Am J Surg, 1994 Jan, 167(1A), 37S - 40S; discussion 40S-41S Venous ulcers; Burton CS; Successful therapy of venous ulcers combines local wound treatment modalities and ambulatory hemodynamic support to control the underlying disease . Compression bandaging reduces or eliminates edema, and a moist wound environment not only debrides necrotic tissue but also aids development of granulation tissue, a prerequisite for epidermal repair . We have occluded chronic wounds, known to be heavily colonized, with a hydrocolloid dressing for up to 7 days and found that soft-tissue infections occurred in only 1% of all dressing changes in our clinic, compared with 6.5% generally reported in the literature . In venous ulcers, resident bacteria may be beneficial in that their proteolytic activity assists with autolysis of fibrinopurulent wound exudate . The importance of lysing fibrin and reducing the number of existing fibrin "cuffs," thereby improving local tissue oxygenation and nutrient/waste exchange, is not completely understood; however, this phenomenon, in part, may explain the excellent clinical results obtained with one type of hydrocolloid dressing (DuoDERM), which has been shown to lyse fibrin more effectively than other types of moisture-retentive and hydrocolloid dressings. Am J Surg, 1994 Jan, 167(1A), 21S - 24S Dressings and wound infection; Lawrence JC; Wounds will readily acquire bacteria, unless protective measures are taken . The bacterial protection afforded by conventional absorbent cellulose dressings has been shown to be limited, particularly in the presence of serous exudate that may compromise dressing integrity . In addition, dressings may shed particles that remain in the wound . By contrast, many modern dressings are impermeable to bacteria, are removed completely, have been found to optimize reepithelialization rates and reduce the incidence of wound sepsis . Recently, it has been found that they could also play a role in preventing cross-contamination . Removing conventional cellulosic dressings from bacterially colonized wounds liberates wound bacteria into the air, and the numbers are slow to decline . However, using an in vitro wound model, use of the hydrocolloid dressing Granuflex (ConvaTec, Skillman, NJ) on experimentally colonized wounds resulted in significantly fewer numbers of airborne bacteria . Dispersal from wet conventional dressings was lower than from dry dressings; nevertheless, the numbers of bacteria per liter of air following removal of the hydrocolloid dressing were approximately 20% of those observed for gauze . These findings have also been confirmed in the clinic . To reduce the incidence of complications, wound care in general, and infection control procedures in particular, requires carefully disciplined team work. Parasitol Res, 1994, 80(4), 327 - 35 Ultrastructural changes during in vitro encystment of Blastocystis hominis; Suresh K et al.; The morphological changes occurring in Blastocystis hominis at different time points following in vitro encystment were studied by electron microscopy . The following stages of the parasite were sequentially seen: (a) the amoebic form, which was irregular in shape, with a majority of the organelles being concentrated at the condensed cytoplasmic region; (b) the pre-cystic form, which was rounded and had an electron-dense material forming a homogeneous wall around the central body; and (c) the cystic form, which had a very prominent, thick osmiophilic electron-dense wall, within which there were many inclusions and possibly reproductive granules . The amoebic form appeared to be an intermediate stage between the vacuolar form and the pre-cystic form, as this stage allowed the parasite to ingest bacteria to enhance encystment . The pre-cystic stage had previously been shown in experimental infection to be infective . The role of the cystic stage in producing infection is currently being investigated. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol, 1994, 21(2), 119 - 23 Methods of contraception and rates of genital infections; Ceruti M et al.; Bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis and candidiasis are the most common genital infection . The aim of this study was to evaluate the various methods of contraception with regard to the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and vulvo-vaginitis over a period of four years . We also evaluated in the same period the rates of trichomoniasis, candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis and vulvo-vaginitis between users and non users of contraceptional methods and the relationship between ages of patients and types of contraceptives . Finally we considered the change of contraceptive use with regard to age among two different periods . The IUD users showed a significant increase of B.V., T.v . and other bacteria and a decrease of the negatives compared to OC users . Barrier contraceptive users had a reduction (0.01 > p > 0.001) of B.V . and an increase (p < 0.001) of the negatives compared to IUD users . OC users had a significant (p < 0.05) increase in candidiasis, B.V . together with a reduction of the negatives compared to non users group . IUD users had a significant (p < 0.001) increase of B.V . and vulvo-vaginitis from other bacteria, and the reduction of the negatives . Teenagers use OC much more than adults, but less IUD (p < 0.001) . The use of OC has increased and the use of IUD decreased among adults (p < 0.001) . The barrier methods were seen to be statistically reducedPIP: During 1985-1986 and 1991-1992 in Italy, clinicians recruited 2387 patients attending the Centre for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) at the University of Parma with symptoms of genital infections . The study aimed to examine the various types of contraceptive methods in connection with the most common genital infections . Over the 4-year period, among patients with vulvo-vaginitis, IUD users had a higher rate than oral contraceptive (OC) users of bacterial vaginosis {BV} (24.9% vs . 15.7%; p 0.05), of trichomoniasis (1.7% vs . 1.3%), and of other infections (31.6% vs . 20%; p 0.05) . They had a lower negative rate than OC users (23.9% vs . 43.4%; p 0.001) . Patients using barrier methods (diaphragm and condom) had a lower rate of BV and a higher negative rate than IUD users (11.5% vs . 24.9%, p 0.01 and 49.6% vs . 23.9%, p 0.001, respectively) . OC users had a higher rate of candidiasis and BV and a lower negative rate than the nonusers (19.6% vs . 14.8% and 15.7% vs . 11%; p 0.05 and 43.4% vs . 52.9%; p 0.001, respectively) . IUD users had a higher rate of BV and vulvo-vaginitis from other bacteria and a lower negative rate than nonusers (24.9% vs . 11%, p 0.001; 31.6% vs . 20.4%, p 0.05; and 23.9% vs . 52.9%; p 0.001, respectively) . Teenagers used OCs more often than did adults (29.3% vs . 15.6%) and were less likely to use the IUD (0.3% vs . 5.5) and no method (62.2% vs . 73.5%) (p 0.001) . Between 1985-1986 and 1991-1992 among adults, OC use increased (9.9% vs . 17.9%; p 0.001) and IUD use and barrier method use decreased (8.9% vs . 4.1% and 9.3% vs . 3.9%, respectively; p 0.001) . Acta Haematol Pol, 1994, 25(2 Suppl 1), 56 - 61 {TNF-alpha (cachectin) as a lymphokine regulator}; Tchorzewski H; TNF alpha gen is localised in macrophages, granulocytes, T lymphocytes, astrocytes, NK cells . Virus and bacteria superantigens are main potent inducers of TNF alpha production . TNF alpha activate nuclear transcription factors and is responsible for production of enzymes, regulatory proteins and cytokins . Consequently this cytokine is main regulatory factor in inflammation and immune reactions. Biosens Bioelectron, 1994, 9(3), 225 - 30 Organic-phase biosensing of secondary alcohols with a Ta . brockii alcohol dehydrogenase electrode; Wang J et al.; An organic-phase enzyme electrode for monitoring secondary alcohols is described . The new biosensor relies on the biocatalytic activity of Ta . brockii alcohol dehydrogenase in non-aqueous media . The Eastman-AQ 55D polymeric coating, known for its stability in organic solvents, is used to entrap the enzyme and its NADP+ cofactor onto the glassy carbon surface . Various experimental variables, influencing the response of the reagentless sensor, are explored for optimum performance . The solvent-induced changes in the enzymatic activity result in an extended linear range . The work expands the scope of organic-phase biosensors towards additional substrates of analytical significance. Ann Chir Gynaecol, 1994, 83(1), 45 - 8 Gut perfusion in experimental shock; Antonsson JB; The gut seems to play a very important role in the shock syndrome, since it is an organ that is early and profoundly affected by insufficient tissue perfusion . Once affected by inadequate oxygenation, the gut can also act as a "motor of shock" by the release of toxic mediators and through the translocation of bacteria and bacterial endotoxins . It thus would be of benefit to monitor the gut during shock, and this can be accomplished by tonometry, a method to calculate the intramucosal pH (pHi) . As hypoxia results in anaerobic metabolism and accumulation of acid metabolites, tissue acidosis is a sign of insufficient oxygenation . However, recent experiments have shown that, in septic states, a decreased pHi cannot be explained by decreased regional blood flow alone. Zhonghua Wai Ke Za Zhi, 1994 Jan, 32(1), 51 - 2 {Scanning electron microscopy of intestinal mucosa after enteric preparation in patients with carcinoma of large bowel}; Wang FA et al.; In this study, 6 patients were randomly divided into three groups, receiving different intestinal preparations . Colonic mucosa were biopsied for S-520 scanning electron microscopy . Of them, only a tiny minority of bacteria were found in the specimen of the first group . Bacteria weren't discovered in the other two groups . Therefore, three conventional enteric preparations are equally effective and efficient in eliminating intestinal flora . The causes of postoperative incisional infection are many and varied. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl, 1994, 202, 21 - 5 Metabolism of lactose in the human body; Arola H et al.; The article describes the metabolism of lactose in both normo- and hypolactasia in the human body . Attention is drawn to the differences in lactose tolerance among lactose malabsorbers. Compend Suppl, 1994, (18), S666 - 71; quiz S714-7 The humoral response in patients with periodontitis: effects of treatment and prospects for a vaccine; Page RC; Research indicates that human periodontitis is caused by bacteria . Although the roles of host factors are not clear, these factors are important in the development of this disease . The immune response that occurs in patients with infectious diseases, and that eventually arrests the process of the infection, does not appear to happen in patients with periodontitis . This article presents the results of studies that attempted to determine if periodontitis patients mount a humoral response during the course of their infection, if the antibodies produced are protective, and, if not, why these reactions fail to occur or why they are ineffective in halting the disease. Vet Res, 1994, 25(2-3), 218 - 22 {Nutritional factors and mammary inflammatory infection in the dairy cow . Ecopathological approach during the peripartum period}; Barnouin J et al.; The relationships between nutrition and udder inflammation/infection were studied in the dairy cow using an ecopathological approach . The study ('enquete ecopathologique Bretagne') was performed over 4 yr in French herds with high-lactating cows . A long distribution time of Italian ryegrass silage and a low quantity of dietary cereal-based concentrates in the first 2 months of lactation was linked with low milk leukocyte counts, probably due to a high dietary energetic level or to a polyunsaturated fatty acid imbalance and a subsequent decrease in the synthesis of leukotriene LTB4 . In the late gestation period, a long distribution time of fresh English rye-grass, which induced high uraemia and a larger distribution of vitamins A, D and E, was related to lower frequencies of major pathogens in the milk. Curr Opin Periodontol . 1994;:87-98. Clinical trials and the evaluation of new periodontitis therapies; Paquette DW et al.; A number of new periodontitis therapies have recently emerged for either inhibiting disease progression or regenerating lost tissues . As basic research continues to define specific bacteria and host response mechanisms involved in periodontitis, the development of new treatment strategies will continue to expand . This surge in biotechnology along with a tightening of federal regulations has prompted intense interest in clinical trials for testing new periodontitis therapies . A clinical trial is a scientific experiment involving human subjects in which treatment is initiated specifically for evaluation . The overall goal of any clinical trial is to minimize bias and variability . Studying periodontitis in clinical trials presents three problems related to this goal . Periodontitis is a heterogeneous disease grouping, the course of disease is often irregular, and conventional assessment instruments are associated with high error thresholds . Several methods can be used to minimize bias and variability when planning periodontitis trials . These include experimental design selection; inclusion and exclusion criteria; randomization of treatment and blinding; and standardization of treatment, follow-up, and assessment procedures . In addition, recently developed automated periodontal probes and computer-assisted radiography show promise in accurately detecting subtle changes in periodontal support . With improved planning, conduct, and reporting of periodontal clinical trials, investigators can facilitate the transfer of information to clinicians, who can decide on the utility of these new therapies for their periodontitis patients. Curr Opin Periodontol . 1994;:19-27. Neutrophil function and dysfunction in periodontal disease; Van Dyke TE et al.; The polymorphonuclear leukocyte or neutrophil is an integral part of the acute inflammatory response . Its function as a protective cell in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease has been studied extensively . Abnormal neutrophil function has been associated (directly or indirectly) with the pathogenesis of early onset periodontal disease . This paper reviews the recent developments in neutrophil function and dysfunction as they relate to periodontal disease progression. EXS, 1994, 71, 251 - 60 X-ray structure of PQQ-dependent methanol dehydrogenase; Ghosh M et al.; The three-dimensional structure of the PQQ-dependent quinoprotein, methanol dehydrogenase from Methylobacterium extorquens AM1, has been determined at 3A resolution . The a2b2 tetrameric enzyme has a large a-chain of almost spherical form with a chain fold in which eight 4-stranded antiparallel b-sheets segments are arranged radially around a pseudo 8-fold molecular symmetry axis . The much smaller b-chain is surprisingly not globular, but has an extended conformation running across the surface of the alpha-subunit . The PQQ prosthetic group is buried within the large a-subunit located on the pseudo 8-fold molecular symmetry axis . It is surrounded by protein side-chains but not covalently bound . Associated with the PQQ are two unexpected features: a vicinal disulphide bridge formed between Cys103 and Cys104, and a calcium ion bound between the protein and the PQQ . Vicinal disulphide bridges forming highly distorted structures containing a cis peptide bond, have been proposed to be present in one or two enzymes but have not previously been available for detailed structural investigation . Activity studies have indicated that the ability of the enzyme to transfer electrons derived from the reduction of the alcohols to the specific cytochrome CL receptor is lost when the vicinal disulphide bridge is reduced . The roles of the calcium ions and the b-chain in the enzyme's activity remain to be determined. J Clin Dent, 1994, 4(4), 107 - 10 The effect of a new experimental prebrushing dental rinse on plaque removal; Schiff T et al.; A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the effectiveness of a new and improved prebrushing dental rinse, Advanced Formula Plax, in reducing supragingival plaque . Following a 4-week pretest phase, the oral soft tissue, stain, gingivitis, and pre- and postbrushing plaque scores were evaluated for 153 subjects at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 26 weeks . Patients were randomly assigned to receive either the active prebrushing dental rinse or a matching placebo that lacked the key ingredients responsible for the surfactant action of the active rinse . Compared with placebo, use of the active prebrushing rinse was associated with a significant reduction from baseline in postbrushing plaque scores at 12, 18, and 26 weeks on smooth surfaces, and with a significant reduction in postbrushing plaque scores on all surfaces at weeks 18 and 26 . No significant difference was noted between the two treatment groups in gingivitis scores and stain indices . No product-related adverse experiences were noted . The results indicate that use of the new and improved prebrushing dental rinse represents a beneficial adjunct to toothbrushing and improved oral hygiene. Lung, 1994, 172(4), 189 - 213 Adhesion molecules in lung diseases; Hamacher J et al.; The human body possesses highly specialized cellular defense mechanisms that, when activated pathologically, can induce a number of immunologic disorders . For a normal cellular immune response, the following conditions must be fulfilled: (1) accumulation of white blood cells, (2) their diapedesis through the vessel walls of the inflammatory area affected by an injurious agent, and (3) normal cellular effector functions in the tissue . This cascade of inflammatory processes has recently been shown to be regulated by a group of molecules that are termed adhesion molecules and consist of three subfamilies: selectins, the immunoglobulin supergene family, and integrins . The cellular functions influenced by adhesion molecules include, among others, cytotoxic T-cell responses, CD4-dependent activation of B lymphocytes by T lymphocytes, activation of granulocytes and macrophages, phagocytosis of opsonized particles by monocytes, macrophages, and granulocytes, antigen-presenting function of macrophages, their antibody-dependent cytotoxicity, initiation of a respiratory burst by white blood cells, and activation of fibroblasts . Studies performed in recent years have shown that pathogenetically relevant changes in the expression and function of adhesion molecules are involved in a variety of pulmonary diseases . These changes include the accumulation and activation of alveolar macrophages in smokers, experimentally induced bronchial hyperreactivity in bronchial asthma, accumulation of eosinophils in allergic rhinitis, bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, binding of viruses and bacteria to respiratory mucosa, and various mechanisms of acute damage to pulmonary parenchyma . Though their role in tumor development is still unclear, adhesion molecules are obviously involved in determining the route and organotropism of metastases . Further studies of the function of adhesion molecules in pulmonary diseases will contribute to our understanding of the pathomechanisms of these diseases and, through the development of specific antibodies, may provide attractive new therapeutic approaches to problems for which treatment is not yet available. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1994 Jan-Feb, (2), 15 - 20 {The results of the measured oral infection of white mice with strains of the causative agent of plague differing in their plasmid profile}; Kokushkin AM et al.; The oral infection of mice with Y . pestis culture with different plasmid profiles by the method of feeding them with agar granules containing a definite number of these bacteria revealed that the virulence of subcultures which had lost Pst-plasmid and the capacity for fibrinolysin and plasma-coagulase production, encoded by this plasmid, decreased 10-1000 times, the loss of Fra-plasmid produced a less pronounced effect . In contrast to subcutaneous infection, in alimentary infection Y . pestis culture grown at 28 degrees C was more virulent than that grown at 37 degrees C . During the first hours after infection Y . pestis could be detected only in the lymph nodes along the gastrointestinal tract and in the intestine walls; later generalization of the infectious process or its latent course was observed . After oral infection specific antibodies were detected in surviving animals (up to 35%). Annu Rev Immunol, 1994, 12, 227 - 57 Lymphokine production by human T cells in disease states; Romagnani S; A large body of evidence suggests the existence of polarized human T cell responses, reminiscent of Th1 and Th2 subsets described for mouse T cells . Human Th1-like cells preferentially develop during infections by intracellular bacteria, protozoa, and viruses, whereas Th2-like cells predominate during helminthic infestations and in response to common environmental allergens . The cytokine profile of "natural immunity" evoked by different offending agents in the context of different host genetic backgrounds appears to be a critical factor in determining the phenotype of the subsequent specific response . Strongly polarized human Th1-type and Th2-type responses not only play different roles in protection, they can also promote different immunopathological reactions . Th1-type responses appear to be involved in organ specific autoimmunity, in contact dermatitis, and in some chronic inflammatory disorders of unknown etiology . In contrast, in genetically predisposed hosts, Th2-type responses against common environmental allergens are responsible for triggering of allergic atopic disorders . Altered profiles of lymphokine production may account for immune dysfunctions in some primary or acquired immunodeficiency syndromes . The role of lymphokines produced by T cells in the pathogenesis of systemic autoimmune disorders is less clear . Further work is also required to better clarify the role of T cell-derived lymphokines in protecting against tumors or in favoring their development. Yi Chuan Xue Bao, 1994, 21(1), 42 - 51 {Cloning and DNA sequencing of the gene encoding trichosanthin}; Zheng H et al.; A gene encoding Trichosanthin (TCS) was amplified by means of DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned from the genomic DNA of Trichosanthes kirilowii . Its DNA sequence has been determined . Nucleotide sequence analysis indicates that the cloned TCS gene includes 5'-flanking region and the encoding sequence for TCS preproprotein . Comparison of its encoding sequence with the published nucleotide sequences of three TCS genes demonstrates that they have the sequence homologies of 99.20%, 98.74% and 98.64% respectively . Comparing its deduced amino acid sequence with four reported amino acid sequences of TCS demonstrates that they have the sequence homologies of 98.62%, 97.62%, 97.41% and 98.38% respectively . A new TATA-like box sequence was found in the 5'-flanking region of cloned TCS gene . In order to further study the structure, expression, regulating mechanism of TCS gene and the structure-functional relationship of TCS, a series of mutants of TCS gene has been constructed . The expression of these mutants in bacteria and transgenic plant has being studied. EXS, 1994, 69, 559 - 77 Evolution and multi-functionality of the chitin system; Wagner GP; Chitin, that is, the beta-1, 4 linked polysaccharide of N-acetylglucosamine, is best known as a cell wall component of fungi and as skeletal material of invertebrates . In recent years this simple picture has changed dramatically . Three developments have taken place: the discovery of chitinous tissues in vertebrates, the molecular analysis of the chitin-synthase genes, and the discovery that chitin derivatives play a crucial role in the interaction between higher plants and symbiotic bacteria . In this paper the methods for chitin detection and the current data on the evolution of chitin synthesis are reviewed . In addition, data is summarized which suggest that chitin synthesis may serve roles other than the production of skeletal material . In particular, anecdotal evidence suggests that chitin derivatives may play a role as signals in plant as well as animal development . Two major unresolved questions are identified: 1) Is there historical continuity of all the chitin synthesizing systems in protists, animals and, in particular, the deuterostome animals . 2) Are chitin derivatives actually involved in the development of plants and animals? Folia Neuropathol, 1994, 32(3), 161 - 6 Morphological picture in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria . Case report; Rafalowska J et al.; 25-year-old woman with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria was admitted to the hospital because of headache, progressing right hemiparesis and speech disorders . Several days later patient lost consciousness . Cerebrospinal fluid was xanthochromic with increased pleocytosis and protein level . CT-scan revealed ischemic area with hemorrhagic focus within left cerebral hemisphere . Patient died 3 weeks after the admission . Brain section revealed hemorrhagic infarct in the cortex of the left parietal lobe, thrombosis of the superior sagittal sinus and "respiratory brain" changes . Microscopic examination revealed meningeal venous thrombosis, hemorrhagic infarct, vasculitis, abundant accumulation of bacteria within blood vessels, and other pathological changes such as petechiae, perivascular exudates and small, round areas composed of acellular fibrillary network . There were no macrophages and GFAP-positive astrocytes in any of these areas . Authors suggest that weak cell reactivity may be connected with alterations in cell membranes, mainly low phosphatidylinositol (GPI) content. Arch Microbiol, 1994, 162(3), 180 - 6 Phosphorylation of glucose by a guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP)-dependent glucokinase in Fibrobacter succinogenes subsp . succinogenes S85; Glass TL et al.; Cell extracts of Fibrobacter succinogenes subsp . succinogenes S85 phosphorylated glucose with a GTP-dependent glucokinase . The enzyme showed little activity with ATP (12% of that with GTP) . Of other phosphate donors tested, only dGTP and ITP gave high glucokinase activities . Dialyzed extracts required Mg+2 and K+ for maximal activity . In potassium phosphate buffer, glucokinase showed maximum activity at pH 7.5 with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase as the coupling enzyme . In this assay, glucokinase was active with glucose (100%), 2-deoxy-D-glucose (40%), and mannose (20%) . Partially purified glucokinase had a molecular weight of 82,000 and a pI of 4.82 . Double-reciprocal plots of substrate concentration versus velocity were linear and the enzyme had apparent Km values of 55 microM for glucose and 72 microM for GTP . Dialyzed cell extracts of Fibrobacter intestinalis C1A also contained a GTP-dependent glucokinase that showed little activity with ATP . Potassium also stimulated the activity of this enzyme . These results suggest that this unusual glucokinase may be characteristic of the genus Fibrobacter. Acta Pol Pharm, 1994, 51(1), 51 - 4 Synthesis of some 1-alkylamino-2-(4-adamantylphenoxy)ethane derivatives; Plachta D et al.; A several stage synthesis of a new derivative of 1-alkylamino-2-(4-adamantylphenoxy)ethane with a potential biological activity is described. Gerontology, 1994, 40(5), 237 - 45 Influence of aging on some specific and nonspecific mechanisms of the host defense system in 146 healthy subjects; Fietta A et al.; The influence of aging on some parameters of systemic host defense mechanisms, i.e . white cell counts, lymphocyte subpopulations, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leukocyte functions, was evaluated . One hundred and forty-six healthy volunteers (60 men and 86 women), aged 25-100 years, were enrolled . None of the subjects had taken any drug in the month before the study . Subjects were divided into three age groups: 25-45, 46-65 and 66-100 