Influence of the Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virns and Simazine upon the Buffer Soluble Proteins and Catalase Activity of a Virus-susceptible and a Virus-tolerant Variety of Zea mays

Inbred corn varieties differing in their tolerance to the maize dwarf mosaic virus infection also differ in varietal character and host response to simazine. Oh 7B, a tolerant cv., has less total soluble and globulin proteins than the sensitive variety, H 55, but more Kjeldahl nitrogen, albumin protein and a doubling of catalase activity. Virus inoculation in Oh 7B causes a reduction in all three protein fractions, Kjeldahl nitrogen and catalase activity. Deleterious virus-simazine interaction does not occur with either variety and the observed varietal and host response differences in protein may account for the conflicting reports of other workers.     

New Diagnostic System for the Identification of Lactose-fermenting Gram-negative Rods

The identification of prompt lactose-fermenting gram-negative rods has generally relied heavily upon colonial morphology coupled with one or more indole, methyl red, Voges-Proskauer, citrate (IMViC) parameters, hydrogen sulfide, and motility. Studies were undertaken to compare diagnoses dependent solely upon the more orthodox criteria to a system for identification based upon hydrogen sulfide, ornithine decarboxylase, and citrate utilization (HOC). The results suggest that the IMViC scheme of identification is neither consistent nor applicable when applied to the current nomenclature of the above group of organisms and should be discarded, whereas the HOC system may prove to be of significant value to clinical microbiologists.     

Hemagglutinating Property of Haemophilus aegyptius

Extracts possessing the capacity to hemagglutinate normal human erythrocytes were recovered from Haemophilus aegyptius by treatment with either diethylene glycol or acetone. Antisera prepared against these extracts or the unextracted bacterial cell inhibited hemagglutination by homologous and heterologous antigens. Microgel diffusions indicated the presence of identical components in each extract as expressed by lines of identity between antisera to each fraction. The hemagglutinin was identified as a lipopolysaccharide, 42% lipid and 57% carbohydrate. The determination of 6% phosphorus in the lipid fraction identified it as containing phospholipid.     

A Model of the Peripheral Auditory System Responding to Low-Frequency Tones

A model of the peripheral auditory system responding to low-frequency tone stimulation is given. The model is of the type previously introduced by Weiss (1966). It includes three interconnected parts: a linear model of the ear's mechanical system, a model of the cochlear transducer, and a stochastic model of an auditory nerve fiber. The output of the model accurately mimics many characteristics of the output of some auditory nerve neurons responding to sinusoidal stimuli but is unable to successfully match all reported aspects of data obtained from other of these neurons. Characteristics of the model neurons are discussed.     

Surface Antigens of Smooth Brucellae

Surface antigens of smooth brucellae were extracted by ether-water, phenol-water, trichloroacetic acid, and saline and examined by immunoelectrophoresis and gel diffusion with antisera from infected and immunized rabbits. Ether-water extracts of Brucella melitensis contained a lipopolysaccharide protein component, which was specific for the surface of smooth brucellae and was correlated with the M agglutinogen of Wilson and Miles, a polysaccharide protein component devoid of lipid which was not restricted to the surface of smooth brucellae and was not correlated with the smooth agglutinogen (component 1), and several protein components which were associated with internal antigens of rough and smooth brucellae. Immunoelectrophoretic analysis of ether-water extracts of B. abortus revealed only two components, a lipopolysaccharide protein component, which was correlated with the A agglutinogen, and component 1. Component 1 from B. melitensis and B. abortus showed identity in gel diffusion tests, whereas component M from B. melitensis and component A from B. abortus showed partial identity with unabsorbed antisera and no cross-reactions with monospecific sera. Attempts to prepare monospecific sera directly by immunization of rabbits with cell walls or ether-water extracts were unsuccessful. Absorption of antisera with heavy fraction of ether-water extracts did not always result in monospecific sera. It was concluded (as has been described before) that the A and M antigens are present on a single antigenic complex, in different proportions depending upon the species and biotype, and that this component is a lipopolysaccharide protein complex of high molecular weight that diffuses poorly through agar gel. Components 1, A, and M were also demonstrated in trichloroacetic acid and phenol-water extracts. With all extracts, B. melitensis antigen showed greater diffusibility in agar than B. abortus antigens. After mild acid hydrolysis, B. abortus ether-water extract was able to diffuse more readily.     

The metabolism of 3,5-di-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene in the rat and in man

1. The major metabolites of 3,5-di-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene (BHT) in the rat are 3,5-di-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid (BHT-acid), both free (9% of the dose) and as a glucuronide (15%), and S-(3,5-di-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-N-acetylcysteine. 2. The mercapturic acid does not appear to derive from the usually accepted enzyme mechanism, and may involve a non-enzymic reaction between BHT free radical and cysteine. 3. The ester glucuronide and mercapturic acid found in rat urine are also the major metabolites in rat bile and must be responsible for the enterohepatic circulation. 4. Free BHT-acid is the main component in rat faeces. 5. In man, BHT-acid, free and conjugated, is a minor component in urine, and the mercapturic acid is virtually absent. The bulk of the radioactivity is excreted as the ether-insoluble glucuronide of a metabolite in which the ring methyl group and one tert.-butyl methyl group are oxidized to carboxyl groups, and a methyl group on the other tert.-butyl group is also oxidized, probably to an aldehyde group. 6. These differences in metabolism by the rat and by man are sufficient to account for the difference in excretion by the two species.