Female Leg Research Articles

A new species of Acartia (Copepoda, Calanoida) from the Yellow Sea

A new species (Acartia hongi) of Acartia (family Acartiidae) predominating in the Korean coastal waters of the Yellow Sea is described. This species closely resembles Acartia bifilosa, from which it can be easily distinguished by the co-occurrence of the following morphological characters: the absence of rostral filaments in both genders; the terminal spine on the female fifth leg toothed only on the inner side; the first exopodal segment of the male right fifth leg with a long seta; the distal segment of the male left fifth leg with a rod-like appendage. Its distribution was discussed in compari- son with two sibling species, Acartia omorii and Acartia hudsonica.

Food-based Classification of Eating Episodes (FBCE)

The concept for categorization of eating episodes in dietary surveys was originally developed in studies of shift workers to compare “meal patterns” between night and day work shifts. The concept has been further improved through experience from applications in dietary surveys in other populations. In this paper, results from categorization of eating episodes in shift workers, elderly women and men during life transition periods, elderly female leg ulcer patients and obese men and their lean controls are shown and discussed. The categorization concept is based on seven food categories with food items of similar nutrient characteristics within each category. Each eating event is categorized as any of four types of “meals” or four types of “snacks” due to its combination of food categories. Thus, categorization is based on visible properties (food types) but at the same time reflecting invisible properties (nutrients). Criteria is also established to sub-categorize the “meal” types as being either “prepared” or “quick-prepared” from a behavioural perspective. Use of a defined and reliable concept for categorization is necessary to study eating episodes in dietary surveys, their determinants and also consequences on health and performance. Nocturnal eating during the circadian nadir might affect nutritional status. Since increasingly western populations appear to be moving from regular and planned meals to more episodic eating “around the clock”, such analyses are of increasing interest in a bio-social perspective.

Ocorrência e morfologia de glândulas nas pernas de Centris e Epicharis (Hymenoptera, Anthophoridae)

The presence of glands in insect legs is largely difunded. In bees they are present in solitary and social species. In Centris and Epicharis three different types of glandular structures were found: bag-shaped structures in males femur and tibia, unicelular glandular cells in ali segments of all leg pairs in males and females, but more developed in females, and differentiated epidermis in the basitarsus of both sexes. The tarsal gland present in the distal tarsomere of all legs of males and females are a special type of the bag-shaped structure. The nature of secretion and it use is unknow, but some morphological and stainning properties indicate a lipidic nature.

Platycopia compacta n. sp., the Second Species of Platycopioida (Crustacea: Copepoda) in the Indo-Pacific Region, with Remarks on Development, Feeding, Swimming, and Zoogeography

Platycopia compacta new species (Copepoda: Platycopioida) is described from the hyperbenthic zone in the Tokara Islands, southern Japan. This is the second species of the order in the Indo-Pacific region, and the eighth species of the genus. The present new species is distinguishable from the closely related P. inornata from the Bahamas by (1) the formation of allobasis in the antenna; (2) two unequal setae on the basal exite of the maxillule; (3) the intermaxillipedal process with only 3 pairs of prominences at tip; (4) the fusion of the coxa and basis in leg 3; and (5) the fusion of the second and third endopod segments in female legs 3-5. Copepodid stages III, V, and VI are compared with those of P. orientalis collected from Okinawa, and differ in the developmental patterns of the antennule and legs. The presence of an intermaxillipedal process and gut content analysis revealed that Platycopia is carnivorous. The armature of legs 2-5 of the hyperbenthic genus Platycopia is stouter than that of cavernicolous platycopioids, which indicates that Platycopia may penetrate into loose sediment, whereas the latter group might be more adapted to pelagic life. The horizontal distribution of the genus Platycopia apparently exhibits a full Tethyan track.

