Med Trop (Mars), 1988 Apr-Jun, 48(2), 127 - 31 {Malaria in the Republic of Djibouti . Strategy for control using a biological antilarval campaign: indigenous larvivorous fishes (Aphanius dispar) and bacterial toxins}; Louis JP et al.; The authors take stock of the present situation of malaria in the Republic of Djibouti which, after several decades of silence, seems to have been reintroduced at the beginning of the seventies . Actually it is hypo-endemic malaria with Plasmodium falciparum of which the only vector seems to be Anopheles arabiensis, gambiae complex . The specificity of the larvae nests allows a control strategy based on the only treatment of larvae sites by biological control: larvivorous fishes (Aphanius Dispar) and in addition the pin-point use of bacterial toxins as a complementary measure . The first results obtained in the rural zones around the capital are encouraging and permit to envisage the extensions of such a strategy to the whole of the territory of the Republic. Behring Inst Mitt, 1988 Apr, (82), 35 - 42 Synthesis of human factor XIIIa in bacterial cells; Amann E et al.; The coding sequence for human factor XIIIa (FXIIIa) was introduced into Escherichia coli expression vectors . Bacterial cells transformed with the recombinant plasmids synthesized fusion proteins of the expected molecular weights and the proteins were shown to be immunoreactive with anti-FXIII antibodies . Furthermore, with the help of oligodeoxynucleotide synthesis, we constructed a plasmid which directs the synthesis of the human FXIIIa protein in the unfused form . Sequence determination at the aminoterminus of this protein revealed the identical sequence compared to placental FXIIIa . The protein is expressed intracellularly in a denatured and biologically inactive form . It constitutes approximately 2% of total cellular protein and can easily be purified by standard methods. J Hosp Infect, 1988 Apr, 11(3), 271 - 7 Assessment of the suitability of food colouring materials as indicators of bacterial contamination of enteral feeds; Anderton A; The suitability of using food colouring materials in enteral feeds as indicators of bacterial contamination was examined . Experiments using Triosorbon, Clinifeed ISO or Vivonex Standard plus amaranth, carmoisine, ponceau 4R, sunset yellow FCF, tartrazine or erythrosine demonstrated that although the change in appearance of coloured feed could be linked with the presence of high numbers of bacteria in the feed, the converse was not always true. Mol Gen Genet, 1988 Apr, 212(1), 120 - 3 Transformation of Phycomyces with a bacterial gene for kanamycin resistance; Suarez T et al.; Phycomyces protoplasts transformed with a plasmid containing the bacterial gene for kanamycin resistance grow in the presence of G418, a kanamycin analogue . The plasmid also contains a Phycomyces DNA sequence that supports autonomous replication in yeast . We obtained about 250 transformants per microgram DNA or one per 5000 viable protoplasts . The transformant phenotype is retained under selective conditions and lost in the majority of the vegetative spores . Recovered plasmids and Southern analysis indicate that the plasmid probably replicates autonomously in Phycomyces. Can J Microbiol, 1988 Apr, 34(4), 541 - 6 Use of DNA reassociation in bacterial classification; Grimont PA; The reassociation properties of DNA provide invaluable taxonomic tools . Different methods may give different reassociation values . However, the thermal stability of reassociated DNA strands (a measurement that seems independent of method) is useful in delineating genomic species . Although many phenotypically defined species have been confirmed by DNA reassociation, some medically important genomic species previously had been split into several nomenspecies on the basis of a few characteristics whereas some environmental genomic species had been lumped into unidentifiable aggregates . It might take some time before the nomenclature can be adapted to new taxonomic findings. Can J Microbiol, 1988 Apr, 34(4), 536 - 40 Bacterial classification: an overview; Krieg NR; Classification of bacteria evolved from limited subjective groupings to general, more objective arrangements based on overall phenotypic similarities . However, classifications based on phenotypic characters lack stability, whereas those based on genetic relatedness tend to be stable . DNA-DNA hybridization has proven to be extremely useful in resolving taxonomic problems at the species level . Broad relationships among bacteria have been identified by comparing ribosomal RNA cistrons; however, many groups based on ribosomal RNA analysis are not easily definable in terms of phenotypic similarities . Unless resolved, these problems could lead to the establishment of two separate classification systems, one phylogenetic and the other practical. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1988 Mar 30, 933(1), 70 - 84 Photoelectric currents across planar bilayer membranes containing bacterial reaction centers: the response under conditions of multiple reaction-center turnovers; Packham NK et al.; The characteristics of the photocurrent response activated by continuous illumination of planar bilayer membranes containing bacterial reaction centers have been resolved by voltage clamp methods . The photocurrent response to a long light pulse consists of an initial spike arising from the fast, quasi-synchronous electron transfer from the reaction center bacteriochlorophyll dimer, BChl2, to the primary quinone QA . This is followed by a slow relaxation of the current to that promoted by secondary, asynchronous multiple electron transfers from the reduced cytochrome c through the reaction centers to the ubiquinone-10 pool . Currents derived from cytochrome c oxidation that occurs when cytochrome c is associated with the reaction center or when limited by diffusional interaction from solution are recognized . Changes of the ionic strength and pH in the aqueous phase, and the clamped membrane potential (+/- 150 mV), affect the electron-transfer rate between cytochrome c and BChl2 . In contrast, the primary light-induced charge separation between BChl2 and QA, or electron transfer between QA on the ubiquinone pool are unaffected . During illumination of reaction center membranes supplemented with cytochrome c and a ubiquinone pool, there is a small but significant steady-state current which is considered to be caused by the re-oxidation of photoreduced quinone by molecular oxygen . In the dark, after illumination of reaction centers supplemented with cytochrome c and a ubiquinone pool, there is a small amount of reverse current resulting from the movement of charges back across the membrane . This reverse current is observed maximally after 400 ms illumination while prolonged illumination diminishes the effect . The source of this current is uncertain, but it is considered to be due to the flux of anionic semiquinone within the membrane profile; this may also be the species that interacts with oxygen giving rise to the steady-state current . It is postulated that when the reaction centers are contained in an alkane-containing phospholipid membrane, in contrast to the in vivo situation, the semiquinone anion formed in the QB site is not tightly bound to the site and can, by exchange-diffusion with the membrane-quinone pool, move away from the site and accumulate in the membrane . However, in the absence, more quantitative work superoxide anion, resulting from O2 interaction with semiquinone of QA, QB or pool cannot be excluded. Immunobiology, 1988 Mar, 176(4-5), 410 - 22 The effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on high endothelial venules and interdigitating cells in mouse lymph nodes; Twisk AJ et al.; Migration of lymphocytes into lymph nodes is directly controlled by interaction of lymphocytes with the high endothelial venules (HEV), located in T cell-dependent areas of lymph nodes . Little is known about the mechanisms that regulate the activity of the HEV and the specificity of interaction with lymphocytes in various lymphoid organs . It has been suggested that the non-lymphoid interdigitating cells (IDC) play a role in maintaining the integrity of T cell areas . We therefore wished to determine whether the function of the HEV could be influenced by disturbing the integrity of the T cell area . This was assayed in mice by injecting bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the hind footpad . The T cell-dependent areas of mouse popliteal lymph node were studied using immunohistochemistry, and attention was paid to the HEV specificity using short-term in vivo localization assays and in vitro lymphocyte binding assays . After LPS administration, apparent changes in the number of interdigitating cells and T cells in the draining lymph node were found . In addition, interdigitating cells lost their typical dendritic appearance . However, after LPS treatment, neither size, localization nor receptor specificity for lymphocyte subsets of HEV differed from control HEV . Although administered subcutaneously in the footpad, the effect of LPS on T cells and IDC was much more dramatic in the spleen than in the draining lymph nodes . This points to a difference in the processing of the endotoxin in the two organs. Hokkaido Igaku Zasshi, 1988 Mar, 63(2), 207 - 12 Deferoxamine mesylate inhibits bacterial growth in vivo; Ando Y et al.; Iron is one of the essential element for bacterial growth . To study the effect of chelation of iron on bacterial growth, 17 different strains of bacteria were cultured in chocolate-agar medium in the presence or absence of deferoxamine methylate (DM), a potent chelating agent for iron . A fairly low concentration of DM (10 mg/ml) in the culture medium markedly inhibited the growth rates of the three bacterial strains, B . catarrhalis, N . meningiditis and N . gonorrhoeae . In vivo effect of DM was also tested in mice that were intraperitoneally inoculated with a lethal number of N . meningiditis (2 x 10(8)/animal) . After 40 h of inoculation, more than 90% of the control animals died for acute peritonitis . In contrast, animals which were intraperitoneally administered with DM showed a marked resistance to the inoculated bacteria without showing toxic effects of the agent: less than 30% of animals died of acute peritonitis caused by infection within 40 h . The results suggest that, in addition to the currently used antibiotics . DM might also be an useful therapeutic agent for treatment of bacterial infection. J Anim Sci, 1988 Mar, 66(3), 758 - 63 Comparison of D-alanine and diaminopimelic acid as bacterial markers in young calves; Quigley JD 3rd et al.; D-alanine (DAL) and diaminopimelic acid (DAP) were compared as markers to estimate proportion of bacterial N in total N reaching the abomasum of young calves . Sixteen Holstein bull calves fed complete pelleted starter or unpelleted starter plus hay and weaned at 4 or 8 wk of age were fitted with ruminal and abomasal cannulas and sampled twice weekly from 2 to 11 wk of age . Isolated ruminal bacterial cells contained more DAL than DAP at all weeks and averaged 7.0 and 5.4 mg N/g N, respectively . Weekly mean marker concentrations were highly correlated (.89) in ruminal bacteria, except at 3 wk of age . Concentration of DAL in abomasal digesta was greater than that of DAP at all weeks and averaged 5.2 and 2.4 mg N/g N, respectively . Weekly mean DAL correlated with DAP .61 in abomasal digesta and correlated .57 and .89 with starter intake, respectively . The proportion of bacterial N in total abomasal N was greater at all weeks when estimated by DAL than by DAP and averaged 77% and 46%, respectively . Estimates by DAL exceeded 100% in several cases and reflected large variation in analytical estimates . Estimates by DAL and DAP correlated .33 and .92 with starter intake . D-alanine was not an acceptable bacterial marker in this study. Pediatr Emerg Care, 1988 Mar, 4(1), 15 - 7 Bacterial meningitis concurrent with salicylism; Singer JI; Repetitive administration of therapeutic salicylate over 72 hours for amelioration of headache produced severe central nervous system manifestations in an adolescent . The simultaneous occurrence of bacterial meningitis was not promptly diagnosed . Treatment directed at correcting fluid and metabolic derangements of salicylism may have contributed to a morbid outcome. Am Fam Physician, 1988 Mar, 37(3), 223 - 8 Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; Davenport J; Characteristics that make spontaneous bacterial peritonitis clinically noteworthy are its increasing prevalence, its tendency to present with few reliable clinical signs and its high mortality rate . Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis almost always occurs in the presence of ascites, and analysis of ascitic fluid is essential for diagnosis. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract, 1988 Mar, 18(2), 365 - 74 Tropical fish medicine . Bacterial culture and evaluation of diseases of fish; de Guzman E et al.; Bacteria are ubiquitous in nature . Fish are constantly exposed to bacteria, and usually only succumb to an infection after having been exposed to prolonged periods of stress . Before making a diagnosis of a bacterial disease, it is necessary to eliminate the possibility of environmental or parasitic problems . Environmental factors may act as stressors and can predispose a fish to bacterial disease while affecting the fish simultaneously . Clinical signs caused by the various bacterial pathogens are very similar . Therefore, to make a definitive bacterial diagnosis, it is necessary to culture and identify the organisms involved. Comput Methods Programs Biomed, 1988 Mar-Apr, 26(2), 145 - 52 BACTID: a microcomputer implementation of a PASCAL program for bacterial identification based on Bayesean probability; Jilly BJ; A computer program (BACTID) is described which enables the identification of bacteria based on a priori data and Bayesean probability testing . The program is not limited to a specific format, has a short execution time, can be easily applied to a variety of situations, and can be run on almost any microcomputer system operating under either 8-bit CP/M or 16-bit MS-DOS or PC-DOS . Additionally, BACTID is not limited to one type of computer (hardware independent); is not limited by size of the computer's random access memory (RAM independent); can recognize various database matrices (format independent); is able to compensate for missing data; and allows for various methods of data entry . The efficacy of the program was checked against a commercially available test system and a 99.34% agreement was obtained . Also, the execution time for a 46 x 21 data matrix was as little as 3.5 seconds . These results show that microcomputer identification programs not only are viable alternatives to code-book registers, but also offer flexibility which is not found in commercial systems. J Bacteriol, 1988 Mar, 170(3), 1092 - 102 Control of bacterial alkaline phosphatase synthesis and variation in an Escherichia coli K-12 phoR mutant by adenyl cyclase, the cyclic AMP receptor protein, and the phoM operon; Wanner BL et al.; Mutant phoR cells show a clonal variation phenotype with respect to bacterial alkaline phosphatase (BAP) synthesis . BAP clonal variation is characterized by an alternation between a Bap+ and Bap- phenotype . The switching is regulated by the phoM operon and the presence of glucose; the pho-510 mutant form of the phoM operon abolishes both BAP clonal variation and the effect of glucose (B.L . Wanner, J . Bacteriol . 169:900-903, 1987) . In this paper we show that a mutation of the adenyl cyclase (cya) and the cyclic AMP receptor protein (crp) gene also abolish BAP clonal variation; either simultaneously reduces the amount of BAP made in phoR mutants . Also, the pho-510 mutation is epistatic; it increases BAP synthesis in delta cya phoR and delta crp phoR mutants . These data are consistent with the wild-type phoM operon having a negative, as well as a positive, regulatory role in gene expression . Furthermore, the data suggest that adenyl cyclase and Crp indirectly regulate BAP synthesis in a phoR mutant via an interaction with the phoM operon or its gene products . However, phoM operon expression was unaffected when tested with phoM operon lacZ transcriptional fusions . In addition, the switching Bap phenotype was not associated with an alternation in phoM operon expression. Microbiol Sci, 1988 Mar, 5(3), 88 - 91 Genetic analysis of bacterial cell division; Lutkenhaus J; A relatively small number of cell division genes have been identified in Escherichia coli . The available evidence, however, suggests that several of these genes play a crucial role in the process. Mol Gen Mikrobiol Virusol, 1988 Mar, (3), 19 - 24 {Physical mapping of the plasmid R205 and identification of a site responsible for increased UV-induced mutability of the bacterial host}; Kalinina NA et al.; A physical map of the conjugative IncN plasmid R205 (56.1 kb) was constructed . The distribution of cleavage sites for investigated restriction enzymes is asymmetric . It was found that R205 suppresses the mutant phenotype of E . coli K12 umuC or umuD strains deficient in UV-induced mutagenesis . A mini-derivative of R205, designated pMU4 (15.1 kb) preserves the ability of the parent plasmid to increase the survival and induced mutagenesis of UV-irradiated host cells . A region of R205 located between 0 and 2.0 kb-on the plasmid map seems to contain information necessary for complementation of mutation in the host genes umuD/C, Hybridization between this region of pMU4 and plasmid pGW1700 bearing mucAB genes of pKM101 was observed. Mol Gen Genet, 1988 Mar, 211(3), 538 - 40 A dominant mutation in Escherichia coli OmpR lies within a domain which is highly conserved in a large family of bacterial regulatory proteins; Ikenaka K et al.; We have fortuitously created an in-frame insertion mutation in the cloned ompR gene of Escherichia coli in the course of an experiment involving linker insertion mutagenesis . According to the DNA sequence, the mutant protein has an insertion at the 53rd amino acid residue, which replaced the original valine, with the sequence Ala-Leu-Glu . The expression level of the mutant protein, OmpRX6, in a minicell system, is similar to that of the wild-type protein and the size of the mutant is slightly larger than the wild type by approximately 300 daltons . This mutant was completely unable to activate porin expression as the wildtype does, and in addition, this phenotype was shown to be dominant over the wild type . Comparison of the amino acid sequence of OmpRX6 with those of a family of homologous bacterial regulatory proteins revealed that the mutation lies in a domain which is highly conserved among these proteins. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1988 Mar, (3), 69 - 71 {Specific reaction of neutrophils to bacterial chemoattractants}; Dolgushin II et al.; The influence of bacteria and supernatants, obtained from the cultures of neutrophils preincubated with these bacteria, on the chemotaxis of neutrophils has been studied . Neutrophils preincubated with bacteria acquire the capacity for specific chemotactic deactivation in response to the contact with the culture of the same bacteria . During the phagocytosis of bacteria neutrophils secrete factors selectively attracting only those neutrophils which have been activated by bacteria of the same species. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 1988 Feb 15, 113(4), 204 - 6 {Bacterial count of milk, pin-points and udder health in dairying herds}; Vellinga O et al.; The pin-point colonies in bacterial counts of bulk milk were examined for the causative agents of mastitis . Udder health in herds showing unduly high bacterial counts as a result of pin-points was found to be reduced . There was no relationship between the organism isolated from the pin-points and the most important udder pathogen in the herd . The dairy farmers should be informed of the presence of pin-points when the bacterial counts are too high because of their presence. J Biol Chem, 1988 Feb 15, 263(5), 2532 - 5 Bacterial synthesis of active rat stearyl-CoA desaturase lacking the 26-residue amino-terminal amino acid sequence; Strittmatter P et al.; Two clones containing inserts in pBR322 that together include the entire 1074-base open reading frame coding for the 358 amino acids of rat liver stearyl-CoA desaturase have been used to construct expression vectors for residues 3-358 and 27-358 fused to the first 6 residues of beta-galactosidase and several amino acids of the multiple cloning site of pUC8 . Growth of transformed Escherichia coli under conditions for suppression of the lac promoter, followed by subsequent induction of these cultures results in the synthesis of higher levels of desaturase proteins than those found in induced rat liver . The proteins are almost completely associated with the membrane fraction of cell homogenates . Posttranslational iron insertion into the apoproteins, either in vitro with membrane preparations or by iron addition during induction, results in the formation of active holoenzyme which can be reconstituted with NADH cytochrome b5 reductase and cytochrome b5 to form an active stearyl-CoA desaturase system . The deletion of the first 26 amino-terminal amino acid residues does not affect either enzyme activity or membrane binding . Therefore, the unusual sequence of 11 residues containing 10 amino acids with hydroxyl groups plays no apparent significant role in either protein insertion into membranes or iron chelation . Since the protein product for residues 3-358 is processed even further to delete the initial 33 amino-terminal residues, the limiting polypeptide primary structure required for an active membrane-bound catalyst is even smaller than this initial deletion mutation indicates. FEBS Lett, 1988 Feb 8, 228(1), 172 - 4 Limited proteolysis of actin by a specific bacterial protease; Khaitlina SYu et al.; A 36 kDa fragment of rabbit skeletal muscle actin resistant to further proteolytic breakdown was obtained with a new bacterial protease . This fragment was the only cleavage product obtained from native actin whereas proteolysis of heat-inactivated actin was unlimited . The 36 kDa fragment failed to polymerize and to inhibit DNase I activity . Binding to DNase I protects actin against proteolysis by protease . The results on actin proteolysis by different proteases are compared. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol, 1988 Feb, 15(1), 79 - 86 Audiological management in the recovery phase of bacterial meningitis; Smyth V et al.; During a specified 12-month period, a prospective study of all children admitted to a 139-bed city children's hospital with confirmed bacterial meningitis enabled assessment audiologically at 48 h, 6 weeks and 12 weeks post-admission using a test battery approach including auditory brainstem evoked responses and tympanometry . Results suggested conductive dysfunction to be a major cause of fluctuating hearing loss within the group . The incidence of sensori-neural loss was 16.6% of ears tested at final outcome . Results are discussed with reference to their implications for audiological management. Dan Med Bull, 1988 Feb, 35(1), 92 - 5 Neurological sequelae and fatality as prognostic measures in 875 cases of bacterial meningitis; Bohr VA et al.; Based on a review of medical records, we have analysed the outcome after bacterial meningitis among 875 patients admitted during the period 1966-1976 . The outcome was evaluated not only by fatality during admission or within 4 weeks after discharge, but also by neurological sequelae at the time of discharge . These two types of outcome were determined and compared in subgroups of patients categorised according to a number of features of prognostic significance . This has allowed us to quantify the clinical conditions and features with regard to the severity of the prognosis . In most subgroups of patients, the frequencies of fatality and sequelae followed the same patterns: High frequencies were associated with pneumococcal meningitis, rare bacterial aetiologies, increasing age, affected consciousness on admission, pneumonia on admission, convulsions during admission, and respiratory problems during admission . For some prognostic features, a correlation could be established with high sequelae rates, but not with high fatality rates . This was the case with increased duration of disease symptoms before admission, with alcoholism and with previous head trauma . Thus, this correlation revealed the importance of early hospitalisation . We find that the analysis of sequelae not only supports, but also adds important prognostic information to the results obtained by an analysis of fatality itself in this large retrospective clinical study. J Clin Invest, 1988 Feb, 81(2), 601 - 5 Low density lipoproteins transfer bacterial lipopolysaccharides across endothelial monolayers in a biologically active form; Navab M et al.; Rabbit aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) were grown on micropore filters in a device that allowed in situ determination of transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) . Incubation of confluent RAEC monolayers with 2 ng.ml-1 of bacterial LPS for 3 h did not change the protein content or the number of cells on the filters, but resulted in a marked decline in TEER (from 14.1 +/- 0.9 to 5.1 +/- 0.6 omega.cm2) and a significant increase in LDL transport across the monolayers (from 154 +/- 13 to 456 +/- 41 ng . h-1 per cm2) . In contrast, exposure of RAEC monolayers for 3 d to as much as 5 micrograms.ml-1 of LPS complexed to LDL (LPS-LDL) did not alter the TEER or LDL transport . LPS-LDL was transported across the monolayers at the same rate as LDL . While microgram quantities of LPS complexed to LDL did not disrupt the integrity of the endothelial monolayer, incubation of RAECs with transported LPS-LDL at concentrations of 25-100 ng LPS.ml-1 resulted in a two- to ninefold increase in the secretion of monocyte chemotactic activity by these cells . Incubation of rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells with transported LPS-LDL at concentrations of 25-100 ng LPS.ml-1 resulted in a two- to threefold increase in the secretion of monocyte chemotactic activity . We propose that LDL protects endothelial cells from the acute toxicity of LPS but the resulting complexes are transported across the endothelium in a biologically active form that can initiate an inflammatory response. J Hepatol, 1988 Feb, 6(1), 80 - 4 Low C3 in cirrhotic ascites predisposes to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; Such J et al.; The risk of developing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in relation to the concentration of C3 in ascitic fluid (AF) has been studied prospectively in 33 patients with cirrhosis of the liver, seven of whom had one or more episodes of SBP during hospitalization . C3 concentrations in the AF of patients who developed infection (9.0 +/- 2.67 mg/dl) were significantly lower than in those who did not (18.26 +/- 8.11 mg/dl) (P less than 0.01) . C4 concentrations were similar in both groups . A direct correlation was found between AF C3 and total protein concentrations (P less than 0.001) . We conclude that a low C3 concentration in AF may predispose to SBP. FASEB J, 1988 Feb, 