bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibodies to indigenous bacteria in human serum, secretions, and urine
Authors: Sirisinha Stitaya , Charupatana Chinda
Published: February 2010

The nature of serum, secretory, and urinary antibodies reactive with indigenous bacteria was investigated. The immunoglobulin class of serum antibodies to Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus salivarius, an enterococcus, Veillonella, and Escherichia coli was different from that of the parotid secretion, whole saliva, and urine of the same normal subject. While serum antibodies to these bacteria were primarily of the IgM class, those of the secretions and urine were associated almost exclusively with the secretory IgA and IgG immunoglobulins, respectively. These results suggest that secretory and urinary antibodies are synthesized independently of serum antibodies.
Heterogeneity of staphylococcal enterotoxin B
Authors: Chang P.-C. , Dickie N.
Published: February 2010

Different forms of enterotoxin B obtained by hydroxyl apatite column chromatography and isoelectric focusing were found to produce lines of apparent serologic identity, but to differ in toxicity. This is interpreted to mean that the antigenic site or sites and toxic site or sites are most probably not the same in the molecule of enterotoxin B.
Inhibition of growth of Clostridium pasteurianum by acetylene: implication for nitrogen fixation assay
Authors: Brouzes R. , Knowles R.
Published: February 2010

Acetylene (0.1 atm) prevented rapid increase of CO2 evolution in glucose-amended anaerobically incubated sandy loam soil. This effect was explainable in terms of an effect of C2H2 on nitrogen-fixing Clostridia.In a N2ase-repressed Clostridium pasteurianum culture growing on a medium supplemented with 339 μg NH4-N/ml, C2H2 caused 60 to 100% inhibition of cell proliferation and of cell-nitrogen accumulation, and prevented the increase in rate of CO2 evolution normally associated with growth. In N2ase-containing cultures the competitive inhibition of nitrogen fixation by C2H2 was relieved when C2H2 reduction brought the pC2H2 to near 0.025 atm. The C2H2 inhibition of the NH4-grown culture, however, was not reversed by removal of the C2H2 after 11 h of exposure. Ethylene showed no inhibitory effect.Variation of NH4-N concentration and addition, to the medium, of casein hydrolysate and of pyruvate separately and in combination had no marked effect on the inhibition pattern.The effect of C2H2 reported here suggests that, until more information is available, the results of long-term C2H2 assays of low-activity materials such as soils should be interpreted with some caution.
A comparative study of the fatty acids of some micrococci
Authors: Girard A. E.
Published: February 2010

A comparative study was made of the fatty acids of several gram-positive, -variable, and -negative micrococci. The fatty acids detected in M. diversus, M. denitrificans, and M. cerificans (Acinetobacter cerificans) were similar to those previously reported in gram-negative cocci and bacilli. The major fatty acid was oleic acid and the next most abundant acids were palmitic and palmitoleic. Micrococcus agilis, a gram-positive bacterium, was shown to have a branched-chain methyltetradecanoic acid as the major component (72%). Branched-chain and odd-numbered carbon acids as well as copious amounts of palmitic and palmitoleic acids were found in M. roseus, a gram-variable organism. Correlations were made between fatty acid composition, cell wall structure, and gram reaction of M. agilis, M. roseus, and M. cerificans. Micrococcus agilis demonstrated a typical amorphous gram-positive wall, M. roseus was shown to have a layered wall, and M. cerificans had a cell wall characteristic of gram-negative bacteria. The relationship of fatty acid composition and ultrastructure to the taxonomic position of the "problematic" micrococci was discussed.
A comparison of the protective effect against Mengo virus infection in mice of interferons induced by polyI: C and Mengo virus
Authors: Campbell J. B. , Buera Julieta G.
Published: February 2010

PolyI: C (complexed polyinosinic and polycytidylic acids) has been demonstrated to protect mice against infection with lethal doses of a highly virulent mutant of Mengo virus. However, the serum interferon titers it induced were considerably lower and of much shorter duration than the interferon titers induced by infection with the Mengo virus mutant. Evidence has been obtained that the interferon induced by polyI: C is as effective against Mengo virus infection as polyI: C itself. It has also been shown that, unit for unit (measured by the plaque reduction of vesicular stomatitis virus), the polyI: C-induced interferon is much more effective against Mengo virus infection than the Mengo virus-induced interferon itself.
The fine structure of resting mycelium of Verticillium albo-atrum R. & B.
Authors: Griffiths D. A. , Campbell W. P.
Published: February 2010

Hyphae of V. albo-atrum underwent morphological changes resulting in the death, by autolysis, of about 90% of the hyphae comprising the colony. The remaining hyphae became vacuolate and exhibited an increase in endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria and extruded melanizing particles through the thickened cell wall to give rise to resting mycelium. These observations are characteristic of the fungus. Resting mycelium resulted from a modification of single, unbranched hyphae and not from repeated budding of single or contiguous hyphae. This confirms that V. albo-atrum is morphologically distinct from the microsclerotial form of the genus.
Immunochemistry of Mycococcus and its position within Actinomycetales
Authors: Kwapinski J. B. G. , Cheng A. F. B. , Alcasid Alice , Dowler Judy
Published: February 2010

