certain changes in peroxidic oxidation of lipids..

Vopr Pitan, 1982 Jul-Aug, (4), 30 - 3
{Effect of a liquid acidophilic mixture on the intestinal microbiocenosis of infant patients in the 1st months of life}; Kuznetsova GG et al.; The effect of a liquid acidophilic mixture on intestinal biocenosis was studied in 10 premature infants aged 19 days to 1 1/2 months (Group I) with focal inflammation and neurological disorders after hypoxia in the perinatal period, and in 11 children aged 19 days to 3 1/2 months (Group II) with sepsis and intestinal diseases of staphylococcal, proteus and obscure etiology . Before application of the mixture, all the children demonstrated microbiocenosis disorders which were more remarkable in Group II . The liquid acidophilic mixture was shown to have a correcting action as regards lactobacilli, and the quantitative and qualitative composition of intestinal bacteria . The correcting effect exhibited by the mixture was found inadequate to neutralize an adverse effect of the infectious process and intense antibiotic therapy and chemotherapy on intestinal microbiocenosis in children of the first months of life suffering from sepsis and intestinal diseases, provided the mixture was used for 11-20 days.

Am J Vet Res, 1982 Jul, 43(7), 1165 - 7
Effects of dietary milk fat (whole milk) and propionic acid on intestinal coliforms and lactobacilli in calves; Ward GE et al.; Calves fed whole milk had 2,000-fold fewer (P less than 0.001) coliforms in the cranial part of the small intestine than did calves fed skim milk (fat removed) . Calves fed milk with 32 mM added propionic acid had nearly 1,000-fold lower (P less than 0.001) counts of lactobacilli in the entire gastrointestinal tract than did calves fed milk without added propionic acid.

Poult Sci, 1982 Jul, 61(7), 1298 - 1308
In vivo inhibitory effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus against pathogenic Escherichia coli in gnotobiotic chicks; Watkins BA et al.; Chicks were hatched germfree in gnotobiotic isolators to determine the inhibitory effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus towards pathogeneic Escherichia coli in vivo . Twelve trials were conducted in two flexible film isolators utilizing a total of 221 chicks . One treatment consisted of inoculating 2-day-old chicks with L . acidophilus, then challenging with pathogenic E . coli with subsequent dosing with L . acidophilus . The other treatment consisted of challenging with the E . coli at 2 days of age, then subsequently dosing with L . acidophilus . Statistical analysis of the data showed initial dosing with L . acidophilus prevented excessive mortality when chicks were challenged with E . coli . Also, continued dosing with L . acidophilus lowered the pH in the crop, cecum, and rectum whether chicks were initially given L . acidophilus or E . coli . This strain of L . acidophilus was capable of competing with E . coli in the gut of gnotobiotic chicks.

J Med Chem, 1982 Jul, 25(7), 777 - 84
Comparison of the inhibition of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase by 2,4-diamino-5-(substituted-benzyl)pyrimidines: quantitative structure-activity relationships, X-ray crystallography, and computer graphics in structure-activity analysis; Hansch C et al.; The inhibition constants (Kiapp) obtained from the action of 44 2,4-diamino-5-(substituted-benzyl)pyrimidines on dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus casei bacteria are used to derive quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) . These equations bring out a number of differences in the DHFR which can be understood at the atomic level by studying color stereo computer graphics models constructed from the X-ray coordinates of the enzyme-inhibitor complexes . The combination of QSAR and X-ray crystallography interpreted via high-performance computer graphics offers a new level of sophistication to extend our understanding of enzyme-ligand interactions, which, when the crystallography is known, opens up a more scientific approach to drug development.

Eur J Biochem, 1982 Jun 15, 125(1), 41 - 7
The role of the components sigma and y of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase of Lactobacillus curvatus in promotor selection; Gierl A et al.; An average of 0.44 molecule each of the initiation factor sigma and the RNA polymerase binding protein y and 0.54 molecule of the subunit gamma per molecule of Lactobacillus curvatus DNA-dependent RNA polymerase have been found in the cell . Free factor y displaces sigma from free holo enzyme, E sigma . The formation of a binary complex from Ey, free sigma, and poly{d(A-T)}, leads to immediate release of factor y . The release of the sigma factor occurs upon the transition of the binary to a ternary complex . A mixture of E and sigma forms binary complexes with all T7 DNA HpaII restriction fragments . In contrast a mixture of Ey and sigma binds selectively to promoter-containing DNA fragments, indicating that the stimulatory effect of y on transcription is due to an increase in the rate of promoter selection . The same RNA products are synthesised by E sigma and by Ey plus sigma with T7 DNA as template . Thus the nonspecific complexes formed by E sigma and T7 DNA are nonproductive . On the basis of these findings we propose a model for the transcription cycle in Lactobacillus curvatus.

Infect Immun, 1982 Jun, 36(3), 864 - 9
Production of lipoteichoic acid by lactobacilli and streptococci grown in different environments; Wicken AJ et al.; Representative strains of Streptococcus sanguis serotype 2 and of four Lactobacillus species were examined for the production of cellular and extracellular lipoteichoic acid (LTA) when grown at pH 6.0 in batch culture to the stationary phase with either glucose or fructose . Extracellular LTA was a minor component in all cases except for L . fermentum and L . casei NIRD R094 grown in fructose . The total amount of LTA (cellular and extracellular) produced by fructose-grown cultures was also considerably greater for these two strains, for L . salivarius, and also two of the S . sanguis strains . Growth of L . fermentum and L . casei in continuous culture in a chemostat showed that generation time and pH of growth can influence the total amount of LTA and the proportion of extracellular material . The results for glucose-limited cultures were quite disparate, with L . fermentum forming considerably more extracellular LTA than L . casei . However, in fructose-limited cultures L . fermentum formed less total LTA and L . casei more so that the differences were only minor . A difference in the utilization of glucose and fructose by the heterofermentative L . fermentum and the homofermentative L . casei strains is also indicated by differences in the yield of organisms at different dilution rates in continuous culture.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1982 Jun, 79(11), 3480 - 4
Synthesis and biological activity of a profluorescent analogue of coenzyme B12; Rosendahl MS et al.; We describe here the synthesis and chemical properties of linear(lin)-benzoadenosylcobalamin, a coenzyme B12 analogue that has a laterally extended nucleoside in the upper axial position . It is an effective competitive inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase from Lactobacillus leichmannii . lin-Benzoadenosylcobalamin is nonfluorescent in solution but, on homolytic (light) or heterolytic (acid, cyanide) cleavage of the carbon-cobalt bond, forms fluorescent products . In addition, fluorescence is detectable on binding of the coenzyme analogue to ribonucleotide reductase, and the observed fluorescence polarization of the lin-benzoadenosyl moiety indicates that it is bound loosely to the enzyme when the coenzyme is partially dissociated.

Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 1982 Jun, 10(3), 111 - 6
Effect of mechanical and chemical plaque control measures on oral microflora in schoolchildren; Emilson CG et al.; The incidence of S . sanguis, S . salivarius, S . mutans, total streptococci and lactobacilli was examined in highly caries active 13-14-year-old schoolchildren participating in a prophylactic program . After 1 year of trial, professional toothcleaning once every second week markedly reduced the frequency of gingivitis and the caries increment . Bimonthly topical applications of a 0.5% chlorhexidine gel with or without subsequent rinsing with 2% NFP had no effect on plaque score and gingivitis but tended to reduce the caries activity . No significant changes were found in the groups with regard to the salivary number of total streptococci and S . sanguis . A reduction of the population of S . salivarius, S . mutans and lactobacilli was observed in the chlorhexidine group . In the group where chlorhexidine was combined with MFP, only S . mutans was reduced.

Scand J Dent Res, 1982 Jun, 90(3), 193 - 9
Effect of penicillin on Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis and lactobacilli in hamsters and in man; Maltz M et al.; The effect of penicillin on the number of oral Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis and lactobacilli in hamsters and in man was investigated . This is of interest as S . mutans and lactobacilli are involved in the carious process while S . sanguis is not . Hamsters infected with both S . mutans and S . sanguis or only S . sanguis received penicillin in their drinking water for 14 d . The treatment reduced the proportion of S . mutans and S . sanguis in dental plaque to undetectable levels . After the penicillin treatment the population of S . mutans and S . sanguis gradually increased . In man, the effect of oral penicillin therapy was examined in 21 adults with more than 2 X 10(5) S . mutans per ml saliva . The penicillin treatment had almost no effect on the numbers of S . sanguis and lactobacilli, but a pronounced decrease in the number of S . mutans was observed . The duration of this effect, however, was short . Consequently, such treatment alone is of limited value for the control of the oral infection of these microorganisms.

Can J Physiol Pharmacol, 1982 May, 60(5), 664 - 9
Influence of bilateral nephrectomy on selected gastrointestinal bacteria in the rat; Grunewald KK et al.; A series of experiments was designed to investigate the influence of acute renal failure on selected gastrointestinal bacteria . Sprague-Dawley male rats were bilaterally nephrectomized to induce acute renal failure, with sham-operated animals serving as controls . After 48 h animals were sacrificed and the stomachs, upper and lower small intestines, ceca, and colons were excised and subjected to microbial analyses . Lactobacilli and streptococci including enterococci, were 1-2 log counts higher in the stomachs of anephric rats than those of sham-operated controls; lactobacilli were increased similarly in the upper small intestines of these animals . Coliforms including Escherichia coli, and Proteus were 1-2 log counts higher in the lower small intestine of anephric rats than those of sham-operated rats . The decreased gastric pH, increased cecal pH, hypothermia, and delayed gastric emptying observed in nephrectomized rats could partly explain the different microfloras in these animals.

Br J Haematol, 1982 May, 51(1), 171 - 3
Demonstration of vitamin B12 analogues in human sera not detected by microbiological assay; Chanarin I et al.; Sera were absorbed with polyacrylamide beads to which purified human intrinsic factor was attached . This procedure removed the vitamin B12 analogues which are measured by microbiological assay with Lactobacillus leichmannii and Euglena gracilis and which are measured in an isotope dilution method using intrinsic factor . Such sera still contained B12 analogues that were assayed in an isotope dilution method using a non-intrinsic factor vitamin B12 binder . Such vitamin B12 analogues make up approximately half of the total vitamin B12 analogues in human serum.

Clin Chem, 1982 May, 28(5), 1198 - 200
Use of glycerol-cryoprotected Lactobacillus casei for microbiological assay of folic acid; Wilson SD et al.; A simple procedure for preparing glycerol-cryoprotected Lactobacillus casei cultures has been developed . L . casei grown in medium supplemented with low concentrations of folic acid (0.3 micrograms/L) is diluted with an equal volume of glycerol (800 mL/L) and stored at -20 degrees C . Growth response of the glycerol-cryoprotected L . casei to low concentrations of folic acid exceeded that of cultures maintained by monthly agar stab transfer . Also, growth for the zero-folate blanks was considerably less for the cryoprotected cultures . Assay of folate in several rat tissues correlated well (r = 0.999) with the standard microbiological assay . The growth rate of the culture depends on the inoculum size, and a heavy inoculum of cryoprotected L . casei may be used to complete the assay after only an overnight incubation.

J Bacteriol, 1982 May, 150(2), 657 - 61
Xylitol-mediated transient inhibition of ribitol utilization by Lactobacillus casei; London J et al.; The growth of Lactobacillus casei strain Cl-16 at the expense or ribitol was inhibited if the non-metabolizable substrate xylitol was included in the medium at concentrations of 6 mM or greater . At these concentrations, xylitol, did not competitively inhibit ribitol transport . The cessation of growth was caused by the intracellular accumulation of xylitol-5-phosphate, which occurred because growth on ribitol had gratuitously induced a functional xylitol-specific phosphotransferase system but not the enzymes necessary for the further metabolism of xylitol-5-phosphate . Eventually, the cells overcame the xylitol-mediated inhibition by repressing the synthesis of enzyme II of the xylitol phosphotransferase system so that xylitol-5-phosphate would no longer be accumulated within the cell.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1982 May, 252(1), 9 - 16
A mechanism of association of lactobacilli with the rat stomach epithelium; Lorenz A et al.; The stomach wall of the rat is colonised by a dominant lactobacilli flora . The bacteria are localised mainly on the squamous epithelium (Table 1) . They adhere tightly, covering the whole surface of the squamous epithelium (Fig . 1) . On the secreting epithelium yeasts and bacteria were found only in connection with mucus (Fig . 2) . In the present paper a mechanism of adhesion will be discussed . Piliform appendages (PA) were investigated with the aid of electron microscopy between the bacteria and the top cell layer of the epithelium and between the bacterial cells themselves (Fig . 3 and 4) . They contain, following indications with scanning and transmission electron microscopy, material from the thin capsulae of acidic mucopolysaccharides, reported by Savage . Lactobacilli isolated from the squamous epithelium and cultivated in vitro are connected by the same piliform appendages . It seems, that the piliform appendages have an affinity to special receptor sites of the bacterial cell wall and also of the gastric epithelium . Lactobacilli situated on the secreting epithelium show piliform appendages, too, but they don't have a tight connection with the epithelial cells, only with the mucus.

Infect Immun, 1982 May, 36(2), 582 - 5
Deficient autolytic enzyme activity in antibiotic-tolerant lactobacilli; Kim KS et al.; To define the mechanism(s) of penicillin tolerance in lactobacilli, one nontolerant and two tolerant strains were examined for autolytic enzyme activity . When incubated with 14C-labeled cell wall preparations, autolysin extracts of tolerant lactobacilli released significantly less radioactivity than did extracts of nontolerant lactobacilli (p less than 0.02) . These differences in the release of radioactivity by nontolerant and tolerant strains were maximal during the logarithmic growth phase . Moreover, this activity was greatest at pH 8, was heat labile, and was inhibited by the addition of magnesium, suggesting characteristics of an enzyme . This study illustrates that autolytic enzyme activity is deficient in strains of antibiotic-tolerant lactobacilli and suggests that this may be partially responsible for the delayed killing effect of penicillins against such strains.

J Biol Chem, 1982 Apr 25, 257(8), 4398 - 403
Carbon 13 nuclear magnetic resonance studies of Lactobacillus casei thymidylate synthetase containing biosynthetically incorporated {guanidino-13C}arginine; Cipollo KL et al.; Thymidylate synthetase, containing {guanidino-13C}arginine, was obtained from amethopterin-resistant Lactobacillus casei grown on a defined medium containing {guanidino-13C}arginine . Carbon 13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to investigate the native enzyme and the response of 13C-enriched arginyl residues to binary and ternary complex formation and to chemical modification by 2,3-butanedione . Native enzyme exhibited four resonances (A, 158.3 ppm; B, 157.4 ppm; C, 156.9 ppm; and D, 156.1 ppm) in a chemical shift range of 2.2 ppm . The 12 arginyl residues per subunit of this enzyme were found in a 1:5:5:1 distribution in the four resonances . Carbon 13 NMR spectra revealed that of the four resonances, resonance C was most perturbed by binary and ternary complex formation . The ternary complex formed with {guanidino-13C}arginine-enriched enzyme, 5-fluoro-deoxyuridylate, and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate exhibited two new resonances at 157.9 and 156.5 ppm . Carbon 13 NMR analysis of enzyme inactivated with butanedione yielded three new single-carbon resonances, one from resonance B and two from resonance C, demonstrating that three arginyl residues per subunit were derivatized . The results of the binary and ternary complex studies and the chemical modification experiment suggest that the active site arginyl residue is represented in resonance C of the native enzyme.

Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper, 1982 Apr 15, 58(7), 371 - 7
{Action of salicylates on the disappearance of bacteria (Lactobacillus casei) phagocytized by polymorphonuclear cells}; Cassone MC; This is a study of the modifications caused by acetylsalicylic acid and CuII (aspirinate)4 in the speed with which phagocytized bacteria disappear from polymorphonuclears (PMN) of the peritoneal exudate of guinea pigs . Acetylsalicylic acid inhibits the normal processes that cause the disappearance of the phagocytized bacteria; CuII (aspirinate)4, on the contrary, at low concentration (5 10(-6)) and during the first 45 minutes, causes an evident increase in the speed of disappearance of bacteria from PMN.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1982 Apr 15, 142(8), 977 - 82
Toxic shock syndrome: an ecologic imbalance within the genital microflora of women?
Sanders CC, Sanders WE Jr, Fagnant JE.
Epidemiologic data suggested that toxic shock syndrome (TSS) may be caused by an imbalance among the flora of the female genital tract . Since natural defense mechanisms often involve antagonistic interactions between the flora and potential pathogens, the ability of genital lactobacilli to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus was determined in agar overlay assays . Lactobacilli were chosen for study because previous investigations had suggested an important role for this genus in maintenance of health of the female genital tract . Fourteen of 50 strains of lactobacilli and Lactinex inhibited the growth of certain staphylococci, including strains from cases of TSS . The inhibitory activity of some lactobacilli was variable and could be enhanced by exogenously supplied substrates . Growth of one consistently inhibitory lactobacillus was inhibited by Staphylococcus aureus . A model for the etiology of toxic shock syndrome in menstruating women is proposed . The model includes antagonistic interactions between lactobacilli and staphylococci and the influence of tampons on these interactions to favor the staphylococcus.

Mikrobiyol Bul, 1982 Apr, 16(2), 113 - 23
{Identification of some thermobacteria isolated from yogurts and the DNA homology of the isolates}; Tunail N; 20 thermobacteria were isolated from Turkish yogurts and some cultural characteristics of the isolated were determined . It was found that 5d and 61f resembled Lactobacillus bulgaricus . On the contrary, 8b was entirely different from these two types . In this study, G + C contents of DNA molecules, configuration of lactic acid production, DNA homology, LHD enzymes were determined and result were compared . Types 5d and 61f were found to be important for the dairy industry . Type 8b could not be classified upon its cultural characteristics . The results of DNA homology showed that type 8b was not L . bulgaricus.

J Med Chem, 1982 Apr, 25(4), 427 - 30
Molecular structures of 2,4-diaminopyrimidine antifolates with antineoplastic activity; Cody V et al.; 2,4-Diamino-5-(1-adamantyl)-6-methylpyrimidine (DAMP) and its ethanesulfonate salt (DAMP-ES) are potent inhibitors of mammalian dihydrofolate reductase and also inhibit the growth of cultured cells as effectively as the drug methotrexate (MTX) . DAMP is currently in phase I clinical studies . An analogue of DAMP having 5-(1-naphthyl) in place of the adamantyl group (DNMP) possesses little cytotoxic as well as enzyme inhibitory activity . The crystal and molecular structures of DAMPM-ES and DNMP were determined in order to elucidate the conformational aspects of drug specificity . The molecular conformation of DAMP-ES shows that the C8--C7 bond of the adamantyl ring is nearly coplanar with the pyrimidine ring (C8--C7--C5--C6 = 7.5 degrees) instead of staggered as expected from steric considerations . As a result, the pyrimidine ring and its 4,6-substituents are severely distorted from coplanarity . In DNMP, the 1-naphthalene ring is perpendicular to the pyrimidine ring (C8--C7--C5--C6 = -87.0 degrees) which is itself planar . N1 is protonated in DAMP-ES but not in DNMP . When the two structures are compared, the 5-substituents occupy different regions of space, with the outer ring of the naphthalene group outside of the volume occupied by the adamantyl ring . Therefore, the reduced effectiveness of DNMP may be caused by the inability of the naphthalene to fit the binding site in dihydrofolate reductase . This is the situation when DNMP is placed in the methotrexate binding site of Lactobacillus casei crystal structure.

Food Chem Toxicol, 1982 Apr, 20(2), 197 - 204
Effects of lactobacillus, antacids and antibiotics on the levels of nitrite in the gastro-intestinal tracts of rats fed sodium nitrate; Lin JK et al.; No nitrite was detected in the tissues or contents of the gastro-intestinal tracts of normal rats but after 2 wk on a diet containing 0 . 5% sodium nitrate the levels of nitrite in the stomach, small intestine and large intestine contents were 0 . 83%, 1 . 64-2 . 07 and 0 . 83 micrograms/g of contents respectively . Concurrent administration of 2% Lactobacillus preparation and 0 . 5% sodium nitrate in the diet for 2 wk further increased the nitrite levels in the intestines and slightly increased the level in the stomach . The elevation of nitrite levels induced by sodium nitrate administration was potentiated considerably by combined treatment with sodium bicarbonate and hetacillin producing nitrite levels of 3 . 16, 2 . 93-5 . 18 and 1 . 96-2 . 34 micrograms/g of the contents of the stomach, small intestine and large intestine respectively . Like hetacillin, minomycin and thiamphenicol also potentiated the nitrite production whereas amikacin (another antibiotic) strongly inhibited the formation of nitrite in the stomach . The different effects of the antibiotics may be due to their selective activities on the various microbes . The results indicate that the levels of nitrite in the gastro-intestinal tract are regulated by the level of nitrate intake, the population of microflora and the gastric pH . The safety of combined medication with antacids, antibiotics and Lactobacillus preparations in man deserves further investigation.

Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 1982 Apr, 10(2), 77 - 81
Streptococcus mutans, lactobacilli and dental health in 13-14-year-old Swedish children; Zickert I et al.; The dental health and the prevalence of Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli were examined in 101 13-114-year-old children . The average number of decayed (incipient caries) and filled surfaces (DFS) was 10.1 and 12.8, respectively . S . mutans was not detected in 11% of the children while 21% had 10(6) or more S . mutans per ml saliva . Lactobacilli were not found in 21% of the children whereas 11% had 10(5) or more lactobacilli per ml saliva . Statistically significant correlations were found between S . mutans and lactobacilli, S . mutans and DFS, lactobacilli and DFS and S . mutans plus lactobacilli and DFS . Increasing numbers of S . mutans and lactobacilli, alone and in combination, were associated with an increased caries frequency.

Scand J Dent Res, 1982 Apr, 90(2), 102 - 8
Effect of caries preventive measures on Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli in selected mothers; Kohler B et al.; Mothers of first-born babies were selected on the basis of high salivary counts of Streptococcus mutans . All experimental subjects were given a basic caries preventive program in order to decrease the level of S . mutans in saliva . The program included dietary counseling, which stressed the role of sucrose in the accumulation of S . mutans . The treatment was carried out in a public dental office . The effect of the treatment was assessed by microbiological examination of salivary levels of S . mutans and lactobacilli . A statistically significant reduction in both S . mutans and lactobacilli was found . The basic preventive program was effective in reducing the number of S . mutans below a selected threshold value of 300 000 CFU per ml saliva in 60% of the mothers . In the remaining subjects chlorhexidine treatment was required to suppress the salivary levels of S . mutans below this value.

Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol, 1982 Apr, 18(4), 347 - 54
The effect of derivatives of folic acid on the fluorodeoxyuridylate-thymidylate synthetase covalent complex in human colon xenografts; Houghton JA et al.; This study was designed to examine the endogenous concentrations of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (CH2FH4) in human colorectal adenocarcinoma xenografts, and to determine the ability of other folate derivatives to increase the formation of the ternary covalent complex between CH2FH4, {6-3H}-5-fluorodeoxyuridylate (FdUMP) and thymidylate synthetase (TS, EC 2.1.1.45) . Levels of CH2FH4 were determined by measuring the release of {3H}2O from {5-3H}-dUMP using TS from Lactobacillus casei . The reaction was linear from 1.9 X 10(-13) to 2.4 X 10(-11) mol of CH2FH4 assayed . Concentrations of CH2FH4 were low, ranging from 66 to 233 nM in cell water . Tetrahydrofolate (FH4) and dihydrofolate (FH2) increased complex formation, while 5-formyltetrahydrofolate (5-CHOFH4) and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-CH3FH4) decreased the covalent binding of {6-3H}-FdUMP in vitro . Administration of FH4 or FH2 to tumor-bearing mice reduced subsequent formation of the covalent complex in vitro . Since 5-CH3FH4 is a major derivative of folate in mammalian tissues, its effect on the covalent binding of {6-3H}-FdUMP was examined further; even in the presence of homocysteine and cyanocobalamin (B12), the formation of the covalent complex was not increased . The fate of {5-14CH3}-FH4 was subsequently examined in vivo . In tumors at 1 hr after injection, 72% of the radiolabel remained as {5-14CH3}-FH4, while 17% had been converted to {14C}-methionine or incorporated into protein . By contrast, however, the incorporation of radiolabel into the protein fraction of liver was almost 30-fold greater at this time . At 4 hr, radioactivity in tumors (dpm/g) and in the fraction associated with {5-14CH3}-FH4 was decreased by over 60%, while metabolism was increased by only 13% . No polyglutamate forms of {5-14CH3}-FH4 were detected in tumors at 4 hr after treatment.

J Anim Sci, 1982 Mar, 54(3), 649 - 58
Effect of lasalocid, monensin or thiopeptin on lactic acidosis in cattle; Nagaraja TG et al.; Lasalocid, monensin or thiopeptin was administered intraruminally each at .33, .65 or 1.3 mg/kg body weight and evaluated for its effectiveness in preventing experimentally induced lactic acidosis in cattle . Four rumen-fistulated cattle were used for each dosage level and the design was a 4 x 4 Latin square with each animal receiving lasalocid, monensin, thiopeptin or no antibiotic . Acidosis was induced by intraruminal administration of glucose (12.5 g/kg body weight) . Control cattle exhibited the typical drop in rumen pH and concurrent increases in L(+) and D(-) lactate concentrations commonly observed in cases of lactic acidosis . Alkali reserves were depleted in the control cattle as evidenced by a decrease in blood bicarbonate and a negative shift in base excess . In all three trials, cattle given lasalocid had higher rumen pH and lower lactate concentrations than did control cattle or cattle given monensin or thiopeptin . Cattle given monensin had a significantly higher rumen pH and a lower lactate concentration than the controls only at the .65 and 1.3 mg/kg body weight dosages, whereas thiopeptin was effective only at the 1.3-mg dosage . Concentrations of total VFA in rumen fluid decreased in the controls but remained unchanged in cattle given antibiotics . A significant reduction in the molar proportion of acetate and an increase in the molar proportion of propionate were observed in the rumen fluid of the cattle given antibiotics . Colony counts of Streptococcus bovis and Lactobacillus were significantly reduced in rumen fluid of cattle given 1.3 mg antibiotic/kg body weight . Counts of lactate-utilizing bacteria increased in both control cattle and cattle given antibiotics . Cattle given antibiotics showed no evidence of lacticacidemia, hemoconcentration or change in acid-base balance.

J Gen Virol, 1982 Mar, 59(Pt 1), 173 - 5
Factors affecting in vitro DNA ejection of the Lactobacillus lactis bacteriophage LL-H; Alatossava T; Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (tris) inactivates Lactobacillus lactis bacteriophages LL-H in vitro . The inactivation is caused by DNA ejection . This effect occurs in tris-HCl buffer only . Both pH and temperature affect the sensitivity of the phage to the tris treatment . The divalent cation Mg2+ prevented the inactivating effected of tris at concentrations about 10(3)-fold lower than monovalent cation K+.

J Am Diet Assoc, 1982 Mar, 80(3), 237 - 41
Folacin content of supplemental foods for pregnancy; Thenen SW; Microbiological assay with Lactobacillus casei was made to determine total folacin content of foods allowed in the Special Supplemental Food Program (WIC) serving low-income pregnant women in the United States, who are at risk for folacin deficiency . Results of the assay showed that, when foods with a high nutrient density and Index of Nutritional Quality for folacin were selected, 69 percent of the folacin RDA for pregnancy could be provided in only 34 percent of the energy allowance . Thus the WIC program can contribute significant amounts of folacin to the diet of pregnant women.

Br J Nutr, 1982 Mar, 47(2), 183 - 9
Studies on the response of Lactobacillus casei to different folate monoglutamates; Phillips DR et al.; 1 . The response of Lactobacillus casei was measured for a number of the monoglutamyl forms of folate derivatives . 2 . At the concentrations of folate commonly used in the assay of folate vitamin in foods the response of L . casei to folic acid, (pteroylglutamic acid) and 5-formyl-tetrahydrofolic acid was similar, but 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolic acid gave as little as half the response of folic acid . 3 . The response was modified by altering pH but not by concentration of ascorbate . 4 . These results have implications for the assays of foods for folate where mixtures of folate derivatives are present . 5 . A modified procedure is suggested in which the monoglutamates give similar responses.

Biochemistry, 1982 Feb 16, 21(4), 737 - 41
Inactivation of dihydrofolate reductase from Lactobacillus casei by diethyl pyrocarbonate; Daron HH et al.; The role of histidine residues of dihydrofolate reductase from Lactobacillus casei was investigated with diethyl pyrocarbonate . This enzyme has no cysteine residues and differs in this respect from many nicotinamide nucleotide dehydrogenases, which have catalytically important sulfhydryl groups . X-ray studies of this enzyme have shown that histidine residues are involved in substrate binding but not in proton transfer {Matthews et al . (1978) J . Biol . Chem . 253, 6946} . Dihydrofolate reductase was inactivated by diethyl pyrocarbonate; the second-order rate constant for the reaction was 29 M-1 min-1 at 0 degrees C . The difference spectrum of native and diethyl pyrocarbonate inactivated enzyme had a maximum near 242 nm, which indicated a reaction with histidine residues . The absence of any spectral difference near 280 nm indicated that diethyl pyrocarbonate had not reacted with tyrosine residues . Dihydrofolate reductase lost all of its enzymatic activity after about six of the seven histidine residues had been modified . No catalytic activity was lost during an initial rapid reaction with about four histidine residues, but a subsequent slower reaction involving an additional one or two residues was associated with the loss of activity . The enzyme was protected from inactivation by either of the substrates NADPH or dihydrofolate . In fact, treatment with diethyl pyrocarbonate in the presence of either substrate, but particularly with NADPH, resulted in substantially greater activity than that found with untreated enzyme . Treatment with 1 M hydroxylamine partially restored activity to dihydrofolate reductase that had been inactivated by diethyl pyrocarbonate.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1982 Feb 4, 701(1), 49 - 56
Modification of tyrosine residues in dihydrofolate reductase from Lactobacillus casei; Rosson D et al.; Dihydrofolate reductase from Lactobacillus casei was inactivated by reaction with tetranitromethane and 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole . Loss of activity occurred with modification of four of the five tyrosine residues present in the enzyme . The presence of either substrate, NADPH or 7,8-dihydrofolate, as well as NADP and folate, provided extensive protection against inactivation, while NADH and tetrahydrofolate exhibited none . This protection from inactivation occurred on protection of two of the four susceptible tyrosines from modification . Nitration of the enzyme adversely affected its ability to bind substrates . Restoration of the pKa of the nitrated tyrosines by reduction of the nitro group to an amino group did not result in a regeneration of enzymatic activity . However, fluorotyrosine-containing enzyme, prepared by growing the bacterium in the presence of fluorotyrosine, exhibited specific activity identical to that of native enzyme over the pH range of 4.5-8 . These results suggest that inactivation of dihydrofolate reductase by tyrosine modification occurs primarily due to a steric effect and that the active site tyrosines may participate in substrate binding.

