Quality evaluation of highly purified human menopausal gonadotropin preparations by means of gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.

Human gonadotropins are glycoprotein hormones with a highly complex structure, which demands the application of sophisticated analytical methodologies to assess their quality. The principal objective of this study was a comparative evaluation of gel electrophoretic techniques and mass spectrometry-based methods for the quality study of the two urinary-derived, highly purified, human menopausal gonadotropin preparations, Menopur 75/75 I. U.

Biomechanical properties of fishing lines of the glowworm Arachnocampa luminosa (Diptera; Keroplatidae).

Animals use adhesive secretions in highly diverse ways, such as for settlement, egg anchorage, mating, active or passive defence, etc. One of the most interesting functions is the use of bioadhesives to capture prey, as the bonding has to be performed within milliseconds and often under unfavourable conditions. While much is understood about the adhesive and biomechanical properties of the threads of other hunters such as spiders, barely anything is documented about those of the New Zealand glowworm Arachnocampa luminosa.

Characterization of the Fishing Lines in Titiwai (=Arachnocampa luminosa Skuse, 1890) from New Zealand and Australia.

Animals use adhesive secretions in a plethora of ways, either for attachment, egg anchorage, mating or as either active or passive defence. The most interesting function, however, is the use of adhesive threads to capture prey, as the bonding must be performed within milliseconds and under unsuitable conditions (movement of prey, variable environmental conditions, unfavourable attack angle, etc.) to be nonetheless successful.