Cytoplasms, capsules, cell walls, and extracellular antigens or Mycococcus were prepared and examined by selected chemical and immunological methods. Soluble components were separated and purified by the isoelectrofocusing and polyacrylamide electrophoresis. Chemical analysis revealed that the cell walls were composed of phosphatide–mucopolysaccharides. The cytoplasm consisted mainly of nucleoprotein–polysaccharides, and the capsular material was composed of phosphatide–muconucleo-proteins. The culture filtrate antigen consisted mainly of polysaccharide–proteins. The antigen preparations were found to share at least one major antigenic component. The cytoplasm of Mycococcus revealed close immunological relationships to seven cytoplasm serogroups of nocardiae, four serogroups of scotochromogenic mycobacteria, and one cytoplasm serogroup of Dermatophilus. In an overall scheme of biological relationships, Mycococcus appears to be situated between the "lower" (fast-growing) mycobacteria and the "higher" (slow-growing) nocardiae.
Bacterial degradation of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA)
Authors: Focht D. D. , Joseph H. A.
Published: February 2010

Pseudomonas sp. was isolated from sewage effluent by elective culture with nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) as its sole nitrogen and carbon source for growth. NTA-nitrogen was converted to biomass and ammonium by growing cultures with small quantities of nitrite (< 1 ppm) being produced. Washed cell suspensions degraded all of the NTA-nitrogen to ammonium before total conversion of the NTA-carbon to carbon dioxide and water. Resting cell suspensions grown from NTA oxidized NTA, aminodiacetic acid, and glycine immediately, whereas methylaminodiacetic acid was oxidized only after an adaptive lag period, and sarcosine was not oxidized at all. Oxidation of aminodiacetic acid was always more rapid than NTA. Nitrosamines or other nitroso compounds were not found in culture or resting cell supernatants incubated with NTA.
Woronin bodies in Erysiphe graminis DC.
Authors: McKeen W. E.
Published: February 2010

Woronin bodies within 0.3 μ, of the septa are present near all septal pores in Erysiphe graminis cells and regulate cytoplasmic flow not only in injured but also in actively growing healthy colonies. Some mechanism holds them in place. They vary in size, 0.2 μ, – 0.4 μ, and frequently the central one plugs the septal pores, which are less than 0.15 μ, in actively developing colonies. When a Woronin body is in a septal pore a sac often occurs adjacent to the Woronin body in the adjoining cell which is less dense. The septa are thinner in the Woronin-body region. Woronin bodies are distinct from lysosomes because they are not destroyed in potassium permanganate fixatives and because they do not occur throughout the cell. They differ from lipid bodies because they are destroyed by pepsin and are not removed by acetone.
Metabolites from a Chrysosporium species
Authors: Slater G. P. , Haskins R. H. , Hogge L. R.
Published: February 2010

The fungus Chrysosporium cf. merdarium Link (Carmichael) grown on potato dextrose agar produces a yellow pigment. The components of the pigment have been identified as the anthraquinones questin and questinol. The fungus also produces an unknown white metabolite and asterric acid.
Effect of pH on the pathogenic functions of Salmonella typhimurium
Authors: Idziak Edmund S. , Suvanmongkol Preeya
Published: February 2010

Salmonella typhimurium increased in virulence during growth in an acid environment whereas in a near neutral environment, the reverse was true. The lipopolysaccharide content of acid- and alkaline-grown cells remained relatively constant during growth, but that in neutral-grown cells decreased. The crude endotoxin extracted from acid-grown cells was slightly more toxic than that extracted from either neutral- or alkaline-grown cells. Based on these results, any attempt, therefore, to correlate a hazard to public health with the numbers of Salmonella present in a food would at this time be impossible.
Asymbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria from the surfaces of nodules and roots of legumes
Authors: Evans Harold J. , Campbell N. E. R. , Hill Susan
Published: February 2010

Facultative anaerobic asymbiotic N2-fixing bacteria have been identified consistently on the surfaces of roots and nodules of soybean plants cultured under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. An examination of a limited number of samples of alfalfa and clover plants from natural soils also has revealed similar types of bacteria. Most of the isolates investigated were members of the Klebsiella–Aerobacter group. Serological tests of 11 isolates indicated different degrees of relationship to Klebsiella pneumoniae. Rates of growth and N2 fixation in anaerobic cultures were markedly stimulated by a sterile extract of soybean nodules. Bacteria of the type identified on root surfaces of legumes were found often as contaminants of legume seeds and in most cases were not removed by surface sterilization treatments.
The effect of respiratory deficiency on the alcohol dehydrogenase activity of baker's yeast
Authors: Heick H. M. C.
Published: February 2010

The effects of respiratory deficiency on the level of NAD-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase activity were studied. Respiratory-deficient mutants produced by acriflavine, and wild-type cells grown on glucose in the presence of chloramphenicol had elevated alcohol dehydrogenase activities compared with the wild-type cells grown on glucose. The increased activity was a result of an increase in ADH-I. The respiratory-deficient mutants appeared unable to produce ADH-II or isocitrate lyase even after incubation of the cells in ethanol medium. However, this transfer to ethanol medium increased the level of ADH-I activity. The presence of chloramphenicol in the ethanol medium further increased the alcohol dehydrogenase activity of these mutants. The effect of chloramphenicol in the wild-type cultures depended on the time of its addition to the culture. If chloramphenicol was present during both the period of growth on glucose and in the ethanol medium, ADH-II activity did not appear. If the cultures were grown on glucose in the absence of chloramphenicol, allowing respiration to develop, the subsequent presence of chloramphenicol in fresh ethanol medium did not prevent the appearance of either ADH-II or isocitrate lyase activity. The respiratory-deficient mutants also contained alcohol dehydrogenase activity which resembles ADH-III in respect to electrophoretic mobility, heat stability, and relative activity with various alcohols as substrates.
Alcohol dehydrogenase activity in the yeast Saccharomyces fragilis
Authors: Sanfaçon Roger , Rouillard Roger , Goupil Micheline , Heick H. M. C.
Published: February 2010

