Int Arch Occup Environ Health, 1986, 57(4), 321 - 3 Mould exposure in museum personnel; Kolmodin-Hedman B et al.; In the basement archives of a local arts and crafts museum where the books and bookkeeping registers were handled, a woman on the museum staff had had ten attacks of fever, chill, nausea and cough during one year . The symptoms appeared at the end of the working day and disappeared after one to three days at home . No symptoms could be detected during the summer holidays . The books stored in the basement archives had earlier been stored in a small house with a leaky roof, which had led to the growth of mould on the books . When the books were handled at the museum, they were still covered with mould . The exposure measurements showed 10(6) CFU/m3 and a total of 10(8) microorganisms/m3. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 1986, 25(2), 159 - 83 Critical review of water activities and microbiology of drying of meats; Gailani MB et al.; The drying of meat is one of the least expensive and most effective ways to preserve meat . This article reviews the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of foods in relation to the drying of meat and the role of microbial activities in the drying and storage of meat . The critical role of water activity and its relationship with other physical and chemical parameters and microbial survival in the drying of meat is also reviewed in detail . This article ends with a description of the various methods to measure water activity in foods . The conclusion is that the drying of meat is a highly complex phenomenon which is influenced by the composition of meat, its water holding capacity, the processing of meat, and various microorganisms found on meat before and after the drying process . There is no doubt that the drying of meat is an effective preservation process, but attention should be placed on the possible survival of microorganisms in the process in order to prevent spoilage and food-borne diseases. Nauchnye Doki Vyss Shkoly Biol Nauki, 1986, (12), 97 - 101 {Method for studying the adaptation of Escherichia coli to the acidification of the medium}; Pecherkin MP; Apparatus permitting to regulate the growth rate of turbidostat culture of microorganisms has been worked out . The process of adaptation of culture microorganisms to the medium acidity has been investigated by the stabilization of growth rate method . The correlation coefficients between adaptation time and changes of acid concentration in medium have been determined . The effect of aeration and density of microorganisms on the parameters of adaptation process has been considered . The conclusion concerning prospects of the growth rate stabilization method application for studying the regularities of culture microorganisms adaptation to the action of the stress has been made. Adv Exp Med Biol, 1986, 199, 1 - 17 Protein inhibitors of serine proteinases--mechanism and classification; Laskowski M Jr; Protein proteinase inhibitors are widely distributed in plants, animals and microorganisms . They can be conveniently grouped since most frequently they inhibit proteinases belonging only to a single mechanistic class . Protein inhibitors of serine proteinases have been most extensively studied . They are strictly competitive inhibitors forming 1:1 complexes with the enzymes they inhibit . In these complexes, all activities of the enzyme are completely abolished . The inhibitors are substrates for the enzyme they inhibit at a unique peptide bond called the reactive site peptide bond (one for each inhibitory domain) . However, compared to normal substrates where the enzyme-substrate and enzyme-product complexes dissociate very readily here, the complexes are very stable . Serine proteinase inhibitors can be divided into at least 13 families . Within each family the position of the reactive site and the closure of disulfide bridges can be inferred by homology . In enzyme-inhibitor complexes, about 10-15 residues of the inhibitor are in contact with the enzyme . Their specific nature strongly affects both the strength and the specificity of enzyme-inhibitor interaction . In all cases where the sequences of many inhibitors from the same family can be compared, the contact residues are not strongly conserved--instead, they are hypervariable . This raises major problems but also offers huge opportunities to those concerned with the role of inhibitors in biology and in medicine. Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique, 1986, 34(3), 181 - 90 {Public health impact of adsorption of enteroviruses on ocean and river sediments}; Nestor J et al.; Fixation of enteroviruses in sands, ocean sediments, and river mud constitutes a very real public health risk . The authors review the physicochemical and biological mechanisms of virus attachment to particles . Rates of adherence frequently reach 90 to 100%, especially in montmorillonites and sands . Studies devoted to microorganism adherence are mentioned . Attachment of enteroviruses to particles in suspension, to bacteria and other microorganisms--all becoming vectors--is described . Also reviewed is the manner in which these pathogenic substances are disseminated in the environment, especially at beaches, recreational areas and shellfish breeding areas . Greater vigilance to the dangers is advocated on the part of public health authorities, those responsible for environmental salubrity and for shellfish grounds. Folia Histochem Cytobiol, 1986, 24(2), 75 - 88 Emigration and accumulation of PMN-leukocytes induced by endotoxin, interleukin 1 and other chemotactic substances; Movat HZ et al.; This publication describes polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) emigration and accumulation, which is prerequisite for their defensive function in infected tissues . The extravasated PMNs can kill microorganisms, but in this process they also release proteolytic enzymes and other cell constituents which can alter and even injure the tissues, primarily the microcirculation . In the first part of the paper in vivo quantitation of the acute inflammatory reaction is described with emphasis on PMN emigration and accumulation . With 51Cr-labeled PMNs the kinetics of their emigration induced by a number of chemotaxins and chemotaxinigens was found to be similar, peaking in 1-4 hour old lesions and returning to baseline values thereafter . The most potent substance tested was endotoxin, which induced a PMN influx at a molar concentration a least 3 orders of magnitude lower than the other substances tested, implying the these substances are not the primary endogenous mediators of endotoxin induced inflammation . Next we describe an observation which shed considerable light on the mechanisms underlying PMN emigration . When a chemotaxin or endotoxin was injected intradermally and after varying periods of time reinjected into the same site, the PMN influx into those sites was diminished, compared to sites not previously injected, i . e . injected for the first time . This tachyphylaxis or diminished responsiveness was attributed to a downregulation of receptors, presumably on endothelial cells, coupled to a facilitatory mechanism . Other mechanism proposed to terminate emigration of PMNs during inflammatory reaction were unlikely, based on our experimental findings . Endotoxin is not chemotactic in vitro but it induces PMN emigration when injected intradermally . Hence the third part of the publication deals with PMN emigration induced by interleukin 1 and its significance for endotoxin-induced inflammation . IL 1 is the only chemotaxin which induces PMN accumulation at a concentration comparable to that of endotoxin and considerably lower than the other chemotaxins . There was cross tachyphylaxis between endotoxin and IL 1 and vice versa . The PMN influx into IL 1 sites injected 6 hours earlier with IL 1 or with endotoxin was diminished compared to IL 1 sites injected into normal skin . Sites injected first with IL 1 and then with a low dose of endotoxin also exhibited cross tachyphylaxis . FMLP or LTB4 injected into sites pretreated with endotoxin did not exhibit cross tachyphylaxis, i . e . the PMN influx was similar to sites injected for the first time with these chemotaxins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) Zentralbl Mikrobiol, 1986, 141(3), 217 - 24 {Production and regeneration of yeast protoplasts: a review}; Popov BK et al.; The latest advance in protoplast technology results from a long and detailed study of cell wall composition and protoplast systems relating to their isolation and culture . The reports on protoplast preparation and fusion discussed in this review clearly demonstrate the applicability of technique for the genetic manipulation of microorganisms . These points have been demonstrated in Candida strains . The behaviour of protoplasts especially with respect to reversion could be an additional factor that operates during selection . Furthermore the fusion technique, in providing a mechanism which genetic recombination can be readily achieved, should be of great potential in empirical breeding and strain improvement . These aspects are reviewed. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1986, 469, 194 - 211 Studies of host-plasmid interactions in recombinant microorganisms; Bailey JE et al.; Plasmid genes redirect some components of cellular metabolism into synthesis of plasmid gene products and additional plasmids . The stoichiometric and kinetic implications of these host-plasmid interactions have been investigated theoretically and experimentally . Using known pathway energetics, maximum theoretical yield factors based on ATP, glucose, and O2 have been estimated for recombinant Escherichia coli and compared with corresponding estimates for host cells alone, indicating major changes in carbon and energetic stoichiometry in recombinant cells in cases of high cloned gene expression . The influence of the number of plasmids in recombinant E . coli has been experimentally characterized using a series of pMB1 derivatives stably propagated at copy numbers from 12 to 408 . Recombinant cell growth rate declines monotonically as plasmid content increases as does efficiency of plasmid gene expression . A detailed metabolically structured single-cell model for E . coli has successfully simulated these trends . Interrelationships among number of plasmids per cell, induction of expression of a plasmid gene, and recombinant population growth rate have been experimentally delineated for Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing plasmid pLGSD5 and derivatives in which the 2-micron origin of replication has been replaced by a cloned ARS1 sequence or its deletion fragments . The CEN4 centromere sequence has been included in some of these plasmids to provide more regular segregation . Specific growth rate of these recombinant yeasts exhibits a maximum as a function of plasmid content, an effect attributed to the interplay between beneficial effects of the plasmid in selective medium and parasitic effects on metabolism at larger plasmid content or with more plasmid gene expression activity . The yeast strains investigated exhibit substantial segregational instability that was characterized using a rapid-flow cytometry measurement based upon single-cell deletion of E . coli beta-galactosidase activity in recombinant cells. Magnesium, 1986, 5(1), 9 - 23 Magnesium and cell cycle control: an update; Walker GM; Accumulating evidence, from bacteria to human cells, points to a universal role for magnesium in controlling the cell cycle . In microorganisms, the co-ordinate sequence of events which culminate in biomass doubling and cell division may be modulated through expression of differential magnesium effects during the cell cycle . For example, it has been suggested in bacteria that growth and cell division may possess different affinities for magnesium; whilst in yeast, cell cycle-dependent fluxes in intracellular magnesium are postulated to regulate cell proliferation . In mammalian cells, magnesium is important in governing key rate-limiting steps in the cell cycle, particularly at the onset of DNA synthesis and at mitosis . Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that cell transformation may cause selective loss of this regulatory role for magnesium, implying that magnesium is important in oncogenesis and perhaps in the expression of malignancy. Clin Physiol Biochem, 1986, 4(1), 50 - 60 Iron, infection, and neoplasia; Weinberg ED; In nearly all forms of life, the number and diversity of enzymes that contain iron or that depend on the presence of this metal for activity are impressive . Not surprisingly, chemical mechanisms have been evolved by many organisms that permit them to solubilize and acquire iron while at the same time depriving their competitors or their pathogens of this element . Proteins such as transferrin and lactoferrin that are employed by vertebrate hosts for iron transport and acquisition can, to some extent, withhold the metal from the siderophores of invading bacteria and fungi . Attempts also are made by animal hosts to withhold iron from protozoa and neoplastic cells . Unfortunately, pathogenic microorganisms have developed a variety of counter measures that are especially dangerous in hosts stressed by iron overload in specific fluids, tissues, or cells . In recent years, however, a number of possible methods and agents for strengthening iron-withholding defense have become apparent . Nearly 3,000 papers on various aspects of iron withholding are contained in the 18-year Medline Database and numerous reviews have been published since 1966 . The present paper will focus on developments that have been reported within the past 2 1/2 years. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1986 Jan, 39(1), 53 - 7 Improved screening for beta-lactam antibiotics . A sensitive, high-throughput assay using DD-carboxypeptidase and a novel chromophore-labeled substrate; Schindler PW et al.; The very sensitive and specific method for the detection of beta-lactam antibiotics using DD-carboxypeptidase (DDCase) from Actinomadura strain R39 has been improved to meet the requirements of a high-throughput beta-lactam screening from culture broths of microorganisms . The method is based on a novel chromophor-labeled substrate N alpha-acetyl-N epsilon-4-(7-nitrobenzofurazanyl)-L-lysyl-D-al anyl-D-alanine (ANLA2) which is converted by DDCase into ANLA1 with only one D-alanine residue left . Both compounds are intensely yellow as well as highly fluorescent and can be separated by thin-layer chromatography . This allows easy determination of residual DDCase activity after reaction with beta-lactams by simple visual inspection of chromatograms . Also, many assays can be run at a time without sophisticated instrumentation . Details of the method as well as some results of a beta-lactam screening performed with this type of assay are described. Infect Immun, 1986 Jan, 51(1), 163 - 7 Mechanisms of phagocytosis of Mycobacterium leprae and other mycobacteria by human oligodendroglial cells; Saito H et al.; The mechanisms by which human oligodendroglial cells, KG-1-C cells, phagocytose mycobacteria, especially Mycobacterium leprae, were studied . The ability of glial cells to phagocytose M . leprae was inhibited by azide, dinitrophenol (inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation), and iodoacetamide but not fluoride (both are inhibitors of glycolysis) . Thus, the energy metabolism dependency is somewhat different from that of peritoneal macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, the phagocytic capacities of which are mainly dependent on glycolysis . Phagocytosis of M . leprae by KG-1-C cells was markedly suppressed by a microfilament inhibitor (cytochalasin B) but not microtubule inhibitors (colchicine and vinblastine), as with macrophages . The phagocytosis of M . leprae by KG-1-C cells was dependent on the lipid and somewhat on the sugar ligands of the organism . Moreover, the phagocytosis of a given mycobacterium by KG-1-C cells correlated well with its hydrophobicity, thus revealing the importance of some lipid moieties on the surface of bacteria in the establishment of rigid binding interaction of bacteria with KG-1-C cells, before the onset of engulfment . Electric charge of a given microorganism did not correlate with its phagocytosis by KG-1-C cells. Drugs Exp Clin Res, 1986, 12(12), 973 - 7 Expression and some properties of beta-lactamase from Mycobacterium fortuitum; Fattorini L et al.; Several species of mycobacteria have been reported to produce beta-lactamases, but only those of M . smegmatis have been purified and partially characterized . This study is a preliminary report of the presence of beta-lactamase activity in M . fortuitum, strain Cow 18 . A partial purification of the beta-lactamase has also been achieved . M . fortuitum was grown in either Sauton or glucose-yeast extract medium (GYM) and sonicated cells or culture filtrates were assessed for the presence of beta-lactamase activity using a chromogenic compound (PADAC) as substrate . Cells growing in GYM medium released a detectable amount of enzyme, whereas microorganisms showed only intracellular beta-lactamase activity . The enzyme present in the culture filtrate of M . fortuitum Cow 18 was concentrated by Amicon ultrafiltration and partially purified through Sephadex G-75 and QAE-Sephadex A-50 ion exchanger columns . The spectrum of activity of this enzyme included some cephalosporins (cephaloridine, cephalothin) and some penicillins, the hydrolysis of the former being generally more pronounced . Furthermore, cefoxitin, ceftazidime and cefotaxime were not hydrolysed. J Mol Evol, 1986, 24(1-2), 39 - 44 Silent nucleotide substitutions and G + C content of some mitochondrial and bacterial genes; Jukes TH et al.; The G + C content of DNA varies widely in different organisms, especially microorganisms . This variation is accompanied by changes in the nucleotide composition of silent positions in codons . (Silent positions are defined and explained in the text) . These changes are mostly neutral or near neutral, and appear to result from mutation pressure in the direction of increasing either A + T (AT pressure) or G + C (GC pressure) content . Variations in G + C content are also accompanied by substitutions at replacement positions in codons . These substitutions produce changes in the amino acid content of homologous proteins . The examples studied were genes for 13 mitochondrial proteins in five species, and A and B genes for bacterial tryptophan synthase in four species . In microorganisms, varying AT and GC mutational pressures, presumably resulting from shifts in the DNA polymerase system, exert strong effects on molecular evolution by changing the G + C content of DNA . These effects may be greater than those of random drift . The effects of GC pressure on silent substitutions in the systems examined are several times as great as the effects on replacement substitutions . GC pressure is exerted on noncoding as well as coding regions in mitochondrial DNA . This is shown by the close correlation (correlation coefficient, 0.99) of the G + C content of the noncoding D loop of mitochondria with the G + C content of silent positions in the corresponding mitochondrial genes. Mikrobiologiia, 1986 Jan-Feb, 55(1), 41 - 8 {Effect of the exogenous lipids of complex media on the fatty acid composition of mycelial microorganisms}; Konova IV et al.; The effect of exogenous lipid sources on the composition of fatty acids was studied in actinomycetes of the Streptomyces genus and in fungi belonging to the genera Blakeslea, Cunninghamella and Penicillium . The following sources of exogenous lipids were used: soybean and maize flour, sunflower by-products, chicken droppings, maize extract, yeast extract, peptone, sperm whale fat, sunflower and palm oil . The composition of fatty acids in total extracted lipids of the studied mycelial microorganisms was shown to reflect two processes: lipid synthesis de novo and assimilation of exogenous fatty acids . This fact ought to be taken into account both in the chemotaxonomic interpretation of fatty acid composition and in practical recommendations for the utilization of microbial lipids . It is of particular interest to study the physiological role of exogenous lipid metabolism in the cells of microorganisms. Farmakol Toksikol, 1986 Jan-Feb, 49(1), 69 - 71 {Monomycin distribution in the tissues of animals of various ages}; Gavrilov EM et al.; The distribution of monomycin (15 mg/kg intramuscularly) in the blood serum and organs of mature, old and young rats was studied in the agar diffusion test . Bact . pumelis was used as test microorganism . The good absorption of this antibiotic into blood was revealed and its accumulation in high concentrations in the kidneys of animals of all ages, that conditions to a certain degree the nephrotoxicity of the preparation . Its accumulation in the organs and release from them is quicker in young rats than in mature and old ones . According to monomycin concentration, the organs were distributed in the following descending order: kidneys-liver-lungs-spleen. J Free Radic Biol Med, 1986, 2(4), 237 - 43 Prooxidant action of desferrioxamine: Fenton-like production of hydroxyl radicals by reduced ferrioxamine; Borg DC et al.; It is common practice in biochemical research to assume that iron bound to desferrioxamine (DFO) to form ferrioxamine (FOA) has been rendered inactive to subsequent redox chemistry within the range of physiological redox potentials, both in vitro and in vivo . However, plants and microorganisms can make iron metabolically available from ferrioxamine and closely related trihydroxamate siderophores, and at neutral pH, cyclic voltammetry of FOA demonstrates a reversible one-electron reduction at about -0.42 to -0.45 V (vs . normal hydrogen electrode), which is within the range of a number of reducing enzymes . We present evidence for the Fenton-like ability of FOA reduced by paraquat cation radicals to consume H2O2 and produce hydroxyl radicals (OH.) in the process . Similar reactions may explain previously reported potentiation of the oxidizing toxicity of paraquat in rats by high doses of DFO, as well as several other examples of prooxidant actions of DFO in vivo . We present the hypothesis that biphasic antioxidant/prooxidant behavior of DFO as a function of dose may be common with iron-catalyzed oxidizing reactions when mobile strong reducing agents are present . Hence, the real possibility of amplifying oxidizing damage must be considered when planning treatment with DFO, and failure of DFO to inhibit a particular response to oxidizing stress or its enhancement by DFO cannot, by itself, be considered sufficient evidence to rule out an iron-dependent process. Gene, 1986, 47(1), 1 - 153 Specificity of restriction endonucleases and methylases--a review; Kessler C et al.; The properties and sources of all known restriction endonucleases and methylases are listed . The enzymes are cross-indexed (Table I), classified according to their recognition sequence homologies (Table II), and characterized within Table II by the cleavage and methylation positions, the number of recognition sites on the double-stranded DNA of the bacteriophages lambda, phi X174 and M13mp7, the viruses Ad2 and SV40, the plasmids pBR322 and pBR328, and the microorganisms from which they originate . Other tabulated properties of the restriction endonucleases include relaxed specificities (integrated into Table II), the structure of the generated fragment ends (Table III), and the sensitivity to different kinds of DNA methylation (Table V) . In Table IV the conversion of two- and four-base 5'-protruding ends into new recognition sequences is compiled which is obtained by the fill-in reaction with Klenow fragment of the Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I or additional nuclease S1 treatment followed by ligation of the modified fragment termini {P3} . Interconversion of restriction sites generates novel cloning sites without the need of linkers . This should improve the flexibility of genetic engineering experiments . Table VI classifies the restriction methylases according to the nature of the methylated base(s) within their recognition sequences . This table also comprises restriction endonucleases which are known to be inhibited or activated by the modified nucleotides . The detailed sequences of those overlapping restriction sites are also included which become resistant to cleavage after the sequential action of corresponding restriction methylases and endonucleases {N11, M21} . By this approach large DNA fragments can be generated which is helpful in the construction of genomic libraries . The data given in both Tables IV and VI allow the design of novel sequence specificities . These procedures complement the creation of universal cleavage specificities applying class IIS enzymes and bivalent DNA adapter molecules {P17, S82}. Biochimie, 1986 Jan, 68(1), 181 - 7 Hydrogenases of phototrophic microorganisms; Gogotov IN; This review surveys recent work done in the laboratory of the author and related laboratories on the properties and possible practical applications of hydrogenases of phototrophic microorganisms . Homogeneous hydrogenase preparations were obtained from purple non-sulfur (Rhodospirillum rubrum S1, Rhodobacter capsulatus B10) and purple sulfur (Chromatium vinosum D, Thiocapsa roseopersicina BBS) bacteria, and from the green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium limicola forma thiosulfatophilum L; highly purified hydrogenase samples were prepared from the cyanobacterium Anabaena cylindrica and from the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardii . It was shown that hydrogenases of R . capsulatus and T . roseopersicina contain Ni and Fe-S cluster . The cytochromes of the c or b type serve as native electron acceptors for the hydrogenases of the purple bacteria and cyanobacteria; rubredoxin or cytochrome c for the hydrogenase of the green sulfur bacterium; and ferredoxin for Ch . reinhardii hydrogenase . The hydrogenase of T . roseopersicina BBS reversibly activates H2 at Eh less than -290 mV (pH 7), whereas those from R . capsulatus and from C . limicola f . thiosulfatophilum exhibit their maximum activity at Eh greater than -300 mV and are thus favourable only for the H2 uptake . Hydrogenase synthesis in different phototrophs depends on pO2, H2 concentrations and organic substrates . Organic compounds, which serve as electron donors and carbon sources, repress hydrogenase synthesis in R . rubrum, R . capsulatus and in Ectothiorhodospira shaposhnikovii when present at high concentrations . The synthesis of T . roseopersicina hydrogenase is constitutive . H2 notably stimulates hydrogenase activity in R . capsulatus . The synthesis of hydrogenase in R . sphaeroides 2R occurs only in the presence of H2 and does not depend on the presence of organic compounds in the medium. Histochemistry, 1986, 84(4-6), 371 - 8 Superoxide production by polymorphonuclear leukocytes . A cytochemical approach; Briggs RT et al.; Phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear leukocytes triggers a burst of oxidative metabolism resulting in hydrogen peroxide and superoxide production, and these active oxygen species function in the killing of microorganisms . A new cytochemical technique, based on a manganese dependent diaminobenzidine oxidation, has been developed to detect superoxide in these cells . It has been shown that superoxide generation is associated with the plasma membrane in cells activated by particulate (zymosan) and non-particulate (phorbol myristate acetate) stimuli . This membrane activity is maintained during