Female leg 4 development in Laophontidae (Harpacticoida): a juvenile adaptation to precopulatory behaviour

Development of postmaxillipedal appendages in harpacticoid copepods is in general identical in both sexes. Exceptions are minor and result merely in secondary sexually dimorphic structures of the endopodites. From the third copepodid stage on, females of several laophontid species develop an entirely different leg 4 exopodite than in males. Whereas the male leg has a normal morphology, the female leg appears as a large flattened and sturdily sclerified structure. This structure remains present until copepodid V but is drastically reshaped during the terminal moult resulting in a normally ornamented and segmented adult leg. Thus far, the family Laophontidae is the only harpacticoid taxon of which it is known that adult males clasp the 4th or 5th leg of subadult females during mate guarding. The curious shape of leg 4 in subadult females is considered as a juvenile adaptation of the original developmental pattern to facilitate clasping by the adult males. Within the family this juvenile adaptation evolved from a simple anchorage for the male antennulae to a highly advanced morphological complex indicating that it functions as a specific mate recognition system (SMRS).

Acartia bifilosa (Copepoda: Calanoida): a clarification of the species and its varieties inermis and intermedia

Adults of the calanoid copepod Acartia bifilosa and the varieties inermis and intermedia are examined and described. This study brings to light discrepancies in the available keys to all these forms. Individuals previously reported and also deposited in museum collections as A.bifilosa var. inermis and var. intermedia are shown to be similar to A.bifilosa with respect to characteristics previously used for classification. Acartia bifilosa and its varieties were shown to possess setules on the dorsal side of female and male urosomes, although there was great variation in the size and position of these. The fifth legs (P5) of adult males and females were very similar in all individuals examined, regardless of how they were previously classified, although the original descriptions are generally inadequate or misleading. These results bring into doubt the arguments used by Rose (1929) to report A.bifilosa var. inermis . A single unified species, A.bifilosa (Giesbrecht), is suggested here, with some of the variation in its form being detailed. We believe errors may have occurred because of the angle from which features were previously examined, and because some of the features could be missed using light microscopy.

The Meligethes of the M. pubescens species-group from Southern Africa (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae, Meligethinae)

AbstractThe known Southern African species of the pubescens species-group in the genus Meligethes Stephens, 1830, are revised. A diagnosis of the M. pubescens species-group is given and eight new species are described from South Africa, Namibia and Botswana: M. argentarius sp. n. (Eastern Cape Province, Kwa-Zulu Natal), M. aurivestis sp. n. (Western Cape Province), M. eremita sp. n. (Namibia, Northern Cape), M. hermanniae sp. n. (Western Cape Province), M. massivus sp. n. (Northern Transvaal), M. namakwaensis sp. n. (Namaqualand, Western Cape Province, and southern Namibia), M. pecten sp. n. (Western Cape Province, Free State), and M. rufofuscus sp. n. (Namibia, Botswana, and northern South Africa). Redescriptions and line drawings of male and female genitalia, legs and habitus of M. pubescens Reitter, 1872, M. translatus Grouvelle, 1913, M. confertus Reitter, 1872, M. plumbeus Reitter, 1872, M. fuerschi Spornraft & Audisio, 1995 (= M. antlia Kirejtshuk, 1996, syn. n.), M. marshalli Grouvelle, 1915, and ecological data on most of the species dealt with (all probably using Sterculiaceae of the genus Hermannia as larval host-plants) are also included.

Quantitative determination of free amino acids in the hemolymph of autogenous and anautogenous strains of Culex tarsalis (Diptera: Culicidae).