Saccharomyces fragilis, a yeast capable of fermentation, grows poorly on ethanol as the carbon source. The respiratory quotient for glucose of aerobically grown cultures approaches 1 and glucose does not repress the formation of mitochondria. The effect of ethanol on the oxygen consumption and the NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase activity of this yeast has been studied. The electrophoretic pattern of alcohol dehydrogenase activity on polyacrylamide gels is complex. Six bands of activity can be identified in homogenates from cultures grown on glucose. Three of these appear associated with the particulate fraction. Differences in the relative amounts of the three particulate bands of activity under different growth conditions indicate that the particulate fraction may contain more than one isozyme. The particulate fraction also exhibits alcohol oxidase activity. While ethanol and acetate stimulate the oxygen consumption of the glucose-grown cultures, the Qo2 for these substrates is much less than that for glucose. If the glucose-grown cultures are transferred to fresh ethanol medium, the Qo2 for ethanol and acetate increases to values higher than that seen for glucose. This increase does not depend on an increase in the terminal respiratory capacity of the cells. On transfer to ethanol medium there is also a marked increase in the total alcohol dehydrogenase activity, and on electrophoresis a new band of activity appears. Acetate cannot replace ethanol in producing these effects. S. fragilis also produces an NAD-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase which reacts with cinnamyl alcohol as substrate but not with ethanol.
Methylation of pentachlorophenol by Trichoderma virgatum
Authors: Cserjesi A. J. , Johnson E. L.
Published: February 2010

The formation of pentachloroanisole by methylation from pentachlorophenol by Trichoderma virgatum in liquid cultures was detected using gas chromatography and confirmed by melting point determination and infrared (i.r.) spectroscopy. The formation of pentachloroanisole, however, did not account for the total loss of pentachlorophenol in the medium, suggesting that this reaction is only the first step in the metabolism of this compound or a parallel reaction to degradation. Pentachloroanisole was much less toxic than pentachlorophenol to Trichoderma virgatum, Cephaloascus fragrans, and Penicillium sp., as well as to fish in laboratory toxicity tests.
Aphid inoculation of plants with viruses, viral ribonucleic acid, and hybrid virus
Authors: Lojek J. S. , Orlob G. B.
Published: February 2010

While probing or feeding on leaves, Myzus persicae produced wounds that resulted in lesions when virus was applied later. Lesions were also produced on leaves covered with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), tobacco mosaic virus ribonucleic acid (TMV-RNA), brome mosaic virus (BMV), or hybrid BMV (BMV-protein/TMV-RNA) when these leaves were subsequently exposed to aphids. With TMV the number of lesions increased with increasing virus concentration. Keeping plants in the dark reduced the number of lesions produced by aphids, but increased those produced by mechanical inoculation. Nicotiana glutinosa was more susceptible to inoculation of TMV by aphids than was N. tabacum var. Xanthi nc. It is concluded that infectible sites produced by mechanical means differ from those produced by aphids.Aphids could not transmit TMV-RNA, BMV, BMV-RNA, or hybrid BMV from a virus-covered leaf to a healthy leaf. However, BMV and TMV could be recovered from the mouthparts of aphids which had fed or probed on virus-covered leaves.
Bacteriophages of Clostridium botulinum
Authors: Dolman C. E. , Chang Eva
Published: February 2010

Temperate bacteriophages of diverse morphology were demonstrated by electron microscopy in toxigenic cultures of Clostridium botulinum. The 41 strains examined included 23 type E and multiple representatives of all other types. Cultures induced with mitomycin-C generally gave better yields, but phages were also demonstrable in untreated cultures.A provisional grouping of toxigenic types into four categories is suggested, based mainly upon associated phage patterns. Group 1 comprises types A, B, and F (all proteolytic), many of whose cultures showed an icosahedral contractile phage; others contained a "bullrushy" phage with elongated head and long flexible tail; some strains yielded both. Group 2, types B and F (non-proteolytic), were associated with icosahedral contractile phages; the latter also had an octahedral flexible phage. Group 3, types C and D, yielded conspicuously large phages with octahedral heads and very long sheathed tails. One type C strain produced a long-tailed icosahedral phage. Type E phages constituted group 4. These were icosahedral with tails generally contracted but sometimes flexible, often accompanied by superfluous sheathed tail-like structures resembling certain bacteriocins. Although non-toxigenic "OS" mutants of types A, B, E, and F were phageless, two non-toxic type E strains yielded phages. The possible role of lysogeny in the toxigenicity of certain types of this species is likely to prove difficult to elucidate.
Inhibitory effects of anticellular antibodies on colony formation of mouse leukemia L5178YR cells in soft agar
Authors: Yang T. J. , Vas S. I.
Published: February 2010