J Med Chem, 1982 Feb, 25(2), 157 - 61
A comparison of the inhibition of growth of methotrexate-resistant and -sensitive leukemia cells in culture by triazines . Evidence for a new mechanism of cell resistance to methotrexate; Selassie CD et al.; Forty-five 4,6-diamino-1,2-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-1-(3-X-phenyl)-s-triazine inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and methotrexate (MTX) were tested on L5178Y/R murine tumor cell culture . The concentration of inhibitor causing a 50% decrease in growth rate was determined, and from these results a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) was developed . This QSAR is compared with QSAR for the same inhibitors acting on isolated DHFR and on L5178Y cell culture sensitive to MTX . The results show that very potent triazine inhibitors of resistant tumor cell growth can easily be made by making the triazines strongly hydrophobic . The optimum pi value for inhibition of MTX-sensitive cell culture is 0.8, while pi 0 for the resistant cell culture is about 6.0 . The QSAR for MTX-sensitive and -resistant tumor cell culture inhibition is compared with the corresponding QSAR for Lactobacillus casei cells . Both the mammalian and bacterial cells appear to protect themselves from the highly hydrophilic MTX by erecting lipophilic barriers.

J Dent Res, 1982 Feb, 61(2), 382 - 5
Oral flora of children with "nursing bottle caries"; van Houte J et al.; S . mutans averaged about 60% of the total cultivable flora of dental plaque obtained from caries lesions, white spot margins of these lesions, or clinically-sound areas of upper anterior teeth, and averaged about 27% in plaque from mostly clinically-sound areas of posterior teeth of six children with nursing bottle caries; its concentrations in saliva averaged about 10% of the total cultivable flora . Nearly all of 107 isolated S . mutans strains belonged to the serotype group c/e/f . The proportion of S . sanguis, in contrast to those of S . mutans, were very low in plaque from upper anterior teeth and higher in plaque from posterior teeth . The proportions of S . salivarius in saliva were unusually low, and this organism was not detected in the saliva of most subjects . Lactobacilli were found in nearly all plaque samples; plaque and carious material from cavities contained higher levels than plaque associated with white spots or clinically-sound tooth surfaces . The findings provide further support for the role of S . mutans in the initiation of human dental caries . In the case of lactobacilli, they support other evidence suggesting only the limited involvement of these organisms in the initiation of caries lesions, but a more extensive role in their progression . In addition, they clearly illustrate the marked effect of diet on the dental plaque flora.

J Gen Microbiol, 1982 Feb, 128(Pt 2), 319 - 25
The fermentation of lactulose by colonic bacteria; Sahota SS et al.; Sixty-four strains of intestinal bacteria were cultured under anaerobic conditions in lactulose-containing media to assess their ability to ferment lactulose . Some organisms were unable to metabolize the disaccharide, while others, e.g . clostridia and lactobacilli, metabolized lactulose extensively . Quantitative analyses of the fermentation products indicated that the major non-gaseous metabolites were acetic, lactic and butyric acids . Hydrogen and carbon dioxide were the only gases detected . Fermentation products were estimated for selected species throughout their growth cycles . The products of fermentation of lactulose by stool cultures varied with incubation conditions such as pH, but correlated well with those produced by pure cultures . These results are discussed in relation to the therapeutic uses of lactulose.

J Pharm Sci, 1982 Feb, 71(2), 214 - 6
Structure-activity relationships among substituted N-benzoyl derivatives of phenylalanine and its analogs in a microbial antitumor prescreen I: Derivatives of o-fluoro-DL-phenylalanine; Otani TT et al.; Twelve derivatives of 0-fluoro-dl-phenylalanine containing fluorine, chlorine, methoxy, and nitro radicals in various positions of the aromatic ring of the benzoyl group were prepared and tested in a Lactobacillus casei system . It was found that most substitutions in the benzoyl phenyl ring resulted in a compound exhibiting greater growth-inhibiting activity than the nonsubstituted benzoyl-o-fluorophenylalanine . The greatest activity was observed in the ortho-substituted fluoro compound and the meta- and para-substituted chloro and nitro compounds . With the methoxy group, the position of substitution appeared unimportant, since all three methoxy isomers exhibited essentially equal inhibition . Nitro substitution in the ortho position had a protective effect in that the product was less active than the unsubstituted benzoyl-o-fluoro-dl-phenylalanine.

Gene, 1982 Feb, 17(2), 229 - 33
Molecular cloning of the gene for dihydrofolate reductase from Lactobacillus casei; Davies RW et al.; The Lactobacillus casei gene for dihydrofolate reductase has been cloned in Escherichia coli using the multicopy vector pBR322 . A restriction map of the cloned DNA has been prepared . The cloned DNA directs the synthesis of L . casei dihydrofolate reductase in E . coli and confers trimethoprim and methotrexate resistance.

Adv Enzyme Regul, 1982, 20, 389 - 408
Transport of folate compounds, pterins and adenine in L1210 mouse leukemia cells; Huennekens FM et al.; L1210 mouse leukemia cells provide a convenient model for examining the mechanisms and components involved in the active transport of various metabolites and drugs . One of these transport systems exhibits a broad specificity for folate compounds, including 4-amino antagonists such as methotrexate . The primary substrate for this system is 5-methyltetra-hydrofolate (Kt = 1 microM), the principal circulating form of the vitamin in mammals . 5-Formyltetrahydrofolate (Kt = 5 microM) and Methotrexate (Kt = 5 microM) are also taken up efficiently, but folate (Kt = 100 microM) is a relatively poor substrate . Vmax for this system is ca . 15 pmoles/min/mg protein . Energy for substrate internalization is provided by an anion-exchange mechanism, and regulation appears to be mediated by cyclic AMP . The system can be inhibited irreversibly by treatment of the cells with photo-activated azido AMP or carbodiimide-activated folate compounds . The latter method allows the membrane-associated binding protein to be labeled in situ, thereby providing a means for identifying it during subsequent solubilization and purification . Guidance for this latter project is provided by previous experience in the purification to homogeneity of a similar folate-binding protein from Lactobacillus casei . L1210 cells also contain an efficient system for the transport of adenine (Kt = 20 microM; Vmax = 200 pmoles/min/mg protein) . Uptake of adenine is linked with its conversion to AMP via PRPP-dependent adenine phosphori-bosyltransferase . Pterins, which have a close structural similarity to adenine (as well as to a portion of the folate molecule), are also transported into L1210 cells . Transport of {3H} 6-hydroxymethylpterin (Kt = 20 microM) was inhibited by 6-formylpterin, 6-methylpterin and 6-carboxypterin with Ki values of 42, 100 and 350 microM, respectively . Adenine (Ki = 20 microM) and various other purines were also good inhibitors of pterin transport . Present evidence indicates that adenine and pterins use separate transport systems, but isolation of the components of these systems may further delineate their interrelationships.

Microbiol Immunol, 1982, 26(3), 199 - 211
Purification and characterization of spirosomes in Lactobacillus brevis; Ueki Y et al.; Spirosomes, very find spiral particles, were isolated from a protoplastlysate of Lactobacillus brevis ATCC 8287 by differential centrifugation and purified further by potassium tartrate density gradient centrifugation . The purified spirosome preparation showed a maximum peak around 275 nm on the ultraviolet absorption spectrum and it consisted of about 94.5% protein . The buoyant density in CsCl of the spirosomes was 1.320 g/cm3 . The spirosomes were composed mainly of a single protein (spirosin with an apparent molecular weight of about 95,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . The protein of the spirosomes was found to be composed predominantly of neutral amino acids accompanied by approximately equal amounts of acidic and basic amino acids . The spirosomes showed one antigenic determinant in the immunodiffusion test . The spirosomes were readily degraded by the action or proteolytic enzymes and lost their antigenicity, but they were not affected by treatment with either deoxyribonuclease or ribonuclease . The spiral structure of the spirosome was also found to be disintegrated by treatment with 1 M guanidine hydrochloride, 4 M urea or 0.1% SDS, but not by the action of deoxycholate, nonionic detergents or mercaptoethanol, as observed in the electron microscope.

Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(3), 261 - 8
Blood-group-reactive glycoprotein from human saliva interacts with lipoteichoic acid on the surface of Streptococcus sanguis cells; Hogg SD et al.; {3H}-Glycerol-labelled lipoteichoic acid (LTA) was extracted from Streptococcus sanguis cells using aqueous phenol . Chemical analysis of the LTA yielded phosphate:glycerol:glucose:fatty acids in the mole ratio 1.0:0.97:0.76:0.03 . The LTA inhibited the interaction between Strep . sanguis cells and a high mol . wt blood-group-reactive glycoprotein (BGR-glycoprotein) isolated from human saliva and reduced Strep . sanguis-mediated haemagglutination activity . Purified LTA from Strep . mutans strains OMZ61 and HS6, which have been shown not to interact with the BGR-glycoprotein, also inhibited the BGR-glycoprotein mediated aggregation of Strep . sanguis, as did an antiserum prepared against Lactobacillus casei LTA . It is proposed that the binding of the salivary glycoprotein to Strep . sanguis cells in achieved through LTA associated with bacterial surface fibrils.

Physiol Chem Phys, 1982, 14(1), 3 - 7
Nonspecific and cooperative binding of lectins to microorganisms; Kahn LD; Binding of lectins to microbial cell walls was investigated by fluorimetric titration and Scatchard plot . Data were correlated with agglutinability . Concanavalin A and lectins of wheat germ, soybean, pea, lentil, and peanut were tested against Escherichia coli . Micrococcus luteus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Bacillus subtilis . In cases where binding occurred, it was either nonspecific or positively cooperative . Agglutination was observed only in those combinations of lectin and microorganism that showed positive cooperative binding, suggesting a definite relation between binding and agglutination . Lectins binding to the same carbohydrate did not necessarily bind to the same microorganism, confirming the complexity of the lectin-receptor bond.

Antibiotiki, 1982, 27(9), 681 - 4
{Bacteriocinogenic typing of lactobacilli}; Filippov VA; Sensitivity of 588 strains of Lactobacilli belonging to 15 species was studied with respect to 39 bacteriocinogenic strains of Lactobacilli producing 39 variants of bacteriocins . The study provided a set of 20 indicator strains of Lactobacilli . With the use of this set it is possible to mark Lactobacilli of various species and differentiate them into 39 bacteriocinogenic types . This may be used in taxonomic and epidemiological studies.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1982 Jan, 43(1), 50 - 6
Drug resistance plasmids in Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus reuteri; Vescovo M et al.; Sixteen strains of Lactobacillus reuteri and 20 strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus were tested for resistance to 22 antibiotics by using commercially available sensitivity disks . Evidence suggesting linkage of these resistances to plasmids was obtained by "curing" experiments with acridine dyes and high growth temperatures . Examination of plasmid patterns of agarose gel electrophoresis provided further evidence of loss in plasmid DNA under curing conditions in some of the strains examined.

Mikrobiologiia, 1982, 51(5), 784 - 9
{Fine structure and culture characteristics of Lactobacillus plantarum}; Vaisman IS et al.; The preparations of Lactobacillus plantarum 8-PA-3 cultures growing for 6, 8 and 10 hours were taken at the phase of exponential growth in a liquid malt-containing nutrient medium, and their ultrathin sections and replicas were studied after freeze-fracturing and etching by means of electron microscopy . The authors discuss the dynamics of development of structural-functional complexes in the cells, in particular, their membranous structures . Their morphogenesis is correlated with the functional requirements of the cells due to peculiarities of the population growth . The organization of the cytoplasmic membrane is noteworthy: many vesicles appear at the periphery of the protoplast and, probably, are involved in metabolic processes via a mechanism of the exocytosis type . Membranous structures of the nucleoidosome type extend gradually in the nuclear area, most intensively by the time when the exponential growth ceases . This phenomenon may be regarded as a response to the population being crowded under these conditions.

J Biol Chem, 1981 Dec 10, 256(23), 12152 - 5
DNA binding by dihydrofolate reductase from Lactobacillus casei; Gronenborn AM et al.; The protein-dependent retention of double-stranded DNA molecules on nitrocellulose filters has been used to show that pure dihydrofolate reductase from Lactobacillus casei has affinity for DNA . Dihydrofolate reductase will bind to end-labeled linear double-stranded DNA and to DNA in supercoiled form . Coenzymes and certain inhibitors do not affect the affinity of the protein to DNA, indicating that the DNA-binding region of the protein is distinct from the binding sites for these molecules . Comparison of the retention on filters by dihydrofolate reductase of two plasmid DNAs, differing only in a 3000-base pair insert containing the L . casei gene for dihydrofolate reductase, showed that in the presence of this DNA region lower concentrations of the protein were required to give significant retention; it is possible that a specific DNA-protein interaction underlies this effect . This presents the possibility of studying the interaction with DNA of a protein for which a crystal structure and considerable nuclear magnetic resonance data are already available.

Biochemistry, 1981 Dec 8, 20(25), 7186 - 95
Negative cooperativity between folinic acid and coenzyme in their binding to Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase; Birdsall B et al.; The binding of folinic acid (5-formyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate) to Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase has been measured . The natural 6S, alpha S diastereoisomer has a binding constant of 1.3 (+/- 0.6) X 10(8) M-1 at pH 6.0, 25 degrees C; the 6R, alpha S diastereoisomer binds approximately 10(4)-fold more weakly . The natural diastereoisomer of folinic acid binds negatively cooperatively with the coenzymes NADP+ and NADPH, binding 3 times more weakly in the presence of NADP+ and 600 times more weakly in the presence of NADPH than to the enzyme alone . Negative cooperativity has been unequivocally distinguished from competition by measurements of coenzyme binding as a function of folinic acid concentration, of the effects of folinic acid on the 1H and 31P chemical shifts of the bound coenzyme, and of the effects of folinic acid on the coenzyme dissociation rate constant . The latter experiments also give evidence for the coexistence of two slowly interconverting conformational forms of the ternary enzyme-coenzyme-folinic acid complex . Small changes in structure of the oxidized coenzymes have substantial effects on the cooperativity with folinic acid, with the thionicotinamide analogue showing positive rather than negative cooperativity . The changes in environment of the bound coenzyme produced by folinic acid, as revealed by 1H and 31P NMR, demonstrate clearly that the negative cooperativity shown by NADP+ and NADPH, respectively, arises by two structurally distinct mechanisms.

Infect Immun, 1981 Dec, 34(3), 662 - 75
Sucrose-induced ecological response of experimental dental plaques from caries-free and caries-susceptible Human volunteers; Minah GE et al.; Microbial succession, experimental cariogenicity, and sucrose metabolism were examined in dental plaques which developed on sterile bovine enamel inserts in acrylic palatal appliances . The appliances were worn for a period of 14 days by 10 caries-free and 10 caries-susceptible human volunteers . Three of six enamel inserts on each appliance were exposed extraorally to 10% sucrose in 0.85% saline six times a day, and three were exposed simultaneously to 0.85% saline as a control environment . The responses of the plaques to the high-sucrose environment in both caries status populations were compared . In all plaques, exposure to 10% sucrose stimulated the succession of Veillonella spp., Lactobacillus spp., Streptococcus salivarius, and, to a lesser extent, Streptococcus mutans and a decline in levels of Streptococcus sanguis, Neisseria spp., and gram-negative anaerobic rods . Plaques from caries-free mouths, in contrast to those from caries-susceptible mouths, harbored higher levels of Veillonella spp., gram-negative anaerobic rods, and Neisseria spp . and lower levels of Lactobacillus spp . Sucrose-exposed plaques from caries-free mouths also induced less enamel microhardness changes and formed less lactic acid from {14C}sucrose during a 60-min incubation at 37 degrees C than did comparable plaques from caries-susceptible mouths . The experiments revealed consistent differences in the ecological response to a cariogenic substrate environment in plaques from the two populations, with plaques from caries-free subjects exhibiting less cariogenic potential than those from caries-susceptible subjects.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1981 Dec, 42(6), 996 - 1001
Transit time of epithelial cells in the small intestines of germfree mice and ex-germfree mice associated with indigenous microorganisms; Savage DC et al.; Germfree mice housed in isolators under controlled environmental and nutritional conditions were associated with an intestinal microflora . These associated animals and germfree mice drawn from the same population were tested for the rate at which the epithelial cells transited from the crypts of Lieberkuhn to the tips of the villi in their small intestines . The method for estimating the rate of transit of epithelial cells involved the use of liquid scintillation counting to determine the amount of radioactivity entering the cells while the animals were being injected with {3H}thymidine and statistical analysis of th data with a computer program developed for the purpose . As estimated by that method, the cells transited from the crypts to the villous tips in germfree mice in about 115 h and in the associated animals in about 53 h . In monoassociated mice, a strain of a Lactobacillus sp . had no effect on the transit time of the epithelial cells . A strain of Torulopsis pintolopesii stimulated uptake of 3{H}thymidine by the small bowel mucosae in mice monoassociated with the organisms for 5 weeks . In animals monoassociated with the yeast fo 3, 4, and 6 weeks, however, the radioactive compound was incorporated into the bowel mucosae to the same extent as the mucosae of germfree mice . Therefore, similarly to the Lactobacillus strain, T . pintolopesii has no obvious influence on the transit rate of small bowel epithelial cells.

Scand J Dent Res, 1981 Dec, 89(6), 458 - 62
Microbial analyses of dental plaque of monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) using fluorescent antibody techniques; Emilson CG et al.; Selected microbial components in supragingival dental plaque from recently captured monkeys were determined . Using specific fluorescent antibody (FA) conjugates S . sanguis was found to constitute an average of 11.8% of all cells . The populations of Actinomyces accounted for 20.7% (range 5-31) with A . viscosus and A . naeslundii as predominant species . Few lactobacilli were encountered . S . mutans was not detected in any specimens when examined by culture and FA.

J Dent Res, 1981 Dec, 60(12), 1929 - 35
The relation of stimulated salivary flow rate and pH to Lactobacillus and yeast concentrations in saliva; Parvinen T et al.; This study demonstrates that the presence of yeast, but not lactobacillus infection, is related to salivary flow rate . Salivary pH is correlated with the primary infection of both lactobacilli and yeasts . The low output of saliva appears to influence the quantity of lactobacilli more than that of yeasts . The flow rate was lower and the presence of yeasts was higher in females than in males.

Am J Clin Nutr, 1981 Dec, 34(12), 2711 - 5
Effectiveness of milk products in dietary management of lactose malabsorption; Payne DL et al.; Eleven lactose malabsorbers were studied to compare the effectiveness of commercially available products recommended for dietary treatment of lactose malabsorption . One product, a commercial lactase preparation, is added to milk for lactose hydrolysis before consumption . The other is a commercial milk product containing lactose-hydrolyzing, nonpathogenic bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus . Both of these products are presently recommended for management of lactose malabsorption, although such recommendations have not been validated by controlled studies . Lactose malabsorption was determined by breath H2 analyses after subjects drank four different test doses on 4 different days . The first test dose was 480 ml of low fat milk; the second was 480 ml of milk treated with a commercial lactase preparation; the third was 480 ml of a commercial L . acidophilus-containing milk; and the fourth was 480 ml of the L . acidophilus-containing milk after 1 wk of gastrointestinal exposure to this commercial bacteria-containing milk . The mean breath H2 response to the lactase-treated milk was significantly lower (p less than 0.001) than the mean response to regular milk . However, the mean breath H2 response to either of the test doses of the L . acidophilus-containing milk were not significantly different than responses to regular milk . It is concluded that the lactase-treated milk reduces breath H2 responses and symptomatic discomfort from malabsorption while the L . acidophilus-containing milk does not.

J Med Chem, 1981 Dec, 24(12), 1450 - 5
Methotrexate analogues . 14 . Synthesis of new gamma-substituted derivatives as dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors and potential anticancer agents; Rosowsky A et al.; The gamma-tert-butyl ester (1), gamma-hydrazide (2), gamma-n-butylamide (3), and gamma-benzylamide (4) derivatives of methotrexate (MTX) were synthesized from 4-amino-4-deoxy-N10-methylpteroic acid (APA) and the appropriate blocked L-glutamic acid precursors with the aid of the peptide bond forming reagent diethyl phosphorocyanidate . The affinity of these side chain modified products for dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from Lactobacillus casei and L1210 mouse leukemic cells was determined spectrophotometrically or by competitive radioligand binding assay, and their cytotoxicity was evaluated against L1210 leukemic cells in culture . The results provide continuing support for the view that the "gamma-terminal region" of the MTX side chain is an attractive site for molecular modification of this anticancer agent.

J Med Chem, 1981 Dec, 24(12), 1422 - 9
Comparison of the inhibition of methotrexate-sensitive and -resistant Lactobacillus casei cell cultures with purified Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase by 4,6-diamino-1,2-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-1-(3-substituted-phenyl)-s-triazines . Use of quantitative structure-activity relationships in making inferences about the mechanism of resistance and the structure of the enzyme is situ compared with the enzyme in vitro; Coats EA et al.; The inhibitory action of a set of 4,5-diamino-1,2-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-1-(3-substituted-phenyl)-s-triazines on Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase is compared with their action on methotrexate-resistant and methotrexate-sensitive cell cultures by means of quantitative structure-selectivity analysis . The analysis uncovers major differences in the steric and hydrophobic interactions of the substituents X with the three different systems . Correlation analysis is used to define the hydrophobic binding site for 3-X in the isolated enzyme . This is shown to be similar to that of the sensitive cells but different from that in the resistant cells, which have a larger hydrophobic binding site . When X has the general structure 3-CH2ZC6H4-Y (Z = O or NH), it is shown that Y does not interact with the isolated enzyme, but in the living cells, Y interacts with a molecular barrier in a way that can be quantitatively related to the molar refractivity of X . The methotrexate-resistant cells are resistant to highly hydrophilic inhibitors such as methotrexate but are not able to resist hydrophobic inhibitors . The results with the inhibition of L . casei dihydrofolate reductase are compared with the inhibition of enzyme from bovine liver.

Antibiotiki, 1981 Nov, 26(11), 843 - 7
{Bacteriocin properties of Lactobacillus acidophilus}; Filippov VA; Bacteriocins produced by L . acidophilus were studied with respect to the character and size of the growth inhibition zones, diffusion across cellophane, sensitivity to proteases, nucleases and lysozyme, thermostability, capacity of adsorption by the indicator strains and effect on Lactobacillus . By the differences in the properties and action on various species of Lactobacillus the bacteriocins were classified as belonging to 12 types of L . acidophilus.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1981 Nov, 20(5), 683 - 5
Comparative in vitro activity of ceftizoxime, cefoperazone, and cefoxitin against anaerobic bacteria; Drulak MW et al.; Against 482 obligate anaerobes studied by the agar dilution technique, ceftizoxime was significantly more active than both cefoxitin and cefoperazone (P less than 0.001); the latter two agents were comparable in activity . The enhanced activity of ceftizoxime, as compared with the activity of cefoxitin, was against both gram-positive and gram-negative anaerobes (especially Lactobacillus and bacteroides spp) . Cefoperazone, however, was more active than cefoxitin against gram-positive anaerobes (particularly Lactobacillus spp.) but was less active than cefoxitin against gram-negative anaerobes (particularly Bacteroides fragilis and Veillonella spp.).

Biochemistry, 1981 Oct 13, 20(21), 6169 - 78
Nuclear magnetic resonance study of dihydrofolate reductase labeled with {gamma-13C}tryptophan; Groff JP et al.; Dihydrofolate reductase isozyme 2 of Streptococcus faecium has been labeled with 13C in the C gamma position of tryptophan residues by growing the organism on a defined medium containing L-{gamma-13C}tryptophan (90% 13C) . The 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum of the enzyme shows four well-resolved resonances which have nuclear Overhauser enhancements of 1.1-1.3 . Values of T1 (spin-lattice relaxation time) and T2 (spin-spin relaxation time) are significantly less than predicted for an isotropically rotating, rigid sphere with no intermolecular dipole-dipole interactions . Three of the resonances have chemical shifts downfield from the 13C resonance of urea-denatured enzyme by amounts up to 1.43 ppm . The chemical shift of resonance 4 in the spectrum is 4.0 ppm upfield from Trp C gamma of urea-denatured enzyme . This large upfield shift is attributed to electric field effects generated by polar side chains . The two more upfield peaks both provide evidence that the corresponding tryptophan residues, WC and WD, each undergo chemical exchange between alternative microenvironments . In the case of WC, which gives a resonance with two components, exchange is slow (ve, exchange rate much less than 55 s-1), and the relative populations of the two stable states are in the ratio 2:3 . WD is apparently in intermediate to fast exchange on the NMR time scale . With a two-state model, ve increases from approximately 90 to 150 s-1 as the temperature is increased from 5 to 25 degrees C . This increases in temperature is also accompanied by an increase in the fractional population of the minor downfield state(s), from about 0.062 at 5 degrees C to 0.24 at 25 degrees C . However, the data may also be interpreted as a temperature-dependent equilibrium between a continuum of many states . WD is tentatively identified with Trp-22 since comparison of the sequences of Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase and S . faecium dihydrofolate reductase and inspection of the crystal structure of the L . casei enzyme indicate that Trp-6, Trp-115, and Trp-160 are probably all involved in regions of beta sheet whereas Trp-22 is in a loop joining beta A to alpha B . Earlier crystallographic evidence for the Escherichia coli reductase suggests that in the methotrexate complex with this enzyme the corresponding loop has a good deal of flexibility . It is probable that in the uncomplexed S . faecium reductase the motion of this loop is the major mechanism for the exchange process involving Trp-22 . The upfield chemical shift of resonance 4 is attributed to electric field effects on C gamma of Trp-22 produced by the carboxylate groups of Asp-27 and Asp-9 . On the basis of the small difference between the chemical shift of resonance 3 and that of tryptophan C gamma in urea-denatured reductase, it is suggested that WC may be identified with Trp-6.

Antibiotiki, 1981 Oct, 26(10), 746 - 50
{Sensitivity of lactobacilli of the subgenus Thermobacterium to the action of bacteriocins}; Filippov VA; Sensitivity of 278 cultures of Thermobacterium to 30 types of bacteriocins produced by L . acidophilus, L . salivarius, L . jugurti, L . casei, L . plantarum, L . fermentum, L . brevis and L . buchneri was studied with the method of delayed antagonism . It was shown that all cultures of L . Salivarius, L . jugurti, L . helveticus, L . lactis, L . leichmannii, L . bulgaricus and L . delbrueckii and 94.1 per cent of L . acidophilus were sensitive to one or several bacteriocin types . The cultures of L . acidophilus, L . salivarius and L . jugurti, L . helveticus, L . lactis, L . bulgaricus and L . delbrueckii were sensitive to 26, 15, 28, 2 and 29 lactocin types respectively.

Am J Clin Nutr, 1981 Oct, 34(10), 2205 - 9
Pantothenic acid content of human milk; Johnston L et al.; One-day diets were recorded by 22 lactating women 1 to 6 months postpartum . Pantothenic acid content of the diets was estimated using a published table of pantothenic acid values for food . The mean pantothenic acid intake of the lactating women was 7.6 mg/day over the 6-month period . The day after diet recording, the women collected two samples of breast milk during the first feeding of the day after 5 AM . The first sample was obtained at the beginning of the feed (fore milk) and the second at the end of the feed (hind milk) . The pantothenic acid in the milk was determined by microbiological assay using Lactobacillus plantarum, after prior treatment of the milk with intestinal phosphatase and pigeon liver extract to free bound pantothenic acid . There was no significance acid in the milk was 6.7 microgram/ml . No change occurred in the concentration of pantothenic acid in the milk from 1 to 6 months postpartum . There was a significant (p less than 0.005), positive correlation (r = 0.51) between the pantothenic acid in the diet of the mother the day preceding milk collection and the pantothenic acid content of the milk.

J Clin Periodontol, 1981 Oct, 8(5), 400 - 14
Prediction of root surface caries in patients treated for advanced periodontal disease; Ravald N et al.; The present investigation was undertaken (1) to analyze the prevalence of root surface caries prior to and after periodontal treatment and (2) to determine the feasibility of using simple clinical criteria for predicting a patient's risk of developing root surface caries following periodontal therapy . Thirty-one patients were given advanced periodontal treatment including periodontal surgery . At baseline they were examined for oral hygiene status, root surface caries experience and number of lactobacilli per ml saliva as evaluated by the Dentocult dip-slide method . Follow-up examinations 1, 2 and 4 years after baseline showed that a majority of the patients were treated successfully and maintained in periodontal health . Root surface caries developed in approximately two-thirds of the patients during the 4-year observation period . However, the total increment of root lesions during these years was mostly extremely low, i.e . less than 5% of exposed root surfaces . In higher risk patients developing new root surface caries, significant correlations were demonstrated with initial pretreatment scorings from (1) their previous root surface caries experience, (2) high lactobacillus counts and (3) advancing age . In addition, root surface caries incidence and low saliva secretion rats were found to correlate significantly during the course of the study.

J Med Chem, 1981 Oct, 24(10), 1254 - 8
New synthesis of N-{4-{{(2-amino-4(3H)-oxopyrido{3,2-d}pyrimidin-6-yl)methyl}amino}benzoyl}-L-glutamic acid (8-deazafolic acid) and the preparation of some 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro derivatives; Temple C Jr et al.; Previously, 8-deazafolic acid (17) was shown to be a potent inhibitor of the folate-dependent bacteria, Streptococcus faecium (ATCC 8043) and Lactobacillus casei (ATCC 7469), and to have activity against lymphoid leukemia L1210 in mice . To examine the 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro derivatives, a new synthesis of 17 was developed from 8-deaza-2,4-dichloro-6-methylpteridine . Treatment of the latter with aqueous base gave the corresponding pteridin-4(3H)-one, which was aminated with ammonia to give 8-deaza-6-methylpterin (9) . Bromination of 9 gave mainly 8-deaza-6-(tribromomethyl)pterin, which on reaction with p-aminobenzoyl-L-glutamic acid resulted in the formation of the 9-oxo derivative of 17 . In contrast, bromination of the 2-acetyl derivative of 9 gave mainly the corresponding 6-(bromomethyl)pterin, which was converted to 17 in 23% yield (from 9) . Hydrogenation of 17 at atmospheric pressure and room temperature was unsuccessful either in a basic medium or formic acid . In trifluoroacetic acid, overreduction occurred to give a mixture containing 8-deaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-6-methylpterin and the 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro derivative of 17 . The latter was characterized by conversion to the methenyl analogue 21, which was also prepared by hydrogenation of the 10-formyl derivative of 17 . Treatment of 21 with hydroxide gave 8-deaza-10-formyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid . Compound 21 showed cytotoxicity to cultured H.Ep.-2 cells and was tested as an inhibitor of bovine dihydrofolic reductase . Lineweaver-Burk analysis indicated inhibition competitive with dihydrofolate.

Contraception, 1981 Oct, 24(4), 481 - 91
The effect of a contraceptive vaginal ring and oral contraceptives on the vaginal flora; Roy S et al.; Premenopausal women seeking a steroid contraceptive method were allowed to choose between a contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR) containing levonorgestrel and estradiol used in a 3-week in, 1-week out regimen (n=20) and an oral contraceptive (OC) containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol in a 28-day regimen (n = 10) . Cultures from the posterior vaginal fornix were obtained before therapy in both groups and monthly for 6 months for the CVR group and after 1, 3, and 6 months for the OC group . These cultures were streaked on specific media to provide quantitative aerobic and anaerobic, lactobacillus, Candida sp., Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae counts in micro-organisms per milliliter . A comparison of the number and types of organisms isolated from vaginal cultures obtained initially and at 6 months demonstrated no statistically significant differences in colony counts between CVR and OC users . The results of this study suggest that the use of the CVR is not associated with a greater growth of pathogens than is oral administration of a progestin and estrogen combination.

