Postepy Hig Med Dosw, 1994, 48(2), 143 - 60 {Infections associated with the use of biomaterials in medicine}; Rozalska B; The paper deals with various problems related to foreign body infections . Such infections follow surgical replacements with orthopaedic or vascular prostheses or they are result of using catheters for diagnostic or treatment purposes . The list of most frequent microorganisms causing this kind of infections is presented and bacterial mechanisms enabling the colonization of biomaterials are described . The strategy for preparation of biomaterials which are better tolerated by human subjects and resistant to invading microorganisms is also presented. Arch Med Res, 1994 Summer, 25(2), 193 - 98 Molecular weight and kinetic parameters of DNA undergoing pulsed field gel electrophoresis; Riveron Rojas AM et al.; Functions relating DNA size to reorientation time (Tr) should improve the theoretical basis to design pulsed field gel electrophoresis experiments . We initially developed a quantitative approach to calculate Tr based on kinetic data: DNA migration per pulse (d), and pulse time duration . Using this procedure with some modifications and a computer controlled pulsed field electrophoresis switching unit, we obtained the Trs of several DNA molecules of known molecular weight and analyzed the functional dependence between these parameters . The function obtained was used to interpolate the Tr values of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) chromosomes . We also interpolated the sizes of yeast chromosomes I and VI, and compared them with those obtained by another independent method, using lambda-mers and polynomial functions relating lambda-mers migration and DNA sizes . The equation obtained should be useful to separate chromosomes by PFGE and to study the genomes of microorganisms, parasites and mammals . (Arch Med Res 1994; 25:193). J Hosp Infect, 1994 Jan, 26(1), 45 - 50 The bactericidal effect of microwaves on Mycobacterium bovis dried on scalpel blades; Rosaspina S et al.; The action of microwaves on stainless steel scalpel blades contaminated with Mycobacterium bovis was investigated . The complete destruction of M . bovis was obtained with 4 min of microwave exposure . When the preparations were subjected to scanning electron microscopy, the bacteria had undergone a progressive series of alterations consisting, initially, of the formation of deep pits in the bacterial body and eventually the complete disintegration of the microorganisms . Such phenomena are less evident when this mycobacterium is exposed to other sterilization methods such as dry heat or autoclaving. Sante, 1994 Jan-Feb, 4(1), 43 - 52 {Polymerase chain reaction, cold probes and clinical diagnosis}; Haras D et al.; Until 1985 the only way to study a gene was to clone it . Henceforth, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an alternative method for synthesizing millions of copies of a specific DNA sequence . Without the development of non radioactive probes, these technologies would have been reserved for research applications . PCR with non radioactive probes is a powerful tool of molecular diagnosis in routine laboratories (identification of viruses and bacteria, diagnosis of human genetic diseases) . PCR is based on Taq DNA polymerase . This enzyme is able to polymerize deoxynucleotide precursors (dNTP) in a temperature range of 75-80 degrees C . A typical PCR reaction is a repetitive series of thermic cycles involving template DNA denaturation, oligonucleotide primer annealing, and extension of the annealed primers by DNA polymerase . This three-step process results in the exponential accumulation of a specific fragment whose termini are defined by the 5' end of the primers . Amplification can be estimated to be 2n, where n is the number of cycles . The first step involves denaturation of double-stranded target DNA by heating the sample to 90-95 degrees C . In the second step, the temperature is lowered to about 5 degrees C below the melting temperature of the primer, assuring the specificity of the primer annealing and thus the specificity of the product . The third step is carried out by raising the temperature of the sample to 70-73 degrees C, the optimal temperature for primer extension, involving very little denaturation of the enzyme during the 25-30 cycles of a PCR reaction . The primers used are designed on the basis of the known DNA sequence and they must flank the sequence targeted . For microorganism typing, a product of 300 to 900pb can be amplified, though a 2 kb product can be synthesized . The choice of the primer sequence is a function of the target and technical requirements, such as a GC content of 50-60%, which gives the optimal annealing temperature of 50-55 degrees C . The molecular composition of the primer must be chosen to prevent the formation of intra-molecular secondary structures and primer dimers . The complementarity between the template and the 3' OH end must be perfect, because Taq DNA polymerase activity is markedly lowered by mismatches and secondary structures . The 5' end can thus modified by extension or base modification without altering the quality of the amplification . The yield of the reaction can be modified by the composition of the PCR medium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) J Expo Anal Environ Epidemiol, 1994 Jan-Mar, 4(1), 95 - 109 An inventory of human exposure-related data bases; Sexton K et al.; An inventory of Federally-sponsored data bases, which either have been or could be used to estimate human exposures to environmental agents, was compiled through a joint effort by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Center for Health Statistics (CDC-NCHS), and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) . The inventory includes sixty-seven exposure-related data systems that meet the following criteria: cover a relatively large geographical area (e.g., national, state); provide reasonable access to information; and are supported, at least in part, by Federal funds . Findings allow for comparison of data bases according to 1) exposure estimators (e.g., emission estimates, environmental measurements), 2) sample types (e.g., air, water soil, food, human tissue), 3) measured/observed parameters (e.g., pesticides, PCBs, microorganisms), 4) geographic scope (e.g., national, regional, state), 5) sample collection frequency (e.g., yearly, quarterly, daily), and 6) sample location identifiers (e.g., latitude/longitude, zip code, county) . Results indicate that existing data bases were established for a variety of reasons (e.g., regulatory compliance, research, monitor environmental conditions, legal requirements) and contain information which varies widely in terms of quality, relevance, and availability . Although the inventory identifies many potential sources of information, it also highlights significant shortcomings in the available systems, including an almost complete absence of data on contact between people and environmental agents (human exposure) and on the amount of the agent that is absorbed into the body (dose). Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig, 1994, 45(1-2), 119 - 23 {Toxic effects of dichlorvos on neutrophils of human peripheral blood in vitro}; Podstawka U; The purpose of the study was to assess the phagocytic activity and bactericidal function of human peripheral blood neutrophils exposed to dichlorvos (DDVP) an organic phosphorus pesticide in vitro . It was found that the values of the phagocytosis index in neutrophil cultures incubated with DDVP in doses of 70 microM and 100 microM increased with increasing pesticide concentration and depended on incubation duration (1 h and 2 h) . The proportion of non-phagocytizing neutrophils remained at a level similar to that in controls . The value of NBT reduction in neutrophils (indicating their bactericidal activity) after 1 hour of incubation with DDVP remained at the level of control values, but after 2 hours it decreased--significantly at DDVP concentration of 70 microM, and at DDVP concentration 100 microM p = 0.05 . These results show that DDVP causes in neutrophils a selective stimulation of one step of phagocytosis connected with engulfing of particles, with simultaneous inhibition and/or damage to the mechanisms connected with aerobic killing of microorganisms. Acta Microbiol Immunol Hung, 1994, 41(4), 411 - 4 Phenomenon of Rickettsiella phytoseiuli in Phytoseiulus persimilis mite; Sutakova G; An unknown microorganism occurring in a predaceous mite Phytoseiulus persimilis was described by the author in 1977 as a new species Rickettsiella phytoseiuli . Some new results on the relation between this agent and its hosts are presented in this paper. Crit Rev Toxicol, 1994, 24(4), 323 - 53 The role of mitotic recombination in carcinogenesis; Sengstag C; Genetic recombination systems are present in all living cells and viruses and generally contribute to their hosts' flexibility with respect to changing environmental conditions . Recombination systems not only help highly developed organisms to protect themselves from microbial attack via an elaborate immune system, but conversely, recombination systems also enable microorganisms to escape from such an immune system . Recombination enzymes act with a high specificity on DNA sequences that either exhibit extended stretches of homology or contain characteristic signal sequences . However, recombination enzymes may rarely act on incorrect alternative target sequences, which may result in the formation of chromosomal deletions, inversions, translocations, or amplifications of defined DNA regions . This review describes the characteristics of several recombination systems and focuses on the implication of aberrant recombination in carcinogenesis . The consequences of mitotic recombination on the inappropriate activation of protooncogenes and on the loss of tumor suppressor genes is discussed . Cases are reported where mitotic recombination clearly has been associated with carcinogenesis in rodents as well as humans . Several test systems able to detect recombinagenic activities of chemical compounds are described. Crit Rev Neurobiol, 1994, 8(4), 263 - 91 The role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical system during inflammatory conditions; Schobitz B et al.; Infections and injury are often accompanied by the production of large quantities of proinflammatory mediators such as cytokines and eicosanoids . These substances have been shown to efficiently activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) system . The glucocorticoid hormones secreted from the adrenal cortex seem to be crucial for survival because they have an inhibitory influence on inflammatory processes, which, if uncontrolled, may become toxic for the host . Furthermore, these steroid hormones are known to support thermogenesis by inducing or repressing key enzymes of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism, and thus may also facilitate energy mobilization during fever, which usually accompanies infectious diseases . Finally, a number of studies suggest that glucocorticoids attenuate debilitating symptoms of inflammatory mediators, such as sleepiness, loss of appetite, and suppression of reproductive functions . One can assume that glucocorticoids exert similar behavioral effects during inflammatory conditions, which are seen in infectious diseases . Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), the major hypothalamic component of the HPA system, is a putative mediator of the central effects of cytokines and autacoids because it inhibits growth, reproduction, and food intake . In contrast, CRH decreases sleep duration . Vasopressin, another hypothalamic peptide of the HPA system, counteracts fever and sickness behavior and is thought to support recovery from inflammatory diseases . Apparently, a well-balanced, concerted action of proinflammatory mediators, glucocorticoids, and hypothalamic peptide hormones provides not only an efficient principle for combating microorganisms and support of tissue repair but also for self-protection of the host during the stress of inflammation . Therefore, an impairment of the HPA system under inflammatory conditions often has severe pathological consequences, for example, in patients suffering from Addision's disease and arthritis. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1994, 65(3), 263 - 7 Location of pathogenicity genes on dispensable chromosomes in Nectria haematococca MPVI; VanEtten H et al.; Nectria haematococca MPVI can be found in many different biological habitats but has been most studied as a pathogen of pea (Pisum sativum) . Genetic analyses of isolates obtained from a variety of biological sources has indicated that a number of genes control pathogenicity on pea but that one important PEa Pathogenicity (PEP) gene is PDA, which confers the ability to detoxify the pea phytoalexin pisatin . In these studies, all naturally occurring isolates that lacked PDA (i.e . Pda- isolates) and all Pda- progeny were essentially non-pathogenic on pea . However, we have demonstrated recently that Pda- mutants created by transformation-mediated gene disruptions, while having a modest reduction in virulence, and more virulent than any naturally occurring Pda- isolates . In addition we know that PDA genes are on dispensable (DS) chromosomes in this fungus . We believed that the gene disruption mutants have allowed the detection of other PEP genes that are present on the DS chromosomes along with PDA and that naturally occurring Pda- isolates usually lack this DS chromosome . This would explain why naturally occurring Pda- isolates are always low in virulence . We propose that the DS chromosomes in fungi are analogous to bacterial plasmids which allow those microorganisms to colonise different habitats, i.e . the DS chromosomes of Nectria haematococca contain genes that allow individual isolates of this broad host range pathogen to occupy different biological niches. Am J Nephrol, 1994, 14(4-6), 355 - 60 Jacob Henle: the kidney and beyond; Kinne-Saffran E et al.; The progress in science made by Henle depended on the improvements in light microscopy achieved in the 19th century . The advent of achromatic lenses in particular made it possible for Henle and his contemporary and friend Schwann to uncover the typical structures of cells, thus bringing order at the microscopic level to the world of living tissues . Henle's 'comprehensive' approach--4 basic types of tissue: epithelial, connective, muscular and nervous, contrasted with the accepted doctrine of Bichat of 21 different types of tissues that enter into different combinations in forming the organs of the body--together with rapid progress in chemistry and physics permitted the subsequent intimate probing of cellular physiology . Henle's work was not confined to the description of anatomic structures . After he had observed microorganisms in the excretions of diseased animals, he embraced the unpopular theory of 'contagion' as the source of infection, though he himself was not able to prove that microorganisms were the direct cause of diseases . His discovery of the renal tubule that now bears his name came comparatively late in his career, and although he described its structure in detail he offered no suggestions as to its function. Reprod Fertil Dev, 1994, 6(3), 369 - 79 The common mucosal immune system: from basic principles to enteric vaccines with relevance for the female reproductive tract; McGhee JR et al.; The realization that induction of immune responses at mucosal surfaces may prevent colonization, invasion or dissemination of pathogenic microorganisms has spurred intensive efforts to develop vaccines which elicit effective mucosal immunity . In this paper, recent results are discussed for mice given cholera toxin as both an immunogen and as an adjuvant for inducing both humoral and gastrointestinal mucosal immune responses . Oral administration of cholera toxin alone or with a co-administered protein vaccine tetanus toxoid induces a strong T helper type 2 (TH2) cell response in both Peyer's patches and spleen . Both serum IgG and secretory IgA antibodies specific for cholera toxin or for the co-administered protein tetanus toxoid were induced . When administered parentally, however, no mucosal antibody responses were evident and a mixed TH1- and TH2-type CD4+ T cell response was noted in the spleen . Various vectors are being employed in an effort not only to induce mucosal immune responses but also to direct the response to a TH1-type response, thought to promote strong cell-mediated immune responses, or to a TH2-type response for maximum B cell antibody responses . The ability to manipulate the TH cell responses may provide a more rational approach for the design of vaccines . Although lymphoid tissues of the female reproductive tract differ from that of the gut, many of the strategies and evolving principles may be directly applicable to the development of vaccines designed to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Annu Rev Microbiol, 1994, 48, 525 - 57 Designing microorganisms for the treatment of toxic wastes; Timmis KN et al.; The genetic design of novel metabolic routes offers exciting possibilities for biological research and biotechnology, both in the exploration of the metabolic/evolutionary potential of cells and in the development of innovative applications . In this chapter, we review recent advances in the development of genetic tools and strategies for the design of new microorganisms for elimination of environmental pollutants . These include the design of regulated gene expression circuits that provide high levels of catalytic activity, even under environmental conditions that ordinarily repress expression of catabolic genes; the rational alteration of relevant properties of proteins that qualitatively or quantitatively restrict catabolic activities; the judicious assembly of gene blocks encoding selected metabolic modules to create novel metabolic routes and combinations of routes; and the design of microorganisms exhibiting properties that contribute to better process development. Annu Rev Microbiol, 1994, 48, 163 - 91 Genetics and biochemistry of dehalogenating enzymes; Janssen DB et al.; Microorganisms that can utilize halogenated compounds as a growth substrate generally produce-enzymes whose function is carbon-halogen bond cleavage . Based on substrate range, reaction type and gene sequences, the dehalogenating enzymes can be classified in different groups, including hydrolytic dehalogenases, glutathione transferases, monooxygenases and hydratases . X-ray crystallographic and biochemical studies have provided detailed mechanistic insight into the action of haloalkane dehalogenase . The essential features are nucleophilic substitution of the halogen by a carboxylate group and the presence of a distinct halogen binding site, formed by tryptophan residues . This review summaries current knowledge on a variety of other dehalogenating enzymes and indicates the existence of a widespread and diverse microbial potential for dechlorination of natural and xenobiotic halogenated compounds. Rev Belge Med Dent, 1994, 49(3), 35 - 41 {Microbial diffusion by aerosol during ultrasonic scaling: descriptive study}; Bercy P et al.; The aim of this study was to evaluate the bacterial spreading by using ultrasonic scaler and air-polisher . During ultrasonic scaling, bacterial spray is important near patient's mouth (30 cm), principally without good aspiration devices . In this case, clear spreading is observed at 2 m from the patient . Air-polishing compared to ultrasonic scaling produces larger microorganisms pollution. Reprod Nutr Dev, 1994, 34(5), 385 - 98 Lignin-carbohydrate complexes in forages: structure and consequences in the ruminal degradation of cell-wall carbohydrates; Cornu A et al.; Lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCCs) are recognised as key structures in forage degradability . Apart from ester bonds involving phenolic acids, which seem to play a major role in grasses, little is known about the other types of linkages that must exist but have proved difficult to demonstrate . The chemical nature of possible LCC linkages is presented and the various mechanisms through which LCCs in the cell-wall architecture may interfere with carbohydrate utilisation by rumen microorganisms are discussed. Respiration, 1994, 61 Suppl 1, 8 - 15 Stimulation of immunoprotective mechanisms by OM-85 BV . A review of results from in vivo and in vitro studies; Mauel J; OM-85 BV, an immunomodulating preparation containing extracts from eight commonly pathogenic bacterial species, has been used with success as an oral adjuvant in the prevention of respiratory tract infections . Results from in vitro and in vivo experiments suggest various mechanisms that can underlie this beneficial effect . Thus, exposure of murine macrophages in vitro to OM-85 BV led to stimulation of biochemical and functional parameters associated with the disposal of microorganisms and tumor cells . Similarly, blood-derived human phagocytes were stimulated to express adhesion molecules (LFA-1, MAC-1, p150,95, ICAM-1), to synthesize TNF-alpha and IL-2, and to develop a natural killer activity . These in vitro functions are reflected in the activation of immunological processes in vivo following administration of OM-85 BV per os . Oral treatment of mice and rabbits increased the capacity of the animals to clear bacteria from the blood, an effect that could be ascribed to enhanced functional activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes . Administration of OM-85 BV per os also led to enhanced salivary IgA levels in man, and in gut and lung secretions in animals . Stimulation of migration and the beneficial effects of OM-85 BV correlated with phagocytosis-induced superoxide production in human bronchoalveolar lavage cells from orally treated individuals . Finally, injection of OM-85 BV was shown to enhance recovery from irradiation in animals, presumably by improving hemopoietic recovery . These findings indicate that OM-85 BV is capable of stimulating both cellular and humoral components of the immune response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Respiration, 1994, 61 Suppl 1, 20 - 3 OM-85 BV: primary versus secondary prevention; Collet JP et al.; Recurrent upper respiratory tract infections in children have an important socioeconomic impact, with consequences on both the quality of life of the children, the possible medical sequelae and the inherent direct and indirect costs . The possibility to prevent these infections is limited in the absence of specific vaccines against microorganisms responsible for most of the respiratory tract infections (i.e . respiratory syncitial virus, adenovirus, rhinovirus) . Immunoactive bacterial extracts that stimulate the nonspecific component of the immune system may protect against a large variety of microorganisms that enter the body by the oral and respiratory pathway; they may, therefore, play an important role with regard to this preventive action . OM-85 BV is an IBE that has been used in children who suffer from repeated infections to prevent the occurrence of new episodes (secondary prevention) . In this condition, the drug has been shown to be effective in protecting children against recurrent airway infections . Its use as a primary preventive agent to prevent the development of repeated infections in children attending day-care centers (a very high-risk environment for repeated infections), however, did not show a similar efficacy . The risk of having > or = 4 episodes of upper respiratory tract infections over a period of 7.5 months was 26.7% in the verum group and 33.8% in the placebo group (relative risk 0.79, confidence interval 0.59-1.06} . In an exploratory analysis concentrating on the 3-month treatment period, however, a 48% reduction of the risk of presenting > or = 3 episodes was observed . Furthermore, this exploratory analysis showed a strong correlation between drug efficacy and age of the children.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig, 1994, 45(3), 231 - 5 {Bacterial age and their susceptibility to disinfectants}; Tadeusiak B et al.; The comparative tests were carried out on 4 standard test microorganisms grown 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, with regard to their susceptibility to 6 disinfectants . The activity of disinfectants was examined by Berry and Bean method--mean single survival time (MSST) . The results indicate that 24 h grown bacteria have the lowest susceptibility to phenol, Septyl, formalin, glutaraldehyde, chloramine and Sterinol . The MSST of these short time grown bacteria was 2-3 times longer than that of 72 h grown. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem, 1994 Jan, 58(1), 117 - 20 Analysis of products of the Escherichia coli genomic genes and regulation of their expressions: an applicable procedure for genomic analysis of other microorganisms; Talukder AA et al.; A partial library of the Escherichia coli genomic genes has been constructed, in which each clone has part of a genomic gene fused in frame with the lacZ gene in addition to its promoter and operator . DNA of randomly selected clones was sequenced, and the resultant deduced N-terminal amino acid sequences showed that 17 out of 26 genes analyzed encode unknown proteins . Genomic locations of the cloned genes and their expressional regulations under the aerobic and anaerobic conditions were also analyzed . These results suggest that this library is useful for the global analysis of the E . coli genomic genes and that this strategy may be applicable to the genomic analysis of other microorganisms. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 1994 Jan, 40(5), 606 - 10 Purification and characterisation of a microbial L-carnitine amidase; Joeres U et al.; A novel enzyme, L-carnitine amidase, was purified about 140-fold from a newly screened microorganism (DSM 6320) to yield a homogeneous protein . The native enzyme has a molecular mass of 125 kDa (gel filtration) and consists of two identical subunits as determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Edman degradation . The pH optimum was found around pH 8.5 . Out of 60 chemicals tested as substrates (amides of various aliphatic and aromatic acids, nitriles, amino acid amides and dipeptide amides) the amidase hydrolysed only L-carnitine amide . The Michaelis constant (Km) was found to be 11.6 mM, and the pure protein had a specific activity of 328 units/mg . Complex kinetics were observed with the racemic mixture of D,L-carnitine amide as starting material during enzymatic hydrolysis. Ann Fr Anesth Reanim, 1994, 13(5), 699 - 704 {Nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care . Value of different diagnostic tools}; Godard J et al.; The authors analyzed in published studies providing histologic data the value of diagnostic means of nosocomial bronchopneumonia (NBP) in critically ill patients . At least 10% of patients whose trachea is intubated and the lungs mechanically ventilated suffer an histologically-confirmed NBP . Histology of NBP consists of non systematized foci of infection, localised in 90% of cases in the posterior segments of the lower pulmonary lobes . In fact, small foci are disseminated in both lungs, usually within large areas of non infectious pulmonary lesions and are often multimicrobial . This may explain why the clinical and radiological diagnosis is inaccurate in more than 40% of cases . On chest X-ray, aeric bronchogram and alveolar infiltrates are suggestive but non-specific for NBP, as are also fever, leukocytosis and purulent sputum . Therefore, to confirm the diagnosis of infection and to isolate the microorganisms responsible for NBP, additional investigations are required whose interpretation is uneasy . In a simplified manner, bacteriological inoculum takes a course parallel to the histological bronchopulmonary lesions: no bacteria in the absence of infection, high bacterial inoculum in case of confluent