Res Vet Sci, 1978 Jan, 24(1), 77 - 81 Pharmacokinetics and dosage of oxytetracycline in dogs; Baggot JD et al.; The pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline, which was given as a single intravenous dose (5 mg/kg), was studied in normal beagle dogs . Renal function was evaluated by the single injection technique and based on clearance of the radioiodine compounds 125I-iothalamate and 131I-iodohippurate . Values of GFR (4.42+/-0.77 ml/kg/min) and ERPF (12.91+/-1.49 ml/kg/min) showed normal renal function . The disposition curve describing decline of oxytetracycline activity in serum was described mathematically by a triexponential expression . Body clearance was 4.23+/-1.29 ml/kg/min . A dosage regimen (intravenous route of drug administration), based on overall elimincation rate constant (0.1155 h-1) and apparent specific volume of distribution (2 litre/kg), and consisting of a priming dose (10 mg/kg) followed by maintenance doses (7.5 mg/kg) at 12 h intervals was proposed . This dosage regimen was predicted to rapidly achieve and maintain steady state serum concentrations within the range 1.25 to 5.0 microgram/ml, which is therapeutic level for the majority of susceptible microorganisms. Infect Immun, 1978 Jan, 19(1), 287 - 95 Morphological features and functional properties of human fibroblasts exposed to Actinomyces viscosus substances; Engel D et al.; Connective tissue fibroblasts undergo cytopathic degenerative changes during certain long-term inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis . The failure of inflamed tissues to repair properly may result from functional alterations of fibroblasts within the affected tissues . Numerous previous studies indicate that direct cytotoxicity by bacterial or other substances may be responsible for the cellular alterations observed in vivo . We have tested this hypothesis by exposing cultures of human diploid fibroblasts to homogenates of Actinomyces viscosus (a microorganism associated with periodontitis and capable of causing other chronic inflammatory diseases) and analyzing the effects on cell viability, morphology, and function . The cells bind and subsequently engulf relatively large quantities of the bacterial substances . These substances do not appear to be toxic to fibroblasts as determined by 51Cr release and microcytotoxicity assays, although there is a slight but significant decrease in protein synthesis (P less than 0.01) as measured by the incorporation of {14C}proline . However, collagen production was not altered, and the cytopathic alterations observed in diseased tissues in vivo did not occur in the exposed cells . These findings suggest that A . viscosus substances do not directly cause injury to connective tissue fibroblasts in periodontal disease but may, through cell-surface binding, mark these cells for subsequent immune-mediated damage. Antibiotiki, 1978 Jan, 23(1), 50 - 3 {Development of a method for the quantitative assessment of microorganism sensitivity to antibiotics using discs . The study of different nutrient media for determining microorganism sensitivity to antibiotics}; Rezvan SP et al.; Five nutrient media used for determination of microbial sensitivity to antibiotics, i.e . beaf-peptone agar, Hottinger pancreatic beaf infusion agar, sprat hydrolysate nutrient agar of the Dagestan Research Institute of Nutrient Media, Muller-Chintone agar from Bulgaria and "Oxoid" agar for determination of microbial sensitivity were studied comparatively . The media were compared with respect to the growth density with the use of different test-cultures and the clearance of the inhibition growth zones around the discs containing different antibiotics . The best results were obtained with the use of sprat hydrolysate nutrient agar . Further studies on the medium standardization are necessary. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1978, 44(2), 171 - 6 Conversion of p-nitrophenol to 4-nitrocatechol by a Pseudomonas sp; Sudhakar-Barik et al.; A strain of Pseudomonas sp . ATCC 29354, isolated from parathionamended flooded soil, converted p-nitrophenol to 4-nitrocatechol which persisted in pure culture . In unsterilized flooded soil, not previously treated with parathion, 4-nitrocatechol was further metabolized by other microorganisms. ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec, 1978, 40(5), 249 - 53 Results of hearing testing at 7-year follow-up of kanamycin-treated newborn infants; Rahko T et al.; A follow-up study 7--8 years after kanamycin treatment of 83 newborn infants in the Tampere University Central Hospital is described . The Apgar scores ranged from 1 to 10, about half of the patients being premature . Only in 1 case (1.2%) a slight bilateral high-tone loss was found . This patient's birth had been complicated by ablation of the placenta with subsequent cesarean section and he had neonatal sepsis as well . The cause of this hearing defect is thus not necessarily the use of kanamycin . Because of the extended use of reserve antibiotics, microorganisms resistant to modern antibiotics may necessitate in some vital cases the use of kanamycin . Our results indicate that, if serum concentrations are monitored adequately, the use of kanamycin does not necessarily result in a hearing defect. J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1978, 22(3), 312 - 8 Mycobacterium valentiae sp . nov., a new species of the genus Mycobacterium isolated from soil; Sabater J et al.; One strain of rapidly growing scotochromogenic mycobacteria was isolated . This study comprises 101 biochemical, cultural and morphological characteristics and reports the behavior towards several concentrations of the most commonly used antituberculous drugs . The organism is considered to belong to a new species of the genus Mycobacterium and has been deposited in the American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Maryland, USA (ATCC 29356) and in the Czechoslovak Collection of Microorganisms, Czechoslovak National Collection of Type Cultures, Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Srobarova 48, 100 42 Prague 10 under the My 220/77. J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol, 1978, 22(1), 108 - 14 Investigation of common and specific components of Cl . septicum and Cl . histolyticum toxins; Zemlyanitskaya EP et al.; Interrelations between the common and specific components in the toxins of several strains of Cl . septicum and Cl . histolyticum were investigated . The method of tissue culture, which yields more stable results than biological tests on animals, was used . It has been demonstrated that native toxins of Cl . seticum (7 strains) and Cl . histolyticum (7 strains) cause cytotoxic changes in chick embryo fibroblasts . These changes are similar to each other and identical with changes occurring under the effect of concentrated toxins of the mentioned microorganisms . Cross reactions of neutralization with antitoxic and species-specific sera against Cl . septicum and Cl . histolyticum have shown that the strains of Cl . septicum and Cl . histolyticum synthesize toxins with components possessing common antigenic properties . The strains of Cl . histolyticum synthesize a greater amount of components common with Cl . septicum than the strains of Cl . septicum in which the amount of heterologous antigens varies. Mikrobiologiia, 1978 Jan-Feb, 47(1), 78 - 81 {Physiology of xerophytic microorganisms that grow under very dry conditions}; Imshenetskii AA et al.; The biology of xerophytic microorganisms surviving and growing under conditions imitating Martian ones was studied, as well as the zone of tolerance of several microorganisms towards the activity of water . The xerophytic nature of microorganisms is suggested to be evaluated by means of quantitative determination, using gas chromatography, of carbon dioxide which is evolved when microorganisms are cultivated on media with different values of aw. CRC Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 1978, 11(1), 41 - 116 The nutritional and physiological impact of milk in human nutrition; Lee VA et al.; The nutritional value of milk as an important source of energy, high-quality protein, calcium, and riboflavin has been recognized for many years . Currently, the widespread use and promotion of milk in the U.S . as well as developing countries has been questioned . This review examines the nutrient composition of dairy products, factors that account for variability in composition of milk, milk processing, preservation, quality control, and contaminants (such as minerals, radionuclides antibiotics, microorganisms and their metabolites, herbicides, and insecticides) in milk . Consumption patterns for milk and evidence for its nutritional value, especially in children, are presented . Milk consumption has been related to disease or conditions such as atherosclerosis, milk allergy, lactose intolerance, anemia, dental problems, and others . Recent recommendations for dietary changes for individuals in the U.S . and other developed countries could affect the use of milk . In addition, the use of feeding programs in the U.S . and developing countries which are based primarily on milk has been criticized . The preparation of new types of milk designed to offset certain difficulties encountered with cow's milk are now being evaluated in humans. Vet Med Nauki, 1978, 15(7), 74 - 8 {Express methods of determining the biochemical properties of pathogenic microorganisms}; Pavlov A; Comparative studies were carried out to evaluate some express methods for determining the biochemical properties of microorganisms . Described are disc methods establishing the production of indol and H2S, the breakdown of urea, and the reduction of nitrates and nitrites, with which the time of investigation is shortened severalfold . The results obtained are clear and well defined, and fully agree with the results obtained by methods described in the Bulgarian State Standards . It is suggested to apply these methods in the wide laboratory practice. Haematol Blood Transfus, 1978, 21, 95 - 104 {Iron deficiency in infection}; Ganzoni AM et al.; As a rule bacterial infection is followed by acute serum iron reduction; impaired inflow of iron from storage sites into the transport pool represents the main cause . As a consequence of this sort of iron redistribution iron becomes short for red cell production; this is one cause for the development of anemia . The biological significance of hyposideremia may be presumed from the bacteriostatic potential of iron free transferrin, preventing adequate iron acquisition by multiplying microorganisms . Preliminary animal experiments support this concept and suggest that it might also be applied to true iron deficiency. Polim Med, 1978, 8(2), 81 - 9 {Hydrogen peroxide, chloramine T and chlorhexidrine in the disinfection of acrylic resin}; Czerwinska W et al.; The effectiveness of 3% h drogen peroxide, 5% chloramine T and 0,5% chlorhexidine gluconate solutions in disinfection of acrylic resine plates massively infected with oral flora was analysed . The acrylic resine plates used for investigations, were infected in vitro with mixed salivary flora characterized by small numbers of yeast-like fungi (1st group), or great number of these microorganisms (2nd group) . Infected plates were exposed to solutions of analysed disinfectants during various time periods . After rinsing or inactivation of disinfectant residues, acrylic plates were put into bacteriological medium and incubated during 7 days period in 37 degrees C . The results of this study indicated the effectiveness of acrylic plates disinfection to be dependent on used disinfectant, time of exposition, and microorganisms present on the surface of acrylic resine . The solutions of disinfectants were less active in the cases of plates infected with material containing great numbers of yeast-like microorganisms . Among analysed disinfectants 0,5% solution of chlorhexidine was characterized by most effective and rapid activity, whereas 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide was found to be the least effective. Ann Nutr Aliment, 1978, 32(2-3), 233 - 41 Nutritional improvement of food proteins by enzymatic modification, especially by plastein synthesis reaction; Fujimaki M; The present paper reviews our recents studies on the plastein reaction applied to improve nutritional quality of conventional and unconventional proteins, with special emphasis on the papaincatalyzed incorporation of essential amino acids (used in ethyl ester form) into the proteins : L-methionine into soybean protein, L-lysine into wheat gluten and L-tyrosine into fish protein (after removal of phenylalanine) . The paper deals also with an attempt to improve proteins extracted from the photosynthetic microorganisms, Spirulina maxima (a blue-green alga), Rhodopseudomonas capsulatus (a non-sulfur purple bacterium) and Trifolium repens L . (a type of white clover) by way of incorporating simultaneously the three amino acids, L-methionine, L-lysine and L-tryptophan . This process, when properly carried out, can produce plasteins whose essential amino acid patterns have approximated the FAO/WHO suggested pattern (1973) . Besides the plastein reaction, its novel modification has been developed, which will be more conveniently applied to a larger-scale process for the amino acid incorporation . A brief discussion is added in this regard. J Dent Res, 1978 Jan, 57(1), 3 - 10 Bacterial penetration, pulpal reaction and the inner surface of Concise enamel bond . Composite fillings in etched and unetched cavities; Brannstrom M et al.; The sealing properties of resin-composite resin material applied to acid-etched cavities and adjacent enamel were studied in 40 contralateral tooth pairs . This treatment was found to reduce