2(2), 124 - 30 Molecular basis of bacterial resistance to organomercurial and inorganic mercuric salts; Walsh CT et al.; Bacteria mediate resistance to organomercurial and inorganic mercuric salts by metabolic conversion to nontoxic elemental mercury, Hg(0) . The genes responsible for mercury resistance are organized in the mer operon, and such operons are often found in plasmids that also bear drug resistance determinants . We have subcloned three of these mer genes, merR, merB, and merA, and have studied their protein products via protein overproduction and purification, and structural and functional characterization . MeR is a metalloregulatory DNA-binding protein that acts as a repressor of both its own and structural gene transcription in the absence of Hg(II); in addition it acts as a positive effector of structural gene transcription when Hg(II) is present . MerB, organomercury lyase, catalyzes the protonolytic fragmentation of organomercurials to the parent hydrocarbon and Hg(II) by an apparent SE2 mechanism . MerA, mercuric ion reductase, is an FAD-containing and redox-active disulfide-containing enzyme with homology to glutathione reductase . It has evolved the unique catalytic capacity to reduce Hg(II) to Hg(0) and thereby complete the detoxification scheme. Pediatr Clin North Am, 1988 Feb, 35(1), 69 - 87 Bacterial gastroenteritis; Bishop WP et al.; Acute diarrhea is a major cause of childhood morbidity . Important advances in the understanding of bacterial gastroenteritis have been made in the past two decades . This article reviews the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and methods of diagnosis of bacterial gastroenteritis . Bacterial enteric pathogens common to North America are discussed in more detail. Eur J Clin Invest, 1988 Feb, 18(1), 87 - 91 Tamm Horsfall glycoprotein interferes with bacterial adherence to human kidney cells; Dulawa J et al.; The effect of Tamm Horsfall protein (THP) of 18 healthy subjects and 14 diabetics on adherence of Escherichia coli (06:K13) 2699 strain to human kidney cells (HUK) was studied . Adhesion of bacteria (without additions: 100 bacteria per cell) was reduced dose-dependently by THP, half maximal inhibition occurring with 250 micrograms THP ml-1 . Maximal inhibition (-84% at 1000 micrograms ml-1) exceeded inhibition by alpha-methyl-mannoside (36% at 50 mM), was specific (not reproduced by other glycoproteins, e.g . ovalbumin, mucin or thyroglobulin) and reversible (abolished by washing THP off HUK cells) . Anti-adherence property of THP was not abolished by neuraminidase treatment . No significant difference of anti-adherence activity of THP was found between controls and diabetics, despite altered carbohydrate composition of THP in diabetes. J Bacteriol, 1988 Feb, 170(2), 834 - 41 Characterization of the bacterial magnetosome membrane; Gorby YA et al.; Intact magnetosomes of Aquaspirillum magnetotacticum were purified from broken cells by a magnetic separation technique . Electron microscopic and chemical analyses revealed the magnetite to be enclosed by a lipid bilayer admixed with proteins . Lipids were recovered in fractions expected to contain (i) neutral lipids and free fatty acids, (ii) glycolipids and sulfolipids, and (iii) phospholipids (in a weight ratio of 1:4:6) . Phospholipids included phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine . Two of the numerous proteins detected in the magnetosome membrane were not found in other cell membranes or soluble fractions. Science, 1988 Jan 15, 239(4837), 276 - 8 Bacterial motility: membrane topology of the Escherichia coli MotB protein; Chun SY et al.; The MotB protein of Escherichia coli is an essential component of the force generators that couple proton movement across the cytoplasmic membrane to rotation of the flagellar motors . The membrane topology of MotB was examined to explore the possibility that it might form a proton channel . MotB--alkaline phosphatase fusion proteins were constructed to identify likely periplasmic domains of the MotB molecule . Fusions distal to a putative membrane-spanning segment near the amino terminus of MotB exhibited alkaline phosphatase activity, indicating that an extensive carboxyl-terminal portion of MotB may be located on the periplasmic side of the membrane . Protease treatment of MotB in spheroplasts confirmed this view . The simple transmembrane organization of MotB is difficult to reconcile with a role as a proton conductor. Arzneimittelforschung, 1988 Jan, 38(1), 111 - 5 Enhanced lymphocyte stimulation by bacterial lysates after treatment of probands; Petzl-Erler ML et al.; The proliferative response of lymphocyte cultures upon the addition of a mixture of antigens from the lysates of different bacteria (Paspat) to the culture medium was investigated using lymphocytes of groups of probands that investigated using lymphocytes of groups of probands that had been treated with the i.c . test preparation (T.P.1, group I), the lyophilized test preparation given orally (T.P.2, group II), a commercially available lyophilized bacterial lysate of similar composition given orally (T.P.3, group III), or with placebo (group IV) . Lymphocyte cultures were set up on day 0 (before treatment), day 40 and day 70 (after treatment) . The results show, that T.P.1 and T.P.2 produce a dose dependent proliferative response in lymphocyte cultures with a peak reactivity between 70 and 210 micrograms/ml . The degree of stimulation obtained with the bacterial lysate in different concentrations is increased in groups I and II over the stimulation obtained before treatment . Groups I and II which were treated with T.P.1 (i.c.) and T.P.2 (orally) are significantly different in their response to the bacterial lysate from the groups treated with T.P.3 or placebo on days 40 and 70 . Evidence is presented that the stimulation obtained is predominantly a proliferation of T-cells. Biophys J, 1988 Jan, 53(1), 53 - 65 Torque and rotation rate of the bacterial flagellar motor; Lauger P; This paper describes an analysis of microscopic models for the coupling between ion flow and rotation of bacterial flagella . In model I it is assumed that intersecting half-channels exist on the rotor and the stator and that the driving ion is constrained to move together with the intersection site . Model II is based on the assumption that ion flow drives a cycle of conformational transitions in a channel-like stator subunit that are coupled to the motion of the rotor . Analysis of both mechanisms yields closed expressions relating the torque M generated by the flagellar motor to the rotation rate v . Model I (and also, under certain assumptions, model II) accounts for the experimentally observed linear relationship between M and v . The theoretical equations lead to predictions on the relationship between rotation rate and driving force which can be tested experimentally. Folia Biol (Praha), 1988, 34(2), 72 - 83 Polyclonal B cell anergy induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide and cyclophosphamide; Fontalin LN et al.; Tolerogenic treatment of mice by successive injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E . coli or S . marcescens and cyclophosphamide (CY) decreased both the specific and polyclonal responses to tolerogen and to irrelevant LPS from Br . abortus as well as the specific immune response to sheep red blood cells . Splenocytes of tolerant mice were unresponsive to polyclonal challenge when transferred to irradiated syngeneic recipients . Spleen cells or blood serum from tolerant mice did not suppress the polyclonal response of intact mice to LPS . Possible reasons for the polyclonal B cell anergy were analyzed. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1988, 33(2), 137 - 9 Cultivation on cellophane agar as a method for the assay of bacterial enzymes; Vrany B et al.; Production of bacterial enzymes in a liquid medium and on cellophane-agar plates is compared . Using neutral proteinase, urease, alpha-amylase and thiosulfate sulfurtransferase as examples it was demonstrated that the cultivation on cellophane-agar plates yields higher concentrations of the enzymes and that the enzyme production is detected in a higher number of cultures . The method might be useful for the characterization of bacterial communities. Gene, 1988, 62(2), 197 - 207 Nucleotide sequences of the Escherichia coli nagE and nagB genes: the structural genes for the N-acetylglucosamine transport protein of the bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate: sugar phosphotransferase system and for glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase; Rogers MJ et al.; The genes coding for the enzymes of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) uptake and metabolism (nagA, nagB, and nagE) are located next to glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase gene (glnS) in the Escherichia coli genome . We determined the nucleotide sequence of the nagE (ptsN) gene, encoding the GlcNAc-specific enzyme II (NagE) of the phosphoenolpyruvate: sugar phosphotransferase system, and the sequence of the putative nagB gene, for glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase . S1 mapping identified the mRNA transcript for nagE, indicating that nagE might be a sole constituent of the nagE operon, and divergent transcripts which are probably of the nagB, nagA genes . An evaluation of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties of NagE shows characteristics of a membrane protein . Also, NagE shows homologies to lactose permease and to the glucose-specific transport protein (enzyme IIGlc), and the glucose-specific phosphoryl carrier protein (enzyme IIIGlc) . The latter two homologies are particularly interesting since no enzyme III-like protein for GlcNAc transport has been reported and enzyme IINag is of similar size as the combined enzymes IIGlc plus IIIGlc . This supports the idea that these two transport and phosphorylation systems may have evolved from a common ancestral gene. Int J Biochem, 1988, 20(4), 371 - 4 Expression of the mouse lactate dehydrogenase-A promoter fused with the bacterial gpt gene in Chinese hamster ovary cells; Hou EW et al.; The promoter region of the cloned mouse lactate dehydrogenase-A gene was fused with the gpt gene of Escherichia coli, and this fusion gene was shown to express in Chinese hamster ovary cells . This result demonstrates that the cloned LDH-A promoter is indeed functional. Bull Cancer, 1988, 75(2), 147 - 66 {Mutagenesis and responses induced by DNA damage in Escherichia coli: principle of bacterial tests for detecting carcinogenic or antitumoral substances}; Moreau PL; Various bacterial tests are used for the detection of potential carcinogenic or antitumoral agents . These so-called short-term tests measure different processes triggered by DNA damage: mutagenesis ("Mutatest"), induction of genes that belong to the recA-lexA regulon ("Umu-test" and "SOS-chromotest"), and induction of provirus ("Inductest") . Although these tests share common properties, each exhibits characteristic properties which are revealed by analyzing the various DNA repair mechanisms brought about in E . coli. Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd, 1988 Jan, 192(1), 40 - 3 {Bacterial flora of the eyelids following preoperative disinfection}; Behrens-Baumann W et al.; After careful preoperative disinfection of the periorbita, the eye, and the lids, cultures were taken from the upper and lower lash bases of 100 patients waiting for intraocular operations . Despite the careful disinfection 36% of the cultures from the upper and 48% of those from the lower lash bases were positive . A method of covering the lids adequately with adhesive material is recommended as a means of avoiding this potential source of infection. Am Rev Respir Dis, 1988 Jan, 137(1), 100 - 5 Mediators of pulmonary injury induced by inhalation of bacterial endotoxin; Burrell R et al.; The purpose of this study has been to further define the pathophysiologic aspects of lung injury caused by the inhalation of endotoxin (LPS) using the morphometric approach to identify mediators that influence distal lung structure and function . Hamsters were divided into 3 groups 24 h prior to low dose LPS inhalation exposure (4 micrograms/m3 for 5 h): (1) pretreated with cobra venom factor to deplete complement in vivo, (2) pretreated with indomethacin to block prostaglandin production, and (3) untreated control group . Both pretreatments abolished LPS-induced decreases in lung volume as well as increases in capillary PMN and platelets seen in untreated control animals . Neither pretreatment had any effect on the LPS-induced decreases of other capillary leukocytes . Similarly, both methods of pretreatment failed to block increases in cellular interstitium of distal capillary septa induced with LPS alone . LPS provoked changes in capillary endothelium, especially seen as an increase in numerical density of endothelial pinocytotic vesicles . Decomplementation failed to alter this increase, but indomethacin pretreatment blocked the effect . Neither treatment had any effect on their size . Low dose LPS inhalation also altered pulmonary capillary permeability to a 125I-BSA probe, which was found in significantly greater amounts in LPS-exposed lungs than in those of saline aerosol control lungs, but was not present in the air space as evidenced by negligible counts in bronchoalveolar lavages . It is evident that endotoxin on the epithelial side of the air-blood barrier leads to changes on the other side of that barrier.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Am J Physiol, 1988 Jan, 254(1 Pt 1), E16 - 22 Adrenergic blockade does not abolish elevated glucose turnover during bacterial infection; Hargrove DM et al.; Infusions of adrenergic antagonists were used to investigate the role of catecholamines in infection-induced elevations of glucose kinetics . Infection was produced in conscious catheterized rats by repeated subcutaneous injections of live Escherichia coli over 24 h . Glucose kinetics were measured by the constant intravenous infusion of {6-3H}- and {U-14C}glucose . Compared with noninfected rats, infected animals were hyperthermic (+1.4 degrees C) and showed increased rates of glucose appearance (45%), clearance (43%), and recycling (140%) as well as mild hyperlacticacidemia . Plasma catecholamine concentrations were increased by 50-70% in the infected rats, but there were no differences in plasma glucagon, corticosterone, and insulin levels . Adrenergic blockade was produced by primed constant infusion of both propranolol (beta-blocker) and phentolamine (alpha-blocker) . A 2-h administration of adrenergic antagonists did not attenuate the elevated glucose kinetics or plasma lactate concentration in the infected rats, although it abolished the hyperthermia . In a second experiment, animals were infused with propranolol and phentolamine beginning 1 h before the first injection of E . coli and throughout the course of infection . Continuous adrenergic blockade failed to attenuate infection-induced elevations in glucose kinetics and plasma lactate . These results indicate that the adrenergic system does not mediate the elevated glucose metabolism observed in this mild model of infection. Am J Kidney Dis, 1988 Jan, 11(1), 36 - 42 Acute focal bacterial nephritis; Nosher JL et al.; Clinical and radiographic characteristics of 12 patients with acute focal bacterial nephritis (AFBN) are presented along with review of the literature . Most patients presented with symptoms of an inflammatory or infectious process . Fever and pyuria were the most frequently encountered clinical characteristics . Imaging modalities that were used to establish a definitive diagnosis of focal bacterial nephritis included ultrasound, computed tomography, and intravenous urography with nephrotomography . Ultrasound was found to be the most effective and least costly method of diagnosis . Misdiagnosis of AFBN as abscess or tumor, which it may stimulate, could lead to inappropriate surgical therapy. J Bacteriol, 1988 Jan, 170(1), 446 - 8 ATP-liganded form of aspartate transcarbamoylase, the logical regulatory target for allosteric control in divergent bacterial systems; Wild JR et al.; In Escherichia coli, the mechanism for regulatory control of aspartate transcarbamoylase is clear; CTP allosterically inhibits catalysis in direct competition with ATP . However, both CTP and ATP may be activators or may have no effect on aspartate transcarbamoylases from other enteric bacteria . A common regulatory logic observed was that the ATP-activated enzymes were rendered less active as the result of competition with CTP, regardless of the independent effects. J Bacteriol, 1988 Jan, 170(1), 359 - 64 Bacterial catalysis of nitrosation: involvement of the nar operon of Escherichia coli; Ralt D et al.; We have developed a rapid and sensitive fluorimetric method, based on the formation of a fluorescent product from nitrosation of 2,3-diaminonaphthalene, for measuring the ability of bacteria to catalyze nitrosation of amines . We have shown in Escherichia coli that nitrosation can be induced under anaerobic conditions by nitrite and nitrate, that formate is the most efficient electron donor for this reaction, and that nitrosation may be catalyzed by nitrate reductase (EC 1.7.99.4) . The narG mutants defective in nitrate reductase do not catalyze nitrosation, and the fnr gene is essential for nitrosation . Induction by nitrite or nitrate of nitrosation, N2O production, and nitrate reductase activity all require the narL gene. Acta Stomatol Croat, 1988, 22(3), 169 - 75 {Scanning electron microscope study of early bacterial penetration of human enamel in initial caries}; Stanicic T et al.; Bacterial penetration of enamel during initial manifestations of the carious process was studied in intact buccal enamel of 8 impacted third permanent molars . After cleaning them from organic plaque, each buccal plane was cut into five segments, one of them serving as a control specimen and the other four being fixed into slots on partial prostheses of our volunteers . The specimens were left in oral cavity for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, where they were exposed to the action of cariogenic factors . After removal of the organic plaque, the specimens were broken in two and the bacterial penetration into enamel was observed on the fractured cross-section using scanning electron microscope . In 4 specimens from the group orally exposed during a 7-day period, individual coccoid or bacilliform bacteria were found to have penetrated 5-10 microns deep . The number of bacteria and the depth of their penetration into enamel increased with the duration of oral exposition . Among the specimens orally exposed during 28 days, bacteria were observed to be present both individually and in colonies, penetrating to the depth of 60-90 microns . These bacteria could quite easily communicate with saliva and plaque via the pore system, which allowed them to produce metabolites, including lactic acids . This, in turn, allowed them to penetrate through the enamel, thus altering both the course and rate of the carious process progression. J Mol Cell Immunol, 1988, 4(1), 9 - 19 Regulation of B-cell differentiation: anti-mu antibodies have opposite effects on differentiation stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide and 8-mercaptoguanosine; Rollins-Smith LA et al.; The mechanisms by which proliferation and differentiation are independently regulated are among the most interesting and complex problems in cell biology . Polyclonal activation of mouse B cells by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has served as a useful model for study of these phenomena . Treatment of LPS-stimulated cells with high concentrations of bivalent antibodies to the IgM receptor uncouples these normally linked processes, enhancing proliferation while suppressing differentiation . A consensus summary of recent results from several laboratories suggests that modulation of the IgM receptor greatly reduces mRNA levels for mu and k chains, primarily by blocking the increased rate of transcription usually triggered by LPS . The expression of other differentiation-linked proteins, for example J chain and endogenous retroviral proteins, is similarly downregulated . Basal transcription of the mu-delta complex and other constitutively expressed genes, such as Class I and Class II MHC genes, is not affected . Both suppression of differentiation and enhancement of proliferation in this system depend upon the simultaneous presence of anti-mu and LPS--cells treated with saturating concentrations of anti-mu, washed, and then cultured in LPS are not suppressed, while cells pulsed briefly with both agents before culture with LPS are suppressed . These observations have led us to examine interactions of anti-mu antibody with another potent polyclonal B cell activator, 8-mercaptoguanosine (8SGuo) . In this report, we show that anti-mu antibodies have polar effects on B-cell differentiation induced by 8SGuo and LPS . Differentiation induced by the former is strongly enhanced, while that induced by the latter is suppressed . The signal induced by co-stimulation with LPS and anti-mu is dominant, as suppression occurs when LPS is added to cells stimulated with 8SGuo and anti-mu at initiation or as late as 48 hours of a 96-hour culture . We present preliminary evidence that augmented B-cell differentiation caused by combined stimulation with 8SGuo and anti-mu is dependent upon a soluble factor released during the first 24 hours of culture . These results provide additional evidence that suppression of LPS-driven B-cell differentiation is an active process, probably mediated by a trans-acting repressor of transcription . The mechanisms by which 8SGuo and anti-mu interact to enhance B-cell differentiation remain to be determined. Blood Purif, 1988, 6(3), 188 - 206 Structural requirements of endotoxic lipopolysaccharides and bacterial cell walls in induction of interleukin-1; Takahashi I et al.; A variety of compounds, synthetic, semisynthetic or bacterial, which corresponds to structural components of endotoxic lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and bacterial cell wall peptidoglycans were studied for their activity to enhance interleukin-1 (IL-1) production of murine peritoneal macrophages and the ability to activate the complement cascade in fresh adult human serum . Not only bacterial LPS and cell walls or peptidoglycans but also their structural components with appropriate size and structure induced IL-1 production by macrophages and activated the human complement cascade, which may lead to the IL-1 production by monocytes/macrophages. Hepatology, 1988 Jan-Feb, 8(1), 27 - 31 Recurrence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhosis: frequency and predictive factors; Tito L et al.; We investigated whether spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhosis is a recurrent process and attempted to identify possible predictors of recurrence in 75 consecutive cirrhotics who had recovered from a first episode of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis between January, 1981 and December, 1984 and who were followed closely throughout their illness (follow-up period 10 +/- 13 months; mean +/- S.D.) . Thirty-eight patients (51%) developed one or more episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis during follow-up, the probability of recurrence (Kaplan-Meier's method) being 43% at 6 months, 69% at 1 year and 74% at 2 years . Twenty-three variables (age, sex, etiology of cirrhosis, standard liver and renal function tests and characteristics of the first spontaneous bacterial peritonitis) were analyzed as possible predictors of recurrence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis . In univariate analysis (curves of Kaplan-Meier compared with Mantel-Cox's method), serum bilirubin greater than 4 mg per dl, prothrombin less than or equal to 45% and protein concentration in ascitic fluid less than or equal to 1 gm per dl were significantly (p less than 0.05) associated with a high risk or recurrence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis . In multivariate analysis (Cox multiple regression model), only ascitic fluid protein concentration (p = 0.005) and prothrombin activity (p = 0.009) were found to be independent predictors of recurrence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis . Fifty-nine patients (79%) died during follow-up, 18 of them (31%) secondary to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis . The 1-year survival probability in the whole series of patients was 38%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Eye, 1988, 2 ( Pt 5), 517 - 22 Arborescent bacterial keratopathy (infectious crystalline keratopathy); Watson AP et al.; Bacterial colonisation of the cornea is described in two cases, one bilateral . Discreet, white, branching opacities are produced without associated inflammation . It is suggested that due to its aetiology "arborescent bacterial keratopathy" is a better name for this condition than "infectious crystalline keratopathy". Reprod Nutr Dev, 1988, 28 Suppl 1, 117 - 8 {Relative contribution of rumen bacteria, free and fixed to particles, on bacterial flow into the duodenum in the dairy cow}; Legay-Carmier F et al.; Mean duodenal flow of bacterial DM (5130 +/- 358 g/d) represented 60% of total duodenal DM flow in dairy cows fed hay and concentrate (50/50) . Contribution of solid-adherent bacteria (SAB) to the total bacteria entering the small intestine amounted to 71% . It must be taken into account in the estimation of the duodenal flow of bacterial compounds. Reprod Nutr Dev, 1988, 28 Suppl 1, 113 - 4 {In sacco and in vitro study of the diminution in bacterial level in forages and concentrated feeds during their passage through the abomasum}; Marvalin O et al.; The detachment of adherent bacteria from feed particles in the abomasum of sheep was assessed by in sacco and in vitro trials using 15N labelled bacteria . This detachment was similar amongst the feed residues tested (40.5%) . However, bacteria were found to stick stronger on small (less than 250 microns) than on large particles. Chemotherapy, 1988, 34 Suppl 1, 16 - 20 Ceftriaxone alone compared to ampicillin and chloramphenicol in the treatment of bacterial meningitis; Girgis NI et al.; One hundred patients (71 males and 29 females) with bacterial meningitis were randomly assigned into two therapeutic regimens . Patients in group I were intravenously given ceftriaxone (CRO: Rocephin) to adults and intramuscularly to children once daily in a dose of 100 mg/kg/day . Patients in group II received ampicillin 160 mg/kg/day and chloramphenicol (AMCL) 100 mg/kg/day (i.v . to adults and i.m . to children) every 6 h . No significant difference was observed between the two therapeutic regimens with regard to mortality, time taken to become afebrile, fully alert and sequelae . Seven patients in the CRO group died compared to 10 in the AMCL group . The mean number of days taken to become afebrile were 3.4 and 3.5, and to become fully alert 3.9 and 3.5 for groups I and II, respectively . CRO administered in a single daily dose appears to be as effective as a combination of ampicillin and chloramphenicol given every 6 h in the treatment of acute bacterial meningitis . However, the once daily dose is more appropriate for use especially in areas where nursing care is limited. Ter Arkh, 1988, 60(10), 100 - 3 {Treatment of patients with chronic catarrhal bronchitis using bacterial polysaccharides as a way to correct secondary immunologic deficiency}; Kokosov AN et al.; In mild exacerbation of chronic catarrhal bronchitis secondary immune deficiency manifests itself in a reduced level of the main classes of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, IgG) and lowered function of neutrophilic leukocytes . Bacterial lipopolysaccharides (prodigiozan, pyrogenal) are recommended for the correction of the above disorders. Braz J Med Biol Res, 1988, 21(2), 285 - 8 A new model for studying bacterial adherence to the respiratory epithelium; Plotkowski MC et al.; The frog palate mucosa was used as a new model for studying bacterial adherence to the respiratory epithelium . The main advantage of this model is that the mucus blanket, normally present on airway mucosa, can be preserved during the assays . The adherence of radiolabeled pneumococci to mucus-coated mucosa was five times higher (P less than 0.001) than the adherence to mucus-depleted mucosa . In the latter case, bacteria were never seen attached to ciliated cells but could be detected on small remaining patches of mucus . These results demonstrate that respiratory mucus plays a major role in bacteria-mucosa interactions. Zentralbl Mikrobiol, 1988, 143(8), 645 - 9 SOS chromotest, a quantitative short-term bacterial assay for the detection of genotoxic compounds in an automated version adapted to Bioscreen Analyzer System; Janz S et al.; The SOS chromotest is a simple quantitative short-term bacterial assay for the detection of genotoxic activity of pure chemicals or complex samples . The test is based on the measurement of the induction of the SOS response by xenobiotics which cause damage in replicating or non replicating DNA . The assay has been originally developed as a test-tube method but has recently been modified and extensively evaluated (Quillardet and Hofnung 1985, Quillardet et al . 