Insulin receptor signaling engages bladder urothelial defenses that limit urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) commonly afflict people with diabetes. To better understand the mechanisms that predispose diabetics to UTIs, we employ diabetic mouse models and altered insulin signaling to show that insulin receptor (IR) shapes UTI defenses. Our findings are validated in human biosamples. We report that diabetic mice have suppressed IR expression and are more susceptible to UTIs caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Systemic IR inhibition increases UPEC susceptibility, while IR activation reduces UTIs. Localized IR deletion in bladder urothelium promotes UTI by increasing barrier permeability and suppressing antimicrobial peptides. Mechanistically, IR deletion reduces nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)-dependent programming that co-regulates urothelial tight junction integrity and antimicrobial peptides. Exfoliated urothelial cells or urine samples from diabetic youths show suppressed expression of IR, barrier genes, and antimicrobial peptides. These observations demonstrate that urothelial insulin signaling has a role in UTI prevention and link IR to urothelial barrier maintenance and antimicrobial peptide expression.

Evaluation of sensor-based health monitoring in dairy cows: Exploiting rumination times for health alerts around parturition

The use of sensor-based measures of rumination time as a parameter for early disease detection has received significant attention in scientific research. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of health alerts triggered by a sensor-based accelerometer system within 2 different management strategies on a commercial dairy farm. Multiparous Holstein cows were enrolled during the dry-off period and randomly allocated to conventional (CON) or sensor-based (SEN) management groups at calving. All cows were monitored for disorders for a minimum of 10 DIM following standardized operating procedures (SOPs). The CON group (n = 199) followed an established monitoring protocol on the farm. The health alerts of this group were not available during the study but were later included in the analysis. The SEN group (n = 197) was only investigated when the sensor system triggered a health alert, and a more intensive monitoring approach according to the SOPs was implemented. To analyze the efficiency of the health alerts in detecting disorders, the sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) of health alerts were determined for the CON group. In addition, all cows were divided into 3 subgroups based on the status of the health alerts and their health status, to retrospectively compare the course of rumination time. Most health alerts (87%, n = 217) occurred on DIM 1. For the confirmation of diagnoses, health alerts showed SE and SP levels of 71% and 47% for CON cows. In SEN cows, a SE of 71% and 75% and SP of 48% and 43% were found for the detection of ketosis and hypocalcemia, respectively. The rumination time of the subgroups was affected by DIM and the interaction between DIM and the status of health alert and health condition.

Tubular mitochondrial pyruvate carrier disruption elicits redox adaptations that protect from acute kidney injury

OBJECTIVE

Energy-intensive kidney reabsorption processes essential for normal whole-body function are maintained by tubular epithelial cell metabolism. Although tubular metabolism changes markedly following acute kidney injury (AKI), it remains unclear which metabolic alterations are beneficial or detrimental. By analyzing large-scale, publicly available datasets, we observed that AKI consistently leads to downregulation of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC). This investigation aimed to understand the contribution of the tubular MPC to kidney function, metabolism, and acute injury severity.

METHODS

We generated tubular epithelial cell-specific Mpc1 knockout (MPC TubKO) mice and employed renal function tests, in vivo renal 13C-glucose tracing, mechanistic enzyme activity assays, and tests of injury and survival in an established rhabdomyolysis model of AKI.

RESULTS

MPC TubKO mice retained normal kidney function, displayed unchanged markers of kidney injury, but exhibited coordinately increased enzyme activities of the pentose phosphate pathway and the glutathione and thioredoxin oxidant defense systems. Following rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI, compared to WT control mice, MPC TubKO mice showed increased glycolysis, decreased kidney injury and oxidative stress markers, and strikingly increased survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that decreased renal tubular mitochondrial pyruvate uptake hormetically upregulates oxidant defense systems before AKI and is a beneficial adaptive response after rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI. This raises the possibility of therapeutically modulating the MPC to attenuate AKI severity.

Tubular Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier Disruption Elicits Redox Adaptations that Protect from Acute Kidney Injury

Energy-intensive kidney reabsorption processes essential for normal whole-body function are maintained by tubular epithelial cell metabolism. Tubular metabolism changes markedly following acute kidney injury (AKI), but which changes are adaptive versus maladaptive remain poorly understood. In publicly available data sets, we noticed a consistent downregulation of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) after AKI, which we experimentally confirmed. To test the functional consequences of MPC downregulation, we generated novel tubular epithelial cell-specific Mpc1 knockout (MPC TubKO) mice. 13C-glucose tracing, steady-state metabolomic profiling, and enzymatic activity assays revealed that MPC TubKO coordinately increased activities of the pentose phosphate pathway and the glutathione and thioredoxin oxidant defense systems. Following rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI, MPC TubKO decreased markers of kidney injury and oxidative damage and strikingly increased survival. Our findings suggest that decreased mitochondrial pyruvate uptake is a central adaptive response following AKI and raise the possibility of therapeutically modulating the MPC to attenuate AKI severity.

