Flavobacterium multivorum septicemia in a hemodialyzed patient

A case of Flavobacterium multivorum septicemia in a hemodialyzed patient is reported. Two blood cultures were positive at 48 h, and the patient became afebrile only after antimicrobial therapy. The origin of the septicemia could not be determined.

Genes required for completion of import of proteins into the endoplasmic reticulum in yeast

Yeast secretory mutants sec53 and sec59 define a posttranslational stage in the penetration of glycoprotein precursors into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In the previous report we showed that at the restrictive temperature (37 degrees C) these mutants accumulate enzymatically inactive and incompletely glycosylated forms of the secretory enzyme invertase and the vacuolar enzyme carboxypeptidase Y. Cell fractionation experiments reveal that these precursor forms remain firmly bound to the ER membrane. However, upon return to the permissive temperature (24 degrees C), the invertase precursors are glycosylated, become partially active, and are secreted. Thermoreversible conversion does not require protein synthesis, but does require energy. In contrast to the effect of these mutations, inhibition of oligosaccharide synthesis with tunicamycin at 37 degrees C causes irreversible accumulation of unglycosylated invertase. The effect of the drug is exaggerated by high temperature since unglycosylated invertase synthesized in the presence of tunicamycin at 25 degrees C is secreted. A portion of the invertase polypeptide accumulated at 37 degrees C is preserved when membranes from sec53 and sec59 are treated with trypsin. In the presence of Triton X-100 or saponin, the invertase is degraded completely. The protected fragment appears to represent a portion of the invertase polypeptide that is embedded in or firmly associated with the ER membrane. This association may develop early during the synthesis of invertase, so that in the absence of translocation, some of the completed polypeptide chain remains exposed on the cytoplasmic surface of the ER.

Targeted selection of recombinant clones through gene dosage effects

The availability of multicopy plasmid vectors for the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae allows the selective amplification of individual segments of the genome. Increased dosage of particular genes results in overproduction of specific gene products and thereby confers resistance to certain metabolic inhibitors. Advantage was taken of this fact to isolate recombinant clones that increase the activities of the enzymes UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-1-P transferase and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase.

[Detection of glycosidases in Pseudomonas of the fluorescent group: relation between serotype and glycosidase activities in P. aeruginosa]

Fluorescent Pseudomonas species (P. aeruginosa, P. fluorescens, P. putida) were tested for the presence of glycosidase activities (alpha-D-glucosidase, beta-D-glucosidase, alpha-D-galactosidase, beta-D-galactosidase, beta-xylosidase, alpha-D-mannosidase, alpha-L-fucosidase, beta-L-fucosidase, beta-D-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase). Some of the investigated glycosidases were always absent, while N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase was constantly present in all strains; 3 glycosidase activities were observed in association or separately. Serotype O11 of P. aeruginosa was found to be homogeneous with respect to some of those enzymatic activities. Search for beta-D-galactosidase, alpha-D-glucosidase and beta-D-glucosidase may be of diagnostic value in epidemiologic studies of P. aeruginosa.

[Herpes oesophagitis: cytological diagnosis of a rare viral disease (author's transl)]

During gastroscopy on a 75-year-old man because of bleeding from the upper gastro-intestinal tract, a white wallpaper-like covering was noted along the whole length of the oesophagus. Cytology of smears demonstrated typical cellular structure of Herpes, characterized by multinuclear cells with pale, flattened opaque glass-like nuclei. Subsequently the patient died of other organic complications.

[Renal transplantation and Salmonella typhimurium infection. Epidemiological study of lysotypes and biotypes (author's transl)]

During an 8-year period (1970-1977), 24 strains of Salmonella spp. were isolated in 24 renal transplant recipients. In 19 cases (79%) the infection had an unusual presentation (extradigestive focus or bacteraemia), and 15 of the offending strains belonged to the serotype typhimurium. During the same period 161 strains of Salmonella spp. were isolated in 159 adult patients admitted to units other than the renal transplantation unit; 52% of the infections presented as gastroenteritis, and S. typhimurium accounted for only 25% of unusual presentations. However, the lysotypes and biotypes of S. typhimurium were as diverse in the renal transplantation unit as in other hospital units. The study failed to demonstrate interhuman transmission of Salmonella spp. within the renal transplantation unit.

A continuous photometric method for the determination of small intestinal invertase

An easy to perform, rapid and precise assay for invertase is introduced. In it enzyme activity is determined spectrophotometrically from a coupled enzymatic reaction.

Significance of the detection of beta-galactosidase and of beta-xylosidase in the taxonomic study of the genus Haemophilus

A total of 314 strains of Haemophilus, isolated from clinical samples, were studied for the production of beta-galactosidase and beta-xylosidase. None of the H. influenzae strains studied (9 beta-lactamase positive strains and 129 beta-lactamase negative strains) possessed these enzymes. Both enzymes were almost constantly observed among strains of H. paraphrophilus (10 strains studied) and of H. paraphrohaemolyticus (9 strains studied). Among the other species (H. parainfluenzae, 55 strains; H. haemolyticus, 5 strains; H. parahaemolyticus, 97 strains), beta-galactosidase was present in about 30% of the strains studied whereas beta-xylosidase was detected occasionally (3% of the strains studied). Detection of these two enzymes could be a valuable test for the taxonomic study of the genus Haemophilus. However, the type of substrate used for the detection of beta-xylosidase is important: use of the para-nitro-phenyl-beta-xylopyranoside yielded more positive results than the use of its ortho-isomer.

Halophilic, lactose-positive Vibrio in a case of fatal septicemia

A halophilic Vibrio species was isolated from blood cultures from a 59-year-old male with enteritis. The strain differed from Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio alginolyticus by its ability to ferment lactose, its production of beta-galactosidase, and its lower NaCl tolerance. A report of this infection and a description of the isolate is presented.

Two strains of Vibrio species with unusual biochemical features isolated from ear tracts

A strain of vibrio cholerae Heiberg type II, not agglutinable with any of the eight antisera corresponding to Heiberg's groups, and a nonmotile, methyl red-positivs of chronic external otitis.

[Ampicillin-resistant "Haemophilus": their detection and occurrence in Brussels area (author's transl)]

Three hundred and five strains of Haemophilus (129 H. influenzae, 55 H. parainfluenzae, 97 H. parahaemolyticus, 5 H. haemolyticus, 10 H. paraphrophilus and 9 H. paraphrohaemolyticus) isolated from pathological material over the year 1976, were systematically tested for beta-lactamase production. Only 2 strains of H. parainfluenzae produced this enzyme. Both were able to transfer ampicillin resistance to Escherichia coli K12. All strains but the two beta-lactamase producers were susceptible to penicillin G, ampicillin and cephalotin. However, the correct interpretation of the susceptibility tests needed the microscopic observation of prints of the inhibition zones surrounding the disks: all sensitive strains presented a hazy growth around the disks which corresponded to the presence of spheroplasts; this phenomenon was not observed with the 2 beta-lactamase producing strains of H. parainfluenzae which grew up to the disks but presented a typical bacillary form.

[Uremic tendencies for hemorrhage and hemodialysis]

By means of a simple heparin test which reflects the actual processes in the contact of the blood with heterogeneous surfaces we can securely regulate the heparinisation in each phase of the dialysis, which, as I tried to explain, brings considerable consequences for the clinic.

[Heparin dosage in chronic hemodialysis (author's transl)]

Over a period of 10 months hemodialyses in 20 patients with chronic renal failure were performed with a 40% lower heparin-dose. Blood coagulation was controlled from the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). There were no unfavourable side-effects, also the effectivity of the hemodialyses was not changed. However, we measured a significant increase in the hemoglobin-concentration and in the packed cell volume. Bleeding from the punctures was significantly shortened.

