WNT7b mediates macrophage-induced programmed cell death in patterning of the vasculature

Macrophages have a critical role in inflammatory and immune responses through their ability to recognize and engulf apoptotic cells. Here we show that macrophages initiate a cell-death programme in target cells by activating the canonical WNT pathway. We show in mice that macrophage WNT7b is a short-range paracrine signal required for WNT-pathway responses and programmed cell death in the vascular endothelial cells of the temporary hyaloid vessels of the developing eye. These findings indicate that macrophages can use WNT ligands to influence cell-fate decisions--including cell death--in adjacent cells, and raise the possibility that they do so in many different cellular contexts.     

Genome sequencing and analysis of Aspergillus oryzae

The genome of Aspergillus oryzae, a fungus important for the production of traditional fermented foods and beverages in Japan, has been sequenced. The ability to secrete large amounts of proteins and the development of a transformation system have facilitated the use of A. oryzae in modern biotechnology. Although both A. oryzae and Aspergillus flavus belong to the section Flavi of the subgenus Circumdati of Aspergillus, A. oryzae, unlike A. flavus, does not produce aflatoxin, and its long history of use in the food industry has proved its safety. Here we show that the 37-megabase (Mb) genome of A. oryzae contains 12,074 genes and is expanded by 7-9 Mb in comparison with the genomes of Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus fumigatus. Comparison of the three aspergilli species revealed the presence of syntenic blocks and A. oryzae-specific blocks (lacking synteny with A. nidulans and A. fumigatus) in a mosaic manner throughout the genome of A. oryzae. The blocks of A. oryzae-specific sequence are enriched for genes involved in metabolism, particularly those for the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Specific expansion of genes for secretory hydrolytic enzymes, amino acid metabolism and amino acid/sugar uptake transporters supports the idea that A. oryzae is an ideal microorganism for fermentation.     

The interference of tryptophane in the estimation of fructose by the resorcinol method

Résumé Nous avons essayé de chercher la nature des substances réduisantes dans la semence humaine. Ces substances interviennent dans l'estimation quantitative du fructose d'après la méthode deRoe, utilisant le resorcinol. L'existence du tryptophane dans la semence humaine est déjà démontrée. En présence du tryptophane, la quantité du fructose obtenue est plus élevée que la quantité du fructose obtenue en absence du tryptophane.Il semble, selon nos résultats, que l'estimation quantitative du fructose selon la méthode deRoe dépend de la quantité de tryptophane présente dans la semence humaine.     

Influence of (-)3-hydroxy-N-propargyl-morphinan on the respiratory depressant action of codeine

Zusammenfassung Es wird festgestellt, dass Ro 1-7780 die atemdepressive Wirkung von Codein aufhebt. Die Dosis muss zweimal so gross wie die von Levallorphan sein. Das Dosisverhältnis zwischen Ro 1-7780 und Codein ist 1:50 bis 1:75.     

Inhibition of tryptophan uptake in Aspergillus fumigatus by tryptamine

Summary The tryptophan uptake was inhibited considerably in tryptamine grown cells. This inhibition was due to feed-back inhibition and not to repression.The authors are greatful to Prof. V. V. Modi for his interest in this work. The award of research fellowship by M. S. University of Baroda to A. R. G. is greatfully acknowledged.