Stressors, Stress Reactions, and Survival of Bacteria: A Review

Recent data on the molecular mechanisms of the stress responses of bacteria are reviewed, with emphasis on their reactions to a variety of stressors (heat, oxidation, cold, osmotic shock, etc.). The mechanisms underlying the phenomenon of sensoring are discussed. It is shown that cross-resistance to stressors and cell-to-cell communication, mediated by chemical metabolites, affect bacterial survival in food products. The stress-antagonizing activity of bacteria is discussed in relation to food product biotechnology.     

Cultural, morphological, and physiological characteristics of Thermomonospora fusca (strain 190Th).

The cultural, morphological, and physiological properties of Thermomonospora fusca (strain 190Th) are described. Its physiological properties show that this species is primarily a carbohydrate-degrading actinomycete which can use a wide range of plant sugars and polymeric carbohydrates as sources of carbon and energy. The culture does not use proteins or amino acids for carbon and energy, or as a nitrogen source. A few organic acids are utilized. Ammonia is the preferred nitrogen source. The culture has trace nutrient requirements which include biotin and an undetermined number of amino acids. These and other physiological characteristics are discussed in relation to the roles that T. fusca carries out as a saprophytic bacterium in nature. Its cultural and morphological properties are discussed in relation to the taxonomic status of this species in the literature.     

Stressors, stress reactions, and survival of bacteria (a review)

Recent data on the molecular mechanisms of stress responses of bacteria are reviewed, with emphasis on their reactions to a variety of stressors (heat, oxidation, cold, osmotic shock, etc.). Mechanisms underlying the phenomenon of sensoring are discussed. It is shown that cross-resistance to stressors and cell-to-cell communication of bacteria, mediated by chemical metabolites, affect their survival in food products. Stress-antiagonizing activity of bacteria is discussed in relation to food product biotechnology.     

Comparative ultrastructural study of normal and grafted skin in the frog,Rana pipiens,with special reference to neuroepithelial connections

Summary Recent investigations have suggested specific differences in back and belly skin in anurans which appear to influence the quality of reflex responses obtained from various areas of the animals body. The present investigation represents a comparative morphological study of back and belly skin in control and skin-graftedRana pipiens, with special regard to the neuroepithelial relationships. A distinct difference in pigmentation of back and belly skin was observed. Intra-epithelial Merkel cells were present in all skin samples studied. The origins of the numerous unclassifiable cells in the Merkel cell region are discussed in relation to a presumed coordinating function of the Merkel cell during epithelial differentiation. Epitheliomesenchymal interactions were observed in the richly innvervated dermal regions. Two types of morphologically different intra-epithelial nerve endings were observed. These observations are discussed in relation to earlier observations on vertebrate skin and in relation to misdirected reflex responses obtained in skin-grafted anurans.     

The effects of bathophenanthroline, bathophenanthrolinesulphonate and 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone on mung-bean mitochondria and submitochondrial particles.

The effects of bathophenanthroline, bathophenanthrolinesulphonate and 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone on mung-bean mitochondria and submitochondrial particles were investigated. A variety of inhibitory effects on the oxidations of NADH, succinate and malate were observed. The results are discussed in relation to sites of inhibition and their relation to the effects on mammalian mitochondria.     

A comparison of the properties of fructose 1,6-diphosphatase, and the activities of other key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, in the livers of embryonic and adult rat, sheep and domestic fowl

1. The activities of some key enzymes of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis were measured in embryonic chick, sheep and rat livers. 2. In chicken the activities of hexokinase, phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase are low, but those of glucose 6-phosphatase and fructose diphosphatase are very high; the converse situation exists in the rat (Burch et al. 1963), but in sheep the activities of both phosphofructokinase and fructose diphosphatase are high, and the activities of hexokinase and glucose 6-phosphatase are low. These findings are discussed in relation to carbohydrate metabolism in these embryonic livers. 3. The regulatory properties of fructose diphosphatase from the embryonic livers of these three species were compared with the properties of the enzymes from adult animals. The inhibitions by AMP and fructose diphosphate and the effects of Mg(2+) and pH on the activities of adult and foetal fructose diphosphatase are almost identical. 4. It is concluded that regulatory properties are characteristic of fructose diphosphatase from embryonic and adult tissue, and the importance of this in relation to enzyme development is discussed.     

Use of cardiopulmonary bypass, hypothermic perfusion, and circulatory arrest in the surgical management of basilar artery aneurysm

Two cases of intracranial aneurysm are discussed in relation to surgical management. The superiority of vena cavae/ascending aorta to femoral vein/femoral artery cannulation is indicated, thus minimizing ventricular fibrillation and myocardial damage.     

Stress, cardiac activity and sleep.

An overview is presented of the relationship between cardiovascular activity and sleep, emphasizing the interrelations between stage of sleep and cardiovascular dysfunction. Possible implications of the data are discussed, especially in relation to stress-related factors and possible treatment regimens.     

Defensive display behaviour in some Australian and Papuan-New Guinean pygopodid lizards, boid, colubrid and elapid snakes

The defensive display behaviour is described in 34 species of snakes and 3 species of pygopodid lizards based upon field and laboratory observations. Various aspects of the behaviour are categorized and their significance discussed in relation to survival value.     

