Microorganisms

Z Rechtsmed, 1985, 95(2), 97 - 103
{Possible common partial antigens in human Ig allotype structure and ubiquitous bacteria, studied with the example of Escherichia coli}; Henke J et al.; As can be learned from the literature, bovine serum may contain antibodies directed against human immunoglobulin allotypes . This gave rise to the question of what the origin of those antibodies is . We tested bacteria (E . coli) by means of the haemagglutination inhibition assay, which is used to type either Gm or Km factors . Anti-G1m(2) and anti-G3m(10)-specific antibodies were inhibited by the bacteria in a clear-cut manner, as was anti-Km(1), albeit less significantly . In contrast, the bacteria tested almost totally failed to inhibit anti-G3m(21) serum . The results lead to the assumption that E . coli may carry both Gm- and Km-like antigenic structures, which are presumably the antigenic material leading to immunization of cattle . Furthermore, new attention is drawn to a mechanism for immunization which is discussed regarding the genesis of either AB0 isoagglutinins in man or other "naturally occurring" antibodies.

Gene, 1985, 35(3), 279 - 87
Expression in bacteria of gB-glycoprotein-coding sequences of Herpes simplex virus type 2; Person S et al.; A plasmid with an insert that encodes the glycoprotein B(gB) gene of Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) has been isolated . DNA sequences coding for a portion of the HSV-2 gB peptide were cloned into a bacterial lacZ alpha expression vector and used to transform Escherichia coli . Upon induction of lacZpo-promoted transcription, some of the bacteria became filamentous and produced inclusion bodies containing a large amount of a 65-kDal peptide that was shown to be precipitated by broad-spectrum antibodies to HSV-2 and HSV-1 . The HSV-2 insert of one of these clones specifies amino acid residues corresponding to 135 through 629 of the gB of HSV-1 {Bzik et al., Virology 133 (1984) 301-314}.

Cancer, 1984 Dec 15, 54(12), 2968 - 72
Bacteria-associated hemophagocytic syndrome; Risdall RJ et al.; Histiocytic medullary reticulosis (HMR) was originally defined as a neoplastic disorder . Some cases reported as HMR have been characterized by a systemic proliferation of mature histiocytes showing hemophagocytosis, bone marrow necrosis, pancytopenia, hepatitis, and coagulopathy . Clinically, these patients have fever and constitutional symptoms and often have hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy . Although there is a high mortality rate, this process appears to be reactive and has been associated with active viral infection . Similar cases have been briefly described that were associated with other agents or disease processes, but concomitant viral infections were not excluded . Three characteristic examples of this hemophagocytic syndrome that were associated with bacterial sepsis are described . Active infection by those viruses that have previously been associated with the syndrome was excluded . It appears that the hemophagocytic syndrome may be associated with various types of active disseminated infections.

EMBO J, 1984 Dec 1, 3(12), 2899 - 903
Flagella and motility behaviour of square bacteria; Alam M et al.; Square bacteria are shown to have right-handed helical (RH) flagella . They swim forward by clockwise (CW), and backwards by counterclockwise (CCW) rotation of their flagella . They are propelled by several or single filaments arising at several or single points on the cell surface . When there are several filaments a stable bundle is formed that does not fly apart during the change from clockwise to counterclockwise rotation or vice versa . In addition to the flagella attached to the cells, large amounts of detached flagella aggregated into thick super-flagella, can be observed at all phases of growth.

Anal Biochem, 1984 Nov 15, 143(1), 76 - 81
Hyaluronidase polymorphism detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . Application to hyaluronidases from bacteria, slime molds, bee and snake venoms, bovine testes, rat liver lysosomes, and human serum; Fiszer-Szafarz B; A gel electrophoretic technique which allows detection of hyaluronidase activity in the gel has been devised . The principle is that the high-molecular-weight substrate, hyaluronic acid, is included in the gel, where it cannot move in the electrical field . After the run, the gel is incubated under conditions allowing the enzyme to degrade the substrate . Upon staining with "Stains-all" dye (Eastman Kodak Co., 2718), zones of hyaluronidase activity appear as pink bands in a blue background . The sensitivity limit is less than 3 fkat equivalent to 2.2 NF mU . The method is applicable to all types of hyaluronidases and chondroitinase ABC . It enabled to be shown that some hyaluronidases are polymorphic . This technique also made it possible to detect easily hyaluronidase activity in normal human serum . This analytical method represents a convenient step in the purification of hyaluronidase.

J Theor Biol, 1984 Nov 7, 111(1), 183 - 99
Initiation of DNA replication in bacteria: analysis of an autorepressor control model; Margalit H et al.; The precise mechanism by which the initiation of chromosome replication in bacteria is controlled has not yet been established, and several theoretical models have been proposed in an attempt to provide a conceptual framework for the accumulated experimental evidence . The present article contains a detailed quantitative analysis, using computer simulation, of the control model first put forward schematically by Sompayrac & Maaloe in 1973, in which a single operon codes for both the initiator protein and an autorepressor . By comparing the predictions of the model with what is known about the physiology and molecular biology of Escherichia coli under different growth conditions, we are able to delineate the characteristics that such a control system would need to possess in order to be capable of regulating chromosome replication: the control operon has to lie fairly near the origin of replication and contain a moderate to strong promoter and an operator that competes for its repressor with other equally specific binding sites along the chromosome in an interaction that is somewhat weaker than usual; in addition, the messenger molecules encoded for by the repressor gene must have a relatively ineffective ribosome binding site and not too long a halflife.

Arch Microbiol, 1984 Nov, 140(1), 27 - 33
Plasmids in methanotrophic bacteria: isolation, characterization and DNA hybridization analysis; Lidstrom ME et al.; Ten strains of obligate methanotrophs were screened for the presence of plasmid DNA using a variety of methods . Plasmids were detected in all strains except Methylococcus capsulatus Bath . No significant similarity between plasmids was observed with respect to size or restriction digest patterns except for three strains of Methylosinus trichosporium, which appeared to contain the same three plasmids . Nitrocellulose filter hybridization revealed that the plasmid DNA from the M . trichosporium strains shared a small region of homology with the plasmid DNA from Methylosinus sporium 5 . All of the plasmids remain cryptic . As the first step in characterization, a restriction digest map of the 55 kb plasmid found in Methylomonas albus BG8 was constructed.

Am J Physiol, 1984 Oct, 247(4 Pt 2), R733 - 9
Uptake of free amino acids by bacteria-free larvae of the sand dollar Dendraster excentricus; Davis JP et al.; Larvae of Dendraster excentricus were produced by collecting gametes and carrying out fertilization under aseptic conditions . Since gametes are free of bacteria in the gonad, bacteria-free (axenic) suspensions of larvae result . Net rates of entry of 14 amino acids and the rate of production of ammonia were simultaneously determined by high-performance liquid chromatography . The net rates of uptake of neutral amino acids were an order of magnitude greater than rates for basic and acidic amino acids . Influx of 14C-labeled leucine, arginine, and glutamate accurately reflects the net entry rate of these substrates . Uptake of amino acids by axenic suspensions of larvae was compared with uptake by suspensions prepared without aseptic precautions . There was no significant difference in net uptake of the 14 amino acids or in the pattern of oxidation and assimilation of {14C}leucine during short-term experiments of 4-h duration or less.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1984 Oct, 81(20), 6261 - 5
Role of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase in the autotrophic pathway used by acetogenic bacteria; Pezacka E et al.; Anaerobic acetogenic bacteria utilize a pathway of autotrophic growth that differs from any previously described . One part of the pathway involves the reduction of CO2 to formate and its subsequent conversion to the methyl moiety of methyltetrahydrofolate . The second part involves the formation of a one-carbon intermediate from CO, CO2 and H2, or the carboxyl of pyruvate and combination of the intermediate with CoA and methyltetrahydrofolate mediated by a corrinoid enzyme to yield acetyl-CoA . Our studies have been concerned with this latter portion of the pathway and we have proposed that a one-carbon intermediate is formed via carbon monoxide dehydrogenase . It remained possible, however, that the function of the CO dehydrogenase is to reduce the cobalt of the corrinoid enzyme to Co+, which is required for it to act as a methyl acceptor, and that the dehydrogenase is not involved directly in the formation of a C1 intermediate . All the enzymes required for the synthesis of acetyl-CoA from CO and methyltetrahydrofolate or from methyltetrahydrofolate and the carboxyl of pyruvate have now been purified . With these purified enzymes, it has been possible to show that CO dehydrogenase is essential for acetyl-CoA synthesis with CO as the substrate under conditions in which the cobalt of the corrinoid is reduced by other means . In addition, using pyruvate ferredoxin oxidoreductase, it has been shown that a 14C1-CO dehydrogenase complex is formed from {1-14C}pyruvate . Furthermore, {1-14C}acetyl-CoA was synthesized using the 14C1-CO dehydrogenase complex . Thus the evidence appears conclusive that CO dehydrogenase has a direct role in the formation of the carboxyl of acetyl-CoA.

Acta Leprol, 1984 Oct-Dec, 2(2-4), 121 - 7
Lipids as taxonomic markers for bacteria derived from leprosy infections; Asselineau C et al.; Lipid analysis allows the specific detection of M . leprae among various other bacteria isolated from leprosy lesions . In this report mycolates and glycolipid compositions were used for such a discrimination . Comparative studies of the lipid composition of tissue fragments from different organs of experimentally infected armadillos, and of cultivable strains isolated from these tissues showed that the last ones did not multiply extensively in the tissues of the animals.

Scand J Immunol, 1984 Oct, 20(4), 299 - 305
The effect of monoclonal antibodies against Escherichia coli type 1 pili and capsular polysaccharides on the interaction between bacteria and human granulocytes; Soderstrom T et al.; Monoclonal antibodies against Escherichia coli type 1 pili and the K13 capsular polysaccharide strongly influenced the interaction between human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) and E . coli 06:K13:H1 . Bacteria with type 1 pili, associated with the neutrophils, caused a metabolic activation but were not ingested . Addition of monoclonal antibodies to type 1 pili resulted in increased association, but also phagocytosis and metabolic activation of the granulocytes . Monoclonal antibodies against the K13 polysaccharide strongly stimulated phagocytosis, especially of the type 1 piliated bacteria, suggesting a synergistic effect between binding of type 1 pili and the Fc part of the capsular antibodies to the PMNL . Addition of D-mannose inhibited the opsonization of type 1 piliated E . coli 06:K13:H1 in the presence of both type 1 pilus antibodies and capsular antibodies . Monoclonal anti-idiotypic (anti-anti-capsular) antibodies reduced the association with the PMNL of the bacteria preopsonized with anti-capsular antibodies . The bacterial ingestion and the metabolic activation of the PMNL were also reduced, suggesting a role for anti-idiotypic antibodies in specific modulation of inflammation.

J Mol Biol, 1984 Sep 15, 178(2), 155 - 72
Genetic recombination of Xenopus laevis 5 S DNA in bacteria; Carroll D et al.; The behavior in genetic recombination of Xenopus laevis 5 S DNA has been examined, with particular emphasis on the role of 15-base-pair tandem repeats in the A + T-rich spacer . Fragments of 5 S DNA were introduced into Escherichia coli cells as inserts in the recombination vectors, lambda rva and lambda rvb . Intermolecular recombinants were selected in which, because of properties of the phage vectors, the crossover event must have occurred within the 5 S DNA inserts . Inserts from individual recombinants have been characterized in detail . The effects of varying the number (n) of 15-base-pair repeats and the recombination capabilities of the phage and host have been investigated . In these crosses, unequal crossovers can occur, yielding inserts different in size from the parental inserts . When the number of 15-mers is large (n = 12 or 20), most of the unequal crossovers have occurred within the 15-mers, resulting in an altered n value, although other homologies within the 5 S DNA sequence can also support unequal events . Increasing n in the parental inserts modestly increases the overall frequency of recombination and the percentage of altered inserts . We conclude that, in a bacterial setting, the 15-base-pair repeats stimulate recombination only slightly by allowing alternative registers for heteroduplex formation . The degree of stimulation observed is less than predicted by one simple model.

J Biol Chem, 1984 Sep 10, 259(17), 10645 - 8
A v-sis oncogene protein produced in bacteria competes for platelet-derived growth factor binding to its receptor; Wang JY et al.; The oncogene of simian sarcoma virus, v-sis, encodes a protein which is homologous to human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) . This v-sis-encoded protein was expressed in bacteria using an inducible promotor of lambda phage . Soluble extracts from these bacteria contained a substance which competed with 125I-PDGF for PDGF receptor sites in fibroblast membranes . The receptor competition activity was correlated with the presence of the v-sis-encoded protein as assessed by genetic and immunochemical criteria . These results directly demonstrate that the v-sis oncogene product is functionally related to PDGF.

Nature, 1984 Sep 27-Oct 3, 311(5984), 379 - 82
Major surface antigen gene of a human malaria parasite cloned and expressed in bacteria; Hall R et al.; The late blood stages of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, carry a major surface antigen, p190, of molecular weight (Mr) 190,000 . This antigenically variable protein is actively processed, first as the parasite matures and again when it is released into the blood stream and invades a new erythrocyte to initiate a cycle of growth . It elicits a strong immune response in man; all tested adult sera from endemic areas have antibodies against this protein . Our evidence indicates that purified p190 can alter the course of parasitaemia in monkeys with falciparum malaria . We have also succeeded in cloning part of the gene for p190 and expressing it in Escherichia coli . To this end we have developed a new technique, antibody select, which greatly simplifies final identification of expressing clones.

Res Vet Sci, 1984 Sep, 37(2), 132 - 7
Relationships between counts of nasopharyngeal bacteria, temperature, humidity and lung lesions in veal calves; Jones CD et al.; Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken from four groups of veal calves at intervals throughout their growth and the aerobic bacteria cultivated from the swabs counted . The calves were kept under three different husbandry systems; naturally ventilated straw-yards, fan-ventilated crates and crates with a controlled climate . The numbers of bacteria isolated varied in a complex manner; however, in one group of calves a significant proportion (P less than 0.01) of the variation in weekly bacterial counts was associated with the changes in vapour pressure and temperature which took place between two and four days previously . In calves kept at a constant temperature of 16 degrees C, the bacterial populations in the nasopharynx were at a minimum between 65 and 75 per cent relative humidity and tended to rise at humidities outside this range . There was a temporal relationship between nasopharyngeal bacteria and lung lesions . In three groups the numbers of bacteria in calves at nine weeks old were positively correlated (P less than 0.05) with lung damage observable at 16 to 18 weeks old.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Sep, 48(3), 675 - 7
Superoxide dismutase in ruminal bacteria; Fulghum RS et al.; Of 13 species of anaerobic ruminal bacteria examined, 11 were found to contain measurable levels of superoxide dismutase activity . Four of five other strict anaerobic species studied for comparison were found to contain superoxide dismutase activity.

Clin Exp Immunol, 1984 Sep, 57(3), 694 - 702
A study of the specificity of the direct binding between bacteria and HLA antigens; Maeda K et al.; In the first step of the present study we re-examined the question whether HLA class I molecules isolated from human lymphocytes can bind to intact bacteria . HLA antigens were isolated from the lymphoblastoid cell line HOM-2 and incubated with the bacteria Yersina enterocolitica . Significant binding of antigens to the bacteria was detected whether the antigens were solubilized in the detergent NP 40, reconstituted in liposomes or presented as papain cleaved molecules . Next, we studied the specificity of the binding . We compared the ability of NP 40 solubilized HLA antigens derived from four different cell lines, expressing different HLA-A, -B and -C antigens, to bind to nine different strains of bacteria . Remarkably, few differences were found in that each strain of bacteria bound 10-30% of the HLA antigens derived from any of the four cells lines . Further, after a sample of HLA antigens had been incubated with one strain of bacteria, the unbound HLA antigens would fail to bind to another strain . The conclusions are as follows . First, we have confirmed a previous report that HLA class I antigens could bind to bacteria . Second, binding to bacteria is mediated through the extracellular portion of the HLA molecules which is not affected by papain cleavage . Third, it is the non-polymorphic areas of the HLA antigens which are responsible, because antigens purified from cell lines with different HLA-A, -B and -C allotypes have similar binding ability . Lastly, the binding of bacteria to HLA antigens is a universal phenomenon which does not distinguish one strain of bacteria from another.

J Biol Chem, 1984 Aug 25, 259(16), 10393 - 403
Cystathionine gamma-lyase of Streptomyces phaeochromogenes . The occurrence of cystathionine gamma-lyase in filamentous bacteria and its purification and characterization; Nagasawa T et al.; Cystathionine gamma-lyase (EC 4.4.1.1) is widely distributed in actinomycetes, e.g . genera Streptomyces, Micromonospora, Micropolyspora, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Streptosporangium, and Streptoverticillium . The enzyme was purified from Streptomyces phaeochromogenes (IFO 3105) in nine steps . After the last steps, the enzyme appeared to be homogenous by the criteria of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, analytical centrifugation, and double diffusion in agarose . The enzyme crystallized in the apo form with the addition of ammonium sulfate . The enzyme has a molecular weight of about 166,000 and consists of four subunits identical in molecular weight . The enzyme exhibits absorption maxima at 278 and 421 nm and contains 4 mol of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate/mol of enzyme . L-Cystathionine, L-homoserine, DL-lanthionine, L-djenkolic acid, and L-cystine are cleaved as preferred substrates by the Streptomyces enzyme . The alpha, beta-elimination reaction of L-cystathionine is also catalyzed by the enzyme at a ratio of about one-seventh of the alpha, gamma-elimination reaction . Cystathionine beta-synthase (EC 4.2.1.22) and cystathionine gamma-synthase (EC 4.2.99.9) activities were also detected in crude extracts of S . phaeochromogenes, but cystathionine beta-lyase (EC 4.4.1.8) was not . Consequently, the reverse transsulfuration pathway in actinomycetes may be similar to that in yeast and molds.

J Appl Bacteriol, 1984 Aug, 57(1), 51 - 7
The modification and evaluation of some cytochemical techniques for the enumeration of metabolically active heterotrophic bacteria in the aquatic environment; Quinn JP; Variants of the tetrazolium-reduction, nalidixic acid-inhibition and fluorescein diacetate-hydrolysis techniques for enumeration of metabolically active bacteria were compared, using samples of planktonic, benthic, and epiphytic freshwater bacteria . Results obtained by these methods generally showed statistically significant differences . However, an INT reduction technique, without added substrate, and a slightly modified nalidixic acid procedure gave values which did not differ at the 5% level . The results indicated that from 10 to 40% of total bacteria in the samples examined were metabolically active . These values were up to two orders of magnitude higher than those obtained by conventional plate count techniques.

J Appl Bacteriol, 1984 Aug, 57(1), 165 - 7
A note on the survival of bacteria in cryoprotectant medium at temperatures above 0 degrees C; Pell PA et al.; Many bacteria can survive for days or weeks at temperatures of 4 degrees or 22 degrees C in medium containing 15% (v/v) glycerol as a cryoprotectant . This observation suggests that breakdown of refrigeration for a short time may not be a serious danger to survival of cultures stored frozen in such media.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Aug, 48(2), 444 - 5
Inhibitory effects of titanium (III) citrate on enumeration of bacteria from rumen contents; Wachenheim DE et al.; Titanium citrate (TC) or L-cysteine-sodium sulfide was added as a reducing agent to buffers and agar media used for enumeration of bacteria from rumen contents of high-forage-fed steers . Approximately equal colony counts were found on TC and L-cysteine-sodium sulfide-reduced media with rumen contents taken 8 h postfeeding, when active bacterial growth was occurring . The colony counts on TC medium were only 56% of those with L-cysteine-sodium sulfide medium with rumen contents taken 1 h prefeeding when bacterial growth was minimal . When colonies from L-cysteine-sodium sulfide medium were transferred to TC medium and vice versa, almost all colonies grew . The data indicate that TC can be inhibitory to bacteria upon their initial isolation from natural habitats, particularly when growth rates are low in these habitats.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1984 Aug, 48(2), 289 - 93
Evidence for the role of copper in the injury process of coliform bacteria in drinking water; Domek MJ et al.; Low levels of copper in chlorine-free distribution water caused injury of coliform populations . Monitoring of 44 drinking water samples indicated that 64% of the coliform population was injured . Physical and chemical parameters were measured, including three heavy metals (Cu, Cd, and Pb) . Copper concentrations were important, ranging from 0.007 to 0.54 mg/liter . Statistical analyses of these factors were used to develop a model to predict coliform injury . The model predicted almost 90% injury with a copper concentration near the mean observed value (0.158 mg/liter) in distribution waters . Laboratory studies with copper concentrations of 0.025 and 0.050 mg/liter in an inorganic carbon buffer under controlled conditions of temperature and pH caused over 90% injury within 6 and 2 days, respectively . Studies of the metabolism of injured Escherichia coli cells indicated that the respiratory chain is at least one site of damage in injured cells.

Allergy, 1984 Aug, 39(6), 451 - 6
Complexity of lectin-mediated reactions in bacteria-induced histamine release; Jensen C et al.; We have earlier suggested that bacteria-induced histamine release is caused by different mechanisms, including allergic and non-immunological mechanisms, and that the latter probably depends on lectin-mediated reactions . Two possibilities of lectin-mediated reactions were examined in this study, bacterial surface lectins bind to sugars on the basophil cell membrane leading to histamine release, and the reverse reaction where bacterial aminosugars react with lectins on the basophil cell surface . In the bacterial histamine release caused by the Staph . aureus strain Wood 46 it was possible to demonstrate a reverse reaction, but not a bacterial lectin-mediated reaction . The reaction seems to be complex, as lower concentrations of sugars might potentiate the release of histamine by binding to the target cell or bacteria, while the release is inhibited by higher concentrations.

Mol Cell Biol, 1984 Aug, 4(8), 1644 - 6
Transfer of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase synthesized in bacteria by a high-expression plasmid to tissue culture cells by protoplast fusion; Waldman AS et al.; The introduction of a protein into living tissue culture cells may permit the in vivo study of functions of the protein . We have previously described a high-efficiency-expression plasmid, pHETK2, containing the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (TK) gene which, upon temperature induction, causes TK to be synthesized as greater than 4% of the bacterial protein . In this report we show that enzymatically active TK was transferred to mouse Ltk- cells by polyethylene glycol-mediated fusion with protoplasts prepared from bacteria containing induced levels of TK . The presence of TK in the Ltk- cells was detected by the incorporation of {3H}thymidine into cell nuclei as measured by autoradiography.

Immunology, 1984 Aug, 52(4), 671 - 8
Aggregation of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes during phagocytosis of bacteria; Henricks PA et al.; The process of aggregation of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) during the uptake of bacteria was studied . Radiolabelled S . aureus were opsonized in different sera, washed, resuspended in buffer and added to the PMN . Uptake of the bacteria and aggregation of the PMN were measured simultaneously . Maximal aggregation occurred within 6 min, when 5 X 10(6) PMN had phagocytosed 2.5 X 10(8) S . aureus . Also the effects of serum concentrations and different sera for opsonization of the bacteria on PMN aggregation were studied . Despite normal uptake, aggregation of PMN was low when bacteria were opsonized in complement-deficient sera . Furthermore when PMN were treated with pronase to inactivate complement receptors on the cell surface of the PMN, and bacteria preopsonized in immune serum were added, no change in uptake occurred, although the degree of aggregation halved compared to control PMN . So, interaction between the bacteria and the complement receptor of the PMN cell membrane is needed for triggering the process of aggregation . By using dansylcadaverin and diphenylamine to modulate lysosomal enzyme release, azide or PMN from a chronic granulomatous disease patient to study the effect of the formation of oxygen species, and theophylline, DB-cAMP or 8 Br-cAMP to increase cAMP levels, it was concluded that aggregation of PMN during phagocytosis was not dependent on oxygen metabolism, degranulation or cAMP levels of PMN.

Eur J Biochem, 1984 Jul 16, 142(2), 304 - 11
Oxido-reduction of B800-850 and B880 holochromes isolated from three species of photosynthetic bacteria as studied by electron-paramagnetic resonance and optical spectroscopy; Picorel R et al.; Certain redox properties of bacteriochlorophyll alpha were used to probe the structure of several light-harvesting pigment-protein complexes or holochromes . To attribute redox properties unequivocally to a given holochrome, we worked with purified holochromes . We developed purification procedures for the B880 holochromes from Rhodospirillum rubrum, Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides and Ectothiorhodospira sp . and for the B800-850 holochromes from the latter two species . In all these holochromes, bacteriochlorophyll alpha could be oxidized by ferricyanide as witnessed by the bleaching of their near-infrared absorption bands . However, only in B880 holochromes was this oxidation reversible . Another important difference between the B800-850 and the B880 holochromes is that oxidation of the latter gives rise to a g = 2.0025 electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal with linewidth varying, according to species, from 0.37 mT to 0.48 mT . Both the reversible EPR signal and absorption changes titrate with a midpoint redox potential (pH 8.0) of approximately 570 mV . Linewidth narrowing can be interpreted by delocalization of the free electron spin over approximately 12 bacteriochlorophyll molecules . While the B880 holochromes from the three species considered had indistinguishable redox properties, the B800-850 holochromes differed from one another by their circular dichroic spectra and by the relative ease of oxidation of their 800-nm and 850-nm bands . This indicates that, contrary to the B880 holochromes, the B800-850 holochromes may not form a homogeneous class.

Br J Nutr, 1984 Jul, 52(1), 171 - 7
The hydrogenation of the series of methylene-interrupted cis,cis-octadecadienoic acids by pure cultures of six rumen bacteria; Kemp P et al.; The hydrogenation of all the methylene-interrupted cis,cis-octadecadienoic acids was examined using pure cultures of six rumen bacteria able to hydrogenate linoleic acid to stearic acid or its immediate precursor, trans-11-octadecenoic acid, after first conjugating the linoleic acid to cis,trans-9,11-octadecadienoic acid . Only the delta 14-cis,17-cis-isomer was not hydrogenated by at least one of the bacteria and no evidence was found that conjugation was necessary before hydrogenation except for the delta 2-cis,5-cis- and delta 9-cis,12-cis-isomers . Several isomers were hydrogenated to an extent close to that achieved with linoleic acid (delta 9-cis,12-cis) . Those bacteria only able to hydrogenate linoleic to trans-11-octadecenoic acid gave only octadecenoic acid products and those bacteria able to hydrogenate linoleic acid to stearic gave variable yields of octadecenoic acids and stearic acid except with the isomers delta 12-cis,15-cis and delta 13-cis,16-cis when only octadecenoic acids were detected . At the substrate levels used (20 micrograms/ml), both inhibition and stimulation of growth were found but no common pattern emerged, nor was the growth consistently related to the extent of hydrogenation.

Nord Vet Med, 1984 Jul-Aug, 36(7-8), 215 - 20
Numbers of airborne bacteria and fungi in calf houses; Blom JY et al.; Counts of airborne bacteria colony forming particles (BCFP) and fungi were made at intervals throughout one year in three calf houses using a six stage Andersen Sampler . House 1 was insulated, mechanically ventilated and heated, House 2 was insulated and provided with a controlled natural ventilation system, while House 3 was uninsulated with natural ventilation . Each house contained 36 bought-in bull calves . Every six weeks the 12 oldest calves were removed and replaced by 12 four-week-old calves . The mean count of BCFP was highest in House 2 (101.6 X 10(3) m-3) and lower in House 3 (67.6 X 10(3) m-3) . The mean count of aerial fungi was significantly lower in House 3 (40.5 X 10(3) m-3) than in Houses 1 and 2 (119.3 X 10(3) m-3 and 127.1 X 10(3) m-3, respectively) . The count of aerial BCFP and fungi showed large seasonal fluctuations, but there was a general trend towards lower counts during the winter period . The mean incidence rate of respiratory disease among the experimental calves was 67.7% . The highest mean incidence rate was recorded in House 2, but differences between houses were not significant . The results are discussed in relation to the environmental requirements for raising of calves, and in the light of the current concept of air hygiene as a major predisposing factor in the web of causation of calf respiratory disease.

Microbiol Sci, 1984 Jul, 1(4), 102 - 4
Physiology of soil oligotrophic bacteria; Hattori T; In soil, there exists a variety of uncharacterized oligotrophic bacteria, most of which are very sensitive to NaCl and also various L-amino acids . These sensitivities are influenced by the presence of salts and organic materials.

Radiobiologiia, 1984 Jul-Aug, 24(4), 520 - 5
{Biological effectiveness of ionizing radiations of various quality in Escherichia coli bacteria (a theoretical analysis) . Cell radiosensitivity and DNA repair}; Kozubek S et al.; On the basis of the ideas reported earlier a study was made of the dependence of radiosensitivity (D0-1) of isogenic mutations of E . coli upon LET . This dependence was shown to be conditioned not only by the physical parameters of radiation but also by the ability of cells to repair definite types of DNA lesions . The influence of the balance in the activity of repair enzymes in E . coli on the shape of D0-1 (LET) curve is discussed.

Radiobiologiia, 1984 Jul-Aug, 24(4), 462 - 7
{Biological effectiveness of ionizing radiations of various quality in Escherichia coli bacteria (a theoretical analysis) . The induction of single- and double-stranded DNA breaks}; Kozubek S et al.; Peculiarities of induction of single- and double-strand DNA breaks (SSR and DSB) in E . coli cells by ionizing radiation of different LET are discussed . On the basis of the model proposed the dependence of the yield of SSR and different types of DSB upon LET was calculated . It was shown that enzymatic DSB were mainly induced by gamma-radiation . As LET increased the yield of enzymatic DSB decreased and that of direct DSR increased.

