Bacteriological

Biochemistry, 1985 Nov 19, 24(24), 6938 - 45
Characterization of phosphorylated histidine-containing protein (HPr) of the bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system; Waygood EB et al.; The histidine-containing phosphocarrier protein (HPr) of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system, when phosphorylated, contains a 1-phosphohistidinyl (1-P-histidinyl) residue (His-15) . The properties of this 1-P-histidinyl residue were investigated by using phospho-HPr (P-HPr), P-HPr-1, and P-HPr-2 . HPr-1 and HPr-2 are deamidated forms of HPr produced by boiling . In addition, HPr-1 produced during frozen storage was investigated . Both pH and temperature dependencies of the rate of hydrolysis of the phosphoryl group of the 1-P-histidinyl residue were investigated . The results show that the 1-P-histidinyl residue in HPr and HPr-1 has significantly different properties from free 1-P-histidine and that these differences are attributable to the active-site residues Glu-66 and Arg-17 and the pK of the imidazole group of the 1-P-histidinyl residue in P-HPr . The 1-P-histidinyl residue in P-HPr and P-HPr-1 shows a greater lability at physiological pH than the free amino acid . A proposal for the active site of P-HPr is made on the basis of these results and the recently obtained tertiary structure . In contrast, the hydrolysis properties of the 1-P-histidinyl residue in P-HPr-2 were similar to those obtained for either free 1-P-histidine or denatured P-HPr . The loss of activity that is associated with boiling HPr was shown to be due to HPr-2 formation as HPr-1 was found to be fully active.

Clin Chim Acta, 1985 Nov 15, 152(3), 297 - 306
Serum unconjugated bile acids: qualitative and quantitative profiles in ileal resection and bacterial overgrowth; Setchell KD et al.; Qualitative and quantitative profiles of unconjugated bile acids in the serum obtained over a 24-h period from three patients with ileal resections and one with a bacterial overgrowth are described . Unconjugated serum bile acids were determined using the high sensitivity and resolution of capillary column gas liquid chromatography after their rapid extraction and isolation using reverse phase octadecylsilane bonded silica cartridges and the lipophilic gel Lipidex 1000 . Unconjugated serum bile acid concentrations were elevated throughout the day in both ileum resected patients and in conditions involving bacterial overgrowth when compared to healthy subjects . Total conjugated cholic acid concentrations were expectedly low in both intestinal disorders and were without the postprandial increases generally observed in healthy subjects . Qualitative gas chromatographic profiles of serum unconjugated bile acids in bacterial overgrowth distinctly revealed a predominance of deoxycholic acid and other secondary bile acids in all samples, while, in conditions of an impaired enterohepatic circulation, deoxycholic acid was absent or present in only trace amounts . The potential significance of measuring serum unconjugated bile acids in intestinal disorders is discussed.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Nov, 50(5), 1132 - 6
Effect of bacterial density and substrate concentration on yield coefficients; Seto M et al.; Measurements were made of the yield coefficient during the aerobic metabolism of glucose by a heterogeneous bacterial mixture . Expressed in terms of carbon, the coefficient was approximately 0.48 . The value did not vary with initial bacterial densities ranging from 0.4 pg to 40 micrograms of cell carbon per ml and with glucose concentrations ranging from 43 pg to 100 micrograms of carbon per ml . Under all these circumstances, about 44% of the glucose carbon was converted to CO2, and 7.4% was excreted as organic products . The significance of uncharacterized organic substrates contaminating the medium to the coefficients calculated for low glucose concentrations is discussed.

Z Kardiol, 1985 Nov, 74(11), 673 - 5
{Aortic ring abscess following bacterial endocarditis of the aortic valve and aortic valve replacement}; Ruffmann K et al.; Valve replacement was performed in a 30-year-old male patient with acute aortic insufficiency due to bacterial endocarditis . During a routine examination three months later, an aortic ring abscess was found by echocardiography . In the following night, the patient was readmitted with acute anterior myocardial infarction . Coronary angiography showed a compression of the left coronary artery by the large ring abscess of the aortic valve . 48 hours after surgical revision of the aortic valve prosthesis and the ring abscess, the patient died due to pump failure.

Ann Clin Lab Sci, 1985 Nov-Dec, 15(6), 509 - 14
pH changes caused by bacterial growth in contaminated platelet concentrates; Myhre BA et al.; While platelet concentrates are stored at room temperature, lactic and other acids are produced and the pH decreases as the buffering capacity of the plasma is exhausted . Platelet viability will be compromised if the pH decreases to pH 6.0 and below . Similarly, a pH decrease can be produced also by bacterial contamination if the organisms produce acid as an end product . Thus the determination of pH could serve as a sensitive indicator of bacterial contamination . This hypothesis was tested by us by inoculating known organisms into platelet concentrations . It was found that the pH may decrease, may remain unchanged, or, in a few cases, even increase . Visual signs of contamination could be observed but not consistently enough to be entirely dependable . Therefore, this method does not appear to detect bacterial contamination reliably in platelet concentrates.

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1985 Nov, 90(5), 788 - 9
Staged surgical treatment of early bacterial endocarditis after surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot and discrete subaortic stenosis: report of a case; Smolinsky A et al.; An unconventional method of managing infection of the interventricular Teflon patch in a patient with tetralogy of Fallot is reported . The patch was initially replaced by a new patch . After reinfection, however, removal of the patch and pulmonary banding eradicated the infection, and at a later stage the defect was re-repaired successfully.

Microbiol Sci, 1985 Nov, 2(11), 321 - 2, 325-6
Bacterial adhesion in oligotrophic habitats; Marshall KC; Oligotrophic and copiotrophic bacteria can act as primary colonizers of surfaces in low nutrient habitats . Adhesion in copiotrophs provides an opportunity to change from a starvation-survival existence in the aqueous phase to an active growth mode at the solid surface . Healthy daughter cells are released from the surface to colonize other surfaces or to resume starvation-survival in the aqueous phase . Non-adhesive copiotrophs scavenge nutrients at surfaces, a fact seldom recognized in studies on the partitioning of bacteria between particulates and the aqueous phase.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1985 Nov, 82(21), 7384 - 8
IgM RNA switch from membrane to secretory form is prevented by adding antireceptor antibody to bacterial lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine primary B-cell cultures; Chen-Bettecken U et al.; Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces proliferation of resting primary murine B lymphocytes and their differentiation into Ig-secreting cells . This is accompanied by an increase in the rate of Ig gene transcription and the accumulation of mu heavy chain secretory mRNA . Specific antiantigen receptor antibody (anti-mu) induces resting B cells to proliferation but not differentiation . Upon addition of both LPS and anti-mu to cultures, resting B cells again proliferate but do not differentiate . RNA transfer blots of the Ig mRNA 2 days after induction with LPS/anti-mu show a specific deficiency of the 2.4-kilobase (kb) mu secretory mRNA, whereas the levels of the 2.7-kb mu membrane and 1.2-kb kappa light chain mRNAs are as high as in cells treated with LPS alone . Between days 3 and 4 after treatment with both reagents, reductions of mu membrane and, to a smaller extent, kappa mRNA become apparent . As measured by nuclear run-on transcription experiments at day 2, the transcription rates of Ig mu and the Ig kappa transcription units are equal in both induction experiments . Only at later stages do the LPS/anti-mu-treated cells transcribe Ig genes at a lower rate . Thus, the anti-mu treatment, drastically reducing the mu secretory mRNA production at early stages, represents a negative regulation occurring primarily at the posttranscriptional level.

Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi, 1985 Nov, 86(11), 1480 - 91
{A new strategy for malignancies by direct hemoperfusion using bacterial endotoxin bounded fiber}; Tani T; Endotoxin derived from E.coli was chemically bounded to polystryen fiber (LPS immobilized fiber) . Anti-cancer activities of LPS immobilized fiber (LPS-F) were evaluated by a single direct hemoperfusion (DHP) on the VX2 tumor-bearing rabbits . Examination I: Cancer-bearing rabbits were prepared by intradermal injection of 4 X 10(5) of VX2 tumor cells into the back . Five out of 11 (Group 1) were treated with DHP at 4-5th day, and 6 out of 10 (Group 2) at 7-9th day . Examination II: Seventeen out of 19 tumor-bearing rabbits were injected of 9.38 X 10(7) viable BCG intravenously . Next day they were implanted 1 X 10(6) of VX2 tumor into the thigh muscle . Twelve out of 17 were treated with DHP at 14 days after BCG infection (treated group) . Other five of 17 belonged to the control group and two were not treated . Tumor growth were significantly suppressed in both groups (p less than 0.05) . Survival rate was 2/5 (40%) in and 1/5 (20%) in group 2 and 0% in non-treated group . In examination II, survival rate were 8/12 (treated), 2/5 (BCG infected) and 0/2 (non-treated) respectively . In histological study, bleeding and tumor cell necrosis were found in tumor at 6 hr after DHP . DHP using LPS-F had tumoricidal activities on the VX2 tumor of rabbits . In BCG infected rabbits, this treatment could cause tumor necrosis and produce multiple humoral factors with tumoricidal activities.

Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi, 1985 Nov, 86(11), 1470 - 9
{Antitumor effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide and tumor necrosis factor in mice}; Moriya N; Using C3H/He mice, the antitumor effect and mechanism of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were studied . The antitumor effect of rabbit serum containing tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was also studied . LPS and TNF, which were administered into mice with tumors, induced hemorrhagic necrosis . LPS and TNF significantly inhibited the tumor growth, as compared with findings in the controls . In the initial stage after LPS administration, dilatation of tumor vessels and thrombus formation in tumor vessels were observed in the histologic study . Tumor blood flow was measured by the hydrogen clearance technique . Tumor blood flow was very small, and was remarkably decreased at 2 hours after LPS administration . These results suggest that hemorrhagic necrosis after LPS administration was due to the decrease of the tumor blood flow . In the study in vitro, YAC-1 cells were damaged but K562 cells were not damaged by rabbit serum containing TNF . In order to find the effect of LPS or TNF on cellular immunity, the delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) was studied . LPS and TNF prevented the decrease of DTH in the tumor bearing mice on day 25.

J Virol, 1985 Nov, 56(2), 534 - 40
Use of a bacterial expression vector to identify the gene encoding a major core protein of vaccinia virus; Weir JP et al.; The DNA sequence of a vaccinia virus late gene contains an open reading frame that corresponds to the 28,000-dalton (28K) polypeptide made by in vitro translation of hybrid-selected mRNA . To further characterize the protein product of this late gene, we cloned a segment of DNA containing part of the open reading frame into a bacterial expression vector . The fusion protein produced from this vector, containing 151 amino acids of the predicted vaccinia virus protein, was used to immunize rabbits . The resulting antiserum specifically bound to a major 25K structural protein that is localized in the core of vaccinia virions, as well as to a 28K protein found in infected cells . Pulse-chase experiments indicated that the 25K core protein is originally made as a 28K precursor.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1985 Nov, 82(22), 7748 - 52
Bacterial expression of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome retrovirus p24 gag protein and its use as a diagnostic reagent; Dowbenko DJ et al.; A retrovirus {lymphoadenopathy-associated virus, human T-cell leukemia virus type III, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related virus} suspected of causing AIDS has been isolated recently . The detection of exposure to this retrovirus in donors of various blood products is important to prevent transmission of the disease from these donors to recipients . In the majority of cases, the detection of antibodies directed against either the viral core protein, a Mr approximately equal to 24,000 protein termed p24 gag, or the viral envelope antigen is proof of previous viral infection . Thus, we have expressed the p24 gag antigen in Escherichia coli in order to produce a diagnostic reagent for the detection of virus exposure . The bacterially synthesized antigen reacts with human and rabbit antisera directed against the native p24 gag protein in both electrophoretic transfer blot assay and ELISA . In addition, the use of bacterially produced antigens for ELISAs gave results that were comparable to those obtained by using antigens isolated from the virus.

Coll Relat Res, 1985 Nov, 5(5), 393 - 404
The carboxyl fragment released by bacterial collagenase from human type I procollagen: antibodies to the propeptide determinants; Goldberg BD et al.; A protocol is offered for the isolation of the carboxyterminal propeptides of human type I procollagen and the development of an antibody specific for these propeptides . Type I procollagen was harvested from the media of cultured human fibroblasts . Digestion with bacterial collagenase released a carboxyterminal fragment that was isolated by ion-exchange chromatography . The fragment contained telopeptides joined to propeptides and could be cleaved by a carboxyl procollagen peptidase . Rabbit antibodies raised to the collagenase-generated fragment were sequentially adsorbed on affinity columns of the reference antigen and human type I collagen . The antibody obtained was shown by sensitive radioimmunoassays to recognize conformational carboxyl propeptide determinants and not to react with triple helical and telopeptide determinants of human type I collagen . Indirect immunofluorescence and indirect immunoperoxidase staining of cultured fibroblasts localized the antigen in the cytoplasm, at the cell surface, and in the extracellular matrix . A radioimmunoassay with the same antibody has reported altered concentrations of the antigen in the sera of patients with diseases affecting collagen metabolism (Taubman, et al., 1976; Savolainen et al., 1984; Carey et al., 1985).

Biokhimiia, 1985 Nov, 50(11), 1825 - 35
{Effect of bacterial toxins on the GTPase activity of transducin from bovine rod outer segments}; Rybin VO et al.; The effects of choleragen- and pertussis toxin (PT)-induced ADP-ribosylation on the GTP-binding protein transducin (TD) from retinal rod outer segments (ROS) have been studied . It has been shown that both toxins cause inhibition of the TD GTPase activity . PT inhibited the GTPase by 30-40% in "native" ROS and by 70-80% in homogeneous TD . Choleragen, in contrast with PT, had no effect on the GTPase activity of homogeneous TD, but was as effective as PT in membrane preparations . The effects of both toxins on the GTPase activity of TD were found to be dependent on the chemical structure of the guanyl nucleotide present in the vehicle . The data obtained suggest that PT and choleragen differ in their specificity for the TD-guanyl nucleotide complex . The former can interact with free TD as well as with the TD-GDP complex, while the latter affects only the TD-GTP complex.

J Exp Med, 1985 Nov 1, 162(5), 1444 - 59
Lack of binding of bacterial lipopolysaccharide to mouse lung macrophages and restoration of binding by gamma interferon; Akagawa KS et al.; Although peritoneal resident macrophages (PRM) or peritoneal exudate macrophages (PEM) were activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to kill tumor cells in vitro, lung macrophages (LM) obtained by mincing lung tissues or by harvesting bronchial lavage were not activated by LPS under any experimental conditions, i.e., different LPS concentrations, incubation times and cytotoxicity assay methods . The unresponsiveness of LM to LPS was seen in all of the mouse strains tested . Treatment of LM with indomethacin did not affect the unresponsiveness, although it greatly augmented the cytotoxicity of PRM stimulated with LPS . LM treated in vitro with crude lymphokines (LK) did not show cytotoxicity, but became sensitive to LPS and cytotoxic for tumor cells . LM treated first with crude LK and then with LPS were cytotoxic, but LM treated first with LPS and then with crude LK were not . The ability of crude LK to render LM responsive to LPS was neutralized by rabbit anti-mouse gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) antiserum but not by anti-mouse IFN-(alpha + beta) antiserum . LM treated with recombinant murine IFN-gamma became responsive to LPS and showed cytotoxicity . LM were resistant to direct toxicity of LPS under conditions in which significant populations of PRM and PEM died . However, LM became sensitive to direct toxicity of LPS by treatment with crude LK or recombinant murine IFN-gamma . Fluorescence microscopy showed that almost all PRM and PEM were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-LPS, while less than 5% of the LM were stained . Instead, approximately 60% of the LM treated with the crude LK or recombinant IFN-gamma for 20 h were stained with FITC-LPS . Fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis confirmed this result . The staining of IFN-gamma treated LM with FITC-LPS was inhibited by polymyxin B or unlabeled LPS . These results suggest that the defective responsiveness of LM to LPS is due to the lack or very low expression of LPS-binding sites on the cell surface and that in vitro treatment with IFN-gamma brings about the expression of them and renders LM responsive to LPS.

J Mol Biol, 1985 Oct 5, 185(3), 625 - 37
Bacterial DNA topoisomerase I can relax positively supercoiled DNA containing a single-stranded loop; Kirkegaard K et al.; Using heteroduplex molecules formed from a pair of plasmids, one of which contains a small deletion relative to the other, it is shown that bacterial topoisomerase I can relax a positively supercoiled DNA if a short single-stranded loop is placed in the DNA . This result supports the postulate that the specificity of bacterial DNA topoisomerase I for negatively supercoiled DNA in its relaxation reaction derives from the requirement of a short single-stranded DNA segment in the active enzyme-substrate complex . Nucleolytic and chemical probing of complexes between bacterial DNA topoisomerase I and heteroduplex DNA molecules containing single-stranded loops ranging from 13 to 27 nucleotides in length suggests that the enzyme binds specifically to the region containing a single-stranded loop; the site of DNA cleavage by the topoisomerase appears to lie within the single-stranded loop, with the enzyme interacting with nucleotides on both sides of the point of cleavage.

Scand J Clin Lab Invest, 1985 Oct, 45(6), 525 - 9
Chemical analyses for early differential diagnosis between bacterial and viral meningitis; Landaas S et al.; The present study was undertaken to evaluate the benefit of measuring different chemical parameters in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), at the time of admittance to hospital, for rapid differentiation between bacterial and viral meningitis . In addition to the leucocyte count, the CSF concentration of total protein, glucose (together with blood glucose), lactate, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase was determined . The results revealed that the CSF lactate and the CSF:blood glucose ratio were the two best parameters for this purpose . When the information from these analyses was combined a complete separation between the two kinds of meningitis could be obtained.

Arch Dis Child, 1985 Oct, 60(10), 963 - 6
Hyponatraemia associated with pneumonia or bacterial meningitis; Shann F et al.; Serum sodium concentrations were measured in 93 children with pneumonia or bacterial meningitis on their admission to hospital . Hyponatraemia (sodium value 134 mmol/l or less) was present in 33 (45%) of the 73 children with pneumonia, and in 10 (50%) of the 20 children with bacterial meningitis . Increased secretion of antidiuretic hormone is common in children with pneumonia, as well as in children with meningitis . The maintenance fluid requirement in these children is usually about 50 ml/kg/per day, and children with hyponatraemia caused by water overload need even lower fluid intakes . In developing countries, most children with pneumonia and meningitis should be managed without intravenous fluid treatment.

Pediatrics, 1985 Oct, 76(4), 551 - 6
Clinical predictors of acute bacterial diarrhea in young children; DeWitt TG et al.; This prospective study assessed the value of presenting history, physical examination, and screening laboratory tests in predicting whether diarrhea in a young child is associated with a stool culture positive for a bacterial pathogen . Acutely ill children less than 4 years old were studied in a hospital outpatient setting . Two hundred patients were seen in a 9 1/2-month period, which encompassed the seasons of summer, fall, and winter . One hundred ninety-five patients had cultures completed and twenty-nine (15%) had a bacterial pathogen isolated . The best predictive variable for a stool culture positive for a bacterial pathogen was the presence of polymorphonuclear cells in the stool, with a sensitivity of 85%, a specificity of 88%, and positive and negative predictive values of 59% and 97%, respectively . A cluster of three historical variables--abrupt onset of diarrhea, greater than four stools per day, and no vomiting before the onset of diarrhea--was identified that delineated a subpopulation of patients with an increased probability of having a stool culture positive for a bacterial pathogen (27% v 4% if any of the three variables was absent) . It is suggested that these findings can be combined in a stepwise manner using the historical cluster as an initial screening, followed by examination for stool polymorphonuclear cells in the high probability subgroup, to identify those patients with a very high probability of having a bacterial pathogen isolated in their stool.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Oct, 50(4), 831 - 6
Identification of transformation products arising from bacterial oxidation of codeine by Streptomyces griseus; Kunz DA et al.; 14-Hydroxycodeine and norcodeine were rigorously identified as products arising from codeine oxidation by Streptomyces griseus ATCC 10137 . Both products were routinely detected in extracted culture filtrates after growth of cells in the presence of codeine for 1 week . Under these conditions, about 4 mol% of the codeine starting material was consumed, with norcodeine and 14-hydroxycodeine representing the only identifiable transformation products (molar ratio, 4:1, respectively) . Extraction of a series of culture filtrates and purification of the pooled metabolites by thin-layer and high-pressure liquid chromatography led to the isolation of both biological products, the structures of which were verified by high-resolution mass spectrometry and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy . The identities of both biological products were further confirmed by comparison of their spectral properties with those of authentic standards . This is the first report providing structural evidence for the biological formation of 14-hydroxycodeine from codeine and of codeine oxidation by S . griseus.

J Hyg (Lond), 1985 Oct, 95(2), 403 - 7
Bacterial counts on fabrics: a comparative study of three methods; Hoborn J et al.; One contact plate and two homogenization methods have been compared for efficiency in assessing the bacterial contamination of fabrics with high or low, natural or artificial contamination . The contact plate method resulted in considerably lower counts than any of the homogenization methods, which closely resembled one another . One of these, utilizing a Stomacher 400, was found to be more practical, and is therefore recommended for counting bacteria on fabrics.

Mutat Res, 1985 Oct, 152(1), 5 - 14
Benzo{a}pyrene diol-epoxides: different mutagenic efficiency in human and bacterial cells; Stevens CW et al.; Monolayer cultures of diploid human fibroblasts and suspensions of S . typhimurium TA100 cells were treated with {3H}-labelled enantiomeric forms of benzo{a}pyrene anti and syn 7,8-dihydrodiol 9,10-epoxides . In both cell types, all of the enantiomers induced the formation of mutant 6-thioguanine (human) or 8-azaguanine-(bacterial)resistant cells . Diol-epoxide-modified nucleosides from human and from bacterial DNA hydrolysates were characterized by HPLC and showed essentially the same adduct species for human and bacterial cells treated with the same enantiomers . There were substantial differences, however, in the efficiency with which structurally-different adduct species were converted to mutant genotypes . In human cells, the mutagenic efficiency (mutation frequency/unit modified DNA) of the respective adduct species (+ anti much greater than -anti = +/- syn) at the hprt locus was exactly the opposite of that seen at a similar gene locus (gpt) in TA100 (-anti = +/- syn greater than + anti) . The results suggest that the structural configuration of adducts in genomic DNA is important in determining whether a mutant genotype will result, and likewise, that there are differences in specificity between the human and bacterial systems which process these adduct lesions.

J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 1985 Oct, 43(10), 816 - 7
Maxillary nerve involvement in bacterial endocarditis; Barrett AP et al.; A case of right maxillary nerve paresthesia during an active phase of bacterial endocarditis probably due to embolic occlusion of the nerve's vascular supply is reported . The authors suggest that infective endocarditis be considered as a rare but potential cause of unexplained trigeminal nerve branch lesions, and that such lesions be sought in cases of established endocarditis.

J Immunol, 1985 Oct, 135(4), 2541 - 5
Functional recognition of bacterial mitogens by B lymphoma cells: reactivity of WEHI 279.1 to lipopolysaccharide and selection of nonreactive variants; Kleine B et al.; To analyze functional mitogen recognition by reactive B lymphocytes, we studied the effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the growth of the WEHI 279.1 B lymphoma line (W279) . We found that LPS inhibits, in a dose-dependent manner, the growth of W279 cells in culture and that it reduces the frequency of cells growing as clones under limiting dilution conditions . Furthermore, we show that differential reactivity of "wild-type" cells to increasing LPS concentrations reflects the heterogeneity in the lymphoma cell population and the frequencies of "resistant" variants to each mitogenic concentration . This allowed us to derive variant tumor cell lines and clones, no longer LPS sensitive, either from mass cultures or, in a single-step selection, under limiting dilution conditions in the presence of low and high concentrations of LPS . Although mitogen reactivity is progressively lost upon prolonged culture, resistance to LPS was found to be a stable trait in selected variants, suggesting that it results from loss of functional mitogen recognition by the reactive cells . The specificity of mitogen reactivity or resistance was shown by the fact that some of the variant clones are still reactive to T helper cell-derived factors and others are not . Thus reactivity to LPS and to T cell factors can be separated, suggesting that the cell lines described here provide new tools for the biochemical analysis of B cell activation.

Tsitologiia, 1985 Oct, 27(10), 1183 - 8
{Insertion of the bacterial gene for dihydrofolate reductase into colony-forming cells of mouse bone marrow}; Titomirov AV et al.; Introduction of the plasmid containing the methotrexate-resistant (Mtx-r) bacterial gene of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) under the control of the early promoter of SV 40 into the donor bone cells of the mouse with subsequent transplantation of the cells into lethally irradiated mice results in the increase in the life span of mice under conditions of methotrexate selection . It is due to the stable transformation of the bone marrow colony-forming cells with the plasmic DNA and the synthesis of the bacterial Mtx-r DHFR in the spleen and bone marrow of the recipient mouse.

J Anim Sci, 1985 Oct, 61(4), 985 - 94
Effects of sodium bicarbonate on nitrogen balance, bacterial protein synthesis and sites of nutrient digestion in sheep; Mees DC et al.; Two experiments were conducted to determine effects of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) on nitrogen (N) balance, ruminal N metabolism and site and extent of nutrient digestion in sheep fed 75% concentrate diets . A 2 X 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was employed in both trials with experimental diets balanced for 10.5 or 12.0% crude protein and containing 0 or 3.5% NaHCO3 . In experiment 1, 12 lambs were allotted to four diets for two periods in a randomized complete-block design . Dry matter (DM) digestibility was increased (P less than .10) by NaHCO3 supplementation, but organic matter (OM) digestibility was unaffected by treatment . Apparent N digestibility was not affected by NaHCO3 addition but was increased (P less than .0001) at the higher level of protein . Ruminal pH (4 h postfeeding) was increased (P less than .01) by NaHCO3 supplementation . Sodium bicarbonate had no effect on molar proportions of acetate or propionate, but increased molar proportion of butyrate (P less than .10) in ruminal fluid . Mean N retention (g/d) was increased (P less than .05) at the higher protein level, but was not affected by NaHCO3 . In experiment 2, four ruminal- and duodenal-cannulated wethers were utilized in a 4 X 4 Latin square design . Sodium bicarbonate addition increased ruminal pH (P less than .05) 2 h postfeeding but did not affect ruminal ammonia (NH3) levels, total VFA concentration or ruminal fluid dilution rates . Molar proportion of acetate was increased (P less than .01) by NaHCO3 at the lower protein level . Ruminal particulate dilution rates were increased (P less than .05) by NaHCO3 addition . Ruminal, postruminal and apparent total tract digestibilities of OM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were unaffected by NaHCO3 supplementation . Sodium bicarbonate decreased (P less than .05) ruminal starch digestion at the lower protein level but increased (P less than .05) it at the higher protein level . Bacterial N flow (g/d) at the duodenum and efficiency of bacterial protein synthesis were increased (P less than .10) by NaHCO3 additions.

J Virol, 1985 Oct, 56(1), 19 - 30
Virus-induced modification of the host cell is required for expression of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene controlled by a late herpes simplex virus promoter (VP5); Costa RH et al.; The requirements for expression of genes under the control of early (alkaline exonuclease) and late (VP5) herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) gene promoters were examined in a transient expression assay, using the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene as an expression marker . Both promoters were induced, resulting in the production of high levels of the enzyme upon low-multiplicity infection by HSV-1 . S1 nuclease analysis of hybrids between RNA isolated from infected cells containing HSV-1 promoter constructs and marker gene DNA demonstrated normal transcriptional initiation of the marker gene directed by the viral promoters . Viral DNA sequences no more than 125 bases 5' of the putative transcriptional cap site were sufficient for maximum activity of the late promoter . In contrast to expression controlled by the early gene, the late promoter was not active at a measurable level in uninfected cells until DNA sequences between 75 and 125 bases 5' of the transcriptional cap site were deleted . Cotransfection of cells with the expression marker controlled by HSV promoters and a cosmid containing HSV alpha (immediate-early) genes indicated that full expression of both early and late promoters requires the same virus-induced host cell modifications . Inhibition of viral DNA synthesis results in an increased rate of transient expression of marker genes under control of either early or late promoters in contrast to the situation in normal virus infection . These data provide evidence that the normal course of expression of late HSV genes involves negative modulation of potentially active promoters in the infected cell.

J Virol, 1985 Oct, 56(1), 153 - 60
Baculovirus-mediated expression of bacterial genes in dipteran and mammalian cells; Carbonell LF et al.; A recombinant baculovirus containing the Escherichia coli chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene under the control of the Rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat promoter and the E . coli beta-galactosidase gene under the control of the very late baculoviral polyhedrin promoter was used to determine if Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus, a baculovirus of Lepidoptera, can enter and express viral DNA in dipteran (Drosophila sp.) and mammalian (Mus sp.) cells that are considered refractory to baculovirus replication . Following infection, CAT gene expression was observed in both dipteran and mammalian cells, but expression in the mammalian cell line was less than 0.05% of that observed in either dipteran or lepidopteran cells . Although the level of CAT gene expression was similar in permissive lepidopteran and nonpermissive dipteran cells, expression of beta-galactosidase activity from the late polyhedrin promoter in dipteran or mammalian cells was less than 0.3% of the levels observed in lepidopteran cells . These results indicate that foreign gene expression in nonpermissive cells is promoter dependent and that late viral gene expression is restricted in these cells . The Rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat allows substantial CAT gene expression in both a D . melanogaster cell line and Aedes aegypti midgut cells . Baculovirus DNA undergoes a limited number of replications in Drosophila cells . The results are relevant to baculovirus host range, the safety of baculoviruses as pesticides, and the development of baculovirus pesticides with expanded host ranges.

