Mol Biochem Parasitol, 1984 Sep, 13(1), 97 - 110 Intracellular parasite killing induced by electron carriers . II . Correlation between parasite killing and the induction of oxidative events in macrophages; Mauel J et al.; Mouse peritoneal macrophages infected with Leishmania parasites were exposed in vitro to the electron carriers methylene blue (MB), toluidine blue 0 (TB), phenazine methosulfate (PMS) and crystal violet (CV) . This led to parasite destruction without harm to the macrophages . The kinetics of intracellular killing depended on both the drug concentration and the duration of exposure; over 80% of the microorganisms were inactivated within 2.5 min of incubation of the parasitized cells with 10(-4) M MB . On a molar basis, the drugs were considerably more active against intracellular compared to free parasites, suggesting that the macrophages themselves play a role in the observed anti-parasite toxicity . Intracellular killing by macrophages exposed to MB, TB and PMS correlated with the stimulation of oxygen uptake and hexose monophosphate shunt activity in the cells . Cytochrome c markedly inhibited MB-induced intracellular parasite destruction as well as completely blocking parasite killing in macrophages activated by lymphokines, pointing to O-2, H2O2 or products derived therefrom as possible mediators of macrophage toxic activity in both instances . Cytochrome c did not protect free parasites from the direct toxicity of the drug, however . Lipopolysaccharide promoted parasite destruction by lymphokine-activated macrophages, but failed to do so for electron carrier-stimulated cells . These observations suggest that intracellular killing induced by electron carriers results from a direct interaction of the drugs with cellular redox systems, leading to the generation of oxygen metabolites toxic for the parasites. Jpn J Antibiot, 1984 Sep, 37(9), 1679 - 84 {Clinical studies of cefoxitin with special reference to pulmonary suppuration and pyothorax with respiratory tract infection}; Ito T; Cefoxitin (CFX) was administered to 12 patients with respiratory tract infections, including mainly patients with pulmonary suppuration or pyothorax . The results were as follows: CFX was effective in 75% of the total patients, and in 83% of the 6 patients with pulmonary suppuration or pyothorax . Microorganisms which were considered to be causative were isolated in 8 of 12 patients . Bacteriological responses were "eradicated" in 4 patients, "replaced" in 3 patients, "unchanged" in 1 patient . A slight elevation of S-GPT was observed in one patient and elevation of A1-P in another following CFX administration; however, these values returned to normal shortly after completion of drug administration . No adverse effects, allergic symptoms or laboratory abnormalities were observed. Isr J Med Sci, 1984 Sep, 20(9), 830 - 5 Spiroplasma fibrils; Williamson DL et al.; A fundamental question in biology concerns the morphology of spiroplasmas: How does a wall-less microorganism maintain its characteristic morphology as a helical filament? An answer to this question began to form when it was discovered that spiroplasmas treated with any of a number of detergents (sodium deoxycholate, Triton X-100, Nonidet P-40) release their cytoplasmic contents . If this procedure is performed on a formvar-coated electron microscope grid and the resultant preparation negatively stained and observed by transmission electron microscopy, numerous striated microfibrils can be seen where spiroplasmas once were . The fibrils are of varying lengths, 4 nm in width, and show a striation repeat at 9 nm along their length . It is not possible to discern from the pattern of the released fibrils just how they are organized within the intact spiroplasma; nor is it yet possible to identify a fibrillar substructure in thin sections or in freeze-fractured organisms . Townsend and his colleagues at the John Innes Institute in Norwich, UK, purified fibrils by density gradient centrifugation . SDS-PAGE showed the fibrils to consist of a 55,000-dalton protein recognizable in the four serogroups tested by protein blotting with an antiserum made against the PAGE-separated protein . The presence of fibrils is a feature common to all spiroplasma, regardless of whether they are helical or nonhelical, as in the Ixodes tick-derived spiroplasma or Townsend's ASP-1 strain of Spiroplasma citri . We have employed gentle demembranation treatments that preserve filamentous substructure in an effort to elucidate the organization of the fibrils within the spiroplasma cell. Isr J Med Sci, 1984 Sep, 20(9), 826 - 9 Ultraviolet irradiation mutagenesis and recombination in Spiroplasma citri; Labarere J et al.; A method for obtaining and screening uv-induced mutants from Spiroplasma citri is described . Lethality response curves showed that S . citri is more sensitive to uv irradiation than are other microorganisms . The presence of a shoulder in the lethality response curve showed the existence of systems able to repair uv-induced DNA damages . Toxic-resistant mutants have been obtained . A uv fluence equal to 10 J/m2 multiplied by 2.5 X 10(3) gave the spontaneous mutation frequency . Arsenic acid- and xylitol-resistant mutants were used to investigate transfer of genetic information in S . citri . After 90 min of incubation, the recombination frequency was 5 X 10(-5). Can J Microbiol, 1984 Sep, 30(9), 1112 - 7 Recovery and survival of nontuberculous mycobacteria under various growth and decontamination conditions; Brooks RW et al.; The survival of microorganisms of the Mycobacterium avium, M . intracellulare, and M . scrofulaceum (MAIS) complex was evaluated after various soil and water decontamination regimens . Survival was reduced by growing cells in natural waters compared with laboratory media and by inclusion of malachite green in media as an antifungal agent . Decontamination with benzalkonium chloride, while reducing survival significantly less than 1% NaOH, failed to eliminate many fungi . Recovery from soil was further reduced by transfer losses and by irreversible cell adsorption onto particulates. Am J Epidemiol, 1984 Sep, 120(3), 370 - 8 Parental occupational exposure and spontaneous abortions in Finland; Lindbohm ML et al.; Spontaneous abortions were analyzed by the occupational exposure of women and their husbands, with data from the Finnish hospital discharge register and the national census . The occupations were grouped according to presumed exposure into seven categories: exposure to solvents; automobile exhaust fumes; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; other chemicals; metals; textile dust; and animal microorganisms . The relative risks of spontaneous abortion were estimated with logistic regression analysis to adjust for potentially confounding factors . The broad exposure categories appeared, at most, to be weak risk factors of spontaneous abortion, because the relative risks of abortion were not significantly increased in any of the parental exposure groups . The analysis of detailed occupational categories showed some female and male occupations with an increased risk . The observations of increased risk related to laboratory work support earlier findings . The high number of textile occupations with increased risk is also worth noting, and further investigations are necessary to confirm whether this is due to occupational hazards or other factors. Mikrobiologiia, 1984 Sep-Oct, 53(5), 731 - 7 {Survival of bacteria in the Artificial Mars unit}; Imshenetskii AA et al.; The survival of bacteria was studied in the "Artificial Mars" apparatus reproducing a complex of physical extreme factors . Bacteria isolated from microbiocenoses subjected to the action of chemical extreme factors (hydrogen peroxide, catalytically active minerals) were shown to be most resistant among soil heterotrophic bacteria . Cells in the resting state caused by dehydration survived better than vegetative cells . It has been concluded that microorganisms quite different in their physiological requirements and ecological properties can exist in the habitats extreme for life conditions. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Sep, 48(3), 481 - 5 Effects of airflow rates and operator activity on containment of bacterial aerosols in a class II safety cabinet; Macher JM et al.; Biological safety cabinets are frequently relied upon to provide sterile work environments in which hazardous microorganisms can be safely handled . Verification of correct airstream velocities does not, by itself, ensure that adequate protection will be achieved under all users . Instead, the concentration of microorganisms in a cabinet operator's breathing zone must be measured during typical cabinet use conditions to determine whether the exposure is below acceptable limits . In this study, cabinet operator exposures were measured with a personal air sampler . Bacterial spores were released inside a cabinet as a uniform challenge aerosol, and the number of escaping spores was measured for several cabinet arrangements during a number of typical operations . The following were studied to determine their effects on aerosol containment: inflow air velocity, size of access opening, type of operator movements, location of operator's hands, and pace of activity . Other experiments examined differences in aerosol containment for eight typical microbiology operations when performed by six operators who covered a range of body heights and volumes. Vopr Virusol, 1984 Sep-Oct, 29(5), 586 - 9 {Increase in the production of oncovirus type C by an L929 cell culture as a result of BCG infection}; Klitsunova NV et al.; The effect of BCG infection of L929 cells on replication of oncovirus type C was studied . Ultrathin sections of the BCG-infected culture were examined electron microscopically 1, 3, 6, 8, and 10 days postinfection . Most microorganisms with the morphology typical of mycobacteria were found inside phagosomes . The number of extracellular virions as well as budding and abnormal forms per one cell contour was counted . BCG-infected cells were found to produce significantly more virus than the controls . The difference was maximal 3 days postinoculation . Possible reasons for the increased oncovirus production by continuous cell lines after infection with BCG are discussed. Rev Infect Dis, 1984 Sep-Oct, 6(5), 649 - 68 Microbial latency; Mackowiak PA; The means by which pathogens suppress, subvert, or elude host defenses and establish latent infections include microbially induced immunosuppression or antigenic variation, gaining access to sites of the body that are inaccessible to the immune system, and manipulating of the immune response to the advantage of the pathogen . Various risk factors of the host, such as immunosuppression, may be crucial in determining the frequency with which latency is the outcome of primary infection, as well as the likelihood that subsequent reactivation occurs . Mechanisms of reactivation of latent infections may also be triggered by disruption of anatomic or ecologic barriers, or through the cooperative efforts of a second pathogen . Although viruses, due to their unique ability to incorporate their genetic material into host genomes, are best known for their capacity for persistence, examples of latency can be found among all classes of microorganisms . The clinical and epidemiological importance of microbial latency is enormous, because such infections represent potential reservoirs from which dissemination of pathogens to new susceptibles can occur, because they may reactivate to cause acute or chronic progressive disorders in the original host, and because such infections might play a role in the origin of some human cancers . Few areas of basic research hold greater promise of substantially contributing to our understanding of infectious diseases and the eventual relief of human suffering. Mutat Res, 1984 Sep-Nov, 134(2-3), 113 - 42 A review of the genetic effects of ethyl methanesulfonate; Sega GA; Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) is a monofunctional ethylating agent that has been found to be mutagenic in a wide variety of genetic test systems from viruses to mammals . It has also been shown to be carcinogenic in mammals . Alkylation of cellular, nucleophilic sites by EMS occurs via a mixed SN1/SN2 reaction mechanism . While ethylation of DNA occurs principally at nitrogen positions in the bases, because of the partial SN1 character of the reaction, EMS is also able to produce significant levels of alkylation at oxygens such as the O6 of guanine and in the DNA phosphate groups . Genetic data obtained using microorganisms suggest that EMS may produce both GC to AT and AT to GC transition mutations . There is also some evidence that EMS can cause base-pair insertions or deletions as well as more extensive intragenic deletions . In higher organisms, there is clear-cut evidence that EMS is able to break chromosomes, although the mechanisms involved are not well understood . An often cited hypothesis is that DNA bases ethylated by EMS (mostly the N-7 position of guanine) gradually hydrolyze from the deoxyribose on the DNA backbone leaving behind an apurinic (or possibly an apyrimidinic) site that is unstable and can lead to single-strand breakage of the DNA . Data also exist that suggest that ethylation of some chromosomal proteins in mouse spermatids by EMS may be an important factor in causing chromosome breakage. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 Sep, 37(9), 965 - 9 Isolation and characterization of I5B2, a new phosphorus containing inhibitor of angiotensin I converting enzyme produced by Actinomadura sp; Kido Y et al.; A new inhibitor of angiotensin I converting enzyme, I5B2, was isolated from the culture broth of Actinomadura sp . No . 