Mutat Res, 1981 Dec, 84(2), 331 - 48 Induction of chromosome shattering by ultraviolet irradiation and caffeine: comparison of whole-cell and partial-cell irradiation; Cremer C et al.; Synchronized and asynchronously growing cells of a V79 sub-line of the Chinese hamster were either whole-cell irradiated ( gamma, 254 nm) or laser-UV-microirradiated ( gamma, 257 nm) . Post-incubation with caffeine (1-2 mM) often resulted in chromosome shattering, which was a rare event in the absence of this compound . In experiments with caffeine, the following results were obtained . Shattering of all the chromosomes of a cell (generalized chromosome shattering, GCS) was induced by whole-cell irradiation at the first post-irradiation mitosis when the UV fluence exceeded a "threshold" value in the sensitive phases of the cell cycle (G1 and S) . GCS was also induced by laser-UV-microirradiation of a small part of the nucleus in G1 or S whereas microirradiation of cytoplasm beside the nucleus was not effective . An upper limit of the UV fluence in the non-irradiated nuclear part due to scattering of the microbeam was experimentally obtained . This UV fluence was significantly below the threshold fluence necessary to induce GCS in whole-cell irradiation experiments . In other cells, partial nuclear irradiation resulted in shattering of a few chromosomes only, while the majority remained intact (partial chromosome shattering, PCS) . G1/early S was the most sensitive phase for induction of GCS by whole-cell and partial nuclear irradiation . The frequency of PCS was observed to increase when partial nuclear irradiation was performed either at lower incident doses or at later stages of S . We suggest that PCS and GCS indicate 2 levels of chromosome damage which can be produced by the synergistic action of UV irradiation and caffeine . PCS may be restricted to microirradiated chromatin whereas GCS involves both irradiated and unirradiated chromosomes in the microirradiated nucleus. Br J Ind Med, 1981 Nov, 38(4), 339 - 45 Ventilatory function in workers exposed to tea and wood dust; Al Zuhair YS et al.; Changes in ventilatory capacity during the work shift were studied in workers exposed to tea dust in tea-packing plants, wood dust in two furniture factories, and virtually no dust in an inoperational power station . The FEV1 and FVC in workers exposed to dust were found to decline during the work shift by a small but significant volume . The MMFR, Vmax 50% and Vmax 75% were to variable to display any trend . No dose-response relationship could be discerned between the fall in workers' ventilatory capacity and the concentrations of airborne dust or microbes to which they were exposed . Bronchodilators could reverse the fall in FEV1. J Cell Biol, 1981 Nov, 91(2 Pt 1), 446 - 58 Mechanics of chromosome separation during mitosis in Fusarium (Fungi imperfecti): new evidence from ultrastructural and laser microbeam experiments; Aist JR et al.; The anaphase-telophase spindle usually elongates, and it has been assumed that the spindle pushes the incipient daughter nuclei apart . To test this assumption, we used a laser microbeam to sever the central spindle of the fungus, Fusarium solani, and measured the rate of separation of incipient daughter nuclei . When the microbeam was aimed beside the spindle separation occurred at a rate (8.6 micrometer/min) that did not differ significantly from the rate (7.6 micrometer/m) in unirradiated cells . But when the spindle was irradiated, it broke, and the separation was much faster (22.4 micrometer/min) . Irradiation of cytoplasm lateral to one spindle pole resulted in a 1.5 micrometer/min reduction in the rate (6.1 micrometer/min) of separation . From these and other data, we infer that extranuclear forces, presumably involving astral microtubules, pull on the incipient daughter nuclei and that the central spindle limits the separation rate . Astral microtubules are associated with the plasma membrane or, sometimes, with the rough endoplasmic reticulum . Most of the spindle microtubules that are present at metaphase are depolymerized during anaphase and early telophase. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1981 Oct, (10), 80 - 4 {Role of immune and normal sera in protection from ozena}; Krylov IA; For the first time high preventive properties of sera obtained from ozena patients and healthy persons have been established on the model of acute ozena sepsis . The preventive properties of sera obtained from ozena patients and containing antibodies to the somatic antigens of the causative agent of ozena (O-antibodies) are higher than those of sera obtained from healthy persons . But this effect is linked not with O-antibodies, but probably with the presence of antibodies to the capsular antigen of the microbe (C-antibodies), which are not detected in the agglutination test . The indirect proof of the presence of C-antibodies in the sera of ozena patients, containing O-antibodies, have been obtained due to the ability of C-antibodies to enhance in vivo and to decrease in vitro the bactericidal activity of sera obtained from such patients. Vet Med (Praha), 1981 Oct, 26(10), 593 - 8 {The redox potential of the large intestine in swine in relation to swine dysentery}; Hornich M et al.; The redox potential of (Eh) +111 +/- 25 mV was measured in the large intestine of newly born piglets . In the post-weaning period the Eh values decreased significantly to -173 +/- 27 mV and remained at this level also in the healthy sows (-214 +/- 55 mV) . The Eh value recorded in dysenteric pigs was -188 +/- 5 mV, and this was not statistically significant in relation to the healthy weaned piglets . The Eh level measured in the blood agar prepared with cysteine and covered by a thick growth of the strain Treponema hyodysenteriae, which had been incubated in an anaerobic medium for five days, was -218 +/- 18 mV . The Eh of piglets after weaning was not the decisive condition for the development of dysentery . However, it can be assumed that the impossibility of eliciting dysentery in microbe-free and gnotobiotic pigs is associated with a relatively high redox potential of a microbially unpopulated or insufficiently populated intestine. Can J Biochem, 1981 Sep, 59(9), 777 - 92 Analysis of chromosome movement in crane fly spermatocytes by ultraviolet microbeam irradiation of individual chromosomal spindle fibres . II . Action spectra for stopping chromosome movement and for blocking ciliary beating and myofibril contractions; Sillers PJ et al.; Chromosome-to-pole movement in crane fly spermatocytes was temporarily blocked by ultraviolet light focussed to a 4-micrometer-diameter spot on single chromosomal spindle fibres . Since similar irradiation of the interzonal region did not alter chromosome-to-pole movement, this effect was specific to spindle fibres . The action spectrum for blocking chromosome movement in this specific way had two peaks, one at 270 nm and one at 290 nm . To block movement, irradiations with 280-nm-wavelength light required two to four times more energy than irradiations with 270- or 290-nm-wavelength light . Action spectra were obtained for blocking ciliary beating and for blocking myofibril contraction . The action spectrum for blocking ciliary beating had a broad peak, between 260 nm and 280 nm, whilst that for blocking myofibril contraction had two peaks, at 270 and 290 nm, just like that for blocking chromosome movement . We discuss the similarities and differences in the various action spectra, and we compare the action spectra to absorption spectra of spindle components and to other action spectra (e.g., that for depolymerizing actin-containing filaments) . Absorption spectra were obtained for ultraviolet light passing through spindle fibres as well as for ultraviolet light passing through the interzone. Antibiotiki, 1981 Sep, 26(9), 676 - 80 {Mathematical model of zone formation taking into account the inactivation of polyene antibiotics diffusing into an inoculated gel}; Mitintskii AB et al.; The procedure for investigation of the inhibition growth zone formation on diffusion of polyenic antibiotics into inoculated gel is presented . The model of strong inactivation is applicable when the drug inactivation is significant during the period of the zone formation and not only during the period of the 2-fold increasing of the number of the test microbe cells . The experimental study on the passive inactivation of polyenic antibiotics, such as levorin, amphotericin B, mycoheptin and nystatin showed that during the period of the zone formation the first 2 antibiotics were inactivated to such a level that their passive inactivation could be considered strong . A case of drug active inactivation with the test microbe cells is discussed . An equation for the specific period of the zone formation with respect to this particular case of the drug strong inactivation was developed . The parameters of the active inactivation were estimated . The results for levorin are in good agreement with some of its physico-chemical properties, i . e . poor solubility and mycella formation. J Neurosci, 1981 Sep, 1(9), 945 - 55 Cellular interactions and pattern formation in the development of the visual system of Daphnia magna (Crustacea, Branchiopoda) . II . Induced retardation of optic axon ingrowth results in a delay in laminar neuron differentiation; Macagno ER; Groups of embryonic photoreceptors in one side of the compound eye of Daphnia were irradiated with an ultraviolet microbeam at a stage when the cells were postmitotic but had yet to elaborate axons . Immediately after irradiation, the embryos were placed under fluorescent illumination . On the average, 16 of the irradiated photoreceptors were killed by the exposure . Previous observations suggest that an approximately equal number were rescued by the post-irradiation fluorescent illumination . The schedule of differentiation of the rescued photoreceptors was affected such that their axons arrived at the target region in the optic lamina from 2 to 10 hr after they would have normally . Serial section electron microscopic analysis showed that differentiation of laminar neurons contacted by the delayed axons also was delayed by a length of time corresponding to the delay in axon arrival . These and previous observations indicate that the differentiation of laminar neurons is triggered by contact with optic axons and can be initiated over a period of several hours after these cells become postmitotic. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 1981 Aug 14, 294(1071), 19 - 39 Soil as the source of trace elements; West TS; The nature of the parent rock determines the trace element content of soils . Ultrabasic and basic rocks, which solidified first from the molten magma, incorporated bioessential trace elements such as Co, Ni, Zn and Cr by isomorphous replacement of Fe and Mg in ferromagnesian minerals, while acidic rocks, the last to solidify, tended to be richer in other elements such as Ba and Pb . Cu, Mn and, to a lesser extent, B, Mo and Se are more evenly distributed . The weathering of rocks by pedological and biological processes such as glacial and hydrodynamic comminution, secretion of acids and liganding species by microbes and plants leads to the formation of sands, silts and clays, and finally the incorporation of organic matter causes humification and the formation of soils as we know them . Part of the soil's store of bioessential elements is held in forms that are available to plants . Availability is controlled by the forms of occurrence and the nature of binding of the trace elements in the soil, which in turn is affected by soil acidity, redox balance (drainage) and organic matter content . These and other factors are discussed along with measures for alleviation of deficiency problems . Future progress in this area will depend to a large extent on interdisciplinary research by biologists, chemists, physicists and statisticians. Science, 1981 Jul 31, 213(4507), 505 - 13 Laser microsurgery in cell and developmental biology; Berns MW et al.; New applications of laser microbeam irradiation to cell and developmental biology include a new instrument with a tunable wavelength (217- to 800-nanometer) laser microbeam and a wide range of energies and exposure durations (down to 25 X 10(-12) second) . Laser microbeams can be used for microirradiation of selected nucleolar genetic regions and for laser microdissection of mitotic and cytoplasmic organelles . They are also used to disrupt the developing neurosensory appendages of the cricket and the imaginal discs of Drosophila. Science, 1981 Jul 10, 213(4504), 233 - 5 Serum albumin beads: an injectable, biodegradable system for the sustained release of drugs; Lee TK et al.; Biologically active compounds were entrapped in cross-linked serum albumin microbeads . Injection of these drug-impregnated beads into rabbits produced no adverse immunological reactions . Sustained release (20 days) of progesterone was demonstrated in vivo. Vestn Khir Im I I Grek, 1981 Jul, 127(7), 15 - 7 {Causes and prevention of latent infection in abdominal surgery}; Shilov AB; The analysis of repeated admission of patients with purulent complications of wounds and cicatrices (261 patients) has shown that 24% of the patients had a latent infection which could manifest itself against the background of characteristic changes in the natural resistance of the organism . The main microbe isolated in the outbursts of latent infections was found to be pathogenic staphilococcus with endogenous introduction of microbes into tissues . The latent infection is believed by the author to play an important role in pathogenesis of purulent complications after operations associated with an injury of scarry tissues . Prophylactic and curative recommendations made by the author are described. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol, 1981 Jul, 10(4), 427 - 35 Acute impact of an organophosphorus insecticide on microbes and small invertebrates of a mangrove estuary; Newell SY et al.; The effects of 24 to 72-hr exposure to fenthion (10(1)-10(3) ppb) were determined for a fungal community, nitrogen-fixing microbes, and representative meiofaunal and zooplankton invertebrates of a mangrove ecosystem . Also tested were the abilities of a benthic diatom and of fungi to grow in the presence of fenthion . Acute lethal, growth-inhibiting, or process-disrupting effects were not detected for exposures to less than 500 ppb fenthion . Results are compared with the findings of several other investigations of the impact of fenthion and other organophosphorus insecticides on non-target organisms. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1981 Jul, (7), 71 - 5 {Protective antigen of the pseudotuberculosis microbe}; Dzadzieva MF et al.; Proteinolipopolysaccharide (PLPS) isolated from the causative agent of pseudotuberculosis has the properties of a protective antigen . It protects 86-90% of mice and guinea-pigs from lethal Y . pseudotuberculosis infection (20 lethal doses) and stimulates humoral and cellular immunity factors, as well as the phagocytic activity of monocytes . It is of particular importance due to the fact that in Y . pseudotuberculosis infection the system of mononuclear phagocytes plays a significant role in eliminating the causative agent from the body . The further study of PLPS with the aim of developing prophylactic preparations shows good promise. Science, 1981 Jun 5, 212(4499), 1164 - 7 Optical recording of calcium action potentials from growth cones of cultured neurons with a laser microbeam; Grinvald A et al.; Simultaneous recordings of calcium action potentials directly from growth cones and from somata of neuroblastoma cells indicated that they could be generated in the neurites at or near growth cones . Growth cone responses were measured with a fluorescent voltage-sensitive dye and a 5-milliwatt helium-neon laser microbeam as a monitoring light source. J Cell Sci, 1981 Jun, 49, 51 - 67 Autosomal spindle fibres influence subsequent sex-chromosome movement in crane-fly spermatocytes; Sillers PJ et al.; In meiosis-I crane-fly spermatocytes 3 autosomal half-bivalents move to each pole in anaphase while the 2 sex-chromosomal univalents remain at the equator . The sex chromosomes move to opposite poles only after the autosomes reach the poles; the sex chromosomes start to move polewards about 25 min after the autosomal half-bivalents have begun to move . We irradiated portions of single autosomal spindle fibres with an ultraviolet microbeam and found that these irradiation altered the subsequent sex-chromosome movements . Two effects were observed . In one, one of the sex chromosomes did not move at all; the sex cin after the autosomal half-bivalents have begun to move . We irradiated portions of single autosomal spindle fibres with an ultraviolet microbeam and found that these irradiation altered the subsequent sex-chromosome movements . Two effects were observed . In one, one of the sex chromosomes did not move at all; the sex cin after the autosomal half-bivalents have begun to move . We irradiated portions of single autosomal spindle fibres with an ultraviolet microbeam and found that these irradiation altered the subsequent sex-chromosome movements . Two effects were observed . In one, one of the sex chromosomes did not move at all; the sex chromosome that remained at the equator would normally have moved to the pole associated with the irradiated autosomal spindle fibre . In the second, both sex chromosomes moved to the same pole, always that of the non-irradiated side . These effects occurred whether or not autosomal anaphase movement was blocked by the irradiation . There was no wavelength dependence for altering sex-chromosome movements . Sex-chromosome movements were altered only when at least one sex-chromosomal spindle fibre was adjacent to the irradiated autosomal spindle fibre; when neither sex chromosome had a spindle fibre adjacent to the irradiated autosomal spindle fibres the chromosomes always moved normally . Irradiation of sex-chromosomal spindle fibres during sex-chromosomal anaphase showed short blockages of movement (usually 5-8 min), and then complete recovery . Direct irradiation of sex-chromosomal spindle fibres (without irradiating autosomal spindle fibres) when the autosomes were in anaphase but the sex chromosomes were in metaphase never caused abnormal sex-chromosome movements . These results eliminate the possibility that when we irradiated autosomal spindle fibres that were adjacent to sex-chromosomal spindle fibres the sex-chromosomal spindle fibres were irradiated inadvertently and were unable to recover from the damage . We suggest that the irradiations of autosomal spindle fibres alter a control system involved in "turning on' sex-chromosomal spindle fibre motors, rather than directly altering the motors . We suggest that interactions between spindle fibres are somehow involved in this control system. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1981 Jun, (6), 55 - 8 {Enterotoxic activity of the pseudotuberculosis microbe}; Timchenko NF et al.; For the first time the activity of Y . pseudotuberculosis, its extracellular, surface antigen and Westphal's lipolysaccharide has been studied with the use of biological models (the ligated loop of the small intestine of a rabbit, the pulmonary model, the intradermal tests) . This microorganism has been found capable of inducing the accumulation of exudate in the ligated loop of the small intestine of a rabbit and interfering with the permeability of the vascular walls . The toxic action of Y . pseudotuberculosis is neutralized by immunization. Science, 1981 May 8, 212(4495), 675 - 6 Oxalate degradation by microbes of the large bowel of herbivores: the effect of dietary oxalate; Allison MJ et al.; Rates of oxalate degradation by microbes in gastrointestinal contents from rabbits, guinea pigs, swine and a horse increased after additional of oxalate to diets . A similar response was previously observed with ruminal microbes from cattle and sheep . Bacterial that utilize oxalate for growth appear to be selected by increased levels of dietary oxalate. Antibiotiki, 1981 May, 26(5), 388 - 91 {Gentamicin concentration in the blood and lung tissue of children with bronchopulmonary pathology}; Sakharova AE et al.; The gentamicin levels in the lung tissue and blood serum of children operated on for bronchiectasis, destructive pneumonia and pleural tumors were studied . The antibiotic was administered intramuscularly in a dose of 3 mg/kg before the operation . The results showed that intramuscular injections of gentamicin provided the antibiotic levels in the lung tissue sufficient for the growth inhibition of the majority of the microbes isolated from such patients . In the patients with congenital developmental defects of the lungs, the level of the antibiotic in the lung tissue 1 hour after its administration was lower than the therapeutic one, while its blood serum levels were high . By the 2nd hour the gentamicin levels in the lung tissue reached those in the patients with acquired bronchopulmonary disease. Antibiotiki, 1981 May, 26(5), 365 - 7 {Antibiotic sensitivity of strains of the plague microbe isolated from foci in the Caucasus and Transcaucasia}; Tarasova VE et al.; Antibiotic sensitivity of 91 strains of the plague microbe isolated in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Daghestan, Georgia, Kabardino-Balkaria and the Stavropol region in 1977-1979 from the rodents and their ectoparasites was studied with the method of serial dilutions in the Hottinger agar . The following antibiotics were tested: streptomycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, methicillin, gentamicin, levomycetin, monomycin, lincomycin, ristomycin, rifampicin, kanamycin, doxycyclin and polymyxin M . All of the strains irrespective of their nature were resistant to methicillin, erythromycin, lincomycin, ristomycin and polymyxin M . The sensitivity levels of the strains to other antibiotics were different . The studies showed that with respect to the effect on the plague microbe streptomycin may be replaced by tetracycline, gentamicin, kanamycin or monomycin . The blood levels of these antibiotics in humans treated with their average therapeutic doses were several times higher than the minimum inhibitor concentration determined in the experiments. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1981 May, 78(5), 3245 - 9 Simultaneous optical measurements of electrical activity from multiple sites on processes of cultured neurons; Grinvald A et al.; Optical methods using changes in fluorescence and absorption of voltage-sensitive dyes were developed to record electrical activity from processes of nerve cells grown in monolayer culture . For transmission measurements, a merocyanine dye was discovered but was more sensitive than others previously tested on cultured neurons . Action potentials from the somata of these cells were detected without averaging, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 20:1 . With this dye, electrical responses were simultaneously recorded from many points along the arborization of neuroblastoma cells by using a 10 X 10 array of photodiodes positioned in the microscope image plane . Frequently different processes had different shapes of electrical responses, suggesting regional specializations . Fluorescence measurements with an oxonol dye proved to be more sensitive than transmission measurements, particularly when recording from small processes . By changing the position of the cell relative to a laser microbeam while recording electrically from the cell body, it was possible to monitor the membrane potential in the cell body and in the process simultaneously . From the delay in response in the process, a lower limit for the mean conduction velocity of 0.2-0.6 m/sec was found for 2- to 6- micrometers processes . The mean space constants of processes were estimated by comparing the amplitudes of passive voltage responses in the cell body and growth cone . A lower limit of 400-950 micrometers was obtained for 4- to 7-micrometers processes. J Exp Med, 1981 May 1, 153(5), 1138 - 50 Complement receptor is an inhibitor of the complement cascade; Iida K et al.; A glycoprotein from the membrane of human erythrocytes has been identified as a receptor for C3b (CR1) . It promotes the dissociation of the alternative pathway C3 convertase C3b,Bb and the cleavage of C3b by C3b/C4b inactivator . We find that CR1 also inactivates the C3 and C5 convertases of the classical pathway . CR1 inhibits the consumption of C3 by C3 convertase EAC142 and enhances the decay of C4b,2a sites . On a weight basis, CR1 is approximately 5-10 times more active than C4 binding protein, a serum inhibitor of C4b,2a . The binding of 125I-CR1 to EAC14 cells is inhibited by C2 . Therefore, it is likely that CR1 and C2 compete for a site on C4b . CR1 inhibited C5 convertase even more effectively, but had no effect on the assembly of the late complement components . At high concentrations, CR1 alone has no irreversible effects on cell-bound C4b . In the fluid phase, CR1 can function as a cofactor for the cleavage of the alpha' chain of C4b by C3b/C4b inactivator . A well-known function of CR1 is to promote adherence of microbes or immune complexes bearing C3b and C4b to cells . This interaction could result in a microenvironment damaging to the plasma membrane of the responding cell because the extrinsic C3b and C4b fragments can serve as additional sites of assembly of enzymes of the cascade . We therefore wish to propose that CR1 on the surface of cells supplies an increased local concentration of a strong inhibitor of the amplifying enzymes of the complement system and provides cells with a mechanism for circumventing damage when they bind C3b- and C4b-bearing substrates. Mutat Res, 1981 May, 86(3), 243 - 77 On the mutagenicity of nitroimidazoles; Voogd CE; Regarding mutagenicity, metronidazole is one of the best-investigated compounds of the nitroimidazoles . This drug is mutagenic on bacteria, especially if base-pair tester strains are used and bacterial nitroreductases are present . The serum levels attained in man after intake of this drug are sufficient to cause mutations in bacteria . Furthermore, interaction with and binding to DNA occurs under anaerobic conditions and sometimes DNA breaks are observed . However, metronidazole does not show mutagenic activity in mammalian cells in vitro; the micronucleus test is negative and chromosome aberrations are only found under anaerobic conditions . With microbial systems the mutagenicity of 47 nitroimidazoles has been investigated . Only 4 compounds were always negative in the applied test systems . Because with base-pair tester strains mutagenicity was assessed, this class of compounds should be regarded as a base-pair mutagen . In fungi, some compounds (e.g . ZK 26173 and azathioprine) are potent mutagens, whilst with most investigated nitroimidazoles only a weak or no mutagenic activity could be detected . Somewhat similar observations have been made in tests with Drosophila melanogaster, a test for gene mutations in mammalian cells, the micronucleus test, cytogenic tests and the dominant lethal test . The reduction products of metronidazole, misonidazole and 1-methyl-2-nitro-5-vinylimidazole, cause DNA damage if the nitro group is reduced in the presence of DNA . Reduction products are formed by microbes in the gut or by mammalian cells under anaerobic conditions . No teratological effect due to metronidazole or most other nitroimidazoles has been observed . Metronidazole is carcinogenic in mice and rats, and dimetridazole in rats . Up to the present, no carcinogenic effects have been observed in man . Azathioprine is probably carcinogenic for man . It is unlikely that the therapeutic applications of the presently used nitroimidazoles, except for azathioprine, will cause an increase in the tumor incidence in man or will cause other genotoxic effects, although such effects cannot be excluded with certainty. J Dairy Sci, 1981 Apr, 64(4), 643 - 8 Effect of acetohydroxamic acid on rumen urease activity in vitro; Makkar HP et al.; Acetohydroxamic acid at a concentration of 1 X 10(-6) M, 6 X 10(-5) M, and 1 X 10(-3) M inhibited urease of intact rumen microbes in vitro by 11%, 50%, and 74% . Inhibition of rumen urease by the acid