Radiobiologiia, 1984 Jul-Aug, 24(4), 456 - 61
{Biological effectiveness of ionizing radiations of various quality in Escherichia coli bacteria (a theoretical analysis) . A cell inactivation model}; Kozubek S et al.; The dependence of the radiosensitivity of bacteria (the wild type, superresistant and rec-mutants) on linear energy transfer (LET) is considered . A nonformal model of inactivation of different bacterial mutants has been developed on the basis of the experimental data available . The concept of "metastable siles" (MS) is introduced . MS are peculliar DNA lesions arising from the occurrence of large nucleolytic gaps on both strands of DNA . Different mechanisms responsible for MS formation are considered . The kinetic equations of the model are solved and the parameters determined for both sensitive and resistant mutants.

Mutat Res, 1984 Jul, 137(1), 1 - 6
Biological effects of dyes on bacteria . VI . Mutation induction by acridine orange and methylene blue in the dark with special reference to Escherichia coli WP6 (polA1); Webb RB et al.; Acridine orange (AO) and methylene blue (MB) in the dark were shown to be weak to moderate mutagens (induction of resistance to T5 phage) in repair-deficient strains of Escherichia coli B/r . However, strain WP2 (wild-type) was not mutated by AO in the dark, in confirmation of earlier data . The presence of 2 microM AO reduced by 41% the spontaneous mutation rate in strain WP2, from 4.1 to 2.4 mutants/10(8) cells/generation . In the polymerase I-deficient strain WP6 (polA1), 2 microM AO increased the mutation rate in the dark 14-fold . We propose that both spontaneous and AO-induced mutagenesis in the absence of light occur at the site of semiconservative DNA replication . If the intercalation mechanism for the effects in the absence of light is valid, the wild-type strain (WP2) may be resistant to frameshift mutagenesis induced by intercalated compounds, while the polymerase I-deficient strain (WP6) may be highly suceptible to the presence of an intercalated dye such as AO at the DNA-replication fork . MB and AO likely act through different mechanisms since MB is only a moderate mutagen in strain WP6 and the other repair-deficient strains tested.

Mol Biol (Mosk), 1984 Jul-Aug, 18(4), 869 - 91
{Delayed bacteriochlorophyll luminescence and the primary stages of electron transport in photosynthetic reaction centers of purple bacteria}; Borisov AIu et al.; The results of studies of charge separation in photosynthetic reaction centers of purple bacteria are summarized . The findings concerning the sequence of initial steps of the electron transfer and properties of the electron carriers obtained by direct methods of differential optical absorption and ESR spectroscopy are compared with the data on the bacteriochlorophyll delayed fluorescence resulting from reversal of charge separation . The data analysis gives an integrated description of the reaction center operation which is not avoid of discrepancies.

Arch Microbiol, 1984 Jun, 138(2), 89 - 95
Unidirectional polar growth of cells of Seliberia stellata and aquatic seliberia-like bacteria revealed by immunoferritin labeling; Schmidt JM et al.; When grown in a complex peptone-yeast extract culture medium, Seliberia stellata and related morphologically similar aquatic bacterial strains typically divided asymmetrically, giving rise to a motile swarmer and a longer sessile rod . Indirect immunoferritin labeling of these bacteria, followed by incubation during which cell growth occurred, has provided evidence that antigenic cell-surface components are synthesized de novo in a sharply demarcated zone at one pole of the growing parent cells . Cell elongation occurred unidirectionally from the pole showing the de novo surface synthesis; it was this end of the elongating, helically sculptured (i.e., screw-like) rod that became the daughter swarmer cell . The daughter swarmers, produced after polar growth and division of the immunoferritin-labeled parent cells, were not labeled . The immunoferritin label remaining on the parent cell did not appear to be diluted or disturbed by the cell growth and division process . Under the cultural conditions used in this study, the growth and division events which led to production of swarmer cells in the seliberia strains examined met two major criteria of accepted definitions of budding (de novo cell surface synthesis and transverse asymmetry of division) . However, the developing daughter cell was not initially narrower than the parent and thus did not increase in cell diameter during growth.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1984 Jun, 37(6), 652 - 8
Inhibition of glucosamine-6-phosphate synthetase from bacteria by anticapsin; Chmara H et al.; On the basis of kinetic studies on glucosamine-6-phosphate synthetase (EC 5.3.1.19) from six bacteria sources it has been shown that the epoxyamino acid anticapsin, a glutamine analog, is a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme in regard to glutamine with Km value of 10(-4) M and Ki varying from 10(-7) to 10(-6) M . Unlike other glutamine analogs like 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine, chloropentanoic acid, L-alpha-amino-3-chloro-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazole acetic acid or albizziin, anticapsin is not generally inhibitory to various amidotransferases . It does not inhibit xanthosine 5'-monophosphate amidotransferase, glutaminase or gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase.

J Virol, 1984 Jun, 50(3), 895 - 903
Production of a monospecific antiserum against the early region 1A proteins of adenovirus 12 and adenovirus 5 by an adenovirus 12 early region 1A-beta-galactosidase fusion protein antigen expressed in bacteria; Scott MO et al.; Antisera were prepared against the amino acid sequences encoded within the N-terminal half of the adenovirus 12 (Ad12) early region 1A (E1A) gene . This was accomplished by construction of a plasmid vector which encoded the N-terminal 131 amino acids of Ad12 E1A joined in frame to the coding sequence of beta-galactosidase . After induced synthesis in Escherichia coli, the Ad12 E1A-beta-galactosidase fusion protein (12-1A-FP) was extracted with urea and used to raise antibodies in rabbits . The 12-1A-FP antisera immunoprecipitated major phosphoproteins of 39,000 and 37,000 apparent molecular weights from Ad12-transformed and infected cells . The 12-1A-FP antisera also immunoprecipitated E1A phosphoproteins from Ad5-transformed and infected cells . Immunospecificity of the 12-1A-FP antisera was demonstrated by the ability of 12-1A-FP antigen to block immunoprecipitation of E1A proteins . Furthermore, E1A proteins immunoprecipitated from in vivo-labeled cells comigrated with those translated in vitro by RNA that had been hybridization selected to E1A DNA.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1984 May 31, 121(1), 47 - 54
HPLC purification of a biologically active membrane protein: the reaction center from photosynthetic bacteria; Berger G et al.; Reaction centers from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides R 26 have been isolated from a crude extract obtained by lauryldimethylamine oxide extraction of chromatophore membranes, by HPLC using a combination of surface-mediated and size exclusion chromatography . The eluted RCs exhibit a normal activity (t 1/2 of the back-reaction is 70 ms) and are recovered in good yield (over 50% based on the activity) and purity (based on the A 280 nm/A 800 nm = 1.30 +/- 0.05 ratio and the characteristic 3 polypeptides SDS-PAGE pattern) . The elution time (5-10 mn) is about two orders of magnitude faster than for the classical purification techniques.

Mikrobiologiia, 1984 May-Jun, 53(3), 364 - 70
{Absorption of 14C-dicarboxylic acids by bacteria of the family Halobacteriaceae}; Plakunov VK et al.; Cultures of the family Halobacteriaceae belonging to the species Halobacterium halobium, H . cutirubrum, H . vallismortis and Halococcus morrhuae were shown to be capable of assimilating 14C-succinate . Halobacterium salinarium lacked this ability . The transport systems of C4-dicarboxylates differed in Halobacterium halobium 996 and H . vallismortis 1398, on the one hand, and Halococcus morrhuae 1235, on the other . The differences involve the kinetic parameters and stereospecificity of transport systems, the ability to take up different labelled C4-dicarboxylates, the pH-dependence of transport, and the action of CCCP, a protonophorous uncoupling agent . Halobacteria are capable of labelled succinate uptake at a lower NaCl content in the incubation medium than it is necessary for their growth . The optimal temperature for 14C-succinate uptake by halobacteria is higher than the optimal temperature of their growth . For all of the studied cultures, the transport system of dicarboxylate was shown to differ from that of E . coli common for C4-dicarboxylates and aspartate.

J Bacteriol, 1984 May, 158(2), 628 - 31
Genome complexity of methanogenic bacteria; Klein A et al.; The genome complexities of different methanogenic bacteria were investigated by using an optical method to study renaturation kinetics of single-stranded DNA . The observed genome sizes ranged from 1.0 X 10(9) to 1.8 X 10(9) daltons, which is a typical range for procaryotic cells . Melting profiles of the DNA of three methanogenic species from different families show fractions which have a higher A . T content than the average DNA of that species.

Mol Biol (Mosk), 1984 May-Jun, 18(3), 685 - 90
{Molecular organization of bacteriochlorophyll in the light-converging B850 complex of purple bacteria}; Stadnichuk IN et al.; The light-harvesting bacteriochlorophyll-protein complex B850 has been isolated from two species of purple bacteria, Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Chromatium minutissimum . Absorption and fluorescence spectra at 20 degrees and--196 degrees C of this complex were registered . Second derivatives of the absorption spectra, Stepanov's relation and computer curve analyses in terms of asymmetrical Gaussian components show that absorption spectra consist of five and fluorescence spectra--of three components . These components were analysed in terms of exciton interaction among bacteriochlorophyll molecules . Data obtained were used for building-up of the molecular model of the complex.

J Leukoc Biol, 1984 May, 35(5), 527 - 34
Scanning and transmission electron microscopy as tools for the study of phagocytosis of bacteria adherent to hard surfaces; Leake ES et al.; A technique for studying the phagocytosis of bacteria colonizing hard surfaces is described . Rabbit peritoneal macrophages were allowed to settle on the surface of high-molecular-weight polyethylene which had been previously colonized by Escherichia coli . To ascertain the presence of bacteria on the surface of the polyethylene and the degree of spreading of the attached macrophages, the preparations were observed by scanning electron microscopy . The ingestion of E . coli by the macrophages was studied by transmission electron microscopy on ultrathin sections of resin-embedded monolayers after their separation from the polyethylene surface . Numerous intracellular bacteria were located near the area of attachment of the macrophages to the substrata, suggesting that the phagocytosis of bacteria adherent to the surface of the plastic had taken place.

J Oral Rehabil, 1984 May, 11(3), 215 - 7
Bacteria-tight sealing of exposed dog pulps; Wijnbergen-Buijen van Weelderen M et al.; Penetration of bacteria past filling materials can interfere with the vitality of exposed pulps . In the present study, seventy-three dog's teeth were filled--after exposure--with Cavit -W and then sealed either with a chemically or a UV polymerizing bonding . After 14 days a failure rate of 28% was demonstrated using the chemically polymerizing Concise and of 4.5% using the UV polymerizing Uvio -Bond . After 42 days the latter bonding revealed a success rate of 100% . To achieve a bacteria-tight seal of deep cavities for middle long term animal experimentation, Uvio -Bond can be used--after etching--to cover the filling material and the surrounding enamel.

J Mol Biol, 1984 Apr 25, 174(4), 605 - 25
Control of cell division by sex factor F in Escherichia coli . I . The 42.84-43.6 F segment couples cell division of the host bacteria with replication of plasmid DNA; Miki T et al.; The F plasmid of Escherichia coli was used to study the genetic background of the control circuit in the bacteria that co-ordinates DNA replication and cell division of the host cells . When DNA replication of the F plasmid was blocked by growing cells carrying an amber-suppressible replication-defective F plasmid mutant under restrictive conditions, the cells continued to divide for about one generation until F plasmid was supposedly diluted to one copy per cell, and then they stopped dividing and formed non-septated filamentous cells . These observations suggest that completion of a round of replication is a necessary and sufficient condition of F DNA synthesis in the cell division of F+ bacteria; i.e . cell division of the F+ bacteria is coupled with DNA replication of the F plasmid . The observation that Giemsa-stainable materials in the filamentous cells were clustered in the center indicates that partitioning of chromosomal DNA (and presumably of F plasmid DNA) is also coupled with plasmid DNA replication . The function necessary for this coupling is carried by the 42.84-43.6 F (BamHI-PstI) segment, which is located outside the region essential for replication of the F plasmid . The nucleotide sequence demonstrates the existence of two open reading frames in this region, which encode polypeptides of 72 and 101 amino acids, respectively . These two reading frames are most likely to be transcribed as a single polycistronic message in the direction from the BamHI site at 42.84 F to the PstI site at 43.6 F . The expression of this "operon" is likely to be controlled by plasmid DNA replication.

J Bacteriol, 1984 Apr, 158(1), 340 - 3
Terminal steps of bacteriochlorophyll a phytol formation in purple photosynthetic bacteria; Shioi Y et al.; Four chemically different bacteriochlorophylls (Bchls) a esterified with geranylgeraniol, dihydrogeranylgeraniol, tetrahydrogeranylgeraniol, and phytol have been detected by high-pressure liquid chromatography in cell extracts from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides and Chromatium vinosum . Bchl a containing phytol is the principal component, and the other three Bchls a comprise about 4% of the total Bchls a in stationary-phase cells of R . sphaeroides and C . vinosum . The high levels of the minor pigments occur in the beginning of Bchl a phytol formation, indicating that they are not degradation products, but intermediates of Bchl a phytol formation.

Arch Microbiol, 1984 Apr, 137(4), 362 - 5
Studies on the biosynthesis of coenzyme F420 in methanogenic bacteria; Jaenchen R et al.; Coenzyme F420 is a 8-hydroxy-5-deazaflavin present in methanogenic bacteria . We have investigated whether the pyrimidine ring of the deazaflavin originates from guanine as in flavin biosynthesis, in which the pyrimidine ring of guanine is conserved . For this purpose the incorporation of {2-14C}guanine and of {8-14C}guanine into F420 by growing cultures of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum was studied . Only in the case of {2-14C}guanine did F420 become labeled . The specific radioactivity of the deazaflavin and of guanine isolated from nucleic acids of {2-14C}guanine grown cells were identical . This finding suggests that the pyrimidine ring of the deazaflavin and of flavins are synthesized by the same pathway . F420 did not become labeled when M . thermoautotrophicum was grown in the presence of methyl-{14C}methionine, {U-14C}phenylalanine or {U-14C}tyrosine . This excludes that C-5 of the deazaflavin is derived from the methyl group of methionine and that the benzene ring comes from phenylalanine or tyrosine.

Microbiol Sci, 1984 Apr, 1(1), 9 - 14
Siderophores of bacteria and fungi; Neilands JB; Siderophore-mediated iron assimilation systems are widely distributed in bacteria and fungi . The systems are comprised of low molecular weight ferric-ion specific ligands (siderophores) and cognate cell-bound receptor and utilization components . Most siderophores are classed chemically as hydroxamic acids or catechols; expression of both types is regulated by iron . Of the various siderophore systems present in E . coli, the enterobactin and aerobactin genes, encoded on the chromosome and pColV respectively, have been the most intensively studied to date as regards their molecular genetics.

Cell Immunol, 1984 Apr 1, 84(2), 380 - 92
Effects of bacteria-produced human alpha, beta, and gamma interferons on in vitro immune functions; Shalaby MR et al.; The effects of bacteria-produced human interferons (HuIFN) alpha, beta, and gamma on in vitro immune functions of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were studied . Proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin was significantly inhibited by the addition of HuIFN-alpha 2 or HuIFN-beta at 10, 100, or 1000 U/ml . In contrast, HuIFN-gamma showed suppressive activities only when added at 1000 U/ml . HuIFN-alpha 2 or HuIFN-beta caused significant inhibition of human mixed-lymphocyte reaction (MLR) as measured by {3H}thymidine incorporation . Similar inhibition was caused by HuIFN-gamma when it was added only at very low concentrations (1 U/ml); 10, 100, or 1000 U/ml resulted in no or only a modest increase in MLR . All three interferons exhibited dose-related effects on PWM-induced immunoglobulin synthesis in cultures of PBMC . These data demonstrate that purified interferons produced by recombinant DNA technology can significantly alter in vitro immune functions and that HuIFN-gamma has properties which are different from those of HuIFN-alpha 2 or HuIFN-beta.

Agents Actions, 1984 Apr, 14(3-4), 481 - 3
Lectin-mediated reactions in histamine release caused by bacteria; Norn S et al.; The bacteria-induced release of histamine was studied in human basophil leukocytes and in isolated rat mast cells . Whole bacteria of Staph . aureus caused release in a 98% pure population of peritoneal mast cells from germ-free rats, indicating a non-immunological mechanism and a direct interaction between the bacteria and the target cells . Probably the bacterial cell wall interacts with the cell membrane, since a preparation of the bacterial cell wall caused a dose-dependent release of histamine from basophil leukocytes similar to that induced by whole bacteria, and repeated washing of whole bacteria did not change the release . Inhibition studies by lectin-binding sugars indicate that aminosugars on the bacterial surface of Staph . aureus interact with lectins on the basophil cell membrane leading to histamine release.

Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1984 Apr, 3(2), 113 - 5
Acridine orange stain in the early detection of bacteria in blood cultures; Meseguer M et al.; A total of 1,592 blood cultures without macroscopic signs of bacterial growth in the first 12-24 h of incubation were processed for both acridine orange stain and blind subculture . One hundred and twenty-one (7.6%) blood cultures were positive by either method; of these, 105 (8.68%) were positive by both methods, 11 (9.1%) positive by acridine orange and negative by subculture, and 5 (4.1%) negative by acridine orange and positive by subculture . The difference between the 116 blood cultures positive by acridine orange and the 110 blood cultures positive by subculture was not statistically significant (p greater than 0.1) . Gram stain performed on all acridine orange positive cultures failed to reveal bacteria in 14 cases . Acridine orange staining is a sensitive, rapid and reliable method for detecting bacteria in blood cultures early during incubation . The method is inexpensive and easy to perform and can be substituted for blind subcultures.

J Biol Chem, 1984 Mar 10, 259(5), 2982 - 90
Sulfonolipids of gliding bacteria . Structure of the N-acylaminosulfonates; Godchaux W 3rd et al.; Earlier (Godchaux, W., and Leadbetter, E . R . (1980) J . Bacteriol . 144, 592-602; (1983) J . Bacteriol . 153, 1238-1246) we demonstrated that an unusual class of sulfonolipids are major components of the cell envelope of gliding bacteria of the genus Cytophaga and of closely related genera . One of these lipids, to which we have assigned the trivial name capnine, was purified and was shown to be 2-amino-3-hydroxy-15-methylhexadecane-1-sulfonic acid (which might also be named as 1-deoxy-15-methylhexadecasphinganine-1-sulfonic acid) . Though capnine accumulates as such in the cells of some Capnocytophaga spp., most organisms of the Cytophaga-like genera contain, instead, sulfonolipids that are less polar than capnine . These less polar lipids have been purified from a Capnocytophaga sp., a marine Cytophaga sp., Cytophaga johnsonae, and a Flexibacter sp . Acid methanolysis of the lipids yielded both aminosulfonates and a collection of fatty acid methyl esters . The infrared absorption spectra of the lipids indicated that the fatty acids were in amide (and not ester) linkage to the aminosulfonates . In every instance, analysis by mass spectrometry and other methods revealed that most, if not all, of the aminosulfonates obtained by methanolysis were structurally identical to capnine (though small amounts of variants of that compound may be present in some cases) . The less polar sulfonolipids are, therefore, predominantly N-fatty acyl capnines, 1-deoxy-1-sulfonic acid analogs of ceramides . The fatty acid methyl esters obtained from the lipids were heterogeneous, but in all cases were rich in hydroxylated fatty acyl groups, which constituted 66 to 95% of the total.

Mikrobiologiia, 1984 Mar-Apr, 53(2), 313 - 7
{Generic interrelations of purple bacteria in the genus Rhodopseudomonas}; Turova TP et al.; The technique of DNA--DNA hybridization was used to study relations offween purple nonsulfur bacteria (the family Rhodospirillaceae) . The level of homologies with Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides 8259 was nearly the same for different species (8-17%) in the genus Rhodopseudomonas under the conditions optimal for hybridization . The same level of homologies was found for the DNA of Rhodospirillum rubrum, a species belonging to another genus of purple nonsulfur bacteria (13%) . Rhodomicrobium vannielli was most remote from R . sphaeroides 8259 (3%) . Similar results were obtained under other conditions of hybridization . The intraspecial heterogeneity of R . sphaeroides was studied in this work . The thermal stability of hybrid duplexes was analysed . The results are indicative of a considerable divergence of different R . sphaeroides strains (delta T50 = 2.1-11.6).

J Dent Res, 1984 Mar, 63(3), 401 - 6
Relationship of bioenergetic processes to the pathogenic properties of oral bacteria; Marsh PD et al.; The energized membrane has been shown to affect properties (sugar transport, acid production, intracellular polysaccharide formation, and glycosyltransferase secretion) related to the pathogenicity of oral bacteria . The activity of the energized membrane was susceptible to modulation by environmental conditions likely to be encountered by bacteria in dental plaque.

FEBS Lett, 1984 Feb 13, 167(1), 15 - 8
Immunochemical characterization of charge isomers of bacteria-derived human growth hormone with monoclonal antibodies; Jonsdottir I et al.; Monoclonal antibodies were used to study the immunochemical nature of charge isomers of bacterially produced methionyl human growth hormone . After isoelectric focusing of the hormone the 12 monoclonal antibodies reacted similarly in immunoblotting experiments and none of them could discriminate between the two isolated charge isomers in ELISA . This indicates that the generation of charge isomers of met-hGH does not result in loss of the determinants recognized by the monoclonal antibodies and that the conformation of the two main charge isomers is identical within these determinants.

J Biochem (Tokyo), 1984 Feb, 95(2), 567 - 73
X-ray diffraction studies on chromatophore membrane from photosynthetic bacteria . II . Comparison of diffraction patterns of photosynthetic units from various purple bacteria; Kataoka M et al.; Comparative X-ray diffraction studies, in conjunction with infrared absorption spectroscopy, were performed on chromatophores isolated from various purple photosynthetic bacteria in order to achieve a better understanding of the molecular structure of the photosynthetic unit . Purple non-sulfur bacteria used were Rhodospirillum rubrum, Rhodospirillum molischianum, Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides, and Rhodopseudomonas palustris . Chromatophores of Chromatium vinosum, as a typical example of purple sulfur bacteria, were also investigated . The results were as follows . Distinct equatorial X-ray diffraction patterns were obtained from chromatophores of all the bacteria examined . They showed diffuse, continuous diffraction patterns having several maxima, and the patterns are evidently distinguished from those of either crystalline or amorphous material . The pattern indicates that the photosynthetic unit in the chromatophore has a highly organized molecular structure in the plane of the membrane . Bacteria whose major photosynthetic pigment is bacteriochlorophyll alpha can be categorized in three groups from the viewpoint of near infrared absorption spectra . X-ray diffraction patterns are also grouped accordingly, although the differences are minimal and the patterns display common features . In other words, the bacteriochlorophyll forms, which are bacteriochlorophyll-protein complexes exhibiting different near-infrared absorption spectra, show different X-ray patterns: the molecular structure of photosynthetic units is closely related to the state of pigment in each complex, although the "X-ray" molecular structure is mainly concerned with the arrangement of constituent protein molecules at the present resolution, whereas the "spectroscopic" structure reflects the local environment of pigment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Vet Med (Praha), 1984 Feb, 29(2), 101 - 5
{Determination of 2-6-diaminopimelic acid in samples of bacteria isolated from the rumen of sheep using an automatic amino acid analyzer}; Smutny J et al.; The method of the use of the HD 1200-E automatic amino acid analyzer for the separation of amino acids was modified for the determination of 2-6-diaminopimelic acid (DAPA) as a bacterial marker, besides the other amino acids in the acid hydrolyzates of samples of bacteria isolated from the rumen of sheep . The reproducibility of the determination of DAPA in a standard amino acid mixture found in the tests corresponded with the reproducibility of the determination of the other amino acids as indicated by the manufacturer of the apparatus . The lower limit of DAPA determination sensitivity is between 2 and 5 nmol . In samples of bacteria isolated from rumen wall, from feed particles of rumen contents and from rumen fluid, different contents of nitrogen and DAPA were obtained; this is ascribed to the different proportions of bacterial species in the bacterial populations having different functions.

J Appl Bacteriol, 1984 Feb, 56(1), 125 - 9
Hydrogen-using bacteria in a methanogenic acetate enrichment culture; Archer DB; In a study of the anaerobic utilization of acetate, an enrichment culture of sewage sludge organisms was initiated with calcium acetate as the sole carbon and energy source . A mixed bacterial population became established from which 14 anaerobic species were isolated . Two of the isolates were methanogenic bacteria but only one of these, Methanosarcina barkeri, utilised acetate as an energy source in axenic culture . The other methanogenic isolate, a Methanobacterium sp., utilised H2/CO2 but not acetate . A third methanogen, which was morphologically identical to Methanothrix soehngenii, was detected in the enrichment but was not obtained in monoculture . 2-Bromoethanesulphonate, a specific inhibitor of methanogenesis, completely inhibited the enrichment at a concentration of 10 mumol/l . Addition of H2 formate or methanol to the enrichment did not affect the rate of methanogenesis . An H2-utilizing Desulfovibrio sp . was also isolated from the enrichment.

Biochemistry, 1984 Jan 31, 23(3), 563 - 8
Liposome-mediated transfer of macromolecules into flagellated cell envelopes from bacteria; Lelkes PI et al.; We have studied the interaction between flagellated cell envelopes from Escherichia coli and liposomes . Oligolamellar liposomes of ca . 0.45-micron diameter, composed of azolectin, phosphatidylserine, and cholesterol at a molar ratio of 7:1:2, were prepared by freezing and thawing and subsequent extrusion through polycarbonate filters . These liposomes exhibited high entrapment capacity and low leakiness . Liposome-cell envelope interaction was monitored flow cytometrically in a fluorescence-activated cell sorter with a fluorescent aqueous space marker and by a filtration assay with radiolabels for the lipid phase and the liposomal aqueous space . Maximal association of liposomes with the envelopes was observed in both assays after ca . 25 min at 30 degrees C . After such period of time, it seems that up to 200 liposomes (depending on the liposome to envelope ratio) were associated with a single cell envelope, as calculated from the radiotracer studies . Fluorometric measurements of the transfer of liposomal contents and the intermixing of membrane lipids indicated that at least 20% of the envelope-associated liposomes had delivered their content into the envelopes, possibly by fusion . Electron microscopic observations confirmed the transfer of liposome-encapsulated ferritin molecules into the cell envelopes . Our data suggest that liposomal carriers might be employed to deliver cytoplasmic, chemotaxis-related macromolecules into bacterial cell envelopes.

Arch Otorhinolaryngol, 1984, 239(2), 173 - 80
Bacteria and inflammatory cells in maxillary sinusitis; Engquist S et al.; A series of maxillary sinus mucosal specimens and a series of smears of retained maxillary sinus secretions were studied with regard to the relationship between bacteria and inflammatory cells in order to illustrate aspects of the inflammatory process and to investigate the cause of mucosal damage in maxillary sinusitis . The results show that the granulocytes in the retained secretions are actively phagocytizing organisms if conditions are favourable for the granulocytes . Such situations are present in mucopurulent secretions but mostly not in strictly purulent secretions . A correlation was found between the presence of large numbers of inflammatory cells and tissue destruction, whereas bacterial invasion of the mucosa was a rare phenomenon and seen only in areas where the epithelial lining was destroyed . This indicates strongly that the mucosal damage in sinusitis is caused by inflammatory cells and not primarily by bacteria.

J Math Biol, 1984, 19(1), 125 - 32
A gradually slowing travelling band of chemotactic bacteria; Novick-Cohen A et al.; A model for describing the motion of chemotactic bacteria in a capillary tube containing substrate is treated . Chemotactic substrate threshold effects are included in the chemotactic response coefficient . The ratio of the substrate threshold, ST, to the substrate level far ahead of the travelling band, S infinity, is used as a small parameter in developing an asymptotic solution of "near travelling wave" form.

J Dairy Sci, 1984 Jan, 67(1), 1 - 6
Effect of viable starter culture bacteria in yogurt on lactose utilization in humans; Gilliland SE et al.; Breath hydrogen production was used as a measure of lactose malabsorption in human test subjects following the consumption of both heated and unheated cultured yogurt . Less hydrogen was produced when the subjects consumed the unheated cultured yogurt than when they consumed the heated product, indicating that lactose hydrolysis was improved in the small intestine of the individuals consuming the unheated cultured yogurt . Lactase activity in yogurt samples was increased in the presence of bile . Yogurt starter bacteria growing in milk normally do not hydrolyze more lactose than needed for their growth . However, the increased lactase activity in the presence of bile indicates that these bacteria could function as a source of lactase to hydrolyze lactose in the small intestine even though the organisms themselves are not expected to grow in that environment.

