J Wildl Dis, 1991 Jan, 27(1), 153 - 5 Mortality in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) associated with trichodinid ciliates; Khan RA; A protozoan infection (Trichodina truttae) was identified in captive Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) kelts that died in spring of 1988 and 1989 . Fish with intense infections showed signs of listlessness, erratic swimming and inappetence . The infection induced excessive mucus secretion, epithelial sloughing and lesions that probably permitted entry of opportunistic bacteria which eventually caused ulcers and death . A seawater bath for 30 min each week for 4 wk effectively controlled the parasite. J Membr Biol, 1991 Jan, 119(1), 1 - 13 Role of organic osmolytes in adaptation of renal cells to high osmolality; Garcia-Perez A et al.; Kidney cells accumulate organic osmolytes in order to protect themselves from the high concentrations of NaCl and urea in the blood and interstitial fluid of the renal medulla . The renal medullary organic osmolytes are sorbitol, inositol, betaine and GPC . The concentrations of these solutes in renal medullary NaCl and urea concentration, as summarized in Fig . 8 (the putative controlled steps are highlighted) . Sorbitol accumulates by synthesis from glucose, catalyzed by aldose reductase . Hypertonicity increases the transcription of the gene that encodes this enzyme . GPC is synthesized from choline, and the amount retained apparently may be controlled by the activity of GPC diesterase, an enzyme that catabolizes GPC . Inositol and betaine are taken up from the medium by sodium-dependent transport, and this transport is increased by hypertonicity . Control of these processes is slow (hours to days), but a decrease in tonicity causes a transient, rapid efflux of the solutes, which prevents the cells from becoming overly distended . Similar strategies are used by all types of cells, including bacteria and those in plants and animals, that can adapt to hyperosmotic stress. Gastroenterol Nurs, 1991 Winter, 13(3), 152 - 5 Upper GI abscess formation and intramural hemorrhage: sequelae from possible gastric perforation; Nastasi A; The definition of an abscess is, "a localized collection of pus caused by suppuration in a tissue, organ or confined space." Pyogenic bacteria that invade the tissue are responsible for this inflammatory response . The following case study demonstrates such a response via an unusual presentation of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Infect Immun, 1991 Jan, 59(1), 372 - 82 Isolation and partial characterization of major protein antigens in the culture fluid of Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Nagai S et al.; Five actively secreted proteins (MPT32, MPT45, MPT51, MPT53, and MPT63) and the MPT46 protein were purified to homogeneity from Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture fluid and compared with proteins previously purified by ourselves and other investigators . Antisera were obtained by immunization of rabbits with all of the newly isolated proteins identified to be immunogenic . Two-dimensional electrophoresis of culture fluids obtained each week for 2 to 10 weeks of culturing of M . tuberculosis revealed characteristic changes, permitting identification of two distinct groups of proteins being actively secreted from the mycobacterial cells or appearing later in the culture fluids as a result of the release of soluble proteins from the cytosol after lysis of bacteria . The N-terminal amino acid sequences of five MPTs were shown to be identical to those of proteins previously isolated by other investigators and given different designations, and five new sequences are given . These sequences and the use of the antisera may serve to identify these proteins with mycobacterial constituents isolated by other investigators . The previously identified but not isolated MPT45 protein was shown to correspond to the C component of the antigen 85 complex . The 27-kDa MPT51 protein was demonstrated to cross-react with the three components of the antigen 85 complex, and the N-terminal amino acid sequences of MPT51 and MPT59 showed 60% homology . This finding and the extensive cross-reactivity between the components of the antigen 85 complex may indicate that there is a family of closely related secreted proteins in mycobacteria. J Leukoc Biol, 1991 Jan, 49(1), 98 - 103 Interferon-gamma induced resistance to Legionella pneumophila in susceptible A/J mouse macrophages; Klein TW et al.; Legionella pneumophila (Lp) grow in cultures in human, guinea pig, and mouse macrophages from A/J strain mice . Because exudate macrophages from this strain of mice have been reported deficient in responsiveness to lymphokines, we thought it of interest to document the extent of responsiveness to interferon-gamma in the context of growth restriction of Lp . Peritoneal exudate macrophages were obtained from A/J mice and cultured in either the presence or absence of recombinant interferon-gamma . These cultures were then infected with Lp and the extent of bacterial growth estimated 48 hr later by means of a colony-forming unit (CFU) assay and electron microscopy . Interferon-gamma treatment significantly restricted the number of CFUs in the culture at concentrations as low as 20 U/ml, but did not affect the uptake of bacteria by macrophages . Furthermore, treatment with interferon induced morphological changes consistent with activated macrophages . The involvement of oxygen-dependent mechanisms in phagocyte killing and growth restriction was examined by the use of inhibitors such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase . Neither one of these inhibitors of toxic oxygen metabolites affected the interferon-gamma-induced suppression of Lp growth . These results suggest that although thioglycolate-induced exudate macrophages from A/J mice support the growth of Lp, these cells readily respond to the activating influence of interferon-gamma . Furthermore, lymphokine treatment does not inhibit Lp uptake by macrophages and apparently restricts the growth of bacteria by mechanisms independent of the activity of toxic oxygen metabolites. Adv Exp Med Biol, 1991, 289, 269 - 72 Formation and action of anticarcinogenic fatty acids; Pariza MW et al.; Conjugated dienoic derivatives of linoleic acid (referred to by the acronym CLA) constitute a newly recognized class of anticarcinogenic fatty acids . Of the eight major CLA isomers, the cis-9, trans-11 isomer alone is incorporated into phospholipid and may be the most biologically relevant isomer . CLA exhibits potent antioxidant activity; evidence is presented indicating that CLA acts both as an in vitro and in vivo antioxidant . The formation of CLA in foods, and its possible biological significance in cell membranes, is discussed. Pathobiology, 1991, 59(3), 153 - 5 The macrophage in tuberculosis: sinner or saint? The T cell decides; Kaufmann SH; Immunity to intracellular bacteria including Mycobacterium tuberculosis crucially depends on intricate interactions between T lymphocytes and macrophages . Before contact with T lymphocytes macrophages serve as habitat for M . tuberculosis organisms; after activation by T cells they become major effectors against these pathogens . T cells comprise different subsets which express different functional activities . This paper describes evidence that different T cell subsets (CD4 alpha/beta T cells, CD8 alpha/beta T cells and gamma/delta T cells) as well as different T cell functions (interleukin secretion and target cell lysis) contribute to immunity against tuberculosis. Cancer Immunol Immunother, 1991, 33(5), 307 - 13 Inhibition of spontaneous pulmonary metastases of Lewis lung carcinoma by oral treatment with Respivax and Broncho-Vaxom; Kassabov KT et al.; The antimetastatic activity of orally administered polybacterial vaccines, Broncho-Vaxom (BV) and Respivax (RV) was examined in C57BL/6 mice, bearing implants of Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL) in the footpad . The oral administration of BV or RV for 10 consecutive days before or after surgery caused significant reduction of the number and volume of lung metastases . In addition, the therapeutic potential of BV and RV was examined in combination with chemotherapy to determine if there is additive activity . In animals bearing pulmonary micrometastases, treatment with a combination of cyclophosphamide at 50-150 mg/kg with BV or RV was found to be more effective than each of these treatments alone . In immune function studies it was established that the oral administration of BV and RV induced an increase in the number of cells, recovered by broncho-alveolar lavage, and alveolar macrophages were dominant in these cell populations . Furthermore, oral treatment of mice with these vaccines rendered their alveolar macrophages tumoricidal for syngeneic metastatic 3LL cells in vitro . These results show that pulmonary macrophages induced by oral administration of BV and RV played a key role in the inhibition of metastasis in 3LL-bearing mice. Annu Rev Biophys Biophys Chem, 1991, 20, 1 - 28 Optical method; Chance B; I have traced the development of the optical method from Millikan's colorimetry of cat muscle myoglobin to today's high-frequency laser diode time-resolved phase modulation system study of hemoglobin and myoglobin in muscle and brain in adult humans . The path length as well as specific absorption information is obtained in terms of the rate of photon decay or by equivalent measurements using phase modulation . Localization of inhomogeneities of deoxyhemoglobin concentrations in stroke and head injury appears possible. Vox Sang, 1991, 60(3), 174 - 80 Defining the specificity of anti-A/B IgM/G antibodies with different antigens and lectins; Buchs JP et al.; The specificity of anti-histo blood group A/B antibodies is defined by the antigen used for their production and selection (in the case of mouse monoclonal antibodies, mAbs) or by the antigens present on various intestinal bacteria (for polyclonal human IgM and/or IgG, phAbs) . Absorption experiments with red blood cells and free antigen have been used earlier to define specificity; here we use A/B substances of human, animal and synthetic origin as well as known reactivities of mAbs or lectins as tools to further characterize epitope properties of the A/B antigens . The signal response patterns obtained with identical phAbs anti-A/B IgM/G on three different antigens are superposable . In contrast, commercially available mAb anti-A/B IgM, when tested on the same antigens, revealed different response curves . The chemical specificity of lectins for distinct monosaccharides in terminal position was exploited to delineate the specificity of mouse ascites anti-A IgG1 and of phAbs anti-A/B IgM/G . Helix pomatia lectin inhibited the access of MB9 to porcine A almost completely whereas binding capacities of human anti-A IgM/G were inhibited by 50 and 62%, respectively . In similar experiments Bandeiraea simplicifolia lectin was seen to inhibit access of anti-B IgM/G to horse B by 34 and 58%, respectively . No inhibition was seen with lectin from Ulex europaeus or concanavalin A on plates coated with the three different A or B substances . Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of antigens revealed one spot for the synthetic trisaccharides, whereas the human and animal blood group substances showed 2 and 3 spots, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Radiat Environ Biophys, 1991, 30(2), 123 - 30 Repair of damage caused by UV- and X-irradiation in the amoeboflagellate Naegleria gruberi; Hillebrandt S et al.; Cysts of Naegleria gruberi have a normal UV- and an extremely high X-ray resistance compared to other protozoans . Caffeine and 3-aminobenzamide applied to excysting amoeba after irradiation in the encysted state (UV and X-rays) by feeding with drug-containing bacteria increased lethality, while fractionated irradiation (UV) and liquid-holding (UV and X-rays) increased survival . Illumination with visible light after UV-irradiation restored almost 100% viability . The results are discussed in regard to the activity of repair mechanisms. Prep Biochem, 1991, 21(1), 11 - 23 Isolation of histone-like proteins from mitochondria of bovine heart; Yamada EW et al.; Two methods for isolating and purifying histone-like proteins from mitochondria of bovine heart are described . In the first, a sonicated extract of the mitochondria was fractionated in three chromatography steps, including affinity chromatography on DNA-cellulose, to purify a protein that resembles very closely the histone-like protein (HM) of yeast mitochondria . In the second method, an acid extract of the heart mitochondria was the starting material; two other histone-like proteins were separated . Thus, as in mitochondria of Xenopus laevis, several histone-like proteins are present in mitochondria of bovine heart. Bone Marrow Transplant, 1991, 7 Suppl 3, 48 - 51 Impaired polysaccharide responses in immunodeficient patients: relevance to bone marrow transplant patients; Ambrosino DM; Bone marrow transplant patients are at increased risk for pneumococcal and H . influenzae type b (HIB) infections . These polysaccharide encapsulated bacteria are also pathogens for young healthy children . In healthy children age related susceptibility has been associated with poor response to polysaccharides and low serum IgG2 subclass antibody concentrations . Of note, immune reconstitution following bone marrow transplantation has been characterized by slow return of both the response to polysaccharides and IgG2 serum concentrations . Thus immune reconstitution following bone marrow transplantation is similar to the maturation that occurs in healthy children . In addition to transplant patients, we have identified five groups of immunodeficient patients who are at increased risk for polysaccharide encapsulated pathogens . IgG2 subclass deficient patients were shown to have impaired responses to polysaccharide antigens . We have also defined "Selective Antibody Deficiencies" which are individuals with normal IgG subclass concentrations but poor responses to polysaccharide antigens . Next, patients who developed HIB disease in spite of immunization (i.e . HIB vaccine failures) were demonstrated to have lower serum IgG2 and IgG4 subclass concentrations compared to controls . Finally, Native Americans (an ethnic group with an increased incidence of pneumococcal and HIB infections) were shown to be poor responders to polysaccharide antigens and have significantly lower concentrations of serum IgG2 and IgG4 as compared to controls . New HIB polysaccharide vaccines linked to protein antigens (conjugate vaccines) have been developed that are more immunogenic in healthy young children . In addition, these conjugate vaccines have resulted in protective responses in each of the newly described immunodeficient groups . We therefore now propose to evaluate bone marrow transplant patients' response to HIB conjugate vaccine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Scand J Infect Dis, 1991, 23(2), 273 - 4 Isolation of Coxiella burnetii in Sweden; Akesson A et al.; Coxiella burnetii was isolated from sheep placentas, which had been collected from farms harbouring humans seropositive to the organism . The isolation of these bacteria is the final evidence that Q fever is a domestic disease in Sweden. Rev Neurol (Paris), 1991, 147(5), 403 - 5 {Recurrent aseptic meningitis in periodic disease or Mollaret's meningitis?