Am J Physiol, 1994 Aug, 267(2 Pt 2), F197 - 207 Cytokines and L-arginine in renal injury and repair; Ketteler M et al.; Advances in molecular biology have identified cytokines as mediators of pathophysiological changes in chronic renal disease . Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of glomerular and interstitial fibrosis, whereas platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is involved in proliferative changes in chronic progressive renal diseases . Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukins are expressed in experimental models of renal disease and are causes of inflammation and cell migration . Cytokines act by many different mechanisms, and one target of their action may be L-arginine metabolism . Since the discovery of the effector molecule nitric oxide (NO), generated from L-arginine, knowledge of this pathway has increased dramatically . It became evident that the L-arginine/NO pathway is of major importance in the regulation of hemodynamics and neurotransmission, in host defense against intracellular microorganisms, and in immunologic tissue injury . This pathway is induced by proinflammatory cytokines and possibly regulated by TGF-beta and PDGF . L-Arginine is also metabolized to L-ornithine, which can be processed to polyamines or to L-proline . As polyamines are important mediators of cell growth and L-proline is a substrate for collagen synthesis, both pathways, once activated, may be important in repair processes . It is likely that cytokines and L-arginine metabolism are interconnected and that both are involved in the inflammation, tissue repair, and fibrogenesis processes in the kidney . Dietary protein restriction in progressive renal diseases may substantially affect both systems . This review summarizes current knowledge about interactions of cytokines and L-arginine metabolism and the relevance to renal diseases. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1994 Aug, 94(2 Pt 1), 195 - 200 Reduced secretion of IgA to skin surface of patients with atopic dermatitis; Imayama S et al.; To investigate whether the secretory form of immunoglobulin A (sIgA) was reduced on the skin surface in atopic dermatitis, the amount of sIgA present in sweat was measured in 40 patients with atopic dermatitis and in 50 healthy volunteers by attaching a cellulose membrane disk (10 x 10 mm) to the inner aspect of the upper arm skin for 24 hours . The secretory form of IgA, which was absorbed to the membrane and accumulated during the period of application, was revealed as dots by an enzyme immunoassay in which antibodies for IgA and for the secretory component were used . The density and number of dots (per mm2/day), which corresponded to the openings of eccrine excretory ducts, were determined with a densitometer . The mean amount of sIgA secreted by those patients was 3.86 +/- 0.71 pg/mm2/day (range, 0 to 21.17 pg/mm2/day), whereas that of the control subjects was significantly higher (p < 0.001), 16.79 +/- 2.80 pg/mm2/day (range, 0.79 to 133.77 pg/mm2/day) . This may be related to the high incidence of bacterial and viral skin infections seen in patients with atopic dermatitis, and in addition, to the development of eczematous lesions through a defect in ridding the skin of allergens and/or microorganisms. EMBO J, 1994 Aug 1, 13(15), 3464 - 71 Identification of a high affinity NH4+ transporter from plants; Ninnemann O et al.; Despite the important role of the ammonium ion in metabolism, i.e . as a form of nitrogen that is taken up from the soil by microorganisms and plants, little is known at the molecular level about its transport across biomembranes . Biphasic uptake kinetics have been observed in roots of several plant species . To study such transport processes, a mutant yeast strain that is deficient in two NH4+ uptake systems was used to identify a plant NH4+ transporter . Expression of an Arabidopsis cDNA in the yeast mutant complemented the uptake deficiency . The cDNA AMT1 contains an open reading frame of 501 amino acids and encodes a highly hydrophobic protein with 9-12 putative membrane spanning regions . Direct uptake measurements show that mutant yeast cells expressing the protein are able to take up {14C}methylamine . Methylamine uptake can be efficiently competed by NH4+ but not by K+ . The methylamine uptake is optimal at pH 7 with a Km of 65 microM and a Ki for NH4+ of approximately 10 microM, is energy-dependent and can be inhibited by protonophores . The plant protein is highly related to an NH4+ transporter from yeast (Marini et al., accompanying manuscript) . Sequence homologies to genes of bacterial and animal origin indicate that this type of transporter is conserved over a broad range of organisms . Taken together, the data provide strong evidence that a gene for the plant high affinity NH4+ uptake has been identified. J Bacteriol, 1994 Aug, 176(16), 5126 - 30 Evidence for structural conservation of Lon and RcsA; Dierksen KP et al.; DNA probes specific to the Escherichia coli genes encoding Lon protease and RcsA hybridized to specific DNA sequences in a number of different microorganisms . Antiserum to either E . coli protein Lon or RcsA reacted with specific proteins in these organisms . These results provide structural evidence of the presence of Lon and RcsA in organisms other than E . coli. Hepatology, 1994 Aug, 20(2), 356 - 61 Fibrous and obliterative cholangitis in liver allografts: evidence of recurrent primary sclerosing cholangitis? Harrison RF, Davies MH, Neuberger JM, Hubscher SG. Fibroobliterative lesions and fibrous cholangitis are characteristic histological lesions of primary sclerosing cholangitis . To determine whether such lesions can be found in the liver allograft, and whether they represent recurrent disease, we reviewed all consecutive histological material taken at greater than 6 mo after transplantation in a 3-yr period from a series of 207 liver transplantations (22 with primary sclerosing cholangitis, 185 controls without primary sclerosing cholangitis) . Because patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis have a biliary system reconstructed by means of a Roux loop, we compared the findings with those from a further control group of patients who had received a Roux loop for reasons other than primary sclerosing cholangitis . Of 22 patients receiving liver transplants for primary sclerosing cholangitis, 7 (32%) patients had biopsy specimens showing features of biliary obstruction, 6 (27%) showed fibrous cholangitis, and 3 (14%) showed classic fibroobliterative lesions . These findings compared with 3 (14%), 1 (5%) and 0 of 22 Roux controls, and 19 (10%), 4 (2%) and 0 of 185 controls without primary sclerosing cholangitis, respectively . The three patients with fibroobliterative lesions either had clinical episodes of cholangitis or had microorganisms in the large bile ducts . However, both biliary obstructive features and fibrous cholangitis were more common in primary sclerosing cholangitis, and fibroobliterative lesions were found only in patients who received transplants for primary sclerosing cholangitis, despite the presence of cholangitis and Roux loops in control patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Infect Immun, 1994 Aug, 62(8), 3311 - 9 High-molecular-mass lipopolysaccharides are involved in Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae adherence to porcine respiratory tract cells; Paradis SE et al.; Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is the causative agent of porcine pleuropneumonia . The major adhesin of A . pleuropneumoniae has been identified as the lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) (M . Belanger, D . Dubreuil, J . Harel, C . Girard, and M . Jacques, Infect . Immun . 58:3523-3530, 1990) . Using immunoelectron microscopy and flow cytometry, we showed in the present study that LPSs were well exposed at the surface of this encapsulated microorganism . Immunolocalization with porcine lung and tracheal frozen sections showed that extracted LPS bound to the lung mesenchyme and vascular endothelium and to the tracheal epithelium, respectively . Inhibition of adherence of A . pleuropneumoniae with extracted LPS was also performed with lung and tracheal frozen sections . Acid hydrolysis of LPS revealed that the active component of LPS was not lipid A but the polysaccharides . LPSs from A . pleuropneumoniae serotypes 1 and 2 were separated by chromatography on Sephacryl S-300 SF, in the presence of sodium deoxycholate, according to their molecular masses . The adherence-inhibitory activity was found in the high-molecular-mass fractions . These high-molecular-mass fractions contained 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid and neutral sugars, and they were recognized by a monoclonal antibody directed against A . pleuropneumoniae O antigen but not recognized by a monoclonal antibody against capsular antigen. J Infect Dis, 1994 Aug, 170(2), 464 - 7 Ultrastructural lung pathology of experimental Chlamydia pneumoniae pneumonitis in mice; Yang ZP et al.; The ultrastructural lung pathology of Swiss Webster mice on days 2, 4, 7, 11, 15, and 21 after intranasal inoculation of Chlamydia pneumoniae AR-39 is described . The inflammatory infiltrate was predominantly polymorphonuclear leukocytes on day 2 . By day 7, mononuclear cells were most prominent in the infiltrate . On day 2, chlamydial inclusions were found frequently in the bronchial ciliated epithelial cells and less frequently in the interstitial cells that appeared to be macrophages . Free particles of all developmental forms of the chlamydial microorganism were found in the bronchial lumen and alveolar space . These particles were likely organisms released from infected cells . Inclusions as well as free particles were difficult to find after day 4 . These ultrastructural observations suggest an immunopathologic basis for the acute phase of the disease process. Neurol Clin, 1994 Aug, 12(3), 541 - 64 Neurologic infections of the fetus and newborn; Griffith BP et al.; This article concentrates primarily on infections of viral origin, although numerous microorganisms can infect the fetal and newborn brain (see Tables 1 and 2) . Intrauterine infections occur most often for HIV, CMV and rubella, whereas HSV is preferentially transmitted intrapartum . In the last decade, changes in the epidemiology of some of the neonatal infections have occurred largely because of the AIDS epidemic . Indeed, pediatric HIV is now the second most frequent viral infection of the newborn (see Table 1) and congenital syphilis has reemerged . Surprisingly, the AIDS epidemic appears to have had minimum impact on infections with other organisms such as Toxoplasma and CMV that commonly infect the brain of adults with AIDS . The recent availability of improved viral diagnostic methods and anti-viral drugs has aided in the identification and treatment of infected newborns. Biochem Mol Biol Int, 1994 Aug, 33(5), 1023 - 32 How to determine control of growth rate in a chemostat . Using metabolic control analysis to resolve the paradox; Snoep JL et al.; The chemostat makes it possible to study microbial physiology at steady state . However, because growth rate in a chemostat is set by the experimenter, it seems impossible to employ the chemostat to study the control of microbial growth by processes within the microorganism . In this paper we show how, paradoxically, one can determine control of growth rate, of growth yield and of other fluxes in a chemostat . We develop metabolic control analysis for the chemostat . This analysis does not depend on the particular way in which specific growth rate varies with the concentration of the growth limiting substrate. Am J Infect Control, 1994 Aug, 22(4), 218 - 23 Use of image analysis to measure handwashing effectiveness; Turner JG et al.; BACKGROUND: This study tested a unique quantification technology (image analysis of fluorescent particles) for the measurement of handwashing effectiveness, comparing an automated system with traditional manual handwashing . In this instance, handwashing "effectiveness" was defined as ability of the technique to remove surface soil, as opposed to removal of microorganisms . METHODS: Sixty-five subjects washed their hands by manual handwashing (day 1) and automated handwashing (day 2) . Hands were coated with an oil-based fluorescent suspension, photographed under controlled conditions, washed for 10 seconds, and rephotographed . Photographs from before and after handwashing were subjected to image analysis . RESULTS: Manual handwashing removed 73.1% of the particles; the automated method removed 23.2% . Parameters for use of image analysis as a technique to examine removal of gross contamination from the hands are given in the text . CONCLUSIONS: Although this method will not replace traditional culture methods for examining microbial removal, it is useful for measuring removal of particles (gross contamination) from skin or other surfaces . Under the conditions tested, manual handwashing was found to be decidedly superior to use of an automated system for removal of oil-based soil on the hands. J Rheumatol, 1994 Aug, 21(8), 1573 - 7 Piroxicam induced pulmonary infiltrates and eosinophilia; Pfitzenmeyer P et al.; We describe 2 patients who developed pulmonary infiltrates while being treated with piroxicam . There was no satisfactory explanation other than drug induced lung disease for their illness . They had no exposure to pneumotoxic drugs or aerocontaminants . Microorganisms were not cultured in sputum or bronchoaveolar lavage . There was no underlying illness with possible lung involvement . Pulmonary infiltrates developed during piroxicam therapy, disappeared after drug withdrawal and recurred following rechallenge. Histochem J, 1994 Aug, 26(8), 666 - 77 Histochemical analysis of glycoproteins in the unicellar glands in the epidermis of an Indian freshwater fish Mastacembelus pancalus (Hamilton); Mittal AK et al.; The unicellular glands in the epidermis of the Indian freshwater fish Mastacembelus pancalus consist of three types of mucous cells and