Bacillus sp. WW3-SN6, a novel facultatively alkaliphilic bacterium isolated from the washwaters of edible olives.

A novel Gram-positive facultatively alkaliphilic, sporulating, rod-shaped bacterium, designated as WW3-SN6, has been isolated from the alkaline washwaters derived from the preparation of edible olives. The bacterium is nonmotile, and flagella are not observed. It is oxidase positive and catalase negative.

Toward a molecular understanding of cold activity of enzymes from psychrophiles.

Despite the fact that a much greater proportion of the earth environment is cold rather than hot, much less is known about psychrophilic, cold-adapted microorganisms compared with thermophiles living at high temperatures. In particular, investigation of the molecular basis of cold-active enzymes from psychrophiles has only recently received concerted research attention, in measure as a result of the EC-funded project COLDZYME. This research effort has been stimulated by the realization that such cold-active enzymes offer novel opportunities for biotechnological exploitation.

Influence of dietary osteolathyrogens on the eggshell quality of laying hens.

1. Laying hens were fed osteolathyrogens, either semicarbazide hydrochloride at 0.3 or 0.

Molecular adaptations in psychrophilic bacteria: potential for biotechnological applications.

Bacteria which live in cold conditions are known as psychrophiles. Since so much of our planet is generally cold, i.e.

Comparison of selection based on phenotype, selection index and best linear unbiased prediction using data from a closed broiler line.

1. Selection based on three methods of estimating breeding values, Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP), selection index (SI), and phenotype (SP) were compared for three traits, juvenile body weight (JW), percentage breast meat yield (BM) and hen-day rate of egg production (EP) using records provided by a commercial broiler breeding company. 2.

Influence of dietary osteolathyrogens on the ultrastructure of shell and membranes of eggs from laying hens.

1. Laying hens were fed osteolathyrogens, either semicarbazide hydrochloride at 0.3 g/kg or beta-aminopropionitrile fumarate at 0.

Is spiritual healing a valid and effective therapy?

This paper briefly reviews the evidence supporting the reality of healing as a scientifically-attested phenomenon, the techniques and mechanisms of healing and the potential value of this therapy if it were developed and integrated into the medical services. The need for further extensive research is indicated and strategies for such research are suggested.

Expression, organisation and structure of the genes encoding the waxy protein (granule-bound starch synthase) in wheat.

A full-length cDNA clone representing the waxy protein (GBSSI) isolated from a hexaploid wheat developing grain cDNA library has been used to characterise the organisation and expression of the waxy genes in wheat. The genes are organised as a triplicate set of single copy homeoloci on chromosome arms 4AL, 7AS and 7DS. The genes are active throughout grain filling where the main 2.

Xenobiotic triacylglycerol formation in isolated hepatocytes.

The formation of neutral lipophilic metabolites from five xenobiotic carboxylic acids was studied in isolated rat hepatocytes. Oleic acid was used as a positive control. Rates of formation of lipids lay in the order: oleic acid greater than phytanic acid greater than ibuprofen greater than 3-phenoxybenzoic acid greater than indomethacin and 3-phenylbutanoic acid (rates were undetectable with the last two substrates).

Incorporation of xenobiotic carboxylic acids into lipids.

Over thirty-six different xenobiotic carboxylic acids have been reported to form xenobiotic lipids. The majority form triacylglycerol analogs or cholesterol esters with fewer reports of polar lipids being formed. As yet there is insufficient information to deduce a relationship between the structure of the xenobiotic acid and its activity as a substrate for lipid biosynthesis, although the ability to form a CoA ester appears to be important.

Alternative sulphur donors for detoxification of cyanide in the chicken.

1. Urinary excretion of thiocyanate by hens after dosage with cyanide was studied over 3 hr periods during which various sulphur sources were infused. 2.

Reduced selenium status in chicks given diets low in sulphur-containing amino acids and containing sodium nitroprusside as a source of cyanide.

1. Two experiments were carried out to study the effect of dietary cyanide, given in the form of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), on the growth and selenium status of chicks fed on diets low in sulphur-containing amino acids. 2.

Sodium nitroprusside, a convenient source of dietary cyanide for the study of chronic cyanide toxicity.

1. The suitability of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) as a source of dietary cyanide has been tested with growing chicks and with hens by measuring plasma or urinary thiocyanate; the major detoxication product of cyanide. 2.

Effect of dietary sodium nitroprusside as a source of cyanide on the selenium status of chicks given diets of varying selenium concentration.

1. The interaction between dietary cyanide, given in the form of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and selenium has been studied in two experiments with growing chicks from 14 to 38 d of age. 2.

The use of two populations of hepatocytes with different triacylglycerol contents as a model to study the accumulation of liver lipid in the laying hen.

(1) A method has been developed to separate hepatocytes, isolated from laying hens, according to their densities, using discontinuous density-gradient centrifugation on Nycodenz. (2) The hepatocytes recovered from the interface of the 5% and 10% Nycodenz layers were rich in triacylglycerol and were termed 'fatty' hepatocytes: 'non-fatty' hepatocytes were obtained from the interface of the 15% and 30% Nycodenz layers and contained less than one-quarter as much triacylglycerol. (3) 'Fatty' hepatocytes incorporated radiolabelled glucose and glycerol into total lipid at more than twice the rate of 'non-fatty' cells: the corresponding increases in the incorporation of radiolabelled choline and valine into phospholipid and protein respectively were smaller and not statistically significant.

Effects of age and diet on the lipid content and composition of gallbladder bile, liver and serum in laying strains of hen.

1. Changes in lipid content and composition of liver and bile during pre- and post-laying periods were investigated in hens of a laying strain. 2.

Environmentally Induced Changes in the Cell Walls of Tomato Leaves in Relation to Cell and Protoplast Release.

Factors involved in the isolation of protoplasts from the leaves of tomato plants grown over a wide range of environmental conditions have been studied. Increases in calcium pectate in summer grown ("hard") plants are suggested as a barrier to cell wall degradation. A one-step method involving the addition of sodium citrate to pectinase plus cellulase gives high yield of protoplasts from hard plants.

The effects of 3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid on the oxidation of IAA and auxin-induced ethylene production by cress root segments.

In previous research here, 3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid (DIHB) was shown to promote the elongation of roots of cress (Lepidium sativum) seedlings growing in light, and to inhibit the auxin-induced production of ethylene in this tissue. Although DIHB is a cofactor for the oxidation of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) by horse-radish peroxidase, it inhibits the decarboxylation of [1-(14)C]IAA by segments excised from cress roots. The inhibition by DIHB of ethylene production by this tissue does not, therefore, arise from a reduction of IAA levels.

The role of the root cap in the response of the primary roots of Zea mays L. seedlings to white light and to gravity.

Investigations into the relationship between the light-induced inhibition of root elongation and the response of Zea mays primary roots to gravity have revealed a close similarity between growth-inhibiting factor(s) produced in response to both stimuli. Evidence is presented that the inhibiting factor(s) produced in the root cap on exposure to white light can be used by the root to produce curvature in response to gravitational stimulation in darkness, i.e.

Ethylene production by cress roots and excised cress root segments and its inhibition by 3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid.

3,5-Diiodo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid (DIHB) has been shown to exert an inhibitory effect on the formation of ethylene by the roots of intact cress Lepidium sativum seedlings in light, and by excised cress root segments. Adding IAA to the culture solution greatly promoted ethylene production, which was suppressed by DIHB. The findings together with results obtained with dinitrophenol (DNP), L-methionine and L-ethionine and also the horseradish peroxidase/methional system of Yang are discussed.