NBP, intermediary in case of bronchitis, however with exceptions when antibiotherapy has recently been modified . In fact, neither bronchial protected brushing nor broncho-alveolar lavage techniques have a perfect sensitivity and specificity . As an example, a diagnostic procedure in assessed in calculating the probability of an accurate diagnosis of NBP . It is concluded that diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia remains still unreliable with the means available today. Scanning Microsc, 1994, 8(2), 241 - 56; discussion 256-7 Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis studies of several human calculi containing calcium phosphate crystals; Kodaka T et al.; Human calcium phosphate calculi: two sialoliths, a urolith, a rhinolith, and a tonsillolith were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) . The sialoliths and urolith had appositional shells with thick cortices, respectively, around several nuclei composed of calcospherulites and a rubber-film fragment . The rhinolith had a thin cortex with appositional laminations around a glomerulus-like mass of calcified cotton-like strings . The tonsillolith had a rough cortex with appositional laminations . Its porous interior was composed of numerous calcified conglomerates with microorganisms and calcified masses with fine appositional laminations around the conglomerates . The major crystals were identified as biological apatites (AP) with a sand-grain rather than a needle-like shape, and plate-shaped octacalcium phosphate (OCP) . The AP deposits of the rhinolith probably were associated with magnesium (Mg) phosphates or contained Mg . No OCP was found in the rhinolith . The AP deposits were mainly formed by extracellular calcification . Hexahedral crystals, identified as Mg-containing whitlockite (WH), were precipitated in the internal spaces of the AP and OCP deposits . The rhinolith nucleus consisted of WH crystal deposits only. Mycoses, 1994, 37 Suppl 2, 64 - 9 {Long-term treatment of patients with itraconazole for the prevention of Aspergillus infections in patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD)}; Petropoulou T et al.; Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) represents an innate immunodeficiency: the reduced production of oxygen radicals in phagocytosing cells results in decreased ability to kill pathogenic microorganisms . The patients concerned suffer from severe recurrent infections due to bacteria and fungi . Prophylactic administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, as usual in CGD-patients, has markedly reduced the incidence of bacterial infections . Now as before, however, there is a high risk to become affected by invasive fungal infections, mainly due to Aspergillus spp . which often are lethal . Therefore, a well-compatible antimycotic long-term prophylaxis effective against Aspergillus would be attractive . In the present study the compatibility of the oral triazole itraconazole was tested in 8 CGD-patients with high risk of Aspergillus infections . Itraconazole was administered in capsules with a dosage of 5.1 mg/kg body weight per day on an average for a mean range of 23 months . Periodically liver enzymes, renal retention and electrolytes were assessed as well as itraconazole serum levels . Aspergillus serology tests included complement fixation tests, IgG-ELISA, precipitation tests, IgE determination and Aspergillus-RAST . During the prophylactic treatment in all of the 8 patients no gastrointestinal side effects or hypersensitivity reactions were observed . Renal retention and serum electrolytes as well as liver enzyme values were in normal ranges with all patients . Itraconazole serum levels showed a marked intra- and interindividual variability . However, 82% of the peak levels were in ranges regarded as therapeutically effective for itraconazole . Under prophylaxis a clear decrease of Aspergillus IgG-ELISA values was observed in 5 of 7 patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Crit Rev Ther Drug Carrier Syst, 1994, 11(2-3), 61 - 95 Enzymatic barriers for GI peptide and protein delivery; Woodley JF; The oral delivery of therapeutic peptides and proteins is a major challenge to pharmaceutical science . The gastrointestinal (GI) tract contains many endo- and exopeptidases, enzymes that hydrolyze peptide bonds and act synergistically to degrade proteins and peptides . It is important to have both qualitative and quantitative data on these peptidases when devising strategies for oral peptide and protein delivery . The greatest threat to therapeutic peptides lies in the lumen of the small intestine, which contains gram quantities of peptidases secreted from the pancreas, as well as cellular peptidases from the mucosal cells, which are constantly sloughed off from the villi . The second major enzymatic barrier is the brush border membrane of the epithelial cells, which contains at least 15 peptidases that together have a broad specificity and can degrade both proteins and peptides . Lysosomal peptidases will also present a barrier to any peptides or proteins endocytosed by the epithelial cells . Although the colon has received some attention as a possible site for peptide delivery, evidence shows that the lumen of the colon contains substantial amounts of peptidase activity, largely because of enzyme production by microorganisms . From a knowledge of the enzymatic barrier, the strategies for oral peptide delivery of enzyme inhibition and the synthesis of enzyme-resistant peptide analogues are logical developments . The latter approach is the most promising. Przegl Epidemiol, 1994, 48(4), 369 - 76 {Perinatal infections . Infection as etiological factor of preterm labor}; Slomko Z et al.; On the ground of contemporary medical literature and our own observations, we have tried to estimate the participation of microorganism infection in preterm labor . In this article, we present mechanism, currently recognized as the most probable, that are leading to preterm labor under condition of perinatal infections . One of them seems to be the production of enzymes by pathological strains . Those enzymes are considered to stimulate decidual and amniotic cells to arachidonic acid metabolism and prostaglandins synthesis . Coexisted with chorionamnionitis the migration of leukocytes that are able to induce prostaglandins synthesis releasing interleukin, can also be an important factor of preterm labor. Acta Microbiol Pol, 1994, 43(2), 121 - 31 Problems in the introduction of genetically engineered microorganisms into the environment; Gorlach K; The use and release of genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) into the environment, usually the agricultural environment, is increasing exponentially . Potential applications of GEMs include crop production, pest management, degradation of environmental pollutants, mining and mineral recovery, and others . Several strategies of molecular and cellular biotechnology, such as recombinant DNA techniques, nuclear microinjection and cell fusion may be used to modify bacteria and fungi for useful purposes . The benefits expected from release of genetically engineered microorganisms, if safely applied, might be substantial in various fields . However, a safe introduction of GEMs into the environment requires full environmental and ecological risks assessment . Because of the wide scope of genetic engineering targets this review will focus on the application of GEMs potentially useful in agricultural practices (crop nutrition, pest and disease control) and ecological problems associated with the introduction of alien microorganisms into the environment. Vestn Ross Akad Med Nauk, 1994, (7), 45 - 9 {New ecological aspects of extraorganism pathogenic microbial populations}; Somov FP; The author summarizes the results of his own studies of pathogenic microorganisms and saprophytes, their intertransitional forms . The environmental pathogenic bacteria have been demonstrated to be autotropic, but in man and warm-blooded animals the organisms act as heterotrophic . This explains their wide range of metabolic plasticity and smooth distinction of saprophytes and parasites. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem, 1994 Jan, 58(1), 72 - 7 Novel specificities of Mucor hiemalis endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase acting complex asparagine-linked oligosaccharides; Yamamoto K et al.; Mucor hiemalis endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (Endo-M) was proved to act on complex type biantennary oligosaccharides of glycoproteins by using dansylated asparagine-linked and pyridylaminated oligosaccharides, as the substrate . The enzyme could act on both asialo- and sialo-biantennary oligosaccharides . This is the only endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase known to act on sialo glycans, though their activity for them was weak . The enzyme could liberate complex type biantennary oligosaccharides from native human asialotransferrin, which was ascertained by a combination of the pyridylaminated method and HPLC . The enzyme had substrate specificity for high-mannose type oligosaccharides different from those of the endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidases of other microorganisms: ovalbumin glycopeptide-IV was a better substrate for Endo-M than glycopeptide-V . The enzyme could act on complex type triantennary oligosaccharides of dansylated glycopeptide prepared from calf fetuin . The enzyme had various novel specificities in regard to activities on complex type and high-mannose type oligosaccharides in glycoproteins. Biokhimiia, 1994 Jan, 59(1), 11 - 5 {Effect of autoinducers of anabiosis for some microorganisms on rat liver mitochondria respiration}; Nenashev VA et al.; 2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)ethane-1-ol (tyrosol) and 5-n-alkyl(C19,C21)resorcinols produced by some microorganisms as anabiosis autoregulators (factors d1) inhibit the electron transport and uncouple oxidative phosphorylation in the respiratory chain of rat liver mitochondria: a 50% decrease of the respiratory control is caused by 0.32-0.36 mumol of tyrosol or by 0.21-0.26 mumol of alkylresorcinols per mg of protein . Alkylresorcinols reduce the NADH-dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase activities in mitochondria, whereas tyrosol acts predominantly on the NADH-dehydrogenase activity. Am J Ind Med, 1994 Jan, 25(1), 91 - 5 Microorganism-induced or enhanced mediator release: a possible mechanism in organic dust related diseases; Norn S; Bacteria were found to trigger mediator release, including histamine, leukotriene B4, and prostaglandin D2 . Furthermore, histamine release caused by allergens as well as by nonimmunological reactions was enhanced by bacteria, endotoxins, and spores from molds . Mediator release and its enhancement play a crucial role for bronchoconstriction and inflammatory events in the airways . These effects of allergens, microorganisms, and other noxious agents in dusts may, therefore, in concert be responsible for the symptoms in organic dust related diseases. Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc, 1994, 106, 124 - 38; discussion 138-40 Neuroimmunophysiology of the gastrointestinal mucosa: implications for inflammatory diseases; Powell DW; In conclusion, studies of the neuroimmunophysiology of the intestinal mucosa of the past 5-8 years have demonstrated an important role for the immune system in modulating water and electrolyte transport as well as intestinal motility in the gut . Activation of mast cells and phagocytes leads to heightened Cl- and water secretion, as well as changes in intestinal motility which leads to diarrheal states . These diarrheal responses are self-protective; they rid the intestine of offending microorganisms and antigens . Our investigation of this response has uncovered a new immune accessory cell Cz, the intestinal myofibroblast . This cell seems to play an important role in amplifying the immune signal . This cell is probably also important for the secretion of growth factors onto the epithelium and also the secretion of collagen which results in fibrosis under diseased states . These intestinal myofibroblasts are prolific prostaglandin producers, an important finding because prostaglandin synthesis inhibition has been shown to decrease the development of neoplasia in the gut . Thus, these intestinal myofibroblasts may have other important roles in addition to just modulating water and electrolyte secretion or gut motility . Our laboratory is now engaged in studying these intestinal myofibroblasts in some detail hoping to better understand the biology of these interesting cells. FEBS Lett, 1993 Dec 28, 336(3), 516 - 20 Photosynthesis modulates the sign of phototaxis of wild-type Chlamydomonas reinhardtii . Effects of red background illumination and 3-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea; Takahashi T et al.; We have found that the sign of phototaxis, i.e . the direction of phototactic migration either towards or away from the light source, of wild-type Chlamydomonas reinhardtii depends on its photosynthetic activity . This accounts for the frequently reported transient positive phototaxis that precedes a negative phototaxis of wild-type cells, as well as the earlier observations that preillumination affects the sign of phototaxis . The bases for our conclusion are as follows . (1) The transient nature of phototaxis was preferentially observable with blue-green actinic light rather than with green actinic light . (2) Red background light induces negative phototaxis under the actinic-light conditions in which, without background light, Chlamydomonas cells show exclusively positive phototaxis . (3) Both the effect of red background light and the transient change in the sign of phototaxis were inhibited by 3-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, a specific inhibitor of photosynthesis . The conclusion modifies the accepted view that photosynthesis does not link with the phototaxis of this microorganism, thus constituting a necessary part in elucidating mechanisms of algal phototaxis. J Biol Chem, 1993 Dec 15, 268(35), 26435 - 40 Molecular cloning and expression of cDNA encoding rat skeletal muscle cytosolic sialidase; Miyagi T et al.; We have isolated a cDNA clone encoding the cytosolic sialidase of rat skeletal muscle . Degenerate oligonucleotides, based on amino acid sequence data for the purified enzyme, were used as primers to amplify fragments of the gene from rat skeletal muscle cDNA by the polymerase chain reaction . The amplified cDNA fragment was then applied as probe to screen a rat skeletal muscle cDNA library . The longest cDNA clone thus isolated was incomplete at the 5'-end, and therefore an amplified cDNA from the 5'-end portion of the gene was further generated by polymerase chain reaction . These two cDNAs were used to construct a cDNA encoding the entire sequence of rat sialidase . The composite sequence encodes an open reading frame of 379 amino acids that include all sequenced peptides . Although the deduced amino acid sequence is not largely similar to those of bacterial and parasite sialidases, it contains two Asp blocks, the conserved sequence of the sialidases from these microorganisms . When the cDNA was inserted into an expression vector followed by transformation in Escherichia coli, sialidase activity appeared in the cell extract . The sialidase could be completely immunoprecipitated by antiserum against the cytosolic sialidase of rat skeletal muscle. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1993 Dec 14, 1216(3), 369 - 74 Chemical synthesis and expression of a gene coding for human muscle acylphosphatase; Modesti A et al.; A DNA sequence coding for human muscle acylphosphatase has been constructed using 16 chemically synthesized oligonucleotides . The 300-bases long DNA sequence has been cloned in the pT7.7 Escherichia coli expression vector and in the pYEpsec1 Saccharomyces cerevisiae expression vector . In both cases a high level of expression of acylphosphatase has been observed . The recombinant proteins have been purified to homogeneity and assayed in comparison with the natural protein, using benzoylphosphate as a substrate and phosphate as a competitive inhibitor . The recombinant enzymes expressed in the two microorganisms maintain the kinetic properties of the natural protein . In addition, NMR analysis shows that the gross fold of the two recombinant enzymes is correct. FEBS Lett, 1993 Dec 13, 335(3), 305 - 8 Molecular basis for the different binding properties of benzodiazepines to human and bovine peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors; Farges R et al.; The 18 kDa peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) can be labelled by benzodiazepines, such as Ro5-4864, and isoquinoline carboxamides such as PK11195 . These two compounds are reversible competitive inhibitors of each other . However, while the binding affinity of Ro5-4864 varies enormously across species, PK11195 always displays high affinity, suggesting that their binding domains are overlapping but not identical . We report here that recombinant human and bovine PBR produced in yeast, a microorganism devoid of endogenous PBR, can be labelled with {3H}PK11195, but only the human receptor can be labelled with {3H}Ro5-4864 . Furthermore, we identified, through the binding analysis of human-bovine chimaeric receptors, a region near the C-terminal end of the PBR, with only five non-conserved amino acids between human and bovine sequences, as responsible for the difference in high affinity binding of Ro5-4864 to the two receptors. Br Dent J, 1993 Dec 11-25, 175(11-12), 403 - 9 Host genes and dental caries; Sofaer JA; With the attention now being given to molecular genetic analysis of cariogenic microorganisms, the role of host genes in influencing susceptibility to caries should not be forgotten . Increasing knowledge in this field will lead to identification of individuals at particular risk of dental decay and will help in planning rational strategies for management and prevention. J Long Term Eff Med Implants, 1994, 4(2-3), 127 - 32 Barrier breach of surgical gloves; Beck WC; The barrier properties of natural rubber latex gloves have been of clinical interest since the concept of using an integrity monitor was introduced by me over 30 years ago . Although surgeons expect their gloves to serve as an effective barrier during use, products can and do fail . Failure is often unrecognized, resulting in the wearer's exposure to potential pathogens and the patient to microorganisms shed by surgical team members . Although a variety of solutions have been suggested (double gloving, cut-resistant gloves), these remedies do not alert the surgeon to a breach of barrier, the cost and consequences of which are astronomical to the health system . As a result, some form of breach detection device is now recommended to minimize the likelihood of exposure, infection, and/or allergy. Br J Nurs, 1993 Dec 9-1994 Jan 12, 2(22), 1109 - 12 A study of microorganism levels on nurses' footwear; Haigh C; This study looks at the microbial colonies that are present on nurses' shoes, and the growth patterns of these colonies over the span of a working shift. Science, 1993 Dec 3, 262(5139), 1535 - 40 Enzymatic synthesis of a bacterial polyketide from acetyl and malonyl coenzyme A; Shen B et al.; Microorganisms and plants manufacture a large collection of medically and commercially useful natural products called polyketides by a process that resembles fatty acid biosynthesis . Genetically engineered microorganisms with modified polyketide synthase (PKS) genes can produce new metabolites that may have new or improved pharmacological activity . A potentially general method to prepare cell-free systems for studying bacterial type II PKS enzymes has been developed that facilitates the purification and reconstitution of their constituent proteins . Selective expression of different combinations of the Streptomyces glaucescens tetracenomycin (Tcm) tcmJKLMN genes in a tcmGHIJKLMNO null background has been used to show that the Tcm PKS consists of at least the TcmKLMN proteins . Addition of the TcmJ protein to the latter four enzymes resulted in a greater than fourfold increase of overall activity and thus represents the optimal Tcm PKS . Polyclonal antibodies raised against each of the TcmKLMN proteins strongly inhibit the Tcm PKS, as do known inhibitors targeted to the active site Cys and Ser residues of a fatty acid synthase . This system exhibits a strict starter unit specificity because neither propionyl, butyryl, or isobutyryl coenzyme A substitute for acetyl coenzyme A in assembly of the Tcm decaketide . Because the Tcm PKS activity is significantly diminished by removal of the TcmM acyl carrier protein and can be restored by addition of separately purified TcmM to two different types of TcmM-deficient PKS, it should be possible to use such preparations to assay for each of the constituents of the Tcm PKS. Nature, 1993 Dec 2, 366(6454), 455 - 8 A siderophore from a marine bacterium with an exceptional ferric ion affinity constant; Reid RT et al.; Virtually all microorganisms require iron for growth . The paucity of iron in surface ocean water (approximately 0.02-1.0 nM (refs 1, 2)) has spurred a lively debate concerning iron limitation of primary productivity, yet little is known about the molecular mechanisms used by marine microorganisms to sequester iron . Terrestrial bacteria use a siderophore-mediated ferric uptake system . A siderophore is a low-molecular-mass compound with a high affinity for ferric ion which is secreted by microorganisms is response to low-iron environments; siderophore biosynthesis is regulated by iron levels, with repression by high iron . Although open-ocean marine microorganisms (such as phytoplankton and bacteria) produce siderophores, the nature of these siderophores has not been investigated . We report here the first structure determination, to our knowledge, of the siderophores from an open-ocean bacterium, alterobactin A and B from Alteromonas luteoviolacea . A . luteoviolacea is found in oligotrophic and coastal waters . Alterobactin A has an exceptionally high affinity constant for ferric ion . We suggest that at least some marine microorganisms may have developed higher-affinity iron chelators as part of an efficient iron-uptake mechanism which is more effective than that of their terrestrial counterparts. Math Biosci, 1993 Dec, 118(2), 127 - 80 Exploitative competition in the chemostat for two perfectly substitutable resources; Ballyk MM et al.; After formulating a general model involving two populations of microorganisms competing for two nonreproducing, growth-limiting resources in a chemostat, we focus on perfectly substitutable resources . Leon and Tumpson considered a model of perfectly substitutable resources in which the amount of each resource consumed is assumed to be independent of the concentration of the other resource . We extend their analysis and then consider a new model involving a class of response functions that takes into consideration the effects that the concentration of each resource has on the amount of the other resource consumed . This new model includes, as a special case, the model studied by Waltman, Hubbell, and Hsu in which Michaelis-Menten functional response for a single resource is generalized to two perfectly substitutable resources . Analytical methods are used to obtain information about the qualitative behavior of the models . The range of possible dynamics of model I of Leon and Tumpson and our new model is then compared . One surprising difference is that our model predicts that for certain parameter ranges it is possible that one of the species is unable to survive in the absence of a competitor even though there is a locally asymptotically stable coexistence equilibrium when a competitor is present . The dynamics of these models for perfectly substitutable resources are also compared with the dynamics of the classical growth and two-species competition models as well as models involving two perfectly complementary resources. Clin Obstet Gynecol, 1993 Dec, 36(4), 878 - 85 Viruses, bacteria, and protozoans in pregnancy: a sample of each; Ault KA et al.; This article only touches the surface of a very broad subject . As mentioned before, the microorganisms covered were chosen with the practitioner in mind . The reader will note that many of the syndromes discussed have subtle presentations with overlapping symptomatology or essentially no symptoms at all . Clinicians therefore must maintain a high degree of suspicion when faced with such infectious complications of pregnancy. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1993 Dec, 59(12), 4065 - 73 Detection of polychlorinated biphenyl degradation genes in polluted sediments by direct DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction; Erb RW et al.; It was the aim of this study to specifically detect the DNA sequences for the bphC gene, the meta-cleavage enzyme of the aerobic catabolic pathway for biphenyl and polychlorinated biphenyl degradation, in aquatic sediments without prior cultivation of microorganisms by using extraction of total DNA, PCR amplification of bphC sequences, and detection with specific gene probes . The direct DNA extraction protocol used was modified to enhance lysis efficiency . Crude extracts of DNA were further purified by gel filtration, which yielded DNA that could be used for the PCR . PCR primers were designed for conserved regions of the bphC gene from a sequence alignment of five known sequences . The specificity of PCR amplification was verified by using digoxigenin-labeled DNA probes which were located internal to the amplified gene sequence . The detection limit for the bphC gene of Pseudomonas paucimobilis Q1 and Pseudomonas sp . strain LB400 was 100 cells per g (wet weight) or approximately five copies of the target sequence per PCR reaction mixture . In total-DNA extracts of aerobic top layers of sediment samples obtained from three different sampling sites along the Elbe River, which has a long history of anthropogenic pollution, Pseudomonas sp . strain LB 400-like sequences for the bphC gene were detected, but P . paucimobilis Q1 sequences were not detected . No bphC sequences were detected in an unpolluted lake sediment . A restriction analysis did not reveal any heterogeneity in the PCR product, and the possibility that sequences highly related to the bphC gene (namely, nahC and todE) were present was excluded.