Scientific research partnership: north-south and south-south.

Scientific research can contribute much to solving many urgent global problems. However, research must be conducted in a global context and, in particular, must be extended to the countries of the South. If this is to be done, the research capacities of those countries must be considerably expanded and consolidated.

Purification and characterization of three alpha 2-antiplasmin and alpha 2-macroglobulin inactivating enzymes from the venom of the Mexican west coast rattlesnake (Crotalus basiliscus).

Three distinct alpha 2PI (alpha 2-antiplasmin) degrading and alpha 2M (alpha 2-macroglobulin) inhibiting enzymes, named proteinase a, b and c, have been purified from the venom of Crotalus basiliscus (the Mexican west coast rattlesnake) by fast protein liquid chromatography (anion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography). SDS-PAGE revealed that proteinase a and b had similar mol. wts (approximately 23,500), whereas proteinase c displayed a mol.

Purification and characterization of an antithrombin III inactivating enzyme from the venom of the African night adder (Causus rhombeatus).

A serine proteinase was isolated from the venom of the night adder (Causus rhombeatus) by fast protein liquid chromatography (anion-exchange, gel filtration and hydrophobic interaction). The protein (termed CR-serpinase) had an estimated mol. wt of 45,500 as determined by SDS-PAGE, pI of 4.

Antigenic relationship between the venom of the night adder Causus maculatus and venoms of other viperids.

Monovalent antivenoms were raised in mice against the venoms of Causus maculatus, Vipera ammodytes, Echis carinatus, Cerastes cerastes, Bitis arietans, Agkistrodon rhodostoma and Bothrops atrox. These antivenoms as well as four commercially available antivenoms were tested against the venoms of 15 viperid species by means of immunoelectrophoresis and/or ELISA. Cross-reactive protein bands were determined by immunoblot.

Agricultural production in Kikwawila village, southeastern Tanzania.

Food production, land utilisation and agricultural structures were surveyed at Kikwawila village, north of Ifakara (Kilombero District, Morogoro Region) in 1984. This study was part of a more comprehensive, longitudinal programme to investigate the health status of a rural community, aiming in particular at the interrelations between nutrition, parasitic infections, immunity and the environment. Out of 340 households, 100 were interviewed and their subsistence farming activities recorded.