J Basic Microbiol, 1985, 25(10), 687 - 93 {Leukaemomycin-blocked mutants of Streptomyces griseus and their pigments . III . 11-Desoxydaunomycinone derivatives from the mutant ZIMET 43699/G44}; Wagner C et al.; The isolation and identification of several anthracyclinones (designated as G44-K4/5, G44-G1, G44-G2) and anthracyclines (G44-A, B, C, D, E, F, G) produced by the mutant strain IMET JA 3933/G44 of the daunomycin-producing Streptomyces griseus strain IMET JA 3933 are described . G44-K4/5 was found to be identical with 7,11-dideoxy-13-dihydrodaunomycinone previously isolated from a mutant strain of Streptomyces coeruleorubidus . Compound G44-G1 was identified as 11-deoxydaunomycinone, the aglycone of the antibiotic 11-deoxydaunomycin . G44-G2 was found to be a stereoisomer of G44-G1 . The NMR and CD spectral data suggest strongly that the compound is 7-epi-11-deoxydaunomycinone . Of the 7 isolated G44-glycosides only the major component G44-B could be identified . Comparison with an authentic sample revealed that this compound is 11-deoxydaunomycin which had previously been isolated from cultures of Streptomyces peucetius var . aureus and Micromonospora peucetica . As reported for S . coeruleorubidus, S . peucetius var . aureus, and Micromonospora peucetica the 11-deoxydaunomycinone derivatives described in this paper were isolated from the fermentation broth of a mutant of a daunomycin-producing wild type strain . This suggest that in general the accumulation of 11-deoxydaunomycinone derivatives may be the result of a block of C11-hydroxylation in the normal biosynthetic pathway of daunomycin and its analogues. Zentralbl Mikrobiol, 1985, 140(4), 317 - 23 Dynamic of antibiotic accumulation by Streptomyces aureofaciens in a laboratory fermentor; el-Haddad ME et al.; In a laboratory fermentor, the growth of Streptomyces aureofaciens on corn meal extract and its production of antibiotic was investigated . Weak biosynthesis of the antibiotic started after 12 hours of incubation, when phosphorus depletion in the medium occurred . During the third and fourth day of fermentation about 80.4% of the antibiotic was produced . The relationship between growth, antibiotic formation, and the uptake of both sugar and nitrogen was also studied . A chromatogram, showing the types of sugar present during fermentation period is given . Improvement of antibiotic accumulation either by adding sugar at the end of the logarithmic phase of growth or by determining the rate of aeration is also discussed. J Basic Microbiol, 1985, 25(6), 401 - 7 {Enzyme inhibitors from actinomycetes . II . Acid protease inhibitors}; Passarge M et al.; In the course of a screening program directed toward the isolation and evaluation of inhibitors of carboxyl (acid) proteinases, we have found 0.39% of the investigated strains of microorganisms as producers of pepsin inhibitors . In more than 1543 strains which were isolated from various geographical areas and deposited with the IMET Culture Collection, Jena-GDR, and which belong to different genera of actinomycetes such as Streptomyces, Actinomadura, Actinoplanes, Micromonospora and non-identified strains, we have found 6 Streptomyces strains only . Surprisingly, the screening efficiency of the used casein agar spot test and the fibrin-blue-technique was very low . As compared with the inhibitor activity of pepstatin the yield of the fermentation broth of 3 wild type strains ranged from 6 to 27 micrograms/ml . A significant influence of the composition of culture fluids on the inhibitor yield was observed . Supplements by crude glutamine or mixtures of amino acids in culture fluids increased the yield from 3 to 15 times as compared with that of fermentation broth without supplements . After NMG-mutagenic treatment and use of familiar selection procedures 3.1% inhibitor-blocked mutants were detected among 480 strains selected. Curr Genet, 1985, 10(2), 111 - 7 Mitochondrial integrity and maltose utilization in yeast; Khan NA; Strains of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae able to utilize maltose only in the presence of functional mitochondria have been described . Two such strains Z104-4B and Z109-1C were isolated as revertants from parental strains unable to utilize maltose . These strains are unique in the sense that although they produce inducible maltase for normal growth on maltose agar plates in the presence of functional mitochondria, they are very poor fermenters of maltose under anaerobic condition . Glycerol negative mutants isolated from these strains simultaneously lose the ability to utilize maltose . One of the manganese induced glycerol negative mit- mutants Z104-4B-Mn1, reverts concomitantly to growth on glycerol and maltose agar plates . On the basis of results presented in this paper, we propose the possibility of existence of two alternate mechanisms for maltose utilization in yeast . An oxidative mechanism for which mitochondrial functions are indispensable, and a fermentative pathway for which mitochondrial integrity is not required. Biosensors, 1985, 1(1), 17 - 84 The estimation of microbial biomass; Harris CM et al.; Methods that have been used to estimate the content, and in some cases the nature, of the microbial biomass in a sample are reviewed . The methods may be categorised in terms of their principle (physical, chemical, biological or mathematical/computational), their speed (real-time or otherwise) and the amount of automation/expense involved . For sparse populations, where the output signal is to be enhanced by growth of the organisms, physical, chemical and biological approaches may be of equal merit, whilst in systems, such as laboratory and industrial fermentations, in which the microbial biomass content is high, physical methods (alone) can permit the real-time estimation of microbial biomass. Princess Takamatsu Symp, 1985, 16, 67 - 75 Diet and exposure to N-nitroso compounds; Tannenbaum SR; The hypothesis linking nitrate and increased risk of cancer rests on the proposition that nitrate is endogenously reduced to nitrite by bacteria and that carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds are formed . A large number of foods and biological material have been examined for their ability to generate mutagens or carcinogens under simulated gastric conditions in the presence of nitrite . Only a limited number of foods qualify under these conditions for consideration as potential sources of genotoxic agents . Foods that have generated mutagens following nitrosation include beans, salt-preserved fishery products, fermented soy products, and certain moldy foods . In each case there appears to be a potential link between formation of the nitroso compound and epidemiological evidence of increased risk for specific cancers . The present state of knowledge is reviewed and the chemistry of the nitrosation of specific chemicals of interest is discussed . A major problem for the future will be to demonstrate that these N-nitroso compounds form in the population at risk and react with cellular nucleophiles to produce genetic damage. Princess Takamatsu Symp, 1985, 16, 275 - 90 Dietary influences upon colon carcinogenesis; McMichael AJ et al.; A succession of case-control studies of diet and colon cancer, predominantly in developed countries, has produced varied and generally inconsistent findings . The somatic mutation theory of carcinogenesis has dominated much of cancer research for the past 30 years, encouraging emphasis on exogenous genotoxic agents capable of inducing malignant transformation via heritable damage to DNA . Increased risks of human cancers due to various potent chemical carcinogens (found in certain occupations), ionizing radiation, and sunlight have corroborated this "toxicological" view of cancer . Recently, however, greater emphasis has been paid to cancer as a disorder of growth control . The stimulation or derepression of cell growth, via hormones or proto-oncogene activation respectively, is likely to reflect "metabolic" disturbances--such as can be caused by diet . If diet influences large bowel carcinogenesis via mediating metabolic or biochemical factors such as intracolonic pH, production of bile acid metabolites, and fermentative production of volatile fatty acids (which appear to influence mucosal cell stability), then a variety of configurations of diet may have an equivalent net effect upon bowel carcinogenesis . Further, non-specific aspects of diet (such as total energy intake and frequency of eating) may be important; indeed, those two factors were found to be positively and independently associated with large bowel cancer (LBC) risk in our Adelaide case-control study . The accumulating evidence that other factors that alter sex hormonal status and/or hepatobiliary metabolism, and physical aspects of bowel function, are also associated with altered risk of LBC adds further credence to this metabolic model . Such factors are: gender, reproductive history and oral contraceptive usage in women, cholecystectomy, and physical activity. Prep Biochem, 1985, 15(4), 259 - 79 Large scale production of glucose oligomers and polymers for physiological studies in humans; Sloan HR et al.; Methods for isolating relatively large quantities of glucose oligomer and polymer subfractions from a partial corn starch hydrolysate (PCSH) are described . To ensure that the products are suitable for physiological studies in humans, potentially toxic substances were excluded from the preparative processes . For long chain glucose polymer fractions with degrees of polymerization (DP) averaging 43 glucose units, we employed molecular filtration through Amicon YM5 membranes . For fractions containing glucose oligomers with DP's 3 through 8, we employed yeast fermentation followed by ethanol fractionation. Adv Exp Med Biol, 1985, 185, 233 - 45 Recent efforts in the development of a sporozoite vaccine against human malaria; Hockmeyer WT et al.; Nineteen monoclonal antibodies were produced against sporozoites of Plasmodium falciparum . They have been characterized immunochemically, as well as by isotype, CSP reactivity, and stage and species specificity . Five of these monoclonal antibodies were used to screen a genomic library of P . falciparum in the expression vector lambda gt 11 . Aspects of the cloning and sequencing of the gene encoding for the CS protein of P . falciparum are described . The CS gene encodes for a sporozoite surface protein which is thought to be important in eliciting protective immunity in man . The protein has regions that include a signal sequence, charge region, a series of repeating peptides in the middle of the protein, followed by another charged region and then an anchor sequence . There are also two regions of amino acid homology between the CS proteins of P . falciparum and P . knowlesi . Both the repeating region and the conserved sequences could form the basis for a vaccine . The immunogen for such a candidate vaccine could be produced in bacterial fermentation systems or by development of synthetic peptides coupled to a carrier. Dev Biol Stand, 1985, 60, 291 - 6 A laboratory fermentor for agarose immobilized hybridomas to produce monoclonal antibodies; Himmler G et al.; Mass culture of immobilized cells in airlift-fermenters usually ends up with the beads accumulating in the foamy layer on the surface of the reactor fluid or, in stirred tankreactors, with partial destruction of the beads . We tried to use an airlift fermenter vessel for growing cells, immobilized in agarose beads . Instead of using the gas for driving, we mounted a slowly turning marine type impeller within the drought tube . Oxygen was supplied on occasional demands by the original sparger . This set up leads to sufficient operational characteristics of the reactor without accumulation of the beads in the foamy layer and without mechanical destruction . Different productivities of either immobilized cells or cells in free suspension culture are reported. Dev Biol Stand, 1985, 60, 175 - 7 Very large scale suspension cultures of mammalian cells; Pullen KF et al.; Suspension cultures of mammalian cells can be used to produce virus vaccines, as a source of interferons, and as a host system for expressing inserted human genes . We will discuss the experience with this technology in our organisation over the past 18 years, during which we have progressively expanded our facilities for such work: we are now operating routinely with 8 000 litre fermenters . Information will be summarized in relation to the following topics: design of plant, medium and serum requirements, plant operation and product processing. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1985, 30(2), 134 - 40 Ergosterol synthesis and population analysis of a fed-batch fermentation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Pichova A et al.; Saccharomyces cerevisiae with an increased content of ergosterol or delta 5,7-sterols, growing on a molasses medium with a feed of ethanol and (NH4)2HPO4, was analyzed as to the age of cell population . The analysis was done by centrifugation in a dextran gradient and by a fluorescence-microscopic technique . In the phase of batch fermentation at a mean specific growth rate of 0.22 h-1 daughter cells contained less than 1% ergosterol while the ergosterol content of mother cells depended on the time of cultivation, a maximum level (4%) being found after two generation times . In the fed-batch phase at a mean growth rate of 0.052 h-1, both daughter and mother cells contained about the same amount of ergosterol (4.7-5.5%) . Differences between daughter and mother cells are discussed in view of the relationship between the growth rate and the growth cycle. Antibiot Med Biotekhnol, 1985 Jan, 30(1), 30 - 2 {Conditions for the standardization of the process of cephalosporin biosynthesis}; Falkov NN et al.; Dependence of the final results of cephalosporin biosynthesis on the parameters of the operating conditions and the design of fermentors was shown . The value of the specific power input for agitation had a significant effect on the biosynthetic process . An equation for estimating the final results of the biosynthetic process by the values of the operating conditions and the fermentor design parameters is presented. J Gen Microbiol, 1985 Jan, 131 ( Pt 1), 57 - 65 Plasma-membrane phospholipid unsaturation affects expression of the general amino-acid permease in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y185; Calderbank J et al.; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y185, enriched in linoleyl residues and incubated for up to 4 h in derepression buffer, more rapidly acquired general amino-acid permease (GAP) activity, as measured by the rate of accumulation of L-alanine, compared with organisms enriched in oleyl residues . A GAP-less mutant incubated under the same conditions did not acquire further L-alanine-accumulating ability, irrespective of the nature of the fatty-acyl enrichment . During derepression, KT values for the GAP were virtually identical irrespective of the fatty-acyl enrichment, but Vmax values were greater for linoleyl residue-enriched organisms, particularly after 1 h in derepression buffer . During incubation in derepression buffer, organisms with either fatty-acyl enrichment did not differ in the size of the amino-N pool, the concentration of L-alanine in that pool, rates of protein synthesis and glucose fermentation, or rate and extent of incorporation of label from H2 32PO-4 . Under conditions used to measure rates of L-alanine accumulation, organisms with either enrichment showed no evidence of metabolism of accumulated L-alanine. Can J Comp Med, 1985 Jan, 49(1), 79 - 87 Enterotoxin plasmids in bovine and porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli of O groups 9, 20, 64 and 101; Harnett NM et al.; Fourteen strains of Escherichia coli of serogroups characteristic of porcine class 2 enterotoxigenic E . coli isolated from pigs or calves were selected for genetic studies . The strains were examined for their ability to cotransfer a number of plasmid-mediated properties during conjugation with E . coli K-12 . These properties were antibiotic resistance, and the production of heat-stable enterotoxin, the K99 antigen and colicin and the ability to ferment raffinose . Distinction was made between the two types of heat-stable enterotoxin, STa and STb . All 14 strains were antibiotic resistant and 11 of them cotransferred antibiotic resistance and heat-stable enterotoxin . One strain which transferred heat-stable enterotoxin also transferred the raffinose gene . Among six K99-positive strains which transferred heat-stable enterotoxin, five always cotransferred K99 . Three strains had 100% cotransfer of colicin as well as heat-stable enterotoxin and K99 . Drug resistance determinants were cotransferred at high frequency with heat-stable enterotoxin for six of eight multiple drug resistant enterotoxigenic E . coli . A 100% cotransfer of combinations of heat-stable enterotoxin, K99, colicin and antibiotic resistance was often associated with a single plasmid band on agarose gel electrophoresis . For some strains, the genes for STa and STb were on the same plasmid and for others they were on separate plasmids . The enterotoxin plasmids ranged in size from 5.2 to 85 Mdal . Heterogeneity in molecular size occurred among enterotoxin plasmids in E . coli of the same serogroup and recovered from the same animal host species. Cornell Vet, 1985 Jan, 75(1), 159 - 70 Laboratory animal medicine . Changes and challenges; Fox JG; Less than three decades have elapsed since the specialty of laboratory animal medicine was first formally recognized . Tremendous progress and maturation has occurred in this short time frame due in large part to the foresight of early pioneers in the field, attention to the moral and ethical use of animals, and the recognition by the biomedical research community of the indispensable role played by the laboratory animal medicine specialist in forging new knowledge in the biomedical sciences . The ability of laboratory animal medicine specialists to properly balance their efforts in collaborative and independent research, clinical services and teaching, offers exciting challenges and opportunities for veterinarians entering the specialty . Undoubtedly, another challenge to the specialty, currently and in the foreseeable future, is the debate over animal rights which began to ferment in the late 1970's, after lying relatively dorment since the 1950's . A growing number of Americans, including some scientists, contend that animals have inherent rights to a full life, free of intentional pain, even when done in legitimate scientific pursuits; some ardent anti-vivisectionists state that the use of animals in experimental research is immoral . The laboratory animal medicine specialist will have to effectively deal with the administrators of institutions using research animals, the attendant federal and state guidelines and laws regulating their use, and defend the use of laboratory animals to a polarized public, while at the same time ensure the humane care and use of animals under their purview . Certainly, the specialty is squarely placed in a hotly debated dilemma, fraught with ethical, moral, medical, philosophical, religious, and political complexities . I believe the specialty has the vision and maturity, and is indeed ready, to successfully meet that challenge - to assuage public concern, implement new federal policy regarding animal care and use, and maintain the excellent progress in laboratory animal medicine realized in the last 75 years. Arch Oral Biol, 1985, 30(6), 455 - 60 Dental cariogenic evaluation of foods using human plaque pH and an experimental rat-caries model; Harper DS et al.; Five well-characterized foods were used to compare two systems for estimating the cariogenic potential of food: human plaque-acidity using interdental metallic touch electrodes, and cariogenicity testing in rats . Both systems identified the same food as the least cariogenic or acidogenic food and identified the same three foods as being both cariogenic in rats and acidogenic in man, although the ranking of these foods differed . The systems differed in their assessment of potato chips, a food high in cooked starch and low in free sugars . The results confirmed that non-acidogenic foods are non-cariogenic, but that foods acidogenic in man may exhibit a greater range of cariogenicity in rats . Data from both human plaque pH studies and rat caries models may permit better assessment of cariogenic potential of foods containing fermentable carbohydrates. Z Erkr Atmungsorgane, 1985, 165(1), 83 - 93 Inhibitor activity against elastolytic enzymes in the bronchial area . A contribution to the pathogenesis of chronic airway obstruction; Rasche B; In the bronchial mucus of patients with long-term airway obstruction free elastolytic activities are observed . These originate from leucocytes with polymorphous nuclei and may cause the digestion of lung tissue and thus an emphysematous lung metaplasia . It is known that the supersensitivity of bronchial musculature increases due to the influence of proteolytic ferments . For the inhibition of elastolytic enzymes, specific, acid-proof, low-molecular inhibitory substances are available . We were able to measure three of them in bronchial mucus against different substrates; i.e . against substrates for trypsin, pancreas elastase and leucocyte elastase . Our results show that the free inhibitor preparation decreases if free elastolytic activity in bronchial mucus is measured and is no longer available if the concentration decreases . It was also found that the concentration of secretory IGA decreases if the elastolytic activity increases . Thus, it is possible that the secretory IGA molecule is attacked by proteolytic enzymes . It is known that in case of chronic obstructive airway diseases lysozyme is released from leucocytes with polymorphous nuclei; in case of silicosis, from macrophages as well . In this study, the lysozyme concentration served as measurement for cell decomposition . The observation showed that in spite of the same lysozyme levels the elastolytic activity in patients can be very different . It is in strong connection with the available inhibitor capacity . Regarding the clinical evaluation can be concluded that some patients show a lack of secretory inhibitors . On a long-term basis, this lack can lead to the formation of emphysemata. Ciba Found Symp, 1985, 111, 146 - 60 Microbial transformations of some monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids; Abraham WR et al.; The absolute configurations of fragrances, flavours and drugs are often important for their special properties . The growing interest of organic chemists in chiral synthons has stimulated work on biotransformations, for which readily available and inexpensive compounds can be used as substrates . Microbial transformations of 1-menthenes like gamma-terpinene, alpha-terpinene, limonene and alpha-phellandrene give the corresponding 1,2-trans-diols with high stereospecificity . Because of the volatility and toxicity of these substrates, and their low solubility in aqueous solutions, a special fermentation technique has been developed in which the terpenes are fed continuously to extended cultures of Corynespora cassiicola or Diplodia gossypina . (4R)-Limonene is transformed by Gibberella cyanea to (1S,2S,4R)-p-menth-8-en-1,2-diol, but 3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-limonene yields a 6-monohydroxylated product and a 6,10-dihydroxylated product with a 6-hydroxy-8,10-epoxy structure as the main metabolite . Vicinal diols are also formed from aliphatic terpenes, by reaction at the terminal isoprenoid groups . Some oxirane structures are found as intermediates . Acyclic sesquiterpenes often form complex mixtures when they are metabolized further . The products of the transformation of trans-nerolidol by several fungi are given as examples . Cyclic sesquiterpenes, with less flexible structures, are oxidized more specifically . Whereas longifolene is a very poor substrate for Corynespora cassiicola, isolongifolene is always hydroxylated at one of the methyl groups attached to C-7 . The 14- or 15-hydroxy compounds are further oxidized, very fast, in the 3 position or 4 position. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1985 Jan, 38(1), 1 - 8 A41030, a complex of novel glycopeptide antibiotics produced by a strain of Streptomyces virginiae . Taxonomy and fermentation studies; Boeck LD et al.; A41030 is a complex of novel glycopeptide antibiotics produced by a culture isolated from a soil . Taxonomic studies have identified the microorganism, NRRL 15156, as a strain of Streptomyces virginiae . The major factor, A41030A, and three of the six minor factors are unique among glycopeptides in that they are naturally occurring aglycones, containing no neutral or amino sugars . The A41030 that was not spontaneously released into the fermentation broth could be released from the biomass into aqueous media at pH 10.5 . In contrast to the vancomycin and N-demethylvancomycin fermentations, A41030 biosynthesis was stimulated by enriching the medium with K2HPO4 at a level of 1 mg/ml . Enrichment with putative precursors of the aglycone, however, did not increase the biosynthesis of A41030. Br J Nutr, 1985 Jan, 53(1), 47 - 53 Reduction of the phytate content of bran by leavening in bread and its effect on zinc absorption in man; Navert B et al.; The effect of leavening of bread containing bran on the phytic acid content and on zinc absorption in man was studied . Twenty breads with leavening times varying from 0 to 120 h were prepared . The breads contained 250 g wheat bran/kg flour . The phytic acid content was determined after baking . The phytic acid content of bread containing bran was reduced to about 40% after 2 h of leavening and to 15% after 2 d . No further decrease was observed . Zn absorption from single meals was determined using a radioisotope technique . Forty-two students volunteered for these studies . They were served a breakfast of milk, butter, bread and 10, 16 or 30 g bran served either raw or baked into the bread with fermentation times of 15 min, 45 min, 3 h or 16 h . One meal contained no bran, but phytate and Zn were added in amounts equivalent to the content of 10 g bran . The amount and percentage of Zn absorbed increased at each bran level as fermentation was prolonged . The percentage of Zn absorbed was reduced by increased bran content in the meal . It is concluded that the fermentation of bread containing bran reduces the phytic acid content and increases Zn absorption from such bread . This may be of importance to people subjected to diets with a high cereal content, especially in combination with a low animal-protein intake. Mol Gen Genet, 1985, 200(1), 1 - 8 Organization of the MAL loci of Saccharomyces . Physical identification and functional characterization of three genes at the MAL6 locus; Cohen JD et al.; We have physically and functionally identified three genes at the MAL6 locus of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis . Using multicopy yeast plasmid vectors, we have subcloned various segments of the entire MAL6 locus . The functional characterization of the MAL6 subcloned regions was determined by (1) analyzing biochemically the levels of MAL-encoded proteins (maltase {alpha-D-glucosidase, E.C . 