1985) . In an attempt to automate the SOS chromotest a manual test procedure based on microtiter plates (Orgenics Ltd . 1986) has been further adapted to Bioscreen analyzer system (Labsystems OY, Helsinki, Finland) . In this application the test is controlled by a self-contained, interactive programme and makes use of a kinetic measure principle for quantifying the enzymatic activities to be evaluated . The present experiences with the automated version of the SOS chromotest indicate its usefulness as primary screening method or part of a battery of bacterial short-term tests for genotoxins and point out its remarkable practical advantages. Ann Rech Vet, 1988, 19(1), 65 - 7 Virulence of Brucella: bacterial growth and decline in mice; Plommet M et al.; Virulence may be expressed by a bacterial count in selected tissue of an animal host inoculated and autopsied in specified conditions . Time courses of splenic infection in DBA/2 mice intravenously challenged with (1) the virulent reference Brucella abortus strain 544 or with (2) the low virulent vaccinal B abortus strain 19 evidenced a one hundred times higher initial growth of the vaccine strain, followed by a steadily decrease that contrasts with the plateau phase of the virulent strain . Thus, in vivo phases of growth and decline behave independently in which immune mechanisms involved may differ. Nephrologie, 1988, 9(1), 29 - 32 {Hypersensitivity reactions during hemodialysis . Role of high permeability, retrofiltration and bacterial contamination of the dialysate}; Montagnac R et al.; Since the more frequent use of highly permeable membranes and bicarbonate dialysate, hypersensitivity reactions are more often described during hemodialysis and raise the question of the entry of pyrogens from dialysate towards blood due to high permeability of membranes and to possible backfiltration . During dialysis sessions with such membranes, authors observed a severe collapse in a patient on bicarbonate fluid and a repeated Quincke's edema in another on acetate fluid . After exclusion of other causes of such hypersensitivity accidents, they discuss the role of bacterial contamination of dialysis fluid . They analyse the phenomenons of bidirectional high permeability and of backfiltration linked to these new membranes . They recall the different causes of dialysate contamination and give some means of avoiding these inconveniences which expose on one hand to acute severe reactions and on the other are prejudicial in the long term for the patients because of interleukin 1 production. Intensive Care Med, 1988, 14(1), 39 - 43 A comparison of three severity score indexes in an evaluation of serious bacterial pneumonia; Durocher A et al.; Two non specific severity scoring systems, acute physiological score (APS) and simplified acute physiological score (SAPS) are compared with a specific index (Sc) in an evaluation of 96 ICU patients with "serious" bacterial pneumonia . The three scores were measured during the first 24 h following ICU admission . There is a good correlation between APS, SAPS or Sc . Accuracy and efficiency of the non specific scoring indexes and Sc are similar . There is no statistical difference in sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, receiver operating characteristic curves of the three indexes . Simple and reliable non specific index such as SAPS, valid for a variety of pathologies, can be used in an evaluation of mortality and comparative studies of groups of patients with serious bacterial pneumonia. J Am Diet Assoc, 1988 Jan, 88(1), 35 - 7 Bacterial safety of a closed-administration system for enteral nutrition solutions; Vaughan LA et al.; The purpose of this study was to investigate the bacterial integrity of a newly designed closed-administration system for enteral formula delivery . Three clinical simulations, designated Phases I, II, and III, were tested: dispersal of (I) 3 L formula over a 24-hour period, (II) 2 L formula over a 24-hour period, and (III) 2 L formula over a 48-hour period . Within each 24- or 48-hour simulation phase, a single administration set was used . Samples were withdrawn for bacterial analysis at 4- or 8-hour intervals . Simulations and samplings were completed under controlled, but not aseptic, conditions . Results indicated that bacterial growth was insignificant across all three simulation phases . Re-utilization of the administration set did not introduce bacterial contamination into subsequent liters of formula . Alcohol cleansing of the administration set was not found to be necessary for maintenance of bacterial closed integrity . Even when administered over a 24- or 48-hour period, the formula dispersed through this closed system did not develop any significant degree of bacterial growth . Results of this study suggest that this newly designed system for the administration of enteral formula significantly minimizes the risk of bacterial contamination. Infect Immun, 1988 Jan, 56(1), 191 - 6 Partial purification of a bacterial lectinlike substance from Eikenella corrodens; Yamazaki Y et al.; A bacterial lectinlike substance, which is considered to participate in the adherence of Eikenella corrodens to various host cells, was purified from E . corrodens cells . The substance was extracted in 1% Triton X-100 with sonication from the cell envelope of E . corrodens 1073 and partially purified by galactosamine affinity chromatography and gel filtration chromatography based on its hemagglutination (HA) activity . The lectinlike substance was purified about 256-fold as evaluated by its specific HA activity . Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the partially purified lectinlike substance (PPL) produced a single protein band of large molecular weight when it was applied to the gel without the addition of beta-mercaptoethanol and heating . Chemical analysis showed that PPL contained 14.4 micrograms of hexose per 100 micrograms of protein and that it did not contain muramic acid, glucosamine, or 2,6-diaminopimelic acid, which are characteristic of peptidoglycans . The HA activity of PPL was inhibited by EDTA but restored by adding Ca2+ . The HA activity was remarkably inhibited by sugars containing N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and D-galactose . These results indicate that the lectinlike substance on the E . corrodens cells is an essential factor for the adherence to host cells. Tokai J Exp Clin Med, 1988, 13 Suppl, 143 - 4 Invasive bacterial infections during an efficacy trial of acellular pertussis vaccines--implications for future surveillance in pertussis vaccine programmes; Olin P et al.; During a placebo controlled trial of acellular pertussis vaccines a cluster of invasive bacterial infections with fatal outcome occurred among vaccinated children as compared with unvaccinated Swedish children of the same birth cohort (4) . Clinical and immunological studies did not support the hypothesis of an immunosuppressive effect of the vaccines, which would explain the deaths, but the hypothesis could not be refuted by the data . To evaluate the safety of acellular pertussis vaccines regarding rare severe events--in particular invasive infectious diseases--prospective studies seem to be needed, comparing very large groups . A coordinated and controlled vaccine programme during 1-2 years in most of Sweden combined with national reports of invasive infections may serve as a basis for such a study . A possible study design is given below. Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol, 1988, 53 Pt 1, 1 - 9 A physicist looks at bacterial chemotaxis; Berg HC; What is distinctive about bacterial chemotaxis, as compared to, for example, taste in the elephant, is the time over which decisions must be made . The lower limit is set by diffusion of chemicals to and from the cell surface, which demands long times for statistically significant counts . The upper limit is set by diffusion of the cell itself, which demands short times for well-defined swimming paths . For an organism the size of E . coli, temporal comparisons of the concentrations of chemicals in the environment must be made within a few seconds . Although such short time spans might be difficult for the biochemist, they are not so difficult for E . coli, because diffusion can carry a small molecule across the cell in about 1 msec . E . coli has the opposite problem: How does it integrate inputs from many receptors over periods 1000 times as long? The mechanisms for this signal processing are beginning to be understood . We know how most chemical attractants are identified, how temporal comparisons might be made, and how the behavioral output is effected . We know less about how sensory information crosses the cytoplasmic membrane, how the reactions that link the receptors to the flagella generate such high gain, and what actually controls the direction of flagellar rotation . One thing is quite clear: E . coli demands our admiration and respect. Bull Soc Pathol Exot Filiales, 1988, 81(5), 811 - 8 {Ultrastructural changes induced by antiseptics in various bacterial species}; Ryter A et al.; Due to the succinate-neotetrazolium technique, the authors were able to photograph with electronic microscopy, for the first time, different antiseptics, including "Javelle Water", attacking bacteria. Scand J Rheumatol Suppl, 1988, 75, 300 - 8 Rheumatoid factors in subacute bacterial endocarditis and other infectious diseases; Williams RC; Rheumatoid factors (RF) occur during the course of various infections such as leprosy, infective endocarditis, tuberculosis, trypanosomiasis, visceral larva migrans, infectious mononucleosis, influenza A, hepatitis A or cytomegalovirus . When first described it seemed logical to assume that host-self-immunization with autologous immune complexes provided the initial stimulus for RF production . Subsequently extensive characterization of bacterial, parasitic and viral Fc receptors has suggested an alternative explanation for rheumatoid factor associated with infections . It seems possible that patients make an initial immune response to infecting agent Fc receptors and that anti-anti-Fc receptors or anti-idiotypes either then directly stimulate rheumatoid factor production or are themselves rheumatoid factors . Such a hypothesis might also be applied to rheumatoid arthritis itself where either infecting agent or autologous cell Fc receptors could be the initial immunizing epitopes involved in rheumatoid factor production. Arq Gastroenterol, 1988 Jan-Mar, 25(1), 29 - 32 {Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in a patient with congenital hepatic fibrosis and Caroli's disease}; Pereira-Lima JE et al.; The authors describe by the first time in the literature a patient with congenital hepatic fibrosis and Caroli's disease complicated by spontaneous bacterial peritonitis . The possible routes of ascitic infection are discussed. Z Exp Chir Transplant Kunstliche Organe, 1988, 21(6), 313 - 21 {The cell morphology of peritoneal exudate in the course of bacterial peritonitis (experimental animal studies)}; Dittrich I et al.; According to diagnosis of the liquor cerebrospinalis in inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system there shall be demonstrated a method to support diagnosis and control of an efficient therapy of diffuse bacterial peritonitis . Mice were infected intraperitoneal with Escherichia coli suspension without complement . At intervals of 12 hours there was carried out a peritoneal lavage . The peritoneal lavage fluid was given into the sedimentary chamber according to Sayk . The sediment was coloured according to Pappenheim and differentiated under microscope . With help of the described method it is possible to take valuable informations about inflammation in peritoneal cavity by means of cellular composition of the peritoneal fluid in different times post infection . Of greatest importance is the number of polymorphonuclear cells in the exudate. Scand J Infect Dis, 1988, 20(6), 625 - 31 Norfloxacin for prevention of bacterial infections during severe granulocytopenia after bone marrow transplantation; Schmeiser T et al.; 48 patients treated with bone marrow transplantation (BMT) received the quinolone norfloxacin (NOR) in a total decontamination (TD-NOR, n = 36) or selective decontamination (SD-NOR, n = 12) regimen and were compared with a historical control group of 48 BMT patients receiving oral non-absorbable antibiotics (TD-NAA, n = 31 and SD-NAA, n = 17) . 