}; Collard M et al.; A 33 year-old Sephardic Jewish man with familial mediterranean fever (FMF), presented during a 7 year period, 6 episodes of aseptic meningitis, improving within less than 24 h after spinal tap . Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed a mixed leucocytic pleocytosis ranging from 100 to 1,000 cell/mm3 . Spinal fluid cultures for bacteria, viruses and viral antibodies were always negative . Our case supports other reports showing that recurrent aseptic meningitis, although rare, may occur in FMF . It usually responds to treatment with colchicine, like other manifestations of the disease . FMF meningitis has been compared to Mollaret's meningitis whose cause is undetermined . However, Mollaret's meningitis, unlike FMF, is sporadic and ubiquitous, is not transmitted genetically and affects men and women equally . Moreover, in Mollaret's meningitis transient neurological abnormalities, such as signs of encephalitis have often been reported: polyserositis or associated amylosis are absent, there is no biological inflammatory syndrome, and in 65% of the patients the CSF contains specific large mononuclear-derived cells called endothelial cells . Such abnormalities have not been described in FMF. Probl Tuberk, 1991, (4), 18 - 9 {Unresolved problems of mycobacterioses}; Lazovskaia AL; A critical appraisal is given to a paper by A . V . Vasil'ev and T . F . Otten "The tactics of management of patients with mycobacteriosis of the lungs" . It is shown that purposeful techniques for the isolation and detection of the opportunistic mycobacteria in practical laboratories are needed and possible modes of non-tuberculosis bacteria existence in the environment and people contamination discussed . The role of sensitins in the diagnosis of mycobacterioses is demonstrated. Methods Enzymol, 1991, 195, 137 - 52 Purification and assay of cell-invasive form of calmodulin-sensitive adenylyl cyclase from Bordetella pertussis; Masure HR et al.; An invasive form of the CaM-sensitive adenylyl cyclase from Bordetella pertussis can be isolated from bacterial culture supernatants . This isolation is achieved through the use of QAE-Sephadex anion-exchange chromatography . It has been demonstrated that the addition of exogenous Ca2+ to the anion-exchange gradient buffers will affect elution from the column and will thereby affect the isolation of invasive adenylyl cyclase . This is probably due to a Ca2(+)-dependent interaction of the catalytic subunit with another component in the culture supernatant . Two peaks of adenylyl cyclase activity are obtained . The Pk1 adenylyl cyclase preparation is able to cause significant increases in intracellular cAMP levels in animal cells . This increase occurs rapidly and in a dose-dependent manner in both N1E-115 mouse neuroblastoma cells and human erythrocytes . The Pk2 adenylyl cyclase has catalytic activity but is not cell invasive . This material can serve, therefore, as a control to ensure that the cAMP which is measured is, indeed, intracellular . A second control is to add exogenous CaM to the Pk1 adenylyl cyclase preparation . The 45-kDa catalytic subunit-CaM complex is not cell invasive . Although the mechanism for membrane translocation of the adenylyl cyclase is unknown, there is evidence that the adenylyl cyclase enters animal cells by a mechanism distinct from receptor-mediated endocytosis . Calmodulin-sensitive adenylyl cyclase activity can be removed from preparations of the adenylyl cyclase that have been subjected to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . This property of the enzyme has enabled purification of the catalytic subunit to apparent homogeneity . The purified catalytic subunit from culture supernatants has a predicted molecular weight of 45,000 . This polypeptide interacts directly with Ca2+ and this interaction may be important for its invasion into animal cells . Finally, the technique for purifying the catalytic subunit by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis may prove useful in studying the interaction of the adenylyl cyclase with other components produced by the bacteria, as well as the interaction of the enzyme with eukaryotic target cells. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl, 1991, 486, 149 - 61 Current concepts of mucociliary dysfunction in otitis media with effusion; Ohashi Y et al.; From a survey of the literature on mucociliary function in the tubotympanum, it is clear that mucociliary activity and ciliary activity are deeply involved in the pathogenesis, pathology, and prognosis of otitis media with effusion . Ciliary function in the middle ear, especially in the tympanic orifice and the Eustachian tube, has an important role in the mucociliary clearance of surplus secretion to the pharynx . Our review demonstrates that ciliary activity in the tubotympanum is sensitive to a variety of pathological agents including bacteria, bacterial endotoxin, irritant gases, and irradiation, resulting in mucociliary dysfunction of the tubotympanum. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl, 1991, 486, 135 - 48 Influenza A virus-induced otitis media and mucociliary dysfunction in the guinea pig; Ohashi Y et al.; There is much epidemiologic, clinical and laboratory evidence that viral infection is involved in otitis media with effusion (OME) . However, few studies have demonstrated any direct influence of viruses on the tubotympanum . The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of influenza A virus having invaded the tubotympanum and so elucidate the possible mechanism by which this virus contributes to the pathogenesis of OME . Eighty guinea pigs with normal otoscopic findings were inoculated with 0.2 ml suspension of influenza A (3.3 x 10(8) PFU/ml) into the tympanic cavity through the tympanic membrane . To serve as controls, the same number of guinea pigs were injected with 0.2 ml of physiologic saline solution into the tympanic cavity . At 3, 7, 14, and 28 days postinoculation, they were used for examination of the mucociliary function . Middle ear effusions as well as mucociliary dysfunction were observed only in the animals inoculated with the virus . The ciliary activity in the bulla was declined at any time examined . On the other hand, the ciliary activity in the Eustachian tube and the tympanic orifice was slightly lowered between 7 and 14 days, but the level was not different from that of the controls . However, the number of active ciliated cells (showing more than 500 beats/min) was significantly smaller than that of the controls . The mucociliary clearance time of the tubotympanum was more prolonged than that of the controls at 3, 7, and 14 days, and returned to the control level at 28 days . A variety of morphological changes were observed in the tubotympanum treated with the virus . Major pathologies observed included general inflammatory cell infiltration, vacuolation and other degeneration of ciliated cells, and vascular damage and increased vascular permeability . Regeneration of cilia or ciliated cells followed the degeneration, which included an increased number of basal cells and newly formed centrioles . However, the viral infection also affected the epithelial cells with new centrioles . Our study demonstrates that viral infection can evoke mucociliary dysfunction of the tubotympanum and create increased susceptibility to bacteria . Therefore, viral infection may enhance bacterial infectious processes in the tubotympanu thereby contributing to the occurrence of OME. Sci Prog, 1991, 75(298 Pt 3-4), 313 - 22 Oligotrophic micro-organisms in industry, medicine and the environment; Wainwright M et al.; Micro-organisms are generally grown in the laboratory in nutrient-rich medium containing large amounts of sugars, nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients which are considered essential for their growth . Modification of these conditions on an industrial scale provides an ideal environment in which micro-organisms can produce large quantities of useful products such as antibiotics, biochemicals, and enzymes . Natural environments, in contrast, contain only trace amounts of nutrients . Micro-organisms which are adapted for growth under these conditions are called oligotrophs . Many bacteria and fungi can grow as oligotrophs by scavenging traces of nutrients from solution or from the atmosphere . The ability of micro-organisms to grow in this way has a number of important biotechnological, medical and environmental implications. Orthod Fr, 1991, 62 Pt 3, 1019 - 24 {Do multi-bracket orthodontic appliances favor the development of parasites and fungi in the oral environment? Pathological and therapeutic consequences}; Truchot G; Nowadays, the orthodontic treatment makes necessary to use for a long time fixed-band appliance . This work shows that the presence of funguses, identified from samples taken from the bacterial plaque in patients with banded teeth, do not lead to any pathology . The development of the inflammatory reaction and the increase of the funguses number, are only owing to the quantity of the dental plaque for the reason that hygienics is often wrong . This study prove that hygienics is the only therapeutic, prophylacticly and curative, of any pathogenical aspects due to the being of bands. Chin J Biotechnol, 1991, 7(2), 145 - 52 Studies on properties of thermostable beta-amylase from Thermoactinomyces sp.V4; Zhou BY et al.; A thermostable beta-amylase from Thermoactinomyces sp . V4 isolated from soil is reported . The enzyme has optimum activity at 70 degrees C and pH6 . It is stable at 50 degrees C (4h) and retains 92% of activity at 55 degrees C (2h) . The extent of hydrolysis soluble starch is about 77% and the product is identified as beta-maltose by paper chromatography and rotatory examination . Sulfhydryl reagent has no effect on the beta-amylase activity. Acta Univ Palacki Olomuc Fac Med, 1991, 130, 341 - 51 New disinfectants; Podstatova H et al.; The authors estimated the microbicidal effect of disinfectants produced by the firm Henkel Austria, namely Spitaderm, Incidin M spray, Incidur, Incidur spray, Sekusept pulver, Sekusept forte and Maranon H . The aim of the study was the verification of the effectivity of preparations and the proposal of their application in Czechoslovak practice . The estimation was performed in two stages: in vitro and in practice . The standard suspensive method, the suspensive micromethod and the method of carriers were chosen for the experiments, as well as the strains of grampositive and gramnegative bacteria, the spores of B . subtilis, yeasts and the model virus . In the second part of experiments, the disinfectants were applied according to the producer's instructions in inpatient departments of internal medicine and of surgery at the University Hospital in Olomouc in the course of 4 weeks . During the experiment, the rubdowns were taken twice a week from the working places, floor, instruments and hands and the bacterial contamination of the establishment was estimated . In hemodialysing centre, the apparatuses of the artificial kidney were estimated as well, as the preparation Maranon H is recommended for their disinfection . The results of the experiments show that the recommended concentrations of disinfectants and their effective exposition are chosen with sufficient safety coefficient . In chosen wards, the minimum bacterial contamination was observed . All disinfectants were accepted favourably, their scent estimated as pleasant, the staffs evaluated their high cleaning properties and the dosage equipment, ensuring the precise concentration of preparations . With regard to the above mentioned results, the authors recommend to start the licensed production, as all the tested preparations correspond to the exigent demands of modern and effective disinfection. Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot, 1991, 77(1), 6 - 13 {Infections after massive bone allografts in surgery of bone tumors of the limbs . Incidence, contributing factors, therapeutic problems}; Hernigou P et al.; This study was carried out on a sample of 115 patients receiving massive allografts that were sterilized by irradiation and implanted after tumor resection, and having a remission period of 2-5 years . Among the 11 post-operative infections that occurred, 9 arose early and 2 arose late . The risk of infection was augmented when reconstruction by allograft followed tumor surgery requiring adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments . Treatment of these allograft infections was difficult due to the presence of multiple bacteria as well as the general circumstances surrounding the infection (immunosuppressed patients under chemotherapy): 5 of the 11 patients required amputation secondary to infection. J Biomater Appl, 1991 Jan, 5(3), 227 - 46 A pathological study of arterial prostheses surgically excised after overt clinical infection; Chakfe N et al.; Infection caused regarding vascular grafts in vascular surgery still remains a major problem . To reduce this problem and the complications which follow, the surgeon must be able to apply the best surgical management and also be confident with the vascular substitute used . There are two important factors to be considered: the biomaterial must have low propensity to infection and good stability if and when infected . In an attempt to verify this problem, 93 vascular grafts surgically excised for overt infection were examined . Techniques used for examinations were gross morphology, histopathology and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evaluation . There were 23 human umbilical vein (HUV) grafts, 51 Dacron grafts and 19 expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts . Histopathological signs of infection were absent in 57% of the ePTFE and Dacron grafts and in 17.4% of the HUV grafts . The latter were more heavily histologically infected and in some cases the walls were destructed . Histopathological signs of infection were seen on all the prosthetic walls in 36% of all the specimens and were mainly on the external portion of the grafts for the remaining prostheses . Bacteria were seen in respectively 21.7, 15.7 and 20% of the HUV, Dacron and ePTFE grafts with the Gram stain and in 86.9, 84.3 and 94.7% with SEM . The implantation period was shorter for the bioprostheses compared to that of the synthetic grafts because of the site and the indication of implantation . The stability of the bioprostheses was lower compared to that of the synthetic grafts when infected, leading to a breakdown of the wall along the length of the graft . The infection was found on the external capsule of the grafts rather than on the luminal surface. Asia Pac J Public Health, 1991, 5(3), 262 - 5 Possible human health hazards from outbreak of epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) in fish in the Asia-Pacific region; Chakrabarty AN et al.; Acid fast rods, constituting chemoautotrophic nocardioform bacteria, could be repeatedly cultivated and isolated and propagated indefinitely in vitro from fish actinomycotic macrophage granuloma from the massive epizootics of ulcerative disease syndrome of fish in eastern India during 1988-90 . The possible human hazards of zoonotic actinomycotic infections as a result of handling and consumption of such fish are assessed. Dimens Oncol Nurs, 1991 Fall, 5(3), 32 - 4 Phases of wound healing; Gilmore MA; The phases of wound healing--inflammatory, fibroblastic, and maturation--are continuous, though they overlap and do not always occur in an orderly fashion . Wound healing may be retarded by age, diabetes, smoking, immunosuppression, poor nutrition, cell hypoxia, dehydration, bacteria, and other factors . Bacteria and pus may be so great at the inflammatory phase that the wound remains at that phase . It is important that the nurse recognize when pus is a major factor in an unhealed wound and initiate local care to assist in cleaning the wound bed . It is also important to recognize a clean wound and to initiate appropriate local care that facilitates wound healing . New information about wound healing at the cellular level continues to become available . Epidermal growth factors, platelet-derived growth factors, and the growth hormone somatomedin are being studied, and new methods based on these studies may change local wound care measures . It is essential to understand the phases of wound healing to determine appropriate wound care measures for individual patients. Medicina (B Aires), 1991, 51(3), 233 - 7 {T and B lymphocytes and NK cells in hemolytic uremic syndrome}; Perez N et al.; Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a serious problem in Argentina, where 50% of the known cases are reported to come from . In the so-called "typical" HUS, anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure are usually preceded by an episode of infection . Many agents such as bacteria, toxins and viruses have been linked with the prodromal episode, but the reason for the occurrence of HUS in only a small portion of individuals with identical previous symptoms, is not clear . The hypothesis of a particular immune response modifying the susceptibility of some hosts to develop the syndrome after an otherwise well tolerated infection is not formally excluded . The aim of our work was to explore some immunological parameters in order to add more data concerning the immunologic changes occurring during the acute phase of HUS in 24 pediatric patients . We coincide with previous authors on the normal values of serum complement levels and the increase of IgG, IgA and IgM concentrations . (Table 1) . We also report a significant and transient decrease in the percentage of T lymphocytes and an increase in the relative number of B lymphocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Pol Arch Weter, 1991, 31(1-2), 153 - 65 {Phagocytic activity of neutrophils (PMN cells) in cattle infected with IBR/IPV virus (bovine herpesvirus 1--BHV1)}; Deptula W; PMN cell random and directed migration, adherence, aggregation, ingestion of bacteria as well as resting and stimulated NBT reduction activities were studied in two groups of 5, 2-4 months-old bullocks experimentally (group I) or naturally (group III) infected with BHV1 . Control groups (II and IV) consisted of 5 healthy calves . Experimental infection of bullous were carried out using Polish field isolate of BHV1; animals were injected intramuscularly, intravenously and into conjunctival sack with 3 ml, 1 ml and 0.5 ml of the virus respectively . PMN cell phagocytic activities and virological examinations were performed in the group I and II control 2 days before, at the day, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 64 days post infection, while in the groups III and IV at 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42 and 52 day of the experiment . Directed migration, ingestion of bacteria and NBT reduction by resting and stimulated PMN cells activities were decreased whereas random migration, adherence and aggregation abilities as well as number phagocytosing cells were increased both in naturally and experimentally infected animals . These changes were noted in experimentally infected animals at 1-7 day post infection, its three weeks before antibody anti BHV1 and lasted for 3-9 weeks, while in naturally infected bullocks they appeared at 1-28 day of the experiment and persisted for 4-8 weeks the virus was easy isolated from nasal swabs especially of naturally infected animals. IARC Sci Publ, 1991, (115), 171 - 86 Mechanism of action of ochratoxin A; Dirheimer G et al.; Ochratoxin A has a number of toxic effects in mammals, the most notable of which is nephrotoxicity . It is also immunosuppressive, teratogenic and carcinogenic . The biochemical and molecular aspects of its action were first studied in bacteria . The appearance of 'magic spots' (ppGpp and pppGpp) pointed to inhibition of the charging of transfer ribonucleic acids (tRNA) with amino acids . This suggestion was confirmed by the demonstration that ochratoxin A inhibits bacterial, yeast and liver phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetases . The inhibition is competitive to phenylalanine and is reversed by an excess of this amino acid . As a consequence, protein synthesis is inhibited, as shown with hepatoma cells in culture, with Madin Darby canine kidney cells (which are much more sensitive) and in vivo in mouse liver, kidney and spleen, the inhibition being more effective in the latter two organs . An excess of phenylalanine also prevents inhibition of protein synthesis in cell cultures and in vivo . Analogues of ochratoxin A in which phenylalanine has been replaced by other amino acids have similar inhibitory effects on the respective amino acid-specific aminoacyl tRNA synthetases . 4R-Hydroxyochratoxin A, a metabolite of ochratoxin A, has a similar action, whereas ochratoxin alpha (the dihydroisocoumarin moiety) and ochratoxin B (ochratoxin A without chlorine) have no effect . Ochratoxin A might act on other enzymes that use phenylalanine as a substrate . We showed recently that it inhibits phenylalanine hydroxylase . In addition, the phenylalanine moiety of ochratoxin A is partially hydroxylated to tyrosine by incubation with hepatocytes and in vivo . This competitive action with phenylalanine might explain why this amino acid prevents the immuno-suppressive effect of ochratoxin A and partially prevents its teratogenic and nephrotoxic actions . The effect of ochratoxin A on protein synthesis is followed by an inhibition of RNA synthesis, which might affect proteins with a high turnover . Ochratoxin A also lowers the level of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, a key enzyme in gluconeogenesis; this inhibition is reported to be due to a specific degradation of mRNA that codes for this enzyme . Recently, ochratoxin A was also found to enhance lipid peroxidation both in vitro and in vivo . This inhibition might have an important effect on cell or mitochondrial membranes and be responsible for the effects on mitochondria that have been shown by several authors . Finally, the recent results of Pfohl-Leszkowicz et al . (this volume), who showed the formation of DNA adducts mainly in kidney but also in liver and spleen, explain the DNA single-strand breaks observed previously in mice and rats after acute and chronic treatment. Mycoses, 1991, 34 Suppl 1, 99 - 102 {The control of storage mites in the mycological laboratory}; Brandt B et al.; Mycological cultures in the laboratory are threatened by storage mites who feed on fungi and cause contamination by transferring bacteria and fungi from culture to culture . To eliminate mites from fungal cultures without damage to the fungi themselves several chemical and physical procedures were tested . The following substances were added to Sabouraud glucose (2%) agar at concentrations of 0.1 and 1.0%: gamma benzene hexachloride (lindane), N-ethyl-o-crotonyltoluide, pyrethrins, dieldrin N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, benzyl benzoate, and--as popular household remedies--Eau de Cologne, neutral soap and garlic . The media were inoculated with 4 dermatophytes (T . rubrum, T . mentagrophytes, M . gypseum and E . floccosum) . Two to three weeks later the fully grown cultures were contaminated with mites and their eggs . In other test series, mite infested cultures were exposed to heat (40 degrees C and 60 degrees C) or cold from -12 degrees C to -28 degrees C over different periods of time . Finally, the protective value of sealing culture dishes with adhesive tape was investigated . The most useful method to control mite infestation in fungal cultures seemed to be exposure to heat over a short time. Annu Rev Genet, 1991, 25, 461 - 86 Plant mitochondrial mutations and male sterility; Hanson MR; A characteristic of CMS mutations in plants, in contrast to the single base changes in human mitochondrial mutants (49, 140), is the presence of chimeric genes or chimeric loci; different open reading frames are joined together, or placed in proximal locations and cotranscribed with standard mitochondrial genes . Despite much progress, and the identification of several mitochondrial loci that specify CMS, the molecular basis of this defect is not understood in any plant species . Observations of altered electron transport in Petunia and toxin-mediated membrane disruption in maize plants, bacteria, and yeast expressing the maize urf13 gene product, provide clues to possible mechanisms for disruption of pollen development . Whether disruption in a particular mitochondrial function is at the root of CMS in all species, or whether defects in numerous mitochondrial activities can produce sterility, will only be revealed by further probing of physiological and biochemical defects present in CMS genotypes. HPB Surg, 1991, 4(4), 261 - 70 The possible role of sphincteroplasty and surgical sphincterotomy in the pathogenesis of recurrent common duct brown stones; Cetta F; The hypothesis has been tested that postcholecystectomy common duct stones of the brown subtype are a consequence of three factors: bile infection, old age and previous sphincterotomy . It was found that: (i) 27 of 39 consecutive patients with recurrent common duct stones had brown stones . Nineteen of these 27 patients (70.3%) had previous sphincterotomy or sphincteroplasty: (ii) six of 15 patients with stone and bile analysis both at the time of cholecystectomy and at the second operation and who had sterile operative bile and non brown stones at the first operation, formed brown stones after T-tube drainage and after the onset of bile infection; (iii) patients with both intra and postoperative negative bile culture (n = 39 out of 137) had a lower mean age (50.5 years) and less frequently had a sphincterotomy than did individuals with a negative culture at operation, who subsequently had bile infection (n = 37; mean age 58.5 years; sphincterotomy in 88.8% of cases) . In addition, in a follow up study of 105 patients with sphincterotomy and with sphincteroplasty (including ERCP or i.v . cholangiography in all cases), mean follow-up interval 6.1 years, 11.3% of patients had brown recurrent common duct stones . It is suggested that, since brown recurrent common duct stones are secondary to bile stasis and infection and the duodenum is going to be colonized by bacteria with increasing age, sphincterotomy (and subsequent stricture), facilitating bile contamination and bacterial overgrowth, could be one of the major determinants of brown recurrent common duct stones (RCS) formation . In particular, more than 11% of the patients with a sphincterotomy are going to form in the future RCS of the brown subtype. Klin Wochenschr, 1991, 69 Suppl 27, 6 - 11 {Tracheobronchial pathogen colonization}; du Moulin GC; Tracheobronchial colonization is mediated by the patients host defence mechanisms, the extent of therapeutic interventions and the virulence of endogenous or exogenous bacteria mainly from the nasopharynx and the stomach . Aspiration from the stomach plays the main role in colonizing the respiratory tract in ventilated patients. Microbiol Immunol, 1991, 35(9), 695 - 703 Serological survey for Lyme disease in sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); Isogai E et al.; Seventy-six wild sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) from areas endemic for Borrelia burgdorferi during 1988 to 1989 had the IgG antibody to the bacteria in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . The percentage of seropositive deer was 25.0% to strain HO14 and 22.4% to strain HP3, respectively . Specific IgG antibody titers were high in summer but low in winter . In summer, seropositive deer were 75.0% . Similar results were obtained in serum specimens obtained monthly from 4 farmed deer . It was suggested that the sika deer could be one of the wild reservoirs for B . burgdorferi in Hokkaido, Japan . The transmission risk of B . burgdorferi is considered to be greatest during late spring to early summer. Med Pr, 1991, 42(3), 193 - 8 {Genotoxic properties of 1,3-butadiene and its derivatives}; Sasiadek M et al.; 1,3-butadiene gas is widely used in manufacture of synthetic rubber and plastics . In groups of workers occupationally exposed to 1,3-butadiene secondary leukemia and lymphoma were observed . Quite frequently, in these groups combined exposure to other chemicals such as styrene and benzene was observed . Studies on bacteria suggest that 1,3-butadiene is an indirect mutagen whose mutagenic potency depends on metabolic activation . Mutagenic and carcinogenic properties of 1,3-butadiene were investigated on laboratory animals . The results have shown that 1,3-butadiene induced multiple organ cancer, as well as increase in SCE, chromosome aberrations and micronuclei in mice and rats . 