bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coupling of Fatty Acid and Phospholipid Synthesis in
Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Paoletti Luciana , Lu Ying-Jie , Schujman Gustavo E. , de Mendoza Diego , Rock Charles O. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT

plsX
(acyl-acyl carrier protein [ACP]:phosphate acyltransferase),
plsY
(
yneS
) (acyl-phosphate:glycerol-phosphate acyltransferase), and
plsC
(
yhdO
) (acyl-ACP:1-acylglycerol-phosphate acyltransferase) function in phosphatidic acid formation, the precursor to membrane phospholipids. The physiological functions of these genes was inferred from their in vitro biochemical activities, and this study investigated their roles in gram-positive phospholipid metabolism through the analysis of conditional knockout strains in the
Bacillus subtilis
model system. The depletion of PlsX led to the cessation of both fatty acid synthesis and phospholipid synthesis. The inactivation of PlsY also blocked phospholipid synthesis, but fatty acid formation continued due to the appearance of acylphosphate intermediates and fatty acids arising from their hydrolysis. Phospholipid synthesis ceased following PlsC depletion, but fatty acid synthesis continued at a high rate, leading to the accumulation of fatty acids arising from the dephosphorylation of 1-acylglycerol-3-P followed by the deacylation of monoacylglycerol. Analysis of glycerol 3-P acylation in
B. subtilis
membranes showed that PlsY was an acylphosphate-specific acyltransferase, whereas PlsC used only acyl-ACP as an acyl donor. PlsX was found in the soluble fraction of disrupted cells but was associated with the cell membrane in intact organisms. These data establish that PlsX is a key enzyme that coordinates the production of fatty acids and membrane phospholipids in
B. subtilis
.
GENERALIZED CYTOMEGALIC INCLUSION-BODY DISEASE ASSOCIATED WITH PNEUMOCYSTIS PNEUMONIA IN ADULTS
Authors: Symmers W. St. C. 
Published: June 2007

Three cases of generalized cytomegalic inclusion-body disease (salivary virus disease) in adults are reported, bringing the number of published cases up to 34. The infection is very rare in adults although well known in infants. As is often found in infants with this disease, pneumonia due toPneumocystis cariniiwas also present in each case.The first patient had Wegener's granulomatosis, which presented with acute otitis media: a review of histological material obtained at mastoidectomy eight weeks before death showed that inclusion-body cytomegaly was already present then. Various antibiotics and prednisolone were given, and the lesions in the respiratory organs and the arteritis healed to a considerable extent. Renal failure, however, was progressive and led to death.The second patient had thrombotic purpura and died after a few weeks' illness, during which oxytetracycline and hydrocortisone were given. Congenital absence of the spleen was found at laparotomy, which was performed with the object of doing a splenectomy. Focal cryptococcal pneumonia was presentpost mortem: six years before death a solitary cryptococcal granuloma of one lung had been treated by lobectomy.The third patient had had Hodgkin's disease for 18 years. During the first 12 years the disease had the characteristics of the so-called indolent form (“Hodgkin's paragranuloma”) and it then passed into the typical form. Deepx-ray therapy and cytotoxic drugs were used during the course of the disease at various times, and streptomycin and tuberculostatic drugs were given because of intercurrent tuberculous meningitis which developed three months before death.In all three cases it seems likely that the underlying disease, or the drugs used in its treatment, predisposed to cytomegalic inclusion-body disease and concomitant pneumocystis pneumonia by lowering the patients' resistance. Just as some unusual types of fungal and bacterial infections have become less rare since the introduction of certain drugs, including antibiotics and steroids, it is possible that cytomegalic inclusion-body disease and pneumocystis infection may also be met with oftener in adults, perhaps particularly as a complication of the use of these drugs in the treatment of diseases which are specially liable to interfere with the body's defences.
THE PATHOLOGY OF ASTHMA, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CHANGES IN THE BRONCHIAL MUCOSA
Authors: Dunnill M. S. 
Published: June 2007

