Microbiological

IARC Sci Publ, 1990, (104), 101 - 6
Use of bacterial assay system for monitoring genotoxic complex mixtures in the occupational setting; Ong T et al.; Workplace environmental genotoxicity assessments, which may be carried out either by laboratory analysis or using an in-situ assay system, are potentially useful for health hazard evaluations, for industrial hygiene and biological (genetic) monitoring . Whenever possible, genotoxicity assays should be performed in conjunction with industrial hygiene studies to assess the biological activity of workplace contaminants . Efforts should continue to be made to establish a simple and reliable in-situ assay system for the detection and monitoring of genotoxic complex mixtures in the occupational setting.

Reprod Nutr Dev, 1990, Suppl 2, 155s - 156s
{In sacco degradability of grass silage and bacterial contamination of residues}; Teller E et al.; The in sacco degradability of wilted grass silage, harvested at 2 stages of maturity, and of direct cut silage was determined in 6 heifers . The date of cutting had a pronounced effect on ruminal degradation and bacterial contamination of the feed residues . On the contrary, wilting of the grass prior to ensiling did not influence these parameters.

Microbios, 1990, 62(251), 83 - 92
Role of adenine nucleotides in the regulation of bacterial energy metabolism: theoretical problems and experimental pitfalls; Kahru A et al.; The effect of growth rate on ATP pool and adenylate energy charge (EC) value of Escherichia coli has been studied in batch culture on different media (mu max varying from 0.1 h-1 to 1.2 h-2) and in continuous culture at dilution rates (D = mu) from 0.045 h-1 to 0.310 h-1 . Within the limits of error both ATP pool and EC values did not change with alterations in the relative growth rate of E . coli . The effect of in vivo EC values on experimental errors in ATP, ADP and AMP measurements with the luciferin-luciferase method, and, subsequently, on measurements of different ratios between adenylates, as in the case of adenylate kinase in vivo equilibrium, is discussed.

Mikrobiol Zh, 1990 Jan-Feb, 52(1), 34 - 8
{An evaluation of the DNA-damaging action of the metal carcinogen beryllium using a bacterial repair test}; Dylevoi MV; Using four strains of E . coli with different DNA repairing capacities it was established that beryllium efficacy in the DNA repair test (extension inhibition zone and the lowest concentration inhibiting bacterial growth) depended on pH of the medium and the cation, anion concentration and the metal acted bacteriostatically . A conclusion was made that in the given case the repair test detected the nonidentified membrane function of the DNA repair system, possibly associated with the usage of exogenous orthophosphate rather than the repair synthesis in response to DNA damage by beryllium.

J Int Med Res, 1990 Jan-Feb, 18(1), 50 - 60
Recurrent respiratory infections in childhood: experience with a bacterial extract plus bacterial ribosomes (Immucytal); Fiocchi A et al.; A total of 60 children (mean age +/- SD 7.6 +/- 3.5 years, range 2 - 14.2 years) with recurrent respiratory infections were treated with bacterial wall extract plus bacterial ribosomes (Immucytal) or placebo sprayed into the nostrils and oropharynx three times a day for 1 or 2-week periods over 3.5 months . The treatment was completed by 58 subjects; two patients in the placebo-treated group were withdrawn, one for poor compliance and the other because of headaches . Respiratory symptoms improved from the first month in the Immucytal treated children, but not in the placebo group, with a reduction in the incidence of infections in the upper and lower airways . No changes were noted in respiratory function parameters . Treatment with Immucytal significantly increased serum immunoglobulin A (P less than 0.02) and immunoglobulin M (P less than 0.01) and enhanced skin response to the in vivo lymphocyte blastization test, but there was no significant change in the circulating lymphocyte subpopulations . Both physicians and the patients' parents judged the bacterial extract to be clinically better than the placebo . Immucytal, therefore, may provide a useful alternative therapy for recurrent respiratory infections in infancy.

Res Exp Med (Berl), 1990, 190(1), 49 - 57
The role of neostigmine in development of acute gastric mucosal lesion in dogs with live bacterial flora-induced shock; Numata M et al.; The factors that frequently cause the development of acute gastric mucosal lesions (AGML) were studied in 37 mongrel dogs . Bacterial shock was induced by bolus injection of E . coli live bacterial flora (10(10) cells/kg body weight) under parietal cell-stimulated condition by intravenous administration of 0.008 mg/kg per hour of pentagastrin . In addition, 0.01 mg/kg per hour of neostigmine sulfate was administered intravenously during the experiment . Frequent development of AGML was observed in the neostigmine-administered canines without significant changes in the gastric corporal and antral tissue blood flow . In the neostigmine-administered group, AGML was observed in the antrum, although in the other group AGML was mostly observed in the corpus . These results suggest that a neostigmine-induced systemic vagostimulated condition by intravenous administration of neostigmine plays an important role in the development of AGML in dogs subjected to bacterial shock.

Biopolymers, 1990, 30(3-4), 299 - 308
A hydrodynamic study with quasielastic light scattering and sedimentation of bacterial elongation factor EF-Tu.guanosine-5'-diphosphate complex under nonassociating conditions; Sam T et al.; The hydrodynamics of the bacterial elongation factor EF-Tu have been studied in the presence of its ligand guanosine-5'-diphosphate (GDP) by sedimentation in the ultracentrifuge and quasielastic light scattering . Sedimentation studies have made it possible to establish experimental conditions under which only negligible aggregation of the protein occurs (neutral pH, concentration less than 3 mg/mL) . Analysis of the light intensity autocorrelation functions under these conditions revealed two independent scattering species with diffusion coefficients of 0.71 X 10(-6) and 0.04 X 10(-6) cm2 s-1 . The material with the lower diffusion coefficient, i.e., the aggregates, represented less than 1% of the total number of EF-Tu particles . The other 99% diffused as monomeric molecules with a molar mass corresponding to the value calculated from the known primary structure of the protein . The hydrodynamic parameters derived from the experimental data suggest that EF-Tu.GDP in solution is close to a spherical particle.

J Egypt Public Health Assoc, 1990, 65(5-6), 643 - 55
Study of cell mediated and humoral immunity in acute bacterial meningitis; Hassieb NM et al.; Twenty (20) patients suffering from acute bacterial meningitis and ten (10) normal individuals were included in this study . Patient's age ranged from 3-50 years; they were chosen from Abassia Fever Hospital . Serum as well as CSF immunoglobulin G and M were measured at admittance and 2 days later, E rosette test was done and compared with the control group . Significant increase in IgM in CSF was recorded in early acute cases . IgG was significantly increased in CSF in both early and late cases . The increase in serum immunoglobulins was insignificant in all cases . Using E rosette test no significant difference was detected in T-lymphocytes in patient groups as compared with normal controls . From this work we can conclude that the increase in the type of CSF immunoglobulin could differentiate acute (increase in IgM) from late cases (increase in IgG) . Also we can conclude that cell mediated immunity has no role in bacterial meningitis as the increase in T lymphocytes was insignificant.

Sci Prog, 1990, 74(296 Pt 4), 425 - 41
Bacterial macrofibres: the morphogenesis of complex multicellular bacterial forms; Mendelson NH; Bacterial macrofibres are highly ordered multicellular, helically twisted structures that provide a unique opportunity for studying fundamental growth processes and morphogenesis in a procaryotic model . The complex fibres arise, starting either from a single spore or a vegetative cell by the deformation of individual cell shape from cylindrical to helical and the folding and plying of chains of cells into multicellular twisted structures . The dynamics of fibre morphogenesis can be traced to hierarchical interactions beginning with the assembly of cell-wall polymers . Both genetic and biomechanical factors govern the formation and heritability of macrofibre twist states, which can range over the entire spectrum from maximum left- to maximum right-handedness . Forces that arise during growth influence individual cells and their interactions with other cells . Morphogenesis results from the manner in which the cell-wall materials respond to these and other forces . Significant parameters governing response to force are cell wall geometry, visco-elasticity and anisotrophy.

Agressologie, 1990, 31(8 Spec No), 495 - 6
{A prospective study of the efficacy of bacterial filters in preventing complications of central parenteral nutrition in the newborn infant}; Ginies JL et al.; To investigate the capacity of bacterial filters to prevent complications of the central venous nutrition in neonates, 100 percutaneous central catheters were placed in 94 neonates: 50 catheters was used with a bacterial filter and 50 without filter . No significant difference appeared between the 2 groups for the frequency of complications . Complications should be avoided with a rigorous technique in the maintenance.

Mikrobiyol Bul, 1990 Jan, 24(1), 20 - 6
{Antigen detection for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis using the latex agglutination test}; Ozturk S et al.; In this study, etiologic agents were investigated by using routine and latex agglutination test (LA) methods, in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples taken from 31 patients who were admitted to various Clinics of Ankara Numune Hospital with suspected meningitis . In the culture tests of 31 purulent CSF samples, 6 positive (19.4%) and 25 negative results were obtained . In 13 cases (41.9%) etiologic agents were observed by means of the gram-stained smear of the CSF sediments . LA test was applied to 25 purulent CSF samples of which culture test results were negative . By this method, in 19 cases (76%) positive and in 5 cases (20%) negative results were obtained . Non-specific reaction was only observed in one case (4%).

Swed Dent J, 1990, 14(4), 185 - 92
Marginal bacterial leakage and pulp reactions in Class II composite resin restorations in vivo; Lundin SA et al.; The presence of stainable bacteria under restorations and pulp reactions in 36 teeth restored in vivo with a modified Class II composite resin restoration with two different dentine treatment techniques were studied on three separate follow-up occasions (1-3, 7-10 and 28-32 days) . Half of the cavities showed stainable bacteria at the cavity margins and bottoms . Teeth restored with method A (Gluma/Occlusin) showed significantly fewer restorations with stainable bacteria then teeth restored with method B (Life/Occlusin) (p less than 0.05) . Significantly more restorations with detectable bacteria were found after 28-32 days and restorative method B (p less than 0.05) . There were no differences in occurrence and grade of pulp inflammation for the different dentine treatment techniques and time periods.

Lung, 1990, 168 Suppl, 732 - 6
Immunomodulation with bacterial extracts in respiratory diseases; Palma-Carlos AG et al.; A lyophilized bacterial extract (Broncho-Vaxom) has been studied in a large number of models and found to induce specific and nonspecific responses by oral administration . It stimulates the systemic and local immune response . It activates the macrophages that play a key part in the immune system, modulates the immunoglobulin level, and potentiates the lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and other mitogens . The effect of this bacterial extract on T-lymphocyte subpopulations is currently under study.

Lung, 1990, 168 Suppl, 726 - 31
Effects of a bacterial extract on local immunity of the lung in patients with chronic bronchitis; Emmerich B et al.; Our findings demonstrate that Broncho-Vaxom (BV) displays possibly via the gut-associated immune system different effects on the lymphatic system of the lung: a positive influence on the helper/suppressor T-lymphocyte balance, an increase of gamma interferon, a stimulation of the reduced alveolar macrophage activity, and a regulation of BAL IgA to a distinct level whereby the serum IgE is reduced . By these effects BV is able to modulate impaired local and systemic immune function . The observed relationship between the inflammation score and the BAL fluid composition supports the view that the improvement of the mucosa lesion found in nearly all of our patients with chronic bronchitis occurs as the result of the pleiotropic immunomodulating effects of Broncho-Vaxom.

Lung, 1990, 168 Suppl, 720 - 5
Activation of natural killer cells and cytokine production in humans by bacterial extracts (OM-85 BV); Wybran J et al.; The influence of Broncho-Vaxom (BV) on different immune parameters was investigated in vitro on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) . It was found that BV enhances the natural killer (NK) activity of PBMC and increases their spontaneous and phytohemagglutin (PHA)-induced production of tumor-necrosis factor--alpha and interleukin-2 as well as the PHA-stimulated production of interferon-gamma . These immunostimulating actions of BV on NK activity and cytokine production can contribute to the understanding of the enhancement of the body's defense mechanisms against respiratory tract infections.

Lung, 1990, 168 Suppl, 716 - 9
Influence of a bacterial extract on antigen presentation and protection against experimental infections; Fontanges R et al.; Although substances known as immunodulators are usually used to stimulate nonspecific immunity, their mode of action is not well understood . In an effort to clarify this mechanism, we investigated the effect of a lyophilized bacterial extract (Broncho-Vaxom) on experimental infections, on normal or irradiated mice, and on antigen processing.

Z Naturforsch {C}, 1990 Jan-Feb, 45(1-2), 59 - 70
Properties of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) of mammalian and bacterial origin; Bzowska A et al.; Purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), from calf spleen, human erythrocytes and E . coli have been examined with regard to structural requirements of substrates and inhibitors . Kinetic parameters (Km, Vmax/Km) for a variety of N(1) and/or N(7)-methylated analogues of guanosine, inosine and adenosine have been evaluated for all three enzymes . The substrate and/or inhibitor properties of purine riboside, 1,6-dihydropurine riboside, some deazapurine nucleosides: 3-deaza- and 7-deazainosine, 1,3-dideazapurine riboside (ribobenzimidazole), and a variety of acyclonucleosides, have been determined with mammalian and bacterial enzymes . Overall results indicate distinct similarities of kinetic properties and structural requirements of the two mammalian enzymes, although there are some differences as well . The N(1) and O6 of the purine ring are necessary for substrate-inhibitor activity and constitute a binding site for the mammalian (but not the bacterial) enzymes . Moreover, nucleosides lacking the N(3) undergo phosphorolysis and those lacking N(7) are inhibitors (but not substrates) . Methylation of the ring N(7) leads to two overlapping effects: labilization of the glycosidic bond, and impediment to protonation at this site by the enzyme, a postulated prerequisite for enzymatic phosphorolysis . It is proposed that a histidine interacts with N(1) as a donor and O6 as an acceptor . Alternatively N(1)-H and C(2)-NH2 may serve as donors for hydrogen bonds with a glutamate residue . The less specific E . coli enzyme phosphorolyses all purine ring modified nucleosides but 7-deazainosine which is only an inhibitor . On the other hand, the bacterial enzyme exhibits decreased activity towards N(7)-methylated nucleosides and lack of affinity for a majority of the tested acyclonucleoside inhibitors of the mammalian enzymes . The foregoing results underline the fundamental differences between mammalian and bacterial enzymes, including variations in the binding sites for the purine ring.

Mol Immunol, 1990 Jan, 27(1), 25 - 35
Bacterial expression of immunoglobulin VH proteins; Udaka K et al.; A bacterial expression system in Escherichia coli has been developed that produces as much as 10 mg/l of culture of the VH protein associated with monoclonal antibodies specific for the 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-2-sulfonyl (Dns) group . This system has been applied to the expression of the VH genes derived from a low-affinity, IgM-producing hybridoma and from a high-affinity, IgG-producing cell line . The plasmid vectors (contributed by Dr William F . Studier) utilize a T7 expression cassette whose activity is initiated by infection with a lambda phage derivative carrying the T7 RNA polymerase gene . The VH proteins were extracted from the bacterial pellet in 8 M urea and purified by chromatography in 8 M urea . Recombinants with the homologous light (L) chains were prepared to yield VHL molecules . These were used to measure intrinsic affinity for Dns-lysine by resonance energy transfer . The association constants were 7 x 10(6) M-1 and 7 x 10(9) M-1 for the low- and high-affinity systems, respectively . These values are not significantly different from those observed with monoclonal antibodies secreted from the corresponding cell lines . This system lends itself to the quantitative evaluation of the binding properties of the VH protein itself as well as the modulation of affinity by site-directed mutagenesis.

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 1990, 3(3), 200 - 5
Exacerbation of human immunodeficiency virus infection in promonocytic cells by bacterial immunomodulators; Masihi KN et al.; Common bacterial infections are increasingly being diagnosed in HIV-infected individuals . Cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage kill invading bacterial pathogens and subsequently release immunoadjuvant components from the degraded cell walls . Since monocytes can be infected with HIV, effects of bacterial immunomodulators on infected promonocytic U937 cells were investigated . Synthetic muramyl peptide, mycobacterial trehalose dimycolate, and detoxified endotoxin exhibited an initial reduction followed by a rapid increase in HIV p24 antigen production . The upregulation of virus expression was correlated with enhanced interleukin-1 beta levels and a decrease in TNF-alpha production.

J Bacteriol, 1990 Jan, 172(1), 164 - 71
Sequence analysis and expression of the bacterial dichloromethane dehalogenase structural gene, a member of the glutathione S-transferase supergene family; La Roche SD et al.; The nucleotide sequence of a cloned 2.8-kilobase-pair BamHI-PstI fragment containing dcmA, the dichloromethane dehalogenase structural gene from Methylobacterium sp . strain DM4, was determined . An open reading frame with a coding capacity of 287 amino acids (molecular weight, 37,430) was identified as dcmA by its agreement with the N-terminal amino acid sequence, the total amino acid composition, and the subunit size of the purified enzyme . Alignment of the deduced dichloromethane dehalogenase amino acid sequence with amino acid sequences of the functionally related eucaryotic glutathione S-transferases revealed three regions containing highly conserved amino acid residues and indicated that dcmA is a member of the glutathione S-transferase supergene family . The 5' terminus of in vivo dcmA transcripts was determined by nuclease S1 mapping to be 82 base pairs upstream of the GTG initiation codon of dcmA . Despite a putative promoter sequence with high resemblance to the Escherichia coli -10 and -35 consensus sequences, located at an appropriate distance from the transcription start point, dcmA was only marginally expressed in E . coli . The strong induction of dichloromethane dehalogenase in Methylobacterium sp . by dichloromethane was abolished by deleting the 1.3-kilobase-pair upstream region of dcmA . Plasmid constructs devoid of this region directed expression of dichloromethane dehalogenase at a constitutively induced level.

Acta Microbiol Hung, 1990, 37(3), 289 - 94
Bacterial translocation after cold stress in young and old mice; Anderlik P et al.; Spontaneous translocation of the normal intestinal flora was observed in higher rate in old mice being in a state of thymus involution than in young ones . The proportion of bacterial translocation 24 and 48 h after cold stress increased in both young and old mice, the increase of translocation as compared to controls was larger in case of young mice than in old ones . The distribution of isolated bacterial strains according to Gram stain also differed in young and old groups.

Przegl Epidemiol, 1990, 44(4), 333 - 5
{Heat stability of potency of bacterial vaccines and the titer of tetanus antitoxin of Polish production}; Aleksandrowicz J et al.; Described the stability of potency vaccines (DTP, BCG) and immunoglobulins (human's and animal's) at storage and experimental temperatures . Thermal degradation rate and design of loss of potency in time have been determined by Arrhenius equation . Our results were similar to WHO data from preparations which have been made in another countries.

Ter Arkh, 1990, 62(11), 19 - 22
{The prognosis of the outcome and the correction of the treatment in bacterial meningitis by using immunological monitoring}; Lutsik BD et al.; The clinico-etiological characteristics of bacterial meningitides and cellular immunity were studied over time . Measurements were made of the phagocytic index, the phagocytic number, phagocytosis completeness, E-RFC, complementary activity of blood serum (CABS), circulating immune complexes (CIC) and IgA, IgM and IgG . The low phagocytic activity of neutrophils, phagocytosis incompleteness, the high level of CIC, a considerable reduction on CABS were associated with a grave clinical course of bacterial meningitides . In fact, they served as indicators of the necessity of instituting intensive care (hemoperfusion, plasmapheresis, ultraviolet and laser blood radiation, the use of immunomodulators) . The combined administration of sodium nucleinate, levamisole and hemodez provided rapid and efficient recovery of the characteristics under study.

Acta Med Iugosl, 1990, 44(4), 285 - 95
{Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and "tense" ascites}; Rotkvic I et al.; In the study 52 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and "tense" ascites were included . According to the clinical picture, ascites cultures and the number of polymorphonuclears in cmm of the ascitic fluid, all patients were selected in one of the following groups: 1 . group of patients with sterile ascites (28), 2 . group of patients with spontaneous peritonitis (16), and 3 . group of patients with bacterascites (8) . The results have shown that the incidence of spontaneous peritonitis is much higher in the group of "tense" ascites patients than in the group of all patients with ascites, the ratio being 30.7% compared to 6% in all cirrhotic patients with ascites . Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis correlates with increased polymorphonuclears in the ascitic fluid (p less than 0.05), decreased pH values (p less than 0.0), and increased amounts of total proteins in the ascitic fluid (p less than 0.05) . The lethality rate in the group of spontaneous peritonitis and sterile ascites was 43.7% and 7.1% respectively . Early diagnosis and, of course, adequate therapy are the main points in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Med Dosw Mikrobiol, 1990, 42(1-2), 95 - 9
{Various immunochemical properties of nonspecific bacterial vaccines}; Aleksandrowicz J et al.; After critical evaluation of the composition and technology of preparation of nonspecific bacterial vaccines (nsb) some of them were withdrawn from the production (Neoflaminum, Neurovaccinum) and replaced with a new one (Polyvaccinum submite) . Part of them were modified (media) and modernised (Panodinum, vaccine according to Delbet) . Panodine produced at the present is free from bovine bile, which according to the results of the studies is strongly haemolytic for human and animal red blood cells . Thus it was justified to withdraw this component from Neoflaminum and Panodinum preparations . Purity and degree of lysis of these preparations were evaluated on the basis of ratio between nucleic acid absorbance and protein absorbance A260/A280 . This allowed to determine if nsb tested are partially lysed and if their production process is reproducible . Our pilot studies on five patients suffering from infectious asthma indicate that a restoration of phagocytic activity of granulocytes and an increase of leukocytes migration after subsequent Panodine injections take place.

Acta Chir Hung, 1990, 31(2), 169 - 74
Effect of bacterial endotoxin on placentation of rats; Szocs G et al.; The effect of bacterial endotoxin on placentation in rats was studied on 160 CFY pregnant rats . Based on this experiment, it was concluded that (i) the endotoxin (1 mg/animal i.p.) inhibited placentation (in 90% of animal) . (ii) The endotoxin-induced fetopathy almost exclusively resulted in abortion . (iii) The fetuses reacted to endotoxin with relatively the same degrees of susceptibility . (iv) The growth of surviving fetuses seemed to be undisturbed . (v) Endotoxin-induced damages in mothers first of all depend on the individual susceptibility of these pregnant animals and (vi) the endotoxin tolerance induced by radio-detoxified endotoxin (TOLERIN) significantly protects both the mothers and the fetuses against endotoxin challenge.

Vutr Boles, 1990, 29(5), 45 - 9
{Comparative echographic and computed tomographic studies of acute focal bacterial nephritis}; Dzherasi R et al.; The diagnostic potentialities of ultrasound and computed tomography for the early diagnosis of acute focal bacterial nephritis were studied in 12 patients . The echographic findings in all patients are similar: insular tumor-like zone, unclearly defined from the neighbouring parenchyma, hypo-, hyper- or isoechogenic, without liquefaction and lack of distant amplification . The computed tomographic image of 4 from 5 patients studied is as follows: perihilar defect with wedge-shaped form, hypodense structure, radially striated areas from the cavity system toward the parenchyma after applying of a contrast medium . The conclusion is that an early diagnosis of the acute focal bacterial nephritis could be achieved by ultrasound examination which is of high informativeness, harmless, with no radiation and should be basic diagnostic method for this kind of nephritis . The early diagnosis allows a more precise treatment.

Infection, 1990, 18 Suppl 3, S115 - 8
{Treatment results using cefixime for bacterial respiratory tract infections}; Leonhardt L; In a prospective open clinical trial 20 patients with the diagnosis bacterial respiratory tract infection and underlying chronic obstructive lung disease were treated for 13 to 17 days with 200 mg cefixime b . i . d . 14 of 16 evaluable patients were treated successfully . In one patient the clinical symptoms remained unchanged and in another patient cefixime treatment failed . Ten of the 16 evaluable patients showed a positive baseline culture . In nine of these patients the initially isolated pathogens could be eliminated . In one patient, in whom cefixime therapy failed, change of pathogens was noticed after the end of treatment . Four of the 20 patients treated with cefixime reported side effects (gastritis, three; fungal dermatitis, one) . In the patient with fungal dermatitis cefixime therapy was stopped.

Biol Met, 1990, 3(3-4), 151 - 4
Bacterial interactions with silver; Slawson RM et al.; This review examines interactions between bacteria and the biologically non-essential metal, silver . Aspects of silver toxicity, tolerance and accumulation (possible binding and uptake as opposed to energy-dependent transport) in bacteria are discussed . In addition, plasmid biology is examined briefly since little information is available on the exact mechanism(s) of plasmid-endoced silver resistance in bacteria.

Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci, 1990, 28(2), 95 - 107
Association of transfusion with postoperative bacterial infection; Triulzi DJ et al.; Homologous blood transfusion has been implicated as a modulator of the host immune system in a number of clinical settings . Improved renal allograft survival is observed in patients receiving pretransplant transfusions . Decreased recurrence of active inflammatory bowel disease has been recently reported in transfused patients with Crohn's disease . Conversely, deleterious immunomodulatory effects of transfusion may explain the association between transfusion and increased susceptibility to cancer recurrence and bacterial and viral infection . Clinical studies regarding cancer recurrence and transfusion are retrospective and conflicting . There is epidemiologic evidence for more rapid progression of HIV-1 infection in heavily transfused patients . Studies on transfused surgical patients have shown transfusion to be associated with an increased frequency of postoperative bacterial infections . Some studies have come to different conclusions . These investigators have suggested that transfusion may represent a surrogate marker for other risk factors for infection . Animal models designed to control for confounding factors have supported an association between transfusion and bacterial infection severity in most, but not all, reports . Attempts to define the immunologic alterations associated with transfusion have revealed a generalized impairment of cellular immunity in both humans and animals . Although the preponderance of data supports an association between perioperative transfusion and increased susceptibility to postoperative bacterial infection, it is not certain to what extent this relationship constitutes cause and effect.

Adv Perit Dial, 1990, 6, 106 - 9
Bacterial peritonitis and beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) production by peritoneal macrophages (PM0) in CAPD patients; Carozzi S et al.; To evaluate the role of bacterial peritonitis in peritoneal macrophage (PMO) Beta-2 Microglobulin (B2M) production and its relationship with PMO Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) release we analyzed in 20 CAPD patients (10 with peritonitis): 1 . in vivo plasma and peritoneal dialysis effluent (PDE) B2M, IL-1 and LTB4 levels; 2 . in vitro B2M, IL-1 and LTB4 release by PMO . Values were compared with those seen in the plasma or with peripheral blood monocytes of 30 hemodialysis (HD) patients (10 treated with Cuprophan-CU-, 10 with Polyacrylonitrile - PAN, and 10 with Cellulose Acetate - CA) . Results showed that in CAPD patients with bacterial peritonitis B2M, IL-1 and LTB4 concentrations in the PDE were significantly higher than those seen in CAPD patients without peritonitis or in the plasma of HD patients treated with PAN or CA, but were similar to those seen in HD patients treated with CU . At the same time, in vitro, PMO from CAPD patients with bacterial peritonitis produced more B2M, IL-1 and LTB4 than did PMO from CAPD patients without peritonitis or peripheral blood monocytes from HD patients treated with PAN or CA . We conclude that in CAPD patients bacterial peritonitis is able to induce PMO B2M production, probably via a cytokine-mediated process, which may be analogous to what occurs with peripheral blood monocytes of HD patients treated with CU.

Arch Oral Biol, 1990, 35 Suppl, 131S - 135S
Carbohydrates as recognition molecules for bacterial adhesins: methodology and characteristics; Stromberg N; Future attempts at developing inhibitors of dental plaque formation necessitate characterization of the bacterial-host, as well as the inter-bacterial recognition processes . Bacterial binding to a panel of solid-phase reference glycolipids was used to reveal the recognition of internal receptor sequences, low-affinity cooperative interactions, and adhesin variants with slightly shifted receptor epitopes . This epitopic variation may be a mechanism for shifting the host and tissue tropism of the bacteria, and may have evolved in response to the topography and expression of receptor epitopes at the host tissue surfaces.

Acupunct Electrother Res, 1990, 15(2), 137 - 57
Storing of qi gong energy in various materials and drugs (qi gongnization): its clinical application for treatment of pain, circulatory disturbance, bacterial or viral infections, heavy metal deposits, and related intractable medical problems by selectively enhancing circulation and drug uptake; Omura Y; In the process of evaluating the effects of external Qi Gong on inanimate substances by the Bi-Digital O-Ring Test, Qi Gong energy was shown to have a polarity which the author designated for convenience sake (+) or (-), where (+) increases the strength of muscles and (-) weakens them . Depending upon how external Qi Gong is applied and from which part of the body it emanates, the polarity changes . In general, it was found that, when (+) polarity is applied to the painful area or spastic muscles or arteries in vaso-constriction it often reduced or eliminated the pain, spastic muscles or circulatory disturbances . The author succeeded in storing part of the Qi Gong energy in inanimate materials, such as papers, metals (such as a sheet of aluminum foil), glass, stone, band-aids, clothes, drugs, etc . in bi-polar (one end of the same material becomes (+) polarity and the other end of the same material becomes (-) polarity) form in one material or uni-polar, i.e., the entire material either has pure (+) polarity or (-) polarity . Water, EPA, vitamins, antibiotics and other drugs were also converted to (+) polarity . When the material has a bi-polar state, it becomes possible to eliminate one of the polarities by applying certain changing electrical fields . The effect of placing (+) polarity Qi Gong energy stored material was compared with direct application of the Qi Gong on pain, spastic muscle and spastic vertebral arteries . The therapeutic effects of these 2 methods were quite similar for the identical time duration but a more predictable effect was often obtained in the former . As our previous study indicates that acupuncture, electrical stimulation (1-3 pulses/sec.), as well as Qi Gong not only improved the microcirculatory disturbance and relaxed spastic muscles and vaso-constrictive arteries but also reduced or eliminated the pain and also selectively enhanced drug uptake to the area where drugs could not be delivered due to existing circulatory disturbances, by placing (+) Qi Gong stored material, such as a sheet of paper or aluminum foil, band-aid or clothes . Bi- Digital O-Ring Test evaluation indicated that not only did it produce all the beneficial effects of Qi Gong but also enhanced the drug uptake selectively in the area where it is necessary for the drug to be delivered for effective treatment, and reduced lead deposits in tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Virchows Arch B Cell Pathol Incl Mol Pathol, 1990, 59(2), 83 - 8
Demonstration of bacterial antigen in macrophages in experimental pyelonephritis; Ivanyi B et al.; The immunomorphological characteristics of interstitial macrophages with PAS-positive granules were studied in experimental Escherichia coli pyelonephritis in rats, using an anti-E . coli antibody . Immunohistochemical, immunoelectron microscopical, as well as light- and electron microscopical findings were compared at twelve time points between 2 days and 13 weeks after infection . Macrophages with PAS-positive granules were present in the inflammatory infiltrates from the 7th day . The granules were phagolysosomes, filled predominantly with myelin figures . The myelin figures originated mainly from the constituents of the bacterial wall and reacted with the anti-E . coli antibody even 13 weeks after infection . The storage of bacterial residues with preserved antigenic structures for several weeks after infection indicates disturbed phagolysosomal elimination of the bacterial substances in the PAS-positive macrophages . In the formation of macrophages with PAS-positive granules, lysosomal overloading with large amounts of bacteria and cell debris is assumed, leading to consumption of the lysosomal enzymes, consequent incomplete breakdown and retention of the bacterial residues.

Biochem Int, 1990, 20(4), 833 - 41
Sequence and structural homology between a mouse T-complex protein TCP-1 and the 'chaperonin' family of bacterial (GroEL, 60-65 kDa heat shock antigen) and eukaryotic proteins; Gupta RS; A mammalian cytoplasmic protein TCP-1, encoded by a gene within the mouse t-complex, has been found to exhibit highly significant (p much less than 0.00001) sequence homology to the 'chaperonin' family of bacterial and eukaryotic proteins (viz . groEL protein of E . coli, rubisco subunit binding protein of plant chloroplasts, yeast hsp58 and mammalian P1 proteins and 60-65 kDa mycobacterial antigen) . With the introduction of few gaps, the amino acid sequence of TCP-1 shows between 60-63% similarity (17-20% identical residues and 42-45% conserved substitutions) throughout its length to various chaperonin proteins, indicating a common evolutionary origin . The sequence data also suggest that in contrast to the endosymbiotic origin of mitochondrial and chloroplast chaperonins, the cytoplasmic TCP-1 may have directly descended from the common universal ancestor via eukaryotic lineage . The observed similarity between TCP-1 and the 60-65 kDa bacterial 'common antigen' is also of importance from the viewpoint of immune/autoimmune response.