3.2.1.20} and maltose transport protein) in cells transformed with various MAL6 subclones, and (2) testing the ability of the subclones to complement the maltose fermentation defects of well characterized Mal- mutants in the highly homologous MAL1 locus . The physical homology between MAL6 and MAL1 is in part demonstrated by the gene disruption of MAL1 using subcloned MAL6 DNA sequences . The results demonstrate that the MAL6 locus is a complex of at least three genes: MAL6R, MAL6T and MAL6S . These genes specify, respectively, a regulatory function, a maltose transport activity (presumably the maltose permease) and the structural gene for maltase . The functional organization of the MAL6 locus is thus identical to that which we had previously determined by mutational analysis for the MAL1 locus. Comp Biochem Physiol B, 1985, 81(2), 539 - 42 Enzymatic activities in slow and fast denervated old rat muscles; Simard C et al.; The activities of five enzymes have been studied quantitatively in denervated extensor digitorum longus, gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of 24-month-old rats . The results have been compared with those obtained from normal muscles of a similar age group of rats . Three weeks after denervation, the activity of hexokinase was increased in gastrocnemius and extensor digitorum longus . Phosphofructokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA-dehydrogenase showed decreased activities . These results suggest that enzyme which represents glucose uptake increased its activity in fast muscles and that enzymes for anaerobic glycolysis, lactate fermentation, citric acid cycle and beta-oxidation had a decreased activity in slow and fast muscles. Nauchnye Doki Vyss Shkoly Biol Nauki, 1985, (10), 5 - 19 {Development of research into the physiology and pathophysiology of the fibrinolysis system}; Andreenko GV; A modern data review on the importance of fibrinolysis system is given . A considerable success has been scored during the study of molecular parameters of fibrinolysis system: the plasminogen, plasmin, its inhibitors, plasminogen activators and the mechanism of activation system have been characterized . The entrance of A, K, C, P and PP vitamins has been established to be necessary for the normal functioning of the fibrinolysis system; the dependence of the blood fibrinolytic activity upon the initial plasminogen content and concentration of its activators in blood has been revealed . The plasminogen activator depletion in tissues has been shown to be one of the reasons of some pathological states development, especially at cardiovascular diseases . The increase of fibrinolysis level by the active fibrinolytic ferment injection in blood has a medical effect at thrombosis . The ferment fibrinolysin received in the laboratory is successfully used in clinical practice . Some other activators of fibrinolytic system: tricholysine and longolytin from the culture of saprophyte fungi, plasminogen activator from the pig heart and the cells culture of the calf kidney have been received and are being studied. Pediatrics, 1985 Jan, 75(1 Pt 2), 160 - 6 Development of carbohydrate absorption in the fetus and neonate; Mobassaleh M et al.; Maturation of mechanisms for carbohydrate absorption occurs in a defined sequence during human fetal development . The intestinal enzymes, lactase, sucrase, maltase, isomaltase, and glucoamylase, are at mature levels in the term fetus . Mature levels of pancreatic amylase activity and glucose transport occur postnatally, and levels are low in both the term and preterm neonate . In the preterm infant, sucrase, maltase, and isomaltase are usually fully active, but lactase activity, which increases markedly from 24 to 40 weeks, may be low depending upon fetal age . Despite these developmental patterns, clinical lactose intolerance is uncommon . Postnatal adaptive responses to ingested carbohydrates lead to competent carbohydrate absorption . Inadequately absorbed carbohydrates are salvaged by colonic flora through fermentation of carbohydrates to hydrogen gas and short-chain fatty acids; the latter are readily absorbed by the colon . In this setting, carbohydrate tends to be absent from the stool . Noninvasive reflection of the status of carbohydrate absorption may be obtained from breath hydrogen testing, a technique of particular value in young infants. Cancer Res, 1985 Jan, 45(1), 207 - 12 Mechanism of resistance of a variant of P388 leukemia to L-(alpha S,5S)-alpha-amino-3-chloro-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazoleacetic acid (acivicin); Jayaram HN et al.; Acivicin {L-(alpha S,5S)-alpha-amino-3-chloro-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazoleacetic acid; NSC 163501} is a fermentation-derived amino acid antibiotic antagonistic to L-glutamine which exhibits potent oncolytic properties . We have developed a variant of P388 leukemia resistant to acivicin (P388/ACIA) and compared its properties with those of the parent line (P388/S) . An examination of the enzymes utilizing L-glutamine revealed that the basal specific activities of L-asparagine synthetase and L-glutaminase were 1-to 3-fold higher in the parent line . The activities of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase II, L-asparagine synthetase, formylglycinamide ribonucleotide amidotransferase, and guanosine monophosphate synthetase were about equally inhibited in the two cell lines, while there was a partial inhibition of 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate amidotransferase, fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase, and L-glutaminase activities, found only in the sensitive line . Cytidine triphosphate synthetase activity was not inhibited in either line . There was no difference in the dose response or restitution of L-glutamine utilizing enzyme activities between the two lines . Acivicin treatment produced a 2- to 3-fold augmentation of the L-glutamine pools only in the sensitive line . Drug injection induced increased 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate levels in both lines . Acivicin perturbed guanosine nucleotide pools only in the sensitive line, indicating that the primary mechanism of action of acivicin in P388 leukemia may be directed at guanosine monophosphate synthetase . Transport studies demonstrated a restricted uptake of acivicin by the resistant cells . These studies suggest that the transport of acivicin and L-glutamine plays an important role in determining the sensitivity or resistance to acivicin in these tumors. Acta Microbiol Pol, 1985, 34(3-4), 261 - 9 Acid hydrolysis of beech sawdust hemicellulose and ethanol fermentation of hydrolysates by Fusarium sp . 27; Targonski Z et al.; Beech sawdust was subjected to autohydrolysis (200 degrees C) and acid hydrolysis in the presence of HCl and AlCl3 . HCl-catalyzed hydrolysis was favourable method to hydrolysis beech sawdust hemicellulose . The crude and pretreated hydrolysates were tested as substrates for ethanol production by Fusarium sp . 27 . Reducing sugars were fermented to ethanol by the strain Fusarium sp . 27 in yield 0.22 g ethanol per gram reducing sugars consumed. J Chromatogr, 1984 Dec 7, 336(1), 125 - 37 High-performance liquid chromatography of microbial acid metabolites; Adams RF et al.; The use of high-performance liquid chromatography with a cation-exchange column and effluent monitoring at 210 nm has been evaluated for the profiling of selected microbial metabolites including aliphatic, dicarboxylic, and phenolic acids, as an adjunct to the identification of selected bacteria, detection of bacterial metabolites in foods, and the monitoring of industrial microbial fermentations . Advantages of the technique include the simultaneous profiling of different classes of organic acids without derivatization . Most applications require only qualitative or semi-quantitative data . For others, data are given on the day-to-day reproducibility for several acids. Arch Latinoam Nutr, 1984 Dec, 34(4), 724 - 34 {Effect of formaldehyde on the protection of proteins in the silage of the peanut plant (Arachis hypogaea)}; Sangines L et al.; An experiment was performed to study the formaldehyde protective effect on the ensilaged whole peanut plant protein (21.5% CP) . The experimental design consisted in four treatments 5, 10, 15 and 20% formaldehyde, which was added in the proportion of 5 lt, per ton . A control group without any formaldehyde was also included . There were no significant differences in regard to pH among treatments (5.56 to 5.70) . Ammonia concentration dropped significantly in all treatments, a finding which suggests a protective effect on protein nitrogen degradation to non-protein nitrogen (NH3) . A lactic acid fermentation was observed, without any difference between treatment and the control group . Nevertheless, there was a reduction in propionic acid and ethanol concentration in all the silages . Therefore, it is concluded that there was an inhibition of the fermentation process in all the silages treated, and that the addition of formaldehyde at the 5% level is a satisfactory way of protecting this type of feed. Biomed Mass Spectrom, 1984 Dec, 11(12), 622 - 8 Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry in antibiotics: identification of nucleoside antitumor antibiotic toyocamycin in fermentation broth; Tondeur Y et al.; The presence of the nucleoside antitumor antibiotic toyocamycin in the fermentation broth was determined by a combination of negative and positive ion fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry, high resolution FAB mass spectrometry and mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectrometry (MIKES) . A reasonable limit of detection for toyocamycin in the whole broth was obtained by combining the specificity of mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (also called tandem mass spectrometry) to FAB . The role played by the fermentation matrix upon the production and the observation of characteristic ions by FAB using xenon atoms was examined . High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and FAB mass spectrometry were used to monitor toyocamycin at all stages of strain development, fermentation and recovery. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 Dec, 37(12), 1670 - 80 Biosynthesis of astromicin and related antibiotics . II . Biosynthetic studies with blocked mutants of Micromonospora olivasterospora; Odakura Y et al.; An inosamine-idiotrophic mutant, KY11559, which produced no astromicin unless scyllo-inosamine was added to the fermentation medium, was isolated from Micromonospora olivasterospora . Biotransformation studies were performed with resting cells of this mutant and compounds assumed to be precursors of 1,4-diaminocyclitol (fortamine) . Scyllo-inosose, scyllo-inosamine and FU-10 were converted to astromicin . A number of mutants blocked in the biosynthesis of astromicin were developed from M . olivasterospora, and the intermediates accumulated by these mutants were isolated and identified . Twenty-five blocked mutants were classified into 10 groups, based on their complementation patterns by cosynthesis experiments . Further, utilizing these blocked mutants and the isolated compounds, biotransformation analyses were performed . The results showed that the amination at position 4 in fortamine occurred after formation of the pseudodisaccharide . Subsequently, the aminosugar and aminocyclitol moieties were aminated, methylated, dehydroxylated, epimerized and acylated to produce astromicin . Thus it was demonstrated that the astromicin biosynthetic pathway has a unique feature which is not found in the biosynthesis of other aminoglycoside antibiotics. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 Dec, 37(12), 1651 - 63 Biosynthesis of the antibiotic maduramicin . Origin of the carbon and oxygen atoms as well as the 13C NMR assignments; Tsou H et al.; The biosynthesis of maduramicin alpha and beta in a culture of Actinomadura yumaensis has been studied using 13C, 14C and 18O labeled precursors . The alpha component of this recently discovered polyether antibiotic, containing forty-seven carbon atoms in a seven-ring system, is derived from eight acetate, seven propionate and four methionine molecules . The beta component which is missing one methoxy group incorporates three methionine methyl groups . The carbohydrate moiety was enriched by methionine, but not significantly by acetate or propionate . Studies of the incorporation of 13C labeled precursors permit the 13C NMR assignment of maduramicin . The origin of oxygen atoms of maduramicin has been examined by feeding {1-13C, 18O2}acetate and {1-13C, 18O2}propionate separately in the fermentation culture and the resulting doubly labeled maduramicin samples were analyzed by the isotopic shifts in the 13C NMR spectra . These results are consistent with the initial formation of a triene, which is converted to maduramicin by cyclization of the triepoxide. Vet Rec, 1984 Dec 1, 115(22), 565 - 6 Effects of three benzimidazole anthelmintics on the ruminal fermentation ability of sheep; Jara W et al.; The effects of albendazole, fenbendazole and oxfendazole on the fermentation ability of the rumen were assessed in 12 Dorset sheep, using as parameters volatile fatty acid concentration, percentage digestibility of cellulose in vitro and pH . Although the digestibility of cellulose was affected only at high concentrations, volatile fatty acid concentrations were markedly reduced after treatment . Correlation coefficient analysis revealed a significant correlation between digestibility of cellulose and volatile fatty acids, as well as between volatile fatty acids and pH . Despite an evident decrease in volatile fatty acids and digestibility of cellulose, it is suggested that this does not outweigh the advantages derived from the use of these benzimidazoles. J Antimicrob Chemother, 1984 Dec, 14(6), 613 - 8 The inhibitory effect of flurofamide on ureaplasmas and their elimination from marmosets by its use; Furr PM et al.; Flurofamide, a potent inhibitor of urease, at concentrations of 0.0007 to 0.001 mg/l inhibited the multiplication of three ureaplasma strains of human genital origin (one tetracycline-resistant) and two and three strains of marmoset genital and oral origin, respectively . However, a more than 1000-fold greater concentration of the drug was required to kill the organisms . Flurofamide did not inhibit the growth of arginine-hydrolysing or glucose-fermenting mycoplasmas, indicating its specificity for ureaplasmas . When it was given orally in a dose of 25 mg twice on one day and 25 mg on one further day to marmosets infected naturally with ureaplasmas in their throats, the organisms disappeared rapidly . The animals remained ureaplasma-free for 42 to 106 days, at which time they were successfully infected experimentally. Am J Clin Nutr, 1984 Dec, 40(6), 1219 - 23 Lactose malabsorption from yogurt, pasteurized yogurt, sweet acidophilus milk, and cultured milk in lactase-deficient individuals; Savaiano DA et al.; The use of fermented dairy foods is common in