Infect Immun, 1985 Oct, 50(1), 190 - 8
Evaluation of Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccines in specific-pathogen-free piglets with bacterial cell surface antigens in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Novotny P et al.; The progenies of specific-pathogen-free sows which had been immunized with Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccines of various origin before parturition were challenged intranasally with B . bronchiseptica within 5 days of birth . Sera of piglets were taken weekly and investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay against a mixture of B . bronchiseptica cell surface antigens containing curled fibers and fimbriae, lipopolysaccharide, and a mixture of proteins mostly derived from the outer membrane . The serological response to this antigenic mixture was paradoxical; the highest titers were obtained with the least effective vaccines . Antibodies which did relate to protection were oriented against the outer-membrane-derived proteins, one of which, of 68,000 molecular weight, appeared to be particularly important for two reasons . First, its concentration within the antigenic mixture was dependent upon cultural conditions; of all the proteins present in virulent strains, it was the first to disappear upon modulation . Second, it was absent from a strain which was unable to induce atrophic rhinitis in specific-pathogen-free piglets . Although all vaccines tested had some beneficial effect on the various clinical manifestations of the disease, only two vaccines were effective (P less than 0.001) in the prevention of nasal pathological changes . These two vaccines also stimulated the highest titers against the 68,000-molecular-weight protein . A mouse protection test utilizing a lethal intraperitoneal challenge failed to monitor the efficacy of vaccines for protection against atrophic rhinitis.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1985 Oct, 82(20), 6927 - 31
Insertion of the bacterial gpt gene into the germ line of mice by retroviral infection; Jahner D et al.; Mouse substrains genetically transmitting the exogenous Moloney murine leukemia virus (Mo-MuLV) at a single locus have been derived previously by infection of preimplantation embryos . Here we explore the potential of retroviral vectors for transferring nonviral genes into the germ line of mice . Preimplantation mouse embryos were cocultivated with a cell line that produces a recombinant retrovirus whose genome carries the Escherichia coli gene gpt . We show that the vector sequence was inserted into the genome of the embryo and into the germ line at a frequency similar to that for the Mo-MuLV-helper sequence . A new mouse strain, Mgpt-1, was developed that is homozygous for a single MSVgpt proviral genome . The proviral sequences were highly methylated and not expressed in tissues of Mgpt-1 mice . When cells derived from transgeneic animals were treated with 5-azacytidine, the proviral sequences were not methylated and were transcriptionally activated . These results indicate that nonviral genes that are under the control of the viral long terminal repeat are inactivated when transferred into the germ line of animals.

Infect Immun, 1985 Oct, 50(1), 271 - 8
Bacterial adherence and hemolysin production from Escherichia coli induces histamine and leukotriene release from various cells; Scheffer J et al.; We investigated the role of bacterial adherence and hemolysin production from Escherichia coli parent and genetically cloned strains as to their effects on histamine release from rat mast cells and leukotriene generation from human polymorphonuclear granulocytes . These mediators were involved in the induction of inflammatory disease processes and led, for example, to enhancement of vascular permeability, chemotaxis (leukotriene B4 {LTB4}), chemoaggregation, lysosomal enzyme release, and smooth muscle contraction, (LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4) . Washed bacteria (E . coli K-12 MS+ Hly +/-; E . coli 536 MS+ MR +/-) as well as their culture supernatants were analyzed . Washed E . coli K-12 (Hly+), unlike Hly- strains, induced high amounts of histamine release from rat mast cells and chemotactic activity from human polymorphonuclear granulocytes . Significant leukotriene release was obtained with washed E . coli K-12 Hly+ strains and their bacterial culture supernatants . Leukotriene induction was dependent on the amount of hemolysin activity present in the supernatant . However, additional soluble factors should also be considered . The presence of hemolysin appeared to accelerate and enhance the rate of phagocytosis of bacteria by neutrophils . When E . coli 536 (MS+ MR +/- Hly +/-) strains were analyzed, the simultaneous presence of MR+ pili and hemolysin production led to an increase in histamine release as compared with MR- Hly+ strains . The genetically cloned MR+ Hly+ E . coli 536 strain induced higher amounts of leukotrienes as compared with the wild-type strain . Our data suggest a potent role for adhesins and hemolysin as virulence factors in inducing the release of inflammatory mediators.

Proc Soc Exp Biol Med, 1985 Oct, 180(1), 163 - 9
Further characterization of the effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide preparations on cyclic GMP levels: the importance of macromolecular synthesis; Graber SE et al.; Bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) greatly increase cGMP levels in short term cultures of rat fetal liver cells without affecting the concentration of cAMP . This effect is produced by very small (1 ng) amounts of LPS and is both dose and time dependent . The time dependence is characterized by an initial lag period of 60-120 min followed by a rapid, persistent increase in cGMP levels . Since this time course suggests that synthesis of an intermediate might play an important role in the cGMP elevation, a series of experiments was done to evaluate the effect of LPS on DNA, RNA, and protein (macromolecular) synthesis . LPS did not measurably effect total macromolecular synthesis . However, inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis markedly reduced cGMP levels in LPS-treated cells, whereas inhibition of DNA synthesis did not . Addition of sodium nitroprusside to control and inhibitor-treated cultures produced large equivalent increases of cGMP levels in both cases, indicating that the cells present were fully capable of responding to a stimulus of guanylate cyclase . Taken together, this data suggests that expression of the LPS-cGMP response in fetal liver cells is dependent on synthesis of an intermediary protein(s) during the lag phase.

Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 1985 Sep 20, 110(38), 1457 - 60
{Bacterial infection of an Ionescu-Shiley bioprosthesis . Morphologic studies}; Hey A et al.; Bacterial inflammation associated with artificial cardiac valves is a rare complication after valve replacement but is burdened with a high lethality . Whereas in the case of mechanical valves the infection involves the body's own tissues, bacterial colonisation of valves made of prepared biological material can also occur . The morphology of the bacterial inflammation was examined in a case of early postoperative endocarditis . Although the bacterial infection in the paravalvular tissues resulted in a purulent inflammation, the Ionescu-Shiley-bovine bioprosthesis remained free of inflammatory cells despite extensive vegetative bacterial growth.

Klin Wochenschr, 1985 Sep 2, 63(17), 827 - 32
{Bacterial colonization of the rat jejunum in long-term nutrition with an elemental diet}; Menge H et al.; Elemental diets and peptide diets are increasingly used in the treatment of enteral diseases and as alternatives to parenteral nutrition . Though multiple influences of these diets on the small intestinal bacteria seem possible no long-term studies were hitherto carried out to clarify their actions on the intestinal flora . Therefore, the jejunal flora was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively in a group of rats fed an elemental diet over a period of 60 days and a control group receiving standard pellet food . In both sets of animals similar numbers of colony forming bacteria/ml jejunal juice of the aerobic and anaerobic growing flora were observed . In parallel, the individual genera did not exhibit significant differences in control and experimental animals . According to these findings long-term feeding of a peptide diet to rats does not influence the small intestinal flora.

Arch Tierernahr, 1985 Sep, 35(9), 639 - 47
{Protein and amino acid metabolism in the digestive tract of growing young bulls . 2 . Feed protein flow into the duodenum determined with 2,6-diaminopimelic acid as a marker for crude bacterial protein}; Gabel M et al.; The experimental ascertainment of the pure feed protein flowing into the duodenum on the basis of the calculation of the difference between the NH3-free crude protein flowing into the duodenum and the bacterial crude protein determined by means of DAPA showed the following results after the testing of 28 different rations at a dry matter intake adequate to the production level: With a variation of the pure protein in the crude protein content of the ration between 40 and 90%, the quota of feed protein flowing into the duodenum is 52.5%, and with a variation of the pure protein in the crude protein content between 80 and 90% it is 40.6% . The quota of feed protein flowing into the duodenum shows a negative correlation to the apparent digestibility of the organic matter (y=231.7 -2.52x +/- 14.5) . With a DM-intake adequate to the production level the quota of feed protein flowing into the duodenum is neither influenced by the flow rate (kg digesta/kg DM-intake) nor by the 'dilution rate' (g bacteria-free DMD/kg live weight 0.75/h).

Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol, 1985 Sep, 7(9), 481 - 3
Influence of several bacterial and viral vaccines on hepatic drug metabolism in mice; Descotes J et al.; Pentobarbital-induced sleeping time was found to be significantly prolonged in mice within at least 4 days following either whooping cough, tetanus, rubella or poliomyelitis vaccination . By contrast, barbital-induced sleeping time remained unaffected, These findings provide further evidence of a correlation between inhibition of liver drug metabolizing enzymes and stimulation of the immune response.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Sep, 38(9), 2683 - 7
{Clinical study on intact gamma-globulin (SM-4300) in surgical severe bacterial infections}; Fujino N et al.; Intact gamma-globulin (SM-4300) was studied for its clinical efficacy in 13 of 23 cases of surgical severe bacterial infections . The drug was administered intravenously either 2.5 g/day for 3 days or 5 g for a day and the results were as follows . Clinical effects of SM-4300 in 13 cases of surgical severe bacterial infections were excellent in 1 case, good in 3, fair in 3 and poor in 6 . SM-4300 was effective in all of 5 cases of intraperitoneal abscess . The elevation of serum IgG was observed after the administration of SM-4300 in all cases tested . As to complement, the slight elevation of serum CH50 was observed in the half of cases documented . Clinical side effects were not confirmed in any case . These results suggest that intact gamma-globulin (SM-4300) was effective in combination with antibiotics.

Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd, 1985 Sep, 45(9), 646 - 50
{Bacterial colonization of the cervix and complications later in the course of pregnancy following cerclage}; Loos W et al.; In 107 patients undergoing cerclage operation, cervical bacterial flora was documented in a prospective study . Complications due to bacterial contamination were recorded . Postoperatively there was an increase in cervical bacteria, both in number and variety . The results were highly significant . The incidence of premature labor, premature rupture of membranes, puerperal and neonatal infections is higher than the level in our own institution and the overall level in Bavaria . Our results suggest that cerclage involves an increased risk of cervical contamination with subsequent complications during pregnancy, puerperium and newborn period.

Pediatrics, 1985 Sep, 76(3), 411 - 4
Atypical bacterial infections explained by a concomitant virus infection; Dagan R et al.; Because both viral and bacterial infections are common during early childhood, dual infections are not unexpected . However, the clinical manifestation of such combined infections may be, difficult to interpret, and they are often misdiagnosed as "atypical bacterial infection." Five patients with concomitant viral-bacterial infections are described . In all five cases, virus detection enabled the physicians to better understand an otherwise puzzling clinical presentation . In view of the recent progress in rapid viral diagnoses and the potential of antiviral drugs, the possibility of dual infection should be investigated more often.

Clin Lab Med, 1985 Sep, 5(3), 437 - 45
Molecular epidemiology of bacterial infections; Bjorvatn B et al.; This article presents a review of current experience with the restriction enzyme technique in the epidemiology of bacterial infections . It is concluded that this technique has great potential, and that its practical value has been proved under a number of different epidemiologic conditions.

Cell, 1985 Sep, 42(2), 683 - 90
Neither methylating nor demethylating enzymes are required for bacterial chemotaxis; Stock J et al.; Clarification of the information processing system in bacterial sensing has been obtained by studying mutants that lack the capacity to modify receptors covalently . The remaining part of the system is able to receive signals from the receptor, to respond with partial adaptation, and to exhibit a chemotactic response . A cycle of chemical reactions analogous to the rhodopsin-transducin cycle in the visual system is shown to provide the proper characteristics to serve as the bridge between receptor and chemotactic output, which allows adaptation in the absence of covalent protein modifications.

Anal Biochem, 1985 Sep, 149(2), 309 - 15
Bioluminescent enzyme immunoassay for estriol . Use of reversibly inactivated bacterial luciferase as label; Yein FS et al.; A bioluminescent enzyme immunoassay using estriol labeled with reversibly inactivated bacterial luciferase is described . An estriol derivative bearing an alkylthiolsulfonate is linked to the cysteinyl thiols of luciferase by formation of mixed disulfide linkages; thus, luciferase becomes inactive . After immunoassay, the inactive luciferase of the label bound to the immunoprecipitate is reactivated by incubation with dithiothreitol and the luciferase activity then is quantitated by a 20-s reaction performed with an automated luminometer (LKB 1251) . Under the defined conditions, the labels are stable for at least 14 days as tested at 4 degrees C . A standard curve with a wide linear range from 50 to 6000 pg is demonstrated . This unique technology discussed here, therefore, offers exciting possibilities as a sensitive and rapid enzyme immunoassay for estriol.

J Periodontol, 1985 Sep, 56(9), 553 - 7
Intracellular localization of bacterial lipopolysaccharide using the avidin biotin complex method at the electron microscopic level; Lucas RM et al.; The intracellular localization in 3T6 fibroblasts of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) using the rapid avidin-biotin-immunoperoxidase technique at the electron microscopic level was studied . The role of bacterial endotoxin in the etiology of periodontal disease has been well documented previously . The purpose of the present study was to localize LPS within the cell, thereby determining which organelles concentrate the material and relate this to the cytologic pathophysiology . An increased concentration of LPS was found in the cell nuclei and, specifically, in association with nuclear chromatin and nucleoli . The concentration of LPS in the nucleus was directly related to the time of incubation, with some product appearing in that site within 2 minutes . There was no specific localization of endotoxin in mitochondria, lysosomes, Golgi, endoplasmic reticulum or ribosomes . These results imply that bacterial endotoxin may have a direct effect on nuclear components of fibroblasts . The relationship of these results to the etiologic mechanisms of periodontal disease is discussed.

J Infect Dis, 1985 Sep, 152(3), 493 - 9
Induction of the early hypotensive phase by Escherichia coli: role of bacterial surface structures and inflammatory mediators; Kalter ES et al.; An early hypotensive phase was induced in rats by different strains of Escherichia coli and cell wall fractions to study the role of the bacterial surface structure, the complement system, histamine, and serotonin in induction of hypotension . E . coli strains with only core glycolipid (E . coli strain J5) or with intact lipopolysaccharide O antigens on their surface induced hypotension and thrombopenia within 5 min after intravenous administration . This response was reduced by prior decomplementation of the rats and by methysergide, a serotonin antagonist . Two K antigen-positive strains induced no hypotension except after removal of K antigen . The isolated lipopolysaccharide fractions and the lipid A subfractions, but not the polysaccharide subfractions, were also able to induce hypotension . Thus the core glycolipid structure, by interactions that involve platelets and the complement system, is mainly responsible for induction of an early hypotensive phase in rats, and K antigens interfere with this response.

J Comput Assist Tomogr, 1985 Sep-Oct, 9(5), 894 - 7
Delayed contrast enhancement in acute focal bacterial nephritis: CT features; Ishikawa I et al.; Computed tomography was performed in seven patients with acute pyelonephritis 6 h after the administration of contrast medium . Four patients revealed patchy wedge-shaped areas of contrast enhancement . The scans immediately after contrast medium administration showed decreased attenuation in these wedge-shaped areas . These results suggest that CT performed hours after contrast medium administration may reveal delayed enhancement in a significant number of patients with acute pyelonephritis.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Sep, 163(3), 983 - 90
Sensory adaptation in bacterial chemotaxis: regulation of demethylation; Kehry MR et al.; The behavioral responses of chemotactic bacteria to environmental stimuli are initiated by a family of membrane-bound transducer proteins that communicate excitatory signals to the flagellar apparatus . The adaptation process appears to turn off the excitatory signal and is mediated by the reversible methylation of multiple sites on the transducer proteins . The activities of two chemotaxis-specific enzymes, a methyltransferase and a methylesterase, are regulated during adaptation to maintain behavioral responsiveness . To monitor stimulus-induced changes in methylesterase activity in intact cells, we quantitated the continuous generation of methanol, the end product of the demethylation reaction, in a flow device . In this paper we describe studies of the regulation of the demethylation process . Changes in methylesterase activity after the simultaneous addition of opposing stimuli through two different transducer classes suggest that the sensory information detected by these transducers was integrated and that this integrated signal controlled demethylation.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Sep, 163(3), 841 - 9
Effects of the ccd function of the F plasmid on bacterial growth; Jaffe A et al.; The ccd segment of the mini F plasmid containing the ccdA and ccdB genes controls the coordination between plasmid proliferation and cell physiology and fate . When the DNA replication of a thermosensitive-replication plasmid carrying the ccd segment of mini F is blocked, plasmid DNA molecules are progressively diluted through cell division until the copy number reaches 1 per cell . From this time on, there is little increase in the number of viable cells, although cells continue to divide, resulting in a mixed population of viable cells (mostly plasmid containing), nonviable but residually dividing cells, and nonviable nondividing cells . Results are presented suggesting that plasmid-containing cells are viable and continue to divide, whereas plasmid-free segregants are nonviable and form filaments after a few residual divisions, with DNA synthesis reduced or arrested in the filaments . Although the ccd functions are known to induce the SOS response when plasmid replication is blocked, the production of nonviable plasmid-free segregants is independent of the SOS cell division inhibition mechanism determined by the sfiA and sfiC genes.

Ann Thorac Surg, 1985 Sep, 40(3), 224 - 8
Risk factors for severe bacterial infections after valve replacement and aortocoronary bypass operations: analysis of 246 cases by logistic regression; Miholic J et al.; Risk factors for severe bacterial infections, that is, deep sternal wound infection, pneumonia, septicemia, and prosthetic valve endocarditis, were evaluated in 246 consecutive patients undergoing valve replacement (N = 84) or aortocoronary bypass operation (N = 162) . Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the ability of putative risk factors to predict infection . The risk factors considered were age, sex, diabetes mellitus, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), duration of operation, amount of blood restored on the day of operation, repeat thoracotomy for bleeding, intraaortic balloon pumping, reoperation, emergency operation, and the professional status of the surgeon . Severe infections occurred in similar frequency after valve replacement (8/84; 9.5%) and aortocoronary bypass (11/162; 6.8%) . For patients who had a bypass procedure, repeat thoracotomy was the only factor significantly associated with infection (p = 0.0004) . However, the classification analysis revealed that this variable alone is too unspecific for a reliable prediction . Univariate analysis indicated that restoration of more than 2,500 ml of blood (p = 0.0001), reoperation (p = 0.0821), duration of operation (p = 0.0061), duration of CPB (p = 0.0318), and intraaortic balloon pumping (p = 0.0281) were associated with infection following valve replacement . A model with three variables emerged from the multiple logistic regression: after correction for blood restoration, reoperation, and duration of CPB, no other variable was of additional predictive value . For patients who underwent valve replacement, the model performed well in predicting complications . The classification analysis revealed a high correspondence between observed and predicted instances of infection: it correctly predicted 75% of the patients with infection and 96% of those without infection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Jpn J Antibiot, 1985 Sep, 38(9), 2532 - 4
{Clinical evaluation of SM-4300 against bacterial infections in the field of internal medicine}; Yamakido M et al.; A new drug of human intact immunoglobulin, SM-4300 was applied to the acute respiratory infections in the field of internal medicine . SM-4300 was administered intravenously for 1 or 3 days at a daily dose of 2.5 g to 4 patients suffering from respiratory infections . We have obtained the results as follows . Clinical effects of SM-4300 were good in 2 cases, fair in 1 case, unknown in 1 case, and no side effects were observed.

J Periodontol, 1985 Sep, 56(9), 558 - 61
Gingival and bacterial plaque response to instrumentation, oral hygiene instruction and nutritional therapy; Jones BW Jr et al.; Thirty-three male subjects participated in a study to examine the effect of supplements of multiple vitamins and minerals, local therapy (periodontal instrumentation and oral hygiene instruction) and a combination of both on gingival inflammation and bacterial plaque formation . Subjects were given either multivitamin and mineral supplements or placebos on a double-blind basis for 21 days . On Day 7, the mandibular incisors were instrumented, and each subject was instructed in brushing and flossing . Observations were taken at Days 0, 7 and 21 . There was a significant (P = 0.004) effect from micronutrient supplementation at Day 7 on the gingival index but no significant effect on the plaque index . On Day 21 there was no statistical superiority noted for the supplemented group in respect to either the gingival or plaque index, although the gingival index approached significance (P = 0.062).

J Dent Educ, 1985 Sep, 49(9), 645 - 50
Educational factors associated with clinician knowledge about bacterial endocarditis; Sadowsky D et al.; This study measured the impact of relatively formal educational experiences (general practice residency and continuing education) and a variety of informal educational opportunities (professional membership activities, dental journals received, patterns of consulting and referral) on a particular body of knowledge (dentists' knowledge about the management of patients at risk for bacterial endocarditis) . Data were collected through telephone interviews with 217 dental general practitioners in New York State . Linear regression analyses indicated that age made a significant contribution to the explanation of knowledge level in all models tested . Neither general practice residency experiences nor continuing education exposure in the past year made a significant contribution to the explanation of knowledge . The other more informal educational variables tested sometimes made a significant contribution when controlled for age; however, the explanatory power of these variables often varied according to respondents' locale (urban vs . rural).

J Bacteriol, 1985 Sep, 163(3), 1060 - 6
Genetic recombination of bacterial plasmid DNA: effect of RecF pathway mutations on plasmid recombination in Escherichia coli; Kolodner R et al.; Tn5 insertion mutations in the recN gene, and in what appears to be a new RecF pathway gene designated recO and mapping at approximately 55.4 min on the standard genetic map, were isolated by screening Tn5 insertion mutations that cotransduced with tyrA . The recO1504::Tn5 mutation decreased the frequency of recombination during Hfr-mediated crosses and increased the susceptibility to killing by UV irradiation and mitomycin C when present in a recB recC sbcB background, but only increased the sensitivity to killing by UV irradiation when present in an otherwise Rec+ background . The effects of these and other RecF pathway mutations on plasmid recombination were tested . Mutations in the recJ, recO, and ssb genes, when present in otherwise Rec+ E . coli strains, decreased the frequency of plasmid recombination, whereas the lexA3, recAo281, recN, and ruv mutations had no effect on plasmid recombination . Tn5 insertion mutations in the lexA gene increased the frequency of plasmid recombination . These data indicate that plasmid recombination events in wild-type Escherichia coli strains are catalyzed by a recombination pathway that is related to the RecF recombination pathway and that some component of this pathway besides the recA gene product is regulated by the lexA gene product.

Biochemistry, 1985 Aug 27, 24(18), 4872 - 6
Bacterial phosphotransferase system: regulation of the glucose and mannose enzymes II by sulfhydryl oxidation; Grenier FC et al.; We have investigated the effect of oxidizing agents on methyl alpha-glucoside phosphorylation by the Escherichia coli phosphotransferase system (PTS) . Oxidizing agents inhibited methyl alpha-glucoside phosphorylation at low methyl alpha-glucoside concentrations, and the degree of inhibition was shown to decrease with increasing concentrations of methyl alpha-glucoside . Results of studies with mutant bacteria and substrate analogues of the glucose and mannose enzymes II showed that contrary to the interpretation of Robillard and Konings {Robillard, G . T., & Konings, W . N . (1981) Biochemistry 20, 5025-5032} the apparent change in the Km value for methyl alpha-glucoside phosphorylation induced by sulfhydryl oxidation is not due to the formation of a low-affinity, oxidized form of the glucose enzyme II . Rather, the results are explained by the presence of two phosphotransferase systems that phosphorylate methyl alpha-glucoside with different affinities and that are differentially sensitive to oxidizing agents . The low Km system corresponds to the glucose enzyme II, which is strongly inhibited by potassium ferricyanide, phenazine methosulfate, and plumbagin . The high Km system corresponds to the mannose enzyme II, which is less sensitive to inhibition by these oxidizing agents . This differential sensitivity to inhibition by oxidizing agents can account for the apparent Km change for methyl alpha-glucoside phosphorylation reported by Robillard and Konings . The physiological significance of sulfhydryl oxidation in the enzymes II of the PTS has yet to be ascertained.

JAMA, 1985 Aug 23-30, 254(8), 1046 - 9
Comparison of single-dose vs one-week course of metronidazole for symptomatic bacterial vaginosis; Swedberg J et al.; In a prospective, single-blind, randomized study, a single 2-g dose of metronidazole was compared with a seven-day course of 500 mg given twice daily in the treatment of symptomatic vaginal discharge associated with Gardnerella vaginalis . Based on resolution of symptoms and on cultures negative for G vaginalis, 86% (40/46) of women treated with the single dose and 97% (35/36) of women treated with the seven-day course were considered cured at seven to ten days after treatment . Evaluation at 21 days after treatment, however, indicated that only 46% (16/34) of patients treated with the single 2-g dose were considered cured compared with 86% (26/30) of those treated with the seven-day course . Treatment of sexual contacts did not significantly improve cure rates in either group.

Biophys Chem, 1985 Aug, 22(3), 167 - 72
On the rotational brownian motion of a bacterial idle motor . II . Theory of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy; Hoshikawa H et al.; The photon flux autocorrelation function of a fluorescent label attached to a bacterial motor shaft is calculated for the case in which the bacterial motor is considered to be actively but idly rotating . It is shown that even when the fluorescent label has a very short lifetime, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy should provide a useful tool for determining the rate of revolution of the bacterial motor under various solution conditions.

J Hyg (Lond), 1985 Aug, 95(1), 123 - 30
The effect of surgical gowns made with barrier cloth on bacterial dispersal; Matthews J et al.; A dispersal chamber (body box) technique has been used to compare bacterial dispersal from the skin of subjects carrying out a stepping test under controlled conditions while wearing four differing garment systems namely: basic underwear, cotton 'blues' (standard pyjama style jacket and trousers for men or dress for women), ankle socks, boots for men and shoes for women, mask and theatre hat; the basic set covered with a cotton gown; the basic set covered by a gown with a front made from GORE-TEX fabric in which an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane is sandwiched between layers of woven or knitted polyester; the basic set covered with a fully enclosed suit of the same fabric . A slit sampler was used to measure the number of bacteria liberated in a downward current of air . Six subjects (three female and three male) were studied . Males liberated more bacteria . Covering the 'blues' with a cotton gown increased the bacterial count; a gown of the new material reduced the increase by 50%, and the suit cut the dispersal to virtually zero . Preliminary work suggests that GORE-TEX garments survive laundering better than cotton, and may be cost-effective, but are not yet as comfortable . Research is presently in progress to improve this aspect.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Aug, 163(2), 735 - 7
Protoplast water content of bacterial spores determined by buoyant density sedimentation; Lindsay JA et al.; Protoplast wet densities (1.315 to 1.400 g/ml), determined by buoyant density sedimentation in Metrizamide gradients, were correlated inversely with the protoplast water contents (26.4 to 55.0 g of water/100 g of wet protoplast) of nine diverse types of pure lysozyme-sensitive dormant bacterial spores . The correlation equation provided a precise method for obtaining the protoplast water contents of other spore types with small impure samples and indicated that the average protoplast dry density was 1.460 g/ml.

Microbiol Sci, 1985 Aug, 2(8), 235 - 9
How do bacterial nuclei divide?
Sargent MG.
The mechanism of nuclear division remains unknown . Interactions with the cell surface may play a crucial role both in nuclear organization and division.

J Pediatr Surg, 1985 Aug, 20(4), 320 - 3
Bacterial clearance in the intact and regenerating liver; Gross K et al.; The Kupffer cells in the liver play an important role in reticuloendothelial system (RES) function by clearing particulate matter and bacteria from the blood stream . While hepatocyte regeneration and function have been extensively studied following partial hepatectomy, little information is available concerning RES function in the regenerating liver . This study investigates hepatic RES function by evaluating bacterial clearance (live E . coli) in the intact and regenerating liver . Thirty-four young male Sprague Dawley rats were studied . Twenty-two animals underwent a standard 70% partial hepatectomy using ligature technique and 12 had a sham operation . Both groups of rats received 10(9) organism of S35 labeled E coli, intravenously at 24 hours, 72 hours, 2 1/2 weeks, and 6 weeks postoperatively . Rats were killed 10 minutes following injection and liver, lung, spleen, and kidney harvested, fixed, and radioactivity was determined using a scintillation spectrometer interfaced with a micro-computer counting the S35 radiolabel . The total organ count of trapped bacteria in liver in partially hepatectomized rats was lower than intact controls at 24 hours (22.0% v 46.4%, P less than .01), but was similar at 72 hours, 2 1/2 weeks, and 6 weeks . Partial hepatectomy increased the amount of bacterial trapping in the lung at 24 hours (11.3% v 1.7%, P less than .01) and 72 hours (10.1% v 1.7%, P less than .05) and returned to normal at 2 1/2 weeks and 6 weeks . Splenic activity was increased following hepatectomy at 2 1/2 weeks . Renal clearance was increased at 72 hours and 2 1/2 weeks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Am J Infect Control, 1985 Aug, 13(4), 147 - 53
Postoperative wound infection surveillance by use of bacterial contamination categories; Lennard ES et al.; A prospective 2-year surveillance of 7129 wounds was conducted on all surgical services of the University Hospital in Seattle to determine the postoperative infection rates by surgical wound category . Rates on all services for clean (0.8%), clean-contaminated (3.4%), contaminated (3.6%), and dirty (9.9%) wounds were recorded and compared to rates reported in the surgical literature . The overall wound infection rate was 1.7% . When the incidence of infection for a specific service in a category was observed to be in excess of a previously reported upper rate, patient charts were critically reviewed to determine if host, pathogen, or technical factors could be implicated in the excessive infection rates . Extending postoperative wound surveillance to include critical chart analysis in these categories provides hospital staff members responsible for infection control the opportunity to organize corrective measures against excessive rates in a broader category of wounds.

