J Dairy Sci, 1990 Jul, 73(7), 1812 - 22 Effects of feeding fungal culture extract and animal-vegetable fat on degradation of hemicellulose and on ruminal bacterial growth in heifers; Firkins JL et al.; Four Holstein heifers cannulated in the rumen and proximal duodenum were used to analyze effects of Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract and yeast culture (Amaferm Micro-Mix . Biozyme Enterprises, Inc., St . Joseph, MO) and 5% animal-vegetable fat on ruminal and total tract digestibilities of nutrients . Heifers were assigned treatments in a 4 x 4 Latin square design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments . Few interactions between main effects were noted . Feeding fat decreased ruminal molar ratio of acetate:propionate . Rate of disappearance of potentially digestible NDF from orchardgrass hay was higher when heifers were fed fat . Thus, the lack of differences in digestibilities of NDF, ADF, or in the major hemicellulosic sugars is interpreted to suggest that 5% animal-vegetable fat had few toxic effects on ruminal microbes under the conditions of this study . Amaferm Micro-Mix tended to increase acetate:propionate in the rumen, but had little effect on site or extent of digestion of any of the fiber components measured . Efficiency of bacterial protein synthesis was not affected by treatment . Ruminal and total tract digestibilities of total hemicellulosic sugars were highly correlated (r = .82 and .72) with respective digestibilities of hemicellulose measured as NDF minus ADF. Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1990 Jul, 110(7), 63 - 5 {Molecular mechanisms of the membrane-protective effect of litonit in chronic stress}; Kresiun VI et al.; It is confirmed that prophylactic use of Pyracetam (500 mg/kg), Pikamilon (10 mg/kg) and new product of GABA B-44 (30 mg/kg) for 10-days in the conditions of chronic stress normalizes the activity of the key enzymes of antiradical defence and the content of lipid peroxides, warns the decrement of phospholipids and the changes in its qualitative ratio, prevents multidirectional changes in the activity of ferments-markers in the membrane of the brain and erythrocytes . It is concluded that nootropic agents give membrane stabilizing effects. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1990 Jul, 56(7), 2046 - 50 Fuel alcohol production: effects of free amino nitrogen on fermentation of very-high-gravity wheat mashes; Thomas KC et al.; Although wheat mashes contain only growth-limiting amounts of free amino nitrogen, fermentations by active dry yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were completed (all fermentable sugars consumed) in 8 days at 20 degrees C even when the mash contained 35 g of dissolved solids per 100 ml . Supplementing wheat mashes with yeast extract, Casamino Acids, or a single amino acid such as glutamic acid stimulated growth of the yeast and reduced the fermentation time . With 0.9% yeast extract as the supplement, the fermentation time was reduced from 8 to 3 days, and a final ethanol yield of 17.1% (vol/vol) was achieved . Free amino nitrogen derived in situ through the hydrolysis of wheat proteins by a protease could substitute for the exogenous nitrogen source . Studies indicated, however, that exogenously added glycine (although readily taken up by the yeast) reduced the cell yield and prolonged the fermentation time . The results suggested that there are qualitative differences among amino acids with regard to their suitability to serve as nitrogen sources for the growth of yeast . The complete utilization of carbohydrates in wheat mashes containing very little free amino nitrogen presumably resulted because they had the "right" kind of amino acids. J Bacteriol, 1990 Jul, 172(7), 3909 - 17 Ethanol formation in adh0 mutants reveals the existence of a novel acetaldehyde-reducing activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Drewke C et al.; A strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been constructed which is deficient in the four alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) isozymes known at present . This strain (adh0), being irreversibly mutated in the genes ADH1, ADH3, and ADH4 and carrying a point mutation in the gene ADH2 coding for the glucose-repressible isozyme ADHII, still produces up to one third of the theoretical maximum yield of ethanol in a homofermentative conversion of glucose to ethanol . Analysis of the glucose metabolism of adh0 cells shows that the lack of all known ADH isozymes results in the formation of glycerol as a major fermentation product, accompanied by a significant production of acetaldehyde and acetate . Treatment of glucose-growing adh0 cells with the respiratory-chain inhibitor antimycin A leads to an immediate cessation of ethanol production, demonstrating that ethanol production in adh0 cells is dependent on mitochondrial electron transport . Reduction of acetaldehyde to ethanol in isolated mitochondria could also be demonstrated . This reduction is apparently linked to the oxidation of acetaldehyde to acetate . Preliminary data suggest that this novel type of ethanol formation in S . cerevisiae is associated with the inner mitochondrial membrane. Mol Cell Biol, 1990 Jul, 10(7), 3797 - 800 Identification of the upstream activating sequence of MAL and the binding sites for the MAL63 activator of Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Ni BF et al.; Maltose fermentation in Saccharomyces species requires the presence of at least one of five unlinked MAL loci: MAL1, MAL2, MAL3, MAL4, and MAL6 . Each of these loci consists of a complex of genes involved in maltose metabolism; the complex includes maltase, a maltose permease, and an activator of these genes . At the MAL6 locus, the activator is encoded by the MAL63 gene . While the MAL6 locus has been the subject of numerous studies, the binding sites of the MAL63 activator have not been determined . In this study, we used Escherichia coli extracts containing the MAL63 protein to define the binding sites of the MAL63 protein in the divergently transcribed MAL61-62 promotor . When a DNA fragment containing these sites was placed upstream of a CYC1-lacZ gene, maltose induced beta-galactosidase . These sites therefore constitute an upstream activating sequence for the MAL genes. Can J Microbiol, 1990 Jul, 36(7), 513 - 7 Isolation and characterization of cellulolytic anaerobic fungi and associated mycoplasmas from the rumen of a steer fed a roughage diet; Kudo H et al.; The isolation of 12 strains of cellulolytic fungi from the rumen of a roughage-fed steer is described . These represented three different genera, including one new genus and species (Orpinomyces bovis) . The organisms were indistinguishable on the basis of fermentation products from cellulose, and their fermentation patterns were very similar to those of rumen fungi isolated in other countries . Mycoplasmas were found to be associated with 7 of the 12 isolates . The ecological role of the association of the mycoplasmas with rumen fungi is still unknown. J Anim Sci, 1990 Jul, 68(7), 2130 - 41 Steam-rolled wheat diets for finishing cattle: effects of dietary roughage and feed intake on finishing steer performance and ruminal metabolism; Kreikemeier KK et al.; Two experiments were conducted to determine the influence of dietary roughage concentration and feed intake on finishing steer performance and ruminal metabolism . In Exp . 1, 126 steers (334 kg) were used in a completely randomized design and fed (120 d) diets of steam-rolled wheat without roughage or containing 5, 10 or 15% roughage (50% alfalfa hay:50% corn silage) . Steers fed 5 or 10% roughage gained faster (quadratic, P less than .05) and were more efficient (quadratic, P less than .05) than steers fed 15% or no roughage . In Exp . 2, six ruminally cannulated steers (447 kg) were used in a 6 x 6 latin square design and fed (twice daily) diets of steam-rolled wheat without roughage or containing 5 or 15% alfalfa hay at twice or three times NE required for maintenance . Increasing dietary roughage increased (linear, P less than .01) ruminal liquid passage 38%, indigestible ADF passage 63%, Yb-labeled wheat passage 75% and fiber fill 31% . The rate of in situ starch digestion tended to increase (linear, P = .16), and ruminal VFA concentration was 40 mM higher (P less than .01) at 4 h after feeding with increased roughage . Increased feed intake increased (P less than .05) ruminal starch fill, fiber fill, liquid fill and liquid passage 23%, Yb-labeled wheat passage 50% and Dry-labeled hay passage 20% . It reduced protozoa five- to sixfold (P less than .01) but doubled total bacterial counts (P less than .01) . Ruminal NH3N was lower (P less than .01) and total VFA concentration was 50 mM higher (P less than .01) at 4 h after feeding . The acetate:propionate ratio was reduced from 2.3 to 1.3 (P less than .01) with increased intake . Adding roughage to a steam-rolled wheat diet increased passage and tended to increase rate of starch digestion; increased feed intake with its associated effects on ruminal fill and passage dramatically shifted the microbial population and fermentation end products. J Anim Sci, 1990 Jul, 68(7), 1965 - 70 Effects of whole cottonseed and live yeast culture on ruminal fermentation and fluid passage rate in steers; Malcolm KJ et al.; The effects of adding whole cottonseed (WCS) and live yeast culture (YC) to a diet of 60% alfalfa and 40% concentrate on ruminal fermentation and liquid dilution rate in steers were examined in two trials . Twelve ruminally cannulated Hereford steers (approximately 420 kg) were used . Concentrates were 1) a basal grain mix composed of ground corn, ground barley and rice bran, 2) basal mix with 10% WCS, 3) basal mix with 1.6% YC and 4) basal mix with 10% WCS and 1.6% YC . No differences were detected (P greater than .10) in ruminal pH of steers fed WCS or YC in either trial . Ruminal ammonia levels tended to be higher (P greater than .10) in steers fed WCS . Acetate was higher and butyrate was lower in steers receiving 10% WCS (P less than .10) compared with controls . Molar proportions of acetate and butyrate increased while propionate decreased (P less than .05) over time after feeding . Intake and apparent digestibility of dry matter was not influenced by treatments . Whole cottonseed and(or) YC appear to have minimal effects on ruminal fermentation, but they might alter ruminal liquid passage rate with diets containing 60% ground alfalfa and 40% concentrate. Br J Nutr, 1990 Jul, 64(1), 71 - 9 Effect of the microbial lactase (EC 3.2.1.23) activity in yoghurt on the intestinal absorption of lactose: an in vivo study in lactase-deficient humans; Marteau P et al.; Breath hydrogen excretion was measured in eight lactase (EC 3.2.1.108)-deficient volunteers ingesting 18 g lactose in the form of milk, yoghurt and heated yoghurt . Total excess hydrogen excretion (area under curve) was significantly lower after yoghurt and heated yoghurt, than after milk: 103 (SE 29), 191 (SE 32), and 439 (SE 69) respectively (P less than 0.001) . The oro-caecal transit time of fermentable components from yoghurt and heated yoghurt (mainly lactose) was longer than that from milk: 165 (SE 17), 206 (SE 19), v . 103 (SE 19) min (P less than 0.01) . An intestinal perfusion technique was used in the same subjects after ingestion on two consecutive days of 18 g lactose in yoghurt and heated yoghurt . Significantly less lactose was recovered from the terminal ileum after yoghurt than after heated yoghurt meals: 1740 (SE 260) v . 2825 (SE 461) mg (P less than 0.05), and approximately one-fifth of the lactase activity contained in yoghurt reached the terminal ileum . These findings indicate that more than 90% of the lactose in yoghurt is digested in the small intestine of lactase-deficient subjects and suggest that both the lactase activity contained in the viable starter culture and a slow oro-caecal transit time are responsible for this excellent absorption. J Bacteriol, 1990 Jul, 172(7), 3959 - 65 Hyperthermus butylicus, a hyperthermophilic sulfur-reducing archaebacterium that ferments peptides; Zillig W et al.; The hyperthermophilic peptide-fermenting sulfur archaebacterium Hyperthermus butylicus was isolated from the sea floor of a solfataric habitat with temperatures of up to 112 degrees C on the coast of the island of Sao Miguel, Azores . The organism grows at up to 108 degrees C, grows optimally between 95 and 106 degrees C at 17 g of NaCl per liter and pH 7.0, utilizes peptide mixtures as carbon and energy sources, and forms H2S from elemental sulfur and molecular hydrogen as a growth-stimulating accessory energy source but not by sulfur respiration . The same fermentation products, CO2, 1-butanol, acetic acid, phenylacetic acid, and a trace of hydroxyphenylacetic acid, are formed both with and without of S0 and H2 . Its ether lipids, the absence of a mureine sacculus, the nature of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and phylogenetic classification by DNA-rRNA cross-hybridization characterize H . butylicus as part of a novel genus of the major branch of archaebacteria comprising the orders Thermoproteales and Sulfolobales, representing a particularly long lineage bifurcating with the order Sulfolobales above the branching off of the genus Thermoproteus and distinct from the genera Desulfurococcus and Pyrodictium. Vet Med (Praha), 1990 Jul, 35(7), 391 - 6 {The effect of methanol extracts of sawdust on the digestion of cellulose, hay and wheat bran in vitro}; Jalc D et al.; An experiment was treated to investigate the effects of an extract of conditioned beech sawdust (80% methanol extraction) on the in vitro digestion of cellulose and on the digestion of hay and wheat bran diet (80 to 20%) in a artificial rumen (Rusitec) . The addition of 10, 25, 50, 75 mg of extract to 0.25 g cellulose reduced significantly its digestibility from 94.5 to 92.9%; 90.4; 85.2; 82.1 and 80.1%, respectively . The addition of 0.6, 1.5 and 3.0 g of extract to 14 g diet DM in Rusitec decreased the digestibility from 49.6 to 41.8% . Gas (CO2, H2, CH4) production increased as well as the production of total volatile fatty acids: acetic, propionic, n-butyric