Occurrence of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Soybean Fields in East-Central Illinois and Enumeration of Inocula in Soybean Seed Lots

Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR) of soybean is an important disease in the northern soybean-production areas of the United States. In Illinois, the occurrence of SSR has been limited to the northern-most soybean-production areas. In this study, soybean fields in east-central Illinois were surveyed for incidence of SSR. Of 68 fields surveyed, 31 contained SSR. Of the fields with SSR, 25 had between 1 and 5% SSR incidence, while 6 fields had more than 5% SSR incidence. The pattern of the disease in one field was mapped, and the spatial distribution of SSR was aggregated with a Lloyd's index of 1.4. In addition to field incidence of SSR, seed lots suspected of being contaminated with Sclerotinia sclerotiorum sclerotia were obtained from the Illinois Crop Improvement Association. Sclerotia and seeds were separated, and seeds were germinated to determine the level of seedborne infection by S. sclerotiorum. Sclerotia were recovered from 71 of 81 seed lots. Most of the seed lots were from the north-central area of Illinois, but one seed lot was from Madison County in the southwestern area of the state, and three and six seed lots contaminated with sclerotia were from Iowa and Wisconsin, respectively. Sclerotia counts ranged from 0 to 363 per seed lot. Normal-appearing seeds from the 81 seed lots (100 to 200 seeds per lot) were tested for germination and incidence of seedborne infection by S. sclerotiorum. Eight seed lots had at least one infected seed, and the incidence of seed infection ranged from 0.07 to 0.1%. From 10 randomly selected seed lots of the 81, discolored, shriveled seeds were selected and germinated to determine the incidence of seedborne infection. Seed infection rates ranged from 0 to 70%. The occurrence of SSR throughout Illinois and the importance of seedborne infection as a source of inoculum dispersal need further documentation.

Lysophosphatidylcholine is involved in the antigenicity of oxidized LDL

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is formed by hydrolysis of PC in low density lipoprotein (LDL) and cell membranes by phospholipase A2 or by oxidation. Oxidized (ox) LDL activates endothelial cells, an effect mimicked by LPC. oxLDL also has the capacity to activate T and B cells, and antibody titers to oxLDL are related to the degree of atherosclerosis. The antigen in oxLDL responsible for its immune-stimulatory capacity is not well characterized, and we hypothesized that LPC was involved. We demonstrate herein the presence of antibodies against LPC, both of the IgG and IgM isotype, in 210 healthy individuals. This antibody reactivity was not specifically related to oxidation of the fatty acid moiety in LPC, since LPC containing only palmitic acid showed antibody titers equivalent to those of LPC containing unsaturated fatty acids. Antibody titers to PC were low compared with LPC, and hydrolysis of PC at the sn-2 position is thus essential for immune reactivity. There was a close correlation between anti-oxLDL and anti-LPC antibodies. Furthermore, LPC competitively inhibited anti-oxLDL reactivity, which indicates that LPC may explain a significant part of the immune-stimulatory properties of oxLDL. LPC, being a lipid, is not likely to be an antigen itself. Instead, LPC could form immunogenic complexes with peptides, which may induce and potentiate immune reactions in the vessel wall. This study adds to the evidence that LPC is an important component of oxLDL and emphasizes the potential role of phospholipase A2 in atherosclerosis.

[Extracellular ATP: effects, sources and fate]

The change of extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration affects many important physiological functions significantly. As a transmitter, ATP acts on neuro-effector junction directly and/or modulates the release of other neurotransmitters. By acting on the various P2-purinoceptors or ionic channels on the membrane, ATP also has some striking effects on cell activities. This review focused on the latest advances on the research of extracellular ATP in the respects of discovering and confirming ATP as a transmitter, the source, subtypes of P2-purinoceptors, the receptor-mediated reactions, and the degradation of extracellular ATP.

