Microorganisms

J Clin Microbiol, 1979 Oct, 10(4), 567 - 73
Acceptability and cost savings of selective sputum microbiology in a community teaching hospital; Heineman HS et al.; Our experience in introducing selective sputum microbiology into a clinical laboratory was recorded prospectively and analyzed . Based on low-power microscopy with determination of ratios of polymorphonuclear to squamous cells, 32% of specimens were discarded as unfit for culture . Speedy processing and prompt telephone calls afforded opportunities to replace these with better specimens, but only 29% of rejected specimens were resubmitted . Interpretive readings of smears for microorganisms yielded meaningful yielded meaningful information to clinicians and correctly predicted culture results in 73.8% of acceptable specimens . Technological time was similar to that required to process the same number of specimens in the usual way, but rejection of unsatisfactory specimens led to a 22% saving in supplies . Clinicians readily accepted the new system . Where nurses are responsible for specimen collection, they must be informed of the rationale for selective culture and the unreliability of gross visual inspection in evaluating sputum.

Agents Actions, 1979 Oct, 9(4), 344 - 9
Effects of BCG, levamisole and PS-K on the rejection of male skin grafts by female mice; Seo S et al.; Rejection of male skin grafts by BALB/c female mice was accelerated by one s.c . injection of BCG (5 X 10(5) microorganisms/mouse) into recipients on the day of transplantation . Levamisole 20 mg/kg injected similarly was without any effect . Protein-bound polysaccharide Kureha (PS-K) injected 250 mg/kg s.c . or i.p . once every other day from the day of transplantation stimulated graft rejection . The s.c . route was more effective than the i.p . route . These results show that, in sex-linked graft rejection in mice, PS-K has an immunostimulant action similar to that of BCG . This property may be important to the antineoplastic activity of PS-K.

Mutat Res, 1979 Oct, 64(5), 295 - 305
The intrasanguineous host-mediated assay procedure distribution and retention of yeast in the mouse; Frezza D et al.; A study of the factors that could affect a method to detect mutations in cells recovered from different organs after intravenous injection in mice, was performed by using the D4 strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae . The recovery of the yeast cells 5 min to 3 days after injection in the host animal was investigated . The circulation, distribution and localization of the cells were determined, and histopathologic analysis was performed in order to detect possible interactions between the mice and the microorganisms . We found that the yeast cells were trapped primarily in the capillaries of the organs; 3 days after injection no cells were found outside of the tissue-blood vessels . The spontaneous gene-conversion frequency of the yeast cells recovered at different times after injection was increased, but this increase was not time-dependent.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 Oct, 38(4), 644 - 9
14C-most-probable-number method for enumeration of active heterotrophic microorganisms in natural waters; Lehmicke LG et al.; A most-probable-number method using 14C-labeled substrates is described for the enumeration of aquatic populations of heterotrophic microorganisms . Natural populations of microorganisms are inoculated into dilution replicates prepared from the natural water from which the organisms originated . The natural water is supplemented with a 14C-labeled compound added so as to approximate a true environmental concentration . 14CO2 evolved by individual replicates is trapped in NaOH and counted by liquid scintillation techniques for use in scoring replicates as positive or negative . Positives (14CO2 evolution) are easily distinguished from negatives (no 14CO2 evolution) . The results from a variety of environments using the 14CO2 procedure agreed well with previously described methods, in most instances . The 14C-most-probable-number method described here reduces handling procedures over previously described most-probable-number procedures using 14C-labeled substrates . It also appears to have advantages over other enumeration methods in its attempt to approximate natural conditions more closely.

Can J Microbiol, 1979 Oct, 25(10), 1145 - 51
Biological effects of magnetic fields: studies with microorganisms; Moore RL; Five bacteria and one yeast were grown in magnetic fields of 50-900 gauss with frequencies of 0-0.3 HZ and square, triangular, or sine waveform . Growth of these microorganisms could be stimulated or inhibited depending upon the field strength and frequency of the pulsed magnetic field . Spore germination and mutation frequency were unaffected by the magnetic fields used in this study.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1979 Oct, 245(1-2), 171 - 83
The pathogenicity of avian mycoplasmas; Stipkovits L; Based on literature data and own experiences the author gives an outlook about pathogenicity of avian mycoplasmas . In chickens and turkeys M . gallisepticum and M . synoviae (in addition to it M . meleagridis exclusively in turkeys) are the most important mycoplasmas producing respiratory disease, inflamation of synovial membranes and other lesions . Their pathogenic effect is very much influenced by dose of agent, route of entry of microorganism, age of birds, virulence and tropism of organism as well as associated other mycoplasma or virus or bacterial or fungal infections and conditions of environment . These facts rise difficulties in serological diagnostic and erradication program . Recently ureaplasma infection was also established in chickens and turkeys which can also be associated with respiratory disease . From ducks A . laidlawii, M . anatis and various unclassified strains were isolated, among these M . anatis and unclassified arginine splitting mycoplasma strains proved to be pathogenic . In geese M . gallinarum, A . laidlawii and A . axanthum were detected . A . axanthum showed pathogenicity for goslings and goose embryos . Its effect is exacerbated by associated parvovirus infection.

Proc R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 1979 Sep 21, 205(1161), 443 - 52
Evolution of enzyme structure; Hartley BS; Three-dimensional structures of enzymes offer evidence about their evolution . There are clear examples of divergent families (e.g . mammalian serine proteases) and convergence (e.g . chymotrypsin and subtilisin) . Topological similarities in dehydrogenases may reflect an ancient divergence or merely chemical constraints on protein architectures . Further experimental evidence is desirable to back up arguments based on molecular morphology . By growing microorganisms on novel foodstuffs in a chemostat, one can focus selective pressure on a specific enzyme activity . Experiments will be described in which such pressure is focused on pentitol metabolism . Examination of the fine structure of the genes responsible for this pentitol metabolism has given clues about the volution of metabolic pathways.

Transfusion, 1979 Sep-Oct, 19(5), 572 - 6
Heterophile antibodies . Part III . Evidence for linkage of high responder activity to sheep red blood cells and the formation of specific antibodies to HBsAg; Vos GH et al.; Group A, B and O subjects who produce immune antibodies to group A1 or B red blood cells also produce high titer antibodies to sheep red blood cells . Sheep red blood cells appear to possess AB-like as well as non-AB determinants on their surface membranes, each capable of producing and reacting with antibodies of their respective specificities . The antibodies against AB-like determinants preferentially agglutinate A or B cells whereas non-AB-like determinants preferentially stimulate hemolytic antibodies . Human antibodies reacting with these two kinds of determinants on sheep red blood cells may be produced in response to microorganisms possessing very similar factors on their membranes . Individuals who possess AB-like determinants in their secretions, similar to the determinants present on sheep red blood cells (or microorganisms), often make weaker antibodies to these red blood cells . Subjects lacking corresponding anti-sheep inhibitors in their secretions generally produce stronger sheep red blood cell antibodies . There is a positive correlation between the formation of antibodies to HBsAg and strong agglutinating antibodies to sheep red blood cells, indicating that similar determinants may be found on HBsAg virus and on sheep red blood cells . No such correlation was found for anti-tetanus antibodies.

Arch Microbiol, 1979 Sep, 122(3), 219 - 29
{Metabolic products of microorganisms 183, Imacidin, a new peptid antibiotic from Streptomyces olivaceus (author's transl)}; Brecht-Fischer A et al.; Streptomyces olivaceus, strain Tu 1379 produces beside the red dyestuff prodigiosin several closely related hitherto unknown cyclodepsipeptide antibiotics, mainly imacidine B and C and imacidinic acids . The antibiotics affect murein biosynthesis . Only actinomycetes are inhibited.

Arch Tierernahr, 1979 Sep, 29(9), 589 - 95
{Feed value of straw materials in the in vitro system . 4 . Influence of the additional pre-incubation with the rumen fluid of animals deprived of food on the in vitro rate of protein synthesis}; Hasselmann L et al.; Rumen fluid was extracted from sheep after they had been deprived of food for 48 hours . This rumen fluid was either directly applied in an artificial rumen or after pre-incubation (up to 16 hours) . The 35S-incorporation rate into the microbial protein was measured after the admixture of untreated straw meal, straw meal treated with NH3-water of with NaOH . Generally, the 35S-incorporation rates were highest for the blank experiments . The reason for this is that the straw meal admixtures withdraw from the microorganisms low-molecular, energetically utilisable substrates by absorption and adsorption . Pre-incubation could not much reduce the relatively higher 35S-incorporation rate of the blank experiments . The two treated straw variants were significantly superior to the untreated straw meal concerning the 35S-incorporation rate.

Z Parasitenkd, 1979 Sep, 59(3), 295 - 8
The detection of rickettsia-like microorganisms within the ovaries of female Ixodes ricinus ticks; Lewis D; An ultrastructural study of tick-borne fever (TBF)-infected Ixodes ricinus ticks revealed the presence of rickettsia-like microorganisms within the ooplasm and the mitochondria of developing oocytes . These microorganisms are similar in appearance to the TBF agent and it is possible that although transovarial transmission of the TBF agent apparently does not occur, the rickettsiae are at least able to establish themselves in the ovaries of infected ticks.

Sabouraudia, 1979 Sep, 17(3), 305 - 9
Malassezia pityrosporum pachydermatis (Weidman) Dodge 1935; Gordon MA; Priority of the name Malassezia pachydermatis (Weidman) Dodge 1935 is indicated for the microorganism which has been called Pityrosporum pachydermatis Weidman 1925 and P . canis Gustafson 1955 . M . pachydermatis is here further characterized in culture with information drawn from 2 recent isolates, in particular the presence of spiral grooves on the inner surface of the cell wall, good growth on Mycosel agar, rapid production of urease, and assimilation of glucose by the Wickerham method.

Mikrobiologiia, 1979 Sep-Oct, 48(5), 773 - 78
{Anaerobic reduction of ferric iron by hydrogen bacteria}; Balashova VV et al.; Ferric iron is a possible electron acceptor for facultative anaerobic processes . A Pseudomonas culture capable of reducing ferric iron with molecular hydrogen has been isolated from marshy soil . The microorganism can grow because of iron reduction . It reduces ferric hydroxide and ferrihydrite, including residues of iron bacteria . The organism reduces also nitrates in nitrites . Reduced iron and nitrite inhibit the growth of the organism, and therefore the concentration of the cells and of reduced iron is not high . The organism can grow with oxygen as an electron acceptor, even at oxygen concentrations below 1% . The organism requires small quantities of yeast extract for growth under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions . The bacterial reduction of iron with hydrogen may be significant for gaining better insight into processes occurring in flooded soils.

Ann Immunol (Paris), 1979 Sep-Oct, 130C(5), 687 - 709
The influence of BCG vaccination on murine leprosy in C57BL/6 and C3H mice; Lagrange PH et al.; Cross-reactivity between Mycobacterium lepraemurium (MLM) and BCG vaccine was found and evaluated in vivo, in C57BL/6 mice, in terms of delayed-type hypersensitivity, local granulomatous response at the injected site and limitation of growth of the challenge inoculum in the draining node . Cross-reactive specific protection and local reactivities were transferred in syngeneic normal recipients by means of non-adherent lymphoid cells from immune donors . When BCG vaccine was injected either intravenously or subcutaneously in C57BL/6 and in C3H mice, it was able to induce resistance to local infection with living MLM in both strains, but no alteration of the local granulomatous reaction (equivalent to local specific immune response) was observed in C3H mice, as compared to the control . When mice were immunized with one or two injections of heat-killed MLM after the immunomodulating effect of BCG vaccination, better immunization was not achieved . In order to test the presence of strain-related immunosuppressive mechanisms, mice were cyclophosphamide-treated during the immunization process . As expected, higher specific DTH reactions were obtained in both strains, but with only a slight increase of the protective mechanism . Protection was always higher in C57BL/6 than in C3H mice . The specific and non-specific immune responses to BCG vaccine were then evaluated in both strains with different parameters: in vivo lymphoproliferative response in the draining node, delayed local granulomatous reaction at the injected site after a subcutaneous injection, increase in spleen index, kinetics of the immunopotentiation to a thymus-dependent antigen (sheep red blood cells) after a single intravenous injection of BCG . A striking interstrain difference was observed; C57BL/6 mice were able to mount a more rapid and marked immune response as compared to C3H mice (which only developed a delayed and slight response) . Moreover, these differences were associated with the fact that BCG did not seem to multiply properly in C3H mice during the first two weeks after inoculation . Thus, it was concluded that higher natural resistance to pathogens and cross-reactive preimmunization with related microorganisms can interfere with the artificial immunization when living microorganisms are used . Implication for vaccination to mycobacterial infection (tuberculosis and leprosy) are discussed.

Mikrobiologiia, 1979 Sep-Oct, 48(5), 915 - 8
{Dynamics of the number of soil bacteria calculated by different methods}; Zviagintsev DG et al.; Temporal changes in the incidence of soil bacteria were estimated using different methods such as luminescent microscopy, direct count according to Vinogradsky, growth on MPA . The method of Vinogradsky gave less stable results as compared to luminescent microscopy . The method of calculating microorganisms was found to influence the results obtained while studying the temporal dynamics of bacterial incidence in sod-podzolic soil.

Mikrobiologiia, 1979 Sep-Oct, 48(5), 809 - 13
{Lipoamino acids in the composition of actinomycete polar lipids}; Kasymbekova SK et al.; The capacity for substitution of phospholipids, in particular phosphatidyl ethanolamine, by a phosphorus-lacking lipoamino acid was studied in different groups of actinomycetes . In the conditions of phosphorus deficiency, most cultures were found to be capable of synthesizing a phosphorus-lacking nitrogen-containing lipoamino acid . Its characteristics (Rf) in TLC are similar to those of ornithinolipid . This fact confirms, for the first time and for different groups of actinomycetes, the hypothesis concerning interchangeability of membranous lipids . In the case of Actinomyces olivaceus, phosphatidyl ethanolamine and ornithine containing a phosphorus-lacking lipid can be regarded, this being corroborated by comparative data about their quantitative content . The detection of the phosphorus-lacking nitrogen-containing lipid in the composition of the polar fraction in different actinomycetes in the conditions of phosphorus deficiency in the medium demonstrates the possibility of adaptive changes in the composition of membranous lipids in microorganisms depending on their habitat.

Mikrobiologiia, 1979 Sep-Oct, 48(5), 798 - 802
{Diauxotrophic properties of microorganisms assimilating C2--C4 hydrocarbons}; Malashenko IuR et al.; Diauxotrophic properties of bacteria assimilating gaseous hydrocarbons C2--C4 and other complex organic substances but not methane were studied . If the medium contained two substrates (hydrocarbon+carbohydrate), the non-growing cells of the strains did not display diauxotrophic properties . In the phase of exponential growth, oxygen-containing carbon sources and then gaseous hydrocarbons were assimilated, i.e . diauxia was observed . If a microbial association containing an obligate methylotroph and a facultative gas-assimilating culture was grown on a medium with a natural gas, the latter culture assimilated carbon-containing metabolites of the methylotroph and then, when their concentration decreased, gaseous hydrocarbons . The order in which complex organic substances (exometabolites of methylotrophs) and hydrocarbons C2--C4 were assimilated was determined by their concentration in the medium . In the course of growth of such a microbial association, the inhibiting effect of metabolites of methylotrophs on their growth decreased as well as the loss of methane being transformed by methylotrophs into exometabolites, and hydrocarbons C2--C4 were utilized.

J Chem Inf Comput Sci, 1979 Aug, 19(3), 123 - 5
Information about microorganisms contained in patent specifications; Bannister D et al.; Although patents are an important source for information on microorganisms, a survey disclosed that catalogs from culture collection depositories are unreliable in relating the availability with the microorganisms disclosed in a patent.

Isr J Med Sci, 1979 Aug, 15(8), 716 - 23
Diagnostic applications of scanning electron microscopy and microanalysis in pathology; Abraham JL; Microanalytical technology developed within the last decade provides important information in diagnostic pathology . Scanning electron microscopy, including backscattered electron imaging and energy dispersive X-ray analysis should become at least as valuable as polarized light microscopy, histochemistry and conventional transmission electron microscopy . Other as yet less available techniques such as the ion microprobe and laser Raman microprobe are also valuable . The pathologist should consider the use of microanalytic techniques in any disease process in which endogenous or exogenous materials may be present in the tissues, in the same manner in which one would perform stains for microorganisms . Cases are presented illustrating the tissue preparation and results of scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis in diagnosis.

J Exp Med, 1979 Aug 1, 150(2), 359 - 70
Studies on the mechanisms of macrophage activation . II . Parasite destruction in macrophages activated by supernates from concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocytes; Buchmuller Y et al.; Activation of mouse peritoneal exudate macrophages, as evidenced by destruction of the intracellular protozoan parasite Leishmania enriettii, was obtained by incubation with supernates from concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated syngeneic spleen cells . Parasites were not destroyed in macrophages exposed to control media . Supernate-induced activation was independent of the presence of Con A . The activating principle (macrophage activating factor, or MAF) was produced by Con A-stimulated lymphocytes in presence or absence of serum . In absence of serum, MAF synthesis was highest at Con A concentrations far below those required in serum-containing media . MAF production was reduced at Con A concentrations of 10 microgram/ml or above, probably a result of toxicity of the lectin for lymphocytes . MAF was detectable after 24 h of lymphocyte stimulation and increased up to 72 h; production appeared to be independent of DNA synthesis . Serum-free MAF was inactive when tested as such on macrophages . Full activity could be restored by addition of nanogram amounts of endotoxin or of FCS before assay . Endotoxin also considerably potentiated MAF activity in serum-containing supernates . Full intracellular parasite destruction was observed after contact of macrophages with MAF for 20 h . The continuous presence of MAF was not necessary for activation; a 10-h pulse was sufficient to induce macrophages to destroy all intracellular microorganisms within the next 38 h.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1979 Aug, (8), 37 - 41
{Evaluation of the state of the nonspecific resistance of the body in children in an organized collective}; Rusakova EV et al.; Nonspecific body resistance was evaluated by 2 methods: the surface autoflora of the skin and the degree of autoimmune reaction were determined . An increase in the number of microorganisms in the autoflora (more than 40 colonies on the impression) and the number of cells secreting antibodies against autoerythrocytes suggested a decrease in body resistance against bacterial and viral infections (increased morbidity rate for respiratory and pyoinflammatory infections) . The above methods make it possible to detect the weakest children in closed institutions and to carry out observation of such children with the implementation of the necessary prophylactic measures.

Am J Med, 1979 Aug, 67(2), 293 - 306
Clinical uses of microorganisms and their products; Mackowiak PA; Although antibiotics and conventional vaccines are the two most familiar examples of man's exploitation of microorganisms as clinical allies, microorganisms and their products are assuming an increasingly prominent role in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of human diseases . This report attempts to give a brief overview of the status of the use of microorganisms in clinical medicine and to identify potentially fertile areas for future progress in their clinical application, concentrating on areas other than the already extensively reviewed ones of antibiotics and classic immunization.

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1979 Aug, 48(2), 175 - 7
Microbiologic evaluation of poly-HEMA root canal filling material; Kronman JH et al.; This study was designed to determine whether poly-HEMA root canal filling material can support bacterial growth . Eight different microorganisms were tested against the polymerized material, as well as against the powder and paste components of the unpolymerized material . The results establish that this root canal filling material does not support bacterial growth.

Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1979 Jul 31, 58(3), 234 - 41
{Influence of composition of the culture media on the in vitro determination of the bacterial sensitivity to sulfonamides, trimethoprim and cotrimoxazole}; Pessione E et al.; The difficulties concerning the interpretation of results of susceptibility tests to sulphonamides, trimethoprim, co-trimoxazole have been investigated . The zones of inhibition produced by discs containing these drugs are peculiar since frequently they contain a light bacterial growth and small colonies . Therefore the real sensitivity or resistance of the microorganism is questionable . Susceptibility tests performed on media of different composition, have shown that the phenomenon is chiefly due to the presence in the medium of thymidine and methionine . Both the substances are end-products of the metabolic pathway on which act sulphonamides, trimethoprim, co-trimoxazole . When they are in the medium, they can be available for the bacteria in spite of the inhibition caused by the mentioned drugs.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1979 Jul 18, 585(4), 611 - 9
Preliminary studies on the composition and rheological properties of the extracellular polysaccharide synthesized by Pseudomonas PBI (NCIB 11264); Williams AG et al.; A microorganism isolated from a carbohydrate-rich industrial effluent synthesized an exocellular slime polysaccharide composed of glucose and galactose in a molar ratio of 7.45 +/- 0.68 : 1, and two non-carbohydrate substituents acetate (3--4%) and pyruvate (5--9%) . Contamination by rhamnose and mannose was detectable in crude polysaccharide samples . Solutions of the polysaccharide were pseudoplastic, but not thixotropic, and formed gels in the presence of certain trivalent cations.

Lab Anim, 1979 Jul, 13(3), 199 - 202
Ultrastructural features of spironucleosis (hexamitiasis) in x-irradiated rat small intestine; Gruber HE et al.; An alteration in the host response to the intestinal protozoan Spironucleus (Hexamita) muris was noted in x-irradiated rat small intestine . When few were present in the crypt lumina, the intestinal microvillar border was normal . However, when larger numbers were present, the microvilli were greatly reduced in numbers or entirely absent in some regions . The organism was identified in the base of the crypt lumen, in apical portions of mucous cells, and near the basement membrane . Spironucleus enclosed by digestive vacuoles occasionally appeared to be in the process of being extruded through the basement membrane . Not all intracellular protozoa were surrounded by such digestive vacuoles . Spironucleus was never seen in association with the digestive vacuoles of Paneth cells . Since it has been suggested that Paneth cells have a role as a fixed phagocyte, ingesting protozoa and other microorganisms, the results presented here suggest that this function may have been impaired in irradiated animals.

J Dairy Sci, 1979 Jul, 62(7), 1108 - 14
Evaluation of automatic mastitis detection equipment; Gebre-Egziabher A et al.; An electronic sensor was evaluated as an instrument for early detection of mastitis . This method involved measuring the conductivity of milk continuously throughout the milking process and then establishing a conductivity ratio . The lowest conductivity measurement of the four quarters was a basis for assessing the degree of mastitis in the other quarters . This assumed that at least one of the quarters was normal at examination and the lowest reading was normal conductivity . The conductivity ratio was evaluated by comparison with the leukocyte concentration and combined leukocyte concentrations and cultural examiniations of milk samples from 1028 quarters . In healthy cows conductivities of milk from each of the quarters were similar . If, however, one or more quarters were infected, this milk showed higher conductivity compared to the noninfected quarter of the same cow . The conductivity ratio correctly identified 69% of the established cases of mastitis . For the Wisconsin Mastitis Test, 93.2% of the normal quarters were detected correctly by the conductivity ratio . Leukocyte counts were frequently high when there was no other evidence of mastitis . We believe the conductivity ratio is effective in detecting mastitis at an early stage of infection caused by most of the pathogenic microorganisms.

Nord Vet Med, 1979 Jul-Aug, 31(7-8), 316 - 20
Survival of microorganisms and helminth eggs in green pills and cobs processed from a green crop irrigated with sewage; Moller J et al.; A grass crop which was contaminated with domestic sewage was dried in a hot air drying plant in order to observe the effect of the drying on pathogenic bacteria, virus and parasite eggs . The investigation showed, that pathogenic bacteria and virus were reduced with a factor 10(5)--10(6), and that parasite eggs were reduced with at least a factor 200, which is sufficient to secure that grasis irrigated with sewage and pre-served with hot air drying is used without hygienic risks.

Orig Life, 1979 Jul, 9(3), 241 - 9
Solar-driven chemical energy source for a Martian biota; Clark BC; Microorganisms deep in the Martian soil could derive energy indirectly from the sun via chemical reactions involving atmospheric products of the solar ultraviolet flux . The Viking discovery of a chemically uniform regolith which, though poor in organics, is rich in sulfur-containing compounds suggests reaction sequences in which sulfur is recycled through reduced and oxidized states by biologically catalyzed reactions with photochemically-produced atmospheric constituents . One candidate reaction, reduction of soil ssufate minerals by molecular hydrogen, is already exploited on earth by bacteria of the ubiquitous and tenacious Desulfovibrio genus.

Mikrobiologiia, 1979 Jul-Aug, 48(4), 729 - 33
{Electron microscopy study of the microorganism topography on plant roots}; Berestetskii OA et al.; The topography of microorganisms in the root cap zone and in the absorption zone was studied with 7-day-old wheat seedlings . No microorganisms were detected in the root cap zone . Individual microorganisms as well as their accumulations were registered in the absorption zone . The topography of microorganisms in this zone was characterized . Different morphological forms were present among microorganisms . Types of interaction between these microorganisms and the cells of root epidermis are discussed.

South Med J, 1979 Jul, 72(7), 889 - 90
Septicemia during antibiotic therapy in neutropenic patients; Balducci L et al.; Two patients with acute leukemia developed septicemia while receiving antibiotic therapy . In both cases, the microorganism grown from the blood was sensitive to the drugs the patients were receiving . Areas of colonization by the same organisms were found at autopsy in the necrotic spleen and in the necrotic colonic mucosa . Septicemia developing during antibiotic therapy can indicate colonization of necrotic organs and appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures may be necessary.

Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex, 1979 Jul-Aug, 36(4), 665 - 77
{Pleural empyemas in children due to Hemophilus influenzae}; Herrera P et al.; 22 consecutive cases of pleural empyema due to H . influenzae in children are reported . An increment of its incidence during the 1975-76 period is observed . All cases were in children under 3 years of age, with a mean of 15.5 months . The presenting syndrome at admission was varied . In 50% of cases, pleuropulmonary infection was ignored . Nearly one half of cases of pleural empyema due to H . influenzae had simultaneous purulent meningitis caused by the same microorganism . This type of empyemas, though having a prolonged evolution, apparently appear to have a good prognosis, compared with that produced by S . aureus . There are some differences, being the most outstanding: low frequency of pyoneumothorax and the lack of radiological evidences of abscesses and or pneumotoceles, in any phase of the clinical course . Stress is placed on the value of the bacteriological study of blood and CSF in children under 3 years of age with pleural empyema . A high rate of positive blood cultures was found . (75%) . Pieuropulmonary complications, as a frequent event during severe infections (septicemic disease) due to H . influenzae is considered . A clinical characterization of children in whom a pleural empyema could occur is proposed . A discussion is made about diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic implications of these complications.

