Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1983 Jun 15, 113(2), 618 - 25 A comparison of UV induced DNA photoproducts from isolated and non-isolated developing bacterial forespores; Lindsay JA et al.; UV-induced photoproduct formation has been compared in non-isolated and isolated developing forespores . We have found that levels of spore type photoproducts are greatly affected by mother cell DNA . We have also observed the presence of the photoproduct 6-4'-(pyrimidin-2'-one)-thymine in developing forespores . We conclude from these and other data in the literature that the degree of hydration around the forespore DNA is reduced by the presence of dipicolinic acid which influences photoproduct formation without causing a change in conformational state. Presse Med, 1983 Jun 11, 12(25), 1595 - 8 {Leg aneurysm complicating bacterial endocarditis . 2 cases}; Escudier B et al.; Arterial aneurysms constitute a classical, albeit rare (1.1%) complication of bacterial endocarditis; they uncommonly involve the arteries of the legs (6.6%) . Two cases successfully treated are reported . In both cases the initial diagnosis was phlebitis, which emphasizes the difficulty of diagnosing the disease at an early stage and the need for additional investigations, notably computerized tomography . Surgery is usually required. Int J Dermatol, 1983 Jun, 22(5), 295 - 9 Subacute bacterial endocarditis presenting with necrotic skin lesions; Suhge d'Aubermont PC et al.; Classical lesions associated with subacute bacterial endocarditis include petechiae, splinter hemorrhages, Osler's modes and Janaway lesions . We describe a patient with subacute bacterial endocarditis, whose sole cutaneous findings were bullous necrotic lesions of the lower extremities . The superficial vessels were occluded by acidophilic material and coccal bacteria were identified in the vessels . Immunofluorescent studies revealed Igm and C3 in the vessel walls. J Bacteriol, 1983 Jun, 154(3), 1222 - 6 Model for bacterial culture growth rate throughout the entire biokinetic temperature range; Ratkowsky DA et al.; The "square-root" relationship proposed by Ratkowsky et al . (J . Bacteriol . 149:1-5, 1982) for modeling the growth rate of bacteria below the optimum growth temperature was extended to cover the full biokinetic temperature range . Two of the four parameters of this new nonlinear regression model represent minimum and maximum temperature bounds, respectively, for the predicted growth of the culture . The new model is easy to fit and has other desirable statistical properties . For example, the least-squares estimators of the parameters of the model were almost unbiased and normally distributed . The model applied without exception to all bacterial cultures for which we were able to obtain data . Results for 30 strains are reported. J Appl Biochem, 1983 Jun, 5(3), 197 - 209 Firefly and bacterial luminescence: basic science and applications; McElroy WD et al.; The basic chemistry of the reactions leading to light emission in the firefly and in bacteria are briefly reviewed . With excess firefly reagents, the light intensity is proportional to the ATP concentration . For this reason, the reagents have been used for ATP determination in a number of important biological systems . A number of such applications are reviewed . With excess bacterial reagents, the light intensity is directly proportional to the reduced pyridine nucleotide concentration (NADH or NADPH) . The applications of this system for studying reactions involving dehydrogenases using NAD or NADP as electron acceptors are presented . Many assays have now been developed using enzymes immobilized on Sepharose . The advantages of using the immobilized enzymes are greater stability of the immobilized enzymes over the soluble forms; increased sensitivity of detection relative to the soluble forms, and reusability of the immobilized enzymes . A comparison of the immobilized bioluminescent assay for 7 alpha-hydroxysteroid with gas-liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay is presented . Coimmobilized enzymes can be packed in a flow cell and used in an automated instrument with good reproducibility . It is likely that future developments of bioluminescent assays for ATP or NAD(P)H will be with immobilized enzymes using an automated instrument. Clin Chem, 1983 Jun, 29(6), 1123 - 7 Bioluminescent assay for total bile acids in serum with use of bacterial luciferase; Styrelius I et al.; This simple, rapid, sensitive kinetic bioluminescent method for the assay of bile acids in serum involves use of 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.50) in combination with a new, commercially available NADH Monitoring Reagent (LKB-Wallac) containing a low activity of NADH:FMN-oxidoreductase and a high activity of bacterial luciferase . Interfering dehydrogenases in serum are inactivated in the test tube with trichloroacetic acid before the assay . The standard curve is linear for concentrations of bile acids up to about 300 mumol/L . With a sample volume of 20 microL, the detection limit is about 0.2 mumol/L . The within-run precision (CV) is about 10%, both at high and low concentrations of bile acids in serum . Correlation is good (r = 0.996) between results by this method and an enzymatic method based on spectrophotometry . However, the latter method is considerably less sensitive, and it is less precise at low concentrations of bile acids. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1983 Jun, 49(2), 133 - 42 R-plasmid effects on bacterial multiplication and survival; Alldrick AJ et al.; The multiplication of Escherichia coli C containing either the plasmid R46 or its non-selftransmissible derivative was studied in the presence or absence of the isogenic R- parent strain . Neither plasmid conferred any detectable effect on the host's ability to multiply . Similarly under conditions of prolonged incubation neither plasmid conferred a disadvantage on its host when the bacteria were grown in pure culture . However, when the incubation of mixed R+/R- cultures was prolonged, the possession of either R-plasmid resulted in small but reproducible differences which favoured the R- strain. J Periodontol, 1983 Jun, 54(6), 339 - 46 Toothbrushing with hydrogen peroxide-sodium bicarbonate compared to toothpowder and water in reducing periodontal pocket suppuration and darkfield bacterial counts; West TL et al.; This study attempted to isolate and test the therapeutic effectiveness of toothbrushing with hydrogen peroxide-sodium bicarbonate supplemented with scaling and systemic antibiotics . Forty-two subjects selected for pocket suppuration were divided into two groups . Group I was treated sequentially with brushing, scaling and systemic antibiotics . Group II was treated with brushing and scaling performed concurrently . Half of each group were control subjects using an inert toothpowder . Subjects were monitored by darkfield microscopy for spirochetes and motile rods . In Group I, toothbrushing alone showed approximately a 1/3 reduction in the number of suppuration sites, no difference between experimental and control subgroups and no significant changes in the darkfield counts . Scaling, whether subsequent to the toothbrushing (Group I) or concurrent with the toothbrushing (Group II), showed a statistically significant reduction (about 70%) in the number of suppuration sites in all subgroups . Darkfield counts after scaling were reduced significantly in some subgroups but not in others . The addition of systemic antibiotics in Group I resulted in an almost total elimination of suppuration sites and spirochetes in 15 subjects, but there were no significant differences between the test and control subgroups . In both Groups I and II, neither experimental peroxide-bicarbonate subgroup could be differentiated statistically from its toothpowder-water control at any time. J Biol Chem, 1983 May 25, 258(10), 6621 - 7 Induction of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in alveolar interstitial cells of mouse lung by bacterial lipopolysaccharide; Urade Y et al.; The cellular localization of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase was studied in the mouse lung after induction by lipopolysaccharide treatment . No significant indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity was detected in alveolar macrophages and type II epithelial cells, which were recovered by alveolar lavages and trypsin-treatment, respectively . To determine this enzyme activity in other types of lung cells, we prepared monodispersed lung cells (6.5 X 10(7) cells/lung) by incubation with 0.1% collagenase and 0.1% trypsin . In a Percoll isopycnic gradient, the dispersed cells were distributed with two peaks at the densities of 1.040 and 1.080 g/ml . The enzyme activity was recovered exclusively in the lighter fractions . As examined by electron microscopy or more quantitatively by using various marker enzyme activities, endothelial cells (angiotensin-converting enzyme as a marker enzyme of these cells), alveolar interstitial cells (prostaglandin dehydrogenase), type I epithelial cells, type II epithelial cells, alveolar macrophages (beta-glucuronidase), Clara cells (coumarin hydroxylase), and polymorphonuclear leucocytes (arylsulfatase) were distributed with peaks at the densities of 1.033, 1.040, 1.042, 1.045, 1.070, 1.082, and 1.093 g/ml, respectively . The distribution pattern of the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity exactly coincided with that of alveolar interstitial cells . The localization of this enzyme in alveolar interstitial cells was immunohistochemically confirmed with the anti-indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase antibody. Klin Wochenschr, 1983 May 2, 61(9), 469 - 78 {Effect of phorbolmyristate acetate and bacterial lipopolysaccharides on the luminal chemiluminescence of neutrophil granulocytes}; Eschenbach C; Measurement of emitted photons by means of luminol dependent chemiluminescence enables to evaluate the oxidative metabolism of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) . The effect of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on the luminol dependent chemiluminescence of resting and phagocytosing PMN has been investigated . Both substances stimulate the emission of photones in resting PMN . In contrary an inhibitory effect on the emission of photones is found in dependence on the concentration and duration of influence on phagocytosing PMN . This phenomenon of inhibition is caused by an accelerated and shortly lasting reaction if PMA is added and by a delayed but prolonged reaction if LPS is added . The shape of emission curve of phagocytosing PMN from healthy adults influenced by LPS correspond closely to that of premature and mature newborns suffering from severe bacterial infections. Infection, 1983 May-Jun, 11(3), 129 - 31 The differential diagnosis of bacterial and aseptic meningitis using cerebrospinal fluid laboratory tests; Ponka A et al.; The lactate, lysozyme, C-reactive protein and serum amyloid-A protein concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid were measured in 11 patients with bacterial meningitis, 27 patients with aseptic meningitis and in 31 control patients . The mean concentration of each parameter was significantly higher (p less than or equal to 0.0001) in patients with bacterial meningitis than in those with aseptic meningitis or those without meningitis . The reliability of these tests in the differential diagnosis of bacterial and aseptic meningitis was compared with leucocyte counts in cerebrospinal fluid . Gram staining for bacteria, and protein and glucose levels . The cerebrospinal fluid lactate level proved to be more sensitive than lysozyme . C-reactive protein or serum amyloid-A protein and had a high degree of specificity. Arch Biochem Biophys, 1983 May, 223(1), 282 - 90 Structure of a bacterial photosynthetic membrane . Isolation, polypeptide composition, and selective proteolysis; Jacob JS et al.; A procedure for the isolation of highly purified bacterial photosynthetic membranes from Rhodopseudomonas viridis is described . The purity of the final membrane fraction has been confirmed by electron microscopy . Seven major polypeptide bands are associated with the photosynthetic membranes, and all seven are resistant to solubilization in Triton X-100 detergent . Two pigmented bands with apparent molecular weights of 44K and 41K are thought to be cytochromes . The three polypeptides with apparent molecular weights of 38K, 32K, and 28K have been reported in reaction center preparations of other laboratories . Two low-molecular-weight (16K and 11K) bands bind bacteriochlorophyll b and may represent light-harvesting bacteriochlorophyll-protein complexes . The structures that were isolated seem to represent complete photosynthetic membranes, consisting of reaction center, electron transport, and light-harvesting components, all arranged in the regular lattice characteristic of viridis . Selective proteolysis of these membranes indicates that all membrane components are accessible to digestion by trypsin and pronase, except for the light-harvesting complexes. Exp Hematol, 1983 May, 11(5), 358 - 63 Splenic accumulation of stromal progenitor cells in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharides; Brockbank KG et al.; An analysis was made of fibroblastoid colony-forming units (CFUF) in spleens of mice treated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) . Increased CFUF numbers were observed on days 2, 3 and 4 after treatment with 10, 30 and 100 micrograms of LPS . The splenic CFUF accumulation occurred at the same time as spleen hemopoiesis increased, however, the CFUF returned to normal and subnormal numbers on day 5, while the spleen cellularity was still elevated on day 21 after LPS treatment . The mechanism of splenic CFUF accumulation appeared to involve CFUF migration via the blood from other sites of hemopoiesis rather than increased CFUF plating efficiency in vitro or enhanced CFUF proliferation . The results suggest a relationship between the LPS-induced fibroblastoid progenitor cell increase and a requirement for splenic microenvironments to support LPS-induced hemopoiesis. Biokhimiia, 1983 May, 48(5), 747 - 55 {Chemical modification of the lysine residues of bacterial formate dehydrogenase}; Popov VO et al.; Inactivation of formate dehydrogenase by formaldehyde, pyridoxal and pyridoxal phosphate was studied . The effects of concentrations of the modifying agents, substrates, products and inhibitors on the extent of the enzyme inactivation were examined . A complete formate dehydrogenase inactivation by pyridoxal, pyridoxal, phosphate and formaldehyde is achieved by the blocking of 2, 5 and 13 lysine residues per enzyme subunit, respectively . The coenzymes do not protect formate dehydrogenase against inactivation . In the case of modification by pyridoxal and pyridoxal phosphate a complete maintenance of the enzyme activity and specific protection of one lysine residue per enzyme subunit is observed during formation of a binary formate-enzyme complex, or a ternary enzyme--NAD--azide complex . One lysine residue is supposed to be located at the formate-binding site of the formate dehydrogenase active center. Mutat Res, 1983 May-Jun, 117(3-4), 271 - 7 Non-mutagenic nitroheterocycles . The lack of correlation between bacterial mutagenicity and one-electron reduction potential; Hartman GD et al.; The bacterial mutagenicity (Ames test) and the one-electron reduction potential for several nitropyridines, nitropyrazines and nitropyrimidines were determined . It was found that, although these nitroheterocycles underwent one-electron reduction more easily than metronidazole, they were not mutagenic in the Ames test . Six-membered ring nitroheterocycles, will, in general, exhibit diminished mutagenic potential compared to five-membered ring nitroheterocycles, and it is postulated that this effect is due to differences in the electronic nature and potential chemical reactivity of their respective nitrenium ions. J Urol, 1983 May, 129(5), 915 - 7 Bacterial localization in patients with end stage renal disease to avoid bilateral nephrectomy before renal transplantation; Huland H et al.; Bacterial localization in potential transplant recipients with end stage renal disease and bacteriuria allowed for a significant decrease in the frequency of bilateral nephrectomy before transplantation . Lack of complications after transplantation showed the reliability of preoperative localization, especially if bacteriuria was localized substantially to the bladder despite flank pain and fever. Vopr Med Khim, 1983 May-Jun, 29(3), 4 - 8 {Cloning in bacterial and yeast vectors of the hepatitis B virus genome}; Zhdanov VM et al.; Hepatitis B viral genome was cloned simultaneously with bacterial plasmides pBR 325 and pBR 322 . Recombinant plasmides were constructed, containing DNA of hepatitis B virus as well as capable to replication in bacterial and yeast cells . Replication of one of these plasmides was possible if it integrated with chromosomal DNA of yeast target-cells; the other plasmides had a capacity to autonomous replication in yeast cells. Plasmid, 1983 May, 9(3), 298 - 306 Plasmids from bacterial endosymbionts of hump-killer paramecia; Quackenbush RL; Six isolates of Caedibacter taeniospiralis, collected from four continents, were screened for plasmid DNA . Plasmid DNA species containing between 41.5 and 49.5 kilobase pairs (kb) were observed in all strains . Physical maps of plasmids were constructed by determining relative positions of the restriction endonuclease (BamHI, SalI, XhoI, SacI, PstI, AvaI, and EcoRI) recognition sequences in each plasmid . The physical map of the smallest plasmid (41.5 kb), pKAP30, is reflected in each of the plasmids isolated from the other strains of C . taeniospiralis . Plasmid DNA from three of the isolates (strains 51 and 116 both from Indiana and strain 169 from Japan) each contain 43 kb, where 41.5 kb appear to be identical to pKAP30 (obtained from the Australian strain, A30) . The extra 1.5 kb present in pKAP51, pKAP116, and pKAP169 is included as a single polynucleotide sequence . The 1.5-kb inclusion is located at apparently identical positions in pKAP116 and pKAP169 and at a totally different position in pKAP51 . The two remaining plasmids, pKAP47 (from California strain 47) and pKAP298 (from Panama strain 298), both contain 49 kb to include a continuous 41.5-kb sequence that is apparently identical to pKAP30 . The results indicate that the polynucleotide sequences of these plasmids are highly conserved and that the observed variations among them may be accounted for by transposable elements. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1983 May, 23(5), 688 - 91 Concentrations of cefoperazone in cerebrospinal fluid during bacterial meningitis; Cable D et al.; Cefoperazone was administered to 15 patients with bacterial meningitis before lumbar punctures were performed . Patients received one of the following three dosage regimens before collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): one dose of 50 mg/kg (maximum, 2 g; group I), one dose of 100 mg/kg (maximum, 4 g; group II), three doses of 100 mg/kg each every 8 h (maximum, 4 g each dose; group III) . Of 44 CSF samples, 26 had detectable cefoperazone levels (59%); drug concentrations in CSF ranged from less than 0.8 to 11.5 micrograms/ml (median, 1.97 micrograms/ml) . Although the percentage of patients with detectable cefoperazone levels in CSF was higher in group III (69%) than in group II (64%) or group I (50%), the differences were not statistically significant; however, the mean drug concentration in CSF in group I (1.53 micrograms/ml) was significantly lower than that in group III (3.1 micrograms/ml) . A high protein concentration in CSF (as an indicator of meningeal inflammation) correlated best with high cefoperazone concentrations in CSF . These findings differ from previous investigations of cefoperazone penetration into CSF; however, cefoperazone may not penetrate reliably into CSF and therefore may not be an optimal candidate drug for the treatment of bacterial meningitis. Scand J Immunol, 1983 May, 17(5), 419 - 28 The immune response to bacterial dextrans . I . Genetic control of responsiveness; Ivars F et al.; The in vivo antibody response to the thymus-independent (TI) antigen dextran B512 (Dex) was studied in various mouse strains . We found no non-responder strains but rather that the magnitude of Dex-specific plaque-forming cell and serum antibody responses varied markedly among individual mice, even if these were of the same age and litter and kept in the same environment . This was the case both for mouse strains previously described genetically as high (IgCHb,j) and for those described as low (IgCHa) responders to Dex {14} . In 'low'-responder BALB/c mice, the responsiveness to Dex increased with age, such that a large fraction of these mice responded as well as 'high'-responder C57BL/6 mice . Analysis of aged back-cross populations derived from IgCHb and IgCHa parental strains further substantiated these findings . Thus, all backcross mice, irrespective of IgCH haplotype, responded on the average equally well to Dex . According to our studies, therefore, the assignation of high or low responsiveness to IgCH locus-linked genes cannot be done unequivocally. Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper, 1983 Apr 30, 59(4), 535 - 40 {Analysis of the oral bacterial flora in subjects with periodontal diseases}; Amato R et al.; A bacterioscopic study of the bacterial flora of 15 healthy and 15 periodontal disease carriers is presented in relation to the possibly pathogenetic role of oral bacterial flora in the development of human periodontal disease . Study samples taken from sulcus and gingival pockets were examined by darkfield microscopy . Results show that bacterial flora from periodontal disease subjects differs from that in healthy subjects in that spirochetes are present and the incidence of straight and motile rods is higher than of coccoid cells. J Biol Chem, 1983 Apr 25, 258(8), 5084 - 8 Biosynthesis of bacterial glycogen . Primary structure of Escherichia coli ADP-glucose synthetase as deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the glg C gene; Baecker PA et al.; The nucleotide sequence of the glg C gene of Escherichia coli K12, coding for ADP-glucose synthetase, has been determined . The structural gene consists of 1293 base pairs, which specify a protein of 431 amino acids . The amino acid sequence deduced from the DNA sequence is consistent with the known NH2-terminal amino acid sequence and the amino acid composition of ADP-glucose synthetase . The translation start of the structural gene of glycogen synthase, glg A, starts immediately after termination of the glg C gene. Anal Biochem, 1983 Apr 15, 130(2), 402 - 5 An enzymatic assay for acetate in spent bacterial culture supernatants; Clarke PM et al.; A method is presented for the rapid enzymatic determination of acetate in spent bacterial culture supernatants . The assay is based on a previously published assay for acetate kinase {Bergmeyer et al . (1974) in Methods of Enzymatic Analysis (Bergmeyer, H . V., ed.), Vol . 1, pp . 425-426, Verlag Chemie-Academic Press, New York/London}, and is sufficiently sensitive to detect acetate levels of 50 microM . The assay is cheaper than commercially available assays and is particularly useful for occasional use by laboratories not equipped for routine acetate analysis using gas chromatography . The application of the assay to the measurement of acetate in bacterial cultures is described, though it should also be applicable to other biological fluids and foodstuffs. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1983 Apr 15, 739(3), 326 - 33 Functional aspects of bacterial polysomes during limited protein synthesis; Marchal J et al.; The effects of amino acid starvation on the metabolic behavior of polysomes and the size distribution of proteins have been studied in an otherwise isogenic pair of stringent (relA+) and relaxed (relA) strains of Escherichia coli . The stability of polysomes has been analyzed by using two different approaches . First, the process of their degradation has been followed after treating the cells with rifampicin, an inhibitor of the synthesis of all classes of RNA including messenger RNA . Secondly, the process of their assembly has been studied after their previous conversion to monosomes, as induced by glucose deprivation of cells . It is shown that, in either type of bacterial strain, polysomes are continually broken down and re-synthesized during amino acid starvation . However, such polysome turnover is then less rapid than in normally growing bacteria and, moreover, it seems amino acid specific since it occurs at a lower rate during arginine starvation than during histidine starvation, namely, in the relaxed strain . The molecular weight distribution of proteins has been determined after labeling of cells with radioactive methionine and separation of polypeptides by one-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . The average size of polypeptides synthesized in the stringent strain during starvation is quite similar to that measured during normal growth . By contrast, a significant shift towards smaller molecules is observed in the relaxed strain deprived of an essential amino acid . Here again, this reduction of the size of polypeptides seems amino acid specific since it is especially marked during arginine starvation . These results are discussed in terms of ribosomes translocation and premature peptide chain termination in connection with the accuracy of the translational process. FEBS Lett, 1983 Apr 5, 154(1), 47 - 50 EEDQ probably reacts with the Mg2+-ATP catalytic sites of mitochondrial and bacterial F1-ATPases; Pougeois R; The carboxyl reagent N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ) inactivated ATPase activities of isolated MF1 and BF1 when assayed in an MgCl2 medium, but not in an EDTA medium . However, another carboxyl reagent, N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) was found to inhibit MF1 and BF1 when assayed either in the presence of MgCl2 or EDTA . These data suggest that EEDQ interferes with the binding of Mg2+ at catalytic sites of both MF1 and BF1 and that EEDQ on one hand, and DCCD on the other, react with different carboxyl groups on MF1 and BF1. Am J Gastroenterol, 1983 Apr, 78(4), 231 - 4 The rapid determination of ascitic fluid L-lactate for the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; Guyton BJ et al.; We have prospectively studied the value of ascitic fluid lactic acid levels by a rapid kit method in the diagnosis of SBP . Forty-five nonconsecutive patients admitted with ascites were investigated and their ascitic fluid cell counts and clinical presentation compared with ascitic fluid lactic acid levels . There were seven patients with SBP, six of whom had positive cultures . PMN were greater than 250/mm3 in 6/7 and lactic acid levels greater than 33 mg/dl in 7/7 . In eight patients with malignancy without evidence of infection PMN was greater than 250/mm3 in 8/8 and lactic acid greater than 33 mg/dl in 1/8 . In the 30 patients (31 samples) with cirrhotic ascites without SBP, 5/31 had elevated PMN and none had elevated lactic acid levels . From this small number of patients, the predictive value of PMN greater than 250/mm3 is 32% compared to 88% for lactic acid levels (if patients with malignancy are included) . The predictive value of a PMN less than 250/mm3 is 96% and of lactic acid less than 