areas of the world where lactase deficiency is prevalent . Recently, we have shown that the digestion of lactose from yogurt is enhanced as compared to that from milk . This enhanced digestion is apparently due to inherent B-galactosidase in yogurt which is active in the gastrointestinal tract after consumption of the yogurt . Furthermore, yogurt is well tolerated by lactase-deficient subjects resulting in little or no gastrointestinal distress . Since other fermented and microbial-containing dairy foods are consumed worldwide and may also contain some "lactase" activity, we chose to evaluate the digestion of lactose from three of these products: pasteurized yogurt, cultured milk (buttermilk), and sweet acidophilus milk . Breath hydrogen techniques were used to evaluate lactose malabsorption in nine lactase-deficient subjects . The studies demonstrated that yogurt is unique among the products tested in enhancing the digestion of lactose . Furthermore, pasteurization of yogurt eliminated the enhanced digestion of lactose, reduced the inherent lactase activity of the yogurt by 10-fold and reduced cell counts by 100-fold . Interestingly, eight of nine subjects fed cultured milk experienced gastrointestinal distress, whereas all subjects fed pasteurized yogurt were symptom free, even though the amount of malabsorbed lactose was similar. Quad Sclavo Diagn, 1984 Dec, 20(4), 372 - 8 {Identification of yeast-like fungi: evaluation of 4 commercial systems}; Russolo S et al.; Four different commercial systems were compared to identify 110 medically important yeast-like fungi found out in as many pathologic materials in three Medical Centers . The systems were: a) API 20C Aux (Ayerst), which represented the reference method in conjunction with the germ-tube test, aggregates 19 carbohydrate substrates for assimilation reactions; b) Uni-Yeast Tek (Flow) and Mycotube (Roche) were used to indicate assimilation and fermentation of 7 carbohydrate substrates and to determine other biochemical tests; c) Candida-Check (Poli) was based on agglutination reaction by specific antisera . Comparative testing of the methods provided correct identifications for 99.1% by API 20C Aux, 95.4% by Candida-Check, 89.1% by Mycotube, 88.2% by Uni-Yeast Tek . The good concordance of the methods and their optimal manuality, rapidity, and economy suggest a wider diffusion in microbiological laboratories. Antibiotiki, 1984 Dec, 29(12), 892 - 7 {Oleandomycin content of mycelium and fermentation solution during cultivation of Streptomyces antibioticus}; Shukoliukov SA et al.; The time-course of the oleandomycin content in the mycelium and fermentation broth-filtrate was studied by the microbiological assay at different periods of cultivation of strains 471 and 961 in fermenters and flasks containing a rich soybean-corn medium . It was shown that centrifugation of the mycelium over the sucrose density gradient induced a 25-80 per cent decrease in its moist weight at the expense of removal of the admixture components of the rich medium . Addition of glucose (2 per cent) to the culture-grown in a lactose medium by the 72nd hour of fermentation had no effect on further increase of the cell biomass . However, it lowered the content of the mycelium-fixed and excreted antibiotic at all the subsequent fermentation periods . The content of oleandomycin in the untreated mycelium was only 0.36 per cent of its content in the fermentation broth filtrate . After centrifugation of the mycelium over the sucrose density gradient and its intensive washing with distilled water the content of the mycelium-fixed antibiotic decreased still more . The time-course of the content of the mycelium-fixed and excreted oleandomycin was characterized by the presence of two activity peaks; by the 80-110th and by the 140-170th hour of cultivation. Genetics, 1984 Dec, 108(4), 845 - 58 Genes affecting the regulation of SUC2 gene expression by glucose repression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Neigeborn L et al.; Mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with defects in sucrose or raffinose fermentation were isolated . In addition to mutations in the SUC2 structural gene for invertase, we recovered 18 recessive mutations that affected the regulation of invertase synthesis by glucose repression . These mutations included five new snf1 (sucrose nonfermenting) alleles and also defined five new complementation groups, designated snf2, snf3, snf4, snf5, and snf6 . The snf2, snf4, and snf5 mutants produced little or no secreted invertase under derepressing conditions and were pleiotropically defective in galactose and glycerol utilization, which are both regulated by glucose repression . The snf6 mutant produced low levels of secreted invertase under derepressing conditions, and no pleiotropy was detected . The snf3 mutants derepressed secreted invertase to 10-35% the wild-type level but grew less well on sucrose than expected from their invertase activity; in addition, snf3 mutants synthesized some invertase under glucose-repressing conditions.--We examined the interactions between the different snf mutations and ssn6, a mutation causing constitutive (glucose-insensitive) high-level invertase synthesis that was previously isolated as a suppressor of snf1 . The ssn6 mutation completely suppressed the defects in derepression of invertase conferred by snf1, snf3, snf4 and snf6, and each double mutant showed the constitutivity for invertase typical of ssn6 single mutants . In contrast, snf2 ssn6 and snf5 ssn6 strains produced only moderate levels of invertase under derepressing conditions and very low levels under repressing conditions . These findings suggest roles for the SNF1 through SNF6 and SSN6 genes in the regulation of SUC2 gene expression by glucose repression. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 Dec, 37(12), 1519 - 24 Spenolimycin, a new spectinomycin-type antibiotic . II . Isolation and structure determination; McAlpine JB et al.; A new water-soluble, basic antibiotic has been isolated from the fermentation beers of Streptomyces gilvospiralis sp . nov . The structure of the antibiotic has been deduced from spectral studies and confirmed by chemical degradation to spectinomycin . This structure, 3'-O-methylspectinomycin-3',4'-enol ether has led to the name spenolimycin. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 Dec, 37(12), 1513 - 8 Spenolimycin, a new spectinomycin-type antibiotic . I . Discovery, taxonomy and fermentation; Karwowski JP et al.; Spenolimycin, a new spectinomycin-type antibiotic, was discovered in the fermentation broth of a new actinomycete named Streptomyces gilvospiralis sp . nov . strain AB634D-177 . Although a small amount of spectinomycin is coproduced by strain AB634D-177, the culture is different from other known spectinomycin-producing actinomycetes . Spenolimycin was obtained by conventional submerged culture in 14-liter fermentors with a peak antibiotic titer of 140 micrograms/ml. Poult Sci, 1984 Nov, 63(11), 2145 - 52 Effect of natural feedstuffs added to a semi-purified diet on Eimeria tenella infection; Colnago GL et al.; Experiments were conducted to study the effect of addition of natural feedstuffs to a semi-purified (SP) diet on Eimeria tenella infection of chickens . Chicks were fed the experimental diet throughout the experimental period and were orally inoculated with 200,000 sporulated oocysts of E . tenella at 14 days of age . Addition of corn, but not soybean meal, to a SP diet increased mortality and decreased body weight gain due to the coccidial infection in comparison with chickens fed the SP diet . Addition of corn gluten meal or replacement of poultry fat by corn oil or glucose by corn starch in the SP diet did not significantly change any of the parameters studied . Addition of 20% of corn fermentation solubles (CFS)-but not 20% of distillers dried grains with solubles, wheat bran, or rice bran-to the SP diet, resulted in significantly higher mortality from the coccidial infection . Addition of 5 or 10% of CFS to the SP diet significantly increased mortality in chicks compared to those fed the SP diet, but feeding the residue of CFS after extraction with chloroform-methanol followed by water did not increase mortality . These studies show that corn and CFS contain factors that enhance E . tenella infection in chicks fed a semi-purified diet, but other natural feedstuffs such as soybean meal do not. Am J Vet Res, 1984 Nov, 45(11), 2247 - 50 Effect of pH on in vitro ruminal conversion of L-tryptophan to 3-methylindole and indole; Hammond AC et al.; Three in vitro experiments were conducted to determine the effects of pH on ruminal conversion of L-tryptophan (TRP) to 3-methylindole (3-MI) and indole (IND) . Experiment 1 involved 2 closed-system incubations, each with triplicate replications of buffered ruminal fluid at initial pH of 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, and 8.0 . Highest molar conversions of TRP to 3-MI were 61.5 +/- 2.7% and 64.3 +/- 0.8% at initial pH treatments of 7.5 and 7.0 (final pH 7.3 and 6.9) for the 2 incubations, respectively . Experiment 2 used duplicate continuous cultures at each of 4 pH treatments . Following a common 5-day pretreatment period, effluent pH averaged 5.6, 6.1, 6.5, and 6.9 for the respective treatments . Data for 4 subsequent 5-day time periods showed production of 3-MI was affected by pH treatment (P less than 0.01), time (P greater than 0.01), and treatment X time (P less than 0.01); conversion of TRP to 3-MI reached 78% at pH 6.9 and decreased to less than 1% at pH 5.6 . Production of IND was not related to pH treatment (P greater than 0.10) . Total moles of volatile fatty acid (VFA) carbon produced showed a pH treatment X time interaction (P less than 0.01) which reflected a trend toward decreasing VFA production at lower pH and increasing VFA production at higher pH . Experiment 3 consisted of 2 pH treatments with additional continuous culture fermenters.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Mol Biol (Mosk), 1984 Nov-Dec, 18(6), 1518 - 23 {Enzymatic mechanisms of degradation of DNA replication forks in vitro}; Fradkin GE et al.; The present work provides experimental evidence of two ways of fermentative degradation of DNA replication forks in vivo . The first way proceeds under the influence of exonuclease V, which degradates DNA replication forks, uncovered by singlestrand binding (ssb) proteins . DNA replication forks protected against nucleases by ssb protein are degrated by a second way: by tandem action of DNA polymerase II with ssb protein complexes and exonuclease V . The default of normal ssb protein in cells of Escherichia coli is responsible for the first way of DNA replication forks degradation . The second way is occurs at excess of normal ssb protein. J Anim Sci, 1984 Nov, 59(5), 1369 - 72 Aspects of ingestive behavior in cattle; Bell FR; Ingestive behavior in cattle differs from other species because of physiological mechanisms developed pari passu with fermentative digestion . The secondary refection of rumination allows remastication and reinsalivation of the large bulk of vegetable food ingested . The need to buffer acid products of cellulose digestion demands continuous high secretion of alkaline saliva . Nervous and hormonal stimuli emanating from the gastrointestinal tract evoke centrally controlled behavior of hunger and satiety . The four primary taste receptors occur in cattle but thresholds are low . Because of the low Na level in plants, cattle have developed the behavior of seeking salt by taste and smell . During Na deficiency it can be shown that cattle readily learn and develop memory, providing a powerful behavioral dimension in the search for food. J Anim Sci, 1984 Nov, 59(5), 1354 - 61 Controls of feeding in horses; Ralston SL; Members of the genus Equus are large, nonruminant herbivores . These animals utilize the products of both enzymatic digestion in the small intestine and bacterial fermentation (volatile fatty acids) in the cecum and large colon as sources of metabolizable energy . Equine animals rely primarily upon oropharyngeal and external stimuli to control the size and duration of an isolated meal . Meal frequency, however, is regulated by stimuli generated by the presence and (or) absorption of nutrients (sugars, fatty acids, protein) in both the large and small intestine plus metabolic cues reflecting body energy stores . The control of feeding in this species reflects its evolutionary development in an environment which selected for consumption of small, frequent meals of a variety of forages. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 Nov, 37(11), 1301 - 7 Valiolamine, a new alpha-glucosidase inhibiting aminocyclitol produced by Streptomyces hygroscopicus; Kameda Y et al.; Valiolamine, a new aminocyclitol has been isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces hygroscopicus subsp . limoneus and its structure has been determined to be (1(OH),2,4,5/1,3)-5-amino-1-C-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,3,4-cyclohexanetetr ol . Valiolamine has more potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity against porcine intestinal sucrase, maltase and isomaltase than valienamine, validamine and hydroxyvalidamine which were reported as building blocks of validamycins and microbial oligosaccharide alpha-glucosidase inhibitors . In addition, valienamine, validamine and hydroxyvalidamine have been isolated from the fermentation broth. Mol Biol (Mosk), 1984 Nov-Dec, 18(6), 1476 - 85 {Quantitative kinetic model of ATP hydrolysis-synthesis by membrane H+-ATPase}; Kister AE et al.; A mathematical model of fermentative reactions of synthesis-hydrolysis of ATP by H+-ATPase, coupled to the charge transport across the membrane has been constructed . Quantitative calculations of the rate of hydrolysis--synthesis of ATP were performed . The nature of the membrane electrochemical gradient delta mu H+ is discussed. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 Nov, 37(11), 1324 - 32 Oxetin, a new antimetabolite from an actinomycete . Fermentation, isolation, structure and biological activity; Omura S et al.; A new amino acid-antimetabolite, oxetin, was isolated from a fermentation broth of a Streptomyces sp . OM-2317, a soil isolate . The chemical structure was elucidated as (2R,3S)-3-amino-2-oxetane carboxylic acid by analysis of the spectral data and by X-ray diffraction methods . The antibiotic is the first natural product possessing an oxetane ring . Certain microorganisms were inhibited by oxetin only when cultivated in minimal media . The inhibitory action was reversed by several amino acids such as L-isoleucine, L-methionine, L-valine and L-glutamine . It also exhibited herbicidal activity and inhibited glutamine synthetase from spinach leaves. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 Nov, 37(11), 1313 - 9 Phenacein--an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor produced by a streptomycete . II . Isolation, structure determination and synthesis; Liu WC et al.; Phenacein, an inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme, has been isolated from the fermentation broth of a Streptomyces species belonging to the Streptomyces tanashiensis-zaomyceticus group . The inhibitor was shown to be 3,6-dihydroxy-1-phenazinecarboxylic acid by spectroscopic, degradative and synthetic methods. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 Nov, 37(11), 1308 - 12 Phenacein--an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor produced by a streptomycete . I . Taxonomy, fermentation and biological properties; Bush K et al.; Phanacein, 3,6-dihydroxy-1-phenazinecarboxylic acid, was a specific angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor isolated from a member of the Streptomyces tanashiensis-zaomyceticus group . Phenacein acted as a pure competitive inhibitor with a Ki of 0.58 microM . ACE inhibition could be reversed by Zn++, but not by Co++, Ca++, or Mg++; therefore, phenacein may chelate the active site zinc of ACE . However, other zinc-containing enzymes were not inhibited at high phenacein concentrations . Phenacein exhibited weak activity against Gram-positive bacteria, but was not active against Candida sp . or Gram-negative organisms. J Bacteriol, 1984 Nov, 160(2), 687 - 90 Proton suicide: general method for direct selection of sugar transport- and fermentation-defective mutants; Winkelman JW et al.; We devised a positive selection procedure for bacterial mutants incapable of producing acid from sugars by fermentation . The method relied on the production of elemental bromine from a mixture of bromide and bromate under acidic conditions . When wild-type Escherichia coli cells were plated on media containing a fermentable sugar and an equimolar mixture of bromide and bromate, most of the cells were killed but a variety of mutants unable to produce acid from the sugar survived . Among these mutants were those defective in (i) sugar uptake, (ii) the glycolytic pathway, and (iii) the excretion . There were also novel mutants with some presumed regulatory defects affecting fermentation. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 1984 Nov, 76(2), 207 - 18 Interaction of methylmercury chloride with cellular energetics and related processes; Ally A et al.; Upon exposure to methylmercury chloride, the whole-cell oxygen uptake by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae ceases . On a fermentable carbon source, carbon dioxide continues to be evolved after respiration has stopped, indicating that fermentation is still active . Dextrose and glycerol uptake also persists until the respective processes, fermentation and respiration, are totally inhibited . Protein and nucleic acid synthesis are blocked with similar concentrations of methylmercury, while cytochrome c, the terminal component of the electron transport chain, is unaltered by the toxicant . Surprisingly, the intracellular ATP is higher in the treated cells than in the controls, although they eventually fall in response to higher concentrations of methylmercury, while cytochrome c, the terminal component of the electron transport chain, is unaltered by the toxicant . Surprisingly, the intracellular ATP is higher in the treated cells than in the controls, although they eventually fall in response to higher concentration or longer exposure . High-pressure liquid chromatography profiles show that the amounts of the other nucleotides are either unaltered or increased . The entire inhibitory process is reversible with time or fresh medium at low methylmercury concentrations . These results do not support the hypothesis expressed by several authors of an inhibition of ATP biosynthesis resulting from membrane perturbation . These data suggest that the decrease in ATP--when induced by the organomercurial--is a secondary process and is not the result of direct mitochondrial toxicity. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med, 1984 Nov, 177(2), 372 - 6 Short-chain fatty acid fermentation products of plant fiber affect glucose metabolism of isolated rat hepatocytes; Anderson JW et al.; Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced during fermentation of plant fibers and absorbed from the colon may affect hepatic glucose metabolism . We examined the effects of different fatty acids on rates of glucose production and glycolysis in isolated rat hepatocytes . Acetate, butyrate, and long-chain fatty acids significantly increased glucose production from lactate . However, propionate and valerate significantly decreased glucose production from lactate . Whereas 5 mM butyrate increased the incorporation of {14C}lactate into {14C}glucose by 80%, 5 mM propionate produced a 67% decrease . Glycolysis was significantly decreased by acetate, butyrate, and long-chain fatty acids . However, propionate and valerate significantly increased glycolysis . Thus propionate, which inhibits hepatic acetate metabolism, acts to increase glucose use and decrease glucose production . Plant fibers may influence hepatic glucose metabolism via their SCFA metabolites. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1984 Oct, 81(19), 6029 - 33 Cytoplasmic acidosis as a determinant of flooding intolerance in plants; Roberts JK et al.; We present evidence that cytoplasmic acidosis is a cause of meristematic death in hypoxic root tips of maize and pea seedlings . Usually, leakage of acid from the vacuole is responsible for cytoplasmic acidosis . Leakage of acid, which occurs earlier during hypoxia in pea root tips than in maize root tips, appears to account for the lower tolerance of peas for hypoxia . Cytoplasmic acidosis is accelerated in maize root tips that are either (i) deficient in alcohol dehydrogenase, so that lactic acid production continues throughout hypoxia, or (ii) exposed to external CO2 during hypoxia, or (iii) perfused slowly so that escape of CO2 produced during ethanolic fermentation is retarded . All three conditions decrease the length of time maize root tips can tolerate hypoxia; more rapid cytoplasmic acidosis is associated with more rapid death under hypoxia . Possible mechanisms by which cytoplasmic acidosis leads to death are suggested; the mechanism does not involve inhibition of glycolysis by low pH. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 Oct, 37(10), 1161 - 9 Studies on new antifungal antibiotics, guanidylfungins A and B . I . Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and characterization; Takesako K et al.; Guanidylfungin A, C58H103N3O18, and guanidylfungin B, C57H101N3O18, were isolated from the mycelia of Streptomyces hygroscopicus No . 662 by means of silica gel absorption and reversed phase liquid chromatographies . The guanidylfungins were active against fungi and Gram-negative bacteria. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 Oct, 37(10), 1149 - 52 New antitumor antibiotic, LL-C10037 alpha . Fermentation, isolation and structure determination; Lee MD et al.; A new antitumor antibiotic, LL-C10037 alpha was isolated from the fermentation filtrate of a Streptomyces by adsorption, partition and reverse phase column chromatography . Its chemical structure was determined by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, UV, IR and mass spectral data . LL-C10037 alpha is a gamma-aminoepoxysemiquinone and is related to the epoxyguinone class of antibiotics. Int Surg, 1984 Oct-Dec, 69(4), 357 - 9 Spontaneous rupture of the stomach: a rare complication of Nissen's fundoplication; Kurgan A et al.; Spontaneous rupture of the stomach may occur in cases of abnormal distension and reduced emptying capacity, either by normal peristalsis or by vomiting, of the stomach . We present a case of spontaneous rupture of the stomach in which the dilatation was due to apple fermentation and gas formation in the stomach . Peristalsis was inadequate for stomach emptying due to impaction of apple skins in the duodenum . The inability to vomit was due to a Nissen fundoplication performed 18 months earlier. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Oct, 48(4), 826 - 9 Extracellular metabolism of sucrose in a submerged culture of Claviceps purpurea: formation of monosaccharides and clavine alkaloids; Kren V et al.; Transformation of extracellular sucrose during cultivation of Claviceps purpurea led to the formation of mono- and oligosaccharides . Maltose was a suitable substrate for submerged fermentation of alkaloids . Fermentation in a medium with maltose was characterized by an insignificant formation of glucans, intensive sporulation, suspension growth of mycelium, and a higher formation of elymoclavine . Glucose alone yielded low levels of total alkaloids and high glucan formation; on the other hand, glucose promoted the formation of elymoclavine. J Dairy Sci, 1984 Oct, 67(10), 2460 - 3 Lactational response to a feed supplement containing fermentation products, cobalt, dextrose, and lactose; Schingoethe DJ et al.; A feed supplement containing dried microbial fermentation products, cobalt, dextrose, and lactose was fed at 15 g per cow daily to 10 lactating Holstein cows in a switchback experiment with three periods of 5 wk each . Cows averaged 80 days postpartum and produced from 28 to 45 kg daily at the beginning of the experiment . Throughout the 15-wk experiment, cows were fed a 19% crude protein concentrate mix at 1 kg per 3 kg milk produced, 2.3 kg alfalfa hay daily, and corn silage for ad libitum intake . Milk production and composition were similar when supplemented or unsupplemented diets were fed . Means with and without feed supplement were: milk, 28.1 and 28.2 kg/day; fat, 3.57 and 3.55%; protein, 3.07 and 3.08%; and total solids, 12.28 and 12.18% . Daily consumption of dry matter as concentrate (10.4 and 10.2 kg), hay (2.1 and 2.1 kg), and corn silage (8.4 and 8.4 kg) was similar with or without the additive . Estimates of cobalt content of diets fed indicated that cows were consuming more than adequate amounts of cobalt without the supplement . Under conditions of this experiment, there was no advantage for feeding this supplement. Microbiol Sci, 1984 Oct, 1(7), 159 - 63 Evolution towards fermentation with pure culture yeasts in wine making; Barre P et al.; There is currently a great interest by many winemakers in making some of their vinifications by means of pure culture yeasts . We describe, in this paper, the problems encountered in operating this way, the corresponding aims, the method of selecting strains and, more particularly, the possibilities offered by applying yeast genetics. Arch Toxicol, 1984 Oct, 55(4), 268 - 71 The DNA repair host-mediated assay as a rapid and sensitive in vivo procedure for the determination of genotoxic factors present in various organs of mice . Some preliminary results with mitomycin C; Mohn GR; The DNA repair host-mediated assay, in which repairable DNA damage is determined in E . coli cells present in various organs of mice exposed to genotoxic agents, was further developed to broaden the range of organs under study and to simplify the procedure of assessing differential bacterial cell survival . A pair of derivatives of E . coli K-12 strain 343/113 was constructed which differed vastly in DNA repair capacity (uvr+/rec+ vs uvrB/recA), as a means of assessing DNA damaging effects; furthermore, the strains differed in their ability to ferment lactose (delta Lac vs Lac+), so that the individual survival of both strains could be determined on a single agar medium (containing neutral red as pH indicator), on which the strains had different colony colour morphology (red, Lac+ vs white, Lac- colonies) . Finally, the strains were made streptomycin-dependent, to prevent uncontrolled growth of the bacterial cells within the various organs and also to inhibit contamination of the survival agar medium by representatives of the normal intestinal microflora . The experimental procedure consisted of injecting mixtures of stationary cells of the two strains (ca . 3-5 X 10(8) viable cells per mouse) both intravenously and orally into mice, either pretreated or subsequently treated with test chemicals . Ninety minutes after injection of the bacteria, the liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, stomach, intestine, colon, and ca . 