reached equilibrium state, unlike jack bean urease . Inhibition was maximum over a broad range of pH (8 to 10) and it did not resemble the pH activity profile of rumen urease . Sulfhydryl compounds did not reverse the inhibition; however, addition of these compounds prior to acetohydroxamic acid addition prevented inhibition . The nature of inhibition was noncompetitive with inhibitor constant 4.8 X 10(-5) M . Acetohydroxamic acid at a concentration that produced 50% urease inhibition did not affect rumen cellulase and proteolytic enzymes in vitro . The complex of acetohydroxamic acid-rumen urease is dissociable on dialysis. Genetics, 1981 Mar-Apr, 97(3-4), 639 - 66 The molecular basis of dominance; Kacser H et al.; The best known genes of microbes, mice and men are those that specify enzymes . Wild type, mutant and heterozygote for variants of such genes differ in the catalytic activity at the step in the enzyme network specified by the gene in question . The effect on the respective phenotypes of such changes in catalytic activity, however, is not defined by the enzymes change as estimated by in vitro determination of the activities obtained from the extracts of the three groups . In vivo enzymes do not act in isolation, but are kinetically linked to other enzymes via their substrates and products . These interactions modify the effect of enzyme variation on the phenotype, depending on the nature and quantity of the other enzymes present . An output of such a system, say a flux, is therefore a systemic property, and its response to variation at one locus must be measured in the whole system . This response is best described by the sensitivity coefficient, Z, while is defined by the fractional change in flux over the fractional change in enzyme activity . (formula: see text) . Its magnitude determines the extent to which a particular enzyme "controls" a particular flux or phenotype and, implicitly, determines the values that the three phenotypes will have . There are as many sensitivity coefficients for a given flux as there are enzymes in the system . It can be shown that the sum of all such coefficients equals unity . (formula: see text) . Since n, the number of enzymes, is large, this summation property results in the individual coefficients being small . The effect of making a large change in enzyme activity therefore usually results in only a negligible change in flux . A reduction to 50% activity in the heterozygote, a common feature for many mutants, is therefore not expected to be detectable in the phenotype . The mutant would therefore be described as "recessive" . The widespread occurrence of recessive mutants is thus seen to be the inevitable consequence of the kinetic structure of enzyme networks . The ad hoc hypothesis of "modifiers" selected to maximize the fitness of the heterozygote, as proposed by Fisher, is therefore unnecessary . It is based on the false general expectation of an intermediate phenotype in the heterozygote . Wright's analysis, substantially sound in its approach, proposed selection of a "safety factor" in enzyme activity . The derivation of the summation property explains why such safety factors are automatically present in almost all enzymes without selection. Am J Med, 1981 Mar, 70(3), 693 - 7 Airborne bacteria and surgical infection; Lidwell OM; From the inception of modern surgery, the significance of airborne microbes to surgical infection has been controversial . The success of aseptic methods led the majority of surgeons early in this century to discount the airborne route . Despite aseptic disciplines, a significant level of infection continued and from 1930 onwards renewed attention was directed towards the air . Many studies over the following 25 years produced anecdotal and suggestive evidence that this was relevant and that a reduction in surgical sepsis followed a reduction in the numbers of airborne bacteria in the operating room . To this day, however, there has been no wholly satisfactory demonstration of this . Such a demonstration requires comparison of the outcome of a considerable number of surgical operations performed during the same period by the same surgeons under conditions which differ only in the levels of air contamination . Recent developments in orthopedics have resulted in large numbers of essentially similar operations on a site susceptible to infection but free from sources of bacteria within itself . Under these conditions, there is evidence that the numbers of bacteria contaminating the would at the end of the procedure are substantially fewer when the levels of airborne bacteria are reduced. J Clin Pathol, 1981 Mar, 34(3), 271 - 6 Bloodstream infections and perinatal mortality; Hurley R et al.; Bloodstream infection is demonstrable at necropsy in 21.1% of perinatal death but is almost invariably a secondary event, often terminal, contributing to death as a secondary cause . In only 3.8% is infection recorded as the primary cause of death . Escherichia coli predominates, and postmortem and antemortem studies alike confirm the tendency of this and other microbes to involve the meninges in the course of bloodstream infection . Fatal viral and fungal infections are rare, and life-threatening disease is overwhelmingly of bacterial origin . A separate, prospective study of septicaemia in the newborn is reported, and the data are tabulated . The overall incidence in inborn and outborn populations, together with the incidence of specific infections, is stated, and the relationship to birthweight is analysed . The overall mortality for treated cases is 40.7% the mortality being inversely proportional to birthweight, and highest at 62.5% in those born weighting less than 1000 g . The advent of meningitis (1 in 5 cases of septicaemia) aggravates the mortality (83%) . The potential hazard of nursing seriously infected babies is emphasised. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1981 Mar, (3), 53 - 8 {Effect of certain factors on the variability of strains of pertussis microbes}; Lapaeva IA et al.; The population of degraded cells having stable changes in some phenotypical properties were isolated after subculturing some laboratory Bordetella pertussis strains in Bordet-Gengou culture medium and casein-charcoal agar with blood, treated with mitomycin C and allowed to proliferate in the spleen of mice injected intravenously with microbial suspensions . The characteristics indicative of cell degradation were the growth of large yellowish-white colonies appearing in 24 hours, the destruction of the agglutinogenic complex and toxic substances causing the atrophy of the spleen in mice, the increased capacity for active proliferation in the spleen . Electron-microscopic study revealed that the variants obtained by subculturing in culture media had the damaged membrane with the formation of cell-wall invaginations having rounded membrane-like formations on their surface, disappearing after treatment with mitomycin C; the treatment of the initial strains with mitomycin C resulted in cytoplasmic damage with the coagulation of the nucleoid. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand, 1981 Feb, 25(1), 9 - 11 Antithrombotic effects of lidocaine and related compounds on laser-induced microvascular injury; Luostarinen V et al.; The aim was to study whether topically applied local anaesthetics and related compounds exert an antithrombotic effect . The assay was carried out through vital microscopy of the microcirculation in the hamster cheek pouch model as injured by laser microbeam irradiation, essentially in order to record the differences in the incidence of thrombus formation between two main experimental and control series . The application of lidocaine hydrochloride was found to inhibit thrombus formation and also to restore the microcirculation after laser-induced injury . The other investigated compounds, mono-ethyl-glycinexylidide, tocainide and bupivacaine were found to be less active with regard to inhibition of thrombus formation and flow restitution effects . It is concluded that an antithrombotic effect may be attributed to lidocaine in particular. J Oral Pathol, 1981 Feb, 10(1), 32 - 9 The intact surface layer in natural enamel caries and acid-dissolved hydroxyapatite pellets . An X-ray diffraction study; Aoba T et al.; The crystallographic features of various histological sites found in enamel carious lesions were studied by means of X-ray microbeam diffraction . The most interesting finding was the crystallinity of apatite crystals in the intact surface layer covering the demineralized lesions was higher than that of the crystals in the subsurface lesions or unaffected areas . Acid-dissolution experiments using synthetic hydroxyapatite pellets showed that a well mineralized layer was produced on the pellet surface under the condition that no Ca and PO4 ions were added to the initial acidic solution . Furthermore, X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that half-line breadth values of 004, 222, and 310 reflections of apatite pellets decreased, and their integrated peak intensities increased with dissolution time . These findings are in agreement with the results obtained in the study of enamel carious lesions, leading to the conclusion that the intact surface layer is formed by deposition of the mineral ions from dissolving subsurface lesions, and that this process is accompanied by the improvement in crystallinity of apatite crystals, possibly due to growth of the crystals. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1981 Jan 15, 657(1), 52 - 7 Explanation of anomalous binding kinetics with a high yield immobilized enzyme system; Wasserman BP et al.; The activities of glucose oxidase (beta-D-glucose:oxygen 1-oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.3.4) and catalase (hydrogen-peroxide:hydrogen-peroxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.6) from commercial preparations do not give typical adsorption curves upon immobilization on non-porous polyethylenimine-coated glass microbeads . The cause of this effect with glucose oxidase was investigated . Protein binding exhibited a rectangular hyperbolic adsorption isotherm, approaching saturation at high concentrations, however, enzyme activities did not . The isotherm for activities exhibited a maxima which corresponded to less than 50% saturation with regard to total protein adsorption . The enzyme preparation was found to contain small quantities of several low molecular weight impurities as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . These impurities apparently compete with glucose oxidase for binding . When large excesses of protein are added to beads, the binding of impurities becomes significant and the amount of enzyme activity per unit of bead is reduced. Am J Pathol, 1981 Jan, 102(1), 127 - 32 Interactions between murine macrophages and obligate intracellular protozoa; Jones TC; The diversity of interactions between obligate intracellular protozoa and murine macrophages is just being elucidated . Protozoa of the genera Toxoplasma, Leishmania, and Trypanosoma all enter and replicate within macrophages . This review describes similarities and differences among these organisms with regard to entry mechanisms, sites of replication in the phagolysosomal system, metabolic requirements, effects on macrophage function, macrophage handling of protozoal antigens, the relationship to genetics of immune response, and the characteristics of lymphokine-induced microbicidal and microbistatic processes . These organisms each enter the macrophage by endocytosis, but they then reside at different sites in relation to the phagolysosomal system . The basis of obligate parasitism remains unknown; however, both the protozoa and the host cell have important effects on the function of the other during parasitism . The macrophage may play a pivotal role in the immunosuppression associated with the early stages of infection by each of these microbes . Genetic influences on the response to infection have been clearly identified in murine models . Lymphocyte products from immune cells have marked effects on the interactions of protozoa and macrophages, under some conditions stimulating protozoacidal mechanisms, and in some protozoastatic responses . The dynamic balance between protozoal parasitism and macrophage response must be further defined in order to determine the potential value of chemotherapeutic or immunologic intervention. Vet Med Nauki, 1981, 18(6), 36 - 41 {Cleansing and disinfecting the skin of calves in veal production}; Milev M et al.; Investigations were carried out at 6 meat producing combines on calves intended for slaughter . The animals originated from farms of different hygiene conditions . The studies aimed at establishing the extent to which the produced meat was contaminated with organisms coming from the skin cover . The total count of bacteria as well as that of coliforms in samples taken from the coat of calves were determined prior to bathing the animals, after that and after disinfection . Following slaughter the bacteria were studied at the site of separating the skin, in the abdominal muscles and in the croup . The skin of the calves for slaughter was found to be strongly contaminated with bacteria . The bathing and the disinfection with a 2 per cent chloramine solution decreased the number of microbes, however, did not fully inactivate bacteria . This contributed to the additional surface contamination of the meat obtained. Phonetica, 1981, 38(1-3), 66 - 83 Temporal organization of articulatory movements as a multidimensional phrasal structure; Fujimura O; Recently obtained data from X-ray microbeam experiments indicate inherently multidimensional articulatory phenomena with respect to temporal characteristics of speech . Elementary gestures in different articulatory dimensions for phonetic elements, typically representing demisyllabic transitions, constitute the content of a phrasal frame. J Environ Sci Health B, 1981, 16(3), 283 - 91 Effect of sodium arsenate on microbial growth in a chemostat; Shariatpanahi M et al.; Microbial transformation of sodium arsenate, the wood preservative and insecticide, is important in assessing