Autogenous and anautogenous strains were selected from the egg rafts of Culex tarsalis Coquillett collected from Coachella Valley, California. In autogenous (21-25 generations) and anautogenous (0-4 generations) strains used for hemolymph free amino acid analysis, the autogenous oviposition rates were 73.6-83.6% and 2.7-3.9%, the proportions of females undergoing autogenous ovarian development 120 h postemergence were 75.6 and 8.9%, respectively. To study the presence and quantities of free amino acids and explore their relationship to autogenous ovarian development, the 6 legs of females from both autogenous and anautogenous strains were removed at the coxo-femoral joints, and hemolymph was collected by centrifuging the bodies of 50-100 females. Proteins in the hemolymph were precipitated with 10% sulphosalicylic acid. On days 1, 4, 7, and 10 postemergence, a total of 17 free amino acids was found in females from the autogenous strain, and a total of 16 was found in females from the anautogenous strain in which asparagine (Asn) was absent. Comparisons of free amino acid concentrations between these 2 strains indicated that there were significant differences in total free amino acids and 13 individual free amino acids except Glu, Gln, Pro, and Met on day 1, total free amino acids and 14 individual free amino acids except Gln, Pro, and on day 4, and total free amino acids and 12 individual free amino acids except Asp, Glu, Gln, Pro, and Met on day 7 postemergence. There were no significant differences in the concentrations of individual and total free amino acids on day 10 postemergence. Female age affected free amino acid content in the autogenous strain, where total free amino acids and 14 individual free amino acid content in the autogenous strain, where total free amino acids and 14 individual free amino acids increased from day 1, peaked on day 4, declined on day 7, and declined further on day 10 postemergence. In the anautogenous strain, only total free amino acids and Ser, Gly, Ala, and Leu exhibited age-dependent changes in concentration, and the magnitude of changes in concentration was less than that in autogenous strain. Conclusively, autogenous ovarian development was the major reason for the changes in hemolymph free amino acid concentration postemergence. The current and previous findings indicate that the free amino acids, Arg, Gly, Ile, Leu, Lys, Phe, Ser, Thr, and Val putatively may be essential for vitellogenesis in mosquitoes.

Chemoreception by the red‐jointed fiddler crab Uca minax (Le Conte): Spectral tuning properties of the walking legs

The red‐jointed fiddler crab Uca minax is one of the most abundant macroinvertebrates inhabiting the temperate western Atlantic salt marshes, along the eastern and southern coasts of the United States. Dactyl chemoreception is the primary sensory modality involved in food detection. Ninety‐six chemoreceptor cells from 69 male and female second and third legs were tested with 20 compounds known to be stimulatory in other decapods. Each compound was tested as 1 s pulses at 10‐3M. Overall, chemoreceptor cells on the dactyls responded strongest to glutamate and ammonium chloride followed by citric acid. Glutamate‐ and ammonium chloride‐best cells formed the most prominent cell populations and were relatively narrowly tuned. Individual cells exhibited a range of tuning breadths based on responses to single compounds. Amines were moderately stimulatory. Surprisingly, hexose sugars which cause strong behavioural responses in U. minax elicited only weak physiological responses. Glutamate sensitivity separates U. minax from other species of fiddler crabs. The results indicate that the chemical response spectrum of U. minax includes compounds that occur naturally in salt marshes as algal and animal constituents, exudates, and decomposition products.

Site, histological type, and thickness of primary cutaneous malignant melanoma in western Netherlands since 1980

An increasing incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma had been observed in the Netherlands. Therefore, between 1989 and 1992 a preventive skin cancer campaign was organized in part of western Netherlands. The effect of this screening campaign has yet to be evaluated by investigating the distribution of all in situ and invasive primary cutaneous melanoma according to anatomical subsite, tumour thickness, and histological type in a population-based study during 1980-92. A total number of 2236 (1361 female; 875 male) invasive and 580 (395 female; 185 male) in situ melanomas were diagnosed. The median age of patients with thin lesions was 46 years, intermediate lesions 54 years, and thick lesions 65 years, which may be indicative of slow tumour progression. The median thickness of the invasive lesions was 0.9 mm for women and 1.1 mm for men and the invasive to in situ ratio was 3.4 for female and 4.7 for male subjects, suggesting a reasonable awareness of melanoma in this population. The relative tumour density (RTD) was remarkably high for melanomas in the head/neck area for both sexes and invasive melanoma on the male trunk and the lower legs of females. The low RTD of invasive melanomas on the lower limbs of men and the high density in the head/neck area for both sexes are remarkable and support the aetiological role of ultraviolet exposure. It is concluded that our findings are in many ways similar to those of other descriptive studies.

