Improving the accuracy of retrieved cardiac electrical conductivities

Accurate values for the six cardiac conductivities of the bidomain model are crucial for meaningful electrophysiological simulations of cardiac tissue and are yet to be achieved. A two-stage optimisation process is used to retrieve the cardiac conductivities from cardiac potentials measured on a multi-electrode array-the first stage simultaneously fits all six conductivities, and the second stage fits a subset of the conductivities (intracellular conductivities), while holding the remainder of the conductivities (extracellular conductivities) constant. Previous studies have shown that the intracellular conductivities are retrieved to a lesser degree of accuracy than extracellular conductivities. This study tests the proposition that there exists a relationship between the extracellular and intracellular conductivities during the second stage of the optimisation that affects the accuracy of the retrieved intracellular conductivities. A measure to quantify this relationship is developed using polynomial chaos. The results show that a significant relationship does exist, and thus any errors in the extracellular conductivities are magnified in the retrieved intracellular conductivities. Thus, it is suggested that future protocols for retrieving conductivities incorporate the uncertainty in the extracellular conductivities.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 1284-1382

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antartica, Cladosporium austrolitorale from coastal sea sand. Australia, Austroboletus yourkae on soil, Crepidotus innuopurpureus on dead wood, Curvularia stenotaphri from roots and leaves of Stenotaphrum secundatum and Thecaphora stajsicii from capsules of Oxalis radicosa. Belgium, Paraxerochrysium coryli (incl. Paraxerochrysium gen. nov.) from Corylus avellana. Brazil, Calvatia nordestina on soil, Didymella tabebuiicola from leaf spots on Tabebuia aurea, Fusarium subflagellisporum from hypertrophied floral and vegetative branches of Mangifera indica and Microdochium maculosum from living leaves of Digitaria insularis. Canada, Cuphophyllus bondii from a grassland. Croatia, Mollisia inferiseptata from a rotten Laurus nobilis trunk. Cyprus, Amanita exilis on calcareous soil. Czech Republic, Cytospora hippophaicola from wood of symptomatic Vaccinium corymbosum. Denmark, Lasiosphaeria deviata on pieces of wood and herbaceous debris. Dominican Republic, Calocybella goethei among grass on a lawn. France (Corsica), Inocybe corsica on wet ground. France (French Guiana), Trechispora patawaensis on decayed branch of unknown angiosperm tree and Trechispora subregularis on decayed log of unknown angiosperm tree. Germany, Paramicrothecium sambuci (incl. Paramicrothecium gen. nov.) on dead stems of Sambucus nigra. India, Aureobasidium microtermitis from the gut of a Microtermes sp. termite, Laccaria diospyricola on soil and Phylloporia tamilnadensis on branches of Catunaregam spinosa. Iran, Pythium serotinoosporum from soil under Prunus dulcis. Italy, Pluteus brunneovenosus on twigs of broadleaved trees on the ground. Japan, Heterophoma rehmanniae on leaves of Rehmannia glutinosa f. hueichingensis. Kazakhstan, Murispora kazachstanica from healthy roots of Triticum aestivum. Namibia, Caespitomonium euphorbiae (incl. Caespitomonium gen. nov.) from stems of an Euphorbia sp. Netherlands, Alfaria junci, Myrmecridium junci, Myrmecridium juncicola, Myrmecridium juncigenum, Ophioceras junci, Paradinemasporium junci (incl. Paradinemasporium gen. nov.), Phialoseptomonium junci, Sporidesmiella juncicola, Xenopyricularia junci and Zaanenomyces quadripartis (incl. Zaanenomyces gen. nov.), from dead culms of Juncus effusus, Cylindromonium everniae and Rhodoveronaea