the environmental impact of this pesticide . Recent studies using batch culture techniques have shown that arsenate is metabolized to more toxic end products . This study investigated the effect of the chemical on the microbial cells themselves using continuous flow cultures to examine the effect of arsenate on the growth and maintenance requirements of the microbes . Cell yield was lower and maintenance requirements higher at 100 micrograms/ml arsenate than at 10 micrograms/ml indicating a greater expenditure of energy by the cells to maintain homeostasis. Acta Biol Med Ger, 1981, 40(10-11), 1523 - 9 The relationships between enzyme inhibitors and function of mammalian cells; Aoyagi T et al.; We have been searching for enzyme inhibitors in culture filtrates of microbes and have found leupeptin, antipain, chymostatin, elastatinal, pepstatin, hydroxypepstatin, pepstanone and phosphoramidon as specific inhibitors of serine, thiol, carboxyl and metallo proteases . We found significant activities of aminopeptidases, phosphatase and esterase on surface membranes of various mammalian cells . We discovered bestatin, amastatin, forphenicine, esterastin and ebelactones A and B as specific inhibitors against these enzymes . These inhibitors were proved to bind to cells and modify immune responses . The usefulness of bestatin in cancer treatment has been suggested by clinical studies . It has been shown by several investigators that some endopeptidases such as Ca2+-activated neutral proteases and some other serine proteases may play important roles in muscular dystrophy . In addition to these endopeptidases, we found an abnormal increase in various enzyme activities in dystrophic mice and chickens . Especially, aminopeptidase activities are markedly increased . Moreover, its inhibitor bestatin became interesting on the aspects of its binding to cell surfaces . Bestatin and leupeptin which inhibit Ca2+-dependent protease showed some therapeutic effects against mouse dystrophy . Investigating enzyme activities in synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, we found increased activities of aminopeptidases, chymotrypsin-like enzyme, and phosphatase in rheumatoid arthritis but not in osteoarthritis . In chronic hemodialysis patients, RNase activity in serum is markedly elevated . Thus, enzyme inhibitors are increasing their potential usefulness in treatment of various diseases. Arkh Patol, 1981, 43(11), 3 - 13 {Systems analysis in pathology and its potential use in studying the morphogenesis of infections}; Ariel' BM; A total systems approach is necessary to draw in integral concept of the pathological process as exemplified by investigations of morphogenesis of the infectious process . For this purpose a concept of the Mm-system is introduced and analysed which helps to study the infectious process as a special object: a system of microbial population (m) and macroorganism cells (M) . The ontogenesis of the Mm-system is suggested consisting of 3 stages: formation, existence, and death . Considering the infectious process from the systemic point of view the author found many microbe-host cell interactions observed in infections to be characteristic not for the infectious pathology but to the particular manifestations of well-known but frequently ignored general biological regularities . A number of models of infectious diseases demonstrate the earliest morphological changes of the disturbed homeostasis in tissues containing microbes and the associated features of the infectious process . Comparing the time evolution of the Mm-system with the course of real infectious processes, one may approach the solution of some disputable aspects of the pathogenesis of infections, in particular, to elucidate the importance of intracellular accumulation of microbes observed in enteric infections . The Mm-system concept may find practical application in explaining pathomorphosis of infectious lesions under conditions of current methods of intensive specific therapy as well as in evaluating the mechanism of action of drugs when tested on models. Chemotherapy, 1981, 27(6), 452 - 8 Studies on the phagocytic activity of human and rat polymorphonuclear cells exposed to doxycycline in vivo; Melby K et al.; Studies are presented on the in vitro phagocytic activity of rat and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes exposed in vivo to therapeutic concentrations of doxycycline . A 32P-labelled strain of Escherichia coli served as test microbe . No significant reduction of ingestion was observed although untreated AB leukocytes tested together with serum containing doxycycline showed a nonsignificant reduction in ingestive capability (p = 0.1) . A similar pattern was observed when rat polymorphonuclear cells were tested omitting serum during the ingestion phase . In the presence of serum no effects were observed . During the elimination phase (3 h) both rat and human PMN eliminated breakdown products more extensively than controls, the effect observed on human PMN being most pronounced by the use of serum containing doxycycline. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1981 Jan, 41(1), 274 - 87 Scanning electron microscope evidence for bacterial colonization of a drinking-water distribution system; Ridgway HF et al.; The surfaces of water distribution mains and suspended particulate matter from drinking water were examined by using scanning electron microscopy to investigate the nature and extent of association of microorganisms with these surfaces . In addition, X-ray energy-dispersive microanalysis was used to determine the elemental constitution of the pipe surface . Though distributed sparsely and randomly along the pipe surface, a variety of morphologically distinguishable bacteria-like structures and microcolonies were observed . The morphologies of the individual cells varied form chain-forming cocci to filamentous and prosthecate cell types . The iron-oxidizing bacterium Gallionella, recognized by its characteristic helical stalks, was observed both in water samples and attached to pipe surfaces . Attachment of some microbes to the pipe surface was apparently mediated by extracellular fibrillar appendages . Large numbers of rod-shaped bacteria were also evident adhering to the surfaces of suspended detritus or silt particles recovered from water samples by filtration . X-ray energy scans of the pipe surface revealed the presence of five major elemental constituents including silicon, phosphorous, sulfur, calcium, and iron . Smaller quantities of the elements zinc, magnesium, aluminum, potassium, and manganese were also detected . The public health significance of sessile microbial communities in drinking-water distribution systems is discussed. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1981, 361, 76 - 91 Co-evolution of luminous bacteria and their eukaryotic hosts; Nealson K et al.; Several species of three genera of luminous bacteria from marine and soil environments are known to form specific symbioses with fish, squid, urochordates, and nematodes . These bacteria contain a unique and easily detectable enzyme, bacterial luciferase, which allows the detection of the bacteria even when they cannot be cultured from animal tissue . The bacteria-animal associations vary; they range from transient, nonspecific gut symbionts in many fishes to highly specific, nonculturable, intracellular symbionts in pyrosomes . The study of these microbe-animal symbioses may allow understanding of the alterations that occur in the partners during the establishment of intracellular organelles . These studies are incomplete, in particular the level of partner integration, the nature of the metabolic exchange, the mechanism of transmission of symbionts to offspring, and the identification of the cellular inclusions as modified bacteria are not always known . However, the outline of what is likely to be a continuous evolutionary sequence of luminous bacterial symbionts with their various animal hosts is becoming clear . As more of these symbioses are studied, we anticipate that new systems will be found that represent states between those described here, and that the luminous bacteria will provide a living model for the gradual evolution from free-living microbes in intracellular organelles. Can J Microbiol, 1981 Jan, 27(1), 107 - 15 Microbial oxidation of gaseous hydrocarbons: production of alcohols and methyl ketones from their corresponding n-alkanes by methylotrophic bacteria; Hou CT et al.; Cell suspensions of methane-utilizing bacteria oxidized n-alkanes (propane, butane, pentane, and hexane) to their corresponding alcohols and methyl ketones . The product alcohols and methyl ketones accumulated extracellularly . Methanol-grown cells of methane-utilizing bacteria did not oxidize n-alkanes . The product primary alcohol was detected in a cell-free system but only in a trace amount in the whole cell system due to further oxidation . The optimum conditions for in vivo formation of secondary alcohol and methyl ketone from n-alkanes were compared between two distinct types of C1-utilizing microbes: Methylococcus capsulatus M1 (type I membrane) and Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b (type II membrane) . The production of acetone or 2-butanone from n-alkanes ceased after 3 h of incubation for strain OB3b and 5 h for strain M1 . The amount of these methyl ketones did not decline during 30 h of incubation . The optimum pH for the in vivo production of methyl ketones from n-alkanes by both strains was around 7.0 . However, secondary alcohols were accumulated at higher amounts around pH 6.0 . The optimum temperature for the in vivo production of methyl ketones from n-alkanes was around 40 degrees C for strain M1 and around 30-35 degrees C for strain OB3b . Higher accumulation of secondary alcohol was detected at 30-40 degrees C for strain M1 and 25 degrees C for strain OB3b . The alkane hydroxylation enzyme was located in the cell-free particulate fraction precipitated between 10 000 and 40 000 X g centrifugation . The yield of primary and secondary alcohols from n-alkane in the cell-free system was about equal . Evidence obtained indicates that the hydroxylation of n-alkanes (both terminal and subterminal oxidations) is also catalyzed by the methane hydroxylation - alkene epoxidation enzyme system. J Immunol Methods, 1981, 41(1), 95 - 103 Rapid solid-phase enzyme immunoassay for antibodies to viruses and other microbes: effects of polyethylene glycol; Salonen EM et al.; A rapid and sensitive solid-phase enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was developed for determination of serum antibodies, including addition of 4% (w/v) polyethylene glycol (PEG) to the diluent buffers . This modification accelerated the antigen-antibody reactions and made it possible to complete the assay within 2 h and to incubate at room temperature only . The enhancing effect of the polymer was particularly prominent in the second solid-phase immune reaction, the interaction between the antigen-bound antibody and the enzyme-labeled anti-immunoglobulin . The PEG-EIA procedure was successfully applied in the assay of antibodies to rubella, influenza A, herpes simplex and cytomegalo viruses, to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Toxoplasma gondii. J Environ Sci Health B, 1981, 16(2), 179 - 91 Effects of pesticides on activities of enzymes and microorganisms in a clay soil; Tu CM; Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the effect of 32 pesticides applied at 2 levels on populations of microorganisms, activities of urease, dehydrogenase, phosphatase and nitrogenase in a clay loam incubated for 1 week . Results indicated that a decrease in bacterial number was observed with thiram for 2 days and stimulation with chlorpyrifos after 7 days . Some fungicides and fumigants inhibited fungal numbers for 2 days . The recovery was rapid and stimulatory effects on microbial numbers were evident in many samples . None of the pesticides inhibited soil urease drastically . Formazan formation was not suppressed vigorously by the treatments . With the exception of DD and Vorlex at a high level, none of the treatments inhibited phosphatase in the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl disodium orthophosphate . A temporary decrease in nitrogenase activity in acetylene (C2H2) reduction was observed with many pesticides . The low amount of pesticides applied to the clay loam is unlikely to have detrimental effects on soil microbes and the enzymes important to soil fertility. Growth, 1981 Autumn, 45(3), 168 - 87 Histologic observations of variably acid-fast coccoid forms suggestive of cell wall deficient bacteria in Hodgkin's disease: a report of four cases; Cantwell AR Jr; The microscopic sections of biopsy material derived from four patients diagnosed at having Hodgkin's disease (HD), including two necropsied cases, were all studied for the presence of acid-fast cell wall deficient (CWD) bacteria . Variably acid-fast and variably sized coccoid forms, suggestive of CWD bacteria, were observed in the pathologically altered tissue and also in some histologically "normal" microscopic sections . This findings of bacteria in vivo in HD may relate to the previously reported findings of cocci, non-acid-fast and acid-fast bacteria (especially Mycobacterium tuberculosis) in HD, and may also relate to the previously reported findings of similar microbes in certain neoplastic, lymphoproliferative, and collagen diseases. Orig Life, 1980 Dec, 10(4), 325 - 33 Are sulfur isotope ratios sufficient to determine the antiquity of sulfate reduction? Ashendorf D. Sulfur isotope fractionation values have been measured in sedimentary sulfides of varying ages, The 'Antiquity and evolutionary status of bacterial sulfate reduction...' has been inferred from these measurements by Schidlowski (1979) . However, under experimental conditions, the isotope values vary widely due to inadequately controlled variables . Thus the direct extrapolation of sulfur isotope fractionation values measured in the laboratory to those measured in sedimentary rocks is unwarranted . New sulfur transforming microbes have been described and recent measurements