Morphological Aberrations in Females of the Genus Acartia (Copepoda, Calanoida) in the Baltic Sea

Morphological aberrations of the 5th pair of legs (P5) of females of the calanoid copepod genus Acartia from the Baltic Sea were observed. The aberrant shape of P5 ranged from thickening to doubling or tripling of the apical spines on one or both legs or even introduction of additional segments. From 7 to 16% of A. bifilosa females showed a deformation of P5 in the samples taken recently from German coastal waters, the Bornholm Sea, and the Lithuanian coast, but lower frequencies were observed in the specimens from the Polish coast (no abnormalities) as well as from the Gotland Sea (2%). In A. tonsa, A. longiremis, and A. discaudata, less than 4% of the females were abnormal. Coastal-open-sea or pollution gradients did not explain this. In A. bifilosa from the Kiel Bight, females from a sample collected in 1924 showed a similar frequency (14%) and the same structure of P5 aberrations in comparison with recent ones. It is suggested, that the described abnormalities are most likely a natural phenomenon for this genus.

Rock 'n' Roll, Female Sexuality, and the Cold War Battle over German Identities

Previous articleNext article No AccessRock 'n' Roll, Female Sexuality, and the Cold War Battle over German IdentitiesUta G. PoigerUta G. Poiger Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The Journal of Modern History Volume 68, Number 3Sep., 1996 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/245343 Views: 56Total views on this site Citations: 6Citations are reported from Crossref Copyright 1996 The University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Michael G. Esch „Wir haben keine Go-Go-Girls mehr“: Der Beat Club als Quelle und Akteur in der Kanonisierung des Rock, (Jun 2018): 213–258.https://doi.org/10.7788/9783412512286.213Franz X. Eder National and Racial Images of the Sexual ‘Other’ in the German-Speaking Countries (1950s–1970s), Sexuality & Culture 21, no.22 (Mar 2016): 362–381.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-016-9340-7Toby Thacker Music and Politics in Germany 1933?1955: Approaches and Challenges, History Compass 5, no.44 (Jun 2007): 1338–1358.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1478-0542.2007.00449.xKonrad Dussel Radio Programming, Ideology and Cultural Change: Fascism, Communism and Liberal Democracy, 1920s–1950s, (Jan 2006): 80–94.https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230800939_5Robert Stephens Drug Use and Youth Consumption in West Germany During the 1960s, Journal for Cultural Research 7, no.22 (Apr 2003): 107–124.https://doi.org/10.1080/14797580305362 Uta G. Poiger A New, "Western" Hero? Reconstructing German Masculinity in the 1950s, Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society 24, no.11 (Oct 2015): 147–162.https://doi.org/10.1086/495322