J Bacteriol, 1981 Oct, 148(1), 64 - 71
Multiple nutritional requirements of lactobacilli: genetic lesions affecting amino acid biosynthetic pathways; Morishita T et al.; Genetic lesions responsible for amino acid requirements in several species of multiple auxotrophic lactobacilli were investigated . Systematic attempts were made to isolate mutants that could grow in the absence of each of the amino acids required by the parental strains of Lactobacillus plantarum, L . casei, L . helveticus, and L . acidophilus . After treatment with appropriate mutagens, such mutants could be obtained with respect to many but not all required amino acids . Successful isolation of mutants for a given amino acid means that a minor genetic lesion reparable by single-step mutations affects its biosynthesis; a failure to isolate mutants suggests the involvement of more extensive lesions . Analysis of these results as well as the specific requirements exhibited by the parental strains revealed certain regularities; some of the biosynthetic pathways for individual amino acids were virtually unaffected by more extensive lesions in at least species tested, whereas others were affected by more extensive lesions in at least some species . Both the number and the kind of pathways affected by extensive lesions differed appreciably among different species . Furthermore, the growth response of the parental strains to some putative amino acid precursors revealed a clear correlation between the extent of genetic lesions and the occurrence and location of a genetic block(s) for a given pathway . These findings are discussed in relation to the phylogeny, ecology, and evolution of lactic acid bacteria.

Am J Clin Nutr, 1981 Sep, 34(9), 1725 - 30
The blood-brain barrier and folate deficiency; Botez MI et al.; Twenty-three patients (average age: 63.2 +/- 14.9 (x +/- SEM) ranging from 28 to 83 yr) with low or borderline cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) folate and low serum underwent two lumbar punctures, i.e., before and after 3 wk of folate therapy . The rise in CSF folate content in the whole group after the replacement therapy was significant by both the Lactobacillus casei and radioisotope methods of folate determination . In patients with folate-responsive neurological disorders, the rise of CSF values after replacement therapy was definitely higher than in the group of patients in whom folate deficiency was not related to the actual clinical picture . Contrary to previous statements, the present study revealed that there is not an absolute blood-brain barrier for folate because the lower the CSF folate level was, the more rapid and spectacular the increase in CSF folate after replacement therapy was found.

J Med Chem, 1981 Sep, 24(9), 1068 - 73
Folate analogues altered in the C9-N10 bridge region . 18 . Synthesis and antitumor evaluation of 11-oxahomoaminopterin and related compounds; Nair MG et al.; The chemical synthesis of 11-oxahomoaminopterin (1) has been carried out using procedures which were also found to be applicable to the synthesis of 11-oxahomofolic acid (2) . Reaction of 1-bromo-4-{p-(caarbomethoxy)phenoxy}-2-butanone (10) with sodium azide gave 1-azido-4-{p-(carbomethoxy)phenoxy}-2-butanone (11) . Protection of the carbonyl group of 11 as the ethylene ketal and subsequent base hydrolysis of the product gave 1-azido-4-(p-carboxyphenoxy)-2-butanone ketal (13) . The glutamate conjugate 14 was prepared from 13 by the isobutyl chloroformate method and was hydrogenated to diethyl N-{(alpha-amino-2-oxo-4-butanoyl)-p-anisoyl}-L-glutamate ketal (15) . Reaction of 15 with 6-chloro-2,4-diamino-5-nitropyrimidine (16) and 2-amino-6-chloro-4-hydroxy-5-nitropyrimidine (17) and deprotection of the corresponding products gave the intermediates 18 and 19, which were elaborated to 1 and 2 using a series of steps involving deprotection, dithionite reduction, cyclization, oxidation, and hydrolysis . Although 11-oxahomoaminopterin showed antifolate activity against two folate-requiring microorganisms and inhibited Lactobacillus casei DHFR, it was inactive against L-1210 leukemia in mice at a maximum dose of 48 mg/kg . Compound Lactobacillus casei DHFR, it was inactive against L-1210 leukemia in mice at a maximum dose of 48 mg/kg . Compound 1 was also tested for its ability to be transported via the methotrexate transport system using the L-1210 and Ehrlich tumor cell lines, and these results are compared with those of related analogues . The growth inhibitory activity of 1 in the L-1210 cell lines in culture was found to be 15 times weaker than that of methotrexate.

Infect Immun, 1981 Sep, 33(3), 690 - 6
Oral ecology and virulence of Lactobacillus casei and Streptococcus mutans in gnotobiotic rats; Michalek SM et al.; Lactobacilli comprise a small percentage of the normal oral microbial flora of humans and are isolated commonly from saliva and frequently from an active caries lesion . We have compared the pathogenesis and colonization pattern of Lactobacillus casei with that of Streptococcus mutans strain 6715 in gnotobiotic rats . Of the two L . casei strains tested, L . casei strain ATCC 4646 caused slightly more caries than L . casei strain ATCC 11578 . However, the level of caries induced by either L . casei strain was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) than that observed in similar-aged rats monoassociated with S . mutans strain 6715 . When groups of rats were infected with mixtures of L . casei strain ATCC 4646 and S . mutans strain 6715, or with L . casei followed by S . mutans, higher numbers of L . casei than S . mutans were found associated with the tongue and in saliva; S . mutans always predominated in plaque . The level of caries observed in these groups of rats was similar to that seen with rats monoassociated with S . mutans except when L . casei comprised greater than 1% of the plaque microflora . In this latter situation, the level of caries was significantly lower (P less than or equal to 0.05) than that obtained in S . mutans-monoassociated rats . The results of this study suggest that L . casei colonizes sites in the oral cavity (including the tongue and saliva) other than the tooth surface in rats . The effect of L . casei in plaque toward reduction of S . mutans-induced dental caries in rats is discussed.

Lancet, 1981 Aug 22, 2(8243), 393 - 6
Lactobacilli do not cause frequency and dysuria syndrome; Brumfitt W et al.; Mid-stream specimens (MSU) of urine were collected from 142 healthy women (pregnant and non-pregnant) and cultured for lactobacilli and other fastidious bacteria . The latter either require CO2 or are obligate anaerobes . Lactobacilli were present in counts of 10(4)/ml or more in 34.8% of the women, and in counts of 10(5)/ml or more in 20.2% . Besides lactobacilli, which were the bacteria most frequently isolated, anaerobic gram-positive cocci (peptococci and peptostreptococci) were often found . This flora is typical of that of the lower vagina, and none of these women had either symptoms of urinary infection of pyuria . Therefore, the bacteria isolated were commensals or contaminants . Cultures of MSUs taken from 26 women with symptoms of dysuria and/or frequency, but without significant numbers of conventional pathogens such as Escherichia coli, contained commensals and contaminants of the same variety and in similar numbers . Urine samples from 50% of these patients contained at least 10(4) lactobacilli/ml and 27% had 10(5) or more/ml . Lactobacilli were absent from the suprapubic urine specimens cultured from a further 44 women . There was no significant difference between the isolation rate of lactobacilli in urine cultures from healthy women and the rate in women with dysuria and frequency.

Hoppe Seylers Z Physiol Chem, 1981 Aug, 362(8), 1031 - 6
Amino acid sequence of a dodecapeptide from the substrate-binding region of the L-lactate dehydrogenase from Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus xylosus and Bacillus stearothermophilus; Hensel R et al.; The amino acid sequence of dodecapeptides from the substrate-binding region of 3 bacterial L-lactate dehydrogenases (Lactobacillus xylosus, Lactobacillus curvatus and Bacillus stearothermophilus) were determined . They show a very high homology to the sequences of the corresponding known animal enzymes . There is, however, an essential difference between the sequences of pro- and eucaryotic enzymes: the Asn residue in position 166, common to all eucaryotes, is replaced by serine in lactobacilli and by isoleucine in Bacillus stearothermophilus . The cysteine residue in position 165, formerly considered as essential, seems to be restricted to the vertebrates, while all so far investigated invertebrates and bacteria have threonine at this position.

Am J Clin Nutr, 1981 Aug, 34(8), 1513 - 9
Fatty acid composition of lipids in the maternal diet and establishment of a Lactobacillus sp . strain in the digestive tract of suckling gnotobiotic mice and rats; Lhuillery C et al.; Adult gnotobiotic mice and rats, monoassociated with a homofermentative strain of Lactobacillus sp . of intestinal origin, were fed either a commercial rodent chow A or a semisynthetic diet B . Similar numbers of lactobacilli were established in their gastrointestinal tract whatever diet they ate . The lactobacilli were established in the digestive tract of the newborn of A mothers at 2 days but were hardly established in mouse or rat pups of A mothers than in their mouse homologues . Comparative analysis of milk lipids in the A and B series showed a linoleic acid (18:2 n-6) content which was three times higher in the B than in the A series . Two diets S and H differing only by their lipid fractions, which, respectively, presented the same fatty acid compositions as lipids from diets A and B were then given to two others lots of Lactobacillus monoassociated mice . The establishment kinetics of the strain were the same in the mouse pups of these two lots precedently observed in the B series . The difference observed in the establishment kinetics of the Lactobacillus strain in the digestive tract of suckling gnotobiotic mice was thus attributed to other dietary factors than the fatty acid composition of the maternal diet.

Dig Dis Sci, 1981 Aug, 26(8), 681 - 5
Interval sampling of breath hydrogen (H2) as an index of lactose malabsorption in lactase-deficient subjects; Welsh JD et al.; Interval sampling of breath hydrogen content was used in lactose malabsorbers: (1) to compare hydrogen responses following increasing oral doses of lactose in milk and aqueous solutions; (2) to determine the reproducibility of interval breath sampling, and (3) to compare carbohydrate malabsorption following ingestion of either regular milk or milk containing Lactobacillus acidophilus . Significant differences in breath hydrogen responses due to increasing amounts of lactose in milk and aqueous solutions were observed . The individual breath hydrogen responses were reproducible using the same lactose dose on different days . There was no significant difference in breath hydrogen responses or symptoms following administration of either regular milk or milk containing Lactobacillus acidophilus . Breath hydrogen sampling at intervals, as performed in these studies, provides a sensitive and reproducible index of lactose malabsorption.

Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 1981 Aug, 9(4), 182 - 90
Salivary lactobacillus counts in the prediction of caries activity; Crossner CG; The aim of the study was to investigate the reliability and clinical value for prediction of caries activity of determining the number of lactobacilli in saliva, the salivary secretion rate and the presence of yeasts in the saliva . For this purpose one entire age group of pupils (115 14-year-olds) attending one of the compulsory 9-year comprehensive schools in Orebro was selected for longitudinal examination . Over a period of 64 weeks three clinical recordings were made and seven salivary samples were collected . The correlations between caries activity, caries frequency (DFS), lactobacillus counts, yeasts in saliva, salivary secretion rate and gingivitis were examined . The results showed that in spite of a well-organized dental health service, including adequate preventive measures, a pronounced variation in caries activity remained and thus a means of predicting the onset of caries would be a valuable asset . Statistically significant correlations were found between caries activity on the one hand and caries frequency and lactobacillus counts on the other . The lactobacillus count was found to be a suitable measure in predicting caries activity . It was concluded that the lactobacillus count should be used for caries prediction in healthy, properly treated patients . It is important that there are no areas of microbial retention on the teeth such as open carious lesions, poorly executed restorations, dentures or orthodontic bands . In such situations, the lactobacillus count seems to reflect the frequency of ingested fermentable carbohydrates and thus, indirectly, the risk of initiating carious lesions.

Gann, 1981 Aug, 72(4), 517 - 23
Antitumor activity of Lactobacillus casei in mice; Kato I et al.; The effect of Lactobacillus casei YIT 9018 (LC 9018) on the growth of transplantable allogeneic and syngeneic mouse tumors was studied . Intraperitoneal treatment of LC 9018 caused a significant prolongation of the life span of ICR mice inoculated with sarcoma-180 intraperitoneally and BDF1 mice inoculated with L1210 leukemia intraperitoneally . Intravenous injection of LC 9018 markedly inhibited the growth of subcutaneously inoculated sarcoma-180 . This organism was also effective against methylcholanthrene-induced syngeneic MCA K-1 tumor in BALB/c mice . The antitumor activity of LC 9018 was reduced by treatment with carrageenan, an anti-macrophage agent, and was also observed in T-cell deficient athymic nude mice . These results suggested that the antitumor activity of LC 9018 may be macrophage-dependent.

Am J Vet Res, 1981 Aug, 42(8), 1298 - 1301
Introduction and reisolation of selected gram-negative bacteria from fermented edible wastes; Talkington FD et al.; A Lactobacillus fermentation process, using edible food wastes, was tested for its ability to eliminate selected bacterial pathogens . This fermentation process converts food wastes into a feed ingredient for animal consumption . Six gram-negative bacterial pathogens of potential zoonotic importance were tested . These experimental organisms were: Salmonella enteritidis serovar typhimurium, S enteritidis serovar anatum, S cholerae-suis, Yersinia enterocolitica, Y pseudotuberculosis, and Pasteurella multocida . Each organism was introduced into ground waste that had been previously inoculated with L acidophilus, and was mixed . This mixture was divided among 8 containers, and was incubated in duplicate at 5 C, 10 C, 20 C, and 30 C for 96 hours . The temperature of the reactant containers, reduction-oxidation potential, and pH were monitored . Waste samples were obtained initially and subsequently at 24-hour periods for 96 hours . Qualitative and quantitative recovery attempts from each sample were made for the introduced gram-negative bacteria . Pasteurella multocida and the S enteritidis serovars typhimurium and anatum survived the fermentation at 5 C and 10 C, but were killed after 48 hours at 20 C and 30 C . Salmonella cholerae-suis survived at 5 C, but was destroyed by 72 hours at the remaining temperatures . Yersinia enterocolitica was viable through 70 hours, but was killed by 96 hours . Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was not reisolated at any temperature.

J Gen Microbiol, 1981 Aug, 125(Pt 2), 357 - 66
A phylogenetic analysis of staphylococci, Peptococcus saccharolyticus and Micrococcus mucilaginosus; Ludwig W et al.; The intra- and intergeneric relationships of the genus Staphylococcus, and the phylogenetic position of Peptococcus saccharolyticus and Micrococcus (Staphylococcus salivarius), were investigated by comparative oligonucleotide cataloguing of 16S rRNA . All the staphylococci investigated form a phylogenetically coherent group at the genus level that, in addition, contains the anaerobic species Peptococcus saccharolyticus . The genus Staphylococcus belongs to the broad Bacillus-Lactobacillus-Streptococcus cluster that is defined by Gram-positive bacteria with a low DNA G+C content . Micrococcus mucilaginosus is not a genuine member of the genus Micrococcus . The binary matching coefficients between the 16S rRNA of Micrococcus mucilaginosus and those representatives of the Arthrobacter/Micrococcus group and related genera indicate that Micrococcus mucilaginosus should be regarded as a member of a new genus.

J Biol Chem, 1981 Jul 25, 256(14), 7347 - 51
Light spectroscopic studies of the binary complex of Lactobacillus casei thymidylate synthetase and 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridylate; Lewis CA Jr et al.; In contrast to previous reports, fluorescence and ultraviolet difference spectroscopy are shown to reflect the interaction of the inhibitor, 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridylate, with thymidylate synthetase isolated from amethopterin-resistant Lactobacillus casei . Analysis of the quenching of protein fluorescence upon nucleotide binding yields a value of 2.1 X 10(5) M-1 for the association constant for binary complex formation . The ultraviolet difference spectrum for the nucleotide-enzyme complex exhibited a broad trough with the greatest loss of absorbance centered at 275 nm . Results of previous circular dichroic studies of nucleotide-enzyme binary complexes showed apparently parallel changes in ellipticity in the 267-269-nm and 290-nm regions, which were interpreted to reflect coordinated alteration in nucleotide and enzyme structure, respectively . When examined by difference circular dichroic spectroscopy, the nucleotide-enzyme interaction is accompanied by a substantial loss in ellipticity from 250 to 300 nm which is greatest at 280 nm . We interpret the results obtained from the three light spectroscopic techniques as indications of subtle alterations in the environments of certain tyrosine and tryptophan residues in the enzyme which are caused by the association of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridylate with the enzyme.

Br Poult Sci, 1981 Jul, 22(4), 305 - 15
Energy and protein retention in holoxenic, axenic and gnotoxenic chickens monoassociated with Lactobacillus spp; Szylit O et al.; 1 . Axenic, holoxenic and monoxenic chickens (strains LEM 220 or LEM 206 of lactobacilli isolated from the crop of the cockerel) were fed ad libitum on semi-purified diets containing 180 or 200 g protein and 30 g long (LCD) or short (SCD) chain dextrins/kg . Energy and protein retentions were determined from 0 to 3 weeks of age by carcass analysis . 2 . Energy retained as a proportion of gross energy intake was only influenced by the microflora in birds receiving 180 g protein/kg and nitrogen retention followed a similar pattern, but differences were less marked: total flora always depressed retentions, but in monoxenic birds the action of the microflora varied with changes in the carbohydrate composition of the diet, the lowest retentions occurring when the diet contained carbohydrates (SCD) which allowed rapid lactate production in the crop.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1981 Jul, 20(1), 104 - 8
Lactobacillus prophylaxis for diarrhea due to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli; Clements ML et al.; In vitro and animal experiments indicated that lactobacilli might prevent Escherichia coli from colonizing the intestine and may produce substances counteracting enterotoxin . Lactinex, a commercial preparation of dried Lactobacillus acidophilus and L . bulgaricus, is marketed for uncomplicated diarrhea . Preliminary experiments in nonfasting volunteers indicated that lactobacilli in this preparation colonized the small intestine for up to 6 h . To evaluate the protective efficacy of Lactinex, a double-blind randomized study was carried out in which 48 volunteers (23 receiving Lactinex and 25 receiving placebos) were challenged with E . coli strains that produced heat-stable or heat-labile enterotoxins or both . No significant differences between the two groups were noted with respect to attack rate, incubation period, duration of diarrhea, volume and number of liquid stools, and coproculture yields . These data suggest that this lactobacillus preparations does not prevent or alter the course of enterotoxigenic E . coli diarrhea in adults . Lack of efficacy occurred despite efforts to maximize small bowel colonization, including administration of Lactinex in milk and in a 6-hour-interval regimen during 36 h before and 96 h after challenge.

J Pharm Sci, 1981 Jul, 70(7), 827 - 8
Enzymatic assays for 2,4-diamino-5-methyl-6-{(3,4,5-trimethoxyanilino)methyl}quinazoline, a promising new "nonclassical" antifolate; Heusner JJ et al.; 2,4-Diamino-5-methyl-6-{(3,4,5-trimethoxyanilino)-methyl}quinazoline (I) is a promising new "nonclassical" antifolate . Inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase from bacterial (Lactobacillus casei)and mammalian (beef liver) sources was employed to develop useful enzymatic assays for this compound . A linear relationship was obtained by plotting the I concentration versus 1/V . The resultant standard curves maintained linearity particularly well between the 30 and 70% control range, with a correlation coefficient of 0.99 for both enzyme systems . The two enzyme systems are characterized by differences in sensitivity, stability, and day-to-day variation . The ID50 for the beef liver reductase system was 1.6 X 10(-9) M (+/-0.03); for the L . casei system, it was 1.35 X 10(-8) M (+/- 0.2) . The apparent advantage for the beef liver enzyme was offset somewhat by its relative instability and its higher day-to-day variability . Studies in mice demonstrated that these assays are suitable for pharmacokinetic studies in vivo . Such studies indicated that I has a serum t1/2 of 45 min in mice; a similar serum t1/2 (50 min) was estimated in studies with 14C-labeled I in position 6.

Kosm Biol Aviakosm Med, 1981 Jun-Jul, 15(4), 39 - 43
{Lactobacillus flora of the digestive tract of the crews of Soiuz-13 and Saliut-4}; Lentsner AA et al.; The species composition and biology of lactoflora of the saliva and feces of crewmembers from 8-, 30- and 63-day flights was investigated . Altogether 593 strains of lactobacilli were examined . The space flights did not cause significant changes in physiology, biochemistry, antagonistic properties or lysozyme activity of lactobacilli . They did not change drastically or unify the species composition of the digestive lactoflora . However, transfer of lactobacilli from one crewmember to another cannot be excluded, its probability increasing with flight time.

Kosm Biol Aviakosm Med, 1981 Jun-Jul, 15(4), 36 - 9
{Antibiotic sensitivity of Lactobacilli from the digestive tract of the crews of Soiuz-13 and Saliut-4}; Lentsner AA et al.; Sensitivity to 19 antibiotics of 411 lactobacillus strains isolated from the saliva and feces of crewmembers who made 8-, 30- and 63-day flights was determined . Antibiotic sensitivity remained unchanged even in the 63-day flight . The antibiotics tested produced different effects on the lactoflora that varied from gentle--polymyxin and gentamycin, less gentle--neomycin and monomycin, to hazardous--penicillin and erythromycin, then rifampicin and levomycetin, and, finally, tetracycline and oleandomycin.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1981 Jun, 75(6), 786 - 93
Intrinsic factor, free of R proteins, can be prepared from mouse stomach and used in a ligand assay specific for "true" cobalamin; Reynoso G et al.; A ligand assay specific for cobalamin that uses mouse stomach as the source of intrinsic factor has been developed . When mouse stomach extract incubated with radiocobalamin is fractionated by gel chromatography, the radioactive complex elutes as a single peak with apparent molecular weight of 54,900 . Formation of the complex is greater than 98% inhibited by human anti-intrinsic factor antibody . When the equivalent of 10,000 pg/ml of cobinamide is added to serum, the apparent cobalamin concentration detected averages 8.5 pg/ml . Correlation with the Lactobacillus leichmannii microbiologic assay results in the regression equation y = 0.97x + 20 . In six patients who had megaloblastic anemia the serum cobalamin by the mouse intrinsic factor ligand assay ranged from 0 to 9 pg/ml . Because the primary source of intrinsic factor is free of R proteins, there is no need for extensive purification of the extract . The assay is sensitive, precise, and accurate, and no more difficult to perform than other conventional ligand assay procedures.

Infect Immun, 1981 Jun, 32(3), 1113 - 8
Indigenous nasopharyngeal, auditory canal, and middle ear bacterial flora of gerbils: animal model for otitis media; Thompson TA et al.; The indigenous microbial flora of the middle ear cavity of Mongolian gerbils, Meriones unguiculatus, was isolated, characterized, and identified, showing it to be sparse and transitory . Organisms, when found in the middle ear cavity, were most likely to be Staphylococcus epidermidis-like organisms . Cerumen from the external auditory canal of these animals yielded mostly staphylococci, coryneforms, and other gram-positive rods, including some anaerobic species . The nasopharynx supported a flora consisting mainly of staphylococci, lactobacilli, and coryneforms, with a smaller incidence and numbers of many other species . No mycoplasmas were cultured or seen in scanning electron microscope studies . None of the major pathogens of human otitis media were found; therefore, Mongolian gerbils are microbiologically acceptable candidates as a model for induced otitis media, using organisms isolated from human otitic infections.

Br J Obstet Gynaecol, 1981 Jun, 88(6), 588 - 95
Prevalence of bacteria in the vagina of normal young women; Watt B et al.; We report on factors related to the prevalence of bacteria in the vagina of 1498 women who were attending a family planning clinic . Anaerobes were significantly commoner in women with an abnormal vaginal discharge on clinical examination, in women with a history of a troublesome vaginal discharge and in women who used an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) than in others . The association between anaerobes and abnormalities of vaginal discharge was found both in women who used the IUCD and in women who did not . We found no significant associations between symptoms and other bacterial species or combinations of species . Coliforms were significantly commoner in women who did not use tampons, in women who used the diaphragm and in women who had received recent antibacterial or antifungal treatment than in others . Lactobacilli were significantly commoner in women who used the contraceptive pill, and were significantly less common in women who harboured Candida albicans, anaerobes, coliforms or enterococci and in women who had been treated with antibacterial drugs, than in others . We found no important associations between the presence of bacteria and the patients' age, parity or social class.

Scand J Dent Res, 1981 Jun, 89(3), 239 - 46
Effect of chlorhexidine gel treatment on Streptococcus mutans population in human saliva and dental plaque; Emilson CG; The effect of topical application of a 1% chlorhexidine gel on the population of S . mutans in dental plaque and saliva was studied in five subjects highly infected with the organism . After treatment for 5 min daily for 14 d, S . mutans was not detected in three of the subjects and counts of 700 colony-forming units or less per ml of saliva were found in the other subjects . Reappearance of S . mutans was slow and did not reach pretreatment level until 14 weeks or more after therapy . The proportion of S . sanguis in plaque increased temporarily after chlorhexidine treatment, whereas the population of lactobacilli was unaffected . These observations indicate that short-term use of chlorhexidine is of value in controlling oral infection of humans by S . mutans.

J Bacteriol, 1981 Jun, 146(3), 928 - 36
Manganese, superoxide dismutase, and oxygen tolerance in some lactic acid bacteria; Archibald FS et al.; A previous study of the aerotolerant bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum, which lacks superoxide dismutase (SOD), demonstrated that it possesses a novel substitute for this defensive enzyme . Thus, L . plantarum contains 20 to 25 mM Mn(II),m in a dialyzable form, which is able to scavenge O2- apparently as effectively as do the micromolar levels of SOD present in most other organisms . This report describes a survey of the lactic acid bacteria . The substitution of millimolar levels of Mn(II) for micromolar levels of SOD is a common occurrence in this group of microorganisms, which contained either SOD or high levels of Mn(II), but not both . Two strains were found which had neither high levels of Mn(II) nor SOD, and they were, as was expected, very oxygen intolerant . Lactic acid bacteria containing SOD grew better aerobically than anaerobically, whereas the organisms containing Mn(II) in place of SOD showed aerobic growth which was best, at best, equal to anaerobic growth . Plumbagin (5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) increases the rate of O2- production in these organisms . Lactobacillus strains containing high intracellular Mn(II) were more resistant to the oxygen-dependent toxicity of plumbagin than were strains containing lower levels of Mn(II) . The results support the conclusion that a high internal level of Mn(II) provides these organisms with an important defence against endogenous O2-.

Biochemistry, 1981 May 26, 20(11), 3219 - 25
Methotrexate and folate binding to dihydrofolate reductase . Separate characterization of the pteridine and p-aminobenzoyl binding sites by resonance Raman spectroscopy; Ozaki Y et al.; By using 324- and 350.6-nm excitation, it is possible to obtain selectively the resonance Raman spectra of the p-aminobenzoyl and pteridine chromophores, respectively, within methotrexate (MTX) or folate . Thus, for a single ligand, by changing the wavelength for excitation, the geometric conformations of both chromophores can be monitored separately . Resonance Raman spectra are reported for MTX bound to dihydrofolate reductases from Escherichia coli and from Lactobacillus casei, in each case in the presence and absence of NADPH . Additionally, some data are presented for enzyme-bound folate . The resonance Raman data support the conclusions of other workers that MTX binds with its pteridine ring protonated while the pteridine ring within folate is bound as a neutral species . However, for MTX, marked differences exist between the electronic distribution in the protonated pteridine ring for the ligand free in solution and for the bound species . The rearrangement of the pteridine electrons over and above that accompanying protonation explains the absorption properties of bound MTX, and together with protonation may account in part for the high affinity of MTX for the enzyme . The resonance Raman spectra show that slight differences exists between the pteridine sites for MTX in the three dihydrofolate reductases studied while no differences could be detected among the p-aminobenzoyl sites . In each MTX-protein complex, however, there appears to be a marked change in the geometry of the amide group in the benzoyl linkage of MTX compared to the geometry found in the free ligand . The resonance Raman spectra of MTX bound to the enzymes were unchanged upon the addition of the cofactor NADPH, indicating that the cofactor does not bring about marked electron rearrangement in the bound ligands.

J Biol Chem, 1981 May 25, 256(10), 4843 - 6
On the mechanism of ribonucleoside triphosphate reductase from Lactobacillus leichmannii . Evidence for 3' C--H bond cleavage; Stubbe J et al.; The 3' carbon-hydrogen bond of {3'-3H}uridine 5'-triphosphate is is cleaved during its conversion to 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphate catalyzed by Lactobacillus leichmannii ribonucleoside triphosphate reductase . A selection against 3H of approximately 1.8 is observed on this reduction . During the course of this reaction, no 3H is released to the solvent, and no 3H is recovered in reisolated coenzyme B12 . Incubation of {3'-2H}uridine 5'-triphosphate with enzyme resulted in production of 2'-deoxy{3'-2H}uridine 5'-triphosphate.

J Dent Res, 1981 May, 60(5), 919 - 26
Cariogenicity of human plaque lactobacilli in gnotobiotic rats; Fitzgerald RJ et al.; Thirty-two strains of Lactobacilli, comprising eight species and obtained from human dental plaque or other sources, were tested for cariogenic potential in gnotobiotic Sprague-Dawley rats receiving modified cariogenic Diet 2000 . Seventeen of these strains were moderately to highly cariogenic, and only one, a strain of Lactobacillus lactis, was scored as non-cariogenic . The molar fissures were the predominant site of caries attack . Primary lesions of the smooth surfaces were infrequently seen, although these surfaces were often secondarily involved by the extension of fissure lesions . .The preferential location of caries in the sheltered fissure sites was attributed to their inability to form adherent plaque deposits on the smooth surfaces of the teeth . Caries production by a strain of L . salivarius was equally severe on sucrose- or glucose-containing versions of Diet 2000, but glucose was less supportive of caries development than sucrose for a strain of L . fermentum . It is concluded that a wide variety of lactobacilli may be cariogenic under favorable environmental conditions.

Clin Chem, 1981 May, 27(5), 745 - 7
Cryoprotected Lactobacillus casei: an approach to standardization of microbiological assay of folic acid in serum; Grossowicz N et al.; Folate-depleted, cryoprotected preparations of Lactobacillus casei are stable for at least eight months at -18 degrees C, capable of reproducible growth and suitable as a ready source of inoculum for measurement of folates in physiological fluids . Cryoprotected microorganisms can be a commercially available laboratory reagent, thus simplifying and further standardizing the microbiological assay of various nutriments . Standard folate growth curves of cryoprotected L . casei, prepared at intervals over eight months, are superimposable, have a low blank, and should eliminate the variations encountered with the continuous passages of microorganisms required for the classic microbiological assays . Serum folate values obtained by use of the cryoprotected L . casei fall into the same diagnostic groups as determined by the classic microbiological assay.

Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1981 Apr 25, 111(17), 601 - 3
{Lactobacillus casei endocarditis after aortic valve prosthesis}; Meier B et al.; A report is presented on a 53-year-old patient with endocarditis caused by Lactobacillus casei 9 years after prosthetic replacement of the aortic valve with a Bjork-Shiley graft . In spite of a delay of about 6 weeks before therapy was started (due to difficulties in identifying the causative agent), treatment with a combination of penicillin G and gentamicin was effective and replacement of the artificial valve was not necessary . Seven months after cessation of therapy the patient is still free of symptoms . No other report of conservatively managed endocarditis due to lactobacilli and involving a prosthetic valve was found in the literature accessible to our group.