The pathological features of 20 cases dying in status asthmaticus have been studied. In gross sections the lungs showed no emphysema, but mucus plugs in the air passages and focal areas of collapse were outstanding features. Five cases showed cystic bronchiectasis which was of a similar distribution to the focal areas of collapse, occurring in the upper lobes as commonly as in the lower lobes.Histologically, shedding of the ciliated bronchial mucosal cells was prominent and this is attributed to a transudation of oedema fluid from the submucosa. Areas of regeneration of the mucosa, with the presence of simple stratified epithelium, were seen frequently. The loss of the ciliated respiratory epithelium and the transudation of oedema fluid into the bronchial lumen, with interference with the action of the remaining ciliated cells, are considered to be the essential factors in the failure of clearance of the bronchial secretions in asthma. It is postulated that bronchospasm plays little or no part in the shedding of the bronchial mucosa or in the pathogenesis of the asthmatic attack.
FLOCCULATION TESTS IN HYDATID DISEASE
Authors: Fischman A. 
Published: June 2007

A new serological technique of diagnosing human hydatid disease, employing polystyrene latex particles coated with hydatid cyst fluid, and a modified technique using bentonite particles are described.Comparison of the latex test with the complement-fixation test performed on 102 sera has shown a total agreement of 98% and an agreement of 93.1% in the positive specimens. The bentonite test and the complement-fixation test performed on 126 sera have shown a total agreement of 97.6% and an agreement of 90.1% in the positive specimens.Both flocculation tests are simpler to perform than the complement-fixation test. They are specific, and sensitivity closely parallels that of the complement-fixation test, with 6.9% and 6.1% of the positive specimens showing higher sensitivity in the latex and bentonite tests respectively. The bentonite test was less sensitive than the complement-fixation test in one case. None of the latex tests showed less sensitivity.The antibody active in the latex test has been demonstrated in a γ globulin fraction of the antiserum. Some differences in the behaviour of flocculating and complement-fixing properties of sera are discussed.
TRUE GLUCOSE CONTENT OF LUMBAR AND VENTRICULAR CEREBROSPINAL FLUID
Authors: Marks Vincent 
Published: June 2007

Glucose levels in 154 random specimens of lumbar cerebrospinal fluid, normal as regards cell and protein content, were estimated by the glucose-oxidase method and a mean value of 60.5 mg./100 ml. (S.D. 7.3) was obtained.In 33 fasting patients subject to air encephalography the mean cerebrospinal fluid (C.S.F.) glucose level was 56.5 mg., and mean blood glucose level 65.5 mg. with an average C.S.F. glucose: blood glucose ratio of 0.85.
STANDARD BARIUM SULPHATE SUSPENSIONS
Authors: Boyd J. F. , Sommerville J. W. 
Published: June 2007

It has been shown that the state of the volumetric flask, the order of mixing the reagents, and the temperature of the reaction are important influences on the optical density readings of standard barium sulphate suspensions. The rate of mixing the reagents does not appear to be important.A reproducible method for preparing a standard barium sulphate suspension with an optical density equivalent to 100 mg. protein per 100 ml. is described.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF SERUM GAMMA-GLOBULIN CONCENTRATION TO MALARIA AND SICKLING
Authors: Edozien J. C. , Boyo A. E. , Morley D. C. 
Published: June 2007

The serum protein patterns of groups of Nigerians including 98 children partially protected by “daraprim” against malaria, and 113 unprotected children, have been studied.The protected children have a significantly lower concentration of serum γ globulin than the unprotected children from the age of 12 months onwards.In children, sicklers have a significantly higher serum γ globulin than non-sicklers.It is suggested that sickling protects against malaria by enhancing the antibody response against the malaria parasite.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE UPTAKE OF LISSAMINE GREEN BY SERUM PROTEINS
Authors: Brackenridge C. J. 
Published: June 2007

Eight physicochemical factors which affect the uptake of lissamine green on filter paper impregnated with serum proteins have been examined, and their relevance to the staining of electrophoretically separated protein fractions is discussed. It is shown that grade of paper, weight of protein applied, separate and combined denaturation and staining time, temperature and concentration of staining solution, concentration of denaturant, and type of protein all influence the weight of dye absorbed per unit weight of applied protein, and must be rigidly standardized if valid quantitative results are to be obtained.Five sets of conditions are obtained for optimal staining and it is found that separation of denaturant from dye yields the best procedure. It is concluded that lissamine green is an excellent dye for the staining and quantitative estimation of separated protein fractions in paper electrophoresis, and that conditions can usually be arranged to produce a linear relation between dye uptake and protein concentration in an experimentally efficient manner.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE EFFECT OF MAGNESIUM ON BLOOD COAGULATION
Authors: Huntsman R. G. , Hurn B. A. L. , Lehmann H. 
Published: June 2007