Exploring Ultracold Collisions in ^{6}Li-^{53}Cr Fermi Mixtures: Feshbach Resonances and Scattering Properties of a Novel Alkali-Transition Metal System

We investigate ultracold collisions in a novel mixture of ^{6}Li and ^{53}Cr fermionic atoms, discovering more than 50 interspecies Feshbach resonances via loss spectroscopy. Building a full coupled-channel model, we unambiguously characterize the ^{6}Li-^{53}Cr scattering properties and yield predictions for other isotopic pairs. In particular, we identify various Feshbach resonances that enable the controlled tuning of elastic s- and p-wave ^{6}Li-^{53}Cr interactions. Our studies thus make lithium-chromium mixtures emerge as optimally suited platforms for the experimental search of elusive few- and many-body regimes of highly correlated fermionic matter, and for the realization of a new class of ultracold polar molecules possessing both electric and magnetic dipole moments.

Movement of genetically modified insects for research purposes

Insects play a crucial role in research. Many laboratories are developing technologies to control insect vectors or agricultural pests by using genetic modifications that either reduce insect reproduction or increase refractoriness to disease transmission. Those tools include gene-drive elements that may spread such genetic traits in a selfsustaining and cost-effective manner. Since international research collaborations are nowadays routine, movement of genetically modified insects between laboratories under different regulatory jurisdictions is very common. This article describes the requirements and guidelines for transportation of genetically modified insects for research. The author draws upon the experience gained by an Italian laboratory, in its role as a research centre involved in shipments of wild and modified mosquitoes, within an international research consortium developing sustainable tools for malaria control.

Ribonuclease 7 polymorphism rs1263872 reduces antimicrobial activity and associates with pediatric urinary tract infections

Ribonuclease 7 (RNase 7) is an antimicrobial peptide that prevents urinary tract infections (UTI); however, it is yet unknown how RNASE7 genetic variations affect its antimicrobial activity and its mitigation of UTI risk. This study determined whether the RNASE7 SNP rs1263872 is more prevalent in children with UTI and defined how rs1263872 affects RNase 7's antimicrobial activity against uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC). We performed genotyping for rs1263872 in 2 national UTI cohorts, including children enrolled in the Randomized Intervention for Children with Vesicoureteral Reflux trial or the Careful Urinary Tract Infection Evaluation study. Genotypes from these cohorts were compared with those of female controls with no UTI. To assess whether rs1263872 affects RNase 7's antimicrobial activity, we generated RNase 7 peptides and genetically modified urothelial cultures encoding wild-type RNase 7 and its variant. Compared with controls, girls in both UTI cohorts had an increased prevalence of the RNASE7 variant. Compared with the missense variant, wild-type RNase 7 peptide showed greater bactericidal activity against UPEC. Wild-type RNase 7 overexpression in human urothelial cultures reduced UPEC invasive infection compared with mutant overexpression. These results show that children with UTI have an increased prevalence of RNASE7 rs1263872, which may increase UTI susceptibility by suppressing RNase 7's antibacterial activity.

Accuracy and Reproducibility of HER2 Status in Breast Cancer Using Immunohistochemistry: A Quality Control Study in Tuscany Evaluating the Impact of Updated 2013 ASCO/CAP Recommendations

The correct identification of HER2-positive cases is a key point to provide the most appropriate therapy to breast cancer (BC) patients. We aimed at investigating the reproducibility and accuracy of HER2 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a selected series of 35 invasive BC cases across the pathological anatomy laboratories in Tuscany, Italy. Unstained sections of each BC case were sent to 12 participating laboratories. Pathologists were required to score according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) four-tier scoring system (0, 1+, 2+, 3+). Sixteen and nineteen cases were HER2 non-amplified and amplified respectively on fluorescence in situ hybridization. Among 192 readings of the 16 HER2 non-amplified samples, 153 (79.7%) were coded as 0 or 1+, 39 (20.3%) were 2+, and none was 3+ (false positive rate 0%). Among 228 readings of the 19 HER2 amplified samples, 56 (24.6%) were scored 0 or 1+, 79 (34.6%) were 2+, and 93 (40.8%) were 3+. The average sensitivity was 75.4%, ranging between 47% and 100%, and the overall false negative rate was 24.6%. Participation of pathological anatomy laboratories performing HER2 testing by IHC in external quality assurance programs should be made mandatory, as the system is able to identify laboratories with suboptimal performance that may need technical advice. Updated 2013 ASCO/CAP recommendations should be adopted as the widening of IHC 2+ "equivocal" category would improve overall accuracy of HER2 testing, as more cases would be classified in this category and, consequently, tested with an in situ hybridisation method.

Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors Expression in Uterine Malignant Smooth Muscle Tumors: Correlation with Clinical Outcome

Uterine leiomyosarcomas are associated with a poor prognosis, although a considerable diversity in behavior may be found, and prolonged survival may occur. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors in tumor specimens from uterine leiomyosarcomas, and to test their correlation with disease-free interval and cause-specific survival. This additional information may help the clinician differentiate between patients who have minimal risk of recurrence and those at greater risk of developing progressive disease. We examined specimens from 31 uterine leiomyosarcoma patients with clinical history and known follow-up. Disease-free interval and cause-specific survival rates were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. According to univariate analysis, with Cox proportional hazards models, the ER expression (P=0.006 and P=0.016, respectively), PR expression (P=0.005 and P=0.016, respectively), and FIGO stage disease (P=0.011 and P=0.007, respectively) were independent predictors of the risk of recurrence and death from disease.

Oestrogen receptor beta and melanoma: a comparative study

BACKGROUND

Oncological research has focused on evaluating oestrogen receptors (ERs) in oestrogen-related tumours, and understanding the potential role of ERs in the pathophysiology of cancer.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the significance of oestrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in melanoma.

METHODS

We prospectively evaluated ERβ expression in malignant melanoma (MM) tissue and adjacent healthy skin by quantitative immunohistochemistry at the Department of Dermatology of the University of Florence, from 1998 to 2010.

RESULTS

ERβ was detected with varying staining intensity in the 66 malignant melanocytic lesions. After adjusting for age and sex, we found that ERβ expression was significantly lower in melanoma tissue compared with adjacent healthy skin (P < 0·0001). We also found significantly lower ERβ levels in thick melanoma tissue compared with thin melanoma tissue. In addition, there was a positive association between Breslow thickness and the difference of ERβ expression between healthy tissue and melanoma tissue (P = 0·0004). Consistent with sex differences in melanoma survival, men showed significantly lower levels of ERβ than women in both melanoma (P = 0·05) and healthy tissues (P = 0·02).

CONCLUSIONS

ERβ expression is inversely associated with Breslow thickness and is significantly influenced by sex in MM.

Genome flux in tomato auto- and auxo-trophic cell clones cultured in different auxin/cytokinin equilibria. I. DNA multiplicity and methylation levels

An analysis of the effect of changing physiological conditions on genetic stability, in terms of epigenetic changes, such as DNA, methylation patterns, and multiplicity of repetitive DNA, was carried out on tomato cell clones grown on media supplemented with different auxin/cytokinin ratios. The effect of endogenous variation in phytohormone equilibria was also indirectly analysed through a comparison of auxotrophic or habituated (autotrophic) cell clones and the differentiated leaf tissue. The data obtained showed significant variation in methylation and multiplicity levels both between clones and between treatments, clearly suggesting a contemporary influence of exogenous hormonal treatments and of the initial/endogenous physiological state of the treated tissue on both phenomena studied.

Expression of protease-activated receptor-1 and -2 in orofacial granulomatosis

OBJECTIVE

Orofacial granulomatosis (OFG) is a rare condition characterized by non-caseating granulomas in the orofacial region. Protease-Activated Receptors (PARs) play a role in inflammatory diseases in diverse human tissues. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of PAR-1, PAR-2, MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-1, and COX-2 in tissues taken from OFG patients.

METHODS

PAR-1, PAR-2, MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-1, and COX-2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in biopsies taken from oral Crohn's disease (five cases), Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) (six cases), cheilitis granulomatosa (five cases) and normal oral mucosa (five cases).

RESULTS

PAR-1 was observed in mononuclear inflammatory cells in edematous/lichenoid lesions, whereas a strong PAR-2 immunostaining was detected in epithelioid histiocytes and giant cells in granulomatous lesions, irrespective of the clinical features (Crohn vs MRS). MMPs and COX-2 were expressed in the inflammatory component of edematous/lichenoid lesions and markedly overexpressed in granulomatous lesions. COX-1 was weakly and variably expressed in both edematous/lichenoid and granulomatous lesions.

CONCLUSION

Thus, PAR-1 and PAR-2 expressions were related to the intensity and type of inflammatory response but not to the type of clinical lesion. Simultaneous overexpression of PARs, MMPs and COXs suggests synergism among these proinflammatory receptors and enzymes.

Megalencephaly and perisylvian polymicrogyria with postaxial polydactyly and hydrocephalus (MPPH): report of a new case

Megalencephaly (MEG), or enlargement of the brain, can either represent a familial variant with normal cerebral structure, or a rare brain malformation associated with developmental delay and neurological problems. MEG has been split into two subtypes: anatomical and metabolic. The latter features a build-up inside the cells owing to metabolic causes. Anatomical MEG has been detected in many different conditions, including many overgrowth syndromes. In 2004 Mirzaa et al. reported five non-consanguineous patients with a new MCA/MR syndrome characterized by severe congenital MEG with polymicrogyria (PMG), postaxial polydactyly (POLY) and hydrocephalus (HYD). The authors argued that these findings identified a new and distinct malformation syndrome, which they named MPPH. We report on a new case of MPPH, the first to be described after the original series (Mirzaa et al., 2004).