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Chem Biol Interact, 1993 Dec, 89(2-3), 183 - 96 Reactive intermediates in the oxidation of hydralazine by HOCl: the major oxidant generated by neutrophils; Hofstra AH et al.; The use of the antihypertensive hydralazine is associated with an autoimmune syndrome resembling systemic lupus erythematosus . Adverse drug reactions, such as drug-induced lupus, often involve reactive intermediates . Oxidation of hydralazine by liver microsomes or activated leukocytes leads to reactive intermediates that covalently bind to protein and may be involved in hydralazine-induced lupus . Oxidation of hydralazine to a reactive intermediate by cells involved in immune response, such as leukocytes, would be more likely to lead to an autoimmune reaction, such as drug-induced lupus, than would oxidation by cells in the liver . Leukocytes possess a defense system that generates HOCl in response to invading microorganisms . Hydralazine was oxidized to a reactive intermediate by HOCl generated by activated leukocytes . The reactive intermediate was trapped with N-acetylcysteine and the adduct was identified as 1-phthalazylmercapturic acid . The reactive intermediate is likely the diazonium salt of hydralazine . Two stable products were formed in the reaction, phthalazine and phthalazinone . Although phthalazine is oxidized to phthalazinone by HOCl, the rate of the reaction is much too slow to explain the rapid production of phthalazinone . It is more likely that most of the phthalazinone is formed by reaction of the putative diazonium salt with water . We propose that this reactive metabolite is responsible for hydralazine-induced lupus. Arch Dermatol, 1993 Dec, 129(12), 1589 - 93 Rapid diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis with a DNA probe to ribosomal RNA; Beard JS et al.; BACKGROUND: Although nucleic acid probe hybridization assays were previously exclusively used as a tool in the research setting, such assays have recently become commercially available for the detection of a variety of infectious microorganisms . OBSERVATIONS: We used a commercially available DNA hybridization probe test that targets organism-specific ribosomal RNA sequences to rapidly diagnose a patient with disseminated coccidioidomycosis . The natural amplification inherent to such DNA:RNA probe systems obviates the need for electrophoretic separation and amplification steps, which are often required in more traditional DNA:DNA probe assays . With this probe, culture confirmation was obtained within 48 hours after the clinical specimens were received . CONCLUSION: Rapid DNA hybridization probe techniques have wide application in infectious diseases, especially those characterized by slow culture growth of pathogens such as deep fungi and atypical mycobacteria. Infect Immun, 1993 Dec, 61(12), 5029 - 34 Identification of coccoid Escherichia coli BJ4 cells in the large intestine of streptomycin-treated mice; Krogfelt KA et al.; Escherichia coli BJ4, a rat isolate, was used to examine the growth and differentiation of the microorganism in its natural habitat, the intestine . Growth of E . coli BJ4 in the large intestine of streptomycin-treated mice was compared with its growth in laboratory media . By a number of methods, it was shown that E . coli BJ4 differentiates, during growth in the intestine, into two distinct populations, one that has the characteristics of the laboratory-grown strain and one that appears as a coccoid cell . Furthermore, it was shown that there is a natural selection for the coccoid-type cell in the intestine, while in laboratory media growth of rod-shaped E . coli BJ4 is enhanced. Histochemistry, 1993 Dec, 100(6), 441 - 7 Epithelial M cells in the rabbit caecal lymphoid patch display distinctive surface characteristics; Jepson MA et al.; The follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) in the rabbit caecal lymphoid patch is characterized by the presence of membranous (M) cells, which are believed to be functionally equivalent to those present at other sites of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) . Caecal patch M cells display distinctive features compared with those of other GALT sites, despite similar general morphology and expression of the M cell marker vimentin, suggesting marked heterogeneity in the apical surface of M cells at discrete GALT sites . Electron microscopy reveals that rabbit caecal patch M cells differ from those in the small intestinal Peyer's patch FAE: the former have a prominent aspect within the epithelium and possess microvilli which are longer than those of adjacent enterocytes . Many of the M cells in peripheral regions of the caecal patch FAE are not associated with leucocytes and may thus represent an immature M cell population . The M cells are also histochemically distinct from adjacent enterocytes and from Peyer's patch M cells, showing greater expression of brush-border alkaline phosphatase activity and affinity for certain lectins (peanut and wheat germ agglutinins, Bandeiraea simplicifolia agglutinin II) . The differences in the brush-border morphology and glycocalyx structure between M cells at different GALT sites may affect their function at these sites by influencing the interaction of luminal antigens and microorganisms with the M cell surface . The present data also support the hypothesis that M cells arise directly from differentiation of crypt stem cells and not from the transformation of existing fully differentiated enterocytes. Hum Cell, 1993 Dec, 6(4), 245 - 52 {Superoxide-generating system in leukocytes: its activation mechanism and significance}; Kanegasaki S; Leukocytes such as neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes and B lymphocytes but not T lymphocytes nor NK cells have a special electron transport system on their plasma membrane and generate superoxide anion upon stimulation . Superoxide anion is released to the outside of the cells (or inside of phagosomes if they are phagocytes), where other active oxygen species are formed secondarily . These species may be used for killing infectious agents . Superoxide-generating system in these cells consists of a total of 5 proteins, i.e . 91- and 22-kDa subunits of cytochrome b558 in membrane and 21-, 47- and 65-kDa proteins in cytoplasm . Upon stimulation, a functionally active complex is formed in the membrane, which caries electrons from NADPH in the cytoplasm to molecular oxygen at the surface of the cells . Any defect in these components except the cytosolic 21-kDa protein (a small GTP binding protein, Rac) causes chronic granulomatous disease, an inherited disorder where leukocytes can not generate superoxide anion . The patients with this disease suffer from recurrent, life-threatening infections of catalase-positive microorganisms . This review will focus on active oxygen species formed during phagocytosis, components of superoxide-generating system in neutrophil and B lymphocytes, its activation mechanism and significance of active oxygen formation by the cells. Arzneimittelforschung, 1993 Dec, 43(12), 1388 - 90 Mammalian cell cultures . Part III: Safety and future aspects; Werner RG et al.; Long standing experience with mammalian cell cultures demonstrates that they per se do not constitute any hazard to healthy man . However, permanent cell lines may cause transplantable tumors in immune-suppressed animals and man but not in healthy species . A potential hazard associated with mammalian cell cultures might be caused by endogenous viruses which can be harboured in the mammalian cells or adventitious agents associated with mammalian cells . Especially a corresponding validation for removal of viruses has to be established in the manufacturing process . Free nucleic acids or recombinant nucleic acid sequences are regarded as not being biologically active and therefore do not cause any hazard . Because mammalian cell cultures which are ranking lowest in terms of safety measures are able to synthesize reliably complex glycoprotein structures, the economy of mammalian cell culture processes has to be approved for future prospects on the background of the competitive situation with microorganisms and the overall cost limitation of the health insurance systems . High yielding expressing systems are required including detoxification genes for cytotoxic metabolites . Shorter doubling times of the host cell, higher productivity and higher cell densities would be further goals . Also new aspects of mammalian cell cultures, not only their use as factories for protein synthesis, but also in gene therapy as carrier for the desired genetic information or in enhancing the wound healing process, will gain future importance. Cesk Pediatr, 1993 Dec, 48(12), 697 - 700 {IgG subclasses in children with recurrent respiratory diseases}; Kapellerova A et al.; The authors examined IgG sub-classes, using the ELISA method, in 35 patients with relapsing respiratory diseases and 27 children of a control group aged 3-15 years . In children with relapsing respiratory diseases without deficiency of the main immunoglobulin classes they found a statistically significantly reduced value in sub-class IgG2 (P < or = 0.01) . The changes found in other sub-classes were not statistically significant . The authors draw attention to the fact that deficiency in IgG sub-classes should be considered in case of repeated respiratory infections caused by encapsulated microorganisms--H . influenzae, Str . pneumoniae--and also when reduced levels of IgG and IgA are found . However, even normal levels do not rule out deficiency. J Periodontol, 1993 Dec, 64(12), 1231 - 7 Distribution of Porphyromonas gingivalis in adult periodontitis patients; Kojima T et al.; Porphyromonas gingivalis (P . gingivalis) is considered to be a pathogenic factor in adult or rapidly progressive periodontitis . The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distribution of P . gingivalis in the dentition of adult periodontitis patients using a nonradioactive DNA probe, and to compare the presence of P . gingivalis with clinical parameters . Twelve adult periodontitis patients were examined . Subgingival plaque samples were taken from 4 sites of all the remaining teeth using a paper point . At the same time, probing depth and bleeding on probing (BOP) were also recorded . Plaque samples were investigated using a whole genomic DNA probe from P . gingivalis (ATCC 33277) modified with bisulfite . The detection, percentage and amounts of P . gingivalis present were statistically compared with probing depth and BOP in each patient . P . gingivalis was detected in all patients examined . The detection percentage was 35% of all sample sites . When the probing depth was over 4 mm or BOP was positive, the detection percentage of P . gingivalis significantly increased (P < 0.01) . As more P . gingivalis was identified, the percentage of sites with deep probing depth or that were BOP positive increased significantly (P < 0.01) . However, P . gingivalis was also detected in clinically healthy sites, and P . gingivalis negative sites with deep probing depth or that were BOP positive existed in the same patient . These results indicate that P . gingivalis play an important role, but is not the only microorganism responsible for adult periodontitis. Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd, 1993 Dec, 203(6), 380 - 3 {1991 new developments regarding the conjunctiva}; Kneer I et al.; Publications on the subject of conjunctiva in 1991 have been reviewed . Clinical relevant topics have been stressed . In the field of conjunctival affections caused by microorganisms a spectrum of bilateral squamous conjunctival tumors associated with human papillomavirus type 16 were first documented . Chlamydial antibodies cause proliferation of lymphocytes . The peripheral lymphocyte proliferative response to whole chlamydial elementary bodies seems to have a strong correlation between the responses to the Chlamydia trachomatis serotypes B and L1 . In the field of impression cytology of the conjunctiva the topographical distribution of ocular surface cells was described . In patients with glaucoma using long-term topical medication, there seem to be significant degrees of conjunctival metaplasia associated with the number of glaucoma medications . These changes in the conjunctival surface may be related to the preservatives in the preparations (benzalkonium compounds) . An ultrastructural defect in conjunctiva in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa may increase the susceptibility of the conjunctiva to minor mechanical trauma . Thus resulting in the bullous and cicatrical changes seen clinically. Biotechnology (N Y), 1993 Dec, 11(13), 1565 - 9 Use of living columns to select specific phage antibodies; Bradbury A et al.; Here we demonstrate that it is possible to confront two recombinant microorganisms in order to select one using the other . We have shown that an epitope derived from p21ras expressed within the outer membrane protein, LamB, can be recognized both by the monoclonal antibody Y13-259, as well as the single chain Fv fragment derived from it . This specificity, which is maintained when the Y13-259 single chain Fv is expressed as a fusion protein with the phage fd gene 3 protein, has allowed us to use the living column of LamB-ras to purify Y13-259 phage from a background of non-binding phage, even at dilutions as high as 10 phage in 10(10) irrelevant phage. Enzyme Microb Technol, 1993 Dec, 15(12), 1057 - 62 Diffusion of sucrose and dextran through agar gel membranes; Lebrun L et al.; Mass transfer limitations severely impede the performance of bioreactions involving large molecules by gel-entrapped microorganisms . This paper describes a quantitative investigation of such diffusional limitations in agar gel membranes . Sucrose and commercial dextran fractions with (weight-average) molecular weights ranging from 10,000 to 2,000,000 Da were used as standard diffusants . For all tested solutes but sucrose, the values of the agar/water partition coefficients highlighted steric hindrance at the entrance of the membrane pores . The effective diffusivity of sucrose in agar was similar to that in water . All dextran fractions, however, displayed restricted diffusion in the agar membranes . Their effective diffusivities were a decreasing function of the agar content of the gel membrane (0.5, 1.0, or 1.5% w/v) . The effective diffusivity in a given membrane decreased as the molecular weight of the diffusing molecule increased . T500 (Mw = 470,000 Da) and T2000 (Mw = 1,950,000 Da) fractions were unable to diffuse through 1.0 or 1.5% agar membranes . The diffusion data did not agree with the classical (Renkin) model for a hard sphere diffusing through a cylindrical pore . These results are discussed in terms of gel and diffusant characteristics. J Immunol, 1993 Nov 1, 151(9), 4973 - 81 Regulation of mouse bone marrow macrophage mannose receptor expression and activation by prostaglandin E and IFN-gamma; Schreiber S et al.; The macrophage mannose receptor mediates the clearance of microorganisms and glycoproteins containing terminal mannose oligosaccharides . Cell surface expression of this receptor progresses with macrophage differentiation, and thus may be critical to the scavenger function of tissue and circulating macrophages . Bone marrow macrophages, which were used in this study, differentiate in culture and express functional mannose receptors . The cytokine IFN-gamma triggered activation of these macrophages and down-regulated cell surface expression of the mannose receptor after 48 h . Macrophage activation, as assessed by the generation of superoxide radicals, was inversely correlated with mannose receptor expression . The number of surface receptors was diminished by exposure to IFN-gamma, whereas the binding affinity of the mannose receptor remained unchanged . Treatment with IFN-gamma reduced receptor biosynthesis yet did not alter receptor degradation . Mannose receptor biosynthesis is up-regulated by PG of the E series, and these anti-inflammatory agents reversed the effects of IFN-gamma on receptor expression . Down-regulation of the mannose receptor by IFN-gamma was fully reversible by PGE, indicating that receptor levels are dependent on the functional state of the cell rather than being linked to terminal cell differentiation . The regulation of the receptor by cytokines and anti-inflammatory reagents suggests that the mannose receptor plays a critical role in macrophage scavenger functions and potentially in modulating inflammatory reactions. Int J Biochem, 1993 Nov, 25(11), 1637 - 51 Isolation and properties of carboxylesterases of the termite gut-associated fungus, Xylaria nigripes . K., and their identity from the host termite, Odentotermes horni . W., mid-gut carboxylesterases; Sreerama L et al.; 1 . The termite, Odentotermes horni . W., houses three fungal species, viz . Xylaria nigripes, Termitomyces microcorpus, and Trichoderma (species not identified), in its gut . X . nigripes was found to possess higher esterase activity levels than the other two . 