bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examination of various Gram-negative bacteria for beta-lactamase activity
Authors: Desai Pragna , Goldner M.
Published: February 2010

The beta-lactamase activity in 10 bacterial species from different genera were evaluated where direct evidence and quantitative data were lacking. A quantitative iodometric method and infrared spectrophotometry were used for the determination of the beta-lactamase activity. The organisms tested were shown to have enzyme activity directed against the beta-lactam ring, and on the basis of the activity on two members of the beta-lactam group of antibiotics, penicillin G and cephalosporin C, a particular ratio was obtained for each species. This report supports the fact of the widespread distribution of beta-lactamase and reopens the question of its significance.
Amino acid content and elemental composition of selected strains of Clostridium perfringens
Authors: Weiss Karl F. , Strong Dorothy H.
Published: February 2010

Four strains of C. perfringens, including one classical-type strain and three strains recovered from presumably peccant food were analyzed for the content of selected amino acids and mineral elements. Suspensions of both vegetative cells and vegetative cell – spore mixtures were examined. Any differences observed could be correlated neither with the origin of the strain, the heat resistance, nor the α toxin production.
Evidence countering the role of polygalacturonase in invasion of root hairs of leguminous plants by Rhizobium spp.
Authors: Lillich Thomas T. , Elkan Gerald H.
Published: February 2010

Polygalacturonase has been postulated as being involved in the invasion of the host legume by Rhizobium spp. The role of this enzyme in the invasion of Glycine max by Rhizobium japonicum was investigated. Enzyme activity of several Rhizobium spp. was assayed viscometrically and no constitutive polygalacturonase was found. The enzyme could not be induced by growth with either pectin or galactose as the sole carbon source. Extract and exudate from the roots of nodulating and nonnodulating strains of Glycine max that had been incubated with effective strains of R. japonicum failed to show any higher levels of polygalacturonase activity than did uninoculated control plants. Previously reported experiments were duplicated. Levels of polygalacturonase activity from the extract and exudate of white clover inoculated with R. trifolii Cl 226 were as reported in the literature. Contrary to published reports, however, no greater levels of enzyme activity were found from effective plant–bacteria associations than from either ineffective associations or uninoculated control plants. It was concluded from these experiments that polygalacturonase does not play a major role in the invasion of Glycine max by Rhizobium japonicum.
Absence of storage products in cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa grown with excess carbon or nitrogen
Authors: MacKelvie R. M. , Campbell J. J. R. , Gronlund Audrey F.
Published: February 2010

Pseudomonas aeruginosa failed to accumulate carbohydrate, lipid, including poly-β-hydroxybutyrate, or polyphosphate when grown under conditions normally favorable for the deposition of these reserve materials. Washed cell suspensions prepared from cultures grown under conditions of limiting nitrogen, limiting carbon, or excess of both exhibited immediate and linear production of ammonia when starved. When glucose-U-14C was added to a 24-h-culture, growing in a nitrogen-limited medium, the radioactivity was largely recovered in keto acids which accumulated in the growth supernatant. Exhaustion of the limiting nutrient during growth resulted in the degradation of ribosomes regardless of whether the nutrient was the carbon or nitrogen source.
Towards standardization of soil extracts for microbial media
Authors: Harris R. F. , Keeney D. R.
Published: February 2010

The effect of soil:water ratio and autoclaving time on the efficiency of organic carbon extraction from soil was evaluated, and a method was developed for the routine preparation of freeze-dried soil extracts of standardized carbon contents. The optimum soil:water (w/v) ratio chosen for soil extract preparation will depend on the water-holding properties of the soil and on the subsequent use of the extract; a ratio of 1:3 to 1:5 appears optimum for preparation of freeze-dried extracts; efficiency of carbon recovery decreases drastically at ratios of less than 1:2 to 1:3. From an efficiency standpoint longer autoclaving times will yield substantial increases in organic carbon, with the most marked increase occurring within the first hour. No major differences in numbers of soil microorganisms developing on agar media prepared from diverse extracts were observed as long as the pH (6 to 7.5) and carbon content (0.1 to 2.6 g/1) of the extracts were within the normal range for soil extracts used for microbial media.
Growth-inhibitory activities of some 1,4-naphthoquinones and related compounds on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli
Authors: Leahy G. J. , Currie D. J , Holmes H. L. , Maltman J. R.
Published: February 2010

Growth-inhibitory activities of some or all of 98 1,4-naphthoquinones and 16 related compounds on Escherichia coli and two strains of Staphylococcus aureus were determined alone or in combination. These values, when plotted against their polarographic half-wave potentials and those of their C2-n-butylthio analogs support the hypothesis that these compounds, or the products resulting from their reaction with a protein nucleophile, function by short-circuiting one or other of the quinones present in the electron-transport chain.
Capsule size, coagulase production, and egg virulence among certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Wiley Bill Beauford
Published: February 2010