1,3-butadiene and its metabolites produced an effect of growth inhibition, an increase in SCE and chromosomal aberrations in mammalian cells in vitro . Up till now is known about genotoxic and carcinogenic properties of 1,3-butadiene in humans. Histol Histopathol, 1991 Jan, 6(1), 25 - 36 Scanning electron microscopy study of small bowel biopsies in chronic diarrhoea in childhood; Pesce F et al.; In this study we have compared the results of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Light- and Stereomicroscopy in a series of small bowel biopsies in children . In 9 cases displaying features of partial or subtotal atrophy, Light and Dissecting-Microscopy yielded similar results . The distinction between coeliac and non-coeliac chronic diarrhoea was only possible on clinical grounds, and by the immunological detection of specific antibodies . On SEM however coeliac patients showed characteristic alterations consisting of: absence of villi; prominent crypt outlets resulting in a mosaic appearance; concentric furrows running all around the openings; and downy brush feature at high power . The microvilli were loosely distributed and had an irregular pleomorphic outline; they often displayed a drumstick swelling of the tip and were bent . In contrast, non-coeliac chronic diarrhoea cases were characterized by a thick mucous layer on the mucosal surface, that made it impossible to visualize further changes . Peculiar vascular changes in lymphangiectasia and in sickle beta thalassemia could be detected only by Light Microscopy . In addition, in the lymphangiectasia case SEM allowed the detection of enteroadherent bacteria; and in the lambliasis case, of pseudomembranes . Absence of glycocalyx was noted both in controls and in patients . The results of this study point to a diagnostic utility of SEM particularly in the differential diagnosis of chronic diarrhoea; moreover they suggest that enteroadherent bacteria may not be pathogenic and that the absence of glycocalyx is not specific for allergic enteropathy as previously claimed. DNA Seq, 1991, 1(4), 279 - 83 Fluorescent and radioactive solid phase dideoxy sequencing of pcr products in microtitre plates; Jones DS et al.; In this paper we describe a rapid method for the direct generation of DNA sequencing templates from phage or bacteria . Sequencing of these PCR products can be performed by radioactive and fluorescent methods . The non-radioactive method has been used to sequence a total of approximately 100 kb of human DNA fragments generated by digestion with HpaII and subsequent cloning . The method depends on direct small scale amplification using a biotinylated primer, and the binding of the product to streptavidin coated magnetic beads . All the procedures are carried out in a microtitre plate thus facilitating the handling of large numbers of clones and has potential for automation. DNA Seq, 1991, 1(4), 227 - 32 Rapid and simple preparation of plasmids suitable for dideoxy DNA sequencing and other purposes; Kristensen T et al.; Plasmid DNA released from bacteria by boiling in the presence of lysozyme and Triton x-100 and without further purification can be sequenced by the dideoxy method using T7 DNA polymerase, when conditions during alkali denaturation and subsequent ethanol precipitation are adjusted to remove contaminants . The samples remain in the same microcentrifuge tubes from the harvesting of the bacteria until the splitting of the sample into four aliquots for the termination reactions . Less background label is observed with end-labelled primers (radioactivity or fluorescence), but even when radioactive nucleotides are incorporated during the sequencing reactions, 250 bases or more can be read from template prepared from 1.5 ml bacterial culture . The DNA can also be cut by restriction enzymes; the purification procedure described thus provides the rapid preparation of plasmids for a variety of purposes. Rev Gastroenterol Peru, 1991, 11(1), 63 - 71 {Diarrhea}; Farfan Flores G; Diarrhea is a health problem in our countries and requires a permanent evaluation and control . Their physiopathologic mechanisms are known and one of them, related with secretory diarrhea has become a priority in this moment, because pf the epidemic of cholerae in Peru . Acute diarrhea (AD) can be associated with different factors such as infection by viruses or bacteria and noninfectious factors such as toxins of different etiology . Treatment is based in the clinic and etiologic point of view, and each case needs hydratation or antibiotics . The use of antiperistaltic drugs hasn't proved to be of value . Social economic and culture factors are of great importance in these sickness . National studies of AD in adults have confirmed in 50% of the cases the presence of enteropathogens mean white in developed countries they are only 28%, that's why is very important to control the food dispensers and the educational programs for the population if we want to prevent AD . Chronic diarrhea(CD), has a variety of causes that change according to each country ot type of population . In Peru, enteric parasitosis and infectious diseases are the more frequent causes . Is in the last years that bacterial overgrowth in the upper gut is having a mayor role in CD . A lot of CD are multifactorial in origin, they may be systemic sickness, metabolic, immunodeficiency and neoplastic . Each case requires an integral diagnostic approach, some times with simple tests but in other cases is necessary more complicated technics, but always directed toward the sickness that are prevalent in each population. Funct Dev Morphol, 1991, 1(3), 47 - 50 Quantitative evaluation of the degree of damage to tracheal epithelium; Konradova V; Quantitative evaluation of the injury to the tracheal epithelium was carried out under various experimental conditions . The damage of the epithelium was classified in three groups, according its severity . In several impaired epithelium all the goblet cells were stimulated to release their secretion . The mechanism of mucus discharge was maximally accelerated . Over 90% of the exhausted goblet cells degenerated . In average only 1 cilium/micron 2 was left in the ciliary border . Over 10% of the remaining cilia displayed signs of alteration . As morphological signs of impairment of the self-cleaning ability of the epithelium, large amounts of inspissated mucus and numerous bacteria were observed in the area of the damaged ciliary border . In moderately severe epithelial injury about 80% of the goblet cells were stimulated and half of them degenerated . The mean number of cilia in the ciliary border was 3/micron 2 . The signs of impairment of the self-cleaning ability of the epithelium were less pronounced . In mild damage, about half of the goblet cells were stimulated and the degenerated ones formed less than 10% of all the mucous-secreting elements . The number of kinocilia per micron 2 fell on the average by one third . No signs of the self-cleaning ability impairment were recorded. Digestion, 1991, 48(4), 202 - 9 Unchanged levels of keto bile acids in bile after cholecystectomy; Fischer S et al.; Cholecystectomy has been hypothesized to cause increased levels of potentially harmful secondary bile acids due to prolonged exposure of primary bile acids to intestinal bacteria . In the present study, we analyzed duodenal bile of the same patients before and after cholecystectomy for keto bile acids and hydroxy bile acids . The ratios of individual keto bile acids to their corresponding precursor hydroxy bile acids were not significantly different before and after cholecystectomy . Keto bile acids constituted 2.5 +/- 1.3 and 2.2 +/- 0.9 mol% of hydroxy bile acids in duodenal bile . 3 alpha-Hydroxy-12-oxo-5 beta-cholanoic acid derived from deoxycholic acid was the main keto bile acid in bile contributing 80 mol% to total keto bile acids . There was a strong positive correlation between 3 alpha-hydroxy-12-oxo-5 beta-cholanoic acid and its precursor deoxycholic acid in bile (r = 0.88; p less than 0.0005) . Our findings prove that 7 weeks after cholecystectomy the percentage of keto bile acids in bile as compared to hydroxy bile acids is not increased. C R Seances Soc Biol Fil, 1991, 185(1-2), 21 - 30 {Cellular phospholipases A2, structure-function relationship}; Pernas P et al.; Two PLA2 are involved in cell signaling and in phospholipid homeostasis in mammalian cells . The first one is a 14 kDa protein whose cDNA was cloned in 1989 . This enzyme exhibits a strong homology with pancreatic PLA2 but is more related to type II PLA2 . This PLA2 is secreted by different tissues in response to inflammatory processes . Their main function seems to be the hydrolysis of membranes of altered cells or of bacteria and the stimulation of lipid mediator synthesis . The first cDNA of an another important PLA2 group was cloned in 1991 . The protein deduced is a 88 kDa cytoplasmic protein . It is involved in cell signaling by stimulating the production of free fatty acids and of their oxygenated products . These products might in turn either activate transducing proteins or stimulate membrane receptors. Schweiz Monatsschr Zahnmed, 1991, 101(9), 1127 - 32 Use of BANA hydrolysis as a diagnostic test for identifying periodontopathic environments; Wetzel AC et al.; The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of the BANA hydrolysis test using the Perio Scan kit to identify subgingival periodontopathogens (P . gingivalis, T . denticola and B . forsythus) and to determine whether the BANA reaction reflected the presence or absence of clinical signs for periodontitis . 10 patients with periodontitis (AP), 10 healthy subjects (HS) and 10 subjects with treated periodontitis under supportive therapy (MP) participated in the study . Subgingival plaque was sampled and the presence or absence of the above mentioned bacteria assessed with BANA reagent cards (Perio Scan) . Additionally, all samples were analyzed for the presence or absence of P . gingivalis and/or T . denticola using an ELISA . The BANA test yielded a high specificity (86.7%) and a high sensitivity (77.0%) for the presence of periodontopathogens when compared with the ELISA results as reference parameter . The diagnostic features of the BANA test result compared to the clinical parameters yielded a high degree of accuracy for overall clinical judgement and for probing depth (PD 5 mm), but to a lesser degree, for bleeding on probing. Eicosanoids, 1991, 4(4), 187 - 202 Biosynthesis and interaction of endothelium-derived vasoactive mediators; Thiemermann C; The vascular endothelium, which envelopes the circulating blood in a continuous monolayer, is not only a physical barrier between blood and vessel wall, but a highly complex "organ" which is involved in the regulation of blood vessel tone and permeability, blood coagulation, angiogenesis, leukocyte and platelet reactivity, phagocytosis of bacteria and the metabolism of many vascular mediators . This article focuses on the biosynthesis, biological actions and interactions of endothelium-derived vasoactive mediators, namely, prostacyclin, endothelium-derived relaxing factor--now characterized as nitric oxide--and endothelin, in the regulation of blood vessel tone under physiological and pathophysiological conditions . The formation of these highly vasoactive substances in modulated by changes in intracellular messengers (cyclic adenosine monophosphate, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, calcium), by interactions of endothelium with blood-borne cells and plasma constituents and finally by the interaction of these mediators themselves . The current evidence supports the view that nitric oxide plays a pivotal role for the regulation of blood vessel tone under physiological conditions, while the generation of prostacyclin is primarily an important defense mechanism to maintain a sufficient blood vessel patency and tissue viability under conditions of a compromised blood supply . Although the physiological role of the endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor peptide endothelin-1 is less well defined, it is apparent that any potential harmful vasoconstrictor effects resulting from an enhanced formation of endothelin under pathophysiological conditions are modulated by the simultaneous generation of prostacyclin, nitric oxide and tissue-plasminogen activator, thus preventing excessive vasoconstriction and thrombotic occlusion of the vascular bed concerned. Arch Microbiol, 1991, 156(6), 477 - 83 The methane monooxygenase gene cluster of Methylosinus trichosporium: cloning and sequencing of the mmoC gene; Cardy DL et al.; Methane monooxygenase (MMO) is the enzyme responsible for the conversion of methane to methanol in methanotrophic bacteria . The soluble MMO enzyme complex from Methylosinus trichosporium also oxidizes a wide range of aliphatic and aromatic compounds in a number of potentially useful biotransformations . In this study we have used heterologous DNA probes from the type X methanotroph Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) to isolate mmo genes from the type II methanotroph M . trichosporium . We report here that the gene encoding the reductase component, Protein C of MMO, lies adjacent to the genes encoding the other components of soluble MMO in M . trichosporium but is separated by an open reading frame of unknown function, orfY . The complete nucleotide sequence of these genes is presented . Sequence analysis of mmoC indicates that the N-terminus of Protein C has significant homology with 2Fe2S ferredoxins from a wide range of organisms. Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol, 1991 Winter, 13(4), 388 - 99 Potential uses of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in children; Furman WL et al.; Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a glycoprotein necessary for the growth, differentiation, and function of cells of the granulocyte-macrophage lineage . This agent has been molecularly cloned and expressed in bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cell lines, providing a limitless source of the pure human protein for use in children . Here, we briefly review the discovery, biologic characterization, gene identification and cloning, and clinical experience to date with this new agent, focusing where possible on the use of recombinant GM-CSF in children. Microbiol Immunol, 1991, 35(7), 589 - 92 An indirect microhemagglutination test for Lyme disease; Fujita H et al.; We have developed an indirect microhemagglutination test (IMHA) for detecting antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi using formalin-fixed chicken erythrocytes sensitized with a sonicated extract of the bacteria . The specificity of IMHA for Lyme disease was compared with that of a conventional indirect immunoperoxidase technique (IP) using sera from the patients with syphilis, randomly-chosen outpatients unrelated to Lyme disease, and from normal individuals . The IMHA was more specific than IP, giving little cross-reaction with syphilis . The IMHA also gave little background reactions with the sera of individuals unrelated to Lyme disease or syphilis . Therefore, the IMHA could be a useful test for the serodiagnosis of Lyme disease. Gastroenterol Clin Biol, 1991, 15(12), 929 - 32 {Clinical tolerance, intestinal absorption, and energy value of four sugar alcohols taken on an empty stomach}; Beaugerie L et al.; Sugar alcohols are incompletely digested in the human small intestine . The residual amounts reaching the colon are digested by colonic bacteria or excreted in stools . Clinical tolerance and energy value of sugar alcohols are related to their respective rates of digestion in the small intestine and the colon . Six healthy volunteers were tested in 5 periods during which they ingested 10 g lactulose, and then, in a random order, an iso-osmotic solution of 20 g isomalt, sorbitol, maltitol, and lactitol . The fraction of sugar alcohols absorbed in the small intestine was evaluated by comparing the amounts of hydrogen excreted in breath for 8 h after the ingestion of lactulose and of sugar alcohols . Energy value of sugar alcohols was determined knowing the amounts absorbed in the small intestine and digested in the colon . Tolerance to the sugar alcohols was good in all volunteers, and not different between sugar alcohols . The mean percentage of malabsorption in the small intestine was significantly higher for lactitol (84 +/- 14 percent, m +/- SEM) than for maltitol and isomalt (44 +/- 7 and 40 +/- 7 percent), its energy value (2.3 +/- 0.3 kcal/g) was significantly lower than the energy value of maltitol (3.1 +/- 0.1 kcal/g, P less than 0.05); whereas those of sorbitol and isomalt were close (2.7 +/- 0.2 and 2.8 +/- 0.1 kcal/g, respectively) . In spite of these differences, our results suggest that in our experimental conditions, bacterial digestion of the sugar alcohols reaching the colon was complete, and did not affect their clinical tolerance. Cytopathology, 1991, 2(5), 271 - 5 Malacoplakia of the uterine cervix and endometrium; Stewart CJ et al.; A rare case of malacoplakia involving the female genital tract is presented . The characteristic granular histiocytes with intracytoplasmic Michaelis-Gutmann bodies were identified in a cervical smear . The cytological preparation also showed prominent capillary vessels and differed from biopsy material in that cytoplasmic bacteria were easily identified. Dev Biol Stand, 1991, 73, 87 - 91 Genetic and immunological studies on polypeptides encoded by the vir locus of Bordetella pertussis; Stibitz S et al.; We report here the results of genetic and immunological studies of the vir locus of Bordetella pertussis . These studies have allowed the determination of the cellular compartment that each of the vir-encoded polypeptides occupies, and have allowed the detection of each of them in crude extracts of Bordetella pertussis cells . From these studies it can be seen that the vir locus encodes two polypeptides, one a transmembrane sensing and signalling protein and the second a cytoplasmic regulatory protein . These proteins belong to the family of bacterial regulatory proteins known as two-component systems . A simple model for signal transduction in this organism is put forward. Acta Oncol, 1991, 30(8), 889 - 902 Growth regulation of hematopoietic cells . An overview; Olofsson TB; The production of mature blood cells is absolutely dependent on a small pool of pluripotent stem cells with high proliferative and self-renewal capacities . The hematopoietic stem cells develop gradually from pluripotent to unipotent, committed progenitor cells during which process they lose their self-renewal capacity . This development is dependent on interactions with specific hematopoietic growth factors, which by binding to surface receptors on the stem cells stimulate them to proceed to the next step of differentiation . During recent years several of the hematopoietic growth factors have been purified to homogeneity, their primary protein as well as genetic structures have been determined and today they are available for clinical trials as recombinant proteins produced in bacteria, yeast or mammalian cells . Our present knowledge sustains the notion that IL-3, and to a lesser extent GM-CSF, play a major role in multipotent hematopoietic stem cell survival, proliferation and differentiation into stem cells with restricted maturation programs . The programmed unipotent stem cells need stimulation by erythropoietin, G-CSF, M-CSF and IL-5 to proliferate and mature into their end stage products erythrocytes, neutrophils, monocytes and eosinophils respectively . Other cytokines such as IL-1, IL-4 and IL-6 fulfil important functions as cofactors in these processes and several others play the part of tentative physiological inhibitors . During the past decade major progress has been made in our understanding of the complex interplay between stem cells, accessory cells, growth factors, and their receptors, and the clinical trials now undertaken will certainly bring even more basic knowledge to the field of hematopoietic growth regulation. Springer Semin Immunopathol, 1991, 13(1), 81 - 98 Heat-shock proteins and autoimmunity in humans; Res P et al.; T cells and antibodies against self and non-self hsp are present in both patients and healthy controls . T cells responding to hsp65 can be involved in autoimmune diseases, this was demonstrated for two site-specific animal autoimmune diseases: AA in Lewis rats and diabetes (IDDM) in NOD mice . In human ReA there is evidence for a direct stimulation of joint T cells by antigens of the organisms causing the infection which precedes the joint inflammation . The individual antigens of the triggering bacteria still have to be defined, but hsp65 may be of importance since this is one of the molecules recognized by synovial T cells in ReA patients . In RA there are no clear data implicating an infection in the initiation of joint inflammation, but mycobacteria have been suggested to be involved . We have discussed experimental findings which are in favor of, or in contradiction with, a role of mycobacterial antigens--particularly hsp65--in the etiology of RA . T cells recognizing hsp65 and other mycobacterial antigens are present in the joint, but there is no indication for a specific involvement of one or a limited set of (myco)bacterial antigens in the pathogenesis of RA. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl, 1991, 187, 56 - 64 Interactions between Helicobacter pylori and the local mucosal immune system; Ernst PB et al.; The recognition that Helicobacter pylori is associated with an array of gastric disorders immediately raises several issues with regard to the role of the local immune system . The belief that the harsh gastric environment limits or prevents infection has perhaps dismissed studies into the immunology of the stomach as a low priority . Now, in combination with our understanding of local immune reactivity in pernicious anaemia, an interest in defining the contribution of the immune response in the pathogenesis of disease associated with H . pylori has fueled a great deal of interest . Furthermore, the evidence of local immunity to this bacteria has kindled interest that gastric immune/inflammatory responses may contribute to the treatment or prevention of a gastric infection. Growth Factors, 1991, 5(2), 99 - 114 Cloning, characterization and developmental regulation of two members of a novel human gene family of neurite outgrowth-promoting proteins; Kretschmer PJ et al.; This report describes the cloning, expression and characterization of two members of a novel human gene family of proteins, HBNF and MK, which exhibit neurite outgrowth-promoting activity . The HBNF cDNA gene codes for a 168-residue protein which is a precursor for a previously described brain-derived heparin-binding protein of 136 amino acids . The second human gene identified in this study, called MK, codes for a 143-residue protein (including a 22-amino acid signal sequence) which is 46% homologous with HBNF . Complementary DNA constructs coding for the mature HBNF and MK proteins were expressed in bacteria and purified by heparin affinity chromatography . These recombinant proteins exhibited neurite-outgrowth promoting activity, but lacked mitogenic activity . The HBNF gene is expressed in the brain of adult mice and rats, but only minimal expression of MK was observed in this tissue . Different patterns of developmental expression were observed in the embryonic mouse, with MK expression peaking in the brain between days E12 and E14 and diminishing to minimal levels in the adult, while expression of HBNF mRNA was observed to gradually increase during embryogenesis, reaching a maximal level at birth and maintaining this level into adulthood . Expression of these genes was also observed in the human embryonal carcinoma cell line, NT2/D1 . Retinoic acid induced the expression of HBNF and MK 6- and 11-fold, respectively, in this cell line . Our studies indicate that HBNF and MK are members of a new family of highly conserved, developmentally regulated genes that may play a role in nervous tissue development and/or maintenance. Reprod Nutr Dev, 1991, 31(5), 521 - 8 Development of the rumen digestive functions in lambs placed in a sterile isolator a few days after birth; Fonty G et al.; The development of the rumen digestive functions was studied in lambs placed in sterile isolators at 1, 4, 8 or 9 days of age to define the role of the bacterial species that colonize the rumen just after birth . The values of the main rumen digestive parameters (pH, concentrations of volatile fatty acid, ammonia, lactic acid) in these lambs were close to those observed in conventional controls . Likewise, the digestive utilisation of the dry matter and starch was comparable in isolated and control animals but the digestibility of crude cellulose was higher in isolated lambs, which harboured only Fibrobacter succinogenes as the sole cellulolytic bacterial species . These results suggest that the rumen flora of the very young lamb play an essential role in the establishment of the rumen ecosystem and in the setting up of the digestive functions. Scand J Infect Dis, 1991, 23(5), 655 - 6 Evaluation of different catheter parts for identification of pulmonary artery catheter colonisation; Rello J et al.; A prospective study was conducted over 18 months to evaluate the accuracy of the semiquantitative culture technique performed from different catheter parts for detection of catheter colonisation in critically ill patients with pulmonary artery catheters . Semiquantitative culture of the tip catheter segment alone detected 66% of catheter colonisations . Semiquantitative culture of the other intravascular catheter segments (atrial or intradermal) provided similar yield . A combination of intradermal and atrial or tip catheter segment cultures provided the best means of detecting catheter colonisation. J Math Biol, 1991, 30(2), 169 - 84 Traveling waves in a chemotactic model; Nagai T et al.; A model for chemotaxis in a bacteria-substrate mixture introduced by Keller and Segel, which is described by nonlinear partial differential equations, is studied analytically . The existence of traveling waves is shown for the system in which the substrate diffusion is taken into account and the chemotactic coefficient is greater than the motility one, and the instability of traveling waves is discussed. Ophthalmologica, 1991, 203(2), 57 - 63 Ophthalmic complications in patients with paranasal sinus mucopyoceles; Hayasaka S et al.; We examined 45 (23 male and 22 female) Japanese patients with paranasal sinus mucopyoceles associated with ophthalmic complications . The patients ranged in age from 31 to 87 years . The patient distribution by the affected sinus was as follows: maxillary sinus alone, 17 patients; ethmoidal sinus alone, 9 patients; frontoethmoidal sinuses, 9 patients; frontal sinus alone, 7 patients, and other multiple sinuses, 3 patients . Thirty-nine mucoceles and 6 pyoceles were identified . Ophthalmic signs and symptoms included lid swelling, ocular pain, pseudoptosis, proptosis, displacement of the eyeball, epiphora, slight blurring of vision, severely decreased visual acuity, visual field abnormality, diplopia, disk edema, retinoichoroidal folds and increased intraocular pressure . Of the 45 patients, 1 had a history of sinus trauma and 29 had a history of sinus surgery. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl, 1991, 186, 84 - 9 Helicobacter pylori: histological and serological study on gastric and duodenal ulcer patients in Estonia; Vorobjova T et al.; We have examined the occurrence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in 86 Estonian gastric ulcer (GU) and 25 duodenal ulcer (DU) patients . Diagnosis of the HP infection was made histologically (modified Giemsa) from gastric biopsy specimens, and serologically by parallel use of two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for IgG antibodies to HP in patient sera . The infection was diagnosed simultaneously by all three methods in 84% of the GU and 84% of the DU patients . The infection was revealed histologically in 88% of the GU and 92% of the DU patients, and serologically by either of the two methods in 94% and 92% of the GU and DU patients, respectively . HP infection was absent by all three methods in one GU patient only, this patient being the only subject who showed normal gastric mucosa in conventional histology . These observations show that HP infection is very common in patients with peptic ulcer in Estonia . In addition, the findings suggest that the serological assays will find a small proportion (15%) of ulcer patients with antibodies against HP but no histologically detectable bacteria. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl, 1991, 186, 124 - 34 Helicobacter pylori in dyspeptic patients: quantitative association with severity of gastritis, intragastric pH, and serum gastrin concentration; Karttunen T et al.; The relationship between different features of gastric mucosal inflammation, intragastric pH and serum gastrin concentration and the distribution and quantity of Helicobacter pylori was studied in a series of 107 dyspepsia patients . H . pylori was identified in 62 cases (59%), and its presence was associated with increased amounts of mononuclear inflammatory cells and neutrophilic and eosinophilic leucocytes in both the antrum and the corpus . The number of H . pylori in the antral mucosa was significantly associated with the quantity of mononuclear inflammatory cells . It was also associated with glandular atrophy in antral mucosa, so that slight and moderate glandular atrophy were significantly more common in cases with abundant H . pylori . Intragastric pH and serum gastrin concentration were inversely related to the number of H . pylori in both the antral and corpus mucosa . H . pylori positive patients were also divided into groups according to proportions of H . pylori in the antral and corpus mucosa . In 5 of these patients (8%) the bacteria were present only in the corpus, and this group had a significantly more pronounced degree of glandular atrophy in the corpus mucosa, higher intragastric pH and a higher serum gastrin concentration than the other H . pylori positive patients . The other patients with a higher corpus H . pylori than antral H . pylori score (n = 25; 34%) also had a significantly higher intragastric pH and serum gastrin concentration than those with a corpus H . pylori score lower than or equal to the antral score, while the latter had more severe inflammation in the antral mucosa and a lower intragastric pH and serum gastrin concentration . The results suggest that inflammation in the antrum forms a favourable environment for H . pylori, while atrophy of the corpus glands, being connected with increased pH, leads to a diminished amount of H . pylori . They thus support the view that proliferation of H . pylori is dependent on acid produced by the corpus mucosa. Biomater Artif Cells Immobilization Biotechnol, 1991, 19(1), 71 - 83 Sterile and endotoxin free dialysis fluid for hemodialysis; Bambauer R et al.; As the quality of water in dialysis fluid varies considerably, and, in view of the fact that endotoxin or active derivates can cause acute and chronic side effects in patients under hemodialysis treatment, the dialysis fluid must be sterile and endotoxin-free . The predialyzer fluid in 20 hemodialysis patients was investigated . The bacterial loading was between 5/ml and 12,000/ml, the endotoxin concentration was high and extremely variable . Therefore we introduced the ultrafiltration of the dialysis fluid by a polyamide hollow fiber membrane before entering the dialyzer . All samples were free of bacteria, and the concentration of endotoxin was lower than the detectable limit . With this procedure we can obtain sterile dialysis fluid, which is endotoxin free . Our preliminary results showed that Interleukin-1 in the patients was significantly (p less than 0.005) lower under ultrafiltration of the dialysis fluid than without ultrafiltration. Environ Mol Mutagen, 1991, 18(4), 249 - 54 Analysis of mutations using PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis; Cariello NF et al.; Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) separates DNA molecules based on primary sequence . Under the appropriate conditions, all base pair (bp) substitutions, frame-shifts, and deletions less than about 10 bp can be resolved from the wild type sequence using DGGE . Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) permits facile amplification of a given region of the genome . We have combined PCR and DGGE to: (i) Localize mutations in the X-linked human androgen receptor gene . PCR/DGGE was used to screen the individual exons in the 2757-bp coding region of the gene in afflicted individuals as well as in potential carriers . Inheritance of a mutant allele has been demonstrated in several cases; (ii) Analyze thousands of thioguanine-resistant mutants simultaneously . The in vitro mutational spectra of MNNG, ICR-191, and cisplatin at the human HPRT locus have been examined by this method . The compounds all have mutational hotspots in a GGGGGG sequence in exon 3; however, the particular mutations induced by the agents were different; (iii) Examine the fidelity of several DNA polymerases used in PCR . The fidelity of Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase (Taq) is 1-2 x 10(-4) misincorporations/bp/replication . Problems with Taq polymerase arise in the analysis of complex mutant populations by DGGE because the Taq-induced errors reduce the sensitivity of the system . To circumvent this, it had been necessary to use Sequenase, a modified T7 DNA polymerase with a higher fidelity . However, Sequenase is not thermostable and must be added every PCR cycle . A thermostable DNA polymerase from Thermococcus litoralis (Vent) is now available, and we have examined the fidelity of Vent, Taq, and Sequenase polymerase in PCR using DGGE . The fidelity of Vent, Taq, and Sequenase polymerase was 2.4 x 10(-5), 8.9 x 10(-5), and 4.4 x 10(-5) errors/bp, respectively . Vent polymerase had the highest fidelity of the three enzymes tested. Cancer Invest, 1991, 9(6), 691 - 8 Radionuclide detection of occult infection: current strategies; Datz FL et al.; A number of new radionuclide techniques are available for diagnosing infection . These include the radiolabeling of neutrophils and lymphocytes with a variety of chelating agents and isotopes, and the use of antibodies directed against bacteria in the inflammatory exudate . Other new techniques include radiolabeled nanocolloids, chemotactic peptides, and liposomes . This article reviews the evolving role of these techniques in the detection of sites of occult infection. Reprod Nutr Dev, 1991, 31(4), 441 - 50 Microscopic investigation of changes in histology and digestibility in the rumen of a forage grass and a forage legume during the first growth stage; Jamot J et al.; An Italian "Dalita" ryegrass (Lolium italicum) and a European lucerne (Medicago sativa) were harvested at 5 different growth stages to determine the anatomical factors limiting their digestibility and in particular the effects of lignification of the tissues . In vitro digestibility, cell wall contents of the whole plant and stem of lucerne and of the whole plant, stem and leaf blade of ryegrass were determined . The rate and the extent of degradation in the rumen of the different tissues were observed by scanning electron microscopy . This degradation occurred very rapidly with the lucerne stems; the xylem of lucerne was the only undegradable tissue whatever the stage . The collenchyma was degraded in the rumen although with acid phloroglucinol it stained positive for the presence of phenolic compounds . Ryegrass stems were digested more slowly than lucerne stems, and the sclerenchyma and xylem of ryegrass were indigestible whatever the stage . The parenchyma located close to the sclerenchyma became indigestible as the cell walls lignified progressively from the third stage . These results contribute to the understanding of the decrease in digestibility over the first growth stage and the variation in rate of digestion of lucerne and ryegrass in the rumen. Respiration, 1991, 58(3-4), 223 - 5 Severe anaerobic necrotizing pneumonia complicated by pyopneumothorax and anaerobic monoarthritis due to Peptostreptococcus magnus; Panagou P et al.; A rare case of a severe anaerobic necrotizing pneumonia complicated by pyopneumothorax and monoarthritis due to anaerobic Peptostreptococcus magnus is described in a 20-year-old soldier . The patient's immunological status was normal . There were no predisposing underlying factors, and he was treated successfully without any residual damage . To our knowledge, a similar case has never been reported in the literature. Life Sci, 1991, 49(25), 1859 - 69 Minireview: enzymatic properties of ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) and related toxins; Fong WP et al.; Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are a group of proteins that inhibit protein synthesis in eucaryotic cells . While the biological effects have been well characterized, the underlying enzymatic mechanisms have not been elucidated until recently . Two different mechanisms have been identified . Plant and bacterial RIPs act as N-glycosidases . They cleave a single N-glycosidic bond between adenine and ribose at a specific nucleotide A-4324 of the 28S rRNA of the 60S ribosomal subunit . On the other hand, the fungal RIPs act as ribonucleases and cleave a single phosphodiester bond between G-4325 and A-4326 of the same rRNA, just one nucleotide away from the site of action of plant/bacterial RIPs . Other protein synthesis inhibitory proteins act by their ADP-ribosyltransferase activity which modify and thus inactivate elongation factor-2 . Recently, some toxins have been shown to possess deoxyribonuclease activity which may also account for their toxicity. Arch Oral Biol, 1991, 36(9), 693 - 6 An electron microscopic study of dental plaque of the rat incisor; Novaes PD et al.; Because rat incisors continuously erupt they provide an opportunity for the study of dental plaque at all stages of its development . The youngest plaque would be visible at the gingival margin of the tooth as it erupts, and the older plaque higher on the tooth . The ultrastructural features of these plaques were studied by transmission electron microscopy . Cocci and short rods colonized the cementum surface, forming a monolayer . The plaque had a maximum thickness of about 40 microns, with the inner third rich in fibrillar matrix and the organisms forming microcolonies perpendicular to the tooth surface . Cells were haphazardly distributed in a loose matrix on the surface of the plaque . In the area of plaque disorganization the cementum was covered by isolated groups of bacteria and the matrix had holes in it . The rat mandibular incisor may provide a unique model for study of how plaque on cementum is initially formed, matures and finally is degraded. Verh Dtsch Ges Pathol, 1991, 75, 98 - 101 {Therapeutically induced immunodeficiency}; Usadel KH; Therapeutically induced immundefects principally can be the result of pathophysiological influences on autoimmune diseases by immunomodulation on the one hand or loss of resistance against bacteria, fungi or viruses as a consequence of immunomodulation on the other hand . Further complications such as increasing incidence of neoplasms after long-term therapy, hypersensitivity reactions, especially damage of bone marrow, can be recognised after application of many different drugs . The immunesuppressive drugs are discussed in detail. Dev Biol Stand, 1991, 73, 121 - 32 Relationship between structure and biological and protective activities of pertussis toxin; Sato H et al.; The relationship between mouse-protective activities against aerosol and intracerebral (i.c.) challenge with virulent B . pertussis organisms and pertussis toxin (PT)-neutralizing activities against ADP-ribosylation (ADPR), CHO cell-clustering (CC), leukocytosis-promoting (LP) and islet-activating (IA) activities of anti-PT antibody, was investigated using anti-PT mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs): ten anti-S1, four anti-S23, one anti-S2, two anti-S3, and three anti-S4 MAbs . All the anti-S1 MAbs neutralized ADPR activity of PT . Among them, six MAbs: 1B7, 1D7, 3F11, 10D6, 8G4 and E1E, showed mouse-protection in either an aerosol or i.c . challenge system . These protective MAbs neutralized both LP and IA activities but showed little or no neutralization against CC activity