Heat-inactivated antiserum in the absence of complement inhibits colony formation of mouse leukemia L5178YR cells in soft agar. Cells derived from resistant clones in these plates showed the same sensitivity to antiserum as the parent population. Agglutination of the cells was prevented by placing the antiserum dilutions over the cell-containing agar layer. This clearly indicates that cell agglutination by antiserum is not necessarily the essential cause of growth inhibition.
Electron microscopy of the replicative events of A25 bacteriophages in group A streptococci
Authors: Read S. E. , Reed R. W.
Published: February 2010

The replicative events of a virulent phage (A25) infection of a group A Streptococcus (T253) were studied using the electron microscope. The first intracellular evidence of phage replication in a cell occurred 30 min after infection with arrest of cell division and increase in the nucleic acid pool. Phage heads were evident in the nucleic acid pool of the cells 45 min after infection. Release of phages occurred by splitting of the cell wall along discrete lines. This appeared to be at sites of active wall synthesis, i.e., near the region of septum formation. Many phage components were released but relatively few complete phages indicating a relatively inefficient replicative system.
Thermal stability of the deoxyribonucleic acid hybrids between the proteolytic strains of Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium sporogenes
Authors: Wu Joyce I. J. , Riemann H. , Lee W. H.
Published: February 2010

Percentage lesion of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hybrids of 19 strains of proteolytic Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium sporogenes was determined by the thermal stability method. The maximum noncomplementary lesion was 6–9%, but in most instances the lesions were much less than 6 or 9%. The results indicated that the DNA hybrids of C. botulinum and C. sporogenes tested were homologous, and that some of these toxic and nontoxic strains are closely related.
Requirements for growth of Pasteurella ureae in a chemically defined medium
Authors: Wessman G. E. , Wessman Geraldine
Published: February 2010

The nutritional requirements for culture of Pasteurella ureae in a chemically defined medium were determined. The medium in which the species grew best contained 16 amino acids: L-arginine, L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, and L-threonine were nutritionally essential; L-aspartic acid, L-leucine, and L-tryptophane were markedly stimulatory. The species also required uracil plus two purines, and two vitamins, nicotinamide and pantothenate.
Deoxyribonuclease and competence factor activities of transformable and nontransformable group H streptococci
Authors: Pakula R. , Spencer L. R. , Goldstein P. A.
Published: February 2010

Sixteen strains of group H streptococci were tested for their capacity to produce a nuclease which degraded transforming deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), for the ability to produce the competence protein (CF), and for transformability. Six strains produced CF and were transformable upon exposure to DNA. Two strains did not synthesize CF but could be converted to transformability with CF of other strains. All transformable strains exhibited extracellular deoxyribonuclease activities of varying degrees. There was, however, no relationship between the efficiency of transformation of a particular strain and its nuclease activity. Of the eight nontransformable strains, one produced CF but no nuclease. Another strain produced some extracellular deoxyribonuclease but no CF. The remaining strains lacked both functions. The nuclease and the CF activities appeared to be expressed by different proteins.
Effect of chloramphenicol on its biosynthesis by Streptomyces species 3022a
Authors: Malik V. S. , Vining L. C.
Published: February 2010

Measurements of (3H) chloramphenicol production in cultures of Streptomyces species 3022a grown on a medium containing (6-3H) D-glucose and (3-14C) chloramphenicol showed that chloramphenicol inhibits its own biosynthesis. Similar results were obtained in cultures supplemented with the antibacterial p-methylthio- analogue of chloramphenicol. Here synthesis of the antibiotic was completely suppressed until the concentration of analogue had been reduced by inactivating enzymes. In contrast, the L-threo- and p-methylsulfonyl- analogues did not delay growth of the organism and had little effect on chloramphenicol biosynthesis. However, like chloramphenicol and its p-methylthio- analogue, the L-threo and p-methylsulfonyl compounds were degraded. Degradation of chloramphenicol and the p-methylsulfonyl-analogue ceased when endogenously produced antibiotic reached a concentration of 10–30 mg/liter, suggesting that changes in cell permeability are associated with the onset of chloramphenicol synthesis.
Interferon inhibition of DNA synthesis and cell division
Authors: O'Shaughnessy M. V. , Lee S. H. S. , Rozee K. R.
Published: February 2010

Using monodispersed cell suspensions, interferon preparations were shown to have both a lethal and a growth-depression effect in the same concentration range as that required for antiviral activity. In addition, synchronized cells treated with interferon respond by delaying their normal uptake of thymidine during S phase until after a period during which new protein is synthesized. Puromycin added during this period prevents both the synthesis of this protein and the subsequent synthesis of DNA.
Biochemical characteristics of Fusobacterium and Bacteroides species from mouse cecum
Authors: Syed Salam A.
Published: February 2010

Selected gram-negative, nonspore-forming, obligately anaerobic bacteria, isolated from a conventional mouse cecum by the anaerobic glove-box procedure, were characterized by standard methods. They were divided into six broad groups on the basis of cellular morphology, staining characteristics, and biochemical reactions. All organisms produced volatile and (or) nonvolatile acids from peptone and glucose. On the basis of the overall characteristics examined, these organisms were designated as the species of the genera Fusobacterium and Bacteroides.
Fine structure of the thermophilic blue-green alga Synechococcus lividus Copeland. A study of frozen–fractured–etched cells
Authors: Holt S. C. , Edwards M. R.
Published: February 2010

