Bacteria

Lancet, 1976 Jan 31, 1(7953), 230 - 1
HLA-B27 and modified bone formation; Shapiro RF et al.; Of the many associations between histocompatibility antigens and human diseases a prominent one is that between HLA-B27 and inflammatory arthropathies . Hypotheses to explain this association include the B27 gene being linked to a specific immune-response gene required for disease expression and the B27 antigen acting via molecular mimicry with a microorganism or as a microorganism receptor . Alternatively, the HLA-B27 gene might be closely related to a gene which influences bone formation . The finding of a significant association between B27 and Forestier's disease, a disease characterised by abundant new bone formation, supports such a hypothesis.

Chemotherapy, 1976, 22(1), 55 - 61
The effect of erythromycin on the growth of Rickettsia prowazekii in the body louse (Pediculus humanus corporis L) and the tick (Ornithodoros moubata Murray); Becla E; Body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis L) and ticks (Ornithodoros moubata) that had been infected with Rickettsia prowazekii received varying doses of erythromycin . The anti-rickettsial activity of this drug was evaluated with regard to the determination of the numbers of surviving microorganism (LID100) and the in vivo concentration of erythromycin in both arthropod hosts . Erythromycin was found to exert a rickettsiostatic effect in lice, whereas in ticks the drug at concentrations of 0.3--0.04 mug/mg body weight completely eliminated R . prowazekii.

Arthritis Rheum, 1976 Jan-Feb, 19(1), 38 - 42
Specific detection and semiquantitation of microorganisms in tissue by nucleic acid hybridization . II . Investigation of synovia from pigs with chronic Erysipelothrix arthritis; Steinman CR et al.; Synovial tissues from animals with chronic Erysipelothrix arthritis were examined by a technique based on RNA-DNA hybridization in an attempt to detect the inducing organism, Erysipelothrix insidiosa (EI) . Twelve synovial specimens from 5 animals whose joints lacked culturable EI also lacked EI detectable by this technique . Because the technique is capable of detecting approximately one organism per 50 mammalian cells, it is concluded that no more than this number were present in the involved tissue . Implications of these results for proposed pathogenetic mechanisms in this disorder and in human rheumatoid arthritis are discussed.

J Dent Res, 1976 Jan, 55, A28 - 32
Preparation of antiserums for use in the fluorescent antibody identification of certain plaque bacteria; Thomson LA; The interaction of many factors involved in FA antiserum production determines the quality of each antiserum or conjugate prepared . Performance and physicochemical characteristics of 58 FA antiserums to S mutans currently in use suggested that many of these conjugates could have been improved by using the methods and evaluation procedures described in this symposium . Deficiencies in the conjugates included low titers, incomplete fractionation, inadequately labeled antibody, fluorochromed albumin, free fluorescein and cross-reactions . Titers ranged from 1:1 up to 1:4,000 . Titers for S mutans serotype c conjugates were uniformly low . S mutans serotype c conjugates were prepared from antiserums produced using a modified immunization schedule . The schedule used both viable and killed whole cells and gave FA titers as high as 1:1,000 (adjusted to 10 mg protein/ml) . Procedures presented in this paper and the report by Pittman and co-workers27 should permit direct FA serum titers of up to 1:1,000 for each of the recognized serotypes of S mutans . The availability of highly specific antiserums with adequate titers will advance the use of the FA technique to identify microorganisms directly in specimens, such as dental plaque.29,30 This technique could be used to study such phenomena as the transmission of microorganisms from person to person and the establishment of the oral flora . It could also be used in epidemiological studies and perhaps to monitor the effect of a therapeutic agent on microbial composition of dental plaque.

Infection, 1976, 4(4), 222 - 3
{Intracellular endobiosis as a basic factor in acquired immunity in man (author's transl)}; Klein E; An attempt is made to explain the significance of intracellular endobiosis for the human acquisition of immunity against cyclic infections diseases . It is pointed out that, taking into account the temporally limited reduplication of an immune-potent cell clone, a species-specific induction of immunity against infections and other diseases is sustained for a sufficiently long period of time only by a microorganism which is still living.

Int Z Vitam Ernahrungsforsch Beih, 1976, 15, 348 - 57
Comparative biochemical investigations on the degradation of sugars and sugar alcohols by microorganisms of the oral cavity; Gulzow HJ; A comparative study on the extent of degradation of glucose, sucrose, sorbitol and xylitol by microorganisms of human saliva and plaques was made by means of the Warburg-technique . Glucose and sucrose are degraded very rapidly producing significant portions of intermediate acid products . Compared to this, sorbitol is degraded slowly at first but then continuously . On the other hand, xylitol is degraded, if at all, in traces only.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Parasitenkd Infektionskr Hyg, 1976, 131(8), 730 - 5
{Proof of soil sickness in growing apple plantations (author's transl)}; Otto G et al.; 1 . Soils from five apple orchards of different age and from different sites were tested with respect to the occurrence of soil sickness . 2 . Severe or very severe soil sickness could be proved in four of the sites . In one site weak soil sickness could be obtained . 3 . These results confirm earlier observations on the occurrence of soil sickness within the regions of growing root systems of older trees . 4 . The occurrence of soil sickness in growing plantations can be brought in good correspondence with the ascertainment that microorganisms associated with roots are to be considered as the cause of soil sickness . 5 . The significance of the occurrence of soil sickness in growing plantations for development and yield of trees must be investigated in further experiments.

Acta Chir Acad Sci Hung, 1976, 17(3), 215 - 21
Effect of truncal vagotomy on the bacterial flora in the duodenal juice on dogs; Ihasz M et al.; The qualitative and quantitative changes in the bacterial flora of the duodenal juice after truncal vagotomy have been studied in self-control experiments in dogs . The intervention was followed by a rise in the bacterial count without a change in qualitative composition . It is suggested that the accumulation of microorganisms might contribute to the development of postoperative diarrhoea . The role of several partly clarified pathophysiological processes are pointed out.

Beitr Trop Landwirtsch Veterinarmed, 1976, 14(2), 175 - 8
Ecology of microbial population of soils of North Bihar as affected by soil factors; Rai SN et al.; The determination of the number of bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi in 72 soil samples of different sugar cane soils in North Bihar (India) and the calculation of the correlations between these values and the content of organic carbon, total nitrogen, total soluble salts, available P2O5, and water-soluble K2O gave these results: 1 . Significant and positive correlations were found between the content of organic carbon in the soil and the number of actinomycetes and fungi . 2 . Significant and negative correlations were found between the content of water-soluble salts and the number of microorganisms . 3 . There is a significant and positive correlatin between the number of bacteria and fungi and the total nitrogen content and and the available P2O5.

Arzneimittelforschung, 1976, 26(6), 1195 - 201
{Interrelationship between the transport of L-aspartate and potassium ions into the cell (author's transl)}; Ring K et al.; The mechanisms involved in active transport and intracellular accumulation of amino acids have been reviewed . In particular, the frequently observed interrelationship between the transport of acidic amino acids and potassium ions was discussed . Kinetic studies on the uptake of radioactive L-aspartate and K+ in the microorganism Streptomyces hydrogenans were performed . The following results were obtained:1 . L-Aspartate was actively transported into the cells . However, only a part of the aspartate taken up from the medium remained in the pool as free amino acid . Within 60 min, up to 35% of the label was incorporated into protein . By thin-layer chromatography of cell extracts several radioactive metabolites of aspartate were detected . 2 . Aspartate was transported by a t least two different uptake systems exhibiting moderate specificity . At neutral pH , the amino acid was transported as anion; its uptake was inhibited by L-glutamate as well as by dicarboxylic acids, whereas neutral amino acids did not have a significant effect . 3 . The influx of aspartate into K+-rich cells was stimulated specifically by extracellular Rb+ and K+, whereas Ki+ and Na+ inhibited aspartate transport . 4 . Kinetic analysis of the aspartate influx showed that extracellular K+ increased the affinity of the transport systems for aspartate by a factor of three . These results suggest that K+ is bound by the aspartate carrier and is cotransported together with the amino acid across the membrane . 5 . Kinetic measurements of the uptake of 42K+ revealed that the influx of K+ as well was stimulated by extracellular aspartate . Likewise the rate of 28Mg2+ uptake was increased by aspartate.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1976, 21(4), 257 - 67
Biological decomposition of fulvic acid preparations; Kunc F et al.; Decomposition of preparations of various fractions of fulvic acids in pure cultures of bacteria and in the soil was investigated . In the soils enriched with fulvic acids the amount of bacteria increased, oxygen consumption and formation of carbon dioxide followed a typical sigmoid curve . The above measurements indicated that mineralization occurred after a very short or negligible lag phase . During the decomposition of fulvic acids the ability of microorganisms to oxidize aromatic compounds, e.g . vanillic and p-hydroxybenzoic acid, increased . The presence of aromatic structures in the used preparations of fulvic acids was demonstrated on the basis of their IR spectra and according to the results of chromatographic analyses of their hydrolysates . The results indicated a relationship between metabolism of fulvic acids and aromatic compounds . In samples of the soil preincubated with glucose with fulvic acids decomposed more rapidly than in untreated samples.

