~ ~Four Gram-positive bacteria have been isolated from separate soil samples by enrichment culture with acetone as sole source of carbon. Whole cells of all strains grown on acetone rapidly oxidized acetone, acetol and methylglyoxal, and three of the four also oxidized isopropanol. The patterns of induced enzymes in cell extracts are compatible with the oxidation sequence : isopropanol -+ acetone -+ acetol -+ methylglyoxal -+ pyruvate. Although an enzyme system capable of converting acetone into acetol has not been detected, the inclusion of acetol in the pathway is supported by the results of studies with whole cells and [14C]acetone. The proposed pathway of acetone metabolism is contrasted with evidence for an alternative, but not fully understood, pathway used by Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5. I N T R O D U C T I O NAlthough several groups have studied acetone degradation by animals and microorganisms, the precise metabolic routes involved and the nature of the carbon fragments that enter the central metabolic pathways are still unclear. Sakami & Lafaye (1951) and Rudney (1954) reported studies with the rat which indicated a cleavage of acetone metabolites to yield acetate and formate while pyruvate and lactate were formed directly. Studies with micro-organisms have also indicated the probable cleavage of the acetone carbon skeleton into organic C, and Cz fragments. Early work (Supniewski, 1923 ;Goepfert, 1941) indicated the formation of formate and formaldehyde by species of Bacillus and Fusarium. The oxidation of acetone by a soil diphtheroid (Levine & Krampitz, 1952) yielded acetaldehyde and a C, fragment. Vestal & Perry (1969) showed that acetone was an intermediate in propane metabolism by Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5 and that further metabolism yielded acetate and C02, resulting in the induction of isocitrate lyase (EC 4.1.3.1) in propane-grown cells. Lukins & Foster (1963) have, like others, provided evidence that acetol (1-hydroxyacetone) is an intermediate in acetone degradation. However, in their studies with Mycobacterium smegmatis, they presented no clear evidence to indicate how acetol is further metabolized.Previous workers have relied heavily on whole-cell oxidation studies and radiochemical techniques. In this study, extracts have also been used to investigate the enzymology of a number of isolates grown with acetone and related compounds as sole sources of carbon. A route for the conversion of acetone into a central metabolic pathway intermediate is proposed. M E T H O D SBacterial strains. Strains A1 and A2 were obtained from Aberystwyth soil and estuarine mud (Penarth), respectively, by elective culture with acetone (0.2 %, viv) as sole source of carbon. Strains SAl and SPl were obtained by elective culture with acetone and isopropanol, respectively, from soil samples taken in the

We outline the history of the UK Liberal Democratic Party (LibDem) and the context of the 2001 UK General Election and show how the strategy for the General Election campaign evolved within the party. The article traces the presentation of Charles Kennedy MP as the new leader of the Liberal Democrats, the allocation of campaign resources and key events impacting upon the campaign. Particular consideration is given to the branding aspects of the leader role and the interaction between the party and leader in establishing the public perception of the LibDem brand.

Niccolo Machiavelli is introduced and used as a guide to some of the key issues facing modern business and government. Machiavelli's morality and philosophy is explored and reflected upon. Insights into the realities of power and decision making are used to reflect on the emergence of the modern public affairs industry. Key lessons are suggested for success. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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