years . Groups were comparable in size, and sex distribution was similar throughout all age groups . Elderly people were 51 healthy volunteers between the ages of 66 and 100 years (mean age 79.2) . Younger people were 41 subjects between the ages of 46 and 65 years (mean age 54.3) and 53 between the ages of 25 and 45 years (mean age 32.7) . As for the comparison between sexes, no significant differences in the values of the studied parameters were found between males and females (p > 0.05) . Only quantitative DTH data, i.e . the number of antigens producing positive reactions and the score (sum of positive reaction diameters), were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in responsive females when compared to males . Aging did not affect white cell counts, lymphocyte subsets and many phagocytic functions, i.e . phagocytosis frequency and index, nitroblue tetrazolium reduction, superoxide production, microbicidal activity against bacteria and yeasts . A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the chemotactic response to serum-derived chemotactic factors was observed in aged people in comparison to younger subjects . Anergy was more frequent in older (about 29%) than in younger (5-9.4%) healthy volunteers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Dev Biol Stand, 1994, 82, 181 - 8 Human vaccines; Ada GL; With very few exceptions the vaccines available for general medical use are to control relatively acute viral or bacterial infections . The vaccines are either live attenuated, inactivated whole organisms or subunit preparations . Developing live attenuated viral vaccines has been and continues to be a popular approach, because generally, they give long-lasting immunity after one or two administrations . Until recently this has been a less successful approach for bacterial vaccines, but the prospects are now brighter . Subunit preparations (oligosaccharides) of encapsulated bacteria as hapten:carrier conjugates also show considerable promise . The demonstration that a viral antigen, the surface antigen of hepatitis B virus, could be produced by genetic-engineering, opened the way to the development of chimeric live vectors. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand), 1994, 40 Suppl 1, 31 - 6 Recombinant BCG as an antigen delivery system; Flynn JL; BCG, an attenuated vaccine strain of Mycobacterium bovis, has been engineered for use as an antigen delivery vehicle . Various genetic and molecular biological techniques were recently developed for use in the manipulation of mycobacteria . Vectors for the expression of foreign antigens in BCG have been constructed and used to express genes from bacteria, protozoa and viruses . Here, an overview of recombinant BCG is given, with emphasis on experiments with three different foreign antigens . Antibody, T-helper and cytotoxic T cell responses can be induced in mice following immunization with recombinant BCG (rBCG) . In addition, vectors allowing expression of foreign antigens on the surface of rBCG have been constructed; use of these systems can lead to enhanced antibody response against some antigens . Finally, expression in BCG of a protein from the parasite Leishmania can provide protection against a virulent Leishmania challenge in mice. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol, 1994, 27(2), 123 - 36 Isolation and characterization of a hemocyte aggregation inhibitor from hemolymph of Manduca sexta larvae; Kanost MR et al.; A protein that inhibits hemocyte aggregation has been isolated from hemolymph of Manduca sexta larvae and named hemocyte aggregation inhibitor protein (HAIP) . HAIP has a M(r) = 50,000, pI = 8.5, and contains 7% carbohydrate . It is present at 230 +/- 20 micrograms/ml in hemolymph of day 3 fifth instar larvae . Antibodies to HAIP do not cross-react with M . sexta hemolin, which is similar in size and charge and also inhibits hemocyte aggregation . HAIP and hemolin have some similarity in amino acid composition and NH2-terminal sequence, but are different in overall secondary structure, as determined by CD spectroscopy . The concentration of HAIP in hemolymph is not affected by injection of larvae with bacteria . A protein of approximately 50,000 daltons that reacts with antibody to M . sexta HAIP is present in hemolymph of Bombyx mori, Heliothis zea, and Galleria mellonella . Although the function of HAIP in vivo is not yet clear, it may have a role in modulating adhesion of hemocytes during defensive responses. Wien Med Wochenschr, 1994, 144(8-9), 174 - 7 {Pulmonary manifestations of tuberculosis in childhood}; Hagel E; We mention the major pathogenous characteristics of a tuberculosis infection . Immunity to tuberculosis and tuberculin allergy are connected with each other but are not identical reactions of the organism . We describe the well-known complications in primary infections, namely the primary focus and the formation of lymph nodes . The peripheral primary focus generally regresses after treatment . However, the hilar lymph nodes sometimes increase in size even after appropriate medication (autonomous activity of some lymph nodes) . If x-ray films reveal segmental changes and if there is evidence of viral or mycoplasma infection, tuberculosis should be taken into consideration as a parallel disorder because these infections often pave the way for tuberculosis . In the stage of early generalisation miliaria may occur within 3 months of infection . In most cases miliaria escapes detection . Pleurisy involves tuberculosis bacteria entering the pleural cavity . One of the prerequisites of pleurisy is hyperergia of the pleura . If the patient has tuberculotic pleurisy it means that miliaria has already occurred and miliary tuberculosis need not be anticipated . We also mention secondary diffusion into the apex of the lung and its consequences. Mycoses, 1994 Jan-Feb, 37(1-2), 53 - 7 Mycoflora inhabiting water closet environments; Ismail MA et al.; Sixty-six fungal species in addition to two species varieties belonging to 31 genera were isolated during the current study from water closet (WC) sewage samples (39 species and two varieties in 20 genera) and WC air (53 species and two varieties in 25 genera) . There were more fungi in the WC air than in sewage . The most prevalent fungi in WC sewage and air were members of the genera Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium . Acremonium, Alternaria, Emericella, Mycosphaerella and Pleospora were dominant only in WC air . Some species of these genera are considered to be true or opportunistic pathogens . The pollution level due to the bacterial flora either in the air or in the sewage of WCs was relatively higher than that of the fungal flora . Testing the capability to produce urease, nearly all fungal isolates (65 out of 67) and bacteria tested (35 out of 36) proved to be good urease producers. Microbiol Immunol, 1994, 38(5), 403 - 5 Heat shock protein produced by Helicobacter pylori; Yokota K et al.; The cells of Helicobacter pylori were suspended in the medium containing 35S-methionine . After a heat shock of the cells at 42 C for 5, 10, and 30 min, the production of proteins was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography . Out of many proteins produced by the cells, only 66 kDa protein production was dramatically increased by heat treatment . The N-terminal amino acid sequence of 66 kDa protein was quite similar to that of 62 kDa and 54 kDa proteins previously suggested as heat shock protein (HSP) of H . pylori based on the reaction with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against HSP 60 family proteins produced by other bacteria . Therefore, it was concluded that H . pylori produces the 66 kDa protein as its major heat shock protein which belongs to HSP 60 family. Arch Med Res, 1994 Summer, 25(2), 253 - 63 Electrophysiology and immunity of the mucosa in intestinal infections; Navarro-Garcia F et al.; We present here some of the major concepts and approaches to study the electrophysiology of the intestinal mucosa, and review the pathophysiology of intestinal infections caused by enteropathogenic bacteria, protozoa--especially our own work on experimental amebiasis using intestinal preparations mounted in the Ussing chamber--and nematodes, and finally discuss briefly the immunophysiology of the intestinal mucosa. Arch Med Res, 1994 Summer, 25(2), 165 - 70 Pathologic-clinical characterization of leptospirosis in a golden Syrian hamster model; Oliva R et al.; Experimental leptospirosis was reproduced in golden Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus aureatus) . Evaluation of three Leptospira serogroups (canicola, icterohaemorrhagiae and pomona) was carried out regarding their virulence, production of symptoms and lethal activity . Macroscopic and microscopic studies of tissue lesions were also made . Animals were inoculated with 3.75 x 10(6) to 6 x 10(7) bacteria through the intraperitoneal (IP) route . The clinical development of the disease in Syrian hamsters was characterized by the presence of general symptoms between the third and fifth day after inoculation . With highly virulent strains, the distinctive clinical picture occurred and death followed before the seventh day . The strain of the pomona serogroup proved to be more virulent than those of the other serogroups and produced the most florid picture of the disease . Pathogenic aspects of this process were also studied. Surg Today, 1994, 24(4), 375 - 7 Hepatic portal venous gas associated with cholangitis following pancreaticoduodenectomy: report of a case; Tsubono T et al.; A 63-year-old an developed fever and shock 2 weeks after undergoing a pancreaticoduodenectomy for carcinoma of the gallbladder with duodenal involvement . Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed transient hepatic portal venous gas in the right lobe of the liver, which had probably been induced by obstruction of the bilioenteric anastomosis by the biliary drain . The gas and bacteria, both of which are commonly observed in cases of bilioenteric anastomosis, may have been diffused through the sinusoid into the portal venous system . Thus, hepatic portal venous gas could be a serious sign when it develops in patients with cholangitis following bilioenteric anastomosis. Adv Pharmacol, 1994, 26, 7 - 18 Cloning of guanylyl cyclase isoforms; Nakane M et al.; The cloning of particulate and soluble guanylyl cyclases is summarized in Table I . With respect to transmembrane signal transduction systems, guanylyl and adenylyl cyclases can be grouped together with some protein tyrosine kinases and protein tyrosine phosphatases to form a diverse protein family with various structural and functional similarities (Garbers, 1989, 1991, 1992; Koesling et al., 1991; Chinkers and Garbers, 1991; Fig . 1) . Particulate guanylyl cyclase contains a single transmembrane domain, and the peptide-binding portion (ligand receptor) is on the exterior surface and the catalytic region on the interior, similar to the protein tyrosine kinase/receptor and the protein tyrosine phosphatase/receptor families (Yarden et al., 1986; Charbonneau et al., 1988; Tonks et al., 1988) . Protein tyrosine kinases and phosphatases are also activated by ligand binding to the extracellular domain, which in turn results in phosphorylation or dephosphorylation . On the other hand, soluble guanylyl cyclase exists as a heterodimer with two putative catalytic domains, and both subunits are essential for enzyme activity and activation by nitric oxide . It is thus particularly interesting that adenylyl cyclase also contains two catalytic domains, which are both necessary for catalytic activity (Tang et al., 1991) . It is possible that particulate guanylyl cyclase may also dimerize on hormonal stimulation and two catalytic domains from two monomers form a functional catalytic center capable of forming cyclic GMP . The catalytic core of GC-A expressed in bacteria was shown to form a homodimer with positively cooperative kinetics (Thorpe et al., 1991) . The physiological significance of the existence of multiple forms of soluble guanylyl cyclase subunits remains unclear . Future studies should reveal the differences in tissue distribution and activation by nitrovasodilators in various heterodimers of soluble guanylyl cyclase. Am J Trop Med Hyg, 1994, 50(6 Suppl), 97 - 115 The role of biological control of mosquitoes in integrated vector control; Lacey LA et al.; An integrated approach for the control of mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit will better enable sustainable control while helping to circumvent some of the problems associated with the use of conventional insecticides . Environmental methods and biological control are alternatives to chemical control and are key components of the integrated strategy . The use of vertebrate and invertebrate predators and entomopathogens as biological control agents and their role in integrated control programs is reviewed with emphasis on fish, Toxorhynchites mosquitoes, Notonecta species, predatory copepods, entomopathogenic bacteria, and the fungus Lagenidium giganteum . The successful implementation of these organisms will depend on an in-depth understanding of the ecology of both the targeted species and the biological control agents to be used . Thorough geographic reconnaissance will also be essential for the successful abatement of pest and vector mosquitoes . The success and sustainability of future programs, especially in developing countries, will rely not only on the use of the most appropriate technologies but also on the direct participation of the affected communities . Possible undesirable effects of biological control are also reviewed. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1994 Jan-Feb, (1), 100 - 3 {The functional activity of neutrophilic granulocytes in hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome}; Malinina GA et al.; In blood samples taken from 33 patients having hemorrhagic fever with the renal syndrome (HFRS) the capacity of neutrophil granulocytes for the ingestion of bacteria and for the reduction of tetrazolium nitro blue, as well as the content of cation protein in the cytoplasm of neutrophils and the concentration of lysozyme in the blood serum of patients, were studied . The study revealed an increase in the values of the above characteristics in comparison with similar data obtained in healthy subjects . Changes in the characteristics of the functional activity of neutrophils were found to depend on the period of the clinical course of HFRS. Int J Radiat Biol, 1994 Jan, 65(1), 79 - 84 Induced radioresistance: an overview and historical perspective; Joiner MC; There is now considerable evidence that cellular radioprotective mechanisms exist that are upregulated in response to exposure to small doses of ionizing radiation and other DNA-damaging agents . There appear to be two ways in which these 'induced' mechanisms operate: either protecting against a subsequent exposure to radiation that may be substantially larger than the initial 'conditioning' dose, or by influencing the response to single doses so that small acute radiation exposures, or exposures at very low dose-rates, are more effective per unit dose than larger exposures above a threshold where the induced radioprotection is triggered . These effects have been well documented in studies with yeast, bacteria, protozoa, algae, higher plant cells, insect cells, mammalian and human cells in vitro, and studies on animal models in vivo . Both increased and decreased levels of some cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins, and increased expression of some genes, may occur shortly after exposure to DNA-damaging agents, within a few hours or even minutes . This would be rapid enough to explain the phenomenon of induced radioresistance, although the precise mechanism by which this occurs, whether it is through repair, cell-cycle control, or some other process, remains yet undefined. Lancet, 1994 Jan 1, 343(8888), 35 - 8 Ulcerative colitis and xenobiotic metabolism; Crotty B; Any hypothesis on the cause of ulcerative colitis must account for genetic influences, geographic and ethnic variations, effects of smoking and oral contraception, anatomical distribution, the relapsing and remitting nature of the disease, and association with primary sclerosing cholangitis . This hypothesis proposes that ulcerative colitis is caused by a reactive xenobiotic metabolite which is conjugated before excretion into bile . The amount of metabolite produced is determined by exposure to its parent compound, by the inherited pattern of metabolism, and by inhibition and induction of enzymes catalysing alternative pathways . Deconjugation by bacteria within the colonic lumen releases the reactive metabolite, damaging the colonic epithelial barrier and exposing the mucosal immune system to luminal contents . Biliary epithelial damage by the metabolite leads to an immune response in those individuals carrying appropriate HLA molecules, thereby initiating an inflammatory process within the biliary tree. Rev Pneumol Clin, 1994, 50(5), 199 - 206 {New information on the structure of mycobacteria}; Lagrange PH; Recent progress about the mycobacterial structures have been realized and two major structures have been concerned: the genome and the cell wall . From these acquired new knowledge several lines of clinical research and diagnosis application emerged . Cloning and sequencing of several mycobacterial genes led to the development of diagnostic tools (DNA probes, PCR, finger printings of indated mycobacterial strains) and the potential detection of multiding resistant strains of M . tuberculosis . Genetic manipulations involving various mycobacterial genes do open the way for more precise molecular approaches concerning virulence factors involved in the pathophysiological understanding of mycobacterial diseases . Comparative physico-chemical and ultra-structural analysis of the mycobacterial cell wall evoked a highly complexed cell wall structure, constituted of a double lipidic layer linked to the peptidoglycan (PG) . The first layer is constituted of mycolic acids that are linked to the PG by arabinogalactan, and to the superficial layer by hydrophobic interactions of glycolipids . The superficial layer is constituted of amphiphatic glycolipids, having a lipidic banal pole and a polysaccharidic apical pole . The knowledge of the mycobacterial cell wall structure opened the way of: the development of immunological diagnostic tools, being now days in clinical evaluation phase, a better approach for host-bacteria relationship study at the cellular level (macrophage, lymphocytes), and the understanding of the mode of action of antimycobacterial drugs such as isoniazid and ethambutol. Biochimie, 1994, 76(7), 622 - 30 Strategies for the study of cytochrome c structure and function by site-directed mutagenesis; Caffrey MS; The class I cytochromes c have been extensively studied by biochemical and biophysical methods; however, many questions remain concerning the roles of specific amino acids in electron transfer and stability properties . The method of site-directed mutagenesis, which substitutes specific amino acid residues by genetic methods, is ideal for addressing these questions of cytochrome c structure and function . Practical considerations of mutational effects on protein processing and stability will be addressed . The criteria for the selection of mutation sites will be discussed . Examples of site-directed mutagenesis studies, which were designed to elucidate the factors controlling biological electron transfer, protein processing, and protein stability, are given. Biochimie, 1994, 76(7), 605 - 13 Recent progress in the electrochemistry of c-type cytochromes; Bianco P et al.; C-type cytochromes are classified into two main groups: i) cytochromes which give fast electrochemical responses at the conventional electrodes in the absence of any promoter (eg multi-heme cytochromes c3); ii) cytochromes which need the presence of promoters or the use of modified electrodes to exhibit fast electrochemical responses (eg one-heme mitochondrial cytochrome c) . In the latter case, careful design of electrode surface and composition of the solution are required for the attainment of rapid and reversible electron-exchange reactions . Some general considerations are given on the 'electrochemical model' . In particular, binding interactions between the electrode and the protein can take place in a similar manner to that occurring between physiological partner proteins . Electrochemistry when coupled to other physical techniques can give more complete insights in the relationship between the redox properties, structure and function of c-type cytochromes . In particular, in the case of polyheme cytochromes, promising results are expected from the study of site-directed mutagenesis-modified cytochrome c3. Biosystems, 1994, 33(3), 167 - 75 Evolution of photosynthetic reaction centers and light harvesting chlorophyll proteins; Meyer TE; It is proposed that there is a single evolutionary origin for photosynthetic reaction centers and also for most light-harvesting chlorophyll proteins . It is generally accepted that the purple bacterial reaction center (quinone-reducing photosystem) and the plant and cyanobacterial PSII (oxygen-evolving photosystem) are homologous . It is also apparent that the green sulfur bacterial reaction center is homologous to cyanobacterial PSI (the pyridine nucleotide reducing photosystem) . However, it is less obvious that PSI is related to the purple bacterial reaction center . It is herein proposed that PSI represents a gene fusion of the precursors of small light harvesting bacteriochlorophyll proteins from purple bacteria and purple bacterial reaction centers . Furthermore, it is proposed that reaction centers evolved from the membrane-spanning cytochrome b of the cytochrome bc1 complex and that most membrane-spanning cytochromes may have a common origin. J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol, 1994, 13(2), 89 - 110 Chemical reagents as potential impurities of pharmaceutical products: investigations on their genotoxic activity; Friscia O et al.; The genotoxic activity of chemical reagents and intermediates as potential impurities of final pharmaceutical products have been investigated by the AFI Mutagenesis Study Group . A number of compounds employed in the synthesis of beta-lactam (12), quinolone (6), antiviral (3), and other drugs (11) were analyzed . The information reported in this article was mainly obtained experimentally in our laboratories . In addition, attempts were made to obtain reference data; however, these were available for only a few compounds . The genetic end-point taken into account was principally gene mutation in bacteria . All chemical reagents used in the synthesis of quinolones and antivirals were negative in the Ames test . As far as reagents employed in beta-lactam synthesis were concerned, genotoxic activity was shown by the alkylating agents bromomethanol acetate and chloromethanol acetate, by carbon disulfide, and by the different dimethylanilines . The other chemicals generically considered as involved in "other syntheses" did not induce gene mutation, except for 2,5-dibromopentyl acetate, which was positive in the Ames test . For this compound, as for the halogenated methanol acetates, genotoxic activity was expected in view of its alerting chemical structure. Dev Biol Stand, 1994, 83, 107 - 10 Human genetic polymorphisms; Conneally PM; Mutations in the human genome lead to genetic polymorphisms in the population . While many of these are considered to be normal variants, many lead to human disease and are usually maintained in the population by a balance between mutation and selection . The frequency and type of mutations have been determined for a number of loci in man . The frequency of mutation in transgenes is now receiving considerable attention, since proteins synthesized in recombinant DNA biological systems are subject to genetic alteration through mutation and selection . These changes can occur in the transgene, but mutations in the host cell genes can also produce structural modifications for example, by changes in post-translational modification . Mutation rates for human genes may be as high as 10(-5) per locus per generation . Spontaneous mutations that inactivate gene function in bacteria occur at a rate of 10(-5)-10(-6) per locus per generation . On the other hand the frequency of spontaneous mutations per nucleotide is two orders of magnitude less (usually less than 10(-7)). J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 1994, 9 Suppl 1, S1 - 3 How Helicobacter pylori acquired its name, and how it overcomes gastric defence mechanisms; Goodwin CS; At Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia in April 1982, spiral bacteria were first cultured from a gastric biopsy specimen . Several important taxonomic features were identified which indicated that these bacteria represented a new genus . In October 1989 the new genus name Helicobacter was published . Helicobacter pylori overcomes gastric defence mechanisms by means of its powerful urease enzyme, by its spiral shape allowing it to penetrate mucus, by adherence to the gastric mucosa and by various mechanisms which enable it to evade the immune response. Biochimie, 1994, 76(6), 471 - 9 The protein moiety modulates the redox potential in cytochromes c; Dolla A et al.; Cytochrome c is one of the most thoroughly documented oxidoreduction proteins . Its electron transfer activity, which involves an association between the heme group and the polypeptidic chain, is correlated with the redox potential value of the heme group . The redox potential covers a wide range up to 0.8 V, an extreme case being observed in the low-potential cytochromes c from sulfate reducing bacteria . On of the main roles of the polypeptidic moiety consists of modulating the redox potential value of the heme group . In this paper, some structural factors that seem likely to be involved in maintaining the redox potential value are described. Microbiol Immunol, 1994, 38(10), 767 - 71 Expression of fimbriae and host response in Branhamella catarrhalis respiratory infections; Ahmed K et al.; Sputum during the acute exacerbation of chronic respiratory diseases were observed under the electron microscope, to determine the in vivo expression of surface structures of Branhamella catarrhalis (B . catarrhalis), the polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) response to B . catarrhalis infections, and the composition of sputum . It was found that during infection fimbriae are expressed in B . catarrhalis . However, there were sparsely to densely fimbriated bacteria in each sputum sample . The length of the fimbriae were from 50 to 76 nm . In the sparsely fimbriated B . catarrhalis, external to the cell wall, a thin, granular, electron-dense layer was observed . Due to the presence of fimbriae, this layer was not seen in densely fimbriated B . catarrhalis . Blebs were also found in B . catarrhalis . PMNs were found to phagocytose both B . catarrhalis and debris . Evidence was found that debris were formed mainly by the destruction of PMNs . Bacteria as well as debris were phagocytosed by PMNs. Autoimmunity, 1994, 18(4), 301 - 8 Human Th1 and Th2 cells: functional properties, regulation of development and role in autoimmunity; De Carli M et al.; Evidence has accumulated suggesting the existence in humans of polarized T helper (Th) cell subsets, coded as Th1 and Th2, with defined cytokine secretion profiles . Immune responses to intracellular bacteria and viruses result in the preferential development of the Th1 cell subset . Th1 cells express cytolytic activity against antigen-presenting cells and provide helper function for IgM, IgG and IgA synthesis only at low T/B cell ratios . In contrast, Th2 cells develop in response to allergens or helminth antigens, provide help for all immunoglobulin classes, including IgE, and lack cytolytic potential . The cytokine milieu in the microenvironment plays a fundamental role in determining the functional phenotype of the subsequent antigen-specific Th1 or Th2 responses . In recent years it has become clear that Th1 and Th2 cells play different roles not only in protection against exogenous offending agents, but also immunopathology . Th2 cells are involved in immunopathology induced by helminths and are responsible for the initiation and maintenance of allergic disorders . Th1 cells seem to be involved in contact dermatitis, acute allograft rejection and organ-specific autoimmunity, such as thyroid autoimmune disorders, diabetes mellitus or multiple sclerosis, whereas less polarized patterns of Th cells are detectable in target organs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis . Sjogren's syndrome or systemic lupus erythematosus. Ann Biol Clin (Paris), 1994, 52(6), 425 - 31 {Why are some allergens enzymes?