Biochemistry, 1981 Apr 14, 20(8), 2275 - 85
Fluorine-19 nuclear magnetic resonance characterization of ternary complexes of folate derivatives, 5-fluorodeoxyuridylate and Lactobacillus; Lewis CA Jr et al.; Numerous biochemical techniques have been employed to characterize the covalent inhibitory ternary complex of thymidylate synthetase consisting of enzyme, 5-fluorodeoxyuridylate, and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate . 19F NMR studies of this covalent ternary complex reveal a single, broad resonance centered at 12.7 ppm to higher shielding of free nucleotide, while the 5-fluorodexyuridylate-enzyme binary complex exhibits two resonances to higher shielding of free nucleotide, one at 1.4 ppm representing noncovalently bound ligand and the other at 34.5 ppm indicative of covalently bound 5,6-dihydro-5-fluorodeoxyuridylate . In order to follow the transformation of the latter binary complex to a ternary complex, we have employed 19F NMR to profile changes in the environment of the nucleotide which result from the interaction of folates with the coenzyme binding site . At low molar excesses of folates (5-fold), the effects observed in the 19F NMR spectrum fall into three major classes . (1) 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate exhibited a weak interaction with the binary complex . (2) Methotrexate and aminopterin, antifolate drugs, were observed to increase the exchange rate among the species detected in the 19F NMR spectrum of the binary complex . (3) Folate, dihydrofolate, and a series of tetrahydrofolate derivatives were found to shift the equilibrium of the binary complex toward the covalent 5,6-dihydro-5-fluorodeoxyuridylate-enzyme complex . With the latter folates the chemical shifts for the covalent species of these ternary complexes were found in the range of 35-40 ppm to higher shielding and are interpreted to reflect subtle differences in the strength and steric nature of the interaction of the folate ligand with the binary complex . These data illustrate that the latter folates promote the conversion of the enzyme-bound nucleotide to a species which would be poised to form the second covalent bond of the ternary complex, namely the linkage of the methylene group of the coenzyme with carbon 5 of the nucleotide.

Poult Sci, 1981 Apr, 60(4), 894 - 6
The performance of Bobwhite quail fed diets containing Lactobacilli; Miles RD et al.; Two experiments were conducted each consisting of two trials . Day-old Bobwhite quail were fed a starter diet containing a microbial preparation of Lactobacilli . In both experiments the experimental diets were fed for 5 weeks . No significant differences in growth, feed efficiency, or mortality were found between the control and Lactobacilli supplemented diets . Mortality was higher than normal within all treatments but unaffected by treatment.

Drug Alcohol Depend, 1981 Apr, 7(2), 193 - 9
Folic acid in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of chronic alcoholics and methamphetamine addicts; Nakazawa Y et al.; The folic acid (FA) levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 39 chronic alcoholics, 15 methamphetamine addicts and 18 control subjects were determined using the technique of Lactobacillus casei assay . Twelve of the 39 alcoholics developed delirium tremens (DT) after determination of the FA level . The serum FA level of the alcoholics with DT was significantly lower than that of the controls, and showed a tendency to be lower than in the alcoholics without DT . The CSF FA of the DT group was significantly lower than that of the control group and of the alcoholics without DT . In the methamphetamine addicts, although the serum FA was significantly lower than that of the controls, the CSF FA remained unchanged . All the methamphetamine addicts demonstrated psychological dependence and tolerance development as did the alcoholics, but they did not show any physical dependence . From these results, a mechanism underlying the development of symptoms of physical dependence such as DT was discussed in relation to the CSF FA.

Obstet Gynecol, 1981 Apr, 57(4), 479 - 82
Premature labor . II . Bacterial sources of phospholipase; Bejar R et al.; Human term labor is thought to be initiated by amniotic and chorionic phospholipase A2, an enzyme that liberates arachidonic acid esters from the phospholipids of these membranes, leading to the synthesis of prostaglandins by the placental membranes . The striking association of premature labor with intrauterine infection or contamination, urinary tract infection, and early neonatal sepsis led us to study the microorganisms present in these infections for phospholipase A2 activity . Activity was found in Bacteroides fragilis, Peptostreptococcus, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Streptococcus viridans, Streptococcus fecalis, Streptococcus A and B, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pneumococcus, Lactobacillus, and Mycoplasma hominis . Bacteroides fragilis, Peptostreptococcus, Fusobacterium, and S viridans had the highest activities . The specific activities of phospholipase A2 from these organisms were several times higher than that of the membrane phospholipase A2 of the amnion and chorion . We postulate that premature labor may be initiated by microorganisms with phospholipase A2 activity from endocervical and/or intrauterine contamination or infection, producing deacylation of arachidonic acid from amniotic phospholipids with increased concentrations of free arachidonic acid and increased prostaglandin synthesis, which triggers labor.

Eur J Biochem, 1981 Apr, 115(2), 303 - 7
Reconstitution of the allosteric L-lactate dehydrogenase from Lactobacillus casei investigated by hybridization; Mayr U et al.; The reassociation process of the urea-denatured allosteric L-lactate dehydrogenase from Lactobacillus casei was investigated by hybridization experiments between the reassociating enzymes from L . casei and Lactobacillus curvatus . The quantitatively evaluated hybridization patterns indicate an assembly pathway from the unfolded subunits to the tetrameric state via dimers . The comparison of the kinetics of reassociation and reactivation of the L . casei L-lactate dehydrogenase shows that the tetramer is the only active form.

J Pharm Sci, 1981 Apr, 70(4), 464 - 6
Effect of chloroacetyl derivatives of para-substituted phenylalanines on microbial antitumor prescreens; Otani TT et al.; The chloroacetyl derivatives of four representative para-substituted phenylalanines, N-chloroacetyl-p-chloro-DL-phenylalanine, N-chloroacetyl-p-nitro-DL-phenylalanine, Na,Np-di(chloroacetyl)-p-amino-DL-phenylalanine, and N-chloroacetyl-O-methyl-methyl-L-tyrosine, were prepared and tested for growth inhibitory activity in Lactobacillus casei . The inhibition with these compounds approximated that of most other inhibitory chloroacetyl amino acids reported previously . However, N-chloroacetyl-p-chloro-DL-phenylalanine, the most active of these compounds, exhibited an activity approximately that of N-chloroacetyl-beta-hydroxy-D-norleucine B, the most active N-chloroacetyl derivative studied thus far . In view of this finding, the N-chloroacetyl derivatives of other para-halogenated phenylalanines were prepared and tested . The inhibitory capacity of the N-chloroacetyl derivatives of p-bromo- and p-iodophenylalanine was even greater than that of p-chlorophenylalanine, and the order of activity of these compounds increased from the chloroacetyl derivative of p-chloro- to that of p-bromo- to that of p-iodo-DL-phenylalanine . The activity of N-chloroacetyl-p-bromo- and N-chloroacetyl-p-iodo-DL-phenylalanine was a great as that of the ring-substituted N-benzoylphenylalanines, the most potent N-acyl derivatives observed.

Am J Clin Nutr, 1981 Apr, 34(4), 514 - 9
The fate of ingested lactobacilli in the proximal small intestine; Robins-Browne RM et al.; A freeze-dried commercial preparation of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus (Lactinex) dissolved in skim milk was ingested by four nonfasting and seven fasting informed community volunteers in the Isolation Ward of the Center for Vaccine Development . Samples of jejunal fluid withdrawn from the volunteers at varying intervals were cultured for lactobacilli on a selective medium . Quantitative counts varied considerably amongst the individuals studied and also in the same person examined on two consecutive occasions . In general, however, it was shown that lactobacilli entered the small intestine and persisted in elevated numbers for about 3 h in fasting subjects and for up to 6 h in nonfasting individuals . By 4 h, counts in fasting volunteers had returned to base-line levels . Although both Lactobacillus species in Lactinex entered the intestine in approximately equal numbers, L . acidophilus was recovered from more samples and in slightly greater number than L . bulgaricus.

J Bacteriol, 1981 Apr, 146(1), 239 - 50
Biosynthesis of D-alanyl-lipoteichoic acid in Lactobacillus casei: D-alanyl-lipophilic compounds as intermediates; Brautigan VM et al.; D-Alanyl-lipoteichoic acid (D-alanyl-LTA) from Lactobacillus casei contains a poly(glycerol phosphate) moiety that is selectively acylated with D-alanine ester residues . To characterize further the mechanism of D-alanine substitution, intermediates were sought that participate in the assembly of this LTA . From the incorporation system utilizing either toluene-treated cells or a combination of membrane fragments and supernatant fraction, a series of membrane-associated D-{14C}alanyl-lipophilic compounds was found . The assay of these compounds depended on their extractability into monophasic chloroform-methanol-water (0.8:3.2:1.0, vol/vol/vol) and subsequent partitioning into chloroform . Four lines of evidence suggested that the D-alanyl-lipophilic compounds are intermediates in the synthesis of D-alanyl-LTA . First, partial degradation of the poly(glycerol phosphate) moiety of D-alanyl-LTA by phosphodiesterase II/phosphatase from Aspergillus niger generated a series of D-alanyl-lipophilic compounds similar to those extracted from the toluene-treated cells during the incorporation of D-alanine . Second, enzymatic degradation of the D-alanyl-lipophilic compounds by the above procedure gave D-alanyl-glycerol, the same degradation product obtained from D-alanyl-LTA . Third, the incorporation of D-alanine into these compounds required the same components as the incorporation of D-alanine into membrane-associated D-alanyl-LTA . Fourth, the phosphate-induced loss of D-{14C}alanine-labeled lipophilic compounds could be correlated with the stimulation of phosphatidylglycerol synthesis in the presence of excess phosphate . We interpreted these experiments to indicate that the D-alanyl-lipophilic compounds are D-alanyl-LTA with short polymer chains and are most likely intermediates in the assembly of the completed polymer, D-alanyl-LTA.

Infect Immun, 1981 Apr, 32(1), 194 - 7
Adherence of bacteria to vaginal epithelial cells at various times in the menstrual cycle; Sobel JD et al.; Adherence of vaginal isolates of Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus species, group B streptococci, Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae to exfoliated vaginal epithelial cells was studied in 10 healthy, sexually active medical students . Studies were done pre- and postmenstrually and at midcycle for two consecutive menstrual cycles . The mean number of adherent bacteria per vaginal epithelial cell (range) was 3.4 (0 to 14) for E . coli, 60.5 (12 to 152) for Lactobacillus species, 54.8 (21 to 76) for group B streptococci, 67.4 (15 to 161) for G . vaginalis, and 58.9 (15 to 186) diplococci for N . gonorrhoeae . Adherence of G . vaginalis increased with increasing acidity of the test medium (pH 4 to 8) . There were no significant differences in adherence to vaginal epithelial cells obtained at the various times in the menstrual cycle for any of the organisms (p greater than 0.05) . The pattern and extent of adherence among the women was similar for each organism . In this in vitro model, adherence characteristics did not vary with the menstrual cycle.

Biochemistry, 1981 Mar 31, 20(7), 1717 - 22
Effects of coenzyme binding on histidine residues of Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase; Gronenborn A et al.; The effects of coenzyme binding on the seven histidine C2 proton resonances of Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase have been determined . Binary complexes containing NADP+, NADPH, and their hypoxanthine, thionicotinamide, and acetylpyridine analogues, together with ternary complexes containing the inhibitors trimethoprim or methotrexate, have been examined . Four of the histidine residues are affected by coenzyme binding . The largest effect-a marked upfield shift (0.85 ppm) of the C2 proton resonance-is seen for His-64 . The hypoxanthine analogue of the coenzyme was found to produce a smaller upfield shift and, in addition, a decrease in the pK of His-64 . The effects on this reductase are discussed in the light of the crystal structure {Matthews, D . A., Alden, R . A., Bolin, J . T., Filman, D . J., Freer, S . T., Hamlin, R., Hol, W . G . J., Kisliuk, R . L., Pastore, E . J., Plante, L . T., Xuong, N., & Kraut, J . (1978) J . Biol . Chem . 253, 6946}, and it is concluded that His-64 is close to a carboxyl group in the free enzyme and that the hypoxanthine ring binds in a somewhat different orientation to the adenine ring . The effects on histidine resonances A, E, and G are significantly different for oxidized and reduced coenzymes . The changes in pK of the histidines giving rise to resonances A and E (probably His-22 and His-18) are discussed in terms of ligand-induced conformational changes, which differ for NADP+ and NADPH.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1981 Mar 13, 658(1), 132 - 7
The inactivation of thymidylate synthase by diethyl pyrocarbonate; Daron HH et al.; Thymidylate synthase (5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate: dUMP C-methyltransferase, EC 2.1.1.45) from Lactobacillus casei was inactivated by treatment with diethyl pyrocarbonate . The inactivation was apparently due to the modification of a large proportion of the enzyme's histidine residues . Neither the substrate dUMP nor the product dTMP prevented inactivation by diethyl pyrocarbonate . The inactivated enzyme was not reactivated by treatment with hydroxylamine . These results indicate that histidine residues are involved in the maintenance of enzyme structure.

Obstet Gynecol, 1981 Mar, 57(3), 277 - 82
Bacteriologic effects of antibiotic prophylaxis in high-risk cesarean section; Gibbs RS et al.; A double-blind placebo-controlled experiment was performed in 100 patients in labor with membrane rupture to determine the bacteriologic effects of antibiotic prophylaxis . Each subject received either 2.0 g cefamandole or placebo after cord clamping and 4 and 8 hours later . The cefamandole group had significantly less endometritis, but did not have significantly fewer major complications . Amniotic fluid cultures of the 2 groups were similar, but uterine lavage cultures of the cefamandole group showed significant increases in enterococci and gram-negative aerobes and decreases in gram-positive anerobes and low virulence organisms (Staphylococcus epidermidis, lactobacilli, and diphtheroids) . Although clinical problems did not regularly accompany these changes, it would be foolhardy to ignore them . Thus, when patients develop infection after antibiotic prophylaxis, the physician should check for infection with resistant organisms.

Biochemistry, 1981 Feb 17, 20(4), 929 - 34
Polyglutamyl derivatives of tetrahydrofolate as substrates for Lactobacillus casei thymidylate synthase; Kisliuk RL et al.; Tetrahydropteroylpolyglutamates containing up to seven Glu residues were tested as substrates for Lactobacillus casei thymidylate synthase . The Km values decreased from 24 microM for the monoglutamate to 1.8 microM for the triglutamate . Addition of residues 4, 5, 6, and 7 did not decrease the Km further . When monoglutamate and polyglutamate substrates were simultaneously incubated with the enzyme, the rate observed was characteristic of the polyglutamate even when the monoglutamate concentration was 44 times that of the polyglutamate . Iodoacetamide treatment inhibited the enzyme to the same extent with monoglutamate and polyglutamate substrates . Addition of 0.3 M NaCl doubled the rate obtained with the polyglutamate substrate whereas the rate with the monoglutamate was inhibited 25% . MgCl2 stimulated the reaction only 10% with the polyglutamate substrate compared with 80% stimulation obtained with the monoglutamate . Inhibition by fluorodeoxyuridylate was similar with both mono- and polyglutamate substrates; however, with the phosphonate derivative of fluorodeoxyuridine, the polyglutamate substrate enhanced inhibition 5- to 8-fold.

J Biol Chem, 1981 Jan 25, 256(2), 687 - 90
Crystallization and subunit structure of histidine decarboxylase from Lactobacillus 30a; Hackert ML et al.; Histidine decarboxylase from Lactobacillus 30a has been crystallized in a variety of forms which together indicate a revised subunit structure for the native particle . Octahedral crystals of the wild type enzyme obtained at room temperature from ammonium sulfate solutions in microdiffusion cells belong to tetragonal space group I4122 with a = b = 222 A and c = 107.5 A . Trigonal and hexagonal plates of prohistidine decarboxylase and activated proenzyme obtained at 4 degrees C from polyethyleneglycol solutions by vapor equilibration using the hanging drop technique belong to the trigonal space group P321 with a = b = 100 A and c = 164 A . The space group symmetries and unit cell contents of these crystals indicate 32 point group symmetry for the subunit structure of these enzymes . Sedimentation coefficients of wild type enzyme measured as a function of ionic strength at pH 7.0 indicate a rapid equilibrium between species varying from 6.9 S to 9.4 S . Sedimentation equilibrium analysis demonstrated the existence of a nearly homogeneous particle with Mr congruent to 208,000 at ionic strengths above I = 0.20, while an additional species of approximately one-half that molecular weight is observed at very ionic strengths (I = 0.2) . At the pH optimum of the enzyme (pH 4.8), te larger species is dominant at all ionic strengths tested . Electron micrographs of native wild type enzyme show a dominant tetrahedral particle approximately 60 A on an edge while similar micrographs of enzyme cross-linked with glutaraldehyde show a dumbbell-shaped particle approximately 60 A in width and 120 A in length . These results establish that: (a) the native enzyme has a Mr congruent to 208,000 and a subunit composition (alpha beta)6; (b) the proenzyme has a subunit composition (pi)6; and (c) stable (alpha beta)3 and (pi) 3 particles exist under certain conditions.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1981 Jan 22, 640(2), 544 - 8
Phase transition behaviour of artificial liposomes composed of phosphatidylcholines acylated with cyclopropane fatty acids; McGarrity JT et al.; Phase transitions of liposomes composed of synthetic phoshatidylcholines acylated with the cyclopropane fatty acids, lactobacillic and dihydrosterculic acid, were studied by differential scanning calorimetry . Transition temperatures were approx . 16 degrees C higher than for phosphatidylcholines acylated with the corresponding unsaturated fatty acids, cis-vaccenic and oleic acid . Though our transition temperatures were all several degrees lower than those determined by Silvius and McElhaney ((1979) Chem . Phys . Lipids 25, 125--134), the increase produced by replacement of the double bond with a cyclopropane ring was the same . We propose that this replacement, through its effect on membrane fluidity, may serve to regulate the activity of membrane-associated processes such as transport.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1981 Jan 15, 139(2), 130 - 3
Sexually transmitted conditions among women college students; McCormack WM et al.; We studied 500 unselected young women who consulted a gynecologist in a student health service . Most participants were symptom-free and had normal physical examinations . Few sexually transmitted infections were encountered . Neisseria gonorrhoeae was recovered from two and Trichomonas vaginalis was obtained from 14 of 500 women . Chlamydia trachomatis was recovered from 20 (4.6%) of 439 participants . Genital warts, genital herpes, and molluscum contagiosum, respectively, were noted in seven, four, and one of the 500 participants . There was no cases of syphilis, scabies, or pediculosis pubis . Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum, respectively, were recovered from 17.6 and 56.8% of the subjects . Prevalent vaginal bacteria included lactobacilli, streptococci, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and diphtheroids . Gardnerella vaginalis was isolated from the vaginal specimens of about one third of the participants.

Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 1981, 51(4), 385 - 90
Evidence against the reported antithiamine effect of caffeic and chlorogenic acids; Horman I et al.; Contrary to earlier literature reports, chlorogenic acid (I) is shown to have little or no deleterious effect on thiamine (II) when the 2 compounds are codissolved in aqueous solution . Evidence from nmr spectroscopy and from t . l . c . determination demonstrate that when II is heated at 60 degrees C and at pH 7.8 for 24h, about 10% is destroyed . This result is the same whether I is present or not . Incubating II with I or with caffeic acid (III) in a phosphate buffer at pH 7 or in thiamine assay medium at pH 6 for up to 24h at 37 degrees C did not reduce the growth activity of II or Lactobacillus viridescens . We conclude that I and III are not antithiamine agents.

Vutr Boles, 1981, 20(4), 24 - 8
{Bacterial intestinal microflora of patients with a constipation syndrome}; Sirakov P et al.; The authors studied the bacterial intestinal microflora (BIMF) according to Henel method in 28 patients with constipation syndrome . The following was found: --Normal ratio of BIMF in one patient; --Reduced percentage participation of anaerobic lactobacteria in 18 patients; --Increased number of Escherichia coli in 3 patients; --Proteus was over 100 000 in 1.0 feces in 6 patients or in 27 out of 28 patients dysbiosis was found . The authors explained the disturbances of the normal BIMF with the retention of feces in the large intestine, providing conditions for mass bacterial proliferation.

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 1981, 60(4), 379 - 83
Plasma and red cell folate in newborn twins and their mothers in relation to gestational age; Ek J; Plasma and red blood cell folate concentrations (Lactobacillus casei activity) have been studied in 56 newborn twins and in 26 of their mothers, and in a control group consisting of 186 singletons and 155 of their mothers . The duration of the pregnancies ranged from 30-40 weeks . Iron, but no folic acid supplementation was given during pregnancy . The plasma and red cell folate concentrations in the twin mothers were at all stages of pregnancy similar to those observed in women with single pregnancies having an adequate folate intake . The twins had plasma folate concentrations similar to singletons at all gestational ages . Their red cell folate concentrations were lower than in singletons until 37 weeks of gestation, while the values were similar at term, indicating an increased transfer of folate to the twins during the last week of pregnancy . The smaller of the twins had similar plasma folate concentrations and lower red cell folate concentrations compared to the bigger one . At 30-32 weeks of pregnancy twin mothers had lower Hb, RBC and VPRC-values than women with single pregnancies . Twin mothers, delivering at 38-40 weeks of pregnancy, had values corresponding to those of single pregnancy women, probably indicating a recovery from a physiological lowering of the blood values . The twins had a similar Hb, lower RBC and higher MCV and reticulocyte values compared to singletons, possibly indicating a more active erythropoiesis in the twins . Folic acid supplementation is not recommended as a routine in twin pregnancies in this population . Twins delivered before term should be ensured an adequate folate intake.

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 1981, 60(3), 247 - 51
Plasma and red blood cell folate during normal pregnancies; Ek J et al.; Plasma and red cell folate concentrations (Lactobacillus casei activity) have been studied in 43 women during pregnancy . Iron, but no folic acid supplement was given . The plasma folate concentrations decreased significantly during pregnancy and were lower than in the reference cases at term . The red cell folate concentrations were compatible with the reference material during early pregnancy, and significantly higher than the reference material at term . A significant decrease was observed during the last two months of pregnancy . The plasma folate and the red cell folate concentrations at different stages of pregnancy were correlated and a relationship was demonstrated between these parameters at different stages of pregnancy . The hemoglobin concentrations were compatible with the reference material during early pregnancy and at term . One hundred and sixty-six women were also studied at term to evaluate the effect of repeated pregnancies on the folate status . Repeated pregnancies did not influence the plasma and red cell folate concentrations at term . We conclude that the folate intake is adequate to meet the increased requirements during pregnancy, and folic acid supplementation is therefore not recommended as a routine in normal pregnancies in this population.

Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1981, 65(3), 304 - 12
Induction of hypersensitivity reactions to Lactobacillus fermentum and lipoteichoic acid in rabbits . Part II; Jackson DE et al.; Regimens of intravenous injections of saline-washed Lactobacillus fermentum elicited hypersensitivity reactions in rabbits . Pathological investigation revealed evidence consistent with induction of aggregate anaphylaxis, characterised by acute cor pulmonale . Additional evidence of similar tissue injury was observed in livers of rabbits which had received several intravenous injections of L . fermentum . Deposition of immune complexes in kidney glomeruli was demonstrated in only 1 out of 11 animals . Skin testing experiments revealed that lipoteichoic acid was involved in type I and type II antibody-mediated hypersensitive states . The involvement of bacterial cell surface components and extracellular products in such reactions implies a potential role in host tissue injury.

Poult Sci, 1981 Jan, 60(1), 179 - 87
The influence of microflora on the breakdown of maize starch granules in the digestive tract of chicken; Champ M et al.; Influence of the microflora on the extent of degradation of starch in the chicken digestive tract has been studied by scanning electron microscopy . Axenic (germfree), holoxenic (conventional), and monoxenic (only one germ) chickens inoculated with two strains of lactobacillus (strains 220 and 207) isolated from the crop of the cock were used in these experiments . In vitro starch granules were less hydrolyzed by strain 207 than by strain 220 . A more extensive degradation was observed when starch was included in feed . This breakdown resulted in formation of cavities and pin holes in the starch granules . In vivo starch granules in the crop of holoxenic and monoxenic chickens were scarcely damaged and erosion was always superficial . In monoxenic 207 chicken as in holoxenic ones, bacteria were fixed on the crop wall . In feces, the pattern of the breakdown was dependent on the type of animal . These results demonstrated the role of the total microflora in the breakdown of starch and the specific intervention of the two strains of lactobacilli.

Antibiotiki, 1981 Jan, 26(1), 33 - 7
{Role of bacteriocinogeny in regulating the population dynamics of oral cavity lactobacilli}; Filippov VA; Bacteriocinogenicity and bacteriocine sensitivity of Lactobacilli isolated from human saliva were studied . It was shown that bacteriocinogenic cultures of Lactobacilli resistant to bacteriocines produced by them probably may play some ecological role in regulation of the population dynamics because of growth inhibition of Lactobacillus sensitive cultures in the saliva, thus providing favourable selective conditions for the development of both the strains producing them and the strains resistant to bacteriocines . Bacteriocinogenic strains sensitive to bacteriocines produced by them probably played no significant role in regulation of the dynamics of Lactobacillus population in the oral cavity, since they did not inhibit the growth of half of the Lactobacillus cultures present in human saliva.

Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1981, 65(2), 198 - 202
Induction of IgM immunological memory to lipoteichoic acids in rabbits . Part I; Jackson DE et al.; Intravenous immunisation of rabbits with 10(9) lactobacillus fermentum cells elicited a response, specific for lipoteichoic acid (LTA), detectable as IgM plaque-forming cells (PFC) in the spleen by day 2 and as thiol-sensitive 19s antibodies in sera by day 3 . Direct PFC responses peaked at day 6, with no indirect PFC demonstrable at the time . Specific IgG PFC appeared after 14 days . A second intravenous injection 5 weeks later induced a 10-fold higher IgM PFC response to LTA which reached a maximum on day 4 . An enhanced specific IgG PFC response was also observed . Serum analysis showed further evidence of the anamnestic IgM response to LTA . The results are discussed in terms of the T-dependence of the LTA immunogen.

J Infect Dis, 1981 Jan, 143(1), 76 - 82
Adherence of Candida albicans to human vaginal and buccal epithelial cells; Sobel JD et al.; Factors that may influence adherence of Candida albicans to exfoliated human vaginal and buccal epithelial cells were studied in vitro . Factors that enhanced germination enhanced adherence . Heat-killed, germinated Candida organisms demonstrated poorer adherence than viable Candida organisms and no better adherence than nonviable, ungerminated Candida organisms . The difference between adherence of C . albicans to buccal epithelial cells and that to vaginal epithelial cells was significant, as were differences among volunteers . Preincubation in fucose but not mannose, glucose or galactose solutions, preincubation of germinated yeast or of epithelial cells in chymotrypsin or trypsin, a culture supernatant of germinated yeast killed by ultraviolet light, or precoating of epithelial cells with lactobacilli each inhibited adherence . These studies indicate that adherence of C . albicans is enhanced by a surface component of germinated yeast, probably a surface protein that binds to the epithelial receptor, possibly a glycoprotein.

J Clin Microbiol, 1981 Jan, 13(1), 147 - 50
Rapid screening for bacteriuria by light scatter photometry (Autobac): a collaborative study; Hale DC et al.; A total of 2,720 urine specimens from three laboratories were evaluated by Autobac (Pfizer Diagnostics) and were compared with simultaneous colony counts for evidence of bacteriuria . Of 599 specimens with a colony count of greater than or equal to 10(5) colony-forming units per ml, 93.8% were detected within 6 h . This detection rate increased to 97% of 447 positive urine specimens when only specimens from patients not on antimicrobials were evaluated . The majority (77.9%) of positive specimens were detected as early as 3 h . Those specimens with greater than or equal to 10(5) colony-forming units per ml, which were negative by Autobac at 6 h, included organisms which are frequently considered to be contaminants (diphtheroids, lactobacilli, alpha and gamma streptococci, yeasts, and Staphylococcus epidermidis), or were from patients who were being treated with antimicrobial agents . Of 2,121 urine specimens with colony counts of less than 10(5), 98.1% were correctly determined to be negative by Autobac at 3 h . This percentage decreased to 86.0 at 6 h . The majority of these false-positive specimens were those with colony counts of 10(4) to 10(5) colony-forming units per ml . There appeared to be no major difference in results from the three laboratories or among the four lots of broth used in this study.

Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1981, 26, 110 - 4
Nonspecific vaginosis; Holmes KK et al.; Nonspecific vaginosis (NSV) is a very common clinical syndrome with characteristic clinical, biochemical, and microbiologic features . There is a thin, malodorous homogeneous, grey, nonpurulent vaginal discharge . The discharge usually has a pH greater than 4.5, contains "clue cells" on wet mount examination, and produces a "fishy" odor when mixed with 10% potassium hydroxide . The discharge contains an increased concentration of at least seven amines which are presumably produced by bacterial decarboxylases; and several volatile and non-volatile organic acid metabolites of anaerobic bacteria . Although the pathogenesis of NSV is not understood, the normal, lactobacillus-dominated microbial flora is replaced by Gardnerella (Haemophilus) vaginalis and certain anaerobic species . Treatment with sulfonamide creams or oral tetracycline is usually ineffective . Ampicillin is often effective, but metronidazole appears to be the most effective antimicrobial for this condition . The optimal dose of metronidazole, and the need for treatment of sex partners, require further study.

J Dent Res, 1981 Jan, 60(1), 2 - 5
Lactobacilli in human dental plaque and saliva; Van Houte J et al.; Lactobacilli were isolated from about 50% of plaques from sound tooth surfaces of human subjects who had ingested fluoride (F) supplements since their births or subjects with negligible systemic fluoride exposure . In about 10% of these plaques, the proportions were 1% or higher of the total flora . Lactobacilli were not always isolated from caries-associated plaques . The mean salivary lactobacillus count of the F-supplement group was comparable to that generally reported for other groups of caries-active subjects with varying caries experience . The findings are discussed in relation to the role of lactobacilli in caries initiation and the anti-caries effect of fluoride supplementation.

J Dent Res, 1981 Jan, 60(1), 10 - 8
Relationship between saliva and serum agglutination titers and post-irradiation caries activity in cancer patients; Brown LR et al.; Agglutination titers in 444 saliva and 481 serum samples from 36 head and neck cancer patients and 16 control subjects were determined against formalinized cellular antigens of Streptococcus and Lactobacillus species . Saliva agglutination titers were significantly higher in cancer patients before radiotherapy than in control subjects . Changes in specific saliva agglutination titers to oral isolates following radiotherapy reflected changes in saliva IgA and post-irradiation caries activity . Patients with no post-irradiation caries activity had significantly higher saliva agglutination titers to S . mutans, S . sanguis, and L . fermenti, lower plaque S . mutans counts, and higher saliva IgA levels than those with post-irradiation caries activity . Serum agglutination titers were unrelated to either serum immunoglobulin levels, microbial counts, or caries activity.