The observation that certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus differed in their virulence measured for eggs, as well as in capsule size and coagulase production, led to an investigation of the rate of release of capsular material in staphylococcus cultures. Capsular material was measured by the hemagglutination inhibition reaction. Strains of high and moderate virulence were compared. The highly virulent strain released 10 times as much capsular material as the strains of moderate virulence. The moderately virulent strains did not differ significantly in amount of capsular material formed. Parallel quantitative determinations of free coagulase revealed similar differences. The hemolytic activity of the supernatant fluids against rabbit erythrocytes, however, showed an inverse relationship to egg virulence. The visual observation of differences in capsular size was verified by measuring packed cell volume/viable count ratios for the strains studied. A positive correlation was obtained between capsule size, egg virulence, release of capsular material, and amount of coagulase produced.
The temperature optimum of the intestinal flora of the rat
Authors: Allen Stephen D. , Brock Thomas D.
Published: February 2010

Two types of experiments were performed to determine if the microbial flora of the intestinal tract of the rat was optimally adapted to body temperature. The first involved the preparation of agar-spread plates from dilutions of intestinal material and incubation at a variety of temperatures. The temperature optima of the colonies which arose were then determined by replica plating. The second procedure involved the measurement of the temperature optimum for the incorporation of radioactive isotopes into the mixed microbial flora taken directly from the intestinal tract and studied without culture or preincubation. One series of experiments involved measurement of the rate of incorporation of 32PO4≡ into ribonucleic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid. In another set of experiments, the temperature optimum for the incorporation of 14C-glucose into the mixed microbial flora was measured. All of these studies showed that the optimum temperature of the microbial flora was indeed similar to the temperature of the habitat. Preliminary studies were also done with a dog and with red squirrels, with similar results.
Experimental gas gangrene with food-poisoning Clostridium perfringens type A
Authors: Hauschild A. H. W. , Thatcher F. S.
Published: February 2010

Classical and food-poisoning strains of Clostridium perfringens type A were tested for their capacity to produce gas gangrene in guinea pigs.The virulence of food-poisoning strains producing heat-sensitive spores and showing beta hemolysis on sheep-blood agar was comparable to that of the classical strains. The most virulent strains of both groups produced fatal infection with only three to five vegetative cells. Of 13 food-poisoning, heat-sensitive strains showing no beta hemolysis, only three were lethal when a minimum of 4 × 104 to 4 × 108 cells was injected. None of the food-poisoning, heat-resistant strains produced fatal infection with cell numbers up to 4 × 108. The groups of strains showed a correlation between virulence and formation of alpha toxin in liquid culture.It is concluded that a number of heat-sensitive, beta-hemolytic strains of C. perfringens may cause gas gangrene as well as food poisoning, and that the current subdivision of C. perfringens type A strains into classical and food-poisoning groups is no longer tenable.
Serodiagnosis in Q fever with special emphasis on the radioisotope precipitation test
Authors: McKiel J. A. , Millar A. M.
Published: February 2010

A study of persons associated with dairy herds serologically positive for Q fever was carried out in seven counties of central Ontario in 1964–65 to determine the extent of exposure of such persons to Q fever rickettsiae. Milk samples from 2206 dairy herds (= premises) were first tested by the capillary tube agglutination (CA) technique and 639 (29%) were found positive. This is double the herd incidence of Q fever found in a survey carried out in this area 5 years earlier.Of these 639 positive premises, 406 were visited in 1965 and blood obtained from 371 volunteers (contact population). Random serum samples of 862 adult persons from the seven counties were obtained from specimens submitted to the Peterborough laboratory for syphilis serology (general population). All human sera were tested and 43.1%found positive by the radioisotope precipitation (RIP) test, 34.6% by the complement fixation (CF) test, and only 3% by the capillary tube agglutination (CA) test. In contrast, the RIP test was positive in 2% of the sera of the general population, the CF test in 1.4%, and the CA test in only 0.4%.These results show that subclinical infection is common among persons having frequent contact with dairy cattle infected with Q fever. The study also demonstrated the high degree of sensitivity of the RIP test.
Lethal and mutagenic action of 3200–4000 Å light
Authors: Webb S. J. , Tai C. C.
Published: February 2010

Cells of a thymine-requiring auxotrophic mutant of Escherichia coli B have been irradiated with 2537 Å light (ultraviolet) and 3200–4000 Å light (black light) while being held in aerosols of various relative humidity (R.H.) levels. When cells were held in aerosols of 70% R.H. or lower they became susceptible to damage by black light and much of this damage could be prevented by the compound myo-inositol. The damage inflicted on cells by black light was not photorepairable by the usual methods, suggesting that the lesions produced are different from those produced by ultraviolet light. In addition, the ability of cells to undergo photorepair after irradiation with 2537 Å light was found to decrease rapidly when the cells were irradiated in a dry or near-dry state, indicating that the lesions produced under these conditions are different from those produced in wet cells.Sensitization of the cells to both kinds of radiations by the presence of bromodeoxyuridine (BUDR) in their deoxyribonucleic acid was apparent only when the cells were irradiated in a wet or semidry state, suggesting that sensitization involves a photostimulated hydrolysis of BUDR. Black light was found to be more mutagenic to cells held in a semidried state than was 2537 Å light. It is concluded that the irradiation of cells with 2537 Å light or with black light when they are in the dry state produces a lesion which is non-photorepairable and which is both lethal and mutagenic.
Microscopic colonial morphology of an enterococcal L form
Authors: Anderson Robert J.
Published: February 2010