Sb Ved Pr Lek Fak Karlovy Univerzity Hradci Kralove, 1990, 33(5), 565 - 77
The activation of macrophages in the immune response against the intracellular bacterial pathogen Francisella tularensis; Kovarova H et al.; The activation of peritoneal macrophages in the course of primary infection of mice with attenuated strain of Francisella tularensis is associated with 2.5 fold increase in spontaneous INT reductase activity on day 5 after the immunization . The splenic cells of immunized mice pulsed in vitro by specific antigen secrete lymphokine that is able to induce an increase in spontaneous INT reductase activity of resident peritoneal cells . The production of spontaneous superoxide anion by peritoneal phagocytes reaches the highest level on day 5 after the immunization . It does not correlate with the results of cytotoxic or phagocytic activities at this time interval . An enhanced superoxide dismutase activity precedes an increase of superoxide anion secretion . The production of hydrogen peroxide is rising till day 7 and is related to the cytotoxic activity of peritoneal phagocytes . Concerning the testing of F . tularensis antigen as immunization agent, no changes of oxidative metabolism were detected . This might be in connection with the insufficient protection effect of killed F . tularensis vaccine . The production of reactive oxygen metabolites, probably under the control of superoxide dismutase, together with secreted lymphokines during the first days after the infection may play a regulatory role in the induction of immune response against intracellular pathogen F . tularensis.

Adv Exp Med Biol, 1990, 276, 291 - 9
Detection of mouse hepatitis virus nonstructural proteins using antisera directed against bacterial viral fusion proteins; Zoltick PW et al.; Mouse hepatitis virus, strain A59 cDNAs were inserted into the procaryotic fusion vector pGE374 . RecA/viral/LacZ tripartite fusion proteins were synthesized from these plasmids and purified from E . coli . Antisera were raised in rabbits against these fusion proteins . Viral nonstructural proteins were detected in infected murine fibroblasts and glial cells . The anti-gene B, ORF1 sera detect a 30K cytoplasmic protein while the anti-gene E, ORF2 sera detect a 9.6K protein . Sera raised against proteins encoded in cDNAs from 5' portions of gene A immunoprecipitate the 200-250K polypeptides synthesized in vitro from genome RNA . Antisera raised against proteins encoded in both 5' and 3' portions of gene A immunoprecipitate membrane associated polypeptides of 150K and greater than 600K from MHV infected cells.

Eur Neurol, 1990, 30(5), 291 - 5
Quantitation of lymphocyte subsets in cerebrospinal fluid and blood during the clinical course of aseptic and bacterial meningitis; Bamborschke S et al.; Mononuclear cell subsets in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood (PB) were monitored during the clinical course in 23 patients with acute meningitis using 6 monoclonal antibodies . Significant differences between aseptic and bacterial meningitis mainly consisted of a higher percentage of OKT4-positive cells in PB in the acute phase of bacterial meningitis . Significant differences between CSF and PB are found in the amount of most cell subtypes at all times except the acute phase of bacterial meningitis . The OKT4/OKT8 ratio was always significantly higher in CSF and correlated with the acuity of inflammation in bacterial meningitis.

Chem Biol Interact, 1990, 76(2), 193 - 209
Covalent binding studies on the 14C-labeled antitumor compound 2,5-bis(1-aziridinyl)-1,4-benzoquinone . Involvement of semiquinone radical in binding to DNA, and binding to proteins and bacterial macromolecules in situ; Lusthof KJ et al.; 2,5-Bis(1-aziridinyl)-1,4-benzoquinone (BABQ) is a compound from which several antitumour drugs are derived, such as Trenimone, Carboquone and Diaziquone (AZQ) . The mechanism of DNA binding of BABQ was studied using 14C-labeled BABQ and is in agreement with reduction of the quinone moiety and protonation of the aziridine ring, followed by ring opening and alkylation . The one-electron reduced (semiquinone) form of BABQ alkylates DNA more efficiently than two-electron reduced or non reduced BABQ . Covalent binding to polynucleotides did not unambiguously reveal preference for binding to specific DNA bases . Attempts to elucidate further the molecular structure of DNA adducts by isolation of modified nucleosides from enzymatic digests of reacted DNA failed because of instability of the DNA adducts . The mechanism of covalent binding to protein (bovine serum albumin, BSA) appeared to be completely different from that of covalent binding to DNA . Binding of BABQ to BSA was not enhanced by reduction of the compound and was pH dependent in a way that is opposite to that of DNA alkylation . Glutathione inhibits binding of BABQ to BSA and forms adducts with BABQ in a similar pH dependence as the protein binding . The aziridine group therefore does not seem to be involved in the alkylation of BSA . Incubation of intact E . coli cells, which endogenously reduce BABQ, resulted in binding to both DNA and RNA, but also appreciable protein binding was observed.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1990 Jan, 162(1), 155 - 60
Statistical evaluation of diagnostic criteria for bacterial vaginosis; Thomason JL et al.; Bacterial vaginosis is the most common cause of vaginitis in women of reproductive age . In an attempt to clarify diagnosis of this condition, various parameters of signs and symptoms and groups of parameters were compared with classical diagnostic criteria in 310 patients . There was no significant difference in positive diagnosis rates between the Amsel et al . criteria and those of Thomason et al . (p = 0.25) . The single most reliable indicator of bacterial vaginosis was the presence of clue cells on wet mount examination of vaginal secretions (sensitivity 98.2%, specificity 94.3%, positive predictive value 89.9%, negative predictive value 99.0%) . The best two combinations of parameters for rapid accurate clinical diagnosis were clue cells and odor on alkalinization (sensitivity 99.5%) positive predictive value 98.8%, negative predictive value 92.1%) . Gram stain criteria (bacterial morphologic types) were less accurate predictors of the disease (sensitivity 97.0%, specificity 66.2%, positive value 57.2%, negative predictive value 97.9%) . Even when the bacterial morphologic type criteria were combined with presence of clue cells, predictive accuracy did not exceed that of clue cells on wet mount examination alone (sensitivity 93.9%, specificity 84.7%, positive predictive value 74.2%, negative predictive value 96.8%) . Homogeneous discharge was found to be of little diagnostic value.

Biotechnol Prog, 1990 Jan-Feb, 6(1), 48 - 50
Effect of inclusion body production on culture turbidity and cell dry weight in growing bacterial cultures; Hwang SO et al.; An approach to the optimization of product yield in an inducible inclusion body-producing system is presented . Following induction by indoleacrylic acid (IAA) of a trpLE-HIVgp41 fusion protein, we found a large increase in culture turbidity and single-cell dry weight . After an initial transition phase, new and constant values for specific growth rate, single-cell light turbidity, and single cell dry weight were achieved, allowing for the determination of optimal conditions for product formation.

Ann Cardiol Angeiol (Paris), 1989 Dec 30, 38(10), 627 - 30
{Anatomic lesions in bacterial endocarditis of the aortic valves . Practical implications}; Penther P et al.; Bacterial infection of aortic valves remains frequent and worrying . The virulence of the pathogen in question, the history of the infection and the topography of valvular involvement account for certain lesional features, notably cardiac abscess and contiguous lesions, which are seen in 50% of cases with autopsy material . Clinically suspected cardiac abscesses can be detected by echocardiography when their size reaches or exceeds 4 mm . Their active nature is such that emergency surgery is an additional indication to be added to conventional ones such as uncontrolled infection, heart failure refractory to treatment, and repeated systemic embolism.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Dec 25, 264(36), 21907 - 14
Mutations of GS alpha designed to alter the reactivity of the protein with bacterial toxins . Substitutions at ARG187 result in loss of GTPase activity; Freissmuth M et al.; We have introduced two types of mutations into cDNAs that encode the alpha subunit of Gs, the guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein that stimulates adenylyl cyclase . The arginine residue (Arg187) that is the presumed site of ADP-ribosylation of Gs alpha by cholera toxin has been changed to Ala, Glu, or Lys . The rate constant for hydrolysis of GTP by all of these mutants is reduced approximately 100-fold compared with the wild-type protein . As predicted from this change, these proteins activate adenylyl cyclase constitutively in the presence of GTP . Despite these substitutions, cholera toxin still catalyzes the incorporation of 0.2-0.3 mol of ADP-ribose/mol of mutant alpha subunit . The sequence near the carboxyl terminus of Gs alpha was altered to resemble those in Gi alpha polypeptides, which are substrates for pertussis toxin . Despite this change, the mutant protein is a poor substrate for pertussis toxin . Although this protein has unaltered rates of GDP dissociation and GTP hydrolysis, its ability to activate adenylyl cyclase in the presence of GTP is enhanced by 3-fold when compared with the wild-type protein but only when these assays are performed after reconstitution of Gs alpha into cyc- (Gs alpha-deficient) S49 cell membranes.

Nature, 1989 Dec 7, 342(6250), 648 - 54
Structure of the core and central channel of bacterial flagella; Namba K et al.; X-ray fibre diffraction analysis of bacterial flagellar filaments has allowed the subunit packing and secondary structure arrangement in the filament core to be determined . The central hole, presumably a channel for flagellin transport, is large enough to accommodate the folded elongated flagellin molecules during their transport to the distal end for filament growth.

J Theor Biol, 1989 Dec 7, 141(3), 325 - 62
Model for the feedback control system of bacterial growth . II . Growth in continuous culture; Bleecken S; A mathematical model is developed that describes substrate limited bacterial growth in a continuous culture and that is based upon the conceptual framework elaborated in a previous paper for describing the feedback control system of cell growth {S . Bleecken, (1988) . J . theor . Biol . 133, 37.} Central to the theory are the ideas that the limiting substrate is converted into low molecular weight building blocks of macromolecular synthesis which again are converted into biomass (RNA and protein) and that the rates of RNA and protein synthesis are controlled by the intracellular concentration of building blocks . It is shown that a continuous culture can be simulated by two interconnected feedback control systems the actuating signals of which are limiting substrate concentration and the intracellular concentration of building blocks, respectively . Three types of steady-states are found to appear in a continuous culture, besides the well-known stable steady-state of the whole culture there exist two batchlike steady-states of the biotic part of the culture which are metastable . The model is used to analyse the steady-states and their stability properties as well as the dynamic responses of biomass, RNA, protein, building block and substrate concentrations to changes in environmental conditions . Especially the inoculation of a continuous culture and the effects of step changes in dilution rate, inlet substrate concentration and growth temperature are studied in detail . Relations between the growth behaviour of a single cell and that of a continuous culture are derived . The RNA to protein ratio is introduced as a rough measure of the physiological state of cells and it is shown that a cell reacts to environmental changes with a simple pattern of basic responses in growth rate and physiological state . There are reasons to assume that the model presented is the minimal version of a structured model of bacterial growth and represents an optimum compromise between biological relevance and mathematical practicability.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Dec 5, 264(34), 20664 - 75
Identification, characterization, and purification of two mammalian stress proteins present in mitochondria, grp 75, a member of the hsp 70 family and hsp 58, a homolog of the bacterial groEL protein; Mizzen LA et al.; We describe the identification, characterization, and purification of two members of the mammalian stress protein family, both of which are shown to be components of the mitochondria . The first, with an apparent mass of 58,000 daltons, is a constitutive protein whose synthesis increases in cells exposed to elevated temperatures and/or amino acid analogs and is therefore referred to as heat shock protein hsp 58 (hsp 58) . The second, with an apparent mass of 75,000 daltons, is also a constitutive protein whose synthesis is increased in cells following glucose deprivation or exposure to either a calcium ionophore or 2-deoxyglucose and therefore represents a member of the so-called glucose-regulated proteins (grp 75) . In cells treated with the potassium ionophore, nonactin, both hsp 58 and grp 75 were observed to accumulate in precursor form . Since nonactin has been reported to specifically inhibit the processing of cytoplasmic precursor proteins destined for the mitochondria, we investigated whether mature hsp 58 and grp 75 were components of the mitochondria . Mitochondria were isolated from rat liver and shown to contain both hsp 58 and grp 75 . Indirect immunofluorescence using antibodies specific to either hsp 58 or grp 75 confirmed their presence within mitochondria . Proteolytic digestion experiments with intact mitochondria indicated that both proteins were not accessible to external proteolytic attack, suggesting that they are not exposed on the cytoplasmic face of the outer membrane . Based on a variety of biochemical and immunological criteria, grp 75 is shown to be a member of the hsp 70 family of stress proteins, while hsp 58 represents the mammalian equivalent of the bacterial groEL protein . Procedures for the purification of both hsp 58 and grp 75 are presented . The possible biochemical role of these two mitochondrial stress proteins is discussed in relation to the known biochemical function of their related stress protein counterparts.

Mol Microbiol, 1989 Dec, 3(12), 1819 - 23
Bacterial polysaccharide capsule synthesis, export and evolution of structural diversity; Boulnois GJ et al.; Elaboration of a capsule composed of one of a range of acidic polysaccharides is a common feature of many bacteria, particularly those capable of causing serious infections in humans . Biochemical and genetical analyses of capsule biogenesis in Escherichia coli are beginning to reveal new aspects of polysaccharide biosynthesis . Genes have been identified which are thought to encode products responsible for the translocation of these high molecular-weight polysaccharides across the cytoplasmic and outer membranes, and the organization of exported polysaccharide into a capsule . Their further analysis should provide new insights into membrane biology, particularly since the genes in question are absent from the often used laboratory strains of E . coli . Genetic analysis of capsule diversity is beginning to suggest possible mechanisms for the generation of the structural diversity of polysaccharides.

Laryngorhinootologie, 1989 Dec, 68(12), 671 - 4
{Conservative treatment of chronic sinusitis . Success of oral bacterial lysate therapy}; Schlenter WW et al.; In a multicenter randomized double-blind study, 284 patients with chronic purulent sinusitis were treated with an oral immunostimulant or placebo in addition to standard therapy (antibiotics, mucolytics, inhalants) . Treatment lasted for three ten-day periods in three consecutive months . At the start and during the therapy as well as after six months, symptoms were assessed on the basis of a scoring system and the X-rays of the nasal sinuses evaluated . During the course of therapy and the follow-up period, improvement of the major symptoms headache, purulent nasal discharge, cough, and expectoration was statistically significant in the immunostimulant group as compared with the placebo group, objective evidence being provided by the X-ray examinations and the number of reinfections during the period of observation.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 Dec, 86(24), 9966 - 70
An experimental approach to testing modular evolution: directed replacement of alpha-helices in a bacterial protein; DuBose RF et al.; We have used oligonucleotide site-directed mutagenesis to ask whether certain structural motifs in proteins are determined mainly by local interactions among amino acids . Multiple consecutive amino acids in three alpha-helices in the alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) of Escherichia coli have been replaced with helical sequences from four other sources . Altogether, 12 distinct helical replacements were created, 9 of which retain enzymatic activity . Most short stretches of helical sequence can be replaced with unrelated helical sequences without eliminating enzyme activity . Replacements of the carboxyl half of an alpha-helix are less harmful than those of the amino half, and the two together are synergistic rather than additive . These results are consistent with the hypothesis that proteins originally evolved by the assembly of small functional folding units.

J Trauma, 1989 Dec, 29(12), 1679 - 83
Endotoxin induces bacterial translocation and increases xanthine oxidase activity; Deitch EA et al.; Previously, we documented that endotoxin induces bacterial translocation from the gut and that inhibition or inactivation of xanthine oxidase activity reduces endotoxin-induced bacterial translocation . Consequently, experiments were performed to correlate endotoxin-induced bacterial translocation with changes in intestinal mucosal structure and xanthine dehydrogenase and oxidase activity . Segments of the jejunum, ileum, cecum, proximal colon, distal colon, and liver were harvested from ICR mice 24 hr after IP administration of E . coli 0111:B4 endotoxin (0.1 mg) . Xanthine dehydrogenase and oxidase activities were measured in these samples and correlated with intestinal morphology . Bacteria translocated from the intestines to extraintestinal organs in 70% of the mice receiving endotoxin, while the organs of control mice were sterile (p less than 0.01) . Endotoxin injured primarily the ileal and cecal mucosa and increased ileal and hepatic xanthine dehydrogenase and cecal oxidase activities (p less than 0.05) . These results suggest that xanthine oxidase-induced mucosal damage plays a role in endotoxin-induced bacterial translocation.

Zhonghua Wai Ke Za Zhi, 1989 Dec, 27(12), 760 - 4, 782-3
{Influence of subtotal gastrectomy on bile acid concentration, total bacterial counts in the gastric juice, and histologic changes in the gastric mucosa}; Zhang C; The concentrations of bile acids, PH and total bacterial counts in the gastric juice were measured among 44 patients with peptic ulcer before and after subtotal gastrectomy (Billroth II in 14 cases, Billroth I in 10 cases, and PAFPG in 20 cases) . Thirty three patients were studied by endoscopy and gastric mucosa biopsy one year after the surgery . The results showed that the fasting gastric bile acids concentrations in both B-II and B-I groups were significantly higher than in PAFPG group, when examined 3 weeks and 1 year postoperatively . The PH and total bacterial counts in gastric juice were increased significantly after B-II and B-I reconstruction compared with PAFPG . The abnormal histology of gastric remnant mucosa was more common in B-II or B-I groups than in PAFPG (P less than 0.05) . Our data demonstrated that B-II and B-I gastrectomy caused considerably enterogastric reflux, while PAFPG prevented it effectively by keeping the gastric physiology in a relatively stable status . It is the authors' belief that the results provide objective basis for selecting surgical procedure and evaluating operative effects.

Stroke, 1989 Dec, 20(12), 1751 - 4
Bacterial cavernous sinus aneurysm treated by detachable balloon technique; Micheli F et al.; We describe a patient who developed bilateral cavernous sinus septic thrombosis secondary to a suppurative lesion on the left cheek . Despite clinical improvement, left oculomotor symptoms recurred suddenly . A carotid artery aneurysm within the cavernous sinus was diagnosed by means of magnetic resonance imaging and confirmed by digital angiography . Follow-up angiograms showed an initial decrease in the aneurysm size, with subsequent enlargement . A latex contrast-filled balloon was successfully placed within the aneurysm, preserving the carotid parent artery blood flow . Our case illustrates the usefulness of the detachable balloon technique in the treatment of bacterial aneurysms of the cavernous sinus as an alternative treatment to carotid artery ligation.

J Lab Clin Med, 1989 Dec, 114(6), 708 - 16
Bacterial lipopolysaccharide acts on human endothelial cells to enhance the adherence of peripheral blood monocytes; Whisler RL et al.; The effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide on the adherence of human peripheral blood monocytes (M0) to endothelial cells (ECs) were investigated in a quantitative adherence assay as an in vitro model of M0-EC interactions . ECs exposed for 2 hours or longer to 0.10 to 10 micrograms/ml lipopolysaccharide demonstrated significant increases in the levels of M0 adherence compared to control cells . By contrast, lipopolysaccharide added directly to adherence assays or preincubated with M0 did not increase M0 adherence to ECs . The effects of interleukin-1 (IL-1) were similar to the effects of lipopolysaccharide in that they acted solely on ECs to enhance M0 adherence and accelerated the rate of EC adherence to M0 . Lipopolysaccharide did not increase EC adherence of M0 by causing damage or extracellular release of soluble mediators . The increase in M0-EC adherence by the chemotactic peptide formyl-methionyl-leucylphenylalanine (FMLP) was quite different from that by lipopolysaccharide and IL-1 . FMLP rapidly induced M0 to become more adherent to ECs and plastic surfaces but was unable to act on ECs and enhance M0 binding . Thus M0-EC interactions are enhanced by the direct effects of FMLP on M0, whereas the actions of lipopolysaccharide and IL-1 are entirely focused on ECs and can be distinguished by differing characteristics and cellular targets.

Biochem J, 1989 Dec 1, 264(2), 389 - 96
Role of guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins in insulin stimulation of glucose transport in rat adipocytes . Influence of bacterial toxins; Ciaraldi TP et al.; The potential role of guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins (G-proteins) in acute insulin regulation of glucose transport was investigated by using bacterial toxins which are known to modify these proteins . Cholera-toxin treatment of isolated rat adipocytes had no effect on either 2-deoxyglucose transport or insulin binding . Pertussis-toxin treatment resulted in an inhibition of both insulin binding and glucose transport . Insulin binding was decreased in pertussis-toxin-treated cells by up to 40%, owing to a lowering of the affinity of the receptor for hormone, with no change in hormone internalization . The dose-response curve for insulin stimulation of glucose transport was strongly shifted to the right by pertussis-toxin treatment {EC50 (half-maximally effective insulin concn.) = 0.31 +/- 0.04 ng/ml in control cells; 2.29 +/- 1.0 in treated cells), whereas cholera toxin had only a small effect (EC50 = 0.47 +/- 0.02 ng/ml) . Correcting for the change in hormone binding, pertussis toxin was found to decrease the coupling efficiency of occupied receptors (50% of maximal insulin effect with 928 molecules bound/cell in control and 3418 in treated cells) . Pertussis-toxin inhibition of insulin sensitivity was slow in onset, requiring 2-3 h for completion . Under conditions where pertussis-toxin inhibition of insulin sensitivity was maximal, a 41,000 Da protein similar to the alpha subunit of Gi (the inhibitory G-protein) was found to be fully ribosylated . These results are consistent with the concept that pertussis-toxin-sensitive G-protein(s) can modify the insulin-receptor/glucose-transport coupling system.

Inflammation, 1989 Dec, 13(6), 681 - 92
Role of intracellular calcium in priming of human peripheral blood monocytes by bacterial lipopolysaccharide; McLeish KR et al.; To determine the role of intracellular calcium ({Ca2+}i) in the priming of monocytes (M phi) by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the membrane expression of two functional proteins and phagocytosis and respiratory burst were examined by microfluorimetry . LPS induced a significant increase in HLA-DR and C3bi receptor (CR3) expression within 2 h of its addition to whole blood . The enhanced expression of both antigens by LPS was dose-dependent, with concentrations as low as 0.1 ng/ml producing a response . The involvement of {Ca2+}i was demonstrated by loading isolated M phi with the intracellular calcium chelator quin-2 or the inhibitor of intracellular calcium redistribution TMB-8 prior to addition of LPS . Both compounds inhibited the LPS-induced increase in HLA-DR and CR3 expression . No role for extracellular calcium, for calcium slow channel flux, or for the calcium-calmodulin complex in LPS priming was demonstrated when LPS was added in the presence of EGTA, trifluperazine (TFP), or verapamil . The addition of the calcium ionophores A23187 or ionomycin failed to increase expression of either antigen . Prior exposure to LPS primed M phi for enhanced phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity . These functions were inhibited by TMB-8, but not by TFP or verapamil . Addition of LPS to isolated M phi increased {Ca2+}i by 23% at 30 sec and 42% at 5 min, as measured by the calcium-sensitive, intracellular probe indo-1 . These results suggest that intracellular Ca2+ mobilization is necessary, but not sufficient, for LPS-induced priming of human peripheral blood monocytes.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 Dec, 86(24), 9951 - 5
Cytochemical observation of regulated bacterial beta-galactosidase gene expression in mammalian cells; Liu HS et al.; Bacterial beta-galactosidase, encoded by the lacZ gene, serves as a sensitive cytochemical marker in eukaryotic cells and tissues . In transient expression experiments, human and simian cells stain blue 48 hr after transfection with a plasmid containing a lacZ gene, whose expression is directed by a simian virus 40 promoter containing a synthetic lactose operator sequence . Transfection efficiency was about 0.6% . Incorporation of an operator sequence within the promoter permits regulation of beta-galactosidase gene expression by the lacI gene product, the lac repressor . When cells were cotransfected with the lacZ plasmid and a second plasmid containing the lacI gene, beta-galactosidase activity was extinguished . Its activity could be reestablished to original levels upon application of isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactoside to transfected cells . A cell line that stably carries both the lacI and lacZ genes was efficiently induced to synthesize beta-galactosidase after isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactoside administration . In transient expression experiments and in stably transfected lines, repression and induction of beta-galactosidase activity were predominantly at the transcriptional level.

Wiad Lek, 1989 Nov 15-Dec 15, 42(22-24), 1104 - 9
{Bacterial endocarditis in clinical and echocardiographic observations}; Trzesicka M et al.; Twenty-one patients with infectious endocarditis are reported . The diagnosis was based on finding of at least three clinical symptoms and signs, including systemic manifestations, cardiovascular signs such as the appearance of a new or changing symptoms of cardiac failure, episodes of embolism and abnormalities in laboratory investigations and features of valvular involvement by the inflammatory process, principal changing endocardium image was evidence of an active inflammatory process . The aetiological factors, diagnostic difficulties, therapeutic results and the usefulness of echocardiography in the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis are discussed.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1989 Nov 15, 164(3), 1137 - 42
Proposed mechanism for the bacterial bioluminescence reaction involving a dioxirane intermediate; Raushel FM et al.; We propose here a verifiable mechanism for the bacterial bioluminescence reaction involving a dioxirane intermediate . Participation of the dioxirane predicts either formation of an excited carbonyl, rather than the flavin, as the primary excited state in the reaction, or, through a CIEEL mechanism, the C4a hydroxyflavin or the chromophore of a secondary emitter protein could become excited . We propose energy transfer from the primary excited state to the C4a hydroxyflavin in the absence of the lumazine protein or the yellow fluorescence protein, while in the presence of either of the secondary emitter proteins, excitation energy would be transferred to the second protein-bound chromophore . The mechanism is similar to other currently discussed mechanisms, except in the final steps leading to the primary excited state . The mechanism is consistent with the known details of the reactions of dioxiranes and of flavins and with recent studies of the secondary emitter proteins and bacterial luciferases.

FEBS Lett, 1989 Nov 6, 257(2), 203 - 7
Participation of acid phospholipids in protein translocation across the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane; Nesmeyanova MA et al.; Recent observations confirm the participation of acid phospholipids in protein translocation . The hypothesis proposed coupled protein translocation with transmembrane movement of acid phospholipids, their metabolism as a precursor of cell envelope components and recycling . These factors ensure the unidirectional vector value of the secretion, restoration of the membrane site competent for protein translocation and its self-organization.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Nov 5, 264(31), 18506 - 11
Structural features that underlie the use of bacterial Met-tRNAfMet primarily as an elongator in eukaryotic protein synthesis; Wagner T et al.; Met-tRNAfMet from Escherichia coli is utilized efficiently as an elongator tRNA during protein synthesis in the rabbit reticulocyte lysate since it rapidly incorporates its methionyl residue into the same tryptic peptides of rabbit globin as the endogenous Met-tRNAmMet . Therefore, it must lack the structural characteristics that prevent the eukaryotic initiator tRNA from entering elongation . In contrast, E . coli Met-tRNAfMet appears to initiate very poorly since, unlike reticulocyte Met-tRNAiMet, it forms no detectable 43 S preinitiation complexes, and only a very small fraction of the methionine it contributes to polyribosomal peptidyl-tRNA is found at the N terminus . The bacterial fMet-tRNAfMet, which cannot elongate, is utilized for polypeptide chain initiation at a much lower level than the formylated Met-tRNAiMet from eukaryotes . The ability of E . coli Met-tRNAfMet to be used as an elongator and fMet-tRNAfMet as an initiator in the reticulocyte lysate may be considerably underestimated because of the rapid enzymatic hydrolysis of these initiator tRNAs in the lysate . The enzyme hydrolyzes fMet-tRNAfMet and Met-tRNAfMet from E . coli in a strictly Mg2+-dependent manner but not the corresponding species from yeast or rabbit reticulocytes . It also hydrolyzes yeast N-acetyl-Phe-tRNAPhe and reticulocyte peptidyl-tRNA, showing that this enzyme--like the eukaryotic protein synthetic machinery--does not readily distinguish the bacterial tRNAfMet from eukaryotic elongator tRNA.

Lab Invest, 1989 Nov, 61(5), 504 - 8
Defective disposal of immune complexes and polyclonal B cell activation persist long after exposure to bacterial lipopolysaccharide in mice; Granholm NA et al.; Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus experience clinical exacerbation during superimposed bacterial infection . Previous studies in mice indicated that heightened immune phenomena during exposure to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) appear to be related, in part, to polyclonal B cell activation, to abnormal disposal of immune complexes (IC), and to increased localization of IC in tissues . To investigate whether such effects were reversible, we administered bacterial LPS to C57BL/6 mice for 5 weeks . Control mice received vehicle alone . We then discontinued LPS, and 6 weeks later LPS and control mice were challenged with a subsaturating dose of radiolabeled IC; the removal of IC from the circulation, their localization in the liver, spleen, and kidney were determined . In comparison to values in control mice, in mice previously exposed to LPS, serologic features of polyclonal B cell activation persisted; liver uptake of pathogenic IC (greater than Ag2Ab2) was normal, but removal of small size IC (less than or equal to Ag2Ab2) from the circulation was delayed; localization of IC in the kidneys was enhanced, and pathologic proteinuria developed . The effects of repeated exposure to bacterial LPS are partially reversible, but they last long after LPS is discontinued and may contribute to altered disposal of IC, enhanced organ localization of IC, and organ dysfunction.

Infect Immun, 1989 Nov, 57(11), 3576 - 80
An orally administered bacterial immunomodulator primes rabbit neutrophils for increased oxidative burst in response to opsonized zymosan; Helmberg A et al.; To assess the potential effect of an orally administered immunomodulator, consisting of a lysate of seven different bacteria, on polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function, rabbits were fed this preparation for five consecutive days via a gastric tube . On day 6, PMN were separated from peripheral blood and oxidative burst was triggered by opsonized zymosan or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and quantitated on a single-cell basis . This study presents the extension of an existing flow cytometric method, leading to the possibility of quantitating single-cell oxidative burst triggered by particulate (instead of only soluble) stimuli . By this means, treated animals showed statistically significant increased oxidative burst reactions compared with the control group . The data provide evidence that oral application of a bacterial immunomodulator leads to a primed state in PMN for increased oxidative activity in response to a particulate stimulus . This offers the possibility that the beneficial effect of similar treatment in humans may in part be due to comparable mechanisms.

J Rheumatol Suppl, 1989 Nov, 19, 52 - 7
Bacterial products, cytokines and sleep; Krueger JM et al.; Sleep deprivation, infection and administration of muramyl peptides or certain other immune response modifiers all alter sleep . Sleep, temperature and hematologic effects observed after bacterial infection are also elicited after administration of isolated bacterial cell walls . Macrophages have the capability to digest bacterial peptidoglycan and in the process produce pyrogenic and somnogenic substances of low molecular weight . Activated macrophages also produce cytokines and some of these, e.g., interleukin-1 (IL-1), are somnogenic . Our results emphasize the close connection of the infection process, fever and sleep . Muramyl peptides and/or IL-1 may also be involved in daily regulation of sleep.

J Laryngol Otol, 1989 Nov, 103(11), 1059 - 62
Bacterial tracheitis; Rabie I et al.; Bacterial tracheitis is the term used to describe a severe infraglottic infection characterized by toxicity, brassy cough, inspiratory stridor, subglottic oedema and the presence of copious mucopurulent secretions in the trachea . It is an uncommon condition that requires prompt diagnosis and intensive medical therapy if significant morbidity and mortality are to be avoided . Since the condition was first described in 1979 approximately one hundred cases have been reported . In this paper we present four children with bacterial tracheitis to add to the current literature . Interestingly, one child was admitted on two separate occasions with the disease, an event not previously recorded . All patients underwent endoscopy which revealed findings typical of bacterial tracheitis in each case . None required tracheostomy though three required nasotracheal intubation . Post-endoscopy all were managed in the Intensive Care Unit . There were no fatalities or significant morbidity . The average duration of hospitalization was seven days.

