Über eine Synthese von Ecdyson-3H und Ecdysteron-3H aus Cholesterin-3H in geschnürten Abdomina vonMamestra brassicae-Raupen

Summary After application of cholesterol-³H in ligated abdomina of 5th larva stages of the caterpillarMamestra brassicae ecdyson-³H and ecdysteron-³H was demonstrated in the abdomina 6 days after injection. The results show that in this case the synthesis of the moulting hormones from cholesterol occurs without participation of the prothoracic glands.     

Leichtflüchtige Stoffe inAgaricus bisporus

Summary The composition of the volatile fractions (isolated by acidic steam distillation) of the spores, substrate mycelium and fruiting body of the common mushroom is investigated. The physiological and/or biochemical functions of some of the identified substances are discussed.     

Some pharmacological properties of oxytocin-dimers (α + β)

Zusammenfassung Oxytocin-Dimer ( + ), ein Nebenprodukt der Oxytocin-Synthese, zeigt in 6 Versuchsanordnungen schwache, aber messbare neurohypophysäre Aktivitäten.     

Fine structure of the tip of chemosensitive hairs in two blow flies and the stable fly

Zusammenfassung Licht- und elektronenmikroskopische Studien der chemorezeptiven Spitze von Geschmackshaaren wurden bei den FliegenPhormia regina, Calliphora vicina undStomoxys calcitrans durchgeführt. Die Geschmackshaare dieser Fliegen ähneln sich strukturell bis auf einen ausgeprägten Öffnungs- und Schliessmechanismus, der für die Geschmackshaare vonStomoxys calcitrans lichtmikroskopisch nicht nachgewiesen werden konnte. Die Resultate werden hinsichtlich der Lokalisation der chemosensiblen Membran diskutiert.     

Silent spread of H5N1 in vaccinated poultry

International debate on the merits of vaccinating poultry against the H5N1 influenza A virus has raised concerns about the possibility of an increased risk of between-flock transmission before outbreaks are detected. Here we show that this 'silent spread' can occur because of incomplete protection at the flock level, even if a vaccine is effective in individual birds. The use of unvaccinated sentinels can mitigate, although not completely eliminate, the problem.     

Corneal avascularity is due to soluble VEGF receptor-1

Corneal avascularity-the absence of blood vessels in the cornea-is required for optical clarity and optimal vision, and has led to the cornea being widely used for validating pro- and anti-angiogenic therapeutic strategies for many disorders. But the molecular underpinnings of the avascular phenotype have until now remained obscure and are all the more remarkable given the presence in the cornea of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, a potent stimulator of angiogenesis, and the proximity of the cornea to vascularized tissues. Here we show that the cornea expresses soluble VEGF receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1; also known as sflt-1) and that suppression of this endogenous VEGF-A trap by neutralizing antibodies, RNA interference or Cre-lox-mediated gene disruption abolishes corneal avascularity in mice. The spontaneously vascularized corneas of corn1 and Pax6+/- mice and Pax6+/- patients with aniridia are deficient in sflt-1, and recombinant sflt-1 administration restores corneal avascularity in corn1 and Pax6+/- mice. Manatees, the only known creatures uniformly to have vascularized corneas, do not express sflt-1, whereas the avascular corneas of dugongs, also members of the order Sirenia, elephants, the closest extant terrestrial phylogenetic relatives of manatees, and other marine mammals (dolphins and whales) contain sflt-1, indicating that it has a crucial, evolutionarily conserved role. The recognition that sflt-1 is essential for preserving the avascular ambit of the cornea can rationally guide its use as a platform for angiogenic modulators, supports its use in treating neovascular diseases, and might provide insight into the immunological privilege of the cornea.