A possible reversion cycle from the L colony to the parent coccus in Streptococcus faecalis var. zymogenes on solid media is postulated. The peripheral large bodies of the L colony appeared to give rise to mycelial-like structures which extended away from the L colony and terminated in fragmenting cocci. This phenomenon was observed on a permanent slide preparation only and not from direct observation of growing organisms.
Differentiation of Actinomyces propionicus from Actinomyces israelii and Actinomyces naeslundii by gas chromatography
Authors: Li Yu-Ying F. , Georg Lucille K.
Published: February 2010

Gas–liquid chromatography (g.l.c.) was used for the analysis of certain metabolic end products of Actinomyces propionicus, as an aid in the separation of this organism from the morphologically similar Actinomyces species, A. israelii and A. naeslundii. Profiles of the chromatograms for the major volatile acids of five strains of A. propionicus studied were found to be distinct from those of four strains of A. israelii and four strains of A. naeslundii. The ratio of propionic acid to acetic acid was approximately 50 times as great for A. propionicus as for the other Actinomyces species. Formic acid was present in significant amounts in both A. israelii and A. naeslundii, but was present only in trace amounts in A. propionicus.Two major nonvolatile acids, lactic and succinic, were identified for the A. israelii and A. naeslundii strains. One of the A. propionicus strains also showed both acids in significant amounts; however, the other four strains of A. propionicus showed succinic acid in large amounts, but only trace amounts of lactic acid.
Fungistatic properties of soils exposed to different antecedent environments
Authors: Willis George Mirron , Williams Lansing E.
Published: February 2010

A Toledo silty clay soil with different cropping histories was tested for fungistatic activity by an agar-ring method using Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoemaker as the assay organism. Although all soils exhibited considerable fungistatic activity, the magnitude varied only slightly with their cropping histories. Fungistatic activity of soil cropped to alfalfa was somewhat higher than that of soil obtained from rotation plots with oats or soybeans as the last crop. Attempts were made to extract fungistatic material from soil using water, ethanol, or ether. Although the fungistatic properties of the extracts were lost when sterilized by steam or filtration, nonsterilized extracts were inhibitory to the test fungus.Nutrient studies revealed that fungistasis was suppressed when sucrose, peptone, or yeast extract was added to the soil. Evidence was obtained that soil toxin penetrated Millipore filters and cellophane when they were used as substrates in bioassay of soil fungistasis. Fritted glass, clay filters, Saran wrap, and parchment paper were unsuitable for detecting fungistasis since they were inhibitory to the assay fungus. Evidence in support of the theory that food material added to or along with the test conidia increased soil fungistasis was not demonstrated. Conversely, our findings suggest that soil fungistasis is a natural phenomenon, which is characteristic of certain soils.
Change of resistance to lysozyme and ultrasonic disintegration of the mycelium of Streptomyces griseus under the influence of chelating agents and polyvalent cations
Authors: Szeszák F. , Szabó G. , Erdel J. , Müller F.
Published: February 2010

Mycelia of Streptomyces griseus strain No. 52-1 from a 2-day submerged culture pretreated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) were digested with lysozyme. The sensitivity of younger vegetative hyphae to lysozyme increased while that of older reproductive hyphae remained almost unchanged.EDTA or borate pretreatment increased resistance to ultrasonic disintegration in the case of 96-h mycelia from submerged culture. EDTA was most effective at a concentration of 10−5 M.The enhanced resistance to ultrasonic disintegration can be reversed by Mg2+ and Al3+ in a concentration of 10−5 M, while Ca2+ ions are ineffective.These results suggest the existence of a polyvalent-ion-dependent layer in the cell wall of streptomycetes. Such a layer would be exterior to the mucopeptide layer. Its thickness changes during the life cycle and it is most prominent in younger vegetative hyphae.
Role of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate in survival of Sphaerotilus discophorus during starvation
Authors: Stokes J. L. , Parson W. L.
Published: February 2010

Cells of Sphaerotilus discophorus which contained large intracellular stores of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) survived longer on starvation in phosphate buffer suspensions than did cells with little or no PHB. Exponential phase cells were more resistant to death than stationary phase cells. Increased O2 supply or addition of Mg++, both of which stimulated oxidation of PHB, led to more rapid death of the cells. The data indicate that PHB provided energy and carbon for cell maintenance during starvation.
Effect of p-fluorophenylalanine on radiation sensitivity in Escherichia coli
Authors: Dickie N. , Dennis D. A. , Thatcher F. S.
Published: February 2010

An increase in the number of survivors, after γ-irradiation in the "physiological" dose range, is obtained when cultures of Escherichia coli, wild type, are grown in the presence of p-fluorophenylalanine (FPA). In contrast to this result, exposure to FPA sensitizes cells of the radiation-resistant mutant, E. coli 6γ, to γ-irradiation. The addition of FPA to a logarithmically growing culture of E. coli wild type reduces the rate of protein synthesis relative to DNA synthesis whereas, in E. coli 6γ, protein synthesis is less sensitive to FPA-inhibition than is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis. The results are explained by assuming that augmented radioresistance in FPA-exposed cultures of E. coli wild type reflects accumulation of cells that have terminated one round of DNA replication and not initiated a new one, analogous to the effects of amino acid starvation in bacterial cells. FPA is suggested not to act in this way in E. coli 6γ.
Heterogeneity of Clostridium botulinum type A toxin
Authors: Hauschild A. H. W. , Hilsheimer R.
Published: February 2010