Rev Infect Dis, 1989 Nov-Dec, 11(6), 853 - 77
Vaccination against enteric bacterial diseases; Hone D et al.; We review evidence that the systemic and mucosal immune systems of the body are compartmentalized . The development of immunity against an antigen at one mucosal surface may lead to the appearance of that immunity at other mucosal surfaces . In order to attain good protective immunity against a bacterial enteropathogen, it may be necessary to induce such immunity through the mucosal immune system of the gut . Earlier attempts to elicit protective immunity against bacterial enteropathogens by parenteral vaccination are reviewed . The modern approach involves oral administration of antigen . Such antigen may consist of killed bacteria or--more effectively--live, attenuated bacteria bearing antigens of interest . Such bacteria may be enteropathogens attenuated by mutation, either general or site-directed, or hybrid strains in which a bacterial carrier expresses an antigenic determinant of interest from cloned DNA . While good progress has been made in the comprehension of the requirements for effective vaccination against enteropathogenic bacteria, future work will produce more effective carrier strains than are currently available.

Mol Cell Biol, 1989 Nov, 9(11), 4759 - 66
The rat albumin promoter: cooperation with upstream elements is required when binding of APF/HNF1 to the proximal element is partially impaired by mutation or bacterial methylation; Tronche F et al.; We have characterized in the accompanying paper (P . Herbomel, A . Rollier, F . Tronche, M.-O . Ott, M . Yaniv, and M . C . Weiss, Mol . Cell . Biol . 9:4750-4758, 1989) six different elements in the albumin promoter . One of them, the proximal element (PE), is the binding site for a strictly liver specific factor, APF/HNF1 . This binding site contains a bacterial DAM DNA methylase methylation target sequence which, when methylated, decreases the affinity of the protein for this element . When the different albumin promoter constructions were prepared in an Escherichia coli deoxyadenosine methylase-negative strain, the respective contributions of the elements to the overall promoter activity were strikingly different . An intact proximal element plus the TATA box gave almost full transcriptional activity in transient transfection experiments and only in differentiated hepatoma cells of line H4II, whereas the distal elements (distal element III {DEIII}, the NF1-binding site DEII, and the E/CBP-binding site DEI) had become essentially dispensable . Mutations affecting the CCAAT box showed only a two- to threefold decrease . When PE was methylated, mutated, or replaced by the homologous element from the alpha-fetoprotein gene, activity in the context of the short promoter (PE plus the TATA box) was abolished . However, activity was restored in the presence of the upstream elements, showing that cooperation with factors binding to the CCAAT box and distal elements favors the functional interaction of the liver-specific APF/HNF1 factor with lower-affinity binding sites.

Ann Emerg Med, 1989 Nov, 18(11), 1191 - 8
The leukocyte esterase test for detection of cerebrospinal fluid leukocytosis and bacterial meningitis; DeLozier JS et al.; We conducted a study to assess the efficacy of the dipstick leukocyte esterase test (LET) in the detection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leukocytosis as a quick screen for bacterial meningitis . Nine hundred forty-two CSF samples were collected from 800 patients . The LET was compared in a double-blinded fashion with routine cell count determinations and cultures . We reviewed the clinical courses of all patients with positive cultures to assess the significance of culture isolates . Statistical analysis revealed LET sensitivity of 84.4% and specificity of 98.1% for clinical presentations of bacterial meningitis for which initiation of therapy is currently recommended . The LET identified culture-proven cases of meningitis with sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 95% . We propose the LET as an adjunct to, but not a replacement for, CSF cell count and chemistry determination in the initial laboratory assessment of bacterial meningitis . It is a reasonable screen that allows rapid initiation of treatment and directs the laboratory technician to devote extra attention to examination of a CSF specimen with a higher likelihood of pathology.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 Nov, 86(22), 8703 - 7
Role of CheW protein in coupling membrane receptors to the intracellular signaling system of bacterial chemotaxis; Liu JD et al.; Chemotactic behavior in Escherichia coli is mediated by membrane-associated chemoreceptors that transmit sensory signals to the flagellar motors through an intracellular signaling system, which appears to involve a protein phosphorylation cascade . This study concerns the role of CheW, a cytoplasmic protein, in coupling methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs), the major class of membrane receptors, to the intracellular signaling system . Steady-state flagellar rotation behavior was examined in a series of strains with different combinations and relative amounts of CheW, MCPs, and other signaling components . At normal expression levels, CheW stimulated clockwise rotation, and receptors appeared to enhance this stimulatory effect . At high expression levels, MCPs inhibited clockwise rotation, and CheW appeared to augment this inhibitory effect . Since overexpression of CheW or MCP molecules had the same behavioral effect as their absence, chemoreceptors probably use CheW to modulate two distinct signals, one that stimulates and one that inhibits the intracellular phosphorylation cascade.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 Nov, 86(22), 8635 - 9
Structure of a bacterial enzyme regulated by phosphorylation, isocitrate dehydrogenase; Hurley JH et al.; The structure of isocitrate dehydrogenase {threo-DS-isocitrate: NADP+ oxidoreductase (decarboxylating), EC 1.1.1.42} from Escherichia coli has been solved and refined at 2.5 A resolution and is topologically different from that of any other dehydrogenase . This enzyme, a dimer of identical 416-residue subunits, is inactivated by phosphorylation at Ser-113, which lies at the edge of an interdomain pocket that also contains many residues conserved between isocitrate dehydrogenase and isopropylmalate dehydrogenase . Isocitrate dehydrogenase contains an unusual clasp-like domain in which both polypeptide chains in the dimer interlock . Based on the structure of isocitrate dehydrogenase and conservation with isopropylmalate dehydrogenase, we suggest that the active site lies in an interdomain pocket close to the phosphorylation site.

ASDC J Dent Child, 1989 Nov-Dec, 56(6), 442 - 4
The efficacy of rubber dam isolation in reducing atmospheric bacterial contamination; Samaranayake LP et al.; A study was made to ascertain the efficacy of rubber dam isolation in controlling atmospheric bacterial contamination, when conservative pedodontic procedures are performed . There was a highly significant (p less than 0.001) reduction in bacterial contamination of the atmosphere, perioperatively, when rubber dam isolation was used . As the reduction in bacterial aerosols was greatest at 1 m from the headrest, the use of rubber dam would minimize significantly the inhalation of infective aerosols by dental personnel.

J Bacteriol, 1989 Nov, 171(11), 6271 - 8
Role of the CheW protein in bacterial chemotaxis: overexpression is equivalent to absence; Sanders DA et al.; The cheW gene from Escherichia coli has been cloned an inducible promoter, and the effects of the overproduction of the CheW protein on chemotactic behavior and receptor covalent modification have been examined . Plasmids that contain the cheW gene behind a regulatable promoter complement a cheW mutation when the CheW protein is produced at low levels . However, when the CheW protein is greatly overproduced in either a wild-type strain or a cheW mutant, chemotaxis is greatly inhibited, cheW null mutant cells swim smoothly as if they were constantly responding to an attractant . Surprisingly, cells in which the CheW protein is overproduced also swim smoothly . The behavioral defect produced by overproduction of the CheW protein does not require the presence of the cheR, cheB, or cheZ gene . Receptor demethylation is also inhibited by overproduction of the CheW protein, as it is by a mutation in the cheW gene or a response to an attractant . In all respects, therefore, overproduction of the CheW protein has the same consequences as does a mutation in the cheW gene or a response to an attractant . A model involving two states of the CheW protein is proposed to explain its role in bacterial chemotaxis.

Infect Immun, 1989 Nov, 57(11), 3434 - 7
Bacterial endotoxin both enhances and inhibits the toxicity of Shiga-like toxin II in rabbits and mice; Barrett TJ et al.; The ability of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to enhance the toxicity of Shiga-like toxin II (SLT-II) was investigated in rabbits and mice . Rabbits were continuously infused with 0.5 50% lethal dose (LD50) of SLT-II per day . Rabbits that received a 30-micrograms/kg dose of LPS (0.02 LD50) on day 3 of infusion were significantly more likely to die than were rabbits receiving SLT-II only . Rabbits receiving SLT-II and a lower dose of LPS (3 micrograms/kg) did not die but lost an average 3.3% +/- 1.0% of initial body weight during the first 5 days of infusion, compared with weight gains of 4.2% +/- 0.6% and 17.1% +/- 0.9% for rabbits receiving only SLT-II or LPS, respectively . Rabbits that were pretreated with LPS 20 h before challenge with a single dose of SLT-II showed highly significant protection from both the diarrheagenic and lethal effects of SLT-II . Pretreatment of endotoxin-responsive C3H/HeN mice protected the animals from challenge with an LD50 but not an LD100 of SLT-II . LPS enhanced the lethal toxicity of SLT-II for C3H/HeN mice when it was given at 8 or 24 h but not 0 or 72 h after SLT-II challenge . LPS did not affect the lethal toxicity of SLT-II for endotoxin-resistant C3H/HeJ mice . These results suggest that LPS enhances the effects of SLT-II in vivo . Since cecal changes that increase mucosal permeability occur in response to SLT in rabbits, this synergy may be directly relevant to disease processes.

Cancer Res, 1989 Nov 1, 49(21), 6044 - 51
Increase in nitrosourea resistance in mammalian cells by retrovirally mediated gene transfer of bacterial O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase; Dumenco LL et al.; Maloney murine leukemia virus-based, replication-defective retroviral vectors containing the neomycin resistance gene (neo) were developed to transfer the Escherichia coli ada gene coding for O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase, into mammalian cells . To optimize gene transfer and expression, the following promoters were linked to ada: the Maloney murine leukemia virus promoter within the long-terminal repeat, the Rous sarcoma virus promoter, the thymidine kinase promoter, or the human phosphoglycerate kinase promoter . Sequences were transfected into the helper virus-free retroviral packaging psi-2 cell line . Recombinant retroviruses were tested in CCL-1 cells, which, like most murine tissues, have low levels of alkyltransferase and are sensitive to 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)nitrosourea (BCNU), and in NIH-3T3 cells, which are BCNU resistant and have high levels of alkyltransferase . Lines infected with each of the four retroviruses were selected for neo expression and found to have intact proviral integration and ada gene expression . Alkyltransferase activity was greatest with retrovirus containing the Rous sarcoma virus-ada gene; infected NIH-3T3 cells had up to 2300 units of alkyltransferase/mg of protein compared with 151 units/mg of protein in control cells, and infected CCL-1 cells had up to 1231 units/mg of protein compared with 33 units/mg of protein in control cells . CCL-1 cells expressing ada were more resistant to BCNU cytotoxicity than were controls . However, NIH-3T3 cells expressing ada were only slightly more resistant to BCNU than controls, possibly because most of the ada protein was cytoplasmic rather than nuclear as suggested by immunohistochemical stain . These studies establish a series of retroviruses containing the bacterial ada gene, which efficiently infect mammalian cells . ada expression increases nitrosourea resistance in cells with low mammalian alkyltransferase activity.

J Am Soc Echocardiogr, 1989 Nov-Dec, 2(6), 386 - 9
Use of transesophageal echocardiography for improving detection of valvular vegetations in subacute bacterial endocarditis; Klodas E et al.; Subacute bacterial endocarditis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality . Valvular destruction, congestive heart failure, embolic phenomena, failure of medical therapy, and death are all more common in patients with echocardiographically discernible valvular lesions . Transthoracic echocardiography is often unsatisfactory for evaluation of vegetations in patients with chest wall deformities, lung disease, obesity, or prosthetic valves . The transesophageal approach affords uniformly high-quality images with excellent structural resolution . We present a case of suspected subacute bacterial endocarditis in a patient with equivocal diagnoses of vegetations on three separate transthoracic echocardiograms in whom transesophageal evaluation revealed obvious large vegetations that involved the aortic and mitral valves . Subsequent autopsy confirmed this diagnosis . The case illustrates the utility of a new imaging method for the detection of valvular vegetations . In view of the prognostic implications of detected vegetations, transesophageal echocardiography probably should be performed on all patients with suspected subacute bacterial endocarditis and equivocal results by transthoracic study.

Immunobiology, 1989 Nov, 180(1), 93 - 100
Interaction of the lymphoid cell line BCL1 with lipopeptide analogues of bacterial lipoprotein: electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) as a novel method to detect the distribution of the activator within the cells; Wolf B et al.; The lipopeptide Pam3Cys-Ser, a synthetic analogue of the N-terminal part of bacterial lipoprotein, constitutes a potent activator for B lymphocytes, monocytes/macrophages and several lymphoid cell lines . We applied the novel method of electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) to determine, after stimulation, the distribution of the activator within the cell compartments of the lipopeptide sensitive cell line BCL1 . Our results show that the lipopeptide, 20 min after the addition to the cell culture, was found at different locations within the cell: A major amount of the mitogen was found in the plasma membrane . Remarkably, considerable amounts of the activator were also found on the cytoplasm, the nuclear membrane, and the nucleus . After 24 h, a substantial amount of the lipopeptide was still present within the cells . These findings should help to elucidate the molecular mechanism of lymphocyte stimulation by lipopeptides . The novel method of EELS, which was demonstrated here using lipopeptides as examples, constitutes a valuable tool of localizing any given compounds such as growth factors or drugs within cells.

Allerg Immunol (Paris), 1989 Nov, 21(9), 354 - 6
Effect of oral bacterial lysates on serum immunoglobulins; Palma-Carlos AG et al.; The level of serum immunoglobulins IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE has been studied before and after oral immunotherapy with a bacterial lysate in 88 patients with bronchial asthma, repeated respiratory infection and 12 cases of IgA deficiency . A significant increase in IgA has been observed in 9 patients presenting initially a decreased IgA serum level . In 3 patients without response to the standard treatment an increase in IgA was achieved increasing the dosage of oral bacterial lysate . Oral bacterial lysates could be an useful immunomodulating agent in repeated respiratory infections associated or not with IgA deficiency.

J Hosp Infect, 1989 Nov, 14(4), 333 - 8
Air bacterial and particle counts in total hip replacement operations using non-woven and cotton gowns and drapes; Jalovaara P et al.; Air bacterial and particle counts were obtained in a conventionally ventilated operating theatre, during 8 operations for total hip replacement performed using synthetic non-woven fabrics as drapes for the patients and gowns for the staff (trousers and stockings were of conventional cotton material), ('non-woven' group), and in 8 corresponding operations using conventional cotton fabrics ('cotton' group) . No significant difference between the groups with regard to air bacterial counts was observed . The use of cotton fabrics was associated with substantially higher particle counts, probably due to particles from the cotton textiles themselves . No significant correlation was observed between the bacterial and particle counts, indicating that these came from different sources and that the particles were mainly of sterile origin . Thus, the benefit of the synthetic, non-woven fabrics in hip replacement surgery, when these fabrics are used to cover theatre staff only partially in the form of gowns, seems questionable with regard to the reduction of air bacterial counts . On the other hand, the surgical textiles of non-woven material improve the purity of the operating theatre since unlike cotton fabrics they do not produce and disperse particles in the air.

J Clin Invest, 1989 Nov, 84(5), 1588 - 94
Bacterial cell surface hydrophobicity properties in the mediation of in vitro adhesion by the rabbit enteric pathogen Escherichia coli strain RDEC-1; Drumm B et al.; The role of hydrophobicity in the attachment of enteropathogens to gastrointestinal mucosa is controversial . In vitro binding of Escherichia coli RDEC-1 to rabbit intestine is dependent on the expression of pili . We examined in vitro adherence of piliated RDEC-1 after altering either the hydrophobicity of the organisms, the hydrophobicity of the substrate for attachment, or the surface tension of the suspending liquid . Hydrophobicity of RDEC-1 was determined using four complementary methods . In each assay piliated RDEC-1 demonstrated relatively more hydrophobic properties compared with both organisms grown to suppress pilus expression and a mutant that cannot express mannose-resistant pili . When piliated RDEC-1 were pretreated with tetramethyl urea to disrupt hydrophobic bonds surface hydrophobicity decreased . Concurrently, bacterial adherence to rabbit ileal microvillus membranes, mucus and mucin was reduced . Binding of piliated organisms to hydrophobic surfaces was significantly higher compared to both nonpiliated bacteria and the adherence of piliated RDEC-1 to relatively hydrophilic surfaces . Addition of propanol reduced the surface tension of the suspending liquid, and decreased adhesion of piliated RDEC-1 to polystyrene by 80% . Conversely, adherence of piliated organisms to a hydrophilic surface increased 12-fold after lowering the surface tension of the suspending liquid . We conclude that hydrophobic properties have a role in mediating in vitro adherence of this E . coli enteric pathogen.

Mol Microbiol, 1989 Nov, 3(11), 1661 - 7
Families of bacterial signal-transducing proteins; Gross R et al.; Bacteria can respond to a variety of environmental stimuli by means of systems generally composed of two proteins . The first protein (sensor or transmitter) is usually a transmembrane protein with cytoplasmic and extracytoplasmic domains . The extracytoplasmic domain (sensor) senses the environment and transfers the signal through the transmembrane domain to the cytoplasmic domain (transmitter), which has kinase activity . The second protein is located in the cytoplasm and contains an amino-terminal domain (receiver), which can be phosphorylated by the transmitter, and a carboxy-terminal region (regulator), which regulates gene expression by binding to DNA . The transmitter and receiver modules (the kinase and its target) are conserved in all signal-transducing systems and are the 'core structure' of this two-component system . The sensors and the regulators vary according to the stimuli they respond to and the DNA structure they interact with . On the basis of their sequence homology, the proteins belonging to such two-component systems can be classified into different families, which are summarized in this review.

Genes Dev, 1989 Nov, 3(11), 1725 - 34
Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of a bacterial transcriptional activator by a transmembrane receptor; Igo MM et al.; Signal transduction in the bacterial Omp, Che, and Ntr systems involves the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of response regulators (OmpR, CheY and CheB, NRI) that share a homologous domain . We show that in the Omp system, the transmembrane sensor EnvZ, catalyzes both the phosphorylation of OmpR and the dephosphorylation of OmpR-P . The phosphorylation reaction proceeds by a mechanism shared with the Ntr and Che kinases, NRII, and CheA . EnvZ can phosphorylate NRI and can stimulate transcription from the glnAp2 promoter, and similarly, CheA can phosphorylate OmpR and can stimulate transcription from the ompF promoter . OmpR-P formed by either CheA or EnvZ is much more stable than CheY-P and NRI-P, but is rapidly hydrolyzed to OmpR and Pi by EnvZ in the presence of ATP, ADP, or nonhydrolyzable analogs of ATP . Because EnvZ is normally a transmembrane receptor with a periplasmic sensory domain, our results suggest that the role of EnvZ may be to control the intracellular concentration of OmpR-P in response to environmental signals.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 Nov, 86(22), 8673 - 7
Detergent disruption of bacterial inner membranes and recovery of protein translocation activity; Cunningham K et al.; Isolation of the integral membrane components of protein translocation requires methods for fractionation and functional reconstitution . We treated inner-membrane vesicles of Escherichia coli with mixtures of octyl beta-D-glucoside, phospholipids, and an integral membrane carrier protein under conditions that extract most of the membrane proteins into micellar solution . Upon dialysis, proteoliposomes were reconstituted that supported translocation of radiochemically pure {35S}pro-OmpA (the precursor of outer membrane protein A) . Translocation into these proteoliposomes required ATP hydrolysis and membrane proteins, indicating that the reaction is that of the inner membrane . The suspension of membranes in detergent was separated into supernatant and pellet fractions by ultracentrifugation . After reconstitution, translocation activity was observed in both fractions, but processing by leader peptidase of translocated pro-OmpA to OmpA was not detectable in the reconstituted pellet fraction . Processing activity was restored by addition of pure leader peptidase as long as this enzyme was added before detergent removal, indicating that the translocation activity is not associated with detergent-resistant membrane vesicles . These results show that protein translocation activity can be recovered from detergent-disrupted membrane vesicles, providing a first step towards the goal of isolating the solubilized components.

Mutat Res, 1989 Nov, 218(3), 179 - 88
Beta-galactosidase overexpression in SV40-transformed Chinese hamster fibroblasts exposed to mutagens as a result of amplification of transfected bacterial lacZ DNA sequences; Clement JM et al.; Genetic constructions in which the bacterial lacZ gene, encoding the enzyme beta-galactosidase, is fused to a viral (SV40) origin of replication have been introduced in an SV40-transformed hamster cell line (C1102) . We have studied in detail 3 clones in which beta-galactosidase-specific activity increases after treatment with genotoxic agents . We show that this increase is dependent on the activity of the viral T protein and correlates with an amplification of lac sequences . This system provides a basis for the study of the induction of gene amplification by genotoxic agents in mammalian cells.

Arch Biochem Biophys, 1989 Nov 1, 274(2), 394 - 403
Site-directed mutagenesis of the GDP binding domain of bacterial elongation factor Tu; Hwang YW et al.; The tertiary structure model of EF-Tu predicts that the amino acid sequence Val-Asp-His-Gly-Lys-Thr-Thr-Leu (residues 20-27) forms a pocket that binds the pyrophosphate group . To test this model we used site-directed mutagenesis to produce forms of EF-Tu altered in this region . The following mutations were constructed: Gly-20, Val-23, Glu-24, Ile-25, and Pro-27 . Each protein was labeled with {35S}Met and was tested for its ability to interact with guanosine nucleotides and EF-Ts . The in vivo activity of each altered protein was tested by determining its ability to confer aurodox sensitivity to a resistant host . Mutations at residues 23, 24, 25, and 27 eliminated the ability of EF-Tu to interact with either guanosine nucleotides or EF-Ts in vitro, and these forms were also inactive in vivo . In contrast, the Gly-20 form was nearly as active as wild-type EF-Tu in vitro and in vivo . This mutation is theoretically equivalent to reversion of the Gly to Val transforming mutation of the cellular form of the ras gene product p21, a protein proposed to be structurally similar to EF-Tu in the GDP binding domain . In contrast to its effect in the ras gene, the Val to Gly conversion did not affect the endogenous GTPase of EF-Tu . We conclude that the tertiary structure model is correct in its assignment of the pyrophosphate binding site to residues 23-27; however, there are likely to be some significant differences between the configurations of the GTPases of EF-Tu and p21.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1989 Nov, 53(1-2), 171 - 6
Rapid determination of bacterial ribosomal RNA sequences by direct sequencing of enzymatically amplified DNA; Bottger EC; Ribosomal RNA sequences are an appealing target for bacterial classification as well as for development of group- or species-specific DNA probes . Using the polymerase chain reaction and synthetic primers, the feasibility of this gene amplification technique for rapid sequence determination of the major 16S ribosomal RNA domains from small amounts of input DNA is demonstrated . Information useful for phylogenetic classification as well as for construction of specific DNA probes may be obtained by comparison with known sequences.

J Immunol, 1989 Nov 1, 143(9), 2955 - 60
The bacterial outer membrane protein that reacts with anti-HLA-B27 antibodies is the OmpA protein; Zhang JJ et al.; A bacterial outer membrane protein of 35-kDa Mr has been reported to react with several anti-HLA-B27 mAb . Here, we demonstrated that this protein showed the heat-modifiability of the OmpA protein during SDS-PAGE . Further, the protein was not detected in mutants of Escherichia coli in which the expression of the OmpA protein has been suppressed . The protein would be reexpressed when one of the mutants was transformed with an expression vector carrying the OmpA gene . Finally, the identity of the reactive protein to OmpA protein was verified by homology in amino acid sequences . An NH2-terminal fragment of this protein was generated by tryptic digestion . Inasmuch as this was unreactive with the anti-HLA-B27 antibody, we concluded that the carboxyl-terminus contributed directly or indirectly to the reactive domain.

J Clin Microbiol, 1989 Nov, 27(11), 2612 - 5
Staining bacterial flagella easily; Heimbrook ME et al.; A wet-mount technique for staining bacterial flagella is highly successful when a stable stain and regular slides and cover slips are used . Although not producing a permanent mount, the technique is simple for routine use when the number and arrangement of flagella are critical in identifying species of motile bacteria.

Clin Chim Acta, 1989 Oct 31, 185(1), 17 - 24
Bioluminescent assay for serum adenosine deaminase with immobilized bacterial luciferase; Oda K et al.; We describe a bioluminescence method for measuring adenosine deaminase activity in serum . The method involves use of batchwise enzyme reaction containing adenosine, alpha-ketoglutarate, glutamic dehydrogenase and NADH . The resulting solution is injected to the continuous-flow bioluminescence system . In the system, a bacterial luciferase and NAD(P)H:FMN oxidoreductase are covalently co-immobilized on Sepharose 4B . Carrier solution (pH 6.8) for bioluminescence reaction contains FMN and decanal . The continuous-flow light-emitting system, in which the reactor (flow cell packed with immobilized enzyme) is placed in front of a photomultiplier tube inside a photon counter, is versatile and simple . Concentration and response are linearly related from 1.2 to 92.5 pmol per injection of ammonia . The precision of the method is satisfactory (coefficient of variation 3.9-6.8%) . We validated the technique by comparing results with conventional assay method (UV method) . Normal values for adenosine deaminase activity of serum ranged from 7.0 to 22.0 U/l in agreement with those obtained by other method . The Sepharose 4B-immobilized enzymes are stable for more than one year . This assay system could be used as a routine clinical laboratory test in the diagnosis of liver damage.

Biochemistry, 1989 Oct 31, 28(22), 8798 - 803
Effects of D-serine on bacterial D-amino acid transaminase: accumulation of an intermediate and inactivation of the enzyme; Martinez del Pozo A et al.; Incubation of pure bacterial D-amino acid transaminase with D-serine or erythro-beta-hydroxy-DL-aspartic acid, which are relatively poor substrates, leads to generation of a new absorbance band at 493 nm that is probably the quinonoid intermediate . The 420-nm absorbance band (due to the pyridoxal phosphate coenzyme) decreases, and the 338-nm absorbance band (due to the pyridoxamine phosphate or some other form of the coenzyme) increases . A negative Cotton effect at 493 nm in the circular dichroism spectra is also generated . Closely related D amino acids do not lead to generation of this new absorption band, which has a half-life of the order of several hours . Treatment of the enzyme with the good substrate D-alanine leads to a small but detectable amount of the same absorbance band . D-Serine but not erythro-beta-hydroxyaspartate leads to inactivation of D-amino acid transaminase, and D-alanine affords partial protection . The results indicate that D-serine is a unique type of inhibitor in which the initial steps of the half-reaction of transamination are so slow that a quinonoid intermediate with a 493-nm absorption band accumulates . A derivative formed from this intermediate inactivates the enzyme.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Oct 25, 264(30), 17784 - 9
Stereospecificity of reactions catalyzed by bacterial D-amino acid transaminase; Martinez del Pozo A et al.; The spectral shift from 420 to 338 nm when pure bacterial D-amino acid transaminase binds D-amino acid substrates is also exhibited in part by high concentrations of L-amino acids (L-alanine and L-glutamate) but not by simple dicarboxylic acids or monoamines . Slow processing of L-alanine to D-alanine was observed both by coupled enzymatic assays using D-amino acid oxidase and by high pressure liquid chromatography analysis employing an optically active chromophore (Marfey's reagent) . When the acceptor for L-alanine was alpha-ketoglutarate, D-glutamate was also formed . This minor activity of the transaminase involved both homologous (L-alanine and D-alanine) and heterologous (L-alanine and D-glutamate) substrate pairs and was a function of the nature of the keto acid acceptor . In the presence of alpha-ketoisovalerate, DL-alanine was almost completely processed to D-valine; within the limits of the assay no L-valine was detected . With alpha-ketoisocaproate, 90% of the DL-alanine was converted to D-leucine . In the mechanism of this transaminase reaction, there may be more stereoselective constraints for the protonation of the quinonoid intermediate during the second half-reaction of the transamination reaction, i.e . the donation of the amino group from the pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate coenzyme to a second keto acid acceptor, than during removal of the alpha proton in the initial steps of the reaction pathway . Thus, with this D-amino acid transaminase, the discrete steps of transamination ensure fidelity of the stereospecificity of reaction pathway.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Oct 15, 264(29), 17337 - 42
Phosphorylation of an N-terminal regulatory domain activates the CheB methylesterase in bacterial chemotaxis; Lupas A et al.; Two types of reversible protein modification reactions have been identified in bacterial chemotaxis, methylation of membrane receptor-transducer proteins at glutamate side chains and phosphorylation of cytoplasmic signal transduction proteins at histidine and aspartate side chains . CheB is a bifunctional enzyme that is involved in both these modification processes . Its C-terminal domain is a methylesterase that catalyzes the hydrolysis of gamma-carboxyl glutamyl methyl esters in the cytoplasmic domain of chemoreceptor proteins . Its N-terminal domain is a phosphatase that catalyzes the hydrolysis of phospho-CheA, the central response regulator of bacterial chemotaxis . Phospho-CheB, produced as an intermediate in the phosphatase reaction, has dramatically increased methylesterase activity . The interplay between the methylesterase and phosphatase activities of CheB may provide a crucial link between adaptation and excitation in stimulus-response coupling.

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1989 Oct 15, 52(3), 257 - 60
Bacterial colony screening with a Streptomyces DNA probe; Kuczek K et al.; Restriction fragments of 1.5 kb-3.5 kb length were selected from a SalI digest of Streptomyces coriofaciens ISP5485 DNA . After radiolabelling, these fragments were used as a molecular probe . A number of actinomycetes was screened in colony hybridization . Streptomyces and Streptoverticillium strains were recognized by the probe and the hybridization sensitivity was high with isolated DNA.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd, 1989 Oct 14, 133(41), 2038 - 9
{Splenic rupture, sometimes a fatal complication of bacterial endocarditis}; Sadee AS et al.; Rupture of the spleen, caused by a septic embolus, developed in a patient, who had been treated for bacterial endocarditis of the aortic valve . The incidence of this rare complication is discussed and the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment are described . The circumstances, under which the diagnosis should be strongly considered, are emphasized.

Dig Dis Sci, 1989 Oct, 34(10), 1547 - 52
Role of serum complement, immunoglobulins, and cell-mediated immune system in the pathogenesis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP); Rabinovitz M et al.; Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common complication of advanced liver disease, which has a reported prevalence of between 4 and 27% . Frequent bacteremias due to inadequate host defense mechanisms, particularly the reticuloendothelial system (RES), with seeding of an ascitic fluid that lacks a normal opsonic activity, is believed to be the principal cause of SBP . Little data exist as to the role of serum levels of complement and immunoglobulins as well as the cell-mediated immune system in the pathogenesis of SBP . The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of the third and fourth components of complement (C3, C4), total hemolytic complement activity (CH100), and properdin factor B (PFB) and immunoglobulins G, A, and M and various T-cell parameters in individuals admitted to hospital with ascites and advanced liver disease and to determine whether one or more of these factors could be used to predict the development of SBP in patients with advanced liver disease . Fourteen consecutive patients (nine male and five female; age 47.5 +/- 3.1 years, mean +/- SEM) with end-stage liver disease and ascites, who were evaluated for possible liver transplant at the University of Pittsburgh and who developed SBP, comprised the study group . The diagnosis of SBP was determined by positive ascitic fluid culture (three patients) and/or ascitic fluid neutrophil count of greater than 250 cells/mm3 (all patients) . The control group consisted of 14 patients, matched for type of liver disease, age, and sex, who did not develop SBP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi, 1989 Oct, 69(10), 560 - 2, 38
{Value of anti-contamination specimen brush in the etiologic diagnosis of bacterial pulmonary infections}; Hu BJ; This paper reports the results of sampling the secretion of lower respiratory tract by protected specimen brush(PSB) via fiberoptic bronchoscope for the isolation of pathogenic organisms in laboratory and clinic . Studies in vitro showed that the technique of PSB is better than that of single shear catheter brush (SSC) or cytologic brush (CB) for anti-contamination . The specificity and sensitivity of sampling were 93% and 100% respectively . The application of PSB in the diagnosis of pneumonia in canine models revealed that both specificity and sensitivity were 100% Sampling in 18 cases of pulmonary bacterial infections and 17 cases of other pulmonary diffusing diseases indicated that the specificity and sensitivity were 86% and 94% respectively . The authors are of the opinion that PSB sampling technique has a better anti-contamination effect and can increase the isolation rate of pathogens . The PSB may be a satisfactory sampling tool in etiologic diagnosis of pulmonary infections.