Previous observations on the effect of oral magnesium and peptone on thrombin generation time are examined. The smallest amounts of magnesium and peptone regularly producing a significant shift demonstrable after one hour are 0.25 g. magnesium and 15 g. peptone.The oral effect can be reproduced by the intravenous injection of magnesium. The minimum amount required is 50 mg. The effect is transient, and after 30 minutes can no longer be demonstrated.Amounts of magnesium of the same order as those acting on intravenous injection can produce a shift of thrombin generation timein vitro.This action of magnesiumin vitrocan be antagonized by the addition of calcium.
INCREASED MITOTIC ACTIVITY IN THE LIVER AND OTHER ORGANS IN A CASE OF ACUTE RENAL TUBULAR NECROSIS
Authors: Simson I. W. , Pepler W. J. 
Published: June 2007

A case is presented in which numerous mitotic figures were found in the liver, pancreas, and adrenal glands of a patient who died in uraemia due to acute tubular necrosis.The possibilities of the failure of excretion of a waste product acting as a stimulus to mitosis, or that a mitotic stimulant is released from the acutely ischaemic kidney, are suggested.
CHROMOBLASTOMYCOSIS SIMULATING RHINOSPORIDIOSIS IN A PATIENT FROM CEYLON
Authors: Symmers W. St. C. 
Published: June 2007

A case of chromoblastomycosis confined to the mucous membrane of one side of the nasal septum is reported. The organism was not cultivated, but its characteristics in histological preparations were typical of those of the organisms in sections of cutaneous lesions known to be caused byPhialophora pedrosoiand related fungi. The diagnosis is considered to have been justified in spite of the great rarity of mucosal involvement in chromoblastomycosis and of the complete absence of lesions in the skin.The patient was a Sinhalese student working in London. He had first noticed the lesion before he left Ceylon, but the symptoms of nasal obstruction and bleeding were not sufficient to make him seek medical advice until two years later. If it is correct to assume that he contracted the infection in Ceylon his case is only the second on record in which there has been reason to suggest that Ceylon has been the geographical source of chromoblastomycosis.The lesion was excised and its site cauterized. There has been no sign of recurrence of the infection during the two years that have passed since the operation.
THE HAEMAGGLUTINATION TEST FOR TOXOPLASMA ANTIBODIES
Authors: Mitchell R. G. , Green C. A. 
Published: June 2007

Four hundred and forty-six patients' sera from a hospital blood transfusion department in Newcastle were examined for toxoplasma antibodies by a haemagglutination test.Forty per cent. of the sera gave positive reactions, and an increase in the percentage of positive sera was found with increasing age, rising to over 60% at the age of 70 and over. A wide range of titres was demonstrated amongst positive cases, the highest titres approaching those obtained in two cases of active toxoplasmosis.In a separate survey, no quantitative agreement was found between dye test titres and haemagglutination titres.
GASTRIC PROTEOLYSIS IN DISEASE
Authors: Taylor W. H. 
Published: June 2007

Resting gastric juice and extracts of uninvaded gastric mucosa from the stomachs of patients with gastric adenocarcinomata digest plasma protein with either two or three maxima belowpH 5. Egg albumen is digested with one or two maxima belowpH 5, for the maximum found nearpH 3.5 with plasma protein is absent. These properties do not differ significantly from those described in normal subjects.Extracts of gastric adenocarcinomatous tissue from the same patients differ in that plasma protein is digested with only one maximum, atpH 3.2 to 3.4, and egg albumen is not digested at all.The proteinase activity of the carcinomatous tissue probably arises from adenocarcinomatous cells and not from invaded muscle cells or reactive fibrous tissue.These results could be explained either (a) if gastric adenocarcinomatous cells synthesized a quite different proteinase from those of normal gastric mucosa, or (b) if they synthesized a proteinase, which resembled those of normal mucosa in possessing the active centre responsible for maximal activity nearpH 3.5 but in which the centre or centres responsible for maximal activity belowpH 3, were missing.
DIAGNOSTIC DIFFICULTIES IN MILD HAEMOPHILIA AND CHRISTMAS DISEASE
Authors: Fessey Barbara M. , Meynell M. J. , Cooke W. T. 
Published: June 2007