Acta Microbiol Pol A, 1976, 8(1), 43 - 50
Respiratory activity of the soil from several habitats in the Botanical Garden in Poznań; Golebiowska J et al.; The paper presents studies on the respiratory activity of the soil from two habitats of the Botanical Garden: the steppe and the dune . The abundance of bacteria and fungi in the soils was also estimated . Respiration in the rhizosphere soil was found to be more intense than in the non-rhizosphere soil . Our observations have shown that soil respiration depends largely on the abundance of microorganisms . Under various habitat conditions, however, the microorganisms populations are characterized by some peculiarities of their metabolic activities . These manifest themselves in differences in respiratory activity of various soils independent of additional easily available energetic material introduced into the soil.

J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo), 1976, 22(6), 447 - 56
Enzymatic modification for improving nutritional qualities and acceptability of proteins extracted from photosynthetic microorganisms Spirulina maxima and Rhodopseudomonas capsulatus; Arai S et al.; The present study attempts to improve the proteins from a blue-green alga Spirulina maxima and a non-sulfur purple bacterium Rhodopseudomonas capsulatus through their peptic hydrolysis followed by plastein synthesis with papain . The former enzymatic process was effective in removing some photosynthetic pigments and flavors originating in the raw materials . The latter process was successful in incorporating limited amounts of methionine, lysine, and tryptophan, and thus to synthesize plasteins whose essential amino acid patterns resemble the FAO/WHO suggested pattern (1973) . These plasteins had no colors and no flavors.

Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1976, 24(4), 579 - 94
Induction of mutations in antibiotic-producing microorganisms by fast neutrons from the U-120 cyclotron; Wolf J et al.; The purpose of this study was to investigate the activity of fast neutrons from a U-120 cyclotron in the induction of mutations in streptomycetes, resulting in strains with enhanced antibiotic production . Three streptomycete strains producing the antibiotics: lincomycin, moenomycin, and demethylchlorotetracycline were used . Correlation between the survival rate of spores of the examined strains and neutron dose was determined . Several morphological and physiological features (particularly production of antibiotics for 1543 variants derived from the parent strains) and their distribution within the population were also studied . The survival rate of the streptomycetes spores after irradiation with fast neutrons was found to be an individual strain property . Several variants with considerably increased antibiotic yield were isolated . The results are compared with those obtained after treatment with other mutagens . Several variants of one of the strains with a strongly enhanced antibiotic yield (200--220%) were isolated . No such variants were found after UV irradiation.

Arkh Patol, 1976, 38(1), 80 - 8
{Interaction of microorganisms with host cells during phagocytosis}; Ariel' BM; All cells, including epithelial cells, are endowed with the capacity to absorb foreign particles . Differences in ultrastuctural changes, identifyed following phagocytosis of various pathogens and non-living particles, are rather of a quantitative than of qualitative character-they manifest themselves first of all in various time periods of development of a cytopathological reaction . At early stages of the interaction it is hardly possible to detect any difference between virulent and avirulent microorganisms, colloid and even inorganic particles . In later periods the difference is quite evident . Namely, the phagocytic particles, which are rapidly destroyed by the host's cell or stay therein for a long time undergoing slow destruction, are contained in vacuoles and are isolated from cytoplasm by one- or two-layer membrane; virulent microorganisms and cytotoxic particles, which rapidly destroy the cell themselves, in most cases lie loosely in the cytoplasm, and at the same time diffuse lesion of the membrane systems of the cell is noted.

Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 1976, 46(2), 125 - 36
{Nutritional study of the membranes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae . 2 . Utilization by the rat}; Adrian J et al.; The proteins of the membranes have a digestibility of 95% . As their content of lysine and threonine is high, they effectively supplement a diet with wheat gluten . When they are added up with methionine, their efficiency is comparable with that of casein . The carbohydrates of membranes are really different from cellulose and from the indigestible matter of plants, in both chemical and physiological fields: a) they are degraded in the caecum by the microorganisms; b) they do not decrease the digestibility of the ration . However, their true interest for the non-ruminant species remains uncertain and their true digestibility is difficult to calculate . According to some indirect criterions, it might be situated about 80% . The lipids of membranes have a digestibility of 35% . This fact must not be due to the nature of the fatty acids, but may be attributed to the very strong fixation of lipids in the membranes which makes their extraction by the solvents very difficult . Finally, the membranes of S . cerevisiae may be considered as a food product, mainly because of the efficacy of their proteins.

Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1976, 55(2), 110 - 9
The effect of dioxyphenylalanine (DOPA), amides and some potential sources of energy on the multiplication of Mycobacterium leprae; Olitzki AL; The multiplication of 2 out of 3 M . leprae strains on a medium containing substances from digested non-acid-fast microorganisms or even free of them was significally promoted to D-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) . The following organic substances exerted growth-promoting effects on several strains: 0.02-0.10% concentrations of succinate greater than fumarate greater than alpha-ketoglutarate and acetate greater than glycerol; 0.2% concentrations of citrate and pyruvate greater than isonicotinamide and benzamide greater than lecithin . 0.5% concentrations of oleate greater than citrate greater than pyruvate greater than acetate greater than fumarate greater than succinate; 5.0% concentrations of butanol and butandiol greater than propanol greater than sorbitol greater than ethanol . However, these effects were variable and strains of various origins acted differently . On media containing DOPA, malachite-green (MG) and at least 0.12 x 10(6) microorganisms/ml the following oxidation-reduction reaction was observed: DOPA was oxidized to a brown compound and malachite-green reduced to an almost colourless product . Consequently, the blue-colour of the cultures turned from blue to brown . This DOPA-MG reaction and the inability to grow on conventional media were used for the identification of 10 cultures (inocula directly from patients) as M . leprae, while a DOPA-MG negative patient-strain grew on media employed for cultivable mycobacteria and was not identical with M . leprae, as proved by the foot-pad test in mice.

Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1976, (9), 37 - 41
Concentrations of oxytetracycline, tetracycline and doxycycline in mandibular osteitis; Bystedt H et al.; Treatment of osteitis in the mandible after surgery is still a clinical problem . Levels of three tetracyclines--doxycycline, oxytetracycline and tetracycline--were measured in serum and dental alveolar serum in 30 patients undergoing oral surgery . The serum concentrations were higher than the dental alveolar serum concentrations in all patients . The maximal concentration in the alveolar serum for doxycycline was between 3.0 and 3.5 mug/ml while the corresponding values for oxytetracycline and tetracycline were between 1.0 and 2.0 mug/ml . When the dental alveolar serum concentrations of the various tetracycline analogues were related to their range of inhibitory concentrations for microorganisms isolated from mandibular osteitis, it was found that each drug reached levels sufficient to inhibit most but not all strains.

S TA NU, 1976 Jan-Feb, 6(1), 7 - 12
{Fatty acids with an odd number of carbon atoms: metabolic and nutritional aspects}; Tagliamonte B et al.; Odd-numbered fatty acids are present in natural sources of animal or vegetable origin . Their concentration is generally not higher than 5% of the total fatty acids . In some cases, however, like in the mullet or Euglena gracilis, the value reaches 20% of the total fatty acids . Higher concentrations, up to 80%, have been found in some hydrocarbon-grown microorganisms . In the animal organisms metabolic pathways for the synthesis or degradation of the odd-numbered fatty acids are present, but the adaptive capacity and the regulation of the different pathways are not known . The consequences of feeding animals or human beings on these unusual fatty acids in large amount are uncertain, because the composition of the fat depots, of the lipid structures and the circulating lipids can be affected, possibily influencing the membrane functions and, particularly the nervous system functions . The literature sighted shows the scarcity of specific studies in this field and indicates the need for further and more detailed researches.

Acta Microbiol Acad Sci Hung, 1976, 23(2), 137 - 49
Regulation of branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis; Szentirmai A et al.; Formation of branched-chain amino acids in microorganisms is controlled mainly by end-product inhibition of the enzyme action but also by repression of enzyme synthesis . The two mechanisms may be interrelated . Regulation of the metabolite flow by end-product inhibition is realized by the inhibition of threonine deaminase by isoleucine; inhibition of acetohydroxy acid synthetase by valine and inhibition of alpha-isopropylmalate synthetase by leucine . Acetohydroxy acid synthetase has a key position in the pathway, since the enzyme catalyzes not only the synthesis of acetolactate, the valine and isoleucine precursor from pyruvate, but also that of acetohydroxybutyrate, the isoleucine precursar from alpha-ketobutyrate and pyruvate . Quenching of valine pathway by valine would be expected to be accompanied by a quenching of the isoleucine pathway as well . Nevertheless, aceto-hydroxybutyrate is formed rather than acetolactate, since alpha-ketobutyrate has a greater affinity to the enzyme than pyruvate and the inhibitory effect of valine is directly proportional to substrate concentration . It could completely reverse the inhibition . Regulation on the physiological level of the pathways to the branched-chain amino acids occurs by the repression of the leucine and isoleucine-valine biosynthetic enzymes . A phenotypic derepression caused by valine was detectable in the case of the latter biosynthetic enzymes . The idea that aminoacyl tRNA formation is a necessary reaction in the formation of the 'repressor" has been supported by numerous data . Indeed, some of the latest reports suggest that aminoacyl tRNA interaction with feedback sensitive enzyme may play an important role in the repression.

