In vitro esterification of plant sterols by the esterifying enzyme of the small intestine of rat

The in vitro esterification of plant sterols, beta-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol, by the esterifying enzyme of the small intestine of rat was studied in the presence of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Campesterol esterification was highest, followed by sitosterol and stigmasterol irrespective of the type of fatty acid. Both campesterol and sitosterol esterification was greater with unsaturated fatty acids than with saturated fatty acids.     

Juvenile hormone active principle inAttacus atlas L

Summary The ether extract ofAttacus atlas L., subjected to an isotope dilution method for the determination of known insect juvenile hormones, revealed the presence of an active substance which has a similar chromatographic behaviour with the known JH-3, methyl (2E, 6E)-10, 11-epoxy-3, 7, 11-trimethyl-2, 6-dodecadienoate.The work was supported as a research training by Dr.R. Maag Ltd., CH-8157 Dielsdorf, Switzerland.     

Inhibition of tumor-induced angiogenesis and of tumor growth by activated lymphocytes

Summary Inhibition in angiogenesis (neo-vascularization) and of growth of a tumor piece graft in the anterior chamber of the eye of mice have been observed in the presence of activated syngeneic lymphocytes.Acknowledgment. The authors are thankful to ICMR, New Delhi, for financial assistance and to Mr N.C. Ghosh for illustration.     

The HIV tat gene induces dermal lesions resembling Kaposi's sarcoma in transgenic mice

When the human immunodeficiency virus transactivating gene under the control of the viral regulatory region is introduced into the germline of mice, skin lesions are induced that resemble Kaposi's sarcoma seen in AIDS. Our findings indicate that HIV could play a direct part in causing cancer.     

Pistia stratiotes L. in Nigerian waters

Summary Pistia stratiotes L., a perennial water weed found in natural water bodies in Nigeria, removes organic and inorganic nutrients as it grows and spreads in the waters. In a lake which received a variety of pollutants, the plant reduced oxidizable organic matter (4-h permanganate value) by 61%, the biochemical oxygen demand by 85.3%, ammonia nitrogen by 95.3% and water soluble phosphorus by 85%. The plant also removed other mineral matter.     

Role of glucocorticoids on the maturation of brush border enzymes in fetal rat gut endoderm

Summary Heterospecific recombinants between fetal rat intestinal endoderm and chick mesenchyme, and also undissociated fetal rat intestine, were submitted to different hormonal environments. The present study shows that exogenouslysupplied dexamethasone in organ culture, like endogenous hormones provided by the adult rat (grafting experiments) led to similar qualitative and quantitative results, i.e., a 9-fold stimulation of maltase and a precocious induction of sucrase activity in comparison with anhormonal conditions.Supported by grant CRL 80 70 17 from the INSERM and by the CNRS. This work was presented in part at the XVth EDBO International Embryological Conference.     

Influence of pulsing electromagnetic field on the frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges in cultured mammalian cells

Exposures of Chinese hamster cells to pulsing electromagnetic field (PEMF) with 0.18-2.5 mT did not influence the baseline frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE). The results suggest that PEMF with the magnetic intensity examined does not interfere with DNA replication nor produce DNA lesions, thereby leading to an increased frequency of SCE.