sacciform cells . The histochemical properties of their secretory glycoproteins have been analysed by means of a battery of histochemical methods . These included methods for the identification and simultaneous visualization of oxidizable vicinal diols, O-acyl sugars, O-sulphate esters and sialic acid residues with or without side-chain O-acyl variants . Four general classes of glycoproteins (GPs) were identified . These included (i) GPs with O-sulphate esters and oxidizable vicinal diols, (ii) GPs with oxidizable vicinal diols and sialic acid residues with or without O-acyl substitution at C7, (iii) GPs mainly with O-sulphate esters, low moieties of GPs with oxidizable vicinal diols, O-acyl sugars and sialic acid residues with side-chain O-acyl variant predominantly at C8 (or which are di- or tri-substituted) or C9 and in traces of sialic acid residues without O-acyl substitution or with O-acyl substitution at C7, and (iv) GPs with traces of oxidizable vicinal diols, O-acyl sugars and sialic acid residues with O-acyl substitution at C8 (or which are di- or tri-substituted) or C9 . The physiological significances of these GP classes and their release on the surface of the epidermis are discussed with special reference to their role in lubrication, protection and inhibition of the invasion and proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms in the epidermis, as adapted to the peculiar mode of life of the fish. Anal Biochem, 1994 Aug 1, 220(2), 244 - 8 Estimation of the sulfate content of hydrothermal vent bacterial polysaccharides by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; Lijour Y et al.; Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are characterized by unusual chemical and physical parameters, including high pressure and temperature . In this extreme environment, unusual microorganisms of biotechnological importance survive . Polymer-producing bacteria have been specifically studied for several years with the aim of demonstrating their ability to produce unusual polysaccharides in terms of physical, chemical, and biological properties . Because sulfates play an important role in the biological properties of polysaccharides, it is very important to determine their content with accuracy . Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used for sulfate analysis and the results were compared with those of other analytical techniques . We found a good correlation between FT-IR and other analytical techniques for sulfate concentrations ranging from 2.4 to 20% . The data indicated that this technique could be used to determine the chemical composition of the polymers along with a semiquantitative estimation of the sulfate content. J Periodontol, 1994 Aug, 65(8), 755 - 61 A preliminary report on a method for studying the permeability of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane to bacteria in vitro: a scanning electron microscopic and histological study; Simion M et al.; The technique of guided tissue regeneration using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membranes has been shown to be effective in implant dentistry (bony defects, extremely thin alveolar ridges, and implants placed in fresh extraction sockets) . One of the drawbacks associated with the use of membranes is their premature exposure with consequent bacterial contamination . The aim of this study was to examine the possibility that oral bacteria migrate through the occlusive portion of ePTFE membranes and to determine the time needed for microorganisms to pass from the outer surface to the inner surface of the membranes . A removable acrylic device was adapted to the molar-premolar region of one quadrant of the jaws in each of three volunteers . Five cylindrical teflon chambers were glued to the buccal aspect of each device . The chambers were divided into two rooms separated by the inner portion of a ePTFE membrane . The outer room was open to the oral cavity allowing plaque accumulation; the inner room was isolated from the oral cavity by the ePTFE membrane . One of the 5 chambers was completely closed and used as control . The test period lasted for 4 weeks . Every week, one chamber was removed from each device and processed for scanning electron microscopic and histologic examinations . Our study showed the possibility that oral bacteria may contaminate ePTFE membranes exposed to the oral cavity . One specimen showed partial bacterial penetration after 2 and 3 weeks, but after 4 weeks, all membrane specimens demonstrated bacterial contamination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Am Coll Nutr, 1994 Aug, 13(4), 311 - 3 Review: microbiology of the gastrostomy tube; Gottlieb K et al.; This review summarizes what is presently known about microbial colonization of silicone gastrostomy feeding tubes and their deterioration . Feeding tubes are frequently colonized by fungal and bacterial organisms . Candida organisms seem to originate from the oral cavity from where they colonize the stomach and the gastrostomy tubes . It appears that many microorganisms are able to metabolize certain polymer additives, and although this is well described for polyvinyl chloride, it is not for silicone elastomers . However, clinical evidence for a role of microorganisms in the deterioration of silicone feeding tubes is very strong . The clinical significance of gastrointestinal tract seeding from gastrostomy tubes, which act as incubators, is not fully understood and deserves further study . Likewise, deterioration of feeding tubes must be investigated systematically to address the safety and economical issues it presents. Cytopathology, 1994 Aug, 5(4), 243 - 50 Actinomycosis in fine needle aspiration cytology; Das DK; Four cases of actinomycosis were diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology and eight more cases were detected during a review of FNA smears reported as inflammatory . The age of these 12 cases ranged from 20 to 61 years with a median of 35 years . The male to female ratio was 3:1 . The common regions of involvement were cervicofacial in seven cases (58.3%), thoracic in three (25.0%) and abdominal in two (16.7%) . Four of the seven cervicofacial cases presented with intra-oral masses; the thoracic lesions were pulmonary in location, and the abdominal lesions presented as bowel masses . The possibility of actinomycosis was not considered clinically in any case . The main reason for missed cytodiagnosis in two thirds of the cases appeared to be observer error . It is suggested that when the aspiration smear from a mass is found to be an inflammatory exudate rich in neutrophils, special efforts must be made to look for this microorganism. Curr Opin Immunol, 1994 Aug, 6(4), 590 - 5 Interactions of bacteria with non-phagocytic cells; Galan JE; It is becoming increasingly clear that bacterial pathogens can manipulate the host cell to their advantage . Recently, we have learnt more about the different strategies that microorganisms have evolved to subvert normal host-cellular functions . These strategies allow bacteria to gain access to, survive, and replicate within host cells, as well as to spread to neighboring cells, without the need for an extracellular phase . During the next few years, we expect to learn much more about these mechanisms and, in the process, it is likely that we will learn more about the host itself. Nippon Rinsho, 1994 Aug, 52(8), 1977 - 81 {Pathways leading to intractable vasculitis syndromes: a review}; Ishikura H et al.; Intractable vasculitis syndromes are reviewed in terms of pathways leading to the diseases . The III-type, IV-type, and II-type allergic reaction, as well as angiospasm and endothelial dysfunction pathways are important in the pathogenesis of vasculitis . Each pathway has been described, using appropriate animal models or experimental and clinical data . Antigens of microorganisms are, among others, important pathogenic factors, activating several pathways . Endogenous retroviral antigens in the mouse, and possibly in humans, cause vasculitis through the II-type and III-type hypersensitivity, and experiments on the intractable vasculitis remain to be focused on this point. FEMS Microbiol Rev, 1994 Aug, 14(4), 339 - 49 Microbial oxidation and reduction of manganese: consequences in groundwater and applications; Gounot AM; In the natural environment, manganese is found as reduced soluble or adsorbed Mn(II) and insoluble Mn(III) and Mn(IV) oxides . Mn oxidation has been reported in various microorganisms . Several possible pathways, indirect or direct, have been proposed . A wider variety of Mn-reducing microorganisms, from highly aerobic to strictly anaerobic, has been described . The mechanisms of Mn reduction can be either an indirect process resulting from interactions with organic or inorganic compounds, or a direct enzymatic (electron-transfer) reaction . The role of microorganisms in Mn cycle is now well demonstrated by various methods in superficial natural environments, and research has been initiated on subsurface sediments . Observations in vivo (Rhone valley) and under in vitro suggested that bacterial activities are the main processes that promote manganese evolution and migration in shallow aquifers . After the building of hydroelectric dams, the stream of the Rhone was modified, giving rise to mud deposition on the bank . In the mud, bacteria are stimulated by the high organic content and consume oxygen . The redox potential drops . The manganese oxides previously formed under aerobic conditions are reduced and soluble manganese (Mn(II)) migrates into the aquifer . If the subsurface sediments are coarse-grained, the aquifer is well aerated, allowing the re-oxidation of Mn(II) by the oligotrophic attached bacteria in aquifer sediments . If the aquifer is confined, aeration is not sufficient for Mn-reoxidation . Mn(II) remains in a reduced state and migrates to the wells . Furthermore, the presence of organic matter in subsurface sediments results in the reduction of previously formed Mn oxides . Pseudo-amorphous manganese oxides, which were probably recently formed by bacteria, are more readily reduced than old crystalline manganese oxides . Although the concentrations of soluble manganese found in groundwaters are not toxic, it still is a problem since its oxidation results in darkening of water and plugging of pipes in drinking or industrial water systems . Soluble manganese can be removed from water by biological processes involving manganese-oxidizing bacteria, either in situ, or in sand filters after pumping . Various procedures are mentioned. Glycoconj J, 1994 Aug, 11(4), 304 - 8 Complement-dependent cytotoxic activity of serum mannan-binding protein towards mammalian cells with surface-exposed high-mannose type glycans; Ohta M et al.; Serum mannan-binding protein (S-MBP), a lectin specific for mannose and N-acetylglucosamine, activates complement through the classical pathway . With the help of complement, S-MBP lyses red blood cells which have been coated with yeast mannan and kills bacteria which have N-acetylglucosamine and/or L-glycero-D-manno-heptose on their core oligosaccharide . In this study, we examined whether mammalian cells, on which S-MBP could bound, are killed by a complement-dependent mechanism . When baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells were treated with an alpha-mannosidase inhibitor, 1-deoxymannojirimycin (dMM), most of the cellular oligosaccharides were transformed from the complex-type to the high mannose-type . S-MBP bound to the dMM-treated BHK cells in the presence of Ca2+, and this binding was eliminated by mannose . When dMM-treated cells, labelled with 51Cr, were incubated with complement, radioactivity was released in a dose-dependent manner by S-MBP and complement . This release was not observed with heat-inactivated complement . These observations suggest that S-MBP is able, with the help of complement, to kill not only exogenous microorganisms but also mammalian cells which have high mannose-type oligosaccharides exposed on their surfaces. Electrophoresis, 1994 Aug-Sep, 15(8-9), 1051 - 61 Analysis of photoreceptor proteins of microorganisms by gradient gel electrophoresis and other biochemical separation methods; Hader DP et al.; Photoreceptor proteins for photoorientation in microorganisms are usually membrane bound and can be isolated by standard biochemical methods . Three examples are shown: the flagellates Euglena gracilis, Peridinum gatunense and the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum . The photoreceptor of Euglena is attached to the basis of the flagellum and is composed of at least four chromoproteins which can be separated by gradient sodium dodecyl sulfate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) and isoelectric focusing (IEF); it contains pterins and a flavin as chromophoric groups . The photoreceptor of Peridinium absorbs in the red wavelength band . Though not yet identified in detail, multiple receptors are probably involved, as indicated by fluorescence spectroscopy . Dictyostelium shows positive and negative phototaxis in its amoebal form and exclusively positive phototaxis in its pseudoplasmodial form . It is still open to discussion whether the two stages use separate photoreceptors . From amoebae two photoreceptor pigments have been isolated, showing an absorption which resembles the action spectrum, one membrane bound with a molecular mass of 45 kDa and one cytoplasmic fraction with a molecular mass of 27 kDa. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1994 Aug-Sep, Suppl 1, 99 - 103 {The effect of the characteristics of the interaction of their determinant of virulence with the metabolic and specific mechanisms of immunity on the persistence of infectious causative agents}; Adamov AK; The persistence of the causative agents of infections depends on the effectiveness of the function of their virulence determinants ensuring their nutrition in the host body and resistance to its nonspecific and specific mechanisms of protection . The presence of antigens, effective mechanisms of antigenic reconstruction and, probably, the optimum ratio of strong and weak antigens in pathogenic microorganisms facilitates their persistence in the body of an immune host. Glycobiology, 1994 Aug, 4(4), 469 - 75 Purification and immunohistochemistry of Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin-II-binding mucus glycoprotein in rat stomach; Oinuma T et al.; Gastric mucus is thought to protect the gastric wall from mechanical trauma, desiccation, pathogenic microorganisms, acid and proteases . We purified Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin-II (GSA-II)-binding mucus glycoprotein (GMG) from rat gastric mucosa by solubilization in a guanidine-containing buffer, gel permeation chromatography, Ricinus communis agglutinin-I (RCA-I)-affinity chromatography and GSA-II-affinity chromatography . Rat GMG showed high molecular weight on a Sephacryl S-1000 column, and a single band in 0.5% agarose-2% polyacrylamide composite gels and blots . A protein of approximately 60 kDa was contained in the GMG preparation . GMG was deglycosylated with trifluoromethanesulphonic acid treatment . An antibody was raised against deglycosylated GMG (deGMG) . The antibody recognized deGMG, GMG, periodic acid-treated deGMG and O-glycanase-digested deGMG, but did not react to trypsin-digested deGMG . These results suggest that the antibody recognizes proteinase-sensitive region or peptide backbone of GMG . In immunohistochemistry, the mucous gel layer of the stomach luminal surface was stained with antibody . The antibody recognized not only gastric mucous neck cells and pyloric gland cells, but also gastric surface mucous cells, mucous cells in the duodenal gland, and goblet cells in the small intestine and colon . These results indicate that GMG is a component of rat gastric mucus, and that the antibody recognizes mucous-secreting cells in rat stomach and intestine. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1994 Aug, 13(8), 658 - 9 Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with acute Q fever; Bernard E et al.; Several bacterial and viral agents have been implicated in the pathogenesis of the Guillain-Barre syndrome, an acquired immune-mediated disorder . A case of Guillain-Barre syndrome associated with acute Q fever is described . Coxiella burnetii should therefore be added to the list of microorganisms capable of inducing the Guillain-Barre syndrome. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 1994 Aug, 56(2), 95 - 101 Prevalence and influence of Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum in 218 African pregnant women and their infants; Luton D et al.; OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu) and Mycoplasma hominis (Mh) in the lower genital tract of pregnant women, their evolution during pregnancy, and the effect of these pathogens on the outcome of pregnancy in Equatorial Africa . STUDY DESIGN: 218 pregnant women were followed from before 20 weeks gestational age through delivery . Samples were taken from the cervix at every visit and from the newborn at delivery and tested for Uu and Mh . The data were analysed using Student's t-test, the Mann-Whitney, or the chi 2-test . RESULTS: The prevalence of cervical colonization by Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis in pregnant women was 79% and 41% respectively . Colonization with Uu and Mh increased significantly throughout pregnancy (P < 0.001) . Their presence was associated with lower gestational age at delivery, lower birth weight and increased neonatal morbidity and mortality (P < 0.05) . Erythromycin therapy did not have any effect on the evolution of Uu and Mh colonization during pregnancy . CONCLUSION: Uu and Mh are additional factors that might contribute to poor pregnancy outcome in a country where neonatal health is already impaired by many other microorganism. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol, 1994 Aug, 9(2), 91 - 100 The role of infectious agents in sudden infant death syndrome; Blackwell CC et al.; Epidemiological factors associated with susceptibility to respiratory infections are similar to those associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome . Here we review the evidence that respiratory pathogens might be involved in some cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in the context of factors identified in epidemiological studies of cot deaths: the age range affected; mother' smoking; respiratory viral infections; immunisation status . Both laboratory and epidemiological evidence suggests that vulnerability of infants to infectious agents depends on interactions between genetic, developmental and environmental factors that contribute to colonisation by microorganisms, the inflammatory and specific immune responses and the infants' physiological responses to inflammatory mediators . A model is proposed to explain how microorganisms might trigger a series of events resulting in some of these unexpected deaths and discusses how the the present recommendations regarding child care practices might help reduce the numbers of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome cases associated with infectious agents. J Cutan Pathol, 1994 Aug, 21(4), 289 - 96 Idiopathic plantar hidradenitis: a neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis occurring primarily in children; Stahr BJ et al.; Neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis (NEH) has been described in a variety of clinical settings but is most often seen in leukemic patients receiving chemotherapy . We have recently encountered 6 healthy individuals, of whom 5 were children, who developed NEH localized to the feet . The patients were from 9 to 21 years of age . The presenting complaint was rapid development of tenderness of the feet with varying degrees of morbidity . At clinical evaluation, tender, erythematous papules and nodules were confined to the feet, primarily the plantar surfaces . The major differential diagnoses were erythema nodosum and vasculitis . Laboratory studies were non-contributory . Histologically, the findings were generally similar to those of NEH with certain exceptions, most notably the absence of syringosquamous metaplasia and the presence, in most cases, of neutrophilic abscesses in eccrine coils . Inflammatory and degenerative changes involved primarily the eccrine duct (coiled and dermal), and tended to spare the secretory apparatus . Stains for microorganisms were negative . There were brief recurrences in some of the patients, but those followed over time have remained well . We suggest the term idiopathic plantar hidradenitis for this condition. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem, 1994 Aug, 58(8), 1545 - 6 Isolation and characterization of a dipeptidyl aminopeptidase from Streptomyces sp . WM-23; Murao S et al.; A screening test was undertaken to isolate microorganisms that produced dipeptidyl aminopeptidase . The hydrolytic activity toward alanyl-phenylalanine p-nitroanilide was found in a culture filtrate of a actinomyces strain (WM-23), newly isolated from a soil sample . The enzyme (WM-23 dipeptidyl aminopeptidase) was isolated from the culture filtrate as a homogeneous preparation . The WM-23 enzyme, inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, may be classified to mammalian dipeptidyl aminopeptidase II . The enzymatic characteristics were investigated. J Leukoc Biol, 1994 Aug, 56(2), 166 - 73 Functional characterization of peripheral circulating and liver recruited neutrophils in endotoxic rats; Spitzer JA et al.; Neutrophil accumulation in tissue is a hallmark of inflammation and is associated with a variety of pathological conditions . In bacterial infection neutrophils are selectively attracted in large numbers to phagocytose and kill invading microorganisms . However, activated neutrophils can also cause injury to tissues . To investigate functional alterations in liver recruited neutrophils (PMNs), we studied the functional characteristics of circulating blood and liver sequestered PMNs in terms of host defense mechanisms, such as nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (SO) generation, beta 2 integrin expression, phagocytosis, and eicosanoid profile . Cells were isolated from rats infused with a nonlethal dose (320 micrograms/kg) of E . coli endotoxin (ET) or pyrogen-free saline for 90 min . Liver PMNs produced significantly more NO both in the absence and in the presence of an in vitro endotoxin challenge than did blood PMNs . No significant difference was observed in phorbol myristate acetate-stimulated SO generation . Endotoxin infusion significantly up-regulated the expression of CD11b/c in circulating and even more so in liver PMNs . Phagocytosis was significantly enhanced by in vivo ET treatment in blood PMNs, and liver PMNs showed even greater phagocytic activity than blood PMNs or Kupffer cells . The percent distribution of prostaglandins D2 and E2 of total 14C-eicosanoids was significantly higher and that of thromboxane B2 and 5-, 12-, and 15-HETEs was significantly lower in liver than in blood PMNs . Our study demonstrates several functional differences between liver-recruited and circulating PMNs in an acute endotoxic model . The implications of altered neutrophil function may extend to mechanisms of host defense and hepatotoxicity associated with sepsis and endotoxemia. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1994 Aug, 171(2), 455 - 60 Proliferative response to conserved epitopes of the Chlamydia trachomatis and human 60-kilodalton heat-shock proteins by lymphocytes from women with salpingitis; Witkin SS et al.; OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine whether an upper genital tract Chlamydia trachomatis infection sensitizes lymphocytes to heat-shock protein epitopes expressed in both the human and chlamydial 60 kd heat-shock protein . STUDY DESIGN: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from women with or without a prior documented salpingitis and tested for their ability to proliferate in response to the recombinant C . trachomatis heat-shock protein and to five synthetic peptides corresponding to conserved epitopes expressed in both the human and chlamydial heat-shock proteins . RESULTS: Among 22 healthy women with no history of chlamydial infections or salpingitis and 10 women seen for complaints other than a C . trachomatis infection, none had positive lymphocyte responses to any of the peptides and only one responded to the chlamydial heat-shock protein . Among nine women with a single episode of salpingitis none responded to the chlamydial heat-shock protein and one exhibited a positive lymphocyte response to a single peptide . This woman was also positive for C . trachomatis in the cervix . In contrast, among the 10 women with two or more episodes of salpingitis four (40%) had proliferation in response to the chlamydial heat-shock protein and five (50%) had positive lymphocyte responses to one of the peptides; two of these women also had C . trachomatis detected in their cervices . CONCLUSION: In women with a history of C . trachomatis upper genital tract infections, infection with C . trachomatis or other microorganisms can induce a lymphocyte proliferative response to the chlamydial 60 kd heat-shock protein and to epitopes present in the human heat-shock protein. Leukemia, 1994 Aug, 8(8), 1424 - 34 Effective treatment of mycoplasma contamination in cell lines with enrofloxacin (Baytril); Fleckenstein E et al.; Continuous cell lines are frequently contaminated with microorganisms, mycoplasmas being the most prominent and cumbersome . In our experience, of the 300 cell lines examined more than one third was infected with mycoplasmas . Mycoplasma contamination can affect virtually every parameter and functional activity of a cultured cell . An alternative to the recommended disposal of infected cultures is an attempt to eliminate the contaminants . Adding antibiotics with strong activity against mycoplasmas to the culture medium is a simple, inexpensive and efficient decontamination method . Here, we studied the effectiveness of the new antibiotic enrofloxacin (Baytril) developed specifically for use against mycoplasmas . Baytril is a new synthetic agent from the group of quinolone derivatives that are DNA gyrase inhibitors . Thirty-two chronically infected cell lines (27 human leukemia-lymphoma cell lines) were treated with Baytril in a prospective study in direct comparison with three other well-established anti-mycoplasma regimens, the antibiotics BM-Cyclin, Ciprobay and MRA (Mycoplasma Removal Agent) . Mycoplasmas were detected by DNA staining, agar colony growth, DNA-RNA hybridization, polymerase chain reaction, and monoclonal antibody staining . Treatment with Baytril eliminated the contaminants in 30/32 cultures (94%) . The cure rates for Ciprobay, BM-Cyclin and MRA were 91%, 81%, and 75%, respectively . The IC50 values of Baytril for cell lines varied over a wide range depending on the type of hematopoietic cell lineage with T- and B-cell lines being more sensitive targets . Baytril-treated cell lines remained mycoplasma-negative over a 12-week antibiotic-free culture period . Low levels of mycoplasma infection were shown not to persist by repeat testing after growth without antibiotics . A retrospective analysis of anti-mycoplasma treatments with BM-Cyclin, Ciprobay, MRA or Baytril showed that 265/351 cultures (75%) were immediately cured of mycoplasma; however, all of the remaining, mycoplasma-positive cultures harboring mycoplasms resistant to the first antibiotic could be cleaned up by a second round with a different antibiotic . Baytril is an efficient anti-mycoplasma antibiotic and based on its high cure rate might be the treatment of first choice. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1994 Jul 30, 124(30), 1326 - 33 {Heart and AIDS}; Buhler JA et al.; Although pulmonary and central nervous symptoms prevail before death, autopsy often reveals marked myocardial alterations in AIDS patients . This discrepancy prompted us to systematically study cardiac alterations in 100 sequential autopsies of patients who died of AIDS . We appraised the results in relation to changes noted in other organ systems, and compared our data with the AIDS-associated cardiac alterations described in the literature . Cardiac lesions were present in more than 50% of our patients, predominantly in the myocardium (47%) . 