Chemotherapy, 1981, 27(6), 444 - 51
Therapy of experimental infective endocarditis due to antibiotic-tolerant Lactobacillus plantarum-bactericidal synergy of penicillin plus gentamicin . Correlation of in vitro susceptibility studies with in vivo efficacy; Bayer AS et al.; Infective aortic valve endocarditis (IE) was induced in 40 rabbits with a penicillin (PNC)-tolerant, gentamicin (GM)-resistant strain of Lactobacillus plantarum; this isolate was synergistically killed in vitro by PNC + GM . The in vivo relevance of the in vitro observations was examined by determining the rates of eradication of endocardial L . plantarum by PNC versus PNC + GM . Mean vegetation L . plantarum titers were significantly lower (p less than 0.05) in PNC + GM treated rabbits versus both PNC-treated and control rabbits by 48 h of therapy . Also, PNC + GM more rapidly sterilized vegetations as compared to controls (p less than 0.025) and PNC-treated rabbits (p less than 0.05) . Thus, in vivo antibiotic efficacy paralleled in vitro bactericidal studies, and may partially explain the relatively refractory nature of lactobacillary IE in humans treated with single beta-lactam antibiotics.

Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1981, 65(2), 203 - 11
Immune responses to lipoteichoic acid: comparison of antibody responses in rabbits and mice . Part II; Jackson DE et al.; Humoral immune responses to lipoteichoic acid (LTA) as a surface antigen of Lactobacillus fermentum were assessed in rabbits and mice . Intravenous injection of rabbits with whole bacteria was effective, over a wide range of doses (10(4) to 10(10) cells), in eliciting antibodies to LTA . In mice, significant levels of anti-LTA antibodies were induced only following intraperitoneal injection of 10(8) to 10(9) L . fermentum cells . Rabbit antibodies to LTA were predominantly of the IgM class and were specific for the polyglycerol phosphate and carbohydrate moieties of the LTA . In contrast, both IgM and IgG anti-LTA antibodies were produced in the mouse, and antibody specificity was restricted to the polyglycerol phosphate sequence.

Microbios, 1981, 32(127), 47 - 61
Properties of alpha-glucosidase from Lactobacillus acidophilus NCTC 1723; Chan K et al.; Lactobacillus acidophilus NCTC 1723 produced intracellular and extracellular alpha-glucosidase (alpha-D-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.20) . The alpha-glucosidase was partially purified by ammonium sulphate fractionation and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, and attained a 10.3-fold purification . The Km for alpha-PNPG was 2.9 mM and the Vmax for alpha-PNPG hydrolysis was 6.45 mumole ml-1 min-1 . The enzyme was stable only at pH 6.0-7.5 while incubated at 25 degrees C . At pH 6.5, a 100% activity was retained at 15 degrees-37 degrees C . However, the enzyme was easily destroyed at 50 degrees C . The pH optimum for stability of the enzyme at low temperature (2 degrees C) was between 5 and 6 . It was found that addition of Mn++, Ba++ and EDTA, to the medium stimulated alpha-glucosidase activity, while the presence of Hg++, Cu++, Co++, Ni++, Zn++, L-histidine, arabitol, erythritol, sorbitol and glycerol inhibited enzyme activity . Although isomaltase activity was found in the partially purified alpha-glucosidase, it was not known whether this activity was an intrinsic capability of the enzyme . Transglucosylase and weak glucoamylase activities were also found to associate with the partially purified alpha-glucosidase . Since only the alpha-1,6 linked isomaltose was detected as the transferase product, it was thought that the alpha-glucosidase was capable of glucosyl transfer via alpha-1,6-glucosidic bonds.

Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1981, 170(1), 45 - 53
Effects of lactobacilli on parameters of non-specific resistance of mice; Bloksma N et al.; The viability of Lactobacillus plantarum in vivo and the effects of viable and heat-killed lactobacilli on parameters of non-specific resistance were studied . After intravenous administration of 10(8) viable lactobacilli, which is a dose with optimal adjuvant activity, viable lactobacilli could be isolated from spleens for more than 1 week and from livers and lungs for more than 3 weeks . Both viable and heat-killed lactabacilli stimulated the clearance of colloidal carbon, viable bacteria stimulated initially to a higher extent . Doses of 10(8) viable and heat-killed lactobacilli, but not less, stimulated non-specific resistance to Listeria monocytogenes and caused splenomegaly . Doses as small as 10(5) viable and heat-killed lactobacilli induced substantial natural killer (NK) cell activity in the peritoneal exudate 4 days after i.p . administration . Higher doses generally caused a dose-dependent increase of NK cell activity . Viable lactobacilli injected in the paw and to a lesser extent heat-killed bacteria caused a proliferative response in the draining popliteal lymph node, which peaked at day 5 . Results are discussed in relation to adjuvanticity and comparisons are made with bacterial agents already used in immunotherapy.

J Immunol Methods, 1981, 44(3), 351 - 7
Development of a simple passive haemagglutination-inhibition assay for Listeria monocytogenes lipoteichoic acid; Antonissen AC et al.; A simple assay for listeria lipoteichoic acid was devised . It is based on the property of this substance to attach spontaneously to erythrocytes . Thus coated rabbit erythrocytes were agglutinated by a rabbit antiserum raised towards dead listeria . Inhibition of this passive agglutination was used as a measure of listeria lipoteichoic acid . Cross-reactivity of lipoteichoic acid from Lactobacillus fermenti in the assay and inhibition by simple sugars suggest that the assay is specific for terminal galactose.

Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1981 Jan-Feb, 132A(1), 51 - 7
Degradation of macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin antibiotics by Lactobacillus strains from animals; Dutta GN et al.; Ability to degrade macrolide, lincosamide and streptogramin antibiotics was noted in Lactobacillus strains isolated from the caeca of pigs, cattle and poultry . Some of the strains degraded all the three classes of antibiotics while some degraded either macrolides and lincosamides or macrolidese and streptogramins . There were also strains which degraded only macrolide or streptogramin type A antibiotics . Strains with any of these degradation abilities were always resistant to the antibiotics concerned, but strains with resistance to these antibiotics were often, but not always able to degrade them.

Infect Immun, 1981 Jan, 31(1), 52 - 60
Common antigens of streptococcal and non-streptococcal oral bacteria: immunochemical studies of extracellular and cell-wall-associated antigens from Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus salivarius, and Actinomyces viscosus; Scholler M et al.; Soluble extracellular antigens (ESA) were prepared from the culture supernatant of exponential growing cells of Streptococcus sanguis OMZ 9 by a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation and chromatography on a Bio-Gel P6 column . Soluble cell wall antigens (WEA) were obtained from the bacterial pellet by extraction with 1 M phosphate buffer (pH 6) . Antisera against whole cells of S . sanguis and S . mutans of different serotypes, 10% trichloroacetic extracts of bacterial cell walls, dextran, ESA, and WEA were prepared by injecting the different antigens several times in rabbits . ESA and WEA were prepared from a representative strain of Bratthall's seven serological groups, Lactobacillus salivarius, and Actinomyces viscosus . All sera showed various agglutinin titers against heat-killed cells, and titers were generally higher with homologous cells . The comparison of the different antigens using agar gel diffusion and immunoelectrophoresis showed the presence of extracellular common antigens in both ESA and WEA between the different strains . Absorption of anti-ESA sera with WEA, and anti-WEA sera with ESA, showed the existence of a specific antigen common to all bacteria in each fraction . Enzymatic treatment of the antigen before immunodiffusion demonstrated the protein nature of the two antigens present in ESA and WEA.

Am J Vet Res, 1981 Jan, 42(1), 87 - 90
Survival of viruses in fermented edible waste material; Wooley RE et al.; The survival of selected viruses in fermented edible waste material was studied to determine the feasibility of using this material as a livestock feed ingredient . Seven viruses, including pseudorabies, Newcastle disease, infectious canine hepatitis, avian infectious bronchitis, measles, vesicular stomatitis, and a porcine picornavirus were inoculated into a mixture of ground food waste (collected from a school lung program) containing Lactobacillus acidophilus . Mixtures were incubated at 5 C, 10 C, 20 C, and 30 C for 96 hours . Temperature, pH, and redox potential were monitored . Samples for virus isolation were obtained daily . Newcastle disease virus and infectious canine hepatitis virus survived the entire test period . The porcine picornavirus was inactivated at 30 C after 74 hours, but survived for the entire test period at the other temperatures . Pseudorabies virus was inactivated at 20 C and 30 C within 24 hours, but survived for 48 hours at 10 C and 96 hours at 5 C . Avian infectious bronchitis virus was inactivated at 20 C and 30 C within 24 hours, but survived 72 hours at 5 C and 10 C . Measles and vesicular stomatitis viruses were rapidly inactivated at all 4 temperatures.

J Bacteriol, 1980 Dec, 144(3), 865 - 8
Effect of environmental pH on chain length of lactobacillus bulgaricus; Rhee SK et al.; Culture medium pH was found to affect strongly the chain length of lactobacillus bulgaricus NLS-4 cells . The organism was cultured continuously in glucose-limited complex medium of different pH's with constant agitation at 250 rpm under anaerobic headspace . The cell chains increased their lengths with an increase in pH and yielded clumps of folded filaments at pH above 8.0 . Involvement of an autolytic enzyme(s) in the separation of L . bulgaricus cells was confirmed, and the poor synthesis of this enzyme(s) under alkaline culture conditions could explain the pH-related filamentous growth of this organism.

Can J Microbiol, 1980 Dec, 26(12), 1416 - 21
Influence of sodium nitrite, temperature, and lactic acid bacteria on the growth of Brochothrix thermosphacta under anaerobic conditions; Collins-Thompson DL et al.; In commercial vacuum-packed bologna, growth of Brochothrix thermosphacta was limited at 5 degrees C during a 4-week storage period . Factors controlling the growth of this organism were associated in part with certain lactobacilli isolated from the meat . The lactic acid bacteria associated with the decline of B . thermosphacta and overall spoilage of vacuum-packed bologna were isolated and identified . The principal organisms were Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus viridescens, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, and certain streptococci . In associated growth experiments with B . thermosphacta at 5 and 15 degrees C, L . brevis and L . plantarum showed the greatest antagonism towards the Brochothrix species . Studies with changes in incubation temperatures (5 or 15 degrees C) or nitrite levels (0-50 microgram/mL) indicated that these two factors influence the antagonism but were minor compared with the influence of the lactic acid bacteria.

J Biol Chem, 1980 Nov 25, 255(22), 10587 - 90
Dihydrofolate reductases from chicken liver and Lactobacillus casei bind Cibacron blue F3GA in different modes and at different sites; Subramanian S et al.; The binding of Cibacron blue F3GA to dihydrofolate reductase (EC 1.5.1.3) from chicken liver an amethopterin-resistant Lactobacillus casei has been studied by difference spectroscopy . The blue dye binds to the enzyme from each species in a specific fashion with a 1:1 stoichiometry . However, the mode of interaction of the dye with the enzyme and the site of interaction on the enzyme are very different for the avian and bacterial enzymes . The dye seems to bind in an almost totally "electrostatic mode" at the dihydrofolate binding site to the chicken liver enzyme and is displaced from the enzyme only by dihydrofolate, folate, or methotrexate and not at all by NADPH . In contrast, the binding of the dye to the bacterial enzyme is characterized by a totally "apolar interaction" at a site partially overlapping both the NADPH site and the methotrexate/dihydrofolate site . NADPH can displace the dye only partially and methotrexate is more efficient than NADPH in displacing the dye . Both NADPH and methotrexate are needed for a total displacement of the dye from the bacterial enzyme . We propose that the blue dye is capable of binding specifically to any protein possessing a cluster of aromatic and other apolar groups and/or geometrically spaced positively charged groups for proper interaction with the aromatic rings and/or sulfonate groups of the dye molecule . The so-called specificity of the blue dye for the nucleotide binding proteins is thus a special case of the above mentioned requirements and not diagnostic of the "dinucleotide fold."

Fortschr Med, 1980 Nov 6, 98(41), 1624 - 7
{Effectiveness of a lactobacillus vaccine on trichomonas infections in women . Preliminary results}; Litschgi MS et al.; This is the report on a multi-centre study of the treatment of 444 women with trichomoniasis vaginalis using Solcotrichovac, a vaccine containing at least 7 x 10(9) inactivated microorganisms of various strains of lactobacillus acidophilus in each 0.5 ml dose . One year after the first vaccination 427 of the patients (96.2%) were followed up, and 92.5% of them were found to be cured of clinical symptoms; the remaining 7.5% must be considered as not cured, as either the slide or the culture was positive . We are convinced by these results that vaccination with Solcotrichovac represents an enhancement of therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of trichomoniasis vaginalis.

Antibiotiki, 1980 Nov, 25(11), 837 - 40
{Bacteriocin properties of lactobacilli of the subgenus Streptobacterium}; Filippov VA; Morphology of the growth inhibition zones of Lactobacilli indicator strains, as well as cellophane diffusion, thermostability, sensitivity to bacterial proteases, trypsin, chemotrypsin, pepsin, papain, nucleases and lysosyme of 3 bacteriocins produced by L . casei and 2 bacteriocins produced by L . plantarum was studied . By differences in their properties the bacteriocins were divided into 5 types, including 3 types of bacteriocins from L . casei and 2 types of bacteriocins from L . plantarum.

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1980 Nov, 88(5), 1227 - 31
Effect of Cibacron Blue F3GA on phosphoglycerate kinase of Lactobacillus plantarum and phosphoglycerate mutase of Leuconostoc dextranicum; Kawai K et al.; Blue dextran or Cibacron Blue F3GA has been shown to inhibit yeast phosphoglycerate kinase {EC 2.7.2.3} competitively with respect to ATP (Thompson et al . (1975) Proc . Natl . Acad . Sci . U.S . 72, 663--667; Beissner and Rudolph (1979) J . Biol . Chem . 254, 6273--6277) . However, we have found that phosphoglycerate kinase of Lactobacillus plantarum was inhibited by Cibacron Blue F3GA, the blue chromophore of blue dextran, noncompetitively with respect to ATP, but competitively with respect to 3-phosphoglycerate . Further inhibition studies with Cibacron Blue F3GA suggest that one molecule of the dye was bound per molecule of phosphoglycerate kinase at a saturated level of either substrate, but two molecules of the dye were bound per molecule of the kinase with an unsaturated level of either substrate used as a fixed substrate . Furthermore, phosphoglycerate mutase {EC 2.7.5.3} of Leuconostoc dextranicum was also inhibited by Cibacron Blue F3GA competitively with respect to 3-phosphoglycerate and noncompetitively with respect to 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate . These results suggest that the 3-phosphoglycerate-binding site on both phosphoglycerate kinase and phosphoglycerate mutase can interact with Cibacron Blue F3GA.

JAMA, 1980 Oct 24-31, 244(17), 1942 - 5
Unreliability of radiodilution assays as screening tests for cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency; Cohen KL et al.; Recent studies have demonstrated problems with the radiodilution assay method for measuring serum cobalamin (vitamin B12) levels . We have found the standard commercial radiodilution kit assay to be totally ineffective in screening for cobalamin deficiency . In a four-month period, 352 patients were screened in a routine clinical laboratory using this kit . None of the serum samples yielded a result below the given normal range of 200 to 1,100 pg/mL . However, when 42 patients with low-normal serum cobalamin levels (200 to 500 pg/mL) were retested by a combination of a modified radiodilution kit, a human intrinsic factor assay, and a microbiological (Lactobacillus leichmannii) assay, 16 (36%) were identified as having serum cobalamin levels that were abnormally low . The diagnosis of cobalamin deficiency may have been incorrectly dismissed in many patients on the basis of test results obtained with these kits, which are in widespread use.

J Bacteriol, 1980 Oct, 144(1), 217 - 21
Effect of environmental pH on fermentation balance of Lactobacillus bulgaricus; Rhee SK et al.; When Lactobacillus bulgaricus NLS-4 was grown anaerobically in continuous culture with limiting glucose, a shift in the pH of the medium from the acidic to the alkaline range caused this normally homofermentative bacterium to catabolize glucose in a heterofermentative fashion . The change in the nature of the fermentation was accompanied by a decrease in lactate dehydrogenase biosynthesis in alkaline conditions . The lactate dehydrogenase from this organism did not require fructose 1,6-diphosphate or manganese ions (Mn2+) for catalytic activity . Involvement of the phosphoroclastic split in the pyruvate conversion in an alkaline environment was also confirmed . The high lactate dehydrogenase synthesis in acidic medium together with the participation of the phosphoroclastic split under alkaline conditions may explain the shift from homolactic to heterolactic fermentation of L . bulgaricus NLS-4 with the change of environmental pH.

Avian Dis, 1980 Oct-Dec, 24(4), 868 - 78
Effect of ingested Lactobacilli on Salmonella infantis and Escherichia coli and on intestinal flora, pasted vents, and chick growth; Adler HE et al.; Experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of lactobacilli (LB) in poultry medicine . These were the findings: (1) the numbers of LB and Escherichia coli present in the ceca of newly hatched chicks from the same hatchery had marked variation among hatches; (2) LB inoculated into the crop a few hours after hatching did not induce a reduction of Salmonella infantis in the cecal contents; (3) a single dose of LB given at one day after hatching did not appear to alter the LB-coliform balance in the cecum; (4) in one group of fasted chicks, LB inoculation prevented accumulation of excreta around the vents; (5) prophylactic feeding of the bacillus to non-stressed chicks averted pasted vents; (6) continuous feeding of LB produced a numerical increase of body weight that was not statistically significant in the small groups of birds utilized; (7) poults hatched from medicated eggs had a low LB count in the cecum, and crop instillation of LB at one day of age did not change the cecal LB-coliform flora at 9 days of age in treated and untreated groups; (8) LB that had an initial viable count of 10(9) and was held at room temperature in tap water remained at that titer for 23 days; and (9) various numerical combinations of LB and E . coli in the stationary phase of growth did not, at any concentration of either organism, depress viability of the other.

J Nutr, 1980 Oct, 110(10), 2113 - 6
Effect of riboflavon analogs on the growth of Tetrahymena pyriformis; Wallace WC et al.; Several analogs of riboflavin differing with respect to the substituent at C7, C8 or C10 were examined for their ability to replace riboflavin and to act as riboflavin antagonists in inhibiting growth of Tetrahymena pyriformis . Generally, the analogs with altered substituents at C7 or C8 (the 8-ethyl, 7,8-diethyl, 7-chloro and 8-chloro analogs) supported some growth but inhibited riboflavin-supported growth . However, the 8-bromo analog had no biological activity . The 7-ethyl analog with a bis(2-hydroxyethyl)aminoethyl side chain was the most potent antagonist . These results were compared with those observed in Lactobacillus casei and the rat.

Clin Chem, 1980 Oct, 26(11), 1617 - 9
Trimethoprim interferes with serum methotrexate assay by the competitive protein binding technique; Hande K et al.; Administration of Bactrim (a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole) to a patient who also was receiving methotrexate caused a significant increase in apparent plasma methotrexate concentrations as determined by competitive protein binding assay with use of dihydrofolate reductase (EC 1.5.1.3) from Lactobacillus casei as the binding protein . This spurious increase was caused by trimethoprim in the patient's plasma . A plasma trimethoprim concentration of 0.1 mg/L inhibited binding of radiolabeled methotrexate to dihydrofolate reductase by 50% . In contrast, radioimmunoassay for methotrexate was not affected by concomitant administration of trimethoprim . The competitive protein binding assay for methotrexate should not be used in patients being treated with Bactrim or Septra (a similar combination) . However, the L . casei competitive protein binding assay technique can be used to assay plasma trimethoprim concentrations with sensitivity to 0.02 mg of trimethoprim per liter.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1980 Oct, 615(2), 474 - 9
Effect of heavy water (2H2O) on regulatory properties of phosphoglucose isomerase from Lactobacillus casei; Pradhan PG et al.; Phosphoglucose isomerase (D-glucose-6-phosphate ketolisomerase, EC 5.3.1.9) purified to homogeneity from Lactobacillus casei was used for studies on 2H2O effects . This preparation showed distinct differences in functional properties in H2O and 2H2O, respectively . Erythrose-4-phosphate which exerted sigmoidal inhibition in H2O, acted as a competitive inhibitor in 2H2O . The enzyme also showed reduced rate of fructose 6-phosphate formation in 2H2O . The enzyme was found to be dimeric in water and monomeric in 2H2O . The loss of regulatory properties of the enzyme has been correlated with disaggregation of the protein in heavy water, similar to that caused by sodium dodecyl sulphate treatment.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1980 Oct, 615(2), 465 - 73
Functional multiplicity of phosphoglucose isomerase from Lactobacillus casei; Pradhan PG et al.; Phosphoglucose isomerase (D-glucose-6-phosphate ketolisomerase, EC 5.3.1.9), purified from Lactobacillus casei, showed multiplicity with respect to electrophoretic mobility, molecular weight, kinetic properties and responses to erythrose 4-phosphate . Among the three forms isolated, one having a dimeric conformation, was specific for glucose 6-phosphate . Erythrose 4-phosphate inhibited this preparation in a sigmoid fashion, while this compound activated the enzyme for isomerization of ribose 5-phosphate . In tetrameric conformation of the similar subunits, the enzyme was more specific for ribose 5-phosphate and the inhibition exerted by erythrose 4-phosphate was hyperbolic . The possible implications of these observations have been discussed.

Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1980 Sep 30, 59(4), 348 - 58
{Mycoplasmas and dysplasia of the uterine cervix}; Averna R et al.; The Authors report a case-list of 395 patients vaginal specimens who were never treated with chemo-antibiotic therapy . Cell dysplastic impairments were found in 213 cases . About these dysplastic alterations, 133 are of slight type, 53 intermediate type and 27 are in advanced phase . We can say, about the last 27 cases, that the concomitance of pH greater than 6.1 in 67% of the cases and the absence of Lactobacillus acidophilus in 81.4% of the cases is not casual . Furthermore, we can notice that vaginal pH suffers an increase in dysplastic patients with a smaller colonization with Lactobacillus acidophilus that, in dysplastic advanced phase is absent in 81.4% of the cases . It is also to remark a significant increase of cases Trichomonas-positive and Mycoplasmas-positive in dysplastic patients, as compared with normal women . The results of the case-list, even if preliminary, seem to be indicative for an evolution of the studies on the relationship between uterine cervix cells and Mycoplasmas and eventual possibility the Mycoplasmas can act as carriers of oncogenic viruses such as Herpes and Papova Virus.

N Engl J Med, 1980 Sep 11, 303(11), 601 - 7
Anaerobic bacteria in nonspecific vaginitis; Spiegel CA et al.; To study the cause of nonspecific vaginitis, we analyzed vaginal fluid from normal women and from 53 women with nonspecific vaginitis, using quantitative anaerobic cultures and gas-liquid chromatography for short-chained organic-acid metabolites of the microbial flora . In normal vaginal fluid, lactate was the predominant acid, and the predominant organisms were lactobacillus and streptococcus species (lactate producers) . In nonspecific vaginitis, lactate was decreased, whereas succinate, acetate, butyrate, and propionate were increased, the predominant flora included Gardnerella (Haemophilus) vaginalis (acetate producer), and anaerobes, which included bacteroides species (succinate producers) and peptococcus species (butyrate and acetate producers) . After metronidazole therapy, symptoms and signs of nonspecific vaginitis cleared, butyrate and propionate disappeared, and lactate and lactate-producing organisms became predominant . We conclude that certain anaerobes act with G . vaginalis as causes of nonspecific vaginitis, and that a high ratio of succinate to lactate in vaginal fluid is a useful indicator in the diagnosis of this condition.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1980 Sep 8, 619(3), 515 - 21
A phosphatidylinositol-containing derivative of Lactobacillus casei ATCC 7469; Smith MW et al.; A derivative of Lactobaccillus casei ATCC 7469, characterized by limited growth in liquid media and an unusual phospholipid composition, has been isolated . Grown to early stationary phase on a lipid-free and inositol-free medium, the organism produces phosphatidylinositol phosphatidylglycerol, and diphosphatidylglycerol . The phosphatidylinositol was identified by thin-layer, paper, and gas chromatography, and by mass spectrometry . In agreement with published data, the conventional strain produced phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and lysylphosphatidylglycerol, but no phosphatidylinositol . The phospholipid/glycolipid molar ratio, calculated on the basis of published glycolipid analyses, is 1.3 : 1 for the derivative and 1.5 : 1 for the conventional strain.

Biochemistry, 1980 Sep 2, 19(18), 4244 - 51
Hydrodynamic behavior of human and bacterial thymidylate synthetases and thymidylate synthetase--5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridylate--5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate complexes . Evidence for large conformational changes during catalysis; Lockshin A et al.; The conformations of thymidylate synthetases from CCRF-CEM human leukemic cells and Lactobacillus casei were studied by hydrodynamic methods . Although the human enzyme has a molecular weight of 70 000--72 500, somewhat smaller than that of the L . casei enzyme, it has a larger Stokes radius and a lower sedimentation coefficient, indicating that the human enzyme is less spherical than the bacterial enzyme . Thymidylate synthetases from the human leukemic cells and the bacterial source both undergo substantial conformational changes upon the formation of a covalent ternary complex with the mechanism-based inhibitor 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridylate and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate . The Stokes radius of both proteins decreases by 3.5% when the ternary complex is formed in spite of the 1.8% increase in molecular weight, and the sedimentation coefficient increases by 3.5% after appropriate corrections for the bound ligands . Ternary complex formation results in a more compact structure for both enzymes, with approximately the same reduction in the frictional ratio . Experiments with the bacterial enzyme indicate that approximately 70% of the total conformational change occurs upon binding of 1 mol of ligands/mol of enzyme . These results demonstrate that human and bacterial thymidylate synthetases undergo marked structural changes upon forming a ternary complex which is probably very similar to an activated complex formed with both substrates . These investigations also provide evidence for fundamental similarities in the mechanism of ternary complex formation with 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridylate and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate, despite the marked differences in amino acid composition and the dissimilar conformations of these two enzymes obtained from widely divergent sources.

Eur J Biochem, 1980 Sep, 110(2), 527 - 38
Factors affecting the quaternary structure of the allosteric L-lactate dehydrogenase from Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus curvatus as investigated by hybridization and ultracentrifugation; Mayr U et al.; The allosteric L-lactate dehydrogenases of Lactobacillus curvatus and Lactobacillus casei exist in the tetrameric from (molecular weight about 145 000) at pH 5.0--5.5 even in the absence of the effectors Mn2+ and Fru(1,6)P2 (fructose 1,6-bisphosphate), but undergo reversible dissociation to monomers (molecular weight about 35 000) at higher pH values or in the presence of urea . In the range between pH 5.5 (tetrameric state) and pH 7.4 (monomeric state) the L . curvatus L-lactate dehydrogenase exists in a dissociation-association equilibrium comprising tetramers, dimers and monomers as indicated by the Sc20,w values and the results of hybridization experiments . The simultaneous addition of both effectors {Mn2+ and Fru(1,6)P2} at pH 7.4, however, resulted in the stabilization of the tetrameric form . The addition of Fru(1,6)P2 alone at pH 7.4 had almost no influence on the quarternary structure, whereas the addition of Mn2+, as well as that of NADH, largely prevented dissociation . The L-lactate dehydrogenase of L . casei showed similar properties, although the enzyme dissociates only at about pH greater than or equal to 7.8 . As in the case of the L . curvatus enzyme, Fru(1,6)P2 has no influence on the pH-dependent dissociation of the L . casei enzyme, whereas Mn2+ stabilizes the tetrameric structure . Reconstitution of a mixture of the two dissociated enzymes results in the formation of all statistically possible, enzymatically active hybrids . No hybridization between the allosteric enzymes from L . casei and L . curvatus and the non-allosteric ones of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus was observed.

J Biol Chem, 1980 Aug 25, 255(16), 7728 - 33
Adenosylcobalamin-dependent ribonucleotide reductase from the blue-green alga, Anabaena sp . Purification and partial characterization; Gleason FK et al.; The ribonucleotide reductase from Anabaena 7119 has been purified approximately 60- to 80-fold by conventional techniques and adsorption to the affinity medium, Matrix Gel Red A . The enzyme from Anabaena resembles the adenosylcobalamin-dependent reductase from Lactobacillus leichmannii, in that it is a small molecule (molecular weight 72,000) with no subunit structure as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . Unlike its prototype, the Anabaena reductase is absolutely dependent on a divalent cation for activity, Ca2+ being the most effective . In addition, the Anabaena reductase shows a simple pattern of alloteric control by deoxyribonucleotides . CTP reduction is stimulated by dATP, GTP by dTTP, and ATP by dGTP . No reduction is observed in the absence of effectors, and none of the effectors inhibits enzyme activity . Thus, the Anabaena ribonucleotide reductase can be more easily studied by kinetic analysis than the Lactobacillus enzyme, and should provide additional information as to the mechanism of action of this enzyme in a photosynthetic organism.

Biochemistry, 1980 Aug 5, 19(16), 3746 - 54
Phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the binding of oxidized coenzymes to Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase; Hyde EI et al.; The 31P NMR spectra of NADP+ and a number of its structural analogues have been obtained from their binary and ternary complexes with Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase . The 2'-phosphate resonance is shifted downfield 2.7-2.9 ppm in all cases . Line-shape analysis of this resonance as a function of coenzyme concentration gave values for the dissociation rate constant of the coenzyme from many of the complexes . The values obtained are discussed in terms of the kinetic mechanism of coenzyme binding . The chemical shifts of the pyrophosphate resonances vary from one complex to another over a range of 3.8 ppm . The assignment of these signals to the individuals pyrophosphate 31P nuclei and the structural origins of the chemical shift changes are discussed . From these data, and the 1H NMR experiments describedin the preceding paper {Hyde, E . I., Birdsall, B., Roberts, G . C . K., Feeney, J., & Burgen, A . S . V . (1980) Biochemistry (third paper of four in this issue)}, it is concluded that the "nicotinamide" end of the thionicotinamide and acetylpyridine coenzyme analogue binds to the enzyme quite differently from that of the natural coenzyme NADP+.

Biochemistry, 1980 Aug 5, 19(16), 3738 - 46
Proton nuclear magnetic resonance saturation transfer studies of coenzyme binding to Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase; Hyde EI et al.; The chemical shifts of all the aromatic proton and anomeric proton resonances of NADP+, NADPH, and several structural analogues have been determined in their complexes with Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase by double-resonance (saturation transfer) experiments . The binding of NADP+ to the enzyme leads to large (0.9-1.6 ppm) downfield shifts of all the nicotinamide proton resonances and somewhat smaller upfield shifts of the adenine proton resonance . The latter signals show very similar chemical shifts in the binary and ternary complexes of NADP+ and the binary complexes of several other coenzymes, suggesting that the environment of the adenine ring is similar in all cases . In contrast, the nicotinamide proton resonances show much greater variability in position from one complex to another . The data show that the environments of the nicotinamide rings of NADP+, NADPH, and the thionicotinamide and acetylpyridine analogues of NADP+ in their binary complexes with the enzyme are quite markedly different from one another . Addition of folate or methotrexate to the binary complex has only modest effects on the nicotinamide ring of NADP+, but trimethoprim produces a substantial change in its environment . The dissociation rate constant of NADP+ from a number of complexes was also determined by saturation transfer.

