Mikrobiologiia, 1980 Sep-Oct, 49(5), 682 - 6 {Thiosulfate oxidation by nonsulfur purple bacteria}; Keppen OI et al.; The capability to oxidize thiosulfate was studied in 11 cultures of purple bacteria belonging to Rhodomicrobium vannielii, Rhodopseudmonas viridis, Rh . sphaeroides, Rh . capsulata, and Rhodospirillum rubrum . All the bacteria oxidized thiosulfate under aerobic conditions in the dark . The strains 2R, 8259, A1, A2 and D1 of Rh . sphaeroides oxidized thiosulfate under anaerobic conditions in the light, and the process was coupled with carbon dioxide fixation . All the strains contained thiosulfate reductase, and the majority of them possessed also the activity of thiosulfate oxidase and sulfite oxidase. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1980 Sep, 40(3), 608 - 12 Association of methanogenic bacteria with rumen ciliates; Vogels GD et al.; In 11 species of rumen ciliates belonging to nine genera of the family Ophryoscolecidae (order Entodiniomorphida) an ectosymbiosis with methanogenic bacteria was found . The bacteria could be identified as methanogens on the basis of the presence of specific fluorescent coenzymes (F350 and F420) . This somatic interaction may reflect a metabolic interaction in which efficient interspecies hydrogen transfer benefits both partners. J Bacteriol, 1980 Sep, 143(3), 1275 - 80 Pyridine nucleotide control and subunit structure of phosphoribulokinase from photosynthetic bacteria; Tabita FR; With one exception, phosphoribulokinase from the Rhodospirillaceae requires reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide for maximum activity . This mode of regulation is unique to the facultatively anaerobic photoorganotrophic photosynthetic bacteria, since the phosphoribulokinase from oxygen-evolving photosynthetic species is not subject to activation by reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide . The enzyme was purified of fructose bisphosphatase activity from Rhodopseudomonas capsulata by means of affinity chromatography and was shown to have a native molecular weight of about 220,000 . The homogeneous enzyme is composed of a single size polypeptide of 36,000 molecular weight . This study represents the first time the subunit structure of phosphoribulokinase has been determined from any source. Nature, 1980 Aug 7, 286(5773), 561 - 4 New findings in methane-utilizing bacteria highlight their importance in the biosphere and their commercial potential; Higgins IJ et al.; Recent results, showing that the ubiquitous methane-utilizing bacteria (methanotrophs) can partially oxidize and, in some cases, extensively metabolize complex organic compounds, call for a reappraisal of their role in the cycling of elements in the biosphere . Possible environmental implications and opportunities for industrial exploitation are discussed. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1980 Aug 5, 592(1), 53 - 64 Energy transfer and bacteriochlorophyll fluorescence in purple bacteria at low temperature; Rijgersberg CP et al.; Emission spectra of bacteriochlorophyll a fluorescence and absorption spectra of various purple bacteria were measured at temperatures between 295 and 4 K . For Rhodospirillum rubrum the relative yield of photochemistry was measured in the same temperature region . In agreement with earlier results, sharpening and shifts of absorption bands were observed upon cooling to 77 K . Below 77 K further sharpening occurred . In all species an absorption band was observed at 751-757 nm . The position of this band and its amplitude relative to the concentration of reaction centers indicate that this band is due to reaction center bacteriopheophytin . The main infrared absorption band of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides strain R26 is resolved in two bands at low temperature, which may suggest that there are two pigment-protein complexes in this species . Emission bands, like the absorption bands, shifted and sharpened upon cooling . The fluorescence yield remained constant or even decreased in some species between room temperature and 120 K, but showed an increased below 120 K . This increase was most pronounced in species, such as R . rubrum, which showed single banded emission spectra . In Chromatium vinosum three (835, 893 and 934 nm) and in Rps . sphaeroides two (888 and 909 nm) emission bands were observed at low temperature . The temperature dependence of the amplitudes of the short wavelength bands indicated the absence of a thermal equilibrium for the excitation energy distribution in C . vinosum and Rps . sphaeroides . In all species the increased in the yield was larger when all reaction centers were photochemically active than when the reaction centers were closed . In R . rubrum the increase in the fluorescence yield was accompanied by a decrease of the quantum yield of charge separation upon excitation of the antenna but not of the reaction center chlorophyll . Calculation of the Forster resonance integral at various temperatures indicated that the increase in fluorescence yield and the decrease in the yield of photochemistry may be due to a decrease in the rate of energy transfer between antenna bacteriochlorophyll molecules . The energy transfer from carotenoids to bacteriochlorophyll was independent of the temperature in all species examined . The results are discussed in terms of existing models for energy transfer in the antenna pigment system. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {C}, 1980 Aug, 88(4), 187 - 90 Bacteria associated with acute otitis media have high Clq binding capacity; Prellner K; A simple, rapid and sensitive radioimmunologic method for demonstrating Clq binding to bacteria is described . Various bacteria were shown to bind Clq without the participation of antibodies . Great differences in Clq binding levels between different types and strains of S . pneumoniae were found . A high uptake of Clq was observed for many pneumococcal strains of type VI, XIX and XXIII and also for non-typable strains of H . influenzae and B . catarrhalis . Other bacteria tested, including H . influenzae types a-f, demonstrated less capacity to bind Clq. Gene, 1980 Aug, 10(3), 273 - 81 Recombination of a eukaryotic DNA in bacteria; Carroll D et al.; Single, 824 bp repeating units of xenopus laevis oocyte-type 5S DNA were inserted into the recombination vectors, lambda rva and lambda rvb . When the inserts had the same orientation with respect to the lambda chromosomes . Spi- imm434 recombinants were recovered by selection on a P2, lambda double lysogenic host . Because of the structure of the vectors, the crossover point in each recombinant must lie completely within the 5S DNA insert . The physical characteristics of these recombinants were determined by examination of restriction enzyme digests . By use of RecA mutant hosts and the Red- vector, lambda rvc, recombination frequencies were measured separately for the bacterial and phage systems . Some of the recombination events resulted in 5S DNA inserts of altered length due to unequal crossovers within repeated sequences in the 5S DNA spacer . The occurrence of just such events in frog 5S DNA had been predicted, based on the structure of 5S DNA and evolutionary considerations. Can J Comp Med, 1980 Jul, 44(3), 304 - 8 Pathogenesis of experimental Leptospira interrogans serotype icterohaemorrhagiae infection in the guinea pigs: possible role of endotoxin of intestinal bacteria in the development of lesions; Higgins R et al.; Germ-free guinea pigs were infected with a virulent strain of Leptospira interrogans serotype icterohaemorrhagiae to evaluate the possible role of endotoxin of intestinal bacteria in the development of hemorrhages and hepatic and renal failure . Clinical manifestations, necropsy findings and histological lesions were similar to those seen in control animals . In the second part of the experiment, endotoxin was not detected by the Limulus test in the blood of ten guinea pigs during the five day course of leptospirosis. J Biochem (Tokyo), 1980 Jul, 88(1), 211 - 21 Regulation of cell wall mycolic acid biosynthesis in acid-fast bacteria . I . Temperature-induced changes in mycolic acid molecular species and related compounds in Mycobacterium phlei; Toriyama S et al.; Molecular species of two major subclasses of mycolic acids from Mycobacterium phlei, alpha-mycolic acids (M1) and dicarboxy mycolic acids (M3), were separated gas-chromatographically and identified mass-spectrometrically . The mycolic acid compositions of extractable and cell wall bound lipids were markedly influenced by growth temperature . Increasing growth temperature from 20 degrees C to 50 degrees C resulted in an increase in longer chain species of both mycolisc acid subclasses with a concomitant decrease in shorter chain homologues . The most abundant molecular species were C76 and C58 of M1 and M3 in the 20 degrees C grown cells, while the 50 degrees C grown cells contained C80 in M1 and C62 in M3, most abundantly . Changes in mycolic acid composition occurred rapidly after growth temperature was raised from 20 degrees C to 50 degrees C with an increase in C62 and a concomitant decrease in C58 . Mass fragmentographic analysis revealed that an increase in total carbon numbers of mycolic acids was caused by the elongation of straight chain alkyl unit, without any changes in alpha-branch . Changes in the molecular species composition of secondary alcohols presumably derived from the ester mycolic acids were also observed and an increase in longer species (C20-ol-2) with a concomitant decrease in shorter ones (C18-ol-2) was noted as the temperature rose . An increase in the growth temperature also resulted in a decrease in unsaturated fatty acids in extractable lipids . These observations suggest that mycobacteria alter the molecular species composition of mycolic acid subclasses and phospholipids, in response to growth temperature, to maintain a suitable membrane function. J Bacteriol, 1980 Jul, 143(1), 448 - 54 Heterotrophic bacteria from cultures of autotrophic Thiobacillus ferrooxidans: relationships as studied by means of deoxyribonucleic acid homology; Harrison AP Jr et al.; From several presumably pure cultures of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, we isolated a pair of stable phenotypes . One was a strict autotroph utilizing sulfur or ferrous iron as the energy source and unable to utilize glucose; the other phenotype was an acidophilic obligate heterotroph capable of utilizing glucose but not sulfur or ferrous iron . The acidophilic obligate heterotroph not only was encountered in cultures of T . ferrooxidans, but also was isolated with glucose-mineral salts medium, pH 2.0, directly from coal refuse . By means of deoxyribonucleic acid homology, we have demonstrated that the acidophilic heterotrophs are of a different genotype from T . ferrooxidans, not closely related to this species; we have shown also that the acidophilic obligate heterotrophs, regardless of their source of isolation, are related to each other . Therefore, cultures of T . ferrooxidans reported capable of utilizing organic compounds should be carefully examined for contamination . The acidophilic heterotrophs isolated by us are different from T . acidophilis, which is also associated with T . ferrooxidans but is facultative, utilizing both glucose and elemental sulfur as energy sources . Since they are so common and tenacious in T . ferrooxidans cultures, the heterotrophs must be associated with T . ferrooxidans in the natural habitat. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1980 Jul, 40(1), 163 - 5 Inhibition of nitrate reduction in some rumen bacteria by tungstate; Prins RA et al.; Tungstate prevented the formation of active nitrate reductase in growing rumen bacteria capable of nitrate reduction, but did not directly inhibit the enzyme activity of all strains tested. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1980 Jul, 77(7), 3988 - 92 Bacteria mature preproinsulin to proinsulin; Talmadge K et al.; By inserting the rat preproinsulin gene into the bacterial prepenicillinase gene, we formed a variety of hybrid bacterial-eukaryotic signal sequences attached to proinsulin . Among these were the four following constructions: rat proinsulin attached to the entire penicillinase signal sequence and rat preproinsulin fused to all of, to half of, or only to the first four amino acids of the bacterial signal sequence . In all four cases, more than 90% of the rat insulin antigen appeared in the periplasmic space . By immunoprecipitation and determination of the amino acid sequences of the radiolabeled products, we show that the bacteria correctly process both the bacterial and the eukaryotic signal sequences of these hybrid proteins . The cleavage of the eukaryotic signal by bacterial peptidase, in this case, generates proinsulin. Biokhimiia, 1980 Jul, 45(7), 1298 - 304 {Cyclic electron transfer and membrane potential generation in chromatophores on non-sulfur bacteria Rhodospirillum rubrum}; Remennikov VG et al.; The uptake of permeant anions by cells and chromatophores of the non-sulfur purple bacteria R . rubrum has been studied . Antimycin A causes biphasic inhibition of the light-induced uptake of tetraphenylborate anions (TB-) by the cells and the isolated chromatophores incubated under anaerobic conditions . The first phase is observed at small concentrations of antimycin and is due to its effect as an inhibitor of the cyclic electron transfer . The second phase is observed at concentrations higher than 1 microM and is due to its effect as an uncoupler of photophosphorylation . The inhibitory effect of antimycin is greatly enhanced under aerobic conditions and is due to its effect as an uncoupler of photophosphorylation . The innic cyclic redox chain in the isolated and intracellular chromatophores is apparently operated in two regimens: 1) as a chain including all redox components and, 2) as a chain functioning without cytochromes of the b type. Proc R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 1980 Jun 24, 208(1171), 121 - 33 The Leeuwenhoek Lecture, 1978 . Bacteria as proper subjects for cancer research; Cairns J; Cancers are clones of abnormal cells, arising presumably as the result of mutational or epignetic alterations of gene expression . The kinetics of appearance of spontaneous cancers in populations of multiplying cells (i.e . the relation between age and cancer incidence) will therefore depend, among other things, on how these populations are organized and, in general, on the kinetics of the response of cells to prolonged mutagenesis . The organization of cell renewal in epithelia (i.e . the arrangement of cell lineages) is still rather obscure; in particular, it is not known to what extent the properties and organization of the stem cells tend to protect them from accumulating mutations . We have tried to mimic the arrangement of epithelia by attaching multiplying bacteria to filters . Study of mutagenesis in long-term cultures of such anchored bacterial has led to the discovery of some additional pathways for DNA repair which also appear to operate in mammalian cells. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1980 Jun 10, 591(1), 203 - 7 Seven-fold exciton splitting of the 810-nm band in bacteriochlorophyll A-proteins from green photosynthetic bacteria; Whitten WB et al.; We report comparative absorbance and fourth derivative absorbance spectra of two different bacteriochlorophyll a-proteins at 5 K in each of two different cryogenic solvent mixtures . In previous studies at 5 K each protein was observed in only one of these mixtures (not the same one) . For the protein from Prosthecochloris aestuarii strain 2K, whose structure is known, the solvent effect is relatively small; for the protein from Chlorobium limicola f . sp . thiosulfatophilum strain 6230 (Tassajara), the effect is much more pronounced . From these results together with earlier results at 300 K, we conclude there may be slight conformational differences of the Prosthecochloris protein between the crystalline form used for X-ray diffraction studies and that in a cryogenic solvent . By comparing spectral features of the two proteins in the same solvent, we are able for the first time to assign all seven of the expected exciton levels in each protein . These occur at 793, 801, 806, 810, 814, 819, and 825 nm in the Prosthecochloris protein, and at 793, 802, 806, 810, 816, 820, and 823 nm in the Chlorobium protein. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1980 Jun, 39(6), 1144 - 7 Effect of titanium (III) citrate as reducing agent on growth of rumen bacteria; Jones GA et al.; We compared the growth of 10 strains of rumen bacteria in an anaerobic medium reduced with cysteine hydrochloride, dithiothreitol, or titanium (III) citrate . The redox potential of medium reduced with cysteine hydrochloride was -167.8 mV; with dithiothreitol it was -175.8 mV; and with titanium(III) citrate it was -302.4 mV at a concentration of 5 X 10(-4) M titanium and -403.9 mV at 2 X 10(-3) M titanium . Maximum growth of the strains was generally lower with dithiothreitol or titanium(III) citrate than with cysteine hydrochloride, although growth was greater than in medium lacking an added reducing agent . Strains for which cysteine was required or markedly stimulatory grew only poorly with titanium(III) citrate . No strain grew in medium with sodium citrate as the energy source . Titanium(III) citrate could be used to reduce anaerobic media for some rumen bacteria if the exclusion of a sulfur-containing reducing agent is required. Can J Microbiol, 1980 Jun, 26(6), 714 - 8 Comparative studies of nitrogen-fixing bacteria associated with grasses in Israel with Azospirillum brasilense; Nur I et al.; Free-living, dinitrogen-fixing bacteria associated with roots of grasses were isolated from several locations in Israel . Bacteria with characteristics similar to those of Azospirillum were isolated from Cynodon dactylon roots and were compared with Azospirillum brasilense from Brasil (Sp-7) and from California (Cd) . Colonies of the Israeli isolates were yellow and consisted of curved rods, 0.5-0.6 micron in diameter with polar flagella, whereas colonies of A . brasilense were pink (Sp-7) and red (Cd) and the cells were 1.0-1.1 micron in diameter with polar flagella . Ultraviolet absorption spectra of soluble c and membrane-bound c and b cytochromes were similar in all isolates . When grown in semisolid agar medium with or without ammonium chloride all isolates formed a growth zone below the surface . However, they grew best under aerobic conditions in liquid medium containing NH4Cl . All isolates could use salts of malate and lactate, arabinose, and galactose, but not mannitol, as sole carbon sources; they did not need biotin to shorten their lag phase . One Israeli isolate was capable of growing and fixing nitrogen with glucose as a sole carbon source . The Israeli isolates formed aggregates above pH 7.6 in liquid or semisolid medium and were capable of reducing nitrate to nitrogen gas under anaerobic conditions. Scand J Dent Res, 1980 Jun, 88(3), 201 - 9 Effects of 2-deoxy D-glucose and other sugar analogues on acid production from sugars by human dental plaque bacteria; Roberts KR et al.; Solutions (10-25 microM) of D-glucose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, D-fructose, sucrose, maltose, lactose and maltotriose were readily metabolised to acid (140-250 mumol H+ wet g-1h-1) by anaerobic suspensions of fresh plaque at pH 7.5 . D-Mannose, D-galactose, D-glucosamine and trehalose were broken down more slowly (35-115 mumol H+ wet g-1h-1) . Inhibition of this acid production occurred on adding excess amounts of 2-deoxy-D-glucose or 5-thio-D-glucose . Similarly, excess amounts of cellobiose specifically inhibited acid liberation from lactose . No acid production was detected from a number of other sugars and sugar derivatives, some of which may be useful sucrose substitutes. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 1980 May 15, 105(10), 408 - 11 {Disease and depressed egg production in turkeys resulting from the use of a semen diluent contaminated by bacteria (author's transl)}; van Eck JH et al.; A report on acute disease and irreversible depression of egg production in turkeys associated with considerable economic losses, probably due to bacterial contamination of the semen diluent . The disease was almost completely reproduced experimentally using remainders of this semen diluent and a suspension of bacteria isolated from the diluent . On post-mortem examination, active ovaries, chronic peritonitis, residues of yolk in the abdomen and inflammation of the infundibulum were observed . In view of the presence of pathological changes in this portion of the oviduct, the depressed egg production was probably due to impairment of function of the infundibulum. Mikrobiologiia, 1980 May-Jun, 49(3), 535 - 40 {Effect of different methods of passage through a plant host on the effectiveness of clover nodule bacteria}; Lapinskas EB; Four strains of clover nodule bacteria of different effectiveness and origin were studied . Each of the strains was passed through the host plant one, two, three and four times . The conventional laboratory technique was used as well as a new one developed by the author for field conditions . The effectiveness and virulence of the parent and passed strains were assayed in vegetation experiments, and were found to increase if the strains were passed through the host plant four times, particularly, in the field conditions (by 64%) . However, one strain, which was passed 1-2 times under the laboratory conditions, lost its effectiveness. Mikrobiologiia, 1980 May-Jun, 49(3), 497 - 501 {Biological significance of nucleosomes in bacteria}; Biriuzova VI et al.; The paper presents data concerning the structural organization of specialized membrane structures in bacterial cells, viz . nucleoidosomes involved in DNA replication . A possible correlation between the number of homologous chromosomes in a nucleoid, the presence of nucleodosomes and their dimensions is discussed . Apparently, the role of nucleoidosomes is to increase the active surface of a plasmalemma region necessary to locate the replicative centers of circular DNA molecules in bacterial nucleoids. Mikrobiologiia, 1980 May-Jun, 49(3), 401 - 7 {Nitrogenase and hydrogenase activities of the non-sulfur purple bacteria, Rhodopseudomonas spheroides and Rhodopseudomonas capsulata}; Serebriakova LT et al.; The greatest rate of acetylene reduction by Rhodopseudomonas spheroides and Rhodopseudomonas capsulata strains was found in the light in the presence of pyruvate, malate or lactate as well as, in the case of Rh . capsulata, in the presence of 10% H2 . The activity of nitrogenase was higher in cells grown in the medium with malate than in cells cultivated in the medium with lactate . All the three strains of Rh . spheroides were characterized by a direct correlation between the rates of H2 photoproduction and C2H2 photoreduction . Such a correlation was not found for Rh . capsulata strains . This can be attributed to the fact that Rh . capsulata strains capable of effective H2 uptake utilize hydrogen evolved in the light in the presence of nitrogenase from organic substrates in order to reduce endogenous electron acceptors or acetylene, i.e . its recyclization takes place . In contrast to Rh . capsulata, Rh . spheroides cells exhibit a weaker hydrogenase activity measured in terms of hydrogen evolution and hydrogen uptake . The uptake of H2 is most active at the account of endogenous H-acceptors or in the presence of benzyl viologen and methylene blue but not methyl viologen. Infect Immun, 1980 May, 28(2), 368 - 72 Polyclonal activation of human lymphocytes by bacteria; Rasanen L et al.; The proliferative response of human unseparated lymphocytes, T cells, and B cells to various bacterial strains was investigated . All the bacteria tested induced a proliferative response in unseparated lymphocytes and B cells . T cells were stimulated only after reconstitution with monocytes . Stimulation of umbilical cord blood lymphocytes suggests that the response is polyclonal . We interpret these and previous data as an indication of a common mechanism of resistance against infectious diseases. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1980 May, 17(5), 798 - 802 5-epi-Sisomicin and 5-epi-Gentamicin B: substrates for aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes that retain activity against aminoglycoside-resistant bacteria; Vastola AP et al.; A number of bacterial strains, each possessing a different aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme, were examined for susceptibility to sisomicin and gentamicin B and the semisynthetic derivatives 5-epi-sisomicin and 5-epi-gentamicin B . Although strains possessing AAC (6') or APH(3') enzymes were equally resistant to the 5-epi-compounds, those possessing AAC(3)-I, ANT(2"), or AAC(2') enzymes were much more sensitive to the 5-epi derivatives . Analysis of partially purified aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes from the strains showed that the 5-epi compounds were substrates even for those enzymes found in susceptible strains {AAC(3)-I, ANT(2"), and AAC(2')} . However, a more detailed study of the enzymes showed that they had much increased Km values for the 5-epi derivatives; the 5-epi compounds were much less effectively modified than the parent antibiotics . This confirms and extends the notion that enzymatic modification of aminoglycosides is not in itself sufficient to confer resistance to the drugs, but also that the modification must be efficient, as reflected in the Km values. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1980 May, 39(5), 1059 - 66 Digestion of epithelial tissue of the rumen wall by adherent bacteria in infused and conventionally fed sheep; Dinsdale D et al.; Comparisons were made, by light and electron microscopy, of the rumen epithelium of sheep fed conventionally and fed by infusion of volatile fatty acids and buffer into the rumen and casein into the abomasum . Similar bacterial colonization of the epithelium was observed in each case . The mitotic index of epithelial cells in infused sheep was high, as it was in barley-fed animals, while the mitotic index of cells from animals receiving roughage was low . The bacterial flora appeared to be actively digesting the epithelial cells . The fate of sloughed epithelial cells in the rumen fluid of sheep fed by infusion was also studied . The sloughed cells were rapidly digested, probably by their attached flora of facultatively anaerobic, highly proteolytic bacteria, leaving abundant highly keratinized remnants in rumen fluid . The importance of epithelial cell turnover and of proteolysis by partially facultative bacteria in the rumen is discussed. Can J Microbiol, 1980 Apr, 26(4), 464 - 7 {Effect of light intensity on the content of bacteriochlorophyll and on the growth of phototrophic marine sulfur bacteria}; Matheron R et al.; Eight strains of Chromatiaceae isolated from marine sediments are cultivated under light intensities of 50-5000 lx . A decreased in the light intensity brings about an increase in the specific bacteriochlorophyll content and also in the length of development . In certain strains, the increase in pigment contents partly compensates for the loss in light intensity, up to the maximum concentration of bacteriochlorophyll . This mechanism is only a physiological compatibility which ensures the survival of these organisms under feeble light intensities. Biokhimiia, 1980 Apr, 45(4), 644 - 51 {Isolation and properties of DNA polymerase from extreme thermophylic bacteria Thermus aquaticus YT-1}; Kaledin AS et al.; A DNA polymerase has been isolated from the thermophylic bacteria Thermus aquaticus YT-1 . The six-step purification procedure resulted in an electrophoretically homogeneous enzyme preparation with molecular weight of about 62 000 . The enzyme does not contain contaminant exo- and endonuclease activities and has a temperature optimum on the DNA templates at 70 degress and that on RNA matrices at 50 degrees . The maximal activity of the enzyme requires the presence of bivalent cations (magnesium or manganese) 0,1--0,2 M KCl or NaCl, all deoxynucleoside triphosphates and template in the incubation mixture . The enzyme is active when "activated" DNA, poly(dA)-poly(dT), poly(dA)-oligo(dT)10 and poly(rA)-oligo(dT)10 are used as templates and is inactive on the native and denaturated DNAs as well as on the native molecules of RNA and poly(rC)-oligo(dG)12--180. J Gen Microbiol, 1980 Apr, 117(2), 411 - 8 The uptake and metabolism of bacteria, amino acids, glucose and starch by the spined and spineless forms of the rumen ciliate Entodinium caudatum; Coleman GS et al.; Spined and spineless forms of Entodinium caudatum were obtained by growth in vivo in the presence and absence, respectively, of Entodinium bursa . Washed suspensions of both forms engulfed all the bacteria tested although the spined form took them up 1.3 to 1.9 times more rapidly per unit volume of protozoon than did the spineless form . Buytrivibrio fibrisolvens and Selenomonas ruminantium were rapidly digested by the spined form after engulfment . Free amino acids were taken up on average 3.1 times and glucose approximately 60 times faster per unit volume of protozoon by the spined form . Limited amounts of protein were synthesized by the spined form from glucose and starch but engulfed bacteria and, to a lesser extent, free amino acids were probably the prinicpal sources of protein for growth of both forms. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1980 Apr, 77(4), 2163 - 7 Direct transfer of cloned genes from bacteria to mammalian cells; Schaffner W; Induction of a virus infection by cloned simian virus 40 DNA was chosen as a test system to detect transfer of genes from bacteria to cultured mammalian cells . Escherichia coli cells containing a recombinant plasmid with three tandem inserts of simian virus 40 DNA were able to infect CV-1 monkey cells under various conditions . The gene transfer was resistant to DNase I and therefore seems not to occur via free DNA but most likely via uptake of whole bacteria, followed by release of plasmid DNA and generation of infectious circular simian virus 40 DNA in a recombination-excision process . Spontaneous transfer was found to be infrequent, 4 x 10(9) bacteria yielding one infection per 10(7) monkey cells . The frequency was greatly increased by adding bacteria as a calcium phosphate coprecipitate or by fusion of lysozyme-treated bacteria (protoplasts) with monkey cells in the presence of polyethylene glycol . With the latter technique, 10(4) protoplasts gave rise to one infection per 15 monkey cells . Experiments with other cell lines of human, monkey, and mouse origin, and also with bacteria harboring another recombinant plasmid, indicate that DNA transfer from bacteria to mammalian cells is a general phenomenon. Can J Microbiol, 1980 Mar, 26(3), 318 - 23 Distribution of viable marine bacteria in neritic seawater around Japan; Kogure K et al.; The direct viable court (DVC) method of determining the number of living bacteria in natural seawater was applied to samples collected from areas around Japan ranging from polluted to oligotrophic . In summer, the DVC comprised 1.5-39.8% (mean, 11.2%) of the total direct count (TDC) in Tokyo Bay, which was highly eutrophic . In offshore areas (Sagami Bay and the Kuroshio region), the percentages ranged from 0.7 to 7.9 (mean 2.8%) . In winter, slightly higher percentages were observed in Sagami Bay . The majority of DVC cells were free-living . The distruction of bacteria correlated closely with particulate or dissolved organic matter. Br J Dermatol, 1980 Mar, 102(3), 267 - 75 The demonstration of bacteria on and within the stratum corneum using scanning electron microscopy; Malcolm SA et al.; Using scanning electron microscopy it has been possible to demonstrate the location of bacteria on and within the stratum corneum of the human foot . Biopsies taken either by sectioning or by removing stratum corneum with cyanoacrylate ester adhesive were examined using a Jeol JSM-T20 scanning electron microscope . Bacteria could be seen easily on specimens from skin which had been occluded to increase the number of bacteria present . On the surface, bacteria were scattered widely in small colonies (usually containing less than ten bacteria) . Although bacteria could be seen around the orifice of sweat ducts they did not preferentially favour these sites . Within the stratum corneum, bacteria could be found as relatively large colonies but these were usually associated with sweat ducts or the underside of the furrows in the skin surface . This study suggests that, in normal skin, bacteria are able to colonize both the surface and the depths of the stratum corneum. Zentralbl Bakteriol A, 1980 Mar, 246(2), 236 - 75 Deoxyribonucleic acid base composition of bacteria; Hollander R et al.; As the base composition of deoxyribonucleic acid has become a highly significant parameter in the taxonomy of bacteria, a reference list for the known deoxyribonucleic acid base composition (G + C) values of bacteria is given which compiles the data published between 1972 and 1978. Mikrobiologiia, 1980 Mar-Apr, 49(2), 253 - 7 {Reduction of respiration and glucose uptake by bacteria after lyophilization}; Osin NS et al.; The techniques of delayed fluorescence and potentiometry were used to study the restoration of respiration and the rate of glucose assimilation by E . coli M-17 rehydrated after lyophilization in various dehydrating media . The activity of respiration and the rate of glucose assimilation decreased after lyophilization, particularly if the cells were freeze-dried without protecting agents . The restoration of respiration and glucose assimilation to the stationary level took 20--60 min after rehydratation . The stationary level was lower than the level of respiration and glucose assimilation before lyophilization . The decrease in respiration and glucose assimilation after lyophilization correlated with the determination of the number of viable cells by the culturing technique only for effective protecting media, viz . sucrose-gelatin and milk . The absence of such a correlation for cells dehydrated in media with low-effective protecting properties is presumed to be due to their synthetic processes being disturbed and genetic damages. Biofizika, 1980 Mar-Apr, 25(2), 239 - 41 {Effect of deuteration on the kinetics of photoinduced electron transport in the reaction centers of purple bacteria}; Noks PP et al.; Substitution of H2O for D2O in the preparations of reaction centres from chromatophore membranes of photosynthesizing bacteria Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides, 1760-1 results in a decrease of the efficiency of direct electron transfer from photoreduced primary quinone X1- to the secondary ones and in rising possibilities for reversible reaction X1- with photooxidized bacteriochlorophyll . The value of isotope effect which does not usually exceed 1.2 depends on temperature; it is not found in the temperature range below -60 degrees divided by -80 degrees C. Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1980 Mar, 89(3), 324 - 6 {Adsorption of lambda phage DNA onto Escherichia coli cells treated with Ca2+ ions and onto frozen--thawed bacteria}; Moiseeva TF et al.; The study of the biologically active tritium-labeled phage lambda DNA adosrption on Ca2+-treated and frozen--thawed E . coli cells showed the absence of a correlation between the adsorption level and transfection efficiency . Thus the infectious phage lambda DNA adsorption level does not change, while frozing--thawing of E . coli cells but it increases ten-fold when treating the cells with Ca2+ in ice, the transfection efficiency level with this DNA being equal for both types of recipients. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1980 Mar, 77(3), 1442 - 6 Initiation of protein synthesis in bacteria at a translational start codon of mamalian cDNA: effects of the preceding nucleotide sequence; Chang AC et al.; Plasmids containing a mouse cDNA sequence encoding the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR; tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase; 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate:NADP+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.5.1.3) have been used to study the efficiency of initiation of protein synthesis at an ATG (AUG) translational start codon indigenous to the eukaryotic CDNA . differences in DHFR production assayed phenotypically, enzymatically, and immunologically were correlated with the primary structure of the DNA segment that precedes the translational start codon . Our results indicate that initiation of a structurally discrete and biologically functional eukaryotic protein can occur in bacteria on a fused mRNA molecule, and that the efficiency of expression is strongly affected by: (i) the extent of homology of the translational control region with the 3'-OH end of 16S ribosomal RNA, and (ii) the distance between the protein start codon and the ribosome-binding sequence on the mRNA. Zentralbl Bakteriol {B}, 1980 Feb, 170(1-2), 93 - 8 {Qualitative and quantitative examination of bacteria found in aquatic habitats . 1 . Communication: selective recording of bacteria during isolation on different solid media (author's transl)}; Dott W; The quantity of bacteria taken from 8 watersamples and 46 slimesamples in the sphere of drinking water were examined using 15 different solid media . These media showed variations in total colony count and more or less selectivity against several bacterial groups . For the recording of as much bacteria as possible and as much different species as possible low nutrient containing media are necessary. Zentralbl Bakteriol {B}, 1980 Feb, 170(1-2), 99 - 107 {Qualitative and quantitative examination of bacteria found in aquatic habitats . 