J Clin Invest, 1985 Aug, 76(2), 548 - 55
Regulatory roles of T mu and T gamma cells in the collaborative cellular initiation of the extrinsic coagulation pathway by bacterial lipopolysaccharide; Levy GA et al.; The Shwartzman reaction is a classic biologic response in which the coagulation system is activated in vivo . Cellular initiation of the extrinsic coagulation protease cascade can be mediated by one or more limbs of the lymphoid response to diverse biological stimuli . The T cell-instructed monocyte and macrophage responses that have been implicated are mediated by a number of different cellular pathways and are elicited not only by antigens and allogeneic cells but also by other stimuli such as immune complexes and the lipid A moiety of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) . The latter response has been implicated in the pathogenesis of the disseminated intravascular coagulation associated with bacterial infection . In the rapid collaborative cellular pathway response to LPS, we have described a relatively rigorous requirement for T helper cells in induction of the biosynthesis of tissue factor and Factor VII by monocytes . To elucidate potential regulatory aspects of this cellular procoagulant response, we provide the first evidence for the existence of T suppressor cells for the cellular procoagulant response to LPS by the rapid T cell-instructed pathway . Human peripheral blood lymphocytes were separated by cytoaffinity into Fc gamma-positive and Fc mu-positive cells and were characterized for their functional properties in the procoagulant response . T mu cells mediated the monocyte response, consistent with their identity with instructor cells . T gamma cells suppressed the response of monocytes to LPS in the presence of T mu cells, suggesting that they possess suppressor function for this response . The T gamma suppressor cells required stimulation by LPS to express their suppressor function and they exerted their suppressive effect directly on the monocyte . The existence and participation of LPS-responsive T suppressor cells on the cellular procoagulant response in vitro add a new dimension to the complexity of the rapid pathway of the collaborative cellular procoagulant response and may be important in the pathogenesis of disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 1985 Aug, 9(4), 303 - 17
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method for the simultaneous measurement of antibody titer to multiple viral, bacterial or protein antigens; Snyder DB et al.; A model enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system was developed which permits the user to evaluate replicate single sera dilutions of 46 test and control serum samples for the presence of specific antibody against up to eight different antigens in one assay . The system makes use of a transplanting device for the simultaneous transfer of aliquots of independently diluted replicate test samples along with conjugate and substrate from a serum reservoir plate or from a reagent reservoir onto different antigen coated target plates . Kinetically read, raw absorbance data from tests are transmitted to a microcomputer, where absorbance values from all tests are quickly reduced to predicted titer levels by computer analysis . All titer computations involve the use of a single prescribed standard curve for predicting antibody titer against the different antigens . Between assay repeatability of this procedure is high and its potential for replacing a number of different conventional assays for epidemiological studies has been evaluated.

Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1985 Jul 20, 115(29), 1014 - 5
{Quantitative and qualitative determination of the bacterial colonization of the rat jejunum following long-term feeding with an elemental diet}; Menge H et al.; Elemental diets are increasingly used in the treatment of enteral diseases, but only limited studies have been hitherto carried out to clarify their actions on the intestinal flora . Therefore, the jejunal flora was assessed in rats fed an elemental diet or standard pellet food over a period of 60 days . In both sets of animals similar numbers of colony-forming bacteria per ml intestinal content of the aerobic and anaerobic flora were found . In addition, the individual genera did not exhibit significant differences in control and experimental animals . Thus, long-term feeding with an elemental diet does not influence the jejunal flora of rats.

Biochemistry, 1985 Jul 16, 24(15), 3942 - 7
Bacterial luciferase: demonstration of a catalytically competent altered conformational state following a single turnover; AbouKhair NK et al.; Ziegler-Nicoli et al . {Ziegler-Nicoli, M., Meighen, E . A., & Hastings, J . W . (1974) J . Biol . Chem . 249, 2385-2392} reported that a highly reactive cysteinyl residue on the alpha subunit of bacterial luciferase resides in or near the flavin binding site such that the enzyme-flavin complex is protected from inactivation by alkylating reagents . These authors also observed that injection of reduced flavin mononucleotide (FMNH2) into an air-equilibrated solution of enzyme protected the enzyme from alkylation for much longer than the lifetime of the 4a-peroxydihydroflavin intermediate resulting from reaction of enzyme-bound FMNH2 with O2 . Two related explanations were offered: either the product flavin mononucleotide dissociated from the enzyme much more slowly following a catalytic cycle than would be predicted from the Kd measured by equilibrium binding or the enzyme itself, without bound flavin, was in an altered conformational state in which the thiol was less reactive following a catalytic cycle . Either explanation involves a slow return of the enzyme to its initial state following a catalytic cycle . We have investigated this phenomenon in more detail and found that rapid removal of the flavin from the enzyme by chromatography following catalytic turnover did not return the enzyme to its original state of susceptibility to either alkylating reagents or proteolytic enzymes . The flavin-free enzyme returned to the susceptible conformation with a half-time of ca . 25 min at 0 degree C . Inactivation of the enzyme at intermediate times of relaxation by either a proteolytic enzyme or an alkylating reagent showed biphasic kinetics, indicative of a mixture of the protected and susceptible forms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biochimie, 1985 Jul-Aug, 67(7-8), 835 - 9
Oligonucleotide probes for bacterial acylcarrier protein genes; Hale RS et al.; Using a recently-introduced rapid manual method, we have synthesized a family of thirty six individual oligonucleotides of unique sequence (18-mers), which correspond to the conserved amino acid sequence, GADSLD, found at the 4'-phosphopantetheine-binding site of the acylcarrier component of bacterial and plant fatty acid synthases . Hybridisation of each of these oligonucleotides to Southern blots of restricted Streptomyces erythreus DNA under stringent conditions showed that (i) only two probes hybridised specifically, (ii) neither probe hybridised to more than one sequence, and (iii) each probe apparently recognised a different DNA sequence . In the same synthesis, ninety-two other oligonucleotides (15-18-mers) were also constructed, mostly in yields of 2-10%.

Farmakol Toksikol, 1985 Jul-Aug, 48(4), 96 - 9
{Increased hepatocyte resistance to CC14 following the stimulation of rats with a bacterial polysaccharide}; Voronin AIu et al.; It has been established in male Wistar rats that the uptake capacity of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) increased 5-fold 1, 3 and 7 days after prodigiozan administration (50 micrograms) . This was linked with the increased hepatocyte resistance to CCl4 which reached a maximum 7 and 21 days after RES stimulation . As compared with non-stimulated animals, the resistance increase looked as a 2.7- and 3.5-fold shrinkage of the necrotic zones in the central parts of liver lobules 24 h after CCl4 poisoning and less increment of alanine aminotransferase activity in blood serum (3.5- and 3.3-fold decrease, respectively) . The increased resistance continued being recordable throughout a month after prodigiozan treatment.

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 1985 Jul-Aug, 94(4 Pt 1), 398 - 402
Bacterial and polymorphonuclear leukocyte contribution to middle ear inflammation in chronic otitis media with effusion; Giebink GS et al.; Bacteria can be cultured from approximately one third of chronic middle ear effusions, yet the contribution of these bacteria to the pathogenesis of chronic otitis media with effusion (OME) is not clear due to the absence of signs and symptoms of acute infection in most children with this disease . To explore the role of bacteria in chronic OME, lysozyme, lactoferrin, serum complement factors C3 and C5a, and polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) chemotaxin content was measured in 21 chronic middle ear effusion samples . Concentrations of lysozyme, lactoferrin, and chemotaxin were significantly higher in culture-positive than in sterile effusions . Lysozyme appeared to be contributed by both PMNL and non-PMNL sources in the middle ear space . These non-PMNL sources, presumably middle ear epithelial cells, accounted for 50% to 80% of the lysozyme variation in middle ear effusion . Although C3 and C5a were present in effusion, chemotaxin content correlated poorly with the C3 and C5a content, suggesting that chemotaxins were derived from bacterial peptides rather than from complement activation products . These results suggest that bacteria contribute to chronic middle ear inflammation with effusion . The eradication of bacteria from chronic middle ear effusion might disrupt the host responses which maintain chronic OME.

J Appl Bacteriol, 1985 Jul, 59(1), 23 - 8
Contamination and bacterial retention capacity of beef carcasses at the abattoir; Kriaa H et al.; The contamination of beef carcasses was studied together with the capacity of meat surfaces to retain bacteria along the processing line in the slaughter hall . The results showed that the contamination varied along the processing line, but that this pattern was essentially dependent on the contamination at the dressing station . It decreased or remained unchanged during the first 12 min and then increased, even without additional contamination . The contamination varied according to carcasses and micro-organisms studied and was not greatly affected by spray cleaning . The number of bacteria retained changed at a rate similar to that of the contaminants . The attachment was instantaneous . The results are discussed and compared with the various hypotheses about contamination and bacterial attachment processes.

J Heart Transplant, 1985 Jul-Aug, 4(4), 390 - 4
Cytoimmunological monitoring in acute rejection and viral, bacterial or fungal infection following transplantation; Ertel W et al.; This study assessed the ability of immunomonitoring to differentiate between acute cardiac rejection and viral, bacterial or fungal infections, using data of thirty-five cyclosporine treated heart and heart-lung transplant recipients . Peripheral blood samples were analyzed daily for 20 days, then three times weekly until the patient's discharge . Later, peripheral blood was examined every fourteen days on an outpatient basis . White blood cells were counted and differentiated . A mononuclear concentrate was obtained by the Ficoll-Hypaque gradient and centrifugation method, and cytocentrifuged onto slides . The cells were stained by a five minute method . Percentages of lymphocytes, prelymphoblasts, lymphoblasts, large granular lymphocytes and monocytes were calculated . When activated cells were detected, aliquots of the mononuclear concentrate were labeled using monoclonal antibodies . In these thirty-five patients, more than 60 acute rejection episodes were diagnosed by the cytoimmunological method . Acute rejection was characterized by a significant rise of the number of leukocytes, lymphocytes, prelymphoblasts and lymphoblasts . The T-lymphocyte population increased while the B-cells remained normal . Ninety-five percent of all acute rejection episodes were diagnosed using cytoimmunological parameters . During viral infection more than 20% of the mononuclear cells were large granular lymphocytes and the OKT4/OKT8 ratio was less than one . During bacterial and fungal infections the B-lymphocytes increased to 40% of the mononuclear cells . In addition, juvenile polymorphs appeared in the mononuclear concentrate and the OKT4/OKT8 ratio was within normal limits (1.5 to 2.5).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract, 1985 Jul, 1(2), 367 - 76
Mechanisms of bacterial injury; Corbeil LB et al.; Bacterial injury in bovine pneumonia may result from bacterial release of exotoxins or from complex interactions between bacterial products such as LPS, proteases, or antigens and host responses . The latter interactions usually result in both protection and tissue damage . The balance between degree of protective functions and injurious functions will determine whether the response is primarily beneficial or damaging to the host.

Am J Vet Res, 1985 Jul, 46(7), 1568 - 72
Stimulation and killing of bovine mononuclear leukocytes by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin); Banks KL et al.; Bovine adherent mononuclear leukocytes were incubated with bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in vitro, and these cells produced a factor that increased the blastogenic reaction of mouse thymocytes to concanavalin A . This factor most resembles interleukin 1 . The LPS were also cytotoxic for bovine adherent mononuclear leukocytes in a dose-and time-dependent manner . Cytotoxicosis was determined by the release of cytoplasmic lactic dehydrogenase . This cytotoxicosis was blocked by treating the cells with corticosteroids . Variation in the reaction to LPS occurred in cells collected from the same cow on different days and from cells collected from different cows.

Ophthalmology, 1985 Jul, 92(7), 959 - 63
Complications of surgery in glaucoma . Early and late bacterial endophthalmitis following glaucoma filtering surgery; Katz LJ et al.; One case of "early" post-trabeculectomy endophthalmitis and five eyes with "late" endophthalmitis three to nine years after glaucoma filtration surgery are presented . Differentiation of early versus late endophthalmitis is based on the time of onset and pathogenesis . Retrospective analysis of 1100 consecutive trabeculectomies revealed an incidence of less than 0.1% for early and 0.2% for late endophthalmitis . Medical and surgical approaches are discussed . The presumed importance of identifying posterior extension into the vitreous and performing a therapeutic vitrectomy is emphasized.

Radiobiologiia, 1985 Jul-Aug, 25(4), 457 - 61
{Effect of bacterial DNA gyrase inhibitors on the radiosensitivity of thymocytes and on the utilization of exogenous adenine in these cells}; Kuznetsova EV et al.; It was established that the postirradiation changes in incorporation of 14C-adenine into acid-soluble and acid-insoluble fractions of thymocytes reflected cell death . When added after irradiation, nalidixic and oxolinic acids exerted a radioprotective action . The effect was absent after single washing of thymocytes incubated with these compounds for 60 min before or after irradiation . Both substances inhibited utilization of 14C-adenine and incorporation thereof into the acid-insoluble fraction of nonirradiated thymocytes and did not influence the viability of cells.

Lancet, 1985 Jun 29, 1(8444), 1472 - 4
Live attenuated bacterial vaccines: new approaches for safety and efficacy; Hooke AM et al.; Problems arising from reversion to virulence in genetically attenuated bacterial vaccines can be overcome by the combination, in one strain, of multiple temperature-sensitive mutations of identical phenotype . Immunogenicity of attenuated strains may be enhanced by incorporation of mutations which permit limited replication in the vaccinee (thereby increasing antigen mass while minimising the possibility of vaccine reactions) and the expression of genes coding for antigens which are synthesised only during infection of the host.

Thromb Haemost, 1985 Jun 24, 53(3), 323 - 7
Variation in activities of non-plasmin fibrinolytic proteinase and plasminogen-activator in the lung and spleen induced by bacterial endotoxin in rats with special reference to the effects of MD-805; Okamoto U et al.; The behavior of direct fibrinolytic (non-plasmin) proteinase activity and plasminogen-activator activity in the lung and spleen was investigated in rats after a single intravenous injection of bacterial endotoxin, and the influence of thrombin inhibitors on the effects of the endotoxin was assessed . The non-plasmin fibrinolytic activity was markedly increased following a decrease of plasminogen-activator in the lung . In addition, variations in hematological parameters, i.e . a decrease of platelet count, fibrinogen level and antithrombin III, and an increase of blood urea nitrogen and euglobulin fibrinolytic activity, were induced by the injection, indicating the occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation . In comparative studies on the effects of the endotoxin injection and thrombin infusion, in the lung and spleen an increase of fibrinolytic proteinase activity was induced in a similar manner; the plasminogen-activator activity in the lung was decreased by the endotoxin injection but not decreased by the thrombin infusion . In prevention studies with heparin and MD-805, the latter was found to prevent the decrease of either fibrinogen or platelet count . However, the former failed to prevent the decrease of platelet count although that of the fibrinogen level was prevented . Heparin and MD-805 exerted no preventive effect on the endotoxin-induced variations of proteinase activity and plasminogen-activator activity in the lung.

Med J Aust, 1985 Jun 10, 142(12), 629 - 31
Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis associated with malignant disease: a clinicopathological study of 16 cases; Ojeda VJ et al.; Among 2627 necropsies performed in the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, over a period of 11 years, 16 cases of non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) were found in patients with cancer (13 adenocarcinomas) . The final stay in hospital of seven of these patients was complicated by a major embolic cerebral (six patients), or spinal cord (one patient), stroke . In all cases, the diagnosis of NBTE was made at necropsy . The aortic valve was affected in 10 patients, the mitral valve in five, and both the mitral and tricuspid valves in one . The diagnosis of NBTE should be considered in any patient with a known, or suspected, malignant neoplasm who suffers a stroke or other unexplained embolic events.

JAMA, 1985 Jun 7, 253(21), 3141 - 3
Survival of bacterial enteropathogens in the ice of popular drinks; Dickens DL et al.; We examined the survival of four bacterial enteropathogens frozen in ice and subsequently allowed to melt in various popular drinks . The counts of all the organisms were markedly lowered by freezing alone, and the numbers were further decreased by exposure to some of the drinks . Nevertheless, none of the organisms were completely eliminated as a result of freezing for 24 hours followed by melting in any of the test drinks, even when the drink was 86-proof tequila.

Chemioterapia, 1985 Jun, 4(3), 214 - 7
Assessing modifications of the intestinal bacterial flora in patients on long-term oral treatment with bacampicillin or amoxicillin: a random study; Gipponi M et al.; The authors conducted a randomized trial on 16 patients to evaluate intestinal aerobic microfloral changes after prolonged oral treatment with bacampicillin (b.) (16 g/die) or amoxicillin (a.) (2 g/die) . The analysis showed a quantitative reduction of isolates in 6 patients: 2 patients were treated with b . while 4 with a . (Odd ratio, O.R . = 3) . Mean values of CFU presented as well a more evident reduction in a.-treated patients . From the qualitative point of view, bacteria modifications occurred in one patient treated with b . and 3 with a, (O.R . = 4.2) . Bacterial changes, although not statistically significant, were thus greater in patients treated with a . than b.

J S Afr Vet Assoc, 1985 Jun, 56(2), 99 - 100
Guidelines for bacterial counts on carcases at Cato Ridge abattoir; Selmer-Olsen A; The agar sausage technique was used to make an assessment of the surface aerobic bacterial levels of refrigerated beef, mutton and pork carcases at Cato Ridge abattoir by taking agar imprints from selected sites on the surfaces of carcases . It was shown that half of the 297 beef carcases examined had less than 200 aerobes cm-2, half of the 298 mutton carcases less than 250 aerobes cm-2 and half the 299 pork carcases less than 134 aerobes cm-2 . These counts are utilised as guidelines to identify breakdowns in hygiene at the abattoir.

J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1985 Jun 1, 186(11), 1195 - 7
Immunodeficiency manifested by oral candidiasis and bacterial septicemia in foals; McClure JJ et al.; Oral candidiasis and bacterial septicemia were diagnosed in 8 foals that had laboratory and/or pathologic evidence of immunodeficiency . Two foals suffered solely from complete failure of passive transfer of colostal immunoglobulins . Six foals had evidence of immune defects but did not meet the criteria for diagnosis of any of the currently recognized primary equine immunodeficiency syndromes . All six of these foals died or were euthanatized due to bacterial infections . One foal with failure of passive transfer recovered and the other died of a mesenteric torsion before the effect of treatment could be evaluated.

Mutat Res, 1985 Jun-Jul, 150(1-2), 133 - 9
The two-step model of bacterial UV mutagenesis; Bridges BA et al.; Recent results are discussed which have led to a two-step model for UV mutagenesis in excision-deficient Escherichia coli . After exposure to UV, the replication fork is assumed to continue until immediately before certain photoproducts where it stops and leaves a gap which cannot be dealt with by recombination repair . In the first (misincorporation) step, bases (a proportion of which are 'wrong') are postulated to be inserted opposite the photoproduct under the direct influence of the recA gene product . These misincorporated bases can be revealed as mutations by delayed photoreversal in umuD,C and lexA (ind-) bacteria . Their level is determined by the particular allele of recA that is present (recA441 greater than recA+ greater than recA430) and their rate of formation by the amount of recA protein in the cell and the degree of enrichment of the medium . No other protein needs to be synthesized for this step to occur . The second (bypass) step requires induced levels of the products of the umuD and C genes which are postulated to facilitate continued DNA synthesis on the priming end opposite the photoproduct . In principle, further errors could be made at this stage which might appear as 'hitch-hiking' rather than 'targeted' mutations.

Vaccine, 1985 Jun, 3(2), 94 - 102
Bacterial toxin vaccines; Dorner F et al.; A rebirth of interest and activity in vaccine development has occurred in recent years which is probably due to the persistence of threat to health by infectious diseases, as well as technological advances which have made possible new approaches to solve old problems . Most work being done today with vaccine development against diseases caused entirely or in part by bacterial toxins falls into the categories of, attenuated organisms (whether by classical means or application of newly developed genetic technologies), and/or toxin subunits (derived by genetic manipulations, peptide synthesis, or chemical modification of toxins) . This review discusses some of these new approaches in general as well as specific examples of their application to several bacterial diseases whose pathologies involve toxins.

Mutat Res, 1985 Jun, 147(3), 65 - 78
The SOS Chromotest, a colorimetric bacterial assay for genotoxins: procedures; Quillardet P et al.; The SOS Chromotest is a quantitative bacterial colorimetric assay for genotoxins . Substantial validation is now available (Quillardet et al., 1985) . We describe here in detail the tester strain as well as the effects of the variation of some parameters on the assay . We report a simple spot-test procedure as well as a new standard procedure which incorporate recent technical improvements aimed at simplifying the assay further.

J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Jun, 131 ( Pt 6), 1357 - 67
Sources of conductance changes during bacterial reduction of trimethylamine oxide to trimethylammonium in phosphate buffer; Owens JD et al.; The sources of conductance changes during reduction of trimethylamine oxide to trimethylamine by Escherichia coli with formate as electron donor and in the presence of phosphate buffer were investigated . Theoretical considerations and experimental results suggest that the major source of conductance change is the conversion of dihydrogen phosphate to hydrogen phosphate . This transformation contributes almost twice as much to the total conductance change as does the conversion of uncharged trimethylamine oxide to charged trimethylammonium.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {C}, 1985 Jun, 93(3), 117 - 23
Performance testing of antigen-coated polystyrene microplates for ELISA measurements of serum antibodies to bacterial and dietary antigens; Scott H et al.; The adsorption of dietary antigens to polystyrene microplates was influenced by pH . Coating for 5 h at 37 degrees C followed by at least 18 h at 4 degrees C gave the best result with the six dietary and nine bacterial antigens tested in this study . Unwanted background activity was mainly caused by direct binding of human immunoglobulin in the second layer . This problem was mainly observed with coats based on antigens with relatively poor binding activity and could be reduced to an acceptable level by addition of 0.5% bovine serum albumin in the diluents . Microplates from various manufacturers showed large differences in antigen adsorbing properties and there were considerable variations among batches . Careful performance testing of microplates and selection of appropriate batches are therefore necessary.

Am J Med Sci, 1985 Jun, 289(6), 243 - 8
Review: pathophysiology of diarrhea caused by bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine; Mathias JR et al.; The bacterial overgrowth syndrome constitutes an intestinal problem involving alterations in motility and injury to the brush border and mucosa . The overgrowth of bacteria also causes secretion, malabsorption, and maldigestion . These alterations result in a clinical syndrome that manifests itself as weight loss, malabsorption of specific nutrients, and (usually) diarrhea . There are known causes of bacterial overgrowth, such as intestinal diverticuli or surgical procedures involving a vagotomy, but in our experience most cases remain idiopathic . This review evaluates the mechanisms of bacterial overgrowth, as currently understood, and specifically addresses the known causes of diarrhea that results from bacterial contamination of the small intestine.

Mutat Res, 1985 Jun, 156(3), 153 - 61
Mutagenic characteristics of formaldehyde on bacterial systems; Takahashi K et al.; The mutagenic characteristics of formaldehyde on bacteria were examined . All the tester strains of Escherichia coli deficient in DNA-repair enzymes tested in the present study were significantly more sensitive to the killing effect of formaldehyde than the corresponding wild-type strain . Among the E . coli B strains, H/r30R (wild-type) and Hs30R (uvrA) were mutable, whereas NG30 (recA) and O16 (polA) were not . There is no appreciable difference in mutation frequency of E . coli B between the wild-type and the uvrA strains in a dose range below 4 mM . However, the mutation frequency of the wild-type strain started to decrease in a higher concentration range, whereas that of the uvrA strain continued to increase linearly . This was confirmed with the E . coli B/r tester strains . The decrease in mutation frequency may be produced by prolongation of the lag period before entering the S-phase so as to give the cells a greater chance for DNA repair through the excision mechanism . In fact, it was evidenced that formaldehyde retarded to a remarkable extent the initiation of DNA synthesis of the cells at the higher dose range used for mutation assay . Some discrepancies found between the results obtained in this study and those previously reported by Nishioka (1973) were pointed out.

Mutat Res, 1985 Jun-Jul, 150(1-2), 119 - 25
Mutascreen, an automated bacterial mutagenicity assay; Falck K et al.; Mutascreen is an automated instrument for bacterial mutagenicity testing . The biological principles of the Mutascreen assay are the same as those of the bacterial reverse-mutation assays, like the Ames test, but several operational principles are different . The Mutascreen assay takes place in wells containing only 400 microliter of liquid medium . Also, the dispensing of the liquid medium, the bacterial tester strains, the metabolic activation system (S9), and the test solutions is all performed by a computer-controlled robot according to the user's preprogrammed instructions . The turbidity in up to 200 wells is monitored intermittently over a 24-h period by a vertical-pathway photometer, thereby avoiding measurement problems caused by sedimentation . The data for the resulting growth curves is stored for analysis . The auxotrophic growth pattern is altered characteristically by test solutions that are toxic or contain endogenous growth factor(s), while prototrophic growth is observed earlier in the 24-h period when revertants have been induced by the test solution . To compare the Mutascreen assay with the conventional plate assay, 36 chemicals including known carcinogens and noncarcinogens were tested . Both assays identified the same chemicals as mutagens and gave quantitatively similar results, thus testifying to the potential usefulness of automated bacterial mutagenicity testing.

Mutat Res, 1985 Jun, 147(3), 79 - 95
The SOS Chromotest, a colorimetric bacterial assay for genotoxins: validation study with 83 compounds; Quillardet P et al.; The SOS Chromotest is a simple bacterial colorimetric assay for genotoxicity . It is based on the measure of the induction of sfiA, a gene controlled by the general repressor of the SOS system in E . coli . Expression of sfiA is monitored by means of a gene fusion with lacZ, the structural gene for beta-galactosidase . We have examined 83 compounds of various chemical classes with the SOS Chromotest using a standard procedure . Comparison of the results with those obtained in the Mutatest (the Ames test) showed that most (90%) of the mutagenic compounds were also SOS inducers . For these compounds a quantitative correlation was observed between the mutagenic potency and the SOS-inducing potency (SOSIP) . The case of the 10% remaining compounds giving conflicting results in the two tests is discussed . Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for carcinogenicity prediction have been evaluated for the SOS Chromotest and the Mutatest using 73 chemicals for which carcinogenicity data were available . In spite of some differences, similar results were obtained in the two tests . The present data indicate that the SOS Chromotest has many practical advantages and may be used as a primary screening tool or as part of a battery of short-term tests for carcinogens.

J Surg Res, 1985 Jun, 38(6), 606 - 12
A burn induced Ly-2 suppressor T cell lowers resistance to bacterial infection; Kupper TS et al.; Suppressor T cell activity after major burn injury in a murine model has been well characterized . Suppressor cells have also been demonstrated in patients after major burn, and suppressor cell activity has been temporally correlated with septic episodes . A splenic Ly-2 T suppressor effector (Tse) cell appearing 7 days after a 30% full thickness burn has been identified in a murine model . A rat monoclonal antibody (14-8c3-12) directed against a factor produced by the Tse cell (Tsef) can enhance depressed in vitro mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) responses of Day 7 burn spleen cells without enhancing control spleen cell activity . Additionally, 14-8c3-12 can block the suppressive effect of these burn T cells on normal T cells . A cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model using a 25-gauge needle (LD15) was used to assess the contribution of burn T cells to post-CLP mortality . Normal spleen cells injected into syngeneic recipients followed by CLP did not affect mortality (13%) . Burn spleen cells injected into normal recipients enhanced mortality sixfold (90%) after CLP . The effect could be reversed by removing Ly-2 T cells (30% mortality) but not Ly-1 T cells (100% mortality) prior to cell transfer . Simultaneous injection of 14-8c3-12 antibody with burn T cells reduced mortality after CLP significantly (20%) . Injection of 14-8c3-12 did not improve survival after CLP in control animals not injected with burn T cells (20%) . Ly-2 T suppressor effector cells found in the spleens of mice 7 days postburn enhance the lethality of a purely bacterial septic challenge . A monoclonal antibody to the Tsef can reverse this effect in vivo.

J Hyg (Lond), 1985 Jun, 94(3), 263 - 8
A study of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, serogroup 0126, by bacterial restriction endonuclease DNA analysis (BRENDA); Marshall RB et al.; Sixteen isolates of Escherichia coli were subjected to bacterial restriction endonuclease DNA analysis (BRENDA) . Nine of these isolates were from an outbreak of human diarrhoea and produced stable toxin, the remaining seven were non-toxigenic strains from animal and human sources . The isolates from the outbreak produced indistinguishable DNA electrophoretic patterns in spite of their assignment to seven different H serotypes . Their BRENDA patterns were markedly different from the other isolates examined . These results support the epidemiological evidence that a single-strain outbreak had occurred, and they cast doubt on the value of H typing for this particular investigation.