indicate that inorganic processes affect sulfur isotope fractionation values . This information is summarized here; at present sulfur isotope fractionation values are insufficient to determine the antiquity of sulfate reduction. Nurs Clin North Am, 1980 Dec, 15(4), 843 - 55 Prevention of infection on the oncology unit; Crane LR et al.; Various combinations of immune deficiency, tumor effect, surgery, ionizing radiation, chemotherapy, and neutropenia result in infection-prone states for hospitalized cancer patients . Recognition of nosocomial infection may be difficult, and fever may be the only finding . Pathogens may be exogenously acquired from the contaminated hospital environment . Transmission by contact with hospital personnel is the usual mode of exogenous acquisition of hospital bacteria, and handwashing is the most effective means of prevention . The utility of conventional protective isolation in prevention of exogenous transmission is in question . Inattention to infection control measures by nurses and physicians may result in higher infection rates and more serious types of infections . Endogenous infection by the patient's own bacteria and fungi also occurs in the cancer ward . Autoinfection is "amplified" by the use of cannulae, catheters, and other hospital devices . Meticulous nursing care, particularly in neutropenic persons, is important in reducing the incidence of endogenous spread of microbes . Exogenous and endogenous infections in neutropenic patients are reduced using laminar air flow rooms combined with prophylactic antibiotics . It is still not clear if these expensive measures are effective in prolonging survival of patients with acute leukemia. Semin Arthritis Rheum, 1980 Nov, 10(2), 92 - 9 Infection and chronic rheumatic disease in children; Phillips PE; It is clear that various microbial agents can cause acute and chronic rheumatic disease by several mechanisms, that different agents, some perhaps yet unknown, may cause the same disease in different patients, and that genetic factors are important, perhaps crucial, to this host response . In trying to elucidate how microbe-host interactions result in chronic rheumatic disease, interest currently centers on the roles of genetic factors, of bacterial infections including endogenous flora, of cross-reactive microbial and host antigens, and of the immune response to them . As in the past, progress in understanding these complex interactions will probably be incremental and intermittent. Arch Sci Med (Torino), 1980 Oct-Dec, 137(4), 749 - 62 {Comparative study of the activity of several disinfectants against bacterial strains isolated in a hospital environment and of laboratory origin}; Finzi G et al.; The activity of 7 active principles contained in several disinfectant solutions in various percentages, and in water and in alcohol, against 15 bacteria strains (9 of hospital origin and 6 cultured in the laboratory) was examined, using modified version of the contact test (employment of hospital strains, fixed high-level) charges of microbes, and short antiseptic-bacterium contact times). Allergy, 1980 Sep, 35(6), 537 - 42 The use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the diagnosis of farmer's lung; Ojanen TH et al.; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adapted to measure antibodies against Aspergillus fumigatus, Thermoactinomyces vulgaris and Micropolyspora faeni . Mycelial and culture fluid antigens were used separately to analyze antibodies in three study groups: farmer's lung patients, patients with bronchitis and healthy control persons . The mycelial antigen of A . fumigatus gave more positive results than the corresponding culture fluid antigen . The situation was reversed for the actinomycetes . For this reason either a mycelial antigen or a combination of mycelial and culture fluid antigens should be used in ELISA in routine tests . The prevalence and the titers of antibodies against the three microbes detected by ELISA were higher in the farmer's lung group than in the other two groups. J Oral Pathol, 1980 Sep, 9(5), 280 - 7 Correlated microradiography, X-ray microbeam diffraction and electron probe microanalysis of calcifications in an odontoma; Aoba T et al.; Using microradiography, X-ray microbeam diffraction and electron probe microanalysis, a correlated morphologic crystallographic study was performed on dysplastic enamel in a compound odontoma . The tumor was found in the lateral incisor-canine region of the left mandible of a 36-year-old woman . A conspicuous feature was the presence of hypomineralized areas, which were situated in the proximity of enamel surface and distinctly demarcated from the adjacent enamel . X-ray microbeam diffraction and electron probe microanalysis showed that these lesions have a lower crystallinity and a higher concentration of magnesium as compared with the adjacent enamel . In addition, the present study revealed the presence of two other types of calcifications: (1) calcified structures within the fissure or on the enamel surface, which include lacunae of varying size and which resemble a form of coronal cementum, and (2) spherical calcifications which may be an epithelial product. Nature, 1980 Aug 14, 286(5774), 725 - 7 Receptors for concanavalin A cluster at the front of polarized neutrophils; Weinbaum DL et al.; Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) can recognize, engulf and kill microorganisms and are thus an important host defence against infection . The initial encounter between a microbe and the neutrophil takes place at the neutrophil surface . Receptors, including those for the Fc end of the immunoglobulin G (ref . 1), the C3b component of complement, formyl peptides and plant lectins have been identified on the surface of neutrophils . We have now examined the surface pattern and arrangement of receptors for the plant lectin concanavalin A (Con A) to determine if the surface receptor array varied with the functional state of the neutrophil . We found that receptors for Con A clustered at the front of polarized neutrophils. J Dairy Sci, 1980 Jul, 63(7), 1104 - 8 Ammonia anabolizing enzymes in cattle and buffalo fed varied nonprotein nitrogen and carbohydrates; Bhatia SK et al.; Adult male fistulated crossbred cattle and buffalo, four each, were on rations with rations of nonprotein nitrogen to carbohydrates of 1:45, 1:37.5, and 1:30 and a control of no urea in a 4 x 4 Latin square switchover design . The influence of various test diets on enzymes assimilating ruminal ammonia was elucidated to find an optimum ratio of nonprotein nitrogen to soluble carbohydrates for efficient utilization of dietary nitrogen . Inclusion of urea in graded amounts in the ration induced activities of amino-stransferases . Specific activities of trans-aminases were higher in cattle and buffalo for rations with ratios of 1:45 and 1:30 compared to control and 1:37.5 (nonprotein nitrogen to carbohydrate ratio) . This indicates a better adaptation of rumen microbes on two former rations which did not differ in augmentation of enzyme activities . Peak enzyme activity of cattle and buffalo at 2 h postfeeding did not differ for microbial enzymes . The ration with narrowest nonprotein nitrogen and carbohydrate ratio (1:30) may be optimum for microbial synthesis of amino acid . It will be worthwhile to study whether a still narrower ratio can make feeding of ruminants more economical. Antibiotiki, 1980 Jul, 25(7), 522 - 7 {Effect of body regulatory mechanisms on the catalytic activity of exogenous enzymes}; Kurinenko BM et al.; An increase in the activity of RNAase in the organs and tissues of mice after administration of exogenous RNAases (pancreatic and actinomycetous) was studied . It was found that the increase in the RNAase activity was higher after administration of the actinomycetous enzyme . This was due to the difference in the sensitivity of the exogenous enzymes to the inhibitor of the mouse RNAase . The pancreatic RNA ase was much more senstive to the inhibitor . The capacity of the mouse blood serum to inhibit trypsin and chymotrypsin of the cattle pancreas, protease of Asp . terricola (terrilytin) and papain was also studied comparatively . It was shown that the pancreatic proteases were more senstive to the serum inhibitor . It is suggested that enzymes less sensitive to the effect of the host regulatory mechanisms (targets), i.e . enzymes of lower organisms, such as microbes and plants should be used in the enzyme therapy for increasing the catalytic activity of the host. Antibiotiki, 1980 Jul, 25(7), 519 - 22 {Permeability of an actinomycoma for ristomycin (experimental studies)}; Agarunova IuS et al.; In vitro studies showed that ristomycin was the most active against actinomycetes causing actinomycosis as compared to benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, methicillin and lincomycin . The growth of the test microbes was inhibited by ristomycin in concentrations of 61--122 mg/ml . Since ristomycin was the most active against actinomycetes, its levels in the blood, parenchymatous organs, capsule and pus of actinomycomas of 5 rabbits infected wtih actino nycosis in the submaxillary area were determined . In the control healthy rabbit, the ristomycin levels were determined in the blood and organs . Ristomycin was administered intravenously in a single dose of 7000 mg/kg . Its concentrations in the animals were determined in 2.5 hours . The results of the experiments showed that ristomycin penetrated in therapeutic concentrations into the connective tissue capsule of actinomycoma . As for the other antibiotics tested earlier, they failed to penetrate this barrier . In 3 infected rabbits, ristomycin penetrated even the pus contained in actinomycoma . Ristomycin provides therapeutic concentrations in the disease focus and may produce a satisfactory therapeutic effect in treatment of actinomycosis. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1980 Jul, (7), 29 - 35 {Effect of different factors on the induction of mimicry antigens of typhoid bacteria}; Oster NR et al.; The in vitro and in vivo (white mice) studies have shown that female sex hormones, especially folliculin and hexestrol, as well as the deficiency of the T-lymphoid system of the organism in which the microbe is circulating, and also some microbial cell components accelerate the synthesis of S . typhi antigens serologically similar to the antigens of the microorganism . Antibiotics, especially oxacillin and ampicillin, sulfa drugs, especially sulfadimethoxine, inhibit antigenic mimicry in S . typhi . A suggestion is made on the interrelationship between the factors responsible for the mimicry antigens production and those for the formation of hydrogen sulfide. Antibiotiki, 1980 Jun, 25(6), 449 - 53 {Mathematical model of the zone formation in polyene antibiotic diffusion in an inoculated gel}; Mitnitskii AB et al.; A mathematical model of inhibition growth zone formation on diffusion of polyenic antibiotics in gel is described . Dynamic equations for the zone formation describing the changes in time of the microbial population density (test microbe) in the presence of the diffusing antibiotics, as well as equations for diffusion of the antibiotics with an account of their inactivation were developed . Extreme cases of no inactivation of the drug by the test microbe are discussed . For the cases of spontaneous inactivation of the drugs due to instability of their molecules there were developed expressions showing correlation between the zone size and antibiotic initial concentration in the hole and other parameters characterizing the antibiotic and test microbe. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1980 Jun, 33(6), 543 - 9 Deacetylation of PS-5, a new beta-lactam compound, I . Microbial deacetylation of PS-5; Fukagawa Y et al.; PS-5 was deacetylated to NS-5 (deacetylated PS-5) by l-amino acid acylase from porcine kidney and D-amino acid acylase from Streptomyces olivaceus but not by l-amino acid acylase from Aspergillus sp . Using PS-5, N-chloroacetyl-l-phenylalanine and N-chloroacetyl-D-valine as substrates, acylase producers were screened among facultative methanol-assimilating bacteria . Most of the microbes tested were active and could be classified into two groups of l-acylase producers and L-& D-acylase producers . Pseudomonas sp . 