Relationship Between Sunlight Exposure and a Key Genetic Alteration in Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin is the most common cancer in humans. Epidemiologic studies implicate sunlight exposure as one risk factor, but the limited association between BCCs and UVB radiation (i.e., UV radiation of a wavelength of 280-320 nm) suggests that additional factors must be involved. At the molecular level, not much is known about the role of specific environmental agents in the pathogenesis of BCCs. Point mutations of the types produced by UVB radiation are seen in the p53 gene (also known as TP53; chromosome 17p) of 40%-56% of BCCs. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 9q22, however, is the most frequent genetic alteration in these tumors, and its causative agent is unknown. We investigated whether the genetic alteration in chromosome 9 is common to all clinical subtypes of BCCs and whether inactivation of this putative tumor suppressor is related to sunlight exposure. The presence of UVB radiation-related point mutations in the p53 gene was used as an internal control for sunlight exposure to the precursor cells. Tumor and blood samples were obtained from skin cancer patients by a surgeon who used Mohs' micrographic surgical technique. Clinical information on each tumor included location, size, histologic, subtype and whether it was primary or recurrent and sporadic or hereditary. Sixty BCCs from 58 patients were evaluated for LOH with 12 polymorphic markers that span chromosome 9. A subset of 18 tumors was evaluated for point mutations in exons 2-11 of the p53 gene, and a subset of 26 tumors was evaluated for LOH by use of a polymorphism in exon 4 of the p53 gene. Associations between tumor characteristics and molecular alterations were tested by a two-tailed chi-squared analysis or a two-tailed Fisher's exact test, depending on sample size. In a clinically diverse series of 47 informative tumors, 32 (68%) showed LOH for chromosome 9q markers, irrespective of histologic characteristics or clinical behavior. Forty-four (94%) of the 47 tumors were from sun-exposed areas of the body, defined as the head and neck in both sexes, shoulders or chest in males, and legs in females. No association was found between chromosome 9q LOH and sunlight exposure, as assessed by either the location of tumors on the body or the presence of UVB radiation-related p53 mutations. Of note, there was a striking difference between the frequency of LOH on chromosome 17p (two [12.5%] of 16 informative tumors) and on chromosome 9q (32 [68%] of 47 informative tumors; P < .001). Inactivation of a gene on chromosome 9q22 may be a necessary event for basal cell carcinogenesis. The pathogenesis of mutations in this gene may involve factors other than sunlight in a large proportion of tumors. The limited association between sunlight exposure and BCC incidence may reflect an etiologic contribution of additional environmental agents.

NEW SUPERFAMILY OF CALANOIDA (COPEPODA) FROM AN ANCHIALINE CAVE IN THE BAHAMAS

ABSTRACT A new calanoid copepod, Fosshagenia ferrarii, new genus, new species, was found in plankton samples collected in an anchialine cave of Caicos Islands, Bahamas. A combination of features found in this species separates it as the type of a new superfamily. The new taxon can be distinguished by a combination of several relevant taxonomic characteristics, such as the fusion of antennular segments 8 and 9, the right antennule modified in the male, less than 3 endopodal segments on the first legs, the presence of a uniramous female fifth leg, a male fifth leg forming a complex grasping organ, reduced mouthparts, and the presence of only 1 seta on the middle endopodal segment of legs 3 and 4. The new taxon appears to be more closely related to fresh- and brackish-water forms (Centropagoidea) than to any other hitherto known anchialine copepod group. The type species can be distinguished by the presence of lateral processes on the genital double-somite of the female and on the first urosomal somite of the male. It is the smallest of the known anchialine calanoid species. This small species, a predator in the water column, diverges from other anchialine copepods which are bottom-dwellers.

Regulation of sex-specific feeding behavior in fiddler crabs: physiological properties of chemoreceptor neurons in claws and legs of males and females.

This study examined properties of chemoreceptor neurons in the claws and legs of the fiddler crabs Uca pugilator and U. pugnax. The primary goal was to establish the neural basis of previously observed greater female sensitivity to feeding stimulants, and secondarily to compare physiological properties of chemoreceptor neurons in these semi-terrestrial crustaceans with those of fully aquatic forms. Sensitivity of chemoreceptor neurons in claws and legs is sex-specific; individual neurons of females respond to lower stimulus concentrations than male chemoreceptor neurons, and equivalent concentrations elicit greater spiking in female vs male chemoreceptor neurons. Thus, the population of chemoreceptor neurons in females expresses lower thresholds and greater average sensitivity than in males. Greater sensitivity of claw neurons explains observations indicating that females continue to feed at food levels too low to stimulate males. Sensitivity differences in leg neurons of males vs females have no clear behavioral correlate, but suggest that females can orient to more dilute stimuli than males. Chemoreceptor neurons of fiddler crabs have low sensitivities and slow rates of adaptation compared to other crustaceans. Also, neurons in claws adapt less slowly than neurons in legs, which may reflect subtle differences in the chemical stimulus environment experienced by claws vs legs.