38 patients displayed signs of active myocarditis . The endocardium and epicardium were secondarily involved, although drug abuse (23 patients) was the most important risk factor for HIV infection, after homosexuality (44%) . The prevailing opportunistic agents were identical to those generally seen in AIDS patients, i.e . toxoplasma, cytomegalovirus, mycobacteria and fungi, with the exception of Pneumocystis carinii . This microorganism spared the heart, although it was present in the lungs of 47 patients . Our results are in keeping with other published data . Toxoplasma, present in the myocardium of our patients more frequently than reported in other series, did not necessarily cause a concomitant myocarditis; Coxsackie viruses are deemed to be responsible for many cases of myocarditis in AIDS patients, perhaps even in cases in which we found toxoplasma pseudocysts to be present in the heart muscle . The study clearly shows that the heart is often the unrecognized target of AIDS-associated lesions, even in the initial phase of the AIDS outbreak (1981-1989) . Thus, not every shortness of breath is necessarily of pulmonary origin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 1994 Jul 29, 345(1311), 65 - 73 Theoretical and practical aspects of the quantification of biodiversity among microorganisms; O'Donnell AG et al.; The quantification of biodiversity among microorganisms has to address both theoretical and practical aspects . Species concepts are often at variance with those applied in macroorganisms, and satisfactory concepts suitable for general use in bacteria and fungi have yet to be formulated . Molecular approaches have not yet provided a universal solution to this key issue . Quantification in habitats such as soil is difficult as isolation procedures yield only a small and skewed selection of the microorganisms present . Indices of taxonomic or phylogenetic diversity have potential in the quantification of microbial diversity at a range of ranks, but the non-equivalence of ranks and representatives of the taxa detected have to be addressed . Chemical and molecular methods have immense potential in the quantification of microbial diversity in environmental samples; 16S rRNA has shown particular promise with bacteria, but as yet the fungi lack a universal probe . A greater awareness of the limitations of existing approaches and methodologies used by microbiologists is needed, but significant progress can be anticipated as new technologies are developed and become more widely adopted. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 1994 Jul 29, 345(1311), 21 - 33 Biodiversity at the molecular level: the domains, kingdoms and phyla of life; Embley TM et al.; The results of comparative sequence analysis, mainly of small subunit (SSU) ribosomal (r)RNA sequences, have suggested that all of cellular life can be placed in one of three domains: the Archaea, Bacteria or Eucarya . There is some evidence that the Archaea may not be a monophyletic assemblage, but as yet this issue has not been resolved . Most of the lineages, and all of the deepest ones, in the tree based upon SSU rRNA sequences, are microbial . Traditional ideas of classification such as Whittaker's five kingdom scheme do not adequately describe life's diversity as revealed by sequence comparisons . There are many microbial groups that demonstrate much greater amounts of SSU rRNA sequence divergence than do members of the classical kingdoms, Animalia, Plantae and Fungi . The old microbial kingdoms Monera and Protista are clearly paraphyletic but as yet there is no consensus as to how they should be reorganized in taxonomic terms . New data from environmental analysis suggests that much of the microbial world is unknown . Every environment which has been analysed by molecular methods has revealed many previously unrecorded lineages . Some of these show great divergence from the sequences of cultured microorganisms suggesting that fundamentally new microbial groups remain to be isolated . The relationships of some of these new lineages may be expected to affect how the tree of life is organized into higher taxa, and to also influence which features will be recognized as synapomorphies . There is currently no objective measure whereby microbial diversity can be quantified and compared to the figures which are widely quoted for arthropods and other Metazoa. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 1994 Jul 29, 345(1311), 101 - 18 Estimating terrestrial biodiversity through extrapolation; Colwell RK et al.; Both the magnitude and the urgency of the task of assessing global biodiversity require that we make the most of what we know through the use of estimation and extrapolation . Likewise, future biodiversity inventories need to be designed around the use of effective sampling and estimation procedures, especially for 'hyperdiverse' groups of terrestrial organisms, such as arthropods, nematodes, fungi, and microorganisms . The challenge of estimating patterns of species richness from samples can be separated into (i) the problem of estimating local species richness, and (ii) the problem of estimating the distinctness, or complementarity, of species assemblages . These concepts apply on a wide range of spatial, temporal, and functional scales . Local richness can be estimated by extrapolating species accumulation curves, fitting parametric distributions of relative abundance, or using non-parametric techniques based on the distribution of individuals among species or of species among samples . We present several of these methods and examine their effectiveness for an example data set . We present a simple measure of complementarity, with some biogeographic examples, and outline the difficult problem of estimating complementarity from samples . Finally, we discuss the importance of using 'reference' sites (or sub-sites) to assess the true richness and composition of species assemblages, to measure ecologically significant ratios between unrelated taxa, to measure taxon/sub-taxon (hierarchical) ratios, and to 'calibrate' standardized sampling methods . This information can then be applied to the rapid, approximate assessment of species richness and faunal or floral composition at 'comparative' sites. Gene, 1994 Jul 22, 145(1), 97 - 101 Sequencing and expression of the aroA gene from Dichelobacter nodosus; Alm RA et al.; The aroA locus of the Gram- pathogen Dichelobacter nodosus, which encodes 5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase, has been sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli . The gene is located on a 1.48-kb DraI-HindIII fragment located directly upstream and in opposite transcriptional orientation to the gene encoding the fimbrial structural subunit . The deduced open reading frame is 1329 nucleotides in length, which encodes a protein of 443 amino acids (aa) with a calculated M(r) of 47,413, which was visualized in E . coli minicells, under the control of its native promoter . This derived aa sequence displays significant similarities with the sequences of the aroA gene products from a variety of microorganisms. Science, 1994 Jul 22, 265(5171), 524 - 8 The three-dimensional crystal structure of the catalytic core of cellobiohydrolase I from Trichoderma reesei; Divne C et al.; Cellulose is the major polysaccharide of plants where it plays a predominantly structural role . A variety of highly specialized microorganisms have evolved to produce enzymes that either synergistically or in complexes can carry out the complete hydrolysis of cellulose . The structure of the major cellobiohydrolase, CBHI, of the potent cellulolytic fungus Trichoderma reesei has been determined and refined to 1.8 angstrom resolution . The molecule contains a 40 angstrom long active site tunnel that may account for many of the previously poorly understood macroscopic properties of the enzyme and its interaction with solid cellulose . The active site residues were identified by solving the structure of the enzyme complexed with an oligosaccharide, o-iodobenzyl-1-thio-beta-cellobioside . The three-dimensional structure is very similar to a family of bacterial beta-glucanases with the main-chain topology of the plant legume lectins. Mikrobiol Z, 1994 Jul-Sep, 56(4), 36 - 42 {The biological properties of Aerococcus antagonists, representatives of human microbiocenoses}; Kremenchutskii GN et al.; The paper deals with the data on biology of Aerococcus, a slightly studied group of microorganisms . Physiological-biochemical properties of Aerococcus are described, data of their distribution in nature are given . Peculiar attention is paid to the estimate of the role of Aerococcus in human microbiocenoses . As a result of the profound and all-round study of this group of microorganisms the authors have developed new bacterial drug "A-bakterin" based on the aerococcus strain . Data presented about the results of clinical tests of "A-bakterin" are presented, a possibility to use Aerococcus lysate in the elaboration of new drugs is discussed. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1994 Jul 1, 120(1-2), 11 - 2 Further evidence in support of the authenticity of microorganisms believed to have survived for 5300 years; Haselwandter K et al.; It has been questioned whether the microorganisms isolated from hay, which the ice-man had used for padding his boots, were authentic . The arguments in favour of, and those brought forward against, the authenticity are discussed . Based upon additional circumstantial evidence we maintain our view that the microbial strains isolated from the grass samples are more likely to be of ancient origin than to have been derived from secondary contamination. Trends Microbiol, 1994 Jul, 2(7), 250 - 4 Infection and multiple sclerosis: a possible role for superantigens? Brocke S, Veromaa T, Weissman IL, Gijbels K, Steinman L. The association of infection with autoimmune diseases is enigmatic, partly because cause and effect are difficult to establish in chronic diseases . Microorganisms might initiate multiple sclerosis and trigger relapses of disease . Superantigens might be involved in autoimmunity through the (re)activation of T cells, including autoreactive cells, expressing certain T cell receptor beta chain variable regions. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1994 Jul, 60(7), 2438 - 49 Evidence for a novel pathway in the degradation of fluorene by Pseudomonas sp . strain F274; Grifoll M et al.; A fluorene-utilizing microorganism, identified as a species of Pseudomonas, was isolated from soil severely contaminated from creosote use and was shown to accumulate six major metabolites from fluorene in washed-cell incubations . Five of these products were identified as 9-fluorenol, 9-fluorenone, (+)-1,1a-dihydroxy-1-hydro-9-fluorenone, 8-hydroxy-3,4-benzocoumarin, and phthalic acid . This last compound was also identified in growing cultures supported by fluorene . Fluorene assimilation into cell biomass was estimated to be approximately 50% . The structures of accumulated products indicate that a previously undescribed pathway of fluorene catabolism is employed by Pseudomonas sp . strain F274 . This pathway involves oxygenation of fluorene at C-9 to give 9-fluorenol, which is then dehydrogenated to the corresponding ketone, 9-fluorenone . Dioxygenase attack on 9-fluorenone adjacent to the carbonyl group gives an angular diol, 1,1a-dihydroxy-1-hydro-9-fluorenone . Identification of 8-hydroxy-3,4-benzocoumarin and phthalic acid suggests that the five-membered ring of the angular diol is opened first and that the resulting 2'-carboxy derivative of 2,3-dihydroxy-biphenyl is catabolized by reactions analogous to those of biphenyl degradation, leading to the formation of phthalic acid . Cell extracts of fluorene-grown cells possessed high levels of an enzyme characteristic of phthalate catabolism, 4,5-dihydroxyphthalate decarboxylase, together with protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase . On the basis of these findings, a pathway of fluorene degradation is proposed to account for its conversion to intermediary metabolites . A range of compounds with structures similar to that of fluorene was acted on by fluorene-grown cells to give products consistent with the initial reactions proposed. Ther Umsch, 1994 Jul, 51(7), 459 - 61 {History of vitamins}; Muller-Landgraf I; The history of the discovery of vitamins was initiated by the observation that beriberi is caused by qualitatively poor nutrition rather than by microorganisms . An early theory suggested the formation of toxins by improper cooking, preservation, or storage; however, research soon took another turn . Feeding experiments with standardized food pointed at the existence of 'accessory factors', present in food in small amounts . These factors seemed to be essential for the maintenance of metabolic processes, yet could not be synthesized by the organism . This was the initial spark for a worldwide research boom . The period from 1912 to 1948 saw the isolation and identification of individual factors belonging to a variety of chemical classes collectively labeled as 'vitamins'. J Leukoc Biol, 1994 Jul, 56(1), 36 - 40 Selective Mycobacterium avium-induced production of nitric oxide by human monocyte-derived macrophages; Dumarey CH et al.; Infection with a virulent strain of Mycobacterium avium, but not with virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis or avirulent Mycobacterium smegmatis, induced the formation of nitric oxide by human monocyte-derived macrophages . This process was not affected by lipopolysaccharide or cytokines such as interferon-gamma or tumor necrosis factor alpha . M . avium-induced nitric oxide production was significantly decreased by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, a potent inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase activity, without any significant enhancement of intramacrophagic mycobacterial growth . Infection with all the three mycobacterial species induced a significant activation of phospholipase A2 activity of macrophages as evidenced by the increased release of thromboxane A2 . Finally, nitric oxide production by human monocyte-derived macrophages required infection with live M . avium, as neither gamma-irradiated M . avium nor the subcellular fractions of this microorganism (cell wall, cytosol) were able to trigger nitric oxide synthesis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 1994 Jul, 150(1), 261 - 5 Chronic destructive lung disease associated with a novel mycobacterium; Emler S et al.; A woman born in 1920 has suffered from a chronic destructive lung disease since 1972, with development of a severe combined restrictive and obstructive ventilatory defect . Large quantities of acid-fast microorganisms have been repeatedly observed in her sputum . Multiple courses of antimycobacterial treatment did not stop the progression of the disease . The mycobacterium involved was first identified as Mycobacterium gordonae, and later as Mycobacterium scrofulaceum . Analysis of part of the amplified gene of the 16S rRNA, however, revealed that its sequence differed from that of any established mycobacterial species, although it was observed once before in a German lymph node isolate, for which the name "Mycobacterium interjectum" has been proposed . Retrospective analysis confirmed the presence of this sequence in frozen samples which had been provided by the patient in 1983, 1985, 1989, 1990, and 1993 . Our case confirms the value of amplification and sequencing of mycobacterial 16S rRNA for classifying mycobacteria, and suggests that "Mycobacterium interjectum" may be involved in cases of chronic destructive lung disease. Sud Med Ekspert, 1994 Jul-Sep, 37(3), 5 - 7 {A comparative study of the glucose level in dry blood stains from donors and cadavers}; Kachina NN; Glucose concentrations in dry spots of cadaveric and donor blood stored at room temperature for different periods were measured . Studies by glucose oxidase method revealed that glucose levels in dry spots of both cadaveric and donor blood gradually reduced until completely disappeared, but in comparison with glucose level lowering in liquid blood the period during which this carbohydrate completely disappeared from a dry blood spot was by several times longer . Effects of the velocity of blood spot drying and of microorganisms contaminating the sample may make the expert conclusions doubtful. Med Hypotheses, 1994 Jul, 43(1), 6 - 10 Self and nonself: duality of immune system; Chigira M; From the viewpoint of evolution, mammalian immunity has been developed to prevent invasion by foreign bodies including parasites and microorganisms and not to survey oncogenesis . The surveillance system on oncogenesis has been lost in the evolutionary process from amphibians to mammals . The essential duality between developmental antigens and tumor specific antigens is important in explaining what the target of self-defense mechanisms is . This duality between self-defense and defense against foreign bodies originated from invertebrates as shown in insects . Immunity has been developed to survey retrodifferentiation of somatic cells and to drive the developmental process in organogenesis . Under these conditions, the clonal deletion theory of immunocyte differentiation will lose its teleological meaning . Also, the hypothesis explaining self reactivity of immunity by the immune system recognizing only an 'internal image' composed of an idio-antiidio network of immunocytes and antibodies is overly pedantic. New Microbiol, 1994 Jul, 17(3), 249 - 53 Rapid detection of mycobacteria by combining a radiometric detection system with DNA probes; Mascellino MT et al.; Forty-four Mycobacterium-spp . were isolated in 33 patients from an infectious diseases ward . All patients were HIV-positive and most of them were drug-abusers . M . avium-intracellulare was the most common type of MOTT (Mycobacteria other than tuberculosis) detected and the only microorganism isolated in patients with mycobacteriaemia . The radiometric method performed by the Bactec system enhanced the isolation rate of mycobacteria, especially from the bloodstream . The Gen-probe DNA hybridization system proved to be rapid diagnostic tool for the identification of strains. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 1994 Jul, 15(7), 443 - 6 Viewpoint: survival benefit by selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD); van Saene HK et al.; Morbidity and mortality due to infection acquired either before or after admission to the intensive care unit is still a major problem . A limited range of potentially pathogenic microorganisms (PPM) are involved, and infection with these PPM usually follows a predictable pattern . Selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) should be investigated further in patients with primarily curable diseases who are not infected on admission to intensive care but become infected there. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1994 Jul, 34(1), 139 - 48 Bacteriology of selective decontamination: efficacy and rebound colonization; Tetteroo GW et al.; In earlier studies concerning the use of selective decontamination (SD) we recognized some patients to have an incomplete or failed decontamination which had negative consequences for their outcome . We also experienced patients to have a rebound colonization with potentially pathogenic microorganisms (PPM) after the withdrawal of SD medication, thereby endangering the hospital environment as sources of possibly resistant microorganisms . In a prospective observational cohort-study, we have studied 135 patients on a surgical ICU in a University hospital . On admission 51% of all patients harboured PPM, of which 64% and 79% were eliminated form the oropharynx and gut, respectively . A total of 49 episodes of SD (32%) had to be defined as ineffective, partly due to late or inadequate administration of medication . Rebound colonization with nosocomial aerobic PPM was seen in 20 of 90 successfully decontaminated episodes, but there were no infections . Eighty-four of 123 surveillance cultures (68%) revealed a complete recolonization with flora in a composition not different from the pre-admission flora . Withdrawal of SD medication 5 days after extubation proved satisfactory because no infections ensued . Surveillance cultures are obligatory to determine whether SD is effective as one third of patients receiving SD experienced bacterial colonization with PPM and therefore had no benefit from this prophylaxis . In addition, these results indicate that an intact and functional colonization resistance develops in patients after cessation of effective SD medication, but only when physiological defence mechanisms are presumably restored . In the seven years of experience with SD, increasing antibiotic resistance has not been in the study hospital. Z Naturforsch {C}, 1994 Jul-Aug, 49(7-8), 407 - 10 7-Chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-1(3H)-isobenzofuranone and basidalin: antibiotic secondary metabolites from Leucoagaricus carneifolia Gillet (basidiomycetes) {corrected}; Huff T et al.; Two antibiotic metabolites were isolated from cultures of Leucoagaricus carneifolia . Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods . The first compound, 7-chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-1(3H)-isobenzofuranone {corrected} (1) had to our knowledge not been described from natural sources whereas the second, basidalin (2), is a known metabolite of L . naucina (H . Iinuma et al., 1983) . 1 exhibits antibiotic activities with minimal inhibitory concentrations of 20 micrograms/ml against Botrytis cinerea, the most sensitive microorganism. J Dairy Sci, 1994 Jul, 77(7), 2103 - 12 Physiology of mastitis and factors affecting somatic cell counts; Harmon RJ; Inflammation of the mammary gland that results from the introduction and multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms in the mammary gland is a complex series of events leading to reduced synthetic activity, compositional changes, and elevated SCC . The magnitude and temporal relationships of these responses vary with nutritional status, other animal factors, and the pathogen involved . Because the elevation of SCC is a response to an insult to the mammary gland and is modulated by inflammatory mediators, the major factor influencing SCC is infection status . The effects of stage of lactation, age, season, and various stresses on SCC are minor if the gland is uninfected . Except for normal diurnal variation, few factors other than infection status have a significant impact on milk SCC. J Clin Microbiol, 1994 Jul, 32(7), 1750 - 6 Development of o.a.s.i.s., a new automated blood culture system in which detection is based on measurement of bottle headspace pressure changes; Stevens CM et al.; o.a.s.i.s . (Unipath Ltd., Basingstoke, United Kingdom) is a new automated blood culture system . The metabolism of microorganisms is detected by measuring changes in the pressure of the headspace of blood culture bottles . These changes are measured by monitoring the position of a flexible sealing septum, every 5 min, with a scanning laser sensor . This noninvasive system can detect both gas absorption and production and does not rely solely on measuring increasing carbon dioxide levels . A research prototype instrument was used to carry out an evaluation of the media, the detection system, and its associated detection algorithm . In simulated blood cultures, o.a.s.i.s . supported growth and detected a range of clinical isolates . Times to positivity were significantly shorter in o.a.s.i.s . than in the BACTEC 460 system . Results of a clinical feasibility study, with a manual blood culture system as a control, confirmed that o.a.s.i.s . was able to support the growth and detection of a variety of clinically significant organisms . On the basis of these findings, full-scale comparative clinical trials of o.a.s.i.s . with other automated blood culture systems are warranted. In Vivo, 1994 Jul-Aug, 8(4), 613 - 9 Non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NIP): immunohistologic screening of etiologic agents; Ostermann A et al.; Non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NIP) occurs frequently in patients with HIV-infection . To elucidate the etiology of this pulmonary disorder, we searched for 13 different microorganisms in transbronchial biopsies from 15 patients with NIP, 15 patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) and 20 patients with lung diseases not related to HIV-infection using monoclonal antibodies and the APAAP- or PAP-technique for immunostaining . Chlamydia trachomatis and parainfluenza III were detected frequently and in great number . Adenovirus, influenza B, varicella zoster and cytomegalovirus were also found frequently, but not in great number . Measles virus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A and herpesviruses 1&2 were not found . Also not found were parainfluenza I, mycoplasma pneumoniae and coronavirus . In seven out of fifteen NIP patients at least one organism was shown, compared to nine out of fifteen patients with PCP and eight out of twenty patients in the control group. Bioorg Med Chem, 1994 Jul, 2(7), 659 - 67 Thermostability and thermoactivity of enzymes from hyperthermophilic Archaea; Adams MW et al.; Enzymes from hyperthermophilic microorganisms are characteristically thermostable and thermoactive at extremely high temperatures . Information about the basis for the structure and function of these novel proteins is beginning to emerge . However, there are very few generalizations that can be drawn at this point that can be derived from the limited number of studies that have focused on biocatalysis and thermostability at extremely high temperatures. Lijec Vjesn, 1994 Jul-Aug, 116(7-8), 211 - 5 {Bacterial adherence and its importance in the pathogenesis of infections}; Vranes J; Bacteria usually attack the susceptible animal or human organisms at mucosal surfaces of the respiratory, gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract . To colonize these surfaces they must penetrate a number of nonspecific defense barriers including cleansing mechanisms such as sneezing, coughing, peristalsis and fluid flow . Successful microorganisms escape recognition by soluble immune or nonimmune molecules, and bind to the mucosal surfaces via specialised molecules exposed on their surface (adhesions) which recognize and interact with complementary molecules (receptors) on the surface of specific host cells . This key step in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases is currently the subject of intensive investigation . In this review the mechanism and the role of adherence in different bacterial infections are considered. Rev Latinoam Microbiol, 1994 Jul-Sep, 36(3), 213 - 9 {Sequential activation of cellular and humoral immunity in leprosy: considerations based on recent findings}; Rojas-Espinosa O et al.; Lepromatous leprosy in the human being evolves showing a progressive loss of cell mediated immunity (CMI) to the antigens of Mycobacterium leprae (ML) . This does not prevent the host to respond with antibodies to the same microorganism . On the other hand, the production of antibodies to the great majority of exogenous antigens results from cell-to-cell interactions that involve the participation of helper T cells . On this ground, a satisfactory explanation for the loss of CMI to M . leprae (which indicates either the loss or inactivation of specific helper T cells), with no effect on the humoral response to the same microorganism (this implying the participation of functional specific helper T cells), was difficult to found . It was not until Mosmann established, in the mouse, the existence of two subpopulations of helper T cells, that a feasible explanation for the apparent immunological paradox observed in leprosy was possible to offer . The work described here, based to a great extent in our experience on murine leprosy, refers to recent concepts concerning this issue. J Periodontol, 1994 Jul, 65(7), 713 - 7 Effects of antibiotic treatment on clinical conditions with guided tissue regeneration: one-year results; Demolon IA et al.; The one-year results of a regenerative procedure in patients treated with or without antibiotics are presented . Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) was placed over mandibular molar Class II furcation invasions and retained for four weeks . The patients in group 1 received no antibiotics; patients in group 2 received amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium during the first 10 post-operative days . The initial differences in tested microorganisms and post-surgical inflammation indicated that the use of the antibiotic might enhance the long-term outcome . After one year, the reduction in mean probing depth of the furcation invasions was 2.0 +/- 1.2 mm for group 1 and 1.8 +/- 1.1 mm for group 2 . An overall gain of 0.8 mm of clinical attachment was found . Twenty-two of the 24 sites were re-entered . Wide individual variations were found but the changes between pre-treatment and one-year data for any of 6 linear measurements of hard tissue landmarks did not differ between groups or between pre-treatment and re-entry . A combination of an overall loss of 0.4 mm alveolar bone at the crest and 0.3 mm gain of bone at the bottom of the furcation defects was found . Volumetric analysis indicated an average 32% bone fill for both groups, ranging from a decrease in defect volume by 84% (gain) to an increase of the size of the furcation invasion by 66% (loss) . A decrease in defect volume > 30% was found at 7 sites from each group . The antibiotic may have controlled initial inflammation, but 12 months later it had no direct effect on bone regeneration or soft tissue attachment. Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 1994 Jun 24, 119(25-26), 899 - 903 {The chemotactic behavior of alveolar macrophages and blood monocytes after exposures to different NO2 concentrations}; Kienast K et al.; The chemotaxis of alveolar macrophages (AM) and blood monocytes (BM) is important in the elimination of particles and microorganisms which have invaded the lung . The effect of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on chemotaxis was tested on AM obtained by diagnostic bronchoscopy from five patients suspected of having bronchial carcinoma (four men, one woman; mean age 59 +/- 10 years) . Blood monocytes were also studied with blood from seven healthy subjects (five men, two women; mean age 32 +/- 10 years) . These cells were placed on polycarbonate membranes for 15 min each, exposed to NO2 concentrations between 1.0 and 5.0 parts per million (ppm), and then incubated with complement component C5a as chemotactically active agent . The number of AM or BM which actively migrated through the polycarbonate membrane under the influence of C5a was measured by means of a light microscope . The migration rate of AM (compared to air exposure) was reduced by 33% with 1.0 ppm NO2 and by 61% with 5.0 ppm . The migration rate of BM in similar conditions was reduced by as much as 55% . There was no significant cytotoxic effect of NO2 exposure at 1.0 and 3.0 ppm . With 5.0 ppm 13.0 +/- 3.0 cells were no longer viable . These results indicate that NO2 concentrations relevant to indoor conditions affect the chemotaxis of AM and BM after short-time NO2 exposures . The data further suggest that NO2 exposures of these cells depressed chemotactic mechanisms without relevant cytotoxicity. Cancer Res, 1994 Jun 15, 54(12), 3305 - 14 Expression of carcinoembryonic antigen and nonspecific cross-reacting 50-kDa antigen in human normal and cancerous colon mucosa: comparative ultrastructural study with monoclonal antibodies; Baranov V et al.; The precise localization of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and non-specific cross-reacting 50-kDa antigen (NCA 50) in normal colon mucosa and colon adenocarcinoma was investigated by using an indirect immunoperoxidase electron microscopic technique with specific monoclonal antibodies . In normal adult colon both antigens were localized to microvesicles and filaments of the "fuzzy coat" on the apical surface of the epithelial cells . In addition, NCA 50 was found in the narrow spaces between adjoining microvilli . Mature columnar cells at the free luminal surface contained most of the antigen positive material . CEA and NCA 50 were also detected as intracellular components of goblet cells . In multilayered tumor glands, the cell surface expression of the antigens was dependent on the position of the tumor cell in the gland . The neoplastic cells showed either a predominant apical labeling or a positive staining of almost the entire cell surface . Some of the neoplastic cells contained CEA in so-called "intracellular lumina." In contrast to normal colon epithelial cells most tumor cells synthesized NCA 50 actively . In normal colonic mucosa, unlike in cancerous tissue, CEA and NCA 50 appear to be released via vesicles formed from the microvillous membrane of mature columnar cells . These results are consistent with the hypothesis that CEA and NCA play a role in the nonspecific defense against microorganisms in the large intestine. Science, 1994 Jun 10, 264(5165), 1551 - 7 How nature builds the pigments of life: the conquest of vitamin B12; Battersby AR; In part because humans cannot synthesize vitamin B12 and must obtain it from organisms that produce it and because B12 deficiency leads to pernicious anemia, it has been important to understand how microorganisms build this quite complex substance . As shown here, an interdisciplinary attack was needed, which combined the strengths of genetics, molecular biology, enzymology, chemistry, and spectroscopy . This allowed the step-by-step synthetic pathway of B12 to be elucidated, and this approach has acted as a model for future research on the synthesis of substances in living organisms . One practical outcome of such an approach has been the improved availability of B12 for animal feedstuffs and human health. Neuroreport, 1994 Jun 2, 5(10), 1201 - 4 Further ultrastructural evidence that spirochaetes may play a role in the aetiology of Alzheimer's disease; Miklossy J et al.; Recently it was reported that, at autopsy, in neuropathologically confirmed cases of Alzheimer's disease spirochaetes were found in blood and cerebrospinal fluid using dark-field microscopy . Moreover, the spirochaetes were isolated and cultured from brain tissue . We now show, using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy that the helically shaped microorganisms isolated and cultured from the Alzheimer brains possess axial filaments . This indicates that these microorganisms taxonomically indeed belong to the order Spirochaetales . A morphometric analysis reinforces this notion. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 1994 Jun, 126(2), 214 - 23 Effects of benzene metabolites on receptor-mediated phagocytosis and cytoskeletal integrity in mouse peritoneal macrophages; Manning BW et al.; Exposure to benzene can induce a number of hematotoxicities and decrease host resistance to microorganisms and tumors . Several studies have shown that metabolism of benzene to reactive intermediates is required for myelotoxicity . Since receptor-mediated phagocytosis by macrophages is an important host defense, we have examined the effects of benzene metabolites on receptor-mediated phagocytosis in cultured murine peritoneal macrophages . 1,4-Benzoquinone (BQ) was the most potent of the metabolites examined . Ten-minute exposures to a 12.5 microM concentration inhibited Fc and complement receptor-mediated phagocytosis by > or = 90% . Macrophage viability was largely unaffected by BQ treatment . Exposure to 50 and 100 microM 1,2,4-benzenetriol (BT) inhibited Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis by 70 and 95%, respectively . Hydroquinone (HQ) elicited a major decrease (50%) only at 100 microM . The comparative inhibitory potencies of BT and HQ correlate with previously published data on their relative facility for autooxidation to quinones at physiological pH . Catechol had no effect at the concentrations employed . Macrophages treated with BQ and BT failed to recover their Fc receptor-mediated phagocytic capacity when incubated overnight in the absence of the xenobiotics . Only small differences in the inhibition of Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis were observed between macrophages exposed to BQ at 4 versus 37 degrees C . BQ also had little effect on the Fc receptor binding of target cells . Fluorescent digital imaging microscopy demonstrated that BQ treatment markedly decreased the filamentous actin content of macrophages . However, BQ bound in low amounts to purified actin and did not affect its assembly . Our findings suggest that a mechanism for inhibition of Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis by BQ is disruption of filamentous actin via an effect(s) other than the direct alkylation of actin by BQ. J Lab Clin Med, 1994 Jun, 123(6), 808 - 16 Newly recognized causes of atherosclerosis: the role of microorganisms and of vascular iron overload; Jacob HS; We have hypothesized that shear stresses at sites of increased vascular turbulence may foster atherogenesis by two previously unknown mechanisms: The first involves Herpes virus activation, which can provoke direct or inflammatory cell-mediated endothelial damage while altering the vascular surface to a highly procoagulant entity . The second derives from red blood cell fragmentation, with resulting uptake by endothelium of released heme groups . In this instance the opening of the heme ring by induced endothelial heme oxygenase frees iron, which sensitizes cells to damage by oxidants--for instance, those generated by closely apposed inflammatory cells . An additional injurious effect of released heme results from its potent catalysis of LDL oxidation--a process specifically and rapidly inhibited by oral supplementation of vitamin E . Although heme-protein's deleterious actions can be counteracted by the plasma constituents haptoglobin and hemopexin, we suggest that these may not be sufficiently present in "sanctuary" sites of vessel walls such as in intramural hemorrhages associated with atherosclerotic intimal tears. Surg Clin North Am, 1994 Jun, 74(3), 609 - 20 Infections in the immunocompromised patient; Howard RJ; Specific microorganisms have certain types of host defenses directed at them . Inhibition of different host defenses, therefore, leads to an increased risk of the host for infection with different organisms . This article discusses the types of infections present in immunocompromised patients as well as a general approach to diagnosis and treatment. Infect Immun, 1994 Jun, 62(6), 2619 - 21 Infection of human endothelial cells by Rickettsia rickettsii causes a significant reduction in the levels of key enzymes involved in protection against oxidative injury; Devamanoharan PS et al.; The activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were significantly decreased in human endothelial cells infected with the obligate intracellular bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, the causative agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever . This observation lends additional support to our hypothesis implicating oxidative damage in endothelial cell injury caused by this microorganism. Infect Immun, 1994 Jun, 62(6), 2409 - 16 Mycoplasma arthritidis-derived superantigen induces proinflammatory monokine gene expression in the THP-1 human monocytic cell line; al-Daccak R et al.; Soluble factors produced by Mycoplasma arthritidis play an important role in the pathology of arthritis in rodents, which closely resembles human rheumatoid arthritis . At least one of the products of these microorganisms, M . arthritidis-T cell mitogen (MAM), has biological activities in common with superantigens . These superantigens activate T cells in a V beta-restricted fashion, and this response is strictly dependent on the presence of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-positive cells . In the present study, we have examined the ability of MAM to induce proinflammatory monokine (interleukin 1 beta {IL-1 beta} and tumor necrosis factor alpha {TNF-alpha}) gene expression in the THP-1 monocytic cell line . Treatment of these cells (which express a very low level of HLA-DR molecules) with gamma interferon (INF-gamma) induced HLA-DR, -DQ, and -DP molecules and enabled them to respond to MAM in a dose-dependent manner, resulting in an increase in the level of steady-state mRNA for IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha . Stimulation of the U937 monocytic cell line (MHC class II-negative even after INF-gamma treatment) with MAM did not induce either IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha transcription . Moreover, MAM adsorption on Raji (MHC class II-positive) cells resulted in the loss of its cytokine-inducing activity to induce monokine gene expression . These findings demonstrate clearly that MAM induces monokine gene expression following interaction with MHC class II molecules . Pretreatment of INF-gamma-treated THP-1 cells with the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D prevented the induction of monokine mRNA, whereas cycloheximide superinduced mRNA after stimulation with MAM . Finally, our results, obtained with protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors and antiphosphotyrosine Western blotting (immunoblotting), indicate that protein tyrosine kinase is involved in MAM-induced IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha gene expression in the THP-1 monocytic cell line . The capacity of MAM to induce proinflammatory cytokine transcription in monocytes via MHC class II molecules can be one pathway of MAM contribution to autoimmune diseases. Infect Immun, 1994 Jun, 62(6), 2169 - 77 Specific interaction of Aspergillus fumigatus with fibrinogen and its role in cell adhesion; Coulot P et al.; Interaction between Aspergillus fumigatus conidia and different proteins known to mediate the attachment of malignant tumor cells or microorganisms to the host tissues was studied in vitro . Flow cytometry using fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated fibrinogen confirmed that binding of human fibrinogen to the conidia was dose dependent and specific . Binding was inhibited by unlabeled fibrinogen and by basement membrane laminin . Moreover, the expression of fibrinogen receptors at the surfaces of conidia seemed to be related to the maturation of the conidia . Binding sites appeared to be located in the D domains of the fibrinogen molecule . However, the peptide sequence recognized by the fungus could not be identified but was different from the classical adhesive recognition sequences, RGDS and fibrinogen gamma-chain dodecapeptide . In addition, an assay of adherence to proteins immobilized onto microtiter plates allowed us to establish the role of these interactions in fungal adhesion . Conidia strongly adhered to human fibrinogen and to laminin but not to fibronectin . Adhesion to fibrinogen substrates was specific, since it was inhibited by soluble fibrinogen and by specific antibodies, and seemed to be mediated by the D domains of the molecule . Study of the adhesion of numerous strains or clinical isolates to various mammalian fibrinogens did not reveal any particular affinity of strains for some animal species . Finally, by cultivation of the fungus in the presence of 125I-human fibrinogen and analysis of the radiolabeled material bound to the surface of the fungus, we were able to specify the sequence of events allowing its installation within the host . The interactions identified here may play an important role in governing fungal adherence and host tissue invasion. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1994 Jun, 38(6), 1219 - 24 Single-dose pharmacokinetics of oral fleroxacin in bacteremic patients; Schrenzel J et al.; Fleroxacin is a new broad-spectrum quinolone which can be given by the oral route . The present study was designed to assess the influence of bacteremia on the pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of fleroxacin . Thirteen patients with proven bacteremia (one or more pairs of positive blood cultures, no hypotension) were given a single 400-mg fleroxacin dose orally on two occasions while also receiving standard antibiotic therapy . The first dose was administered 12 to 36 h after the last positive blood culture was drawn (day 1), and a second dose was administered 7 days later (day 7 +/- 2) to compare the pharmacokinetics between the acute and the convalescent phases of the disease . Following each administration of fleroxacin, serial plasma samples were collected for up to 72 h and were analyzed for unchanged drug by a reversed phase high-pressure liquid chromatography technique . There were no significant changes in the following pharmacokinetic parameters (mean standard deviation) the maximum concentration of drug in serum (6.4 +/- 1.5 versus 6.7 +/- 1.9 mg/liter), the minimum concentration of drug in serum, defined as the concentration of drug in serum at 24 h postdose (3.0 +/- 1.7 versus 2.5 +/- 1.2 mg/liter), the time to the maximum concentration of drug in serum (2.3 +/- 1.4 versus 2.0 +/- 1.2 h), and the elimination half-life (19.7 +/- 8.0 versus 17.9 +/- 6.9 h) . Fleroxacin clearances were compared for each individual patient . A positive correlation (R2 = 0.787) was found between the values measured on day 1 and day 7 . Oral clearance of fleroxacin (CL = CL/F, where F is bioavailability was slightly, but not significantly, reduced during the bacteremic phase (oral clearance, 43.8+/- 23.5 versus 48.5 +/- 17.5 ml/min.) . When compared with previous results obtained in healthy young subjects, longer times to the maximum concentration of drug in serum and elimination half-lives and higher areas under the curve were observed . This could be due to the bacteremic state, the old age of the patients (mean, 66 years), and the low renal clearance (mean calculated creatinine clearance, 71.1 ml/min) . A single oral dose of 400 mg of fleroxacin provides sufficient levels in serum to cover susceptible microorganisms for at least 24 h in bacteremic patients . Renal function appeared to be the key element that had to be taken into consideration to adapt fleroxacin dosage profiles in our patient population . Bacteremia itself appeared to amplify that phenomenon, but to a much lesser extent than renal function did. Ophthalmic Surg, 1994 Jun, 25(6), 361 - 4 En bloc capsulectomy in the diagnosis and treatment of refractory, chronic, recurrent pseudophakic endophthalmitis; Thach AB et al.; Anterior chamber and vitreous aspiration may fail to isolate a microorganism in chronic pseudophakic endophthalmitis . In some eyes, obtaining a portion of the central posterior lens capsule may assist in determining the infectious etiology of the endophthalmitis . We describe a technique by which the entire lens capsule and its internal contents are removed and cultured . This surgical method facilitated the isolation and eradication of the causative pathogen in a patient with chronic recurrent pseudophakic endophthalmitis that was diagnostically and therapeutically refractory to previous vitrectomy, posterior capsulectomy, and intravitreal antibiotic injection. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd, 1994 Jun, 54(6), 337 - 40 {Ciprofloxacin/metronidazole vs . cefoxitin/doxycycline: comparison of two therapy schedules for treatment of acute pelvic infection}; Fischbach F et al.; The efficacy and safety of two antibiotic regimens for the treatment of acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) was compared in a prospective and randomised study . 57 patients received either 0.2 gms ciprofloxacin intravenously b.i.d . in combination with 0.5 g metronidazole intravenously t.i.d . (n = 26), or alternatively 2 g cefoxitin intravenously t.i.d . in combination with doxycycline 0.1 g b.i.d . (n = 31) . After commencing therapy intravenously, medication with ciprofloxacin, metronidazole and doxycycline was continued orally after two or three days . In the ciprofloxacin/metronidazole group, PID was found to be severe in 7, moderate in 12 and mild in 7 patients . The numbers in the cefoxitin/doxycycline group were 8, 20 and 3 respectively . The clinical result after treatment with ciprofloxacin/metronidazole was resolution of all symptoms in 24 patients and improvement in 2 others . In the cefoxitin/doxycycline treated group, resolution was found in 27 patients, improvement in 2 others . Failure occurred in 2 patients . 53 different microorganisms as the suspected cause of PID were isolated in the ciprofloxacin/metronidazole group and 56 in the cefoxitin/doxycycline group . According to our clinical and bacteriological criteria, treatment for PID was successful in 97% of the ciprofloxacin/metronidazole group and in 87% of the cefoxitin/doxycycline group . Adverse reactions were found in 4 patients in the ciprofloxacin/metronidazole treated group . Therapy had to be terminated in 3 of these patients . In the cefoxitin/doxycycline group 2 patients had adverse reactions, and therapy had to be terminated in one of these patients . According to our results, both antibiotic regimens can be recommended for the treatment of PID. J Periodontol, 1994 Jun, 65(6), 576 - 82 Comparison of DNA probe and ELISA microbial analysis methods and their association with adult periodontitis; Melvin WL et al.; The purposes of this study were two-fold: to compare the DNA probe and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) microbial identification tests and correlate the levels of microorganisms with adult periodontitis . A single plaque sample were taken from each of 2 sites in 52 patients . Twelve of these patients were also sampled during and after treatment . The experimental site had clinical indicators of disease (bleeding on probing, probing and attachment loss of > or = 6 mm) and the contralateral site (control) was clinically healthy . A total of 176 plaque samples were collected, divided, processed, and sent for both types of quantitative microbial analyses . All of these samples were used to compare the DNA probe and ELISA methods while only the initial 104 pretreatment sites were used to correlate microorganisms/method with clinical indicators of adult periodontitis . DNA probes were used to assay for A . actinomycetemcomitans, P . gingivalis, P . intermedia, E . corrodens, F . nucleatum, T . denticola, and C . rectus . An ELISA utilizing monoclonal antibodies was used to assay for P . gingivalis, E . corrodens, T . denticola, and C . rectus . Comparison of the two methods revealed that the ELISA test identified P . gingivalis and C . rectus significantly more often than the DNA probe method and that T . denticola was detected more frequently with the DNA probe . The sensitivities and specificities varied widely among organisms and by test . P . gingivalis, as identified by ELISA, had the highest degree of sensitivity and specificity (0.90 and 0.82 respectively) to clinical indicators of adult periodontitis. J Clin Microbiol, 1994 Jun, 32(6), 1488 - 91 Comparison of BACTEC Plus 26 and 27 media with and without fastidious organism supplement with conventional methods for culture of sterile body fluids; Fuller DD et al.; We compared the BACTEC Plus 26/27 culture system (Becton Dickinson Diagnostic Instrument Systems, Sparks, Md.) with and without fastidious organism supplement with conventional centrifugation preparation and plating for the recovery and speed of detection of microorganisms . A total of 1,101 sterile body fluid specimens were collected and processed at five hospital laboratories, yielding 234 (21%) positive cultures . Of the 176 isolates considered clinically significant, 133 (76%) were recovered by both the BACTEC system and conventional culture, while 28 (16% {P < 0.005}) were recovered by BACTEC only and 11 (6%) were recovered by conventional culture alone . There were no statistically significant differences in the speed of detection of microbial growth . It was found that BACTEC, with or without the addition of fastidious organism supplement, exhibited improved sensitivity for the recovery of microorganisms, including fastidious bacteria. Vet Hum Toxicol, 1994 Jun, 36(3), 199 - 202 The effect of long-term exposure to anthio on serum esterases and ruminal microorganisms of male calves; Awal MD et al.; The effect of long-term exposure to the organophosphate insecticide Anthio on serum esterases and ruminal microorganisms of male calves was investigated . The daily oral administration of 3, 6 or 12 mg Anthio/kg/d for 90 d caused significant inhibition of serum cholinesterase (10-28%) and carboxylesterase (12-33%) in male calves . Toxic signs characteristic of anticholinesterase poisoning were observed during 25-70 d of exposure to 6 and 12 mg Anthio/kg . The dose of 12 mg Anthio/kg was lethal to 1/5 calves . Total protozoal population was decreased significantly (15-27%) following 6 and 12 mg Anthio/kg, whereas reduction in total bacterial population (18%) was only significant at 12 mg Anthio/kg. Math Biosci, 1994 Jun, 121(2), 127 - 39 The attractiveness of the Droop equations . II . Generic uptake and growth functions; Oyarzun FJ et al.; In a recent paper the authors proved global asymptotic stability of the Droop equations . This system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations describes the growth of a microorganism in a chemostat . In this setting the growth rate of the organism is limited by the availability of a single nutrient . The state variables of the Droop system are biomass density, intracellular nutrient concentration . (I"cell quota" in Droop's terminology), and extracellular nutrient concentration . In the current paper the authors relax Droop's particular choices for the uptake and growth functions . Characterizing these functions in qualitative terms only, they again reach the same conclusion of global asymptotic stability . Their analysis relies on reducing the three-dimensional Droop system to a two-dimensional system via the first integral of Burmaster. Mol Microbiol, 1994 Jun, 12(5), 799 - 809 Identification of a novel sugar-H+ symport protein, FucP, for transport of L-fucose into Escherichia coli; Gunn FJ et al.; L-Fucose (6-deoxy-L-galactose) is used as sole carbon source by many microorganisms, and its transport into Escherichia coli is mediated by an L-fucose-H+ symport activity . In order to determine the nature of a putative transporter encoded by the E . coli fucP gene and identify its protein product it was cloned downstream of the inducible T7 RNA polymerase and lambda OLPL promoters . Induction of the T7 promoter resulted in the expression of {14C}-L-fucose uptake activity and the concomitant expression of a {35S}-Met-labelled 32 kDa protein at levels too low for detection by staining with Coomassie brilliant blue or for protein sequencing . Induction of the lambda OLPL promoter caused the appearance of L-fucose-H+ symport activity and of a Coomassie brilliant blue-stained 32 kDa membrane protein expressed at high levels sufficient for identification as FucP by N-terminal protein sequencing . The FucP protein is, therefore, a sugar-H+ symporter different in amino acid sequence from any other known transporter . These and other results illustrate the general unpredictability of cloning strategies for attempting the amplified expression of membrane transport proteins. Rinsho Byori, 1994 Jun, 42(6), 615 - 21 {Gene level diagnostics of infectious diseases}; Miyachi H et al.; Recent developments in medical technology have caused a great change in infectious diseases, as characterized by epidemics of antibiotics-resistant bacteria, opportunistic infection in compromised hosts, and blood-borne viral infections such as hepatitis virus and human immunodeficiency virus . In the diagnosis of such new aspects of infectious diseases, conventional immunological, culture, and microscopical