2 . Four esterase enzymes, viz . FE-I, -II, -III and -IV, with pI values 5.1, 5.25, 5.4 and 5.6, respectively, were identified, isolated and purified to apparent homogeneity from the fungus X . nigripes, their biochemical and enzymological properties were determined, and compared with those of the previously characterized host termite mid-gut enzymes, TE-I and -II . 3 . The M(r) of FE-I and -II was 85.1 kDa and those of FE-III and -IV was 87.5 kDa . However, TE-I and -II were relatively smaller (M(r) approximately 78.5 kDa) . Each of the fungal enzymes, viz . FE-I to -IV, was a homodimer with subunits associated non-covalently . The subunit M(r) were 42.6 kDa for FE-I and -II, and 43.7 kDa for FE-III and -IV . On the other hand, the termite mid-gut enzymes, TE-I and -II, were also homodimeric, but the subunits were associated covalently (subunit M(r) = 40 kDa) . Immunologically the fungal esterase enzymes, viz . FE-I to -IV, were different from those of the host termite mid-gut esterases, viz . TE-I and -II . 4 . The substrate specificity and inhibitor sensitivity studies classify these enzymes, i.e . FE-I to -IV, as carboxylesterases (EC 3.1.1.1) . Steady-state product inhibition kinetics suggested; an ordered release of products, i.e . alcohol followed by acid, and a Uni-Bi kinetic reaction mechanism . 5 . The two preliminary studies, i.e . the confinement of most esterase activity to the gut-tissue free from microorganisms and starvation of termites not leading to complete loss of esterase activity in the gut of the termites, suggested that there may not be any symbiotic relationship between termite, O . horni, and its gut associated microorganisms with regard to ester metabolism . Though the enzymes from the two sources were carboxylesterases, several of their properties were different and hence, they are different entities. Eur J Haematol, 1993 Nov, 51(5), 309 - 12 Proton channels, plasma membrane potential, and respiratory burst in human neutrophils; Demaurex N et al.; When confronted with invading microorganisms, neutrophils undergo a number of nearly synchronous reactions including the generation of microbicidal reactive oxygen intermediates by the NADPH oxidase . These reactions are accompanied by a slow depolarization, from resting values of-60 mV to levels probably exceeding 0 mV . The depolarization is transient, indicating that a compensatory charge transport mechanism is activated . Activation of the oxidase system causes a massive burst of metabolic acid generation that would, if uncompensated, lower the intracellular pH of neutrophils by over 5 units, to lethal levels (pH = 2) . Neutrophils must therefore possess particularly effective regulatory systems to avoid excessive cytosolic acidification . The recently described H+ conductance of neutrophils may counteract both the acidification and the depolarization . Activation of the H+ conductance occurs at depolarizing voltages and is promoted by cytosolic acidification, a combination that takes place during the respiratory burst . The NADPH oxidase of neutrophils is thus associated to an unusual, particularly efficient mechanism of H+ export and charge compensation . The sequential activation of these two systems causes neutrophils to depolarize through the activation of an electron transport chain, and to repolarize through the activation of a H+ conductance. Mol Biol Evol, 1993 Nov, 10(6), 1303 - 16 Molecular phylogeny of the symbiotic actinomycetes of the genus Frankia matches host-plant infection processes; Cournoyer B et al.; Nucleotide sequences of approximately 213 bp of the nif H-D intergene and the beginning of nifD were determined for symbiotic Frankia isolates from the major host-infectivity groups . This region of the nif operon is variable enough to classify most infective Frankia strains at the species level . Phylogenetic inferences from these sequences are in agreement with the 16S rRNA-derived phylogeny of the genus and, thus, are in favor of an intrageneric evolution of nif genes by orthology . Phylogenetic lineages derived from combined nifH-D intergene and partial nifD and 16S rRNA sequences are supported for at least 93% of bootstrap replicates and are useful for investigating evolutionary relationships of the genus and symbiotic properties of this microorganism . The genus Frankia is divided into two major phylogenetic clusters that match with the separation of species according to the mechanism of infection of actinorhizal plants . One cluster groups species strictly adapted to the mechanism of root hair infection (RHI), and the other groups species adapted to the mechanism of direct intercellular penetration . In the RHI cluster, the species infective on Casuarina plants appears to have emerged from strains infective on Alnus . The concordance between the symbiotic properties and the molecular phylogeny of Frankia strains indicates a major role for the host plant in the evolution and speciation of the genus Frankia. FEMS Microbiol Rev, 1993 Nov, 12(4), 273 - 92 Ribonucleotide reductases and their occurrence in microorganisms: a link to the RNA/DNA transition; Harder J; The evolution of a deoxyribonucleotide synthesizing ribonucleotide reductase might have initiated the transition from the ancient RNA world into the prevailing DNA world . At least five classes of ribonucleotide reductases have evolved . The ancient enzyme has not been identified . A reconstruction of the first ribonucleotide reductase requires knowledge of contemporary enzymes and of microbial evolution . Experimental work on the former focuses on few organisms, whereas the latter is now well understood on the basis of ribosomal RNA sequences . Deoxyribonucleotide formation has not been investigated in many evolutionary important microorganisms . This review covers our knowledge on deoxyribonucleotide synthesis in microorganisms and the distribution of ribonucleotide reductases in nature . Ecological constraints on enzyme evolution and knowledge deficiencies emerge from complete coverage of the phylogenetic groups. Kekkaku, 1993 Nov, 68(11), 701 - 8 {Advances in diagnostic methods for mycobacteria}; Abe C; Two systems, biphasic MB-Check and radiometric BACTEC, based on liquid media proved to be significantly better than the egg-based solid media for the isolation of mycobacteria from clinical specimens . The difference in the rates of isolation of mycobacteria between two groups of media was more remarkable with smear-negative specimens . The time to the detection of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex with MB-Check was shorter than that with the 3% Ogawa egg method but longer than that with BACTEC . A total of 135 sputum specimens were examined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using oligonucleotides based on the repetitive sequence (IS986) of M . tuberculosis as a primer . The PCR gave an overall positivity rate of 84.2%, as compared with 71.9% by smear and 96.9% by culture in the liquid medium, MB-Check . Although the sensitivity of the PCR appeared to be similar to that of culture with the MB-Check system, the PCR should be very useful for rapid detection of M . tuberculosis infections . DNA probe technology facilitates a rapid and specific identification of microorganisms . The diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of the nonradioactive Accuprobe M . tuberculosis complex and Accuprobe M . avium complex culture confirmation tests were nearly 100% . The results of the colorimetric microdilution plate hybridization test (DDH-Mycobacteria) for identification of mycobacteria were consistent with those of biochemical identification . About 90% of clinical isolates could be identified by the DDH kit . Both of these methods may contribute to the rapid diagnosis of mycobacterial infections . Epidemiological studies with techniques which allow differentiation of strains within M . tuberculosis groups are important for limiting the dissemination of the disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Arch Surg, 1993 Nov, 128(11), 1246 - 52 Skin replacements . The biotechnological quest for optimal wound closure; Cairns BA et al.; Extensive skin loss from a variety of conditions is associated with significant functional morbidity and loss of life . In many patients, a limited number of donor sites available for harvesting autologous split-thickness skin grafts prevents early, effective, and permanent wound closure . In the past 25 years, significant biotechnological advancements have been made in defining the criteria and manufacturing ingredients in materials that could serve as skin replacements for permanent wound closure . The optimal skin replacement should have the functional and cosmetic properties of the dermis and the epidermis . It should provide rapid, functional wound coverage and barrier protection to microorganisms, normalize fluid flux and hypermetabolism, and provide long-term stability without contraction or hypertrophic scarring . In addition, the optimal skin replacement should be nontoxic, easily stored and used, and relatively cost-effective . This report will discuss the two major skin replacement designs available today, cultured keratinocyte grafts and bioartificial bilaminate systems, outline the advantages and disadvantages of each material, report the results of clinical trials for each, and speculate on the potential for each material to serve as a practical skin replacement. J Infect Dis, 1993 Nov, 168(5), 1231 - 5 Evidence that Chlamydia pneumoniae causes pneumonia and bronchitis; Grayston JT et al.; An epidemic often provides an opportunity to obtain evidence of the etiologic association of a microorganism with disease . Chlamydia pneumoniae TWAR is a newly recognized organism whose relationship to disease is not completely understood . An outbreak of C . pneumoniae infections from November 1990 to February 1991 was studied in University of Washington students . Twelve TWAR infections were identified serologically in 54 students with acute respiratory disease . The organism was isolated from 7 of the 12 and identified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 2 that were isolation-negative . The organism was not found in any of the 42 serologically negative patients or in 51 control student patients without respiratory illness cultured in 1991 . There was no evidence of infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae or respiratory viruses in the 12 patients with C . pneumoniae infection . During the 4-month outbreak, there was an increase in total pneumonia cases . These findings provide evidence for an etiologic association of C . pneumoniae with pneumonia and bronchitis. FASEB J, 1993 Nov, 7(14), 1338 - 43 Bacterial ice nucleation: significance and molecular basis; Gurian-Sherman D et al.; Several bacterial species are able to catalyze ice formation at temperatures as warm as -2 degrees C . These microorganisms efficiently catalyze ice formation at temperatures much higher than most organic or inorganic substances . Because of their ubiquity on the surfaces of frost-sensitive plants, they are responsible for initiating ice formation, which results in frost injury . The high temperature of ice catalysis conferred by bacterial ice nuclei makes them useful in ice nucleation-limited processes such as artificial snow production, the freezing of some food products, and possibly in future whether modification schemes . The rarity of other ice nuclei active at high subfreezing temperature, and the ease and sensitivity with which ice nuclei can be quantified, have made the use of a promoterless bacterial ice nucleation gene valuable as a reporter of transcription . Target genes to which this promoter is fused can be used in cells in natural habitats . Warm-temperature ice nucleation sites have also been extensively studied at a molecular level . Nucleation sites active at high temperatures (above -5 degrees C) are probably composed of bacterial ice nucleation protein molecules that form functionally aligned aggregates . Models of ice nucleation proteins predict that they form a planar array of hydrogen binding groups that closely complement that of an ice crystal face . Moreover, interdigitation of these molecules may produce a large contiguous template for ice formation. Pediatr Med Chir, 1993 Nov-Dec, 15(6), 625 - 7 {Osteoarthritis caused by Brucella melitensis: isolation of the microorganism from the synovial fluid}; Gori E et al.; Brucellosis is an unusual disease in childhood but the organ manifestations are even more unusual . The Authors describe an osteoarthritis caused by Brucella melitensis, localized at the tarsal scaphoid in a three years old Calabrian child. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr), 1993 Nov-Dec, 21(6), 229 - 32 {Thermoactinomyces vulgaris as a cause of extrinsic allergic alveolitis}; Valbuena G et al.; Thermoactinomycetes are microorganisms similar to the aerobic actinomycetes that grow at temperatures between 32 65 degrees C and are usually found in soil, hay and warm environment . They are the agent of Extrinsic Allergy Alveolitis producing an interstitial process of immunologic, generated by the inhalation of the environmental dust that contain spores from these fungi . There is one case of a middle age man who works in a boiler of a foundry company of province de Buenos Aires in Argentina . The patient presents a clinical picture compatible with the above mentioned illness and he gets better in vacation periods . The Thermoactinomyces vulgaris was isolated from the dust accumulated in a ceiling light. Int J Artif Organs, 1993 Nov, 16(11), 749 - 54 Infections associated with prosthetic devices: clinical considerations; Dickinson GM et al.; The successful development of synthetic materials and introduction of artificial devices into nearly all body systems has been shadowed by the adaptation of microorganisms to the opportunities these devices afford for eluding defenses and invading the host . Clinicians are faced with the task of recognizing the manifestations of device-associated infection, predicting the likely pathogens involved, knowing the appropriate diagnostic methods, and initiating appropriate therapy . Infections associated with prosthetic heart valves are particularly challenging to successfully treat; surgical replacement may be necessary . Infection associated with an artificial joint usually requires removal of the device in addition to appropriate antibiotics . Intravascular associated infections are the leading cause of nosocomial bacteremias and, because of their intravascular location, these infections are often life catheter threatening if not promptly diagnosed and treated . Even contact lenses, external to epithelial surfaces, may give rise to serious sight-threatening infections . Although artificial devices play a paramount role in medicine today, infection is an ever present potential with which clinicians must be familiar. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1993 Nov, 41(9), 887 - 96 {Bactericidal activity of cells of the immune system}; Wargnier A et al.; The acquisition of a bactericidal activity by the cellular immune system is one of the mechanisms of prime importance for the development of the cellular resistance to infection . It involves the specific recognition of the pathogenic microorganism associated with the direct or indirect activation of effector cells . The in vivo type of replication of the infectious microorganism provides the adaptive response of the host . This response differs according to extracellular or intracellular multiplying microorganism . The acquired resistance to extracellular multiplying bacteria (ie, capsulated bacteria) is linked to the B cell production of specific antibodies that are associated with the activated complement fragments, that enable bacterial opsonization, activation and recruiting of polymorphonuclear phagocytes . These cells did acquired a greater capacity to ingest and to kill bacteria at sites of infection . Such phenomenon could be also associated with acute purulent necrotizing lesions . On the other hand, intracellular multiplying bacteria are mostly associated with chronic granulomatous non pyogenic lesions, and such bacteria are also able to survive and to replicate into the non activated professional mononuclear phagocytes . The acquired resistance against such bacteria is linked to the occurrence of a non specific bactericidal capacity of macrophages, that inhibit and/or kill replicative intracellular microorganisms . Such macrophage bactericidal capacity is dependent upon the gradual and stepwise cellular activation provided by several extracellular and membrane associated signals . Sequential signals are produced by the specific recognition of committed T CD4+ lymphocytes mediated by the infected macrophages through the MHC class 2 restriction of the peptide presentation . One of the major signal of cellular communication to induce macrophage priming involves the production of Interferon gamma (IFN gamma) . Secondary signals are needed to induced full macrophage activation defined by phenotypic, metabolic and functional alterations which include their acquired increase capacity to kill intracellular bacteria and tumor cells . Secondary signals involve the production of cytokines such as TNF alpha, IL2 and GM-CSF being transduced by bacterial cell wall products (such as lipopolysaccharide, teichoic acid, or lipoarabinomanan) or by the calcitriol pathway recently described during mycobacterial infection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Vet Pathol, 1993 Nov, 30(6), 566 - 73 Granulomatous leptomeningitis in beagle dogs; Maeda H et al.; A granulomatous leptomeningitis was seen in seven laboratory Beagle dogs (four males, three females), 14 to 15 months old, that had been used as control or experimental subjects in a toxicologic study . The dogs were clinically normal during the experimental period . Microscopic lesions were characterized by typical noncaseating granulomas in leptomeninges and slight scattered perivascular cuffing in gray and white matter throughout the central nervous system, with no site of predilection . Although no microorganisms could be found by ordinary light microscopic examination, there was a positive reaction for Escherichia coli antigen in the cytoplasm of macrophages, which corresponded to periodic acid-Schiff-positive, calcium-negative, and iron-negative materials in the granulomas and cuffs . Electron microscopic examination revealed that these materials were large phagolysosomes indicative of abnormal lysosomal function . These findings indicate that at least some cases of canine granulomatous leptomeningitis could be very likely caused by E . coli and represent an entity distinct from classical canine granulomatous meningoencephalitis. Mikrobiologiia, 1993 Nov-Dec, 62(6), 981 - 93 {Biological oxidation of a sulfur atom in single-carbon and organic compounds}; Sorokin DIu; Oxidation of sulphur of various natural and artificial sulphur-containing organic compounds by macro- and microorganisms is reviewed . It includes data on microbial oxidation of volatile organic sulphides, oxidation of CNS-, cystine and thiophenes as natural S-compounds and biological S-oxidation of xenobiotics. Eur Respir J, 1993 Nov, 6(10), 1529 - 43 Pulmonary immune cells in health and disease: polymorphonuclear neutrophils; Sibille Y et al.; The pulmonary vasculature represents the largest reservoir of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in the human body . This is in striking contrast with the paucity of PMNs present in the normal airways and alveoli . However, the respiratory tract constitutes an easy access for microorganisms and particles present in inhaled air and, therefore, efficacious defence mechanisms are required . When the mucociliary clearance and the alveolar macrophages are over-whelmed, the rapid recruitment of PMNs from the lung vasculature appears to be a crucial response of the host against the pathogens . The regulation of adherence of PMNs to endothelial cells (EC), followed by the transendothelial migration are now better understood, and are under the control of a series of adhesion molecules modulated by bacterial and inflammatory mediators . In addition to their defensive role, PMNs have also been implicated in acute and chronic injurious diseases of the lung . Clearly, PMNs contain enough cytotoxic and proteolytic material to induce lesional changes . However, the release of this material is likely to be dependent on environmental factors, including mediators derived from other inflammatory and immune cells . The presence or absence of these factors could explain the fact that high numbers of PMNs can be observed in the airways and alveoli without major lesions whilst in other conditions, a marginal increase of PMNs in the respiratory tract can be associated with major damage and irreversible architectural changes in the lung. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo, 1993 Nov-Dec, 35(6), 527 - 33 {Characterization of the minimal lethal dose of gamma irradiation for Penicillium citrinum}; Norberg AN et al.; The use of nuclear power through radiation for the destruction of microorganisms which cause food decay, and toxicosis, is specifically for peaceful purposes . Penicillium citrinum is a fungus which produce mycotoxins responsible for intoxication in humans and animals as a result of eating contaminated food . There is little informations on the resistance of P . citrinum to radiation . The objective of this research is to determine the lethal dose of gama radiation for these microorganisms . Seventy six suspensions containing approximately 100,000 spores/ml received a dose of radiation between 0.2 and 2.2 KGy (KiloGray), being one sample still alive re-irradiated with doses up to 3.0 KGy . The fungus were totally destroyed with a 2.2 KGy . Seventy six suspensions containing approximately 100,000 spores/ml received a dose of radiation between 0.2 and 2.2 KGy, being one sample still alive re-irradiated with doses up to 3.0 KGy . The fungus were totally destroyed with a 2.2 KGy dose . An increase in the resistance to lower dose levels of radiation was observed, in relation to the fungus which had not received irradiation . Conclusion: the Minimum Lethal Dose (MLD) of gamma irradiation, for P . citrinum is 2.2 KGy; the re-irradiation of the surviving fungus demonstrate that occur appearance of radio-resistant mutants. J Histochem Cytochem, 1993 Nov, 41(11), 1679 - 87 Differential expression of lectin-binding sites defines mouse intestinal M-cells; Clark MA et al.; We investigated the binding of four lectins to the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) overlying fixed mouse small intestinal Peyer's patches to identify M-cell-specific surface markers . Wheat germ agglutinin and peanut agglutinin displayed heterogeneous staining patterns, binding most avidly to the intestine goblet cells . In contrast, the lectins Ulex europaeus 1 (UEA 1) and Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (winged bean; WBA) were almost exclusively M-cell specific . When confocal laser scanning images of tissues stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated UEA1 or WBA were compared with the appearance of the same tissues under the scanning electron microscope (SEM), UEA1 strongly stained 97.2% (106/109) of M-cells, 0.6% (3/516) enterocytes, and 0% (0/28) goblet cells, whereas WBA stained 100% (83/83) M-cells, 1.7% (6/361) enterocytes, and 5.3% (1/19) goblet cells . The M-cell specificity of the lectin binding was further demonstrated by localization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated lectins under the transmission electron microscope (TEM) . This is the first demonstration of carbohydrates in the glycocalyx of M-cells that are not expressed elsewhere on the FAE surface . These carbohydrates not only provide a means to identify mouse M-cells by LM but may also contribute to the occurrence of specific interactions between microorganisms and the M-cell apical membrane. Khirurgiia (Mosk), 1993 Nov, (11), 3 - 6 {The polymer sorbent regenkur in the treatment of suppurative wounds}; Gostishchev VK et al.; Clinico-laboratory tests of the new Soviet polymer sorbent Regenkur obtained on the basis of rarely cross-linked cellulose ester were conducted on 60 patients with acute purulent diseases of the soft tissues in the surgical clinic, Sechenov Medical Academy . In treatment with sorbent applications the number of microorganisms reduced by several factors on the 3rd-5th day; on the average, the term of wound cleansing was 4.6 days, granulations appeared on day 4.3 and peripheral epithelialization on day 6.5 . The duration of hospital stay decreased by one third . Advantages of the new sorbent over those of the well-known foreign analogue Debrizan were revealed. Eur Heart J, 1993 Nov, 14 Suppl I, 10 - 5 Isoforms of nitric oxide synthase: functions in the cardiovascular system; Forstermann U et al.; Various cell types, including endothelial cells, can synthesize nitric oxide (NO) . Three different isoforms of NO synthase have been characterized, purified and cloned . Isozyme I is present in neuronal cells of the brain (where NO may mediate synaptic plasticity), in peripheral non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) neurons (where NO acts as an atypical neurotransmitter relaxing vascular and non-vascular smooth muscle), and in various specialized epithelial cells . Macrophages can be induced with bacterial endotoxin and/or cytokines to express isozyme II . The high concentrations of NO produced by this isoform have cytostatic effects on parasitic microorganisms and tumour cells . A similar isozyme can be induced in the vascular wall (presumably in smooth muscle cells) in sepsis and during cytokine therapy . The large amounts of NO produced by this enzyme contribute to the symptoms of septic shock, such as vasodilatation and microvascular endothelial damage . Endothelial cells contain isoform III of NO synthase which seems to be unique for this cell type . Endothelium-derived NO is a physiologically significant vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet aggregation and adhesion . In addition, vascular NO can prevent leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium by interfering with the adhesion molecule CD11/CD18, and NO has also been shown to inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells . Hence, NO represents a protective factor against vascular damage and probably atherogenesis. Med