Biochimie, 1976, 58(6), 647 - 56
Presence of two forms of palmityl-CoA-ACP-transacylase in homogenates of Mycobacterium smegmatis, purification using the monomer-polymer interconvertibility; Kervabon A et al.; Homogenates of Mycobacterium smegmatis have been shown to contain, among other acyl-transfer enzymes, two entities endowed with palmityl-CoA-ACP-transacylase activity (1973, this journal, 55, 1381-1394) . The present report demonstrates that these two entities, now called palmityl-CoA-ACP-transacylase I and palmityl-CoA-ACP-transacylase II, following their elution rate from a Sephadex G-150 column, are two interconvertible forms of the same enzyme . Form II, apparently predominant in the crude homogenates, is converted, during the purification steps, into Form I . The latter is convertible into Form II . It is observed that when the concentration of the enzyme increases, Form I becomes predominant . A purification of 800-fold was achieved, particularly by taking advantage of this convertibility properties . Parallel experiments conducted on S . cerevisiae and E . coli homogenates show the presence of the enzyme in the former and its absence in the latter microorganism.

Antibiotiki, 1976 Jan, 21(1), 3 - 5
{Search for antibiotic antimetabolites}; Gauze GF; Special media have been developed during the past years, which provided detection of new antibiotics with the properties of antimetabolites produced by microorganisms . Antimetabolites of amino acids, vitamins and nucleic acids were found among the antimetabolite antibiotics . The antimetabolites of nucleic acids with an antitumor activity were most interesting . This group of the compounds included 5-asacytidin and antibiotic 1719 identical to azotomycin.

Vet Med Nauki, 1976, 13(1), 80 - 5
{Study of rapid methods for determining the biochemical properties of microorganisms . I}; Pavlov A; Some express methods were tested comparatively in determining the biochemical properties of certain microorganisms in order to recommend the most effective of them to be used in the laboratory . Described is a disk method with which the term of cultivation is shortened by one to 5 hours, and the results obtained are clear and well distinctive . The data obtained are almost comparable with the results achieved using the methods provided in the Bulgarian State Standard . It is suggested to adopt the method referred to in the laboratory practice.

Tissue Cell, 1976, 8(4), 615 - 36
Fine structure of the antennal receptors of the bed bug, Cimex lectularius L; Steinbrecht RA et al.; Sensilla on the antenna of the bed bug, Cimex lectularius, were studied with the scanning and transmission electron microscope . Those which display a tubular body in the dendrite ending are presumed to have a mechanoreceptor function (bristles of type A, flat plate of type B) . Bristles of type A1 contain additional dendrites which terminate at the tip of the bristle and may be gustatory receptors . Sensilla with pores in the hair wall are supposed to have an offactory, humidity and/or temperature receptor function (pegs and hairs of types C, D, E) . Hairs of type E contain receptors for the alarm pheromones of the bed bug . Special attention has been paid to the pore structures and epicuticular layers of these sensilla . Possible differences in stimulus conduction are discussed between (i) sensilla with a simple wall and pores with pore tubules (types D and E) and (ii) the ribbed pegs (type C), which have a complex wall structure and spoke channels . The immersed cones of type F have a peculiar innervation, which has not been described previously . Two dendrites are held closely together by a third flat dendrite which wraps around them in the region of the outer segment . Coupling structures were found between the central dendrites, and between these and the third enveloping dendrite . Possible functions of this unique innervation are discussed . The dendrites innervating type D are grouped in three to eight bundles by multiple sheaths . The term thecogen cell is introduced to denote the innermost of the three sheath cells of a sensillum (the outer being the tormogen and the trichogen cell) which builds the dendrite sheath during ontogeny . Comparative morphometry revealed type-specific differences in the length and diameter of the dendrites . Some axons were found to lack any glial or perineurial sheath . Microorganisms were observed in the antennal tissue of several animals.

Acta Morphol Acad Sci Hung, 1976, 24(3), 203 - 14
Demonstration of microorganisms in tissues by the ABT and KOH-ABT topo-optical reactions; Fischer J; The aldehyde-bisulphite-toluidine blue (ABT) reaction, as a selective topo-optical test of vicinal OH and amino-OH groups is suited for the selective demonstration in tissues of microorganisms of polysaccharide containing cells . Alkaline pretreatment of the polysaccharide cell walls, releases, by splitting the O-acyl radicals, further vicinal OH groups for the ABT reaction, thus actually increases the sensitivity of the method . The topo-optical reactions are characterized by a strong birefringence induced by oriented dye-binding, due to the linear arrangement of polysaccharides composing the cell wall . Differences in the character of birefringence have made it possible to work out a new method for the analysis of the cell wall ultrastructure as well as to demonstrate microorganisms in tissues . The practical value of the reactions is illustrated by examples.

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1976, 25(4), 329 - 35
Changes in the cellular content of the pool constituents of Monosporium olivaceum -- a steroid hydroxylating mould; Jaworski A et al.; Changes of the metabolic pool constitutents of Monosporium olivaceum -- a mould capable of steroid hydroxylation were examined . The experiments were carried during growth and starvation of the microorganism . The highest activity of the 11alpha-hydroxylase was observed in the mycelium which contained the lowest level of free amino acids, glucose, and mannitol . It is suggested that the inhibition of biosynthetic processes and the decrease of the respiration rate, the activity of the NAD(P)H regenerating systems maintained, provide the optimal physiological conditions for the activity of the steroid hydroxylases.

Health Lab Sci, 1976 Jan, 13(1), 20 - 2
Automatic gram-staining with the microstainer II; Burdash NM et al.; A comparison was made between the Microstainer II, an automatic staining machine, and the traditional, manual gram-staining method using clinical material and known organisms in a double blind study . Gram-reactions were in agreement with 98.4% of the organisms . The machine-stained microorganisms were generally found to be of the same or better quality than manually-stained organisms . Transfer of bacteria from slide to slide or smear to smear was not a significant problem . The Microstainer II would appear to be a useful addition to the large volume bacteriology laboratory.

Acta Trop, 1976, 33(1), 3 - 14
The occurrence of an intraerythrocytic microorganism Neitziella rezendei gen . nov . sp . nov . (Microtatobiotes, Rickettsiales) of poultry in Brazil; Massard CL et al.; An extremely polymorphous intraerythrocytic microorganism occurring in naturally infected turkeys, ducks and fowls has been discovered in the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Espirito Santo . 2 . Studies on the morphology and biology have shown that it is a hitherto undescribed heteroxenous parasite for which the name Neitziella rezendei gen . nov., sp . nov . is proposed . 3 . Its morphological features permit its inclusion in the class Microtatobiotes and order Rickettsiales . 4 . Microscopical examination of blood films have shown that the parasitic carrier state in turkeys persists for more than 200 days (endpoint not determined) . 5 . The natural mode of transmission needs to be determined . 6 . The suspicion that the parasite may cause illthrift and deaths in poultry requires confirmation.

Arch Microbiol, 1975 Dec 31, 106(3), 259 - 66
Lipoic acid content of Escherichia coli and other microorganisms; Herbert AA et al.; A mutant strain of Escherichia coli K-12 requiring lipoic acid . W1485lip 2 (ATCC 25645), was used to develop a turbidimetric assay for lipoic acid and a polarographic assay based on the oxidation of pyruvate by suspensions of lipoic acid-deficient organisms . The turbidmetric assay was more sensitive with a working range equivalent to 0.2-2.0 ng of DL-alpha-lipoic acid compared with 5-50 ng for the polarographic method . The mutant responded equally to racemic mixtures of alpha-lipoic acid, beta-lipoic acid and dihydrolipoic acid but gave little response to lipoamide, and other derivatives without prior hydrolysis; 8-methyllipoic acid was a competitive inhibitor of the response to lipoic acid . A high specificity of the mutant for the natural steroisomer was indicated by the fact that (+)-alpha-lipoic acid had twice the activity of the racemic mixture . Escherichia coli K12 contained less than 0.05 ng of free (+)-alpha-lipoic acid per mg dry weight but, depending on the growth substrate, the equivalent of between 13 and 47 ng of (+)-alpha-lipoic acid per mg dry weight after acid extraction . There was a strong correlation between the lipoic acid content and the sum of the specific activities for the pyruvate and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complexes . Experiments with washed suspensions of Escherichia coli showed only small increases in lipoic acid content (18%) when incubated with pyruvate, cysteine and methionine . When supplied with exogenous lipoic acid the mutant, W1485lip2, accumulated very little more than was demanded by its metabolism . The lipoic acid contents of several organisms were measured and correlated with their metabolism.

