Microorganism

Clin Microbiol Rev, 1990 Apr, 3(2), 132 - 52
Immunoserology of infectious diseases; James K; The immune response to microorganisms not only participates in the elimination of unwanted organisms from the body, but also assists in diagnosis of infectious diseases . The nonspecific immune response is the first line of defense, assisting the body until the specific immune response can be mobilized to provide protective mechanisms . The specific immune response involves humoral or cell-mediated immunity or both, dependent on the nature of the organism and its site of sequestration . A variety of test systems have been developed to identify the causative organisms of infectious diseases . Test systems used in immunoserology have classically included methods of detecting antigen-antibody reactions which range from complement fixation to immunoassay methods . Relevant test systems for detecting antigens and antibodies are described . With numerous test systems available to detect antigens and antibodies, there can be confusion regarding selection of the appropriate system for each application . Methods for detecting antibody to verify immunity differ from immunologic methods to diagnose disease . Techniques to detect soluble antigens present in active infectious states may appear similar to those used to detect antibody, but their differences should be appreciated.

Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 1990 Apr, 18(2), 88 - 94
Nucleic acid probes as potential tools in oral microbial epidemiology; Albandar JM et al.; The present review deals with genetic tools in the microbial diagnostic laboratory, types of nucleic acid probes, their construction and cloning, hybridization reactions, their sensitivity and specificity, and their advantages and limitations . The nucleic acid probes seem to possess a number of advantages over traditional diagnostic methods . DNA, RNA, and oligonucleotide probes are expected to have increased impact on our understanding of the pathogenesis and the treatment of infectious inflammatory periodontal diseases . In addition, these probes have potential application in epidemiological studies of oral microorganisms . However, the limitations of the probes must be kept in mind, and newly developed probes must be controlled with respect to the critical issues of sensitivity and specificity.

Cancer, 1990 Apr 1, 65(7), 1583 - 90
Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver . Clinicopathologic study and review of the literature; Horiuchi R et al.; Clinicopathologic analysis of nine patients with inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver was reported . The age of the patients varied from 22 to 83 years old, with a male to female ratio of 8 to 1 . They complained of intermittent fever and abdominal pain, and laboratory data on admission suggested an inflammatory process . The solitary or multiple, well-defined space-occupying lesions were displayed by recently advanced imaging techniques . Partial hepatectomy, laparotomy, needle biopsy, or autopsy was performed in all nine patients with diagnoses of hepatocellular carcinoma, metastatic liver tumor, or liver abscess . Histologically, these lesions were composed of dense hyalinized fibrosis and/or infiltrating inflammatory cells constituting large numbers of foamy histiocytes, lymphocytes, and plasma cells . Obliterating phlebitis of relatively large branches of the portal vein was found, thus providing a diagnostic clue to distinction from the primary hepatic cancer by imagings . Considering the clinicopathologic features and the patients' histories, in which four patients had been in the Southeast Asian countries or India, it is possible that infection of microorganisms through the portal vein could participate in these lesions as a cause . Two patients died of causes probably related to this lesion, indicating poor prognosis in some patients, in contrast to the generally fair prognosis of previously published cases.

Wei Sheng Wu Xue Bao, 1990 Apr, 30(2), 122 - 8
{Screening of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase forming strains and conditions for enzyme production}; Yan ZZ et al.; About 1200 strains of microorganisms were screened including fungi, actinomyces, and bacteria, in which 237 strains producing the enzyme desired . The results showed that the beta-GlcNAcase and beta-GalNAcase always co-existed in one strain, though may be in different ratio . From strains mentioned above the authors screened out a potent beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase producing strain, Aspergillus tamarii S215, from the soil sample . The optimal conditions for enzyme production were as follows: the microorganisms was inoculated in a 5% wheat bran suspension, cultured at 28-30 degrees C on shaker for 5-6 days . The productivity can be moderately enhanced by the addition of cellobiose or glucosamine or galactosamine or by the extra supplement of (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3 as N sources . In the culture filtrate of Asp . tamarii, the alpha, (beta)-galactosidase, beta-glucosidase, alpha-mannosidase and beta-fucosidase were also found.

Offentl Gesundheitswes, 1990 Apr, 52(4), 168 - 73
{Evaluation of humidifier units within the scope of room climate modification}; Nagorka R et al.; An analysis method was developed for detecting the biocides usually employed in German humidification units in air-conditioning plant to enable determination of air concentrations of methylisothiazalone often used in such plant (German trade names e.g . Kathon WT, Wacozid 3150, Lavisan Q) . Results of measurements revealed great variations in isothiazolone concentrations in ambient indoor aerosols, the peak values being 3.4 micrograms/m3 air . The concentration of these compounds added to the water in the humidificator chambers was also measured in relation to the presence of microorganisms to find out the microbicidal action of the compounds . It was found that the isothiazolone concentrations varied greatly in course of time and that microbiology revealed in some cases a marked contamination of the water in the humidifiers with pathogens . Microbial analyses showed the presence of Legionella pneumophila and free amoeba, sometimes with very high aerobic colony counts . The measured data lead to the conclusion that it is possible that both the unsatisfactory hygienic status of many circulatory spray humidifiers and the exposure to the biocides contained in the humidifier fluids, may be responsible for some of the patterns of signs and symptoms known as "sick building" syndrome.

Endod Dent Traumatol, 1990 Apr, 6(2), 73 - 7
Periapical bacterial plaque in teeth refractory to endodontic treatment; Tronstad L et al.; It has recently been found that bacteria are able to survive and maintain an infectious disease process in periapical lesions of nonvital teeth . The purpose of this study was to examine the surfaces of root tips removed during surgical-endodontic treatment for the presence of microorganisms . A full thickness flap was reflected under strict surgical asepsis and the periapical lesions were enucleated and removed . About 2-3 mm of the root was cut off, rinsed in sterile saline and placed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin . Upon fixation, the root tips were dehydrated, air-dried and given an electrically conducting coat of gold in a vacuum evaporator . The root tips were then studied in a Jeol, JSM-U3 scanning electron microscope, usually operated at 20 kV . The root surfaces were covered with soft tissue, except at the apex of the roots, where a continuous, smooth and structureless coating was seen, apparently adjacent to the apical foramen . At higher magnification a variety of bacterial forms were recognized in the smooth coating . A bacterial plaque was observed in irregularities of the surfaces between fiber bundles and cells and in crypts and holes . The bacteria were held together by an extracellular material and the plaque was dominated by cocci and rods . Fibrillar forms were recognized as well, often with cocci attached to their surfaces.

Mol Gen Mikrobiol Virusol, 1990 Apr, (4), 28 - 32
{Methods of isolation and polypeptide composition of membrane fractions of Rickettsia prowazekii}; Emel'ianov VV et al.; The methods of cell lysis by lysozyme in tris-EDTA-sucrose with the consequent disruption of spheroplasts by the osmotic shock were used to obtain the total membranes from the intact or temperature-inactivated Rickettsia prowazekii . Detergents solubilization methods were used for analysis of outer membrane proteins . Sarcosyl insoluble material is shown to contain the main 134, 31, 29.5 and 25 Kd proteins, the minor 78, 60, 42, 17 Kd proteins, while the mixture of both membranes possess a more complex composition . Treatment of total membranes by the 2% octylglycoside results in elimination of the 31 Kd polypeptide . Inactivated Rickettsia can be used for isolation of the outer layer proteins diminishing the risk of working with this pathogenic microorganism.

Arch Invest Med (Mex), 1990 Apr-Jun, 21(2), 163 - 9
{Pharmacological properties in vitro of various extracts of Mimosa tenuiflora (tepescohuite)}; Meckes-Lozoya M et al.; The in vitro biological effects of polar extracts of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir . trunk bark (tepescohuite) were studied . Ethyl acetate extract, with a high tannin content, inhibited the growth of different microorganisms . Alkaloids were particularly abundant in the butanol extract and this product strongly inhibited the intestinal peristalsis and produced contraction of uterine and gastric strips of rat and guinea pig . Saponins were detected in butanol and methanol extracts producing hemolysis . The screenings performed showed the diversity of bioactive compounds present in this plant product.

Turk Ortodonti Derg, 1990 Apr, 3(1), 123 - 8
{The occurrence of cavitation after orthodontic bonding . A case report}; Akkaya S et al.; In this case report occurrence of cavitation on the lingual enamel surfaces of teeth after orthodontic direct bonding a canine to canine lingual retainer is presented and possible reasons which might play a role in their formation was investigated by "SEM" and "electron microprobe analyzer" . Although the morphologic structure is normal, a mineral loss is detected and it is thought that an easier dissolution of enamel is occurred by the penetration of saliva and plaque microorganisms throughout the enamel-resin junction.

Cell Regul, 1990 Apr, 1(5), 403 - 13
Prostaglandin E specifically upregulates the expression of the mannose-receptor on mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages; Schreiber S et al.; The macrophage mannose receptor (MMR) facilitates the binding and internalization of microorganisms and glycoproteins with terminal mannose residues . The receptor is progressively upregulated as bone marrow precursor cells mature into macrophages and thus may serve as a marker of differentiation . Prostaglandins of the E series (PGE) are known inhibitors of monocyte and macrophage precursor proliferation, an effect often associated with cellular maturation . MMR expression was therefore assessed after exposure of bone marrow macrophage precursor (BMMP) cells to these prostanoids . Receptor expression was determined by ligand binding and via immunoprecipitation of newly synthesized receptor molecules . PGE1 and PGE2 at 10(-9)-10(-6) M upregulated MMR surface expression and biosynthesis four- to sixfold in a dose-dependent manner . BMMPs responsive to prostaglandins were characterized by plastic adherence, F4/80 antigen expression, and nonspecific esterase activity . Prostaglandins accelerated the expression of the MMR in cells by 48-72h, with maximal levels of receptor expression being identical in control or treated cells . Thus, prostaglandins enhanced mannose receptor expression in adherent but not fully differentiated macrophage precursors . This effect is specific for PGE and is mimicked by dibutyrl cyclic AMP . These results indicate that prostaglandins accelerate MMR expression and hence the differentiation of macrophage precursor cells . Cells resident in the bone marrow secrete abundant prostaglandins, suggesting that a paracrine mechanism may exist to regulate MMR expression and function.

J Ind Microbiol, 1990 Apr-May, 5(2-3), 167 - 82
Characterization of a temperate actinophage, MPphiWR-1, capable of infecting Micromonospora purpurea ATCC 15835; Tilley BC et al.; A temperate actinophage was isolated from soil using the gentamicin-producing microorganism, Micromonospora purpurea ATCC 15835 as host . The characterization of the phage represents the initial step in its development as a cloning vector . The phage isolated, MPphiWR-1, formed red- to purple-pigmented turbid plaques . Cells isolated from these plaques were resistant to superinfection with lytic mutants of MPphiWR-1 . Southern blots of genomic DNA from a resistant culture showed that MPphiWR-1 integrated into the host genome . The phage was UV- or Mitomycin C-inducible . The integration, resistance to superinfection and inducibility indicated a lysogenic relationship with the host . Using MPphiE-RCPM, a lytic derivative, the phage host range was demonstrated to include members of three genera: one species each of Ampullariella and Catellatospora, and 12 species of Micromonospora . The phage belonged to Ackerman's B1 morphotype having an isometric head and a flexible noncontractile tail . The density of the phage was 1.525 g/cc . Restriction site mapping demonstrated that the phage DNA was 57.9 kb long and had cohesive ends . Using EDTA enrichment, viable mutants with deletions of at least 3.5 kb were isolated and mapped . Phage adsorption, sensitivities and plating efficiency were investigated . Non-liposome PEG-mediated transfection was demonstrated.

Trends Biotechnol, 1990 Apr, 8(4), 105 - 11
Microbial isopenicillin N synthase genes: structure, function, diversity and evolution; Cohen G et al.; Clinically and economically, penicillins and cephalosporins are the most important class of the beta-lactam antibiotics . They are produced by a wide variety of microorganisms including numerous species of Streptomyces, some unicellular bacteria and several filamentous fungi . A key step common to their biosynthetic pathways is the conversion of a linear, cysteine-containing tripeptide to a bicyclic beta-lactam antibiotic by isopenicillin N synthase . Recent successes in the cloning and expression of isopenicillin N synthase genes now permit production of a plentiful supply of this enzyme, which may be used for structural and mechanistic studies, or for biotechnological applications in the creation of novel beta-lactam compounds from peptide analogues . New ideas concerning the evolution and prevalence of the penicillin and cephalosporin biosynthetic genes have emerged from studies of isopenicillin N synthase genes.

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 1990 Apr, 33(1), 81 - 7
Trimethyl lead degradation by free and immobilized cells of an Arthrobacter sp . and by the wood decay fungus Phaeolus schweinitzii; Macaskie LE et al.; The continuing production of leaded petrol generates liquid wastes containing recalcitrant trialkyl lead, for which no suitable chemical treatment has been formulated . This investigation explores the feasibility of using microorganisms to catalyse the rate-limiting step of trimethyl lead degradation to dialkyl lead; this disproportionates chemically to give, ultimately, Pb2+ which is treatable by classical methods . An Arthrobacter sp . and a wood decay macrofungus, Phaeolus schweinitzii provide novel evidence for metabolic trimethyl lead (Me3Pb+) degradation . The retention of this activity in immobilized cell column reactors challenged with Me3Pb(+)-supplemented flows suggests that a future biotreatment process may be possible.

Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 1990 Mar 30, 115(13), 489 - 95
{Hemolytic-uremic syndrome in infants due to verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli}; Karch H et al.; Between September and November 1988, six children (aged 4-17 months) from a parish in Upper Bavaria fell ill with a haemolytic-uraemic syndrome . The illness had been preceded by a gastroenteritis with at times haemorrhagic stools . All patients needed peritoneal dialysis for acute renal failure . A 12-month-old girl was left with statomotoric developmental impairment due to cerebral involvement, but the other five children were cured . In the first four children to be admitted stool examinations for the common enteritis-causing microorganisms had been negative . But in the following two, specific gene probes demonstrated enterohaemorrhagic E . coli O157: H- with formation of verotoxin 2 (Shiga-like toxin II) . This group of microorganisms must be taken into account in the diagnosis of haemorrhagic enterocolitis, because they can cause severe complications.

Mikrobiol Zh, 1990 Mar-Apr, 52(2), 18 - 22
{The ultrastructural characteristics of the causative agent of melioidosis and its interaction with phagocytes in vivo}; Popov SF et al.; The electron microscopic studies have established that the virulent strain of Pseudomonas pseudomallei C-141, an agent of melioidosis, being intraperitoneally administered to guinea pigs, forms in vivo three morphological variants . One variant is capsule-free, while two others have a capsule which in the second variant may be referred by its characters to the microcapsule and in the third one to the macrocapsule . It has been shown that under the interaction of these three morphological variants with the microorganism cells the bacteria of the first and second variants are absorbed by phagocytes, whereas the microbial cells of the third morphological variant are more resistant to the phagocytosis.

Plasmid, 1990 Mar, 23(2), 144 - 8
The 7.5-kb plasmid present in Chlamydia trachomatis is not essential for the growth of this microorganism; Peterson EM et al.; An L2 serovar of Chlamydia trachomatis, isolated from a patient with proctocolitis, has been identified that does not contain the common C . trachomatis 7.5-kb plasmid . This isolate was propagated in vitro showing that this plasmid is not required for the growth of C . trachomatis.

J Burn Care Rehabil, 1990 Mar-Apr, 11(2), 135 - 6
Water-Jel in the treatment of burns . A bacteriologic study; Dolecek R et al.; In a previous study the Water-Jel system (dressings) was found to protect the burn wound from microbial contamination and to have excellent analgesic and cooling effects when used as the first-aid dressing . In an extensive bacteriologic study in vitro, both semiquantitative and qualitative, Water-Jel was bactericidal in all 15 microorganisms tested, including yeasts . All 15 microorganisms were from the Ostrava Burn Unit . Water-Jel was used successfully in three surgical, nonburned patients with very contaminated, dilacerated wounds . It was superior to all the selective antibiotics used systemically . After its 3-day application, the wounds became sterile; the skin grafting was successful.

Biotechniques, 1990 Mar, 8(3), 316 - 8
Solution hybridization assay for detecting genetically engineered microorganisms in environmental samples; Steffan RT et al.; A solution hybridization method was developed for detecting genetically engineered microorganisms in environmental samples . The detection method involves recovery of DNA from the microbial community of an environmental sample followed by hybridization in solution with a radiolabeled RNA gene probe . After nuclease digestion of non-hybridized probe RNA, the DNA-RNA hybrids formed in the solution hybridization reaction are separated by sephadex or hydroxyapatite column chromatography and detected by liquid scintillation counting . Using solution hybridization-gene probe detection, as few as 100-1000 target cells per gram sediment sample of a 2,4,5-T-degrading genetically engineered microorganisms could be detected.

J Vet Pharmacol Ther, 1990 Mar, 13(1), 7 - 14
Spiramycin concentrations in plasma and genital-tract secretions after intravenous administration in the ewe; Cester CC et al.; Uterine infections are associated with reduced fertility in ruminant species . Spiramycin is a macrolide antibiotic potentially active against most of the microorganisms isolated from secretions of infected genital tracts . The present work investigated the ability of systemically administered spiramycin to enter genital secretions, by determining the disposition kinetics of the antibiotic in both plasma and uterine genital secretions . Five healthy ovariectomized ewes were given a single intravenous (i.v.) injection of spiramycin, at a dose of 20 mg/kg . Plasma and genital secretion samples were collected at predetermined intervals for 5 days post-injection . Blood was collected from the jugular vein while mucus was obtained by inserting polyurethane sponges into the vagina . The spiramycin concentration peak in genital-tract secretions was obtained 2.53 +/- 0.63 h after the i.v . administration . The mean residence time was significantly longer (P less than 0.01) in the mucus (18.31 +/- 3.24 h) than in plasma (6.99 +/- 2.53 h) . An average mucus to plasma ratio of 7.87 +/- 3.00 was calculated from the area under concentration-time curves covering the period under study . These data indicate that after systemic administration to ewes, spiramycin is rapidly found in genital-tract secretions, at concentrations which are sufficiently high and persistent to suggest its use in the treatment of post-partum uterine infections.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1990 Mar, 56(3), 812 - 4
Enzymatic profiles of 11 barophilic bacteria under in situ conditions: evidence for pressure modulation of phenotype; Straube WL et al.; Barophilic bacteria are microorganisms that grow preferentially (facultative barophiles) or exclusively (obligate barophiles) under elevated hydrostatic pressure . Barophilic bacteria have been isolated from a variety of deep-sea environments . Attempts to characterize these organisms have been hampered by a lack of appropriate methodologies . A colorimetric method for the detection of 19 constitutively expressed enzymes under in situ conditions of pressure and temperature has been devised, using a simple modification of the commercially available API ZYME enzyme assay kit . By using this method, enzyme profiles of 11 barophilic isolates, including an obligate barophile, were determined . Nine of the 10 facultatively barophilic isolates examined exhibited a change of phenotype in at least one enzyme reaction when tested at 1 atm (1 atm = 101.29 kPa), compared with results obtained under in situ pressure . The assay is simple and rapid and allows for direct determination of enzyme activity under conditions of high pressure and low temperature.

Nihon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi, 1990 Mar, 28(3), 404 - 9
{Comparison of immunological aspects in diffuse panbronchiolitis and cystic bronchiectasis}; Sato A; We examined immunological parameters in 35 patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) and 20 patients with cystic bronchiectasis (CBE) to analyze the relation between local immune responses and subsequent clinical courses . Patients with DPB showed more impaired cell-mediated immunity than those with CBE . On analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes from DPB and CBE, the significant increase in CD4 positive T-cells and Fc alpha R positive T-cells and decrease in Leu-11 positive cells were recognized . The observation of humoral immunity revealed a tendency for local immunity to be accelerated such as increases of IgA and IgG2 in both diseases . The titer of serum cold agglutinin and rheumatoid factor were elevated in DPB . However, these fluctuations of immunological factors were normalized according to improvement of inflammatory processes by chemotherapy . The analysis of the distribution of lymphocyte subsets in lung tissues taken from DPB showed that CD4 positive T-cells always overwhelmed CD8-positive T-cells and that secretary IgA-positive B-cells were abundant in bronchioles . On the other hand, bronchiolitis was recognized in about 80% of cases with CBE, although to a less striking degree than DPB . Lymphocyte subsets were similarly distributed in the respiratory tract . DPB and CBE could be considered as the same disease entity in the spectrum of chronic respiratory tract infection based on mucociliary disorder . Sinusitis and immunological abnormalities are often complicated by both diseases . However, precise analysis demonstrated that there are some obvious differences of systemic and local immune responses between DPB and CBE, probably due to the conditions of each diseases such as primary focus, severity and causative microorganism.

Naturwissenschaften, 1990 Mar, 77(3), 103 - 9
{100 years of lectin research--a balance}; Franz H; A hundred years of lectin research has led to the development of lectinology as an independent field of study . Although lectinology is in part related to immunology, fundamental differences exist . Lectins are important tools in biochemistry, histochemistry and clinical diagnosis . The essential in vivo function of lectins is to combine glycoconjugates . The function of lectins in microorganisms and in animals is partially known, whereas the function of lectins in plants is mostly unclear . Of special interest, now as before, are the toxic lectins of the ricin type consisting of an A-chain (N-glycosidase) and a B-chain (D-galactose-specific lectin).

J Clin Microbiol, 1990 Mar, 28(3), 508 - 12
Cultivation of Nocardia spp . on chemically defined media for selective recovery of isolates from clinical specimens; Shawar RM et al.; Isolation of Nocardia spp . from clinical specimens can be enhanced by the use of paraffin baiting, which relies on the selective ability of the organism to metabolize paraffin . We evaluated 44 Nocardia isolates, 18 group IV mycobacterial isolates, and 4 Streptomyces isolates for growth on blood agar (BA) and on carbon-free agar containing single or double substrates as follows: paraffin agar (PA), gelatin agar (GA), urea agar (UA), PA-gelatin (PG), and PA-urea (PU) . The growth rates of Nocardia spp . on BA, PA, PU, and PG were similar; but 3-day-old colonies were larger on BA for 20 (45%) isolates . After longer incubations (7 to 14 days), some Nocardia colonies were larger on PA, PG and PU than they were on BA . Despite variable morphologies on BA, colonies on PA, PG, and PU were consistently smooth, creamy, and raised . Compared with growth on BA, the growth of mycobacteria was much slower on PA, PG, and PU, with poor growth on UA and GA . The growth of Streptomyces spp . was greatly enhanced on GA, PG, UA, and PU and was poorest on PA . Twelve sputum specimens seeded with Nocardia asteroides (10(4) CFU/ml) were inoculated onto BA and all chemically defined media . Nocardiae were recovered from 6 to 12 specimens grown on BA, GA, and UA; 11 of 12 specimens grown on PG; and 12 of 12 specimens grown on PA and PU . Only PA was able to suppress the growth of other microorganisms that were present in sputum specimens . These results suggest that chemically defined media containing PA may be useful for the selective isolation of Nocardia spp . from contaminated clinical specimens.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1990 Mar, 56(3), 803 - 7
Tissue distribution of a coliphage and Escherichia coli in mussels after contamination and depuration; Power UF et al.; Experiments were undertaken to determine the tissue distribution of Escherichia coli and a coliphage after contamination of the common mussel (Mytilus edulis) . Mussels were contaminated with high levels of feces-associated E . coli and a 22-nm icosahedral coliphage over a 2-day period in a flowing-seawater facility . After contamination, individual tissues were carefully dissected and assayed for E . coli and the coliphage . Contaminated mussels were also analyzed to determine the tissue distribution of the contaminants after 24- and 48-h depuration periods . The majority of each contaminant was located in the digestive tract (94 and 89% of E . coli and coliphage, respectively) . Decreasing concentrations were found in the gills and labial palps, foot and muscles, mantle lobes, and hemolymph . Our results indicate that contamination above levels in water occurred only in the digestive tract . Contaminated mussels were depurated in a commercial-scale recirculating UV depuration system over a 48-h period . The percent reductions of E . coli occurred in the following order: digestive tract, hemolymph, foot and muscles, mantle lobes, and gills and labial palps . The percent reductions of the coliphage were different, occurring in the following order: hemolymph, foot and muscles, gills and labial palps, mantle lobes, and digestive tract . Our results clearly demonstrate that E . coli and the coliphage are differentially eliminated from the digestive tract . The two microorganisms are eliminated at similar rates from the remaining tissues . Our results also clearly show that the most significant coliphage retention after depuration for 48 h is in the digestive tract . Thus, conventional depuration practices are inappropriate for efficient virus elimination from mussels.

Biochem Pharmacol, 1990 Mar 1, 39(5), 841 - 9
Inhibition by new anthraquinone compounds, K-259-2 and KS-619-1, of calmodulin-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase; Matsuda Y et al.; K-259-2 and KS-619-1, novel anionic anthraquinone metabolites isolated from culture broth of microorganisms, inhibited activation of bovine brain phosphodiesterase induced by calmodulin (CaM), sodium oleate, or limited proteolysis with almost equal potency . The inhibition of calmodulin-activated phosphodiesterase (CaM-PDE) by K-259-2 or KS-619-1 was overcome by a higher concentration of CaM . Direct interaction of K-259-2 and KS-619-1 with CaM was confirmed through use of hydrophobic fluorescent probes . Kinetic analysis revealed that the inhibition of the trypsin-activated phosphodiesterase was competitively inhibited by K-259-2 or KS-619-1 with respect to cAMP . Addition of a lower amount of either phosphatidylserine or sodium oleate to the reaction mixture was efficacious in attenuating the inhibition of the CaM-PDE by W-7, chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine, compound 48/80, or R-24571 but, in contrast, had little or no effect on the inhibition by K-259-2 or KS-619-1 . In conclusion, K-259-2 and KS-619-1, unlike so-called CaM antagonists, do not interact with phosphatidylserine or sodium oleate and it appears that these novel anthraquinone compounds inhibit the enzyme not only via CaM antagonism but possibly also by interacting directly with the enzyme.

Gan To Kagaku Ryoho, 1990 Mar, 17(3 Pt 1), 315 - 21
{Inhibitors of oncogene product functions}; Umezawa K; Streptomyces and other microorganisms produce antibiotics, and enzyme inhibitors as secondary metabolites . Thus, they could be said as a treasury of organic compounds which have various structures and biological functions . Since oncogene theory has been extensively developed, we have screened oncogene function inhibitors from microorganisms as a new group of microbial secondary metabolites . Erbstatin is an inhibitor of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and p60v-src-associated tyrosine kinase . Its inhibitory pattern vs . peptide is competitive . In cell culture it inhibited both EGF receptor autophosphorylation and internalization . Recently, we have isolated lavendustin A, an extremely potent inhibitor of tyrosine kinase, from Streptomyces . Lavendustin A is a novel compound and about 50 times stronger than erbstatin in inhibiting tyrosine kinase . Oxanosine is an inhibitor of ras oncogene product activity . It induces normal phenotypes in temperature-sensitive Kirsten sarcoma virus-infected rat kidney cells, lowering the intracellular levels of guanine nucleotides . Many oncogenes including src, ras, sis, fms and erbB are known to activate cellular phosphatidylinositol (PI) turnover . Therefore we have screened inhibitors of PI turnover and isolated psi-tectorigenine and pendolmycin from Nocardiopsis and inostamycin from Streptomyces . PI kinase is an enzyme involved in PI turnover pathways . We have isolated 2, 3-dihydroxybenzoic acid from Streptomyces as an inhibitor of PI kinase . These oncogene function inhibitors from microorganisms will be useful for the mechanistic study of oncogene product activities.

Bol Oficina Sanit Panam, 1990 Mar, 108(3), 198 - 212
{Radioactivity and food}; Olszyna-Marzys AE; Two topics relating to radioactivity and food are discussed: food irradiation for preservation purposes, and food contamination from radioactive substances . Food irradiation involves the use of electromagnetic energy (x and gamma rays) emitted by radioactive substances or produced by machine in order to destroy the insects and microorganisms present and prevent germination . The sanitary and economic advantages of treating food in this way are discussed . Numerous studies have confirmed that under strictly controlled conditions no undesirable changes take place in food that has been irradiated nor is radioactivity induced . Reference is made to the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station, which aroused public concern about irradiated food . The events surrounding the accident are reviewed, and its consequences with regard to contamination of different foods with radioactive substances, particularly iodine-131 and cesium-137, are described . Also discussed are the steps that have been taken by different international organizations to set limits on acceptable radioactivity in food.

Derm Beruf Umwelt, 1990 Mar-Apr, 38(2), 42 - 9
{Dermatomycoses as occupational diseases . The causative agents, sources of infection and the involved occupations}; Zienicke H et al.; Fungal diseases of the skin can be occupational dermatoses . This applies in particular to diseases due to microorganisms acquired from animals . A discussion of the relationship between occupation and disease, however, is not only pertinent in regards to dermatophytoses due to zoophilic fungi but also with those due to geophilic and--to a certain extent--even anthropophilic ones . The same is true of candidiasis . The present review deals with the various standpoints concerning the role of occupation in the development of cutaneous mycoses . In addition casuistic evidence for the various types disease, is compiled and discussed.

Vrach Delo, 1990 Mar, (3), 38 - 40
{The significance of L-form mycobacteria in the development of pulmonary tuberculosis}; Snitinskaia OS et al.; It was established by means of bacteriological examination that L-forms of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are isolated in 42% of freshly detected cases with different clinical forms of tuberculosis of the respiratory organs . It was found that the isolated strains of microorganisms induce in guinea pigs a disease against the background of disorders of the general and specific immunological reactivity.

FEMS Microbiol Rev, 1990 Mar, 6(1), 57 - 101
Physiology and genetics of methylotrophic bacteria; de Vries GE et al.; Methylotrophic bacteria comprise a broad range of obligate aerobic microorganisms, which are able to proliferate on (a number of) compounds lacking carbon-carbon bonds . This contribution will essentially be limited to those organisms that are able to utilize methanol and will cover the physiological, biochemical and genetic aspects of this still diverse group of organisms . In recent years much progress has been made in the biochemical and genetic characterization of pathways and the knowledge of specific reactions involved in methanol catabolism . Only a few of the genetic loci hitherto found have been matched by biochemical experiments through the isolation or demonstration of specific gene products . Conversely, several factors have been identified by biochemical means and were shown to be involved in the methanol dehydrogenase reaction or subsequent electron transfer . For the majority of these components, their genetic loci are unknown . A comprehensive treatise on the regulation and molecular mechanism of methanol oxidation is therefore presented, followed by the data that have become available through the use of genetic analysis . The assemblage of methanol dehydrogenase enzyme, the role of pyrrolo-quinoline quinone, the involvement of accessory factors, the evident translocation of all these components to the periplasm and the dedicated link to the electron transport chain are now accepted and well studied phenomena in a few selected facultative methylotrophs . Metabolic regulation of gene expression, efficiency of energy conservation and the question whether universal rules apply to methylotrophs in general, have so far been given less attention . In order to expand these studies to less well known methylotrophic species initial results concerning such area as genetic mapping, the molecular characterization of specific genes and extrachromosomal genetics will also pass in review.

Rev Infect Dis, 1990 Mar-Apr, 12(2), 204 - 22
Virus-induced autoimmunity; Schattner A et al.; Viral infections in humans commonly result in the transient appearance of a variety of autoantibodies and, in some patients, the development of autoimmune tissue injury and disease . The capacity to cause or exacerbate an autoimmune process is common to many viruses, affecting mainly organs injured by the replicating virus, as demonstrated by several animal models . Viral "footprints" can often be found in patients with autoimmune diseases and include high titers of specific antiviral antibodies, identification of viral (retroviral) sequences, and the presence of alpha-interferons in the serum . Several mechanisms that are not mutually exclusive can account for the pathogenesis of virus-induced autoimmunity . Viruses may modify or release sequestered cellular proteins or affect the host's immune system by direct polyclonal activation of B cells, effects on immunoregulatory cells, and release of lymphokines . The appearance of antiviral antibodies may also be deleterious to the host through molecular mimicry, the generation of anti-idiotypic antibodies, or the formation of immune complexes . No single microorganism or mechanism can explain the extremely varied phenomena of autoimmunity, but growing evidence suggests that certain viral infections may lead to clinically manifest autoimmunity in individuals having genetic and possibly other predisposing factors.

J Endod, 1990 Mar, 16(3), 119 - 22
Quantitative analysis of the immunocompetent cells in periapical granuloma: correlation with the histological characteristics of the lesions; Lukic A et al.; Granuloma formation includes an immune response in oral tissues to various microorganisms and their products . The immunocompetent cells of both series (T and B) are present in the periapical lesions . In order to further analyze the relative contribution and pathophysiological significance of the T cell subsets in granuloma formation, we undertook the quantitative analysis of the CD3-positive, CD4-positive, CD8-positive and Ig-positive cells in these lesions by using indirect immunofluorescence . Evidence is provided showing predominance of T cells in diffuse and B cells in focal mononuclear infiltrates . CD8-positive cells were more frequent in diffuse infiltrates and in particular in granulomas with distinct epithelium while CD4-positive cells were more numerous in focal infiltrates . It appears that the presence and ratios of different subsets of immunocompetent cells reflects the pathogenesis of granuloma and transformation to cyst.

Infect Immun, 1990 Mar, 58(3), 779 - 87
Parasitophorous vacuoles of Leishmania amazonensis-infected macrophages maintain an acidic pH; Antoine JC et al.; Leishmania amastigotes are intracellular protozoan parasites of mononuclear phagocytes which reside within parasitophorous vacuoles of phagolysosomal origin . The pH of these compartments was studied with the aim of elucidating strategies used by these microorganisms to evade the microbicidal mechanisms of their host cells . For this purpose, rat bone marrow-derived macrophages were infected with L . amazonensis amastigotes . Intracellular acidic compartments were localized by using the weak base 3-(2,4-dinitroanilino)-3'-amino-N-methyldipropylamine as a probe . This indicator, which can be detected by light microscopy by using immunocytochemical methods, mainly accumulated in perinuclear lysosomes of uninfected cells, whereas in infected cells, it was essentially localized in parasitophorous vacuoles, which thus appeared acidified . Phagolysosomal pH was estimated quantitatively in living cells loaded with the pH-sensitive endocytic tracer fluoresceinated dextran . After a 15- to 20-h exposure, the tracer was mainly detected in perinuclear lysosomes and parasitophorous vacuoles of uninfected and infected macrophages, respectively . Fluorescence intensities were determined from digitized video images of single cells after processing and automatic subtraction of background . We found statistically different mean pH values of 5.17 to 5.48 for lysosomes and 4.74 to 5.26 for parasitophorous vacuoles . As for lysosomes of monensin-treated cells, the pH gradient of parasitophorous vacuoles collapsed after monensin was added . This very likely indicates that these vacuoles maintain an acidic internal pH by an active process . These results show that L . amazonensis amastigotes are acidophilic and opportunistic organisms and suggest that these intracellular parasites have evolved means for survival under these harsh conditions and have acquired plasma membrane components compatible with the environment.

Cancer, 1990 Feb 15, 65(4), 1041 - 7
Typhlitis . An 18-year experience and postmortem review; Katz JA et al.; A review of pediatric autopsy results at the Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine from 1970 through 1987 was conducted . Thirty-three cases of typhlitis were identified in patients with acute leukemia and two cases each in patients with lymphoblastic lymphoma and aplastic anemia . Patients ranged in age from 10 months to 17 years . Fifty-seven percent were male and 43% were female . All were myelosuppressed . A postmortem incidence rate of 24% was determined for patients with acute leukemia . Common symptoms included abdominal pain and distention in 78% of patients and acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding in 35% . Abdominal radiographs varied in spectrum from a nonspecific bowel gas pattern to frank right colonic pneumatosis intestinalis . Thirty-three patients received chemotherapy within 30 days before onset of abdominal symptoms . All patients were febrile (greater than 38.5 degrees C), and 33 received broad-spectrum antibiotics . Three patients received amphotericin B . Premortem, 84% of organisms cultured from blood were bacterial whereas 16% were fungal . Fungal pathogens accounted for 53% of new microorganisms seen at autopsy . Postmortem examination showed typhlitis in the following anatomic distributions: (1) confined to the cecum; (2) involving the cecum and ileum; (3) involving the cecum, ileum, and ascending colon; or (4) involving the cecum, with sporadic ulcers throughout the intestine . This review includes clinical and postmortem features of typhlitis and current strategies for diagnosis and management.

Blood, 1990 Feb 15, 75(4), 984 - 9
Release of iron from phagocytosed Escherichia coli and uptake by neutrophil lactoferrin; Molloy AL et al.; Escherichia coli were labeled with 59Fe and then either treated with myeloperoxidase, H2O2, and chloride or opsonized and mixed with human neutrophils . The myeloperoxidase system at pH 7.4 caused release of most of the bacterial 59Fe . A similar result has been obtained by Rosen and Klebanoff (J Biol Chem 257:13731, 1982) but at pH 5 . Iron release at pH 7.4 did not require the presence of a chelator, and the majority passed through a 10,000 relative molecular mass cut-off ultrafiltration membrane . When iron-poor lactoferrin was present during incubation with myeloperoxidase, 88% of the released 59Fe was precipitated with anti-lactoferrin antiserum, indicating that it was lactoferrin-bound . When the bacteria were mixed with neutrophils in a 10:1 ratio, approximately 50% were phagocytosed . About 40% of the 59Fe was released from the ingested bacteria over a 40-minute period . Initially, most remained associated with the neutrophil phagosomes, but with time, there was gradual transfer of some of the iron to the medium . Using anti-lactoferrin antiserum, 50% to 60% of phagosomal iron and 64% to 71% of iron in the medium was shown to be bound to lactoferrin . Thus, iron is released from phagocytosed E coli . Most becomes bound to lactoferrin, and some of this is released into the surroundings of the neutrophils . This suggests that neutrophil lactoferrin may function to trap iron from ingested microorganisms, enabling its removal from sites of inflammation . This may prevent iron from catalyzing undesirable oxidative reactions, as well as making it unavailable for growth of microorganisms that survive the killing process.

J Leukoc Biol, 1990 Feb, 47(2), 187 - 93
Macrophage-parasite interactions in Leishmania infections; Mauel J; Macrophages have different roles in Leishmania infections . They function as host-cells to the parasite, they present parasite antigens to the immune system, and they also act as effector cells responsible for parasite killing in the healing stages of the infection . Protein and carbohydrate ligands on the parasite surface, which interact with receptors on the macrophage membrane during phagocytosis, have been identified . Survival of Leishmania in its host cell requires a metabolic adaptation to the intracellular environment . The nutritional requirements of the microorganism must be satisfied and the deleterious effect of oxygen metabolites and of lysosomal hydrolases must be adequately counteracted . When a successful immune response develops, macrophages become activated and acquire the capacity to destroy the microorganism . Possible reasons why these mechanisms fail in certain individuals or experimental host-parasite combinations are discussed.

J Leukoc Biol, 1990 Feb, 47(2), 176 - 86
Influenza A virus and the neutrophil: a model of natural immunity; Hartshorn KL et al.; Natural immune reactions are mediated by lymphocytes, macrophages/monocytes, and neutrophils . The latter have been implicated in a variety of self-surveillance models, i.e., activity against malignant host cells, participation in wound repair, and infliction of damage in postischemic perfusion injury . Better characterized are the interactions with unopsonized pathogens through lectinophagocytosis mechanisms, where the lectin resides either on the phagocyte or on the microorganism . This review examines the infection by influenza A virus (IAV) of the human neutrophil, which results in the vigorous metabolic response of the cell to generate toxic oxygen species . This response is not necessarily characteristic of response to unopsonized particles, as the neutrophil exhibits no such activity to unopsonized zymosan or chlamydia . The virus elicits calcium mobilization from intracellular stores through a pertussis toxin-insensitive mechanism, and in its particulars the activation cascade is unique in comparison to any other characterized agonist . The putative receptor for the IAV binding protein, hemagglutinin (HA), contains the sialic acid residues; identification of specifically linked protein receptors will allow characterization of this stimulation pathway and will define the molecular biology of this activation sequence . Insight into this particular pathway may allow definition of a primitive recognition system that represents a fundamental basis for discernment of self and nonself entities.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1990 Feb, 141(2), 471 - 501
Macrophages and polymorphonuclear neutrophils in lung defense and injury; Sibille Y et al.; Phagocytes, in particular macrophages and PMN, are now recognized as major components of inflammatory and immunologic reactions in the lung . Normally, macrophages represent the majority of phagocytes in the lower respiratory tract . These lung macrophages are morphologically and functionally heterogenous and include alveolar, interstitial, intravascular, and airway macrophages, each with characteristic morphologic and functional features . Through the presence of surface receptors for numerous ligands and through their large number of secretory products, lung macrophages can respond to environmental factors and account for most of the clearance of microparticles and microorganisms in the distal airways and the alveolar spaces . In addition, macrophages also play an important role in inflammatory processes through the release of oxygen radicals and proteolytic enzymes . Through the release of several cytokines, i.e., growth-promoting and inhibiting factors, lung macrophages may also influence both matrix damage and repair processes . Macrophages can also contribute to the alveolitis by recruitment of inflammatory and immune cells . This latter contribution is best demonstrated in migration movement of PMN . The normal distal airways generally contain a small number of PMN, but the pulmonary vascular bed represents a large reservoir of PMN . Some of them are in intimate contact with the endothelium, forming the so-called marginating pool of PMN . Because the capillary lumen is separated only from the alveolar space by a monolayer of endothelial and epithelial cells on each side of a thin interstitial matrix, it is likely that some inhibitory mechanism exists to prevent PMN from migrating towards the alveolar space . Such inhibitors of PMN migration are present both in serum and in the alveolar space, some being released by alveolar macrophages . However, alveolar macrophages can also secrete factors called chemotaxins that attract PMN to the airways, and this supports a central role for alveolar macrophages in the regulation of PMN traffic in the lungs . Thus, secretory products of alveolar macrophages are part of the regulatory mechanisms of PMN mobility and adherence that appears to be crucial in the initiation of some inflammatory reactions . The contribution of phagocytes to the defense against infection and tumor has been documented mostly in vitro . Thus, both oxygen radicals, in particular hydroxyl radicals and proteases such as lysozyme, are potent bactericidal agents . That phagocytes are also important defenders of the lungs in vivo is best supported by the observations in immunodeficient patients and animal models.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi, 1990 Feb, 15(2), 95 - 7, 126-7
{Comparison of bacteriostatic ability of oleum of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt., Cinnamomum cassia Presl and Nipagin A}; Zhang Z et al.; A comparison of bacteriostatic ability has been carried out among oleum of Perilla frutescens and Cinnamomum cassia, benzoic acid and nipagin A . The result shows that the inhibiting effect of Perilla frutescens and Cinnamomum cassia on microorganisms inoculated and spontaneously contaminated is similar to or obviously superior to nipagin A and benzoic acid.

J Endod, 1990 Feb, 16(2), 54 - 61
Immunological aspects of chronic inflammation and repair; Trowbridge HO; Macrophages and lymphocytes play essential roles in cell-mediated mechanisms involved in chronic inflammation . During the development of specific immunity, macrophages are required to process and present antigen to immunocompetent T cells . They also serve as "accessory" cells to lymphocytes by releasing soluble factors involved in host defense . In order to carry out their role more effectively, macrophages have the property of being activated, a process that provides them with greater ability to phagocytose and kill ingested microorganisms . Activated T cells serve as key effector cells that are capable of producing lymphokines which modify the behavior of other cells . In this way, they are able to facilitate or suppress an immune response . Chronic inflammation is often associated with irreversible destruction of parenchymal tissue, and fibrous connective tissue fills the resultant defect . Proliferation of fibroblasts, collagen production, and neovascularization are enhanced by the secretion of cytokines by T cells and macrophages.

Pneumologie, 1990 Feb, 44 Suppl 1, 471 - 2
{Value of diagnostic procedures in fiberoptic bronchoscopy of pulmonary infections}; Mainz D et al.; Fibreoptic bronchoscopy has become an important means of diagnosing infections of the lower respiratory tract, since it a method with few complications, whereas, on the other hand, the conventional non-invasive methods are hardly reliable in respect of diagnostic relevance . Frequent oropharyngeal contamination severely limits the significant assessment of the pathogenicity of cultured microorganisms . The protected specimen brush (PSB) or quantitative cultures of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) might be useful in solving this problem . These methods were studied in two prospective trials comprising 123 patients with suspected bronchopulmonary infection and 54 control patients . Both methods were found to be disappointing in respect of sensitivity; moreover, quantitative cultivation did not yield any differences with regard to specificity.

Vet Med (Praha), 1990 Feb, 35(2), 73 - 80
{Immunologic status in cattle naturally infected with the microorganisms Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia psittaci}; Deptula W et al.; In the present paper there is a description of immunological reactions in 12 to 14 months old bullocks, naturally infected by the microorganisms Chlamydia (Ch.) psittaci and Chlamydia trachomatis . In the course of infection by the above-mentioned microorganisms (chlamydia isolated from semen) without any clinical symptoms the activity of leucocytes and polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) in the peripheral blood is variable and the concentrations of serum immunoglobulins (IG) decrease . It has been demonstrated that the infection of bullocks by Ch . trachomatis increases the bacteria absorbing capacity of PMN cells (from 14.2 to 20.1), percent of phagocytic cells in the peripheral blood (from 13.0 to 26.5%) . NBT reduction activity both in a spontaneous test (from 3 to 6) and in a stimulated test (from 8 to 12), and also myeloperoxidase activity (from 0.29 to 0.42) . In these animals there were also recorded decreases (although not statistically significant) in the concentrations of serum IgG1, IgG2, IgA by about 10% and by about 30% in IgM . In Ch . psittaci-infected bulls leucocyte migration in the peripheral blood decreased (from 4.5 to 2.7 mm) . PMN cell adherence (from 50 to 32), lysosome amount (from 0.63 to 0.35 mg per l) also decreased . In these bullocks decreases in the concentrations of serum Ig from 12.2 to 8.2 g per l in IgG1 and from 3.8 to 1.7 g per l in IgM were also proved.

Minerva Stomatol, 1990 Feb, 39(2), 83 - 9
{Ultrastructural morphological study of supragingival tartar}; Lo Storto S et al.; Specimens of old supragingival calculus, collected from 5 patients with periodontitis, were examined electron-microscopically . Both intracellular and extracellular calcification were found . Intracellular calcification began as needle-shaped crystals or minute amorphous deposits within microorganisms . Extracellular calcification originated within the interbacterial matrix.

Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex, 1990 Feb, 47(2), 78 - 83
{Bacterial colonization of the oral cavity in the newborn}; Torres-Alipi BI et al.; To determine the correlation between the bacterial flora of vagina or amniotic fluid of the mother and the oral cavity of the newborn, we made a prospective bacteriologic study in 43 newborns; 18 of them were born by cesarean section and 25 by vaginal delivery . The samples for the study were taken at birth, at 12 and 24 hours of life . In the newborns delivery by cesarean section was not correlation between the microorganism founded in amniotic fluid and neonatal oral cavity . In the neonates obtained by vaginal delivery there was correlation between the microorganisms in the oral cavity and the maternal vaginal flora . The results support the hypothesis that the bacteria colonize the oral cavity at birth comes from the vaginal cavity contamination of the mother.

Optom Vis Sci, 1990 Feb, 67(2), 129 - 32
In-office microwave disinfection of soft contact lenses; Harris MG et al.; We evaluated the effectiveness of an in-office microwave disinfection procedure which allowed for the disinfection of up to 40 soft contact lenses at one time . Ciba AOSept cases filled with sterile unpreserved saline were contaminated with one of six FDA test challenge microorganisms at a concentration of approximately 10(3) colony forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml) . Twenty cases were placed on the rotating plate of a standard 2450 MHz 650 W microwave oven in a 10-cm diameter circle . The cases were exposed to high intensity microwave irradiation for periods of 0 to 15 min . None of the 6 microorganisms evaluated survived 2 min or longer of microwave exposure . Our findings indicated that microwave irradiation can be a convenient, rapid, and effective method of disinfecting a number of soft contact lenses at one time and thus adaptable as an in-office soft contact lens disinfection procedure.

Z Gesamte Hyg, 1990 Feb, 36(2), 83 - 6
{Antisepsis of mucous membranes--current status and aspects of future development}; Heeg P; The mucous membranes colonized by high numbers of microorganisms play a major role as a source of nosocomial infections . According to clinical requirements it seems reasonable to distinguish three modes of application of antiseptics: 1 . single prophylactic (prior to mucosa-penetrating interventions), 2 . repeated periodical (wound care, treatment of oral cavity in intubated patients, decontamination of granulocytopenic patients), 3 . therapeutic (local mucosal infections) including treatment of carriers to prevent transmission and spread of pathogens . Active agents commonly in use are PVP-iodine, cation-active detergents (e.g . chlorhexidine), oxygen-releasing compounds and organic mercury compounds . Presently chlorhexidine and PVP-iodine are the most frequently applied of these antiseptics while the organic mercury compounds are less important because of limited efficacy, toxicological and ecological problems . Preliminary data from investigations using a newly developed antiseptic, octenidine, a bispyridine compound, demonstrate reduction factors comparable to those obtained by PVP-iodine . Yet no standardized test methods for the efficacy of different substances and methods of application have been established.

Laryngorhinootologie, 1990 Feb, 69(2), 84 - 7
{Differential diagnosis of malignant ulcer of the mouth mucosa--the Sutton aphthae (periadenitis mucosa necrotica recurrens)}; Abrams J; Sutton's ulcer is one of the recurrent oral ulcers . It normally occurs on the nonkeratinized oral mucosa and heals by scar formation . The cause is assumed to be an immunologic response to oral epithelium or the antigen of a microorganism . Therapy is unspecific or topical use of antibiotics and cortisone is recommended . The exclusion of a local or systemic malignant disease seems to be the most important feature of a differential diagnosis.

Fertil Steril, 1990 Feb, 53(2), 331 - 6
Male genital mycoplasmas and Chlamydia trachomatis culture: its relationship with accessory gland function, sperm quality, and autoimmunity; Soffer Y et al.; To study the effect of mycoplasmas and Chlamydia trachomatis infection on semen quality, these microorganisms were cultured from the semen and anterior urethra respectively, in a group of 175 infertile men suspected of a silent genital infection with a poor postcoital test . Chlamydia infection, but not mycoplasmas, was parodoxically more frequent in the apparently normal than oligotetratoasthenozoospermia patients . Mycoplasmas male infection, but not chlamydia, was more frequent in cases with female, mechanical, and/or organic infertility factors . Infection was unrelated to the accessory gland evaluation or sperm variables . However, seminal antisperm antibody activity was significantly increased in cases with any positive culture . By this local antibody increase, chlamydia and mycoplasmas may significantly reduce sperm egg penetration ability.

Trends Biochem Sci, 1990 Feb, 15(2), 69 - 72
Turning on the respiratory burst; Baggiolini M et al.; The respiratory burst is a distinguishing property of phagocytes . It is induced by chemotactic stimulation or phagocytosis and reflects the activation of a membrane-bound enzyme system that transfers electrons from cytosolic NADPH to extracellular oxygen, producing superoxide . The products of the burst are essential for the killing of microorganisms, but are also a cause of tissue damage and inflammation . Studies aimed at a better understanding of the regulation of the respiratory burst should help in the search for new ways to treat infections and inflammation.

Z Gesamte Hyg, 1990 Feb, 36(2), 74 - 6
{Thermal sterilization in the revision of the sterilization section of the East German medical reference}; Machmerth R et al.; The G-value estimating sterilization-process is offered and compared with other scales selected from bibliography . Based on the kinetic of destruction of microorganisms the G-value considers every parts of sterilization-processes especially with reference to peak-sterilization . It takes into account the resistance of microorganisms, the safety index and also the influence of germ reducing measures, e.g . cleaning, before the sterilization-processes . Finally a formula is presented to transform G- and F-values each other.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1990 Feb, 55(3), 233 - 6
A simple plate-assay for the screening of L-malic acid producing microorganisms; Peleg Y et al.; A simple plate-assay has been developed to screen microorganisms for L-malic acid production . Acid producing organisms were identified, after microbial colony growth on media containing glucose or fumaric acid as sole carbons sources, by formation of a dark halo of formazan . The halo was observed when the plate was covered with a soft agar overlay containing NAD(+)-malate dehydrogenase, NAD+, phenazine methosulfate (PMS) and 3-{4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl}-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) . The assay developed is simple, specific for L-malic acid and therefore can be used to identify L-malic acid producing filamentous fungi using glucose as carbon source (e.g . Aspergillus strains) . The assay is also applicable for screening bacteria with high fumarase activity, able to convert fumaric acid to L-malic acid.

Immun Infekt, 1990 Feb, 18(1), 3 - 8
{Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infections of newborns}; Schiefer HG et al.; Chlamydia trachomatis and the urogenital mycoplasmas are sexually transmitted microorganisms mutually infecting the sexual partners . Transmission from mother to child occurs in utero or, in particular, perinatally when the delivered child passes through the infected cervix . Diseases of newborns infected by Chlamydia trachomatis are inclusion conjunctivitis or infant chlamydial pneumonia . In very-low-birth-weight infants perinatal infections by urogenital mycoplasmas induce pneumonia, septicemia, and chronic lung disease.

Biotechnol Appl Biochem, 1990 Feb, 12(1), 1 - 10
Measurement of protein biomass by Fourier transform infrared-photoacoustic spectroscopy; Gordon SH et al.; A relatively new analytical technique, Fourier transform infrared-photoacoustic spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS), provides spectra of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms in solid states not suitable for conventional absorption spectroscopy . In this paper the feasibility of quantitative measurement of protein biomass on solid substrates by FTIR-PAS is examined and discussed . By measuring photoacoustic absorption bands from amide groups in the protein of microorganisms, the increase in biomass that occurs during growth was monitored directly and accurately . Incorporation of polyacrylonitrile into the sample as an internal standard was shown to be a convenient method for improving both the reliability and the range of detection by photoacoustic spectroscopy . Results of FTIR-PAS measurements of known quantities of microbial mass in simulated growth experiments suggest that the technique may be especially suitable for assays of microorganisms used in solid-state biosyntheses of drugs, hormones, and other biological agents.

Am J Infect Control, 1990 Feb, 18(1), 1 - 12
Implementing and evaluating a system of generic infection precautions: body substance isolation; Lynch P et al.; Body substance isolation (BSI) is a system of infection precautions intended to reduce nosocomial transmission of infectious agents among patients and to reduce the risk of transmission of hepatitis B virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and other infectious agents to health care personnel . Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Wash., was the first facility in the United States to implement the BSI system . Between 1984 and 1988 a systematic evaluation of the implementation process was conducted and the effects of BSI on appropriate glove use by hospital personnel and on the incidence of nosocomial colonization and infection by sentinel organisms was measured . Results of the evaluation showed (1) significant increments in knowledge of infection control procedures and practices as measured by comparing written examination responses before and after training sessions, (2) significant increases in appropriate glove use as determined by direct observation of hospital employees for 18 months, and (3) significant reductions in nosocomial colonization and infection caused by sentinel microorganisms during the period from 1984 to 1988.

J Periodontol, 1990 Feb, 61(2), 75 - 80
Molecular genetic analysis of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans epidemiology; Zambon JJ et al.; Research over the past decade has identified many of the microorganisms involved in the etiology of human periodontitis such as Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans . Efforts are now directed toward defining these species' role in the pathogenic process . Since microbial colonization of host tissues is a key first step in developing a bacterial infection, determining the source of the periodontal pathogens and their route of transmission is likely to be crucial in formulating preventive strategies . Recently, a technique from molecular biology, restriction endonuclease analysis, has been used to track bacterial infections . In the present study, this method was used to investigate the epidemiology of A . actinomycetemcomitans infection . One hundred twenty-four human subgingival plaque isolates of A . actinomycetemcomitans were examined including bacterial strains from the United States, Korea, and Norway as well as 15 strains from cynomolgus (Macaca fascicularis) and spider monkeys (Macaca iris) and 4 reference strains . The genomic DNA from each strain was purified, digested with each of 16 restriction endonucleases, and the DNA digests were resolved by electrophoresis . The resulting patterns of DNA fragments were compared and also correlated with the A . actinomycetemcomitans serotype determined using serotype-specific antisera in immunofluorescence . Human isolates of A . actinomycetemcomitans even from disparate geographic sources showed little diversity by restriction endonuclease analysis . Three major restriction patterns were found . Restriction pattern I was common to all 20 of the serotype a isolates, restriction pattern II was associated with 58% of the 73 serotype b isolates examined, while restriction pattern III was associated with the remaining serotype b strains and with all 15 of the serotype c strains.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Bacteriol, 1990 Feb, 172(2), 519 - 24
Gene replacement and expression of foreign DNA in mycobacteria; Husson RN et al.; A system that permits molecular genetic manipulation of mycobacteria was developed on the basis of the yeast paradigm of gene replacement by homologous recombination . A shuttle vector that can replicate autonomously at a high copy number in Escherichia coli but must integrate into homologous DNA for survival in Mycobacterium smegmatis was constructed . The vector contains a ColE1 origin of replication, antibiotic resistance markers for ampicillin and kanamycin, a nutritional marker (pyrF) that allows both positive and negative selection in E . coli and M . smegmatis, and unique restriction sites that permit insertion of foreign DNA . Transformation of mycobacteria with this vector results in integration of its DNA into the genomic pyrF locus by either a single or a double homologous recombination event . With this system, the 65-kilodalton Mycobacterium leprae stress protein antigen was inserted into the M . smegmatis genome and expressed . This gene replacement technology, together with a uniquely useful pyrF marker, should be valuable for investigating mycobacterial pathobiology, for the development of candidate mycobacterial vaccine vehicles, and as a model for the development of molecular genetic systems in other pathogenic microorganisms.

Cell Tissue Res, 1990 Feb, 259(2), 397 - 9
The epithelium overlying rabbit bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue does not express the secretory component of immunoglobulin A; Gehrke I et al.; The epithelium associated with lymphoid aggregates in the bronchial tract (BALT) was studied in rabbits by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies against the secretory component (SC) of IgA . The normal bronchus epithelium was intensely labelled . In contrast, epithelium overlying the central parts of the follicles was negative . This specialized epithelium cannot participate in the SC-mediated transport of IgA, which might be a basis for the adherence and transport of microorganisms into the lymphoid tissue, thus initiating immune responses of the BALT.

Z Gesamte Hyg, 1990 Feb, 36(2), 90 - 1
{Survival of microorganisms on surfaces in relation to moisture and temperature and the effect of desiccation of microorganisms on resistance to disinfectants}; Krzywicka H et al.; In laboratory tests with carriers (glass, slab, blanket) at a high rel . humidity (95%) the survival was distinctly reduced by S . aureus at 37 degrees C and by Ps . aeruginosa at 21 degrees C and 37 degrees C . Against this after 24 h storing of contaminated carriers (glass) the resistance to disinfectants was higher at 95% rel . humidity as at 35% rel . humidity.

J Mol Evol, 1990 Feb, 30(2), 140 - 5
Evolution of a protein superfamily: relationships between vertebrate lens crystallins and microorganism dormancy proteins; Wistow G; A search of sequence databases shows that spherulin 3a, an encystment-specific protein of Physarum polycephalum, is probably structurally related to the beta- and gamma-crystallins, vertebrate ocular lens proteins, and to Protein S, a sporulation-specific protein of Myxococcus xanthus . The beta- and gamma-crystallins have two similar domains thought to have arisen by two successive gene duplication and fusion events . Molecular modeling confirms that spherulin 3a has all the characteristics required to adopt the tertiary structure of a single gamma-crystallin domain . The structure of spherulin 3a thus illustrates an earlier stage in the evolution of this protein superfamily . The relationship of beta- and gamma-crystallins to spherulin 3a and Protein S suggests that the lens proteins were derived from an ancestor with a role in stress-response, perhaps a response to osmotic stress.

J Exp Pathol (Oxford), 1990 Feb, 71(1), 69 - 82
Cyclosporin A modulation of the acute inflammatory response: an explanation for the effect of CsA on host defences in infection; Ormrod DJ et al.; Previous studies have shown that the administration of cyclosporin A (CsA) to animals with experimentally induced pyelonephritis resulted in considerable exacerbation of infection . T-lymphocytes are not involved in the host response to pyelonephritis but neutrophils are known to be a key component in the pathogenesis of this infection, so the effect of CsA on this inflammatory component was investigated . CsA administration did not affect the metabolic activity of neutrophils in vitro nor their ability to phagocytose and kill microorganisms . However, the ability of neutrophils to mobilize to a sterile inflammatory focus in vivo was significantly impaired . Further experiments, using models of pyelonephritis and subcutaneous infection, demonstrated that the CsA-induced suppression of neutrophil mobilization was directly related to the observed increase in bacterial numbers and exacerbation of tissue damage . Additionally, the actual effect of CsA on host defences and the outcome of infection was found to be dependent on the level of the initial infectious challenge . The results of this study provide an explanation for the current pattern of infectious disease in patients treated with CsA, in whom infection with extracellular pathogens is still common . It is also clear that the effect of CsA on inflammatory mechanisms may explain the efficacy of the agent in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis . This suggests a wider therapeutic role for CsA than is currently recognized.

Arch Neurol, 1990 Feb, 47(2), 181 - 4
Aspergillus infection of the central nervous system in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Woods GL et al.; Infections of the central nervous system in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome are common . Of the many microorganisms that have been implicated, infection with Aspergillus is rare . We describe three patients with Aspergillus infection of the nervous system . Two patients had cerebral lesions due to Aspergillus flavus, and one patient had Aspergillus fumigatus infection of the spinal cord . Diagnosis of the infections was difficult, and therapy appeared to be ineffective.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1990 Feb, 43(2), 143 - 8
Probestin, a new inhibitor of aminopeptidase M, produced by Streptomyces azureus MH663-2F6 . I . Taxonomy, production, isolation, physico-chemical properties and biological activities; Aoyagi T et al.; Probestin has been isolated as part of a program designed to find microorganism-produced inhibitors of aminopeptidase M from Streptomyces azureus MH663-2F6 . It was purified by use of column chromatography of Amberlite XAD-4, silica gel, YMC-gel, Toyopearl HW-40, YMC D-ODS-5 (HPLC) and then isolated as colorless powders . Probestin is competitive with the substrate, and the inhibition constant (Ki) of it was 1.9 x 10(-8) M.

J Periodontol, 1990 Feb, 61(2), 87 - 94
Histological differences between teeth with adult periodontitis and prepubertal periodontitis; Lopez NJ et al.; Thirty-nine permanent teeth from three siblings aged 11 to 14 years were extracted because of generalized prepubertal periodontitis (PP) and studied histologically with light microscopy . Twenty healthy teeth (HT) removed for orthodontic procedures from 10 children of similar ages and 22 teeth affected by adult periodontitis (AP) extracted from patients over 50 years old were used as controls . The cementum of the PP teeth was much thicker than that of the healthy teeth . A high percentage of resorption, unrelated to inflammation, was found in all the teeth studied . In 24 PP teeth the cementum was infiltrated by microorganisms and bacterial substances . All PP teeth showed a cuticle ranging from 10 to 80 microns in thickness on the diseased cementum . No similar structure was noted on the diseased cementum of the AP teeth . The PP teeth did not show any structural changes which could account for the severity of the periodontal lesions.