SSO Schweiz Monatsschr Zahnheilkd, 1979 Jul, 89(7), 637 - 46
{Antibiotic therapy in odontogenic infections}; Wenger B; Antibiotic therapy for oral infections is described in the context of the determination of microorganisms involved and the formation of resistance to antibiotics . The indications are shown and in 115 cases the microorganisms responsible for the infection and their resistance are enumerated . It is alarming to know that increasingly multiple resistances to antibiotics are discovered . This increase is particularly observed in Tetracyclin and Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazol . Finally antibiotic therapies in oral infections are recommended.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1979 Jul, 63(1), 163 - 9
Loss of strain specificity of the TA3-St subline: evidence for the role of epiglycanin in mouse allogeneic tumor growth; Cooper AG et al.; We described the in vivo conversion of the strain-specific ascites murine mammary adenocarcinoma subline TA3-St to a new ascites subline designated TA3-MM . This conversion occurred during passage in a syngeneic A/HeHa mouse infected with pneumonia-producing microorganisms . The mode number of chromosomes of the TA3-MM cell (82) was greater than that of the parental TA3-St cell (69) or the other non-strain-specific subline TA3-Ha (42) . The TA3-MM subline could grow in and kill mice of various allogeneic strains . In addition, the TA3-MM cell possessed numerous receptors for the lectin of Vicia graminea seeds, which were hardly detectable at the surface of the parent TA3-St subline but were present in abundance at the cell surface of the non-strain-specific subline TA3-Ha . These lectin receptors of the TA3-Ha cell were previously demonstrated to be present in a unique high-molecular-weight endogenous cell surface glycoprotein termed epiglycanin . The V . gramines lectin receptors on the new TA3-MM subline also were present on an epiglycanin-like molecule . This finding provides further evidence for the hypothesis that allogeneic growth in the TA3 system is a direct result of these membrane glycoproteins.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1979 Jul, 32(7), 720 - 8
Neo-enactin, a new antifungal antibiotic potentiating polyene antifungal antibiotics . II . Taxonomic studies of the producing microorganism and simultaneous production of bleomycin group and streptothricin-like antibiotics; Otani T et al.; A new antifungal antibiotic, named neo-enactin, was produced mainly in the mycelia of strain H 829-MY 10 . Strain H 829-MY 10 was identified as a Streptoverticillium, determined to be nonchromogenic, and fits in the white color-series . Although Streptoverticillium olivoreticuli is known to be chromogenic, strain H 829-MY 10 is most related to that species . Thus, strain H 829-MY 10 is named as Streptoverticillium olivoreticuli subsp . neoenacticus . Besides neo-enactin, two bleomycin-group antibiotics and two streptothricin-like antibiotics were simultaneously produced by strain H 829-MY 10.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1979 Jul, 76(7), 3102 - 6
Active transport of calcium in Neurospora plasma membrane vesicles; Stroobant P et al.; Functionally inverted plasma membrane vesicles isolated from the eukaryotic microorganism Neurospora crassa catalyze Mg2+/ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake . Inhibitors induced efflux studies and isotope-exchange experiments indicate that the Ca2+ is accumulated inside the vesicles against a concentration gradient of about 40-fold, and that the majority of the transported Ca2+ is present essentially in free solution . Comparisons of Mg2+/ATP-driven 45Ca2+ uptake and {14C}SCN-uptake with respect to the Mg2+/ATP concentration dependence, the effects of inhibitors, and the nucleotide and divalent cation specificities indicate that the energy for Ca2+ accumulation is derived from ATP hydrolysis catalyzed by the electrogenic plasma membrane ATPase . Energized Ca2+ uptake is stimulated by the permeant anion SCN- to a degree that varies reciprocally with the ability of this anion to dissipate the membrane potential, and is inhibited by K+ in the presence of nigericin . All of these data point to the conclusion that the active transport of Ca2+ across the Neurospora plasma membrane takes place via a Ca2+/H+ antiporter, which functions to pump Ca2+ out of the intact cell.

Scand J Clin Lab Invest, 1979 Jun, 39(4), 343 - 9
Pteroylpolyglutamate hydrolase of human granulocytes . I . Partial purification and kinetic studies; Jagerstad M et al.; Pteroylpolyglutamate hydrolase was demonstrated in the lysosome-like cytoplasmic granules of human granulocytes . Partial purification of this enzyme from granulocytes, obtained from patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia, was achieved by chromatography of the granule extract on Sephadex G-75, Bio-Rex 70 and hydroxylapatite . The enzyme preparation obtained was slightly contaminated with myeloperoxidase . Synthetic pteroyltetraglutamate was used as a substrate for the enzyme . The pH optimum was 5.1; the Km was 6 x 10(-3) mol/l; and the enzyme was activated by divalent cations, e.g . Ca++, Mg++ and Mn++ . Pteroylpolyglutamate hydrolase is suggested to be involved in the destruction of microorganisms in granulocytes during phagocytosis.

Can J Microbiol, 1979 Jun, 25(6), 746 - 51
Effect of oxygen on batch and continuous cultures of a nitrogen-fixing Arthrobacter sp; Cacciari I et al.; Growth, acetylene reduction, and respiration rate were studied in batch and continuous cultures of Arthrobacter fluorescents at different oxygen partial pressures . The optimum pO2 values for growth and acetylene reduction were 0.05 and 0.025 atm, respectively, but microorganisms can tolerate higher pO2 values . The growth of cultures provided with combined nitrogen was dependent on oxygen availability, and strict anaerobic conditions did not support growth . Acetylene reduction of a population grown in continuous culture and adapted to low pO2 (0.02 atm) was much more sensitive to oxygenation than that of a population adapted to high pO2 (0.4 atm) . Their maximum nitrogenase activity, at their optimal pO2 values, were quite different . The respiratory activity of nitrogen-fixing cultures increased with increasing oxygen tensions until a pO2 of 0.2 atm . At higher pO2 values, the respiration rate began to decrease.

Environ Health Perspect, 1979 Jun, 30, 133 - 8
Scientific basis for the study of demineralization of highly mineralized water for use in public water supply systems; Sidorenko GI et al.; New criteria (full physiological value and preservation of the properties of drinking water) are scientifically substantiated . Also discussed are indices (minimal admissible and optimal levels of basic water mineralization and calcium content, standards of microelements such as boron and bromine content, content of individual groups of microorganisms, water temperature) for evaluating the quality of demineralized water obtained from brackish and briny water (including water from the sea and ocean) by various methods which are designed for public water supply systems . Research results served as the scientific hygiene basis for the development of a new technology of obtaining drinking water . The necessity for developing a special quality standard for demineralized drinking water is shown.

Med Hypotheses, 1979 Jun, 5(6), 669 - 82
Membrane glycoproteins shed in defence of the cells of the gastrointestinal tract; Fox RA; The cells lining the gastrointestinal tract are exposed to various potentially harmful agents, including plant lectins and microorganisms . It is proposed that glycoproteins within the mucus layer of the gut protect against these agents . A hypothesis is presented that membrane glycoproteins are shed and, within the mucus close to the cell surface, block the binding of lectins or attachment of microorganisms to membrane receptors . A model is presented that demonstrates that such blocking can be achieved by soluble glycoproteins . The implications of this hypothesis in health and disease are discussed.

Am J Surg, 1979 Jun, 137(6), 745 - 8
Microbial colonization of indwelling central venous catheters: statistical evaluation of potential contaminating factors; Michel L et al.; A prospective study of 390 indwelling central venous catheters placed by way of the subclavian route identified bacteremia and tracheostomy as the only significant variables associated with the colonization of the catheters by pathogenic microorganisms . Catheter-related sepsis was likely in only 3 of 33 episodes of proved bacteremia . Detailed statistical analyses of other potential contaminating factors revealed no significant correlations.

J Clin Invest, 1979 Jun, 63(6), 1137 - 44
Reversible phagocytosis in rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes; Berlin RD et al.; We have studied the fate of inert phagocytized particles in rabbit neutrophils . Neutrophils release significant quantities of preingested oil emulsion . Roughly 50% of an ingested load is released in 40 min at 37 degrees C . By electron microscopy the process of release appears to be by exocytosis: particles appear extruded through a network of processes often accompanied by membranous vesicles . Exocytosis is temperature and glucose dependent but unlike phagocytosis does not require divalent cations . From Coulter counter measurements virtually the entire cell population appears to undergo the phagocytosis-exocytosis sequence . Neutrophils undergoing exocytosis remain intact as determined by direct counts, electron microscopy, and absence of lactate dehydrogenase release . Moreover, by sequentially feeding differently labeled particles, it is shown that the processes of phagocytosis and exocytosis can occur concurrently . Indeed, it is found that ingestion accelerates release . The implications of these phenomena for membrane recycling, lysosomal enzyme release, and the killing of microorganisms are briefly discussed.

Quad Sclavo Diagn, 1979 Jun, 15 Suppl 1, 523 - 31
{Determination of chemoantibiotic levels in tissues and biological fluids (author's transl)}; Renzini G; On the premise that a microorganism is sensitive or resistant to a chemoantibiotic according to it's concentrations in biological fluids and tissues, the A . examines those methods available in chemoantibiotic titration such as chemical, enzymatic, radio-immunologic, turbidimetric, potentiometric and agar-diffusion methods . By further evaluating the limits and capacities of these different methods, the A . describes in larger detail the agar-diffusion method which is considered more sensitive, practical and efficient . A brief report is made on the possibility of measuring antibiotic association.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 Jun, 37(6), 1053 - 8
Production of L-serine by Sarcina albida; Ema M et al.; Conditions for the production of microbial L-serine hydroxymethyltransferase and for the conversion of glycine to L-serine were studied . A number of microorganisms were screened for their abilities to form and accululate L-serine from glycine, and Sarcina albida was selected as the best organism . Enzyme activity in this organism as high as 0.12 U/ml could be produced in shaken cultures at 30 degrees C in a medium containing glucose, ammonium sulfate, glycine, yeast extract, and inorganic salts . L-Serine was produced most efficiently by shaking cells at 30 degrees C in a reaction mixture containing 20% glycine, 5 X 10(-3) M formaldehyde, and 3 X 10(-4) M pyridoxal phosphate in yields of 22 mg of broth in 5 days . L-Serine was easily isolated in 84% yields by ion-exchange resin.

Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl), 1979 May 15, 167(2), 107 - 15
Cytological changes related to Brucella canis variants uptake in vitro; Egwu IN et al.; In this study, evidence for in vitro uptake, invasion, and cytopathogonomic effects of normal and variant strains of B . canis on tissue culture, is presented . B . canis L-phase were penicillin-induced and these microorganisms produced revertants on penicillin-free media . Tissue culture (LLC-MK2) cells were divided into different normal and variant-infected groups (I-IV), including controls . Bright-field and electron microscopic observations indicated uptake of all the strains and recognizable host cell damage (CPE) to varying degrees . At 72 h after infection, the extent of damage by L-phase was the least (55.5% CPE) . The L-phase-derived revertants resulted in 80% damage; this approximates the adverse effect of normal B . canis (85%) . In addition to these gross changes, various structural abnormalities, including pyknosis, nuclear disorganization, vacuolation, and karyorrhexis, were apparent . The implications of these findings and the indirect role of the L-phase in brucellosis due to B . canis are discussed.

Rev Infect Dis, 1979 May-Jun, 1(3), 483 - 501
The complement system in host defense and inflammation; Frank MM; In this discussion I have reviewed the major role of complement in host defense and inflammation . In addition, I have discussed dificiency states . Although these are rare, their clinical signs and symptoms can be predicted, at least in part, on the basis of our current understanding of the biological activities of complement and the various pathways of complement activation . This is not to say that complement plays no role in a wide variety of other illnesses . However, when complement plays a role in an illness, often this is not because it is functioning in an aberrant fashion . The usual situation is that complement is being activated and is serving its normal function in causing inflammation and damage to tissues under abnormal circumstances . Thus, for example, circulating antigen complexes may be deposited in the kidney, activate complement, and mediate tissue inflammation . In this case, complement is functioning normally but is being activated under abnormal circumstances . The same type of analysis can be made for many diseases of many different organ systems . At present, we have no drugs that are effective in humans in controlling the activation of complement and complement-mediated inflammation . We have not yet even established whether local variations in the activity of complement may affect the course of a clinical infection, but there is certainly strongly suggestive evidence to support this idea . It should be clear that under certain circumstances complement may well be a major factor in controlling the course of an infection . The near future should bring a vast expansion in our understanding of how complement contributes to specific clinical illnesses and to the defense of the host against specific microorganisms.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1979 May, 32(5), 472 - 81
Enzymatic conversion of aclacinomycin A to Y by a specific oxidoreductase in Streptomyces; Yoshimoto A et al.; A specific oxidoreductase converting aclacinomycin A to a new analog, aclacinomycin Y, was purified to apparent homogeneity from the culture filtrate of aclacinomycin-producing microorganisms . The isolated enzyme was a weakly acidic protein (isoelectric point, 5.9) with a molecular weight of about 72,000 . The enzymatic reaction requires molecular oxygen and has a pH optimum at 5.5 . The enzyme catalyzed an oxidation of the terminal sugar, L-cinerulose, of the trisaccharide moiety of aclacinomycin A to L-aculose (2,3,6-trideoxyhex-2-enopyranos-4-ulose) with removal of two electrons . Studies of substrate specificity revealed that the enzyme is an oxidoreductase capable of modifying anthracyclic triglycosides by oxidizing their terminal sugars.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 May, 37(5), 932 - 7
Microbial metabolism of carbon monoxide in culture and in soil; Bartholomew GW et al.; Nocardia salmonicolor readily oxidized CO to CO2 . Slight activity was found among species of Actinoplanes, Agromyces, Microbispora, Mycobacterium, and other nocardias, and no oxidation was detected in the algae, fungi, and other bacteria tested . Carbon monoxide was oxidized rapidly to CO2 in the dark in two soils incubated in air or under flooded conditions, but little of the 14C from 14CO was incorporated into the organic fraction of these soils . The reaction was microbial because appreciable CO was not converted to CO2 in autoclaved or gamma-irradiated soil . Heating the soil for 25 min at 70 degrees C destroyed its CO-oxidizing activity . The incorporation of 14CO2 into the cells of microorganisms in soil and soil suspension was not enhanced by incubating the samples in the presence of CO, suggesting that CO oxidation was not the result of autotrophic metabolism . The oxidation of 17 mu 1 of CO per liter in the head space was nearly complete in 6 h in soil incubated in air or anaerobically.

Mikrobiologiia, 1979 May-Jun, 48(3), 552 - 7
{Total number and biomass of microorganisms in the depths of the Black Sea}; Mitskevich IN; The total number and biomass of microorganisms, as well as the ratio between their main morphological forms, were determined by capillary microscopy in 22 water samples taken at various depths from the surface to 1500 m in the eastern part of the Black Sea . The total number of microorganisms was several times higher at depths over 150 m in the hydrogen sulfide zone than in the oxygen zone (0--150 m), whereas the biomass was greater by an order of magnitude . The number of microorganisms varied within a range of 1.4--12.4X10(3) cells/ml in the oxygen zone and 3.8--34.9X10(3) cells/ml in the hydrogen sulfide zone, whereas the biomass was 0.9--6.9 mg/m3 and 10.8--55.6 mg/m3, respectively . The bulk of the microbial biomass in the hydrogen sulfide zone was constituted by peculiar filamentous forms described for the first time by Lebedeva (1953, 1963) and, apparently, participating in sulfur turnover.

Mikrobiologiia, 1979 May-Jun, 48(3), 534 - 40
{Bacterial destruction of synthetic organic flotation agents}; Ilialetdinov AN et al.; Microorganisms that use the flotation agent T-66 as the sole source of carbon have been isolated from soil enriched with this agent . A mixture of bacterial cultures belonging to the genus Pseudomonas (Ps . fluorescens, Ps . desmolyticum, Ps . rathonis, Ps . cyanoides viscosa, and Ps . aeruginosa) oxidized, after adaptation, at a high rate, components of the flotation agent T-66 . Aeration of the medium accelerated the destruction . About 90% of the foltation agent components were oxidized within four months . The highest activity was observed during the first two months . The bacteria also decomposed, actively, oxidized kerosene and oxidized recycle stock added as the sole source of carbon to a mineral medium . Introduction of glucose to the medium accelerated destruction of oxidized recycle stock by the microorganisms, but inhibited destruction of oxidized kerosene.

Mikrobiologiia, 1979 May-Jun, 48(3), 490 - 4
{Dynamics of the development of different microorganisms in soil}; Kozhevin PA et al.; The dynamics of individual components from the complex of soil microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes) and the population of Stm . olivocinereus introduced into soil was studied by luminescent microscopy and inoculation . The population density maxima for individual components from the complex of soil microorganisms were shown to be separated in time suggesting a succession . Fungi developed at the first steps of succession and dominated in biomass over the remaining components of the complex . Bacteria and actinomycetes developed at the later steps of succession . Glucose addition stimulated still earlier growth of fungi (the maximal mycelium legth was registered by the second day) but had hardly any effect on the dynamics of other components of the complex.

Intensive Care Med, 1979 May, 5(2), 83 - 6
Tracheostomy and indwelling central venous line: a hazaradous combination?
Michel L, McMichan JC, Bachy JL.
A prospective study of 390 indwelling central venous catheters placed via the subclavian route defined bacteremia and tracheostomy as the only significant variables associated with the colonization of the catheters by pathogenic microorganisms . Catheter related sepsis was likely in only 3 of 33 episodes of proven bacteremia . Detailed statistical analyses of other potential contaminating factors revealed no significance . Specific concern must be assigned to placement of central venous catheters by the subclavian approach, when a tracheostomy is already present,

J Pharm Sci, 1979 May, 68(5), 596 - 8
Percutaneous absorption of butylparaben through guinea pig skin in vitro; Komatsu H et al.; Percutaneous absorption of aqueous butylparaben through guinea pig dorsal skin was studied using a diffusion chamber . Polysorbate 80 increased the solubilized concentration but decreased penetration of the preservative . Polyethylene glycol 400 also reduced the amount of penetration . Propylene glycol was less effective than polyethylene glycol 400 . Preservative activities of these systems on several microorganisms were evaluated on agar plates . The relationship between the butylparaben penetration and preservative activity is discussed.

Rev Cubana Med Trop, 1979 May-Aug, 31(2), 85 - 8
{Mycobacterium cubense . A new pigmented species of slow growth}; Valdivia JA et al.; The isolation of an acid-fast microorganism of the genus Mycobacterium is reported . Its most relevant characteristics are the intense red color and the initial spheric shape of colonies which furtherly evolve to a peculiar division . The biochemical products from test bacteria as niacin, nitrase, lipase, phosphatase, TCH, catalase, peroxidase and a series of 11 amides as well as the tests for susceptibility against antibacillary drugs and biological tests are described . The patterns obtained permit the characterization of this species as one non previously described . The name Mycobacterium cubense, n . sp . is suggested.

Rev Cubana Med Trop, 1979 May-Aug, 31(2), 141 - 58
{Toxoplasmosis: historical summary and bibliographic review}; Leyva Corzo A; A chronologic description of the principal events and discoveries related to toxoplasmosis from 1908 when the causal agent was discovered up to date is performed . The main data with a parasitic interest are summarized, and the endodiogenic multiplication is explained . The cat is the definitive host for this protozoan . Its evolutive cycle in the intestinal epithelium of this domestic animal is commented . The oocyst is recognized as the main infecting form of this microorganism . The classical concepts of congenital and acquired histoplasmosis are briefly exposed . A brief comment of the ophthalmic and gyneco-obstetric complications from the disease is made . Possible relationships between toxoplasmic adenopathies and neurotic states in psychiatry are emphasized.

Dtsch Zahnarztl Z, 1979 May, 34(5), 437 - 9
{In vitro experiments on plaque formation}; Bossmann K; The mechanisms contributing to plaque formation have still not been adequately explained . An attempt therefore was made to form plaque in vitro in order to acquire a model for the processes and what influences them . Plaque forms in various stages, analogous to the natural condition when saliva and microorganisms are present on the surface of the teeth . Microorganisms from plaque formed in situ demonstrate a decreased ability for adhesion and cohesion when compared with free salivary microorganisms . Sucrose encourages more rapid and thicker plaque formation.

J Prosthet Dent, 1979 May, 41(5), 522 - 7
Effects of subgingival restorations in beagle dogs . Part II: Gingivitis; Smales RJ et al.; For the materials and time period used in this study it was found that: 1 . At the end of the study there were no significant differences recorded between the restored teeth with either the gingival index or the histologic inflammation index . 2 . The gingival index showed that during the study the overall gingival health of the control teeth had improved significantly, while the overall gingival health of the restored teeth had improved only slightly . 3 . At the end of the study the histologic inflammation index, but not the gingival index, showed significantly more gingivitis overall for the restored teeth than for the control teeth . 4 . A comparison of the gingival, histologic inflammation, and microorganism (from Part I) indices, used to assess either the gingival condition or the amount of subgingival plaque on the restored teeth, showed no association between any of them . 5 . In general, the degree of clinical and histologic gingivitis associated with the restored teeth was slight.

Biofizika, 1979 May-Jun, 24(3), 544 - 5
{Prolonged afterglow of microorganisms}; Petukhov VG et al.; The afterglow of some organisms is registered in the region of 460--540 nm at excitation in the 365 nm region . Apparently this effect is due to NAD and flavin containing coferments of proteins . The afterflow of NAD and riboflavin is also registered in thin films of albumin at excitation in 365 nm . The afterflow of NAD and riboflavin in thin protein films is similar to that spectrum of freezedried organisms' when the concentrations of these components are close to their concentrations in the cell.

J Bacteriol, 1979 May, 138(2), 397 - 403
Control of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate levels by depolarizing agents in fungi; Trevillyan JM et al.; It has been reported that diverse treatments which depolarize the plasma membrane of Neurospora crassa produce rapid increases in cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) levels . In the current study, membrane active antibiotics, which are known or putative depolarizing agents, were found to produce similar cyclic AMP increases, not only in N . crassa, but also in the distantly related fungi Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Mucor racemosus . Uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation, which have been found to depolarize Neurospora, also produced cyclic AMP increases in all three fungi . The time course of the cyclic AMP response to these various treatments was similar in all three fungi . The fungal studies and studies on depolarized central nervous tissue suggest that cyclic AMP increases may be produced in response to plasma membrane depolarization in diverse eucaryotic cells . A model is proposed for eucaryotic microorganisms in which membrane depolarization serves as a signal of breakdown of the plasma membrane integrity . The subsequent cyclic AMP increase, in turn, may mediate cellular response to help protect the plasma membrane from chemical and mechanical threats to its integrity.

Mikrobiologiia, 1979 May-Jun, 48(3), 430 - 3
{Determination of the optimal growth conditions for microorganisms by using l4C-bicarbonate}; Gorlenko VM et al.; A technique of short-term experiments using 14C-bicarbonate has been proposed for rapid determination of the optimal conditions of growth of autotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms . The technique is described and its advantages and limitations are discussed.

Kosm Biol Aviakosm Med, 1979 May-Jun, 13(3), 75 - 80
{Characteristics of the proteins of unicellular organisms as potential components of ecological life-support systems}; Barashkov VA et al.; A comparative characterization of the biological value of proteins from green and blue-green algae, bacteria, and microbial coenosis of straw mineralizing active sludge is given with respect to the fractional composition of total protein, its amino acid composition, and affinity for proteolytic enzymes in vitro . The above microorganisms have an adequate amino acid composition, a high content of essential amino acids, and differ in their content of readily soluble proteins . The presence of protein complexes with other cellular components, for instance lipids and carbohydrates, seems to be responsible for a poor digestibility of these proteins.

Mutat Res, 1979 Apr, 64(2), 61 - 77
Design and analysis of experiments on mutagenicity . II . Assays involving microorganisms; Katz AJ; The design and statistical analysis of mutagenicity experiments involving microorganisms and a single dose of mutagen are discussed . Test statistics are derived for use in determining the mutagenicity of a chemical when survival data are available and also when such data are not available . One's likelihood (power) of correctly concluding a chemical is mutagenic is examined, and minimum total sample sizes required for 95% power are presented . It is found that one generally has greater power when survival data are available . Required precision is estimating survival is discussed in reference to type-1 and type-2 errors . The proper use of the formulae and figures presented is illustrated by examples.

Ann Intern Med, 1979 Apr, 90(4), 631 - 4
Cellular lipids of the Legionnaires' disease bacterium; Finnerty WR et al.; We qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed the simple and complex lipids of 10 Legionnaires' disease bacteria . The phospholipids in decreasing order of concentration were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, cardiolipin, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine . The total phospholipids averaged 96 micromoles per gram dry cell weight . Phospholipid fatty acids were solely branched-chain fatty acids and were, in decreasing order of concentration, iso-C16:0, anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0, iso-C14:0, iso-C16:1, and an unidentified fatty acid . Neutral lipids identified were free fatty acid, ubiquinone, triglyceride, diglyceride, monoglyceride, and wax ester . Neutral lipid fatty acids consisted predominately of branched-chain fatty acids, normal fatty acids, and a minor unidentified fatty acid . Analysis of the cellular lipids of 10 Legionnaires' disease bacteria revealed an unusual and novel microorganism.

Arch Microbiol, 1979 Apr, 121(1), 71 - 4
Metabolic products of microorganisms . 181 . Chitin synthase from fungi, a test model for substances with insecticidal properties; Brillinger GU; Chitin synthase from Coprinus cinereus (Schaeff . ex Fr.) S . F . Gray (= C . lagopus sensu Buller) was used as a model for chitin synthase from insects . The effect of dimilin (difluorobenzuron), captan (trichloromethylsulfonyl fungicide), kitazin P (organophosphorus ester fungicide) and parathion (organophosphorus insecticide) on the fungal enzyme was compared with the effect of nikkomycin (nucleosidepeptide antibiotic).

Surg Clin North Am, 1979 Apr, 59(2), 185 - 97
Predicting infection in surgical patients; Pietsch JB et al.; To date, simple skin testing using recall antigens has proved to be the most accurate method of assessing preoperative risk for serious infectious complications . When used in conjunction with measures to control the microorganisms and the environment, evaluation of host defense mechanisms with skin testing can aid in reducing postoperative infectious morbidity and mortality.

Ann Intern Med, 1979 Apr, 90(4), 704 - 7
Lessons from Legionnaires' disease; Hudson RP; In July 1976 a pneumonialike epidemic from a previously unrecognized microorganism erupted among Legionnaires who had attended a meeting in Philadelphia . There were an estimated 182 cases, in which 29 patients died . Among other things the episodes shows that even in a medically sophisticated industrialized nation, a bacterical pathogen can produce a small epidemic and defy identification for almost 6 months . One historical implication of the event is the need to consider the possibility of a return of large-scale epidemic disease rivaling the sweeps of bubonic plague in fourteenth-century Europe . Such epidemics could occur through any of a variety of microorganismic mechanisms recognized as operating at the present time . It is suggested that humans would react to such a disaster much as their progenitors did centuries ago.

Lancet, 1979 Mar 31, 1(8118), 700 - 1
Serological response of patients with non-gonococcal urethritis to causative organism of contagious equine metritis 1977; Taylor CE et al.; The presence of allugtinins to the causative organism of contagious equine metritis (C.E.M.) in human serum has been confirmed . Agglutinins were found in the serum of 84 (37.6%) of 223 patients with non-gonococcal urethritis (N.G.U.), and in 12.5% of these patients there was a four-fold or greater rise in titre during the course of their illness . There was no evidence that these agglutinins were the result of infection by chlamydiae or ureaplasmas . Certain patients with these agglutinins seemed to respond better to therapy with antibiotics to which the C.E.M . bacterium is susceptible in vitro than did patients in whom these agglutinins were not found . The findings suggest that the C.E.M . bacterium or a microorganism related to it may be aetiologically involved in a proportion of patients with N.G.U . A search for such an organism in these patients is in progress.

