Growth, sporulation and toxin production byBacillus thuringiensis subsp.israelensis andB. sphaericus in media based on mustard-seed meal.

Bacillus thuringiensis subsp.israelensis andB. sphaericus strains 2362 and 1593 were grown in media based on defatted mustard-seed meal (MSM).

A modified bioassay for microbial mosquito larvicides.

The proposed bioassay-the grid assay-eliminates the influence of cannibalism while allowing recycling to take place. The LC50 values of the grid assay were intermediate to those of the group and the individual assay. The grid assay thus reflects the true toxicity values of the microbial pesticides being tested.

Differential cell behaviour on polylysine and gelatin in primary culture of mouse mammary adenocarcinoma.

Cells dissociated from spontaneous and transplanted tumours of C3HJax mammary gland have been cultured on polylysine and gelatin substrates. The isolated cells proliferated to form monolayers with high degree of organoid structure as indicated by formation of alveolar cavities. Differences were observed in the cell attachment, growth pattern, number and size of alveolar cavities, cells which lined the cavity and cell morphology on polylysine and gelatin substrates as compared to conventional cell culture plastic surface.

Isolation & characterization of angiogenic factors from cultured cells & conditioned media.

Angiogenic factors were isolated by ion exchange chromatography from three established cell lines viz., HEp 2, HeLa and CHO, a primary culture of mouse mammary adenocarcinoma and from conditioned media of HEp2 and cultured mammary adenocarcinoma cells. The angiogenic activity was assayed by chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay.

Production & formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis & B. sphaericus 1593.

Three fermentation media each for bulk growth of B. thuringiensis var. israelensis and B.

An antiserum to tumour angiogenesis factor: therapeutic approach to solid tumours.

Tumour angiogenesis factor (TAF) was extracted from mouse mammary adenocarcinoma (mma) and various human tumours. Its ability to induce neovascularisation was demonstrated using the mouse intradermal and the chick chorioallantoic membrane assays. Similar extracts from normal tissues fail to induce angiogenesis.

Growth & toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis.

Chemically defined media containing glutamic acid, glutamine and aspartic acid at a 20 mM concentration individually supported abundant growth and sporulation of Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis. The parasporal crystals produced in these media were toxic to fourth instar larvae of Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus Say. The medium containing 20 mM of glutamine induced early sporulation of B.

Isolation & characterization of tumour angiogenesis factor from solid tumours & body fluids from cancer patients.

Tumour angiogenesis factor (TAF) was isolated from malignant solid tumours (10) and from pleural and peritoneal fluids (10) collected from cancer patients. Normal tissues and body fluids from individuals with no clinical history of cancer did not show any detectable levels of TAF. Also, no angiogenic activity was detectable in the benign tumour samples studied (2).

Oxalate, formate, formamide, and methanol metabolism in Thiobacillus novellus.

Thiobacillus novellus was able to grow with oxalate, formate, formamide, and methanol as sole sources of carbon and energy. Extensive growth on methanol required yeast extract or vitamins. Glyoxylate carboligase was detected in extracts of oxalate-grown cells.

Purification and Some Biological Properties of Asparaginase from Azotobacter vinelandii.

Asparaginase was found in the soluble fraction of cells of Azotobacter vinelandii, and its activity remained the same during growth of the organism in a nitrogen-free medium. The specific activity and the yield of A. vinelandii increased twofold in the presence of ammonium sulfate.

Mode of action of a purified antitumor protein from the proteinaceous crystal of Baccillus thuringiensis subsp. thuringiensis on Yoshida ascites sarcoma cells.

A purified antitumor protein from the proteinaceous crystal of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. thuringiensis inhibits the growth of Yoshida ascites sarcoma both in vivo and in vitro. Exogenous respiration of the tumor cells was unaffected by the protein at a concentration as high as 500 mug/ml.

Purification and properties of an NADP+-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase from Rhizobium meliloti.

An NADP+-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase has been purified and characterized from Rhizobium meliloti. The enzyme showed Mn++ or Mg++ requirement. The apparent Km values were 2.

Oxalate and formate in Alcaligenes and Pseudomonas species.

Oxalate is metabolized by the glycerate pathway involving glyoxylate carboligase in Alcaligenes LOx and Pseudomonas KOx, and by the serine pathway involving hydroxypyruvate reductase in Ps.MOx and Ps.AM1 (var.

Isolation and characterization of some new oxalate-decomposing bacteria.

Forty-one cultures degrading and assimilating oxalate were isolated from chicken dung. Characterizarion indicated six different types. One of these belonged to thhe genus Alcaligenes hitherto never reported to degrade oxalte.