2 . Communication: application of miniturizid multitest systems for identification and biochemical typing of bacteria using a multi-point method (author's transl)}; Dott W et al.; A large number of bacteria were characterized and identified using a miniturized multi-test system and an automatic inoculator . This testsystem is suitable for ecological studies to get information about the qualitative and quantitative composition of bacterial populations . More than that a biochemical typing of bacteria is possible. Antibiotiki, 1980 Feb, 25(2), 101 - 4 {Effect of detergents on the chloramphenicol inactivation process by resistent bacteria}; Solov'eva NN et al.; The effect of detergents, i . e . cationic, anionic, nonionic and polyelectrolytes of the cationic type on the efficacy of chloramphenicol against resistant strains of E . coli and Staph . aureus was studied . It was found that the detergent effect on inactivation of chloramphenicol by the bacterial resistant strains was inconsistent . The cationic detergents and in particular chlorhexidine had the most pronounced inhibitory effect . In subbacteriostatic concentrations they significantly suppressed inactivation of chloramphenicol in the cells of E . coli and Staph . aureus . The anionic detergents and polyelectrolytes of the cationic type in the above concentrations were effective only with respect to Staph . aureus . It is noted that the detergents increased the activity of chloramphenicol against E . coli and Staph . aureus. J Hyg (Lond), 1980 Feb, 84(1), 37 - 40 Evaluation of airborne operating room bacteria with a Biap slit sampler; Tjade OH et al.; A Biap slit sampler and a Casella Mk 2 slit sampler were studied in an orthopaedic operating theatre . Both showed similar bacterial counts in the range of 74-640 c.f.u . (colony forming units)/m3 . During operations, as average count of 220 c.f.u./m3 (range 52-482) was obtained . A close relationship was demonstrated between the number of airborne bacteria and the frequency of traffic through doors. Biokhimiia, 1980 Feb, 45(2), 273 - 84 {Effect of cobalt and copper o-phenanthroline complexes on electron transport and energy coupling activity in reaction centers and chromatophores of purple bacteria}; Lukashev EP et al.; The effects of cobalt and copper o-phenanthroline complexes on electron transfer and energy coupling activity in the reaction center and chromatophore preparations of purple bacteria were studied . In terms of their effects on the systems under study these complexes fall into two groups, i.e . cobalt complexes with a high electron transfer activity, which stimulate membrane energization, and copper complexes which contribute to the chromatophore membrane deenergization . Among a variety of complexes studied the perchlorate tris-o-phenanthroline complex Co(II) and the chloride 4,7-diphenyl-o-phenanthroline complex Cu(II) were found to have the highest activity . Both cobalt and copper o-phenanthroline complexes may be a promising tool for regulating bioenergetic processes. J Am Dent Assoc, 1980 Feb, 100(2), 193 - 7 Effect of Dycal on bacteria in deep carious lesions; Leung RL et al.; Indirect pulp capping procedures are often dependent on use of calcium hydroxide which is placed directly over residual carious dentin . As the bacterial count was found to decrease a month after the calcium hydroxide was placed, this study was done to assess how much of the change was caused by the use of Dycal and how much was caused by the mechanical access procedures. Can J Microbiol, 1980 Feb, 26(2), 209 - 7 Serological relationships among budding, prosthecate bacteria; Powell DM et al.; The somatic antigens of 25 strains of budding bacteria were typed and 14 serologically distinct groups were identified, suggesting considerable antigenic diversity among hyphomicrobia . Ten of the groups were represented by a single isolate, 2 contained two isolates, 1 three isolates, and 1 eight isolates . The strains in the largest group of eight isolates each shared at least one common antigen . However, there was also considerable antigenic heterogeneity within this cluster . Serological activity resided in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) portion of cell walls and also in a heat labile component of Hyphomicrobium neptunium . The amino acid utilizing isolates, H . neptunium and Hyphomonas polymorpha, were serologically unrelated and it is suggested that the two organisms could be grouped as members of the same genus but not the same species. Nature, 1980 Jan 10, 283(5743), 212 - 4 Do genealogical patterns in purple photosynthetic bacteria reflect interspecific gene transfer? Woese CR, Gibson J, Fox GE. It is generally thought that interspecific (lateral) transfer of genes is so extensive among bacteria that it is difficult, and perhaps impossible, to determine their phylogenetic relationships . Ambler and coworkers reflect this in their suggestion that the relationships seen among cytochrome c sequences of the Rhodospirillaceae are merely the result of a haphazard lateral transfer of the particular gene, and give no indication of the true bacterial phylogenies . However, if comparative analysis of several unrelated macromolecules yields essentially the same phylogenetic tree, then that pattern is extremely unlikely to reflect the lateral transfer of genes . We have also determined 16S ribosomal RNA catalogues for many of the Rhodospirillaceae in investigated by Ambler et al . and here we use these two sets of data to compare molecular phylogenies for these bacteria. Acta Microbiol Acad Sci Hung, 1980, 27(4), 343 - 4 Effect of chlorhexidine gluconate on the survival of acid fast bacteria; Fodor T et al.; Mycobacterium and Nocardia species were examined for survival after exposure to chlorhexidine gluconate . In clinical samples M . smegmatis, M . phlei, M . marinum, M . gordonae, M . scrofulaceum, M . kansasii, M . chelonei complex, M . fortuitum, M . flavescens, M . avium, M . xenopi and Nocardia sp . survived pre-treatment with the agent . After exposure of saline suspensions of bacteria to chlorhexidine gluconate, M . smegmatis, M . phlei, M . marinum, M . gordonae, M . pellegrino, N . corallina, N . rubra and Rodochrous gordonae were not recovered, and M . fortuitum and N . asteroides grew poorly. Arch Exp Veterinarmed, 1980, 34(1), 63 - 5 {Studies of the occurrence of erysipelas bacteria in healthy swine in the Hungarian People's Republic with reference to possible use of erysipelas live vaccines}; Kucsera G; The number of pigs for slaughter which carried erysipelas bacteria has gone down continuously in Hungary . The incidence of erysipelas declined in parallel . That improving trend has been attributed to better conditions of large-stock keeping and to the exclusive use of inactivated vaccine . Careful consideration should be given to epizootiological aspects as well as to the environment, whenever live vaccines are to be used . Veterinarians bear growing responsibility in that particular context. Mikrobiologiia, 1980 Jan-Feb, 49(1), 9 - 13 {Ratio of metals during changes in the metabolism of photosynthetic bacteria}; Udel'nova TM et al.; The content of polyvalent metals was determined in the photosynthetic bacteria Rhodopseudomonas capsulata (Athiorhodaceae) and Chromatium vanda (Thiorhodaceae) isolated from the sediments of Lake Vanda in the Antarctic when the conditions of growth, photoheterophic and photoautotrophic, were changed . The ratio between Fe and Mn, Cu, V, Ni, Co, Cr was studied . The utilization of all polyvalent metals, Mn and Cr in particular, relatively increased in the conditions of autotrophic growth . Changes in the composition of bacterial cells (the content of protein, lipophilic substances, flavin) and their enzymatic activity (hydrogenases) were also assayed . Apparently, chemical composition may be used as a criterion for determining the taxonomy of organisms and the ecological conditions of their habitat. Mikrobiologiia, 1980 Jan-Feb, 49(1), 117 - 22 {Electrokinetic properties of sulfate-reducing bacteria}; Ulanovskii IB et al.; Sulfate-reducing bacteria settle down at a high rate on metal surfaces and considerably accelerated corrosion, the concentration of bacteria on metals depending on the potential of the metal and that of bacteria . The electrophysical properties of bacteria depend on the pH of the medium . The maximal value of zeta potential is reached at the pH of 6.4; it decreases upon addition of acid or alkali to the medium and reaches zero at the pH of 2.5 . The surface charge density and the electrophoretic mobility of sulfate-reducing bacteria also change depending on the pH of the medium . Carboxyls are the potential-forming ions at p H greater than 2.5 . The pH determining the electrokinetic properties of bacteria characterizes the rate of their sedimentation on metals. Oncology, 1980, 37(1), 12 - 5 Anaerobic coryneform bacteria as normal flora of rabbit skin and regression of Shope papillomas; Seto A et al.; Adult domestic rabbits were found to harbor anaerobic coryneform bacteria and possess serum agglutinins against these bacteria . The isolates from rabbit skin were characterized by morphology, anaerobiosis, catalase test, and gas chromatographic analysis of volatile acid products . Preliminary findings on the effect of anaerobic coryneforms on the regression of Shope papillomas have suggested that the life of such bacteria as normal flora enhances the regression. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1980, 46(5), 413 - 8 A method to determine protein of bacteria grown in agar; van Egeraat AW et al.; A method is described to determine the amount of protein of bacteria grown in agar . Amino acid contents of hydrolysates of agar cultures are compared with the amino acids in hydrolysates of the same bacteria grown in a liquid medium . In the latter medium also the amount of bacterial protein is determined . From these data the protein content of bacteria grown in agar can be calculated. Basic Life Sci, 1980, 15, 1 - 23 Relationship between repair processes and mutation induction in bacteria; Kimball RF; A summary is given of the main repair and replication-associated processes that can influence the induction of mutations by various mutagens in bacteria . These include both constitutive and induced, error-free and error-prone systems . The mutation yield from a treatment with a mutagen can be markedly affected by which of these systems is operating in a given bacterial species or strain . The effect of these systems on mutation induction by ultraviolet light, monofunctional alkylating agents, base analogues, and frameshift mutagens is discussed in some detail . The bearing of these studies on the practical problems of estimating hazards is briefly considered. Mol Gen Genet, 1980, 180(3), 501 - 10 Mating due to loss of surface exclusion as a cause for thermosensitive growth of bacteria containing the Rtsl plasmid; Ou JT; At 25 degrees C, Rtsl+ bacteria grow to about 5 X 10(9) bacterial/ml before leveling off, whereas at 42 degrees C they grow from 2.6 X 10(8) bacteria/ml for only 2-3 generations after temperature shift before the growth is inhibited with a zig-zag pattern at the plateau . When diluted, Rtsl+ bacteria grow rapidly at 42 degrees C, until the concentration reaches as high as the undiluted 42 degrees C culture when growth measured by colony counts stops and the zig-zag pattern again appears . This density-dependent growth inhibition is not due to the presence of stable growth inhibitor(s) . Mating experiments show that at 42 degrees C, Rtsl+ bacteria retain good donor ability; at the same time, they become good recipients in mating with Hfr (Rtsl) bacteria . SDS-PAGE reveals that membranes are altered at 42 degrees C . Examination of DNA synthesis indicates that chromosomal DNA is synthesized at both 25 degrees C and 42 degrees C at high bacterial concentration, but that of the Rtsl plasmid is slowed down at 42 degrees C . The labeling experiments suggest that in 2 h there are 2 rounds of plasmid replication at 25 degrees C, 3.5 rounds at 42 degrees C when bacteria are diluted, and 0.6 rounds at 42 degrees C when bacteria are not diluted . These results suggest that the growth inhibition of Rtsl+ bacteria at 42 degrees C is probably the consequence of mating initiated due to loss of surface exclusion. Biochimie, 1980, 62(10), 647 - 64 Stringent control and protein synthesis in bacteria; Cozzone AJ; Most bacteria have evolved a number of regulatory mechanisms which allow them to maintain a balanced and rather constant cellular composition in response to nutritional variations . In particular, when the availability of any aminoacyl-tRNA species becomes limiting (namely through amino acid starvation or inactivation of an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase), several biochemically distinct physiological processes are significantly modified . This coordinate adjustment of cellular activity is termed the "stringent response" . Under such conditions of aminoacyl-tRNA limitation, protein synthesis still proceeds, but various quantitative as well as qualitative changes in polypeptide metabolism can be observed . In this review, after a brief recall of the main characteristics of the stringent response, several aspects concerning protein synthesis in deprived bacteria have been presented . First, the rates of residual protein formation, peptide chain growth and protein degradation, and the molecular weight distribution of proteins newly synthesized have been analyzed . Then, the data relative to the biosynthetic regulation of non-ribosomal and ribosomal proteins have been summarized and compared to the results obtained from in vitro experiments using transcription-translation coupled systems . Finally, the problem of translational fidelity during deprivation has been discussed in connection with the metabolic behavior of polysomal structures which are still maintained in cells . The stringent dependence of cellular activity on aminoacyl-tRNA supply is known to be abolished by single-site mutations which confer to bacteria a phenotype referred to as "relaxed" . These mutant strains provide an useful analytical tool in the scope of understanding the stringency phenomenon . Therefore, their proteosynthetic activity under aminoacyl-tRNA deprivation has also been studied here, in comparison to that of normal wild-type strains. Arzneimittelforschung, 1980, 30(2), 298 - 301 A simple, fast and inexpensive kinetic method to differentiate between total and viable bacteria using Coulter counter technique; Seydel JK et al.; A new kinetic approach is described using Coulter Counter technique to differentiate between viable and total counts in bacterial cultures (E . coli) inhibited by chemotherapeutics (trimethoprim, tetracycline, and a nitrofurane derivative, 2,4-diamino-6-(5-nitrofuryl-2)-5-ethylpyrimidine (HN 32) . The results are compared with data obtained by plate count technique. Sci Total Environ, 1980 Jan, 14(1), 5 - 17 Interactions of heavy metals with bacteria; Sterritt RM et al.; The toxicity of heavy metals to bacteria, with