Proc R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 1979 Mar 26, 204(1154), 83 - 97
Trophoblast transferrin and transferrin receptors in the host--parasite relationship of human pregnancy; Faulk WP et al.; Transferrin and specific transferrin receptors are demonstrated on the microvillous surface of syncytiotrophoblast in human immature and term placentae by immuno histological techniques with the use of light and electron microscopy . That the distribution of transferrin is limited to the materno-foetal interface supports the hypothesis that binding of maternal transferrin to trophoblast receptors is involved in the process of iron transport to the foetus . Parallel studies with baboon placentae demonstrate the presence of trophoblast receptors which bind both baboon and human transferrin, thereby putting forward an experimental model which might be used to test the biological significance of placental transferrin receptors in primates . In addition, investigation of a large number of human cell lines shows that many transformed cells, but no normal cells (such as blood lymphocytes) or cells from primary culture (such as neonatal foreskin fibroblasts), possess the ability to bind transferrin to their membranes . These findings suggest that transferrin receptors may play important biological roles in addition to that of iron transport from mother to foetus . One such role could be the limitation of iron in intervillous spaces, thus depriving iron-requiring microorganisms of iron, hence serving as a non-specific factor of resistance for placentae . Another role for foetal transferrin receptors on trophoblasts could be to bind maternal transferrin at the materno-foetal interface, thus frustrating maternal immunosurveillance . This is similar to a mechahism used by schistosomes in the host-parasite relation where host proteins are bound by the parasite to escape immunological recognition . The presence of transferrin receptors on transformed cells suggests that this mechanism might also be employed by tumour cells . Finally, in view of previous studies which show that transferrin is required by stimulated lymphocytes to pass from the G1 to the S phase of cellular replication, it is proposed that trophoblast transferrin receptors could limit the amount of transferrin in intervillous spaces and thus impede the proliferation and possible cytotoxicity of maternal activated lymphocytes at the materno-foetal interface.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1979 Mar, 32(3), 180 - 6
A new broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic complex, sporaricin . II . Taxonomic studies on the sporaricin producing strain Saccharopolyspora hirsuta subsp . Kobensis nov . subsp; Iwasaki A et al.; Morphological, cultural and physiological characteristics of a new nocardioform actinomycete are reported . The microorganism which produces the antibiotic complex sporaricin has been selectively isolated from a sample of soil obtained from Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan . By whole-cell analysis of the actinomycete, meso-diaminopimelic acid, arabinose and galactose were identified . But lipid LCN-A (lipid characteristic of Nocardia) and nocardomycolic acid were not detected . The taxonomic characteristics of this strain is closely related to the genus of Saccharopolyspora, described by LACEY and GOODFELLOW . Based on the taxonomic comparison with Saccharopolyspora hirsuta ATCC 27875, the strain was considered to be a subspecies of Saccharopolyspora hirsuta . Therefore, the proposed subspecies is named Saccharopolyspora hirsuta subsp . kobensis.

Isr J Med Sci, 1979 Mar, 15(3), 227 - 30
Legionnaires's disease; Berman J et al.; The fist case of legionnaires' disease in Israel is described . In a previously healthy woman, the disease was manifested by a rapidly progressive pneumonia, which was unresponsive to conventional therapy . The diagnosis was confirmed by positive serologic tests and the demonstration of the responsbile microorganism in the patient's lung tissue . Legionnaires' disease should now be suspected in patients with unexplained severe pneumonia, even in countries in which this disease has not been previously recognized.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 Mar, 37(3), 596 - 600
Nonlogarithmic death rate calculations for Byssochlamys fulva and other microorganisms; King AD Jr et al.; Survivor curves for heat-resistant ascospores of Byssochlamys fulva exposed to lethal heat were nonlogarithmic . At lower heating temperatures, the log survivor curves were characterized by a shoulder plus an accelerating death rate; with increased temperatures, the rate approached logarithmic death . The formula (log No -- log N)a = kt + C was adapted to linearize these data . No and N are the initial and surviving numbers of organisms at the time t . The death rate is given by k, and C is a constant for a set of data . The a value is derived from the least-squares slope of a plot of log (log No -- log N) against log time and is used to linearize the thermal death rate curves . This formula permitted calculations of parameters analogous to those for logarithmic death (D and z) . Use of formula is illustrated for selected nonlinear microbial death rate curves from the literature.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 Mar, 37(3), 550 - 3
Mechanism of lethal action of 2,450-MHz radiation on microorganisms; Vela GR et al.; Various bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, and bacteriophages were exposed to microwaves of 2,450 +/- 20 MHz in the presence and in the absence of water . It was found that microorganisms were inactivated only when in the presence of water and that dry or lyophilized organisms were not affected even by extended exposures . The data presented here prove that microorganisms are killed by "thermal effect" only and that, most likely, there is no "nonthermal effect"; cell constituents other than water do not absorb sufficient energy to kill microbial cells.

Mikrobiologiia, 1979 Mar-Apr, 48(2), 351 - 9
{Vertical distribution and the characteristics of the species composition of the microorganisms of some stratified lakes in Estonia}; Gorlenko VM et al.; The total number, vertical distribution, and special composition of microorganisms from three stratified lakes in the South-Eastern Estonia containing hydrogen sulfide and ferrous iron were studied in March, 1976 . The number of bacteria was lowest in surface water samples (1.2-1.9 x 10(6) cells/ml) . It increased first in the zone where oxygen disappeared (2.4-7.6 x 10(6) cells/ml), then slightly decreased, and again increased near the bottom where it became maximal (3.7-14.0 x 10(6) cells/ml) . The vertical distribution of individual microbial species corresponded to ecological niches . The content of Spirillum and Flexibacter, colonies of parallel rods containing gaseous vacuoles, was highest in the zone in which oxygen was still present . Iron bacteria, purple sulfur bacteria, colourless sulfur bacteria, and green bacteria Chloronema appeared deeper, in the microaerophilic conditions . Ancalochloris perfilievil, Chloroplana vacuolata, Chlorochromatium aggregatum, Pelochromatium roseum, Hyalosoris sp., and Peloploca sp . were found in the strictly anaerobic conditions . Morphological forms of microorganisms were most versatile in the region of contact between the aerobic and anaerobic zones . Most of the morphologically peculiar species of microorganisms were detected in all three lakes, but some bacterial forms were typical of some of the lakes.

Arthritis Rheum, 1979 Mar, 22(3), 209 - 14
Increased toxoplasma antibodies in idiopathic inflammatory muscle disease . A case-controlled study; Phillips PE et al.; Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were measured in sera from 69 patients with polymyositis, dermatomyositis, and myositis associated with other connective tissue diseases and compared to 69 age-, race-, and sex-matched controls with unrelated diseases . Complement fixation toxoplasma antibodies were significantly more frequent in polymyositis and correlated with high IgM levels . Other distinguishing clinical or laboratory features of these patients were not found . The high toxoplasma antibodies were not associated with generally hyperactive humoral immunity . The serologic data suggested that inflammatory muscle disease was associated with recent active toxoplasma infection in certain patients . The pathogenetic role of the microorganism remains uncertain.

Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis, 1979 Mar, 47(1), 33 - 6
Fluorescence microscopy for detection of M . leprae in tissue sections; Jariwala HJ et al.; The fluorescence method was compared with the Fite-Faraco method for detecting acid-fast microorganisms in paraffin sections of cases of leprosy . Biopsies were obtained from 50 cases of leprosy covering all varieties and at varying stages of treatment . The fluorescence method was better than the Fite-Faraco method; 22 biopsies showing acid-fast organisms in fluorescence microscopy and 20 in the Fite-Faraco method . Its superiority was evidenced in two cases in which the organisms were very scanty . Fluorescence microscopy can also be used to determine the Bacterial Index and the Morphologic Index of organisms . The Morphologic Index, however, was one and a half times higher than that obtained by the Fite-Faraco technic . The ease and speed of fluorescence microscopy appear to be a great advantage.

Arch Pathol Lab Med, 1979 Mar, 103(3), 131 - 4
The role of platelets in infections . I . Observations in human and murine malaria; Fajardo LF; The interaction between platelets and microorganisms may be underestimated . Our in vivo studies support a direct role of thrombocytes in malarial infections . We have found intrathrombocytic parasites of Plasmodium vivax (in 10% of men naturally infected) and P berghei (in 53% of mice experimentally infected); these were both merozoites and trophozoites . Neither the mechanism of parasitization (whether by active penetration or by phagocytosis) nor the outcome of this phenomenon is known . However, structures suggestive of partially digested parasitic material were seen in platelets of almost 50% of the men and 75% of the mice . These findings suggest that other microoganisms (fungi, bacteria, and viruses) may also enter thrombocytes in vivo . If so, platelets could play important roles, either favorable or deleterious, in infections.

J Dent Res, 1979 Mar, 58(Spec Issue B), 896 - 903
Demineralization and remineralization of dental enamel; Moreno EC et al.; Experimentation in vitro using organic acid buffers as demineralizing media shows that caries-like lesions can be obtained which are very similar in morphology and developmental stages to early lesions formed naturally under oral conditions . The use of these chemical systems and of mechanistic models advanced to explain the unique histological features of incipient caries have yielded a good understanding of the processes involved in caries formation . The study of natural and induced factors influencing the demineralization process has been greatly facilitated by the use of bacteriological systems in which demineralization is produced by direct colonization of cariogenic microorganisms on the surfaces of extracted teeth . Comparison of results obtained with these latter systems and with chemical systems has allowed us, for example, to elucidate the mechanism by which acquired salivary pellicles and fluoride topical solutions decrease the rate of enamel demineralization . The pellicle retards transport of matter across the enamel surface, whereas the fluoride topical solutions decrease the cariogenicity of the colonizing bacteria.

J Bacteriol, 1979 Mar, 137(3), 1140 - 4
Properties of two cyclic nucleotide-deficient mutants of Neurospora crassa; Rosenberg G et al.; Studies on the crisp-1 (cr-1), cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-deficient mutants of Neurospora crassa were undertaken to characterize the response of these mutants to exogenous cyclic nucleotides and cyclic nucleotide analogs . A growth tube bioassay and a radioimmune assay for cyclic nucleotides yielded the following results . (i) 8-Bromo cAMP and N6-monobutyryl cAMP but not dibutyryl cAMP are efficient cAMP analogs in Neurospora, stimulating mycelial elongation of the cr-1 mutants . Exogenous cyclic guanosine 3'5'-monophosphate (cGMP) also stimulates such mycelial elongation . (ii) Both cAMP levels and cGMP levels found in cr-1 mycelia are lower than those in wild type . However, the levels of both cyclic nucleotides are normal in conidia of cr-1 . The data on cr-1 mycelia and those reported earlier in Escherichia coli (M . Shibuya, Y . Takebe, and Y . Kaziro (Cell 12:528-528, 1977) show a previously unexpected relationship between cAMP and cGMP metabolism in microorganisms . The semicolonial morphology of another adenylate cyclase-deficient mutant of Neurospora, frost, was not corrected by exogenous cyclic nucleotides or by phosphodiesterase inhibitors indicating that the frost morphology is probably not caused by low endogenous cAMP levels . The low adenylate cyclase activity and the abnormal morphology of frost may be related separately to the linolenate deficiency reported in the mutant.

Mikrobiologiia, 1979 Mar-Apr, 48(2), 336 - 40
{Isolation of an autotrophic variant of Nocardia opaca}; Kriukov VR; A hydrogen-oxidizing autotrophic actinomycete, strain Z-766, was isolated from the neuston of a marsh near Moscow . The organism was identified as Nocardia opaca Z-766 according to its morphologo-physiological properties . The spectrum of organic compounds used by the strain, its cultural characteristics and growth are similar to those of the monotypical autotrophic microorganism N . opaca 1b described earlier . Repeated isolation of the autotrophic variant of N . opaca Z-766 suggests that the ability of this species for autotrophic growth is not a unique phenomenon . It would be expedient to construct a taxon of the subspecial range, N . opaca var . autotrophica, for autotrophic variants of N . opaca.

Farmaco {Sci}, 1979 Mar, 34(3), 183 - 8
In vitro antimycoplasmal activity of mepartricin; Meloni GA et al.; The in vitro antimycoplasmal activity of mepartricin was evaluated on several mycoplasma strains . The results demonstrate that this polyene antibiotic possesses a high efficacy against these microorganisms.

Antibiotiki, 1979 Mar, 24(3), 163 - 8
{Possibility of the spectral analysis of heterogeneous biological systems . The determination of the mycelium concentration of Actinomyces aureofaciens, a producer of tetracycline, cultured on a medium with corn meal}; Korolev IuN et al.; A possibility of using spectroscopy of attenuated total reflection in the IR region for analysis of the heterogenic system consisting of the microorganisms and plant cells is discussed . The method of spectroscopy is proposed for estimating the mycelium concentration of Act . aureofaciens producing tetracycline in the presence of corn meal in the medium . The experimental data confirming this possibility are presented . The peculiar properties of the spectral analysis under these particular conditions are discussed . It is supposed that the method may be used for analysis of heterogenous systems including other microorganisms.

Cell Biophys, 1979 Mar, 1(1), 15 - 28
Continuous dielectrophoretic separation of cell mixtures; Pohl HA et al.; Use of stream-centered dielectrophoresis (1-4) produced continuous separations on three cell mixtures (1) Chorella vulgaris with Netrium digitus, (2) Ankistrodesmus falcatus with Staurastrum gracile, and (3) Saccharomyces cerevisiae with Netrium digitus . Maximal separations were obtained for these mixtures of live cells at 100 kHz, 600 kHz, and 2.0 MHz, respectively . The technique was restricted to a frequency range of 0.01-32 MHz, and to suspensions of low conductivity in which microorganisms such as these algae and yeast are tolerant . Extension, however, to cellular organisms requiring higher osmolarity is readily feasible through the use of nonionic solutes such as sucrose, mannose, glycine, etc.

Med Klin, 1979 Feb 16, 74(7), 235 - 8
{Diffusion of cefamandole into the prostatic tissue (author's transl)}; Adam D et al.; From 21 patients with prostatic adenoma with an average age of 69 years, serum and prostatic tissue concentrations after a single i.v . dose of 2 grams of cefamandole were estimated . The mean serum concentrations 30 minutes after the infusion was completed, were measured with 104.8 and after 60 minutes with 51 microgram/ml . The corresponding concentrations in the prostatic adenoma tissue were after 30 minutes 32.87 and after 60 minutes 17.1 microgram/g . These data are compared with earlier findings with other caphalosporine antibiotics (cephradine, cephapirine, cephacetrile, cephalothin) in the same tissue materials at the same time points . The estimated concentrations of cefamandole in serum and prostatic tissue are suited for the treatment of infections caused by cefamandole sensitive microorganisms.

Eur J Immunol, 1979 Feb, 9(2), 149 - 54
Mitogenic activity of Mycoplasma pulmonis . II . Studies on the biochemical nature of the mitogenic factor; Naot Y et al.; The mitogenic activity of Mycoplasma pulmonis has been demonstrated to reside in the membrane of this microorganism . Studies aimed at the identification of the membraneous mitogenic factor have revealed that membrane proteins are essential components of this mitogenic manifestation . In addition, it has been shown that the micro-organism's outer surface membrane proteins are responsible for mitogenic activity . It has been shown, however, that isolated membrane lipids are not mitogenic for rat lymphocytes and are not required for the membrane's mitogenic potential.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1979 Feb, 87B(1), 15 - 20
Pseudomonas cepacia bacteraemia due to intrinsic contamination of an anaesthetic . Bacteriological and serological observations; Borghans JG et al.; In November-December 1977 an epidemic of bacteraemia due to P . cepacia was observed in Odense, Denmark (nine patients), and in Nijmegen, Holland (seven patients) . All patients recovered . The epidemic was traced to intrinsic contamination of two batches of the anaesthetic fentanyl . All isolates from the patients and from the two batches belonged to the same biotype, had identical sensitivity patterns, and identical antigens . The P . cepacia strain differed from stock strains in being able to grow in two passages in methyl-p-hydroxi-benzoate, 0.5 mg/ml, which promoted the growth of the microorganism: inocula of 2-20 cfu were sufficient to initiate growth in the drug or preservative . These facts indicate the inadvisability of using p-hydroxi-benzoates as preservatives in vials . The strain was inhibited at temperatures above 38.5 degrees C, corresponding to the recovery of the patients after a period with fever above 39 degrees C . Fourteen out of 15 patients examined had agglutinin titres greater than or equal to 320, while 36 blood donors had titres less than 40 . Of 12 patients with postoperative fever in the same period whose blood cultures did not yield P . cepacia, three had titres greater than 320.

J Clin Microbiol, 1979 Feb, 9(2), 248 - 52
Effect of blood dilution on recovery of organisms from clinical blood cultures in medium containing sodium polyanethol sulfonate; Salventi JF et al.; This clinical study was designed to evaluate the standard laboratory protocol that requires blood specimens be diluted with greater than or equal to 10 volumes of media . Blood was collected from hospitalized patients, and 1 ml was inoculated into each of three vials containing 2.3, 7.3, and 24 ml of BACTEC 6B aerobic medium resulting in dilutions of 1:4, 1:10, and 1:30, respectively . The three test vials were treated identically, and the study was carried out at four hospitals . Of the 2,550 sets of vials inoculated, 174 were positive with clinically significant isolates from 105 patients . There was no difference in the number of positive cultures recovered by 24 h (67%) or 48 h (90%) from any dilution . These percentages agreed with other reports from BACTEC users . The number of positive vials (139, 144, 147, respectively) at each dilution was not significantly different, indicating that all three dilutions showed equal recovery of pathogenic microorganisms . Despite this overall equality, two patients, one on antibiotic therapy, were found to have correlated cultures which failed to grow at the 1:4 dilution . This finding implies that a 1:4 dilution of blood cannot be recommended unequivocably despite the higher overall recovery rate of positive cultures.

J Am Dent Assoc, 1979 Feb, 98(2), 191 - 5
Disinfection of nitrous oxide inhalation equipment; Yagiela JA et al.; Cross-infection by contaminated equipment is a potential hazard associated with conscious sedation with nitrous oxide and oxygen . Nosocomial infections have occasionally been linked wih the use of unsterile inhalation devices; microbial contamination of sterile nasal hoods routinely occurs during administration of nitrous oxide; and in vitro experiments indicate that subsequent use of contaminated nasal masks may lead to aspiration of microorganisms . Although the incidence of respiratory disease after such contamination is unknown, it is clear that disinfection of the nitrous oxide apparatus between patients is desirable . A simple cleaning method involving alkaline glutaraldehyde is described that provides adequate disinfection of the rubber goods used in the administration of gas . Superiority of this technique over previously recommended cleaning methods is shown.

Arch Int Physiol Biochim, 1979 Feb, 87(1), 1 - 18
Lipolytic enzymes in bovine thyroid tissue . III . Lysophospholipase activity; De Wolf M et al.; Lysophospholipids are formed during phospholipid breakdown as a result of the action of phospholipases A . At certain concentrations these lysoderivatives destabilise biological membranes . Therefore, their concentration is of critical importance for membrane integrity . Prevention of lysophosphoglycerides accumulation may be the important role for lysophospholipases and is probably the explanation for their widespread occurrence in nature . Lysophospholipase activities were found in molds (Fairbairn, 1948), rice bran (Contardi & Ercoli, 1933), several microorganisms (Brockerhoff & Jensen, 1974), snake and bee venoms (Doery & Pearson, 1964; Mohamed et al., 1969; Shiloah et al., 1973), insects (Khan & Hodgson, 1967; Rao & Subrahmanyam, 1969), fish muscle (Yurkovski & Brockerhoff, 1965; Cohen et al., 1967) and in various animal tissues (Marples & Thompson, 1960) . In mammalian tissue the enzyme was first described in beef pancreas (Shapiro, 1953) . Relatively high levels were detected in intestine, lung, spleen, liver and pancreas, while lower levels were present in muscle, kidney, testes, brain and blood (Marples & Thompson, 1960) . The presence of lysophospholipase activity in both supernatant and sediment of bovine thyroid was reported previously in relation to possible interference of this enzyme with the phospholipase A activity assay (De Wolf et al., 1976) . The subcellular localization of bovine thyroid lysophospholipase and some properties of the membrane bound enzyme activity are discussed in this paper.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1979 Jan 11, 545(1), 94 - 105
The isolation of coupled mitochondria from Physarum polycephalum and their response to Ca2+; Holmes RP et al.; A method for the isolation of coupled mitochondria from the acellular slime mould Physarum polycephalum is described . The mitochondria oxidize respiratory substrates at rates comparable to those of mitochondria from other microorganisms and show similar responses to respiratory inhibitors . ADP/O values approach similar values to those obtained with mitochondria from higher organisms: 3 with NAD-linked substrates, 2 with succinate, and 1 with ascorbate-TMPD . Mitochondria actively take up low concentrations of Ca2+ with stimulation of their respiration . With succinate or pyruvate-malate as substrates respiratory responses are depressed by Ca2+ concentrations in excess of 200 micron in the presence or absence of phosphate . Exogenous NADH is unique in supporting the uptake of large amounts of Ca2+ in the presence of phosphate and in showing an unusual 'uncoupled' response in the absence of phosphate . A sigmoidal relationship occurs between initial velocity of Ca2+ uptake and Ca2+ concentration with a maximum velocity of approx . 15 nmol/s per mg protein and half maximum velocity occurring at approx . 50 micron Ca2+.

Arzneimittelforschung, 1979, 29(6), 877 - 82
alpha, beta-Unsaturated gamma-lactones correlations between lipophilicity and biological activity; Dal Pozzo A et al.; A homogeneous series of alpha, beta-unsaturated gamma-lactones was prepared . Their in vitro activity against various microorganisms was quantitatively correlated, with the Hansch approach, to their lipophilicity, expressed by Rm chromatographic values . Although all the experimental results show a parabolic dependence, only in few cases the parabolic model calculated by Hansch fits to them . In most cases it was possible to find a good fitting between the ascending side of the parabola and the linear equation of Hansch . The meaning of the results and their utilization for future work are discussed.

J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1979, 23(4), 468 - 71
{Antibiotic activity of Decamycin on 11 genera of pathogenous microorganisms isolated from Veitnamese patients (author's transl)}; van Ngu V; The author studied inhibitory effects of Decamycin on 545 strains of pathogenous microorganisms . At the same time he compared the activity of Decamycin and that of classical antibiotics applied during treatment.

J Dairy Sci, 1979 Jan, 62(1), 128 - 34
Common mammary pathogens and factors in infection and mastitis; Jain NC; Inflammation of the mammary gland, commonly known as mastitis, is considered a complex disease in view of its complexities of etiology, pathogenesis, sequela, therapy, and related aspects . The disease of most concern is the one produced by pathogenic microorganisms . However, as a prerequisite the pathogen must not only enter the mammary gland but also be able to survive and multiply in numbers sufficient to produce pathogenic effects . The normal bovine mammary gland is protected from such attacks by several anatomic and biologic armamenta which must be overcome by the invading pathogens . Organisms involved in causation of mastitis vary in their habitat, virulence, and susceptibility to host barriers . Similarly cows vary in their resistance to microbial entry into the mammary gland and subsequent response to overcome the infection . Only a few organisms, however, need to survive in the milieu of the mammary gland to produce mastitis . This paper is a general discussion of these aspects concerning bovine mastitis in relation to common mammary pathogens.

Ann Ist Super Sanita, 1979, 15(1), 167 - 72
{7-Alpha dehydroxylation of bile acids by O2-intolerant anaerobic intestinal microorganisms}; Pacini N et al.; The 7 alpha-dehydroxylation of cholic and chenodeoxycholic acids by mice intestinal microorganisms was studied . When all techniques, from autopsy of the animals to final incubation, are performed in oxygen-free environment, it has been found that anaerobic O2 non tolerant microorganisms might be considered the main responsible for these transformations.

Arch Exp Veterinarmed, 1979, 33(4), 495 - 8
{Transformation of 19-norgestagens to estrogens by rumen microorganisms}; Hobe G et al.; The 19-norgestagens norethisterone acetate (17 alpha-ethinyl-4-oestren-17 beta-ol-3-on-17-acetate), ethinodiol diacetate (17 alpha-ethinyl-4-oestren-3 beta, 17 beta-diol-3, 17-diacetate), and norgestrol (17 alpha-ethinyl-18-methyl-4-oestren-17 beta-ol-3-on) are transformed to ethinyloestradiol or 18-methyl homologue by microorganisms of cattle rumen . Such transformation of steroid gestagens to oestrogens is likely to offer an explanation for the occurrence of oestrogen effects which had been observed during synchronised oestrus of cattle following oral application of 19-norgestagens.

Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1979, 19(10), 731 - 9
{Steroid-transforming enzymes from microorganisms . XII . Induction characteristics of the 4-en-3-oxosteroid: (acceptor)-1-en-oxidoreductase in Nocardia opaca}; Horhold C et al.; 17 alpha-Methyltestosterone and the corresponding 1(2)-dehydrocompound (Dianabol) are efficient inducers of the 4-en-3-oxosteroid: (acceptor)-1-en-oxidoreductase from Nocardia opaca . After a lag period of 4 hours the enzyme activity increases rapidly . During the induction the steroids are completely metabolized causing a drastical drop of specific enzyme activity . Using a fixed induction time the optimal steroid concentration and the temperature characteristic were found out . The influence of the concentration of the steroid water suspension on the induction effect is discussed to be dependent on the velocity of the dissolving of the steroid particles . Chloramphenicol and streptomycin are powerful inhibitors of the induction process.

Vet Med Nauki, 1979, 16(6), 27 - 34
{Chemotherapeutic activity of Albendazole in experimental trichinelliasis in guinea pigs}; Georgieva D et al.; The chemico-therapeutical activity of albendasol was studied on 45 guinea-pigs experimentally invaded by 500 muscle trichinellae . The experimental animals were treated with the preparation on the 30th, 60th and 90th day post invasion . At the 10 mg/kg dose a 96.4% effectiveness against 30 day muscle trichinellae, 95.2% against the 60 day, and 81.2% against the 90 day trichinellae was scored, while at 20 mg/kg dose the effectiveness of the treatment was respectively 97.1, 96.3 and 88.6% . Pathomorphological and enzyme (alkaline and acid phosphatase) changes indicate that albendasol probably inactivates the inflammatory protective mechanism of the microorganism and directly participates in the parasite's cell metabolism.

Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1979, 19(6), 375 - 9
{Steroid-transforming enzymes from microorganisms . X . Enrichment of a 4-en-3-oxosteroid-5 alpha-reductase from Mycobacterium smegmatis as well as separation and enrichment of the apoenzyme by means of affinity chromatography}; Atrat P et al.; The 4-en-3-oxosteroid-5 alpha-reductase from Mycobacterium smegmatis was bound biospecifically on the affinant containing an immobilized testosterone ligand . The enzyme obtained by elution with ethylene glycol and urea in a 32 fold purity has a S . A . of 8.73 X 10(-3) microM androstenedione min-1 mg-1 . The coenzyme (FAD) could be separated from the immobilized enzyme substrate complex on the affinity matrix, in the presence of (NH4)2SO4 at pH 3.0 . After elution of the apoenzyme 97% of the initial enzyme activity was obtained by incubation with FAD . The reactivated enzyme results in a 40-fold enrichment.