50 microliter blood, were removed, suspended in buffer, homogenized, and the survival of the two strains determined on neutral red agar supplemented with streptomycin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Antibiotiki, 1984 Oct, 29(10), 735 - 40 {Interdependence of mycelial dehydrogenase activity in Streptomyces aureofaciens and its capacity for tetracycline biosynthesis}; Novikova LM et al.; The maximum dehydrogenase (oxidation-reduction) activity of the vegetative inoculum of S . aureofaciens is the criterion of its availability for transfer to the fermentation medium . The activity is determined by the rate of the methylen blue reduction and the growth characteristics of the seed culture . A method for estimation of the mycelium amount in the medium containing insoluble solid particles is described . The method is based on the capacity of the tetracycline-producing organism for decoloration of methylen blue. J Dairy Sci, 1984 Oct, 67(10), 2356 - 68 Effect of sodium bicarbonate and disodium phosphate on animal performance, ruminal metabolism, digestion, and rate of passage in ruminating calves; Hart SP et al.; With a five-point radial response design, a control group, and several single factor points, effects of dietary sodium bicarbonate (0 to 4.5%) and disodium phosphate (0 to 2.0%) on calf growth, ruminal fermentation, ration digestibility, and rate of passage of liquid and particulate digesta were studied . Growth and intake data were collected age 7 to 14 wk . Rumen and blood were sampled three times . Digestion and rate of passage trials were during age 16 wk . Gains were not affected significantly but were maximized between 1 and 2% sodium bicarbonate and 0% disodium phosphate . Dry matter intake, feed efficiency, dry matter digestibility, volatile fatty acid ratio, ruminal pH, and buffering capacity were not altered by buffers . Ruminal osmolality and concentration of volatile fatty acids were increased by buffers . Digestibility of acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber tended to be higher for rations containing buffers . Dilution rate of ruminal liquid increased by 40% with 2.0% sodium bicarbonate and .75% disodium phosphate, and ruminal volume was decreased . Passage rate of particulate digesta was increased by a similar amount. Proc Natl Sci Counc Repub China B, 1984 Oct, 8(4), 292 - 301 The microbial production of amylase inhibitor and its application . I . Isolation and cultivation of Streptomyces nigrifaciens NTU-3314; Su YC et al.; In the course of screening amylase inhibitor producing, microorganisms, a strain identified as Streptomyces nigrifaciens NTU-3314 was found to have the highest inhibitor-producing ability among the other isolated strains . This strain was aerobically cultured at 30 degrees C in a 5l jar fermentor with a working volume of 2l . The optimum cultural medium consisted of defatted soybean flake 3.0%, potato starch 4.0%, casein 0.6%, sucrose 0.6%, serine 0.02% and NaCl 0.8% (pH 7.0) . With an aeration rate of 1.5 vvm, an agitation speed of 300 rpm and an inoculum of 15% seed (previously grown in seed medium 3), the highest amount of inhibitor was obtained after 24 hours of cultivation . The amylase inhibitor produced had inhibitory effects on both alpha-amylase and glucoamylase, but not on beta-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, beta-glucosidase or dextranase . It was quite stable in 0.1M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) and nearly 100% of its activity was retained even after boiling at 100 degrees C for 20 min. J Biol Chem, 1984 Sep 25, 259(18), 11607 - 16 Stomach lysozymes of ruminants . I . Distribution and catalytic properties; Dobson DE et al.; A major regulatory shift affecting the expression of lysozyme c may have been involved in the origin of two groups of mammals whose nutrition depends on foregut bacteria . A survey of 23 mammalian species reveals that the lysozyme c activity per g of stomach mucosa is many times higher for ruminants and a leaf-eating monkey than for animals lacking a foregut . The implication is that stomach lysozyme c functions as a major digestive enzyme in ruminant-like mammals, helping to make those bacterial which enter the stomach from the foregut available for hydrolysis by conventional digestive enzymes . The high level of stomach lysozyme is due to more enzyme molecules rather than to an increase in the activity of each molecule . This was shown for the cow by purifying the three, non-allelic lysozymes c that account for the lysozyme activity in gastric mucosa and measuring their specific activities and for other foregut fermenters by immunological titration . Lysozyme appears in the stomach mucosa before birth and reaches adult levels before weaning . Other tissues tested from cattle lack lysozyme c and may instead have low levels of another lysozyme that could belong to the g class, the first indication that lysozyme g may be present in mammals . The lysozymes of eight ruminants, four Old World monkeys, and 12 other animals were compared as regards the ability to lyse bacterial cells under various conditions and to resist inactivation by pepsin . There are differences among these species in the dependence of the rate of bacterial lysis on time, pH, and ionic strength . Although not every lysozyme was tested in all of these catalytic respects, there were no exceptions to the following generalizations . First, at ionic strengths above 0.1 and pH values above 5, the rate of lysis by ruminant and monkey lysozymes c rose with the time of reaction, whereas the rate was more nearly constant for the other animal lysozymes . Second, the lytic activity at neutral pH is lower than at pH 5 for the ruminant and monkey lysozymes c when the ionic strength is over 0.1; by contrast, for other lysozymes c under these conditions the activity at neutral pH is about as high as at pH 5 . This latter property, which may be viewed as an adaptation for functioning as a digestive enzyme in the stomach, can be explained in part by differences in electrostatic interactions between lysozyme and the substrate due to the relatively non-basic nature of ruminant and monkey lysozymes compared to other lysozymes c.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) Arch Latinoam Nutr, 1984 Sep, 34(3), 543 - 9 {Effect of the addition of sorghum and molasses on the fermentation of bovine colostrum}; Ortega Cerilla ME et al.; In this study, ground sorghum (7.5%) and molasses (10%) were added to fresh bovine colostrum . The two mixtures and the fresh colostrum, used as control, were allowed to ferment for 21 days . Significant differences (P less than 0.05) were found by analysis of variance, comparing lactic acid production in the control fermented colostrum (0.399 g/100 ml) and molasses (0.504 g/100 ml), as well as ground sorghum fermented colostrums (0.649 g/100 ml) . The lowest amino acids degradation occurred in the sorghum fermented colostrum, while the control colostrum revealed the greatest degradation . No significant differences were found by analysis of variance comparing pH, crude protein percentage, and moisture of the two treatments and of the control . It is concluded that the addition of ground sorghum to fresh bovine colostrum increases the lactic acid content post-fermentation . It also reduces the amino acids degradation, resulting in an improved product for feeding calves. Alcohol, 1984 Sep-Oct, 1(5), 393 - 6 Lack of differences in blood and tissue concentrations of endogenous ethanol in conventional and germfree rats; Jones AW et al.; Headspace gas chromatography was used to determine the concentrations of endogenous ethanol in blood and tissue of conventional and germfree rats . In all biological specimens analysed, the four principal volatile endogenous substances were identified as methanol, acetaldehyde, ethanol and acetone . No statistically significant differences in the concentrations of endogenous ethanol were noted between conventional and germfree animals . In whole blood, liver, kidney, and brain of germfree rats the concentrations of endogenous ethanol were 4.2 +/- 0.19 microM, 5.1 +/- 0.55 microM, 8.2 +/- 0.59 microM and 4.4 +/- 0.17 microM (means +/- SE), respectively . The higher concentration in kidney was also observed in conventional rats . Our results suggest that ethanol is a normal metabolic intermediate in rats and does not exclusively arise from microbial fermentation reactions in the gastrointestinal tract. Mol Biochem Parasitol, 1984 Sep, 13(1), 39 - 51 Changes in glucose metabolism and cyanide sensitivity in Schistosoma mansoni during development; Thompson DP et al.; Schistosoma mansoni was studied by biochemical and electrophysiological techniques to follow the physiological changes occurring during transformation in the mammalian host . Volume conducted electrical potentials and measurement of CO2 evolution indicate that 3 h post-transformational schistosomula are highly sensitive to cyanide . By 24 h after transformation, evolution of CO2 under control conditions is reduced by 77% from 3 h levels, while lactate excretion rises by 84% . Cyanide does not affect the frequency or magnitude of endogenous electrical transients, but does eliminate 83% of the already reduced levels of CO2 evolved in 24 schistosomula . Electrophysiological analyses indicate that the timecourse of metabolic changes in skin- and mechanically transformed schistosomula are similar, and incubation of schistosomula in 200 micrograms ml-1 puromycin does not alter the onset of cyanide insensitivity . The adult parasite evolves a low level of CO2 which is reduced by 88% in the presence of 1 mM cyanide . No significant Pasteur effect is detected, however, and endogenous electrical activity as well as mechanical responses of the adult musculature are unaffected by cyanide exposure . Our results indicate that schistosomula continue to rely on cyanide-sensitive respiratory components for at least 3 h after transformation; by 24 h, however, the parasites are metabolically similar to the adult stage, i.e., they depend on lactate fermentation for most of their energy requirements. Mol Biochem Parasitol, 1984 Sep, 13(1), 29 - 38 Fermentation and the properties of some enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in the trematode Calicophoron ijimai; Vykhrestyuk NP et al.; Glycogen content, glucose consumption and the production of metabolic end products by Calicophoron ijimai were determined under aerobic and anaerobic conditions . The major end products of fermentation were identified as lactic, acetic, propionic, isobutyric and alpha-methylbutyric acids, propionic acid predominating . The activities and properties of some of the enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism were determined . The worms showed high phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, malate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase (decarboxylating) but relatively low pyruvate kinase and very low lactate dehydrogenase activities . The pH optima, coenzyme, cofactor and ionic requirements of the enzymes were similar to those of other helminths . Malate dehydrogenase had an 8-fold greater affinity for oxaloacetate than malate, and was about 14 times more active for oxaloacetate reduction than malate oxidation . Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase was 2.4 times more active and had a 2-fold greater affinity for phosphoenolpyruvate and dinucleotide than pyruvate kinase . The low activities of lactate dehydrogenase and pyruvate kinase but high activities of malate dehydrogenase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase suggest that anaerobic carbohydrate catabolism follows the fumarate reductase pathway. Hum Nutr Clin Nutr, 1984 Sep, 38(5), 383 - 9 Biochemical ariboflavinosis among Nigerian rural school children; Ajayi OA; Eighty school children (47 boys and 33 girls) from a rural community ranging in age from 10 to 16 years and of low socio-economic status were surveyed for riboflavin deficiency . The overall prevalence of subclinical riboflavin deficiency was 41 per cent based upon an activity coefficient (AC) of erythrocyte glutathione reductase (EGR) of more than 1.30 . Although there was no significant difference in the overall prevalence of riboflavin deficiency between the boys and girls, the EGR-AC values correlated significantly with dietary riboflavin intake (r = -0.48, P less than 0.002) for the boys only . The regression analyses of riboflavin intake on EGR-AC values indicated that a minimum daily intake of 0.70 mg riboflavin or 0.4 mg/1000 kcal corresponded to acceptable EGR-AC values (less than 1.20) for the boys . Dietary data showed that the intake of energy, thiamine and riboflavin was grossly inadequate for the needs of the children . About 15 per cent of the total protein intake and 14.3 per cent of the total riboflavin intake were obtained from animal products with plant sources contributing the bulk of the intake . Milk intake was very low or non-existent . It is suggested that dietary intakes of large quantities of leafy vegetables and the use of fermented products and dried shrimps in the soup or an oral vitamin supplement would improve their riboflavin intake. Isr J Med Sci, 1984 Sep, 20(9), 848 - 53 Flask-shaped mycoplasmas: properties and pathogenicity for man and animals; Kirchhoff H et al.; In spite of the variations in cell form and cell size, some mycoplasmas show several consistent and peculiar structural features: a flask- or club-shaped cell form and a more or less defined terminal structure . Organisms with these features can be observed within the species Mycoplasma pneumoniae, M . genitalium, M . pulmonis, M . gallisepticum, M . alvi, M . sualvi and Mycoplasma sp . strain 163 K . Ultrastructural peculiarities of some flask-shaped mycoplasmas are a surface nap and a cytoskeleton . With the exception of M . alvi and M . sualvi, for which detailed investigations are lacking, the flask-shaped mycoplasmas differ from the other mycoplasmas by their gliding motility and adherence properties . All of the flask-shaped mycoplasmas ferment glucose, but there are differences in the other biochemical properties investigated and in the guanine + cytosine ratio . The question remains whether the flask shape, the adherence and the motility are associated with pathogenicity, since three mycoplasmas with these properties are established pathogens . No data are available at present on the pathogenicity of the remaining four species, but several criteria suggest that at least two of them may have an etiological role in disease. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 Sep, 37(9), 943 - 8 A novel phenazine antifungal antibiotic, 1,6-dihydroxy-2-chlorophenazine . Fermentation, isolation, structure and biological properties; Patel M et al.; A novel, solvent extractable, antibiotic complex has been purified from the fermentation broth of an unusual member of the genus Streptosporangium . Two of the major components were isolated from the complex by alumina column chromatography . One of the components was identified as a previously reported compound, 1,6-dihydroxyphenazine . The other component was a novel chlorine containing phenazine, 1,6-dihydroxy-2-chlorophenazine, which exhibited broad spectrum antifungal activity in vitro against dermatophytes and Candida. Arch Tierernahr, 1984 Sep, 34(9), 631 - 40 {Rumen fermentation with special reference to volatile fatty acid production during reproduction . 