particular reference to metal forms and species, has been reviewed . Factors which influence metal forms and thus their potential toxicity, such as pH, chelation and competitive interactions have been discussed . The mechanisms whereby bacteria may influence the forms of heavy metals to which they are exposed have been discussed with reference to the importance of the role of bacteria in immobilisation and environmental cycling of metals . Bacterial resistance to metal toxicity is an environmentally important phenomenon . It may occur from non-specific mechanisms, such as impermeability of the cell, or it may be due to specific resistance transfer factors . The coincidence and co-selection of resistance factors for antibiotics and heavy metals in bacterial populations and the clinical implications of this have been described. Chemotherapy, 1980, 26(3), 153 - 63 pH dependency in uptake of sulfonamides by bacteria; Buttner D et al.; Sulfonamide-sensitive cells of Escherichia coli were incubated under standarized conditions with various sulfonamides and the quantity of sulfonamide uptake into the bacteria measured . The test substances reached a higher concentration inside the bacteria than in the incubation medium, the degree of accumulation varying for the individual substances despite uniformly applied incubation conditions . In all cases a pH dependency was detected which varied with the pKa values of the substances tested . On the basis of the pKa dependency of the pH effect, the sulfonamide uptake can be interpreted as being a passive diffusion process . Knowing the intracellular pH value, which was determined by the DMO method, it was then possible to calculate the theoretically expected value for the accumulation as a concentration coefficient . Since the calculated and experimentally determined values differ approximately by a factor of 2, an intracellular binding of the sulfonamides is assumed . The same results were obtained in cells of sulfonamide-resistant E . coli strains. Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1980 Jan-Feb, 131(1), 77 - 81 {Screening for cellulolytic bacteria with the cellulose-azure test (author's transl)}; Deschamps AM et al.; As the classical methods involving the clearing of opaque cellulose-agar media are not satisfying, a simple method utilizing cellulose-azure as a substrate has been adapted to detect cellulolytic activity of bacteria . This precise method may be combined with a primary growth on carboxymethyl-cellulose-agar to screen for cellulase-producing strains. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 1980, 46(5), 443 - 55 Ethane oxidation by methane-oxidizing bacteria; Hazeu W et al.; The relationship between the rates of methane and ethane oxidation by washed suspensions of methane-oxidizing bacteria has been investigated . Considerable differences between bacterial strains were observed . Two closely related Methylomonas strains which differed in their oxidizing capacity were further investigated . The low ethane oxidation rate of one strain could be strongly stimulated by the addition of oxidizable co-substrates and the presence of ethane stimulated formate oxidation . The other strain had a much higher ethane oxidation rate and stimulation by co-substrates was negligible . Differences between the levels of dissimilative enzymes in cell-free extracts could not be detected . Attempts to produce extracts with methane mono-oxygenase activity failed . When cells were made permeable with chitosan the results suggested that strains with a low ethane oxidizing capacity obtain the required reductant for the moo-oxygenase from endogenous respiration . In strains with a high ethane oxidation rate, the reductant appears to be derived from oxidation of ethanol or acetaldehyde. Dev Biol Stand, 1980, 46, 83 - 9 Adhesion of enteropathogenic bacteria to cells in tissue culture; Drasar BS et al.; Adhesion to the intestinal mucosa is the primary determinant of virulence among bacteria causing intestinal disease . Most current test systems involve the use of animal or foetal tissue . This paper illustrates the ability of enteropathogenic bacteria to adhere to mammalian cells . The test described enables considerable differences in adherence to be demonstrated between bacterial strains. Contact Dermatitis, 1980 Jan, 6(1), 7 - 9 Bacteria and soluble oil dermatitis; Rycroft RJ; Simultaneous investigation of the bacterial flora of a soluble oil in use as a metalworking fluid and of the skin of machine operatives exposed to that soluble oil did not support the hypothesis that bacteria in soluble oil emulsions colonise the skin and either initiate or maintain the dermatitis associated with soluble oil exposure. Mikrobiologiia, 1980 Jan-Feb, 49(1), 141 - 6 {Effectiveness of bacterization of soy plants by active races of nodule bacteria}; Kariagin IuG; Spontaneous nodule bacteria of soybean plants are absent from the Sutn-Eastern Kazakhstan soils . Therefore, bacterization of soybean plants with these bacteria is necessary for obtaining high crops of this culture . Among tested strains of soybean nodule bacteria, strain 623(a) was found to be the most effective one . The use of nitrogen with this strain stimulated the intensive formation of nodules, the growth and development of plants, the activation of physiological processes in them, and increased the yield of green mass, hay and grains as well as the content of protein in them and its yield per area unit . Mineral nitrogen added to soil at a concentration of 120 kg per hectare decreased the activity of symbiotic nitrogen fixation, increased the crop of green mass and hay, but decreased the yield of grain of soybean and other cultures sown after it in crop rotation. Acta Microbiol Pol, 1980, 29(2), 117 - 24 The synthesis of cytokinin-like substances by coryneform bacteria isolated from the roots of pine seedlings (Pinus silvestris L.); Kampert M et al.; Seven of ten strains studied produced cytokinin-like substances, mainly in 7 day old cultures . The cytokinin-like substances were most often located on chromatograms at Rf values 0.8 to 0.9, rarely at Rf 0.6 to 0.7. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1979 Dec 6, 548(3), 520 - 35 Transfer of light-induced electron-spin polarization from the intermediary acceptor to the prereduced primary acceptor in the reaction center of photosynthetic bacteria; Gast P et al.; In reaction centers and chromatophores of photosynthetic bacteria strong light-induced emissive ESR signals have been found, not only after a flash but also under continuous illumination . The signal, with g = 2.0048 and delta Hpp = 7.6 G, is only present under reducing conditions in material in which the primary acceptor, ubiquinone, U and its associated high-spin ferrous ion are magnetically uncoupled . its amplitude under continuous illumination is strongly dependent on light intensity and on microwave power . The emissive signal is attributed to the prereduced primary acceptor, U-, which becomes polarized through transfer of spin polarization by a magnetic exchange interaction with the photoreduced, spin polarized intermediary acceptor, I- . A kinetic model is presented which explains the observed dependence of emissivity on light intensity and microwave power . Applying this analysis to the light saturation data, a value of the exchange rate between I- and U- of 4.10(8) s-1 is derived, corresponding to an exchange interaction of 3--5 G. J Hum Nutr, 1979 Dec, 33(6), 416 - 26 Role of bacteria in human carcinogenesis; Hill MJ; The bacterial hydrolysis of conjugated carcinogens, production of potential carcinogens from amino acid metabolism, formation of N-nitroso-compounds, and production of carcinogens from bile salt metabolism are discussed . The limited evidence implicating these compounds in the causation of bowel, gastric, bladder, biliary tract and cervical cancer is presented . Although there is no example of a proven role for bacteria in the causation of any human cancer, there are many leads currently under investigation . They have exciting implications for prevention. J Urol, 1979 Dec, 122(6), 770 - 1 A critical review of the antibody-coated bacteria test; Gleckman R; Reports extolling the virtues of the antibody-coated bacteria immunofluorescent test continue to appear and therapeutic decisions are being made on the results of this test . In this review 2 unresolved issues are examined: 1) what constitutes a positive test and 2) how accurately does the antibody-coated bacteria test define the tissue source of infection . These issues should be resolved before all clinicians and researchers jump on the antibody-coated bacteria test bandwagon. J Bacteriol, 1979 Dec, 140(3), 852 - 8 Iso-branched 2- and 3-hydroxy fatty acids as characteristic lipid constituents of some gliding bacteria; Fautz E et al.; The fatty acids present in the total hydrolysates of several gliding bacteria (Myxococcus fulvus, Stigmatella aurantiaca, Cytophaga johnsonae, Cytophaga sp . strain samoa and Flexibacter elegans) were analyzed by combined gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry . In addition to 13-methyl-tetradecanoic acid, 15-methyl-hexadecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, and hexadecenoic acid, 2- and 3-hydroxy fatty acids comprised up to 50% of the total fatty acids . The majority was odd-numbered and iso-branched . Small amounts of even-numbered and unbranched fatty acids were also present . Whereas 2-hydroxy-15-methyl hexadecanoic acid was characteristic for myxobacteria, 2-hydroxy-13-methyl-tetradecanoic acid, 3-hydroxy-13-methyl-tetradecanoic acid, and 3-hydroxy-15-methyl-hexadecanoic acid were dominant in the Cytophaga-Flexibacter group. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1979 Nov 8, 548(2), 296 - 308 Short-lived delayed luminescence of photosynthetic organisms . I . Nanosecond afterglows in purple bacteria at low redox potentials; Godik VI et al.; A combined study of emissions of purple bacteria Rhodospirillum rubrum, Ectothiorhodospira shaposhnikovii and Thiocapsa roseopersicina was performed under conditions of low potential . It has been shown that a considerable part of the emission represents a delayed luminescence with a lifetime of about 5 ns and an activation energy delta E = 0.05 +/- 0.03 eV . Intensity of this delayed luminescence is approximately equal to that of prompt fluorescence . It diminishes as temperature decreases and also as the intermediate acceptor I becomes reduced after prolonged illumination under low potential conditions . This luminescence represents a radiative decay of the intermediate state, PF, and the luminescence activation energy, delta E, reflects the energy barrier between P*-890 and PF . The value of this barrier determined in the present work is much lower than those obtained previously {3,4,26} for the free-energy release during the primary act of charge separation, basing on redox potential techniques . The reason for this discrepancy is discussed . Delayed luminescence in the picosecond time range is predicted to exist under conditions of active photosynthesis as a result of a small (approx . 0.05 eV) energy barrier between PF and the excited singlet state of reaction center bacteriochlorophyll. Mikrobiologiia, 1979 Nov-Dec, 48(6), 1033 - 9 {New genus of budding bacteria Angulomicrobium tetraedrale having radially symmetrical cells}; Vasil'eva LV et al.; The growth cycle and the ultrathin structure were compared in two strains of polygonal bacteria . Due to the presence of radial symmetry, the type of division, the character of metabolism and physiology in common, the polygonal bacteria are classed as a separate genus, Angulomicrobium nov . gen . It would be too early to divide the genus into species . The diagnosis of the new genus and the species A . tetraedrale nov . gen . nov . sp . is presented. Br J Nutr, 1979 Nov, 42(3), 553 - 7 The mechanism of passage of endogenous urea through the rumen wall and the role of ureolytic epithelial bacteria in the urea flux; Cheng KJ et al.; 1 . The rumen urea concentration in gnotobiotic lambs lacking ureolytic bacteria was equal to that of blood . 2 . Bacterial urease (EC 3.5.1.5) activity in sheep fed by intraruminal and intra-abomasal infusion was inversely related to rumen ammonia concentration . 3 . A model is proposed for the facilitation and control of urea flux by wall-found ureolytic bacteria. Tsitol Genet, 1979 Nov-Dec, 13(6), 486 - 91 {Mutagenic action of platinum and palladium compounds on bacteria}; Suraikina TI et al.; Platinum complex compounds are shown to cause mutations in S . typhimurium strains, TA-100 and TA-98 bearing plasmid pKM-101 but not in isogenic strains TA-1535 and TA-1538 lacking the plasmid . The mutagenic action depended on the ligand nature in the complex and did not depend on the extent of the central atom oxidation . No mutagenic activity of the palladium compounds tested was found. Biochemistry, 1979 Oct 2, 18(20), 4308 - 14 Photoreaction center of photosynthetic bacteria . 