except for 1B7 . All anti-S2 and/or S3 MAbs showed higher CC-neutralizing activity and protected the mice against the aerosol challenge, but very little against the i.c . challenge . The mouse-protection was not necessarily parallel to either PT-neutralizing activity or CC-neutralizing activity . The protective MAbs against S1, S2 and S3 decreased the number of bacteria and the amount of pertussis toxin in the lungs of mice challenged with the aerosol . These results suggest that the role of the anti-PT antibody in mouse-protection is not only neutralization of PT but also prevention of bacterial growth in the respiratory tract . Four anti-S1 and two anti-S4 MAbs showed neither neutralization nor protection . Competitive ELISA using the biotinylated MAbs suggested that four anti-S1 MAbs: 1B7, 1D7, 3F11 and 10D6, which showed the highest and almost complete mouse-protection, may recognize the same or closely related epitope(s) or areas on PT . The foregoing results suggested that prediction of the protection of MAbs only by the neutralizing activity against any one of the PT activities must be difficult and that competition ELISA may be helpful for such predictions. Microbiol Immunol, 1991, 35(5), 361 - 6 Possible presence of a capsule in Branhamella catarrhalis; Ahmed K et al.; Clinical isolates of Branhamella catarrhalis from patients with respiratory infections were used in this study . Electron microscopic observation after treating Branhamella catarrhalis with immune serum and ruthenium red revealed the capsule . In the phagocytosis test, most organisms were not ingested by human polymorphonuclear neutrophils in the presence of normal rabbit serum (NRS), while organisms were primarily cell associated and apparently ingested in the presence of immunized rabbit serum (IRS) . The capsule may be one of the virulence factors in this bacteria . This study demonstrates the possible presence of a capsule in Branhamella catarrhalis. Lab Delo, 1991, (4), 35 - 41 {Dynamics of the cytologic and bacterioscopic changes in bronchoalveolar washings in acute focal pneumonia}; Kop'eva TN et al.; The authors analyze cytologic and bacterioscopic changes in bronchoalveolar washings in 37 patients with acute focal pneumonia on days 4 through 44 of the disease . Bronchoalveolar washings obtained from 11 subjects without pulmonary conditions were examined for control . Immunofluorescent examination of brush biopsy specimens of the bronchial epithelium from 4 patients, taken at the peak of pneumonia, has revealed respiratory viruses antigens . The highest numbers of free bacterial colonies and intracellular bacteria were detectable also at the peak of pneumonia . In contrast to reference specimens, patients' bronchoalveolar washings were characterized by elevated absolute counts of the neutrophils, bronchoepitheliocytes, and destroyed cells during the peak and regress of the disease . During convalescence these cell counts were essentially reducing though persisting significantly elevated as against the control . Absolute counts of alveolar macrophages and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar washings were virtually unchanged over the course of the disease . The authors claim that the cytologic and bacterioscopic characteristics of bronchoalveolar washings objectively and fully reflect the activity of the inflammatory reaction in the lungs. Int J Biochem, 1991, 23(7-8), 719 - 26 Presence of an extracellular glycosyltransferase in human dental plaque; Ugarte MA et al.; 1 . Glycosyltransferase activity incorporating 14C-radioactivity from {14C}sucrose into endogenous acceptor was demonstrated in human dental plaque . 2 . The enzyme was localized in dental plaque into two forms: (a) associated form to bacteria (pellet 10,000 g) and (b) released as an extracellular form (supernatant 10,000 g) . 3 . The reaction product was insoluble in 95% ethanol, soluble in trichloroacetic acid, and it was a mixture of saccharides with different sizes, as was demonstrated by column chromatography . 4 . Exogenous activity with Dextran T-10 as substrate was also demonstrated, and it represented 9% of the total endogenous activity . 5 . Characterization of the extracellular glycosyltransferase, and comparative results with glycosyltransferase secreted by oral bacteria in cultures medium are discussed. Diagn Cytopathol, 1991, 7(1), 11 - 3 Filamentous organisms in gastric brushings and gastric cancer diagnosis; Sanders DS et al.; An association between filamentous organisms and gastric carcinoma has been reported in gastric biopsies . Review of 45 Papanicolaou-stained gastric brushing specimens revealed filamentous organisms in two cases . In both cases, gastric carcinoma was confirmed on follow-up . Cytopathologists should be aware that the identification of filamentous organisms in gastric brushings is a specific, although insensitive marker of gastric cancer. Can J Microbiol, 1991 Jan, 37(1), 1 - 6 A correlation of phylogenetic diversity in the Proteobacteria with the influences of ecological forces; Zavarzin GA et al.; The Proteobacteria are physiologically and morphologically diverse, although they form a coherent set of four main lineages on phylogenetic analysis of ribosomal RNA . A rational and consistent taxonomic arrangement bringing today's phenotypic and phylogenetic conclusions about them into register is not yet possible . It is also difficult to understand the selective forces involved in their evolution that fostered such diversity . This latter problem is addressed in this essay and is based on the assumption that bacterial evolution could only have occurred in ecological consortia whose products of metabolism modified the environment, provided nutrition, and have a basis for selection of new capabilities. Pharmacol Ther, 1991, 51(1), 139 - 54 The role of glutathione-dependent enzymes in drug resistance; Black SM et al.; Glutathione and glutathione-dependent enzymes are ubiquitously distributed through nature . These enzyme systems appear to have evolved to protect cells from toxic and mutagenic environmental chemicals . There is now unequivocal evidence demonstrating that these enzymes play a role in chemical resistance in a variety of phylogeny including, bacteria, plants and insects . There is also increasing circumstantial, as well as genetic evidence which indicates that these enzymes are also a determinant in the sensitivity of tumor cells to anticancer drugs, particularly alkylating agents and those drugs whose toxic effects are mediated by free radicals . In this review some of the experimental data which leads to these conclusions is discussed. Scand J Infect Dis, 1991, 23(5), 559 - 67 Mechanism of adherence of Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis; Rikitomi N et al.; We examined the mechanisms of adherence of Moraxella catarrhalis to nasopharyngeal epithelial cells . Fimbriae were detected by electron microscopy on most of the strains studied . A role of fimbriae in adherence was supported by the reduction in adherence by treatments denaturing the fimbriae or by antifimbrial antibodies . There was, however, no significant difference in adhesive capacity or hemagglutination between fimbriated and non-fimbriated strains . Furthermore, there was no correlation between hemagglutination and adherence . The possibility that receptor epitopes were provided by cell surface glycolipids was examined by thin-layer chromatography . Glycolipids from various sources, including nasopharyngeal cells were separated by thin layer chromatography plates and overlayed with bacteria . No binding was detected . The results suggest that lectin-glycolipid interactions do not explain the attachment of M . catarrhalis to epithelial cells. Ann Ist Super Sanita, 1991, 27(1), 33 - 6 Human T cell immunity against Bordetella pertussis analyzed at clonal level; De Magistris MT et al.; Cloned peripheral blood T lymphocytes from an immune donor were grown in interleukin 2 and tested for proliferation in response to inactivated Bordetella species (B . pertussis, B . parapertussis and B . bronchiseptica) and mutants deficient for the expression of virulence-associated antigens . All the T cell clones obtained were CD4+8- and recognized specifically the Bordetella antigens when presented by autologous B cells . On the basis of the responsiveness to the whole inactivated bacteria, it was possible to cluster the twelve clones obtained into four groups with the following specificity: 1) filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA); 2) B . pertussis specific antigens; 3) virulence-associated Bordetella specific antigens; 4) non-virulence-associated Bordetella specific antigens . Employing two new B . pertussis deletion mutants, clone 6 (representative of cluster 1), was found to recognize the C-terminus of FHA . Furthermore, 3 out of 4 clones of cluster 3 were specifically stimulated by the soluble 69,000 M.W . protein from the outer membrane of B . pertussis . Surprisingly, none of the twelve clones obtained by stimulation in vitro with whole inactivated bacteria recognized PT . Thus, PT does not seem to be the most representative antigen on the whole inactivated bacteria . However, when a new generation of clones was obtained using soluble PT as the in vitro stimulus, it was observed that 11 clones of this group recognized this antigen . Furthermore, the majority of them was against the subunit Sl of PT . Therefore, we can conclude that a T cell memory against PT exists in a donor who has had pertussis several years before . In conclusion, these results provide useful information in the attempt to obtain a simplified acellular vaccine for whooping cough. Semin Immunol, 1991 Jan, 3(1), 43 - 8 Possible links between immune system and stress response: the role of gamma delta T lymphocytes; Born W et al.; Heterologous heat shock proteins (hsps) are antigens in many infectious diseases involving bacteria, parasites and perhaps even fungi . T and B lymphocytes recognize multiple epitopes on these proteins . Recently, lymphocytes expressing gamma delta T cell receptors (gamma delta cells) were also found to react with hsps that are members of the 60 kiloDalton (kDa) family . The response of gamma delta cells to hsp 60 differs from that of alpha beta T cells and B cells in several ways: the frequency of reactive gamma delta clones is high . Many clones recognize the same portion of this protein instead of scattered antigenic epitopes; and most gamma delta cells that react with the mycobacterial hsp-60 homolog are also stimulated by the autologous homolog . Perhaps, such (self) hsp-reactive gamma delta populations function by distinguishing stressed from not stressed states in autologous cells and tissues, rather than by discriminating 'self' and 'non-self'. Hum Exp Toxicol, 1991 Jan, 10(1), 49 - 57 Studies on the mutagenicity of a zinc oxide-hexachloroethane smoke; Clode SA et al.; 1 . A suitable method has been developed for generating atmospheres of zinc oxide/hexachloroethane smoke (ZnHCE) . 2 . The smoke was investigated using the Ames test and the micronucleus assay . 3 . It was weakly mutagenic to the bacteria, but in the bone marrow no increases in micronuclei were detected up to toxic levels of the smoke . 4 . The method used here could be applied to other pyrotechnic mixtures which give rise to complex mixtures of products. Acta Pol Pharm, 1991, 48(1-2), 13 - 8 Synthesis and biological activity of some new 5-hydrothiazolo{4,3-b}-1,3,4-oxa(thia)diazoles and 5-hydrothiazolo{3,4-b}-1,2,4-triazoles containing 1,2,3-selena(thia)diazole moiety; el-Sayed Bayoumy B; p-Acetylphenyl thiosemicarbazide (I) was reacted with different aldehydes yielding the corresponding semicarbazones II . Addition condensation of thioglycolic acid with compounds II gave 4-thiazolidinones III . Reaction of compounds III with conc . H2SO4, KI/I2-NaOH and NaOH afforded the cyclized products (IV-VI) . Compounds (IV-VI) reacted with semicarbazide to give the corresponding semicarbazones (VII-IX) which either were oxidized with selenium dioxide or thionyl chloride to give 1,2,3-selenadiazoles (X-XII) and 1,2,3-thiadiazoles (XIII-XV) respectively . Some of the prepared compounds were tested against some strains of bacteria. Tsitologiia, 1991, 33(11), 118 - 29 {The isomorphism of univalent thallium and potassium in membrane transport processes}; Skul'skii IA; Thallium ions (T1+) are able to isomorphous replacement of K+ in various minerals . The similarity between . T1+ and K+ is based upon the closeness of their crystal radii, hydration energy and mobility in aqueous solutions . Under certain conditions, the behaviour of T1+ can be substantially different from that of K+ . As distinguished from K+, thallium ions tend to associate with different anions forming ion pairs and complexes . As a rule, the stability of these compounds is rather low, but in many cases the T(1+)-anion interactions appear to play an important role in discriminating between T1+ and K+ involved in transport processes . T1+/K(+)-selectivity characterizes K(+)-transport mechanisms operating in different kinds of cells membranes . In excitable membranes (muscles, nerves) the rates of passive transport of T1+ and K+ are similar . In non-excitable membranes (epithelial cells, red blood cells, mitochondrial membranes, bacteria) the T1+ passive permeability is about one or two orders of magnitude higher than that of K+ . A moderate T1+/K(+)-selectivity was reported for various types of K+ active transport mechanisms. Pediatrie, 1991, 46(12), 825 - 9 {Clinical manifestations of AIDS in children in Kinshasa}; Muganga N et al.; Clinical features observed in 60 cases of childhood HIV infection at the Cliniques Universitaires of Kinshasa is reported . Exposure mode, demonstrated in 92% of cases, was essentially maternofetal (65%) and related to blood transfusion (27%) . The clinical signs appeared the first year of life in children born to seropositive mothers (82%) . The main clinical features were: failure to thrive, high recurrent fever, persistent cough, chronic diarrhea, recurrent respiratory infections, hepatosplenomegaly, generalized lymphoadenopathy and oral candidiasis . Pulmonary