everniae from Evernia prunastri, Cyphellophora sambuci and Myrmecridium sambuci from Sambucus nigra, Kiflimonium junci, Sarocladium junci, Zaanenomyces moderatricis-academiae and Zaanenomyces versatilis from dead culms of Juncus inflexus, Microcera physciae from Physcia tenella, Myrmecridium dactylidis from dead culms of Dactylis glomerata, Neochalara spiraeae and Sporidesmium spiraeae from leaves of Spiraea japonica, Neofabraea salicina from Salix sp., Paradissoconium narthecii (incl. Paradissoconium gen. nov.) from dead leaves of Narthecium ossifragum, Polyscytalum vaccinii from Vaccinium myrtillus, Pseudosoloacrosporiella cryptomeriae (incl. Pseudosoloacrosporiella gen. nov.) from leaves of Cryptomeria japonica, Ramularia pararhabdospora from Plantago lanceolata, Sporidesmiella pini from needles of Pinus sylvestris and Xenoacrodontium juglandis (incl. Xenoacrodontium gen. nov. and Xenoacrodontiaceae fam. nov.) from Juglans regia. New Zealand, Cryptometrion metrosideri from twigs of Metrosideros sp., Coccomyces pycnophyllocladi from dead leaves of Phyllocladus alpinus, Hypoderma aliforme from fallen leaves Fuscopora solandri and Hypoderma subiculatum from dead leaves Phormium tenax. Norway, Neodevriesia kalakoutskii from permafrost and Variabilispora viridis from driftwood of Picea abies. Portugal, Entomortierella hereditatis from a biofilm covering a deteriorated limestone wall. Russia, Colpoma junipericola from needles of Juniperus sabina, Entoloma cinnamomeum on soil in grasslands, Entoloma verae on soil in grasslands, Hyphodermella pallidostraminea on a dry dead branch of Actinidia sp., Lepiota sayanensis on litter in a mixed forest, Papiliotrema horticola from Malus communis, Paramacroventuria ribis (incl. Paramacroventuria gen. nov.) from leaves of Ribes aureum and Paramyrothecium lathyri from leaves of Lathyrus tuberosus. South Africa, Harzia combreti from leaf litter of Combretum collinum ssp. sulvense, Penicillium xyleborini from Xyleborinus saxesenii, Phaeoisaria dalbergiae from bark of Dalbergia armata, Protocreopsis euphorbiae from leaf litter of Euphorbia ingens and Roigiella syzygii from twigs of Syzygium chordatum. Spain, Genea zamorana on sandy soil, Gymnopus nigrescens on Scleropodium touretii, Hesperomyces parexochomi on Parexochomus quadriplagiatus, Paraphoma variabilis from dung, Phaeococcomyces kinklidomatophilus from a blackened metal railing of an industrial warehouse and Tuber suaveolens in soil under Quercus faginea. Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Inocybe nivea associated with Salix polaris. Thailand, Biscogniauxia whalleyi on corticated wood. UK, Parasitella quercicola from Quercus robur. USA, Aspergillus arizonicus from indoor air in a hospital, Caeliomyces tampanus (incl. Caeliomyces gen. nov.) from office dust, Cippumomyces mortalis (incl. Cippumomyces gen. nov.) from a tombstone, Cylindrium desperesense from air in a store, Tetracoccosporium pseudoaerium from air sample in house, Toxicocladosporium glendoranum from air in a brick room, Toxicocladosporium losalamitosense from air in a classroom, Valsonectria portsmouthensis from air in men's locker room and Varicosporellopsis americana from sludge in a water reservoir. Vietnam, Entoloma kovalenkoi on rotten wood, Fusarium chuoi inside seed of Musa itinerans, Micropsalliota albofelina on soil in tropical evergreen mixed forests and Phytophthora docyniae from soil and roots of Docynia indica. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes. Citation: Crous PW, Osieck ER, Jurjević Ž, et al. 2021. Fungal Planet description sheets: 1284-1382. Persoonia 47: 178-374. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2021.47.06.

Early preantral follicles of the domestic cat express gonadotropin and sex steroid signalling potential

