Infect Immun, 1977 Apr, 16(1), 382 - 96 New models of chronic synovitis in rabbits induced by mycoplasmas: microbiological, histopathological, and immunological observations on rabbits injected with Mycoplasma arthritidis and Mycoplasma pulmonis; Cole BC et al.; A dose-dependent chronic synovitis was induced in rabbit knees after the intra-articular injection of both Mycoplasma arthritidis and Mycoplasma pulmonis . The inflammation progressed from an initial acute phase at 1 week characterized by edema, infiltration of the synovium with monocytes and heterophils, and desquamation of lining cells, to a more chronic phase at 1 and 3 months, in which villus hyperplasia, lymph "nodules," mononuclear cell infiltration, fibroplasia, and collagen deposition were prominent . With one exception, mycoplasmas could no longer be cultivated from the joints 1 month postinoculation . Both mycoplasma species evoked a humoral antibody response that was more marked in synovial fluids than in peripheral blood . A cell-mediated immune reaction, as evidence by enhanced uptake by {3H}thymidine by sensitized blood, spleen, or node lymphocytes in the presence of homologous antigen, was detected only in rabbits injected with M . pulmonis . Lymphocytes taken from arthritic rabbits were no more cytotoxic toward synovial cells derived from normal or arthritic rabbits than were normal lymphocytes . The models of synovitis described in this study offer a convenient probe for determining the mechanisms of mycoplasma-induced inflammation, since they require only a single injection of the initiating agent and, in addition, utilize an animal host large enough for detailed investigation into the nature of mycoplasma/synovium interactions. Immun Infekt, 1977 Apr, 5(2), 77 - 83 {Hygienic risks associated with sanitary installations and medical equipment in hospitals (author's transl)}; Botzenhart K; The risk of transmission of nosocomial infections associated with technical installations in hospitals probably is not very important . The way of infection (e.g . airborne particles, droplets, fluids, fomites, contact with persons) must be considered and an estimation as to their importance should be tried . Transport systems and air-conditioning plants are discussed as possible transmitters of infectious particles by air and UV-radiation and air-locks in their role as preventive measures . Fluides which can allow a microbial growth are part of many sanitary installations and medical equipment . They may cause transmissions of great numbers of pathogenes to susceptible patients . In this context, ultrasonic inhalators, irrigators, dialysis equipment and faucet aerators are discussed . Concerning transmission by contact, bed-pan washers, endoscopes and anaesthetic tools are mentioned and finally the role of industrial procedures, the extent and function of which can't be supervised by the medical personn,el, must be submitted to adequate microbiological controls . Physicians should pronounce more clearly then before their interest in equipment which can easily be sterilized. Br J Ophthalmol, 1977 Apr, 61(4), 255 - 9 Treatment of TRIC infection of the eye with rifampicin or chloramphenicol; Darougar S et al.; An open trial was carried out on 63 patients in London to assess the efficacy of 1% rifampicin eye ointment in comparison with 1% chloramphenicol eye ointment in the treatment of sexually transmitted TRIC infection of the eye . Patients included were selected on the basis of positive cultures for Chlamydia trachomatis . Three weeks' treatment with rifampicin eye ointment used 3 times daily was not sufficient to cure the disease, but a 6 or 7 week course gave 90% clinical and microbiological cure rate . Treatment with chloramphenicol eye ointment 3 times daily for 4 to 6 weeks failed to cure the disease. Ann Clin Lab Sci, 1977 Mar-Apr, 7(2), 141 - 5 Analysis of serum for gentamicin by radioimmunoassay; Griffiths WC et al.; A radioimmunoassay method for the determination of combined gentamicin isomers in serum has been adapted and tested . The procedure uses tritiated gentamicin, rabbit antiserum against a gentamicin-human albumin conjugate, and dextran-charcoal separation . The day-to-day coefficient of variation is 6 percent, and frozen samples are stable for at least one month . There was no cross reactivity of the antiserum with any of several tested antibiotics or with any of some tested commonly used non-antibiotic hospital pharmacy preparations . The results from the procedure correlated well with those of an enzymatic radioacetylation technique and, except for a significant incidence of "outliers", with a microbiological assay . As expected, patient serum values, both maximum and minimum, showed no correlation with dose size. Ann Clin Lab Sci, 1977 Mar-Apr, 7(2), 113 - 8 Analytical evaluation of a folate radioassay: application to serum and erythrocyte measurements; Ahluwalia GS et al.; Many commercial folate radioassay kits have proven to be unsatisfactory in the past . It has been found that the Schwarz/Mann Iodine-125 folate radioassay kit permits a rapid measurement of folic acid requiring only a single incubation at pH 9.3 . At this pH, the relative affinity of pteroylglutamic acid (FA) and N-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid (MTFA) for the milk binder is the same . Additionally, the radioassay was compared to the L . casei microbiological assay . Regression analysis of 42 patients' sera, folate concentration 0.9 to 14 mug per liter, gave a correlation coefficient of 0.963 . At folate concentration greater than 14 mug per liter, results with the radioassay in many instances were lower than those with the microbiological assay . In some cases the discrepancy was as much as 50 percent . However, the recovery of pure FA, MTFA and mixtures of the two at concentrations of 20 to 40 mug per liter was satisfactory by radioassay . This would indicate that the microbiological assay is inaccurate at higher folate concentrations . It has been shown that the Schwarz/Mann folate kit is accurate, precise, unaffected by icterus and lipemia . It is, therefore, suitable for both serum and red blood cell folate assay . A discrepancy has been observed between serum and red cell folate concentration; consequently, a simultaneously assay of both folates is suggested. J Med Chem, 1977 Mar, 20(3), 352 - 5 Ring D oxygenated Spirolactones . Characterization of human metabolic product of spironolactone; Chinn LJ et al.; 15alpha-Hydroxycanrenone (1b) was prepared from canrenone (1a) by microbiological oxidation with a penicillium species . The product was identical with one obtained from the metabolism of spironolactone(3) in human . Oxidation of 1b with Jones regent furnished the corresponding 15-oxocanrenone (1d) which underwent base-catalyzed beta elimination to generate an alpha,beta-unsaturated cyclopentenone system . 15alpha-Hydroxycanrenone (1b) failed to show antimineralocorticoid activity at the screening dose of 2.4 mg while the oxo derivative 1d exhibited approximately 15% the activity of 3 . Since the activity of canrenone is 38% that of spironolactone, introduction of the carbonyl group at the 15 position of canrenone resulted in a reduction in activity . This effect is opposite to that observed with 6-dehydroprogesterone. J Pharm Sci, 1977 Mar, 66(3), 379 - 84 Electrochemical analysis of the cephalosporin cefamandole nafate; Rickard EC et al.; The polarographic assays for cefamandole sodium and its formyl ester, cefamandole nafate, are described . Controlled potential coulometry is used as an absolute method for the assignment of purity of these compounds without the need for a reference material . The precision, accuracy, and selectivity of these assays were better than for the microbiological autoturbidimetric and automated iodometric assays . NMR, TLC, GC, and polarography are used to detect and quantitate likely impurities and degradation products. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Feb, 33(2), 379 - 84 Microbiological profiles of the Viking spacecraft; Puleo JR et al.; Planetary quarantine requirements associated with the launch of two Viking spacecraft necessitated microbiological assessment during assembly and testing at Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center . Samples were collected from selected surface of the Viking Lander Capsules (VLC), Orbiters, (VO), and Shrouds at predetermined intervals during assembly and testing . Approximately 7,000 samples were assayed . Levels of bacterial spores per square meter on the VLC-1 and VLC-2 were 1.6 x 10(2) and 9.7 x 10(1), respectively, prior to dry-heat sterilization . The ranges of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms detected on the VO-1 and VO-2 at various sampling events were 4.2 x 10(2) to 4.3 x 10(3) and 2.3 x 10(2) to 8.9 x 10(3)/m2, respectively . Approximately 1,300 colonies were picked from culture plates, identified, lypholipized, and stored for future reference . About 75% of all isolates were microorganisms considered indigenous to humans; the remaining isolates were associated with soil and dust in the environment . The percentage of microorganisms of human origin was consistent with results obtained with previous automated spacecraft but slightly lower than those observed for manned (Apollo) spacecraft. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Feb, 33(2), 323 - 7 Variations in the microbial log reduction curves of irradiated cod fillets, shrimp, and their respective homogenates; Green JH et al.; When cod (Gadus morhua morhua) and headless white shrimp (Penaeus setiferus) were gamma irradiated with a series of low-ionizing radiation doses, a "shoulder(s)" was observed in the graph (log microbial counts versus dose) in the approximate range of 25 to 75 krads . When the microbiological survivors were differentiated into total counts, proteolytic and pseudomonad-type bacteria, it was observed that the pseudomonad-type bacteria were rapidly destroyed by 25 krads and that proteolytic bacteria were destroyed at a faster rate than the rest of the microorganisms . When cod fillets and shrimp were compared with their respective homogenates and irradiated at doses of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, and 300 krads, the homogenates did not exhibit the characteristic shoulders . A further experiment was designed to test surface versus uniform dispersion of microorganisms on/in gelatin disks subjects to low doses of irradiation . Differences were found that may explain the observed differences between solid food materials such as fish fillets and shrimp and their homogenates. Clin Chem, 1977 Feb, 23(2 PT . 1), 220 - 2 Quantitative gas-chromatographic flame-ionization method for chloramphenicol in human serum; Least CJ Jr et al.; We describe a flame-ionization gas-chromatographic procedure for determination of the potentially toxic antibiotic, chloramphenical, in serum . The serum (500 mul) is extracted into ethyl acetate and nonpolar impurities are subsequently partitioned into hexane . The drug is chromatographed as its bis-trimethylsilyl derivative, with the analog thiamphenicol as the internal standard . Within-run precision (CV) is 4.4% at a serum concentration of 41 mg/liter and 9.2% at a concentration of 5 mg/liter . Over a six-month period, the run-to-run variation was 5.1% at 40 mg/liter (n = 24) . Results by the gas-chromatographic method compared well with those by an established colorimetric procedure; mean concentrations for the comparison samples in the two procedures were 18.4 mg/liter and 17.6 mg/liter, respectively (n = 27), with a coefficient of correlation of 0.998 . The gas-chromatographic method is more precise and specific than classical microbiological procedures and is suitable for routine therapeutic monitoring of serum chloramphenicol concentrations. Br J Clin Pharmacol, 1977 Feb, 4(1), 57 - 60 Rapid fluorimetric assay of minocycline in plasma or serum: comparison with microbiological assay; Hall D; 1 . Plasma concentrations of minocycline were assayed by measuring the fluorescence emission of an aluminum-minocycline chelate in a spectrofluorimeter . 2 . The assay gives reproducible results over the concentration range 0.05-5.0 mug ml-1, and compared favourably with results achieved using a conventional large plate agar diffusion microbiological assay in a double-blind comparison of the two methods . 3 . Fluorimetric assay of minocycline in plasma was found to correlate closely with antibiotic activity (r = 0.95) . The method is easy and economical to perform, results being obtained in 1 h. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 1977 Feb 1, 102(3), 147 - 56 {Involvement of veterinary medicine in, and its responsibility for, the microbiological safety of foods of animal origin (author's transl)}; Mossel DA; Epidemiological data indicate that, in the majority of outbreaks, the aetiology of diseases of microbial origin transmitted by foods is the "dual failure": poor sanitary handling in addition to storage of perishable items at temperatures allowing of microbial proliferation . For statistical reasons, sampling and examination of final products is completely ineffective as a means to obtain safe foods and meals . Dependable assurance of microbiological safety of foods should rather be attained by the application of Good Manufacturing Practices . The shared responsibility for reliable, uninterrupted preventive safeguarding of the food chain calls for cooperation between line workers of various disciplines . Microbiological examination of final product samples is still meaningful in order to monitor Good Manufacturing Practices . Reference values ("standards" with which data obtained can be compared are essential for this purpose . Theri establishment, based on product sample surveys of factories previously examined for reliable operation of approved procedures, is outlined. Aust Dent J, 1977 Feb, 22(1), 37 - 45 Clinical pathology . A diagnostic aid to the dental practitioner; Orams HJ; Clinical pathology is concerned with specialized investigations and tests which are used to refine the process of diagnosis . Biopsy, cytology, blood examination, microbiological and biochemical tests are of particular relevance to dental practice and are a valuable aid to the diagnosis of oral disease . The dental clinician should be familiar with the principles of these investigations and fully understand the significance of the data which they yield. Can J Microbiol, 1977 Feb, 23(2), 131 - 8 Effects of clear-cutting on the composition of bacterial populations of northern spruce forest soil; Niemela S et al.; This paper concerns the microbiological part of an investigation, the goal of which is to describe the biological changes in coniferous forest soil upon clear-cutting in a northern (66 degrees 20'N) moraine area where reforestation after clear-cutting had been met with difficulty . The zoological part of the work has been published elsewhere . Clear-cut sites of increasing age (4, 7, and 13 years) were investigated and compared with a forest area where no cutting of timber had been done for 120 years . A total of 684 random isolates of heterotrophic bacteria from pooled samples of the sites investigated were passed through 36 biochemical tests . The data were condensed by the aid of factor analysis, and a comparison of the populations was based on squared Euclidean distances between population centroids in a seven-dimensional factor space . The most marked population changes followed a course in which frequencies of some population characteristics became increasingly different until 7 years after clear-cutting, with regression towards the control clearly evident after 13 years . Disturbances of shorter duration were also relatively common, with maximal changes observed in the 4-year samples, and with a complete recovery after 7 years . The mineral soil populations seemed to undergo greater changes than the humus populations . The most distinct changes believed to be due to clear-cutting were the short-term relative increase of organisms producing acid from sucrose and dissolving CaHPO4, and a long-term increase of lipolytic and caseolytic, rhamnose-negative organisms; both in the mineral soil layer . In the humus layer, a short-term increase of lipolytic and of rhamnose-positive organisms seemed to take place. Wien Klin Wochenschr, 1977 Jan 21, 89(2), 37 - 40 {The laboratory diagnosis of amoebic infections in man (author's transl)}; Aspock H; The rapid progress made in both theoretical and practical fields in laboratory medicine, in general, and in microbiological diagnostic procedures, in particular, have also led to a significant enlargement of, and improvement in laboratory diagnosis of amoebic infections in man . In all intestinal infections with Entamoeba histolytica the demonstration of the parasite is absolutely essential, but is facilitated nowadays by the great improvement in technical conditions . Immunodiagnostic methods have become of great importance in all cases of extraintestinal manifestation of parasite . By the combined application of several serological tests (latex test + indirect haemagglutination test or latex test + indirect immunofluorescence test) practically 100% of cases of extraintestinal amoebiasis can be detected . When using all available optimum methods of laboratory diagnosis today, it is neither possible to overlook an infection with Entamoeba histolytica nor to make a flase positive diagnosis . Great difficulties are still encountered in the laboratory diagnosis of primary meningoencephalitis caused by free-living amoebae of the Limax group owing to the dramatic course of the disease . Present and possible future methods are discussed. Z Erkr Atmungsorgane, 1977, 148(2), 217 - 26 {Symptoms and signs in diseases caused by mycoplasma pneumoniae in infants and small children (author's transl)}; Loos T et al.; In 12 children aged 8 month to 5 years (in the average 2,3 years), respiratory illness caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, could be secured with microbiological methods (growth inhibition, cultivation) . The most common clinical, roentgenological and laboratory signs are discussed . A disease from Mycoplasma pneumoniae should be assumed, when a child will begin to cough often with staccato attacks without apnoea at night and has temperature short time after adimission to a group . The findings by auscultation are small but the X-ray-picture is showing marked alterations . A precise diagnosis can be achieved only with microbiological examinations (serology or cultivation) . When there are no symptoms and signs described above, the diseases caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae can be detected only if Mycoplasma serology has become a routine laboratory task in institutions for paediatric bronchopneumology. Zentralbl Gynakol, 1977, 99(3), 139 - 46 {Hygienic studies of obstetric departments}; Grossmann G et al.; After a literature survey about problems of the infectious hospitalism in obstetrical departments it is reported about own examinations in nine clinics . The results of the general hygienic and microbiological studies are discussed, conclusions are being drawn. Vutr Boles, 1977, 16(3), 85 - 7 {Studies of the results of the surgical treatment of severe forms of constipation in 5 patients}; Damianov D; A small percent of the population in our country suffer chronic constipation, manifested in various degrees . To surgical treatment are subjected patients with severe decompensated forms of constipation, resulting in a general state deterioration, when the systematic conservative treatment failed to give an effect . In five patients, ileosigmoanastomosis below Balli sphincter was performed thus interrupting the pasage through the large intestine . All cases, followed for a period of one to three years, reported regular daily defecation . The results from the carried out control clinical, laboratory, X-ray, endoscopic and microbiological investigations are reported . The author's opinion is that the surgical treatment must be given consideration in thoroughly examined and selected patients with severe forms of chronic constipation. Br J Nutr, 1977 Jan, 37(1), 93 - 105 Methionine sulphoxide as a source of sulphur-containing amino acids for the young rat; Gjoen AU et al.; 1 . Young male rats were used in five experiments to study the utilization for growth of methionine sulphoxide, and the relationship between the sulphoxide content in the diet and the level of microbiologically determined methionine activity in blood or blood plasma . In one nitrogen-balance experiment methionine and methionine sulphoxide were compared as supplements to a casein diet and a fish-meal diet . 2 . Methionine sulphoxide was poorly utilized for growth when testd as the sole sulphur amino acid in an amino acid diet . Substitution of one-third of the sulphoxide with cystine improved utilization so that it approached that of methionine . 3 . Methionine alone and in combination with methionine sulphoxide were added to a soya-bean-meal diet . The sulphoxide showed no adverse effect on growth . 4 . Fish meal in which methionine had been oxidized to methionine sulphoxide was tested alone and in combinations with unoxidized fish meal . Only when the oxidized meal was given alone was there an appreciable effect on growth . The fish meal used were low in cystine . 5 . Whereas both methionine and methionine sulphoxide improved the N balance when a casein diet was given, there was no effect when a fish-meal diet was given . 6 . There was a linear relationship between methionine sulphoxide content in the amino acid diets and the methionine activity in the blood plasma . Methionine sulphoxide added to a soya-bean-meal diet or present in oxidized fish meal gave a curvilinear relationship, and the observed activities were lower than with the amino acid diets . Methionine activity in blood could not be used as an indicator of moderate amounts of methionine sulphoxide in protein-containing diets. Carbohydr Res, 1977 Jan, 53(1), 101 - 8 Oxidation of a branched-chain alditol by acetobacter suboxydans: a stereospecific synthesis of L-dendroketose; Szarek WA et al.; A synthesis of L-dendroketose (5) has been achieved by microbiological oxidation by Acetobacter suboxydans of the branched-chain alditol 2-C-(hydroxy-methyl)-D-erythro-pentitol (4) . Treatment of the oxidation product with acetone, copper(II) sulfate, and sulfuric acid afforded the two di-O-isopropylidene-L-dendro-ketose derivatives 6 and 7 . Assignment of configuration at the branching carbon atom (C-4) and at the anomeric center in 6 and 7 was made on the basis of the carbon-13 magnetic resonance spectra of these derivatives. Zentralbl Bakteriol Parasitenkd Infektionskr Hyg, 1977, 132(5-6), 515 - 31 {Ascertaining the effect of KMg fertilization on the organic matter cycle in pine stands with special reference to the cellulose test (author's transl)}; Uebel E et al.; The biological nutrient cycle was activated by applying KMg in relatively young and older pine stands growing in the plain of the GDR on former agricultural sandy soils with substrats from the Younger Pleistocene . Application of KMg stimulated tree growth and had a persistent effect on the microbiological processes of organic matter conversion in the AO horizon and in the humous mineral soil . The cellulose test proved to be suitable for assessing the formation and conversion processes of soil organic matter caused by fertilization as to their effect on soil fertility. J Int Med Res, 1977, 5(6), 473 - 5 Standards of cleansing and sterilization of infant feeding utensils in the home; Clegg A et al.; Microbiological standards achieved by mothers when sterilizing babies' feeding utensils in the home were studied in the Slough area in England . Results indicated a marked improvement in this aspect of baby hygiene when compared to results of a similar survey conducted in the town of Reading, England, in 1970 . Previously, 78% of bottles and 70% of the teats were recorded as being satisfactorily sterilized . During this study the number of sterile bottles had risen to 98.1%, sterile teats to 90-6% . These improved standards may be an indication of better education of mothers. Scand J Infect Dis, 1977, 9(3), 227 - 31 Assay of gentamicin concentrations in serum specimens by microbiological and radioenzymatic methods; Dornbusch K; Assay of gentamicin concentrations were performed on 167 patient sera by two methods in the routine work . A radioenzymatic method that measures the acetylation of getamicin by a bacterial enzyme extract and the overnight agar diffusion method, using cups as diffusion centres, were used . The methods correlated well (r = 0.87), although the results of the microbiological assay in some cases were higher than the results of the enzymatic assay . When artificial samples were tested the microbiological methods gave variable results . Therefore careful standardization is necessary for accuracy and reproducibility . The enzymatic assay, however, offered advantages of specificity, reproducibility and rapidity. Zentralbl Gynakol, 1977, 99(21), 1299 - 304 {Bacteriological studies of the human amniotic fluid in repeated amniocenteses}; During R et al.; The amniocentesis to gain increasing importance ought to be examined whether an alteration of the bacterial flora of the amniotic fluid was caused by repeated amniocentesis . 128 samples of amniotic fluid selected by abdominal amniocentesis were placed in microbiological cultures . Bacteria was isolated in 30 cases, originated predominantly by pollution . Under the circumstance of strong sterile conditions the amniocentesis proven even when repeated a diagnostical way of procedure which does not represent any danger to mother nor child. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo), 1977, 23(3), 179 - 85 Formation of cobalt-free corrinoids in Rhodopseudomonas spheroides; Kamikubo T et al.; Co-free corrinoids (CFCs) were found in the cells of Rhodopseudomonas spheroides grown without cobalt salt . A predominant fraction of three CFCs on paper-electrophoregram was further purified, and investigated physico-chemically as well as microbiologically in comparison with that isolated by Toohey from Chromatium . The electrophoretic as well as spectrophotometric patterns of CFC from Rh . spheroides were partly different from those of Chromatium CFC . The former CFC was a competitive inhibitor of cyanocobalamin in Ochromonas malhamensis . The findings obtained indicate that the CFC from Rh . spheroides resembles that from Chromatium in chemical structure with some difference, and that the compound has an anti-vitamin B12 activity in O . malhamensis. Arzneimittelforschung, 1977, 27(4), 883 - 8 {Double-blind long-term study on a combination of tetracycline, theophylline, doxylamine succinate, etafedrine, phenylephedrine and guaifenesine in chronic bronchitis (author's transl)}; Legler F et al.; The investigations presented were undertaken to find out whether a long-term treatment of chronic bronchitis with a combination of tetracycline, theophylline, doxylamine succinate, etafedrine, phenylephrine and guaifenesine could reduce the frequency of recurrent infections of the respiratory system . Out of 57 patients who all had suffered from at least one exacerbation in the year preceding the trial only 12 showed clinical signs of an ixacerbation during the study . 