Enzyme Microb Technol, 1990 Feb, 12(2), 124 - 6
Effective diffusion coefficient of sucrose in calcium alginate gel; Mehmetoglu U; The effective diffusion coefficient of sucrose in 5% calcium alginate gel containing 41.6 g.d.c . l-1 . Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated . Both free and immobilized S . cerevisiae in 0.175 cm and 0.3 cm diameter particles were used and the reactions were achieved in a medium containing 100 g l-1 sucrose and 0.05 M CaCl2 . With the assumption that the microorganisms did not grow or die in this medium, the results were analyzed according to Michaelis-Menten kinetics and the values of the parameters were determined as: Vm = 0.256 g ml-1 gel h-1, Km0 = 0.097 g ml-1, Km1 = 0.125 g ml-1, and Km2 = 0.165 g ml-1 . Using these values, effectiveness factors were calculated as eta 1 = 0.89 and eta 2 = 0.76, and effective diffusion coefficients for sucrose in calcium alginate gel were determined as De1 = 4.1 X 10(-6) cm2 s-1 and De2 = 4.0 X 10(-6) cm2 s-1, for the particle size involved.

Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 1990 Jan 30, 326(1237), 595 - 608, discussion 608-11
Cold adaptation of microorganisms; Russell NJ; Psychrophilic and psychrotrophic microorganisms are important in global ecology as a large proportion of our planet is cold (below 5 degrees C); they are responsible for the spoilage of chilled food and they also have potential uses in low-temperature biotechnological processes . Psychrophiles and psychrotrophs are both capable of growing at or close to zero, but the optimum and upper temperature limits for growth are lower for psychrophiles compared with psychrotrophs . Psychrophiles are more often isolated from permanently cold habitats, whereas psychrotrophs tend to dominate those environments that undergo thermal fluctuations . The molecular basis of psychrophily is reviewed in terms of biochemical mechanisms . The lower growth temperature limit is fixed by the freezing properties of dilute aqueous solutions inside and outside the cell . In contrast, the ability of psychrophiles and psychrotrophs to grow at low, but not moderate, temperatures depends on adaptive changes in cellular proteins and lipids . Changes in proteins are genotypic, and are related to the properties of enzymes and translation systems, whereas changes in lipids are genotypic or phenotypic and are important in regulating membrane fluidity and permeability . The ability to adapt their solute uptake systems through membrane lipid modulation may distinguish psychrophiles from psychrotrophs . The upper growth temperature limit can result from the inactivation of a single enzyme type or system, including protein synthesis or energy generation.

CLAO J, 1990 Jan-Mar, 16(1 Suppl), S61 - 4
A report card on hydrogen peroxide for contact lens disinfection; Holden B; Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is one of the best disinfectants for contact lenses . Despite the fact that hydrogen peroxide challenges microorganisms of all kinds, issues such as time of exposure, post-neutralization residuals, and lens stability remain . Data indicate that the currently recommended short exposure time (10 to 15 minutes) in inadequate for protection against fungi and Acanthamoeba and that at least 2 hours is necessary . The addition of weekly enzyme for lens cleaning is also essential in decreasing the incidence of contact lens-related conjunctivitis when lenses are not replaced frequently . In studies at the Cornea and Contact Lens Research Unit (CCLRU) of the University of New South Wales, daily wear of "disposable" lenses, mechanical cleaning, an H2O2 system, and lens disposal on a monthly basis resulted in an adverse response rate of almost zero over the first year of use . Residual H2O2 levels are of concern with some systems . Although data indicate that 100 ppm of H2O2 is the threshold for ocular awareness in many individuals, post-neutralization pH at the end of the neutralization cycle plays an important role in the occurrence of residual effects . Lens material composition also may play a role in determining the rate and degree of post-neutralization parameter recovery . These issues underscore the need for continued clinical research of H2O2 to update our understanding of the best methods of use for this valuable disinfection regimen.

Monogr Pathol, 1990, (31), 247 - 85
Gastrointestinal immune system and its disorders; Keren DF; Over the past 15 years the basic details of the mucosal immune response have been described . The challenge of the next decade is to expand these details and to relate this basic information to pathologic processes in the gastrointestinal tract . It is now clear that secretory IgA is the main immunoglobulin produced by the mucosa . Further, we know that oral rather than parenteral priming preferentially stimulates a secretory IgA response . IgA protects mainly by binding to an intraluminal microorganism or toxin and thereby interfering with its absorption across the gut epithelium . The cellular basis for the IgA response has also been elucidated to some degree . It is clear that the response is highly T cell dependent and requires both helper T cells and switch T cells . With the use of monoclonal antibodies, we have begun to learn about cell-mediated functions in the gut . Suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocytes are largely sequestered in the epithelium whereas helper/inducer lymphocytes mainly reside in the lamina propria . In diseases such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease, several alterations in the gastrointestinal immune system have been described . Some, such as the finding of antibody to gliaden, may be causally related to the disease . Others, such as antibodies to luminal bacteria, likely are secondary events . The challenge of the next decade is to expand these details and to relate this basic information to pathologic processes along the gastrointestinal tract.

Obstet Gynecol Surv, 1990 Jan, 45(1), 1 - 6
Reproduction in the space environment: Part I . Animal reproductive studies; Santy PA et al.; Mankind's exploration and colonization of the frontier of space will ultimately depend on men's and women's ability to live, work, and reproduce in the space environment . This paper reviews animal studies, from microorganisms to mammals, done in space or under space-simulated conditions, which identify some of the key areas which might interfere with human reproductive physiology and/or embryonic development . Those space environmental factors which impacted almost all species included: microgravity, artificial gravity, radiation, and closed life support systems . These factors may act independently and in combination to produce their effects . To date, there have been no studies which have looked at the entire process of reproduction in any animal species . This type of investigation will be critical in understanding and preventing the problems which will affect human reproduction . Part II will discuss these problems directly as they relate to human physiology.

J Clin Microbiol, 1990 Jan, 28(1), 32 - 8
Use of a Chinese hamster ovary cell cytotoxicity assay for the rapid diagnosis of pertussis; Halperin SA et al.; A cytotoxicity assay with Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) capable of detecting 750 pg of pertussis toxin was assessed for use as a rapid test for the diagnosis of pertussis and compared with direct immunofluorescence (DFA) . With pure bacterial cultures and simulated clinical specimens, the CHO assay detected as few as two colonies of Bordetella pertussis; no cytotoxicity occurred with other respiratory tract microorganisms . Next, nasopharyngeal aspirate secretions and nasopharyngeal cultures harvested after 72 h of incubation from 57 culture-positive and 201 culture-negative patients were examined . The CHO assay with nasopharyngeal secretions was positive in 25 (45%) of 55 culture-positive cases; DFA was positive in 15 (26%) of 57 cases (P = 0.05) . The CHO assay with 72-h culture washes was positive in 42 (75%) of 57 culture-positive cases (P less than 0.001 compared with DFA) . The CHO assay was more specific than DFA; all five CHO-positive, culture-negative cases were confirmed as true positives by serologic or toxin neutralization assays . In contrast, only 4 (36%) of 11 DFA-positive, culture-negative cases were confirmed as pertussis by serologic methods (P = 0.03) . Combining the CHO assay with culture significantly decreased the delay in laboratory diagnosis of pertussis (3.30 versus 4.54 days; P = 0.01) . The CHO assay is a sensitive and specific assay for the rapid diagnosis of pertussis.

Heart Lung, 1990 Jan, 19(1), 11 - 20
Infection control in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation: traditional approach versus a new development--selective decontamination of the digestive tract; Meijer K et al.; Nosocomial infections are major causes of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients . Traditional infection control practices focus on preventing infection by controlling patient exposure to microorganisms within the patient's environment . We discuss these practices, along with the factors and organisms responsible for nosocomial infection in the patient undergoing mechanical ventilation . Despite traditional infection control measures, nosocomial infection continues to be a major problem . In recent years evidence has accumulated that points to bacterial colonization of the oropharynx and gastrointestinal tract as a major source of infection . A new technique, selective decontamination of the digestive tract, is being studied extensively for its ability to control colonization of the oral cavity and the gastrointestinal tract . In the technique nonabsorbable topical antibiotics are applied to the oropharynx and instilled into the stomach, and a short course of an intravenous cephalosporin is included . The technique appears a worthwhile addition to traditional infection control measures.

Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1990, 590, 485 - 90
Characterization of Coxiella burnetii pyrB; Hoover TA et al.; The C . burnetii pyrB gene was cloned on a 7-kbp EcoR I fragment . DNA sequence analysis, enzyme assays, and amino acid homologies with E . coli and B . subtilis pyrB gene products suggest that (i) C . burnetii ATCase exists as a trimer, (ii) the microorganism may not synthesize a regulatory polypeptide, and (iii) pyrB may be part of an operon whose expression is under the control of an upstream promoter . The high degree of homology of the active site further suggests that a common mechanism of catalysis for ATCase exists between such diverse organisms as C . burnetii, E . coli, and B . subtilis.

Klin Khir, 1990, (3), 10 - 3
{The effect of combined methods of detoxication on the development of inflammatory reactions in severe burns}; Kozinets GP et al.; The development of inflammatory reaction in 106 patients with severe and extremely severe burns in combined use in the complex treatment of extracorporeal hemosorption, enterosorption, applicative sorption by the powdery PMS-Zn sorbent, passive immunotherapy was studied . The modulative effect of the methods of general and local sorptive detoxication on the development of inflammatory reaction of the area of thermal trauma with reduction of damaging effect of proteolytic enzymes and formation of cellular reaction directed at protection from microorganisms and beginning of the proliferative stage of reparative regeneration is shown . Lethality in severe burns was 17.7%, in extremely severe--50.8%.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1990 Jan, (1), 20 - 3
{The use of a molecular DNA probe based on the cloned cytolysin gene for the identification of Legionella}; Tartakovskii IS et al.; A molecular DNA probe has been obtained on the basis of recombinant plasmid pNIG carrying the Legionella cytolysin gene . The use of this probe for the identification of different Legionella species and other microorganisms has shown that it may serve as the species-specific marker of L . pneumophila . The probe has been used for the identification of new Legionella-like strains isolated from the environment.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1990 Jan, (1), 13 - 7
{The life strategy and self-regulation mechanisms of populations of the causative agents of sapronoses (exemplified by Pseudomonas pseudomallei)}; Larionov GM et al.; The strategy of the selection (life) of P . pseudomallei has been defined as C-competitiveness, combining the advantages of the limited (r and K) types of the ecological strategies of microorganisms and ensuring their good capacity of survival in soil biota . The self-regulation mechanisms of P . pseudomallei populations in the environment are determined by the type of their strategy of selection, which also determines the place of this species among other organisms inhabiting the soil . C-competitiveness of P . pseudomallei permits the realization of the self-support of its populations under changing conditions of their habitat, in particular in vivo.

Gematol Transfuziol, 1990 Jan, 35(1), 23 - 5
{Treatment of acquired aplastic anemia in children with Soviet-produced antilymphocyte globulin}; Nikitin DO et al.; Soviet preparation of antilymphocytic globulin "Antilympholin" was used for the treatment of 24 children with acquired aplastic anemia . The preparation contained lymphocytotoxic antibodies and antibodies against the most important opportunistic microorganisms, thus combining the immunosuppressive and protective properties . A single dose of "Antilympholin" was 10-15 mg/kg (10-15 transfusions), the treatment course comprised 150 mg/kg . Infusion of haploidentical bone marrow was conducted in 14 children . Side effects of "Antilympholin" therapy expressed in allergic reactions were recorded in 37.4% of the patients . An early hematologic effect was achieved in 17 children (70.8%) after 1-1.5 months . It was expressed in the elimination of hemotransfusion requirement, and in the improvement of hemoglobin, platelet and neutrophil values . Hemopoietic recovery took place only in those patients who had at least minimum residual hemopoiesis . Late survival (according to Caplan-Meyer) comprised 62.1%, as compared to 30.6% in the control group of patients who received the hormonal therapy . The results of "Antilympholin" application to the treatment of children with acquired aplastic anemia have evidenced its high effectiveness which is comparable with that of foreign preparations of antilymphocytic globulin.

Res Virol, 1990 Jan-Feb, 141(1), 5 - 16
Protective activity of tetracycline analogs against the cytopathic effect of the human immunodeficiency viruses in CEM cells; Lemaitre M et al.; Tetracycline analogs were evaluated for anti-HIV activity in CEM cells; minocycline and doxycycline were the most active of these in inhibiting the virus-induced cytopathic effect between 7 and 14 days post-infection . The active concentrations (0.3-1.5 micrograms/ml) were devoid of toxicity in uninfected cultures . Virus production, however, was not inhibited, indicating a dissociation between protection against cell death and suppression of virus growth . These protected cells could be maintained in culture for 6-7 weeks, even in the absence of the compounds . After that period, virus production ceased and cells could then be cultivated for several months without loss of viability or reappearance of virus production . As HIV stocks produced in the presence of tetracycline analogs were unable to induce cell death, we suggest that the cytopathogenicity of HIV may be due in some cases to the presence of tetracycline-sensitive contaminating microorganisms.

J Periodontol, 1990 Jan, 61(1), 35 - 41
Bacterial penetration of gingiva in the adult beagle dog with periodontitis; Silverstein LH et al.; Invasion of gingival tissues by bacteria is thought to be a major factor in development of periodontal lesions . Morphologic studies have revealed bacteria within the pocket epithelium, gingival connective tissues, alveolar bone, and oral epithelium . The current studies are intended to determine whether they are present in healthy and diseased tissues and to identify the microbial source . Five beagle dogs with naturally occurring periodontitis were fed a soft diet . Two quadrants of the dentition of each dog were cleaned regularly and health maintained while others were allowed to develop further disease . After 4 weeks, samples of gingiva were removed both prior to and after the animals were sacrificed by perfusion fixation attempting not to introduce microorganisms . The identical samples were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy for numbers and location of organisms . Their numbers were greater in diseased than in healthy tissues . Furthermore, the quantity was greater in samples taken prior to perfusion fixation than after such treatment, especially in the oral epithelium . The results suggest that normally there are some microorganisms present within the periodontal tissues and that their numbers are greater in diseased tissues . However, the data also indicated that significant numbers may be introduced into the tissues during sampling of unfixed tissues.

J Parenter Sci Technol, 1990 Jan-Feb, 44(1), 22 - 5
A model for the effect of real leaks on the transport of microorganisms into a vacuum freeze-dryer; Jennings TA; This paper proposes a model for determining the effect that real leaks, whose flow is viscous in nature, could have on the microorganism density in a vacuum freeze-dryer during a drying process . The model considers the entry of microorganisms to result from real leaks stemming from an environment containing a known bioburden . A means for determining the relationship between the rate of pressure rise of the system (ROR) and the density of microorganisms in a system, stemming from an environment of a known bioburden, is examined . The model also considers the change in the bioburden of the dryer with respect to variations in the primary and secondary drying process.

Infection, 1990 Jan-Feb, 18(1), 31 - 2
Legionella longbeachae pneumonia in a patient splenectomized for hairy-cell leukemia; Lang R et al.; A 63-year-old man was admitted to the respiratory intensive care unit for pneumonia . Fifteen years earlier, hairy cell leukemia had been diagnosed and the patient underwent splenectomy . A clinical suspicion of legionellosis, later confirmed by both serology and isolation of the microorganism, prompted initiation of high dose erythromycin intravenously . The patient steadily deteriorated and passed away eight days later . This is the first reported case of hairy cell leukemia in which the diagnosis of Legionella longbeachae sero-group 1 infection was based on both serology and isolation.

Dermatologica, 1990, 180(2), 76 - 8
Prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum in the urethra of men without urethritis in relation to clinical diagnosis; Hackel H et al.; Ureaplasma urealyticum is one of the microorganisms possibly causing nongonococcal urethritis . In a prospective study, 606 men without urethritis presented to an STD clinic in a rural West German region were investigated for the prevalence of U . urealyticum in the urethra . The overall isolation rate of the organism was 21.3% . Analyzing patients grouped by clinical diagnoses, the isolation rate of U . urealyticum was significantly higher in the genital warts group (25%) and in the partner's control group (35%) than in the group of patients suffering from fertility disorder (15.2%) or balanitis (14%) . These findings stress the importance and the difficulty to select the appropriate controls in clinical studies concerning the role of U . urealyticum in the male urethra.

J Steroid Biochem, 1990 Jan, 35(1), 115 - 20
Microbial transformations of steroids--VI . Transformation of testosterone and androstenedione by Botryosphaerica obtusa; Smith KE et al.; The 7 beta progesterone-hydroxylating microorganism Botryosphaerica obtusa was tested for its ability to hydroxylate at this site the C-19 androstene-based compounds, androstenedione (androst-4-ene-3,17-dione) and testosterone (17 beta-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one) . Only very limited 7 beta hydroxylation of both substrates was observed . The products included traces of 7 beta-monohydroxytestosterone and 6 beta,7 beta-dihydroxyandrostenedione from testosterone, and of 6 beta,7 beta-dihydroxyandrostenedione from androstenedione . 6 beta,7 beta-Dihydroxyandrostenedione does not appear to have been reported previously as a microbial transformation product . Both substrates were monohydroxylated in significant amounts at the isomeric 7 alpha site and at the 6 beta site . Testosterone was also significantly monohydroxylated at the 15 alpha site and in minor amounts at the 11 alpha and 12 beta sites . Some monohydroxytestosterones had also been oxidised at their 17-OH group, converting them into the corresponding monohydroxy androstenediones . The 7 alpha-hydroxy metabolites and 15 alpha-hydroxytestosterone being chemically demanding to synthesis are valuable microbial transformation products.

Am J Public Health, 1990 Jan, 80(1), 17 - 21
Effect of disinfectants on pseudomonads colonized on the interior surface of PVC pipes; Anderson RL et al.; We investigated the effect of disinfectants on microbial contamination present on the interior surface of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes filled with 600 ml of water contaminated with Pseudomonas pickettii and P . aeruginosa . After eight weeks, water was removed, and the test pipes exposed to various types of aqueous disinfectants . Disinfectant samples were removed, neutralized, and examined for recovery of microorganisms by membrane filtration . After seven-days exposure, disinfectant solutions were removed and pipes filled with sterile distilled water . Water was examined by membrane filtration at seven-day intervals to determine whether the organisms had survived in the pipes . Colonization of PVC surfaces were examined during each study phase by scanning electron-microscopy (SEM) . P . aeruginosa was isolated directly from iodophor disinfectant, phenolic germicide, and iodophor antiseptic solutions . After addition of sterile water, P . aeruginosa was recovered from PVC pipes previously exposed to chlorine, phenolic, quaternary-ammonium, and iodophor disinfectants; P . pickettii was recovered from water in pipes treated with iodophor disinfectant, chlorine, and ethanol . The existence of glycocalyx-like cellular masses on the interior wall of PVC pipes most likely protected embedded organisms from the microbicidal action of some of the disinfectants tested and served as the reservoir for continuous contamination.

J Okla Dent Assoc, 1990 Fall, 81(2), 30 - 3
Dilemma of denture contamination; Glass RT et al.; Fourteen dentures from patients requiring new dentures were cultured, treated with Clorox/Cascade/H2O solution, Brushgard, Polident, or distilled water and re-cultured . All fourteen dentures were contaminated with multiple microorganisms . The Clorox/Cascade/H2O solution was most effective at decontamination with 71% of the treated dentures showing no growth of microorganisms . Brushgard showed no growth in 57%; Polident showed no growth in 36%; and water showed no growth in 14% . Of note, Brushgard, Polident, and water treated dentures also allowed growth and predominance of other microorganisms that did not predominate on the original culture . The results of this study indicate that there is no product on the market at this time capable of consistently disinfecting the denture depths.

Cancer Immunol Immunother, 1990, 32(3), 201 - 5
The effect of ranitidine on cellular immunity in patients with multiple myeloma; Nielsen HJ et al.; Multiple myeloma is characterized by an increased susceptibility to infections and to other malignancies . In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study the potential impact of immunomodulation by ranitidine was studied in 20 patients with multiple myeloma . Three patients were untreated, while 17 after previous cytotoxic therapy were in a stable phase of their disease . All were without clinical signs of infections and at that time had not been treated with other immunomodulating agents . The patients were randomized to oral ranitidine 300 mg twice a day for 21 days or placebo, and several immunological parameters related to multiple myeloma were studied . The blood monocyte chemotactic response was improved in patients treated with ranitidine, and superoxide anion production increased from 2.02 nmol/min to 3.86 nmol/min (median values), while it was unchanged in patients given placebo (2.19-2.25 nmol/min) (P less than 0.005 between groups) . Among ranitidine-treated patients spontaneous NK cell activity was unchanged, while in vitro interleukin-2- and interferon-alpha-stimulated NK cell activity decreased (P less than 0.03, respectively) . As production of oxygen radicals constitutes an important mechanism of monocyte killing activity against microorganisms and probably against malignant cells, it is suggested that ranitidine may be of beneficial impact in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 1990, 60(3), 245 - 51
Antibiotic-induced vitamin K deficiency and the role of the presence of intestinal flora; Shirakawa H et al.; Cephalosporin antibiotics with N-methyl-thio-tetrazole (NMTT) side chains have been known to be associated with the development of hypoprothrombinemia . However, it has not been fully established whether these symptoms are induced by an inhibition of vitamin K production by intestinal microorganisms or by an inhibitory action of these antibiotics on endogenous vitamin K metabolism . Therefore, an attempt has been made to clarify the above-mentioned ambiguity by using germfree mice in which primary vitamin K deficiency can be established within a short experimental period . Germfree (GF) and conventional (CV) ICR male mice, 8-13 weeks old were used in this experiment . Vitamin K deficient (Def) and menaquinone-4 supplemented diet (MK-4) were fed to the mice in both rearing conditions . In the antibiotic-treated group, sodium latamoxef (LMOX, 300 mg/kg B.W./day) was intraperitoneally administered once a day, and in the control group the same volume of saline (Saline) was administered . Severe vitamin K deficient symptoms were observed in the GF-K-Def-LMOX group, and both prothrombin time (PT) and activated-partial thromboplastin time (APTT) values were prolonged on the 8th day of the experimental period compared with the GF-K-Def-Saline group . Furthermore the mortality rate of GF-K-Def-LMOX group was comparatively higher than that of the Saline group . This study has provided evidence that vitamin K deficiency is amplified by an administration of LMOX even in the absence of intestinal flora.

Vestn Akad Med Nauk SSSR, 1990, (9), 61 - 4
{Suppurative-inflammatory diseases in newborn infants}; Samsygina GA et al.; Changes in the etiological patterns of suppurative-inflammatory diseases of neonates during 1978-1988 were analysed . Basic trends in the etiological structure changes, growing numbers of individual microorganism families or species, and changes in the clinical manifestations corresponding to the etiology variation were demonstrated . Preventive antibiotic therapy administered to neonates in the maternity hospital is proved ineffective, and its deleterious effect on the postnatal microbial colonization is shown.

Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1990, 179(4), 205 - 14
Phosphorylcholine antibodies in pulmonary infection; Nishinarita S et al.; Phosphorylcholine (PC) antibodies in serum from patients with pulmonary infection, and from normal individuals, were studied . Anti-PC antibodies were detectable in the serum from normal individuals at mean concentrations of 320 micrograms/ml for the IgG class and 110 micrograms/ml for the IgM class . Concentrations of anti-PC antibodies which were higher than normal for both the IgG and IgM classes were observed in the serum in pulmonary infection (1,440 micrograms/ml and 210 micrograms/ml, respectively) . Despite the significant difference in the concentration of anti-PC antibodies, the PC-specific B cell precursor frequency in the peripheral blood lymphocytes showed no difference between normal individuals and the patients with pulmonary infection, or between the acute phase and the chronic phase in a single patient with chronic pulmonary infection . Serologically, the purified IgG anti-PC antibody did not share the cross-reactive idiotype of TEPC 15, which is the most common idiotype of the murine anti-PC antibodies . However, the purified IgM anti-PC antibody expressed a very weak cross-reactive idiotype of TEPC 15 . It appears from these studies that human anti-PC antibodies may play an important biological role in pulmonary infection by microorganisms which possess a PC determinant.

Biorheology, 1990, 27(3-4), 419 - 24
Consequences of neutrophil adhesion to physiological and pathological targets; Hakim J; The ability of neutrophils to adhere in a coordinated and reversible manner to the endothelium and other tissular components is crucial to their chemoattractant-induced locomotion towards relevant targets . Opsonins play a major role in the killing effect of neutrophils by inducing close adherence between the neutrophil and the target, thus maximizing the effect of the reactive oxygen species released by the stimulated neutrophils . Reactive oxygen species are released together with degradative enzymes and other killing proteins associated with neutrophil degranulation . This targeted neutrophil activity kills invading microorganisms but, in a similar way, may be harmful to organs, cells and molecules that have been altered in some way or are involved in immune reactions . In some other pathological situations where body fluids contain proinflammatory agents, neutrophils may behave in a nontargeted and inappropriate manner . In such cases, adherence is often increased, thus slowing locomotion . Moreover, inflammatory agents often prime neutrophils for the oxidative burst induced by chemoattractants or other stimuli . The combined slow locomotion and hypersensitivity of primed neutrophils leads to a premature release of killing substances which may affect blood components, vascular cells, connective tissue or whole organs . Any disturbance of neutrophil adherence is thus potentially harmful and must be recognized and suitably treated.

Ann Ist Super Sanita, 1990, 26(2), 161 - 6
Kinetics of excretion in milk of some antimastitis drugs; Aureli P et al.; A study on the kinetics of excretion in milk of some antimastitis drugs is described . The five antibiotic molecules used were detected by confronting two methods: the Galesloot-Hassing method which, even though specific for the detection of penicillin in milk, is officially used for the detection of antibiotic residues in general; and the M . luteus paper disk assay, which uses M . luteus ATCC 9341 as test microorganism . The obtained results show that withdrawal times for the assayed molecules are longer than those declared and that M . luteus is more efficient for the detection of kanamycin residues.

Ann Med Interne (Paris), 1990, 141(5), 464 - 7
{Intestinal spirochetosis in homosexuals infected with HIV . 3 cases}; Lafeuillade A et al.; We report 3 cases of intestinal spirochetosis in homosexuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (2 group III and 1 group IV C1, according to the Centers for Disease Control classification) presenting with moderate, chronic diarrhea . The diagnosis was made based on the histological examination of colorectal biopsies showing a layer of spirochetes carpeting the epithelium . Electron microscopy evaluation and culturing of the microorganism provided information on the bacterium's morphology . Metronidazole effectively treated the diarrhea . Intestinal spirochetes, whose existence has been recognized for more than a century, constitute a heterogeneous group of bacteria whose pathogenic role in man remains controversial . The systemic search for these organisms in a large series of patients would help to situate their place among the various etiologies of infectious diarrhea in immunodepressed subjects.

Arch Exp Veterinarmed, 1990, 44(3), 481 - 8
{The use of 60Co-gamma ray-sterilized calf serum in cell culture}; Bender E et al.; The use of 60Co-gamma-radiation-sterilised calf sera in cell culturing is reported in this paper . Evidence was produced to the effect that 60Co-gamma-irradiation, using a dosage of 3 kGy and a dose rate of 8 kGy/h, of fetal calf serum, neonatal calf serum, and calf serum did not substantially alter the growth-stimulating properties of those sera during 42-day tests . With almost all cell lines and sera used, for all practical purposes, they were identical with the properties of control sera . The following cell lines were used in the experimental programme: one human mammary tumor, MaTu, one human embryonic cell line--E VI, one bat lung cell line--Tb1-Lu, and one human rhabdomyosarcoma--A 204 . Growth stimulation was twelve percent below the control value only with Tb1-Lu on Eagle-MEM culturing medium with 3-kGy-irradiation of neonatal calf serum . On the other hand, cell growth was stimulated by 28 percent in A 204 on RPMI 1640 culturing medium, again with 3-kGy-irradiation of neonatal calf serum . Loss of activity by up to 30 percent, depending on the serum used, must be expected from irradiation doses of 10 kGy and 20 kGy which are capable of causing drastic reduction or even complete elimination of serum-borne microorganisms (Bender et al., 1989) . Sera irradiated that way would be only conditionally applicable, when it comes to highly vulnerable cell strains.

Recenti Prog Med, 1990 Jan, 81(1), 23 - 8
{The new aspect of pneumonia in an area of the Middle Adriatic}; Morini A et al.; The present work reports the findings of a ten-year, research, the aim of which is to outline current views of pneumonia in a zone of the Middle Adriatic (USL 17-Regione Marche) . The study confirmed, in its entirety, a lesser aggressiveness and loss of the "seasonal feature" of today's pneumonias . The high incidence of Atypical Pneumonia (AP) due to viral-like microorganisms (mycoplasma, chlamydia, coxiella, legionella) and an even higher one of unknown etiology is reported . After having analysed the most likely reasons for such a change and its various implications, the authors conclude that this type of research should be extended in order to trace a map of the more common infectious agents in single geographical zones, as an indispensable premise for a more concrete etiological diagnosis and for a more rational choice of the antibiotic.

Cancer Detect Prev, 1990, 14(4), 437 - 44
Viral oncogenesis and the immune system; Rapp F et al.; Oncogenic transformation of normal cells and the establishment of transformed cells to form malignant tumors is a complex, multistep process influenced by viruses in multiple ways . The relationship between viruses and the immune system manifests itself, in part, through various roles of viruses in transformation of host cells, including cells of the immune system . A large number of viruses participate in oncogenic transformation of cells in many animal species . Candidates for oncogenic transformation in man are human T lymphotropic viruses I and II, certain human papillomavirus types, hepatitis B virus, and Epstein-Barr virus . Various mechanisms, which may overlap with one another, have been proposed to account for viral oncogenesis . These include introduction of a directly transforming viral gene, retroviral transduction of protooncogenes, mutagenesis, uncoupling of cellular protooncogene expression from normal regulatory controls, overexpression of normal cellular genes resulting from effects of viral cis- or trans-acting factors, and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes . A second critical area of interaction between viruses and the immune system is in the selection of transformed cells . When cell transformation is accompanied by expression of tumor antigens, the immune system may influence tumor cell establishment and selection of transformed cells for metastatic outgrowth . Finally, host well-being may be severely compromised when viruses infect cells of the immune system, leading to an inability to mount immunological responses specific for opportunistic microorganisms and for cells transformed by viruses or nonviral agents . Human immunodeficiency virus infection exemplifies this phenomenon, although other viruses also negatively affect the immune system . The role of normal immune responses in limiting tumor cell growth is evident from the increased incidence of malignancies in immunocompromised hosts.

Biol Neonate, 1990, 58(2), 73 - 8
Implantation and in vivo antagonistic effects of antibiotic-susceptible Escherichia coli strains administered to premature newborns; Rastegar Lari A et al.; Two antibiotic-susceptible and non-pathogenic Escherichia coli strains were administered to hospitalized premature infants in order to protect them from intestinal colonization by hospital-acquired antibiotic-resistant enteric organisms (EOs) . Three groups of 16 premature newborns received respectively strain ECA, strain EMO and both strains simultaneously . A fourth group was used as a control . Resistant EOs became spontaneously established in the digestive tract of a majority of the unadministered children . Both ECA and EMO were able to colonize the digestive tract of a majority of the subjects, and reached high population numbers (greater than 10(7)/g) in the faeces . Both strains appeared as able to reduce significantly the establishment of antibiotic-resistant EOs . This effect was more prominent with EMO, which also impaired the implantation of ECA when both strains had been administered simultaneously . The use of such innocuous microorganisms could thus constitute an additional means of preventing nosocomial infections of intestinal origin.

