Anticholinesterase-like activity by oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) venom and venom sac extract

Summary Oriental hornet venom or venom sac extract produces pharmacological and toxicological effects typical of anticholinesterase agents. The effects produced in animals can be counteracted by atropine and heparin.     

Anticholinesterase-like activity by oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) venom and venom sac extract.

Oriental hornet venom or venom sac extract produces pharmacological and toxicological effects typical of anticholinesterase agents. The effects produced in animals can be counteracted by atropine and heparin.     

Pseudolymphoma of skin induced by oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) venom

Summary Intradermal injection of saline suspension ofVespa orientalis venom sac to 57 black mice caused a local nodule composed o flymphocytes, few histiocytes and plasma cells 10 to 12 days following the injection. This reaction simulates the pseudolymphoma reaction observed in humans following arthropode stings.     

Pseudolymphoma of skin induced by oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) venom.

Intradermal injection of saline suspension of Vespa orientalis venom sac to 57 black mice caused a local nodule composed of lymphocytes, few histiocytes and plasma cells 10 to 12 days following the injection. This reaction simulates the pseudolymphoma reaction observed in humans following arthropode stings.     

Genome size in the green toad (Bufo viridis) group

Summary Specimens of the green toad,Bufo viridis, from Morocco to Kirgizistan, have identical DNA amounts per erythrocyte nucleus. 1 specimen from Kirgizistan is a tetraploid. Of 3 closely related species,B. calamita andB. brongersmai have about the same DNA amount asB. viridis, whileB. latastii from Afghanistan has 36% more DNA per nucleus.     

Effect of ascorbic acid on pigmentation of toad (Bufo melanostictus)

Summary Administration of ascorbic acid in toad during breeding season results an increase in melanin pigments in skin, liver and vocal sac.Acknowledgment. The authors' thanks are due to Prof.C. Deb, Head of the Department of Physiology, Calcutta University, for encouragements.     

Effect of carbon tetrachloride intoxication on the liver of toad (Bufo melanostictus)

Résumé Les auteurs constatent que le tétrachloride de carbone ne cause pas de dommage au foie du Crapaud non hibernant, mais provoque une dégénérescence de cet organe pendant l'hibernation de l'animal. Ils émettent des suggestions quant au mécanisme auquel seraient due cette différence.     

Effect of ascorbic acid on pigmentation of toad (Bufo melanostictus).

Administration of ascorbic acid in toad during breeding season results an increase in melanin pigments in skin, liver and vocal sac.     

Effect of cadmium chloride on steroidogenic enzymes in the Bidder's organ of the toad (Bufo melanostictus)

Summary Injection of cadmium chloride in a toad increases both the ⁵-3-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase and 17-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities in Bidder's organ.     

Effect of cadmium chloride on steroidogenic enzymes in the Bidder's organ of the toad (Bufo melanostictus)

Injection of cadmium chloride in a toad increases both the delta 5-3 beta-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities in Bidder's organ.     

Appearance of sex hormone receptors in frog (Rana esculenta) tadpole skin during metamorphosis.

In tadpole skin of Rana esculenta, a specific testosterone receptor was detected during the climax in both males and females. The Kass ranged between 1 and 2.79 x 10(9)M-1.     

Compensatory hypertrophy of the contralateral testis after unilateral castration in the toad,Bufo melanostictus (Schn)

Zusammenfassung Nachweis kompensatorischen Wachstums des nach einseitiger Kastration verbleibenden Hodens bei indischer Krötenart (Bufo melanostictus (Schn)). Zunahme von Gewicht, Grösse und Spermienzahl.     

Anticomplementary fraction from the poisonous secretion of the paratoid gland of the toad (Bufo marinus paracnemis Lutz)

Summary Fractionation of the poisonous secretion of the toadBufo marinus paracnemis Lutz, by dialysis and chromatography on QAE-Sephadex, led to the isolation of a fraction which was adsorbed to the ion exchanger. This fraction, when incubated with human serum, yielded an anticomplementary effect that was evaluated by measuring the kinetics of lytic activity on sensitized sheep red cells (classical pathway) and unsensitized rabbit cells (alternative pathway).We are very much indebted to Dr Lewis J. Greene for valuable discussions. Thanks are due to Dr Antonio C. Nero and Miss Ester G. Silva for their cooperation. This work was supported in part by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP).