1. Glutathione-S-aryltransferase activity from grass grubs (Costelytra zealandica) was inhibited by phthaleins, sulphonphthaleins and some dicarboxylic acids. 2. These compounds had no detectable action on the enzyme from sheep liver. 3. In insect enzyme the inhibition was competitive with respect to glutathione and non-competitive with respect to the aromatic substrate. 4. Michaelis constants and inhibitor constants were measured for sheep-liver or grass-grub enzyme between pH5 and pH10 and evidence was obtained for the presence of two groups with pK9.2 in the glutathione-binding site of the insect enzyme. 5. Only one such group was detected in the sheep-liver enzyme.

In a group of 19 subjects suffering from erythropoietic protoporphyria the administration of beta-carotene appeared to produce improvement based on a subjective assessment of alterations in exposure times required to produce the symptoms and signs of the condition. This clinical improvement however failed to show a direct correlation with the prophyrin levels in blood and faeces, or with the estimation by phototesting of the minimal response dose within the action spectrum of 400-600 nm.

1. Houseflies, blowflies and New Zealand grass grubs were dosed with 1-naphthol, 2-naphthol or p-nitrophenol. 2. The corresponding monoaryl phosphates were identified in extracts of insects or excreta along with the beta-glucosides and ethereal sulphates of the phenols. 3. No diaryl phosphates or glucosiduronates were detected but an unidentified metabolite of [(14)C]1-naphthol was present in extracts of flies dosed with [(14)C]1-naphthol.

Within the UK, there is growing recognition that individuals will need to take increased responsibility for managing their own health for there to be improvements in population health. The current evidence base on self care interventions reflects an interest in enhancing self care knowledge, skills and behaviour in relation to the management of long-term conditions. In contrast, this paper reports on a community-based self care initiative that was designed to promote self care approaches in the general population. The principal component was a self care skills training course delivered to groups of lay people in community and workplace settings. Self Care for People was piloted in three primary care trusts and a process evaluation was undertaken. The aim of this paper is to examine the feasibility, relevance and acceptability of the initiative. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a sample of stakeholders involved in implementation including coordinators, trainers and key informants from organisations hosting the course. In total 40 interviews and two focus groups were conducted from 2006 to 2008 and the data were analysed thematically. The evaluation found that implementation was relatively straightforward with few major barriers reported. Recruitment to the self care skills training course took place in both workplace and community group settings, including in organisations supporting socially excluded groups. The course was seen to provide a valuable space for contemplation on personal health, however, participation could raise sensitive issues that needed to be dealt with by skilled facilitators. Motivations for involvement differed markedly in host organisations and different strategies for marketing were adopted. The paper concludes by suggesting that while Self Care for People was both feasible and relevant to different stakeholder groups, there needs to be flexibility in responding to the needs of participants in different settings.

The mammary glands of lactating rats extensively utilize glucose as an energy source and as a source of metabolic precursors for the synthesis of milk constituents. It is well established that the pentose phosphate pathway ofglucose utilization is very active in milk-producing mammary-gland tissue