Pseudechis Australis Research Articles

Effects of two phospholipases A 2 from the australian king brown snake (pseudechis australis) on isolated nerve-muscle preparations : By E.G. ROWAN, A.L. HARVEY, and N. TAMIYA∗. Dept of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow Gl lXW, U.K. and ∗Dept of Chemistry, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan

The venom from P. australis is lethal and has phospholipase A activity. Two phospholipases A (Pa-ll and Pa-13) have been isolated; Pa-ll has an LDs0 value of 0.23 ~g/g (i.v.) in mice, whereas Pa-13 was not lethal at 7.4 ~g/g (Nishlda et aI., 1985). In chick biventer cervlcis, Pa-11 (2-20 ~g/ml) reduced responses to indirect stimulation after a prolonged contracture and a transient increase in twitch height. Pa-ll at i0 ~g/ml reduced responses to acetylchollne, carbachol and KCI. At 2 ~g/ml, 50% twitch block was observed after 500 minutes and at 5-20 ~g/ml, complete block was observed after 300 minutes. Pa-13 (at 20 ~g/ml) had no effect on acetylcholine, carbachol and KCl responses, but at 30-40 ~g/ml, these responses were reduced. Neuromuscular block was not observed after 300 minutes at 20-40 ~g/ml. On addition of Pa-13, an immediate, brief contracture occurred. Pa-ll and Pa-13 were tested on mouse hemldlaphragm nerve-muscle preparations stimulated directly and indirectly. The onset of block with Pa-ll was similar at different concentrations, with no lag period. Initially, the blocking rates of the indirect and direct responses were similar but eventually the indirect response was blocked at a faster rate. Only the highest concentration tested (i0 ~g/ml) abolished the direct response. Addition of Pa-ll was followed by muscle contracture and a transient increase in twitch height. Pa-13 (10-20 ~g/ml) caused no increase in indirectly evoked twitches. Contracture occurs at the same time as spontaneous twitching. Neuromuscular block was not observed after 300 minutes.

Formal Performance: The Relations of Music, Text and Dance in Arnhem Land Clan Songs

The or manikay of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, Australia are realized by their Aboriginal owners in performance alone and are orally transmitted.1 These performances are formal in that they obey certain variable rules and achieve variable but consistent structures depending on the nature of the different performance occasions for which they are deemed appropriate (Clunies Ross 1983). The variability of their performance contexts, determined largely by ritual propriety, together with the fact that each performance of is a complex act which integrates performance elements expressed through several different media, has led us to the view that the description and analysis of such complex, orally transmitted standardized forms can only proceed by means of the collection and analysis of a variety of formal performance events.2 Manikay have been called clan songs because they constitute discrete sets of song-subjects which celebrate the behavior and characteristics of spirit beings, known as wangarr, who are thought to have affinities with particular Aboriginal clans or aggregates. Each manikay song has a particular wangarr as its subject. Manikay wangarr include natural species, like White Cockatoo and King Brown Snake, human-like spirits, inanimate resources and artifacts such as Wild Honey and Boomerang and celestial and weather phenomena, like North-West Monsoon. Manikay may be sung around the evening campfire for enjoyment, but their more formal purpose is to ritualize death in a series of elaborate mortuary rites, to celebrate boys' circumcisions and to accompany ceremonies of diplomacy called Rom. Djambidj is a manikay whose ownership is shared by a number of landowning units belonging to the moiety known as Djowunga (or Dhuwa among the Yolngu living farther east). Most of their estates lie near the mouth of the Blyth River in North-Central Arnhem Land, Northern Territory (Hiatt 1965: Ch. 2 and Meehan 1982: Chs. 2 and 3). Theoretically, all male members of Djambidj-owning clans may sing it, but in practice singing is the specialty of quite a small number of mature men. Djambidj-owning clans speak a number of Arnhem Land languages, chiefly Burarra, but also Nagara and Gunavidji. Farther east, near Milingimbi Mission, the thematically related manikay Gamalangga is sung by members of the

Isolation and properties of lysophospholipases from the venom of an Australian elapid snake, Pseudechis australis.