Prog Clin Biol Res, 1979, 35, 119 - 27
An evaluation of bacterial resistance to chemo-antibiotics in a homogeneous area comprising East Veneto and South Friuli; Rigoli E et al.; The experiment, now in progress, consists in the gathering and processing of data obtained from the Antibiotic Sensitivity Test done in all the hospital laboratories in the aforesaid area and within which there may well be some interchange of patients . The Antibiotic Sensitivity Tests are arrived at from the identification of all the microorganisms found in the various biological specimens by rigorously standardized methodology . The data, reported on identical modules by all the laboratories and computerized by the CED of Treviso Hospital for half-yearly evaluation, will furnish information on the evolution of bacterial resistance and the related activity of the chemo-antibiotics for each individual hospital, for hospital groups, and for all the hospitals taken together . Details of the program of this operation, of the difficulties encountered, and of the current state of the survey are discussed.

Acta Paediatr Acad Sci Hung, 1979, 20(1), 73 - 98
Lower airway diseases in childhood: a review with emphasis on X-ray signs; Gefferth CM; Lower airway diseases play an important role despite the most sophisticated therapeutic measures . Consequences of modern life, air pollution and many byproducts of our civilisation act in favour of airway diseases . Complicated is the problem by the changing symptoms, the changing virulence of the pathogenic microorganisms, by the unstable immune activity of the organism . Besides new syndromes are detected or separated from old diseases according to the development of the diagnostic tools . This paper reviews the actual situation of the subject.

Adv Exp Med Biol, 1979, 120B, 319 - 40
Recent advances in microbial secondary metabolites: inhibitors of hydrolytic enzymes; Umezawa H; We initiated the study of small molecular enzyme inhibitors produced by microorganisms and found about 50 new compounds . In this paper, the author reviewed our studies on inhibitors of various proteases and enzymes on the surface of animal cells . Small molecular inhibitors of cellular surface enzymes enhanced or suppressed immune response . Studies on kinin and its related areas are rapidly progressing as shown by papers presented in this symposium . Parallel to the progress in these areas, it will become possible to establish new screening methods and to find new compounds useful in the study of kinin and its related systems.

J Environ Sci Health B, 1979, 14(6), 617 - 24
Influence of pesticides on acetylene reduction and growth of microorganisms in an organic soil; Tu CM; The effects of 32 pesticides at two concentrations on acetylene reduction (non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation), nitrogen fixers, bacteria and fungi in an organic soil were assessed . None of the pesticide treatments suppressed C2H2 reduction as compared to controls . No significant inhibition of the population of non-symbiotic nitrogen fixers occurred . However, stimulatory effects were observed with treatments of fensulfothion, fonofos, oxamyl, DDR, TeloneR and Telone CR . Bacterial and fungal populations showed temporary declines but all recovered within 7 days to levels similar to or higher than those in the controls.

Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1979, 19(2), 117 - 22
Structure and function of the conidiospore pigments of Penicillium cyclopium; Ha-Huy-Ke et al.; The cell wall of mature, green condiospores of Penicillium cyclopium Westling contains at least two pigments: A green chromoprotein which is extractable by means of formic acid or liquified phenol and a black insoluble pigment . Both fractions after long term treatment with boiling conc . HCl leave black amorphous residues which, due to their chemical and physico-chemical properties, belong to the group of melanins . The chemical structure of these melanins is still unidentified . No degradation products typical for indol-type or catechol-type melanins have so far been detected . During spore maturation parallel to an increase of pigmentation (determined by remission), the melanin residue left after acid hydrolysis of spores increases . The mature, dark green spores of the wild type strain contain about 40% melanin, the yellow-green spores of the mutant aux-glu 1 about 36% . The unpigmented spores of mutant res-eth 1 possess a melanin content of only about 5% . This value is nearly the same as that found in hyphae, which in all strains are yellowish-brown . The heavily pigmented condia of the wild type strain are about 100-times less sensitive to UV-radiation compared with the unpigmented spores of the mutant res-eth 1 . The reduced sensitivity indicates that, as with other microorganisms, the conidia pigments of P . cyclopium are protective components of the spores.

Acta Neurochir (Wien), 1979, 47(3-4), 285 - 91
Relevance of antibiotics in the treatment of brain abscesses . Report of a case with eight simultaneous brain abscesses treated and cured medically; George B et al.; A case of eight simultaneous brain abscesses in the right cerebral hemisphere, treated medically after puncture of two of them, is reported . Antibiotics and hypertonic mannitol and, after seven days, dexamethasone were sufficient to cure these lesions . CT scan was of primary importance to follow the evolution under treatment . To get the best efficiency from antibiotics, identification of the microorganism and assessment of its resistance to antibiotics are necessary . It is suggested that in certain conditions medical therapy might be sufficient to treat cerebral abscess, after simple puncture to isolate the infecting agent . Corticosteroids should be avoided in the acute phase because they prevent antibiotics from penetrating the abscesses.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Naturwiss, 1979, 134(2), 133 - 9
Associative symbiosis of Azotobacter chroococcum and higher plants; Monib M et al.; The association between a selected strain of Azotobacter chroococcum and seven plants was investigated in water cultures under sterile conditions . Azotobacter population progressively increased in the nutrient solution and on the rhizoplane . Microbial propagation depends on the type of plant, being much higher in presence of wheat, followed by barley, maize, broad bean, and cotton, while in presence of fenugreek and lentil lower rates of multiplication were recorded . Inoculation increased the dry weight of plants by 5--12% and in length by 3--18% in addition to increased nitrogen content of plants and nutrient solution . Nitrogen balance showed no significant change in systems devoid of Azotobacter, but association between plants and the microorganism invariably showed positive results . The extent of N2-fixation depends on the type of plants; higher gains were recorded in presence of non-leguminous plants.

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 1979 Jan, 21(1-2), 29 - 36
Degradation of o-sec-butylphenyl N-methylcarbamate (BPMC) in soil; Ueji M et al.; Disappearance rate of BPMC in paddy soils increased with the increase of BPMC concentration in soils, and in contrast, it declined wiht higher moisture content . Since the disapperance rate of BPMC in soils was retarded by addition of sodium azide, it was suggested that soil microorganism(s) participated in the degradation of BPMC . On the other hand, it was probable that organic matter content was one of the main factors participating in the disappearance of BPMC . The soil-bound residues of BPMC which were extractable by heating with 0.5 N HC1 for 15 min, were relatively low, and their percentages ranged from 2.4 to 6.6% . The bound-residues were increased by addition of calcium or magnesium sulfate.

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 1979 Jan, 21(1-2), 255 - 61
Screening of common bacteria capable of demethylation of methylmercuric chloride; Shariat M et al.; In summary, 21 bacteria were capable or degrading methylmercury chloride as measured by the disappearance of that species from the soil culture media . Disappearance of the methylated form was also accompanied by loss of total mercury in the culture media--probably as a result of reduction of the initial metabolite to volatile Hgo . The role of bacteria in the reduction step is not clear at this time although several authors (SUMMERS et al . 1972 and 1973; BISOGNI and LAWRENCE 1973 ) have suggested facilitated reduction rates in the presence of microorganisms.

Comp Biochem Physiol B, 1979, 63(1), 39 - 44
Phylogenetic distribution of glutathione peroxidase; Smith J et al.; 1 . The enzyme glutathione peroxidase (E.C.1.11.1.9), known to be a selenoprotein from mammalian sources, was detected in the following vertebrates: fish, frog, salamander, and turtle . 2 . Among invertebrates, the enzyme was detected in crayfish and snail but not in insects or earthworm . 3 . No plant tissues or microorganisms showed any evidence of the enzyme activity . 4 . The presence of the enzyme activity in so many animal groups implies the widespread occurrence of genetic information for the specific assimilation of the selenium atom.

Ciba Found Symp, 1979, (77), 187 - 204
The secretory IgA system in the neonatal period; Hanson LA et al.; It is still not known when the secretory IgA response, important for defence of the mucous membranes, becomes fully competent in the human infant . The infant is, however, provided with 0.25--0.5 g of secretory IgA/day via the maternal milk . The milk contains secretory IgA antibodies against a wide variety of antigens from microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and parasites . Many of the antibodies are directed against important virulence factors such as bacterial pili, enterotoxins, capsular polysaccharides and endotoxic lipopolysaccharides . The passive transfer of antibodies through the milk may explain why breast-fed infants are resistant to enteric infections in particular . The antibodies in the milk are often directed against antigens in the mother's milieu and intestine . An entero-mammary gland link, possibly consisting of lymphoid cells homing from the Peyer's patches in the intestine to the mammary gland, has been suggested . A limited selective uptake of oligomeric IgA from serum in exocrine glands, including the mammary glands, has also been indicated . Whichever the mechanism, the antibodies transferred via breast milk are composed to meet the needs of the infant.

Ciba Found Symp, 1979, (72), 49 - 69
Pathways of assimilatory sulphate reduction in plants and microorganisms; Schiff JA; Assimilatory sulphate reduction, largely restricted to plants and microorganisms where it provides reduced sulphur for the formation of amino acids and proteins, nucleic acids, and various sulphur-containing coenzymes, begins with the activation of sulphate through reaction with ATP to form adenosine 5'-phosphosulphate (APS) and adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-phosphosulphate (PAPS) . Two pathways of assimilatory sulphate reduction are known . One, found in some blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) and in all oxygen-envolving eukaryotes, begins with APS where the sulpho group is transferred via APS sulphotransferase to a thiol acceptor (glutathione (G-S-) in Chlorella) to form the organic thiosulphate (G-S-SO-3) . The organic thiosulphate appears to be reduced further by an organic thiosulphate reductase employing reduced ferredoxin to form G-S-S- . The terminal sulphur is then thought to be reductively transferred to O-acetylserine via O-acetylserine sulphydrase to form cysteine . A second pathway, found in bacteria and fungi, begins with PAPS where the sulpho group is transferred via PAPS sulphotransferase to an acceptor thiol to form an organic thiosulphate . Since thioredoxin is indispensable, this molecule may be the carrier or may serve to reduce the carrier . NADPH via thioredoxin reductase or glutathione and glutathione reductase reduces thioredoxin . These reactions release sulphite which is further reduced to sulphide by sulphite reductase, employing NADPH . Sulphide is then thought to react with O-acetylserine to form cysteine via O-acetylserine sulphydrase . The cellular location and evolution of these pathways is discussed.

Ciba Found Symp, 1979, (72), 3 - 18
The sulphur cycle: definitions, mechanisms and dynamics; Kelly DP; The principal biochemical processes of the sulphur cycle are described and the types of organisms known to catalyse the reductive and oxidative phases of the cycle outlined . Attention is drawn to the shortcomings in our current knowledge of the scale of turnover of the sulphur cycle and of our understanding of the microorganisms involved in specialized environments . Examples of some special habitats are used to illustrate these points . The role of sulphate-reducing bacteria and sulphur-oxidizing chemolithotrophs in the formation and recycling of sulphide minerals is described.

Ciba Found Symp, 1979, (72), 163 - 76
Observations on the biological roles of sulphatases; Dodgson KS et al.; Until recently little was known about the biological roles played by sulphatase enzymes, owing in part to the selection of assay substrates that were convenient but only removely related to the natural substrates . Once this was recognized the elucidation of function proceeded more rapidly . Microbial sulphatases appear to have roles to play in the nutrition of individual microorganisms whilst collectively they enable sulphur, returned to soils and waters in the form of sulphate esters, to be made available for recycling . In contrast, with one or two important exceptions, mammalian sulphatases are concerned, in association with other enzymes, with the turnover of macromolecules . Still defying understanding are the roles of sulphatases acting on adenosine 5'-phosphosulphate (APT) and 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulphate (PAPA) . APS sulphatases have now been purified from ox-liver lysosomes and cytosol and from a strain of Comamonas terrigena . The lysosomal enzyme shows wide specificity and can hydrolyse ATP, ADP, FED and pyrophosphate . The cytosol enzyme is apparently specific and may be active only when cellular concentrations of ATP are low . The bacterial enzyme is also specific and has properties and a cellular localization that suggest the possibility of its involvement in sulphate transport.

Biol Bull Acad Sci USSR, 1979 Jan-Feb, 6(1), 73 - 9
Use of tetramethylammonium hydroxide to determine the total fatty acid composition of microorganisms; Andreev LV et al.; A destructive chromatographic method of identifying microorganisms is described . The method is based on hydrolysis of the biomass of the microorganisms in the presence of tetramethylammonium hydroxide, followed by introduction of the hydrolyzate into the heated injector of a gas chromatograph . The main products in this case are methyl esters of fatty acids, the composition of which is used as a diagnostic criterion . Chromatograms of the residues after chloroform-methanol extraction and the dynamics of the change in total fatty acids in the process of growth can also be used for identification . The dynamics of total fatty acids was studied in E . coli strain K-12, and destructive chromatograms for bacteria and yeasts are cited.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Naturwiss, 1979, 134(7), 640 - 7
{Combination of antibiotics with analgesic and antipyretic substances (author's transl)}; Pasare G et al.; 1 . We suggest a combination of analgesic and antipyretic medicaments in medical treatments with antibiotics . Thus, the antibiotic is increased and microorganisms, resistant to antibiotics, are converted into sensitive forms . 2 . The results of the in vitro used method (diffusion plate test) are in accordance with the results obtained using these combinations in therapy . 3 . This method should not be applied to strains that are sufficiently sensitive to antibiotics, since the results would be contrary to the afore mentioned . 4 . The effects of a combination are additionally synergistic in the case of strains originally sensitive . 5 . This method offers great possibilities for multiplying treatments with antibiotics . We recommend to give standardized combinations of antibiotics with analgesic and antipyretic medicaments per os.

Radiat Environ Biophys, 1979, 17(1), 85 - 93
Oxygen isotope fractionation during respiration for different temperatures of T . utilis and E . coli K12; Schleser GH; The temperature dependence of the oxygen isotope fractionation factor during respiration has been examined for two different microorganisms, namely Torulopsis utilis and Escherichia coli K12 representing a yeast and a bacterium, respectively . The investigation covered a temperature range of 18 degrees C, that is from 16 degrees C to 34 degrees C for T . utilis and from 19 degrees C to 37 degrees C for E . coli K12 . Within this temperature range the fractionation factor of T . utilis increases by 0.18% an insignificant change (delta delta 10 degrees C = 0.063%; r = 0.067), whereas with E . coli K12 an increase of 1.12% has been observed (delta delta 10 degrees C = 0.6%; r = 0.55).

Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1979, 19(4), 247 - 52
{Effect of alternating milieu changes on specific substrate consumption in microorganisms}; Heinritz B et al.; In technical microbiology microorganisms often undergo alternating milieu changes . For instance, this is the case in recirculation reactors . The organisms react on these changes with an increase of entropy production and in connection with this with increasing substrate consumption . This increasing substrate consumption contradicts the aim of an optimum yield from a given substrate . Thus, studies of the reaction of microbial growth to alternating milieu changes are of great importance . A simple model of the influence of alternating milieu changes on specific substrate consumption is given . In it the biological conversion of substances is built up by an irreversible consecutive reaction . After preliminary examinations on the analogue computer the reaction of the model to alternating perturbations is simulated on the digital computer . The results of the stimulations are compared with experimental data . The good agreement of experiment and model justifies the use of the simple formulation in the preparation of technical processes.

Genetika, 1979, 15(2), 220 - 5
{Plasmid transformation of frozen and thawed bacteria}; Ditiatkin SIa et al.; Plasmid DNA transformation efficiency depends on three essential factors: 1) the optimal regime of the recipients freezing-thawing; 2) the period of the recipients competence preservation; 3) individual sensitivity of microorganisms to freezing-thawing . It is demonstrated that plasmid DNA pMB9 activity indices are of maximal value during freezing at -70 degrees C or -196 degrees C and thawing at 42 degrees C . The short period of the competence, about 15 seconds, determines the rate of its infection . In this case it was achieved by mutual freezing-thawing of bacteria and DNA pMB9 . The optimal yield of transformants is obtained in the following conditions: the concentration of bacteria - 1 - 5.10(9) cells/ml, the concentration of DNA pMB9 - 0.05--0.5 mcg/ml in the reaction mixture containing 0.5--1% of bactopeptone ("Spofa") and at pH 7.4--7.6.

J Immunol Methods, 1979, 30(1), 87 - 96
A novel technique for detecting IgA coated potentially pathogenic microorganisms in the human intestine; Van Saene HK et al.; This paper describes a novel method for detecting immunoglobulin A (IgA) coated potentially pathogenic microorganisms (PPMs) in the human intestine . Essentially, the technique consists of 2 phases: one in which IgA coated bacteria are detected by immunofluorescence and a second in which these bacteria are subcultured in situ and subsequently identified . In this way transient bacteria are differentiated from resident bacteria . These results show that the resident bacteria are coated with IgA . Resident microorganisms are always highly concentrated in the digestive tract . These results strengthen the hypothesis that only the high antigen concentrations achieved by a large number of resident bacteria are capable of IgA induction.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1979, 24(6), 483 - 6
Antibiotic properties of lignin components; Zemek J et al.; Inhibitory effects of compounds with guaiacyl and syringyl structure, representing the structure of native lignin, were studied on model cultures of bacteria, yeasts, yeast-like microorganisms and moulds . Isoeugenol exhibited the most pronounced inhibitory effect on growth of the studied microorganisms.

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1979, 45(2), 161 - 4
On Leeuwenhoek's magnifications; O'Mara JG; The thesis of this communication is that the 'secret method' of Leeuwenhoek was the augmentation of the magnification of his single glass lens by the refraction at the quasi-hemispherical surface of a column of liquid containing the microorganisms . The linear increase in magnification thus secured could be as much as three-fold, depending on the degree of curvature of the liquid surface, the diameter of the column of liquid, and the index of refraction necessary for observation of details beyond the resolution of his best glass lenses . The hypothesis also accounts for the second part of the secret method, the high density of microorganisms in a single field of view, by successive recostitutions of the curved surface of the medium.

Acta Chir Scand Suppl, 1979, 489, 231 - 8
Role of phagocytic cells in host defence in relation to trauma--a brief review; Berghem L et al.; Present evidence available support a relationship between phagocytic cell function and survival from various types of trauma, e.g . burn, traumatic shock, and haemorrhage . Both polymorphonuclear phagocytes and mononuclear phagocytes (monocytes and macrophages) participating in the body's host defence are of crucial importance in preventing post-traumatic infections by microorganisms . The role of macrophages constituting the reticuloendothelial system (RES) in relation to trauma is paid special attention in this review . Deficit in a humoral opsonic glycoprotein (alpha 2 SB glycoprotein) important for reticuloendothelial phagocytosis is described in various types of traumatic injuries, and the role of RES in relation to pulmonary insufficiency is finally summarized.

Arzneimittelforschung, 1979, 29(1), 134 - 7
Sisomicin in surgical infections . Laboratory and clinical studies; Perea EJ et al.; A clinical and bacteriological study to evaluate the effectiveness and toxicity of sisomicin in the treatment of surgical infections is described . Fifteen patients received i.m . injections of 150 or 225 mg/day for seven days . The daily doses was divided into three applications . The mean serum levels at the first hour were 5.26 +/- 2.41 microgram/ml and at the seventh hour 1.0 +/- 1.19 microgram/ml . Similar values were determined on the seventh day of treatment with sisomicin: 6.36 +/- 2.36 microgram/ml one hour, 1.17 +/- 1.67 microgram/ml seven hours after i.m . injection . All the microorganisms isolated had MICs below the sisomicin levels measured . The clinical results were assessed as "excellent" in 11 patients . Therapeutic results were considered as "fair" in three patients . The clinical conditions of one patient affected by osteomyelitis following osteosynthesis of the femur was not improved by treatment . No side effects were observed.

Comp Biochem Physiol B, 1979, 63(3), 395 - 7
Ubiquinone analyses in fish tissues and in some marine invertebrates; Farbu T et al.; 1 . Ubiquinone contents were determined in species of marine invertebrates, and in heart, red and white muscle and liver of three species of fish . 2 . Three different methods of determination were compared, based on spectrophotometry, reduction and a reaction with the dimethoxy groups of ubiquinone . 3 . Using ubiquinone homologues 6-10 prepared from beef heart and commercially available microorganisms (SCP) as standards, ubiquinone 10 was found in all samples . In addition were found minor amounts of Q-9 in samples of saithe heart and red muscle . 4 . Less than 10 mg/kg wet wt of ubiquinone was found in the samples of marine invertebrates and in white muscle and liver of the fish samples, with one exception: 40 mg/kg in a sample of mackerel liver . 5 . Higher contents of ubiquinone were found in fish heart and red muscle tissues, ranging from 24 to 116 mg/kg wet wt . The ubiquinone contents were comparable in the two tissues . 6 . A test on cellular fragments of red muscle tissue of saithe showed that the ubiquinone was concentrated in the mitochondria fraction.

Arq Inst Biol (Sao Paulo), 1979 Jan-Jun, 46(1-2), 11 - 20
{Treatment of swine cell line with antibiotics: effect on growth kinetics and susceptibility to foot-and-mouth disease virus and to mycoplasma-like organisms}; Koseki I et al.; Cell cultures treated with tylosin tartrate and kanamycin sulphate antibiotics were studied in relation to the cell growth rate, the susceptibility to the foot-and-mouth disease virus and to the microorganism eradication . These treatments did not affect the cell growth rate and the cell behavior to the viral infection . On the other hand, the decontamination of the intracytoplasmatic formas of mycoplasma-like organism was not observed.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Naturwiss, 1979, 134(2), 119 - 24
Phosphatase production by microorganisms isolated from diverse types of soils; Tarafdar JC et al.; Qualitative and quantitative nature of phosphatases produced by various fungal, bacterial, and actinomycetes isolates from diverse soils was examined . Soil fungi, particularly those belonging to the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium, were found to be most effective in producing phosphatases intra- and extracellularly . None of the 16 bacterial isolates produced acid phosphatase, but most of them did produce neutral phosphatase . Actinomycetes produced only negligible quantities of phosphatases.

Environ Mutagen, 1979, 1(1), 45 - 53
Genetic effects of PR toxin in eukaryotic microorganisms; Wei R et al.; The genetic activity of PR toxin, a mycotoxin from Penicillium roqueforti, was studied in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Neurospora crassa . The results show that PR toxin, without enzymic activation, causes gene conversion in S . cerevisiae strains D4 and D7, reverse mutation in S . cerevisiae strain D7 and N . crassa strain N24, and mitotic crossing-over in S . cerevisiae strain D7, In the log phase cells of S . cerevisiae the effects are more pronounced at alkaline than at acid pH . The active site responsible for the genetic activity and toxicity is known . The carbonyl groups appear to play an important role in the biologic activity of this molecule.

Ciba Found Symp, 1979, (72), 223 - 37
Metallothionein: an exceptional metal thiolate protein; Kagi JH et al.; Metallothioneins are unusual, low molecular weight proteins of extremely high sulphur and metabl content . They occur in substantial quantity and in multiple variant forms in parenchymatous tissues (liver, kidney, intestines) of vertebrates and certain microorganisms (Neurospora crassa, yeast) . They are though to play a central role in the cellular metabolism of metals such as zinc, copper and cadmium . All mammalian forms studied are single chains with 20 cysteinyl residues among a total of 61 amino acid residues and highly characteristic amino acid sequences . Their most conspicuous common features are seven -Cys-X-Cys- sequences where X stands for an alphatic residue other than Cys . Together with additional cysteinyl residues located elsewhere in the chain and brought into juxtaposition by appropriate chain folding, these dithiol sequences are believed to form the basis of the trithiolate chelating structures typical of most of the six or seven metal-binding sites of the mammalian cadium- and/or zinc-containing metallothioneins . The positions of the cysteinyl residues are preserved in evolution: the copper-containing metallothionein from Neurospora crassa, containing only 25 amino acid residues, has a distribution of metal-binding cysteinyl residues identical to that of the N-terminal portion of the mammalian chains . The detailed physiological role of metallothionein remains to be clarified but its biosynthesis is known to be modulated by nutritional and endocrine factors . Recent evidence suggests that metallothionein is a critical determinant in the homeostasis of zinc.

Mikrobiologiia, 1979 Jan-Feb, 48(1), 118 - 24
{Comparative characteristics of the numbers of microorganisms in soils and their basement sedimentary rocks}; Zviagintsev DG et al.; Comparative studies on the quantitative composition of microorganisms in soils and basement sedimentary rocks have shown that the latter are rich in microorganisms . The number of microorganisms in basement grounds changes with time, thus indicating their activity . The qualitative composition is poor . At the same time, the total quantity of microorganisms in basement layers is equal to that in soil . Basement layers contain 10 times more microorganisms than eutrophic water reservoirs and 1000 times more than oligotrophic water reservoirs.

Mikrobiologiia, 1979 Jan-Feb, 48(1), 53 - 6
{Effect of emulsifiers on the hydrolysis of solid fats by microorganism lipases}; Lobyreva LB et al.; The object of this work was to select emulsifiers and techniques for preparing emulsions of triglycerides of saturated fatty acids . It was found that not only the degree of dispersity of an emulsion influenced the activity of lipase with respect to a lipid being emulsified, but also the nature of an emulsifier affected hydrolysis of solid fats by microbial lipases.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 Jan, 37(1), 85 - 90
High-resolution gas chromatographic profiles of volatile organic compounds produced by microorganisms at refrigerated temperatures; Lee ML et al.; Three different strains of bacteria isolated from spoiled, uncooked chicken were grown in pure culture on Trypticase soy agar supplemented with yeast extract . The volatile organic compounds produced by each culture were concentrated on a porous polymer precolumn and analyzed by high-resolution gas chromatographic mass spectrometry . Twenty different compounds were identified . Both qualitative and quantitative differences in the chromatographic profiles from each culture were found.

Adv Exp Med Biol, 1979, 118, 153 - 74
Use of recombinant DNA technology for the production of polypeptides; Miller WL; DNA sequences corresponding to specific genes may be prepared by chemical synthesis, isolation of naturally occurring DNA, or reverse transcription . Such DNA may then be inserted into vectors such as plasmids or bacteriophages which carry the DNA into bacterial cells . Although significant differences exist in the basic molecular biology of eucaryotic and procaryotic organisms, these differences do not constitute absolute barriers to the expression of eucaryotic genes in bacteria . Several eucaryotic proteins, including insulin, growth hormone, ovalbumin, dihydrofolate reductase and somatostatin have been produced in bacteria . The use of chimeric microorganisms harboring recombinant DNA offers a completely new approach to the production of biologically useful polypeptides.

Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1979, 19(10), 727 - 30
{Steroid-transforming enzymes from microorganisms . XI . Reversibility of the dehydrogenation reaction of the steroid-1-dehydrogenase from Nocardia opaca}; Groh H et al.; Highly purified preparations of the 4-en-3-oxosteroid: (acceptor)-1-en-oxidoreductase from Nocardia opaca have been investigated in both types of reactions: 1.2-dehydrogenation of the 4-en-3-oxo-derivative and 1.2-hydrogenation of the 1.4-dien-3-oxo-derivative . It was not possible to separate the hydrogenating activity from the dehydrogenating activity by affinity chromatography, disc electrophoresis, SDS-electrophoresis, and isoelectric focusing techniques . The pure enzyme preparation is discussed as only one FAD depending protein acting in response to the system as a dehydrogenase as well as a reductase.

Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1979, 19(5), 315 - 8
{Steroid-transforming enzymes from microorganisms . IX . Affinity chromatographic preparation and studies of the apoenzyme from a 4-en-3-oxosteroid: (acceptor)-1-en-oxidoreductase from Nocardia opaca}; Atrat P et al.; From the flavoenzyme, 4-en-3-oxosteroid: (acceptor)-1-en-oxidoreductase of Nocardia opaca, prosthetic group and apoenzyme were separated quantitatively by means of affinity chromatography in the presence of 2 M (NH4)2 at pH 3.0 . Subsequently the apoenzyme was eluted from affinity matrix by 0.01 M phosphate buffer, pH 8.0, whereas under these conditions the intact enzyme could not be eluted . The whole enzyme activity applied could be restored by incubation of the eluted apoenzyme with FAD . The binding strength of the apoenzyme to the immobilized steroid ligand is highly decreased in comparison to the native enzyme and can be interpreted by the action of rest hydrophobicity . That indicates the essential character of FAD for both ligand binding and transformation.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1979, 24(4), 328 - 33
Growth of Aureobasidium pullulans on waste water hemicelluloses; Biely P et al.; Strain Aureobasidium pullulans capable of utilizing hemicelluloses and xylan was cultivated on processed waste dialysis liquor from the production of viscose fibres, containing about 1.5% hemocelluloses . Basic conditions of biomass production were tested on a laboratory scale . The dialysis waste liquor adjusted with mineral acids to pH 4--5 and supplemented with 0.05% yeast autolyzate and 0.2% ammonium sulphate affords protein yields of about 0.8 g/l, corresponding to 4.0--4.5 g dry biomass . Biomass is isolated together with residual water-insoluble hemicelluloses which are not utilized by the microorganism . The total utilization of hemicelluloses attains about 70%.

Am Surg, 1978 Dec, 44(12), 761 - 4
Effect of limiting post-shock pulmonary edema on mortality from bacterial pneumonia; Voyles CR et al.; Dogs were subjected to hemorrhagic shock and then resuscitated according to physiological parameters . Randomly selected dogs received a sublethal dose of intratracheal microorganisms . In comparing the results with those previously reported from our laboratory, in which animals received an 85% greater resuscitation of Ringer's lactate, it appears that pulmonary edema in the post-shock contaminated state can be limited . Furthermore, through minimization of pulmonary edema, pulmonary defenses appear to be improved and mortality from infection reduced.

Infect Immun, 1978 Dec, 22(3), 945 - 55
Bactericidal capacity of phorbol myristate acetate-treated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes; Wang-Iverson P et al.; Thus far, the functional capacity of phorbol myristate acetate- (PMA)-treated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes has been undefined . PMA induced exocytosis of lactoferrin, the specific granule marker, but not of myeloperoxidase, the azurophil granule marker . This phenomenon was demonstrated both biochemically and with fluorescent antibody conjugates . PMA-treated neutrophils contained virtually no specific granules when viewed by electron microscopy . Separation of the granule classes by linear sucrose density gradient centrifugation revealed the loss, from PMA-treated neutrophils, of lactoferrin and the specific granule (D20(20) = 1.89) band usually resolved from normal neutrophils . Cells treated with PMA appeared to retain those functions normally associated with intraleukocytic microbicidal action . The hexose monophosphate shunt activated by phagocytic challenge was present in PMA-treated neutrophils . As demonstrated by electron microscopy, the azurophil granules of these cells appeared intact, and they retained the capacity for degranulation with translocation of myeloperoxidase to the site of phagocytized Escherichia coli . The PMA-treated neutrophils also remained capable of degrading the ingested microorganisms . PMA-treated neutrophils exhibited a decrease in phagocytic ability at all levels of bacterial challenge . In the presence of a high multiplicity of bacteria they demonstrated an impairment in killing . These same cells were able to kill low multiplicities of E . coli as well as control cells . It thus appeared that the loss of the specific granules, plus other undefined PMA-induced alterations, impaired neither the viability of these neutrophils nor their killing ability in the presence of a modest phagocytic challenge.

J Cell Sci, 1978 Dec, 34, 247 - 78
Nuclear volume control by nucleoskeletal DNA, selection for cell volume and cell growth rate, and the solution of the DNA C-value paradox; Cavalier-Smith T; The 40,000-fold variation in eukaryote haploid DNA content is unrelated to organismic complexity or to the numbers of protein-coding genes . In eukaryote microorganisms, as well as in animals and plants, DNA content is strongly correlated with cell volume and nuclear volume, and with cell cycle length and minimum generation time . These correlations are simply explained by postulating that DNA has 2 major functions unrelated to its protein-coding capacity: (1) the control of cell volume by the number of replicon origins, and (2) the determination of nuclear volume by the overall bulk of the DNA: cell growth rates are determined by the cell volume and by the area of the nuclear envelope available for nucleocytoplasmic transport of RNA, which in turn depends on the nuclear volume and therefore on the DNA content . During evolution nuclear volume, and therefore DNA content, has to be adjusted to the cell volume to allow reasonable growth rates . The great diversity of cell volumes and growth rates, and therefore of DNA contents, among eukaryotes results from a varying balance in different species between r-selection, which favours small cells and rapid growth rates and therefore low DNA C-values, and K-selection which favours large cells and slow growth rates and therefore high DNA C-values . In multicellular organisms cell size needs to vary in different tissues: size differences between somatic cells result from polyteny, endopolyploidy, or the synthesis of nucleoskeletal RNA . Conflict between the need for large ova and small somatic cells explains why lampbrush chromosomes, nurse cells, chromatin diminution and chromosome elimination evolved . Similar evolutionary considerations clarify the nature of polygenes, the significance of the distribution of haploidy, diploidy and dikaryosis in life cycles and of double fertilization in angiosperms, and of heteroploidy despite DNA constancy in cultured cells, and other puzzles in eukaryote chromosome biology . Eukaryote DNA can be divided into genic DNA (G-DNA), which codes for proteins (or serves as recognition sites for proteins involved in transcription, replication and recombination), and nucleoskeletal DNA (S-DNA) which exists only because of its nucleoskeletal role in determining the nuclear volume (which it shares with G-DNA, and performs not only directly, but also indirectly by coding for nucleoskeletal RNA) . Mechanistic and evolutionary implications of this are discussed.

Environ Health Perspect, 1978 Dec, 27, 295 - 308
Transport and transportation pathways of hazardous chemicals from solid waste disposal; Van Hook RI; To evaluate the impact of hazardous chemicals in solid wastes on man and other organisms, it is necessary to have information about amounts of chemical present, extent of exposure, and chemical toxicity . This paper addresses the question of organism exposure by considering the major physical and biological transport pathways and the physicochemical and biochemical transformations that may occur in sediments, soils, and water . Disposal of solid wastes in both terrestrial and oceanic environments is considered . Atmospheric transport is considered for emissions from incineration of solid wastes and for wind resuspension of particulates from surface waste deposits . Solid wastes deposited in terrestrial environments are subject to leaching by surface and ground waters . Leachates may then be transported to other surface waters and drinking water aquifers through hydrologic transport . Leachates also interact with natural organic matter, clays, and microorganisms in soils and sediments . These interactions may render chemical constituents in leachates more or less mobile, possibly change chemical and physical forms, and alter their biological activity . Oceanic waste disposal practices result in migration through diffusion and ocean currents . Surface area-to-volume ratios play a major role in the initial distributions of chemicals in the aquatic environment . Sediments serve as major sources and sinks of chemical contaminants . Food chain transport in both aquatic and terrestrial environments results in the movement of hazardous chemicals from lower to higher positions in the food web . Bioconcentration is observed in both terrestrial and aquatic food chains with certain elements and synthetic organics . Bioconcentration factors tend to be higher for synthetic organics, and higher in aquatic than in terrestrial systems . Biodilution is not atypical in terrestrial environments . Synergistic and antagonistic actions are common occurrences among chemical contaminants and can be particularly important toxicity considerations in aquatic environments receiving runoff from several terrestrial sources.

Rhinology, 1978 Dec, 16(4), 215 - 23
Acid mucopolysaccharide layer of the surface nasal epithelium; Watanabe K et al.; In the anterior tip of the inferior turbinate, the epithelium has microvilli which are covered by a mucopolysaccharide layer . This layer is about 0.8 mu in depth, well stained by ruthenium red and with a high density . The spaces between these microvilli are filled with this dense layer; therefore the movement of microvilli are suppressed, but this layer is a strong defensive line against ambient air . It is known that most inhaled particles are deposited in the anterior nares . So virus, microorganisms and antigens etc . will easily penetrate the epithelium if this layer becomes thin . Two centimeters behind the anterior tip where the epithelium is ciliated, the mucous layer over the cilia is less stained by ruthenium red and has a lower density than the anterior tip . This layer does not insert itself between the cilia . The fine filamentous mucopolysaccharide which seems flexible binds the cilias and the mucous layer . While the beat of cilia is not suppressed the inhaled particles cannot insert between cilia . In conclusion, the deep mucopolysaccharide layer over the anterior tip of the inferior turbinate and ciliary beat are important defensive mechanisms against the trauma of the ambient air.

Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1978 Nov-Dec, 129 B(4), 621 - 33
{Experimental infection of an invertebrate cell line with a mollicute-like procaryote inducing the "lethargy of coleoptera" (author's transl)}; Louis C et al.; In vitro multiplication of a pathogenic intravacuolar mollicute-like procaryote from Melolontha melolontha L . was experimentally obtained in an insect cell line . The elongated and pleomorphic forms observed in the insect-host are reproduced in cell cultures . A third peculiar giant form is missing, showing that it does not play any role in the multiplication of the germ . The intrinsic potentialities of the germ are maintained during the successive passages, as proved by reinfection of the insect and by immunology . The original syndrome including the giant form is reproduced in the insect . The immunserum prepared from the wild germ isolated by density gradient is positive with the in vitro mollicute . The germs are intravacuolar, both in the cultured cells and in the insect host . Clearly the microorganism multiplies within the vacuoles . A cytopathogenic effect is noticed in the cultured cells overcrowed with germs . The germs become extracellular when they are released in the culture medium by disaggregation of the cell membranes . It seems that this work shows the first model of an intravacuolar mollicute-like procaryote experimentally multiplied in cultivated cells.

Mikrobiologiia, 1978 Nov-Dec, 47(6), 1086 - 90
{Determination of carbon dioxide released from soil at different humidities}; Imshenetskii AA et al.; The detection of soil microorganisms by their evolution of carbon dioxide does not always correlate with the number of microorganisms and the rate of biochemical processes in soil . New microbial populations appear in the incubation chamber as the concentration of carbon dioxide increases; this results in an increase in the activity of such processes as photosynthesis, chemosynthesis and heterotrophic assimilation of carbon dioxide . Life detection on other planets by determining carbon dioxide evolved from the ground may lead to erroneous conclusions on the presence of microorganism in the ground.

Mikrobiologiia, 1978 Nov-Dec, 47(6), 1073 - 80
{Population composition of Actinomyces tumemacerans and Actinomyces albus var . fungatus}; Kuznetsov VD et al.; The population analysis of Actinomyces tumemacerans and Actinomyces albus var . fungatus has revealed identical homologous series of spontaneous variants, this suggesting the genetical relationship of the cultures . Variants of the same type (basic, oligosporous, asporogenous and proactinomycete-like) are identical not only according to their individual properties (Kuznetsov, 1973) but also in total characteristics typical of the variants of a given species . Populations of the studied cultures comprise variants synthesizing several antibiotics, i.e . albofungin, albonursin and tetraene (basic and oligosporous variants), albofungin and tetraene (asprogenous green variants), as well as variants producing only one tetraene antibiotic (proactinomycete-like variants) . Therefore, the population analysis based on the law of homologous series in hereditary variability of actinomycetes can be used as a new approach to the taxonomy of these microorganisms.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Nov, 242(1), 63 - 70
Histoautoradiographic studies on the fate of 3H-thymidine labelled L-forms of E . rhusiopathiae in albino mice; Anastassova-Kristeva M et al.; L-forms of Erysipelotrix rhusiopathiae labelled with 3H-thymidine were intravenously administered to albino mice . Autoradiographic studies of the liver, kidney and spleen were undertaken at periods ranging from 2 minutes to 15 days . On the second minute following the administration of the radioactive material whole labelled microorganisms and chains of silver grains were recovered in the examined organs . Up to the 15th minute labels were observed also in the cells of the RES . Following the 30th minute the silver grains were positioned at a characteristic site in the Golgi region of the hepatocytes . At the same time in the kidney they were localized in the glomerular space and in the lumen of the renal tubules, whereas in the spleen - mainly around the megakaryocytes . By the 15th day labelling gradually diminished, single silver grains being found over some nuclei of megakaryocytes, liver and kidney parenchymal cells . The present study throws light over some aspects of the interrelationship between the micro- and macroorganism concerning the mechanisms of desintegration, elimination and the uptaking of labelled microbial DNA.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1978 Nov, 36(5), 668 - 72
Phosphorus-containing pesticide breakdown products: quantitative utilization as phosphorus sources by bacteria; Cook AM et al.; Bacteria were isolated that could utilize representatives of the following ionic phosphorus-containing breakdown products of organophosphorus pesticides as sole phosphorus sources: dialkyl phosphates, dialkyl phosphorothioates, dialkyl phosphorodithioates, alkyl arylphosphonates, alkyl arylphosphonothioates, and alkyl alkylphosphonates . Utilization of each organophosphorus compound, which was complete for 7 of 12 compounds studied, was confirmed by determination of protein yield from the amount of phosphorus source consumed . This is the first report of the utilization of an ionic dialkyl thiophosphate or dithiophosphate by microorganisms.

Laryngoscope, 1978 Nov, 88(11), 1861 - 3
Altered bacterial flora and clinical course with intraoral cancer; Rice DH et al.; Nineteen consecutive patients with intraoral cancer were cultured and tested for cell-mediated immunity . They were then treated and followed for three years . The recurrence rate for those patients with normal flora was similar to that reported for dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) reactors; and the recurrence rate for those patients with abnormal microorganisms was similar to that reported for DNCB non-reactors.

Aust Vet J, 1978 Nov, 54(11), 517 - 20
The changes in protein concentration and bacteria of fleece and skin during the development of fleece-rot and body strike in sheep; Merritt GC et al.; The sequence of events in the development of fleece-rot and body strike in sheep is described . When sheep were wetted by rain, vast increases in the numbers on microorganisms on the fleece and skin surface occured . Frequently, only one bacterial genus, Pseudomonas, proliferated and produced a bacteriostat to inhibit the growth of other resident flora . The development of fleece-rot lesions was characterised by a sudden substantial increase od soluble protein, presumably plasma protein, onto the skin surface . Pseudomonas spp proliferated on the skin surface and frequently produced extracellular, green pigment . First instar blowfly larvae were observed subsequently in such lesions.

J Periodontol, 1978 Nov, 49(11), 580 - 4
The temperature of the gingival sulci; Mukherjee S; The interproximal sulcular temperatures of the central, cuspid and the first molar regions of both jaws of 28 adults were recorded with a thermistor probe . The mean sulcular temperatures were 1.80 to 2.90 degrees C lower than the mean sublingual temperature . In both jaws the lowest temperature was recorded in the anterior region and the highest in the molar region . The temperature increased from the anterior to the posterior region on both buccal and lingual sides of both arches . The sulcular temperatures of the lower arches were higher than those of the upper arches . Further, analyses of the data of each individual subject showed interesting differences between the male and the female subjects . This work suggests that studies on dental plaque and on the growth and metabolism of microorganisms of the gingival sulci should consider the lower temperature of the gingival sulci and the regional temperature differences within the oral cavity.

Steroids, 1978 Nov, 32(4), 519 - 27
Improved synthesis of 16alpha-hydroxylated androgens: intermediates of estriol formation in pregnancy; Numazawa M et al.; 16alpha-Hydroxyandrostenedione (16alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione), 16alpha-hydroxytestosterone (16alpha,17beta-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one) and 16alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone 3-sulfate (3beta, 16alpha-dihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one 3-monosulfate) were synthesized by a new chemical approach with much improved yield . 16alpha-Bromoandrostendione was converted to the hydrazone of 16alpha-hydroxyandrostenedione which gave 16alpha-hydroxyandrostenedione on acid hydrolysis in total 63% yield . Oxidation of 16alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone with Jones' reagent also selectively afforded 16alpha-hydroxyandrostenedione . 16alpha-Hydroxytestosterone was observed by selective reduction of 16alpha-hydroxyandrostenedione with sodium borohydride . Reaction of 16alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone with chlorosulfonic acid in pyridine selectively gave the 3-monosulfate . The structure of the sulfate was deduced from its solvolysis to the starting material, and its acetylation and subsequent solvolysis to 16alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone 16-acetate . All procedures are suitable for large scale synthesis without the use of microorganisms.

Mikrobiologiia, 1978 Nov-Dec, 47(6), 1063 - 72
{Nomenclature of obligate methylotrophs}; Romanovskaia VA; The nomenclature of obligate methylotrophs, i . e . bacteria using only reduced monocarbon compounds (methane, methanol, methylamines) as a carbon source, is dicussed . The chronology of naming taxons of methane oxidizing bacteria is presented and the rightfulness of their names is analyzed according to the rules of the International Codex of Bacterial Nomenclature . Such names as Methylomonas and others which are employed while describing various physiological groups of bacteria are used in the nomenclature of obligate methylotrophs, and this may be the source of errors . Therefore, only the genus of methane oxidizing bacteria should be referred to as Methylomonas whereas obligate methanol and methylamine assimilating bacteria should be classed as individual genera . The described species of methane oxidizing bacteria can be included into the genera Methylomonas, Methylococcus, Methylosinus, and Methylocystis . One should avoid such names as Methanomonas margaritae, Methanomonas immobilis, Pseudomonas methanica etc . since they do not possess the nomenclature status . All bacteria that depend obligatorily on the presence of reduced C1-compounds should be included into the family Methylomonadaceae . The taxonomy and nomenclature of facultative methylotrophs must be based on principles accepted for other organotrophic microorganisms as it has been suggested at the II International Symposium on the Growth of Microorganisms on C1-compounds (Pushchino, USSR, 1977).

Mikrobiologiia, 1978 Nov-Dec, 47(6), 1091 - 6
{Luminescent-microscopic study of soil microorganisms}; Zviagintsev DG et al.; Soil microorganisms can be quantitatively assayed by means of a technique which makes use of staining preparations on slides with acridine orange . When bacterial cells were counted daily in humus-gleisolic soil, their number did not depend on time if the soil was incubated for five days . Mixed soil samples corresponding to the same time of incubation differed reliably in the bacterial number . The paper presents a scheme for determining the necessary number of samples, preparations, and fields of vision when the number of bacteria is being estimated . It is expedient to take 7 samples from a soil mixture, to make 2 preparations out of each sample, and to count bacteria in 5 fields of vision for each preparation.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1978 Nov-Dec, 14(6), 849 - 57
{Conditions of exolipase biosynthesis by the fungus Oospora fragrans}; Ruban EL et al.; The fungal strain Oospora fragrans isolated from sunflower seeds had a high lipase activity, especially on the media containing soybean flour and various oils . The fungal lipase showed inductive characteristics, the best inducers being olive and soybean oils . The biosynthesis of lipase from O . fragrans occurred at the optimal temperature of 26-30 degrees C and strong aeration . Maximun of lipolytic activity did not coincide with maximum accumulation of biomass and developed at the log-phase of the fungal growth . With age the lipid content in the mycelium increased in parallel with the biomass accumulation . Mycelial lipids of O . fragrans contained nine fractions, among which fatty acids and triglycerides were in predominance . The study of properties of O . fragrans lipase showed a high pH value and thermal stability, the capacity to function at low temperatures, and activity towards many substrates . The enzyme readily hydrolyzed not only natural vegetable (olive, linseed and mustard) oils but also oils of microorganisms grown on petroleum hydrocarbons.

Nature, 1978 Oct 26, 275(5682), 715 - 9
A suppressor mutation in the nematode acting on specific alleles of many genes; Waterston RH et al.; A suppressor mutation has been isolated in Caenorhabditis elegans through reversion analysis of a muscle-defective mutant . The suppressor mutation acts on specific alleles of at least six genes and in one case we have been able to show that it partially restores functional gene product to a mutant otherwise lacking that product . These and other features of the suppressor suggest that it acts at some step in information transfer, perhaps through mechanisms similar to those described previously in microorganisms.

Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1978 Oct 14, 108(41), 1577 - 9
Congenital and acquired defects of neutrophil granulocytes; Stossel TP; It is now clear that deficiences of the production rate or function of neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes can predispose to recurrent pyogenic infections . Well defined examples of such deficiences include congenital and acquired neutropenias, a dysfunction of neutrophil locomotion and a disorder of neutrophil oxygen metabolism, chronic granulomatous disease, in which affected neutrophils fail to kill catalase-positive microorganisms . The study of congenital and acquired defects of neutrophils has contributed greatly to understanding of normal neutrophil function . This understanding is beginning to permit investigators to exert a "molecular attack" on the difficult problems of neutrophil transfusion and preservation.

Can J Microbiol, 1978 Oct, 24(10), 1145 - 52
Interaction of atrazine with soil microorganisms: population changes and accumulation; Percich JA et al.; A loam soil treated with atrazine at rates of 10, 30, and 100 microgram/g soil resulted in increased populations of actinomycetes, bacteria, and fungi over those in non-treated soil . The increases were in proportion to the amount of atrazine and persisted for at least 2 months . Living actinomycete amd fungal mycelia were incubated for 48 h in distilled water, nutrient broth, or soil containing 5 microgram/ml (g) of the herbicide . Actinomycete and fungal mycelia accumulated atrazine from water to concentrations up to 87-fold and 132-fold, respectively, over that in the ambient medium . The maximum accumulation from soil by actinomycete mycelia was 26-fold and by fungal mycelia 13-fold . Fungi accumulated little or no atrazine from a nutrient medium whereas actinomycetes accumulated up to 13-fold . Dead mycelia usually did not accumulate atrazine in excess of the ambient concentration . Mycelium of Sclerotium rolfsii growing in a nutrient medium containing 20 microgram atrazine/ml accumulated 157 microgram/g wet weight after 8 days . Sclerotia subsequently produced after transfer of similar mats to soil contained 550 microgram/g wet weight.

Antibiotiki, 1978 Oct, 23(10), 879 - 82
{Use of the "Steritest" apparatus for testing the sterility of antibiotic preparations}; Shilova SV et al.; The efficiency of determining microbial contamination of artificially infected preparations of 8 antibiotics in ampoules and bottles and erythromycin eye ointment with the use of apparatus "Steritest" and "Millipore" was compared . It was found that "Steritest" had a number of advantages as compared to "Millipore" because of elimination of operations for preparing the apparatus for the assay, which prevented contamination of the apparatus with microorganisms from the environment . The time required for the assay with the use of "Steritest" was 2 times shorter and the amount of the tioglycol medium was 2 times lower.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Oct, 241(4), 525 - 35
{Radioimmunological differentiation of yeasts (author's transl)}; Tripatzis I; A microtiter solid phase radioimmunoassay is described for the differentiation or microorganisms by using six species of yeasts as a model . Rabbits were immunized with homogenized cells of the yeasts . The rabbit sera obtained were absorbed to homologous cells and after elution, the antibodies so obtained were labeled with 125I . Cross-reacting antibodies were eliminated by absorption to the corresponding yeast cells (table 1) . With this radioimmunoassay it was possible to identify 51 out of 52 strains of C . albicans, C . tropicalis, C . pseudotropicalis, C . krusei, Torulopsis glabrata and Geotrichum candidum (table 2), whereas only 30 out of 52 strains could be differentiated by the conventional agglutination procedure (table 3) . In the radioimmunoassay four immunoglobulin preparations directed against C . tropicalis, C . krusei, Torulopsis glabrata and Geotrichum candidum reacted only with the corresponding species . The immunoglobulin preparation directed against C . albicans reacted both with C . albicans and C . tropicalis and the preparation directed against C . pseudotropicalis reacted with C . pseudotropicalis and C . krusei (fig . 1) . None of 60 isolates of 10 species of bacteria cross-reacted with the six yeast antisera, when tested in the radioimmunoassay.

Infect Immun, 1978 Oct, 22(1), 22 - 8
Radiolabeling of Treponema pallidum (Nichols virulent strain) in vitro with precursors for protein and RNA biosynthesis; Sandok PL et al.; We observed uptake of {U-14C}serine, U-14C-labeled amino acid hydrolysates, and {2-14C}uracil by virulent Treponema pallidum in vitro for at least 96 h . No uptake of {2-14C}thymine, {1-14C}pyruvate, {U-14C}pyruvate, and {2-14C}uridine was detected . Treponemal protein and RNA biosynthetic activity was identified by erythromycin inhibition of amino acid and uracil uptake . Radioactivity due to uptake of radiolabeled amino acids by residual testicular cells in the cultures remained at background levels regardless of the presence or absence of cycloheximide . Accumulation of the radiolabeled substrates by T . pallidum proceeded at a linear rate for 48 to 96 h during incubation in vitro . The longevity of substrate uptake using the system of incubation described will facilitate future studies on the metabolism of the microorganism to help determine essential growth factors and environmental conditions for multiplication of T . pallidum in vitro.

Can J Microbiol, 1978 Oct, 24(10), 1272 - 5
Use of fluorochromes for direct observation of microorganisms associated with wheat roots; van Vuurde JW et al.; The use of several fluorochromes and staining methods was tried out for observation of microorganisms on the surface of wheat roots sampled from soil . Good contrast between fluorescence of microorganisms and fluorescence of root and soil structures was obtained after successive staining of roots with coriphosphine (1:2000, 15 min), congo red (1:10 000, 10 min), and acridine-orange (1:10 000, 2 min).

Can J Microbiol, 1978 Oct, 24(10), 1262 - 71
A method for the detection and analysis of growth patterns of microorganisms in soil; Polonenko DR et al.; A fluorescence-staining technique using the magnesium salt of 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid is described and used to follow the changes in the distribution patterns of microorganisms in soils . A statistical procedure was used to determine the occurrence of significant differences in clumping of bacteria (i.e., production of colonies) in different regions of artificial soil-aggregate systems treated with nutrient solutions and also with a herbicide, Linuron . The response of soil microorganisms to glucose amendment was most marked in the aerobic, outer zone of aggregates . Linuron inhibited colony formation in aggregates treated with the herbicide . The method allows continued observations to be made on the same soil sample at intervals during incubation and os can be used to determine growth rates, inhibitory effects of chemicals, distribution patterns in soils, effects of added nutrients, and other effects where growth in situ is important.