considerably the risk of ingrowth of microorganisms from the surface of the tooth . The resin material did not have any appreciable irritative effect on the pulp; the same was true for the etching procedure . Etching of lateral enamel walls and margins with an acid gel after the application of a liner on dentinal walls was considered to be the procedure recommended before the application of the combination of unfilled resin and composite resin. Curr Top Radiat Res Q, 1978 Jan, 12(1-4), 355 - 68 DNA breakage, repair, and lethality accompanying 125I decay in microorganisms; Krisch RE et al.; Effects of 125I decay in DNA were investigated by measurements of strand breaks and lethal efficiencies of the decays . In bacteriophages T1 and T4, local decay effects were compared with effects of the emitted electrons by induction of both single (ssb) and double strand breaks (dsb) in the intact phage head and in extended free state DNA . Most dsbs were found to result from local decay effects whereas most real ssbs are caused by the electrons . A simple one-to-one relationship seems to exist in the phages between the decays of 125I, numbers of dsbs and lethal effects . In E . coli rec+ and recA repair of dsbs was studied in addition to lethal decay efficiencies . In rec+ more than 70% of the dsbs were repaired within 1 h at 37 degrees C . No repair was observed in recA . The probability of lethality per 125I decay per completed genome was found to be 0.37 for rec+ and 0.93 for recA cells . The number of lethal events per unrepaired dsb was found to be practically equal to unity . Unrepaired dsbs thus seem to be the primary mechanism of lethality caused by 125I decay, and all unrepaired dsbs seem to be lethal. Mutat Res, 1978 Jan, 56(3), 305 - 9 The in vivo induction of sister chromatid exchanges in the bone marrow of the Chinese hamster . II.N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) and n-isopropyl-alpha-(2-methyl-hydrazino)-p-toluamide (Natulan), two carcinogenic compounds with specific mutagenicity problems; Bayer U; N-Nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) and N-isopropyl-alpha-(2-methylhyadrazino)-p-toluamide (Natulan) were examined with the in vivo SCE method of Vogel and Bauknecht . Only Natulan showed a positive effect with a significant increase of induced SCE between 10 and 25 mg/kg b.w . The six-point curve of the dose effect was of the plateau type . With DEN only a slight increase with high doses could be obtained, which was not significant when 50 or 100 cells were counted . Compared with the results of other tests published, Natulan gives positive results preferentially with in vivo mammalian tests but not with microorganisms . On the other hand, DEN is inactive in vivo on the chromosomal level, but preferentially induces point mutations at the molecular level in microorganisms and Drosophila . It is recommended to include in a battery of true mutagenicity tests also cytogenetic tests (in vivo SCE test and micronucleus test). Am J Hematol, 1978, 5(4), 347 - 53 An acquired cell-directed inhibitor of neutrophil chemotaxis and hypogammaglobulinemia; Casciato DA et al.; An unusual combination of host defense abnormalities was demonstrated in an adult male with recurrent pulmonary infections due to a variety of microorganisms . Polymorphonuclear neutrophil chemotaxis was defective . Other neutrophil and T-lymphocyte function tests were normal . The patient's serum also showed a severe deficiency of IgG, no detectable IgA, IgM, or IgD, and increased IgE . The chemotactic defect was shown to be due to a cell-directed inhibitor in the patient's serum . The effect of the inhibitor on chemotaxis could be antagonized by factors in normal serum . The chemotaxis defect persisted for several months, but eventually returned to normal. Leg Med Annu . 1978;:177-91. The "missing" investigation of Legionnaires' disease; Wecht CH; The investigation of Legionnaires' disease was riddled with problems, and as a result, was largely ineffective . But the lesions it taught can be extremely valuable to future public-health efforts if they are heeded . This chapter has attempted to highlight those problems and offer some possible solutions . It is now up to the public-health hierarchy to use what is offered in these pages to spark the building of programs and systems that provide the level of effectiveness the American people have a right to expect from public-health departments . Finally, it was my intent to raise questions about the Center for Disease Control's new organism . The Center may, indeed, have found the responsible agent . We must not, however, allow ourselves to have tunnel vision in the continuing investigation--switching to other possibilities only if the microorganism theory is exhausted . The evidence and remaining questions demand a broader scope of investigation . How tragic it will be if we have not learned from the inflexibility and narrowness of the 1976 investigation of Legionnaires' disease. Annu Rev Med, 1978, 29, 343 - 58 Dialysis versus transplantation in the treatment of end-stage renal disease; Merrill JP; Both dialysis and kidney transplantation are effective techniques for prolonging life in ESRD . Because dialysis therapy does not effect replacement of the metabolic functions of the kidney, it is less tha perfect . Successful transplantation that replaces all of the aspects of renal function is the treatment of choice . Successful transplantation is highly dependent upon the availability of a suitable donor and the appropriate tissue match, which remains a problem . Present immunosuppressive therapy required to prevent the immunoresponse causing rejection of the renal allograft is a tool too dull for the job . Since all immunoresponse is suppressed, infections are common, as are the multiple complications of cortical steroid therapy . For the dialysis patient, development of more compact effective dialysis apparatus and particularly the availability of replacement therapy hold promise . New approaches to diminishing the immune response to the graft without impairing that to microorganisms may well effect improvement in graft survival as will increasing knowledge of factors other than HLA antigens in the immunologic reaction . Development of an effective method for arresting the progress of glomerulonephritis before it reaches end-stage renal failure would obviate the necessity for dialysis or transplant therapy in appoximately two thirds of ESRD patients. Hautarzt, 1978 Jan, 29(1), 22 - 6 {Facultative and obligate pathogenic moulds in skin affections}; Rieth H; Molds are vegetable microorganisms, which differ from dermatophytes sensitive to griseofulvin, and from yeasts, which do not form aerial mycelium . Most of the molds, phytopathogenic or which live from dead organic substances, are apathogenic to humans . Only a couple of dozen species can parasitize on the skin, usually together with dermatophytes or yeasts . Onychomycoses with molds appear mostly in elderly people, and fungus affections of external auditory passage in seborrheic eczema of the ear . The hair can be infected by Piedraia hortae, resulting in hard black nodules . After the identification of molds on the skin, criticism is necessary, since in more than 95% of the cases they are accidental germs . Several cultures and microscopic tests are necessary to assure the diagnosis . Broad-spectrum antimycotics is the predominant choice for treatment, but also amphotericin B, nystatin and pimaricin. Adv Exp Med Biol, 1978, 110, 101 - 18 Selection of new human foreskin fibroblast cell strains for interferon production; Vilcek J et al.; The aim of this work has been to isolate and characterize new diploid cell strains, suitable for large-scale production of human fibroblast interferon . Twenty cell strains were isolated from individual neonatal foreskins obtained with the informed consent of the donors' parents . The techniques employed for the isolation of the cell strains were aimed at obtaining the highest possible yield of normal diploid cells, free of contaminating microorganism and viruses . The bulk of the cell yield has been frozen at a low population doubling level . Each of the isolated cultures was tested for interferon producing characteristics with poly(I)-poly(C) under a number of different conditions including "superinduction" with metabolic inhibitors . Most of the newly established cell strains produced lower interferon yields than the reference FS-4 cell strain . However, some new cell strains produced similar interferon yields as the FS-4 cells on superinduction . Five cell strains, designated FS-30, FS-35, FS-44, FS-48 and FS-49, identified as the highest interferon producers among the new cells, were selected for further testing . Of these, three cell strains (FS-35, FS-48 AND FS-49) produced similar interferon yields as FS-4 cells after superinduction . Cell strains FS-48 and FS-49 were found to have stable interferon producing characteristics over a wide span of population doubling levels . The interferon produced in these new cell strains had the antigenic and biological characteristics of human fibroblast interferon. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1978 Jan, 35(1), 124 - 8 Microbial transformations of styrene and {14C} styrene in soil and enrichment cultures; Sielicki M et al.; Two different mechanisms were responsible for the disappearance of styrene in enrichment cultures: (i) a mixed population of microorganisms, capable of utilizing styrene as a sole carbon source, oxidized this substrate to phenylethanol and phenylacetic acid; (ii) the culture also mediated polymerization of the monomer to low-molecular-weight styrene oligomers . This chemical reaction probably occurred as the result of microbial degradation of butylcatechol, an antioxidant polymerization inhibitor present in commercial styrene . The resultant polymer material was subsequently metabolized . In soil incubation studies, 14CO2 evolution from applied {8-14C} styrene was used to estimate microbial degradation . Approximately 90 percent of the labeled carbon was evolved from a 0.2 percent addition, and about 75 percent was lost from the 0.5 percent application over a 16-week period. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo), 1978, 24(5), 477 - 89 Role of vitamin B12 and enzymes related to methylmalonyl-CoA mutase in a methanol-utilizing bacterium, Protaminobacter ruber; Ueda S et al.; A methanol-utilizing bacterium, Protaminobacter ruber, required cobalt ion or vitamin B12 as its growth factor, which could be replaced by succinate among various additions to the cobalt-deficient medium . The presence of adenosylcobalamin (adenosyl-B12)-dependent methylmalonyl-coenzyme A (CoA) mutase was demonstrated in the cell-free extracts of P . ruber . The specific activity of this mutase was not only fairly high in comparison with that reported with other organisms but also detected at a similar level throughout the cultivation period . The cell-free extracts of P . ruber grown on non-C1 compounds as a sole carbon and energy source also had methylmalonyl-CoA mutase activity . Furthermore, the extracts of this microorganism catalyzed the reactions from propionyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA and from alpha-ketoglutarate to alpha-hydroxyglutarate. IARC Sci Publ, 1978, (19), 239 - 46 Acceleration of nitrosamine formation at pH 3.5 by microorganisms; Archer MC et al.; Rate enhancements of from 12 to 49-fold occurred when dihexylamine was nitrosated at pH 3.5 in the presence of bacteria and yeast cells at a concentration of 12 mg/ml . Rates were similar in the presence of either boiled or unheated cells . The magnitude of the rate enhancement for nitrosation of other amines depended on the alkyl chain length . A nonenzymatic mechanism involving hydrophobic interactions of the precursor amines and cellular constituents is proposed. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1977 Dec 8, 485(2), 301 - 13 Coordinate and non-coordinate accululation of aspartate transcarbamylase and dihydroorotase in synchronous Chlorella cells growing on different nitrogen sources; Dunn JH et al.; Regulation of the levels of aspartate transcarbamylase (carbamoylphosphate:L-aspartate carbamoyltransferase, EC 2.1.3.2) and dihydroorotase (L-5,6-dihydro-orotate amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.2.3) was studied in synchronous cultures of the eucaryotic microorganism Chlorella . Analytical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and sucrose density-gradient centrifugation studies revealed that these cells contain a single aspartate transcarbamylase and a dihydroorotase with apparent molecular weights of 160 000 and 80 000, respectively . In synchronous cells cultured in nitrate medium, these two enzymes accumulated in single step-patterns over different periods of the cell cycle . In contrast, these enzymes accumulated in a coordinate manner throughout the cell cycle in ammonium medium . Experiments with inhibitors of protein and RNA synthesis indicated that dihydroorotase is stable in vivo and suggested that cell cycle changes in the turnover rate of aspartate transcarbamylase might determine whether or not these enzymes accumulate in a coordinate manner . Although uracil and uridine could be absorbed and metabolized by the cells, synthesis of these two enzymes could not be repressed by culturing synchronous cells in medium, containing high concentrations (29-40 mM) of uracil or uridine, for an entire cell cycle. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1977 Dec 3, 107(48), 1721 - 8 {Specific and non-specific defense mechanisms against infection}; Cruchaud A; Defense mechanisms against bacterial, viral or parasitic infections require the cooperation of effector cells (mainly polymorphonuclear and mononuclear phagocytes) and mediators such as antibodies, complement and lymphokines . Antibodies and some complement components promote the endocytosis of microorganisms whereas lymphokines activate phagocytic cells . Once endocytosed, microorganisms are killed either by oxidative reactions consequent to the respiratory burst, or by the particular conditions and factors that they encounter in phagolysosomes . Intact microorganisms or their degradation products handled by mononuclear phagocytes represent immunogenic moieties which can trigger immunocompetent lymphocytes and induce specific immune responses . Phagocytic cells may have characteristic intrinsic deficiencies that are responsible for prolonged or recurrent infections. J Immunol, 1977 Dec, 119(6), 1894 - 7 A new method for evaluation of intracellular inhibition of multiplication or killing by mononuclear phagocytes; McLeod R et al.; A new method for evaluation of the capacity of mononuclear phagocytes to inhibit intracellular microorganisms is described . The system provides a means for assessing this effect of macrophages without concern for multiplication of extracellular organisms, effect of antibiotics, and the potential observer bias which may result from visual evaluation . It involves measurement of amount of {6-3H}UdR incorporated by Toxoplasma gondii . Differences between uptake of {6-3H}UdR by infected and uninfected macrophages can be augmented by cytosine arabinoside as this agent inhibits macrophage DNA synthesis but does not substantially alter DNA synthesis by the test organism, T . gondii. J Parasitol, 1977 Dec, 63(6), 992 - 1000 Transovarially-transmitted intracellular microorganisms in adult and larval stages of Brugia malayi; Kozek WJ; Observation of intracellular organisms in the lateral chords of Brugia malayi adults initiated further studies to determine the prevalence of these organisms within the tissues of adult worms and of larvae . The organisms were found in the lateral chords of adult males and females, microfilariae, first-, second-, third-, and fourth-stage larvae . In the females, they were present in the oogonia, oocytes, and developing eggs, suggesting transovarial transmission within the life cycle of the filarid . The organisms may have a developmental cycle consisting of more than one stage, including a small spheroidal stage up to 0.6 micrometer in size and a larger form up to 1.5 micrometer in length, all of which occur in the cytoplasm within a vesicle formed of host membrane . Each stage lacks a definite cell wall, being bound by 2 trilaminate membranes . The bacterial entities in B . malayi resemble both in morphology and development the organisms found in other filarids, but whether they affect the vertebrate host in any way remains to be determined . Their presence within certain cells of the developing eggs could be exploited as intracellular markers for the organogenesis of the lateral chords and the ovary. Biotechnol Bioeng, 1977 Dec, 19(12), 1773 - 84 Effect of mass transfer resistance on the Lineweaver-Burk plots for flocculating microorganisms; Ngian KF et al.; It is shown that the mass transfer resistance can significantly distort the linearity of the Lineweaver-Burk plot of the kinetic data for a microbial culture which forms aggregates . For small flocs, the linearity of the Lineweaver-Burk plot is largely retained, but a different slope and intercept will be obtained compared with flocs free from mass transfer resistance . For large flocs, the Lineweaver-Burk plot shows pronounced curvature at high limiting substrate concentrations . Hence, if the true intrinsic kinetic parameters are to be extracted from a highly flocculating microbial culture, sufficient agitation has to be provided to remove the effect of mass transfer resistance . If the behavior of the flocculating microbial culture is to be explored, additional values for some physical parameters, such as the effective diffusion coefficient of the substrate in floc, the floc density, and the mean floc radius, are needed. J Dairy Sci, 1977 Dec, 60(12), 1889 - 93 Influence of nitrate and molybdenum on sulfur utilization by rumen microorganisms; Spears JW et al.; Twenty-four hours in vitro incubations were used to study the effect of nitrate and molybdenum on sulfur utilization by rumen microorganisms . Sulfur was added as sodium sulfate or sulfide at .1, .2, .3, or .4% of the substrate dry matter . Cellulose digestion was an indicator of microbial growth . The addition of .1 to .4% sulfate or sulfide sulfur increased cellulose digestion over the conrol, the two sulfur sources being equal in promoting cellulose digestion . No differences in cellulose digestion were found between .1 and .4% added sulfur . However, the addition of .4 of .8% nitrate-nitrogen depressed cellulose digestion and increased the requirement for both sulfate and sulfide . Depression was greater with .8% nitrate-nitrogen . In the presence of nitrate, sulfide was superior to sulfate in promoting cellulose digestion . When 4 or 8 ppm molybdenum were added to the incubations, increasing concentrations of both sulfate and sulfide were required to obtain maximum cellulose digestion . Molybdenum additions increased both the sulfate and sulfide requirement for maximum cellulose digestion. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Dec, 34(6), 640 - 6 Effects of long-term treatment with acetylene on nitrogen-fixing microorganisms; David KA et al.; Long periods of experimental incubation with acetylene led to a multifold enhancement of acetylene-reducing activity in Anabaena cylindrica, Anabaenopsis circularis, Rhodospirillum rubrum, and Azotobacter vinelandii . Rates of acetylene reduction showed a gradual increase and reached a peak after 2 to 6 h of continuous incubation under acetylene . Thereafter, enzyme activity rapidly declined . A similar enhancement of ethylene production was observed when pretreatment with acetylene was interrupted periodically by a brief exposure to ambient (or oxygen-free) atmosphere without acetylene although the decline of acetylene-reducing activity was less rapid . Pretreatment with acetylene depressed photosynthetic 14CO2 fixation and 15N2 incorporation in Anabaena cylindrica . It is concluded that assessments based on long-term experimental incubation with acetylene may grossly overestimate the actual quantities of fixed nitrogen in the field. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig B}, 1977 Dec, 165(5-6), 444 - 57 {Design-dependent transmission of bacteria by internal infection of dental turbines (author's transl)}; Graf W et al.; The results of the present investigation point to an up to now little recognized possibility of bacterial transmission by dental turbines, namely, the intake of spray water by reverse suction from the turbine hand piece into the cooling water system on turning off the unit . Reverse suction is provided in most modern dental turbine units to prevent after-drip and the cooling of the pre-warmed spray . As a consequence, microorganisms of the oral flora and possibly disease-producing bacteria may be carried into the cooling water system and thus be transmitted to the next patient when using the same turbine . In carefully planned experiments employing E . coli as test organisms it could be shown both in simulated manipulation in the oral cavity as well as in in vitro experiments that transmission of bacteria is possible in up to 10 ml of spray water ejected (equivalent to 10 spray water fractions of 1 ml each) . In older model turbines without spray water reverse suction, bacteria were absent after ejection of no more than 6 ml of cooling water (in fractions of 1 ml each) . In order to avoid transmission of bacteria in spray water of dental turbines it appears necessary to subject the turbine hand piece or the turbine head, resp., to rigorous disinfection and to allow delivery of at least 20 ml of spray water - corresponding to about 20 second's operation - before reusing the unit. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Dec, 34(6), 630 - 6 Microbial metabolic activity in soil as measured by dehydrogenase determinations; Casida LE Jr; The dehydrogenase technique for measuring the metabolic activity of microorganisms in soil was modified to use a 6-h, 37 degrees C incubation with either glucose of yeast extract as the electron-donating substrate . The rate of formazan production remained constant during this time interval, and cellular multiplication apparently did not occur . The technique was used to follow changes in the overall metabolic activities of microorganisms in soil undergoing incubation with a limiting concentration of added nutrient . The sequence of events was similar to that obtained by using the Warburg respirometer to measure O2 consumption . However, the major peaks of activity occurred earlier with the respirometer . This possibly is due to the lack of atmospheric CO2 during the O2 consumption measurements. J Hyg (Lond), 1977 Dec, 79(3), 417 - 23 The potential for contamination of intravenous infusions by airborne skin scales; Holmes CJ et al.; Skin scales may be attracted onto the surface of administration set connector needles before insertion into infusion containers . Viable microorganisms associated with skin scales may therefore gain access to the infusion by this route . A technique is described for creating an environment of airborne skin scales . This environment is used to examine the attraction of skin scales onto the surface of administration set connector needles and three other materials . After exposure, skin scales are found adhering to the surface of each material examined . The attraction of skin scales onto administration set connector needles is dependent on the time of exposure to the environment . Results suggest that intravenous infusions can be contaminated by this route when the infusion and administration set is assembled. Experientia . 1977 Nov 15;33(11):1436. Interorder transfer of mycoplasmalike microorganisms between Drosophila paulistorum and Ephestia kühniella . II . Numbers of MLO and sterility; Gottlieb EJ et al.; A successful attempt was made to culture the mycoplasmalike microorganism causing semispecific hybrid male sterility in Drosophila paulistorum utilizing Ephestia kuhniella as the intermediate host . Data gleaned from this passage indicates that the induction of sterility depends upon the quality not the quantity of infectious intracellular symbionts. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Nov, 34(5), 611 - 4 Stimulation of the growth and respiration of a methylotrophic bacterium by morphine; Romeo J et al.; The growth of a pseudomonad on methanol was stimulated by the presence of morphine (or codeine) in the medium . The drug appeared to influence the amount of growth rather than its rate . Respiration of resting cells on a variety of substrates was stimulated by adding morphine . This report appears to be the first case of a microorganism whose growth and respiration is stimulated by an opiate. Ukr Biokhim Zh, 1977 Nov-Dec, 49(6), 49 - 55 {Carboxypeptidases from different microbiolorganisms}; Piliavs'ka GS et al.; Experiments were performed to detect "alkali" and "acid" carboxypeptidases in 39 enzymic preparations from fungi, yeast, actinomyces, bacteria and algae . Distribution of both types of carboxypeptidases is different: they are absent in the six of the studied sources, there are no "acid" carboxypeptidases in 11 sources and no "alkali" in nine ones . The largest amount of carboxypeptidases is in the objects from fungi and actinomycetes, the least, in those from bacteria and algae . There is no correlation between synthesis of these enzymes by one microorganism . Thus, fungi produce mainly "acid" enzymes, and actinomycetes only "alkali" ones . Asp . oryzae and Asp . flavus are powerful producers of the former, Streptomyces griseus of the latter . Specific activities 15-20 times as high as all the already studied ones are obtained for the preparations isolated from Str . griseus (protezym, proteinase-1, proteinase-3, crystal line complex of proteases) . Carboxypeptidase of Str . griseus is relatively stable in comparison with "acid" ones in purification and concentration. Biophys J, 1977 Nov, 20(2), 193 - 219 Physics of chemoreception; Berg HC et al.; Statistical fluctuations limit the precision with which a microorganism can, in a given time T, determine the concentration of a chemoattractant in the surrounding medium . The best a cell can do is to monitor continually the state of occupation of receptors distributed over its surface . For nearly optimum performance only a small fraction of the surface need be specifically adsorbing . The probability that a molecule that has collided with the cell will find a receptor is Ns/(Ns + pi a), if N receptors, each with a binding site of radius s, are evenly distributed over a cell of radius a . There is ample room for many indenpendent systems of specific receptors . The adsorption rate for molecules of moderate size cannot be significantly enhanced by motion of the cell or by stirring of the medium by the cell . The least fractional error attainable in the determination of a concentration c is approximately (TcaD) - 1/2, where D is diffusion constant of the attractant . The number of specific receptors needed to attain such precision is about a/s . Data on bacteriophage absorption, bacterial chemotaxis, and chemotaxis in a cellular slime mold are evaluated . The chemotactic sensitivity of Escherichia coli approaches that of the cell of optimum design. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1977 Nov, 239(3), 365 - 74 {Ultrastructural investigations on anionic surface sites of Brucella canis (author's transl)}; Weber A et al.; Anionic sites on the surface of Brucella canis were visualized in the electron microscope by staining with positively charged ferric oxide hydrosols in acetic acid (AI-reagent), or propanoic acid (PI-reagent), and with a polycationic ferritin derivative . With the AI-reagent, single or small aggregates of ferric oxide particles were bound to the cell surface of Br . canis, whereas, with the lipophilic PI-reagent, the microorganisms were heavily stained with focal aggregates of iron granules . The polycationic ferritin label was uniformly distributed over the entire cell surface of Br . canis . The ferritin label was not bound on the surface of the organisms after prior treatment with trichloroacetic acid or methanolic hydrochloric acid . Treatment with aqueous acetone, chloroform/methanol, diethyl ether, sodium deoxycholate, pronase, lysozyme, hyaluronidase, and sodium periodate neither influenced the morphology of the Brucella nor diminished their ionic binding sites . Our results indicate that the anionic sites on the cell surface of Br . canis may be carboxyl and phosphate groups of lipopolysaccharides. Sabouraudia, 1977 Nov, 15(3), 217 - 9 Culture and microscopy of microorganisms in frozen sections; Curry J et al.; A simple method is described in which frozen sections are prepared from tissue cell suspensions with added microorganisms and then cultured . The enhanced growth of the organisms makes their indentification easier . A number of applications is suggested. Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1977 Nov-Dec, 13(6), 805 - 18 {Studies on enzyme preparation from microorganisms in the USSR}; Bezborodov AM; The paper describes the most important investigations aimed at the preparation and examination of enzymes from microorganisms which have been recently carried out in the USSR . It discusses selected theoretical studies of the regulation of the enzyme synthesis by microorganisms . The paper presents data on the properties of certain enzymes which are of practical importance for different branches of people's economy and public health. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Nov, 34(5), 473 - 7 Rapid identification and quantitation of small numbers of microorganisms by a chemiluminescent immunoreaction; Halmann M et al.; A method (patent pending) for rapidly identifying and quantitating small numbers of microorganisms was developed based on the specific immunoreaction of microorganisms with homologous antibodies linked by conjugation to peroxidase . The high sensitivity of the method is due to the use of a chemiluminescent reaction for the determination of the enzyme . The reaction was performed on Alcar supports with low nonspecific adsorption . The very low noise achieved permitted the detection of as few as 30 to 300 bacterial cells. Anaesthesist, 1977 Oct, 26(10), 578 - 80 Microorganisms in the hair of staff and patients in an intensive care unit; Cozanitis DA et al.; Bacteria in the hair of staff members and patients of the Intensive Care Unit were studied . Pathogenic organisms were isolated in both groups indicating possible dangers and the need for the awareness of hair as a carrier of bacteria is stressed. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Oct, 34(4), 411 - 8 Distribution of bacteria with nitrilotriacetate-degrading potential in an estuarine environment; Bourquin AW et al.; Attempts to isolate estaurine bacteria capable of metabolizing nitrilotriacetate (NTA) as a sole carbon source from areas within Escambia Bay, Fla., were unsuccessful; however, bacteria from freshwater streams and from estaurine surface microlayers were easily adapted to degradation of NTA in freshwater medium . A Pseudomonas sp . strain (ATCC 29600), capable of growth on NTA as a sole carbon source, metabolized NTA at a reduced rate in a saline medium (15%), compared with a freshwater medium (0 to 15%) . Microorganisms capable of degrading NTA exist in estuarine surface microlayers and in fresh subsurface waters just before entering the estuary; these data indicate an interference with NTA catabolism by some unknown factors of the estuarine environment rather than an absence of potential NTA-degrading bacteria. Infect Immun, 1977 Oct, 18(1), 1 - 7 Antibodies to Acholeplasma laidlawii membrane lipids in normal guinea pig serum; Dorner I et al.; Acholeplasma laidlawii is killed and lysed by fresh normal guinea pig serum (GPS) without additional antibodies . Prior incubation of GPS with whole A . laidlawii organisms abolishes the killing activity of GPS . In the present study it was demonstrated that antibodies are present in normal GPS . The classical pathway, not the alternative pathway, of the complement sequence was activated by these antibodies in fresh normal GPS . The antibodies in GPS belong to the IgG class of immunoglobulins . They are directed predominantly against the membrane phospholipids of A . laidlawii . These antibodies may be induced either by natural infection of guinea pigs with A . laidlawii or by antigenic determinants of other microorganisms of food antigens. Biophys J, 1977 Oct, 20(1), 49 - 67 Hydrodynamic theory of swimming of flagellated microorganisms; de la Torre JG et al.; A theory of the type commonly used in polymer hydrodynamics is developed to calculate swimming properties of flagellated microorganisms . The overall shape of the particle is modeled as an array of spherical beads which act, at the same time, as frictional elements . The fluid velocity field is obtained as a function of the forces acting at each bead through Oseen-type, hydrodynamic interaction tensors . From the force and torque equilibrium conditions, such quantities as swimming velocity, angular velocity, and efficiency can be calculated . Application is made to a spherical body propelled by a helical flagellum . A recent theory by Lighthill, and earlier formulations based on tangential and normal frictional coefficients of a curved cylinder, CT and CN, are analyzed along with our theory . Although all the theories predict similar qualitative characteristics, such as optimal efficiency and the effect of fluid viscosity, they lead to rather different numerical values . In agreement with Lighthill, we found the formalisms based on CN and CT coefficients to be somewhat inaccurate, and head-flagellum interactions are shown to play an important role. Sex Transm Dis, 1977 Oct-Dec, 4(4), 150 - 2 How reliable is the morphological diagnosis of penile ulcerations? Chapel TA, Brown WJ, Jeffres C, Stewart JA. Material from 100 consecutive men who presented with penile ulcerations was tested for a variety of microorganisms . Fifty-one patients had microorganisms identified that were considered primary pathogens . The laboratory data were compared with the clinical diagnoses and the diagnostic accuracy and index of suspicion calculated . The diagnostic accuracy for lesions due to Treponema pallidum was 77.8%, Herpesvirus hominis 62.9% and Haemophilis ducreyi 33.3%, whereas the indexes of suspicion were 88.2%, 67.7% and 300% respecitively . These data show that the clinical diagnosis of genital ulcers is oftern inaccurate and that definitive diagnosis requires laboratory tests. Mutat Res, 1977 Oct, 45(1), 7 - 11 Comparison of the genetic activity of aflatoxins B1 and G1 in Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Callen DF et al.; The ability of aflatoxins B1 and G1 to induce back mutations to arg+ in Escherichia coli K-12/343/113 was compared with the induction of mitotic gene conversion to ade+ in the diploid yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae D4, ade-2 . In analogy to previous results with other microorganisms, the compounds were not genetically active per se, indicating that under the experimental conditions employed none of the tester strains were able to activate the compounds to mutagenic products . In experiments using liver homogenates (S-9 fraction) of male Golden Syrian hamsters previously treated with phenobarbital, aflatoxin B1 exhibited strong genetic activity both in E . coli and in S . cerevisiae, whereas the mutagenic activity of aflatoxin G1 was markedly lower and could be detected only in the E . coli tester strain . These results correlate the findings that aflatoxin G1 is a less potent carcinogen and mutagen than aflatoxin B1. Am J Ophthalmol, 1977 Oct, 84(4), 462 - 6 Unusual Pseudomonas corneal ulcers; Brinser JH et al.; Two rare species of Pseudomonas were isolated from corneal ulcers in two patients . In the first case P . acidovorans was isolated and suspected as the primary pathogenic microorganism in human disease . In the second case P . stutzeri was isolated from ocular sources, but this is the first report of its role in causing corneal disease . The patient in the second case had a scarred cornea, possibly caused by a previous herpetic infection, and this may have been a predisposing factor to the development of the infection by P . stutzeri . Susceptibility studies of both organisms revealed sensitivity to a wide range of antibiotics but resistance to carbenicillin, a drug currently used in the treatment of infections from P . aeruginosa. J Immunol, 1977 Oct, 119(4), 1374 - 7 Antibodies to bacterial and tumor-derived antigens in sera from normal guinea pigs; Brunda MJ et al.; Antibodies that react with radiolabeled antigens derived from guinea pig line-10 tumor cells and Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) were detected in sera from normal tumor-free strain-2 guinea pigs (NGPS) . Binding by NGPS to the two antigens was inhibited by extracts of either line-10 cells or BCG . Binding by NGPS to the line-10 antigen was inhibited by a number of other bacterial extracts . NGPS was tested after absorption with a variety of cells including line-10, line-1, normal guinea pig spleen, normal adult and fetal liver cells . Results indicated that some of the antibodies in NGPS were directed to line-10-specific determinants . The specific stimulating antigen for these antibodies was not identified but because of the antigenic relationship between BCG, line-10 cells and other bacteria, antibodies to line-10-associated antigens might have been induced by exposure to environmental microorganisms. Ciba Found Symp, 1977 Sep 13-15, (57), 155 - 74 Metabolic factors and the utilization of phosphorus by plants; Loughman BC; The overall process of entry and transport of phosphate by plants has been separated into its component parts . Rapid esterification is involved but a small proportion of the total transport may occur by a non-metabolic route . Mannose alters the metabolism of phosphate in roots of cereals and thereby reduces the transport to the shoot by as much as 99% whereas dicotyledonous species are much less sensitive . The sequestration of phosphate as mannose 6-phosphate is reversible in some species depending on the extent of its conversion into fructose 6-phosphate and it is possible that in vivo controls of this type operate in whole plants . The factors involved in the control of distribution of inorganic phosphate between cellular organelles and throughout the plant are discussed . Enzymic hydrolysis of organic forms by roots and associated microorganisms may also be important in soils where available orthophosphate is limiting . Other inorganic nutrients, particularly boron, play an important role during the transport of phosphate across membranes . Major differences have been found in the capacities of different species to transport absorbed phosphate to the shoot . Peas and field beans absorb efficiently in the early weeks of growth but the rate of transport is about one thirtieth that of oats, barley, mung bean or sunflower . The relevance of the experimental findings to the wider problem of efficiency of fertilizer use and the possible selection of genotypes with high capacities for absorption and transport are discussed. Dermatol Monatsschr, 1977 Sep, 163(9), 700 - 5 {Malignant tumors of internal organs and dermatoses}; Salamon T; According to the author there are five possible kinds of relationship between visceral neoplasmas and diseases of the skin . 1 . Instances in which neoplasma induces dermatosis (the so-called paraneoplastic diseases) . 2 . Instances in which defective immune mechanism or long-lasting immune suppression promote the development of neoplasma as well as of skin diseases due to microorganism and viruses . 3 . Instances in which the tumor and dermatosis are associated without causal relationship . 4 . Cases of malignant lymphoma arising from neoplastic proliferation of the cells of the reticulohistiocytic system involving visceral organs and the skin . 5 . Skin metastases of internal neoplastic processes. Microsc Acta, 1977 Sep, 79(5), 415 - 8 The use of the phosphorescence microscope for the study of the phosphorescence of various cells; Zotikov AA et al.; The phosphorescence microscope (i.e . a microspectrophosphorimeter) was used for recording the phosphorescence of microobjects . The general optical scheme of the reflecting phosphorescence microscope is described . The recordings of the phosphorescence spectra of cells of various types (bacteria, yeast, protozoa and human fibroblasts) were carried out both at room temperature and deep cooling . It will be shown that the phosphorescence spectra of the microorganisms are specific for every species of cells . The changes of the spectral parameters and triplet decay times after X-irradiation of Tetrahymena pyriformis cells were demonstrated . The decay time of phosphorescence of the fibroblasts at low temperature was also obtained. Invest Urol, 1977 Sep, 15(2), 100 - 3 Renal toxicity . Tobramycin and gentamicin; Fry TL et al.; The new aminoglycoside, tobramycin sulfate, has been shown to be effective against the same microorganisms for which gentamicin is currently employed . This study compares the effects of these two antibiotics on renal function and ultrastructure in guinea pigs . Significant differences in the blood urea nitrogen of treated and nontreated groups, as well as between the gentamicin- and tobramycin-treated groups were observed . Gentamicin produced greater, more rapid elevations of the blood urea nitrogen, although all elevations were reversible . The ultrastructural pathology produced by tobramycin was similar to that previously described for gentamicin. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig B}, 1977 Sep, 165(1), 113 - 25 Factors influencing the assessment of the pseudomonacidal activity of disinfectants by a quantitative suspension test . II . The post-disinfection recovery of surviving organisms; Reybrouck G; Bacteria which have been treated by a disinfectant may be partially damaged so that they will be able to survive and to multiply only if all environmental factors are kept as optimal as possible . Otherwise no growth at all is obtained and the disinfectant solution will be wrongly considered as active . Therefore the technique of the post-medication recovery of surviving microorganisms is a matter of great importance . Since our aim is to elaborate a quantitative test, the counting technique using pour or streak plates is investigated here . In contrast to the results of viable counts of normally cultivated P . aeruginosa (Tables 1 and 2), the colony counts of phenol-treated bacteria gain higher figures when the spread plate method is used instead of the pour plate technique (Table 3) . - Out of nine solid media examined (Table 4), four culture media are considered to be superior to the others (Table 5) . They are Davis Agar, the Nutrient Agar of the German pharmacopoeia, the Nutrient Agar proposed by the APHA, and Tryptone Soy bean peptone Agar . Further investigation on the influence of the recovery medium is needed since there is stated that significant differences are obtained when three preparations of the same formulation are compared (Table 6) . Finally the author observed that the volume of the culture medium affects the survival rate (Table 8) . The recovery of disinfectant-treated bacteria is found to be very complex; further research on this domain should be encouraged. Johns Hopkins Med J, 1977 Sep, 141(3), 126 - 34 The defense of the lung: studies of the role of cell-mediated immunity; Johnson JE 3rd et al.; The defense of the lung against infections, toxins and allergens is accomplished by an excretory transport mechanism and by the interaction of cellular and humoral defense systems . Pulmonary alveolar macrophages represent a common effector pathway for both nonspecific cellular phagocytic defenses and for specifically triggered cell-mediated immunity, via T lymphocytes . Nonspecific activation of macrophages is induced by toxic substances . Studies of the immunocytologic system indicate partial compartmentalization and "local" immunity for both cellular and humoral systems . Further studies on pulmonary cell-mediated immunity have characterized an amplification mechanism by which antigen-induced stimulation of T lymphocytes leads to recruitment of nonsensitive lymphocytes through the production of a low-molecular weight "transfer factor." Other lymphocyte-produced mediators (lymphokines) act to attract, aggregate and accumulate macrophages in areas of inflammation . In addition, macrophages are "activated" and show enhanced microbicidal capabilities as well as enhanced resistance to the cytotoxic effects of certain ingested microorganisms . It is postulated that cellular (nonspecific) and cell-mediated (specific) immune defenses play important roles in protection against several categories of microorganisms in a hierarchy of virulence. Dtsch Zahnarztl Z, 1977 Sep, 32(9), 744 - 6 {The metabolic behavior of the human plaque flora towards the sugar substitute xylitol}; Gulzow HJ; By means of the Warburg technique, whether and to what extent microorganisms of the human plaque can metabolize xylitol under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions was studied, and the results were compared with those for saccharose . Under the chosen test conditions, this sugar alcohol was metabolized, if at all, in negligibly small traces only, during eight hours. Z Gesamte Inn Med, 1977 Aug 15, 32(16), 393 - 6 {Mycobacterial infections in internal medicine patients}; Wendel H et al.; It is reported on four own observations of atypical mycobacteriosis, which had been evident within the clinical examinations of a larger mixed number of patients with internal diseases . In three patients pathogenic significance must be ascribed to the proved atypical mycobacteria . All the three had other basic diseases . Only in one patient it appeared as a purely pulmonary form of manifestation . On the basis of a further observation is shown that a single proof of atypical mycobacteria may be regarded only as accidental findings . The clinical symptomatology of this group of diseases is multiform . The differential-diagnostic considerations are usually determined by the basic disease . As apart from this the proof of atypical mycobacteria is difficult, infections with these microorganisms might at present not infrequently remain infrequently . The observation of a disease by mycobacterium xenopi emphasizes that also in this microorganism good chances of success may be given by medicamentous antituberculotic therapy. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig B}, 1977 Aug, 164(5-6), 567 - 80 {Disposal of aerobic treated swine waste by refeeding to finishing swine (author's transl)}; Drepper K et al.; Simple aerobic treatment of swine waste did not increase the production of microorganismprotein (pure protein) . Addition of available energy resulted in a small increase of pure protein: During continuous aerobic treatment 20 g pure protein were produced by 100 g starch, during discontinuous aerobic treatment 10 g pure protein by 100 g organic matter from molasses (mean values) . Comparative feeding trials with 90% resp . 80% feed restricted finishing swine without and with added swine waste (continuous treated without supplements resp . discontinuous treated with addition of yeasts and molasses) had as results no improvement in body-weight-gain but a 12% resp . 17% deterioration in feed conversion with 13% less bodyfat formation . Weight gains of both groups with restricted feed (without and with added swine waste) was 22% less in comparison to full fed swine . Losses at slaughter of swine in the group with feed restriction and added swine waste were partly due to higher intestine contents higher than that of swine with feed restriction and without added swine waste . Higher weights of livers and kidneys in swine of the "waste group" counts for a possibly higher metabolism-stress. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Aug, 34(2), 170 - 4 Rapid spectrophotometric differentiation between glutathione-dependent and glutathione-independent gentisate and homogentisate pathways; Crawford RL et al.; A total of four pathways are known for the catabolism by microorganisms of gentisate (2,5-dihydroxybenzoate) and homogentisate (2,5-dihydroxyphenylacetate) . Both of these dihydric phenols can be degraded by either a glutathione-dependent or a glutathione-independent reaction sequence . We found that it is not always possible to unequivocally assign glutathione dependence or independence to a particular catabolic sequence by using the well-established spectrophotometric assays at 330 nm (gentisate pathway) or 320 nm (homogentisate pathway) . This paper reports a modification of the classical spectrophotometric assays that allowed an unequivocal differentiation between glutathion-dependent and glutathione-independent pathways, even when crude cell extracts contained significant quantities of cell-derived, reduced glutathione . This was accomplished by performing assays in the presence of an approximately 10(-3) M solution of the sulfhydryl-binding agent N-ethylmaleimide. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1977 Aug, (8), 53 - 9 {Fatty acid makeup of various Brucella species and its relationship to the culture medium}; Vasiurenko ZP et al.; Gas chromatographic method was applied to the study of the fatty acid composition (in Br . melitensis, Br . abortus, Br . suis, and Br . ovis strains . Fatty acid composition was similar in the mentioned brucellae species, except Br . suis No . 1330 significantly differing by this sign . Methyleneoctadecanoic acid content was considerably elevated, and that of octadecenoic -- reduced in brucellae grown on liver agar with the addition of serum and on meat-peptone agar in comparison with brucellae grown on liver agar; apparently this represents one of the mechanisms of the microorganism adaptation to the less favourable conditions of the nutrient medium . Passage of Br . ovis strain through the guinea pig organism led to the appearance of brucellae forming two types of colonies when grown on liver agar with the addition of serum . The fatty acid composition of brucellae forming small transparent colonies was the same as that of the initial culture with the prevalence of methyleneoctadecanoic acid; as to brucellae with larger colonies with irregular margin and nontransparent centre of the colony--octadecenoic acid prevailed in their fatty acid composition, i.e . their composition was similar to such in brucellae of the melitensis and abortus species grown on liver agar. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Aug, 34(2), 175 - 84 Parathion utilization by bacterial symbionts in a chemostat; Daughton CG et al.; A continuous-culture device was used to select and enrich for microorganisms, from sewage and agricultural runoff, that were capable of using the organophosphorus insecticide parathion as a sole growth substrate . Parathion was dissimilated by the highly acclimated symbiotic activities of Pseudomonas stutzeri, which non-oxidatively and cometabolically hydrolyzed the parathion to ionic diethyl thiophosphate and p-nitrophenol, and P . aeruginosa, which utilized the p-nitrophenol as a sole carbon and energy source . Ionic diethyl thiophosphate was found to be inert to any transformations . Methyl parathion was dissimilated in an analogous way . The device functioned as a chemostat with parathion as the growth-limiting nutrient, and extraordinarily high dissimilation rates were attained for parathion (8 g/liter per day) and for p-nitrophenol (7 g/liter per day) . This is the first report of parathion utilization by a defined microbial culture and by symbiotic microbial attack and of dissimilation of an organophosphorus pesticide in a chemostat. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Aug, 34(2), 150 - 4 Dry-heat resistance of selected psychrophiles; Winans L et al.; The dry-heat resistance characteristics of spores of psychrophilic organisms isolated from soil samples from the Viking spacecraft assembly areas at Cape Kennedy Space Flight Center, Cape Canaveral, Fla., were studied . Spore suspensions were produced, and dry-heat D values were determined for the microorganisms that demonstrated growth or survival under a simulated Martian environment . The dry-heat tests were carried out by using the planchet-boat-hot plate system at 110 and 125 degrees C with an ambient relative humidity of 50% at 22 degrees C . The spores evaluated had a relatively low resistance to dry heat . D(110 degrees C) values ranged from 7.5 to 122 min, whereas the D(123 degrees C) values ranged from less than 1.0 to 9.8 min. Prostaglandins, 1977 Aug, 14(2), 333 - 41 Resistance of germfree rats to indomethacin-induced intestinal lesions; Robert A et al.; Indomethacin given orally to conventional rats produced in three days a syndrome, often fatal, of intestinal lesions characterized by multiple ulcers and peritonitis . Male germfree rats were found to be resistant to this effect of indomethacin, while female germfree rats developed very mild lesions . Germfree rats became sensitive again to such lesions when monocontaminated with E . coli . In such animals, however, the lesions were less severe than in conventional animals, presumably because more than one microorganism is necessary for the full syndrome to develop . These results suggest that microorganisms are necessary for the development of indomethacin-induced intestinal lesions . Secondary bile acids, absent in germfree animals, may also be necessary . The prostaglandin deficiency caused by indomethacin appears to weaken the resistance of the intestinal mucosa to microorganisms and/or their toxins . The latter may then penetrate the mucosa, damage the cells and produce ulcers and perforations . Since several prostaglandins also protect against indomethacin-induced lesions, the hypothesis is advanced that certain prostaglandins may protect the mucosa ("cytoprotection") by preventing the spread of microorganisms and/or their toxin through the intestinal wall. Biotechnol Bioeng, 1977 Aug, 19(8), 1145 - 53 Considerations in predicting phenotypic modifications in amino acid profiles of total cell protein of microorganisms; Alroy Y et al.; A mathematical model is presented that describes the concentration of an amino acid in total cell protein as a function of its concentration in individual cell proteins or in sets of cell proteins . The resulting equation makes it possible to calculate how the makeup of cell proteins must change to obtain a specified alteration in the content of an amino acid in the total cell protein . It is recognized that protein species or sets of proteins that are distinguished by being richer or poorer in a key amino acid than the overall protein must undergo considerable variations in content . The necessary extent of these shifts suggests that the amino acid composition