Arch Microbiol, 1975 Dec 31, 106(3), 191 - 4
{Metabolic products of microorganisms . 150 . Ferricrocin, triacetylfusigen and other sideramines from fungi of the genus Aspergillus, group Fumigatus (author's transl)}; Diekmann H et al.; The sideramines of 14 species of the genus Aspergillus, group Fumigatus, were isolated and analyzed . Ferricrocin was identified in 11 extracts, ferrichrome in 2 others . A lipophilic sideramine produced by 4 species was identified as triacetylfusigen, another minor component as triacetylfusigen B . Six species produced an alanine-containing sideramine, which may be identical with ferrichrom C.

Arch Dermatol Res, 1975 Dec 31, 254(3), 257 - 62
Comedo formation in acne; Eberhardt H; Comedones contain a considerable quantity of water . In some cases a water content of more than 40% can be detected . The comedo consists of two parts, an inner nucleus built up to unorganized materials and a capsule with concentrically arranged shells . The material of the nucleus contains small scales produced by normal keratinization . The materials of the capsule consists of larger scales, which result from hyperkeratosis . The nucleus of the comedo seems to be identical with the early comedo . A similar structure can be formed in vitro by adding water to sebum . Microorganisms have optimal growth conditions in the early comedo.

Mycopathologia, 1975 Dec 23, 57(2), 93 - 8
The effect of microbial mycolytic agents on Trichophyton rubrum; Moore GS et al.; Chitinolytic microorganisms isolated from forest soil and from healthy gypsy moth larvae (Porthetria dispar (L.) were screened for their ability to lyse Trichophyton rubrum mycelia . A few of these isolates were mycolytic on both autoclaved and on actively growing, intact, T . rubrum mycelia . Supernatants from these isolates, utilizing live T . rubrum as the sole carbon source, showed the same mycolytic ability . Assays of the supernatants for enzymatic activity revealed exocellular, stable enzymes that releases reducing substances including N-acetylglucosamine from the mycelia.

Science, 1975 Dec 19, 190(4220), 1206 - 9
Minor salivary glands as a major source of secretory immunoglobin A in the human oral cavity; Crawford JM et al.; Secretory immunoglobulin A is the predominant immunoglobulin in labial minor salivary gland secretions . Its mean concentration is four times higher in these secretions than in parotid gland secretion . The minor salivary glands can produce 30 to 35 percent of the immunoglobulin A that enters the oral cavity . This, together with the potential accessibility of these glands to antigenic stimulation, suggest that they may be an important source of the immune factors that are involved in the regulation of the microorganisms in the oral environment.

Can J Microbiol, 1975 Dec, 21(12), 2008 - 12
Degradation of ioxynil and bromoxynil as measured by a modified spectrophotometric method; Hsu JC et al.; A modified spectrophotometric method was developed to estimate ioxynil and bromoxynil residues . The method when compared with a 14C-tracer method was less sensitive but allowed rapid and accurate estimation of the herbicides . A clay loam soil with high organic matter content, which degraded ioxynil completely to CO2, also degraded bromoxynil completely . Bromoxynil degradation proceeded at a faster rate than that of ioxynil . The half-life of degradation was estimated to be 7 days for bromoxynil and 9-10 days for ioxynil . However, soil microorganisms which degraded ioxynil either completely to CO2 or partially did not seem to completely degrade bromoxynil . Degradation products from bromoxynil were detected on thin-layer chromatograms of extracts from pure cultures containing an exogenous carbon source . Complete degradation of bromoxynil and ioxynil in soil could be due to the action of different microorganisms.

Biotechnol Bioeng, 1975 Dec, 17(12), 1833 - 7
Application of modified Rosenbrock's method for optimization of nutrient media used in microorganism culturing; Votruba J et al.; The Rosenbrock's procedure has been modified for optimization of nutrient medium composition and has been found to be less tedious than the Box-Wilson method, especially for larger numbers of optimized parameters . Its merits are particularly obvious with multiparameter optimization where the gradient method, so far the only one employed in microbiology from a variety of optimization methods (e.g., refs, 9 and 10), becomes impractical because of the excessive number of experiments required . The method suggested is also more stable during optimization than the gradient methods which are very sensitive to the selection of steps in the direction of the gradient and may thus easily shoot out of the optimized region . It is also anticipated that other direct search methods, particularly simplex design, may be easily adapted for optimization of medium composition . It is obvious that direct search methods may find an application in process improvement in antibiotic and related industries.

Jpn J Exp Med, 1975 Dec, 45(6), 541 - 9
Stimulation of lymphocytes of patients administered with a trypsin inhibitor, Trasylol (basic pancreatic trypsin inhibitor pharmaceutical), in vitro with BPTI and other several stimulants; Awaya A et al.; Distinguished lymphocytes stimulation was observed in vitro with one out of four patients received Trasylol therapy . The peak response of DNA synthesis was shown to occur at 100 mug/tube of basic pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) itself, about 6 days after addition of BPTI . Reactivity (3H-thymidine incorporation) of lymphocytes of patients after the therapy, to specific antigen, ie., purified protein derivative (PPD) or Bordetella pertussis organisms in vitro, was markedly depressed . On the other hand, that to non-specific mitogen, phytohaemagglutinin-p of pokeweed mitogen, was a little reduced, or rather enhanced after the therapy . Conversly, lymphocytes of an originally tuberculin negative patient were lead to be stimulated with PPD in vitro, after skin test with PPD and Trasylol therapy . These various immune responses including drug-induced exanthemas of patients received the therapy, are discussed in this report, in comparison with immune responses of guinea pigs sensitized with BPTI, immune responses of animals in microorganism infections and the contrary immunological effects of Trasylol already reported.

Fertil Steril, 1975 Dec, 26(12), 1203 - 11
Evidence by scanning electron microscopy for an association between spermatozoa and T-mycoplasmas in men of infertile marriage; Fowlkes DM et al.; The morphology of T-mycoplasmas in culture and in semen from men of infertile marriage was examined by scanning electron microscopy . In cultures obtained from semen of infected individuals, T-mycoplasmas were recognized as spherical particles, 160 to 200 nm in diameter, frequently interconnected by short, straight fibrils . Numerous T-mycoplasmas and associated fibrils with similar morphologic characteristics were also observed adhering to spermatozoa obtained from ejaculates of the infected donors . Similar granulofibrillar aggregates were never observed on control specimens . These observations indicate a physical association between the microorganisms and spermatozoa in semen of infected men . This association may contribute to the decreased motility of spermatozoa in semen from which T-mycoplasmas can be cultured . The binding of T-mycoplasmas to human spermatozoa may provide an effective mechanism for transfer of the microorganisms past the normal microbial barrier of the cervix.

J Am Vener Dis Assoc, 1975 Dec, 2(2), 13 - 6
Genital herpes simplex virus type 1 infection--variability in modes of spread; Dolin R et al.; Ever since the first report in 1967 of the association of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) with urogenital infections, we have noted the occasional isolation of HSV-1 from such sites . Our most recent results of the typing of HSV isolates from 527 individuals with urogenital infections show that 10.9% of such infections in females and 3.4% in males are caused by HSV-1 . We describe here the acquisition of a primary oral HSV-1 infection in a male after orogenital contact with his wife who had a primary genital HSV-1 infection, probably as a result of sexual contact with another male partner . The various modes of acquisition and spread of genital HSV-1, including nonvenereal routes, are reviewed . It is suggested that the influence of the microenvironment of the female genital tract on the selection of variants of microorganism--viruses, bacteria, etc--requires concerted study.

Hoppe Seylers Z Physiol Chem, 1975 Dec, 356(12), 1843 - 52
{Enzyme induction in Streptomyces hydrogenans . V . Characterization of testosterone-17 beta-dehydrogenase and its induction by steroids}; Markert C et al.; Testosterone 17beta-dehydrogenase can be enriched from Streptomyces hydrogenans . The enzyme dehydrogenizes testosterone with Km=13muM and estradiol-17beta with Km=21muM to the corresponding 17-ketoderivatives . NAD forms NADH with Km=125muM . The enzyme is strongly inhibited by androstandione and 17alpha-methyltestosterone . The Ki for 17alpha-methyltestosterone is 18muM . The enzyme activity increases with increasing pH up to alkali-mediated denaturation at about pH 10 . The optimum temperature is at 45 degrees C . If Streptomyces hydrogenans is cultivated in the absence of steroids, the specific activity of testosterone 17beta-dehydrogenase in the cytosol of the microorganisms amounts to 10 mU/mg protein, and increases up to 10-fold if the cells are cultivated in the presence of certain steroids . Testosterone, alpha-dihydrotestosterone, beta-dihydrotestosterone, estradiol-17beta, and 17alpha-methyltestosterone are very effective inducers . Thus, for the first time, the ability of estradiol-17beta to induce an enzyme synthesis in a microorganism is shown . The steroid-dependent induction is inhibited by testosterone acetate and rifamycin SV . Cyproterone, however, does not decrease the testosterone-dependent enzyme induction of testosterone 17beta-dehydrogenase.