}; Chabane MH et al.; In the last ten years, progress in the field of allergy research has led to the purification of some of the major allergens and to a better knowledge of their physico-chemical properties . A number of studies have shown that some allergens have enzymatic activities . Molecular biology has provided the means to clone and sequence genes encoding these allergens and to produce recombinant allergens in yeast and bacteria . Epitope mapping of natural and synthetic allergens, using polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies and cell-stimulation tests, has also contributed greatly to the understanding of their immunogenicity and allergenicity . Analysis of these new data allow us to explain why some allergens are enzymes. Scand J Infect Dis, 1994, 26(5), 569 - 76 The role of Mycobacteria Other Than Tuberculosis (MOTT) in patients with cystic fibrosis; Hjelt K et al.; The purpose of this study was to estimate the frequency of and evaluate the clinical impact of pulmonary mycobacterial infections among cystic fibrosis (CF) patients . 185 CF patients aged 2.2-38.5 years were screened by sputum samples and by intracutaneous skin tests against tuberculin and sensitins produced from Mycobacterium chelonae subsp . abscessus, M . avium, M . intracellulare and M . scrofulaceum (the MAIS complex) . The skin tests towards the sensitins in BCG-vaccinated patients (n = 60) were significantly influenced by the vaccination . 26 of the remaining 125 non-vaccinated patients had > or = 1 positive skin test (95% confidence limits 15-29%) . The majority reacted against the MAIS complex . However, the reactions were similar to those of healthy siblings and an age-matched control group . Moreover, the lung function, growth and HbA1c were similar among skin test positive and negative patients . Three patients had repeated positive sputum cultures, the point prevalence being 1.6% (M . intracellulare, n = 2 and M . chelonae subsp . abscessus, n = 1) . During the subsequent 4 years, 4 additional patients with M . chelonae subsp . abscessus were identified . Based on clinical observations, 5 of the infected patients were considered asymptomatic, while 2 might have been symptomatic . In 1 patient, M . chelonae subsp . abscessus disappeared spontaneously . Despite intensive treatment with new antibiotics against Mycobacteria Other Than Tuberculosis (MOTT) in 4 patients, the mycobacteria were not eradicated . In conclusion, MOTT infection was rare and the clinical impact difficult to prove . Treatment should focus on clinical improvement in the individual patient suspected of suffering from significant symptomatic infection . Eradication of the bacteria should not be expected. Ophthalmologica, 1994, 208(6), 314 - 7 Canaliculitis: difficulties in diagnosis, differential diagnosis and comparison between conservative and surgical treatment; Vecsei VP et al.; The most important clinical features of canaliculitis include a red, swollen eyelid in the area of the affected canaliculus, a unilateral conjunctivitis, a mucopurulent discharge and in some cases dacryoliths visible in the lacrimal punctum . Conservative therapy was found to be little effective: only 10% of the patients could be cured, 40% showed a recurrence after conservative treatment . 20 patients (50%) were treated by canaliculotomy: 16 of these were cured by this surgical treatment, 4 patients complained of epiphora, although diagnostic syringing showed free lacrimal pathways . The surgical treatment of canaliculitis in combination with conservative therapy yields far better results than conservative therapy alone. J Dent, 1994, 22 Suppl 2, S25 - 8 Clinical testing of dental materials--histological considerations; Goldberg M et al.; In order to assess the biocompatibility of dental materials, clinical studies, as well as in vitro studies, are needed . Although no bacteria were detected inside tubules, pulp reactions were observed when either adhesives of the last generation aiming to create an hybrid layer were used or restorative materials controlling the interface between the biomaterial and dental tissues . However, the reactions were feeble to moderate . Reparative dentine seldom appeared after such treatments . Differences between odontoblast and pulp cells, the nature of the lesion (necrosis or apoptosis), and differences between sound experimental and carious teeth seen in the real clinical situation are discussed in the context of in vivo human studies. Ciba Found Symp, 1994, 180, 3 - 20; discussion 21-5 Enzymic and mechanistic studies on the conversion of glutamate to 5-aminolaevulinate; Kannangara CG et al.; Higher plants, algae, cyanobacteria and several other photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic bacteria synthesize 5-aminolaevulinate by a tRNA(Glu)-mediated pathway . Glutamate is activated at the alpha-carboxyl by ligation to tRNA(Glu) with an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase . An NADPH-dependent reductase converts glutamyl-tRNA(Glu) to glutamate 1-semialdehyde, which is finally converted to 5-aminolaevulinate by an aminotransferase . These components are soluble and in plants and algae are located in the chloroplast stroma . In plants and algae the tRNA(Glu) is encoded in chloroplast DNA whereas the enzymes are encoded in nuclear DNA . The tRNA(Glu) has a hypermodified 5-methylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine-pseudouridine-C anticodon and probably plays a role in the light-dark regulation of 5-aminolaevulinate synthesis . Ligation of glutamate to tRNA(Glu) requires ATP and Mg2+ and proceeds via a ternary intermediate . Glutamyl-tRNA(Glu) reduction appears to involve formation of a complex . Glutamate 1-semialdehyde non-enzymically synthesized by reductive ozonolysis from gamma-vinyl GABA is used as substrate by the last enzyme . Glutamate-1-semialdehyde aminotransferase contains pyridoxal phosphate as a prosthetic group . The enzyme is converted to spectrally different forms by treatment with 4,5-diaminovalerate or 4,5-dioxovalerate . The pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate form of the enzyme converts (S)-glutamate 1-semialdehyde to 5-aminolaevulinate via 4,5-diaminovalerate through a bi-bi ping-pong mechanism. Ciba Found Symp, 1994, 180, 210 - 22; discussion 222-7 Biosynthesis of coenzyme F430, a nickel porphinoid involved in methanogenesis; Thauer RK et al.; Coenzyme F430 is the prosthetic group of methyl-coenzyme-M reductase, which catalyses the final step of methane formation in methanogenic bacteria . The coenzyme is a nickel-containing macrocyclic tetrapyrrole of unique structure . We describe the biosynthesis of this nickel porphinoid from L-glutamate via 5-aminolaevulinic acid, uroporphyrinogen III and dihydrosirohydrochlorin, the binding of the coenzyme to methyl-coenzyme-M reductase and the regulation of coenzyme F430 biosynthesis . We end with some evolutionary considerations on the biosynthesis of macrocyclic tetrapyrroles and remarks on the degradation of these compounds under anaerobic conditions. Cah Anesthesiol, 1994, 42(4), 505 - 16 {Polytraumatised children}; Hamza J et al.; Trauma is the leading cause of mortality in children between the ages of 1 and 14 years . It represents a major health problem in all industrialized countries . A well coordinated organization of the whole chain of cares is essential, from the initial management at the scene of the accident until the long term neurological rehabilitation of the child . During the initial examination, the presence of anoxia, hypovolemia or neurological distress was systematically evaluated . Emergency therapeutic measures should be ensured . At the term of this initial management: if the haemodynamic state is unstable, an emergency operative procedure may be required; if the haemodynamic state remains stable, one can realize a complete clinical and radiological assessment . The clinical and biological supervision must continue during this evaluation while sedation and analgesia are essential to limit an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) . At the term of this complete assessment, if one or several surgical lesions are identified, an operative program with a precise hierarchy is scheduled; if an intensive medical support is required, the child is then transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit . Most often, children with a serious head trauma do not have neurosurgical lesions but a "brain-swelling" or cerebral edema . Elevated ICP is one of the main risk for cerebral ischemia . Therefore, continuous assessment of ICP is essential . Thoracic trauma is most often a closed trauma in the child: pneumothorax and pulmonary contusion are the problems most frequently met . An emergency laparotomy is required if the abdomen volume increases rapidly associated to the persistence of a unstable haemodynamic status despite an important fluid expansion . However, the presence of intraperitoneal blood is no longer a formal indication to surgery . Frequent examination of liver and splenic lesions with abdominal tomodensitometry allows to avoid surgery in more than 90% of cases at the price of a very rigorous haemodynamic supervision . Intestinal perforations are rare and difficult to diagnose: peritoneal dialysis, if it reveals the presence of a leucocytosis greater than 500/mm3 or bacteria justifies the surgery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) Gene Expr, 1994, 4(1-2), 43 - 52 Pax-QNR/Pax-6, a paired- and homeobox-containing protein, recognizes Ets binding sites and can alter the transactivating properties of Ets transcription factors; Plaza S et al.; We have previously isolated a cDNA clone encoding a protein with a paired- and homeodomain from MC29-transformed quail neuroretina cells that we have termed Pax-QNR . Pax-QNR is homologous to the murine Pax-6, which is mutated in the autosomal dominant mutation small eye (Sey) of the mouse and aniridia in man . The 46 kDa Pax-QNR protein binds specifically to the e5 DNA recognition sequence present upstream of the Drosophila even-skipped gene . The Pax-QNR paired and homeobox domains expressed separately in bacteria are both able to recognize this sequence . The core sequence recognized by the paired domain of Pax genes is TTCC (GGAA), and this sequence is also present in the core recognition site bound specifically by Ets family-encoded proteins . Ets proteins are a family of transcription factors sharing a highly conserved 85 amino acid DNA binding domain . In this article we demonstrate that Pax-QNR/Pax-6 expressed in reticulocyte lysate is able to specifically recognize several Ets binding sites . In addition, we found that the transactivation mediated by the p68c-ets-1 pr p55erg through the Polyomavirus enhancer sequence is specifically inhibited by the p46kDaPax-QNR in transient transfection assay. Ann Ist Super Sanita, 1994, 30(2), 191 - 9 Molecular analysis of mutations induced by chemical carcinogens in mammalian cells . II . The use of recombinant DNA vectors; Basic-Zaninovic T et al.; One approach to molecular and mechanistic studies of mutagenesis in mammalian cells is to introduce a mutational target gene into the cells as part of a shuttle vector which is capable of replication in both mammalian cells and bacteria . Following mutagenesis in the mammalian cell host, the shuttle vector sequences are recovered from the mammalian cells and introduced into bacteria, where large amounts of the mutant gene can be produced for sequence analysis . The variety of shuttle vector systems which have been developed for this purpose will be described . Shuttle vectors have been widely used for the molecular analysis of mutations induced by physical and chemical agents and to investigate the factors which modulate mutation fixation . The data regarding chemically induced mutational spectra will be reviewed with particular emphasis on the studies aimed to dissect the complex process which lead from DNA lesion to mutation. Reprod Fertil Dev, 1994, 6(3), 393 - 400 Disease and fertility control in wildlife and feral animal populations: options for vaccine delivery using vectors; Boyle DB; A wide variety of vertebrates have been introduced into Australia during the 200 years of European settlement . Many have become pests causing significant environmental damage and having the potential to act as reservoirs of infectious diseases . Control of vertebrate pest species by fertility control is attractive on animal welfare grounds . Should exotic animal diseases become established in any of these feral animal populations vaccination would be an essential element in the control or eradication of disease . The only experience to date with vaccination of wildlife or feral animals has been the successful control of rabies in foxes in Europe by means of a live, attenuated rabies vaccine and a vaccinia-rabies recombinant vaccine . The feasibility of vaccination for disease control or fertility control in other vertebrate pests will depend on the development and evaluation of several vaccine vector strategies . The choice of vector, based on live viruses or bacteria, naked DNA coding for vaccine antigen or virus-like particles encapsidating genetic material coding for vaccine antigen, will depend on optimization of vector delivery strategies and immunogenicity of the vaccine antigen . Past experience from the vaccination of foxes against rabies suggests that rates of uptake of the vaccine bait and immunogenicity of the vaccine will be crucial factors in determining the success of other vaccines controlling disease or fertility. Nephron, 1994, 68(2), 229 - 33 The effect of ultrafiltered dialysate on the cellular content of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in patients on chronic hemodialysis; Schindler R et al.; We investigated the effect of dialysate ultrafiltration on the content of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in mononuclear cells (PBMC) as a marker of the inflammatory response . 