of total cell protein is not likely to be affected significantly by variations in the cultivation conditions. J Cell Physiol, 1977 Aug, 92(2), 155 - 60 The activity of the pneumococcal autolytic system and the fate of the bacterium during ingestion by rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes; Tomasz A et al.; The extent to which autolytic microbial enzymes are involved in the fate of microorganisms ingested by phagocytes has not been determined . It is known, however, that activation of degradative enzymes occurs during certain microbicidal events . We examined the possible role of the pneumococcal autolytic enzyme (an N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanine amidase) in the loss of viability and degradation of pneumococci during phagocytosis by rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes . Three bacterial systems were compared: (a) wild type pneumococci with an active autolytic system; (b) wild type bacteria grown under conditions that block the endogenous autolytic activity and (c) a mutant strain defective in the major autolytic enzyme of this bacterium . No differences could be detected between the autolysis-positive and negative bacteria in the rate of killing and in the fate of macromolecular cell constituents during ingestion by rabbit peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Parazitologiia, 1977 Jul-Aug, 11(4), 326 - 32 {Basic taxonomic groupings of the organisms participating in the formation of nest-burrow microbiocenoses}; Nel'zina EN; The transition of arthropods, other invertebrates and microorganisms to the nest-burrow habitats was accompanied (if presented in a historical aspect) by an intensive speciation resulting in a rise of a peculiar life form, nidicoles . Now nidicoles are reported in such large taxons as Protophyta, Mycophyta, Protozoa, Nematoda and Arthropoda . The main part of nidicoles is represented by arthropods, members of the orders Acariformes, Parasitiformes, Blattoidea, Saltatoria, Mallophaga, Anoplura, Heteroptera, Coleoptera, Diptera and Siphonaptera. Genetics, 1977 Jul, 86(3), 607 - 21 The evolution of epistasis and the advantage of recombination in populations of bacteriophage T4; Malmberg RL; Experiments reported here test two hypotheses about the evolution of recombination: first, the Fisher-Muller concept that sexual organisms respond to selection more rapidly than do asexual ones, and second, that epistasis is more likely to evolve in the absence of recombination . Populations of bacterio-phage T4 were selected by the drug proflavine in discrete generations and the change in mean population fitness was monitored . Three separate selection series yielded results supporting the Fisher-Muller hypothesis . The amount of epistasis evolved was measured by partitioning the T4 map into regions and comparing the sum of the proflavine resistances of each region with the resistance of the whole . Significantly more interactions were found in phage isolated from the populations with lower total recombination than in those from populations with higher recombination . The degree to which these experiments fit preconceived notions about natural selection suggests that microorganisms may be advantageously used in other population genetics experiments. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Jul, 34(1), 56 - 9 Stereospecific sulfur oxidation of 7-methylthioxanthone-2-carboxylic acid by Calonectria decora; Lanzilotta RP et al.; Thin-layer chromatography was used to determine the ability of three microorganisms capable of sulfur oxygenation, including Aspergillus niger, Streptomyces armentosus subsp . armentosus, and Calonectria decora, to oxidize 7-methylthioxanthone-2-carboxylic acid to the corresponding sulfoxide in growing cultures . In addition, optical rotary dispersion, circular dichroism, and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis in the presence of chiral shift reagent were used variously to access reaction stereoselectivity, absolute configuration, and optical purity of isolated products . The data indicated that C . decora produced the sulfoxide in high yield (69%) and optical purity (97%), most probably in the S-configuration. Ann Sclavo, 1977 Jul-Aug, 19(4), 622 - 5 {Numerical taxonomy and employment of the computer in diagnostic medical microbiology (author's transl)}; Bonomi U; The institution is proposed of a expert committee to study and introduce new methods to allow a better diffusion of numerical taxonomy among clinical bacteriologists . Computers are nowadays rather diffuse devices that can contribute to bring order in the field of the classification of microorganisms and to introduce new keys for the identification of isolates from pathological materials. J Dent Res, 1977 Jul, 56(7), 709 - 15 Antiplaque potential of topical stannous fluoride; Hoffman S et al.; Sterile enamel samples treated by topical application of 10% stannous fluoride were incubated with S mutans and S sanguis respectively and with a mixed culture to which L casei had been added . The results were compared with sterile nonfluoridated enamel samples subjected to the same procedures . The parameters compared were postincubation pH values, bacterial concentrations on the surfaces, and enamel surface alterations . Stannous fluoride treated samples consistently yielded higher pH readings than nonfluoridated samples; the concentration of microorganisms adhering to the surfaces was conspicuously reduced on the pretreated enamel when compared by scanning electron microscopy to untreated samples, as were enamel surface alterations . These findings lend support to other recent investigations which have shown that fluorides act in several ways to inhibit cariogenesis in addition to reducing hydroxyapatite solubility. J Natl Cancer Inst, 1977 Jul, 59(1), 289 - 93 Sister chromatid exchange and chromosome aberration analysis with the use of several carcinogens and noncarcinogens; Popescu NC et al.; Several chemical carcinogens and noncarcinogens were tested for their ability to induce sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and structural chromosome aberrations in cultured V79-4 Chinese hamster cells . All of the direct-acting carcinogens induced a large increase in SCE frequency . Two chemicals, which are mutagenic in microorganisms but whose carcinogenicity is poorly documented, also increased the frequency of SCE . Carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons caused an increased incidence of SCE only when a metabolizing feeder layer was used, whereas no increase was observed with noncarcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons . The other noncarcinogens also did not influence the SCE frequency . Although some chemicals increased the frequency of structural chromosome aberrations, no correlation was found between the frequencies of SCE and aberrations. Mikrobiologiia, 1977 Jul-Aug, 46(4), 741 - 5 {Effect of temperature on the dynamics of interaction of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus with host bacteria}; Afinogenova AV et al.; The dynamics of the interaction between Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus and the host bacterium was found to depend on temperature . The maximum rate of infection was found at 37 degrees C . The maximum yield of Bdellovibrio and the maximum lysis of the host cells occurred at 22.5 degrees C . The cardinal points, at which no interaction was observed, have been determined . It is concluded that B . bacteriovorus belongs to mesophilis microorganisms. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Jul, 34(1), 14 - 7 Rapid detection of microbial contamination in frozen vegetables by automated impedance measurements; Hardy D et al.; Automated impedance measurements can be used to rapidly assess whether a sample of frozen vegetables contains greater or less than 10(5) organisms per g . Microorganisms growing pureed food samples cause a change in the impedance of the medium when the organisms reach a threshold concentration of between 10(6) and 10(7) organisms per ml . Estimates of the concentration of microorganisms initially present in the food sample can be made by recording the time required for the organisms in the sample to replicate to threshold levels . In this study, the detection times for 357 samples of frozen vegetables were compared with standard plate counts for each sample . The agreement between the two methods in distinguishing samples containing more than 10(5) organisms per g was 92.6% for 257 assorted frozen vegetables and somewhat higher (93 to 96%) when separate cutoff times were used for each type of vegetable . The time required for analysis was about 5 h, compared to the 48 to 72 h required for standard plate counts. J Am Dent Assoc, 1977 Jul, 95(1), 106 - 10 Dental aspects of patients with cystic fibrosis: a preliminary clinical study; Blacharsh C; The oral conditions of 42 patients being treated for cystic fibrosis were evaluated . The patients were grouped by age and, in some aspects, were compared with a small control group of their siblings . The patient group had a lowered incidence of plaque and less gingival disease than did the control group in which every person had some amount of plaque or gingival disease . Calculus formation was minimal . The reasons for the finding of minimal plaque in the patient group could be related to several factors, including the life-long use of various antibiotic agents, the chewing of digestive enzyme supplements, the effect of medical management on tooth hardness, and the effect of stained teeth (possible tetracycline deposition) on the plaque microorganisms . It appears that the therapy for cystic fibrosis was beneficial to the periodontal health of these patients . Much further study is needed to understand the interrelationship between an altered oral environment (salivary changes in cystic fibrosis), altered microbial flora (by antibiotics, enzymes) and even altered tooth surfaces (possible tetracycline deposition) . Most patients were found to have one or more oral habits . Tooth mobility was associated with tension habits . Patients who had clubbed fingers (indicating pulmonary compromise) and possibly a severe disease process, did not appear to have either stained teeth or the severity of the gingivitis associated with this . The relationship of tetracycline to tooth staining could not be pinpointed. Biomedicine, 1977 Jul, 26(4), 236 - 49 Microbial secondary metabolites with potential use in cancer treatment . (Plasmid involvement in biosynthesis and compounds; Umezawa H; Antibiotics and small molecular enzyme inhibitors produced by micro-organisms are microbial secondary metabolites which have no obvious function in the growth of microorganisms . Involvement of plasmids in their biosyntheses has been studied and the structure of the microbial world where various compounds with widely varying structures have been found has been shown to be due to the presence of a great variety of plasmids . On the basis of this structure of microbial world, the author has found the microbial products which have various activities useful in treatment of cancer or in suppression of carcinogenesis . In this paper, the author reviewed his following studies: the plasmid involvement in biosyntheses of bioactive microbial secondary metabolites; the mechanism of therapeutic effect of bleomycin, and the development of useful analogs and derivatives of bleomycin and anthracyclic antibiotics; the screening method to find compounds affecting immune system, and the action of bestatin in enhancing delayed-type hypersensitivity and therapeutic effects of anticancer agents; enzyme inhibitors with potential utility in treatment or prevention of cancer. Chest, 1977 Jul, 72(1), 5 - 9 Fiberoptic bronchoscopy and culture bacteria from the lower respiratory; Fossieck BE Jr et al.; Forty-five specimens were obtained by sequential translaryngeal aspiration and fiberoptic bronchoscopy from 31 clinically unifected patients with lung cancer in order to evaluate the reliability of routine fiberoptic bronchoscopy for culture of the lower respiratory tract . Bacteria were recovered brom 98 percent (44) of the specimens obtained via fiberoptic bronchoscopy and from 58 percent (26) of the specimens obtained by the preceding translaryngeal aspiration . The microorganisms grown from cultures of specimens obtained by fiberoptic bronchoscopy consisted of mixtures of both nonpathogenic and potenitally pathogenic bacteria . Potentially pathogenic bacteria were present in 87 percent (39) of the specimens from fiberoptic bronchoscopy and 31 percent (14) of specimens from translayngeal aspiration . The results of cultures from the two procedures agreed completely in only a single instance . Culture of washings or secretions obtained by routine fiberoptic bronchoscopy is not recommended because it provides inaccurate and clinically confusing information about the presence or types of bacteria in the lower respiratory tract prior to instrumentation. Eur J Nucl Med, 1977 Jun 30, 2(2), 105 - 7 Microbial contamination of radionuclide generators; Sorensen K et al.; Technetium-99m generators were grossly contaminted using 5 different strains of microorganisms . Elution of the generators showed that the number of microorganisms was reduced by a factor of 10(4)-10(6) . There were no indications that the generators would support bacterial growth . It is concluded that it would be acceptable from a microbiologic point of view to omit autoclaving and membrane filtration of the final product provided that proper aseptic techniques are applied. Aust J Biol Sci, 1977 Jun, 30(3), 203 - 6 Fate of cyst(e)ine synthesized by microbial activity in the ruminant caecum; Elliott R et al.; Cyst(e)ine synthesized by microorganisms in the caecum of sheep was labelled following the infusion of Na2 35SO4 into the terminal ileum . {35S}Cyst(e)ine activity was detected in the faeces, but not in plasma or wool . Appreciable absorption of 35S, presumably in the form of sulphide, into the circulation occurred, and its presence in saliva was demonstrated . It was concluded that nutritionally negligible quantities of cyst(e)ine are likely to be absorbed from the ovine large intestine. Am Rev Respir Dis, 1977 Jun, 115(6), 1051 - 6 Primary pulmonary sporotrichosis; Jay SJ et al.; A 34-year-old alcoholic and drug addict developed cavitary pulmonary sporotrichosis that progressed slowly during 6 years . Pulmonary resection and pre- and postoperative therapy with amphotericin B were associated with prompt clinical improvement with no evidence of relapse during a 2-year follow-up . Histologic examination of lung revealed granulomatous inflammation with organisms consistent with Sporothrix schenckii, and interstitial talc (magnesium silicate) granulomas . The latter finding was consistent with the history of intravenous drug abuse . Although the presence of silicates in lung enhances the pathogenicity of some microorganisms, the relation of these findings to the pathogenesis of sporotrichosis in our patient is unclear. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {C}, 1977 Jun, 85(3), 161 - 8 Phagocytosis of heat-killed radiolabelled mycobacteria in human mononuclear phagocytes cultured in vitro; Viken KE et al.; Human mononuclear phagocytes cultured in vitro for 8 dyas were exposed to 125I-labelled, heat-killed Mycobacterium triviale . The microorganisms were apparently engulfed, but no digestion occurred within a period of 16 days after the engulfment, measured as release of radioactivity to the medium and observed microscopically . Attempts were made to stimulate intracellular digestion of the bacteria . Pre-incubation with BCG-stimulated lymphocytes or with supernatants from BCG-stimulated lymphocyte cultures did not increase the digestive ability of the cells . However, pre-incubation with BCG-stimulated lymphocytes or with supernatants caused detachment of the cells during the following digestion period, probably due to a cytotoxic effect of autologous, transformed lymphocytes on macrophages . When the macrophages were cultured in the presence of autologous lymphocytes and BCG, a similar effect was found. Infect Immun, 1977 Jun, 16(3), 796 - 804 Quantitative granulocyte chemiluminescence in the rapid detection of impaired opsonization of Escherichia coli; Stevens P et al.; Previous work has demonstrated that 40% of clinically isolated Escherichia coli are resistant to in vitro killing by normal human polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) due to ineffective opsonophagocytosis . Using these E . coli isolates, we have demonstrated the usefulness of measuring the chemiluminescence (CL) of granulocytes undergoing phagocytosis in detecting this impaired opsonization . CL correlated well with several other methods to assess PMN function including in vitro killing assays, postphagocytic O2 consumption, and morphological phagocytic indexes . Of the available methods to assess granulocyte function, CL is the most rapid and simple and would appear to be a potentially useful screening method to determine possible opsonic deficiencies of human PMNs and serum . Impaired opsonization to these resistant E . coli isolates was demonstrable in several different donors and could be reversed by type-specific rabbit antibody to the particular resistant isolate . Bacterial levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase, enzymes which have been implicated as possible virulence factors in some microorganisms, did not correlate with resistance in these E . coli isolates . However, heat denaturation of these isolates reversed this resistance and would suggest heat-labile antigenic determinants present in E . coli as possible resistance factors. Albrecht Von Graefes Arch Klin Exp Ophthalmol, 1977 May 23, 202(3), 181 - 5 Bacterial flora of stored human donor corneas after antibiotic treatment; Schimmelpfennig B et al.; In 100 out of 122 eyes obtained at autopsy, bacteria could be cultured in swabs taken from the conjunctivae . After individual storage of the excised corneas at +4 degrees C in a modified tissue culture medium containing 100 microgram/ml Gentalmicin, in 18 culture specimens there was still some growth of microorganisms . In comparison to nine other antibiotics, Gentamicin was the most effective against cultivated bacteria in a sensitivity test . However, in 25% of the specimens Ps.aeruginosa was resistant to Gentamicin . Polymyxin, to which Ps.aeruginosa was not resistant in the same test, should be used in combination with Gentamicin for antibiotic treatment of stored human donor corneas. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1977 May 15, 170(10 Pt 2), 1208 - 9 Evaluation of induced infections as a research method; Newbould FH; Induced intramammary infections have been used to elucidate the route of invasion and the response of the gland once invading microorganisms have entered the teat cistern . Currently, such infections have been employed to study factors affecting the efficacy and excretion of antibiotic and chemotherapeutic products infused into the mammary gland for treatment and control of mastitis . They provide a means for controlled standardized conditions which cannot be obtained in commercial herds often employed in field studies. Lloydia, 1977 May-Jun, 40(3), 239 - 46 Microbial transformations of natural antitumor agents . IV . Formation of N-(2)-nor-d-tetrandrine by Cunninghamella blakesleeana (ATCC 8688a); Davis PJ et al.; Microbial transformation experiments have been conducted with the antitumor alkaloid, d-tetrandrine . The alkaloid is selectively demethylated at the N-(2)-position by Cunninghamella blakesleeana ATCC 8688a . The biotransformation reaction is highly selective and uncomplicated by side-product formation . N-demethylation of the alkaloid using methylchloroformate is not regio-specific . Procedures used in screening microorganisms for their abilities to yield metabolites of d-tetrandrine are evaluated. J Exp Med, 1977 May 1, 145(5), 1328 - 43 Surface parasitism by Mycoplasma pneumoniae of respiratory epithelium; Hu PC et al.; Identification of the attachment factor on virulent Mycoplasma pneumoniae organisms which permits surface parasitism of respiratory epithelium was attempted . Brief pretreatment of M . pneumoniae monolayers with protease prevented mycoplasma attachment ot sensitive host cells without reducing viability of the microorganisms . Gel electrophoretic analysis of mycoplasma proteins before and after exposure of intact mycoplasmas to protease revealed the absence of a major protein species (P1) in enzyme-treated preparations while other protein bands with the exception of P2 were virtually unaffected . The absence of P1 correlated with the failure of enzyme-treated mycoplasmas to attach to tracheal explants . P1 regeneration after protease treatment of mycoplasma monolayers was directly associated with reattachment capabilities in M . pneumoniae . Erythromycin inhibited P1 resynthesis, thus preventing resumed attachment activity by mycoplasmas . Lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination of intact M . pneumoniae organisms further confirmed that P1 was an external membrane protein and suggested that his surface component was required for the successful membrane-membrane interaction between host and parasite. Biotechnol Bioeng, 1977 May, 19(5), 715 - 26 Assimilation of liquid hydrocarbon by microorganisms . II . Growth kinetics; Miura Y et al.; The growth kinetics of a microorganism with high affinity for liquid hydrocarbon which has a low solubility in water was investigated for Candida intermedia IFO 0761 in our previous work . The microorganism contained a hydrocarbon pool in and/or on the cell . The transfer of water-soluble substrates to the cell was not the rate-limiting step in the growth of C . intermedia accompanied by clump formation with liquid hydrocarbon . The operating conditions necessary for the oxygen supply for the growth were adequate for the growth of C . intermedia on n-tetradecane . The saturation kinetics was valid for the specific growth rate of C . intermedia and specific concentration of hydrocarbon per unit cell mass; the specific growth rate was expressed by the following equation: (formula: see text). Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 1977 May, 17(5), 528 - 33 Reduced mercury excretion with feces in germfree mice after oral administration of methyl mercury chloride; Nakamura I et al.; When methyl mercury chloride was administered orally the amount of mercury excretion with feces of germfree mice was noticeably lower than that of the control mice . Germfree mice excreted 24 percent of the administered mercury within 10 days of administration while the control mice excreted 46 percent . Mercury retention in the organs of germfree mice was slightly higher than in the control mice . These results suggest that the existence of microorganisms in animal intestines are concerned with mercury excretion in the animal body. Mol Biol (Mosk), 1977 May-Jun, 11(3), 521 - 30 {Role of water in the thermal instability of DNA}; Novikov IA et al.; We studied structural changes of DNA heated for long times at temperatures between 20 to 100 degrees C at different relative humidities (range 0--100%) . DNA structure was analyzed by the following criteria: solubility changes, optical melting, ultraviolet spectroscopy, potentiometry and equilibrium dialysis . It has been found that irreversible changes in DNA secondary structure take place at around 37 degrees C, temperature optimal for the function in many living systems . These irreversible changes may be interpreted as a consequence of formation of interchain contacts (non-covalent "cross-links") . We demonstrate that the whole range of relative humidities may be divided onto three regions . For each of these regions DNA has somewhat different molecular structure and peculiarities are observed in the stabilizing and destabilizing action of water on DNA three-dimensional structure . Irreversible changes of DNA secondary structure as a function of bound water are represented by a bell-shaped curve . Similarity between this curve and a curve for the survival microorganisms is discussed. Acta Odontol Scand, 1977 May, 35(2), 103 - 10 Influence of local insults on sympathetic vasoconstrictor control in feline dental pulp; Forssell-Ahlberg K et al.; The present investigation was undertaken to ascertain whether local insults can affect the sympathetic vasoconstrictor regulation of pulpal blood flow . The rate of disapperance (k-value) of iodide from dentinal cavities was measured in anaesthetized cats . Changes in k-value reflected changes in blood flow . It has previously been shown that stimulation of sympathetic vasoconstrictor nerve fibres generally causes a clearcut decrease in the k-value . Deep cavity preparation was found to inhibit the vasoconstrictor response in a few cases in experiments on mature cats . Heating or cooling the tooth during cavity preparation induced a more frequent inhibition, which proved to be reversible within a few hours . Compound 48/80 applied locally to the cavity was also found to induce inhibition of the vasoconstrictor effect, but in this case no sign of reversibility was observed . Chronic insults were produced by exposing the cavity to oral microorganisms during 1-4 weeks before the experimental procedure . In this case, the sympathetic vasoconstrictor response was not inhibited . A histological study was performed to examine the pulp tissue after cavity preparation and the application of insults . It was found that cavity preparation and acute insults caused little or no disturbance, while chronic insults resulted in severe damage to the pulpal tissue. J Biochem (Tokyo), 1977 May, 81(5), 1209 - 15 Studies on sterol-ester hydrolase from Fusarium oxysporum . I . Partial purification and properties; Okawa Y et al.; 1 . A search for a long chain fatty acyl sterol-ester hydrolase in microorganisms led to the isolation from soil of five strains belonging to Fusarium sp . which produced strong activity in the culture medium . 2 . The cholesterol esterase from Fusarium oxysporum IGH-2 was purified about 270-fold by means of CaCl2 precipitation and Sephadex G-75 column chromatography . 3 . The cholesterol esterase was activated by adekatol and Triton X-100 . It was inhibited by lecithin and lysolecithin, and completely inactivated by heat treatment (60 degrees C for 30 min, at pH 7.0) . 4 . The optimum pH of the enzyme was found to be around 7.0 . 5 . Among various cholesterol esters tested, cholesterol linoleate was the most suitable substrate . 6 . Cholesterol esters in serum were also hydrolyzed by this enzyme. Aust J Biol Sci, 1977 Apr, 30(1-2), 155 - 72 A thermodynamic assessment of possible substrates for sulphate-reducing bacteria; Wake LV et al.; A thermodynamic feasibility study was applied as a means of predicting suitable energy-yielding substrates for growth of sulphate-reducing microorganisms . The average free energy release per electron pair for a substrate-sulphate oxidoreduction may be more or less than the energy requirement for ATP synthesis from ADP and Pi . Substrates were divided into two groups on this thermodynamic basis and the division was shown to accord with previous experimental reports; those substrates which released an average of at least 8-4 kcal per electron pair (35-2 kJ per electron pair) were able to support growth whilst those releasing less than 8-4 kcal were unable to do so . It is proposed that the thermodynamic assessment could be applied to a wide range of possible substrates to predict the likelihood of their serving as sole substrates for growth of these organisms . The literature concerning the use of hydrocarbons by sulphate reducers is confused and indefinite, but inclines toward the idea that use of long-chain hydrocarbons by these organisms is possible . In contrast, however, thermodynamic analysis showed that the highest energy release is from the short-chain alkynes. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Apr, 33(4), 977 - 9 Ethylene production by soil microorganisms; Considine PJ et al.; Ethylene-producing strains of Penicillium cyclopium and P . crustosum were isolated from soil . These isolates produced ethylene on a variety of carbon growth substrates including phenolic acids . The quantities of ethylene produced on the various substrates varied, and the subtrate-ethylene prosuction pattern for P . cyclopium strains differed significantly from that of P . crustosum strains. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 1977 Apr, 17(4), 463 - 7 Fate of labeled n-alkanes in the blue crab and stripped mullet; Geiszler PC et al.; Results of these studies demonstrate that the blue crab was readily able to take up and discharge labeled n-alkanes, but it was not able to metabolize them . In contrast, it appears that n-alkanes taken up via the digestive tract in mullet are readily metabolized, probably via microorganisms in the gut . More limited metabolism was observed in mullet when n-alkanes were taken up via the gills. Int J Oral Surg, 1977 Apr, 6(2), 65 - 74 Concentration of azidocillin, erythromycin, doxycycline and clindamycin in dental alveolar serum after single oral doses; Bystedt H et al.; Treatment of osteitis in the mandible after surgery is still a clinical problem . Levels of four antibiotics--azidocillin, erythromycin, doxycycline, and clindamycin--were measured in serum and dental alveolar serum in 42 patients undergoing oral surgery . The systemic serum concentrations were higher than the dental alveolar serum concentrations in all patients . The maximal concentration in the alveolar serum for azidocillin was 6.0-12.0 microng/ml, for erythromycin 0.7-1.3 microng/ml, for doxycycline 2.8-3.6 microng/ml, and for clindamycin 2.0-2.8 microng/ml . When the dental alveolar serum concentrations of the various antibiotics were related to their range of inhibitory concentrations for microorganisms isolated from mandibular osteitis, it was noticed that each drug achieved levels sufficient to inhibit most strains. Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1977 Apr, 128A(3), 311 - 21 Toxicity of radiolytic products from 60 Co-treated starch on microorganisms; Mucchielli A et al.; The radiolytic products of a 60Co-irradiated starch are sensitive to the action of catalase, peroxidase and ferrous ions: extracts of irradiated starch so treated loss their toxicity for Escherichia coli . After eliminating the reductones, the toxic activity is attributed to the peroxides and more especially to hydrogen peroxide . Artificial reconstitution of an irradiated starch extract confirms this conclusion and reveals a secondary toxic action of formaldehyde. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1977 Apr 1, 466(1), 23 - 33 The use of a phospholipase A-less Escherichia coli mutant to establish the action of granulocyte phospholipase A on bacterial phospholipids during killing by a highly purified granulocyte fraction; Weiss J et al.; Phospholipase A2 present in a highly purified, potently bactericidal, fraction from rabbit graulocytes produces net bacterial phospholipid degradation during killing of a phospholipase A-less strain of Escherichia coli . In the wild-type parent strain phospholipid breakdown is caused not only by the action of phospholipase A2 but also by phospholipase A1, indicating activation of the most prominent phospholipase of E . coli . This activation occurs as soon as the bacteria are exposed to the granulocyte fraction . Phospholipid breakdown by both phospholipases A is dose dependent but reaches a plateau after 30-60 min and at higher concentrations of the fraction . Phospholipid degradation is accompanied in both strains by an increase in permeability to actinomycin D that is also dose dependent . Even though net hydrolysis of phospholipids is greater in the parent strain than in the mutant, the increase in permeability is the same in the two strains . The addition of 0.04 M Mg2+, after the effects on phospholipids and permeability have become manifest, initiates in both strains the restoration of insensitivity to actinomycin D, the net resynthesis of phospholipids, and the disappearance of monoacylphosphatides and the partial disappearance of free fatty acids that had accumulated . Loss of ability to multiply is not reversed by Mg2+ in either strain . Less than 5 micrograms of granulocyte fraction causes loss of viability of from 90 to 99% of 1 X 10(8) microorganisms of both strains . However, at lower concentrations the parent strain is considerably more sensitive to the bactericidal effect of the granulocyte fraction than the mutant strain. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1977 Apr, 43(4), 615 - 20 In vivo study of temporary filling materials used in endodontics in anterior teeth; Krakow AA et al.; The sealing efficacy of temporary endodontic filling materials was tested in vivo . The following materials were studied: Cavit, Caviton, gutta-percha, three types of zinc phosphate cement, and zinc oxide and eugenol . All the materials were tested in the access cavity of the same anterior tooth in ten different patients for a minimum of 1 week . Seepage was determined bacteriologically by culturing a cotton pellet which was sealed into the access cavity . On the basis of the quantity of microorganisms grown anaerobically, differentiation was made between no leakage, minor leakage, and gross leakage . Findings with Cavit and Caviton are essentially the same and show no or minor leakage in the vast majority of tests . Gutta-percha showed gross leakage in six out of eight tests . Phosphate cements showed no leakage in more than two thirds of the tests. J Periodontol, 1977 Apr, 48(4), 236 - 8 Antibiotics and the intraoral abscess; Epstein S et al.; Sensitivity tests were administered to determine the effectiveness of several antibiotics in the management of the oral abscess . Cultures were taken from 13 patients who were diagnosed as having either a periodontal or periapical abscess . Results revealed the following 1 . The most effective antibiotic was Chloromycetin . Yet it was felt that its medical contraindications far outweigh its use by the dental practitioner . 2 . Tetracycline was the least effective antibiotic . 3 . Penicillin, because of its high potency against microorganisms of the dental abscess, should be considered the drug of choice . Its use, however, must be restricted to patients who give a negative history to allergies and/or asthma; when such a history is positive, erythromycin should be used . 4 . Appropriate culture and sensitivity tests should be performed to determine the susceptibility of the causative organism(s) to the drug of choice. Fed Proc, 1977 Apr, 36(5), 1732 - 5 Immune responses to environmental antigens absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract; Parker CW; Foods, food additives, beverages, drugs, and intestinal microorganisms are potentially important sources of environmental antigens . While proteins taken orally ordinarily are absorbed to only a limited extent, under appropriate circumstances enough absorption occurs to produce an immune response . Acute allergic reactions to foods are not uncommon and as a rule are mediated by IgE antibodies . The possibility that small quantities of food antigens absorbed over a period of years without acute symptoms of allergy might produce a cumulative systemic or local immunological toxicity remains to be convincingly demonstrated. Biokhimiia, 1977 Apr, 42(4), 740 - 5 {Purification and properties of phototrophic bacteria Thiocapsa roseopersicina hydrogenase bound with chromatophores}; Serebriakova LT et al.; The method of solution and puridication of hydrogenase from chromatophores of purpur sulphur bacteria Thiocapsa roseopersicina strain BBS are described . Hydrogenase molecular weight is 73000 . It contains 4,4 mole S2- and 3.1 mole Fe2+ per mole of protein; pI 4.15 . The enzyme absorption spectrum has the maximun et 400-410 nm, which is characteristic of proteins containing non-haem iron . Membrane--linked enzyme as well as soluble hydrogenase of that microorganism is characterized by high thermal stability: inactivation occurs at the temperature above 78 degrees C when the optimal temperature for that enzyme is 70 degrees C . Homogenous enzyme catalyses D2--H2O exchange reaction, reversible redox reaction of methyl viologene and benzyl viologene. FEBS Lett, 1977 Mar 15, 75(1), 120 - 2 {Oxidation of a naphthenic hydrocarbon, dodecylcyclohexane, in the rat}; Tulliez J et al.; Naphthenic hydrocarbons, mainly of fossil origin, are widespread in our environment, and contaminate the food chains; they are also used as food additives . Their fate in mammals is unknown, except for the fact that they are absorbed and accumulate in tissues . Only a few microorganisms have been shown capable or oxidising n-alkyl substituted cycloparaffins . In this study, dodecylcylohexane has been chosen as a typical monocycloparaffin, and has been administered orally to rats . The GLC and GLC-MS analysis of the methylesters of body and hepatic fatty acids led to the identification of cyclohexyldodecanoic and its decanoic and octanoic homologs . The alkyl chain undergoes a terminal oxidation followed by the classical beta-oxidation process . After administration of one 200 mg dose, or incorporation of 0.1% of the cycloparaffin in the diet for 2 months, these acids were found at low levels in neutral lipids and phospholipids . Their subsequent metabolic pathway and their possible interaction with the biochemical mechanisms involving phospholipids are under investigation. MMW Munch Med Wochenschr, 1977 Mar 11, 119(10), 313 - 6 {Intracellular endosymbiose in lower animals - its dissemination and adaptation (author's transl)}; Korner HK; Numerous species of animal, both protozoa and metazoa, regularly with live intracellularly associated microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, algae) . The metabolic and physiological dependence frequently goes so far that the one symbiosis partner is incapable of life without the other . Numerous mechanisms therefore take care of the adequate accomodation of the microorganisms and for the symbiosis partners to remain together from generation to generation . Selected examples show the wide dissemination of intracellular symbiosis in the animal kingdom and particular types of mutual adaptation . The cellular biological aspects permit comparisons with the behavior of pathological milcroorganisms. Arthritis Rheum, 1977 Mar, 20(2 Suppl), 500 - 8 Pathophysiology of rheumatic diseases; Schur PH; Current hypotheses regarding the pathophysiology of rheumatic disease are depicted in Figure 1 . Susceptible individuals, when exposed to microorganisms and/or drugs, can start the events depicted in Figure 1; the ability of the individual to respond to these exogenous agents is influenced by genetic factors including inherited deficiencies of the host's immune defense mechanisms . Microorganisms may then infect and/or effect mononuclear cells with persistence, or may be activated by environmental factors including UV light or other infections . If cell lysis results, antibodies can then be made to the cell (lymphocytotoxic antibodies) or cell products (ANA, etc.) . The antibodies-to-lymphocyte membranes may interfere with lymphocyte function in a number of ways, including immunosuppression, and may also cause reactivation of this cycle . The antibodies may combine with antigens to form immune complexes that can be efficiently cleared by macrophages, have a feedback role in lymphocyte regulation, or in susceptible individuals deposit in tissue with subsequent inflammation . All or some of these steps or pathways may be under the influence of genetic factors. Mikrobiologiia, 1977 Mar-Apr, 46(2), 295 - 9 {Relationship between adsorption of microorganisms and the stage of their development}; Zviagintsev DG et al.; Bond strength during adsorption of microorganisms depends on their growth stages, as was found by light optical and scanning electron microscopy . The strenth of adsorption often decreases as a culture growth on the surface of an adsorbent . Adsorption of microorganisms is an important ecological process . Under favourable conditions, microorganisms grow at a high rate when they are firmly bound to a solid surface . After abundant growth which deteriorates their microenvironment, microorganisms desorb and are dispersed . Such is a distribution of microorganisms growing on solid surfaces. Biotechnol Bioeng, 1977 Mar, 19(3), 413 - 24 Aeration without air: oxygen supply by hydrogen peroxide; Schlegel HG; Oxygen has been supplied to suspensions of microorganisms kept under nitrogen by the addition of hydrogen peroxide . If catalase was present in the suspension and the flow was adjusted to the rate of oxygen consumption, the cells grew at rates identical to the controls incubated under air . The applicability of oxygen supply by hydrogen peroxide and its limits are discussed. Pathol Biol (Paris), 1977 Mar, 25(3), 153 - 60 {Morphological diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii}; Bouton C et al.; Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia can only be diagnosed once the microorganism is demonstrated . The authors review and illustrate various staining technics, a