Anaesthesiol Reanim, 1990, 15(4), 205 - 11
{Equipment for respiratory gas conditioning under hygienic conditions}; Soltau U et al.; The significance of respiratory gas conditioning systems as sources of germ colonization and infection of the respiratory tract results from the principle of operation and the temperature . Six respiratory air humidifiers were tested for their hygienic risk in experiments with test germs . Contrary to several reports, some humidifiers were shown to accumulate microorganisms, whereas others do not promote germ population in the respiratory tract even though the water of the humidifier is heavily contaminated . It could be confirmed that basic differences exist between "blow over" and "blow through" humidifiers in the accumulation of microorganisms in respiratory air . Moreover, our investigations revealed that even "blow over" humidifiers should not be considered completely harmless . The "blow over" apparatuses Hydrotrop 200, Aquapor and VH 620 (infant) did not cause any germ propagation in the resuscitation tubes, whereas in the "blow through" apparatuses Bennett Cascade and VH 620 (adult) germ propagation is quite considerable . The mortality kinetics of the germs differ depending on the temperature and the type of apparatus used and should be taken into account when it comes to choosing or developing respiratory gas conditioning devices . Constant heating of the water in the humidifier to a minimum of 50 degrees C provokes a bactericide behaviour of the problem germs . Therefore, it is quite justifiable to do without expensive internationally recommended measures if the humidifier is well chosen . The requirement to replace the humidifier every 24 hours in long-term artificial respiration need not be observed for devices classified as harmless if aseptic handling is guaranteed, i.e . if manual germ transmission by the staff is avoided.

Am J Ind Med, 1990, 18(3), 273 - 8
Practical aspects of sampling for organic dusts and microorganisms; Morey PR; Air sampling for organic dusts and microorganisms was carried out in silos when moldy silage was discarded through the discharge chute . Concentrations of respirable dust and airborne viable microorganisms exceeded 20 mg/m3 and 1 x 10(9)/m3, respectively, when dry silage was removed from silos . Much lower concentrations of dust and microorganisms were present when wet silage was discarded . Impinger and filter cassette samplers were equally effective in collecting the hardy spores present in silage dusts.

Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis, 1990, 13(2), 85 - 94
Immunomodulatory properties of a strain of Mycobacterium chelonae--II . Qualitative and quantitative stimulation of mouse splenocytes by Mycobacterium chelonae; Neway T et al.; Intraperitoneal {i.p.} and subcutaneous {s.c.} administration to BALB/C mice with a single dose of 5 mg/kg body weight (wet weight) of live Mycobacterium chelonae (Mch) augmented splenocyte blastogenesis . Similar increases in splenocyte blastogenesis manifested during a single oral administration to mice with 100 mg/kg body weight (wet weight) of this Mycobacterium . When splenocytes issued from these mice are activated by mitogens, a highly significant enhancement of lymphoblastic transformation was observed . On the other hand, multiple oral administrations with 50 mg/kg body weight (wet weight) to Mch/dose did not manifest statistically significant differences in splenocyte blastogenesis as compared to controls . Meanwhile, a highly increased transformation of splenocytes, issued from such mice, is observed in response to lectins and to the mitogenic effect of this microorganism . Splenocyte counts have shown 44.5, 37.6, and 23.2% increases in response to i.p., s.c . and multiple oral administration of this bacterium, respectively, as compared to solvent controls . Repeated s.c . administration of this mycobacterium manifested short lived and weak syndromes of anaphylactic shock during and immediately after the second inoculation of Mch . This phenomenon is not observed during repeated intraperitoneal and oral administrations . In conclusion, parenteral (i.p . and s.c.) and oral administration of Mch stimulates the immune system of mice . This effect is characterised by increased in vivo cell multiplication and by enhanced ex vivo DNA synthesis of murine splenocytes . The need of further studies is eminent to elucidate classes of immunocompetent cells involved in this phenomenon.

Free Radic Biol Med, 1990, 8(4), 387 - 91
Effects of paraquat on cultures of Escherichia coli: turbidity versus enumeration; Minakami H et al.; The dioxygen-dependent toxicity of paraquat has been studied both in terms of its effects on growth, monitored as increases in turbidity, and on viability, measured by plating and counting of colonies . In the absence of paraquat, turbidity and enumeration increased in parallel . However, in the presence of paraquat, turbidity increased for several hours even while enumeration indicated a marked decrease in viability . The basis for this apparent discrepancy is continued increase in size of individual cells, which have stopped dividing and are losing viability under the influence of paraquat . It can evidently be misleading to study the effects of paraquat on microorganisms in terms of changes in turbidity.

Quintessence Int, 1990 Jan, 21(1), 47 - 51
Evaluation of a dental unit designed to prevent retraction of oral fluids; Crawford JJ et al.; Most older units that drive high-speed dental handpieces include a retraction device designed to prevent dripping of fluids from the water-spray line after the unit has been turned off . Oral fluids and debris may be drawn, along with water, into the water line . Bacteria and debris, unless deliberately flushed out of the water line, may be transmitted to the next patient . Most new units now have mechanisms to prevent retraction . A new dental control unit, designed to eliminate mechanical aspiration of oral fluids, was tested . A kit to test the level of retraction in the water-spray line was also examined . The new unit was found to be effective in protecting the unit water from contamination by oral microorganisms, thereby protecting patients from cross-contamination . However, the control of retraction did not prevent the colonization of the water line by aquatic bacteria . Both internal and external sources of microorganisms must be controlled.

Arch Exp Veterinarmed, 1990, 44(1), 103 - 16
{Model of bacteriologic effectiveness testing of disinfectants for veterinary medicine}; Kleiner U et al.; Proper evaluation of effectiveness of chemical disinfectants depends on availability of a standardised test methodology which can provide reproducible values . The binding rules and regulations for testing and acceptance under the heading of "Methods for Testing Chemical Disinfectants for Veterinary Medicine" (team of authors, 1987) have resulted from years of experimental research in the field of disinfectant development . They include a model for bacteriological laboratory testing which is described in this paper, with complementary reference being made to experimental planning and appraisal of disinfection success . An account is given of preparatory testing, using agar diffusion and serial dilution tests, and of main testing, using suspension and microorganism carrier tests . The RF% microorganism reduction rate is introduced for appraisal of disinfection success . With differentiated initial germ counts, the comparability of experimental results provided by RF% has proved to be superior to that obtainable from conventional calculation.

NCI Monogr, 1990, (9), 21 - 6
Oral complications of cancer therapies . Infectious and noninfectious systemic consequences; Wingard JR; Oral complications of cancer therapy often have systemic consequences . Pain and discomfort are common and can lower intake of fluid and nutrients, which in severe cases can lead to dehydration and malnutrition, requiring hospitalization . Oral infections are frequent accompaniments of cancer treatment . Herpes simplex virus is the most common symptomatic oral viral infection, and, in latently infected patients the virus is frequently reactivated after cytoreductive therapy . Viral (infectious) oral mucositis is often indistinguishable from noninfectious mucositis . Bacterial infections are less commonly observed today, perhaps because of the routine use of empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics; however, many episodes of septicemia in neutropenic patients apparently originate from oral microorganisms . Fungal infections are frequent and are usually due to Candida species . Spread to the esophagus or systemic dissemination can occur . Noninfectious oral mucositis can be used as a marker of toxic effects in other organs, especially hepatic veno-occlusive disease . In bone marrow transplant patients with mucositis, hepatic veno-occlusive disease is six times more frequent than in such patients without mucositis.

Minerva Pediatr, 1990 Jan-Feb, 42(1-2), 29 - 34
{Usefulness of an amoxicillin/clavulanic-acid combination in respiratory tract infection: bacterial resistance and antibiotic therapy}; Caramia M et al.; The continual use of antibiotics and the defence works of microorganisms have induced less activity of many antibiotics once particularly effective for their excellent therapeutic index . The association of clavulanic acid with amoxicillin, the latter a long time used for its excellent therapeutic index particularly in respiratory tract infections, has restored and some ways potentiated the once activity of the latter.

Rev Neurol (Paris), 1990, 146(3), 179 - 83
{Neurologic involvement in malignant mid-face granuloma}; Cabane J et al.; We report 4 cases with neurological disorders due to lethal centrofacial granulomas of unknown origin, and we review the relevant literature . This puzzling disease is characterized by a relentless ulceration of the nose progressing toward the base of the skull, and frequently involving the cranial nerves, the meninges and later the central nervous system . The main clinical point in such situations is to ascertain that no microorganism, no cancer, no specific disease is responsible for the centrofacial lesions, since the microscopic findings may be non-specific . When the entire work-up to exclude all differential diagnoses is completed, the clinician has to deal with lethal centrofacial granuloma . This seems to be a heterogeneous disease, in most of the cases close to malignant T lymphomas . Management is based on radiotherapy, chemotherapy and renutrition with treatment of frequent infectious complications . The prognosis is poor.

Prog Clin Biol Res, 1990, 332, 81 - 97
Production of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 by hematopoietic cells; Reichel H et al.; Perhaps, 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 plays a role as a co-factor in the communication between lymphocytes and macrophages . A schematic representation of that proposed interaction is shown in Figure 2 . (Formula: see text) . For example, macrophages encounter bacteria, stimulating these cells to begin chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and killing of the microorganisms . In addition, the cells produce interleukin-1 . Both interleukin-1 and bacterial antigens in the context of the Ia antigens of the macrophages activate T lymphocytes . The T lymphocytes begin to synthesize lymphokines which can further activate macrophages . Macrophages stimulated by IFN-gamma eventually synthesize 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 . Activated lymphocyte express receptors for 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3; and their lymphokine production will decrease in the presence of 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3.

Mycopathologia, 1990 Jan, 109(1), 1 - 9
Modifications of the immune response induced by Histoplasma capsulatum products; Ruiz BH et al.; To understand the host-parasite relationship in histoplasmosis, mice were inoculated with histoplasmin (HP), the filtrate of aged cultures of Histoplasma capsulatum, and the immune response of these mice towards sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and to trinitrophenyl hapten was studied . The filtrate abrogated completely the primary antibody response to both antigens as measured by the number of spleen hemolytic plaque forming cells when HP was administered at doses greater than 200 micrograms two days before the antigen . Suppression was elicited by HP when it was injected either intravenously, intraperitoneally, or subcutaneously . Inoculation with HP and antigen on the same day did not result in suppression . The secondary antibody response was not modified at any dose . Variation of the response with time was determined by counting the number of rosette forming cells (RFC) to SRBC every two days for a total of 21 days . Antibody-mediated RFC ('B' rosettes) were depressed throughout the experiment, while the number of non 'B', presumably T, RFC did not vary from control values . In animals inoculated with HP alone, high number of RFC were detected on day 11 after HP inoculation, suggesting that HP may have polyclonal activation effects . These results support the possibility that H . capsulatum evades the immune defenses by induction of a suppressive phenomenon in which the afferent limb of the immune response is not involved . This effect appeared to be induced directly by a product of the fungus, instead of by factors generated during the immune response to this microorganism.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1990, 22(1), 117 - 8
Comparison of Oxoid Signal and biphasic blood culture systems in clinical practice; Malmborg AS et al.; The 1-bottle Oxoid Signal blood culture system was compared with a biphasic 2-bottle system in a clinical trial . A total of 851 routine blood samples were processed in the study which was run as a multicenter study at 4 university hospitals . Microorganisms were isolated from 104 (12.2%) blood cultures by one or both methods . 75 (72%) were clinically significant isolates, 61 of them were recovered in both systems, 9 in Oxoid Signal only and 5 in the biphasic system only . 29 isolates (28%) were judged as contaminants, 6 of them were found in both systems, 18 in Oxoid Signal only and 5 in the biphasic system only . The Oxoid Signal System had many advantages although it sometimes gave false positive signals in the device . The growth of pathogens was equally good, 93% versus 88% positive cultures.

Yeast, 1990 Jan-Feb, 6(1), 31 - 4
Detection of specific RNA sequences in yeast by in situ colony hybridization; Ivanov I et al.; Recently a convenient method for detection of specific RNA sequences in bacteria has been developed but the original protocol was inapplicable to microorganisms with a rigid cell wall . Here we report a modification of the RNA colony hybridization for use with yeast . The modified method includes the following consecutive procedures: a) treatment of the yeast colonies on the membrane filter with 10% SDS at 65% C for 30 min; b) treatment of the same filter with 3 x SSC, 10% formaldehyde at 65 degrees C for 30 min; c) hybridization with 32P-labelled oligonucleotide (or DNA) specific for the RNA sequence of interest . The intensity of the radioactive signals thus obtained is comparable with that of the E . coli colonies.

Crit Rev Biotechnol, 1990, 9(4), 305 - 19
Ethanol tolerance in bacteria; Ingram LO; The adverse effects of ethanol on bacterial growth, viability, and metabolism are caused primarily by ethanol-induced leakage of the plasma membrane . This increase in membrane leakage is consistent with known biophysical properties of membranes and ethanolic solutions . The primary actions of ethanol result from colligative effects of the high molar concentrations rather than from specific interactions with receptors . The ethanol tolerance of growth in different microorganisms appears to result in large part from adaptive and evolutionary changes in cell membrane composition . Different cellular activities vary in their tolerance to ethanol . Therefore, it is essential that the aspect of cellular function under study be specifically defined and that comparisons of ethanol tolerance among systems share this common definition . Growth is typically one of the most sensitive cellular activities to inhibition by ethanol, followed by survival, or loss of reproductive ability . Glycolysis is the most resistant of these three activities . Since glycolysis is an exergonic process, a cell need not be able to grow or remain viable for glycolysis to occur.

Viral Immunol, 1990 Fall, 3(3), 173 - 94
Role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in infection by retroviruses with emphasis on the human immunodeficiency virus; Mertins SD et al.; Neutrophil function is an integral part of the host defense against multiple pathogens . Through phagocytosis and production of toxic substances, these short lived cells aid in the effective elimination of invading microorganisms such as bacterial and fungal targets . Viral infections, and in particular those of the retroviral type, appear to suppress the immune response through direct cytotoxic destruction of immune cells or alteration of the biochemical interactions that are essential for eradicating the foreign agent . In this report, we describe abnormalities of neutrophil number and function consequent to HIV and other retroviral infections . A myriad of mechanisms, either alone or in concert may explain the underlying aberrations.

Biotherapy, 1990, 2(1), 63 - 8
Superoxide scavenging activity of BG-104 before and after sonication--determined by ESR spin trapping method; Pronai L et al.; BG-104 is a compound of Chinese herbs which were treated with infrared ray-heating and brewed with microorganisms resulting in activation of actual principles contained in the herbs, and its effectiveness has been reported on various inflammatory disorders such as Behcet's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, bacterial infections and so on . In addition, it is noted as an effective agent to retard cancer progress . This report shows a superoxide scavenging activity of BG-104 using an ESR spin trapping method . For the measurement of superoxide scavenging activity, recombinant human superoxide dismutase is used as a standard . Superoxide scavenging activity of BG-104 increases in a dose-dependent manner and activity is significantly augmented by its sonication.

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1990 Jan-Feb, 84(1), 160 - 1
Acute respiratory infections in ambulatory malnourished children: a serological study; Christie CD et al.; We studied the aetiological agents of acute respiratory infections occurring in an ambulatory population of 83 malnourished Jamaican-born children aged 6 to 32 months using serological methods for diagnosis . In 60% (38/63) of symptomatic children and in 25% (5/20) of those without reported disease the following microorganisms were observed: parainfluenza viruses in 15 children, influenza viruses in 12, adenovirus in 10, respiratory syncitial virus in 7 and Mycoplasma pneumoniae in 7 children . The prevalence of the viral infections apparently increased with the severity of malnutrition.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1990 Jan, 43(1), 43 - 8
Metabolic products of microorganisms . 255 . Nikkomycins Wz and Wx, new chitin synthetase inhibitors from Streptomyces tendae; Decker H et al.; Two new dipeptidyl nikkomycins of the Z and X type were isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces tendae TU 901/395-11/32 and characterized . They show a variation in the amino acid moiety of the molecule . Nikkomycin Wz is composed of L-tyrosine and 5-amino-5-deoxy-D-allo-furanuronic acid N-glycosidally bound to uracil, whereas nikkomycin Wx is composed of L-tyrosine and 5-amino-5-deoxy-D-allo-furanuronic acid N-glycosidally bound to 4-formyl-4-imidazolin-2-one . The new nikkomycins are good inhibitors of chitin synthetase from Coprinus cinereus but they did not inhibit growth of fungi and yeasts.

Arch Invest Med (Mex), 1990, 21 Suppl 1, 115 - 8
{Trans-membrane potential in Entamoeba}; Noriega-Martinez M et al.; The membrane potential in Entamoeba is an important driving force for the uptake of substrates . In Entamoeba invadens PZ a membrane potential of -36 mV was obtained when Nernst equation was applied to the distribution at equilibrium of 86Rb+ in the presence of valinomycin . This could explain the levels of accumulation of up to 4 times found for positively charged substrates . Membrane potential was diminished by depolarizing conditions (high external K+ concentration in the presence of valinomycin) . Moreover, we recorded continuously the membrane potential of Entamoeba invadens PZ and Entamoeba histolytica HM1 using the fluorescent lipophilic cation diisopropylthiodicarbocyanine . It was found that the uptake of this cation by the amoebae was fast in both species, conditions that modify the membrane potential (hyperpolarization and depolarization) produced changes in the fluorescence of the dye in agreement with its reported capability to detect variations in membrane potential . It can be concluded that these microorganisms have a membrane potential negative inside them.

Biomed Sci, 1990, 1(5), 494 - 8
Action of Legionella cytolysin on components of the phosphokinase system of eukaryotic cells; Belyi YuF; Endogenous phosphorylation of specific proteins in eukaryotic cells is one of the main mechanisms controlling intracellular metabolic processes . It is proposed that microorganisms multiplying intracellularly possess ways of changing cellular metabolism to benefit their survival . The detection and partial purification of a phosphokinase system in pulmonary cells with acceptor proteins of molecular masses 150 and 55 kDa is reported . It is also shown that the bacterium Legionella pneumophila, a facultative intracellular parasite, secretes a toxic protein, cytolysin, that cleaves the 55 kDa component to produce a 45 kDa protein and probably hydrolyzes the 150 kDa component completely . Thus far, the significance of cytolysin in the pathogenesis of legionellosis has been restricted to its direct necrotic action . This product may, however, also act as a regulator of metabolic processes in the host cells by influencing their protein kinase activity . The findings reported may aid our understanding of mechanisms of intracellular parasitism and the survival strategy of pathogenic bacteria.

Sb Ved Pr Lek Fak Karlovy Univerzity Hradci Kralove Suppl, 1990, 33(4), 387 - 95
{Variation in manifestations of bronchopulmonary aspergillosis}; Rozanek P et al.; Five cases of bronchopulmonary aspergillosis are scrutinized which showed no unambiguous account for any of 6 forms of the disease as described previously . Clinical signs, roentgenograms and bronchoscopy findings testified about the interaction between the aspergillus and the host being in accord with either the aspergilloma or chronical necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis . Authors preclude the invasive symptomatology represents a developmental and likely initial phase in aspergilloma's onset . Apart from the disease progression, markedly extinctive signs of aspergilloma's activity have in contrast been detected after a period of its duration . In this case, the important signs are associated rather with the occurrence of other microorganisms whose participation was proved in 3 from 5 patients . Authors suggest also the immune status of those affected and the process invasiveness should be taken in mind in providing etiotropic treatment with the impact on the spectrum of microorganisms detected.

Reg Immunol, 1990-91, 3(4), 193 - 7
The role of lactoferrin in the nonspecific immune response on the ocular surface; Kijlstra A; Lactoferrin is an iron binding glycoprotein which is abundantly present in human tear fluid . It is also present in other secretions and in the specific granules of the polymorphonuclear leucocyte . The main biological properties of lactoferrin can be ascribed to its very strong binding of iron cations . Receptors for lactoferrin have been found in the intestinal brush border, suggesting that it may play a role in iron absorption from the gut . Macrophages also have a receptor for lactoferrin, which are possibly involved in the transfer of iron to ferritin . More important may be the fact that deprivation of iron from the gut or from the ocular surface limits the availability of iron to microorganisms and thus exerts firm control of the bacterial flora at these sites . Sequestration of iron by this protein can also inhibit the iron catalyzed production of hydroxyl radicals thereby protecting mucosal surfaces from oxydative damage . Lactoferrin has furthermore been shown to play a role in myelopoiesis, primary antibody response, lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine production, ADCC, NK cell activity, and regulation of complement activation . The observations described above indicate that lactoferrin, besides control of the bacterial flora, may regulate inflammatory reactions occurring on the ocular surface.

Am J Cardiovasc Pathol, 1990, 3(4), 347 - 52
Mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta with purulent pericarditis; Shroyer KR et al.; Mycotic pseudoaneurysms are vascular lesions composed of laminated clot and fibrous tissue and containing bacterial microorganisms . The case reported here it the third in the English literature to describe the association of purulent pericarditis with rupture of a mycotic aortic aneurysm . A 65-year-old male developed cardiac tamponade secondary to Staph . aureus pericarditis . Following a surgical procedure to drain the pericardial sac, the postoperative course was complicated by fatal hemorrhage from a ruptured thoracic pseudoaneurysm . Postmortem examination indicated that the aortic pseudoaneurysm originated at the site of an ulcerated atherosclerotic plaque . A Staph . aureus infection of the aortic lesion, with erosion into the pericardial space, was the apparent cause of purulent pericarditis.

Ann Rech Vet, 1990, 21 Suppl 1, 11S - 28S
Influence of febrile disease on the pharmacokinetics of veterinary drugs; van Miert A; In mammals, tissue damage, inflammation or invasion of pathogenic microorganisms induces systemic changes, collectively known as the 'acute phase response' . Among the varied alterations, which together produce this response, are: fever, inappetence, inhibition of gastric function, synthesis of hepatic acute phase proteins and changes in blood flow to various organs . The intensity of these different reactions may vary depending upon the type of invading microorganism or bacterial toxin given . Considerable attention has been paid to the involvement of pyrogenic cytokines derived from reticuloendothelial cells and phagocytes in the host responses to infection . These cytokines include interleukins, interferons and tumor necrosis factor . In the present paper, attention has been focused on the role of cytokines and the effects of the acute phase response on drug disposition in disease states (including the effect of anorexia on medicated feed intake and drug bioavailability) . From the disease-induced changes in pharmacokinetics, it follows that more attention should be paid to drug disposition in patients in relation to efficacy, side effects and drug residues in food products . In relation to good veterinary practice, it is also recommended that the route of administration, dosage and withdrawal time be adjusted according to the severity of the disease.

Adv Biochem Eng Biotechnol, 1990, 41, 77 - 93
Plastics from bacteria and for bacteria: poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoates) as natural, biocompatible, and biodegradable polyesters; Brandl H et al.; Hence, PHB belongs to the family of poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoates), PHA, all of which are usually formed as intracellular inclusions under unbalanced growth conditions . Recently, it became of industrial interest to evaluate PHA polyesters as natural, biodegradable, and biocompatible plastics for a wide range of possible applications such as surgical sutures or packaging containers . For industrial applications, the controlled incorporation of repeating units with different chain lengths into a series of copolymers is desirable in order to produce polyesters with a range of material properties because physical and chemical characteristics depend strongly on the polymer composition . Such "tailormade" copolymers can be produced under controlled growth conditions, in that if a defined mixture of substrates for a certain type of microorganisms is supplied, a well defined and reproducible copolymer is formed.

Nahrung, 1990, 34(5), 431 - 8
Biochemical characteristics of trypsin inhibitor from wheat grain, beta variety; Mossor G et al.; A homogenous trypsin inhibitor from wheat grain has been characterized . It is a protein of molecular weight 9105 Da and isoelectric point pI = 9.5 . It belongs to arginine type inhibitors . The isolated inhibitor does neither inhibit native proteinases from wheat grain nor alpha-chymotrypsin, papein and pepsin . However, it inhibits some proteinases from microorganisms and moulds . It is susceptible to the action of hydrogen peroxide . The inhibitory protein consists of all amino acid residues with the largest amount of glutamic acid, proline and arginine, and the lowest of histidine and tyrosine, respectively.

Int J Food Microbiol, 1990 Jan, 10(1), 1 - 18
Interactions between inhibition factors on microbial stability of fruit-based systems; Guerzoni ME et al.; Measurement of metabolic CO2 by head space gas chromatography was used in the preparation of shelf-life maps of fruit-based systems . The systems analysed, all of which were peach-based, differed with respect to aw (0.995, 0.934 and 0.890), pH (3.02, 3.60 and 4.09) and benzoic acid concentration (0, 100 and 200 ppm) . The test microorganism was a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from spoiled soft-drinks and chosen for its characteristic of multiple resistance . Three different thermal treatments were applied (54 degrees C for 15 min, 58 degrees C for 8 min, 63 degrees C for 3 min) to the systems and their effectiveness was evaluated in relation to the untreated controls . In contrast with observations for osmotolerant species, the relative preservative effectiveness on the test strain decreased with reducing aw and showed only a slight synergistic action with thermal treatment . Besides, the aw of the systems interacted synergistically with the thermal treatment effectiveness in a manner differing from that described for osmotolerant species.

Lung, 1990, 168 Suppl, 368 - 76
Ciliary activity and pollution; Pedersen M; The mucociliary clearance is an important part of the nonspecific defense mechanism of the human airways . Coordinated beats of cilia in the nose, trachea, and bronchi propel the mucous layer toward the pharynx, and with it inhaled microorganisms and other particles captured in the mucus . Normal function of this system depends on the efficacy of the ciliary beating and the properties of mucus . Primary ciliary dyskinesia--a congenital respiratory disease characterized by ultrastructural defects and motility disturbances of cilia--has provided us with valuable information about the role the mucociliary function plays in the protection against harmful agents in the inhaled air . Secondary ciliary dyskinesia is described in inflammatory disorders of the respiratory tract, but also some components in air pollution results in malfunction of cilia, damage of ciliated epithelium, or alteration in the mucus . This review will focus on investigations found in the literature concerning the influence of pollutants on ciliary activity . The methods applied will be evaluated.

C R Acad Sci III, 1990, 310(8), 325 - 31
{Atmospheric pollution of animal origin: the urticating hairs of the processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff.) (Insects, Lepidoptera)}; Werno J et al.; Urticating hairs of pine processionary caterpillars are detectable in air using techniques designed for airborne microorganisms and pollen's research . As with pollens, abondance of hairs is correlated with distance of production zone and with local meterological conditions . Collected in Bordeaux, urticating hairs will be considered for allergists as pollens and other allergic particles.

Acta Stomatol Croat, 1990, 24(2), 123 - 31
{Antibody titer in saliva and serum of experimental animals}; Lekic P et al.; This paper reveals the antibody titer of plaque microorganisms in experimental gingivitis rats of differents ages and immunization . Before sacrificing experimental animals status of gingival tissue was assessed . Further on speciments of saliva and serum were taken for antibody titer measurements . None of the young rats developed gingivitis during experiment, where as the adult immunized rats bled on probing . Low values of antibodys point out the absence of intensive synthesis of specific antibodys in saliva upon the antigen stimulation of plaque maicroorganisms . Serum antibody titers were low in young rats, moderate in adult, and high in adult immunized rats . These results indicate that adult rats react stronger to plaque antigents than young rats and that previous contact with the antigens increases the reaction.

Ter Arkh, 1990, 62(11), 59 - 62
{The role of different microorganisms and infectious processes in the occurrence and course of bronchial asthma}; Vishniakova LA; The role of infection in bronchial asthma (BA) is unknown . The pathogenesis of BA contributes to the origin of infectious processes induced by different microorganisms . In view of the predominance of associations of viruses and bacteria in the etiology and pathogenesis of acute respiratory infections, it is difficult to define in vivo the share and role of these microorganisms which participate in the origin and enhancement of hypersensitivity, hyperreactivity and alterations in beta-adrenoreactivity . Some factors of bacterial pathogenicity promote BA progress . On contact with basophils and mast cells bacteria (both pathogenic ones and ordinary commensals) are capable of liberating histamine and other mediators during colonization of the bronchial tree and origin other infectious process . This mechanism of mediator liberation may contribute to the transformation of pre-asthma to BA or provoke its exacerbation.

Agressologie, 1990, 31(8 Spec No), 483 - 8
{Prevention of exogenous respiratory infection}; Goetz ML et al.; The exogenous respiratory infections have two transmission channels, the airborne and the handborne ways, and two entrance doors, tracheotomy and intubation . Indeed, most often, contamination of the oropharynx occurs prior to the bacterial pneumonia . These microorganisms are isolated on healthy carries, on linen, furniture, air-conditioning system and so on.. . Special precautions are recommended as disinfection or sterilization of ventilators equipment changing circuits every 48 hours, using sterile water in humidifiers, and rigorous aseptic technic for tracheal suctions . An experimental study shows that microorganisms present in the humidifier disseminate through the circuit with the airstream . Therefore septic isolation of patients with pneumonia and disinfection of the room after his departure are considered as essential measure of prevention.

Nahrung, 1990, 34(7), 629 - 59
{Recent developments in selected areas of food biotechnology}; Ruttloff H; With respect to literature and own experiments a review is given of the current international knowledge in special fields of food biotechnology . In this context nutritionally and physiologically relevant problems find particular consideration . After an introduction the development in technology, genetic engineering and protein technology is discussed . Then the following topics are dealt with: Single cell proteins (mushrooms, yeasts, bacteria, fungi, phototrophic microorganisms), soluble enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, immobilized systems (enzymes, cells, new processes and products), amino acids, sweeteners, microbial polysaccharides as hydrocolloids, organic edible acids, plant cell and tissue cultures and flavourings (enzymes, microorganisms, plant systems).

Arch Oral Biol, 1990, 35 Suppl, 197S - 200S
Spirochaetes and granulocytes at sites involved in periodontal disease; Soder PO et al.; Eighty-six men and 63 women with periodontitis participated in this investigation, at the start of which clinical indices were recorded and the pocket contents from one periodontally involved site for each patient were analysed . The numbers of spirochaetes, other motile microorganisms, non-motile filaments, rods or cocci and of granulocytes, monocytes and epithelial cells were determined . After non-surgical treatment 98 patients (P-group) were unsuccessfully and 51 (C-group) were successfully treated . At baseline the P-group had significantly higher numbers of spirochaetes (p = 0.0001) and polymorphonuclear leucocytes (p = 0.0256) than the C-group . The number of rods was statistically higher in the C-group (p = 0.0254) . There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to the number of remaining teeth, plaque or calculus scores . Significantly higher values were found in the P-group for bleeding on probing (p = 0.0434), number of pockets greater than or equal to 5 mm (p = 0.0001), mean pocket depths (p = 0.0001), percentage bone loss per site (p = 0.0001) and the number of sites with greater than or equal to 20% bone loss on radiographs (p = 0.0001).

Ciba Found Symp, 1990, 154, 126 - 34; discussion 135-9
Role of secondary metabolites in chemical defence mechanisms in plants; Harborne JB; The classic view that secondary constituents are waste products in plants has been replaced by one in which their value is assumed to be as a protection against herbivorous and microbial attack . However, secondary pathways may still be physiologically important as a means of channelling and storing carbon compounds, accumulated from photosynthesis, during periods when nitrogen is limiting or whenever leaf growth is curtailed . Large increases in the amount of secondary metabolites can occur in stressed plants and those subject to mechanical damage or that caused by insects . In order to establish a protective role for a given metabolite, it is necessary to monitor concentrations over the life cycle of the plant, to survey plant populations, to determine specific localization within tissues and to carry out bioassays against insects and microorganisms . Synergy between toxins of the same class or of different classes is likely . Changes in secondary chemistry may also occur during ontogeny, and protection may be restricted to the most vulnerable plant organs . Finally, toxins may vary indiscriminately in their distribution within the plant or within populations and still provide protection.