Infect Immun, 1985 Jun, 48(3), 813 - 7
Bacterial lipopolysaccharide induction of leukocyte-derived corticotropin and endorphins; Harbour-McMenamin D et al.; Previous reports have shown that there is an endogenous opioid component associated with pathophysiological responses to endotoxin . It has been shown that these responses are alleviated by naloxone, a specific opiate antagonist . Results of another study have indicated that leukocytes may mediate some of those responses since leukocyte depletion alleviated the effects of lipopolysaccharide . In view of the above reports as well as the finding that leukocytes produce immunoreactive (ir-) endorphins and corticotropin (ACTH) when stimulated with Newcastle disease virus or ACTH-releasing factor, we postulated that leukocytes may serve as an extrapituitary source of endorphins produced in response to bacterial endotoxin . To test this hypothesis, human peripheral blood leukocytes as well as mouse spleen cells were cultured in vitro with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide for 48 h . The lipopolysaccharide (i.e., endotoxin) was shown to induce de novo synthesis of ir-ACTH and ir-endorphins . The leukocyte-derived ir-ACTH had a molecular weight of approximately 2,900 and demonstrated a bioactivity similar to that of pituitary-derived ACTH . The lymphocyte-derived ir-endorphin comigrated with alpha- and gamma-endorphin at approximately 1,800 daltons and was shown to bind to brain opiate receptors . These findings imply that leukocyte-derived endorphins may be involved in the pathophysiological response to endotoxin.

J Immunol, 1985 Jun, 134(6), 3718 - 21
Bacterial endotoxin selectively prevents the expression of scavenger-receptor activity on human monocyte-macrophages; Van Lenten BJ et al.; Concentrations of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as low as 1 ng/ml suppressed the activity of the scavenger receptor on cultured human monocyte-macrophages . In contrast, concentrations of LPS as high as 100 ng/ml had no effect on the activity of the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor . LPS and purified forms of the lipid A moiety of LPS were effective in suppressing scavenger receptor activity . However, acid hydrolysis of the labile phosphate group of the native diphosphorylated lipid A to form monophosphoryl lipid A rendered the molecule ineffective in suppressing scavenger receptor activity . LPS at a concentration of 100 ng/ml had no effect on the secretion of apolipoprotein E, phagocytic activity, tumoricidal activity, or the protein content of monocyte-macrophages . We conclude that the active component of LPS that mediates suppression of scavenger receptor activity is diphosphoryl lipid A.

N Z Med J, 1985 May 22, 98(779), 387 - 9
Treatment of bacterial cystitis with a single dose of trimethoprim, co-trimoxazole or amoxycillin compared with a course of trimethoprim; Bailey RR et al.; A single dose of trimethoprim, co-trimoxazole or amoxycillin was compared with a five-day course of trimethoprim for the treatment of bacterial cystitis in general practice . The respective cure rates were 80%, 80%, 65% and 86% . These differences were not statistically significant . Side effects were minimal . Single dose therapy is recommended as the treatment of choice for bacterial cystitis in domiciliary practice.

Anal Biochem, 1985 May 15, 147(1), 194 - 6
Isocitrate dehydrogenase assays on intact bacterial cells; Pearce LG et al.; A qualitative assay which can be adapted to screen large numbers of Escherichia coli colonies for the presence of soluble enzymes is described . In a test of the system using a new, especially sensitive assay for isocitrate dehydrogenase activity, colonies producing the enzyme could be correctly identified at the 70% level after 2 h of incubation and at the 100% level after 8 h of incubation . The completed reactions are stable for several days at room temperature.

Clin Chim Acta, 1985 May 15, 148(1), 31 - 7
CSF alpha 2-macroglobulin and C-reactive protein as aids to rapid diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis; Virji MA et al.; alpha 2-Macroglobulin (AMG) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with bacterial and aseptic meningitis have been analyzed by a rate nephelometric method to determine if these acute phase proteins can aid in differentiation of bacterial from aseptic meningitis . The mean CSF concentrations of AMG and CRP were 15 and 3.5 times greater, respectively, in the bacterial compared to the aseptic meningitis group . Also, the range of AMG levels showed minimal overlap between the two groups . The elevated levels of the proteins persisted after CSF cultures became negative . Quantitation of specific acute phase proteins in CSF may assist the differentiation of bacterial from aseptic meningitis.

J Biol Chem, 1985 May 10, 260(9), 5698 - 705
The irreversible binding of azacytosine-containing DNA fragments to bacterial DNA(cytosine-5)methyltransferases; Friedman S; DNA containing 5-azacytosine is an irreversible inhibitor of DNA(cytosine-5)methyltransferase . This paper describes the binding of DNA methyltransferase to 32P-labeled fragments of DNA containing 5-azacytosine . The complexes were identified by gel electrophoresis . The EcoRII methyltransferase specified by the R15 plasmid was purified from Escherichia coli B(R15) . This enzyme methylates the second C in the sequence CCAGG and has a molecular mass of 60,000 Da . Specific binding of enzyme to DNA fragments could be detected if either excess unlabeled DNA or 0.8% sodium dodecyl sulfate was added to the reaction mixture prior to electrophoresis . Binding was dependent upon the presence of both the CCAGG sequence and azacytosine in the DNA fragment . S-Adenosylmethionine stimulated the formation of the complex . The complex was stable to 6 M urea but could be digested with pronase . These DNA fragments could be used to detect the presence of several different methyltransferases in crude extracts of E . coli . No DNA protein complexes could be detected in E . coli B extracts, a strain that contains no DNA(cytosine-5)methyltransferases . The chromosomally determined methylase with the same specificity as the purified EcoRII methylase could be detected in crude extracts of E . coli K12 strains . The MspI methylase cloned in E . coli HB101 could also be detected in crude extracts . These enzymes are the only proteins that bind azacytosine-containing DNA in crude extracts of E . coli.

Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol, 1985 May, 21(5), 557 - 62
C-reactive protein for detection and follow-up of bacterial and fungal infections in severely neutropenic patients with acute leukaemia; Timonen TT et al.; To evaluate the aetiology of febrile episodes and to rationalize our politics with antibiotics, C-reactive protein (CRP) was determined immunoturbidimetrically in 20 consecutive neutropenic adults with acute leukemia . They had 35 febrile episodes, 89% of which were infectious . Twenty per cent of infections were fungal . A similar CRP response was seen both in bacterial and in fungal infections . In 84% of infections the peak value for CRP rose greater than 100 mg/l . Thirty-five apyrexial patients with acute leukaemic and 20 healthy adults served as controls . Their CRP was less than 10 mg/l in 87% . CRP proved most valuable in the follow-up of infections, in the detection of infectious complications and in the detection of possible invasive fungal infections . Although relapse itself did not effect on CRP levels, extramedullary bone infiltration in two of our patients resulted in increased CRP production, which normalized with cytostatics only.

Arch Microbiol, 1985 May, 141(4), 290 - 6
Membrane adhesion in photosynthetic bacterial membranes . Light harvesting complex I (LHI) appears to be the main adhesion factor; Varga AR et al.; We have reconstituted pigment-protein complexes isolated from Rhodopseudomonas palustris photosynthetic membranes into phospholipid liposomes . The various complexes were tested for their ability to promote adhesion of the liposome membrane in the presence and absence of Mg2+ ions . Samples containing a reaction center (RC)/light-harvesting I (LHI) complex appeared to stack in a manner resembling control thylakoids in 2 and 5 mM Mg2+ . We also tested for the effects of Mg2+ on detergent extractability of pigment-protein complexes from intact membranes . Mg2+ sharply reduced the amount of LHI solubilized from membranes, while having little effect on the extractability of the light harvesting II complex (LHII) and the RC . Based on these results we suggest that LHI is the principal adhesion factor of R . palustris thylakoids.

South Med J, 1985 May, 78(5), 573 - 9
Recurrent bacterial pneumonia: a contemporary perspective; Roth RM et al.; Numerous clinical disorders predispose to "recurrent bacterial pneumonia." Identification and treatment of some of these predisposing conditions will reduce associated morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditures . In young adults these disorders include cystic fibrosis, the immotile-cilia syndrome, Young's syndrome, pulmonary sequestration, and bronchiectasis . Disorders enhancing recurrent bacterial pneumonia in older adults include chronic obstructive lung disease, bronchial obstruction, specific malignancies, hypogammaglobulinemia, alcoholism, neurologic diseases, and esophageal abnormalities.

J Urol, 1985 May, 133(5), 752 - 7
Acute focal bacterial nephritis: a systematic approach to diagnosis and treatment; Zaontz MR et al.; Acute focal bacterial nephritis, synonymous with acute lobar nephronia or focal nonliquefactive pyelonephritis, represents a localized area of renal inflammation . Clinically, acute focal bacterial nephritis presents as acute pyelonephritis but is distinguishable by the presence of a focal mass on excretory urography . The further distinction between acute focal bacterial nephritis and other renal masses is aided by the appropriate use of renal sonography and computerized tomography . The clinical and imaging manifestations in 9 patients with acute focal bacterial nephritis are described . Our experience coupled with a review of the literature suggests that a systematic approach to the diagnosis and management of acute focal bacterial nephritis allows for the most efficacious use of the noninvasive imaging modalities.

Infect Control, 1985 May, 6(5), 186 - 8
Influence of chlorhexidine in ethanol and in isopropanol on the bacterial colonization of the umbilicus of newborns; Nystrom B et al.; The effect of daily treatment with 0.5% chlorhexidine in 70% ethanol and in 70% isopropanol, respectively, on navel colonization and on rates of infection in newborns has been studied in 438 infants in two maternity wards during a 3-month period . In spite of isopropanol being reported as a more efficient skin disinfectant than ethanol in several experimental models, no significant differences were seen in the frequency of navel colonization or in infection rates between the two treatment groups . The colonization rate with S . aureus was lower in this than in an earlier investigation on navel disinfection with chlorhexidine in ethanol performed in the same wards . This may reflect a progressive effectiveness of the treatment due to fewer S . aureus sources in the nursery . For practical reasons we continue to recommend daily navel disinfection with 0.5% chlorhexidine in 70% ethanol on healthy newborns in hospital nurseries.

J Immunol, 1985 May, 134(5), 3075 - 81
Immunologic studies with LFA-1- and Mo1-deficient lymphocytes from a patient with recurrent bacterial infections; Miedema F et al.; A patient and his parents, deficient for lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) and Mo1 (OKM1), were studied with respect to leukocyte surface marker expression and functional properties . The patient had a history of severe recurrent bacterial infections . Two siblings had already died of bacterial infections . The patient's granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes expressed low but detectable amounts (less than or equal to 10%) of LFA-1 and Mo1 . Intracellularly, LFA-1 and Mo1 (OKM1) were detectable and LFA-1 expression was enhanced on patient T cells stimulated with phytohemagglutinin . Granulocytes and monocytes of both the patient's parents expressed markedly decreased amounts of LFA-1 and Mo1 . Lymphocytes of the mother expressed 40 to 60% of the amount of LFA-1 expressed on control lymphocytes, but his father's lymphocytes showed a normal LFA-1 expression . Granulocytes of the patient and of his deceased sister showed normal phagocytosis, but they had a dysfunction in the activation of the oxidative metabolism . Functional activities mediated by patient T cells were all normal . Moreover, all lymphocyte functions, including killer (K), natural killer (NK), cytotoxic T cell activity, helper activity for in vitro immunoglobulin (Ig) production by normal B cells, and PHA-induced proliferation were inhibitable by anti-LFA-1 monoclonal antibodies . K and NK activity mediated by patient leukocytes was 100-fold more sensitive to the inhibiting effect of anti-LFA-1 antibody than K and NK activity of normal donor leukocytes . Thus, although the amount of LFA-1 expressed was strongly reduced, it was still sufficient and required for the functional activity exhibited by patient T cells . The major functional defect observed with leukocytes of the patient and his father was an apparent B cell defect . B cells of the father and of the patient failed to produce Ig in the pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-driven system . The B cells of patient and of his father only produced Ig when cultured with T cells of the father, and not with normal donor T cells or T cells of the mother, in the presence of exogenous interleukin 2 (IL 2) . In addition, the father's B cells produced Ig when cocultivated with patient T cells in the IL 2-driven system . This restriction of helper T cell activity is noteworthy because PWM- and IL 2-driven Ig synthesis by normal lymphocytes show no histocompatibility requirements between cooperating T and non-T cell populations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1985 May, 82(9), 2698 - 702
Cloning of Physarum actin sequences in an exonuclease-deficient bacterial host; Nader WF et al.; A genomic library of Physarum was constructed in the replacement vector EMBL3 . Efficient propagation of the recombinant phages occurred only on the recBC-sbcB- host Escherichia coli CES200, which is deficient in the exonucleases I and V . Thirteen different recombinants with actin-related sequences were detected and 10 were purified from 90,000 plaques (the equivalent of 6 Physarum genomes) on strain CES200 . Comparison of the plating efficiencies of the library and the actin-related isolates suggests that palindromic DNA sequences are responsible for the instability of Physarum DNA in E . coli . In one of these isolates, lambda PpA10, and in a 2.81-kilobase subclone of that isolate in plasmid pBR322, a deletion of 360 base pairs was detected that led to stable propagation of the recombinant DNA molecules in Rec+ E . coli . Electron microscopic analysis of the 2.81-kilobase fragment, after denaturation and self-hybridization, revealed secondary structures consistent with "foldback" structures . Restriction and DNA blot analysis of lambda PpA10 suggest that the unstable DNA segment is in close proximity to, if not part of, the previously defined actin-gene locus ardA.

J Infect Dis, 1985 May, 151(5), 937 - 47
Viral-bacterial pneumonia in calves: effect of bovine herpesvirus-1 on immunologic functions; Bielefeldt Ohmann H et al.; The temporal relation between a lung infection with bovine herpesvirus-1, suppression of some immune functions, and susceptibility to secondary bacterial infection resulting in fibrinous pneumonia prompted a study to determine the mechanism(s) involved in the apparent immunosuppression . In six independent experiments employing from five to 40 calves, we studied the immunologic parameters of migration of and superoxide anion production by polymorphonuclear neutrophils, lectin-induced lymphocyte proliferation, interleukin-2 production, natural cytotoxicity, interferon and antibody formation, as well as complement activation and hematologic parameters . Chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, natural cytotoxicity, and mitogen response of peripheral blood leukocytes were depressed, whereas superoxide anion generation by polymorphonuclear neutrophils was transiently increased and interleukin-2 production was only marginally affected . The assumption that virus-induced interferon might be a common cause for the various changes could not be substantiated . However, the results did suggest that mechanisms other than lack of T helper cell activity, accessory cell activity of macrophages, or development of suppressor T cells were the cause of suppressed mitogen responses . None of the immunologic parameters appeared to have consistent prognostic value with respect to outcome of the infection.

J Biol Chem, 1985 Apr 25, 260(8), 4704 - 12
Bacterial expression and characterization of proteins derived from the chicken calmodulin cDNA and a calmodulin processed gene; Putkey JA et al.; Both normal chicken calmodulin (CaM) and a CaM-like mutant protein have been expressed in bacteria, isolated and evaluated with respect to several physical and biological properties . The mutant CaM is derived from a CaM-like gene that lacks intervening sequences and probably evolved from a CaM-processed gene (Stein, J . P., Munjaal, R . P., Lagace, L., Lai, E . C., O'Malley, B . W., and Means, A . R . (1983) Proc . Natl . Acad . Sci . U . S . A . 80, 6485-6489) . The mutant CaM protein contains 16 of the 19 amino acids encoded by the CaM-like gene . Normal chicken CaM produced in bacteria is identical to rat CaM by all criteria tested except that it is not trimethylated . The protein product of the CaM-like gene has been termed CaML and exhibits properties which are very similar to CaM despite the presence of 16 amino acid substitutions . CaML binds Ca2+ as evidenced by Ca2+-dependent binding to phenothiazine- and phenyl-Sepharose affinity resins and a Ca2+-dependent electrophoretic mobility shift which is similar to but distinct from CaM . CaML cross-reacts with a monospecific CaM antibody and has an immunodilution curve which is identical to bacterially synthesized CaM . Finally, CaML can maximally activate rat brain phosphodiesterase but with altered kinetic parameters as compared to CaM . These data suggest that the nucleotide substitutions in the putative CaM processed gene are not random but are selected to retain CaM-like functions in the encoded protein . Such a mechanism may exist for other processed genes.

Science, 1985 Apr 19, 228(4697), 329 - 32
Construction and recovery of viable retroviral genomes carrying a bacterial suppressor transfer RNA gene; Lobel LI et al.; The integration of retroviral genomes into cellular DNA can induce mutations by altering the expression of nearby cellular genes and can serve to identify the gene affected . The construction of a retrovirus that stably carries a suppressor transfer RNA gene from Escherichia coli has allowed facile recovery of the viral genome in vectors marked with amber mutations . This virus can be used for rapid isolation of cellular sequences at the site of proviral insertion.

Presse Med, 1985 Apr 13, 14(15), 823 - 6
{Prevention of postoperative anaerobic bacterial infections in abdominal surgery with metronidazole suppositories}; Bardeau A et al.; Metronidazole is widely used for the prevention and treatment of post-operative anaerobic infections . In this study, the prophylactic effectiveness of metronidazole suppositories was tested in patients undergoing abdominal surgery . The suppositories had previously been tested in healthy subjects for drug absorption and tolerance . Patients were divided into three treatment groups: one group received the drug intravenously, another as suppositories and the third one by both routes . Clinical effectiveness was evaluated and plasma metronidazole levels were measured . On the basis of the results obtained, we suggest that a 1 g suppository should be administered 8-hourly over the 20 hours preceding surgery, then 12-hourly if preparation of the digestive tract can be inserted between two administrations . In emergency surgery, 1 suppository must be given at least 1 hour before induction, the 12-hourly, and a 500 mg intravenous infusion at the time of induction.

J Immunol Methods, 1985 Apr 8, 78(1), 35 - 47
Rapid microassays of phagocytosis, bacterial killing, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production by human neutrophils in vitro; Rajkovic IA et al.; Simple, rapid microassays for simultaneous measurement of phagocytosis, bacterial killing, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production by human neutrophils in vitro are described . All assays employ 96-well flat bottom tissue culture plates which were incubated on a microtitre plate shaker at 37 degrees C . The separate evaluation of ingestion and intracellular killing of E . coli and S . aureus was based on the incorporation of {3H}uridine into viable extracellular bacteria . There was good correlation between plate counts of viable bacteria and amount of radiolabel incorporation . Phagocytosis and killing can be measured in a maximum of 100 microliter reaction mixture, requiring only 2.5 X 10(5) neutrophils per test and the assay is complete within 60 min . Assay of superoxide production by stimulated neutrophils was based on superoxide-dependent reduction of ferricytochrome c as measured spectrophotometrically at 550 nm in wells of tissue culture plates containing 150 microliter of reaction mixture . The assay requires only 1.25 X 10(5) neutrophils per test and is complete within 50 min . Quantitation of hydrogen peroxide was based on horseradish peroxidase-dependent oxidation of phenol red . The technique is as for superoxide detection except that the reaction must be terminated by the addition of 1 M NaOH at the desired time intervals . None of the assays require sampling during the incubation period . The principal advantages of the described techniques are increased simplicity and speed, requirement of low numbers of neutrophils and applicability to analysis of large number of samples in parallel.

Jpn Circ J, 1985 Apr, 49(4), 451 - 5
Septal myocardial abscess and infectious pericarditis in a case of bacterial endocarditis; Arita M et al.; A case of acute aortic valve endocarditis is reported, in which the complications of pericarditis and myocardial abscess were diagnosed clinically . Two dimensional and M-mode echocardiography showed large echo-free spaces and a marked thickening of the interventricular septum which had not been detected previously, suggesting pericardial effusion and myocardial abscess . This is the first case in Japan to our knowledge, in which the pericarditis and myocardial abscess were detected preoperatively and successfully treated surgically.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Apr, 49(4), 870 - 3
Formation of bacterial colonies in successive time intervals; Ishikuri S et al.; By enumerating colonies on a plate in successive equal short intervals of time, we found that the number of colonies formed in individual intervals varied at random and their distribution was approximated by a Poisson series . Based on the result, we derived the equation of colony formation (CF equation) . This equation describes the relationship between the cumulative number of colonies and incubation time: N(t) = N infinity (1 - exp{-lambda(t - tr)}) where N(t) is the number of colonies at time t . N infinity, lambda, and tr are parameters, expressing the expected number of colonies on a plate at infinite incubation time, the probability of the occurrence of colony formation in a unit of time, and a retardation time, respectively.

Monatsschr Kinderheilkd, 1985 Apr, 133(4), 209 - 13
{Need for the determination of chloramphenicol levels in the treatment of bacterial-purulent meningitis with chloramphenicol succinate in infants and small children}; Forster J et al.; 17 cases of purulent meningitis in 15 children, aged 1 day to 5 years (median 8 months) were treated with continuous i.v . infusion of chloramphenicol succinate . Free chloramphenicol in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (C.F.) was assayed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) . CF chloramphenicol levels averaged 45 +/- 14% of the serum level . Out of 16 patients only five received the usually recommended dosage . In three others because of initially or progressively high serum levels the dose had to be diminished . In eight others because of subtherapeutic levels the dose had to be raised . The highest dose (390 mg/kg body weight/d) was required in a 2 month old boy . He was shown to have a clearance rate for free chloramphenicol considerably higher than has been reported so far . Maturation of the metabolism could be observed in a small-for-date newborn who acquired a grey baby syndrome during the treatment of his first meningitis . Several weeks later he required exactly the recommended dose to reach therapeutic chloramphenicol levels . As a consequence of these observations we strongly recommend meticulous drug monitoring of chloramphenicol in order to meet the large biological variations seen particularly in neonates and young infants in their capacity to reach and maintain therapeutic serum levels.

J Clin Pathol, 1985 Apr, 38(4), 464 - 7
Can the rapid semiquantitative estimation of serum C reactive protein be adapted for the management of bacterial infection?
Richards NP, Elliott TS, Powell RJ, O'Callaghan C, Franklin P.
Serum C reactive protein concentrations measured by a laboratory based assay were compared with the semiquantitative results obtained with a visual agglutination method (Well-cotest, CRP kit) . Using this agglutination kit, diluting serum 1/10 and 1/20 gave C reactive protein results which could be of more clinical value than those obtained using the 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, and 1/16 dilutions recommended by the manufacturers . The kit was also used on the ward by junior medical staff, who showed that after minimal training reproducible serum C reactive protein results could be obtained.

Infect Immun, 1985 Apr, 48(1), 204 - 10
A comparison of bacterial aggregation induced by saliva, lysozyme, and zinc; Golub EE et al.; Aggregation of bacteria by zinc and lysozyme was studied and compared with aggregation induced by a high-molecular-weight salivary agglutinin . Each ligand was found to exhibit a unique profile of properties when examined by both a microradiochemical centrifugation assay and a turbidimetric assay . Significant differences in rate of aggregation and bacterial species specificity were noted . Zinc- and lysozyme-mediated aggregations were shown to be calcium independent and to proceed rapidly at 0 degree C, in contrast to the salivary agglutinin . Zinc produced large, asymmetric aggregates, saliva produced intermediate-sized aggregates, and lysozyme produced the smallest aggregates . These size differences are consistent with many of the observed reaction properties.

Gut, 1985 Apr, 26(4), 332 - 5
Ascitic fluid pH in alcoholic cirrhosis: a reevaluation of its use in the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; Scemama-Clergue J et al.; An ascitic fluid pH less than or equal to 7.31 has been advanced as being the best index in the early diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients . In order to test the validity of this criteria, 55 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and ascites were studied . In each patient, arterial blood and ascitic fluid samples were analysed for pH, PCO2, total CO2 and PO2, and the pH gradient between blood and ascites was calculated . White blood cell and polymorphonuclear cell counts were determined in ascitic fluid, and cultures of ascites were done under aerobic and anaerobic conditions . Twelve patients had a culture proven spontaneous bacterial peritonitis . Their mean ascitic fluid pH (+/- SD) was 7.38 +/- 0.09 (range 7.21-7.49) and differed significantly (p less than 0.05) from that found in patients without spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: 7.44 +/- 0.06 (range 7.34-7.6.3) . A marked overlap was observed, however, between the two groups, and only three out of the 12 patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis had an ascitic fluid pH less than or equal to 7.31 . The pH gradient was 0.10 +/- 0.08 (range -0.01 to +0.28) in the spontaneous bacterial peritonitis group, as compared with 0.02 +/- 0.04 (range -0.09 to +0.12) in the sterile group (p less than 0.01), but a marked overlap was also noted between the two groups . In the spontaneous bacterial peritonitis group, the polymorphonuclear count was 3588 +/- 3849/microliter (range 60-11 776) versus 41 +/- 138/microliter (range 0-813) in the sterile group (p less than 0.0001) . All but one patient in the spontaneous bacterial peritonitis group and only two patients in the sterile group had over 250 polymorphonuclear/ microliter . Thus, in our experience, neither the ascitic fluid pH nor the pH gradient values accurately discriminated the individual patients with and without spontaneous bacterial peritonitis . A polymorphonuclear count less than 250/ microliter remained the best criteria for the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients, before having the results of ascitic fluid cultures.

EMBO J, 1985 Apr, 4(4), 1033 - 9
Nucleotide binding by membrane components of bacterial periplasmic binding protein-dependent transport systems; Higgins CF et al.; Bacterial periplasmic binding protein-dependent transport systems require the function of a specific substrate-binding protein, located in the periplasm, and several membrane-bound components . We present evidence for a nucleotide-binding site on one of the membrane components from each of three independent transport systems, the hisP, malK and oppD proteins of the histidine, maltose and oligopeptide permeases, respectively . The amino acid sequence of the oppD protein has been determined and this protein is shown to share extensive homology with the hisP and malK proteins . Three lines of evidence lead us to propose the existence of a nucleotide-binding site on each of these proteins . A consensus nucleotide-binding sequence can be identified in the same relative position in each of the three proteins . The oppD protein binds to a Cibacron Blue affinity column and can be eluted by ATP but not by CTP or NADH . The oppD protein is labelled specifically by the nucleotide affinity analogue 5'-p-fluorosulphonylbenzoyladenosine . The identification of a nucleotide-binding site provides strong evidence that transport by periplasmic binding protein-dependent systems is energized directly by the hydrolysis of ATP or a closely related nucleotide . The hisP, malK and oppD proteins are thus responsible for energy-coupling to their respective transport systems.

Z Gastroenterol, 1985 Apr, 23(4), 169 - 74
{Bacterial colonization of the stomach caused by acid neutralization and inhibition of stomach emptying}; Hagel HJ et al.; Gastric bacterial overgrowth was studied in 8 healthy volunteers . Total bacterial counts, nitrate-reducing bacteria and nitrite concentration were determined in fasting gastric juice before and after 4 weeks of treatment with a strong or with a mild antacid drug, a placebo preparation and the spasmolytic agent papaverine which is known to inhibit gastric evacuation . Placebo therapy and the mild antacid did not change any of the above parameters studied . The strong antacid caused a significant increase in the pH of gastric contents which was accompanied by an enormous increase in total bacterial counts, nitrate-reducing bacteria and nitrite concentration . Papaverine which did not cause a significant elevation of pH also definitely increased bacterial counts and nitrite concentration of gastric juice . Four weeks following termination of each treatment procedure, however, all changes outlined above had returned to pretreatment values . These results indicate that reversible gastric bacterial overgrowth under therapeutical conditions may occur when acidity of the stomach is reduced or gastric evacuation is retarded.

Antibiot Med Biotekhnol, 1985 Apr, 30(4), 243 - 9
{Isolation of protein hydrolysates by using immobilized bacterial peptide hydrolases}; Nekliudov AD et al.; Preparation of medical protein hydrolysates with the use of complete hydrolysis of proteins by bacterial enzyme complexes, such as protosubtilin G10x and bacterial peptidase immobilized on aminosilylated alumina was shown to be possible . The activity, thermostability and substrate specificity of the heterogeneous biocatalysts were studied . The integral kinetics of the hydrolysis of sodium caseinate and peptides included in partial acid and enzymatic casein hydrolyzates and blood was investigated . The engineering approaches to mathematical simulation of the bioproteolysis kinetics and the results of their use in processing of the experimental data are discussed.

Infect Immun, 1985 Apr, 48(1), 1 - 6
Cyclic development of immunological memory to bacterial lipopolysaccharide; Baker PJ et al.; Immunological memory to the lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli O113 was generated in strains of inbred mice given a single subimmunogenic dose of either E . coli O113 lipopolysaccharide or the native protoplasmic polysaccharide of E . coli O113 . Such memory, which only involved antibody of the immunoglobulin M class, developed in a cyclic manner that was characteristic for the strain of mice used . It involved cell proliferation as well as differentiation and persisted for at least 25 days after priming with a single injection of a subimmunogenic dose of E . coli O113 lipopolysaccharide.