33 mg/dl is 100% . Our study confirms that of Brook et al . (5), which used the same method and when the lactic acid results of both studies are combined, the sensitivity of lactic acid in SBP is 100% (15/15), the specificity is 96% (79/82), the predictive value positive is 83% (15/18), and the predictive value negative is 100% (76/76) . We conclude that lactic acid levels above 33 mg/dl are more reliable than a PMN above 250/mm3 but that PMN and lactic acid levels below these values both accurately predict the absence of SBP . Lactic acid levels can be determined within 15 min and with minimal cost (presently $1.45/test) by a readily available kit as well as by automated equipment. Scand J Immunol, 1983 Apr, 17(4), 313 - 22 Lymphoid cell responses to bacterial cell wall components: murine B-cell responses to a purified cell wall moiety of Actinomyces; Kimura S et al.; A mitogenic component, designated fraction C (Fr C), has been purified from a mutanolysin enzyme digest of Actinomyces cell walls by CM Sephadex C-25 ion-exchange and G-100 gel filtration chromatography . Good mitogenic responses were obtained with Fr C over a broad dose range with peak mitogenesis seen with 500 micrograms/culture . Fraction C (mol . wt . = 35,000-40,000) consists of 75% carbohydrate and 23% protein, is non-dialysable, resistant to heat, lysozyme or protease treatment, and partially sensitive to base, and all mitogenic activity is destroyed by either periodate or acid treatment . Fraction C is a B-cell mitogen since it induced responses in nude (nu/nu) and nu/+ BALB/c spleen cell cultures and purified splenic B-cell cultures, but did not stimulate purified splenic T-cell cultures . Similar mitogenic fractions for B cells have been obtained from cell walls of A . naeslundii and from a human isolate of A . viscosus . Good polyclonal IgM synthesis and plaque-forming cell responses to hapten or erythrocytes were obtained in vitro with the purified cell wall fractions derived from all three Actinomyces strains studied . These results indicate that the Actinomyces cell wall possesses a carbohydrate-rich component which activates B cells and may represent a common determinant of this genus. J Bacteriol, 1983 Apr, 154(1), 312 - 23 Adaptation kinetics in bacterial chemotaxis; Block SM et al.; Cells of Escherichia coli, tethered to glass by a single flagellum, were subjected to constant flow of a medium containing the attractant alpha-methyl-DL-aspartate . The concentration of this chemical was varied with a programmable mixing apparatus over a range spanning the dissociation constant of the chemoreceptor at rates comparable to those experienced by cells swimming in spatial gradients . When an exponentially increasing ramp was turned on (a ramp that increases the chemoreceptor occupancy linearly), the rotational bias of the cells (the fraction of time spent spinning counterclockwise) changed rapidly to a higher stable level, which persisted for the duration of the ramp . The change in bias increased with ramp rate, i.e., with the time rate of change of chemoreceptor occupancy . This behavior can be accounted for by a model for adaptation involving proportional control, in which the flagellar motors respond to an error signal proportional to the difference between the current occupancy and the occupancy averaged over the recent past . Distributions of clockwise and counterclockwise rotation intervals were found to be exponential . This result cannot be explained by a response regular model in which transitions between rotational states are generated by threshold crossings of a regular subject to statistical fluctuation; this mechanism generates distributions with far too many long events . However, the data can be fit by a model in which transitions between rotational states are governed by first-order rate constants . The error signal acts as a bias regulator, controlling the values of these constants. Agents Actions, 1983 Apr, 13(2-3), 210 - 2 Intrinsic asthma and bacterial histamine release via lectin effect; Norn S et al.; Bacteria-induced histamine release from basophil leukocytes was observed in vitro in both children with intrinsic asthma (IA) as well as in normal individuals . In vivo the release is suggested to take place only in the lung of IA patients, where a defective pulmonary barrier would permit the bacteria to enter, but not in healthy individuals . The study indicates that two different mechanisms of bacterial histamine release might exist, an IgE-mediated reaction and a non-immunological mechanism consisting of a direct interaction with the basophil cell surface . The non-allergic mechanism might depend on a lectin effect where bacterial surface lectins interact with the basophil cell surface leading to release of histamine . Inhibition studies with carbohydrates suggest a multi-lectin reaction in the bacterial histamine release involving several types of lectins on the bacterial membrane reacting with different carbohydrate moieties on the cell surface of basophil leukocytes. J Immunol Methods, 1983 Mar 25, 58(3), 375 - 81 Kinetic analysis of bacterial clearance in mice using the ESTRIPc and KINET microcomputer programs; Cheewatrakoolpong B et al.; Two BASIC microcomputer programs, ESTRIPc and KINET, were used to analyze the kinetics of bacterial clearance from the blood and mesenteric lymph nodes of mice . Because of the similarities between the clearance of bacteria and the clearance of drugs from tissue, blood pharmacokinetic techniques were applied to the analysis of bacterial clearance data . The ESTRIPc program, developed for pharmacokinetic analysis and modified for the study of bacterial clearance, was employed to fit the experimental data of bacterial survival versus time to a polyexponential equation with 1, 2, or 3 terms . The KINET program, written specifically for kinetic analysis of bacterial clearance, uses the biexponential equation constants derived with ESTRIPc to calculate half-life values, rate constants, and other useful kinetic parameters . The combined use of these programs permits precise comparisons of the clearance rates of different bacterial species from the blood or tissues of experimental animals. J Biol Chem, 1983 Mar 25, 258(6), 3813 - 24 Regulation of bacterial glycogen synthesis . Stimulation of glycogen synthesis by endogenous and exogenous cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate in Escherichia coli and the requirement for a functional CRP gene; Leckie MP et al.; In Escherichia coli cya mutants, deficient in adenylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.1), basal cellular rates of glycogen synthesis were lower and the relative increases produced by exogenous cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate during growth on glucose were greater than in their respective parent strains . These observations provide strong evidence that endogenous cyclic AMP is one of the key regulators of glycogen synthesis in growing E . coli . In crp mutants, deficient in cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP), the basal cellular rates of glycogen synthesis were much lower than in their respective parent strains . Stimulation of glycogen synthesis by exogenous cyclic AMP was markedly attenuated in the three crp mutants . Thus, stimulation of glycogen synthesis by either endogenous or exogenous cyclic AMP appears to require CRP . Functional CRP appeared to be required for all three responses observed after cyclic AMP addition: an abrupt step-up in the cellular rate of glycogen synthesis, a continuing exponential increase in rate, and a stimulation of the rate during a subsequent nitrogen starvation . To account for these responses, we derived a mathematical model in which the cyclic AMP-CRP complex regulates the differential rate of synthesis of an enzyme metabolizing an effector of the rate-limiting enzyme of glycogen synthesis. Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 1983 Mar 11, 108(10), 363 - 7 {Value of echocardiography in the preoperative diagnosis of acute bacterial endocarditis}; Becher H et al.; Open-heart surgery was performed in 26 of 56 patients with acute bacterial endocarditis seen in three years . Non-controllable infection, cardiac failure or embolism were the indications for operation . In all instances pre-operative invasive angiographic diagnosis was dispensed with, indications being based entirely upon clinical findings plus the results of M-mode or cross-sectional echocardiography . In 22 of the 26 patients the pre-operative echocardiographic diagnosis coincided with the intra-operative one . In the other four patients the pre-operative echocardiographic findings were incomplete, but no surgically important information had been missed. Mutat Res, 1983 Mar, 108(1-3), 81 - 92 An analysis of the efficacy of bacterial DNA-repair assays for predicting genotoxicity; Combes RD; Several bacterial DNA-repair tests have been developed as rapid assays for genotoxicity . In these systems, a positive result is generally considered as evidence for interaction of a chemical with DNA and an indication of carcinogenicity . Recently much data have been published on the responses to suspect carcinogens of such systems in the presence and absence of added exogenous metabolising fractions . An analysis of this literature is presented and it is concluded that bacterial repair tests provide a useful prediction of potential carcinogenicity especially for certain classes of compounds . However, a significant number of procarcinogens and indirect-acting mutagens does not require mammalian metabolism in order to exhibit activity in repair assays . Possible reasons for this discrepancy as well as recommendations concerning the value of bacterial repair systems in carcinogenicity screening are discussed. Computertomographie, 1983 Mar, 3(1), 32 - 7 {Correlation between CT findings and clinical course in viral and bacterial meningoencephalitis}; Kruger H et al.; The computed axial tomograms (CAT) of 50 patients with viral or bacterial meningoencephalitis are correlated with the clinical course, the laboratory data, and the EEG changes . The diagnostic value of CAT in the early diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis is of specific importance . Hypodense regions are demonstrated after the fifth day of illness in the temporal lobe . All other viral or bacterial meningoencephalitis cases have no specific changes on CAT examination compared with clinical or laboratory data . However, in localised encephalitis CAT may reveal hypodense regions . For follow-up studies of meningoencephalitis CAT is of important diagnostic value in demonstrating complications such as abscess or occlusive hydrocephalus. Br J Surg, 1983 Mar, 70(3), 158 - 60 Antiseptics in the treatment of bacterial peritonitis in rats; McAvinchey DJ et al.; A controlled mixed peritoneal infection was produced by inoculation of bacteria into the peritoneum and peritonitis was allowed to become established . A laparotomy was performed and peritoneal toilet with a variety of agents was carried out . Local povidone-iodine in the inflamed peritoneum proved to be not only of no benefit but, in fact, to be toxic . In the standard concentrations recommended it proved lethal . Noxythiolin 2.5 per cent also had no beneficial effect . There was a significant difference between the effect of povidone-iodine when instilled into an inflamed peritoneum and instillation into the intact peritoneal cavity . We would advise caution in the use of these antiseptics in any situation in which local defence mechanisms have been compromised as a result of established infection. Radiat Res, 1983 Mar, 93(3), 516 - 24 Metabolic potentiation of the radiosensitization of hypoxic bacterial cells afforded by nitroaromatic compounds; Anderson RF et al.; Prolonged preirradiation incubation of nitroaromatic radiosensitizers with Escherichia coli cells has been found to increase the degree of radiosensitization of the cells in anoxia . Studies with E . coli strains which differ in their nitroreductase activity indicate that the increase in sensitization arises from the action of metabolites produced by the nitroreductase system of the cell . The metabolites alone appear to decrease the extrapolation number of irradiated hypoxic cells and when combined with the parent compound give a biphasic survival curve . The combination of misonidazole (1 mmole dm-3) and its metabolites (1 mmole dm-3) gave initial and final enhancement ratios of 2.4 and 1.4, respectively . The final enhancement ratio is that expected for 1 mmole dm-3 misonidazole alone, whereas the initial enhancement ratio indicates that the metabolites potentiate the action of misonidazole . The preirradiation incubation effect is removed by dithiothreitol at concentrations which do not affect the radiosensitization level of the nitroaromatic sensitizer . This result indicates that the active metabolite probably depletes a certain amount of the free-thiol compounds inside the cell which assist in the repair of radiation-induced damage. Rev Infect Dis, 1983 Mar-Apr, 5 Suppl 1, S2 - 8 Empiric therapy for bacterial infections: the historical perspective; Finland M; The term empiric is defined, and its implications in the treatment of infectious diseases and the selection of beta-lactam antibiotics are discussed . Some changes in the choice of empiric therapy during the last half-century are brought out by a discussion of therapy for selected infections . For some infections the changes (if any) have been only minor; for others, however, the changes have resulted in a progressive decline in mortality, a shortening of the course of the disease, and the reduction or elimination of complications . Among the diseases discussed are seborrheic dermatitis, malaria, syphilis, typhoid fever, pneumonia, bacterial endocarditis, and bacterial meningitis. Am J Clin Pathol, 1983 Mar, 79(3), 367 - 70 Clinical comparison of the enterotube II and API 20E systems for bacterial identification; Leighton PM et al.; The Enterotube II and API 20E were compared for their ability to identify clinical isolates of bacteria . They were found to have similar overall rates of correct identification . The Enterotube II possessed a lower requirement for extra tests in order to complete the identification, while the API system had fewer major errors . Both systems were found to be reliable and suitable for use in a clinical laboratory. Gene, 1983 Mar, 21(3), 267 - 72 Recovery of a hybrid vector, derived from bovine papilloma virus DNA, pBR322 and the HSV tk gene, by bacterial transformation with extrachromosomal DNA from transfected rodent cells; Sekiguchi T et al.; A bovine papilloma virus (BPV)-pBR322-derived recombinant plasmid carrying a 2-kb fragment of Herpes simplex virus DNA containing the thymidine kinase (tk) gene is capable of transforming tk- cells of mouse L and Syrian hamster BHK21 lines to tk+ . In transformed cells a small proportion of the plasmid DNA is present as extrachromosomal elements while the remainder appears to be integrated into the genome . It was possible to recover plasmids indistinguishable from the input DNA by transformation of Escherichia coli bacteria with low-molecular-weight DNA isolated from the transformed mouse and hamster cells and consisting of BPV-pBR322-HSV tk+ plasmids. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1983 Mar, 11(3), 217 - 21 Trimethoprim-polymyxin B ophthalmic solution in the treatment of presumptive bacterial conjunctivitis--a multicentre trial of its efficacy versus neomycin-polymyxin B-gramicidin and chloramphenicol ophthalmic solutions; Gibson JR; Two-hundred and thirty patients with a diagnosis of presumptive bacterial conjunctivitis were assessed in a randomized double-blind multicentre trial . In two of the centres the patients had been treated with either trimethoprim-polymyxin B or neomycin-polymyxin B-gramicidin ophthalmic solution . In the other two centres the patients had been treated with either trimethoprim-polymyxin B or chloramphenicol ophthalmic solution . All of the preparations used were shown to be effective and very few adverse reactions were encountered . No significant difference in clinical efficacy could be demonstrated between trimethoprim-polymyxin B and neomycin-polymyxin B -gramicidin but trimethoprim-polymyxin B was found to be significantly better (P = 0.03) than chloramphenicol in reducing signs and symptoms. Bull Eur Physiopathol Respir, 1983 Mar-Apr, 19(2), 75 - 80 Bacterial adherence to mucosal surfaces: an attribute of virulence; Isaacson RE; Colonization of mucosal habitats is, with very few exceptions, a necessary prerequisite that must be satisfied for a bacterial organism to be virulent . The mechanism(s) whereby bacteria colonize such habitats is, for the most part, by association with the mucosa and proliferation at that site . However, the precise mechanism(s) of association is not known for most organisms . Direct adherence to the mucosal surface of the small intestine by some enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli (ETEC) has been demonstrated both in vivo and in vitro . Specific surface appendages (pili) on the bacterial cell surface facilitate the direct attachment of bacteria to microvilli and as such have been termed adhesins . The adhesins of ETEC that cause diarrheal disease in pigs have been most extensively studied . Two adhesins, K88 and K99, are genetically encoded on plasmids while a third one, 987P, appears to be encoded on the chromosome . All three adhesins are composed of identical repeating protein subunits with molecular weights of 18,100-26,000 that undergo specific aggregation to form large polymers . These polymers are the active adhesins and appear as pili (synonym: fimbriae) when observed in the electron microscope . The function of these adhesins has been established by construction of mutants or plasmidless strains that do not produce the adhesin and by reintroduction of the adhesin genes back into the mutants . Only cells that produce the adhesins colonize and adhere to the mucosa of the pig intestine in vivo and thus produce diarrheal disease . The interaction of adhesin with the mucosal surface is mediated by specific receptors . Current data indicate that these receptors are glycoconjugates. Clin Sci (Lond), 1983 Mar, 64(3), 349 - 54 Tissue and bacterial splitting of sulphasalazine; Azad Khan AK et al.; 1 . The cleavage of sulphasalazine at the azo bond by bacterial suspensions and tissue homogenates has been studied in vitro . 2 . For maximum activity the azo reductase system requires anaerobic conditions and the presence of cofactors, namely NADPH and FAD . In this respect, sulphasalazine resembles other azo dyes . 3 . Under optimum conditions all the species of bacteria tested were capable of splitting sulphasalazine and there were no major differences in the degree of activity shown by different species . The enzyme system is located within the bacterial cell and does not leak out of it . 4 . All the tissues tested, both human and rat, showed azo reductase activity . The liver showed a much higher activity than the other tissues. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1983 Feb 28, 111(1), 266 - 73 The effect of luciferase and NADH:FMN oxidoreductase concentrations on the light kinetics of bacterial bioluminescence; Lavi J et al.; The effects of NADH:FMN oxidoreductase and luciferase concentrations on the light kinetics of the bacterial bioluminescent reaction were investigated . Light emission with low decay rates was obtained by regulating the conversion of NADH to NAD+ by controlling oxidoreductase activity . Constant light emission can be obtained when the oxidoreductase activity is below 2.5 U/1 in the assay system . The luciferase concentration affects the light intensity but it has no effect on the decay rate of light emission . The substrate decanal and the end-products NAD+ and capric acid had no effect on the light kinetics . The Michaelis constants of bacterial luciferase for FMNH2 and decanal were 3 X 10(-6) M and 8 X 10(-7) M, respectively, and those of oxidoreductase for FMN and NADH were 6.1 X 10(-6) M and 1.6 X 10(-5) M, respectively. J Chromatogr, 1983 Feb 18, 256(3), 429 - 38 Capillary gas chromatographic analysis of alditol acetates of neutral and amino sugars in bacterial cell walls; Fox A et al.; Several improvements in the preparation of alditol acetates of neutral and amino sugars and in the preparation of glass capillary columns for their separation are described . Modifications in sample preparation permitted the simultaneous processing of multiple samples and eliminated extraneous background peaks . Efficient and inert columns were tailor-made for the separation of alditol acetates of neutral and amino sugars by leaching glass capillaries with aqueous hydrochloric acid and dynamically coating with SP-2330. Arch Biochem Biophys, 1983 Feb 15, 221(1), 188 - 96 The interaction of substrate-related ketals with bacterial and viral neuraminidases; Flashner M et al.; Arthrobacter sialophilus neuraminidase catalyzes the hydration of 5-acetamido-2,6-anhydro-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-non-2-enonic acid (2,3-dehydro-AcNeu) with Km and kcat values of 8.9 X 10(-4) M and 6.40 X 10(-4) s-1, respectively . The methyl ester of 2,3-dehydro-AcNeu as well as 2,3-dehydro-4-epi-AcNeu are also hydrated by the enzyme . The product resulting from the enzymatic hydration of 2,3-dehydro-AcNeu is N-acetylneuraminic acid . A series of derivatives of 2,3-dehydro-AcNeu (K1, 1.60 X 10(-6) M) including 2,3-dehydro-4-epi-AcNeu (2.10 X 10(-4) M) and 2,3-dehydro-4-keto-AcNeu (K1 = 6.10 X 10(-5) M) were each competitive inhibitors of the enzyme . The methyl esters of these ketal derivatives were also competitive enzyme inhibitors . Dissociation constants for these ketals were determined independently by fluorescence enzyme titrations which gave values similar to those found kinetically . These six relatives of 2,3-dehydro-AcNeu were also competitive inhibitors for the influenza viral neuraminidases . For the viral neuraminidases, the dissociation constant for 2,3-dehydro-AcNeu and its methyl ester were 2.40 X 10(-6) and 1.17 X 10(-3) M, respectively . The interpretation placed upon the K1 values determined for these ketals against the Arthrobacter versus influenza neuraminidases is that the bacterial enzyme has a more flexible glycone binding site. J Biol Chem, 1983 Feb 10, 258(3), 1895 - 900 Reconstitution of rapid and asymmetric assembly of M13 procoat protein into liposomes which have bacterial leader peptidase; Ohno-Iwashita Y et al.; The leader peptidase of Escherichia coli cleaves a 23-residue leader sequence from M13 procoat to yield mature coat protein in virus-infected cells . We have reconstituted pure leader peptidase into vesicles of E . coli lipids and found that these liposomes are active in the conversion of procoat to coat . Trypsin removes all but 10% of the leader peptidase, yet the vesicles retain nearly full capacity to convert procoat to coat, suggesting that only procoat which inserts across the liposomal membrane is a substrate for leader peptidase . This is confirmed by the finding that over 70% of the coat protein produced by these liposomes spans the membrane . The rate at which leader peptidase inside protease-treated liposomes cleaves externally added procoat is comparable to the rate of procoat cleavage by the same amount of leader peptidase in detergent micelles . Thus, procoat can rapidly integrate across a liposomal membrane and be cleaved to coat protein . These findings confirm the central part of the membrane trigger hypothesis that certain proteins (such as procoat) can cross a bilayer without the aid of a proteinaceous pore or transport system. J Immunol, 1983 Feb, 130(2), 800 - 7 The synthesis and secretion of granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating activity (CSA) by isolated human monocytes: kinetics of the response to bacterial endotoxin; Sullivan R et al.; We studied the kinetics of the synthesis and secretion of granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating activity (CSA) by human monocytes stimulated by S . typhi endotoxin . We found that these cells initially secrete copious quantities of CSA when exposed to endotoxin but rapidly become refractory to its stimulatory effect . When monocytes were incubated in liquid suspension cultures, large amounts of CSA were generated during the first 24 hr of culture after the addition of as little as 10 ng/ml of endotoxin to previously unstimulated monocytes . After the addition of endotoxin, CSA secretion abruptly took place after an initial 1 to 2 hr lag phase, and occurred primarily within the first 6 to 12 hr of culture . The addition of puromycin or cycloheximide to the cultures significantly inhibited CSA secretion in response to endotoxin, suggesting that CSA production by stimulated monocytes requires de novo protein synthesis and does not solely result from the release of preformed active CSA . After initial exposure to endotoxin, CSA production by monocytes steadily decreased after 24 hr and ceased after 72 hr . Subsequent reexposure to the same concentration of endotoxin resulted in little CSA production, whereas the refractory state could be overcome by increasing the quantity of endotoxin added . Additional studies demonstrated that refractoriness of monocytes to further CSA production after initial response to endotoxin was not due to a loss of cell viability, degradation of endotoxin, or inhibition of CSA synthesis by soluble metabolites generated by stimulated monocytes . Our data suggest that the capacity of human monocytes to synthesize CSA in response to endotoxin rapidly becomes blunted after initial exposure of the cells to the lipopolysaccharide, but that the refractory state of these cells can be overcome by increasing the concentration of endotoxin . Acquired hyporesponsiveness of cells that produce CSA may in part account for the phenomenon of immediate endotoxin tolerance observed in vivo. J Dairy Res, 1983 Feb, 50(1), 57 - 66 Breakdown of caseins by proteinases in bovine milks with high somatic cell counts arising from mastitis or infusion with bacterial endotoxin; Andrews AT; Milk obtained from cows which were either infected by clinical mastitis or had been subjected to intramammary infusion of Escherichia coli endotoxin possessed high counts of somatic cells and very high levels of proteinase activity which hydrolysed the caseins almost completely in a few hours at 37 degrees C . The rate of hydrolysis of beta-casein was slightly greater than that of alpha S1-casein, but in both cases hydrolysis was enhanced by 6 cycles of freezing and thawing to disrupt somatic cell membranes . A study of the relationship between proteinase activity and cell count suggested that only some of the proteinase activity originated in the somatic cells and also that the identity of the cells making up the total cellular population was important . Maximum proteolysis occurred at 50-60 degrees C, but the temperature-activity curve was a broad peak . Likewise the pH versus activity plot was very broad and was almost flat over the pH range 6-9 . Experiments with a number of inhibitors of proteinases failed to give a clear cut pattern of inhibition . All evidence obtained was consistent with the view that several different enzymes with different pH and temperature optima and different specificities contributed to the overall hydrolysis of caseins in these milks . From electrophoretic band patterns one of these enzymes was clearly plasmin, but in high cell count milks other proteinases also became significant. Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1983 Feb, 2(1), 11 - 6 Cefaclor versus amoxicillin in the treatment of bacterial pneumonia: a comparative double-blind study; Leuenberger P et al.; A randomized double-blind controlled trial was carried out to compare the effectiveness and side-effects of cefaclor with those of amoxicillin in the treatment of 34 patients hospitalized because of acute bacterial pulmonary infection . Cefaclor and amoxicillin were given three times daily before meals in a dosage of 500 and 750 mg respectively for seven days . The cure rate was 94% in the group of patients treated with cefaclor and 89% in the group treated with amoxicillin . According to all the parameters used to assess outcome, no significant difference was found between the two antibiotics tested . In this study, cefaclor and amoxicillin appeared to be of equal value in the treatment of bacterial pneumonia or bronchopneumonia. Am J Vet Res, 1983 Feb, 44(2), 297 - 300 Identification of bovine lymphocyte subpopulations by a combined bacterial adherence and fluorescent antibody technique; Canning PC et al.; It is known that certain strains of bacteria bind selectively to subpopulations of human peripheral blood lymphocytes . We have developed a technique which used the specificity of bacterial binding concurrently with fluorescent antibody staining methods to identify 5 B-cell and 5 T-cell subpopulations of bovine lymphocytes . In addition, greater than 95% of the peripheral blood lymphocytes could be positively identified as being either T-cells or B cells . Using ethidium bromide-stained bacteria and lymphocytes in combination with fluorescent antibody staining to detect surface immunoglobulins or T-cell antigens, the method provided a simple yet highly specific technique for the enumeration of both B and T cells in 1 preparation of peripheral blood lymphocytes . The use of bacterial rosetting with fluorescent antibody staining was found to be easier and more reliable than the methods currently used to identify bovine B- and T-lymphocyte subpopulations. Mutat Res, 1983 Feb, 116(2), 73 - 82 Comparative bacterial mutagenicity studies with 8-methoxypsoralen and 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen in the presence of near-ultraviolet light and in the dark; Kirkland DJ et al.; 2 strains of S . typhimurium, TA98 and TA100, and 2 strains of E . coli, WP2(pKM101) and WP2uvrA-(pKM101) were used to study mutagenesis by 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) and 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (4,5',8-TMP) in the dark and in the presence of near-ultraviolet (NUV) light both without metabolic activation and with rat-liver S9 at 3 levels (4, 10 and 30% in standard cofactors) . The S9-independent base substitution mutagenic activity of 8-MOP plus NUV light was confirmed in WP2(pKM101), and a similar activity was seen for 4,5',8-TMP, although neither substance was active in TA100 . The frameshift mutagenic activity of 8-MOP in the dark in TA98 was not confirmed despite histidine levels which would ensure DNA replication, but this may be due to the lower concentrations of 8-MOP achieved in the common solvent system adopted . Both 8-MOP and 4,5',8-TMP were mutagenic in WP2uvrA-(pKM101) after microsomal activation, and the responses were similar whether experiments were conducted in the dark or in NUV light . In view of the oral administration of 8-MOP to psoriasis patients, this finding may be of relevance in risk assessment, and tends to suggest that topical application of 4,5',8-TMP to psoriatic patients may present reduced risk of malignant disease. Am J Surg, 1983 Feb, 145(2), 260 - 2 Quantitative assessment of bacterial invasion of chronic ulcers . Statistical analysis; Schneider M et al.; Seventy-four bacterial counts were performed on tissue specimens taken from seven chronic decubitus ulcers and two infected postoperative wounds to evaluate the reliability of a single determination as an indicator of the degree of bacterial contamination of the wound . Two methods of tissue sampling were compared . In Group I, a single tissue sample was divided into four specimens, which were then individually processed . In Group II, bacterial counts were made on tissue specimens taken from four widely separated areas of the wound . Data from 37 determinations were available in each group . The 95 percent confidence interval for a single determination was log10 +/- 0.9 for Group I and log10 +/- 1.3 for Group II . We conclude that the range of values at the 95 percent confidence interval is so large that a bacterial count made on a single tissue sample from a chronic ulcer has only limited value as a guide to the surgeon in determining the optimal time required to perform a surgical closure. J Infect Dis, 1983 Feb, 147(2), 252 - 7 Serologic diagnosis of pertussis: comparison of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and bacterial agglutination; Mertsola J et al.; An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and bacterial agglutination (BA) method for determining the presence of antibodies to Bordetella pertussis were compared on serum samples from 21 patients with whooping cough and their 76 family members . The overall diagnostic agreement between the two methods was 77% . The data for BA-detected antibodies correlated best with IgG and IgA antibodies to B . pertussis . All of the culture-positive patients showed serologic positivity in both assays during the follow-up . Pertussis was diagnosed by ELISA in most cases from the first serum sample . Both methods proved to be good diagnostic aids in culture-negative patients, although the value of BA is more retrospective because of the need for paired sera . The kinetics of IgM, IgA, IgG, and agglutinating antibodies to B . pertussis is presented. Arch Ophthalmol, 1983 Feb, 101(2), 265 - 74 Enzyme-assisted vitrectomy with bacterial collagenase . Time course and toxicity studies; Moorhead LC et al.; Electron microscopic analysis of intravitreal strands produced by the injection of autogenous fibroblasts showed thin, immature collagen after two weeks and the mature banded variety after four weeks . With the use of this intravitreal strand model, it was found that highly purified bacterial collagenase caused extensive digestion of scar tissue after incubation periods of 10, 15, and 30 minutes . There was no morphologic damage to cicatricial cellular elements or to the inner limiting membrane of the retina . A 45-minute exposure of retinas previously injured by photocoagulation to collagenase also did not result in morphologic evidence of damage . The use of collagenase as an adjunct to vitrectomy in cases of extreme vitreal scarring or retinal traction may decrease the complication rate of a procedure that is still extremely hazardous. J Biol Chem, 1983 Jan 25, 258(2), 909 - 15 Affinity alkylation of bacterial delta 5-3-ketosteroid isomerase . Identification of the amino acid modified by steroidal 17 beta-oxiranes; Kayser RH et al.; The two steroidal 17 beta-oxiranes, spiro-17 beta-oxiranyl-delta 4-androsten-3-one (4 beta) and spiro-17 beta-oxiranylestra-1,3,5(10),6,8-pentaene-3-ol (5 beta) are active site-directed irreversible inhibitors of bacterial delta 5-3-ketosteroid isomerase . For each inhibitor, a stoichiometry of one molecule of steroid to one enzyme subunit was found . The inhibited enzyme was denatured and subjected to digestion by trypsin . The tryptic maps show two distinct steroid-bound peptides for both 4 beta- and 5 beta-inhibited isomerase . In each case, the two modified peptides are derived from residues 14 to 45 of the isomerase . Each of the steroid-bound peptides of the 4 beta-inhibited enzyme was subjected to further proteolytic digestion and the site of steroid attachment was found to be Asp-38 in each of the inactivation products . These results are interpreted to indicate that "backwards binding" is an important feature of the binding of steroids to delta 5-3-ketosteroid isomerase. JAMA, 1983 Jan 14, 249(2), 223 - 5 Bacterial contamination of arterial lines . A prospective study; Shinozaki T et al.; One hundred seventeen patients had indwelling arterial illness for hemodynamic monitoring and blood sampling . The duration of catheterization varied from 25 to 439 hours, during which time no components of the system were replaced . In contrast to other reports, our study showed no instance of contamination of transducer dome fluid when the continuous flush device was located just distal to the transducer . The sampling stopcock showed bacterial growth in 16.2% of patients . In the one case in which the arterial catheter tip, stopcock, and patient's blood showed the same organism, culture of the transducer fluid was negative . Our results suggest that elimination of a static inline fluid column and proper aseptic sampling technique limit risk to the patient of transmitted bacterial infection from the fluid in the system . Routine changes of components of the system are not indicated and a substantial cost saving can be achieved. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1983 Jan 14, 110(1), 187 - 93 Studies on isoprenoid biosynthesis with bacterial intact cells; Takatsuji H et al.; For the study on the regulation of isoprenoid biosynthesis with intact cells, some strains of bacteria capable of growing on mevalonate as a sole carbon source were isolated from soil . Many of them incorporated {14C}-mevalonate, {14C}isopentenyl- and {14C}farnesyl pyrophosphates into the cells . However, radioactivity was found in their degradation products but not in isoprenoids . Addition of {14C}isopentenyl pyrophosphate, farnesyl pyrophosphate and Mg2+ ions in combination to the culture of a strain of Arthrobacter gave rise to 14C-incorporation into isoprenoids . Radioactivity was found in polyprenol, its pyrophosphate, monophosphate and fatty acid esters . The reactions of isopentenyl- and farnesyl pyrophosphates syntheses seemed to be rate-limiting steps. Lab Anim, 1983 Jan, 17(1), 45 - 9 Relationships of volatile components and bacterial flora in mouse caecum; Imai A et al.; The relations between volatile components and bacterial flora in mouse caecum were studied in germ-free, gnotobiotic and SPF mice and in gnotobiotes given heated caecal homogenate from SPF mice . Anaerobic fusiform bacteria were present in SPF mice and ex-gnotobiotic (gnotobiotic plus SPF caecum) mice only . Low concentrations of furfural correlated with the presence of intestinal fusiform bacteria, suggesting that furfural may be decomposed by these organisms . Fusiform bacteria were also associated with the highest concentrations of acetic and butyric acids and may play an important role in regulating the composition of the mouse caecal flora. Pediatr Infect Dis, 1983 Jan-Feb, 2(1), 12 - 7 The psychological impact of pediatric bacterial meningitis on the family; Kupst MJ et al.; Twenty-eight families participated in a prospective study of family coping with childhood bacterial meningitis . Most of the parents were seen by physicians and nursing staff as exhibiting anxiety during the first week of treatment, and many mothers later reported their fear for the child's life . Depressive behavior was also commonly noted in mothers by physicians; however, both mothers and fathers were generally seen as cooperating with staff and communicating well with them . Most of the families were rated as coping well with the diagnosis and treatment by physicians, nurses and psychosocial staff . Nineteen families participated in a follow-up assessment 1 to 2 years after diagnosis . Coping was found to be relatively stable over time, and mothers' coping at the follow-up interview was significantly correlated with their coping at diagnosis . Most of them raised concerns about residual damage and fear of life-threatening illness . There were no significant differences between families who had received a psychological intervention and those who had not . Careful monitoring of parental knowledge and perceptions was recommended to prevent later problems. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol, 1983, 105(1), 62 - 6 An experimental study on bacterial colonization, nitrite and nitrosamine production in the operated stomach; Bockler R et al.; Intragastric bacterial growth and nitrite and nitrosamine formation were investigated in animal experiments after different surgical procedures of ulcer management with regard to carcinogenesis in the operated stomach . The operative procedures resulted in an alteration in the gastric flora with an increase and predominance of nitrate-reducing bacteria . There was an increase in the intragastric nitrite and nitrosamine concentration corresponding to the increase in nitrate-reducing bacteria . All three parameters showed the greatest increase after gastric resection, whereas there were no significant differences after vagotomy with pyloroplasty, compared with a control group . These findings in animal experiments are of etiopathological relevance to the known danger of cancer in the resected human stomach and should be taken into consideration when choosing a procedure for surgical ulcer therapy. J Math Biol, 1983, 16(2), 141 - 63 Localized bacterial infection in a distributed model for tissue inflammation; Lauffenburger DA et al.; Phagocyte motility and chemotaxis are included in a distributed mathematical model for the inflammatory response to bacterial invasion of tissue . Both uniform and non-uniform steady state solutions may occur for the model equations governing bacteria and phagocyte densities in a macroscopic tissue region . The non-uniform states appear to be more dangerous because they allow large bacteria densities concentrated in local foci, and in some cases greater total bacteria and phagocyte populations . Using a linear stability analysis, it is shown that a phagocyte chemotactic response smaller than a critical value can lead to a non-uniform state, while a chemotactic response greater than this critical value stabilizes the uniform state . This result is the opposite of that found for the role of chemotaxis in aggregation of slimemold amoebae because, in the inflammatory response, the chemotactic population serves as an inhibitor rather than an activator . We speculate that these non-uniform steady states could be related to the localized cell aggregation seen in chronic granulomatous inflammation . The formation of non-uniform states is not necessarily a consequence of defective phagocyte chemotaxis, however . Rather, certain values of the kinetic parameters can yield values for the critical chemotactic response which are greater than the normal response . Numerical computations of the transient inflammatory response to bacterial challenge are presented, using parameter values estimated from the experimental literature wherever possible. Endoscopy, 1983 Jan, 15(1), 27 - 8 Bacterial endocarditis after Hurst bougienage in a patient with a benign oesophageal stricture; Yin TP et al.; A case of bacterial endocarditis which proved fatal in a 65-year-old edentulous male Caucasian with rheumatic valvular heart disease is reported . This occurred following dilatation of a benign oesophageal stricture with a Hurst mercury bougie . Transient low grade bacteraemia following upper gastrointestinal intubation is well documented but we are not aware of any published reports on bacterial endocarditis following this procedure and the possible implications of this case are discussed. J Immunopharmacol, 1983, 5(1-2), 107 - 16 Bacterial immunostimulant (Broncho-Vaxom) versus levamisole on the humoral immune response in mice; Bosch A et al.; A comparative study on the enhancement of humoral immune response in mice after oral treatment with levamisole or a lyophilized bacterial lysate (Broncho-Vaxom) is presented . The latter proves to be more effective at therapeutic doses than levamisole on the induction of immunoglobulin formation and particularly that of IgA in secretions. Acta Microbiol Hung, 1983, 30(3-4), 227 - 32 Bacterial modulation of the cellular immune response in mice . I . The course of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection in Bordetella pertussis vaccine pretreated mice with physiological thymus involution; Szeri I et al.; The cellular immune response to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection was found to be normal in 6-month-old mice with physiological thymus involution, while it was reduced in 18-month-old mice . The Bordetella pertussis vaccine elicited immunosuppression in 6-month-old mice with normal immunological responsiveness, while it failed to affect the physiologically diminished cellular immune response in 18-month-old mice . The extent of immunosuppression elicited by the vaccine changed parallel to its concomitant spleen hypertrophy inducing effect. Arkh Patol, 1983, 45(12), 20 - 7 {Organ pathology of bacterial shock}; Kan'shina NF; On the basis of histological and histochemical examinations of 100 postmortem observations of bacterial shock, 4 stages of disorders in the microcirculatory bed and in cell elements of organs in this complication are distinguished . The hemodynamic stage consists in redistribution of the blood flow, alternation of spasm and paresis, and vascular dystonia . In the stage of hemorheological disorders congestion is substituted by stasis, sludging of erythrocytes due to pachyemia . As a result of increased permeability of vessel walls, interstitial edema and early changes of parenchymatous cells of organs occur at the enzymatic level . The addition of DIBC syndrome leads to deeper ischemia of organs and formation of necroses, hemorrhages, acute ulcers . As a consequence, organ insufficiency (adrenal, renal, respiratory) develops. Clin Lab Haematol, 1983, 5(4), 361 - 70 Autologous blood collection in abdominal vascular surgery . Assessment of a low pressure blood salvage system with particular reference to the preservation of cellular elements, triglyceride, complement and bacterial content in the collected blood; Andrews NJ et al.; A simple, low pressure, blood scavenging system has been assessed in major abdominal vascular operations . The aim of this study was to assess the quality of blood obtained with this device and its suitability for reinfusion . Three areas of special interest, which have not been reported so far, are the fate of plasma complement, the load of fat aspirated after tissue dissection and the degree of bacterial contamination in the scavenged blood . The development of autologous blood scavenging systems is reviewed . The features which most affect the quality of scavenged blood are identified and their importance discussed by comparison with our experience . Key features of our system were: simplicity of the apparatus, controlled low-pressure aspiration, the use of systemic heparin and the avoidance of mechanical pumps . The blood obtained was of excellent quality with good preservation of cellular elements, platelets and fibrinogen . Plasma total haemolytic complement, C3 and C4 fractions were preserved in normal, though slightly reduced, quantities . Lipid (triglyceride) content was minimally increased after filtration . Bacterial contamination was present in all cases, but at a very low level provided that aspiration was limited to the peritoneal cavity . This low-level of contamination is not thought to be of great significance; its origin and importance are discussed. J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1983, 27(4), 465 - 79 A new semidefined nutrient medium for bacterial susceptibility testing; Reissbrodt R et al.; A new semidefined nutrient medium for testing of bacterial resistance against chemotherapeutics is described . Nutrients, poor in antagonists, vitamins and ions are balanced . Full effectiveness in view of sensitivity and expression of bacterial resistance mechanisms of all chemotherapeutics tested is guaranteed . The nutrient medium, known under the trade name "Kulturmedium L4 zur Resistenzbestimmung" is comparable with the new recommended international media for this purpose . Beyond it the nutrient medium is useful for genetical investigations and combined with a diagnostic system for selecting different bacteria contained especially resistance properties. Postgrad Med J, 1983, 59 Suppl 3, 185 - 7 Role of bacterial vaccines in prevention of respiratory infections with special reference to pneumococcal vaccines; Huchon G; There are significant differences between polymicrobial and monomicrobial vaccines . Polymicrobial vaccines clearly cannot prevent all bacterial diseases and their indications are ill-defined, but might be better established by controlled clinical trials in which these preparations are tested against placebos . The pneumococcal vaccine represents real progress in reducing the incidence and mortality of pneumococcal infection in patients with either a high risk of contracting such an infection or a high risk of a fatal outcome if infection occurs. Acta Physiol Pol, 1983 Jan-Feb, 34(1), 57 - 65 Studies on the colonic bacterial flora during experimental carcinogenesis induced with N-methyl-N'nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine; Przewlocki T et al.; The study was carried out on 72 rats receiving during 7 weeks rectal infusions of N-methyl-N'nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), a carcinogenic agent . During the follow-up of 52 weeks the changes were investigated in the quantitative composition of the aerobic and anaerobic bacterial flora of the large intestine, and the basic composition of the aerobic flora was established . It was found that MNNG modified the quantity and composition of the bacterial flora of the colon not only with a reduction in the number of bacteria in the faeces but also with a transient change in the composition and proportions of various bacterial species . Attention is called to the observation that the appearance and development of malignant tumours in the large intestine was connected with a rise in the number of micro-organisms correlated with the histological transformation of the colonic mucosa and the number of tumours in it. Z Erkr Atmungsorgane, 1983, 161(1), 61 - 4 {Modern bacterial vaccines}; Mebel S et al.; A well founded vaccination strategy is of crucial importance for controlling communicable diseases . The WHO Enlarged Vaccination Programme of 1976 provides to protect by vaccination all children in the world against six infection diseases - diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, poliomyelitis, and tuberculosis, a sure immunization prophylaxis being possible against them . The perspectives of further development of some classical vaccines as against cholera, typhoid fever, and pertussis are reviewed . Some recent bacterial vaccines are discussed being of special significance for controlling nosocomial infections and for protecting patients in intensive therapy and/or persons with lowered immunological defence . New ways for production of vaccine matters are shown such as capsule polysaccharides, membrane proteins, subcellular fractions, and vaccines with synthetic carrier molecules . Fundamental problems concerning the initiation of vaccination and the demands for an enlarged proof of innocence of vaccines are discussed. Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1983, 23(7), 447 - 55 A comparison of manganese oxidation by growing and resting cells of a freshwater bacterial isolate, strain FMn 1; Zapkin MA et al.; A bacterial isolate, strain FMn 1, from reservoir sediment oxidized MN2+ when tested in growing culture and resting-cell suspension . The oxidation was biologically mediated and not the result of autoxidation because at a MnSO4 . H2O concentration of 0.05%, the pH remained below 7.5 for the duration of the experiments . The production of manganese oxide was qualitatively and quantitatively demonstrated . The manganese-oxidizing activity of this organism was found to be inducible. Prostate, 1983, 4(6), 625 - 30 Effect of castration on experimental bacterial prostatitis in rats; Kaplan L et al.; Inoculation of Escherichia coli into the ventral lobe of the rat prostate produced positive bacterial cultures in the expressed fluid of all three lobes of the rat prostate for a prolonged period of time . Orchiectomy at the time of bacterial inoculation significantly shortened the interval of positive bacterial cultures in the prostate expressate. Acta Microbiol Hung, 1983, 30(3-4), 233 - 7 Bacterial modulation of the cellular immune response in mice . II . Stimulation by endotoxin of the reduced cellular immune response to LCM virus infection in aged mice; Banos Z et al.; Aging mice treated with radio-detoxified endotoxin and subsequently inoculated intracerebrally with lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus died earlier and in a higher rate than the virus infected and otherwise untreated controls . Thus, in mice with insufficient T lymphocyte function due to aging, the radio-detoxified endotoxin pretreatment contributed to the outcome of LCM virus infection in the form of lethal meningitis . That indicates a stimulatory effect on the reduced cellular immunological reaction to the virus infection. Arch Oral Biol, 1983, 28(5), 371 - 4 Effect of human dental bacterial plaque extract on the connective tissue of in-vitro cultured fetal rat calvaria; Larjava H; Plaque extract (50 micrograms protein/ml) stimulated the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in cultured calvaria explants . The production of hyaluronic acid was increased (206-309 per cent) in the medium of bone explants cultured without fetal calf serum . In the presence of serum the synthesis of GAG was increased in control bones to the level of plaque-treated bones . The bone nitrogen content remained relatively unchanged, but dry weights, DNA and collagen contents were all decreased in plaque-treated bones . Bone resorption measured as 45Ca-release was enhanced in plaque-treated (173 +/- 18 per cent) and also parathormone-treated (155 +/- 10 per cent) bones . Serum in culture medium reduced the differences between treated and control bones by increasing the release of 45Ca from control bones . Plaque-induced bone resorption may be caused by increased cell secretion of GAG and inhibition of collagen synthesis or by increased collagen breakdown . Loss of mineral accompanies this modification of the organic substrate. Arch Oral Biol, 1983, 28(4), 327 - 38 Ammonia utilization by a proposed bacterial pathogen in human periodontal disease, Capnocytophaga ochracea; Grantham WC et al.; Capnocytophaga ochracea strain 25 was originally isolated from a patient with severe juvenile periodontitis . An NAD-specific glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) (EC 1.4.1.2.) was found in cell-free extracts from this organism . The NADH-dependent reductive, or ammonia-assimilating activity (NADH-GDH), of the enzyme was 8-10-fold higher than its NAD-dependent oxidative, or ammonia-releasing activity (NAD-GDH), suggesting that the primary physiological role of the GDH is ammonia-fixing . Capnocytophaga ochracea GDH was purified approximately 39-fold by a rapid, single-step purification procedure using DEAE-cellulose (DE52) ion-exchange column chromatography which gave 90 per cent recovery of total enzyme units . Paper chromatography of an NADH-GDH assay mixture containing the partially purified enzyme showed that glutamate was, indeed, a product of the ammonia-assimilating reaction . The pH optimum for the NAD-GDH reaction was 9.0; that for the NADH-GDH reaction was 7.5 . Although a number of mono- and divalent cations were tested, none had a large effect on either NAD-GDH or NADH-GDH activity . The NAD-GDH reaction showed a hyperbolic kinetic response to glutamate and NAD and the Km values for glutamate and NAD were 2.44 and 0.083 mM respectively . The kinetic response of the NADH-GDH reaction to NADH, alpha-ketoglutarate and ammonium chloride also obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics and their respective Km values were 0.069, 1.44 and 3.33 mM . Of a number of biologically-active compounds tested for their ability to modulate GDH activity, only ADP and NAD exerted much effect . The NADH-GDH activity showed a negative hyperbolic kinetic response to both ADP and NAD and Dixon plot-analysis of the NAD and ADP saturation data gave Ki values for ADP and NAD of 4.0 and 0.46 mM respectively . Both NAD and ADP appeared to exert their negative effects on NADH-GDH activity by completely inhibiting the binding of the reduced coenzyme, NADH, to the enzyme. Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1983, 23(10), 607 - 19 Formation of additional contacts of chromosome with membrane in the process of DNA repair synthesis in bacterial cells; Bezlepkin VG et al.; An increase in the amount of membrane-bound DNA was found in B . subtilis cells with UV-induced DNA repair synthesis as compared to untreated cells . It was shown that DNA repair synthesis occurred in DNA membrane complexes (DMC) formed during UV-irradiation . UV-induced formation of DMC was observed in cells of wild type strains which were capable of repairing damaged DNA but not in a mutant defective in DNA-polymerase I . It was demonstrated that DNA-polymerase I is located on the membrane of B . subtilis cells . This suggested a participation of DNA-polymerase I in binding of the chromosome to the membrane in UV-irradiated cells . UV-induced DMC did not dissociate when the cells were treated with inhibitors of DNA-gyrase . It, therefore, was qualitatively different from the DMC found during replication . The mechanisms of binding of the damaged DNA to the membrane in UV-irradiated cells of B . subtilis are discussed. C R Seances Acad Sci III, 1983, 297(4), 209 - 12 {Demonstration of a bacterial structure in two human mediators: a sleep facilitating factor and a monokine}; Chedid L et al.; A monoclonal anti-MDP antibody was found to bind to "Slow Wave Sleep" factor . This result confirms that this factor is a muramyl peptide and furthermore shows that it contains a structure characteristic of the synthetic adjuvant and of the bacterial cell wall, i.e . an acetylated muramic acid bound to L-alanine . This antibody was also shown to specifically inhibit a biological activity of a purified human monokine which induces fever . Because of these results and other recent observations we propose that a bacterial structure is present in certain mammalian mediators. Mol Cell Biochem, 1983, 55(2), 141 - 4 Respiratory chain of bacterial membrane: assembly-mobile carriers equilibrium; Zinov'eva ME et al.; The target size of NADH-oxidase activity of M . lysodeikticus isolated membranes for electron radiation is nearly equal to that obtained for NADH-dehydrogenase (about 50 kD) . The complete cross-linking of membrane proteins by glutaraldehyde causes an increase of NADH-oxidase target size to 3-3.5 times its original value . Electrons are transported by cross-linked respiratory chain from NADH to O2 with 60-50% effectiveness of that in untreated membranes . It is proposed that electrons are transported through a multi-enzymic complex of individual carriers having limited lifetime with exchange of carriers between different respiratory complexes via lateral diffusion in membrane. Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1983, 23(4), 259 - 68 {Effector influence of oxygen-containing C1 compounds in the cultivation of the methanotrophic bacterial strain GB 25}; Schneider JD et al.; Addition of oxygen-containing C1-compounds to chemostat cultures of GB 25 increases both the yield of biomass and the specific growth rate . At optimum concentrations the catalytic activity of these compounds increases with increasing growth rates . Their influence on maintenance coefficients and maximum yield coefficients decreases in the order CH3OH greater than CO2 greater than HCOOH greater than HCHO . This result together with spectrophotometric NADH determinations suggests that the NADH pool determines the balance between the assimilatory and oxidative utilization of formaldehyde. Yale J Biol Med, 1983 Jan-Feb, 56(1), 9 - 13 A bacterial mutagenicity study of rivanol, an acridine derivative used as an abortifacient; Wugmeister M et al.; PIP: Rivanol (6, 9 diamino 2-ethoxy acridine) is used in Asia and Sweden as a mid-trimester abortifacient . Although its apparent safety and lack of side effects have been documented in a series of studies, the longterm effects of this agent have not been evaluated . Acridine compounds are known to bind strongly to DNA and to produce mutations, thus it is appropriate to consider the potential of rivanol to lead to genetic damage or cancer . This study used the forward mutation to resistance to 6 azauracil to test the mutagenicity of rivanol and a related known mutagen, acridine orange, on Escherichia coli . Several generations of E . coli cells were grown in the presence of these 2 agents, and the frequencies of cells with the mutant phenotype (upp) among viable cells in the population were determined . Data from 4 independent experiments were averaged . In all experiments, the rivonal-treated sample had fewer viable cells per ml than untreated controls, but this toxicity was not observed for acridine orange . At concentrations or= 100 mcg/ml, acridine orange did not increase the frequency of upp mutants . However, rivanol exhibited a dose-dependent increase in mutation frequency up to 8-fold at 100 mcg/ml . The selective bacterial toxicity observed in the comparison of these 2 agents is attributed to the fact that rivanol binds 2-5 times more strongly to DNA than acridine orange . The low blood levels of rivanol that have been observed after oral and extraamniotic application may be below the concentration that can cause significant genetic damage or induce malignancies . However, it is possible that mammalian cells are more permeable to rivanol than bacterial cells and that low concentrations may pose significant risks . The results of this study indicate that patients treated with rivanol should be followed to luate the possible longterm effects of this agent . Microbios, 1983, 38(152), 83 - 9 Megamodulin, a cation binding protein from Escherichia coli and its effect on bacterial RNA polymerase; Sen S et al.; The versatile multication binding protein, otherwise known as the stimulatory protein kinase modulator (PKMs) or megamodulin has been isolated from Escherichia coli and it has been found to stimulate E . coli RNA polymerase holoenzyme . It has been hypothesized that megamodulin may regulate RNA polymerase activity by blocking the pausing mechanism and/or increased chain elongation activity during the process of transcription, and also may play an important role in protein synthesis. J Biol Response Mod, 1983, 2(4), 321 - 42 Clinical immunotherapy trials of bacterial components derived from Mycobacteria and Nocardia; Vosika GJ; Preparations of oil-attached mycobacterial components have been used in place of viable bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) in animal models and humans as a cancer immunotherapeutic agent . Most preparations consist of the isolated mycobacterial cell wall or cell wall skeleton attached to oil . Cord factor (trehalose dimycolate) has also been included in some preparations . In animal models, such preparations given intralesionally, systemically, or as a vaccine can cause regression of disease and establish tumor-specific immunity . Trials in humans have utilized oil-attached mycobacterial components given intralesionally, intradermally, intrapleurally, intraperitoneally, intravenously, and as an ointment . The major toxicity has been fever, chills, and local inflammation and/or abscess formation . An increase in the white blood count and lymphocyte count has been observed . An increase in liver function test was reported in a minority of patients . Given intralesionally, these preparations cause regression of the injected lesion, regression of noninjected cutaneous and visceral disease, and the apparent establishment of a tumor-specific immune response . Administered intrapleurally and intraperitoneally, there is a response and a clearing of malignant cells in approximately 50% of cases . Given intravenously, oil-attached cell wall skeleton and trehalose dimycolate can eradicate pulmonary disease . Used as an ointment, the preparations have been effective in mycosis fungoides and Kaposi's sarcoma . These reagents demonstrate definite single-agent activity . This was most prominent in patients who were immunocompetent and who had immunogenic tumors such as malignant melanomas . The reagents represent potent immunotherapeutic agents with acceptable toxicity . Further trials of these and subsequent refined preparations are warranted. Dev Comp Immunol, 1983 Summer, 7(3), 483 - 96 Mitogenic responses of frog lymphocytes to crude and purified preparations of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS); Bleicher PA et al.; We have compared in vitro mitogenic responses of frog (Xenopus laevis and Rana pipiens) lymphocytes to various preparations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) . Commercial LPS prepared from E . coli (phenol extraction) and from S . abortus-equi (phenol and TCA extraction procedures) was mitogenic for frog lymphocytes . After reextraction of these LPS preparations with phenol-water, the remaining LPS was either considerably less mitogenic or not mitogenic . Purified E . coli 055:B5 LPS, prepared by phenol water extraction, enzyme treatment and column chromatography, was not mitogenic . Frog cells proliferated poorly or not at all with all concentrations of reextracted or purified LPS tested (0.5-400 micrograms/ml) and at all culture periods examined (days 1-7) . All LPS preparations used were mitogenic for CAF1 mouse lymphocytes, whereas reextracted and purified LPS preparations were not mitogenic for lymphocytes from C3H/HeJ cells . Xenopus were also not susceptible to toxicity induced by parenterally administered LPS in concentrations which killed CAF1 mice. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl, 1983, 85, 83 - 93 Small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome; Bjorneklett A; Different aspects of the small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome are reviewed . Special emphasis is put on the newly recognized structural and functional abnormalities of the small intestinal mucosa, abnormalities that may not be fully reversed by effective antimicrobic therapy . The pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the malabsorption of different substances are discussed and the available diagnostic tests are briefly presented . The current therapy, surgical, medical and supportive, are outlined . It is pointed out that abnormal overgrowth flora of the small intestine can occur unassociated with malabsorption . Thus, the clinician must assess the potential benefit to be derived from treatment, once the presence of absorptive abnormalities is documented. Int J Biochem, 1983, 15(9), 1095 - 102 Dental bacterial plaque; Laird WR et al.; The literature on the subject of dental bacterial plaque is extensive . In spite of considerable research, the mode of its formation together with the variability in bacterial content requires further clarification . Mechanical methods of plaque control are effective but limited in a population sense . Of the numerous chemotherapeutic agents in plaque control, chlorhexidin appears the most effective. Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1983, 172(2), 117 - 22 Rapid diagnosis of bacteraemia by measuring bacterial adenosine triphosphate in blood culture bottles using bioluminescence; Beckers B et al.; Bacterial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was determined in blood culture bottles using bioluminescence . Seventy bottles were inoculated with blood and bacteria . Immediately after inoculation and every 2 h thereafter for the next 10 h, bacterial ATP was measured as well as the number of colony-forming units (CFU) per millilitre of blood culture bottle . The curves for the concentration of CFUs and for the amount of bacterial ATP present are quite similar and indicate that the method described promises good results in the early detection of bacteria in blood culture bottles . ATP values greater than 0.1 ng/ml blood culture bottle indicate bacterial growth . This limit of detection is reached at a concentration of 4-6 X 10(4) CFU/ml of the Escherichia coli ATCC 11229 strain tested. Mol Gen Genet, 1983, 191(1), 162 - 4 A novel type of bacterial transcription unit, specifying mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA; Erdei S et al.; Previously it had been shown that a chromosomal region preceding the rrnB gene of Escherichia coli contains an 867 base pair-long open reading frame and it is co-transcribed with the rrnB gene both in vitro and in vivo . Here we report that minicells programmed by recombinant plasmids carrying this region or a deletion derivative of it, synthetise a protein of the expected size . Thus this transcription unit codes for mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA. Arch Oral Biol, 1983, 28(4), 317 - 25 Artificial caries produced by different oral bacterial cultures incubated with bovine dental enamel; Gallagher IH et al.; Early caries-like lesions were formed in enamel incubated in glucose broths inoculated with different cultures of oral bacteria . Analysis of the broths by gas chromatography revealed, after appropriate incubation, the presence of lactic, succinic, formic, acetic, propionic, isobutyric, n-butyric, isovaleric or n-caproic or mixtures of these acid catabolites . Subsurface lesions formed with all acids and mixtures providing that the terminal pH dropped less than or equal to 5.6 . However, the processes conformed in part only with the idealized simple diffusion phenomenon for caries formation, indicating the presence of other factors which could affect the production of lesions in biological systems. Chemotherapy, 1983, 29(4), 249 - 61 Bacterial growth kinetics of Escherichia coli and mycobacteria in the presence of brodimoprim and metioprim alone and in combination with sulfamerazine and dapsone (VI); Seydel JK et al.; Bacterial growth kinetics and checkerboard titration experiments have been performed to determine the inhibitory power of metioprim (I) and brodimoprim (II) alone and in combination with diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) using Escherichia coli and mycobacteria as test organisms . The evaluated potency of the new TMP derivatives alone and in combination is compared to TMP and other derivatives . A strongly synergistic activity of I and II in combination with DDS against E . coli and various mycobacteria is observed which is also operative in case of highly DDS-resistant mycobacterial strains . The implication of these findings for the development of a combined chemotherapy with these drugs against atypical mycobacterial infections - especially leprosy - is discussed. Microbios, 1983, 36(145-46), 135 - 47 Local anaesthetic induced turbidity increases: implications of interactions with intact bacterial cells and with subcellular fractions; Fazly Bazaz BS et al.; Four local anaesthetics (LAs), amethocaine and procaine (esters) and cinchocaine and lignocaine (amides) have been assessed in terms of their ability to induce turbidity increases in non-growing cells of Escherichia coli suspended in a carbohydrate free defined medium (CFM) or distilled water or in 0.2 M phosphate buffer . Procaine and lignocaine did not induce turbidity increases . The turbidity increase-LA concentration profiles for both amethocaine and cinchocaine are similar in all three systems . Slight variation are discussed in terms of the ionic content of the suspending media . Interactions between LAs and dispersed systems comprising: cell envelope preparations, cytoplasmic contents, lipid depleted cells and cell lipid dispersion, are also described . Transmission electron micrographs of LA treated cells are presented and the use of uranyl acetate as a 'vital' stain is illustrated . Results are discussed in terms of LA lipophilicity and the effectiveness of LAs in precipitating intracellular materials at high concentrations. J Pharmacobiodyn, 1983 Jan, 6(1), 18 - 24 Studies on bacterial nitroreductases . Enzymes involved in reduction of aromatic nitro compounds in Escherichia coli; Kitamura S et al.; Enzymes involved in reduction of methyl p-nitrobenzoate in Escherichia coli B/r were oxygen-insensitive and precipitated between 30 and 60% ammonium sulfate saturation from cell-free extracts of the strain . The reductases were resolved by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography into three enzymes, NADH-linked, NAD(P)H-linked and NADPH-linked ones . These enzymes were flavoprotein which could be inactivated by dialysis against 1 M potassium bromide and could be reactivated by FMN . The NADH-linked and NAD(P)H-linked reductases were sensitive to dicumarol and exhibited menadione reductase activities . Aromatic nitro compounds with electron-withdrawing p-substituents were easily reduced by the NAD(P)H-linked reductase. J Gen Microbiol, 1983 Jan, 129 (Pt 2), 51 - 5 Mass spectrometric analysis of drug-induced changes in Na+ and K+ contents of single bacterial cells; Lindner B et al.; Time-dependent changes in the intracellular Na+/K+ ratio of Escherichia coli, induced by the nitrofuran derivative HN32 {2,4-diamino-6-(5-nitrofuryl-2)-5-ethylpyrimidine}, were measured by laser-induced mass spectrometry of single bacterial cells . The results show good agreement with data on viable cell and total cell counts, release of ATP and 14CO2 production demonstrating that the single cell analysis of intracellular sodium and potassium concentrations may supply reliable information on cell viability and, furthermore, offer additional information not available from established gross methods. J Int Med Res, 1983, 11 Suppl 1, 53 - 7 An overview of two comparative multicentre trials with halometasone/triclosan cream in acute superficial bacterial skin infections; Aliaga A et al.; Two multicentre, open comparative trials were carried out by seven dermatologists in Spain and Yugoslavia in 220 evaluable patients with acute superficial skin infections . In these trials halometasone/triclosan cream showed an overall success rate ('good' and 'very good' results) of 84% as against 60% obtained with the comparative preparations . With regard to therapeutic effect halometasone/triclosan cream proved significantly superior to fluocinolone acetonide/neomycin cream (p less than 0.001) and yielded a higher overall success rate, although not statistically significant, than that observed with fluprednylidene acetate/gentamicin/chlorohydroxyquinoline cream (75% versus 57%) . The halometasone/triclosan cream was well tolerated: the incidence of unwanted effects was significantly lower (p less than 0.05) than that with fluocinolone acetonide/neomycin cream and equal to that with fluprednylidene acetate/gentamicin/chlorohydroxyquinoline cream. Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1983 Jan, 95(1), 32 - 5 {Effect of bacterial endotoxin on gastric emptying and on passive absorption of salicylate in the small intestine}; Ivanov NR et al.; The salicylate content in blood plasma after its administration into the stomach and small intestine during experimental endotoxemia in mice has been measured . In early stages of intoxication gastric evacuation was fairly slow . Histamine increased, while its antagonist pyrilamine significantly reduced the observed disorder . In the last stages of intoxication, passive absorption in the small intestine increased . Administration of histamine, serotonin and ciproheptadine did not produce any essential effect on the salicylate transport across the intestinal wall. Vet Pathol, 1983 Jan, 20(1), 99 - 110 Bacterial colonization and morphology of the intestine in porcine Escherichia coli enterotoxemia (edema disease); Bertschinger HU et al.; Twenty-one pigs were divided into three groups . Pigs in one group were inoculated with the intestinal contents which included bacteria from a pig with edema disease . Pigs in another group were inoculated with a culture of Escherichia coli serogroup O 139:K12(B):H1 isolated from the aforementioned contents, and pigs in a third group served as uninoculated controls . The infection was similar following both inocula . Enterotoxemia developed in 11 of the 14 pigs allowed to survive for more than two days . The onset varied from two to seven days after inoculation . There were maximal viable counts of E . coli in the intestine from the second day post-inoculation and thereafter . In frozen and paraffin sections, as well as by scanning electron microscopy, the organisms were seen on the surface of the small intestinal epithelium where they formed either isolated colonies or continuous layers . They colonized the lower small intestine more intensely than the upper section . The intestinal epithelium and the villi of infected pigs were indistinguishable morphologically from the tissues of three uninoculated control pigs . The diarrhea which was observed in controls and inoculated pigs before inoculation and the villus atrophy in controls and inoculated pigs indicated a preexisting infection with at least one other agent. Mol Cell Biochem, 1983, 57(1), 61 - 80 Regulation of bacterial glycogen synthesis; Preiss J et al.; The formation of the alpha 1,4 glucosidic linkages of bacterial glycogen occurs first by synthesis of ADPglucose from ATP and alpha glucose 1-P and then transfer of the glucose moiety from the formed sugar nucleotide to a pre-existing glucan primer . Unlike mammalian glycogen synthesis, regulation occurs at the synthesis of the sugar nucleotide . Generally glycolytic intermediates activate ADPglucose synthesis while AMP, ADP and/or Pi inhibit ADPglucose synthesis . A variation of activator specificity is is seen when the enzyme is isolated from different bacteria and is thought to be related to the predominant type of carbon assimilation or dissimilation pathways present in the particular organism . Evidence indicating that the allosteric activation effects observed in vitro are physiologically pertinent for the regulation of glycogen synthesis is reviewed . The recent experiments in identifying the allosteric activator site of the Escherichia coli ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase as well as other chemical modification studies identifying amino acid residues essential for allosteric activation and for catalytic activity are discussed . Evidence is also presented for the covalent modification of the Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase by bromopyruvate at its allosteric activator site . Regulation of the biosynthesis of glycogen also occurs at the genetic level and the current evidence for the existence of a glycogen operon is presented . In addition the current studies concerning the cloning of the DNA region containing the Escherichia coli structural genes coding for the glycogen biosynthetic enzymes as well as the nucleotide sequence of the E . coli ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase are presented. J Cyclic Nucleotide Protein Phosphor Res, 1983, 9(2), 155 - 64 Further characterization of the effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide preparations in cyclic 3',5'-GMP levels: the importance of serum; Graber SE et al.; Bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) greatly increase cGMP levels in rat fetal liver cells without affecting the concentration of cAMP . This elevation is due to the Lipid A moiety of the LPS molecule, is time and dose dependent, and is markedly potentiated by small amounts of serum . Because of the magnitude of the serum potentiation, a series of experiments was undertaken to further characterize this effect . Although serum was not absolutely necessary for a cGMP response, small amounts increased the cGMP potency of LPS more than 100-fold . Under these same conditions, serum did not greatly affect the ability of nitroprusside to raise cGMP levels or of epinephrine to raise cAMP levels . The effect of serum on the cGMP response was dose dependent and was produced with as little as 1 microliter (0.1% v/v) per culture . Absorption with limulus lysate, heating to 56 degrees C for 30 min, or extensive dialysis did not significantly alter the cGMP enhancing effect of serum . However, albumin and IgG were both inactive at all concentrations tested . Thus, serum produces a large dose dependent enhancement of the LPS induced cGMP response that appears to be selective, i.e . it is not a non-specific protein effect and there is no similar potentiation of nitroprusside stimulated cGMP levels . Furthermore, the cGMP effect of serum is probably not related to substances that opsonize bacteria and is due to a component or components of serum large enough not to be dialyzable. Mol Gen Genet, 1983, 191(1), 154 - 7 Plasmids expressing the Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene in mammalian and bacterial cells; Strauss M et al.; Two plasmids containing either the complete thymidine kinase gene of Herpes simplex virus type I (pSK2) or the gene without the remote control sequence (pSK1) just behind the lac promoter and the first codons of the lacZ gene were constructed . Both plasmids efficiently transform mouse Ltk- cells as well as E . coli tk- cells to the Tk+ phenotype and are well suited for plasmid rescue from transformed mouse cells by direct functional selection for tk expression using a tk- mutant of E . coli C600. DNA, 1983, 2(1), 37 - 45 Efficient bacterial expression of bovine and porcine growth hormones; Seeburg PH et al.; cDNAs prepared using poly(A)mRNA from pituitaries and containing the coding sequences for bovine and porcine growth hormones (bGH and pGH) were cloned in bacteria . The primary structures of the peptide hormones derived from the nucleotide sequences of the respective cDNAs show approximately 90% homology . The cloned cDNAs were modified using synthetic DNA to construct expression vectors for efficient bacterial production of the mature animal growth hormones. Biofizika, 1983 Jan-Feb, 28(1), 9 - 13 {Electron-conformation transitions in the complex of bacterial photosynthetic reaction centers with cytochromes}; Petrov EG et al.; A theoretical model of conformation--regulated electron transfer from multihaem cytochrome c to bacteriochlorophyll of the reaction centre (RC) is considered . The theoretical data are compared with the experimental ones on the basis of temperature dependence of laser-induced electron transfer from high-potential cytochrome Ch bacheriochlorophyll of RC in Ectothiohodospira shaposhnikovii chromatophores . From this comparison there were calculated the thermodynamic characteristics of cytochrome Ch transfer from the configuration without electron transfer to RC bacteriochlorophyll into the coordinated configuration with an effective transfer . The values obtained are: H = 7,1 kJ/M; S = --(30,2--36,9) J/grad . M . Possible regulatory role of such conformation transitions is discussed. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1983, 71(1), 37 - 9 Cerebrospinal fluid granulocytes in