Scand J Urol Nephrol Suppl, 1984, 86, 243 - 50
Subdivision of vaginal isolates of anaerobic curved bacteria based on genetic, morphologic, biochemical and gas-chromatographic/mass-spectrometric studies; Christiansen G et al.; By DNA-DNA hybridization we could recognize two distinct groups of anaerobic curved rods (CR) that had been isolated from the vaginal content of women with bacterial vaginosis . On the basis of morphological studies these two groups correlated with one group of short, Gram-variable, curved rods (SCR) and another consisting of similar but somewhat longer rods (LCR) . The SCR had up to four flagella per cell and the LCR up to eight . Among 79 biochemical tests, only tests for ONPG and arginine dehydrolase differentiated the two groups, SCR being positive and LCR negative . The gas chromatographic analysis of spent culture medium revealed that LCR, but not SCR, produced oxalacetic and oxalic acids . The groups were also differentiated by gas-chromatographic/mass-spectrometric patterns of certain cellular fatty aldehydes . Cell wall structure and presence of cytoplasmic inclusions did not distinguish SCR from LCR . On the basis of DNA-DNA hybridization values the SCR formed a more heterogeneous group than did LCR . Of all biochemical tests performed, only the production of alpha-galactosidase separated two strains of SCR that showed a low percentage of hybridization along with the rest of the SCR strains . Our study does not support a subdivision of SCR.

Scand J Gastroenterol, 1984 Jan, 19(1), 14 - 23
Intragastric bacteria and nitrite after short-term treatment with different doses of antimuscarinic drugs; Stockbruegger RW et al.; In 11 volunteers gastric acid secretion was measured under basal conditions and after modified sham-feeding after 4 1/2 days' treatment with placebo tablets twice daily (placebo), pirenzepine, 50 mg twice daily (pirenzepine), benzilonium bromide, 17.5 mg twice daily (benzilonium 35), or benzilonium bromide, 35 mg twice daily (benzilonium 70), respectively . The first basal portion of gastric fluid was cultured aerobically and anaerobically, and its nitrite concentrations were measured by a colorimetric technique . Basal acid output was reduced 40% by pirenzepine, 71% by benzilonium 35, and 84% by benzilonium 70 . Reduction of the stimulated acid output was 47%, 57%, and 74%, respectively . Mean bacterial count (in log10/ml gastric juice) after placebo was 3.50 +/- 0.81 (SEM) . Only the treatment with benzilonium 70 gave significantly increased bacterial counts (6.41 +/- 0.68; p less than 0.01) . Mean nitrite concentrations (in mumol/l) after placebo, pirenzepine, benzilonium 35, and benzilonium 70 were 2.90 +/- 1.26 (SEM), 3.90 +/- 1.17, 11.36 +/- 7.24, and 18.81 +/- 5.71, respectively . The last value was significantly different from that after placebo (p less than 0.025) . Bacterial counts were negatively correlated to basal acid output (p less than 0.001) but not to stimulated acid output . Nitrite was directly correlated to bacterial counts and inversely correlated to basal and stimulated acid output . Even a short-lasting but strong inhibition of gastric acid output by antimuscarinics can change the intragastric milieu significantly . No significant changes occur after moderate reduction of gastric acid output.

Physiol Bohemoslov, 1984, 33(5), 411 - 6
Urease activity of adherent bacteria in the sheep rumen; Rybosova E et al.; In experiments on six sheep fed on a low protein diet (6.2 g N/day), it was found that the urease activity of the rumen fluid did not change significantly in the first 6 hours after feeding and that it ranged from 45 to 75 nkat.ml-1 . The major portion was bound to the bacterial fraction and formed about 70% of total rumen fluid activity . Urease activity determined in food particles with adherent bacteria removed from the rumen before and 3 and 6 hours after feeding ranged from 20 to 26 nkat.g-1 food (wet weight), and on rumen wall samples with adherent bacteria from 30 to 800 nkat per 2.5 cm2 tissue . Again, no significant changes correlated to the time after feeding were found . The results show that urease activity in the sheep rumen is localized on food particles and on rumen wall epithelium with adherent bacteria, as well as in the rumen fluid.

Scand J Urol Nephrol Suppl, 1984, 86, 125 - 8
A selective and differential agar for anaerobic comma-shaped bacteria recovered from patients having motile rods and non-specific vaginosis; Thomason JL et al.; A selective and differential agar for optimal growth of the large curved motile anaerobic rods isolated from patients having non-specific vaginosis (NSV) was developed . A basal medium of Columbia CNA agar was used with colony growth found to be optimal by the addition of 7% fetal calf serum and 5% rabbit blood (CNARS) . Beta-Haemolysis was found to be demonstrated most readily on a bilayer plate with a basal layer consisting of CNA agar with fetal calf serum, overlaid with a layer of CNA agar containing fetal calf serum and rabbit blood . Optimal growth was found by anaerobic incubation at 37 degrees C, after 5 days.

Radiat Environ Biophys, 1984, 23(4), 279 - 85
Radioprotection of euoxic bacteria by phenothiazine drugs; Maniar HS et al.; Survival studies on irradiated euoxic E . coli B/r cells in presence of various concentrations of four radioprotecting phenothiazine drugs have been carried out . Maximum radioprotection was obtained at a optimal concentration for each drug and it decreased on either side of it . The DNA strand break studies at the maximum protective and non-protective concentrations of chlorpromazine and promethazine revealed that the number of ssbs in DNA were less at the protective concentration which were efficiently repaired by the type-III repair process . On the other hand, at the non-protective concentrations, inhibition of DNA repair was noticed and a higher number of DNA ssbs were detected . We suggest that the membrane is fluidized to a greater extent at the protective concentrations allowing the chemical restitution of damaged sites by NPSH compounds . At the non-protective high concentrations of the drugs, the membrane may be too grossly disorganised to allow any repair and at the same time high concentrations of the drugs or their radicals may also react with radioprotective intracellular sulphhydryls.

Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1984 Jan-Feb, 135A(1), 83 - 9
Avian mycoplasma infections: prototype of mixed infections with mycoplasmas, bacteria and viruses; Bradbury JM; Mixed infections involving mycoplasmas, viruses and bacteria are well recognized in chickens . Synergism has been demonstrated between Mycoplasma gallisepticum and the viruses of Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis and Escherichia coli, although the outcome of infection is influenced by many factors associated with the host and the organisms . Airsacculitis in broilers due to M . synoviae or M . gallinarum may be precipitated by concurrent respiratory virus infections including vaccine strains . Turkeys, geese and ducks have been less well studied, but similar interactions seem to occur . Such observations may give an indication as to the likely interactions between mycoplasmas, viruses and bacteria in other host species.

Biol Cell, 1984, 51(2), 251 - 8
Binding of bacteria in lymphocyte subpopulations: role of lectin-carbohydrate interactions; Teodorescu M; Bacteria have been found to bind to lymphocyte subpopulations in a highly reproducible manner . Some of these bacteria such as B . melitensis and a strain of E . coli binds to mammalian B . cells . The binding of B . melitensis and other bacteria is due, at least in part, to lectins on lymphocytes interacting with the carbohydrates on the LPS or LTA of the bacteria . These receptors for bacteria give some indications regarding the functional potential of the cells, suggesting the possibility that the receptors identified by bacteria are used in cellular interactions with normal or malignant cells.

Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl, 1984, 93, 115 - 21
Bacteria and gastrointestinal secretion and motility; Borriello SP; The composition of the flora of the large bowel is extremely complex, as are the combination of factors involved in its control . As would be expected, although the host affects the gut flora, equally the gut flora affects the host . One of the results of this interplay is that subtle changes can lead to a marked effect on the host resulting in disease . It is now well established that bacteria can alter both secretion and motility of the gastrointestinal tract . However the effect on both of these functions has been best studied in the small bowel, this being especially true for studies on motility . In order to appreciate fully the complexity of the situation and to understand the activities of the flora that can modify gut function a brief overview of the flora of the gastrointestinal tract in health and disease and the factors involved in its regulation will be given . This will be followed by a general description of the effects of this flora on the gut, and a specific account of how large bowel motility and secretion can be altered.

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1984, 33(2), 157 - 62
Metabolic activity of bacteria isolated from soil, rhizosphere and mycorrhizosphere of pine (Pinus silvestris L.); Dahm H; Casamino acids were found to be the best substrate for bacteria isolated from soil, rhizosphere and mycorrhizosphere of pine . Most active with this substrate were however the root zone bacteria . Glucose was oxidized similarly by the bacteria isolated from the three sources.

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1984, 33(1), 77 - 85
Effect of pH on production of cytokinin-like substances by bacteria isolated from soil, rhizosphere and mycorrhizosphere of pine (Pinus silvestris L.); Kampert M et al.; Cytokinin-like substances were produced in higher amounts by soil isolates than by those isolated from the rhizosphere and mycorrhizosphere . However more bacterial strains isolated from the rhizosphere and mycorrhizosphere were capable of synthesizing cytokinin-like compounds . A distinct effect of pH on the production of these substances was found . It is suggested that zeatin and zeatin riboside are likely to be among the cytokinin-like substances detected.

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1984, 33(1), 11 - 24
Mechanism of conjugation and recombination in bacteria . XXI . Role of F factor genes in post-conjugational recombination in Escherichia coli K-12; Kraczkiewicz-Dowjat A et al.; Temperature sensitive dnaA recipient crossed at the restrictive temperature with HfrH, free from contaminating F+ cells, forms recombinants almost as proficiently as at the permissive temperature . The merozygotes are able to synthesize DNA at 42 degrees C, although the recipient and donor cells do not incorporate 3H-thymine . A substantial fraction of Lac+ recombinants, irrespective of the mating temperature, is temperature resistant (42 C-R); 15% from among those mated at 35 C and 30% from those mated at 42 C . The presence of dnaA mutation in these Lac+ 42 C-R recombinants was ascertained by co-transduction with ilv . Cell division at 42 C is inhibited in the Lac 42 C-R recombinants by acridine orange . The presence of F factor DNA in these recombinants was demonstrated directly by DNA: DNA hybridization . Suppression of dnaA mutation in Lac+ 42 degrees C-R recombinants and their sensitivity to acridine orange at 42 degrees C suggests that at least part of the F factor is integrated into the recombinant chromosome . A large fraction of the Lac+ 42 degrees C-R recombinants (up to 80%) is sensitive to male phage R17 and fertile . In crosses with HfrC there is a marked decrease of recombination frequency at 42 degrees C in the dnaA recipient . The fraction of Lac+ 42 degrees C-R recombinants is low (up to 10%) and the 42 degrees C-R recombinants are neither sensitive to male phage nor fertile . The results are discussed on the basis of the previously proposed model of post-conjugational recombination.

Infect Immun, 1984 Jan, 43(1), 326 - 36
T-cell regulation of polyclonal B-cell activation induced by extracts of oral bacteria associated with periodontal diseases; Carpenter AB et al.; These studies were designed to examine the role of regulatory T cells in the polyclonal antibody response of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to extracts of bacterial isolates commonly associated with periodontal disease . Polyclonal antibody responses to the organisms tested were found to be T cell dependent, as are most of the B-cell activators in the human system . Functional T helper activity was resistant to 1,500 rads of irradiation . Optimal polyclonal antibody responses to the bacterial extracts occurred at a 3:1 T-cell-to-B-cell ratio, whereas pokeweed mitogen-induced responses peaked at a 1:1 ratio, suggesting a difference in T-cell regulatory influences in response to these activators . Purified populations of T helper and suppressor cells exerted potent regulatory control of the responses to the bacterial extracts . These findings support the conclusion that regulatory T lymphocytes exert a potent modulating influence over the polyclonal response to periodontally associated bacteria and may play an important role in regulating the lymphocyte response in the diseased site.

J Hyg (Lond), 1983 Dec, 91(3), 459 - 66
A minimal apparatus method for counting bacteria: comparison with reference method in surveying beef carcasses at three commercial abattoirs; Hudson WR et al.; In two surveys of three commercial abattoirs a minimal apparatus method for making bacterial counts, the "loop-tile' method, detected the same trends in bacterial numbers on beef carcasses as the ISO reference method applied to the same samples . Both methods showed the carcasses from one abattoir, that with an export license, to carry consistently higher numbers of bacteria, and one of the four sites sampled on each carcass to be consistently dirtier than the other three.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand {C}, 1983 Dec, 91(6), 403 - 11
Degranulation and enzyme release during phagocytosis of inert particles and of bacteria by polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes; Talstad I et al.; The degranulation and release of lysosomal (myeloperoxidase, beta-glucuronidase, lysozyme) and cytoplasmic (lactate dehydrogenase-LDH) enzymes from polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes (PMG) during phagocytosis of inert latex particles or bacteria were studied . Degranulation was much faster and more pronounced by phagocytosis of bacteria than of inert particles . A high frequency of lysosome-lysosome as well as lysosome-phagosome fusions suggested that granular material was transported by lysosome- lysosome- phagosome fusions . During bacterial phagocytosis there was evidence of release of granular material into cytoplasm causing enzymatic disintegration . After 60 minutes cell lysis occurred in about 5 per cent of the cells during bacterial phagocytosis . There was non-specific release of LDH during phagocytosis of inert particles, probably due to erythro-phagocytosis . After 60 minutes the release during bacterial phagocytosis amounted to 20-30 per cent of the enzyme content of the cells . A nearly equal release of lysosomal and cytoplasmic enzymes gave support for the idea that cell lysis was the main mechanism of enzyme release.

Cell Immunol, 1983 Dec, 82(2), 269 - 81
Bacteria-derived human leukocyte interferons alter in vitro humoral and cellular immune responses; Shalaby MR et al.; Cultures of gradient-purified human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) have been employed to examine the effects of three bacteria-derived human leukocyte interferon subtypes on certain aspects of in vitro immune responses . The addition of highly purified IFN-alpha 1, -alpha 2, -alpha 2/alpha 1 to PMBC cultures stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or pokeweed mitogen resulted in a significant suppression of the mitogenic response . This suppression required the presence of interferon in the cultures because pretreatment of cells and removal of interferon had no effect on their response to PHA . The presence of these interferons at 200 U/ml also caused a substantial reduction of human mixed-lymphocyte reactions (MLR) as measured by {3H}thymidine incorporation by responder cells . Interestingly, pretreatment of stimulator cells was sufficient for this reduction to occur whereas pretreatment of responder cells had no effect on their ability to respond to allogenic stimulation . In contrast to these suppressive effects, the three interferons enhanced human in vitro primary immune response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) . These data demonstrate that both purified interferon subtypes and genetic hybrids of human interferons produced by recombinant DNA technology have effects on in vitro immune responses.

J Biol Buccale, 1983 Dec, 11(4), 327 - 38
An ultrastructural investigation of the filamentous surface appendages of suspensions of plaque bacteria as revealed by negative staining; Leach SA et al.; The filamentous surface appendages of freshly-collected aqueous suspensions of plaque bacteria, obtained from 1 day old supragingival plaque have been examined in the electron microscope by the technique of negative staining with methylamine tungstate . Approximately half of the bacteria revealed surface appendages as either fimbriae (45%), flagella (13%) or both (3%) . The appendages were distributed either polarly, intermittently or peri-trichously around the bacteria and varied in length from 0.2 micron to more than 20 micron . It was not possible from these observations alone to determine either the topology of the appendages or their role as they existed originally in dental plaque.

Biochem J, 1983 Nov 15, 216(2), 519 - 22
The hydrogenation of gamma-linolenic acid by pure cultures of two rumen bacteria; Kemp P et al.; Two species of rumen bacteria that have been previously shown to partially hydrogenate alpha-linolenic acid have been examined for their ability to hydrogenate gamma-linolenic acid . Free gamma-linolenic acid is hydrogenated in vitro to stearic acid by a rumen Fusocillus sp . (N.C.I.B . 11026), but only to cis,trans-octadec-6,11-enoic acid by a Butyrivibrio sp . The sequential hydrogenations are preceded by a delta 12-cis-delta 11-trans isomerization identical with that observed in the hydrogenation of alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid.

J Theor Biol, 1983 Nov 7, 105(1), 117 - 31
The consequences of base-pair substitution mutations in AT- and GC-rich bacteria; Clarke CH; The likely consequences, in terms of premature stop codons, detectable missense mutants, silent missense mutants, and degenerate codon changes, have been determined for all 12 individual base substitution changes . This has been done for the full, 61 sense codon, genetic code and also for the much more limited codon availabilities of AT- or GC-rich DNA . The specificities and outcomes of individual base substitutions are likely to be rather different at AT- or GC-rich extremes, and also from the situation at an intermediate DNA base-ratio where all 61 sense codons are available . In particular, at DNA base-ratio extremes many mutations will be to non-utilized codons, which may well act as nonsense mutants . These in turn will give novel classes of suppressor-containing revertants . Even in bacteria with intermediate DNA base-ratios, particular codons for a given amino acid may be favoured, over alternatives, because their use maximizes, or minimizes, the mutational consequences of one, or more, base substitution changes.

Acta Pharmacol Toxicol (Copenh), 1983 Nov, 53(5), 421 - 8
Correlations of alkylating activity and mutagenicity in bacteria of cytostatic drugs; Hemminki K et al.; Alkylating activity of cytostatic drugs was studied in relation to their mutagenicity and toxicity in E . coli WP2 uvrA . Four classes of directly acting cytostatic drugs were studied: nitrogen mustards (nitrogen mustard, melphalan, chlorambucil and phosphoramide mustard, a metabolite of cyclophosphamide), ethyleneimine derivatives (Thio-TEPA, TEPA and triethylenemelamine), busulfan, and halogenated nitrosoureas . The reference compounds included methyl methanesulfonate, ethyleneimine and methylnitrosourea . Guanosine alkylation was determined by fluorometry . The rate of guanosine and nitrobenzylpyridine alkylation agreed well . Nitrogen mustard derivatives and triethylenemelamine were the most potent alkylating agents among the cytostatic drugs; nitrogen mustard was 5 to 10 times more active than methyl methanesulfonate . Ethyleneimine derivatives, busulfan and the nitrosoureas were relatively weak alkylating agents . Nitrogen mustard and triethylenemelamine were the most potent mutagens to bacteria; they were also among the most toxic drugs studied.

Mikrobiologiia, 1983 Nov-Dec, 52(6), 1014 - 6
{Quenching of the luminescence of phosphorescent bacteria as a test for assessing the toxicity of the phenol components of sewage}; Gil' TA et al.; The object of this work was to estimate whether the luminescence of luminescent bacteria could be used as a biological test for assessment of the toxicity of phenol compounds in sewage . The toxicity of phenol compounds for luminescent bacteria was compared in terms of three indices: the quenching of luminescence, the inhibition of dehydrogenase activity and the ability to grow . Among the three indices, the quenching of luminescence was characterized by the highest sensitivity and the most rapid response.

Br J Rheumatol, 1983 Nov, 22(4 Suppl 2), 75 - 82
Enteric bacteria and HLA-B27 associated cell surface modification in patients with seronegative spondarthritis; Edmonds J et al.; Cytotoxic studies indicate cross-reactivity between some enteric organisms and cells obtained from the majority of patients with ankylosing spondylitis . Preliminary studies suggest that the factor responsible for cross-reactivity may be generated by a bacterial plasmid . However, the mechanism mediating the interaction between the HLA-B27 positive cell and the bacterial antigen is at present unknown.

Infect Immun, 1983 Nov, 42(2), 487 - 95
Evidence of mitogenic activity in periodontitis-associated bacteria; Donaldson SL et al.; This study examines several periodontitis-associated bacterial isolates for the presence of mitogenic activity, as indicated by their capacity to stimulate unsensitized lymphocytes to undergo blastogenesis . Germfree mouse spleen cells responded vigorously to all of the bacterial sonic extracts tested . The kinetics and dose responses to these activators in germfree mouse spleen cell cultures paralleled those seen with the standard murine B-cell mitogen, Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide . In contrast, Streptokinase-Streptodornase (Varidase; Lederle Laboratories) antigen elicited no response . Human cord blood lymphocytes also responded upon stimulation with these same bacterial isolates but failed to respond to Streptokinase-Streptodornase . The frequency, magnitude, and kinetics of these cord blood lymphocyte responses were remarkably similar to those seen with adult peripheral blood lymphocytes . However, in this and previous studies, individuals with unresponsive peripheral blood lymphocytes have been observed . Studies were initiated to determine whether these unresponsive leukocyte preparations truly lacked the capacity to respond to these bacteria or whether unresponsiveness reflected the presence of a regulatory cell population in these cultures . After the removal of the adherent cells from unresponsive peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures, the nonadherent cells were found to be responsive . Therefore, peripheral blood lymphocyte responsiveness appears to be regulated via an adherent cell population . The removal of adherent cells from unresponsive cord blood lymphocyte preparations resulted in a less consistent alteration to responsiveness . However, cord blood lymphocyte preparations unresponsive at a standard cell density were shown to be responsive at altered cell densities.

Proc Soc Exp Biol Med, 1983 Nov, 174(2), 182 - 6
Phagocytosis of bacteria by human leukocytes measured by flow cytometry; Bassoe CF et al.; A new method has been developed for the evaluation of the phagocytic activity of human leukocytes using fluorescently labeled bacteria and flow cytometry . By simultaneous measurement of cellular light scatter and fluorescence, extracellular bacteria, phagocytes, and nonphagocytes could be discriminated and quantified . All leukocytes assumed to be capable of phagocytosis were phagocytosing, and about 90% of these cells were polymorphonuclear neutrophilic granulocytes . Within 15 min 85% of the bacteria were phagocytosed and each phagocyte contained an average of 15-20 bacteria . The phagocytic capacity of the leukocytes from healthy individuals showed minor interindividual and day-to-day variations . This method facilitates a rapid and accurate in vitro evaluation of the phagocytic activity of human leukocytes.

Gene, 1983 Nov, 25(2-3), 333 - 41
A general method for polyethylene-glycol-induced genetic transformation of bacteria and yeast; Klebe RJ et al.; Polyethylene glycol (PEG) can induce genetic transformation in both bacteria (Escherichia coli) and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) without cell wall removal . PEG-mediated transformation of E . coli is technically simple and yields transformants with an efficiency of 10(6)-10(7) transformants/microgram DNA . Detailed analysis of the parameters involved in PEG-mediated transformation of E . coli reveals basic differences between the PEG and standard CaCl2 methods for transformation of E . coli . PEG-mediated transformation of yeast is far simpler than existing protoplast methods and is comparable in efficiency . The new methods described here for PEG-mediated genetic transformation may prove to be of general utility in performing genetic transformation in a wide variety of organisms.

J Natl Cancer Inst, 1983 Nov, 71(5), 897 - 902
Use of fluoresceinated complement-coated bacteria and sheep erythrocyte-antibody-complement complexes for identification of complement receptors on lymphoid cell lines: differences in binding characteristics between cell lines of normal and malignant origin; Benjamin D et al.; Twenty-four lymphoma-derived cell lines, 11 cord blood lymphocyte lines, and 3 lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from normal adults were examined for complement (C) receptors utilizing fluoresceinated C-coated bacteria (FBC) to determine the optimal conditions for each type of cell line . Incubation of FBC with lymphoma-derived cell lines at 37 and 0.5 degrees C showed that maximal FBC binding at both temperatures was after 120 minutes, and peak reactivity was invariably higher at 37 degrees C . These temperature-dependent differences were similar, both in Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen (EBNA)-positive and EBNA-negative lines . EBNA-positive lines, however, expressed higher levels of FBC rosettes than EBNA-negative lines at both temperatures . In contrast, FBC binding to cord blood cell lines after 120-minute incubation was maximal at 0.5 degrees C . Although similar numbers of FBC rosettes were formed after 30 minutes at both 37 and 0.5 degrees C in cord blood cell lines, rosette formation deteriorated after longer periods of incubation at 37 degrees C . The optimal temperature for FBC binding to lymphoblastoid cell lines could not be determined, since bacteria bound spontaneously to these lines at 37 degrees C . Cell lines were also tested simultaneously for sheep erythrocyte-antibody-complement complex (EAC)M and FBC binding at 37 and 0.5 degrees C . FBC reactivity under optimal conditions for each type of cell line correlated well with EACM reactivity at 37 degrees C . The significance of these results is discussed.

Stain Technol, 1983 Nov, 58(6), 315 - 8
Simple staining of bacteria and fungi in hide, skin and leather; Webster R; Enhanced detection of bacteria and fungi in raw skin and in skin from the various processing stages in leather production was achieved with a new staining procedure . A combination of cresyl violet and azure A is recommended in conjunction with Young's periodic acid-Schiff's reagent.

Microbiologica, 1983 Oct, 6(4), 347 - 53
Longevity of selected bacteria in black water; Stender JO et al.; Twenty four bacteria were killed when exposed to black water . The initial concentration of the organism appeared to have a significant effect upon the survival of the bacteria in six of thirteen cases . Neutralization of black water to pH 7.0 reduced its toxicity to the bacteria studied . Material precipitated during neutralization was also toxic to the bacteria.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1983 Oct, 46(4), 941 - 3
Simple and rapid method for disruption of bacteria for protein studies; Bhaduri S et al.; A simple and rapid method was developed for the extraction of proteins from both pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria . The method involves the treatment of cells with acetone followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate extraction of cellular proteins . Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the protein composition of extracts made by this method was comparable to that of extracts made by established methods, namely, sonication and agitation with beads . This technique has been successfully applied to the extraction of proteins from a wide variety of bacteria, including pathogens.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1983 Oct, 46(4), 846 - 54
Hexavalent chromium-resistant bacteria isolated from river sediments; Luli GW et al.; Hexavalent chromium {Cr(VI)} is a known carcinogen and mutagen; however, the actual mechanisms of Cr toxicity are unknown . Two approaches were used to isolate Cr(VI)-resistant bacteria from metal-contaminated river sediments . Diluted sediments were plated directly onto a peptone-yeast extract (PYE) medium containing 0 to 100 micrograms of Cr(VI) ml-1 . Approximately 8.4 x 10(5) CFU g-1 were recovered on 0 microgram of Cr(VI) ml-1, whereas 4.0 x 10(2) CFU g-1 were recovered on PYE plus 100 micrograms of Cr(VI) ml-1 . Alternatively, continuous culture enrichment techniques were employed using PYE and 100 micrograms Cr(VI) ml-1 input at dilution rates of 0.02 and 0.10 h-1 . After six residence periods, 10(9) CFU were recovered on PYE agar containing 0 microgram of Cr(VI) ml-1 and 10(7) CFU on PYE agar plus 100 micrograms of Cr(VI) ml-1 . Of 89 isolates obtained by direct plating onto PYE, 47% were resistant to 100 micrograms of Cr(VI) ml-1, and 29% were resistant to 250 micrograms of Cr(VI) ml-1 . When the same isolates were plated onto PYE containing Cr(III), 88% were resistant to 100 micrograms ml-1 but only 2% were resistant to 250 micrograms ml-1 . Cr, Co, Sb, and Zn were found in significantly higher concentrations at an industry-related contaminated site than at a site 11 km downstream . Total Cr in the sediments at the contaminated site averaged 586 micrograms (dry weight) g-1, and the downstream site averaged 71 micrograms (dry weight) g-1 . The Cr recovered from acid-digested Ottawa River sediment samples was predominantly hexavalent . Five acid digestion procedures followed by atomic absorption spectroscopy were compared and found to be 30 to 70% efficient for recovery of Cr relative to neutron activation analysis . A population of aerobic, heterotrophic bacteria was recovered from sediments containing elevated levels of Cr.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

J Dent Res, 1983 Oct, 62(10), 1041 - 4
Production of histolytic enzymes by a combination of oral bacteria with known pathogenicity; Dahlen G et al.; Eight oral bacterial strains, isolated from an infected root canal, have been investigated for their capacity to produce histolytic enzymes . The determination was performed using methods espoused by two different principles . Eleven out of 12 enzymes examined were demonstrated in the "eight-strain collection" . In no single bacterial strain were all enzymes revealed . It was suggested that the pathogenicity of the bacterial strains, singly or in combination, was not solely dependent on the production of these enzymes . The histolytic enzymes may have a potentiating role on other pathogenic factors in infectious diseases.

Biokhimiia, 1983 Oct, 48(10), 1624 - 33
{Mechanism of catabolite repression in Escherichia coli bacteria: interaction between transport proteins and adenylate cyclase}; Voloshin AG et al.; The mechanism of catabolite repression caused by sugar transported via the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS) and stipulated by the decrease of the adenylate cyclase activity was studied . It was demonstrated that the sensitivity of the adenylate cyclase and beta-galactosidase synthesis to methyl-L-D-glucoside (MeGlc) or sorbitol is correlated with the content and activity of glucose (EIIGlc) or mannitol enzyme II of the PTS, correspondingly . Under anaerobic conditions the cells become insensitive to catabolic repression caused by MeGlc and the adenylate cyclase activity does not decrease in the presence of the sugar despite the increased rate of MeGlc transport . The adenylate cyclase activity of the mutant with the Tn5 transposone inserted into the ptsG gene does not change in the presence of MeGlc, while the activity of adenylate cyclase and the differential rate of beta-galactosidase synthesis increase in these bacteria . The data obtained confirm the hypothesis on the "catabolite signal" which is generated when the substrate binds to its transporter, i . e . adenylate cyclase reacts to the conformational changes in the transporter being complexed with it . The strength of this complex depends on the affinity of adenylate cyclase for the transporter and on the value of the membrane potential, delta mu H+ A model is proposed, which explains the necessity of factor IIIGlc for EIIGlc binding to adenylate cyclase.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1983 Sep 15, 115(2), 648 - 52
Selection of ion channel elements in the serine and aspartate methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins of bacteria; Kosower EM; Two plausible, transmembrane ion channel elements (These 'elements' are alpha-helical sequences of 24 amino acids in which polar, hydrophilic side chains occupy one side and hydrophobic side chains the other) have been identified in the serine chemoreceptor-methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein (MCP) (SerR) of E . coli and the aspartate chemoreceptor-MCP (AspR) of S . typhimurium . That the chemoreceptor might serve as, or activate, an ion channel is supported strongly by the occurrence of membrane depolarization, specific peptide methylation and neurotoxin inhibition of response in the chemotaxis of S . aurantia (E.P . Greenberg, refs . 13-18).

Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1983 Sep-Oct, 134B(2), 307 - 21
{Comparative study, using 3 methods, of the sensitivity to metronidazole and ornidazole of anaerobic or related bacteria}; Gallusser A; A comparative study of the sensitivity to metronidazole and ornidazole of 127 anaerobic or microaerophilic strains isolated from various clinical samples showed that the activity of both products was similar: the distribution of sensitive and resistant strains was identical . However, the in vitro activity level of metronidazole was slightly higher . This difference, though statistically significant, had no incidence on therapeutic indications . The determination of sensitivity towards the two nitroimidazoles was carried out by three methods: broth dilution and agar diffusion for metronidazole; and broth dilution and disk-broth for ornidazole . Two of these methods, broth dilution and disk-broth, gave concordant results . Conversely, the limits of the agar diffusion technique were shown to be related to independent biological factors such as bacterial motility and slow growth rate . The poor accuracy of this method limits its use in detecting total resistance.

Anal Biochem, 1983 Sep, 133(2), 265 - 70
A simple procedure for large-scale preparation of pure plasmid DNA free from chromosomal DNA from bacteria; Mukhopadhyay M et al.; A very simple, inexpensive procedure for preparing pure plasmid DNA from bacteria is described . In this method, lysozyme-induced spheroplasts are made in presence of 833 micrograms/ml of ethidium bromide which are then lysed by a mixture of Brij 58 and sodium deoxycholate, and the lysate is centrifuged at 48,000 g for 25 min whereby about 99.9% of total chromosomal DNA is pelleted . From the supernatant containing plasmid DNA, the proteins are removed by phenol extraction and the major part of RNA by CaCl2 precipitation, and finally the small amount of residual RNA is removed by RNase treatment . The average yield of pBR322 DNA from 1 liter of amplified culture by this procedure is 2 to 2.5 mg and the preparation is highly pure, containing only about 0.005% of total yield as chromosomal DNA contaminant . Moreover, the substrate activity and the transforming ability of the plasmid DNA prepared by this method remain unaffected.

Biol Reprod, 1983 Sep, 29(2), 335 - 41
Presence of bacteria in porcine follicular fluid and their ability to generate an inhibitor of follicle-stimulating hormone binding to receptor; Sluss PM et al.; Follicular fluid obtained from porcine ovaries collected at slaughter and distributed by the National Institutes of Health was contaminated by bacteria which appeared to be of intestinal origin . This follicular fluid showed increased follicle-stimulating hormone binding inhibition (FSH-BI) activity following incubation under conditions which facilitated bacterial growth . No such increase in FSH-BI activity was observed following incubation of follicular fluid from which bacteria were removed by repeated filtration . Our data suggest that bacteria found in the follicular fluid were capable of generating a substance with FSH-BI activity . This substance has an apparent molecular weight greater than 6000, based on membrane diafiltration studies . The possible presence of bacteria in follicular fluid and their ability to generate a substance which interferes with FSH binding to receptor should be considered in studies on factors in follicular fluid that are considered to regulate ovarian function or development.

Fortschr Med, 1983 Aug 4, 101(29), 1318 - 21
{Demonstration of bacteria in the ejaculate of subfertile men, with special reference to Chlamydiae}; Maier U; Bacterial cultures were obtained from ejaculates of 87 infertile males with pathologic spermiogram (according to the classification of Elliason), and the presence of chlamydia was also examined . In no case chlamydia could be proved . In only 8% bacteria could be found in a pathogenic number (greater than 10(4)) . The importance of asymptomatic bacteriospermia in infertility is discussed.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1983 Aug, 46(2), 421 - 4
Comparison of media for isolation of poultry intestinal bacteria; Kelley RW; The effects of medium composition, incubation temperature, and length of incubation were determined for recovery of the predominant intestinal bacteria from turkey poults . Incubation of recovery media at 41 degrees C resulted in significantly higher counts than at 37 degrees C . In 2- and 3-week-old turkey poults . RGCAP-30, RGCAP-10, and RGCA-30 gave the highest recoveries of cecal bacteria . M98-5 was less effective and brain heart infusion agar was definitely inadequate . However, there was no significant difference between RGCAP-30 and brain heart infusion agar for recovery of duodenal bacteria . In older birds (6 weeks of age), M98-5 was equal or superior to the RGCA-based media . The choice of a primary isolation medium is thus dependent on the site to be sampled and the age of the bird.

Biokhimiia, 1983 Aug, 48(8), 1235 - 40
{Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide as an inhibitor of light- and pyrophosphate-induced formation of membrane potential in chromatophores of purple bacteria}; Pototskii NIa et al.; N,N'-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) suppresses the uptake of penetrating tetraphenylborate anions by Rhodospirillum rubrum chromatophores during cyclic and non-cyclic electron transfer and ATP and PP i hydrolyses . The photochemical activity of the bacteriochlorophyll reaction centers of the chromatophores in insensitive to DCCD . This supports the view that DCCD inhibits the electron transfer between the primary and secondary quinones of the photosynthetic chain . Incorporation of the chromatophores into a planar phospholipid-decane membrane abolishes or considerably reduces the inhibiting effect of DCCD on the membrane potential generation during the light-induced electron transfer and PP i (but not ATP) hydrolysis . The inhibition of the photosynthetic electron transfer is proposed to be due to the effect of DCCD as a quinone antagonist which competes with the secondary quinone for the binding at the active site . By expelling quinones DCCD seems to destroy the specific microenvironment of PPiase in the membrane and to inhibit its catalytic activity . In the system with the planar membrane decane and/or phospholipids remove the effect of DCCD as a quinone antagonist.

Mol Immunol, 1983 Aug, 20(8), 871 - 6
Comparative study of pituitary and bacteria-derived human growth hormone by monoclonal antibodies; Jonsdottir I et al.; We have established hybridoma lines which secrete mouse monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) to human pituitary growth hormone, hGH . Using indirect competitive ELISA and indirect passive hemagglutination inhibition twelve different Mabs were characterized with regard to cross-reactivity with the hGH-related hormones, human chorionic somatomammotropin, hCS, and human prolactin, hPRL . The reactivity of these Mabs with pituitary hGH was compared to that with either bacterially-produced methionyl-hGH or to that of reduced and S-carboxymethylated hGH, which has an altered conformation . None of the Mabs reacted with hPRL . Four did not react with hCS whereas the others showed varying degree of cross-reactivity with hCS . All Mabs reacted more weakly with reduced and S-carboxymethylated hGH than with the native form of the hormone, which was not seen with conventional rabbit antisera to hGH . Thus in the case of hGH the Mabs are superior to conventional antisera in revealing small conformational differences . However the pituitary and bacterially-derived methionyl-hGH were indistinguishable as determined by the 12 Mabs.

J Bacteriol, 1983 Jul, 155(1), 222 - 7
Nitrogen metabolism in the phototrophic bacteria Rhodocyclus purpureus and Rhodospirillum tenue; Masters RA et al.; Studies of the nitrogen nutrition and pathways of ammonia assimilation in Rhodocyclus purpureus and Rhodospirillum tenue have shown that these two seemingly related bacteria differ considerably in aspects of their nitrogen metabolism . When grown photoheterotrophically with malate as carbon source, R . purpureus utilized only NH4+ or glutamine as sole nitrogen sources and was unable to fix N2 . By contrast, R . tenue was found to utilize a variety of amino acids as nitrogen sources and was a good N2 fixer . No nitrogenase activity was detected in cells of R . purpureus grown on limiting ammonia, whereas cells of R . tenue grown under identical conditions reduced acetylene to ethylene at high rates . Regardless of the nitrogen source supporting growth, extracts of cells of R . purpureus contained high levels of glutamate dehydrogenase, whereas R . tenue contained only trace levels of this enzyme . Alanine dehydrogenase activity was absent from both species . We conclude that R . purpureus is incapable of fixing molecular nitrogen and employs the glutamate dehydrogenase pathway as the primary means of assimilating NH4+ under all growth conditions . R . tenue, on the other hand, employs the glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase pathway for the incorporation of NH4+ supplied exogenously or as the product of N2 fixation.

Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1983 Jul-Aug, 134B(1), 115 - 35
H2 metabolism in photosynthetic bacteria and relationship to N2 fixation; Willison JC et al.; The photosynthetic bacteria can evolve H2 in the light through a nitrogenase-mediated reaction . The nitrogenase enzyme in the photosynthetic bacteria is similar to other nitrogenases . It is made of two soluble components: a) the Fe protein (dinitrogenase reductase or Component II) which receives electrons from ferredoxin, and b) the Mo-Fe protein (dinitrogenase or Component I) on which the substrates (including protons) are reduced . In photosynthetic bacteria, the physiological regulation of nitrogenase activity involves inactivation by covalent modification of the nitrogenase Fe protein . This inactivation can be reversed by an activating factor (or activating enzyme) which is an extrinsic membrane protein . After an ammonia shock, both the Fe protein of nitrogenase, and the glutamine synthetase, become adenylylated in vivo . In the adenylylation state, glutamine synthetase has AMP moieties bound to the protein by phosphate linkage . In toluene-treated cells of Rhodopseudomas capsulata preincubated with radioactive ATP, labelled either by 14C on the adenine or by 32P on the P alpha of ATP and then submitted to an ammonia shock, the Fe protein becomes covalently labelled only with {14C}ATP ad not with {32P}alpha ATP, while glutamine synthetase becomes labelled with both radioactive ATP molecules . This indicates that a different type of linkage is involved in the binding of the modifying group to Fe protein and to glutamine synthetase . Like other N2 fixers, the photosynthetic bacteria also contain a hydrogenase . In R . capsulata, the hydrogenase is an intrinsic membrane protein which protrudes in the cytoplasmic space and is not accessible to anti-hydrogenase antibodies from the periplasmic side . The hydrogenase can transfer electrons from H2 to the electron transport chain . It functions physiologically as an uptake-hydrogenase and may contribute to the recycling of electrons to nitrogenase . In the presence of excess carbon compounds, its main role may be to maintain an anaerobic microenvironment for the nitrogenase . Ferredoxin has been isolated from photosynthetic bacteria . Rhodospirillum rubrum and Rhodopseudomonas capsulata each contain two different soluble ferredoxin molecules . Reduced Fd I from R . capsulata has been shown to donate its electrons to nitrogenase.

Arch Otolaryngol, 1983 Jun, 109(6), 372 - 5
Bacteria-specific IgE in patients with nasal polyposis . A preliminary report; Calenoff E et al.; Sixty-one patients exhibiting chronic nasal polyposis had their conditions evaluated by radioallergosorbent tests to determine the presence of bacteria-specific serum IgE . Fifty-nine patients exhibited positive serum IgE to at least one of 11 bacteria tested . There are several implications of the collected data.

Anal Biochem, 1983 Jun, 131(2), 285 - 90
Quantification of coenzymes and related compounds from methanogenic bacteria by high-performance liquid chromatography; Van Beelen P et al.; Quantification of coenzymes and related compounds from methanogens was performed in extracts obtained from whole cells with aqueous ethanol at 80 degrees C . By means of high-performance liquid chromatography the following compounds could be detected and quantified in extracts from Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum: coenzyme MF430, the prosthetic group of methylcoenzyme M reductase, F560, an oxidation product of this compound, coenzyme F420, F342, methanopterin, and carboxytetrahydromethanopterin, previously known as YFC . Coenzyme MF430, coenzyme F420, and methanopterin could be determined in extracts from Methanosarcina barkeri . Structural differences were noticed between the coenzymes from the methanogenic bacteria studied.

J Antimicrob Chemother, 1983 Jun, 11(6), 535 - 42
Occurrence of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase and Tn9 among chloramphenicol-resistant enteric bacteria from humans and animals; Matthews PR et al.; The occurrence of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) among chloramphenicol resistant enteric bacteria from humans, animals (cats, dogs) and sewage was examined . The enzyme appears to be the basis of resistance in 83 and 84 per cent of bacteria of humans and sewage origin, and in 50 per cent of bacteria from animals . In order to identify type I CAT among chloramphenicol resistant isolates, total cellular DNA was probed with a 32P-labelled fragment of the CAT structural gene from the transposable element Tn9 . Nineteen per cent of chloramphenicol resistant enteric bacteria of clinical origin, 11% of sewage isolates, and 11% of veterinary isolates gave positive hybridization results . The difference between bacteria of clinical and veterinary origin in respect of both parameters tested is significant and is interpreted as indicating genetic dis similarity between the two pools in regard to chloramphenicol resistance . This may reflect a lack of contact between the two pools, or host bacterial factors with select against CAT-mediated (and type I CAT more specifically) resistance to chloramphenicol.

J Dent Res, 1983 Jun, 62(6), 706 - 8
Sodium fluoride susceptibilities of suspected periodontopathic bacteria; Mandell RL; Utilizing a blood-based medium, we determined the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC's) to sodium fluoride (NaF) of 45 bacterial strains representing 22 oral species . Bacterial susceptibility ranged from 128 micrograms/ml to 2048 micrograms/ml . Of those organisms tested, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Capnocytophaga sputigena, Capnocytophaga gingivalis, Capnocytophaga ochracea, and Actinomyces viscosus were susceptible at lower levels of NaF.

J Bacteriol, 1983 Jun, 154(3), 1440 - 5
Hybridization of cloned Rhodopseudomonas capsulata photosynthesis genes with DNA from other photosynthetic bacteria; Beatty JT et al.; The homology of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata DNA segments carrying photosynthesis genes with sequences present in total DNA from certain other photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic bacterial species was determined by hybridization . R . capsulata DNA fragments that carry loci for production of peptide components of the photosynthetic reaction center and light-harvesting I antenna complex were found to hybridize to DNA from some photosynthetic species . However, fragments that carry carotenoid or bacteriochlorophyll biosynthesis genes showed either weak or undetectable heterospecific hybridization under the conditions employed.

J Bacteriol, 1983 Jun, 154(3), 1315 - 22
Distribution of polyamines in methanogenic bacteria; Scherer P et al.; Members of all four families of methanogenic bacteria were analyzed for polyamine concentrations . High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of dansylated cell extracts revealed typical polyamine patterns for each family . Members of Methanobacteriaceae (family I) were characterized by very low polyamine concentrations; members of Methanococcaceae (family II) were characterized by putrescine and high spermidine concentrations; members of Methanomicrobiaceae (family III) were characterized by the presence of putrescine, spermidine, and sym-homospermidine; and members of Methanosarcinaceae (family IV) contained only high concentrations of sym-homospermidine in addition to putrescine . The highest polyamine concentration was found in Methanosarcina barkeri Julich, with 0.35% putrescine in the dry cell material . The polyamine distribution found coincides with the dendrogram based on comparative cataloguing of 16S rRNA and offers a new, rapid chemotaxonomic method for characterizing methanogenic bacteria . Variation of the growth substrates (H2-CO2, methanol, acetate, and trimethylamine) for M . barkeri resulted in quantitative but not qualitative differences in polyamine composition.

J Clin Lab Immunol, 1983 Jun, 11(2), 87 - 94
The mechanism of natural binding of bacteria to human lymphocyte subpopulations; Lee CM et al.; Some bacteria bind naturally to human lymphocyte subpopulations . Here we investigated the nature of the interacting factors" on bacterial cells and on lymphocytes . First, surface Ig was not involved in the binding of B . melitensis to B cells, since capping of surface Ig did not affect the binding of this bacteria . We put forward the hypothesis that the binding is due to an interaction between a protein (probably a lectin) on the lymphocyte surface and a carbohydrate on the bacteria . The following observations were consistent with this hypothesis: (1) the binding of B . melitensis to B cells was prevented by alpha-methyl-D-mannoside (alpha-MM) but not by other sugars; (2) the binding of B . melitensis to B cells was prevented by pretreatment of the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) with 257 mM of alpha-MM but pretreatment of the bacteria had no effect; (2) an Escherichia coli mutant (strain 2023) which binds to B cells and part of the T cells was also agglutinated by Concanavalin A (Con A) but the nonbinding parental strain was not; the binding of this mutant to B cells was also inhibited by 257 mM of alpha-MM; (4) bacteria that bind to human lymphocytes were agglutinated at high titers by various plant lectins while those that do not bind were not agglutinated or were agglutinated only at low titers; (5) bacteria that bind to B cells as well as those that bind to B and T cells all were agglutinated by Con A, Lens culinaris agglutinin and Pisum sativum agglutinin, whose carbohydrate specificities were alpha-D-mannosyl- and alpha-D-glucosyl-residues; (6) the "receptors" on lymphocytes but not those on bacteria were sensitive to pronase digestion; and (7) bacteria still bound after being heated at 121 degrees C or being fixed with formaldehyde . Thus, we suggest that one of the mechanisms by which bacteria bind to lymphocytes may be by the interaction between a lectin on the lymphocyte and a carbohydrate on the bacteria.

Inflammation, 1983 Jun, 7(2), 213 - 26
Ultrastructural studies of the effect of human leukocyte extracts on periodontopathic bacteria; Sela MN et al.; Human gingival crevicular exudate (GE) and leukocyte extracts (LE) were previously shown to be able to release the bulk of radioactivity from a variety of 14C-labeled oral bacteria . The present study demonstrates that the release of radiolabel by these enzymatic agents from two periodontopathic bacteria (Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans strain Y4 and Capnocytophaga sputigena strain 4) is accompanied by both cell wall and cytoplasmatic damage . The possible role of bacterial products released by lysosomal enzymes, present in the gingival crevice, is discussed.

Inflammation, 1983 Jun, 7(2), 205 - 12
Effect of human leukocyte extracts and gingival exudate on periodontopathic bacteria; Sela MN; The effect of leukocyte hydrolytic enzymes on periodontopathic bacteria was examined in vitro . A frozen and thawed extract of human peripheral blood leukocytes (LE) and human gingival crevicular exudate (GE) were shown to be able to cause the release of 50% of the radioactivity from a leukotoxic strain of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa Y4), labeled by 14C . A nonleukotoxic strain (Aa 653) was shown to be more susceptible to both LE and GE, up to 68% of the total radioactivity was solubilized by LE at pH 7.4 . Both bacterial strains were found to be resistant to the activity of lysozyme, but highly susceptible to lysolecithin and mixtures of lysolecithin and lysozyme or LE . Capnocytophaga sputigena strain 4 was also found to be partially susceptible to the effect of LE and GE . The possible role of leukocyte hydrolytic enzymes in bacteriolysis and release of bacterial products in relation to periodontal disease is discussed.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1983 May, 80(10), 2961 - 5
Opposing effects of interferon produced in bacteria and of tumor promoters on myogenesis in human myoblast cultures; Fisher PB et al.; We have studied the effects of human leukocyte interferon produced in bacteria and diterpene phorbol ester tumor promoters on differentiation of normal human myoblast cultures derived from mature skeletal muscle . Interferon (100-5,000 units/ml) induced an acceleration of myotube formation and creatine kinase (CK; EC 2.7.3.2) isoenzyme transition from CK-BB to CK-MM . Heat-inactivated or trypsin-treated interferon did not affect the differentiation process . In contrast, the potent tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), but not its inactive structural analogues phorbol and 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, caused a dose-dependent (0.01-100 ng/ml) inhibition of myotube formation and CK isoenzyme transition . Neither interferon nor TPA had a significant effect on myoblast proliferation prior to fusion, and the cloning efficiencies were similar as well . Opposing effects of interferon and TPA were also demonstrated by simultaneous application of these agents to the cultures . These studies suggest that some of the antitumor effects of interferon may relate to its capacity to modulate cellular differentiation.

J Biol Chem, 1983 Apr 25, 258(8), 5233 - 7
Purification of the acyl coenzyme A reductase component from a complex responsible for the reduction of fatty acids in bioluminescent bacteria . Properties and acyltransferase activity; Rodriguez A et al.; The acyl-CoA reductase component of the fatty acid reductase complex responsible for synthesis of long chain aldehydes for the bioluminescent reaction in bacteria has been purified to homogeneity . The enzyme copurified as part of the complex through the initial steps and was then resolved and further purified to give a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis of molecular weight 58,000 . The molecular weight of the native enzyme was 2 x 10(5), indicating it was an oligomeric enzyme containing identical subunits . The acyl-CoA reductase had a high specificity for NADPH with a Km value of 5 microM at optimal concentrations of tetradecanoyl-CoA (5-10 microM) . The purified enzyme was discovered to have a high, intrinsic acyltransferase activity forming thioesters with a number of different thiol compounds (mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol, 2-mercaptoethyl ether) . The rates of the acyltransferase and acyl-CoA reductase reactions were similar to the rate of turnover of the fatty acid reductase complex suggesting that fatty acid reduction and not activation controls the rate of conversion of fatty acids to aldehydes.

J Dairy Sci, 1983 Apr, 66(4), 763 - 75
Effect of carbohydrate limitation on degradation and utilization of casein by mixed rumen bacteria; Russell JB et al.; Mixed rumen bacteria were incubated in media containing salts, ammonia, vitamins, volatile fatty acids, sulfide, and casein . When initial cell density was 1.0 absorbance unit and mixed carbohydrates (glucose, sucrose, maltose, cellobiose, and soluble starch) were provided at 0, 40, 80, and 160 mg/liter per h, cell growth was limited by carbohydrates, average bacterial growth rate was slow (less than .07/h), and types of bacteria did not appear to change during 7 h . Growth was small if casein was the sole source of energy . Addition of casein to incubations fed carbohydrates caused cell yield to double . Casein hydrolysis was accompanied by marked accumulation of peptides that were metabolized slowly by rumen bacteria . High pressure liquid chromatography indicated that the peptide pool was composed primarily of four fractions . Carbohydrate availability or bacterial growth had little influence on proteolysis or peptide accumulation . Ammonia production was always inversely proportional to rate of carbohydrate feeding . Nitrogen-15 labeling studies indicated that 66% of the cell nitrogen was derived directly from casein at all rates of carbohydrate addition . If average bacterial growth rate was approximately .07/h, little casein entered the ammonia pool even though large amounts of peptide or casein remained undegraded.

Ann Emerg Med, 1983 Apr, 12(4), 212 - 6
Marine bacteria complicating seawater near-drowning and marine wounds: a hypothesis; Sims JK et al.; Of the hundreds of species of bacteria in seawater, in marine sediments, and associated with marine organisms, more than 20 are known human pathogens . Based on published data, wherein a variety of marine bacteria have been cultured from open wounds (eg, coral cuts) and from near-drowning pneumonias, it is hypothesized that these bacteria can provide a primary infectious inoculation of open marine wounds and of the respiratory tract of near-drowners.

Scand J Dent Res, 1983 Apr, 91(2), 134 - 42
Quantitative relationship between yeast and bacteria in denture-induced stomatitis; Budtz-Jorgensen E et al.; Quantitative cultural studies of yeasts and bacteria were made from 7-day-old denture plaque accumulate on pieces of self-adhesive tape stuck on the fitting surface of the maxillary denture in 17 edentulous subjects with healthy oral mucosa and in 27 patients affected with denture-induced stomatitis . Significantly higher numbers of yeasts and bacteria were cultured in the stomatitis patients than in the controls . This indicates that the rate of plaque formation is increased in patients with denture-induced stomatitis . Yeasts usually constituted less than 1% of the anaerobic bacterial counts, but the percentage of yeasts was significantly higher in the stomatitis patients than in the controls . There was a significant correlation between initially higher yeast counts and improvement of the clinical condition of the palatal mucosa following antimycotic treatment . In some patients only bacteria were grown and antimycotic treatment had no effect . The study supported the contention that yeast antigens and toxins of denture plaque are significant factors in initiation and maintenance of denture-induced stomatitis . However, bacteria may also be involved as pathogens.

Infect Immun, 1983 Apr, 40(1), 126 - 32
Characterization of interferons induced by bacteria and interferon-producing leukocytes in human peripheral blood; Ronnblom L et al.; All of 23 different preparations of formaldehyde-fixed and heat-killed bacteria induced the appearance of high levels of interferon (IFN) in cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes . Some bacteria induced peak IFN titers after 24 h of culture, whereas other bacteria showed maximal titers on culture days 2 to 3 . The IFN displayed various properties . One type, which appeared early during the cultures, had characteristics of IFN-alpha, being resistant to pH 2 treatment but neutralized by antibodies to IFN-alpha . A second type, which appeared later, on culture days 2 to 3, resembled IFN-gamma in being sensitive to pH 2 treatment but resistant to anti-IFN-alpha antibodies . A third type, which appeared to be sensitive to both pH 2 and antibody treatment, was interpreted as atypical IFN-alpha . The application of cell fractionation procedures indicated that nonadherent, predominantly Fc receptor-bearing, non-T, non-B cells were producers of IFN-alpha as defined by its antigenic properties . They copurified approximately with cells carrying natural killer activity toward human erythroid leukemia K562 cells . Some bacteria apparently also stimulated T lymphocytes to produce material with properties of IFN-gamma.

J Appl Bacteriol, 1983 Apr, 54(2), 177 - 82
Collaborative trial of the direct epifluorescent filter technique (DEFT), a rapid method for counting bacteria in milk; Pettipher GL et al.; The direct epifluorescent filter technique (DEFT) is a new rapid method which uses membrane filtration and epifluorescent microscopy for counting in milk . A collaborative trial of the DEFT was conducted between six laboratories . Each laboratory obtained a highly significant relationship between the DEFT count and plate count with a correlation coefficient generally greater than 0.9 but there were significant differences between these relationships . The repeatability of the DEFT, although ca 1.5 times worse than that of the plate count, was of a level acceptable in practice . Reproducibility of the DEFT was ca 3 times that of the plate count . This poor reproducibility was probably mainly due to counting errors . Possible reasons for this and ways of reducing counting errors are discussed.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1983 Apr, 80(8), 2156 - 60
A proteolytic artifact associated with the lysis of bacteria by egg white lysozyme; Oliver CN et al.; Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of cell-free extracts of Escherichia coli that had been grown in a medium containing 32Pi disclosed the presence of several 32P-labeled proteins . Comparison of the electrophoretic patterns obtained in the presence of carrier unlabeled purified E . coli glutamine synthetase before and after treatment with trypsin, subtilisin, or snake venom phosphodiesterase showed that most of the 32P was present in the adenylyl moieties of adenylylated glutamine synthetase . Low molecular weight 32P-labeled degradation products of glutamine synthetase were also observed in extracts prepared by treatment of cells with lysozyme but not in extracts prepared by sonic oscillation . The degradation of glutamine synthetase in lysozyme-prepared extracts is likely due to an intrinsic proteolytic activity of egg white lysozyme . Proteolysis probably occurs at the esterase site of lysozyme described by Piszkiewicz and Bruice {Piszkiewicz, D . & Bruice, T.C . (1968) Biochemistry 7, 3037-3047} . Selective carboxymethylation of lysozyme histidine-15 leads to simultaneous loss of esterase and protease activities but only to partial loss of lytic activity . In view of these findings, caution is needed in the interpretation of results obtained with extracts of cells prepared by lysozyme treatment, especially when such extracts are used to investigate the properties of proteolytic enzymes.

J Immunol Methods, 1983 Mar 11, 58(1-2), 239 - 41
In vitro sterilization of T lymphocyte lines infected with bacteria; Wekerle H; Rat T lymphocyte lines in culture contaminated with bacteria can be sterilized by a simple manoeuvre . The infected T cells are crudely separated from the bulk of contaminating organisms in an albumin density gradient . They are completely sterilized after overnight culture in medium containing 20% fresh serum from a conventionally kept adult rat in the presence of irradiated syngeneic adherent spleen cells.

Genetika, 1983 Mar, 19(3), 381 - 7
{Autonomous replication of plasmid pBR322 containing a mitochondrial DNA fragment of animal origin in the cells of bacteria mutant for DNA-polymerase I}; Kazakova TB et al.; Escherichia coli K-12 p108(polA6), p3478(polA1) and KS55(polA12 ts) strains were transformed by recombinant DNA consisting of pBR322 plasmid and BamHI fragment A of rat liver mtDNA containing the origin . For all the strains tested, it was shown that the cells containing hybrid molecules were able to grow on the selective medium under the conditions when pBR322 replicon is not functional . The existence of mtDNA insertion in hybrid molecules was confirmed by electrophoresis and colony hybridization with the 125I-mtDNA . Thus, the ability of a vector containing plasmid replicon and the mitochondrial origin to replicate under the conditions nonpermissive for stable replication of plasmid DNA alone, was demonstrated for the first time.

Immunol Lett, 1983 Feb, 6(2), 107 - 8
Effect of in vivo inoculation of bacteria on the spontaneous cytotoxicity of axial organ cells from Asterias rubens; Leclerc M et al.; In vivo inoculation of heat-killed bacteria in the coelomic cavity of starfish induces an increase of spontaneous cytotoxicity developed by axial organ (an ancestral lymphoid organ) cells, phenomenon demonstrated by an in vitro {51Cr}-release assay . This observation corroborates the existence of a sophisticated immune system in the echinoderms, a first-rate model for phylogenic study of the immune response.

