Bacterial Metabolism of Mevalonic Acid

Soluble cell-free extracts of actinomycete S4 grown on media containing mevalonate catalyze acetoacetate formation from mevalonate, mevaldate, and β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (CoA). Conversion of mevalonate to acetoacetate involves formation of free β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl-CoA, but not free mevaldate. The reaction favors mevalonate oxidation, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, rather than nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, acts as oxidant.     

Cholelithiasis and Cholecystitis in Childhood

Six cases of cholecystitis and cholelithiasis confirmed by x-ray examination and surgical operation were observed in a ten-year period. Due to the wide variability in signs and symptoms in children, cholecystitis and cholelithiasis can be diagnosed only with a high degree of clinical suspicion and roentgenological examination. Gallbladder disease is uncommon in childhood but should be considered in children with vague abdominal pains or bouts of unexplained jaundice. If a normal appendix is found at laparotomy in the “acute abdomen,” the surgeon would be wise to palpate other specific organs within the abdomen, including the liver and gallbladder.The treatment of choice is cholecystectomy. The prognosis for recovery is excellent if there is no complicating systemic disease.     

Three Years' Experience with Implanted Pacemakers

At the University Hospital, Saskatoon, over the last three years, pacemakers have been inserted in 40 patients with complete or incomplete heart block. Fourteen of the patients were females and 26 were males. The average age was 65 years; 12 were over 80 years of age, and the youngest patient was 8 years of age. In none was the heart block due to operation. Thirty-three patients are still alive and well. There have been seven deaths three early and four late. One patient died because of a “runaway” pacemaker, and two as a result of infection persisting around the pacemaker. Twenty-nine Medtronic pacemakers were used and 14 Atricor pacemakers; currently we favour the latter instrument.     

Direct Cord Reading Medium for Isolation of Mycobacteria

A study of growth and colony morphology of mycobacteria was performed on 7H10 medium and compared with the same medium to which WR 1339 was added. Collection strains of human, bovine, and atypical mycobacteria, in addition to 1,199 sputa, were planted on both media. The results showed that WR 1339 modifies the growth and colony morphology of human, bovine, atypical group I, and, to a lesser degree, atypical groups II, III, and IV mycobacteria. The great majority of human and bovine strains exhibit definite cords when examined at a magnification of 100 times. The colonies are larger when WR 1339 is added, especially if there is a small number of colonies. The addition of WR 1339 spreads the growth on the surface of the agar, producing a thin but larger colony as compared with 7H10 medium alone on which the colonies grow more vertically, thus producing thick but smaller colonies. WR 1339 spreads the growth, producing thin and transparent colonies where the cords are oriented in uniplane and easily visible directly on the isolation media. Half of the positive sputum cultures were easily identified at 12 days. The presence of typical cords permits a quick screening diagnosis of species directly on the isolation media and, in most instances, elimination of the possibility of atypical or contaminating colonies.     

Kurze Mitteilungen

Zusammenfassung Ein Paar Türkentauben brütete vom 29. 1. bis 15. 2. 1966 auf einem Straßenbaum in Berlin-Tempelhof. Es wurde nur ein Ei gelegt. Nach 17 Tagen schlüpfte das gelbbedaunte Junge. Es ist dann kurz danach, wahrscheinlich beim Umherkriechen auf dem Nestrand, erfroren. Die Umstände, unter denen die Brut erfolgte, waren äußerst ungünstig. Die Temperatur lag seit dem 7. 2. 1966 dauernd unter Null (–9 und –13 Grad). Die brütende Taube hatte von Anfang an auf dem Nestrand brüten müssen, da die Mulde schon vor der Eiablage völlig mit Schnee bedeckt war. Der brütende Vogel war mehrere Tage und Nächte von einem hohen Schneewall umgeben, der sich auf dem Nest gebildet hatte. Dieses Nest wurde von Mai 1964 an viermal von einem Türkentaubenpaar zum Brüten benutzt. Es wird vermutet, daß zum mindesten der eine Partner, der Tauber, während der ganzen Zeit derselbe geblieben ist.