12 exacerbations occurred during the placebo phase, 6 during the treatment with Ditenate Tetra . It is specified why such a long-term treatment with an antibiotic should be reserved only for patients who are especially endangered by the exacerbation . The results of numerous microbiological investigations of sputa, nose and throat swabs before and during the long-term study are interpreted under certain aspects and questioning. Arch Sci Med (Torino), 1977 Jan-Mar, 134(1), 69 - 71 {In vitro action of mepartricin in combination with chlortetracycline}; De Bernardi M; The microbiological activity of a mepartricin + chlortetracycline hydrochloride association was evaluated on the principal agents causing cervico-vaginal infections . Beside confirming the antimycotic and antiprotozoal efficacy of mepartricin, is was possible to demonstrate an absence of antagonism with chlortetracycline . On the other hand, in some cases this antibiotic could potentiate the antitrichomonas effect of mepartricin. Z Gesamte Hyg, 1977, 23(6), 389 - 90 {A simple micro-procedure in virological and serological diagnosis}; Kiessig R; The author reports on a micro-neutralization test which makes it possible to detect the antibodies against 7 different respiratory viruses (adeno and parainfluenza viruses) using only 0.080 ml of serum from patient . Swaged PVC foil used for packing pharmaceuticals, also known here as strip packing or press-through packing for pills and dragees was employed as plates for the cultures . This material is not toxic for the cell cultures, it is cheap and suitable also for other microbiological work in the field of serology. Acta Microbiol Pol, 1977, 26(3), 301 - 8 Microorganisms as indices of environmental pollution by smelting industry; Balicka N et al.; The aim of the study was to prove suitability of some microbiological tests for determination of the degree of soil pollution by copper industry . The microbiological tests reveal sensitivity to metal compounds present in dusts emitted by smelters . The sensitivity of the selected strains to the dust present in the agar medium and soil has been determined and 30 strains, of which 50% reacted to the presence of 1--2 g of the dust in medium, were recommended for the tests . The tests showed accumulation of heavy metals contained in the dust mainly in the upper soil horizons and the highest pollution with the dust approximately 800 m away from the emitor in northeastern direction, which is the direction of prevailing winds of that area . The results obtained are in accordance with theoretical assumption as well as with the literature based on chemical analyses of polluted soil. Folia Haematol Int Mag Klin Morphol Blutforsch, 1977, 104(2), 222 - 8 {The use of sterile nursing in hematology}; Blaha M et al.; By means of own experiences gathered in the treatment of 18 patients in Life Island the problems and limits of this therapy method are represented . Microbiological findings are described in detail and commented . Sterile care is an essential part of an effective therapy of haemoblastoses, malignant lymphoma, and some solid tumours, particularly in the aplastic phase. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1977, 43(1), 1 - 6 Oxidation of stibnite by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans; Torma AE et al.; Optimum pH, temperature and pulp density for microbiological leaching of museum-grade stibnite mineral has been investigated using a stibnite-adapted strain of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans . Optimum conditions were found to be pH 1.75, 35 C and 12g solid substrate per 100 ml of basal salts medium as the initial dose . The energy of activation was determined to be 16.8 kcal per mole, and the temperature coefficient 2.2 . The highest total dissolved antimony concentration, {Sbt} = {Sb+3} + {sb+5} + I1SbO2+}, was about 1400 mg/litre, due to relatively low solubility of (SbO)2SO4 and (SbO2)2SO4. Schweiz Med Wochenschr, 1977, (suppl 5), 1 - 26 {Bacterial endocarditis: clinical and bacteriological aspects and prognostic factors}; Crittin J et al.; The microbiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of all (71) cases of bacterial endocarditis admitted to the Hopital cantonal, Geneva, between August 1970 and October 1974 were reviewed: there was a definite trend towards higher prevalence of acute cases compared to subacute cases . The pathogenic role of S . epidermidis, mostly in cases of prosthetic valve endocarditis, could be demonstrated in several cases . When defined initially by microbiological criteria only, acute endocarditis were characterized by rapid evolution, destruction of the valvular structures (especially aortic valve), and by further evolution under adequate antibiotic therapy: thus, 10/25 patients with acute endocarditis died, whereas the mortality rate in the subacute cases was only 10/46 . Many cases in our series showed one or more often frequent embolic phenomena: 70% of the cured cases and 80% of the patients with a fatal outcome . An unfavorable evolution could be correlated with neurologic involvement, cardiac rhythm or conduction disturbances, and/or heart failure; indeed, heart failure due to various mechanisms was the single most frequent cause of death and is presently the main therapeutic problem . Thus, acute infection leading to destruction of the aortic valve and to heart failure still carries a bad prognosis, even if emergency valve replacement is attempted . Finally, 22/30 patients who developed a bacterial endocarditis after oral or urological procedures knew about a heart murmur, but did not receive antibiotic prophylaxis . This clearly shows that emphasis should be put on the elaboration and diffusion of adequate prophylactic regimens. Biomedicine, 1976 Dec 30, 25(10), 368 - 71 Elevated myo-inositol concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid of neonates and of patients with an impaired state of consciousness; Lepkifker E et al.; A simple, semiquantitative paper chromatographic method was used to identify samples of cerebrospinal fluid containing elevated concentrations of myo-inositol . All patients whose CSF inositol concentrations were greater than 70 mug/ml (as determined by S . carlsbergensis microbiological assay) showed disturbances of the state of consciousness, reported as stupor, coma or confusion in adults, or apathy and stupor in infants . An elevated level of inositol in cerebrospinal fluid appeared to be a characteristic finding in infants under one year of age . Among other age groups no common etiology was correlated with high inositol concentration. Biochem J, 1976 Dec 15, 160(3), 745 - 55 Microbiological degradation of bile acids . Nitrogenous hexahydroindane derivatives formed from cholic acid by Streptomyces rubescens; Hayakawa S et al.; The metabolism of cholic acid (I) by Streptomyces rubescens was investigated . This organism effected ring A cleavage, side-chain shortening and amide bond formation and gave the following metabolites: (4R)-4-{4alpha-(2-carboxyethyl)-3aalpha-hexahydro-7abeta-methyl-5-oxoindan-1 beta-yl}valeric acid (IIa) and its mono-amide (valeramide) (IIb); and 2,3,4,6, 6abeta,7,8,9,9aalpha,9bbeta-decahydro-6abeta-methyl-1H-cyclopenta{f}quinoline-3,7-dione(IIIe)and its homologues with the beta-oriented side chains, valeric acid, valeramide, butanone and propionic acid, in the place of the oxo group at C-7, i.e.compounds (IIIa), (IIIb), (IIIc) and (IIId) respectively . All the nitrogenous metabolites were new compounds, and their structures were established by partial synthesis except for the metabolite (IIIc) . The mechanism of formation of these metabolites is considered . A degradative pathway of cholic acid (I) into the metabolites is also tentatively proposed. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1976 Dec, 236(4), 422 - 38 {Electronic data processing in medical microbiology--a guide and some critical thoughts}; Feldmeier H et al.; Applications of electron data processing in all fields of medicine and especially in medical microbiology are increasing rapidly . It seems important to discuss a guide for using such complicated electronical systems, because, on the one hand, computer applications in medicine are desirable for scientific reasons, but on the other hand few very costly and sophisticated projects had to be cancelled, after a shorter or longer time of implementation by reason of lack of co-operation of medical collaborators . This paper puts on discussion such a guide for using electronic data processing in medical microbiology . It is proposed to put through the following tasks before introducing a computer system into a microbiological institution: a system analysis of the status quo, an objective determination of the set state, a system design and a cost-benefit analysis . Those tasks are described in detail and are illustrated to some extent by graphics and tables from own research for preparing a data processing system for medical microbiology . It is emphasized that beside hard- and software criteria of the desired computer system one has to pay attention to the problems of man-machine engineering . The paper finishes with concrete propositions of proceeding when the computer system is implemented and shows possibilities of scientific data evaluation of a microbiological data base. Nord Vet Med, 1976 Dec, 28(12), 610 - 4 Oxytetracycline residues in meat and kidney tissue after intramuscular or intramammary treatment as determined by a chemical-physical method and compared to a microbiological method; Pakkala P et al.; Two adult cows and three calves were treated intramuscularly with an oxytetracycline (OTC) preparation . The dose was about 5 mg/kg . The animals were slaughtered eight days after the treatment and their kidneys and muscle samples were taken for analysis . Twelve cows were treated intramammarily with an OTC preparation 12 hours before slaughter . Six of the cows were treated in two udder quarters with a preparation containing 200 mg OTC chloride per dose; the other six were similarly treated in four quarters with four doses . When the kidneys of all the animals were studied for the presence of inhibitory substances using the official Finnish microbiological meat inspection method, all were found negative . The OTC concentration of the different tissue samples was determined by a chemical-physical method, based on thin-layer chromatography and on the UV-fluorescence of OTC . The muscle samples of the cows given OTC i.m . were negative except near the site of injection, where the concentrations were 4 mg and less than 0.5 mg (traces) per kg . The corresponding kidney concentrations of OTC were less than 0.5 and about 0.5 mg per kg respectively . All except one kidney sample of the calves given OTC i.m . were found to be negative . Traces of OTC (less than 0.5 mg/kg) were found in all but one kidney sample of the cows treated intramammarily with OTC . Traces of OTC were found in two muscle samples of the cows treated intramammarily with 2 X 200 mg OTC and in two muscle samples of the cows similarly treated with 4 X 200 mg OTC . All the other samples were negative . The authors stress the need for a change in the present Finnish directives on the use of antibiotics in food animals. J Clin Pathol, 1976 Dec, 29(12), 1088 - 90 Meningitis caused by an alkali-producing pseudomonad; Cowlishaw WA et al.; The clinical and microbiological features of a case of meningitis, due to an alkali-producing pseudomonad which closely resembles Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes, are described . A respiratory infection and a course of antibiotic therapy before admission to hospital may have been predisposing factors to opportunistic infection by this normally saprophytic organism . The problems of identifying alkali-producing pseudomonads are discussed. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1976 Dec, 29(12), 1310 - 3 Evaluation of mycobacillin and versicolin as agricultural fungicides . II . Stability in soil; Kumar De B et al.; The effect of paddy soils on mycobacillin and versicolin was investigated . Soil inactivated mycobacillin as determined by spectral analysis and microbiological assay . Soil can inactive mycobacillin only at or above the threshold concentration (125 approximately 130 mug per 10 mg of soil), the excess being unreacted . No new peak appears in the ultraviolet spectrum (240 approximately 300 nm) while mycobacillin is inactivated . Soil is without any effect on versicolin. Am J Clin Nutr, 1976 Dec, 29(12), 1333 - 8 Pantothenic acid, coenzyme A, and human chronic ulcerative and granulomatous colitis; Ellestad-Sayed JJ et al.; To investigate further an apparent relationship between chronic ulcerative and granulomatous colitis and pantothenic acid deficiency, colonic tissues obtained at the time of colectomy in 29 patients with these disorders were assayed for pantothenic acid and for coenzyme A (CoA) activity . For comparison, normal colonic tissues free of pathological lesions were obtained from 31 patients having colectomy for carcinoma or diverticulitis . Plasma, red blood cells, and colonic mucosa were assayed microbiologically for free and total pantothenic acid . The activity of CoA in colonic mucosa was determined by assaying the acetylation of sulfanilamide . Concentrations of free, bound, and total pantothenic acid in blood and in colonic mucosa did not differ between the two groups of patients . Bound pantothenic acid increased linearly with total pantothenic acid . Colonic mucosa concentrated free pantothenic acid to about 50 times the level of blood, and pantothenic acid in red cells was similar to the concentration in plasma . Compared to normal gut mucosa, CoA activity was markedly low in mucosa from patients with chronic ulcerative or granulomatous disease despite the presence of normal amounts of free and bound pantothenic acid . A block in the conversion of bound pantothenic acid to CoA in diseased mucosa is suggested. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J, 1976 Dec, 37(12), 711 - 20 Application of the microbiological safety experience to work with chemical carcinogens; Sansone EB et al.; Selected references on laboratory design, use of hoods, and the potential hazards of specific common laboratory procedures have been culled from the microbiological safety literature . It is suggested that this information may be usefully applied to work with chemical carcinogens. Riv Patol Nerv Ment, 1976 Nov-Dec, 96(6), 341 - 53 {Takeuki and Nishimoto's syndrome: an angiographic and nefrographic study of one case (author's transl)}; Meduri M et al.; Takeuki and Nishimoto's syndrome has been described as more common though not exclusive in the Japanese people; it occurs in the pediatric or young adult age . The clinical syndrome is most variable (transitory ischemic attacks or circulatory insufficiencies with permanent neurological deficit, as well as subarachnoid hemorrhage) . Conversely, the angiographic syndrome is quite typical: I) stenosis of both internal carotid arteries and the anterior part of Willis circle; II) presence of an angiomatous net at the level of the basal ganglia; III) presence of several anastomosis between internal and external carotid arteries . The essential pathogenetic event seems to be the slow occlusion of the two internal carotid arteries and of the anterior part of the anterior part of the circle of Willis of unknown aetiology . The observations reported in the present article cover angiographic, nefrological, microbiological, metabolic and immunological studies in a clinical case of Takeuki and Nishimoto's syndrome . This was clinically revealed by a subarachnoid hemorhage, indicating that carotid stenosis may be a fairly selective process . The temporal evolution of such a process and the slow invasion of distal arterial segments support the interpretation of the process itself as not congenital. J Assoc Off Anal Chem, 1976 Nov, 59(6), 1286 - 9 Collaborative study of a modified extraction procedure for lasalocid sodium in feeds by microbiological assay; Scheiner JM; A collaborative study was conducted on a modified extraction technique in the microbiological determination of lasalocid sodium in finished poultry feeds . The feed is warmed briefly with pH 4.7 buffer and the drug is extracted with ethyl acetate . The extract is washed with HCl and NaOH and evaporated to dryness, and the residue is dissolved in hexane, partitioned into methanol-water (3+1), and diluted to assay range at a final alcohol concentration of 25% (v/v) . Seven laboratories participated in the study . Average recoveries of lasalocid sodium added at 0.01035, 0.00863, and 0.0069% ranged from 93 to 99% for mash feeds and from 86 to 95% for pellets . The coefficients of variation averaged 11.2% for mashes and 9.8% for pellets . The modified extraction technique has been adopted as official first action. CRC Crit Rev Microbiol, 1976 Nov, 5(1), 67 - 107 Products of soil microorganisms in relation to plant growth; Lynch JM; A survey has been made of the range and activity of the organic products of soil microorganisms which have a direct influence on plant growth . Microbial metabolites which effect plants indirectly by the modification of the soil environment are also reviewed . The sources of substrates for the production of metabolites in soil and the farming practices which give rise to them are considered . It is stressed that an interdisciplinary approach is needed in the manipulation of microbiological activity in soil. Lab Anim, 1976 Oct, 10(10), 365 - 73 The microbiological and parasitological status of laboratory animals from accredited breeders in the United Kingdom; Sparrow S; The incidence of significant organisms isolated from mice, hamsters, rats, guinea-pigs and rabbits from Accredited Breeders in the United Kingdom (1970-1974) is recorded . An improvement in quality in the case of mice, rats and guinea-pigs as a result of hysterectomy derivation is demonstrated and the importance of the various organisms is discussed. Folia Vet Lat, 1976 Oct-Dec, 6(4), 377 - 84 Machine milking: experimental observations on the life of teat-cup liners; Ruffo G et al.; The useful life of neoprene teat-cup liners used in milking machines was determined by physico-mechanical, optical and microbiological studies . The various tests showed that after more than 1,000 hrs' use, that is the milking time plus disinfection time, there were physico-mechanical and biological changes that could have an adverse effect on the health of the udder as a result of a loss of elasticity and a dissemination of mastitis-producing microorganisms (S . agalactiae, S . aureus) which settle in cracks in the surface of the rubber. Antibiotiki, 1976 Sep, 21(9), 819 - 26 {Pharmacokinetics and enzymatic transformations of 35S-lincomycin in the tissues of certain organs}; Griaznova NS et al.; Pharmacokinetics of 35S-lincomycin was studied with the microbiological and radiometric methods of the antibiotic determination . Significant deviations in the results obtained with the two methods in determination of lincomycin levels in the liver and kidneys were observed . The values obtained with the radiometric method were 10 times higher than those obtained with the microbiological method . Paper radiochromatography of the extracts from the liver and kidneys of the animals treated with 35S-lincomycin revealed the presence of not only 35S-lincomycin, but also a number of the label containing substances, the products of the antibiotic enzymatic transformation . Radiochromatography of the extracts from the brain of the animals treated with 35S-lincomycin revealed several peaks of radioactivity against the back ground of low levels of the label. Pediatrics, 1976 Sep, 58(3), 340 - 5 An influenza B epidemic among children in day-care; Klein JD et al.; An outbreak of influenza virus type B infections occurred in the Frank Porter Graham Day Care Center from February to April, 1974 . During the epidemic there were 27 isolations of influenza B virus from 20 children . One half of these were obtained from children who were well at the time of culturing . Attack rates as determined by virus isolation and seroconversion for most age groups approximated the 40% rate for the entire population . Clinical and microbiological data from this study were compared to those obtained in the center during the same three months in 1973 . Increases in the incidence of otitis media and temperatures over 38 C were seen during the 1974 study . Intensive continuous microbiological surveillance for bacteria, viruses, and mycoplasmas failed to reveal predominance of any other potential pathogen to account for these clinical findings . The analysis permitted by the nature of this study design in a day-care setting revealed several unexpected findings: high attack rates unrelated to age; common inapparent infections; and frequent association with otitis media. Vet Med (Praha), 1976 Sep, 21(9), 573 - 6 {Influence of various temperatures on the essential fatty acid content of butter}; Vavrova M et al.; Acid value and fatty acid content were determined in fresh, heat-treated and stored butter . In heat-treated butter, besides the altered acid value also the percentual fatty acid content was changed so that the highest decrease was found with linoleic, linolenic and higher unsaturated fatty acids, whereas the percentual content of palmitic acid increased . The increased acid value and decreased levels of higher unsaturated fatty acids were demonstrated to depend on the height of the temperature used . The results indicate that the probable cause may be the appearance of polymers of unsaturated fatty acids, with higher retention times than the monomolecular fatty acids . In stored butter a decreased unsaturated fatty acid content was found as well, especially in the group stored at +4 degrees C in a refrigerator . A microbiological examination of fresh and stored butter mostly complied with the requirements of Czechoslovak standards (CSN) . The results indicated significant losses of the nutritionally important essential fatty acids causing decreased biological butter values at heating, as well as the possibility of employing the method of saturated and unsaturated fatty acid determination for testing the losses at butter melting, even due to other reasons, as e . g . infections. Minerva Med, 1976 Sep 1, 67(40), 2588 - 97 {Clinico-pathological study of a case of alpha chain disease}; De la Pierre M et al.; A case of alpha-chain disease is presented . Diagnosis was clinched by the discovery of typical heavy alpha-chains on analysis of serum proteins . The clinical picture included non-gluten-dependent semi-coeliac malabsorption, Hippocratic fingers, flattened villi, plasma cell infiltration of the jejunal mucosa, alpha- and beta-globulin dysprotidaemia, and abdominal masses; these signs are indicative of, but not conclusive evidence of alpha-chain disease . The presence of Coccidioides organules in the mucosa and glandular tuberculosis rises aetiopathogenetic questions that suggest that due attention be given to microbiological examination . Rapid progression to neoplasia following immunodepressive management underscores the risks associated with the administration of immunodepressors in patients with immunitary deficiencies . It is still not clear whether alpha-chain disease should be regarded as a self-perpetuating immunoproliferative disease, or as a form neoplasia ab initio, with a protracted, though of inevitably fatal, course. Ann Sclavo, 1976 Sep-Oct, 18(5), 678 - 93 {Infectious complications in organ transplantations (author's transl)}; Magliano EM et al.; On the basis of various reported experiences the Authors emphasize the importance of infectious complications in organ transplantations . As a matter of fact these complications occur in a very high percentage of cases (over 50%); they have severe prognoses and are caused by such agents as bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa and metazoa . The Authors suggest microbiological monitoring of the recipient before, during and even after the transplantation, in order to single out the etiologic agent as rapidly and accrately as possible and thus to decide upon a suitable therapy. Br J Dermatol, 1976 Sep, 95(3), 323 - 8 Co-operative double-blind trial of an antibiotic/corticoid combination in impetiginized atopic dermatitis; Wachs GN et al.; This double-blind study of an antibiotic coritcosteroid combination, the antibiotic alone and the corticosteroid alone, compared their clinical and microbiological effect in infected atopic dermatitis . Combination therapy reduced the mean scores for infection, inflammation and overall severity to a greater extent than the antibiotic or corticosteroid alone . The clinical and microbiological date are discussed in terms of relevance to clinical use. Z Lebensm Unters Forsch, 1976 Aug 25, 161(4), 337 - 46 {Fast fluorimetric assay of chlortetracycline in meat and bone (author's transl)}; Honikel KO et al.; Antibiotics in biological materials, including tetracyclines, are determined usually be means of microbiological methods . Because of the low specificity and the time consuming procedure of the microbiological assays, we developed a fluorimetric method, which enables us to determine specifically the tetracyclines and to reduce the time for the assay down to 4 hours . Our method is based on the determination of tetracyclines published by Kohn (1961), which we modified for the determination of chlortetracycline in meat and bone . Tetracyclines are fluorescent compounds, whose quantum yields are very much enhanced in most cases by forming a complex with Ca2+ ions and by extracting it into an organic solvent . This transfer into acetic acid ethylester separates the chlortetracycline from interfering substances . The yield of chlortetracycline with the described method was about 80%, the sensitivity of the detection was about 0.5 ppm. S Afr Med J, 1976 Aug 7, 50(34), 1342 - 4 Aetiological factors in pelvic inflammatory disease in urban Blacks in Rhodesia; Brown IM et al.; Pelvic inflammatory disease is the main reason for the admission of patients to the Gynaecological Unit at Harari Hospital . Some epidemiological and microbiological aspects of the disease have been studied . Gonococcus was isolated infrequently from inpatients, but there appears to be a pool of potential pathogens, both aerobic and anaerobic, which are able to invade the upper genital tract under certain circumstances . Mycoplasmas were isolated from a high percentage of patients. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Aug, 32(2), 306 - 9 Preparation of pure microbiological samples for pyrolysis of gas-liquid chromatography studies; Oxborrow GS et al.; Bacterial samples were prepared for pyrolysis gas-liquid chromatography using cells grown on membrane filters . Pyrochromatograms were reproducible when cells harvested from the filters were pyrolyzed without being washed. Biotechnol Bioeng, 1976 Aug, 18(8), 1091 - 1101 Microbiological leaching of a chalcopyrite concentrate by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans; Sakaguchi H et al.; The microbiological leaching of a chalcopyrite concentrate has been investigated using a pure strain of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans . The optimum leaching conditions regarding pH, temperature, and pulp density were found to be 2.3, 35 degrees C, and 22% respectively . The energy of activation was calculated to be 16.7 kcal/mol . During these experiments the maximum rate of copper dissolution was about 215 mg/liters/hr and the final copper concentration was as high as 55 g/liter . This latter value is in the range of copper concentrations which may be used for direct electrorecovery of copper . Jarosite formation was observed during the leaching of the chalcopyrite concentrate . When the leach residue was reground to expose new substrate surface, subsequent leaching resulted in copper extractions up to about 80% . On the basis of this experimental work, a flow sheet has been proposed for commercial scale biohydrometallurgical treatment of high-grade chalcopyrite materials. Johns Hopkins Med J, 1976 Aug, 139(2), 61 - 8 Diphtheroid endocarditis . Report of nine cases and review of the literature; Gerry JL et al.; Diphtheroid endocarditis is a rare disease . A large proportion of the reported cases have occurred in the presence of prosthetic heart valves . Nine previously unreported cases of diphtheroid endocarditis are discussed along with 25 others taken from the literature . Eight out of the nine new cases occurred in patients with artificial heart valves . A high mortality was associated with infections occurring on prosthetic heart valves . Microbiological studies were frequently hampered by poor in vitro growth of the organisms . Resistance to penicillin and cephalothin was common . Erythromycin or penicillin in combination with streptomycin is suggested as a rational initial treatment for diphtheroid endocarditis involving prosthetic heart valves to be used until adequate in vitro antibiotic susceptibility testing is completed . Long-term suppressive therapy is suggested for those patients who are poor surgical candidates and for those patients who relapse after a reasonable course of antibiotic therapy. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig B}, 1976 Aug, 162(5-6), 409 - 48 {Problems of maintaining of hygienic and microbiological quality standards of foodstuffs, particularly of vegetable origin (author's transl)}; Ruschke R; As more and more components of our food are nowadays subjected to industrial processing, microbiological controls of raw materials and plant hygiene are important factors in protecting the consumer . In many cases preventive measures and specifications of microbiological characteristics of certain foodstuffs governed by legal regulations do not suffice to guarantee protection of the consumer as desired . For this reason conscientious food manufacturers maintain controls in line with self-imposed and very strict hygienic and microbiological rules . Insufficiencies of the relevant dietetic regulations are exposed and measures to ensure quality recommended . It is shown that, to determine the hygienic and microbiological condition of dehydrated vegetable raw materials, the conditions applying to fresh vegetables must be taken into consideration . Peculiarities pertaining to the microbiological examination of seasonings and methodical problems of determining and judging the spore contents in foods are described. Ateneo Parmense Acta Biomed, 1976 Jul-Aug, 47(4), 455 - 78 {Research on the quality of the Po River and its tributaries in the region of Cremona-Casalmaggiore mountain . III . 1972-1973}; Bellelli E et al.; The analises of water samples collected during the second research period, year 1972-73, in the tract of the river Po from Cremona to Casalmaggiore partly confirmed the results obtained in the first period (1971-72) . However we have to consider that during this second research year the hydrological conditions of the river Po have been very similar to the average ones of the last 30-40 years . The fact is particularly important and it permitted us to better value all those parameters which feel the effects of the flow variations . Also in this second period the different parameters didn't present significative variations upstream and downstream Cremona and at Casalmaggiore except the turbid load as happened in 1971-72 period . As far as the water qualities are concerned no significative differences have been registered between the two paeriods; in fact the most part of the physioco-chemical parameters keep suitable levels for fish life and drinking purposes; meanwhile, except some particular situations, the microbiological indexes exceed the limits for bathing waters fixed by the W.Q.C . and by the Italian Ministry of Health. Vopr Virusol, 1976 Jul-Aug, (4), 474 - 86 {Electron microscopic studies of cell cultures of various origins}; Gushchin BV et al.; Thirty-four cell cultures of various origins were examined in the electron microscope . Mycoplasma were found in 31 cultures, A, C and D particles of oncornaviruses in 27 cultures, adenovirus in one culture and paramyxovirus in 8 cultures . Two cultures were found to be virus- and mycoplasma-free . A stringent control of cell cultures for the presence of viruses, mycoplasma or other microbiological agents is recommended. Soz Praventivmed, 1976 Jul-Aug, 21(4), 136 - 8 {The importance of bacterial exposure in sanitation employees when collecting refuse}; Ducel G et al.; During their Work, Dustmen are exposed to important and various microbiological Aerosols, which, according to the Granulometry, could have an Influence on the Start and the Progress of chronic Bronchitis. J Assoc Off Anal Chem, 1976 Jul, 59(4), 849 - 54 Screening and confirmatory methods for determining lincomycin residues in animal tissues; Barbiers AR et al.; Methods for screening and for confirming residues of lincomycin in animal tissues, both sensitive to 0.1 ppm, are described . In the screening technique, residues are extracted, cleaned up by solvent partition, and detected by microbiological plate assay . In the confirmatory technique, residues are cleaned up on an unfunctionalized macroreticular-type resin column, concentrated, chromatographed on thin layer plates, and detected by bioautography . This system was effective in identifying lincomycin in the presence of 20 other antibiotics and chemicals used in the animal health industry. Can J Microbiol, 1976 Jul, 22(7), 1002 - 6 The use of cellulose products to reduce agar concentration in microbiological media; Myrvik AL et al.; The use of agar in media for culturing microorganisms is fundamental to microbiological investigations . Shortages of agar have caused increased costs and difficulty in obtaining media . Evidence is presented for the use of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), an inert compound, in conjunction with agar to reduce the concentration of agar necessary to achieve a solid plating surface . A variety of bacteria, blue-green bacteria, fungi, and a yeast were tested for growth on CMC agar media . T-2 bacteriophage and three cyanophages were tested for plaque-forming efficiency on CMC agar plates . Selective and differential media were also formulated with a CMC agar supplement . Growth of all microorganisms was comparable on CMC and agar control . Use of cellulose products provides a means of decreasing agar consumption without affecting successful cultivation of microorganisms. Can J Comp Med, 1976 Jul, 40(3), 228 - 40 Pathological and microbiological observations made on spontaneous cases of acute neonatal calf diarrhea; Morin M et al.; The purpose of this report is to describe clinical signs, gross and microscopic lesions, bacteriological and immunofluorescence observations made on spontaneous cases of acute neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) in dairy and beef herds . The following diagnostic tools were used: 1) direct smears of intestinal content, 2) Escherichia coli counts, 3) aerobic bacterial cultures of the small intestine and other organs (The O serogroup and the enterotoxigenicity of the E . coli isolated was determined), 4) detection of the two Nebraska NCD viruses (reo-like and corona-like) by the fluorescent antibody technique and 5) histological examination on different segments of the digestive tract . The following etiological diagnoses were suggested after post mortem examination of 55 cases of NDC (34 were submitted alive): reo-like virus only (1), reo-like virus + E . coli (4), reo-like virus + cryptosporidium (2), reo- + corona-like viruses (5), reo- + corona-like viruses + cryptosporidium (3), reo- + corona-like viruses + infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (1), coronavirus-like agent only (2), coronavirus-like agent + mycotic abomasitis (1), coronavirus-like agent + crytosporidium (1), E . coli only (6), cryptosporidium only (5), mycotic abomasitis (3), mycotic rumenitis + reticulitis (1) and undetermined (20) . Most of the calves in the last group were submitted dead. Lab Anim, 1976 Jul, 10(3), 195 - 8 An outbreak of rabbit enteritis: pathological and microbiological findings and possible therapeutic regime; Nikkels RJ et al.; Mortality, averaging about 30% of young born throughout the year, was severest at 5-10 weeks of age, from just before weaning until about 4 weeks after, especially in large litters of 10-11 young . The organism most characteristically associated with enteritis was Escherichia coli . Preliminary experiments suggested that restriction of food decreases the death rate from enteritis among young rabbits. Clin Chem, 1976 Jun, 22(6), 828 - 31 Radioimmunoassay for clindamycin; Gilbertson TJ et al.; We describe a radioimmunoassay for measuring clindamycin in serum extracts that is more accurate than the microbiological assay because of the minimal response of the matabolite, N-demethylclindamycin . The assay is not affected by the presence of other antiobiotics . As described it is as sensitive as the microbiological assay, but can be made more sensitive. Clin Chem, 1976 Jun, 22(6), 772 - 6 Gas-chromatographic determination of 5-fluorocytosine in human serum; Harding SA et al.; We describe a sensitive and precise gas-chromatographic method, in which cytosine is used as the internal standard, for determination of an antifungal agent, 5-fluorocytosine, in serum . The trimethylsilyl derivative of this drug is well separated from the internal standard and from normal serum constituents . Amphotericin B does not interfere with the determination of 5-fluorocytosine . The lower limit of detection for 5-fluorocytosine is 1 mg/liter when 200 mul of serum is analyzed . Within-run precision (CV), established by analysis of 10 replicates, was 4.5% at a concentration of 19.9 mg/liter . Twenty-five serum samples were analyzed for 5-fluorocytosine by a microbiological assay and by the gas-chromatographic method . Mean value observed with the bioassay was 78.5 mg/liter and with our procedure was 69.4 mg/liter . When values for our assay were regressed against values for the bioassay, slope of the least-squares line was 0.85, intercept was 2.7 mg/liter, and r was 0.93. Am J Hosp Pharm, 1976 Jun, 33(6), 537 - 40 Intropin (dopamine hydrochloride) intravenous admixture compatibility . Part 2: stability with some commonly used antibiotics in 5% dextrose injection; Gardella LA et al.; The stability of dopamine hydrochloride (Intropin) and several commonly used antibiotics was studied as admixtures in 5% Dextrose Injection USP . The antibiotic-dopamine-dextrose 5% admixtures were assayed for dopamine by colorimetric and chromatographic procedures . The antibiotics were assayed by standard microbiological methods . Kanamycin sulfate, tetracycline hydrochloride, carbenicillin disodium and chloramphenicol sodium succinate were stable in the Intropin-5% dextrose admixture for a period of 24 hours at room temperature in fluorescent and natural (western exposure) light . Gentamicin sulfate, penicillin G potassium and cephalothin sodium were stable in Intropin-5% dextrose admixture for six hours . Ampicillin sodium was stable in the Intropin admixture for only one hour . Amphotericin B was physically unstable in the Intropin-dextrose 5% solution upon admixture . The potency of dopamine hydrochloride remained substantially unchanged in the presence of the above antibiotics . It is recommended that dopamine not be added to amphotericin B or ampicillin sodium admixtures . Further, in order to avoid a fixed combination of potent drugs, it is recommended that a "piggyback" administration set or administration into a second injection site be employed when another drug is to be administered with dopamine hydrochloride. Am J Clin Nutr, 1976 Jun, 29(6), 645 - 9 Stability of vitamin B12 in the presence of ascorbic acid; Newmark HL et al.; Experiments were performed in two independent laboratories, each using their own meal preparations which were exactly similar in composition to the meals described by Herbert and Jacob (J . Am . Med . Assoc . 