11 patients on Cuprophan dialyzers were randomly assigned to treatment with standard bicarbonate dialysate first and then to ultrafiltered dialysate or the reverse order in a crossover design . In each treatment period (at least 4 weeks) weekly separations of PBMC were performed before the start of dialysis . Cellular content of IL-1Ra was determined in PBMC that were frozen immediately after separation; all values of IL-1Ra in each treatment period were averaged . The dialysate contained a median of 148 (range, 61-400) colony-forming units without dialysate filter; no bacterial growth was detected in ultrafiltered dialysate . The median endotoxin content was 80 pg/ml in nonfiltered dialysate; endotoxin was below 5 pg/ml in all ultrafiltered dialysate samples . Cellular content of IL-1Ra decreased in all but 1 patient with the use of ultrafiltered dialysate (mean +/- SEM: 1,467 +/- 113 pg/ml without dialysate filter vs . 1,166 +/- 104 pg/ml with filter, p = 0.016) . The present study demonstrates that the bacterial contamination of the dialysate induces a systemic inflammatory response in hemodialysis patients. Endeavour, 1994, 18(3), 104 - 8 Food irradiation; Woods RJ; Large amounts of food, perhaps as much as one quarter of the world's agricultural production, is lost due to spoilage or contamination by harmful bacteria and other parasitic life forms . Food irradiation is an energy-efficient, non-chemical method of food processing that can help reduce these huge losses . Properly treated, irradiated foods retain their fresh appearance, flavour, and nutritional value, while most foods can be pre-packaged before irradiation, reducing the risk of recontamination . The technology for food irradiation is now well developed and irradiated foods are gaining public acceptance as they become more widely available. Annu Rev Microbiol, 1994, 48, 311 - 43 Iron and manganese in anaerobic respiration: environmental significance, physiology, and regulation; Nealson KH et al.; Dissimilatory iron and/or manganese reduction is known to occur in several organisms, including anaerobic sulfur-reducing organisms such as Geobacter metallireducens or Desulfuromonas acetoxidans, and facultative aerobes such as Shewanella putrefaciens . These bacteria couple both carbon oxidation and growth to the reduction of these metals, and inhibitor and competition experiments suggest that Mn(IV) and Fe(III) are efficient electron acceptors similar to nitrate in redox abilities and capable of out-competing electron acceptors of lower potential, such as sulfate (sulfate reduction) or CO2 (methanogenesis) . Field studies of iron and/or manganese reduction suggest that organisms with such metabolic abilities play important roles in coupling the oxidation of organic carbon to metal reduction under anaerobic conditions . Because both iron and manganese oxides are solids or colloids, they tend to settle downward in aquatic environments, providing a physical mechanism for the movement of oxidizing potential into anoxic zones . The resulting biogeochemical metal cycles have a strong impact on many other elements including carbon, sulfur, phosphorous, and trace metals. Biochimie, 1994, 76(3-4), 197 - 209 The family of subtilisin/kexin like pro-protein and pro-hormone convertases: divergent or shared functions; Seidah NG et al.; Six mammalian processing enzymes were recently discovered which exhibit significant similarities to both yeast kexin and bacterial subtilisins . These subtilisin/kexin-like convertases were called furin/PACE, PC1/PC3, PC2, PACE4, PC4 and PC5/PC6 . The analysis of the mRNA expression of these convertases in rat tissues and cell lines by Northern blot analysis demonstrated a unique pattern for each enzyme . Thus, although furin and PACE4 mRNA (4.4 kb each) exhibit a widespread tissue distribution only furin is ubiquitously expressed . PACE4 exhibits a major 4.4 kb mRNA form, and in some tissues a 3.9 kb form is detected . PC5 mRNA (3.8 kb major) is more restricted in its distribution than PACE4 and furin, and it exhibits the presence of multiple mRNA forms, resulting in variable lengths of the C-terminal Cys-rich domain . In addition, like furin and PACE4, PC5 is expressed in both regulated and constitutively secreting cells . In contrast, PC1 (3 and 5 kb) and PC2 (2.8 and 5 kb) are primarily expressed in tissues and cells containing secretory granules . Multiple mRNA forms are also detected, but as far as is known none affect their open reading frame and only result in a variable length of the 3' non-coding sequence . Finally, PC4 mRNA (2.8 kb major and 1.9 kb minor) is only expressed in testicular germ cells . Biosynthetic analysis of the zymogen activation of PC1 and PC2 and their cleavage specificity following their cellular co-expression with a number of precursors, demonstrated that although pro-PC1 is rapidly activated to PC1 in the endoplasmic reticulum, pro-PC2 conversion into PC2 is rather slow . The cleavage of pro-PC2 into PC2 starts in the trans Golgi network and is regulated by an endogenous endocrine and neural precursor called 7B2 . Although the genetic organization of the convertase genes is very similar, they exhibit unique promoter sequences and only furin and PACE4 genes are localized on the same chromosome. Rev Mal Respir, 1994, 11(5), 518 - 21 {Delayed detection of cystic fibrosis in a patient with Mycobacterium avium complex infection}; Jarry O et al.; We report a case of pulmonary infection by Mycobacterium avium complex revealing in a 21 years old patient a cystic fibrosis heterozygous for the delta F 508 deletion . The role of this bacteria in the lung infection is suggested by repeated isolation . This infection caused bronchitis, hypoxemia and pulmonary nodules at CT scan . The clinical and radiological signs improved after treatment with four antibiotics whereas only clarithromycin showed in vitro activity . An obstructive disease due to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis developed and was controlled by steroid therapy. Rev Belge Med Dent, 1994, 49(3), 23 - 34 {The use of chlorhexidine varnish in the prevention of dental caries}; Schaeken MJ et al.; Dentistery recently has developed a new preventive treatment, that is the suppression of the acid-producing bacteria in dental plaque . The background and application of two chlorine hexidine lacquers, EC40 and Clorzoin are discussed. J Drug Target, 1994, 2(3), 241 - 57 Targeting drugs to the colon: delivery systems for oral administration; Ashford M et al.; The oral delivery of drugs to the colon has applications in a variety of therapeutic areas . This review is concerned with the approaches taken to achieve a universal system for delivery . The design of such a system requires the identification and exploitation of a unique feature of the colonic environment . The use of transit times, pH and bacterial enzymes are critically assessed . In addition, the system must provide protection for the drug during transit to the colon . Upper gastro-intestinal physiology and the transit of pharmaceuticals through these regions are reviewed with reference to their relevance in achieving site specificity. Otolaryngol Pol, 1994, 48(5), 435 - 40 {Treatment of upper respiratory tract infections with broncho-vaxom++: a therapeutic alternative to chemotherapy?}; Tarchalska-Krynska B et al.; Studies were performed on 21 industry-products sellers suffering to recurrent infections of upper respiratory tract . Immunostimulating treatment was performed using Broncho-vaxom administered during 6 months . Drug was applied by 10 consecutive days every month, 1 tablet at the morning on empty stomach (before breakfast) . During immunotherapy the decrease in work-absences and diminution of some pathological symptoms were noted . No additional chemotherapeutics were taken during Broncho-vaxom . Although the efficacy of immunostimulatory therapy with Broncho-vaxom is not certainly proved, treatment with this drug seems to present be an alternative for chemotherapeutics in recurrent infections of upper respiratory tract . That treatment is probably like the psychotherapy. Chin J Biotechnol, 1994, 10(2), 97 - 103 The sequence of xylose isomerase gene from Streptomyces diastaticus No . 7 M1033; Wang Y et al.; The DNA sequence of the xylose isomerase gene from Streptomyces diastaticus No . 7 M1033 from Hainan Province has been determined . The structure gene of the enzyme is composed of 1161bp, corresponding to 387 amino acid residues . The G+C content of the gene is 72.1% . The probability of G or C on the third position of the codon is 98% . At the level of amino acids, this xylose isomerase displays high homology with those from other Actinomycete strains, particularly those from Streptomyces strains. Wiad Parazytol, 1994, 40(3), 299 - 303 {The effect of biotic factors on the eggs of Ascaris spp}; Mizgajska H; There are many organisms that influence development and survival of eggs of Ascaris sp . Fungi, Acari, Collembola and bacteria are the most important among them . They participate mainly in auto-dehelminthisation processes of environment. Respiration, 1994, 61 Suppl 1, 24 - 31 Epidemiology of viral infections and evaluation of the potential benefit of OM-85 BV on the virologic status of children attending day-care centers; Aymard M et al.; Viral investigations were performed during 4 winter seasons (88/89, 89/90, 92/93, 93/94) in children attending day-care centers (DCCs) in the Rhone Departement in eastern France . Over the total observation period of 4 winter seasons, 780 children were screened with a nasal swab for the presence of viruses . Of those, 230 (29.5%) had a positive viral culture . The viruses identified were respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza A and B virus, parainfluenza virus, coronavirus, rhinovirus, adenovirus and enterovirus . During that time, 83 epidemic events in 47 DCC were recorded . A particular virus was judged to be causally related to an epidemic if the identical virus was isolated in > or = 3 children during the same outbreak of respiratory diseases . Thus, in 51 cases (61.4%) of all epidemics, the following viruses were responsible for an epidemic: RSV (n = 23), coronavirus (n = 10) (only during the season of 1993-1994), influenza A virus (n = 6), rhinovirus (n = 4), enterovirus (n = 4), adenovirus (n = 3) and parainfluenza virus (n = 1) . Except for the somewhat surprising accumulation of coronavirus epidemics during the winter of 1993-1994, there were only minor seasonal variations from one year to another . As expected, RSV accounted for about one third of all respiratory tract infections in children attending DCCs and was therefore the most important single causative agent . These results are compared with data from children who did not attend a DCC and were cared for in a private practice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Nephrol Dial Transplant, 1994, 9 Suppl 4, 40 - 4 Role of infection in the genesis of acute renal failure; Wiecek A et al.; While most experimental models of acute renal failure (ARF) involve ischaemic or toxic damage to the kidney in non-infected animals, a surprisingly large proportion of patients with ARF exhibit signs of septicaemia or systemic reaction to local infections . This clinical observation suggests an important role of infection-related mediator mechanisms in the genesis of ARF . Another important aspect is the occurrence of ARF in the context of infections with nephrotropic viruses (e.g . hantavirus accounting for approximately 5% of non-surgical ARF in Germany) and nephrotropic bacteria (e.g . leptospirosis). Artery, 1994, 21(3), 148 - 60 Anticoagulant effects of warfarin and kinetics of K vitamins in blood and feces; Nakamura K et al.; Patients (40 cases) were treated with daily dosage of warfarin of 2-7 mg after being undergone artificial valve replacements . Twenty one days after administration of warfarin, we examined the patients for kinetics of K vitamins and vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors in blood, and intestinal flora in feces, as well as the relationship between K vitamins and coagulation activity . The following results were obtained . (1) In warfarin-administered patients (Group B), blood levels of vitamin K1 and menaquinone-7, a vitamin K2 homologue, were similar to those in non-warfarin-administered patients . Therefore, administration of warfarin did not significantly decreased the levels . (2) In patients selected randomly from Group B (Group C), the vitamin K1 level in feces was higher than that in non-warfarin-administered patients . The menaquinone-7 level in feces was similar to that in non-warfarin-administered patients . For the total counts of bacteria and the detection rate of vitamin K2-producing bacteria, there was no significant difference between Group C and non-warfarin-administered patients . (3) The above mentioned results of (1) and (2) suggest that it is important for development of anticoagulant effects by warfarin to inhibit conversion from vitamin K1 to reduced vitamin K1, as well as to inhibit the reducing process from vitamin K1-epoxide to vitamin K1 . (4) Vitamin K1-epoxide, a metabolite of vitamin K1, appeared in blood after administration of warfarin; there was a lower correlation between the blood level of vitamin K1-epoxide and the warfarin dosage . Further, PIVKA-II appeared in blood after administration of warfarin; there was a inverse lower correlation between the level of PIVKA-II and HPT, and between PIVIKA-II and TT . In conclusion, it has been clarified that vitamin K1-epoxide and PIVKA-II are useful parameters to evaluate anticoagulant effect of warfarin. Mol Aspects Med, 1994, 15 Suppl, s241 - 8 Effect of topical application of