Can J Microbiol, 1983 Feb, 29(2), 261 - 70
The effects of chlorinated municipal sewage and temperature on the abundance of bacteria in the Sheep River, Alberta; Osborne LL et al.; The intersite and temporal differences in the abundance of sessile and planktonic bacteria subjected to a chlorinated municipal sewage discharge and a thermal discharge were investigated in the Sheep River, Alberta, from January through December 1978 . Significantly higher densities of both sessile and planktonic cells generally occurred within the chlorinated effluent plume . Higher numbers of sessile bacteria were also found below the thermal discharge, with maximum densities occurring in the late winter-early spring and minimum densities following mountain runoff . The higher numbers of sessile bacteria in the chlorinated plume was attributed to nutrient enrichment . These results indicate that chlorinated sewage effluent has no adverse effects on the abundance of sessile bacteria.

Clin Chem, 1983 Feb, 29(2), 290 - 6
Characterization of bacteria by mixed-dye fluorometry; Shelly DC et al.; We describe an indirect detection method for bacterial identification and differentiation, based on selective adsorption of several fluorescent dyes . The lipid, protein, and nucleic acid components of fixed whole cells are stained with two mixtures, each containing two fluorochromes . The unadsorbed dyes were measured simultaneously with a video fluorometer {Clin Chem 22: 1483, 1976} . A dye-absorption matrix of the response can be generated, and we did so for each of nine bacteria . These responses were compared to a control or "complete" response matrix, and the response ratios of each bacterial species for each of the four dyes were calculated and plotted to obtain a characteristic pattern . From the response-ratio plots, plus simple pattern-recognition techniques, we could differentiate among all the bacteria . This rapid, sensitive technique is potentially applicable to a wide variety of bacteria.

Nauchnye Doki Vyss Shkoly Biol Nauki, 1983, (6), 104 - 5
{Method of determining the pteridine sensitivity of parasitic bacteria of the genus Bdellovibrio}; Afinogenova AV et al.; The method of determination of parasitic bacteria Bdellovibrio sensitivity to pteridine has been described . The method suggested can be used in research work for diagnostics of Bdellovibrio genus bacteria.

Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1983, 23(3), 189 - 96
{Lysogeny and lysogenic conversion in methylotrophic bacteria . II . Lysogenic conversion in facultative methanol-assimilating Acetobacter strains}; Wunsche L et al.; The lysogenic state of the methylotrophic strain Acetobacter MB 58/1 is completely demonstrated by curing and lysogenization experiments . During these investigations we found that some phenotypic characteristics are modified by the presence or loss of the prophage MO 1 . It could be shown that changes of the serological behaviour, the adsorption of the phages and the sensitivity against oxytetracycline are caused by lysogenic conversion . The phenotypic alterations of the bacterial cells induced by the phage genome are the result of modifications of the lipopolysaccharide structures on the cell surface . In the case of oxytetracycline resistance, interactions between the modified lipopolysaccharide structures and specific transport proteins of the cell membranes must be assumed.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1983, 28(1), 54 - 6
Effect of glucose on the amount of bacteria mineralizing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in soil; Kunc F et al.; Plate numbers of bacteria and relative incidence of strains capable of mineralization of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in chernozem samples incubated for 14d with the herbicide (50 ppm) in the presence or absence of glucose (1000 ppm) were compared . Whereas the total number of bacteria increased 1.2-fold in the variant with 2,4-D and 2.4-fold in the variant with glucose and the herbicide, the number of 2,4-D-mineralizing bacteria increased 12.1-fold and 34.2-fold, respectively . In a collection of 96 isolates of soil bacteria substantially more strains capable of degradation of 2,4-D in the presence of glucose were detected as compared with the variant without it, indicating that processes of cometabolic type are involved during the degradation of this herbicide in the soil.

Biofizika, 1983 Jan-Feb, 28(1), 144 - 6
{Dependence of monotrachial bacteria chemotaxis on the direction of flagella rotation}; Sherman MIu et al.; Monotrichous bacteria V . harveyi periodically reverse their direction when moving in a liquid environment . It is reported that in a uniform surrounding the motility pattern is composed of a repeat of two sequential runs: a short and a long one separated by a reversal . The main duration of the short run was 0.4 sec and of the long one - 1.3 sec . Upon the addition of attractants or repellents the long runs became prolonged or shortened correspondingly . The duration of the short runs was independent of attractant or repellent stimuli . It is concluded that the flagellum is unresponsive to the taxis signal when rotating clockwise, which corresponds to the short run.

Ann Biol Clin (Paris), 1983, 41(6), 411 - 8
{Genetic approach to the virulence of bacteria}; Cornelis G; Bacteria only possess a single chromosome, but they also contain prophages, plasmids and transposons . The genetic basis for the pathogenic power of invasive and toxigenic bacteria only represents a small part of the total genotype of these bacteria . It is curious that although the plasmids and the prophages only represent about 1 p . cent of the total genome, they are disproportionately responsible for carrying the genetic information concerning virulence . The genetic study of virulence has revealed new mechanisms of pathogenic activity, for example the interaction of siderophores, adherence factors and haemolysins in pathogenic activity . Furthermore, the understanding of the genetic basis of virulence will lead to new methods of diagnosis and a new generation of vaccines.

Growth, 1983 Summer, 47(2), 129 - 34
Necroscopic findings of variably acid-fast bacteria in a fatal case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and Kaposi's sarcoma; Cantwell AR Jr; Acid-fast stained necroscopic sections from a fatal case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) occurring in a 48-year-old homosexual man, were studied for the presence of bacteria . Variably acid-fast coccoid forms suggestive of cell wall deficient bacteria, were observed within sections of the heart, liver, small intestines, adrenal glands, testes, and throughout the connective tissue . This study, as well as previously reported similar studies of AIDS and KS, and other forms of cancer, again suggests that variably acid-fast bacteria may be primary pathogenic agents in these diseases.

Z Allg Mikrobiol, 1983, 23(1), 33 - 5
{Effect of oxygen containing C1 compounds on the growth of methane-assimilating bacteria}; Schneider JD et al.; Added C1-compounds of the intermediates methanol, formaldehyde, formate and carbon dioxide show a catalytic effect on the growth rate and cell yield of CH4-assimilating bacteria GB 25 with serine pathway . Maximum stimulation is obtained by added amounts of about 20 mg C1-compound/g bacteria dry matter . The influence of C1-compounds decreases as follows: methanol greater than carbon dioxide greater than formate greater than formaldehyde.

J Cell Biochem, 1983, 23(1-4), 159 - 69
Pigment-protein complexes of purple photosynthetic bacteria: an overview; Thornber JP et al.; A minireview of antenna and reaction center pigment-protein complexes of purple bacteria is presented . Advances in our knowledge of their structure and composition during the past 3 yr are emphasized and some new thoughts are introduced.

Scand J Infect Dis Suppl, 1983, 40, 23 - 30
Anaerobic comma-shaped bacteria recovered from the human genital tract . A review; Holst E et al.; The present survey reviews the current knowledge on comma-shaped anaerobic rods that can be isolated from the human genital tract . It summarizes bacterial characteristics such as morphology, biochemical activities, gas chromatographic patterns and differential diagnostic tests . In particular the existence of two variants of such rods is stressed . These variants differ in length, number of flagella, certain biochemical activities and susceptibility to nitroimidazoles . The occurrence of comma-shaped rods in relation to clinical findings is also discussed.

Radiat Environ Biophys, 1983, 22(3), 235 - 8
Killing of bacteria during solar eclipse and its biological implications; Banerjee SK et al.; Enhanced killing of bacteria was obtained by radiation reaching the earth during total solar eclipse (February 16, 1980) than during the corresponding time of a normal day (February 26, 1980) . The killing was not due to the formation of sunlight induced photoproducts of tryptophan . The damage to the bacteria exposed to sunlight could be repaired by photoreactivation.

J Interferon Res, 1983, 3(1), 97 - 111
Biological properties of human interferon beta 1 synthesized in recombinant bacteria; McCullagh KG et al.; Human fibroblast interferon, designated IFN-beta 1, has been produced in E . coli by direct expression of the cloned cDNA coding for the mature polypeptide . Bacterial lysates from recombinant cultures contain a polypeptide with an apparent molecular weight of 17,500 that corresponds in size to the unglycosylated IFN-beta 1 molecule . The latter could be specifically immunoprecipitated by antibodies to purified natural IFN-beta and could inhibit the replication of Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 in many different cell lines . Like the natural fibroblast IFN-beta, the bacterial IFN-beta 1 was active in many human cell lines, less active in a monkey cell line and inactive in rabbit and mouse fibroblasts . The antibody titre required to neutralise the anti-herpes activity of both IFN preparations was similar suggesting that they have the same specific activities . Similarly, the bacterial IFN-beta 1 was equally active in inhibiting the proliferation of Daudi cells grown in culture . Bacterial IFN-beta 1 was also capable of enhancing natural killer cell activity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in vitro . Thus, IFN-beta 1 produced in recombinant bacteria displays a large range of biological properties ascribed to the natural fibroblast IFN-beta molecule.

J Gen Microbiol, 1983 Jan, 129 (Pt 2), 179 - 90
An in vitro system to study interactions between bacteria and epithelial cells at the molecular level; Middeldorp JM et al.; This paper describes an experimental system to study interactions between porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and porcine intestinal epithelial cells in vitro at the molecular level . Radiolabelled bacteria or bacterial membrane fractions were incubated with brush borders prepared from purified epithelial cells, which were then washed repeatedly . The bacterial components removed by washing or retained by the brush borders were analysed to determine their composition and source . For this it was necessary to develop a minimal medium in which attachment factors of porcine ETEC could be radiolabelled . Furthermore, an improved method for the isolation of porcine intestinal epithelial cells was developed, since other procedures did not yield sufficiently pure preparations . The resulting method was rapid and yielded large quantities of viable epithelial cells, free from crypt cells and contaminating intestinal contents . Finally, we adapted existing procedures to isolate brush borders from these epithelial cells with special emphasis on the removal of nuclear and cytosolic material and on the isolation of morphologically intact brush borders . Using this system, mixtures of bacterial cytoplasmic and outer membranes were incubated with brush borders . Cytoplasmic membranes were easily removed by washing, while the outer membranes were not.

J Trauma, 1983 Jan, 23(1), 31 - 5
Emergency autotransfusion: partial cleansing of bacteria-laden blood by cell washing; Boudreaux JP et al.; Intraoperative autotransfusions for selected patients can ease demands on blood banks . In 33 cases (trauma, elective vascular, and cardiac procedures), we saved 80.7 L of blood with a cell washer blood recovery system (Cell Saver) . In eight trauma cases, including three with intestinal perforation, cell washing salvaged 31.5 L of shed blood as a lifesaving emergency procedure . This stimulated interest in defining the limits of the instrumentation in cleansing blood of bacteria . In 18 in vitro experiments, discarded banked blood was inoculated with Escherichia coli to simulate light, moderate, or heavy bacterial contamination . Volumes of blood (500 ml) containing a total of 6.3 X 10(5), 4.8 X 10(7), or 3.2 X 10(10) bacteria were processed . The original blood, filtered blood, plasma supernate, effluent wash solution, and final washed packed red cells were cultured quantitatively in each experiment . The mean total number of E . coli retained in the final washed packed red cells was 1.4 X 10(5), 6.3 X 10(6), or 1.6 X 10(9) bacteria, or 23%, 13%, and 5% of each original inoculum . Additional washing with 10 L of saline did not remove significantly more bacteria (p greater than 0.20) . Although emergency autotransfusion of blood contaminated with intestinal contents was lifesaving, we recommend caution since these results show that cell washing does not remove all bacteria . Further laboratory and clinical studies are needed to determine the levels of bacterial contamination of autotransfused blood that can be tolerated, and to determine adjunctive means of rendering contaminated or potentially contaminated blood safe for autotransfusion.

Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol, 1983, 70(2), 164 - 8
Peroral immunization of healthy adults with live Escherichia coli O4K12 bacteria . Antibody response as measured in serum and secretions; Kaijser B; 6 healthy adult volunteers were immunized perorally with live Escherichia coli O4K12 bacteria . The bacteria could thereafter be identified in the stools of all individuals for different periods of time . No adverse reactions were noted . 04 antibodies of the IgG class appeared in the serum of all individuals and IgM antibodies in 2 of them . The corresponding figures for K12 antibodies were 2 and 1, respectively . In saliva from the glandula parotis, secretory IgA antibodies to 04 were seen in 3, and against K12 in 1 individual . It is concluded that peroral immunization might be an alternative for induction of antibodies . Nothing is known, however, about any protective effect of these antibodies . Only a low percentage of the individuals showed K12 antibody formation . Therefore, optimal prophylactic immunization against acute pyelonephritis could be achieved by giving immunogenic K antigen, that is conjugated to a carrier, which might induce antibody formation in most individuals.

Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1983, 413, 23 - 30
Using genetically engineered bacteria for vaccine production; Kleid DG; We concluded from this and our earlier work that biosynthetically produced FMDV VP1-specific fusion proteins are effective vaccines . Whether this method of vaccine production can be extended to many other immunogenic proteins from other organisms is not known . Some problems that could be expected to occur with bacterially produced antigens are that the immunogenic site may not be properly exposed or the peptide sequence(s) within that site may not be able to form into the correct configuration . This could be caused by hydrophobic or hydrophilic interactions in the fusion protein that do not occur in the protein at the virus surface . Also, the immunogenic site may require disulfide bonding to bring two distant parts of a protein or two different peptide chains into close proximity to form an antigenic site, as demonstrated by the studies of Atassi et al . for lysozyme-using synthetic peptides . In summary, the use of genetically programmed bacteria is a promising avenue to vaccine manufacture . For FMD, biosynthetic protein vaccines have significant advantages over current whole-virus technology.

Vox Sang, 1983, 45(5), 337 - 48
A critical assessment of fibronectin's opsonic role for bacteria and microaggregates; Doran JE; Within recent years, the physiological roles of fibronectin (Fn) have begun to be elucidated . This review examines Fn's opsonic capabilities with respect to bacteria and microparticulates . Fn's ability to promote the phagocytosis of these targets by monocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils is discussed in detail, as are the possible mechanisms through which Fn mediates these interactions . The controversies concerning the physiological importance of Fn for host homeostasis and its use as an indicator of reticuloendothelial system function are also addressed in this review.

Arch Virol, 1983, 76(4), 365 - 72
Antiviral effects of bacteria-derived human leukocyte interferons against encephalomyocarditis virus infection of squirrel monkeys . Brief report; Stebbing N et al.; Two human leukocyte interferon sub-types (IFN-alpha A and -alpha D) produced in E . coli and a hybrid interferon (IFN-alpha AD{Bgl}) consisting of the N-terminal 61 residues of IFN-alpha A and the C-terminal 104 residues of IFN-alpha D were compared for antiviral activity against EMC virus infection of squirrel monkeys . Marked reduction in viremia and a decrease in the incidence of deaths occurred with highly purified preparations of the recombinant-DNA derived interferons . Dose response studies showed that IFN-alpha D and -alpha AD (Bgl) were more effective than IFN-alpha A.

J Biol Chem, 1982 Dec 25, 257(24), 14932 - 6
Induction by mitomycin C of recA protein synthesis in bacteria and spheroplasts; Giacomoni PU; The effect of mitomycin C on the synthesis of recA protein in Escherichia coli has been analyzed in a variety of conditions, using an immunoradiometric assay (Paoletti, C., Salles, B., and Giacomoni, P . U . (1982) Biochimie 64, 239-246) . In exponentially growing cultures of E . coli AB 1157, the addition of mitomycin C (5 micrograms/ml) promotes a 15-fold increase of the content of recA protein with respect to the basal level . Kinetic analysis of this induction shows that the maximum is reached 60 to 90 min after the addition of the drug and then the level decreases . In an uvrA mutant treated with mitomycin C the level of recA protein reaches a maximum within an hour and afterwards it does not decrease . Treatment of exponentially growing cells with EDTA and lysozyme induces a 3-fold increase of recA protein content, in comparison to the basal level . When such spheroplasts are added with mitomycin or nalidixic acid, a striking increase of the recA protein content in the spheroplast suspension is observed, which tends to level off an hour and a half after the addition of the drugs . The maximum level of recA protein content is five times the level measured after lysozyme treatment, i.e . 15 times the basal level in exponentially growing cells.

Mol Cell Biochem, 1982 Dec 10, 49(3), 143 - 9
Hydrogen peroxide mediated killing of bacteria; Clifford DP et al.; Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) or neutrophils have multiple systems available for killing ingested bacteria . Nearly each of these incorporates H2O2 indicating the essential nature of this reactive oxygen intermediate for microbicidal activity . Following ingestion of bacteria by PMN, H2O2 is formed by the respiratory burst which consumes O2 and generates H2O2 from O2 .- . H2O2 is deposited intracellularly near bacteria within phagocytic vacuoles where it can react with the MPO-H2O2-halide system to form toxic hyperchlorous acid (HOCl) and/or possibly singlet oxygen (1O2) . H2O2 can also react with O2 .- and/or iron (Fe++) from lactoferrin or bacteria to form the highly toxic hydroxyl radical (.OH) . These mechanisms appear important since deficiencies of H2O2 production, myeloperoxidase or lactoferrin frequently increases their owner's susceptibility to infection . In particular, examination of PMN from infection prone patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) most clearly demonstrates the importance of H2O2 in killing of bacteria . CGD PMN lack the capacity to effectively generate H2O2 and subsequently have impaired ability to kill catalase positive (H2O2 producing) but not catalase negative (not H2O2 producing) bacteria . PMN also have catalase and glutathione peroxidase systems in their cytoplasms to protect themselves from the toxicity of H2O2 . Finally, while H2O2 is critical for host defense, it can also be released extracellularly and thereby play a significant role in PMN mediated tissue injury.

Biokhimiia, 1982 Dec, 47(12), 1983 - 7
{NADPH- and ATP-dependent luminescence of extracts from luminous bacteria}; Vysotskii ES et al.; It was shown that the luminescence of extracts prepared from luminous bacteria is stimulated by NADPH and ATP without FMN or long-chain aliphatic aldehydes, which are routinely used for producing luminescence of extracts from luminous bacteria in vitro . In these extracts an aldehyde factor, a natural analog of aliphatic aldehydes, is synthesized . The enzymatic system involved in maintaining the luminescence of NADPH and ATP is probably not coupled with the functioning of NAD(P)H: FMN oxidoreductase which has been supposed to participate in luminescence processes in vivo . It is assumed that both aldehyde factor synthesis and reduction of endogenous analog of FMN, natural substrates of bacterial luciferase, are due to the functioning of the same metabolic pathway.

J Periodontol, 1982 Dec, 53(12), 752 - 61
A scanning electron microscopic study of leukocytes and their interaction with bacteria in human periodontitis; Saglie R et al.; Shape, size, topographical relationships, surface morphology, phagocytosis and locomotion were used to identify and study leukocytes in human cases of periodontitis . These cells were described in the following locations: in peripheral blood vessels adjacent to the pocket epithelium; gingival connective tissue; basement lamina; sectioned pocket epithelium; surface of pocket epithelium; junctional epithelium; and cementum surface . The interaction of leukocytes and bacteria was documented in the phases of recognition, attachment and engulfment of bacteria . Morphologic data suggesting the process of degranulation was also presented.

J Periodontol, 1982 Dec, 53(12), 743 - 51
Blastogenic responses by lymphocytes from periodontally healthy populations induced by periodontitis-associated bacteria; Donaldson SL et al.; Studies of blastogenic responsiveness induced in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from periodontally healthy subjects by periodontal bacteria have conflicted . This study was undertaken to examine the blastogenic response of periodontally healthy subjects under experimental conditions which provide improved control of laboratory variables . By using cryopreserved PBL the responses of all subjects in an experiment were determined on the same day under identical conditions . The periodontally healthy populations consisted of subjects of the same age range and sex matched to three distinct groups of periodontally diseased subjects (i.e., juvenile (JP), severe (SP), and moderate (MP) periodontitis) . The bacterial stimulants tested were chosen on the basis of known association with and isolation from persons fitting the disease classifications . If PBL response differences between periodontally healthy and diseased subjects exist they should be most obvious in response to predominant organisms associated with the disease states . PBL cultures were harvested after a 4 hour pulse with 3H-thymidine on days 4 and 6 of culture . Three separate experiments were conducted comparing one healthy group and one diseased group . In all three experiments subjects in the healthy group responded as frequently as did those in the diseased group, the dose-response distribution was indistinguishable, and the magnitude of the responses was not substantially different between groups . These results suggest nonspecific activation as the major determinant in the blastogenic response, rather than specific sensitization occurring during initiation or progression of periodontitis.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1982 Dec, 79(23), 7147 - 51
Transformation and replication in mouse cells of a bovine papillomavirus--pML2 plasmid vector that can be rescued in bacteria; Sarver N et al.; The unique ability of bovine papillomavirus (BPV-1) DNA to replicate as a stable, multicopy plasmid in transformed mouse cells has led to its utilization as a eukaryotic cloning vector . One limitation of the system has been the marked reduction in transformation efficiency when BPV-1 DNA or the subgenomic transforming segment of BPV-1 DNA (BPV69T) is covalently linked to pBR322 sequences . A dual host replicon consisting of BPV-1 DNA and pML2d, a deletion variant of pBR322, was constructed and shown to be highly efficient for transformation of mouse cells in vitro . The hybrid molecule replicates as a stable, unintegrated, multicopy plasmid in transformed mouse cells . The resident BPV-1-pML2d plasmid DNA was rescued in bacteria and the recovered plasmids were shown to be identical in structure and to have the same transformation efficiency as the original transforming DNA . In contrast, the transforming efficiency of BPV69T DNA is less than 1/100th that of BPV-1 DNA when the DNA is left covalently linked to pML2d . These observations indicate that, although the nontransforming region of BPV-1 (BPV31NT) DNA is not essential for transformation, it has a facilitative role in the transformation process.

Cell Biophys, 1982 Dec, 4(4), 285 - 93
Surface thermodynamics of phagocytic ingestion of non-opsonized bacteria by granulocytes in liquids of different surface tensions; Neumann AW et al.; The free energy of engulfment of four bacterial species by human granulocytes is calculated from contact angle data as a function of the surface tension gamma LV of the suspending liquid . The resulting curves predict that at low liquid surface tensions gamma LV, the phagocytic ingestion increases with decreasing hydrophobicity of the bacteria while at high surface tensions gamma LV, it increases with increasing hydrophobicity . Furthermore, these curves reach a minimum at values of gamma LV equal to the surface tension gamma LV of the bacteria . The experimental results support these predictions . Thus, the determination of the surface tension of the suspending medium at which phagocytic ingestion becomes minimum represents a novel technique to establish the surface tension of ingested particles, such as bacteria . The results obtained in this fashion for the four bacterial species are in good agreement with those obtained from contact angles, as well as those derived from bacterial adhesion experiments.

Biofizika, 1982 Nov-Dec, 27(6), 977 - 82
{Kinetics of light-induced redox changes of high-potential cytochrome in the chromatophores of purple sulfur bacteria Ectothiorhodospira shaposhnikovii}; Pottosin II et al.; Light-induced redox changes of high-potential cytochrome Ch (Em 7.0 = + 290 mV) have been studied . It was found that after switching off the actinic light there is a delay in the cytochrome dark reduction . The extent of the delay depends on the intensity of actinic light, being the more the higher the intensity . A simple kinetic model is proposed to explain both kinetics of redox changes of the cytochrome and dependence of the delay upon the intensity of actinic light.

Eur J Clin Microbiol, 1982 Oct, 1(5), 307 - 9
Gas chromatographic study of cellular fatty acids of comma-shaped bacteria isolated from the vagina; Skarin A et al.; Gas chromatographic analyses were performed of the cellular fatty acids of 16 strains of comma-shaped bacteria isolated from the vagina of women with discharge . Acidic methanolysis of lyophilized bacterial cells was used, followed by splitless injection of hexane extracts onto a fused silica capillary column . Myristic (14:0), hexadecanoic (16:0), octadecadienoic (18:2), octadecenoic (18:1) and octadecanoic (18:0) acids were the major fatty acids found . Long and short variants of the comma-shaped bacteria showed a great similarity in their fatty acid patterns . No hydroxy acids were detected.

J Immunol, 1982 Oct, 129(4), 1670 - 4
Monoclonal antibodies for immunochemical analysis of methanogenic bacteria; Conway de Macario E et al.; Sixty-nine hybridomas were generated to produce monoclonal antibodies to species of methanogens representing three of the four families accepted at the present time: Methanobacteriaceae, Methanococcaceae, and Methanomicrobiaceae . The antibody of each of 29 hybridomas cross-reacted with a methanogen of the same species or genus as the immunizing (homologous) strain, whereas the antibody of the other 40 cell lines reacted only with the homologous strain . Inhibition-blocking experiments with compounds of known composition and structure were used to define the fine specificity of antibodies of four hybridomas representing the four genera of the methanogens used for immunization . The combining site of the monoclonal antibody against M . thermoautotrophicum delta H examined is specific for a structure in the pseudomurein involving N-acetyl-glucosamine but not the (1-3) linkage or the C-terminus gamma-Glu-Ala of the peptide, both of which are characteristic of pseudomurein, the cell-wall peptidoglycan distinctive of the Methanobacteriaceae . In contrast, the monoclonal antibody to the other methanogen of this family examined, M . arboriphilus DH1, recognizes a determinant involving gamma-Glu-Ala . Thus pseudomurein expresses at least two dissimilar antigenic determinants in different portions of the molecule . The monoclonal antibodies against M . vannielii SB and M . hungatei JF1, whose families do not possess pseudomurein, did not display specificity for analogues of pseudomurein.

Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 1982 Sep 13, 298(1093), 543 - 61
Ecology of the bacteria of the sulphur cycle with special reference to anoxic-oxic interface environments; Jorgensen BB; H2S is produced as a main end-product of anaerobic mineralization in anoxic, sulphate-rich environments by a diverse population of sulphate-reducing bacteria . The sulphate reducers can carry out an almost complete oxidation of detrital organic matter to CO2 . The H2S consequently becomes an important electron carrier from the anoxic to the oxic world . Thiobacilli and other colourless sulphur bacteria have the potential to oxidize the H2S at the oxic-anoxic interface in sediments or stratified waters, but their role is still poorly understood . A comparison of sulphide oxidation processes in the chemoclines of the Black Sea, the Solar Lake and in A beggiatoa mat indicated that depth scales and retention times of coexisting O2 and H2S regulate the bacterial involvement in the sulphide oxidation . The H2S specialists, Beggiatoa and Thiovulum, are optimally adapted to compete with the autocatalytic oxidation of H2S by O2 . Microelectrode measurements show retention times of O2-H2S in the bacterial mats or veils of less than 1 s . In photic chemoclines of stratified waters or sulfureta, the phototrophic sulphur bacteria or cyanobacteria interact with the sulphide oxidation at the O2-H2S interface . Short cycles between H2S and intermediate oxidation products, So or S2O2 3-, are created . The bacteria of the sulfuretum are highly adapted to the diurnal rhythm of light, O2 and H2S.

J Cell Biol, 1982 Sep, 94(3), 697 - 709
Flagellated ectosymbiotic bacteria propel a eucaryotic cell; Tamm SL; A devescovinid flagellate from termites exhibits rapid gliding movements only when in close contact with other cells or with a substrate . Locomotion is powered not by the cell's own flagella nor by its remarkable rotary axostyle, but by the flagella of thousands of rod bacteria which live on its surface . That the ectosymbiotic bacteria actually propel the protozoan was shown by the following: (a) the bacteria, which lie in specialized pockets of the host membrane, bear typical procaryotic flagella on their exposed surface; (b) gliding continues when the devescovinid's own flagella and rotary axostyle are inactivated; (c) agents which inhibit bacterial flagellar motility, but not the protozoan's motile systems, stop gliding movements; (d) isolated vesicles derived from the surface of the devescovinid rotate at speeds dependent on the number of rod bacteria still attached; (e) individual rod bacteria can move independently over the surface of compressed cells; and (f) wave propagation by the flagellar bundles of the ectosymbiotic bacteria is visualized directly by video-enhanced polarization microscopy . Proximity to solid boundaries may be required to align the flagellar bundles of adjacent bacteria in the same direction, and/or to increase their propulsive efficiency (wall effect) . This motility-linked symbiosis resembles the association of locomotory spirochetes with the Australian termite flagellate Mixotricha (Cleveland, L . R., and A . V . Grimstone, 1964, Proc . R . Soc . Lond . B Biol . Sci., 159:668-686), except that in our case propulsion is provided by bacterial flagella themselves . Since bacterial flagella rotate, an additional novelty of this system is that the surface bearing the procaryotic rotary motors is turned by the eucaryotic rotary motor within.

J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1982 Sep, 55(3), 545 - 50
Properties of human growth hormone polypeptides: purified from pituitary extracts and synthesized in monkey kidney cells and bacteria; Hizuka N et al.; Several forms of human GH (hGH) have been elucidated by extraction of human pituitary and recombinant DNA techniques . In the present study we have characterized five of these hGH polypeptides by gel filtration, RIA, and radioreceptor assays . These include extractable pituitary hGH and its naturally occurring 20K variant . Two hGH polypeptides were produced from naturally occurring human genes in simian kidney cells (SV-hGH 1 and 2) and another preparation was produced from a partially synthesized gene in bacteria (E . coli-hGH) . As predicted from their known DNA sequences, naturally occurring pituitary hGH, SV-hGH 1, and E . coli-hGH migrated as a single peak on Sephadex G-100 column and had the same immunological and receptor-binding properties . By contrast, SV-hGH 2 (14 dispersed amino acid substitutions) and the 20K variant (amino acid residues 32-46 deleted from hGH) contained more higher molecular weight components and had diminished immunological and receptor-binding potency . SV-hGH 2 differed from the 20K variant by having even lower immunological potency and containing more of the higher molecular weight component . These variant forms of hGH may provide an explanation for the heterogeneity of both pituitary and plasma hGH.