The thermophilic unicellular blue-green alga, Synechococcus lividus, was studied by electron microscopy in thin sections and by the freeze-etching technique. Thin sections revealed subcellular structures like those observed by other authors in mesophilic blue-green algae. In the freeze-etched fractures similar results were obtained but, in addition, surface views of plasma and thylakoidal membranes were examined in detail. The many inclusions present in the freeze-etched preparations confirmed those displayed in thin sections and are interpreted as polyhedral, polyphosphate, and lipid bodies. Some unidentified osmiophilic granules and also phycobilisomes were seen.
Inorganic pyrophosphatase of Streptococcus faecium F24
Authors: Starr Patricia R. , Oginsky Evelyn L.
Published: February 2010

The acid Co2+-activated and the alkaline Mg2+-activated inorganic pyrophosphatases of Streptococcus faecium F24 were studied by a variety of techniques to determine whether they are activities of two distinct proteins or of a single protein. Both enzyme activities were found to be cryptic and soluble. The specific activities of both enzymes increased coordinately 1.5- to 3-fold during exponential growth at 37C, and then decreased as the cells approached stationary phase. Similar shifts in specific activity did not occur upon growth at 30C. The specific activities in extracts of cells in stationary phase varied coordinately over a 2-fold range depending on nutritional conditions. Diethylaminoethyl cellulose (DEAE-cellulose) and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography and starch–gel electrophoresis did not resolve the two activities. Slight differences in the thermal inactivation kinetics of the two activities were observed. It was concluded that the two pyrophosphatase activities are most probably those of a single protein under different assay conditions.
Scanning electron microscopy of bacterial colonies. I. Diplococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Springer E. Louise , Roth Ivan L.
Published: February 2010

A topographic study of the colonies of Diplococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes was made by means of scanning electron microscopy. The colonies of D. pneumoniae were round and entire with gradually sloping sides and an area of autolysis at the top of the colony. The area of autolysis had a convoluted, stippled surface devoid of intact cells or cell remnants. Colonies of S. pyogenes are rounded, dome-shaped colonies with steep sides. An amorphous supporting matrix was seen under the top layer of cells in the colony of S. pyogenes. The chemical composition of the supporting matrix in the streptococcal colony and the material which makes up the surface of the area of autolysis is unknown. This study establishes that the scanning electron microscope is a useful tool for observing the topography of bacterial colonies.
2,5-Dimethoxybenzoquinone, 3,4-dimethyl-8-hydroxyisocoumarin, and eburicoic acid isolated from Lenzites thermophila Falck-75
Authors: LeBlanc G. D. , Babineau L.-M.
Published: February 2010

Three compounds were isolated from Lenzites thermophila Falck-75 and identified as being 2,5-dimethoxybenzoquinone, 3,4-dimethyl-8-hydroxyisocoumarin, and eburicoic acid. It is also shown that thermophillin, isolated from this fungus by Burton (4), is 2,5-dimethoxybenzoquinone.
Growth of a photoautotroph, Plectonema boryanum, in the dark on glucose
Authors: Pan P.
Published: February 2010

A system is described for culturing an obligate photoautotroph, Plectonema boryanum, on glucose in the dark. This consisted of a continuous flow-through apparatus, by means of which fresh sterile media was continually replenished. Algal cells grown in the dark on glucose are deficient in chlorophyll, but regained their chlorophyll after exposure to light and are able to grow in their usual mineral salts medium, when transferred to the light.
Evidence for a lytic enzyme produced by Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 6-5-S
Authors: Fackrell H. B. , Campbell G. K. , Huang J. C. C. , Robinson J.
Published: February 2010

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus strain 6-5-S, grown on autoclaved cells of Spirillum serpens, strain VHL, released a lytic enzyme into the culture fluid. This lytic principle degraded heat-killed but not viable cells of S. serpens VHL. Cell envelopes and purified peptidoglycan from S. serpens were also broken down by the same lytic enzyme produced by B. bacteriovorus and it also degraded heat-killed cells and cell envelopes of the parasite.
Microscopic detection of adventitious viruses in cell cultures
Authors: Anderson Nan , Doane Frances W.
Published: February 2010

Sixty-five batches of three types of monkey kidney cells were examined by light and electron microscopy for the presence of simian viruses. Cynomolgus cells showed the highest contamination rate (67%), followed by rhesus (18%). Foamy virus was the most common contaminant, being detected in 13 batches, twice in concert with a paramyxovirus. Six batches contained a paramyxovirus; one batch contained a papovavirus. Of the 22 batches of African green monkey kidney cells examined, none showed evidence of virus. "Healthy" established cell lines from three laboratories were also checked by electron microscopy, and several contaminating viruses were found. These were apparently either accidentally introduced during handling, as in the case of SV5, reovirus, and parvovirus, or were latent viruses (hamster and mouse) derived from the host tissue. While negative staining provided the simplest technique for detection of the viral contaminants, thin sectioning was required to locate foamy virus and the latent "tumor" viruses. A rapid method for the preparation of thin sections is described.
The influence of growth conditions and isolation procedures on the proteolytic breakdown of ribosomal proteins from Myxobacter 495
Authors: Matheson A. T. , Mikulik K.
Published: February 2010