1 . Methods and results of volatile fatty acid levels and production rates in vitro}; Schindler K et al.; The target of the investigations was to register part of the synthesis performance in the rumen of ewes during the complete reproduction cycle . With the help of in-vitro experiments with artificial rumen the concentration and production rates of volatile fatty acids in the rumen fluid were measured . From the experiments the measured data of fertility-accentuated crossbreeding (experiment 1) and crossbreeding (experiment 2) ewes were contrasted . The average concentrations of volatile fatty acids in ewes are 95.4 m mol/l in experiment 1 and 109.2 m mol/l in experiment 2 during the early stage gestation, 121.4 m mol/l in experiment 1 and 99.8 m mol/l in experiment 2 in the last stage stage of gestation, 129.6 m mol/l in experiment 1 and 112.8 m mol/l in experiment 2 during lactation and 106.6 m mol/l in experiment 1 and 112.9 m mol/l in experiment 2 during the dry period . The production rates of volatile fatty acids calculated form their concentration amount to 4.8 m mol/l X h in experiment 1 and 2.6 m mol/l X h in experiment 2 in the early stage of gestation, 3.5 m mol/l X h in experiment 1 and 3.1 m mol/l X h in experiment 2 in the last stage of gestation, 3.2 m mol/l X h in experiment 1 and 2.7 m mol/l X h in experiment 2 during lactation and 3.7 m mol/l X h in experiment 1 and 2.9 m mol/l X h in experiment 2 in the dry period . The correlation between the concentration and the production rate of volatile fatty acids is not significantly negative in either of the ewe experiments . The scattering of the individual values is wide so that the individual influence of the test animals as well as the influence of the in-vitro method used permit the conclusion that a significant statement on the influence of the genotype and the stage of reproduction on the production rates cannot be made. J Bacteriol, 1984 Sep, 159(3), 913 - 8 Plasmidless, photosynthetically incompetent mutants of Rhodospirillum rubrum; Kuhl SA et al.; Ethyl methanesulfonate rendered a high percentage of Rhodospirillum rubrum cells plasmidless and photosynthetically incompetent (Kuhl et al., J . Bacteriol . 156:737-742, 1983) . By probing restriction endonuclease-digested chromosomal DNA from these plasmidless strains with 32P-labeled R . rubrum plasmid DNA, we showed that no homology exists between the plasmid and the chromosomal DNA of the mutant . Loss of the plasmid in all the nonphotosynthetic isolates was accompanied by the synthesis of spirilloxanthin under aerobic growth conditions, resistance to cycloserine and HgCl2, and loss of ability to grow fermentatively on fructose . Changes in both the protein and lipid composition of the membranes and the impaired uptake of 203HgCl2 in the plasmidless strains (compared with the wild type) suggest either that membrane modification occurs as a result of plasmid loss, accounting for several of the acquired phenotype characteristics of the cured strains, or that both membrane modification and plasmid loss are part of the same pleiotropic mutation. Genetika, 1984 Sep, 20(9), 1472 - 9 {Comparative genetics of yeasts . XXII . The determination of alpha-methylglucoside fermentation by the maltose genes MAL6c2 and malx in the offspring of Saccharomyces cerevisiae N . C . Y . C . 74 strain}; Naumov GI et al.; In offsprings of N.C.Y.C . 74, maltose regulatory constitutive MAL6C2 mutation controls alpha-methylglucoside (alpha-mgl) fermentation in the presence of MALx . MAL6C2 MALx system described by ten Berge et al, is analogous in function (polymeric interaction) to, at least, one MGLa gene from the system of complementary alpha-mgl genes MGLa MGLb MGLc identified by ten Berge . Suppressor malx mutation inhibits both the maltose and alpha-mgl activity of MAL6C2 allele . A brief review on participation of maltose genes in alpha-mgl fermentation is presented. J Steroid Biochem, 1984 Sep, 21(3), 341 - 2 Microbial transformation of testosterone by Aspergillus fumigatus; Mahato SB et al.; Microbial transformation has been employed for the preparation of the potentially important 15 beta-hydroxytestosterone which was obtained by fermentation of testosterone with a typical strain of Aspergillus fumigatus . The metabolite was characterized by employing 1H and 13C NMR, mass spectrometry and i.r . analysis . High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to examine the purity of the product and formation of other minor metabolites. Arch Biochem Biophys, 1984 Sep, 233(2), 447 - 56 Occurrence of multiple forms of alcohol dehydrogenase in Penicillium supplemented with 2,3-butanediol; Langston-Unkefer PJ et al.; The NAD-dependent oxidation of ethanol, 2,3-butanediol, and other primary and secondary alcohols, catalyzed by alcohol dehydrogenases derived from Penicillium charlesii, was investigated . Alcohol dehydrogenase, ADH-I, was purified to homogeneity in a yield of 54% . The enzyme utilizes several primary alcohols as substrates, with Km values of the order of 10(-4) M . A Km value of 60 mM was obtained for R,R,-2,3-butanediol . The stereospecificity of the oxidation of 2-butanol was investigated, and S-(+)-2-butanol was found to be oxidized 2.4 times faster than was R-(-)-2-butanol . The reduction of 2-butanone was shown to produce S-(+)-2-butanol and R-(-)-butanol in a ratio of 7:3 . ADH-I is the primary isozyme of alcohol dehydrogenase present in cultures utilizing glucose as the sole carbon source . The level of alcohol dehydrogenase activity increased 7.6-fold in mycelia from cultures grown with glucose and 2,3-butanediol (0.5%) as carbon sources compared with the activity in cultures grown on only glucose . Two additional forms of alcohol dehydrogenase, ADH-II and ADH-III, were present in the cultures supplemented with 2,3-butanediol . These forms of alcohol dehydrogenase catalyze the oxidation of ethanol and 2,3-butanediol . These data suggest that P . charlesii carries out an oxidation of 2,3-butanediol which may constitute the first reaction in the degradation of 2,3-butanediol as well as the last reaction in the mixed-acid fermentation . Alcohol dehydrogenase activities in P . charlesii may be encoded by multiple genes, one which is expressed constitutively and others whose expression is inducible by 2,3-butanediol. Am J Vet Res, 1984 Sep, 45(9), 1771 - 4 Biochemical and serologic properties of Escherichia coli isolated from cows with acute mastitis; Sanchez-Carlo V et al.; Biochemical and serologic characteristics of 184 Escherichia coli isolates from cows with acute mastitis were determined . Trends or patterns unique to bovine isolates were not observed, except for the frequency of adonitol fermentation, which was positive in 84 (45.6%) of the cultures . Growth on Tergitol-7 agar had 3 types of colony morphologic characteristics; of these, the rough and intermediate textures predominated over those with smooth colony surfaces . A large variety of serovars was detected; the majority occurring as single isolates within a herd . Few K antigens were typeable . Only 2 isolates contained the K99 antigen . Seemingly, E coli organisms isolated from cows with acute mastitis cannot be distinguished as a specific pathogenic group on the basis of biochemical and serotest reactions. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 Sep, 37(9), 970 - 5 Discovery, production and purification of the Na+, K+ activated ATPase inhibitor, L-681,110 from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces sp . MA-5038; Huang L et al.; The maximum yield for the production of L-681,110 by Streptomyces sp . MA-5038 (ATCC 31587) was observed after 5 days' incubation at 28 degrees C and pH about 8.3 . L-681,110 was isolated from the fermentation broth by acetone extraction of the mycelia, absorption to Amberlite XAD-2 resin and two separations by thin-layer chromatography . The structure of L-681,110 was found to consist of a sixteen-membered lactone with a new type of substitution . The inhibition of ATPase, activity against Caenorhabditis elegans and stimulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid release indicate that L-681,110 possesses some characteristics of both oligomycin and avermectin . L-681,110 was also active against tapeworm and ticks in an in vivo assay. J Bacteriol, 1984 Aug, 159(2), 725 - 9 Constitutive activation of L-fucose genes by an unlinked mutation in Escherichia coli; Chen YM et al.; Wild-type Escherichia coli cannot grow on L-1,2-propanediol; mutants that can do so have increased basal activity of an NAD-linked L-1,2-propanediol oxidoreductase . This enzyme belongs to the L-fucose system and functions normally as L-lactaldehyde reductase during fermentation of the methylpentose . In wild-type cells, the activity of this enzyme is fully induced only anaerobically . Continued aerobic selection for mutants with an improved growth rate on L-1,2-propanediol inevitably leads to full constitutive expression of the oxidoreductase activity . When this occurs, L-fuculose 1-phosphate aldolase concomitantly becomes constitutive, whereas L-fucose permease, L-fucose isomerase, and L-fuculose kinase become noninducible . It is shown in this study that the noninducibility of the three proteins can be changed by two different kinds of suppressor mutations: one mapping external to and the other within the fuc gene cluster . Both mutations result in constitutive synthesis of the permease, the isomerase, and the kinase, without affecting synthesis of the oxidoreductase and the aldolase . Since expression of the fuc structural genes is activated by a protein specified by the regulator gene fucR, and since all the known genes of the fuc system are clustered at minute 60.2 of the chromosome, the external gene in which the suppressor mutation can occur probably has an unrelated function in the wild-type strain . The internal suppressor mutation might be either in fucR or in the promoter region of the genes encoding the permease, the isomerase, and the kinase, if these genes belong to the same operon. J Bacteriol, 1984 Aug, 159(2), 790 - 2 Influence of cyclic AMP on photosynthetic development in Rhodospirillum rubrum; Solaiman D et al.; During O2-free growth in the light and in medium with pyruvate, Rhodospirillum rubrum exhibits diauxic growth . The cells first fermented pyruvate and afterwards photometabolized . Exogenous cyclic AMP acted to prolong the lag period between fermentative and photosynthetic development, as well as to slow the light-dependent growth rate . This observation, and in situ changes in the cyclic AMP levels in cells undergoing biphasic growth, suggested that the cyclic nucleotide was involved in photosynthetic differentiation, perhaps by repressing the formation of the bacteriochlorophyll needed to support growth in the light. J Bacteriol, 1984 Aug, 159(2), 590 - 6 Conduction of nonconjugative plasmids by F' lac is not necessarily associated with transposition of the gamma delta sequence; Goto N et al.; A nonconjugative kanamycin-resistant (Kmr) recombinant plasmid, pNR5311, transferred at a low frequency from an Hfr or F' lac Escherichia coli donor to an F- lac- recipient . Among the transconjugants, two types of Kmr plasmids were found: one was indistinguishable from pNR5311 (type A), and the other was a recombinant between pNR5311 and the gamma delta sequence (type B) . When the F' lac strain was used as a donor, 5% of lactose-fermenting (Lac+) and 75% of lactose-nonfermenting (Lac-) transconjugants had type A plasmids . A kinetic study revealed that type A plasmids were transferred more readily in short mating periods than were type B plasmids . Involvement of Tn903, which is present in pNR5311, in transfer of type A plasmids was unlikely since there was no discernible change in the F' lac molecule coexisting with the type A plasmid in the transconjugant cells . The non-gamma delta-associated conduction of pNR5311 by F' lac did not require the recA+ function of the donor . Conduction of pBR322 by F' lac was also carried out, and two types of plasmids with and without gamma delta were found, as with pNR5311 . These findings suggest that the transfer of nonconjugative plasmids is conducted by a novel pathway which is not associated with translocation of transposable elements into either plasmid. Eur J Biochem, 1984 Jul 2, 142(1), 121 - 6 Fatty acid synthesis in mitochondria of Euglena gracilis; Inui H et al.; A malonyl-CoA-independent fatty acid synthetic system, different from the systems in other subcellular fractions, occurred in mitochondria of Euglena gracilis . The system had ability to synthesize fatty acids directly from acetyl-CoA as both primer and C2 donor using NADH as an electron donor . Fatty acids were synthesized by reversal of beta-oxidation with the exception that enoyl-CoA reductase functioned instead of acyl-CoA dehydrogenase in degradation system . A fairly high activity of enoyl-CoA reductase was found on various enoyl-CoA substrates (C4-C12) with NADH or NADPH . Three species of enoyl-CoA reductase, distinct from each other by their chain-length specificity, were found in Euglena mitochondria, and one of them was highly specific for crotonyl-CoA . It is also discussed that the mitochondrial fatty-acid synthetic system contributes to wax ester fermentation, the anaerobic energy-generating system found in the organism. J Dairy Sci, 1984 Jul, 67(7), 1439 - 44 Rumen fermentation in vitro as influenced by long chain fatty acids; Chalupa W et al.; Responses of rumen microbes to fatty acids were evaluated by production of total volatile fatty acid and ratio of acetate to propionate . Fermentations were under carbon dioxide for 20 h in 50-ml Erlenmeyer flasks in a Dubnoff metabolic shaking incubator . Flasks contained 20 ml medium, 1 ml reducing solution, 750 mg substrate (450 mg hay plus 300 mg grain), and varying amounts of long-chain fatty acids supplied as free acids, as calcium salts, or as triglycerides . They were inoculated with 5 ml rumen fluid obtained from a