and isobutyric, glucose utilization and ATP production were also better . The addition of extracts did not influence significantly the effectiveness of microbial proteosynthesis (YATP) . The methanol extract of conditioned beech sawdust contained reducing sugars (saccharides), besides the phenolic substances (syringaldehyde and vanillin); these sugars influenced diet fermentation in Rusitec. Drug Metab Dispos, 1990 Jul-Aug, 18(4), 504 - 7 Inhibition of the metabolism of ethyl carbamate by acetaldehyde; Kurata N et al.; Ethyl carbamate is an animal carcinogen when administered in large doses; it is naturally present in minute concentrations in fermented foods and beverages . Previous studies from this laboratory have demonstrated that ethanol, in vivo, inhibits the metabolism of ethyl carbamate in mice, but the enzyme system has not been identified . In an effort to further characterize the enzyme system responsible, the metabolic products of ethanol metabolism were studied to determine whether ethanol or either of its metabolites is inhibitory . Acetaldehyde (400 mg/kg) is a potent inhibitor of ethyl carbamate metabolism for about 2 hr in vitro, but sodium acetate is not . Paraldehyde (250 mg/kg) has a slower onset and longer duration of inhibition, suggesting that its conversion to acetaldehyde produces the inhibitory molecule . Disulfiram (200 mg/kg) has a prolonged inhibitory effect; this effect is enhanced and extended when the disulfiram is combined with acetaldehyde (400 mg/kg) . D-Penicillamine, given in a regimen of 1.2 g/kg 0.5 hr before and 0.6 g/kg 1.5 and 3.5 hr after ethyl carbamate, is not inhibitory; however, it abolishes the inhibitory effect of acetaldehyde, presumably from sequestration of acetaldehyde . These studies demonstrate that acetaldehyde is an inhibitor of the metabolism of ethyl carbamate and suggest that acetaldehyde is one, and perhaps the only, molecule responsible for the inhibition seen when ethanol is administered to mice . In vitro incubation studies determined that ethyl carbamate was not metabolized by human plasma. Enzyme Microb Technol, 1990 Jul, 12(7), 533 - 8 Production of a foreign protein product with genetically modified plant cells; Hogue RS et al.; Plant cells (Nicotiana tabacum) were genetically engineered to produce a foreign protein, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT), and the CAT production from suspension cultures was investigated . Suspension cultures were grown in a shake flask, a stirred fermenter, and a bubble-column fermenter . The CAT production was growth related and the maximum activity was reached during the early stationary phase . A 41-day, semicontinuous stirred fermenter run, consisting of five sequential batch runs, demonstrated long-term CAT production . Continuous CAT production was also accomplished in a bubble-column fermenter at a medium flow rate of 3.1 ml h-1, which was equivalent to a dilution rate of 0.25 day-1. Biotechnology (N Y), 1990 Jul, 8(7), 639 - 43 Use of a cell recycle reactor to increase production of a proteolysis-susceptible peptide secreted from recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Siegel RS et al.; Operation of a continuous microbial fermentor with cell recycle can significantly reduce degradation-associated loss of a secreted protein product . Under continuous fermentation conditions, proteolysis of a recombinant growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) analog secreted by S . cerevisiae was first order with respect to GRF concentration . The maximal GRF concentration was increased from 5 mg/l to 30 mg/l by the use of a cell recycle reactor, and volumetric productivity was increased more than 10-fold to an average of 10 mg/l-1/h-1 . A mathematical model shows that increased productivity in the cell recycle reactor results from a reduced degradation rate and a shorter residence time of the product in the fermentor. J Chromatogr, 1990 Jun 22, 509(2), 347 - 56 Analysis of delta-L-alpha-aminoadipyl-L-cysteinyl-D-valine by ion chromatography and pulsed amperometric detection; Donaldson MJ et al.; A novel high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method is presented for the detection and trace level determination of the tripeptide delta-L-alpha-aminoadipyl-L-cysteinyl-D-valine (ACV) . The tripeptide, an intermediate in penicillin production, is derived from fungal fermentation . The technique relies on ion-exchange separation of the tripeptide on an anion-exchange column followed by detection by reduction on a gold electrode using pulsed amperometry . The sensitivity of direct determination of ACV is increased by employing pulsed amperometric detection (PAD) over direct ultraviolet detection . Choice of the working electrode and optimisation of electrode potentials was based on cyclic voltammograms recorded for the tripeptide in the mobile phase . A linear regression equation was obtained over the range 0-100 micrograms ml-1 . The detection limit in fermentation broths was found to be 0.1 micrograms ml-1 whereas in buffer the detection limit was found to be 10 ng ml-1 . A good correlation coefficient was observed when ACV concentrations determined by ion chromatography-PAD were compared with measurements obtained by pre-column derivatisation with fluoromethylorthochloroformate followed by HPLC separation on a reversed-phase C18 silica column with UV detection . The procedure has been applied to the measurement of natural levels of ACV in fermentation broths of selected strains of Aspergillus nidulans and Penicillin chrysogenum. Cancer Lett, 1990 Jun 15, 51(3), 213 - 20 Effect of antioxidants on the mitochondrial activity and toxicity of the cancer drug methylglyoxal bis (guanylhydrazone) in yeast and mammalian cells; Cheng LL et al.; Mitochondria of yeast cells were primary targets of methylglyoxal bis (guanylhydrazone) (MGBG) from the following criteria: (1) selective inhibition of growth of cells utilizing a non-fermentable energy source, (2) inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis compared with cytosolic protein synthesis and (3) selective mutagenesis of the mitochondrial genome compared with nuclear mutagenesis . Evidence of primary antimitochondrial activity of MGBG in mammalian cells was provided by greater potency of the drug in guinea pig keratinocyte cultures utilizing glutamine as carbon and energy source compared with fermentable glucose . Cell death was used as a measure of drug toxicity in both yeast and mammalian systems . The antioxidants glutathione, vitamin E and vitamin C reversed toxicity and antimitochondrial activity to a large extent implying that toxic free radical metabolites of the drug are of significance in cellular activity of MGBG. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses, 1990 Jun, 6(6), 753 - 64 HIV-1 reverse transcriptase purified from a recombinant strain of Escherichia coli; Clark PK et al.; A better understanding of the structure and biochemical properties of the replicative machinery of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) may be useful in the screening and design of drugs that could be used to treat AIDS . We have previously described a recombinant strain of Escherichia coli that produces HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) . Fermentation conditions for the large-scale growth of the bacterial strain and a protocol for the purification of an enzymatically active 66-Kd form of the RT have been developed . The purified RT has all of the appropriate enzymatic functions and properties . The recombinant protein can be substituted for the viral enzyme in structural and biochemical studies and used in screens for drugs that could inhibit HIV replication. Neth J Med, 1990 Jun, 36(5-6), 301 - 3 Beware of the dog: meningitis in a splenectomised woman; Krol-van Straaten MJ et al.; Purulent meningitis was diagnosed in a 75-yr-old splenectomised woman nine days after a dog bite . The original wound was apparently uninflamed . The causative microorganism proved to be a dysgonic fermenter 2 (DF-2) bacterium (renamed Capnocythophaga canimorsus) . This is a recently recognised Gram-negative bacterium, belonging to the normal canine mouth flora, to which asplenic individuals seem to be particularly susceptible. J Appl Bacteriol, 1990 Jun, 68(6), 571 - 6 Inhibition of bongkrek acid and toxoflavin production in tempe bongkrek containing Pseudomonas cocovenenans; Buckle KA et al.; Tempe bongkrek was prepared from partially defatted coconut by fermentation with the mould Rhizopus oligosporus . The addition of 2% sodium chloride decreased but did not inhibit formation of bongkrek acid by Pseudomonas cocovenenans strain ITB in either coconut culture medium (CCM) or tempe bongkrek, while 2% sodium chloride or acidification of CCM to pH 4.5 with acetic acid inhibited formation of toxoflavin . Toxin formation by three strains of Ps . cocovenenans in tempe bongkrek was inhibited by the combination of 2% sodium chloride and reduction of pH to 4.5 with acetic acid . Mycelial growth of R . oligosporus was sometimes affected by toxin production by Ps . cocovenenans, but not by the addition of 2% sodium chloride and/or acidification of CCM to pH 4.5 with acetic acid. Eur J Clin Nutr, 1990 Jun, 44(6), 419 - 24 The promotive effect of soy sauce on iron absorption in human subjects; Baynes RD et al.; The effects on iron absorption of a traditionally fermented Japanese soy sauce added to soy and rice meals were assessed . The addition of soy sauce to a soy flour meal could not overcome the strong inhibition of iron absorption (geometric mean absorption 7.2 per cent with soy sauce vs . 8.7 per cent without, P = 0.5) . However, soy sauce added to a rice meal instead of soy flour significantly improved the geometric mean iron absorption (13.9 per cent with soy sauce vs . 5.2 per cent with soy flour, P = 0.002) and had a promotory effect on absorption from a rice meal alone (11.4 per cent with soy sauce vs . 3.5 per cent without, P = 0.0002) . Although soy sauce contains appreciable amounts of organic acids, the addition of 340 mg lactic acid to rice did not enhance iron absorption (3.1 per cent with lactic acid vs . 2.2 per cent without, P = 0.11) . The promotory effect of soy sauce on iron absorption appears to be due not only to its lack of soy protein content but may also be due to the presence of fermentation products other than organic acids. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1990 Jun, 56(6), 1683 - 8 Xylose uptake by the ruminal bacterium Selenomonas ruminantium; Williams DK et al.; Selenomonas ruminantium HD4 does not use the phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system to transport xylose (S . A . Martin and J . B . Russell, J . Gen . Microbiol . 134:819-827, 1988) . Xylose uptake by whole cells of S . ruminantium HD4 was inducible . Uptake was unaffected by monensin or lasalocid, while oxygen, o-phenanthroline, and HgCl2 were potent inhibitors . Menadione, antimycin A, and KCN had little effect on uptake, and acriflavine inhibited uptake by 23% . Sodium fluoride decreased xylose uptake by 10%, while N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide decreased uptake by 31% . Sodium arsenate was a strong inhibitor (83%), and these results suggest the involvement of a high-energy phosphate compound and possibly a binding protein in xylose uptake . The protonophores carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, 2,4-dinitrophenol, and SF6847 inhibited xylose uptake by 88, 82, and 43%, respectively . The cations Na+ and K+ did not stimulate xylose uptake . The kinetics of xylose uptake were nonlinear, and it appeared that more than one uptake mechanism may be involved or that two proteins (i.e., a binding protein and permease protein) with different affinities for xylose were present . Excess (10 mM) glucose, sucrose, or maltose decreased xylose uptake less than 40% . Uptake was unaffected at extracellular pH values between 6.0 and 8.0, while pH values of 5.0 and 4.0 decreased uptake 28 and 24%, respectively . The phenolic monomers p-coumaric acid and vanillin inhibited growth on xylose and xylose uptake more than ferulic acid did . The predominant end products resulting from the fermentation of xylose were lactate (7.5 mM), acetate (4.4 mM), and propionate (5.1 nM), and the Yxylose was 24.1 g/mol. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1990 Jun, 43(6), 668 - 79 CP-84,657, a potent polyether anticoccidial related to portmicin and produced by Actinomadura sp; Dirlam JP et al.; A new polyether antibiotic CP-84,657 (C45H78O14) was isolated by solvent extraction from the fermentation broth of Actinomadura sp . (ATCC 53708) . Following purification by column chromatography and crystallization, the structure of CP-84,657 was elucidated by spectroscopic (NMR and MS) methods . The absolute stereochemistry was determined by a single crystal X-ray analysis of the corresponding rubidium salt . CP-84,657 is among the most potent anticoccidal agents known, effectively controlling the Eimeria species that are the major causative agents of chicken coccidiosis at doses of 5 mg/kg or less in feed . It is also active in vitro against certain Gram-positive bacteria, as well as the spirochete, Treponema hyodysenteriae. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1990 Jun, 43(6), 655 - 60 Strobilurins F, G and H, three new antifungal metabolites from Bolinea lutea . I . Fermentation, isolation and biological activity; Fredenhagen A et al.; Three new strobilurins F, G and H, antibiotics with antifungal activity, were isolated from cultures of Bolinea lutea Sacc . These new compounds differ from previously described analogs in their aromatic substitution . An HPLC method allows complete separation of all the components. J Steroid Biochem, 1990 Jun, 36(1-2), 181 - 3 Formation of progesterone and 1-dehydroprogesterone from cholesterol in fermentation cultures of Mycobacterium aurum; Horhold C et al.; The formation of progesterone and 1-dehydroprogesterone from cholesterol in fermentation cultures of Mycobacterium aurum ATCC 25790 was studied with the aim of clarifying the microbial pathway . The C22-intermediate (20S)-20-carboxy-1,4-pregnadien-3-one was microbiologically converted via the undetectable corresponding aldehyde into the C22-alcohol . However in the fermentation broth without microorganisms, but containing 2,2'-bipyridyl and copper ions, synthetically prepared C22-aldehyde was oxidized to the corresponding C21-compound 1-dehydroprogesterone, suggesting that the enzymatically originated C22-aldehydes may be immediately chemically oxidized to the corresponding C21-ketones. J Dent Res, 1990 Jun, 69(6), 1324 - 31 Plaque fluid and diffusion: study of the cariogenic challenge by computer modeling; Dibdin GH; Every cariogenic challenge involves a mixture of convective transport, diffusive transport, and biochemical reactions, plus physico-chemical reactions (including charge-coupling of diffusion), all of which together require numerical methods for their analysis . This presentation describes a one-dimensional finite-difference computer model of the cariogenic process, and some conclusions obtained from it . Sugar clearance from the mouth, together with site-dependent exchange between the bulk saliva and plaque surface via a salivary film, is combined with a finite-difference model of events occurring within the dental plaque . The latter includes: sugar diffusion and pH-dependent acid production; diffusion and dissociation equilibria for two acid end-products of fermentation and their anions (acetate and lactate); diffusion and dissociation equilibria of phosphate buffer; diffusion of potassium and chloride; diffusion of protons and simultaneous equilibration with fixed and mobile buffers . So that proper concentration distributions consistent with local charge neutrality can be ensured, an algorithm called Q-couple is used to impose charge-coupling between the fluxes of different ions including fixed charges . Mineral dissolution and precipitation are modeled as part of the same equilibrium calculations . The predictions of the model are compared with those of an earlier, much simpler one, in which fixed buffers were not included . It is shown that the known concentration of fixed buffer greatly extends the low pH of a Stephan curve . The isoelectric point of the plaque bacteria also appears to be of importance . The effects of various concentrations of mobile buffers, including acetate, are investigated . It is also shown that varying plaque/saliva contact over the known range derived from published studies has a profound effect on the modeled cariogenic challenge. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1990 Jun, 43(6), 639 - 47 Secondary metabolites by chemical screening: II . Amycins A and B two novel niphimycin analogs isolated from a high producer strain of elaiophylin and nigericin; Grabley S et al.; Two novel natural niphimycin analogs, amycins A (5) and B (3) were isolated from the culture broth of the Streptomyces sp . DSM 3816 by chemical screening methods . In addition this strain produces the antibiotics niphimycin (4), elaiophylin (2) and nigericin (1) . Fermentation, isolation, structure elucidation and biological activity of the amycins are described. Pneumonol Pol, 1990 Jun, 58(6), 298 - 306 {Analysis of respiratory parameters before and after working in manual laborers at a tobacco factory}; Kolarzyk E et al.; From the group of 102 workers of local cigarette factory 51 persons had a contact with tobacco leaves before fermentation and other 51 workers with after process of fermentation . Values of spirometric parameters before and after 8 hour lung occupational exposition to tobacco leaves were evaluated in both groups . Increase of obturation of both large and small airways was found after workshift . 31 of examined persons had more than 20% inferior values of FEV1, Raw and FEF 25/75 . That hyperspasmatic reaction of bronchi was found both in subjects with signs of obturation and in persons with normal results in examination before workshift . This finding concerned mostly workers who inhaled dust of tobacco leaves prior to fermentation. Khirurgiia (Mosk), 1990 Jun, (6), 47 - 50 {Clinical significance of non-fermentative bacteria isolated from the environment of a surgical department}; Bogomolova NS et al.; The article deals with the frequency of isolation of non-fermentative gram-negative bacteria, potential causative agents of postoperative infection, from objects found in the environment of various departments of a surgical inpatient clinic . The species composition of the grown culture was determined . The relation of the isolation rate of certain species of nonfermentative bacteria to the object of the examination, the department of the clinic, and the disinfection method applied was revealed . The authors point out that it is necessary to undertake systematically the investigations to determine of the activity of antiseptics and disinfectants in relation to the microorganisms indicated in order to choose the effective methods for the prevention of postoperative infection induced by nonfermentative bacteria. Microbiologia, 1990 Jun, 6(1), 37 - 44 Utilization of beet molasses for sterol production by some moulds; Ghanem KM et al.; Different moulds were cultivated in beet molasses (BM)-containing medium . Penicillium crustosum Thom was superior to the other moulds in total sterols production (4% on dry weight basis), efficiency of convertibility of the BM sugars to sterols (2%), total lipids (19.4%) and unsaponified lipids (13.4%) . The treatment of BM with H2SO4- followed by centrifugation allowed maximum fermentation yields . The highest unsaponified lipids (16.5%) and total sterols level (7.4%) were obtained with a medium composed of (g/1): NaNO3, 3; K2HPO4, 3; MgSO4.7H2O, 1.5; K2SO4, 0.11; ZnSO4.7H2O, 0.05; FeCl3.6H2O, 0.16; H2SO4-treated BM, 60 . Maximal sterol yields (8.4%) and high growth rate were achieved at the accelerated growth phase (8 days old cultures), when the initial pH value of the medium was adjusted to 7.0. Curr Genet, 1990 Jun, 17(6), 465 - 72 Isolation and genetic study of triethyltin-resistant mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Dupont CH et al.; Three mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae resistant to triethyltin (an inhibitor of mitochondrial ATPase) on non-fermentative media, and non-resistant to this drug on fermentative media, were isolated and named TTR1, TTR2 and TTR3 . Apart from triethyltin resistance, these mutants show the following common characteristics: (1) Increased intracellular cytochrome c concentration . (2) Increased respiration rate . (3) Decreased growth yield . (4) Increased growth sensitivity to several drugs inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation: namely, CCCP (permeabilizing inner mitochondrial membrane to protons), valinomycin (permeabilizing inner mitochondrial membrane to potassium) and oligomycin (inhibitor of mitochondrial ATPase) . (5) Increased sensitivity to carbon source starvation . For each mutant, these characteristics appeared to be due to a single pleiotropic nuclear mutation . Mutation TTR1 causes additional phenotypic characteristics which do not appear in mutants TTR2 and TTR3: (1) Pinkish coloration of colonies which is more pronounced after a long growth period . (2) Inability of the cells to store glycogen . (3) Growth defect of the cells on a galactose-containing medium . (4) Inability of a diploid homozygote mutant strain to sporulate . All these phenotypic characteristics have already been described in yeast mutants deregulated in cAMP-dependent protein phosphorylation . Crossing of a strain bearing the TTR1 mutation with a strain mutated in the adenylate cyclase structural gene suggested that the TTR1 phenotype is due to a modification in regulation of cAPK by cAMP, making cell multiplication possible without intracellular cAMP. Mayo Clin Proc, 1990 Jun, 65(6), 787 - 92 Results of a 6-month survey of stool cultures for Escherichia coli O157:H7; Marshall WF et al.; Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a recently recognized enteric pathogen that causes acute hemorrhagic colitis . Although the infection is usually self-limited, it may be complicated by hemolytic uremic syndrome and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura . At our institution, stool specimens are now routinely cultured for this organism . To determine the prevalence of E . coli O157:H7-associated diarrhea in our patient population, we surveyed all submitted stool cultures for 6 months for this organism . Specimens were screened for non-sorbitol fermenting E . coli and confirmed by slide-agglutination and immobilization testing . Of 2,164 specimens, 10 yielded E . coli O157:H7 . It was the fourth most common bacterial stool pathogen found . Bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain were the most common symptoms of the infected patients . E . coli O157:H7 causes sporadic infections in our patient population and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute hemorrhagic colitis. Kanagawa Shigaku, 1990 Jun, 25(1), 109 - 14 {Follow-up study on anti-HBs levels in vaccinees after two and three doses of HB vaccine . (2)}; Kimura T et al.; An HB prophylaxis vaccination that included a primary and secondary vaccination was carried out on persons working at the university hospital . In the primary vaccination group, the subjects were inoculated the second time with a vaccine derived from human blood plasma obtained from the Kitazato Therapeutic Research Institute . The third time, they were inoculated with a vaccine from the Chemo-Sero Therapeutic Research Institute derived from a second-generation vaccine organized ferment . The vaccine used for the second inoculation group was obtained from the Chemo-Sero Therapeutic Research Institute . Results were summarized as follows: 1) The primary vaccination group: (1) The number of the 153 subjects inoculated with the primary vaccination at the time of the second inoculation, 49 subjects (32%) tested positive for antibodies 3-4 months following inoculation . Thirty-two subjects (20%) tested positive 15-16 months following inoculation with a high rate among females . (2) Among 104 subjects inoculated the third time with the primary vaccination (those who tested negative the second inoculation of the above vaccine), 61 subjects (58.7%) tested positive for antibodies 8-9 months following inoculation with a generally high rate among females . Twenty-eight subjects (26%) tested 15-16 months after inoculation with a high rate among females between 20 and 30 years and among males between 40 and years . 2) The secondary group: Among the 38 subjects who were inoculated the second time with the secondary vaccination, 8 subjects (21%) tested positive for antibodies 5-6 months following inoculation, with a high rate among females in their 20's . 3) The rate of antibodies formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Mol Biochem Parasitol, 1990 Jun, 41(1), 65 - 72 Trichomonas vaginalis requires traces of oxygen and high concentrations of carbon dioxide for optimal growth; Paget TA et al.; The effects of O2 and CO2 on the growth in culture of Trichomonas vaginalis strain C1-NIH were investigated . Growth under pre-purified N2 in the absence of CO2 supplementation gave a doubling time of 4.4 h; when traces of O2 (less than 0.25 microM) were present, the doubling time was 3.5 h . Organisms grew most rapidly (doubling time 2.3 h) with traces of O2 (less than 0.25 microM) and with the CO2 level controlled at 5 mM . The balance of fermentation products from maltose was greatly influenced by supplied gases . Under strictly anaerobic conditions at 5 mM CO2, equimolar glycerol and lactate accounted for more than 95% of the measured products, whereas lower CO2 increased acetate production . Under microaerobic conditions (O2 less than 0.25 microM) acetate was the major product when CO2 was limited to that evolved endogenously; again 5 mM CO2 favoured glycerol and lactate production . Activities of key enzymes measured in cell-free extracts (pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase, hydrogenase, glycerol kinase, malate dehydrogenase (decarboxylating) and lactate dehydrogenase) altered with growth conditions commensurately with observed changes in metabolic flux patterns . These results suggest that T . vaginalis is optimally adapted to conditions it experiences in situ in the vagina (traces of O2, high CO2). Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1990 Jun, 58(1), 57 - 66 The effect of ethanol on cell wall antigens of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and specific isolation of high ethanol producing strains of this yeast, making use of a serological technique; Umesh-Kumar S et al.; Generally, natural isolates of high ethanol producing Saccharomyces cerevisiae obtained by screening are used in alcoholic industries . The methods involved in their isolation and identification are elaborate . Antigenic analysis using antibodies raised against whole Saccharomyces cells indicated species specificity of cell wall surface thermostable antigens . By affinity purification, the specific antibodies could be obtained and used for specific isolation of S . cerevisiae . Antigenic studies using antibodies raised against isolated cell walls of fermentatively grown S . cerevisiae indicated the occurrence of thermolabile antigens common to Saccharomyces species . Higher concentrations of these antigens could be detected in those S . cerevisiae that had the ability for high ethanol production . The concentrations of these cell wall common antigens increased with increasing culture age and ethanol accumulation in culture broths . In younger yeast cells, the concentration could be increased by growing the cells in a medium containing added ethanol . Using dilutions of cross absorbed antibody specific for common antigens and Ouchterlony test, high ethanol producing S . cerevisiae could be identified. Biotechnol Appl Biochem, 1990 Jun, 12(3), 325 - 30 Formation of glyceryl 2-mononitrate by regioselective bioconversion of glyceryl trinitrate: efficiency of the filamentous fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium; Ducrocq C et al.; Various microorganisms have been evaluated for their ability to hydrolyze glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) to glyceryl dinitrates and mononitrates . Provided that the GTN extracellular concentration was under the lethal dose, metabolite formation and regioselectivity depend on the nature of the strain used . In particular, Phanerochaete chrysosporium at a sublethal dose (3 mM) converts GTN into 1,2-glyceryl dinitrate and 2-glyceryl mononitrate (2-GMN) with a 80% regioselectivity in both steps . This bioconversion, when carried out in fermentors at 28 degrees C, allowed formation of 2-GMN at a rate of 12 mumol/h/g of dried mycelium . Successive batches of 3 mM GTN could be converted into 2-GMN as long as consecutive additions of glycerol or glucose were effected to ensure cell survival and the efficiency of the enzymatic system involved. Biotechnology (N Y), 1990 Jun, 8(6), 554 - 8 Expression of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli using an oxygen-responsive promoter; Khosla C et al.; The oxygen-dependent promoter of the Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb) gene has been shown to be functional in E . coli . Earlier studies established that the promoter is maximally induced under microaerobic conditions and that its activity is also influenced by the cAMP-CAP complex . We demonstrate here that the promoter can be used for regulated, high-level expression of recombinant proteins in two-stage fed-batch fermentations . The promoter is maximally induced at dissolved oxygen levels lower than 5% air saturation . Despite the influence of catabolite repression, glucose and glycerol-containing media give comparable product levels under carbon-limited conditions such as those encountered in typical fed-batch fermentations . The possibility of a third level of control of promoter activity is also indicated . This mode of induction can be repressed by addition of a complex nitrogen source such as yeast extract to the medium . The observed promoter activity can be modulated at least 30-fold over the course of high-cell density fermentations producing either cloned beta-galactosidase or cloned chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) . Densitometer scanning of SDS-polyacrylamide gels revealed that beta-galactosidase was expressed to a level of approximately 10% of total cellular protein. J Ind Microbiol, 1990 Jun, 5(4), 239 - 46 Improvement of production, assay and purification of streptavidin; Aldwin L et al.; The production of streptavidin by Streptomyces avidinii in several different media was examined at 24, 48 and 72 hours . Flask studies indicated that fermentation media containing either complex or multiple carbon sources resulted in higher yields of streptavidin than media with a single carbon source . Streptavidin could be detected in crude fermentation broths by use of a tritiated biotin binding assay . This assay appears to give useful estimates of streptavidin production . Depending upon the medium employed, streptavidin yields ranged from 0.5 mg/l to 53 mg/l . Production was successfully scaled up to ten liter fermentors . Streptavidin was purified in a one step process from centrifuged, concentrated fermentation broths by binding the protein to an iminobiotin column at pH 11 followed by elution at pH 4.0 . Recovery percentages varied depending upon the solubility of the fermentation media ingredients. Gene, 1990 May 31, 90(1), 129 - 33 A novel phosphate-regulated expression vector in Escherichia coli; Su TZ et al.; The ugp promoter (pugp) responsible for expression of the binding-protein-dependent sn-glycerol-3-phosphate transport system in Escherichia coli was cloned into a small multicopy plasmid pTER5, a derivative of pBR322, between the transcription terminators rpoCt and tL1 . The resulting expression vector, pPH3, permits convenient insertion of structural genes containing their own translational-initiation regions, into the multiple-cloning site derived from the pUC19 plasmid . The efficiency and regulatory properties of pugp were measured using xylE and lacZ as reporter genes, which code for the corresponding enzymes catechol-2,3-dioxygenase (C23O) and beta-galactosidase (beta Gal), respectively . Enzyme activities were virtually completely repressed in the presence of excess inorganic phosphates (Pi) and high concentrations of glucose . Maximal induction was observed at limiting Pi (less than 0.1 mM) and normal levels of glucose (0.2-0.4%) . The maximum expression of the pugp-directed beta Gal synthesis was approx . 80% of that directed by strong ptac . When the xylE gene was maximally expressed, the induced enzyme constituted approx . 50% of total cellular protein as judged by laser densitometry following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis . These results suggest the usefulness of the pugp in expression vectors for strong, but controlled, expression of cloned genes in E . coli . This Pi controlled vector can be adapted to large-scale fermentation by using Pi-limiting growth conditions. J Appl Bacteriol, 1990 May, 68(5), 447 - 51 A convenient microtitre tray procedure for yeast identification; Heard GM et al.; Media for yeast identification tests were incorporated into the wells of a microtitre tray . The tests included fermentation and assimilation of carbohydrates, assimilation of nitrogen compounds, growth in vitamin-free medium, resistance to cycloheximide, and observations for cell morphology and sporulation . Results of tests conducted in the trays showed very good agreement with those obtained by conventional methods . Eighteen reference yeasts were correctly identified from tests conducted in the trays . The trays of media could be stored, and provided a convenient system for yeast identification. Mycopathologia, 1990 May, 110(2), 113 - 7 Mycological contamination of ogiri (fermented sesame seeds) during production in Sierra Leone; Jonsyn FE; 'Ogiri' (fermented sesame seeds) was prepared in the laboratory and at home by selected participants . No fungal participation was observed during the normal fermentation process . However, fungal contamination was observed when improper handling techniques were employed . Out of the 49 samples examined, 41 fungal isolates were made . Aspergillus spp were the dominant group irrespective of the locality . Toxigenic Aspergillus included A . flavus Link ex Fries, A . tamarii Kita and A . ochraceus Wilhelm . P . citrinum Thom was the only toxigenicc Penicillium isolated . The role of the different types of wraps used for the fermentation, marketing and storage of the product was also determined. J Anim Sci, 1990 May, 68(5), 1405 - 15 Estimating diet digestibility: a comparison of 11 techniques across six different diets fed to rams; Judkins MB et al.; Six digestion trials were conducted using eight Suffolk rams (four/trial; two trials run concurrently) to determine the ability of 11 techniques to estimate in vivo apparent DM digestibility (DMD) . Diets (trials) were as follows: 1) ad libitum access to chopped fescue hay, 2) ad libitum access to alfalfa hay, 3) limit-fed fescue hay, 4) limit-fed alfalfa hay, 5) 25% soybean meal and 75% fescue hay and 6) 40% rolled corn and 60% alfalfa hay . Total feces were collected for 7 d following a 21-d adaptation to each diet . Digestibility methods evaluated were the following: 1) in vitro disappearance (INVITRO); 2) 48 h and 3) 72 h in situ nylon bag (48NB, 72NB); 4) 48NB followed by a 48-h acid pepsin digestion; 5) 96 h and 6) 144 h in vitro fermentation followed by NDF analysis (INDF96 and INDF144) 7) 96 h and 8) 144 h in vitro fermentation followed by ADF analysis (IADF96 and IADF144); 9) ADL ratio; 10) alkaline hydrogen peroxide treatment before ADL analysis (APFPRE) and 11) alkaline hydrogen peroxide treatment after ADF extraction of ADL (ADLPST) . Apparent in vivo DMD was accurately estimated (P greater than .10) by INVITRO, ADL and APLPST with Diet 1 . However no marker accurately estimated in vivo DMD when fescue was limit-fed . Apparent DMD of Diet 2 was accurately predicted (P greater than .10) by INVITRO, but when Diet 2 was limit-fed, only 48NB and 72NB predicted (P greater than .10) DMD accurately . In vivo DMD coefficients for Diet 5 followed a pattern similar to that of Diet 1 . Diet 6 was predicted by INVITRO, 48NB, INDF96, INDF144 and IADF96 (P greater than .10) . Results suggest that caution should be exercised when using these techniques, because no single technique provided accurate estimates across all diets and feeding conditions. J Anim Sci, 1990 May, 68(5), 1400 - 4 Incorporation of nickel into ruminal factor F430 as affected by monensin and formate; Oscar TP et al.; A mixed culture of ruminal microorganisms was used to demonstrate that nickel (Ni) is incorporated into factor F430 and to determine the effects of monensin and formate on incorporation of Ni into factor F430 . Ruminal microorganisms obtained from a semicontinuous culture were grown for 24 h in the presence of 63Ni and a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of monensin (0 to 5 micrograms/ml) and formate (0 to 20 mM) treatments . Factor F430 was isolated and purified from the cultures by QAE-Sephadex A-25 column chromatography . The purified preparation contained 63Ni and exhibited a peak in absorbance at 430 nm . Methane production was decreased (P less than .01) 45% by monensin but was increased (P less than .01) 1.8-fold by formate . However, incorporation of 63Ni into factor F430, which is ubiquitous in methanogens and not found in other bacteria, did not parallel changes in methane production . Incorporation of 63Ni into factor F430 was decreased (P less than .01) 55% by monensin but was not affected (P greater than .05) by formate . In addition to its use for synthesis of urease and hydrogenase, Ni is involved in ruminal fermentation as a component of factor430. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1990 May, 57(4), 205 - 13 Anaerobic degradation of 1,3-propanediol by sulfate-reducing and by fermenting bacteria; Oppenberg B et al.; Three strains of strictly anaerobic Gram-negative, non-sporeforming, motile bacteria were enriched and isolated from freshwater sediments with 1,3-propanediol as sole energy and carbon source . Strain OttPdl was a sulfate-reducing bacterium which grew also with lactate, ethanol, propanol, butanol, 1,4-butanediol, formate or hydrogen plus CO2, the latter only in the presence of acetate . In the absence of sulfate, most of these substrates were fermented to the respective fatty acids in syntrophic cooperation with Methanospirillum hungatei . Sulfur, thiosulfate, or sulfite were reduced, nitrate not . The other two isolates degraded propanediol only in coculture with Methanospirillum hungatei . Strain OttGlycl grew in pure culture with acetoin and with glycerol in the presence of acetate . Strain WoAcl grew in pure culture only with acetoin . Both strains did not grow with other substrates, and did not reduce nitrate, sulfate, sulfur, thiosulfate or sulfite . The isolates were affiliated with the genera Desulfovibrio and Pelobacter . The pathways of propanediol degradation and the ecological importance of this process are discussed. Arch Pathol Lab Med, 1990 May, 114(5), 485 - 7 Pink spots of Hedley-Whyte in formaldehyde-fixed brains . The subject revisited; Mitchell MA et al.; In an article published in 1985, Hedley-Whyte described "pink spots," which she observed in gross sections of human brains fixed in formaldehyde solution . Hedley-White found that the spots in question were associated with the presence of bacteria within central nervous system blood vessels . We have recently encountered three cases of Hedley-Whyte-type pink spots during routine postmortem brain examination . In two of these cases, the patient's clinical history included a bacterial infection, which could account for the deposition of bacteria within the central nervous system blood vessels . In the third case, the patient had no clinical history of bacterial infection, and had a negative postmortem blood culture . On microscopic examination, all three cases showed central nervous system intravascular presence of bacteria within the macroscopically recognized pink spots . To test the hypothesis that pink spots result from bacterial fermentation products, at the time of postmortem removal of brains (different from the brains mentioned above), we perfused blood vessels in three brains with 100% ethanol . Subsequent macroscopic examination after fixation in formaldehyde revealed discoloration similar to the Hedley-Whyte spots. Am J Clin Nutr, 1990 May, 51(5), 873 - 80 Effect of traditional oriental soy products on iron absorption; Macfarlane BJ et al.; The effect of a variety of traditional oriental unfermented and fermented soy products on iron absorption was evaluated in 242 Indian women . When compared with a soy-flour meal containing an equal amount of protein, iron absorption was found to be significantly improved with silken tofu, natto, tempeh, rice miso, barley miso, and soybean miso . This improvement could not be adequately explained except with reference to changes in the protein composition of the products . The protein fraction profiles of the soy products were obtained by size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography . An inverse relationship between food iron absorption and the high-molecular-weight fraction of the soy products was demonstrated (r = 0.66, p = 0.01) . However, anomalous results obtained with three products (sufu, tempeh, and fully hydrolyzed isolated soy protein) did not make it possible to reach firm conclusions concerning the effect of the protein fraction of soy on iron bioavailability. Infect Immun, 1990 May, 58(5), 1273 - 80 Mycoplasma fermentans-derived high-molecular-weight material induces interleukin-6 release in cultures of murine macrophages and human monocytes; Quentmeier H et al.; A Mycoplasma fermentans-derived high-molecular-weight material (MDHM) is described which causes differentiation of concanavalin A-stimulated CBA/J or C57BL/6 mouse thymocytes to cytolytic effector T cells (CTLs) . The effect of MDHM was inhibited by addition of monoclonal anti-interleukin-6 (IL-6) antibody . It could also be abolished after removal of adherent cells . However, adherent cell-depleted thymocytes could still form CTLs after addition of IL-6 . The action of MDHM could thus be explained by the capacity of MDHM to stimulate IL-6 release from adherent cells . MDHM was active on macrophages from CBA/J and C3H/HeJ endotoxin nonresponder mice and was also capable of stimulating IL-6 release from human monocytes . On gel chromatography, MDHM had an apparent molecular size of 1.5 x 10(6) daltons . Treatment with RNase and DNase had no effect on either size or biological activity . Proteinase K did not abolish activity but reduced the apparent molecular size of MDHM . MDHM production by M . fermentans required either coculture with eucaryotic cell lines in RPMI 1640 medium with fetal calf serum or addition of eucaryotic cell sonic extracts to this medium . The biological activity of MDHM is not identical to that of a mitogen for murine spleen cells derived from M . arthritidis; MDHM caused only slight proliferation in this system compared with the mitogen from M . arthritidis, and the latter did not elicit IL-6 release from macrophages . The results are discussed in relation to mycoplasmas as putative etiological agents for rheumatoid arthritis, since high IL-6 titers were reported for synovial fluid from patients with this disease. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1990 May-Jun, 84(3), 443 - 6 The use of fermented and germinated cereals and tubers for improved feeding of infants and children in Uganda; Sserunjogi L et al.; Interviews with mothers in 4 ecologically separate regions of Uganda (Arua, Mukono, Kabale and Mbarara) revealed considerable differences in patterns of infant and child feeding in health and during diarrhoea . There was considerable enthusiasm for the use of fermentation and germination of cereals and tubers in some areas (Arua 87% and Kabale 90%) . These household food processes were especially recommended for improving dietary intake during diarrhoea . However, these techniques were not used by mothers in Mukono or Mbarara . The advantages of these procedures and possible reasons for differences in their popularity are discussed. J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol, 1990 May-Jun, 10(3), 136 - 7 Detection and occurrence of cyclopiazonic acid in cheeses; Le Bars J; Techniques for detection of cyclopiazonic acid in P . camemberti fermented cheeses are described . They include extraction with CHCl3-MeOH, purification, analysis and quantitation by thin-layer chromatography, and confirmation procedures . Recovery from spiked samples was 75-85%, and the lowest detectable level was 0.02 ppm . This toxic metabolite of P . camemberti was found in the crust of 11 of 20 cheeses of different brands, but not in the inner part . The highest levels were found in three samples: 0.4, 1, and 1.5 ppm . Cyclopiazonic acid doses eventually ingested by a consumer appear to be very low: 3 or 4 micrograms in a portion of the most contaminated sample. Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1990 May-Jun, 26(3), 349 - 54 {Reduction of nitro-substituted 1,2-dihydro-3H-1,4-benzodiazepine- 2-ones by E . coli cells immobilized in carrageenan}; Davidenko TI et al.; Reduction of nitro-substituted 1,2-dihydro-3H-1,3-benzodiazepine-2-ones by E . coli cells immobilized in carrageenan was studied . The corresponding amines are the sole products with a 100% yield as compared to the native cells . Conditions for immobilization of E . coli cells in the home-produced carrageenan was worked out: the cell to carrageenan ratio is 1:10 (w/w), granulation in toluene at 0-(+)4 degrees, treatment with 0.3-0.4 M KCl . The carrageenan-immobilized cells are stable upon storage, repeated usage (after 10 cycles about 80% of the initial activity is retained), and when being used in column fermenters. Antibiot Khimioter, 1990 May, 35(5), 3 - 7 {Cyclosporin biosynthesis and dynamics of bioenergetic processes in cyclosporin-producing strain}; Sotnikova IV et al.; An attempt was made to show a correlation between definite bioenergetic parameters of the cells of the cyclosporine-producing culture and biosynthesis of cyclosporine . It was found that the three strains producing cyclosporine used in the study had an alternative cyanide-resistant pathway along with the classical cytochrome chain . In the strain forming only traces of the cyclopeptide during fermentation of the cyanide-resistant respiration constituted 60 to 80% . In the isogenic highly productive strains the cyanide-resistant respiration appeared to be markedly decreased beginning from the 1st day of fermentation and during the maximum biosynthesis of cyclosporine (on day 4 or 5 of fermentation) it reached zero . The ATP content in the cells of the highly productive strain, despite its decrease by the antibiotic biosynthesis peak, remained at a much higher level than that in the strain producing only traces of cyclosporine . A procedure for isolating functionally active mitochondria from the protoplasts was developed and a bioenergetic characterization of the mitochondria isolated from the strains with different antibiotic productions is presented. J Gen Microbiol, 1990 May, 136 ( Pt 5), 855 - 60 Misregulation of maltose uptake in a glucose repression defective mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae leads to glucose poisoning; Entian KD et al.; In hex2 mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which are defective in glucose repression of several enzymes, growth is inhibited if maltose is present in the medium . After adding {14C}maltose to cultures growing with ethanol, maltose metabolism was followed in both hex2 mutant and wild-type cells . The amount of radioactivity incorporated was much higher in hex2 than in wild-type cells . Most of the radioactivity in hex2 cells was located in the low molecular mass fraction . Pulse-chase experiments showed that 2 h after addition of maltose, hex2 cells hydrolysed maltose to glucose, which was partially excreted into the medium . 31P-NMR studies gave evidence that turnover of sugar phosphates was completely abolished in hex2 cells after 2 h incubation with maltose . 13C-NMR spectra confirmed these results: unlike those for the wild-type, no resonances corresponding to fermentation products (ethanol, glycerol) were found for hex2 cells, whereas there were resonances corresponding to glucose . Although maltose is taken up by proton symport, the internal pH in the hex2 mutant did not change markedly during the 5 h after adding maltose . The intracellular accumulation of glucose seems to explain the inhibition of growth by maltose, probably by means of osmotic damage and/or unspecific O-glycosylation of proteins . Neither maltose permease nor maltase was over-expressed, and so these enzymes were not the cause of glucose accumulation . Hence, the coordination of maltose uptake, hydrolysis to glucose and glycolysis of glucose is not regulated simply by the specific activity of the catabolic enzymes involved.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) J Appl Bacteriol, 1990 May, 68(5), 491 - 4 Physiological variants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kloeckera apiculata from palm wine and cashew juice; Owuama CI et al.; Physiological variants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kloeckera apiculata have been identified in oil palm wine and cashew juice from Nigeria . Genomic DNA from the four S . cerevisiae variants had a % G + C of 36-41% while that of K . apiculata was 32.2% . Fermentation of cashew juice produced wine of alcoholic contents of 10% with S . cerevisiae, 8% with K . apiculata and 9.3% with both yeasts simultaneously. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1990 May, 43(5), 449 - 55 FR112123, a new oligopeptide antibiotic from Streptomyces viridochromogenes . Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation, physico-chemical properties, structure and biological activity; Fujie A et al.; FR112123 is a new oligopeptide antibiotic produced by Streptomyces viridochromogenes No . 7587 . The structure of FR112123 is elucidated as N-(N6-(N2-glycyl-L-glutaminyl)-D-lysyl)-D-alanine (1) by spectroscopic and chemical evidence . It resembles a partial structure of peptidoglycan in bacteria . The compound has a superior activity against an Escherichia coli mutant sensitive to inhibitors of cell wall synthesis, although it has a weak activity against the parent strain . These suggest that FR112123 might act on the biosynthesis of bacterial cell wall. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1990 May, 56(5), 1296 - 302 Improved expression of human interleukin-2 in high-cell-density fermentor cultures of Escherichia coli K-12 by a phosphotransacetylase mutant; Bauer KA et al.; A fluoroacetate-resistant mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 (MM-294) accumulated less acetate in the medium during growth to high cell density in fermentor cultures and was shown to be defective in its phosphotransacetylase activity . The mutant had an improved ability to continue growing during induction of interleukin-2 (IL-2) synthesis, and in fermentor cultures it gave a higher level of specific IL-2 accumulation than its parent during expression under control of the temperature-sensitive pL promoter . In flask cultures at lower cell density, the mutant again produced less acetate than the parent, although both showed a much lower level of acetate accumulation than that seen in fermentors at high cell density . Both showed a higher specific expression level of IL-2 in flask cultures, and there was a greater difference between the mutant and its parent in the final extent of specific IL-2 accumulation in fermentor cultures compared with flask cultures . Thus, the concentration of acetate in the medium, which was much higher in fermentor cultures (greater than or equal to 300 mM after 5 h of induction) than in flask cultures (less than or equal to mM) of the parent organism, was a significant factor in limiting expression of the heterologous protein product, IL-2 . The acetate kinase-phosphotransacetylase pathway was therefore a major source of acetate formation in these cultures . Blocking this pathway improved accumulation of IL-2 and did not slow growth. Arch Tierernahr, 1990 May-Jun, 40(5-6), 483 - 91 Effect of virginiamycin on in vivo digestibility, rumen fermentation and nitrogen balance; Fiems LO et al.; Three experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of virginiamycin . Digestibility was determined with wethers, fed a diet of 0.65 maize silage and 0.35 concentrate on a dry matter basis (Experiment I) or a complete dry feed (Experiment II) at maintenance, and with growing bulls fed a maize silage diet ad libitum supplemented with 7.5 g concentrate per kg live weight (Experiment III) . Virginiamycin was incorporated at 0 or 65 ppm in the concentrate and 0 or 25 ppm in the complete dry feed . No significant effect on dry or organic matter digestibility was observed, although digestibilities of protein and ether extract were reduced by virginiamycin in experiments I and II, respectively . Rumen fermentation was studied in experiments I and II . Virginiamycin increased acetic acid concentration and reduced butyric acid concentration in experiment I, but exerted no significant effect in experiment II . An interaction between diet type and virginiamycin was found for the C2/C3 ratio . Nitrogen balance, measured in experiment III, was not affected by virginiamycin. Am J Gastroenterol, 1990 May, 85(5), 549 - 53 Effects of dietary propionate on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in healthy volunteers; Venter CS et al.; Propionate produced in the colon from the fermentation of alpha-amylase-resistant starch and non-starch polysaccharides, is cholesterol lowering and gluconeogenic in animal models . In humans, little is known about the effect of propionate on metabolism . In a double-blind, paired-comparison, placebo-controlled study, the diet of 10 healthy female volunteers, aged 20-22 yr, was supplemented for a period of 7 wk with 7.5 g sodium propionate daily in capsule form, while the diet of the 10 control group members was supplemented with dibasic calcium phosphate in identical capsules as placebo . Propionate supplementation did not lower total serum cholesterol (TC), but increased HDLC (9.5%) (p less than 0.05) and triglyceride levels (16.7%, p less than 0.02) and decreased fasting serum glucose and maximum insulin increments during glucose tolerance tests (p less than 0.05) . The results suggest that the improvement in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity and the known beneficial effect of dietary fiber on HDL metabolism may in part be mediated through effects of propionate on hepatic carbohydrate metabolism. Res Virol, 1990 May-Jun, 141(3), 385 - 95 Genetic and serologic relatedness between Mycoplasma fermentans strains and a mycoplasma recently identified in tissues of AIDS and non-AIDS patients; Saillard C et al.; A mycoplasma previously identified in the tissues of both AIDS and non-AIDS patients dying of an acute fatal disease was earlier shown to share some biologic and genetic properties with a strain of Mycoplasma fermentans, an organism occurring infrequently in the human lower urogenital tract . More extensive genetic and serologic comparisons using DNA/DNA hybridization, DNA base composition (guanine + cytosine), restriction endonuclease DNA analysis, cellular protein patterns and metabolism inhibition serologic procedures confirm that the organism previously designated as "Mycoplasma incognitus" (Mi) is indeed very closely related to strains of M . fermentans . While the genetic and serologic features observed among the newly isolated mycoplasma and two M . fermentans strains suggest a species relationship, it now seems useful to re-examine the biological activities of other freshly isolated M . fermentans strains from man. Cytotechnology, 1990 May, 3(3), 295 - 9 Industrial production of monoclonal antibodies and therapeutic proteins by dialysis fermentation; Comer MJ et al.; A novel and powerful fermentation method is reported for the large-scale growth of mammalian cells and their secreted products . The system described illustrates many of the advantages of conventional batch fermentation processes but in