39K Bose-Einstein condensate with tunable interactions

We produce a Bose-Einstein condensate of 39K atoms. Condensation of this species with a naturally small and negative scattering length is achieved by a combination of sympathetic cooling with 87Rb and direct evaporation, exploiting the magnetic tuning of both inter- and intraspecies interactions at Feshbach resonances. We explore the tunability of the self-interactions by studying the expansion and the stability of the condensate. We find that a 39K condensate is interesting for future experiments requiring a weakly-interacting Bose gas.

Observation of Feshbach resonances in an ultracold gas of 52Cr

We have observed Feshbach resonances in collisions between ultracold 52Cr atoms. This is the first observation of collisional Feshbach resonances in an atomic species with more than one valence electron. The zero nuclear spin of 52Cr and thus the absence of a Fermi-contact interaction leads to regularly spaced resonance sequences. By comparing resonance positions with multichannel scattering calculations we determine the s-wave scattering length of the lowest (2S+1)Sigma(+)(g) potentials to be 112(14) a(0), 58(6) a(0), and -7(20) a(0) for S=6, 4, and 2, respectively, where a(0)=0.0529 nm.

Precise determination of 6Li cold collision parameters by radio-frequency spectroscopy on weakly bound molecules

We employ radio-frequency spectroscopy on weakly bound (6)Li(2) molecules to precisely determine the molecular binding energies and the energy splittings between molecular states for different magnetic fields. These measurements allow us to extract the interaction parameters of ultracold (6)Li atoms based on a multichannel quantum scattering model. We determine the singlet and triplet scattering lengths to be a(s) = 45.167(8)a(0) and a(t) = -2140(18)a(0) (1a(0) = 0.052 917 7 nm), and the positions of the broad Feshbach resonances in the energetically lowest three s-wave scattering channels to be 83.41(15), 69.04(5), and 81.12(10) mT.

Relaxation as a cognitive task

In the present experiment the instruction to relax was given to awake highly (Highs) and non hypnotizable subjects (Lows), while their heart rate, respirogram and skin resistance were recorded together with electroencephalogram, electroculogram and corrugator electromiogram. At the beginning of the experiment, Highs exhibited no significant difference in heart rate (HR), respiratory frequency (RF) and heart rate variability (HRV) with respect to Lows, but showed a higher EEG alpha and theta1 power. During the session, both groups decreased their heart rate, but changes were significant only in Lows, which increased significantly also the parasympathetic component of their HRV (high frequency, HF). In both groups, EEG showed alpha, beta2 and theta2 power decrements; theta1 activity decreased only in Lows, while gamma power increased in Highs and decreased in Lows. Results suggest that Highs and Lows used different cognitive strategies in the elaboration of the relaxation request and that Highs performed the task through a higher integrative activity.

Determination of the s-wave scattering length of chromium

We have measured the deca-triplet s-wave scattering length of the bosonic chromium isotopes 52Cr and 50Cr. From the time constants for cross-dimensional thermalization in ultracold atomic samples, we have determined the magnitudes |a(52Cr)|=(170+/-39)a(0) and |a(50Cr)|=(40+/-15)a(0), where a(0)=0.053 nm. By measuring the rethermalization rate of 52Cr over a wide temperature range and comparing the temperature dependence with the effective-range theory and numerical single-channel calculations, we have obtained strong evidence that the sign of a(52Cr) is positive. Rescaling our 52Cr model potential to 50Cr strongly suggests that a(50Cr) is positive also.

Similar Ca(2+)-signaling properties in keratinocytes and in COS-1 cells overexpressing the secretory-pathway Ca(2+)-ATPase SPCA1

Mutations in the ubiquitously expressed secretory-pathway Ca(2+)-ATPase (SPCA1) Ca(2+) pump result in Hailey-Hailey disease, which almost exclusively affects the epidermal part of the skin. We have studied Ca(2+) signaling in human keratinocytes by measuring the free Ca(2+) concentration in the cytoplasm and in the lumen of both the Golgi apparatus and the endoplasmic reticulum. These signals were compared with those recorded in SPCA1-overexpressing and control COS-1 cells. Both the sarco(endo)plasmic-reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) and SPCA1 can mediate Ca(2+) uptake into the Golgi stacks. Our results indicate that keratinocytes mainly used the SPCA1 Ca(2+) pump to load the Golgi complex with Ca(2+) whereas the SERCA Ca(2+) pump was mainly used in control COS-1 cells. Cytosolic Ca(2+) signals in keratinocytes induced by extracellular ATP or capacitative Ca(2+) entry were characterized by an unusually long latency reflecting extra Ca(2+) buffering by an SPCA1-containing Ca(2+) store, similarly as in SPCA1-overexpressing COS-1 cells. Removal of extracellular Ca(2+) elicited spontaneous cytosolic Ca(2+) transients in keratinocytes, similarly as in SPCA1-overexpressing COS-1 cells. With respect to Ca(2+) signaling keratinocytes and SPCA1-overexpressing COS-1 cells therefore behaved similarly but differed from control COS-1 cells. The relatively large contribution of the SPCA1 pumps for loading the Golgi stores with Ca(2+) in keratinocytes may, at least partially, explain why mutations in the SPCA1 gene preferentially affect the skin in Hailey-Hailey patients.