Biochemistry, 1980 Aug 5, 19(16), 3732 - 7
Effects of coenzyme analogues on the binding of p-aminobenzoyl-L-glutamate and 2,4-diaminopyrimidine to Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase; Birdsall B et al.; The binding of p-aminobenzoyl-L-glutamate and 2,4-diaminopyrimidine to dehydrofolate reductase from Lactobacillus casei MTX/R in the presence of a series of co-enzymes and coenzyme analogues has been measured fluorometrically . These two ligands, which can be regarded as "fragments" of the powerful inhibitor methotrexate, have been shown to bind cooperatively in the absence of coenzyme {Birdsall, B., Burgen, A . S . V., Rodrigues de Miranda, J., & Roberts, G . C . K . (1978) Biochemistry 17, 2102}, p-amino-benzoyl-L-glutamate binding 58 times more tightly in the presence of 2,4-diaminopyrimidine than in its absence . In the presence of coenzymes, this cooperativity ranges from 1.8- to 428-fold . The effects of coenzymes on individual binding steps range from an 8-fold decrease in binding constant to a 23-fold increase . The structural specificity of these effects are discussed in terms of a model involving ligand-induced conformational changes and compared with the effects on trimethoprim and methotrexate binding described in the preceding paper {Birdsall, B., Burgen, A . S . V., & Roberts, G . C . K . (1980) Biochemistry (first paper of four in this issue)}.

Biochemistry, 1980 Aug 5, 19(16), 3723 - 31
Binding of coenzyme analogues to Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase: binary and ternary complexes; Birdsall B et al.; The binding, or association, constants of NADP+ NADPH, and a series of structural analogues to dihydrofolate reductase from Lactobacillus casei MTX/R have been determined fluorometrically . Modification of the adenine or nicotinamide rings has little effect on the binding of the oxidized coenzyme, but the thionicotinamide and acetylpyridine analogues of the reduced coenzyme bind much more weakly than NADPH itself . In the presence of the substrate, folate, or the inhibitors methotrxate or trimethoprim, the oxidized coenzymes bind appreciably more tightly to the enzyme . The magnitude of this "cooperativity", which covers a range of 1-37 fold, depends markedly on the structure of both the coenzyme and the substrate or substrate analogue; the nicotinamide ring of the coenzymes is clearly important in these effects . The binding constants of the reduced coenzymes in the presence of methotrexate or trimethoprim were too high to be measured fluorometrically . The dissociation rate constants of the coenzymes from their ternary complexes were therefore measured and compared with the values for the binary complexes reported by Dunn and co-workers {Dunn, S . M . J., Bathchelor, J . G., & King, R . W.(1978) Biochemistry 17, 2356} . The presence of the inhibitors leads to very substantial decreases in the coenzyme dissociation rate constant--by factors of 300-2200 . The binding constant of methotrexate in the ternary complex is calculated to be approximately 1.3 X 10(12) M-1 . The structural origins of the differences in binding constant and cooperative behavior of the various coenzymes and coenzyme analogues are discussed in the light of information from crystallography and NMR spectroscopy.

J Urol, 1980 Aug, 124(2), 240 - 1
Significance of bacteriuria with presumed non-pathogenic organisms; McGuckin MB et al.; The results of 2,793 clean catch midstream specimens submitted to the microbiology laboratory were examined to determine if the isolation of reputed non-pathogens such as Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus epidermidis . Micrococcus and diphtheroids represented poor collection technique, contaminant growth by failure to plate or refrigerate quickly or actual urinary tract infection . Eight per cent of the inpatient cultures and 18 per cent of the outpatient cultures had more than 10(5) colony-forming units per ml . of these non-pathogens . Of the outpatient cultures with more than 10(5) colony-forming units per ml . of non-pathogens 44 per cent had symptoms of urinary tract infection and more than 10 white blood cells per high power field in the urinary sediment, compared to 3 per cent of inpatients . In a prospective analysis of an outpatient population a second clean catch midstream specimen was collected within 2 hours of the first specimen with careful attention to sterile collection technique . Of 15 cases of significant bacteriuria with non-pathogens in the first specimen only 1 had significant bacteriuria with the same organism in the second specimen . In contrast, in the inpatient population 7 of 11 cases with pathogen significant bacteriuria in the first specimen had significant bacteriuria in the second specimen . These findings suggest that most episodes involving isolation of non-pathogens in greater than 10(5) colony-forming units per ml . from urine represent poor techniques of specimen collection rather than urinary tract infection.

J Med Chem, 1980 Aug, 23(8), 899 - 903
Folate analogues altered in the C9-N10 bridge region . 16 . Synthesis and antifolate activity of 11-thiohomoaminopterin; Nair MG et al.; The synthesis of 11-thiohomoaminopterin (1), which is a close analogue of 11-thiohomofolic acid (2), has been carried out by modification of the Boon-Leigh procedure . Treatment of 1-chloro-4-{p-(carbomethoxy)thiopenoxy}-2-butanone (5) with sodium azide gave 1-azido-4-{p-(carbomethoxy)thiophenoxy}-2-butanone (6) . After protection of the carbonyl group of 6, the product 7 was catalytically hydrogenated to 1-amino-4-{p-(carbomethoxy)thiophenoxy}-2-butanone ketal (3) . Reaction of 32 with 6-chloro-2,4-diaminmo-5-nitropyrimidine gave the desired pyrimidine intermediate, which was elaborated to 4-amino-4-deoxy-11-thiohomopteroic acid (20) by standard procedures . Alternately, 1-azido-4-{p-(carbomethoxy)thiophenoxy}-2-butanone ketal (7) was hydrolyzed to the corresponding acid (8) and coupled with diethyl L-glutamate to obtain diethyl N-{p-(1-azido-2-oxo-4-thiobutanoyl)benzoyl}-L-glutamate ketal (10), which was used for the large-scale preparation of 11-thiohomoaminopterin (1) . Although 11-thiohomoaminopterin showed antifolate activity against two folate-requiring microorganisms and inhibited Lactobacillus casei dihydrogolate reductase, it did not exhibit any antitumor activity against L-1210 lymphoid leukemia in mice at a maximum dose of 48 mg/kg.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1980 Jul 14, 619(1), 76 - 89
Lipid activation of undecaprenol kinase from Lactobacillus plantarum; Kalin JR et al.; Extraction of membranes of Lactobacillus plantarum with Triton X-100/glycerol solubilized up to 80% of the undecaprenol kinase activity . Fractionation of the extract by gel chromatography separated endogenous phospholipid from the enzyme but simultaneously inactivated the enzyme . The kinase was reactivated by reconstitution with various synthetic phosphatidylcholines and purified L . plantarum phospholipids . Ditetradecanoylphosphatidylcholine and lysylphosphatidylglycerol were the best activators . Furthermore, the optimal environment for enzyme stimulation was provided by different defined molar ratios of Triton X-100/phospholipid . The ratios for the phospholipids tested ranged from 1.25 to 6.3 . Similar substrate specificity and kinetic constants were observed for both the solubilized and reconstituted enzymes suggesting that no fundamental changes in the enzyme activity occurred during the delipidation-reconstitution process.

Z Lebensm Unters Forsch, 1980 Jul, 171(1), 38 - 40
Metabolic activities of Lactobacillus brevis . Effect of pH, glucose and butane-2,3-diol; Hieke E et al.; The effect of pH on the metabolic activities of Lactobacillus brevis was studied . Significant changes in the patterns of volatile components were found at pH 6 . Butan-2-ol was formed; the concentration of propan-1-ol was increased by 38,5% at pH 6, 62% at pH 4.5, and 30% at pH 3.0 . The effect of glucose and butane-2,3-diol on the production of volatile components was examined . It was shown that propan-1-ol was formed exclusively from glucose, whereas ethyl acetate, butan-2-ol and other unknown substances were formed from butane-2,3-diol . The course of ethyl acetate formation from butane-2,3-diol is discussed.

J Gen Microbiol, 1980 Jul, 119(1), 195 - 201
Effect of Tween 80 on the morphology and physiology of Lactobacillus salivarius strain IV CL-37 grown in a chemostat under glucose limitation; Jacques NA et al.; The effect of Tween 80 on Lactobacillus salivarius strain IV CL-37 growing in a chemostat under various conditions was investigated . The organisms could grow under glucose limitation in the absence of Tween 80 at pH 6.0 or lower anaerobically but not aerobically . Aerobic growth under glucose limitation and in the presence of Tween 80 occurred in complete MRS medium but not in the dialysable fraction of MRS medium . The morphology of cells differed from coccal to filamentous and branched structures according to the growth condition . The possible effect of Tween 80 on membrane components was examined by estimating the cellular and extracellular lipoteichoic acid contents . In both batch and continuous culture the amounts of cellular lipoteichoic acid were inversely related to the amount of Tween 80 whereas the amounts of extracellular lipoteichoic acid were influenced by other factors in addition to Tween 80.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1980 Jul-Aug, 16(4), 561 - 8
{Purification of glucosoisomerase from Lactobacillus brevis and its physico-chemical properties}; Ulezlo IV et al.; Glucosoisomerase isolated from disrupted cells of Lactobacillus brevis 74 by extraction with K, Na phosphate buffer was purified by step-by-step fractionation with (NH4)2SO4 and DEAE-cellulose chromatography . The purified enzyme was examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and ultracentrifugation . The examination showed the enzyme to be homogeneous . The sedimentation constant of the enzyme was found to be 8.3 S . The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 200 000 . The presence of the carbohydrate moiety in the enzyme was demonstrated by qualitative methods.

J Gen Microbiol, 1980 Jul, 119(1), 203 - 9
Identification of the group G antigen of Lactobacilli; Knox KW et al.; The group G antigen of lactobacilli was identified as a negatively-charged cell wall polysaccharide . The components of the preparation isolated from cell walls of L . salivarius subsp . salivarius by mild acid hydrolysis were glucose, galactose and lesser amounts of rhamnose, N-acetylglucosamine and phosphate . Quantitative serological studies on acid-released polysaccharide and enzymic lysates of cell walls showed that rhammose was the immunodominant component . The antigen was also detected in L . salivarius subsp . salicinus but not in a recent isolate of L . salivarius, strain IV CL-37.

J Biol Chem, 1980 Jun 25, 255(12), 5960 - 4
Purification and properties of ornithine decarboxylase from Lactobacillus sp . 30a; Guirard BM et al.; Inducible ornithine decarboxylase from Lactobacillus sp . 30a has been purified to homogeneity as judged by ultracentrifugation and gel electrophoresis . Unlike histidine decarboxylase from the same species (a pyruvoyl enzyme), ornithine decarboxylase is a pyridoxal phosphate enzyme . The purified enzyme is specific for L-pornithine (Km 1.7 mM; specific activity, 150 to 200 mumol min-1 mg-1 at 37 degrees C) and is inhibited by various homologous omega-amino acids, amines, and polyamines . The native enzyme has an isoelectric point of 4.55 and a molecular weight of 1.04 X 10(6) . At pH 7.3 and above, it dissociates reversibly to a species of Mr = 184,000, and on gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate shows a single band of Mr = 85,000 . We ascribe these species to the dodecamer, dimer, and monomer, respectively, of a single peptide subunit; electron micrographs show a hexagonal array of apparently dimeric subunits in the native enzyme . Highest enzymatic activity is present in the dodecamer . The holoenzyme is resolved by dialysis against cysteine; spectrophotoemetric titration of the apoenzyme with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate indicates the presence of 1 coenzyme-binding site/monomeric subunit.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1980 Jun 13, 613(2), 401 - 9
Pyridoxine (pyridoxamine) phosphate oxidase activity in the red cell; Clements JE et al.; A method has been developed for the measurement of red cell pyridoxine (pyridoxamine) phosphate oxidase activity . The more stable substrate, pyridoxamine phosphate, was incubated with a red cell haemolysate and the product pyridoxal phosphate was measured by Lactobacillus casei microbiological assay . A wide range of oxidase activities was found in control subjects (6-136 ng pyridoxal phosphate/g Hb x 10(-2)) . There is a close correlation between the rate of conversion of pyridoxine to pyridoxal phosphate in whole blood and the oxidase activity . There was a marked increase in both after oral riboflavin . These results suggest that the oxidase plays a large part in the regulation of vitamin B-6 metabolism in red cells.

Infect Immun, 1980 Jun, 28(3), 853 - 9
Microflora and chemical composition of dental plaque from subjects with hereditary fructose intolerance; Hoover CI et al.; We compared the microbiological and chemical composition of dental plaque from subjects with hereditary fructose intolerance who restrict their dietary sugar intake with that of control subjects who do not . The two groups showed no significant differences in chemical composition of plaque: the mean protein, carbohydrate, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate contents were similar . Dental plaque from both groups contained similar numbers of total colony-forming units per microgram of plaque protein, and Streptococcus sanguis, an indigenous nonpathogen, was isolated with equal frequency from plaque samples of both groups . However, potentially odontopathic Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus were isolated three to four times more frequently from plaque samples of control subjects than from plaque samples of subjects with hereditary fructose intolerance . Clearly, diet (sucrose in particular) influences the colonization and multiplication of specific cariogenic organisms in dental plaque.

Am J Clin Nutr, 1980 Jun, 33(6), 1220 - 4
Plasma and red cell folacin in cow's milk-fed infants and children during the first 2 years of life: the significance of boiling pasteurized cow's milk; Ek J et al.; Plasma and red blood cell folacin concentrations (Lactobacillus casei activity) and other pertinent parameters have been studied in 10 infants and children fed home-made cow's milk mixtures until 5 months of age . The folacin concentrations have been estimated in 44 samples of pasteurized cow's milk before and after pretreatment with conjugase . The effect of boiling on the folacin concentration has been studied in 11 samples of pasteurized cow's milk . During the time the infants were fed home-made cow's milk mixtures they developed signs of folacin deficiency, as judged from the plasma and red cell folacin concentrations as well as from other hematologic studies . The mean folacin concentration in pasteurized cow's milk was 168.9 SEM 7.80, and range 72 to 262 nmol/liter . Pretreatment with conjugase did not increase the folacin concentrations . During boiling for 1 min 2/3 of the folacin activity was lost . This could be prevented by adding ascorbic acid, 1 mg/ml, before the boiling procedure . The folacin deficiency observed in the infants is probably secondary to loss of folacin activity in connection with the preparation of the cow's milk mixtures.

J Med Chem, 1980 Jun, 23(6), 661 - 5
Oxime and dithiolane derivatives of 5-formyl-2'-deoxyuridine and their 5'-phosphates: antiviral effects and thymidylate synthetase inhibition; Park JS et al.; 5-Formyl-2'-deoxyuridine (2a), an effective inhibitor of herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2) and vaccinia virus, was converted to the oxime (3a) and dithiolane (4a) derivatives . The oxime (3a) was equally as potent as the formyl compound against HSV-1, but one-fifth as active against HSV-2, 100 times less effective against vaccinia, and 25 times less toxic for the host cells . In addition, compound 3a was about 10 times less active than 2a in inhibiting thymidylate synthetase in vivo (as reflected by a differential inhibition of dThd and dUrd incorporation into host cell DNA) . The dithiolane (4a) did not exert an appreciable effect on either virus multiplication or dThd or dUrd incorporation, nor was it cytotoxic . All these compounds as their 5'-phosphate derivatives were potent in vitro inhibitors of thymidylate synthetase (Lactobacillus casei) . The inhibition was competitive with substrate with Ki/Km ratios of 0.05 for the formyl 2b, 0.5 for the oxime 3b, and 0.2 for the dithiolane 4b . Thus, 3b was 10 times less active than 2b as an in vitro inhibitor of thymidylate synthetase, which appears to corroborate the in vivo findings.

Biochemistry, 1980 May 27, 19(11), 2466 - 72
Photo-CIDNP studies of the influence of ligand binding on the surface accessibility of aromatic residues in dihydrofolate reductase; Feeney J et al.; The surface accessibility of the histidine, tyrosine, and tryptophan residues of Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase has been determined from 360-MHz 1H photochemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (photo-CIDNP) NMR experiments . In the absence of ligands, four (or perhaps five) of the seven histidine residues and at least one of the four tryptophan residues are accessible to a flavin dye molecule . One of the five tyrosine residues is also slightly accessible . Of the accessible histidine residues, one becomes inaccessible on the binding of NADP+ and one on the binding of p-aminobenzoyl glutamate . These have been assigned to residues which interact directly with these two ligands . One histidine residue (probably His-22) shows an increase in accessibility on addition of folate or methotrexate to the enzyme . NADP+ complex . In addition, the binding of several ligands, notably trimethoprim, leads to an increase in the accessibility of a tryptophan residue . This is clear evidence for ligand-induced conformational changes in dihydrofolate reductase and allows us to identify some of the residues involved.

Biochemistry, 1980 May 27, 19(11), 2316 - 21
Proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the effects of ligand binding on tryptophan residues of selectively deuterated dihydrofolate reductase from Lactobacillus casei; Feeney J et al.; We have prepared a selectively deuterated dihydrofolate reductase in which all the aromatic protons except the C(2) protons of tryptophan have been replaced by deuterium and have examined the 1H NMR spectra of its complexes with folate, trimethoprim, methotrexate, NADP+, and NADPH . One of the four Trp C(2)-proton resonance signals (signal P at 3.66 ppm from dioxane) has been assigned to Trp-21 by examining the NMR spectrum of a selectively deuterated N-bromosuccinimide-modified dihydrofolate reductase . This signal is not perturbed by NADPH, indicating that the coenzyme is not binding close to the 2 position of Trp-21 . This contrasts markedly with the 19F shift (2.7 ppm) observed for the 19F signal of Trp-21 in the NADPH complex with the 6-fluorotryptophan-labeled enzyme . In fact the crystal structure of the enzyme . methotrexate . NADPH shows that the carboxamide group of the reduced nicotinamide ring is near to the 6 position of Trp-21 but remote from its 2 position . The nonadditivity of the 1H chemical-shift contributions for signals tentatively assigned to Trp-5 and -133 indicates that these residues are influenced by ligand-induced conformational changes.

Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1980 May-Jun, 131(3), 297 - 308
{"Lactobacillus murinus" n . sp., a new species of the autochtoneous dominant flora of the digestive tract of rat and mouse (author's transl)}; Hemme D et al.; Lactobacillus murinus, a new species isolated from rat and mouse digestive tracts, is described . It belongs to the subgenus Thermobacterium although it is able to ferment pentoses . The electrophoretic mobilities of soluble proteins and lactic dehydrogenase, the guanine + cytosine content (43.7%), the L-lysine-D-Aspartic acid cell wall (b type, Kandler), the immunological relationship with other Lactobacillus species and also the aminoacid requirements show that it has to be assigned to a new species, Lactobacillus murinus . This species settles in the digestive tract of rodents in their first days of life and remains ther as a dominant flora throughtout the whole life of the animal.

J Gen Microbiol, 1980 May, 118(Pt 1), 283 - 6
Characterization of two strains of cariogenic lactobacilli; Jacques NA et al.; Two strains of lactobacilli that initiate dental caries in conventional animals were exained for their physiological and serological characteristics . The strain designated V CL-25 was identified as Lactobacillus fermentum and belonged to serological group F . The strain designated IV CL-37 was a Lactobacillus salivarius, but it could not be further identified as either of the known subspecies, nor did it belong to serological group G.

Biochem J, 1980 May 1, 187(2), 501 - 6
The effects of modification with N-bromosuccinimide on the binding of ligands to dihydrofolate reductase; Thomson JW et al.; The binding constants of substrate, inhibitors and coenzymes to native Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase and to the enzyme modified (at Trp-21) by N-bromosuccinimide have been determined using fluorimetric and spectrophotometric methods . The modification leads to only modest decreases (factors of 2-4) in the binding of substrate or substrate analogues, but the effects of coenzyme binding are much larger . The binding of NADPH is decreased by a factor of 200, but that of NADP+ by only a factor of 4, indicating a clear difference in their mode of interaction with the enzyme . The nature of this difference is discussed in the light of crystallographic and n.m.r . studies of the enzyme.

J Dairy Sci, 1980 May, 63(5), 830 - 2
Inhibition of Candida albicans by Lactobacillus acidophilus; Collins EB et al.; Candida albicans grew at pH 4.6 or above in nutrient broth containing 5% glucose but was retarded at pH 7.7 by filtrates of Lactobacillus acidophilus grown in casitone broth . Vaginal implantation of nonfermented acidophilus milk, yogurt, or low-fat milk for preventing recurrence of monilia vaginitis subsequent to treatment with Nystatin was studied with 30 women . Reinfections within 3 mo according to product received were: no milk product, 3; yogurt, 1; nonfermented acidophilus milk, 1; and low-fat milk, 0.

J Dent Res, 1980 May, 59(5), 832 - 7
Cariogenicity of human oral lactobacilli in hamsters; Fitzgerald RJ et al.; Of 50 strains of lactobacilli isolated from dental plaque of school children, two strains, provisionally identified as Lactobacillus salivarius, and one strain, provisionally identified as Lactobacillus fermentum, induced significant caries activity in conventional hamsters . Sucrose was a required dietary cariogenic substrate and could not be replaced with glucose or starch . In contrast to cariogenic strains of Streptococcus mutans the active lactobacilli did not form adherent sucrose-mediated plaques in vitro, did not form intracellular iodophilic polysaccharides and did not form detectable insoluble extracellular polyglucans.

Br J Vener Dis, 1980 Apr, 56(2), 107 - 10
Vaginal pH and microflora related to yeast infections and treatment; Drake SM et al.; The relationship between vaginal pH, microflora, and yeast infection was investigated in 93 women randomly treated with either nystatin or miconazole pessaries and cream for two weeks . The vaginal pH was measured in a control group of 48 women . In the study group, 37 patients defaulted, 39 were cured, and 17 required treatment during the six-month follow-up period . In both study and control groups before and after treatment the mean vaginal pH was in the range of 4.3-4.6 . Lactobacilli were plentiful in 78 (91%) out of 86 patients and shows that lactobacilli and yeasts commonly coexist . The influence of other organisms appeared to be negligible . The trial showed that nystatin and micromazole were equallly effective in the treatment of vaginal yeast infection and that the broad-spectrum activity of micronazole offered no advantage in this condition.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1980 Apr, 89(4), 449 - 52
{Macrophage activation by blastolysin}; Sorokina IB et al.; Blastolysin consisting largely of glycopeptide fragments of cell walls from Lactobacillus bulgaricus has a significant antineoplastic activity against a number of transplanted and spontaneous animal tumours . Blastolysin exerts a pronounced adjuvant action and activates the cells of the mononuclear phagocytic system . This is shown by stimulation of phagocytosis and digestion as well as by acquired ability of macrophages to elicit a cytotoxic action on allogeneic and syngeneic target cells (labelled with radioactive chromium) with abnormal growth . Administration of blastolysin or BCG was demonstrated to lead to variations in the time course of macrophage acquired cytotoxicity . Macrophage activation induced by blastolysin has a clearly pronounced two-phasic nature . During the first short phase the cytotoxicity is seen 2 hours following blastolysin administration, rapidly disappears and emerges after 2 weeks, remaining unchanged up to the 5th week (experimental period).

Arch Microbiol, 1980 Apr, 125(3), 209 - 14
Oxygen utilization by Lactobacillus plantarum . I . Oxygen consuming reactions; Gotz F et al.; Lactobacillus plantarum (ATCC 8014) cells, grown aerobically on glucose medium, consumed molecular oxygen when incubated with either glucose, D/L-lactate or pyruvate as substrate . Cell extracts catalyzed the oxidation of NADH, D/L-lactate of pyruvate with O2 . Per mol O2 2mol of NADH were consumed indicating that O2 was reduced to H2O; reduction proceeded via H2O2 involving a NADH oxidase and a NADH peroxidase . Catalase activity was absent . Pyruvate oxidation with O2 led to the formation of H2O2, lactate oxidation to the formation of H2O . Thus in L . plantarum different mechanisms are available by which molecular oxygen can be used as electron acceptor for oxidation reactions.

Clin Chem, 1980 Apr, 26(5), 598 - 600
Commercially-supplied binders for plasma cobalamin (vitamin B12), analysis--"purified" intrinsic factor, "cobinamide"-blocked R-protein binder, and non-purified intrinsic factor-R-protein binder--compared to microbiological assay; Kubasik NP et al.; Recent evidence (Kolhouse et al., N . Engl . J . Med . 299: 785-792, 1978) demonstrates that commercial cobalamin (Vitamin B12) radioassay kits contain nonspecific R-protein binding agents that can give falsely normal results in patients who are actually cobalamin deficient . We tested three kits: with "purified" intrinsic factor as the binder, with intrinsic factor and the nonspecific R-protein sites blocked with "cobinamide," and non-purified intrinsic factor-R-protein binder . Results with use of the first two compared well with those by a microbiological assay (Lactobacillus leichmannii) and are in harmony with clinical impressions.

Arch Microbiol, 1980 Apr, 125(3), 215 - 20
Oxygen utilization by Lactobacillus plantarum . II . Superoxide and superoxide dismutation; Gotz F et al.; Cell-free extracts of Lactobacillus plantarum contain non-proteinaceous compounds which mimic superoxide dismutase activity . Using the test system in which O-2 is generated by xanthine oxidase, superoxide dismutase activity is found in cell-free extracts, where proteins are removed by precipitation . This activity is strongly decreased after dialysis of cell-free extracts . Superoxide dismutase activity was also investigated by means of pulse radiolysis . Cell-free extracts of Escherichia coli were also investigated as a comparison, which were known to contain superoxide dismutase . With cell-free extracts of both L . plantarum and E . coli the decay of O-2 was markedly increased . However, the type of reaction of the O-2 decay was of first order in the presence of E . coli extracts due to superoxide dismutase(s), and of second order in the presence of L . plantarum extracts, indicating that O-2 elimination is not an enzymic reaction . Mn2+ phosphate(s) might be responsible for the observed elimination of O-2 . The production of O-2 is not detectable during NADH-, lactate- or pyruvate oxidase reactions in L . plantarum extracts.

Nucleic Acids Res, 1980 Mar 11, 8(5), 979 - 87
Nucleotide sequence of Lactobacillus viridescens 5S RNA; Alexander LJ et al.; The nucleotide sequence of Lactobacillus viridescens ATCC 12706 5S RNA was determined to be pU-G-U-U-G-U-G-A-U-G-A-U-G-G-C-A-U-U-G-A-G-G-U-C-A-C-A-C C-U-G-U-U-C-C-C-A-U-A-C-C-G-A-A-C-A-C-A-G-A-A-G-U-U-A-A-G-C-U-C-A-A-U-A-G-C-G C-C-G-A-A-A-G-U-A-G-U-U-G-G-A-G-G-A-U-C-U-C-U-U-C-C-U-G-C-G-A-G-G-A-U-A-G-G-A C-G-U-C-G-C-A-A-U-G-COH . When compared with other published sequences of prokaryotic 5S RNA species, this sequence shows as much homology with that from B . substilis (80% homology when all variations included) and B . megaterium (77% homology) as with the 5S RNA from another member of Lactobacillaceae family (L . brevis, 79% homology) . The sequence contains the proposed tRNA binding site (CGAAC, positions 41-45) and can accomodate most, but not all, of the more recently proposed helical regions of secondary structure.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1980 Mar, 39(3), 604 - 10
Effect of pH on the efficiency of growth by pure cultures of rumen bacteria in continuous culture; Russell JB et al.; A total of 10 strains of rumen bacteria, Selenomonas ruminantium HD4, Megasphaera elsdenii B159, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens A38, Streptococcus bovis JB1, Lactobacillus vitulinus GA1, Bacteroides ruminicola B14, B . ruminicola GA33, Ruminococcus albus 7, Ruminococcus flavefaciens C94, and Bacteroides succinogenes S85, were grown in energy-limiteH of the medium reservoir was lowered approximately 0.3 pH units, and the energy source concentration remaining in the culture vessel, optical density, cell mass, and pH were determined . A low pH appeared to have a detrimental effect on cell yields . Large variations were seen among strains in both the magnitude of yield depressions at lower pH values and in the pH at which the culture washed out . Lactate analysis indicated ta are discussed in relation to the effect of pH on the efficiency of protein synthesis in the rumen and rumen microbial ecology.

Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex, 1980 Mar-Apr, 37(2), 359 - 64
{Dental caries}; Inen Egozcue M et al.; Recent studies on the etiology and prevention of dental caries are synthetized . Caries is an infectious disease produced by the bacterial plaque where microorganisms act upon hydrocarbon substrate producing acids (lactic, pyruvic, acetic, etc.) . These acids decalcify the enamel surface producing the carious cavity . The three types of caries are mentioned: 1 . The sucrose-dependent caries on the free surfaces of the tooth with the Streptococcus mutans predominance . 2 . The pits and fissures caries with Lactobacillus acidophilus predominance . 3 . The root caries with Acinomyces viscosus predominance . Caries prevention points out to three aspects . 1 . Increasing tooth resistance through the use of ingested fluoride and/or topical fluorides and pits and fissure sealants . 2 . A profuse and promising research work on control of microbial plaque is being done . Meanwhile, the correct and periodically controlled toothbrushing is still the most efficient preventive measure . 3 . Diet control . Being carbohydrates a deep rooted habit of our modern culture, its control has to be carefully evaluated . A judicious and reduced strategic consumption of carbohydrates and the use of substitutes are useful ways of achieving the preventive aims.

Am J Gastroenterol, 1980 Mar, 73(3), 238 - 43
Evaluation of lactobacillus preparation on eterotoxigenic E . coli-induced rabbit ileal loop reactions; Foster TL et al.; A commercially available lactobacillus-containing preparation has been used extensively in the treatment of diarrhea but few laboratory tests have been performed to determine the efficacy of this product . The rabbit ileal loop reaction was used here to determine the effect of the lactobacillus preparation and its ingredients on E . coli enterotoxin-induced loop fluid response . Enterotoxigenic E . coli cells grown overnight in shake cultures were washed and resuspended in saline to the original volume . They were then diluted in TSB suspensions of the lactobacillus preparation or its ingredients and injected into ileal loops . E . coli diluted in TSB served as positive controls . Fluid response was measured after 18 hours and the loop fluid ratio (LFR) (ml./cm.) of the lactobacillus preparations was compared to the positive controls . The positive controls always showed a high loop fluid ratio (greater than 1.1 ml./cm.) and negative saline controls showed no fluid response . The lactobacillus granules and tablets had low LFR's (0.08 and 0.05, respectively) . Ingredients (whey, talc, sugar, evaporated milk, mineral oil) had variable LFR's (0.65, 0.78, 1.39, 1.46 and 1.54, respectively) . Individual ingredients used to make this preparation show little antifluid response when used separately but the final product exhibits a significant antienterotoxin response.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 Mar, 17(3), 359 - 63
Bactericidal synergy between penicillin or ampicillin and aminoglycosides against antibiotic-tolerant lactobacilli; Bayer AS et al.; The bactericidal activities of penicillin G and ampicillin alone were compared with those of their combinations with streptomycin or gentamicin against 17 strains of lactobacilli classified as tolerant to various beta-lactam antibiotics . The penicillin G combinations with streptomycin and gentamicin were synergistic against 17 and 16 of these strains, respectively, whereas the corresponding ampicillin-aminoglycoside combinations were synergistic against 12 and 15 strains, respectively . Importantly, synergy was manifested at concentrations of these antibiotics that are attained in serum after their administration in conventional dose regimens . In no instances were combinations antagonistic . These in vitro observations provide a partial explanation for the favorable results obtained in preliminary clinical evaluations of the benefits of combination regimens in the treatment of lactobacillus infections refractory to single-drug therapy.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1980 Mar, 39(3), 671 - 4
Detection of plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid in an isolate of Lactobacillus acidophilus; Klaenhammer TR et al.; Eight strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus were examined for the presence of plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid, and one, a pig intestinal isolate, showed the presence of a 13.7- and a 6.3-megadalton plasmid . This is the first reported evidence for plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid in Lactobacillus acidophilus . The functions of these plasmids are presently unknown.