230:241, 1974), in order to check their report that incubating meals (portions of daily food intake by man) of "modest" or "high" vitamin B12 content with increasing levels of added L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) produced increasing destruction of vitamin B12 . The present studies were performed with standardized and official methods . Vitamin B12 was determined microbiologically and by radioassay method . The results showed that 1) the vitamin B12 contents of these meals were in general agreement with values calculated from the literature for the foods involved, 2) the values obtained were manyfold higher than those reported by Herbert and Jacob, and 3) there was no deleterious effect of added ascorbic acid on the vitamin B12 content of meals, contrary to their published results. Trop Geogr Med, 1976 Jun, 28(2), 96 - 100 Blood phenylalanine levels in mentally retarded African children: a study of 138 patients from Ibadan, Nigeria; Familusi JB et al.; Blood phenylalanine levels were determined by the Guthrie microbiological inhibition technique in 138 mentally retarded, and in 88 randomly selected normal (control) Nigerian children . All the control subjects and 137 of the 138 mentally retarded children had negative Guthrie tests (6 mg/100 ml or less) . In a majority of the children, the blood phenylalanine levels were 2 mg/100 ml or less . One mentally retarded child had moderately elevated blood phenylalanine level which was however much lower than the levels associated with classical phenylketonuria . The findings in the present study is in agreement with previously reported rarity of phenylketonuria in American negroes . An extensive survey of tropical Africa for phenylketonuria is, however, still desirable because regional and ethnic differences in the incidence of the disease may exist. Arch Ophthalmol, 1976 Jun, 94(6), 933 - 6 Aberrant bacterial forms from various ocular sites; Jacobs Y et al.; Patients may harbor cell-wall-deficient organisms or other aberrant bacterial forms (ABFs) in their eyes . In this survey of 400 cultures, we found the incidence of ABFs isolated from various ocular sites to be 13.2% . The rate of isolation of these forms from the eyes of patients with suspected bacterial infection differed greatly from that for noninfected eyes . We will describe the microbiological techniques employed and will present our analysis of the data obtained. Clin Chem, 1976 Jun, 22(6), 726 - 32 Radioimmunoassay of antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents; Broughton A et al.; Theapeutic monitoring of drugs has become of major importance and has stimulated development of new assay systems . Chemotherapeutic agents, many of which are toxic, have until recently been assayed by microbiological systems or other complex techniques that are impractical for a clinical laboratory . Radioimmunoassays have now been developed for some of these agents . We review the techniques for producing hapten protein conjugates and radiolabeling at specific sites on the drug molecule, and the use of these assays in clinical medicine and pharmacology. Nouv Presse Med, 1976 May 22, 5(21), 1349 - 52 {Microbiological study of surfaces in the hospital environment}; Dabord JC et al.; A quantitative bacteriological study was made, in several hospital services, of the number of organisms present on the floors and various surfaces . Two sampling techniques were used in parallel, direct imprint and brushing . The first of these techniques, new and easy to use, is suggested in this study for the regular surveillance of the microbiological cleanliness of floors, as well as for the selection, under the particular individual circumstances, of the best composition of disinfectant. Med J Aust, 1976 May 15, 1(20), 738 - 40 Radioimmunoassay as an improved method for measurement of serum levels of gentamicin; Longmore P et al.; A radioimmunoassay is described for the measurement of serum concentrations of gentamicin . This radioimmunoassay is more rapid, more specific and more accurate than microbiological assays . Knowledge of serum levels of gentamicin assists the clinician in regulating drug dosage to obtain an optimal therapeutic effect, and yet avoid toxic serum levels. Gut, 1976 May, 17(5), 371 - 4 Serum pyridoxal in patients with gastric pathology; Sanderson CR et al.; Fasting serum pyridoxal was assayed by an automated microbiological system in 60 patients investigated for dyspepsia, patients with active peptic ulceration being excluded from the study . Gastritis was present in 30 patients, gastric carcinoma in 16, six patients had benign polyps, and, in eight patients, radiology, endoscopy, and biopsy failed to shown any abnormality . Of the 52 patients with gastric pathology, 44 had a low serum pyridoxal. Aviat Space Environ Med, 1976 May, 47(5), 471 - 82 Study of the microbiological environment within long- and medium-range Canadian Forces aircraft; Clayton AJ et al.; Because of a possible requirement to carry patients with highly virulent communicable diseases, a study was undertaken to observe smoke patterns within Canadian Forces transport aircraft . This was followed by the quantitative evaluation of the spread on non-pathogenic organisms disseminated within a Boeing 707 and a C13OE (Hercules) . Thirdly, an attempt to recover respiratory tract viruses during transatlantic flights was made . Smoke patterns showed that an infected patient should be placed at the rear of the aircraft . The spread of the nonpathogenic organisms in a 707 indicated that contamination was largely confined to the rear, except when the aircraft was in an unpressurized mode . In the C13OE, contamination was shown to occur throughout the whole aircraft . No respiratory tract viruses were recovered during the transatlantic flights . It is essential that a 707 should be utilized for aeromedical evacuations . If a C13OE is being considered, then a portable self-contained isolation care unit is mandatory. Ateneo Parmense Acta Biomed, 1976 May-Jun, 47(3), 273 - 302 {Studies on the water quality of the river Po and its tributaries between Monte Cremona and Casalmaggiore . II . Period 1971-2}; Bellelli E et al.; The results relating to the research carried out on the river Po upstream and downstream Cremona town, at Casalmaggiore and at the mouths of the right side tributaries Arda-Ongina and Taro in the period 1971-72 are reported in the present note . The samplings took place once every month and on the same day flow measurements were effected by the Magistracy of the river Po in the five stations . The results of this first series of sampling have shown a good stability of the water quality of the river Po, in the different seasons and in the different hydrological conditions . No significative differences were poi nted out for the most part of the determined parameters between the stations upstream and downstream Cremona and Casalmaggiore, except the turbid load (turbidity, suspended matter at 105 degrees C, setteable solids) which presented at Casalmaggiore an average value absolutely higher than the calculated one which was achieved considering concentrations and river flow at Cremona and at the mouths of Arda-Ongina and Taro . With few exceptions the water quality keeps a good level for fish life and its actual pollution degree let us think it possible to improve the situation in a short time . Only microbiological parameters are excepted, as they exceed the proposed limits for recreation and bathing uses (W.Q.C.). Mikrobiologiia, 1976 May-Jun, 45, 539 - 46 {Microbiological processes in the mromictic lake Vae de San Juan in Cuba}; Romanenko VI et al.; The lake was studied in April and July of 1973 . Gleothece prevailed in mixolimnion and green sulphur bacterium Pelodyction phaeum in the layer of pink water down to 10 m . The production of photosynthetic suphlur bacteria comprises 3% of the production of algae . Sulphate reduction takes place mainly in water beyond the layer of sulphur bacteria . The content of hydrogen sulphide in monimolimnion is 104 mg/litre . Bacteria utilize, at the account of photosynthesis, 40% of produced hydrogen sulphide . Three maxima in the bacterial content in water have been registered: (a) at a depth of 7 m; (b) in the layer of pink water, at a depth of 10 m; (c) at the bottom . Total mineralization and electroconductance of water at the bottom are higher by a factor of 6 than those at the surface . Destruction of organic substance is higher than its production a little. Mikrobiologiia, 1976 May-Jun, 45, 535 - 8 {Mechanism of microbiological dissolution of gold}; Korobushkina ED et al.; The paper presents new data concerning the mechanism of microbiological dissolution of gold . The sign of charges on gold-protein complexes was determined by paper electrophoresis . Anion complexes were found to prevail . Free amino groups participate in formation of complexes between gold and amino acids in alkaline medium, and functional groups of amino acid residues in polypeptide groups are involved in formation of complexes with proteins . Formation of complexes between gold and these compounds seems to be due to the Au--N bond. S TA NU, 1976 May-Jun, 6(3), 133 - 44 {Use of enzyme preparations in wine production (author's transl)}; Montedoro G; The Author after having examined the present acquirements of the native enzymes of the grapes, summarizes the enologic uses of the enzyme preparations at various degrees of purity with the point of view of the influence on the organoleptic (color, aromatic composition) ad rheologic (yield, filtrability) characteristics of the musts and wines besides some microbiological implications . Subsequently the Author exposes the original results extrapolated from the pilot and industrial trials on the use of different hydrolases (pectinase, cellulase, hemicellulase, acid protease, xylanase) on the wine-making processes (traditional red wine-making, heating red-wine-making, white wine-making) . From the comparison of the last data with those of the reference are drawed conclusive considerations on some aspects of the subject. Pol J Pharmacol Pharm, 1976 May-Jun, 28(4), 353 - 9 Spectrophotometric and chromatographic determinations of kanamycin A in pharmaceutical preparations; Borowiecka B; Acid hydrolysis of kanamycin A gives 5-aminomethylfurfural which can be determined quantitatively colorimetricaly by the colour complex with orcinol and FeCl3 . This method gives results which correlate with the results of microbiological assay . Kanamycin B, tobramycin kasugamycin did not produce this colour reaction. J Pharm Sci, 1976 May, 65(5), 768 - 9 Fluorometric determination of cephradine in plasma; Heald AF et al.; A fluorometric method was developed for the determination of cephradine in plasma . A fluorescent product is formed when samples of deproteinized plasma containing cephradine are heated for 3 hr at 100 degrees and pH 1 . The fluorescence is determined in sodium hydroxide solution (pH 13.5) at excitation and emission wavelengths of 350 and 445 nm, respectively . Only 0.1 ml of plasma is required, and concentrations of cephradine as small as 0.1 mug/ml may be determined . In plasma samples from a dog taken over a 10-hr period after an intramuscular injection of 250 mg of cephradine, essentially similar concentrations of cephradine were obtained by the fluorometric method and a standard microbiological bioassay. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1976 May, 234(4), 536 - 53 Semi-automatic apparatus for determination of the consistency of microbiological culture media and gel-forming substances (author's transl)}; Costin ID; The gel strength is an important factor in the production and preparation of microbiological culture media on the basis of agar-agar, silicagel and gelatine . There is an evident interest in a standardization of this parameter which can influence the number and the form of the colonies, the results of antibiograms and other tests based on diffusion . The apparatus described can be used for simultaneous determination of the gel strength and the elasticity of microbiological and industrial gels . The construction consists of an electromotor-driven supporting table for the specimen and a pressure measuring device . In operation, the gel is moved vertically with a constant speed against the probe of the pressure device . The pressure exerted on the surface of the gel can be read from a dial connected with the probe as well as the pressure at which the surface of the gel is being disrupted (breaking point, gel-strength pressure) . The apparatus can be purchased under the name Gelomat from Heinrich Bareiss, 7931 Oberdischingen, West Germany (see Fig . 1 and 2) . The results of the measurements can be influenced by various factors such as concentration of the gelating compound, composition and pH of the solvent, time and temperature at which the gel is held before, during and after plate pouring, surface (dry or wet) and heigth of the gel sample, method of mesurement, etc . To account for all these factors, a standard method of measurement is described . The apparatus has a sensibility of ca . 