Two cases of haemorrhagic diathesis are described, where the laboratory diagnosis was confused owing to previous blood transfusions.Without the help of investigating the relatives, the nephew of Case 1, the haemophiliac, and the uncle of Case 2, with Christmas disease, there would have been considerable delay in reaching the diagnosis and so instituting the correct treatment.
Conventional voltage electrophoresis for formiminoglutamic-acid determination in folic acid deficiency
Authors: Kohn J. , Mollin D. L. , Rosenbach L. M. 
Published: June 2007

A new method for the determination of urinary formiminoglutamic acid (FIGLU) using conventional electrophoresis at 200 to 500 v. on cellulose acetate strips is reported. Experience in 166 determinations on 137 patients shows the method to be a simple, practical, and apparently sensitive one for the determination of FIGLU in the urine.Results of the application of the measurement of urinary FIGLU with histidine loading as a test for folic acid deficiency are also reported.
Hereditary elliptocytosis in two Maltese families
Authors: Grech J. L. , Cachia E. A. , Calleja F. , Pullicino F. 
Published: June 2007

The findings in two elliptocytic families are recorded and compared. It is the first report of the anomaly in the Maltese population.A variable degree of clinical and haematological expression among the members of the two families has been observed, ranging from healthy individuals with normal cell morphology to others with only elliptocytic erythrocytes and mild anaemia.Two subjects have been studied during anaemic crises, and are considered to represent the homozygous state.
Coccidiosis in guinea-pigs
Authors: Ellis P. A. , Wright A. E. 
Published: June 2007

The attention of laboratory workers is drawn to the possibility of coccidiosis as a cause of death in guinea-pigs. The purchase of a number of guinea-pigs infected with this protozoon was followed by 12 deaths when these animals were injected with material for diagnostic purposes. No deaths occurred in the laboratory stock herd, as these were kept separate from the newcomers and were not infected.The life history of the parasite is described, together with the post-mortem findings in our series of animals.
Rapid isolation of salmonellae from faeces
Authors: Dixon J. M. S. 
Published: June 2007

Factors and techniques leading to the more rapid isolation of salmonellae from faeces that are negative by direct plating were examined. The aim was to increase the number of specimens on which positive reports might be given within 24 hours of receipt. Salmonellae were isolated from 279 of the specimens studied.Brilliant green MacConkey agar was found to be the most satisfactory solid selective medium both for direct plating and as a subculture medium, giving large characteristic colonies after 24 hours' incubation. Selenite F medium, inoculated with undiluted faeces, incubated at 43°C., and subcultured after six hours' incubation on to brilliant green MacConkey agar, was the most successful rapid method of enrichment, though the results were considerably inferior to those obtained after 24 hours' incubation. Seventy-six of the positive specimens examined were negative by direct plating on three different selective media; 24 (31·6%) of these were positive on subculture from selenite F incubated for six hours at 43°C. and 21 (27·6%) when incubation was at 37°C. The use of six-hour subcultures from 43°C. selenite F as a supplement to direct plating added significantly to the number of positive results. Other techniques that were tried but found to be of no practical value were dilution of the faeces before inoculation on solid and fluid media, and replica plating from one solid medium to another after a few hours' incubation.
A new principle applied to the determination of calcium in biological materials by flame photometry
Authors: Fawcett J. K. , Wynn V. 
Published: June 2007

The effect of magnesium sulphate in releasing calcium emission from interference by phosphate and sulphate has been investigated.Samples were diluted in 10 mM MgSO4, 2 mM NaCl, giving final calcium concentrations of about 0·05 to 0·10 mM. In this diluent, galvanometer readings were proportional to calcium concentrations up to 0·4 mM. The magnesium sulphate released calcium emission from depression by phosphate and sulphate. The excess sodium chloride eliminated enhancement of calcium emission by added sodium and potassium in the sample. Subtraction of background readings excluded direct interference.A 3% correction was made for the effect of the viscosity of 1: 50 plasma dilutions. Satisfactory recoveries of added calcium were obtained from plasma, urine, and faeces using the diluent described above. Results on urine and faeces correlated closely with those obtained by an EDTA titration method. Results on plasma were consistently 2% higher by flame photometry than by EDTA titration.Other methods of calcium determination, depending on the use of radiation buffers or standard addition, were found to be unsatisfactory because of variable interference by phosphate at different calcium levels.
Serum precipitin reactions in Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Authors: Moore J. M. 
Published: June 2007