J Dairy Sci, 1980 Mar, 63(3), 353 - 7
Production of Hydrogen peroxide by Lactobacillus acidophilus; Collins EB et al.; Hydrogen peroxide production in reconstituted skim milk (10%) and low-fat milk by four strains lf Lactobacillus acidophilus was studied at 37 and 4 C . Strains A and B produced little, but strains C and D produced larger amounts, especially if agitated continuously during growth at 37 C or storage at 4 C . Continuous shaking was required at 4 C for C or D (4.0 X 10(8)/ml) to produce sufficient hydrogen peroxide to retard growth of Pseudomonas fragi . Flavin adenine dinucleotide stimulated the oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide by dialyzed cell-free extracts of C and D, which indicated that the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidases of these strains produce hydrogen peroxide as an end product.

Biochemistry, 1980 Feb 19, 19(4), 766 - 73
Kinetics of ternary complex formation between dihydrofolate reductase, coenzyme, and inhibitors; Dunn SM et al.; The kinetics of ligand binding to dihydrofolate reductase from Lactobacillus casei (MTX/R) to form the ternary enzyme-inhibitor-coenzyme complex have been investigated by the stopped-flow fluorescence technique . The fluorescence changes observed when coenzymes or inhibitors bind to the binary complex of the enzyme with the complementary ligand occur in a single fast phase . Under pseudo-first-order conditions the reaction traces could be fitted with precision to a single-exponential decay, and apparent bimolecular rate constants in the range 2 x 10(6) to 3 x 10(7) M-1s-1 have been measured assuming a bimolecular-unimolecular model . The kinetic constants obtained suggest that prior binding of an inhibitor to the enzyme may, to a minor extent, interfere with coenzyme binding but the rates of inhibitor binding seem to be unaffected by the presence of a bound coenzyme . Dissociation rate constants appear to be less than 1 s-1 which suggests that both coenzymes and inhibitors are tightly bound in the ternary complex . An investigation of the effects of pH on the kinetics of ternary complex formation indicated the involvement of ionizable groups in ligand binding, but this shows some ligand dependence . The rates of ligand bindings to form the ternary complex are fairly high, but it is unlikely that these associations are diffusion controlled because their measured activation energies of 7.8-14.5 kcal mol-1 are higher than expected from reactions whose rates are limited by diffusion in aqeous solution.

Biochemistry, 1980 Feb 19, 19(4), 667 - 78
Primary structure of chicken liver dihydrofolate reductase; Kumar AA et al.; The complete covalent structure of dihydrofolate reductase from chicken liver is described . The S-carboxymethylated protein was subjected to cleavage by cyanogen bromide which produced five fragments . Fragment CB2 contained an internal homoserine residue which was not cleaved by cyanogen bromide . Sequences and ordering of the cyanogen bromide fragments were established by means of automated sequencer analyses of the fragments and from smaller peptides generated by proteolysis with trypsin and staphylococcal protease . The covalent structure of the single polypeptide chain comprises 189 residues of molecular weight 21,651 . The chicken liver enzyme is homologous to that from L1210 cells and shows regions of homology to dihydrofolate reductases from Streptococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, and Lactobacillus casei . These homologous regions in the chicken liver enzyme are primarily related to conserved amino acid residues implicated in the binding of NADPH and methotrexate by bacterial dihydrofolate reductases.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {B}, 1980 Feb, 170(1-2), 126 - 32
Use of a starter for the manufacture of French dried sausage; Favier MJ et al.; Bearing in mind the insufficiency of commercialized starters for the manufacture of french dried sausage, a starter (Micrococci and Lactobacilli) named Lyoflore was perfected and tested during ten months in three factories . The results obtained show the value of this additif: acceleration in maturity, rapid acidification, inhibition of undesirable bacteria, very good colouring and excellent organoleptic qualities of the finished product.

Infect Immun, 1980 Feb, 27(2), 604 - 13
Binding of streptococcal antigens to muscle tissue in vitro; Stinson MW et al.; Antigens extracted from cells of Streptococcus pyogenes T6 and Streptococcus mutans strains AHT, BHT, 10449, OMZ175, and K1R adsorbed to the sarcolemmal sheath of cardiac muscle cells in vitro . Similar preparations from S . salivarius, S . sanguis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Lactobacillus casei had weak or negligible tissue-binding activity . Tissue-bound bacterial antigens were detected with homologous rabbit antisera with both indirect immunofluorescence tests and an indirect radioimmunoassay . Serological cross-reactivity was observed between the tissue-binding factors of S . pyogenes and S . mutans cells but not between the bacteria and muscle tissue . In a comparative study of extraction procedures, the greatest yield of tissue-binding factors was obtained from group A streptococci by cell disruption in buffer at 4 degrees C . Hot aqueous phenol and hot water extracts were inactive . Antibodies specific for the tissue-binding factor(s) were readily adsorbed from rabbit anti-S . pyogenes serum by a preparation of isolated cytoplasmic membranes but not by a suspension of cell wall fragments . The heart-binding component of S . pyogenes cell extracts was inactivated by protease digestion and heat treatment and to a lesser extent by periodic acid oxidation . The capacity of heart cell components to adsorb streptococcal antigens was reduced by protease treatment but not by the action of neuraminidase, hyaluronidase, organic solvents, or detergents.

Infect Immun, 1980 Feb, 27(2), 461 - 7
Bacterial translocation from the gastrointestinal tract of athymic (nu/nu) mice; Owens WE et al.; The immune system may be one host defense mechanism preventing viable indigenous bacteria from translocating from the mouse gastrointestinal lumen to the mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen, liver, or kidney . The role of T-cell-dependent immunity in preventing bacteria from translocating from the gastrointestinal tract was tested with congenitally athymic nude (nu/nu) mice, heterozygous (nu/+) mice, and thymus-grafted nude (nu/nu) mice . Viable bacteria were cultured from 50% of the mesenteric lymph nodes, spleens, livers, and kidneys of athymic (nu/nu) mice, whereas heterozygous (nu/+) mice exhibited viable bacteria in only 5.2% of these organs . Both aerobic and strictly anaerobic bacteria were cultured from these organs with Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus predominanting . Grafting thymuses to the athymic (nu/nu) mice restored their immunological responses to sheep erythrocyte antigens . The incidence of bacterial translocation from the gastrointestinal tract was reduced from 50% in the athymic (nu/nu) mice to 7.8% in the thymus-grafted (nu/nu) mice . Thus, T-cell-dependent immunity restored by thymic grafts inhibited the translocation of certain indigenous bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract to the spleen, liver, and kidney in nu/nu mice.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {B}, 1980 Feb, 170(1-2), 133 - 42
Characterization of the inhibitory power of Lactobacillus of meat origin; Talon R et al.; In this study we have tried to characterize the inhibitory power of Lactobacilli of meat origin . We selected 28 Lactobacillus strains isolated at various stages of sausage manufacture (mixed, baked, dried) . These strains were tested for their inhibitive activity on gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens; Ps . aeruginosa, Escherichia coli B 41 enteropathogenic) . It appears that the Lactobacillus strains synthetize one or more inhibitive substances instable in cold or heat, sensitive to the enzyme activity of peroxidase and to certain proteolytic enzymes (protease isolated from Bacillus subtilis and pepsin) . Moreover, this inhibitive activity is associated with the bacterial walls . The instability of these inhibitors leads us to think of peroxide type substances; our results show that it is not hydrogen peroxide but, without doubt, far more complex peroxides associated to a proteinic structure which conditions their activity.

Biochem J, 1980 Jan 15, 186(1), 235 - 42
The identification of the folate conjugates found in rat liver 48 h after the administration of radioactively labelled folate tracers; Connor MJ et al.; About 70% of the radioactivity retained in the livers of rats dosed 48 h earlier with radioactively labelled folate was incorporated into two folate conjugates . The major derivative was purified and isolated by Sephadex G-15, DEAE-cellulose and DEAE-Sephadex ion-exchange column chromatography and paper chromatography . It was identified as 10-formylpteroylpentaglutamate by a combination of spectral, microbiological, chemical and chromatographic techniques . The minor conjugate, though less well characterized, exhibited similar properties and was assigned the structure 10-formylpteroyltetraglutamate . 10-Formylpteroylpentaglutamate (2.0nmol/g) and 10-formylpteroyltetraglutamate (0.25nmol/g) comprised about 20% of the total endogenous hepatic folate as determined by microbiological assay (Lactobacillus casei after conjugase treatment.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Naturwiss, 1980, 135(6), 523 - 6
Fermentative production of lactic acid in presence of some trace elements; Tiwari KP et al.; An attempt was made to study the activity of Lactobacillus delbrueckii under the influence of certain trace elements, viz . Tl, U, Th, and Zr . From the results, it was inferred that Tl has comparatively more stimulating effect on the acid-producing activity of the bacteria than U, Th, and Zr.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Naturwiss, 1980, 135(4), 328 - 31
Influence of mutagenic chemicals on fermentative production of lactic acid by Lactobacillus delbrueckii; Tiwari KP et al.; The influence of ammonium fluoride, caffeine, alloxan, and hydrogen peroxide on the fermentative production of lactic acid by Lactobacillus delbrueckii 9649 was studied . It has been found that hydrogen peroxide has an inhibitory effect, while caffeine and alloxan stimulate the fermentation process . The presence of ammonium fluoride does not have any marked influence on the fermentation process.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Naturwiss, 1980, 135(3), 226 - 9
Lactic acid production from molasses by Lactobacillus bulgaricus AU in presence of U, Th, Zr, and Tl; Tiwari KP et al.; The influence of uranium, thorium, zirconium, and thallium (I) on fermentation production of lactic acid from molasses by Lacstobacillus bulgaricus AU was studied . It was found that thorium, at lower experimental concentration, and zirconium, at higher experimental concentration, stimulate the acid-producing activity of the bacteria, while uranium and thallium reduce . it.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Naturwiss, 1980, 135(3), 205 - 11
Characters of Lactobacillus coryniformis, isolated from an Iraqi cheese; Hegazi FZ et al.; The cultural, physiological, and biochemical characters of 21 strains of Lactobacillus coryniformis, isolated from Iraqi cheese, were investigated . Some of the strains grew at 45 degrees C . All possessed the following characteristics: they did not contain DAP; no growth in 4% taurocholate or in 9% NaCl; growth in 6.5% NaCl; milk mostly coagulated within 3 to 60 days with final activity of 0.85--1.09% and pH 4.05; xylose, (D+)tagatose, inulin, and trehalose not fermented; ribose fermented by only one strain and arabinose by another; pyruvate, malate, and fumarate decomposed in the presence of glucose with formation of carbon dioxide; CO2 was produced from gluconate by 20 out of 21 strains . The mean total amount of lactate, produced after 41 days at 30 degrees C, was 42.6 +/- 2.5 mumoles per ml, of L(+)lactate 17.8 +/- 1.1, and of % L(+)lactate of total lactate 42.3 +/- 1.7 . The isolates degraded pyruvate (111 mumoles/ml) in the presence of glucose (55.5 mumoles/ml) with lactate as the major product, together with acetate 5.8%, ethanol 8.15%, acetoin 1.95%, and diacetyl 2.50% yield on a molar basis after 60 days at 30 degrees C . Diacetyl and acetoin could be formed from pyruvate plus glucose, but not from either glucose alone, citrate alone, or from citrate plus glucose . The mean total amount of diacetyl plus acetoin, after 26 days at 30 degrees C, was 1059.6 +/- 24.0 micrograms/ml, of diacetyl 92.8 +/- 2.2, and of % diacetyl of the total diacetyl plus acetoin was 8.8 +/- 0.3 . L . coryniformis differs from L . plantarum in morphology, in not containing DAP, in failure to grow in 4% taurocholate, in not fermenting ribose and trehalose, and in not decomposing tartrate.

Nahrung, 1980, 24(6), 551 - 61
The microbial flora of Awshari cheese with special reference to Lactobacilli; Hegazi Z et al.; Thirty-seven samples of Awshari cheese and 13 of Biza were examined microbiologically . Penicillia occurred in 2 samples of cheese and yeasts in 21, 3 of which contained Saccharomyces lactis . In 8 samples studied for the constitutive microflora, lactobacilli and streptococci were the most prevalent, with L . casei being the only Lactobacillus species isolated . Penicillia and yeasts occurred in all the samples of Biza, with Saccharomyces lactis being encountered in 5 out of 6 samples examined for the type of yeasts . The microbial flora consisted primarily of lactobacilli . Out of 98 lactobacilli isolated from 10 samples 55 were identified as betabacteria: 41 were attached to L . brevis, 13 L . buchneri and 1 L . pasteurianus . The remaining 43 isolates were streptobacteria: 21 belonged to L . coryniformis, 5 L . casei ssp pseudoplantarum, 3 ssp casei and 1 ssp alactosus, 2 L . plantarum ssp plantarum and 1 ssp arabinosus, 1 L . xylosus, 5 motile streptobacteria and 4 unidentifiable.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1980, (2), 89 - 93
{Interaction between lactobacilli and the intestinal mucosa}; Tarabrina NP; The study of the distribution of lactobacilli in the lumen and on the mucosa of the intestine of CBA mice, as well as the interaction of lactobacilli with the mucosa under normal conditions and in experimental postradiation dysbacteriosis, showed that under normal conditions lactobacilli could be found practically in all portions of the intestine of the mice both in the lumen and on the mucosa . Lactobacilli were closely associated with the mucosa, and this association was not affected by the treatment of the mucosa with trypsin and detergents . In postradiation dysbacteriosis the association of lactobacilli with the mucosa became weaker; as a result, the number of bacteria associated with the mucosa decreased 10 times . Exogenic streptomycin-resistant lactic acid bacteria, subjected to multiple passages through the organism of the animals, could take on the intestinal mucosa.

Microbiol Immunol, 1980, 24(4), 299 - 308
Reassembly of the regularly arranged subunits in the cell wall os Lactobacillus brevis and their reattachment to cell walls; Masuda K et al.; The reassembly of tetragonally arranged subunits in the cell wall of Lactobacillus brevis and the reattachment of the subunits to cell wall fragments were investigated by electron microscopy . The subunits dissociated from the cell wall with guanidine hydrochloride (GHCl) reassembled into the same regular array as seen in native cell wall after dialysis against neutral buffer even in the absence of specific cations . The subunits could also reattach to the cell wall fragments from which they had been removed by treatment with GHCl, sodium dodecyl sulfate or cold trichloroacetic acid but not to those treated with hot formamide . Heterologous reattachment of the subunits occurred on cell wall fragments obtained from L . fermentum but not on those from L plantarum or L . casei subsp . casei . On the basis of these observations and chemical analyses of the cell wall fragments, the subunits of L . brevis appeared to be bound by hydrogen bonds to a neutral polysaccharide moiety in the cell wall but not to peptidoglycan or teichoic acid.

Chemotherapy, 1980, 26(4), 289 - 96
Effect of cyclacillin and ampicillin on the gut flora of mice; Schaedler RW et al.; The oral administration of cyclacillin, a semisynthetic aminoalicyclic penicillin, results in the elimination of the lactobacilli from the gastrointestinal tract of mice . Although cyclacillin has a broad spectrum of activity similar to that of ampicillin, it does not, like ampicillin, affect the other flora of the gastrointestinal tract . Cyclacillin, unlike ampicillin, is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and upper small intestine, so that only small amounts reach the large bowel . Study of the dynamics of the lactobacillus population in the gut shows that in the mouse the prime site of localization and multiplication of lactobacilli is the stomach . The lactobacilli are transient in the small and large intestine, arriving there only after having been shed from the stomach.

Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1980, 20(10), 627 - 36
Leaching of a silicate and carbonate copper ore with heterotrophic fungi and bacteria, producing organic acids; Kiel H et al.; Leaching of metals with carbon-heterotrophic microorganisms and organic acids as active agents has been performed with Timna copper ore containing 1.1% copper as carbonates and silicate and with some other metal oxides . Aspergillus niger surface cultures on a 14% sucrose fermentation medium yeilded 87.3% of total copper from 10% suspension within 2 weeks of leaching . On sulfite liquor as an industrial waste product A . niger solubilized 73.8% Cu within 4 weeks . In percolators with 14% sucrose medium up to 1780 ppm copper were found in solution . In leaching experiments with a sea water medium containing 7% sucrose only 684 ppm Cu were soluble . Leaching with lactobacilli containing whey yielded 83.4% of the total copper in 4 weeks.

Res Vet Sci, 1980 Jan, 28(1), 116 - 22
The antibiotic activity of the lactoperoxidase-thiocyanate-hydrogen peroxide system in the calf abomasum; Reiter B et al.; The lactoperoxidase system which had been previously shown to kill Gram-negative organisms (eg, coliforms, salmonellae, pseudomonads) in vitro, was found to be activated in vivo . The lactoperoxidase was provided by the milk and the thiocyanate either by the milk or by its secretion in the abomasum . The third factor was provided either by a H2O2 generating system (glucose oxidase and glucose) or by H2O2 producing lactobacilli . The latter occur naturally in large numbers in the abomasum of the calf.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1980 Jan, 39(1), 153 - 8
Method for the lysis of Gram-positive, asporogenous bacteria with lysozyme; Chassy BM et al.; A method developed for the lysis of oral streptococci that employed the action of lysozyme suspended in dilute tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-hydrochloride buffer containing polyethylene glycol has been adapted for use with lactobacilli, actinomycetes, propionibacteria, and pediococci . Most of the cellular deoxyribonucleic acid was liberated from many strains of bacteria usually thought to be lysozyme resistant . The major observations were as follows: (i) supplementation of the growth medium with L-threonine, L-lysine, or both frequently produced cells that were more susceptible to lysis by lysozyme; (ii) glucose-containing media produced cells that were more easily lysed than those from cultures grown on other substrates; (iii) polyethylene glycol not only served as an osmotic stabilizer, it also enhanced the extent of lysis; and (iv) dilute tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane buffer was superior to the buffer systems most commonly employed in published muramidase-based lysis techniques . Stationary-phase cells of Lactobacillus casei and Streptococcus mutans were more easily lysed than those isolated from log-phase cultures . The method as detailed in this report should be generally applicable for the lysis of gram-positive, asporogenous bacteria.

Reprod Nutr Dev, 1980, 20(5B), 1701 - 6
{Role of five Lactobacillus strains on carbohydrate degradation in monoxenic chickens}; Szylit O et al.; Five strains of Lactobacillus were isolated in holoxenic roosters; two of these which had an alpha-amylase were inoculated separately into 5 groups of axenic chickens fed the same diet . Some differences among these 5 groups were noted . Lactobacillus proliferation varied between ten and a thousand-fold, depending on the strain, and for the same strain depending on whether the crop, caecum or faeces was examined . Amylolytic lactobacilli in vivo played a role in starch degradation in various ways related to the specific properties of their amylase . Lactic acid production in the crop was higher with the three strains producing the two lactic acid isomers than with the two strains producing only one of the isomers . Finally, monoxenic caecal digestion was different from that of both the axenic and the holoxenic.

Med Pediatr Oncol, 1980, 8(1), 47 - 51
Prophylactic co-trimoxazole and lactobacilli preparation in neutropenic patients; Ekert H et al.; A randomized study of intestinal decontamination was undertaken in 68 children with leukemia and solid tumours . Framycetin, colymycin, nystatin, and metronidazole were given in 35 neutropenic episodes in 33 children, while co-trimoxazole and lactobacilli preparation were administered in 35 episodes in 35 children . The diseases, severity of neutropenia, and incidence of infection at entry into study were comparable in the two groups . There was no significant difference in the incidence of infections developing during the phase of neutropenia . The median and range of time required to recover from neutropenia were also not different . Co-trimoxazole and lactobacilli were significantly better tolerated, there being no nausea and vomiting, no refusal to take medication, no dose reduction or change to an alternative regimen . We conclude that co-trimoxazole and lactobacilli preparation improve quality of life during a neutropenic episode and have the additional advantage of being relatively inexpensive.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1980 Jan, 77(1), 494 - 8
Phylogenetic analysis of the mycoplasmas; Woese CR et al.; The phylogenetic relationships between the mycoplasmas and bacteria have been established from a comparative analysis of their 16S rRNA oligonucleotide catalogs . The genera Mycoplasma, Spiroplasma, and Acholeplasma arose by degenerative evolution, as a deep branch of the subline of clostridial ancestry that led to Bacillus and Lactobacillus . Thermoplasma has no specific relationship to the other mycoplasmas; it belongs with the archaebacteria.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1980, 25(6), 496 - 7
Effect of incubation temperature on acid production and proteolytic activity in milk by selected lactobacilli mutants; Singh J et al.; Lactobacillus bulgaricus 59 and L . casei RTS and their respective nitrosoguanidine-induced mutants were estimated for titratable and volatile acidities, production of biacetyl and acetoin and for proteolytic activity . Both the mutants showed a marked increase in proteolytic activity as compared to the parents.

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1980, 46(2), 169 - 76
Genetic heterogeneity among Lactobacillus acidophilus strains; Sarra PG et al.; Physiological characteristics, DNA base composition (% GC) and DNA-DNA reassociation values were determined for 138 Lactobacillus acidophilus strains . Twenty seven strains were received from various culture collections and 111 strains were freshly isolated during a study on the composition of the intestinal lactic microflora of piglets and suckling calves . All strains had physiological characteristics which were substantially similar . The strains isolated from pigs were unable to ferment trehalose . The % GC ranged from 35.8 to 43.4 . On the basis of the results of DNA-DNA hybridization the strains were divided into four genetic groups.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Naturwiss, 1980, 135(3), 223 - 5
Influence of EDTA and its metal complexes on lactic acid fermentation; Tiwari KP et al.; A comparative study of the influence of EDTA and its metal complexes with Fe, Co, and Ce on lactic acid fermentation by Lactobacillus delbrueckii was done . It was observed that EDTA alone and its complex with Ce could increase the yield of lactic acid up to 1--2%, while complexes of EDTA with Fe and Co enhanced the yield up to 4--5%.

Microbiol Immunol, 1980, 24(4), 335 - 48
Induction of delayed type hypersensitivity-like skin reaction by peptidoglycans of bacterial cell walls; Maeda K et al.; Water-soluble glycopeptides isolated from Lactobacillus plantarum and Staphylococcus epidermidis cell walls elicited a delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH)-like skin reaction in rats previously immunized with Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell walls, but not in unimmunized rats . Histological examination of the skin reaction sites in immunized animals revealed a close similarity of this skin reaction to a typical DTH reacton with respect to the time course of development and the types of cells that infiltrated into the skin reaction sites, which were characterized by a predominant infiltration of mononuclear cells at 48 hr . This DTH-like reaction was also demonstrated by immunizing the rats with the cell wall peptidoglycans of L . plantarum or S . epidermidis and skin testing them with homologous as well as heterologous peptidoglycans . The DTH-like reaction appeared to be caused by peptidoglycans that exist in common in the cell walls of phylogenetically distant bacterial species . Furthermore, it was also suggested that the putative antigenic determinants(s) might include both the glycan chain and part of the peptide moieties of the cell wall peptidoglycan rather than either of the single moieties.

Microbiol Immunol, 1980, 24(1), 21 - 9
In vitro studies on distribution of indigenous lactobacilli of the gastrointestinal tract of rats; Watanabe T et al.; To learn the biochemical mechanisms controlling the distribution of indigenous lactobacilli in the gastrointestinal tracts of rats, the effect of pH and stomach and cecal contents on lactobacillus distribution was investigated in vitro with a mixed culture of three lactobacillus strains isolated from the rat intestine . The pH of the growth medium affected the growth of lactobacilli strongly, irrespective of the lumenal contents . Lactobacillus fermentum outnumbered L . acidophilus and L . murini at low pH (PH 4.5; average pH of stomach contents of conventional rats) but at near neutral pH (pH 6.5; average pH of cecal contents of conventional rats), the growth of L . murini was predominant with all strains . More lactic acid was formed by lactobacilli in medium consisting of stomach contents than in cecal contents medium . L . murini grew in the nondialyzable fraction of the stomach contents and L . fermentum grew in the dialyzable fraction, but L . acidophilus did not grow in either fraction . L . murini grew in the nondialyzable fraction treated with hyaluronidase . In contrast, the nondialyzable fraction treated with pronase or chondroitinase did not allow L . murini to grow at all.

Infect Immun, 1979 Dec, 26(3), 791 - 4
Susceptibility to adjuvant-induced arthritis among germfree, specific-pathogen-free, and conventional rats; Kohashi O et al.; Germfree F344 rats developed severe arthritis with 100% incidence after a single intradermal inection of either squalane containing 0.5 mg of heat-killed Mycobacterium bovis BCG or a water-in-oil emulsion containing 0.2 mg of peptidoglycan derived from Staphylococcus epidermidis . Conventional F344 rats developed less-severe arthritis with 20% incidence for heat-killed BCG and 0% incidence for peptidoglycan . Specific-pathogen-free rats showed an intermediate susceptibility between germfree and conventional rats . Interestingly, both unimmunized specific-pathogen-free and conventional rats . but not unimmunized germfree rats, showed weak delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions to peptidoglycans derived from either S . epidermidis or Lactobacillus plantarum, suggesting that a bacterial flora may furnish a stimulus for induction of cell-mediated immunity to ubiquitous bacterial peptidoglycans . It is thus possible that although a bacterial flora is not necessary for development of adjuvant arthritis, it may have some suppressive effect on the development of the disease in specific-pathogen-free and conventional F344 rats, possibly through modulation of the immune response.

J Med Chem, 1979 Dec, 22(12), 1541 - 4
5-(alpha-Bromoacetyl)-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphate: an affinity label for thymidylate synthetase; Brouillette CB et al.; 5-(alpha-Bromoacetyl)-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphate (1) is an active-site-directed irreversible inhibitor of thymidylate synthetase from Lactobacillus casei . Analysis of the rate of inactivation of the enzyme in the presence of substrate confirmed the intermediate formation of a reversible enzyme-inhibitor complex.

J Bacteriol, 1979 Dec, 140(3), 949 - 54
Pentitol metabolism in Lactobacillus casei; London J et al.; Strains of Lactobacillus casei capable of growing on either ribitol or xylitol carry out a heterolactic fermentation producing ethanol, acetate, and a mixture of D- and L-lactate . Following conversion of the pentitols to ribulose 5-phosphate or xylulose 5-phosphate via enzymatic steps unique to these organisms, the intermediate products are further metabolized by enzymes of the pentose pathway . The initial enzymes of the pathway, i.e., pentitol:phosphoenolypyruvate phosphotransferase and penititol phosphate dehydrogenase, do not appear to be stringently regulated by glucose or intermediate products of glycolysis.

Infect Immun, 1979 Nov, 26(2), 690 - 7
Synergistic effect of polyriboinosinic acid:polyribocytidylic acid and either bacterial peptidoglycans or synthetic N-acetylmuramyl peptides on production of adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats; Kohashi O et al.; Lewis rats developed polyarthritis after a single injection of a water-in-oil emulsion containing various peptidoglycans (PGs) derived from Lactobacillus plantarum . A copolymer of polyriboinosinic acid and polyribocytidylic acid markedly potentiated the arthritogenicity of these PGs . The synthetic adjuvants N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (MurNAc-L-Ala-D-isoGln) and MurNAc-L-Ala-D-Gln were non-arthritogenic, but they did produce severe arthritis when mixed in a water-in-oil emulsion with a copolymer of polyriboinosinic acid and polyribocytidylic acid . Substitution of either L-isoGln or D-isoAsn for the D-isoGln in the MurNAc-L-Ala-D-isoGln markedly reduced its capacity to induce the disease . Taken together with the results of skin testing against various PGs and MurNAc-L-Ala-D-isoGln in the diseased rats, the present results suggest that (i) a minimal essential structure required for development of polyarthritis is related to a larger molecule than either MurNAc-L-Ala-D-isoGln or a monomer of PG, probably to a dimer of PG, and (ii) an antigenic determinant(s) for the delayed-type skin hypersensitivity to PGs exists on a common structure shared among these PGs, possibly somewhere on a monomer of PG not on N-acetylmuramyl peptides.

Antibiotiki, 1979 Nov, 24(11), 831 - 4
{Bacteriocin properties of Lactobacillus fermenti, Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus buchneri}; Filippov VA; Four bacteriocins of L . fermenti, 3 bacteriocins of L . brevis and 1 bacteriocin of L . buchneri were studied with respect to morphology of the inhibition growth zones of the indicator strains, capacity for diffusion through cellophane, sensitivity to high temperature, bacterial proteases, trypsin, chymotrypsin, pepsin, papain, nucleases and lysozyme . According to the differences in their properties the bacteriocins were classified as belonging to 8 types, including 4 types of L . fermenti bacteriocins and 3 types of L . brevis bacteriocins.

Farmakol Toksikol, 1979 Nov-Dec, 42(6), 659 - 65
{Pyrrolo(3,2-d)pyrimidines as potential antitumor agents}; Kravchenko AI et al.; Antibacterial and antitumor properties of pyrrolo (3,2-d) pyrimidines having diverse substituents in the second, fourth and sixth position were investigated . Forty-four compounds were examined in vitro and 20 in vivo . A number of the derivatives were shown to inhibit the growth of M . tuberculosis H37Rv and lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus casei 7469 . Antibacterial activity depends on the character of the substituents in positions 2, 4 and 6 . The tested compounds when administered per os to mice with sarcoma 180 (a solid variety) proved several dozen times less toxic than 6-mercaptopurine . Some of them inhibited the tumour growth up to 50% . The data obtained in vitro experiments indicate that the mechanism of the antitumour action of pyrrolo (3,2-d) yrimidines from that of 6-mercaptopurine.