Key biomolecular processes which regulate primordial ovarian follicle dormancy and early folliculogenesis in mammalian ovaries are not fully understood. The domestic cat is a useful model to study ovarian folliculogenesis and is the most relevant for developing in vitro growth methods to be implemented in wild felid conservation breeding programs. Previously, RNA-sequencing of primordial, primary, and secondary follicle samples from domestic cat implicated ovarian steroidogenesis and steroid reception during follicle development. Here we aimed to identify which sex steroid biosynthesis and metabolism enzymes, gonadotropin receptors, and sex steroid receptors are present and may be potential regulators. Differential gene expression, functional annotation, and enrichment analyses were employed and protein localisation was studied too. Gene transcripts for PGR, PGRMC1, AR (steroid receptors), CYP11A1, CYP17A1, HSD17B1 and HSD17B17 (steroidogenic enzymes), and STS (steroid metabolising enzyme) were significantly differentially expressed (Q values of ≤0.05). Differential gene expression increased in all transcripts during follicle transitions apart from AR which decreased by the secondary stage. Immunohistochemistry localised FSHR and LHCGR to oocytes at each stage. PGRMC1 immunostaining was strongest in granulosa cells whereas AR was strongest in oocytes throughout each stage. Protein signals for steroidogenic enzymes were only detectable in secondary follicles. Products of these significantly differentially expressed genes may regulate domestic cat preantral folliculogenesis. In vitro growth could be optimised as all early follicles express gonadotropin and steroid receptors meaning hormone interaction and response may be possible. Protein expression analyses of early secondary follicles supported its potential for producing sex steroids.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 1284-1382