Cell extracts and culture fluids of Clostridium botulinum type A were fractionated on Sephadex G-200. Two distinct toxic units were found consistently. The molecular weights were determined from Kav values as (400 to 450) × 103 and (150 to 200) × 103.
A relationship between cell wall composition and mutant morphology in the basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune
Authors: Wang Chiu-Sheng , Schwalb Marvin N. , Miles Philip G.
Published: February 2010

Mechanically isolated cell walls of normal homokaryons and the morphological mutants thin and puff were fractionated and hydrolyzed by chemical procedures. The yields of fractionated materials and the glucose/hexosamine ratios of acid hydrolysates were determined. Results of statistical analyses of the values obtained from these determinations indicated that single-gene mutations causing the thin and puff mutant forms of this fungus produce specific differences in the composition of cell walls.
Sterols produced by Cryptotnonas ovata var. palustris
Authors: Collins R. P. , Kalnins K.
Published: February 2010

Cholesterol and stigmasterol were isolated from C. ovata var. palustris. The compounds were identified by thin-layer chromatography, mass spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, derivative formation, and melting point determinations.
The metabolic activity of the protoplasts and normal cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the effect of inhibitors
Authors: Drobnica L. , Augustín J. , Svoboda A. , Necas O.
Published: February 2010

Protoplasts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae obtained after 1 hours treatment with digestive enzymes of snail are, under the specified conditions, most suitable for metabolic experiments. By estimating the kinetics of the incorporation of leucine-14C, adenine-14C, uracil-14C, respiration, and anaerobic fermentation in protoplasts in a synthetic medium ((NH4)2SO4 used as source of nitrogen, glucose as source of carbon, five vitamins, and KCl as osmotic stabilizer) under intense aeration it was found that the incorporation of all the above-mentioned 14C-compounds and the rate of respiration rise with the increase in the size of the protoplasts. Thymidine-14C is not incorporated in cells or protoplasts. Comparative studies on the effects of the antibiotics chloramphenicol, oxytetracycline, cyanein, and isothiocyanates characterized by large molecules supplied data showing no differences in the action of these compounds on the cells and protoplasts of S. cerevisiae.
The production of cochliodinol and a related metabolite by Chaetomium species
Authors: Brewer D. , Jerram W. A. , Taylor A.
Published: February 2010

A purple pigment, named cochliodinol, C32H32N2O4, has been isolated from three isolates of Chaetomium cochliodes and from two isolates of Chaetomium globosum. The pigment is produced intracellularly on a wide range of media in quantities up to 0.45 mg/ml. The rate of production for a given isolate is proportional to its growth but such proportionality is not observed when one isolate is compared to another. A second, fluorescent pigment, C32 H28N2O4, is produced by those isolates that produce cochliodinol but in 1/500 of the yield.
Caractères biologiques de souches du virus de l'influenza adaptées à 29 °C et à 41 °C
Authors: Boudreault A. , Lussier G. , Pavilanis V.
Published: February 2010

Two mouse-adapted influenza virus strains were adapted to growth at 29 °C by a gradual lowering of the temperature of incubation in embryonated eggs. The growth of these two cold variants was completely inhibited at 41 °C. The cold and hot variants showed no significant difference in rise in the infectious titer in the mouse lung but a marked reduction in mortality and pathological response was observed with the cold variants, while good antibody response was stimulated in both cases. The cold variants were better interferon inducers in chick embryo. However, neither cold nor hot variants induced more than detectable amounts of interferon in blood, spleen, or lungs of infected mice. These cold variants possess many characteristics suitable for an effective live virus vaccine.
The bentonite flocculation test in the serology of tuberculosis. II. Detection of tuberculosis in cattle
Authors: Wallace R. , Carriere J. , Diena B. B. , Greenberg L.
Published: February 2010

A survey of sera from both healthy and tuberculous cattle was made using bentonite sensitized with human old tuberculin (OT) and with a purified BCG carbohydrate antigen (BCG F1). Nine hundred and ninety-five tuberculin-negative and 141 tuberculin-positive reactor cattle were tested. While 52% of the tuberculin-negative cows gave a positive flocculation test with the OT antigen, only 4% reacted with the BCG F1 antigen. Both the proportion of positive titers and the means of titers showed that, regardless of the antigen with which bentonite is sensitized, there is a significant correlation between increase in bentonite titer and the severity of infection in the tuberculin-positive cows, even though the sera from a number of cows—shown on postmortem to have visible lesions—did not give any titer with either bentonite antigen.
Inactivation of chloramphenicol by Gram-negative microorganisms
Authors: Sompolinsky David , Ziegler-Schlomowitz Ruth , Herczog Dora
Published: February 2010