1158 which deacetylated the three substrates was chosen for further study . Cells of the bacterium entrapped in polyacrylamide gel and its acylase activities immobilized on DEAE-Sephadex were found to be useful for conversion of PS-5 to NS-5. J Oral Pathol, 1980 May, 9(3), 129 - 36 A study of the mineral phase of pulp calcification; Aoba T et al.; Physico-chemical properties of pulp calcification were studied by means of X-ray microbeam diffraction, electron spin resonance (ESR), X-ray energy-dispersive analysis, and chemical analysis . The material was obtained from the second molar of the right mandible of a 25-year-old woman . X-ray diffraction and ESR analyses showed that calcium salts of the calcification are deposited in the form of apatitie, possibly carbonate-containing apatite . Furthermore, the mineral phase of the calcification was found to be similar to that of bone rather than that of dentin with regard to crystallinity and inorganic content . An unexpected finding was that high concentrations of iron were detected in some areas near the surface of the calcification . The question remains open as to what role, if any, iron may play in the formation of pulp calcification. Antibiotiki, 1980 Apr, 25(4), 263 - 6 {Express method of studying microorganism interaction on solid media}; Kovrov BG et al.; To study interaction of microogranisms on solid media, a method of agar plates with the use of replicators was elaborated and compared with that of perpendicular streaks and agar blocks . Apart from being a rapid one, the new method provides quantitative determination of the interaction of level of the microbes . The results of the method are reliable and easily reproduced . Out of the 3 procedures considered the method of agar plates is most sensitive and precise. Arch Surg, 1980 Mar, 115(3), 253 - 6 Disinfection of surgical wounds without inhibition of normal wound healing; Viljanto J; The goal of disinfection of surgical wounds is to destroy as large a number as possible of the microbes that have made their way into the surgical wounds during the time of surgery, without disturbing the normal wound-healing process . It is not a substitute for preoperative disinfection of the skin or aseptic technique, but makes it possible to further decrease the rate of infection in slightly or moderately contaminated wounds . This was shown with a series of 294 pediatric surgical patients, 283 of whom had undergone appendectomy . A 5% povidone-iodine solution, especially in combination with excipients, was too strong, whereas a 1% povidone-iodine solution without excipients applied to the surgical wound was safe from the standpoint of wound healing, and decresed the number of wound infections in those patients with appendicitis in whom neither peritonitis nor periappendicular abscess had yet developed. J Neurol Sci, 1980 Mar, 45(2-3), 287 - 301 Definition of a cell clone with astroglial characteristics derived from a chemically induced rabbit brain glioma; Stavrou D et al.; Three-month-old rabbits were started on a fortnightly schedule of intravenous injections of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea . All but two of the central nervous system tumors induced in this manner were propagated in culture as permanent cell lines . On the 76RB-G-414-H line established from a grade 2 astrocytoma of this series of neoplasms, a cloning procedure was carried out using a laser microbeam . The clonal line originated in this way has been maintained in long-term culture and given the 76/RB-G-414-H-C designation . The cells of the clone display invariably a bipolar or multipolar configuration with long processes . Intermediate filaments are common and even abundant in some cells . Positivity for S-100 and GFA proteins is a regular finding in these cells . In addition, dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate treatment reduces cell division and stimulates cell process formation of these cells . Thus, it appears that we succeeded in establishing in vitro and maintaining in long-term culture a clone of tumor cells with astrocytic characteristics. Antibiotiki, 1980 Feb, 25(2), 109 - 12 {Accelerated determination of microbial sensitivity to antibiotics and chemotherapeutic preparations by serial dilutions using the peroxidase test}; Fel'dman IuM et al.; A rapid method for determination of microbial sensitivity to antibiotics and chemotherapeutic drugs with the use of the peroxidase test is described . The procedure takes 6 hours . Peroxidase is determined by a change in the color of the methyl-para-amino phenol sulfate solution added to the broth culture in 6 hours (simultaneously with hydrogen peroxide) . The peroxidase test provides detection of the microbe multiplication even when no turbidity is observed. J Gen Microbiol, 1980 Feb, 116(2), 445 - 50 N-carbamoyl-beta-D(+)-glucopyranosylamine metabolism by rumen microbes; Coleman RN et al.; Degradation of N-carbamoyl-beta-D(+)-glucopyranosylamine (NCG) by rumen microorganisms in vitro required a viable population as it did not occur if the microbial preparation had been sterilized . Production of CO2 from glucose, or the glucose portion of NCG, was not affected by acetohydroxamic acid (AHA), but urea hydrolysis was inhibited by 79% . With N-{14C}carbamoyl-beta-D(+)-glucopyranosylamine, production of 14CO2 decreased and {14C}urea accumulated when AHA was included in the medium . Cell-free rumen fluid did not degrade NCG . These observations support the hypothesis that the first nitrogenous component formed from the degradation of NCG is urea. Biotechnol Bioeng, 1980 Feb, 22(2), 271 - 87 High-yield method for immobilization of enzymes; Wasserman BP et al.; Two types of polyethylenimine-coated glass microbeads (13-44 micrometer) were synthesized and used for the immobilization of glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger and catalase from A . niger and beef liver . The two types of beads were distinguishable by differences in their surface topography . Immobilizations were performed by adsorption followed by treatment with glutaraldehyde . The immobilized-enzyme activities per unit support of all of the enzymes tested were compared with and found to be superior to the immobilized activities attainable on aminopropyl-activated glass microbeads . When enzyme was present in less than saturating amounts, the coated beads were able to remove 100% of the glucose oxidase activity initially present in the immobilization solution, with 78-87% of that activity expressed on the support surface . Bound glucose oxidase was more stable to thermal inactivation than native enzyme. Biosystems, 1980, 13(1-2), 109 - 37 The symbiotic microbial community of the Sonoran Desert termite: Pterotermes occidentis; To LP et al.; Pterotermes occidentis is a large, obscure, very primitive dry wood termite limited to the Sonoran desert of North America . Its development, caste system and behavior are discussed in relation to aspects of its ecology . What appear to be single wood-digesting individual termites are in fact insect hosts which harbor extensive microbial communities estimated to contain more than 40 interacting species . All healthy, wood-eating Pterotermes contain these densely populated communities of highly motile symbionts suggesting that species diversity is necessary for termite survival . A morphological catalogue of the major hindgut microbes is presented here . From 10(7) to 10(11) bacteria and from 10(3) to 10(6) protists/ml of hindgut fluid are found in an average nymph or larva . The species of four wood-ingesting mastigotes (genera Trichonympha, Metadevescovina, Tricercomitus and Microrhopalodina) and nearly 30 morphologically distinct types of bacteria are described . The description of this morphological diversity observed with light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy is a prerequisite to functional analyses of the symbioses . Since Pterotermes is easily maintained in the laboratory and is so large it is hoped that it will provide a useful model for symbiosis research. Scan Electron Microsc, 1980, (Pt 2), 647 - 54, 606 Measuring calcium uptake and release by invertebrate photoreceptor cells by laser microprobe mass spectroscopy; Schroder W et al.; Electroretinogramms (ERG) of isolated crayfish retinas in salines differing in their Ca2+ concentration were recorded to monitor changes in the ERG induced by changes in the extracellular Ca2+ concentration . Laser microprobe mass spectroscopy and electron microscopy of (a) shock-frozen and (b) chemically fixed retinas were used to analyse the distribution of Ca in the photoreceptor cells . For quantitative analysis a new standardisation procedure using vacuum deposition onto the specimen of thin films as an internal standard was developed . For the first time stable isotopes were used in microbeam analysis allowing direct measurements of Ca transport and metabolism on the cellular level . The major portion of Ca was found in the black distal shielding pigment granules (DP) within the retinular photoreceptor cells . Untreated retinas and retinas preincubated in physiological saline (with 10 mmol/1 Ca2+) contained up to 100 mmol/1 Ca in the DP, while in DP-free places within the same cell Ca was as low as < 40 mumol/1 . If the Ca-concentration of the saline was increased (decreased), a rise (fall) of Ca in the DP was observed . Careful Ca-depletion of the DP under ERG control allowed removal of estimated 60--70% of the 49Ca originally present and refilling with 44Ca . The maximum amplitude of the ERG-response decreased under these conditions to 50% in low Ca saline, but could be reestablished to some 70% in physiological saline containing 44Ca . We conclude, that in the living cell the DP acts sa a Ca store possibly regulating the intracellular and/or extracellular Ca level. Phonetica, 1980, 37(1-2), 38 - 54 Modern methods of investigation in speech production; Fujimura O; Methodologies of speech research with respect to the production processes are discussed, with an emphasis on the recent development of new instrumental techniques . It is argued that systematic studies of large amounts of speech data are necessary to understand the basic characteristics of speech . The traditional notion of phoneme-size segments seems inappropriate for interpreting multidimensional articulatory movements by a concatenative model . Experimental means such as a computer-controlled X-ray microbeam technique and advanced statistical processing, in combination with a new theoritical framework of phonetic description, promise future development. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1980, (2), 58 - 62 {Ultrastructural changes in plague microbes of vaccinal strain EB and alveolar macrophages of guinea pigs during their interaction in vitro}; Pospelova TB et al.; Aerosol immunization with plague vaccine EB was found to stimulate an increase in the number of free alveolar macrophages and to enhance their ingesting activity which correlated with an increase in specific antibody titers . Immunological transformation was accompanied by ultrastructural changes in the cytoplasm and the nuclei of alveolar macrophages . The phagocytosis of microbes occurred by their adsorption onto the microphage surface, invagination and enclosing into the endocytic bubble having the function of the digestive vacuole . The growth of the number of macrophages and an increase in their ingesting activity, progressive changes in the cytoplasmic structures may be used as indicators of immunological transformation resulting from the administration of plague vaccine by the inhalation method. Arkh Patol, 1980, 42(1), 22 - 8 {Photometric studies of the activity of dehydrogenases and nonspecific esterases in leprosy}; Vishnevetskii FE et al.; The enzymatic activity of dehydrogenases and nonspecific esterases in skin affections in leprosy and their dynamics under the effect of treatment were investigated photometrically . It has been found that pentosophosphate pathway oxidation was mostly pronounced in microbe-containing macrophages of the infiltrate in untreated patients with the lepromatous type of leprosy and less according to the Krebs cycle and glycolysis . The intensity of oxidative processes is reduced under the influence of treatment, mainly, due to considerable inhibition of glycose-6-phosphatdehydrogenase . The activity of nonspecific esterases before the treatment is high in leprosy macrophages and low in the epidermis (as compared with the norm) . Under the effect of antileprosy therapy the esterase content in the epidermis is restored and in the macrophages is decreased significantly. Dermatologica, 1980, 160(2), 90 - 9 Autopsy findings of nonacid-fast bacteria in scleroderma; Cantwell AR Jr et al.; Microscopic tissue sections stained for bacteria were studied from autopsy material from a fatal case of scleroderma (progressive systemic sclerosis) . Extra- and intracellular, variable-sized, pleomorphic but predominantly coccoid bacteria were observed in some organs such as in heart, lungs, adrenals, kidneys, pancreas, skin, and in the connective tissue . An attempt is made to correlated the ante-mortem skin culture material with the post-mortem histopathologic finding of bacteria . It is hypothesized that these microbes observed in tissue might represent in vivo, cell wall deficient L forms, which may be implicated in the pathogenesis of scleroderma. Vet Med Nauki, 1980, 17(6-7), 58 - 63 {Effect of population density on the raising of broiler chickens}; Stoianov P et al.; Experiments were carried out to study the influence of density in industrial broiler-raising . They took place during different seasons of the year and with a different density of habitation (12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 pieces on m2) and through an optimization of technological indices in broiler-raising . The dynamism of microclimatic indices was traced out (temperature, humidity, gas composition, dust and microbe contamination of air in the buildings having a different density of habitation . Hematological and biochemical studies were carried out concerning total protein, protein fractions, contents of hemoglobin and number of erythrocytes, as well as the contents of alkaline reserves of blood . The experiments were also devoted to the growth and development, the consumption of fodder for a single unit of production, the morbidity rate and the death rate with chickens raised in different density . It was proved that the density of habitation exerts an influence over microclimatic indices . If the density is greater the contents of ammonia in the buildings is by 1.5 times over the zoohygienic requirements . Under the influence of the density of habitation certain changes occurred concerning the hematological and biochemical indices of blood . A correlation was observed between the density of habitation and the development of some diseases . Certain changes occurred also in the growth and in the development of broilers . By virtue of the results obtained, suggestions are put forward to optimize the density of habitation in industrial broiler-raising. Arkh Patol, 1980, 42(12), 32 - 9 {Electron microscopic study of the blood in suppurative wounds complicated by sepsis and bacterial shock}; Vtiurin BV et al.; Electron microscopic examinations of the white blood in 7 patients with purulent wounds and clinical manifestations of sepsis and in 1 patient with purulent wounds complicated by the development of bacterial shock as well as of the ultrastructure of bacteria isolated from the wound content of the patients were carried out . The controls consisted of electron microscopic examinations of the blood from two donors . The blood of patients with sepsis was found to contain free microbial cells and those phagocytized by neutrophilic leukocytes . Free bacteria formed large colonies enveloped in a strong membrane in the blood . Some leukocyte-phagocytized microbes underwent lysis, the others, surrounded by an envelope were located in large vacuoles in the blood cell cytoplasm (incomplete