Desulfurization of model and diesel oils by resting cells of Gordona sp.

The desulfurization activity of the resting cells of Gordona sp. CYKS1 was strongly depended on harvest time and the highest value when the cells had been harvested in the early growth phase (0.12 mg sulfur g^–1 cell^–1 h^–1). For the model oil, hexadecane containing dibenzothiophene, the specific desulfurization rate decreased as the reaction proceeded. Both the specific and the volumetric desulfurization rates were not significantly affected by the aqueous-to-oil phase ratio. The diesel oils, light gas oil and a middle distillate unit feed were desulfurized at higher rates (ca. 0.34 mg sulfur g^–1 cell^–1 h^–1) than the model oil (0.12 mg sulfur g^–1 cell^–1 h^–1).     

A Yersinia pseudotuberculosis protein which cross-reacts with HLA-B27

The most-debated question in the investigation of the spondyloarthropathies has been whether there is molecular mimicry between host HLA-B27 antigens and the arthritis-causing pathogens. We have generated a monoclonal anti-HLA-B27 antibody in our laboratory and have used a radioimmunoassay to screen a panel of bacterial species. Two strains of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis were found to be highly reactive. The cross-reactive Yersinia component was identified by Western blot to be a 19,000 component. A preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis chromatography apparatus was constructed to isolate milligram quantities of this component. To verify that the component carried the HLA-B27-specific epitope, rabbits were hyperimmunized with the purified materials. Affinity-purified antibodies from one of the immunized rabbits indeed carried anti-HLA-B27 activity. Last, antibodies generated against synthetic peptides derived from the HLA-B27.1 amino acid sequence were tested against the Yersinia component. Positive reactivity was found with antibodies generated against a peptide spanning residues 69-83 of the HLA-B27.1 protein. Since this resides in the segment responsible for the allotypic specificity of the antigen, these experiments establish the presence of molecular mimicry to a high degree of confidence.     

Towards an integrated system for bio-energy: hydrogen production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> and use of palladium-coated waste cells for electricity generation in a fuel cell

Escherichia coli strains MC4100 (parent) and a mutant strain derived from this (IC007) were evaluated for their ability to produce H₂ and organic acids (OAs) via fermentation. Following growth, each strain was coated with Pd(0) via bioreduction of Pd(II). Dried, sintered Pd-biomaterials (‘Bio-Pd’) were tested as anodes in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell for their ability to generate electricity from H₂. Both strains produced hydrogen and OAs but ‘palladised’ cells of strain IC007 (Bio-Pd_IC007) produced ~threefold more power as compared to Bio-Pd_MC4100 (56 and 18 mW respectively). The power output used, for comparison, commercial Pd(0) powder and Bio-Pd made from Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, was ~100 mW. The implications of these findings for an integrated energy generating process are discussed.     

Inhibitory Effect of Glycerin on Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Salmonella

In a study of the effect of glycerin in transport media on Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Salmonella, it was found that a concentration of 30% glycerin was highly inhibitory for V. parahaemolyticus and to a lesser degree for Salmonella. The incorporation of peptone or human feces in media did not reduce the inhibitory effect of glycerin. In media with 15% glycerin, viable counts of V. parahaemolyticus and Salmonella increased after 24 hr of incubation both in the presence and absence of feces. Due to the concurrent increase in the total bacterial count in the media containing feces, no enrichment effect was noted.     

The regeneration and maturation of mast cells following peritoneal lavage in the rat

Adult rats subjected to repeated peritoneal saline lavage show a rapid depletion of mast cells in the peritoneal fluid, but the mast cells in mesentery and omentum are not significantly reduced. The residual mast cells are predominantly young elements, histochemically belonging to stages 1 and 2 of maturation. Regeneration of mast cells is rapid with return to the normal density and distribution accomplished within 3 -- 4 weeks after cessation of lavage. The origin, nature and factors influencing the regeneration of mast cells is to be further investigated.     

Contrasting patterns in elevational diversity between microorganisms and macroorganisms

Aim Data and analyses of elevational gradients in diversity have been central to the development and evaluation of a range of general theories of biodiversity. Elevational diversity patterns have, however, been severely understudied for microbes, which often represent decomposer subsystems. Consequently, generalities in the patterns of elevational diversity across different trophic levels remain poorly understood. Our aim was to examine elevational gradients in the diversity of macroinvertebrates, diatoms and bacteria along a stony stream that covered a large elevational gradient. Location Laojun Mountain, Yunnan province, China. Methods The sampling scheme included 26 sites spaced at elevational intervals of 89 m from 1820 to 4050 m elevation along a stony stream. Macroinvertebrate and diatom richness were determined based on the morphology of the specimens. Taxonomic richness for bacteria was quantified using a molecular fingerprinting method. Over 50 environmental variables were measured at each site to quantify environmental variables that could correlate with the patterns of diversity. We used eigenvector‐based spatial filters with multiple regressions to account for spatial autocorrelation. Results The bacterial richness followed an unexpected monotonic increase with elevation. Diatoms decreased monotonically, and macroinvertebrate richness showed a clear unimodal pattern with elevation. The unimodal richness pattern for macroinvertebrates was best explained by the mid‐domain effect (r² = 0.72). The diatom richness was best explained by the variation in nutrient supply, and the increase in bacterial richness with elevation may be related to an increased carbon supply. Main conclusions We found contrasting patterns in elevational diversity among the three studied multi‐trophic groups comprising unicellular and multicellular aquatic taxa. We also found that there may be fundamental differences in the mechanisms underlying these species diversity patterns.     

