Demonstration of acid phosphatase activity in antigenic glycoprotein fractions obtained from the culture filtrate of Pseudomonas pseudomallei.

Pseudomonas pseudomallei, the causative microorganism of melioidosis, was grown in Mueller-Hinton liquid medium, and glycoprotein fractions were separated from the culture filtrate by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel-filtration with Sephadex G-75, and column chromatography with DEAE-cellulose. The fractions revealed acid phosphatase activity, and reacted to the sera from melioidosis patient in gel-diffusion precipitation assay.     

Changes in the electric activity of the cerebral cortex in poisoning caused by Cl. perfringens toxin type A]

The electrical activity of the cerebral cortex was recorded in cats under mild nembutal anesthesia (15-20 mg/kg of body weight) during the development of Cl. perfringens, type A, toxin poisoning (the toxin was injected intramuscularly in a dose of 100 MLD per kg of body weight). Two phases of the changes in the electrical activity of the cerebral cortex were noted. The first phase was attended by the desynchronization of the electrical activity, persistence of the induced potentials and of the reaction of the rhythm reconstruction to the rhythmic light stimulus. No desynchronization occurred under conditions of preliminary section of the midbrain (on the mesencephalic preparation), this indicating the involvement of the reticular formation into the pathological process and pointing to its role in the desynchronization effect. A profound depression of the electrical activity of the brain, depression of induced potentials and disturbance of the reaction of the rhythm reconstruction occurred during the second phase.     

Effect of aminazin on changes in the electrical activity of the cerebral cortex under the influence of the toxin C1. perfringens type A]

Experiments on cats revealed that injection of chlorpromazine (3 mg/kg of body weight, intramuscular) one hour prior to the Cl. perfingens toxin type A injection prevented the appearance of desynchronization of the electrical activity of the cerebral cortex usually observed during the first phase of intoxication. Chlorpromazine injection postpones the appearance of the electrical activity depression phase during the second phase and prolonged the animals' life span from 1.5 to 2 times. The effect of chlorpromazine was apparently connected with the block of the adrenergic structures of the brain stem reticular formation.     

Effect of carbohydrates and control of culture pH on beta toxin production by Clostridium perfringens type C.

Clostridium perfringens type C strain CN 5384 produced a higher level of beta toxin in a controlled pH medium containing 1% glucose, starch, or sucrose than in media with dextrin, fructose, or raffinose. Toxin synthesis was not related to the growth yield. The effect of glucose on beta toxin production by 11 strains was investigated with and without control of the culture pH at 7.5. Strain CN 5386 produced distinctly higher toxin when the pH of the culture was maintained at 7.5, compared with uncontrolled pH.     

Changes in serum alkaline phosphatase activity during in vitro exposure to amplitude-modulated electromagnetic field of ultrahigh frequency (2375 MHz) in guinea pigs

The activity of alkaline phosphatase by the action of pulse-modulated microwave radiation was studied. The carrier frequency of radiation was 2375 MHz, the range of modulation pulse rate was 10-390 Hz with the on-off time ratio 2, and the specific absorption rate was 8 and 0.8 microW/cm2. Time of exposure was 1 and 3 min under conditions of continuous temperature control. It was shown that the activity of alkaline phosphatase depends on both modulation frequency and intensity of superhigh-frequency electromagnetic radiation. At a frequency of 70 Hz, the activity of alkaline phosphatases increased 1.8-2.0 times.     

Changes in the electrical activity of the cerebral cortex under the combined influence of Cl. perfringens type A toxin and products of Cl. butyricum activity]

A study of the changes of the electrocorticogram (ECoG) and the electrocardiogram (ECG) in combined action of Cl. perfringens, type A, and of the Cl. butyricum broth culture filtrate showed that desynchronization of the cortical electrical activity and its subsequent depression occurred at earlier periods than in the case of isolated administration of Cl. perfringens toxin. The general character of the changes in the cortical rhythmic activity remained the same as in intoxication caused by Cl. butyricum toxin alone. The ECoG and ECG changes occurred at shorter intervals. Cl. butyricum filtrates induced no ECoG and ECG changes. It is supposed that the effect of the products of the Cl. butyricum vital activity consisted in increase in the tissue barrier permeability and, in this connection, in a greater penetration of Cl. perfringens toxin into the tissues, including the central nervous system.     

Activity of acid and alkali phosphatase in guinea pigs exposed to the static magnetic fields

The influence of static homogeneous magnetic field on alkali and acid phosphatase in guinea pigs (regarding the twenty four hours rhythm) was studied. The increase of acid phosphatase activity was determined by the time of exposure to magnetic field. No changes in alkali phosphatase activity were observed.     

On the in vitro neutralization test of Clostridium perfringens type A toxin

Data are presented on the detection in crude animal and human sera of Cl. perfringens phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor. When the level of Cl. perfringens type A antitoxin is determined in the in vitro toxin neutralization test the inhibitor is found to decrease PLC activity in the test dose of experimental homologous toxin. The extent of decrease accounts for the variation of results obtained in the in vitro and in vivo toxin neutralization tests. The variation may be cancelled out by introducing a corresponding coefficient to calculate the level of alpha-antitoxin. It is suggested that the isolation and investigation of the PLC inhibitor will contribute to the development of preparations for treatment of gas gangrene due to Cl. perfringens type A.     

Changes in protein synthesis and acid tolerance in Clostridium perfringens type A in response to acid shock.

The induction of acid-shock proteins and the degree of acid resistance conferred on Clostridium perfringens by acid shock, and the kinetics of this resistance were determined. A sublethal acid shock at pH 4.5 for 20 min increased the acid tolerance of cells at least fifteenfold. The acquired tolerance was maintained for 3 h after acid treatment. The response of the microorganism to acid shock was also examined by analysis of pulse-labeled proteins. Five acid-shock proteins (molecular weights 120, 84, 58, 45 and 17 kDa) were identified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.     

Ascorbic acid and tocopherol levels in the organs and serum of guinea pigs with experimentally induced atherosclerosis

A 7-month experiment was carried out on guinea pigs to elucidate the effect of height-cholesterol diet containing various fats on the levels of ascorbic acid and to tocopherol in the organism. In the guinea pigs with experimentally induced atherosclerosis the retention of ascorbic acid and tocopherol was found to be greater than that in the control animals.