Mutat Res, 1989 Oct, 216(5), 251 - 7
Detection of ionizing radiations with the SOS Chromotest, a bacterial short-term test for genotoxic agents; Quillardet P et al.; The effects of 3 types of ionizing radiation, gamma-rays, neutrons and accelerated alpha-particles, were examined using the SOS Chromotest, a bacterial colorimetric assay for genotoxic agents based on the measurement of the SOS response in Escherichia coli . The SOS Chromotest appeared to be a sensitive and simple assay to detect quantitatively these radiations as well as their biological effects . The range of adsorbed doses for which induction was observed was similar for the 3 types of radiation, the minimum inducing doses being in the order of 2.5-5 Gy . We discuss the possible use of these observations to study the molecular action of radiations and to compare their genotoxic effects with those of chemicals.

Clin Otolaryngol, 1989 Oct, 14(5), 447 - 50
The role of bacterial infection of the maxillary sinus in nasal polyps; Dawes P et al.; Fifty-two adult patients with nasal polyps were studied . All patients had preoperative sinus radiographs which were coded on the degree of mucosal thickening and these were compared with the results of irrigation of the maxillary sinuses . All irrigations were sent for culture and microscopy for pus cells . Pus cells and bacteria were found in only 16 of 104 wash-outs . It was concluded that the disease results in stasis of secretions and secondary maxillary sinusitis.

Hepatogastroenterology, 1989 Oct, 36(5), 349 - 51
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis associated with small intestinal diverticulosis and bacterial overgrowth; Nazim M et al.; A patient with hepatic histological features of steatohepatitis in association with small bowel diverticulosis and bacterial overgrowth is described . A similar histological picture in the liver is well recognised in association with bacterial overgrowth in excluded loops of small intestine . Jejunal diverticulosis should be considered as a correlate of para-alcoholic hepatitis.

Aust N Z J Surg, 1989 Oct, 59(10), 819 - 21
Surgical treatment of duodenal diverticula associated with symptomatic bacterial overgrowth; Breen KJ et al.; A case is reported of a patient with symptomatic bacterial overgrowth and Vitamin B12 malabsorption secondary to two duodenal diverticula, treated successfully by surgical excision of the diverticula.

Immunol Today, 1989 Oct, 10(10), 334 - 6
Are bacterial endotoxins involved in autoimmunity by CD5+ (Ly-1+) B cells?
van Rooijen N.
Naturally occurring (autoimmune) antibodies reactive with phospholipids are found in normal rabbit and human sera . In this short article, Nico van Rooijen postulates that bacterial endotoxins trigger the production of these autoimmune antiphospholipid antibodies by CD5+ (Ly-1+) B cells . According to this postulate, the endotoxins, or their lipid-A-containing fractions, become inserted in cell membranes and induce the production of autoimmune IgM antibodies against surface antigens, such as phospholipids, of such cells.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1989 Sep 28, 976(2-3), 222 - 32
Monomeric bacteriochlorophyll is required for the triplet energy transfer between the primary donor and the carotenoid in photosynthetic bacterial reaction centers; Frank HA et al.; Reaction centers from the carotenoidless mutant Rb . sphaeroides R26 were treated with sodium borohydride which is known to remove one of the accessory monomeric bacteriochlorophylls (BB) . Subsequently, the carotenoid, spheroidene, was incorporated into the modified reaction centers . It is demonstrated by optical absorption and circular dichroism experiments that spheroidene, reconstituted into the sodium borohydride-treated Rb . sphaeroides R26 reaction centers, is bound in a single site, in the same environment and with the same structure as spheroidene reconstituted into untreated (native) Rb . sphaeroides R26 reaction centers . Transient optical and electron spin resonance spectroscopic data indicate that unless the accessory BB is present, the primary donor-to-carotenoid triplet energy transfer reaction is inhibited . These observations provide direct evidence for the involvement of the accessory BB in the triplet energy transfer pathway.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Sep 25, 264(27), 15843 - 9
Myosin light chain kinase structure function analysis using bacterial expression; Bagchi IC et al.; A 40-kDa fragment of chicken smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase was produced and partially purified from a bacterial expression system . This fragment exhibits calmodulin binding and substrate phosphorylation properties similar to those of the isolated chicken gizzard enzyme . A series of 3'-deletion mutants was prepared and used to produce proteins with the same NH2 terminus but with COOH termini varying over 180 amino acids . Results show that truncation of the enzyme at Ser-512 (based on the amino acid numbering system described for the partial cDNA clone by Guerriero, V., Jr., Russo, M . A., Olson, N . J., Putkey, J . A., and Means, A . R . (1986) Biochemistry 25, 8372-8381) does not alter calmodulin binding, calmodulin regulation, or enzymatic properties . Removal of an additional 5 residues from the COOH terminus completely inhibits calmodulin binding and results in an inactive kinase that can be fully activated by limited proteolysis . Site specific mutations within these 5 residues demonstrate that Gly-508 and Arg-509 are independently involved in calmodulin-dependent binding and activation of myosin light chain kinase . Truncation of the enzyme at residues within the protein kinase catalytic domain results in inactive protein that cannot be activated by proteolysis.

Eur J Biochem, 1989 Sep 15, 184(2), 375 - 8
Immunological detection of phytoene desaturase in algae and higher plants using an antiserum raised against a bacterial fusion-gene construct; Schmidt A et al.; Immunological characterization of phytoene desaturase, a key enzyme of carotenoid biosynthesis, is reported . For this purpose, a phytoene-desaturase fusion protein has been employed . For its construction 921 base pairs of the crtI gene were fused to the N-terminal region of the Escherichia coli lacZ gene . Plasmid pGABX2 resulted from insertion of a BglI - XhoI fragment from the Rhodobacter capsulatus carotenoid biosynthesis gene cluster, carrying the crtI, crtA and crtB genes, into pBR322 . A 968-base-pair SalI-fragment from pGABX2 was cloned into pUR288 at the 3' end of the lacZ gene . Isopropyl-beta-D-thio-galactopyranoside-dependent activation of the lacZ fusion gene resulted in expression of a stable 150-kDa protein . After electroelution from SDS/polyacrylamide slab gels, the protein was used for antibody production . The heterogenic antiserum obtained was tested by Western blotting against proteins from Rhodobacter capsulatus and several different photoautotrophic organisms including higher plants . Apparent molecular masses of immunoreactive proteins from Rhodobacter, Aphanocapsa, rape and spinach were around 64 kDa . In Bumilleriopsis a 55-kDa protein was found instead . The antibody also inhibited in vitro desaturation of phytoene when detergent-solubilized membranes were employed.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Sep 15, 264(26), 15613 - 9
Purification of acyloxyacyl hydrolase, a leukocyte enzyme that removes secondary acyl chains from bacterial lipopolysaccharides; Munford RS et al.; Leukocytes contain an enzyme that detoxifies bacterial lipopolysaccharides (also called endotoxins) by removing fatty acyl chains that are attached in acyloxy acyl linkage to the glucosamine backbone of lipid A . We describe the purification of an enzyme that carries out this activity, termed acyloxyacyl hydrolysis, from the HL-60 human promyelocyte cell line . The enzyme is a glycoprotein of apparent Mr = 52,000-60,000 that is found in low abundance (less than 0.001% of the cell lysate protein), principally in the granule fraction of the cells . The protein has two disulfide-linked subunits of apparent Mr = 50,000 and 14,000-20,000, each of which contains N-linked oligosaccharides . This is the first lipopolysaccharide-degrading enzyme that has been purified from animal cells.

Clin Ter, 1989 Sep 15, 130(5), 271 - 6
{Piperacillin in the therapy of severe bacterial infections: comparison of its efficacy and tolerance vs . ceftazidime}; D'Amato C et al.; 38 patients with severe acute bacterial systemic infections have been enrolled in this study: 19 patients were treated with piperacillin (100-200 mg/kg/day) and 19 with ceftazidime (45-90 mg/kg/day) by i.v . route . In both groups monotherapy has been found effective and well tolerated . Serious side-effects have not been observed . The high cure and eradication rates in both groups do not show statistically significant differences (chi 2 = 0.620 and chi 2 = 0.219, respectively, p greater than 0.05).

Clin Ter, 1989 Sep 15, 130(5), 267 - 70
{Netilmicin in single daily doses for the bacterial bronchopulmonary complications in patients with advanced bronchogenic carcinoma}; Zubiani M et al.; In 40 patients with bacterial bronchopulmonary complications during polychemotherapy for advanced bronchogenic carcinoma, once-daily netilmicin (4.5 mg/kg every 24 h) brought about complete resolution of the infective process in 90% of the cases and eradication of the responsible pathogen in 82% . This result must be considered good in view of the patients' precarious condition due to their advanced neoplastic disease.

Science, 1989 Sep 15, 245(4923), 1246 - 9
Activation of bacterial porin gene expression by a chimeric signal transducer in response to aspartate; Utsumi R et al.; The Tar chemoreceptor of Escherichia coli is a membrane-bound sensory protein that facilitates bacterial chemotaxis in response to aspartate . The EnvZ molecule has a membrane topology similar to Tar and is a putative osmosensor that is required for osmoregulation of the genes for the major outer membrane porin proteins, OmpF and OmpC . The cytoplasmic signaling domain of Tar was replaced with the carboxyl portion of EnvZ, and the resulting chimeric receptor activated transcription of the ompC gene in response to aspartate . The activation of ompC by the chimeric receptor was absolutely dependent on OmpR, a transcriptional activator for ompF and ompC.

Nucleic Acids Res, 1989 Sep 12, 17(17), 6893 - 901
Unexpected effects on bacterial phenotype induced by expression of a tumour-amplified human sequence; Heighway J et al.; An amplified human sequence was isolated from a metastatic human lung carcinoma . A fragment of this sequence situated behind the lac promoter of pUC19 appeared to affect plasmid DNA supercoiling in certain E . coli strains . Subclones were constructed to identify the smallest region of the human insert that conferred the activity and a 369 bp fragment was identified, expression of which appeared to result in abnormal plasmid supercoiling . In order to study this phenotype, various constructs were introduced into the minicell-producing strain E . coli DS410 and an unexpected effect was observed . The bacteria, after normal early growth, clumped together in late log phase, leaving virtually clear medium . Other E . coli strains were also shown to be affected to a lesser degree . The sequence producing this effect was also mapped to the 369 bp fragment and a critical region of approximately 50 bp was identified using site-directed in vitro mutagenesis and Bal31 deletion analysis . The plasmid encoded product responsible for this phenotypic alteration did not appear to be a peptide and clumping was observed when the human DNA was expressed from several bacterial promoters . It would seem likely that this sequence encodes a biologically active RNA which affects gene expression in the host cell.

Vet Rec, 1989 Sep 9, 125(11), 298 - 301
Current views on the pathogenesis of bacterial endometritis in mares; Allen WE et al.; Mares with persistent and recurrent endometritis are said to be susceptible to infection; in particular they are unable to resolve the acute endometritis that always follows mating . It is thought, therefore, that these mares have a local immunological defect in the uterus that impedes the elimination of bacteria . Studies on immunoglobulins, opsonins and the functional ability of neutrophils in the uterus of susceptible mares have not confirmed the presence of an impaired immune response . It is concluded that factors involved in the production and drainage of uterine fluid may be important in the aetiology of the condition.

Immunopharmacology, 1989 Sep-Oct, 18(2), 73 - 9
Effect of bacterial purified antigenic fractions on natural defence mechanisms; Luini W et al.; The in vitro ability of bacterial purified antigenic fractions to interfere with the immune system has been investigated on human mononuclear cells from peripheral blood . Exposure of purified monocytes to the drug at concentrations from 1 to 1000 micrograms/ml, for different periods from 0 to 18 h, significantly increased cell-mediated cytotoxicity against TU5 target cells . Moreover, monocytes exposed for 1 to 18 h to drug concentrations from 0.1 to 1000 micrograms/ml released significant amounts of tumor necrosis factor alpha in a dose-dependent manner in the culture supernatants . The drug was also tested on natural killer (NK) cell activity; mononuclear cells exposed to antigenic fractions for different periods showed a significant increase of NK cytotoxic activity against K562 target cells after 3 and 6, but not 0 and 18 h . Active concentrations were from 1 to 100 micrograms/ml, higher and lower doses being ineffective . Bacterial purified antigenic fractions thus have some ability to interfere in vitro with mechanisms of cytolysis mediated by cells and soluble factors.

Beitr Orthop Traumatol, 1989 Sep, 36(9), 428 - 34
{Personal experiences with the application of septopal chains in the treatment of bacterial arthritis and osteomyelitis}; Schuckmann P et al.; Follow-up of 74 patients with bacterial arthritis and osteomyelitis are conducted in order to prove the effect of the application of Gentamycin-PMMA-chains (20 infections after implants of hip joint arthroplastic, 11 nonspecific coxitis, 10 gonitis and 33 osteomyelitis) . It is necessary to recognize the infection in the very early stage its course and an immidiate and radical surgical intervention . The application of Gentamycin-PMMA-chains is a valuable supplement for treatment of bacterial arthritis and osteomyelitis.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1989 Sep, 55(9), 2178 - 89
Bacterial secondary production on vascular plant detritus: relationships to detritus composition and degradation rate; Moran MA et al.; Bacterial production at the expense of vascular plant detritus was measured for three emergent plant species (Juncus effusus, Panicum hemitomon, and Typha latifolia) degrading in the littoral zone of a thermally impacted lake . Bacterial secondary production, measured as tritiated thymidine incorporation into DNA, ranged from 0.01 to 0.81 microgram of bacterial C mg of detritus-1 day-1 . The three plant species differed with respect to the amount of bacterial productivity they supported per milligram of detritus, in accordance with the predicted biodegradability of the plant material based on initial nitrogen content, lignin content, and C/N ratio . Bacterial production also varied throughout the 22 weeks of in situ decomposition and was positively related to the nitrogen content and lignin content of the remaining detritus, as well as to the temperature of the lake water . Over time, production was negatively related to the C/N ratio and cellulose content of the degrading plant material . Bacterial production on degrading plant material was also calculated on the basis of plant surface area and ranged from 0.17 to 1.98 micrograms of bacterial C cm-2 day-1 . Surface area-based calculations did not correlate well with either initial plant composition or changing composition of the remaining detritus during decomposition . The rate of bacterial detritus degradation, calculated from measured production of surface-attached bacteria, was much lower than the actual rate of weight loss of plant material . This discrepancy may be attributable to the importance of nonbacterial organisms in the degradation and loss of plant material from litterbags or to the microbially mediated solubilization of particulate material prior to bacterial utilization, or both.

J Infect Dis, 1989 Sep, 160(3), 448 - 51
Association of homozygous C4B deficiency with bacterial meningitis; Rowe PC et al.; The fourth component of complement (C4) is encoded by two separate but linked loci (C4A and C4B), each of which produces functionally active C4 . Although C4A and C4B share certain antigenic and functional characteristics that identify them as C4, they differ with respect to other structural and functional properties . For example, C4B possesses four times the functional hemolytic activity of C4A . This suggests that homozygous deficiency of C4B might be associated with an increased susceptibility to infection . Forty-six children with bacterial meningitis were examined . Of these, 5 (10.9%) were homozygous deficient for C4B versus 7 (3.1%) of 223 controls (P = 0.038) . There was no relation between the prevalence of heterozygous C4B deficiency and meningitis or between the prevalence of either homozygous or heterozygous C4A deficiency and meningitis . These results suggest that homozygous C4B deficiency is a relatively common immunodeficiency disorder that is clinically significant and predisposes children to bacterial meningitis.

Acta Cytol, 1989 Sep-Oct, 33(5), 649 - 51
Diagnosis of acute bacterial osteomyelitis of the pubis by means of fine needle aspiration; Lupovitch A et al.; Fine needle aspiration (FNA) was used to make a definitive diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the pubis with negligible trauma to an elderly patient . The material obtained was adequate to resolve the differential diagnosis of osteomyelitis versus osteitis pubis occurring after urologic surgery . The three basic components of acute bacterial osteomyelitis, an acute inflammatory cell exudate of neutrophils, necrotic bone and bacteria in cells, were present in the FNA smears and cell blocks; the presence of bacteria was shown by Gram staining of FNA smears and culture of part of the FNA specimen.

Arch Neurol, 1989 Sep, 46(9), 994 - 6
Brain phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy in acute bacterial meningitis; Matthews PM et al.; The metabolic basis of the encephalopathy associated with acute bacterial meningitis is unknown . The presence of cerebrospinal fluid lactic acidosis and hypoglycorrhachia suggests that intracellular acidosis or cellular energy depletion may play a role . Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy allows for the noninvasive determination of intracellular pH and relative amounts of phosphate-containing metabolites in humans . In seven normal volunteers, the intracellular pH of a mixed volume of gray and white matter was 7.00 +/- 0.04 (mean +/- SD) . The apparent relative intensities of resonances from adenosine triphosphate, phosphocreatine, phosphodiesters and phosphomonoesters, and inorganic phosphate were measured . An encephalopathic patient with pneumococcal meningitis who had severe cerebrospinal fluid lactic acidosis was studied . Brain intracellular pH and relative phosphate metabolite concentrations were normal . Intracellular acidosis and bioenergetic compromise are therefore not causes of encephalopathy in this disease . This also demonstrates that the human brain can maintain tight control of intracellular pH even in the presence of marked extracellular metabolic acidosis.

South Med J, 1989 Sep, 82(9), 1122 - 7
Cerebrospinal fluid cell counts and chemistries in bacterial meningitis; Arevalo CE et al.; We evaluated the records of 428 patients with bacterial meningitis to document initial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings and detail their changes during therapy . Compared to patients with an initial polymorphonuclear cell predominance in the CSF, patients with initial CSF lymphocytosis had lower CSF leukocyte counts, milder CSF chemical abnormalities, and a lower frequency of positive CSF Gram stains and cultures . These findings suggest that CSF lymphocytosis may represent an early phase of infection . A low CSF leukocyte count was associated with a poor outcome, presumably reflecting an inadequate host response to infection . The CSF white cell count increased during the first 24 hours of therapy in 45% of cases . Morbidity and case fatality rates were not significantly increased in this group, suggesting that an initial rise in the CSF leukocyte count does not reflect a poor response to therapy.

J Trauma, 1989 Sep, 29(9), 1245 - 51
Genetic susceptibility to mucosal damage leads to bacterial translocation in a murine burn model; Ma L et al.; Since genetic factors may be important in host resistance to infections after thermal injury, we screened the susceptibility of three mouse strains (CD-1, Balb/c, and C57/bl) to thermally induced bacterial translocation from the GI tract . Bacteria translocated to the MLNs of Balb/c but not the CD-1 or C57/bl mice receiving 25% body burns . The increased incidence of bacterial translocation in the burned Balb/c mice appeared to be due to a burn-induced gut mucosal injury, since the intestinal mucosa of the Balb/c but not the CD-1 or C57/bl mice was damaged 24 hr after the thermal injury . The mucosal injury appears to be mediated, at least in part, by xanthine oxidase-generated oxygen-free radicals, since inhibition of xanthine oxidase activity with allopurinol, or inactivation of xanthine oxidase activity by a molybdenum-free tungsten diet, prevented the mucosal injury and reduced the extent of bacterial translocation.

Am J Emerg Med, 1989 Sep, 7(5), 469 - 73
Common clinical features as predictors of bacterial diarrhea in infants; Finkelstein JA et al.; Identification of infants with bacterial diarrhea during the first year of life is important to limit potentially serious complications, but indications for stool leukocyte examination and culture are not well defined . The ability of three clinical features--temperature, history of blood in the stool, and stool frequency--to predict the presence of bacterial gastroenteritis was analyzed . Over a 1-year period, 108 (10.4%) bacterial pathogens were isolated from 1,035 infants aged less than 1 year with diarrhea . Bacterial culture was positive in 14.9% of cases from May to October, compared with 6.2% of cases from November to April . A history of blood in the stool was the best individual predictor with sensitivity of 39%, specificity of 88%, and a positive predictive value of 30% . Temperature greater than 39 degrees C had sensitivity of 34% and specificity of 85%; greater than or equal to 10 stools in 24 hours had sensitivity of 28% and specificity of 85% . Using combinations of factors, we identified (1) a group of patients at high risk for bacterial diarrhea (infants with two of the three factors studied); (2) a low-risk group (those with temperature less than or equal to 38 degrees C, less than 10 stools in 24 hours, and the absence of blood in the stool); and (3) a group at intermediate risk for bacterial diarrhea (all other patients) . We recommend routine stool cultures for infants with a high-risk combination . Additional clinical and laboratory features, such as stool leukocytes, should be studied among patients in the intermediate-risk group.

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids, 1989 Sep, 37(3), 183 - 6
Bacterial endotoxin and tumor necrosis factor stimulate prostaglandin production by human decidua; Romero R et al.; The purpose of these studies was to determine the effect of bacterial endotoxin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) on prostaglandin (PG) secretion by human decidua . Decidual explants were established from women undergoing elective cesarean sections before the onset of labor . Escherichia Coli endotoxin and purified human recombinant TNF (rh TNF) were incubated with decidual explants . PGF2 alpha and PGE2 biosynthesis was measured by radioimmunoassay . A significant increase in the release of all PGs into the media occurred in response to LPS and TNF . In the setting of an extraamniotic infection, bacterial and host secretory products (TNF) could trigger the onset of labor, activating the decidua to produce PGs.

Curr Genet, 1989 Sep, 16(3), 159 - 63
A gene transfer system based on the homologous pyrG gene and efficient expression of bacterial genes in Aspergillus oryzae; de Ruiter-Jacobs YM et al.; A homologous transformation system for Aspergillus oryzae is described . The system is based on an A . oryzae strain deficient in orotidine-5'-phosphate decarboxylase (pyrG) and the vector pAO4-2, which contains a functional A . oryzae pyrG gene as selection marker . Transformation of the A . oryzae pyrG mutant with circular pAO4-2 resulted in the appearance of Pyr+ transformants at a frequency of up to 20 per micrograms of DNA, whereas with linear pAO4-2 up to 200 transformants per micrograms DNA were obtained . In 75% of the Pyr+ transformants recombination events had occurred at the pyrG locus, most of which (90%) resulted in insertion of one or two copies of the vector and the others (10%) in a replacement of the mutant allele by the wild-type allele . Vector pAO4-2 is also capable of transforming a corresponding mutant of Aspergillus niger . This transformation system was used to introduce into A . oryzae the heterologous and non-selectable bacterial genes lacZ, encoding beta-galactosidase, and uidA, encoding beta-glucuronidase . Using the Aspergillus nidulans gpdA promoter to drive bacterial gene expression in A . oryzae, relatively high levels of activity, as well as protein per se, as judged by western blot analyses, were obtained.

Pediatr Res, 1989 Sep, 26(3), 237 - 40
Antigen absorption in bacterial diarrhea: in vivo intestinal transport of beta-lactoglobulin in rabbits infected with the entero-adherent Escherichia coli strain RDEC-1; Gotteland M et al.; We studied the absorption of both antigenic and degraded beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG) from the ileum to the portal blood, in rabbits infected at weaning with the entero-adherent Escherichia coli strain RDEC-1 . The infection was characterized by high bacterial excretion from days 7 to 18 postinfection (pi), acute diarrhea for 10 days, and considerable growth retardation . Intestinal absorption of beta-LG was measured at four stages of the infection: early (day 3 pi), peak (day 10 pi), late (day 18 pi), and recovery (day 30 pi) . During the 30-day period of infection, age-matched control rabbits exhibited a significant decrease in antigenic and degraded beta-LG absorption . In both control and infected animals, more than 90% of the beta-LG was absorbed by a degrading pathway and the remainder in antigenic form by a minor pathway . RDEC-1 infection significantly raised antigenic beta-LG absorption from days 10 to 30 pi, which delayed the decrease that normally occurs with age . Degraded beta-LG absorption was not modified by the infection, except for a slight increase observed at the recovery stage (day 30 pi) . These results suggest that RDEC-1 diarrhea increases absorption of food antigens . The subsequent local or systemic immune responses are not known, but pathologic consequences are possible in susceptible individuals.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 Sep, 86(18), 6883 - 7
Direct genomic sequencing of bacterial DNA: the pyruvate kinase I gene of Escherichia coli; Ohara O et al.; The genomic sequencing procedure is applied to the direct sequencing of uncharacterized regions of bacterial DNA by a "multiplex walking" approach . Samples of bulk Escherichia coli DNA are cut with various restriction enzymes, subjected to chemical sequencing degradations, run in a sequencing gel, and transferred to nylon membranes . When a labeled oligomer is hybridized to a membrane, a sequence ladder appears wherever the probe lies near a restriction cut . New probes, based on sequence that lies beyond other restriction sites, are then synthesized, and the membranes are reprobed to reveal new sequence . Repeated cycles of oligomer probe synthesis and subsequent reprobing permit rapid sequence walking along the genome . This oligomer walking technique was used to sequence the pyruvate kinase (EC 2.7.1.40) gene in E . coli without resorting to cloning or to library construction . The sequenced region was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and subsequently transcribed and translated using both in vivo and in vitro systems, and the resultant gene product characterized to show that the gene encodes the type I isoform of pyruvate kinase.

J Lab Clin Med, 1989 Sep, 114(3), 306 - 11
A modified Limulus amebocyte lysate test with increased sensitivity for detection of bacterial endotoxin; Roth RI et al.; We have developed a simple modification of the chromogenic Limulus amebocyte lysate test that increases the sensitivity for the detection of bacterial endotoxins . In this assay, free paranitroaniline, cleaved from synthetic chromogenic substrates by proteases that were generated by Limulus lysate after incubation with endotoxin, was then derived . Derivation was with p-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde in the presence of strong acid, forming a stable Schiff base end product with much greater molar absorbancy than the parent chromogen . Conditions (times and temperatures of incubations, concentrations of reagents) for the augmented chromogenic procedure were optimized . A ten-fold or greater increase in sensitivity for bacterial endotoxin was obtained with the modified assay as compared with the standard chromogenic Limulus test, with unequivocal detection of endotoxin concentrations of less than 100 pg/ml . The greater sensitivity of this modified Limulus test increases its usefulness for a wide range of research applications and clinical investigations.

J Infect Dis, 1989 Sep, 160(3), 442 - 7
Ceftriaxone compared with cefotaxime for serious bacterial infections; Smith CR et al.; Ceftriaxone was compared with cefotaxime for the treatment of serious bacterial infections in a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial . The dose of ceftriaxone was 2 g once a day, and the dose of cefotaxime was 2 g every 4 h . Metronidazole was added if anaerobic infection was suspected . Explicit criteria were used to define infections, clinical response, and adverse effects . Ceftriaxone was given to 88 patients and cefotaxime to 83 . The two treatment groups did not differ in types of infection, infecting organisms, and severity of underlying disease . The response rate was 81% (71/88) for ceftriaxone and 80% (66/83) for cefotaxime . The power of the study to detect a 15% difference in response rate at P less than .1 was 90% . The frequency of diarrhea, thrombophlebitis, prothrombin time, prolongation, colonization, and superinfection did not differ between treatment groups . Ceftriaxone 2 g once a day was as safe and effective as cefotaxime 2 g every 4 h for suspected serious bacterial infections.

Postgrad Med J, 1989 Sep, 65(767), 665 - 7
Bacterial calcification in infective endocarditis; Poller DN et al.; The present report is the first description to our knowledge of a clinical case of bacterial calcification in human infective endocarditic vegetations . Partial calcification of bacteria within vegetations may be a further mechanism of bacterial protection from host defences and antibiotics . Similar calcification has recently been reported in vegetations formed on porcine valvular prostheses implanted experimentally in sheep.

Mol Immunol, 1989 Sep, 26(9), 897 - 904
B cell activation by synthetic lipopeptide analogues of bacterial lipoprotein bypassing phosphatidylinositol metabolism and proteinkinase C translocation; Steffens U et al.; Synthetic analogues of bacterial lipoprotein induce proliferation of murine small resting B lymphocytes . We investigated the role of proteinkinase C (PKC) activation in lipopeptide-induced B cell stimulation . Using a standardized extraction procedure, there was no change in membrane bound and soluble PKC activity upon stimulation with lipopeptide . However, omitting Ca2+ chelators from the standard extraction medium resulted in a decrease of membrane bound PKC activity after stimulation . Lipopeptide failed to induce phosphoinositide degradation and the generation of the two second messengers cAMP and cGMP . To test whether guanosinetriphosphate-binding proteins are involved in lipopeptide-induced signal transfer we investigated the effect of LiCl, choleratoxin and pertussistoxin on B lymphocyte proliferation . LiCl and pertussistoxin did not inhibit cell activation, whereas choleratoxin reduced the proliferation rate at concentrations higher than 0.5 micrograms/ml . Similar results were observed when LPS was used as mitogen, whereas the anti-immunoglobulin-induced B cell activation was inhibited by all three compounds . Our results show, that B cell activation by bacterial lipopeptides bypasses phosphatidylinositol metabolism and PKC translocation.

Gene Anal Tech, 1989 Sep-Oct, 6(5), 93 - 6
An improved boiling method for the preparation of bacterial plasmid and phage DNA; Ortlepp SA; A streamlined, reproducible boiling method for preparing plasmid as well as phage replicative form DNA is described . Both quantity and quality of DNA purified are sufficient for restriction enzyme analysis and sequencing . A small loopful of bacteria will provide enough DNA for several experiments, and multiple samples can be processed and prepared for digestion or sequencing in under 20 minutes . DNA preparations are stable for at least 6 months at -20 degrees C.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 Sep, 86(17), 6602 - 6
Pathway of proton transfer in bacterial reaction centers: replacement of glutamic acid 212 in the L subunit by glutamine inhibits quinone (secondary acceptor) turnover; Paddock ML et al.; The mechanism of proton transfer in the reaction centers (RCs) from Rhodobacter sphaeroides was investigated by site-directed mutagenesis . Replacement of Glu-212 of the L subunit, a protonatable residue located near the secondary acceptor (QB) binding site, by glutamine reduced the in vitro electron turnover from cytochrome c to 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methylbenzoquinone (UQ0) by a factor of 25 . The electron transfer rate to QB remained essentially unimpaired . Consequently, it is postulated that the reduced turnover in the mutant is due to a reduced rate of proton transfer to QB2- . The lack of pH dependence of the forward electron transfer rate DQA-QB----DQAQB- and the back reaction rate D+QAQB- ----DQAQB (where D = primary donor and QA = primary acceptor) in the mutant RC indicate that the observed pH dependence in the native RC is due to Glu-212, which has an anomalously high pKa value of 9.5 +/- 0.3 . These results support the involvement of Glu-212 as a proton donor to reduced QB.

Biochimie, 1989 Sep-Oct, 71(9-10), 1013 - 9
Protein phosphorylation in the bacterial chemotaxis system; Simon MI et al.; Bacterial chemotaxis involves the detection of changes in concentration of specific chemicals in the environment of the cell as a function of time . This process is mediated by a series of cell surface receptors that interact with and activate intracellular protein phosphorylation . Five cytoplasmic proteins essential for chemotaxis have been shown to be involved in a coupled system of protein phosphorylation . Ligand binding to cell surface receptors affects the rate of autophosphorylation of the CheA protein . In the absence of an attractant bound to receptor and in the presence of the CheW protein, the rate of CheA autophosphorylation is markedly increased . Phosphorylated CheA can transfer phosphate to the CheY or CheB proteins; phosphorylation of these "effector" proteins may increase their activity . The CheY protein is thought to regulate flagellar rotation and thus control swimming behavior . The CheB protein modifies the cell surface receptor and thus regulates receptor function . Finally, another chemotaxis protein, CheZ, acts to specifically dephosphorylate CheY-phosphate . This system shows marked similarity to the 2-component sensor-regulator systems found to control specific gene expression in a variety of bacteria.