J Pharm Sci, 1975 Dec, 64(12), 1936 - 40
Kinetics and mechanisms of drug action on microorganisms XXII: Effects of aminosidine with and without organism pretreatment with bacteriostatic agents; Garrett ER et al.; Escherichia coli generation in the logarithmic growth phase was inhibited in peptone broth USP at pH 7.0 without kill below 3.0 mug/ml of aminosidine . Above this value, the logarithms of the number of viables of the drug-treated culture ultimately decreased linearly with time and the slopes of these plots were independent of concentration . A concentration-dependent lag in the time of attainment of the cidal action was observed, and the extent of this lag was related to the ease of emergence of resistant organisms . The minimal concentration for cidal action increased with increasing concentrations of nutrients and with decreasing pH . Pretreatment of the cultures with novobiocin and tetracycline lessened the minimum bactericidal concentration of aminosidine whereas chloramphenicol pretreatment increased it . Tetracycline pretreatment inhibited the emergence of aminosidine-resistant organisms.

Arch Environ Health, 1975 Nov, 30(11), 552 - 8
Practical methods of reducing airborne contaminants in interior spaces; McNall RE Jr; Prediction of airborne concentrations of enviornmentally important contaminants is supported by field test data on tobacco smoke . The analysis discussed herein is completely general in nature, and the contaminants can be gases, vapors, liquid droplets, and solid particulates, including microorganisms and pollens . Several engineering controls can be applied to practical environnmental systems to reduce and control undesirable contaminants in normally occupied structures . The use of the method is an important research tool to more accurately quantify airborne contaminant levels in enviornmental medicine experiments with animals or human subjects . It is difficult and expensive to control inside environmental contaminant levels at values less than 20% to 25% of those occurring outside . The same is true for internally generated contaminants.

Can J Microbiol, 1975 Nov, 21(11), 1892 - 3
Infrared color photomicrography of soil microorganisms; Casida LE Jr; The infrared color photomicrography technique for detecting unstained microbial cells in soil is revised for use with Kodak's recently introduced Ektachrome infrared film . Thes new version of the film required achromatic objectives instead of apochromats, and the use of a blue filter in addition to the previously required red filter . These filters also improve the visual focus capability of the operator . It was found that dry soil smears can be photographed as either immersion oil or aqueous mounts . Several makes of bright-field transmitted-light microscopes gave similar results . Phase microscopy, however, produced deteriorated image quality although the proper 'false' colors were produced.

Arzneimittelforschung, 1975 Nov, 25(11), 1796 - 1800
Bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-pyridyl-2-methane: The common laxative principle of Bisacodyl and sodium picosulfate; Jauch R et al.; After both oral and rectal administration in humans (4,4'-diacetoxy-diphenyl)-(pyridyl-2)-methane (bisacodyl, Dulcolax) and 4,4'-(2-pyridyl-methylene)-diphenol-disulfuric acid semiester disodium (sodium picosulfate, Laxoberal) are hydrolyzed to bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-pyridyl-2-methane (BHPM) . In both cases BHPM is responsible for the laxative action . Experiments in rats and guinea pigs have shown that the hydrolysis of picosulfate, in contrast to that of bisacodyl, is attributable to the microorganisms of the intestinal flora.

Mikrobiologiia, 1975 Nov-Dec, 44(6), 1098 - 102
{Generation time of pure cultures of heterotrophic microorganisms isolated from Lake Baĭkal}; Maksimova EA et al.; Generation time was determined in pure cultures of heterotrophic microorganisms in the conditions similar to those of Baikal in June--July of 1972 . Generation time was found to be 37+/-7, 16+/-2.5, 16+/-3.2, and 10+/-2.5 hours, respectively, when the cultures had been diluted with Baikal water in the following rations: 1 : 0,1 : 5,1 : 10, and 1 : 20 . No differences in the growth rate were found among 11 cultures of heterotrophic microorganisms isolated from Baikal . Conditions limiting the microbial growth improve from the dilution of 1 : 0 to the dilution of 1 : 5 . The mean time of generation is 27 hours for June--July . Generation time determined for pure cultures of heterotrophic microorganisms in the conditions similar to natural can be used to calculate production of the bacterial biomass for a definite period of the year.

Mikrobiologiia, 1975 Nov-Dec, 44(6), 1121 - 4
{Microorganism in the hyphae of mycorrhiza-forming fungus}; Protsenko MA; A microorganism with the cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane was found when the endotrophic mycorrhiza of pea was studied by electron microscopy . The wall of the microorganism was in a close contact with the cytoplasm of the fungus . No changes were found in the ultrastructure of the fungus and microorganism caused by their interaction.

J Reprod Fertil, 1975 Nov, 45(2), 263 - 72
Methods of measuring swimming speed of spermatozoa; Katz DF et al.; Three basic approaches for determining the mean swimming speed of a suspension of microorganisms were compared, using bull and ram spermatozoa . Number fluctuation counting was performed automatically on a Quantimet 720 image analysing computer, the mean speed being obtained using 'probability after' statistics . The other two approaches were photomicrographic: number flux counting was performed on single photomicrographs; on the same photomicrographs, the mean speed was estimated from measurement of 'whole' and 'half' track lengths . These results were compared with each other and with the Quantimet results . The 'probability after' method was also compared, on additional samples, with cine-photomicrographic tracking . The mean speeds predicted by the 'probability after' method compared favourably with the other methods (range 68 mum/sec to 162 mum/sec) . The results also suggested that, on single photomicrographs, measurement of 'half' track lengths or number flux counting were generally preferable to measurement of whole track lengths.

Appl Microbiol, 1975 Nov, 30(5), 750 - 4
D-Glucose isomerase: constitutive and catabolite repression-resistant mutants of Streptomyces phaeochromogenes; Sanchez S et al.; As in other Streptomyces species, the enzymatic conversion of D-glucose to D-fructose is carried out in Streptomyces phaeochromogenes NRRL B-3559 by the inducible enzyme, D-xylose keto isomerase (EC 5.3.1.5) . Mutants of this microorganism were selected for their ability to grow on D-lyxose (2-epimer of D-xlose) . As a result of the mutational event, the microorganism constitutively produced D-xylose isomerase . As in the parent strain, the constitutive formation of the isomerase was repressed by D-glucose . The fact that this mutant was unable to grow in low D-xylose concentrations in the presence of the D-glucose analogue, 3-O-methylglucose, permitted the isolation of D-xylose isomerase constitutive mutants which were insensitive to D-glucose repression.

Blut, 1975 Nov, 31(5), 313 - 22
An other look at iron: role in host pathogen interaction; Ganzoni AM et al.; Iron, as participant of many biological processes is a prerequisite for life . Uptake, internal transport and storage by organisms is handled by highly specialized chemical systems endowed with strong metal binding affinities . Apart from the homeostatic function of iron-binding compounds they appear of significance for inter-species interactions . Thus, by tight binding transferrin withholds the iron from invading microorganisms required for their optimal growth . This bacteriostatic property of the iron transport protein is however partially overcome by small molecular substances synthesized by bacteria and successfully competing for the metal . The balance of such interaction is a complex one . Yet, strong evidence points to the crucial importance of the amount of iron offered by a host to infecting agents for determining the fate of bacterial disease.

Acta Zool Pathol Antverp, 1975 Nov, (63), 19 - 26
Bacteriological quality control in laboratory animals; Banerjee AK; For monitoring health status of conventional laboratory animals, weekly samples should be examined of at least 2-5% of animals of each room . Dissecting method, bacteriological cultural technique and different selective media have been described . The significance of microorganisms and their relation to clinical signs, mode of infection and animals affected have been summarised in tabulated form.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1975 Nov, 233(3), 376 - 9
Receptor for 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone from Streptomyces hydrogenans; Kurth J et al.; Streptomyces hydrogenans exhibits binding activity for 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (17 beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-3-one) in vivo . A cell free homogenate from the microorganism binds 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone in vitro as well . The association constant is 10(8) M-1 at 4 degrees C . Progesterone, but neither testerone nor cyproterone, competes with 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone for binding . The binding fraction from Streptomyces hydrogenans permits a simple assay for 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone in biological samples.

Nouv Rev Fr Hematol, 1975 Nov-Dec, 15(6), 677 - 81
{Immunosuppressive therapy and candidacidal activity of human neutrophils (author's transl)}; Kernbaum S; Human neutrophils incubated with 8 immunosuppressive agents ingest and kill normally C . albicans and C . pseudotropicalis . It agrees with previous studies of living microorganism phagocytosis . The decreased resistance to infection of patients treated with immunosuppressive agents seems not to be due to impaired granulocyte phagocytosis.