Magnetic control of the interaction in ultracold K-Rb mixtures

We predict the presence of several magnetic Feshbach resonances in selected Zeeman sublevels of the isotopic pairs 40K-87Rb and 41K-87Rb at magnetic fields up to 10(3) G. Positions and widths are determined combining a new measurement of the 40K-87Rb inelastic cross section with recent experimental results on both isotopes. The possibility of driving a K-Rb mixture from the weak to the strong interacting regime tuning the applied field should allow one to achieve the optimal conditions for boson-induced Cooper pairing in a multicomponent 40K-87Rb atomic gas and for the production of ultracold polar molecules.

Autonomic and EEG correlates of emotional imagery in subjects with different hypnotic susceptibility

The autonomic and EEG correlates of the response to a cognitive unpleasant stimulation (US) verbally administered to awake hypnotizable and non hypnotizable subjects were studied. They were compared with the values obtained during a resting condition immediately preceding the stimulus and with those produced by a cognitive neutral stimulation (NS), also administered after a basal resting period. Results showed hypnotic trait effects on skin resistance, heart and respiratory rate as well as on EEG theta, alpha, beta and gamma relative power changes. The autonomic and EEG patterns observed indicated different strategies in the task execution for hypnotizable and non hypnotizable subjects and a discrepancy between the autonomic and EEG changes associated to the US in susceptible subjects. Results support dissociation theories of hypnosis and suggest for hypnotizable persons an active mechanism of protection against cardiac hazard.

Human hypnosis: autonomic and electroencephalographic correlates of a guided multimodal cognitive-emotional imagery

The effects of a guided neutral and unpleasant imagery involving several sensory modalities were studied in hypnotized subjects. Heart rate (HR), respiratory frequency (RF), tonic skin resistance and different electroencephalographic rhythms were evaluated during a long-lasting hypnotic session including the guided suggestion of a neutral (NS) and an unpleasant (US) imagery, each preceded by a hypnotic relaxation rest period. During NS, the absence of autonomic changes, associated with electroencephalographic gamma power decrement and theta1 power increment, indicated the prevalence of relaxation on the expected task-related modifications. In contrast, US elicited HR and RF increments together with higher electroencephalographic gamma, beta3 and beta2 activities. Thus, hypnotic state appears to prevent the autonomic responses expected during the neutral stimulation, while the emotional valence of the unpleasant imagery overwhelms the hypnosis-related relaxation.

Collisional properties of ultracold K-Rb mixtures

We determine the interspecies s-wave triplet scattering length a(3) for all K-Rb isotopic mixtures by measuring the elastic cross section for collisions between 41K and 87Rb in different temperature regimes. The positive value a(3)=+163(+57)(-12)a(0) ensures the stability against collapse of binary (41)K- (87)Rb Bose-Einstein condensates. For the fermion-boson mixture (40)K- (87)Rb, we obtain a large and negative scattering length which implies an efficient sympathetic cooling of the fermionic species down to the degenerate regime.

[Clinical case: post-traumatic thoracic aorta rupture. Considerations on emergency room treatment]

A clinical case of post-traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta at isthmus and descending aorta levels with favourable outcome is reported. Early suspicion of a possible aortic lesion related to the trauma modality which was characterized by sudden deceleration, immediate performance of a CT scan of the thorax with and without contrast medium and careful monitoring of arterial pressure which showed hypotension at controls during the stay in the emergency and radiological rooms, permitted us to opt for conservative treatment of the lesion with satisfactory outcome.

Photoassociation of sodium in a Bose-Einstein condensate

We form ultracold Na2 molecules by single-photon photoassociation of a Bose-Einstein condensate, measuring the photoassociation rate, linewidth, and light shift of the J = 1, v = 135 vibrational level of the A1 Sigma (+)(u) molecular state. The photoassociation rate constant increases linearly with intensity, even where it is predicted that many-body effects might limit the rate. Our observations are in good agreement with a two-body theory having no free parameters.

