Biokhimiia, 1978, 43(4), 741 - 7 {Subcellular distribution and several properties of the cAMP enzyme system of phototrophic bacteria}; Guliev NM et al.; In the cells of the phototrophic bacteria Rhodospirillum rubrum and Rhodopseudomonas palustris the two enzymes of the cAMP system enzymes - adenylate cyclase and cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) exist in a soluble and membrane-bound forms . After mild disruption of the cells (sonication up to 3 min) the activity of both enzymes is found in the chromatophores . In the cells of the two types of bacteria grown under anaerobic conditions soluble adenylate cyclase is predominant . In the cells of R . rubrum the soluble form of PDE posesses higher activity, whereas in the cells of Rh . palustris a higher activity is observed in the membrane-bound form . In addition to their different localization in the cells, the PDE forms of Rh . rubrum differ in their ratios to the concentrations of hydrogen ions and bivalent metals; the latter difference, however, may be accounted for by the effect of a protein modulator of PDE . The pH optimum of membrane-bound PDE is 9.15 . Soluble PDE has two activity maxima at pH 7.5 and 8.7 . It is probable that similar to the animal tissue enzyme, PDE from Rh . rubrum exists in the soluble phase in at least tw forms . Close pH optima for soluble adenylate cyclase and for one of the soluble PDE forms (about 8.5) may indicate the unidirectional control of these enzymes by hydrogen ion concentration. J Clin Eng, 1978 Jan-Mar, 3(1), 44 - 7 Sterilization of bacteria by means of microwave heating; Fitzpatrick JA et al.; Despite the simplicity and convenience of microwave heating, descriptions in the current literature of attempts to provide a thorough sterilization process have not been encouraging nor has any manufacturer of sterilization equipment introduced such a device to the market . Trials conducted at Providence Hospital using a commercial microwave oven operating at 2450 MHz resulted in a satisfactory sterilization process, that is, the destruction of heat-resisting spore forms (B . stearothermophilus), provided that the materials undergoing sterilization were placed in sealed containers with sufficient water present to provide steam during the heating process . Suggestions are made for further investigation involving the microwave spectrum of the molecule of dipicolinic acid as well as the possibilities of practical applications which could result in reducing hospital costs. Nature, 1977 Dec 8, 270(5637), 486 - 94 Nucleotide sequence and amplification in bacteria of structural gene for rat growth hormone; Seeburg PH et al.; The primary structure of DNA containing the sequence for rat pituitary growth hormone mRNA has been determined . DNA was obtained by reverse transcription of polyadenylated RNA from cultured pituitary cells and from recombinant bacterial plasmids . The amino acid sequences for rat growth hormone and its precursor form have been deduced from the determined nucleotide sequences. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig B}, 1977 Dec, 165(5-6), 480 - 6 {Equipment to find odour compounds, produced by bacteria in drinking water . I . Comparison of a bacteria produced odour compound with a chemical reference substance and a simple method for getting and concentrating biogenic odour compounds (author's transl)}; Muller G et al.; An increase in using surface water and bank filtration processes as raw water for drinking water production sometimes gave rise to problems of bad taste and odour . Some of these odourous compounds may be produced by bacteria, especially Streptomyces species . They are able to pass active carbon filters and therefore are a problem as well in raw water as in treated water . Biogenic odourous compounds often are soluble in water, that means they are present without being fixed to the bacteria cell . Human nose is able to percieve even dilutions of about 10(-9) . If a bacterial produced substance is compared with an equal smelling chemical substance such as Isoborneol, also diltuions of 10(-9) may be smelt . Gas-chromatography only detects concentrations up to 10(-5), so the nose is much more efficient. Clin Exp Immunol, 1977 Nov, 30(2), 252 - 8 Interdependence of in vitro responsiveness of cord and maternal blood lymphocytes to antigens from oral bacteria; Ivanyi L et al.; A group of thirty-five mothers and their babies at parturition were examined by the in vitro lymphocyte transformation test to determine sensitization by oral bacterial antigens, B-cell mitogens and dental plaque . Lymphocytes from babies of sensitized mothers with gingival or periodontal disease gave the highest frequency (70 and 63%) and magnitude (mean stimulation index of 3.4 and 3.3) of response in cultures stimulated by Actinomyces viscosus and Veillonella alcalescens . However, IgM antibodies to V . alcalescens antigen were absent from cord sera . With one exception, stimulation of lymphocytes from babies of unsensitized mothers with clinically healthy gingiva was not found with these antigens . The response of cord lymphocytes from mothers with gingival or periodontal disease to antigens from oral bacteria, as compared with the response of cord lymphocytes from mothers with clinically healthy gingiva, seemed specific, since a corresponding difference in response to unrelated antigen PPD was not found . The response of cord and maternal lymphocytes to B-cell mitogens was also determined . Maternal lymphocytes responded in the following decreasing order of effectiveness: dextran sulphate, levan, lipopolysaccharide and dextran B1355; whereas cord lymphocytes were stimulated in the reverse order of effectiveness. Mikrobiologiia, 1977 Nov-Dec, 46(6), 1074 - 81 {Factors causing short-term periodic changes in the numbers of bacteria in the superficial layer of sludge and in the water near the bottom}; Kutuzova RS; Rhythmical temporal changes in the number of bacterial populations inhabiting the surface ooze layer and the water layer above it have been found to depend on two processes: (1) the ability of bacteria for periodic intensive growth followed by death of the cells and (2) the participation of zooplankton in consuming the bacterial cells for nourishment . The total bacterial number in samples depends on which of the two processes prevails. Scand J Dent Res, 1977 Nov, 85(7), 599 - 605 Bacteria in experimentally infected cavity preparations; Mjor IA; The presence of bacteria on cavity walls was assessed histologically following experimental infection by inserting soft carious human dentin or guttapercha temporary filings in 40 monkey teeth . Eighty-five infected cavities which had been restored using zinc oxide-eugenol cement (34 teeth), Ca(OH)2 (39 teeth) or amalgam (12 teeth) were also evaluated . Bacteria could regularly be demonstrated in cavities where soft carious human dentin had remained in the cavities for 82 d, but not, or only very rarely, in any of the other series . It was concluded that vital dentin has considerable resistance against infection and that cavity sterilization appears to be of questionable value. Lab Anim, 1977 Oct, 11(4), 215 - 7 Inhibition of bacteria in mouse drinking water by chlorination; Bywater JE et al.; Experience with the use of mouse drinking water containing chlorine is discussed . With an initial concentration of 5 p.p.m . bacteria were recovered from the bottles after 7 days and there was considerable growth in untreated bottles . Above this concentration no bacteria survived . It is recommended that 15-20 p.p.m . chlorine are used for practical purposes. Biokhimiia, 1977 Oct, 42(10), 1817 - 24 {Comparative study of light-harvesting complexes of purple photosynthetic bacteria Chromatium minutissimum and Rhodopseudomonas palustris}; Erokhin IuE et al.; Light-harvesting pigment-lipoprotein complexes from sulfur (Chromatium minutissimum) and non-sulfur (Rhodopseudomonas palustris) purple bacteria are isolated and comparatively studied . Electron microscopy was used for determination of the complex size, different methods were employed to estimate their molecular weights and chemical composition . Two small proteins are found in each complex, their molecular weight, molar ratio and their content per complex being studied . Amino acid composition and N-terminal amino acids are determined for both proteins of light-harvesting complex from Chromatium minutissimum . Some common characteristics of the molecular organization of light-harvesting complexes in purple bacteria are discussed. J Bacteriol, 1977 Oct, 132(1), 356 - 8 Motility of flagellated bacteria in viscous environments; Greenberg EP et al.; The lowest viscosity that immobilized flagellated bacteria such as Psedomonas aeruginosa, Spirillum serpens, and Escherichia coli was 60 centipoise (cp) . Much higher viscosities (1,000 cp and higher) were required to immobilize two flagellated bacteria selectively isolated from nature by methods based on their ability to migrate through agar gels . The latter finding indicates that certain flagellated bacteria have the ability to swim through environments of relatively high viscosity . It is suggested that these flagellated bacteria possess a specialized type of motility apparatus suited to viscous conditions present in their habitats. Zentralbl Bakteriol {Orig A}, 1977 Oct, 239(2), 162 - 71 {Immobilization of leukocytes by Escherichia coli . A study with enterotoxigenic bacteria (author's transl)}; Ohgke H; Rabbit peritoneal leukocytes showed reduced random motility and chemotactic responsiveness after incubation in the high molecular weight-fraction of Escherichia coli culture filtrates . Two leukocyte-immobilizing factors appeared in the incubation media . One of these factors was thought to be identical with the migration inhibiting substance described by Udaka . The other immobilizing factor was dialyzable and gave a molecular weight of about 300 by column chromatography . Minimal formation of the factors occurred in the presence of E . coli heat-labile Enterotoxin. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Oct, 34(4), 456 - 7 Retention of bacteria in liquid films at agar surfaces; Thomas CJ et al.; The number of bacteria retained by agar dipslides immersed in bacterial suspensions was dependent solely on suspension population density and was unaffected by the nutrient status of the agar surface or liquid, disturbance of the liquid, or bacterial motility and chemotaxis. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1977 Oct, (10), 108 - 11 {Morphologic characteristics of the large bodies in cultures of the L-forms of bacteria according to scanning electron microscope studies}; Kats LN et al.; Large bodies appear at the time of protoplast and spheroplast formation and are revealed at all the L-transformation stages and at the initial stage of reversion . They can be represented both by a single giant cell and by a conglomerate of different cells connected with one another . They are not only spheroid, but can be of the most varied shape, and structurally they are connected with other L-colony elements: filamentous structures, spheroid cells, elementary bodies and the so-called acellular material . At the early L-transformation stage the large bodies probably appear as a result of coalescence of lysed cells and represent polygenome formations . Elementary bodies and spheroid cells form within the large bodies and on their surface at the late stage of L-transformation . In case of reversion bacterial cells form from them. Br J Nutr, 1977 Sep, 38(2), 207 - 16 Digestibilities of nitrogen compounds in rumen bacteria and in other components of digesta in the small intestine of the young steer; Salter DN et al.; 1 . Mixed bacteria were obtained from the rumen contents of steers and were taken at different times after the animals had been given different feeds . The feeds contained {15N}urea and in some experiments Na2 35SO4 so that the bacteria were labelled with these isotopes . 2 . Samples of labelled bacteria were subjected to a simulated abomasal digestion with pepsin and the digests were infused with a non-absorbed marker, polyethylene glycol, into the duodenums of test steers equipped with re-entrant ileal cannulas . Except for samples taken after a 24 h fast, which sometimes gave somewhat lower values, mean values for digestibilities of 15N and 35S in the small intestine were 0-79 and 0-85 respectively . 3 . The corresponding value for the digestibility of 15N in similarly-treated wheat-leaf protein concentrate was 0-86 . 4 . Net digestibilities of total N in the small intestine of the test steers when they were given either a mainly protein-free diet of straw, tapioca and urea or a diet of flaked maize and hay were approximately 0-62 . 