The Li+–urea extracts of ribosomes from Myxobacter 495 contain proteolytic enzymes that rapidly degrade the ribosomal proteins. Under certain conditions, complete breakdown of the ribosomal proteins, as determined on polyacrylamide gels, occurs within 24 h. To minimize breakdown, the cells must be grown with vigorous aeration, disrupted immediately after harvesting, and the proteins extracted with 66% acetic acid. A brief heat treatment or acidification is required to destroy the proteolytic activity if Li+–urea is used to extract the proteins.
Effect of Clostridium M55 spore extracts on Ehrlich solid tumor in the mouse
Authors: Fredette V. , Planté C.
Published: February 2010

Attempts to extract the oncolytic principle contained in Clostridium M55 spores have shown that disintegration in the Ribi apparatus will on occasion provide some active material whereas shaking in the Mickle machine will not. In addition, it was found that limited germination of the spore crop in a cellophane tube culture will allow diffusion of the active principle into the fluid portion of the culture.
Morphology of a latent virus associated with hamster cells BHK-21
Authors: Payment P. , Chagnon A. , Côté J. R. , Ajduković D. , Pavilanis V.
Published: February 2010

The morphology of the latent virus (R virus) of the BHK-21/13S cell line is described in negative staining and thin sections. This virus contains ribonucleic acid (RNA) and matures at the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. After negative staining, it is an enveloped particle surrounded by numerous globular peplomers. Its size varies from 70 to 115 nm. The authors suggest to include it in the coronavirus group.
Aggregates of Azotobacter vinelandii cysts
Authors: Vela G. R. , Cagle G. D.
Published: February 2010

Cysts of Azotobacter vinelandii which were examined by transmission and scanning electron microscopy appear to be connected to each other by a common, continuous layer of extra-exinic material. This connecting material is easily destroyed and normally not visualized by commonly used techniques. The presence of an extra-exinic capsular material which binds cysts to each other is reported here for the first time.
Immunological analysis of Mycobacterium leprae using cross-reactions with cytoplasmic antigens of the Actinomycetales
Authors: Kwapinski J. B. G. , Almeida J. O. de , Kwapinski Elke H.
Published: February 2010

Cells of Mycobacterium leprae were isolated and purified from lepromas, spleen, and liver of leprosy patients. An immunodiffusion analysis of the cytoplasms obtained from four lots of M. leprae and 303 strains of different Actinomycetales was performed with the aid of the cytoplasm antisera. Antigenic cross-reactions were found between the cytoplasms of M. leprae and certain cytoplasm determinants of M. avium, M. gallinarum, M. tuberculosis, M. simiae, M. kansasii, Mycococcus capsulatus, Actinomyces israelii, A. naeslundii, and some strains of saprophytic mycobacteria. The results are analyzed for the light they throw on the possible evolution of Mycobacterium leprae. The possibility of developing an M. leprae based on the antigenic similarities is also discussed.
Alkaline phosphatases of Neurospora crassa. Part II product inhibition studies
Authors: Davis F. W. J. , Lees Howard
Published: February 2010

A partially purified preparation of the constitutive alkaline phosphatase from Neurospora crassa, containing two electrophoretically distinct activities was used in initial studies of product inhibition patterns. Inorganic phosphate was shown to be a linear competitive inhibitor, and p-nitrophenol to be a non-linear, non-competitive inhibitor of p-nitrophenyl phosphate hydrolysis. Glycerol was shown to be a linear non-competitive inhibitor of β-glycerophosphate hydrolysis.A purification procedure whereby one enzyme activity could be obtained free of the second was devised. The purified enzyme catalyzed the hydrolysis of a wide range of substrates and had a molecular weight of 111 000. Its hydrolysis of glucose 6-phosphate was competitively inhibited by phosphate and non-competitively inhibited by glucose. Both inhibitions were linear. Hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate was competitively inhibited by phosphate in a linear manner, but p-nitrophenol was a non-linear, non-competitive inhibitor. Alternate product inhibition by glucose was linear competitive. No inhibition by p-nitrophenol of glucose 6-phosphate hydrolysis could be detected.The inhibition data for glucose 6-phosphate and β-glycerophosphate may be consistent with an ordered Uni-Bi mechanism expanded to include one or more isomerizations of enzyme complexes. The postulation of a different mechanism involving alternate pathways is probably required to explain the data obtained when p-nitrophenyl phosphate was the substrate.
Abortive infection of hamster embryo cells with simian virus type 15 (SV15). I. "Helper" activity for adenovirus-associated virus type I
Authors: Henry Claude J. , Atchison Robert W.
Published: February 2010

The replication of simian adenovirus (SV15) in green-monkey kidney cells (GMK) and hamster embryo cells (HE) was compared. In addition, the ability of these virus-cell systems to enhance the growth of adenovirus-associated virus type 1 (AAV-1) was studied. Simian virus 15 infectious progeny was undetectable from infected HE cells even though the cell monolayer was destroyed by viral cytopathology (CPE) similar to that observed in GMK cell cultures. Also, when SV15 was serially passed in HE cells, infectivity was undetectable after two passages. Serological analysis by complement fixation and immunofluorescent staining indicated that some SV15 antigens, which were unrelated to the viral capsid antigens, were produced in HE cell cultures. These antigens were presumably the early antigens found in adenovirus infections.Simian virus 15 productively infected GMK cells and also abortive infected HE cells were capable of enhancing AAV-1 growth. However, other known adenovirus abortive infections, e.g., adenovirus type 2 or 7 infected GMK cells, adenovirus type 12 infected or transformed HE cells, did not display "helper" activity for AAV-1 replication. The results indicate that the termination of adenovirus growth in an abortive type of infection occurs at different stages in the replication cycle, which is apparently dependent upon the virus-cell system.
Immunological characterization of cytoplasm antigens of non-photochromogenic mycobacteria
Authors: Kwapinski J. B. G. , Alcasid Alice
Published: February 2010