Bose-Einstein condensation of potassium atoms by sympathetic cooling

We report on the Bose-Einstein condensation of potassium atoms, whereby quantum degeneracy is achieved by sympathetic cooling with evaporatively cooled rubidium. Because of the rapid thermalization of the two different atoms, the efficiency of the cooling process is high. The ability to achieve condensation by sympathetic cooling with a different species may provide a route to the production of degenerate systems with a larger choice of components.

Molecular variation in plant cell populations evolving in vitro in different physiological contexts

Previous work has shown the fixation of context-specific random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) patterns in tomato cell cultures grown for 2 years in different hormonal contexts. In this work, RAPD sequences were characterised and RAPD-derived molecular markers used for a further study of variation between and within auto- and auxo-trophic tomato cultures grown in different hormonal equilibria. Results were then compared with those obtained using microsatellite markers located in noncoding regions of differentiation- and hormone-related genes and with those obtained with the external transcribed spacer (ETS) from tomato rDNA. Hybridisation of RAPDs on a tomato genomic DNA bank, or on total DNA after enzymatic digestion, suggested that the markers were repetitive in nature. Sequence analysis. however, showed that the homology between different fragments was due mainly to the presence of homo-AT nucleotide stretches. Moreover, a series of computational methods, such as an information-theory algorithm coupled with AG estimates, suggested that the RAPD fragments isolated in our experiments are noncoding. The amplification of SSR-containing RAPD-derived markers, and of other SSRs located in noncoding regions of tomato functional genes, consistently showed polymorphism between auxo- and auto-trophic somaclones (the latter being either habituated or transgenic for Agrobacterium tumefaciens oncogenes) but not within these same clones. Differences were also found between auxotrophic clones and the differentiated tissue. These findings were confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis with the REII repetitive element of the ETS from tomato rDNA, which was isolated during this study. The results obtained suggest a possible role for physiological context in the selection of RAPD patterns during the evolution of tomato cells with different endogenous hormonal equilibria. The results are discussed in terms of a possible role for variation in noncoding regions of hormone-related genes in the adaptation to different physiological contexts.

Changes in autonomic and EEG patterns induced by hypnotic imagination of aversive stimuli in man

Autonomic and electroencephalographic (EEG) responses to aversive stimuli presented by means of hypnotic suggestion have been studied in man.Healthy volunteers with simple phobia were screened for susceptibility to hypnosis. The experimental paradigm included periods of rest during which the hypnotized subjects were asked to produce an emotionally neutral mental image and periods of emotional activation in which they were asked to image a phobic object. Heart rate (HR), respiratory frequency (RF) and EEG were processed to obtain the HR-related indexes of sympatho-vagal balance and the EEG spectral components. The results showed a significant increase in HR and RF with a shift of the sympatho-vagal indexes towards a sympathetic predominance during the hypnotic emotional activation. EEG activity showed a significant increase in the gamma band with a left fronto-central prevalence. There was also a less pronounced increase in the beta band. In conclusion, by means of hypnosis, autonomic and behavioral responses to fear-like stimuli can be induced in man in a reproducible and controlled manner. Such a paradigm could be applied in human neuroimaging studies to identify central nervous structures that modulate stress and fear-related reactions.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of torasemide and furosemide in patients with diuretic resistant ascites

BACKGROUND/AIM

To evaluate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of furosemide and torasemide in patients with cirrhosis and diuretic resistant ascites.

METHODS

Eighteen patients were randomly allocated to receive intravenous torasemide (40 mg) or furosemide (80 mg). The renal response to these drugs was assessed in baseline conditions and in the 24 h following drug administration together with plasma and urinary concentrations of furosemide, torasemide and its metabolites.

RESULTS

Torasemide induced significantly greater diuretic and natriuretic effects than furosemide in the first hour after drug administration. No other significant differences between the two drugs were observed with respect to the renal response to these drugs. Torasemide reached a lower maximum plasma concentration than furosemide, but the former drug had a longer apparent terminal half-life and lower renal and non-renal clearances. Comparing these results with those previously reported in healthy subjects, both drugs showed a reduced elimination rate through renal and non-renal routes, and a larger distribution to body fluids. As a consequence, the half-life of both drugs was longer than in healthy subjects. Urinary excretion of pharmacologically active species, however, was quantitatively unchanged after torasemide administration, whereas it was reduced after furosemide. Finally, the natriuretic potency of both drugs was markedly reduced in these patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of torasemide and furosemide are markedly altered in patients with diuretic resistant ascites.

