Purification and structural characterization of insulin from a caecilian, Typhlonectes natans (Amphibia: Gymnophiona)

Despite the important position of amphibia in phylogeny, efforts at the structural characterization of amphibian neurohormonal peptides have largely been confined to the Anurans (frogs and toads). Insulin was purified from an extract of the pancreas of the caecilian, Typhlonectes natans. The primary structure of the peptide was established as:

A-chain: Gly-Ile-Val-Glu-Lys⁵-Cys-Cys-Leu-Ser-Thr¹⁰-Cys-Ser-Leu-Tyr-Glu¹⁵-Leu-Glu-Ser-Tyr-Cys²⁰-Asn

B-chain: Ile-Ala-Asn-Gln-His⁵-Leu-Cys-Gly-Ser-His¹⁰-Leu-Val-Glu-Ala-Leu¹⁵-Tyr-Leu-Val-Cys-Ala²⁰-Asp-Arg-Gly-Phe- Phe²⁵-Tyr-Thr-Pro-Lys-Ser³⁰

This amino acid sequence contains several unusual substitutions (Gln → Lys at A5, His → Leu at A8, Gln → Glu at A15, and Gly → Ala at B20) that are not present in other amphibian insulins. The structure of insulin appears to be less well conserved among the different orders of amphibia, compared with reptiles and birds.     

Skeletal changes associated with vascular malformations

Five hundred and eighty birthmarks were reviewed; 356 were hemangiomas and 224 were malformations. Bony alterations occurred in association with only 1 percent of hemangiomas, in contrast with 34 percent of patients with vascular malformations. These alterations in bone development were classified according to size, shape, and density changes. Hypertrophy and distortion were typical of lymphatic malformations. Hypoplasia and demineralization were characteristic findings in the extremity venous malformations. Destructive and intraosseous changes were more commonly noted in the arterial or high-flow lesions. Possible mechanisms of altered skeletal growth include mechanical, physiological, and developmental processes.     

Snow-patch foraging by pink-footed geese Anser brachyrhynchus in south Iceland

The pre-nesting feeding behaviour of pink-footed geese was studied in hayfields in southern Iceland during the late spring of 1989. Persistent snow-patches protected underlying grass from the effects of severe night-time frost. Areas within 1 m of snow-patches had significantly greater amounts of green material than those further away; green material contained more than double the protein of brown, dead material, which predominated in open fields. Geese spent nearly 60 times more time feeding within 1 m of snow patches than expected by chance, and 20 times more time within 2–5 m. Their feeding rates here were faster and their step rate slower than further away. In this way, the geese selected the prime forage as soon as it became available.     

Antimicrobial activity of some alkyl esters of gallic acid (3,4,5,-trihydroxybenzoic acid) against Escherichia coli NCTC 5933 with particular reference to n-propyl gallate

The growth inhibitory and bactericidal activities of eight alkyl esters of gallic acid towards Escherichia coli NCTC 5933 have been determined. A previously suggested role for gallic acid and its esters as shikimate antimetabolites could not be substantiated. No induction of gross changes in cell morphology was observed. Bactericidal activity was accompanied only be very slight leakage of general ionic materials from the bacteria. Propyl gallate did not appear to uncouple oxidative phosphorylation from respiration as indicated by its failure to stimulate proton translocation across the cytoplasmic membrane.     

Genetic analysis of X-linked mutagen-sensitive mutants of Drosophila melanogaster

Mutants at 2 new loci which control mutagen-sensitivity are described. Mutants at both loci are female-sterile and are hypersensitive to killing by MMS; neither increases the frequency of sex-linked recessive lethals. A screen of previously described female-sterile and meotic mutants has revealed that a number of these are also sensitive to mutagens. In addition, several new mutants have been identified on the basis of sensitivity to either HN2 or MMS. An anlysis of complementation data suggests that all of the X-linked genes controlling sensitivity to MMS may now have been identified. Among the new mei-41 alleles are mutants which show verly little meiotic nondisjunction or loss. Cytogenetic mapping of previously known mutants is also described. The mutants mus(1)104^D1 and mei-41^D5 are located in th eregion 14B13±?14D1,2 on the polytene chromosome map, and they map very close to each other genetically. Cytogenetically mus(1)101^D1 is between salivary chromosome bands 12A6,7 and 12D3, mus(1)103^D1 is between bands 12A1,2 and 12A6,7, and mus(1)-109^A1 is in section 8F3-9A2.     

Effects of ion-pairing on calculations of ionic activities of major ions in freshwater

Ion-pairing has little effect on ionic activity calculations for weakly mineralized natural water (ionic strength < 2 mM). However, for more strongly mineralized freshwaters, corrections for ion-pairing are necessary if highly accurate ionic activities are required.