phagocytosis) . Numerous microbial cells both free and phagocytized were particularly frequently found in bacterial shock accompanied by the clinical picture of most acute septicemia. J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1980, 24(1), 97 - 103 Detection of enzootic territories and exploration of tularemia epizootics in different types of natural foci of this infection by serological examination of bird pellets and the excrements of beasts of prey; Dobrokhotov BP et al.; Serological analysis (reaction of antibody neutralization) of pellets of birds and excrements of beasts of prey for the presence of tularemia microbe antigen is an efficient method of detection and investigation of epizootics in all types of natural foci of the infection and also for the exploration of new focal territories . The method permits with small expenditure of labour and within a short time, to collect material characterizing the epizootic process on a large territory . Tularemia epizootics, both having taken place in the past and ruinning at the moment of observation, are detected . It is possible to carry out the observations even in the years of a reduced number of the main carriers of the agent of tularemia and thus to trace the continuity of the epizootic process . The obtained data permit to establish the essential characteristics of the epizootic process . Detailed maps of the foci can be drawn and territories of stable preservation of infection detected. Dev Neurosci, 1980, 3(2), 66 - 74 Age-dependent differences in cognin regeneration on embryonic retina cells: immunolabeling and SEM studies; Ben-Shaul Y et al.; The retina cognin (a glycoprotein isolated from the surface membrane of neural retina cells of chick embryos and postulated to mediate self-recognition and histogenetic association of retina cells) has been visualized by SEM on the surface of embryonic retina cells in vitro following immunolabeling of the cells with antibodies to the purified cognin and with polystyrene latex microbeads . Trypsin dissociation of retina tissue into separated cells resulted in cognin depletion from the cell surface; following incubation at 37 degrees C the cells regenerated the cognin . Regeneration was fastest and most abundant on cells from the youngest retinas examined; it declined markedly with the embryonic age of the cells, suggesting an age-dependent decrease in cell capacity for cognin formation . Evidence is discussed that the rate and amount of cognin regeneration on the cell surface are temporally-causally correlated with the capacity of the cells to reaggregate into retinotypic tissue . The results support the suggested role of the cognin in the mechanism of self-affinity and morphogenetic association of embryonic neural retinal cells. Hum Genet, 1980, 54(1), 107 - 10 Detection of laser--UV microirradiation-induced DNA photolesions by immunofluorescent staining; Cremer C et al.; A low-power laser-UV microbeam of wavelength 257 nm was used for microirradiation of a small part of the nucleus of Chinese hamster cells . Following fixation in interphase or in the subsequent metaphase indirect immunofluorescent staining was performed with antiserum to photoproducts of DNA treated with far UV light . The results show that antibodies specific for UV-irradiated DNA can be used for a direct detection of laser-UV microirradiation-induced DNA photolesions . The potential usefulness of this method for investigation of the spatial arrangement of chromosomes in the interphase nucleus is discussed. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl, 1980, 59, 25 - 8 Combined tinidazole and doxycycline prophylaxis in colorectal surgery . An interhospital trial; Gruner OP et al.; There were no significant differences between randomized groups on either preoperative tinidazole or placebo added to pre-, per, and postoperative doxycycline . Cases of anaerobic infection among the placebos patients as well as a general trend of the parameters studied suggest that tinidazole gives added protection, i.e . that antibiotic prophylaxis should also comprise anaerobic microbes. J Med, 1980, 11(4), 263 - 6 Phagocytic cells in host defense against infections; Mandell GL; There are three major types of phagocytic cells: monocytic phagocytes, eosinophils and polymorphonuclear leukocytes . Polys are the major cells of acute inflammation . They are attracted to microbes by chemotactic factors . They kill invading microbes by oxidative and non-oxidative mechanisms. Exp Hematol, 1980, 8 Suppl 8, 197 - 224 Erythropoietin assays: some new and different approaches; Lange RD et al.; Published reports of the levels of erythropoietin (Ep) in normal human serum have been reviewed . Current evidence suggests that the level of Ep in normal human serum is 30 +/- 10 mU Ep/ml . When serum was concentrated before assay somewhat lower values were obtained and the mouse fetal liver cell assay gave slightly higher values . Three new potential Ep assay techniques are presented . These are: 1) The use of synthetic microbeads as indicators in an agglutination assay, 2) the use of wheat germ lectin in affinoelectrophoresis techniques, and 3) an immunoradiometric assay as an alternative to radioimmunoassays . The results indicate that the use of all three assays should be explored further. Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1980, Suppl 24, 30 - 2 The phagocytic system in host defense; Quie PG; In response to microbial invasion, an inflammatory response is stimulated, polymorphonuclear cells accumulate, and the infection is localized . Active factors released by microbes or from activation of complement attract neutrophils in a unidirectional fashion toward the highest concentration of factors in the center of an inflammatory process . Opsonins increase the affinity of microbes for phagocytic cells by neutralizing antiphagocytic factors on the microbial surface and binding to the surface of phagocytes . Enzymes responsible for the respiratory oxidative metabolism during phagocytosis reside in the neutrophil plasma membrane . Perturbation of membrane receptors stimulate the metabolic machinery required for engulfment of particles and for oxidative metabolism of the phagocytic cell . Highly reactive oxygen radicals, superoxide and singlet oxygen, and hydrogen peroxide are produced during the oxidative response to phagocytosis . These and factors released from azurophilic and specific granules are critical factors determining microbial death within phagocytic vacuoles. Arkh Patol, 1980, 42(1), 80 - 1 {Pappenheim method of panoptic staining of histological sections}; Tverdynin MS et al.; A new method of azure-eosin staining of histological preparations during fixation with a 10% formalin solution, as well as of the cartilaginous and medullar tissues after decalcification in the 10% trilon B solution, pH 7,3 or in the de Castro liquid is described . This method has a number of advantages over the method os hematoxylin-eosin staining: it presents not only a clear idea about all cellular elements but also allows one to stain mast cells, fungi, microbes, Rickettsia, mucus, fibrin, necrobiotic changes in cells . Differentiation of hemopoietic cells and elements of reticuloendothelium, histiocytes is possible in the hemopoietic tissue . The method is accessible and simple and does not require special equipment. Am J Hosp Pharm, 1979 Nov, 36(11), 1493 - 6 Adventitious contamination of intravenous admixtures during sterility testing; Bernick JJ et al.; The extent to which contamination of intravenous fluids measured by inhospital sterility-testing may be due to adventitious contamination (i.e., contamination introduced during the sterility-testing procedure) was studied . All one-liter admixtures prepared during a three-day period in a busy centralized i.v . admixture service were studied . Samples of i.v . admixtures were cultured before and after administration by direct ioculation or by culturing the membrane through which the admixture was filtered . Samples of similarly cultured large-volume parenterals served as controls . Contamination rates for control and admixture samples were not significantly different (p = 0.23) . Of 10 control and test (admixture) solutions showing contamination before administration, only one test solution again showed contamination after administration but this was with a different microbe . The results suggest that adventitious contamination during sampling/culturing procedures is a component of, and possibly a dominant factor in, the contamination rates detected by inhospital sterility tests . Combined with infection surveillance, sterility tests may be of value when infections are possibly related to admixture contamination. Med Hypotheses, 1979 Oct, 5(10), 1091 - 103 Cultivation requirements for Treponema pallidum, Mycobacterium leprae and other microbial and mammalian microaerophilic cells; Stevens KM; Atmospheric and biological evolution progressed simultaneously and today certain cell types flourish only at oxygen tensions which were ambient 600 million years ago, i.e., at 5 to 10 mm Hg . In man, a continuous oxygen flow at these pressures is supplied in the skin where Treponema pallidum, Mycobacterium leprae and members of the genus Rickettsia grow best . In vitro studies support the microaerophilic status of these organisms and of certain other microbial and mammalian cells . Vigorous growth in pure culture will await the development of techniques which can maintain these low oxygen tensions at the cell walls of the microbes as they replicate and consume increasing amounts of oxygen . Continuing failure to consistently isolate microbes from active lesions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus may reflect the universal absence of suitable methods for isolation of microaerophilic microbes. Scand J Dent Res, 1979 Aug, 87(4), 296 - 301 Effects of bactericidal treatments on bacterial adherence and dental plaque formation; Orstavik D et al.; In vivo plaque formation was significantly reduced when tooth surfaces were subjected to topical applications of iodine (0.2% I2 in 2.0% KI) twice daily for 3 d . Similarly, in vivo plaque formation was significantly reduced on enamel surfaces that were subjected to ultraviolet irradiation . Control experiments indicated that neither ultraviolet irradiation nor iodine treatment interfered with mechanisms for bacterial apposition to dental plaque . The results are interpreted to suggest that plaque grows in mass primarily by the division and multiplication in situ by plaque bacteria, not by a continued apposition of salivary microbes. Infect Immun, 1979 Aug, 25(2), 738 - 48 Purification and characterization of the CFA/I antigen of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli; Evans DG et al.; The fimbral colonization factor antigen CFA/I of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli was purified and characterized . The initial purification step was release of these fimbriae from the bacterial cells by homogenization with a Waring blender . Common fimbriae and flagellar antigen were avoided by careful control of growth conditions and the use of a nonmotile (H-) mutant of the prototype strain H-10407 (O78:H11) . The essential purification steps were membrane filtration (Millipore Corp.), ammonium sulfate fractionation, and negative diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex column chromatography . Yields were approximately 4.0 mg of CFA/I protein per g (wet weight) of bacteria . Purified CFA/I is a fimbrial molecule 7.0 nm in diameter and has an average molecular weight of 1.6 X 10(6), as determined by sedimentation equilibrium . CFA/I is a polymer of identical subunits of molecular weight 23,800 with an N-terminal valine, 37% hydrophobic amino acid residues, and 11 residues of proline per mol . The purified antigen retains its morphology, antigenicity, and biological activity . Purified antigen retains its morphology, antigenicity, and biological activity . Purified CFA/I exhibits mannose-resistant hemagglutination of human group A, bovine, and chicken erythrocytes, as do CFA/I-positive bacteria . This was demonstrated by sensitizing latex microbeads with the purified antigen since cell-free CFA/I fimbriae do not hemagglutinate erythrocytes . Thus, CFA/I detached from the bacteria are monovalent; however, purified CFA/I antigen retains an affinity for the epithelial cells of rabbit small intestine and blocks adhesion of CFA/I-positive bacteria . These results demonstrate that purified CFA/I is a good candidate for use in an oral vaccine for immunoprotection against diarrhea caused by CFA/I-positive enterotoxigenic E . coli. Can J Microbiol, 1979 Jul, 25(7), 822 - 5 Bacterial utilization of a hydrazine derivative as nitrogen source for growth; LaRue TA et al.; The ability of microbes to metabolize the N--N bond seems rare . Pseudomonas sp . from soil can utilize 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-6-oxo-3-pyridazinecarboxylic acid as C and N source . This appears to be the first report that a microbe can cleave a nitrogen--nitrogen bond in an organic compound and use the products for growth. Arch Surg, 1979 Jul, 114(7), 784 - 8 Environmental bacteriology in the unidirectional (vertical) operating room; Bechtol CO; An integrated body exhaust/clean air operating room system was evaluated in terms of the microbiologic and particulate contamination control it afforded . The clean air unit was of a vertical unidirectional airflow design and employed high-efficiency particulate air filters to provide air low in both microbes and particulates . The body exhaust portion of the system was composed of an exhaust tube the surgeon's mask, a transparent plastic faceplate, and a microbe-retentive surgical gown and hood . Measurements were made of airborne and surface contamination at the wound site and of microbial burden levels associated with the surgical team . Sampling techniques were designed to parallel those used in a previous study of a horizontal flow/body exhaust system so as to provide comparative data on the effect of airflow configuration on wound site contamination . The data showed the vertical flow room to exhibit significantly lower (P less than .05) contamination levels than the horizontal flow enclosure . Surgical lights, draping techniques, and personnel and material positoning unobstructive to the airstream were judged to the prime factors in reducing wound site contamination. Parazitologiia, 1979 Jul-Aug, 13(4), 402 - 6 {Blood digestion and the formation of a plague block in Ceratophyllus tesquorum fleas}; Shchedrin VI et al.; The fleas of C . tesquorum are characterized by high protease activity in the epithelium and contents of the stomach, quick hemolysis of erythrocytes and low blood coagulation . Rare blockformation in C . tesquorum and its long terms under experimental conditions are apparently associated with changes in the quantity of plague microbes in the digestive tract depending on the stage of blood digestion: reduced during the hemolysis of erythrocytes and increased when it was over. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 Jul, 38(1), 127 - 34 Microbial oxidation of gaseous hydrocarbons: epoxidation of C2 to C4 n-alkenes by methylotrophic bacteria; Hou CT et al.; Over 20 new cultures of methane-utilizing microbes, including obligate (types I and III) and facultative methylotrophic bacteria were isolated . In addition to their ability to oxidize methane to methanol, resting cell-suspensions of three distinct types of methane-grown bacteria (Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b {type II, obligate}; Methylococcus capsulatus CRL M1 NRRL B-11219 {type I, obligate}; and Methylobacterium organophilum CRL-26 NRRL B-11222 {facultative}) oxidize C2 to C4 n-alkenes to their corresponding 1,2-epoxides . The product 1,2-epoxides are not further metabolized and accumulate extracellularly . Methanol-grown cells do not have either the epoxidation or the hydroxylation activities . Among the substrate gaseous alkenes, propylene is oxidized at the highest rate . Methane inhibits the epoxidation of propylene . The stoichiometry of the consumption of propylene and oxygen and the production of propylene oxide is 1:1:1 . The optimal conditions for in vivo epoxidation are described . Results from inhibition studies indicate that the same monooxygenase system catalyzes both the hydroxylation and the epoxidation reactions . Both the hydroxylation and epoxidation activities are located in the cell-free particulate fraction precipitated between 10,000 and 40,000 x g centrifugation. Zentralbl Bakteriol {B}, 1979 Jun, 168(5-6), 517 - 24 {Disinfectants based on peracid-splitting compounds (author's transl)}; Eggensperger H; All organic peracids are capable of damaging enzymes of the microbial cell irreversibly by oxidation and can thus kill microbes . When using organic peracids as a disinfectant it is expedient to prepare them immediately prior to use . This is possible by employing mixtures in powder form of acid depots (anhydrides, amides, esters) and hydrogen peroxide depots which react together with water only at the time of preparing the solution to form a balanced system, the active complex proper, comprising organic peracid, organic acid, hydrogen peroxide and water. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1979 Jun, (6), 71 - 4 {Sensitivity of different strains of the causative agent of plague to disinfectants}; Val'kov BG et al.; Various strains of the plague microbe was found to have statistically significant differences in their sensitivity to phenol, formaldehyde and chloramine . These differences did not correlate with the origin, virulence and nutritional requirements of the plague strains . The sensitivity of the plague microbe to formaldehyde and phenol was found to be related to the permeability of its cell wall. Am J Vet Res, 1979 May, 40(5), 716 - 8 Appearance of 15N-labeled intestinal microbial amino acids in the venous blood of the pig colon; Niiyama M et al.; Two experiments were done to determine whether pigs possess the ability to absorb amino acids synthesized from urea nitrogen by indigenous microbes in the large intestine . Incorporation of {15N}urea into amino acid fractions of bacterial cells from the rectum and of the deproteinized incubated medium were examined in an experiment in vitro . The isotope was incorporated into 17 amino acids and the ammonia fraction of these samples . The absorption of the microbial amino acids from the colon was investigated by determination of the 15N concentration of the free amino acids in the venous blood of the colon after infusion of the 15N-labeled microorganisms into the cecum . The increase of 15N concentration was also observed in the plasma-free amino acids (threonine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, lysine, histidine, arginine, aspartic acid, serine, alanine, cystine) of the blood from the colic branch of the ileocolic vein . The results of these experiments indicated that pigs have the ability to utilize the microbial amino acids synthesized from urea nitrogen in the large intestine. Am J Pathol, 1979 May, 95(2), 281 - 94 Peroxisomes of rat peritoneal macrophages during phagocytosis; Eguchi M et al.; The peroxisomes of resident macrophages in the rat peritoneal cavity were examined during the phagocytosis of latex microbeads, employing the akaline diaminobenzidine (DAB) technique . Peroxisomes generally were located in close proximity to phagosomes and were often observed in a process of apparent fusion with phagosomes . Cytochemical evidence was also obtained for discharge of catalase from peroxisomes to phagosomes . The profiles indicating fusion were observed after 10 minutes of incubation with microbeads . The number of peroxisomes was increased in macrophage profiles examined 30 minutes after exposure to microbeads . Acid phosphatase was localized in small vesicles that were distinct from peroxisomes, and peroxidase was not demonstrable in peroxisomes . A method for ultrastructural localization of periodate reactive complex carbohydrate demonstrated glycoproteins in numerous small vesicles or granules, some of which possibly represented peroxisomers . The possible function of peroxisomes during phagocytosis in rat peritoneal macrophages is considered. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1979 Apr, (4), 47 - 50 {Action of cyclophosphane on the formation of hemagglutinins and of nonspecific immunoglobulins in a microbe-free state}; Chakhava OV et al.; A total of 39 germ-free and 28 conventional germ-free Fisher rats were used to study cyclophosphamide-induced specific (hemagglutinins) and nonspecific (IgG2) immunosuppression . Most pronounced effect of the drug was observed in germ-free animals . 180 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide completely suppressed hemagglutinin formation for at least 8 weeks. Semin Hematol, 1979 Apr, 16(2), 140 - 7 Granulocyte aggregation as a manifestation of membrane interactions with complement: possible role in leukocyte margination, microvascular occlusion, and endothelial damage; Craddock PR et al.; Activation products of the terminal complement cascade potently affect granulocyte function, inducing, for example, their migration toward (chemotaxis), and adherence to (opsonization), microbes, and stimulating their production of microbicidal oxygen radicals such as superoxide anion, and the like . We present studies that demonstrate that a C5-derived peptide, probably C5a, is a potent promoter of granulocyte and monocyte adhesion to endothelium (margination) and, in addition, causes granulocyte autoaggregation in vitro and in vivo . Although possibly beneficial by producing phagocyte clumps to mechanically entrap unwanted microbes, such aggregates may be deleterious, particularly if sustained, especially in the lung. J Cell Biol, 1979 Mar, 80(3), 521 - 38 Motility of the microtubular axostyle in Pyrsonympha; Langford GM et al.; The rhythmic movement of the microtubular axostyle in the termite flagellate, Pyrsonympha vertens, was analyzed with polarization and electron microscopy . The protozoan axostyle is birefringent as a result of the semi-crystalline alignment of approximately 2,000 microtubules . The birefringence of the organelle permits analysis of the beat pattern in vivo . Modifications of the beat pattern were achieved with visible and UV microbeam irradiation . The beating axostyle is helically twisted and has two principal movements, one resembling ciliary and the other flagellar beating . The anterior portion of the beating axostyle has effective and recovery phases with each beat thereby simulating the flexural motion of a beating cilium . Undulations develop from the flexural flipping motion of the anterior segment and travel along the axostyle like flagellar waves . The shape of the waves differs from that of flagellar waves, however, and are described as sawtooth waves . The propagating sawtooth waves contain a sharp bend, approximately 3 micron in length, made up of two opposing flexures followed by a straight helical segment approximately 23 micron long . The average wavelength is approximately 25 micron, and three to four sawtooth waves travel along the axostyle at one time . The bends are nearly planar and can travel in either direction along the axostyle with equal velocity . At temperatures between 5 degrees and 30 degrees C, one sees a proportionate increase or decrease in wave propagation velocity as the temperature is raised or lowered . Beating stops below 5 degrees C but will resume if the preparation is warmed . A microbeam of visible light shone on a small segment of the axostyle causes the typical sawtooth waves to transform into short sine-like waves that accumulate in the area irradiated . Waves entering the affected region appear to stimulate waves already accumulated there to move, and waves that emerge take on the normal sawtooth wave pattern . The effective wavelengths of visible light capable of modifying the wave pattern is in the blue region of the spectrum . The axostyle is severed when irradiated with an intense microbeam of UV light . Short segments of axostyle produced by severing it at two places with a UV microbeam can curl upon themselves into shapes resembling lockwashers . We propose that the sawtooth waves in the axostyle of P . vertens are generated by interrow cross-bridges which are active in the straight regions. Infect Immun, 1979 Mar, 23(3), 737 - 42 Interaction of polymorphonuclear leukocytes with smooth and rough strains of Brucella abortus; Kreutzer DL et al.; The bactericidal activity of guinea pig and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) against a smooth-intermediate strain (45/0) and a rough strain (45/20) of Brucella abortus has been examined . After incubation for 120 min, guinea pig PMNs incubated with either the smooth strain 45/0 or the rough strain 45/20 exhibited no bactericidal activity against the former and caused only a 34% decrease in viability of the latter . Human PMNs were more bactericidal than guinea pig PMNs to both strains; however, the killing of strain 45/20 by human PMNs was less than that observed in control experiments with S . aureus strain 502A . Both strains of B . abortus readily associated with guinea pig and human PMNs, and the bacteria were apparently ingested without stimulation of the hexose monophosphate pathway . Lysates (10 micrograms/ml, pH 5.5), prepared from guinea pig or human granules, were not particularly toxic to either strain unless supplemented with H2O2 and a halide (I- or Cl-) . An oxygen-dependent killing system appeared to be lethal against both strains of B . abortus, with I- being more active than Cl- in the presence of H2O2 and granule lysate . The data suggest that degranulation after ingestion of Brucella by phagocytes does not occur due to the lack of a proper stimulus or possibly the baccilli actively inhibit the degranulation process thereby protecting the microbe from killing systems normally effective against extracellular parasites. Antibiotiki, 1979 Mar, 24(3), 185 - 9 {Effect of the nutrient medium components on the formation of growth inhibition zones of the test microbe in determining the biological activity of mycoheptin}; Vasil'eva NG et al.; The effect of the nutrient medium components on the diffusion properties of mycoheptin and the growth of Candida utilis as the test-microbe was studied . It was found that the content of various amounts of sodium and potassium chlorides, disubstituted sodium phosphate, glucose, yeast extract, peptone, agar-agar and the value of pH in the medium had a significant effect on the size of the inhibition growth zones of the test-culture, clearance of their margin and the angle of the dose-response curve . The nutrient medium composition considered to be optimal for determination of the mychoheptin activity is proposed. J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1979, 23(2), 121 - 8 Quantitative regularities of development of endogenous infection in irradiated organism (survey of literature); Mal'tsev VN; Statistical analysis of data from the literature and the author's own experimental results was carried out in order to reveal functional dependence between the dose of irradiation and the development of endogenous infection in an irradiated organism . Direct linear dependence was established between the dose of irradiation and the severity of endogenous infection at doses causing death from the "bone-marrow" syndrome in acute radiation sickness . In the case of death from the "intestinal" syndrome, inverse linear dependence can be observed between the dose of irradiation and the culture yield of microbes from internal organs . In this case, the pathological effect on the organism is due to bacterial endotoxins formed during disintegration of microbial cells in the organism . Endogenous infection and endotoxinaemia essentially aggravate the course of acute radiation disease . The importance of endogenous infection in death of the organism is neutralized after irradiation in doses causing death "under the ray". Phonetica, 1979, 36(4-5), 263 - 72 Mandible height and syllable-final tenseness; Fujimura O et al.; Mandible movements in the vowel-to-consonant transition manifest consistent differences between /t/ and /d/ in syllable final position . Both mandible position at its peak value n