Perit Dial Int, 1990, 10(2), 165 - 7
Lymphoma-mimicking peritonitis in a patient on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD); Vlahakos D et al.; Cloudy dialysate in a patient on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) most commonly reflects an increased number of leukocytes secondary to bacterial peritonitis . In the absence of infection, increased quantities of eosinophils, red blood cells, fibrin, or chyle may produce cloudy dialysate in these patients . We report the case of a CAPD patient presenting with cloudy dialysate and symptoms suggestive of bacterial peritonitis . Analysis of the dialysate revealed no microorganisms . The turbidity of the dialysate was related to an increased number of atypical lymphocytes consistent with a B cell lymphoma . Peritoneal dialysis continued uneventfully despite neoplastic disease within the peritoneum . It is recommended that malignant involvement of the peritoneum be added to the differential diagnosis of cloudy dialysate occurring in CAPD patients.

Adv Perit Dial, 1990, 6, 165 - 8
Moist heat intraluminal disinfection of CAPD connectors; Fessia SL et al.; A moist heat technique for disinfecting the inner lumen of commercially available connectology used in the exchange process for Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) was evaluated . Moist heat was generated by a device (PDM-1) that directed microwave energy to heat a sample solution containing a concentration of 10(6) microorganisms inside a pair of mated plastic CAPD connectors . Microorganisms tested included those most prevalent and most problematic in causing peritonitis . Testing, performed according to F.D.A . approved standards, involved heating a sample solution and then placing the sample solution into vials which were then sealed and incubated . Absolute determination of growth versus no growth was measured by macroscopic observation . Positive control samples were performed in the same manner but were not exposed to heat . Negative controls were performed in the same manner in the absence of test organisms . At temperatures of approximately 100 degrees C a D-value of 6.6 seconds was determined using the organism found the most thermoresistant . A cycle time of 54 seconds appeared sufficient to achieve a 10(6) population reduction of all microorganisms tested . The moist heat technique offers a safe, effective method for disinfection of the inner lumen of CAPD connectors.

J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo), 1990, 36 Suppl 1, S71 - 7
Aspartyl- and glutamyl-lysine crosslinks formation and their nutritional availability; Yasumoto K et al.; Transglutaminase-catalyzed incorporation of L-lysine into wheat gliadin rendered the lysine-fortified protein poorly digestible in the in vitro tests . In rat feeding tests, however, the luminal leavings and excreta collected after administration of the {14C}lysine-fortified gliadin contained less than one-tenth of the radioactivity originally administered to rats . The enzymes, gamma-glutamylamine cyclotransferase and 5-oxoprolinase, known to occur in animal kidney are at least in part responsible for the observed high availability of isopeptide bound lysine . A novel enzyme which is capable of directly hydrolyzing the cross-linked isopeptide into component amino acids and peptides, "N epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine hydrolase" was found in the isolated microorganisms which can use the synthesized N epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine as their only source of carbon and nitrogen . The enzyme(s) appear to be effectively used for improving digestibility and availability of protein matrixes formed in normal metabolism and by heat and/or shear treatment commonly used in food processing.

Acta Derm Venereol, 1990, 70(5), 385 - 90
The distribution of Fc gamma RI, Fc gamma RII and Fc gamma R III on Langerhans' cells and keratinocytes in normal skin; Tigalonowa M et al.; The distribution of Fc-receptors for IgG (FcR) on human epidermal cells (EC) was characterized in situ using monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) by indirect immunofluorescence staining of cryosections . The results showed heterogeneity of FcR expression on Langerhans' cells (LC) and keratinocytes (KC) . The MoAb IV.3 against FcR II (CDw32) gave granular staining of most LC whereas the MoAb 32.2 against FcR I (CD64) occasionally stained a few dendritic cells . 32.2 demonstrated weak granular staining along the outer aspect of KC in stratum spinosum and stratum basale and intense staining of stratum corneum and stratum granulosum . The MoAbs Leu 11b against FcR III (CD16) and B1D6 reacting with a placental FcR with low affinity for IgG gave intense linear membrane staining of KC . Leu 11b produced strongest staining of stratum granulosum and B1D6 the strongest staining of stratum spinosum and basale . The results confirm our previous observations of FcR in situ on LC and KC in normal skin using functional assays and demonstrate that these EC possess different types of low affinity FcR . The data support the contention of an immune function of KC . FcR may be mediators for interaction between KC and LC . The FcR activity in stratum granulosum may have an immune function as a barrier against microorganisms and other antigens.

J Exp Zool Suppl, 1990, 4, 2 - 5
Unconventional organisms as models in biological research; Umminger BL; The use of unconventional organisms in experimental research is a timely subject that impacts upon current science policy in the areas of animal welfare, biodiversity, and biotechnology . Many recent reports have recommended a reduction in the use of mammals in biomedical research to promote animal welfare by utilizing alternative methods and unconventional model organisms . Currently we lack adequate models for all the biological phenomena worthy of study . Biologists must continue to take advantage of the functional biodiversity of organisms not only to identify new model organisms for studying more optimally those life processes we know something about, but also to discover entirely new biological principles, processes, and products . Increased emphasis on the need to preserve the diversity of life also requires more knowledge of the comparative biology of processes such as reproduction, growth, defense mechanisms, and nutrition . The functional biodiversity of life can be exploited not only for fundamentally new biological insights, but also for expanding the knowledge base needed for commercial biotechnology . There is a critical need of commercial biotechnology for basic functional information on more species, especially microorganisms and plants . The knowledge of biodiversity will mean little to most of mankind unless the motivation exists to use it for commercial benefit.

Infect Immun, 1990 Jan, 58(1), 37 - 42
Neutrophil killing of two type 1 fimbria-bearing Escherichia coli strains: dependence on respiratory burst activation; Lock R et al.; The production of reactive oxygen metabolites by neutrophils is thought to play a key role in host defense against invading microorganisms . In this study, the generation of oxygen metabolites induced by two uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains, ABU2 and PN7, and their subsequent killing in neutrophils were investigated . Both strains were grown to promote type 1 (mannose-sensitive) fimbria formation, but they differ with respect to other surface structures . When interacting with human neutrophils, the ABU2 bacteria adhered to and were phagocytized by the neutrophils, whereas PN7 bacteria adhered to the neutrophils but resisted phagocytosis . Both strains induced a pronounced neutrophil chemiluminescence response . However, when the intracellular and extracellular parts of the oxidative response were separated, we found that the predominant part of the response was of intracellular origin with the ABU2 bacteria as prey, whereas a large fraction of the response induced by the PN7 bacteria was extracellular . The general opinion is that production of reactive oxygen metabolites should be intraphagosomal to minimize the tissue-damaging effects of the metabolites and to optimize their bactericidal effects . However, since the surface-adherent bacteria (the PN7 cells) are killed in an aerobic but not an anaerobic milieu, whereas the ingested bacteria (the ABU2 cells) are killed in both aerobic and anaerobic milieu, we propose that extracellularly generated oxygen metabolites are of importance in killing E . coli strains that can resist neutrophil engulfment.

J Vet Diagn Invest, 1990 Jan, 2(1), 14 - 23
Blocking ELISA to distinguish pseudorabies virus-infected pigs from those vaccinated with a glycoprotein gIII deletion mutant; Kit S et al.; A blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test has been developed to distinguish pseudorabies virus (PRV)-infected pigs from those immunized with a glycoprotein g92(gIII) deletion mutant, PRV(dlg92dltk) . The blocking ELISA utilizes 96-well microtiter test plates coated with a cloned PRV g92(gIII) antigen, a mouse monoclonal antibody against gIII antigen (moMCAgIII): horseradish peroxidase (HRPO) conjugate, and undiluted test sera . Analyses can be completed in less than 3 hours with results printed out by an automated plate reader . Analyses on over 300 pig sera from PRV-free farms, on sera from other species, and on control sera containing antibodies to microorganisms other than PRV showed that the ratio of the optical density at 405 nm for the test sample to the optical density at 405 nm for the negative control (S/N value) was greater than 0.7 for all sera . No false positives were identified . Likewise, the S/N values were greater than 0.7 for over 400 sera obtained from pigs vaccinated twice with more than 1,000 times the standard PRV (dlg92dltk) dose or 1-4 times with the standard dose (2 x 10(5) TCID50/pig) . Following challenge exposure to virulent PRV, the S/N values of the vaccinates were 0.1, showing that g92(gIII) antibodies in the sera of experimentally challenged pigs strongly blocked the binding of the moMCAgIII:HRPO conjugate to the antigen-coated wells . Sera of 233 pigs from PRV-infected herds with virus neutralization (VN) titers of 1:4 or greater were tested . All except 2 of these sera had S/N values less than 0.7 and more than 175 had S/N values less than 0.1 . Sixteen sera from fetal pigs with VN titers of 1:4 or greater had S/N values of 0.24 or less, but 2 sera with VN titers of 1:4 when tested 5 years prior to the PRV g92(gIII) blocking ELISA test gave false negative S/N values . Twenty-four of 29 pig sera from PRV-infected herds with VN titers less than 1:4 were positive for g92(gIII) antibodies, illustrating the sensitivity of the PRV g92(gIII) blocking ELISA test . Analyses on 7 sera with VN titers of 1:4-1:64 showed that titers obtained with the PRV g92(gIII) blocking ELISA test were from 2- to 16-fold greater than the VN titers . The accuracy and sensitivity of the PRV g92(gIII) blocking ELISA test was further demonstrated by analyses of 40 unknown sera supplied in the National Veterinary Services Laboratories 1988 PRV check test kit.

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1990, 39(1-2), 37 - 42
Screening of microorganisms for improvement of beta-galactosidase production; Fiedurek J et al.; The strain of Penicillium notatum 1 most effective for producing beta-galactosidase (see lactase 3.2.1.23), was selected out of 110 moulds belonging to 15 different species, by the test-tube microculture method . The dynamics of beta-galactosidase synthesis was investigated in P . notatum 1 during its culture by submerged method.

Beitr Infusionsther, 1990, 26, 112 - 6
{Bacterial growth of thrombocyte preparations during storage time}; Karakassopoulos A et al.; Standard practice of platelet storage at room temperature may contribute to the risk of sepsis after platelet transfusion . Platelets in vitro inoculated with 10(3) or more different microorganisms showed logarithmic bacterial growth throughout the 5 days of storage . These data support the hypothesis that bacterial contamination of platelets might become clinically significant during the 5 days of storage.

Annu Rev Nutr, 1990, 10, 21 - 39
Goitrogens in food and water; Gaitan E; Epidemiologic and experimental evidence reviewed in this article emphasizes the complex and multifactorial etiology of endemic goiter . The important role of iodine deficiency as an etiologic factor in endemic goiter is firmly established, but there is evidence that other environmental factors can play an equally important role in the pathogenesis of this condition . Chemical categories, sources, and sites of action of the various classes of naturally occurring goitrogens and antithyroid agents are reviewed in this article . Evidence of the presence of these compounds in foodstuffs and drinking water is discussed . Bacterial contamination of water supplies also appears to be important in the development of goiter . Microorganisms appear to intervene in the biosynthesis and degradation of organic goitrogenic pollutants or may induce thyroid growth-promoting activity in the host, or both . Malnutrition and poor socioeconomic conditions, as for iodine deficiency, enhance the action of environmental goitrogens . Thus, a coordinated multidisciplinary approach is essential to solving this public health problem.

Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot, 1990, 76(1), 55 - 61
{Clinical and bacteriologic course of wounds as a function of various protocols of local antisepsis}; Blech MF et al.; Antiseptics are drugs, and they must be prescribed by physicians . A correct use allows a favourable evolution of the wounds, and could avoid some amputations . The authors have realized a randomized study, to compare the reliability of a sequence using Eosine and an antiseptic (Chlorhexidine or polyvinylpyrolidone (PVP) iodine) to a more usual sequence using chlorhexidine of PVP iodine alone according with the initial pH of the wound . After fifteen days, if no clinical and bacteriological improvement occurred, the Dakin solution was used . The clinical and bacteriological survey has showed that the sequence with Eosine produced significantly more failures and that there was no significant difference between Chlorhexidine and PVP iodine . The use of the Dakin solution 15 days after inefficacy of the antisepsis previously used allowed a cicatrisation of the wound in about six days . There was no demonstrable resistance of microorganisms to the previously used antiseptics.

Lab Delo, 1990, (3), 69 - 71
{A method of determining the effect of breast milk on the adhesive properties of microorganisms}; Kushnareva MV et al.; The authors have modified the method for studies of the microorganism adhesive properties in the presence of breast milk; this modification is based on the ability of bacterial cells to adhere to the surface of human red cells of I (0) Rh (+) blood group . The study has revealed significant differences in the adhesion characteristics of S . aureus 209, B . bifidum I, and B . adolescentis MC-42 strains in the presence of breast milk of women with normal babies and of those whose babies suffered from intestinal dysfunctions.

Lab Delo, 1990, (3), 66 - 8
{The passive coagglutination reaction as a method of determining the fibronectin-binding properties of microorganisms}; Sokurenko EV et al.; The authors suggest a method for the detection of S . aureus and S . epidermidis strains fibronectin-binding ability (FNBA), based on a new principle--the passive coagglutination test . Using this test, FNBA was detected at 16 of the 20 tested S . aureus strains and in 6 of the 11 S . epidermidis strains . This method yields more demonstrable results than the flake-formation test on the glass in the presence of fibronectin . A nonagglutinating fibronectin form may be used in the test.

Biodegradation, 1990, 1(2-3), 93 - 105
Microbial metabolism of monoterpenes--recent developments; Trudgill PW; Monoterpenes are important renewable resources for the perfume and flavour industry but the pathways and enzymology of their degradation by microorganisms are not well documented . Until recently the acyclic monoterpene alcohols, (+)-camphor and the isomers of limonene were the only compounds for which significant sections of catabolic pathways and associated enzymology had been reported . In this paper recent developments in our understanding of the enzymology of ring cleavage by microorganisms capable of growth with 1,8-cineole and alpha-pinene are described . 1,8-Cineole has the carbocyclic skeleton of a monocyclic monoterpene with the added complication of an internal ether linkage . Ring hydroxylation strategy and biological Baeyer-Villiger oxygenation lead to an efficient method for cleaving the ether linkage . alpha-Pinene is an unsaturated bicyclic monoterpene hydrocarbon . At least two catabolic pathways exist . Information concerning one of them, in which alpha-pinene may be initially converted into limonene, is rudimentary . The other involves attack at the double bond resulting in formation of alpha-pinene epoxide . Ring cleavage is then catalysed by a novel lyase that requires no additional components and breaks both carbocyclic rings in a concerted manner.

Biodegradation, 1990, 1(2-3), 107 - 19
Formation and physiological role of biosurfactants produced by hydrocarbon-utilizing microorganisms . Biosurfactants in hydrocarbon utilization; Hommel RK; Microbial growth on water-insoluble carbon sources such as hydrocarbons is accompanied by metabolic and structural alterations of the cell . The appearance of surface-active compounds (biosurfactants) in the culture medium or attached to the cell boundaries is often regarded as a prerequisite for initial interactions of hydrocarbons with the microbial cell . Under this point of view, biosurfactants produced by hydrocarbon-utilizing microorganisms, their structures and physico-chemical properties are reviewed . The production of such compounds is mostly connected with growth limitation in the late logarithmic and the stationary growth phase, in which specific enzymes are induced or derepressed . Addition of purified biosurfactants to microbial cultures resulted in inhibitory as well as in stimulatory effects on growth . Therefore, a more differentiated view of microbial production of surface-active compounds is proposed . Biosurfactants should not only be regarded as prerequisites of hydrocarbon uptake, but also as secondary metabolic products.

Bioprocess Technol, 1990, 7, 85 - 135
Proteins as biological effectors; Hearn MT et al.; This chapter presented an overview of the role of proteins as biological effectors . From a simplistic point of view, based solely on comparison of the structural diversity of immunoglobulins, blood coagulation proteins, gonadotropins, growth factors, and antiproteins, it could be concluded that the functional mechanisms of these protein families bear little or no relationship . Despite this enormous divergency in structure-function relationship, there are in fact elements of commonality in their effector roles arising as a direct consequence of the ability of these classes of protein effectors to act as exquisite examples of the processes of biorecognition . All these case histories, and the numerous other familial case studies of protein effectors which could have been employed to illustrate the different functional roles of proteins, owe their biological properties to their primordial protein antecedents which have traversed the harsh wilderness of evolution in biorecognition phenomena and survived to elicit specific effector roles . Dictated by underlying physicochemical constraints, deceived at times by the lulling tones of the siren entropy, and constantly vulnerable to the vagaries of other more pervasive forms of biological networking and information transfer encoded in the genes of virus and invading microorganisms, protein biorecognition in higher life forms, and particularly in mammals, represents the finely tuned molecular avenues for the genome to transfer its information to the next generation . The examples summarized in this chapter illustrate the complex, and in disease states imperfect, functional potential of proteins to be manifested in the jigsaw of biorecognition and be realized in the network of nature's biological effectors . Proteins thus represent a diverse range of effector molecules whose properties are totally dependent on their conformational or topographic status . The three-dimensional structure defines active sites on the molecule through which intermolecular interaction and biorecognition phenomena can occur . The cipher for this surface topography is, of course, coded in the primary amino acid sequence . Much experimental work is being directed in these and other laboratories at elucidating the principles governing the folding of unique peptide sequences into three-dimensional structures . Further advances in the theoretical understanding of the thermodynamics of protein folding as observed by x-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance and other spectroscopic techniques will greatly aid this quest . In addition, more comprehensive computer-aided algorithms for structure simulation, improved models of protein conformational behavior, and greater insight into the molecular forces which control sequence nucleation will also be required.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Bone Marrow Transplant, 1989 Dec, 4 Suppl 4, 18 - 21
Graft versus host disease--clinical features and biology; Barrett AJ; Since its first emergence as an unexpected and poorly understood phenomenon in experimental animals, GVHD has become much better characterised both clinically and biologically . Unfortunately prevention of GVHD has only been achieved at the price of an increased risk of graft rejection and leukaemic relapse and treatment of the established syndrome is only effective in a proportion of patients . It is to be hoped that the more detailed picture of the process now emerging will facilitate better immune manipulation of the bone marrow transplant so as to select recovery of only the beneficial aspects of donor immunity namely immunity against microorganisms and graft versus leukaemia reactivity.

Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am, 1989 Dec, 1(4), 753 - 65
Host defense mechanisms and compromises in the trauma patient; Hoyt NJ; Infection in multiple trauma patients remains the number one complication and the second leading cause of death in this population . Because each type of injury has its own intrinsic infection risks and the treatment of the injury necessitates the use of invasive therapy, the prevention of infection may not be possible . The most effective infection control measures may be continual nursing assessment of the patient, including observing for subtle changes that would indicate the presence of an infection . It is the early distinction of infection as the underlying mechanism of inflammatory responses and fever that best facilitates an expedient and appropriate course of therapy . Classic recommendations of infection control practices such as hand washing and meticulous aseptic technique during all procedures, plus an awareness of the many ways that microorganisms can contaminate and innoculate the patient are the best strategies for nursing care . Nursing actions must be guided by a clear understanding of the patient's host defense mechanisms and how they are jeopardized by both the injury and the therapy . This understanding facilitates the implementation of specific nursing care measures to promote the restoration of normal host defense mechanisms and to prevent further compromise of the trauma patient while in the ICU.

Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am, 1989 Dec, 1(4), 741 - 52
Complications after cardiac transplantation . The role of immunosuppression; Vargo RL et al.; Increased numbers of cardiac transplantations are being performed as a therapeutic option for end-stage cardiac disease . Immunosuppressive therapy combining multiple drugs to prevent rejection is essential to the success of this procedure . Although the patient's primary problem of heart failure is alleviated by a successful transplant, the secondary effect of immunosuppression causes many potential problems for this patient population . Infection from common pathogens or opportunistic microorganisms is the primary complication causing death in the post-transplant patient . Bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infection may ensue during the postoperative period . Life-long immunosuppressive therapy places the patient at continuous risk for the development of infection . Nurses play an important role in the management of the cardiac transplant patient . A thorough knowledge of normal immune system function and the specific actions of each immunosuppressive drug on the immune system function is a prerequisite for providing care for these patients . Continuous monitoring of the patient to detect the signs and symptoms of infection or other side effects of the drugs is part of the nurse's role in caring for these patients . Maintenance of the patient's nonspecific host defenses is supported by specific nursing actions . In preparation for the life-long effects of the drugs, education of the patient and family regarding the implications of therapy with immunosuppressive agents is a crucial nursing function for the successful management of the cardiac transplant patient.

Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am, 1989 Dec, 1(4), 725 - 40
Immune system function . Implications for critical care nursing practice; Tribett D; The purpose of the immune system is to protect the body from invasion from microorganisms . Natural defenses encompassing epithelial surfaces and secretions, nonspecific phagocytosis and inflammatory process, and the acquired defenses of humoral and cell-mediated immunity work together to defend the internal environment of the body . If microorganisms penetrate the external surfaces and enter the body, the inflammatory process is triggered . During phagocytosis by monocytes/macrophages, the invading antigen is identified as nonself . The antigen is presented to the T4-lymphocyte . This cell line orchestrates the activation of B-lymphocytes and a humoral response of antibody or Ig production and initiates the cytotoxic cell-mediated T cell response . Following an appropriate level of response, T8 cells suppress immune system response to the antigen, but not before memory B and T cells have formed . These memory cells protect the body against future exposure to the antigen, thus creating immunity . As concepts of immunology are identified and validated by future research, the knowledge base of immune system function and dysfunction will continue to grow . Critical care nurses must incorporate new knowledge related to immune system function into their practice, as patients in the ICU are at risk for immunocompromise from their underlying disease state and the therapeutic interventions used in their treatment . Nurses must expand their physiologic data base to include a nursing assessment of the immune system . A framework for organizing the data collection process would include: (1) a survey of factors affecting immune system function in each patient, (2) assessment of the cells and structures of the immune system, (3) monitoring of the status of first line defenses, (4) observing for activity of nonspecific defenses, and (5) evidence of specific acquired immune responses . After complete immune system assessment has identified areas of risk for compromise or the presence of immunocompromise, specific individualized nursing care plans can be developed to provide nursing support to maintain and enhance the patient's defenses.

Eur J Epidemiol, 1989 Dec, 5(4), 407 - 13
Ecological relationships between ticks and rickettsiae; Rehacek J; Ticks play important roles as vectors and sometimes as reservoirs in the ecology of rickettsiae . The obligate association between ticks and rickettsiae has been elucidated in studies concerning the maintenance of rickettsiae in ticks, agent dissemination in various tick organs, rickettsial developmental cycles in the tick organism, transfer among various developmental stages in tick hosts, the effect of rickettsiae on the tick organism, the interaction between microorganisms other than rickettsiae and rickettsiae is a tick body, as well as the release of rickettsiae from ticks into the environment.

Nippon Juigaku Zasshi, 1989 Dec, 51(6), 1111 - 4
Pathogenicity of Fusobacterium necrophorum biovar C in mice by intraperitoneal and intraportal injections; Hiraiwa K et al.; Three strains of Fusobacterium necrophorum biovar C were injected into mice intraperitoneally and intraportally . All the mice survived . In one mouse out of 15 mice injected intraperitoneally, a few focal abscesses were formed in the liver . The microorganisms were recovered from the liver abscess and the tissue of liver with abscess . No changes were observed in the organs of other 14 mice and no bacteria were recovered from them . In the 15 mice injected intraportally, no liver abscesses and no macroscopic changes in the organs were formed . However, the inoculated bacteria were recovered from the liver of four mice . The pathogenicity of F . necrophorum biovar C was weaker than that of other two biovars.

Experientia, 1989 Dec 1, 45(11-12), 1047 - 55
Physical methods for characterization of microbial surfaces; Krekeler C et al.; There are different concepts for explaining the adsorption of microorganisms to solid surfaces: the DLVO theory and the surface free energy . Basic aspects of both theories are discussed . Established methods for determining the surface properties of microbial cells are reviewed: Electrophoretic mobility, colloid titration, electrostatic interaction chromatography, bacterial adherence to hydrocarbons, partitioning in an aqueous two-phase system, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, contact angle measurement and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy . They are discussed and classified according to their potential for the correlation of cell surface characteristics and adsorption behavior.

Arthritis Rheum, 1989 Dec, 32(12), 1497 - 504
Stress proteins, arthritis, and autoimmunity; Winfield JB; Stress proteins have been highly conserved during evolution not only because of their fundamental importance in the response of the cell to stressful assaults, but also because they have critical roles in cellular activation and cell growth, regulation of protein function, protein transport, and protein assembly . Research focusing on the basic cell biology of stress proteins is intense at present, and will surely continue to be for some time to come . Of particular interest to immunologists and rheumatologists is the convergence of data in several fields that suggest that stress proteins in microorganisms that commonly infect humans may be triggers of humoral and cellular autoimmune responses and consequent overt autoimmune disease expression . Thus, stress proteins of M tuberculosis and other bacteria are close homologs of stress proteins in mammals, and may be involved in the pathogenesis of adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats and, possibly, of RA and reactive arthritis in humans . A great deal of work remains to be done in this area, including (a) generation and propagation of specifically reactive T cell clones, (b) molecular delineation of the immune recognition elements and critical epitopes shared by microbial stress proteins and host proteins, (c) definition of the relative contribution of alpha beta and gamma delta TCRs to T cell reactivity to stress proteins, and (d) clarification of the circumstances that enable persistent T cell autoreactivity to stress proteins . The data at hand are sufficiently compelling, however, to suggest that vaccination against T cells that recognize stress proteins may eventually become part of our therapeutic armamentarium to prevent or cure some forms of arthritis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 1989 Dec, 22(3), 361 - 73
Selective biotransformations . Patents and literature; Dordick JS; Stereo- and regioselective biotransformations is an area of intense research interest . The ability to take advantage of microorganisms and isolated enzyme systems to perform selective organic syntheses is well known . In recent years, several new methodologies have caused a rapid growth in the area of selective biotransformations . These novel techniques include genetic and protein engineering, biocatalysis in organic media, improved screening procedures, as well as an increased awareness of the value of biotechnology to solve important problems in organic synthesis . Recent US patents and scientific literature on stereo- and regioselective biotransformations are surveyed . Patent abstracts are summarized individually and a list of literature references are given.

Oralprophylaxe, 1989 Dec, 11(4), 123 - 6
{Comparison of subgingival plaque buccally and interdentally localized during 3-week experimental gingivitis in humans}; van Oosten MA et al.; During 21 days of abolished oral hygiene and developing gingivitis the microbial changes were studied in buccal and interdental sites . The subgingival plaque of 6 dental students was analyzed by darkfield microscopy . The microbiota found in interdental sulci showed a higher complexity than that of buccal sites . Buccally and interdentally there was a significant increase in the total number of microorganisms between days 0 and 21 . Yet, the development of gingivitis was slower in the buccal than in the interproximal sites . For all bacteria, but specially for more disease-associated morphotypes the accumulation rate was higher interdentally than buccally.

Bull Tokyo Med Dent Univ, 1989 Dec, 36(4), 49 - 62
Development and clinical application of DNA probe specific for Peptostreptococcus micros; Yasui S; P . micros is thought to be an important pathogen in the etiology of certain inflammatory lesions, however, the role of this microorganism is uncertain due to the lack of rapid and reliable method to identify this species . The purpose of this study was to develop a DNA probe specific for the detection of P . micros in order to evaluate its prevalence in oral infectious lesions . The whole genomic DNA from P . micros was partially digested and inserted into the vector pUC 13 . Four recombinant clones were selected, purified and screened against reference strains of Peptostreptococcus species to check the species specificity and then applied to clinical isolates . The sensitivity and specificity of the DNA probe for P . micros was 99.2% and 100%, respectively . P . micros could be detected in 7.2% of subgingival dental plaques from the patients with adult periodontitis and in 16.1% of the endodontic lesions with periapical pathosis . In the endodontic lesions, there was a good correlation between the clinical symptoms and the presence of P . micros . These data strongly suggested that the DNA probe can be useful in the detection of P . micros and that this microorganism is important in certain periodontal and endodontic lesions.

Gig Sanit, 1989 Dec, (12), 21 - 3
{Activity of serum enzymes in workers in the enzyme production industry}; Kuchuk AA et al.; Unfavorable industrial factors in the production of enzyme preparations (enzyme dusts, microorganisms-producers) cause changes in the activity of a number of enzymes in workers' blood serum . Degree frequency and direction of enzyme shifts depend on the purity of enzyme preparations, degree of contact with them, workers' length of service and health status . The analysis of the obtained results enables us to recommend a determination of cholinesterase activity, acid phosphatase and lactate-dehydrogenase as indicators for a hygienic assessment of the effect of enzyme preparations and diagnosis of body pathogenic changes.

Clin Otolaryngol, 1989 Dec, 14(6), 529 - 34
Nasal mucosal temperature and the effect of acute infective rhinitis; Akerlund A et al.; Nasal mucosal temperature was measured in 71 healthy subjects with an electronic thermometer . No correlation was found between the nasal mucosal temperature and age or sex . An increased mucosal temperature was found in patients with acute rhinitis, an effect which is supposed to assist in the defence system against microorganisms . When measuring nasal mucosal temperature over a 7-h period at the same time as nasal airway resistance, there was no correlation between these factors, indicating that the temperature is independent of the state of the capacitance vessels.

Am J Vet Res, 1989 Dec, 50(12), 2176 - 80
Prevention of leucaena toxicosis of cattle in Florida by ruminal inoculation with 3-hydroxy-4-(1H)-pyridone-degrading bacteria; Hammond AC et al.; Ruminal microorganisms in cattle at a Florida agriculture research station did not have the ability to detoxify leucaena by degradation of 3-hydroxy-4(1H)-pyridone (3,4,-DHP), but a DHP isomer (2,3-DHP) was degraded in some cattle . Cattle with microorganisms that degraded 2,3-DHP were mostly Senepol cattle imported from St . Croix, US Virgin Islands, where leucaena is an indigenous species . Hereford cattle at the research station in Florida generally did not degrade 3,4-DHP or 2,3-DHP . An experiment was conducted in which a pure culture of 3,4-DHP-degrading bacteria was inoculated into Hereford cattle (with ruminal fistula) grazing leucaena . The bacteria successfully colonized the rumen of recipient cattle and persisted through the following winter when there was no leucaena in the diet.

Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 1989 Dec 1, 102(12), 418 - 21
{Fine particles and dust in animal feeds--quantitative and qualitative (fungi, bacteria and LPS) aspects}; Kamphues J et al.; Unground feedstuffs like cereals and roughage which are conspicuous by high proportions of finer particles and dust have to be estimated as risky environmental factors due to the accumulation of microorganisms (moulds, bacteria and lipopolysaccharides) and mites in the fines frequently . The dusty fraction in feed samples should be separated by sensorial inspection of feedstuffs (for example by sieves) and has to be looked at (using pocket lens) critically to find out lacks in the hygienic quality of feedstuffs . Dusty qualities of roughage contain high counts of moulds frequently, therefore a mycological investigation is to be recommended for these samples . The feedstuffs may influence the quantity and quality of air dust within the stable as the starch content (similar to the fed diet) indicates . Likewise corresponding LPS contents were measured in feeds and airborne dust of pig stables . Due to the high counts of microorganisms in the dusty fraction of cereals an intensive cleaning procedure for cereals has to be recommended for minimizing the load of germs; a reduced risk for deterioration can be expected . The residues of cleaning processes (combined mechanic/pneumatic procedures) of cereals should not be reutilized in the production of compound feeds by feed manufacturers, the nutritive value is relatively low anyway due to the high ash- and fiber-contents . Potential risks of dusty feedstuffs to animals' health and the influences of mites, moulds and lipopolysaccharides on the development of gastrointestinal and respiratoric disturbances are discussed . Experimental investigations are needed to elucidate the role of inhaled dust--and its content of lipopolysaccharides especially--in the development of respiratory diseases in veterinary medicine.