Results of surgery for vesicoureteral reflux in children: 6 years' experience in an Asian country

From January 1990 to December 1995, a total of 181 patients underwent reimplantation of 318 ureters for primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR); 87.8% received bilateral reimplantation. Surgical indications included breakthrough infection (35%), high-grade (> or = IV) reflux (33%), or both (29%). The operative success rate was 99.4% at 3 months postoperatively and 100% ultimately. The complications included: contralateral sequential reflux in 3.9%, postoperative bladder diverticula in 1.1%, postoperative urinary infection in 1.1%, residual reflux in 0.3%, postoperative vesicoureteral stenosis in 0.3%, and slippage of the drainage tube in 0.3% of cases. Two patients had renal failure due to VUR that was proven by renal biopsy (one 4-year-old and one 8-year-old). The incidence of associated anomalies was higher than in the normal population. The average number of hospital admission days was 7.9 (3-63). After 1992, no ureteral stent was left in postoperatively. All patients received prophylactic antibiotics for 3 months postoperatively until the VUR disappeared. The surgical results were satisfactory in this series.

[The different responses to anoxia in cultured CA1 and DG neurons from newborn rats]

Tissue culture from hippocampal CA1 or dentate gyrus (DG) region was established on the basis of previous neuronal culture technique. The viability, intracellular calcium concentration and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression of the two kinds of neurons after anoxia were observed in the counting in the confocal microscopic field and in situ hybridization. It is found that DG neurons are not only more resistant to anoxia, but also have a stronger ability to keep calcium homeostasis and to express BDNF mRNA than CA1 neurons.

Diagnostic value of anti-hepatitis D virus (HDV) antibodies revisited: a study of total and IgM anti-HDV compared with detection of HDV-RNA by polymerase chain reaction

A high serum titre (> or = 1000 or > or = 5000) of total antibody to hepatitis D virus (anti-HDV) and positive for immunoglobulin (Ig)M anti-HDV have been used to represent HDV replication, while reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is currently the most sensitive assay for detecting HDV viraemia. The aim of the present study was to re-evaluate the correlation of total anti-HDV and IgM anti-HDV with HDV viraemia based on RT-PCR and to assess the clinical significance of these markers in acute and chronic HDV superinfection. Chronic HDV infection was defined as positive HDV-RNA by RT-PCR for more than 6 months, while total anti-HDV titre was defined by serial dilution. Of 178 hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier patients studied, 119 cases had been anti-HDV positive for more than 6 months. Two-thirds (79/119) were positive for HDV viraemia by RT-PCR. Only half the chronic HDV viraemic patients had a high titre (> or = 1000) of total anti-HDV, and there was only moderate agreement (kappa = 0.41) between total anti-HDV titre/IgM anti-HDV and HDV-RNA and chronic HDV viraemia. Based on cross-sectional and longitudinal follow-up analyses, serum total anti-HDV titres > or = 100 appeared to be an excellent cut-off titre (kappa = 0.91) in differentiating chronic from acute HDV infection among viraemic patients. In summary, IgM and a high titre total of anti-HDV are not good markers of HDV viraemia, but an anti-HDV titre of > or = 100 appears to be an excellent marker for the differentiation of acute from chronic HDV superinfection.

Differential development of the enhanced metabolic response during amphetamine sensitization

Behavioral sensitization elicited by repeated administration of amphetamine does not fully develop until a period after discontinuation of amphetamine, but then persists undiminished for a long time. This experiment investigated the regional metabolic changes in rats pretreated with amphetamine and challenged after different abstinence periods (2, 7 and 28 days), using the 2-[14C]deoxyglucose method. The results demonstrated that chronic amphetamine administration enhanced rates of local cerebral glucose utilization in specific cerebral regions. The magnitude and distribution of effects varied with the abstinence period. A challenge dose of d-amphetamine 2 days after pretreatment was found to have no more, or only mildly elevated, local cerebral glucose utilization compared with that following a single acute dose. In rats challenged at the 7th and 28th day, a supersensitive metabolic response was found in dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic areas. This finding suggested regional differences in the development of sensitization and underscored the importance of an abstinence period in the study of sensitization and amphetamine psychosis.

