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Four siblings have been described with similar onset and progression of intrahepatic cholestasis. Pruritus at 3 to 5 months was the presenting manifestation and was accompanied by jaundice, an enlarged abdomen, bilirubinuria, and occasional light stools. Liver enlargement, retarded growth, and mild mental retardation have been present in all. The elevation of the serum bilirubin is predominantly of the conjugated fraction and is associated with increased serum alkaline phosphatase, transaminases, cholesterol, and alteration of the electrophoretic pattern of the proteins, with elevation of the α2 and β globulin fractions. Liver biopsies have been characterized by bile stasis in the presence of bile ducts. Two of the children show hepatic fibrosis which appears to be progressive and irreversible. Aside from one aunt with cholangitis and cholangiolitis, there are no family members with liver disease. Autosomal recessive inheritance is suggested.

Summary Genetic and physical evidence indicates that the Pseudomonas aeruginosa drug resistance factor, RP1, may promote the transfer of Escherichia coli histidine genes. The RP1 mobilized histidine genes are functionally expressed in diverse Salmonella typhimurium and P . aeruginosa histidine auxotrophs. The histidine operon — RP1 complex may be transferred back to E. coli strains from Pseudomonas .

Rats were infected with pneumococci in an attempt to find a model for study of changes in concentration of electrolyte which occur in human disease. Experimental empyema succeeded in producing changes similar to those seen in man in most of the animals. Study of the tissue, utilizing chloride space calculations showed a loss of sodium content from muscle and an increased intracellular space. The excess water had endogenous (metabolic) origin but was not excreted despite a low solute concentration in serum. Some of the animals showed only slight drops in concentration of sodium. In this group the urine output was considerably higher than in the others and the uninfected controls.

The presence of lipase in 56 extremely halophilic bacteria was studied by using a plate method with Tweens 20, 40, and 80 as substrates for the enzyme. Thirty-five strains were positive and 21 were negative. Halobacterium salinarium did not hydrolyze any of the Tweens tested. H. cutirubrum hydrolyzed Tween 20 and 40. Micrococcus morrhuae hydrolyzed all Tweens tested. The application of lipase in halobacteria as a taxonomical character was emphasized, and its role in the spoilage of fatty products was considered.

The diverse pattern of adaptation of body physiology to infections remains poorly understood and presents a challenging field for investigation. The present study is concerned with certain common electrolyte derangements. A review of the literature on the disturbances of water and electrolyte balance in patients suffering from acute febrile diseases shows that maximum interest in this problem was manifest during the 1920's and early 1930's. Changes in water balance, chloride levels of serum and urine, freezing point depression, and other physiological parameters were carefully studied in patients suffering from pneumococcal lobar pneumonia. A typical picture was outlined as characterized by water retention,1-4with fall in the concentration of chloride and total "fixed base" in serum,5,6and diminished freezing point depression3,7throughout the precritical period, followed by return to normal values after the crisis. Similar low concentrations were recorded for other serum electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium, and