5 . From these and other values it was calculated that approximately 5-2 g intestinally-secreted endogenous N/d flowed through the ileum of a 100 kg steer. Mikrobiologiia, 1977 Sep-Oct, 46(5), 971 - 3 {Bacteria-cortical symbionts of Thichonympha turkestanica, a protozoan from the gut tract of the termite Hodotermes margabicus}; Gromov BV et al.; Intracellular symbiotic bacteria of the flagellate Trichonympha turkestanica located in the surface cortical part of the animal cell are described . The cell structure of the symbionts is typical of gramnegative bacteria, but contains also an additional outer membrane . The membrane is an element of the electron-dense structures which have contacts, at many points, with the kinetosomes or membranes surrounding flagella . A possible functional significance of symbiotic bacteria for the operation of flagella is discussed. Mol Biol (Mosk), 1977 Sep-Oct, 11(5), 1090 - 9 {Possible role of macromolecular components in the functioning of photosynthetic reaction centers of purple bacteria}; Noks PP et al.; The temperature dependencies of the photoconversion of pigments P870--P890 were studied using isolated chromatophores and photosynthetic reaction centres (RC's) of purple bacteria . The samples were prepared by extraction with organic solvents (light petroleum and a combination of light petroleum and methanol) and modified through cross-linking the functional groups of proteins by treatment with glutaraldehyde or denatured by various physical and chemical treatments . The data provide further evidence that the pool of RC secondary acceptors is formed by the compounds of quinone nature located in the hydrophobic surrounding . Similar molecules localized in a more polar medium act as primary acceptors . The findings indicate on the essential role of macromolecular components in the RC's functioning and also suggest that the photochemical charge separation is conformation-controlled. Experientia, 1977 Aug 15, 33(8), 1008 - 10 Reduction of adenylylsulfate and 3'-phosphoadenylylsulfate in phototrophic bacteria; Schmidt A et al.; Extracts of 14 species of phototrophic bacteria, partly grown with different sulfur compounds, were tested for their ability to form volatile sulfur compounds from adenylylsulfate (APS) and 3'-phosphoadenylylsulfate (PAPS) . The Rhodospirillum species showed marked activities with both APS and PAPS while the Rhodopseudomonas species seem to prefer PAPS . The Chromatiaceae exhibited the strongest activities with APS, whereas Chlorobium limicola had equally high activity with PAPS. J Mol Evol, 1977 Aug 5, 9(4), 369 - 71 A comment on methanogenic bacteria and the primitive ecology; Woese CR; The phenotype and antiquity of methanogenic bacteria suggest them to have been one of the major factors determining a dynamic balance between CO2 and CH4 in the primitive atmosphere. Int J Radiat Biol Relat Stud Phys Chem Med, 1977 Aug, 32(2), 145 - 52 Effect of oxygen on bacteria and cultured mammalian cells irradiated in the frozen state; Antoku S et al.; The oxygen effect for bacteria and cultured mammalian cells at -196 degrees C was studied, using suspensions to which were added cryoprotective and chemical protective agents . The oxygen enhancement ratio (o.e.r.) in the frozen state was dependent on the chemicals added to the suspensions . When the chemicals had a high competitive reactivity with oxygen to the damage, the o.e.r . in the frozen state was comparable to that in the liquid suspensions . Without chemicals, the o.e.r . in the frozen state decreased significantly, probably because of the low competitive activity of endogenous SH compounds . In general, the systems with a higher o.e.r . in the liquid state had a lower o.e.r . in the frozen state. Can J Microbiol, 1977 Aug, 23(8), 981 - 7 Isolation and distribution of oligotrophic marine bacteria; Aragi Y et al.; A useful plate culture method for isolating oligotrophic bacteria found in the low-nutrient environment of the open sea has been developed . The method uses a glass-fiber filter substitute for agar . Nutritional requirements of oligotrophic bacteria consisted of a dilute mutrient solution containing 16.8 mg C/l total organic carbon aseptically added to the sterilized filter . Distribution of bacteria in oceanic and neritic seawater was determined using the membrane filter method . In the case of seawater containing less than 0.5 mg/l dissolved carbohydrates, plate counts of oligotrophic bacteria were found to be several- to 100-fold greater than the heterotrophic bacterial counts enumerated by standard methods routinely used for enumeration . However, in seawater containing approximately over 0.5 mg/l dissolved carbohydrates, heterotrophic bacterial counts were 10-fold greater than oligotrophic bacterial counts. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Aug, 34(2), 164 - 9 Pyruvate production and excretion by the luminous marine bacteria; Ruby EG et al.; During aerobic growth on glucose, several species of luminous marine bacteria exhibited an imcomplete oxidative catabolism of substrate . Pyruvate, one of the products of glucose metabolism, was excreted into the medium during exponential growth and accounted for up to 50% of the substrate carbon metabolized . When glucose was depleted from the medium, the excreted pyruvate was promptly utilized, demonstrating that the cells are capable of pyruvate catabolism . Pyruvate excretion is not a general phenomenon of carbohydrate metabolism since it does not occur during the utilization of glycerol or maltose . When cells pregrown on glycerol were exposed to glucose, they began to excrete pyruvate, even if protein synthesis was blocked with chloramphenicol . Glucose thus appears to have an effect on the activity of preexisting catabolic enzymes. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1977 Aug, 85(4), 249 - 54 Differential staining of bacteria in clinical specimens using acridine orange buffered at low pH; Kronvall G et al.; Optimal conditions for acridine orange staining of air dried and methanol fixed bacteria on glass slides were studied . The pH of the staining buffer did not influence the fluorescence of an S . aureus and an E . coli strain at dye concentrations of 25-50 mg per litre . 81 bacterial strains representing 15 different species were stained with acridine orange under standard conditions, all strains showing orange fluorescence . The pH of the buffer influenced markedly the staining patterns of human cells and tissue materials, as represented by smears of peripheral blood, buccal scrapings, urethral secretions and tracheal exudates . The fluorescence obtained ranged from low intensity green at low pH values to bright orange at neutral and alkaline pH . This variability indicated a possibility of designing conditions for a differential staining method for the detection of bacteria in clinical specimens . The differential staining effect with a low pH in the buffer was confirmed on smears of buccal scrapings, cerebrospinal fluid samples and urethral secretions, showing orange fluorescence of the bacteria present and green-to-yellow fluorescence of background material, cells and tissue debris. Biokhimiia, 1977 Aug, 42(8), 1387 - 91 {Comparative study of NADP-reductase properties in two species of purple bacteria}; Laurinavichene TV et al.; Unlike Rhodospirillum rubrum, the highly purified preparations of NADP-reductase Thiocapsa roseopersicina are capable of reduction of cytochrome c though they do not catalyse diaphorase reaction in the presence of methyl viologen or benzyl viologen and NADH . T . roseopersicina reductase has more high temperature optimum (50-65 degrees) and more high thermal stability (65 degrees) and it is capable to catalyse diaphorase and menadione-reductase reactions under more high pH values (11.0-12.0) than NADP-reductase of R . rubrum . NADP-reductase of T . roseopersicina is more stable under storing than the enzyme from R . rubrum: the semi-inactivation period of the enzyme when storing in Ar or the air is about 10 and 4 days, respectively, and it takes about three days for R . rubrum. Am J Trop Med Hyg, 1977 Jul, 26(4), 663 - 78 Intracytoplasmic bacteria in Onchocerca volvulus; Kozek WJ et al.; Ultrastructural studies on Onchocerca volvulus disclosed intracellular organisms within the lateral chords of adult worms and of the larval stages . In the females the organisms were also present in the oogonia, oocytes, developing eggs and microfilariae . The organisms, found within vesicles of host (filarid) membrane and limited to the cytoplasm of infected cells, appeared to have a developmental cycle consisting of three morphologically distinct forms: a small spheroidal form up to 0.3 micronm in size, a bacillary form up to 1.5 micron7 in length and 0.7 micronm in diameter, and a third form, intermediate in size between the former and the latter, characterized by a dense inclusion . The intravesicular location and the developmental cycle consisting of three distinct forms are the two characteristics which suggest that these organisms are more similar to the chlamydiae than to the rickettsiae, in spite of their being transovarially transmitted . The significance of these findings with respect to the host-parasite relationship and pathogenesis of onchocerciasis is presently unknown and will require further study. Am J Vet Res, 1977 Jul, 38(7), 1015 - 7 Effect of ruminal lactic acid-utilizing bacteria on adaptation of cattle to high-energy rations; Cook MK et al.; Heifers, unadapted to a concentrate ration, were intraruminally inoculated (1 dose) with cultures of ruminal lactic acid-utilizing bacteria or with ruminal fluid from a steer adapted to a concentrate ration . Inoculation with cultures (1 L) of Selenomonas ruminantium or Megasphaera elsdenii did not produce better average daily weight gains or feed efficiency of heifers fed a high-energy ration for 21 days, if these values were compared with the performance of noninoculated heifers . Average daily weight gain and feed efficiency of heifers inoculated with 1 L of Peptococcus asaccharolyticus culture or with 1 L of adapted ruminal fluid and fed a high-energy ration for 21 days were better if these values were compared with the performance of noninoculated heifers. J Nucl Med, 1977 Jul, 18(7), 736 - 9 Thyroid hormones and {14C} glucose metabolism in bacteria; Singh KT et al.; The effects of triiodothyronine and thyroxine on metabolism and growth of bacteria were studied . It was observed that over a certain range of concentration thyroxine and triiodothyronine produced increase in 14CO2 release from {14C}-labeled glucose and also stimulated bacteria growth. Scand J Dent Res, 1977 Jul, 85(5), 313 - 9 Bacteria in cavities beneath intermediary base materials; Qvist J et al.; The ability of six different intermediary base materials to prevent bacterial entrance beneath silicate cement fillings was investigated in vivo in primary molars . After an observation period of 1 month, bacteria were found on the pulpal wall in two out of 10 cavities beneath Fluoritec and four out of 10 cavities beneath Durelon solid mixed, De Trey phosphate cement solid or creamy mixed . Beneath the intermediary base materials Dycal, zinc oxide-eugenol cement, Dropsin and Durelon creamy mixed, no bacteria were found . In cavities filled with silicate cement or silver amalgam only, bacteria were observed in nine out of 10 and in five out of 10 cavities, respectively. Z Naturforsch {C}, 1977 Jul-Aug, 32(7-8), 557 - 62 {Degradation of antipyrin by pyrazon-degrading bacteria (author's transl)}; Sauber K et al.; Bacteria with the ability to grow on pyrazon as sole source of carbon were isolated from soil . They also are able to grow on antipyrin . Then three metabolites of antipyrin can be isolated from the culture fluid which were identified as 2,3-dimethyl-1-(cis-2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxy-4,6-cyclohexadiene-1-yl)-pyrazolone (5) (I), as 2,3-dimethyl-1-(2,3-dihydroxyphenyl)-pyrazolone (5) (II) and as 2,3-dimethyl-pyrazolone (5) (III), respectively . Compound I and II were used as substrates for enzyme studies . A dioxygenase catalyzes the enzymatic conversion of antipyrin into compound I . In the presence of NAD as cosubstrate compound I is transformed into compound II by a dehydrogenase . A pure preparation of metapyrocatechase from pyrazon-degrading bacteria converts compound II into the dephenylated heterocyclic moiety of antipyrin (III) and into 2-pyrone-6-carboxylic acid . Based on the results of the enzymatic studies a pathway for the degradation of antipyrin is proposed. Mol Biol (Mosk), 1977 Jul-Aug, 11(4), 933 - 40 {Spectral position of the principal absorption band of pigment complex P870 and the kinetics of photo-induced oxidoreductions in the reaction centers and chromatophores of purple bacteria with preparations at different temperatures and having different degrees of hydration}; Noks PP et al.; In isolated photosynthetic reaction centres of Rps . spheroides and chromatophores R . rubrum the spectral position of the longest wavelength absorption band of P870, effectiveness of electron removal from the photochemical pair (P870 -- primary electron acceptor, A1) and the rate constant for recombination of photooxidized P870 with photoreduced A1 undergo marked and fully reversible changes over the temperature interval from +20 to -70 degrees . Dehydration of the samples has the effect similar to that induced by temperature lowering . The data suggest that the spectral position of the main maximum of pigment complex P870 absorption band may be regarded as a sensitive inner probe of the structure-functional state of the investigated preparations. Biokhimiia, 1977 Jul, 42(7), 1285 - 91 {Purification and properties of NADP-reductase of phototropic bacteria Thiocapsa roseopersicina}; Gogotov IN et al.; The method of purification up to homogenous states and properties of NADP-reductase of purple bacteria Thiocapsa roseopersicina, strain BBS, are described . The molecular weight of NADP-reductase is about 47 000; it is flavoprotein consisting of two subunits . Atebrim and chloromercury bensoate inhibit the activity of NADP-reductase (34% and 33--60%, respectively) . The enzyme is specific to NADPH; it catalyzes menadion-reductase reaction, diaphorase reaction of benzyl viologen reduction, oxidation of reduced benzyl viologen in the presence of NADP, reduction of ferredoxin and cytochrome c in the presence of NADPH, but it is not capable to catalyze transhydrogenase reaction. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1977 Jun 9, 460(3), 547 - 54 On the magnetic field dependence of the yield of the triplet state in reaction centers of photosynthetic bacteria; Hoff AJ et al.; The yield of the triplet state in reaction centers of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides is dependent on the strength of an applied magnetic field . Reaction centers of the wild type that lack a functional iron complexed to the primary acceptor ubiquinone show a dependence similar to that of reaction centers of the mutant R-26 in which the iron-ubiquinone complex is intact . Apparently, the iron of the iron-ubiquinone complex is not essential to the effect, but it does exert an influence on its extent . Inchromatophores, the effect is about 2-fold decreased; the value of the magnetic field at which half the effect is found is about 500 G, in contrast to this value for reaction centers, which is 50--100 G . The magnetodependence of the triplet yield is discussed in terms of the Chemically Induced Dynamic Electron Polarization mechanism (CIDEP). Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 Jun, 33(6), 1284 - 6 Penetration of bacteria into meat; Gill CO et al.; Bacteria are confined to the surface of meat during the logarithmic phase of growth . When proteolytic bacteria approach their maximum cell density, extracellular proteases secreted by the bacteria apparently break down the connective tissue between muscle fibers, allowing the bacteria to penetrate the meat . Non-proteolytic bacteria do not penetrate meat, even when grown in association with proteolytic species. Br J Nutr, 1977 May, 37(3), 389 - 94 Degradation of the nucleic acids in mixed rumen bacteria on incubation with different media; Smith RC et al.; 1 . Mixed rumen bacteria were grown in vitro in a medium containing {U-14C}adenine . Radioactivity was incorporated into the purine bases of the nucleic acids . 2 . Labelled bacteria were incubated with a nitrogen-deficient cell-free medium (medium A), a protozoa-free supernatant suspension from a slow-speed centrifuging of a steer's rumen contents (medium B) and whole rumen contents of a steer (medium C) . Mean (six experiments) proportional rates of release of radioactivity (/h) were significantly greater for medium A (0-140) than for media B or C (0-055 and 0-43 respectively) . Some of the radioactivity accumulated in the cell-free media; some was lost, partially as carbon dioxide . 3 . Calculation from this and other information indicated that about 30% of bacterial nucleic acids may turn over in the rumen even in the absence of protozoa. Ann Surg, 1977 May, 185(5), 593 - 7 Biliary bacteria and hepatic histopathologic changes in gallstone disease; Flinn WR et al.; This study attempts to assess the frequency and severity of liver damage in patients with gallstone disease and the role of bacteria in the development of these changes . Needle biopsy of the liver demonstrated acute inflammation of portal triads in 19 of 126 patients with gallstones, a finding not present in control patients . Acute inflammation occurred more often in patients with acute cholecystitis and choledocholithiasis than in chronic cholecystitis . Cultures of the biliary tract or liver were positive in 23 of 64 patients . The frequency of positive bile cultures increased with the severity of the biliary tract disease . Five out of 6 positive liver cultures were from patients with acute cholecystitis or choledocholithiasis . The data suggest that impairment of bile flow is responsible for the acute hepatic inflammatory changes. Mikrobiologiia, 1977 May-Jun, 46(3), 554 - 9 {Characteristics of phages of spore-forming bacteria isolated from the soil}; Azizbekian RR et al.; Phages lyzing spore forming bacteria were isolated from soil, and their biological properties and fine structure were studied . The spectrum of lytic activity was determined as well as parameters of the intracellular phage growth . The burst size of the phage varies from 8 to 725 particles per infected cell, the latent period lasts 25-100 min for various phages . According to the data of electron microscopy, the phages are divided into three morphological groups . The phages Tg7, AR13 and BPP10 have a complex structure. Mikrobiologiia, 1977 May-Jun, 46(3), 409 - 13 {Carbonic anhydrase activity of phototropic bacteria}; Ivanovskii RN et al.; The activity of carboanhydrase was assayed in seven species of phototrophous bacteria: three species of the Rhodospirillaceae genus, three species of the Chromatiaceae genus, and one species of the Chlorobiaceae genus . The activity of carboanhydrase was found in five species among seven . It decreased on passing from photoautotrophous to photoheterotrophous conditions of growth, and then to dark heterotrophous conditions, which correlated with the activity of the Calvin cycle in the bacteria . No activity of carboanhydrase was detected in Ectothiorhodospira shaposhnikovii and Chlorobium limicola, probably because Chl . limicola fixed carbon dioxide not in the Calvin cycle, but in the reactions of reductive carboxylation of organic acids. J Biochem (Tokyo), 1977 May, 81(5), 1517 - 23 Transport of sugars and amino acids in bacteria . XVIII . Properties of an isoleucine carrier in the cytoplasmic membrane vesicles of Escherichia coli; Yamato I et al.; The properties of the carrier for isoleucine in Escherichia coli were studied using cytoplasmic membrane vesicles (IM vesicles) prepared by the method of Yamato, Anraku, and Hirosawa (J . Biochem . 77, 705 (1975)) . The IM vesicles exhibited respiration-dependent isoleucine transport activity which was more than 30-fold higher than that of "Kaback vesicles" prepared by our hand from the same strains of E . coli K12 . The isoleucine carrier activity of IM vesicles was inhibited by norleucine but not by threonine . The carrier was driven by proton motive force . Mutants were isolated which had lost the carrier activity for isoleucine, as judged by assay with IM vesicles . Using these mutants, the effects of binding proteins specific for branched chain amino acids on the translocation of substrate in IM vesicles were studied . Leucine-isoleucine-valine-threonine-binding protein (LIVT-binding protein) stimulated the initial rate of isoleucine uptake by IM vesicles only when the vesicles possessed carrier activity and it did not affect the Kt value for entry of substrate . This evidence suggests the partial reconstitution of the osmotic shock-sensitive transport reaction in which the binding protein seems to affect the carrier activity with turnover ability. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 May, 33(5), 1229 - 32 Comparison of two direct-count techniques for enumerating aquatic bacteria; Bowden WB; Planktonic bacteria from an estuary were concentrated on membrane filters and counted with both a scanning electron microscope and an epi-illuminated fluorescent microscope . Counts on 0.2 micron Nuclepore filters (polycarbonate) were significantly higher (P less than 0.001) than counts on 0.2-micron Sartorius filters (cellulose) . In contrast, there was not a statistically significant difference between the two techniques when Nuclepore filters were used (0.5 less than P less than 0.9) . The average cell volume from this study area was 0.047 micron3 . The estimated number of bacteria ranged from 10(6) to 10(7) bacteria per ml, representing from 4 to 40 mg of C per m3. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1977 May, 33(5), 1225 - 8 Use of nuclepore filters for counting bacteria by fluorescence microscopy; Hobbie JE et al.; Polycarbonate Nuclepore filters are better than cellulose filters for the direct counting of bacteria because they have uniform pore size and a flat surface that retains all of the bacteria on top of the filter . Although cellulose filters also retain all of the bacteria, many are trapped inside the filter where they cannot be counted . Before use, the Nuclepore filters must be dyed with irgalan black to eliminate autofluorescence . Direct counts of bacteria in lake and ocean waters are twice as high with Nuclepore filters as with cellulose filters. Science, 1977 Apr 8, 196(4286), 218 - 20 Probability of establishing chimeric plasmids in natural populations of bacteria; Levin BR et al.; Formulas for estimating the probability that chimeric plasmids carried by disarmed hosts will become established in natural populations of bacteria are presented and their use illustrated with a series of realistic numerical examples . The implications of these a priori probability estimates for the problem of containment for recombinant DNA research is discussed. J Bacteriol, 1977 Apr, 130(1), 535 - 7 Phospholipid and fatty acid composition of methanol-utilizing bacteria; Goldberg I et al.; Differences in phospholipid and fatty acid composition were found among bacteria using the serine or the ribulose monophosphate pathway for the assimilation of C1 compounds . These differences might be used as an additional criterion for the classification of methanol-utilizing bacteria. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1977 Apr, (4), 95 - 7 {Role of several physico-chemical surface properties of bacteria in the machanism of the initial phases of phagocytosis}; Gromova VA et al.; An attempt was made on E . coli pattern to reveal the role played by the surface charge and the extent of the surface hydration in the mechanism of the initial phagocytosis phases (attraction and submersion) . Phagocytosis experiments with washed bacteria and washed rabbit leukocytes demonstrated a marked direct dependence of the electrophoretic velocities of escherichia and the intensity of their phagocytic ingestion, and a strong reverse relationship between the extent of hydration and the phagocytic activity . Treatment of bacteria with rabbit plasma with subsequent washing led to a significant reduction of hydration and to an insignificant reduction of the electrophoretic velocities with parallel increase of the phagocyte activity . Correlation between the phagocytosis intensity and the acquired physico-chemical properties of bacteria became weak. J Bacteriol, 1977 Apr, 130(1), 92 - 9 Initiation and termination of deoxyribonucleic acid replication in bacteria after a stepwise increase in the velocity of replication; Bremer H et al.; The theoretical relations between replication, initiation, termination, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) accumulation were derived for experiments in which the length of the time required for the replication of the bacterial chromosome (C period) can be varied . This theory enables one to determine absolute values of the C period from kinetics of DNA accumulation after a "stepup" with thymine-requiring bacteria that are subjected to a sudden increase in the exogenous thymine concentration . Application of this method of data evaluation to an observed step-up experiment with a thy-derivative of Escherichia coli B/r (ATCC 12407) indicated that the theory describes the observed post-step accumulation of DNA accurately within experimental errors . It is also concluded that changes in the replication velocity (C) do not measurably affect the timing of initiation events in a culture. Health Lab Sci, 1977 Apr, 14(2), 117 - 21 The effect of oxidase positive bacteria on total coliform density estimates; Lupo L et al.; The most probable number method for enumerating coliforms was shown to give a false estimate of the coliform density . The inflated estimates were due to lactose positive, non-coliform bacteria whose presence was detected by an oxidase test . Thirty-six percent of all the samples examined contained oxidase positive bacteria that were able to produce gas from lactose . Their presence resulted in coliform density overestimates which ranged from 2 to 33 times the true value . The frequency of occurrence of inaccurate estimates was shown to be affected by water temperature but unrelated to environmental source. J Clin Microbiol, 1977 Apr, 5(4), 448 - 52 Effect of dilution on recovery of bacteria from blood; Beebe JL et al.; The multiplication rate of bacteria in undiluted blood containing sodium polyanethol sulfonate was compared with growth rates obtained in dilutions of blood ranging from 1:2 to 1:8 . Although all organisms tested grew in the undiluted blood, increased growth rates were seen in the 1:2 dilution . Further dilution resulted in growth rates equivalent to that obtained with the 1:2 dilution . In view of these results, we question the present recommendations that blood be diluted 1:10 or 1:20. Mol Gen Genet, 1977 Mar 16, 151(3), 319 - 26 Mechanism of conjugation and recombination in bacteria XVI: single-stranded regions in recipient deoxyribonucleic acid during conjugation in Escherichia coli K-12; Bialkowska-Hobrzanska H et al.; The formation of mating pairs between F- and Hfr cells resulted in increased sensitivity of recipient deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to single-strand-specific S1 nuclease, from 3.6% to 23.5% after 30 min conjugation . A comparable amount of single strand regions in the DNA of mated wild type and recA mutant cells was detected . 