Am J Clin Nutr, 1979 Nov, 32(11), 2237 - 48
Thiamin requirement of the adult human; Sauberlich HE et al.; Young adult male subjects maintained on a metabolic ward were fed diets providing controlled intakes of thiamin and either 2800 or 3600 kcal . The higher level of calories was attained by an increased intake of carbohydrates . Constant weights were maintained by the subjects by adjusting daily activity and exercise schedules . Thiamin requirements were evaluated in terms of erythrocyte transketolase activity and urinary excretion of the vitamin . The results of the study revealed that a relationship exists between thiamin requirement and caloric intake and expenditure . Thus, when the calories being utilized were derived primarily from carbohydrate sources, the minimum adult male requirement for thiamin appeared to be 0.30 mg of thiamin per 1000 kcal . Urinary excretion of thiamin and erythrocyte transketolase activity appear to be reasonably reliable reflections of thiamin intakes and thiamin nutritional status . The use of these measurements in nutrition surveys appears justified . The microbiological assay (Lactobacillus viridescens) for measuring thiamin levels in urine samples appears to be a somewhat more sensitive but valid procedure as an alternate for the thiochrome method . Judged from the results of this study, the recommended intake for the adult human of 0.40 mg of thiamin per 1000 kcal by FAO/WHO and the recommended allowance of 0.5 mg per 1000 kcal by the Food and Nutrition Board of the NAS-NRC appear reasonable and amply allow for biological variations and other factors that may influence the requirement for this vitamin.

Infect Immun, 1979 Nov, 26(2), 498 - 507
Longitudinal investigation of the role of Streptococcus mutans in human fissure decay; Loesche WJ et al.; A prospective study was initiated in order to detect changes in the levels and proportions of Streptococcus mutans, S . sanguis, and lactobacilli before and at the time of caries development on occlusal fissures . The bacteriological analysis was performed on 195 teeth that received four examinations at approximately 6-month intervals . The data obtained from 42 carious fissures and 153 caries-free fissures strongly indicated an etiological role for S . mutans in most of the diagnosed fissure lesions . This was demonstrated by the longitudinal analysis, which showed the proportions of S . mutans to increase significantly at the time of caries diagnosis, and by cross-sectional comparisons, which showed that the proportions of S . mutans in the carious fissures were significantly higher than in caries-free fissures . Three subjects who had a low caries expereince developed five new carious lesions . Lactobacilli were prominent members of the caries-associated flora in these subjects greatly outnumbering S . mutans . The levels and proportions of S . sanguis tended to be higher in the caries-free fissures . Altho1gh the results are striking in that they implicate S . mutans in fissure decay, they show that clinical decay can occur in a few instances in the absence of detectable S . mutans, as was observed in the fissures high in lactobacilli.

J Dairy Sci, 1979 Oct, 62(10), 1685 - 94
Nutritional and healthful aspects of cultured and culture-containing dairy foods; Shahani KM et al.; Nutritional and therapeutic qualities of fermented dairy products are reviewed . Partial hydrolysis of milk constituents (proteins, fats, and lactose) in yogurt, cheese, and other cultured dary foods appears to contribute to their increased digestibility . Lactase and other constituent enzymes of various culturing organisms should contribute to assimilation of lactose by lactose intolerant individuals . Several lactic cultures synthesize certain B-vitamins in fermented dairy products . In contrast, directly acidified dairy products do not exhibit such enhancement in B-vitamins . The hypocholestremic effect of milk is enhanced by fermentation or inclusion of lactic cultures . Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and other lactic organisms produce antimicrobial agents and natural antibiotics . However, production of natural antibacterial substances by different strains of the same species vary widely . These metabolites in cultured dairy products may be responsible for increased shelf life of the foods by inhibiting a wide spectrum of food spoilage organisms . Also, consumption of cultured products containing such natural antibacterial substances may provide the consumer with protection against disease organisms . Unfermented milk containing a specific culture or strain may be consumed to invest organisms for projected beneficial effects.

Br J Dermatol, 1979 Oct, 101(4), 445 - 8
Quantitative microbiology of human vulva; Aly R et al.; The microbial flora of the vulva is described and compared with the flora of the forearm by utilizing the detergent scrub method . Microbial counts were higher on the vulva (2.8 x 10(6)/cm2) than on the forearm (6.4 x 10(2)/cm2) . Lipophilic diphtheroids, coagulase negative staphylococci, micrococci, non-lipophilic diphtheroids and lactobacilli formed the dominant flora of the vulva . Streptococci, Gram negative rods and yeasts were also noted . The highest incidence of S . aureus was noted on the vulva (67%) followed by perianal (30%), nose (30%), and the forearm (11%).

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1979 Oct, 245(1-2), 262 - 9
Effect of intestinal flagellate Spironucleus (Hexamita) muris and of dimetridazole on intestinal microflora in thymus-defficient (nude) mice; Herweg C et al.; Two groups of the intestinal microflora, the lactobacilli and the coliforms, were examined in thymus-deficient (nude) mice during the development of an experimental infection with the intestinal flagellate Spironucleus (Hexamita) muris and during the treatment with dimetridazole . The observed significant decrease in the number of lactobacilli under infection was probably due to the fact that the protozoan parasite fed on the microbes . Dimetridazole (0.3% in drinking water) did not influence the quantity of the lactobacilli but, owing to its selective killing of anaerobes and the lack of their antagonistic activity, a 100- to 1000-fold rise in the number of coliform microbes was observed . No of the drugs tested (dimetridazole, ornidazole, metronidazole, tinidazole, carbimazole BP and chlormethoxy-acridilamino-diethylamino-propanol-dihydrochliorde) was fully successful in the treatment of experimental spironucleosis in mice (Kunstyr, 1978) and it is suggested that recent reports on the therapeutic success of tinidazole in human giardiasis be treated with caution.

Biochemistry, 1979 Sep 4, 18(18), 3886 - 95
Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the binding of trimethoprim to dihydrofolate reductase; Cayley PJ et al.; The resonances of the aromatic protons of trimethoprim {2,4-diamino-5-(3',4',5'-trimethoxybenzyl)pyrimidine} in its complexes with dihydrofolate reductases from Lactobacillus casei and Escherichia coli cannot be directly observed . Their chemical shifts have been determined by transfer of saturation experiments and by difference spectroscopy using {2',6'-2H2}trimethoprim . The complex of 2,4-diamino-5-(3',4'-dimethoxy-5'-bromobenzyl)pyrimidine with the L . casei enzyme has also been examined . At room temperature, the 2',6'-proton resonance of bound trimethoprim is very broad (line width great than 30 Hz); with the E . coli enzyme, the resonance sharpens with increasing temperature so as to be clearly visible by difference spectroscopy at 45 degrees C . This line broadening is attributed to an exchange contribution, arising from the slow rate of "flipping" about the C7-C1' bond of bound trimethoprim . The transfer of saturation measurements were also used to determine the dissociation rate constants of the complexes . In the course of these experiments, a decrease in intensity of the resonance of the 2',6'-proton resonance of free trimethoprim on irradiation at the resonance of the 6 proton of free trimethoprim was observed, which only occurred in the presence of the enzyme . This is interpreted as a nuclear Overhauser effect between two protons of the bound ligand transferred to those of the free ligand by the exchange of the ligand between the two states . The chemical shift changes observed on the binding of trimethoprim to dihydrofolate reductase are interpreted in terms of the ring-current shift contributions from the two aromatic rings of trimethoprim and from that of phenylalanine-30 . On the basis of this analysis of the chemical shifts, a model for the structure of the enzyme-trimethoprim complex is proposed . This model is consistent with the (indirect) observation of a nuclear Overhauser effect between the 2',6' and 6 protons of bound trimethoprim.

J Med Chem, 1979 Sep, 22(9), 1137 - 9
5-Cyano-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphate: a potent competitive inhibitor of thymidylate synthetase; Chang CT et al.; The 5'-phosphate (1) of the antiviral nucleoside 5-cyano-2'-deoxyuridine was synthesized and evaluated for inhibition of thymidylate synthetase purified from methotrexate-resistant Lactobacillus casei . Compound 1 was a potent competitive inhibitor with a K1 of 0.55 microns . Irreversible enzyme inhibition by this compound could not be detected.

J Med Chem, 1979 Sep, 22(9), 1134 - 7
5-{(4-Methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxalyl)methyl}-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphate: an analogue of a proposed intermediate in thymidylate synthetase catalysis; Park JS et al.; In a study of the sequence steps involved in the mechanism of thymidylate synthetase catalysis, 5-{(N-methyl-piperazinyl)methyl}- (5) and 5-{(4-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxalyl)methyl}-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphate (6) were synthesized . Compound 6 has high affinity for the Lactobacillus casei enzyme (Ki = 0.75 microM, KI/Km - 0.23), which is 50 times stronger than that of the piperazinyl derivative 5 . Compound 6, a possible multisubstrate inhibitor, is an analogue of a proposed intermediate in the reaction mechanism wherein the enzyme is eliminated from the covalent complex (enzyme--substrate--cofactor) prior to the redox reaction leading to the products 2'-deoxythymidine 5'-phosphate and 7,8-dihydrofolic acid.

J Gen Microbiol, 1979 Aug, 113(2), 369 - 75
Microbial determinations by flow cytometry; Hutter KJ et al.; Recent improvements in the optics and electronics of flow cytometry systems, as well as in staining techniques, permit the assay of such minute cellular constituents as the DNA and protein contents of micro-organisms . To assess the usefulness of this technique, DNA and protein content distributions were determined in Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus casei, Chlorella kessleri 8k, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida utilis, Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Euglena gracilis . Investigations of the DNA content distributions of polyploid strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae indicated that the method can be used to determine ploidy . The rapidity of flow cytometry measurements allows accurate determinations in large populations.

Clin Exp Immunol, 1979 Aug, 37(2), 367 - 75
Adjuvanticity of lactobacilli . I . Differential effects of viable and killed bacteria; Bloksma N et al.; The adjuvanticity of Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus plantarum was the subject of this study . The latter was the better adjuvant in both delayed hypersensivity and antibody formation to sheep red blood cells . Viable L . plantarum stimulated exclusively the delayed hypersensivity, where heat-killed bacteria had an adjuvant effect on antibody formation . For optimal adjuvant effects lactobacilli had to be injected in a dose of 10(8) into the same site as the antigen . Viable lactobacilli and to a lesser degree heat-killed bacteria induce hepato-splenomegaly, suggesting mediation of the adjuvant activity by the reticuloendothelial system . Granuloma formation with mainly mononuclear cell infiltrates could be observed after subcutaneous administration of viable lactobacilli whereas heat-killed lactobacilli induced granulomata containing about equal numbers of granulocytes and mononuclear cells . The possible clinical application of L . plantarium in the immunotherapy of tumours is suggested.

J Med Chem, 1979 Aug, 22(8), 953 - 7
5-Fluoro-2'deoxyuridine 5'-(p-azidophenyl phosphate), a potential photoaffinity label of thymidylate synthetase; Stephanson LG et al.; 5-Fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-(p-azidophenyl phosphate) (1), a potential photoaffinity labeling reagent for thymidylate synthetase from a methotrexate-resistant strain of Lactobacillus casei, has been synthesized and characterized . UV254 irradiation of mixtures of thymidylate synthetase with 1, containing 14C-labeled phenyl and 3H-labeled pyrimidine rings, in the presence of excess 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate, the cofactor for the reaction, produced two complexes, separable from the native enzyme by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, in which only the 3H-containing moiety was bound to the protein . When mixtures of enzyme and 1 were irradiated in the absence of cofactor, complexes separable from the native enzyme were not observed . However, the 14C-containing component of 1 was now bound to the protein in the absence of the 3H-containing portion . The results are discussed in terms of the topography of the enzyme active site.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1979 Jul 27, 574(1), 173 - 6
Lysozyme sensitivity of pantothenate-deficient Lactobacillus plantarum grown with exogenous fatty acids; Holden JT et al.; A pantothenic acid deficiency in Lactobacillus plantarum reduces lipid synthesis, prevents normal uptake and retention of extracellular amino acids and markedly increases sensitivity of these cells to lysozyme induced lysis . Pantothenate-deficient cells provided with exogenous fatty acids synthesize additional lipids and express nearly normal solute transport activities . The present study has shown that such cells retain a heightened sensitivity to lysozyme induced lysis . These observations indicate that the lysozyme sensitivity of pantothenate-deficient cells is not produced as in indirect effect of membrane lipid depletion, but represents an independent consequence of pantothenate insufficiency.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1979 Jul 27, 574(1), 112 - 22
Characterization of undecaprenol kinase from Lactobacillus plantarum; Kalin JR et al.; A membrane-bound undecaprenol kinase from Lactobacillus has been identified by observing the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of {14C}undercaprenol . The product of this reaction was shown to be {14C}undecaprenyl monophosphate by comparison of its chromatographic mobilities with authentic undecaprenyl monophosphate . It was shown that 32P from {gamma-32P}ATP was incorporated into undecaprenyl monophosphate . The kinase was partially solubilized by a variety of methods utilizing Triton X-100 . Both the membrane-associated and solubilized enzymes required Mg2+, Triton X-100 and dimethylsulfoxide for activity . The enzyme preferentially phosphorylated the C34, C50 AND C 55 polyprenols . Geranylgeraniol (C20) and dolichol (C100), however, were utilized only 6% and 13% as well as undecaprenol, respectively . Despite the 8-fold difference in apparent V values, the apparent Km values for dolichol and undecaprenol were both 14 microM . The apparent Km for the nucleotide cosubstrate, ATP, was 2 mM . No other nucleoside triphosphate could substitute for ATP.

Am J Clin Nutr, 1979 Jul, 32(7), 1428 - 32
Isolation of a glycopolypeptide fraction with Lactobacillus bifidus subspecies pennsylvanicus growth-promoting activity from whole human milk casein; Bezkorovainy A et al.; Human milk casein samples were digested with trypsin and chymotrypsin, and a glycopolypeptide fraction was isolated from the soluble portion of the digests by a series of gel filtration steps . The glycopeptide fraction stimulated the growth of Lactobacillus bifidus subspecies pennsylvanicius to the same extent as a whey glycopolypeptide fraction previously isolated (Pediat . Res . 10: 1, 1976) . It contained between 60 and 70% carbohydrate consisting of galactose, galactosamine, glucosamine, fucose, and sialic acid . This, along with its apparent molecular weight of near 30,000 was also similar to the respective parameters of the whey glycopolypeptide . It is proposed that human milk casein may serve a dual function: that serving the nutritional needs of the breast-fed infant, and that stimulating the growth of L . bifidus subspecies pennsylvanicus . Additionally, the whey glycopolypeptide may arise from casein through proteolysis by an endogenous milk protease.

J Bacteriol, 1979 Jul, 139(1), 93 - 7
Distribution of the phosphoenolpyruvate:glucose phosphotransferase system in fermentative bacteria; Romano AH et al.; A number of selected fermentative bacteria were surveyed for the presence of the phosphoenolpyruvate:glucose phosphotransferase system, with particular attention to those organisms which ferment glucose by pathways other than the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway . The phosphoenolpyruvate:glusoe phosphotransferase system was found in all homofermentative lactic acid bacteria tested that ferment glucose via the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway, but in none of a group of heterofermentative species of Lactobacillus or Leuconostoc, which ferment glucose via the phosphoketolase pathway . A phosphoenolpyruvate:glucose phosphotransferase system was also absent in Zymomonas mobilis, which ferments glucose via an anaerobic Entner-Doudoroff pathway . It thus appears that the phosphotransferase mode of glucose transport is limited to bacteria with the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas mode of glucose fermentation.

Semin Perinatol, 1979 Jul, 3(3), 225 - 39
The composition of human milk; Jenness R; PIP: A complete and authentic picture of the qualitative and quantitative composition of the milk of Homo sapiens is presented . Older original references are reexamined along with data prublished during the last 2 decades . Mature human milk is made up of 3%-5% fat, 0.8%-0.0% protein, 6.9%-7.2% carbohydrate calculated as lactose, and 0.2% mineral constituents expressed as ash . The energy content is 60-75 kcal/100ml . Protein content is considerably higher and carbohydrate content lower in colostrum than in mature milk . Fat content does not vary consistently during lactation but exhibits large diurnal variations and increases during the course of each nursing . Race, age, parity, or diet fail to have a great affect on milk composition . There is no consistent compositional difference between milks from the 2 breasts unless 1 breast is infected . The principal proteins of human milk are a casein homologous to bovine B-casein, a-lactalbumin, lactoferrin, immunoglobulin IgA, lysozyme, and serum albumin . Lactose is the principal sugar of human milk . Human milk fat is characterized by high contents of palmitic and oleic acids, the former heavily concentrated in the 2-position and the latter in the 1- and 3-positions of the triglycerides . The principal mineral constituents of human milk are Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, and C1 . About 25% of the total nitrogen of human milk represents nonprotein compounds . These include urea, uric acid, creatine, creatinine, and a large number of amino acids .

J Med Chem, 1979 Jul, 22(7), 874 - 7
Synthesis of aza homologues of folic acid; Martinelli JE et al.; Folic acid analogues containing an additional nitrogen atom between the phenyl ring and the carbonyl group of the side chain were synthesized . None of the compounds showed significant inhibitory activity against human lymphoblastic leukemia cells (CCRF-CEM) in culture or against Lactobacillus casei (ATCC 7469) growth . Against L1210 leukemia in mice, the aza homologue of folic acid, 4, and the aspartic acid analogue, 14, showed no increase in life span over control animals . These compounds were more toxic in vivo than the corresponding methotrexate analogues . Compound 4 supported the growth of Streptococcus faecium (ATCC 8043), and its tetrahydro derivative supported the growth of Pediococcus cerevisiae (ATCC 8081) . These results strongly suggest that 4 can substitute for folate derivatives as cofactors for serine transhydroxymethylase, thymidylate synthetase, and dihydrofolate reductase.

J Med Chem, 1979 Jul, 22(7), 869 - 74
Methotrexate analogues . 12 . Synthesis and biological properties of some aza homologues; Martinelli JE et al.; Methotrexate analogues, in which an additional nitrogen atom is inserted between the phenyl ring and the carbonyl group of the side chain, were prepared by photochemical methods . The compounds were less inhibitory toward dihydrofolate reductase and thymidylate synthetase derived from Lactobacillus casei than was methotrexate . They were also less cytotoxic against human lymphoblastic leukemia cells (CCRF-CEM) . In vivo against L-1210 leukemia in mice, the aza homologue of methotrexate showed significant antitumor activity (%ILS = 55%) compared to methotrexate (%ILS = 88%).

J Med Chem, 1979 Jul, 22(7), 850 - 5
Folate analogues altered in the C9-N10 bridge region: 11-thiohomofolic acid; Nair MG et al.; The synthesis of 11-thiohomofolic acid (2) has been accomplished by an unambiguous procedure . Reaction of 1-chloro-4-{p-(carbomethoxy)thiophenoxy}-2-butanone (10) with hydroxylamine under carefully controlled conditions gave the corresponding oxime 33 . Conversion of this oxime to 1-phthalimido-4-{p-(carbomethoxy)thiophenoxy}-2-butanone oxime (4) was carried out by its reaction with potassium phthalimide using crown 18 ether as a catalyst . Hydrazinolysis of compound 4 gave 1-amino-4-{p-(carbomethoxy)thiophenoxy}-2-butanone oxime (5), which was used for the construction of the title compound 2 by modification of the Boon and Leigh procedure . An alternate synthesis utilizing 1-hydroxy-4-{p-(carbomethoxy)thiophenoxy}-2-butanone (11) and 4-hydroxy-2,5,6-triaminopyrimidine has also been carried out . Compound 2 did not exhibit any antifolate activity against Lactobacillus casei or Streptococcus faecium . The dithionite reduction product, 7,8-dihydro-11-thiohomofolic acid, was able to function as a substrate of L . casei dihydrofolate reductase . The catalytic reduction product of 2, consisting of a mixture of diastereomers, exhibited powerful antifolate activity against both these organisms.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1979 Jun 6, 568(2), 339 - 47
Nucleoside deoxyribosyltransferase-II from Lactobacillus helveticus Substrate specificity studied . Pyrimidine bases as acceptors; Cardinaud R et al.; The nucleoside deoxyribosyltransferase (nucleoside:purine (pyrimidine) deoxyribosyltransferase, EC 2.4.2.6) fraction catalyzing specifically the transfer of the deoxyribosyl moiety from a purine (or a pyrimidine) to a pyrimidine (or a purine) exhibits a broad specificity for the acceptor base . With a pyrimidine base as the acceptor a -OH or -SH group adjacent to the N-1 atom is essential . A substituent on position 6 hinders the reaction . On positions 4 and 5 various substituent were found to influence the reaction rate and some of them give non-competent substrates . A few anomalous cases are also discussed in relation with the role of N-3 . Deoxyribonucleosides can also be obtained with non-pyrimidine rings.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1979 Jun 6, 568(2), 297 - 306
Modification of lysyl residues of dihydrofolate reductase with 2,4-pentanedione; Otwell HB et al.; Dihydrofolate reductase (5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate: NADP+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.5.1.3) from an amethopterin-resistant strain of Lactobacillus casei was inactivated by 2,4-pentanedione . The inactivation appears to be due to the specific interaction of 2,4-pentanedione with lysyl residues . Inactivation is concomitant with with the modification of three lysyl residues . Both NADPH and dihydrofolate protect the enzyme against inactivation, suggesting that the critical residue(s) lies at or near their binding sites . Unlike native dihydrofolate reductase, 2,4-pentanedione-modified enzyme does not form binary complexes with either NADPH, dihydrofolate or amethopterin which are stable to gel filtration . Treatment of the modified enzyme with nucleophilic reagents such as hydroxylamine, failed to promote reactivation of the enzyme . Reactivation was achieved following gel filtration at pH 6.0 and was found to be dependent on the degree to which the enzyme was inactivated.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1979 Jun 1, 585(1), 128 - 33
Folates of rat tissue . Bioassay of tissue folylpolyglutamates and a relationship of liver folypolyglutamates to nutritional folate sufficiency; Richardson RE et al.; The folate content of young rat tissues extracted into boiling ascorbate was assayed by Lactobactillus casei both without and after treatment by a folate-free preparation of conjugase . The total folate content of various tissues was: liver, 8.9 microgram/g; kidney, 2.6; adrenal, 2.6; bone marrow, 2.4; spleen, 0.9; erythrocytes, 0.8; small intestinal mucosa, 0.7; small intestinal smooth muscle, 0.8; heart, 0.6; brain, 0.4, and skeletal muscle, 0.1 microgram/g tissue . For most tissues, with the exception of muscle and kidney, approximately 80% of the total folates assayed as longer chain length folylpolyglutamates . When liver folates were analyzed from rats fed folate-supplemented, control and folate-deficient diets, a relationship was found between folate nutrition and distribution of folylpolyglutamates . The proportion of total folates in the form of longer chain length folylpolyglutamates was greatest in the livers of folate-deficient rats and least in the livers of folate-supplemented rats.

Am J Hosp Pharm, 1979 Jun, 36(6), 757 - 67
Drug therapy reviews: pharmacotherapy of diarrhea; Pietrusko RG; Gastrointestinal physiology, and the pathophysiology, diagnosis, symptoms and treatment of acute and chronic diarrhea are reviewed . Drugs used in the treatment of diarrhea include opiates (morphine, codeine), synthetic anti-diarrheals (diphenoxylate, loperamide), anticholinergics (atropine, propantheline), adsorbents (kaolin, pectin, cholestyramine resin) and Lactobacillus acidophilus . Chronic diarrhea and acute diarrhea caused by microorgansims, drugs and viruses are described . The management of diarrhea can be divided into three categories: (1) supportive therapy (fluid and electrolyte replacement); (2) symptomatic therapy which improves the consistency of the stool and reduces the frequency of bowel movements; and (3) specific therapy aimed at treating the cause (e.g., antibiotics for bacteria-induced diarrhea) or blocking the cellular mechanisms of fluid and electrolyte loss . Most acute diarrheal conditions can be managed successfully by avoiding oral solids and ingesting carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions . Synthetic antidiarrheals may increase the toxicity associated with bacterial diahhrea.

Am J Hosp Pharm, 1979 Jun, 36(6), 754 - 7
Prophylaxis against ampicillin-associated diarrhea with a lactobacillus preparation; Gotz V et al.; The efficacy of a lactobacillus preparation (Lactinex) in preventing ampicillin-associated diarrhea in adult inpatients was studied . In a double-blind procedure, 98 patients were assigned randomly to receive one packet of Lactinex (Lactobacillus acidophilus and L bulgaricus) or placebo four times daily for the first five days of ampicillin therapy . Cases of diarrhea were reviewed independently and classified according to etiology . Complete data were obtained for 79 patients--43 received placebo and 36 received Lactinex . Diarrhea occurred in nine (21%) patients receiving placebo and in three (8.3%) patients receiving Lactinex; the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.21, Fisher's Exact Test) . When the patients with diarrhea unrelated to ampicillin were excluded (50%), the incidence of ampicillin-induced diarrhea in the placebo group (14%) was significantly greater (p = 0.03, Fisher's Exact Test) than in the Lactinex group (0%) . Prophylactic administration of lactobacillus preparations may be effective in preventing ampicillin-induced diarrhea; however, prophylactic administration appears to be justified, on a cost/benefit basis, only in patients with a history of antibiotic-induced diarrhea.

J Biol Chem, 1979 May 25, 254(10), 4144 - 51
Dihydrofolate reductase from Lactobacillus casei . Stereochemistry of NADPH binding; Matthews DA et al.; The NADPH molecule binds to dihydrofolate reductase in an extended conformation . Several of the individual dihedral angles, especially in the adenine mononucleotide portion of the coenzyme, differ from their minimum energy conformations . The ribose phosphate portions of the coenzyme are involved in numerous specific hydrogen-bonded and charge-charge interactions . The adenine ring resides in an apparently nonspecific hydrophobic cleft and the nicotinamide ring is bound within an intricately constructed cavity, one wall of which includes the pyrazine ring of bound methotrexate . Two rather extended loops (residues 10 to 24 and 117 to 135) connecting beta A to alpha B and beta F to beta G, respectively, move 2 to 3 A when NADPH binds to dihydrofolate reductase . No overall structural homology is evident between the dinucleotide binding domains of dihydrofolate reductase on the one hand and the four NAD+-dependent dehydrogenases of known structure on the other . However, binding does occur in both cases at the carboxyl edge of a region of parallel beta sheet flanked by a pair of alpha helices.

Infect Immun, 1979 May, 24(2), 308 - 12
Inhibition of macrophage migration by muramyl peptides; Nagao S et al.; In the capillary tube migration system a synthetic muramyl dipeptide (MDP; N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine), a part of bacterial cell wall peptidoglycans, inhibited the migration of peritoneal exudate macrophages from normal guinea pigs or rats . The migration inhibition was also caused by some MDP-containing peptidoglycan fragments from cell walls of Lactobacillus plantarum and Staphylococcus epidermidis . The migration inhibition could not be explained on the basis of macrophage migration inhibitory factor . A stereochemically highly specific structure of MDP required for its adjuvant activity was also required for the macrophage migration inhibition . These findings suggest that MDP and MDP-containing cell wall fragments may activate macrophages and that this activation may be important in the exertion of their adjuvant activity.

J Nucl Med, 1979 May, 20(5), 419 - 23
A radiometric microbiologic assay for the biologically active forms at niacin; Kertcher JA et al.; A radiometric microbiologic assay has been developed for the determination of niacin in biologic fluids . Lactobacillus plantarum produced 14CO2 from L-{U-14C} hr malic acid in quantities proportional to the amount of niacin present . The assay is specific for the biologically active forms of niacin in humans . Thirty normal hemolysates were analyzed and the values ranged from 13.0 to 17.8 micrograms niacin/ml RBC (mean = 15.27 +/- 1.33 s.d.) . Good recovery and reproducibility studies were obtained with this assay . On thirty blood samples, correlation was excellent between the radiometric and the conventional turbidimetric assays.

J Med Chem, 1979 May, 22(5), 483 - 91
Multivariate analysis and quantitative structure-activity relationships . Inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase and thymidylate synthetase by quinazolines; Chen BK et al.; Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) have been established for the inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase and thymidylate synthetase by 2,4-diaminoquinazoline-glutamic acid analogues . For dihydrofolate reductase from both human acute lymphocytic leukemia cells and murine L1210R cells, QSAR's obtained with 50 quinazolines were similar . On the other hand, for the inhibition of thymidylate synthetase from murine L1210S cells and from Lactobacillus casei, QSAR's formulated on the basis of data measured with 33 compounds were different, indicating that the two enzymes are dissimilar . The use of multivariate statistics including cluster analysis, factor analysis, and discriminant analysis is shown to facilitate the formulation of a satisfactory correlation equation . The procedure is demonstrated by the development of QSAR for the inhibition of thymidylate synthetase.

Infect Immun, 1979 May, 24(2), 532 - 8
Immunological cross-reactivity of oral non-streptococcal bacteria with mammalian tissue; Stinson MW et al.; The presence of cross-reacting antigens between oral non-steptococcal bacteria and human and monkey tissue was investigated by indirect immunofluorescence . Rabbit antisera, prepared against 22 oral bacteria, were incubated with cryostatcut sections of heart, skeletal muscle, brain cord, liver, kidney, and skin . A cell wall antigen of Lactobacillus casei was shared with neuroglial brain cells, and an antigenic component of Propionibacterium acnes was shared with kidney glomeruli . Tissue-reactive antibodies were absorbed from the sera with preparations of both the homologous bacterium and tissue fractions.

Biochemistry, 1979 Apr 17, 18(8), 1602 - 10
Interpretation of nuclear magnetic resonance spectra for Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase based on the X-ray structure of the enzyme-methotrexate-NADPH complex; Matthews DA; The three-dimensional molecular structure of Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase complexed with NADPH and methotrexate has been used to interpret published magnetic resonance spectra for this enzyme . Proton resonances from histidine residues and 19F resonances from fluorine-labeled fluorotyrosine and fluorotryptophan dihydrofolate reductase have been assigned in several cases to specific amino acids in the primary sequence . Furthermore, the 31P signals from the pyrophosphate moiety of bound NADPH have been assigned and the large upfield shift for 13C-labeled (at the carboxamide carbon) NADP+ upon binding to the reductase has been explained in terms of desolvation effects.

Infect Immun, 1979 Apr, 24(1), 12 - 8
Serological studies on chemostat-grown cultures of Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus plantarum; Knox KW et al.; Lactobacillus fermentum NCTC 6991 and Lactobacillus plantarum NCIB 7220 were grown in a chemostat in the diffusible fraction of complex medium at pH 6.0 with glucose limitation . Organisms grown at different dilution rates (D) were injected into rabbits, and the resultant antisera were examined for reactivity with antigens previously isolated from batch-grown organisms . For L . fermentum, antisera obtained on injecting cells grown at D = 0.5 h-1 contained a significantly higher level of antibody reacting with lipoteichoic acid and a lower level of antibody reacting with wall polysaccharide than did antisera obtained with slower-growing cells (D = 0.05 and 0.033) . Antibodies to the cell wall polysaccharide were alpha-D-glucosyl specific and cross-reacted with dextran and alpha-D-glucosyl ribitol teichoic acid from L . plantarum . The immunogenicity of the ribitol teichoic acid and lipoteichoic acid components of L . plantarum was not influenced by injecting organisms grown at different rates . However, chemical and serological studies indicate that growth of L . plantarum in the diffusible fraction of complex medium results in a wall teichoic acid of lower glucose substitution . This apparently influences the specificity of the resultant antibodies so that some sera react much less with glucosyl-substituted lipoteichoic acid and dextran.

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