Two derivative strains of Escherichia coli with high-level resistance to chloramphenicol, one carrying an episomal resistance factor and the other a chromosomal mutant, were both shown to be potent inactivators of the drug. When 1 mM chloramphenicol was added to an exponential culture in minimal medium, growth was halted until 85–90% of the drug was inactivated by acylation. At this state the drug was essentially monoacylated. During and after growth, esterification of the second alcoholic group occurred, though at a slower rate. Arylamines, in amounts up to 10% of chloramphenicol equivalents, were demonstrated in the growth medium after 1–3 days' incubation.With an acetateless mutant of Escherichia coli K12, carrying a resistance factor, it was shown that 5–6 moles of acetate was consumed for every mole of chloramphenicol acylated.Inactivation of chloramphenicol by Gram-negative organisms from infections in hospitalized patients was also examined. Among 103 strains susceptible to chloramphenicol, none produced considerable amounts of chloramphenicol esters. The same was the case with 14 resistant strains of Pseudomonas. Of 134 other resistant organisms examined, including strains of Escherichia, Proteus, Klebsiella, Salmonella, and Shigella, 133 were producers of chloramphenicol esters, and in most cases the drug was partly or entirely diacylated.
Influence of antifungal vapors on spore germination of fungi isolated from deteriorated old books
Authors: Strzelczyk Alicja B.
Published: February 2010

Studies of the effect of antifungal vapors of p-chloro-m-cresol, pentachlorophenol, mercuric chloride, and phenyl mercuric acetate on spore germination of fungi isolated from deteriorated old books snowed variation in the reaction of different fungi to fungicides. In general, minimal doses were stimulatory to germination while higher concentrations were either sporostatic or sporocidal. Phenyl mercuric acetate was found to be most effective, exerting a sporocidal action even at a concentration of 0.1 p.p.m. Lower concentrations of this compound usually inhibited spore germination or induced formation of hyphal monstrosities.
Regulation of "malic" isozymes and malic dehydrogenases in Neurospora crassa
Authors: Zink M. W. , Shaw D. A.
Published: February 2010

Electrophoretic studies on the "malic" enzyme from Neurospora crassa show the presence of three isozymes. The distribution of these isozymes varies with the age of the mycelium. Isozymes 1 and 2 appear during the early stages of growth and disappear after about 24 h while isozyme 3 appears at about 12 h and increases with the age of the culture. This increase in isozyme 3 occurs at a time when the levels of the first two enzymes are decreasing. Inhibition of the "malic" enzyme by aspartate increases gradually during the later stages of growth and parallels the increasing levels of isozyme 3. Since isozymes 1 and 2 are not inhibited by the amino acid it is concluded that the activity of isozyme 3 is regulated by aspartate.Mitochondrial and cytoplasmic malic dehydrogenases have been shown electrophoretically to be present in Neurospora crassa when the mycelium is grown in sucrose or acetate as the source of carbon. However, the amount of cytoplasmic enzyme increases in acetate medium. It is concluded that sucrose or a product of sucrose represses the cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase. This regulatory mechanism is useful for the cell because in the glyoxylate cycle malate dehydrogenase participates in the gluconeogenesis from acetate. This enzyme is not necessary when glucose is in the medium.
Mycobacterial antibody response in experimentally infected animals
Authors: Carriere J. , Wallace R. , Barrett B. , Diena B. B.
Published: February 2010

Rabbits infected with BCG, Runyon IV, human, and bovine tuberculosis strains showed detectable circulating antibodies after 1 week and for the ensuing 6–7 weeks. The antibody titers generally correlated with the intensity of the infection; highest titers occurred in animals with tuberculous involvement.Intraperitoneal infection of guinea pigs with human, bovine, avian, Runyon IV, and paratuberculosis strains resulted in both lesions and good bentonite titers. The proliferation "in vivo" of acid-fast organisms plays a definite role in the establishment of circulating antibodies.
Ultraviolet repair capabilities of Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Authors: Yajko David M. , Tershak Daniel R.
Published: February 2010

Agrobacterium tumefaciens was shown to possess many of the ultraviolet repair mechanisms that are known to occur in Escherichia coli. Positive results were obtained for photoreactivation, dark reactivation, and host-cell reactivation.Host-cell reactivation of A. tumefaciens was demonstrated by employing a lytic phage. In the presence of caffeine, the survival of virus after ultraviolet treatment was much lower than in the controls. Attempts to demonstrate ultraviolet reactivation of the virus were negative. Thus, it was hypothesized that host-cell reactivation and ultraviolet reactivation are accomplished, at least in part, by different enzyme systems.
Origin of rigid bacterial "giant flagella" ("giant whips", riesenzopfe)
Authors: Frank Michael E. , Hoffman Heiner
Published: February 2010

Development of "giant flagella" in microcultures of Proteus vulgaris occurred by an aggregation of flagella from motionless cells in a microcolony. Regular free flagellar aggregations very similar to those of the Proteus also were encountered in microcultures of a peritrichous Bacillus species, but were seen in but one of a very large number of microcultures of a monotrichous Escherichia coli strain. Observation of actively motile cells in wet mounts and of stained preparations of the three species with dark phase contrast, Nomarski differential interference, dark-field, and brightfield optics led to an hypothesis concerning the life history which accepts the flagellum as being flexible in the functional state. After an active period extending through more than one generation, the flagellum becomes rigid and apparently is ejected from the cell as a complete unit, including what appears to be a bulbous basal body.
The antibacterial action of phenoxiodinin-5-ium chloride
Authors: Inniss W. E.
Published: February 2010