Body site distribution of Bowen's disease

Several studies of Bowen's disease suggest that most lesions occur on the head and neck, a finding which does not concur with observations in clinical practice in the U.K. In order to test the hypothesis that this reported distribution is due to an increased tendency of physicians to submit lesions of Bowen's disease occurring at these sites for histopathological examination, in comparison with lesions at other body sites, 52 cases of Bowen's disease identified from out-patient clinic diagnostic records were compared with 56 cases derived from pathology records. In both groups, the majority of lesions were on the lower leg; a greater number in the clinical cases group (45/52; 87%) than in the pathology cases (26/56;46%). The lower leg lesions were almost exclusively in women (96% of lower leg lesions occurred in women in each group). The pathology group contained more men (29%) than the clinical group (12%), and also more upper limb lesions (23% compared with 8% in the clinical group). There was no evidence that these differences were due to incorrect clinical diagnosis, and the likely explanation is that lesions diagnosed as Bowen's disease in men, or at sites other than the lower leg, are more likely to be biopsied than clinically typical lesions on the female lower leg. This type of bias is likely to affect larger series in which only biopsied cases are included, and may explain the discrepancy between observations reported in previous publications and the situation in routine clinical practice.

Temporal changes in the incidence of malignant melanoma: Explanation from action spectra

The incidence of malignant cutaneous melanoma has been increasing for more than 50 years, and is now rising more rapidly than that of any other cancer. This increase is not explicable by changes in the physical environment, particularly by any observed increase in UVB radiation (290–320 nm). The distribution of melanomas on the body differs from the site distribution of nonmelanoma skin cancer (relatively many more melanomas occur on areas of the body not chronically exposed to sunlight, such as the back of the trunk in males, and the legs in females.) This localization of melanoma, together with its epidemiology, suggest that a change in lifestyle has contributed to the fast-rising incidence in many countries. There is no convenient mammalian animal model for malignant melanoma. However, certain inter- and intra-specific hybrids of fish of the genus Xiphophorus are very sensitive to light-induced melanomas; we have used them to determine the wavelengths effective in melanoma induction. The action spectrum has a relatively very large component in the UVA region (320–400 nm) compared to human erythema. Hence, if the human and fish spectra were similar, the use of sunscreens that minimize erythema would have little effect in preventing the induction of melanoma, and if people using sunscreens expose themselves to sunlight for longer periods, they will be increasing dramatically their exposure to these melanoma-inducing wavelengths. Such considerations are sufficient to explain the rising incidence of malignant melanoma and its distribution on the body.

The Bombycoidea: Phylogeny and higher classification (Lepidoptera: Glossata)