Isolation of Bacteroides corrodens and Eikenella corrodens from human clinical specimens. Comparative study of incidence and methods of identification

In the course of a systematic search for Bacteroides corrodents and Eikenella corrodens in clinical specimens submitted for microbiological analysis, 61% of the specimens from anal abscesses, 6% of the vaginal specimens and none of the pharyngeal specimens yielded B. corrodens, whereas E. corrodens was recovered from only 9% of the pharyngeal specimens. Some characteristics were found to be useful in differentiating between the two species: B. corrodens strains were strictly anaerobic, cytochrome-oxidase-negative, urease-positive and gelatinase-positive; they were sensitive to lincomycin but resistant to vancomycin. E. corrodens strains on the other hand were facultatively anaerobic, oxidase-positive, urease-negative and gelatinase-negative; they were resistant to lincomycin but sensitive to vancomycin. The pathogenicity of the two species was difficult to assess as in most cases they were recovered from mixed cultures.

Taxonomy of Acinetobacter: the usefulness of beta-D-xyloside xylohydrolase for strain differentiation

One hundred and twenty-two clinical isolates of Acinetobacter were studied for the presence of beta-galactosidase and of beta-xylosidase, for biochemical characteristics, and for genetic interspecies transformation tests. All strains lacked beta-galactosidase; in contrast, beta-xylosidase was always present in the oxidative strains. This test proved to be of value for separating strains able to form acid from carbohydrates (A. anitratum and A. haemolyticus spp haemolyticus) from the non-oxidative strains (A. lwoffi and A. haemolyticus spp alcaligenes). However, the genetic relationship of all strains tested warrants further study before Acinetobacters are grouped into clearly defined species.

[Monoglyceride lipase. A new diagnostic liver and thrombocyte enzyme]

Monoglyceride hydrolase can be found in blood bound to thrombocytes or as free enzyme after the injection of heparin. Measurement can be performed easily with a new photometric method. The post-heparin activity is decreased in liver disease. This is probably due to the fact, that monoglyceride hydrolase is liberated from the liver's vessels.

[Treatment of primary hyperlipoproteinemias of type IIB and IV with butylbiguanide and clofibrate (author's transl)]

21 patients with primary hyperlipoproteinemias of type IIb and IV were treated for 8 weeks with placebo, 8 weeks with 0.3 g butylbiguanide and 1.5 g clofibrate/day and then for 8 weeks with 1.5 g clofibrate/day. In 12 patients a second placebo phase of 8 weeks followed. After 8 weeks of combined treatment with butylbiguanide and clofibrate the serum triglycerides decreased from 725 mg to 269 mg/100 ml. During the following period of clofibrate treatment the serum triglycerides increased after 4 and 8 weeks to 326 mg and 306 mg/100 ml respectively. The combined treatment with 0.3 g butylbiguanide and 1.5 g clofibrate/day is more effective in lowering elevated serum triglycerides and cholesterol than 1.5 g clofibrate alone.

A spectrophotometric method for the determination of monoglyceride hydrolase

A monoglyceride hydrolase assay is introduced in which the activity of the enzyme is determined by the use of coupled enzymatic reactions. Measurements are easy to perform on a conventional photometer; they are specific, precise and show good reproducibility.

[Investigations on production of spheroplasts in different species of the genus Haemophilus isolated from pathological material of the respiratory tract (author's transl)]

One hundred and fifty three strains belonging to 5 different species of the Genus haemophilus isolated from pathological material of the respiratory tract, have been submitted to the action of inductive agents. Under their influence, all those strains, and consequently all the species examined undergo morphological changes and give rise to spheroplasts. The present work demonstrates that this phenomenon not only belongs to Haemophilus influenzae but probably is a common characteristic of the Genus Haemophilus.