G-protein-coupled receptor agonists augment adenylyl cyclase activity induced by forskolin in human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells

The goal of this study was to investigate the synergistic effects between G-protein-coupled receptor agonists and forskolin-induced activation of adenylyl cyclases, in cultured human corpus cavernosum smooth-muscle cells. Treatment of human corpus cavernosum smooth-muscle cells with forskolin (0.1-10 microM) produced an increase in cAMP synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner. Forskolin-induced adenylyl cyclase activity was markedly augmented by prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and its metabolite, PGE0, isoproterenol, carbachol, and phenylephrine. Augmentation of forskolin-induced cAMP by PGE1, and PGE0 is probably mediated by prostaglandin E receptors (EP). Enhancement of forskolin-induced cAMP synthesis by isoproterenol is mediated by beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-AR), since this activity was inhibited by propranolol. Stimulation of forskolin-induced cAMP synthesis by carbachol is attributed to activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR), as demonstrated by inhibition with atropine. The augmentation of forskolin-induced cAMP synthesis by phenylephrine, an alpha1-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonist, however, was unexpected and cannot be attributed to increased intracellular Ca2+, since treatment of cells with either the Ca2+ ionophore, A23187, or 80 mM KCl did not affect forskolin-induced cAMP synthesis. Stimulation of forskolin-induced cAMP synthesis by phenylephrine is explained by its binding to beta-AR and activation of Gs protein, since this augmentation was inhibited by the beta-AR antagonist, propranolol. This observation was further supported by physiological studies in organ bath chambers, in which forskolin-induced relaxation of precontracted corpus cavernosum strips was enhanced by phenylephrine. These studies suggest that synergism between agonist-induced cAMP synthesis and forskolin is attributed to increased conformational stabilization of activated adenylyl cyclase catalytic domains by forskolin and the Gs(alpha)-subunit of activated Gs proteins.

Effects of amphetamine challenge on local cerebral glucose utilization after chronic dopamine D1 and D2 receptor agonist administration to rats

Repeated amphetamine administration can cause an augmentation of regional cerebral metabolic activity. This study analyzed the regional cerebral metabolic changes which occurred in rats after pretreatment with the selective dopamine D1 and D2 receptor agonists, (+/-)SKF 38393 ((+/-)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine HCl) and quinpirole (trans-(-)-4aR-4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9-octahydro-5-propyl-1H-pyrazolo(3, 4-g)quinoline), as measured by the 2-[14C]deoxyglucose method. The results showed selective metabolic augmentation in rats pretreated with SKF 38393 but not in those pretreated with quinpirole alone or with quinpirole in combination with SKF 38393. These findings demonstrated that dopamine D1 receptors may play a critical role in the development of metabolic augmentation after repeated stimulant administration.

Dependence of myocardial hypothermia tolerance on sources of activator calcium

To determine the relationship between cardiac hypothermia tolerance and the sources of activator calcium, we selectively modified either the sarcolemmal calcium permeability by nifedipine or the sarcoplasmic reticulum function by caffeine in papillary muscles from both the rat, as a cold sensitive model, and the ground squirrel, Citellus dauricus, a deep hibernator. Both force-interval relationship and cooling performance were investigated. At 25 degrees C, the slope of the force-interval curve of the ground squirrel was nearly double that of the rat. At shorter test intervals 0.5 muM nifedipine moved the curve down with little effect at longer intervals, and the curve slope increased. Caffeine (1 mM) decreased the peak force and eliminated its dependence upon test interval. When the temperature was lowered, rat preparations showed a marked increase of resting tension and aftercontraction between 7 and 12 degrees C and became inexcitable. In contrast, they maintained contractility down to a few degrees above 0 degrees C without aftercontraction and increased resting tension in the ground squirrel. In the rat nifedipine shortened the contractions, prevented the increase of resting tension, and minimized aftercontractions, with little improvement of contractility. Caffeine prolonged the contractions, caused a striking increase of resting tension and aftercontractions, and finally disabled the contractility at about 5-10 degrees C, even in the ground squirrel. We conclude that depressed calcium influx helps to prevent hypothermic calcium overload of the cardiac cells. Good function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum is essential for tolerance of hypothermia by cardiac cells. A suggestion that may improve the hypothermic tolerance of the myocardium from nonhibernators is postulated.

