Carbohydrates Oxidation by Pseudomonas albosesamae nov. sp.

Taxonomic behaviors of a newly isolated bacterium which produces 2,5-diketogluconic acid in high yield were examined in this paper. The bacterium was isolated from sesame seed. It is aerobic, rod-shaped bacilli (0.6~0.8 × 1.0~3.0 microns) with rounded ends. It occurs singly or as a small mass and shows motility with a polar flagellum. Gram staining and acid-fast staining are both negative. Endospore and capsule are not observed. It does not possess photosynthetic and usual pigments the cell. Glucose and other sugars are attacked with acid production, but no gas formation. Polysaccharides and sucrose are not attacked. This bacterium does not produce acetic acid from ethanol. The above behaviors and other physiological properties which are described in the text lead to the conclusion that the bacterium is a new species situated in the genus Pseudomonas. So, it was named Pseudomonas albosesamae, nov. sp. (Wakisaka) in relation with its isolated origin.     

Imantonia rotunda gen. et sp. nov., a new member of the Haptophyceae

Imantonia rotunda, a new member of the Haptophyceae, is described and records of its distribution are given. It is characterised by a distinctive “bicycle-wheel” type of scale and does not bear a haptonema.     

Geotrichum pseudocandidum n. sp., isolé chez un Cerf d'Eld — Rucervus Eldi (Guthrie)

Summary A new fungus was isolated from the stomach of aRucervus eldi (Guthrie) which died less than 24 hrs after birth in the Paris Zoo. It is described as the new speciesGeotrichum pseudocandidum. It can be differentiated fromG. candidum by the fact that it does not assimilate mannitol.     

Genecological notes on Allium schoenoprasum L.

Summary

Ajuga pyramidalis is a polycarpic, perennial herb which is variable in flowering and population size. It has been recorded from over 200 sites in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, one in the Lake District and in twelve coastal sites in Ireland. It grows mainly on circum-neutral soils (pH 4.9–6.9) in open grassland and heathland, and upland rock ledges. It does not appear to be under any particular threat in Britain.     

A combined morphological and molecular approach to Nitzschia varelae sp. nov., with discussion of symmetry in Bacillariaceae

A previously unknown member of the Bacillariaceae was discovered almost simultaneously in four different brackish coastal wetlands on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts of the Iberian Peninsula. It appears to tolerate a wide range of salinities but was never common in samples where it occurred. The frustules were consistently hantzschioid (i.e. with the raphe systems always on the same side of the frustule) and the valve outline was asymmetrical about the apical plane, two features that have until recently been considered characteristic of Hantzschia. Molecular phylogenies based on rbcL and LSU rDNA indicated, however, that the new species does not belong in Hantzschia but among the several disparate lineages that comprise the paraphyletic genus Nitzschia. This finding, coupled with the recent discovery of other diatoms with constant hantzschioid symmetry but with a morphology very similar to the type species of Nitzschia, is discussed in relation to the status and characterization of Hantzschia as an independent genus. It is concluded that, while a core of hantzschioid species may exist that can be classified together, corresponding to the traditional understanding of the genus Hantzschia, there is no single morphological feature common to all of them that can be used to diagnose the group and differentiate it from the various hantzschioid lineages that are separate from true Hantzschia and currently placed in e.g. Nitzschia or Cymbellonitzschia. Testing whether a hantzschioid species does or does not belong to Hantzschia will in many cases require molecular evidence. Although the new coastal species does not belong to the same lineage as the type species of Nitzschia, N. sigmoidea, it is described for the moment as N. varelae Carballeira, D.G. Mann & Trobajo, sp. nov., until there is a better understanding of generic limits in the Bacillariaceae following a wider molecular and morphological survey of that family.     

Aquabacter spiritensis,gen. nov., sp. nov. an aerobic,gas-vacuolate aquatic bacterium

A gram-negative, rod-shaped, gas-vacuolate, aerobic, heterotrophic bacterium was isolated from Spirit Lake, Washington. It was further characterized by phase-contrast and electron microscopy and phenotypic tests. The isolate does not utilize carbohydrates. Deoxyribonucleic acid-ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) hybridizations showed that this bacterium is a member of rRNA superfamily IV where it occupies a separate position on the Azorhizobium caulinodans rRNA sub-branch which, is part of an rRNA cluster containing also the Beijerinckia, the Bradyrhizobium japonicum and the Rhodopseudomonas palustris sub-branches. Its relationship to other gas-vacuolated genera within rRNA superfamily IV is discussed. A new genus Aquabacter with one species Aquabacter spiritensis is proposed. The type strain is strain SPL-1 (=ATCC 43981=LMG 8611).     

On the action of RH 5849, a nonsteroidal ecdysteroid agonist, on a cell line from Chironomus tentans.

RH 5849 competes with ³H-ponasterone A for ecdysteroid binding sites in Chironomus tentans cells with an about fourfold lower relative affinity as compared to 20-OH-ecydsone. It does not interfere with glucocorticoid and estrogen binding sites in vertebrates. It is also not recognized by an ecdysteroid antibody. RH 5849 exerts typical morphological and physiological effects ascribed to the action of 20-OH-ecdysone on C. tentans cells, namely an increase in acetylcholinesterase activity and an inhibition of chitin synthesis.     