2 g, can measure a gel strength between 0 and 200 g with the standard equipment, and has a standard deviation of less than 1.35 for microbiological agar-agar gels (see Tables 2-4) . The time needed for one determination is 40-60 seconds . Compared with other instruments for the same purposes, the Gelomat has following advantages: Simple and handy use, good sensitivity and reproducibility, capability for simultaneous measurement of gel strength and gel elasticity . In the last 4 years, this apparatus has been used with good results in more than 10,000 routine determinations Pol J Pharmacol Pharm, 1976 May-Jun, 28(4), 375 - 8 The stability of N-pyrrolidinomethyltetracycline in solutions; Regosz A et al.; In aqueous solution N-pyrrolidinomethyltetracycline (PTC) undergoes decomposition into tetracycline, epitetracylcine, anhydroepitetracycline and ynhydrotetracycline . The decomposition products were identified and separated by TLC and their activity was estimated microbiologically. Am J Hosp Pharm, 1976 May, 33(5), 448 - 50 Compatibility of penicillin and ascorbic acid injection; Pfeifer HJ et al.; The stability of Potassium Penicillin G, USP, when mixed with Ascorbic Acid Injection, USP, in 5% Dextrose Injection, USP, was studied . The change in concentration over an eight-hour period of potassium penicillin G in the admixture was determined by the hydroxylamine colorimetric assay method and the microbiological assay method . The stability of penicillin was not adversely affected by the presence of sodium ascorbate . Reports of incompatibilities between penicillin and ascorbic acid are a function of pH rather than a characteristic of the ascorbate ion . Articles reporting studies involving ascorbic acid should specify whether the work refers to the use of ascorbic acid or Ascorbic Acid Injection, USP . Confusion in the literature could be reduced by changing the official title from Ascorbic Acid Injection to Sodium Ascorbate Injection. Ann Rheum Dis, 1976 Apr, 35(2), 177 - 80 Serum pyridoxal in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; Sanderson CR et al.; Abnormalities of tryptophan metabolism have been reported in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and it has been suggested that these abnormalities are the result of disordered vitamin B6 metabolism . Fasting serum pyridoxal, assayed by an automated microbiological system, was found to be below normal in 35 out of 42 patients with RA while a similar abnormality was found in 8 out of 35 patients with osteoarthrosis (OA) . Within the RA group the abnormality could not be related to the age, sex, or drug therapy of individuals but of the 8 patients with OA and a low serum pyridoxal, 7 were receiving indomethacin either alone or in conjunction with aspirin. Arch Sci Med (Torino), 1976 Apr-Jun, 133(2), 127 - 34 {Clinical studies on the tolerance of a new antibiotic combination, pivampicillin and dicloxacillin}; Fiori GP; The tolerance of a new pivampicillin and dicloxacillin association, especially at high doses and during prolonged treatment, was assessed by administering two 600 mg tablets (350 mg pivampicillin + 250 mg dicloxacillin) every 6 or 8 hr (according to the seriousness of the diseases) to 53 patients with acute infection of varying site and aetiology . Microbiological, radiological and blood chemistry data were collected with reference to the disease involved, along with clinical and laboratory data capable of demonstrating the eventual appearance of unwanted side-effects referable to the association . The results showed that the association was therapeutically effective and well tolerated at high doses given over long periods. Antibiotiki, 1976 Apr, 21(4), 338 - 44 {Method for the microbiological determination of the type and concentration of antibiotics in combinations}; Sivolodskii EP; A microbiological procedure for determination of the group and concentration of antibiotics in combinations was developed . The method was based on the use of a collection of recombinants of test-microbes with episomal resistance (R-factor) to various antibiotics and their combinations . The collection of the test-cultures including 31 recombinant strains of E . coli obtained through conjugation provided determination of the concentration and group of any antibiotic in combination with the method of serial dilutions or agar diffusion . The antibiotics were the following: tetracyclines, levomycetin (chloramphenicol), streptomycin, aminoglycosides (kanamycin, neomycin, monomycin), penicillinase sensitive penicillins (ampicillin, carbenicillin, benzylpenicillin) . The ranges of the research may be widened by including recombinants with episome resistance to other antibiotics or test-microbes with other species sensitivity to antibiotics into the collection . The procedure may be of use in experimental studies, clinical trials and screening of new antibiotics. Health Lab Sci, 1976 Apr, 13(2), 129 - 36 Mycoplasma in tissue culture: overview of detection methods; Low IE; Mycoplasma contamination of tissue cultures is too costly, scientifically damaging and inappropriate, and perhaps, even medically hazardous to be ignored . Prevention by continuous surveillance demands adequate mycoplasma testing procedures . Despite a proliferation of indirect methods, the present consensus indicates that careful and extensive microbiological testing is still the cornerstone of any mycoplasma detection program . The finding of 'non-cultivable' or possible tissue-adapted micro-organisms plus the variability in microbiological expertise of many laboratories, makes the selection of at least one additional method imperative . At the present, though no one test will prove 100% satisfactory and selection should partly depend on available expertise, the method based on the ratio of the specific activities of incorporated radio-labelled uridine to uracil into RNA appears to be an acceptable choice due to its simplicity and general validity. Biochem J, 1976 Mar 15, 154(3), 577 - 87 Microbiological degradation of bile acids . The preparation of some hypothetical metabolites involved in cholic acid degradation; Hayakawa S et al.; 1 . To identify the intermediates involved in the degradation of cholic acid, the further degradation of (4R)-4-{4alpha-(2-carboxyethyl)-3aalpha-hexahydro-7abeta-methyl-5-oxoindan-1beta-yl}valeric acid (IVa) by Arthrobacter simplex was attempted . The organism could not utilize this acid but some hypothetical intermediate metabolities of compound (IVa) were prepared for later use as reference compounds . 2 . The nor homologue (IIIa) and the dinor homologue (IIIb) of compound (IVa) were prepared by exposure of 3-oxo-24-nor-5beta-cholan-23-oic acid (I) and (20S)-3beta-hydroxy-5-pregnene-20-carboxylic acid (II) to A . simplex respectively . These compounds correspond to the respective metabolites produced by the shortening of the valeric acid side chain of compound (IVa) in a manner analogous to the conventional fatty acid alpha- and beta-oxidation mechanisms . Their structures were confirmed by partial synthesis . 3 . The following authentic samples of reduction products of the oxodicarboxylic acids (IIIa), (IIIb) and (IVa) were also synthesized as hypothetical metabolities: (4R)-4-{3aalpha-hexahydro-5alpha-hydroxy-4alpha-(3-hydroxypropyl)-7abeta-methylindan-1beta-yl}valeric acid (Vb) and its nor homologue (VIIa) and dinor homologue (IXa);(4R)-4-{3Aaalpha-hexahydro-5alpha-hydroxy-4alpha-(3-hydroxypropyl)-7abeta-methylindan-1beta-yl}-pentan-1-ol (Vc); and their respective 5beta epimers (Ve), (VIIc), (IXc) and (Vf) . 4 . In connexion with the non-utilization of compound (IVa) by A . simplex, the possibility that not all the metabolites formed from cholic acid by a certain micro-organism can be utilized by the same organism is considered. Arch Latinoam Nutr, 1976 Mar, 26(1), 15 - 32 {Determination of folates in food . Comparative and critical study}; Carrera PA et al.; A study on the microbiologic method for folate determination in natural products was carried out . The variables that must be considered were analyzed previous to the application of this technique, that is: nature of combinations of the compounds with vitamin activity, function and distribution of the conjugases, capacity of absorption of the polyglutamates present in foods, natural inhibitors of the conjugases and the importance of the selection of the microorganism used . Based on the preliminary investigations a modified microbiological microtechnique is proposed and its importance for some nutricional aspects is discussed. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 1976 Mar-Apr, 85(2 Suppl 25 Pt 2), 152 - 5 Microbiology in serous otitis media; Lundgren K et al.; It is now established that serous otitis media (SOM) is an inflammatory reaction of the mucosa of the middle ear . A number of microbiological factors are contributory causes . It is clear, among other things, that the microbiologic environment in the nasopharynx in SOM is the same as that in acute otitis media . Neither adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy nor treatiment with conventional chemotherapeutics has proved effective for eradicating pathogenic bacteria from the nasopharynx . Intense research to find new antibiotics and effective means may be one way of getting us out of our present therapeutic dilemma . Other possibilities are to try to produce polyvalent bacterial vaccines and to increase our knowledge of the immunology of the nasopharynx. J Pharm Sci, 1976 Mar, 65(3), 400 - 4 Analysis of tetracycline in pharmaceutical preparations by improved high-performance liquid chromatographic method; Tsuji K et al.; The analysis of tetracycline in pharmaceutical preparations by an improved high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method is described . The improved method uses a 30-cm long stainless steel column packed with octadecylsilane bonded on 10-mum silica gel, with a linear gradient from 10 to 60% acetonitrile in pH 2.5, 0.02 M phosphate buffer in 11 min at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min (68 atm) . The resolution functions obtained between 4-epitetracycline and tetracycline and between 4-epianhydrotetracycline and anhydrotetracycline were improved 150 and 250%, respectively . The analysis of a tetracycline sample takes approximately 16 min; the original method required more tan 25 min . The relative standard deviation for the analysis of tetracycline powder was 0.66%, and the recovery of 4-epianhydrotetracycline added in tetracycline was linear over the 0.3-100% range . Recovery of tetracycline from products was better than 99.6% at label concentration . The drug content of products as calculated from the HPLC data agreed well with those of the microbiological assay methods. Br J Nutr, 1976 Mar, 35(2), 267 - 76 The effect of methods of sterilization on the nutritive value of protein in a commercial rat diet; Ford DJ; 1 . The effect on protein quality of treating a commercial rat diet by autoclaving at various temperatures for different periods of time, or by irradiation with 2-5 or 10 Mrd, was studied . True digestibility (TD) and biological value (BV) were measured and the available and total amino acids in the diets were estimated using microbiological and chemical methods . 2 . Autoclaving at 121 degrees for 60 min reduced BV, TD and net protein utilization (NPU) more than autoclaving at 134 degrees for 3 min . Availability of amino acids was reduced by both treatments but to a greater extent by autoclaving at 121 degrees for 60 min . Total amino acids were essentially unaffected . Irradiation had no effect on BV, TD, NPU or total amino acids, and the availability of amino acids was also unaffected, with the exception of lysine which was slightly reduced . 3 . When the diet was autoclaved at 115 or 121 degrees for 15, 30 or 60 min, or at 134 degrees for 3 min the availability of the amino acids was reduced with increasing time and temperature of treatment . Treatment at 134 degrees for 3 min had an effect on available amino acids similar to treatment at 121 degrees for 15 or 30 min . 4 . Ethylene oxide fumigation of the diet caused reduced availability of histidine, methionine and tryptophan but had negligble effect on arginine, leucine and lysine . 5 . It is concluded that from a practical point of view irradiation causes least damage to proteins in rodent diets . If such diets are to be autoclaved they should be supplemented with complete protein to counteract amino acid destruction. Ann Sclavo, 1976 Mar-Apr, 18(2), 137 - 44 {Microbiological drawings in pneumology (author's transl)}; Cavaliere S et al.; Microbiological examinations of the sputum for clinical purposes is often not satisfactory or useless . Suitability, chances of oropharyngeal contamination, hazards for the patients and clinical indications of the various drawing methods for tracheobronchial secretions and exudates are different . Transcutaneous tracheal aspiration is easy, reliable and safe. Basic Life Sci, 1976 Mar 1-7, 8, 455 - 67 Unconventional methods in plant breeding; Melchers G; There are three wass whereby unconventional methods of plant genetics can be used for applied plant breeding . 1 . The time necessary for breeding by recombination can be shortened, making use of the discovery that plants can be obtained directly from the products of meiosis, the "Gonen." Two new cultivars bred in tobacco by this method already exist . 2 . Microbiological methods may be applied to mutation and selection in haploid or dihaploid cell cultures . New cultivars bred by this method have not yet been published, but it should be possible to make use of this technique in plant breeding . 3 . Somatic hybridization of plants by fusions of protoplasts or by uptake of nuclei and other organelles (plastids, mitochondria) or pure nucleic acids is another useful method . There exist up to now somatic hybrid plants (a) between mutants of the liverwort Sphaerocarpos donnellii, (b) some varieties of tobacco, and (c) two species of Nicotiana . All these hybrids can also be produced by conventional sexual hybridization . It is impossible to predict how often incompatibility for cross-fertilization can be surmounted by somatic hybridization, as incompatibility between two genomes must be restricted to the fertilization process, but it can work on any stage of the development of the hybrid. Ann Sclavo, 1976 Mar-Apr, 18(2), 249 - 59 {Significance of mycoplasma species in the respiratory tract (author's transl)}; Fadda G; After consideration of the tassonomic and biological characteristics of Mycoplasma species, the Author discusses the most significant aspects on M . pneumoniae infections . On the basis of: natural history of respiratory infections; epidemiology; experimental aspects of M . pneumoniae infection; immunology; microbiological and serological diagnosis. Ann Sclavo, 1976 Mar-Apr, 18(2), 175 - 8 {Microbiological and cytological aspects of the aspirate bronchoscopy (author's transl)}; Picerno G et al.; The Authors compare by microbiological and cytological aspect the result got by sputum and aspirate at bronchoscopy . They point out that aspirate at bronchoscopy permits a more significant etiological diagnosis by both microbiological or cytological point of view. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig B}, 1976 Mar, 161(5-6), 387 - 98 {Hygienic and bacteriological comparative studies in 50 hospitals . I . Methods and aim of microbiological monitoring (author's transl)}; Werner HP et al.; Within a period of a year, environmental examinations were carried out in 50 hospitals selected at random in Rheinland-Pfalz with a view to determining the effective conditions, mainly in such risky areas as operating theatres, delivery rooms, intensive-care units and neonatal wards . In this first report the method is described . Such investigations are based on a detailed interrogation of the staff, and local inspection . As is evident from the extract from the questionnaire, the investigation was mainly concerned with details of the functional procedure and the implementation of measures of hospital hygiene . During the subsequent inspection of the rooms, we had the various procedures demonstrated to us . The testing of the sterilisation effect of all 461 programmes of the sterilisers was carried out with spore earth in accordance with DIN 58947 . Staph . aureus and Bac . mesentericus spore preparations in accordance with DIN 58949 were used to check the thermal bed-disinfection apparatus . For the determination of the qualitative and quantitative contamination of persons, we employed 2321 sponge-type impression preparations and 8790 "Rodac plates" for the surfaces of floors and furniture . Throat swabs were taken from each of the 831 persons examined, and checked for the presence of pathogens . 2848 blood agar plates were exposed for one hour to ascertain the sedimenting air germs . Although this method is not suitable for determining the germ content per cubic metre of air, it nevertheless furnishes a good idea of the prevailing conditions without involving much work . As part of such environmental examinations, it is very important to determine the contamination of liquids from buckets, disinfecting solutions, bottles from oxygenators, air humidifiers etc . When the samples contained growth-inhibiting additives, we immediately mixed them with an inactivation medium . In the laboratory, blood and endo-agar plates were inoculated with the concentrate and dilutions . In addition we enriched the sediment in 2% sugar bouillon . All culture media were incubated for 48 hours at 37 degrees C . Subsequently we counted the colonies and differentiated in accordance with the usual biochemical or, if required, serological methods . Further reports will discuss the results of this investigation. Vet Med (Praha), 1976 Mar, 21(3), 149 - 60 {Persistence of oxytetracycline residues in the organism of calves treated with Oxymykoin Spofa inj . ad us.vet.}; Malikova M et al.; By means of two biological diffusion methods an oxytetracycline (OTC) content was determined in the tissues of nine calves treated with a single i . m . OTC dose in the quantity of 15 kg-1 body mass . The preparation used for the treatment was Oxymykoin Spofa inj . ad us . vet . For the testing 2 collection strains -- B . cereus var . mycoides (ATCC 11778) and B . subtilis (ATCC 6633) were employed . The method using spore suspensions of the above strains was more sensitive . OTC was quantitatively determined in the samples by reading the standard curves . By evaluation of the two methods the following results were obtained: 5 to 10 days post injection all calves were positive . 15 days after the administration one out of 3 calves was positive . 20 days following the injection both calves were negative . The most frequent residue occurrence was recorded at the injection site, then in the kidney and liver . Spleen lung and bone marrow were completely without any finding . Maximum concentrations were found in the samples from the injection sites and kidney . In the other organs and muscles (noninjection sites) many times lower concentrations were found . Culinary and technological treatment of positive meat and liver samples revealed that already 15 minutes' boiling destroyed the microbiologically active OTC residues; on the contrary, after roasting OTC inactivation in the samples was not that univocal . Freezing and salting are utterly insufficient for OTC inactivation . A preslaughter withdrawal time of 20 days is recommended for the preparation tested. Hum Pathol, 1976 Mar, 7(2), 169 - 75 Computerization in microbiology; Kunz LJ; Computerization of the clinical microbiology laboratory is finally coming of age . Operations and functions easily adapted from other clinical laboratories have already been implemented in the microbiology laboratory, e.g., fiscal, clerical, and other administrative housekeeping chores . Similarly, storage, retrieval, and analysis of banks of data easily collected and filed have also been successfully accomplished in microbiology for several years . The more challenging problems of computerization still deserve and require the attention of microbiologists . These problems lie in the smooth sequential formulation and transmission of clinical microbiological test results from the laboratory to clinical records; the manipulation of relevant data by the computer prospectively for the detection and prediction of nosocomial infections or miniepidemics; and the development of programed lessons and examinations for computerized instruction, retraining, and examination of technologists and other individuals interested in microbiology. Ann Sclavo, 1976 Mar-Apr, 18(2), 299 - 307 {Clinical problems about microbiological findings in pneumology (author's transl)}; Corda M et al.; Identification for clinical purposes of the etiological germs in individual cases of bronchopulmonary not tuberculous infections is usually very hard . Sometimes, particularly in acute cases, microbiological counts in sputum as in tracheobronchial secretions and exudates may be useful . In some chronic cases an amount of particular bacteria in tracheal (transcutaneous) secretion larger than in sputum is to consider an etiological sign. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 1976 Mar-Apr, 85(2 Suppl 25 Pt 2), 135 - 9 Secretory otitis media . An immune complex disease; Veltri RW et al.; The purpose of our paper is to propose a possible mechanism involving an immune-mediated disease process . A microbiological, biochemical and immunological approach to substantiate such a mechanism is presented. J Biol Chem, 1976 Feb 25, 251(4), 993 - 1005 Amino acid sequence of the beta subunit of follicle-stimulating hormone from human pituitary glands; Saxena BB et al.; The beta subunit of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH-beta) from human pituitary glands was reduced and S-aminoethylated prior to thermolytic, tryptic, and chymotryptic digestions . Each digest was gel-filtered on Sephadex G-50 to seperate the glycopeptides . The glycopeptides and the peptides were isolated by high voltage paper electrophoresis at pH 6, 3.5, and 2.0 . The purity of the isolated peptides was confirmed by amino acid analyses . The amino acid sequences of peptides were determined by Edman degradation followed by subtractive amino acid analysis and, in certain cases, confirmed by dansylation . COOH-terminal sequences of the peptides were determined by digestion with carboxypeptidases A and B and by hydrazinolysis . The tryptophan content of human follicle-stimulating hormone, of the beta subunit of human follicle-stimulating hormone, and of the glycopeptides obtained from the enzymic digests was determined by fluorescence spectra, titration against N-bromosuccinimide, colorimetric estimation with p-dimethyl aminobenzaldehyde, hydrolysis with methane sulfonic acid containing 0.2% tryptamine followed by amino acid analysis, microbiological assay, and sequence analysis . The presence of 1 tryptophan residue in the beta subunit was indicated. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1976 Feb 13, 422(2), 419 - 26 Inhibition of dihydrofolate synthetase by folate, homofolate, pteroate and homopteroate and their reduced forms; Webb SR et al.; Dihydrofolate (H2-folate) synthetase (EC 6.3.2.12) was isolated from Escherichia coli B . A radiochemical assay was developed to determine the activity of H2-folate synthetase in order to study the effects of folate metabolites and antimetabolites which would interfere with the microbiological assay method previously used . The effects of folate and pteroate derivatives on the activity of this enzyme were investigated to determine if inhibition of this enzyme could constitute a site of action for these compounds as chemotherapeutic agents or a site of metabolic regulation . H2-folate synthetase was inhibited by its product, H2-folate, and by the antimetabolite dihydrohomopteroate, with apparent Ki values of 23.4 and 9.2 muM, respectively. Clin Biochem, 1976 Feb, 9(1), 22 - 3 The effect of diphenylhydantoin on the microbial assay of serum folate; Foster N et al.; 1 . Two modifications fo the usual method of assay for folic acid in solutions are reported which appear to improve this procedure . These are a reduction of incubation time and dilution with 95% ethanol . 2 . Experimental results are reported which indicate that Dilantin (5,5-diphenylhydantoin) does not interfere with the microbiological assay for folic acid. Br J Vener Dis, 1976 Feb, 52(1), 36 - 9 Reappraisal of Gram-staining and cultural techniques for the diagnosis of gonorrhoea in women; Chipperfield EJ et al.; A retrospective study of 209 consecutive cases of gonorrhoea showed that more than 98 per cent . of cases were detected by two sets of examinations at weekly intervals . This was compared with earlier results obtained at this clinic when only 86 per cent . of cases were detected by two examinations . It is believed that modifications in culture techniques were responsible for the improvement and that two tests are now sufficient to screen for gonococcal infection in the majority of patients when an efficient microbiological service is available . Because of the high incidence of infection in contacts of men with gonorrhoea, a third test is recommended for the small number of such patients who have negative results of their first two tests . This also serves to monitor the efficiency of the culture techniques . The majority of women with gonorrhoea attended because they were believed to be contacts of men with the disease but many attended of their own accord because they had symptoms . Mild symptoms were described by as many as 53-5 per cent . of all infected women . Nine cases of gonorrhoea were detected during the follow-up period . Three of the four cases which were thought to be due to treatment failure were detected at the first test, in contrast to the cases which were thought to be due to re-infection, the majority of which were diagnosed at subsequent tests . Constant surveillance of the accuracy of the diagnostic methods used in the detection of gonorrhoea in women is of great importance if errors are to be reduced to a minimum. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol, 1976, 4(1), 1 - 7 Microbial degradation of the thiolcarbamate herbicide, diallate, in soils and by pure cultures of soil microorganisms; Anderson JP et al.; The disappearance of the herbicide, Avadex (40% diallate), from five agricultural soils (differing in either pH, carbon content, or nitrogen content), incubated under sterile and non-sterile conditions, was followed for a period of 20 weeks . Avadex was rapidly lost from microbiologically active soils, with over 50% of the applied (2.5 ppm) dosage disappearing within four weeks; losses from sterile soils were much slower with recoveries of over 50% after 20 weeks . Incubation of soil with Avadex to which 14C-labeled diallate had been added resulted in rapid formation of 14CO2 from microbiologically active samples and only very slow 14CO2 formation from sterile samples . Substantial quantities of radioactivity were retained as unextractable residues in both sterile and non-sterile soils after senven days incubation . From these data it was concluded that the disappearance of the herbicide from non-sterile soils was mainly due to microbial degradation and to binding of diallate or its metabolites as residues to undefined soil components . Losses from sterile soils were attributed to both binding of residues and to a slow chemical degradation . Avadex degradation by pure cultures was studied using representative fungi isolated from the five soils . Of the fungi tested, Phoma eupyrena, Penicillium janthinellum, and Trichoderma harzianium coudl degrade at least 20% of the applied (2.5 ppm) herbicide after ten days incubation . Degradation of Avadex in soil cultures of T . harzianum was found to be slower than degradation in liquid nutrient cultures. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1976 Jan, 234(1), 91 - 104 {Clinical and histopathological findings in mycoplasmal polyarthritis of rats . III . Course of infection during the weeks 7-30 and 54-61 (author's transl)}; Schutze E et al.; Clinical, microbiological and histological findings of the late phase of experimentally induced Mycoplasma-polyarthritis in rats are described . Investigations were carried out between the 7.-30 . week and between the 54-61 . week p.i . M . arthritidis could be reisolated from affected joints regularly up to the 7th week p.i . Thereafter until 12th week only occasional recovery was possible . The healing process of affected joints dominated signs of arthritis which could be confirmed histologically as a purulent process . The alterations of carpal and tarsal joints were divided into purulent, chronic deforming and chronic minor lesions . The findings derived from investigation of joints and parenchymatous organs during the course of the disease are discussed. Odontol Revy, 1976, 27(2), 93 - 108 Treatment of non-vital permanent incisors with calcium hydroxide . VI . A clinical, microbiological and radiological evaluation of treatment in one sitting of teeth with mature or immature root; Cvek M et al.; The purpose of the investigation was clinically, microbiologically and radiologically to assess the effect of calcium hydroxide as a temporary root-filling inserted in the same sitting as root canal debridement in non-vital permanent incisors with mature and immature root, infected or