Clin (Barc), 1993 Oct 30, 101(14), 534 - 7 {Bacteremia due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in patients coinfected with the human immunodeficiency virus}; Dronda F et al.; BACKGROUND: Since the appearance of AIDS, bacteremia by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an event described with ever greater frequency . The isolation of M . tuberculosis in blood cultures in patients coinfected by the human immunodeficiency virus and M . tuberculosis may vary the initial clinical diagnosis and confirm the picture as disseminated tuberculosis . METHODS: The clinical records of patients admitted to the General Penitentiary Hospital of Madrid with significant bacteremia during the study period (March 1, 1991-September 1992) were retrospectively and prospectively reviewed . Special attention was given to the bacteremias by M . tuberculosis with the most significant clinical evolutive data being collected . The blood cultures were performed according to the routine technique using a non radiometric system with 10-day incubation and posterior processing of the sample for visualization and culture for mycobacteria . RESULTS: In an 18 moth period and out of a total of 284 positive blood cultures (154 significant isolations) 14 episodes of bacteremia by M . tuberculosis were studied in 12 prison patients coinfected by the human immunodeficiency virus with associated severe immunosuppression (mean of CD4 = 0.068 x 10(9)/l) . All the patients were intravenous drug addicts . Likewise, 37 other significant bacteremias were reviewed . The positivity of the blood culture as the sole sample or associated to respiratory isolations, changed the initial diagnosis and classified the picture as disseminated tuberculosis on 6 occasions (43%) . All the patients presented pictures of disseminated tuberculosis although only four had been previously diagnosed of AIDS . CONCLUSIONS: Bacteremia by M . tuberculosis is frequent in patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus . M . tuberculosis (27.4%) was the most frequently isolated microorganism in blood cultures in this study . The processing of blood cultures for mycobacteria may be useful in patients positive for the human immunodeficiency virus with tuberculosis in order to confirm the diagnosis of disseminated tuberculosis . The isolation of M . tuberculosis in the blood may vary the initial diagnosis and could modify the prevalence of AIDS cases in Spain. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1993 Oct 15, 113(2), 129 - 32 SruI restriction endonuclease from Selenomonas ruminantium; Vanat I et al.; SruI, specific restriction endonuclease, has been characterized from Selenomonas ruminantium isolated from the rumen of fallow deer . Results from the study demonstrate that S . ruminantium 18D possesses a type II restriction endonuclease, which recognizes the sequence 5'-TTT decreases AAA-3' . The recognition sequence of SruI was identified using digestions on pBR322, pBR328, pUC18, M13mp18RF, pACYC184 and lambda DNA . The cleavage patterns obtained were compared with computer-derived data . SruI recognises the palindromic hexanucleotide sequence and cleaves DNA after the third T in the sequence, producing blunt ends . The purification and characterization of restriction endonuclease SruI presented here is the first described for Selenomonas ruminantium spp . and demonstrates that this microorganism possesses a DNA-cleaving enzyme with the same specificity as DraI or AhaIII. Toxicology, 1993 Oct 5, 82(1-3), 53 - 60 Immunotoxicology and expression of human cytochrome P450 in microorganisms; Beaune P et al.; Drug-induced hepatitis can be caused by an abnormal immunological response . In the case of tienilic acid- and dihydralazine-induced hepatitis, we postulated a scheme in which a P450 produced a reactive metabolite (step 1); this reactive metabolite bound to the P450 producing it (step 2) leading to a neoantigen triggering the immune response (step 3); the autoantibodies produced during the immune response recognized the P450 producing the reactive metabolite (step 4) . The use of microorganisms (yeast or bacteria) expressing cloned human P450 helped in proving some steps of this postulated scheme, particularly steps 1 and 4. Infect Immun, 1993 Oct, 61(10), 4293 - 301 Activation of the complement system in baboons challenged with live Escherichia coli: correlation with mortality and evidence for a biphasic activation pattern; de Boer JP et al.; Activation of the complement system was studied in baboons that were challenged with live Escherichia coli . In the group challenged with a lethal dose (n = 4), the complement activation parameters C3b/c, C4b/c, and C5b-9 increased 13, 5, and 12 times the baseline value, respectively, during the first 6 h after the E . coli infusion, whereas in the group challenged with a sublethal dose (n = 10), they increased only moderately, by 2 to 3 times the baseline value . However, in this latter group, a more pronounced activation occurred at 24 h . Subsequent experiments showed that this second phase in complement activation started at 6 h after the challenge, at which time infused microorganisms had been cleared from the circulation . The simultaneous increase in C-reactive protein with this second phase suggested an endogenous activation mechanism involving this acute-phase protein . Levels of inactivated (modified) C1 inhibitor also increased in both groups, with peak levels of 2.5 times the baseline value at 24 h in the sublethal group and of 4 times at 6 h after the challenge in the lethal group . Thus, activation of complement in this animal model for sepsis occurs in a biphasic pattern, the initial phase mediated by the bacteria and the later phase mediated by an endogenous mechanism possibly involving C-reactive protein . The differences in complement activation between animals with lethal or sublethal sepsis support the hypothesis that complement activation contributes to the lethal complications of sepsis. Infect Immun, 1993 Oct, 61(10), 4232 - 9 Acid phosphatase activity in Coxiella burnetii: a possible virulence factor; Baca OG et al.; High-speed supernatant fluids derived from sonicated Coxiella burnetii contained considerable acid phosphatase activity when assayed by using 4-methylumbelliferylphosphate; they also contained a factor that blocked superoxide anion production by human neutrophils stimulated with formyl-Met-Leu-Phe . The pH optimum of the enzyme was approximately 5.0 . The level of phosphatase activity detected in several isolates of C . burnetii implicated in acute (Nine Mile) and chronic (S Q217, PRS Q177, K Q154) Q fever was 25 to 60 times greater than that reported in other microorganisms, including Leishmania and Legionella spp . The enzyme was found in rickettsiae grown in different hosts (L929 cells and embryonated eggs) and, in the case of L929 cells, for both short periods (less than a month) and the long term (years) . Cytochemical techniques coupled with electron microscopy localized the phosphatase activity to the periplasmic gap in the parasite . Ion-exchange chromatography revealed a major species of the enzyme and showed that the enzyme of the parasite was distinct from that of the host cell (L929 fibroblasts); its apparent molecular weight was 74,000 . Phosphatase inhibitors (i.e., molybdate heteropolyanions) had differential effects on the phosphatases of the parasite and host cell . C . burnetii supernatant fluid inhibited superoxide anion production by formyl-Met-Leu-Phe-stimulated human neutrophils; molybdate inhibitors reversed the inhibition . Treatment of C . burnetii-infected L929 cells with one of the molybdate compounds (complex B') significantly reduced the level of infection and did not affect the viability or growth of the host cell . These data suggest that the acid phosphatase of the parasite may be a major virulence determinant, allowing the agent to avoid being killed during uptake by phagocytes and subsequently in the phagolysosome. Med Hypotheses, 1993 Oct, 41(4), 306 - 7 A new approach to the etiopathogenesis of AIDS; Scaro JL; This hypothesis proposes as an explanation for the origin of the Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the homosexual transmission of spermatozoons . The male gamete may possess a depressing action on the immuno-competence of the egg aimed to prevent the rejection of the spermatozoon material . The female organism may be able to inactivate this action, an ability that might be absent in the male organism . As a consequence of the loss of its immunological competence, the body is invaded by a variety of microorganisms, among which certain elemental classes of viruses would strive successfully for long periods of time . Their permanence in the depressed organism would enable them to overcome the immune barriers present in normal subjects, becoming thus, transmissible and in some cases even pathogenic for the new host. Eur J Cell Biol, 1993 Oct, 62(1), 140 - 51 Highly polarized primary epithelial cells from human nasopharynx grown as spheroid-like vesicles; Boxberger HJ et al.; The value of experimental culture models using epithelial cells often depends on the degree of polarization and other critical features observed in natural tissues, including the formation of tight junctions, desmosomes and membrane interdigitations . However, growth of normal epithelial cells as monolayers on artificial supports also leads to partial loss of the original characteristics of epithelial cells, and the quality of the monolayer is strongly influenced by the physicochemical properties of the support . In addition, not all normal epithelial cell types are able to adhere and to grow well on artificial substrata . In order to circumvent the drawbacks of two-dimensional cultures we established an in vitro model that closely resembles the in vivo situation of the intact epithelium . Human epithelial cells from nasopharynx (HNPEC) were used to prepare multicellular epithelial vesicles consisting of both non-ciliated and ciliated mucosal cells . Electron microscopy investigations showed that the morphological appearance of the epithelial cells was similar to that in situ . HNPEC vesicle cultures maintain a geometrically intact organization of individual cells that is not achieved using conventional culture conditions . HNPEC vesicles are more in vivo-like than two-dimensional cultures and therefore represent a suitable model for a variety of research purposes including studies on the pathogenesis of invasive microorganisms. Med Vet Entomol, 1993 Oct, 7(4), 377 - 83 Phylogenetically distant symbiotic microorganisms reside in Glossina midgut and ovary tissues; O'Neill SL et al.; Many blood-feeding insects, including tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae), harbour intracellular bacterial symbionts . Using isolates from tissues of several Glossina species and diagnostic DNA oligonucleotide primers, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based assay was designed to identify symbiotic bacteria . Those inhabiting the midgut of Glossina were found to belong to the gamma subdivision, whereas ovarian Proteobacteria were of the alpha subdivision--probably genus Wolbachia (Rickettsiaceae) . The presence of Wolbachia-like Rickettsia in the ovaries of G.morsitans subspecies may help to explain the maternally inherited incompatibility of some crosses within this species. Tijdschr Kindergeneeskd, 1993 Oct, 61(5), 185 - 7 {Hemoptysis as manifestation of a Helicobacter pylori infection}; Blecker U et al.; A 14-year-old girl was transferred to our unit after 6 weeks of repeating episodes of what was thought to be 'hemoptysis' . Apart from discrete nausea, she did not have any other complaints . The episodes of 'hemoptysis' occurred once every 3 days, mostly in the late evening . The physical examination was strictly normal . A thorough investigation revealed a chronic active gastritis and Helicobacter pylori infection . No lung disease could be confirmed . Treatment consisted of a combination therapy with amoxycillin (50 mg/kg/day orally in 3 doses) and colloidal bismuth subcitrate (120 mg orally, 3 times daily) during a period of 1 week . Together with the clearance of Helicobacter pylori and healing of the chronic active gastritis, as demonstrated by histology, the symptoms disappeared . An eradication of the microorganism was obtained . Since that time, she has had no further similar complaints . This case reflects an atypical presentation of Helicobacter pylori infection. Oral Microbiol Immunol, 1993 Oct, 8(5), 288 - 94 Common and specific antigens of several treponemes detected by polyclonal antisera against major cellular proteins; Nakamura Y et al.; Thirteen polypeptide antigens with molecular weights ranging from 34 kDa to 83 kDa were selected and their antigenic behaviors and distribution were examined in 12 strains of microorganisms including Treponema, Borrelia, Leptospira and Leptonema . Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that 45 kDa and 83 kDa polypeptides of Treponema socranskii subsp . buccale ATCC 35534, 53 kDa antigen of Treponema denticola ATCC 33520 and 44 kDa polypeptide of the strain G7201 were strain-specific . The 34, 62, 66 and 84 kDa polypeptide antigens were detected in all 8 treponemal strains examined . T . denticola ATCC 33520 and ATCC 35404 possessed 38 kDa, 48 kDa, 52 kDa and 72 kDa common polypeptide antigens . All 12 strains possessed the 84 kDa polypeptide antigen . Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that the 34 kDa and 38 kDa polypeptide antigens were located on the axial flagella and that other polypeptide antigens were located on the outer envelopes or wall-membrane complexes. Mikrobiyol Bul, 1993 Oct, 27(4), 364 - 77 {The interrelationships of allergy, infection and the psyche}; Cicioglu B; In this review, we would attempt to discuss the interrelationships of allergy, infection, and the psyche . The interplay of these forces is expressed diagrammatically in Fig . 1.1, the interrelationship indicated there, sugge