Arch Biochem Biophys, 1985 Apr, 238(1), 219 - 28
Calibration of the response of 9-amino acridine fluorescence to transmembrane pH differences in bacterial chromatophores; Casadio R et al.; The spectral characteristics of absorption and fluorescence emission of 9-amino acridine are not altered by the interaction with bacterial chromatophores, except for the attenuation of both the absorption and emission following the formation of a protonic gradient . The lifetime of fluorescence of the dye is significantly affected in the presence of membranes, and even more following illumination . The shortening of the lifetime induced by light is reversible and prevented by nigericin and K+ . The onset kinetics of the fluorescence quenching following the generation of an artificial transmembrane pH difference is temperature dependent, with an activation energy of 17 +/- 3 kcal/mol . The effect of pH on the rate constants is consistent with a model assuming that the diffusion of the unprotonated species is the limiting step in the quenching phenomenon . The response of 9-amino acridine to artificially imposed delta pH's has been utilized as a calibration method for the measurements of the light-induced protonic gradient . The apparent inner volume of chromatophores, evaluated from the extraplation of the response at delta pH = 0, was found to be much larger (15- to 40-fold) than the true osmotic volume, indicating that most of the dye is bound to the membrane when accumulated into the inner lumen.

EMBO J, 1985 Apr, 4(4), 1025 - 32
Negative supercoiling induces spontaneous unwinding of a bacterial promoter; Drew HR et al.; We have examined the influence of negative supercoiling on the DNA structure of a bacterial promoter (tyrT from Escherichia coli), the transcriptional activity of which is strongly enhanced by torsional stress in vitro . Certain regions of this promoter become sensitive to digestion by single-strand-specific S1 nuclease as a consequence of negative superhelicity . These regions occur with high frequency (1 per 30-50 bp) and are normally centered on a TpA doublet . The major positions of cleavage are located in and around the -10 sequence TATGATG, the unwinding of which is a prerequisite for gene expression . An apparently trivial change in the -10 sequence from TATGATG to TATGAAG reduces both transcriptional activity and S1 nuclease sensitivity at least 10-fold . Thus the nuclease sensitivity of the promoter correlates strongly with its biological function; and both of these phenomena correlate with certain sequence-dependent structural properties of the DNA.

Am J Pathol, 1985 Apr, 119(1), 101 - 10
Modulation of multiple neutrophil functions by preparative methods or trace concentrations of bacterial lipopolysaccharide; Haslett C et al.; Human neutrophils were isolated from peripheral blood by four methods: 1) Ficoll-Hypaque gradients and erythrocyte lysis, 2) plasma-Percoll gradients, 3) a "lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-free" method yielding 85% neutrophils, and 4) by centrifugation of cells prepared by Method 3 through a plasma-Percoll gradient to produce pure neutrophils . The use of the Ficoll-Hypaque method resulted in spontaneous change of cell shape, enhanced formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP)-stimulated release of superoxide anion, increased release of lysosomal enzymes upon subsequent FMLP stimulation, and reduced chemotactic responsiveness, by comparison with the other methods . These effects were not due to erythrocyte lysis by NH4C1 but were reproduced by exposure of neutrophils prepared by the "LPS-free" method or the use of plasma-Percoll gradients to 10-100 ng/ml LPS . Neutrophil change of shape and stimulated O-2 production were particularly sensitive markers of these effects . The effects of trace concentrations of LPS in the modulation of neutrophil function may have relevance to the pathophysiology of endotoxemia and its resultant tissue injury.

J Bacteriol, 1985 Apr, 162(1), 398 - 405
Identification of a bacterial sensing protein and effects of its elevated expression; Clegg DO et al.; The Escherichia coli flaA gene product (also called cheC) plays a crucial role in switching flagellar rotational direction during chemotactic responses . Wild-type and mutant alleles have been cloned onto plasmid vectors, and the gene product has been identified as a 37,000-dalton protein . The flaA product appeared as a soluble protein in the cytoplasm when overproduced in minicells and maxicells . The protein could not be detected in flagellar basal structures purified from a wild-type strain . To assess the effects of altered flaA expression, the gene was fused to a synthetic tac promoter that could be regulated by the addition of an inducer . Overproduction resulted in strong counterclockwise flagellar rotational bias and partial paralysis of flagellar motors . These results suggest that the flaA protein provides the interface between the flagellar machinery and the chemotaxis signaling system in a motor structure external to the basal body.

Monatsschr Kinderheilkd, 1985 Mar, 133(3), 171 - 4
{Effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (S . minnesota R 595) on the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of neutrophilic granulocytes in cord blood}; Eschenbach C; The effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (S . minnesota R 595) (LPS) on the luminol dependent chemiluminescence (LUM-CL) of resting and phagocytosing polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in cord blood or healthy adults has been investigated . The inhibitory effect of LPS on the LUM-CL of phagocytosing cord blood PMN has been much more pronounced than on the LUM-CL of adult PMN . The emission curves showed a delayed reaction in cord blood PMN and in contrast to this finding an accelerated reaction in adult PMN . LPS stimulated the photone emission of resting PMN of both groups in comparable intensity.

Vaccine, 1985 Mar, 3(1), 45 - 8
Viral and bacterial vectors of immunogenes; Cavanagh D; A recent development in the production of experimental vaccines has been the use of the smallpox vaccine virus (vaccinia virus) as a carrier (vector) of the genes (immunogenes) which code for the protection-inducing proteins (immunogens) of unrelated viruses . The potential of these vector vaccines lies in the hope that such a vaccine would be cheaper, safer and/or more effective than existing vaccines to some pathogens . Vaccinia virus as a vector has attracted most attention to date because: several immunogenes can be inserted into its genome without destroying its infectivity; the immunogens appear to be produced normally; vaccinia virus has been used highly successfully to eradicate smallpox; and it has a wide host-range and thus might find veterinary as well as human medical application . Experimental vaccines, successfully tested in animals, have been prepared using immunogenes from influenza virus, hepatitis B virus and herpes simplex virus . Apathogenic enteric bacteria have some potential as vectors, most probably against enteric pathogens, although the potential of viral vectors is likely to be realized first . Parasitic worms and protozoa devastate millions of people . When the immunogens of these organisms have been identified there will be added impetus to investigate the potential of vector vaccines against these pathogens.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1985 Mar, 49(3), 509 - 16
Bacterial and fungal cometabolism of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) and its breakdown products; Subba-Rao RV et al.; Resting cells of bacteria grown in the presence of diphenylmethane oxidized substituted analogs such as 4-hydroxydiphenylmethane, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)methane, bis(4-chlorophenyl)methane (DDM), benzhydrol, and 4,4'-dichlorobenzhydrol . Resting cells of bacteria grown with benzhydrol as the sole carbon source oxidized substituted benzhydrols such as 4-chlorobenzhydrol, 4,4'-dichlorobenzhydrol, and other metabolites of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT), such as DDM and bis(4-chlorophenyl)acetic acid . Bacteria and fungi converted 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane to 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane, DDM, 4,4'-dichlorobenzhydrol, and 4,4'-dichlorobenzophenone . Aspergillus conicus converted 55% of bis(4-chlorophenyl)acetic acid to unidentified or unextractable water-soluble products . Aspergillus niger and Penicillium brefeldianum converted 12.4 and 24.6%, respectively, of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane to water-soluble and unidentified products . 4-Chlorophenylacetic acid, a product of ring cleavage, was formed from DDM by a false smut fungus of rice . A . niger converted 4,4'-dichlorobenzophenone to 4-chlorobenzophenone and a methylated 4-chlorobenzophenone.

Med Clin North Am, 1985 Mar, 69(2), 257 - 67
Bacterial meningitis in the neonatal infant; Meade RH 3rd; Meningitis occurs more often in the neonatal period than at any other time of life . It is often the result of maternal infection and occurs more often in the prematurely born infant and in those born after prolonged rupture of the membranes . Even with early treatment, the chance for survival is limited and the likelihood of complications among survivors is high.

Med Clin North Am, 1985 Mar, 69(2), 219 - 29
Bacterial meningitis . Specific etiologic diagnosis on the basis of distinctive epidemiologic, pathogenetic, and clinical features; Weinstein L; The purpose of this paper is to point out a clinical approach to the etiologic diagnosis of bacterial meningitis in cases in which it is not possible to define the cause by microscopic studies of spinal fluid in the very early stage of the disease . The striking differences in epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical behavior, complications, and prognosis permit identification of the etiology in many instances.

Inflammation, 1985 Mar, 9(1), 53 - 65
Methyltransferase and phospholipase A2 activity in membranes of neutrophils and lymphocytes from patients with bacterial and viral infections; Niwa Y et al.; Phospholipid methylation and phospholipase A2 activation in the cell membrane are necessary for the induction of cell function in neutrophils and lymphocytes . We assessed the activity of membrane-associated methyltransferase and phospholipase A2 in neutrophils and lymphocytes from patients with acute and severe bacterial and viral infections . In bacterial patients, methyltransferase and phospholipase A2 activities of neutrophils were significantly enhanced, and {3H}methyl incorporation of lymphocytes was slightly increased . In viral infections, only phospholipase A2 activity of the lymphocytes was increased . These enhanced enzyme activities paralleled disease activity of the two disorders . The methylated products detected by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatogram were confined to methylated phospholipids, indicating that our assay system measures specifically the activity of methyltransferase which mediates the translocation of membrane phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) to phosphatidylcholine (PC) and lyso-PC(LPC) . The two enzymatic activities of both neutrophils and lymphocytes in bacterial infections and phospholipase A2 of lymphocytes may, in part, have some correlation to the defense mechanism in these two disorders.

Hepatology, 1985 Mar-Apr, 5(2), 257 - 9
Ascitic fluid chemical analysis before, during and after spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; Runyon BA et al.; A retrospective analysis of 22 patients whose ascitic fluid had been analyzed prior to the onset of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, during infection and/or after treatment of peritonitis revealed that neither the ascitic fluid total protein nor the absolute ascitic fluid glucose changed during the infection or after treatment of the infection although the ascitic fluid/serum glucose ratio did decrease (p less than 0.001) with infection . The ascitic fluid lactate dehydrogenase increased significantly (p less than 0.05) during infection compared to the baseline value . Contrary to the typical findings in infected body fluids, the total protein content and absolute glucose content of "spontaneously" infected ascitic fluid do not measurably change.

Am Rev Respir Dis, 1985 Mar, 131(3), 409 - 13
Mechanical ventilation with 100% oxygen does not increase intrapulmonary shunt in patients with severe bacterial pneumonia; Lampron N et al.; Pure oxygen ventilation has been shown to increase the right to left shunt QS/QT in both normal and diseased lungs . Nitrogen absorption atelectasis, an explanation of the phenomenon, is likely to occur in lung units with low ventilation/perfusion ratio . In 11 patients with severe unilateral or bilateral bacterial pneumonia, we assessed the effects of increasing FlO2 from maintenance level (m = 0.44 +/- 0.11) to 1.0 . Venous admixture (QVA/QT) was calculated using the O2 method, and the distribution of the VA/Q ratios were assessed with the 6 inert gas (IG) technique providing the distribution between the true shunt (QS/QT IG) and the low VA/Q units . Although a large part of perfusion was distributed preferentially to low VA/Q units, ranging from 2 to 43% of cardiac output, thus placing large zones of lung parenchyma at risk of absorption atelectasis, QVA/QT decreased from 31 +/- 13% to 25 +/- 10% and IG shunt did not increase after 30 min of O2 ventilation . In addition, QS/QT IG remained unaltered despite PVO2 increased from 32 to 43 mmHg, suggesting a poor level of hypoxic vasoconstriction in human bacterial pneumonia.

J Pediatr, 1985 Mar, 106(3), 402 - 7
Otologic features of bacterial meningitis of childhood; Eavey RD et al.; Sixteen temporal bones from eight children who had died of meningitis were histopathologically evaluated . Concurrent acute otitis media was demonstrated in 14 bones . In no case could a pathway of infection from the tympanomastoid compartment to the intracranial cavity be located . Further, inner ear infection appeared to be the result of retrograde bacterial invasion from the meninges rather than from an inoculation via the middle ear or mastoid . Should surgical drainage be required, the histopathologic findings indicate that mastoidectomy would have little advantage over myringotomy . We infer that a child with normal temporal bone anatomy is probably not at enhanced risk for development of bacterial meningitis from acute otitis media via a route of direct extension.

Clin Lab Med, 1985 Mar, 5(1), 3 - 17
Simple and rapid methods for bacterial identifications; Barry AL; Simple, inexpensive procedures for rapid identification of the common bacterial pathogens are outlined in detail . When the tests are judiciously applied, most isolates can be identified within minutes or hours, and strains that require more extensive testing for accurate identification will be recognized.

Genetika, 1985 Mar, 21(3), 364 - 7
{Antimutagenic effects of para-aminobenzoic acid in experiments with bacterial cells . Noninterference in the mutation process controlled by plasmid pKM101}; Vasil'eva SV et al.; The dependence of expression of PABA antimutagenic action in bacterial cells on the character of genetic control of the mutagenic process was studied . PABA antimutagenic activity was largely connected with the negative control of SOS repair which is controlled by bacterial cell genes, but not by pKM101 plasmid genes . These results are in agreement with the idea that the systems of repair and mutagenesis specified by cell genome and plasmids are not identical.

Radiology, 1985 Mar, 154(3), 645 - 50
Bacterial meningitis in infants: sonographic findings; Han BK et al.; A retrospective study was performed on 78 patients (newborn to 2 years old) with clinically proved bacterial meningitis . Sonograms were obtained during the acute illness and medical records were reviewed . The spectrum of sonographic features of meningitis included normal scans (30 patients), ventriculomegaly (11 patients), echogenic sulci (31 patients), extra-axial fluid collections (26 patients), abnormal parenchymal echogenicity (9 patients), evidence of ventriculitis (5 patients), and brain abscess (1 patient) . In 46 patients, correlation between the sonographic findings and neurologic outcome on clinical follow-up (6 months to 4 years) was made . Findings of abnormal parenchymal echogenicity and/or moderate-to-marked ventriculomegaly were associated with significant neurologic sequelae; however, echogenic sulci and small extra-axial fluid collections did not appear to have any prognostic significance . Twenty-nine of the 78 patients had sonography without clinical indication of complications of meningitis, and in no patient was a significant abnormality found . Our study suggests that sonography is indicated only when there is clinical suspicion of complications.

Anaesthesist, 1985 Mar, 34(3), 129 - 33
{Malfunction of equipment by the addition of a bacterial filter in the expiratory branch of the respiratory circuit}; Geyer A et al.; The addition of a continuous Flow System to the circuit of a volume cycled respirator results in an additional IMV option and shows excellent performance for this purpose . The insertion of a bacterial filter into this modified circuit resulted in a dangerous increase of airway pressures after 54 "running hours" for that filter . Test series revealed an insufficient air transmission through the filter, caused by the water vapour-saturated inspiratory gas mixture, which is necessary in long term ventilation . Furthermore it was demonstrated that wet bacterial filters cause malfunction of SIMV systems due to interference with the demand valve responsible for proper air supply . The routine use of a bacterial filter placed in the expiratory branch results in higher risks in an already risky artificial ventilation system and use-nonuse relationships seem to be questionable.

ASDC J Dent Child, 1985 Mar-Apr, 52(2), 103 - 7
Deep bacterial penetration of early proximal caries lesions in young human premolars; Mejare I et al.; The aim of the study was to assess the frequency and extent of bacterial invasion in proximal small caries lesions of young human premolars . The teeth were fractured longitudinally through the lesion and examined under a scanning electron microscope . In two out of twelve teeth with incipient caries and without any cavitation, bacteria could be seen in both enamel and dentin; in one, penetrating the dentin to a depth of 1.5 mm from the dentinoenamel junction . In both lesions the chaulkiness extended to about half of the enamel thickness.

Biochimie, 1985 Mar-Apr, 67(3-4), 399 - 403
Expression of a bacterial repair gene in mammalian cells; Backendorf C et al.; The coding sequence of the uvrA gene from Escherichia coli has been fused to the early promoter, enhancer and origin of replication of the simian virus SV40, and was supplemented with splicing and polyadenylation sites arising from the same virus . Introduction of this hybrid gene into simian cos-1 cells results in the synthesis of a full length UvrA protein (114 kD) which has retained its ability to bind to single-stranded DNA.

Am J Ophthalmol, 1985 Feb 15, 99(2), 111 - 3
Bacterial endophthalmitis associated with exposed monofilament sutures following corneal transplantation; Confino J et al.; Three cases of bacterial endophthalmitis following corneal transplantation resulted from suture abscesses that were initiated by loose or broken exposed sutures . Histopathologic examination clearly demonstrated that the infection gained access to the anterior chamber by following a deeply placed suture that traversed the posterior wound gap at the donor-host interface . We believe that exposed sutures may lead to significant postoperative complications and must be carefully observed.

Anasth Intensivther Notfallmed, 1985 Feb, 20(1), 35 - 7
{Obstruction of bacterial filters in general anesthesia}; Janda A et al.; 3 cases of impaired ventilation during general anaesthesia caused by obstruction of bacterial filters on the expiratory limb of the anaesthesia circuit are reported . For explanation, faulty cleaning procedures or defects by manufacturing of bacterial filters possibly have been responsible for these dangerous complications . Finally, the risks and questionable hygienic efficacy of bacterial filters are discussed.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {B}, 1985 Feb, 93(1), 21 - 5
Value of CSF lactate in the differential diagnosis between bacterial meningitis and other diseases with meningeal involvement; Lester A et al.; Lactate concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of 104 patients were determined by the Monotest Lactate Kit . Lactate values were found higher in cases of bacterial meningitis than in patients not suffering from acute CNS disorders . Elevated lactate levels were also found in patients suffering from aseptic meningitis, septicemia, CNS trauma and cerebrovascular accidents, seizures and diabetes mellitus . The highest levels were found in cases of bacterial meningitis, but there was considerable overlapping between the groups . CSF lactate thus appears to have limited diagnostic value in the differential diagnosis between bacterial meningitis and other diseases with meningeal involvement.

Arch Biochem Biophys, 1985 Feb 1, 236(2), 585 - 92
The demethylation of guaiacol by a new bacterial cytochrome P-450; Dardas A et al.; Spectroscopic studies were carried with a cytochrome P-450 in Moraxella sp., strain GU2, that could grow on guaiacol or 2-ethoxyphenol as the sole source of carbon and energy . The dissociation constant of the guaiacol-cytochrome complex was estimated to 0.15 microM, as determined in vivo or using the cell soluble extract . Cytochrome P-450 could also bind 2-ethoxyphenol, 2-propoxyphenol, and 2-butoxyphenol, and the dissociation constants have been determined in each case . Metyrapone depressed the degradation of guaiacol by whole bacteria, and was bound competitively to guaiacol with a constant of about 0.8 mM . Some catechol was excreted by the bacteria when growing on either guaiacol or 2-ethoxyphenol . Catechol and the other product of guaiacol demethylation, formaldehyde, were further oxidized by the bacteria . All the data available so far are consistent with cytochrome P-450 in Moraxella GU2 as a hydroxylase for the guaiacol side chain, behaving as a nonspecific O-dealkylase with broad specificity for guaiacol and homologous compounds with a longer carbon part in the side chain.

Neurology, 1985 Feb, 35(2), 251 - 3
Serum C-reactive protein as detector of pretreated childhood bacterial meningitis; Peltola H et al.; Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured at presentation to the hospital in 15 children with proven bacterial meningitis (BM) pretreated with antibiotics . CRP exceeded the upper normal limit of 19 mg/l in all cases; the mean value was 195 mg/l (range, 55 to 375 mg/l) . On the other hand, CRP levels were normal in 12 patients with viral meningitis or meningoencephalitis . Rapid determination of serum CRP should be performed whenever BM is suspected.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1985 Feb, 82(3), 915 - 9
Antibodies to peptides corresponding to a conserved sequence of gonococcal pilins block bacterial adhesion; Rothbard JB et al.; Antisera generated against each of seven synthetic peptides corresponding to constant and variable sequences of the pilin from gonococcal strain MS11 were assayed for their ability to crossreact with intact pili from both homologous and heterologous strains . The peptides elicited roughly equal antipeptide responses but varied substantially in their ability to elicit antisera that crossreacted with intact pili . Of the antisera to peptides corresponding to regions of conserved sequence, antisera directed against residues 69-84 were the most efficient in binding pili from all strains tested in both solid-phase assays and immunoblots . Anti-69-84 also efficiently precipitated a tryptic fragment of pilin known to bind human endocervical cells . Sera against the two peptides (121-134 and 135-151) previously shown to contain strain-specific epitopes crossreacted with MS11 pili equally well, but differed in their ability to bind pili from heterologous strains . Anti-121-134 was strain-specific whereas anti-135-151 bound all pilin tested . Each of the sera was examined for its ability to inhibit bacterial adhesion to a human endometrial carcinoma cell line . Sera generated against residues 41-50 and 69-84 successfully inhibited a heterologous gonococcal strain from binding . These peptides could be important components of an effective vaccine for the prevention of gonorrhea.

EMBO J, 1985 Feb, 4(2), 501 - 7
Supercoiling response of a bacterial tRNA gene; Lamond AI; The effect of DNA supercoiling on transcription of a bacterial tRNA gene has been analysed in vitro and in vivo . The Escherichia coli tyrT gene is found to be completely dependent on negative supercoiling when transcription is assayed in vitro at physiological salt concentrations and this supercoiling dependence is shown to be a property of the primary promoter sequences . The supercoiling sensitivity can however be removed by reducing the salt concentration below 50 mM KCl . The effect of supercoiling in vivo was analysed by measuring the activity of the tyrT promoter on a galK fusion vector in E . coli strains that have mutations in either the DNA gyrase or topoisomerase I genes . Surprisingly, in view of the dramatic in vitro effects, supercoiling could be either increased or decreased relative to the wild-type in vivo level without causing any change in tyrT promoter activity.

J Appl Bacteriol, 1985 Feb, 58(2), 215 - 20
The suitability of a membrane diffusion growth chamber for studying bacterial interaction; Crump JE et al.; Rates of diffusion of nutrients and metabolites through 0.1 micron pore diameter polycarbonate membranes are so low that the use of membrane-separated systems to study bacterial interaction seems to have little application . Effective nutrient availability throughout the system is very dependent on membrane area/medium volume ratio . An attempt to demonstrate a known interaction in the membrane diffusion chamber was not successful.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1985 Feb, 82(4), 1141 - 5
Replication-competent Moloney murine leukemia virus carrying a bacterial suppressor tRNA gene: selective cloning of proviral and flanking host sequences; Reik W et al.; A bacterial suppressor tRNA gene was introduced into the long terminal repeat of the Moloney murine leukemia virus (Mo-MuLV) proviral genome to construct a retrovirus that allows easy cloning of the provirus with flanking host sequences . A replication competent virus, Mo-MuLV sup containing a tRNA amber suppressor gene, was derived that replicates to high titers in tissue culture cells and stably transduces the bacterial gene . The recombinant virus can efficiently replicate in vivo when microinjected into midgestation embryos or when injected into newborn mice and displays the same tissue tropism as wild-type Mo-MuLV . The suppressor gene in Mo-MuLV sup is functional in bacteria and allows efficient recovery of proviral genomes . This was shown by ligation of DNA from infected cells to phage lambda Charon 4A arms and selective growth of recombinant phages on su- host cells . All recovered phages contained Mo-MuLV proviral sequences and, because of the high cloning capacity of phage lambda, 1-11 kilobases of flanking host DNA . This virus should facilitate studying virus-host interactions in tissue culture cells and in animals.

Cell, 1985 Feb, 40(2), 319 - 26
Genetically separable functional elements mediate the optimal expression and stringent regulation of a bacterial tRNA gene; Lamond AI et al.; The sequences required for stringent regulation of the E . coli tyrT gene have been analyzed in vivo . Stringent control was analyzed by nuclease-mapping RNA pulse-labeled with 32PO4 . A 96 bp DNA fragment carrying the tyrT promoter was sufficient to confer regulation on a plasmid-encoded tyrT-galK fusion transcript . Deletion mutations that remove sequences upstream of the primary promoter elements greatly reduce promoter activity but do not remove the regulatory response . However, a 4 bp substitution mutation, adjacent to the transcription initiation site, disrupts stringent control . Thus the optimal expression and stringent regulation of the tyrT gene appears to result from the action of genetically separable promoter elements.

Biokhimiia, 1985 Feb, 50(2), 179 - 83
{The sodium cycle--a new type of bacterial energetics}; Skulachev VP; The literature data and experimental results of the author's laboratory on the role of Na+ in bacterial energetics are reviewed . It was shown that certain bacterial species utilize the transmembrane difference of Na+ electrochemical potentials (delta mu Na+) as a convertible membrane-linked form of energy . The membranes of such bacteria were found to contain delta mu Na+ generators (e . g., decarboxylases of some carboxylic acids of NADH-menaquinone reductase) . It was shown that delta mu Na+ formed by these generators may support all the three main types of work of the bacterial cell, i . e., chemical (ATP synthesis), osmotic (substrate accumulation) and mechanical (motility).

Mol Cell Biol, 1985 Feb, 5(2), 281 - 90
Bacterial beta-galactosidase as a marker of Rous sarcoma virus gene expression and replication; Norton PA et al.; We have developed a convenient and sensitive assay of eucaryotic gene expression which uses the Escherichia coli lacZ gene product, beta-galactosidase, as a nonselectable marker . This system has been applied to the analysis of Rous sarcoma virus replication and gene expression . Avian cells were transfected with plasmids encoding in-frame gene fusions of the N-terminal portion of the gag gene to a 'lacZ gene, which requires both transcriptional and translational initiation signals; these were supplied by the virus long terminal repeat and leader region . Readily detectable quantities of beta-galactosidase were synthesized in transfected cells; it was demonstrated that the levels of enzyme activity induced in such cultures increased linearly with the input DNA concentration and also correlated with mRNA levels . By using a Rous sarcoma virus-derived vector containing the src gene and a related virus as a helper, it was shown that lac sequences were compatible with all phases of the virus life cycle . gag-lacZ fusion proteins were immunoprecipitable from cultures which stably expressed lacZ as well as src . Virus rescued from stably transfected cultures resulted in continued lac and src expression in recipient cells . One particular construction was efficiently transmitted as virus, although it lacked sequences thought to be important for encapsidation of RNA into virions . The data presented here demonstrate the use of lacZ as a marker of retrovirus gene expression and replication.

J Cell Physiol, 1985 Feb, 122(2), 215 - 20
Bacterial lipopolysaccharide induction of ornithine decarboxylase in the macrophage-like cell line RAW264: requirement of an inducible soluble factor; Taffet SM et al.; Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC, EC 4.1.1.17) activity is induced in the RAW264 macrophage-like cell line by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) . As little as 0.1 ng/ml LPS promoted an increase in ODC activity, while maximal ODC activity (30-fold above control) was induced with 1.0 microgram/ml LPS . An increase in ODC activity was detectable within 90 min of LPS addition . The LPS-induced increase in ODC activity was prevented by inhibitors of protein and RNA synthesis . The induction of the enzyme by LPS was not dependent on prostaglandin production . However, PGE2 (1 microgram/ml) and 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (1 mM), neither of which had an effect on ODC activity when added alone, each acted synergistically to enhance the LPS induction of ODC activity . Enzyme induction was not associated with an alteration in Km for ornithine, which remained constant at 0.04 mM . The extent of the increase in ODC in response to LPS increased with increasing cellular density . This relationship was dependent not on absolute cell density of the monolayer but on the cell number in relation to medium volume, and this dependence could be extrapolated to the origin . Addition of conditioned media from LPS-stimulated but not unstimulated cultures enhanced the ODC increase in sparsely plated cultures in response to a maximal concentration of LPS . The addition of polymyxin B, a reagent that blocks the effects of LPS, including the increase in ODC activity, did not totally inhibit the conditioned medium stimulation . This data indicates that two signals, LPS and a LPS-induced mediator, are involved in the induction of ODC activity in RAW264 cells.

J Biol Chem, 1985 Jan 10, 260(1), 237 - 41
Correlation of chloroplast and bacterial ribosomal proteins by cross-reactions of antibodies specific to purified Escherichia coli ribosomal proteins; Bartsch M; Immunological homology between chloroplast ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) from a higher plant (Spinacia) and bacterial r-proteins was examined using antibodies prepared against 35 purified Escherichia coli r-proteins . Cross-reactions were determined on cellulose acetate gels and on nitrocellulose paper, after electrophoretic transfer of r-proteins from one- and two dimensional polyacrylamide gels, using peroxidase and fluorescein-conjugated second antibodies for detection (immunoblotting) . The specificity of positive cross-reactions was confirmed by absorption experiments using purified E . coli r-proteins . Antisera against five proteins of the small subunit and six proteins of the large subunit of E . coli ribosome (i.e . anti-S7, -S9, -S11, -S12, and -S19; anti-L1, -L2, -L3, -L6, -L13, and -L17) gave cross-reactions . As an inference from this work, and a recent study on the synthesis of certain chloroplast r-proteins in isolated chloroplasts (Eneas-Filho, J., Hartley, M . R., and Mache, R . (1981) Mol . Gen . Genet . 184, 484-488), we suggest that chloroplast r-proteins S7 and L2 are encoded in the organelle DNA.