Sera from certain patients with Hashimoto's disease or a related condition contain a non-precipitating antithyroglobulin which produces in double-diffusion tests with thyroglobulin a line of clearing in the agar. Two such sera are described.Other sera from examples of the disease give negative precipitin tests with thyroglobulin but combine with sera containing `clear line', non-precipitating antithyroglobulin to give a positive precipitin test. The serum from 15 out of 26 precipitin-negative cases of Hashimoto's disease showed this latent property. Eight of the 15 were tested by the tanned red cell technique and showed substantial titres of antithyroglobulin.
Minimal criteria for the diagnosis of megaloblastic anaemia of pregnancy
Authors: Rannie I. , McTaggart H. 
Published: June 2007

The routine examination of buffy coat films is a valuable diagnostic aid to screening large numbers of specimens of blood and is applicable to hospital and general practice, provided that a bottle of sequestrinated venous blood can be examined in the laboratory within 24 hours.The diagnosis of folic-acid deficiency anaemia of pregnancy can be made, in many cases, before the appearance of megaloblasts in the peripheral blood by finding macrocytes, polylobing of polymorphonuclear leucocytes, and `out of step' haemoglobinization of normoblasts in the buffy coat film.Accurate haemoglobin estimations at intervals throughout pregnancy, and particularly in the last three months, are an important and in some cases essential part of ante-natal care. Any haemoglobin found to be below 75% (11·1 g.%) should be followed by the examination of a series of buffy coat films while the anaemia is being treated.
Bilateral renal cortical necrosis associated with calcification: report of a case and a review of aetiology
Authors: Phillips M. J. 
Published: June 2007

Clinico-pathological details are given of a patient who survived bilateral renal cortical necrosis for 44 days as a result of treatment by haemodialysis. Cortical calcification was demonstrable radiologically in life and at necropsy.The literature pertaining to renal ischaemic damage and calcification is reviewed. Conclusions are drawn as to the mechanism that produces renal cortical calcification in the light of previous experimental work and the study of the present case.It is suggested that the widespread use of haemodialysis in treatment is likely to result in the detection of an increasing number of such cases.
Agglutination reactions of human leucocytes
Authors: Schulz Jeanette , Muller Helga 
Published: June 2007

Agglutination tests with various sera and leucocytes from 58 leukaemic patients and 61 patients without leukaemia are reported.The agglutination of white blood cells by guinea-pig serum is of limited value in the diagnosis of leukaemia, though the test may be helpful in distinguishing leukaemia from other lymphomatous disorders.Leuco-autoagglutinins were demonstrated more frequently than expected. Eleven leukaemic and six non-leukaemic sera agglutinated autologous leucocytes.White blood cell agglutinins showed no apparent relationship to maturity or numbers of circulating leucocytes or to previous blood transfusions,x-irradiation, or therapy with antimetabolites.
A study of the vesical ganglia in children and the relationship to the megaureter megacystis syndrome and Hirschsprung's disease
Authors: Leibowitz Sidney , Bodian Martin 
Published: June 2007

A method for the assay of vesical ganglion cells is described and the number and distribution of the neurones in three normal bladders was studied. Vesical ganglion counts were done in cases of the megaureter-megacystis syndrome, megaureter, bladder neck obstruction, megacystis associated with absent abdominal muscles, Hirschsprung's disease, and lumbar myelomeningocoele. A normal complement of neurones was found in each case.No evidence was found that the megaureter-megacystis syndrome is due to an agenesis of the peripheral autonomic ganglia similar to that in Hirschsprung's disease. Vesical ganglia were normal in the two cases examined and no clinical association was found between the two conditions in a large series of cases. Moreover, a study of the cell counts suggests that at least some of the reports of such a lesion are based upon an inadequate appreciation of the number and distribution of neurones in the normal urinary tract.