J Bacteriol, 1982 Sep, 151(3), 1444 - 53
Immunological characterization of Escherichia coli B glycogen synthase and branching enzyme and comparison with enzymes from other bacteria; Holmes E et al.; Escherichia coli B glycogen synthase and branching enzyme, although similar in amino acid composition, had no significant immunological cross-reactivity . The N-terminal sequences of the glycogen synthase were rich in hydrophobic residues, whereas branching enzyme had a higher content of acidic and basic residues . However, residues 21 to 28 of glycogen synthase and 7 to 14 of branching enzyme shared six of eight residues in common . Two fractions of branching enzyme, branching enzymes I and II, which can be isolated from E . coli B cell extracts, have been shown to be immunologically identical, suggesting that only one type of branching enzyme activity is present in E . coli B . Evidence has been obtained which indicates that E . coli B glycogen synthase and branching enzyme are antigenically very similar to glycogen synthases and branching enzymes from other enteric bacteria . No cross-reactivity with either enzyme was observed in cell extracts from photosynthetic bacteria.

Can J Microbiol, 1982 Aug, 28(8), 959 - 75
Seasonal fluctuations in river bacteria as measured by multivariate statistical analysis of continuous cultures; Bell CR et al.; Forty-eight continuous culture enrichments were performed on summer and winter water samples from two contrasting rivers . The cell output from each chemostat was dependent on the temperature and nitrogen concentration of each enrichment . The diversity of the populations from the continuous cultures, as assessed by species diversity analysis, was always greater than populations obtained on agar plates . However, the species isolated exclusively by continuous culture in these experiments were not unique to the chemostat . All of these species had been isolated at some time on plates directly . High nitrogen concentrations were found to decrease diversity . Populations sampled during the winter were influenced primarily by the concentration of nitrogen . Summer isolates were affected mainly by the temperature of the culture medium . The nutritional versatility of the population was not affected by enrichment of the continuous culture.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1982 Aug, 44(2), 376 - 82
Statistical analysis of the direct count method for enumerating bacteria; Kirchman D et al.; The direct count method for enumerating bacteria in natural environments is widely used . This paper analyzes the sources of variation contributed by the various levels of the method: subsamples, filters, and microscope fields . Based on a nested analysis of variance, we show that most of the variance (less than 80%) is caused by the fields and that the filters contributed nearly all of the remaining variance . The replication at each of the levels determines the total cost and error of a measurement . We compared several sampling schemes, including an optimal strategy which gives the lowest possible variance for a given cost . We recommend that preparing one filter from one subsample is adequate only if the samples are closely spaced in time or distance; otherwise, one filter should be prepared from two or preferably three subsamples . This sampling scheme emphasizes the importance of the highest level of replication . Our analysis shows that the accuracy of the direct count method can be substantially improved (by 20 to 50%) without a large increase in cost when the proper degree of replication at each level is performed.

Biochimie, 1982 Aug-Sep, 64(8-9), 619 - 22
Reactivation and mutagenesis of UV irradiated lambda phage in bacteria treated with platinum (II) compounds; Alazard RJ et al.; Treatment of wild type Escherichia coli with cis -Pt(NH3)2Cl2 increased the survival and frequency of clear plaques formation of lambda phage damaged by UV radiation . The reactivation process was present in an uvrA mutant and abolished in a lexA host . Trans-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 and {Pt(dien) Cl}Cl (dien = 2HN-CH2-CH2NH-CH2-CH2-NH2) which, inhibited DNA synthesis less than the cis isomer or not at all, respectively, induced only a slight increase in survival of UV irradiated phage while mutagenesis was not affected . A relation exists between the reactivation of UV damaged phage in bacteria treated with these three compounds and their recently reported abilities to inhibit DNA synthesis and induce recA protein.

Acta Physiol Pol, 1982 Jul-Aug, 33(4), 415 - 9
Incorporation of 15N-urea into individual amino acids of rumen bacteria and blood plasma protein in sheep; Havassy I et al.; Two sheep weighing about 25 kg were fed on rations with similar nitrogen content (about 9 g N/day including 15N from 5 g labelled urea) but with different content of readily digestible carbohydrate . Concentrate ration consisted of maize meal (whole plant) 300 g + barley meal 100 g + mineral mixture 20 g + urea 5 g; fibrous ration--meadow hay 250 g + oat straw 170 g + mineral mixture 20 g + urea 5 g . Retention of 15N was 53.8 and 43.6% of intake in sheep on concentrate or fibrous diet, respectively . Incorporation of 15N into individual amino acids of bacterial protein isolated from the rumen and blood plasma proteins was different, depending on the ratio and amino acid . Enrichment of 15N of the bacterial matter and plasma proteins in both sheep exceeded that of individual amino acids, indicating that urea nitrogen was utilized to a large extent for the synthesis of nitrogen compounds other than amino acids.

Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1982 Jul-Aug, 133(1), 59 - 73
Ultrastructure of Mycobacterium leprae and other acid-fast bacteria as influenced by fixation conditions; Silva MT et al.; A procedure using aldehydes, OsO4, Ca++ and uranyl acetate was selected for study of the fixation of Mycobacterium leprae in skin biopsies of leprosy patients . The ultrastructural pattern of recognized normal M . leprae cells fixed by the above procedure was characterized, and was found to be similar to that of other acid-fast bacteria fixed by the same procedure, except for the geometry of the membrane profile . Under such fixation conditions, this profile is always asymmetric in in vitro-cultured normal Nocardia asteroides, M . aurum and M . tuberculosis, whereas in skin biopsies no M . leprae cells with asymmetric membranes have been found so far . The implications of this observation for the interpretation of the ultrastructure of damaged M . leprae cells found in skin biopsies are discussed.

Mol Biol (Mosk), 1982 Jul-Aug, 16(4), 821 - 9
{Possible participation of acid phospholipids in the translocation of secreted proteins through the cytoplasmic membrane of bacteria}; Nesmeianova MA; The work presents a brief review of data on the interrelation between the biosynthesis and secretion of proteins in bacteria, and between metabolism, composition and physicochemical state of membrane lipids . Based on the analysis of these data in view of the modern ideas of the dynamic character of the membrane lipid structure, a hypothesis concerning the active participation of acid phospholipids in the translocation of protein and phospholipids through the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane is advanced . A new model of the coupled translocation of protein and phospholipids through the membrane is proposed which differs from the previous ones because it accounts not only the role of the secreted protein structure in its translocation through the membrane but assumes an active participation of membranes themselves (specifically phospholipids) in this process . The model assumes the interaction between a signal peptide of the de novo synthesized protein and acid phospholipids of membranes . Such an interaction initiates a transmembrane movement of phospholipids and a coupled translocation of phospholipids and protein, in which phospholipids and proteins secreted favor the movement of each other.

J Bacteriol, 1982 Jun, 150(3), 1192 - 201
Polar lipids in phototrophic bacteria of the Rhodospirillaceae and Chromatiaceae families; Imhoff JF et al.; The polar lipids of photosynthetic purple bacteria of the genera Chromatium, Thiocapsa, Thiocystis, Ectothiorhodospira, Rhodopseudomonas, Rhodospirillum, and Rhodomicrobium were analyzed . Characteristic compositions of the polar lipids were found for most of the Rhodospirillaceae and Chromatiaceae species . Phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and cardiolipin were the major phospholipids in most species . Phosphatidylcholine was present as a major component in all species of the genus Ectothiorhodospira, but was not detected in the remaining Chromatiaceae . It was also present in most of the Rhodospirillaceae species . No glycolipids were found in any of the Ectothiorhodospira species . In the Rhodospirillaceae, the glycolipids mono- and digalactosyl diglycerides were generally absent . Sulfoquinovosyl diglyceride was present in significant amounts in at least three species of the Rhodospirillaceae and may have been present in most of them, but only in traces . All of the Chromatiaceae species contained several glycolipids, one of which was similar to monogalactosyl diglyceride . Ornithine lipids were found in large amounts in most Rhodospirillaceae, but were absent in Ectothiorhodospira and in the other Chromatiaceae . The species examined could be divided into three groups on the basis of their lipid composition: (i) the genus Ectothiorhodospira; (ii) the remaining Chromatiaceae; and (iii) the Rhodospirillaceae . The data presented are compared with those available in the literature, and differences from other phototrophic organisms are discussed.

Pathol Biol (Paris), 1982 Jun, 30(6), 405 - 14
{Evolution of bacteria in hospital (author's transl)}; Duval J et al.; This study reports the evolution of bacterial ecology during twelve years in a general hospital : prevalence of the different species isolated and their resistance to antibiotics . It appears, in the etiology of serious infections, a great stability in the repartition of bacterial groups responsible . Likewise, the evolution of bacterial resistance during this period did not show a gradual increase . A certain balance seems to occur in function of local conditions, among which a controlled use of antibiotics is certainly an important factor.

Lancet, 1982 May 15, 1(8281), 1091 - 5
Intragastric acidity, bacteria, nitrite, and N-nitroso compounds before, during, and after cimetidine treatment; Milton-Thompson GJ et al.; Eight healthy subjects were studied half-hourly or hourly for 24 h periods before, during, and after cimetidine treatment . No significant differences in intragastric bacterial counts or bacterial species or in intragastric nitrite or N-nitroso-compound concentrations were found as a result of cimetidine treatment . Bacterial counts and nitrite concentrations tended to increase with pH, but N-nitroso-compound concentrations did not . This study provides no evidence that cimetidine treatment may increase the risk of gastric carcinoma by raising N-nitroso-compound concentrations.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1982 May, 176(2-3), 189 - 201
{Methylotrophic bacteria in the sphere of drinking water . 2 . Communication: biochemical/physiological and morphological characterisation of the isolated bacteria}; Dott W et al.; 720 bacteria from 18 water samples were isolated under conditions which are expected to be selective for methylotrophic bacteria . The water samples derived from 11 different water plants including 5 which had to treat methane containing groundwater . All isolates had been characterized by 130 properties using the morphological features of the colonies and the cells as well as physiological and biochemical tests . Numerical and classical principles of taxonomy were applied to the data . Only 20% of the isolated bacteria pointed out to be methylotrophic, even the portion of obligate methylotrophic organisms was only 1%.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1982 May, 252(1), 96 - 100
Lytic activity of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus against bacteria of the family Legionellaceae; Tomov A et al.; A lytic activity of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus strains 6-5-S and 12 was found to be present, against representatives of three Legionella species: Legionella pneumophila-strains Knoxville 1 (serogroup 1), Togus 1 (serogroup 2), Bloomington 2 (serogroup 3) and Los Angeles 1 (serogroup 4); Legionella micdadei-strain Tatlock; Legionella bozemanii-strain Wiga, as well as against strains of Legionella pneumophila isolated in Bulgaria-Draginovo 1, 2, 3-belonging to serogroup 1 . It is suggested that B . bacteriovorus participates in the self-purification of the environment from legionellae.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1982 May, 43(5), 1016 - 9
Effect of growth conditions on heat resistance of Arizona bacteria grown in a chemostat; Ng H; The effects of various growth conditions on the heat resistance of Arizona bacteria grown in a continuous-culture device (chemostat) were studied . Using either glucose, NH4Cl, NaH2PO4, or MgCl2 as the rate-limiting nutrient, it was found that the heat resistance, in all cases depended on the dilution rate and, hence, growth rate of the culture . Cells grown at high dilution rates were less heat resistant than those grown at low dilution rates . If, however, the dilution rate was maintained at a constant rate, the higher the growth temperature, the more heat resistant were the cells . Also at any given dilution rate, the cells were most heat resistant when grown at a near neutral pH . Most survival curves were biphasic in shape, indicating the presence in the population of two fractions of cells, one fraction being more resistant than the other . The size of the more heat-resistant fraction varied from almost 100% in very slow-growing cultures to practically 0% in cultures grown at a dilution rate of 0.67 h-1.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1982 May 1, 143(1), 104 - 12
Isolation of mycoplasmas and bacteria from the blood of postpartum women; Lamey JR et al.; Mycoplasmas and/or bacteria were recovered from the blood cultures of 26 (20.8%) of 125 febrile postpartum women . Genital mycoplasmas were recovered from 16 (12.8%) of the 125 febrile women and from none of 60 afebrile postpartum women (p less than 0.005) . The presence of mycoplasmaemia was associated with a young age, primigravidity, and nulliparity . The isolation of organisms from the blood was also associated with fever during labor, internal monitor use, and a cesarean delivery.

Mutat Res, 1982 May, 94(1), 39 - 51
Photodynamic effects of dyes on bacteria . V . Mutagenesis by acridine orange and 460-nm or 500-nm light in strains of Escherichia coli that differ in repair capability; Hass BS et al.; With acridine orange (AO) and monochromatic 460-nm light, the mutation rate of the wild-type strain of Escherichia coli (WP2) was 3-fold higher than that of the endonuclease-deficient strain WP2 (uvrA) . In addition, the mutation rates of the recombination-deficient strains WP10 (recA) and Bs-1 (uvrB lexA) were also about 3-fold less than that of wild-type strain . This observation is in striking contrast to the earlier results with AO and 500-nm light in which strains WP10 and Bs-1 yielded mutation rates that were 12-fold and 5-fold greater, respectively, than the wild-type response . The relatively large decrease in mutation rate when the uvrA endonuclease was absent together with structural considerations in the binding of AO to DNA lead us to propose that the major lesions leading to mutations produced by 460-nm light in the presence of AO may be true DNa single-strand breaks and occur before DNA replication.

Biokhimiia, 1982 May, 47(5), 827 - 33
{Stability of hydrogenase from the purple sulfur bacteria Thiocapsa roseopersicina}; Zorin NA et al.; The hydrogenase from T . roseopersicina is highly resistant to the effects of urea (8 M), Me2SO (20%) and DS-Na (1%), while inactivation of the hydrogenase from Rhodopseudomonas capsulata occurs in the presence of 0.1% DS-Na . The higher the purification level of T . roseopersicina hydrogenase preparation, the higher stability it possesses (T 1/2 = 60 days, 24 degrees) . The hydrogenase inactivation at 80 degrees under anaerobic conditions occurs in one stage according to the equation of first-order-reaction (k1i = 7.10(-5) sec-1), while under aerobic conditions it has two stages with a decrease in the rate of this process in the second stage (k2i = 1.8 . 10(-6) sec-1) . Glycerol and NaCl do not stabilize the T . roseopersicina hydrogenase . The rate of thermal inactivation of the hydrogenase bound to the membranes, DEAE-cellulose or phenylsepharose is higher than that of the soluble enzyme . The considerable decrease of the thermal stability of the enzyme is caused by the thiol reagents: they cause irreversible denaturation of the enzyme . The hydrogenase partly inactivated under aerobic conditions is reactivated in the presence of Na2S2O4 . The data obtained indicate the important role of disulphide bonds in stabilization of T . roseopersicina hydrogenase.

J Bacteriol, 1982 May, 150(2), 572 - 81
Transcription in bacteria at different DNA concentrations; Churchward G et al.; The effect of changing the DNA concentration on RNA synthesis, protein synthesis, and cell growth rate was studied in Escherichia coli B/r . The DNA concentration was varied by changing the replication velocity or by changing replication initiation in a thymine-requiring strain with a mutation in replication control . The results demonstrate that changes in DNA concentration (per mass) have no effect on the cell growth rate and the rates of synthesis (per mass) of stable RNA (rRNA, tRNA), bulk mRNA, or protein or on the concentration of RNA polymerase (total RNA polymerase per mass) . Thus, transcription in E . coli is not limited by the concentration of DNA, but rather by the concentration of functional RNA polymerase in the cytoplasm . Changing the DNA concentration does, however, affect fully induced lac gene activity, here used as a model for constitutive gene expression . The magnitude of the effect of DNA concentration on lac gene activity depends on the distribution of replication forks over the chromosome, which is a function of the replication velocity . Analysis of these date reinforces the conclusion that transcription is limited by the concentration of functional RNA polymerase in the cytoplasm.

Science, 1982 Apr 2, 216(4541), 67 - 8
Cultivation of bacteria-free Hydra viridis: missing budding factor in nonsymbiotic hydra; Rahat M et al.; Bacteria-free hydra, cultured in sterile media, were fed bacteria-free larvae of Artemia salina . Normal growth and budding were obtained in symbiotic and aposymbiotic Hydra viridis . Two nonsymbiotic hydra species did not form buds under bacteria-free conditions . When these hydra were fed nonsterile Artemia, or if the medium was reinoculated with bacteria isolated from budding stock cultures, normal budding was resumed . An exogenous budding factor, which can be provided by nonsterile Artemia larvae, or even by some bacteria, appears to be required by these nonsymbiotic hydra . This factor is endogenous in Hydra viridis.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1982 Apr, 176(1), 39 - 46
{Aerosol disinfection of airborne bacteria-investigations with the microthread technique (author's transl)}; Nicklas W et al.; Investigations were performed in order to examine the microthread technique for its usefulness for testing the efficacy of aerosolized disinfectants to bacteria in a simulated airborne state . In this technique fine spider threads are wound on a metal frame . The test bacteria are captured on these threads and can so be exposed to the disinfectant aerosoles . Under the used conditions all the tested disinfectants (formaldehyde, glutardialdehyde, beta-propiolactone, peracetic acid, Tegodor 73 and Lysoformin) had a good disinfectant effect . The disinfectants were used in concentrations which had proven to be necessary for the disinfection of surfaces . The handling of the spiders, the performance of the tests and the applicability of the method are discussed.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1982 Apr, 43(4), 777 - 80
Use of Congo red-polysaccharide interactions in enumeration and characterization of cellulolytic bacteria from the bovine rumen; Teather RM et al.; The interaction of the direct dye Congo red with intact beta-D-glucans provides the basis for a rapid and sensitive assay system for bacterial strains possessing beta-(1 leads to 4),(1 leads to 3)-D-glucanohydrolase, beta-(1 leads to 4)-D-glucanohydrolase, and beta-(1 leads to 3)-D-glucanohydrolase activities . A close correspondence was observed between cellulolytic activity and beta-(1 leads to 4)-D-glucanohydrolase and beta-(1 leads to 4),(1 leads to 3)-D-glucanohydrolase activities in isolates from the bovine rumen . Many of these isolates also possessed beta-(1 leads to 3)-D-glucanohydrolase activity, and this characteristic may have taxonomic significance.

Int J Dermatol, 1982 Mar, 21(2), 99 - 106
Variably acid-fast bacteria in a rare case of coexistent malignant lymphoma and cutaneous sarcoid-like granulomas; Cantwell AR Jr; A 74-year-old woman presented clinical, laboratory, and histologic evidence of coexistent cutaneous sarcoid-like granulomas, malignant lymphocytic lymphoma, and multiple basal cell carcinomas, all occurring within slightly more than a one-year period . Variably acid-fast coccoid forms were observed in the histologic sections of the cutaneous, noncaseating granulomas; and similar, variably acid-fast, extra and intracellular coccoid forms and granular bodies were seen in the lymph nodes showing lymphoma . The possible relationship between sarcoid-like granulomas, sarcoidosis, and malignancy is discussed, as well as the possible role of cell wall deficient forms (L-forms) of mycobacteria in the pathogenesis of these diseases.

Phys Ther, 1982 Mar, 62(3), 304 - 8
Whirlpool versus whirlpool rinse for removal of bacteria from a venous stasis ulcer; Bohannon RW; The number of bacteria removed from a venous stasis ulcer by whirlpool treatment alone and that removed by whirlpool treatment followed by vigorous rinsing are compared . A single subject received the whirlpool treatment followed by the rinse on 12 separate occasions . The number of bacteria removed was determined by taking samples of the whirlpool water after the subject's whirlpool treatment and again after rinsing the subject's ulcer over the whirlpool . The samples were cultured on agar plates . By calculating the number of bacterial colonies on the plates, the number of bacteria removed by each treatment was determined . The whirlpool treatment followed by vigorous rinsing was found to remove more than four times as many bacteria as the whirlpool treatment alone . Though performed on a single subject, this clinical pilot study suggests that vigorous rinsing of contaminated ulcer following removal from the whirlpool can remove additional bacteria.

Immun Infekt, 1982 Mar, 10(2), 51 - 6
{The adherence of bacteria to mucosal surfaces (author's transl)}; Beachey EH; A review on the significance of the bacterial adherence of the host parasite-relationship . Special attention is drawn to the following topics: bacterial adhesion as a principle of pathogenicity, the specificity of the reaction, the nature of adhesion-receptors . Furthermore, the non specific mucosal defense and the possibilities of preventative measures are discussed.

J Clin Microbiol, 1982 Feb, 15(2), 332 - 4
Numerical identification of bacteria with a hand-held calculator as an alternative to code books; Schindler J et al.; The Hewlett-Packard HP 41C hand-held calculator can be used for the numerical identification of bacteria . The dimensions of the identification matrix are limited to about 30 by 22; however, many groups of clinically important bacteria can be numerically identified by this method . Hand-held calculators can be used as an alternative to code books . At present, these calculators and additional tests can help solve identification problems in profiles not contained in code books.

J Bacteriol, 1982 Feb, 149(2), 606 - 11
Microcalorimetric studies of the growth of sulfate-reducing bacteria: comparison of the growth parameters of some Desulfovibrio species; Traore AS et al.; We performed a comparative study of the growth energetics of some species of Desulfovibrio by measuring microcalorimetric and molar growth yield values . Lactate and pyruvate were used as energy sources for sulfate reduction . On lactate-sulfate media Desulfovibrio desulfuricans Norway, Desulfovibrio gigas, and Desulfovibrio africanus exhibited molar growth yields of 4.1 +/- 0.6, 3.7 +/- 1.7, and 1.8 +/- 0.1 g/mol, respectively, whereas on pyruvate-sulfate media the molar growth yields were higher (8.5 +/- 0.8, 7.7 +/- 1.6, and 3.5 +/- 0.5 g/mol, respectively) . Thus, we found that D . africanus was the least efficient species in converting energy into cell material . The uncoupling of energy in this strain was obvious since its catabolic activities were high compared with those of the two other strains . The enthalpy changes associated with lactate and pyruvate metabolism were -49 +/- 0.7 and -70.2 +/- 6.0 jK/mol, respectively, for D . desulfuricans, -76.6 +/- 1.8 and -91.2 +/- 1.1 kJ/mol, respectively, for D . gigas, and -78.8 +/- 7.2 and -88.0 +/- 6.2 kJ/mol, respectively, for D . africanus . D . gigas and D . africanus produced only acetate, CO2 and hydrogen sulfide as metabolic end products . In addition to these normal end products, D . desulfuricans Norway produced a small amount of butanol . This butanol production was interpreted as reflecting a regulatory system of electron flow during the catabolism of both substrates . Such metabolism was comparable to that reported for D . vulgaris, which lost part of the reducing power of its energy sources through hydrogen evolution.

Infect Immun, 1982 Feb, 35(2), 660 - 5
Antiviral activity of bacteria-derived human alpha interferons against encephalomyocarditis virus infection of mice; Weck PK et al.; Bacteria-derived human leukocyte interferon (IFN) subtypes, IFN-alpha A, -alpha B, and -alpha D, and two hybrid IFNs, IFN-alpha AD and -alpha DA, were examined for both in vitro and in vivo antiviral activity . Two of these materials in highly purified form (IFN-alpha D and -alpha D) protect mice against lethal doses of encephalomyocarditis virus infection . A single dose of 1 microgram of protein of IFN-alpha D 3 h before infection conferred protection in both BDF1 and CD-1 mice against encephalomyocarditis virus infection, and multiple treatments with IFN-alpha D or IFN-alpha AD extend the mean survival time of infected mice . On a weight basis, IFN-alpha AD was approximately 100-fold more effective than IFN-alpha D . There is a direct correlation between the antiviral activity of the various human IFN species in L-929 cells and in mice for both single and multiple treatments before infection, but none of the cloned human IFN subtypes were effective when administered 24 h after infection . Mixtures of the two parental materials, IFN-alpha A and -alpha D, were not as protective as the hybrid molecule IFN-alpha AD, suggesting that IFNs with unique and altered species specificity can be produced by recombinant DNA methods.

Arch Dermatol Res, 1982, 272(3-4), 317 - 20
Sex, constancy, and skin bacteria; Marples RR; Quantitative studies of the aerobic flora of seven skin sites in 16 volunteers were repeated after 3 months . The total aerobic densities of the sites differed, male carried more organisms than females and also more biotypes . Qualitative differences in the flora could be detected.

Hum Pathol, 1982 Jan, 13(1), 41 - 7
Ultrastructural demonstration of intracellular bacteria in xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis; Khalyl-Mawad J et al.; Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is considered to be an unusual cellular response to bacterial invasion . This assumption is based on circumstantial evidence and experimental studies . In our electron microscopic study of five cases of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis demonstrated a stratification of the cellular components, somewhat resembling that described in the experimental lesions . The center of the xanthogranulomas was occupied by purulent exudate . Bacteria were identified mainly in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and extracellularly in four cases in which central area were available for electron microscopic studies . Many bacteria were located in cytoplasmic vacuoles . more peripherally, histiocytes predominated, and their cytoplasm contained numerous lipid droplets with and without limiting membranes and phagolysosomes . The latter contained electron dense, granular, and membranous structures . The outermost layer of the lesion demonstrated macrophages with a decreased number of lipid droplets and larger intralysosomal particles . Lymphocytes, plasma cells, and fibroblasts represented an increasing proportion of the infiltrate in this layer . Our study suggests that xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is a bacteria induced process . Its histological appearance may be related to incomplete bacterial degradation and altered host response.

Clin Pediatr (Phila), 1982 Jan, 21(1), 39 - 42
The effect of early initiation of colostrum feeding on proliferation of intestinal bacteria in neonates; Ojofeitimi EO et al.; One hundred eighty normal neonates with an average weight above 2.50 kg and having no feeding difficulties were divided into two groups and randomly assigned to either colostrum or to glucose water feeding regimens during the 3-day stay at the maternity ward . The effects of the feeding regimens on intestinal colonization were studied by examining the stools of the neonates . All bacteria recovered were identified quantitatively and biochemically . Of the 180 mothers, 105 complied with the instructions on feeding regimens . The majority of the neonates receiving colostrum had significantly lower bacterial counts than those on glucose water (p less than 0.001) . The results of the preliminary study indicated that early initiation of colostrum feeding to neonates where potable water is not readily available will suppress the proliferation of bacteria in the neonates.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1982 Jan, (1), 44 - 8
{Modes of the formation of elementary bodies and their isolation from the cell in L-form bacteria}; Konstantinova ND et al.; Elementary bodies are formed on the cell surface and inside the cell body in all cell types characteristic of L-form cultures, i . e . spherical cells, large bodies and filament structures . The following ways of elementary body formation are described: by budding on the cell surface, appearance immediately in the cytoplasm, in the vacuole, as a result of cytoplasmic fragmentation accompanied by the lysis of the cell, as well as in cases of the separation of cytoplasmic areas surrounded by the membrane or the myelin-like structure . The release of elementary bodies from the cell occurs as a result of the lysis or death of the mother cell, the thinning of the vacuole wall, and possibly due to small transient defects in the membrane, not accompanied by the death of the mother cell . The scheme of the formation and release of elementary bodies from the cell is presented.

Mikrobiologiia, 1982 Jan-Feb, 51(1), 38 - 42
{Enzymes of ammonia assimilation in bacteria with different C1-metabolic pathways}; Loginova NV et al.; The object of this work was to study enzymes involved in ammonium assimilation by 15 bacterial strains of different taxonomy . The bacteria utilizing methanol and methylated amines as the sources of carbon and energy have one of the three cyclic pathways of C1-metabolism: the serine pathway, the hexulose phosphate pathway or the ribulose diphosphate pathway . The bacteria were found to differ in the enzymes for ammonium assimilation according to the pathways of primary C1-metabolism . The bacteria with the serine cycle were characterized by the reductive amination of pyruvate and the operation of the glutamate cycle (glutamine synthetases and glutamate synthases) . The reductive amination of alpha-ketoglutarate is the principal pathway of ammonium nitrogen assimilation in the bacteria with the hexulose phosphate cycle . The bacteria using reduced C1-substrates autotrophically, i.e . via the ribulose diphosphate pathway, have the enzymes of the glutamate cycle, but are characterized by low activities, if any, of amino acid dehydrogenases.

Br J Nutr, 1982 Jan, 47(1), 95 - 9
Association of methanogenic bacteria with ovine rumen ciliates; Stumm CK et al.; 1 . The frequency of association between methanogenic bacteria and ovine rumen ciliates was studied in the rumen fluid of a fistulated sheep . 2 . A period of fasting and flushing of the rumen content with nitrogen resulted in a relatively high association, whereas the intake of food and flushing with hydrogen caused a detachment of the methanogenic bacteria from the ciliates . 3 . The changes in the frequency of association can be correlated with the relative attribution to the H2 production by hydrogenogenic bacteria and rumen ciliates.

Curr Eye Res, 1982-83, 2(11), 785 - 90
Antiviral effects of highly purified bacteria-derived human leukocyte interferons (subtypes A and D) and a human fibroblast interferon against herpes virus infection of the rabbit eye; Grabner G et al.; Highly purified preparations of two recombinant-DNA derived human leukocyte interferon subtypes (LeIF-A and LeIF-D) and a similarly derived fibroblast interferon were compared for efficacy against herpes simplex virus, type 1, infection of the rabbit cornea . LeIF-D appeared to be more effective than LeIF-A especially when compared on the basis of interferon units . The fibroblast interferon showed no significant effects . The greater activity of LeIF-D compared with LeIF-A could be due to greater direct antiviral effects, as observed in rabbit cell cultures.

Biochimie, 1982 Jan, 64(1), 37 - 44
{Inventory of proteolytic activity of a new collagenolytic bacteria Empedobacter collagenolyticum}; Montel MC et al.; During the growth of Empedobacter collagenolyticum on a medium with gelatin, only one proteinase, a collagenase, was excreted in the culture medium . No other proteolytic activity was detected in the extracellular medium or in acellular extracts . The other proteases of this bacteria are principally intracellular peptidases . By electrophoresis of an acellular extract five peptidases were separated; they were aminopeptidases and dipeptidases . Some of them exhibited a specificity towards peptides with aminoacid frequently found in collagen; Gly-Leu, Gly-Pro, Pro-Gly-Gly . Two other peptidases seem to have special specificity, one of them hydrolyses peptides with lysine residues at the NH2 terminal end, the other one hydrolyses dipeptides of the structure Lys-X . These enzymes were also found in the culture medium; they certainly play an important role in bacterial nutrition.

Dev Comp Immunol, 1982 Winter, 6(1), 23 - 34
Evidence for the presence of subpopulations of Arenicola marina coelomocytes identified by their selective response towards Gram+ve and Gram-ve bacteria; Fitzgerald SW et al.; In Arenicola marina (L.), in vitro attachment and phagocytosis of bacteria appears to be serum-independent and thus, non-specific . Mixtures of Gram+ve and Gram-ve bacterial species (Gram+ve/-ve, of two Gram+ve (Gram+ve/+ve) and of two Gram-ve bacterial species (Gram-ve/-ve)were overlaid on coelomocyte monolayers, in order to introduce competition for cell surface 'receptors' . An enhanced total phagocytosis was only recorded in the Gram+ve/-ve mixtures in comparison with their controls . The results are interpreted in terms of coelomocyte subpopulations and indicate that A . marina coelomocytes may possess specific carbohydrate/glycoprotein determinants capable of recognizing basic carbohydrate differences between the cell walls of Gram+ve and Gram-ve bacteria.

J Bacteriol, 1982 Jan, 149(1), 320 - 8
Specific antisera and immunological procedures for characterization of methanogenic bacteria; Conway de Macario E et al.; Specific antisera were raised in rabbits to 19 methanogenic bacteria representing the species available in pure culture at the present time . The antisera were characterized, labeled, and organized in a bank to serve as a source of material for preparation of antibody probes and thus provide standardized reagents for immunological analysis of methanogens . An indirect immunofluorescence procedure was standardized for optimal staining of homologous and heterologous bacterial strains . Two immunoenzymatic assays were developed: (i) a simple slide assay, useful for rapid antibody detection in small samples, antibody titrations, and disclosure of cross-reactions among methanogens, and (ii) a quantitative method . The latter is useful for quantification of antigenic relatedness . Procedural details were developed to obtain optimal bacterial preparations for use as immunogens to raise antibodies in vivo, and as antigens for antibody assay in vitro.

J Bacteriol, 1982 Jan, 149(1), 316 - 9
Antibody analysis of relationships among methanogenic bacteria; Conway de Macario E et al.; A bank of antisera to the majority of methanogenic bacteria is now available . Three antibody probes, R, S, and T, were derived from each antiserum in the bank and used for analysis of antigenic relatedness among methanogens by immunofluorescence . The T probe reacted only with the immunizing (or homologous) strain, the S probe gave strong cross-reactions with strains of the same species, and the R probe revealed some interspecies relationships . The results were confirmed and extended by enzyme immunoassays and standard serological methods involving serial dilution analysis, cross-adsorptions, and the use of reference strains . The immunological methods and standardized antibody probes are useful for rapid identification of methanogens and measurements of antigenic relationships which aid in the classification of these bacteria.

Infect Immun, 1982 Jan, 35(1), 264 - 9
Adhesion of piliated Escherichia coli strains to phagocytes: differences between bacteria with mannose-sensitive pili and those with mannose-resistant pili; Blumenstock E et al.; Escherichia coli with mannose-resistant (MR) pili, in contrast to those with mannose-sensitive (MS) pili, did not adhere to rat peritoneal macrophages and human polymorphonuclear granulocytes, as measured by use of radioactive bacteria and by the chemiluminescence response induced by the cell contact . With some MS-piliated E . coli strains, unpiliated bacteria, obtained by growth at a pilus-restrictive temperature, did show MS adherence to phagocytes, presumably by virtue of bacterial cell wall adhesins which, like MS pili, recognize alpha-mannose-containing structures of the phagocyte membrane . Possible roles of MR pili, MS pili, and MS cell wall adhesins in the unspecific cellular host defense are discussed.

Agents Actions, 1981 Dec, 11(6-7), 578 - 9
Release of leukotrienes C (LTC) and D (LTD) from inflammatory macrophages during phagocytosis of zymosan and bacteria; Roubin R et al.; Release of slow-reacting substance (SRS) was obtained from resident mouse peritoneal macrophages (R-M phi) upon stimulation with phagocytic stimuli (zymosan, bacteria) . The release of SRS from thioglycollate elicited M phi was impaired, whereas that from BCG-elicited M phi was quantitatively unaffected . However, using a high pressure liquid chromatography separation procedure, qualitative variations between SRS released from R-M phi and BCG-M phi were observed . In both cases, LTC was the major component released from M phi, but greater amounts of LTD were released from BCG-M phi than from R-M phi . These data indicate that local environment alters leukotriene generation by M phi.

Gene, 1981 Dec, 16(1-3), 347 - 52
Distribution of IS5 in bacteria; Schoner B et al.; Four different strains of Escherichia coli and several other bacteria were examined by Southern analysis for the presence of the insertion element IS5 and IS5-like sequences . Variations in the copy number, degree of homology and restriction pattern of the IS5-like sequence were found among the different organisms . The number and distribution of IS5 sequences do not appear to correlate with the evolutionary relationship of the bacteria in which they occur.

Mikrobiologiia, 1981 Nov-Dec, 50(6), 980 - 4
{Comparative study of the membrane protein composition of bacteria in the genus Bdellovibrio}; Severin AI et al.; The protein composition of membranes was studied in 17 Bdellovibrio strains by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate . No similarity in the protein composition of membranes was found in the strains grown on cells of one and the same host . A dendrogram constructed basing on the similarity coefficients between the strains allowed to subdivide them into 3 groups according to the protein composition of their membranes . This correlated with the other phenotypic features and genotaxonomic data.

Br J Nutr, 1981 Nov, 46(3), 533 - 41
Influences of dietary sucrose and urea on transfer of endogenous urea to the rumen of sheep and numbers of epithelial bacteria; Kennedy PM et al.; 1 . The rates of transfer of plasma urea to the rumen of six sheep given brome grass (Bromus inermis) pellets alone or with supplements of sucrose or urea were determined using {14C} urea and 14C-labelled sodium bicarbonate infusions during three periods . 2 . The sheep were slaughtered after the third period and samples of rumen epithelium were taken for assessment of numbers of adherent bacteria . 3 . Maximum transfer (0.31 g nitrogen/h) of urea ot the rumen was observed for sheep given supplements of 150 g sucrose/d plus 20 g urea/d . Maximum clearance of plasma urea to the rumen (rate of urea transfer to the rumen per unit plasma urea concentration, 5.8 1/h) was observed for sheep given 300 g sucrose/d . 4 . Urea clearance to the rumen was negatively related to rumen ammonia concentration; the slope of the relationship was increased with each addition of sucrose to the diet . 5 . Numbers of facultative bacteria adherent to the rumen epithelium were increased by urea and sucrose supplements . 6 . The results are discussed in relation to a hypothesis which relates the ureolytic capability of the bacteria adherent to the rumen epithelium to the control of the rate of transfer of urea into the rumen.

Mutat Res, 1981 Nov, 84(1), 1 - 9
Estimation of genetic risks of alkylating agents . VI . Exposure of mice and bacteria to methyl bromide; Djalali-Behzad G et al.; Methyl bromide was studied in a forward mutation system of E . coli to evaluate the relationship between dose and mutagenic response . The compound had a high toxicity and a low mutagenic efficiency, as expected from the high s value . The mutagenic effectiveness was estimated to be 1 mutation per 10(8) surviving bacteria per mM . h, in reasonable agreement with expectation from reaction kinetic data . To study the possibilities of using hemoglobin alkylation for an estimation of DNA alkylation in vivo, mice were treated with 14C-labeled methyl bromide . The degree of alkylation of DNA, determined in liver and spleen, was considerably lower than expected (200 and 20 times, respectively) from the degree of alkylation of hemoglobin and from the relative reactivities of DNA and hemoglobin towards methyl bromide in vitro . when hemoglobin alkylation is used for quantitative risk estimations, a correction factor has to be applied by taking into account the difference between the dose in red blood cells and the dose in the compartments of DNA.

Mikrobiologiia, 1981 Nov-Dec, 50(6), 973 - 9
{Numerical analysis of the protein electrophoregrams of obligate methanotrophic bacteria}; Gal'chenko VF et al.; The protein spectra for 70 strains of obligate methanotrophic bacteria were studied using electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel with sodium dodecyl sulphate . The protein spectra of Methylomonas methanica 12 and Methylosinus trichosporium 44 did not change in the course of the culture growth . Basing on the data obtained, the similarity coefficients were calculated for these strains . The numerical analysis of the similarity coefficients was done, and a dendrogram presenting the phylogenetic relationships between these bacterial strains, species, genera and groups was constructed . The coefficients of similarity between the strains of one species varied within the range of 78 to 100% . The similarity coefficients of the species and genera varied from 36 to 38%, respectively . The data suggest the existence of 5 independent genera of obligate methanotrophic bacteria: Methylomonas, Methylobacter, Methylococcus, Methylosinus and Methylocystis.

J Periodontol, 1981 Oct, 52(10), 613 - 6
Tetracycline: levels of achievable in gingival crevice fluid and in vitro effect on subgingival organisms . Part II . Susceptibilities of periodontal bacteria; Walker CB et al.; The sensitivity to tetracycline of 345 bacterial isolates from periodontal lesions was determined . Most species of bacteria, including those thought to be involved in the initiation and progress of destructive periodontal disease, were inhibited in vitro by tetracycline concentrations of 4 to 8 micrograms/ml . This concentration is equivalent to crevicular fluid levels of tetracycline at dosages of 1 gm/day . These data indicate that tetracycline is inhibitory at levels achieved in crevicular fluid for bacteria currently implicated in destructive periodontal disease.

MMW Munch Med Wochenschr, 1981 Sep 18, 123(38), 1423 - 6
{Topicalities from gene technology . Protein synthesized by bacteria the better therapeutic alternative (author's transl)}; Hobom B et al.; Compared with conventional methods for obtaining highly complicated natural substances such as peptide hormones and vaccine antibodies from animal or human tissues or cell culture, the synthesis of these therapeutically important substances in bacterial cells, made possible by gene technology, has the decisive advantage that the bacteria synthesize exclusively that protein whose appropriate genetic information has previously been obtained and insinuated into the bacterial cell under accurately controlled physicochemical conditions . Thus, the mmammalian protein produced in bacteria is purer and consequently freer from side-effects than material obtained from ammmalian cells.

Mikrobiologiia, 1981 Sep-Oct, 50(5), 932 - 4
{Carbamyl phosphate and citrulline formation by phototrophic bacteria}; Khramov VA et al.; The purple bacteria Ectothiorhodospira shaposhnikovii and Rhodospirillum rubrum are capable of synthesizing citrulline in the presence of ammonium hydrocarbonate, ornithine, ATP and Mg2+ ions . Citrulline biosynthesis by these phototrophic bacteria is presumed to be catalysed by carbamate kinase and ornithine transcarbamoylase . Therefore, certain phototrophic bacteria can assimilate carbon dioxide and ammonia for biosynthesis of amino acids, in particular, citrulline and, apparently, arginine.

Mol Biol (Mosk), 1981 Sep-Oct, 15(5), 1069 - 82
{Kinetic model of the operation of a 2-electron switch in the photosynthetic reaction center of bacteria}; Shinkarev VP et al.; A mathematical model, describing the binary oscillation of the concentration of semiquinone form of the secondary acceptor (ubiquinone) in photosynthetic reaction center of purple bacteria is proposed . This model takes into account both the changes of the ubiquinone state when the chromatophores are subjected to short flashes of light, and the successive dark relaxation of the semiquinone form . The model allows to calculate such characteristics as the dependence of the flash number, the stationary level of semiquinone form which is being established, when the flash number increases, the velocity which the concentration of semiquinone form is aspirating towards this stationary level and other characteristics . The model shows that the quantum yield of primary charge separation on the reaction center is higher after odd-number flashes then after even-number flashes.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1981 Sep, 92(9), 325 - 7
{Ability of components of pertussis bacteria to induce delayed-type hypersensitivity to DNA}; Moskalenko EP et al.; Bordetella pertussis vaccine contains antigens which are capable to evoke delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions to deoxyribonucleic acid, except specific antipertussis response in mice . This phenomenon signifies the possibility of the autoimmune process . The purified derivatives of B . pertussis maintain specific activity but do not stimulate the expression of DTH to DNA.

Can J Microbiol, 1981 Jul, 27(7), 698 - 703
The effect of polarization on the attachment of marine bacteria to copper and platinum surfaces; Gordon AS et al.; Electrochemical polarization of copper and platinum was shown to affect the attachment of two marine bacteria to the surfaces of these metals in seawater . Attachment of both bacteria to copper surfaces was enhanced by polarizing the metal cathodically, whereas attachment was reduced when the copper was anodically polarized . Anodic polarization of platinum also retarded bacterial attachment but overpotentials higher then those for copper were required to produce the same effect . The pH was measured at a distance of 50 micron m from the polarized surfaces . Changes in pH at the metal-seawater interface correlated with the attachment of bacteria, and may have influenced bacterial attachment to polarized surfaces.

J Invest Dermatol, 1981 Jul, 77(1), 91 - 5
Photoreactivation in bacteria and in skin; Sutherland BM; In many procaryotic and eucaryotic cells, photoreactivating enzyme mediates light-dependent repair of UV-induced damage: the enzyme binds to a pyrimidine dimer in DNA, and, on absorption of a photon (300-600 nm), specifically monomerizes the dimer, thus repairing the DNA . Photoreactivating enzyme has been found in human tissues and human cells in culture; human cells in culture can photoreactivate cellular dimers, and can mediate photoreactivation of Herpes (human fibroblasts) and Epstein-Barr virus (human leukocytes) . Measurements of pyrimidine dimer formation and repair in human skin indicate that detectable numbers of dimers are formed at 1 minimal erythemal dose, that the dimers are rapidly removed in skin kept in the absence of light, and they are more rapidly removed when the skin is exposed to visible light.

J Clin Periodontol, 1981 Jun, 8(3), 213 - 9
Comparison of the bisbiguanide antiseptics alexidine and chlorhexidine . I . Effect on plaque accumulation and salivary bacteria; Roberts WR et al.; A blind crossover trial was carried out to compare the effects of a 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse and a 0.035% alexidine mouthrinse on plaque accumulation and salivary bacteria in a group of volunteers . The subjects refrained from all forms of oral hygiene during two 10-day periods and rinsed twice a day with the mouthwash randomly allocated to the respective period . Prerinse, day 4 and day 10 total salivary aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts were determined during each period . Plaque scores were recorded at the end of each 10-day period . Significantly more plaque accumulated in subjects rinsing with alexidine when compared with chlorhexidine . Significant and comparable reductions in salivary bacterial counts were observed with both chlorhexidine and alexidine on day 4 and day 10 when compared with pre-rinse counts . Although at the concentrations used alexidine was less effective than chlorhexidine, it may be of value as a short-term adjunct to oral hygiene.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1981 Jun, 78(6), 3338 - 42
Acridine dyes and other DNA-intercalating agents induce the luminescence system of luminous bacteria and their dark variants; Ulitzur S et al.; Acridine dyes and other DNA-intercalating agents such as ethidium bromide, theophylline, and caffeine induce luminescence in dark variants (K variants) different luminous species of bacteria, as well as in their wild-type luminous cells, prior to induction . The increase in luminescence appears 10-20 min after addition of these agents and is inhibited by chloramphenicol or rifampicin . Addition of these agents affects the synthesis of both luciferase and aldehyde-synthesizing enzymes . It is hypothesized that these agents, through their intercalation into DNA, cause configurational changes resulting in derepressed transcription of the luminescence operon.

Mutat Res, 1981 Jun, 89(2), 151 - 9
4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide: factors determining its mutagenicity in bacteria; McCoy EC et al.; In bacteria, 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (NQO) causes primarily mutations of the base-substitution type although frameshift mutations are also induced . The adducts formed are presumably recognized by error-prone DNA repair enzymes as evidenced by the much greater activity in plasmid pKM101-bearing tester strains . Although reduction of the nitro group appears to be required for mutagenic activity, this reduction is not catalyzed by the nitroreductase required for the demonstration of the mutagenicity in bacteria of other nitro-containing mutagens (nitrofurans, 2-nitronaphthalene, nitrofluorenes) . The reduction of the nitro group appears to be catalyzed by a different nitroreductase . The mutagenicity of the non-carcinogenic 3-methyl-4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (meNQO) may be related to this newly recognized nitroreductase . It is proposed, further, that the ultimate mutagenic intermediates derived from NQO and MeNQO differ.

Biokhimiia, 1981 Jun, 46(6), 1057 - 66
{Photooxidation and light-induced transport of phenazine methosulfate in chromatophores of purple bacteria}; Bulychev AA et al.; The light-induced interaction of phenazine methosulfate (PMS) with chromatophores of the purple bacteria Rhodospirillum rubrum and Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides was studied, using an ion-specific electrode . Illumination caused an initial rapid increase in the concentration of methylphenazinium cation (MP+) and a subsequent slow (1-3 min) decrease of the MP+ concentration to a low steady level . The rapid phase of the light-induced MP+ concentration change is specifically enhanced by ascorbate . The slow phase (uptake of MP+ from the medium) is stimulated on addition of valinomycin, which is known to collapse the membrane potential of energized chromatophores, and is partly inhibited by NH4Cl, which enhances the membrane potential in chromatophores . The light-induced uptake of MP+ is sharply stimulated by dibromothymoquinone . It is concluded that the initial rapid increase of the MP+ concentration in the outer medium results from the oxidation of the reduced PMS by photooxidized reaction centers . The slow decrease of the external MP+ concentration is due to active transport of MP+ into the internal space of the chromatophores via a mechanism of a chemiosmotic type . The accumulation of MP+ is directly mediated by the redox reactions of PMS at the outer and inner surfaces of the photosynthetic membrane, which are involved in cyclic electron transport.

Mol Biol (Mosk), 1981 May-Jun, 15(3), 680 - 9
{Quantum yield formation of triplet state and recombination luminescence of the primary electron donor in reaction centers of photosynthetic bacteria}; Klevanik AV et al.; The quantum yield of fluorescence and triplet state of the primary electron donor (P) in reaction centers of the photosynthetic bacteria under reduction conditions (quinon - Fe complex is reduced) are discussed . The kinetics of the reversible electron transfer in ion radical pair {P+ primary acceptor -.} are considered by means of the ordinary kinetic equations and of the nonequilibrium spin-density operator method . It is shown, that present experimental data is not sufficient to find the value of energy (delta E) dissipated in the process of primary charge separation . The range of admissible values delta E can be defined on the base of the temperature dependence of the P fluorescence under reduction conditions.

Chem Biol Interact, 1981 May, 35(2), 199 - 205
The effect of ascorbic acid on the amine-nitrite and nitrosamine mutagenicity in bacteria injected into mice; Neale S et al.; Ascorbic acid was tested for its ability to increase or decrease the induction of bacterial mutations by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) or aminopyrine plus nitrite within intact mice . No evidence was found of the mutagenicity of ascorbic acid itself when tested alone or in the presence of copper ions . Similarly, no increase or decrease in the DMN-induced mutation frequency was observed . However, ascorbic acid was found to decrease the aminopyrine/nitrite-induced mutation frequency to an extent which was dependent on the experimental conditions used.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1981 May, 19(5), 867 - 71
Gingival crevicular fluid levels of clindamycin compared with its minimal inhibitory concentrations for periodontal bacteria; Walker CB et al.; Clindamycin concentrations in gingival crevicular fluid and in blood were determined over a 7-h period and were related to the minimal inhibitory concentrations of this agent for 340 bacterial strains isolated from diseased periodontal sites . The clindamycin levels after administration of single 300-mg oral doses were measured in gingival crevicular fluids by using an agar diffusion bioassay . Minimal inhibitory concentrations were determined by agar dilution techniques for 30 species of periodontal bacteria . With the exception of Eikenella corrodens and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, most of the bacteria were inhibited by a concentration of 1.0 microgram of clindamycin per ml or less . The peak concentrations in crevicular fluid (2.0 +/- 0.3 microgram/ml) and in blood (1.9 +/- 0.3 micrograms/ml) were approximately the same . However, crevicular fluid levels of 1.0 micrograms/ml and above were present for up to 6 h, whereas blood concentrations dropped below 1.0 micrograms/ml within 2 h after administration . Based on its minimal inhibitory concentrations, clindamycin at crevicular fluid levels of 1.0 micrograms/ml or above should inhibit most bacteria associated with diseased periodontal sites.

Mol Biol (Mosk), 1981 May-Jun, 15(3), 622 - 35
{Kinetics of the generation of a photo-induced electric potential in chromatophores of photosynthetizing bacteria}; Semenov AIu et al.; Flash-induced formation of an electric potential difference (delta psi) was monitored by a direct method in chromatophores associated with the collodion phospholipid membrane . In Rhodospirillum rubrum and Rhodopseudomonas sphaeriodes chromatophores, the kinetics of delta psi generation exhibit fast (tau less than or equal to 0.3 microseconds) and slow (tau congruent to 200 microseconds) phases, the latter observed in the presence of exogenous quinones . Comparison of the kinetic and potentiometric characteristics of the process with those of electron transport reactions suggests that the fast phase of delta psi rise is due to charge separation between the primary electron donor, P870, and primary electron acceptor QIFe; the slow phase, which is inhibited by o-phenanthroline, is due to electron donation from QIFe to the secondary acceptor, quinone QII . The kinetics of delta psi decay include components arising form the recombination of primary separated charges (tau congruent to 30 ms) and from the passive discharge of the membrane (tau congruent to 400 ms; tau congruent to 1400 ms) . From a redox titration of the photo-induced electric signal and the photo-induced absorption changes of P870 at different pH meanings, the value of pK for the primary acceptor FeQI was found to be 7.4 in Rps . sphaeroides chromatophores . In Chromatium minutissimum, a phase ( tau congruent to 20 microseconds) was observed in addition to those seen in Rps . sphaeroids and R . rubrum which was explained by the reduction of P890+ from the high potential cytochrome c555 . Possible distribution of the electron transport components in the chromatophore membrane are discussed.

Nature, 1981 Apr 23, 290(5808), 693 - 6
Specific acyclic isoprenoids as biological markers of methanogenic bacteria in marine sediments; Brassell SC et al.; The widespread occurrence of extended hopanoids in sediments and petroleums illustrates the importance of bacterial lipid contributions to geological materials . In archaebacteria, however, hopanoids are absent; their role as structural components of biomembranes is fulfilled by acyclic isoprenoids . Recent studies of the lipid constituents of archaebacteria have greatly extended the range of acyclic isoprenoid skeletons known in organisms (Fig . 1) . In particularly, isoprenoids with head-to-head linkages have been identified, and such compounds (for example, 3,7,11,15,18,22,26,30-octamethyldotriacontane, I) have been recognized in petroleum and as degradation products of Messel shale kerogen . Here we report the first recognition of 2,6,10,15,19-pentamethyleicosane (II), a known component of methanogens, in marine sediments of Recent to Cretaceous age (Table 1) and suggest that it and certain other acyclic isoprenoids may be used as biological markers for methanogens.

Nord Vet Med, 1981 Apr-May, 33(4-5), 250 - 9
{Quality changes in iced shrimps (Pandalus borealis) . I . Changes in the contents of trimethylamine oxide and volatile nitrogen bases and bacteria in raw shrimps after different storage periods compared with organoleptic examinations (author's transl)}; Nesbakken T et al.; On the basis of two experiments on the storage of raw shrimps (Pandalus borealis) in ice and on samples taken out from different trawlers after different days at sea, we have attempted to find the criteria of choice for the lower limit of quality of raw shrimps which are meant for further processing for human consumption . A content of TVN of approximately 50 mg/100 g peeled shrimp and a content of TMA-N of approximately 10 mg/100 g peeled shrimp probably represent such an objective lower limit if a comparison with organoleptic assessment is made . Assuming suitable storage conditions, this corresponds to a maximum period of 7 days . In this paper we have also attempted to find the content of TMAO in fresh raw shrimps from different fishing grounds in the Barents sea and off the Eastern coast of Greenland . The content of TMA-N was found to vary from 166 to 211 mg/100 g peeled shrimp.

Br Med J (Clin Res Ed), 1981 Mar 28, 282(6269), 1018 - 20
Do colonic bacteria contribute to cholesterol gall-stone formation? Effects of lactulose on bile; Thornton JR et al.; Ten healthy middle-aged women volunteered for a study to test the effect of lactulose--a synthetic, non-absorbable disaccharide--on the colonic metabolism of bile acids and on bile lipid composition . Lactulose (60 g daily in eight cases, 39 g daily in two) was taken as a proprietary syrup for six weeks, and bile was collected by duodenal intubation before and immediately after six weeks . All subjects showed a fall in the percentage of the 7-alpha-dehydroxylated bile acid deoxycholic acid (mean 28.4 +/- SEM 3.7 to 15.6 +/- 2.4; p less than 0.002) and a rise in the percentage of the primary bile acid chenodeoxycholic acid (mean 33.2 +/- 42.9 +/- 2.9; p less than 0.001) . The percentage of cholic acid rose in eight subjects but mean values did not differ significantly . Bile was initially super-saturated with cholesterol in most subjects and became less saturated with cholesterol in all but one (mean saturation index 1.40 +/- 0.11 to 1.19 +/- 0.07; p less these 0.005) . These data support the theory colonic bacteria contribute to cholesterol gall-stone formation.

J Biol Chem, 1981 Mar 10, 256(5), 2113 - 4
Recombinant human leukocyte interferon produced in bacteria has antiproliferative activity; Evinger M et al.; Recombinant human leukocyte interferon synthesized by Escherichia coli possesses antiproliferative activity in addition to antiviral activity . When the ability to inhibit multiplication of lymphoblastoid Daudi cells was examined, the growth-inhibitory capacity of recombinant leukocyte interferon was equivalent to that exhibited by crude human leukocyte interferon or by the homogeneous gamma 2 species of leukocyte interferon synthesized by human cells.

Clin Allergy, 1981 Mar, 11(2), 185 - 9
Chronic excretion of enteropathogenic bacteria in the faeces--a possible association with allergy to cow's milk; Withrington RH et al.; Two children with protracted gastrointestinal symptoms were found to be chronically excreting enteropathogenic bacteria in their faeces . Withdrawal of cows' milk protein from their diets resulted in clinical recovery and stool cultures became negative, suggesting that allergy to cows' milk may have contributed to their bacterial carrier state.

Kidney Int, 1981 Feb, 19(2), 297 - 305
Immunology of pyelonephritis in the primate model: live versus heat-killed bacteria; Roberts JA et al.; We produced nonobstructive pyelonephritis in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) by means of a retrograde inoculation of Escherichia coli to the point of pyelotubular backflow . To evaluate the immune response separate from the effects of infection, we introduced heat-killed bacteria in the same fashion . The disease from live bacteria is self-limited and associated with both a local and generalized immune response . The most marked cellular response is in the regional lymph nodes and is more specific to the bacterial antigen than is generalized stimulation of the immune system . Dead bacteria, while eliciting the formation of serum antibody to the O antigen, appear to ablate the cellular response seen with live bacteria . Loss of renal tubules with attended scarring and loss of renal function does occur from live bacteria . This does not appear to be due to the antigen alone (unless a heat labile antigen is responsible), because heat-killed bacteria do not cause renal scarring . Thus, renal damage seems dependent on an active infection and not on the immune response.

Immunology, 1981 Feb, 42(2), 285 - 95
Functional characterization of mouse lymphocyte subpopulations identified by their natural binding of bacteria . II . Identification of subpopulations of LY-1 + 2-3-, LY-1-2+3+ and LY-1+2+3+ cells and the localization of specific cytotoxic cells in a subset of LY-1-2+3+ cells ; Chen W et al.; Three T-cell subpopulations (T1, T2 and T3) can be identified by their binding of various bacteria (Mayer, Chen, Dray & Teodorescu, 1978) . In this work we determined how the three subpopulations identified by their Ly-1, -2 and -3 alloantigens were distributed among the T1, T2 and T3 subpopulations . We found that the T1 subpopulation contained most of the Ly-1+2+3+ cells, that the T2 subpopulation contained some Ly-1+2-3- and some Ly-1-2+3+ cells and that the T3 subpopulation contained the remainder of the Ly-1+2+3+, Ly-1+2-3- and Ly-1-2+3+ cells . Thus the subpopulations identified by their bacterial adherence properties subdivided the three subpopulations identified by their Ly-1, -2 and -3 alloantigens . We also investigated whether the specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes were contained in the T1, T2 and/or T3 cells . We found that essentially all of the cytotoxic T lymphocytes were contained in the T3 subpopulation . Since the T3 cells contained a subpopulation of Ly-1-2+3+ cells the data indicated that essentially all of the cytotoxic T lymphocytes were contained in a subpopulation of Ly-1-2+3+ cells.