lesions were very common (90%) . These lesions were related to bacteria in 20 cases, to tuberculosis in 17 cases and to interstitial pneumonitis in 20 cases. Nephrol Dial Transplant, 1991, 6(8), 574 - 81 In vitro testing of a potentially biocompatible continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis fluid; Topley N et al.; In the present study a newly formulated dialysis solution (HDF) was tested for its effects on phagocyte viability and function as well as its ability to support bacterial growth . This solution differs from standard CAPD solution (NPD) by the inclusion of histidine to buffer the fluid to pH 6.7 . Low-dextrose HDF (1.36% w/v dextrose) did not significantly decrease the viability or inhibit any of the PMN functional parameters measured (phagocytosis, LTB4 release or respiratory burst activation) when compared to control buffer . NPD (1.36% w/v dextrose) at low pH as well as all high-dextrose dialysis solutions (NPD and HDF) significantly inhibited most PMN functions independently of reduced viability . Peritoneal mesothelial cell viability was unaffected by either low- or high-dextrose HDF but was significantly reduced by NPD (1.36 and 3.86% dextrose) at pH 5.2 . The inhibitory effects of low dextrose dialysis solutions were confirmed as being partly related to their low initial pH . High-dextrose dialysis fluids, however, inhibit PMN function by a mechanism which, in addition to initial pH, appears to be directly related to their dextrose content but not their osmolality. EXS, 1991, 59, 35 - 52 Neutrophil chemotactic factors; Harvath L; Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (neutrophils) are recruited to inflammatory sites by a variety of soluble mediators (chemoattractants) that stimulate neutrophil directed migration (chemotaxis) . Many neutrophil chemoattractants such as neutrophil activating proteins, leukotriene B4 (LTB4), platelet activating factor, and complement-derived C5a, are generated endogenously by host cells or enzymatic cleavage of host proteins . Other chemoattractants such as N-formyl peptides are generated exogenously by bacteria that invade the host . Oxidative modification of methionine residues or changes in the amino acid sequence of peptide chemoattractants dramatically alter their chemoattractive properties . Many of the well-defined neutrophil chemotactic factors and studies of their structure-function relationships will be reviewed. Life Sci, 1991, 49(6), 473 - 9 Tetrahydrocannabinol treatment suppresses growth restriction of Legionella pneumophila in murine macrophage cultures; Arata S et al.; Legionella pneumophila is a facultative intracellular pathogen which readily grows in human and guinea pig macrophages and in peritoneal exudate macrophages from A/J mice . Macrophage cultures capable of supporting the growth of Legionella can be used to test the potency of biologically active substances suspected of modulating host mechanisms of resistance to infection . Accordingly, this model was used to evaluate the influence of delta-9-tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) on macrophage resistance to infection with an intracellular pathogen . Pretreatment of the macrophages with THC in the concentration range of 2.5 micrograms/ml (8 microM) to 5.0 micrograms/ml (16 microM) had little if any effect on the ability of the macrophages to either ingest or support the replication of Legionella . However, THC treatment of cells following Legionella infection resulted in increased numbers of bacteria recoverable from the macrophage cultures . Stimulation of the macrophage cultures with the activating agent lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was effective in reducing the ability of Legionella to grow in the cells . However, treatment of the LPS activated macrophages with THC resulted in greater growth of the Legionella in the cultures, indicating that the drug abolished the LPS induced enhanced resistance . These results demonstrate that THC treatment of macrophages following infection rather than before infection with Legionella promotes the replication of the bacteria within the macrophages . In addition, drug treatment suppresses the growth restricting potential of macrophages activated by LPS. Biofactors, 1991 Jan, 3(1), 61 - 5 F390 synthetase and F390 hydrolase from Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum (strain delta H); Kengen SW et al.; Factor F390 is the 8-OH adenylated form of the deazaflavin coenzyme F420, which is a central electron carrier in methanogenic bacteria . The enzymes catalysing the formation of F390 from ATP and F420 (F390 synthetase) and its hydrolysis into AMP and F420 (F390 hydrolase) were isolated and partially purified from Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum . Both enzymes were oxygen-stable . The F390 synthetase tended to coelute with coenzyme F420 reducing hydrogenase during all purification steps . The 30-fold purified enzyme was still contaminated with the hydrogenase . The F390 hydrolase was purified 135-fold to a specific activity of 8.6 mumol/min/mg protein . The colourless enzyme consisted of one polypeptide of approximately 27,000 kd. Environ Mol Mutagen, 1991, 17(4), 258 - 63 Evaluation of the SOS chromotest for the detection of antimutagens; Sato T et al.; The SOS chromotest was applied for the detection of antimutagens . To raise SOS induction, the bacteria were treated with the mutagens, UV, 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide (4NQO), N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitroso-guanidine (MNNG), or benzo{a}pyrene (B{a}p) . The inhibitory effects of L-ascorbic acid, glutathione, vanillin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 5-chlorouracil (5-CU), cobaltous chloride, sodium selenite and sodium arsenite, which are known as antimutagens, were investigated with their addition either simultaneously or post treatment time . It became clear that the SOS chromotest was very useful for the detection of antimutagens. J Clin Periodontol, 1991 Jan, 18(1), 44 - 8 Superoxide formation and chemiluminescence of peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes in rapidly progressive periodontitis patients; Shapira L et al.; Previous studies have indicated that in certain types of chronic inflammatory periodontal diseases, polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) functions are impaired . In view of the damage oxygen free radicals may cause to the periodontal tissues, the present study focussed on superoxide (SO) formation and luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL) by peripheral PMN cells in rapidly progressive periodontitis patients (RPP) . PMN cell preparations were stimulated by either opsonized bacteria or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) . The results indicate that PMN cells from RPP patients, stimulated by opsonized bacteria, have significantly enhanced SO formation and LDCL response as compared to healthy subjects . The hyperactivity was cell-associated . In the presence of PMA, no significant differences were detected between the groups . The results suggest that PMN cells from RPP patients are functionally activated, and produce elevated levels of oxygen radicals . These oxygen radicals may play a role in the pathogenesis of RPP. Nucleic Acids Res, 1990 Dec 25, 18(24), 7381 - 7 Development of novel inhibitor probes of DNA polymerase III based on dGTP analogs of the HPUra type: base, nucleoside and nucleotide derivatives of N2-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)guanine; Butler MM et al.; 6-(p-Hydroxyphenylhydrazino)uracil (H2-HPUra) is a selective and potent inhibitor of the replication-specific class III DNA polymerase (pol III) of Gr+ bacteria . Although formally a pyrimidine, H2-HPUra derives its inhibitory activity from its specific capacity to mimic the purine nucleotide, dGTP . We describe the successful conversion of the H2-HPUra inhibitor prototype to a bona fide purine, using N2-(benzyl)guanine (BG) as the basis . Structure-activity relationships of BGs carrying a variety of substituents on the aryl ring identified N2-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)guanine (DCBG) as a nucleus equivalent to H2-HPUra with respect to potency and inhibitor mechanism . DCBdGTP, the 2'-deoxyribonucleoside 5'-triphosphate form of DCBG, was synthesized and characterized with respect to its action on wild-type and mutant forms of B . subtilis DNA pol III . DCBdGTP acted on pol III by the characteristic inhibitor mechanism and formally occupied the dNTP binding site with a fit which permitted its polymerization. Biochemistry, 1990 Dec 18, 29(50), 11079 - 88 Reaction center photochemistry of Heliobacterium chlorum; Nitschke W et al.; Reaction center photochemistry in Heliobacterium chlorum has been investigated by using EPR and flash absorption spectroscopy at low temperatures . The following results were obtained . At 5 K, in the presence of ascorbate, continuous illumination resulted in the formation of P798+ and a reduced iron-sulfur center designated FB (gz = 2.07, gy = 1.93, gx = 1.89) . This state was stable at low temperatures, but the yield for this reaction was low, and it was estimated that it occurred only in about 3% of the centers upon the first flash . After continuous illumination of a dilute sample for 10 min, still only half of the centers attained this state . In most centers, flash excitation at 5 K produced a state which recombined with time constants of 2.5 ms (congruent to 80%) and 850 microseconds (congruent to 20%) . These two phases were differently influenced by the redox state of the reaction center, indicating that two different acceptors were involved in the recombination reactions . When continuous illumination was given at 200 K, a second center, designated FA, was additionally reduced (gz = 2.05, gy = 1.95, gx = 1.90) . High concentrations of dithionite resulted in the chemical reduction of FB and of most of FA; illumination at 200 K resulted in the further reduction of FA . Two triplet states were identified by EPR and optical spectroscopy . The amplitude of the narrower triplet (magnitude of D = 226 x 10(-4) cm-1) varied with the redox state of the iron-sulfur centers and was influenced by a component thought to be a quinone undergoing double reduction . It correlated with a triplet state observed by flash absorption spectroscopy showing a bleaching at 798 nm and is attributed to a triplet state formed by charge recombination in the reaction center . Its narrowness is taken as an indication of its origin on a pair of bacteriochlorophylls, and its orientation indicates an orientation of the chlorophyll ring plane perpendicular to the membrane plane . The second triplet had a wider splitting (magnitude of D = 242 x 10(-4) cm-1), did not vary systematically with redox conditions, corresponds to an optical spectrum with a maximum at 812 nm, and is not ordered in the membrane . It was thus attributed to a triplet located on a BChl g monomer in the antenna . The reaction center photochemistry in H . chlorum is comparable in many respects to that of photosystem I and green sulfur bacteria . Earlier contrasting conclusions are discussed and rationalized in light of the present results. Gene, 1990 Dec 15, 96(2), 213 - 8 Cloning and characterization of cDNAs encoding a novel cyclic AMP-binding protein in Dictyostelium discoideum; Grant CE et al.; The cellular slime mould, Dictyostelium discoideum, contains a novel cyclic AMP-binding protein, CABP1, which is composed of two subunits . Using anti-CABP1 monoclonal antibody as a probe, a cDNA clone was isolated from a lambda gt11 expression library . By hybrid selection of the complementary mRNA and its translation in vitro, we demonstrated that the cDNA hybridized to mRNAs encoding both CABP1 polypeptides . With the positive cDNA as a probe, we isolated a series of overlapping cDNA clones covering the coding region of both CABP1 mRNAs . Expression of the cloned cDNAs in bacteria and sequence analysis showed that the CABP1 subunits are identical in amino acid (aa) sequence, except that the small subunit is missing 37 aa near its N terminus . Genomic analysis suggested that the two CABP1 transcripts are derived from a single gene . The N-terminal half of each subunit is rich in proline, glutamine and glycine residues and contains a large block of aa repeats . The C-terminal half has an approx . 47% aa identity (86% with functionally conservative substitutions) with two polypeptides encoded by a plasmid determinant for tellurium anion resistance. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1990 Dec 14, 173(2), 704 - 10 Mutagenic properties of a unique abasic site in mammalian cells; Gentil A et al.; The mutagenic properties of a true unique abasic site located opposite a guanine residue were studied . An oligonucleotide containing a chemically-produced abasic site was inserted into a shuttle vector able to replicate both in simian cells and in bacteria . Plasmid DNA was rescued from simian cells and screened in bacteria by differential hybridization with a labelled oligonucleotide probe . Mutations were easily detected and sequenced . Results showed that opposite a guanine the abasic site was error free repaired or replicated by mammalian cells with an efficiency of 99% . Point mutations occurred at a frequency of approximately 1% in control host cells and at more than 3% in UV-pre-irradiated host cells . Adenine, cytosine or thymine were found to have been inserted opposite the abasic site . No preferential insertion for a particular base was observed in contrast to that reported in bacteria. FEBS Lett, 1990 Dec 10, 276(1-2), 34 - 8 The 12 kDa protein of potato virus M displays properties of a nucleic acid-binding regulatory protein; Gramstat A et al.; The 3' terminal 1.4 kb segment of potato virus M (PVM) genomic RNA was cloned and sequenced . This part of the viral genome encodes the capsid protein CP as well as a 12 kDa protein of as yet unknown function . Both proteins were expressed in bacteria and their nucleic acid-binding properties studied . The 12 kDa protein (pr12), but not the capsid protein bound single- and double-stranded