[Effect of adenosine on intracellular free calcium in cultured rat hippocampal CA1 neurons during anoxia]

Intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measured by laser scanning confocal microscope, using Ca2+ indicator Fluo-3 in cultured hippocampal CA1 neurons isolated from newborn rat. The results showed that acute anoxia induced a rapid increase of [Ca2+]i in hippocampal CA1 neurons, and this increase could be attenuated by 100 mumol/L adenosine significantly. This effect of adenosine could be suppressed by adenosine A1 receptor antagonist CPT or potassium channel blockers, 4-AP and glipizide. These results suggest that adenosine activates 4-AP- or ATP-sensitive potassium channels through A1 receptors, and consequently inhibits the [Ca2+]i elevation in hippocampal neurons during anoxia.

A Greenhouse Technique for Assessing Phytophthora Root Rot Resistance in Glycine max and G. soja

New sources of soybean (Glycine max) resistance to Phytophthora sojae are needed to provide effective resistance because of the rapidly changing race patterns of P. sojae in fields. The objectives of our study were to develop a method to screen Glycine soja for resistance to P. sojae and then use this methodology to screen G. soja lines for resistance to P. sojae races 1, 3, and 20. An agar plug-inoculation method, in which a 3-mm-diameter mycelial plug of the fungus was placed mycelium side down on cotyledons of 10-day-old soybean seedlings, was directly compared with the traditional hypocotyl inoculation method. There was no significant difference between the hypocotyl- and plug-inoculation methods when tested on four soybean differential lines using three P. sojae races. The plug-inoculation method then was used to screen 430 G. soja accessions for resistance to P. sojae race 3. Nine G. soja accessions were retested with races 1, 3, and 20. Of the 430 G. soja accessions tested, 22 accessions had survival rates higher than 75% and nine had rates higher than 90% against race 3. Additionally, five of the nine accessions that were tested again had greater than 60% survival against races 1, 3, and 20. These results suggest that the plug-inoculation method can be used as an alternative to the hypocotyl-inoculation method. Potential sources of new P. sojae resistance and/or tolerance may be present in G. soja, but additional genetic research is needed to determine if these sources are different from sources currently found in G. max.

Antibodies against dengue virus E protein peptide bind to human plasminogen and inhibit plasmin activity

Both mice and rabbits immunized with dengue virus E protein peptide spanning amino acids 100-119 (D4E) produced antibodies that reacted not only with the D4E peptide itself but also with human plasminogen, as shown by ELISA and Western blot. Sera from dengue virus-hyperimmunized mice and dengue patients also contained antibodies against D4E and plasminogen. Furthermore, such sera all contained plasmin inhibitory activity. Using affinity-purified anti-D4E antibodies and free D4E peptide for competitive inhibition, we demonstrated that the inhibition of plasmin activity was due to anti-D4E antibodies rather than other substances in the sera. Taken together, these results suggest dengue virus E protein amino acids 100-119 are a cross-reactive immunogenic region, and antibodies against this region may interfere with human fibrinolysis.

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung: four cases report

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung (CCAML) is a rare pulmonary lesion, characterized by excessive overgrowth of the terminal respiratory bronchioles. Prenatal detection and serial sonographic study of fetuses with CCAML can provide information about the natural history of these lesions and reveal most of the nature history of pathophysiologic features which are likely to affect the clinical outcome. This information is crucial to the formulation of a prognosis and a management strategy. We report on four cases of CCAML, three of which involved macrocystic lesions including two cases of type I and one case of type II. Only one microcystic lesion, a type III CCAML, was identified in these patients. All of the cases were diagnosed by ultrasound between the 21 and 24 weeks of gestation. Fetal hydropic change was noted in all four cases. All of the parents opted for termination of pregnancy before fetal viability. Post-mortem examination confirmed the diagnosis in all four cases.