937ZE-1 . This compound contains N-methylvaline, tyrosine and 1-amino-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylphosphonic acid . The microorganism also produced another inhibitor, I5B1, which is identical with K-4 isolated from Actinomadura sp . as an antihypertensive agent. Mycopathologia, 1984 Aug 30, 87(1-2), 17 - 21 Evaluation of an indirect hemagglutination inhibition technique for identifying antibody in animals experimentally and naturally exposed to fungi; Thurston JR et al.; Rabbits were exposed to aerosols containing spores of Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, or of a Penicillium sp . Sera from these rabbits were tested by indirect hemagglutination (IHA) and by IHA inhibition . The serologic reactions with the rabbit sera were compared to reactions with sera from cattle naturally exposed to airborne microorganisms . By three months of age, most cattle had positive IHA reactions to A . fumigatus and Penicillium antigens . The IHA inhibition tests indicated that antibody production in 12 of the 20 cattle probably resulted from exposure to A . flavus . One calf reacted as if sensitized by A . niger . Two were totally nonreactive . Five of the cattle had reactions that were not identifiable relative to the reactions in rabbits. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1984 Aug 15, 149(8), 856 - 9 Transplacental passage of influenza A/Bangkok (H3N2) mimicking amniotic fluid infection syndrome; McGregor JA et al.; Influenza virus infection complicating pregnancy remains a matter of concern because of the frequency of these infections and possible associated increased maternal and perinatal risks . Influenza A/Bangkok (H3N2) infection occurred in a gravid woman in association with fever, chills, and uterine tenderness and contractions together with maternal and fetal tachycardia . Initial evaluations led to consideration of amniotic fluid infection syndrome with planned termination of the pregnancy . Examination of amniotic fluid obtained by amniocentesis showed neither microorganisms nor neutrophils, and close monitoring and supportive measures were continued . Amniotic fluid and maternal nasopharyngeal washing both yielded influenza A/Bangkok (H3N2) . Mother and fetus were closely monitored until term . Cord blood samples demonstrated hemagglutination inhibition and complement fixation antibody titers of 1:32 and greater than 1:512, respectively . Cord blood IgM and IgA hemagglutination inhibition antibody concentrations were 6,400 and 3,200 micrograms/ml, respectively, consistent with transplacental infection . This is the first confirmation of transplacental influenza infection . This generally self-limited viral infection may mimic the amniotic fluid infection syndrome and put mother and fetus at risk for potentially harmful untimely delivery. Infect Immun, 1984 Aug, 45(2), 491 - 7 Sequential metabolic alterations in the myocardium during influenza and tularemia in mice; Ilback NG et al.; Mice with generalized influenza or tularemia of similar lethality were studied in an effort to compare biochemical responses of the myocardium during infections of viral and bacterial etiology . A progressive loss of body weight characterized the course of both infections . Accompanying this, the myocardial content of protein and the activities of lactate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, and cytochrome c oxidase all decreased . However, myocardial protein degradation appeared earlier and was more pronounced in influenza, and the protein changes were accompanied by a rapid decline of myocardial RNA . Activation of acid hydrolases, such as cathepsin D and beta-glucuronidase, occurred in tularemia but not in influenza, whereas leakage of beta-glucuronidase into the plasma occurred in both infections . Conversely, there was a considerably greater activation of myocardial catalase in influenza . These findings suggested that different control mechanisms or metabolic pathways were operative in the degradation of myocardial constituents in influenza as compared with tularemia . The absence of histological signs of myocarditis in either infection appeared to exclude any direct local effects of an inflammatory process on myocardial cells . Since the infections were of comparable lethality (based upon the inoculated dose of organisms), the observed differences in pattern and extent of metabolic responses of the myocardium to these infections may be attributed to different pathophysiological mechanisms evoked by the different microorganisms. Infect Immun, 1984 Aug, 45(2), 447 - 52 Activation of murine polymorphonuclear neutrophils for fungicidal activity with supernatants from antigen-stimulated immune spleen cell cultures; Brummer E et al.; An in vitro model of in vivo immunological activation of murine polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) was developed . Culture supernatants of spleen cells from Blastomyces dermatitidis-immunized mice stimulated with B . dermatitidis antigens in vitro were studied . Incubation of the supernatants with thioglycolate-elicited PMN enabled the cells to significantly reduce (31 +/- 6%) B . dermatitidis inoculum CFU . Optimum production of active supernatants occurred after 4 to 6 days of stimulation in vitro and required 200 micrograms of nonviable B . dermatitidis cells per ml . Generation of activity by immune spleen cells was shown to be antigen specific in that stimulation with a heterologous antigen or stimulation of nonimmune spleen cells with B . dermatitidis antigen did not produce active supernatants . The activity in supernatants was dose dependent, nondialyzable (molecular weight greater than or equal to 14,000), and relatively heat labile (80 degrees C, 30 min) . Activation of PMN by supernatants for fungicidal activity against B . dermatitidis required only a short incubation period (1 h) followed by a 2-h coculture (challenge) period . Stimulation of normal spleen cells with concanavalin A also resulted in the production of supernatants capable of activating PMN for significant fungicidal activity (31.1 +/- 8.5%) . These findings demonstrate for the first time a link between soluble factors produced by antigen stimulation of sensitized lymphoid cells and activation of PMN for enhanced microbicidal activity . Such a process defines an additional immune defense mechanism whereby the immune host may clear specific microorganisms. Scand J Dent Res, 1984 Aug, 92(4), 269 - 74 Scanning electron and incident light microscopy of giant tubules in red deer dentin; Hals E et al.; Incisal and cuspal teeth from red deers 2 1/2-6 1/2 yr of age were used in this study . Incident light microscopy was used for screening of the specimens with respect to presence of orifices and exposures of giant tubules . Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for study of structural details . For SEM the specimens were pretreated with a 1% solution of NaClO for 2 or 20 h . One specimen was in addition exposed to a 35% solution of phosphoric acid for 30 s . Two teeth received no pretreatment . Many incisal/occlusal exposures of giant tubules were more or less blocked by a dense, probably mineralized, substance, whereas others were filled with spherical bodies, probably microorganisms . The walls of the pulpal chambers and root canals revealed an abundance of orifices of giant tubules . They were funnel-shaped with circular or oblong pulpal outlines, the diameters of which in untreated specimens ranged from 15 to 100 microns. J Protozool, 1984 Aug, 31(3), 429 - 33 Trypanosoma lucknowi, a new species of trypanosome from Macaca mulatta with observations on its fine structure; Weinman D et al.; Trypanosoma lucknowi n . sp . was isolated in culture from one of 126 Macaca mulatta originating from the vicinity of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India . Trypanosoma lucknowi is distinctive because of the large number of epimastigotes and trypomastigotes which, in culture, exhibit no movement or only a slight bending of the flagellar end . This limited motility coincides with a free flagellum which is either completely absent or rudimentary . The microorganism is cloned readily, and the description is based upon such cultures . Trypanosoma lucknowi shows pronounced differences from other trypanosomes of South Asian macaques and from "aflagellar" African trypanosomes . The ultrastructural demonstration of a cytostome and contractile vacuole suggests ultimate grouping with stercorarian trypanosomes . A 3-D reconstruction of the flagellar pocket/cytostome region is included. Antibiotiki, 1984 Aug, 29(8), 585 - 90 {Introduction of the inoculum into the upper agar layer as an alternative method in determining microorganism sensitivity to antibiotics by diffusion in agar}; Givental' NI et al.; A procedure for addition of the inoculum to the surface layer of semisynthetic agar was developed and recommended for the use in the assay of antibiotic sensitivity of microorganisms . The procedure differs from the alternative method of Barry et al . It is of special value when it is necessary to determine antibiotic sensitivity of the pathogens of highly contagious infections with the agar diffusion method. Histochem J, 1984 Aug, 16(8), 807 - 18 The structure of the middle ear epithelium of the rat and the effect of Eustachian tube obstruction; Kuijpers W et al.; The middle ear cavity of the rat is lined with ciliated and squamous epithelium . The arrangement of the ciliated cells, interspersed with secretory cells, in distinct tracts and their continuity with the ciliated epithelium of the Eustachian tube, suggests the existence of a mucociliary transport system for cleaning the middle ear cleft . The secretory cells produce either neutral or sulphated glycoproteins, dependent on their location . In addition to these secretions, the epithelium of the lower part of the Eustachian tube is bathed with secretory products of seromucous glands . Also in the areas with squamous epithelium, numerous small secretory cells, the character of which is only identifiable with the electronmicroscope, are present . It is concluded that the middle ear lining can be considered as a locally modified respiratory epithelium . Blockade of the mucociliary transport system, supposedly a crucial aetiological factor in secretory otitis media, by obstruction of the Eustachian tube, induces pathogenic behaviour of microorganisms normally present in the middle ear . This results in either a transient or a longstanding infective middle ear disease, associated with a large variety of changes of the mucosa, especially with respect to the secretory activity . The data obtained indicate that the increased secretory activity encountered in secretory otitis media cannot be attributed to the isolated effect of tubal occlusion, but rather to an infective process. Arch Ophthalmol, 1984 Aug, 102(8), 1200 - 2 Actinic granuloma of the conjunctiva; Ferry AP et al.; The key histologic feature of pingueculas is the presence of actinic elastosis of the conjunctival connective-tissue fibers . We describe a patient who had a pinguecula that, on pathologic examination, exhibited a prominent foreign-body giant-cell reaction in association with the elastotic fibers . The term actinic granuloma has been coined recently to designate a similar reaction in sun-damaged skin . Because the nature of the inflammatory reaction may be misinterpreted on pathologic examination as indicating the presence of microorganisms or a foreign body, both the clinician and the pathologist should be aware of this peculiar inflammatory response, which has been described on two previous occasions in patients with pingueculas. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1984 Aug, (8), 92 - 5 {Use of a method of immunoradiometric analysis for detecting the persistence of Rickettsiae and their antigens in an experimental infection in cotton rats}; Prozorovskii SV et al.; An indirect modification of the radioimmunoassay (RIA) was shown to be highly sensitive in the determination of the minimal amounts of R . prowazekii and their antigens in the organs and tissues of infected animals . RIA proved to be effective in the determination of the antigens in the blood in cases of R . prowazekii persistence in infected animals . The data obtained in these investigations point to good prospects for using RIA in the study of persistence of microorganisms and their antigens. Food Chem Toxicol, 1984 Aug, 22(8), 615 - 21 Effect of orally administered food-grade carrageenans on antibody-mediated and cell-mediated immunity in the inbred rat; Nicklin S et al.; Experiments were performed to investigate the immunological consequences associated with the persorption of poorly degradable carregeenans from the diet . Using an inbred strain of rat it was demonstrated histochemically, by the carrageenan-specific Alcian blue staining technique, that small quantities of food-grade carrageenans given at 0.5% in drinking-water for 90 days could penetrate the intestinal barrier of adult animals . This apparently occurred via an intact mucosa in the absence of inflammatory or pathological lesions . The carrageenan was demonstrated in macrophage-like cells present within the villi and lamina propria of the small intestine . The oral administration of kappa, lambda or iota food-grade carrageenans did not affect local (biliary) or systemic antibody responses to gut commensal microorganisms, or to orally-administered sheep erythrocytes . However, when sheep red blood cells were administered parenterally the ensuing anti-sheep red blood cell haemagglutinating antibody response was temporarily suppressed in carrageenan-fed rats . lambda-Carrageenan and iota-carrageenan both significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01 and P less than or equal to 0.05, respectively) reduced the mid-phase (14-28 days) haemagglutinin response; kappa-carrageenan (L100) was less effective but caused significant depression at day 21 (P less than or equal to 0.01) . Individual responses were, however, within the control range 35 days after sheep erythrocyte administration, thus indicating the temporary nature of this effect . Although carrageenan administration depressed the anti-sheep erythrocyte antibody response, it did