Bovine Bile Derivative Treatment for Cancer—A Critical Evaluation

Bovine bile derivative, a material reported to be effective in cancer chemotherapy, was administered to 31 patients with malignant disease. In 22 cases the results were considered evaluable. In one of the 22 there was a suggestion of antitumor response. In almost all patients diarrhea and phlebitis developed and in 11 these complications necessitated cessation of therapy.     

Highly repeated DNA sequences as phylogenetic markers among the galaginae

Highly repeated DNA sequences were investigated as potential phylogenetic indicators among five species of galagines. One lorisine, one cheirogaleid, and two lemurid species were also investigated as progressively more distant outgroups. The lorisids displayed strong conservatism with regard to these sequences, to the point where the galegine species proved difficult to differentiate. When restriction fragment differences were observed, the galagine species fell into two groups: one containing the greater galagos and G. alleni and the other comprising the lesser galagos. The sequences of the cheirogaleid Microcebus murinus were found to be highly species-specific, bearing little resemblance to those of the galagines or the lemurids. Common sequences detected between M. murinus and G. senegalensis may be ancient sequences shared by all strepsirhines. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effect of quinones on the photoelectric properties of chlorophylla-containing lipid bilayers

Summary A Mueller-Rudin lipid bilayer formed from egg lecithin, cholesteroln-decane, and chlorophylla when separating asymmetric solutions of oxidant and reductant is capable of developing both a photoconductance and a photovoltage when exposed to continuous light focused on the bilayer region. The incorporation of plastoquinones (PQ-5 or PQ-9) increases the dark and photoconductances up to twenty times. Other quinones and hydroquinones also increased the conductance. The role of pH gradients on the electrical conductivity is discussed in terms of proton and electron transfer across the membrane solution interfaces.     

Hummingbird incubation: Female attentiveness and egg temperature

Summary Incubating hummingbirds adjust nest attentiveness patterns in different habitats to permit both regulation of egg temperatures for embryonic development and foraging of the adult for positive energy balance. Anna's (Calype anna) and Black-chinned (Archilochus alexandri) Hummingbirds nesting in California chaparral left the nest six to nine times during each daylight hour. Eggs usually cooled only 3–6°C during absences but sometimes cooled up to 20°C during long absences. One Anna's Hummingbird became torpid for 4.5 h at night following a rainy day; the eggs survived cooling to 11°C and hatched two days later. A Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae) nesting in the California desert also left the nest several times per hour in early morning and late afternoon, but shaded the eggs almost continuously during the middle of the day. A Purple-crowned Fairy (Heliothryx barroti) in the warm lowland tropics of Panama left her eggs unattended for a few relatively long periods each day rather than many short periods as do temperate zone species. This pattern is typical of other tropical hummingbirds as well probably because equable ambient temperatures mean thermoregulation of eggs is not as critical a problem as it is in other habitats. In the temperate zone, hummingbirds exhibit behavioral adaptations (timing of reproduction, segmented foraging pattern) and physiological adaptations (torpor and hypothermia) for successful incubation. Embryonic development is successful even when egg temperatures fluctuate widely.     

Recognition by Population and Genetic Similarity in the Mountain Dusky Salamander,Desmognathus ochrophaeus (Amphibia: Plethodontidae)

Adult males and females of Desmognathus ochrophaeus were tested in two-choice substrate discrimination trials in which salamanders were given a choice of the marked substrates of opposite-sex individuals from their own population and from a geographically distinct population. Females exhibited a significant preference for the marked substrates of extrapopulation males, whereas there was no evidence that males made any such discrimination of the marked substrates of females. We suggest that females may utilize substrate cues to make initial assessments of potential mates. We compared data from substrate discrimination trials to random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles generated for each individual. There was no evidence that females made any distinction of substrate odours based on our assessment of genetic similarity. The estimated genetic differences between the two populations were minimal.     

Microbial spoilage of pre-cooked potato-topped pies

The ecological succession of bacteria which developed in pre-cooked potato-topped pies stored at two different temperatures was examined. Bacillus, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus-Micrococcus spp. were the predominant organisms isolated from freshly prepared pies and those stored at 4 degrees and 37 degrees C. None of these groups of bacteria caused significant biodeterioration of pies held at 4 degrees C, but all groups grew well in pies stored at 37 degrees C and achieved counts of ca 10(8)/g of sample. Bacillus spp. were the first group to grow, followed by Streptococcus and Staphylococcus-Micrococcus spp. Growth which occurred at 37 degrees C did so at the expense of glucose, lactate accumulated and the pH of pie components decreased. Amylase activity detected in all pie components during storage was associated with the growth of Bacillus spp. and probably supplemented glucose already present in pies, by hydrolytic cleavage of potato, flour or binder starches. Spoilage caused by growth and activity of the bacteria isolated was not associated with visual signs of biodeterioration, nor production of 'off' odour usually associated with spoilage of meats. These results suggest that pre-cooked potato-topped pies held at inappropriate temperatures represent a potential public health risk.