Some experiences in the estimation of parameters in non-linear differential equations

The author describes a procedure developed by himself and his colleagues for obtaining estimates of the parameters of rate equations, together with information about confidence regions for the estimates. The program has been used successfully for processing results from the chemical engineering industry, with highly non-linear model systems, particularly since temperature was a variable, and the "rate constants" were non-linear combinations of other constants. In biochemical situations, in which investigations are almost always at constant temperature, the non-linearity should not be so extreme, and the procedure may well be capable of dealing with more than 5 to 7 parameters for which it is recommended.     

The action of plant growth retardants on terpenoid biosynthesis

Summary The plant growth retardants (2-chloroethyl)-trimethylammonium chloride (CCC) and 2-isopropyl-4-(trimethylammoniumchloride)-5-methylphenyl-piperidine-1-carboxylate (AMO-1618) inhibit gibberellic-acid biosynthesis inFusarium moniliforme at the cyclisation of geranylgeraniol to (-)-kaurene, causing an accumulation of geranylgeraniol. The two inhibitors have no effect on the biosynthesis of ergosterol inF. moniliforme or sitosterol in barley seedlings.     

Lead Poisoning in Gurkha Soldiers in Hong Kong

Investigation of an outbreak of lead-poisoning in 121 Gurkha soldiers showed that this was due to the contamination of chilli powder (cayenne pepper), a constituent of curry powder, with lead chromate. Comprehensive systems of food sampling are needed in developing communities.     

Amino Acid Transport in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Properties of the transport systems for amino acids in Pseudomonas aeruginosa were investigated. Exogenous (14)C-labeled amino acids were shown to equilibrate with the internal native amino acid pool prior to incorporation into protein. When added at low external concentrations, the majority of the amino acids examined entered the protein of the cell unaltered. The rates of amino acid transport, established at low concentrations with 18 commonly occurring amino acids, varied as much as 40-fold. The transport process became saturated at high external amino acid concentrations, was temperature-sensitive, and was inhibited by sodium azide and iodoacetamide. Intracellular to extracellular amino acid ratios of 100- to 300-fold were maintained during exponential growth of the population in a glucose minimal medium. When the medium became depleted of glucose, neither extracellular nor intracellular amino acids could be detected.     

Amino Acid Pool Formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The accumulation and behavior of various amino acids in the pool of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027) were investigated. Patterns of pool formation and maintenance varied with different amino acids tested and were dependent, to a considerable extent, upon the ability of the organism to catabolize the particular amino acid. The establishment of steady-state amino acid pool levels depended upon the activity of the amino acid permease involved and upon the rate of protein synthesis. The presence of a relatively large specific amino acid pool did not affect the formation of a pool of a structurally different amino acid, and a preformed steady-state pool was not displaced by structurally unrelated amino acids. Steady-state amino acid pools decreased rapidly in the presence of inhibitors of energy metabolism and at 0 C. Steady-state internal amino acid pools were found to be in equilibrium with the corresponding external amino acid, present at low levels. A multiplicity of proline pools was demonstrated.