Phenoxiodinin-5-ium chloride (PC) is a synthetic organic compound possessing a little known type of iodine-containing structure and has been found to possess antibacterial activity. A study was conducted to gain some insight into the mechanism by which it exerted its effect on bacteria. The compound inhibited oxygen uptake and 14CO2 evolution from uniformly labelled glucose-14C by Staphylococcus aureus, under both resting and growing cell conditions. The assimilation of glucose-14C and L-methionine-methyl-14C into cellular material was also affected. A release of 14C-labelled cellular material from whole cells and from spheroplasts stabilized in 0.5 M sucrose occurred in the presence of PC. PC also inhibited succinate and lactate dehydrogenase systems in whole cells and cell membranes of Bacillus megaterium. When sodium malonate, a highly specific inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase, was substituted for PC, an increased release of 14C-intra-cellular material also occurred. PC possesses the ability to inhibit enzymes located on the cell membrane of S. aureus and B. megaterium.
Proteolytic activity of intact yeast cells during sporulation
Authors: Chen Alice Whei-Chu , Miller J. J.
Published: February 2010

The ability of intact cells of three strains of Saccharomyces to degrade haemoglobin at pH 3.7 increased during sporulation in acetate medium. The highest proteolytic activity was found approximately 17 hours after transfer to sporulation medium, at which time a large percentage of the cell population was in the tetranucleate stage just before the appearance of spore walls. Three non-sporogenic strains showed no change in proteolytic activity. On the basis of permeability relationship and the absence of activity in sporulation medium from which the sporulating cells were separated, the writers suggest a peripheral location of the enzyme, apparently the first such report for a yeast proteinase.
A substance enhancing virus growth and antagonistic to interferon action
Authors: Sheaff Edward T. , Stewart Robert B.
Published: February 2010

An interferon antagonist was obtained free of both cells and virus from a hamster cell line (BHK-21) infected with Sindbis virus. This material was also found to enhance Sindbis virus growth. A method for the assay of the interferon antagonist is described which is based on its capacity to reduce the activity of interferon as measured by a lack of reduction in Sindbis virus plaque numbers. The antagonist was found to be resistant to ribonuclease and deoxyribonuclease but sensitive to trypsin. Evidence for the existence of a similar substance in Sindbis virus infected chick embryo cell cultures was also obtained.
Histoenzymatic activities of three KB cell lines latently infected by Myxovirus parainfluenzae, type 3, strain EA-102. I. Aminopeptidase activity
Authors: Bouillant Alain , Daniel Philippe
Published: February 2010

Three lines of KB cells (KBEA 1, KBEA 2, and KBEA 3) latently infected by Myxovirus parainfluenzae, type 3, were tested in situ for their leucine aminopeptidase activity (AP). A difference in the activity of this enzyme was demonstrated between the 3 KBEA cell lines and the KB uninfected cell line. Evidence is presented that this activity is related to viral infection. KB cells display a particularly strong AP activity 1 hour after having been infected by the myxovirus. The AP test was found to be reliable in detecting M. parainfluenzae infection in these cells, and other possible applications of the technique are discussed. Also discussed is the role of aminopeptidase activity in the biology of the Paramyxoviruses.
Histoenzymatic activities of three KB cell lines latently infected by Myxovirus parainfluenzae, type 3, strain EA-102. II. Hydrolytic and oxidative enzyme activity
Authors: Bouillant Alain , Daniel Philippe
Published: February 2010

Seventeen tests were performed in situ to investigate a part of the enzymatic system of three KB cell lines latently infected by Myxovirus parainfluenzae, type 3, strain EA-102. The activity of 5 hydrolytic and 12 oxidative enzymes is reported. No metabolic change was detected by histoenzymatic techniques in a comparative study of the three KB cell lines latently infected by the virus or in the uninfected KB cells. Furthermore no enzymatic difference was observed between a cell line of neoplastic origin (KB) and a non-neoplastic chorionic cell line (Laval 113). Six of the 17 enzymatic tests were questionable or negative when conducted on primary monkey kidney cells (MK).
Intracerebral mouse protection test for pertussis vaccine. I. Apparent absence of humoral protective antibody under the usual test conditions
Authors: Wardlaw A. C. , Jakus Cvetka M.
Published: February 2010

Passive immunization has been used to investigate the hypothesis that the immunity mechanism in the standard intracerebral mouse protection test for pertussis vaccine depends on the movement of humoral protective antibody across the blood–brain barrier on the fourth or fifth day after challenge. Using hyperimmune rabbit serum as a known source of protective antibody we found that (a) the intraperitoneal, intravenous, and subcutaneous routes of serum administration were equally efficient and (b) injecting the serum 3 days after challenge was much less effective than giving it 3 hours before challenge. This is contrary to expectations if antibody crosses the blood–brain barrier on the fourth or fifth day after challenge.Serum obtained from mice given a single protective dose of vaccine and bled 14 days later showed no trace of passive protective activity in doses as high as 1.0 ml. However, the serum of mice which had been given two or three spaced doses of vaccine contained easily detected protective activity. The challenge injection itself did not appear to act as a booster stimulus for antibody production in once-vaccinated mice.Thus while antibodies can protect mice against intracerebral infection with pertussis, it has not been possible, by passive immunization, to demonstrate participation of such antibodies in the mouse protection test as normally done.
Effect of gonadectomy on adenovirus-12 oncogenesis in Syrian hamsters
Authors: McFarlane E. Sandra , Embil Jr. Juan A.
Published: February 2010

