The impact of oil-derived products on the behaviour and biochemistry of the eleven-armed asteroid Coscinasterias muricata (Echinodermata).

The present study examines the impact of exposure to oil-derived products on the behaviour and physiology of the Australian 11-armed asteroid Coscinasterias muricata. Asteroids were exposed to dilutions of water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of Bass Strait stabilised crude oil, dispersed oil or burnt oil (n = 8) for 4 days whereby, prey-localisation behaviour was examined immediately after exposure, and following 2, 7, and 14 days depuration in clean seawater. The prey-localisation behaviour of asteroids exposed to WAF and dispersed oil was significantly affected though recovery was apparent following 7 and 14 days depuration, respectively.

Glutathione transferases and glutathione-binding proteins of termites: purification and characterisation.

Termites have an important role in the cycling of carbon and trace elements in the biosphere through their degradation of wood, grasses and humus. Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are detoxication enzymes found in all organisms; GSTs are known to protect insects from the toxic effects of plant chemicals and pesticides. The activities and characteristics of termite GSTs were investigated in three Australian termite families.

Acute haemodynamic and hormonal effects of oral doxazosin in normal subjects.

Haemodynamic and hormonal effects of doxazosin, a long-acting alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist (2 mg) were compared with placebo in six normal men. Doxazosin at 2 mg produced lower supine systolic blood pressure and plasma cortisol concentration than control at 4 h only, but these changes were not sustained. Both supine and standing pulse rate were increased by active drug after 6 h.

Potential functions of plasma prorenin; regional activation and tissue extraction.

The fate of circulating inactive prorenin was examined in patients and volunteers. Prorenin was activated either by acid-dialysis with warming at pH 3.3 or with trypsin.