10 min of conjugation resulted in almost the same amount of single-strand recipient DNA as 30 min of continuous transfer of donor DNA . Also the transfer of plasmid DNA from F+ recA strain led to the occurrence of single-strand recipient DNA . In similar experiments with Hfr tra mutant no such effect was observed . We conclude that alterations in the sechases of conjugation associated with the formation of mating pairs and/or initiation of transfer donor DNA. Eur J Biochem, 1977 Mar 15, 74(1), 89 - 97 Purification and properties of pyrazon dioxygenase from pyrazon-degrading bacteria; Sauber K et al.; Chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and gel filtration on Sephadex revealed that pyrazon dioxygenase from pyrazon-degrading bacteria consists of three different enzyme components . No component alone oxidizes the phenyl moiety of pyrazon, only when the three components are combined can oxidation be detected . Following electron paramagnetic resonance and ultraviolet measurements the protein nature of the three components was determined: component A1 (molecular weight about 180000,red-brown in colour) is an iron-sulphur protein . The existence of approximately two moles of iron and two moles of inorganic sulphur per mole of protein was demonstrated . This enzyme component was purified to homogeneity in disc electrophoresis . Component A2 is a yellow protein of a molecular weight of about 67000 . FAD was shown to be the prosthetic group of this protein . Component B (molecular weight about 12000, brown in colour) is a protein of the ferredoxin type, which was purified to homogeneity, as demonstrated by disc electrophoresis . A hypothetical scheme for the cooperation of the three components is proposed: component A2 accepts as cosubstrate NADH and functions as a ferredoxin reductase . The ferredoxin, component B, has the function of an electron carrier . The conversion of the substrates is effected by component A1, the terminal dioxygenase. Mikrobiologiia, 1977 Mar-Apr, 46(2), 217 - 22 {Carbohydrate metabolism enzymes of purple sulfur-bacteria during growth in the dark}; Krasil'nikova EN; Ectothiorhodospira shaposhnikovii, Chromatium minutissimum and Thiocapsa roseopersicina were grown in the dark under anaerobic conditions on media containing glucose or fructose and organic acids . Their cell contained the following enzymes of the fructose diphosphate pathway: phosphofructokinase, fructose diphosphate aldolase, and 3-phosphoglyceraldehyde dehydrogenase . The activity of fructose diphosphate aldolase was higher in the cells grown in the dark than in the cells grown in the light . The same enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle were found in the cells cultivated in the dark on media containing organic acids as in the cells grown in the light, though the activity of some enzymes was lower . Only the activity of isocitrate lyase increased in the cells cultivated in the dark on a medium containing acetate. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1977 Mar, (3), 64 - 7 {Set of biochemical tests for studying the metabolic pathways of arginine and other basic amino acids in bacteria}; Khramov VA; The author suggests a set of biochemical methods permitting to identify the enzymes participating in the utilization of arginine and some other amino acids . Use of the whole complex of the suggested tests permits to determine reliably the presence of one or another enzymatic activity . The described methods permitted quantitative recording and could be used both to ascertain the peculiarities of the amino acid metabolism in various bacterial species and possibly for the purpose of differential diagnosis and identification of bacteria. Can J Microbiol, 1977 Mar, 23(3), 267 - 70 {Effect of sunlight penetration on the development of phototrophic sulfur bacteria in marine environment}; Matheron R et al.; Bottles of medium were inoculated with both strains of Chromatiacea and Chlorobiaceae (mixed cultures) and immersed at differnt depths in the marine coastal waters of the Marseilles basin (France) . After development, the in vivo absorption characteristics of the cells show the effect of the daylight penetration on the selective growth of photorophic sulfur bacteria . With depth, sunlight selects Chlorobiaceae rich in brown carotenoid pigments to the detriment of Chromatiaceae. J Bacteriol, 1977 Mar, 129(3), 1607 - 12 Biochemical and physiological properties of alkaline phosphatases in five isolates of marine bacteria; Hassan HM et al.; The alkaline phosphatase activities of five unique isolates of marine bacteria were found to be associated with the periplasmic space; however, the enzymes from these isolates differed with respect to their repressibility, the apparent number of isoenzymes, the necessity for Mg2 for activity, and the conditions required for their release . With three of the isolates, the enzyme was released when cells that had been washed in 0.5 M NaCl were suspended in sucrose; however, with the other two isolates, one required the additional presence of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane and the other required the presence of lysozyme and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid . In two isolates the activity was constitutive, in two it was partially repressed, and in one it was completely repressed by inorganic phosphate . The repression of activity was associated with corresponding changes of activity bands as seen by acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Arch Microbiol, 1977 Feb 4, 112(1), 115 - 7 Growth of sulfate-reducing bacteria with sulfur as electron acceptor; Biebl H et al.; In addition to three new isolates, six strains of representative species of sulfate-reducing bacteria were tested for their capacity to use elemental sulfur as an electron acceptor for growth . There was good growth and sulfide production by strain Norway 4 and the three isolates, two of which had been enriched with sulfur flower and one isolated from a culture with green sulfur bacteria . Slow but definite growth was observed with Desulfovibrio gigas . The type of strains of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, D . vulgaris, and Desulfotomaculum nigrificans as well as Desulfomanoas pigra did not grow with sulfur . The four strains that grew well with sulfur flower were straight, nonsporulating rods and did not contain desulfoviridin. Tissue Cell, 1977, 9(2), 197 - 208 The squid accessory nidamental gland: ultrastructure and association with bacteria; Bloodgood RA; The structure of the accessory nidamental gland of the female squid, Loligo pealei, has been investigated using transmission and scanning electron microscopy . The accessory gland has many of the structural features of a secretory organ . The basic structural unit is a tubule composed of a single layer of epithelial cells containing ordered arrays of rough endoplasmic reticulum and a lumenal surface covered with microvilli, cilia, and structural specialization presumed to be involved in secretion . The lumen of each tubule is filled with a dense population of bacteria . During sexual maturation of the squid, the accessory gland changes in color from white to mottled red . The accessory gland of the sexually mature squid has a mixture of red, white, and yellow tubules; in each case, the color of the tubule is due to the bacterial population occupying the tubule . Since the red color of the gland is due to the pigmentation of the bacteria, the bacteria must be responsive to the sexual state of the host, possible through a change in the nature of the material secreted into the tubule lumen . The bacteria can be cultured easily . but in culture they fail to synthesize the red pigment. Mikrobiologiia, 1977 Jan-Feb, 46(1), 10 - 4 {Comparative study of the growth parameters of methanotropic bacteria}; Nesterov AI et al.; Growth parameters and their interrelationship were determined for two mixed and seven pure cultures of methanotrophic bacteria . The specific growth rate, the rate of methane assimilation, and the economic coefficient changed significantly in the course of cultivation of the methanotrophic cultures in the periodic regime, the changes being of the extremem character . Therefore, mean values of the growth parameters of these cultures determined under identical conditions were compared . These parameters were found to be dependent on the taxonomy of the cultures and on the conditions of their growth . No considerable differences had been found in the growth parameters between mixed and pure methanotrophous cultures . Portions of the carbon of methane expended for synthesis of the biomass, carbon dioxide, and exometabolites was different among methanotrophic cultures belonging to different genera. Eur Urol, 1977, 3(2), 96 - 9 Calcified bacteria in renal stones: electron-microscopic aspects; Cifuentes Delatte L et al.; In some renal calculi whose structure was studied in thin sections, we have found large numbers of rods of the size and shape of bacteria, included in a material consisting of defective apatite calcium phosphates and organic matter . Electron transmission microscopy showed patterns of partially calcified bacteria . With the scanning electron microscopy we obtained only images of bacterial impressions . In struvite stones bacteria are rarely found in thin sections . Extremely high ammonium alkalinisation does not seem to be compatible with the preservation of bacterial bodies capable of being calcified. Biofizika, 1977 Jan-Feb, 22(1), 170 - 4 {Component breakdown of the absorption and fluorescence spectra of green bacteria}; Stadnichuk IN et al.; The total number, band widths, absorption and fluorescense peak positions of bacteriochlorophyll forms in green bacteria were identifyed using computer curve analysis, Stepanov's relation and low temperature derivative spectroscopy . The identified pigment forms are the following (the lower index--absorption peak position, the upper--fluorescence peak position) (see article) . The energy of the O-O transitions in the row of native forms of bacteriochlorophyll enumerated above changes for a constant equal to 80 cm-1 . It is believed that the bacteriochlorophyll aggregate in the reaction center complex of green bacteria consists of 7 molecules. Br J Nutr, 1977 Jan, 37(1), 55 - 65 Some effects of variation in carbohydrate and nitrogen intakes on the chemical composition of mixed rumen bacteria from young steers; McAllan AB et al.; 1 . Samples of rumen digesta were taken at different times after giving calves various dried forage or hay and cereal diets and mixed bacteria were separated . 2 . For calves receiving dried forage only, the carbohydrate content of mixed bacteria varied with time after feeding, reaching a maximum of approximately 140 g/kg dry matter (DM) after 0-5-1h, decreasing to about 60 g/kg DM after 4 h . 3 . Replacement of part of the dried forage with glucose to give a similar metabolizable energy intake but approximately half as much nitrogen, produced a similar pattern of change with time after feeding but resulted in a markedly increased maximum bacterial carbohydrate content (approximately 230 g/kg DM) . Addition of urea to this diet reduced the bacterial accumulation of carbohydrate to approximately the same level as was found in samples from calves receiving forage only diets . For the forage diets the carbohydrate content fell to 60-100 g/kg DM 4 h after feeding . For the hay and cereal diet the value was 170 g/kg DM at this time . 4 . Changes in bacterial carbohydrate content were largely a result of changes in storage polysaccharide (alpha-dextran) content . 5 . Crude protein (N X 6-25) and ash contents of mixed bacteria decreased after feeding with all-forage diets, but returned to approximately fasting levels within 4 h . At this time samples from calves receiving dried forage and glucose diets contained less CP and more ash (approximately 450 and 220 g/kg DM respectively) than those from calves given diets of dried forage only (approximately 525 and 180 g/kg DM respectively) . 6 . CP, total carbohydrate and ash content of mixed rumen bacteria contributed approximately 0-80 g/g DM . 7 . Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphate accounted for approximately 0-50 g/g bacterial ash. Folia Microbiol (Praha), 1977, 22(1), 40 - 2 Relationship between amino acid production and phosphate-dissolving capacity of bacteria; Ruiz-Berraquero F et al.; The ability of soil bacteria to produce amino acids (alanine, aspartic acid, leucine, arginine, glutamic acid, and lysine) was related to the ability to dissolve inorganic phosphate . With the exception of lysine, amino acid production increased with increasing ability to dissolve phosphate. Mikrobiologiia, 1977 Jan-Feb, 46(1), 22 - 8 {Characteristics of a continous culture of hydrogen bacteria under conditions of gas limitation}; Ponomarev PI et al.; The effect of the specific growth rate and limiting gas on the concentration of cells, the rate of gas utilization, and the economic coefficients was studied during continuous cultivation of Hydrogenomonas eutropha Z-1 . Cell concentrations as functions of the specific growth rate with limitation by H2, 02, and CO2, were plotted as hyperbolae and were linear in the coordinates X, 1/D . The rates of gas absorption Q (M/1 - hr) grow linerly with the concentration of the cells in the culture . The economic coefficients are linear in the coordinates 1/y, 1/micron . The effect of the specific growth rate and kind of limiting gas on the ratios between absorbed H2, 02 and C02 is described. Scand J Dent Res, 1977 Jan-Feb, 85(2), 106 - 13 Serum antibodies to plaque bacteria in subjects with dental caries and gingivitis; Orstavik D et al.; Correlations were sought between indices of gingival inflammation and dental caries experience and serum antibody titers to five species of oral bacteria . The material comprised 53 young adult males . A statistically significant, negative correlation was observed between the antibody titer to a pool of Veillonella strains and dental caries experience . Multiple regression analyses failed to reveal significant associations between periodontal disease and serum antibody titers . However, the data suggested a combined association of the titers to the strains of Veillonella and a strain of Fusobacterium with the periodontal index. Rev Stomatol Chir Maxillofac, 1977, 78(7), 479 - 82 {Bacteria endocarditis of dental origin with neurological complications}; Nabbout S et al.; A 49 years old man suffered from transient hemiplegic episodes following bacterial endocarditis, cultures being negative and with a fever resistant to antibiotics . Complete stomatological evaluation revealed multiple dental infective sites constituting "portals of entry" . Radical treatment of these sites contributed to the complete cure of the infective syndrome. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1977, (1), 78 - 82 {Isolation and purification of a preparation possessing leukocytosis-stimulating properties from pertussis bacteria}; Trofimova NP et al.; A homogeneous protein LSF-2 preparation was extracted from the cultural fluid of Bordetella pertussis strains of the 1.0.3 serological type by means of precipitation with ammonium sulphate and electrofocussing; this preparation proved to produce a marked leukocytosis-stimulating and a weak toxic action of delayed type in experiments on animals . Intraperitoneal administration of 5 mug of the LSF-2 preparation caused a rise of leukocytosis in mice to 100,000 cells per 1 mm3, a delay in the gain in weight beginning from the 3rd day of the administration and a late death of the animals in 5% of cases . The LSF-2 preparation protected the mice in infection with a virulent pertussis strain No . 18323 in the amount of from 12 to 91%, depending on the immunizing dose; its ImD50 was equal to 2.0 -2.4 mug of protein . The results of investigations carried out permitted to assess the role of this substance in the formation of specific immunity in pertussis infection. Acta Microbiol Pol, 1977, 26(4), 325 - 35 Mechanism of conjugation and recombination in bacteria . XVIII . Polarity of donor DNA strands transferred to the recipient as determined by DNA-RNA hybridization; Wolska KI et al.; Polarity of donor DNA strand transferred into recipient during conjugation in Escherichia coli K-12 was determined by DNA-3H-RNA hybridization . Lambda prophage was used as a marker . The defective lysogen Hfr H (lambdat11) as a donor and thermosensitive F- CR34 dnaB strain as recipient were used . Two sets of hybridization experiments, with 1-strand specific lambda mRNA and lambda mRNA specific for both phage strands but with large excess of r-strand specific mRNA, were carried out . Strand 1 of lambda DNA was detected preferentially in recipient cells mated at restrictive temperature, when Hfr transferred its genophore in the order gal-lambda-bio . Thus the genophore is transferred with 5'OH at its origin. Acta Microbiol Pol, 1977, 26(2), 199 - 205 Determination of the number of active saprophytic aquatic bacteria by semi-continuous culture on membrane filters; Kunicka-Goldfinger W et al.; The number of bacteria in the hypolimnion waters of Lake Mikplajski was examined by direct count on membrane filters, by the agar plate method and by semi-continuous culture on membrane filters, as previously proposed by the author . The agar plate method recovered only 20--25% of the bacteria found by direct method . On the other hand, semi-continuous culture on membrane filters allowed the recovery of about 90% of the total count . At the same time it differentiated between active, microcolony forming cells (about 70%) and inactive single cells (about 20% of the total count). Acta Microbiol Pol, 1977, 26(1), 3 - 8 Mechanism of conjugation and recombination in bacteria . XVII . Further evidence for single-stranded regions in recipient DNA during conjugation in Escherichia coli K-12; Bialkowska-Hobrzanska H et al.; The secondary structure of recipient DNA mated with Hfr strain was investigated by CsCl density gradient fractionation . After 45 min of HfrH64 X 3h-f-ab1157 mating one-fourth of the radioactive recipient DNA was recovered as a single-strand but only after shearing of cell lysates prior to centrifugation . This heavier than native DNA fraction of radioactive material (obtained after the first centrifugation) was degraded by single-strand specific nuclease S from Aspergillus oryzae . These findings thus confirm the authors' earlier results suggesting that in the course of mating are generated local single-stranded regions in recipient DNA. Zentralbl Bakteriol Parasitenkd Infektionskr Hyg, 1977, 132(3), 240 - 4 Studies on phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in soil and rhizosphere of different plants . II . Selection of the most efficient phosphate-dissolvers and their morphological grouping; El-Gibaly MH et al.; Two hundred colonies which showed positive reaction on the plates prepared for the phosphate-dissolving bacteria from control soil rhizosphere soils and rhizoplane samples of maize, peas, or cotton were isolated at random . Fifty isolates were selected as the most efficient isolates according to their capability for increasing the amounts of available phosphorus in the media with corresponding decreases in pH values . The percentage of the most efficient isolates differed according to type of plant and location of isolation . Not only the morphological types of the phosphate-dissolving bacteria differed in soil and in rhizosphere, but they also differed in the rhizosphere soil of each special plant . Morphological differences in the isolates from rhizosphere soil and from rhizoplane samples of the same plant were also occurring . The abundance of mycelial-forming bacteria and of aerobic sporeformers in Egyptian soil is important as they are well known to resist adverse conditions, such as high temperature and dryness to which our soils are subjected most time of the year. Zentralbl Bakteriol Parasitenkd Infektionskr Hyg, 1977, 132(3), 233 - 9 Studies on phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in soil and rhizosphere of different plants . I . Occurrence of bacteria, acid producers, and phosphate dissolvers; El-Gibaly MH et al.; Occurrence of bacteria (total), acid producing and phosphate dissolving micro-organisms in soil, rhizosphere, and rizoplane of Egyptian cotton, peas, or maize during their different growth phases was studied . The rhizosphere effects were generally positive and differed according to type of plant, growth phase of each special plant, and type of micro-organism under study . The high densities of bacteria, acid-producers, and phosphate-dissolvers in the rhizoplane samples suggest the conclusion that roots of the studied plants are colonized with these soil micro-organisms . The role of the micro-organism and the mechanism of the noted colonization is not fully understood yet . However, the presence of high numbers of bacteria in the rhizosphere zones of all plants is undoubtedly important, since they may convert organic and inorganic substances into available plant nutrients . The acidproducing organisms were greatly stimulated in the rhizosphere of all plants . Consequently, the production of acid, especially in alkaline soils such as in Egypt, may directly or indirectly react with insoluble inorganic compounds, converting their nutrient elements into available forms for the growing plants . But not all acid-producers are considered as phosphate-dissolvers . Therefore, the presence of high numbers of phosphate-dissolving bacteria in the rhizophere zones may explain how the growing plants can obtain their requirements in such alkaline soils. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1976 Dec 6, 449(3), 386 - 400 Energy tranduction in photosynthetic bacteria . XI . Further resolution of cytochromes of b type and the nature of the co-sensitive oxidase present in the respiratory chain of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata; Zannoni D et al.; 1 . In membranes prepared from dark grown cells of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata, five cytochromes of b type (E'0 at pH 7.0 +413+/-5, +270+/-5, +148+/-5, +56+/-5 and -32+/-5 mV) can be detected by redox titrations at different pH values . The midpoint potentials of only three of these cytochromes (b148, b56, and b-32) vary as a function of pH with a slope of 30 mV per pH unit . 2 . In the presence of a CO/N2 mixture, the apparent E'0 of cytochrome b270 shifts markedly towards higher potentials (+355mV); a similar but less pronounced shift is apparent also for cytochrome b150 . The effect of CO on the midpoint potential of cytochrome b270 is absent in the respiration deficient mutant M6 which possesses a specific lesion in the CO-sensitive segment of the branched respiratory chain present in the wild type strain . 3 . Preparations of spheroplasts with lysozyme digestion lead to the release of a large amount of cytochrome c2 and of virtually all cytochrome cc' . These preparations show a respiratory chain impaired in the electron pathway sensitive to low KCN concentration, in agreement with the proposed role of cytochrome c2 in this branch; on the contrary, the activity of the CO-sensitive branch remains unaffected, indicating that neither cytochrome c2 nor the CO-binding cytochrome cc' are involved in this pathway . 4 . Membranes prepared from spheroplasts still possess a CO-binding pigment characterized by maxima at 420.5, 543 and 574 nm and minima at 431, 560 nm in C0-difference spectra and with an alpha band at 562.5 nm in reduced minus oxidized difference spectra . This membrane-bound cytochrome, which is coincident with cytochrome b270, can be classified as a typical cytochrome "0" and considered the alternative CO-sensitive oxidase. Arch Biol Med Exp (Santiago), 1976 Dec, 10(1-3), 49 - 60 Polyamines, equilibrium between ribosomal particles and protein synthesis in bacteria; Algranati ID et al.; When putrescine is added to polyamine starved cultures of an E . coli strain difficient in the biosynthesis of putrescine, the protein synthesis is enhanced almost immediately and the ribosomal pattern changes concomitantly, increasing the ratio 70S monomer/ribosomal subparticles . Studies with cell-free systems derived from polyamine starved or unstarved bacteria show that the translation of synthetic and natural mRNAs is several fold higher in system prepared from cells grown in the presence of polyamines . This effect depends on the ribosomal particles and more specifically on the 30S subunit . The results on association of ribosomal subunits strongly suggest that polyamines are involved in this reaction occurring in vivo. Biochem J, 1976 Dec 1, 159(3), 757 - 69 The amino acid sequences of the cytochromes c-555 from two green sulphur bacteria of the genus Chlorobium; Van Beeumen J et al.; Amino acid seauences are proposed for the cytochromes c-555 from Chlorobium thiosulphatophilum and from the Chlorobium limicola component of "Chloropseudomonas ethylica 2K" . Each is a sincle polypeptide chain, the former of 86, the latter of 99 residues, and, when aligned so as to give the best match, 47 residues are common to the two sequences . The sequences show some resemblance to those of cytochromes c5 and f . The bacteriochlorophyll a-proteins were also isolated and purified, and their amino acid compositions compared (see the Appendix) . There are significant differences in the compositions, but not as great as those found for the cytochromes c-555 . The significance of these observations for the taxonomy of the Chlorobiaceae and for the further development of the comparative biochemistry of cytochrome c is discussed . Detailed evidence for the sequences of the cytochromes c-555 has been deposited as Supplementary Publication SUP 50073 (36 pages) at the British Library Lending Division, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies may be obtained on the terms given in Biochem . J . (1976) 153, 5. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1976 Nov 9, 449(2), 197 - 208 An enriched reaction center preparation from green photosynthetic bacteria; Olson JM et al.; Bacteriochlorophyll a reaction-center complex I from Chlorobium limicola f . thiosulfatophilum 6230 (Tassajara) was incubated in 2 M guanidine - HCl and then chromatographed on cross-linked dextran or agarose gel . Two principal components were separated: a larger component with photochemical activity (bacteriochlorophyll a reaction-center complex II) and a smaller component without activity (bacteriochlorophyll a protein) . Complex II contains carotenoid, bacteriochlorophyll a, reaction center(s), and cytochromes b and c, but lacks the well characterized bacteriochlorophyll a protein contained in Complex I . Complex II carries out a light-induced reduction of cytochrome b along with an oxidation of cytochrome c. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1976 Nov, 73(11), 3900 - 4 A plasmid cloning vehicle allowing regulated expression of eukaryotic DNA in bacteria; Polisky B et al.; We have constructed a plasmid cloning vehicle in which transcription of inserted heterologous DNA fragments can be regulated by a defined bacterial operator and promoter . The lambda plac 5 EcoRIDNA fragment containing the operator, promoter, and beta-galactosidase gene of the lactose operon was linked to the ColE1 derivative plasmid pSF2124, creating a plasmid designated pBGP100, pBGP100 contains one EcoRI site at the lac DNA/pSF2124 DNA junction and another at the lambda DAN/pSF2124 DNA junction . We deleted the latter EcoRI site to generate a plasmid (pBGP120) retaining a single EcoRI site at the lac DNA/nSF2124 DNA junction . To determine whether DNA introduced at the EcoRI site of pBGP120 was expressed under lactose control, we inserted the EcoRI fragment containing 28S ribosomal DNA of Xenopus laevis, creating the hybrid plasmid pBGP123 . RNA-DNA hybridization of pulse-labeled RNA from cells containing pBGP123 showed that induction of the lac operon increases the percentage of labeled RNA complementary to Xenopus 28S DNA about 9-fold . This vehicle may be of use for production of eukaryotic gene products in bacteria. Mikrobiologiia, 1976 Nov-Dec, 45(6), 1071 - 4 {Role of leguminous plants in effective symniosis with nodule bacteria}; Shemakhanova NM et al.; Experiments were conducted with five clover varieties and six lucerne varieties infected with their specific strains of nodule bacteria with a high or low activity . The role of plants in active symbiosis with nodule bacteria was established . The nitrogen fixing activity of nodule bacteria varied within a wide range depending on the plant variety . Not only the activity of the strain, but the variety of the plant too, should be taken into account for industrial purposes. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Nov, 32(5), 703 - 10 Basal medium for the selective enumeration of rumen bacteria utilizing specific energy sources; Dehority BA et al.; A 40% rumen fluid basal medium has been developed that without added substrate will support growth of about 10% or less of the total colony count obtained with 40% rumen fluid-glucose-cellobiose-starch-agar medium (RGCSA) . The basal medium is prepared by anaerobic incubation of all ingredients in RGCSA medium except the carbohydrates, Na2CO3, and cysteine for 7 days at 38 degrees C . After incubation, substrate(s), Na2CO3 and cysteine are added and the medium is tubed and sterilized as in normal medium preparation . When xylose was included with glucose, cellobiose, and starch as added carbohydrates in the incubated medium, colony counts were comparable to those obtained with RGCSA medium . The addition of specific carbohydrates or other substrates as energy sources to the basal medium suggested that the percentage of the bacterial population capable of utilizing these energy sources was influenced by the ration of the animal; however, considerable animal variation and day-to-day variation in a given animal was observed . Comparison of the population in animals fed either orchardgrass hay or 60% corn-40% orchardgrass (60-40) indicated little or no difference for the percentage of bacteria utilizing glucose, pectin, xylan, or mannitol . Increases in the percentages of xylose-, cellobiose-, Glycerol-, and lactate-utilizing bacteria occurred with the orchardgrass hay ration, whereas the percentage of starch-digesting bacteria was increased significantly (P less than 0.01) in the animals fed the 60-40 ration . A limited number of bacterial strains were isolated from the basal medium without added substrate, most of which were atypical with respect to the predominant rumen bacteria . Growth of these strains, even in complex media, was very slow and limited . Based on these data with isolated strains and colony counts obtained in roll tube medium containing only minerals, resazurin, agar, Na2CO3, and cysteine, the selective medium overestimated the percentage of bacteria able to use a specific energy source . This overestimate was 6 to 7% of the total culturable count. Can J Microbiol, 1976 Nov, 22(11), 1667 - 71 In situ morphologies of deep-sea and sediment bacteria; Carlucci AF et al.; Deep-sea and sediment bacteria at the bottom of an approximately 1200-m water column were sampled by means of pressure vessels attached to a remote underwater manipulator . Cells were immediately fixed in situ with glutaraldehyde, and after processing in the laboratory their morphologies were observed with the scanning electron microscope . Most bacteria were coccoid or rod-lide and less than 0.4 mum in diameter or width . Few filamentous bacteria were observed . Bacteria were in aggregates or free-living . It is concluded that morphologies of deep-sea bacteria collected and fixed at the hydrostatic pressure of their environment are, in general, similar to the observed morphologies of deep-sea bacteria determined at 1 atm pressure after collection and decompression during ascent through the water column. Z Naturforsch {C} . 1976 Nov-Dec;31(11-12):757. {Enzymatic formationof 4-hydroxy-2-oxovalerate using pyrazon-degrading bacteria (author's transl)}; Blobel F et al.; By treatment of 2-hydroxymuconic acid with a partially purified 4-oxalocrotonate decarboxylase 4-hydroxy-2-oxovalerate could be obtained . Both forms of 4-hydroxy-2-oxovalerate, the keto as well as the enol form could be isolated. Z Naturforsch {C} . 1976 Nov-Dec;31(11-12):756. {Enzymatic formation of a cis,cis-muconic acid derivative using pyrazon-degrading bacteria (author's transl)}; Blobel F et al.; The cis,cis-muconic acid derivative of pyrazon, which was formerly isolated from the medium of pyrazon-degrading bacteria, was formed enzymatically by incubation of the catechol derivative of pyrazon with partially purified ortho pyrocatechase from pyrazon-degrading bacteria. Biokhimiia, 1976 Nov, 41(11), 2043 - 6 {cAMP phosphodiesterase from phototrophic bacteria Rhodospirillum rubrum}; Guliev NM et al.; cAMP phosphodiesterase activity is discovered in supernatant of R . rubrum cell homogenate after centrifugation at 1000 g . The enzyme is highly active (5.62 nmoles/mg of protein per 1 min) at a broad pH range--from 7.0 to 9.0 . The enzyme activity is strongly inhibited with caffeine and dithiotreitol and very significantly inhibited by ascorbic acid . The dependence of the enzyme activity on the incubation time and protein and substrate concentrations in the reaction mixture is estimated . cAMP phosphodiesterase is found in soluble fraction and in particule fractions sedimenting at 30 000 g . The enzyme activity is completely absent in washed chromatophores sedimenting at 160 000 g. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1976 Oct 13, 449(1), 136 - 53 Triplet states of bacteriochlorophyll and carotenoids in chromatophores of photosynthetic bacteria; Monger TG et al.; Chromatophores from photosynthetic bacteria were excited with flashes lasting approx . 15 ns . Transient optical absorbance changes not associated with the photochemical electron-transfer reactions were interpreted as reflecting the conversion of bacteriochlorophyll or carotenoids into triplet states . Triplet states of various carotenoids were detected in five strains of bacteria; triplet states of bacteriochlorophyll, in two strains that lack carotenoids . Triplet states of antenna pigments could be distinguished from those of pigments specifically associated with the photochemical reaction centers . Antenna pigments were converted into their triplet states if the photochemical apparatus was oversaturated with light, if the primary photochemical reaction was blocked by prior chemical oxidation of P-870 or reduction of the primary electron acceptor, or if the bacteria were genetically devoid of reaction centers . Only the reduction of the electron acceptor appeared to lead to the formation of triplet states in the reaction centers . In the antenna bacteriochlorophyll, triplet states probably arise from excited singlet states by intersystem crossing . The antenna carotenoid triplets probably are formed by energy transfer from triplet antenna bacteriochlorophyll . The energy transfer process has a half time of approx . 20 ns, and is about 1 X 10(3) times more rapid than the reaction of the bacteriochlorophyll triplet states with O2 . This is consistent with a role of carotenoids in preventing the formation of singlet O2 in vivo . In the absence of carotenoids and O2, they decay half times of the triplet states are 70 mus for the antenna bacteriochlorophyll and 6-10 mus for the reaction center bacteriochlorophyll . The carotenoid triplets decay with half times of 2-8 mus . With eak flashes, the quantum yields of the antenna triplet states are in the order of 0.02 . The quantum yields decline severely after approximately one triplet state is formed per photosynthetic unit, so that even extremely strong flashes convert only a very small fraction of the antenna pigments into triplet states . The yield of fluorescence from the antenna bacteriochlorophyll declines similarly . These observations can be explained by the proposal that single-triplet fusion causes rapid quenching of excited single states in the antenna bacteriochlorophyll. Arch Microbiol, 1976 Oct 11, 110(1), 91 - 4 Fatty acid composition of selected prosthecate bacteria; Carter RN et al.; The cellular fatty acid composition of 14 strains of Caulobacter speices and types, two species of Prosthecomicrobium, and two species of Asticcacaulis was determined by gas-liquid chromatography . In most of these bacteria, the major fatty acids were octadecenoic acid (C18:1), hexadecenoic acid (C16:1) and hexadecanoic acid (C16:0) . Some cyclopropane and branched chain fatty acids were detected in addition to the straight chained acids . Hydroxytetradecanoic acid was an important component of P.enhydrum but significant amounts of hydroxy acids were not detected in other prosthecate bacteria examined. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Oct, 32(4), 649 - 52 Effect of alfalfa fiber substrate on culture counts of rumen bacteria; Chung KT et al.; A medium has been developed using alfalfa fiber as the sole substrate . It gave high culture counts (3 X 10(9) to 8 X 10(9)/ml) of rumen bacteria . When this medium was combined with the medium 98-5 of Bryant and Robinson, modified to contain 33% rumen fluid instead of 40% clarified rumen fluid, a higher count was obtained than with either medium alone. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Oct, 32(4), 567 - 71 Ferric iron reduction by sulfur- and iron-oxidizing bacteria; Brock TD et al.; Acidophilic bacteria of the genera Thiobacillus and Sulfolobus are able to reduce ferric iron when growing on elemental sulfur as an energy source . It has been previously thought that ferric iron serves as a nonbiological oxidant in the formation of acid mine drainage and in the leaching of ores, but these results suggest that bacterial catalysis may play a significant role in the reactivity of ferric iron. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1976 Oct, 73(10), 3476 - 9 Catabolite modulator factor: a possible mediator of catabolite repression in bacteria; Ullmann A et al.; Water soluble extracts of Escherichia coli cells have been found to exert an extremely strong repressive effect upon the expression of catabolite sensitive operons . The compound responsible for this activity has been partially purified and proves to be of low molecular weight and heat stable . The effect of this compound, hereafter designated as catabolite modulator factor, is only partially antagonized by adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate . The possible role of catabolite modulator factor in the physiological regulation of catabolite repression is discussed. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1976 Sep 13, 440(3), 765 - 71 Kinetics of populating and depopulating of the components of the photoinduced triplet state of the photosynthetic bacteria Rhodospirillum rubrum, Rhodopseudomonas spheroides (wild type), and its mutant R-26 as measured by ESR in zero-field; Hoff AJ; Optically detected ESR spectra in zero magnetic field of the triplet state of three photosynthetic bacteria are presented . The zero field splitting parameters {D} and {E} and the widths of the resonances show small but significant differences for the three bacteria . The resonance lines are inhomogeneously broadened as demonstrated by hole-burning experiments . The populating probabilities and depopulating rates for the triplet sublevels have been measured . The populating kinetics are very similar for the three bacteria . The depopulating rates are more than one order faster than those of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b and of porphyrin model systems . The populating probability of the lowest level is about 6 times less, and the depopulating rate about 6 times slower, than for the upper levels, identifying this level as the level connected to the molecular z-axis perpendicular to the plane of the molecule . The relative populations of the triplet sublevels are almost equal in zero magnetic field. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1976 Sep, (9), 116 - 8 {Comparative study of mycoplasmae and stable L-forms of bacteria}; Kochemasova ZN et al.; A comparative study of mycoplasmae and L-form bacteria was carried out . Both of them were well passaged on a special nutrient medium with the addition of thallium acetate, i.e . they were resistant to this factor . But, in difference from the L-form bacteria, mycoplasmae failed to be passaged on the serum-free medium; the cultures of the L-form bacteria were highly resistant to the action of osmotic stabilizers and to the pressure of the nutrient medium of 15 and 30 atm; as to mycoplasmae--they perished at such a high pressure . The majority of mycoplasmae were resistant to the action of osmotic shock, and L-form bacteria lost their viability in distilled water as soon as in 2 hours. Mikrobiologiia, 1976 Sep-Oct, 45(5), 894 - 900 {Dynamics of short term changes in the number of bacteria in the surface ooze layer and bottom water}; Kutuzova RS; Statistically reliable short-term periodic changes in the number of bacteria were found in the surface ooze layer and, to a less extent, in the bottom water layer . The time of doubling of the bacterial number can be calculated approximately by counting bacterial cells in the ooze layer every day . An inverse correlation was established between the bacterial number in the surface ooze layer and in the bottom water layer. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Aug, 32(2), 264 - 9 Inhibition of methanogenesis in salt marsh sediments and whole-cell suspensions of methanogenic bacteria by nitrogen oxides; Balderston WL et al.; Hydrogen-dependent evolution of methane from salt marsh sediments and whole-cell suspensions of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum and Methanobacterium fornicicum ceased or decreased after the introduction of nitrate, nitrite, nitric oxide, or nitrous oxide . Sulfite had a similar effect on methanogenesis in the whole-cell suspensions . In salt marsh sediments, nitrous oxide was the strongest inhibitor, followed by nitric oxide, nitrite, and nitrate in decreasing order of inhibition . In whole-cell suspensions, nitric oxide was the strongest inhibitor, followed by nitrous oxide, nitrite, and nitrate . Consideration of the results from experiments using an indicator of oxidation potential, along with the reversed order of effectiveness of the nitrogen oxides in relation to their degree of reduction ,suggests that the inhibitory effect observed was not due to a redox change . Evidence is also presented that suggests that the decrease in the rate of methane production in the presence of oxides of nitrogen was not attributable to competition for methane-producing substrates. Ann Microbiol (Paris), 1976 Aug-Sep, 127B(2), 201 - 12 {Concentration of bacteria in water using the ultrafiltration method (author's transl)}; Trinel PA et al.; Four ultrafiltration units have been tested in order to concentrate bacteria in water . The experiments run with Escherichia coli allows the selection of an ultrafiltration apparatus which concentrates bacteria with high recovery efficiencies . The use of this concentrator is simple and fast . Its filtration power is very stable and its little capacity allows the continuous ultrafiltration of large volumes of water. Biokhimiia, 1976 Aug, 41(8), 1478 - 83 {Electrochemical gradient of H+ ions as an immediate source of energy during bacteria movement}; Beliakova TN et al.; An uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation causes an instantaneous cessation of movement of bacteria Rhodospirillum rubrum in the presence and in the absence of oligomycin . It is concluded that such cessation is not due to a decrease in the ATP concentration but to the elimination of deltamicron-H+ by the uncoupler . The mobility of the bacteria does not practically change in the presence of acetate and is, to some extent, decreased after addition of valinomycin or penetrating cation of tetraphenyl phosphonium . Under a combined action of acetate and valinomycin the movement is depleted . It is concluded that both constituents of deltamicronH+-transmembrane difference of electric potentials and the pH gradient--may serve as energy sources for the bacteria movement . Inhibitory analysis data suggest that the bacteria movement may be maintained by any of the deltamicronH+ sources, e.g . light-dependent cyclic electron transfer, respiration, ATPase and membrane pyrophosphatase. Mikrobiologiia, 1976 JUL-AUG, 45(4), 581 - 3 {Growth of purple sulfur bacteria in the dark in anaerobic conditions}; Krasil'nikova EN et al.; Phototrophic sulphur bacteria Chromatium minutissimum 1 C, Ectothiorhodospira shaposhnikovii 1, and various strains of Thiocapsa roseopersicina grow in the dark under anaerobic conditions (hydrogen or argon) on organic media in the presence of sulphide, thiosulphate or molecular sulphur . Ect . shaposhnikovii grows also in the presence of sulphite, cysteine, methionine, glutathione, and, to a less degree, sulphates . Cultures of Ect . shaposhnikovii growing in the dark under anaerobic conditions assimilate fructose and liberate pyruvate, lactate, formiate and traces of acetate into the medium . These cultures can grow in the dark under anaerobic conditions assimilating not only fructose but also various C4-dicarboxylic acids, lactate, pyruvate, butyrate, and acetate . Thiocapsa grows on media containing malate, succinate, lactate, pyruvate, and acetate . Thiocapsa reseopersicina SL assimilates in the dark under anaerobic conditions fructose, glucose, glycerol, pyruvate, lactate, and acetate. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Jul, 32(1), 95 - 101 Effect of dissolved aromatic hydrocarbons on the growth of marine bacteria in batch culture; Calder JA et al.; Dissolved aromatic hydrocarbons were found to decrease growth rate and maximum cell density of marine bacteria in batch cultures . The magnitude of the decrement was observed to be a function of concentration of the hydrocarbon and inherent toxicity . The inherent toxicity was observed to increase inversely with solubility such that naphthalene at 100 muM concentration demonstrated a toxic effect similar to benzopyrene at 0.02 muM . A partial oxidation product of naphthalene was found to be more effective in decreasing growth parameters than naphthalene at equivalent concentrations and to cause complete cessation of growth at the higher concentrations permitted by its polar structure. Klin Wochenschr, 1976 Jul 1, 54(13), 643 - 5 Alteration of serum lipid values and lipoproteins by bacteria as a possible cause of artifacts in the screening of dyslipoproteinemias; Knoetgen U et al.; The intriguing observation of phospholipid deficiency in serum is described . The most prominent feature of sera was the completely abnormal lipoprotein electrophoretic pattern . The predominant occurrance of the phenomenon in the warm season suggested bacterial growth producing phospholipase C . B . cereus could be isolated from sera . In order to prevent these artifacts it is suggested to add 1 mg of Na2-EDTA to each ml of sample before dispatch. Mikrobiologiia, 1976 JUL-AUG, 45(4), 598 - 601 {Localization of energy generators in methane oxidizing bacteria}; Monosov EZ et al.; Cytochromes a, b and c, and their quantitative distribution in the cells, were studied by means of differential spectra in obligate methane oxidizing bacteria, Methylosinus trichosporium with the serine pathway of methane carbon assimilation and Methylomonas agile with the ribulose phosphate pathway of methane carbon assimilation, and different types of topography of intracytoplasmic membranes . The membranes are involved in processes of coupled respiration which was confirmed by cytochemical reactions employed for studying the terminal step of the electron transport chain and Mg2+-stimulated ATPase. Science, 1976 Jun 25, 192(4246), 1348 - 9 Leeuwenkoek's observation of bacteria; Casida LE Jr; A form of dark-field illumination was produced that allows bacteria in aqueous suspension to be observed with both a Leeuwenhoek microsocope and a compound microscope without a condenser . Possibly, this illumination was Leeuwenhoek's "particular method of observing" bacteria. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1976 Jun 8, 430(3), 524 - 37 Exciton interaction among chlorophyll molecules in bacteriochlorophyllaproteins and bacteriochlorophyllareaction center complexes from green bacteria; Olson JM et al.; Absorption and CD spectra of bacteriochlorophyll a proteins and bacteriochlorophyll a reaction center complexes from two strains of Chlorobium limicola were recorded at 77 degrees K . Visual inspection showed that the Qy-band of chlorophyll in either protein was split into at least five components . Analysis of the spectra in terms of asymmetric Gaussian component pairs by means of computer program GAMET showed that six components are necessary to fit the spectra from strain 2K . These six components are ascribed to an exciton interaction between the seven bacteriochlorophyll a molecules in each subunit . The clear difference between the exciton splitting in the two bacteriochlorophyll a proteins shows that the arrangement of the chlorophyll molecules in each subunit must be slightly different . The spectra for the bacteriochlorophyll a reaction center complexes have a component at 834 nm (absorption) and 832 nm (CD) which does not appear in the spectra of the bacteriochlorophyll a proteins . The new component is ascribed to a reaction center complex which is combined with bacteriochlorophyll a proteins to form the bacteriochlorophyll a reaction center complex . The complete absorption (or CD) spectrum for a given bacteriochlorophyll a reaction center complex can be described to a first approximation in terms of the absorption (or CD) spectrum for the corresponding bacteriochlorophyll a protein plus the new component ascribed to the reaction center complex. Biophys J, 1976 May, 16(5), 389 - 405 Distribution of bacteria in the velocity gradient centrifuge; Koch AL et al.; Cells in different parts of the cell cycle can be separated by brief centrifugation in a density stabilized gradient: the Mitchison-Vincent technique . The position of a cell in the tube depends upon its size, shape, and density, upon the gradients of density, viscosity, and centrifugal force through which it sediments, and upon time . A program to compute the velocities and integrate the velocity profile for particles of a particular size class is presented . Because enteric bacteria are a form intermediate between right cylinders and prolate ellipsoids of revolution, the program uses values for the frictional coefficient intermediate between those calculated for ellipsoids and for cylinders . The formula f=6pietab(a/b)1/2 possesses this property and because of its simplicity greatly speeds the calculations . A second program computes the distribution of masses and then of sedimentation constants for a bacterial population, expressed either as a frequency distribution or as total mass per s-class . The effect of the known variation in cell size at division is included in these calculations, which apply to organisms undergoing balanced, asynchronous growth in which mass increase is proportional to cell size . The two programs in conjunction compute the mass or cell-number profile in an arbitrary gradient . The programs have been used to design gradients to maximize the resolution of the technique. Am J Vet Res, 1976 May, 37(5), 611 - 3 Lactic acid-utilizing bacteria in ruminal fluid of a steer adapted from hay feeding to a high-grain ration; Huber TL et al.; A mature, rumen-cannulated steer fed Coastal Bermuda grass hay for 8 weeks was adapted to a high-grain ration by stepwise increases in grain over a period of 4 weeks . The grain rations had concentrate-to-roughage ratios of 40:60, 70:30, and 85:15 and were fed for 10, 7, and 11 days, respectively . Numerical estimates of lactate-utilizing bacteria in ruminal fluid of the steer the last 3 days each ration was fed were made by colony counts . Lactate-utilizing bacteria were identified as Megasphaera elsdenii, Peptococcus asaccharolyticus, and Selenomonas ruminantium . Maximal numbers of lactate-utilizing bacteria were observed in the ruminal fluid of the steer during feeding the concentrate-to-roughage ration of 70:30. Antibiotiki, 1976 May, 21(5), 447 - 52 {Study of the effect of tetracycline, prodigiosin and their combination on the dynamics of phagocytosis of plague bacteria}; Popova GO et al.; The advantage of the combined use of prodigiozan and tetracycline was observed in tissue culture of peritoneal macrophages of albino mice . Earlier digestion of the intracellular Y . pestis EV by the animal macrophages exposed to prodigiozan and treated with tetracycline was noted . It was shown that the macrophages preserved during several hours of cultivation in vitro their properties acquired in the animal organism under the effect of the substances administered. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1976 May, (5), 79 - 81 {A comparative study of serum H-antibodies in typhoid patients and bacteria carriers}; Sukhoroslova LI et al.; A study was made of the dynamics of serum H-antibodies in typhoid patients depending on the period of the disease and the severity of its course; the blood sera of chronic carriers were examined as well . H-antibodies were determined in the indirect hemagglutination test with the use of erythrocyte H-dignoasticum . Antibodies of different physico-chemical nature (of IgG and IgM classes) were obtained by fractionation in columns with DEAE-cellulose . Results of the investigations showed that the titres of sum total serum H-antibodies failed to depend on the severity of the course of the disease . The maximum value of the mean geometrical titre of H-antibodies in the blood serum was determined on the 3rd-4th week from the onset of the disease . In chronic carriers the sum total H-antibody titres were greater than in typhoid patients . The serum H-antibody titres increased on account of IgG-globulins both in the typhoid patients and in carriers. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 May, 31(5), 640 - 7 Invalidity of the acetylene reduction assay in alkane-utilizing, nitrogen-fixing bacteria; De Bont JA et al.; The cause of the failure of the C2H2-C2H4 assay for nitrogen-fixing bacteria growing on lower alkanes was studied . Acetylene was a strong competitive inhibitor of methane oxidation for methane-utilizing bacteria, as well as for the oxidation of lower alkanes by other bacteria, so that energy and reducing power were no longer available for the reduction of acetylene by nitrogenase . Nitrogen-fixing bacteria grown on alkanes may reduce acetylene when intermediates of alkane-breakdown or other substrates oxidizable in the presence of acetylene are supplied . Ethylene co-oxidation is not responsible for the failure of the test, because acetylene also inhibits this co-oxidation along with methane oxidation. Mikrobiologiia, 1976 May-Jun, 45, 520 - 5 {Selection methods of nodule bacteria}; Imshenetskii AA et al.; The aim of selecting nodule bacteria is to obtain stable and genetically pure strains with elevated effectiveness in the conditions of symbiosis with bean plants, sufficient viability and competing ability, which would survive in soil for a long time . The following methods have been suggested to solve this task: selection by plants using mutagenic factors; genetic markers; production of genetically homogeneous material; determination of the degree of persistance effectiveness in mutants. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 May, 31(5), 758 - 63 Role of bacteria and protozoa in the removal of Escherichia coli from estuarine waters; Enzinger RM et al.; The removal of Escherichia coli from estuarine water was investigated . The survival of E . coli was dependent on the presence of protozoan predators and not on the presence of lytic bacteria . When indigenous protozoa were removed from estuarine water by filtration, the destruction of coliform populations was negligible . In studies designed to prevent the growth of indigenous bacterial populations without affecting protozoan populations, coliform destruction was significant. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1976 Apr 9, 430(1), 62 - 70 New experimental approach to the estimation of rate of electron transfer from the primary to secondary acceptors in the photosynthetic electron transport chain of purple bacteria; Chamorovsky SK et al.; A method for calculating the rate constant (KA1A2) for the oxidation of the primary electron acceptor (A1) by the secondary one (A2) in the photosynthetic electron transport chain of purple bacteria is proposed . The method is based on the analysis of the dark recovery kinetics of reaction centre bacteriochlorophyll (P) following its oxidation by a short single laser pulse at a high oxidation-reduction potential of the medium . It is shown that in Ectothiorhodospira shaposhnikovii there is little difference in the value of KA1A2 obtained by this method from that measured by the method of Parson ((1969) Biochim, Biophys . Acta 189, 384-396), namely: (4.5 +/- 1.4)-10(3) s-1 and (6.9 +/- 1.2)-10(3) s-1, respectively . The proposed method has also been used for the estimation of the KA1A2 value in chromatophores of Rhodospirillum rubrum deprived of constitutive electron donors which are capable of reducing P+ at a rate exceeding this for the transfer of electron from A1 to A2 . The method of Parson cannot be used in this case . The value of KA1A2 has been found to be (2.7 +/- 0.8)-10(3) s-1 . The activation energies for the A1 to A2 electron transfer have also been determined . They are 12.4 kcal/mol and 9.9 kcal/mol for E . shaposhnikovii and R . rubrum, respectively. Morphol Igazsagugyi Orv Sz, 1976 Apr, 16(2), 137 - 44 {Demonstration of bacteria and fungi in tissues by topo-optic aldehyde bisulfite toluidine blue (ABT) reaction}; Fischer J et al.; Reaction with aldehyd-bisulfit-toluidinblue (ABT)--as a selective topo-optical reaction for vicinal OH-and amino-OH groups, appears to be suitable for demonstration of bacteria in tissues . Cell membranes and capsules of bacteria and fungi contain large quantity of carbo-hydrates, therefore they show strong basophilic staining after ABT reaction . Double refringement brought about by orientated dye-binding seems to be the sign of the linear arrangement of polysaccharides composing cell membranes and capsules of bacteria . Practical importance of the reaction is shown on examples . Diagnostic advantages of it are also discussed. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1976 Apr, 57(4), 328 - 34 Activation of the complement sequence by extracts of bacteria and fungi associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis; Marx JJ et al.; Complement (C) consumption by antigens associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis was investigated . Micropolyspora faeni in the presence of precipitating antibodies consumed C in a manner similar to the BSA-anti BSA system . An extract of M . faeni was shown to consume C and convert C3PA to C3A in the absence of detectable antibodies . In addition, three species of Aspergillus and two strains of Thermoactinomyces vulgaris were also shown to have the same activity with respect to C3PA . Mucor racemosus, Hormodendrum sp . and a mixed extract of Penicillium did not convert C3PA. J Dent Res, 1976 Apr, 55 Spec No, C139 - 48 Serum and salivary antibodies to cariogenic bacteria in man; Challacombe SJ et al.; Antibodies in serum and parotid saliva against cell wall preparations from four serotypes of S mutans were examined in 110 subjects aged 18 to 25 years . In subjects with no detectable carious lesions, significant negative correlations were found between the DMF index and serum IgG and IgM antibodies, especially in S mutans of serotype c, whereas positive correlations were found between the DMF index and salivary IgA antibodies . In subjects with active caries, positive correlations were found between serum IgG antibodies and S mutans (serotypes c and a) and the DMF index . Sequential antibody analysis during a period of up to 32 months showed that development of carious lesions was associated with a rise in serum antibody titer to S mutans, but no change was detectable in salivary antibodies . Treatment of caries led to a decrease in serum IgG and IgM antibodies to S mutans cell wall, but in parotid saliva an increase in antibody titer to a culture extract of S mutans was found . The results support the concept of dental caries as an infective disease and suggest that serum antibodies may contribute to caries immunity in man. Arch Microbiol, 1976 Apr 1, 107(3), 235 - 40 Nitrogen fixation by hydrogen-utilizing bacteria; De Bont JA et al.; Seventeen strains of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, isolated from different habitats on hydrogen and carbon dioxide as well as on other substrates, morphologically resembled each other . All strains, including Mycobacterium flavum 301, grew autotrophically with hydrogen . The isolate strain 6 was sensitive to oxygen when dependent on N2 as nitrogen source, a consequence of the sensitivity of its nitrogenase towards oxygen . At the same time, strain 6 was sensitive to hydrogen when growing autotrophically on N2 as nitrogen source, but hydrogen did not affect acetylene reduction by these cells. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1976 Mar 12, 423(3), 413 - 30 Energy transduction in photosynthetic bacteria . X . Composition and function of the branched oxidase system in wild type and respiration deficient mutants of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata; Zannoni D et al.; The respiratory chain of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata, strain St . Louis and of two respiration deficient mutants (M6 and M7) has been investigated by examining the redox and spectral characteristics of the cytochromes and their response to substrates and to specific respiratory inhibitors . Since the specific lesions of M6 and M7 have been localized on two different branches of the multiple oxidase system of the wild type strain, the capability for aerobic growth of these mutants can be considered as a proof of the physiological significance of both branched systems "in vivo" . Using M6 and M7 mutants the response of the branched chain to respiratory inhibitors could be established . Cytochrome oxidase activity, a specific function of an high potential cytochrome b (E'0 = +413 mV) is sensitive to low concentrations of KCN (5-10(-5) M); CO is a specific inhibitor of an alternative oxidase, which is also inhibited by high concentrations of KCN (10(-3) M) . Antimycin A inhibits preferentially the branch of the chain affected by low concentrations of cyanide . Redox titrations and spectral data indicate the presence in the membrane of three cytochromes of b type (E'0 = +413, +260, +47 vM) and two cytochromes of c type (E'0 = +342, +94 mV) . A clear indication of the involvement in respiration of cytochrome b413, cytochrome c342 and cytochrome b47 has been obtained . Only 50% of the dithionite reducible cytochrome b can be reduced by respiratory substrates also in the presence of high concentrations of KCN or in anaerobiosis . The presence and function of quinones in the respiratory electron transport system has been clearly demonstrated . Quinones, which are reducible by NADH and succinate to about the same extent can be reoxidized through both branches of the respiratory chain, as shown by the response of their redox state to KCN . The possible site of the branching of the electron transport chain has been investigated comparing the per cent level of reduction of quinones and of cytochromes b and c as a function of KCN concentrations in membranes from wild type and M6 mutants cells . The site of the branching has been localized at the level of quinones-cytochrome b47 . A tentative scheme of the respiratory chains operating in Rhodopseudomonas capsulata, St . Louis and in the two respiration deficient mutants, M6 and M7 is presented. Scand J Dent Res, 1976 Mar, 84(2), 56 - 62 Effect of a fluoride-containing chlorhexidine gel on bacteria in human plaque; Emilson CG et al.; The effect on the plaque flora of a fluoride-containing chlorhexidine gel in mouthpieces was studied in seven subjects . Use of the gel during a 3-month period resulted in a change in the pattern of sensitivity to cholorhexidine in the plaque flora as displayed by determination of the minimal inhibitory amount (MIA) of the drug in agar diffusion assays . Three months after the use of gel was discontinued, the MIA value for plaque bacteria had returned to its original level . The relative proportions of S . mutans and S . sanguis in plaque changed during the chlorhexidine period . Thus S . mutans could not be detected in plaque samples after 3-month use of the gel, and the frequency of S . sanguis was altered. Br J Nutr, 1976 Mar, 35(2), 293 - 7 C18 unsaturated fatty acid hydrogenation patterns of some rumen bacteria and their ability to hydrolyse exogenous phospholipid; Hazlewood GP et al.; 1 . A number of rumen bacteria isolated because of their ability to deacylate phosphatidyl choline, were found, in addition, to hydrogenate polyunsaturated fatty acids . 2 . The most active lipolytic organisms had an unusual pattern of hydrogenation of dietary fatty acids in that alpha-linolenic acid was hydrogenated only as far as trans-11, cis-15-octadecadienoic acid. Appl Environ Microbiol, 1976 Mar, 31(3), 450 - 2 Separation of small ciliate protozoa from bacteria by sucrose gradient centrifugation; Berk SG et al.; Small ciliate protozoa of the genus Uronema were separated from labeled bacteria by means of a discontinuous sucrose gradient . More than 98% of the radioactivity associated with the bacteria was found in the upper portion of the gradient, whereas the remaining portion of the gradient contained the ciliates. J Clin Microbiol, 1976 Mar, 3(3), 327 - 9 Acceleration of tetrazolium reduction by bacteria; Bartlett RC et al.; Conditions were assessed which would permit more rapid recognition of bacterial growth than has been previously reported using tetrazolium salts . Microtitration trays were used . 2-(p-Iodophenyl)-3(p-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyltetrazolium chloride is rapidly reduced by respiring cells in tissu