AbstractThis paper is chiefly aimed at reassessing the limits of four bombycoid families, namely the Eupterotidae, Saturniidae, Lemoniidae, and Brahmaeidae. An incompletely resolved cladogram is proposed for the whole 'bombycoid complex' (Mimallonoidea + Lasiocampoidea + Bombycoidea). Within the Bombycoidea, the primary dichotomy is considered to lie between the Eupterotidae + Bombycidae s.lat. + Endromidae + Mirinidae + Saturniidae, and the Carthaeidae + Lemoniidae + Brahmaeidae + Sphingidae. Sharing at least nine synapomorphies, the Lemoniidae and Brahmaeidae are regarded as reliable sister groups, and the Lemoniidae + Brahmaeidae are proposed as a sister group to the Sphingidae. Another newly proposed clade groups together the Endromidae, Mirinidae and Saturniidae. At family level, the Hibrildidae are synonymized with the Eupterotidae (syn. n.), for which the most significant autapomorphy lies in a previously unnoticed particularity of the female hind leg (distitarsus typically provided with a midventral row of spines). Sexual dimorphism in leg structure also leads to a redefinition of the Saturniidae, a family which must include, with subfamily rank (stat. rev.), the 'Oxytenidae' and 'Cercophanidae' of modern authors. A pair of distal, tooth-like structures on the fourth tarsomere of the female fore leg can thus be ascribed to the ground plan of the Saturniidae, along with a few other convincing autapomorphies. On the other hand, the 'Apatelodidae' are only tentatively placed in the 'Bombycidae sensu lato', a group provisionally resurrected insofar as the Apatelodidae sensu auct. prove to be diphyletic. As a matter of fact, the 'apatelodid' subfamily Epiinae is synonymized with the Bombycinae (syn. n.) in consideration of a rather large number of synapomorphies. When more extensively studied, the morphology of the eighth sternum of the male abdomen might lead to a slightly different, more restricted, concept of the Bombycidae (Le. excluding 'true' Apatelodidae). Often regarded as incertae sedis, the African genera Sabalia Walker and Spiramiopsis Hampson are definitely assigned to the Lemoniidae and Brahmaeidae respectively. Autapomorphies of these two families are recorded and discussed, as are those found to characterize the Sphingidae. Three subfamilies are tentatively recognized within the latter (Smerinthinae stat. rev., Sphinginae, Macroglossinae), five within the Eupterotidae (Hibrildinae, Tissanginae, Janinae, Panacelinae, Eupterotinae), and four within the Bombycidae s.lat. (Apatelodinae, Phiditiinae subfam. n., Prismostictinae [= Oberthueriinae, syn. rev.], Bombycinae). Three of these subfamilies are considered in a new sense, viz. the Panacelinae, Apatelodinae, and Bombycinae. Although the phylogeny of the Saturniidae is not fully taken into account in the present study, the composition of three saturniid subfamilies is critically examined (Oxyteninae, Cercophaninae, Ludiinae), and the Oxyteninae are viewed as the most 'primitive' member of the family.

Glutathione S-transferases of human skin: qualitative and quantitative differences in men and women

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozymes of male and female leg skin have been characterized. GST activities and protein have been quantified in a number of male and female skin samples and the results indicate that as compared to the male skin, female skin contains a higher amount of GST activity as well as protein. Both male and female leg skin contain three GST isozymes with p I values 9.9, 9.1 and 4.8. In accordance with previous findings the major isozyme, pI 4.8 belongs to the Π-class, whereas the two minor forms p I 9.1 and 9.9 belong to the α-class. Each of the three isozymes is more abundant in female skin. Surprisingly, the specific activities and K cat values of the female skin GSTs, particularly of the Π-class isozyme were found to be significantly higher as compared to those of male skin isozyme. Studies into the kinetics of inhibition by hematin also indicated differences in male and female skin GSTs. Whereas we confirm the presence of an α-class GST, p I 9.9, inhuman skin with an apparently higher subunit M r value as compared to other human α-class GSTs, contrary to the previous report (Del Boccio et al. (1987) Biochem. J. 244, 21–25), the results of the present studies show that the N-terminus of this α-class GST is blocked.

Cutaneous malignant melanoma, Scotland, 1979-89

The Scottish Melanoma Group (SMG) was established in 1979 to assess mortality from and incidence, features, pathological data, and management of cutaneous malignant melanoma in Scotland. Incidence during the first five years and five-year survival have already been reported. We now have data about incidence and mortality over eleven years in relation to anatomical site and pathological types. From 1979 to 1989, 1354 male and 2459 female patients with primary cutaneous malignant melanomas were first diagnosed in Scottish residents. The incidence rate per 100 000 population per year has increased from 3·4 in 1979 to 7·1 in 1989 for men, and from 6·6 to 10·4 for women. The overall increase over eleven years is 82% (7·4% per year). The greatest rates of increase are seen in lesions of the superficial spreading histogenetic type, arising on the female leg and the male trunk. Following public education programmes started in 1985, the proportion of all melanomas less than 1·5 mm thick has shown a sustained and significant increase. Mortality data for 1661 patients for whom a minimum of five-year follow-up is available shows five-year survival of 71º6% overall (77·6% for women, 58·7% for men). The survival advantage for women persists when appropriate statistical adjustment is made for thickness, ulceration, and histogenetic type. These data are useful in designing public education programmes aimed at both primary and secondary prevention of melanoma and in auditing changes in trends that might result from such education.