Papers by Milton Wainwright
Soils exposed to atmospheric pollution from a coking works were more acidic and contained higher ... more Soils exposed to atmospheric pollution from a coking works were more acidic and contained higher concentrations of S-oxides and higher numbers of S-oxidising micro-organisms than did similar, but unpollutedt, soils. Transfer of unpolluted soil to the polluted site resulted in an increase in S-oxidising micro-organisms and S-oxides in these soils, and to decreases in soil pH and the number of heterotrophic bacteria. Transfer of polluted soil to the unpolluted site did not, however, result in a marked increase in soil pH, or in a change to more normal concentrations of S-oxides and numbers of S-oxidising micro-organisms. The fact that the concentration of S-oxides in the polluted soil did not fall when removed from exposure to the effluent indicates that internal microbial oxidation accounts to some extent for the higher concentration of Soxides and lower pH found in polluted soil. The results suggest that without treatment, the brown earth soils studied here would not rapidly recover once the source of the pollution had been removed, either by effluent clean-up or plant closure. . t The term unpolluted site is relative as this site receives SO z but not coke oven derived gases or particulates. 121 Environ. Pollut. Ser. A. 0143-1471/84/$03.00
The conceptual boundaries of life are rapidly expanding far beyond the confines of our planet to ... more The conceptual boundaries of life are rapidly expanding far beyond the confines of our planet to encompass an ever-widening region of the universe. Complex organic molecules in interstellar dust and comets appear most plausibly to be biologically derived, or at least closely related spectroscopically and structurally to such material. A de novo origin of life from non-living material is reckoned to have so minuscule a probability that its occurrence once in the universe can be considered miracle enough. The widespread distribution of similar material (e.g with the characteristics of the diffuse infrared bands and 2175 absorption features) throughout the galaxy and in external galaxies adds weight to the theory of panspermia, where it is supposed that the components of life at a generic level are readily transferred from one place to another. Spectroscopic evidence consistent with life extends to redshifts z=0.5, and from elemental abundance studies alone (e.g, of C, O and metals) in distant galaxies the possibility of cosmic life extends to redshifts as high as z=3.
Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 2004
During the Second World War, the Germans and their Axis partners could only produce relatively sm... more During the Second World War, the Germans and their Axis partners could only produce relatively small amounts of penicillin, certainly never enough to meet their military needs; as a result, they had to rely upon the far less effective sulfonamides. One physician who put penicillin to effective use was Hitler's doctor, Theodore Morell. Morell treated the Führer with penicillin on a number of occasions, most notably following the failed assassination attempt in July 1944. Some of this penicillin appears to have been captured from, or inadvertently supplied by, the Allies, raising the intriguing possibility that Allied penicillin saved Hitler's life.
Medical Hypotheses, 2000
An extensive historical literature exists suggesting that bacteria and other non-virus microorgan... more An extensive historical literature exists suggesting that bacteria and other non-virus microorganisms cause cancer. Much of this literature stresses the likely involvement of highly pleomorphic bacteria in carcinogenesis. Pleomorphic bacteria exhibit a variety of morphological types, some of which are identical to other bacteria. In particular, bacteria that can express more than one morphology, including that normally associated with common species of Staphylococcus, have frequently been isolated from cancers. Not surprisingly, this has led to considerable confusion and ridicule. The literature linking highly pleomorphic bacteria with carcinogenesis is presented here in an attempt to add weight to the view that bacteria, notably those expressing the morphology of common species of staphylococci, cause cancer.
Medical Hypotheses, 2003
A highly pleomorphic bacterium, isolated from a canine mammary tumour was found to share many cha... more A highly pleomorphic bacterium, isolated from a canine mammary tumour was found to share many characteristics with recently described cancer-related bacteria and with the Glover organism, a historically important ‘cancer germ’. We suggest that both the Glover organism, and possibly other cancer-related bacteria, are likely to be a strain of the highly pleomorphic bacterium, Bacillus licheniformis.
Perspectives in biology and medicine, 2002
It is often suggested that, soon after he discovered penicillin, Alexander Fleming lost interest ... more It is often suggested that, soon after he discovered penicillin, Alexander Fleming lost interest in what became the most important of all the antibiotics. Fleming's notebooks, however, show that he continued working with penicillin throughout the 1930s, even to the point when Florey and Chain became interested in it. During this period, Fleming isolated new airborne molds and checked them for their ability to produce antibacterial agents, and he also investigated other examples of microbial antagonism, such as bacteriophages. Unfortunately, none of this work was published. What follows is a simulation, based largely upon Fleming's notebooks, of a paper that he might have written in early 1940. This version of "Fleming's Unfinished" should once and for all dismiss the view that he failed fully to recognize the significance of his famous discovery.
Mycological Research, 1997
Mycelium grew from a spore-mycelial inoculum of Aspergillus oryzae added to ultra-pure water (upw... more Mycelium grew from a spore-mycelial inoculum of Aspergillus oryzae added to ultra-pure water (upw) containing silicon compounds, but did not grow in upw alone. Growth of other fungi also occurred in upw only when silicon compounds were added. Increased growth of A. oryzae, and other fungi, also followed the addition of silicic acid and other silicon compounds to Czapek Dox. Aspergillus oryzae solubilized silicon compounds in both upw and nutrient-rich media. Although interactions between microorganisms and silicon have been generally neglected, the results show that silicon compounds can increase fungal growth under both oligotrophic and nutrient-rich conditions.
Biocontrol Science and Technology, 1994
Prior to the advent of antibiotics, live organisms were used directly in attempts to control micr... more Prior to the advent of antibiotics, live organisms were used directly in attempts to control microbial infections and cure cancers. Examples of such biological control included bacteriotherapy, bacteriophage therapy, malaria therapy, probiotics and the use of living maggots. In all cases, the organisms themselves, rather than products of their metabolism, were used as the potentially curative agents. The history of
Mycological Research, 1994
Particles of various woodland soils were placed on to the surface of nutrient-free silica gel and... more Particles of various woodland soils were placed on to the surface of nutrient-free silica gel and incubated at 25 O C anaerobically in an atmosphere of CO, or CO, + Hz. Fine fungal mycelium grew from the soil particles on to the nutrient-free silica gel incubated in both atmospheres. Although all particles did not yield mycelium, fungal growth was produced from all soils, most frequently those from below beech (Fagus sylvatica ). The anaerobic fungus grew both aerobically or anaerobically on Czapek Dox agar and was identified as Fusarium solani.
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Papers by Milton Wainwright