J Morphol, 1989 Dec, 202(3), 435 - 55
Phylogenetic diversity of cellular organization in the cardia of muscoid flies (Diptera: Schizophora); King DG; In each of 30 dipteran species, representing 13 acalyptrate and 7 calyptrate families, the cardia is formed from specialized cells at the junction between foregut and midgut . Foregut epithelium forms the stomodeal valve; midgut epithelium envelops the valve to form the cardia's outer wall . Cytological characteristics within these epithelia differ from region to region and from species to species . Since the cardia secretes the peritrophic membrane, cardias with diverse patterns of cellular differentiation may be expected to produce peritrophic membranes with similarly diverse properties . Close relatives often share more details of cardia structure than do distantly related taxa . Within the monophyletic Calyptratae, a common pattern of cellular differentiation includes three distinct zones of columnar midgut cells enclosing a flanged stomodeal valve . Among species in the paraphyletic Acalyptratae, midgut typically includes a single zone of tall columnar cells, while the valve may be spheroidal, cylindrical, conical, or flanged . The correlation of phylogenetic distance with divergence in cardia organization implies a strong influence of ancestry upon current structure, regardless of current diet . However, at least some of the observed diversity in cardia structure is associated with dietary divergence . Calyptrate flies with derived blood-feeding behavior display cellular differentiation that is simplified from that seen in calyptrate relatives with less specialized feeding habits . This evolutionary modification suggests that cardia organization and hence peritrophic membrane structure can adapt to dietary changes, with possible significance for the spatial organization of digestive processes and interactions with ingested microorganisms.

Crit Care Med, 1989 Dec, 17(12), 1247 - 53
Phagocyte-pathogen in the infected host; Mege JL et al.; Phagocytosis is a major mechanism of defense against bacterial infections . The ingestion of different microorganisms by blood granulocytes or monocytes may involve a variety of cell membrane recognition structures (e.g., immunoglobulin or complement receptors, lectin-like structures or other nonspecific binding sites) . It is of interest to know which mechanism plays a prominent role in the management of a particular type of infection . Forty-three pathogenic bacterial suspensions were obtained from patients under mechanical ventilation at the onset of nosocomial lower respiratory tract infections . They were coincubated with blood granulocytes from the same or other patients in the presence or absence of the corresponding serum . Phagocytosis and the oxidative burst were then assayed . We conclude the following: a) Substantial phagocytosis was found under serum-free conditions and the patients' sera did not dramatically enhance bacterial uptake during the first days after the onset of clinical symptoms . b) The phagocytes from an infected patient did not display any peculiar inability to bind to the bacteria that grew successfully in this subject . Hence, the occurrence of a particular infection might be dependent on a defect of intracellular killing of ingested pathogens or on the conditions of infection development.

Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol, 1989 Dec, 1(6), 525 - 32
Interferon-gamma increases alveolar macrophage Ia antigen expression despite oral administration of dexamethasone to rats; Fuchs HJ et al.; Corticosteroids have multiple effects on immune and inflammatory responses and decrease host resistance to a broad range of microorganisms . Resident tissue macrophages have been proposed as a target for the immunosuppressive effects of corticosteroids and are important in host defense against infections . During infection-induced immune responses, macrophages are activated after exposure to interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and class II major histocompatibility (Ia) antigens on their surface are increased . We investigated the effect of orally administered corticosteroids on alveolar macrophages, the resident macrophages of the lung parenchyma . We hypothesized that corticosteroids would inhibit the activation of alveolar macrophages and measured induction by IFN-gamma of Ia antigens as a marker of cell activation . Alveolar macrophages from normal and corticosteroid-treated rats were exposed to recombinant murine IFN-gamma (rMuIFN-gamma) in vitro and assayed for Ia transcription and surface Ia expression . Ia mRNA accumulation was induced in alveolar macrophages from normal and corticosteroid-treated rats after exposure in vitro to rMuIFN-gamma . Furthermore, rMuIFN-gamma increased surface expression of Ia proteins on alveolar macrophages from corticosteroid-treated rats, although to a lesser extent than on cells from control rats . Finally, surface Ia expression could also be increased in vivo by exposure of corticosteroid-treated rats to an aerosol containing rMuIFN-gamma . These results demonstrate that administration of oral corticosteroids, while establishing a state of immunosuppression in rats, does not abolish responsiveness of rat alveolar macrophages to rMuIFN-gamma . We speculate that IFN-gamma-induced augmentation of phagocytic cell function may constitute an important therapeutic modality to treat complications of immunodeficiency.

Shigaku, 1989 Dec, 77(4), 1423 - 41
{Transmission electron microscopic studies of fine structure by fast freeze method on Actinomyces israelii ATCC 12102}; Watanabe T et al.; Recently, one of the major objectives was to observe cellular structures in biological-materials including microorganisms as raw as possible . For this purpose, Actinomyces israelii ATCC 12102, an experimented strain, was fixed by a fast freeze method using liquid nitrogen as a cryogen, followed by transmission electron microscopic observations on fine structures . Then, the following results were obtained . 1) Cell wall was an electron dense and thick monolayer . In certain cells, numerous granules were found on cell walls, showing lamellar structures . The cell wall surface to be a wave like structure of which limit was unclear . 2) Cytoplasmic membrane consisted of two electron less dense layers holding an electron dense layer in then . However, fine layers with different electron density crossed over one another, representing a formation of stripe structure in other cells . 3) In cytoplasm, we observed that fine fibers with high electron density crossed over fine fibers with low electron density . 4) We also observed that the specialized ring structure in cytoplasm.

Lancet, 1989 Nov 25, 2(8674), 1258 - 61
Source and route of microbial colonisation of parenteral nutrition catheters; de Cicco M et al.; To assess the effectiveness of tunnelling the polyurethane venous catheter for parenteral nutrition in reducing the frequency of catheter microbial colonisation, and to investigate the routes taken by microorganisms colonising the central venous catheter, 109 patients were randomised to traditional subclavian catheterisation (58, group A) or to subcutaneous catheter tunnelling (51, group B) . Samples were taken from patients and their nurse attendants to identify their indigenous flora . Cultures were also done of swabs from the catheter insertion site, blood, nutrient solution, segment of the catheter, and washings of the catheter hub . Intravascular segment colonisation was commoner in group A (18/58) than in group B patients (4/51), and bacterial migration from insertion site to intravascular segment was also commoner among group A (9/58) than among group B patients (1/51) . Catheter hub contamination was responsible in 10 out of 22 cases of microbial colonisation; in 6 of these 10 the bacterium isolated was present on the skin of nurses who changed the bag . Contamination of the insertion site skin and of the CVC hub were equally responsible for the microbial colonisation of the intravenous segment of the catheter.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Nov 15, 264(32), 19287 - 92
The brown alga Ascophyllum nodosum contains two different vanadium bromoperoxidases; Krenn BE et al.; Haloperoxidases have been detected in a variety of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, algae, and mammals . Mammalian haloperoxidases are known to be directly involved in the oxidative destruction of microorganisms . The algal bromoperoxidases are probably involved in the biosynthesis of bromometabolites, most of which show considerable bactericidal activity . From the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum (order, Fucales) two different bromoperoxidases have been isolated, which both contain vanadium as an essential element for enzymic activity . The location of these two enzymes, determined by activity staining of cross-sections of algal parts, was different . Bromoperoxidase I (which has been described before) was located inside the thallus, particularly around the conceptacles, whereas bromoperoxidase II was present at the thallus surface of the alga . The molecular masses of these bromoperoxidases as judged from sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis were 97 and 106 kDa, respectively . Some of the enzymatic properties (pH optimum and Km for bromide) of the two enzymes were slightly different, whereas the amino acid compositions were more or less equal . The isoelectric point of the two proteins was the same, namely 5.0 . On sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels both enzymes could be stained with periodic acid Schiff's reagent, so both are glycoproteins . Since only bromoperoxidase II could be bound to a concanavalin A-Sepharose column, these enzymes contain different carbohydrates . Both enzymes display a considerable thermostability . However, the chemical stability of the two bromoperoxidases differed . Bromoperoxidase II could also be inactivated by dialysis at low pH and reactivation was only possible with the transition metal vanadium and not with other metal ions . The presence of vanadium in this enzyme could be established with atomic absorption spectrophotometry and electron paramagnetic resonance . The EPR signals of both bromoperoxidases, which were observed after reduction with sodium dithionite, were similar: only minor differences were observed in the hyperfine coupling . In immunoblotting experiments these two bromoperoxidases were found to cross-react, so they have common antigenic determinants.

Anesthesiology, 1989 Nov, 71(5), 679 - 85
A prospective study of protected bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonia; Rouby JJ et al.; The value of a new technique of protected bronchoalveolar lavage not requiring bronchoscopy was prospectively evaluated for the diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonia in two groups of critically ill patients . The control group was comprised of 29 patients free of any pulmonary disease whose lungs were ventilated for a mean time of 14 +/- 9 days (mean +/- SD) . The pneumonia group was comprised of 30 patients with histologically proven nosocomial pneumonia whose lungs were ventilated for a mean time of 11 +/- 8 days . All patients of the pneumonia group died, and postmortem lung biopsies were taken for bacteriologic and pathologic examination . Twice a week in the control group or within the day preceding death in the pneumonia group, distal bronchial samples were obtained by a technique of protected bronchoalveolar lavage performed at the bedside . Fifty-one distal bronchial samples were bacteriologically analyzed in the control group and 30 in the pneumonia group . The sensitivity of a positive protected bronchoalveolar lavage for diagnosing nosocomial pneumonia was 80%, whereas the specificity was 66% . In 73% of the patients of the pneumonia group, the microorganisms isolated in the protected bronchoalveolar lavage and in the lung culture were partially (16%) or completely in agreement (57%) . Among the 43 microorganisms isolated in the lung cultures, 74% were recovered by the protected bronchoalveolar lavage technique . This study shows that the protected bronchoalveolar lavage is an accurate technique for the diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonia . Because the technique is simple, noninvasive, easily repeatable at the bedside, and enables gram staining, it represents an attractive alternative to the fiberoptic bronchoscopy technique using a plugged double-sheathed brush.

Pharmacol Res, 1989 Nov-Dec, 21 Suppl 2, 35 - 46
Immunotoxins, ligand-toxin conjugates and molecular targeting; Soria M; Biotechnology provides tools for therapeutic exploitation following advances in the elucidation of protein-to-cell and cell-to-cell interactions . Molecular targeting of bacterial and plant toxins to the desired district of action can be achieved through effector molecules like monoclonal antibodies or protein ligands . Biochemical conjugation of these effectors to SO-6, a single-chain Ribosome Inactivating Protein from Saponaria officinalis, yielded powerful cytotoxic agents that are attractive candidates for therapeutic evaluation . Cloning of the gene for this plant toxin has been achieved . Technologies for expression of protein ligands, such as apolipoproteins or several growth factors, are available in recombinant microorganisms, providing adequate partners for the assembly of targeted chimaeras . Domain engineering of structural and functional regions in effector proteins is now possible and will be carried out with the available technologies to improve existing therapy.

Res Immunol, 1989 Nov-Dec, 140(9), 847 - 55
Phenolic glycolipid-1 from M . leprae inhibits oxygen free radical production by human mononuclear cells; Launois P et al.; We studied the effect of PGL1, a phenolic glycolipid unique to Mycobacterium leprae, on the activation of the phagocyte oxidative respiratory burst, by measuring the chemiluminescence (CL) generated by normal mononuclear cells . PGL1 induced a decrease in oxygen free radical production stimulated by mycobacteria (M . leprae, BCG and M . kansasii) or by phorbol myristate acetate, but did not prevent the binding or ingestion of fluorescein-conjugated mycobacteria . In contrast, mycoside A from M . kansasii, a structurally related compound, did not alter the CL response . In addition, treatment of M . leprae with anti-PGL1 antibodies failed to restore the response to this microorganism . PGL1 could act as an oxygen species scavenger and protect M . leprae from killing by toxic oxygen metabolites.

Rev Esp Enferm Apar Dig, 1989 Nov, 76(5), 461 - 4
{Pyogenic hepatic abscesses: role of ultrasonography in their diagnosis and treatment}; Franquet Casas T et al.; We present 26 cases of pyogenic hepatic abscess diagnosed by echography, 14 of which were treated by percutaneous drainage guided by ultrasound . An analysis is made of the clinical and radiological findings, as well as the differential diagnosis of focal hepatic lesions . Due to the lack of clinical specificity in many patients, we recommend fine needle biopsy directed by ultrasound to confirm the suspicion of pyogenic hepatic abscess and isolation of noncausative microorganisms . We think that the treatment of choice in these patients is percutaneous drainage guided by echography.

Clin Exp Rheumatol, 1989 Nov-Dec, 7(6), 635 - 45
Small nuclear RNA associated proteins: autoantigens in connective tissue diseases; Van Venrooij WJ et al.; Small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (smRNPs) are complexes of uridylic acid (U)-rich snRNAs with at least 7 core proteins and a varying number of specific proteins . Most of these proteins act as targets for autoantibodies in autoimmune patients . In the last two years, a number of cDNAs coding for these antigens have been cloned and some specific features of the deduced amino acid sequences of these proteins are discussed . The recombinant antigens, produced in high yields by the microorganism, can be used very efficiently in qualitative and quantitative ELISA tests . It is to be expected that the availability of rather large amounts of pure antigen will be of great help in elucidating the question of why these autoantibodies are generated and what their relation to the disease might be.

Rev Infect Dis, 1989 Nov-Dec, 11 Suppl 7, S1706 - 10
Role of the microbiology laboratory in care of the immunosuppressed patient; Kiehn TE et al.; In the immunosuppressed patient the usual hallmarks of infection, such as leukocytosis and antibody response, may be absent; thus the microbiology laboratory plays a fundamental role in the diagnosis of infection . Methods used to demonstrate microorganisms in a specimen submitted to the laboratory include visualization techniques, culture, and non-cultural methods involving immunologic, immunochemical, and nucleic acid probe methodologies . Because infections in the immunosuppressed patient may be caused by unusual organisms whose identification requires special techniques, close communication between the physician and the laboratory is important . New technologies allow the clinical microbiology laboratory to gather important diagnostic information more readily . When these results are delivered rapidly to physicians via computerized information systems, care of the immunosuppressed patient is significantly enhanced.

Rev Infect Dis, 1989 Nov-Dec, 11 Suppl 7, S1600 - 4
Immune response to fungal infection; Diamond RD; In general, fungi are saprophytes that are well adapted to grow in nature supported by diverse nutritional substrates . For fungi, in contrast to many other microorganisms that infect humans, parasitism is an accidental phenomenon rather than an obligatory requirement for survival . Thus, with progressive improvement in our capabilities to prolong survival of patients with global defects in host defense mechanisms, clinical experience suggests that human tissues may support growth of numerous species of saprophytic fungi that share the capacity to grow at 37 degrees C . Normally, however, a broad array of natural and acquired host defense mechanisms make the occurrence of progressive, systemic, life-threatening mycoses extremely rare events . When one or another of these host defense mechanisms is compromised, one of a variety of significant fungal infections may then progress . Mycoses may be broadly categorized into those controlled largely by natural cellular defenses vs . acquired cell-mediated immunity . Notwithstanding data that permit such general classification of host factors controlling one or another invasive mycosis, the diverse structural and antigenic properties of individual fungi create unique patterns of infections in individual, characteristic host settings . Thus, while some broad generalizations are possible, definition of predisposing factors for specific individual mycoses (and, ultimately, prospects for corrective immunotherapy) requires careful characterization of diverse features of fungal forms mediating divergent immune responses.

J Periodontol, 1989 Nov, 60(11), 611 - 6
Eikenella corrodens in the human oral cavity; Chen CK et al.; The prevalence and distribution of the putative periodontal pathogen Eikenella corrodens in the human oral cavity was examined . A total of 508 oral bacterial samples were taken from 10 periodontally healthy adults (PH), 11 adult periodontitis patients (AP), and 6 localized juvenile periodontitis patients (LJP) . From each subject, samples of supra- and subgingival plaque were obtained from six to eight teeth as well as samples from buccal mucosa, lateral and dorsal surfaces of tongue, tonsil, and saliva . E . corrodens was cultured from 70% of healthy subjects and 100% of periodontitis patients . Dental plaque appears to be the main oral ecological niche of E . corrodens in PH subjects since it was found in, respectively, 26% and 31% of supra- and subgingival plaque samples and rarely found in other oral sites in these subjects . It was found in 59% of both supra- and subgingival plaque samples from AP subjects, as well as 48% and 64% of supra- and subgingival plaque samples of LJP subjects . In contrast to healthy subjects, E . corrodens was found on the buccal mucosa, tongue, tonsil and in the saliva of patients with periodontitis . The microorganism constituted, on average, 1% to 2% of the total cultivable bacteria in supra- and subgingival plaque samples . The prevalence of E . corrodens in plaque samples was higher in AP and LJP subjects and was significantly different from PH subjects . Within the AP group, the prevalence of E . corrodens in subgingival plaque is significantly higher from sites with GI greater than or equal to 2 . These data suggest that E . corrodens is an indigenous oral microorganism which may be an opportunistic pathogen associated with gingival inflammation.

J Parenter Sci Technol, 1989 Nov-Dec, 43(6), 266 - 70
Practical methods for the microbial validation of sterilizing-grade filters used in aseptic processing; MacDonald WD et al.; Microbial challenge test methods to validate sterilizing-grade filters were developed to facilitate the use of parenteral drug products as liquid vehicles . Scaled-down filtration systems were developed in response to processing parameters, e.g., flow rates, pressures, duration, and temperature, provided by customers . Accordingly, 47 mm disc filter holders were chosen to minimize the volume of product necessary for each test . A peristaltic pump was used to produce positive pressure within the test system, and a 47mm filter sampling manifold was used to assay the entire filtrate . The resultant system was able to accommodate a variety of flow rates while maintaining the viability of the retention test microorganism, Pseudomonas diminuta (ATCC Number 19146) . Experiments were conducted by challenging sterilizing-grade (0.22 micron) and 0.45 micron polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) (Durapore) filter discs under simulated processing conditions with P . diminuta resuspended in the pharmaceutical products . The challenge concentration was at least 10(7) colony forming units per cm2 of filter area . The 0.22 micron filters were shown to be retentive in all cases, while the 0.45 micron membranes exhibited some degree of bacterial passage as expected . The results of these experiments were communicated to the customers for inclusion in their process validation documentation.

Am Ind Hyg Assoc J, 1989 Nov, 50(11), 561 - 8
Positive-hole correction of multiple-jet impactors for collecting viable microorganisms; Macher JM; Multiple-jet impactors, typically with 200 or 400 holes, are used widely for collecting aerosols of living bacteria and fungi . In this type of impactor, the air jets impinge directly onto nutrient agar in a petri dish which is incubated after sampling until collected cells multiply into colonies . The observed number of colonies can be adjusted for the probability that more than one viable particle was collected through a sampling hole and merged with other microorganisms at an impaction site to produce a single colony . A "positive-hole" correction table has been published for a 400-hole impactor, but none has been produced previously for the 200-hole impactor . The expected number of sampled particles required to fill each of 1 through 200 and 1 through 400 impaction sites and the standard deviations of these values were calculated from probability theory . The results were compared with a Monte Carlo simulation . By using correction tables (which include the standard deviation of an expected value) an investigator can report the most probable viable particle count and a 95% confidence interval (mean +/- 2 standard deviations) . The range of collected particles that could have produced an observed number of colonies increases as the number of collected particles increases, and investigators should acknowledge the uncertainty associated with adjusted counts . It is advisable to use an impactor with the greatest practical number of sampling holes because this decreases the likelihood that multiple particles are deposited at the impaction sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Radiol Clin North Am, 1989 Nov, 27(6), 1059 - 66
Pulmonary infections in the immunocompromised host; McLoud TC; The lung is an organ that is particularly susceptible to infection in the immunocompromised host . Patterns of involvement produced on the chest radiograph include (1) lobar or segmental consolidation; (2) nodules with rapid growth and/or cavitation; and (3) diffuse lung disease . There is a general correlation between the type of radiographic pattern and the microorganism producing the pneumonia . Invasive diagnostic procedures include needle aspiration, transbronchial, and open lung biopsy.

Zhonghua Min Guo Xiao Er Ke Yi Xue Hui Za Zhi, 1989 Nov-Dec, 30(6), 432 - 6
{Congenital right diaphragmatic eventration manifested with pleural effusion . Report of one case}; Hsieh WS et al.; A 2,980-gram female infant was born to a 25-year-old mother at the gestational age of 34 weeks with the chief problems of asphyxia and respiratory distress . Prenatal sonogram at 34th week of gestation showed significant pleural effusion, mediastinal shift, polyhydramnios and large for date . Soon after birth, she was put on intubation and ventilator therapy . Physical examination revealed poor chest wall excursion . Breathing sound was markedly decreased over the right lung field . Abdomen was soft and slightly distended with the liver palpable 0.5 cm below the right costal margin and 2 cm below the xyphoid process . Arterial blood gas with patient breathing 100% oxygen revealed severe acidosis and carbon dioxide retention . The first chest film showed right pleural effusion . Chest tap was performed, and 90 cc serosanguineous fluid was aspirated . The white cells of the effusion were 1,971 with lymphocyte predominant . No microorganism or malignant cell was found . Severe respiratory distress and cyanosis persisted inspite of these managements . Follow up chest film at the age of 11 hours revealed the right chest was occupied by intestinal loops . A thoracotomy was performed with the impression of right diaphragmatic hernia . The operation findings included a very redundant membranous portion of diaphragm formed a large sac containing the liver and some bowel loops, the lower lobe of the right lung collapsed and was located high in the posterior chest cavity . Diaphragmatic plication and excision were done with transient improvement of the skin color . The baby's condition deteriorated and expired at the age of 25 hours despite of postoperative vasodilator and ventilator therapies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biophys J, 1989 Nov, 56(5), 1029 - 35
Kinematics of helical motion of microorganisms capable of motion with four degrees of freedom; Crenshaw HC; The kinematics of helical motion are described for an organism with four degrees of freedom, relative to the organism's frame of reference . It can rotate about any of three orthogonal axes, but can translate only in the direction of one axis . In particular, equations are developed for calculating the pitch, radius, and angular frequency of the helical path from the translational and rotational velocities of the microorganism, correcting, and expanding the analysis of Gray J . (1955 . J . Exp . Biol . 32:775-801).

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Nov, 55(11), 2960 - 4
Survey of microbial oxygenases: trichloroethylene degradation by propane-oxidizing bacteria; Wackett LP et al.; Microorganisms that biosynthesize broad-specificity oxygenases to initiate metabolism of linear and branched-chain alkanes, nitroalkanes, cyclic ketones, alkenoic acids, and chromenes were surveyed for the ability to biodegrade trichloroethylene (TCE) . The results indicated that TCE oxidation is not a common property of broad-specificity microbial oxygenases . Bacteria that contained nitropropane dioxygenase, cyclohexanone monooxygenase, cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases, 4-methoxybenzoate monooxygenase, and hexane monooxygenase did not degrade TCE . However, one new unique class of microorganisms removed TCE from incubation mixtures . Five Mycobacterium strains that were grown on propane as the sole source of carbon and energy degraded TCE . Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5 degraded TCE more rapidly and to a greater extent than the four other propane-oxidizing bacteria . At a starting concentration of 20 microM, it removed up to 99% of the TCE in 24 h . M . vaccae JOB5 also biodegraded 1,1-dichloroethylene, trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, cis-1,2-dichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride.

Hum Reprod, 1989 Nov, 4(8 Suppl), 73 - 7
Minimal andrological requirements for in-vitro fertilization; Riedel HH et al.; The ejaculate used for in-vitro fertilization of human oocytes must fulfil minimum requirements . Based on the results of experimental investigations, total concentrations of spermatozoa must be greater than 5 million spermatozoa/microliters with progressive motilities of at least 30% and also a normal morphology of at least 30% . Furthermore, in sperm preparations used for inseminating human oocytes, the concentration of pathogenic microorganisms must not be less than 10(4) . If there are positive bacteriological findings, the treatment of both partners is mandatory according to the antibiogram . According to the information gathered to date, the hamster oocyte penetration test can only provide additional information if it is positive, but acceptance into an IVF programme should not depend on this test . According to the results presented so far, the swell test developed by Jeyendran shows quite good correlation with the fertilization of human oocytes.

Infection, 1989 Nov-Dec, 17(6), 418 - 21
The role of systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in infection prevention in intensive care by SDD; Stoutenbeek CP; Systemic antibiotic prophylaxis is part of the regimen for selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) used for infection prevention in intensive care . It is given to prevent infections by potentially pathogenic microorganisms which are present in the oropharynx or gastrointestinal tract upon admission to the intensive care unit, i.e . primary endogenous infections . The topical non-absorbable antibiotics are given to prevent secondary endogenous infections . Exogenous infections are prevented by the conventional hygienic measures . An antibiotic used for systemic prophylaxis should have a spectrum covering both community-acquired microorganisms (e.g . pneumococci) and hospital-acquired potentially pathogenic microorganisms, without affecting the indigenous flora . Furthermore, the penetration in bronchial secretions should be adequate and the incidence of side effects should be low . Cefotaxime being one of the few antibiotics which meet all these criteria has therefore been used in most SDD trials . The duration of systemic prophylaxis has been determined empirically and can generally be confined to the first four days . Emergence of resistance against cefotaxime is rare due to the combination with topical nonabsorbable antibiotics.

Biol Chem Hoppe Seyler, 1989 Nov, 370(11), 1173 - 82
Degradation of 2-chlorobenzoate by Pseudomonas cepacia 2CBS; Fetzner S et al.; A bacterium was isolated from water by enrichment on 2-chlorobenzoate as sole source of carbon and energy . Based on morphological and physiological properties, this microorganism was assigned to the species Pseudomonas cepacia . The organism was designated Pseudomonas cepacia 2CBS . During growth on 2-chlorobenzoate, the chlorine substituent was released quantitatively, and a small amount of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate accumulated in the culture medium . Mutants of Pseudomonas cepacia 2CBS were induced by treatment with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine . Some of these mutants produced catechol from 2-chlorobenzoate . Other mutants accumulated the meta-cleavage product of catechol, 2-hydroxy-cis,cis-muconic acid semialdehyde . In crude cell-free extracts of Pseudomonas cepacia 2CBS, an enzyme was detected which catalysed the conversion of 2-chlorobenzoate to catechol . Molecular oxygen, NADH and exogenous Fe2+ were required for activity . Stoichiometric amounts of chloride were released . Experiments with 18O2 revealed that both oxygen atoms in the hydroxyl groups of the product were derived from molecular oxygen . Thus, the enzyme catalysing the conversion of 2-chlorobenzoate was identified as 2-chlorobenzoate 1,2-dioxygenase (1,2-hydroxylating, dehalogenating, decarboxylating) . 2-Chlorobenzoate 1,2-dioxygenase from Pseudomonas cepacia 2CBS was shown to be a multicomponent enzyme system . The activities of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase and catechol 1,2-dioxygenase were detected in crude cell-free extracts . The activity of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase was 60 times higher than the activity of catechol 1,2-dioxygenase, indicating that catechol is mainly degraded via meta-cleavage in Pseudomonas cepacia 2CBS . No enzyme was found which converted 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate, suggesting that this compound is a dead-end metabolite of 2-chlorobenzoate catabolism . A pathway for the degradation of 2-chlorobenzoate by Pseudomonas cepacia 2CBS is proposed.

Arch Environ Health, 1989 Nov-Dec, 44(6), 385 - 90
Acute arsenic intoxication from environmental arsenic exposure; Franzblau A et al.; Reports of acute arsenic poisoning arising from environmental exposure are rare . Two cases of acute arsenic intoxication resulting from ingestion of contaminated well water are described . These patients experienced a variety of problems: acute gastrointestinal symptoms, central and peripheral neurotoxicity, bone marrow suppression, hepatic toxicity, and mild mucous membrane and cutaneous changes . Although located adjacent to an abandoned mine, the well water had been tested for microorganisms only and was found to be "safe." Regulations for testing of water from private wells for fitness to drink are frequently nonexistent, or only mandate biologic tests for microorganisms . Well water, particularly in areas near mining activity, should be tested for metals.

Arch Stomatol (Napoli), 1989 Nov, 30(5), 937 - 59
{The immunological basis of vaccination against carious disease . Microorganism interactions . Specific host defense system . Immunological protection of the oral cavity}; Gombos F et al.; The authors describe the very complex interactions of the microorganisms of the oral cavity and among these latter and the guest organism . There are described the mechanisms of aspecific defense of the oral cavity and give some outlines of the anatomy and of the physiology of the organs and of the glandular structures of the specific immune defence of the oral cavity through blood and saliva.

Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin, 1989 Nov, 7(9), 478 - 81
{Healthy carriers of enteropathogenic micro-organisms among the child population of Seville}; Garcia JL et al.; We have studied for 1-year period a group of 144 children (31 newborn infants, 62 aged 1 year and 51 aged 2 years) who were randomly selected from the registrar's office of Sevilla with the purpose of determining the incidence of diarrhoea and the prevalence of enteropathogenic microorganisms . Two samples of faeces (one at the beginning and the second by the second semester of the 1-year period) were obtained from all children which were processed for culture and parasite and rotavirus examination . We found a prevalence rate of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli carriers (EPEC) of 7%, of Giardia lamblia of 4% and of rotavirus of 14% . The state of EPEC was more frequent among children from high social-economic status . The state of G . lamblia carrier was six-fold higher in children with body weight alterations and in non-vaccinated or incompletely vaccinated children.

Vrach Delo, 1989 Nov, (11), 81 - 3
{The activity of cationic proteins, peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase in the blood neutrophils of diabetics}; Podil'chak MD et al.; Data on the function of neutrophils in diabetes mellitus not infrequently accompanied by inflammatory complications are scarce . The aim of this work is to investigate the state of some components of neutrophil granules (cationic proteins, activity of myeloperoxidase, alkaline phosphatase) that play a major role in the mechanisms of destruction of microorganisms in phagocytosis.

J Virol, 1989 Nov, 63(11), 4479 - 88
A novel function of the herpes simplex virus type 1 Fc receptor: participation in bipolar bridging of antiviral immunoglobulin G; Frank I et al.; We describe a novel function of the Fc receptor of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), its ability to participate in antibody bipolar bridging . This refers to the binding of a single immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecule by its Fab end to its antigenic target and by its Fc end to an Fc receptor (FcR) . We demonstrate that various immune IgG antibodies, including polyclonal rabbit antibodies to HSV-1 glycoproteins gC1 and gD1 and monoclonal human antibody to gD1 blocked rosetting of IgG-coated erythrocytes at IgG concentrations 100- to 2,000-fold lower than required for rosette inhibition with nonimmune IgG . Steric hindrance did not account for the observed differences between immune and nonimmune IgG since rabbit anti-gC1 F(ab')2 fragments did not block rosetting . Murine anti-gC1 or anti-gD1 IgG, a species of IgG incapable of binding by its Fc end to the HSV-1 FcR, also did not block rosetting . When cells were infected with a gC1-deficient mutant, anti-gC1 IgG inhibited rosetting to the same extent as nonimmune IgG . This indicates that binding by the Fab end of the IgG molecule was required for maximum inhibition of rosetting . Bipolar bridging was shown to occur even when small concentrations of immune IgG were present in physiologic concentrations of nonimmune IgG . The biologic relevance of antibody bipolar bridging was evaluated by comparing antibody- and complement-dependent virus neutralization of an FcR-negative mutant and its parent HSV-1 strain . By engaging the Fc end of antiviral IgG, the parent strain resisted neutralization mediated by the classical complement pathway . These observations provide insight into the role of the HSV-1 FcR in pathogenesis and may help explain the function of FcR detected on other microorganisms.