Kansenshogaku Zasshi, 1989 Sep, 63(9), 1026 - 32
{Immunological responses in the aged with bacterial infection}; Fukayama M; The effect of bacterial infection on immunologic parameters was investigated in the elderly, with special reference to natural killer (NK) cells . The parameters studied were percentage of lymphocyte subsets, interleukin-2 concentration and NK cytotoxicity . In the bacterial infection group (n = 15), there were several changes in the immunological parameters when compared with the healthy aged control group (n = 42): decreased in the lymphocyte number, decreased percentage of CD4+ cells resulting a lower CD4+/CD8+ ratio, diminished NK activity without a change in the percentage of NKH-1+ cells, and increased CD25+ cells which consisted mainly of CD25+ NKH-1+ cells . These changes recovered in all patients examined (n = 7) following resolution of the infection . Decreased NK activity, although transient, may be related to be susceptible to infection or to be prolonged course of infectious diseases in the elderly.

Can J Microbiol, 1989 Sep, 35(9), 874 - 80
Bacterial growth kinetics: modelling and evaluation of two-compartment radioassay; Boonkitticharoen V et al.; Quantitative measurements of bacterial growth may be made using a radioassay technique . This method measures, by scintillation counting, the 14CO2 derived from the bacterial metabolism of a 14C-labeled substrate . Mathematical growth models may serve as reliable tools for estimation of the generation rate constant (or slope of the growth curve) and provide a basis for evaluating assay performance . Two models, i.e., exponential and logistic, are proposed . Both models yielded an accurate fit to the data from radioactive measurement of bacterial growth . The exponential model yielded high precision values of the generation rate constant, with an average relative standard deviation of 1.2% . Under most conditions the assay demonstrated no changes in the slopes of growth curves when the number of bacteria per inoculation was changed . However, the radiometric assay by scintillation method had a growth-inhibiting effect on a few strains of bacteria . The source of this problem was thought to be hypersensitivity to trace amounts of toluene remaining on the detector.

J Mol Evol, 1989 Sep, 29(3), 246 - 54
Examination of protein sequence homologies: V . New perspectives on evolution between bacterial and chloroplast-type ferredoxins inferred from sequence evidence; Otaka E et al.; Sequence homologies among 34 chloroplast-type ferredoxins were examined using a computer program that quantitatively evaluates the extent of sequence similarity as a correlation coefficient . The resultant alignment contains six gaps representing insertions or deletions of some residues, all of which are located such that they precisely preserve the domains of structural fragments as determined by crystallographic data on Spirulina platensis ferredoxin . In the search for any total correlation between the chloroplast-type and 27 bacterial ferredoxins, 1891 comparison matrices prepared for possible combinations indicated that the bacterial basal sequence of 55 residues has been conserved evolutionarily in the chloroplast-type sequences corresponding to residue positions 36-90 of Spirulina platensis ferredoxin . In addition, the bacterial "connector sequence" region was found to be conserved . These findings strongly suggest that the bacterial and chloroplast-type ferredoxins descended from a common ancestor, and branched off after the bacterial gene duplication, whereas the chloroplast-type ferredoxins originally were generated by duplicating the already duplicated bacterial gene, i.e., by "double-duplication."

Eur J Immunol, 1989 Sep, 19(9), 1605 - 12
The effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide, anti-receptor antibodies and recombinant interferon on mouse B cell cycle progression using 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine/Hoechst 33258 dye flow cytometry; Seyschab H et al.; Polyclonal stimulation of resting B cells with anti-antigen receptor antibodies {anti-IgM mu chain antibody (anti-mu)} or with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates a proportion of B cells to proliferate . Exposure of resting B cells to both LPS and anti-mu activates a larger population of resting B cells than either alone, suggesting a synergistic effect of these two stimuli . Although recombinant interferon (rIFN) either alone or in combination with anti-mu has no apparent proliferative activity (as measured by {3H}thymidine incorporation), application of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine/Hoechst 33258 dye flow cytometry reveals a distinct effect of rIFN on B cell growth . In the presence of anti-mu plus LPS, rIFN causes the majority of B cells to enter the cell cycle (CC), but a subset of B cells remains in the resting stage . Another subset of B cells has extremely rapid CC transit times, with a CC duration of less than 10 h . These studies show that both anti-mu and LPS are competence factors (which move cells from the G0 phase to the G1 phase) . LPS acts also as a CC progression factor, while rIFN is a CC potentiating factor.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd, 1989 Aug 26, 133(34), 1693 - 6
{Bacterial joint infections: a retrospective study for the source of the infection}; Burer JH et al.; Bacterial arthritis causes rapid damage of the affected joint . Knowledge of the source of the infection that leads to septic arthritis is necessary to judge possible preventive measurements . In this study we tried to detect the source of the infection in 77 episodes of bacterial arthritis in 73 patients admitted in the period 1976-1986 . The source of infection was: a joint operation in 21, the skin in 15, the respiratory tract in 7, the genital tract in 8, others in 5, and unknown in 21 . A skin infection was the source in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis . To our surprise in none of our cases was non-sterile surgery the cause of infection . Our results suggest that since perioperative joint infection is frequent, prevention of such infection may be meaningful . Skin infections are often the source of infection in rheumatoid arthritis, preventive measures are to be considered . Our results do not allow a judgment on the possible preventive measures for the other sources of infection detected or undetected . Administration of antibiotics during non-sterile surgery is not supported by the results of this study.

J Theor Biol, 1989 Aug 22, 139(4), 531 - 59
A model for bacterial flagellar motor: free energy transduction and self-organization of rotational motion; Murata T et al.; A bacterial flagellar motor is an energy transducing molecular machine which shows some attractive characteristics . First, this motor is driven by a protonmotive force (PMF) across the membrane, two components of which, electric potential delta psi and chemical potential -(2.3RT/F)delta pH, are equivalently transduced to the mechanical work of the motor rotation . Second, a PMF threshold for rotation is observed . Third, this motor can rotate reversibly either counterclockwise (CCW) or clockwise (CW) at almost the same speed . To clarify the osmomechanical coupling of this motor, these characteristics must be explained consistently at the molecular level . In this paper, in order to allow quantitative analyses of the above characteristics, a theoretical model of a bacterial flagellar motor is constructed assuming that the torque generating sites are electrodes which can be charged by protons and that the electrostatic interaction between the electrodes generates the rotation torque . Electrode reaction reasonably derives the equivalence of delta psi and -(2.3RT/F)delta pH . In this model, rates of charging and discharging of protons are influenced by the motor rotation rate, so that the torque generating sites co-operatively work through the motor rotation . We named this kind of co-operativity among them "dynamic co-operativity" in torque generation . This co-operativity causes autocatalytic generation of motor torque and the existence of the rotation threshold . In this model, the appearance of the stable rotational states can be described by phase transition caused by the dynamic co-operativity among torque generating sites . According to this model, the flagellar motor has two stable rotational states corresponding to CCW and CW, which show the same torques . The motor selects one direction from them to rotate, and that is self-organization of rotational motion . Interpretation of the transition between the two stable rotational states as the chemotactic reversals of the flagellar motor is also discussed.

J Mol Biol, 1989 Aug 20, 208(4), 601 - 14
Mapping of insertion elements IS1, IS2 and IS3 on the Escherichia coli K-12 chromosome . Role of the insertion elements in formation of Hfrs and F' factors and in rearrangement of bacterial chromosomes; Umeda M et al.; The chromosome of an Escherichia coli K-12 strain W3110 contains seven copies of insertion element IS1, 12 copies of IS2 and six copies of IS3 . We determined the approximate locations of six copies of IS1 (named is1A to is1F), ten copies of IS2 (named is2A to is2J), and five copies of IS3 (named is3A to is3E) on the W3110 chromosome by plaque hybridization using the "mini-set" of the lambda phage library that includes 476 clones carrying chromosomal segments that cover the W3110 chromosome almost entirely . Cleavage maps of the W3110 chromosome and cleavage analysis of phage DNAs carrying insertion elements allowed us to assign more precise locations to most of the insertion elements and to determine their orientations . Insertion elements were distributed randomly along the W3110 chromosome in one or other orientation . Several of these were located at the same positions on the chromosome of another E . coli K-12 strain, JE5519, and they were assumed to be the original complement of insertion elements in E . coli K-12 wild-type . Locations and orientations of such insertion elements were correlated well with Hfr points of origin and with crossover points for excision of some F' factors derived from several Hfrs . Insertion elements may be involved also in rearrangement of bacterial chromosomes.

Anal Biochem, 1989 Aug 15, 181(1), 40 - 50
A microtiter plate-based system for the semiautomated growth and assay of bacterial cells for beta-galactosidase activity; Menzel R; The introduction of automated pipetting devices, microtiter readers, and microcomputers makes it possible to significantly increase the number of enzyme assays which can be performed as part of the analysis of a biological process . A number of difficulties must be overcome in any such integrated approach based on the microtiter plate . Among these are cell lysis, temperature control, the conversion of microtiter reader optical density values to standard 1-cm path length values, and data management . The utility of such a scheme can be extended to gene regulation and bacterial genetics studies, if bacterial cell culture techniques can be incorporated into the scheme . This paper addresses these issues in the application of a semiautomated system to the study of the induction of the gyrA promoter by treatment (of a gyrA-lac operon fusion-containing strain) with a gyrase inhibitor . This system is specific to the requirements of our studies into the modulation of gene expression by DNA relaxation . The general approach, however, can be readily adapted to other studies.

Genitourin Med, 1989 Aug, 65(4), 263 - 8
Should male consorts of women with bacterial vaginosis be treated?
Moi H, Erkkola R, Jerve F, Nelleman G, Bymose B, Alaksen K, Tornqvist E.
Nitroimidazoles have been shown to be the drugs of choice to treat women with bacterial vaginosis, but the recurrence rate is high . Some workers have suggested that the recurrence of symptoms may in fact be reinfection by male consorts, but no controlled studies have been undertaken to confirm this . In an international, multicentre, randomised, double blind trial, the recurrence rate was studied in 241 women with a clinical diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis . All women were treated with 2 g metronidazole twice at an interval of two days . The patients were randomly allocated to two groups, one contained 123 women, whose consorts were given the same dose of metronidazole, the other consisted of 118 women whose consorts were given inert but identical placebo tablets . The women were evaluated at weeks 1, 4, and 12 after treatment . At week 1, the cure rate was 97% (115/119) in women whose consorts had been treated and 98% (111/113) in the others . At week 4 bacterial vaginosis had recurred in 17% (19/112) of women whose consorts had been treated and in 13% (14/106) of those whose consorts had received placebo . At week 12 the recurrence rates were 21% (20/95) in women with treated consorts, and 16% (15/95) in the others . The differences in recurrence rates between the two groups of women were not significant . In conclusion, treating the sexual partners of women with bacterial vaginosis does not seem to increase the cure rate.

Biochimie, 1989 Aug, 71(8), 969 - 79
Molecular biology and bacterial secondary transporters; Leblanc G et al.; Bacterial permeases form a family of membrane proteins that actively transport nutrients according to a cation-solute cotransport mechanism . The purpose of this review is to consider the many perspectives offered by in vitro recombinant DNA and molecular biology techniques for analysis of structure-function relationships . In the first part of this review, the kinetic parameters that permit characterization of either the partial steps or the overall transport reaction are summarized . We then list the molecular properties (protein sequence and composition, secondary structure, biochemical identification) of the carriers readily available on cloning a structural gene into plasmids . Finally, the usefulness of site-specific, oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis for investigation of the functional importance of given residues (cysteins and histidines) or domains of the transport proteins is illustrated.

Eur J Clin Invest, 1989 Aug, 19(4), 384 - 9
Unconjugated serum bile acids as a marker of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth; Masclee A et al.; Non-invasive methods to detect small intestinal bacterial overgrowth often lack specificity in patients who have undergone an ileal resection or have an accelerated intestinal transit . Since elevated serum unconjugated bile acid levels have been found in patients with clinical signs of bacterial overgrowth, we studied the clinical value of unconjugated serum bile acids as a marker of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth . Patients with culture-proven bacterial overgrowth had significantly elevated fasting unconjugated serum bile acid levels (median and range: 4.5; 1.4-21.5 mumol l-1) as compared to healthy subjects (0.9; 0.3-1.7 mumol l-1, P less than 0.005), to persons with an accelerated intestinal transit (1.0; 0.3-1.9 mumol l-1, P less than 0.005) and to persons who have undergone an ileal resection (2.1; 0.7-3.6 mumol l-1, P less than 0.005) . The same was true 30 and 60 min after ingestion of a Lundh meal . Serum unconjugated bile acid levels above 4 mumol l-1 were found in eight of 10 patients with culture-proven small intestinal bacterial overgrowth whereas serum levels above 4 mumol l-1 were found in none of the patients from the three control groups . These results suggest that determination of unconjugated serum bile acids is of clinical value in the evaluation of patients suspected of small intestine bacterial overgrowth.

Scand J Immunol, 1989 Aug, 30(2), 259 - 63
Comparison of interleukin 1 release and interleukin 1 mRNA expression of human monocytes activated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide or synthetic lipid A; Hurme M et al.; Several of the biological effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can be induced by the lipid A part of the molecule . Here we show that in human peripheral blood monocytes, synthetic E . coli lipid A is as effective as the whole LPS molecule in inducing the production of interleukin 1 (IL-1) bioactivity which remains associated to the cells (i.e . IL-1 alpha) . In contrast, LPS- but not lipid A-stimulated cells released the bioactive IL-1 produced into the culture supernatant (mainly IL-1 beta) . Northern blotting analysis demonstrated, however, that LPS and lipid A are equally effective in inducing the accumulation of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta mRNA . These data support the hypothesis that induction of IL-1 biosynthesis and activation of the secretory mechanism for IL-1 are independent phenomena.

Biochemistry, 1989 Jul 25, 28(15), 6164 - 70
UV-induced pyrimidine hydrates in DNA are repaired by bacterial and mammalian DNA glycosylase activities; Boorstein RJ et al.; Escherichia coli endonuclease III and mammalian repair enzymes cleave UV-irradiated DNA at AP sites formed by the removal of cytosine photoproducts by the DNA glycosylase activity of these enzymes . Poly(dG-{3H}dC) was UV irradiated and incubated with purified endonuclease III . 3H-Containing material was released in a fashion consistent with Michaelis-Menten kinetics . This 3H material was determined to be cytosine by chromatography in two independent systems and microderivatization . 3H-Containing material was not released from nonirradiated copolymer . When poly(dA-{3H}dU) was UV irradiated, endonuclease III released 3H-containing material that coeluted with uracil hydrate (6-hydroxy-5,6-dihydrouracil) . Similar results are obtained by using extracts of HeLa cells . There results indicate that the modified cytosine residue recognized by endonuclease III and the mammalian enzyme is cytosine hydrate (6-hydroxy-5,6-dihydrocytosine) . Once released from DNA through DNA-glycosylase action, the compound eliminates water, reverting to cytosine . This is consistent with the known instability of cytosine hydrate . The repairability of cytosine hydrate in DNA suggests that it is stable in DNA and potentially genotoxic.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Jul 25, 264(21), 12238 - 42
The encoded primary sequence of a rice seed ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase subunit and its homology to the bacterial enzyme; Anderson JM et al.; Rice seed ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase cDNA clones were isolated by screening a lambda expression library prepared from rice endosperm poly(A+) RNA with a heterologous antibody raised against the spinach leaf enzyme and subsequently by nucleic acid hybridization . One cDNA plasmid, possessing about 1650 nucleotides, was shown by both DNA and RNA sequence analysis to contain the complete ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase coding sequence of 483 amino acids . The primary sequence displayed a putative leader peptide presumably required for transport of this nuclear encoded protein into the amyloplasts, a differentiated starch containing plastid . The leader peptide, however, showed little sequence homology with transit peptides displayed by other known nuclear encoded proteins localized in the chloroplasts . A comparison of the primary sequence of the putative mature subunit to the Escherichia coli pyrophosphorylase showed two regions displaying significant homology . These two conserved regions contain residues shown previously to be essential for the allosteric regulation and catalytic activity of the E . coli enzyme . Differences in the primary sequences of the plant and bacterial enzyme may reflect the distinct nature of the allosteric effectors that control these enzymes.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Jul 15, 264(20), 12001 - 8
Molecular cloning of a Chinese hamster mitochondrial protein related to the "chaperonin" family of bacterial and plant proteins; Picketts DJ et al.; The complete cDNA sequence of a mitochondrial protein from Chinese hamster ovary cells, designated P1, which was originally identified as a microtubule-related protein (Gupta, R.S., Ho, T.K.W., Moffat, M.R.K., and Gupta, R . (1982) J . Biol . Chem . 257, 1071-1078), has been determined . The P1 cDNA encodes a protein of 60,983 Da including a 26-amino acid putative mitochondrial targeting sequence at its N-terminal end . The deduced amino acid sequence of Chinese hamster P1 shows 97% identity to the human P1 protein . Most interestingly, the amino acid sequences of mammalian P1 proteins show extensive sequence homology (42-60% identical residues and an additional 15-25% conservative replacements) to the "chaperonin" family of bacterial, yeast, and plant proteins (viz . groEL protein of Escherichia coli, hsp 60 protein of yeast, and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase subunit binding protein of plant chloroplasts) and to the 60-65-kDa major antigenic protein of mycobacteria and Coxiella burnetii . The homology between mammalian P1 and other proteins begins after the putative mitochondrial presequence and extends up to the C-terminal end . Furthermore, similar to the chaperonin family of proteins, P1 appears to exist in cells as a homooligomeric complex of seven subunits and shows ATPase activity . These observations strongly indicate that P1 protein is a member of the chaperonin family and that it may be involved in a similar function in mammalian cells.

Cell Immunol, 1989 Jul, 121(2), 391 - 7
T cell line specific for bacterial peptidoglycan subunit: possible role of the COOH-terminal amino acid of the disaccharide tetrapeptide in binding to the T cell receptor; Katsuki M et al.; The T cell line specific for a bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan subunit, disaccharide tetrapeptide of diaminopimelic acid type, was examined for epitope specificity in elicitation of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in X-irradiated Lewis rats, using pairs of analogs different in optical configuration of the COOH-terminal amino acid . The test cell line induced DTH against analogs with the COOH-terminal D-amino acid but not against those with the L-amino acid at the COOH terminus . A close correlation was found between the T cell line-induced DTH reaction in vivo and the proliferative response in vitro, in terms of clear discrimination of the optical configuration of COOH-terminal amino acid of disaccharide tetrapeptide . The L-isomers (non-stimulatory analogs of T cell proliferation) competitively inhibited the proliferation of the T cell line by the corresponding D-isomers . Thus the L-isomers appear to interact with Ia molecules on antigen-presenting cells . We conclude that COOH-terminal D-amino acid of the disaccharide tetrapeptide could be involved in binding to the T cell receptor, induction of T cell proliferation, and elicitation of DTH.

J Biolumin Chemilumin, 1989 Jul-Sep, 3(3), 101 - 4
Bioluminescent assay of bacterial ATP for rapid detection of bacterial growth in clinical blood cultures; Nilsson LE et al.; A bioluminescent assay of bacterial ATP for rapid detection of bacterial growth in 512 clinical aerobic blood cultures was evaluated . At the detection limit of bacterial ATP (10(-10) mol/l) in the blood cultures 94.2% of the true positive blood cultures were detected (sensitivity) and the specificity was 85.8% . If the cut-off limit was increased the sensitivity decreased and the specificity increased and at 2 x 10(-9) mol/l ATP the maximum correctly classified blood cultures was reached . At this cut-off limit the sensitivity was 82.9% and the specificity was 99.6% . In 54.3% of the true positive blood cultures bacterial growth was detected more rapidly with the bioluminescent assay than with macroscopic examination and subculture.

Clin Exp Immunol, 1989 Jul, 77(1), 52 - 7
Rheumatoid factors in cystic fibrosis: associations with disease manifestations and recurrent bacterial infections; Coffey M et al.; Serum IgM and IgA rheumatoid factor (RF) levels were measured by ELISA in 71 adolescent and adult patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and 69 control subjects . IgM RF values from 15 (21%) CF patients greater than 2 s.d . of control subjects (P less than 0.001) . Elevated IgM RF values were significantly associated with worse spirometric measurements of pulmonary function (P less than 0.01) and with more frequent exacerbations of respiratory tract infection (P less than 0.001) . A characteristic episodic arthropathy occurred in 27% of IgM RF positive patients, compared with 4% of IgM RF negative patients (P = 0.015) . IgA RF values from 26 (37%) CF patients were elevated (P less than 0.001) . Pulmonary function was significantly worse in patients with elevated IgA RF values (P less than 0.001) . However, IgA RF was not associated with exacerbations of respiratory tract infection or episodic arthropathy . Both IgM and IgA RF values correlated significantly with their corresponding Ig levels, suggesting that RF synthesis was the result of polyclonal B cell activation . It is concluded that serum IgM RF values in CF are associated with worse lung disease and recurring bacterial antigenic stimulation . IgM RF may contribute to the development of arthropathy in some patients . Induction of IgA RF synthesis and its pathogenic potential may differ from IgM RF.

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1989 Jul, 68(1), 99 - 102
Bacterial growth inhibition produced by root canal sealer cements with a calcium hydroxide base; Canalda C et al.; Inhibition of growth of six bacterial strains produced by two root canal sealers with a calcium hydroxide base, CRCS and Sealapex sealers, is studied . The results are compared with those obtained with two zinc oxide eugenol sealers and one epoxy resin . The inhibition produced with the calcium hydroxide sealers is similar to that obtained with the other sealers . The component of paraformaldehyde in a sealer increases the inhibition significantly.

APMIS, 1989 Jul, 97(7), 585 - 90
Human neutrophil chemiluminescence and f-Meth-Leu-Phe receptor exposure in bacterial infections; Follin P et al.; Polymorphonuclear leukocytes were isolated from 12 patients with acute bacterial infections and the ability of the chemoattractant formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) to bind and induce a metabolic response in these cells was investigated . Cells isolated from the patients showed a significantly increased metabolic response in a luminol enhanced chemiluminescence assay compared to cells, isolated and analyzed in parallel, from healthy controls i.e . the patient cells were primed . The primed state was, as calculated by Scatchard analysis, accompanied by a significantly increased number of FMLP receptors exposed on the cell surface while the receptor binding affinity remained unchanged . There was, however, no correlation between the degree of priming and the degree of receptor upregulation . Furthermore, it was found that stimulation also with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a substance lacking specific cell surface receptors on the PMNL, gave rise to an increased metabolic response in the primed cells . These results indicate that the priming activity induced by a bacterial infection can only partly be explained by receptor modulation and that other mechanisms must also be considered . This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty, University of Linkoping.

Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi, 1989 Jul, 90(7), 988 - 98
{Therapeutic implication of plasma C3 rich fraction against bacterial infection in surgical patients}; Inoue S; The depleted plasma opsonic activity is a major provoking cause of severe postoperative infection in patients who underwent extended surgical procedures . In order to establish the therapeutic use of C3 rich fraction (C3RF) for these patients in place of large amount of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) replacement, a basic study was done dealt with this fraction which was extracted from FFP with polyethyleneglycol . The results were as follows . (1) Addition of minimum amount of C3RF in vitro sufficiently revived the opsonic activity of opsonin exhausted guinea pig's plasma with heating or treating with cobra venom factor (CVF) . (2) The clearance of E . coli 075 from peritoneal cavity and from blood stream in CVF treated guinea pigs was much delayed . However, in vivo administration of C3RF remarkably improved the clearance of bacteria and survival rate of opsonin depleted animal in E . coli peritonitis (p less than 0.05) . (3) Opsonin lowered plasma samples in postoperative, septic, or cirrhotic patients were revived by not only replacing FFP, but also by adding minimum amount of C3RF . These results suggest that transfusion of C3RF should have beneficial effect in surgical patients with severely depleted plasma opsonic activity.

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1989 Jul, 106(1), 5 - 7
Phosphorylation of a bacterial activator protein, OmpR, by a protein kinase, EnvZ, results in stimulation of its DNA-binding ability; Aiba H et al.; The Escherichia coli OmpR protein is an activator protein specific for the ompF and ompC genes, which respectively encode the outer membrane proteins, OmpF and OmpC . The EnvZ protein is a protein kinase specific for the OmpR protein . In this study, we compared the in vitro DNA-binding ability of the phosphorylated form of the OmpR protein with that of the non-phosphorylated form by means of non-denaturing gel retardation analysis and DNase I footprinting analysis . The results indicate that the phosphorylation of the OmpR protein results in stimulation of its in vitro DNA-binding ability as to both the ompF and ompC promoter DNAs.

Dermatol Clin, 1989 Jul, 7(3), 579 - 89
Cutaneous manifestations of bacterial infections; Spencer LV et al.; A thorough history, physical examination, and appropriate laboratory and radiologic evaluation are mandatory in the febrile patient with a rash . Many infections have characteristic cutaneous findings that facilitate an accurate clinical diagnosis prior to isolation of the organism from culture of body fluids . A skin biopsy can be a valuable aid, since many organisms can be cultured directly from the specimen or seen on histologic examination.

Int J Pancreatol, 1989 Jul, 5(1), 99 - 105
Bacterial infection is not necessary for lethal necrotizing pancreatitis in mice; Rattner DW et al.; Sepsis is the most common cause of late death in pancreatitis . The presence of early bacterial infection has been correlated with the severity of the disease . A choline-deficient ethionine-supplemented (CDE) diet given to young female mice produces severe necrotizing pancreatitis that has morphologic and biochemical similarities to the human disease . We therefore searched for bacterial pancreatic infection in female CD-1 mice given the CDE diet . The mortality rate was 47.5% in mice fed the CDE diet . All of these mice had severe pancreatitis with inflammation, edema, and necrosis on histologic examination . Bacterial infection was present in 1/12 pancreatica among nonsurvivors and in 1/32 pancreatica in surviving animals (p not significant) . Histologic examination showed edema to be more pronounced in surviving mice, although the overall severity of morphologic changes was not significantly different between survivors and nonsurvivors . We conclude that bacterial infection is not a determinant of the severity or lethality of experimental pancreatitis induced by the CDE diet.

Res Microbiol, 1989 Jul-Aug, 140(6), 349 - 52
Involvement of the bacterial phosphotransferase system in diverse mechanisms of transcriptional regulation; Saier MH Jr; A large number of genes in bacteria appear to be expressed in processes regulated by very different mechanisms dependent on the activities of the proteins of the phosphoenolpyruvate/sugar phosphotransferase system . These mechanisms include protein phosphorylation, antitermination, enhancement, antagonistic repression/activation, sensory detection involving two component systems, and other processes not yet understood.

ASAIO Trans, 1989 Jul-Sep, 35(3), 421 - 3
Intraperitoneal therapy with interferon-alpha in CAPD patients with relapsing bacterial peritonitis; Carozzi S et al.; In CAPD patients with relapsing bacterial peritonitis who do not benefit from intraperitoneal therapy with IgG (IgG nonresponders), the authors demonstrated that peritoneal macrophages are deficient in IgG Fc receptors (FcR) and, therefore, unable to kill bacteria, independent of the levels of the opsonic molecule IgG in the peritoneal dialysis effluent (PDE) . Because previous studies showed that interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) is able to increase in vitro the number of PM0 IgG FcR in CAPD patients with relapsing bacterial peritonitis, the authors studied the in vivo effects of IP administration of IFN-alpha (1,000 IU daily in the overnight exchange for 12 months) on: PM0 superoxide generation; PM0 bacterial killing; PM0 IgG FcR; the number of bacteria in the PM0 cytoplasm; and peritonitis relapses in these patients . By the 10th day, IFN-alpha induced a progressive rise in all of the previously depressed PM0 functions tested, the disappearance of bacteria from the PM0 cytoplasm, and no further episodes of bacterial peritonitis were detected during 12 months . These data indicate that IFN-alpha may represent a useful tool for preventing infections in CAPD patients with relapsing bacterial peritonitis.

Gastroenterology, 1989 Jul, 97(1), 20 - 8
Increased neutrophil receptors for and response to the proinflammatory bacterial peptide formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine in Crohn's disease; Anton PA et al.; Neutrophils have an important role in mediating tissue injury in inflammatory bowel disease . The proinflammatory peptide formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), which is produced by intestinal bacteria, is a potent chemotactic factor for human neutrophils and has been used experimentally to induce acute colitis in animal models . Its action involves specific receptors on the surface of the neutrophil . Increased mucosal permeability, which has been described in Crohn's disease, might contribute to the pathogenesis of the intestinal lesions in this disease by means of increased absorption of FMLP and other gut-derived bacterial products . To evaluate the interaction between FMLP and neutrophils in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, we have studied the binding characteristics and responsiveness of circulating neutrophils to this peptide . Neutrophils from patients with Crohn's disease but not those with ulcerative colitis were found to have significantly increased numbers of receptors for FMLP with similar affinity constants . This was associated with a significantly increased functional response to FMLP in chemiluminescence assays . Differences in neutrophils between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are probably not intrinsic to the neutrophil but reflect their conditioning by the different inflammatory milieu of these diseases.

G Anest Stomatol, 1989 Jul-Sep, 18(3), 19 - 21
{Risk of bacterial endocarditis after dental treatment . Recent findings}; Marchetti M et al.; Dental procedures may be associated to transient bacteraemias that, in the past, were believed to be the most common cause of infective endocarditis, mainly in patients with rheumatic or congenital heart disease . However, a careful survey of the recent published reports indicate that the real risk to develop endocarditis following dental procedures is actually low, because the bacteraemias are very short in duration and several statistics demonstrate that only a few patients with endocarditis had undergone any dental procedure before the onset of the illness . In patients at risk, however, when some major dental interventions are needed, oral chemoprophylaxis with amoxicillin orally administered, appears prudent; parenteral administration of antibiotics (amoxicillin associated to gentamicin or other drugs) is indicated in high risk patients only.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 Jul, 86(14), 5507 - 11
A general method for detecting rearrangements in a bacterial genome; Au LC et al.; An effective method was developed to monitor genome rearrangement in bacteria . The whole procedure consists of five steps . (i) Genomic DNAs of reference cells and test cells are digested with the same restriction enzyme . (ii) The DNA restriction fragments from the test cells are radioactively labeled . (iii) The labeled DNA fragments of test cells are mixed with unlabeled DNA fragments from reference cells that are 100- to 1000-fold in excess and the mixture is electrophoresed in an agarose gel . (iv) After electrophoresis, DNA fragments are alkali-denatured; this is followed by renaturation in situ in the gel . The labeled rearranged DNA fragments from the test cells will renature much slower, as compared with the nonrearranged fragments, since in this location of the gel these rearranged fragments do not have a counterpart in the driver DNA, which is in excess . (v) The DNA gel is electrophoresed in a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension after renaturation . The denatured rearranged DNAs are revealed after autoradiography, since single-stranded DNA fragments have higher electrophoretic mobility than double-stranded fragments of the same sizes . This process of detection has been demonstrated in this report by using Escherichia coli HB101 as the reference strain and E . coli HB101 carrying lambda phage DNA (1:1 genomic ratio) as the test strain.

Gastroenterology, 1989 Jul, 97(1), 61 - 7
Bacterial chemotactic oligopeptides and the intestinal mucosal barrier; Ferry DM et al.; Intestinal absorption and enterohepatic circulation of N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-125I-tyrosine, a bioactive synthetic analog of the bacterial chemotactic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine has been investigated in the rat . In ileum and proximal and distal colon, dithiothreitol, which increases mucosal permeability, increased peptide absorption and biliary recovery fourfold, 70-fold, and 20-fold over control values, respectively . When dithiothreitol was combined with d-l-benzyl succinate, a potent inhibitor of intestinal carboxypeptidase, absorption and biliary recovery from ileal loops increased markedly to 40-fold over control, whereas there was no further increase in absorption from colon loops . There was a strong correlation between biliary N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-125I-tyrosine recovery and intestinal absorption of 51Cr-ethylenediaminetetraacetate, a marker of passive mucosal permeability (r = 0.97) . We conclude that in the ileum both enzymic degradation and restricted mucosal permeability contribute to the intestinal barrier to luminal bacterial formyl oligopeptides . In the colon, however, enzymic mechanisms are less active and restricted mucosal permeability is the major factor . Abnormalities of the intestinal mucosal barrier to proinflammatory bacterial peptides could play a role in inflammatory disorders of the gut.