After subcutaneous inoculation with adenovirus-12,90% of 150 female hamsters and 15% of the same number of male hamsters develop tumors. After gonadectomies, 42% of the female and 38% of the male hamsters develop tumors; however, the gonadectomized animals required more time for tumor development.
Stemphone, a biologically active yellow pigment produced by Stemphylium sarcinaeforme (Cav.) Wiltshire
Authors: Scott P. M. , Lawrence J. W.
Published: February 2010

The isolation and properties of stemphone, a new yellow pigment from Stemphylium sarcinaeforme (Cav.) Wiltshire, are described. The substance is a quinone and showed toxicity in certain bioassay systems.
Preparation of a stable non-infective western equine encephalomyelitis virus antigen from allantoic fluid
Authors: Polley John R. , Guerin Muriel M.
Published: February 2010

It was demonstrated that a potent and specific non-infective diagnostic western equine encephalomyelitis virus antigen can be readily prepared in quantity by gamma irradiation of the infective allantoic fluid, followed by its concentration and lyophilization for stable storage. This antigen is easier to prepare in bulk and involves less exposure of personnel to the infective agent than the antigen prepared from suckling mouse brains.
Composition of lipids in extracts of Pullularia pullulans
Authors: Merdinger Emanuel , Kohn Paul , McClain Roy C.
Published: February 2010

Neutral and polar lipids in an extract of Pullularia pullulans were separated by a single silicic acid column. Of the total lipid content, 74% was found to be neutral lipids, on the average, and 26% was polar lipids. Gas chromatography of methyl esters of the fatty acids showed the presence of 15 acids, of which 59.2% were unsaturated. The most abundant unsaturated acid was C18 monounsaturated (41.9%) and the most abundant saturated acid wasC16 (30.8%). Gas chromatography and thin-layer chromatography revealed the presence of ergosterol, stigmasterol, and possibly squalene. Straight chain, branched chain, and saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons were also found by gas chromatography. Trehalose was isolated and evidence suggests that it was esterified with one or more fatty acid residues.
Amylopectin accumulation in Clostridium botulinum type E
Authors: Strasdine G. A.
Published: February 2010

An intracellular polysaccharide composed of glucose subunits and structurally resembling amylopectin was isolated from vegetative cells of Clostridium botulinum type E. Chemical and microscopic methods were employed to demonstrate amylopectin accumulation. Polysaccharide granules appeared in the cytoplasm 6 hours after inoculation, accumulated rapidly during early logarithmic growth, and reached a maximum concentration just before the onset of sporulation. With the exception of two non-toxic strains of C. botulinum type E, all strains examined demonstrated the ability to store a similar polysaccharide. The possibility that amylopectin may function as an endogenous source of carbon and energy is discussed.
Production of exocellular polysaccharides by Alternaria solani
Authors: Goatley James L.
Published: February 2010

Alternaria solani produced two homogeneous exocellular polysaccharide fractions when grown in shake culture with fructose as the carbon source and the NH4NO3 concentration of the medium 1.7 g/l. Chromatographic techniques indicated that fraction I contained glucose, galactose, and glucosamine in a 2.4:1:1 ratio whereas fraction II contained glucose, galactose, and mannose in a 6.4:1:1.2 ratio. Fraction I was found at levels seven times greater than II. Total polysaccharide produced was 1.8% of the dry weight of the mycelium and 1.2% of the available carbohydrate.Growth and polysaccharide production were greatest with fructose as the carbon source. Decreasing levels of growth occurred with mannitol, glucose, and sucrose, respectively. Exocellular polysaccharides were not detected with mannitol as carbon source. At 10 days, growth on fructose is maximum at NH4NO3 concentrations of 1.5 to 2.5 g/l, but exocellular polysaccharide production is maximum at 0.8 g/l. When produced on a medium of 2.0 g/l NH4NO3 the nitrogen content of I is double that when the medium is 0.8 g/l NH4NO3. In addition the ratio of I to II is about four times greater.
Accumulation and concentration of chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides by microorganisms in soil
Authors: Ko W. H. , Lockwood J. L.
Published: February 2010

Fungal and actinomycete mycelia added to soil containing dieldrin, DDT, and PCNB accumulated these compounds to levels above ambient concentrations. The amount of dieldrin accumulated by Rhizoctonia solani increased with increasing amount of mycelium, concentration of dieldrin, and incubation time of mycelium in soil. Addition of living mycelium of R. solani to oxidized soil restored its ability to retain PCNB and dieldrin against aqueous leaching.
A temperate bacteriophage of Clostridium perfringens
Authors: Mahony D. E. , Kalz G. G.
Published: February 2010

A temperate bacteriophage was isolated from a lysogenic strain of Clostridium perfringens. This lysogenic strain was inducible by ultraviolet light. Plaques produced on solid medium were small with turbid centers. Electron microscopy revealed that the phage has a polyhedral head, 80 × 70 mμ, and a striated tail, 200 mμ long.One-step growth experiments revealed latent and release periods of 45 minutes each. Phage yields were variable but, in general, quite low. The adsorption rate and temperature and pH stability of the phage were determined.The diphenylamine reaction and acridine orange staining suggested that the phage nucleic acid is deoxyribonucleic acid.
Porphyrin production by Arthrobacter globiformis
Authors: Middleton Katherine S. , Gunner Haim B.
Published: February 2010