Two lysophospholipases were isolated from the venom of an Australian elapid snake (subfamily Acanthophiinae), Pseudechis australis, by sequential chromatography on CM-52 cellulose, Sephadex G-75 and DE-52 cellulose columns. They were very similar to each other. One of them, lysophospholipase I, was obtained as a homodimer, the monomer of which consisted of 123 amino acid residues with seven disulphide bridges. The amino acid composition and the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme were similar to those of phospholipase A2, Ca2+ was required for its activity and the maximum activity was attained at 2 mM-CaCl2 in the presence of 1 mM-EDTA. The optimum pH was 7.5. Lysophospholipase I hydrolysed lysophosphatidylcholine more rapidly than lysophosphatidylethanolamine. It did not hydrolyse, however, phosphatidylcholine, 1-palmitoylglycerol, tripalmitoylglycerol or p-nitrophenyl acetate. Modification of the enzyme with p-bromophenacyl bromide or 2-nitrophenylsulphenyl chloride suppressed the activity. A strong direct haemolytic activity was exhibited when the lysophospholipase was present together with phospholipase A2.

Purification, from Australian elapid venoms, and properties of phospholipases A which cause myoglobinuria in mice

Ten Australian snake venoms ( Oxyuranus s. scutellatus, Notechis s. scutatus, N. ater serventyi, N. a. humphreysi, Acanthophis antarcticus, Austrelaps superba, Pseudonaja textilis, Pseudechis australis, P. porphyriacus, P. colletti) were fractionated by column chromatography on CM-Sephadex C-25 and the isolated fractions were tested in mice for ability to produce myoglobinuria after s. c. injection. Only venom fractions from A. superba, P. australis, P. porphyriacus and P. colletti produced this effect. Pure factors were obtained from the latter three venoms and shown to be neutral or basic phospholipases A containing 120–129 amino acid residues (formula wts between 13,400 and 14,200). The enzymes have acute LD 50 values (s.c. injection) of 4·3–7·7 mg/kg, however, the minimum doses necessary to produce myoglobinuria in mice are between 0·5 and 5·0 mg/kg. These venom components affecting skeletal muscle may play an important role in snakebite.

New species of Moaciria freitas 1956 (Nematoda: Heterakoidea) from Australian reptiles.

Moaciria sphenomorphi n. sp. is described from the skink Sphenomorphus gracilipes, Moaciria butleri n. sp. from the elapid snake Pseudechis australis (both from Western Australia), and Moaciria etnae n. sp. from the python Liasis childreni from Queensland. These species differ from one another and from M. alvarengai and M. icosiensis principally in the number and disposition of body and caudal papillae, and from M. freitasi in possessing caudal alae. M. butleri and M. etnae also differ from the other species in possessing a conspicuous three-pointed internal lip tooth, and all three new species possess a small median papilla within the posterior rim of the precloacal sucker.

A lethal myotoxin isolated from the venom of the Australian king brown snake ( Pseudechis australis)

A lethal myotoxin, named mulgotoxin a, was isolated from the venom of the Australian king brown snake ( Pseudechis australis) by chromatography on Biorex 70 and SP-Sephadex ion exchange resins. Mulgotoxin a was obtained from one of four lethal fractions which were present in the venom. Mulgotoxin a is a basic toxin consisting of a single polypeptide chain of 122 amino acid residues cross-linked by seven disulphide bridges. Its N-and C-terminal residues are aspartic acid and leucine respectively. Mulgotoxin a causes myoglobinuria in mice and has an approximate ld 50 of 200 μg/kg body weight (mice). Its activity appears to be specific for skeletal muscle, causing massive cell damage both in vivo and in vitro.

THE GENUS OPHIOMEGISTUS BANKS (ACARI: PARAMEGISTIDAE)

AbstractThe mite parasites of the genus Ophiomegistus are restricted to snakes and lizards in Malaysia, the Philippines, New Guinea and Australia. A key to the six known species is provided. The male of O. brachymeleus Voss is described for the first time. O. keithi sp. n. is figured and described from an unidentified lizard in Papua New Guinea. The range of O. mabuyae Voss is extended from the Philippines to Malaya and intraspecific variation in the male is figured. Fresh material of O. australicus (Womersley) comb. n. from a new Queensland host, Pseudechis australis (Gray) (Elapidae), is figured. Considerable intraspecific variation is figured for a species now newly recorded from various New Guinean snakes in addition to the original Philippine record; this is O. luzonensis Banks =O. buloloensis (Gunther) syn. n.

Fatal case of mulga (Pseudechis australis) snakebite.

Medical Journal of AustraliaVolume 1, Issue 8 p. 426-426 Correspondence FATAL CASE OF MULGA (PSEUDECHIS AUSTRALIS) SNAKEBITE First published: 01 February 1969 https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.1969.tb92189.xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume1, Issue8February 1969Pages 426-426 RelatedInformation

The Haematozoa of Australian Reptiles.