17/36 patients (47%) of group TD-NOR and 16/31 patients (52%) of group TD-NAA remained free of febrile episodes and infections . 4/12 patients (33%) of group SD-NOR and only 1/17 patients (6%) of group SD-NAA remained free of fever and infections . The use of norfloxacin in selective decontamination resulted in a statistically significant lower incidence of fever days than in patients receiving SD-NAA (p less than 0.001) . These data suggest that norfloxacin may replace non-absorbable antibiotics in total and in selective decontamination regimens used for infection prophylaxis in BMT recipients. Perception, 1988, 17(1), 119 - 33 A mechanism for the direct perception of change: the example of bacterial chemotaxis; Pittenger JB et al.; The relationship between the behavior of single-celled organisms and cognition in higher animals is explored . Recent research and theory in bacterial chemotaxis are presented, together with a discussion of the implications of chemotaxis for perceptual theory . A number of parallels between chemotaxis and perception in higher organisms are drawn . It is suggested that Koshland's model of the chemical processes controlling chemotaxis is an example of a mechanism for direct perception of change and can help elucidate Runeson's work on 'smart mechanisms' of perception . It is argued, more generally, that the growing body of knowledge about the perceptual activities of lower organisms should be used to broaden the factual base on which theories of perception are constructed: eg explication of perceptual parallels between humans and lower organisms should help clarify the nature of these phenomena in humans and, perhaps, help in the development of theories of greater generality . Also, the debate between direct and indirect theories of perception may be advanced by analysis of the specific mechanisms used by lower organisms . Contrasts to mediated perception are pointed out and arguments for the relative simplicity and explanatory power of theories of direct perception are provided. Crit Rev Microbiol, 1988, 16(1), 1 - 14 Bacterial alternative nitrogen fixation systems; Joerger RD et al.; The introduction briefly reviews some of the salient features of the well-characterized conventional molybdo-enzyme system for N2 fixation . This is followed by a brief account of the discovery of an alternative N2 fixation system that does not require molybdenum in the N2-fixing bacterum Azotobacter vinelandii . The next section cites observations from the early literature on N2 fixation suggesting may not always require molybdenum . Next, recent evidence for an alternative N2 fixation system in A . vinelandii is discussed . A brief description of our discovery of an alternative nitrogenase which is not a molybdenum or vanadium enzyme is presented, followed by a summary of recent papers describing an alternative vanadium-containing nitrogenase . Available information on the genetics and regulation of alternative N2 fixation systems is discussed . Finally, the possible/probable presence of alternative N2 fixation systems in bacteria other than Azotobacter species is covered. Cell Motil Cytoskeleton, 1988, 10(1-2), 38 - 46 Analysis of bacterial flagellar rotation; Khan S; Bacterial flagella have rotary motors at their base; embedded in the cytoplasmic membrane and powered by transmembrane ion gradients instead of ATP . Assays have been developed to measure the torque output of individual motors over a wide regime of load, to correlate the energizing proton flux with rotation speed and relate through genetic analysis motor structure to function . These assays promise substantial advances in understanding mechanochemical coupling in these motors . Here, I summarize the present status of our understanding of energy transduction in bacterial flagella and compare this with the case for muscle. Cancer Detect Prev, 1988, 12(1-6), 609 - 19 Management of bacterial and fungal infections in bone marrow transplant recipients and other granulocytopenic patients; Heidt PJ; A review of studies on the effect of different types of gastrointestinal decontamination and protective environment on infectious complications in granulocytopenic patients is given, and the effect of these measures on graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation is discussed . It is concluded that complete gastrointestinal decontamination of patients nursed under conditions of strict reverse isolation will maximally prevent infections, graft-versus-host disease, and lung complications and therefore is the treatment to be preferred for patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation . Since selective decontamination is as effective in preventing bacterial and fungal infections as is complete decontamination, this treatment is to be preferred for other patients with a greatly reduced resistance to these infections . The reason is that, for this type of patient, selective decontamination can be performed without the use of strict isolation facilities and in this way is less laborious and less of a burden for the patient . Besides this, the number of patients that can be treated will not be limited by the number of available facilities for strict reverse isolation, which can be reserved for bone marrow transplant patients. Curr Med Res Opin, 1988, 11(4), 227 - 31 Trimethoprim-polymyxin B sulphate ophthalmic ointment in the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis: a double-blind study versus chloramphenicol ophthalmic ointment; Behrens-Baumann W et al.; Forty-two patients with a clinical diagnosis of bacterial conjunctivitis were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind trial . Patients were treated with either trimethoprim-polymyxin B sulphate or chloramphenicol ophthalmic ointments 4-times a day for 7 days . Analysis of clinical evaluation data showed that both treatments were effective and well tolerated, and that there were no statistically significant differences between them with regard to eradication of organisms or clinical improvement. Arch Oral Biol, 1988, 33(5), 341 - 6 Altered bacterial aggregation and adherence associated with changes in rat parotid-gland salivary proteins induced in vivo by beta-adrenergic stimulation; Kousvelari EE et al.; Reduced adherence and aggregation were associated with protein alterations in parotid saliva after chronic treatment with the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol . In contrast, saliva from animals treated with the beta-antagonist, propranolol, did not cause such changes; the protein composition of this saliva was similar to that of controls . SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of protein in saliva samples before and after they were mixed with 10 mg of spheroidal hydroxyapatite beads (HA), as well as protein adsorbed and recovered from the HA, showed that an acidic, proline-rich protein with a molecular weight of approx . 40,000 was the predominant protein adsorbed . This protein was significantly diminished in saliva from isoproterenol-treated rats . Proteins with molecular weights between 44,000 and 48,000 and unique to the saliva from isoproterenol-treated animals were also adsorbed to HA . Thus alterations in proline-rich proteins of parotid saliva may influence the adherence and aggregation of oral bacteria, two processes considered important for in-vivo colonization of oral surfaces. J Basic Microbiol, 1988, 28(1-2), 45 - 53 A simple method of distinguishing the bacterial viruses T3 and T7, and a critical reevaluation of their heterologous and homologous exclusion; Kruger DH et al.; A method is presented allowing a clear distinction between bacterial viruses T3 and T7 by plating on selectively permissive host cells . The indicator strains are Escherichia coli cells containing either cloned pif genes (exclusively permissive for T3) or the EcoRV DNA restriction system (permissive only for T7): The efficiencies of plating of the two phages on these hosts differ by more than 8 orders of magnitude . This method was applied to reinvestigate the controversial question of mutual exclusion between T3 and T7 . Under single-burst conditions, about 50% of coinfected cells (permissive for both viruses) produced T3 and T7 progeny while about 25% reproduced only T3 and about 25% only T7 . The burst size of co-infected cells was slightly reduced, compared to controls infected with only one virus type . Homologous exclusion among T3 phages was also not seen; rather, there was a gene dosage effect: T3-encoded RNA polymerase activity as well as T3-specific RNA synthesis increased proportionally to the multiplicity of infection (2.5-20 plaque-forming units/cell). Rofo, 1988 Jan, 148(1), 54 - 7 {Computed tomography of acute bacterial nephritis}; Derouet H et al.; Five case reports are used to illustrate that it is possible by computed tomography to differentiate between acute diffuse, acute focal and abscess-forming types of renal infection . In acute diffuse renal inflammatory disease, intravenously injected contrast medium remains in various parts of the renal tissue after an interval of two to six hours following injection . Acute focal inflammatory disease and abscesses produce localised hypodense or isodense lesions . Sequential increase in density following a contrast bolus injection permits the distinction of focal nephritis from an abscess . These findings provides information concerning the type and duration of treatment. Tokai J Exp Clin Med, 1988, 13 Suppl, 217 - 22 Engineering bacterial toxin for the development of new vaccine against pertussis; Bartoloni A et al.; Bordetella pertussis is the causative agent of whooping cough . The cellular pertussis vaccine introduced in the forties is highly effective and is widely used, but its reactogenicity has led to public concern regarding its safety . The attempts to reduce the side effects associated with pertussis immunization have led to the preparation of acellular B . pertussis products: one composed of detoxified pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA), another one composed only of detoxified PT and a third vaccine composed of detoxified PT, FHA and serotypes 1, 3 of fimbriae . In our laboratories we have approached the study of pertussis toxin, the molecule present in all the proposed acellular pertussis vaccines and one of the main virulence factors of B . Pertussis, with the aim of producing new acellular pertussis vaccines by using recombinant DNA techniques. Reprod Nutr Dev, 1988, 28 Suppl 1, 115 - 6 {Differences in nitrogen and RNA contents between free bacteria and bacteria fixed to food particles in the rumen contents, in the case of different diets; consequences for estimating the ratio of bacterial nitrogen in duodenal nitrogen}; Poncet C et al.; Differences in nitrogen and RNA contents were found between liquid-associated and solid-adherent bacteria isolated from the reticulo-rumen of ruminants offered various diets . Consequences on the estimation of the bacterial nitrogen flow to the duodenum are discussed. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1987 Dec 16, 149(2), 815 - 22 Modulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha cytotoxicity in L929 cells by bacterial toxins, hydrocortisone and inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism; Hepburn A et al.; L929 cells were incubated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the presence or absence of various inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism . The addition of either hydrocortisone or nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) decreased the cytotoxic effect of TNF-alpha but exogenously added arachidonate or linoleate, indomethacin and eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA) were without effect . While it was found that TNF-alpha stimulated arachidonic acid release, no metabolites of this fatty acid could be evidenced . Cytotoxicity of TNF-alpha could also be decreased by the addition of either cholera or pertussis toxin . These results suggest that a GTP-binding protein is involved in the cytotoxic action of TNF-alpha . Arachidonic acid, released possibly by a phospholipase A2, might also play a role, but probably not via its conversion to known metabolites. Pediatr Infect Dis J, 1987 Dec, 6(12), 1102 - 6 Spontaneous and inducible interleukin 1 production from peripheral blood monocytes in bacterial and viral infections in children; Helminen M et al.; Peripheral blood monocytes from children with severe bacterial infection showed a high level of spontaneous (unstimulated) production of interleukin 1 (IL-1) . In viral respiratory or gastrointestinal infections there usually was little or no spontaneous IL-1 production from monocytes, and the values did not differ from those of children with no infections or inflammatory disease . Lipopolysaccharide-induced IL-1 production from monocytes was slightly but not significantly greater in bacterial infections than in viral infections and controls . Tuberculin (purified protein derivative)-induced IL-1 production from monocytes of patients with viral infections was significantly less than in bacterial infections and also slightly less than in controls . These results indicate that systemic bacterial infections activate spontaneous release of IL-1 from monocytes whereas uncomplicated viral infections usually do not . Tuberculin-inducible IL-1 activity of monocytes appears decreased in viral infections; this might be associated with suppressed cell-mediated immunity in such infections. J Immunol, 1987 Dec 1, 139(11), 3570 - 2 Induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity by the T cell line specific to bacterial peptidoglycans; Katsuki M et al.; A T cell line specific for the chemically well-defined peptidoglycan of bacterial cell wall, disaccharide tetrapeptide, was established from Lewis rats immunized with the antigen covalently linked to the autologous rat serum albumin . The antigen specificity was examined with various analogues or derivatives of the peptidoglycan . The cell line was reactive to analogues with the COOH-terminal D-amino acid, but least reactive to those with L-amino acid as COOH terminus . Transferring of the T cell line into X-irradiated normal Lewis rats induced delayed-type hypersensitivity in an antigen specific manner. J Periodontol, 1987 Dec, 58(12), 837 - 46 Bacterial invasion in experimental gingivitis in man; Saglie FR et al.; Gingival biopsies of the mesial papilla area of the first molar were obtained from each patient at 0-, 14- and 21-day intervals during plaque formation . The biopsies were fixed, serially sectioned, and Gram-stained . The incidence and distribution of the bacteria-like structures were studied by microscopy . In all the specimens the bacterial nature of Gram-stained material was substantiated . In the epithelium the highest number of bacteria was found at the outer layer of marginal oral epithelium, sulcular epithelium and apical oral epithelium along with a decreasing pattern of penetration progressing deeper into the layers of tissue . For junctional epithelium the situation was just the opposite . Each subject had significantly higher counts at Day 21 than at Day 14 for both epithelium and connective tissue . Also significantly higher counts were found in connective tissue compared with epithelium . The higher bacterial density of intragingival bacteria was associated with the higher gingival and plaque indices . This study suggests that early stages of gingival inflammation may be mediated by invasion of bacteria. J Biochem (Tokyo), 1987 Dec, 102(6), 1451 - 7 Active site organization of bacterial type I fatty acid synthetase; Morishima N et al.; Four kinds of active sites of bacterial fatty acid synthetase were mapped on distinct regions within a subunit . Active sites were specifically labeled with radioactive substrates and active-site-directed inhibitors . Labeled enzymes were cleaved with proteases, and the fragments thus produced were identified with respect to specific labels by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a fluorographic technique . The linear alignment of such fragments in the original subunit was established and when the results were combined with those of our previous work, five active sites were located in three regions as follows . Starting from the N-terminal of the subunit, we located acetyl, malonyl and palmitoyl transferases in the first region, the acyl carrier site in the second region (Morishima & Ikai (1985) Biochim . Biophys . Acta 832, 297-307), and beta-ketoacyl synthetase in the third region . The observed order of active sites of bacterial fatty acid synthetase can be correlated with that of the yeast enzyme, which has two kinds of subunits. J Biochem Biophys Methods, 1987 Dec, 15(3-4), 215 - 27 Electron probe X-ray microanalysis of bacterial DNA; Sigee DC et al.; X-ray microanalysis provides a potentially useful technique for the detection, quantitation and statistical analysis of cation levels in microsamples of freshly-isolated bacterial DNA . The dilution of the sample deposited on the electron microscope grid is important both for the visualisation of discrete macromolecules and also for the microanalytical detection of a full range of divalent cations . Approximately 50 detectable cations (30 monovalent, 20 divalent) were present per 100 phosphorus atoms, which is equivalent to one detectable cation per 2 nucleotides . Significant correlations in the occurrence of K, Ca, Ni and Zn with continuum and also with phosphorus suggests that these cations are distributed homogeneously in the sample, while Mn, Fe and Cu showed no such correlations . The occurrence of K in the different spectral analyses did not show any significant correlation with any divalent cations, whereas significant correlations did occur between divalent cations . This suggest that fundamental differences occur between monovalent and divalent cations in their association with the DNA molecule. Am J Infect Control, 1987 Dec, 15(6), 231 - 7 Bacterial growth under a transparent dressing; Callahan JL et al.; The frequency of dressing changes for transparent dressings used on central lines is a critical issue in maintenance protocols aimed at prevention of catheter-related sepsis . Organisms migrating from the skin down the catheter have been implicated in causing catheter-related sepsis . Bacterial growth patterns under the transparent dressing are important in establishing protocols of care. Biophys J, 1987 Dec, 52(6), 1071 - 5 The photochemical reactions of bacterial sensory rhodopsin-I . Flash photolysis study in the one microsecond to eight second time window; Bogomolni RA et al.; Halobacterium halobium Flx mutants are deficient in bacteriorhodopsin (bR) and halorhodopsin (hR) . Such strains are phototactic and the light signal detectors are two additional retinal pigments, sensory rhodopsins I and II (sR-I and sR-II), which absorb maximally at 587 and 480 nm, respectively . A retinal-deficient Flx mutant, Flx5R, overproduces sR-I-opsin and does not show any photochemical activity other than that of sR-I after the pigment is regenerated by addition of all-trans retinal . Using native membrane vesicles from this strain, we have resolved a new photointermediate in the sR-I photocycle between the early bathointermediate S610 and the later intermediate S373 . The new form, S560, resembles the L intermediate of bR in its position in the photoreaction cycle, its relatively low extinction, and its moderate blue shift . It forms with a half-time of approximately 90 microseconds at 21 degrees C, concomitant with the decay of S610 . Its decay with a half-time of 270 microseconds parallels the appearance of S373 . From a data set consisting of laser flash-induced absorbance changes (300 ns, 580-nm excitation) measured at 24 wavelengths from 340 to 720 nm in a time window spanning 1 microsecond to 8 s we have calculated the spectra of the photocycle intermediates assuming a unidirectional, unbranched reaction scheme. Am J Infect Control, 1987 Dec, 15(6), 249 - 65 Nosocomial bacterial pneumonia: an overview; Pugliese G et al.; Nosocomial pneumonia accounts for 10% to 20% of all nosocomial infections and represents one of the most serious complications of hospitalization . This review focuses on the etiology, pathogenesis, and prevention of nosocomial pneumonia, with emphasis on infection control procedures to prevent and minimize its occurrence. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1987 Dec, 35(10 Pt 2), 1365 - 9 {Bacterial adhesion: its consequences in antibiotherapy}; Chabanon G; The aim of the present review is to analyze the influence of antibiotics on bacterial adhesion and to anticipate this approach as an alternative possibility of prophylactic or therapeutic interference with the infectious process . Adhesive interactions between bacteria and substratum including solid and cellular surfaces were briefly documented . Bacteria displays a very large variety of adhesins and this implies complex mechanisms in the adhesion process . Anti-adhesive therapy must take into account several factors: particularly interference with the colonization of mucosal surfaces by normal flora and phagocytic defense system in which adhesion plays a very important role as well. Pediatr Infect Dis J, 1987 Dec, 6(12), 1091 - 4 Fever response to acetaminophen in viral vs . bacterial infections; Weisse ME et al.; The effect of acetaminophen on fever in bacterial vs . viral infections was tested in 100 children ages 9 days to 17 years who presented to the Pediatric Service with a rectal or oral temperature of 102 degrees F (38.9 degrees C) or greater . All patients were given acetaminophen, 15 mg/kg, and their temperatures were rechecked at 1 hour . Laboratory tests were ordered at the discretion of the examining physician and usually included viral and bacterial cultures and total white blood cell counts . Sixteen patients had proved viral illnesses and 17 patients had serious bacterial infections . There was a significant difference (P less than 0.02) in the white blood cell count between the two groups, with the higher values in patients with bacterial infections . There was, however, no significant difference in the fever response to acetaminophen between the two groups (P = 0.37) . The remaining 67 patients were then placed into one of the two groups based on their clinical illness and outcome . The mean temperature change was then calculated between the two groups, and again the difference was found to be statistically insignificant (P = not significant (t = 0.19} . We conclude that there is no correlation between a child's fever response to acetaminophen and the etiology of the fever. Klin Wochenschr, 1987 Dec 1, 65(23), 1132 - 8 Cooperative Group of Additional Immunoglobulin Therapy in Severe Bacterial Infections: results of a multicenter randomized controlled trial in cases of diffuse fibrinopurulent peritonitis; Jesdinsky HJ et al.; A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial, which was carried out in 10 hospitals in the Federal Republic of Germany between 1979 and 1983, studied the influence of i.v . immunoglobulin G on the mortality in patients with diffuse acute fibrinopurulent peritonitis . Altogether 288 patients were enrolled in the trial . There was no statistically significant difference in the mortality rates within the treated group (46%) vs the control group (41%) . The power of the statistical test to detect a decrease of the mortality by 20% was calculated to be 0.93 . This result did not change when we eliminated 50 patients not strictly obeying the entrance criteria of the analysis, or when we focused on a subgroup of patients with initial deficiency of immunoglobulin G . Factors influencing mortality were a preceding laparotomy, serum creatinine level above 2 mg/100 ml, and necessity for artificial respiration . These factors, reflecting the surgical situation and the severity of shock, essentially explain the mortality differences observed between the participating hospitals. Genitourin Med, 1987 Dec, 63(6), 386 - 9 Bacterial vaginosis in women attending STD clinic: diagnostic criteria and prevalence of Mobiluncus spp; Hallen A et al.; The diagnostic criteria of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and the prevalence of Mobiluncus spp as detected by monoclonal antibodies were investigated in all new women patients attending the sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in Uppsala during a four month period . Of 455 patients, 164 fulfilled the generally accepted criteria for BV, but in 57 of them simultaneous infection with a recognised pathogen was diagnosed . BV was thus the only clinical diagnosis in 107 (24%) of the women . The sniff test and clue cells in the wet smear were the two criteria most relevant for the diagnosis of BV . The sniff test was positive in 95% (156) of the 164 patients with BV and negative in all other cases . The corresponding figure for the clue cells was 98% (160 of 164), but clue cells were also detected in 19 patients without BV . Though 99% (162) of women with BV had a vaginal pH of more than 4.5, so did 83 women without BV . Only 59% (96) of women fulfilling the criteria of BV had a characteristic discharge . Mobiluncus spp were present in 20% (90) of the 455 women and in 50% (53) of the 107 women with BV only . Of the 90 Mobiluncus spp isolates, M curtisii comprised 44% (40), M mulieris 34% (31), and both strains together 21% (19) . Mobiluncus spp were detected with monoclonal antibodies in 35 women who had no motile curved rods on wet smear microscopy . Furthermore, Mobiluncus spp were often detected in women infected with recognised pathogens, as well as in a few women without signs of genital infection. Mutat Res, 1987 Dec, 189(4), 363 - 73 Studies on the potent bacterial mutagen, 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone: aqueous stability, XAD recovery and analytical determination in drinking water and in chlorinated humic acid solutions; Meier JR et al.; 3-Chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX) was detected by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in drinking water samples from 3 locations in the U.S.A., and also in a chlorinated humic acid solution . MX appears to account for a significant proportion of the mutagenicity of these samples, as measured in the Ames test using strain TA100 without metabolic activation . Studies on recovery of MX from spiked water samples by XAD-2/8 resin adsorption/acetone elution indicated that sample acidification prior to resin adsorption was essential to the effective recovery of MX . The stability of MX in aqueous solution was pH and temperature dependent . At 23 degrees C the order of stability, based on persistence of mutagenic activity was found to be: pH 2 greater than pH 4 greater than pH 8 greater than pH 6 . The half-life at pH 8 and 23 degrees C was 4.6 days . One of the degradation products has been tentatively identified as 2-chloro-3-(dichloromethyl)-4-oxo-2-butenoic acid, an open form of MX which appears to be in the "E" configuration . Overall, these results suggest that MX is formed during water chlorination as a result of reaction of chlorine with humic substances, and that a substantial fraction of the MX formed is likely to persist throughout the distribution system. Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1987 Dec, 95(6), 363 - 9 The specificity of antisera against Bordetella pertussis examined by bacterial agglutination; Fredriksen JH et al.; The specificity of conventional, adsorbed antisera against agglutinogens 1, 2, and 3 of Bordetella pertussis was examined by slide agglutination and by agglutination in microtitre wells . Unadsorbed hyperimmune sera showed higher agglutinating activity against autologous or homologous cells than against cells of heterologous serotype . Adsorption of sera with heterologous cells increased the serotype specificity considerably . In spite of extensive adsorption, these anti-agglutinogen sera were still found to cross-react with B . parapertussis and/or B . bronchiseptica strains . Adsorption experiments with B . pertussis hyperimmune sera against serotype 1-, 1.2-, and 1.3-organisms demonstrated that the cross-reacting surface antigens differed from the agglutinogens 1, 2, and 3 . Thus, in making species-specific reagents for diagnostic use it may be of value to include adsorption with B . parapertussis and probably with B . bronchiseptica . Limited data indicated that there is no need to use B . avium for adsorption . The agglutination assays were also used to test three monoclonal antibodies stated to be specific for the agglutinogens 1, 2, and 3, respectively . Some anomalous behaviour for the anti-agglutinogen 1 reagent was found, whereas the anti-agglutinogen 2 and 3 reagents corresponded well with the present polyclonal factor sera. J Bone Miner Res, 1987 Dec, 2(6), 505 - 16 Utilization of FPLC-purified bacterial collagenase for the isolation of cells from bone; Hefley TJ; Crude bacterial collagenase is essential for the enzymatic isolation of cells from the membranous bone of neonatal mouse calvaria . We have employed the newly developed methodology of fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) to separate and quantify the isozymes of collagenase so that their role in the enzymatic isolation of cells might be determined . FPLC resolved as many as six protein peaks in less than 30 min using a single anion exchange column and separated collagenase isozymes into two classes . The Class I isozymes had a preference for the substrate Azocoll, a denatured collagen substrate, and the Class II isozymes had a preference for Hexapeptide, a synthetic substrate . Two preparations of chromatographically purified collagenase (CGN-A and CGN-B) were tested for their ability to release viable cells from bone . Both preparations of purified collagenase completely digested the calvaria in 120 min . The total cell yield obtained with CGN-A was 0.34 million cells per calvarium . The yield obtained with CGN-B was 1.01 million cells per calvarium . Each preparation of purified collagenase was analyzed using FPLC . CGN-A contained only Class I collagenase isozymes, whereas CGN-B contained a mixture of both Class I and Class II isozymes . The collagenase isozymes of CGN-B were separated by FPLC and then combined in a 4:1 ratio of Class II: Class I isozymes . Utilization of FPLC-separated collagenase isozymes for the cell isolation increased the total cell yield to 1.50 million cells/calvarium . We have concluded that there are many combinations of collagenase isozymes that will completely digest the extracellular matrix of bone . However, only a combination which favors the Class II isozymes will result in a low rate of cell destruction and high cell yields. Gen Physiol Biophys, 1987 Dec, 6(6), 593 - 608 Osmium tetroxide recognized structural distortions at junctions between right- and left-handed DNA in a bacterial cell; Palecek E et al.; It was shown for the first time that the structural distortions at the junctions between contiguous right-handed and left-handed Z-DNA segments can be recognized in bacterial cells . E . coli containing recombinant plasmid pPK1 (a derivative of pUC19 containing (dC-dG)13 and (dC-dG)16 blocks) were treated with osmium tetroxide, 2.2'-bipyridine (Os,bipy); after this treatment pPK1 DNA was isolated by the boiling method . pPK1 DNA was then cleaved with BglI, and inhibition of BamHI (with its recognition sequence GGATCC lying on the boundary between the (dC-dG)n segments and the pUC19 nucleotide sequence) cleavage was tested . Treatment of cells with 2 mmol/l Os,bipy resulted in a strong inhibition of BamHI cleavage at both restriction sites showing a site-specific osmium modification at the B--Z junction . About the same inhibition of BamHI cleavage was observed after treatment of isolated pPK1 DNA with 0.2 mmol/l Os,bipy. Tsitologiia, 1987 Dec, 29(12), 1385 - 91 {Transformation of the cells of transplantable teratocarcinoma CBA9H6 by a bacterial dihydrofolate reductase gene}; Tomilin NV et al.; A plasmid containing the bacterial gene of methotrexate-resistant dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr), under the control of early SV40 promoter, was introduced into murine teratocarcinoma CBA9H6 cells . From the whole pool of teratocarcinoma cells, which survived after transient methotrexate selection in vivo, the individual cells were isolated to give rise to 15 clones of tumors . Six of the 15 clones displayed nucleotide sequences of the original vector containing pBR322 sequences and the early SV40 promoter region; however, the bacterial dhfr gene was absent from the transformant clones . Possible causes of the loss of introduced dhfr gene from teratocarcinoma cells under non-selective conditions are discussed. J Clin Lab Immunol, 1987 Dec, 24(4), 193 - 8 Dose-dependent changes in the antigenicity of bacterial endotoxin exposed to ionizing radiation; Csako G et al.; The antigenic properties of the highly purified US reference standard endotoxin (RSE) exposed to varying doses of ionizing radiation were studied with double immunodiffusion, immunoelectrophoresis and immunoblotting . Rabbit RSE antisera identified 2 distinct major antigenic components for untreated RSE: one related to the O-polysaccharide side chain ("O-antigenic specificity"), the other to the R-core . Based on a serologic cross-reactivity of R-core of RSE (Escherichia coli 0113) with the R-core of the lipopolysaccharide from E . coli 0111, the core type of E . coli 0113 was identified as coli R3 . Increasing exposure of RSE to ionizing radiation progressively destroyed all antigenic reactivities: at lower doses of radiation the rate of elimination differed for the 2 antigen classes . The O-polysaccharide was more sensitive to gamma-radiation than the R-core and the O-antigenicity was lost before that of the R-core . Endotoxin molecules containing incomplete R-core (radiation-induced or mutant) did not react with the RSE antiserum. Anal Biochem, 1987 Dec, 167(2), 245 - 60 Determination of synthesis rate and lifetime of bacterial mRNAs; Baracchini E et al.; A method has been developed to determine the synthesis rate and lifetime of bacterial mRNAs, either bulk mRNA or specific mRNAs, with a minimum of physiological disturbance . The method uses hybridization of pulse-labeled RNA to specific probes followed by an evaluation based on a computer simulation of the labeling kinetics of different classes of RNA . The method was applied to the determination of bulk mRNA in Escherichia coli growing in glucose minimal medium: 60% of the instantaneous rate of RNA synthesis, or 2.3% of the total amount of RNA, was found to be mRNA with an average lifetime of 1.0 +/- 0.2 min (= 0.7 min half-life). Vet Rec, 1987 Nov 28, 121(22), 519 - 21 Fibrinogen levels in mammals suffering from bacterial infections; Hawkey CM et al.; In a retrospective survey of fibrinogen levels and neutrophil counts in 388 blood samples from mammals suffering from bacterial infection, the combined results of the two tests provided positive confirmation of infection in a greater percentage of samples than did the results of either test alone . In Perissodactyla, Artiodactyla and Proboscidea, the fibrinogen level was abnormal more often than the neutrophil count . It was concluded that a fibrinogen estimation is a valuable addition to routine haematological screening procedures in mammals. J Biol Chem, 1987 Nov 25, 262(33), 15900 - 7 Sugar transport by the bacterial phosphotransferase system . The intrinsic fluorescence of enzyme I; Neyroz P et al.; Enzyme I of the bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate: glycose phosphotransferase system has 2 tryptophan residues/monomer, as determined spectrophotometrically . The tryptophan fluorescence has been investigated with the aid of nanosecond time-resolved techniques . The decay of the fluorescence intensity was analyzed in terms of a biexponential function . The contribution of the emission associated with the shorter decay constant increases from 17-19% at 1 degree C to 43-44% at room temperature . Decay-associated spectra obtained with Enzyme I indicate different spectral distributions associated with the two decay constants . The measurement of tumbling of Enzyme I as a function of temperature revealed a transition of rotational rates between 5 and 15.5 degrees C . Global analysis allowed decomposition of the anisotropy decay into a formulation consistent with monomer and dimer rotational contributions. J Biol Chem, 1987 Nov 25, 262(33), 16241 - 53 Sugar transport by the bacterial phosphotransferase system . Molecular cloning and structural analysis of the Escherichia coli ptsH, ptsI, and crr genes; Saffen DW et al.; Specialized lambda-transducing phages that carry the Escherichia coli genes ptsH, ptsI, crr, cysM, and cysA have been isolated, and the genes were subcloned in plasmid pBR322 . Subcloning and restriction mapping data gave the following clockwise order of genes located at about 52 min on the E . coli genetic map: lig, cysK, ptsH, ptsI, crr, cysM, cysA . The nucleotide sequences of ptsH, ptsI, and crr and the corresponding flanking regions have been determined . These genes encode three cytoplasmic proteins of the phosphoenol-pyruvate:glycose phosphotransferase system: HPr, Enzyme I, and IIIGlc, respectively . The deduced amino acid sequences are consistent with amino acid composition and Edman degradation analyses obtained with the purified proteins . The calculated subunit molecular weight values (9,109 for HPr, 63,489 for Enzyme I, and 18,099 for IIIGlc) also agree well with values obtained with the proteins . Results of gamma delta-transposon insertional studies provided definitive evidence that IIIGlc is the gene product of crr, and therefore that IIIGlc plays a critical role in regulating the metabolism and uptake of certain non-PTS sugars (see accompanying papers: Mitchell, W.J., Saffen, D.W., and Roseman, S . (1987) J . Biol . Chem . 16254-16260; Misko, T.P., Mitchell, W.J., Meadow, N.D., and Roseman, S . (1987) J . Biol . Chem . 16261-16266) . The gamma delta transposon studies also suggest that crr is transcribed from an independent promoter located within the ptsI gene . Putative regulatory sequence features include a catabolite gene activator protein-cAMP-binding site and two regions of 2-fold rotational symmetry adjacent to the potential promoter upstream from the HPr structural gene, several ribosome-binding sites, and a rho-independent RNA polymerase termination site downstream from crr . In addition, the ptsI gene contains two highly conserved direct repeats . The significance of these sequence features is discussed with respect to possible multiple forms of pts regulation. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1987 Nov 5, 916(1), 89 - 93 A simple method for the rapid determination of the stereospecificity of NAD-dependent dehydrogenases applied to mammalian IMP dehydrogenase and bacterial NADH peroxidase; Cooney D et al.; The stereospecificity of IMP dehydrogenase (IMP:NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.205) from two different sources was determined . The enzyme preparations were obtained from murine lymphoblasts and from Escherichia coli . Both enzymes transferred the 2-3H of IMP to the pro-S position of carbon atom C-4 of the nicotinamide ring in NAD . Thus, B-sided stereospecificity is common to the enzyme from two very different species . In addition, the studies described here demonstrate that alcohol dehydrogenase and NADH peroxidase, used as auxiliary enzymes, in combination with a microdistillation procedure, should permit rapid determination of the stereospecificity of any NAD-dependent dehydrogenase for which the appropriate tritiated substrate is available. Am J Emerg Med, 1987 Nov, 5(6), 488 - 91 Clinical diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis; Nelson MS; Bacterial vaginosis (often called nonspecific vaginitis or gardnerella vaginitis) is an incompletely understood disease whose initial diagnosis is often one of exclusion made when no trichomonads, yeast, or evidence of cervicitis is found during the initial examination of a woman complaining of a vaginal discharge . To increase the accuracy of the initial diagnosis, specific criteria were used before the clinical diagnosis of