Pepsin-soluble collagen (PSC) was extracted from the fallopian tube of bullfrog ( Rana catesbeiana ) with a yield of 16.4%, on a dry weight basis. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacylamide-gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed that the PSC contained two alpha components (α1 and α2) and was classified as type I collagen. PSC was found to contain 19.5% of amino acids. PSC exhibited a maximum absorbance at 230 nm, but little absorbance near to 280 nm. The denaturation temperature for PSC was determined to be 29.6°C. These results suggest that bullfrog fallopian tube has potential as a supplement to the sources of vertebrate collagens. Key words: Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), pepsin-soluble collagen, type I collagen.

This study evaluates the possible potency of the anti-hyperlipidemic effect of spider brake [(Pteris multifida Poiret (Pteridaceae)]. We investigated this by feeding the hyperlipidemic Sprague-Dawley rats, caused by a high cholesterol diet, with lyophilized powder of spider brake (LSB) and compared the result with the rats fed with beta-sitosterol. The results indicated that the administration of lyophilized powder of spider brake (LSB) lowered the hyperlipidemic level on rats. The relative weights of the liver, adipose tissue, and relative adipose tissue of 10% substitutions of LSB group (LSB-10) showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) by 6%, 15.9%, and 14.3% in contrast to the untreated counterparts (control), respectively. A significantly lower (P < 0.05) plasma TG, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, liver CH, and TG contents were also observed in LSB-10 compared to the untreated counterparts (by 36.8%, 21%, 18.7%, 10.2% and 14.3% reduction, respectively). Simultaneously, the wet fecal weight, dry fecal weight, nitrogen compounds, excretion of neutral steroids, and bile acids significantly (P < 0.05) increased by 9.6%, 10.6%, 23.7%, 9.7%, and 3.4% respectively. The results showed that LSB could cause not only a reduction in CH and TG, but also could increase the excretion of lipids and metabolic by-products via the intestinal tract.

Procedures to reproduce Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) initiation under controlled conditions and consistently define the extent to which microorganisms are involved in any resulting corrosion mechanism have yet to be defined for widespread application. The ability to reproduce and analyze MIC of carbon steel and other materials is essential for understanding the influence of various operating conditions on corrosion, evaluating the effects of treatment chemicals and developing better monitoring tools for MIC. The results of recent research to produce such guidelines are presented here. It is envisioned that these guidelines can serve as a starting point for industry to reliably simulate and evaluate conditions that cause biotic pit initiation, using straightforward equipment and procedures.