J Theor Biol, 1985 Jan 7, 112(1), 25 - 39
A model of bacterial DNA segregation based upon helical geometry; Mendelson NH; A new mechanism to segregate daughter genomes in bacterial cells is suggested that is based upon the rules of geometry governing the helix clock (Mendelson, 1982a) . The reorientation of cell surface string arrays used as a timing reference in the helix clock is capable of drawing apart the initial products of DNA replication . Physically linking the sister DNA replication origins to the ends of the initial cell surface string inserted into the cell surface at the start of a helix clock cycle, and linking the DNA terminus to a point along the length of the same string provides a means to mark the locations to which the genomes will segregate as well as the place where cell division will occur . The parallel packing of additional cell surface strings into an array which includes the string to which DNA is attached provides the necessary spatial rearrangements . The helical segregation model can account for the precise registration of cell divisions with the completion of replication forks in a multifork replication system, provides a basis for determining the relationship of sister cell sizes at division, and can also accommodate the asymmetrical divisions associated with minicell production and sporulation . Examination of the helical segregation theory under multifork DNA replication conditions moreover reveals that adjacent helical clocks are physically linked to one another although totally independent in terms of their progression through the clock cycle . A relationship between the initiation of DNA replication forks and the insertion of the first cell surface string associated with the start of a helix clock cycle is predicted by the model.

Ann Clin Res, 1985, 17(6), 310 - 5
Primary diagnosis in a life-threatening childhood infection . A nationwide study on bacterial meningitis; Valmari P; The accuracy of primary diagnosis made by general practitioners and paediatric house officers was assessed from a nationwide series of 130 Finnish children with bacterial meningitis . Meningitis was diagnosed at the first medical examination in 76 (58%) of the cases (32/70, 46% at physician's office versus 44/60 (73%) in hospital emergency rooms; p less than 0.005) . In 44 cases (34%), there was a time lapse (mean, 1.7 days) between the first examination and the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis . In 30 of them, no findings suggestive of bacterial meningitis were present during the initial examination, whereas a definite or probable iatrogenic diagnostic delay occurred in 14 cases (11%) . One of the latter children died and 2 recovered with major neurological handicaps . The overall mortality rate was 5/130 (4%) and the frequency of neurological sequelae was 28/130 (22%) . The existence of potentially avoidable diagnostic delay in childhood bacterial meningitis was confirmed . Means of avoiding such potentially disastrous delay were discussed briefly.

Orthopedics, 1985 Jan, 8(1), 73 - 6
Bacterial meningitis following Pantopaque myelography . A case report and literature review; Schelkun SR et al.; A case of acute bacterial meningitis following Pantopaque myelography is reported, and the literature reviewed pertaining to this uncommon but potentially fatal complication . A positive Gram's stain is most helpful in differentiating bacterial from chemical meningitis . Treatment of the meningitis before and after determination of its cause is described . Preventive steps include removal of Pantopaque from the subarachnoid space immediately at the conclusion of fluoroscopy, and observance of strict sterile technique during myelography, including use of face masks.

Clin Invest Med, 1985, 8(4), 368 - 70
Treatment of bacterial infections in the neonate; Prober CG; Bacterial infections in the newborn are associated with significant morbidity and mortality . Compared to older children, neonates are immuno-compromised hosts and clinical manifestations of infection are more subtle . Empiric therapy is mandatory when bacterial infection is suspected . Eight basic principles governing the use of antibiotics in the newborn are discussed.

Arkh Patol, 1985, 47(8), 15 - 20
{Ultrastructural analysis of viral and bacterial lesions in human sudden cardiac death}; Pavlovich ER et al.; Sinoatrial node, perinodular working myocardium of the right atrium and subendocardial muscle fibers of the left ventricle of 8 persons who died suddenly at the age of 23-69 years were studied ultrastructurally . In 1% of working cardiomyocytes, in 2 out of 5 cases of sudden cardiac death, viruses were detected . Myofibrils were destroyed in the damaged myocytes but the contact zones with undamaged myocytes remained intact . Rod-like bacteria were observed in the interstitium of the subendocardial myocardium of the left ventricle in one case . Destructive changes of the mitochondria, myofibrils and intercalated discs were found in the myocytes adjacent to bacteria . Viruses and bacteria were absent in 3 control cases . The possible role of viruses and bacteria in the development of sudden cardiac death is discussed.

Int J Cardiol, 1985 Jan, 7(1), 62 - 3
Subacute bacterial endocarditis following ear acupuncture; Lee RJ et al.; Ear acupuncture followed by sepsis caused subacute bacterial endocarditis in a patient with rheumatic valve disease.

Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1985, 78(1), 25 - 9
Leukocyte membrane receptors in meningitis and other bacterial infections; Naess A et al.; Blood leukocytes from 37 patients with acute bacterial infections, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) granulocytes from 12 patients with bacterial meningitis, were examined for the distribution of membrane receptors (R) for (1) untreated sheep erythrocytes (E), (2) the Fc portion of IgG (Fc gamma), and (3) complement component C3b . We found a decreased percentage of granulocytes bearing Fc gamma-R in the CSF from patients with meningitis, and in blood from patients with respiratory tract infections . This group also had a decreased percentage of C3b-R bearing granulocytes on admission, whereas meningitis patients had lower levels of C3b-R and Fc gamma-R bearing granulocytes in the 2nd and 3rd week and even later . Several patients with meningitis and gastroenteritis had granulocytes bearing the E-R, previously considered specific for T lymphocytes . Such cells were also found in the CSF . Meningitis and respiratory tract infections were associated with a decreased percentage of 'active' T lymphocytes . The total percentage of T lymphocytes was also decreased in meningitis . Conversely the proportion of Fc gamma-R bearing lymphocytes (consisting mostly of B lymphocytes) was increased in most infections . During the first 3 weeks of bacterial meningitis, the percentages of Fc gamma- and C3b-R bearing granulocytes, and of Fc gamma-R bearing lymphocytes, gradually decreased, while the T lymphocyte percentage increased from the initial low values.

Biomed Pharmacother, 1985, 39(1), 23 - 6
The outcome of bacterial infection in subjects with benign familial leukopenia (BFL); Shoenfeld Y et al.; Benign familial leukopenia (BFL) is a hereditary phenomenon, encountered in several ethnic groups . Subjects bearing BFL are believed to be affected by bacterial infection in no greater incidence than normal subjects . In our study we investigated a group of subjects with BFL during an acute bacterial infection in comparison to subjects without BFL with the same infection . We found that the subjects with BFL had no absolute leukocytosis during the infection . Nevertheless, they reacted similarly to the other subjects in regard to their temperature and heart rate; however, they were hospitalized for fewer days than subjects without BFL . We conclude that BFL is a benign phenomenon, requiring neither specific treatment as such, nor more aggressive therapy during infection . The benign course of an acute bacterial infection in BFL indicates that perhaps the number of WBC's that are normally recruited during an infection in normal subjects highly exceeds that which is necessary.

Gerontology, 1985, 31(3), 178 - 85
Lymphopenia induced by acute bacterial infections in the elderly: a sign of age-related immune dysfunction of major prognostic significance; Proust J et al.; These studies were undertaken to investigate the effect of acute bacterial infections on the absolute number of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in an elderly population and to evaluate the prognostic significance of a decreased number of PBL in critically ill aged patients . The results show that a significant lymphopenia develops in elderly patients during the course of an acute bacterial infection whereas the same type of acute illness has no effect on the PBL count of younger subjects . The lymphopenia is not related to a particular localization of the infection nor to the type of bacterial pathogen . The prognosis of the bacterial infection is closely linked to the severity of the lymphocyte depletion and its outcome can nearly be predicted by monitoring the variation of the number of circulating lymphocytes during the early course of the disease.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1985 Jan, 15 Suppl A, 103 - 9
An in-vitro model simulating the hydrokinetic aspects of the treatment of bacterial cystitis; Greenwood D; Various applications of an in-vitro model that simulates the hydrokinetic features of the treatment of bacterial cystitis are described . Results obtained correlate well with clinical observations, suggesting that the model has relevance in the elucidation of clinical problems.

Pharmacology, 1985, 30(1), 32 - 9
Indometacin-induced gastrointestinal lesions in relation to tissue concentration, food intake and bacterial invasion in the rat; Weissenborn U et al.; The effect of food intake and gut bacterial flora on gastrointestinal lesions caused by oral indometacin (IND) was studied in rats . A dose of 10 mg/kg IND caused no intestinal lesions when the animals were starved before and after treatment; it produced moderate lesions when the animals were continuously fed and maximal lesions when the animals were fed in the postdrug period after starvation in the predrug period . Under germ-free conditions, 15 mg/kg IND induced significantly less intestinal lesions than under specific pathogen-free conditions . The differences in the magnitude of intestinal lesions under the varying feeding and maintenance conditions were not associated with different IND concentrations in the jejunal mucosa . The dose of 10 mg/kg IND produced most gastric lesions when the animals were previously starved for 24 h and subsequently fed, medium lesions in continuously starved animals and only a few lesions in animals fed before and after IND . The disposition of IND from the gastric mucosa did not differ under the different feeding conditions . As the dose of IND is high enough to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, it was concluded that additional factors are important for the development of gastrointestinal lesions caused by IND . Secondary bile acids in conjunction with IND are important for the development of intestinal lesions, while gastric acid influences the intensity of gastric lesions.

Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1985, 76(1), 30 - 6
Intestinal absorption of bacterial antigens in normal adult mice . II . A comparative study of techniques; Lim PL et al.; Marked differences were seen in the oral absorption of Boivin antigen (BA) and flagellin (FLA) using antigens labelled by 3H-dinitrophenylation . Thus, after feeding 3H-DNP-FLA, a large proportion of the label was rapidly absorbed, concentrated and degraded by the liver so that no antigenic material could be recovered from the circulation . In contrast, the absorption of 3H-DNP-BA was low and slow; the absorbed material appeared stable and not readily taken up by the liver, so that 8-20% of the non-dialysable radioactivity found in the plasma was precipitable by specific antibodies . Such observations could not be made when 125I-labelled antigens were used: deiodination readily occurred in vivo, and there was re-utilization of the released label . On the other hand, using everted gut sacs, it was possible to recover 125I-labelled antigenic material after transport . A technique of measuring unlabelled antigen absorbed in the intact animal is also described, which detects antigen by combination with radioiodinated antibodies injected intravenously into the animal.

Hepatology, 1985 Jan-Feb, 5(1), 91 - 6
The diagnosis of bacterial peritonitis: comparison of pH, lactate concentration and leukocyte count; Garcia-Tsao G et al.; It has been suggested that the hydrogen ion and lactate concentrations may be superior to the polymorphonuclear cell count (PMN) in ascitic fluid, in the diagnosis of bacterial peritonitis (BP) . In order to compare the diagnostic accuracy of ascitic fluid measurements of pH, lactate, glucose and the PMN in BP, we analyzed the ascitic fluids of 70 consecutive patients in whom pH, lactate, glucose and the PMN count were measured in ascitic fluid and arterial blood . Fifty-one were cirrhotic patients with uninfected ascites, 14 had BP, one tuberculous peritonitis, two ascites secondary to peritoneal metastases and two with neoplastic liver involvement but without peritoneal metastases . Statistically, highly significant differences between patients with uninfected ascitic fluid and BP were observed for ascitic fluid PMN (122 vs . 2,686 per cu mm), ascitic fluid pH (7.45 vs . 7.24), arterial-ascitic fluid pH gradient (0.02 vs . 0.22), arterial lactate (12 vs . 25 mg per dl), ascitic fluid lactate (15 vs . 45 mg per dl) and arterial-ascitic fluid lactate gradient (-3 vs . -20 mg per dl) . The most reliable diagnostic cutoff levels were determined for each of the parameters: PMN greater than 500 per cu mm; ascitic fluid pH less than 7.35; arterial-ascitic fluid pH gradient greater than 0.10; ascitic fluid lactate greater than 25 mg per dl; arterial-ascitic fluid lactate gradient less than -20 mg per dl; ascitic fluid glucose less than 60 mg per dl; arterial-ascitic fluid glucose gradient greater than 60 mg per dl.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Laryngoscope, 1985 Jan, 95(1), 9 - 11
Bacterial tracheitis--two-year experience; Friedman EM et al.; Inflammatory illnesses of the pediatric airway cause significant morbidity and mortality . Bacterial tracheitis is a distinct entity with features common to both croup and epiglottitis . Ten patients between the ages of 3 months and 12 years were treated at Children's Hospital, Boston, MA., for bacterial tracheitis . The clinical presentation and medical management is discussed . Seven of the patients required both direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy; one patient required urgent intubation; and one patient required indirect laryngoscopy . In one patient the diagnosis was based on clinical and radiographic findings in conjunction with tracheal aspirates . Seven of the 10 patients did well with aggressive medical management . Three patients required endotracheal intubation . No patient required tracheotomy, and there were no cardiopulmonary arrests . It is of particular interest that although the patients in this series presented in a manner similar to that of patients in other published series, the management is significantly different and the overall outcome is significantly better.

Intensive Care Med, 1985, 11(6), 288 - 94
Polyvalent immunoglobulins for prophylaxis of bacterial infections in patients following multiple trauma . A randomized, placebo-controlled study; Glinz W et al.; One hundred and fifty severely injured patients requiring long-term artificial ventilation were evaluated in a prospective, randomized, double blind study comparing the prophylactic effect of an intravenous immunoglobulin (Sandoglobulin; IGIV) against nosocomial infections with a placebo preparation . The groups were comparable in age, sex, injury pattern, and severity of the trauma . Seventy-six patients received 12 g of Sandoglobulin as a 3% solution on day 0, day 5 and day 12, i.e . a total of 36 g . Sandoglobulin significantly reduced the incidence of pneumonia (28 cases in the IGIV group, 43 cases in the placebo group, p = 0.0111) . This resulted in a reduced therapeutic use of antibiotics . For the occurrence of sepsis (IGIV: 14 cases; placebo 19 cases) and other infections (IGIV: 11 cases; placebo: 10 cases) no significant differences were found . No side effects of the administration of IGIV were observed . IGIV prophylaxis neither reduced the overall death rate nor those deaths caused by infection . On day 5 after administration of the first 12 g of IGIV, the IgG serum concentrations were significantly higher in the Sandoglobulin group (8.41 +/- 1.96 mg/ml and 7.42 +/- 2.25 mg/ml respectively, p less than 0.001) whereas later serum samples showed no significant differences.

Prep Biochem, 1985, 15(3), 121 - 31
The enrichment of plasmid DNAs, in bacterial cell lysates, using an alkaline-pH procedure that does not permanently denature them; Ranhand JM; The method described permits the enrichment of large (greater than or equal to 54 kb), small (less than or equal to 2.1 kb), or intermediate sizes of plasmid DNAs . It is a modification of the plasmid enrichment method described by Currier and Nester (Anal . Biochem., 76, 431-441, 1976) in that it defers the alkali denaturation step until the pH and temperature can be controlled . This prevents permanent alkali denaturation of some plasmids . In general, total cellular nucleic acids are precipitated with either ethanol or isopropanol after lysates, in 3% w/v NaCl, are extracted with a phenol-chloroform mixture . The nucleic acids are then treated at an alkaline-pH (12.3-12.4), in a buffer, at 0 degree C, for a minimum time of 15 min . Denatured DNA, in 3% w/v NaCl, is removed with phenol . The RNA- containing, plasmid enriched fraction, is once again precipitated with either ethanol or isopropanol, dried in a vacuum, and redissolved . Samples are then digested with various restriction enzymes and/or examined directly on agarose gels after treatment with RNAase A.

Digestion, 1985, 32(2), 86 - 91
Value of the 14C-D-xylose breath test in patients with intestinal bacterial overgrowth; Schneider A et al.; 18 control subjects and 18 patients, with a variety of gastrointestinal conditions were investigated using a 10-muCi 14C-D-xylose breath test . The latter also underwent quantitative bacterial studies of fluid obtained by intestinal intubation . In 14 patients a smaller dose of 3 muCi 14C-D-xylose was compared to the standard dose and there was a good correlation between the two doses . The peak value of the 14C-D-xylose test provided the best discrimination between patients with and without bacterial overgrowth . The 14C-glycocholic acid test performed in 15 patients, although as sensitive, was less discriminating . The 14C-D-xylose breath test is reliable and more specific in confirming the diagnosis of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth without having to resort to direct bacterial studies.

Ann Endocrinol (Paris), 1985, 46(6), 389 - 97
{Biphasic action of human growth hormones, of hypophyseal origin or bacterial production, on the lipolysis of rat adipocytes in vitro}; Elsair J et al.; Actions of: human growth hormone resultant from hypophysis: HGH h (contaminated by beta LPH 1%) or produced by bacteria HGH b (pure), beta LPH resultant from human hypophysis, one of the somatomedins: multiplication stimulating activity (MSA), produced from a culture of rat hepatocytes, are considered in lipolysis of rat adipocytes "in vitro": basal, stimulated by epinephrine (0.1 and 1 microgram/ml), and when insulin is present (0.1 and 1 mUI/ml), during two periods I: 0-1 h 30, II: 1 h 30 - 4 h (hormonal addition at time 0) . MSA appears to be antilipolytic during the two periods, between 0 and 4 h, with 500 ng/ml . A dose of 200 ng/ml is inactive . Beta LPH is lipolytic: 400 and 230 ng/ml, during phase I . At the ratio of the contaminate of HGH h 1000 ng/ml, resultant from hypophysis: 10 ng/ml, the action is less significant . Human growth hormones HGH h and HGH b appear to be: antilipolytic during the first period 0 1 h 30 with 1000 and 300 ng/ml, and, then lipolytic between 1 h 30 and 4 h with 1000, 300 and 100 ng/ml . The effect is pure with HGH b during the two periods, and, principally, during phase I when there is an absence of lipolytic contaminate . Biphasic action: antilipolytic, lipolytic, ascertained with a pure growth hormone: HGH b "in vitro" represents an effect "per se", non mediated by an eventual "in vivo" action of somatomedins.

Gene, 1985, 39(2-3), 247 - 54
Periplasmic production of correctly processed human growth hormone in Escherichia coli: natural and bacterial signal sequences are interchangeable; Gray GL et al.; We have studied the synthesis, secretion, and processing of human growth hormone (hGH) in Escherichia coli transformed with plasmids engineered for the expression of hGH as a secreted product . In one plasmid, pPreHGH207-2, the coding sequence of the natural hGH precursor (pre-hGH) is placed under the control of the E . coli trp promoter . In a second plasmid, pAPH-1, a DNA fragment containing the E . coli alkaline phosphatase promoter and signal sequence codons is fused to the mature hGH coding sequence (pho-hGH) . Most of the hGH was present in the osmotic shock fluids of E . coli cells containing either plasmid, indicating transport to the periplasmic space . Amino acid sequencing of the N termini of the pre-hGH and pho-hGH gene products revealed that both were processed correctly . Electrophoretic analysis of these polypeptides on reducing and nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide (PA) gels indicates that periplasmic hGH is monomeric and contains the same two disulfide bonds as authentic hGH.

Adv Pediatr, 1985, 32, 139 - 58
Human immune responses to polysaccharide antigens: an analysis of bacterial polysaccharide vaccines in infants; Barrett DJ; Mechanisms of human immunity to polysaccharide encapsulated bacteria and the development and testing of the currently available purified polysaccharide bacterial vaccines are reviewed . These vaccines appear to be poorly immunogenic in infants under the age of two years--those at greatest risk for infection . In an effort to understand the poor responses of infants, the human immune response to polysaccharide antigens was characterized in more detail . Using pneumococcal polysaccharide type 3 as an example, it appears that human polysaccharide antibody responses are analogous to the type 2 T cell independent responses defined in the murine system . These studies suggest that the deficient polysaccharide response of human infants is due to a deficiency in maturation of distinct B lymphocyte subpopulations, as well as imbalanced T regulatory influences . The development of vaccines containing the purified capsular polysaccharides of S . pneumoniae, H.influenzae, and N . meningitidis during the past decade offered promise for the prevention of the major causes of bacterial sepsis and meningitis during childhood . The fulfillment of that promise was thwarted by the unrecognized complexities of human antibody responses to polysaccharide antigens . Continued vigorous research in this area has led us to a better understanding of the cellular requirements and immunoregulation of human polysaccharide antibody responses and has given us a clear direction for the pursuit of an effective means for immunization of infants.

Curr Top Cell Regul, 1985, 26, 531 - 42
Bacterial gene expression and biotechnology; Kung HF et al.; This brief review article has been intended to give a few up-to-date examples of the dramatic impact that our knowledge of gene expression (especially bacterial gene expression) has had in the area of biotechnology . This area is in a state of such rapid growth that it has only been possible to present a limited overview of the subject matter . We have tried to illustrate our points with examples from work in which we have had some direct involvement . It should be apparent that continued increase in our understanding of gene expression should provide additional opportunities for expanded application of the new methodology.

Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1985, 46, 37 - 46
Bacterial interactions; Neut C et al.; Bacterial interactions are important both in the formation of polymicrobial abscesses and in the control of the balance of the natural human floras . Investigations of the mechanisms controlling normal flora might be based on gnotobiology, but most of the conclusions are at present obtained indirectly by observations of the flora composition . One example is the typical bifid flora observed during breast-feeding . We studied changes in this following the introduction of bottle-feeding.

Environ Mutagen, 1985, 7(4), 501 - 9
The metabolic activation of 4,4'-methylene-bis-(2-chlorobenzeneamine) to a bacterial mutagen by hepatic postmitochondrial supernatant from human and other species; Cocker J et al.; 4,4'-Methylene-bis-(2-chlorobenzeneamine) (MbOCA) is a commercially important industrial chemical that is carcinogenic in three animal species and mutagenic in the Ames test . The ability of hepatic postmitochondrial supernatant from humans, dogs, mice, and rats to activate MbOCA to a bacterial mutagen has been investigated using the Ames plate incorporation test and a bacterial fluctuation test . In the Ames plate test, hepatic S9 preparations from mice and Aroclor 1254-induced rats only were sufficiently active to produce a significant mutagenic response . Preincubation of MbOCA with S9 from human liver produced a slight increase in the number of revertants but not a doubling as compared to controls . However, using the more sensitive bacterial fluctuation test, liver S9 from all species activated MbOCA to a bacterial mutagen . The responses produced were dose-related and, for at least part of the dose range, were double the background levels observed in controls . The increases in the mutagenicity of MbOCA produced by liver S9 from humans, dogs, and rats were significant at the 0.1% level of probability . Liver S9 preparations from all species in which MbOCA is carcinogenic have now been demonstrated to be capable of activating this compound to a bacterial mutagen . The finding that S9 from human liver can also activate MbOCA to a mutagen increases the concern that it may be a human carcinogen.

Prep Biochem, 1985, 15(1-2), 61 - 94
Gel electrophoretic procedures potentially applicable to the isolation of human growth hormone from a transformed bacterial source at the gram-preparative scale; Kapadia G et al.; A crude bacterial extract containing approximately 4 mg/ml protein, 25% of which was human growth hormone (hGH), was subjected to two alternative gel electrophoretic isolation procedures, designated I and II . Procedure I exploits the high electrophoretic net mobility (RM larger than 0.127) at pH 7.6, 0 degrees C, of the bacterial contaminants relative to hGH . This allows one to stack the contaminants at a protein load of 31.5 mg/cm2 of gel, using a "non-restrictive" gel concentration . Unstacked hGH is collected from the gel section between 0.3 and 0.6 of relative gel length and extracted electrophoretically as described previously . Alternatively, the unstacked hGH was concentrated on the gel by dispatching a second moving boundary behind the original stack ("re-stacking") and a gel section (relative gel length 0.45 to 0.6) between the two moving boundaries was excised and subjected to electrophoretic extraction . The yield of hGH ranged from 70 to 82%, and its purity (weight/Lowry) ranged from 86 to 115% . Procedure II exploits the high electrophoretic net mobility (RM larger than 0.064) at pH 10.5, 0 degrees C, of hGH relative to its bacterial contaminants at a gel concentration of 9 %T, 2 %CBis, at a protein load of 2.5 mg/cm2 of gel . The selectively stacked hGH is collected by preparative elution-PAGE, using an apparatus with 17.6 cm2 gel surface area . The yield of hGH was 90% and its purity ranged from 84-92%.

Gene, 1985, 35(1-2), 103 - 11
ColD-derived cloning vectors that autoamplify in the stationary phase of bacterial growth; Frey J et al.; The construction of cloning vectors based on the replicon of plasmid ColD-CA23 is reported . These vectors, like ColD itself, autoamplify when cultures of host bacteria enter the stationary phase of growth, thereby resulting in a substantial increase in the expression of cloned genes as a consequence of the increase in gene dosage . The principal advantage of these vectors is that, unlike the situation pertaining to other expression vectors, the increase in expression of genes cloned in ColD vectors does not require any experimental intervention (i.e., occurs naturally), and takes place at high cell densities . The vectors show high stability in Escherichia coli strains and are compatible with ColE1-type cloning vectors.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1985, 30(3), 258 - 66
Stimulation of human blood lymphocyte by different polyclonal B cell activators of bacterial and plant origin: production of IgM, IgG and IgA estimated by the ELISA method; Tlaskalova-Hogenova H et al.; Lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood of healthy donors were stimulated in vitro with pokeweed mitogen, concanavalin A, flagellin, Nocardia delipidated cell mitogen (NDCM) and heat-killed bacteria Escherichia coli and Actinomyces viscosus . A simple and sensitive technique, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the detection of nanogram levels of IgM, IgA and IgC in media from lymphocyte cultures after polyclonal stimulation, Pokeweed mitogen, NDCM and E . coli were shown to stimulate a high production of IgM; after stimulation with A . viscosus a higher production of IgA was detected . No immunoglobulin production was observed after stimulation with polymerized flagellin.

Biochemistry, 1985 Jan 1, 24(1), 47 - 51
Bacterial phosphotransferase system: regulation of mannitol enzyme II activity by sulfhydryl oxidation; Grenier FC et al.; The mechanism by which the oxidation-reduction potential regulates the bacterial phosphotransferase system in Escherichia coli has been investigated . Transphosphorylation experiments verified that the oxidizing agent, potassium ferricyanide, directly inhibits mannitol enzyme II activity . Phosphorylation of enzyme IImtl with enzyme I, heat-stable phosphocarrier protein of the phosphotransferase system, and phosphoenolpyruvate partially protects the enzyme from ferricyanide inhibition . The enzyme is even less sensitive to inhibition during catalytic turnover . Preincubation of unphosphorylated enzyme with ferricyanide, however, reversibly inactivates it even at high mannitol concentrations . The results are inconsistent with a regulatory mechanism in which sulfhydryl oxidation influences the affinity of the enzyme for the substrate . Instead, it is concluded that the oxidized enzyme is inactive.

Plasmid, 1985 Jan, 13(1), 78 - 80
Isolation of bacterial plasmids by density gradient centrifugation in cesium trifluoroacetate (CsTFA) without the use of ethidium bromide; Andersson K et al.; Plasmids extracted from bacterial cells by alkaline extraction can easily be isolated from linear DNA by isopycnic centrifugation in CsTFA . This is a fast and simple method which circumvents the use of the intercalating dye, ethidium bromide, and consequently the problems associated with its removal . The buoyant densities for covalently closed circular DNA and linear DNA in CsTFA are 1.60 g/ml and 1.65 g/ml, respectively . The isolation is achieved regardless of plasmid size and can be accomplished at temperatures of between 4 and 30 degrees C . Plasmid DNA isolated in gradients of CsTFA are of a high purity and have been found to be intact when cleaved with restriction enzymes and ligated with T4 DNA ligase.

Pediatr Radiol, 1985, 15(3), 202 - 4
Ruptured mycotic aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery secondary to bacterial endocarditis in a 6-year-old-girl; Christophe C et al.; By non-invasive examination we demonstrated a false mycotic aneurysm on a branch of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) . It suddenly ruptured but was managed successfully . The patient had mitral valve disease and probably bacterial endocarditis also.

Anal Biochem, 1985 Jan, 144(1), 1 - 5
Spectrofluorometric determination of bacterial DNA base composition; Lutz LH et al.; A spectrofluorometric technique for bacterial DNA base composition has been developed . This fast and simple technique requires two fluorescent dyes and a few inexpensive reagents . The data from this assay indicate that the guanine-cytosine content obtained was within acceptable statistical limits in comparison to commonly cited literature values . The spectrofluorometric technique is reliable and reproducible.

J Cell Biochem, 1985, 27(1), 43 - 56
Evidence for the evolutionary relatedness of the proteins of the bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system; Saier MH Jr et al.; The phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS) found in enteric bacteria is a complex enzyme system consisting of a non-sugar-specific phosphotransfer protein called Enzyme I, two small non-sugar-specific phosphocarrier substrates of Enzyme I, designated HPr and FPr, and at least 11 sugar-specific Enzymes II or Enzyme II-III pairs which are phosphorylated at the expense of phospho-HPr or phospho-FPr . In this communication, evidence is presented which suggests that these proteins share a common evolutionary origin and that a fructose-specific phosphotransferase may have been the primordial ancestor of them all . The evidence results from an evaluation of 1) PTS protein sequence data; 2) structural analysis of operons encoding proteins of the PTS; 3) genetic regulatory mechanisms controlling expression of these operons; 4) enzymatic characteristics of the PTS systems; 5) immunological cross reactivities of these proteins; 6) comparative studies of phosphotransferase systems from evolutionarily divergent bacteria; 7) the nature of the phosphorylated protein intermediates; 8) molecular weight comparisons among the different Enzymes II and Enzyme II-III pairs; and 9) interaction studies involving different PTS protein constituents . The evidence leads to a unifying theory concerning the evolutionary origin of the system, explains many structural, functional, and regulatory properties of the phosphotransferase system, and leads to specific predictions which should guide future research concerned with genetic, biochemical, and physiological aspects of the system.