Arch Microbiol, 1975 Oct 27, 105(2), 131 - 4
Interaction between lindane and micorbes in soils; Tu CM; Three lindane (gamma-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane) treated soils were studied under laboratory conditions to determine the interaction between lindane and the soil microorganisms . Microbial populations and respiration were monitored to study insecticide effects . Formation of lindane degradation products and chloride content were examined to determine effects of the microorganisms . Some populations in lindane treated soils showed temporary declines but all ultimately recovered to at least the level of the controls in 16 weeks . Respiration was stimulated over a 9-week period especially in the sandy and clay loams, suggesting the possibility of microbial degradation of the insecticide . Lindane degradation products separated and identified by TLC included gamma-2,3,4,5,6-pentachloro-1-cyclohexene (gamma-PCCH), gamma-3,4,5,6,-tetrachloro-1-cyclohexene (gamma-TCCH), gamma-3,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1-cyclohexene (gamma-TCCH), and pentachlorobenzene (PCB) . Chloride production increased in soils treated with higher levels of lindane.

Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1975 Oct 25, 105(43), 1373 - 81
{Viewpoints on the pharmacological suppression of immunologic reactivity}; Floersheim GL; The pharmacological alteration of immunological reactivity is considered . The immunosuppressive drugs may be classified according to their chemical class and their antigen- or cycle-dependency . A relative specificity towards the lymphoid system is cyclophosphamide . New vistas are opened by the modulation of immunological reactivity by cyclic nucleotides . The possibilities afforded by the combined use of immunosuppressive drugs have not been fully exploited . A short therapeutic program including donor antigen, procarbazine and antilymphocyte serum induces immunological tolerance to allogeneic skin grafts in mice and bone marrow allografts in dogs . Immunosuppressive properties of microorganisms are exemplified.

Science, 1975 Oct 24, 190(4212), 377 - 9
Magnetotactic bacteria; Blakemore R; Bacteria with motility directed by the local geomagnetic field have been observed in marine sediments . These magnetotactic microorganisms possess flagella and contain novel structured particles, rich in iron, within intracytoplasmic membrane vesicles . Conceivably these particles impart to cells a magnetic moment . This could explain the observed migration of these organisms in fields as weak as 0.5 gauss.

Mol Gen Genet, 1975 Oct 22, 140(4), 275 - 87
Genetic control of chromosome instability in Aspergillus nidulans as a mean for gene amplification in eukaryotic microorganisms; Parag Y et al.; A haploid strain of Aspergillus nidulans carrying I-II duplication homozygous for the leaky mutation adE20 shows impreved growth on minimal medium . The duplication, though more stable than disomics, still shows instability . Several methods were used for detecting genetic control of improved stability . (a) visual selection, using a duplicated strain which is very unstable due to UV sensitivity, (adE20, biAl/dp yA2; uvsB) . One stable strain showed a deletion (or a lethal mutation?) DISTAL TO BIA on the segment at the original position (on chromosome I) . This deletion reduces crossing over frequency between the two homologous segments . As the deletion of the non-translocated segment (yelow sectors) must be preceded by crossing over, the above reduces the frequency of yellow sectors . A deletion of the translocated segment (green sectors) results in non-viability due to the deletion, and such sectors do not appear . The net result is a stable duplication involving only 12 C.O . units carrying the gene in concern . (b) Suppressors of UV sensitivity (su-uvsB) were attempted using the above uvs duplicated strain . Phenotypic revertants were easily obtained, but all were back mutations at the uvsB locus . (c) Mutations for UV resistance higher than that of the wild type were not obtained, in spite of the strong selective pressure inserted . (d) Recombination deficient mutations (rec), six altogether, all uvs+, did not have any effect on stability.

Appl Microbiol, 1975 Oct, 30(4), 546 - 50
Psychrophilic microorganisms from areas associated with the Viking spacecraft; Foster TL et al.; Microorganisms capable of growth at 7 C were enumerated and isolated from soil samples from the manufacture and assembly areas of the Viking spacecraft . Populations ranging from 4.2 X 10(3) to 7.7 X 10(6)/g of soil were isolated from the 15 soil samples examined . Temperature requirements were determined, and those growing at 3 C, but not at 32 C, were designated as obligate psychrophiles in this investigation . Populations of soil bacteria, including aerobic sporeformers, ranging from 1.5 X 10(2) to 9.8 X 10(5)/g were capable of growth at 3 C, but not at 32 C . Bacterial isolates were identified to major generic groups . No psychrophilic sporeformers were isolated from soil from the manufacture area, but psychrophilic sporeformers ranged from 0 to 6.1 X 10(3)/g from soil from the assembly area.

Jpn J Microbiol, 1975 Oct, 19(5), 387 - 93
Effect of light on nonphotosynthetic microorganisms . II . Photochromogenicity in genus Streptomyces; Koyama Y et al.; The effect of light on the pigmentation of various strains belonging to the genus Streptomyces was investigated . It was revealed that six species of streptomycetes, S . massaporeus, S . phaeopurpureus, S . chibaensis, S . salmonicida, S . fluvissimus and S . longispororuber, were photochromogenic, i.e., these strains can be photoinduced to synthesize pigments . On the basis of these results, pigmentation in Streptomyces is discussed.

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1975 Oct, 70(4), 735 - 8
Detection of water-to-blood leakages in heat exchangers for cardiopulmonary bypass; de Jong DS et al.; In the construction of heat exchangers, it is of great importance that when they are in use it shall be impossible for water to leak into the blood, as this might lead to hemolysis, intoxications, air emboli, or infection by microorganisms . In an investigation the aim of which was to discover water-to-blood leakages in the heat exchangers that are generally used during cardiopulmonary bypass, tests were carried out on 17 heat exchangers that are used all over the world and are supplied by five different makers . They included both disposable and nondisposable models . In six stainless steel heat exchangers, water leakages to the blood compartment were detected with the aid of helium . Some of these heat exchangers were brand new and had never been used . The size of the leakages was found to be sufficient to enable them to act as channels for the passage of foreign microorganisms.

Appl Microbiol, 1975 Oct, 30(4), 519 - 24
Enumeration of high numbers of bacteria using hydrophobic grid-membrane filters; Sharpe AN et al.; Printing a wax grid on a conventional membrane filter yields a device functioning as a most probable number apparatus (MPN), used at a single dilution but with a very large number of growth compartments (e.g., 3,650) . By restraining the lateral spread and confluence of colonies, the hydrophobic grid-membrane filter (HGMF) allows growth- or colony-forming units (GU) to be resolved at levels far above those which produce an uncountable lawn on a conventional membrane filter . It also eliminates the size variation of normal bacterial colonies . As a result, the HGMF can give more accurate estimates of the concentration of GU . The method by which grid-cell count observations can be used to obtain MPN estimates of the number of GUs is described, and estimates obtained using the MPN method on the HGMF are compared with those resulting from conventional colony count procedures on membrane filters . A linear relation was observed between MPNGU and the number of GUs, at levels up to 30,000 GUs, for pure cultures of bacteria and for samples of natural waters . The HGMF has great potential for reducing the labor required in quantitative microbiology, since it allows, with one filter, enumeration of microorganisms over a very large concentration range and therefore reduces the need to make dilutions.

Lab Anim, 1975 Oct, 9(4), 353 - 65
Phase maps for particles and microorganisms in animal quarters; Weihe WH; Measurements of fallout of particles and microorganisms were carried out during the light and dark period in animal rooms occupied by rats, rabbits, cats and monkeys . Correlations between both parameters were established . The 24-hour mean was calculated and the percentage deviation of the individual measurements from this mean used for the elaboration of phase maps . For rats there is a high increase of particle and microorganism emission during the night following the activity cycle, while for cats and monkeys emission increases only during the feeding period . In rabbit rooms there is a nearly equal emission during day and night.

Clin Haematol, 1975 Oct, 4(3), 685 - 703
Mononuclear phagocyte proliferation, maturation and function; Territo MC et al.; The mononuclear phagocytic system is a continuum of cells beginning with the bone marrow monoblast and promonocyte, through the monocyte to the larger tissue macrophages and multinucleate giant cells . This system of cells is widely distributed throughout the body in the blood and bone marrow; the pleural, peritoneal, and alveolar spaces; the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and other parenchymal organs . The activity and composition of the cell varies with the level of maturation, changes in cellular environment, and with various cellular activities . The monocyte-macrophage group of cells plays an active role in defense reactions against certain microorganisms, and in the removal of dying cells and cell debris . They are an integral part of both the inductive phase of the immune response, and of cell-mediated immune reactions . In addition, they probably play a role in the defence against spontaneously arising tumours, in the control of granulopoiesis, and possibly in erythropoiesis.

Mikrobiologiia, 1975 Sep-Oct, 44(5), 943 - 5
{Enzymatic determination of the autotrophic fixation of carbon dioxide in aerobic and anaerobic ecosystems}; Vedenina IIa et al.; An enzymatic method is suggested for determining the role of chemoautotrophs in bacterial populations of a high density . The method involves an assay of the activity of ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase, the key enzyme in autotrophic assimilation of carbon dioxide . The chemoautotrophic activity of microorganisms is rather high in ecosystems based on decomposition of organic matter in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Mikrobiologiia, 1975 Sep-Oct, 44(5), 933 - 7
{Manganese-oxidizing microorganisms inhabiting the phylloplane}; Bolotina IN et al.; Manganese oxidizing microorganisms belonging to the genus Metallogenium were found in the phylloplane of various trees and grass plants . This is the first evidence that epiphytes participate in the transformation of mineral elements, and that microorganisms belonging to the genus Metallogenium can be found not only in fresh water and soil.