not affect T-cell immune competence as measured by the popliteal lymph node assay for graft-versus-host reactivity. Am J Clin Pathol, 1984 Aug, 82(2), 148 - 54 Azathioprine-associated interstitial pneumonitis; Bedrossian CW et al.; Seven renal allograft recipients taking azathioprine (Imuran) for immunosuppression developed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and a falling pO2 that did not respond to antibiotic therapy . Open lung biopsies revealed changes ranging from diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) to usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) culminating in pulmonary fibrosis . There was no evidence of immune deposits, eosinophilia, vasculitis, granulomas, or microorganisms by cultures and appropriate stains . Following discontinuance of Imuran, the two cases with DAD revealed a significant clearing of the lung infiltrates, whereas four of five patients with UIP died while suffering from respirator-dependent ARDS . Biopsies showing hyaline membranes, intraalveolar edema and cuboidalization of alveolar epithelium were associated with total doses from 2,850 to 4,355 mg, whereas atypical epithelial hyperplasia, reorganization of distal air spaces, and fibrosis were noted in cases receiving from 5,600 to 28,625 mg of azathioprine . Ultrastructural changes were indistinguishable from those induced by other drugs causing pulmonary toxicity . In three cases atypical epithelial cells were detected cytologically in brushing specimens and appeared identical to those noted in the lung biopsies . Our findings are consistent with the view that azathioprine should be added to the list of agents capable of causing direct, dose-dependent pulmonary toxicity . Accordingly, drug-associated diffuse interstitial pulmonary disease should enter the differential diagnosis of a lung infiltrate that develops in renal transplant patients receiving Imuran. Obstet Gynecol, 1984 Aug, 64(2), 179 - 84 Pathogenicity of Trichomonas vaginalis: cytopathologic and histopathologic changes of the cervical epithelium; Honigberg BM et al.; Virulence of 52 Trichomonas vaginalis isolates was estimated by the subcutaneous mouse assay . A positive linear relationship was found between the mean volumes of subcutaneous abscesses caused by the parasites in mice and severity of cervical epithelial abnormalities observed in the patients from whom these strains had been isolated . This relationship implies that virulence of the human urogenital trichomonad, as measured by the mouse assay, may be related to some factors associated with dysplastic changes in the cervical epithelium . No relationships appeared to exist between the results of the mouse assay and inflammation of the vagina and cervix as evaluated clinically or pathologically, although these data were not analyzed statistically; likewise, no relationships were found between the mouse assay and nonprotozoal microorganisms identified in donors of the trichomonad strains. Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 1984 Jul 27, 109(30), 1148 - 50 {Adhesion of mircroorganisms to respirator tubes}; Vogel F et al.; Potentially pathogenic microorganisms may adhere to and persist on plastic surfaces by extracellular polymeric substances . Intubation tubes used between 30 minutes and 10 days in 14 ventilated patients of a medical intensive care unit were examined by scanning electron microscopy . All interior tube surfaces showed heavy colonisations which thus can persist over prolonged periods . The clinical relevance of these findings consists of the fact that, as on other plastic surfaces, microbial organisms may remain attached to ventilation tubes . Through formation of extracellular polymeric substances they are protected against effects of antibiotics and disinfectants . Aspiration of these microorganisms from the tubes may lead to pneumonias in ventilated patients. Biochem Pharmacol, 1984 Jul 15, 33(14), 2299 - 308 Reactions of nitrosochloramphenicol in blood; Eyer P et al.; It has been suggested that nitrosochloramphenicol (NOCAP), a possible metabolite of chloramphenicol (CAP), may be involved in CAP-induced aplastic anemia . We found that NOCAP was rapidly eliminated from human blood in vitro (more than 90% in less than 15 sec) . Analysis of the different reactions showed that 5% of NOCAP was covalently bound to plasma proteins, mainly to albumin, the remainder being metabolized in red cells . The most important reaction in red cells was the very rapid adduct formation with GSH (k = 5,500 M-1S-1), yielding presumably a semimercaptal which either isomerized to a sulfinamide (GSONHCAP, k = 0.05 s-1) or was thiolytically cleaved by another GSH molecule with formation of the hydroxylamine (NHOHCAP) and GSSG (k = 7.1 M-1S-1) . Another important elimination reaction was the covalent binding of NOCAP to the SH groups of hemoglobin (k = 5M-1S-1), also yielding a sulfinamide . Besides these reactions with thiols, NOCAP was enzymatically reduced to NHOHCAP in the presence of NADPH (Km NADPH = 10(-5) M; Km NOCAP = 10(-4) M; Vmax = 2 mumole/min per ml) . This reaction was only effective at NOCAP concentrations below 10(-4)M, probably because of limited NADPH-regeneration . Further reduction of NHOHCAP to NH2CAP was a slow process which did not exceed 0.5 nmole/min per ml . NH2CAP was mainly formed from GSONHCAP, a reaction which depended on NADPH and the presence of hemolysate, indicating an enzymatic reaction . In contrast to smaller nitrosoarenes, NOCAP was a poor ligand for ferrohemoglobin (probably due to steric hindrance by its bulky molecule) and was therefore much more exposed to biotransformation . NOCAP and NHOHCAP formed ferrihemoglobin at a rate 5000 times slower than did phenylhydroxylamine . In contrast to NOCAP, NHOHCAP penetrated slowly the red cell membrane (4 about 5 min), and its disposition in blood was quite ineffective . From these data, it seems likely that most of the NOCAP formed by microorganisms in the intestine or produced in the liver, will be degraded in blood before it can reach the bone marrow. Am J Dis Child, 1984 Jul, 138(7), 629 - 32 Respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses in breast- and formula-fed infants; Myers MG et al.; Ten breast-fed infants, each paired with a formula-fed infant, were evaluated prospectively from birth to the age of 112 days to identify respiratory and gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses and microorganisms associated with respiratory tract infections . The infants were matched by age and sex . More GI illnesses occurred among the formula-fed infants . Although the breast-fed infants had less exposure to tobacco smoke in the home and less exposure to other children in day-care settings, there was no suggestion of a decrease in the frequency of respiratory illness during the first four months. Acta Cytol, 1984 Jul-Aug, 28(4), 471 - 6 Chlamydial infection in Papanicolaou-stained cervical smears; de Borges RJ et al.; Infection by Chlamydia trachomatis was frequently observed in routine cytologic smears studied for cancer detection . Seventy-three smears from 187 Chlamydia-positive cases seen in a two-and-one-half-year period were reviewed to establish the relationship between C . trachomatis infection and the incidence of metaplastic and dysplastic cells . An inflammatory process with metaplastic cells was found in 72.6% of the smears and dysplastic cells in 16.4% . The Papanicolaou stain gave enough detail not only for the identification of the inclusions but also for the relation of different types of inclusions to the different stages of the life cycle of the microorganism. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 1984 Jul-Aug, 8(4), 396 - 8 Blood culture as a guide for the diagnosis of central venous catheter sepsis; Bozzetti F et al.; The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictability of peripheral (PBC) and central blood cultures (CBC) in the diagnosis of central venous catheter (CVC) sepsis (growth of the same microorganism in the peripheral blood and on the catheter tip) . The contamination and sepsis rate of 256 CVCs and the relationship with PBC and CBC was evaluated in a series of cancer patients included in a prospective protocol on CVC infections at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori of Milan . Overall CVC contamination was 10.5% and sepsis rate was 3.1% . The positive predictive value for CVC sepsis was 46.7% for positive PBC + CBC, 38.1% for positive PBC and 16.6% for positive CBC . The small gain in the predictive positive value obtained with the use of PBC and CBC and the slight increase in the specificity does not justify, in our opinion, the use of both these parameters for the diagnosis of CVC sepsis. J Invest Dermatol, 1984 Jul, 83(1), 37 - 41 Adherence of Candida species to human epidermal corneocytes and buccal mucosal cells: correlation with cutaneous pathogenicity; Ray TL et al.; Adherence of microorganisms to epidermal corneocytes may be a prerequisite for cutaneous colonization and infection . Six species of Candida were assayed in vitro for adherence to human epidermal corneocytes and buccal mucosal cells, and compared to previous studies of pathogenicity in a rodent model of cutaneous candidiasis . C . albicans and C . stellatoidea exhibited marked adherence to both epithelial cell types over time, and were cutaneous pathogens in the rodent model . The remaining species showed little or no adherence, and were nonpathogenic to skin . Adherence to corneocytes was not inhibited by ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, mannan polysaccharide, or concanavalin A lectin . Fresh human serum, but not heat-inactivated serum, inhibited C . albicans adherence by 50%, and was associated with the deposition of complement components, C3 and factor B on blastospores . Adherence to epithelial corneocytes and mucosal cells is a property of pathogenic species of Candida, and may participate in cutaneous colonization and infection mechanisms . Adherence was time-dependent, and did not require divalent cations . Cell wall mannan may participate in the "adhesin" complex . Mannan activation of serum complement and deposition of C3 and factor B on blastospores may provide a protective action by inhibiting Candida adherence to corneocytes. J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol, 1984 Jul, 5(4-5), 1 - 14 Contamination of bar soaps under "in-use" conditions; Kabara JJ et al.; Bar and liquid soaps from 26 public lavatories were investigated for microbial colonies . Of 84 samples obtained from bar soaps, 100% yielded positive cultures; liquid soaps were essentially negative (3/39) . Where quantitative data were gathered, bar soaps were found to contain as few as 100-200 CFU/ml but ranged to a high of greater than 6000 CFU/ml . Although laboratory-challenged bar soaps showed a quick loss of microorganisms (less than 6 hours), "in-use" bars continued to contain high levels of organisms, even after more than 48 hours . Qualitatively, bar soaps were found to harbour 2 to 9 different genera of organisms per bar . The microbial population obtained from bar soap represented over 16 different genera . The discovery of so many and such different microorganisms on bar soaps indicates that this form of soap may be a potential reservoir for the spread of cross-infection in public institutions. J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Jul, 20(1), 5 - 8 Rapid visual detection of microorganisms in blood culture; Sage BH Jr et al.; We describe a method and apparatus for rapid visual detection of microorganisms in blood cultures . In the 30-min procedure, a lysing reagent for the preferential digestion of blood cells and a concentration device which causes 1 ml of lysed specimen to pass through a portion (3 mm2) of a membrane filter (pore size, 0.6 micron) were used . After the material remaining on the filter was Gram stained, the filter was mounted and examined microscopically . The ability to detect microorganisms in blood cultures was determined by spiking seven common blood pathogens into blood cultures prepared from the blood of healthy volunteers . Microorganism concentration in the cultures ranged from 1 to 1,000/ml . All of 34 cultures with at least 100 CFU/ml were detected, 34 of 64 cultures with less than 100 CFU/ml were detected, and 41 of 42 negative controls were correctly reported as negative. Fertil Steril, 1984 Jul, 42(1), 102 - 7 In vitro tests of the adherence of Chlamydia trachomatis to human spermatozoa; Wolner-Hanssen P et al.; Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common causative agents of ascending genital infection . The mechanisms by which microorganisms spread to the upper genital tract are, however, by and large still unknown . Attachment of serovars D, H, and I of C . trachomatis to human spermatozoa was observed in in vitro experiments . The specimens were studied by immunofluorescence tests using monoclonal antibodies to C . trachomatis and transmission electron microscopy . The adherence of chlamydiae to spermatozoa was enhanced by increasing the acidity of the test environment, that is, from pH 8.0 to 4.0, by increasing the concentration of chlamydial cells in relation to spermatozoa, and by increasing the incubation time (up to 1 hour) . Sperm penetration tests, using capillary tubes filled with albumen from hen's eggs, revealed that spermatozoa, when progressing forward, can carry chlamydiae attached to them. Endoscopy, 1984 Jul, 16(4), 129 - 30 Nosocomial septicemia in patients undergoing sclerotherapy for variceal hemorrhage; Gerhartz HH et al.; The data of 19 consecutive unselected patients undergoing emergency sclerotherapy who were admitted to a single intensive care unit throughout the course of one year, were analyzed retrospectively for clinical and bacteriological signs of septicemia after the first sclerotherapy session . Ten had fever and/or chills, and in six of these patients microorganisms were cultured from arterial blood or central venous catheter tips . The data show that about one-third of patients with liver cirrhosis and acute variceal hemorrhage undergoing emergency sclerotherapy may develop septic disease. Scand J Haematol, 1984 Jul, 33(1), 75 - 9 Myeloperoxidase-deficient polymorphonuclear leucocytes (III): Relation to incidence of infection in acute myeloid leukaemia; Nielsen HK et al.; In 74 cases of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) the relation between pretreatment myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) and the incidence of infection in the preremission phase of the disease was investigated retrospectively . 36 patients had abnormal numbers (greater than 4%) of MPO-deficient PMN and 38 had normal numbers . In the first group more patients experienced fever attacks, more showed an infectious focus and an aetiological cause was demonstrated more frequently than among patients in the second group . This difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.01) . Furthermore, the patients in the first group experienced more fever attacks, showed more infectious focus and had infectious microorganisms demonstrated in more febrile episodes than patients in the second group (P less than 0.01) . The differences were not explained by differences in the incidences of neutropenia or other parameters investigated . It is concluded that decreased MPO activity in PMN from AML patients may contribute to the increased susceptibility to infections and that in the preremission phase of the disease it may account for approximately 15% of the infections. Biochemistry, 1984 Jun 19, 23(13), 2891 - 9 Structural and functional properties of calmodulin from the eukaryotic microorganism Dictyostelium discoideum; Marshak DR et al.; Calmodulin was purified from the eukaryotic microorganism Dictyostelium discoideum and characterized in terms of its nearly complete primary structure and quantitative activator activity . The strategy for amino acid sequence analysis took advantage of the highly conserved structure of calmodulin and employed a new procedure for limited cleavage of calmodulin that uses a protease from mouse submaxillary gland . Fourteen amino acid sequence differences between Dictyostelium and bovine calmodulin were identified unequivocally, as well as an unmethylated lysine at residue 115 instead of N epsilon, N epsilon, N epsilon-trimethyllysine . Seven of the amino acid substitutions in Dictyostelium calmodulin are novel in that the residues at these positions are invariant in all calmodulin sequences previously examined, most notably an additional residue at the carboxy terminus . Comparison of the Dictyostelium calmodulin sequence with other calmodulin sequences shows that the region with the greatest extended sequence identity includes parts of the first and second structural domains and the interdomain region between domains 1 and 2 . Dictyostelium calmodulin activated bovine brain cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase in a manner indistinguishable from that of bovine brain calmodulin . However, Dictyostelium calmodulin activated pea NAD kinase to a maximal level 4.6-fold greater than that produced by bovine brain calmodulin . This functional difference demonstrates the potential biological importance of the limited number of amino acid sequence differences between Dictyostelium calmodulin and other calmodulins and provides further insight into the structure, function, and evolution of the calmodulin family of proteins. Eur J Biochem, 1984 Jun 15, 141(3), 505 - 12 Tendamistat (HOE 467), a tight-binding alpha-amylase inhibitor from Streptomyces tendae 4158 . Isolation, biochemical properties; Vertesy L et al.; Culture fluids of Streptomyces tendae 4158 (ATCC 31210) contain a new kind of polypeptide alpha-amylase inhibitor, tendamistat (HOE 467) . Several methods of isolating this inhibitor are described, including two rapid crystallisation methods, which produce homogeneous material . A characteristic of tendamistat is its tight-binding, pH-independent inhibition kinetics and the specific inhibition of the mammalian alpha-amylase form a stoichiometric 1:1 complex, which cannot be separated into its individual components by sodium dodecyl sulphate or molecular sieve chromatography . Studies of the mode of action reveal that the alpha-amylase-inhibiting activity is linked to the intact disulphide bridges of the inhibitor . It is assumed that the multipoint protein-protein bond exists between the enzyme and tendamistat . It is shown that extracellular tendamistat inhibits amylase formed by streptomyces . We therefore assume a regulatory function in the microorganism . By-products of tendamistat, which possess similar enzyme-inhibiting properties, are also described. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Jun, 47(6), 1299 - 306 Models for mineralization kinetics with the variables of substrate concentration and population density; Simkins S et al.; The rates of mineralization of {14C}benzoate by an induced population of Pseudomonas sp . were measured at initial substrate concentrations ranging from 10 ng/ml to 100 micrograms/ml . Plots of the radioactivity remaining in the culture were fit by nonlinear regression to six kinetic models derived from the Monod equation . These models incorporate only the variables of substrate concentration and cell density . Plots of the mineralization kinetics in cultures containing low, intermediate, and high initial substrate concentrations were well fit by first-order, integrated Monod, and logarithmic kinetics, respectively . Parameters such as maximum specific growth rate, half-saturation constant, and initial population density divided by yield agreed between cultures to within a factor of 3.4 . Benzoate mineralization by microorganisms in acclimated sewage was shown to fit logistic (sigmoidal), Monod, and logarithmic kinetics when the compound was added at initial concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, and 10 micrograms/ml, respectively . The mineralization of 10 micrograms of benzoate per ml in sewage also followed logarithmic kinetics in the absence of protozoa . It is concluded that much of the diversity in shapes of mineralization curves is a result of the interactions of substrate concentration and population density . Nonlinear regression with models incorporating these variables is a valuable means for analysis of microbial mineralization kinetics. Am J Pathol, 1984 Jun, 115(3), 321 - 8 The migration of bronchoalveolar macrophages into hilar lymph nodes; Corry D et al.; The migration of bronchoalveolar macrophages ( BAMs ) into hilar lymph nodes ( HLNs ) was investigated in order to assess their potential importance in pulmonary immune responses . 51Chromium- or 111Indium-labeled broncholaveolar cells ( BACs ) or purified BAMs were inoculated into the tracheas of syngeneic guinea pigs, and the number of cells that reached HLN at 24-72 hours was estimated by 1) measuring the cell-associated radioactivity in HLN and 2) counting the radiolabeled cells in autoradiographic preparations . It was determined that 400-2900 BAM/10(7) inoculated BACs or BAMs reached the HLNs within a 3-day period . From this data, it was calculated that in a normal animal as many as 8700 BAMs might reach HLNs daily . These migratory phagocytes are potentially important in facilitating the systemic spread of macrophage-resistant intracellular organisms from the lung . Furthermore, following phagocytosis and killing of microorganisms in the alveolus, BAMs might migrate to HLNs and present antigen to stimulate a primary immune response. J Appl Bacteriol, 1984 Jun, 56(3), 395 - 407 Production of amylase by Aspergillus foetidus on rice flour medium and characterization of the enzyme; Michelena VV et al.; Aspergillus foetidus ATCC 10254 was selected from nine starch-utilizing microorganisms for its high amylolytic activity . This mould produced high levels of extracellular alpha-amylase in rice starch medium and degraded the available starch efficiently . Optimal conditions for enzyme production on 2.0% rice medium included 28 degrees C, initial pH of 6.6, and supplementations with 0.02% NaNO2, 0.08% KH2PO4, and 0.08% corn steep liquor . Eleven-fold purification of the enzyme was obtained after ammonium sulphate and ethanol precipitations from spent medium . The molecular weight was estimated at 41 500 . Optimum pH and temperature for enzyme activity were 5.0 and 45 degrees C . Michaelis-Menten constants were 1.14 mg/ml on amylopectin, 2.19 mg/ml on soluble starch and 7.65 mg/ml on amylose . Amylose produced substrate inhibition while glucose or maltose did not inhibit the enzyme . This alpha-amylase may be used as a saccharifying enzyme for rice starch . Aspergillus foetidus ATCC 10254 also presents a potential for treatment of starch-containing waste waters. Prim Care, 1984 Jun, 11(2), 295 - 306 Infectious arthritis and osteomyelitis; Schmid FR; Awareness of the possibility of sepsis constitutes the single most important step needed to effectively diagnose and treat a bone or joint infection . Once suspected, the diagnosis can usually be confirmed by identification of the causative microorganism . Treatment can be curative but requires prompt use of appropriate antibiotics and adequate drainage to achieve optimal results, that is, the restoration of the preinfectious level of musculoskeletal function. J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Jun, 19(6), 931 - 3 Simonsiella filaments isolated from erosive lesions of the human oral cavity; Carandina G et al.; The morphology and cultural characteristics of bacteria of the Simonsiella genus isolated from erosions of oral mucosa are reported here . Direct microscopic examination of smeared oral swabs and the consequent selection of suitable culturing procedures and media are compulsory for recovering Simonsiella microorganisms from clinical specimens in routine work. J Biochem (Tokyo), 1984 Jun, 95(6), 1705 - 12 Cerulenin resistance in a cerulenin-producing fungus . II . Characterization of fatty acid synthetase from Cephalosporium caerulens; Tomoda H et al.; Cerulenin, an antifungal antibiotic isolated from a culture filtrate of Cephalosporium caerulens, is a potent inhibitor of fatty acid synthetase systems of various microorganisms and animal tissues . This antibiotic specifically blocks the activity of beta-ketoacyl thioester synthetase (condensing enzyme) by binding to the functional cysteine-SH in the active center of the condensing enzyme domain (the peripheral SH-group) . However, fatty acid synthetase from C . caerulens is much less sensitive to cerulenin than fatty acid synthetases from other sources . The properties of C . caerulens synthetase were investigated and compared to those of Saccharomyces cerevisiae synthetase, which is sensitive to the antibiotic . The molecular weight of the enzymically active form of C . caerulens synthetase was 2.53 X 10(6) . The enzyme consisted of two multifunctional proteins, alpha and beta, which are arranged in a complex, alpha 6 beta 6 . The synthetase was inactivated by iodoacetamide . At 0 degrees C and pH 7.15, the second-order rate constant of k = 15.6 M-1 X s-1 was obtained for the inactivation by iodoacetamide . This value was about 15 times greater than that for S . cerevisiae synthetase . Treatment of C . caerulens synthetase with iodoacetamide, while impairing the synthetase activity, induced malonyl-CoA decarboxylase activity . When S . cerevisiae synthetase was preincubated with cerulenin, malonyl-CoA decarboxylase activity could not be detected even after treatment of the enzyme with iodoacetamide (Kawaguchi, A., Tomoda, H., Nozoe, S., Omura, S., & Okuda, S . (1982) J . Biochem . 92, 7-12) . In the case of C . caerulens synthetase, on the other hand, malonyl-CoA decarboxylase activity was induced by iodoacetamide even after the preincubation of the enzyme with cerulenin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1984 May 15, 149(2), 215 - 24 On the causation of pelvic inflammatory disease; Keith LG et al.; PIP: The classic descriptive model of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) omits any direct statement that sexual intercourse leads to the development of the lower genital or cervical infection which ultimately leads to upper genital or tubal infection . Despite this, clinicians treating patients with PID frequently, either implicity or explicitly, link its onset to sexual activity . In the past decade numerous authors have commented on the strong association between the widespread changes in sexual attitudes and behavior (without describing them in detail) and the enormous rise in sexually transmitted diseases and PID . With the advent of the case control study, the epidemiologist viewed sexual activity as only 1 of many risk factors for the development of PID . Yet, the clinician often maintanied that this relationship was too obvious to require case control studies to prove the point . The sum, the classic hypothesis on the pathogenesis of PID has remained virtually unchanged for nearly 8 decades in spite of its limitations, such as the failure to consider the endogenous and exogenous risk factors for the development of PID in a given patient . Possibly the greatest defect of the classic theory is its failure to address the precise mechanisms by which the infectious agents that cause PID travel from the lower to the upper genital tract . Existing literature suggests that 3 mechanisms may be operative . The 1st mechanism is that motile trichomonads are capable of ascending from the vagina to the level of the fallopian tubes and may carry with them a variety of infectious agents . The 2nd suspected mechanism for transport of microorganisms to the fallopian tubes is by attachment to sperm . If this occurs, then clearly spermatozoa may serve as vectors of pelvic infection . Abundant evidence exists to support the concept that sperm intimately associate with a variety of infectious agents, many of which are unrecognized as pathogens in the female . The 3rd suspected mechanism for transport of bacteria from the lower to the upper genital tract in the female appears to be that of passive transport . The literalture lacks reference to bacteria per se gaining entrance to the uterus but contains abundant references to the transport of particular matter and sperm . The current orientation of most American textbooks and much of the literature in regard to the pathogenesis of PID is oversimplified . More attention must be devoted to the mechanisms by which infectious agents arrive at the fallopian tubes . Am J Med, 1984 May 15, 76(5A), 111 - 9 Prevention of infection in high risk gastrointestinal surgery; Nichols RL; Postoperative infectious complications are a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in the surgical patient . These septic events, which are usually confined to the surgical wound, may involve deeper structures or the bloodstream . The highest incidence of these complications in the patient undergoing elective operation occurs after gastrointestinal surgery, in which the endogenous bacterial populations are usually the causative microorganisms . The economic, physical, and psychological impact of postoperative infections mandates the use of preventive methods to decrease the incidence of such untoward events . In this clinical setting, sound surgical judgment and proper technique are most important . The use of appropriately chosen and administered prophylactic antibiotics also has proved of great benefit in many of these patients. Biochemistry, 1984 May 8, 23(10), 2122 - 7 Effect of serum albumin on siderophore-mediated utilization of transferrin iron; Konopka K et al.; The effect of serum and serum proteins on enterobactin- and aerobactin-mediated utilization of transferrin iron has been investigated . Serum was found to impede transfer of iron from iron transferrin to enterobactin and from {55Fe}ferric enterobactin to cells of Escherichia coli BN3040 Na 1R iuc . In contrast, serum had essentially no effect on the rate of these reactions mediated by aerobactin . Three purified serum proteins, human serum albumin, bovine serum albumin, and human immunoglobulin, were comparable to human serum in their selective ability to interfere with the transfer of 55Fe from {55Fe}ferric enterobactin to E . coli BN3040 Na 1R iuc . The inhibitory effect of human serum albumin on the enterobactin-mediated transfer of iron from {55Fe}transferrin was enhanced by preincubation of the protein with the siderophore . Pretreatment of the bacterial cells with human serum albumin did not affect the rate of utilization of siderophore iron . A linear, reciprocal relationship was found to hold for human albumin concentration vs . the first-order rate constant ( kobsd ) for the velocity of iron transfer from iron transferrin to enterobactin . Binding of serum albumin to enterobactin increased the intensity of the near-ultraviolet absorption band of the siderophore and shifted it to longer wavelengths . The stoichiometry of binding to human and bovine serum albumins was established as 1:1, and the binding constant for both enterobactin and ferric enterobactin was estimated to be in the range 1 X 10(4)-1.2 X 10(5) M-1 . These results indicate that serum albumin may act synergistically with other factors in the serum, such as transferrin, to limit iron supply and in this way restrict the growth of invading microorganisms. Nature, 1984 May 31-Jun 6, 309(5967), 462 - 4 Molecular cloning of the whole biosynthetic pathway of a Streptomyces antibiotic and its expression in a heterologous host; Malpartida F et al.; The application of molecular cloning to antibiotic-producing microorganisms should lead to enhanced antibiotic productivity and to the biosynthesis of novel antibiotics by in vitro interspecific recombination . To allow such approaches, the genes for antibiotic synthesis must be isolated, analysed and perhaps modified . Certain Streptomyces species produce nearly two-thirds of the known natural antibiotics; the recent development of cloning systems in the genus makes it possible to isolate and analyse Streptomyces genes . However, antibiotics are metabolites which require sets of several enzymes for their synthesis and attempts to isolate the corresponding genes have so far yielded clones carrying either individual genes of the set, or only incomplete gene sets . We describe here the isolation of a large continuous segment of Streptomyces coelicolor DNA which apparently carries the complete genetic information required for synthesis of an antibiotic, actinorhodin , from simple primary metabolites . Not only can the cloned DNA 'complement' all available classes of actinorhodin non-producing mutants of S . coelicolor but, on introduction into a different host, Streptomyces parvulus , it directs the synthesis of the antibiotic . The tendency for the genes for antibiotic synthesis to be clustered together on the chromosomes of Streptomyces species and the availability of plasmid vectors which can carry stable inserts of DNA larger than 30 kilobase pairs (kb) and which can be introduced efficiently into Streptomyces protoplasts, suggest that the experiments described have general significance for this area of biotechnology. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1984 May, 81(10), 3010 - 3 Occurrence of selenium-containing tRNAs in mouse leukemia cells; Ching WM; Selenium incorporation into the polynucleotide structures of tRNAs has been documented in several microorganisms . In the present study, selenium-containing species were isolated from bulk tRNA preparations from 75Se-labeled mouse leukemia cells . The major 75Se-labeled species was similar in size and exhibited the same sensitivity to ribonuclease as did Escherichia coli tRNAs . The chromatographic properties of the intact major selenium-containing tRNA species indicated it to be very hydrophobic in character . The selenium component that is unstable at neutral-to-alkaline pH but is relatively stable at acid pH is not an esterified selenoamino acid . HPLC analysis of enzymic digests of the major selenium-containing species detected selenium-containing hydrophobic products (probably selenonucleosides ) . These properties strongly suggest that the selenium in the mouse leukemia-cell tRNAs is present in the form of a selenium-modified nucleoside. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 May, 37(5), 487 - 93 Peptide antibiotic K-582 production in relation to amino acid metabolism in Metarrhizium anisopliae; Ito-Kagawa M et al.; Formation of the basic antibiotic, K-582 was stimulated by supplying Metarrhizium anisopliae U-47 with several amino acids present in its structure . The addition of L-arginine to the basal medium resulted in the almost exclusive formation of K-582 B, while L-lysine increased K-582 A formation . Some carbon sources were observed to have effects similar to those obtained with the above mentioned amino acids . Furthermore, when L-arginine was added in excess to the basal medium, free gamma-hydroxyarginine, which is a major constituent of the antibiotic, accumulated extra- and intra-cellularly . Free gamma-hydroxyarginine isolated from the culture broth of this microorganism was the threo-L-isomer . K-582 formation was repressed by glycerol, which exerted catabolite repression of gamma-hydroxyarginine synthesis. Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb, 1984 May-Jun, 122(3), 320 - 8 {Treatment of osteomyelitis with PVP-iodine solution using lavage-suction drainage}; Matzen KA et al.; PVP-iodine was applied in this pilot study as irrigation solution containing 0.2% active ingredient for irrigation-suction drainage . It was well tolerated . The degree of iodine absorption remained within a lower region encountered with commonly available iodine-containing medications . Increased iodine levels returned to normal ranges soon after termination of treatment . Changes in thyroxine values were without clinical symptoms . No hypothyreosis was encountered . In spite of this it is recommended to control thyroid function before, during and after irrigation treatment with PVP-I in patients with a possible disposition for iodine-induction of thyroid function . Pregnancy (after the third month) and the presence of autonomous adenomas of the thyroid are contraindications because of the iodine load encountered . Palpable evidence for a thyroid enlargement is also a contraindication, except when the patient had not responded with thyroidal side reactions after prior exposure to iodine-containing contrast agents . During the irrigation treatment with PVP-I wounds became free of microorganisms . Local irritations due to the application of PVP-I were rare . The patient acceptance was excellent or good. J Nat Prod, 1984 May-Jun, 47(3), 497 - 503 Microbial transformations of natural antitumor agents, 25 . Conversions of 3-ketoaphidicolin; Ipsen J et al.; Microbial transformation experiments were conducted using 3-ketoaphidicolin (2) as a starting material . Metabolites were isolated by solvent extraction and chromatography, and structures were elaborated by cmr and pmr spectroscopy, ms, and ir analyses . Several microorganisms provided metabolites in excellent yields, including 3-epiaphidicolin (4), 6 beta-hydroxy-3-ketoaphidicolin (5), and 19-nor-16,17-dihydroxyaphidicolan-3-one (6) . The last compound is formed via oxidation of the primary alcohol functional group at position 18 to the corresponding beta-keto acid derivative which spontaneously decarboxylates . This reaction is analogous to the metabolic demethylation of sterol intermediates . Each metabolite was tested for antitumor activity in the P-388 leukemic test system, and in the 6C631 colon tumor model system . None of the compounds were active in vivo, and all were less active than aphidicolin in the in vitro P-388 test system. Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1984 May-Jun, 20(3), 329 - 33 {Fumarate hydratase activity of various Escherichia coli strains}; Gubnitskii LS et al.; The fumarate hydratase activity of intact cells was determined for 36 strains of Escherichia coli, receiver from the All-Union Collection of Microorganisms, to reveal a producer of L-malic acid . A research was made to find optimal media for cultivating microorganisms possessing the fumarate hydratase activity . Spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods were chosen to detect malic acid in the complete reaction mixture, which are available for kinetic study of the malic acid synthesis from potassium fumarate. Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1984 May-Jun, 20(3), 307 - 17 {Cobalamin-protein compounds of bacterial origin (a review)}; Eliseev SA et al.; Main types of cobalamin-protein compounds from microorganisms are discussed . The first chapter of the review describes low-molecular weight cobalamin-protein complexes and their functional role in the bacterial cells . In the following chapters some structural peculiarities of B12-dependent enzymes and the nature of cobalamin-protein bounds are discussed . Possible ways for the practical use of cobalamin-protein compounds of microorganisms are under consideration. Arch Dermatol, 1984 May, 120(5), 662 - 9 Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of methoxsalen plus UV-A; Roelandts R; The combination of methoxsalen and long-wave UV radiation (UV-A) is being used on a large scale in clinical practice to treat a variety of dermatoses, particularly psoriasis . Theoretically, this combination may be mutagenic and carcinogenic, since methoxsalen binds covalently with DNA under the influence of UV-A . Mutagenicity has been studied in microorganisms and cell cultures . Arguments for possible carcinogenicity come from animal experiments and also from long-term follow-up studies of patients treated with psoralens and UV-A (PUVA) . Transplantation studies in animals, allergic and irritative skin reaction experiments, and clinical observations indicate that PUVA also has an immunosuppressive effect . Short-term risk of skin cancer from PUVA therapy seems to be rather low if careful patient selection is made . However, for all patients, long-term maintenance treatment should be avoided as much as possible. Am J Ophthalmol, 1984 May, 97(5), 560 - 4 Contamination of donor cornea by gentamicin-resistant organisms; Poole TG et al.; Cultures of the donor corneoscleral rims in 70 consecutive penetrating keratoplasties showed microbial contamination in 14 cases . All positive cultures were tested by standard microdilution broth method for sensitivities to gentamicin, an antibiotic routinely used in McCarey-Kaufman transport medium . Seven of 15 organisms demonstrated resistance to gentamicin at concentrations above 100 micrograms/ml . These results indicated the selection of more antibiotic-resistant microorganisms in antibiotic-supplemented medium and the need for appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis at the time of surgery. J Clin Invest, 1984 May, 73(5), 1254 - 62 Effect of human polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leukocytes on chromosomal and plasmid DNA of Escherichia coli . Role of acid DNase; Rozenberg-Arska M et al.; Phagocytosis and killing by polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leukocytes are important host resistance factors against invading microorganisms . Evidence showing that killing is rapidly followed by degradation of bacterial components is limited . Therefore, we studied the fate of Escherichia coli DNA following phagocytosis of E . coli by polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leukocytes . {3H}thymidine-labeled, unencapsulated E . coli PC2166 and E . coli 048K1 were incubated in serum, washed, and added to leukocytes . Uptake and killing of the bacteria and degradation of DNA were measured . Although phagocytosis and killing by mononuclear leukocytes was less efficient than that by polymorphonuclear leukocytes, only mononuclear leukocytes were able to degrade E . coli PC2166 DNA . Within 2 h, 60% of the radioactivity added to mononuclear leukocytes was released into the supernate, of which 40% was acid soluble . DNA of E . coli 048K1 was not degraded . To further analyze the capacity of mononuclear leukocytes to degrade E . coli DNA, chromosomal and plasmid DNA was isolated from ingested bacteria and subjected to agarose gel-electrophoresis . Only chromosomal DNA was degraded after phagocytosis . Plasmid DNA of E . coli carrying a gene coding for ampicillin resistance remained intact for a 2-h period after ingestion, and was still able to transform recipient E . coli cells after this period . Although we observed no DNA degradation during phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear leukocytes, lysates of both polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leukocytes contained acid-DNase activity with a pH optimum of 4.9 . However, the DNase activity of mononuclear leukocytes was 20 times higher than that of polymorphonuclear leukocytes . No difference was observed between DNase activity from polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leukocytes from a chronic granulomatous disease patient with DNase activity from control polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leukocytes. Arch Microbiol, 1984 May, 138(1), 58 - 63 On the absence of correlation between cyanide-resistant respiration and cytochrome d content in bacteria; Akimenko VK et al.; The regularity of appearance of cyanide-resistant respiration and cytochrome d in various bacteria as well as the relationship between the degree of resistance of respiration to cyanide and cytochrome d content was studied . Bacteria able to synthesize cyanide-resistant respiration were shown to appear during transition of culture to the stationary phase of growth caused by the exhaustion of carbon source . No regulatory of appearance of cytochrome d was observed . There is no correlation between the degree of resistance to cyanide and cytochrome d content . It was concluded that the cyanide-resistant respiration of bacteria and eukaryotic microorganisms may be associated with the functioning of a non-cytochrome nature oxidase. Acta Paediatr Scand, 1984 May, 73(3), 345 - 8 Low superoxide levels in blood phagocytic cells in Down's syndrome; Anneren G et al.; Superoxide anion was measured in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) from 10 patients with Down's syndrome (DS) and 10 healthy controls after stimulation with phorobol-myristate-acetate (PMA) . The superoxide (O2-) levels were lower in PMNs from nine of 10 DS patients, than in simultaneously tested control cells (p less than 0.01) . The findings may in part explain the increased susceptibility of DS patients to infections with certain microorganisms, e.g . S . aureus and C . albicans. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1984 May, 32(5), 322 - 5 {Transplacental passage of cefmenoxime}; Berthelot G et al.; The broad spectrum of activity of cefmenoxime, its beta-lactamase stability and its harmlessness for the fetus, confer upon this new cephalosporin, a possible efficacy in the treatment of obstetrical infections . This study was designed to evaluate the placental transfer of cefmenoxime . The study group consisted of 21 pregnant women undergoing a cesarian section . After a single IM injection of 1 g of cefmenoxime, samples of maternal blood and umbilical cord blood samples were both taken 1, 2, 3 or 4 hours after the injection, in order to evaluate the kinetics of the drug . Amniotic fluid samples were also taken at delivery . The results of the study showed : a peak level of 16 micrograms/ml in the maternal serum with a slow decrease and a residual value of 3.08 micrograms/ml at the 4th hour ; increasing levels of the drug in the cord blood, with a peak value of 4.8 micrograms/ml ; progressive diffusion of cefmenoxime in amniotic fluid, reaching the highest value of 4.7 micrograms/ml at the 3rd hour ; parallel kinetics of the drug in amniotic fluid and in cord blood . On the whole, this study showed a significant placental transfer of cefmenoxime, achieving therapeutic concentrations required against microorganisms responsible for obstetrical infections. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1984 May, 25(5), 599 - 602 Pharmacokinetics of sultamicillin in mice, rats, and dogs; English AR et al.; The irreversible beta-lactamase inhibitor sulbactam has been combined chemically via ester linkages with ampicillin to form sultamicillin . Upon oral absorption, sultamicillin is completely hydrolyzed to equimolar proportions of sulbactam and ampicillin, thereby acting as an efficient mutual prodrug . In rats, sultamicillin delivered 2 to 2.5 times greater total bioavailability for ampicillin and sulbactam than when each was used individually . Actual plasma or serum concentrations (measured in micrograms per milliliter) of ampicillin and sulbactam produced by sultamicillin were generally equivalent in rats, mice, and beagle dogs . Further studies also indicated that the components of sultamicillin were widely distributed in the various tissues of rats . These findings suggest that sultamicillin might be an effective agent against a variety of infections produced by both beta-lactamase-resistant and beta-lactamase-susceptible microorganisms. Rev Infect Dis, 1984 May-Jun, 6(3), 412 - 20 Studies on low-molecular-weight immunomodifiers produced by microorganisms: results of ten years' effort; Umezawa H; The screening for low-molecular-weight enzyme inhibitors produced by microorganisms was initiated in 1966, and by 1972 inhibitors of various proteases had been discovered . At that time the study of enzyme inhibitors was expanded to include the search for low-molecular-weight immunomodifiers that might restore the reduced immunity in patients with cancer . It was assumed that the screening for compounds binding to cell membranes or surfaces would result in the finding of immunomodifiers and that inhibitors of enzymes on cell membranes or surfaces should bind to cells . Investigation revealed that aminopeptidases, alkaline phosphatase, and esterase are located on cell membranes, and inhibitors of these enzymes, all of which have the ability to modify (mostly enhance) immune responses, were discovered . Studies on these products (e.g., bestatin, forphenicine , forphenicinol , ebelactones , esterastin , and arphamenine ) are reviewed in this paper. Kosm Biol Aviakosm Med, 1984 May-Jun, 18(3), 77 - 80 {Effect of living conditions on the formation of bacterial aerosols in a hermetic chamber}; Pozharskii GO; The effect of environmental conditions (the presence of a different number of people, various parameters of the atmosphere, operation of life support systems) on the formation of bacterial aerosol has been investigated . If the number of people in the enclosure increases, the bacterial aerosol formation depends primarily on the system of atmosphere conditioning . If the system functions, the occurrence of microorganisms on the internal surface grows . These findings may be used to design life support systems and to develop special measures that provide hygienic and antiepidemic conditions in a manned enclosure. Microbiologica, 1984 Apr, 7(2), 187 - 91 Correlation between morphological and physiological characteristics in species of microsporum; Calvo MA et al.; The correlations between the physiological and morphological characteristics of various Microsporum strains were studied together with the inhibitory activities toward different microorganisms. Biokhimiia, 1984 Apr, 49(4), 547 - 50 {Aminoacylase from Streptoverticillium microorganisms: stereo- and substrate specificity}; Skvortsova EE et al.; The stereo- and substrate specificity of a new aminoacylase from Streptoverticillium microorganisms was studied . The enzyme effectively hydrolyzes acetyl derivatives of aliphatic (methionine, leucine) and aromatic (phenylglycine, phenylalanine, tryptophan) amino acids . The L-enanthiomer of acetylphenylglycine is hydrolyzed by aminoacylase 8000 times more effectively than the D-enanthiomer . A procedure for determination of the enanthioselectivity of aminoacylases was elaborated . This procedure is designed for a detection and assessment of contaminations of the N-acetyl derivative of one enanthiomer by another enanthiomer of the amino acid, as well as of the degree of racemization of the substrate during hydrolysis of acetyl derivatives of D-amino acids. Acta Odontol Scand, 1984 Apr, 42(2), 65 - 72 The morphology of salivary calculi . A scanning electron microscopic study; Isacsson G et al.; Salivary calculi are a common disorder in the submandibular gland duct system, but the etiology and pathogenesis of the concrements remain unclear . Ten submandibular gland calculi were examined in a scanning electron microscope after critical-point drying, fracturing, and gold coating . The surface of the calculi was built up of numerous knobs covered by a smooth and occasionally filamentous substance, probably of mucinous origin . Microorganisms were commonly found at the surface . The nuclei of the calculi, which were rather homogeneous, were surrounded by lamellated structures . Between the lamellae spheroid bodies, 20-100 microns in diameter, were present . These spheroid bodies are probably of mucinous origin, which together with an amorphous granulated substance builds up the matrix . Microorganism-like structures occasionally appeared at the interface between lamellae . Microorganisms can be an important factor by providing an organic matrix in the later phase of the pathogenesis of salivary calculi . However, the nuclei did not show morphological evidence of any particular factor explaining the etiology of salivary calculus. J Clin Periodontol, 1984 Apr, 11(4), 230 - 41 Calcium and periodontitis: clinical effect of calcium medication; Uhrbom E et al.; In contrast to the generally held concept that periodontal disease is caused by microorganisms, Henriksson (1968) suggested that a nutritional deficiency of calcium might be the cause . He elicited secondary hyperparathyroidism in beagles from a low calcium/high phosphorus diet and found that the osteolytic demineralization of bone that followed seemed to involve alveolar bone more than other bones . In a report on 10 persons with advanced periodontal disease, Krook et al . (1972) stated that the disease was reversed when they were given 1 g Ca/day for 180 days . These results have been disputed . The present study is an attempt to repeat the experiment performed by Krook et al . (1972) under more stringent conditions . The hypothesis that calcium supplementation reverses destructive periodontal disease is tested . 66 persons referred to our clinic for periodontal problems were prescribed at random calcium (1 g) or placebo tablets daily during a trial period of 180 days . Their periodontal status was examined at day 0 and at day 180 . The parameters used for comparison were Plaque Index, Gingival Index, probing depth, mobility and furcation involvement . The radiographically registered level of alveolar bone was also recorded, but subsequently discarded since no change could be ascertained . The patients were interviewed as to their consumption of calcium via milk and cheese at days 90 and 180 . This was in order to estimate roughly whether or not their dietary calcium consumption was adequate . The recommended allowance of 800 mg/day was used as a reference . During the trial period 7 persons withdrew -- 2 from the test group and 5 from the control group . This was due mainly to digestive disorders, reported by the patients . A comparison at day 0 between the 31 test and 28 control patients revealed no statistical differences concerning the periodontal parameters studied . At day 180 both groups showed a slight improvement in Plaque Index, Gingival Index and probing depth; however, there was still no statistical difference between them . The dietary analysis established a low calcium consumption among 1/3 of the patients . Even in these cases calcium supplementation had no effect . It is concluded that calcium supplementation for 180 days does not influence the periodontal status of patients with moderate to advanced periodontal disease . Secondly, patients on a low calcium diet do not differ from those receiving an adequate supply . Finally, the study cannot support the hypothesis that calcium deficiency is a main cause of destructive periodontal disease. J Bacteriol, 1984 Apr, 158(1), 317 - 24 Purification and properties of glutathione reductase from the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp . strain 7119; Serrano A et al.; An NADPH-glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2) has been purified 6,000-fold to electrophoretic homogeneity from the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp . strain 7119 . The purified enzyme exhibits a specific activity of 249 U/mg and is characterized by being a dimeric flavin adenine dinucleotide-containing protein with a ratio of absorbance at 280 nm to absorbance at 462 nm of 5.8, a native molecular weight of 104,000, a Stokes radius of 4.13 nm, and a pI of 4.02 . The enzyme activity is inhibited by sulfhydryl reagents and heavy-metal ions, especially in the presence of NADPH, with oxidized glutathione behaving as a protective agent . As is the case with the same enzyme from other sources, the kinetic data are consistent with a branched mechanism . Nevertheless, the cyanobacterial enzyme presents three distinctive features with respect to that isolated from non-photosynthetic organisms: (i) absolute specificity for NADPH, (ii) an alkaline optimum pH value of ca . 9.0, and (iii) strong acidic character of the protein, as estimated by column chromatofocusing . The kinetic parameters are very similar to those found for the chloroplast enzyme, but the molecular weight is lower, being comparable to that of non-photosynthetic microorganisms . A protective function, analogous to that assigned to the chloroplast enzyme, is suggested. Jikken Dobutsu, 1984 Apr, 33(2), 165 - 71 {Increase in litter size and decrease of post-implantation loss of fetuses observed in an SPF colony of Wistar-Imamichi rats}; Wakafuji Y et al.; The number of delivered offspring, corpora lutea and implantation sites was observed in an SPF colony of Wistar-Imamichi rats bred in a barrier system free of specified microorganisms and parasites and was compared with that of rats bred under conventional conditions . The litter size of 6142 SPF rats ranged from 1 to 20, averaging 12.4 +/- 0.04, a value significantly higher (P less than 0.001) than that of conventionally bred rats (11.0 +/- 0.04) . Although the number of corpora lutea was also higher in SPF rats than under conventional conditions, the number of post-implantation losses in SPF rats with less than 10 offspring showed a marked decrease compared with conventionally bred rats . These results show that the number of delivered offspring is higher in SPF rats than in conventionally bred rats and indicate that the increase in litter size is due to the increase in the number of corpora lutea and decrease in post-implantation loss of embryos of fetuses. Environ Health Perspect, 1984 Apr, 55, 239 - 57 Immunologic mechanisms of parenchymal lung injury; Willoughby WF et al.; The lung, like most other organs, is susceptible to injury by circulating immune complexes, and also by humoral autoantibody and immune lymphocytes which specifically recognize selected lung antigens . In addition, by virtue of its direct communication with the external environment, the lung can also be injured by inhaled environmental agents which trigger inflammatory reactions mediated by immune effector systems . Although major emphasis to date has been placed on the ability of inhaled antigens to first sensitize, then provoke, immunologically specific reactions in the lung, there is increasing evidence to show that these same immune effector systems are also triggered in an immunologically nonspecific fashion by a certain environmental agents (termed "mitogens") which activate leukocytes in a polyclonal fashion . Such agents include certain viruses and other microorganisms, bacterial endotoxin, a wide variety of plant lectins, and certain chemicals, such as the phorbol esters . Although such agents act in an immunologically nonspecific fashion, they are nonetheless quite specific from a chemical viewpoint, and in many cases act by binding to specific receptors on the cell surface . By activating macrophages directly, and by activating much larger percentages of a given lymphocyte population than do specific antigens, they induce correspondingly amplified inflammatory reactions in vivo . Recent studies with animal models indicate that inhaled mitogens are strikingly effective in inducing pulmonary inflammation, whereas inhaled antigens (lacking mitogenic activity) produce little if any parenchymal injury in immunized recipients, unless administered in conjunction with a mitogen . Ongoing studies using such models promise to provide valuable new insight into the biologic properties which govern the pathogenicity of inhaled environmental agents, the mediators they release, and the biochemical basis for variations in individual susceptibility to injury by such agents. Am J Med, 1984 Mar 30, 76(3A), 40 - 5 Antibody levels in reduced/alkylated intravenous immune globulin; Rousell RH et al.; Antibody titers, found in representative lots of a reduced and alkylated intravenous immune globulin, against a variety of common microorganisms are presented . With the more frequently occurring pathogens the specific antibody level does not vary significantly between lots . Depending upon the type of assay used, antibody titers per se may or may not reflect the therapeutic activity of the preparation against a specific microorganism. Infection, 1984 Mar-Apr, 12(2), 111 - 5 Defence of mucous membranes by antibodies, receptor analogues and non-specific host factors; Hanson LA et al.; Most infections reach man via the mucosal membranes, and more than half of the lymphoid system is found in connection with mucosae . The major antibodies found on mucous membranes are secretory IgA, which function primarily by binding microorganisms and thereby preventing their contact with the host tissues . The optimal mode of immunization to obtain a secretory IgA response is not well defined . Repeated mucosal exposure with antigen may result in oral tolerance, with decreasing circulating antibodies but a remaining secretory IgA response . The secretory IgA response is usually short-lived and can be difficult to boost . IgM as well as IgG antibodies may add to host defence at the mucosal level, but when engaged, they usually induce inflammation in host tissues . Analogues to bacterial receptors on mucosal epithelium may be present in exocrine secretions such as human milk . During an attack on the host, it is possible that such receptor analogues may aid in the prevention of attachment of bacteria to mucous membranes used as an initial site . A number of non-specific host factors support mucosal defence . One of them is lactoferrin . Lactoferrin deficiency seems to result in recurrent bacterial infections, suggesting its importance in normal host defence. Anat Rec, 1984 Mar, 208(3), 319 - 27 Glycogen autophagosomes in polymorphonuclear leukocytes induced by rickettsiae; Rikihisa Y; Guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), rich in glycogen granules, were collected from sodium-caseinate-induced peritoneal exudate . When these cells were incubated with rickettsiae, many microorganisms were phagocytized within 30 minutes at 35 degrees C and vacuoles up to 5 microns in diameter containing glycogen granules were present . Contained within these vacuoles were phagocytized extracellular material and a dense, lysosomelike substance that was acid phosphatase positive . These vacuoles, which were interpreted to be autophagosomes, were absent from PMNs that had not been stimulated with microorganisms . The number of rickettsiae in the PMN did not appear to be related to the number of autophagosomes . About 8% and 80% of thin-sectioned profiles of PMNs contained these vacuoles after 30 minutes and 4 hours incubation, respectively . After 4 hours, the PMNs contained multiple autophagosomes . Almost all of the glycogen granules were in autophagosomes in some of the cells . In some PMNs, discontinuous membranes encircled some glycogen . When PMNs were initially incubated with thorium dioxide and ferritin, and extensively washed prior to incubation with rickettsiae, glycogen was found surrounded by flattened secondary lysosomes containing the dense tracers . Some autophagosomes also contained the electron-dense tracers . These results suggest that rickettsiae induce the rapid formation of glycogen-containing autophagosomes in guinea pig peritoneal PMNs in vitro. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1984 Mar, 179(1), 44 - 55 {Quantitative monitoring of microorganisms in incoming air of air conditioning systems in hospitals}; Eikmann T et al.; In eight hospitals the quantity of microorganisms in the supply air of air conditioning systems was determined . A Reuter-Centrifugal-Sampler (by Biotest, Frankfurt) sampled 160 litres of air in four minutes and blew the particles with microorganisms on a culture medium (GKA-medium, by Biotest, Frankfurt) . The Agar was breeded for 48 hours at 37 degrees C . The colonic-forming-units were counted and transformed to a volume of a cubic meter (CFU/m3) . - In other publications you can find determinations of microorganisms in the supply air for operating theatres up to 15 CFU/m3 . We found up to 40 CFU/m3 in the supply air after three step filtration (with an high efficiency filter) and 20-85 CFU/m3 after two step filtration . - The recommendations of other authors and some directives say that in the supply air up to 10 CFU/m3 are acceptable . According to our experiences the supply air should not contain more than 10 CFU/m3 after a 3-step-filtration and not more than 50 CFU/m3 after a 2-step-filtration . Otherwise the function of the air conditioning system should be controlled and the maintenance, too . - We think that according to the different requirements in hygiene a supply air with less than 10 CFU/m3 in the mean allows an unlimited use of the air conditioned room, while mean values up to 50 CFU/m3 are acceptable for normal operating rooms and other rooms, except for operating rooms with special hygienic requirements as for example for transplantation, arthroplasty, heart-operations (corresponds to II . and III . classification of rooms, DIN 1946/4) . - Values up to 150 CFU/m3 are acceptable for rooms with normal hygienic requirements for supply air (III . classification of rooms, DIN 1946/4) and for labour-, intensive-care, newborn- and infant rooms. Kosm Biol Aviakosm Med, 1984 Mar-Apr, 18(2), 38 - 40 {Erythrocyte adhesiveness in cosmonauts}; Lentsner AA et al.; The adhesive property of red blood cells of cosmonauts was investigated during various stages of their professional activity . The study was carried out using three test microorganisms: L . casei A6, L . brevis A16 and L . buchneri A14 . The results show that the adhesive property of red blood cells varies during different periods of space flight . In contrast to long-duration flights, short-term flights cause greater changes in this parameter . During readaptation the adhesion of red blood cells was significantly increased as compared to that preflight and immediately postflight. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Mar, 47(3), 540 - 3 Production of a novel dimeric metabolite of primaquine by Streptomyces rimosus; Clark AM et al.; Primaquine, an 8-amino-6-methoxyquinoline antimalarial agent, was subjected to metabolic studies with microorganisms . Streptomyces rimosus converted primaquine to the previously reported N-acetyl derivative . Continued incubation of S . rimosus resulted in the formation of a minor dimeric metabolite . The structure of the minor dimeric metabolite was proposed based primarily on its spectral data (1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and mass spectrum) . The proposed structure of the metabolite was confirmed by synthesis of the dimer by treatment of primaquine-N-acetate with potassium ferricyanide in a biphasic chloroform-aqueous sodium bicarbonate system with a phase-transfer catalyst . Since (+/-)-primaquine was used for both the microbial transformation and synthesis, a diastereomeric mixture of symmetrical dimers was formed in each case . The metabolite sample was identical to the synthetic sample, as shown by direct comparison (thin-layer chromatography, co-thin-layer chromatography, high-pressure liquid chromatography, co-high-pressure liquid chromatography, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, and mass spectrum). J Prosthet Dent, 1984 Mar, 51(3), 318 - 21 Sterilization of complete dentures with sodium hypochlorite; Rudd RW et al.; It is important to give the patient a denture that is clean and free from cross-contamination . This study was made to determine if Clorox could be used as a rapid, safe, and clinically effective way to sterilize complete dentures . The data obtained from this study indicate that a 5-minute immersion of dentures in undiluted Clorox accomplished sterilization against a variety of microorganisms, including a spore-forming bacteria and C . albicans. Arch Inst Pasteur Tunis, 1984 Mar, 61(1), 43 - 9 {Technical note on blood culture}; Durkovsky J et al.; In this technical paper is proposed a method of diagnosis of septic diseases . This method insures the isolement of the aerobian microorganisms, of the microaerophil microorganisms and the anaerobian microorganisms . It complies with criteria of plainness, thrift and easy to give out in all the Tunisian Republic. Mikrobiologiia, 1984 Mar-Apr, 53(2), 213 - 7 {Bacterial interaction in a culture containing Pseudomonas and Mycobacterium in relation to hydrocarbon oxidation}; Koronelli TV et al.; An experimental association of Pseudomonas and Mycobacterium was employed for a more complete oxidation of a hydrocarbon substrate . The maximum effect of combined cultivation (74% vs . 50 and 47% in the pure cultures of Mycobacterium and Pseudomonas, respectively) was obtained under steady-state conditions . The result is attributed to the processes of co-oxidation and the physiological properties of the microorganisms. Mikrobiologiia, 1984 Mar-Apr, 53(2), 187 - 94 {Calculation of the minimal substrate expenditures for energy metabolism in microorganisms}; Skurida GI et al.; The paper presents a method for calculating the minimal expenses of substrates from the medium necessary to compensate energy donor disbalances in an intracellular process under study (for instance, in the production of a unit biomass or in the synthesis of one mole of monomer) between the number of regeneration events and the number of events in which each energy donor is utilized . The method employs the performance tables of energetic processes and is based on linear programming method . The paper includes the performance tables RE, RU and RS describing the stoichiometry of energetic processes in Escherichia coli, and the results of calculation for the cases of E . coli growth on glucose and acetate as sources of carbon. Anal Biochem, 1984 Mar, 137(2), 493 - 504 Intermediary purine-metabolizing enzymes from the cytosol of Dictyostelium discoideum monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography; Jahngen EG et al.; The use of high-performance liquid chromatography to identify and quantitate five purine-metabolizing enzymes from a partially purified subcellular fraction of the eucaryotic microorganism Dictyostelium discoideum is described . All HPLC separations were carried out in an isocratic manner using reverse-phase C18 as the stationary phase . The mobile phase consisted of a phosphate buffer with either methanol or acetonitrile as cosolvent, and optimal separation conditions were attained by varying the organic concentration or the pH of the buffer or by employing paired-ion chromatographic techniques . Substrates and products were detected at either 254 nm for the purines or 295 nm for the formycin analogs . An adenosine kinase activity was identified, and it was demonstrated that formycin A (FoA) could be substituted for adenosine as the phosphate acceptor, yielding FoAMP as the product . With FoA as the substrate an apparent Km of 18.2 microM and an apparent Vmax of 32.4 mmol min-1 mg-1 were observed for the activity . A purine-nucleoside phosphorylase activity was found to cleave adenosine to adenine and ribosylphosphate . FoA was not found to be a substrate for this activity due to the unusual formycin C-glycosyl bond which was not hydrolyzed by enzymes or chemically with either HCl or NaOH . An adenylate deaminase activity was found to be present in the cytosolic S-100 of cells harvested during the onset of development, and this deaminase activity was greatly stimulated by ATP . With FoAMP as the substrate, an apparent Km of 236 microM and Vmax of 2.78 mumol min-1 mg-1 were observed . The deamination of FoAMP could be inhibited by the addition of the natural substrate AMP . An apparent Ki value of 136 microM was determined from initial rate data . An adenylosuccinate synthetase activity was observed to have a Km value for GTP, IMP, and aspartic acid of 23, 34, and 714 microM, respectively . The formycin analog FoIMP was not a substrate with this activity but was a competitive inhibitor of IMP . Finally hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase was found to have Km and Vmax values for hypoxanthine of 55.5 microM and 34.3 nmol-1 min-1 mg-1 . When guanine was used as the substrate, the rate of nucleotide formation was 50% that with hypoxanthine as the substrate . The advantages of using HPLC to examine the interconnecting activities of a multienzyme complex in subcellular fractions are discussed, including the increased sensitivity obtained by using formycin analogs in the assay procedures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) Mikrobiologiia, 1984 Mar-Apr, 53(2), 208 - 12 {Rehydration conditions for dehydrated Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts and cell viability}; Zikmanis PB et al.; The viability of dehydrated Saccharomyces cerevisiae populations was studied as a result of changes in the conditions of rehydration (temperature, pH, time, composition of the medium) . Rehydration was shown to play a key role for the functional characteristics of populations in the general consideration of dehydration-rehydration and to involve several factors . The viability of cells is regarded as both a relative and absolute criterion for the physiological state of populations . The conditions of rehydration should be strictly standardized for dehydrated microorganisms in comprehensive studies of mechanisms involved in the stability of microorganisms. Mikrobiologiia, 1984 Mar-Apr, 53(2), 181 - 6 {Absence of a correlation between the respiratory resistance of bacteria to cyanide and their cytochrome d content}; Akimenko VK et al.; The object of this work was to study whether a correlation existed between the content of cytochrome d in different bacterial cells and the inhibition of their respiration by cyanide . No correlation was found between the concentration of cytochrome d and the degree of resistance to cyanide of the bacterial respiration . Just as the cyanide-resistant respiration of eukaryotic microorganisms, the cyanide-resistant respiration of bacteria was concluded to involve the operation of oxidase whose nature was not cytochromic . Scand J Haematol, 1984 Mar, 32(3), 225 - 30 Bactericidal mechanisms of the human neutrophil . An integrated biochemical and morphological model; Borregaard N; The bactericidal activity of the human neutrophil is dependent on a coordinated series of events by which the bacteria become confined to a vacuole . Fusion of the azurophil and specific granules with the phagocytic vacuole results in secretion of BPI, the primary oxygen independent bactericidal protein, and of myeloperoxidase into the phagolysosome . Simultaneously, an electron transport chain, the NADPH oxidase, is activated in the membrane of the phagolysosome, resulting in generation of H2O2, which together with myeloperoxidase and Cl- forms a highly bactericidal agent . Digestion of the killed bacteria is subsequently effectuated by proteases and lipases of the neutrophil granules . The neutrophil thus has several highly efficient bactericidal systems that overlap to a certain degree, thereby giving the neutrophil an overcapacity to kill . This is appreciated in the defence against microorganisms, but is increasingly being recognized as a cause of perturbation of serum protease anti-protease homeostasis that may cause major tissue destruction . The recent achievements in the understanding of neutrophil function will hopefully permit better control to be exerted over this potent cell. Clin Immunol Immunopathol, 1984 Mar, 30(3), 495 - 9 Adenosine deaminase is not required for the generation of superoxide anion; Cronstein BN et al.; Neutrophils and macrophages generate superoxide anion during the respiratory burst in response to various stimuli, including microorganisms . It has recently been proposed that an important source of superoxide anion during the respiratory burst that stimulates murine macrophages is the sequential metabolism of adenosine via adenosine deaminase and xanthine oxidase to uric acid . Thus, the immunodeficiency state associated with adenosine deaminase deficiency may be caused at least in part by a defect in superoxide anion generation . The ability to generate superoxide anion of stimulated neutrophils isolated from three children with adenosine deaminase deficiency and associated severe combined immunodeficiency was tested . Neutrophils from all three patients were able to generate superoxide anion . One of these generated 19.1 nmol cytochrome c reduced/10(6) cells (normals = 5.3-33.0, mean 18.4 +/- 7.1) while the other two generated low normal levels . Neutrophils from all three children also generated more superoxide anion after addition of exogenous adenosine deaminase . Thus, no evidence to support a role for cellular adenosine deaminase in the release of superoxide anion by stimulated neutrophils was found . Although neutrophils from patients deficient in adenosine deaminase appear to have no inherent defect in the generation of superoxide anion, the abnormally high concentrations of adenosine found in the plasma of these patients could, in vivo, secondarily, inhibit superoxide anion release. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1984 Mar, (3), 55 - 7 {Nature of Pseudomonas pseudomallei antigens common to some species of microorganisms}; Gontar' IP et al.; An antigen, common for the infective agents of glanders , tularemia, plague, pseudotuberculosis, cholera and brucellosis, has been obtained from the aqueous saline extract of P . pseudomallei by means of affinity chromatography on antibody sorbent . The isolated antigen has proved to be of a protein-polysaccharide-lipid nature, to have insignificant cathode mobility and to constitute a component of O-antigen . It has also been found to be antigenically related to the tissues of melioidosis-sensitive animals and localized in the surface structure of the bacterial cell. J Histochem Cytochem, 1984 Mar, 32(3), 285 - 8 Intraspecific recognition system in scleractinian corals: morphological and cytochemical description of the autolysis mechanism; Muller WE et al.; Intraspecific aggressive interactions have been observed in the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata . Extensive field observations suggest that intraspecific interactions result in the formation of necrosis in one of the two competing colonies . The formation of necroses is primarily restricted to those layers that are interspersed with polyps . In a second phase the non-living, central corallum is destroyed by foreign microorganisms . In some cases the necroses are resealed again, either by a living septal layer or by a calcareous plug . Evidence is presented indicating that the enzyme carbonic anhydrase has a role in these activities . First, it is involved in the apical growth of the colony . Using a semiquantitative assay procedure, the highest enzyme level was determined in polyps at the tips of the branches; lower levels were measured in polyps of the foot/trunk region . Secondly, the enzyme was found to be induced in those areas that are in close contact with non-isogeneic tissue . From these data we conclude that carbonic anhydrase is involved in the process of autolytic digestion in response to intraspecific contact of two non-clonemates. Lancet, 1984 Feb 25, 1(8374), 420 - 4 A solution to the genetic and environmental puzzles of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; Adams DD et al.; Studies of the segregation of heterozygous immunoglobulin allotypes in families with several cases of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) show that germline heavy-chain V (variable region) genes are not major genetic determinants for IDDM, but data for IDDM and Graves' disease together suggest involvement of kappa light-chain V genes . Absence of IDDM at birth, the semi-random age of onset, and the 50% discordance of identical twins suggest that somatic mutation of germline V genes is involved in the development of the pathogenetic anti-beta-cell clones . The effect of histocompatibility and other alloantigens on the prevalence of IDDM is readily accounted for by the effect of the "holes" they induce, by natural tolerance, in the immune response repertoire; these alterations apparently affect the chance of emergence of anti-beta-cell clones by the somatic mutations and network of interclonal deletions that constantly change the fringes of the repertoire . Histocompatibility antigens can also influence repertoire development by changing the specificity of conjoint presentation of foreign antigens by macrophages . Antigenic stimulation by particular environmental microorganisms is probably essential to the repertoire development necessary for the occurrence of IDDM . Additionally, beta-cell damage by local infection may play a part by facilitating autoantigen presentation to the immune system. Eur J Biochem, 1984 Feb 15, 139(1), 163 - 71 Response of Tetrahymena pyriformis to stress induced by starvation; Galego L et al.; mRNA synthesis was studied in exponentially growing and starved Tetrahymena pyriformis . Poly(A)-containing RNAs separated from total RNA by affinity chromatography on oligo(dT)-cellulose were characterized by poly acrylamide gel electrophoresis; their template activity was assayed in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system and their translation products were analysed using two-dimensional electrophoresis according to O'Farrell . Polysome profiles show that the bulk of ribosomes are in 80S monosomes in starved cells, whereas less than 8% are present in the form of monosomes in exponentially growing cells, the rest being engaged in polysomes . Polysomes are almost completely reformed 30 min after addition of enriched medium to suspensions of starved cells . This polysome reformation is dependent on mRNA synthesis since we have shown that it is inhibited by actinomycin D . Electrophoretic profiles of poly(A)-rich RNA isolated from cytoplasmic fractions of exponential and starved cells are indistinguishable except that in the latter state significant amounts of low-molecular-mass species are observed . Poly(A)-rich RNAs isolated from polysomal and non-polysomal (subpolysomal) fractions of exponential cells are equally able to promote protein synthesis . The corresponding poly(A)-rich RNAs isolated from starved cells also possess equal template activities which are, however, 15% lower than those of the poly(A)-rich RNAs of exponentially growing cells . We also present evidence that in the system used in vitro, polyadenylated RNA isolated from heavy polysomes of starved cells directs the synthesis of four sets of proteins with molecular masses around 100 kDa, 70 kDa, 50 kDa and 30 kDa . The former two groups of proteins are more abundant in the translation products of poly(A)-rich RNA of starved than of normal cells, whereas the latter two groups are present only in the translation products of poly(A)-rich RNA of starved Cells . The fluorograms of the translation products obtained in vitro from subpolysomal poly(A)-rich RNA are identical to those obtained from polysomal poly(A)-rich RNA . Studies on starved cells in vivo show that polypeptides of 100 kDa, 70 kDa and 38 kDa are more strongly labelled and also revealed the specific presence of 85 kDa, 55 kDa, 50 kDa and 25 kDa proteins . These results lead us to the conclusion that this microorganism responds to depleted environmental conditions by regulating gene expression at the transcriptional level, but also at the translational level. Farmaco {Sci}, 1984 Feb, 39(2), 154 - 61 Biologically active halophthaloylpeptides . I . Synthesis of tetrachlorophthaloylamino acids and dipeptide derivatives; el-Naggar AM et al.; The synthesis of a series of tetrachlorophthaloylamino acids and some of the corresponding methyl esters is described . Coupling of tetrachlorophthaloylamino acids with amino acid methyl esters by the N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide method yielded the desired tetrachlorophthaloyldipeptide methyl esters . All of the synthesized tetrachlorophthaloylamino acids, esters and some dipeptide methyl esters were found to be active against a number of microorganisms. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Feb, 47(2), 441 - 2 Host specificity of filamentous, segmented microorganisms adherent to the small bowel epithelium in mice and rats; Tannock GW et al.; Germfree rats and mice were given by gavage samples of ileal homogenates prepared from conventional rats and mice . Filamentous, segmented procaryotes adhered to the small bowel epithelium in the ex-germfree mice only when the homogenate was m