Studies on the Germination of Pine Pollen (Pinus mugo) in vitro. I. Growth Conditions and Effects of pH and Temperature on Germination, Tube Growth and Respiration

The ability of pine pollen to grow in vitro is discussed in relation to its in situ. Optimal conditions of growth in vitro were investigated. All the experiments were made with pollen of Pinus mugo Turra. A satisfactory medium is described as that which at pH 5.2 and at 29 °C can lead to a tube growth bigger than in vivo. The initial growth (0–30) hours) in terms of tube growth and respiration is described in detail. It is shown that a correlation exists between tube growth and respiration. A method for estimating the metabolism and growth of the pollen tube, based on the uptake of ³²p-labelled phosphate, is described. Addition of known stimulators of plant growth and extension does not stimulate tube growth. Temperature studies show that under 20°C germination does not take place.     

Pohlia andrewsii J. Shaw in the U.S.S.R.

Abstract

P. andrewsii appears to be widespread in the arctic regions of the U.S.S.R. and also in mountains of southern Siberia, the Altai Mountains. Except in the mountains of Central and Northern Europe the range of P. andrewsii does not overlap with P. annotina and P. camptotrachela.     

Isolation and properties of a lectin from the seeds ofMimosa invisa L.

A lectin has been purified from the seeds ofMimosa invisa L. by gel filtration and preparative Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified lectin was homogeneous as judged by analytical Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunodiffusion and Immunoelectrophoresis. The apparent molecular weight is 100,000; the protein is a tetramer with two types of subunits (molecular weight 35,000 and 15,000). The lectin is a glycoprotein with approximately 21% carbohydrate and interacts with Sephadex and concanavalin A-Sepharose. It agglutinates erthrocytes non-specifically, does not agglutinate leucocytes and is not mitogenic, agglutinates Mimosa-nodulatingRhizobium and is a panagglutinin; the agglutination is not inhibited by several simple sugars. It is thermo-stable and has no metal ions.     

Contraction of protoplasm. III. Cinematographic analysis of the contraction of some heterotrichs

The contraction of Stentor and Blepharisma, in response to mechanical and electrical stimulation and of Spirostomum in response to mechanical stimulation is described. All three species respond to electrical stimulation by contraction of the cytoplasm, beginning at the anodal end regardless of orientation of the animal. The differences in contractile ability and shapes during contraction are discussed in relation to body form and microanatomy. Stentor and Spirostomum also respond to mechanical stimulation. Dropping a weight on the slide causes contraction of the whole body of Spirostomum, but not of Stentor. Stimulation of the oral region of Stentor by means of a vibrating needle causes a contraction of the entire body, but this sensitivity is limited to the oral region. Blepharisma does not respond to mechanical stimulation. Spirostomum and Stentor undergo rapid spontaneous contractions, but Blepharisma does not contract spontaneously.     

Methanosphaera stadtmaniae gen. nov., sp. nov.: a species that forms methane by reducing methanol with hydrogen

Methanosphaera stadtmaniae is a non-motile, Gram-positive spherical-shaped organism that obtains energy for growth by using hydrogen to reduce methanol to methane. It does not produce methane from hydrogen and carbon dioxide, formate, acetate or methylamines and cannot grow with hydrogen and carbon monoxide, nitrate, fumarate, sulfate or choline. Its pH optimum is 6.5 to 6.9 and its temperature optimum is 36° to 40° C. It is not inhibited by bile salts, inhibitors of the synthesis of folic acid coenzymes, cephalothin or clindamycin but is inhibited by metronidazole, bacitracin, monensin, lasalocid, or bromoethanesulfonate. It requires acetate, carbon dioxide, isoleucine, ammonium, and thiamin for growth and biotin is stimulatory. It does not contain cytochromes and the mol % G+C of its DNA is 25.8. The composition of its cell wall and 16 S rRNA and its immunological fingerprint are consistent with characterization of the organism as a member of a new genus of the family Methanobacteriaceae. The habitat of the type strain is the human large intestine.     

Transfer ofHaemophilus equigenitalis Taylor et al. 1978 to the genusTaylorella gen. nov. asTaylorella equigenitalis comb. nov.

The taxonomic position ofHaemophilus equigenitalis Taylor et al. 1978, the causative agent of contagious equine metritis, was studied in comparison with phenotypically similar organisms such asMoraxella, Legionella, and others.Haemophilus equigenitalis is a microaerophilic, Gram-negative, nonmotile, short rod; the mean base composition of deoxyribonucleic acid of this organism is 36.5±0.5 mol% G+C. It shows best growth on chocolate agar, but very poor or no growth on plain nutrient agar and blood agar, although it requires no X- or V-factors for the growth. It is positive in catalase, oxidase, phosphatase, and phosphoamidase tests, but very unreactive in other biochemical tests for routine use. It produces no acid from any carbohydrates nor glycosidase. Arylamidase activities of the organism to -naphtylamide derivatives of various amino acids, and di- and tripeptides were also compared with those of other taxa. The group of this organism was different from other known taxa in the numerical analysis of its phenotypic characteristics, DNA base composition, and DNA-DNA hybridization. These data indicate thatH. equigenitalis does not belong in the genusHaemophilus nor other known genera, but rather in a new genus. Therefore, we propose thatHaemophilus equigenitalis be reclassified in a new genusTaylorella asTaylorella equigenitalis.     

2-aminopurine induced DNA repair in E. coli

Summary The survival of UV-irradiated phages is increased when host bacteria are grown in the presence of the base analogue 2-aminopurine (2AP) before infection. This increase in survival, which we have called 2AP-reactivation depends upon the concentration of 2AP and the time of exposure to 2AP. 2AP-reactivation can be distinguished from Weigle-reactivation in that it is not accompanied by an increase in mutagenesis, does not act on the single-stranded DNA bacteriophage X174, and occurs in recA and lexA bacteria. 2AP reactivation does not appear to involve known systems of recombinational repair, as it occurs in recB and recF bacteria, or excision repair, as it occurs in uvrA and uvrB bacteria. It is however dependent upon DNA polymerase I.     

Plagiochila killarniensis Pears. in the British Isles

Abstract

Plagioehila killarniensis Pears. is reinstated as a species. It differs from P. spinulosa in many characters including its more patent leaves with a sharply defmed vitta, and the dentate antical margin of its female bracts. P. spinulosa var. inermis Carr. is shown to be a synonym of P. killarniensis, and P. punetata var. owenii (Steph.) Macv. of var. punctata. Both sexes of P. killarniensis occur in the British Isles, but male plants of P. spinulosa have not been detected, and those of P. punctata have been seen only once. P. killarniensis tolerates more exposure than P. spinulosa, but does not extend so far north.     

Fragmenta mycologica VI. Has keratinomyces ajelloi vanbreuseghem, 1952 microconidiums?

Summary It is demonstrated and the primary observation ofVanbreuseghem is again confirmed thatKeratinomyces ajelloi does not produce microconidiums.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird gezeigt und die Beobachtung vonVanbreuseghem wird wiederum bestätigt, dassKeratinomyces ajelloi keine Mikrokonidien entwickelt.

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Résumé On a démontré et confirmé de nouveau l'observation primaire deVanbreuseghem queKeratinomyces ajelloi ne produit pas de microconidies.

     

The taxonomic position of Oxystegus sinuosus (Mitt.) Hlip. in relation to the genus Barbula Hedw

Abstract

The morphology of leaves, stems and axillary hairs is compared and described in Oxystegus sinuosus and O. tenuirostris. It is suggested that O. sinuosus falls within the range of variation of Barbula as currently understood in Britain, but that O. tenuirostris is closer to Trichostomum. The morphology of the axillary hairs does not throw much light on its affinities within Barbula, but a position close to B. cylindrica is probably the most appropriate.     

A hex mutant of Haemophilus influenzae.

Summary A mutant of Haemophilus influenzae which does not discriminate between low efficiency (LE) and high efficiency (HE) markers has been isolated. The mutant does not differ wild type in its sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) mitomycin C, and nitrous acid. Spontaneous mutation frequencies for three loci studied are 10-to 30-fold higher in the mutant than in the wild type strain. Low- and high-efficiency transforming markers are equally UV-resistant when assayed on this mutant. This mutant is thus similar to the hex mutant of Streptococcus pneumoniae.     

Ribosomal abnormality in recA mutants of Escherichia coli.

Summary The tif-1 mutation has been shown to affect protein synthesis in vitro by increasing translational ambiguity (Ephrati-Elizur, Luther-Davies and Hayes, 1976). It is demonstrated here that some recA mutations confer similar abnormality. By comparing suitable combinations of ribosomes and soluble proteins from recA ⁺ and recA cells the defect is shown to be associated with ribosomes. The recA mutation, which suppresses most phenotypic characteristics of the tif-1 mutation (Castellazzi, George and Buttin, 1972(b)) does not suppress the ribosomal abnormality. Sience the closely linked tif-1 and recA mutations lead to the expression of a common property they may be in the same gene.     

Facultative parasites and host respiration III. Tissue which is actively parasitised

Summary Fusarium oxysporium f.lycopersici andVerticillium albo-atrum caused an increase in the rate of respiration of tomato stem tissue.V. albo-atrum caused an increase in the rate of respiration of potato haulm tissue. By comparison of the respiration of 1 g ofV. alboatrum mycelium with 1 g fresh weight infected tomato stem tissue it was concluded that the respiration of the pathogen in situ does not contribute markedly to the respiratory increase. It is suggested that the increase in respiration has its origin in the metabolism of the host, possibly due to stimulation by a fungal respiratory toxin but not due to the augmentative effect of the pathogen's respiration.This work formed part of a Ph. D. thesis submitted to the University of London, July 1961.