E.E.G. and Personality Factors in Baby Batterers

Out of 35 parents who battered their children eight had an abnormal E.E.G. All of these were found to be psychopathic, of low intelligence, and to be persistent batterers. The presence of an abnormal E.E.G. strongly suggests that some baby batterers are more closely related to those who commit acts of violence and that taken as a whole they are not a homogenous group about whom it is safe to generalize. The possibility of a separate subgroup among baby batterers, therefore, needs close attention.     

Lysis of Staphylococcus aureus Cell Walls by a Soluble Staphylococcal Enzyme

Enzyme preparations of Staphylococcus aureus were examined for their ability to solubilize (32)P-labeled cell walls of the parent organism. Enzymatic activity was observed in the growth medium, in soluble fractions, and associated with native cell walls. Enzyme associated with isolated cell walls could be inactivated with formaldehyde without reducing the susceptibility of the walls to the action of added enzyme. When cells are frozen and thawed, 50 to 75% of the intracellular enzyme is released along with 2% of the intracellular protein. This freeze-thaw extracted enzyme has little, if any, activity on intact S. aureus cells. It appears that the enzyme resides near the cell wall and acts on the cell-wall inner surface.     

Selective Broth Medium for Isolation of Group B Streptococci

A selective medium containing Todd-Hewitt broth, sheep blood, nalidixic acid, and gentamicin sulfate was found to enhance significantly the isolation of group B streptococci from vaginal cultures. Preparation of the medium, which is stable for up to 4 weeks at 4 C, is simple and inexpensive. Use of such a medium should facilitate identification of vaginal colonization with group B streptococci.     

Synthesis of type 2 Adenovirus DNA in the Presence of Cycloheximide

Adenovirus type 2 DNA synthesis, either in permissive human cells or nonpermissive monkey cells, becomes independent of protein synthesis after the appearance of progeny viral DNA. In the presence of cycloheximide, semiconservative replication and initiation of progeny molecules can occur.     

Enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in developing Hordeum distichum grain

Variations in activity of several enzymes associated with carbohydrate metabolism were recorded during the development of barley endosperm. The enzymes investigated were: sucrose-UDP (ADP) glucosyl transferase; invertase; UDPG (ADPG) pyrophosphorylase; hexokinase; glucose-6-phosphate ketoisomerase; phosphoglucomutase, and nucleosidediphosphokinase.