J Dairy Sci, 1978 Oct, 61(10), 1444 - 9
Effect of orally administered duodenal fluid on serum proteins in neonatal calves; James RE et al.; This study was to determine if orally administered duodenal fluid, as a source of intestinal microorganisms, would influence absorption of gamma-globulin of colostrum in newborn calves . Duodenal fluid was obtained 2 h postfeeding from a cannulated milk-fed calf . Twenty-seven male and female Holstein calves obtained within 6 h of birth were assigned randomly to one of three treatments: 1) colostrum alone, 2) 200 ml duodenal fluid immediately followed by colostrum, and 3) 200 ml duodenal fluid followed 3 h later by colostrum . Pooled colostrum was fed at 10% of body weight in two daily feedings . Total protein, albumin, alpha-globulin, beta-globulin, and gamma-globulin of blood serum were determined prior to colostrum consumption, and again 24 and 48 h after administration of duodenal fluid . Total proteins, beta-globulin, and gamma-globulin of serum increased with age in all calves . Inocula interference with absorption was indicated by depressed values of serum in calves of treatment 3 as compared to treatment 1 calves for protein (5.28 to 6.28 g/dl), beta-globulin (.67 to .87 g/dl), and gamma-globulin (.76 to 1.33 g/dl) . Protein was also lower in calves of treatment 3 (6.05 g/dl) compared to uninoculated calves (6.28 g/dl) . Malabsorption of colostral proteins may be related to early establishment of large numbers of intestinal microorganisms in the newborn calf.

Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1978 Sep 29, 298, 177 - 89
Environmental significance of fin erosion in southern California demersal fishes; Sherwood MJ et al.; The Dover sole was the species most often affected with eroded fins . Prevalence of the disease was highest on the Palos Verdes shelf, the site of a major municipal waste water discharge . Fin lesions in this species were characterized by a minimal inflammatory response and by the absence of associated microorganisms . The fins most frequently affected were those most often in contact with bottom sediments . Diseased specimens from the shelf had higher levels of total DDT and a tendency toward higher levels of total PCB in muscle tissue and a greater liver to body weight ratio than did unaffected specimens from the same area . Laboratory exposure of M . pacificus to contaminated sediments from the shelf resulted in the development of fin erosion . Chlorinated hydrocarbon levels and liver weight to body weight ratios in the exposed fish approached those measured in fish from the shelf . These studies suggest that fin erosion in M . pacificus is caused by exposure to contaminated sediments and that the role of chlorinated hydrocarbons should be tested directly in future experiments.

Arch Dermatol Res, 1978 Sep 28, 263(1), 105 - 14
{Restriction of washing and its effect to the normal human skin flora . Quantitative and qualitative investigations of the aerobic skin flora (author's transl)}; Hartmann AA; The behaviour of the aerobic skin flora of the flexor sides of the forearms, under a three-week restriction of washing, was investigated in twenty-four patients for its quantitative and qualitative aspects . The combined scrabbing-washing method was used as described by Burtenshaw with Ringer's solution . After a three-week restriction of washing, using the Wilcoxon Test, statistically no significant changes in the total number of microorganisms were found in areas investigated in the intermittent sampling of the skin flora . A three-week restriction of washing in the region of the flexor sides of the forearms does not induce significant changes in the composition of the normal aerobic skin flora . The percentage of differences in the total number of bacteria fluctuates up to the mark in wide limits; statements about standard deviations are not permitted because of the technical and experimental conditions . There was no shifting of the Resident flora to other groups of bacteria in the patients under study . Pathogenic microorganisms could not be found in higher numbers after the second sampling.

Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1978 Sep 23, 108(38), 1449 - 60
{Immunosuppression as a concomitant effect}; Floersheim GL; 1 . It is becoming increasingly clear that besides traditional immunosuppressive agents, an array of miscellaneous influences and conditions, as well as drugs used for other purposes, can affect the immune system . The potential pathogenetic role of immunity in an ever growing number of diseases, including infections, cancer, and autoimmune processes, confers on the concept of concomitant immunosuppression or immunotoxicology its due place in the discipline of immunopharmacology . 2 . Microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoa (and their products), as well as parasites, may depress immune reactivity . The mechanism of action, dose-response dependency, effect of timing, and relation to bacterial adjuvanticity need more thorough exploration . 3 . The efficacy of immunosuppressive drug protocols can be improved by combining immunosuppressants without bone marrow toxicity, such as niridazole or free fatty acids, with the standard antiproliferative immunosuppressive agents . 4 . Prostaglandin is a likely candidate for an essential role as an immunosuppressive effector . Its release from T-suppressor cells is triggered for example by microorganisms . Moreover, dietetic and metabolic factors, such as free fatty acids, and nervous impulses affect prostaglandin formation . If thus constitutes a link between the nervous system and, on the other hand, immunity and possibly cancer.

Lancet, 1978 Sep 9, 2(8089), 543 - 7
In-vitro lymphoproliferative response to Mycobacterium leprae of HLA-D-identical siblings of lepromatous leprosy patients; Stoner GL et al.; Lymphoproliferative responses to Mycobacterium leprae and P.P.D . were measured in 23 lepromatous and borderline lepromatous leprosy patients and in 27 of their normal siblings . At the same time siblings HLA-D-identical with the patients were identified by the absence of a mixed-lymphocyte reaction . The 7 siblings who were HLA-identical to lepromatous patients responded as well to M . leprae as did the 20 HLA-non-identical normal siblings . In contrast, 22 of the 23 lepromatous patients failed to respond to M . leprae but responded normally to P.P.D . The specific unresponsiveness of lepromatous patients thus does not result from an HLA-linked genetic defect and the defective cell-mediated immune response to M . leprae seems to be acquired, not inherited . Lepromatous patients may be high responders to antigens shared by M . leprae and other microorganisms in whom a strong antibody response has blocked the induction of an M . leprae-specific-cell-mediated immune response.

Res Vet Sci, 1978 Sep, 25(2), 152 - 6
Is Mukherjeella caprae Bandaranayake and Neitz, 1961 (Rickettsiales) a microorganism?
Uilenberg G, van Vorstenbosch CJ, Perie.
Longitudinal structures in red cells in Giemsa-stained blood smears of goats in the Netherlands were in distinguishable from what has been described as Mukherjeella caprae Bandaranayake and Neitz, 1961 (Rickettsiales) . Electron microscopic studies and animal experiments showed, however, that these structures are not parasitic in nature, but are fibres consisting of bundles of microfilaments embedded in the erythrocytic cytoplasm, apparently identical with the longitudinal fibres in goat erythrocytes which are considered to be a haemoglobin abnormality . The condition appears to be genetic . M caprae should be considered as a nomen dubium.

J Biomed Mater Res, 1978 Sep, 12(5), 679 - 700
Antibiotics in acrylic bone cement . In vitro studies; Welch A; The effect of combining gentamicin and cephalothin with Surgical Simplex bone cement was tested in vitro . Experiments were designed to determine (1) quantitative elution rates and period of time the antibiotics were eluted and (2) effective bactericidal qualities . Both antibiotics were eluted from polymerized acrylic cement in large quantities within 24--48 hr after coming in contact with fluid and continued to be released in smaller amounts for 21 days to more than 175 days . This varied with the antibiotic, concentration of antibiotic in the cement, surface area of cement, and volume of elution fluid . Quantitative determinations of numbers of bacteria in broth cultures demonstrated that sufficient quantities of antibiotics were released to be bactericidal to microorganisms within 45 min to 20 hr . This was dependent on the type of antibiotic, type of bacteria, concentration of antibiotic in the cement, and time of contact.

Anaesthesist, 1978 Sep, 27(9), 439 - 42
Bacterial contamination of telephones in an intensive care unit; Cozanitis DA et al.; Pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria were found on telephones of an intensive care unit . Direct contamination by microorganisms from throats, hands, and noses of the staff members is real although airborne contamination would also play a role . The awareness of environmental risk in intensive care units is underlined.

Can J Microbiol, 1978 Sep, 24(9), 1097 - 8
Use of a single infusion bottle to culture and prepare potentially hazardous microorganisms for biochemical analysis; Weijman AC; A procedure is described to culture, harvest, kill, wash, freeze-dry, and store microorganisms for biochemical analysis . This method using a single infusion bottle is far less laborious than conventional procedures and reduces the risk of contamination.

Radiologe, 1978 Sep, 18(9), 330 - 6
{Inflammatory pulmonary lesions: resolutions and residuals (author's transl)}; St Stender H et al.; There are different patterns of development and resolution of inflammatory alveolar and interstitial pulmonary lesions . Delayed resolution of peripheral pneumonia results in lung shrinkage mainly towards the mediastinum and the apices with distortion and atypical distribution of pulmonary vasculature and compensatory hyperinflation . Resolution in perivascular and peribronchial parts is often delayed and results in scarring . Interstitial pneumonia may result directly in pulmonary fibrosis with loss of volume and honeycombing . With varying microorganisms and varying immunity chronic and atypical courses are observed more frequently.

J Am Dent Assoc, 1978 Sep, 97(3), 455 - 62
The viability of microorganisms in carious lesions five years after covering with a fissure sealant; Going RE et al.; Carious lesions that were covered with a pit and fissure sealant for five years yielded bacterial cultures that were predominantly negative . Sixteen of 18 test sites judged to have active caries in 1972 were found inactive in 1977; ten of 12 sites suspected to have caries in 1972 were deemed to have inactive caries in 1977 . Sealant treatment resulted in an apparent 89% reversal from a caries-active to a caries-inactive state . These data confirm and extend previous observations that a limited number of cultivable organisms persist in some lesions but their numbers are few, and they do not appear capable of continuing the destruction of tooth structure.

Biokhimiia, 1978 Sep, 43(9), 1594 - 601
{Chemiluminescence during oxidation of gossipol by peroxidase}; Aver'ianov AA et al.; Gossipol oxidation with peroxidase accompanied by chemiluminescence is revealed . Effect of some factors on chemiluminescence is investigated . Peroxidase gossipol oxidation is suggested to be one of the causes of spontaneous cotton root luminescence . Chemiluminescence in the system studied is inhibited by superoxide dismutase, which indicates the generation of superoxide anion radical . It is suggested that these radicals and other activated oxygen species are involved in the gossipol toxicity for parasitic microorganisms.

CRC Crit Rev Toxicol, 1978 Sep, 5(4), 377 - 421
Phagocytosis: a review; Walters MN et al.; Primitive unicellular organisms depend greatly on internalization of particulate matter for nourishment . In metazoa, this process is further developed to play a major role in mechanisms of defense . This review analyzes, mainly in mammalian systems, the various phenomena surrounding the phagocytic act . Much of the emphasis is placed on experimental work which has recently elucidated some of its features . Both the structural and functional aspects of phagocytosis are considered throughout the review, which is subdivided into an examination of chemotaxis and the various agents inducing it, the mode of recognition of particles to be phagocytized, and the mechanisms of ingestion . The last includes a discussion of the possible means whereby recognition is translated into ingestion, the modes of adhesion of particles onto the surface of phagocytes, the formation and fusion of pseudopodia during engulfment and ingestion, and process and significance of degranulation . In addition, the metabolic changes in phagocytes during the processes of chemotaxis, ingestion, and digestion are described . A discussion of the various ways phagocytes may destroy microorganisms incorporates an appreciation of the importance of the microbicidal action of the acidic environment of the phagosome, the various lysosomal contents, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide, singlet oxygen, and chemiluminescence . The interdependence and interrelationship of the induction and cooperation of these mechanisms are examined.

Andrologia, 1978 Sep-Oct, 10(5), 327 - 30
{New fluorescence method for staining of human spermatozoa}; Kaden R et al.; 300 human ejaculates from a andrological group of patients were stained for visualisation of the spermatozoal morphology with the new fluorochrome DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindol) and examined by fluorescence microscopy . DAPI has proven to be stable, since the preparations do not fade even after long storage periods . It can be utilized in small amounts and has a special affinity for the spermatozoon nucleus, which it stains light yellow, in contrast to the acrosomal parts which are fluorescent green . The method is surprisingly simple and can be carried out in a few minutes . A further advantage of the DAPI procedure lies in the additional staining of leucocytes and microorganisms, so that inflammatory processes of the male accessory organs can be diagnosed as well.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1978 Sep, 36(3), 487 - 91
Deodorization of pig feces by actinomycetes; Ohta Y et al.; Peg feces, a malodorous substance causing environmental pollution, were completely deodorized within 2 days by Streptomyces . The optimum conditions for deodorization were as follows: pH, 8.6 to 10; temperature, 35 to 40 degrees C; moisture content, 42 to 63%; and minimum amount of inoculum, 2 g of seed culture per 10 g of fresh feces . Many kinds of microorganisms were isolated from the deodorized feces, of which only actinomycetes were found to have the ability to deodorize . Two strains with strong deodorizing activity were identified as Streptomyces griseus and Streptomyces antibioticus . The low-molecular-weight fatty acids, which are the specific malodorous agents of pig feces, scarcely could be found in feces deodorized by the isolated strains . Chemical analysis showed that the deodorized feces are useful as manure.

Arch Dermatol Res, 1978 Aug 28, 262(3), 247 - 53
Impairment of chemotactic activity of microphages in chronic mucocutaneous candidosis; Djawari D et al.; The chemotactic microphage function in combating and eliminating microorganisms is one of the most important features of the cellular immune system . Using a modified Boyden method we studied in vitro the chemotactic activity of the granulocytes in 5 patients suffering from chronic muco-cutaneous candidosis (CMCC), 3 of the familial and 2 of the non-familial type . To obtain quantitative results comparable to those of a control group, we investigated the granulocytes of 55 clinically and immunologically healthy persons by the same way . So we found, in comparison with the results of the controls, a striking reduction of the chemotactic granulocyte activity in all CMCC patients . This impairment of chemotaxis is apparently due to an inborn defect of the microphages . It is pointed out, however, that a non-specific stimulation of the immune system might be a promising way in the treatment of patients affected by CMCC.

JAMA, 1978 Aug 11, 240(6), 545 - 50
Chronic inflammatory gingival and periodontal disease; Page RC et al.; Gingivitis and periodontitis account for more than 95% of all inflammatory diseases of the tissues surrounding the teeth, comprising the principal cause of tooth loss in adults . Gingivitis is a relatively innocuous inflammation of the gums, with associated bleeding and exudation . Gingivitis may convert to periodontitis, a destructive aggressive disease with resorption of alveolar bone, destruction of collagen with fibrosis, and formation of deep pockets around the necks of the teeth . Gingivitis and periodontitis are caused by microorganisms populating the gingival sulcus and periodontal pocket . Treatment is directed toward arresting the progress of the disease through debridement and stabilization of the teeth . Toothbrushing and other measures by which the teeth are mechanically cleaned remain the most effective way to control plaque accumulation and periodontal disease.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {B}, 1978 Aug, 167(1-2), 29 - 37
{Wound contamination in conventionally air-conditioned operating rooms as compared to laminar-flow-operating-rooms (author's transl)}; Botzenhart K et al.; Two operating rooms (OP K I, OP K II) with conventional air-conditioning and one operating room with horizontal laminar-flow-ventilation (TAVS) were compared by measurements of airborne microorganisms, settling microorganisms and wound contamination . In OP K I and OP K II the number of airborne colonie forming units (cfu) was about 8/m3 when the rooms were empty and between 70/m3 (OP K I) and 140/m3 (OP K II) during operations . The first air in the TAVS-OP contained less than 1 cfu/m3, downstream of the operating team up to 80 cfu/m3 . The number of settling microorganisms at the wound site was about 13 cfu/100 cm2 h in OP K I and OP K II, and about 2 cfu/100 cm2 h in the TAVS OP . Wound swabs showed a contamination rate of 45% (OP K I) and 54% (OP K II) versus 31% under TAVS-conditions . The difference is statistically significant with p less than 0.05 . Various other factors as e.g . the duration of exposition, traffic of persons into and out of the rooms and the fate of microorganisms after sedimentation into the wound are discussed . While the number of settling germs is growing in linear proportion to the duration of exposition, the number of wounds found contaminated does probably approach a steady state in dependence of sedimentation rate and die-off rate in the wound.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1978 Aug, 36(2), 381 - 3
Depression of activity of intestinal mucosal alkaline phosphatase with gastrointestinal microorganisms; Kawai Y et al.; Depression of intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity can be caused by the formation of the microbial ecosystem with several kinds of viable microorganisms in rats.

Antibiotiki, 1978 Aug, 23(8), 705 - 10
{Standardization of the methods of determining microorganism sensitivity to antibiotics . The importance of the method of interpreting the results in determining microorganism sensitivity to antibiotics}; Givental' NI et al.; The significance of the methods of the data interpretation for determination of the microbial sensitivity to antibiotics is discussed . A necessity for using semi-quantitative or quantitative systems of calculation instead of qualitative interpretation of the inhibition growth zone diameters is presented . It is shown that the use of the standard nutrient medium for determination of the antibiotic sensitivity in the laboratory practice may be a base for applying the methods of interpretation of the diffusion test data.

Tsitologiia, 1978 Aug, 20(8), 934 - 7
{Effect of microorganism population density on protein metabolism}; Konev SV et al.; The influence of population density of yeasts Candida utilis on the protein synthesis was investigated using 14C-L-leucine . After 15--30 minutes of exposure in 14C-L-leucine, the isotope incorporation into the protein was negligible at subcritical density of cell suspension (10(4)--5X10(5) cells/mm3), but then beginning from the 10(6) cells/mm3 density, a sharp activation of incorporation was observed . With increased incubation time up to 60--120 minutes for high density suspension (more than 10(6) cells/mm3), the degradation of newly-synthesized protein is the more the higher the cell concentrations and incubation time . The changes of protein synthesis intensity seem to be not associated with the influence of such traditional factors as nutrient medium exhaustion, toxicosis, change of hydrogen ion concentration and oxygen deficiency . It is suggested that structurally functional shifts in cells initiated by intercellular interactions may underlie the dependence of protein synthesis on the suspension culture density.

J Periodontol, 1978 Aug, 49(8), 415 - 8
Periodontosis: a case report with scanning electron microscopic observations; Allen AL et al.; A tooth and associated periodontal tissues from a patient with the diagnosis of periodontosis was subjected to scanning electron microscopic evaluation after reflection of the soft tissue portion of the lingual defect . The cemental surface of the apical portion of the lesion was found to be populated by markedly similar rod-shaped organisms . The microorganisms were observed to be continuously present in a coronal-apical direction as the transition from cementum to the attached soft tissues at the base of the defect were examined . These findings provide additional evidence that the lesion of periodontosis is characterized by a rather distinct microbial population of rod-shaped organisms located predominately at the base of the defect.

Biosystems, 1978 Aug, 10(3), 265 - 82
Distribution of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-dependent hexose kinases in microorganisms; Delvalle JA et al.; A systematic study of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent hexose kinases among microorganisms has been undertaken . Sixteen hexose kinases of five major types were partially purified from 12 microorganisms and characterized with respect to specificity for sugar and nucleotide substrates and Michaelis constants for the sugar substrates . Glucokinase activities that phosphorylate glucose and glucosamine are inhibited by N-acetyl-glucosamine and xylose, were found to be present in the non-sulphur photosynthetic bacteria Rhodospirillum rubrum, the blue-green algae Anacystis montana, and the protists Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (green algae), Hypochytrium catenoides (Hypochytridiomycete) and Saprolegnia Iitoralis (Oomycete) . The myxobacteria Stigmatella aurantiaca contains a glucokinase activity with a different specificity pattern . Anacystis and Chlorella, besides their glucokinase activities, contain highly specific fructokinases, although that from Anacystis can also phosphorylate fructosamine; fructokinase from Anacystis has a molecular weight of 20 000, and exhibits a sigmoidal saturation curve for ATP when the Mg2+/ATP ratio is 2; this curve is transformed to a Michaelian one when under the same conditions an excess of Mg2+ (5 mM) is added . Saprolegnia however, besides the glucokinase, contains a mannofructokinase activity that phosphorylates mannose (Km 0.06 mM) and fructose (1 mM) . On the other hand, hexokinase, a low specificity enzyme, was detected in the protist Allomyces arbuscula (Chytridiomycete) and in fungi Mucor hiemalis and Phycomyces blakesleeanus (Zygomycetes), and Schizophyllum commune (Basidiomycete) . Schizophyllum contains a glucomannokinase activity together with hexokinase activity . The pattern of distribution of ATP-dependent hexose kinases among microorganisms seems to parallel that reported for biosynthetic pathways for lysine . The correlation with other biochemical parameters is also considered.

Ann Surg, 1978 Jul, 188(1), 102 - 8
Host defense against opportunist microorganisms following trauma . II . Changes in complement and immunoglobulins in patients with abdominal trauma and in septic patients without trauma; Bjornson AB et al.; Total hemolytic complement (CH50), conversion of C3 by inulin and cobra venom factor (CoVF), and immunochemical levels of Clq, C4, C2, C3, C5, factor B, properdin, C3b inactivator (KAF), and immunoglobulins (Igs) G, A, and M were measured in the sera of ten patients with abdominal trauma and ten medical patients with septicemia without trauma . Reduction in C3 conversion by CoVF and decrease in the levels of properdin and KAF were demonstrated in the trauma sera . CH50 and the level of C5 were also decreased . Conversion of C3 by inulin and levels of factor B, Clq, C4, C2, and C3 were found to be normal in the patients' sera . Complement levels and activities were found to be normal in the sera of the septic non-trauma patients . A decrease in serum IgM was observed in both patient groups; levels of IgG and IgA were normal . These results indicated that abnormalities of immunoglobulin and of the alternative and classical complement pathways were associated with nonburn trauma . Moreover, the data suggested that consumption of the classical complement pathway associated with septicemia in the thermally injured patient resulted from synergism between the trauma and infection rather than from septicemia per se.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1978 Jul-Aug, 14(4), 499 - 503
{Lipolytic activity of microorganisms isolated from different sources}; Ruban EL et al.; From different natural sources (samples of raw and pasteurized milk, fresh and melted butter, cheese, industrial and nonindustrial sewage containing fats and surface active substances) 650 microorganisms were isolated . Measurements of their lipolytic activity on milk fat (20% cream), tristearin and olive oil indicated that 27 microorganisms had no lipolytic activity on either substrate . A hundred cultures showed the highest activity . Out of them 40 most active cultures belonging to different systematic groups (fungi, yeast, bacteria) were identified as representatives of certain genera or species . Lipolytic activity varied significantly in microorganisms belonging to the same species . The use of several substrates (cream, tristearin, olive oil) helped to discriminate microorganisms that preferentially hydrolyzed either substrate.

Scand J Dent Res, 1978 Jul, 86(4), 267 - 72
Pulp condition of successfully formocresol-treated primary molars; Roolling I et al.; The aim of the study was to assess the state of the pulp of primary teeth successfully treated by formocresol pulpotomy . Nineteen teeth, all of them with clinically and radiographically successful treatments, were extracted 3-24 months after treatment . The pulpal condition had changed in all the teeth . Inflammatory reaction or necrosis was observed in all teeth . Dentinal resorption followed by apposition of hard tissue were common findings . In the teeth with vital tissue only in the apical area, the tissue had minor or no signs of inflammation . Microorganisms could be demonstrated in the necrotic tissue in one tooth . The wide range of pulpal conditions observed indicated that there was no typical tissue reaction to formocresol even though treatment was clinically successful . The present study confirms that the formocresol method should be regarded only as a means to keep primary teeth with pulp exposures functioning for a limited period of time.

Scand J Dent Res, 1978 Jul, 86(4), 248 - 58
Relation of amylase to starch and Lycasin metabolism in human dental plaque in vitro; Birkhed D et al.; Acid production activity (APA) in plaque suspensions from glucose, boiled soluble starch and hydrogenated starch hydrolysate (Lycasin) was studied in 11 subjects . Amylase (alpha-1,4-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.1) activity was measured in plaque and whole saliva samples from the same persons . Lycasin was found to be hydrolyzed by salivary amylase under the formation of di- and oligosaccharides, however, with a lower rate than starch . A high correlation was found between APA from glucose and from soluble starch and between APA from soluble starch and plaque amylase activity . No correlation was found between amylase activity in saliva and APA from soluble starch or between amylase activity in saliva or plaque and APA from Lycasin . APA from Lycasin was about 62% and from soluble starch about 76% of the APA from glucose . 0-25% of the total number of cultivable microorganisms from the plaque produced extracellular starch-degrading enzymes . No correlation was found between number of starch-degrading microorganisms and APA from soluble starch or between these numbers and the plaque amylase activity . By electrophoreses only amylase fractions of human origin were found in whole saliva, plaque supernatants and plaque suspensions, indicating that the microbial amylase activity in the plaque is low compared with that of salivary origin.

Scand J Dent Res, 1978 Jul, 86(4), 237 - 47
Effect of experimental neutropenia on oral wound healing in guinea pigs; Andersen L et al.; The influence of experimental neutropenia on the wound healing process in standardized excisional palatal wounds was studied in 16 guinea pigs . Corresponding wounds in 15 normal animals were used as controls . Neutropenia was induced and maintained by daily injections of heterologous anti-neutrophil serum . One-micron sections from biopsies of palatal mucosa sampled 6, 24, 48 and 120 h after wounding were evaluated with special reference to the progress of epithelial wound repair and to the occurrence and location of inflammatory cells and bacteria . In animals treated with anti-serum, neutrophilic leukocytes disappeared from the wound cavity, whereas other inflammatory cells remained unchanged . Further bacterial invasion deep into the cavity was observed . The epithelial repair took place at a deeper level in the wounds of neutropenic animals compared with those of normal animals . The rate of re-epithelialization was the same in neutropenic and control wounds . The experiment indicates that the neutrophils in oral wounds provide a principal agency for host defense against microorganisms and probably thereby indirectly determine the direction and level of epithelial cell migration.

J Invest Dermatol, 1978 Jul, 71(1), 95 - 9
Polymorphonuclear leukocytes as secretory organs of inflammation; Weissmann G et al.; Polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes mediate that phase of inflammation at which vascular responses become translated into tissue injury . After phagocytosis, the PMN leukocyte generates derivatives of molecular oxygen (O2-.,OH., and H2O2) that stimulate a metabolic burst and assist in the killing of microorganisms . They also release oxidation products of membrane fatty acids (e.g., arachidonate), which are detected as thromboxanes and protaglandins . After interaction of phagocytic ligands (immune complexes and C3b-opsonized particles), the PMN leukocyte secretes lysosomal enzymes from open phagocytic vacuoles, and, especially when phagocytosis is blocked by cytochalasin B, secretes them directly into the cell's surrounding fluids . Secretion is enhanced by agents that elevate intracellular levels of cyclic GMP, and inhibited by agents that raise cyclic AMP . These reciprocal changes are associated with assembly and disassembly (respectively) of cytoplasmic microtubules . These cytoskeletal structures, together with contractile elements, regulate in part the secretory events of inflammation in which lysosomal constituents (e.g., elastase, collagenase, and cathepsin G) are diverted from their intracellular depots to an inappropriate assault on the tissues of the host.