invagination such that reduced oxygen is generated within the endocytic vacuoles . Reaction product is absent from unstimulated cells; additionally, formation of precipitate is blocked by omission of Mn++, low temperature, glutaraldehyde prefixation, and the presence of superoxide dismutase in the incubation medium. Chemotherapy, 1986, 32(3), 286 - 90 Evaluation of the immunostimulating activity of erythromycin in man; Fraschini F et al.; The effects of erythromycin on the immune system have been studied in healthy volunteers and patients suffering from chronic bronchopneumonial diseases, by means of the following assays: phagocytosis, natural killer activity and superoxide anion production . The tests were performed before and after oral administration of 1 g of erythromycin . The findings suggest that erythromycin enhances phagocytosis by means of increasing ingestion of microorganisms, superoxide anion (O2-) production as well as natural killer activity . Under the experimental conditions described these effects appear 4-6 h after drug intake and reach their maximum around the 8th hour. Basic Life Sci, 1986, 37, 195 - 205 Application of bioengineering to disease diagnosis; Osburn BI; Traditional approaches to diagnosing disease include clinical observations, pathological changes in tissues, and searches for the etiology, by isolation, or identification of microorganisms, or by serological methods . Development of techniques for studying the molecular biology of microorganisms, manipulation of cellular systems, and improved immunoassays have contributed to better diagnostic technology . Recombinant DNA technology has made it possible to apply highly specific probes consisting of nucleotide sequences that hybridize with complementary sequences of microorganisms . The specific techniques utilized include Southern, northern, and dot blot hybridization and in situ hybridization . Identification of proteins of microorganisms is done by western blot, dot blot, and in situ peroxidase-antiperoxidase techniques . These techniques have the promise of being highly specific and rapid methods for diagnosis of disease. Annu Rev Immunol, 1986, 4, 37 - 68 An overview of T-suppressor cell circuits; Asherson GL et al.; This review gives an overview of two main suppressor circuits . In its complete form, the first circuit form has an early acting Ts-inducer that behaves like a T-helper cell for the production of idiotype-directed Ts-transducer or antigen-directed Ts-effector cells . In this circuit, the T-suppressor effector cell (Ts-eff) produces antigen-specific T-suppressor factor (TsF) . This has a mode of action through the T-acceptor cell (T-acc), a cell that requires immunization, but not specific immunization, for its production . This cell, when armed with TsF-eff and then triggered with antigen and I-J, releases nonspecific TsF that blocks the passive transfer of contact sensitivity . It also blocks the production of IL-2 . The biological significance of the complexities of this circuit is discussed in relation to the control of unresponsiveness and the handling infection and antigenic variation of microorganisms . The second set of suppressor cells, T suppressor afferent cells, inhibits only when given early in the immune response but differs from the Ts-inducer by lacking an obligatory mode of action through the Ts-eff/T-acc circuit . In general, the antigen-specific T-helper and T-suppressor factors have a two-chain disulfide-bonded structure . One chain carries the antigen-binding site and the other chain MHC-related determinants . Both chains are required for biological activity, and the genetic restriction in this complementation implies that the antigen-binding chain has a recognition site for MHC determinant(s) . The generalization can be made that the MHC-related determinants carried by the factors and the genetic restriction in their induction, in their action, and in the interchain complementation between their separated chains all map to the same region of the genome . This is intelligible on the assumption that the T-cell receptor on the cell that produces the factor has a recognition site for antigen and MHC determinants and that the antigen-binding chain of secreted factor has the same properties. J Free Radic Biol Med, 1986, 2(3), 183 - 8 Free radicals as possible mediators of the actions of interferon; Das UN et al.; Interferons (IFNs), in addition to their antiviral action, have been shown to inhibit cell proliferation, induce differentiation of some tumor cells, activate NK cells and macrophages, and modulate phagocytosis . The exact mechanism(s) by which IFN can bring about these pleiotropic actions is not known . Recent studies, including our own (presented here), showed that IFN can augment free radical generation in the cells . Free radicals can stimulate lymphocytes mitogenically and activate macrophages and NK cells . It is also known that activated machophages and polymorphs produce oxidative metabolites, such as hydrogen peroxide, which is responsible for sterilizing action against microorganisms and cytotoxic activity against tumor cells . Free radicals are also known to inhibit cell division . Since IFN can augment free radical generation, it is suggested that free radicals mediate some of the actions of IFN. J Environ Sci Health B, 1985 Dec, 20(6), 603 - 24 Plasma pharmacokinetics of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol following oral and intravenous administration to sheep; Prelusky DB et al.; The pharmacokinetics of deoxynivalenol (DON) were studied in sheep after administrating intravenous and oral doses (0.5 and 5.0 mg/kg, respectively) . The plasma concentrations were measured using an electron-capture gas chromatographic method . After iv administration DON plasma levels were found to decrease biexponentially, showing a rapid distribution phase (t 1/2 alpha = 12-23 min), followed by a slower elimination phase (t 1/2 beta = 57-78 min) . Only trace levels of DON could be detected in plasma 7 hr post-dosing . Further pharmacokinetic data suggest that DON was confined mainly to extracellular fluid, and did not appear to undergo any significant binding or uptake by tissue . After oral dosing, DON was quickly absorbed (t-max 4.0-5.3 hr), but had a systemic bioavailability of only 7.5%; due in part to its rapid and efficient metabolism by rumen microorganisms . Half-life of elimination (t 1/2 beta) was 100-125 min following oral administration, and depending on the animal, required 20-30 hr to be cleared from the system . The metabolic formation of the glucuronide conjugate after iv and oral administration of DON appeared to occur quite efficiently (iv, 21%; oral, 75%), and its elimination half-lives (iv, 150-200 min; oral 6.1-7.1 hr) were considerably longer than that of the parent toxin . Detection in plasma of the de-epoxide metabolite, DOM-1, accounted for only a minor portion of the dose after either dosing regimen (iv, less than 2.0%; oral, less than 0.3%), occurring predominantly as the glucuronide conjugate. Acta Med Okayama, 1985 Dec, 39(6), 447 - 51 Monocyte chemiluminescence and macrophage precursors in the aged; Takahashi I et al.; Age-related alterations in the host defense system have been vigorously investigated because of increased susceptibility to infection and neoplasms in the aged . Although monocyte-macrophages form a major part of the cellular defense against microorganisms, the majority of investigations has been limited to neutrophils and lymphocytes . The present study, designed to determine the influence of age on mononuclear phagocytes, revealed no significant decrease in the absolute number of blood monocytes, but did reveal a tendency for the chemiluminescence of blood monocytes to decrease (p less than 0.10) and a significant decrease in the numbers of macrophage precursors (p less than 0.05) in the aged (over 70 year old), in comparison with controls (under 40 years old) . On the basis of these findings, functional alterations of monocyte-macrophages seem to participate in the increased susceptibility to infection in the aged. J Clin Invest, 1985 Dec, 76(6), 2416 - 9 Z-nucleotide accumulation in erythrocytes from Lesch-Nyhan patients; Sidi Y et al.; 5-Amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside 5'-monophosphate (ZMP) is an intermediate in the purine de novo synthetic pathway that may be further metabolized to inosine 5'-monophosphate, degraded to the corresponding nucleoside (5-amino-4-imidazole-carboxamide riboside; Z-riboside), or phosphorylated to the corresponding 5'-triphosphate (ZTP) . Accumulation of ZTP in microorganisms has been associated with depletion of folate intermediates that are necessary for the conversion of ZMP to inosine 5'-monophosphate and has been postulated to play a regulatory role in cellular metabolism . We have shown the presence of Z-nucleotides in erythrocytes derived from five individuals with the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome . Erythrocyte folate levels were within the normal range, although guanosine triphosphate levels were significantly reduced below those in normal controls (P less than 0.01) . A small amount of Z-nucleotide accumulation was also found in one individual with partial deficiency of the enzyme hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase and in two individuals with other disorders of purine overproduction . In contrast, no Z-nucleotides were detected in 13 normal controls or in three individuals with hyperuricemia on allopurinol therapy . We conclude that Z-nucleotide formation may result from markedly increased rates of de novo purine biosynthesis . It is possible that metabolites of these purine intermediates may play a role in the pathogenesis of the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Dec, 22(6), 1056 - 7 Intravenous catheter-associated fungemia due to Candida rugosa; Reinhardt JF et al.; We report a case of intravenous catheter-associated fungemia caused by Candida rugosa; this is the first report of such an infection in a human . Multiple cultures of blood taken over a 24-h period and of the intravenous catheter tip were positive for this unusual isolate . The patient was treated with intravenous amphotericin B and made an uneventful recovery . Intravenous cannulae and other intravascular devices are well recognized as potential sites of intravascular infection by a variety of microorganisms, including several Candida species; however, fungemia caused by C . rugosa has not been reported. Int Dent J, 1985 Dec, 35(4), 291 - 6 The scientific basis of periodontal treatment; Saxen L; The development of periodontal treatment based on knowledge of the aetiology and pathogenesis of the diseases is reviewed . Emphasis is laid on the role of microorganisms and especially on the significance of their immunological interactions with the host . It is concluded that, despite increasing knowledge of the pathogenesis, microbiology and immunology of periodontal diseases, the methods of treatment have not changed essentially during the past 30 years . Oral hygiene instruction, scaling and root planing are still the methods of choice. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Dec, 50(6), 1434 - 8 Use of immunofluorescence and phase-contrast microscopy for detection and identification of Giardia cysts in water samples; Sauch JF; A method was developed in which indirect immunofluorescence and phase-contrast microscopy are used for rapid detection and identification of Giardia cysts in raw and finished water supplies . When anti-Giardia cyst antiserum and fluorescein conjugate were applied to known Giardia cysts on membrane filters, the cysts fluoresced bright green when they were illuminated by UV light . This procedure permitted individual cysts to be quickly located even in samples heavily contaminated with other microorganisms and debris . The identity of presumptive Giardia cysts located in this way could then be confirmed by observing characteristic internal morphological features with phase-contrast microscopy . With this method, Giardia cysts were detected and their identities were confirmed in samples taken from raw and finished surface water supplies during several recent outbreaks. Quad Sclavo Diagn, 1985 Dec, 21(4), 419 - 23 {Research on IgG and IgM anti-Legionella pneumophila group 1 in 101 subjects with pneumonitis}; de Crescenzo G et al.; IgG and IgM antibodies anti-Legionella pneumophila group 1 were detected by fluorescent-antibody technique according to Wilkinson et al . (1979) in the sera of 101 patients with pneumonia . Positive sera were tested by the same authors' modified technique (1981) . Our results indicate a low specificity of the first method, since 43.7% of the IgG-positive sera and all the IgM-positive sera were negative when tested by the modified method . 