Cytoplasm preparations obtained from 42 non-photochromogenic strains of mycobacteria were examined with the cytoplasm antisera by a cellulose-acetate immunodiffusion test. Seven cytoplasm serogroups of these mycobacteria were distinguished by the presence or absence of the characteristic, major antigenic determinants; and immunological relationships existing between the different species were described.
Condition of cell-wall mucopeptide in dividing and non-dividing cells of Micrococcus lysodeikticus dis-IIp+
Authors: King Robert D. , Grula E. A.
Published: February 2010

All chemicals tested (D-cycloserine, D-serine, penicillin, mitomycin c, hydroxylamine) that induce significant inhibition of cell division in Micrococcus lysodeikticus dis-IIp+ inhibit, to varying degrees, synthesis of mucopeptide and, also, cross-linking within cell-wall mucopeptide. Penicillin is, by far, the most efficient and possibly the only quantitatively important inhibitor of the cross-linking process. Two chemicals (pantoyl lactone and spermine) which prevent inhibition of division by D-cycloserine do not allow or bring about significant restoration of mucopeptide synthesis in cells growing in the presence of the antibiotic. D-Alanine, which prevents both the inhibition of growth and division caused by D-cycloserine, prevents also to a significant degree, the deleterious effects of D-cycloserine on mucopeptide synthesis and cross-linking. A possible interdependence between the cell wall and cell membrane in the division process is discussed. It is proposed that pantoyl lactone and spermine favor division activity because of physical effects on the cell membrane.
Effect of cyclamates on the growth of Pullularia pullulans
Authors: Merdinger Emanuel
Published: February 2010

Increasing concentrations of cyclamic acid and of sodium cyclamate progressively depressed growth of Pullularia pullulans in the presence of various concentrations of glucose. The carcinogen, cyclohexylamine, was produced in flasks containing 0.4% and 0.5% glucose and 0.6–1.0% cyclamic acid. The characteristic black pigment production by P. pullulans was delayed by these additions.
Studies on the recovery of heated bacteria
Authors: Mukherjee P. , Bhattacharjee S. B.
Published: February 2010

The influence of ultraviolet (uv.) irradiation on the recovery from heat-induced damage was studied. It was observed that the recovery phenomenon remained unaffected by ultraviolet treatment. The cells subjected to heat treatment at 52 °C were also allowed to recover under the influence of bacterial extract. No recovery of heat damage with extract was found observable under conditions used here.
Rhapidosomes in Vibrio species
Authors: Adhikari P. C. , Chatterjee S. N.
Published: February 2010

Rhapidosomes have been detected in a Vibrio species (V. eltor strain Mak 757). They are thick-walled tubules of length between 156–290 mμ and width between 27–33 mμ.
Psychrotrophic properties of Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Wilkins P. O. , Bourgeois Renée , Murray R. G. E.
Published: February 2010

Listeria monocytogenes grew between 3 and 45C. Growth at 10C was at a rate characteristic of psychrophilic bacteria. The increase in the duration of the lag phase of growth with decreasing temperatures was expressed with a hyperbolic curve which indicated an infinite lag time at 3.3C. If this relationship between lag time and temperature is a general phenomenon, it would provide a relatively rapid method for estimating minimal temperatures of growth. Initial rates for oxygen consumption during glucose metabolism and for uptake of the nonmetabolized sugar, 2-deoxyglucose, had temperature coefficients (10–30C) of about 1.5. Growth at 10C increased the rate and the capacity of 2-deoxyglucose uptake by exponential-phase cells. Uptake and incorporation of L-leucine was relatively rapid at 10C but the temperature coefficients were greater than 2. High temperature coefficients (greater than 2.5) for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase and lactic dehydrogenase activity in cell-free preparations indicated that the psychrotrophic properties of L. monocytogenes depend on the structural integrity of the cell. We suggest that the cold-resistant sugar-transport system stimulates metabolism at low temperatures by providing high concentrations of intracellular substrates.
Effects of various soil fungi and insecticides on the capacity of Mucor alternans to degrade DDT
Authors: Anderson J. P. E. , Lichtenstein E. P.
Published: February 2010

Pure cultures of the fungus Mucor alternans, isolated from DDT-contaminated soils, were able to degrade DDT to water-soluble metabolites. After the addition of fungal spores to DDT-contaminated soils, however, the insecticide-degrading capacity of the fungus was no longer evident. Since under field conditions many species of fungi are simultaneously exposed to mixed residues of pesticidal chemicals, the effects of various species of soil fungi and of various insecticides on DDT degradation by M. alternans were investigated. Experiments were conducted to study the effect of nine fungal species, their stale cell-free media, and various insecticides and related compounds on the capacity of M. alternans to degrade 14C-DDT to water-soluble metabolites. It was found that several pure fungal cultures or some cell-free media, in which mycelia had grown, could also degrade the insecticide. In most cases, however, addition of one of the various fungi to 14C-DDT-treated M. alternans cultures resulted in a total depression of the appearance of water-soluble metabolites in the media. This was due to an accumulation of the metabolites in the mycelium of the other fungus or in an inhibition of metabolite formation. Addition of stale media from various fungi to 14C-DDT-treated M. alternans cultures had various effects on fungal growth and on the capacity of the fungus to degrade the insecticide. Among the insecticides and related compounds tested only lindane, parathion, and Dyfonate caused a reduction in DDT degradation by M. alternans, without severely reducing its vegetative growth.
Chloramphenicol resistance in a chloramphenicol-producing Streptomyces
Authors: Malik V. S. , Vining L. C.
Published: February 2010