Mikrobiologiia, 1978 Jul-Aug, 47(4), 591 - 9
{Mechanism of the oxidation of divalent iron and manganese by iron bacteria developing in a neutral acidic medium}; Dubinina GA; The paper confirms the existence of a peroxide mechanism involved in oxidation of iron and manganeses by the most typical iron bacteria growing at neutral acidity of the medium . Oxidation of bivalent iron and manganese is accomplished by the simultaneous action of catalase and hydrogen peroxide produced in the respiratory chain in the course of oxidation of organic substances . Catalase performs the peroxidase function in these processes . The possibility of these biological reactions to occur and the necessary conditions have been studied in vitro . Possible variants of iron and manganese oxidation by iron bacteria are discussed, including the conditions for "symbiotic" oxidation of manganese by mixed cultures of microorganisms.

Ciba Found Symp, 1978 Jun 6-8, (65), 225 - 62
Defects in the oxidative killing of microorganisms by phagocytic leukocytes; Roos D et al.; One of the most important mechanisms of phagocytic killing of ingested microorganisms by leukocytes is the generation of toxic oxygen products . During phagocytosis, neutrophils, as well as monocytes and macrophages, display a strongly increased cell respiration . Quantitatively the most important product of this reaction is hydrogen peroxide . Superoxide is also generated in large amounts, probably as an intermediate in the formation of hydrogen peroxide . Indications exist that singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals are also formed in this process . Some of these oxygen products have microbicidal properties by themselves . The effect of hydrogen peroxide is greatly enhanced by the enzyme myeloperoxidase . Several dysfunctions of this sytem are known . In chronic granulomatous disease the enzyme system that produces superoxide is not operative . Thus, no superoxide or hydrogen peroxide is generated, leading to a severely decreased bacterial killing capacity . The exact molecular defects in the X-linked and the autosomal form are as yet undefined . Two variants are also known: lipochrome histiocytosis, with different clinical and histological manifestations, and a 'triggering defect' where only strongly opsonized particles trigger the respiratory burst . Myeloperoxidase deficiency leads to slightly decreased killing capacity, especially for yeasts . In glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency no oxygen radicals or hydrogen peroxide are produced because no equivalents for oxygen reduction can be generated in the hexose-monophosphate shunt . Deficiencies in the glutathione redox system also result in impaired phagocyte function, probably because the cells have to be protected against their own toxic oxygen products.

Angew Parasitol, 1978 Jun, 19(2), 73 - 6
{Interrelations between environmental factors and skin}; Schulze P; The interrelations between environment-factors, especially microorganisms (fungi, bacteria and viruses) and human skin are discussed . Besides different local disturbances of the skin, the following ways of sensitisation are explained . It is pointed out that new drugs and/or substances must be tested before they can be used in human skin . The most frequent parasites and skin diseases caused by these and their epidemiological situations are mentioned.

Antibiotiki, 1978 Jun, 23(6), 520 - 6
{Sodium nucleinate increase of nonspecific macroorganism resistance to conditionally pathogenic and pathogenic microorganisms}; Barsukov AA et al.; Sodium nucleinate significantly increased the non-specific resistance of mice to E . coli O26, Ps . vulgaris, Ser . marcesens, Ps . aeruginosa, Kl . ozaenae and their associations and total resistance also accompanied by a significant decrease in the number of the bacteria in the spleen and blood, the total number of the cells in the peritoneal exudate and the number of the cells adhering to the glass (macrophages) . The preparation is a low molecular RNA consisting mainly of fraction 3S and a small amount of fraction 4S . It contains 1.5 per cent of protein and 2 per cent of DNA and does not contain any polysaccharides . Repeated purification of sodium nucleinate lowering the levels of the admixtures 5 times did not change its efficacy . The low molecular RNA of the rat liver (4S) had a pronounced stimulating activity . On infection of the host stimulated with sodium nucleinate, formation of the post-infection immunity was not decreased.

Antibiotiki, 1978 Jun, 23(6), 513 - 20
{Standardization of the methods of determining microorganism sensitivity to antibiotics . The effect of the size of the inoculate on the results of determining microorganism sensitivity to antibiotics and its standardization}; Givental' NI et al.; The literature data and personal observations of the authors on the effect of the inoculate amount on the results of determination of microbial sensitivity to antibiotics by the methods of serial dilutions in the liquid and solid nutrient media and agar diffusion are discussed . It was shown that the inoculate of the density of 3.6.10(7) to 4.25.10(7) microbial bodies per 1 ml was optimal for the methods of agar diffusion and serial dilutions in agar . Recommendations for simplifying standardization and dilution of the inoculate are presented.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1978 Jun, 85(6), 654 - 7
{Routes of E . coli 055 bacterial penetration through the intestinal wall in gnotobiotic and ordinary animals}; Chernukh AM et al.; Peculiarities of permeability of intestinal barrier in germfree animals for enteropathogenic E . coli 055 were studied . Both germfree and conventional guinea pigs and rats were used . An increase of bacteriemia was revealed in gnotobiotes during the first day of oral E . coli 055 monocontamination; bacteriemia was transient in conventional animals . Under electron microscopy alterations of intercellular contacts and formation of spaces between enterocytes containing numerous microorganisms were found in the intestinal mucous membrane in gnotobiotes . Also more pronounced changes of microvessels of the intestinal mucous membrane were discovered in gnotobiotes . The processes of ingestionan and digestion of Escherichia coli by enterocytes and leukocytes were noted in conventional animals . The revealed derangements of the intestinal barrier in gnotobiotes explain the cause of higher bacteriemia in germfree animals . An important role of the microbial factor in the formation of intestinal barrier is indicated by the data obtained.

Kidney Int Suppl, 1978 Jun, (8), S194 - 202
Bacterial enzymes in uremia management; Setala K; The theoretical background for a conservative therapeutic treatment of uremia is described, with illustrative results from preliminary clinical trials in 10 patients and 10 normal reference subjects . The proposed treatment focuses upon the patient's gastrointestinal tract--the normal site for metabolism of both exogenous (dietary) and endogenous (recycled) protein--enabling it to behave like the rumen of the cow . The objective is to induce the uremic's organism to utilize its own "waste" substances . The patient swallows enterosoluble capsules containing specifically adapted enzymes (immobilized or free) from apathogenic soil microorganisms . These are pre-adapted to convert urea, creatinine, uric acid, guanidino derivatives, and other nonprotein nitrogen compounds (NPN) . The enzymes utilize many other substances, in particular ammonia, potassium, phosphorus, and several other factors potentially dangerous for the uremic . The enzymes apparently cleave vasoconstrictatory peptides in the intestines . In the course of the therapy, renoparenchymal hypertension decreased significantly, and increased again when the regimen was interrupted . The results from the present studies are in full accord with the information published in the relevant fields . The time appears ripe for large-scale trials of the therapeutic regimen outlined, especially as many commercial microbial enzymes already have a long history of safe use in food processing.

J Bacteriol, 1978 Jun, 134(3), 1013 - 9
Regulation of initial rate of induction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-specific glutamate dehydrogenase during the cell cycle of synchronous Chlorella; Turner KJ et al.; When synchronous cells of the eucaryotic microorganism Chlorella sorokiniana growing in nitrate medium were challenged to synthesize an ammonium-inducible nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-specific glutamate dehydrogenase (NADP-GDH) at frequent intervals during the cell cycle the initial rate of induction (i.e., enzyme potential) of this enzyme increased in an approximately linear manner until the period of DNA replication (i.e., S phase) . During the S phase, NADP-GDH potential exhibited a positive rate change proportional to the step increase in DNA level . The timing of this rate change was insensitive to large changes in cellular growth rate . This rate change could be blocked within the first cell cycle by specific inhibition of DNA replication with 2'-deoxyadenosine . The approximately linear increase in NADP-GDH potential and also of total cellular protein observed before and after the S phase is proposed to be a result of the increasing photosynthetic capacity of the cell during the cell cycle.

Biol Bull Acad Sci USSR, 1978 May-Jun, 5(3), 262 - 9
Prospects for developing and improving a chemical method of pest control in the next 10 to 15 years; Kabachnik MI et al.; The assortment of chemical substances for pest control which exists in the world or is planned by us, and the reserves which exist in scientific research make it possible to assert that: 1) It is possible to produce an assortment of pesticides that is practically harmless for man and useful animals; 2) it is possible to eliminate the accumulation of pesticides and their residue in the environment, in food products, and in food chains; 3) it is possible to produce highly selective pesticides which will not damage useful inhabitants of the biosphere, particularly useful arthropods and soil microorganisms; 4) it is possible with the proper technical approaches, especially with proper alternation of pesticides, to avoid the development of resistant strains of pests . This requires continuation of intensive scientific and technical investigations both of the pesticides themselves and in producing integrated systems with the use of an entire complex of means and methods for protecting the harvest, and improving the technical means of application.

Mikrobiologiia, 1978 May-Jun, 47(3), 556 - 7
{Natural variability of saprophytic mycobacteria}; Mil'ko ES et al.; The ratio of S, R and M variants was studied in 20 strains of six saprophytic mycobacterial species . The process of splitting of mycobacteria into variants by the shape of colonies was found to be different not only among species but also among strains of the same species . Such a heterogeneity of mycobacterial populations should be taken into account while working with these microorganisms.

Biofizika, 1978 May-Jun, 23(3), 494 - 500
{Mathematical model of the immune response . IV . Threshold character of the infectious process}; Dibrov BF et al.; A model of immune reaction is described which takes into account the agressive behaviour of infectious microorganisms in the macroorganism . The model allows a description of threshold relationship between the infection process and the initial dose of the antigen . According to the model depending on the parameters and initial data the following regimes are possible: destruction of the antigen without a disease, its destruction after a disease, coexistence of the antigen with specific antibodies, recurrent course of the disease, unlimited multiplication of the antigen.

Zh Evol Biokhim Fiziol, 1978 May-Jun, 14(3), 219 - 24
{Ultraviolet irradiation and repair--possible factors determining the evolution of DNA structure}; Shakhova IK; It is suggested that DNA in first organisms on the Earth was enriched by GC-pairs due to intensive solar UV-irradiation . In the course of progressive evolution, nucleotide composition of DNA shifted to the favour of AT-pairs . This shift to higher photosensitivity became possible because of the development of reparation systems and screening of DNA in cells . The latter phenomenon is better revealed in higher organisms, accounting their stable TA-type of DNA . In lower forms, peculiarities of their habitats provided some conditions for variability of nucleotide composition . High content of GC-pairs remained in those of them which are subjected to the influence of solar irradiation . Parasitic microorganisms and those safely protected from solar radiation developed towards the AT-type of DNA . Both in higher and lower organisms, AT-pairs are richer in those zoms of DNA which are presented by several copies and in which mutations are less significant for the organism therefore being permissible . Structural genes exhibit heterogeneous nucleotide composition which provides for higher variability of the synthesized proteins.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig B}, 1978 May, 166(4-5), 332 - 52
{Microorganisms in the open air during the period of a winter-half-year (author's transl)}; Ruden H et al.; During the winter-half-year 1976/77 the concentrations of airborne microorganisms in the open air were measured in Bonn and at a place in the Sauerland . Simultaneously the data of wind direction, wind speed, atmospheric rel . humidity, temperature, intensity of solar radiation were registered . It can be shown, that the denominated parameters are influencing the content of microorganisms of the air in different proportions.

Laryngol Rhinol Otol (Stuttg), 1978 May, 57(5), 390 - 4
{Measurement of sinus secretions viscosity (author's transl)}; Mann W; Viscosity studies of the paranasal sinus secretions reflect the recovery of the damaged secretory mucosa . Effectful treatment leads to an increase associated with a wider range between maximal and minimal viscosity . The type of microorganism is less important.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1978 May-Jun, 14(3), 462 - 6
{Biosynthesis of amylolytic enzymes during continous cultivation of the yeast-like fungus Endomycopsis fibuliger 55-13}; Vorob'eva LA et al.; Growth of the yeast-like fungus Endomycopsis fibuliger 55-13 during continous cultivation was studied . The microorganism produced amylolytic enzymes during flow cultivation . As a result of the three-stage cultivation the productivity increased two-fold and the time of cultivation decreased by 6 hrs as compared with periodic cultivation.

Can J Microbiol, 1978 May, 24(5), 522 - 7
Enumeration of petroleum-degrading marine and estuarine microorganisms by the most probable number method; Mills AL et al.; Several media designed for use in a most probable number (MPN) determination of petroleum-degrading microorganisms were compared . The best results, i.e., largest numbers, were obtained using a buffered (32 mM PO4=) liquid medium containing 1% hydrocarbon substrate . Of 104 presumptive oil degraders tested, 20 grew on oil agar medium but did not utilize oil or a mixture of pure paraffinic hydrocarbons (C10 to C16 n-alkanes) in liquid (MPN) medium . Visible turbidity in the liquid medium was correlated with hydrocarbon utilization . Counts of petroleum degraders obtained using liquid medium (MPN) were in most cases higher than those obtained on an oil-amended silica gel medium . Both procedures yield an estimation of oil degraders, and the oil-amended agar permits growth of organisms which do not degrade crude oil . All strains of oil-degrading microorganisms examined in this study were lipolytic, but the converse was not always true.

J Clin Microbiol, 1978 May, 7(5), 497 - 8
Method for determining bioburden of surgical gloves; Lammerding AM et al.; A washing procedure that removed maximum numbers of contaminating microorganisms from whole surgical gloves was developed . Washing, coupled with membrane filtration, proved to be a simple and effective method for bioburden determinations on whole gloves.

J Infect Dis, 1978 Apr, 137(4), 443 - 51
Infection of the uterine cervix with Chlamydia trachomatis; Oriel JD et al.; For identification of those variables in the history and in the clinical and routine laboratory examination that are most likely to indicate infection of the uterine cervix with Chlamydia trachomatis, 284 women attending a venereal disease clinic were studied, were studied, of whom 58 (20.4%) yielded the organism from the cervix . Women with chlamydial cervical infection showed no distinctive symptoms . Although associations were found between the presence of C . trachomatis and cervical discontinuity, purulent cervical exudate, and inflammatory changes in cervical cytology, these signs were not pathognomonic of chlamydial infection since they were also seen in some women infected with other microorganisms . There was a significant relationship between the presence of antibodies, detected by immunofluorescence, and the recovery of C . trachomatis in cell culture . There were no associations between ethnic group, history of sexually transmitted disease, method of contraception, phase in the menstrual cycle, or numbers of sexual contacts and infection with C . trachomatis.

Ann Rheum Dis, 1978 Apr, 37(2), 152 - 8
Immune response inversion after hyperimmunisation . Possible mechanism in the pathogenesis of HLA-linked diseases; Young CR et al.; The crosstolerance hypothesis suggests that animals sharing antigens with some microorganisms will produce low antibody levels in the early part and high levels in the latter part of an infection . Antibody responses have been measured in high responder B10.M and B10.D2 mice and low responder C3H and A.Thy-1.1, as well as F1 hybrids (B10.M X A.Thy-1.1) and (B10.M X C3H/He), after repeated immunisation with the antigen ferritin, involving altogether 483 mice . An inversion in the immune response was found to occur and similar delayed high antibody responses have been described in rheumatic fever . It is suggested a mechanism of immune inversion may operate in the pathogenesis of HLA and blood group-linked diseases.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1978 Apr, 35(4), 730 - 7
Response of terrestrial microorganisms to a simulated Martian environment; Foster TL et al.; Soil samples from Cape Canaveral were subjected to a simulated Martian environment and assayed periodically over 45 days to determine the effect of various environmental parameters on bacterial populations . The simulated environment was based on the most recent available data, prior to the Viking spacecraft, describing Martian conditions and consisted of a pressure of 7 millibars, an atmosphere of 99.9% CO2 and 0.1% O2, a freeze-thaw cycle of -65 degrees C for 16 h and 24 degrees C for 8 h, and variable moisture and nutrients . Reduced pressure had a significant effect, reducing growth under these conditions . Slight variations in gaseous composition of the simulated atmosphere had negligible effect on growth . The freeze-thaw cycle did not inhibit growth but did result in a slower rate of decline after growth had occurred . Dry samples exhibited no change during the 45-day experiment, indicating that the simulated Martian environment was not toxic to bacterial populations . Psychotrophic organisms responded more favorably to this environment than mesophiles, although both types exhibited increases of approximately 3 logs in 7 to 14 days when moisture and nutrients were available.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1978 Apr, 35(4), 718 - 23
Effects of low concentrations of bisulfite-sulfite and nitrite on microorganisms; Wodzinski RS et al.; A wide range of microorganisms was tested to determine their sensitivity to low concentrations of bisulfite-sulfite and nitrite, solubility products of SO2 and NO2, respectively . Photosynthesis by blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) was more strongly inhibited by 0.1 mM bisulfite-sulfite and 1 mM nitrite at pH 6.0 than photosynthesis by eucaryotic algae and respiration of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa . At pH 7.7, blue-green algae were still more sensitive to bisulfite-sulfite and nitrite than eucaryotic algae, but the toxicity of bisulfite-sulfite and nitrite decreased as the pH increased . Photosynthesis by Anabaena flos-aquae at pH 6.0 was inhibited 25% by a bisulfite-sulfite concentration of 10 micrometer and 15% by a nitrite concentration of 50 micrometer . Photosynthesis by the blue-green alga, Lyngbya sp., was not exceptionally sensitive to chlorate and thiosulfate . Acetylene-reducing activity of Beijerinckia indica was completely inhibited by 0.1 mM bisulfite-sulfite at pH 4.0, the suppression being decreased with increasing pH.

Allergy, 1978 Apr, 33(2), 89 - 92
Demonstration isolation and identification of culturable microfungi and bacteria in horse hair and dandruff . Immunochemical comparison with allergic components; Gravesen S et al.; Horse hiar and dandruff have been investigated for their content of microfungi and bacteria . Inoculation and incubation on V-8 agar containing penicillin and streptomycin, with subsequent colony counting and identification, revealed more than nine and five different genera of microfungi and bacteria respectively, in horse hair and dandruff . Isolation and cultivation of the quantitatively dominating species, and preparation of an extract of these were performed, followed by immunochemical comparison with extract of the horse hair and dandruff using crossed-line immuno-electrophoresis . As no immunochemical identity was demonstrated it was concluded that the identified microorganisms might serve as a guideline to suspected sensitizing substances when patients with a typical case history of horse allergy do not react to extracts of horse hair and dandruff.

J Hyg (Lond), 1978 Apr, 80(2), 301 - 13
Geographical distribution of the dermatophytes: a review; Philpot CM; In these days of rapid transit from continent to continent, and the increasing mobility of people, agents of disease are no longer geographically restricted . Disease contracted half way across the world may become manifest in a country in which the pathogen is not normally found . Thus knowledge of the geographical distribution of pathogens becomes increasingly important when a diagnosis is being made . This is as true of ringworm fungi as of any other group of microorganisms . In the last 12 years, in the Mycological Reference Laboratory, an increasing number of exotic dermatophytes have been seen, related in part at least to the great increase in the number of non-British residents . Not all species of dermatophytes are cosmopolitan in their distribution throughout the world . While some have been recorded from every continent, others have geographically limited areas of greater or lesser extent . Surveys taken at intervals in a country may show a rise and fall in occurrence of several species as habits change, populations move and medical facilities became increasingly well-distributed . There have been few geographical surveys of ringworm fungi that have covered the world . Ajello (1960, 1974) has reviewed the individual species with regard to geographical location, while Vanbreuseghem & de Vroey (1970) attempted to estimate the relative importance of the various species in terms of numbers of isolations reported . This paper therefore reviews the world dermatophyte flora in terms of the dominant agents in the various countries, and some of the changes that have been recorded.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1978 Apr, 31(4), 336 - 42
Microbial metabolism of anthracycline antibiotics daunomycin and adriamycin; Marshall VP et al.; It has been shown that the antitumor antibiotics daunomycin (1) and adriamycin (4) are metabolized by microorganisms in a fashion similar to their metabolism by mammalian cells . Both the fungus Mucor spinosus and its cell-free extracts reduce the 13-keto group of daunomycin to give daunomycinol (2) by a TPNH-dependent process . Cell-free extracts of Streptomyces steffisburgensis convert adriamycin and daunomycinol to their 7-deoxyaglycones (5) and (3) by DPNH-linked reductive glycosidic cleavage . Cell-free extracts of the latter organism convert 7-deoxyadriamycinone (5) to 7-deoxyadriamycinol aglycone (6) by TPNH-linked 13-keto reduction.

Z Erkr Atmungsorgane, 1978 Mar, 150(3), 239 - 42
Vaccination by the aerosol method; Priimagi L et al.; After a review on vaccination by inhalation of aerosols the authors describe the group vaccination with the aid of an electroaerosol generator . 8 persons may be vaccinated simultaneously in a very short time . The vaccination by inhalation is without any hazards . The viability of the microorganisms in the aerosol is preserved . Interferon inhalation seems to reduce symptoms of intoxication in the first days after outset of influenza or acute airway infection . The efficiency of vaccination through aerosol inhalations against bacterial infections demands further researchs.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1978 Mar, 31(3), 165 - 9
Antimetabolites produced by microorganisms XVI . Synthesis of N5-hydroxy-2-methylarginine and N5-hydroxy-2-methylornithine; Maehr H et al.; N5-Hydroxy-2-methylornithine and N5-hydroxy-2-methylarginine were synthesized . 2-Amino-5-hydroxy-2-methylpentanoic acid was prepared from 5-hydroxy-2-pentanone and converted to N-(tetrahydro-3-methyl-2-oxo-2H-pyran-3-yl) acetamide which was treated with hydrogen bromide affording 2-(acetylamino)-5-bromo-2-methylpentanoic acid . This acid was esterified with methanol and used to alkylate anti-benzaldoxime yielding methyl 2-(acetylamino)-2-methyl-5-{(phenylmethylene)amino}-pentanoate N5-oxide which, upon hydrolysis, yielded N5-hydroxy-2-methylornithine, and, upon aminolysis and short acid-treatment, gave N2-acetyl-N5-hydroxy-2-methylornithinamide . Carbamimidoylation and hydrolysis of the latter compound furnished N5-hydroxy-2-methylarginine.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1978 Mar, 35(3), 618 - 21
Evaluation of thermal disinfection procedures for hydrophilic contact lenses; Busschaert SC et al.; The kinetics and efficacy of moist heat disinfection for hydrophilic contact lenses were investigated by using representative microorganisms of ophthalmic concern and several heat-resistant species . In replicate challenges, 80 degrees C for 10 min and 75 degrees C for 5 min were proven efficacious for moist-heat disinfection.

Chest, 1978 Mar, 73(3), 426 - 7
Cavitary pneumonia associated with tularemia; Kozak AJ et al.; A wide range of microorganisms has been associated with cavitary pneumonia and pulmonary abscess . We present a case of serologically documented tularemia in an animal-hide handler who demonstrated multiple pulmonary infiltrates with cavitation . Inclusion of tularemia in the differential diagnosis of cavitary pneumonia in patients with exposure to animals is emphasized.

Cancer Res, 1978 Mar, 38(3), 608 - 12
Formation of a mutagenic drug metabolite by intestinal microorganisms; Batzinger RP et al.; A new broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent, 4-isothiocyano-4'-nitrodiphenylamine, is devoid of mutagenic activity in vitro, either alone or in the presence of activating enzymes of rat liver . However, six species of mammals receiving this drug excrete as as yet unidentified mutagenic metabolite . Several observations suggested that one or several constituents of the enteric bacterial flora, rather than the metabolic activities of the host, are involved in the formation of this mutagen . Unequivocal demonstration for such a mechanism was provided by germ-free rats that do not form this metabolite, in contrast to their conventional littermates . Only a relatively moderate and apparently quite selective reduction in the total number of microorganisms of the intestinal flora is needed to elminate this mutagenic transformation . For example, following administration of a single dose of erythromycin or erythromycylamine, conversion of the isothiocyanate to a mutagen can be prevented completely, while antiparastitic activity is maintained . There is no obligatory association between chemotherapeutic activity and the formation of the mutagenic metabolite, and these two activities can be dissociated completely . This suggests a new approach for increasing the safety of pharmacological agents.

Mikrobiologiia, 1978 Mar-Apr, 47(2), 265 - 9
{Fluctuations in the numbers of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus and host bacteria in a 2-component system}; Afinogenova AV et al.; The number of interacting organisms in a two-membered bacterial "Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus--bacterium-host" system varied within a long period of time . The variations occurred in the counterphase and had a complicated irregular character with an altering period . The Volterra principle of collisions can be applied to this type of interaction between microorganisms.

Mikrobiologiia, 1978 Mar-Apr, 47(2), 246 - 9
{Nucleotide makeup of the DNA of fast-growing mycobacteria and related microorganisms}; Kvasnikov EI et al.; The melting points of DNA were used to determine the nucleotide composition of DNA from the following microorganisms with a high growth rate: Mycobacterium phlei, M . smegmatis, M . fortuitum, Nocardia asteroides, the organism of the "rhodochrous"--N . opaca group, and organisms related to strain "Mycobacterium" rhodochrous ATCC 13808 . M . fortuitum had a higher mol% G+C (67.5--69.5) than M . phlei (66.9--67.5) and M . smegnatis (64.4--68.1); the strains of M . smegmatis were characterized by the most heterogeneous nucleotide composition of DNA . The organisms of the "rhodochrous" complex (mol% G+C=69.5--72.2) were closer to N . asteroides (mol% G+C=72.5--73.5) than to the mycobacteria with a high growth rate.

J Clin Microbiol, 1978 Mar, 7(3), 265 - 72
Electrical impedance measurements: rapid method for detecting and monitoring microorganisms; Cady P et al.; A conceptually simple and east-to-use technique is described that uses continuous impedance measurements for automated monitoring of microbial growth and metabolism . The method has been applied to a wide range of microorganisms . Optical clarity is not required . The sensitivity and reproducibility of the method are demonstrated . The mechanism whereby microbial growth alters the impedance of the medium is discussed, as well as potential applications of the method to clinical microbiology.

Antibiotiki, 1978 Mar, 23(3), 235 - 8
{Phosphate group donors for neomycin inactivation by resistant microorganism strains}; Denisov AA et al.; The substrate specificity of aminoglycoside phosphotransferases isolated from 3 strain of E . coli and purified was studied . All pure enzymes phosphorilated neomycin, paromomycin, lividomycin, neamine, ribostamycin, kanamycins A and B . Only ATP was the donor of the phosphate groups in these reactions, while in the non-purified extracts GTP but not UTP or CTP served as the donor of the phosphate group for inactivation of neomycin . The substrate specificity indicated that the above enzymes were aminoglycoside-3(1)-phosphotransferases . Inactivation of neomycin with the use of the phosphate group of phosphoenolpiruvate as the donor in the non-purified enzymatic preparations of the neomycin-resistant strains of E . coli and Pseudomonas was not observed.