Effects of early cerebellar removal on the classically conditioned bradycardia of adult rabbits

The magnitude of classically conditioned bradycardia was studied in 18-day-old and adult rabbits in which the cerebellar vermis had been surgically removed on either the 5th or 18th postnatal day. In the conditioning procedure, an auditory stimulus (5 s, 1000 Hz) served as conditioned stimulus (CS) and a train of electric impulses applied to the ear (100 Hz, 500 ms, 1.5 mA) was employed as the unconditioned stimulus (US). Heart rate (HR) responses developed in the operated animals during the CS-alone (orientation), and CS-US paired presentations (conditioning) were analyzed and compared with those developed in control animals. In all the experimental groups, lesions were localized to the cortex of lobules IV-VII and the underlying white matter, sparing the deep cerebellar nuclei. None of the lesioned animals showed any behavioral or somatomotor deficit. All the operated animals exhibited a normal baseline HR and a marked orienting response, both comparable with those of controls. In contrast, while the animals tested at 18 days showed a normal pattern of conditioned bradycardia, at the age of 3 months the HR conditioned response differed significantly from that observed in control rabbits: the animals that received the earliest cerebellar lesion showed a conditioned bradycardia greater than that of controls, the rabbits lesioned on the 18th postnatal day exhibited a reduced bradycardic response. These results suggest that the timing of cerebellar vermis removal, at early stages of development, represents a crucial factor in the organization of the bradycardic response in the adult.

Increased production of nitric oxide by neutrophils and monocytes from cirrhotic patients with ascites and hyperdynamic circulation

An increased release of nitric oxide (NO), a powerful vasodilating agent, has been proposed to play a role in the pathogenesis of vasodilation and hyperdynamic circulation associated with advanced cirrhosis. We evaluated NO synthase (NOS) activity in peripheral leukocytes of 12 cirrhotic patients and 9 healthy subjects together with plasma endotoxin levels and systemic hemodynamic (by a noninvasive echocardiographic method). NOS activity was evaluated by (1) measuring the capacity of isolated polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) and monocytes to convert [3H]arginine to [3H]citrulline; (2) measuring the ability of neutrophils and monocytes to inhibit thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and to increase guanosine 3'-5'-cyclic monophosphate content in coincubated platelets, an expression of NO release from these cells. Both neutrophils and monocytes from cirrhotic patients produced significantly higher amounts of [3H]citrulline than cells obtained from healthy subjects (P < .001 and P < .02 for neutrophils and monocytes, respectively) and were more effective than control cells in inhibiting platelet aggregation (P < .05 and P < .001, respectively for 2 x 10(6) cells) and in increasing guanosine 3'-5'-cyclic monophosphate content in coincubated platelets (P < .05 and P < .001, respectively). The anti-aggregating activity expressed by leukocytes has a pharmacological profile similar to that described for NO, because it increased after addition of superoxide dismutase, a superoxide anion scavenger, and markedly decreased after inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) and NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME). Cirrhotic patients had significantly higher plasma endotoxin levels (P < .001) and cardiac index (P < .01) when compared with controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Development of fear-related heart rate responses in neonatal rabbits

Classical simple conditioning of heart rate (HR) was studied in rabbits between the 1st and 18th neonatal day. An auditory stimulus (1000 Hz, 5 s) served as the conditioned stimulus (CS), and a train of electric impulses (100 Hz, 500 ms, 1-1.5 mA) was used as the unconditioned stimulus (US). HR responses developed during orientation session (CS-alone) as well during acquisition (CS-US paired) were analyzed and compared to those developed by young adult rabbits (3-month-old). In all neonatal animals tested, baseline HR measured during an adaptation session preceding conditioning, was similar though significantly higher than that measured in adult rabbits (Newman-Keuls P < 0.05). Before the 10th neonatal day, the animals did not show either somatomotor or HR orienting responses to the CS-alone presentations. Consequently, since orienting reactions play a necessary role in the formation and manifestation of conditioned reflexes, 1 to 10-day-old infant rabbits were not submitted to the acquisition session. All the other neonatal groups, while showing orienting behaviours similar to those exhibited by adults (head and pinna movement), presented different patterns of HR orienting responses (no response, bradycardia, tachycardia, bradycardia/tachycardia etc.). As for the acquisition session, the first bradycardic response, similar to that developed by adult rabbits, was found in 18-day-old rabbits. However, also in this neonatal group the amplitude of the conditioned response was significantly smaller when compared to that exhibited by young adults (Newman-Keuls P < 0.01). In addition, in some of the 10-day-old neonates, HR appeared very unstable and dropped to very low values (as low as 146 beats/min) early during conditioning, apparently as a consequence of CS-US association. As for the unconditioned response, no differences were found between adult rabbits and the neonatal animals older than 12 days. In contrast, most of the 10-day-old rabbits showed either bradycardia or no response to the unconditioned stimulus. Considering the ability of mammalian infants to learn somatomotor conditioned responses at early stages of maturation, conditioning of HR responses occurs late during ontogeny. Since this incapacity to show HR conditioned responses before the 18th postnatal day cannot be ascribed to their inability to show phasic HR changes nor to a failure in detecting the auditory stimulus, these results suggest the possibility that HR conditioned responses may be mediated by neural structures developing later during maturation.