Horm Res, 1985, 21(1), 10 - 8
Different acute in vivo effects of bacterial derived and pituitary growth hormone preparations on plasma levels of glucagon, insulin and free fatty acids in rabbits; Knudtzon J et al.; Intravenous injection of high doses of bacterial derived growth hormone (1 and 2 mg Somatonorm) did not affect the plasma levels of glucagon, insulin and free fatty acids in fasted and fed rabbits . On the other hand, 1 and 2 mg human extracted growth hormone (Crescormon) had stimulatory effects on plasma levels of glucagon, insulin and free fatty acids . These results indicate that the observed stimulatory effects in the rabbits were not due to the growth hormone molecule itself . It was shown by gel filtration and SDS electrophoresis that Crescormon contained constituents that were not present in Somatonorm . The differences in the observed metabolic effects of bacterial derived and pituitary growth hormone preparations in the rabbits could possibly be attributed to a human pituitary lipid-mobilizing factor LMF.

Nephron, 1985, 39(1), 21 - 5
Host immune status in uraemia . VI . Leucocytic response to bacterial infection in chronic renal failure; Nelson J et al.; Infection often complicates renal failure and frequently causes death, but the association between renal failure, impaired immunity and infection has not been proved . A recent study showed that patients on dialysis did not show an expected leucocytic response to infection, suggesting that the blunted response was evidence of the immunocompromised state of the uraemic patient . In this study, the relationship between leucocytic responses and infectious challenge was investigated in an animal model of chronic renal failure . Bacteraemia, peritonitis and a chronic lung infection were induced in normal and uraemic rats; the leucocytic response was then monitored . In all three infections, the total white blood cell response was significantly less in the uraemic animals . Neutrophil numbers actually increased, but this response was disguised by a pronounced depression in lymphocyte numbers . Our conclusion is that, although the leucocytic response of the uraemic host to infection may be depressed, the changes to individual leucocyte components in the peripheral blood are sufficiently characteristic to provide useful evidence of infection.

Cornea, 1985-86, 4(1), 14 - 8
Bacterial infection of a neurotrophic cornea in an immunocompromised subject; Webb RM et al.; The following is a case report of a 61-year-old woman with a 10-year history of pemphigus vulgaris, successfully treated with steroids and cytotoxic agents . The patient developed severe herpes zoster ophthalmicus, complicated by a staph-indolent corneal ulcer . This case illustrates several of the many unfortunate ophthalmological complications that may develop in the immunocompromised patient.

Leuk Res, 1985, 9(10), 1277 - 82
Effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide on the production of colony-stimulating activity in C3H/HeJ mouse long-term bone marrow cultures; Aizawa S et al.; Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced colony-stimulating activity (CSA) in murine long-term bone marrow culture system was investigated . Bone marrow culture cells of LPS-nonresponsive C3H/HeJ mice responded to LPS in terms of CSA production as efficiently as bone marrow culture cells of LPS-responsive C3H/slc mice . On the other hand, both peritoneal macrophages and bone marrow macrophages from C3H/HeJ mice did not produce CSA in vitro after treatment with LPS . Percoll density gradient separation of adherent layer cells in bone marrow cultures showed that two cell populations were present . One population was nonspecific esterase positive, productive of high CSA to LPS stimulation and light density cells, the other population was nonspecific esterase negative, productive of low CSA to LPS stimulation and high density cells, and CSA production stimulated by LPS in C3H/HeJ mice bone marrow culture cells was mainly attributed to the latter population of cells . These results suggest that CSA production stimulated by LPS in C3H/HeJ mice is regulated by different cell populations, respectively in vivo and in vitro.

Trans Ophthalmol Soc U K, 1985, 104 ( Pt 3), 278 - 84
Post-operative bacterial endophthalmitis; Davidson SI; This paper critically reviews current practice in the United Kingdom in the presence of post-operative bacterial endophthalmitis . An appropriate therapeutic regime is suggested and the value of vitrectomy is emphasised together with the importance of the administration of intra-vitreal and intra-venous antibiotics.

Int J Immunopharmacol, 1985, 7(2), 287 - 90
Induction of interleukin 1 secretion by murine macrophages and human monocytes after stimulation by RU 41740, a bacterial immunomodulator; Guenounou M et al.; RU 41740, a glycoprotein extract from K . pneumoniae K2O1 strain, is an immunomodulating compound which has been shown to reduce infectious episodes in patients prone to recurrent infections . Data from preliminary experiments suggest that RU 41740 may affect several target cells, including T cells, B cells or macrophages . In the present report we show that RU 41740 can trigger mouse macrophages and human adherent mononuclear cells to produce interleukin 1 activity . Indeed, supernatants from mouse peritoneal adherent cells and human monocytes incubated in presence of RU 41740, can stimulate blastogenesis in thymocytes from C3H/HeJ mice . The data suggest that the immunomodulating effect of RU 41740 could be related to its ability to induce interleukin 1 production.

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol, 1985, 109(1), 55 - 9
Serum sialic acid in malignant tumors, bacterial infections, and chronic liver diseases; Stefenelli N et al.; The total serum sialic acid concentration was determined in 2,264 persons with various malignant tumors, bacterial infections, rheumatic diseases, and chronic liver diseases, and in a control group . The thiobarbiturate method according to Warren was used . The upper limit (95% percentile) in the control group was 2.23 mumol/ml . Higher values were found in the groups with neoplasms (mean: 3.04 mumol/ml), inflammatory diseases (e.g., pneumonia: 3.02 mumol/ml), and active rheumatoid arthritis (3.05 mumol/ml) . In the group with malignant diseases, the sialic acid concentration at the time of diagnosis was highest for bronchial carcinoma (3.29 mumol/ml) and lowest for breast cancer (2.58 mumol/ml) . In chronic liver diseases the mean sialic acid level was lower than in a heterogeneous group of noninflammatory and nonneoplastic diseases . The estimation of the serum sialic acid concentration could be useful in the detection of tumor burden and metastases, and in the evaluation of the later course and prognosis of malignant neoplasms if bacterial/inflammatory and active rheumatoid processes can be excluded.

Arch Oral Biol, 1985, 30(8), 595 - 8
A scanning electron microscopic study of bacterial penetration of human enamel in incipient caries; Seppa L et al.; In 23 human teeth, cracked enamel under white spot lesions without any visible loss of tooth substance was examined . Bacterial contamination from the enamel surface was prevented by brushing and consequent fixing of the remaining surface coatings before the enamel was fractured . In 7 of 23 specimens, bacterial colonies were observed under the enamel surface, sometimes as deep as the enamel-dentine junction and the dentine . In most samples the subsurface enamel appeared to be partly disintegrated . Bacteria can thus be found under surface enamel at an early stage of caries while the surface is still intact.

Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl, 1985, 109, 123 - 32
Bacterial overgrowth; Bjorneklett A et al.; Different aspects of bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine are reviewed . The pathophysiological mechanisms involving both bacterial metabolism of dietary components and secretions and effects on the mucosal cells are discussed in more detail . The current therapy, surgical, medical and supportive, is outlined.

Auris Nasus Larynx, 1985, 12 Suppl 1, S102 - 4
Bacterial examination of serous otitis media and experimental tubal stenosis; Morikawa K et al.; Involvement of bacteria in serous otitis media was studied in man and by animal experimentation (using rabbits) . Bacteria from the middle ear fluid, the skin of the external ear canal and the epipharynx of 100 human ears were cultured . Bacteria were also cultured from 50 ears of rabbits with serous otitis media induced experimentally by tubal stenosis, in the same way as those taken from human ears . Bacteria were detected in the middle ear fluid of 61 human ears (61%), and in 48 human ears (48%) except for those with contamination . The bacteria detected in the middle ear fluid were the same as those detected in the epipharynx in 40 of the 50 rabbit ears during the period from the start of treatment to the 30th day . In ears which were treated for more than 30 days, the bacteria detected in the middle ear fluid tended not to be the same as those detected in the epipharynx . From these results it was inferred that inflammation of the epipharynx spread over the middle ear cavity through the auditory tube.

Gene, 1985, 36(3), 211 - 23
Alterations upstream from the Shine-Dalgarno region and their effect on bacterial gene expression; Stanssens P et al.; A vector containing the leftward promoter (pL) as transcription initiation signal and a synthetic, easily adaptable translation initiation region have been constructed . We have used the expression system to assess the relevance of sequences upstream from the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) region in the translational-initiation process . To this end, a series of structural variants of the prototype ribosome-binding site were used to direct the synthesis of both mature human fibroblast interferon and beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) . It was found that alterations 5' to the SD element can considerably affect the rate of mRNA translation . The observation that the relative efficiency of the various 5'-untranslated regions depends on the downstream coding information implies that secondary (and/or tertiary) structure formation is of major importance in the initiation process . But an mRNA folding, in which the SD and ATG determinant are set free in single-stranded regions, does not unconditionally guarantee an efficient initiation of translation.

J Basic Microbiol, 1985, 25(5), 335 - 9
Bacterial resistance to streptothricins; Haupt I et al.; Resistance to streptothricin was studied in bacteria with different resistance mechanisms . The laboratory-induced streptothricin-resistant mutant E . coli A19 Stcr 2/2/1 showed a high level of cross-resistance to aminoglycosides and other miscoding inducing antibiotics . In contrast, aminoglycosid-resistant E . coli strains with plasmid-determined aminoglycoside modifying enzymes were sensitive to streptothricin . Enzymatic inactivation of streptothricin by acetylation was demonstrated for the streptothricin producing Streptomyces noursei, strain NG13 . This strain showed no cross-resistance to miscoding inducing aminoglycosides.

J Virol, 1985 Jan, 53(1), 81 - 8
Use of a bacterial expression vector to map the varicella-zoster virus major glycoprotein gene, gC; Ellis RW et al.; The genome of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) encodes at least three major glycoprotein genes . Among viral gene products, the gC gene products are the most abundant glycoproteins and induce a substantial humoral immune response (Keller et al., J . Virol . 52:293-297, 1984) . We utilized two independent approaches to map the gC gene . Small fragments of randomly digested VZV DNA were inserted into a bacterial expression vector . Bacterial colonies transformed by this vector library were screened serologically for antigen expression with monoclonal antibodies to gC . Hybridization of the plasmid DNA from a gC antigen-positive clone revealed homology to the 3' end of the VZV Us segment . In addition, mRNA from VZV-infected cells was hybrid selected by a set of VZV DNA recombinant plasmids and translated in vitro, and polypeptide products were immunoprecipitated by convalescent zoster serum or by monoclonal antibodies to gC . This analysis revealed that the mRNA encoding a 70,000-dalton polypeptide precipitable by anti-gC antibodies mapped to the HindIII C fragment, which circumscribes the entire Us region . We conclude that the VZV gC glycoprotein gene maps to the 3' end of the Us region and is expressed as a 70,000-dalton primary translational product . These results are consistent with the recently reported DNA sequence of Us (A.J . Davison, EMBO J . 2:2203-2209, 1983) . Furthermore, glycosylation appears not to be required for a predominant portion of the antigenicity of gC glycoproteins . We also report the tentative map assignments for eight other VZV primary translational products.

Int J Immunopharmacol, 1985, 7(5), 713 - 8
Immunomodulation of allergic autocytotoxicity in bronchial asthma by a bacterial lysate--Broncho-Vaxom; Podleski WK; The direct and antibody-dependent allergic autocytotoxicity (ACT) response, mediated by food antigens and its immunoregulation with bacterial lysate of the eight most common pathogens of the upper respiratory tract--Broncho-Vaxom (BX), was investigated in fifteen bronchial asthma patients and eight normal control individuals . Under the described experimental conditions, the BX inhibits ACT response in vitro . In analyzing the mechanism of this effect, the enhancement of T suppressor cells by BX was under consideration.

Dev Biol Stand, 1985, 61, 21 - 6
Bordetella extracytoplasmic adenylate cyclase: actions as a bacterial toxin; Hewlett EL et al.; Virulent Bordetella organisms produce an adenylate cyclase which is extracytoplasmic in location, activated by the eukaryotic regulatory protein, calmodulin, and able to act as a toxin, promoting cyclic AMP accumulation in target mammalian cells . Initial steps in purification of this novel adenylate cyclase toxin reveal two forms: one which possesses only enzymatic adenylate cyclase activity, but has no effect on intact target cells; and the other which has both enzymatic and intoxicating activity . These data suggest that this toxin may conform to the A/B model for bacterial toxins . A variety of mammalian cell types can be affected by the adenylate cyclase toxin, including neutrophils, macrophages, monocytes, lymphocytes, lymphoma cells, and pituitary cells . Although the consequence of intoxication in many cells is inhibition of normal function, the enhancement of pituitary hormone secretion by this toxin suggests that its biological effects are the result of cAMP accumulation . These data confirm the hypothesis that Bordetella adenylate cyclase is, indeed, a toxin and illustrate its role as a novel research probe.

Toxicon, 1985, 23(2), 307 - 16
Interrelationships between toxins: studies on the cross-reactivity between bacterial or animal toxins and monoclonal antibodies to two jellyfish venoms; Olson CE et al.; Affinity chromatography on columns of immobilized anti-Chrysaora and anti-Physalia monoclonal antibodies can be an effective purification tool for animal and bacterial toxins . Furthermore, the fact that specific fractions of a given species obtained from immunochromatography columns prepared with either monoclonal antibody possessed identical protein bands, were quantitatively similar in in vitro cardiotoxicity and bound like amounts of antibody, as indicated by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, suggested that antigenic targets of the two monoclonal antibodies are cross-reactive and/or are located on the same molecule . Additional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were conducted using non-coelenterate toxins . The significant binding of brown recluse spider venom and purified cholera toxin to both our monoclonal antibodies indicated that these toxic substances shared a common or cross-reacting antigenic site(s) with some coelenterate venoms.

Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl, 1985, 111, 7 - 16
Bacterial overgrowth as a consequence of reduced gastric acidity; Stockbruegger RW; Reduction in acid secretion in atrophic gastritis allows bacterial colonization of the stomach, most extremely in achlorhydric patients with pernicious anaemia, in whom overgrowth may cause nitrate reduction and formation of potentially carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds . Subsequent bacterial contamination of the upper small intestine can induce mucosal damage and malabsorption . The situation is similar after gastrectomy . In achlorhydria and after gastrectomy, the risk of gastric cancer is increased . There is controversy as to the risks of long-term treatment with H2-receptor antagonists . Increase in nitrate-reducing bacteria, nitrite and N-nitrosamine have been observed in patients by some investigators but not in volunteers and patients by others . Bacterial concentrations after cimetidine are inversely related to pretreatment acid secretory capacity . Demonstration of increased mutagenicity of gastric juice after H2-receptor antagonists gives grounds for caution . Drastic acid reduction may in future be reserved for short-term and intermittent treatment and mild or moderate reduction for long-term treatment of peptic ulcer and ulcer prevention.

Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1985, 33(6), 735 - 9
The influence of isoprinosine (ISO) on some cell immunity parameters in mice infected with influenza viruses and in mixed viral-bacterial infections . I . The release of the migration inhibiting factor from spleen leukocytes; Bialek J et al.; The influence of ISO, the antiviral drug of immunomodulating activity, on the course of experimental influenza infections and mixed, viral-bacterial infections was studied . Spleen leukocytes migration inhibition test, performed in vitro in the presence of specific antigens stimulating influence of the drug administered to the infected animals was observed.

Z Erkr Atmungsorgane, 1985, 165(1), 48 - 52
{Interferon induction in lymphocytes using a bacterial lysate}; Schubert K et al.; A polyvalent bacterial lysate (IRS 19) could be shown to induce interferon (IFN) in peripheral mononuclear leukocytes isolated from human and mouse blood by density gradient centrifugation . Upon stimulation with optimal doses of the inducer, the cells of both species produced 1000 to 2000 IU IFN/ml when cultured for up to 72 hours . In both systems the interferon was released to the culture supernatants in a first wave from one to four hours after addition of the inducer and in a second beyond the 16th hour of incubation increasing up to 72 hours, this time, reaching a 10 fold higher titer.

Pol J Pharmacol Pharm, 1985 Jan-Feb, 37(1), 33 - 40
The influence of copper-dextran complex (C-79), non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and bacterial pyrogen on stabilization of rabbit erythrocyte membrane; Debowy J et al.; We investigated the effect of copper-dextran complex (C-79), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), mefenamic acid (MEFA) and indomethacin (IND), alone or combined with E . coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on osmotic fragility of rabbit erythrocytes . It has been found that LPS in combination with ASA, MEFA, and IND did not change the stabilizing effect of the antipyretics on rabbit erythrocyte membrane . C-79 in doses of 0.4-0.8 mg Cu/kg iv stabilized the erythrocyte membrane for several hours . In lower doses, the compound produced a weak stabilizing effect, and an opposite effect was induced by a dose of 1.6 mg Cu/kg . After administration of C-79 and LPS in combination, the duration of LPS-induced fever was shortened and the erythrocyte stabilization by C-79 was weaker . A combination of ASA with C-79 depressed the body temperature in normothermic animals, while the stabilizing effect of both compounds on the erythrocyte membrane was non-additive.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1984 Dec 15, 150(8), 917 - 24
The prevalence, six-month persistence, and predictive values of laboratory indicators of bacterial vaginosis (nonspecific vaginitis) in asymptomatic women; Bump RC et al.; The natural course of signs and laboratory test findings indicative of bacterial vaginosis was followed in an observational noninterventive 6-month longitudinal study of 270 asymptomatic women . Only the minority of positive Gardnerella vaginalis cultures (5 of 33), wet mount clue cells (5 of 14), sniff tests (3 of 11), Papanicolaou smear clue cells (0 of 5), and discharge consistent with bacterial vaginosis (11 of 49) persisted in the absence of therapy . While these four laboratory parameters as well as chromatographic succinate/lactate ratios (performed only on the final visit) were abnormal significantly more often in patients with abnormal discharge than in those with normal discharge (p = 0.006, p less than 0.0001, p less than 0.0001, p = 0.0003, and p = 0.002, respectively), all were insensitive predictors of abnormal discharge with sensitivities ranging between 10.6% and 20.2% and abnormal test predictive values between 30.6% and 65.2% . We conclude that G . vaginalis represents indigenous flora in some normal women and that therapy is unwarranted for the incidental finding of a positive laboratory indicator of bacterial vaginosis in the patient without symptoms.

J Immunol Methods, 1984 Dec 14, 75(1), 193 - 9
In vitro induction of B cell differentiation in canine mononuclear blood cells: bacterial lipopolysaccharide modulates the action of pokeweed mitogen; Prummer O et al.; Pokeweed mitogen (PWM) was shown to induce the generation of plasmacytoid cells (PC) from canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro . PC were detected by immunofluorescence staining of cytoplasmic immunoglobulin . Optimal culture conditions for PC formation were established and the range of the PC response in normal dogs assessed . Addition to PWM of bacterial lipopolysaccharide enhanced PC formation in most instances . This occurred in the absence of increased cell proliferation and without altering the time course of the response . Mitogen-induced PC generation may provide a useful tool for delineating the capacity of canine blood cells to mount a humoral immune response.

Nature, 1984 Dec 13-19, 312(5995), 612 - 5
A bacterial repressor protein or a yeast transcriptional terminator can block upstream activation of a yeast gene; Brent R et al.; A bacterial repressor protein blocks transcription of a gene in yeast when its operator is placed in the promoter between the upstream activator sequence and the transcription start point . Putative transcription terminators from yeast installed in the same region of the promoter have a similar effect.

Nature, 1984 Dec 6-12, 312(5994), 509 - 13
Mechanism of colour discrimination by a bacterial sensory rhodopsin; Spudich JL et al.; A photosensitive protein resembling the visual pigments of invertebrates enables phototactic archaebacteria to distinguish colour . This protein exists in two spectrally-distinct forms, one of which is a transient photoproduct of the other and each of which undergoes photochemical reactions controlling the cell's swimming behaviour . Activation of a single pigment molecule in the cell is sufficient to signal the flagellar motor . This signal-transduction mechanism makes evident a colour-sensing capability inherent in the retinal/protein chromophore.

J Clin Microbiol . 1984 Dec;20(6):1186.
Correlation of leukocyte esterase activity and bacterial isolation from body fluids; Smalley DL et al.; We evaluated 230 body fluid samples, of which 131 were peritoneal effluents and 99 were other body fluids . Of these, 63 dialysates were culture positive, and 54 (85.7%) of these 63 were leukocyte esterase positive . Of 99 other body fluids, 8 were both culture positive and leukocyte esterase positive.

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1984 Dec, 88(6), 1035 - 7
Thermodilution cardiac output studies as a cause of prosthetic valve bacterial endocarditis; Stiles GM et al.; The injectate used for thermodilution cardiac output determinations is a potential source for direct bloodstream contamination, resulting in bacterial endocarditis after cardiac operations . An experiment simulating three techniques for obtaining injectate samples showed one of them to be clearly unacceptable.

J Bacteriol, 1984 Dec, 160(3), 958 - 65
General approach to bacterial nutrition: growth factor requirements of Moraxella nonliquefaciens; Juni E et al.; A general procedure was devised for the determination of growth factor requirements of heterotrophic bacteria based upon identification of individual nutrients as they are successively depleted from a limited quantity of complex medium . By using this approach, it was possible to develop a defined medium for growth of Moraxella nonliquefaciens that contained nine amino acids and three vitamins . Three of the amino acids, proline, serine, and cysteine, were required in unusually high concentrations to obtain optimal growth . Methionine had a sparing action on the requirements for serine and cysteine . Glycine could substitute for serine . Although a required nutrient, cysteine was inhibitory for growth, but this inhibitory action was antagonized by valine or leucine . The requirement for cysteine was satisfied by cystine, glutathione, or sodium sulfide . M . nonliquefaciens could not use ammonia as a nitrogen source but could use glutamate or aspartate for this purpose . With the exception of 1 auxotrophic strain, the growth factor requirements of 23 independently isolated strains of M . nonliquefaciens were essentially the same.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1984 Dec, 81(23), 7421 - 5
In vitro translocation of bacterial proteins across the plasma membrane of Escherichia coli; Muller M et al.; Precursors to two periplasmic proteins and one outer membrane protein were synthesized in a membrane-free extract from Escherichia coli programmed with plasmid DNA . In the presence of inverted plasma membrane vesicles from E . coli up to 25% of the precursor molecules were converted into their mature forms . Using externally added proteinase K as a probe, we found the processed proteins segregated within the membrane vesicles . By the same criteria, a small amount of each precursor also proved to be translocated, indicating that translocation and signal sequence cleavage are not necessarily coupled processes . Furthermore, we present conclusive evidence that the translocation step can occur post-translationally even as late as 60 min after the beginning of translation.

Immunology, 1984 Dec, 53(4), 837 - 45
Accelerated expansion of antibody heterogeneity by complete Freund's adjuvant during the response to bacterial alpha-amylase; Nakashima S et al.; Changes in the isoelectric focusing (IEF) spectra of specific antibodies were followed during the response of individual mice to bacterial alpha-amylase (B alpha A) in either incomplete or complete Freund's adjuvant (IFA or CFA) . The response to a suboptimal dose of B alpha A was maximally enhanced by employing CFA at an optimal dose of Mycobacterium tuberculosis . Regardless of the strain difference in responsiveness to B alpha A between C3H/He (C3) and C57B1/6 (B6) mice, the enhancing effect of CFA was characterized by an accelerated expansion of IEF spectra and by the intensified stain of focused antibody, compared with the response of mice immunized with the same antigen dose in IFA . The manner and the rate of heterogeneity expansion during the enhanced antibody response to a low dose in CFA were quite similar to the strictly restricted expansion of spectra during a response of a high dose of B alpha A in IFA, although each mouse showed an individual banding pattern with a different degree of heterogeneity, depending on the antibody titre . Thus, CFA accelerated the expansion of IEF spectra during the response to B alpha A without affecting the general manner of sequential expansion of anti-B alpha A antibody heterogeneity.

J Pediatr, 1984 Dec, 105(6), 977 - 81
Evolution of serum prealbumin, C-reactive protein, and orosomucoid in neonates with bacterial infection; Sann L et al.; The simultaneous changes in serum prealbumin, orosomucoid (alpha-acidglycoprotein, AGP), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated in 36 newborn infants with septicemia (n = 20), meningitis (n = 10), arthritis (n = 5), and peritonitis (n = 1) . In 29 patients with a favorable outcome the values for serum prealbumin and CRP showed a rapid return toward normal: in 2 to 3 days serum prealbumin increased by 84% from the basal value and remained at (mean +/- 1 SD) 0.11 +/- 0.02 gm/L . Serum CRP decreased from 85 +/- 75 mg/L (range 0.15 to 206 mg/L) to 49 +/- 64 mg/L (2 to 210 mg/L) at 3 to 4 days of evolution and to normal values at day 13 to 16 . The changes in serum orosomucoid values were slower, from 1.33 +/- 0.75 gm/L to 1.16 +/- 0.75 gm/L at day 13 to 16, with normalization after 20 to 30 days . Serum orosomucoid values returned to the normal range with the clinical improvement . In some patients the orosomucoid/prealbumin ratio decreased earlier than the serum orosomucoid concentration . Seven patients died, and in four of these in whom at least three values could be determined serum CRP and orosomucoid remained very high, whereas serum prealbumin did not increase or subsequently decreased . These data show an inverse change in serum CRP and prealbumin concentrations in infected neonates . The immediate decrease in CRP reflects the effect of treatment, whereas the later decrease in serum AGP parallels the clinical course of the infection . Thus the determination of these proteins can help to guide the treatment of infection in newborn infants.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1984 Dec, (12), 101 - 4
{Isolation and characteristics of IgA1 and its use for detecting bacterial IgA1 proteases}; Amelina IP et al.; Sufficiently purified IgA, subclass I, has been isolated from the defibrinated plasma of a myeloma patient by chromatography on columns packed with DEAE-Sephadex A-50 or Sephadex G-200, and rabbit antiserum to this immunoglobulin has been obtained . These preparations have been used for detecting specific protease in Bordetella pertussis . The tested B . pertussis strains have been shown to induce, as revealed by immunoelectrophoretic methods, the proteolysis of human IgA, subclass I.

Arch Biochem Biophys, 1984 Dec, 235(2), 493 - 503
Evidence that cyclic AMP stimulates bacterial glycogen synthesis by relieving AMP inhibition of and by increasing the cellular level of ADP-glucose synthetase; Leckie MP et al.; Using Escherichia coli mutants that possess an ADP-glucose synthetase (EC 2.7.7.27, the rate-limiting enzyme of bacterial glycogen synthesis) that differs in its inhibition by physiological levels of AMP, evidence was obtained that cyclic AMP stimulates cellular glycogen synthesis during nitrogen starvation by relieving AMP inhibition of this enzyme (without altering the cellular AMP level) . Deinhibition for AMP of an enzyme controlled by the adenylate energy charge allows selective release from this control despite the maintenance of a constant cellular energy charge value . It was also shown that an additional increase in rate, not accounted for by AMP deinhibition, was due to an increase in the cellular level of ADP-glucose synthetase.

J Exp Med, 1984 Dec 1, 160(6), 1656 - 71
Priming of neutrophils for enhanced release of oxygen metabolites by bacterial lipopolysaccharide . Evidence for increased activity of the superoxide-producing enzyme; Guthrie LA et al.; We investigated the capacity of bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) to modify the oxidative metabolic response to membrane stimulation of human neutrophils . Neutrophils were pretreated for 60 min with LPS, 10 ng/ml, then stimulated by exposure to fixed immune complexes, the chemotactic peptide formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), or phorbol myristate acetate . Release of superoxide anion (O-2) was up to 7-times greater in cells preincubated with LPS, depending upon the stimulus used . Consumption of oxygen and release of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were similarly increased, using FMLP as stimulus . The enhancement was accompanied by a reduction in lag time and an increase in the rate of the response, but the duration of the oxidative events was not changed . The molecular basis for the augmented oxidative response of LPS-pretreated cells was investigated . Preincubation with LPS at 0 degrees C prevented priming, but preincubation in the presence of cycloheximide or chelation of extracellular calcium ion did not . Neutrophils preincubated with LPS had slightly decreased numbers of binding sites and equivalent binding affinity for radiolabeled FMLP . Possible changes in the enzyme responsible for the oxidative burst were analyzed by studying NADPH-dependent generation of O-2 by particulate fractions from cells preincubated with LPS or buffer, then stimulated before cell disruption . The fraction prepared from LPS-pretreated neutrophils exhibited greater release of O-2 over a wide range of concentrations of NADPH . The calculated apparent Km for NADPH was equivalent in the two fractions, but the Vmax was increased 2.5-fold in the subcellular fraction from LPS-pretreated cells . These results suggest that LPS could increase neutrophil-mediated host defense or the tissue damage associated with endotoxemia by enhancing the generation of oxygen metabolites by neutrophils . These results also support the concept that the neutrophil is not an end-stage cell in regard to function or metabolic activity.