Laryngoscope, 1978 Mar, 88(3), 484 - 503
Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis; Lockey MW; As a serendipitous by-product of polio virus research, a highly fatal amoebic meningoencephalitis was recognized in animals . The causative microorganisms, contaminants of the viral cultures, were identified as small soil amoebae . These organisms, previously considered non-pathogenic, are prevalent throughout the world . Based on animal studies, the original investigators suggested the possibility of a similar disease in humans . Seven years later, human cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis were reported from widely separated areas of the world . Since 1965, a total of 79 cases have been reported . The literature of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis is presented . The history of the discovery and elucidation of this disease is reviewed . The 79 cases reported in the world literature are divided into two groups, those diagnosed retrospectively after reviewing previous deaths from meningoencephalitis, and those diagnosed at the time of the illness . The classification, morphology, pathogenicity, virulence and distribution of pathogenic soil amoebae are reviewed . The presenting clinical findings, diagnostic procedures, pathology, and management of this recently recognized, highly fatal, human disease is presented along with a report of a new case . Otolaryngologists should become familiar with this serious disorder with a transnasal portal of entry.

Dtsch Zahnarztl Z, 1978 Mar, 33(3), 185 - 8
{Metabolism of the sugar substitute xylite by microorganisms of the human oral cavity}; Gulzow HJ et al.; With the help of thin layer chromatography, human saliva was examined after varying lengths of incubation time of radioactively labelled xylitol to determine whether bacteria of the human oral cavity are able to use this sugar substitute . This showed that different activities occur in saliva which either complete the breakdown within a few hours or require more than 24 hours incubation . Induction of the enzymes for xylitol and sorbitol breakdown was observed during incubation, which led to a speeding up of metabolism . A comparison with sorbitol revealed that xylitol is metabolised considerably more slowly than sorbitol.

Biol Bull Acad Sci USSR, 1978 Mar-Apr, 5(2), 150 - 5
Changes in the composition and properties of humic acids brought about by the action of microorganisms of the genus Nocardia; Sidorenko OD et al.; The results of an investigation of the influence of microorgansims of the genus Nocardia on changes in the composition and properties of humic acids are presented . According to these data, the elemental composition and IR spectra showed different effects on the structure of humic acids after utilization of these compounds as a nutrient source for three and six months by microorganisms.

Biotechnol Bioeng, 1978 Feb, 20(2), 183 - 202
Analysis of double-substrate limited growth; Bader FG; Mathematical models which relate the growth rate of a microorganism to a single limiting substrate concentration have long been established . In recent years, it has become apparent that, under certain conditions, the growth rate of an organism may be simultaneously limited by two or more substrates . Mathematical models of double-substrate limitation fall into two categories: interactive and noninteractive models . A discussion of both types of models is presented in both conceptual and mathematical terms . An analogous case of an enzyme which requires two different substrates to produce a single product is presented . This enzyme analog indicates that both types of double-substrate limitation models appear to be feasible under certain conditions . Based upon stoichiometry and specific growth rate-substrate concentration contour plots, a method for determining the operational conditions which will lead to double-substrate limitation is presented.

J Infect Dis, 1978 Feb, 137(2), 182 - 8
Cyclic thrombocytopenia induced by a Rickettsia-like agent in dogs; Harvey JW et al.; Hematologic manifestations and the ultrastructure of a platelet-specific microorganism isolated from a dog in Florida were studied . The agent was readily transmitted experimentally to adult dogs by intravenous inoculation with infected blood . Parasitemias and concomitant thrombocytopenias were cyclic in that both recurred within relatively constant periods of one to two weeks following experimental infections . Hemorrhage was not a manifestation of the disease even though thrombocytopenias were severe . Microorganisms were visualized by light and electron microscopy . They were observed only in platelets and were composed of single or multiple subunits (morula forms) . The microorganisms were ultrastructurally very similar to those reported in Ehrlichia canis infections of dogs and Anaplasma marginale infections of cattle . Microorganisms were surrounded by single membranes which more or less conformed to the external surfaces of subunits that were surrounded by double membranes . From electron microscopic studies, it is suggested that these organisms be classified in the order Rickettsiales.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1978 Feb 1, 538(3), 593 - 602
Direct measurement of pure absorbance spectra of living phototrophic microorganisms; Gobel F; The pure absorbance of turbid cell suspensions of various phototrophic microorganisms were determined by collecting the scattered light . A conventional spectrophotometer was used, equipped with an intergrating sphere as receiver unit, which allowed precise measurements of the absorbance in the range from zero to 0.1 . In the wavelength range 300--1100 nm, where photosynthesis occurs, light scattered only once by a bacterial cell retains predominantly the forward direction . This allows measurements of pure absorption, when the concentration of cells which the light has to pass through is small . For example, by comparison of measurements of pigmented and nonpigmented cell suspensions of Rhodopseudomonas acidophila, it was shown that the total sum of scattered light can be collected . The best results were obtained using cuvettes with a light path of 0.1 cm or 0.2 cm to measure cell suspensions of about 0.2 mg dry weight per ml . For R . acidophila this corresponds to 1--3 cell layers . Extinction-, absorbance- and scattering spectra for R . acidophila are presented, in addition to the absorbance spectra for Rhodospirillum rubrum, Aphanocapsa and Scenedesmus.

Biokhimiia, 1978 Feb, 43(2), 195 - 207
{The role of teichoic acids in the regulation of biochemical processes in microorganisms}; Naumova IB; The role of cell wall teichoic and lipoteichoic acids in the regulation of activity of some autolytic enzymes and in ion exchange, the role of lipoteichoic acids in biosynthesis of cell wall teichoic acids and some other functional features of these compounds in the bacterial cell are discussed.

Naturwissenschaften, 1978 Feb, 65(2), 85 - 95
Microbial catabolism, the carbon cycle and environmental pollution; Dagley S; The establishment of a carbon cycle was a necessary prerequisite for the evolution of higher forms of life . This could not have been achieved without the direct participation of oxygen gas in certain metabolic reactions . The controlled activation of oxygen is catalyzed by microbial oxygenases; in principle, activated oxygen is hazardous to all living forms but without it, the degradative segment of the carbon cycle could not operate . The degradation of aromatic compounds is not an esoteric activity of a few specialized microorganisms . It occurs continuously, accompanied by fixation and cycling of oxygen on a massive scale; but like other global biochemical processes it tends to be neglected in general biological curricula . However, knowledge of the scope and limitations of microbial catabolic enzymes is central to the development of rational approaches to many of society's environmental concerns.

Infect Immun, 1978 Feb, 19(2), 421 - 9
Unsustained multiplication of treponema pallidum (nichols virulent strain) in vitro in the presence of oxygen; Sandok PL et al.; Treponema pallidum (Nichols virulent strain) was incubated with or without oxygen using a modified medium supplemented with reduced glutathione and a variety of nutrients (PRNF10-B) . Two- to fourfold increases in treponemal numbers were observed in cultures without mammalian cells within 96 h of incubation under 5 to 6% oxygen . Treponemal motility and multiplication were maintained more satisfactorily in cultures that were diluted and transferred daily, using an equal volume of fresh medium . Treponemes incubated without oxygen did not significantly increase in number . Virulent microorganisms were detected for at least 96 h in the cell-free system . In the presence of 3 to 4% oxygen, two- to fivefold increases in treponemal numbers were observed in the supernatant fluids of cultures containing human prepuce cells after 48 to 120 h at 35 degrees C . Without oxygen, treponemal numbers rarely approached a threefold increase . Virulent treponemes were detected by the rabbit skin lesion test after at least 120 h in vitro . Regardless of the system of incubation, increases in treponemal numbers could not be sustained for longer than 120 h, and treponemal virulence decreased as a function of time in vitro.

Surg Gynecol Obstet, 1978 Feb, 146(2), 233 - 6
The relationship between biliary tract infections and postoperative complications; Cox JL et al.; The hospital records of 870 consecutive patients undergoing elective biliary tract operations during an eight year period were reviewed . Bacteriologic cultures of the biliary tract obtained on 451 patients were correlated with specific biliary tract abnormalities and with postoperative complications . The incidence of positive biliary tract cultures was higher in patients with common duct disease than in those with chronic gallbladder disease without common duct disease . Choledocholithiasis and partial obstruction of the common duct are viewed as important factors in causing a high incidence of postive biliary tract cultures . Eighty-eight per cent of patients who had undergone previous biliary tract decompression procedures had positive cultures . There was no difference in the yield of postive cultures taken from the gallbladder wall and the gallbladder bile . Forty-nine per cent of patients with common bile duct disease and positive biliary tract cultures had no history of clinical cholangitis . Postoperative wound infections were more common in patients with common duct disease . The microorganism responsible for postoperative cholangitis and septicemia can usually be cultured from the biliary tract at operation . Antibiotics significantly decreased the incidence of postoperative cholangitis and septicemia.

J Dent Res, 1978 Feb, 57(2), 365 - 72
The effects of cadmium on the growth of some oral microorganisms and their ability to bind cadmium; Beighton D et al.; All seven oral Actinomycetaceae tested grew in broth containing 10 microgram/ml Cd . After 24 hours' growth A viscosus WVU 626 bound nearly 20 microgram Cd/mg dry wt . The amount of Cd bound varied during the growth cycle, being maximal (90 to 100 microgram/mg dry wt.) after 5 hours' growth . Addition of 50 microgram/ml chloramphenicol to actively growing cells inhibited further Cd binding . In contrast S mutans FA1 was greatly inhibited by 2.5 microgram/ml Cd and bound only 1.3 microgram Cd/mg after 24 hours' growth in broth containing 2.5 microgram/ml Cd.

Br J Exp Pathol, 1978 Feb, 59(1), 1 - 7
Binding of microorganisms to the macrophage plasma membrane; effects of enzymes and periodate; Ogmundsdottir HM et al.; The nature of the binding of C . parvum organisms to the surface of glass-adherent mouse peritoneal exudate cells in vitro was studied using pretreatment of the cells with various enzymes and periodate . Trypsin, pronase, beta-galactosidase, phospholipases A, C and D and periodate all caused a decrease in binding to 40-60% of untreated control . Neuraminidase led to a 30% increase in binding . The binding ability returned to normal after 1 h at 37 degrees in culture medium following exposure to all the enzymes apart from pronase, which apparently could not be removed effectively by washing . The presence of EDTA in the medium inhibited recovery from treatment with trypsin and beta-galactosidase; return to normal after exposure to phospholipases A, C and D was slightly affected, whereas recovery from treatment with neuraminidase was unaffected . Cells that had been exposed to periodate did not regain normal binding ability after 1 h in tissue culture medium but the effect could be reversed chemically by treatment with borohydride . The role of different plasma membrane components in non-specific cellular recognition is discussed.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1978 Feb, 75(2), 891 - 5
Phosphate metabolites in lymphoid, Friend erythroleukemia, and HeLa cells observed by high-resolution 31P nuclear magnetic resonance; Navon G et al.; High-resolution phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were observed for cell lines from mammalian sources: lymphoid cells, Friend erythroleukemia cells, and HeLa cells . Some phosphate metabolites were identified and their concentrations were found to vary among the different cell lines . ATP/ADP ratios could be measured in the living cells . The phospholipid metabolites phosphorylcholine and phosphorylethanolamine and their glyceryl esters were present in relatively high concentrations in the cells, but their ratios varied considerably . Also, a high concentration of an unidentified diphosphodiester compound was observed in the Friend erythroleukemia and HeLa cells . No appreciable pH gradient across the cell membrance was observed in these three mammalian cell lines, in contrast to the large pH gradient detected in microorganisms.

Lancet, 1978 Jan 21, 1(8056), 136 - 8
Bacterial contamination in traditional Gambian weaning foods; Rowland MG et al.; PIP: This study focuses on weaning foods for young infants in a village in Gambia . These foods are potentially hazardous bacteriologically as are commercial milk products . Infants in the village of Keneba are traditionally breastfed for the first 18 months but supplemental weaning foods (initially watery cereal gruels) are introduced after 3 months . These foods were tested at regular intervals after cooking and during different seasons for 5 different bacteria . Water was also examined for the presence of certain bacteria . Results indicated that when intake of breastmilk fell, body weight fell below standard and gruels were increasingly used as supplements . Diarrhea became commonplace by 6 months . It was established that these gruels were heavily contaminated with potentially pathogenic microorganisms and investigations showed that the millet flour itself was contaminated as was the water used in cooking it . Even the feeding bowl displayed evidence of bacteria . Freshly prepared commercial baby milks were compared to the freshly prepared local gruel and were found similar . Clearly, traditional foods as well as imported foods are subject to marked bacterial contamination . The best advice would be to give babies only freshly prepared foods; this is difficult however considering the other demands on mothers' time . It is thus incumbent upon food scientists and nutritionists to develop better weaning foods which are quick and easy to prepare and which should either be of a liquid or semisolid consistency . Since these weaning foods are also nutritionally inadequate, supplements should be made to closely resemble breastmilk; breastmilk must be the reference standard for any substitute food intended for the young infant .

C R Acad Sci Hebd Seances Acad Sci D, 1978 Jan 16, 286(2), 233 - 6
{Interaction of two isomers, N-nitrosomethylphenylamine, N-nitroso derivative, and p-nitrosomethylaniline with microorganisms}; Huynh CH et al.; There exists a relationship between the chemical structure C--NO or N--NO and biological effects . p-nitrosomethylaniline, a C-nitroso compound, in contrast to its isomer, N-nitrosomethylphenylamine, a N-nitroso derivate, shows a marked action against microoganisms and is, alone, reduced enzymatically.

Arch Dermatol Res, 1978, 263(1), 105 - 14
{Restriction of washing and its effect to the normal human skin flora . Quantitative and qualitative investigations of the aerobic skin flora (author's transl)}; Hartmann AA; The behaviour of the aerobic skin flora of the flexor sides of the forearms, under a three-week restriction of washing, was investigated in twenty-four patients for its quantitative and qualitative aspects . The combined scrabbing-washing method was used as described by Burtenshaw with Ringer's solution . After a three-week restriction of washing, using the Wilcoxon-Test, statistically no significant changes in the total number of microorganisms were found in areas investigated in the intermittent sampling of the skin flora . A three-week restriction of washing in the region of the flexor sides of the forearms does not induce significant changes in the composition of the normal aerobic skin flora . The percentage of differences in the total number of bacteria fluctuates up to the mark in wide limits; statements about standard deviations are not permitted because of the technical and experimental conditions . There was no shifting of the Resident flora to other groups of bacteria in the patients under study . Pathogenic microorganisms could not be found in higher numbers after the second sampling.

Ann Ist Super Sanita, 1978, 14(2), 301 - 14
Veterinary public health activities aimed at prevention of intoxications by chemical residues in foods of animal origin . Suggestions for inspection programmes; Matyas Z; Practically all today's raw agricultural products have been treated or exposed to one or more agricultural chemicals or veterinary products, in order to increase food production . A tremendous amount of work has been done by veterinarians in coping with diseases and health risks due to microorganisms, parasites and other agents of biological origin . There is no doubt that veterinary services, research and educational institutions have a long and successful tradition also in dealing with problems of chemicals associated with animal and food production, processing, transportation, storage and distribution . Due to the increasing quantity and large numbers of chemicals now used in animal production and related fields, it has however become indispensable to broaden and intensify the education and training of veterinarians, as well as to ensure their participation in all sectors of this field . Veterinarians should be fully involved in the surveillance, prevention and control of intoxications by chemical residues . They are well qualified to do this . They are working continuously in the areas where exposure to animals and food may occur, possess adequate knowledge of the routes of entry of such chemicals into food chains, the fate of their residues, the health hazards involved, as well as of the toxicology, pathology, pathophysiology, and food hygiene and technology . Residues present an enormous challenge for surveillance, prevention and control in agriculture, food processing and related activities.

Adv Exp Med Biol, 1978, 107, 401 - 10
Secretory immunity and immunodeficiency; Arnold RR et al.; 1) Certain selective IgA-deficient subjects are capable of synthesizing functional secretory antibodies (s-IgM or s-IgA class) to indigenous oral microorganisms . 2) The presence or absence of these secretory antibodies in saliva can be correlated with the extent of caries involvement . 3) Lysozyme activity is significantly increased in saliva from immune deficient subjects though no correlation can be made with caries experience.

Adv Exp Med Biol, 1978, 107, 35 - 42
Development of the IgA system in the mammary gland; Lamm ME et al.; 1) Lymphoblasts in gut-associated lymphoid tissue, committed to the production of IgA, can home to the mammary glands of syngeneic mice and differentiate there into IgA-containing plasmablasts . The phenomenon is limited to near term and lactating recipients . 2) The ability of lymphocytes originating in gut-associated lymphoid tissue and sensitized to intestinal antigens to migrate to the mammary gland can account for the specificity of milk IgA toward intestinal microorganisms and the consequent passive protection offered to suckling infants . 3) The secretory immune system of the mammary gland is apparently under hormonal control since mammotropic hormones given to virgin females can induce morphological and functional characteristics seen naturally only during pregnancy and lactation . Examples are increased numbers of IgA plasma cells and the ability to trap their circulating precursors taken from mesenteric lymph nodes.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Naturwiss, 1978, 133(5), 426 - 35
Interrelationships between soil microorganisms and polystyrene; Seritti A et al.; Transmission and scanning electron microscopy along with autoradiographic procedures were used for evaluating the interrelationship between soil microorganisms and polystyrene . Two hypotheses, allowing to explain the properties of polystyrene as a soil conditioner, were investigated: the first is concerned with a possible action of soil microorganisms on the compound; the second, reciprocally, with the polystyrene interference on microorganisms . Radioactivity translocation of 14C-Ecolyte-polystyrene along fungal hyphae and asexual fructification of strains, isolated from soil, as well as cytological modification at the cell wall level of the same microfungi, cultivated in the presence of polystyrene have been ascertained.

Ann Nutr Aliment, 1978, 32(2-3), 425 - 35
{Influence of microorganisms on the formation of nitrosamines}; Klein D et al.; The N-nitroso compounds synthesis from amine and nitrite contained in food is influenced by many factors: -the pH; -the temperature; -the amine basicity; -the presence of organic groups which catalyse or inhibit the reaction . The chemical nitrosation of the amino group takes place at pH between 2 and 4,5 . At the near neutrality pH of most of food, this synthetis, cannot be realised . Under these conditions the nitrosamine occurence can be explained by the effect of microorganisms . We have studied the influence of moulds used in cheese making on the nitrosation reaction in a middle where nitrate and amino groups are found together . The middles are realised on caseine or curdled milk, and contained 150 mg/l of nitrate and 100 mg/l of piperidine . The nitrosopiperidine has been identified in all the middles studied . The results are discussed concerning the risk of nitrosamine formation of this type of food during the technological process.

Recent Results Cancer Res, 1978, 63, 120 - 34
New microbial secondary metabolites under preclinical development for cancer treatment; Umezawa H; Limitless numbers of various genetic structures have been formed in chromosomes and plasmids and numerous bioactive compounds are produced by microorganisms . Therefore, it may be said that compounds useful in treatment of cancer will be found more and more in microbial secondary metabolites and more effective antitumor antibiotics and their derivatives, or more effective products producing immune resistance to cancer, will be discovered . In these studies, as discussed in this paper, the most urgent problem is to establish a rational screening principle or system to select compounds worth clinical examination . This is particularly important in the analog area . Bleomycin is an analog of phleomycin chosen because of lower renal toxicity . It has become an antitumor agent of significant value . Macromycin is a new structure which has been found to bind with animal cells and inhibit growth . Neothramycin is a new benzodiazepine antibiotic which has lower toxicity than other structures studied in this class and is active against L1210, Yoshida sarcoma, and Sarcoma 180 . Aclacinomycin A is an analog of adriamycin chosen for clinical study based on its low cardiac toxicity and high distribution in mouse lung and spleen . Coriolins are another new structural class . Diketocoriolin B has activity in L1210 leukemia and has been shown to inhibit Na-K-ATPase . Bestatin is a compound which inhibits aminopeptidase B and leucine aminopeptidase has been shown to increase delayed hypersensitivity . Bestatin also increases the effects of other antitumor agents such as adriamycin, and bleomycin.

Acta Microbiol Acad Sci Hung, 1978, 25(3), 173 - 8
Mycobacterium valentiale sp . nov . A new species of rapidly growing mycobacteria; Sabater JF et al.; Five strains of rapidly growing scotochromogenic mycobacteria have been isolated from soil and sputum . This study comprises 101 biological, biochemical and morphological characteristics, as well as the behaviour against the common antituberculous drugs at several concentrations . The organisms are considered to belong to a new species of the genus Mycobacterium bacterium and are named Mycobacterium valentiae sp . nov . They have been deposited in the American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Md., U.S.A . as 29356 and the Czechoslovak Collection of Microorganisms in the Czechoslovak National Collection of Type Cultures, Institute of Epidemiology and Hygiene Prague, as My 220/77.

Eur Neurol, 1978, 17(4), 181 - 7
Role of virus for the induction of myasthenia gravis; Smith CI et al.; Virus has been suggested as an etiological agent in myasthenia gravis . In this investigation 36 patients with the clinical diagnosis of myasthenia gravis were tested for antibodies against ornithosis, mycoplasma pneumoniae and 16 viral antigens . Rabbits with experimentally induced autoimmune myasthenia gravis were similarly tested . There was no overall correlation to any microorganism, which might have suggested the involvement of a viral infection in the pathogenesis of the disease . Neither was there any difference in incidence of antibodies in female patients carrying the HLA B8 antigen, an antigen which is associated with myasthenia gravis, as compared to HLA B8 negative individuals.

Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1978, 18(4), 255 - 67
{Multiphasic growth of microorganisms: modeling and computer simulation of linear growth phases}; Knorre WA et al.; A phenomenological and a more causal model are developed for the multiphasic discontinuous growth . The first model distinguished between the lag-phase, the exponential phase, the transient phase from the exponential to the linear phase, the linear phase, the transient phase from the linear to the stationary phase, and the stationary phase . The parameters are rate constants, critical values of biomass, and time constants . The parameters are estimated for experimental data of growth of Candida lipolytica under limitation of thiamine (Muller et al . 1978) . These data are fitted also by a more causal model . This second model is in agreement with Monod's idea that a linear growth phase may be due to an enzyme or enzyme system which has a constant activity . In the analysed case of limitation of thiamine the constancy of the dehydrogenase activity is caused by a constant level of the coenzymethiaminepyrophosphate . Thus, when such a thiamine requiring enzymatic step becomes to the "bottle-neck", bacterial culture switches over from exponential to linear growth . The end of linear phase is discussed more hypothetically by the high cooperativity of activity of dehydrogenases and the existence of a mimimal specific growth rate . The results of modeling and parameter estimation are compared with experimental data of C . lipolytica . These two models are able to interpret the growth kinetic of these multiphasic growth.

Zentralbl Chir, 1978, 103(8), 518 - 22
{Prevention of infections in surgical clinics (author's transl)}; Liebetrau B et al.; Infectious risks in surgical clinics are demonstrated . Directions for prophylaxis of hospitalism are given . According to own examinations of the following things are often contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms: appliances for sucking off, handbrushes, instruments, beds, clinical clothing, washing basins, bath tubs and floor sinks.

Mikrobiologiia, 1978 Jan-Feb, 47(1), 48 - 50
{Candida mogii and Debaryomyces hansenii yeast development in the presence of metal chlorides}; Zviagintseva IS et al.; The yeasts Candida mogii 2 and Debaryomyces hansenii 8 isolated from salted fish spawn in the process of its storage were found to be capable of growth in 4 M KCl, 3 M MgCl2, 2.5 M NaCl, 1.5 BaCl2 and 1 M CaCl2 . The activity of water (aw) in these solutions varied from 0.983 to 0.719; the maximum osmotic pressure was 380 atm . The cultures grew also in a 3 M sucrose solution, at low concentrations of osmotically active substances and without them . Therefore, they can be regarded as osmotolerant microorganisms . The osmotolerance of the cultures decreased with temperature of solutions . The absence of growth or weak growth in solutions of certain other chlorides should be attributed to toxicity of cations.

Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1978, 18(1), 39 - 45
{Maintenance metabolism in glucose-limited chemostat cultures of Streptomyces hygroscopicus}; Hilliger M et al.; Investigations with the mycelium forming bacterium Streptomyces hygroscopicus IMET JA 6599 in glucose-limited chemostat cultures gave a maintenance coefficient of m = 0.031 h-1 . This low maintenance coefficient corresponds to those of moulds (RIGHELATO et al . 1968, CARTER et al . 1971) . With a simple model structured in active and inactive biomass (x1 and x2) it was tried to explain the low maintenance coefficient of S . hygroscopicus in relation to nonfilamentous growing microorganisms . The model contains the transition rate k, which describes the transition of active biomass in inactive one and the decay rate beta, which considers the decay of hyphae . The model was used to study the influence of beta on the maintenance coefficient and it was shown that maintenance metabolism can be simulated by the parameter beta alone.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1978 Jan, 240(1), 94 - 105
Comparative studies on the ultrastructure of L forms obtained from S and R variants of Brucella suis 1330; Peschkov J et al.; Electron-microscopic studies were carried out on S and R variants of Brucella suis 1330 and the production of L forms induced with the use of penicillin . No variations were established in the ultrastructure of the initial forms . However, essential differences were observed in the ultrastructure between the latter and the L-transformed Brucellae as well as changes that differentiated the ultrastructure of L forms obtained from S variants from that of L forms obtained from R variants . In both cases the L-transformed Brucella organisms have suffered substantial changes in their electron-microscopic structure . There was no cell wall, the cytoplasm was profoundly altered - chiefly the ribosomal apparatus, which, from a polyribosomal complex located peripherally in the cell, adjacent to the cytoplasmic membrane in the initial forms, has disintegrated into ribosomal units parts of which have often penetrated deeply in the nucleotide mass . Individual ribosomes remained connected with each other through DNA filaments, but there were equally cases in which links of such types were not present . The structure of the cytoplasmic membrane invariably showed three layers . The L forms obtained from R variants occasionally showed the presence of microtubules similar to those established with other microorganisms . Such structures were missing in the L forms obtained from S variants.

Mol Biol (Mosk), 1978 Jan-Feb, 12(1), 55 - 62
{Study of the state of intracellular iron in photosynthesizing purple sulfur bacteria using the Mossbauer effect}; Aleksandrov AIu et al.; The work presents the results of the first stage of the study on the valent and structural state and function of the iron atoms in the donor-acceptor environment of the photosynthetic reaction centres of purple bacteria . 57Fe was introduced by cultivating the microorganisms in a medium enriched in this isotope . At 77 K the maxima observed in the Mossbauer spectra in intact freeze-dried cells at a speed of +2 mm/s and --1 mm/s are attributed to doublets 1.11 with the isomer ahifts of 1.3 and 0.5 mm/s respectively and the constants of the quadrupole splitting (Q.S.) of 2 mm/s and 2.2 mm/s . These are presumed to arise from cytochromes type c . The Mossbauer parameters of the intense assymetric quadrupole-split doublet of a more complex nature in the mid of the spectrum with line widths of 0.5 to 7.0 mm/s and 0.5 to 1.5 mm/s fit to these of bacterial ferredoxin . From the analysis of the control and dithionite-treated samples of the temperature dependency of the observable parameters over a temperature range of 77 to 300 K it can be concluded that in cells the iron atoms are present in various valency and spin states and the relation between the redox states of the iron atoms is dependent, in particular, on the age of the culture . The Mossbauer spectra of the cell fragments indicate that most of the intracellular iron, first of all the heme iron, is bound to the fraction of photosynthetic membranes.

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Last modified: May 25, 2005