The production by Arthrobacter globiformis of an extracellular red pigment in synthetic mineral salts medium was governed by both the conditions of aeration and the trace metals present. Pigment production was the same with either ammonium or nitrate as the nitrogen source. Stand flasks gave approximately the same cell yield as shake cultures but growth was much slower and no pigment was produced. Mn++ was required for maximal pigment production. Zn++ and Co++ enhanced pigment production in the presence of Mn++ but could only partially replace it. The pigment was ether-extractable from culture supernatant fluid acidified with acetic acid.Absorption spectra showed peaks at 620, 565, 527, 495, and 395 mμ. These as well as the extraction properties of the pigment coincided with those reported for coproporphyrin-III.
The operational flexibility of the phased culture technique, as observed by changes in the cell cycle of Candida utilis
Authors: Müller J. , Dawson P. S. S.
Published: February 2010

The operation of a continuous phasing technique was examined with regard to synchrony and growth of Candida utilis at different doubling times. A nitrogen-limited medium and an energy-limited medium were compared. Numbers of viable cells, dry mass, ribonucleic acid (RNA), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), various phosphorus-fractions, and protein were measured.In a nitrogen-limited medium the continuous phasing technique provided good synchrony (65%–80%), and permitted control and variation of the doubling time up to 9 h. Dry mass, various P-fractions, and DNA increased linearly during all cycle times. The cell doubling time was adjustable to the cycle time imposed by the technique. The nitrogen source was always assimilated within 4 h, whatever the length of the cycle employed. The associated pattern of changes in the amino acid pool, protein, and RNA contents of the cells, though characteristic, underwent some modifications with change in doubling time.An inverse relationship between the amount of nitrogen available to the cells for their reproduction and the corresponding doubling time was found.In an energy (glucose)-limited medium the technique appeared to be restricted to a doubling time where the energy source in the medium lasted until the end of the cell's life cycle. The degree of synchrony was 70–75%. A variation of the doubling time by the technique did not seem possible in glucose-limited medium since no adjustment of the growth rate to the imposed cycle time could be observed.
Cellular and extracellular structures in Cryptococcus laurentii and Rhodotorula species
Authors: Ruinen Jacoba , Deinema Maria H. , van der Scheer Christina
Published: February 2010

A comparative study was made of yeast cells by microchemical reactions carried out under the light microscope and with the aid of electron microscopy.Two of the yeast species chosen (Cryptococcus laurentii and Rhodotorula glutinis) formed extracellular lipid and slime, whereas the third species (R. gracilis) was a non-lipid excreting strain of R. glutinis. A fourth yeast strain (R. graminis) lost the property of extracellular lipid formation during cultivation under laboratory conditions. The yeast cultures used were 1 and 2 days old.To preserve the original contact of the external products with the yeast cell proper, preparation techniques for electron microscopy without centrifugation were used. Special attention was paid to the formation of internal and external lipids, the age of the cells being taken into account. The differences in the fine structure of the cells, whether or not excreting lipid and slime, are described also. On the basis of these data and those from the literature, the process of the lipid production and the formation of the cell wall is discussed.
Phage Xp12 of Xanthomonas oryzae (Uyeda et Ishiyama) Dowson
Authors: Kuo Tsong-teh , Huang Tan-chi , Wu Rong-yang , Chen Chi-pien
Published: February 2010

The properties of bacteriophage Xp12 of Xanthomonas oryzae, isolated from the water in a paddy field in Taiwan and found to contain 5-methylcytosine instead of cytosine, were studied. Phage preparations with high purity were obtained by a procedure involving differential centrifugation and density gradient centrifugation in sucrose solution. Electron microscopic studies revealed that this phage had a head of elliptical hexagonal outline which measured 76 × 55 mμ and a tail of 6 × 133 mμ. Phage Xp12 differed both morphologically and serologically from phages Xp10, Xp20, and Xf. The temperature of thermal inactivation for Xp12 was 66 °C. One step growth studies showed that the latent period for Xp12 was 140 minutes and the burst size was 35. According to the base ratio and composition of Xp12 nucleic acid, it was characteristically a highly ordered double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid.
Repression of thiaminase I by thiamine and related compounds in Bacillus thiaminolyticus
Authors: Wang Lynn , Wilkins Judy Harms , Airth R. L.
Published: February 2010

The extracellular enzyme thiaminase I from Bacillus thiaminolyticus is repressible by thiamine. Either one of the heterocyclic moieties of this vitamin supported limited growth of this organism but had no effect on thiaminase I production. However, a combination of these two resulted in optimal growth and partial repression of this enzyme. The products of the base exchange reaction catalyzed by thiaminase I are not functional in repression when present alone. The simultaneous presence of both reaction products, i.e., N-[5-(4-amino-2-methylpyrimidinyl)] methyl aniline and 5-(2′-hydroxy-ethyl)-4-methylthiazole, can replace the vitamin B1 requirement for growth and give the same degree of enzyme repression. Neither pyrithiamine nor oxythiamine inhibited growth of the organism when present in a 100:1 molar ratio to thiamine. Pyrithiamine and vitamin B1 repressed thiaminase I to approximately the same extent, whereas oxythiamine was only partially functional in this process.