Infect Immun, 1981 Feb, 31(2), 816 - 21
Binding of bacteria from the genus Brucella to human B lymphocytes; Bratescu A et al.; In previous studies, we have shown that various lymphocyte subpopulations bind different strains of bacteria of different genera and species . Among these bacteria was a strain of Brucella melitensis which bound to all human B lymphocytes . To determine whether the binding of B . melitensis to human B lymphocytes was strain, species, or genus characteristic, we tested the binding of B . melitensis, Brucella abortus, Brucella ovis, Brucella suis, Brucella canis and Brucella neotomae to human normal and leukemic B lymphocytes . The binding of different Brucella species to B lymphocytes was determined by single- and double-labeling experiments in which a strain of Escherichia coli, coated with anti-light chain antibodies, was used as a marker for B cells . As in previous experiments, we found that B . melitensis and antibody-coated E . coli bound to the same cells . Also, we found that all the other species of bacteria tested bound to the B lymphocytes, normal or leukemic . B . ovis and B . neotomae, which are not human pathogens, bound to fewer B lymphocytes than did the human pathogens B . abortus, B . melitensis, B . suis, and B . canis . Furthermore, we found that the quality of rosettes formed by the nonpathogenic bacteria with the lymphocytes, i.e., the number of bacteria per lymphocytes, was lower than that of pathogenic Brucella species . We conclude that all of the Brucella species tested have the ability to bind to human B lymphocytes, but that only those which are human pathogens bind firmly to all B lymphocytes and may be used as reliable markers for these cells . We also suggest that the binding of Brucella species to B lymphocytes may have some bearing on the pathogenesis of brucellosis in humans.

J Virol, 1981 Feb, 37(2), 683 - 97
Properties of simian virus 40 small t antigen overproduced in bacteria; Thummel CS et al.; We constructed a series of bacterial plasmids which contained the Escherichia coli lac promoter fused to a simian virus 40 restriction fragment coding for small t antigen . These plasmids expressed different levels of intact viral protein depending on the length of the constructed ribosome binding site . Small t antigen synthesized by the most efficient producer, HP1, constituted 0.5 to 1% of the total cellular protein . On the basis of extensive characterization by immunoprecipitation, gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, tryptic fingerprint analysis, and chromatographic properties, this plasmid-encoded protein was virtually identical to authentic simian virus 40 small t antigen . Partial purification of the HP1-encoded and authentic small t antigens revealed the presence of both monomeric and multimeric forms.

J Infect Dis, 1981 Feb, 143(2), 219 - 30
Attachment of bacteria to intestinal epithelial cells in diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli strain RDEC-1 in the rabbit: stages and role of capsule; Cantey JR et al.; RDEC-1 is a strain of Escherichia coli that, in rabbits, attaches to intestinal mucosal epithelial cells bereft of microvillar borders and causes diarrhea by an unknown mechanism . The stages of attachment of RDEC-1 bacteria to mucosal epithelial cells were examined using high-voltage electron microscopy of thick (0.5-micrometers) sections of ileum and cecum of rabbits with diarrhea . The tissues were stained with ruthenium red or antisera to strain RDEC-1 OK antigens . Micrographs, including stereopairs, demonstrated several stages of bacterial attachment . Bacteria were attached to the glycocalyxes of epithelial cell microvilli and to pedestal-like extrusions of the surfaces of epithelial cells lacking microvilli . Structures consistent with bacterial pili were rarely visualized . Attachment to microvilli appeared to be a result of the interaction of polysaccharides of the microvillar glycocalyx and the K antigen of the bacterial capsule.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1981 Jan 14, 634(1), 165 - 73
Optically excited triplet states in the bacteria Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides 'wild-type' detected by magnetic resonance in zero-field; Beck J et al.; Optically-detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) experiments in zero-field on the photosynthetic bacteria Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides revealed triplet states belonging to molecules which have a prompt emission in the optical region from 590 to 700 nm and a delayed emission between 700 and 830 nm . The zero-field parameters of these triplet states are 29 less than {D} less than 34 . 10(-3) cm-1 and 4 less than {E} less than 8 . 10(-3) cm-1, the decay rates of the {D} + {E} transitions being in the order of 60-340 ms . The correlation between optical emission and radio-frequency was used to separate the total optical emission from 590-700 nm into individual emissions, belonging to molecules whose triplet states were studied by ODMR in this region . Comparing the fluorescence microwave double resonance (FMDR) spectra with the results of excitation spectroscopy, as well as comparing the zero-field parameters and the decay rates with that of Mg-porphyrins in matrices given in the literature, allowed the identification of the emitting molecules as Mg-porphyrins which are produced by the biosynthesis of bacteriochlorophyll in the cells.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1981 Jan 14, 634(1), 153 - 64
Low temperature excitation and emission spectroscopy of the photosynthetic bacteria Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides 'wild-type' strain ATCC 17023; Kaiser GH et al.; Prompt and delayed emission of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides 'wild-type' strain ATCC 17023 was measured in the spectral range 550-950 nm at 1.7 K . The broad emission spectra could be resolved into separate bands by excitation spectroscopy . Through a comparison of the separated excitation and emission spectra of the present study with absorption and fluorescence spectra of photosynthetic pigments given in the literature, the emitting species could be identified . Beside the well-known pigments bacteriochlorophyll (BChl), bacteriopheophytin (BPh) and carotenoids, additional pigments could be detected . In the visible and near-infrared range, the fluorescence of pigments could be observed which were produced by the biosynthesis of BChl in the cells . Further, fluorescence bands at 753 and 813 nm are interpreted as originating from BPh (F-753) and BChl (F-813) . Delayed emission signals between 700 and 800 nm were attributed to a metalloporphyrin phosphorescence . Surprisingly, the excitation spectra of the delayed BChl emissions measured at 872 and 912 nm showed the same excitation spectra as the short-wavelength emission, typical of metalloporphyrins . This is strong indication of an energy transfer between metalloporphyrins and BChl.

Radiat Environ Biophys, 1981, 20(1), 53 - 65
Killing of bacteria with electric pulses of high field strength; Hulsheger H et al.; Bacteria of the type E . coli K12 have been treated in experiments using high-voltage pulses of short time (microseconds) as a killing agent . The role of different experimental parameters has been studied: kind of electrolyte, concentration, length of pulses, field strength, pH and temperature . Electrolytes with bivalent cations were found to reduce the lethal action . the relative rate of killed bacteria was shown to be mainly governed by the field strength and the treatment time, which is defined by the product of pulse number and decay time constant . From the obtained results a function has been developed which enables the precalculation of the killing rate for E . coli, provided that certain limits of experimental conditions are considered . No correlation between the applied electric energy and the lethal effect could be found.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1981, 173(3-4), 273 - 84
{Qualitative and quantitative examination of bacteria found in aquatic habitats . 3 . Communications: Recording the data for identification and analysing by numerical methods (author's transl)}; Dott W et al.; A sheet for optical page mark was developed to transfer the large amount of identification criteria, necessary for quantitative and qualitative determination of bacterial populations, to the computer-assisted analysis . Empirical and numerical methods are used for the taxonomic evaluation . Different metrics are applied to the different groups of criteria . The clusters were formed by the single-linkage method . An example is given to explain how cluster analysis and formal descriptions are an useful aid for the classification of bacteria.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {B}, 1981, 173(3-4), 180 - 7
{The tenacity of air-borne bacteria . II . Communication: Experimental investigations carried out for determining the kill constant beta biol for cocci (author's transl)}; Muller W et al.; The kill constants beta biol . for cocci are determined in a static aerosol chamber . To do this, the particle diminution (living and dead colony-forming units, KE) is determined with a scattered light photometer and the decrease in reseedability of the colony-forming units is measured by a six-stage Andersen collector . The difference is the kill constant beta biol . which is independent of the physical diminution . For use with model calculations it is recommended that limit values should be assumed which realistically express the wide scatter range of the values.

J Immunol Methods, 1981, 45(1), 27 - 40
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for human IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies to antigens from anaerobic cultures of seven oral bacteria; Tolo K et al.; Monocultures of 7 oral bacteria were grown anaerobically, and antigens were partially purified from the supernatant fluids by gel filtration . Isoelectric focussing showed that the antigen fractions contained PAS-positive material and proteins focussing between pH 3.5 and pH 5.5 . Specific activity against the 7 antigen fractions was observed for IgG, IgA, and IgM in serum from patients with periodontal disease by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . Conditions for antigen coating in ELISA were studied, and large variations with regard to optimal concentration were found among the 7 fractions . The ELISA readings were virtually unaffected by increasing the pH of the coating buffer from 5 to 9 . Addition of sheep serum to the incubation buffer was disadvantageous as the serum showed moderate antibody activity to the 7 antigen fractions, and human serum apparently contained IgM antibodies to sheep IgG . Addition of 0.5% BSA improved the reproducibility of ELISA considerably, although the sensitivity was somewhat decreased.

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg, 1981, 98(3), 173 - 81
{The bacteria stop system of Meierhans-Weber as room air technical alternative to laminar-air-flow and its air hygienic effectiveness}; Thomas G et al.; Statistics of wound infections demonstrate the linear dependence between postoperative wound infection and the quantity of bacteria in the air of operating theatres . In the most extensive examination series we have made as yet with a special work group of DGOT the quantity of bacteria in the air of non air-conditioned operating theatres and such fitted out with different aircleaning systems was determined . Non air-conditioned operating theatres proved so extremely infected that the risk of wound infection cannot be borne any more in the future . Also air-conditioned systems according to DIN 1946/4 with an average of 190 bacteria/m3 are not sufficiently secure for bone and joint surgery . In Switzerland for such operations a value of 10/m3 at the most is admissible . Such equivalents have been attained only with LAF until today . After extensive air tests the so-called "Keimstop"-system by Meierhans and Weber is to be considered the sole system suitable to supplement air conditioning DIN 1946/4 . This combination yields the same effect as the expensive LAF systems.

Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1981 Jan-Feb, 132A(1), 107 - 14
{Utilization of some analogues of glycerophosphate by the sulphate-reducing bacteria "Desulfovibrio vulgaris" (author's transl)}; Domka F et al.; Utilization of dihydroxyacetate phosphate, glyceraldehyde phosphate, 2-phosphoglyceric and 3-phosphoglyceric acids by the sulphate-reducing bacteria Desulfovibrio vulgaris has been studied . On the grounds of stoichiometric relations of reactants and thermodynamic considerations, suitable mechanisms have been proposed for the above reactions.

Can J Microbiol, 1981 Jan, 27(1), 144 - 7
Influence of methylheptenone and related phytoplankton norcarotenoids on heterotrophic aquatic bacteria; Reichardt W; Certain norcarotenoids, which have recently been found as excretion products of freshwater cyanobacteria and algae, are potent inhibitors of different metabolic functions in heterotrophic bacteria . 6-Methylhept-5-en-2-one showed the strongest effects and acted as a noncompetitive inhibitor of both glucose uptake and respiration by aquatic isolates of Chromobacterium lividum and Arthrobacter sp . Inhibition of the heterotrophic potential of glucose uptake by 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one was characterized by considerably lower inhibitor constants for bacterial cultures (Ki = 0.4 and 1.6 microM) than for a river water sample (Ki = 186.0 microM).

Arch Microbiol, 1981 Jan, 128(3), 267 - 70
The hydrophobicity of bacteria - an important factor in their initial adhesion at the air-water interface; Dahlback B et al.; Bacteria isolated from the surface and the subsurface water at four stations along the Swedish west coast were assessed for their hydrophobicity with hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) . The surface bacteria were sampled by the Teflon sheet technique . {3H}-L-leucine metabolically labeled isolates were run on a column packed with Octyl-Sepharose CL-4B gel . The relative hydrophobicity of the bacteria was expressed as the ratio, g/e, between the radioactivity of the gel and the eluate . The results revealed a positive correlation between the degree of enrichment of bacteria at the surface and their hydrophobicity . The subsurface bacteria exhibited a broader spectrum of g/e-values than the surface bacteria . The initial adhesion of bacteria to the surface microlayer depends on several factors of which the hydrophobic interaction may be one of the most important.

Acta Chir Scand, 1981, 147(4), 285 - 8
Quantitative recovery of contaminating bacteria at operation and the relation to postoperative infection in intestinal surgery; Claesson B et al.; In a prospective study of postoperative septic complications, young patients suffering mainly from inflammatory bowel disease were subjects to elective surgery . The bacterial concentration in the operative field was determined by an irrigation technique . When at least one of two irrigation fluids yielded greater than or equal to 50 CFU/ml of E . coli or S . aureus the risk of postoperative infection was highly increased (p less than 0.0001, Fisher's exact test).

Haematol Blood Transfus, 1981, 26, 355 - 9
The use of bacteria as markers of leukemic lymphocytes and for the isolation of natural killer cells; Teodorescu M et al.; Human lymphocyte subpopulations as well as leukemic lymphocytes can be identified and enumerated in blood smears by using bacteria that bind spontaneously to lymphocytes or by using bacteria to which antibodies are chemically coupled . The mechanism of natural binding of bacteria to lymphocytes was shown to involve a lectin on the lymphocyte surface and a carbohydrate on the bacteria . Also, we found that natural killer (NK) cells can be separated by negative selection using monolayers of bacteria . A subpopulation of T cells, identified by their binding of B . globigii, was shown to be suppressors for NK cells.

Biofizika, 1981 Jan-Feb, 26(1), 69 - 73
{Study of microwave photolosses in chromatophores of photosynthesizing Rhodospirillum rubrum bacteria}; Skachkov MP et al.; The study of photoinduced dielectric losses at frequency 10(10) c/s as function of samples humidity, heating and chemical treatment, intensity and wavelength of light is reported . The signals of microwave losses and differential spectrum signals are compared . The authors attribute the photolosses observed to the electrons localised in the realm between the primary and secondary acceptors during their reduction, probably being in the conductance quasiband of proteins in the photosynthetic reaction centre.

Mol Gen Genet, 1981, 181(2), 273 - 8
Influence of superinfection on the photoreversible phase of UV induced lysogenic bacteria; Theile M et al.; 1 . Lysogenic induction by UV light can be reversed by photoreactivation . UV-treated E . coli K12 (lambda)+ uvr+ and uvr cells are sensitive to photoreactivation for a given time after irradiation . This sensitivity suddenly disappears at the end of this time . 2 . The photoreversible period of UV induction is more than twice as long in uvr cells as it is in uvr+ cells . 3 . The photoreversible period can be reduced by superinfection with lambda c mutants after irradiation . This effect is positively correlated with the multiplicity of superinfection . Such a reduction does not occur when superinfection is carried out with wild-type phages or with heteroimmune derivatives . 4 . We concluded that during the photoreversible period of UV induction oligonucleotides are excised or synthesized and gaps are formed during excision repair and post replication repair of UV damage; these might react with E . coli recA protein thereby activating it to induce its own synthesis, to cleave phage repressors and to exert its other SOS functions.

Med Cutan Ibero Lat Am, 1981, 9(1), 41 - 4
{In vitro blastogenic response of lymphocytes in pityriasis capitis and dermatitis seborrheica (using PHA-mitogen, Pityrosporum ovale and bacteria)}; Vignale RA et al.; 63 patients with Pityriasis capitis (PC) "dandruff" and Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) as well as normal controls were studied . Antigenicity was checked "in vitro" by the lymphocytic transformation test . A significant transformation in the PC to P . ovale was observed while in SD it was to Stanphyloccocus and P . ovale . In view of results the authors suggest that there is a similar immunoalergic response in the host to those antigens . The clinic will differ according to the antigens . This is significant for a new local treatment and general.

Tex Rep Biol Med, 1981-82, 41, 150 - 7
Induction of interferon by bacteria, protozoa, and viruses: defensive role; Baron S et al.; Interferon is established as one of the natural defenses against virus infection . The evidence that interferon may serve a defensive role against certain protozoa is less complete and consists mainly of induction of interferon during protozoal infection, as well as interferon protection of mice against malarial infection . The evidence that interferon may function as a defense against certain bacterial infections is extended with data indicating that a wide variety of bacteria can induce interferon in the mouse and in cultured human peripheral lymphoid cells . This induction of interferon by bacteria and the ability of interferon under many conditions to activate neutrophils and macrophages raises the possibility that interferon may serve a defensive role against some bacteria.

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1981, 30(2), 203 - 12
The effect of culture medium composition and incubation time on synthesis of gibberellin-like substances by bacteria isolated from the roots of pine seedlings (Pinus silvestris L.); Pokojska-Burdziej A; It was found that synthesis of gibberellin-like substances by ten strains of Coryneform bacteria isolated from the roots of pine seedlings depended on both the composition of the medium and incubation time . More of these substances were produced in mineral medium with glucose in complex medium with casamino acids and yeast extract . Most gibberellin-like substances were found in 7 or 14-day old cultures . Culture supernatant fluids of most of the bacteria tested contained several gibberellin-like substances which on chromatograms run with the solvent system benzene, acetic acid (10:3, v/v) were located at Rf 0.0-0.3; 0.4-0.6 and 0.8-1.0.

Biochim Biophys Acta, 1980 Dec 22, 594(1), 33 - 51
Chlorophyll organization in green photosynthetic bacteria; Olson JM; Light-harvesting BChl c, d or e is thought to be located inside the rod elements which fill the chlorosome appressed to the inside of tbe cytoplasmic membrane of green photosynthetic bacteria . BChl a is known to be a part of BChl a-protein which forms a crystal-line baseplate between the rod elements in the chlorosome and the inside of the cytoplasmic membrane . Reaction-center complexes are most probably buried under the baseplate inside the membrane . Energy transfer is from BChl c, d or e in the rod elements to BChl a in the baseplate and then to BChl a in the reaction-center complexes . The rod elements in green sulfur bacteria are thought to be composed of approx . 15-kdalton protein subunits, each associated with 12-14 BChl c, d or e molecules . Six subunits would be required to form a 10-nm ring, and about 35 rings would be necessary to form a 100-nm rod element . The baseplate appears to be a two-dimensional crystal (trigonal space group P31) of BChl a-protein trimers with the 3(1) screw axis tilted 25 degrees out of the plane membrane . The reaction-center complex is thought to be made up of a 100-kdalton carotenoid reaction-center core and five 50-kdalton subunits, each containing seven BChl a molecules . Each reaction-center complex is apparently linked directly to two BChl a-protein trimers in the baseplate . The reaction centers in green sulfur bacteria may be of one type (containing P-840), or of two types (containing P-830 or P-842) . In filamentous gliding bacteria the reaction centers appear to contain only P-865 . The number of BChl a molecules in these reaction centers is not known, but is assumed to be at least two.

Antibiotiki, 1980 Dec, 25(12), 905 - 9
{Acylase activity of groups of actinomycetes and bacteria}; Penzikova GA et al.; The acylase activity of 113 actinomycetous strains and 71 bacterial strains was studied . A number of strains producing acylases, hydrolyzing phenoxymethylpenicillin was detected among the actinomycetous cultures and a number of strains producing acylases active against ampicillin and benzylpenicillin was detected among the bacterial cultures . These acylases may be used in production of semisynthetic beta-lactam antibiotics and their semiproducts.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1980 Dec, (12), 83 - 6
{Experience with the autovaccinal treatment of chronic carriers of typhoid bacteria}; Vetlugina KF et al.; Considering bacterial carriership as a special form of typhoid infection inducing the allergic transformation of the body with the development of delayed type hypersensitivity and believing that vaccinal therapy might be the most promising method for treating the states of this kind, the authors used autovaccine, introduced by the method of epicutaneous electrophoresis in accordance with Alisov's scheme, for the treatment of chronic carriers of typhoid bacteria . The subsequent prolonged (up to 20 years) observation of the carriers revealed that the release of the infective agents became less intensive and the number of persistent carriers decreased 2.5 times as compared with the control group of carriers treated with antibiotics and roborants . The results of the study of morphological changes occurring in the mucous membrane of the small intestine of the carriers indicated that after complex treatment the inflammatory process decreased and in some carriers disappeared.

Biophys J, 1980 Nov, 32(2), 733 - 53
A new approach to the theory of linear dichroism in partially ordered systems . Application to reaction centers and whole cells of photosynthetic bacteria; Nairn JA et al.; We have developed a new approach to the theory of linear dichroism in partially ordered systems . The description of the partially ordered ensemble uses a density of states function, D(theta, phi, approximately delta), which gives the probability that the direction of polarization for incident polarized light has spherical angles theta and phi in an axis system fixed with respect to the molecule; approximately delta = (delta 1, delta 2...delta n) is a set of parameters that describes the partial ordering . We derive new formulas for linear dichroism using the density of states function and then apply these formulas to the analysis of linear dichroism in reaction centers and whole cells of photosynthetic bacteria . One advantage of our approach is that the order parameter, approximately delta, provides a more complete description of the distribution function than the traditional order parameters used by other authors . Knowledge of approximately delta gives a good physical description of the partial ordering and allows one to calculate accurate limits for the range of possible orientations of the transition moments.

Lab Anim, 1980 Oct, 14(4), 293 - 6
Effect of steam temperature in the pelleting process of chicken food on the viability of contaminating bacteria; Furuta K et al.; Pellet feeds were prepared at 70, 80, 83 and 90 degrees C under constant steam pressure of 4.0 kg/cm2 . Under these conditions, the foods received 10 seconds of heat treatment, but treatment at 90 degrees C was found inappropriate since the food became slushy . Pelleting conditions examined in this study did not eliminate all contaminating bacteria, but coliforms from ingredients were killed when pelleting was conducted at over 80 degrees C . Concentrations of vitamins were not decreased during pelleting . The optimum temperature for pelleting food is considered to be 83 degrees C under the conditions investigated in this study.

Jpn J Exp Med, 1980 Oct, 50(5), 359 - 63
Detection of antibody-coated bacteria in the bile in experimental cholecystitis; Iwata K et al.; Detection of antibody-coated bacteria (A C B) in the bile sediment was tried in experimental cholecystitis which were produced in male rabbits by inoculation of mixture of E . coli and 5% sodium desoxycholate . A C B in the bile sediment was demonstrated in all cases by the direct immunofluorescent antibody technique . All cases showed positive cultures and all these isolates were the same strain as inoculated.

Science, 1980 Sep 19, 209(4463), 1392 - 6
Isolation of mutants of an animal virus in bacteria; Peden KW et al.; Mutants of animal viruses can be isolated in bacteria by recombinant DNA methods . Since no viral functions are required for propagation of recombinants in bacteria, viral mutants with lethal changes in cis- or trans-acting elements can be isolated, as well as partially or conditionally defective mutants . In the cases of viruses with small DNA genomes, such as the tumorigenic simian virus 40 (SV40), the entire viral DNA can be inserted into the bacterial plasmid pBR322 and cloned in Escherichia coli . Recombinant plasmids with a single copy of SV40 DNA cause morphological transformation of mouse cells in culture with the same efficiency as SV40 DNA isolated from virus-infected monkey cells, but the recombinant DNA is noninfectious and replicates poorly in permissive cells . However, SV40 DNA excised from the plasmid replicates as well as authentic viral DNA and is fully infectious . SV40 mutants with small deletions or base substitutions have been isolated by in vitro site-specific or random local mutagenesis of recombinant DNA followed by cloning in E . coli . Many of the mutants thus isolated are defective in specific viral functions.

Science, 1980 Sep 19, 209(4463), 1428 - 30
A technique for expressing eukaryotic genes in bacteria; Guarente L et al.; Methods are described that allow efficient expression in Escherichia coli of cloned eukaryotic genes . The methods require that the coding sequence of the gene in question be available in a form uninterrupted by intervening sequences (for example, as a complementary DNA clone) . The gene products are synthesized unfused to other amino acid sequences . The genetic manipulations are simple, and require the plasmids described and commercially available enzymes.

Helv Chir Acta, 1980 Sep, 47(3-4), 493 - 504
{Optimum utilization of the ventilation system to reduce airborne bacteria in operating rooms}; Wanner HU et al.; In 4 operating theatres with 4 different air-conditioning equipments, the number of bacteria per m3 circulating air in the neighbourhood of the open wound has been investigated . The testing has been performed on comparable aseptic operations . The worst results were obtained in 2 conventional theatres, equipped with a modern-up-to-date air-conditioning . The number of bacteria was ranging between 230 and 270 per m3 . A much better results was obtained in a theatre, equipped with a so-called germ-stop-wall, dividing the theatre into 2 sections, separating the surgical team and the open wound completely from the anaesthesist and other staff . With this arrangement, 45 germs per m3 were found . The best result with no bacteria at all is present in a vertical flow-enclosure with an exchange rate of 32 per hour . According to our 10-year experience, for aseptic surgery sterile air techniques should be adopted to improve asepsis and to decrease the risk of postoperative infection.

J Clin Microbiol, 1980 Sep, 12(3), 355 - 60
Analysis of three variables in sampling solutions used to assay bacteria of hands: type of solution, use of antiseptic neutralizers, and solution temperature; Larson EL et al.; Tests were performed using the sterile bag technique to determine the effects of type of sampling solution, use of antiseptic neutralizers, and solution temperature on the detection and quantitation of bacteria on hands . Using paired hand cultures, three sampling solutions were compared: quarter-strength Ringer solution, a phosphate buffer containing Triton X-100, and the same buffer containing antiseptic neutralizers . The phosphate buffer containing Triton X-100 was significantly better than quarter-strength Ringer solution in mean bacterial yield; the neutralizer-containing sampling solution was slightly better than Triton X-100-containing solution, although differences were not significant at the P = 0.05 level . Temperature (6 or 23 degrees C) of the sampling solution showed no consistent effect on bacterial yield from hands tested with the fluid containing neutralizers.

Mikrobiologiia, 1980 Sep-Oct, 49(5), 804 - 12
{Sulfur and iron cycling bacteria in low-sulfate meromictic Lake Kuznechikha}; Gorlenko VM et al.; The hydrochemical characteristics, the composition of species and the localization of bacterial species involved in oxidation of sulfide and ferrous salts were studied in the meromictic Lake Kuznechikha with a low sulfate content in summer and in winter . The rate of bacterial sulfate reduction and the rates of bacterial and algal photosynthesis were determined using a radioisotope technique . The meromictic nature of the lake is due to the accumulation of ferrous salts (up to 212 mg/l Fe2+) in the monimolimnion . Free hydrogen sulfide is absent whereas the concentration of sulfides at the bottom reaches 16.5 mg/l . Hydrogen sulfide is produced mainly by sulfate reducing bacteria which are particularly active (0.35 mg of H2S per day) in the surface layer of reduced ooze . The photosynthetic green bacteria Chloronema giganteum, Chlorochromatium aggregatum, Chloroplana vacuolata and Pelochromatium roseum, the thiobacilli Thiobacillus intermedius and Th . trautweinii, the iron bacteria Ochrobium tectum and Arthrobacter sp . (Siderocapsa sp.) are found in the zone of chemocline at a depth of 6 m in the summer . The primary production of the phytoplankton in the summer is 160 mg C per 1 m2 per day while the production of the phototrophic bacteria is 100 mg C per 1 m2 per day . The fixation of carbon dioxide in the dark is performed mainly by heterotrophic bacteria . In the winter, the frontier of the anaerobic zone rises to the surface and photosynthetic bacteria are absent from it.

Mikrobiologiia, 1980 Sep-Oct, 49(5), 687 - 94
{Role of exogenous carbon dioxide in the metabolism of methane-oxidizing bacteria}; Romanovskaia VA et al.; The object of this work was to study the ability of methane oxidizing bacteria to use CO2 as an acceptor of electrons liberated in methane oxidation and the role of CO2 fixation in the constructive metabolism of the bacteria . All of the studied methane oxidizing bacterial cultures were found to be capable of fixing the 14C of hydrocarbonate . The activity of the process was shown to be similar in different strains . Up to 30% of the carbon in the biomass composition could originate from the carbon of HCO3- . Methane oxidizing bacteria that assimilated C1-compounds via the hexulose phosphate and serine pathways had the same level of HCO3- fixation . No differences were found among strains of the same species, among species, or among genera . The assimilation of HCO3- was catalyzed by PEP-carboxylase (i . e . in a heterotrophous way) or, in some cultures, by ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase, the key enzyme in the autotrophous pathway of CO2 assimilation . The enzymological mechanisms of HCO3- assimilation are discussed . The biological role of CO2 fixation in the metabolism of methane oxidizing bacteria that use the hexulose phosphate and serine pathways of methane assimilation may be different . The process can either play the role of anapleurotic reactions in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, or be an element of the serine pathway of methane assimilation . Calculations have shown that the extent to which a substrate to be metabolized is reduced seems to determine the activity of exogenous CO2 fixation . The contribution made by HCO3- fixation into the carbon metabolism of methane oxidizing bacteria confirms that they are related to lithotrophous organisms.

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