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 estab