Mikrobiologiia, 1975 Sep-Oct, 44(5), 928 - 32
{Role of phenol-decomposing microorganisms in the process of phenol destruction in the Black Sea}; Ermolaev KK et al.; The number and species of phenol decomposing microorganisms, as well as the activity of their biochemical oxidation of phenol, were studied in waters of the shelf zone of the Black Sea, from the Danube estuary to Batumi . The number of these microorganisms and their phenol decomposing activity were higher in waters near harbours than in regions outside the anthropogenic activity . These parameters were highest in contaminated waters of the river origin . Most of these phenol decomposing microorganisms belong to the genera Pseudomonas and Bacterium, with the predominance of the species of Bacterium album and Pseudomonas desmolyticum (subspecis Pseudomonas rathionis).

Mikrobiologiia, 1975 Sep-Oct, 44(5), 851 - 4
{Activity of methane-oxidizing bacteria in the adsorbed state}; Nesterov AI et al.; Adsorption of pure cultures of methane oxidizing bacteria, Methylosinus trichosporium 20 and Methylococcus ucrainicus 21, on glass and coal was studied; the former strain was sorbed on both sorbents, the latter strain was sorbed on coal but not on glass . The rate of methane oxidation by the cells of adsorbed microorganisms was higher than in the case of free cells, and increased with a decrease in dimensions of the sorbent particles.

J Immunol Methods, 1975 Sep, 8(3), 213 - 22
Quantitative assays of human monocyte-macrophage function; Weston WL et al.; Monocyte-macrophages are required for the development of cell mediated immunity to a variety of microorganisms and tumors . Quantitative assays of human monocyte-macrophage function would be most useful in the evaluation of cell mediated immune function in man . Five quantitative assays are described that provide a human monocyte-macrophage function profile . These assays parallel the physiologic steps necessary for monocyte-macrophages to function as phagocytes: 1) chemotaxis, 2) opsonization, 3) phagocytosis, 4) phagocytosis-induced metabolic stimulation and 5) destruction of foreign material . Application of these quantitative assays will allow detection and dissection of disorders of monocyte-macrophage function in man.

Can J Microbiol, 1975 Sep, 21(9), 1413 - 9
Adaptation to cycloheximide: in vitro studies with filamentous fungi; Salkin IF; Adaptation of numerous strains of filamentous fungi to cycloheximide was noted upon first transfer during serial exposure to the antibiotic . The extent of this adaptation varied in part with the species and strain of the microorganism . Exposure on subsequent transfers caused no change in the growth of any of the strains used . These results suggest that nonzoopathogens may be differentiated from zoopathogens on the basis of adaptation to cycloheximide and that such adaptation might also be found in other eucaryotes.

J Nutr, 1975 Sep, 105(9), 1199 - 205
Effect of molybdate on sulfide production from methionine and sulfate by ruminal microorganisms of sheep; Huisingh J et al.; Purified diets containing sodium sulfate and DL-methionine as sole dietary sources of sulfur were fed to fistulated sheep . The effect of dietary sodium molybdate (50 ppm Mo) on the capacity of the rumen microorganisms to produce sulfide from either sulfate or methionine was assayed in the two sulfur diets . Dietary molybdenum significantly inhibited the production of sulfide from sulfate but enhanced significantly the production of sulfide from methionine . The inhibitory effect of molybdenum on sulfide production in vitro and the number of sulfide-producing bacteria present in the rumen of these sheep are discussed in considering the mechanism of the molybdate effect on sulfide production.

Mikrobiologiia, 1975 Sep-Oct, 44(5), 921 - 7
{Total count, biomass and production of microorganisms in the water of the South Sea}; Mitskevich IN et al.; The total number of microorganisms in waters of the Southern Ocean was determined by direct count in capillaries of Perfiliev and Gabe . Ninety samples of water, obtained at depths from 0 to 7,000 m in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific sectors of the Southern Ocean, have been analyzed . The number of microorganisms in these samples varied from hundreds to dozens of thousand cells in 1 ml of water, being in most cases thousands of cells in 1 ml of water . An increase in the concentration of cells, as compared to higher and lower horizons, was registered in some layers of subsurface, intermediate, and deep waters.

Dtsch Zahnarztl Z, 1975 Sep, 30(9), 614 - 27
{Scanning electronmicroscopic studies on fissure caries in human teeth}; Ermin R; Fracture surfaces and ground sections of human molars with fissure caries were examined under the SEM . The pictures confirmed that with the SEM the topographical location of the fissure as well as the main stages of carious decay in the enamel and dentine (demineralization, infiltration by cariogenic substances and microorganisms) could easily be seen three-dimensionally . Primarily the question of demineralization of prism core and prism periphery was discussed by means of own findings and findings made by other authors.

J Microw Power, 1975 Sep, 10(3), 265 - 70
Microwave drying of microorganisms: I . Influence of the microwave energy and of the sample thickness on the drying of yeast; Gomes AM et al.; The use of microwave energy for the rapid drying of yeasts is described . The influences of the microwave energy and of the sample thickness are studied . The advantages of the method over the conventional drying techniques are presented.

J Med Chem, 1975 Aug, 18(8), 791 - 4
Microbial models of mammalian metabolism . O-Dealkylation of 10,11-dimethoxyaporphine; Rosazza JP et al.; Microbial transformations of 10,11-dimethoxyaporphine were studied to determine the potential of microorganisms to produce monomethoxyaporphines . Ten microorganisms were identified as being capable of yielding apocodeine and/or isoapocodeine as the major metabolite in 24 and 20% yield, respectively . Cunninghamella blakesleeana (ATCC 9245) converted 10,11-dimethoxyaporphine quantitatively into isapocodeine . O-Dealkylation of this aporphine system is a facile microbial transformation, and the 10-methoxyl group is more susceptible to metabolic cleavage than the sterically hindered 11-methoxyl group . Selectivity in O-dealkylation may be accomplished with different microorganisms . This is the first report dealing with the microbial transformation of an aporphine system.

Am J Vet Res, 1975 Aug, 36(08), 1241 - 2
Radiographic method for anatomic study of the teat canal: changes between milking periods; McDonald JS; Radiographs of the teat canal (papillary duct) of 14 Holstein-Friesian cows were made immediately after removal of the milking machine and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours . The distal, middle, and proximal diameters of the canal were dilated when the machine was removed . The distal and the middle parts of the teat canal were more dilated than the proximal part of the canal . Two hours later, the canal was constricted in the 3 areas . During the next 6 hours, the canal dilated-the greatest kilation being at the proximal paet of the teat canal . The average lenght of the teat canal remained unchanged . Apparently, microorganisms can easily pass through the teat canal when it is dilated at the end of machine milking and for up to 2 hours after milking.

Biophys J, 1975 Aug, 15(8), 785 - 94
Number fluctuation spectroscopy of motile microorganisms; Schaefer DW et al.; A random-walk model of motility is used to predict the dynamics of fluctuations in the number of particles in a small observation volume . The results show that number fluctuations provide a measure of the mean swimming speed as well as the persistence length . Experimental light-scattering results are presented for three strains of Escherichia coli whose motion appears random-walk in nature . For the strain with th elongest persistence length, excellent agreement is found that theoretical predictions . For the more erratic strains, however, the shape of the measured scattered light intensity correlation functions indicates the presence of a contribution due to orientational fluctuations.

Immun Infekt, 1975 Aug, 3(4), 172 - 81
{Humoral immune phenomena in acute and chronic viral hepatitis (author's transl)}; Berg PA; During HBAg positive acute viral hepatitis transitory antibodies of a low titer against smooth muscle, vascular endothelium, nuclei, and liver cell membrane antigens (polygonal pattern of immunofluorescence) occur . In HBAg positive chronic aggressive hepatitis, sometimes antibodies against nuclei or smooth muscle are associated with HBAg . Their occurrence heralds an unfavorable prognosis . High titer antibodies against nuclei and smooth muscle - a typical serology finding in lupoid chronic aggressive hepatitis - and mitochondrial antibodies have not been observed in a HBAg positive hepatitis . Subdividing chronic hepatitis in six different groups is possible with HBAg and antibodies . The predominance of histocompatability antigen HLA 8 in lupoid hepatitis and a lack of this leukocyte antigen in HGAg positive chronic aggressive hepatitis suggests that in the various forms of hepatitis, a different susceptability and capability for immune response towards microorganism is reflected . It is postulated that for course and outcome of hepatitis, the type of immune reaction plays a decisive role.