addition has been shown to yield cell densities in excess of 1 x 10(7) cells/ml with concomitant increase in product concentration. Cytotechnology, 1990 May, 3(3), 253 - 8 A continuous multistage roller reactor for animal cell culture: 1 . Patterns of growth, production and catabolism of a murine hybridoma; Borth N et al.; A Tubular Liquid Film Reactor was designed as a model system to transfer a batch culture kinetic to a continuous cascade . Cell density, product formation and substrate consumption rates were followed during fermentation at two dilution rates . In spite of the high dilution rates effective in each segment by itself high cell densities of up to 10(7) cells/ml were achieved due to cell sedimentation . The model character of the reactor was taken to determine critical values of substrate concentrations that influence production rates and result in an adaptation of metabolism. Biotechnol Prog, 1990 May-Jun, 6(3), 198 - 202 Genetic engineering of structural protein polymers; Cappello J et al.; Genetic and protein engineering are components of a new polymer chemistry that provide the tools for producing macromolecular polyamide copolymers of diversity and precision far beyond the current capabilities of synthetic polymer chemistry . The genetic machinery allows molecular control of chemical and physical chain properties . Nature utilizes this control to formulate protein polymers into materials with extraordinary mechanical properties, such as the strength and toughness of silk and the elasticity and resilience of mammalian elastin . The properties of these materials have been attributed to the presence of short repeating oligopeptide sequences contained in the proteins, fibroin, and elastin . We have produced homoblock protein polymers consisting exclusively of silk-like crystalline blocks and elastin-like flexible blocks . We have demonstrated that each homoblock polymer as produced by microbial fermentation exhibits measurable properties of crystallinity and elasticity . Additionally, we have produced alternating block copolymers of various amounts of silk-like and elastin-like blocks, ranging from a ratio of 1:4 to 2:1, respectively . The crystallinity of each copolymer varies with the amount of crystalline block interruptions . The production of fiber materials with custom-engineered mechanical properties is a potential outcome of this technology. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 1990 May, 33(2), 132 - 8 Growth and hyoscyamine production of 'hairy root' cultures of Datura stramonium in a modified stirred tank reactor; Hilton MG et al.; The growth and hyoscyamine production of transformed roots of Datura stramonium have been examined in a modified 14-1 stirred tank reactor in both batch and continuous fermentations on media containing half or full strength Gamborg's B5 salts and at three different temperatures . Under a range of conditions, roots grown on half strength B5 salts with 3% w/v sucrose had a higher dry matter content (up to 8.3% w/w) and a higher hyoscyamine content (up to 0.52 mg.g-1 wet weight) than roots grown on full strength B5 salts with the same level of sucrose (up to 4.6% w/w dry matter and up to 0.33 mg hyoscyamine g-1 wet weight) . Growth at 30 degrees C was initially faster than at either 25 degrees C or 35 degrees C and by day 12, the drained weight of roots in the fermentor at 30 degrees C was about fourfold greater than at 25 degrees C and twice that at 35 degrees C . The ultimate hyoscyamine levels attained (approximately 0.5 mg.g-1 wet weight) were similar at both 25 degrees C and 30 degrees C but some 40% lower at 35 degrees C . Final packing densities of 70% w/v were achieved for roots after 37 days growth at 25 degrees C and the highest production rate of 8.2 mg hyoscyamine 1(-1) per day was obtained for roots grown at 30 degrees C . In continuous fermentation at 25 degrees C, the release of hyoscyamine into the culture medium was low (less than 0.5% w/w of the total) but was up to sevenfold higher in fermentors operated at 30 degrees C or 35 degrees C. Presse Med, 1990 Apr 14, 19(15), 700 - 4 {Use of a fermented powdered milk in malnourished or lactose intolerant children}; Gendrel D et al.; Lactase deficient subjects, who form the bulk of the world population, absorb yogurt lactose because the bacteria used for fermentation produce beta-galactosidase . From a milk fermented by these bacteria and dried by a temperature-controlled process a power could be obtained which possess residual lactase activity but, unlike yogurt, does not need storage at low temperature . The lactose of this fermented powdered milk is perfectly absorbed, as proved by hydrogen respiratory tests performed in 35 lactose intolerant African subjects living in isolated villages . In 25 malnourished children under 3 years of age, this milk allowed renutrition without inducing diarrhoea--a result which could not have been obtained with ordinary milk in two-thirds of the cases . This type of food is potentially valuable to feed the large population of the third world. J Ind Microbiol, 1990 Apr-May, 5(2-3), 85 - 93 The production of recombinant beta-galactosidase in Escherichia coli in yeast extract enriched medium; Li XL et al.; The productivity of Escherichia coli biomass and recombinant beta-galactosidase was increased in Luria broth (LB) enriched with yeast extract . In flask culture under conditions of LB limitation, yeast extract supplementation gave the highest biomass (strain HB101/pRW756) stimulation per unit of component added compared with supplementation by various amounts of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, purines/pyrimidines, tryptone, casamino acids, casein peptone or gelatin peptone . The biomass production of E . coli HB101/pRW756, XL-1 Blue/puc118, XL-1 Blue FF/puc118 and TB-1/p1034 cells was stimulated in fermentor-scale experiments with additional yeast extract in LB . Total beta-galactosidase production from plasmid genes in fermentor-scale experiments was increased 105.4% in XL-1 blue/puc118 cells, 365.5% in XL-1 blue FF/puc118 cells and 421.4% in TB-1/p1034 cells by 0.5%, 1% and 1% weight per volume of additional yeast extract in LB, respectively . Depending on different strains, the increase of the enzyme production was obtained either by increased biomass, or the combination of enhanced gene expression and increased biomass . Neither the biomass nor beta-galactosidase production was stimulated in N4830/p1034 cells by the increase in yeast extract concentration in the medium. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1990 Apr 7, 120(14), 489 - 95 {Colonic fermentation: physiological review and role in digestive pathology}; Rambaud JC et al.; Diarrhea "with" bacterial fermentation is characterized by acidic liquid stools containing high amounts of organic acids . Disaccharide malabsorption is the main cause . The mechanism of diarrhea is osmotic, and colonic fermentations reduce diarrhea . It is unlikely that starch malabsorption induces significant diarrhea, whereas a high-fiber diet is responsible for "physiologic" diarrhea . Colonic fermentations increase diarrhea due to organic colitis and the "motor diarrheas" . They may be responsible for some intestinal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome . This does not imply a "hyperfermentative" process due to a hypothetical disturbance of colonic microbial ecology. Arch Tierernahr, 1990 Apr, 40(4), 355 - 61 {The effect of a monensin-containing bolus on the live weight increase and characteristics of rumen fermentation of growing cattle}; Richter GH et al.; Eight feeding experiments (4 on pasture and indoors each) with 401 growing cattle were carried out in order to measure the influence of a monensin device on daily weight gain . The monensin device effected on the average 7 g (1.4%) and 37 g (4.3%) higher daily weight gain on pasture and indoors resp . (P greater than 0.05) . The weight gain of animals varied between 92.5 and 112.5% compared with the unsupplemented groups . The monensin device caused a higher weight gain of easier cattle than of heavier ones (greater than 300 kg body weight) . The device has had no significant effect on figures of rumen fermentation . Probably the monensin level delivered from the device (100 +/- 50 mg per animal and day) is to low for heavier cattle. Arch Tierernahr, 1990 Apr, 40(4), 329 - 37 Incorporation of soya oil hydrolysate in the diet of defaunated or refaunated sheep: effect on rumen fermentation in vitro; Broudiscou L et al.; The effects of incorporation in the diet of 7% soya oil hydrolysate (SOH) on in vitro incubations of cellobiose + maltose, maize starch and casein by rumen microbes were studied using defaunated and refaunated sheep as rumen fluid donors . Feeding refaunated sheep the SOH supplemented diet lowered the protozoal numbers in the rumen from 1.61 10(6)/ml to 6.1 10(5)/ml . SOH addition reduced in vitro methane production, rather by a depletion of methanogens is than by a simple inhibition of their activity . This reduction seemed to be independent of protozoa depletion . With cellobiose-maltose and maize starch incubations, SOH supplementation increased molar proportion of propionate while acetate decreased . Both variations could be linked to the inhibition of methanogenesis . Volatile fatty acid production from casein was strongly reduced by SOH supplementation with or without protozoa in the rumen of the donors animals. Biochem Genet, 1990 Apr, 28(3-4), 197 - 207 Insectivory and social digestion in Drosophila; Gregg TG et al.; It has long believed that Drosophila larvae feed almost entirely by ingesting yeast and possibly other microorganisms that are associated with fermenting fruits or other vegetable matter . However, we have discovered that the larvae of a number of Drosophila species can consume such diverse substrates as insect tissues, including the exoskeleton . Experiments reported here, which include raising sterile dechorionated eggs to adulthood on adult carcasses under axenic conditions, show that larvae can consume complex chitinous substrates directly without the assistance of microorganisms . We show that Drosophila larvae are able externally to digest amylose, cellulose, and chitin, without coming into physical contact with them . We conclude that not only do Drosophila larvae produce enzymes enabling them to digest a wide variety of substrates, but also these enzymes are egested onto the substrates so that at least some digestion, especially of large polymers, takes place externally . Finally, we suggest that the phenomenon of external digestion explains both the previously unexplained massiveness of Drosophila salivary glands and their chromosomes and the tendency of larvae to cluster, which may also be true of other dipterans. Z Gesamte Hyg, 1990 Apr, 36(4), 210 - 1 {Some public health effects of agricultural methane gas plants on the environment}; Poch M et al.; Several big agricultural fermentation plants for producing of "biogas" are in operation in the GDR . Problems of distances to other objects, utilisation of methane and storage of liquid manure (slurry) are discussed . Some results of experiments about the immissions in the environment are demonstrated . They have point out, that the emissions of microorganisms and viruses cannot be demonstrated in a distance of more than about 200 meters . It is the most important hygienic acknowledge, that the distance of organoleptic observation is always greater than the epidemiologic or sanitary one . Therefore the production of energy by anaerobic fermentation of liquid manure and sewage sludge seems to be an useful way from hygienic point of view. J Trop Pediatr, 1990 Apr, 36(2), 86 - 9 Management of malnourished children with acute diarrhoea and sugar intolerance; Beau JP et al.; A protocol of nutritional rehabilitation using fermented milk, vegetable oil and caster sugar has been tested on 54 Senegalese children, aged 6-36 months, admitted with acute diarrhoea and malnutrition . At the time of admission, 39 per cent of children were dehydrated and 26 per cent had sugar intolerance . In the course of treatment three went home against medical advice and one died from acute pneumonia with respiratory-heart failure . Among the cases of marasmus there were no differences in mean weight gain between children with sugar intolerance and others despite a longer duration of diarrhoea in the first group . Furthermore, the experimental protocol has never been compromised because of worsening diarrhoea or weight loss . These results indicate that a formula based on fermented milk together with oral rehydration can be used to treat malnourished children with acute diarrhoea and sugar intolerance. J Appl Bacteriol, 1990 Apr, 68(4), 385 - 90 Protein profiles of Capnocytophaga species; Khwaja KJ et al.; Ninety-seven strains of Capnocytophaga isolated from the oral cavity and the type strains of C . ochracea, C . sputigena and C . gingivalis were compared by one-dimensional SDS-PAGE of whole cell proteins . The protein patterns were highly reproducible and were used as the basis for numerical taxonomic analysis . The clusters containing the type strains of C . ochracea and C . sputigena segregated at the 78% similarity level . Some of the eight clusters obtained at this level showed good correlation with grouping based on the results of biochemical testing for lactose and galactose fermentation and nitrate reduction . No consistent association was found between protein profiles and colony type, size or colour or cell length but all agar-adherent colony types segregated into a single cluster. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1990 Apr, 43(4), 331 - 5 Placetins, platelet aggregation inhibitors from Streptomyces sp . Q-1043 . I . Fermentation, isolation and biological properties; Ozasa T et al.; Placetins, platelet aggregation inhibitors were obtained from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp . Q-1043 . These were designated placetins A, A1, B and B1, respectively . Placetins A and B showed strong cytotoxicities against P388, L1210 and HeLa cells. Xenobiotica, 1990 Apr, 20(4), 363 - 73 Microbiological transformation of flavone and isoflavone; Ibrahim AR et al.; 1 . Flavone and isoflavone were subjected to microbial transformation studies . Screening with 80 fungal species showed that flavone was transformed by a large number of microorganisms and in higher yields than isoflavone . 