J Mol Evol, 1989 Nov, 29(5), 436 - 47
Phylogeny of nitrogenase sequences in Frankia and other nitrogen-fixing microorganisms; Normand P et al.; The complete nucleotide sequence of a nitrogenase (nifH) gene was determined from a second strain (HRN18a) of Frankia, an aerobic soil bacterium . The open reading frame is 870 bp long and encodes a polypeptide of 290 amino acids . The amino acid and nucleotide sequences were compared with 21 other published sequences . The two Frankia strains were 96% similar at the amino acid level and 93% similar at the nucleotide level . A number of methods were used to infer phylogenies of these nitrogen fixers, based on nifH amino acid and nucleotide sequences . The results obtained do not agree completely with other phylogenies for these bacteria and thus make probable occurrences of lateral transfer of the nif genes . The time of divergence of the two Frankia strains could be estimated at about 100 million years . The vanadium-dependent (Type 2) nitrogenase present in Azotobacter spp . appears to be a recent derivation from the conventional molybdenum-dependent (Type 1) enzyme, whereas the iron-dependent (Type 3) alternative nitrogenase would have a much older origin.

Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin, 1989 Nov, 7(9), 489 - 90
{Prevalence of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi among the population of Seville}; Lopez Prieto MD et al.; In order to determine the prevalence of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi in the area of Sevilla, we have studied 300 healthy subjects of different age and sex groups by means of IIF . Of the 300 studied sera, only 4% had antibodies at titers greater than or equal to 1:16, a fact that shows the low prevalence of antibodies against this microorganism in the area . Such titers were mainly found among subjects over 40 years (p less than 0.001).

Clin Immunol Immunopathol, 1989 Nov, 53(2 Pt 1), 268 - 80
Monoclonal antibodies identify three IgG Fc receptors in normal human central nervous system; Peress NS et al.; Functional Fc receptors have been described in the central nervous system (CNS) in the subependymal periventricular regions, leptomeninges, including brain perivascular tissues, and choroid plexus . The distribution of this receptor activity suggests a role in protection of adjacent nervous tissue from IgG-opsonized antigens, including microorganisms . In this report, we have utilized monoclonal antibodies to human Fc gamma RI, II, and III; 32, IV.3, and 3G8, respectively, to immunohistochemically examine the distribution of these receptors in the CNS . Fc gamma RI was only occasionally present in the CNS where it was identified most often in the choroid plexus . Fc gamma RII was the predominant receptor in brain . It as consistently present in leptomeninges, including brain perivascular regions, arachnoid granulations, and choroid plexus stroma . Some samples of subependymal periventricular tissue also displayed Fc gamma RII . Fc gamma RIII was only identified in subependymal periventricular tissue but not in choroid plexus and arachnoid . These results demonstrate that regions of normal adult brain which produce cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and border on CSF and vascular compartments display Fc gamma R heterogeneity consistent with that of blood monocytes and systemic macrophages.

J Immunol Methods, 1989 Oct 24, 123(2), 241 - 7
A solid-phase immunoassay for detection of IgA1 protease activity on agar plates; Brown TA et al.; An immunoassay was developed which is capable of detecting IgA1 protease positive microorganisms from biologically derived samples grown on agar plates . Activity was detected by overlaying plates with agar containing insolubilized IgA and capturing Fab fragments on nitrocellulose disks coated with anti-lambda light chain . Using cultures of human saliva, a comparison of this assay with a more traditional method involving electrophoresis and Western blotting of individual colony material revealed excellent agreement between the two methods . This assay should be useful in studying the distribution and ecology of organisms producing IgA1 protease, and in assessing its potential as a virulence factor.

FEBS Lett, 1989 Oct 23, 257(1), 127 - 30
Expression of enzymatically active cloned strictosidine synthase from the higher plant Rauvolfia serpentina in Escherichia coli; Kutchan TM; The cDNA for strictosidine synthase, the enzyme catalyzing the stereospecific condensation of tryptamine with secologanin producing strictosidine, the key intermediate in indole alkaloid biosynthesis, has been expressed in an enzymatically active form in Escherichia coli . The cDNA trimmed of its 3'- and 5'-flanking regions was inserted into the vector pKK223-3 by addition of a synthetic adapter containing the ribosome binding site derived from the beta-galactosidase gene . Strictosidine synthase activity (138 nkat.l-1) could be measured in both whole bacteria and in bacterial protein extracts . Strictosidine synthase represents the first enzyme of plant secondary metabolism to be actively expressed in a microorganism.

Cell Immunol, 1989 Oct 15, 123(2), 354 - 72
The regulation of murine B cell differentiation . I . Nonspecific suppression caused by Mycoplasma arginini; Foresman MD et al.; During the screening of suppressor T cell (Ts) hybridomas for antigen-nonspecific suppressive activity, we isolated a strain of Mycoplasma arginini which inhibits B cell antibody production in vitro . The addition of mycoplasma-containing Ts hybridoma culture supernatant to splenic B cells responding to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and T cell-replacing factor or to trinitrophenyl-lipopolysaccharide (TNP-LPS) suppressed the production of anti-SRBC and anti-TNP plaque-forming cells in a dose-dependent and antigen-nonspecific manner . Inhibition occurred due to the noncytotoxic mycoplasmal infection of B cells in culture and required the physical presence of microorganisms . Cell cycle analysis of acridine orange-stained B cells indicated that mycoplasmal infection did not block cell cycle entry and progression of antigen-activated cells . In addition to a suppressive activity, this strain of mycoplasma was selectively mitogenic for B cells . Furthermore, the mycoplasma failed to stimulate or inhibit T cell proliferation . The suppressive and mitogenic activities were selectively absorbed by mitogen-activated B cells but not T cells . These results indicate that this strain of M . arginini mimics the suppressive activity of an antigen-nonspecific Ts factor selective for B cell antibody production.

Med Hypotheses, 1989 Oct, 30(2), 73 - 4
Production of procoagulant activity, tissue factor-like, by human mononuclear cells and its role in the pathogenesis of Legionella prosthetic valve endocarditis; Miragliotta G et al.; The production of procoagulant activity, tissue factor-like, by human mononuclear phagocytes stimulated by Legionella microorganisms is here hypothesized as a key moment in the pathogenesis of Legionella prosthetic valve endocarditis.

J Trauma, 1989 Oct, 29(10), 1367 - 70
Complications following blunt and penetrating injuries in 216 victims of chest trauma requiring tube thoracostomy; Helling TS et al.; Tube thoracostomy (TT) is required in the treatment of many blunt and penetrating injuries of the chest . In addition to complications from the injuries, TT may contribute to morbidity by introducing microorganisms into the pleural space or by incomplete lung expansion and evacuation of pleural blood . We have attempted to assess the impact of TT following penetrating and blunt thoracic trauma by examining a consecutive series of 216 patients seen at two urban trauma centers with such injuries who required TT over a 30-month period . Ninety-four patients suffered blunt chest trauma; 122 patients were victims of penetrating wounds . Patients with blunt injuries had longer ventilator requirements (12.6 +/- 14 days vs . 3.7 +/- 7.1 days, p = 0.003), longer intensive care stays (12.2 +/- 12.5 days vs . 4.1 +/- 7.5 days, p = 0.001), and longer periods of TT, (6.5 +/- 4.9 days vs . 5.2 +/- 4.5 days, p = 0.018) . Empyema occurred in six patients (3%) . Residual hemothorax was found in 39 patients (18%), seven of whom required decortication . Recurrent pneumothorax developed in 51 patients (24%) and ten required repeat TT . Complications occurred in 78 patients (36%) . Patients with blunt trauma experienced more complications (44%) than those with penetrating wounds (30%) (p = 0.04) . However, only seven of 13 patients developing empyema or requiring decortication had blunt trauma . Despite longer requirements for mechanical ventilation, intensive care, and intubation, victims of blunt trauma seemed to have effective drainage of their pleural space by TT without increased risk of infectious complications.

J Rheumatol, 1989 Oct, 16(10), 1377 - 8
Septic arthritis due to Mycobacterium phlei presenting as infantile Reiter's syndrome; Aguilar JL et al.; We describe a 7-year-old Peruvian boy who presented with a 2 week history of conjunctivitis, urethritis and arthritis, in whom Mycobacterium phlei was the only organism repeatedly isolated from synovial fluid and tissue and who responded to conventional antituberculous therapy . To our knowledge this is the first documented case of human disease caused by this microorganism.

Neurosurgery, 1989 Oct, 25(4), 655 - 7
Discitis caused by the Centers for Disease Control microorganism Group Ve-1; Levy DI et al.; An unusual case of discitis in a 60-year-old, insulin-dependent, diabetic man is presented . Radiographs of the lumbar spine demonstrated changes associated with infection of the intervertebral disc space . Cultures from the L5-S1 disc space grew the microorganism designated by the Centers for Disease Control as Group Ve-1, an organism that has had questionable clinical significance in the past, and has not been reported as a pathogen in an intervertebral disc space.

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 1989 Oct, 30(10), 2179 - 83
The intravitreal penetration of ceftriaxone in man following systemic administration; Sharir M et al.; Seventeen patients who underwent vitreal surgery received ceftriaxone (Rocephin) 1-2 g intramuscularly at various time intervals before surgery . Specimens of serum and vitreous were assayed for ceftriaxone concentrations both by bioassay and high pressure liquid chromatography . All patients had detectable vitreous (and serum) ceftriaxone concentrations at all time periods . Vitreous ceftriaxone levels at the first 4.5 hr following the administration of the antibiotic ranged from 1.4-19.4 micrograms/ml and averaged 5.9 micrograms/ml . At 12-13 hr following ceftriaxone administration vitreous concentrations were 11.5 (+/- 9.0) micrograms/ml . Ceftriaxone in intramuscular administration could be used as prophylaxis against ceftriaxone-susceptible microorganisms in vitreal surgery . Ceftriaxone is the first antibiotic for which reliable penetration into the vitreous is demonstrable following intramuscular administration.

Z Gesamte Hyg, 1989 Oct, 35(10), 593 - 5
{New developments in bedside diagnosis}; Spencker FB et al.; The time required to isolate microorganisms, identify them, interpret results, and provide guidance for therapy is inordinate for urgent decisions in primary care . The emphasis for a more rapid diagnosis bedside or in the office, respectively, is caused apart from medical reasons by economic restrictions necessitating earlier diagnosis, more immediate and appropriate treatment, shorter patient hospital stays, and allowing the patient to resume normal productivity earlier . After describing some general criteria with regard to the design of tests for bed-side diagnosis we discuss well known and novel procedures: microscopy of clinical specimens, microbial antigen detection, and nucleic acid hybridization . In concluding remarks we underline the necessity of careful clinical studies concerning sensitivity, specificity, and reliability as well as quality control measures for every novel assay before and during introduction in clinical and office practice.

Z Gesamte Hyg, 1989 Oct, 35(10), 589 - 91
{Status and developmental trends in the use of fluorescence microscopy studies in microbiology}; Storz H; There are many applications for fluorescence microscopy in the field of microbiology for diagnostic and scientific purposes . Autofluorescence as well as secondary fluorescence induced by staining of specimen with fluorochromes or with fluorochrome labeled antibodies are used for detection and differentiation of microorganisms . Small demands for object preparation and short test times are advantages for screening tests . During the last time considerable progresses in methods and technical equipments are noticeable and offer numerous new applications for fluorescence microscopy . New microscopes show clearly increased intensity of excitation . This requires a selection of object slides and cover glasses with lowest autofluorescence, blocking of fading by addition of PPD to embedding medium and a better adaptation of filters for excitation and fluorescence to the characteristics of fluorochromes . Multiple fluorochroming and combined application of fluorescence and alternative contrast techniques such as phase contrast are of rising importance in practice.

Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo), 1989 Oct, 37(10), 2753 - 6
Mutagenicity of dimethylated metabolites of inorganic arsenics; Yamanaka K et al.; The genotoxic effects of dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA), one of the main metabolites of inorganic arsenics in mammals, and its further metabolites were investigated using Escherichia coli B tester strains . When H/r30R (wild-type; Exc+Rec+) and Hs30R (uvrA-; Exc-Rec+) cells were incubated with DMAA for 3 h in liquid NB medium, many more revertants appeared in sealed tubes than in the control, but this was not the case in unsealed tubes, suggesting that volatile metabolites of DMAA caused the mutagenesis . By gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), dimethylarsine and trimethylarsine, known to be volatile metabolites in microorganisms, were detected in the gas phase of DMAA-added tester strain cell suspensions in sealed tubes . Among these arsines, dimethylarsine was mutagenic in WP2 (wild-type; Exc+Rec+) and WP2uvrA (uvrA-; Exc-Rec+), while trimethylarsine was not . The mutagenesis induced by dimethylarsine required oxygen gas in the assay system; the number of revertants markedly increased in an oxygen-replaced system and diminished in a nitrogen-replaced one . These results suggest that the reaction product(s) between dimethylarsine and molecular oxygen is responsible for the mutagenesis . The significance of this mutagenesis in the genetoxic action of inorganic arsenics is discussed.

Ann Pediatr (Paris), 1989 Oct, 36(8), 510 - 6
{Castleman's disease (angiofollicular hyperplasia) in children}; Perel Y; This unusual clinicopathologic entity was first recognized by Castleman . Onset is usually in adolescence or early adulthood, occasionally childhood . A single, large mass with no tendency to compress develops, usually in the mediastinum, occasionally at other lymph node sites (superficial, retroperitoneal, abdominal), and exceptionally in extranodal locations . A variety of systemic manifestations may be found, including fever, anemia, hypergammaglobulinemia, and a broad spectrum of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, presumably associated with specific humoral factors produced by the tumor . Histologic examination shows the characteristic features of angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia . Two variants have been described, i.e., the plasma cell type (active stage) associated with systemic manifestations, and the hyaline vascular type (quiescent stage) . Surgical removal of the tumor ensures permanent (local and systemic) recovery in the overwhelming majority of cases . A role of microorganisms in the etiology of this condition has been suggested . Identical histologic changes can be found in adults with immune dysfunction syndromes . The etiology, pathogenesis and nosology of this very benign disease are still poorly known.

Scand J Work Environ Health, 1989 Oct, 15(5), 353 - 9
Characterization of exposure to molds and actinomycetes in agricultural dusts by scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and the culture method; Karlsson K et al.; Air samples from 79 farms with 10(5) to 10(11) microorganisms/m3 were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fluorescence microscopy (FM), and the culture method . The total exposure to microorganisms (particularly actinomycetes) was underestimated when assessed as colony-forming units (cfu) . The average cfu count was one-sixth of the total count according to SEM or FM, and the individual variability was great . This occurrence was partly explained by the aggregation of spores . Single spores accounted for 2-65% of all spores in 35 samples . There was an average of three spores/particle, and 93 (range 67-100)% of the spores were single or in aggregates of respirable size . Aggregation was more pronounced for actinomycetes and at high spore counts . Actinomycetes and bacteria could not be distinguished by FM . Bacteria (other than actinomycetes) were not detected by SEM, yet the total count of microorganisms was similar for FM and SEM . Most particles were spores from actinomycetes and fungi of the genera Aspergillus or Penicillium.

Pract Odontol, 1989 Oct, 10(10), 23 - 7
{Transmission of pathogenic microorganisms and control of infectious disease in the dental office}; Sosa-Martinez J et al.; The present work underlines the importance of adequate hygiene in odontological practice, through three basic factors: the dentist, the patient and the environment, in as much as sufficient risks exist as to justify taking all pertinent measures to counteract.

Dtsch Zahnarztl Z, 1989 Oct, 44(10), 788 - 90
{Wetting of various restorative materials}; Kramer A et al.; The mechanisms of varying degrees of plaque accumulation on restorative materials have not been fully clarified yet . Apart from surface morphology, interface phenomena between restorative material, saliva and microorganisms have been discussed . In this study a digital tensiometer was used to determine the degree of wetting of various restorative materials with natural saliva . The veneering material Dentacolor exhibited the highest degree of wetting, followed by dental porcelain and electrolytic gold . The non-precious metals displayed the lowest degrees of wetting . These in vitro results have been compared with the clinical behavior of the materials studied . A critical discussion is given.

J Pharmacobiodyn, 1989 Oct, 12(10), 602 - 7
Effect of fasting on the hydrolysis of salicyluric acid in rabbit intestinal microorganisms; Nakamura J et al.; The effect of fasting on the hydrolysis of salicyluric acid in rabbit intestinal microorganisms was investigated . The blood concentration of salicyluric acid and salicylic acid following oral, intracecal and rectal administration of salicyluric acid was determined . In fasted rabbits (24 and 48 h), the blood concentration of salicylic acid after oral administration was changed compared to the control . However, a significant effect of fasting was not observed in the blood concentration of salicylic acid after rectal administration . Following intracecal administration, the blood concentration of salicylic acid was increased in fasted rabbits compared to the control . From these results, it seems that the slow rate of stomach emptying due to coprophagy during fasting is the principal reason for the change of blood concentration of salicylic acid following oral administration of salicyluric acid.

Mycopathologia, 1989 Oct, 108(1), 1 - 4
Actinomycotic intracavitary lung colonization; Severo LC et al.; We describe four cases of actinomycotic intracavitary lung colonization and review the literature on the subject . Aspergillus fumigatus, A . niger, A . flavus, Pseudallescheria boydii are responsible for the majority of fungi intracavitary lung colonization (fungus ball) . The similarities in clinical symptom (haemoptysis) and radiologic feature (pulmonary air meniscus) of fungus ball and actinomycotic intracavitary colonization prompted the investigation into a range of microorganisms, including Nocardia spp . and Actinomyces spp . We report four cases of such actinomycotic syndrome, three of them in diabetic patients, and review briefly the literature.

Arzneimittelforschung, 1989 Oct, 39(10), 1254 - 60
Pharmacokinetics of acarbose . Part I: Absorption, concentration in plasma, metabolism and excretion after single administration of {14C}acarbose to rats, dogs and man; Ahr HJ et al.; The absorption, disposition, metabolism, and excretion of acarbose (O-4,6-dideoxy-4-{{(1S, 4R, 5S, 6S)-4,5,6-trihydroxy-3- (hydroxymethyl)-2- cyclohexen-1-yl}amino}-a-D-glucopyranosyl- (1----4)-O-a-D-glucopyranosyl- (1----4) -D-glucopyranose, Bay g 5421) have been studied following a single administration of the 14C-labelled compound to rats and dogs via different routes (intravenous, oral, intraduodenal) in the dose range of 2-200 mg.kg-1 as well as to man in a single oral dose of 200 mg . After intravenous administration {14C}acarbose was eliminated rapidly and completely via the renal route . There was no indication for a systemic metabolization of {14C}acarbose . The (renal) clearance for {14C}acarbose was in the range of the glomerular filtration rate . After oral administration {14C}acarbose was very poorly absorbed (1-2% of dose in rats and man and 4% in dogs) . Additionally, up to 35% of the radioactivity of {14C}acarbose were absorbed after degradation by digestive enzymes and/or intestinal microorganisms . The delayed and biphasic absorption of the radioactivity strongly influenced the plasma concentration vs time profiles of total radioactivity . Maximum concentrations dependent on the degree of microbial degradation (dog less than rat, man) and on the intestinal transit time were reached at 1.2 h (dogs), 8 h (rats) and 14-24 h (man) . The excretion of the radioactivity absorbed occurred rapidly and completely mostly via the renal route.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Oct, 55(10), 2537 - 44
Direct phenotypic and genotypic detection of a recombinant pseudomonad population released into lake water; Morgan JA et al.; As a system for studying the fate of genetically engineered microorganisms in the environment, we have previously constructed recombinant plasmids encoding a xylE marker gene (C . Winstanley, J . A . W . Morgan, R . W . Pickup, J . G . Jones, and J . R . Saunders, Appl . Environ . Microbiol . 55:771-777, 1989) . A series of direct membrane filter methods have been developed which facilitate the detection of bacterial cells harboring the xylE gene, its product, catechol 2,3-dioxygenase, and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase enzyme activity directly from water samples . These methods enable detection of recombinant populations at concentrations as low as 10(3) to 10(4) cells ml of lake water-1 . Direct detection facilitates ecological studies of a range of bacterial strains containing the marker system in aquatic environments . The fate of a recombinant pseudomonad population in lake water was assessed by a combination of colony-forming ability, direct counts, and direct detection of the xylE gene and phenotypic expression of its product.

J Microencapsul, 1989 Oct-Dec, 6(4), 485 - 92
Sterilization of contrast media (Isovist) containing liposomes by ethylene oxide; Ratz H et al.; Liposomes containing Isovist were prepared by controlled detergent dialysis as well as by reverse phase evaporation . After preparation these liposomes were lyophilized and then submitted to sterilization by ethylene oxide . Prior to lyophilization, trehalose was added as a protective agent to preserve the size of the liposomes . After each step in the preparation size distribution was determined by photon correlation spectroscopy . The computer program CONTIN was adapted for the data analysis and proved to be applicable for polydisperse solutions of liposomes . Neither freeze-drying nor sterilization had negative effects on the morphological quality of the samples when using 4 g of trehalose per 1 g of lipid . In addition, the quality of the liposomes was controlled by scanning electron microscopy . At the end of seven days, no growth of microorganisms occurred in any of the samples.

J Chemother, 1989 Oct, 1(5), 293 - 7
Inhibitors and inactivators of beta-lactamase from Mycobacterium fortuitum; Fattorini L et al.; The inhibiting or inactivating effects of some beta-lactam antibiotics on beta-lactamase from Mycobacterium fortuitum were studied . Among all substrates tested, clavulanic acid and sulbactam were the strongest competitive inhibitors of the enzyme although the latter was slightly hydrolyzed . Imipenem and cefoxitin scarcely inhibited the beta-lactamase yet expressed good activity against the microorganism in vitro, suggesting that the effectiveness of these drugs on M . fortuitum might be due to high permeation through the cell wall . All the isoxazolylpenicillins tested and methicillin inactivated the enzyme of M . fortuitum by a first rapid phase of acylation followed by a steady-state process of enzyme reactivation (deacylation) . Clavulanic acid and sulbactam showed Ki values for the enzyme inactivation closely corresponding to hematic concentrations achievable in vivo during antibiotic treatment.

Genitourin Med, 1989 Oct, 65(5), 319 - 22
Evaluation of a radioactive rRNA:cDNA-hybridisation assay for the direct detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in urogenital specimens; Naher H et al.; A radioactive cDNA probe complementary to chlamydial ribosomal RNA was used to detect C trachomatis in urogenital specimens . Of 37 specimens positive with cell culture 31 were confirmed by the rRNA:cDNA hybridisation test, the sensitivity being 83.8% . The specificity of the hybridisation test was 94.4%, as 186 of 197 specimens that were negative by cell culture were also negative when assessed by the hybridisation method . Given a prevalence of 15.8% the predictive values for positive and negative results were 73.8% and 96.9%, respectively . In additional experiments the possible role of microorganisms added to the specimen collection medium was investigated . However, no indication for crosshybridisation was found; at high concentrations microorganisms interfered with the test procedure.

J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 1989 Oct, 251(1), 156 - 63
Inhibition of rat brain glutamate receptors by philanthotoxin; Ragsdale D et al.; The actions of philanthotoxin (PhTX) were studied on the function of glutamate receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes injected with rat brain mRNA and on binding of radioligands to rat brain glutamate receptors . PhTX reversibly inhibited the oocyte responses to quisqualate, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and kainate in a dose-dependent manner . The NMDA receptor was the most sensitive to PhTX action (10-fold more than the kainate receptor) and the least sensitive was the smooth current component of the quisqualate response . Recovery from PhTX block differed among the three amino acids . NMDA responses recovered completely within a few minutes whereas responses to kainate and quisqualate recovered more slowly . PhTX had no effect on equilibrium binding of {3H}glutamate to rat brain cortical membranes studied in buffer treated to eliminate microorganisms . Based on the drug specificity of this {3H}glutamate binding, it is suggested to be mostly to the NMDA receptor . Low concentrations of PhTX (1-10 microM) potentiated binding of {3H} MK-801, a specific noncompetitive inhibitor of the NMDA receptor . However, higher PhTX concentrations inhibited this binding with an IC50 of 20 microM, similar to its inhibition of the oocyte-expressed NMDA receptor . Inhibition of {3H}MK-801 binding by PhTX was noncompetitive . It is suggested that PhTX, like the more potent MK-801, binds to an allosteric site on the NMDA receptor and inhibits its function but its binding site is not identical with the MK-801 binding site.

Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin, 1989 Oct, 7(8), 419 - 20
{Prevention of viral infections transmitted by semen in volunteer donors for assisted reproduction . 2 years' experience}; Mateos ML et al.; During a 2 years period the serological markers of viral infections were evaluated in the semen of 24 donors who were involved in assisted reproduction techniques . The presence of cytomegalovirus, hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus were investigated . The results were as expected, no data of viral infection at the time of donation being found because the study population was a highly selected one . Taking into account all the known microorganisms that can be transmitted through semen, a protocol for the prevention of infections in the mother and in the prospective newborn is suggested.

J Cell Biol, 1989 Oct, 109(4 Pt 1), 1689 - 94
Regulated secretion of a serine protease that activates an extracellular matrix-degrading metalloprotease during fertilization in Chlamydomonas; Snell WJ et al.; During fertilization in the biflagellated alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, gametes of opposite mating types adhere to each other via agglutinin molecules located on their flagellar surfaces, generating a sexual signal that induces several cellular responses including cell wall release . This cell contact-generated signal is mediated by cAMP and release of the wall, which is devoid of cellulose and contains several hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins, is due to the activation of a metalloprotease, lysin . Although we originally assumed that lysin would be stored intracellularly in a compartment structurally separate from its substrate, recently we showed that lysin is stored in the periplasm as an inactive, higher relative molecular mass precursor, prolysin (Buchanan, M.J., S . H . Imam, W . A . Eskue, and W . J . Snell . 1989 . J . Cell Biol . 108:199-207) . Here we show that conversion of prolysin to lysin is due to a cellular, nonperiplasmic enzyme that has the properties of a serine protease . Release of this serine protease into the periplasm is induced by incubation of gametes in dibutyryl cAMP . This may be one of the few examples of regulated secretion of a protease in a eucaryotic microorganism and a novel example of regulated secretion in a plant system.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Oct, 55(10), 2583 - 7
Oxygen consumption by ruminal microorganisms: protozoal and bacterial contributions; Ellis JE et al.; The relative contributions to O2 consumption made by the protozoal and bacterial populations present within the rumen were determined by using an open-type oxygen electrode system . Measurements indicated that two separate microbial populations contributed approximately equally to ruminal O2 consumption over the O2 concentration range experienced in situ (0.25 to 1.0 microM) . The populations were observed to consume O2 under liquid-phase O2 concentrations of up to 7 microM, above which point rapid inactivation of O2 utilization was observed . Km values for the mixed population of bacteria and protozoa were 0.36 +/- 0.17 and 3.2 +/- 0.4 microM at concentrations of less than 1.6 and greater than 1.6 microM, respectively . O2 affinity values obtained for both the protozoal and bacterial populations were similar . O2 affinities of the isolated entodiniomorphid ciliates Polyplastron multivesiculatum and Eudiplodinium maggii showed O2 inhibition thresholds of 10 and 5, respectively, and apparent half-saturation constants (Km values) of 1.7 and 5.2 microM O2, respectively . Corresponding Vmax values were 7.8 microM O2 per min per 10(5) organisms for P . multivesiculatum and 3.6 microM O2 per min per 10(5) organisms for E . maggii . Mass spectroscopic analysis detected average rates of H2 production of 12.0 and 3.7 microM H2 per min per 10(5) organisms for P . multivesiculatum and E . maggii, respectively . Trace levels of dissolved O2 (less than 0.25 microM) stimulated the H2 production rate of E . maggii eightfold but inhibited that of P . multivesiculatum by 18%.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Oct, 55(10), 2522 - 6
Use of degenerate oligonucleotides for amplification of the nifH gene from the marine cyanobacterium Trichodesmium thiebautii; Zehr JP et al.; Trichodesmium spp . are marine filamentous, nonheterocystous, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria which are an important component of marine ecosystems . This organism has never been maintained in axenic culture, and there has remained some doubt as to the identity of the organism responsible for nitrogen fixation in Trichodesmium aggregates . By using degenerate oligonucleotide primers, it has been possible to amplify, clone, and sequence a segment of the nifH gene from a natural assemblage of Trichodesmium thiebautii . Examination of the DNA and presumed amino acid sequence shows that the gene is most closely related to that of Anabaena spp . and therefore is most likely a cyanobacterial nifH gene . The use of degenerate oligonucleotides, in concert with the polymerase chain reaction, can be a powerful tool for the cloning and sequencing of a variety of genes from microorganisms in the environment.

J Immunol, 1989 Oct 1, 143(7), 2256 - 61
Lysis of sensitized sheep erythrocytes in human sera deficient in the second component of complement; Knutzen Steuer KL et al.; Analysis of C-dependent lysis of sensitized SRBC by C2-deficient sera (C2D) led to the characterization of a C2 bypass pathway . Lysis in the total hemolytic C assay by C2D sera was Ca2+-dependent and required a high concentration of hemolysin to sensitize E . Selective component depletion indicated a requirement for C1 and C4 of the classical pathway (CP) and proteins B, P, and probably D of the alternative pathway (AP) . Total hemolytic C could be restored to normal in these C2D sera by utilizing heavily sensitized E or by the addition of a supranormal concentration of B . This system most closely resembles a pathway described by J . E . May and M . M . Frank which requires antibody, C1, and the AP but not C4 or C2 . It differs in its requirement for C4 . We hypothesize that this pathway represents vestiges of a more primitive C pathway . It becomes evident and possibly clinically important in the setting of C2 deficiency, by allowing C activation, other than the AP, and perhaps in normal individuals, by damaging microorganisms that have evolved means to inhibit early components of the CP.

Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen . 1989 Sep 20;109(26):2658.
{Inguinal actinomycoses}; Fiane AE; The article describes a patient with the unusual inguinal location of actinomycosis . Actinomycosis is encountered relatively seldom in clinical practice, and differential diagnoses such as abscess/fistulas caused by other microorganisms, as well as neoplasms, should be considered.