A cell-free system which catalyzed polyuridylate-directed incorporation of (U-14C) L-phenylalanine into polyphenylalanine was obtained from Streptomyces species 3022a and shown to be sensitive to chloramphenicol (CAP). Ribosomes from the CAP-producing actinomycete were of the 70-S variety and bound the antibiotic to the same extent as ribosomes from a sensitive strain of Escherichia coli. Chloramphenicol also inhibited protein synthesis in growing cultures of Streptomyces species 3022a. The degree of inhibition was greater in non-producing than in producing cultures. In producing cultures protein synthesis was inhibited only during the early growth phase when little endogenous antibiotic had been formed. The response correlated with the sensitivity of the organism to added CAP under various growth conditions. During the lag while antibiotic resistance was developing (U-14C) L-leucine was very slowly taken up by the mycelium but no protein was synthesized. Resumption of growth was accompanied by incorporation of radioactivity into protein, but no distinctive protein could be detected when cells in the recovery phase were fractionated. Development of resistance to CAP by Streptomyces species 3022a was reversible, and was graded to the concentration to which the cells were exposed. The results suggest that permeability changes induced by CAP which has entered or been biosynthesized by the cell play an important role.
Chemotaxis and methionine metabolism in Escherichia coli
Authors: Armstrong John B.
Published: February 2010

Auxotrophic strains of Escherichia coli generally are motile and chemotactic in the absence of those amino acids needed for growth. Methionine auxotrophs, however, require low levels of methionine for chemotaxis. A prototroph, grown in the presence of methionine so as to repress methionine biosynthesis, also requires methionine for chemotaxis. In the absence of methionine the bacteria are still actively motile, and thus phenotypically resemble nonchemotactic mutants.A continuous supply of methionine is necessary for a normal chemotactic response, indicating the active product is labile. Under the conditions used to demonstrate chemotaxis, the major trichloroacetic acid (TCA) soluble metabolites of methionine are spermidine, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), and a third, as yet unidentified, compound. Spermidine is readily taken up by the bacteria, but does not replace methionine for chemotaxis. S-adenosylmethionine cannot be tested directly, as it is not taken up by normal cells. However, it is rapidly turned over and thus meets the requirement for lability. The third acid-soluble compound appears to be relatively stable metabolically.
Regulation of the two "malic" enzymes in Neurospora crassa
Authors: Zink M. W.
Published: February 2010

Two NADP-specific "malic" enzymes have been found to be present in Neurospora crassa. They have different pH optima and are influenced differently by some metabolites and inhibitors. The pH 8.0 "malic" enzyme appears during the early stages of growth and is inhibited by fructose 1,6-diphosphate while the pH 10.0 "malic" enzyme appears during the later stages of growth and is inhibited by aspartate. Both enzymes are repressed by acetate and pyruvate and their activities are inhibited by glyoxylate and oxaloacetate. The metabolic function of the enzymes is discussed.
Bioproduction of ochratoxin A and penicillic acid by members of the Aspergillus ochraceus group
Authors: Ciegler Alex
Published: February 2010

Various strains of species belonging to the Aspergillus ochraceus group (A. ochraceus, A. sclerotiorum, A. alliaceus, A. ostianus, A. melleus, and A. sulphureus) can produce two mycotoxins, ochratoxin A and penicillic acid, on liquid media and in cereal grains. The quantity of each toxin produced is influenced by temperature; low temperature (10 and 20C) favor penicillic acid synthesis and higher (28C), ochratoxin A production. Generally penicillic acid is produced in yields about one to three magnitudes greater than ochratoxin A. A simple fluorodensitometric method for concomitant quantitative analysis of the two toxins has been developed based on conversion of penicillic acid and ochratoxin A to fluorescent derivatives by treatment with ammonia fumes.
Characteristics of the radiation-induced degradation of DNA in Escherichia coli
Authors: Myers D. K.
Published: February 2010

The degradation of DNA in bacterial cells has been studied in two strains of Escherichia coli after exposure to X-radiation, ultraviolet (uv.), or methyl methanesulfonate. The degradative system functions differently in freshly harvested growing cells and in cells which have been aged by standing for 2 days at room temperature in saline-phosphate. Growing cells degrade their DNA most effectively at low doses of X-radiation and require a factor whose synthesis is inhibited by chloramphenicol; these cells also degrade DNA after exposure to uv. radiation. Aged cells degrade their DNA most effectively at high X-radiation doses, do not require the chloramphenicol-sensitive factor, and no longer respond to uv. irradiation. Together with data on effects of freezing, of cold-water, and of various inhibitors, the above results suggest that the system responsible for radiation-induced degradation of DNA is dependent on structural organization in the intact cell.