cow fed 3.6 kg grass hay, 2.3 kg grain, and .2 kg tallow daily . Volatile fatty acid production was decreased by long-chain fatty acids that contained less than 18 carbon atoms and by unsaturated long-chain fatty acids with 18 carbon atoms . Lauric acid decreased volatile fatty acid production by 69% and induced unusual acetate/propionate ratio (40:1) . Stearic acid, however, did not affect volatile fatty acid production or acetate/propionate ratio . Within two series of long chain fatty acids (myristic, palmitic, stearic, arachidic; stearic, oleic, linolenic), melting point accounted for 93 to 95% of the variation of volatile fatty acid production and acetate/propionate . As calcium salts, long chain fatty acids caused small changes of fermentation . Our data support the proposition that hard fats and calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids do not interfere with ruminal fermentation. J Clin Psychiatry, 1984 Jul, 45(7 Pt 2), 78 - 80 Patient compliance with MAO inhibitor therapy; Walker JI et al.; Exaggerated fears of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and of their interactions with foods often restrict their use . A review of the literature reveals seven food items most likely to produce a hypertensive crisis in combination with MAOI administration: aged cheeses, smoked or pickled fish, beef or chicken liver, dry fermented sausage, pods of broad beans, brewer's yeast products, and certain alcoholic beverages . Improved understanding of the dietary restrictions, benefits, and mechanism of action of the MAOIs can enhance cooperation with the prescribed treatment program. ASDC J Dent Child, 1984 Jul-Aug, 51(4), 305 - 8 Nutritional and therapeutic aspects of fermented dairy products; Savaiano DA et al.; In summary, evaluation of the nutrient composition of fermented dairy foods indicates that, like milk, they are good sources of protein, calcium, riboflavin and vitamin B12 . Fermented dairy foods are also a good source of folic acid due to microbial synthesis . The absorption of lactose in yogurt is enhanced by the presence of bacterial lactase . Like their nonfermented counterparts, fermented dairy foods may be chosen within a broad range of fat and calorie levels . Fermented and low fat milk products contain only forty to sixty-three calories per 100 grams, whereas sour cream, like sweet cream, is high in fat and contains over two hundred calories per 100 grams . Some fermented dairy foods have antibiotic or antitumor activity in vitro or in laboratory rats . The relevance of these findings to the treatment of human diseases is unknown. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 Jul, 37(7), 712 - 7 Penitricin, a new class of antibiotic produced by Penicillium aculeatum . I . Taxonomy of the producer strain and fermentation; Okuda T et al.; A novel antibiotic, penitricin (Ro 09-0804) was discovered in the culture filtrate of a fungal strain NR 5165 . Taxonomic studies of the producing organism resulted in its assignment to Penicillium aculeatum . Further examination on penitricin production by other strains of this species and related taxa revealed that penitricin was produced by several other strains of P . aculeatum, but not by any available strains of the closely similar species, P . verruculosum . It was also found that copper ion was essential for production of penitricin. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 Jul, 37(7), 693 - 9 Sakyomicins A, B, C and D: new quinone-type antibiotics produced by a strain of Nocardia . Taxonomy, production, isolation and biological properties; Nagasawa T et al.; Actinomycete strain M-53, a new soil isolate, was found to produce four quinone-type antibiotics . Antibiotic sakyomicin components, A, B, C and D were isolated from the fermentation broth of strain M-53 by XAD-2 column chromatography, silica gel column chromatography and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography . The components are active against Gram-positive bacteria . Strain M-53 was identified as a strain of genus Nocardia. J Wildl Dis, 1984 Jul, 20(3), 220 - 5 Levels of trace elements in the liver and diet of free-living koalas, Phascolarctos cinereus (Goldfuss); McOrist S et al.; The mean liver concentrations of copper, manganese, zinc and cobalt were 0.25, 0.20, 2.97 mmol/kg and 2.81 mumol/kg respectively in free-living koalas in Victoria, Australia . The mean plasma copper concentration was 9.2 mmol/liter which was somewhat below the level in other hindgut fermenters . The mean concentrations of copper, manganese and zinc in their diet (Eucalyptus spp.) were 0.08, 4.46 and 0.27 mmol/kg respectively . Analysis of the data established a significant correlation between the age of the koalas and the inverse of the concentration of the copper (r = -0.67, P less than 0.001) in the liver . There were no such correlations apparent for manganese, zinc or cobalt . The concentrations of trace metals in the Eucalyptus diet for the koala were comparable to those recommended in the diets for other hindgut fermenters such as horse, rabbits and rats . However there was evidence for suboptimal plasma copper levels (mean 9.2 mmol/liter) in some koalas, and reduced liver copper levels in older koalas . Liver histology revealed the presence of brown intracytoplasmic granules in hepatocytes . The size and number of these granules per cell was noted to increase with increasing age of the koala but the chemical nature and the role of the granules was not determined by the histochemical techniques used. Arch Tierernahr, 1984 Jul, 34(7), 481 - 8 {Effect of the content of crude plant protein in feed on the utilization of urea in dairy cattle . 4 . Passage of amino acids through the duodenum}; Aitowa MD et al.; Model investigations carried out by means of a re-entrant method at the duodenum with dairy cows and with energy-equivalent rations (600 EFU cattle/kg DM), which after the supplementation of 11 g urea/kg DM (150 g/animal and day) contained 13.8 (I), 16.7 (II) and 20.2 (III)% crude protein, had the following results: The amino acid profile of the duodenal protein differed from that of the applied rations and was similar to the microbial protein in the rumen . It only changed inconsiderably with the protein level of the ration . There were differences between the amino acids of the feed as to their apparent rate of fermentation in the rumen . Ser, tyr, lys, and leu apparently proved to be most resistent whereas arg, asp, met, ile and phe were apparently fermented for the most part or completely . The passage rate of amino acids at the duodenum related to intake were, from I .. . III 126, 102 and 87% . With all rations there were always net losses of some amino acids (his, arg) and net gains (lys, thr, ser, gly, val, met and tyr) at the duodenum in comparison intake . 15N from urea was incorporated into all the amino acids determined in the duodenal protein, most intensively into glu, ser, asp, ile, gly, his and leu . The apparent digestibility of the total amino acids in the intestines was independent of the crude protein level of the rations and reached 69 .. . 71% with a deviation range of 59 .. . 81% for the individual amino acids.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Mikrobiologiia, 1984 Jul-Aug, 53(4), 628 - 32 {Lipid composition of Fusarium sambucinum grown in a fermenter on media with different carbon sources}; Ievleva NR et al.; The object of this work was to study the effect of media containing different carbon sources on the content of lipids and their fractions in the fungus Fusarium sambucinum grown in a fermenter . Molassa and ethanol were carbon sources . From 15.0 to 16.5% of lipids were found to be accumulated in the fungal mycelium . The content of neutral lipids varied from 47.3 to 68% . The fraction of neutral lipids was shown to contain fatty acid esters apart from sterols, triglycerides, free fatty acids and esterified sterols typical of the fungus . The greatest quantities of fatty acid esters were synthesized when the fungus grew on a medium with molassa . Linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids prevailed among other free and esterified fatty acids. J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 Jul, 37(7), 728 - 32 Mycoversilin, a new antifungal antibiotic . I . Fermentation, isolation and biological properties; Samanta AK et al.; A new antifungal antibiotic, mycoversilin, was isolated from the culture filtrate of Aspergillus versicolor (N5)17 by repeated column chromatography and recrystallized from ethyl acetate as homogeneous fine needles . Maximum production took place in a medium containing 4% glucose and 1% peptone at pH 3.5, temperature 28 degrees C after 8-9 days of incubation under stationary condition . Mycoversilin is a narrow spectrum antibiotic with activity against filamentous fungi, particularly Trichophyton rubrum (MIC 15 micrograms/ml). Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol, 1984 Jul-Aug, 20(4), 528 - 33 {Proteolysis of horse blood serum proteins at various stages of antitoxic sera production by the Diaferm-3 method}; Grechushkina-Sukhorukova NA et al.; When preparing antitoxic sera by the method "Diaferm-3", it was found that proteolysis of the horse blood serum occurs not only at the fermentation step (pepsin treatment at the enzyme-substrate ratio of 1/10, t 20-23 degrees for an hour at pH 3.3 and for the next hour at pH 4.2), but also at the heat treatment step (45 min at pH 4.3, t 56-58 degrees in the presence of ammonium sulfate at a concentration of 140-145 g/l) . At the fermentation step immunoglobulins do not split completely into F(ab')2 fragments, 40% of the antitoxic activity being lost at this step . Some ballast proteins--albumin, fibrinogen, etc.--quickly split up into peptides, while other proteins undergo only limited proteolysis . Structural destabilization of serum proteins during thermodenaturing is favorable for the pepsin action and provides for a complete conversion of immunoglobulins to F(ab')2 and Fab' fragments . At this step about 15% of the antitoxic activity is additionally lost . Thus, proteolysis at the thermodenaturation step is an essential part of the "Diaferm-3" process. Am J Clin Nutr, 1984 Jul, 40(1), 48 - 57 Influence of frequent and long-term consumption of legume seeds on excretion of intestinal gases; O'Donnell AU et al.; The objective of this study was to determine the influence of long-term and frequent consumption of legume seeds on the excretion of fermentation gases . This was done by comparing gas excretion for one group (B) of individuals that habitually consumed legumes to that of another group (NB) of individuals that only infrequently consumed legumes . Gas excretion was measured during one diet period (control) when they consumed their normal diets and during one diet period (bean) when they consumed 100 g (dry weight), daily, of red kidney beans . Twelve men participated in this study on an outpatient basis and received each diet for 23 days . We found that there was neither short-term (no difference throughout the 23 days) nor long-term (NB and B groups were equivalent) adaptation in the quantity of gas that was excreted . However, both groups subjectively expressed greater tolerance and less physical discomfort as the bean-consuming period continued. Bull Soc Pathol Exot Filiales, 1984 Jul-Aug, 77(4), 423 - 32 {Diarrhea due to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in New Caledonia . Epidemiology and bacteriologic aspects}; Germani Y et al.; Three types of Escherichia coli play important roles in the etiology of acute diarrhoea . Depending on the pathogenicity mechanisms involved, the E . coli intestinal strains can be divided into enteropathogenic (EPEC), enteroinvasive (EIEC) and enterotoxigenic (ETEC) strains . We have studied ETEC in New-Caledonia . In one year 53 strains were isolated . ETEC are isolated frequently during the wet season in melanesian children with a law hygiene level . A correlation has been established between the fermentation of the rhamnose and the production of heat-stable toxin (ST) . All the strains ST+ had the same antibiotype (8 resistances) . The strains producing heat-labile toxin (LT) had various antibiotypes . Eleven O serotypes have been identified and the 078 is the most frequent . An another plan we have identified serotypes found in Australia and in the SE Asian. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Jul, 48(1), 61 - 7 Pectinolytic enzymes of oral spirochetes from humans; Weber FH et al.; Five strains of obligately anaerobic, pectin-fermenting spirochetes were isolated from the subgingival plaque of humans . The strains produced two extracellular enzymatic activities that functioned in pectin degradation . One of these enzymatic activities was pectin methylesterase (EC 3.1.1.11), and the other was pectate lyase (EC 4.2.2.2) of the endo type . The data indicate that the cumulative action of these two enzymatic activities brought about depolymerization of pectin in spirochete cultures . Pectin- or polygalacturonate-degrading hydrolases were not detected . A cell-associated lyase activity that catalyzed polygalacturonate breakdown was present in one of the spirochete strains . In addition to pectin, the isolates utilized polygalacturonic, glucuronic, or galacturonic acid as fermentable substrate but did not neutral sugars, amino acids, or other substrates tested . Although the oral spirochetes did not ferment hyaluronic acid, one of the strains grew in coculture with a hyaluronidase-producing Peptostreptococcus strain in a medium containing hyaluronic acid as fermentable substrate . Two of the isolates were identified as Treponema pectinovorum strains on the basis of their substrate utilization pattern, end products of fermentation, other phenotypic characteristics, and the guanine-plus-cytosine content of their DNA . Even though the pectinolytic isolates were specialized with respect to the fermentable substrates they utilized, they appeared to compete successfully with other microorganisms in their habitat. Arch Biochem Biophys, 1984 Jul, 232(1), 354 - 65 The oxidation of external NADH by an intermembrane electron transfer in mitochondria f