[Studies on the synthesis of dl-ligustiphenol and its analogues]

S-( -- )-Ligustiphenol is a new sesquiterpene with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities. In order to study its pharmacological activities, the total synthesis of its racemat was carried out by a six-step reaction sequence including bromination of aldehyde, iodination of m - cresol, protection of phenolic hydroxyl, Grignard reaction, Aldol condensation, etc. The target compound was characterized by comparing its 1(H)-NMR, MS and IR spectra with natural ( -- )-ligustiphenol. In order to study the structure-activity relationships of ligustiphenol, it five analogues were designed and synthesized. The pharmacological screening of these analogues has been performed.

Loss of expression of a 55 kDa nuclear protein (nmt55) in estrogen receptor-negative human breast cancer

We have identified and characterized a 55 kDa nuclear protein (referred to as nmt55) from human breast tumors and MCF-7, human adenocarcinoma breast cell line, using site-directed monoclonal antibodies. Measurements of estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR), by ligand binding assays, in cytosols of 63 human breast tumors permitted classifications of these tumors into four phenotypes (ER+/PR+, ER+/ PR-, ER-/PR-, ER-/PR+). Nuclear protein (nmt55) expression in these tumors, as determined from Western blot analyses, showed a statistically significant association (p = 0.001) with tumor hormonal phenotype. Review of the pathologic characteristics of tumors analyzed suggested that lack of nmt55 expression was significantly associated with mean tumor size (p < 0.03), mean ER (p = 0.001) and mean PR (p < 0.002), but was not associated with tumor stage, grade, or type. To further study this protein, we cloned and sequenced a 2.5 kb cDNA using a monoclonal antibody to nmt55. The complete predicted open reading frame encodes a protein with 471 amino acids and a calculated molecular mass of 54,169 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence exhibited unique regions rich in glutamine, histidine, arginine, and glutamic acid. Northern blot analysis of RNA from MCF-7 cells and ER+/PR+ human breast tumors showed a 2.6 kb mRNA. Southern blot analysis suggested the presence of a single copy of this gene. Chromosomal mapping, using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), located nmt55 gene to the X chromosome, region q13. The extensive homology between nmt55 and RNA binding proteins suggested that nmt55 may be involved in hnRNA splicing. The strong association observed between expression of nmt55, tumor hormonal phenotype, mean tumor size, mean ER, and mean PR content suggests that loss of nmt55 expression may be related to events involved in hormone insensitivity, tumor differentiation, and unregulated tumor cell growth and metastases.

Prevalence and risk factor analysis of GBV-C/HGV infection in prostitutes

GB virus-C (GBV-C) and Hepatitis G virus (HGV) are variants of a recently cloned virus transmitted parenterally. It is unclear if sexual contact also transmits this virus. In this study, we detected serum GBV-C/HGV RNA in 140 prostitutes by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using different primers. Thirty (21%) were found with GBV-C RNA by nested PCR although only 22 (73%) had HGV RNA by single round RT-PCR. Both assays had a nearly perfect agreement (kappa value, 0.812). The prevalence of GBV-C RNA in prostitutes was significantly higher than the control group (30/140 vs. 2/40, P < 0.02). Multivariate analysis revealed that a frequency of paid sex more than 120 times per month was the only factor significantly associated with positive GBV-C RNA in prostitutes (P < 0.003). In summary, prostitutes are a high risk group and reservoir of GBV-C/HGV infection due to high frequency of paid-sex.