Arch Microbiol, 1984 Dec, 140(2-3), 198 - 201
Immunoblotting procedure for the analysis of electrophoretically-fractionated bacterial lipopolysaccharide; Sturm S et al.; A procedure is described for the efficient transfer of fractionated bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from SDS-polyacrylamide gels to nitrocellulose filters, and its subsequent display by a peroxidase-linked antibody . The method is sensitive, and reveals and resolves high molecular weight LPS molecules having side chain lengths of up to and greater than 30 repeat units . It is useful for the rapid analysis of LPS in bacterial outer membrane preparations.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Nov, 48(5), 980 - 3
Measurement of the surface free energy of bacterial cell surfaces and its relevance for adhesion; Busscher HJ et al.; An experimental technique is described to determine contact angles on bacterial layers deposited on cellulose triacetate filters . Measurements with water, water-n-propanol mixtures, and alpha-bromonaphthalene were employed to calculate surface free energies of various oral bacteria . Differences of 30 to 40 erg cm-2 were obtained for four different bacterial species isolated from the human oral cavity, if the concept of dispersion and polar surface free energies is applied . The free energies obtained were used to calculate interfacial free energies of adhesion of these bacteria from saliva onto tooth surfaces . Bacterial adhesion is energetically unfavorable, if the enamel surface free energy is less than 50 erg cm-2.

Thorax, 1984 Nov, 39(11), 868 - 71
Conservative surgery of the mitral valve in bacterial endocarditis; Gammage MD et al.; Surgical repair of the mitral valve was undertaken in two young female patients during the active phase of bacterial endocarditis to eradicate persistent infection . Operation resulted in rapid resolution of infection with good haemodynamic results in both patients . A mitral valve prosthesis has the disadvantage for children of needing replacement because of growth, and for young women of leading to problems in pregnancy because of the need for lifelong anticoagulant treatment . Thus repair rather than replacement of the mitral valve should be considered in patients, especially young women, presenting with mitral regurgitation in these circumstances.

Pediatrics, 1984 Nov, 74(5), 823 - 7
Degenerative changes in neutrophils: an indicator of bacterial infection; Liu CH et al.; A review was made of 195 peripheral blood smears of 157 neonates who required sepsis work-up in the first month of life . Degenerative changes of neutrophils including vacuolization and toxic granulation were observed frequently in infants with culture-proven bacterial sepsis . Of 21 peripheral blood smears from 20 neonates subsequently proven to have bacterial infection, 17 had vacuolization present in the neutrophils for a sensitivity of 81%, a specificity of 93%, and a positive predictive accuracy of 59% . Toxic granulation changes in neutrophils showed similar results . This simple test can be performed easily in all hospitals; it does not require special laboratory facilities . The test appears to provide a valuable adjunct in the early detection of neonatal bacterial infection.

Ann Plast Surg, 1984 Nov, 13(5), 388 - 95
Are burn wound biopsies obsolete? A comparative study of bacterial quantitation in burn patients using the absorbent disc and biopsy techniques; Williams HB et al.; A study of bacterial quantitation in burn wounds was undertaken to compare a new absorbent paper disc technique with the standard burn wound biopsy technique . In the first part of the study 228 paired samples were used to compare the two methods; a high correlation coefficient was found with the four most commonly encountered bacteria, and both methods showed a high specificity and sensitivity for each of the organisms . In the second portion of the study, the discs were compared with burn wound biopsies that had been divided into their superficial and deep segments . Thirty paired samples were studied and again the correlation was high, indicating that the disc technique also measured the organisms found in the deeper tissue levels . The absorbent disc technique is simple, convenient, noninvasive, inexpensive, and yields reproducible results . These findings indicate that burn wound biopsies may no longer be required for infection monitoring in the burn patient.

Mutat Res, 1984 Nov-Dec, 138(2-3), 133 - 6
Mutagenicity examination of several non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in bacterial systems; Kadotani S et al.; The mutagenicity of 6 marketed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, flufenamic acid, diclofenac sodium, indomethacin, naproxen and chloroquine) as well as 2 new anti-inflammatory drugs (tenoxicam and carprofen) was examined by using in vitro bacterial systems (repair test and reversion test) . None of them was mutagenic on Ames' reversion test . However, they differed in their responses to repair tests . Tenoxicam, carprofen, aspirin, flufenamic acid and naproxen were not mutagenic in either rec- or pol-assays, whereas chloroquine only showed positive results in the pol-assay system . Indomethacin and diclofenac sodium exhibited a slightly stronger inhibitory activity against B . subtilis rec- mutant than against its rec+ counterpart in rec-assay, which was much weaker than AF-2 . Thus their mutagenicity was questionable . These results confirm the usefulness of DNA-repair assays as a complementary endpoint to gene mutation in assessing the genotoxic potential of environmental compounds.

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol, 1984 Nov-Dec, 5(6), 739 - 41
Labyrinthine ossification secondary to childhood bacterial meningitis: implications for cochlear implant surgery; Becker TS et al.; Of 20 children who underwent cochlear implantation for profound sensorineural hearing loss secondary to bacterial meningitis, 14 had round-window and cochlear ossification at surgery . Preoperative polytomography demonstrated ossification in 11 of these . The incidence of ossification was highest after meningitis secondary to pneumococcal pneumonia . In only one of four children with severe ossification of the labyrinth was implant surgery unsuccessful . Preliminary results indicate that mild labyrinthine ossification is not a contraindication to cochlear implantation.

Immunology, 1984 Nov, 53(3), 427 - 33
Opsonic, cytotoxic, precipitating, blocking of bacterial adherence, and other activities of monoclonal IgE antibody compared with IgA and IgM; Tlaskalova-Hogenova H et al.; Monoclonal IgE anti-TNP antibodies were compared with monoclonal anti-TNP, IgM and IgA isotypes in different biological reactions . The reaginic activity of IgE antibodies demonstrated in passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reactions and degranulation of mast cells was accompanied by a number of activities known to be associated with other isotypes . The occurrence of relatively high numbers of lymphoid cells and macrophages bearing Fc epsilon receptors suggests a possible role of IgE antibodies in host defence mechanisms acting systematically and/or locally on mucosal surfaces.

J Gen Microbiol, 1984 Nov, 130 ( Pt 11), 3055 - 8
Haemoprotein b-590 (Escherichia coli); redesignation of a bacterial 'cytochrome a1'; Poole RK et al.; A 'soluble' fraction from anaerobically grown Escherichia coli contains a haemoprotein with spectral properties, notably an alpha-band in the reduced form at 585 to 595 nm, similar to cytochrome a1 . Haem extraction of either the soluble preparation or whole cells yields haem b, but not haem a . In view of this, and the spectral similarities of the a1-like component to well-known high-spin haem b proteins, we propose that the name 'haemoprotein b-590' be used to describe cytochrome a1-like pigments in bacteria.

Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi, 1984 Nov, 84(5), 411 - 6
{Studies on the pharmacological bases of fetal toxicity of drugs (VII) . Enhancement effect of bacterial pyrogen on the fetal toxicity of salicylic acid}; Itami T et al.; We reported previously that the acute and fetal toxicities of aspirin (ASA) were enhanced by bacterial endotoxin (LPS) . In order to clarify the mechanism of the enhancement by LPS, the effects of LPS on the toxicities of salicylic acid (SA), the main metabolite of ASA, were investigated in rats . The following results were obtained: 1) The acute toxicity of SA was significantly potentiated by LPS in male rats . The LD50 of SA with LPS was about one third of that of SA alone . 2) The increase of maternal body weight was inhibited significantly after administration of SA (383 mg/kg, p.o.) with LPS (20 micrograms/kg, i.v.), but not after administration of SA alone . 3) The fetal toxicity of SA including fetal death, resorption, growth retardation and skeletal variations was slightly observed in the dam receiving a single dose of SA on the 15th day of pregnancy, but it was markedly increased by LPS (20 micrograms/kg, i.v.) . 4) The half-life period of SA in plasma was increased significantly by the co-administration of LPS in male rats after administration of ASA or SA . All of these phenomena in the rats given SA closely resembled the phenomena previously reported in the rats given ASA . These results suggest that SA might play a main role in the acute and fetal toxicities of ASA, and one of the mechanism of the enhancement effect by LPS on ASA-induced fetal toxicity might be related to the increase of SA concentration in the fetus.

Am J Surg, 1984 Nov, 148(5), 613 - 7
Primary open wound management after emergency laparotomies for conditions associated with bacterial contamination . Reappraisal of a historical tradition; Meissner K et al.; In emergency abdominal surgery associated with bacterial contamination, primary skin suture resulted in a 39 percent wound sepsis rate . After subcutaneous approximation and open skin treatment in 85 patients, healing occurred without complication . After completely open wound management in five obese patients, wound healing occurred without wound sepsis, but did result in scars necessitating correction . No difference could be found with regard to body temperature, wound healing time, and hospital stay in patients who had primary skin closure followed by primary healing and those who had open wound treatment . The patients' evaluations of the cosmetic result of open wound management using subcutaneous sutures were favorable . The study herein constitutes the rationale for our decision to institute open wound treatment routinely in pertinent cases.

Ann Intern Med, 1984 Nov, 101(5), 653 - 66
NIH conference . Cyclic nucleotides: mediators of bacterial toxin action in disease; Moss J et al.; In several bacterial diseases, the clinical, laboratory, and histologic findings result from the elaboration by the organism of a toxic product that binds to and may enter the host cell to alter its metabolism . In some cases, the intracellular mediators of toxin action are the cyclic nucleotides, cyclic adenosine 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine 5'-monophosphate (cGMP), the ubiquitous second messengers through which numerous hormones, neurotransmitters, and drugs exert their effects . Certain toxins act by enhancing the activity of cellular enzymes that synthesize cAMP or cGMP; and others, by themselves catalyzing cAMP synthesis after entering the cell . Studies of the mechanism of action of these toxins have helped in deciphering the enzymatic components within animal cells that are responsible for cyclic nucleotide synthesis, degradation, and function as well as in understanding the pathogenesis of the diseases in which they are involved.

J Immunol Methods, 1984 Oct 12, 73(1), 17 - 28
Modulation of receptors for the colony-stimulating factor, CSF-1, by bacterial lipopolysaccharide and CSF-1; Guilbert LJ et al.; The ability of the mononuclear phagocyte-specific colony-stimulating factor, CSF-1, to down-regulate its receptor on peritoneal exudate macrophages (PEM) was examined . Because of the essentially irreversible binding of CSF-1 to its receptor at 2 degrees C, unoccupied cell surface receptors could be measured by rapidly cooling PEM to 2 degrees C and determining the amount of 125I-CSF-1 bound at this temperature . On incubation with 125I-CSF-1 at 37 degrees C more receptors were lost than could be accounted for by 125I-CSF-1 binding . This receptor loss, apparently caused by CSF-1 itself, was shown to be due in large part to the presence of contaminating lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which at 10 ng/ml was by itself able to cause complete loss of the CSF-1 receptors . LPS also induced loss of the insulin receptor by PEM . LPS did not cause apparent CSF-1 receptor loss by binding to the receptor or by stimulating the release of CSF-1 or substances which compete for the binding of 125I-CSF-1 to the receptor . However, LPS did stimulate release of factors by LPS responsive (C3H/HeN) PEM which caused CSF-1 receptor loss by LPS non-responsive (C3H/HeJ) PEM . In the absence of LPS induced effects, incubation of 125I-CSF-1 with PEM at 37 degrees C resulted in down-regulation of the CSF-1 receptors . The number of CSF-1 receptor sites down-regulated corresponded to the number of CSF-1 molecules that were cell-associated plus the number that were intracellularly degraded and released.

J Theor Biol, 1984 Oct 5, 110(3), 411 - 23
A mathematical model for the co-existence of incompatible, conjugative plasmids in individual bacteria of a bacterial population; van der Hoeven N; A model is formulated to examine the possibility of coexistence of two or more plasmids of the same surface exclusion group in a bacterial chemostat culture . It appears that two plasmids are able to coexist . If two plasmids can coexist they will follow different survival strategies, one with a high conjugational transfer rate and a low fitness of its host, and other with a low transfer rate and a high host fitness . Coexistence of three plasmids of the same surface exclusion group is impossible.

Eur Heart J, 1984 Oct, 5 Suppl C, 53 - 7
The role of echocardiography in suspected bacterial endocarditis; Donaldson RM et al.; We evaluated the clinical application of echocardiography (M and 2D modes) in the assessment of cardiac patients with fever and an underlying valvular abnormality in whom the diagnosis of infective endocarditis was suspected . One or more of the classic clinical features of the disease were present in 50 patients (group A) . Vegetations were detected by echocardiography in 17 (47%) out of the 36 patients within this group A who had positive blood cultures . Four (28.5%) of the remaining 14 patients with unequivocal endocarditis clinically and negative blood cultures had demonstrable vegetations on ultrasound . Anatomical complications resulting from the septic process (valve destruction or detachment, aortic root abscess) were visualized in 18 (36%) of the 50 patients in group A . The clinical features of endocarditis were lacking in the other 53 patients with fever and murmur (group B) . This group included 12 patients with other sources of bacteraemia besides endocarditis . Unsuspected vegetations were detected only in 2 (3.7%) out of the 53 cases . Thus echocardiography is useful in confirming the clinical diagnosis of infective endocarditis, but only rarely detects vegetations in patients who lack the characteristic clinical features of endocarditis, regardless of whether they have positive negative blood cultures.

Mikrobiyol Bul, 1984 Oct, 18(4), 199 - 202
{Relation between the granulocyte count and protein and glucose levels in the cerebrospinal fluid in children with acute bacterial meningitis}; Yurdakok M et al.; Cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) findings of 171 children with acute bacterial meningitis were found to be as follow: granulocyte count 2879 +/- 804 per mm3, protein level 181 +/- 23 mg/dl, the ratio of BOS sugar to blood sugar % 46 +/- 2 . There is some correlation between granulocyte count and sugar level (r: -0.17, p less than 0.05) and protein level and sugar level (r: -0.21, p less than 0.05), but no correlation between granulocyte count and protein level (r: 0.10, p greater than 0.05).

Lab Anim Sci, 1984 Oct, 34(5), 491 - 3
Endometriosis with bacterial peritonitis in a baboon; DaRif CA et al.; An adult female Papio hamadryas being used in reproductive studies was found moribund unexpectedly . Palpation revealed acute abdominal pain and a pelvic mass . A tentative diagnosis of endometriosis and shock was made . Necropsy and histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of endometriosis and identified an associated bacterial peritonitis.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Oct, 48(4), 755 - 7
Bacterial dry matter content and biomass estimations; Bratbak G et al.; Approximately 20% dry-matter content appears to be an accepted standard value for bacterial cells . We have found that the dry-matter content of bacteria may be more than twice as high as generally assumed . The main reason for the low estimates seems to be that proper corrections for intercellular water have not been made when estimating the wet weight of the cells . Using three different bacterial strains, we determined a dry-matter content of cells ranging from 31 to 57%, suggesting not only that the accepted standard value is much too low but also that it is far from standard . To convert bacterial biovolume into biomass (carbon content), we suggest that 0.22 g of C cm-3 should be used as a conversion factor.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1984 Oct, 14(4), 379 - 94
Chemoprophylaxis for bacterial endocarditis--a survey of current practice in London; Gould IM; 1820 medical and dental practitioners were circulated with a questionnaire regarding their use of antibiotics to prevent bacterial endocarditis . The response rate was 48.2% . Analysis of results suggests that antibiotics are believed to prevent endocarditis and are in common use for this purpose . However, the regimes used differ markedly from published current recommendations . Different antibiotics that are often inactive against the likely infecting organisms are used or, where recommended antibiotics are used, the doses are often inadequate . The timing of administration of prophylaxis also usually differs from current recommendations with antibiotics being prescribed for unnecessarily long periods . Patient abnormalities and procedures for which prophylaxis is given are generally in line with those considered to predispose to endocarditis . It appears that communication problems between doctors and dentists regarding the use of prophylaxis are less of a problem than previously thought.

Am J Gastroenterol . 1984 Oct;79(10):796.
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis associated with cardiac ascites; Runyon BA; A patient who developed fatal spontaneous bacterial peritonitis associated with cardiac ascites is reported . Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis most frequently occurs in patients with decompensated cirrhosis of alcoholic or nonalcoholic type . Although there are reports of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis occurring in patients with nephrotic syndrome, or with acute or chronic hepatitis, there appear to be no reports of spontaneous bacterial infection developing in cardiac ascites.

Acta Leprol, 1984 Oct-Dec, 2(2-4), 394 - 402
IgM antibodies against phenolic glycolipid I from Mycobacterium leprae in leprosy sera: relationship to bacterial index and erythema nodosum leprosum; Schwerer B et al.; Serum IgM antibodies against Mycobacterium leprae-derived phenolic glycolipid I (PG) were determined in 121 leprosy patients, in contacts and controls by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique . Anti-PG IgM levels correlated with disease classification, increasing from the tuberculoid towards the lepromatous pole of the disease spectrum . There was a linear correlation between serum IgM PG-antibody levels and bacillary index (BI), a measure of bacterial load . Elevated anti-PG IgM in bacillary negative patients was usually indicative of active disease, undetected by BI . We conclude that anti-PG IgM levels are valuable for monitoring the degree of disease activity . Serum anti-PG IgM levels were significantly lower in patients with erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) as compared to those without ENL, suggesting that IgM PG-antibodies are also involved in the pathogenesis of ENL.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Oct, 48(4), 771 - 6
High-pressure-temperature gradient instrument: use for determining the temperature and pressure limits of bacterial growth; Yayanos AA et al.; A pressurized temperature gradient instrument allowed a synoptic determination of the effects of temperature and pressure on the reproduction of bacteria . The instrument consisted of eight pressure vessels housed parallel to each other in an insulated aluminum block in which a linear temperature gradient was supported . For a given experiment, eight pressures between 1 and 1,100 bars were chosen; the linear temperature gradient was established over an interval within -20 to 100 degrees C . Pure cultures and natural populations were studied in liquid or solid medium either in short (ca . 2-cm) culture tubes or in long (76.2-cm) glass capillaries . In the case of a pure culture, experiments with the pressurized temperature gradient instrument determined values of temperature and pressure that bounded its growth . Feasibility experiments with mixed populations of bacteria from water samples from a shallow depth of the sea showed that the instrument may be useful in identifying the extent to which a natural population is adapted to the temperatures and pressures at the locale of origin of the sample . Additional conceived uses of the instrument included synoptic determinations of cell functions other than reproduction and of biochemical activities.

Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 1984 Oct, 7(3-4), 239 - 44
Effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide on bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophil migration in vitro; Klesius PH et al.; The in vitro effects of Escherichia coli 026:B6 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on random migration of bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) was investigated . Treatment of peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) with LPS significantly inhibited PMN migration . These inhibitions were observed at a threshold concentration of 5.0 micrograms/2.0 X 10(6) PBL . PMN migration inhibition was eliminated in PBL by the addition of polymyxin B, which binds the Lipid A moiety of LPS . Treatment of isolated PMNs with LPS significantly enhanced migration . Enhanced migrations were observed at threshold concentration of 2.5 micrograms/4.0 X 10(6) PMN . Collectively these findings indicate that the inhibition was caused by leukocyte inhibitory factor (LIF) production in PBL cultures, whereas enhancement was probably caused by PMN activation . These results provide further insight into the effects of LPS on in vitro bovine PMN migration by its distinct actions on different cells of PBL.

Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Oct, 3(5), 419 - 23
A collaborative evaluation of a rapid automated bacterial identification system: the Autobac IDX; Stevens M et al.; A collaborative evaluation of the Autobac IDX, a rapid, semi-automated bacterial identification system, was performed in three independent laboratories in three European countries . The system utilises growth inhibition by a series of chemical compounds . Subsequent analysis of the resultant data by quadratic discriminant function automatically results in a bacterial identification . Three sets of 30 strains were examined repeatedly in each of the participating laboratories . The reproducibilities obtained ranged from 85.6% to 96.6%, with an overall average of 91.8% . The accuracy of the system was also determined by examining 1076 isolates from the three participating laboratories . An overall accuracy of 90.3% was calculated by comparing the Autobac result with a reference method . When the results were weighted to represent clinical frequency, the accuracy was 93.6%.

Surg Gynecol Obstet, 1984 Oct, 159(4), 363 - 6
Long term consequences of bacterial colonization of the biliary tract after choledochostomy; Feretis CB et al.; We studied 48 patients--36 who underwent cholecystectomy and choledochotomy-choledochostomy for cholesterol gallstones and 12 patients as controls who underwent different types of extrabiliary operations . In our material, we observed that, in a high proportion of instances, infected bile during the early postoperative period remained contaminated for six months postoperatively--in an obviously unobstructed bile duct . In patients in whom Escherichia coli was isolated both early and late postoperatively, a statistical significancy was found . This phenomenon consists of a favorable condition for precipitation of calcium bilirubinate, triggering new pigment stone formation.

Gastroenterology, 1984 Oct, 87(4), 821 - 6
Rabbit mucosal receptors for an enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strain: appearance of bacterial receptor activity at weaning; Cheney CP et al.; Adherence studies using the rabbit enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strain RDEC-1 indicate that this strain attaches in a species-specific manner to receptors located on its host intestinal epithelial cells . Because intestinal epithelial cells undergo marked developmental changes within the first few weeks of life, we designed a study to determine whether the presence of bacterial receptors on rabbit brush borders changed during this time . The adherence of RDEC-1 to rabbit brush borders isolated from rabbits aged 2-35 days and from adult rabbits was examined . No adherence of RDEC-1 was detected to rabbit brush borders isolated from rabbits 15 days or younger . Receptors for RDEC-1 were first detected on rabbit brush borders from 21-day-old rabbits and by 35 days, RDEC-1 receptor activity on rabbit brush borders had reached adult levels . Piliated, enteroadherent, human Escherichia coli pathogens did not adhere to rabbit brush borders of any age group indicating that nonspecific adherence did not occur.

J Bacteriol, 1984 Oct, 160(1), 143 - 52
Periplasmic gel: new concept resulting from the reinvestigation of bacterial cell envelope ultrastructure by new methods; Hobot JA et al.; Bacterial cell envelope ultrastructure was investigated both by the progressive lowering of temperature embedding technique and freeze-substitution, using conventional and scanning transmission electron microscopy . Comparison with standard embedding procedures revealed a new aspect of cell envelope structure in specimens at low temperatures . The envelope was delimited by an electron-dark layer, beneath which was a uniform matter-containing layer lying between the outer and inner membranes . There was no empty periplasmic space . Buoyant densities of isolated peptidoglycan obtained in Percoll (1.02 to 1.07 g ml-1) and CsCl2 (1.44 g ml-1) led to a calculated hydration of the peptidoglycan which was more than was previously assumed . Peptidoglycan therefore possibly fills the entire space between the inner and outer membranes in the form of a periplasmic gel . The new model of cell envelope organization is discussed with respect to the current knowledge on bacterial cell wall structure and function.

Aktuelle Traumatol, 1984 Oct, 14(5), 193 - 4
{Bacterial meningitis as a late complication of persistent traumatic cerebrospinal fluid fistulas}; Suss W et al.; Report on two patients who suffered from bacterial meningitis 26 and 27 years after a severe headtrauma with consecutive cerebrospinal fluid fistulas . This is a rare cause, but must be considered if a bacterial meningitis of unknown origin is diagnosed.

Gastroenterol Clin Biol, 1984 Oct, 8(10), 749 - 53
{Influence of ranitidine during a 24-hour period on the level of nitrites, nitrates, nitrosamines and bacterial flora in the gastric juice of healthy subjects}; Garcia del Risco F et al.; The aim of this study was to determine the influence of 24 h of ranitidine treatment on gastric bacterial flora and N-nitroso compound formation . Nitrate, nitrite levels, N-nitroso compound concentration were measured and bacterial flora was studied in the fasting and postprandial gastric juice of four healthy men under placebo and ranitidine treatment (150 mg . bid) . The pH of seventy-five per cent of the gastric juice samples was over 4 when the patients received their ranitidine treatment . While the mean intragastric concentrations of nitrate, nitrite, N-nitroso compounds and counts of nitrate-reducing organisms were not significantly altered by ranitidine, there was a statistically significant rise in the number of total bacteria . During ranitidine treatment, the nitrite/nitrate ratio was positively correlated with intragastric pH and with the nitrate-reducing organism count of the placebo period . These results suggest that the reduction of nitrate to nitrite required the combination of two factors: a high count of nitrate-reducing organisms before treatment and a high intragastric pH.

Gene, 1984 Oct, 30(1-3), 157 - 66
The relationship between base composition and codon usage in bacterial genes and its use for the simple and reliable identification of protein-coding sequences; Bibb MJ et al.; Bacterial genes that code for proteins appear to possess a codon usage characteristic of their overall base composition . This results in different but predictable non-random distributions of nucleotides within codons, permitting the recognition of protein-coding sequences in a wide range of bacterial species . The nature of this distribution depends on the base composition of the coding sequence . The position-specific differences are especially conspicuous in genes of extreme G + C content, allowing the particularly reliable prediction of the reading frame and coding strand of experimentally determined DNA sequences . This finding has been exploited to identify the coding sequence of the viomycin phosphotransferase (vph) gene of Streptomyces vinaceus . An easily applied computer program ("Frame") has been written to carry out and display such analyses.

Br Med J (Clin Res Ed), 1984 Sep 22, 289(6447), 717 - 9
Intragastric bacterial activity and nitrosation before, during, and after treatment with omeprazole; Sharma BK et al.; Ten healthy volunteers were studied before, during, and after treatment with omeprazole 30 mg daily for two weeks . On the 14th night mean nocturnal (2100-0700) intragastric acidity was significantly decreased by 75% (p less than 0.001) . At 0700, 22 hours after the last dose of omeprazole, there were significant increases in the bacterial count and the nitrite and N-nitrosamine concentrations in the gastric juice (p less than 0.001) . Three days later these changes had resolved . Short term treatment of healthy volunteers with omeprazole is associated with a short lived increase in the gastric bacterial flora, with endogenous production of N-nitroso compounds.

FEBS Lett, 1984 Sep 17, 175(1), 90 - 4
The ribosomal binding domain for the bacterial release factors RF-1, RF-2 and RF-3; McCaughan KK et al.; The Escherichia coli ribosomal proteins, L7/L12, are dominant over L11 in modulating the binding of RF-1 and RF-2 to ribosomes . The elevated activity of RF-2 on L11-lacking ribosomes over those containing L11 is abolished by IgG against L7/L12 or by removing the L7/L12 proteins . Adding back L7/L12 restores the original phenotype . The stimulatory factor, RF-3, is active on ribosomes depleted of L7/L12 but on those which lack L11 the stimulatory effects are less pronounced or often not seen . RF-3 cannot restore activity with RF-1 or RF-2 to ribosomes lacking both these sets of proteins . The stimulatory effects of an absence of either L11 or RF-3 on the activity of RF-2 are not additive or synergistic.

FEBS Lett, 1984 Sep 3, 174(2), 275 - 8
alpha-Allenyl putrescine, an enzyme-activated irreversible inhibitor of bacterial and mammalian ornithine decarboxylases; Danzin C et al.; alpha-Allenyl putrescine (5,6-heptadiene-1,4-diamine) was designed as a new potential enzyme-activated irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) . This compound, and more specifically its (R)-enantiomer, produced time-dependent inhibitions of E . coli and rat liver ODC . The inhibitions exhibit saturation kinetics and were not relieved by prolonged dialysis of the inactivated enzyme . Selective inactivation of the two types of ODC by the (R)-enantiomer is in agreement with the stereochemistry reported for ornithine decarboxylation by the enzyme . Kinetic constants of E . coli ODC inactivation by alpha-(R)-allenyl putrescine compare favorably with other irreversible inhibitors of this enzyme.

Drug Intell Clin Pharm, 1984 Sep, 18(9), 735 - 7
Bacterial contamination of pressurized inhalers; Levesque KA et al.; The objective of this project was to determine the incidence, location, and potential transmission of bacteria from pressurized inhalers contaminated during normal use by pediatric patients . Patients' inhaler usage and cleaning patterns also were evaluated . Fifteen inhalers from 12 children were cultured at three separate sites: the mouthpiece, spray portal, and the spray itself . The patient and/or parent were interviewed to determine usage and cleaning patterns . No bacterial growth was found from any of the cultured sites or aerosol of the control inhalers . All of the mouthpieces and portals of the patient-used inhalers were positive for growth, which is significant (p less than 0.01) . One patient-used inhaler was positive for bacterial growth from the aerosol, which is not significant (p greater than 0.05) . These results demonstrate that despite inhaler contamination, bacteria are not significantly transmitted by the aerosol . Routine cleaning of inhalers to remove accumulated debris is recommended to prevent disruption of drug delivery.

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