Evidence for a storage pool defect in platelets from cirrhotic patients with defective aggregation

The mechanisms underlying the defective platelet function in cirrhotic patients were investigated. Eleven cirrhotic patients with mild disease (group 1), 20 patients with severe cirrhosis (group 2), and 31 controls were studied. Platelet aggregation was significantly reduced in cirrhotics compared with controls. Compared with controls, cirrhotic patients in group 2 showed a significant reduction in the total content of adenosine triphosphate (57.8 +/- 7.8 vs. 26.1 +/- 6.3 mumol/10(11) platelets; P less than 0.05), 5-hydroxytryptamine (285 +/- 26 vs. 104 +/- 38 nmol/10(11) platelets; P less than 0.05), beta-thromboglobulin (2129 +/- 120 vs. 1223 +/- 161 ng/10(8) platelets; P less than 0.01), and platelet factor 4 (1389 +/- 108 vs. 805 +/- 176 ng/10(8) platelets; P less than 0.05). In patients with severe disease, an increase in plasma beta-thromboglobulin-platelet factor 4 ratio, an index of in vivo platelet activation, was observed (controls, 3.50 +/- 0.50; group 1, 4.02 +/- 0.80; and group 2, 6.59 +/- 1.15). Our data indicate the existence of a platelet storage pool defect, which may favor the bleeding tendency of cirrhotic patients.

Strong medicine: rethinking the PFS (patient financial services) director's role

Burdened by accounts receivable problems and the growing complexity of patient accounting, hospitals soon may require an enhanced resume for individuals responsible for patient financial services (PFS) departments. Advanced skills in management, productivity, budgeting, analysis, and other areas increasingly must be put to work. Outdated perceptions also must change, giving PFS directors the influence needed to make change happen. A hospital's options include supporting course work toward an advanced degree, organizing rotation training in other hospital departments, or filling a PFS director position by searching for parallel skills in other service industries.

Use of conditioned distributions in the analysis of ion channel recordings

A method to test the Markov nature of ion channel gating is proposed. It makes use of singly and doubly conditional distributions. The application of this method to recordings from single BK channels provides evidence that at least two states of the underlying kinetic scheme are left at a constant rate. Moreover, the probabilities, when leaving a state, of reaching another given state are shown to be constant for all the states of the system.

Clinical utility and prognostic value of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is a useful procedure in the diagnosis and management of hypertension, in the assessment of anti-hypertensive drugs and as a means of predicting outcome in hypertension. With ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is possible to detect usual variability of blood pressure, circadian rhythms and the response to environmental influences in both normotensive and hypertensive subjects. A number of clinical conditions are better evaluated with this procedure than with conventional measurements, eg white-coat hypertension (the rise of blood pressure in the physician's office), borderline hypertension, episodic hypertension and secondary hypertension. Multiple readings improve the precision of the estimate of blood pressure profile of the patient and allow a precise evaluation of blood pressure load to which a patient is exposed throughout 24 h. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is closely related to the incidence of cardio- and cerebrovascular events and to the prevalence and the degree of target-organ damage. Casual and ambulatory blood pressure readings are not alternative but complementary tools for clinical management of hypertension and for assessment of the prognostic risk of hypertension.

Stretch-activated cation channels with large unitary conductance in leech central neurons

Stretch-activated cation channels were identified in the soma membrane of leech central neurons. These channels were almost silent under normal experimental conditions and were distinctly activated by application of negative pressure to the patch pipette. The channels exhibited a preferential selectivity for K+ and a slope conductance of about 200 pS, in symmetrical K+ solution. In cell-attached patches these cation channels were activated by cell swelling.

Axotomy affects density but not properties of potassium leak channels, in the leech AP neurons

Leech AP neurons react to axotomy by increasing excitability and resting potential of the cell body membrane. In a previous report we described single potassium channels contributing to the leak conductance in the soma membrane of AP cells. Here we compare both properties and density of single potassium leak channels in cell-free patches from normal and axotomized AP neurons. We show that properties such as single channel conductance, outward rectification, time constants of open and shut interval distributions and absence of inactivation do not significantly differ between normal and axotomized cells. On the other hand, we find that the number of channels per patch progressively increases with time after axotomy. We conclude that changes in density rather than alterations in properties of single channels can account for the increase in the resting potential, observed after axotomy.

Two types of K+ channels in excised patches of somatic membrane of the leech AP neuron

The patch-clamp technique has been applied to the somatic membrane of the leech AP neurons. Ionic currents from single potassium channels were recorded in inside-out configuration. Two types of channels, sharing close values of conductance in symmetrical K+, were identified as distinct, according to their properties of rectification, Ca2+ sensitivity and voltage dependence. The channels designated as VCI exhibited an outward rectification and their gating was quite independent on changes of patch potential and of [Ca2+]i. The channels designated as VCD showed a linear I-V relationship and their activity was dependent on both the membrane potential and the intracellular [Ca2+].