Antibacterially active substances

Synthesis of two hydroxy-derivatives of nalidixic acid as a result of microbial transformation was demonstrated in certain species of the genusAspergillus. Aspergillus alliaceus produced 7-hydroxy-nalidixic acid andAspergillus niger 6-hydroxy-nalidixic acid. It was demonstrated that the antibacterial activity of both hydroxy-derivatives (tested inEscherichia coli) was lower than that of the initial nalidixis acid.     

The influence of bursectomy and thymectomy on the primary antibody formation to various antigens

Neonatal bursectomy and irradiation led to a negative antibody response to bovine serum albumin andSalmonella paratyphi A. In the case of immunization with ΦX 174 phage and sheep erythrocytes a substantial depression of antibody formation was recorded. In addition, neonatal thymectomy and irradiation partially depressed the antibody response to BSA,Salmonella paratyphi A and ΦX 174 phage, on immunization with sheep erythrocytes the ability to form antibodies was almost uninfluenced     

The ultrastructure of spores ofClaviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul.

The ultrastructure of saprophytic and parasitic spores of the AscomyceteClaviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul. was studied. Considerable differences were found to exist between the saprophytic and parasitic spores as to morphology and fine structure. The reason for the different ultrastructural morphology is probably connected with the intensity of cell metabolism. Whereas the parasitic spores obtained from the honeydew possess the character of a resting cell with a thick electron-dense cytoplasm, abundant lipid bodies, few mitochondria, an underdeveloped and hence little active endoplasmic reticulum and with a homogenous thick cell wall, the saprophytic spores appear as cells with higher metabolic rate, containing more numerous mitochondria, a thinner cytoplasm, a highly developed endoplasmic reticulum, fewer lipid bodies and abundant large vacuoles as well as frequently a new wall layer.     

New data on the toxic and radioprotective effect of cysteine onEscherichia coli 15 T- cells

Summary Exponential phase cultures ofE. coli 15 T^- cells growing on glucosemineral medium were supplemented with 2 mM l-cysteine-HCl. The optical density, acid soluble SH (AS-SH) as well as the DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis of the cultures were examined during this treatment and after return to normal growth conditions. Similarly, the survival of cells irradiated by a standard X-ray dose in cysteine-free buffer was measured.The development of radioresistance during the cysteine treatment as well as the loss of this acquired radioresistance after return to normal growth conditions could be divided into two phases: a) an instantaneous and b) a slow change of radioresistance. Phase a seems to be related to the changes occurring in the AS-SH content of the bacteria, while phase b is apparently dependent on the alterations in the synthesis of macromolecules.This work was partly presented at the 6th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Radiation Biology, Interlaken 1968.     

Neue oder wenig bekannte Flechten in der Tschechoslowakei. I

Es werden 28 Arten von lichenisierten Fungi (Flechten) mit kritischen taxonomischen Hinweisen oder Ergänzungen zu den in der Literatur vorhandenen Beschreibungen, oft mit chorologischen Bemerkungen und Angaben über die ökologischen Verhältnisse ihrer Standorte angeführt, von denen die nachgenannten Arten und Namenskombinationen neu sind:Verrucaria scabra Vězda sp. n.,Geisleria xylophila Vězda sp. n.,Toninia steineri Poelt etVězda sp. n.,Pachyascus byssaceus (Vězda) Vězda comb. n. undMicarea gomphillacea (Nyl.) Vězda comb. n.