Effect of chronic ingestion of a fermented dairy product containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum on metabolic activities of the colonic flora in humans

Nine healthy volunteers were studied before, during, and after ingesting a fermented dairy product containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and mesophilic cultures (Streptococcus lactis and S cremoris) for 3 wk. Hydrogen and methane productions and fecal beta-galactosidase and beta-glucosidase activities were measured as indicators of fermentation capacity of the colonic flora. Fecal concentrations of nitroreductase, azoreductase, and beta-glucuronidase, which may be implicated in colonic carcinogenesis, were also assessed. Hydrogen and methane productions, fecal beta-galactosidase, beta-glucuronidase, and azoreductase activities did not change over three 3-wk periods whereas fecal beta-glucosidase activity increased (42 +/- 6, 91 +/- 12, and 40 +/- 6 IU/g N, P less than 0.01) and nitroreductase decreased (0.87 +/- 0.13, 0.54 +/- 0.11, and 0.57 +/- 0.08 IU/g N, P less than 0.05).

Entamoeba histolytica: molecules involved in the target cell-parasite relationship

To detect molecules of Entamoeba histolytica involved in the trophozoite-target cell interaction, three different antisera were generated: (a) two rabbit antisera, one against total amebic proteins and another directed specifically to the 112-kDa adhesin; and (b) a mouse antiserum against amebic molecules adhering to the red blood cell (RBC) surface after incubation of RBCs with total soluble protein from trophozoites (anti-adhesion serum). All three antisera recognized the 112-kDa adhesion. Adhesion of this molecule to the RBC surface was temperature-dependent. More of the 112-kDa adhesion was found on the surface of RBCs incubated with trophozoites at 37 degrees C than on RBCs incubated at room temperature or at 0 degree C. Experiments using both anti-adhesin and anti-total ambebic protein sera revealed the presence of 210, 160, 112, 90, 70, 50, and 24-kDa proteins on RBC incubated with trophozoites. Surface proteins obtained from iodinated MDCK cells recognized amebic proteins of 112, 90, and 48-50 kDa. Virulence-deficient mutants presented a similar amount of the 112-kDa adhesin to the wild-type strain. However, in mutants, the adhesion was not functional, since they did not adhere to RBCs. 90- and 24-kDa proteins were also found to be altered in mutants.

Semiconservative and unscheduled DNA synthesis on mammalian cells and its modification by glyoxylic compounds

The interaction of glyoxal and four other glyoxylic compounds with semiconservative DNA synthesis and with unscheduled DNA synthesis induced by 25-G X-rays on TC-SV40 hamster cells has been studied. Both syntheses were evaluated by measuring the incorporation of [3H-methyl]-thymidine into the newly synthetized DNA. The unscheduled DNA synthesis amounts to 4% of semiconservative synthesis. The modification of both syntheses by the glyoxylic compounds was tested using the products at non-toxic concentrations for the cells. All the glyoxals inhibited semiconservative DNA synthesis and potentiated unscheduled DNA synthesis at rather similar levels. These effects have been compared with the radiosensitizing activity of these glyoxals in the same TC-SV40 cells and no relationship could be established.

Radiosensitization by quaternary salts of 5-nitroimidazole derivatives

The radiosensitizing effects of five newly synthesized quaternary salts of 5-nitroimidazole derivatives on the survival of TC-SV40 mammalian cells have been measured. A toxicity study was carried out in order to determine the concentrations to be used in the radiosensitizing experiments. The oxygen enhancement ratio (OER) for TC-SV40 cells was 2.74. None of the five 5-nitroimidazole derivatives showed radiosensitizing activity in aerobic conditions, while in hypoxia their dose-modifying factors (DMF) at the concentration of 0.2 mmol dm-3 range from 1.52 to 1.03 in this order: unsubstituted pyridinium greater than carbamoyl pyridinium greater than trimethyl pyridinium greater than t-butyl pyridinium greater than imidazolium. This latter product at the concentration of 2 mmol dm-3 has a DMF of 1.64. As comparison, metronidazole was also tested on this cell line and its DMF at 0.2 mmol dm-3 was 1.35. The response-concentration dependences for the unsubstituted pyridinium 5-nitroimidazole derivative and for metronidazole (comparing charged and uncharged structures) showed the flattening response-concentration curve of quaternary compounds. The electron affinity was evaluated through the CNDO/S theoretical method, and an exponential relationship between these values and the DMFs of the pyridinium derivatives was demonstrated.

Intestinal absorption of acidic beta-lactam antibiotics: contribution of ionized and un-ionized forms

The effect of the pH of dissolutions of weakly acidic beta-lactam antibiotics on their intestinal absorption has been studied by quantification of the contribution of the ionized and un-ionized antibiotic forms to the whole absorptive process. In vivo recirculation in both sexes of adult Wistar rats was performed with buffer solutions at different pH values and samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Comparison of MCCarthy and Goodenough-Harris scoring systems for kindergarten children's human figure drawings

Comparison of the Goodenough-Harris and McCarthy scoring procedures for 60 kindergarten children's drawings yielded substantial agreement between the two scoring systems. The streamlined McCarthy scoring system should be utilized when large numbers of children are being evaluated within short periods of time.

Decreased lymphocyte response to PHA, Con-A, and calcium ionophore (A23187) in patients with RA and SLE, and reversal with levamisole in rheumatoid arthritis

The mechanism of poor lymphocyte transformation to mitogens was studied in selected patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Low lymphocyte response to PHA and Con-A in media containing autologous and homologous sera was usually associated with poor response to the calcium ionophore A23187, which induces blastogenesis by a different mechanism. The low lymphocyte response to mitogens in patients with rheumatoid arthritis could be restored by in vivo treatment with the anthelmintic drug, levamisole. The present findings suggest that intrinsic defects are responsible for the decreased cellular response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

The roll of the antagonistic muscles in the calculation of muscle moments during trochlearthrosis work

From the biomechanic point of view, the osteo-myo-articular system works as a physical pulley instead of working as a simple closing and opening of the angle formed between two arms of lever turning around the same point of support. The vector which expresses the force of muscular flexion being always 'sliding'; its moment is constant independently of the angular value between the bone segments which are in flexion.