[Clinical course of arteriosclerosis of coronary and lower limb arteries (author's transl)]

The clinical course of arteriosclerosis was evaluated in 9 patients with coronary sclerosis and in 25 with peripheral arterial occlusive disease by means of repeat angiographies following primary angiography after 22.5 and 36.6 months, respectively. During the period of observation arteriosclerosis had progressed in all cases except in two patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Despite intensive therapeutic efforts including control of risk factors, dietary care, guided or unguided exercise and the attempt to change unsatisfactory living conditions, progression of arteriosclerosis could not be interrupted. If treatment delayed progression of arteriosclerosis cannot be decided. All vascular areas were affected indiscriminately by progression and no particular localisation was preferred. Intensive exercise does not seem to delay progression of arteriosclerosis.

[Clinical experience with a new method for the determination of monoglyceride lipase (author's transl)]

The activity of monoglyceride lipase was studied in plasma from 74 patients with liver disease in whom blood was drawn 10 min after the injection of heparin (10 U/kg body weight). The results were compared with the activities from 29 healthy volunteers. For measurement a new, easy to handle method was used. The patients showed significantly lower activities, e.g. in chronic aggressive hepatitis there was a decrease by 87%. There was no correlation between the activities of monoglyceride lipase and pseudocholinesterase which also can be decreased in liver disease. The results show that the determination of monoglyceride lipase appears to be a useful test of the liver's function. Its value probably lies in the evaluation of the vessels.

Glycolysis and its interaction with a gluconeogenic precursor in perfused rat liver

A non-recirculating, haemoglobin-free perfusion system was used to evaluate glycolysis in livers from fasted rats. Glycolysis was calculated from lactate and pyruvate production before and after infusion of glucose. In the absence of extracellular glucose glycolysis was small. Stimulation of glycolytic flux occured at extracellular glucose concentrations above 5 mM. Rates were proportional to glucose concentrations. Glycolysis was also investigated in the presence of extracellular lactate, which is a precursor of gluconeogenesis. High glucose concentrations (15-35 mM) were followed by lactate and pyruvate output suggesting that glycolysis was prevailing. Estimated flux rates, however, were significantly lower in the presence of the gluconeogenic precursor. Our results provide arguments that gluconeogenesis and glycolysis interact in order to regulate the peripheral glucose concentration.

Estimates of orthodontic treatment need in Danish schoolchildren

Orthodontic treatment need has been assessed on the basis of complete orthodontic records in a random sample of 293 Danish children aged 13-17 years by a group of postgraduate orthodontic students and by three orthodontists. The estimates of treatment need ranged from 45% to 61%. Interexaminer agreement in pairs was observed in 77%-92% (mean 83%) of the cases. Uniformity in four individual assessments was reached in 69% of the cases: 38% were considered in need of treatment and 31% were considered not to present such need; conversely, 31% gave rise to disagreement. It is argued that, at present, the orthodontist's subjective estimate of treatment need probably constitutes a more realistic approach to the problem of assigning treatment priority than the various indices of malocclusion.

[Isolation of "Neisseria elongata" and "Moraxella urethralis" (author's transl)]

A strain of Neisseria elongata and a strain of Moraxella urethralis have been recently isolated from pathological material in the course of a systematic search for rodshaped oxidase positive and Gram negative micro-organisms. The morphological, cultural and biochemical characters of these fewly known strains of which pathogenicity is not clearly defined, are reported in the present paper together with some comments.

Endogenous and postheparin monoglyceride hydrolase in plasma of patients with acute virus hepatitis

Endogenous and postheparin monoglyceride hydrolase (MGH) was studied in 9 patients with acute virus hepatitis and in 25 normal subjects with the use of a new spectrophotometric method. During the 4 weeks of observation the patients had significantly higher endogenous and reduced postheparin MGH levels if compared with the controls (p smaller than 0.001). In the initial phase of hepatitis the alterations were more pronounced and the serum glyceride concentration was raised. The results show that MGM activities in plasma may be greatly influenced by the liver.