2 . Large-scale fermentations of flavone followed by isolation and characterization of metabolites using spectroscopic analysis showed the formation of 4'-hydroxyflavone, 3',4'-dihydroxyflavone and two cleavage products identified as o-hydroxyphenyl-hydroxymethyl ketone and 1-(o-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2-ethanediol . However, fermentation of isoflavone gave only 4'-hydroxyisoflavone and 3',4'-dihydroxyisoflavone. J Anim Sci, 1990 Apr, 68(4), 1139 - 50 Influence of grain and monensin supplementation on ruminal fermentation, intake, digesta kinetics and incidence and severity of frothy bloat in steers grazing winter wheat pastures; Branine ME et al.; Three 10-d collection periods (April 4 to 14, early April, EApr; April 23 to May 3, late April, LApr; May 10 to 20, 1984, mid-May, MMay) were conducted to evaluate effects of no supplement (C), .5 kg-head-1.d-1 (as-fed basis) supplemental grain (steam-flaked milo, G) or G plus 170 mg monensin.head-1.d-1 (M) on forage intake and digestion by 12 ruminally cannulated beef steers (four/treatment; avg initially BW = 393 kg) grazing irrigated winter wheat pasture . Ruminal pH was greater (P less than .01) for M than for C or G during EApr but was not altered by treatments in LApr or MMay . Compared with C, ruminal NH3 was decreased (P less than .10) by G and M (5 h after supplementation) in EApr, decreased (P less than .05) by G (2h) and increased (P less than .05) by M (8 h) in LApr and decreased (P less than .10) by G (-1h) in MMay . Treatments had little influence on total VFA concentrations or on molar proportions of acetate and propionate . Butyrate molar proportion was decreased (P less than .10) by M during EApr and LApr, but not during MMay . Monensin increased (P less than .05) fluid passage rate compared with C and G in EApr but not in other periods, Particulate passage measurements did not differ (P greater than .10) among treatments within periods . Forage DM intake was not influenced (P greater than .10) by supplementation during any period . Extent of in situ forage DM disappearance was greater (P less than .10) for M than for C or G during EApr (12 and 30 h of incubation) but was not different (P greater than .10) in LApr or MMay . Incidence of frothy bloat was decreased (P less than .05) by M during EApr; this reduction may have been related to effects of M on ruminal pH, forage digestion and fluid passage. J Anim Sci, 1990 Apr, 68(4), 1110 - 20 Ruminal fermentation pattern, bacterial population and ruminal degradation of feed ingredients as influenced by ruminal ammonia concentration; Song MK et al.; The effects of ruminal ammonia concentration on bacterial numbers, fermentation pattern and degradation of feed ingredients in the rumen were examined with three nonlactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal cannulas . Cows were fed twice daily a complete mixed diet (90% whole plant oat silage and 10% concentrate mixture) containing 11.1% CP on a DM basis . Ammonium bicarbonate (NH4HCO3) was infused continuously into the rumen at levels of 0, 95, 190 or 280 g/d . Infusion of NH4HCO3 linearly increased (P less than .05) the concentrations of ruminal ammonia and blood urea N . Total VFA concentrations and mixed bacterial numbers also were increased (P less than .05) by NH4HCO3 infusion . Infusions of NH4HCO3 increased (P less than .05) butyrate and decreased (P less than .05) isobutyrate and isovalerate proportions . Infusion of NH4HCO3 increased (P less than .05) rate of degradation of soybean meal DM but did not (P greater than .05) influence degradation characteristics of fish meal and barley grain . In conclusion, supplementation of N by continuous infusion of NH4HCO3 appeared to stimulate bacterial growth and fermentation but it did not influence extent of ruminal degradation of selected feed ingredients. Am J Physiol, 1990 Apr, 258(4 Pt 2), F1075 - 83 Alanine protects rabbit proximal tubules against anoxic injury in vitro; Garza-Quintero R et al.; Rabbit proximal tubules were incubated aerobically or subjected to anoxia for 30 min followed by 60 min of reoxygenation . The medium contained (in mM) 5 glucose, 10 butyrate, 4 lactate or alpha-ketoglutarate (alpha-KG), and 1 alanine . Anoxic tubules in this medium were severely injured and recovered poorly . If the incubation medium was supplemented with additional alanine (up to 2.5 or 5 mM), then anoxic injury was prevented almost completely . Tubules in high-alanine medium showed modest elevations of ATP during anoxia . Comparable elevations of ATP were induced in anoxic tubules incubated with 4 mM alpha-KG and 5 mM aspartate without alanine . These substrates are metabolized anaerobically in the mitochondria to yield ATP . Surprisingly, anoxic tubules with alpha-KG and aspartate showed severe injury despite elevated ATP . If 5 mM alanine was also present, then additional increments of ATP did not occur, but injury was prevented . Examination of glucose metabolism failed to provide evidence for stimulation of anaerobic fermentations by alanine . These results suggest that alanine-induced cytoprotection during anoxia occurs by mechanisms not related to ATP synthesis, and that elevated ATP in alanine-supplemented tubules may be a result and not the cause of protection . Cytoprotection by alanine was shown to last for less than or equal to 90 min of anoxia . Glycine, a structurally related amino acid, also protects anoxic proximal tubules (J . Clin . Invest . 80: 1446, 1987) . The mechanisms that underlie the cytoprotective effects of alanine and glycine remain to be determined. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses, 1990 Apr, 6(4), 465 - 79 Escherichia coli expression, purification, and biological activity of a truncated soluble CD4; Garlick RL et al.; A truncated molecule containing the N-terminal 183 amino acid residues of CD4 (sCD4-183) has been produced in Escherichia coli at high levels, using the trp promoter and an AT-rich ribosome binding site to direct expression in a pBR322-derived vector . A culture has been selected which allows large-scale fermentation and production of this material as an insoluble inclusion body protein . Procedures which solubilize, refold, and purify sCD4-183 have been developed . The purified sCD4-183 binds gp120 in solution and blocks human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection of human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1990 Apr, 56(4), 997 - 1003 Application of a ribosomal DNA integration vector in the construction of a brewer's yeast having alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase activity; Fujii T et al.; An integration plasmid, pIARL28, containing the ribosomal DNA gene as a homologous recombination sequence was constructed for introduction of the alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase gene into brewer's yeast . The transformation efficiency of pIARL28 was 20- to 50-fold higher than those of the other YIp vectors, as yeast cells had approximately 140 copies of the ribosomal DNA gene . All transformants showed very high alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase activity due to the multiple integrated copies of the plasmid . The transformants were grown in nonselective conditions, and segregants which had maintained the alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase expression cassette but no other vector sequences were isolated . Southern analysis showed that these marker-excised segregants contained more than 20 copies of the alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase gene and were stably maintained under nonselective conditions . Fermentation tests confirmed that the diacetyl concentration was considerably reduced in wort fermented by these marker-excised segregants . The degree of reduction was related to the copy number of the alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase gene. Physiol Rev, 1990 Apr, 70(2), 567 - 90 Energy contributions of volatile fatty acids from the gastrointestinal tract in various species; Bergman EN; The VFA, also known as short-chain fatty acids, are produced in the gastrointestinal tract by microbial fermentation of carbohydrates and endogenous substrates, such as mucus . This can be of great advantage to the animal, since no digestive enzymes exist for breaking down cellulose or other complex carbohydrates . The VFA are produced in the largest amounts in herbivorous animal species and especially in the forestomach of ruminants . The VFA, however, also are produced in the lower digestive tract of humans and all animal species, and intestinal fermentation resembles that occurring in the rumen . The principal VFA in either the rumen or large intestine are acetate, propionate, and butyrate and are produced in a ratio varying from approximately 75:15:10 to 40:40:20 . Absorption of VFA at their site of production is rapid, and large quantities are metabolized by the ruminal or large intestinal epithelium before reaching the portal blood . Most of the butyrate is converted to ketone bodies or CO2 by the epithelial cells, and nearly all of the remainder is removed by the liver . Propionate is similarly removed by the liver but is largely converted to glucose . Although species differences exist, acetate is used principally by peripheral tissues, especially fat and muscle . Considerable energy is obtained from VFA in herbivorous species, and far more research has been conducted on ruminants than on other species . Significant VFA, however, are now known to be produced in omnivorous species, such as pigs and humans . Current estimates are that VFA contribute approximately 70% to the caloric requirements of ruminants, such as sheep and cattle, approximately 10% for humans, and approximately 20-30% for several other omnivorous or herbivorous animals . The amount of fiber in the diet undoubtedly affects the amount of VFA produced, and thus the contribution of VFA to the energy needs of the body could become considerably greater as the dietary fiber increases . Pigs and some species of monkey most closely resemble humans, and current research should be directed toward examining the fermentation processes and VFA metabolism in those species . In addition to the energetic or nutritional contributions of VFA to the body, the VFA may indirectly influence cholesterol synthesis and even help regulate insulin or glucagon secretion . In addition, VFA production and absorption have a very significant effect on epithelial cell growth, blood flow, and the normal secretory and absorptive functions of the large intestine, cecum, and rumen . The absorption of VFA and sodium, for example, seem to be interdependent, and release of bicarbonate usually occurs during VFA absorption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) Mol Cell Biol, 1990 Apr, 10(4), 1530 - 7 Conversion at large intergenic regions of mitochondrial DNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Skelly PJ et al.; Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial DNA deletion mutants have been used to examine whether base-biased intergenic regions of the genome influence mitochondrial biogenesis . One strain (delta 5.0) lacks a 5-kilobase (kb) segment extending from the proline tRNA gene to the small rRNA gene that includes ori1, while a second strain (delta 3.7) is missing a 3.7-kb region between the genes for ATPase subunit 6 and glutamic acid tRNA that encompasses ori7 plus ori2 . Growth of these strains on both fermentable and nonfermentable substrates does not differ from growth of the wild-type strain, indicating that the deletable regions of the genome do not play a direct role in the expression of mitochondrial genes . Examination of whether the 5- or 3.7-kb regions influence mitochondrial DNA transmission was undertaken by crossing strains and examining mitochondrial genotypes in zygotic colonies . In a cross between strain delta 5.0, harboring three active ori elements (ori2, ori3, and ori5), and strain delta 3.7, containing only two active ori elements (ori3 and ori5), there is a preferential recovery of the genome containing two active ori elements (37% of progeny) over that containing three active elements (20%) . This unexpected result, suggesting that active ori elements do not influence transmission of respiratory-competent genomes, is interpreted to reflect a preferential conversion of the delta 5.0 genome to the wild type (41% of progeny) . Supporting evidence for conversion over biased transmission is shown by preferential recovery of a nonparental genome in the progeny of a heterozygous cross in which both parental molecules can be identified by size polymorphisms. Gan To Kagaku Ryoho, 1990 Apr, 17(4 Pt 1), 601 - 7 {Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma}; Furukawa M; Etiopathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is not fully understood yet . However, extensive research in this area has produced significant observations which facilitate the elucidation of the etiological factors and pathogenesis . A . Etiological Factors (a) EBV: EBV serological profiles in NPC patients, presence of EBV fingerprints in NPC tumor cells, and similar terminal repeat copies of EBV-DNA in NPC tissues strongly suggest the etiological role of EBV in NPC . (b) Genetic: Evidence supporting the genetic role in the etiology of NPC are mainly epidemiological . Although HLA studies have shown an increased relative risk in Chinese with A2, and BW 46 and in Malays with B17 and B18, the significance is not high . (c) Other environmental factors: In vitro studies have indicated the possibility of factors such as salted fish, dry fish, fermented vegetables, processed meat and some Chinese traditional herbal medicines . (d) Depressed cell-mediated immunity (CMI): While humoral antibodies to various EBV antigens are raised, the CMI seems to be lowered in NPC . It is not known, however, whether depressed CMI is the effect or the cause of NPC . B . Pathogenesis (a) Receptors for EBV: The receptors for EBV, C3d receptors, exist on cells of the basal layers which are undergoing metaplastic or hyperplastic change . These cells are close to the underlying stroma which contain the lymphocytes harbouring EBV . A pre-NPC stage of metaplasia/hyperplasia and sero epidemiological studies show raised EBV antibody titer 3-5 years before the development of NPC . (b) All NPC originate from the fossa of Rosenmuller which is a recessed depression behind the torus tubarius . This space can permit prolonged contact between environmental agents and the epithelial cells. Rev Odontol Univ Sao Paulo, 1990 Apr-Jun, 4(2), 108 - 12 {Effect of cetylpyridinium chloride on formation and metabolism of human dental plaque}; Martin LM et al.; In this work, the Cepacol (cetylpyridinium chlorid) diluted 1:2, when used for mouthwashes three time a day decreased the "in situ" formation of human dental plaque, however it didn't decreased neither the plaque fermentation, nor the IEP synthesis by the plaque . When the Cepacol was used for treating the "in vitro" dental plaque in both 1:10 and 1:20 dilutions, decreased the fermentation and the IEP synthesis of the "in vitro" plaque. J Postgrad Med, 1990 Apr, 36(2), 83 - 6 Clinical and mycological spectrum of cutaneous candidiasis in Bombay; Shroff PS et al.; A total of 150 patients with cutaneous candidiasis were studied . A detailed clinical history was taken . Scrapings were examined in 10% KOH, and the material cultured on Sabouraud's agar . Species were identified by the serum germ tube test, sugar fermentation and sugar assimilation tests . Of 150 patients 79 were females . The commonest presentation was intertrigo (75), vulvovaginitis (19) and paronychia (17) . A history of chronic exposure to water was obtained in 94 cases, all had erosio interdigitalis blastomycetica and/or paronychia . Diabetes melltius as a predisposing factor was observed in 22 patients . The 10 cases of balanoposthitis had associated diabetes mellitus . Smear and culture were positive in all the patients . C . albicans was isolated in 136 cases, C . tropicalis in 12, and C . guillermondi in 2 . The cultures of C . albicans had positive serum germ tube test . The 6 patients in the paediatric age group having perianal/genital involvement had a stools culture positive for C . albicans. Int J Biol Macromol, 1990 Apr, 12(2), 153 - 7 Fermentation of bovine endothelial cells for preparation of endothelial cell-surface heparan sulphate; Jerg KR et al.; The polysaccharide chains of a proteoheparan sulphate located on the endothelial cell surface are responsible for athrombogenicity of blood vessel walls . Mass cultivation of endothelial cells is the only way to isolate adequate amounts of this proteoheparan sulphate . In order to establish a method for fermentation of bovine endothelial cells, colonization of microcarriers, growth phase and cultivation of confluent carriers were optimized . The colonization process was varied relative to the number of beads, number of cells, total volume and kind of vessel . Two basal media were tested at different serum contents by growth assays . The same basal media without serum were supplemented with mitogen, bovine lipoprotein, insulin and transferrin and tested by activity assays on confluent cultures . The best method yields more than 80% of the cells on microcarriers . During the fermentation glucose and lactate concentrations were measured at constant perfusion rate and glucose consumption and lactate production were determined . Under optimized conditions we achieved a final cell titre of 4 x 10(9) cells/l and a calculated cell density of 7-9 x 10(4) cells/cm2 offered substrate surface . The minimal doubling time of the cell culture was about 18 h under optimized fermentation conditions . Removal of the core-protein by enzymatic digestion or beta-elimination releases the endothelial cell surface heparan sulphate. Am J Physiol, 1990 Apr, 258(4 Pt 2), R946 - 50 Central nervous system injection of dynorphin-(1-13) overrides gastric satiety factors in sheep; Della-Fera MA et al.; Signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, arising during ingestion and digestion of food, are important in the termination of feeding . This study was carried out to determine whether the satiety triggered by specific GI stimuli in sheep could be reversed by central nervous system (CNS) administration of dynorphin, a putative endogenous kappa-opiate receptor ligand, which has been shown to be a potent feed-intake stimulant in many species . Rumen distension and increased intraruminal concentration of propionic acid (an energy substrate produced during fermentation in the rumen) both significantly decreased feed intake in fasted sheep . When either of these stimuli were combined with continuous 60-min lateral cerebroventricular injection of {D-Ala2}dynorphin A-(1-13) (0.32 nmol/min), feed intake returned to control levels . Increasing feed intake in food-producing animals is an important way of improving production efficiency . The findings of these experiments illustrate how manipulation of a CNS opioid system can modify the effects of feed intake-limiting factors generated by ingestion of a meal, thereby promoting greater feed intake. Am J Clin Nutr, 1990 Apr, 51(4), 685 - 9 Parenteral nutrition supplemented with short-chain fatty acids: effect on the small-bowel mucosa in normal rats; Koruda MJ et al.; When enteral nutrition is excluded from animals maintained solely with total parenteral nutrition (TPN), atrophy of the intestinal mucosa is observed . Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are produced in the colon by the fermentation of dietary carbohydrates and fiber polysaccharides and have been shown to stimulate mucosal-cell mitotic activity in the intestine . This study compared the effects of an intravenous and an intracecal infusion of SCFAs on the small-bowel mucosa . Rats received standard TPN, TPN with SCFAs (sodium acetate, propionate, and butyrate), TPN with an intracecal infusion of SCFAs, or rat food . After 7 d jejunal and ileal mucosal weights, DNA, RNA, and protein were determined . Standard TPN produced significant atrophy of the jejunal and ileal mucosa . Both the intracecal and intravenous infusion of SCFAs significantly reduced the mucosal atrophy associated with TPN . The intravenous and intracolonic infusion of SCFAs were equally effective in inhibiting small-bowel mucosal atrophy. Eur J Biochem, 1990 Mar 30, 188(3), 615 - 21 Autoregulation may control the expression of yeast pyruvate decarboxylase structural genes PDC1 and PDC5; Hohmann S et al.; Recently we deleted the pyruvate decarboxylase structural gene PDC1 from the genome of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae . The pdc1 deletion mutants had pyruvate decarboxylase activity due to the presence of a second structural gene {Schaaff, I., Green, J . B . A., Gozalbo, D . & Hohmann, S . (1989) Curr . Genet . 15, 75-81} . We cloned and sequenced this gene which we call PDC5 . The predicted amino acid sequences of PDC1 and PDC5 are 88% identical . Deletion of PDC5 did not cause any decrease in the specific pyruvate decarboxylase activity while pdc1 deletion mutants had 80% of the wild-type activity . Deletion mutants lacking both PDC1 and PDC5 did not show any detectable pyruvate decarboxylase activity in vitro and were unable to ferment glucose . This indicates that PDC1 and PDC5 are the only structural genes for pyruvate decarboxylase in yeast . The PDC5 isoenzyme showed a slightly higher Km value for its substrate pyruvate than the PDC1 product (PDC5: Km = 8 mM; PDC1: Km = 5 mM), as measured in crude extract of pdc1 and pdc5 deletion mutants, respectively . PDC5 is only expressed in pdc1 deletion mutants . No mRNA transcribed from PDC5 could be detected in wild-type cells . Thus, in addition to the control by glucose induction, pyruvate decarboxylase activity seems to be subject to autoregulation . Similar phenomena have been described previously for tubulin, histones and a ribosomal protein but not for metabolic enzymes. Arch Tierernahr, 1990 Mar, 40(3), 229 - 38 In vitro study (Rusitec) of the action of abierixin, a new ionophore antibiotic, on the end products of fermentation and the degradation of nitrogen in the rumen; Gomez L et al.; We investigated the capacity of a new ionophore antibiotic, abierixin, to modify fermentations in the rumen using a semi-continuous fermenter (Rusitec) . As in the studies carried out on a "batch" fermenter (HILLAIRE et al., 1989a), abierixin failed to alter volatile fatty acids and gas productions but, in contrast, it limited the degradation of dietary nitrogen without affecting microbial synthesis . This molecule which has a low level of toxicity and is capable of improving the use of dietary proteins by ruminants, was found to be more effective when used at very low dose levels. Arch Tierernahr, 1990 Mar, 40(3), 209 - 19 {Measuring of the energy turnover in adult swine during feeding of rations with potato starch, potatoes, beets, pressed shreds and coarse fodder as supplements to a basic ration . 2 . Evaluation and discussion of the results for further development of energetic feed rating for swine}; Hoffmann L et al.; Energy metabolism measurings of male castrates of a live weight between 90 and 180 kg after feeding rations with a wide variety in the content of various carbohydrates (crude fibre 36-185, water soluble carbohydrates 25-306, starch 272-683 g/kg DM) formed the experimental basis of the considerations . Energy retention depended significantly on the digestibility and metabolizability of the energy, on energy concentration and the crude fibre content of the rations . By means of multiple regression analyses the energetic effect of 1 g digested matter of the carbohydrate fraction was assessed as follows: 12.9 kJ for starch, 12.1 kJ for disaccharides, 11.5 kJ for the remaining water soluble carbohydrates and 10.4 kJ for bacterially fermentable carbohydrates (BFC) . There was a difference between the energetic effective value of starch and BFC . This corresponds completely to the difference in the utilization of metabolizable energy between exclusively precaecal and postileal digestion . The following conclusions are drawn for the further development of the energetic feed evaluation for pigs in the framework of the GDR feed evaluation system: --There are to be differentiated fixed values for the retention of digestible carbohydrates for the fractions starch, water soluble carbohydrates (pectin) and bacterially fermentable carbohydrates . --The influence of the digestibility of the energy in the ration on the energetic retention effect of BFC is small . The integration of these variables into an estimation equation for the energetic feed value is therefore not necessary. J Med Assoc Thai, 1990 Mar, 73(3), 152 - 6 The source and content of vitamin B12 in the tempehs; Areekul S et al.; Vitamin B12 contents were determined on 10 commercial tempeh samples purchased from various markets in Jakarta, Indonesia . A relatively high vitamin B12 content was found, i.e., 19 ng/g (ranges from 1.8 to 41.4 ng/g) . As soybeans contain no vitamin B12, the amount of vitamin in the tempeh must therefore be derived from the other sources during the fermentation process . The tempeh prepared in the laboratory by inoculation of the commercial starter into the sterile soybean contained a much higher amount of vitamin B12, 127 ng/g (ranges from 122 to 136 ng/g) . Pure mold and a single species of bacteria were isolated from the starter and commercial tempehs . Pure mold did not produce vitamin B12 in the sterile broth, soybean and medium used for vitamin B12 production . Only the isolated bacteria, identified as K . pneumoniae, could produce vitamin B12 in those substrates . The presence of mold did not significantly enhance or inhibit the vitamin B12 production by K . pneumoniae . It was, therefore, concluded that K . pneumoniae, the bacteria contaminated during the process of tempeh production, was responsible for the vitamin B12 production. J Dairy Sci, 1990 Mar, 73(3), 703 - 10 Influence of cultures of Aspergillus oryzae on rumen and total tract digestibility of dietary components; Gomez-Alarcon RA et al.; Three trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of dried cultures of Aspergillus oryzae on nutrient utilization by mature Holstein cows fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas . In trial 1, four cows (two dry and two lactating) were used to test Aspergillus oryzae (3 g/d) and a control treatment at two forage amounts in a 4 x 4 Latin square . Trial 2 compared control, A . oryzae, and Saccharomyces cerevesiae using six lactating cows in a repeated 3 x 3 Latin square design . For trial 3, four lactating cows were used in a switchback design to compare control to A . oryzae treatment . In trials 2 and 3, diets contained 70 and 61% concentrate . A fourth in vitro trial was conducted in conjunction with trial 3 in which rumen fluid was obtained from cows adapted or unadapted to A . oryzae . On all trials except high forage in trial 1, A . oryzae increased rumen and total tract digestibility of fiber fractions . Rumen VFA and ammonia were not affected by fungal cultures . Aspergillus oryzae increased rate of rumen fermentation of alfalfa but not of milo or wheat straw . In vitro disappearance of DM from alfalfa, milo, and wheat straw was increased by A . oryzae, and previous adaptation was not required to stimulate in vitro DM digestibility . These results indicate that a primary effect of A . oryzae is stimulation of fiber digestion by rumen microbes. Pharm Res, 1990 Mar, 7(3), 270 - 3 Microbial biotransformation of retinoic acid by Cunninghamella echinulata and Cunninghamella blakesleeana; Hartman DA et al.; Vitamin A (retinol) is needed by higher animals for the maintenance of normal epithelium and growth, and retinoic acid (I) has been proposed to be the active metabolite . Microbial models are useful for the study of mammalian metabolism of xenobiotics . Two species of the fungal genus Cunninghamella afforded products of greater polarity than 1 when fed 1 in a two-stage fermentation procedure . The products obtained were principally the result of