Nature, 1989 Sep 14, 341(6238), 164 - 6
The codon CUG is read as serine in an asporogenic yeast Candida cylindracea; Kawaguchi Y et al.; Deviations from the universal genetic code have been reported for several microorganisms . Termination codons are used for coding some amino acids in Paramecium, Mycoplasma or Tetrahymena, and in Escherichia coli, the UGA termination codon is used to code for selenocysteine . In mitochondria, the changes of sense codons to termination codons or to codons encoding other amino acids have also been reported . Here we report another example of divergence from the universal code, this time in a non-spore-forming yeast Candida cylindracea, in which the universal codon for leucine, CUG, is used to code for serine . This conclusion is based on the observations that: (1) the amino-acid composition and the partial amino-acid sequences of an extracellular lipase from this yeast agreed with those deduced from the complementary DNA if CUG was assumed to specify serine; and (2) serine, but not leucine, was incorporated into a polypeptide in a cell-free translation system from this yeast in the presence of a synthetic CUG oligomer.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Sep, 55(9), 2372 - 6
Analysis of peptide metabolism by ruminal microorganisms; Wallace RJ et al.; Methods were developed for the determination of oligoalanine and other short-chain peptides and peptide analogs in ruminal fluid by using reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography . Chromatographic analysis of the breakdown of (Ala)3 and (Ala)4 in ruminal fluid in vitro revealed that the predominant mechanism of hydrolysis was a dipeptidyl peptidase-like activity . Hydrolysis proceeded from the N terminal of the peptide chain; N-acetyl-(Ala)3 was broken down at 11% of the rate of breakdown of (Ala)3 or (Ala)3-p-nitroanilide . (Ala)2-p-nitroanilide was hydrolyzed most rapidly of the arylamide substrates tested, but fluorogenic 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide (MNA) compounds were more convenient and potentially more versatile substrates than p-nitroanilides . Gly-Arg-MNA was the most rapidly hydrolyzed dipeptidyl peptidase substrate, suggesting that ruminal peptidase activity was predominantly of a type I specificity.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Sep, 55(9), 2360 - 4
Influence of diet and monensin on development of anaerobic fungi in the rumen, duodenum, cecum, and feces of cows; Grenet E et al.; Three cows with fistulated rumens, duodenums, and ceca were fed five different diets: lucerne hay, lucerne hay plus whey (40:60), lucerne hay plus beets (50:50), corn silage plus monensin (40 ppm {40 g/kg} of dry matter intake), and lucerne hay plus monensin (80 ppm of dry matter intake) . The fungal population was observed in the rumen, duodenum, cecum, and rectum and varied with diet; it was most abundant with lucerne hay alone and with corn silage plus monensin . The proportion of particles colonized by fungi in the duodenum, the cecum, and feces was measured by microscopic observation and varied from 5 to 50%, depending on the diet . The further sporangia attached to the plant particles were from the rumen, the more likely they were to be devoid of spores . Results confirmed the influence of diet on the development of the ruminal fungal population and showed that monensin does not eliminate these microorganisms . They also confirmed the presence of anaerobic fungi in the ruminant intestine . It is likely that anaerobic fungi leave the rumen attached to plant particles . However, large colonies of nonrhizoidal-type fungi were observed in cecum samples and in feces; at these sites, environmental conditions are perhaps more favorable for this type of fungus than they are in the rumen.

Scand J Gastroenterol, 1989 Sep, 24(7), 877 - 85
Adhesion of bacteria to the human small-intestinal mucosa . A scanning electron microscopic study; Horstedt P et al.; During the period 1 January 1980 to 30 June 1986, a total of 543 small-intestinal biopsy specimens from adults with gastrointestinal symptoms were available for routine analysis with correlated scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy . Adhesion of microorganisms was found in 77 biopsy specimens . Microorganisms in 64 specimens were classified as bacteria, in 10 as microfungi and in 4 as protozoa, including 1 specimen with both bacteria and microfungi . The structural types of bacteria found were morphologically cocciform, 8; short rod-shaped, 14; and long rod-shaped, 43 . One specimen demonstrated adhesion of two structural types of bacteria . Bacteria were found in specimens from all age groups in roughly equal frequency . There was no difference in villus structure when comparing specimens from the groups with and without adhering bacteria, whereas ultrastructural alteration--that is, thinning of glycocalyx layer--was significantly more frequent in the group with bacteria . Moreover, within the group of specimens with bacteria the presence of long rod-shaped bacteria was associated with both damage of villus structure and deviation of cell surface ultrastructure . An increased amount of neutrophil granulocytes as an indicator of acute inflammation was found in 6 of 51 specimens with bacterial adhesion but in none of a matched reference material . In contrast, the amount of plasma cells and lymphocytes in the lamina propria and the amount of intraepithelial lymphocytes did not differ.

J Burn Care Rehabil, 1989 Sep-Oct, 10(5), 388 - 93
Effect of acute burn trauma on phagocytic activity of the reticuloendothelial system in rats; Trop M et al.; The effect of acute burn trauma on phagocytic activity of the reticuloendothelial system measured in vivo with technetium 99m sulfur colloid was examined in rats subjected to acute burn trauma . After the scald injuries (10-second, full-thickness burns) were induced, a reduction in phagocytic activity by the spleen took place with an accompanying increase in the uptake of colloid material by the lungs . Uptake of colloid material by the liver was essentially unchanged . These uptake changes, observed within hours after the inducement of acute burn trauma and apparently continuing for 7 days after burn injury, may explain, in part, the development of septicemia in patients with burns because altered phagocytic activity of the reticuloendothelial system can result in subsequent overabundance of microorganisms and bacteria in the blood.

Toxicol Lett, 1989 Sep, 48(3), 243 - 8
Toxicological effects of monocrotophos on microorganisms in the rumen of Bubalus bubalis; Sandhu HS et al.; Repeated oral administration of monocrotophos in doses of 0.5 and 2.0 mg.kg-1.d-1 produced a significant reduction in the total number of protozoa (31-40%) in the rumen of buffalo calves . However, the insecticide has no appreciable effect on the total bacterial count . Rumen pH declined significantly with both doses of insecticide . In the differential protozoal count, different doses of monocrotophos caused an increase in the percentage of Dasytrichia, Epidinium and other protozoa; however, the percentage of Isotrichia and Diplodinium significantly decreased.

Cytometry, 1989 Sep, 10(5), 558 - 63
Kinetics of bacterial processes in natural aquatic systems based on biomass as determined by high-resolution flow cytometry; Button DK et al.; The two primary kinetic constants for describing the concentration dependency of nutrient uptake by microorganisms are shown to be maximal rate of substrate uptake and, rather than the Michaelis constant for transport, specific affinity . Of the two, the specific affinity is more important for describing natural aquatic microbial processes because it can be used independently at small substrate concentrations . Flow cytometry was used to evaluate specific affinities in natural populations of aquatic bacteria because it gives a convenient measure of biomass, which is an essential measurement in the specific-affinity approach to microbial kinetics . Total biomass, biomass in various filter fractions, and the specific affinity of the bacteria in each fraction were determined in samples from a near-arctic lake . The partial growth rate of the pelagic bacteria from the 25 micrograms/liter of dissolved amino acids present (growth rate from the amino acid fraction alone) was determined to be 0.78 per day . By measuring activity in screened and whole-system populations, the biomass of the bacteria associated with particles was computed to be 427 micrograms/liter.

J Infect Dis, 1989 Sep, 160(3), 414 - 21
Role of gastric colonization in nosocomial infections and endotoxemia: a prospective study in neurosurgical patients on mechanical ventilation; Reusser P et al.; The role of gastric microbial colonization in nosocomial infections and endotoxemia was investigated prospectively in 40 neurosurgical patients requiring mechanical ventilation for greater than 48 h . Each was studied up to 7 d . Swabs from the nose and oropharynx were cultured at admission, and aspirates from the stomach and trachea were cultured daily until enteral alimentation was started . Patients were evaluated every second day for endotoxemia and coagulation activation . Of 153 gastric aspirates, 66.7% contained microorganisms at a mean quantity of 10(7) cfu/ml . Nosocomial pneumonia occurred in 15 patients, septicemia in 5, and meningitis in 1 . The stomach was the evident source of infection in only 1 patient with pneumonia . Of 140 plasma samples, 12 (8.6%) from 10 patients showed detectable endotoxin levels, but there was no association between endotoxemia or coagulation activation and the presence of microorganisms in the stomach . The stomach was not an important source for nosocomial infections or endotoxemia, even in patients with high gastric pH.

FEMS Microbiol Rev, 1989 Sep, 5(3), 211 - 21
Microbial lectin cofunction with lytic activities as a model for a general basic lectin role; Gilboa-Garber N et al.; Lectins are ubiquitous proteins, which exhibit a specific and reversible sugar-binding activity . They react with glycosylated macromolecules and cells and may coaggragate them and lead to their lysis or alterations . Various lectin biological effects are well known, but their basic biological function is considered as yet unknown . In the present review, an experimental evidence and theoretical considerations are forwarded for supporting our suggestion that the general basic lectin or lectinoid (lectin-like protein) function in microorganisms, plants and animals is a cofunction enabling the activities of key lytic enzymes (lysins: glycosidases, proteases, esterases, phosphatases, hemolysin, etc.) . The lectin service is: homing onto glycosylated receptors, anchoring to them and induction of cooperative conformational effects which enable their counterpart lysin activity on exogenous or endogenous target molecules and cells . The 'lectin-lysin' pair may reside in the same molecule, or in linked subunits . It may also be formed by cofunction of two separate entities originating from one or two (homogenous or heterogenous) cell sources . The lectin and lysin may be free or cell-bound components located intra or extracellularly . The final result of their cofunction is practically irreversible; either cell and macro-molecule lysis for nutrition, homeostasis and protection or cell alteration, reorganization and new productivity . Our suggestion emphasizes the prominent analogy of lectins to lytic enzyme positioning sites (LEPS), immunoglobulins and polypeptide hormones . The lectin analogy to LEPS and immunoglobulins is exhibited in the lectin-dependent cell and macromolecule lysis for nutritional and homeostatic purposes or for protection, respectively . The hormone-like lectin activity is exhibited in the lectin-dependent cell alterations . In addition to similar functions and effects, the analogy also includes the properties and behavior of these proteins . The suggested hypothesis is based on experimental evidence from microorganisms, plants and animals . It envisions the lectin and lectinoid function in cell attacks on glycosylated molecules or cells, cell-substratum and cell-cell interactions (fusion, invasion, etc.), cell transformation and formation of special structures . All of them according to a developmental program, or special (especially unfavourable) environmental conditions . The lectin resistance to proteolysis and unfavourable pH or temperature is in accord with the suggested hypothesis.

Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am, 1989 Sep, 16(3), 593 - 610
Bacterial vaginosis: emphasis on upper genital tract complications; Eschenbach DA; The term bacterial vaginosis is used to reflect the complex alterations of vaginal microorganisms and connotes the presence of a malodorous discharge without apparent inflammation . The normal vaginal flora is reviewed in order to better understand this syndrome . This article also discusses the frequency, clinical symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition.

Rev Infect Dis, 1989 Sep-Oct, 11(5), 776 - 82
Clinical manifestations of Kingella kingae infections: case report and review; Morrison VA et al.; A patient with antecedent coccidioidal pulmonary cavitary disease who developed an empyema due to Kingella kingae prompted our analysis of the literature regarding this unusual bacterial pathogen . Formerly classified among other genera and considered a nonpathogen, K . kingae has been increasingly recognized as a cause of human infection . While the most commonly diagnosed infections due to this organism are endocarditis and septic arthritis, there have also been isolated reports of bacteremia, diskitis, abscesses, meningitis, and oropharyngeal infections . The treatment of choice is penicillin, to which K . kingae strains are uniformly susceptible . Recognition of the potential pathogenicity of this microorganism in appropriate clinical settings will probably result in more prompt and specific therapy.

Am J Hosp Pharm, 1989 Sep, 46(9), 1834 - 44
Drug products of recombinant DNA technology; Black WJ; Presented are the steps in creating a recombinant DNA molecule, examples of recombinant drug products, a description of DNA fingerprinting methods for diagnosing diseases, a discussion of the patenting of recombinant drugs, and a look to the future of this revolutionary biotechnology . Constructing a recombinant DNA molecule involves cutting the DNA into fragments with restriction endonucleases and rejoining the fragments in novel arrangements with ligase . Propagating the molecule in a microorganism, or cloning, is necessary to increase the number of gene copies to facilitate detection of the gene of interest and to produce the protein it encodes . Recombinant DNA drug products have been developed that represent the communicator, structural, and modifier classes of proteins . Recombinant communicator proteins include interferons alfa-2a and alfa-2b and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (immune system modulators); epidermal growth factor and erythropoietin (tissue repair promoters); and human insulin, growth hormone, and atrial peptide (metabolism modulators) . Recombinant structural proteins include hepatitis B virus vaccine and CD4 protein, and recombinant modifier proteins include tissue plasminogen activator and superoxide dismutase (agents that split or splice organic molecules) . In the future, gene defects associated with genetic diseases will be unraveled, leading to the production of new therapeutic agents designed to counteract or actually reverse those defects . Recombinant protein drugs will be further tailored to enhance their activity and specificity . These advances are so novel and momentous that patent protection has been extended not only to recombinant drugs but to the recombinant microorganisms in which they are manufactured . In cloning genes, investigators directly use the protein designs that occur naturally . Basic research will soon lead to the engineering of novel proteins with specified functions.

Versicherungsmedizin, 1989 Sep 1, 41(5), 146 - 8
{Bronchoalveolar lavage in the assessment of lung diseases}; Schweisfurth H; The bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a new method of low risk for the differential diagnosis of pulmonary disorders . In the BAL cells, microorganisms, and non-corpuscular components derived from the alveolar space can be investigated . The analysis of the recovered cells delivers information about the diseases . Lymphocyte predominant disorders are sarcoidosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, alveolitis, tuberculosis, lymphangiosis carcinomatosa and pneumoconiosis . The prognosis of sarcoidosis depends on the ratio of the T-helper and T-suppressor cells . Neutrophil predominant disorders are seen in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, asbestosis and collagen vascular disorders . BAL has also become an established approach to the diagnosis of infections in the immunosuppressed patients . Also tumor cells and tumor markers can be detected . Phagocytosed particles are an indication of inhaled dust . Asbestos fibres and silica are visible by light microscopy and metals are detected by x-ray energy dispersive spectrometry.

Infect Immun, 1989 Sep, 57(9), 2666 - 73
Difference between bacterial and food antigens in mucosal immunogenicity; Wold AE et al.; The mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue may deviate from its systemic counterpart in being able to discriminate between microbial and nonmicrobial antigens . To study this, the systemic and mucosal antibody responses to bacterial and food antigens were followed in parallel in female rats during two pregnancies and lactation periods . Germfree rats were monocolonized with an Escherichia coli O6K13H1 strain, and their diet was switched to pellets containing large amounts of ovalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin . Antibodies against O6 lipopolysaccharide already appeared in serum and bile 1 week after colonization, and those against type 1 fimbriae appeared a few weeks later . Serum immunoglobulin G antibodies against the E . coli enzyme beta-galactosidase were found in moderate titers in all rats after 16 weeks of exposure . In contrast, few rats had detectable antibody levels against the dietary proteins ovalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin in serum or bile even after 16 weeks of exposure . In the milk, antibodies against E . coli beta-galactosidase and type 1 fimbriae reached the highest titers, while moderate titers were found against the food antigens and against O6 lipopolysaccharide . The difference in immune reactivity against bacterial versus dietary antigens was not likely due to insufficient amounts of the latter reaching lymphoid tissue, since (i) uptake studies indicated that ovalbumin was more efficiently taken up than endotoxin and (ii) the same difference in antigenicity between ovalbumin and E . coli was seen after immunization directly into Peyer's patches . We therefore suggest that a prerequisite for a strong mucosal antibody response is that the antigen be encountered by the gut-associated lymphoid tissue within microorganisms capable of stimulating antigen presentation.

Oral Microbiol Immunol, 1989 Sep, 4(3), 141 - 5
"Reverse" DNA hybridization method for the rapid identification of subgingival microorganisms; Smith GL et al.; A "reverse" hybridization method is described, in which whole chromosomal DNA was extracted from 10-20 colonies of "unknown" strains in pure culture and labelled with digoxigenin by a random primer technique . DNA probes were prepared from a total of 23 strains and hybridized with targets containing 100 ng purified, denatured DNA from 38 reference strains fixed to nitrocellulose . 21/23 digoxigenin-labelled DNA probes successfully detected all members of the homologous species present on filters . Probes to Fusobacterium nucleatum strains 364 and MG detected 3/4 and 1/4 members of this species, respectively; 13/23 probes were 100% specific, but cross reactions between 10 probes and DNA targets from closely related, heterologous species occurred in 15/834 possible instances . False-positive reactions that occurred between closely related species were, however, easily distinguished and did not prevent the accurate identification of probe strains . Digoxigenin-labelled probes were capable of detecting 100 pg of homologous DNA . The reverse hybridization procedure allows identification or grouping of a large number of isolates within 3 days and provides a more economical means of characterizing subgingival isolates than predominant cultivable techniques and conventional phenotypic testing . This method could be adapted for the direct identification of microorganisms in subgingival plaque samples.

Radiobiologiia, 1989 Sep-Oct, 29(5), 605 - 10
{The role of repair processes in synergism}; Diagilev SA et al.; Using a simple mathematical model of microorganism inactivation by the combined effect of two agents it was shown that repair processes lead to the synergistic increase of the damage . The latter is due to the additional nonlinearity between the response (inactivation rate constant) and the parameters of the intensity of the damage to the bioobject.

J Invertebr Pathol, 1989 Sep, 54(2), 191 - 9
Romanomermis culicivorax: penetration of larval mosquitoes; Shamseldean MM et al.; In the presence of second larval instars of three mosquito species the preparasites of Romanomermis culicivorax swam near the water surface in an orthokinetic manner . When the preparasites were ca . 1 mm from the host, they stopped and swam klinotactically toward the host . During this phase, the preparasites secreted a small amount of a putative adhesive material from the anterior region and host contact was completed . The adhesive appeared to aid in attachment of the preparasites to the host and initiation of the search-boring phase . The preparasites glided over the host until a suitable penetration site was found . The penetration phase was initiated by probing with the odontostyle . This was followed by partial paralysis, decreased intestinal peristaltic movement, and temporary cardiac arrest in all host mosquitoes which was probably related to injection of esophageal secretions . SEM observations showed that the abdominal walls were the most frequent site for penetration . As the preparasites entered through the penetration hole, microorganisms adhering to the cuticle of the preparasites were retained by the adhesive which accumulated around the penetration site . Thus, microbial contamination of the host was avoided by a mechanical cleansing mechanism . Penetration was usually completed in less than 10 min.

An Med Interna, 1989 Sep, 6(9), 489 - 96
{Bacterial adherence as a virulence factor in sepsis}; Gutierrez-Fernandez J; In the present revision we are doing a study on the bacterial adherence in the develop of sepsis . The adherence is a important phenomenon in the initial stages of infections, but when the microorganism go in the blood her presence assure the posterior union to the phagocytic cells . The administration of sublethal concentrations of antibiotics suppress the formation and expression of bacterial adhesins.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Sep, 55(9), 2144 - 51
Biological reductive dechlorination of tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene to ethylene under methanogenic conditions; Freedman DL et al.; A biological process for remediation of groundwater contaminated with tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE) can only be applied if the transformation products are environmentally acceptable . Studies with enrichment cultures of PCE- and TCE-degrading microorganisms provide evidence that, under methanogenic conditions, mixed cultures are able to completely dechlorinate PCE and TCE to ethylene, a product which is environmentally acceptable . Radiotracer studies with {14C}PCE indicated that {14C}ethylene was the terminal product; significant conversion to 14CO2 or 14CH4 was not observed . The rate-limiting step in the pathway appeared to be conversion of vinyl chloride to ethylene . To sustain reductive dechlorination of PCE and TCE, it was necessary to supply an electron donor; methanol was the most effective, although hydrogen, formate, acetate, and glucose also served . Studies with the inhibitor 2-bromoethanesulfonate suggested that methanogens played a key role in the observed biotransformations of PCE and TCE.

J Bacteriol, 1989 Sep, 171(9), 4531 - 6
Adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in Bradyrhizobium japonicum bacteroids; Catanese CA et al.; Adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP (cAMP) phosphodiesterase have been identified and partially characterized in bacteroids of Bradyrhizobium japonicum 3I1b-143 . Adenylate cyclase activity was found in the bacteroid membrane fraction, whereas cAMP phosphodiesterase activity was located in both the membrane and the cytosol . In contrast to other microorganisms, B . japonicum adenylate cyclase remained firmly bound to the membrane during treatment with detergents . Adenylate cyclase was activated four- to fivefold by 0.01% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), whereas other detergents gave only slight activation . SDS had no effect on the membrane-bound cAMP phosphodiesterase but strongly inhibited the soluble enzyme, indicating that the two enzymes are different . All three enzymes were characterized by their kinetic constants, pH optima, and divalent metal ion requirements . With increasing nodule age, adenylate cyclase activity increased, the membrane-bound cAMP phosphodiesterase decreased, and the soluble cAMP phosphodiesterase remained largely unchanged . These results suggest that cAMP plays a role in symbiosis.

Q Rev Biol, 1989 Sep, 64(3), 261 - 90
Cellular regulation of iron assimilation; Weinberg ED; Cells of plants, most microorganisms, and animals require well-defined amounts of iron for survival, replication, and differentiation . The metal is an important component of such processes as synthesis of DNA, RNA, and chlorophyll; electron transport; oxygen metabolism; and nitrogen fixation . Because of the insolubility of iron in aerobic environments at neutral and alkaline pH values, cells have had to devise specific strategies to assimilate the metal . These include (1) development of systems for reducing ferric ions to the more soluble ferrous ions at the cell surface, (2) employment of small carrier molecules (termed siderophores) that have high affinity for ferric ions and receptor proteins for the ferrated molecules, and (3) use of transferrin and other proteins that can transport ferric ions . Excessive amounts of iron are toxic, however, and intracellular storage capacity is limited and efflux mechanisms generally are lacking . Thus, cells have had to develop methods of preventing over-accumulation of the metal . These include use of (1) oxygen to convert ferrous to ferric ions, (2) small molecules that can bind ferrous ions, termed siderophraxes, and (3) proteins that, when combined with ferrous ions, repress the expression of iron transport genes . Often, one organism can prevent growth of neighbors by restricting their access to iron . In other cases, cells assist each other by sharing iron acquisition systems or by restricting influx of excess iron . Homeostatic control of other essential trace metals also is required for optimal cell function . Nevertheless, since iron thus far has received most attention, it serves as the model of mineral metabolism . Moreover, many of the observations made on control of iron metabolism suggest possible applications in prevention and management of plant and animal infections as well as of neoplastic diseases, arthropathy, and cardiomyopathy . This review will focus on (1) problems at the cellular level of iron acquisition, storage, and exclusion; and (2) the strategies devised by cells of plants, microorganisms, and animals to solve these problems.

Zhonghua Wai Ke Za Zhi, 1989 Sep, 27(9), 546 - 9, 574
{A variety of microorganism species at the burn ward}; Han ZX; From 1975 to 1987, 965 exudate cultures of burn wounds were done in 553 cases . 1205 colonies (28 species) of microorganisms were separated out from these patients . Among 1205 colonies, 1050 colonies (87.13%) were "common microorganism" included P . aeruginosa, E . coli, S . aureus, and P . vulgaris . There were mixed infection of P . aeruginosa and E . coli in 23.66-25.95% cases . In early stage P . aeruginosa (23.25%) was predominant and in late stage, S . aureus was predominant . The sensitivity of microorganisms to 18 kinds of antibiotics gradually decreased, year by year . The authors consider that reasonable use of antibiotics, early eschar excision and skin grafting play an important role in decreasing the occurrence of drug-fast bacteria and preventing cross infection.

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 1989 Sep, 8(9), 807 - 14
Laboratory diagnosis of intravascular catheter associated sepsis; Collignon PJ et al.; Many different methods have been employed to aid in the laboratory diagnosis of intravascular catheter associated infection . However, because of differences in patient populations, the definition of catheter sepsis and types of catheters, comparison of these studies is difficult . Of even more fundamental importance, the question of the pathogenesis of intravascular catheter associated sepsis (i.e . whether the microorganisms migrate to the intravascular space via the internal or external surface of the catheter) has not been resolved and is the subject of ongoing controversy . Semiquantitative culture of catheter tips would appear the easiest and most labour-efficient method available at present to diagnose catheter related infection . With central vein catheter tips, however, a cut-off level below 15 CFU per plate should be adopted as indicating a positive test result, particularly in patient populations with a high prevalence of catheter associated infection . Methods for non-quantitative broth culture of catheter tips are likely to be more sensitive than the semiquantitative method, but are less specific . Quantitative broth methods improve the specificity, but because of the labour costs involved appear not to offer much advantage over the semiquantitative method in the routine clinical laboratory . Many studies have shown that organisms are more frequently seen on staining than recovered by culture of intravascular catheters . Further studies of intravascular cathether sepsis should include a catheter staining method in addition to culture . Aspiration and culture of blood through an intravascular catheter appears to be reasonably specific in diagnosing the presence of infection on the catheter tip, but is only of low sensitivity (20-40%) in the absence of associated bacteremia.

Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 1989 Aug 31, 324(1224), 563 - 74; discussion 575
Animal biotechnology; Cross BA; Biotechnology has taken two directions in efforts to speed up animal production above the rates achievable by selective breeding . Recombinant DNA methods have been used to engineer protein gene products for direct administration to livestock, as in recombinant growth hormone to stimulate lactation in dairy cows or yield faster-growing, leaner carcasses in meat animals . Cloned cellulolytic genes have been inserted into ruminal microorganisms with a view to improving ruminant nutrition . The other direction is to use advanced breeding technologies to enhance performance . These include laboratory culture of large numbers of viable embryos for non-surgical transfer to surrogate mothers, development of methods for sexing sperm and embryos, cloning embryos by nuclear transplantation and gene transfer to create livestock with superior performance traits . In all cases material progress will depend upon a deeper understanding of the underlying physiological and developmental control mechanisms and public confidence that due regard is being paid to animal welfare, and to social and environmental implications.

Anal Biochem, 1989 Aug 15, 181(1), 120 - 4
Quantitative determination of various hopanoids in microorganisms; Schulenberg-Schell H et al.; A rapid and sensitive method for determination of various hopanoids in microorganisms is described . Tetrahydroxybacteriohopane (THBH), THBH-ether and -glycoside were acetylated with acetanhydride/pyridine and were separated on a C18 reversed-phase HPLC column with a gradient of acetonitrile in methanol and subsequent monitoring of the eluant at 206 nm . Quantification is based on peak area calculation by using purified bacteriohopanoids as external standards . A linear response is found from 10 to 20 micrograms bacteriohopanetetrol and for up to 200 micrograms ether and glycoside of THBH . Diplopterol and diploptene were determined by GLC after silylation with BSTFA/TMSCl in pyridine; the detector response is linear from 0.1 to 2 micrograms.

Immunol Today, 1989 Aug, 10(8), 262 - 4
Bacterial toxins as probes for the T-cell antigen receptor; Fleischer B; A variety of microorganisms produce substances with suppressive or stimulating effects on cells of the immune system; these products also influence the pathogenesis of these diseases . A number of microorganisms produce toxins with mitogenic potential for T cells of many species, and in this article Bernhard Fleischer discusses how these toxins may be useful tools to improve understanding of the structure and function of the T-cell antigen receptor.

Ophthalmology, 1989 Aug, 96(8), 1198 - 202
Fluorescein-conjugated lectin visualization of fungi and acanthamoebae in infectious keratitis; Robin JB et al.; The authors investigated the efficacy of two fluorescein-conjugated lectins (FCLs), concanavalin A (F-ConA) and wheat germ agglutinin (F-WGA), to visualize microorganisms from clinical specimens with documented mycotic and acanthamoebic keratitis . Corneal scrapings from 18 patients with culture-proven keratomycosis and deparaffinized histopathologic specimens from five culture-proven cases of acanthamoebic keratitis were evaluated . The F-ConA provided consistently bright staining of the mycotic structures in each of the corneal scrapings . Both F-ConA and F-WGA stained acanthamoebic trophozoites and cysts in the histopathologic specimens . In both the corneal scrapings and the histopathologic specimens, the microorganisms were easily differentiated from background corneal cells and tissue . These staining patterns correlate well with the results from experimental studies, and with the known cell wall carbohydrate compositions for fungi and acanthamoebae . This study provides further evidence that FCLs (particularly F-ConA) may eventually become effective first-line stains for the visualization of microorganisms in specimens from ocular infections.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Aug, 55(8), 1968 - 73
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degradation by a Mycobacterium sp . in microcosms containing sediment and water from a pristine ecosystem; Heitkamp MA et al.; Microcosm studies were conducted to evaluate the survival and performance of a recently discovered polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-degrading Mycobacterium sp . when this organism was added to sediment and water from a pristine ecosystem . Microcosms inoculated with the Mycobacterium sp . showed enhanced mineralization, singly and as components in a mixture, of 2-methylnaphthalene, phenanthrene, pyrene, and benzo{alpha}pyrene . Studies utilizing pyrene as the sole added PAH showed that the Mycobacterium sp . survived in microcosms for 6 weeks both with and without preexposure to PAH and mineralized multiple doses of pyrene . Pyrene mineralization rates for sterilized microcosms inoculated with the Mycobacterium sp . showed that competition with indigenous microorganisms did not adversely affect survival of or pyrene degradation by the Mycobacterium sp . Pyrene mineralization by the Mycobacterium sp . was not enhanced by inorganic nutrient enrichment and was hindered by organic nutrient enrichment, which appeared to result from overgrowth of indigenous bacteria . This study demonstrates the versatility of the PAH-degrading Mycobacterium sp . and expands its potential applications to include the degradation of two-, three-, four-, and five-ringed PAHs in sediments.

Poult Sci, 1989 Aug, 68(8), 1074 - 7
Bactericidal activity, eggshell conductance, and hatchability effects of ozone versus formaldehyde disinfection; Whistler PE et al.; Ozone and formaldehyde were evaluated as disinfectants in a prototype laboratory setter against microorganisms that are naturally present on fertile, freshly laid, broiler hatching eggs . Significantly lower microbial counts of over 2.5 log10 (P less than .05) were observed for water-misted and ozonated (2.83% by weight) eggs or formaldehyde-fumigated (triple strength) eggs than for control and water-misted eggs . Eggshell conductance studies as measured by egg moisture losses in a desiccator showed no significant differences (P greater than .05) among untreated, water misted, ozonated (3.06% by weight) with water mist, or formaldehyde (triple strength)-fumigated eggs . Hatchability was significantly reduced (26.5 to 37.5%) following ozonation (3.03% ozone by weight, 2 h) in comparison with effects of no treatment or water misting . Misting with ozonation was equally as effective as formaldehyde fumigation in reducing microbial counts . However, ozone treatment at the concentrations tested significantly reduced hatchability when compared with results of either no treatment, water misting, or an average hatchability figure for formaldehyde fumigation . These findings indicate that ozone is a good disinfectant yet may adversely affect embryo development when given in the gaseous form.

Regul Toxicol Pharmacol, 1989 Aug, 10(1), 63 - 73
Ecosystem health . IV . The National Animal Poison Information Network database as a tool for ecological risk assessment; Beasley VR et al.; Toxicology is a unique discipline in human and veterinary medicine because there are orders of magnitude more toxicants available to man and animals than all known pathogenic microorganisms and parasites . The study of toxicologic responses of ecosystems to contaminants, ecoepidemiology, and the specific study of animal populations in this context, epizootiologic ecotoxicology, are concerned with identifying chemically induced causes and determining effects on and links among populations, communities, and ecosystems . Necessary activities implied by the term "epizootiologic ecotoxicology" are the systematic compilation and analysis of "health" data for ecosystem components . This concept paper describes the value and limitations of adapting methods used by the National Animal Poison Information Network (NAPINet) for epizootiologic ecotoxicology studies . It is concluded that NAPINet methodology, as part of an innovative use of population statistics and clinical measurements, could eventually be adapted into a valuable component of a standardized approach to epizootiologic ecotoxicology.

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