Resistance to suppression by dexamethasone of plasma 11-O.H.C.S. levels in severe depressive illness

Use of the midnight dexamethasone suppression test showed that the plasma 11-hydroxycorticosteroid (11-O.H.C.S.) level did not undergo its normal reduction in 14 out of 27 patients with severe depression. Resistance to dexamethasone suppression correlated with the clinical rating of the severity of depression, while recovery from depression was associated with return of normal responsiveness to dexamethasone. The explanation of these findings is unknown.

Survey of the U.S. Gulf Coast for the presence of Clostridium botulinum

In sediments and animals collected during warm weather months between Key West, Fla., and Brownsville, Tex., Clostridium botulinum, predominantly type E, was demonstrable. Incidence was somewhat higher in the eastern Gulf animals, but the organism was present to the southernmost limits of both Texas and Florida. Types A and F were never detected in warm weather. No bottom type or any single species seemed exclusively vulnerable. In samples collected during colder weather, the east-west incidence differential was minimized in animals but not in sediments, overall incidence was lowered, all known types were present, and type E no longer predominated. Detection by fluorescent-antibody techniques was found to be inadequate.

Spore germination and vegetative growth of Clostridium botulinum type E in synthetic media

A synthetic medium supporting growth of Clostridium botulinum type E, strain D8, from spore inocula was devised. The effects of single amino acid deletions or additions were studied. Certain of these were inhibitory, but none completely suppressed germination or subsequent vegetative growth. Spore germinations in solutions of single amino acids were also studied. Germination in some of these was delayed but it did occur in all cases.The effects of single vitamin omissions were followed from spore germination to growth maxima. Such deletions were essentially ineffectual.Additions of nucleic acids to the medium were somewhat stimulatory. Early growth curves approximated controls but maxima were superior to those of controls. The addition of purine or pyrimidine bases or pentose sugars did not greatly influence growth. Thymine or deoxyribose delayed spore germination.Additions of selected acids associated with lipids, or currently or historically with food preservation, were often detrimental but never completely inhibitory. The addition of citric and (or) lactic acid to the medium permitted toxin formation.