The ecological status of Lough Corrib,Ireland, as indicated by physiographic factors,water chemistry and macrophytic flora

The submerged flora of selected areas of Lough Corrib was examined in July, 1986. Plant assemblages are described in relation to local geology, topography and water chemistry. The impact of cultural eutrophication on the aquatic flora is discussed. Reference is made to some notable features of the Irish aquatic flora, as exemplified by Lough Corrib.     

Edward Sapir's Anthropology: Style, Structure, and Method

Sapir's writings on the relation of personality and culture are discussed with regard to their distinctive and challenging approach to ethnology. The lack of professional controversy over Sapir is explored. A distinction is formulated between imposed structure and inherent cultural structure; following from this distinction, Sapir's personalized approach is examined for its implications for ethnographic method.     

Attention, communication, and schizophrenia

The paper starts by drawing the historical lines for and giving an account of the main methods and results from an empirical investigation of cognitive disorders in schizophrenics and communication deviances in their parents. The focus of the report is on the significant correlations that were found between some aspects of parents' style of communication and offsprings' cognitive functioning. On the basis of the empirical study, the relationship between attention and communication is discussed, and the issue of whether attentional processes "change identity" by being embedded in a social context is considered. Furthermore, the influence of deviant communication in parents on attentional processes in offspring is discussed in relation to a main postulate in Vygotsky's theory; namely, that higher mental functions are internalized social relations.     

THE GIRAFFE OF NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK: HOME RANGE, SEX RATIOS, THE HERD, AND FOOD

The giraffe of Nairobi National Park, Kenya have been studied for one year. Each animal seen has been photographed from the left side and the pattern on the neck used to recognize each individual. While the pattern may become darker with age, it does not significantly change in detail even over many years. At present 65 adult male, 72 adult female and 30 immature giraffe can be recognized. Movements of individuals are described as well as associations with other individuals. The 3ex ratio of the giraffe is discussed in relation to that found in the plains ungulates. The population of giraffe in the Park is considered to be particularly high and the relation of giraffe to the vegetation is discussed briefly.     

Single Macromolecules: Hierarchic Thermodynamics, Irreversibility and Biological Function

Single homo-polymers show two different paths in the folding transition; a liquid-like spherical globule is generated for flexible polymers, whereas a rich variety of ordered structures are formed for semi-flexible polymers. This unique characteristic is discussed in relation to its biological significance.     

Evolutionary considerations of DNA repair in relation to mutagenesis, teratogenesis and carcinogenesis.

Living organisms have various mechanisms for repairing spontaneous and mutagen-induced damage in DNA. Mutagenesis, teratogenesis, and carcinogenesis are discussed in relation to DNA misrepair. The existence of highly efficient genetic mechanisms for tolerating environmental threats is argued from evolutionary viewpoints.     

Genome Sequences of Burkholderia sp. Strains CCGE1002 and H160, Isolated from Legume Nodules in Mexico and Brazil

The genome sequences of Burkholderia sp. strains CCGE1002 from Mexico and H160 from Brazil, isolated from legume nodules, are reported. Their gene contents in relation to plant-microbe interactions and xenobiotic degradation are discussed.     

The establishment, individuality and growth of lichen thalli

JAHNS, H. M., 1988. The establishment, individuality and growth of lichen thalli. Aspects of lichen morphology, for example the relation between the bionts, are discussed together with principal ways of scientific interpretation. The importance of single observations is explained. A system of standard steps of development is proposed.     

Psychosocial stress, symptoms, and anxiety of male and female teachers in Greece

Psychosocial stress as measured by a Greek adaptation of the Schedule of Recent Experiences (SRE) constructed by Holmes and Rahe was studied in relation to symptoms, manifest anxiety, visits to doctor, and health concerns using 129 male and female Greek elementary school teachers. Psychosocial stress was related to number of symptoms and to level of manifest anxiety only with women. Although no sex differences were found in average psychosocial ratings, males and females reported different stressful life events. Females reported more symptoms than males, and had higher manifest anxiety. Relationships of sex differences to cultural norms are discussed.     

Feeding of the stem nematode, Ditylenchus dipsaci on leaf tissue of field bean, Vicia faba

The behaviour of Ditylenchus dipsaci before, during and after feeding on leaf tissue of Vicia faba is described. Short-term reactions of the food cells and functions of different regions of the pharynx are described and discussed in relation to the changing pressure relationships between nematode and cell.     

Protein folding, misfolding, and refolding of therapeutic proteins

Substantial progress has been made towards understanding the folding mechanisms of proteins in vitro and in vivo even though the general rules governing such folding events remain unknown. This paper reviews current folding models along with experimental approaches used to elucidate the folding pathways. Protein misfolding is discussed in relation to disease states, such as amyloidosis, and the recent findings on the mechanism of converting normally soluble proteins into amyloid fibrils through the formation of intermediates provide an insight into understanding the pathogenesis of amyloid formation and possible clues for the development of therapeutic treatments. Finally, some commonly adopted refolding strategies developed over the past decade are summarized.