coenzyme Q10 on adult periodontitis; Hanioka T et al.; Topical application of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to the periodontal pocket was evaluated with and without subgingival mechanical debridement . Ten male patients with adult periodontitis participated and 30 periodontal pockets were selected . During the first 3 weeks, the patients did not receive any periodontal therapy except the topical application of CoQ10 . After the first 3-week period, root planning and subgingival scaling were performed in all sites . CoQ10 was applied in 20 of the pockets once a week for a period of 6 weeks . Soybean oil was applied to the remaining 10 sites as a control . In the first 3-week period, significant reductions in gingival crevicular fluid flow, probing depth and attachment loss were found only at experimental sites . After mechanical subgingival debridement, significant decreases in the plaque index, gingival crevicular fluid flow, probing depth and attachment loss were found both at experimental and control sites . However, significant improvements in the modified gingival index, bleeding on probing and peptidase activity derived from periodontopathic bacteria were observed only at experimental sites . These results suggest that topical application of CoQ10 improves adult periodontitis not only as a sole treatment but also in combination with traditional nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Biochimie, 1994, 76(12), 1152 - 60 Synthesis and function of isopentenyl adenosine derivatives in tRNA; Persson BC et al.; Isopentenyl adenosine derivatives can be found next to the anticodon (position 37) in tRNA from both the Bacteria and Eucarya domains . These modified nucleosides improve the efficiency of tRNA in translation, can increase and decrease translational fidelity, and make the tRNA less codon context sensitive . In bacteria the synthesis of isopentenyl adenosine derivatives seems to be linked to iron metabolism and central metabolic pathways. Biochimie, 1994, 76(10-11), 968 - 80 The chromatin-associated protein H-NS; Ussery DW et al.; H-NS is a major component of chromatin in enteric bacteria . H-NS plays a structural role in organising the chromosome, and influences DNA rearrangements as well as the expression of many genes . The biochemical and functional characteristics of H-NS are distinct from those of 'typical' DNA-binding proteins and much remains to be learned about the mechanism(s) by which H-NS acts . In this article we review our current understanding of the role of H-NS, and describe possible models by which H-NS might influence DNA structure and gene expression. Biochimie, 1994, 76(10-11), 1019 - 29 H-NS over-expression induces an artificial stationary phase by silencing global transcription; McGovern V et al.; Bacteria organize their chromosomes in a complex interwound supercoiled structure called the nucleoid through the action of topoisomerases and a set of small (10-20 kDa) proteins . The two most abundant nucleoid-associated proteins are HU and H-NS . H-NS increases in abundance during stationary phase . Over-expression of HU is well tolerated and compatible with transcription and cell growth . Increasing the concentration of H-NS leads to a rapid silencing of global transcription and produces a growth-arrested state reminiscent of stationary phase . H-NS over-expression also induces a substantial loss of supercoiling in plasmid DNA during the time that transcription is arrested . Comparing the effects of over-expression of these two proteins gives some insight into the differential roles of these proteins in the activity of the chromosome . These observations are interpreted in a model of nucleoid organization. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1994, 39(4), 321 - 5 Application of the exploratory data analysis for evaluating the toxicity of chlorinated phenol derivatives by various cell models; Cernakova M et al.; Exploratory data analysis based on multivariate statistical analysis techniques was introduced as a new approach to expressing the toxicity of chemical substances at the simultaneous acceptance of various cell models . Using principal component analysis and cluster analysis methods the toxicity of chlorinated phenol derivatives on employing some of the cell models (chlorococcal algae, cyanobacteria, bacteria, micromycetes, plant and animal cells) was characterized . The previous empirical experience that the toxicity of chlorinated phenol derivatives will increase with a growing degree of chlorination and that the presence of the methoxy group will cause a lowering of the toxic effect was demonstrated . The relationship between groups of tests used was presented. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1994, 39(4), 315 - 20 Effect of chlorinated phenol derivatives on various cell models; Cernakova M; Chlorinated phenol derivatives were found to display a cytotoxic effect on numerous cell models, such as chlorococcal algae, cyanobacteria, bacteria, micromycetes, plant and animal cells . Their cytotoxic effects will increase with chlorination and with the presence of a methoxy group. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1994, 39(4), 307 - 14 Testing of the cytotoxic effects of sulfate pulp mill waste waters; Cernakova M et al.; The effect of 22 technological waste water samples and of some standards was tested on bacteria, fungi, chlorococcal algae, flagellata, plant cells, cells of Tubifex tubifex, hamster cells V79 and the fish Lebistes reticulatus . Of these 22 samples, some inhibition of cell life processes was displayed by the black liquor formed in the production of paper pulp and viscose pulp, by the waste solution produced during the preparation of bleaching agents for paper pulp and viscose pulp, and by the residual liquor after hypochlorite treatment of paper pulp. Bone Marrow Transplant, 1994, 14 Suppl 4, S19 - 28 The lung as a critical organ in marrow transplantation; Quabeck K; Respiratory failure is the main cause of death in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT) . In this paper, clinical and research aspects as well as diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic strategies concerning the various forms of pulmonary and bronchial complications, which may evolve after BMT, are discussed . Both cytomegalovirus (CMV)-induced interstitial pneumonia (PM) and the idiopathic pneumonia syndrome rarely occur in the cytopenic phase post-BMT . Haematological reconstitution with donor type cells seems to be a prerequisite to the development of these complications, suggesting a key role of immunological reactions . While CMV pneumonia can be effectively treated or prevented by ganciclovir, the idiopathic syndrome is usually fatal . Due to improved prophylaxis and therapy, lethal interstitial PM due to Pneumocystis carinii, herpes simplex, varizella zoster or Toxoplasma gondii as well as lethal PM caused by bacteria or Candida species are comparatively rare events . Aspergillus species, on the other hand, have emerged as frequent causative pathogens in lethal PM during the past years . Prolonged granulocytopenia and prolonged medication with corticosteroids are major risk factors of pulmonary aspergillosis, which is usually fatal; effective prophylaxis may be achieved by sterile air supply during the hospital stay and by inhalation of amphotericin B thereafter . Pulmonary haemorrhage, as diagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), may develop due to the toxicity of the conditioning regimen, or may be secondary to infectious PM of various kind . Congestive heart failure or the application of cytokines might give rise to the development of pulmonary oedema . Patients with hepatic veno-occlusive disease have a high risk of subsequent pulmonary complications, possibly on the basis of toxic lung injury . Venous thromboembolism or air embolism may occur; they are usually venous catheter-associated . Pleural effusions may develop secondary to infection, congestive heart failure, veno-occlusive disease, pulmonary embolism or malignancy . Patients with bronchiolitis obliterans, which leads to progressive respiratory failure, present with an obstructive pattern in lung function tests and hyperinflated lungs on chest radiographs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) Nephrol Dial Transplant, 1994, 9(12), 1769 - 73 Impaired cellular host defence in peritoneal dialysis by two granulocyte inhibitory proteins; Haag-Weber M et al.; Bacterial and fungal peritonitis is associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) . Impaired cellular host defence in the peritoneal cavity underlies this risk . Two granulocyte inhibitory proteins with a molecular weight of 28,000 dalton (GIP I) and about 9500 dalton (GIP II) with homology to light-chain proteins and beta 2-microglobulin, respectively, were isolated from peritoneal dialysis effluents . In vitro, both granulocyte inhibitory proteins inhibit PMNL glucose uptake, phagocytosis and intracellular killing of bacteria . The IC50 of GIP I or GIP II required for inhibition of half-maximal FMLP-induced or PMA-stimulated PMNL function was found to be in the nanomolar range, suggesting very specific inhibition . These data may explain, at least in part, defective local cellular host defence in CAPD patients. Methods Cell Biol, 1994, 44, 279 - 88 Isolation and analysis of microtubule motor proteins; Saxton WM; Isolation of microtubule motor proteins is needed both for the discovery of new motors and for characterization of the products of motor-related genes . The sequences of motor-related genes cannot yet be used to predict the mechanochemical properties of the gene products . This was illustrated by the first kinesin-related gene product to be characterized . Protein expressed from the ncd gene moved toward the minus ends of microtubules (Walker et al., 1990; McDonald et al., 1990), while kinesin itself moves toward the plus ends . Until the relationship between mechanochemical function and amino acid sequence is more thoroughly understood, biochemical isolation and characterization of microtubule motor proteins will remain essential . Two approaches for getting useful quantities of microtubule motor proteins have been used: isolation from cytosol as described under Section II above and isolation from bacteria carrying cloned motor protein genes in expression vectors . Bacterial expression of functional microtubule motors has been successful to date in only a few cases (Yang et al., 1990; Walker et al., 1990, McDonald et al., 1990) . Additional progress is expected with the expression of cloned genes from viral vectors in cultured eukaryotic cells, but broad success has not yet been reported . Biochemical isolation of motors from their natural cytosol has some distinct advantages . One can have confidence that a given motor will be folded properly and have normal post-translational modifications . In addition, if it exists in vivo as a heteromultimer, a microtubule motor isolated from its native cytosol will carry with it a normal complement of associated proteins . Studies of such associated proteins will be important in learning how motors accomplish their tasks in vivo . Drosophila cytosol should be a rich source of microtubule motors . Drosophila carry at least 11 and perhaps as many as 30 genes that are related to kinesin (Stewart et al., 1991; Endow and Hatsumi, 1991) . The work of Tom Hays' lab indicates that Drosophila carry more than nine dynein related genes (Rasmussen et al., 1994) . Relatively little effort to isolate the products of these genes from cytosol has been made . The only work that I am aware of has produced a kinesin-like microtubule motor (D.G . Cole, K.B . Sheehan, W.M . Saxton, and J.M . Scholey, in progress) that may be the Drosophila homolog of Xenopus eg5 (Sawin et al., 1992) . This isolation was straightforward, and efforts to identify additional motors are almost assured of success. Klin Khir, 1994, (8), 3 - 6 {Defence system of gastroduodenal mucous glands in ulcer disease}; Beligotskii NN et al.; As a result of complex investigation of the dafence mucosal barrier of gastroduodenal zone (studying of glicoproteins and immunoglobulins secretion), the acid-producing stomach function and its colonization with helicobacter pylori bacteria it was determined that side by side with infringement of polysaccharide-albuminous complexes secretion the weakening of humoral and nonspecific local immunity occurs . The infringement degree depends on severity of ulcer disease . On the background of autoimmune aggression the stress in common immunity system was noted . The presence of helicobacteria negatively influences the state of defence mucosal barrier. Ann Dermatol Venereol, 1994, 121(6-7), 470 - 5 {Preservation of cutaneous structures of egyptian mummies . An ultrastructural study}; Perrin C et al.; INTRODUCTION . The recent development of studies applied to ancient materials may be explained by the application of molecular biology techniques on the extracted ancient DNA mainly the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the ultrasensitive DNA-amplification technique that hit the headlines in the late 1980s . PCR was used to amplify human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), genetic material in stored tissue specimens and to document people who died in 1976 . In addition, recent discoveries of mummified bodies in ice of the Tyrolean Alps or Greenland allowed a new approach in archeological studies . Mummies are a good material for investigations of ancient tissues . The studies concern the techniques of embalming, tissue preservation and palepathological aspects . In cutaneous paleopathology, mummies from Egypt, South or North America and Europe were considered . Various skin lesions were characterized: histiocytoma, Chagas' disease, smallpox, syphilis . Recently drugs (cocaine, hashish and nicotine) were extracted from skin and head hair of Egyptian mummies . Only a few studies were concerned with the ultrastructure of the skin of such mummies . MATERIAL AND METHODS . We had the opportunity to obtain skin samples of two Egyptian mummies . One of them was embalmed between 150 BC-90 AC . The skin was studied by transmission electron microscopy . As the mummified materials had dried out and shrunk, it was necessary to rehydrate them for ultrastructural observation . Skin samples were fragmented into small pieces before fixation with 2 p . 100 glutaraldehyde in sodium cacodylate buffer for 10 days (allowing for removal of the materials used for embalming) . The samples were then washed in the same buffer for 10 days . After washing the pieces were post-fixed with 1 p . 100 osmium tetroxyde, dehydrated and embedded in Epoxy medium . RESULTS: With this process, it was possible to observe the excellent preservation of the cutaneous structures . The epidermis was well preserved . It was possible to observe the different cell layers and mainly the upper layers . The nuclei and the desmosomes of keratinocytes were recognized . Intercellular spaces were narrow . Desmosomes showed dense thickenings of the cell membrane on both sides and an intercellular band with narrow lucent spaces adjacent to the dense cell membrane . The nuclei showed dense spots of chromatin and in the cytoplasm recognizable tonofilament bundles were identified . Langerhans cells and melanocytes were not observed . In the dermis, the collagen fibrils formed thick bundles and showed the characteristic axial periodicity . Elastic fibers were also recognized showing two main components: the amorphous substance and the fibrils . Throughout the dermis, a number of round or oval structures were found . They had the typical appearance of spores of bacteria . In the centre, they had an electron dense and granular core surrounded by an inner membrane and a spore coat . DISCUSSION . Only a few investigations were performed on the ultrastructure of the skin of the Egyptian mummies . In the majority of cases, the epidermis was not preserved . The present work demonstrates the good preservation of epidermal structures and specially desmosomes and intercellular connections . The presence of spores of bacteria was previously reported . These spores enter a highly resistant resting phase in order to survive in a dormant state for a long period of starvation or other adverse environmental conditions . Similar investigations were performed on skin obtained from Eskimo mummies preserved by the extremely cold and dry polar weather . In these conditions, the authors reported the observation of melanocytes, vessels and nerves . Additionally, biochemical investigations demonstrated the very good preservation of collagen and glycosaminoglycans of the dermal extracellular matrix. Acta Microbiol Immunol Hung, 1994, 41(3), 283 - 90 Ultrastructural analysis of the intestinal content of earthworm Lumbricus rubellus Hoffm . (Annelida, Lumbricidae); Kristufek V et al.; Gut content sections of the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus, the surrounding soil and casts were studied using transmission electron microscopy . Bacteria, actinomycetes, dead fungi and empty mycelia were observed to occur throughout the gut content . In the foregut and midgut of worms, some bacteria were found to be partially or totally lysed and digested, although were protected by polysaccharides and clay particles . Not only inactive resting forms (spores) or cells protected by capsular polysaccharides and clay particles and/or by plant cellular remnants, but also separate metabolically active and dividing cells were recovered especially in hindgut . The formation of new bacterial microaggregates was noticed in the posterior intestine as well. Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot, 1994, 80(7), 626 - 33 {Infected total knee prosthesis . Guidance for therapeutic choice}; De Cloedt P et al.; PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study is to assess the functional results and septic evolution in the treatment of infected total knee arthroplasties . MATERIAL AND METHODS: 22 patients were reviewed; 8 were initially treated in our institution and 14 transferred from other hospitals . Articular debridement alone leaving the prosthesis in situ was initiated in 3 of our 8 patients as well as in 6 of the transferred cases . In both groups, this procedure appeared to be a failure . Prosthetic-reimplantation procedure was elected in 10 patients either as a one-stage (5 cases) or a two-stage surgery (5 cases) . This has been successfully rated in 7 cases . Femoro-tibial arthrodesis was performed in 15 patients, three of them being a failure of the prosthetic reimplantation . Follow-up ranges from 16 months to 9 years with well documented records . RESULTS: As stated earlier, articular debridement alone has not proven to be a helpful procedure since it did not eradicate the septic complication in any case . Prosthetic reimplantation has been a successful treatment in 7 of the 10 attempted cases . The one-stage procedure is providing the best functional result . Recurrent infection occurred in 3 cases: there were patients with poor host defense (diabetes, arteritis, old age, ...) with resistant bacteria complicating a hinge-knee prosthesis . Femoro-tibial arthrodesis was achieved in 10 of the 15 patients and necessitated all together 23 surgical operations . The highest union rate was observed in cases where sterile conditions were achieved, fixation being performed with an intramedullary nail . Failure of arthrodesis confines the patients in such an uncomfortable situation that 2 of them has asked for an amputation . DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Early surgical debridement may occasionally salve a prosthesis when it is performed shortly after the onset of infection, in an unloosened unconstrained prosthesis infected by a low-virulence organism . In our study, no patient but one met those criteria . For those cases nevertheless, our procedure of choice is now the one-stage reimplantation who seems to be more effective for eradicating the infection and gives rise to a better clinical result . The two-stage reimplantation is the current procedure for handling an infected knee prosthesis . Some patients are still excluded from this procedure because of their poor health condition, bone loss, inadequate viability of skin and extensor mechanism or an uncontrolled sepsis . For such a case, arthrodesis remains the most reliable method of management, especially when it can be stabilized with an intramedullary fixation, which implies to perform a two-stage arthrodesis. Arch Tierernahr, 1994, 46(3), 261 - 8 Biological efficacy of L-lysine preparations containing biomass compared to L-lysine-HCl; Schutte JB et al.; In two growth experiments on broilers of 6 to 27 days of age, the biological efficacy of three L-lysine preparations containing biomass was evaluated in comparison to L-lysine.HCl . L-lysine from the different sources was added in graded levels to a basal diet deficient in lysine, but adequate in all other nutrients . From multi-exponential regression analysis of weight gain and feed conversion responses, biological efficacy of the three L-lysine preparations containing biomass was estimated to be 97%, 103%, and 113%, respectively . None of these estimates was significantly different from 100% . Thus, it is concluded that the efficacy of the L-lysine preparations to deliver lysine is equivalent to L-lysine.HCl. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res, 1994, 14(4), 139 - 48 Croconazole: a new broad spectrum agent in the treatment of fungal skin infections; Meinicke K et al.; Croconazole hydrochloride (1%) cream is a new antifungal agent for the treatment of dermatomycoses . In vitro, croconazole has a broad spectrum of activity against dermatophytes, moulds, yeasts, dimorphic fungi and some skin-relevant bacteria . Therapeutic results obtained in 277 patients (mean age 43.0 +/- 14.8 years; 158 male and 119 female) who had mycoses at various locations and were treated with 1% croconazole cream are reported . The types of fungal infection in these patients were: pityriasis versicolor (94), candidiasis (43) and trichophytosis (140) . One topical application per day was administered for a period of up to three weeks . Clinical improvement and mycology were assessed at one-week intervals, and after a two-week treatment-free follow-up . In all three infection groups the criteria of mycosis, particularly fungal microscopy findings and itching, showed rapid improvement . At the end of the observation period, clinical and mycological cure was observed in the majority of patients . The physicians' global efficacy rating of the medication was "good" or "very good" in 92.6% of the cases with pityriasis versicolor, 97.7% of the patients with candidiasis and 82.9% of the trichophytosis patients . The medication was well tolerated: only one patient reported an adverse reaction (pruritus) at the site of application . It is concluded that croconazole cream is effective and well tolerated in dermatomycoses . The once-a-day use of croconazole cream may be a positive factor in patient compliance. Klin Khir, 1994, (9), 36 - 8 {The effect of enterosorption on the severity of endogenous intoxication in burns}; Nedeliaeva AV et al.; The severity of burn toxemia mainly depends on the blood level of endotoxins, produced by bowel bacteria . The dynamics of endotoxemia have its supreme expression at the first day of burn injury . Enterosorption promotes significant decrease in blood concentrations of endotoxins and middle molecular mass peptides, depression of their cytological action, improvement of glycogen- and protidin-synthetizing hepatic function. Prog Biophys Mol Biol, 1994, 62(2), 119 - 52 Nucleic acid transfer through cell membranes: towards the underlying mechanisms; Sabelnikov AG; Various cases of DNA (RNA) transfer through membranes of living cells are reviewed . They are classified into two major categories: those which occur in Nature (natural transfer) and those imposed by various physical and chemical treatments of cells (induced transfer) . Among the examples of natural transfer surveyed are the transfer during bacterial conjugation, genetic transformation, viral infection of bacteria, and nuclear membrane trafficking . Consideration of the induced transfer is focused on the two methods most widely used at present to introduce foreign genetic information into pro- and eukaryotic cells: Ca2+ (and some other divalent cations)-induced and calcium phosphate-induced transfer, and transfer during electroporation of cells . Emphasis is made on the underlying mechanisms of transfer, or rather on what is currently known about them . Energetic aspects of transfer are also discussed and different tentative models of transfer are presented. J Heart Lung Transplant, 1994 Jan-Feb, 13(1 Pt 1), 15 - 21; discussion 22-3 Lung transplantation for mechanically ventilated patients; Flume PA et al.; As lung transplantation has become more successful, the selection criteria have broadened; however, some relative contraindications to lung transplantation are controversial . Some programs consider mechanical ventilation to be a major contraindication to lung transplantation because airway colonization with bacteria may lead to nosocomial infection and respiratory muscle deconditioning may necessitate prolonged postoperative ventilatory support . We report our experience of seven double lung transplant procedures on six patients requiring mechanical ventilation . Five patients with cystic fibrosis required preoperative mechanical ventilation for 7 to 19 days (mean, 10.7 days) . One patient with acute lung injury required 115 days of preoperative mechanical ventilatory support . Only the latter patient required prolonged (27 days) postoperative mechanical ventilation because of respiratory muscle weakness; the others were extubated in 1 to 19 days (mean, 7.8 days) . No early complications related to bacterial infection were seen . Two patients required temporary hemodialysis for transient kidney failure . Three patients had postoperative neurologic residua; one patient had a transient hemiparesis, and seizures developed in two patients . One patient died 3 months after transplantation from severe central nervous system complications with no evidence of pulmonary problems; and two patients died 17 months after transplantation, one of them receiving a second double lung transplant for obliterative bronchiolitis . Except for the patient who required prolonged preoperative ventilatory support, mechanical ventilation did not appear to play a role in the outcome of these patients . The posttransplantation hospital stay and hospital charges for patients requiring pretransplantation ventilatory support were not significantly different from those for other lung transplant recipients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1994, 42(4), 337 - 43 Opsonic activity of sera in children with hematological malignancies treated with Sandoglobulin; Melezynska-Matej M et al.; Twenty seven children with hematological malignancies were treated with Sandoglobulin for life threatening infections due to severe granulocytopenia . We have studied the opsonic activity of sera in patients before and 7,14 and 21 days after the infusion of Sandoglobulin . Before the therapy a decrease of serum opsonic activity at the stage of ingestion and intracellular killing of bacteria has been shown . It was due to a deficiency of opsonizing factors . After treatment with Sandoglobulin the significant improvement of the opsonic activity of tested sera was found, but only at the stage of the ingestion of bacteria . The optimal interrelationship between opsonizing capacity of sera at the ingestion and intracellular killing phase was observed in the group of children treated with the relatively low Sandoglobulin dose (0.3-0.6 g/kg) . In patients with the longest infection duration, who received the high Sandoglobulin doses (> 0.6 g/kg), the largest percentage of sera containing immune complexes was detected . These data demonstrate that high doses of globulins should be administered with certain care. Gene, 1993 Dec 31, 137(2), 349 - 50 The alkane-inducible Candida maltosa ALI1 gene product is an NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit homo