8.9% of the sera were IgG-positive, confirming the relatively high diffusion of the microorganism . In none of the studied patients an increase on antibody titer or an IgM-positivity were observed; in none of the studied cases of pneumonia the aetiological agent was therefore Legionella pneumophila. Ann Trop Paediatr, 1985 Dec, 5(4), 227 - 30 Congenital toxoplasmic myocarditis: case report of an unusual presentation; Garcia AG et al.; Extensive calcification of the heart, involving predominantly the right ventricle and interventricular septum, was observed in a 3-h-old baby . The aetiology of the condition was attributed to infection by Toxoplasma gondii, based on the presence of several visceral lesions allied to the identification of the microorganism . The case is reported in view of the rarity of the type of the heart lesion . It is considered that calcification of the myocardium is secondary to vascular, inflammatory or toxic condition . The factors implicated in the pathogenesis of this unusual myocardial lesion are discussed. Antibiot Med Biotekhnol, 1985 Nov, 30(11), 859 - 62 {Characteristics of determining microorganism sensitivity to new chemical compounds}; Silin VA; The main requirements for standardization of the experimental conditions should be observed with a purpose of unification of assays on microbial sensitivity to diverse chemical compounds and increasing the significance and comparability of the results . The choice of the main reference cultures, inoculum, nutrient medium (Hottinger broth, AGV medium) and incubation conditions, as well as recording and interpretation of the results are the most important of them. Antibiot Med Biotekhnol, 1985 Nov, 30(11), 843 - 5 {Coefficient of microorganism antibiotic sensitivity determined by diffusion in agar using disks}; Polovoi AM; A sensitivity coefficient is proposed for increasing the informative capacity of the results of determination of antibiotic sensitivity of microorganisms by the agar diffusion method . The coefficient provides distribution of antibiotics by the levels of their activity against the pathogens . It is obtained by dividing the value of the growth inhibition zone of the organism being tested around the paper disk impregnated with an antibiotic by the value of the area of the circle with the diameter of the boundary growth zone of the sensitive strain. Antibiot Med Biotekhnol, 1985 Nov, 30(11), 837 - 9 {Standard dried nutrient medium for determining microorganism sensitivity to antibiotics}; Gridneva NI et al.; The possibility of standardization of the dry nutrient medium AGV by the content of calcium and magnesium ions was studied . For manufacturing the commercial lots of the medium it is necessary to use special batches of agar-agar . Biological assay with the use of standard strains is included into specification of the medium. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 1985 Nov-Dec, 9(6), 735 - 46 Infection control during parenteral nutrition therapy; Williams WW; Parenteral nutrition therapy can achieve an anabolic state in patients who are unable to maintain normal nitrogen balance; however, it may be associated with infectious complications . Infections may be related to contamination of the cannula and the cannula wound, of the infusate, or of other parts of the parenteral nutrition system . A variety of microorganisms has been associated with these infections . The exact mechanisms that initiate cannula-related infection are poorly understood . Susceptibility of the host, the method and site of cannula insertion, colonization of parenteral nutrition cannulas, use of parenteral nutrition systems for multiple purposes, cannula material, and other factors may all play some role . Controlling infections depend on many factors, including quality control processes to ensure sterility of parenteral nutrition solutions, attention to aseptic technique during cannula insertion, procedures to prevent in-use contamination, proper care of the cannula insertion site, and proper management of other parts of the parenteral nutrition system . In addition, infectious complications appear to be reduced by an organized team that follows infection control protocols . Many facets of parenteral nutrition therapy are based on data from uncontrolled clinical investigations . Well-designed, controlled clinical trials may provide data that will further minimize the risks associated with parenteral nutrition therapy. Crit Care Clin, 1985 Nov, 1(3), 591 - 607 The systemic septic response: multiple systems organ failure; Cerra FB; Sepsis, which is the host response to one or more microorganisms, is probably best understood within the concept of activator-mediator-responder . The various forms of metabolic support work in all three areas . The best treatment is still prevention . The mortality rate has progressively fallen and is now in the range of 35 to 40 per cent . Appropriate nutritional support seems to have been an important factor in this reduction in mortality . There are many new areas of research that need to be evaluated, and many of these areas are now directed at regulatory aspects of the metabolic response. J Periodontol, 1985 Nov, 56(11 Suppl), 51 - 5 Local antibody responses in periodontal diseases; Ebersole JL et al.; The relationship between local and systemic host antibody responses, colonization of subgingival plaque by periodontal disease-associated microorganisms and the progression of periodontal disease was assessed in 61 patients . Serum antibody levels to a battery of oral microorganisms were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and an organism to which each patient exhibited a significantly elevated IgG response was chosen for further study . To detect the presence of the specific microorganism, plaque samples were obtained and examined using a seroELISA . Static crevicular fluid (SCF) samples were also obtained from all teeth and analyzed for IgG antibody to the homologous organism . A modification of the standard ELISA using biotin and avidin allowed a 5- to 10-fold increase in sensitivity for detection of IgG antibody in serum and SCF . Comparison of the distribution of elevated SCF antibody and the presence of the corresponding microorganism in each patient showed that the proportion of agreement was 54 to 78% in the samples . Schematic representation of the temporal relationship between the organism, the host response and disease activity were prepared to explain the results obtained in investigations of these parameters and to provide a testable hypothetical framework for future studies. J Periodontol, 1985 Nov, 56(11 Suppl), 22 - 7 The role of crevicular fluid iron in periodontal disease; Mukherjee S; This article presents a brief review of literature on the role of iron in infection and reports the concentration of iron in crevicular fluid (CF) in humans and beagle dogs . Crevicular fluid from human subjects was collected from gingivitis and periodontitis sites . The CF from beagle dogs was collected from gingivitis and active periodontitis (ligature-induced) sites . The results showed that the concentration of iron in human CF was often higher than in human serum . Also, a comparison between CF collected from gingivitis sites and periodontitis sites revealed a significantly higher concentration of iron in CF collected from the periodontitis sites . The studies in ligature-induced periodontitis in beagle dogs revealed at least a 3-fold increase in iron concentration in CF following ligation compared to the preligation values . Based on the available literature it is suggested that high concentration of iron in CF is not due to serum transferrin or polymorphonuclear leukocyte lactoferrin . Also, this high concentration of iron in CF might play an important role in enhancement of growth and virulence of microorganisms of the subgingival plaque and the initiation of active periodontitis. J Am Dent Assoc, 1985 Nov, 111(5), 745 - 51 Biochemical, microbiologic, and clinical comparisons between two dentifrices that contain different mixtures of sugar alcohols; Makinen KK et al.; It has been customary to think that in a dentifrice only a few of its ingredients would be active and have clinically significant effects on dental caries, oral hygiene, and the levels of caries-inducive microorganisms or harmful plaque metabolic products . Therefore, most of the emphasis has been placed on the type of fluorine compounds, abrasives, or similar dentifrice ingredients . This study shows that such common dentifrice components as the humectants, which contribute to the texture, rheologic characteristics, and shelf life of the product, also may affect the type of dental plaque grown on the tooth surfaces between toothbrushings or during long-term neglect of toothbrushing or of oral hygiene . Commonly used humectants include sorbitol, a sugar alcohol of the hexitol type, which is used often in sugarless candies . This study showed that when sorbitol in a dentifrice was replaced by xylitol, a sugar alcohol of the pentitol type, the dental plaque of human subjects contained more ammonia and significantly less bacterial polysaccharides . It is accepted generally that ammonia neutralizes plaque acids and that bacterial polysaccharides are involved in promoting caries . Xylitol-containing dentifrice also reduced the saliva levels of S mutans . The results further indicated that if sorbitol and xylitol could be compared in a short-term dentifrice study that relied on subjective and coarse plaque determinations only, no differences between those dentifrices would be found necessarily . To demonstrate the differences between the experimental dentifrices used in this study, it was necessary to analyze specific plaque components and the salivary levels of S mutans.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Nov, 50(5), 1144 - 8 Development of methods to measure virus inactivation in fresh waters; Ward RL et al.; This study concerns the identification and correction of deficiencies in methods used to measure inactivation rates of enteric viruses seeded into environmental waters . It was found that viable microorganisms in an environmental water sample increased greatly after addition of small amounts of nutrients normally present in the unpurified seed virus preparation . This burst of microbial growth was not observed after seeding the water with purified virus . The use of radioactively labeled poliovirus revealed that high percentages of virus particles, sometimes greater than 99%, were lost through adherence to containers, especially in less turbid waters . This effect was partially overcome by the use of polypropylene containers and by the absence of movement during incubation . Adherence to containers clearly demonstrated the need for labeled viruses to monitor losses in this type of study . Loss of viral infectivity in samples found to occur during freezing was avoided by addition of broth . Finally, microbial contamination of the cell cultures during infectivity assays was overcome by the use of gentamicin and increased concentrations of penicillin, streptomycin, and amphotericin B. Clin Exp Immunol, 1985 Nov, 62(2), 304 - 9 Differentiated HL60 promyelocytic leukaemia cells have a deficient myeloperoxidase/halide killing system; Pullen GR et al.; Following induction of differentiation by incubation with 1.25% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), cells of the HL60 promyelocytic leukaemia cell line acquire certain characteristics of the mature polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) including the ability to produce oxygen radicals and to phagocytose opsonized bacteria . However, these cells are unable to fix 125I during phagocytosis and are only able to kill phagocytosed microorganisms (C . albicans and S . aureus) to a small degree compared to mature PMN . Further, release of myeloperoxidase (MPO) from cytoplasmic granules occurs to approximately 20% of control levels after 6 days culture with DMSO, and drops to negligible levels by 7 days . These data suggest an immature or inactive MPO/peroxide/halide killing system . Insensitivity to the cyclooxygenase pathway inhibitor indomethacin suggests that there may also be a defect in this pathway. Infection, 1985 Nov-Dec, 13(6), 251 - 6 Acanthamoeba, an opportunistic microorganism: a review; Martinez AJ et al.; Granulomatous amebic encephalitis due to Acanthamoeba spp . usually occurs in chronically ill and debilitated individuals . Some of these patients may have received immunosuppressive therapy . Another infection due to Acanthamoeba spp . has been corneal ulcerations which usually occur after minimal trauma to the corneal epithelium (1) . In contrast, primary amebic meningoencephalitis due to Naegleria fowleri usually occurs in healthy, young individuals with a history of swimming in heated swimming pools, in manmade lakes or with recent contact with contaminated water and practising water-related sports . Subclinical infections due to free-living amebas are probably common in healthy individuals with the protozoa living as "normal flora" in the nose and throat . It is possible that in humans, antibodies and cell-mediated immunity protect the host in such ordinary circumstances against invasive infection . In debilitated and chronically ill individuals, depressed cellmediated immunity may allow these protozoa to proliferate, allowing a fulminant "opportunistic" infection to develop . In the case of acanthamoebic keratitis, it is important to keep in mind that the temperature and moist environment of the eye serve as a good medium for the growth and proliferation of the amebas and is not necessarily associated with immunosuppression but rather with trauma . This review confirms that opportunistic free-living amebic infections occur with increased frequency in patients treated with steroids, radiotherapy, chemotherapeutic drugs or with broad-spectrum antibiotics and suggest that the mechanism of such infection may be depressed cell-mediated immunity or some other alteration of the immune system, like acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Immunology, 1985 Nov, 56(3), 481 - 7 Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide mitogenicity with characterized anti-lipid A monoclonal antibodies; Girard R et al.; Antibodies to lipid A were raised in mice immunized with non-hydrolysed Bordetella pertussis microorganisms, coated with lipid A isolated from the same bacteria . Anti-lipid A activity of immune sera was measured by radioimmunoassay . Four hybrid cell lines that secrete antibodies directed against the hydrophobic region of B . pertussis lipopolysaccharide were produced by cell fusion between myeloma cells and spleen cells from immunized C3H/He-PAS mice . Differences were observed in the potency of the isolated monoclonal antibodies to inhibit B cell proliferation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or by lipid A, suggesting a selective recognition of effector sites present on the hydrophobic region of LPS. Experientia, 1985 Oct 15, 41(10), 1245 - 54 The adaptive significance of sexuality; Bremermann HJ; A theory of sexuality and polymorphism is proposed in which diversity at the molecular level is the adaptive response of multicellular organisms to the challenge of microparasites that have smaller genomes, shorter generation times and which can evolve more quickly than their hosts . The theory has implications for genetically homogenized crops and other cultivated plants as well as for immunology . A different function of sexuality is proposed for microorganisms that reproduce both asexually and sexually . Several possible experimental tests are discussed . Mathematical modelling techniques are outlined qualitatively and compared with game-theoretical methods which may be interpreted as simplifications of population dynamics of polymorphic host-parasite populations are referenced. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1985 Oct 2, 836(3), 368 - 75 The presence of 5 alpha-sitostanol in the serum of a patient with phytosterolemia, and its biosynthesis from plant steroids in rats with bile fistula; Skrede B et al.; The presence of 5 alpha-sitostanol (24-ethyl-5 alpha-cholestan-3 beta-ol) in serum of a patient with the rare genetic disease phytosterolemia was confirmed . This study aimed at clarifying the pathway(s) for the formation of 5 alpha-sitostanol, by use of rats with bile fistula . 5 alpha-Sitostanol was formed only slowly from sitosterol, but readily from 24-ethyl-4-cholesten-3-one . Some conversion was also obtained with 7 alpha-hydroxysitosterol as precursor . In view of the low rate of 7 alpha-hydroxylation of sitosterol, however, a pathway from sitosterol to 5 alpha-sitostanol involving 7 alpha-hydroxysitosterol as intermediate is probably of small physiological importance . Intestinal microorganisms are not essential for the above conversions, since the 5 alpha-sitostanol was found in bile from bile fistula rats . 5 alpha-Sitostanol was converted to water soluble metabolites (bile acids) much more slowly than was cholestanol (5 alpha-cholestan-3 beta-ol), and was accumulated serum to a much larger extent. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1985 Oct 2, 836(3), 361 - 7 Opsonized bacteria stimulate leukotriene synthesis in human leukocytes; Claesson HE et al.; Incubation of human leukocytes with opsonized bacteria led to leukotriene formation . The main products identified were leukotriene B4, 20-OH leukotriene B4 and 20-COOH leukotriene B4 . A lesser amount of leukotriene C4 was formed . In contrast, only minor amounts of leukotrienes were formed by leukocytes challenged with uncoated bacteria . However, both opsonized and unopsonized bacteria stimulated the synthesis of 5S,12S-DHETE and 5S,12S,20-THETE . Opsonized bacteria caused a transient elevation of leukotriene B4 levels, with a maximum after 5 min . After 20 min of incubation the levels of 20-OH leukotriene B4, and 20-COOH leukotriene B4 were 7- and 20-times higher than those of leukotriene B4, showing that the leukocytes effectively degrade leukotriene B4 via omega-oxidation . In the light of the profound biological effects of leukotrienes, the present report indicates that leukotriene formation induced by opsonized bacteria might be important in the host defense against microorganisms. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 1985 Oct, 10(2), 184 - 9 Environmental aspects of polymer additives; de Morsier A; The environmental behavior of stabilizers is not known for all chemicals which serve this purpose and further investigations will have to be done for a better understanding . From the investigations carried out on a few representative compounds, which are known to reach the environment, it can be shown that at the low concentrations at which such products appear in the environment even chemically inert substances such as hindered phenols or tin alkyl compounds are rapidly degraded and completely decomposed under the combined action of light, water, and microorganisms. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1985 Oct, 28(4), 478 - 84 Reverse transsulfuration and its relationship to thienamycin biosynthesis in Streptomyces cattleya; Williamson JM et al.; Cystathionine gamma-lyase (EC 4.4.1.1) was purified from Streptomyces cattleya, an actinomycete which produces the unusual beta-lactam antibiotic thienamycin . The enzyme displays broad substrate specificity and is similar to gamma-lyases purified from other microorganisms . That the gamma-lyase functions in vivo to provide cysteine for antibiotic synthesis was shown by two types of experiments . First, cystathionine and methionine, as well as cysteine itself, are efficiently utilized by S . cattleya for thienamycin biosynthesis . Second, propargylglycine, a mechanism-based inactivator of cystathionine gamma-lyase in vitro, inhibits the synthesis of thienamycin in vivo . This inhibition can be substantially reversed by providing the cells with another source of cysteine, such as cystine. Radiology, 1985 Oct, 157(1), 79 - 80 Lung abscesses in children: diagnostic and therapeutic needle aspiration; Lorenzo RL et al.; Three children aged 17 months to 17 years developed right-sided peripheral lung abscesses . Clinical signs were fever and cough . Laboratory cultures were negative, and the patients did not respond to appropriate antibiotic coverage . Under fluoroscopic guidance, purulent material was removed from the abscesses by needle aspiration . The patients became afebrile within 24 hours; none suffered complications of bleeding or pneumothorax . Cultures of the aspirate were positive for microorganisms sensitive to the prescribed treatments . A simple aspiration technique is described and proposed as useful for selected patients when surgical drainage is recommended . There was no morbidity in our cases, and recovery from a typically prolonged course was shortened by the procedure. Z Lebensm Unters Forsch, 1985 Oct, 181(4), 289 - 92 {Rapid method for indirect bacterial determination in minced meat and spices by measurement of carbon dioxide production rates}; Hennlich W; A rapid method has been developed for the determination of total microbial count in foods within one hour in the range between 10(5) and 10(9) microorganisms per ml resp . g . This method was developed for microbial analysis of highly contaminated food stuffs, e.g . of minced meat and spices, which are not suitable for indirect determination of total microbial counts by measurement of oxygen consumption rates . The method is based on the measurement of microbially produced CO2 by means of a selective electrode . For that purpose a sample is diluted with a glucose containing suitable nutrient broth and placed into a tightly closable measuring vessel . Substrate-specific correlations between microbial loads (total plate count) and CO2-production rates were determined. Genetika, 1985 Oct, 21(10), 1700 - 4 {Complementation of several methods of determining the mutagenic activity of chemicals}; Revazova IuA et al.; Complementation of some methods for detecting the mutagenic activity of microorganisms, Drosophila, mammals and human cells using cluster analysis was studied . Mutual substitutions of the methods must be taken into account for optimization of the tests-system to detect mutagenic activity of chemicals. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1985 Oct, (10), 3 - 8 {Experimental (preclinical) study of genetically engineered human interferon based on recombinant clones of E . coli 74 and Pseudomonas Sp VG-84}; Kalinin IuT et al.; The results of the experimental (preclinical) study of interferon alpha2 from Pseudomonas sp VG-84 obtained from the All-Union Research Institute of Genetics and Selection of Industrial Microorganisms in comparison with the preparations of interferon alpha2 from E . coli 74 and natural human interferon (obtained from the Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology) are presented . Interferon alpha2 from Pseudomonas, a highly purified preparation, has been shown to possess pronounced biological activity (antiviral and antiproliferative) in the culture of human cells . The medicinal form of the preparation has proved to be completely safe and areactive for animals, which makes it possible to recommend the preparation for testing on volunteers. J Pathol, 1985 Oct, 147(2), 127 - 32 Hepatic sinusoidal macrophages in alcoholic liver disease; Mills LR et al.; Lysozyme is a bacteriocidal enzyme which is a major stable secretory product of mononuclear phagocytes, including hepatic sinusoidal macrophages (HSM), and serves as a good marker for these cells . Patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) have decreased HSM function which is reflected in reduced clearance of microorganisms and endotoxin derived from the gut . The HSM population in 54 liver biopsies from patients with ALD was studied using immunoperoxidase staining of lysozyme and was compared with 15 histologically normal controls . In both groups lysozyme positive HSM were more numerous in periportal than perivenous parenchyma . In each zone there were significantly fewer positive HSM in cases of ALD than in controls, in alcoholic hepatitis than in ALD without hepatitis, and in cirrhosis than in ALD without cirrhosis . These findings suggest a decreased population of functionally active HSM in ALD which correlates with severity of liver damage . This might be due to decreased lysozyme content of the entire HSM population or to the existence of two populations, one positive and one negative for lysozyme . The observed decrease in HSM function explains many of the phenomena observed in ALD. Dis Colon Rectum, 1985 Oct, 28(10), 741 - 2 Cryptosporidiosis as a cause of diarrhea following bone marrow transplantation; Manivel C et al.; Severe diarrhea following bone marrow transplantation may be a serious complication; the precise etiology should be determined in order to provide appropriate therapy . We report two patients in whom profuse diarrhea was associated with cryptosporidium infections . The importance of clinicians and pathologists being aware of the complication in this clinical setting and the use of appropriate techniques for the isolation and identification of the microorganism are emphasized. Am Rev Respir Dis, 1985 Oct, 132(4), 836 - 8 Cytochrome b-245 in human alveolar macrophages; Chollet-Martin S et al.; To kill microorganisms, phagocytes exhibit an oxidative burst with, in particular, a NADPH-dependent, superoxide-generating system that consists, in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), of a flavin enzyme and cytochrome b-245 (cyt b-245) . We investigated the existence of this cytochrome in human alveolar macrophages (AM) because its presence would support its wide-spread occurrence in phagocytes and would raise the possibility of similarities in the oxygen-dependent killing mechanisms in AM and PMN . Moreover, we compared the amount of cyt b-245 in AM from patients with lung disorders with that from healthy subjects, by a differential spectroscopic measurement of its 558 to 559 nm characteristic band . This spectrum showed that cyt b-245 was present in AM . In AM of healthy subjects, the amount was similar to that found in PMN of blood . In AM of patients with miscellaneous lung diseases and in Am of infected lungs, the data were not modified. J Pharmacol, 1985 Oct-Dec, 16(4), 344 - 52 Clinical and biochemical manifestation zinc deficiency in human subjects; Prasad AS; During the past two decades, essentiality of zinc for man has been established . Deficiency of zinc in man attributable to nutritional factors and several diseased states has been recognized . High phytate content of cereal proteins decreases availability of zinc, thus the prevalence of zinc deficiency is likely to be high in the population subsisting on cereal proteins mainly . Zinc deficiency has been noted to occur in patients with malabsorption syndrome, chronic renal disease, cirrhosis of the liver, sickle cell disease, AE, and other chronically debilitating diseases . Growth retardation, male hypogonadism, skin changes, poor appetite, mental lethargy and delayed wound healing are some of the manifestations of chronically zinc-deficient human subjects . In severely zinc-deficient patients, dermatological manifestations, diarrhea, alopecia, mental disturbances and intercurrent infections predominate . If untreated, the condition becomes fatal . Zinc deficiency affects testicular functions adversely in man and animals . This effect of zinc is at the end-organ level . It appears that zinc is essential for spermatogenesis . Zinc is involved in many biochemical functions . Several zinc metalloenzymes have been recognized in the past decade . Zinc is required for each step of cell cycle in microorganisms and is essential for DNA synthesis . The effect of zinc on protein synthesis may be attributable to its vital role in nucleic acid metabolism . The activities of many zinc-dependent enzymes have been shown to be affected adversely in zinc-deficient tissues . Zinc atoms in some of the enzyme molecules participate in catalysis and also appear to be essential for maintenance of structure of apoenzymes . Zinc also plays a role in stabilization of biomembrane structure and polynucleotide confirmation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1985 Sep 28, 115(39), 1360 - 5 {The transmission of mycobacteria through the fiberoptic bronchoscope}; Bezel R et al.; Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope was suspected in two patients with positive cultures from bronchial washings but with negative cultures from sputum specimens and no clinical or radiological evidence of active tuberculosis, In both cases, a patient with sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis had been examined with the same bronchoscope the day before . In one case, mycobacteriophage typing of the cultures of the consecutively examined patients revealed the same phage type in both patients, suggesting transmission by the fiber bronchoscope . In the other case, however, transmission was ruled out by different phage types . Among the few previously reported cases of transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope, one case of tuberculin conversion occurred . Without antituberculous therapy our patient had negative sputum cultures and no evidence of tuberculosis one year after bronchoscopy . Transmission of other microorganisms and possible causes of transmission by the fiberoptic bronchoscope are reviewed and discussed. Mycopathologia, 1985 Sep, 91(3), 143 - 9 Experimental subcutaneous granulomas in sheep with Dermatophilus-like microorganisms from porcine tonsil; Momotani E et al.; The pathogenicity of the Dermatophilus-like microorganisms from porcine tonsil and the light and electron microscopic findings were studied with adult ewes . The early lesions were abscessess and advanced ones were granulomas after the subcutaneous inoculation . The granulomas were composed of the central bacterial colonies and the layers of the neutrophils, epithelioid cells and giant cells, and peripheral connective tissues . Epithelioid cells and giant cells were identified by the large euchromatic nuclei, abundant organelles and interdigitation of the blunt pseudopods in the ultrastructure . The lesions were very similar to subcutaneous granulomas in sheep and cattle due to Dermatophilus congolensis (atypical dermatophilosis), actinomycosis and nocardiosis. Monatsschr Kinderheilkd, 1985 Sep, 133(9), 651 - 6 {Function of neonatal neutrophilic granulocytes}; Speer CP et al.; Phagocytic leukocytes especially neutrophils form an essential part of human host defense against infection by invading microorganisms . The principal activities exhibited by circulating neutrophils in response to inflammation include adherence to vascular endothelium, chemotaxis, phagocytosis and microbial killing . As reviewed in this article, each of these aspects of cell function has been studied in neutrophils of newborn and preterm infants . The most consistent finding has been abnormal chemotaxis . Whether the newborn infant who suffers from an increased susceptibility to serious infections is actually predisposed to infection because of deficiencies in neutrophil function remains questionable . It seems likely that subnormal phagocyte function combined with other defects in host defense such as deficient complement and opsonizing activity in neonatal sera could predispose the newborn infant to bacterial infections that rapidly become systemic. Am J Kidney Dis, 1985 Sep, 6(3), 177 - 80 Serum and dialysate concentrations of cephalexin following repeated dosing in CAPD patients; Davis GM et al.; Oral cephalexin, 1 to 2 g daily for 3 days, was given to six stable, noninfected patients receiving maintenance continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) . The peak serum concentration after a 2 g initial dose was between 73 and 123 mg/L . On the second and third day in five patients who received a 2 g daily oral dose, the serum concentrations were between 35 and 118 mg/L in serum obtained 1 to 1.5 hours after the dosing . Similar serum concentrations were seen in one patient who only received a 1 g oral dose on the second and third day . Cephalexin concentrations in the peritoneal dialysate reached a peak on the first day between 4 to 14 hours after the dose and were between 31 to 78 mg/L . During the second and third day, the highest cephalexin concentration was 118 mg/L and the lowest was 12 mg/L . The data are consistent with the feasibility of oral cephalexin for treatment of CAPD-associated peritonitis with microorganisms that are sensitive to these levels of cephalexin. Infect Immun, 1985 Sep, 49(3), 505 - 12 Ultrastructural study of ehrlichial organisms in the large colons of ponies infected with Potomac horse fever; Rikihisa Y et al.; Potomac horse fever is characterized by fever, anorexia, leukopenia, profuse watery diarrhea, dehydration, and high mortality . An ultrastructural investigation was made to search for any unusual microorganisms in the digestive system, lymphatic organs, and blood cells of ponies that had developed clinical signs after transfusion with whole blood from horses naturally infected with Potomac horse fever . A consistent finding was the presence of rickettsial organisms in the wall of the intestinal tract of these ponies . The organisms were found mostly in the wall of the large colon, but fewer organisms were found in the small colon, jejunum, and cecum . The organisms were also detected in cultured blood monocytes . In the intestinal wall, many microorganisms were intracytoplasmic in deep glandular epithelial cells and mast cells . Microorganisms were also found in macrophages migrating between glandular epithelial cells in the lamina propria and submucosa . The microorganisms were round, very pleomorphic, and surrounded by a host membrane . They contained fine strands of DNA and ribosomes and were surrounded by double bileaflet membranes . Their ultrastructure was very similar to that of the genus Ehrlichia, a member of the family Rickettsiaceae . The high frequency of detection of the organism in the wall of the intestinal tract, especially in the large colon, indicates the presence of organotrophism in this organism . Infected blood monocytes may be the vehicle for transmission between organs and between animals . The characteristic severe diarrhea may be induced by the organism directly by impairing epithelial cell functions or indirectly by perturbing infected macrophages and mast cells in the intestinal wall or by both. Microbiologia, 1985 Sep, 1(1-2), 53 - 65 A survey of buoyant density of microorganisms in pure cultures and natural samples; Guerrero R et al.; Values of buoyant density of microorganisms reported in literature are widely divergent because of techniques used . Many of these involve centrifugation in density gradients formed by substances with high osmolarity which dehydrate the cells . In order to better understand the ranges of variation of density of microbial cells several approaches were taken . Firstly, samples from several natural aquatic habitats were taken and the densities of the microorganisms present determined . Secondly, experiments were performed with selected microorganisms to maximize density changes by forcing them to accumulate intracytoplasmic inclusions of dense materials or to loose their capsules . Finally, the relevant literature was reviewed . It could be demonstrated that most microorganisms have a density around 1.080 pg microns-3 when measured in low osmolarity media such as Percoll . However, many species are able to modify their density by as much as 7% (for instance, from 1.097 to 1.022 pg microns-3 in Thiocapsa roseopersicina, and similar variations in other bacteria), by incorporating substances into inclusions (sulfur, carbon, phosphorous storage materials, etc.), or by making capsules and/or gas vesicles . The relevance of buoyant density determinations for several aspects of microbial ecology and physiology is discussed. Genetika, 1985 Sep, 21(9), 1413 - 27 {Bacterial RecA protein: a biochemical, genetic and physicochemical analysis}; Lantsov VA; A review of the role of evolutionary significant bacterial RecA protein in the cell is presented . The topics discussed are: elementary properties of the protein; its main functions in the cell (recombination and SOS-response); the formation, dissociation and regulation of the activated RecA protein complex and its cofactors, including the single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB); functional domains in the recA gene structure; formation of RecA protein complex with single- and double-stranded DNA; RecA-like proteins in different microorganisms. Scand J Prim Health Care, 1985 Sep, 3(3), 145 - 9 Diagnostic value of clinical examination, direct microscopy, and culture in the Gardnerella vaginalis syndrome; Schmidt H et al.; In a general practice 467 women aged 15-49 years with vaginal discharge were consecutively examined in order to compare the diagnostic value in the Gardnerella vaginalis syndrome of the clinical examination, direct microscopy of the vaginal secretion, and culture . We found significant correlations between all relevant combinations of the diagnostic methods . The predictive value of a positive test for the clinical examination, the microscopy, and the clinical examination combined with microscopy, respectively, was 0.75, 0.89 and 0.90, whereas the predictive values of the negative test were 0.59, 0.72 and 0.61, respectively . Because even small numbers of Gardnerella vaginalis may yield growth on selective culture media, the clinical examination and the microscopy are often negative despite positive culture . To avoid overtreatment of a benign condition we therefore conclude that the presence of a characteristic clinical picture and positive microscopy constitute a safe basis for the diagnosis of the Gardnerella vaginalis syndrome, and that the diagnosis should be based on this combination or on the fulfilment of three of the following four criteria: 1) characteristic vaginal secretion; 2) vaginal pH greater than 4.5; 3) positive potassium hydroxide test or characteristic herring-brine smell, and 4) clue cells at microscopy . With the present methods culture for Gardnerella vaginalis should not routinely be performed, until the value of quantitated methods has been proved . Coexistence of other microorganisms rendered the diagnosis difficult . We recommend to treat the most predominant infection first. Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1985 Sep, 100(9), 371 - 3 {Experimental diarrhea in mice induced by oral infection with an enterotoxigenic strain of E . coli}; Avtsyn AP et al.; It has been shown in experiments on adult random-bred and BALB/c Sto mice that oral infection with human strain of E . coli N-10407 induces enterocolitis characterized by marked diarrheal syndrome but without lethal outcome . The action of the strain not colonizing the intestinal mucosa of mice may be accounted for by a weak cytopathic effect of the infecting microorganism and its toxin . The data obtained indicate that adult mice may serve as a convenient model for investigation of colibacillary diarrhea induced by enterotoxigenic strain of E . coli, BALB/c Sto mice being a more sensitive model than random-bred animals. Surg Gynecol Obstet, 1985 Sep, 161(3), 293 - 301 Central venous catheter sepsis; Bozzetti F; There are two main routes for a central venous catheter to become infected and to produce septicemia: exogenous contamination from the skin or the hub, or from a contaminated infusate and endogenous seeding of the tip during bacterial and fungal episodes . Depending upon the patient population and medical and nursing care, one or the other mechanism may be involved . It is quite difficult to identify the route of infection in a single instance unless patients are enrolled in an ad hoc study protocol that guarantees the maximum safety in preparation of the solutions, administering them and managing the catheter . In critically ill patients, when the clinical picture is masked and confusing and the diagnosis is extremely difficult, a positive peripheral blood culture, a positive swab on the skin entry of the catheter or occasionally a quantitative culture of microorganisms from central blood that is higher than from peripheral blood dictates the removal or exchange of the catheter . Central venous catheter sepsis is usually resolved with catheter removal; however, in critical patients who still need the catheter in place, the risk of a new percutaneous catheter after removal of a suspected infected catheter must be weighted against the chance of resolving the sepsis by a simple exchange over a guidewire and long term irrigation of the new catheter with antibiotics. Pediatr Infect Dis, 1985 Sep-Oct, 4(5), 450 - 2 Interleukin 1 and monitoring of acute infections; Florman AL; It has long been recognized that acute infections evoke a great variety of nonspecific reactions that may be used to monitor the clinical course of patients . Among these are fever, changes in white blood cell count and amount of C-reactive protein (CRP) in circulation . It has only recently been realized that there may be a single key mediator for all three, interleukin 1 . This is a protein induced in and released from mononuclear macrophages by microorganisms and other inflammation-producing substances . In this review I present the current understanding of what interleukin 1 is, what it can do and how it may bring about changes in fever patterns, in total and differential white blood cell counts and in levels of CRP . In addition a number of recent reports are given which reaffirm the usefulness of sequentially monitoring these nonspecific reactions for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment. Yale J Biol Med, 1985 Sep-Oct, 58(5), 425 - 42 Principles of nucleic acid hybridization and comparison with monoclonal antibody technology for the diagnosis of infectious diseases; Edberg SC; Until the 1980s the diagnosis of specific etiologic agents of infectious diseases rested with their isolation in vitro and identification by analysis of their phenotypic characteristics . In the 1970s the concept of a microbial species evolved from phenotypic analysis to nucleic acid homology . Currently, nucleic acid sequences specific for a given species are being isolated and amplified and utilized not only to identify the pathogen after it has been grown in vitro but also elucidate it directly in biological material . The procedures for making nucleic acid hybridization probes are analogous to the generation of monoclonal antibody tests . Currently, research and development are centered in choosing the particular nucleic acid to analyze, establishing the most efficient vector system for amplifying the nucleic acid, generating an efficient means of selecting the particular nucleic acid fragment specific for the microorganism, and in measuring the hybridization reaction . While immunological techniques have been utilized in the clinical laboratory for over thirty years, the means of detecting nucleic acid hybridization reactions are just beginning to be usable in the clinical diagnostic laboratory . Much of nucleic acid hybridization research is proprietary, and a particular challenge is to develop a means whereby information can be used for the progress of science as a whole when generated by private ownership. J Am Dent Assoc, 1985 Sep, 111(3), 461 - 4 Survival of herpes simplex virus and other selected microorganisms on patient charts: potential source of infection; Thomas LE 3rd et al.; This study indicated that when inoculated onto dental charts, both viruses and bacteria were capable of survival allowing the potential for transmission of infection within the dental office . The conscientious dental practitioner can take steps to reduce this possible mode of infection by removing contaminated surgical gloves or washing hands before handling the chart . An additional method of reducing this potential would be to wipe the chart with an antiseptic solution . Although this study has shown that there is a potential for the spread of infection with the organisms tested, the actual extent of dental chart contamination and resultant illnesses contracted are the basis for further study . Additional studies are needed to follow the pattern of chart distribution from person to person within the dental office, determine the types and quantities of pathogens present in the mouth that would contaminate the charts, and sample the charts under actual clinical conditions to determine the types and viability of the organisms present. Clin Lab Med, 1985 Sep, 5(3), 575 - 88 Monoclonal antibodies for the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases; Goldstein LC et al.; Monoclonal antibodies are already being used for the diagnosis of human sexually transmitted diseases . These antibodies can be used to detect a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, parasites, and viruses . For both culture and direct tests, monoclonal antibodies showed patterns of specificity and reproducibility that exceeded those available with conventionally prepared antisera . The direct tests for these organisms required less than an hour to perform, representing a major advancement in a diagnosis that previously required 2 to 6 days of culture followed by confirmatory testing . Furthermore, rapid differential diagnosis of infection will now be possible . Because some sexually transmitted diseases may be transmitted simultaneously and share similar clinical manifestations (that is, gonorrhea and chlamydia in cervicitis or urethritis, syphilis or herpes in genital ulcers), it will be possible to differentiate a single from a multiple infection by simultaneous testing of direct samples with the appropriate monoclonal antibody reagents. Am J Clin Pathol, 1985 Sep, 84(3), 342 - 5 In vitro positive controls for histochemical stains of bacteria and fungi; Jung WK; Positive in vitro controls for histochemical stains of bacteria and fungi in tissue were developed from fibrin substrates of cultured microorganisms . These substrates show excellent and reproducible stain control characteristics . They are easily prepared, highly specific preparations which display greater uniformity and consistency as stain controls than do most infected tissues . These preparations may also be suitable control substrates for immunohistochemical procedures that identify microorganisms in tissue or fluid. J Anat, 1985 Aug, 141, 41 - 52 The arterial supply to lymph nodes in sheep; Heath T et al.; The aim of this study was to describe how lymph nodes in sheep receive their blood supply, and to provide some information on the pathways followed by arteries and their branches within the nodes . It was found that considerable variation exists in the arterial supply to lymph nodes in sheep . Each node may receive branches from one, two or three major arteries; the nodes may be up to 10-15 cm from these arteries, but some arteries actually pass through lymph nodes . Most branches enter at a hilus, which varies in shape, size and location, but some penetrate the capsule directly . Within the node, arteries may either proceed directly towards the cortex or extend longitudinally through the medulla; in each case branches are given off to supply the medulla and, in greater numbers, the cortex . Some arteries then leave the node through the capsule and either supply perinodal fat and/or more distal structures, or join other arteries . Anastomoses may also occur before the arteries enter a node, or within the node or at its surface . These direct anastomoses and arterial circles could play a part in maintaining the blood supply to a node when it is being bombarded with microorganisms and inflammatory products from an area of infection. Anal Biochem, 1985 Aug 1, 148(2), 434 - 5 Quenching of carbohydrate reactions by azide; Van Handel E; Sodium azide, at concentrations that prevent development of microorganisms, interferes with the anthrone and phenol sulfuric acid reactions for carbohydrates, and with the glucose oxidase reaction . It does not affect copper reduction and the ortho-toluidine reaction. Scand J Work Environ Health, 1985 Aug, 11(4), 287 - 93 Exposure to microorganisms, febrile and airway-obstructive symptoms, immune status and lung function of Swedish farmers; Malmberg P et al.; A questionnaire was sent to 512 farmers, members of a local farmer's health association . Eighty were interviewed, and their serum precipitins and total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) values were determined . Forty-five underwent extensive pulmonary function tests . On the basis of the clinical evaluation it was estimated that 19% of the farmers had experienced febrile reactions (fever and/or shivering) following exposure to organic dust, 50% of the 19% having been exposed within the last 2.5 years . Common causes were moldy grain, hay, and woodchips . The pulmonary function, gas exchange, and chest radiographs of those who had previously had febrile reactions were normal . Only 13% showed positive precipitin reactions in Ouchterlony double-diffusion tests . With more sensitive tests, positive precipitins were found in 59%, but they were negatively correlated with febrile episodes . Air samples collected during work with hay and grain on 21 farms contained between 10(7) to 2 X 10(9) microorganisms/m3 . The highest values were associated with symptoms of alveolitis . Eleven percent of the farmers reported obstructive chest symptoms following exposure to organic dust . This group showed decreased pulmonary function and elevated serum IgE levels and included a high proportion of smokers and exsmokers . No correlation was found between febrile and obstructive reactions. J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Aug, 22(2), 303 - 5 Chemically defined medium for oral microorganisms; Socransky SS et al.; We formulated a chemically defined medium consisting of 14 inorganic salts, 23 amino acids, 23 vitamins and other factors, seven purines and pyrimidines, and glucose which would successfully support the growth of a wide variety of oral microorganisms . Of 204 oral isolates representing 20 genera and 60 species, 197 maintained viability through six serial transfers. Z Gastroenterol, 1985 Aug, 23(8), 432 - 7 {HLA haplotype study in familial Crohn disease}; Purrmann J et al.; Among others, genetical factors have been discussed in the aetio-pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases . This is supported by many studies reporting familial accumulation of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis . The use of HLA typing to demonstrate a genetical disposition has so far proved disappointing . Accordingly, if there is any association with definite HLA antigens, it is likely to be weak . We therefore investigated the HLA haplotypes in 13 families with multiple occurrences of Crohn's disease . Comparing observed and expected occurrences of HLA-haplotypes, we found a pronounced tendency towards common haplotypes in the affected siblings, uncles and nieces, and cousins . Although the data suggest a possible genetical disposition, additional factors such as microorganisms or possibly nutritional habits must be considered as causes for Crohn's disease. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1985 Aug, 260(1), 71 - 80 A new scheme for additional typing of P . aeruginosa using antisera prepared against glycopolypeptide derived from the slime of the microorganisms; Nadaud M; The author used the slide agglutination with antisera prepared against glycopolypeptides (GP) derived from the slime of the P . aeruginosa mucoid strains to classify one hundred and nine P . aeruginosa strains in three homogeneous groups . Seventy three per cent were agglutinated by only one of the two initial GP a or b, seventeen percent by both of them and ten per cent remained unagglutinated by these sera . The classification that was described here was demonstrated to be independent from the previously described ones related to protective properties and specific of bactericidal activity of macrophages. J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Aug, 22(2), 176 - 81 Comparison of the automicrobic system, acridine orange-stained smears, and gram-stained smears in detecting bacteriuria; Lipsky BA et al.; We compared the accuracy of the Gram-stained smear, the acridine orange-stained smear, and the AutoMicrobic system (AMS; Vitek Systems, Inc., Hazelwood, Mo.) in screening for bacteriuria, as detected by conventional cultures . For 1,024 clinical specimens, results with the acridine orange-stained smear and the Gram-stained smear were very similar . When read for the presence of one or more microorganisms or leukocytes per 20 oil immersion fields, both smears were highly sensitive (92.1 and 93.3%, respectively) and moderately specific (70.0 and 61.7%, respectively) . Sensitivity was greater for specimens yielding greater than or equal to 10(5) CFU/ml (96.1 and 98.9%, respectively) than for those with 10(3) to 10(4) CFU/ml (81.4 and 78.0%, respectively) . Preliminary classification based upon the tinctorial and morphological characteristics of the Gram-stained smear was compatible with culture results in nearly all cases . The accuracy of the Gram-stained smears was not influenced by special cleaning of the microscopic slides, or the level of expertise of the microscopist . For 715 specimens, the sensitivity of the AMS in detecting bacteriuria (91.5%) was very similar to that of the stained smears (92.1 and 95.7%, respectively), but the specificity was significantly higher (83.2% versus 42.6 and 70.0%) . Detection of microorganisms by the AMS took an average of 6.3 +/- 3.0 h . These data suggest that the Gram-stained smear is easily interpreted, very sensitive, acceptably specific, and still the optimal rapid method for screening for bacteriuria in most clinical microbiology laboratories. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 1985 Jul 5, 34(26), 389 - 90 A centennial celebration: Pasteur and the modern era of immunization; Pathology of aspiration pneumonia in mice; A aspiration pneumonia caused in 3 female mice by food inhalation was examined histopathologically . Dark-red areas were observed macroscopically on the uncut lungs . The change was more severe in the superior and post-caval lobes of the right lung and the anterior part of the left lung . Microscopic examination revealed various-sized foreign bodies (inhaled food particles) accompanied by inflammatory cells and microorganisms in the tracheal lumen and the bronchiolar and alveolar spaces. Klin Padiatr, 1985 Jul-Aug, 197(4), 322 - 5 Immunological considerations on breast vs . formula feeding; Meeuwisse GW; The breast-fed baby is immunologically protected because the food is uncontaminated, because breast milk contains specific and unspecific constituents directed against microorganisms, toxins and food antigens, and because adverse immunological reactions against constituents of breast milk substitutes, as cow's milk proteins, are avoided . It is not known which of the mechanisms are the most important ones . Antiinfectious properties may also serve to protect the mammary gland . The documented lower morbidity of breast-fed compared to artificially fed infants in developing and developed countries is reviewed . Favourable immunological properties of human milk are sensitive to various ways of treatment, e.g . pasteurization . Exclusive breast feeding until several weeks or months of age appears to modify the relative risk of development of subsequent allergic disease, but the literature on this issue is not entirely conclusive . Breast feeding may also reduce the risk of developing other immunological disorders at later age, e.g . celiac disease and ulcerative colitis. Acta Otolaryngol, 1985 Jul-Aug, 100(1-2), 42 - 50 Endotoxin in middle ear effusions tested with Limulus assay; Iino Y et al.; Endotoxin in middle ear effusion (MEE) from both children and adult patients with otitis media with effusion (OME) was assayed with the Limulus amoebocyte lysate test, in parallel with the detection of microorganisms . Whereas only 17% of MEE from adults, diluted 1:10 showed the presence of endotoxin, endotoxin was found in 69% of MEE from recent and recurrent cases in children, although microorganisms were isolated from only one-quarter of the samples . 