J Oral Surg, 1975 Aug, 33(8), 607 - 10
Antibiotic efficacy in odontogenic infections; Gabrielson ML et al.; Cultures and antibiotic sensitivities were determined for 84 patients in the oral surgery clinic who had diagnoses of odontogenic infections . Data tabulated from the results of the bacteriologic cultures and antibiotic sensitivities disclosed the five organisms most frequently involved . Antibiotic efficacy for each of the antibiotics used in sensitivity determinations was calculated on the basis of the percent sensitivity of a given organism to the given antibiotic, and the percent of patients with infections resulting from the given organism, both expressed as decimals . Antibiotics were then arranged in order of greatest to least efficacy on the basis of chloramphenicol as 100 percent . Efficacy values, sigma and lambda, were compared for the antibiotics . It was concluded that those antibiotics below penicillin on the efficacy table were less useful in the initial antibiotic treatment of odontogenic infections . Chloramphenicol was effective against every microorganism isolated during this investigation, but its use should be tempered with clinical judgment . Erythromycin should be given consideration as a replacement for penicillin as the preferred drug in the initial treatment of odontogenic infections on the basis of its high efficacy rating and freedom from potentially serious allergic or other untoward manifestations.

J Med Chem, 1975 Aug, 18(8), 776 - 80
Synthesis and biological activity of 10-thia-10-deaza analogs of folic acid, pteroic acid, and related compounds; Kim YH et al.; The 10-thia analogs of pteroic acid, folic acid, their esters, and their 4-amino analogs were synthesized through a reaction sequence involving, as a key step, the condensation of 2-amino-3-cyano-5-chloromethylpyrazine with appropriately substituted thiols . The abilities of the products to inhibit the growth of methotrexate (MTX)-sensitive and MTX-resistant microorganisms were investigated as were their abilities to inhibit dihydrofolic acid reductase and thymidylic acid synthetase . Several compounds had high activity.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1975 Aug, 80(8), 78 - 81
{Evaluation of cytochemical methods of studying the localization of alkaline phosphatase in B . subtilis}; Korinteli VI et al.; A study was made of a possibility of using the "lead" and the "calcium" methods for the determination of localization of alkaline phosphatase in the bacterial cells . Cytochemical medium containing lead nitrate could not be used for determination of the true localization of the alkaline phosphatase in the microorganisms.

J Mol Evol, 1975 Jul 11, 5(2), 153 - 63
Letter: Sequences of the N-terminus portions of biliproteins; Harris JU et al.; The N-terminal sequences of the separated polypeptide chains of biliproteins isolated from several Cyanophyta, Rhodophyta, and Cryptophyta have been determined . The portions of the sequences determined for the alpha (fast) chain of C-phycocyanin from both procaryotic and eucaryotic cells are extremely conservative . Methionine is the N-terminal amino acid in most of the species studied . The N-terminus and subsequent sequence of phycoerythrin alpha chains are almost identical with those of the C-phycocyanin alpha chain . The beta (slow) chain of C-phycocyanin is also rather conservative in amino acid substitution but has more variation than the alpha chain . The variations are consistent with single base changes in codons and conserve the size and functional characteristics of the amino acid . The sequence homologies are consistent with the phylogenetic relationship between Cyanophyta and the chloroplast of Rhodophyta . There are no other reported sequences of polypeptide chains of the same or related proteins from such different strains of microorganisms that show such close sequence homology.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1975 Jul-Aug, 11(4), 593 - 7
{Disintegration of cells of methane oxidizing bacteria by gas decompression}; Nesterov AI et al.; The efficacy of disrupting cells of methane oxidizing bacteria M . trichosporium strain 20 by air decompression was measured . The efficacy increased with a rise of the gas pressure, density of the bacterial suspension and the ratio of the air and suspension volumes . The relationship between the efficacy of disruption of the microorganisms and the rate of pressure reduction showed a distinct maximum . The efficacy of the bacterial disruption did not change with an increase of the time of saturation of the bacterial suspension by air from 30 sec . to 60 min.

Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1975 Jul-Aug, 11(4), 570 - 5
{Phytoalexin activity in apples as an indication of their resistance to phytopathogenic microorganisms}; Bykova TD et al.; Phytoalexin activity of various apple varieties was measured during their storage at subcryoscopic (-2.3 degrees C) and supracryoscopic (-1.3 degrees C) temperatures . More resistant late winter apple varieties Renet Simitrenko and Renet Champagne showed higher phyto-alexin activity than the autumn-winter strain Calville Snowy . By the end of storage the phytoalexin activity decreased independently on the storage conditions . However, the apples that were kepat at supracryoscopic temperature retained a hight phytoalexin activity . The apples which were kept at -2.3 degrees C showed no phytoalexin activity.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig B}, 1975 Jul, 160(4-5), 534 - 9
Studies of the infection of the cockroaches (Blattella germanica{L.}) with Bac . thuringensis; Ulewicz K; The results of an experimental infection of the cockroaches Blattella germanica (L.) with some trade preparations containing Bac . thuringensis spores are presented . Biological studies supported by bacteriological and histological examinations of the excised intestines of the above insects have shown that the microorganisms studied are pathogenic for the cockroaches . This effect might be eventually applied as a biological method of eradication of the cockroaches in such environments, where chemical preparations can not be used or this disinfestation method would be complementary to the other method of disinfestation.

Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1975 Jul, 232(2-3), 365 - 72
{Occurrence of neuraminidase in Sporothrix schenckii and Ceratocystis stenoceras and its role in ecology and pathomechanism of these fungi (author's transl)}; Muller HE; Some strains of Sporothrix schenckii and one strain of Ceratocystis stenoceras were investigated and the occurrence of the enzyme neuraminidase (= sialidase, N-acetylneuraminate glycohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.18) was proved not only by Warren's thiobarbituric acid assay but also by immunoelectrophoresis technique using monospecific antisera against 25 human glycoproteins, lipoproteins, immunoglobulins, fibrinogen and some other proteins (Table 1) . There are also fibrinolytic and lipolytic enzyme activities in strains of Sporothrix chenckii corresponding with similar findings of other authors and also in the Ceratocystis stenoceras strain . The temperature optimum of production of neuraminidase seems to be lower than 37 degrees C (Table 2) and all strains failed to produce the enzyme after cultivation at 37 degrees C during some months . The findings of the existence of neuraminidase in the both species confirm also their close relationship . Because the occurrence of N-acylneuraminate was shown only in animals and in some microorganisms but not in plants it can be suggested that also Sporothrix schenckii and Ceratocystis stenoceras grow on animal or neuraminate containing microbial material but not on plants as it is assumed hitherto . Corresponding to this hypothesis the pathogenicity of Sporothrix schenckii and also the facultative pathogenicity of Ceratocystis stenoceras are to see in connexion with the action of neuraminidase and other enzymes metabolizing animal substrates . It can be concluded that neuraminidase is a possible additional pathogenic factor in sporotrichosis below 37 degrees C.

J Infect Dis, 1975 Jul, 132(1), 87 - 105
New knowledge of chlamydiae and the diseases they cause; Grayston JT et al.; The trachoma and LGV organisms, the human pathogens of the species C . trachomatis, cause oculogenital infections and disease syndromes of the eye and genital tract . The incidence of the most prominent disease, endemic trachoma with eye-to-eye transmission, is decreasing all over the world . At the same time there is increasing recognition of high-frequency venereal infections with trachoma organisms and of the genital disease and occasional ocular disease that they cause . Laboratory techniques for diagnosis and investigation are improving, but work with these interesting intermediate agents remains more difficult than that with many other microorganisms . Proper recognition of the diseases is important because specific therapy is available.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1975 Jul, (7), 68 - 72
{Current data on the polymorphism of Rickettsia prowazekii and burneti in cultured cells}; Gulevskaia SA et al.; In cultivation of Rickettsia prowazeki (strains Breinl and E) in the cell cultures of guinea pig kidneys (GPK) and chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF) ultrastructure of rickettsia of unusual shape (filamentous, irregularpleomorphic and spheroplast-like) were revealed along with rickettsia of the usual shape and size . The polymorphism was less pronounced in the GPK and the CEF cells of Rickettsia burneti (strain M-44) . It is supposed that rickettsial polymorphism was not associated with their developmental cycle and served as a morphological expression of the changes in the microorganism under the effect of unfavourable ecological conditions . The appearance of filamentous forms could be associated with disturbed cell division process; changed rigidity of the cell wall could serve as the cause of appearance of pleomorphic rickettsia . In difference from polymorphism, the cycle of rickettsial development is considered to be (in the basis of modern electron microscopic data) as a biological replacement of the vegetative (rod-like, bacillary) forms by those more stable in the external environment, resting (coccoid).

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1975 Jul, 40(1), 148 - 52
Chairside decontamination of endodontic files; Hubbard TM Jr et al.; Chairside decontamination . of files and reamers is attempted during root canal treatment . The purpose of this study was to evaluate some techniques for reducing the number of microorganisms of artificially contaminated endodontic files . Endodontic files were artificially contaminated with about 10,000 colony-forming units of either B . subtilis spores or S . mitis . The files containing the bacteria were then subjected to various decontamination procedures . Although sterilization was not achieved with any procedure, the bead sterilizer was found to be the most effective decontamination method tested . All gauze wipings showed reductions greater than 90 per cent . It was concluded that wiping with 2 by 2 inch gauze is a highly efficient and practical method of chairside decontamination

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