"Big, big insulin"

The presence of a new form of immunoreactive insulin, “big, big insulin”, was first detected in the plasma of an insuloma suspect. On Sephadex gel filtration the elution volume of this insulin is approximately that of ¹²⁵I-γ-globulin. Its sedimentation velocity on ultracentrifugation is between that of labeled albumin and labeled γ-globulin. Thus, it appears to have a molecular weight of about 100,000. Studies with starch gel and starch block electrophoresis reveal that it is a more basic protein than porcine or crystalline human insulin. It is immunochemically identical with crystalline human insulin, maintains its identity on refractionation on Sephadex gel filtration and is rapidly transformed by trypsin to an insulin-like component. “Big, big insulin” is a minor component (<1%) in extracts of normal pancreas and of insulomas. These observations suggest that insulin is the daughter product not only of proinsulin but of an even larger precursor, “big, big insulin”.     

Between "design" and "bricolage": genetic networks, levels of selection, and adaptive evolution

The extent to which "developmental constraints" in complex organisms restrict evolutionary directions remains contentious. Yet, other forms of internal constraint, which have received less attention, may also exist. It will be argued here that a set of partial constraints below the level of phenotypes, those involving genes and molecules, influences and channels the set of possible evolutionary trajectories. At the top-most organizational level there are the genetic network modules, whose operations directly underlie complex morphological traits. The properties of these network modules, however, have themselves been set by the evolutionary history of the component genes and their interactions. Characterization of the components, structures, and operational dynamics of specific genetic networks should lead to a better understanding not only of the morphological traits they underlie but of the biases that influence the directions of evolutionary change. Furthermore, such knowledge may permit assessment of the relative degrees of probability of short evolutionary trajectories, those on the microevolutionary scale. In effect, a "network perspective" may help transform evolutionary biology into a scientific enterprise with greater predictive capability than it has hitherto possessed.     

Self, society, and the "new gerontology"

The "new gerontology," built on the concept of successful aging, sets forth the preconditions for and the end product of the process of aging successfully. Focused on health and active participation in life, it vests largely within individuals the power to achieve this normatively desirable state. While acknowledging the contributions of the scientific base for Rowe and Kahn's successful aging model, we emphasize the need for a more careful examination of the model itself. Using critical gerontology as a primary filter, we critique this normative vision by focusing on its unarticulated (and perhaps unexplored) values, assumptions, and consequences. We argue that these unexamined features may further harm older people, particularly older women, the poor, and people of color who are already marginalized. We conclude by suggesting forms of resistance to this univocal standard.     

Herbal medicine, Chaplin, and "The Kid"

At variance with other largely safe complementary alternative medicines like homeopathy and acupuncture, which only carry the risk of inducing patients to shun effective treatment, herbal remedies are real, albeit impure, drugs and therefore fully capable of producing undesirable consequences if misused. The advantages they offer are uncertain since genuine evidence of efficacy and effectiveness is present in only a few cases. A result of this imbalance is that studies in this field are considerably more meaningful when they deal with untoward effects than with therapeutic uses. This disproportion has suggested to us the curious similarity with the situation portrayed in the film "The Kid" where the essential task of the protagonist (Chaplin) is to repair the windows his stone-throwing child has just broken.     

Stress, myocardial infarction, and the "tako-tsubo" phenomenon

Emotional distress as a trigger for acute myocardial infarction is beginning to gain credibility as it is recognised that traditional risk factors can account for only half of all myocardial infarctions. Here, three cases of myocardial infarction are presented in the setting of an acute emotional stressor, with coronary angiography showing only minimal coronary artery disease. In all cases striking wall motion abnormalities, mimicking a "tako-tsubo", were noted with complete resolution within 30 days. This pattern suggests tako-tsubo-like transient left ventricular dysfunction.