techniques are not always practical . By contrast, evaluation of infectious agents using molecular biological technology frequently offers the rapid, most accurate and sensitive method of diagnosis . Amplification methods are particularly attractive for the detection of small numbers of microorganisms, as in latent conditions, or for the fastest identification of the pathogen without laborious isolation . For introduction of the tests into routine procedures, their standardization as well as simplicity and low cost are required . Gene level diagnostics should be applied appropriately to management of infectious diseases along with the conventional techniques, while further roles of the tests must be determined, on the basis of the molecular elucidation of infectious diseases. FEMS Microbiol Rev, 1994 Jun, 14(2), 139 - 60 Bacterial genomics; Cole ST et al.; During the last decade, great advances have been made in the study of bacterial genomes which is perhaps better described by the term bacterial genomics . The application of powerful techniques, such as pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of macro-restriction fragments of genomic DNA, has freed the characterisation of the chromosomes of many bacteria from the constraints imposed by classical genetic analysis . It is now possible to analyse the genome of virtually every microorganism by direct molecular methods and to construct detailed physical and gene maps . In this review, the various practical approaches are compared and contrasted, and some of the emerging themes of bacterial genomics, such as the size, shape, number and organisation of chromosomes are discussed. FEMS Microbiol Rev, 1994 Jun, 14(2), 121 - 37 Copper resistance mechanisms in bacteria and fungi; Cervantes C et al.; Copper is both an essential micronutrient and a toxic heavy metal for most living cells . The presence of high concentrations of cupric ions in the environment promotes the selection of microorganisms possessing genetic determinants for copper resistance . Several examples of chromosomal and plasmid copper-resistance systems in bacteria have been reported, and the mechanisms of resistance have started to be understood at the molecular level . Bacterial mechanisms of copper resistance are related to reduced copper transport, enhanced efflux of cupric ions, or copper complexation by cell components . Copper tolerance in fungi has also been ascribed to diverse mechanisms involving trapping of the metal by cell-wall components, altered uptake of copper, extracellular chelation or precipitation by secreted metabolites, and intracellular complexing by metallothioneins and phytochelatins; only the metallothionein chelation mechanism has been approached with molecular detail. Scand J Immunol, 1994 Jun, 39(6), 613 - 7 Mycobacterial heat-shock protein 65 induces proinflammatory cytokines but does not activate human mononuclear phagocytes; Peetermans WE et al.; The 65 kDa heat-shock protein (Hsp65), a well-conserved and immunodominant antigen which elicits a cellular and humoral immune response, may play a role in host defence against invading microorganisms and autoimmune disorders . The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of Hsp65 on the functional activities of human mononuclear phagocytes in the absence of lymphocytes . Incubation with Hsp65 resulted in an enhanced release of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta by human monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) . The amount of cytokines released by these cells in response to Hsp65 was similar to that released in response to IFN-gamma together with LPS . Incubation with ovalbumin did not stimulate the release of these cytokines . In vitro stimulation of monocytes with Hsp65 enhanced the membrane expression of complement receptor III but did not influence either the expression of Fc gamma-receptor I and HLA class-II antigens or the release of reactive oxygen intermediates . Therefore, Hsp65-stimulated monocytes cannot be considered to be activated according to classical criteria . The release of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta by human mononuclear phagocytes in response to Hsp65 indicates that this protein can contribute to both host defence and tissue damage in inflammatory lesions characterized by an abundant expression of Hsp65. Int J Androl, 1994 Jun, 17(3), 127 - 34 Peroxidase-positive round cells and microorganisms in human semen together with antibiotic treatment adversely influence the outcome of in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer; De Geyter C et al.; Human semen contains not only spermatozoa but also other cells routinely differentiated as being peroxidase-positive (e.g . leucocytes) and peroxidase-negative (e.g . immature germ cells and lymphocytes) cells . Considerable uncertainty exists about their role in male fertility . To assess the clinical value of both parameters, and of microorganisms in semen, 391 treatments with in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer were analysed retrospectively, and the concentrations of both peroxidase-positive and -negative cells, together with the presence of microorganisms in semen, were compared with both the fertilization and pregnancy rates . The data indicate that the results of treatment were affected only by excessively elevated concentrations of peroxidase-positive cells (> 6 x 10(6)/ml) and only marginally by the presence of microorganisms in the semen . The pregnancy rate after in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer was not improved by antibiotic treatments preceding gamete recovery by several weeks . The increased presence of peroxidase-negative cells (e.g . germ cells) in semen was not associated with a significant change in the pregnancy rate . However, the concentration of peroxidase-negative cells in semen correlated significantly with sperm numbers (p < 0.01), sperm concentration (p < 0.01), and normal morphology rates (p < 0.01) . It is concluded that short-term antibiotic treatment of asymptomatic patients before assisted reproduction should be handled with caution . The widespread view that peroxidase-negative cells in semen are harmful is rejected. Immunol Lett, 1994 Jun, 40(3), 279 - 85 Ageing alters the competence of the immune system to control parasitic infection; Albright JW et al.; The elderly are more susceptible to infections with various pathogenic organisms that are young-adults or middle-aged individuals . Certain microorganisms that are non-pathogenic in adults may cause serious infections in the elderly . This heightened susceptibility of the elderly is most likely a reflection of the age-associated decline in the competence of the immune system . It appears that the population of T cells is altered with advanced age and, possibly, the efficiency of the monocyte/macrophage cells to destroy microbial invaders declines . There is a small, but compelling, body of literature which shows that the elderly are particularly susceptible to protozoan and metazoan parasites . We have studied the markedly increased severity of infections in aged mice with the mouse-specific Trypanosoma musculi; both the parasite burden and the duration of infection are substantially greater in old compared to young mice . It appears that this difference is due, to a large extent, to the relatively weak ability of aged animals to generate cytokines associated with the TH1 subset of CD4+ T cells; in particular, the weak ability to generate IL-2 and IFN gamma which are involved in the selective expression of curative, parasite-specific antibody of the IgG2a isotype . A striking difference between young and aged mice is in the response of IL-3 producing cells to the parasite infection; IL-3-producers decline during infection in young mice but increase markedly in aged animals . There are several advantages to using T . musculi as a prototype pathogen for studying age-related susceptibility to infection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Am J Vet Res, 1994 Jun, 55(6), 803 - 9 Isolation and partial polypeptide characterization of bovine neutrophil plasma membranes; Salgar SK et al.; The neutrophil plasma membrane has a major role in migration, phagocytosis, and destruction of microorganisms . Neutrophils isolated from blood and mammary secretions were homogenized, and the plasma membrane fraction was isolated on discontinuous sucrose gradient (20, 32, and 50%) . Purity of plasma membrane preparation was determined by use of marker enzyme analysis . Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of the membrane proteins was performed under reducing conditions for polypeptide characterization . The membrane proteins were also labeled with 125I externally, using 1,3,4,6-tetrachloro-3 alpha-6 alpha-diphenylglycouril, and proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE and autoradiographed . Compared with whole cell homogenate, the plasma membrane fraction obtained at the 20/32% interface was enriched for the marker enzymes, 5'-nucleotidase (16-fold), alkaline phosphatase (5.5-fold), and total phosphatase (26-fold) . The membrane fraction had minimal specific activity for beta-glucuronidase (0.4-fold), compared with whole cell homogenate . Plasma membrane protein yield was about 500 micrograms/10(9) bovine blood neutrophils . The SDS-PAGE of plasma membrane proteins revealed 25 protein bands, of which 13 were major bands . There were 3 distinct bands (18, 36, and 65 kd) in the plasma membrane-enriched fraction (20/32 interface) that were not seen in other fractions (30/50% and pellet) . Further, 125I-labeling identified 5 distinct protein bands (205, 140, 65, 35, and 30 kd) . Blood and mammary neutrophils had similar polypeptide patterns, except that 36- and 65-kd bands were more prominent for blood neutrophils than for mammary neutrophils. Pharm Res, 1994 Jun, 11(6), 777 - 83 Pharmaceutical applications of microcalorimetry; Koenigbauer MJ; General principles and applications of microcalorimetry are reviewed . Microcalorimetry is useful in the study of physical, chemical, and biological drug interactions . The sensitivity of the present instrumentation is approximately 0.1 microW . With this high sensitivity, additional applications have been developed, including the interactions of drugs with food, lymphoma cells, microorganisms, blood, excipients, and cyclodextrin . A recent application of microcalorimetry is the measurement of degradation rates of drugs. Mol Microbiol, 1994 Jun, 12(6), 859 - 64 A-factor as a microbial hormone that controls cellular differentiation and secondary metabolism in Streptomyces griseus; Horinouchi S et al.; A-factor, containing a gamma-butyrolactone in its structure, is an autoregulatory factor or a 'microbial hormone' controlling secondary metabolism and cellular differentiation in Streptomyces griseus . A-factor exerts its regulatory role by binding to a specific receptor protein which, in the absence of A-factor, acts as a repressor-type regulator for morphological and physiological differentiation . In the signal relay leading to streptomycin production in S . griseus, the A-factor signal is transferred from the A-factor receptor to the upstream activation sequence of a regulatory gene, strR, in the streptomycin biosynthetic gene cluster via an A-factor-dependent protein that serves as a transcription factor for strR . The StrR protein thus induced appears to activate the transcription of other streptomycin-production genes . The presence of A-factor homologues in a wide variety of Streptomyces species and distantly related bacteria implies the generality of gamma-butyrolactones as chemical cellular signalling molecules in microorganisms. Curr Opin Immunol, 1994 Jun, 6(3), 458 - 66 Role of cytokines in determining T-lymphocyte function; O'Garra A et al.; Early events in an immune response stimulate the production of cytokines that direct the subsequent development of T-helper (Th) subsets with discrete patterns of cytokine production . These events are dictated by the type of antigen/microorganism administered to a host, as well as dose and route of immunization . Bacterial stimuli activate macrophages of the innate immune response to produce IL-12 and drive Th1 development and cell-mediated immunity . Conversely, production of IL-4 early in an immune response favors a Th2 or allergic/humoral immune response . The ability of IL-4 and IL-10 to inhibit Th1 development and effector function, as well as the requirement of committed Th1 cells for co-stimulators to induce maximal IFN-gamma production, suggests that cell-mediated immunity is under strict control, probably to achieve immunity with minimum immunopathology. Zentralbl Hyg Umweltmed, 1994 Jun, 195(5-6), 366 - 76 {Biologic degradation of phenoxypropanolene . Biodegradability of phenoxypropanols}; Goroncy-Bermes P et al.; Phenoxypropanols have been used for some time as ingredients in surface and instrument disinfectants . Since the residual solutions of these preparations are discharged into the waste-water, the biodegradability of the ingredients used is of great importance . Tests by means of the Zahn-Wellens test in accordance with OECD guidelines have shown that phenoxypropanols are biodegradable . In further studies it was investigated whether unwanted intermediate products are formed in considerable amounts . Of particular interest was the question of the possible development of phenol outside the bacterial cells . To test the biodegradability of the aromatic alcohols and to ascertain whether there is extracellular formation of phenol, microorganisms were isolated from the municipal sewage plant at Stellinger Moor, Hamburg, and from water from the River Elbe . Phenoxypropanol-containing solutions were then inoculated with the bacteria and incubated at 30 degrees C . At regular intervals both the concentration of the alcohols was determined and the test for phenol was performed by means of liquid chromatography on reverse phase material (RP 18) and detection with a photodiode array detector . The breakdown of the phenoxypropanols was monitored for a period of up