83% of mucoid MEE from children contained endotoxin, compared with 41% of serous MEE . In older children, endotoxin was less frequently detected in accordance with the fact that the incidence of OME decreases with age . It is concluded that endotoxin may be one of the important factors in the pathogenesis of onset of, as well as in delayed recovery from OME in children. J Am Acad Dermatol, 1985 Jul, 13(1), 116 - 9 Acute allergic contact dermatitis from diazolidinyl urea (Germall II) in a hair gel; Kantor GR et al.; Diazolidinyl urea (Germall II) is a preservative recently used in cosmetics . It is effective against most contaminating microorganisms, especially Pseudomonas . We report the first case of an acute allergic contact dermatitis from diazolidinyl urea that was contained in a hair gel. J Clin Microbiol, 1985 Jul, 22(1), 23 - 5 Mechanism of cross-contamination of blood culture bottles in outbreaks of pseudobacteremia associated with nonsterile blood collection tubes; McNeil MM et al.; Several studies have identified nonsterile blood collection tubes as the reservoir for contaminating microorganisms in outbreaks of pseudobacteremia . Microorganisms are thought to be transferred from the nonsterile tubes to the blood culture tubes when blood is drawn for cultures, but the validity of this hypothesis has not previously been tested . We recently investigated an outbreak of Ewingella americana pseudobacteremia in which an epidemiological association was found between pseudobacteremia and the practice of drawing blood for culturing at the same time that blood for coagulation studies is drawn . The nonsterile coagulation tubes, prepared in the hospital, were contaminated with E . americana . We studied three different procedures that personnel reported using to inoculate blood culture tubes after dispensing blood into the coagulation tubes . Although the failure to change or remove the needle before inoculating the blood culture tubes resulted in the highest percentage of cross-contamination, we found that all the techniques we simulated carried some risk of cross-contamination when coagulation tubes were filled first. Hum Pathol, 1985 Jul, 16(7), 727 - 31 Clinical and pathologic aspects of recurrent placental villitis; Redline RW et al.; In a retrospective survey, recurrent villitis was identified in ten of 59 patients in whom placental villitis had been diagnosed . The ten patients had a total of 41 pregnancies, with a reproductive loss of 60 per cent . In addition to enhanced fetal losses in all trimesters of gestation and postnatally, the incidences of fetal growth retardation and premature delivery were increased . There was no evidence of recent TORCH (toxoplasma, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes) infection, but all patients tested had rubella immunity . In six patients genital cultures were positive for gonorrhea and assorted microorganisms . Uterine abnormalities, including two septate uteri, one incompetent cervix, one submucosal leiomyoma, and one retroflexion, were common, and vaginal bleeding had occurred in five patients . Other factors included obesity (five patients) and clinical and laboratory evidence of autoimmunity (four of the five patients tested) . In a control group of 20 patients with nonrecurrent villitis, the perinatal loss rate (37 per cent) was lower, and the incidences of positive cultures, uterine structural anomalies, obesity, and autoimmunity were also lower . Placental histologic findings included decidual plasma cell and intervillous fibrin and histiocytic infiltration, in addition to villous inflammation . These lesions, although consistent for a given patient, defined two clinically relevant groups of patients . The results of this study suggest that recurrent villitis is more frequent than previously reported, that it is associated with high perinatal mortality, and that immunologic and structural abnormalities in the host may play a role in its pathogenesis. Mol Gen Mikrobiol Virusol, 1985 Jul, (7), 3 - 12 {Liposomes as a carrier of genetic information}; Cherniavskii VA et al.; Incorporation of genetic material into the bilayer lipid vesicles (liposomes) and the subsequent transfer of liposomal content into cells or protoplasts appear to be a promising technique for transfer of genetic information . The following three methods are most frequently used to incorporate DNA into liposomes lipid microinjection into aqueous phase, multistep treatment of the lipid suspension by ultrasonication, Ca2+ ions and EDTA, reverse phase evaporation . Viral particles, chromosomes, nuclei, viral nucleic acids, plasmids and chromosomal DNA can be successfully transferred into animal and plant protoplasts by the described technique . Successful transformation of a number of microorganisms (Neurospora, E . coli, B . subtilis, Streptomyces, Mycoplasma) with the liposome incorporated DNA has also been reported . Transformation frequency can be considerably increased by optimizing the conditions of liposome formation or of liposome-protoplasts interaction. Mikrobiologiia, 1985 Jul-Aug, 54(4), 529 - 32 {Characteristics of the development and biosynthetic activity of a mixed culture of microorganisms}; Landau NS et al.; The growth of microbial populations and their biosynthesis of proteinases with the fibrinolytic activity were studied in an artificial ecosystem composed of a strain producing the enzymes (Nocardia minima 1) and a zero strain (Arthrobacter citreus VKM 654) . The microorganisms in the association were shown to interact in terms of amensalism via metabolites if the enzyme-producing strain dominated. Vet Q, 1985 Jul, 7(3), 246 - 8 The prevalence of different porcine phenotypes in the Netherlands concerning adherence of K88-positive Escherichia coli to intestinal epithelium; Bijlsma IG et al.; Jejunal brush border samples from 101 pigs were tested for the presence of K88 receptor sites . Specific adhesion of K88-bearing microorganisms did not occur in nearly 50 percent of the samples . About 40 percent of the test samples were adhesion positive for the prevailing K88ac antigen . The different porcine phenotypes were equally distributed over the country. J Exp Med, 1985 Jul 1, 162(1), 352 - 7 In vivo activation of macrophage C3 receptors for phagocytosis; Griffin FM Jr et al.; We assessed the effects of exposure to immune complexes in vivo on macrophages' Fc receptor function and C3 receptor function . Peritoneal macrophages from mice injected intraperitoneally with immune complexes were markedly impaired in their ability to phagocytize via their Fc receptors but had acquired the ability to phagocytize via their C3 receptors . In vivo activation of macrophages' C3 receptors for phagocytosis required T lymphocytes, because macrophages from athymic mice could not be activated by injection of immune complexes . The requirement for both T lymphocytes and immune complexes for activation of macrophages' C3 receptors in vivo is identical to the requirements for activation of macrophages' C3 receptors in vitro, suggesting that the mechanisms we have identified for activation of these receptors in vitro are the same mechanisms by which the receptors are activated for phagocytosis in vivo . The susceptibility of macrophages' Fc receptors to blockade by immune complexes and the activation of their C3 receptors for phagocytosis in a milieu containing immune complexes suggest that it may be macrophages' C3 receptors, not their Fc receptors, that are primarily responsible for promoting phagocytosis of opsonized microorganisms in immune hosts. Indian J Lepr, 1985 Jul-Sep, 57(3), 542 - 8 Metabolic studies on mycobacteria--II . Glyoxylate by-pass (TCA cycle) enzymes of slow and fast growing mycobacteria; Kannan KB et al.; Glyoxylate by-pass of tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) comes into prominence during survival of microorganisms under oxygen limitations and study of these enzymes may contribute to understanding of physiology of 'persisters' in various mycobacterial diseases . The enzymes of glyoxylate by-pass have been assayed in the extracts of various mycobacterial species, namely, M . tuberculosis H37Rv, M . tuberculosis H37Ra, M . flavescens, M . vaccae, M . smegmatis and Mycobacteria strain w (M.w.) . M.w . has been included because of its close antigenic resemblance to M . leprae . It has been found that all of the above investigated species possess isocitrate lyase and malate synthetase, the key enzymes of glyoxylate by-pass . The presence of the enzymes is being reported for the first time in M . flavescens, M . vaccae and M.w . whereas these were earlier shown to be present in M . tuberculosis and M . smegmatis . It was also demonstrated in M.w . where acetate alone could not serve as sole source of carbon, but in the presence of glycerol stimulates the activity of glyoxylate pathway enzymes . The importance of these findings has been discussed. Mikrobiologiia, 1985 Jul-Aug, 54(4), 668 - 74 {Role of yeasts of the genus Candida in the transformation of the hydrocarbon energy in oil-contaminated gray-brown soil}; Ismailov NM; Energy transformation was studied in the processes of hydrocarbon metabolism by microorganisms in oil-contaminated grey-brown soil . For such microbial populations as Candida species which use hydrocarbon substrates only as an energy source but not for growth, the criteria of biomass or incidence are presumed to have a relative significance for revealing the comparative functional role of these populations in the self-purification of oil-contaminated soils . Therefore, it is necessary to simultaneously assay both the incidence and the functional activity of microorganisms expressed in terms of respiration intensity . A diagram is proposed which shows the role of Candida yeasts in transforming the energy of aromatic and paraffin hydrocarbons in oil-contaminated soils. Am J Clin Pathol, 1985 Jul, 84(1), 99 - 103 Zygomycosis . Report of four cases with formation of chlamydoconidia in tissue; Chandler FW et al.; The authors describe spheric to ovoid chlamydoconidia and mucoraceous hyphae in tissues from four patients, two with cutaneous and two with pulmonary zygomycosis . The diagnosis in each case was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining and the presence of characteristic hyphae in tissue . It is important that these conidia be recognized, because they can easily be mistaken for other fungi, nematode ova, or other microorganisms in tissue sections, thereby resulting in the potential for misdiagnosis. Experientia, 1985 Jun 15, 41(6), 762 - 4 Microbial methylation of benzenethiols and release of methylthiobenzenes; Drotar AM et al.; Three phylogenetically diverse microorganisms methylated several different chloro- and nitro-substituted benzenethiols to yield the corresponding methylthiobenzenes . These products were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry . In several cases large percentages of the methylthio products were released by intact cells into the medium, suggesting that microbial methylation of xenobiotic thiols may be a significant biotransformation in many ecosystems. Science, 1985 Jun 14, 228(4705), 1284 - 8 Biochemical modeling of an autonomously oscillatory circadian clock in Euglena; Goto K et al.; Eukaryotic microorganisms, as well as higher animals and plants, display many autonomous physiological and biochemical rhythmicities having periods approximating 24 hours . In an attempt to determine the nature of the timing mechanisms that are responsible for these circadian periodicities, two primary operational assumptions were postulated . Both the perturbation of a putative element of a circadian clock within its normal oscillatory range and the direct activation as well as the inhibition of such an element should yield a phase shift of an overt rhythm generated by the underlying oscillator . Results of experiments conducted in the flagellate Euglena suggest that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), the mitochondrial Ca2+-transport system, Ca2+, calmodulin, NAD+ kinase, and NADP+ phosphatase represent clock "gears" that, in ensemble, might constitute a self-sustained circadian oscillating loop in this and other organisms. Nature, 1985 Jun 13-19, 315(6020), 592 - 4 Production of human alpha-interferon in silkworm using a baculovirus vector; Maeda S et al.; Microorganisms are generally used for mass production of foreign gene products, but multicellular organisms such as plants have been proposed as an economical alternative . The silkworm may be useful in this context as it can be cultured easily and at low cost . We have therefore developed a virus vector to introduce foreign genes, for example, the gene for human alpha-interferon (IFN-alpha), into silkworms . We used the baculovirus Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) which has a large (greater than 100 kilobases, kb) double-stranded circular DNA genome within its rod-shaped capsid . Baculoviruses have been used previously as vectors for expression of beta-interferon and beta-galactosidase in established cell lines . Although BmNPV has not been used previously as an expression vector, it has an advantage over the baculovirus Autographa californica NPV in that it has a narrower host range and will not grow in wild insect pests in the field . In the present study, the polyhedrin gene encoding the major inclusion body protein of BmNPV was identified by hybridization with complementary DNA and cloned in a plasmid . For insertion of foreign genes, we constructed a recombinant plasmid carrying a polylinker linked to the promoter of the polyhedrin gene, and inserted the IFN-alpha gene into this plasmid . The resulting plasmid and the BmNPV genomic DNA were co-transfected into BM-N cells, and stable recombinant viruses isolated by plaque assay on BM-N cells . The recombinant virus replicated in silkworm larvae, which synthesized as much as 5 X 10(7) units (approximately 50 micrograms) of interferon in their haemolymph.