Trypanosomes are known from tortoises, a gecko, and skinks, Trypanosoma phylluri from Phyllurus platurus, and T. egerniae from Egernia striolata and E. cunninghami being new. There is an old record of a trypanosome in a snake, but the organism has not been rediscovered. Haemogregarines are common in all groups. Names had already been given to 2 from tortoises (one of which is regarded as a synonym), 4 from lizards, and 10 from snakes in Australia. Three species described from snakes in Asia have been added, and 15 new species are described from the following type hosts : Haemogregarina heteronotae from Heteronota binoei; Hg. palmeri from Physignathus lesueurii; Hg. taeniolati from Sphenomorphus taeniolatus; Hg. cunninghami, Hg, egerniae, and Hg. obscura from Egernia cunninghami; Hg. johnstoni from Varanus varius varius; Hg. breinli and Hg, gilruthi from Varanus tristis orientalis; Hg. stegonoti from Stegonotus plumbeus; Hg. boigae from Boiga fusca; Hg. australis and Hg. eidsvoldensis fom Pseudechis australis; Hg. denisoniae from Denisonia pallidiceps; Hg. aspidomorphi from Aspidomorphus harriettae. Two species of Plasmodium are known from lizards, P. egerniae from Egernia major major being new. The genus Haemocystidium is revived, one species being recognized in freshwater tortoises and one in geckos. Pirhemocyton has been found in two species of geckos and a carpet snake.

Short Wave Therapy: The Medical use of Electrical High Frequencies

Journal Article Short Wave Therapy: The Medical use of Electrical High Frequencies Get access Short Wave Therapy: The Medical use of Electrical High Frequencies. By Dr. Erwin Schliephake, Dozent of the University of Giessen. Authorized English translation by R. King Brown, B.A., M.D., D.P.H. Second Edition. Price, 21/—net. Pp. 296, with 148 illustrations. London: The Actinic Press, Ltd., 1938. Physical Therapy, Volume 19, Issue 2, March 1939, Pages 111–112, https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/19.2.111c Published: 01 March 1939

Light and Heat in Medicine, Surgery and Public Health Second International Conference and Exhibition

Light and Heat in Medicine, Surgery and Public Health Second International Conference and ExhibitionPublished Online:29 May 2014https://doi.org/10.1259/0007-1285-1-9-337SectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail AboutAbstractAs previously announced, the Second International Conference on Light and Heat in Medicine Surgery and Public Health, will be held at the University of London, S.W.7, on October 29, 30 and 31, and November 1.The sessions will be held in the afternoon and evening of the first three days (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) and in the afternoon of the fourth day (Thursday).In order to simplify the arrangements and ensure that all who desire to speak shall be called upon, it is hoped that all who wish to take part in the discussion will send their names to the Conference Department, The British Journal of Actinotherapy, 17 Feather stone Buildings, W.C.i. These names will be handed to the Hon. Organising Secretaries (Dr. W. Kerr Russell and Dr. R. King Brown), who will communicate with correspondents direct.A paper dealing with a field of therapy in which light and heat methods have so far been little studied in this country will be read by Dr. Wilhelm Flaskamp, of Erlangen, North Bavaria (University Frauenklinik). The name of Erlangen is particularly associated with its famous gynæcological clinic where, under Professor Wintz, the pioneer work in deep X-ray therapy was done. Dr. Flaskamp is chief assistant to Professor Wintz, and will read a paper on Conservative Treatment in Gynæcology and particularly the use of Light and Heat in these cases. Previous article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 1, Issue 9September 1928Pages: 293-340 © The British Institute of Radiology History Published onlineMay 29,2014 Metrics Download PDF

THORACOPLASTIC COMPRESSION OF THE LUNG IN PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS

I. MEDICAL ASPECTS (PHILIP KING BROWN) There is but one therapeutic agency in the treatment of tuberculosis that has stood the test of all time, and that is rest. For many years the technic of rest has been studied and notable contributions to it have come into general use. A few are in the developmental stage and deserve study and trial in well selected cases. The five methods in addition to rest in bed which have been proposed for producing relative immobilization of all or part of one side of the lungs are: (1) ( a ) Postural rest, lying twenty-three and one-half hours a day on the affected side in one-sided cases, advocated by Webb. ( b ) Sand bags on the affected part (Sewell), giving, to less degree, the same result. (2) Section of the phrenic nerve in the neck on the affected side, causing paralysis of one half of the diaphragm