Platelet-activating factor and oxidized LDL induce immune activation by a common mechanism

Platelet activating factor (PAF) is a phospholipid with proinflammatory and thrombogenic properties, which has been implicated in inflammatory disorders including vasculitis and asthma. PAF-like compounds are present in oxidized LDL (oxLDL), which has been detected in the atherosclerotic lesion, where it may activate monocytes, macrophages, and T cells. OxLDL may therefore both initiate and perpetuate inflammatory reactions in the artery wall. Herein we demonstrate that PAF has the capacity to induce enhanced interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) secretion in peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBMCs), as does oxLDL. Both oxLDL- and PAF-induced IFN-gamma secretions were inhibited by a specific PAF-receptor antagonist, WEB 2170. PAF-like lipids in oxLDL could thus be responsible for oxLDL-induced activation of immune-competent cells. The effects of PAF and oxLDL were inhibited by antibodies to major histocompatibility complex class II and thus depend on accessory cells like monocytes. Both PAF and oxLDL induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) synthesis in peripheral blood. PAF-mediated TNF-alpha production was inhibited by WEB 2170, whereas oxLDL-induced TNF-alpha was only partially inhibited. These findings indicate that both PAF and oxLDL have the capacity to induce TNF-alpha, which may increase atherogenesis due to its pleiotropic proinflammatory effects. Our findings suggest that the PAF receptor plays an important role in the inflammatory component of atherosclerosis.

Germplasm Evaluation of Glycine max for Resistance to Fusarium solani, the Causal Organism of Sudden Death Syndrome

Sudden death syndrome (SDS) is an important soybean disease that potentially can be controlled by host plant resistance. In this study, over 800 soybean plant introductions (PIs), lines, and cultivars were screened for resistance to Fusarium solani. Of 728 PIs from China, PI 567.374 had mean foliar SDS severities significantly (P = 0.05) lower than PI 520.733 (resistant check) in both growth-chamber and greenhouse tests. In addition, PIs 567.315, 567.441C, 567.650B, and 567.664 had mean SDS severity ratings significantly (P = 0.05) lower than PI 520.733 in a growth-chamber test. Of 16 soybean cyst nematode-resistant entries tested, 5 had values lower than the resistant check, PI 520.733, with cv. Hartwig significantly lower in the first trial. In trial two, no entries were lower than the resistant check, although cvs. Bell and Hartwig were not significantly different from PI 520.733. In another experiment, few soybean cultivars or experimental lines had SDS severity ratings lower than PI 520.733 in any one of three trials. Some of the newly acquired PIs from China that exhibited low foliar SDS severity ratings may provide the sources of resistance needed to develop new SDS-resistant soybean breeding lines and cultivars.

Uromodulin and Tamm-Horsfall protein induce human monocytes to secrete TNF and express tissue factor

Effects of uromodulin (URO) and Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP), the most abundant proteins in the urine of pregnant and normal women, respectively, on the induction of TNF-alpha secretion and tissue factor (TF) expression of human monocytes were studied. THP, URO, and its fragments stimulated human mononuclear cells to proliferate and secrete TNF-alpha. The release of URO and THP-induced TNF-alpha in monocytes was dependent upon protein tyrosine kinase activation that results in tyrosine phosphorylation. URO and THP also induced TF expression of human monocytes and monocytic cell line U937 in a dose-dependent manner. TF expression was transient, reached its peak at 6 h and declined toward basal levels by 24 h. Reverse transcriptase-PCR and dot-blot analysis confirmed the induction of TF mRNA synthesis. URO and THP-induced TF expression were inhibited by actinomycin D and pentoxifylline further supporting the requirement of de novo TF mRNA synthesis. The possibility of LPS contamination of URO and THP was excluded because: 1) URO and THP-induced TF expression were inhibited by specific Ab; 2) URO was less capable of inducing TF in HUVEC as compared with LPS; 3) polymyxin B blocked the induction of Limulus clotting by LPS but not by URO and THP; 4) both LPS-sensitive (C3H/HeN) and -resistant (C3H/HeJ) mice produced little or no TNF-alpha after URO challenge. Therefore, our findings suggest that URO and THP play a significant role in the innate immunity of the urinary system and that the immunostimulatory activity of URO is potentially useful for immunotherapy.