Mol Gen Genet, 1989 Jul, 218(1), 152 - 60
finP and fisO mutations in FinP anti-sense RNA suggest a model for FinOP action in the repression of bacterial conjugation by the Flac plasmid JCFL0; Frost L et al.; Expression of the transfer operon in the F plasmids is negatively regulated by FinOP which has two components, the finP and finO gene products . Mutations in either gene result in increased expression of the positive regulator of transcription, traJ, leading to derepressed levels of conjugal transfer . Five mutations in the finP gene have been previously characterised by Finnegan and Willetts (1971) . Three were complementable in trans and were named finP mutations and two were complementable at low levels (fisO) presumably because they affected the site of action of the finO gene product . In this study, DNA sequence analysis revealed three different mutations shared by the five mutants which were located in the stems of the predicted stem-and-loop structures in the finP anti-sense RNA . The properties of three mutants created by site-specific mutagenesis suggested that the stability of the stem structure was important in FinP action and that a small region in one of the stems appears to be the target of the finO gene product . Analysis of wild-type and fisO FinP RNA showed that FinO increased the amount of an 80 nuceotide FinP RNA, probably by stabilizing this transcript or preventing its degradation . The fisO mutation decreased the amount of 80 nucleotide RNA substantially . FinP transcripts from either the finP promoter of the lac promoter appeared to be stabilized by FinO.

Eur J Biochem, 1989 Jul 1, 182(3), 557 - 62
The effect of oligonucleotides complementary to the 3' end of the 16S rRNA on the formation of the bacterial 30S initiation complex; Eckert V et al.; Although much attention was focused on the role of the 16S RNA in mRNA selection by the 30S ribosomal subunit no true consensus site has emerged as yet . Oligonucleotides such as GAGG, UGAU and CCAA which are complementary to the 3' end of the 16S RNA stimulate the AUG-dependent binding of fMet-tRNA to 30S subunits . If those tetranucleotides are used in combination or if the octanucleotides GAGGUGAU and UGAUCCAA are applied, the degree of stimulation remains unchanged . Effects are strictly dependent on the presence of initiation factor 2 (IF-2) and cannot be produced by using A4 or U4 . With sequences covalently linked to the AUG as in CCAAAUG and UGAUCCAAAUG, the efficiency of the initiation complex formation decreases significantly as compared to AUG with UGAUCCAAAUG being the least efficient mRNA analogue . The pentadecanucleotide GAGGUGAUCCAAAUG, however, shows the highest efficiency in directing the binding of the fMet-tRNA to 30S subunits and is clearly superior to AUG . Initiation factor 2 (IF-2), which stimulates tRNA binding significantly with AUG and CCAAAUG, both in terms of slope and plateau values of the binding curves, does not effect the initial rate of tRNA binding to GAGGUGAUCCAAAUG . In another set of experiments, where GAGG and AUG are separated by oligo(U) or oligo(A) sequences, the effect of chain length was investigated . mRNA analogues with a spacer of 6-9 nucleotides show the highest binding efficiencies, with a U spacer being superior to an A spacer, indicating that a more flexible spacer favours tRNA binding.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Jun 25, 264(18), 10464 - 71
Biosynthesis of bacterial glycogen . Determination of the amino acid changes that alter the regulatory properties of a mutant Escherichia coli ADP-glucose synthetase; Kumar A et al.; The ADP-glucose synthetase of Escherichia coli K12 mutant 618 has a higher apparent affinity for the activator, fructose 1,6-P2 and a lower apparent affinity for the inhibitor, 5'-AMP, than the normal enzyme . The structural gene, glgC, of the mutant enzyme has been cloned and sequenced (Lee, Y . M., Kumar, A., and Preiss, J . (1987) Nucleic Acids Res . 15, 10603) . Substitutions in the mutant enzyme were amino acid residues 296 (Lys to Glu) and 336 (Gly to Asp) . Single mutant enzymes, Glu296 and Asp336, were constructed using oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis . The Glu296 enzyme had the same allosteric kinetic constants as the wild type enzyme . The Asp336 enzyme was catalytically defective . Thus, the mutations at 296 and at 336 separately could not account for the allosteric alterations of the mutant enzyme . A hybrid glgC gene was prepared from genes of wild type and mutant 618 glgC using DNA recombinant techniques . The C-terminal portion of mutant 618 containing Glu296 and Asp336, combined with the N-terminal portion of wild type enzyme, showed allosteric and substrate kinetics similar to mutant 618 enzyme . Thus, alteration of the normal allosteric properties in mutant 618 are due to changes of both Lys296 to Glu and Gly336 to Asp.

FEBS Lett, 1989 Jun 19, 250(1), 106 - 14
Bacterial Na+ energetics; Skulachev VP; Novel observations related to the Na+-linked energy transduction in bacterial membranes are considered . It is concluded that besides the well-known systems based on the circulation of protons, there are those based on the circulation of Na+ . In some cases, H+ and Na+ cycles co-exist in one and the same membrane . Representatives of the 'sodium world', i.e . cells possessing primary Na+ pumps (delta mu Na generators and consumers) are found in many genera of bacteria . Among the delta mu Na generators, one should mention Na+-NADH-quinone reductase and Na+-terminal oxidase of the respiratory chain, Na+-decarboxylases and Na+-ATPases . For delta mu Na consumers, there are Na+-ATP-synthases, Na+-metabolite symporters and Na+ motors . Sometimes, one and the same enzyme can transport H+ or, alternatively, Na+ . For instance, an Na+-ATP-synthase of the F0F1 type translocates H+ when Na+ is absent . Employment of the Na+ cycle, apart from or instead of the H+ cycle, increases the resistance of bacteria to alkaline or protonophore-containing media and, apparently, to some other unfavourable conditions.

Biochem J, 1989 Jun 15, 260(3), 665 - 72
Influence of bacterial toxins and forskolin upon vasopressin-induced inositol phosphate accumulation in WRK 1 cells; Guillon G et al.; The accumulation of inositol phosphates in WRK 1 cells, stimulated with a range of vasopressin concentrations, was diminished by prior exposure to cholera toxin or forskolin, whilst that observed in the presence of maximal concentrations of the hormone was enhanced in pertussis-toxin-treated cells . In the presence of {32P}NAD+, both cholera toxin and pertussis toxin provoked the labelling of peptides with approximate Mrs of 45,000 and 41,000 respectively in the membranes of WRK 1 cells . Exposure to cholera toxin or forskolin for 15-18 h enhanced cyclic AMP accumulation in these cells . The concentrations of these agents which provoked half-maximal cyclic AMP accumulation were similar to those required to diminish receptor-mediated inositol phosphate accumulation by 50% . In contrast, half-maximal ADP-ribosylation of the 45,000Mr peptide needed 100-fold greater concentrations of the toxin than were effective in provoking half-maximal inhibition of inositol phosphate accumulation . Cholera toxin or forskolin also reduced the maximal specific binding, to intact WRK 1 cells, of both {3H}{Arg8}vasopressin and the V1a antagonist {3H}{beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid,O-methyl-Tyr2, Arg8}vasopressin . The kinetics for the loss of this binding capacity following cholera-toxin treatment were very similar to those describing the diminution of vasopressin-stimulated inositol phosphate accumulation in the same cells.

Biochemistry, 1989 Jun 13, 28(12), 5172 - 8
Transient spectroscopy of bacterial rhodopsins with an optical multichannel analyzer . 2 . Effects of anions on the halorhodopsin photocycle; Zimanyi L et al.; We find that the photocycle of halorhodopsin (HR) in the presence of nitrate (but not chloride) consists of two parallel series of reactions . The first is essentially the same as that which occurs in the presence of chloride: HRhv----HRK----HRKL----HRL----HRO----HR . The second photocycle, however, which we describe as HRhv----HR'K----HRKO----HRO----HR, seems characteristic of what one would observe in the absence of chloride . Absorption spectra are calculated for all species but HRK and HR'K, which occur at shorter times (less than 60 ns) than we can resolve . At nitrate concentrations between 0.1 and 1 M, the proportion of HR which enters the first kind of photocycle increases in such a way as to suggest that nitrate can substitute for chloride, but much less effectively . At lower anion concentrations, the two photocycles are independent of one another, but at higher concentrations, they interact; i.e., the reaction HRKO----HRO----HRL can be observed . Thus, HRO must be common to the two photocycles . Kinetic fitting of the time dependence of HRL and HRO at different chloride concentrations provides evidence for the participation of chloride in the interconversion of HRL and HRO . The results are consistent with a model in which the photoreaction is influenced by the binding of an anion (either chloride or nitrate) to site II in HR: when an anion is bound, the HRK-initiated HRL-type photocycle is observed, but when the site is not occupied, the HR'K-initiated HRO-type photocycle is seen.

Biochemistry, 1989 Jun 13, 28(12), 5165 - 72
Transient spectroscopy of bacterial rhodopsins with an optical multichannel analyzer . 1 . Comparison of the photocycles of bacteriorhodopsin and halorhodopsin; Zimanyi L et al.; We used a gated optical multichannel analyzer to measure transient flash-induced absorption changes in bacteriorhodopsin (BR) and halorhodopsin (HR) and developed criteria for calculating the absorption spectra of the photocycle intermediates and the kinetics of their rise and decay . The results for BR agree with data reported by a large number of other authors . The results for HR in the presence of chloride are consistent with earlier data and reveal an additional intermediate, not previously seen, in the submicrosecond time scale . Although an M412-like intermediate is not in the HR photocycle, a one-by-one comparison of the rest of the intermediates observed for BR and HR indicates a striking similarity between the photocycles of the two bacterial rhodopsins . This was previously not apparent, perhaps because the experimental approaches to the spectroscopy of the two pigments were different and the data were thus more fragmented.

Science, 1989 Jun 9, 244(4909), 1167 - 9
Expression of a bacterial gene in a trypanosomatid protozoan; Bellofatto V et al.; A simple and reproducible assay for DNA-mediated transfection in the trypanosomatid protozoan Leptomonas seymouri has been developed . The assay is based on expression of the Escherichia coli chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene flanked by Leptomonas DNA fragments that are likely to contain necessary elements for gene expression in trypanosomes . After electroporation of cells in the presence of plasmid DNA, CAT activity was detected in crude cell lysates . No activity was detected when the orientation of the L . seymouri mini-exon sequence (placed upstream of the CAT gene) was reversed, or in additional control experiments . This system provides a method for defining transcriptional control elements in trypanosomes.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Jun 5, 264(16), 9118 - 21
Bacterial lipopolysaccharide regulates the phosphorylation of the 68K protein kinase C substrate in macrophages; Rosen A et al.; Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) potentiates protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent responses such as the activation of arachidonic acid metabolism in macrophages (Aderem, A . A., Cohen, D . S., Wright, S . D., and Cohn, Z . A . (1986) J . Exp . Med . 164, 165-179) . Concomitantly, LPS promotes the myristoylation of a 68K PKC substrate, shown to be equivalent to the 80/87K PKC substrate found in brain and fibroblasts (Aderem, A . A., Albert, K . A., Keum, M . M., Wang, J . K., Greengard, P., and Cohn, Z . A . (1988) Nature 332, 362-364) . We have now examined the effect of LPS on the phosphorylation of this 68K PKC substrate . We report here that LPS modifies the kinetics and extent of phosphorylation of the 68K protein . While treatment with LPS alone induces low level phosphorylation of the 68K protein, it markedly increases the rate of subsequent phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-dependent phosphorylation of this protein . Phosphorylation in LPS-treated macrophages was maximal 1-2 min after administration of PMA, while maximal phosphorylation in macrophages not exposed to LPS was only achieved 6 min after addition of PMA . In addition to increasing the rate of PMA-dependent phosphorylation of the 68K protein in macrophages, LPS also promoted the phosphorylation of a novel peptide on the 68K protein . Thus while PMA stimulated the phosphorylation of two thermolytic phosphopeptides (phosphopeptides 1 and 2), the low level of phosphorylation observed with LPS alone was found to occur on phosphopeptides 1 and 2 as well as on a novel phosphopeptide (phosphopeptide 3) . Furthermore, LPS treatment of macrophages potentiated phosphorylation of all three phosphopeptides when the cells were subsequently stimulated with PMA . While phosphorylation stimulated by LPS and PMA was slightly more than additive for phosphopeptides 1 and 2, it was markedly synergistic (increased 14.5-fold) for phosphopeptide 3 . Phosphorylation of all three phosphopeptides occurred exclusively on serine . It is possible that LPS-induced myristoylation of the 68K protein directs it to the membrane where its phosphorylation is enhanced by its close association with PKC.

Nihon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi, 1989 Jun, 27(6), 712 - 7
{Evaluation of the elastase: alpha 1-antitrypsin balance in patients with bacterial pneumonia using bronchoalveolar lavage}; Fujita J et al.; This study was designed to evaluate the elastase: alpha 1-antitrypsin balance in patients with bacterial pneumonia . To accomplish this, bronchoalveolar lavages were performed in patients with pneumonia and normal non-smokers . Cell differentiation counts and elastase/alpha 1-antitrypsin balances in alveolar lavage fluid were examined . To quantify antielastase capacity, total immunoreactive alpha 1-antitrypsins and active alpha 1-antitrypsins were measured in alveolar lavage fluids . To quantify elastase burden, elastase: alpha 1-antitrypsin complexes and enzymatic elastase activities in alveolar lavage fluids were measured . Significantly increased proportions of neutrophils were recovered from the alveolar lavage fluids of patients with pneumonia compared to normal non-smokers . In alveolar lavage fluids of patients with pneumonia, alpha 1-antitrypsin was inactivated and enzymatic elastase activities were demonstrated . It was concluded that elastase: alpha 1-antitrypsin imbalance do occur in alveolar lavage fluids of patients with pneumonia.

Mol Cell Probes, 1989 Jun, 3(2), 167 - 77
Non-isotopic hybridization assays for bacterial DNA samples; Kennedy KE et al.; The background problem associated with the use of streptavidin in detecting biotin-labelled probes hybridized to DNA in crude bacterial extracts has been investigated . We have found that streptavidin binds specifically to a limited number of polypeptides which are difficult to remove by rapid extraction processes . Altering the hybridization and detection protocols results in a marked but not complete reduction of non-specific background in streptavidin-biotin assays . Complete elimination of non-specific background was achieved only when streptavidin was replaced with antibodies for the detection of biotinylated or sulphone-modified probes . The antibody-sulphone and streptavidin-biotin dot blot assays described here require 4.5-5 hours to perform and can detect DNA sequences in samples extracted from 2 x 10(7) cells or fewer.

Minerva Stomatol, 1989 Jun, 38(6), 667 - 71
{Odontoiatric pathology and bacterial endocarditis: risk factors and prevention}; Antenucci F et al.; The risk of bacterial endocarditis in dentistry is examined and responsibilities for prevention clarified . A review of the principal chemotherapeutic protocols currently followed by International Cardiologist Associations is presented.

J Anim Sci, 1989 Jun, 67(6), 1593 - 602
Factors affecting the in vitro production of volatile fatty acids by mixed bacterial populations from the bovine rumen; Peters JP et al.; Factors affecting in vitro ruminal bacterial VFA production were examined . Treatments consisted of high and low initial pH (6.7, 5.7), osmolality (600, 400 mOsm) and concentrations of acetic (40, 0 mM) and propionic acids (20, 0 mM) . Response variables measured included the production of acetic, propionic and total VFA, total gas and methane . Initial pH affected (P less than .05) most variables either independently or in combination with one or more of the other factors . Acetic acid production was reduced 40% (P = .03) when initial acetic acid concentrations were 40 mM compared with 0 mM . Also, acetic acid production was less (P less than .01) at low initial pH (5.7) than at high initial pH (6.7) . Propionic acid production was greater (P = .05) at high vs low initial acetic acid concentrations . Propionic acid production was greater in response to low vs high initial osmolality, although the magnitude of this difference depended on initial pH (interaction P = .02) . Total production of VFA was greater (P less than .01) at high than at low initial pH; however, at low initial pH, no difference (P greater than .05) was observed due to initial osmolality, whereas at high pH, production was greater (interaction P = .04) for low than for high initial osmolality . The diminished production of total VFA at pH 5.7 occurred primarily due to reduced acetic acid production, although increased production of propionic and butyric acids was noted.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Scand J Gastroenterol, 1989 Jun, 24(5), 561 - 4
Bacterial overgrowth after high-dose corticosteroid treatment; Denison H et al.; A 63-year-old man with systemic lupus erythematosus and selective IgA deficiency developed intractable diarrhoea the day after treatment with prednisone, 50 mg daily, was started . The diarrhoea was considered to be caused by bacterial overgrowth and was later successfully treated with doxycycline . Although IgA deficiency is a risk factor for bacterial overgrowth, a further predisposing condition is necessary for development of this disorder but was not present in this case . We therefore suppose that high-dose treatment with corticosteroids might be a hitherto undescribed risk factor for bacterial overgrowth in vulnerable patients.

J Vet Pharmacol Ther, 1989 Jun, 12(2), 217 - 24
The effects of a beta 2-agonist (clenbuterol), and anti-bacterial drugs (trimethoprim with sulphadiazine; oxytetracycline) on calf mucociliary clearance; Davies CP et al.; A non-invasive radio-aerosol technique was employed to study mucociliary clearance patterns in three groups of four calves of different ages . The initial clearance pattern, the percentage cleared in 1 h, and the percentage cleared between 1 and 19 h were used as indices of clearance efficiency . (Percentage retention at 19 h was used as an index of alveolar deposition.) These measurements were recorded in a series of experiments designed to investigate the effects of: clenbuterol (given as a single intravenous injection, 0.75 microgram/kg); a combination of trimethoprim and sulphadiazine-TMPS (administered by intramuscular injection twice daily for 3 days: 2.5 mg/kg trimethoprim; 12.5 mg/kg sulphadiazine) alone, or with a supplementary injection of clenbuterol; and oxytetracycline (administered by intramuscular injection twice daily for 3 days; 3 mg/kg) . Clenbuterol alone tended to increase clearance rate, although this effect did not achieve statistical significance . The combination of TMPS with clenbuterol produced results similar to those of clenbuterol alone . Neither TMPS nor oxytetracycline had any significant effect on indices of mucociliary clearance . Differences were observed between calves of different age groups, particularly in clearance phases between 1 and 19 h.

J Immunol, 1989 Jun 1, 142(11), 3963 - 70
Regulation of formyl peptide receptor binding to rabbit neutrophil plasma membranes . Use of monovalent cations, guanine nucleotides, and bacterial toxins to discriminate among different states of the receptor; Feltner DE et al.; The regulation by monovalent cations, guanine nucleotides, and bacterial toxins of {3H}FMLP binding to rabbit neutrophil plasma membranes was studied by using dissociation techniques to identify regulatory effects on separate receptor states . Under conditions of low receptor occupancy (1 nM {3H}FMLP) and in both Na+ and K+ buffers, dissociation is heterogenous, displaying two distinct, statistically significant off rates . {3H}FMLP binding was enhanced by substituting other monovalent cations for Na+ . In particular, enhanced binding in the presence of K+ relative to Na+ was caused by additional binding to both rapidly and slowly dissociating receptors . Three receptor dissociation rates, two of which appear to correspond to the two affinity states detected in equilibrium binding studies, were defined by specific GTP and pertussis toxin (PT) treatments . Neither GTP, nor PT or cholera toxins (CT) had an effect on the rate of dissociation of {3H}FMLP from the rapidly dissociating form of the receptor . Both 100 microM GTP and PT treatments increased the percentage of rapidly dissociating receptors, correspondingly decreasing the percentage of slowly dissociating receptors . The observed changes in the rapidly and slowly dissociating receptors after GTP, PT, and CT treatments were caused by an absolute decrease in the amount of binding to the slowly dissociating receptors . However, complete inhibition of slowly dissociating receptor binding by GTP, PT, or both was never observed . Both GTP and PT treatments, but not CT treatment, increased by two-fold the rate of dissociation of 1 nM {3H}FMLP from the slowly dissociating form of the receptor, resulting in a third dissociation rate . Thus, slowly dissociating receptors comprise two different receptor states, a G protein-associated guanine nucleotide and PT-sensitive state and a guanine nucleotide-insensitive state.

J Am Geriatr Soc, 1989 Jun, 37(6), 537 - 43
Utility of fever, white blood cells, and differential count in predicting bacterial infections in the elderly; Wasserman M et al.; A total of 221 elderly patients between the ages of 70 to 99 years who presented to a community-based teaching hospital emergency room were prospectively evaluated by assessing for fever (greater than or equal to 37.5 degrees C), leukocytosis (greater than or equal to 14,000/mm3) and bandemia (greater than 6%) as a screening method for predicting the presence of bacterial infection . Thirty-three patients had documented bacterial infections . Although with increasing body temperature the percent of patients who were infected increased, 48% of the infected elderly patients had no fever . In patients with fever, 39% had a bacterial infection compared to only 9% in the afebrile group . In patients with fever, leukocytosis, and bandemia, all patients were infected . Conversely, in the absence of fever, leukocytosis, and bandemia, only 6% had bacterial infection . All elderly patients who present with an acute or subacute change in health status or functional capabilities associated with fever, leukocytosis, or bandemia should be carefully assessed for the high probability of a bacterial infection.

Nippon Shishubyo Gakkai Kaishi, 1989 Jun, 31(2), 658 - 66
{In vivo study of bacterial invasion in root planed and citric acid treated radicular surfaces of periodontally involved human teeth}; Ito K et al.; The purpose of this study was to investigate whether plaque bacteria invade the exposed radicular dentin after root planing or chemical root treatment in vivo . Eighteen caries-free human periodontally involved teeth with hopeless prognoses were studied . Fourteen teeth were scaled and root planed with hand curette type scalers . The proximal surface of each treated tooth was designated as the RP surface . The remaining half of the proximal surface was treated with citric acid (pH 1.0) for 3 minutes and was designated as the CA surface . Four untreated teeth served as controls . After 4 weeks, the teeth were extracted, and were processed for light microscopy and for scanning electron microscopy concerning bacterial invasion into the supragingival radicular dentin . The following results were obtained . 1 . Radicular cementum was present on most untreated tooth surfaces . However, bacteria were never seen in the dentinal tubules . 2 . Bacterial invasion into the dentinal tubules was observed in five of the 10 proximal surfaces (50% of the RP surfaces) and in nine of the 10 proximal surfaces (90% of the CA surfaces) . 3 . The depth (9.5 +/- 24.1 microns vs 84.6 +/- 136.3 microns) and percentage (0.8 +/- 2.1% vs 20.3 +/- 17.3%) of bacterial invasion in the dentinal tubules of the RP surfaces was lower than that of the CA surfaces . 4 . Cocci and short rods were present in the supragingival dentinal tubules . 5 . Since CA surfaces may accelerate bacterial invasion the citric acid treatment might be harmful in patients with inadequate plaque control.

FEMS Microbiol Immunol, 1989 Jun, 1(6-7), 351 - 6
Blood group, secretor status and susceptibility to bacterial meningitis; Blackwell CC et al.; Epidemiological evidence is summarized for associations of ABO blood group and secretor status with susceptibility to invasive disease due to capsulate organisms responsible for the majority of bacterial meningitis . Host-parasite interactions that might underly these findings are proposed and evidence to support or refute them provided.

Br J Exp Pathol, 1989 Jun, 70(3), 267 - 74
Deacylation of bacterial lipopolysaccharide in rat hepatocytes in vitro; Fukuda I et al.; The possible role of liver parenchymal cells in the uptake and degradation of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was investigated in vitro by employing radiolabelled LPS as substrate . Hepatocytes obtained from Wistar rats by collagenase treatment were found to take up LPS only when it was not linked to the polysaccharide of O-antigen . The amount of LPS taken up increased with time and after 48 h incubation it increased in a dose-dependent manner up to at least 30 micrograms . When incubated with LPS radiolabelled exclusively in the fatty-acid moiety, cultured hepatocytes released lipophilic materials into the culture medium . These were identified as beta-hydroxytetradecanoic acid and triglyceride, in the ratio of 7:I . These results indicate that the R-form of LPS which lacks the O-antigen polysaccharide is taken up and deacylated in hepatocytes, and the derived fatty acids are released into the culture medium either in the free form or after conversion to triglyceride.

J Exp Med, 1989 Jun 1, 169(6), 2021 - 7
Pretreatment with recombinant murine tumor necrosis factor alpha/cachectin and murine interleukin 1 alpha protects mice from lethal bacterial infection; Cross AS et al.; Tumor necrosis factor/cachectin (TNF/C) is the principal mediator of bacterial endotoxin-induced shock and death . We found that the C3H/HeJ mouse, which is less able to produce TNF/C in response to endotoxin, has a 1,000-fold greater susceptibility to lethal infection with Escherichia coli than the TNF-responsive congenic mouse, C3H/HeN . This surprising finding suggested that this lethal peptide may also be involved in host protection . To test this hypothesis we pretreated the C3H/HeJ mouse with a combination of recombinant murine TNF/C-alpha and IL-1 alpha . This combination protected these mice against an intraperitoneal bacterial challenge of greater than 20 LD50S (nearly 2 x 10(2) CFU) that grew to a level of greater than 10(7) CFU/ml of blood and per gram of liver in untreated mice . This suggests a significant role for these cytokines in host defenses against invasive infections that require bacterial replication within the host . These protective mechanisms may not be important for less virulent organisms . These findings may have important implications for the proposed use of anti-TNF/C agents in the treatment of septic shock.

J Pediatr, 1989 Jun, 114(6), 1049 - 54
Comparative efficacy of ceftriaxone and cefuroxime for treatment of bacterial meningitis; Lebel MH et al.; To assess the comparative efficacy of cefuroxime and ceftriaxone for the treatment of bacterial meningitis, we reviewed the records from four prospective efficacy trials conducted at our institution . One hundred seventy-four infants and children received ceftriaxone and 159 received cefuroxime . The clinical characteristics of the two groups were comparable at admission . After 24 hours of therapy, routine cerebrospinal fluid cultures for all patients treated with ceftriaxone were sterile, whereas 9% of cerebrospinal fluid cultures were positive in cefuroxime-treated patients (p less than 0.001) . More cefuroxime-treated patients had abnormal physical examinations at the time of discharge than did ceftriaxone-treated patients (39/159 vs 25/174, p = 0.02) . At 6-week and 1-year follow-up examinations, there was no longer a statistically significant difference in the incidence of neurologic abnormalities between the two therapy groups, but the incidence of hearing impairment in one or both ears was higher in the cefuroxime (18%) than in the ceftriaxone (11%) treatment group . Both regimens are efficacious for the treatment of bacterial meningitis, but some patients may not respond as satisfactorily to cefuroxime as to ceftriaxone.

J Bacteriol, 1989 Jun, 171(6), 3152 - 7
Transfer of tra proteins into the recipient cell during bacterial conjugation mediated by plasmid ColIb-P9; Rees CE et al.; Selective transfer of the two products of the ColIb primase gene, sog, from donor to recipient cell during conjugation was demonstrated by two independent methods . The transfer of these tra proteins was unidirectional and dependent on DNA transfer . The Sog polypeptides were localized to the cytoplasm of the donor cell, but they appeared to interact with other tra gene products located in the inner membrane . After cell mating, the transferred polypeptides were found to be in the cytoplasm of the recipient cell, and it is estimated that as many as 500 Sog polypeptides were transferred per round of conjugation . It is proposed that these proteins are transferred as a result of an interaction with the single-stranded DNA and that the transferred strand may be coated with Sog polypeptides.

Clin Pediatr (Phila), 1989 Jun, 28(6), 261 - 4
Accuracy of radiographic differentiation of bacterial from nonbacterial pneumonia; Courtoy I et al.; The chest roentgenogram is an accepted tool for the diagnosis of pneumonia . Little information is available, however, addressing the ability of physicians to distinguish bacterial from nonbacterial pneumonias by examination of the chest roentgenogram . Five different observers evaluated 36 chest films from patients with pneumonia who had a laboratory proven etiologic diagnosis . The sensitivity of roentgenogram diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia ranged from 42-58 percent . When clinical and laboratory data were provided to the observers the sensitivity ranged from 42-92 percent . This study indicates that chest film examination is too insensitive to be useful for the selection of patients who have bacterial pneumonia from those whose pneumonia is non-bacterial.

Radiology, 1989 Jun, 171(3), 703 - 7
Bacterial renal infection: role of CT; Soulen MC et al.; The imaging studies done on 62 patients hospitalized for acute renal infections were retrospectively reviewed . Thirty-six (58%) had one or more abscesses, 17 (27%) had focal or diffuse acute bacterial nephritis, five (8%) had pyonephrosis, and four (6%) had pyelonephritis . All had prolonged fever (greater than or equal to 72 hours) and leukocytosis . Among 25 patients examined with both ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT), US failed to depict three of five (60%) cases of acute bacterial nephritis and seven of 15 (47%) intrarenal and extrarenal abscesses . One renal abscess was misdiagnosed as a tumor at CT . US is not an adequate screening test for detecting lesions that may require invasive therapy . CT is more sensitive for the detection of acute renal inflammatory disease and for defining the extent of disease for planning of radiologic or surgical intervention.

Minerva Pediatr, 1989 Jun, 41(6), 297 - 300
{Diagnostic and prognostic value of blood prealbumin in the course of neonatal infectious diseases of bacterial origin}; Fabris C et al.; Serum prealbumin levels were determined in a sample of newborns suffering from infectious diseases of bacterial origin . The diagnostic and prognostic significance was assessed.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 Jun, 86(12), 4335 - 9
Correlation of paramagnetic states and molecular structure in bacterial photosynthetic reaction centers: the symmetry of the primary electron donor in Rhodopseudomonas viridis and Rhodobacter sphaeroides R-26; Norris JR et al.; The orientation of the principal axes of the primary electron donor triplet state measured in single crystals of photosynthetic reaction centers is compared to the x-ray structures of the bacteria Rhodobacter (Rb.) sphaeroides R-26 and Rhodopseudomonas (Rps.) viridis . The primary donor of Rps . viridis is significantly different from that of Rb . sphaeroides . The measured directions of the axes indicate that triplet excitation is almost completely localized on the L-subunit half of the dimer in Rps . viridis but is more symmetrically distributed (approximately 63% on the L half of the special pair and approximately 37% on the M half) on the dimeric donor in Rb . sphaeroides R-26 . The large reduction of the zero field splitting parameters relative to monomeric bacteriochlorophyll triplet in vitro suggests significant participation of asymmetrical charge transfer electronic configurations in the special pair triplet state of both organisms (approximately 23% in Rps . viridis and approximately 13% in Rb . sphaeroides).

J Virol, 1989 Jun, 63(6), 2785 - 9
Bacterial lipopolysaccharide and gamma interferon induce transcription of beta interferon mRNA and interferon secretion in murine macrophages; Gessani S et al.; Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces interferon (IFN) secretion and an antiviral state in murine peritoneal macrophages (PM) . These cells secrete predominantly IFN-beta, as shown by neutralization assays with monoclonal antibodies . Secretion of IFN-beta is also induced in PM by IFN-gamma . LPS and IFN-gamma synergistically stimulated PM to produce IFN in amounts almost comparable to those induced by infection with Newcastle disease virus . Low levels of IFN-beta mRNA can be detected in freshly harvested PM by hybridization assays . The accumulation of this mRNA is markedly increased in PM treated with LPS or IFN-gamma, and it is further enhanced in the presence of the inhibitor of protein synthesis, cycloheximide . Similar studies were carried out on the RAW 264.7 line of transformed macrophages . These cells are induced to secrete IFN-beta by LPS but not by IFN-gamma, suggesting that this cytokine may elicit such specific response only in PM . IFN-beta mRNA is undetectable in untreated RAW 264.7 cells, and accumulation of this mRNA is induced by LPS but not by IFN-gamma . The secretion of IFN induced by these agents in PM and by LPS in RAW 264.7 cells and the corresponding accumulation of IFN-beta mRNA are blocked by an inhibitor of protein kinase C, staurosporine . The activity of this kinase is apparently necessary to stimulate accumulation of IFN-beta mRNA . The induction of IFN-beta by IFN-gamma appears to be a characteristic response of PM and may be at least in part responsible for the resistance of these cells to viral infections.