2 . Size and quaternary structure of the photoreaction centers from Rhodospirillum rubrum strain G9 and from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides strain 2.4.1; Vadeboncoeur C et al.; The photoreaction center from Rhodospirillum rubrum strain G9 binds about 6 times as much sodium dodecyl sulfate as certain proteins commonly used as molecular weight markers for sodium dodecyl sulfate--polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis . This presumably explains the apparent discrepancy between the molecular weight of the photoreaction center determined by electrophoresis (76 000) and its minimal molecular weight (87 000) . The molecular weight of the photoreaction center solubilized with Triton X-100 was determined by three different methods: conventional sedimentation equilibrium, a combination of sedimentation velocity and gel filtration measurements, and sedimentation equilibrium in H2O and in D2O . Each technique required a determination of the amount of bound detergent . All three methods gave molecular weight values close to 60 000 . A similar molecular weight was found for the photoactive beta gamma dimer obtained from the photoreaction center of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides strain 2.4.1 which, as a whole, had a molecular weight of 87 000 . These results indicate that the photoreaction center from Rp . sphaeroides is an oligomer of the type alpha 1 beta 1 gamma 1 . In contrast, the photoreaction center from Rs . rubrum appears to be dissociated, in solution, into a photoactive beta gamma dimer and a free polypeptide alpha. Biochemistry, 1979 Oct 2, 18(20), 4301 - 8 Photoreaction center of photosynthetic bacteria . 1 . Further chemical characterization of the photoreaction center from Rhodospirillum rubrum; Vadeboncoeur C et al.; The photoreaction center from Rhodospirillum rubrum contains about 90% protein, 6% pigment, mere traces of lipids, and no cytochromes . It also contains at least 1 mol of ubiquinone and 1 iron atom per mol . Its three-component polypeptide chains were isolated by preparative electrophoresis, and their molar stoichiometry was established as 1:1:1 . The amino acid composition of the photoreaction center from strain S1 and from its subunits is reported . The protein as a whole contains about 65% nonpolar residues, and the degree of hydrophobicity of its subunits is alpha less than beta less than gamma . The minimal molecular weight based on the extinction coefficient and on the amino acid content is 90 000 . This corresponds to a half-cystine mole number of 6. Equine Vet J, 1979 Oct, 11(4), 219 - 22 Bacteria isolated from uterine washings from mares in the Sudan; El Sanousi SM et al.; Uterine washes collected from 200 barren mares were examined at the Khartoum veterinary clinic during the period May 1977 to May 1978 . A variety of bacteria was isolated from 77 per cent of the mares investigated . Thirty mares were treated by parenteral injection and intrauterine infusion of the appropriate antibiotics . Twenty-one of these mares conceived, of which 17 delivered normal foals and 4 had early embryonic deaths. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 Oct, 38(4), 642 - 3 Evidence for more than one division of bacteria within airborne particles; Dimmick RL et al.; When the protocol that we had used to demonstrate a single division of bacterial cells in airborne particles was changed to one that increased the glycerol content of the atomizer fluid from 1 to 5% (vol/vol), thus producing larger particles, more than two (and nearly three) divisions of bacteria occurred within 6 h of aerosol time. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1979 Oct, 48(4), 353 - 7 Pulpal response to bacteria in the dog; Isermann GT et al.; Twenty-six teeth from 8-month-old beagle dogs were used to evaluate the pulpal response to bacteria in bacterially contaminated minimally exposed and unexposed pulp in the dog . The effects were evaluated by means of serial radiographs, consecutive vital dye injections, and histologic sections . Periapical lesions developed in all of the eight teeth which were bacterially infected and exposed . Out of ten teeth which were bacterially infected and had cavities without pulp exposure, only two teeth in the acute group demonstrated inflammatory changes and loss of odontoblastic function directly beneath the infected dentinal tubules . Within the limits of the experimental design, this study demonstrated the pulpal responses of the dog with respect to bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 Sep, 38(3), 478 - 85 Role of plasmids in mercury transformation by bacteria isolated from the aquatic environment; Olson BH et al.; Eight mercury-resistant bacterial strains isolated from the Chesapeake Bay and one strain isolated from the Cayman Trench were examined for ability to volatilize mercury . Mercury volatilization was found to be variable in the strains tested . In addition, plasmids were detected in all strains . After curing, two of the bacterial strains lost mercury resistance, indicating that volatilization is plasmid mediated in these strains . Only two cultures demonstrated ability to methylate mercuric chloride under either aerobic or anaerobic conditions . Methylation of mercury, compared with volatilization, appears to be mediated by a separate genetic system in these bacteria . It is concluded that mercury volatilization in the estuarine environment can be mediated by genes carried on plasmids. Mikrobiologiia, 1979 Sep-Oct, 48(5), 932 - 4 {Lipids of saprophytic bacteria produced during growth on a complex organic substrate}; Koronelli TV et al.; The composition of lipids and the structure of mycolic acids were studied in Mycobacterium lacticolum var . aliphaticum isolated from soil and grown on MPB . The lipids of all strains were found to contain phosphatidyl inositol mannosides, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, cardiolipin, mycolic and common fatty acids, triglycerides, wax, and several unidentified compounds . The structure of mycolic acids was established by mass spectrometry . The mycolic acids C34:0, C35:0 and C36:0 prevailed in strain 175, and the mycolic acids C34:1, C34:0, C36:1 and C36:0 predominated in strain 180 . The composition of minor components was assayed . Variations in the composition of mycolic acids depending on the source of carbon in the medium are discussed. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 Sep, 38(3), 436 - 9 Isolation of radiation-resistant bacteria without exposure to irradiation; Sanders SW et al.; Resistance to desiccation was utilized in the selection of highly radiation-resistant asporogenous bacteria from non-irradiated sources . A bacterial suspension in phosphate buffer was dried in a thin film at 25 degrees C and 33% relative humidity . Storage under these conditions for 15 days or more reduced the number of radiation-sensitive bacteria . Further selection for radiation-resistant bacteria was obtained by irradiation of bacteria on velveteen in the replication process, thereby avoiding the toxic effect of irradiated media . The similarity of radiation resistance and identifying characteristics in irradiated and non-irradiated isolates should allay some concerns that highly radiation-resistant bacteria have been permanently altered by radiation selection. Mikrobiologiia, 1979 Sep-Oct, 48(5), 779 - 84 {Possible pathways for acetyl-CoA formation by purple bacteria}; Krasil'nikova EN et al.; Purple sulfur (Ectothiorhodospira shaposhnikovii, Chromatium minutissimum, Lamprobacter modestohalophilus, Thiocapsa roseopersicina) and nonsulfur (Rhodospirillum rubrum, Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Rhodopseudomonas spheroides) bacteria are capable of forming acetyl-CoA synthetase, phosphotransacetylase and acetokinase independent of the medium composition and growth conditions . In all of the purple sulfur bacteria with an exception of E . shaposhnikovii, the activity of acetokinase is much higher than in purple nonsulfur bacteria . Apart from being involved in the synthesis of acetyl-CoA, such enzymes as phosphotransacetylase, acetokinase and adenylate kinase may play an important role in energy processes of some purple bacteria in the dark. Science, 1979 Aug 10, 205(4406), 602 - 7 Human growth hormone: complementary DNA cloning and expression in bacteria; Martial JA et al.; The nucleotide sequence of a DNA complementary to human growth hormone messenger RNA was cloned; it contains 29 nucleotides in its 5' untranslated region, the 651 nucleotides coding for the prehormone, and the entire 3' untranslated region (108 nucleotides) . The data reported predict the previously unknown sequence of the signal peptide of human growth hormone and, by comparison with the previously determined sequences of rat growth hormone and human chorionic somatomammotropin, strengthens the hypothesis that these genes evolved by gene duplication from a common ancestral sequence . The human growth hormone gene sequences have been linked in phase to a fragment of the trp D gene of Escherichia coli in a plasmid vehicle, and a fusion protein is synthesized at high level (approximately 3 percent of bacterial protein) under the control of the regulatory region of the trp operon . This fusion protein (70 percent of whose amino acids are coded for by the human growth hormone gene) reacts specifically with antibodies to human growth hormone and is stable in E . coli. Can J Microbiol, 1979 Aug, 25(8), 932 - 6 Production of alkaline phosphatase by epithelial cells and adherent bacteria of the bovine rumen and abomasum; Fay JP et al.; Three distinct bacterial populations have been defined in the bovine rumen: the rumen fluid population; the population associated with food particles; and the population adherent to the rumen epithelium . Alkaline phosphatase activity has been reported in cells of the first two populations and here we report that assays of rumen epithelial samples containing both tissue and bacteria also contain the enzyme . The reaction product technique has localized the enzyme both in adherent bacteria and in cell of the stratified squamous rumen epithelium . The epithelium of the abomasum shows much lower levels of alkaline phosphatase activity. Infect Immun, 1979 Aug, 25(2), 761 - 3 In vitro interaction between normal cynolmolgus monkey alveolar macrophages and Legionnaires disease bacteria; Kishimoto RA et al.; The interaction between normal cynomolgus monkey alveolar macrophages and Legionnaires disease bacteria was studied by transmission electron microscopy . After ingestion of Legionnaires disease bacteria, the organisms replicated within macrophages and destroyed the phagocytic cell. J Bacteriol, 1979 Aug, 139(2), 694 - 6 Increased synthesis of ribonucleotide reductase after deoxyribonucleic acid inhibition in various species of bacteria; Filpula D et al.; The specific activity of ribonucleotide reductase was found to increase significantly after deoxyribonucleic acid inhibition in seven species of bacteria investigated . This group of bacteria includes species with B12-dependent ribonucleotide reductase as well as some with an Escherichia coli-type ribonucleotide reductase. Lancet, 1979 Jul 21, 2(8134), 125 - 7 Lactase degradation by human enteric bacteria; Bampoe V et al.; Twelve non-pathogenic bacteria and two yeast strains isolated from the duodenal aspirate or mucosa of five children with diarrhoea were tested for their ability to degrade non-human lactase in vitro . Both yeast strains and eleven of the bacterial strains significantly reduced lactase activity . A similar action on human lactase could be a cause of lactose intolerance. Mikrobiyol Bul, 1979 Jul, 13(3), 313 - 23 {The increase of resistant enteric bacteria and the role of R plasmids (author's transl)}; Akman M; As elsewhere in the world, the number of resistant enteric bacteria is rapidly increasing in this country . In a survey made in 1977 on about 40,000 strains of enteric bacteria in Clinical Pathology Laboratory of Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey, 70% to 97% of enteric bacteria were shown to be resistant to conventional antimicrobic agents . Also the rates of multiple-resistant strains of enteric bacteria are increasing quite rapidly . In most of these strains this increase proved to depend on the presence of R plasmids . In this paper, these and related facts were summarized and some precautions were suggested to lessen the increase of resistant strains in this country. Am J Vet Res, 1979 Jul, 40(7), 1040 - 2 Survival of contagious equine metritis bacteria in transport media; Sahu SP et al.; Survival of bacteria that cause contagious equine metritis (CEM) was evaluated in Amies modified transport (AMT) medium, in AMT medium with charcoal, and in Stuart transport medium at 37, 22, 4, and -70 C . The CEM bacteria suspended in transport media survived at 22, 4, and -70 C for longer periods in AMT medium with charcoal than they did in AMT and Stuart transport media . In 1 day, the number of bacteria in exudate stored in the absence of any transport medium decreased 15-fold at 22 C and twofold at 4 C . The CEM bacteria were isolated from exudate on cotton-tipped swabs from all three transport media at 4 and -70 C on day 10, the termination of the experiment . However at 4 C, the survival of CEM bacteria was greater in AMT medium with charcoal than it was in AMT and Stuart transport media. Hoppe Seylers Z Physiol Chem, 1979 Jul, 360(7), 957 - 69 {Degradation and biosynthesis of L-phenylalanine by chloridazon-degrading bacteria}; Buck R et al.; Incubating chloridazon-degrading bacteria with L-phenylalanine leads to the accumulation of L-2,3-dihydroxyphenylalanine, o-tyrosine and m-tyrosine in the medium . Incubating the bacteria with N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine leads to N-acetyl-(2,3-dihydroxyphenyl)alanine . Using phenylacetic acid as substrate leads to the accumulation of malonic acid . The products are isolated by gel chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography . 2,3-Dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine is attacked by a catechol 2,3-dioxygenase in the presence of Fe2 . An unstable yellow compound is formed in this reaction . This meta-cleavage-product is again cleaved by a hydrolase, leading to aspartic acid and 4-hydroxy-2-oxovaleric acid . Both products were isolated fromthe reaction buffer by amino acid analysis and high performance liquid chromatography . The dioxygenase and hydrolase were partially purified and characterized . A new degradation pathway for phenylalanine is discussed and compared with known pathways . The enzymes chorismate mutase, prephenate dehydratase and prephenate dehydrogenase are characterized and inhibition as well as repression are investigated . Only prephenate dehydrogenase is inhibited by phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophane . Chorismate mutase is repressed by phenylalanine, prephenate dehydrogenase by phenylalanine and tyrosine . Prephenate dehydratase is not repressed by aromatic amino acids . Regulation of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis in connection with phenylalanine degradation is discussed. Mikrobiologiia, 1979 Jul-Aug, 48(4), 734 - 7 {Nitrogen-fixing fungal associations with bacteria}; Kononkov FP et al.; Nitrogen-fixing associations of fungi and bacteria have been isolated from the soil and flooring of coniferous forests . The special composition and the nitrogen-fixing activity of components in associations were determined . Pure fungal cultures did not possess the nitrogen-fixing activity . The nitrogen-fixing activity of pure bacterial cultures was always lower than that of their associatons with fungi . The possibility of existence and the specificity of species composition in the nitrogen-fixing associations of fungi and bacteria are discussed. Mikrobiologiia, 1979 Jul-Aug, 48(4), 586 - 91 {Glycerin metabolism in purple sulfur bacteria}; Krasil'nikova EN et al.; The purple sulfur bacteria Thiocapsa roseopersicina, strains BBS and SL-4, and Lamprobacter modestohalophilus assimilate glycerol when grown in the light under the anaerobic conditions or in the dark under the aerobic conditions . Apart from glycerol, the bacteria require for their growth reduced sulfur compounds (thiosulfate) and bicarbonate . The 14C from 1-14C-glycerol is incorporated into the cells of T . roseopersicina and L . modestohalophilus at a lower rate in the presence of thiosulfate under the phototrophic conditions . In the presence of glycerol, all the studied purple sulfur bacteria produce more reserve carbohydrates of the glucan type than on the mineral medium . Glycerol metabolism in purple sulfur bacteria, like that in nonsulfur purple bacteria, involves glycerokinase and the pyridine nucleotide independent alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase . The activity of these enzymes does not depend on the conditions of the cultural growth and the presence of glycerol in the medium. Ukr Biokhim Zh, 1979 Jul-Aug, 51(4), 393 - 9 {Transformation of substrates not used for growth by the immobilized methane-oxidizing bacteria}; Sokolov IG et al.; The article deals with the theoretical problems of obtaining certain substrates transformation products using immobilized cells of the methane-oxidizing bacteria . This process is based on the ability of these bacteria to cometabolize the substrates which are not used for growth . The methane-oxidizing bacteria are shown to utilize ethane during growth on methanol . Cometabolism of ethane and methanol occurs due to the presence of conjugated points of these substances oxidizing reactions as well as of the oxidation products assimilation reactions . The optimal concentrations of ethane and methanol are established for the methane-oxidizing bacteria growth and for formation of the ethane oxidation products by means of the immobilized cells. Ukr Biokhim Zh, 1979 Jul-Aug, 51(4), 387 - 92 {Catalytic properties of immobilized cells of methane-oxidizing bacteria}; Karpenko VI et al.; The article deals with conditions for immobilization of methane-oxidizing bacteria cells as well as with catalytic properties of the immobilized cells . The method of immobilization in polyacrylamide gel is shown to be not suitable for cells of methane-oxidizing bacteria . The greatest number of cells (85%) is immobilized on sylochrome modified by cyanuric chloride . However, the catalytic properties of the methane-oxidizing bacteria are better retained when the bacteria are immobilized on sylochrome modified by isocyanate . A stand installation is created for studying the catalytic properties of the immobilized cells oxidizing substrates in the gas phase. Arch Surg, 1979 Jul, 114(7), 815 - 23 Wound infections in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty . Ultraviolet light for the control of airborne bacteria; Moggio M et al.; Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation (1,537 A) during total hip arthroplasty will effectively reduce risk of airborne bacterial contamination of the operative field . An air sampling study at the operative site compared 28 total hip arthroplasties with UV lights on and 19 operations with UV lights off . The use of UV irradiation significantly reduced the average number of airborne bacteria over the operative site, although the results indicate that the number of airborne bacteria collected at the operative site in each conventional operating room without UV irradiation was quite low . Data confirmed the fact that airborne bacteria are a reflection of operating room personnel and their activities . With UV light, the rate of infection from possible airborne sources was 0.15% for 1,322 total hip patients . Thus, emphasis is now placed on those causes of infection that are not airborne. Am J Clin Pathol, 1979 Jul, 72(1), 79 - 81 Small-colony forms of enteric bacteria after exposure to aminoglycosides; Mowjood M et al.; Small colony forms of enteric bacteria were isolated in vitro after exposure of near-lethal amounts of aminoglycosides . These small-colony forms were several times more resistant to all aminoglycosides than the parent clones . A small form of Escherichia coli was isolated directly from a clinical specimen, along with a more sensitive larger colony. Quad Sclavo Diagn, 1979 Jun, 15 Suppl 1, 736 - 55 {Variations of antimicrobical resistance of bacteria isolated in specimens of the respiratory tract (author's transl)}; Tortoli E; Percentages of antimicrobical resistance of potentially pathogenic bacterial species with more frequent isolation, in the years 1973-1976, in specimens of the respiratory tract show some statistically significant variations . From the study of these variations of resistance in the years examined it follows that too near periods should not be compared as often has been noted from one year to the next a change of their direction . In a bacterial genus or in genera often considered akin for their antimicrobical susceptibility, differences that for some drugs resulted remarkable have been emphasised. Aust J Exp Biol Med Sci, 1979 Jun, 57(3), 279 - 85 Clearance of bacteria from lungs of mice after opsonising with IgG or IgA; Cooper JM et al.; The clearance of organisms from the lungs of mice was followed after aerosol administration . Preopsonisation of the organisms with immune serum, as a source of specific antibody, enhanced the rate of pulmonary clearance while s.IgA delayed clearance . In the peritoneal cavity, bacteria pre-treated with immune serum were cleared more rapidly than unopsonised bacteria, but s.IgA had little effect . The presence of Fc receptors for IgG and not s.IgA on alveolar macrophages suggests that, in secretions, IgG is the predominant antibody promoting phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages and that any protective effect of s.IgA is not mediated by these cells. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1979 Jun, 37(6), 1224 - 9 Colonization of a portion of the bovine tongue by unusual filamentous bacteria; McCowan RP et al.; Tongue samples from cattle on varied diets and ranging in age from 2 months to adult were studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy to observe the in situ distribution and adhesion patterns of two readily identifiable genera of filamentous bacterial . The two, both members of the Simonsiellaceae, adhere to the epithelium by means of fibers which are produced on one side of the bacterial filaments and subsequently display a sidedness in their manner of adhesion to epithelial surfaces . Other bacterial populations found on the tongue were normally members of chains and seldom present as single cells . This suggests that filamentous or chain-forming bacteria may have a selective advantage over single bacteria in their ability to colonize and remain attached to the epithelium of the tongue. J Hyg (Lond), 1979 Jun, 82(3), 385 - 95 Attempts to control clothes-borne infection in a burn unit, 3 . An open-roofed plastic isolator or plastic aprons to prevent contact transfer of bacteria; Ransjo U; An open-roofed plastic isolator was built in a single patient isolation room in a burn unit . It was designed to prevent contact contamination only, as this had been shown to be the important route of cross-colonization in the unit . To exclude any possible effect on airborne transfer of bacteria, the isolator was first examined by means of an airborne particle tracer of the same size as bacteria-carrying particles . Such experiments indicated that the isolator might prevent some transfer out of but not into the isolator . This was not confirmed in simulated nursing experiments nor in a patient study, where the air counts of bacteria were practically the same inside and outside the isolator wall . Two patients only were nursed in the isolator . Both patients acquired exogenous colonizations from other patients, one with Ps . aeruginosa and the other with S . aureus . Nursing in the isolator was difficult and staff-demanding . In simulated nursing experiments, plastic aprons and gauntlets as the only protective measures against contact contamination gave as much protection to a mock patient as did the isolator . S . aureus were released from nurses' clothes more easily during work with the isolator than in open nursing with aprons and gauntlets . In conclusion, the isolator did not seem to be a realistic alternative to impermeable clothes such as plastic aprons as a means of preventing clothes-borne cross-contamination between burn patients. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1979 May 9, 546(2), 248 - 55 Magnetic field-induced increase of the yield of (bacterio)chlorophyll emission of some photosynthetic bacteria and of Chlorella vulgaris; Rademaker H et al.; In photosynthetic bacteria, in which the iron-ubiquinone complex X is prereduced, a magnetic field induces an increase of the emmission yield, which is correlated with the decrease in reaction center triplet yield reported previously (Hoff, A.J., Rademaker, H., van Grondelle, R . and Duysens, L.N.M . (1977) Biochim . Biophys . Acta 460, 547--554) . Our results support the hypothesis that under these conditions charge recombination of the oxidized primary donor and the reduced primary acceptor predominantly generates the excited singlet state of the reaction center bacteriochlorophyll . In Chlorella vulgaris and spinach chloroplasts, at 120 K, the magnetic field has an effect similar to that found in bacteria, which suggests that an intermediary electron acceptor between P-680 and Q is present in Photosystem II also. Mikrobiologiia, 1979 May-Jun, 48(3), 545 - 51 {Systematics of acetic acid bacteria}; Loitsianskaia MS et al.; The method of numerical taxonomy has been used in these studies . Fifty-six strains of acetic acid bacteria are characterized in 136 phenotypical features . The coefficients of similarity of the strains were calculated using computer . The nucleotide composition of DNA from 21 strains of acetic acid bacteria was determined . The results obtained by the method of numerical taxonomy were discussed basing on this genotypical criterion . The genera Acetobacter Beijerinck and Gluconobacter Asai were found to be related . Only one bacterial species, i . e . G . oxydans, was confirmed to exist within the genus Gluconobacter . The studied strains belonging to the genus Acetobacter were subdivided into three groups corresponding to the species A . aceti, A . rancens and A . xylinum. Mikrobiologiia, 1979 May-Jun, 48(3), 495 - 501 {Nitrogen fixing activity of pea nodule bacteria during different phases of host plant development}; Dorosinskii LM et al.; The activity of nitrogenase in nodules of pea plants and the rate of diurnal nitrogen fixation were studied at different phases of the plant growth using the acetylene and isotope