Uromodulin and Tamm-Horsfall protein induce human monocytes to secrete TNF and express tissue factor

Effects of uromodulin (URO) and Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP), the most abundant proteins in the urine of pregnant and normal women, respectively, on the induction of TNF-alpha secretion and tissue factor (TF) expression of human monocytes were studied. THP, URO, and its fragments stimulated human mononuclear cells to proliferate and secrete TNF-alpha. The release of URO and THP-induced TNF-alpha in monocytes was dependent upon protein tyrosine kinase activation that results in tyrosine phosphorylation. URO and THP also induced TF expression of human monocytes and monocytic cell line U937 in a dose-dependent manner. TF expression was transient, reached its peak at 6 h and declined toward basal levels by 24 h. Reverse transcriptase-PCR and dot-blot analysis confirmed the induction of TF mRNA synthesis. URO and THP-induced TF expression were inhibited by actinomycin D and pentoxifylline further supporting the requirement of de novo TF mRNA synthesis. The possibility of LPS contamination of URO and THP was excluded because: 1) URO and THP-induced TF expression were inhibited by specific Ab; 2) URO was less capable of inducing TF in HUVEC as compared with LPS; 3) polymyxin B blocked the induction of Limulus clotting by LPS but not by URO and THP; 4) both LPS-sensitive (C3H/HeN) and -resistant (C3H/HeJ) mice produced little or no TNF-alpha after URO challenge. Therefore, our findings suggest that URO and THP play a significant role in the innate immunity of the urinary system and that the immunostimulatory activity of URO is potentially useful for immunotherapy.

Association between ongoing anti-C1q antibody production in peripheral blood and proliferative nephritis in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus

The aim of this study was to compare ongoing production of anti-C1q antibodies (anti-C1q) in peripheral blood with serum anti-C1q levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), especially in patients with nephritis. Using the ELISPOT technique for the detection of IgG and IgA anti-C1q production, 21 patients with active SLE were investigated. ELISAs for IgG and IgA anti-C1q were compared with the ELISPOT results. Six of the patients were found to have proliferative nephritis (WHO grade III/IV) confirmed by renal biopsy. High numbers of IgG anti-C1q spot-forming cells (SFC), defined as > 20/10(5) plated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), were exclusively observed in patients with proliferative nephritis (P < 0.0001). Serum levels of IgG anti-C1q were significantly increased in patients with proliferative nephritis (P = 0.039). High ongoing IgG anti-C1q production was observed in all patients with proliferative nephritis, which may be a contributory factor in the pathogenesis of this disorder. The detection of IgG anti-C1q production may be valuable in the clinical investigation of patients with suspected SLE nephritis.

Expression of functional alpha2-adrenergic receptor subtypes in human corpus cavernosum and in cultured trabecular smooth muscle cells

In this study, we have identified and characterized functional alpha2-adrenergic receptor (alpha2-AR) subtypes in human corpus cavernosum and in cultured human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells. Analysis of total RNA, isolated from whole corpus cavernosum tissue and smooth muscle cells, by RNase protection assays, demonstrated expression of mRNA for alpha2A, alpha2B, and alpha2C adrenergic receptor subtypes in whole tissue and alpha2A and alpha2C subtypes in cultured smooth muscle cells. Binding studies with [3H]RX821002 (a highly selective and specific ligand for alpha2-adrenergic receptor) in isolated membrane fractions of human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells, demonstrated specific alpha2-AR binding sites with high affinity (Kd = 0.63 nM) and limited capacity (25-30 fmol/mg protein). Binding of [3H]RX821002 was displaced with the nonselective alpha-AR antagonist, phentolamine, and with the alpha-AR agonist, norepinephrine, in a dose-dependent manner, but not by the selective alpha1-AR agonist, phenylephrine. Binding of [3H]rauwolscine was also displaced by phentolamine. UK 14,304, a selective alpha2-AR agonist, inhibited forskolin-induced cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) synthesis in cultured human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells and induced dose-dependent contractions of tissue strips in organ bath chambers. UK 14,304-induced contractions were inhibited with alpha2-AR selective antagonists, rauwolscine and delquamine (RS 15385-197). These observations suggest that in human corpus cavernosum, norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine may activate postsynaptic alpha2-AR subtypes, in addition to activating alpha1-AR subtypes, on smooth muscle cells, contributing to local control of human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tone, in vivo.