Pre‐copulation intervals,copulation frequencies,and initial progeny sex ratios in two biotypes of whitefly,Bemisia tabaci

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) is a species complex, and its systematic classification requires controlled crossing experiments among its genetic groups. Accurate information on pre‐copulation intervals, copulation frequencies, and initial frequency of egg fertilization of newly emerged adults is critical for designing procedures for collecting the virgin adults necessary for these experiments. In the literature, considerable variation is reported between B. tabaci populations, with respect to the length of the pre‐copulation interval and the initial frequency of egg fertilization. Here, we used a video‐recording method to observe continuously the copulation behaviour of the Mediterranean/Asia Minor/Africa (B biotype) and the Asia II (ZHJ1 biotype) groups of B. tabaci. We also recorded the initial frequency of egg fertilization, as determined by the sex of the progeny. When adults were caged in female–male pairs on leaves of cotton plants, the earliest copulation events occurred 2–6 h after emergence; at 12 h after emergence 56–84% of the females had copulated at least once, and nearly all (92–100%) had copulated at least once by 36 h after emergence. Both females and males copulated repeatedly. Approximately 80 and 20% of copulation events occurred during the photophase and scotophase, respectively. By 72 h post‐emergence, the females of the B and ZHJ1 biotypes had copulated on average 6.1 and 3.9 times, respectively. When adults were caged in groups on plants 1–13 h after emergence, 30–35% of the eggs deposited during this period were fertilized, and approximately 90% of females were fertilized by the end of the 13 h. Although timing of copulation differed in detail between the two genetic groups, the results demonstrate that B. tabaci adults can start to copulate as early as 2–6 h post‐emergence and the majority of females can become fertilized on the day that they emerge.     

河北小五台山叶生丝孢菌

小五台山自然保护区位于河北省西部,为河北省第一高峰。变化悬殊的地形,使其由低谷到亚高山草甸呈明显独特的垂直植被类型分布带,山势陡峻,谷路隘险,具有华北地区罕见的森林植被及丰富的植物资源。狭谷陡峰,葳蒐险奇的地形地貌,又形成了多变的气候特征,因此蕴藏着相当丰富的真菌资源。作者1990年8月在该地区考察期间,共采集涉及林木、农作物、花卉、蔬菜等植物病害标本240份。本文报道小五台山的丝孢菌(Hyphomycetes)14属40种,其中有二个新种:(木来)木菌绒孢(Mycovellosiella coni Y.L.Guo, sp. nov.),五味子色链隔孢(Phaeoramularia schisandrae Y.L. Guo, sp. nov.)和7个中国新记录种:沼泽尾孢(Cercospora paludicola Speg.),白面子菌绒孢[Mycovellosiella ariae(Fuckel) U. Braun],薯蓣菌绒孢[Mycovellosiella dioscorae(Vassiljevski) Pons & Sutton],当归柱隔孢(Ramularia angelicae v. Hohnel),白芷柱隔孢[Ramularia heraclei(Oud.)Sacc.),莴苣柱隔孢(Ramularia lactucosa Lamb. & Fautr.)和虎耳草柱隔孢(Ramularia saxifragae Syd.)。(木来)来木菌绒孢(Mycovellosiella coni Y.L. Guo, sp. nov.)生于山茱萸科(Cornaceae)华尔特氏掠子木(Cornus walteri Wanger.)叶上。子实体生于叶背面。次生菌丝体表生。无子座。分生孢子梗1-3根从气孔伸出或作为侧枝单生于表生菌丝上,近无色,分枝,曲膝状,1-2个隔膜,5.0-50.0 × 2.5-4.0 μm。分生孢子圆柱形,无色,链生并具枝链,0-4个隔膜,6.5-45.0 × 2.0-4.0 μm。在山茱萸科尚无菌绒孢属的报道,且该菌与已报道的尾孢属菌形态特征也不同,故定为新种。五味子色链隔孢(Phaeoramularia schisandrae Y.L. Guo, sp. nov.)生于五味子科(Schisandraceae)五味子[Schisandra chinensis (Tunz.) Baill.]叶上,子实体生于叶背面。菌丝体内生。具子座。分生孢子梗紧密簇生,浅青黄褐色,不分枝,曲膝状,1-5个隔膜,20.0-75.0 (-95.0) × 4.0-5.0 μm。分生孢子圆柱形,近无色,链生并具枝链,1-4个隔膜,15.0-40.0 × 3.0-4.0 μm。五味子科既无尾孢菌属也无色链隔孢属的报道。文中为新种提供了拉丁文简介、描述和图,新记录种进行了简要描述。研究的标本保藏在中国科学院微生物研究所真菌标本室(HMAS)。