techniques . At the same time, the morphology of nodule bacteria was studied by electron and phase-contrast microscopy . About 90% of the bacteria in nodules were found in the form of bacteroids from the early phase of the plant growth (budding) to ripening when gemmated arthrospores could be observed on some bacteroids . The highest activity of nitrogenase and nitrogen fixation was detected at the reproductive stage of growth . Therefore, in order to obtain more active strains of pea nodule bacteria, they should be isolated from nodules at this stage of plant growth. Vopr Med Khim, 1979 May-Jun, 25(3), 319 - 22 {Hepatotoxicity of the lipid components of the lipopolyysaccharides from typhoid bacteria}; Muzhichenko AV et al.; Distinct increase in amount of total lipids occurred in mice liver tissue after intraperitoneal administration of typhoid lipids A and B (the latter was nonhydrolytically isolated from typhoid lipopolysaccharides) . The alteration referred primarily to neutral lipids, especially to triacyl glycerides, content of which exceeded 3- and more-fold the initial one to the end of a day . The similarity was observed in alteration of triacyl glycerides, phospho- and glycolipids in presence of both lipid preparations . These lipid components resembled intact lipopolysaccharide from typhoid bacteria in their effect on content of lipids in liver tissue . In treatment with these lipid preparations concentration of NEFA was either unaltered or distinctly decreased. J Bacteriol, 1979 May, 138(2), 519 - 22 Inhibition by itaconate of growth of methylotrophic bacteria; Bellion E et al.; The effects of the isocitrate lyase-directed growth inhibitor itaconate on the growth of certain methylotrophic organisms was investigated . It was found that growth of those organisms possessing the Icl(+)-serine pathway of one-carbon metabolism was inhibited during growth on methylamine and on acetate, but not on glucose . Organisms possessing the Icl(-)-serine pathway pathway were unaffected . Organism PAR, an Icl(-)-serine pathway type, was not specifically inhibited during growth on acetate . This finding further substantiates previous reports of the lack of isocitrate lyase in this organism, indicating a totally new pathway for acetate assimilation. Mikrobiologiia, 1979 May-Jun, 48(3), 411 - 7 {Use of urea by purple bacteria}; Malofeeva IV; Strains of purple sulfur bacteria (Chromatium minutissimum, Ectothiorhodospira shaposhnikovii, Thiocapsa roseopersicina, Lamprobacter modestohalophilus) and nonsulfur bacteria (Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Rh . spheroides, Rhodospirillum rubrum) grow in media containing urea as a source of nitrogen at concentrations from 0.5 to 5.0% . They can also utilize the carbon of urea and thus grow in the absence of bicarbonate . Urea is decomposed by all the studied purple bacteria with the participation of urease . In a number of strains, the enzyme is inducible and is synthesized only in the presence of urea . However, it is constitutive in certain purple bacteria (L . modestohalophilus, Rh . palustris, Rh . spheroides) . The strains of purple bacteria differ in the activity of urease and in its susceptibility to ammonium ions. Mikrobiologiia, 1979 May-Jun, 48(3), 389 - 95 {Effect of nitrogen-containing compounds on hydrogen light emission and nitrogen fixation by purple bacteria}; Kondrat'eva EN et al.; The cells of Rhodospirillum rubrum and Thiocapsa roseopersicina grown in media containing glutamate and arginine, respectively, as well as under conditions of nitrogen fixation evolve H2 in the light . If the cultures were grown in media with NH4+, NO3-, urea, glutamine or asparagine, hydrogen photoevolution by the cells and acetylene reduction started after the lag-phase and proceeded at a low rate . Extracts of such cells did not display the activity of nitrogenase which could be assayed by the ATP-dependent evolution of H2 from dithionite . The data obtained confirm the fact that hydrogen photoevolution by purple bacteria involves nitrogenase whose synthesis is regulated (according to the action of glutamine) with the participation of glutamine synthetase . NH4+, glutamine and asparagine inhibit also hydrogen photoproduction by purple bacteria and acetylene photoreduction . However, they have no effect on hydrogen evolution in the dark by the cells of R . rubrum and T . roseopersicina in the presence of formiate or pyruvate, respectively, whereas carbon monoxide inhibits hydrogen production . Therefore, hydrogen production by purple bacteria in the dark must be catalyzed by hydrogenase. J Clin Pathol, 1979 Apr, 32(4), 382 - 5 Limits to progressive reduction of resident skin bacteria by disinfection; Lilly HA et al.; Antiseptic preparations used repeatedly to disinfect the skin caused a reduction in yield of resident flora to a low equilibrium level beyond which further reduction did not occur . This equilibrium varied with the antiseptic preparation used . In a comparison of three preparations, the lowest equilibrium level was obtained with 95% ethyl alcohol . The further reduction in yield of skin bacteria on using alcohol after repeated disinfection with an antiseptic detergent preparation ('two-phase' disinfection) was not paralleled by a further reduction when the preparations used in the two phases were reversed, the antiseptic detergent being used after repeated disinfection with ethyl alcohol . 'Two-phase' disinfection was therefore seen to be due to further reduction in skin bacteria from the low equilibrium obtained with the antiseptic detergent to the lower level obtainable by alcohol disinfection . When repeated disinfection to equilibrium with alcohol was followed by a 'second-phase' handwash with a non-antiseptic detergent and water, there was a large increase in the yield of skin bacteria . This finding supports the view that a low equilibrium level occurs when the reduction in density of accessible bacteria through disinfection is balanced by the emergence of bacteria drawn from deeper layers of the skin. J Bacteriol, 1979 Apr, 138(1), 207 - 17 Modifiable chromatophore proteins in photosynthetic bacteria; Hui KM et al.; The chromatophores of Chromatium vinosum, as well as six other photosynthetic bacteria, contained two or more proteins which were insoluble when heated in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and 2-mercaptoethanol (beta-ME) . When the chromatophores were dissolved at room temperature in SDS-beta-ME, these proteins were present in the SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis profiles, but when the samples were dissolved at 100 degrees C, they were absent or considerably diminished . When one-dimensional gels of chromatophores solubilized at room temperature were soaked in the SDS-beta-ME solution and heated to 100 degrees C and the gels were run in a second dimension, the proteins became immobilized in the original first-dimension gel, where they could be detected by staining . The two major proteins so affected in C . vinosum had apparent molecular weights of 28,000 and 21,000 . The chromatophores of several other photosynthetic bacteria also contained predominant proteins between 30,000 and 19,000 molecular weight, which became insoluble when heated in the presence of SDS and beta-ME . In at least two of the species examined, these appeared to be reaction center proteins . The conditions causing the proteins to become insoluble were complex and involved temperature, SDS concentration, and the presence of sulfhydryl reagents . The chromatophores of four of the Chromatiaceae species and two strains of one of the Rhodospirillaceae species examined had a protein-pigment complex that was visible in SDS-polyacrylamide gel profiles of samples dissolved at room temperature but was absent in samples dissolved at 100 degrees C. Arch Ophthalmol, 1979 Apr, 97(4), 659 - 60 Attachment of bacteria to soft contact lenses; Fowler SA et al.; A total of 25 soft contact lenses from 17 asymptomatic contact lens wearers and eight patients with contact lens-associated giant papillary conjunctivitis were examined by scanning electron microscopy . Structures that resembled bacteria were present on the anterior surface of seven lenses . All lenses showed a coating of granular mucus-like deposits . Some bacteria were seen scattered randomly over the surface, with no apparent attachment to the lens, whereas others were attached to the coated surface by thin, flagella-like foot processes, the distal ends of which were unattached . These attached bacteria were cylindrical in shape . Several bacteria showed a constriction centrally . Some bacteria were covered by the surface coating, while others, which were round to ovoid in shape, appeared partially embedded in the coating itself . Aggregations of bacteria were seen around clumps of mucus-like debris. Ann Intern Med, 1979 Apr, 90(4), 621 - 4 Four serogroups of Legionnaires' disease bacteria defined by direct immunofluorescence; McKinney RM et al.; Thirty-five strains of Legionnaires' disease bacteria were shown to belong in four distinct serologic groups on the basis of findings obtained with direct fluorescent antibody testing . Thirty of the strains were placed in group 1, three in group 2, one in group 3, and one in group 4 . Immunoelectrophoretic studies showed both unique and common antigens among the representative strains of the four serogroups. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1979 Mar 15, 545(3), 429 - 44 The involvement of iron and ubiquinone in electron transfer reactions mediated by reaction centers from photosynthetic bacteria; Blankenship RE et al.; Reaction centers from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides strain R-26 were prepared with varying Fe and ubiquinone (Q) contents . The photooxidation of P-870 to P-870+ was found to occur with the same quantum yield in Fe-depleted reaction centers as in control samples . The kinetics of electron transfer from the initial electron acceptor (I) to Q also were unchanged upon Fe removal . We conclude that Fe has no measurable role in the primary photochemical reaction . The extent of secondary reaction from the first quinone acceptor (QA) to the second quinone acceptor (QB) was monitored by the decay kinetics of P-870+ after excitation of reaction centers with single flashes in the absence of electron donors, and by the amount of P-870 photooxidation that occurred on the second flash in the presence of electron donors . In reaction centers with nearly one iron and between 1 and 2 ubiquinones per reaction center, the amount of secondary electron transfer is proportional to the ubiquinone content above one per reaction center . In reaction centers treated with LiClO4 and o-phenanthroline to remove Fe, the amount of secondary reaction is decreased and is proportional to Fe content . Fe seems to be required for the secondary reaction . In reaction centers depleted of Fe by treatment with SDS and EDTA, the correlation between Fe content and secondary activity is not as good as that found using LiClO4 . This is probably due in part to a loss of primary photochemical activity in samples treated with SDS; but the correlation is still not perfect after correction for this effect . The nature of the back reaction between P-870+ and Q-B was investigated using stopped flow techniques . Reaction centers in the P-870+ Q-B state decay with a 1-s half-time in both the presence and absence of o-phenanthroline, an inhibitor of electron transfer between Q-B and QB . This indicates that the back reaction between P-870+ and Q-A is direct, rather than proceeding via thermal repopulation of Q-A . The P-870+ Q-B state is calculated to lie at least 100 mV in free energy below the P-870+ Q-A state. Biol Bull Acad Sci USSR, 1979 Mar-Apr, 6(2), 264 - 6 Dynamics of production of extracellular polysaccharides by nodule bacteria; Nalbandyan AD et al.; The dynamics of the accumulation of the extracellular polysaccharides synthesized by nodule bacteria and the possibility of their assimilation by these bacteria as a source of carbon was studied . When nodule bacteria were cultured for 20 days in a medium containing glucose, an increase in the titer of the bacteria and the accumulation of extracellular polysaccharides was observed in the first three days . After this the titer of the nodule bacteria decreased with a decrease in the glucose in the medium, but the amount of extracellular polysaccharide synthesized did not increase . These data suggest that extracellular polysaccharides are not assimilated by nodule bacteria as a source of carbon and evidently are protective substances for the cells. J Biochem (Tokyo), 1979 Mar, 85(3), 705 - 11 Biochemical studies on sulfate-reducing bacteria . XV . Separation and comparison of two forms of desulfoviridin; Seki Y et al.; Desulfoviridin from Desulfovibrio vulgaris was separated into two forms by DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography . The major form had a pI of 4.4 and the minor form one of 4.5-4.6 . Both forms produced mainly trithionate, besides thiosulfate and sulfide, in methylviologen-linked sulfite reduction . The specific activities of sulfite reduction, as well as of hydroxylamine reduction, were virtually identical in both forms . There were no great difference