Mechanisms of venous leakage: a prospective clinicopathological correlation of corporeal function and structure

PURPOSE

We investigated the pathophysiology of structurally based corporeal veno-occlusive dysfunction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We prospectively evaluated 24 impotent patients (mean age plus or minus standard error 46 +/- 3 years) who had exposure to vascular risk factors and/or disorders inducing diffuse trabecular structure alterations and who underwent penile prosthesis insertion. Preoperative indexes of veno-occlusive function (flow to maintain, venous outflow resistance and pressure decay measurements using repeat dosing pharmacocavernosometry) were correlated with postoperative erectile tissue computer assisted color histomorphometry (percent trabecular smooth muscle to total erectile tissue area). To develop further study findings and correlate histomorphometric findings with molecular biological properties molecular biological studies (ribonuclease protection analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay for expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 messenger [m] ribonucleic acid [RNA] and protein affinity labeling techniques for specific transforming growth factor-beta receptors) were performed in representative patients with high (39 to 43%), intermediate (30 to 37%) and low (13 to 29%) trabecular smooth muscle content (normal 42 to 50%).

RESULTS

Flow to maintain, venous outflow resistance and pressure decay values significantly correlated with trabecular smooth muscle cell content (r = -0.89, 0.82 and -0.85, respectively). In the high, intermediate and low smooth muscle content subgroups flow to maintain, venous outflow resistance and pressure decay values were 1 to 5, 9 to 30 and 50 to 120 ml. per minute, 17 to 84, 3 to 9 and 1 to 2 mm. Hg/ml. per minute, and 40 to 60, 48 to 80 and 110 to 120 mm. Hg decrease in 30 seconds from 150 mm. Hg, respectively. There were no significant differences in patient age or prevalence of risk factors among the 3 subgroups. Patients representative of all 3 subgroups had transforming growth factor-beta 1 mRNA, auto-induction of transforming growth factor-beta 1 mRNA and induction and/or increased availability of all 3 types of transforming growth factor-beta receptors.

CONCLUSIONS

The pathophysiology of structurally based corporeal veno-occlusive dysfunction is related to elevated corporeal connective tissue content. Based on our data and those in the literature corporeal fibrosis is hypothesized to develop secondary to abnormalities in the regulation of normal collagen synthesis and degradation, most likely associated with adverse influences of chronic ischemia.

Induction of IL-4 by platelet-activating factor

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a phospholipid inflammatory mediator which is synthesized by a variety of cells, including monocytes, endothelial cells, mast cells and neutrophils. PAF acts via a recently cloned PAF receptor, present on monocytes and endothelial cells, but not on non-activated lymphocytes. IL-4 is mainly produced by T lymphocytes, and belongs to the Th2 subset of T helper cells. IL-6 is mainly a monocyte/macrophage-derived cytokine with multiple proinflammatory effects. We here report that PAF induces IL-4 production, as determined by ELISPOT. Antibodies to MHC class II inhibited the IL-4 stimulatory effects of PAF. PAF also had the capacity to induce IgA production, as determined by ELISPOT, and IL-6 production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as determined by ELISA. These PAF-mediated effects were completely inhibited by a specific PAF-receptor antagonist, WEB 2170. Taken together, our data indicate that PAF activates T lymphocytes to IL-4 production by an indirect, monocyte-dependent mechanism dependent on MHC class II. PAF also enhances antibody formation and IL-6 production from PBMC. These findings indicate that PAF activates immune-competent cells, which may be of importance in inflammatory diseases such as asthma, vasculitis and atherosclerosis.