Urology . 1989 Jun;33(6):465.
Elevated serum prostate-specific antigen due to acute bacterial prostatitis; Dalton DL; Elevated serum prostate-specific antigen secondary to acute bacterial prostatitis occurred in 2 patients . This cause of increased PSA has not been documented previously.

Infect Immun, 1989 Jun, 57(6), 1702 - 6
Roles of interferon and cellular adhesion molecules in bacterial activation of human natural killer cells; Lindemann RA; Interaction of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from enteric and oral bacteria with natural killer (NK) cells enhanced cytotoxicity against NK-sensitive and NK-resistant targets . This activation occurred without expansion of the NK cell population or without changes in the leukocyte function-associated antigen family of cellular adhesion molecule (CAM) expression on NK cells . Significant interferon (IFN) titers were measured in LPS-lymphocyte supernatants, and antibody to IFN-alpha blocked LPS activation . LPS-induced NK cytotoxicity was inhibited by antibodies to individual alpha chains of CAM and, more profoundly, by antibody to the beta chain of CAM . However, LPS, when preincubated with NK cells, did not compete with subsequent anti-CAM antibody binding as detected by flow cytometry . Anti-CAM antibodies had no effect on NK activation by IFN, but antibodies to either CD11a or CD11c abrogated IFN production induced by LPS . These findings suggest that LPS binds NK cells at non-CAM sites, resulting in the release of IFN . IFN then acts in an autocrine manner independent of CAM to enhance NK cytotoxicity . Interaction of anti-CAM antibodies with CAM may provide a negative signal in regulating LPS-induced IFN production.

J Biol Chem, 1989 May 15, 264(14), 8304 - 9
Mutagenesis of bacterial elongation factor Tu at lysine 136 . A conserved amino acid in GTP regulatory proteins; Hwang YW et al.; We have studied the effects of specific amino acid replacements in EF-Tu upon the protein's interactions with guanine nucleotides and elongation factor Ts (EFTs) . We found that alterations at the lysine residue of the Asn-Lys-Cys-Asp sequence, the guanine ring-binding sequence, differentially affect the protein's ability to bind guanine nucleotides . Wild type EF-Tu (Lys-136) binds GDP and GTP much more tightly than do many of the altered proteins . Replacing lysine by arginine lowers the protein's affinity for GDP by about 20-fold relative to the change in its affinity for EF-Ts . Substitutions at residue 136 by glutamine (K136Q) and glutamic acid (K136E) further lower the protein relative affinity for GDP by factors of about 4 and 10, respectively . In contrast, replacement of the residue by isoleucine (K136I) eliminates guanine nucleotide binding as well as EF-Ts binding . Apparently, the distortion of this loop by substitution at residue 136 of a bulky hydrophobic residue can hamper the binding for both substrates or disrupt the folding of the protein . All altered proteins except EF-Tu(K136I) are able to bind tRNA(Phe); however, they require much higher concentrations of GTP than wild type EF-Tu . In minimal media, Escherichia coli cells harboring plasmids encoding EF-Tu(K136E) or EF-Tu(K136Q) suffer growth retardation relative to cells bearing the same plasmid encoding wild type EF-Tu . Co-transformation of these cells with a compatible plasmid bearing the EF-Ts gene reverses this growth problem . The growth retardation effect of some of the altered proteins can be explained by their sequestering EF-Ts . These results indicate that EF-Ts is essential to the growth of E . coli and suggest a technique for studying EF-Ts mutants as well as for identifying other guanine nucleotide exchange enzymes.

Nucleic Acids Res, 1989 May 11, 17(9), 3479 - 90
Tracking bacterial DNA replication forks in vivo by pulsed field gel electrophoresis; Ohki M et al.; The location of chromosomal DNA replication forks was identified in synchronously replicating E . coli cultures by pulse labeling DNA at specific times with 14C-thymidine and following incorporation of radionucleotide into genomic Not I restriction fragments . This technique could be used to characterize chromosomal DNA replication, to characterize mutations which affect this process, to identify the location of DNA replication origins and termini as well as aid in the construction of macrorestriction maps . Here, we further characterize the DNA replication mutations divE and dnaK and preliminary characterize the genomic organization of E . coli isolate 15.

Nature, 1989 May 11, 339(6220), 157 - 8
Sleuthing out bacterial identities; Bochner BR; Global phenotype analyses are now possible using a versatile redox chemistry that is readily automated with computerization and microplate technology.

Biochemistry, 1989 May 2, 28(9), 4109 - 17
Time-resolved fluorescence studies on the ternary complex formed between bacterial elongation factor Tu, guanosine 5'-triphosphate, and phenylalanyl-tRNAPhe; Hazlett TL et al.; Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy was used to investigate the solution dynamics of Escherichia coli tRNAPhe, Phe-tRNAPhe, and Phe-tRNAPhe associated with GTP and elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) in a ternary complex . Two fluorescence probes were employed: fluorescein, covalently bound to Phe-tRNAPhe at the s4U8 base (Phe-tRNAPhe-Fl8), and ethidium bromide, noncovalently associated with the tRNA (EB.Phe-tRNAPhe) . The lifetimes observed for ethidium bromide were 1.89 ns, free in solution, and 26.3 ns, bound to its tight binding site on tRNA . Fluorescein-labeled tRNA had a lifetime of 4.3 ns, with no significant difference among the values for aminoacylated, unacylated, and EF-Tu-bound Phe-tRNAPhe-Fl8 . Differential phase and modulation data for each fluorophore-tRNA system were fit with local and global Debye rotational relaxation times . Local motion of the labeled fluorescein in Phe-tRNAPhe-Fl8, tRNAPhe-Fl8, and Phe-tRNAPhe-Fl8.EF-Tu.GTP was characterized by rotational relaxation times of 2.7 +/- 0.5, 2.4 +/- 0.4, and 2.4 +/- 0.1 ns, respectively . These values are equal, within experimental error, and suggest that the rotational mobility of the s4U8-conjugated dye is unaffected by either tRNAPhe aminoacylation or ternary complex formation . Global rotational relaxation times for Phe-tRNAPhe-Fl8, 97 ns, and EB.Phe-tRNAPhe, 140 ns, were equivalent to those determined for the unacylated species, denoting little change in the overall size or shape of the tRNA molecule upon aminoacylation . These values for (Phe-)tRNA were larger than expected for a hydrated sphere of equivalent volume, 83 ns, and therefore confirm the asymmetric nature of the tRNA structure in solution.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Immunol, 1989 May 1, 142(9), 3083 - 90
Modulation of antibody-mediated glomerular injury in vivo by bacterial lipopolysaccharide, tumor necrosis factor, and IL-1; Tomosugi NI et al.; We have investigated the effects of LPS, human rTNF (hrTNF) and human rIL-1 beta (hrIL-1 beta) pretreatment on the intensity of antibody-mediated injury in vivo by using a passive model of anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibody-mediated nephritis in rats . The experiments show that all three pretreatments exacerbate injury in this model whether judged by albuminuria or the prevalence of glomerular capillary thrombi . The effect on albuminuria was dose dependent with all three treatments . The lowest effective dose of LPS was 0.025 microgram while those for hrTNF and hrIL-1 beta were 0.4 microgram and 0.5 microgram, respectively . All three pretreatments also increased the prevalence of glomerular capillary thrombi which were rare in rats injected with anti-GBM antibodies without pretreatment . LPS pretreatment appeared to be more effective in causing glomerular capillary thrombi than hrTNF or hrIL-1 beta and this was reflected in the correlations between albuminuria and the proportion of glomeruli with capillary thrombi . This relation was linear for all three pretreatments but the slope was appreciably greater for rats pretreated with LPS (0.37) when compared with results from rats given either hrTNF (0.22) or hrIL-1 beta (0.29) . Pretreatment of nephritic rats with both cytokines increased the slope to 0.42 demonstrating a synergistic effect . The synergism of hrTNF with hrIL-1 beta was also demonstrated by the effective doses needed to induce albuminuria which was evident in rats treated with 0.05 microgram of IL-1 beta and 0.4 microgram of TNF . Neither the cytokines nor LPS caused clinical, morphologic, or biochemical evidence of renal toxicity when given alone in the dose used here but they did cause a transient increase in the number of neutrophils marginated in glomerular capillaries . Pretreatment of rats with LPS or cytokines increased the glomerular neutrophil influx after anti-GBM antibodies by roughly sixfold . Our experiments show that TNF and IL-1 can increase the severity of glomerular injury in nephritis; they may be important in modulating glomerular injury clinically.

Vopr Med Khim, 1989 May-Jun, 35(3), 58 - 9
{The effect of bacterial endotoxin on the activity of liver mitochondria monoamine oxidase}; Natanzon LV et al.; An increase of lipid peroxidation and a decrease of the monoamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.4) activity were found in mice liver mitochondria within 9 hrs of intoxication developed after administration of bacterial endotoxin at a dose corresponding to its LD50 . The decrease in the monoamine oxidase activity appears to occur due to some alteration of the enzyme substrate specificity as well as to its partial liberation from mitochondrial membrane.

Zentralbl Hyg Umweltmed, 1989 May, 188(1-2), 47 - 65
{Bacterial regrowth in drinking water . III . Reasons for regrowth with oligocarbotolerant bacteria}; Jaeggi NE et al.; Investigations have been undertaken into the bacterial regrowth in a Zurich drinking water plant and over a distance of 12 km along the drinking water distribution system . This required installation of eleven chromium steel dead-end water pipes . Counts of oligocarbotolerant bacteria were carried out in 7 or 8 repetitions in fresh water and water left to stagnate for 7 and 14 days respectively (7,8) . Additionally ten different biological, chemical and physical parameters were determined in the fresh water samples . Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine what influence the different parameters had on the bacterial regrowth during stagnation . Two regression models were evaluated, one for the data obtained during treatment, and the other for the data obtained along the distribution system . In both models the content of DOC (Dissolved Organic Carbon) and the content of phosphate was correlated with the growth of oligocarbotolerant bacteria . Further, a relationship between the contents of organic matter and bacterial regrowth was discovered during two measuring series conducted in different seasons . The model of data obtained during treatment generated two additional parameters correlated with aftergrowth: Firstly the initial colony content, which probably resulted because the stagnation period was only half that of the model . Secondly, the oxygen content which resulted because of ozonization . Under the given test conditions the following parameters did not appear in the regression model (Cp-statistics according to Daniel and Wood, 5): AOC (Assimilatible Organic Carbon) and UV-absorption used for measuring organic matter, nitrate content, content of chlorine/chlorine dioxide, electrical conductivity, pH-values and the room temperature during the 14 days stagnation in the distribution system model.

Z Gesamte Hyg, 1989 May, 35(5), 250 - 2
{Methods and experiences in the detection of bacterial toxins or their antibodies using diffusion counterimmunoelectrophoresis}; Brendel S; It could be ascertained that the quantitative and qualitative identification of bacterial antigens and antibodies can be improved and completed, respectively, by DCIE in selected indications given . The diffusion counter immunoelectrophoresis has several advantages (easy handling, saving of time, easy evaluability) . Our own tests confirmed the possibility of developing DCIE as a screening method to identify diphtheria and tetanus antibodies.

J Reprod Med, 1989 May, 34(5), 341 - 4
Treatment of bacterial vaginosis with intravaginal sponges containing metronidazole; Edelman DA et al.; A small clinical trial evaluated the safety and effectiveness of intravaginal sponges containing metronidazole for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) . Twenty women were treated with sponges containing 250 mg metronidazole (two sponges per day for two days), and 32 were treated with sponges containing 1,000 mg metronidazole (one sponge per day for three days) . After four weeks there was a significantly higher cure rate (P less than .10) for women using the higher-dose sponge (88.0% vs . 57.1%) . Although not significantly different (P greater than .10), the rates of side effects and complications were somewhat more frequent for women using the higher-dose sponge . Additional clinical trials are being conducted to further evaluate the 1,000-mg-metronidazole sponge for the treatment of BV.

J Cataract Refract Surg, 1989 May, 15(3), 317 - 20
Bacterial adhesion to intraocular lenses; Dilly PN et al.; Intraocular lenses removed because of recurrent episodes of intraocular inflammation showed bacteria adhering to the prosthesis . Infections localized to areas around intraocular lenses have been reported in the literature . Two such infections and an in vitro study of bacterial adherence to implant surfaces are reported . Adherent bacteria were found to be more numerous on the polypropylene haptic than on the polymethylmethacrylate optic in both in vitro and in vivo cases . We suggest that the intraocular lens becomes contaminated with commensal organisms of low virulence during insertion into the eye, and that these organisms are the source of the inflammatory episodes . Experiments show that lenses as supplied are sterile and that in vitro bacteria adhere preferentially to the haptic.

J Am Diet Assoc, 1989 May, 89(5), 690 - 2
Effects of microwaving human milk: changes in IgA content and bacterial count; Sigman M et al.; On the basis of this study, IgA was best preserved in frozen human milk by thawing either overnight in the refrigerator or under warm running water . If either of those procedures are to be used, it is suggested that bacterial monitoring should be performed . Because current technology does not allow for accurate low internal temperature monitoring of liquids, it is concluded that use of the microwave oven for the treatment of human milk is inappropriate . However, because microwaving is as effective as holder pasteurization in killing bacteria, and because it would be less expensive and is faster, this process should be further investigated.

Biophys J, 1989 May, 55(5), 905 - 14
Dynamics of a tightly coupled mechanism for flagellar rotation . Bacterial motility, chemiosmotic coupling, protonmotive force; Meister M et al.; The bacterial flagellar motor is a molecular engine that couples the flow of protons across the cytoplasmic membrane to rotation of the flagellar filament . We analyze the steady-state behavior of an explicit mechanical model in which a fixed number of protons carries the filament through one revolution . Predictions of this model are compared with experimentally determined relationships between protonmotive force, proton flux, torque, and speed . All such tightly coupled mechanisms produce the same torque when the motor is stalled but vary greatly in their behavior at high speed . The speed at zero load predicted by our model is limited by the rates of association and dissociation of protons at binding sites on the rotor and by the mobility of force generators containing transmembrane channels that interact with these sites . Our analysis suggests that more could be learned about the motor if it were driven by an externally applied torque backwards (at negative speed) or forwards at speeds greater than the zero-load speed.

Eur J Biochem, 1989 May 1, 181(2), 453 - 7
Bioluminescence emission of bacterial luciferase with 1-deaza-FMN . Evidence for the noninvolvement of N(1)-protonated flavin species as emitters; Kurfurst M et al.; The reaction of reduced 1-d-FMN with oxygen and decanal results in bioluminescence with kinetic and spectral properties similar to those of the reaction with FMNH2, even though the spectral (absorbance, fluorescence) and chemical properties of the oxidized forms differ greatly . This emission, which is about 10-15% as efficient as with FMNH2, is postulated to involve the intermediacy of the corresponding 4a-hydroperoxide, the fluorescence of which occurred transiently . The N(1) protonated species had been proposed as the emitter in the reaction with FMNH2, but the 1-deaza analog cannot be protonated at the corresponding position, thus excluding this possibility.

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1989 May, 97(5), 755 - 63
Annular destruction in acute bacterial endocarditis . Surgical techniques to meet the challenge; Ergin MA et al.; Destruction and disruption of ventricular-aortic or mitral-aortic continuity in the presence of acute infection of the annular tissue is a significant surgical challenge . Among 82 patients who underwent surgical treatment for acute endocarditis over a 10-year period, 15 (18.2%) had extensive destruction of the anulus necessitating special reconstructive techniques for treatment . Surgical treatment involved removal of all infected tissue including annular elements followed by appropriate restoration of the anulus for safe anchoring of the prosthetic valve . The reconstruction of the anulus consisted of the following: a Teflon felt patch inside and outside the aorta or ventricle, or both, for secure attachment of the prosthesis (felt aortic root, in three patients with native valve endocarditis), valved composite graft replacement of the aortic root for ventricular-aortic discontinuity (Bentall procedure, in eight patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis), composite patch reconstruction of the mitral anulus and the ascending aorta to restore mitral-aortic continuity (mitral-aortic composite patch in two patients with mitral-aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis), and direct suture of the sewing skirts of the mitral and aortic prostheses to restore the defect (attached skirts, in one patient with mitral-aortic native valve endocarditis) . There was one hospital death caused by multiple organ failure . The most common complication was heart block . Two late deaths were due to reinfection resulting from continued intravenous drug abuse . One patient with a felt aortic root repair required late reoperation for subannular aneurysm . Eleven patients were followed up from 7 months to 66 months and are alive and well without complications . This experience indicates that these seemingly radical surgical techniques can be used in these desperately ill patients with safety and good long-term results . They offer the only lasting solution for major disruption in cardiac anatomy in the presence of infection.

Plasmid, 1989 May, 21(3), 167 - 74
Why do bacterial plasmids carry some genes and not others?
Eberhard WG.
Previous explanations of why bacterial genes for certain "optional" traits tend to occur on plasmids rather than chromosomes are based on an outdated misunderstanding of natural selection . They also fail to explain why certain characters that are ubiquitous in some bacterial species tend to occur on plasmids . This paper shows that all major classes of traits usually associated with plasmids rather than chromosomes confer adaptations to locally restricted conditions . A new "local adaptation" model of plasmid evolution, based on simultaneous application of modern selection theory at the levels of gene, plasmid, cell, and clone reproduction, shows that genes coding local adaptations will reproduce more successfully when on plasmids than when on chromosomes, due to plasmids' greater horizontal mobility.

Trends Biochem Sci, 1989 May, 14(5), 179 - 82
Bacterial ice-nucleation proteins; Wolber P et al.; Certain bacteria possess proteins that enable them to nucleate crystallization in supercooled water . These ice-nucleation proteins are thought to produce templates for the assembly of very small seed crystals of ice . The proteins from different species have related, internally repetitive primary structures, which may be directly responsible for aligning the water molecules of the seed crystal.

Mol Gen Genet, 1989 May, 217(1), 77 - 84
The plastid rpoA gene encoding a protein homologous to the bacterial RNA polymerase alpha subunit is expressed in pea chloroplasts; Purton S et al.; The gene rpoA, encoding a protein homologous to the alpha subunit of RNA polymerase from Escherichia coli has been located in pea chloroplast DNA downstream of the petD gene for subunit IV of the cytochrome b-f complex . Nucleotide sequence analysis has revealed that rpoA encodes a polypeptide of 334 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 38916 . Northern blot analysis has shown that rpoA is co-transcribed with the gene for ribosomal protein S11 . A lacZ-rpoA gene-fusion has been constructed and expressed in E . coli . Antibodies raised against the fusion protein have been employed to demonstrate the synthesis of the rpoA gene product in isolated pea chloroplasts . Western blot analysis using these antibodies and antibodies against the RNA polymerase core enzyme from the cyanobacterium, Anabaena 7120, has revealed the presence of the gene product in a crude RNA polymerase preparation from pea chloroplasts.

Zentralbl Bakteriol, 1989 May, 271(1), 2 - 10
Bacterial strain characterization using mathematical modelling of growth; Rochet MJ et al.; Growth parameters are obtained from the logistic and Monod's models fitted to the growth of bacterial populations . They allow the comparison between growth curves of different bacterial strains: growth appears to be a relevant character to characterize bacterial strains and even simple mutants from a single strain.

An Esp Pediatr, 1989 May, 30(5), 377 - 9
{Acute lobar nephronia (focal bacterial pyelonephritis) . Apropos of 3 cases in children}; Gracia Chapulle A et al.; We present three cases of acute lobar nephronia or acute focal bacterial nephritis on paediatric patients . Both radiological and echographic pictures are described, emphasizing those aspects which, together with a clinical symptomatology, allow a differential diagnose with abscess and neoplasias renally settled . We think that, among those patients suffering from pyelonephritis, an early practice of renal echography followed by further controls, allow an early detection of lobar nephronia cases and assessing a response to the treatment.

Protein Eng, 1989 May, 2(7), 535 - 43
The Q-linker: a class of interdomain sequences found in bacterial multidomain regulatory proteins; Wootton JC et al.; Evidence is presented that establishes a novel class of interdomain linkers, named Q-linkers, as a defined element of protein structure . Q-linkers occur at the boundaries of functionally distinct domains in a widespread set of bacterial regulatory and sensory transduction proteins, typified by the nitrogen regulatory proteins, NtrB, NtrC, NifA and NifL . Q-linkers are not strongly conserved in sequence in otherwise homologous proteins, are approximately 15-25 residues long and relatively rich in glutamine, arginine, glutamate, serine and proline, and are assigned as 'coil', with a very low probability of alpha or beta structure, by eight secondary structure prediction methods . Hydrophobic amino acids are spaced with a periodicity of approximately 4-5 residues in the C-terminal 15 residues of these sequences . A pattern discriminator is presented that incorporates these properties and is used to predict segments resembling Q-linkers in sequence databases . Insertions of four and eight amino acids, constructed in the Q-linker sequences of NtrC and NifA, were found to have no effect on the function of the proteins in signal transduction and transcriptional activation . However, when NtrC was expressed as two separate polypeptides, consisting of the domains normally joined by the Q-linker, the construct failed to function . These results suggest that the Q-linker serves a simple but essential role in tethering the structurally-distinct but interacting domains of the protein . Q-linkers are therefore potentially applicable as domain fusion junctions for engineered chimaeric multidomain proteins expressed in enteric bacterial systems.

Protein Eng, 1989 May, 2(7), 531 - 4
The structure of signal peptides from bacterial lipoproteins; von Heijne G; Statistical analysis of lipoprotein and non-lipoprotein signal peptides reveals that the two classes differ significantly only in the region close to the signal peptidase cleavage site . This region is apolar and has the consensus sequence LA(G,A) decreases C in the lipoproteins, but is polar and has small, uncharged residues in positions -3 and -1 in the non-lipoproteins . A simple search for matches to the lipoprotein consensus cleavage site suffices to discriminate between the two groups with close to 100% reliability.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1989 May, 107(5), 598 - 600
{Effect of bacterial toxins on the mitogen-induced increase of the Ca2+ concentration in the cytoplasm of rat thymocytes . The role of N proteins}; Gukovskaia AS et al.; The effect of bacterial toxins, modifying the activity of regulatory N proteins of adenylate cyclase and probably other systems, on the mitogen-induced changes of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ({Ca2+}i) has been studied using Ca2+ fluorescent probe quin-2 . It is shown that treatment of thymocytes with cholera toxin, E . coli heat-labile (HL) toxin or pertussis toxin abolishes the concanavalin A (con A)-induced rise of {Ca2+}i . The inhibitory effect of cholera and HL toxins can be explained by the toxin-induced rise of intracellular cAMP . The effect of pertussis toxin indicates the involvement of N proteins in the action of con A receptor and in generation of Ca2+-signal during the mitogenic activation of thymocytes.

Ankara Univ Hekim Fak Derg, 1989 May, 16(1), 155 - 8
{Effects of various oral rinses on the pathogenities of bacterial plaque}; Balos K et al.; For the chemical control of bacterial plaque, various oral rinses have been suggested . Oral rinses which have been used widely in dentistry for the treatment of periodontal disease were tested in this study . We investigated the effects of 4 national and 1 foreign commercially available oral rinses . Our study was headed to compare these oral rinses with CHx solution which has been accepted as a "+" control material . At the end of this study CHx was found to be the only effective solution . From those of tested, only Heksoral, a national brand, oral rinse and a foreign originated Veadent had very limited anti plaque effects.

Mol Cell Biol, 1989 May, 9(5), 2279 - 83
Primary structure of a human mitochondrial protein homologous to the bacterial and plant chaperonins and to the 65-kilodalton mycobacterial antigen; Jindal S et al.; The complete cDNA for a human mitochondrial protein designated P1, which was previously identified as a microtubule-related protein, has been cloned and sequenced . The deduced amino acid sequence of P1 shows strong homology (40 to 50% identical residues and an additional 20% conservative replacements) to the 65-kilodalton major antigen of mycobacteria, to the GroEL protein of Escherichia coli, and to the ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (rubisco) subunit binding protein of plant chloroplasts . Similar to the case with the latter two proteins, which have been shown to act as chaperonins in the posttranslational assembly of oligomeric protein structures, it is suggested that P1 may play a similar role in mammalian cells . The observed high degree of homology between human P1 and mycobacterial antigen also suggests the possible involvement of this protein in certain autoimmune diseases.

Kidney Int, 1989 May, 35(5), 1111 - 8
Production of tumor necrosis factor by rat mesangial cells in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide; Baud L et al.; Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a cytokine which is produced by mononuclear phagocytes upon activation by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and various other stimuli . In immune-mediated glomerulonephritis, infiltration of glomeruli by monocytes-macrophages is associated with production of TNF . The purpose of the present experiments was to determine whether mesangial cells could also contribute to glomerular TNF synthesis . TNF activity has been determined in the culture medium of rat mesangial cells using a L-929 fibroblast lytic assay . This activity was detectable only when the cells were exposed to LPS (0.1 to 10 micrograms/ml) and for periods longer than one hour . The cytotoxic factor was identified as TNF since: (1) the lytic activity was completely inhibited by an anti-mouse TNF polyclonal antibody and was associated with suppression of lipoprotein lipase activity in adipocytes; (2) its molecular weight (110,000 daltons) corresponded to that observed for murine TNF under non-denaturing conditions; and (3) mRNA encoding TNF was expressed by mesangial cells two hours after addition of LPS . To assess the mechanisms whereby TNF production was regulated, the role of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was determined . LPS caused a dose-dependent increase of PGE2 synthesis by mesangial cells . Treatment by indomethacin promoted a suppression of PGE2 production together with an increase of TNF synthesis, indicating that PGE2 acted in a negative feedback manner to regulate the production of TNF . Addition of PGE2 (0.1 to 300 nM) or 8-bromo cyclic AMP (0.1 to 100 microM) induced similar dose-dependent reductions of TNF synthesis . Thus the inhibitory effect of PGE2 probably required in part cyclic AMP accumulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Infect Dis, 1989 May, 159(5), 959 - 65
Role of complement-derived and bacterial formylpeptide chemotactic factors in the in vivo migration of neutrophils in experimental Escherichia coli pyelonephritis in rats; Meylan PR et al.; In experimental Escherichia coli pyelonephritis, the bacterial multiplication in the kidney parenchyma triggers a burst of neutrophil extravascular migration, as measured by the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the kidney, a marker for tissue neutrophil infiltration . To test the mechanisms of in vivo neutrophil migration, pyelonephritis was surgically induced in rats that were then either complement-depleted with cobra venom factor (CVF), resulting in a profound hypocomplementemia for 72 h after inoculation, or treated with phenylbutazone (PB), a competitive antagonist of bacterial chemotactic formylpeptides . Compared to controls, CVF- and PB-treated animals killed when the neutrophil infiltration started (32 h) had a significantly reduced neutrophil infiltration, as measured by kidney MPO activity . This effect disappeared in animals killed 72 h after surgery, when neutrophil infiltration peaked . These data suggest that redundant chemotactic mechanisms triggered neutrophil migration . Inhibiting one of these mechanisms only transiently delayed neutrophil migration but did not affect the peak infiltration.

Chest, 1989 May, 95(5), 1021 - 7
Neutrophil chemotactic factors in bacterial pneumonia; Hopkins H et al.; The influx of neutrophils into the lung is a prominent feature in patients with bacterial pneumonia . Since neutrophils migrate in response to chemotactic factors, chemotactic activity was evaluated in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid obtained from 12 patients with bacterial pneumonia and ten normal control subjects . Chemotactic activity was greatly elevated in the BAL fluid of the pneumonia patients compared with control subjects (p less than 0.01) . To partially characterize the chemotactic factors present in the lavage fluid of the patient group, molecular sieve chromatography was performed on the lavage fluid, and at least three peaks of chemotactic activity were identified . Since the molecular weight of the smaller peaks approximated the molecular weight of two known chemotactic factors, C5a and leukotriene B4, these factors were measured in lavage fluid by radioimmunoassay . C5a was detectable in none of the normal subjects but was detectable in four of 14 BAL samples obtained from the patients . Leukotriene B4 was detectable in all subjects and was significantly elevated in the pneumonia patients (552 +/- 95 vs 81 +/- 16 pg/ml, p less than 0.01) . These findings demonstrate that elevated neutrophil chemotactic activity is present in the lungs of patients with bacterial pneumonia and suggest that C5a and leukotriene B4 may account, at least in part, for this increase.

J Periodontal Res, 1989 May, 24(3), 217 - 21
Long junctional epithelium produced by application of bacterial protease in rats; Suzumura Y et al.; In the present study, the effect of bacterial protease on the periodontal tissues in rats was investigated histologically and histometrically . In the control group, 0.03 ml distilled water was applied to the lingual marginal gingiva of the mandibular incisor while, in the experimental group, 0.03 ml bacterial protease (distilled water with 300 units, Sigma type XIV) was applied to the same area . Both groups were treated once a day for 1, 3, 6, 9, 15 and 21 d . Histologically, the junctional epithelium in the experimental group showed a marked apical proliferation along the tooth surface, and the gingival connective tissue displayed also a slight inflammatory cell infiltration subepithelially . The remaining periodontal tissues were almost similar to those of the control group . Histometrically, the length of the junctional epithelium between the base of the gingival crevice and the most apical portion of the junctional epithelium in the experimental group at 9, 15 and 21 d were significantly greater (p less than 0.01) than those of the control group, respectively.

Transplantation, 1989 May, 47(5), 864 - 71
Mechanisms for the stimulation of prostanoid synthesis by cyclosporine and bacterial lipopolysaccharide; Zhang H et al.; Both cyclosporine and bacterial lipopolysaccharide enhance prostanoid synthesis and regulate the immune response . This study was designed to establish whether these agents affect prostanoid synthesis by common or different mechanisms . CsA and LPS stimulate prostanoid synthesis both in human monocytes and smooth muscle cells from guinea pig aorta . Only LPS stimulates synthesis in the presence of exogenous arachidonic acid . Dexamethasone totally blocks CsA but only partially inhibits LPS . CsA and LPS both enhance the release of labeled metabolites from cells labeled with arachidonic acid, but indomethacin only blocks the effect of LPS . CsA and the releasing agent calcium ionophore (A23187) both increase PGE2 and PGI2 synthesis without changing their relative concentrations, cause the release of free arachidonic acid, and lead to the formation of new metabolites that are not products of cyclooxygenase activity . Preincubation with either CsA or A23187 and a subsequent wash deplete the arachidonic acid pool available for prostanoid synthesis . Thus, A23187 and CsA have very similar effects on arachidonic acid metabolism . In contrast, LPS increases PGE2 and PGI2 synthesis and alters their relative concentrations, diminishes the relative concentration of free arachidonic acid, and enhances the formation of new metabolites that are products of cyclooxygenase activity . These differences are explained by mechanisms in which CsA promotes prostanoid synthesis through arachidonic acid release, and LPS promotes prostanoid synthesis through increased cyclooxygenase activity.

Rev Chil Pediatr, 1989 May-Jun, 60(3), 142 - 7
{Blood cell count in neonatal bacterial infections}; Zelada M; To determine the usefulness of the hemogram in the study of neonatal infections, we examined 92 neonates in the early stage of bacterial infection . Eighty-seven percent of these patients had one or more abnormalities in the differential leucocyte counts . A ratio of immature to total neutrophil greater than 0.20 was the most frequently found abnormality (60%) . Hematologic complications were anemia (35%), and thrombocytopenia (12%) . Neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia were associated with greater risk of death from infection . Lethality rate in all infants studied was 17.4% (16 of 92), which increased to 70% (7 of 10) in those patient with neutrophil counts less than 1,000/mm3 . All newborns with neutrophilia survived . In this study, the hemogram was of value in the early diagnosis of bacterial infection, and in the detection of hematologic complications . In addition, several parameters associated to the severity of disease were identified.

Res Microbiol, 1989 May-Jun, 140(4-5), 325 - 33
Bacterial molecular epidemiology based on a nonradioactive probe complementary to ribosomal RNA; Altwegg M et al.; The use of plasmid pKK3535 (a pBR322-derived plasmid containing a ribosomal RNA operon) is described for determining rRNA gene restriction patterns . The plasmid allowed the use of both radioactive as well as nonradioactive procedures and provided features that are necessary for the inclusion of internal and/or external standards that facilitate comparison of strains . The patterns generated are identical to those obtained by hybridization with 32P-labelled rRNA.

Immunopharmacology, 1989 May-Jun, 17(3), 157 - 65
Activity of FCE 20696, a new synthetic immunomodulator, in models of viral and bacterial pathology; Verini MA et al.; The dibenzopyran derivative FCE 20696 is an immunomodulator which protects mice infected with several viral agents and with Mycobacterium tuberculosis . The compound is able to decrease the severity of the lung lesions caused by influenza virus infection . Doses ranging from 12.5 to 100 mg/kg are effective even after a single administration . Activity is demonstrated by intraperitoneal, subcutaneous and oral administration of the drug . In systemic infection with herpes simplex virus type 1, the 100 mg/kg dosage, administered subcutaneously, is able to increase both the percentage and the mean survival time of mice . To have effect by oral administration it is necessary to give the compound twice in the day . Moreover, some activity has also been observed in mice infected by M . tuberculosis, when the compound is administered orally at doses of 1-2.5 mg/kg twice weekly for 5 weeks, during the course of the disease.

Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1989 Apr 29, 119(17), 521 - 6
{Bacterial arthritis--a retrospective analysis}; Schlapbach P et al.; Bacterial arthritis is an emergency situation in which rapid diagnosis and immediate therapy are the main factors conditioning a satisfactory functional outcome . Not infrequently, bacterial arthritis may involve only mild clinical features, thus leading to a delay in diagnosis . The case histories of 43 patients with bacterial arthritis are reviewed retrospectively . Only 20.9% mentioned a history of rigor and less than half (40.5%) of the patients had a body temperature elevation above 38 degrees C . Other signs of bacterial infection (i.e . leukocytosis, positive blood cultures, synovial fluid pleocytosis) were less frequent than expected . Functional outcome was better for patients with a short latent period between the onset of clinical symptoms and initiation of treatment.

Clin Chim Acta, 1989 Apr 28, 181(1), 87 - 101
Serum unconjugated bile acids in patients with small bowel bacterial overgrowth; Bolt MJ et al.; Concentrations of total and unconjugated bile acids in serum were measured fasting and 2 h postprandially in 9 patients with a positive {14C}glycocholate breath test consistent with small bowel bacterial overgrowth and in 13 controls . Gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GLC-MS) and enzymatic-fluorometric assays were both used . In contrast to previous work, total serum bile acids were only occasionally elevated in patients with bacterial overgrowth . Total 2 h postprandial unconjugated bile acids, however, were elevated in 7/9 patients when measured by GLC-MS and in 6/9 when measured by the enzymatic-fluorometric method . The best separation between patients and controls was achieved by GLC-MS determinations of 2 h postprandial unconjugated cholic acid or primary bile acids, which were abnormal in 8/9 patients . This study indicates that measurement of serum bile acids may be a useful approach to the diagnosis of bacterial overgrowth, but would require accessible methods for separating and measuring cholic acid or unconjugated primary bile acids in post-prandial sera.

Nucleic Acids Res, 1989 Apr 11, 17(7), 2391 - 403
Stability and expression of bacterial genes in replicating geminivirus vectors in plants; Hayes RJ et al.; Bacterial beta-glucuronidase (gus) and neomycin phosphotransferase (neo) genes were introduced into coat protein replacement vectors based on DNA A of tomato golden mosaic virus (TGMV) . Recombinant gus and neo vectors up to 1.1 kbp larger than DNA A were shown to replicate stably in transgenic plants containing partial dimers (master copies) of the vectors integrated into their chromosomal DNA in the absence of DNA B . Beta-glucuronidase and neomycin phosphotransferase activities in independently transformed plants were proportional to the copy number of the double-stranded forms of the vector . Deletion analysis has shown that an essential part of the TGMV coat protein promoter, including a TATA box, lies within 76 nt upstream of the initiation codon of the gene . An increase in expression of a neo gene was obtained by replacing this 76 nt sequence by an 800 nt sequence containing a cauliflower mosaic virus 35S RNA promoter with no effect on the ability of the vector to replicate or on its stability in transgenic plants . Systemic infection of plants by agroinoculation with TGMV vectors larger than DNA A in the presence of DNA B resulted in deletions in the vector DNA in some, but not all, plants . Possible reasons for vector instability in systemically infected plants, and vector stability in transgenic plants containing master copies of the vector, are discussed.

Biokhimiia, 1989 Apr, 54(4), 564 - 8
{Use of bacterial DNA-methylases for structuro-functional analysis of the eukaryotic genome}; Nikol'skaia II et al.; Bacterial DNA-methylases with known recognition sites (RS) were used as probes for structural-and-functional analysis of eukaryotic genome . Adenine and cytosine DNA-methylases recognizing 4 to 6-member unique and degenerative nucleotide sequences having a symmetrical and asymmetrical structure were used for probing . The use of a set of methylases enabled the selection of a probe that was the most sensitive for the given pathology . Thus, severe hypothyrosis was found to be associated with changes in the acceptor capacity of liver DNA in the heterologous++ methylation reaction as could be evidenced from testing by two probes, CCCC and GAATGC . In the cells of chicken liver hepatoma MC29, the acceptor capacity of DNA during GGA methylation appeared to be altered in the greatest degree . DNA-methylases with degenerative SR are weakly specific probes for the study of structural changes (methylation) of the animal genome.

Biol Chem Hoppe Seyler, 1989 Apr, 370(4), 343 - 52
Lipopeptide derivatives of bacterial lipoprotein constitute potent immune adjuvants combined with or covalently coupled to antigen or hapten; Reitermann A et al.; Lipopeptide analogues of the N-terminus of bacterial lipoprotein consisting of N-palmitoyl-S-{2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-(2RS)-propyl}-(R)-cysteine (Pam3Cys) attached to one to five further amino acids {Pam3Cys-Ser-Ser-Asn-Ala, Pam3Cys-Ser-(Lys)4, Pam3Cys-Ala-Gly, and Pam3Cys-Ser} were investigated for biological activity . In vitro, the compounds proved to be potent activators for Balb/c splenocytes as determined by proliferation assays . When given in vivo in combination with SRBC, Pam3Cys-Ser and Pam3Cys-Ala-Gly acted as immunoadjuvants enhancing the antigen specific IgM response after 7, and the IgG response after 14 days . In combination with dinitrophenylated bovine serum albumin (BSA(Dnp)), especially the amphiphilic and water-soluble lipohexapeptide Pam3Cys-Ser-(Lys)4 constituted a potent immune adjuvant . The lipopeptide was able to fully replace Freund's complete adjuvant (FCS) enhancing both anti-Dnp IgM and IgG in Balb/c mice . The hapten Dnp was also coupled directly--or via the spacer molecule 1,6-diaminohexane (HMD)--to the synthetic lipopeptides . The chemically defined low-molecular-mass conjugates obtained were capable of inducing anti-hapten-specific IgM and IgG without further adjuvants or carriers . The anti-hapten responses induced by these chemically uniform lipopeptide-hapten conjugates were, however, less pronounced than the response to the conventional heterogeneous hapten-protein conjugate BSA(Dnp), and only a weak boost effect was observed . Our results show that defined lipopeptides are novel immunoadjuvants either combined with or covalently linked to antigens or haptens.

J Appl Bacteriol, 1989 Apr, 66(4), 339 - 52
Detecting aberrant strains in bacterial groups as an aid to constructing databases for computer identification; Langham CD et al.; Computer assisted identification systems require that databases on the test results of the species are of high quality . One reason for poor quality is the inadvertent inclusion of strains that do not belong to a taxon; this can readily occur in groups where ancillary criteria (e.g . serology) are not available . A possible strategy is to exclude strains that are very atypical in their properties, i.e . that are very outlying, provided an objective criterion can be used . A computer program, OUTLIER, for the detection of outlying strains in bacterial clusters was evaluated . A brief description of the theory and operation of the program is given . The program uses as an objective criterion the degree to which the strain data fits a chi-square . This allows easy identification of aberrant strains that should be excluded in constructing a database . The program utilizes 1.0 data and calculations are based upon a choice of one of four identification coefficients . The relative merits of these four coefficients were examined for eight sets of bacterial data . Two of the coefficients, -log10 Willcox likelihood and Taxonomic distance squared appear to show little significant differences and we recommend these for routine work, with the first being the more useful . The Pattern distance squared was useful in indicating where atypical strains may be metabolically less active or slow-growing members of a cluster rather than true outliers . The Variance-weighted Taxonomic distance squared behaved anomalously and we do not recommend it.

Isr J Med Sci, 1989 Apr, 25(4), 186 - 8
Bacterial meningitis with initial normal cerebrospinal fluid findings; Rosenthal J et al.; Seven pediatric patients with bacterial meningitis but with initial normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings are presented . They represent 6.5% of all cases with bacterial meningitis seen at our medical center during a 5-year period . In all cases, the duration of symptoms before the initial lumbar puncture was short (6-24 h) . The case-fatality rate was 3/7 (43%) compared with 10/100 (10%) among children with abnormal initial CSF, despite early initiation of antibiotics . Bacterial meningitis with an initial normal CSF finding is not rare and may be associated with poor outcome.

Arch Intern Med, 1989 Apr, 149(4), 815 - 7
Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in bacterial endocarditis; Bertorini TE et al.; Computed tomographic scanning of the brain is useful but not always conclusive in delineating central nervous system involvement in patients with bacterial endocarditis . Two patients are described in whom computed tomographic findings were normal, but magnetic resonance imaging revealed evidence of multiple brain abnormalities . Magnetic resonance imaging appears to be more sensitive than computed tomography for detecting central nervous system involvement in patients with bacterial endocarditis and should be employed when computed tomographic findings are normal in a patient with endocarditis and neurologic deterioration.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1989 Apr, 86(8), 2775 - 8
Mutation and selection in bacterial populations: alternatives to the hypothesis of directed mutation; Lenski RE et al.; Bacterial populations have served as model systems for studying evolutionary processes ever since the classic experiments of Luria and Delbruck, which demonstrated the occurrence of mutations prior to selection for the traits they conferred . However, several authors have recently presented experiments suggesting that bacteria may have mechanisms for directing which mutations occur, such that the rate of adaptive mutations is enhanced . Before the hypothesis of directed mutation is accepted, it is imperative to consider alternative hypotheses that might account for the same observations . To this end, we expand upon existing mathematical theory of the dynamics of mutation and selection in clonal populations for two cases of particular interest . The first case concerns selection against mutants before plating; this selection occurs as the result of differences in growth rate between mutants and nonmutants . We demonstrate that this selection model gives rise to distributions of mutants, obtained by plating from sister cultures, that are very similar to those expected when some mutations are induced by the selective environment . The second case concerns the sequential incorporation of two mutations as the result of selection for an intermediate genotype after plating . We demonstrate that this two-step mutation model also yields distributions that are similar to those expected when some mutations are induced by the selective environment . These two cases therefore provide alternatives to the hypothesis of directed mutation . We suggest experiments that might be used to examine our alternative hypotheses . We also contrast the hypothesis of directed mutation with the notion of inheritance of acquired characteristics.

Ann Vasc Surg, 1989 Apr, 3(2), 123 - 6
Transfection with bacterial genes as a marker for cells seeded on vascular flow surfaces; Etchberger KJ et al.; Autologous seeding of vascular grafts has been in use since 1972; however, the fate of seeded cells has never been determined . While short-term retention has been determined by radioactively labeling cells, long-term studies of seeded cells have not been possible due to the lack of an appropriate marker system . We have developed a long-term marker system for endothelial cells by transfecting the cells with bacterial genes that can be detected by fluorescentally-labeled antibodies to these markers . Two bacterial genes, neo and cat both carried by a pSV2 plasmid construct were used to co-transfect cells . Transfects were selected by growth in the presence of G418 . Transfected clones were expanded into monolayers that stained positive for cat by fluorescence, and retained the normal cobblestone morphology and factor VIII staining of endothelial cells . By stably transfecting cells with bacterial genes these cells can now be used to seed vascular grafts and follow the long-term fate of seeded cells.

J Otolaryngol, 1989 Apr, 18(3), 101 - 4
Bacterial tracheitis in children; Donaldson JD et al.; Bacterial tracheitis is a relatively rare cause of respiratory distress in children and is associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate . Three children who have survived this affliction are presented: one developed toxic shock syndrome in the acute phase and two developed late complications . The authors review the pediatric literature and postulate possible etiological factors . Prompt diagnosis and aggressive airway management are essential to survival . Early tracheotomy is recommended as the primary form of airway management.

Artif Organs, 1989 Apr, 13(2), 155 - 9
Bacterial contamination of hemodialysis center water and dialysate: are current assays adequate?
Harding GB, Pass T, Million C, Wright R, DeJarnette J, Klein E.
Many dialysis centers depend on clinical laboratories or a commercially available dip culture to determine the contamination levels in water and dialysate . To determine whether these standard clinical culture procedures adequately quantitate bacterial contamination in hemodialysis center water and dialysate, test results of two routine clinical media was compared, trypticase soy agar (TSA) and plate count agar (PCA), with those of nutrient-poor R2A medium . Dialysate samples demonstrated significant differences in media, the temperature of incubation, and plating techniques (pour plate versus spread plates) . Purified water for dialysis demonstrated significant differences only for media; however, temperature was an important variable . Selective growth on R2A agar of some water- and dialysate-contaminating species was studied by velvet disk and loop transfer of colonies . A strong selectivity for water-borne bacteria was demonstrated by R2A agar; the bacteria that did not grow on TSA and PCA have been identified.

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 1989 Apr, 98(4 Pt 1), 278 - 82
Effect of prostaglandin E2 and bacterial endotoxin on the rate of dye transport in the eustachian tube of the chinchilla; Bakaletz LO et al.; To determine the effects of various biologic agents on the rate of fluid transport in the eustachian tube of the chinchilla, we have established an in situ method of measuring dye transport in which the bulla remains intact . The normal rate of dye transport from an injection site in the superior bulla to the nasopharyngeal orifice of the eustachian tube was 130 +/- 10 seconds . Inhibition of ciliary activity with the local anesthetic bupivacaine resulted in a saturable delay of transport (greater than 15 minutes), while exposure to the beta-adrenergic stimulator isoproterenol caused a significant increase in transport rate (79 +/- 7 seconds) . Two inflammatory mediators commonly found in chronic middle ear effusions were also tested for their effect on fluid transport by the mucociliary apparatus . Bacterial endotoxin reduced transport rates at high concentrations, while prostaglandin E2 had no effect at any concentration tested.

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 1989 Apr, 8(3), 297 - 303
Bacterial infection: the main cause of acute cholestasis in newborn infants receiving short-term parenteral nutrition; Wolf A et al.; To test the hypothesis that bacterial infections are the main cause of acute cholestasis in short-term intravenously fed newborns, two groups were studied . Group I consisted of 152 newborn infants who were fed intravenously for at least 7 days and in whom severe bacterial infections developed . Group II was formed of 92 newborn infants who were matched to the group I cases with respect to the year of birth, birth weight and gestational age, Apgar scores, and duration of parenteral nutrition but who did not have infections . Bacterial infections were diagnosed on the basis of impaired microcirculation with prolonged capillary filling time, a shift to the left in the white cell differential, and a positive blood culture . Cholestasis was diagnosed when the total serum bilirubin level was greater than 4 mg/dl and the conjugated fraction made up more than 40% of the total . The results were that all 40 cases of cholestasis were found in the first group of infected infants . All of the other factors were distributed equally between both groups and could not be attributed as a major factor in the etiology of idiopathic neonatal cholestasis . The conclusion was that bacterial infections are the main cause of acute cholestasis in intravenously fed newborn infants.

Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol, 1989 Apr, 11(4), 269 - 72
Immunomodulation of HLA class I and II expression on a human tumor derived cell line by 5-azacytidine, bacterial lipopolysaccharide, gamma interferon and a phorbol ester; Santamaria M et al.; The modulation of histocompatibility antigens (HLA) expression by four different agents (gamma-IFN, LPS, PMA and 5-azaC) was investigated on a human tumor derived cell line that did not constitutively express HLA class I and class II molecules on its surface . Demethylating drug 5-azaC induced HLA class I but not HLA class II antigen expression . Gamma interferon and LPS induced HLA-DR and HLA-DP, but not HLA-DQ class II nor HLA class I antigens, while phorbol ester was unable to induce either class I or II molecule expression of the HLA system . These results suggest that HLA class I expression is constitutively inhibited by methylation of its coding genes . Treatment with 5-azaC leads to the HLA class I molecule expression, while HLA class II genes, DR and DP, seem to be under a different inhibitory mechanism as it was induced by LPS and gamma-interferon but not by 5-azaC . HLA-DQ class II antigens were not detected in response to any of the immunomodulators used.

Cell Struct Funct, 1989 Apr, 14(2), 261 - 9
Persistence and expression of circular DNAs encoding Drosophila amylase, bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, and others in Xenopus laevis embryos; Shiokawa K et al.; We injected circular forms of several different DNAs into fertilized eggs of Xenopus laevis, and studied the persistence and expression of the injected DNAs during early embryonic development . When we injected plasmids which contained Drosophila amylase genes, the copy number of the injected DNA increased only slightly during cleavage, started to decrease at the blastula stage, then became very small at the tadpole stage . In such embryos, Drosophila amylase activity was detected at and after the gastrula stage . When we injected other kinds of circular DNAs (pX1r101A, cDm2055, pII25.1, pBR322, and pSP-64-L14), their copy number did not increase throughout the early stages . When circular plasmids that contained bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) genes were injected, their copy number usually did not increase, but sometimes, for unknown reasons, it increased extensively throughout the blastula to gastrula stages . In both cases, CAT enzyme activity started to be expressed during the blastula to gastrula stages and disappeared at the 2 day-old tadpole stage . The level of CAT enzyme activity was roughly proportional to the amount of CAT mRNA formed, and also to the copy number of injected genes . From these results, we concluded that in Xenopus embryos, exogenously-injected circular DNAs are preserved for the most part as circular DNAs, and that the increase in their copy number within the embryos is not prerequisite for the expression of their genetic information.

Scand J Immunol, 1989 Apr, 29(4), 427 - 37
The immune response to bacterial dextrans . VI . No correlation between the frequency of cells expressing a major anti-dextran idiotype and the idiotype profiles of specific antibody responses; Lundkvist I et al.; C57BL/6 mice respond to Dextran B512 (Dex) with a predominant idiotype (Id) (17-9) while no such Id-positive antibodies are identified in the specific antibody response of BALB/c mice . We used limiting dilution systems to determine the absolute frequencies of clonal B-cell precursors producing the 17-9 Id in these two mouse strains and analysed the correlation between Id-expression and antibody activity at the clonal level . The results show very similar frequencies of anti-Dex and Id-positive B cells in both strains, but C57BL/6 mice contained fourfold higher frequencies of Dex-specific clonal precursors which are Id-positive . This kind of clone, although not used in the specific response of BALB/c mice, constitute roughly 20% of their anti-Dex repertoire and they are readily induced in this strain . Thus, immunization of both strains with anti-idiotypic antibodies results in the production of Id-positive anti-Dex antibodies with serum titres that directly correlate with precursor frequencies . The results show, therefore, that the section of clonal repertoires utilized in a primary immune response varies with the immunogen, even if thymus-independent . These observations are discussed in the context of the genetic controls of anti-Dex antibody responses and on the general question of the utilization of available antibody repertoires in immune responses.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1989 Mar 16, 995(1), 21 - 7
Structural studies on bio-active compounds . Part XV . Structure-activity relationships for pyrimethamine and a series of diaminopyrimidine analogues versus bacterial dihydrofolate reductase; Sansom CE et al.; The phenylpyrimidine derivative pyrimethamine and its congeners inhibit the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate:NADP+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.5.1.3) and are of interest as antiproliferative agents . In this study the equilibrium conformations of some pyrimethamine derivatives, and their interactions with Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase, were investigated using molecular modelling techniques . In each case the phenyl ring avoided coplanarity with the pyrimidine ring and attained a position approximately perpendicular to it, in agreement with crystal structures . A meta substituent could be placed either side of the pyrimidine plane, forming two non-equivalent, slowly interconverting solution conformations . Except for meta-azidopyrimethamine, both conformations of all the inhibitors were able to bind to the active site cleft of the enzyme with the diaminopyrimidine moiety, making the normal pattern of enzyme/inhibitor hydrogen bonds . One such conformation of the meta-azido compound failed to bind because of unacceptable steric clashes, whilst the other showed enhanced binding energy attributable to the occupation of a hydrophobic pocket by the azido group . The enhanced binding of 2,4-diamino-6-ethyl-5-phenylpyrimidine over its 6-methyl analogue was also related to attractive hydrophobic interactions.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Mar 15, 264(8), 4498 - 505
The flexible region of protein L12 from bacterial ribosomes studied by proton nuclear magnetic resonance; Bushuev VN et al.; The dimeric protein L7/L12 from bacterial ribosomes has a highly elongated and flexible structure . We have, using 1H NMR methods, analyzed the extent of the flexible region and also the size of the organized structures of the molecule . A number of mutants of the protein as well as monomeric and dimeric forms of the protein and a COOH-terminal fragment have been used for the identification of certain resonances . Thus, residues 37-50 were found to be highly mobile whereas the amino-terminal and COOH-terminal regions are organized into folded domains . The flexibility between the domains and its relation to functional properties of the protein are discussed.

Biochem J, 1989 Mar 15, 258(3), 749 - 54
Detection of bacterial lipoic acid . A modified gas-chromatographic-mass-spectrometric procedure; Pratt KJ et al.; The detection of bacterial lipoic acid by a modified g.c.-m.s . procedure is reported . Cells were hydrolysed in HCl to release protein-bound lipoic acid, which, after extraction into benzene, was reduced with NaBH4 . The dihydrolipic acid so generated was then isolated by covalent chromatography on dithiolspecific p-aminophenylarsenoxide-agarose and, after elution by 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulphonic acid and extraction into benzene, was allowed to O2-oxidize to the disulphide form . The isolated lipoic acid was allowed to react with diazomethane, and the methyl ester so produced was detected by g.c.-m.s . Analysis of the mass spectrum showed the characteristic molecular ion and seven fragmentation ions, which, along with the identification of those ions retaining the two sulphur atoms, allows the definitive detection of lipoic acid . The methodology has been successfully tested with authentic lipoic acid, the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex and with whole cells of Escherichia coli . In addition, it has been used to search for and identify lipoic acid in the archaebacterium Halobacterium halobium . The significance of this discovery and the possible roles of the cofactor in H . halobium are discussed.

J Biol Chem, 1989 Mar 5, 264(7), 3924 - 9
Macrophages rapidly internalize their tumor necrosis factor receptors in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide; Ding AH et al.; The effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on macrophage receptors for tumor necrosis factor/cachectin (TNF-R) was studied . At equilibrium, iodinated recombinant human TNF alpha (rTNF alpha) bound to 1100 +/- 200 sites/cell on macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells with a Kd of 1.3 +/- 0.1 x 10(-9) M . Preexposure of RAW 264.7 cells to 10 ng/ml LPS for 1 h at 37 degrees C resulted in complete loss of cell surface TNF alpha binding sites . 50% loss ensued after 1 h with 0.6 ng/ml LPS, or after 15 min with 10 ng/ml LPS . Complete loss of TNF alpha binding sites occurred without change in numbers of complement receptor type 3 . No decrease in TNF-R followed preexposure to LPS at 4 degrees C, nor could LPS displace 125I-rTNF alpha from its binding sites . Although TNF-R disappeared from the surface of intact macrophages following exposure to LPS, specific TNF alpha binding sites were unchanged in permeabilized macrophages, indicating that TNF-R were rapidly internalized . Conditioned media from LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells induced 30% down-regulation of TNF-R on macrophages from LPS-hyporesponsive mice (C3H/HeJ), suggesting that a soluble macrophage product may be responsible for a minor portion of the LPS effect . Additional evidence against endogenous TNF alpha being the major cause of TNF-R internalization was the rapid onset of the effect of LPS on TNF-R compared to the reported onset of TNF alpha production, the relatively high concentrations of exogenous rTNF alpha required to mimic the effect of LPS, and the inability of TNF alpha-neutralizing antibody to block the effect of LPS . LPS-induced down-regulation of TNF-R was complete or nearly complete not only in RAW 264.7 cells, but also in primary macrophages of both human and murine origin, was less marked in human endothelial cells, and was absent in human granulocytes and melanoma cells and mouse L929 cells . Thus, in situ, macrophages and some other host cells may be resistant to the actions of TNF alpha produced during endotoxinemia, because such cells may internalize their TNF-R in response to LPS before TNF alpha is produced.

Clin Pediatr (Phila), 1989 Mar, 28(3), 139 - 41
Recurrent bacterial meningitis . Secondary to malformation of the inner ear; Hayashi N et al.; A 5-year-old girl with congenital sensorial deafness experienced four episodes of bacterial meningitis in a 13-month period . On the fourth episode, an extensive search for the cause of recurrent meningitis was conducted . Complete immunologic studies, humoral, cellular, and phagocytic, yielded negative results . Precise otological examination, i.e., skull roentgenograms, an inner ear target CT scan, and puncture of the eardrum, was attempted, which disclosed the inner ear malformation (Mondini's anomaly) and a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula . CSF discharge from the oval window was repaired surgically . Extensive otologic evaluation should be conducted in patients with recurrent bacterial meningitis.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1989 Mar, 160(3), 757 - 8
Quality control standards for the proline aminopeptidase assay used to detect bacterial vaginosis; Thomason JL et al.; We describe the preparation and usage of positive and negative quality control standards for the proline aminopeptidase assay of vaginal secretions as an indicator of bacterial vaginosis.

Pathol Res Pract, 1989 Mar, 184(3), 318 - 24
Acute bacterial aortitis resulting in an aortoesophageal fistula . A fatal complication of untreated esophageal carcinoma; Gable DS et al.; Exsanguination in a case of esophageal carcinoma resulted from an aortoesophageal fistula . The squamous carcinoma was undiagnosed clinically and was untreated . Ulceration of the carcinoma gave rise to mediastinitis and an abscess containing necrotic tumor and bacteria . Infection spread from the abscess to the adjacent aorta, producing focal bacterial aortitis, necrosis of the aortic media, and aortic perforation . A fistula was thus established between the aorta, the abscess cavity, and the esophagus . Terminally, the patient had a large hematemesis, and massive hemorrhage acutely distended the stomach which ruptured to produce a large hemoperitoneum.

Kyobu Geka, 1989 Mar, 42(3), 236 - 8
{A case of pulmonary infarction secondary to subacute bacterial endocarditis with subpulmonary VSD}; Hirotani T et al.; A case of pulmonary infarction secondary to subacute bacterial endocarditis of pulmonary valve which is associated with subpulmonary VSD is presented . The jet stream of blood through the subpulmonary VSD made damage to the pulmonary valve, which may be one of the reasons why subacute bacterial endocarditis was associated with the subpulmonary VSD . Echocardiography of the right-sided valves will be very useful in order to detect the pulmonary valve endocarditis in congenital heart disease presenting with fever.

Mol Microbiol, 1989 Mar, 3(3), 455 - 8
Nucleoprotein structures at positively regulated bacterial promoters: homology with replication origins and some hypotheses on the quaternary structure of the activator proteins in these complexes; Raibaud O; The quaternary structure of regulatory proteins undoubtedly plays an important role in the initiation of transcription and DNA replication . To date, the best-characterized regulatory proteins are oligomers in which promoters are bound together by isologous interactions . From the examples presented in this article, it appears that the formation of certain nucleoprotein complexes implicated in transcription initiation might involve heterologous rather than isologous interactions, allowing differentiation between two classes of transcription activators . Nucleoprotein structures present at the oriC replication origin and at malB promoters show striking homologies.

Clin Obstet Gynecol, 1989 Mar, 32(1), 48 - 53
Pregnancy complicated by bacterial endocarditis; Cox SM et al.; In conclusion, bacterial endocarditis is a rare but very serious pregnancy complication that may lead to maternal death . The predisposing factors for the development of endocarditis appeared to have changed during the past two decades . Intravenous drug abuse, rather than rheumatic and congenital heart defects, is emerging as a major cause of endocarditis . Importantly, diagnostic evaluation and therapy during pregnancy are essentially identical to those for nonpregnant patients.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1989 Mar, 270(4), 449 - 55
Lectinophagocytosis mediated by bacterial surface lectins; Ofek I; The evidence showing that non-opsonic recognition of bacteria by phagocytes involve interaction between bacterial surface lectin and sugars on the phagocytic cells is summarized . This process, termed lectinophagocytosis, probably occur in vivo as evident from experimental infections with mixed phenotypes one of which express mannose specific (MS) lectin which mediate lectinophagocytosis of the bacteria and the other does not . In all cases studied, the lectin bearing phenotype survived better in phagocytes-poor sites and the phenotype which does not express this lectin survived better in phagocytes-rich sites . Due to the phase variation phenomenon, an off-on switch allowing the bacterial clone to alternate between lectin expressing and non-expressing phenotypes, the invading bacteria grow as a mixture of phenotypes . The phenotype expressing fimbrial lectin for which receptors are accessible on phagocytic cells undergo lectinophagocytosis . The phenotypes not expressing fimbrial lectin or expressing lectin for which receptors are not available on phagocytic cells may escape phagocytosis and proliferate . It is postulated that pathogenesis of inflammation and tissue damage following infections with MS lectin bearing bacteria may be partly due to both bacterial proliferation resulting in the release of toxic products and to lectinophagocytosis associated with the release of inflammatory agents.

Carcinogenesis, 1989 Mar, 10(3), 489 - 92
Release of chloroethyl ethyl sulfide-modified DNA bases by bacterial 3-methyladenine-DNA glycosylases I and II; Habraken Y et al.; Treatment with chloroethyl ethyl sulfide introduces the following modified bases into DNA: 7-ethylthioethylguanine, 3-ethylthioethyladenine, and O6-ethylthioethylguanine . Using the ethylthioethylated bases as models for DNA modifications involving relatively bulky alkyl groups, we have investigated the release of these bases by Escherichia coli 3-methyladenine-DNA glycosylases I and II . 3-Methyladenine-DNA glycosylase I releases only 3-ethylthioethyladenine from chloroethyl ethyl sulfide-modified DNA, but does so at a rate which exceeds the rate of release of 3-methyladenine (m3A) from methyl nitrosourea-modified DNA under these conditions . 3-Methyladenine-DNA glycosylase II releases both 3-ethylthioethyladenine and 7-ethylthioethylguanine at rates approximating or exceeding the rate of release of m3A from methylnitrosourea-modified DNA . We conclude that these glycosylases may offer some protection against the toxicity of agents which introduce bulky groups into E . coli DNA.

Surgery, 1989 Mar, 105(3), 352 - 9
Anatomic correlates of bacterial cholangiovenous reflux; Raper SE et al.; The purpose of these studies was to define the pathways by which bacteria pass from bile duct to bloodstream during acute bacterial cholangitis in the rat . The respective roles of biliary obstruction and intrabiliary pressure during the reflux of biliary bacteria were defined by the infusion of bacteria via the bile duct into rats with or without prior bile duct obstruction . As determined by quantitative blood culture analysis, bacterial reflux from bile to blood was enhanced by increased intrabiliary pressure regardless of presence or absence of biliary obstruction . Light microscopic examination of rat liver 48 hours after bile duct obstruction revealed bile ductular proliferation and bile canalicular dilatation . Light microscopic autoradiographs showed aggregates of tritiated thymidine-labeled Escherichia coli outside of interlobular bile ducts in the portal tracts . Transmission electron microscopic examination of rat liver perfused with a bacterial suspension via the common bile duct showed disruption of liver cells and formation of intracellular vacuoles . Bacteria appeared to enter the sinusoidal spaces via these intracellular vacuoles . We conclude that during retrograde biliary infusion (1) increased intrabiliary pressure is the main determinant of increased bacterial reflux into blood; (2) bacteria enter the bloodstream by predominantly intracellular pathways; and (3) prior biliary obstruction is not a significant factor in bacterial reflux from bile to bloodstream.

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