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antartica, Cladosporium austrolitorale from coastal sea sand. Australia, Austroboletus yourkae on soil, Crepidotus innuopurpureus on dead wood, Curvularia stenotaphri from roots and leaves of Stenotaphrum secundatum and Thecaphora stajsicii from capsules of Oxalis radicosa. Belgium, Paraxerochrysium coryli (incl. Paraxerochrysium gen. nov.) from Corylus avellana. Brazil, Calvatia nordestina on soil, Didymella tabebuiicola from leaf spots on Tabebuia aurea, Fusarium subflagellisporum from hypertrophied floral and vegetative branches of Mangifera indica and Microdochium maculosum from living leaves of Digitaria insularis. Canada, Cuphophyllus bondii from a grassland. Croatia, Mollisia inferiseptata from a rotten Laurus nobilis trunk. Cyprus, Amanita exilis on calcareous soil. Czech Republic, Cytospora hippophaicola from wood of symptomatic Vaccinium corymbosum. Denmark, Lasiosphaeria deviata on pieces of wood and herbaceous debris. Dominican Republic, Calocybella goethei among grass on a lawn. France (Corsica), Inocybe corsica on wet ground. France (French Guiana), Trechispora patawaensis on decayed branch of unknown angiosperm tree and Trechispora subregularis on decayed log of unknown angiosperm tree. Germany, Paramicrothecium sambuci (incl. Paramicrothecium gen. nov.) on dead stems of Sambucus nigra. India, Aureobasidium microtermitis from the gut of a Microtermes sp. termite, Laccaria diospyricola on soil and Phylloporia tamilnadensis on branches of Catunaregam spinosa. Iran, Pythium serotinoosporum from soil under Prunus dulcis. Italy, Pluteus brunneovenosus on twigs of broadleaved trees on the ground. Japan, Heterophoma rehmanniae on leaves of Rehmannia glutinosa f. hueichingensis. Kazakhstan, Murispora kazachstanica from healthy roots of Triticum aestivum. Namibia, Caespitomonium euphorbiae (incl. Caespitomonium gen. nov.) from stems of an Euphorbia sp. Netherlands, Alfaria junci, Myrmecridium junci, Myrmecridium juncicola, Myrmecridium juncigenum, Ophioceras junci, Paradinemasporium junci (incl. Paradinemasporium gen. nov.), Phialoseptomonium junci, Sporidesmiella juncicola, Xenopyricularia junci and Zaanenomyces quadripartis (incl. Zaanenomyces gen. nov.), from dead culms of Juncus effusus, Cylindromonium everniae and Rhodoveronaea everniae from Evernia prunastri, Cyphellophora sambuci and Myrmecridium sambuci from Sambucus nigra, Kiflimonium junci, Sarocladium junci, Zaanenomyces moderatricis-academiae and Zaanenomyces versatilis from dead culms of Juncus inflexus, Microcera physciae from Physcia tenella, Myrmecridium dactylidis from dead culms of Dactylis glomerata, Neochalara spiraeae and Sporidesmium spiraeae from leaves of Spiraea japonica, Neofabraea salicina from Salix sp., Paradissoconium narthecii (incl. Paradissoconium gen. nov.) from dead leaves of Narthecium ossifragum, Polyscytalum vaccinii from Vaccinium myrtillus, Pseudosoloacrosporiella cryptomeriae (incl. Pseudosoloacrosporiella gen. nov.) from leaves of Cryptomeria japonica, Ramularia pararhabdospora from Plantago lanceolata, Sporidesmiella pini from needles of Pinus sylvestris and Xenoacrodontium juglandis (incl. Xenoacrodontium gen. nov. and Xenoacrodontiaceae fam. nov.) from Juglans regia. New Zealand, Cryptometrion metrosideri from twigs of Metrosideros sp., Coccomyces pycnophyllocladi from dead leaves of Phyllocladus alpinus, Hypoderma aliforme from fallen leaves Fuscopora solandri and Hypoderma subiculatum from dead leaves Phormium tenax. Norway, Neodevriesia kalakoutskii from permafrost and Variabilispora viridis from driftwood of Picea abies. Portugal, Entomortierella hereditatis from a biofilm covering a deteriorated limestone wall. Russia, Colpoma junipericola from needles of Juniperus sabina, Entoloma cinnamomeum on soil in grasslands, Entoloma verae on soil in grasslands, Hyphodermella pallidostraminea on a dry dead branch of Actinidia sp., Lepiota sayanensis on litter in a mixed forest, Papiliotrema horticola from Malus communis, Paramacroventuria ribis (incl. Paramacroventuria gen. nov.) from leaves of Ribes aureum and Paramyrothecium lathyri from leaves of Lathyrus tuberosus. South Africa, Harzia combreti from leaf litter of Combretum collinum ssp. sulvense, Penicillium xyleborini from Xyleborinus saxesenii, Phaeoisaria dalbergiae from bark of Dalbergia armata, Protocreopsis euphorbiae from leaf litter of Euphorbia ingens and Roigiella syzygii from twigs of Syzygium chordatum. Spain, Genea zamorana on sandy soil, Gymnopus nigrescens on Scleropodium touretii, Hesperomyces parexochomi on Parexochomus quadriplagiatus, Paraphoma variabilis from dung, Phaeococcomyces kinklidomatophilus from a blackened metal railing of an industrial warehouse and Tuber suaveolens in soil under Quercus faginea. Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Inocybe nivea associated with Salix polaris. Thailand, Biscogniauxia whalleyi on corticated wood. UK, Parasitella quercicola from Quercus robur. USA, Aspergillus arizonicus from indoor air in a hospital, Caeliomyces tampanus (incl. Caeliomyces gen. nov.) from office dust, Cippumomyces mortalis (incl. Cippumomyces gen. nov.) from a tombstone, Cylindrium desperesense from air in a store, Tetracoccosporium pseudoaerium from air sample in house, Toxicocladosporium glendoranum from air in a brick room, Toxicocladosporium losalamitosense from air in a classroom, Valsonectria portsmouthensis from air in men's locker room and Varicosporellopsis americana from sludge in a water reservoir. Vietnam, Entoloma kovalenkoi on rotten wood, Fusarium chuoi inside seed of Musa itinerans, Micropsalliota albofelina on soil in tropical evergreen mixed forests and Phytophthora docyniae from soil and roots of Docynia indica. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes. Citation: Crous PW, Osieck ER, Jurjević Ž, et al. 2021. Fungal Planet description sheets: 1284-1382. Persoonia 47: 178-374. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2021.47.06.

How the 'kitome' influences the characterization of bacterial communities in lepidopteran samples with low bacterial biomass

AIMS

We aimed to elucidate whether the DNA extraction kit and bacteria therein affect the characterization of bacterial communities associated with butterfly samples harbouring different bacterial abundancies.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analysed bacteria associated with eggs of Pieris brassicae and with adults of this butterfly, which were either untreated or treated with antibiotics (ABs). Three DNA extraction kits were used. Regardless of the extraction kit used, PCR amplification of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene detected very low bacterial presence in eggs and AB-treated butterflies. In untreated butterflies, bacterial signal intensity varied according to the kit and primers used. Sequencing (MiSeq) of the bacterial communities in untreated and AB-treated butterflies revealed a low alpha diversity in untreated butterflies because of the dominance of few bacteria genera, which were detectable regardless of the kit. However, a significantly greater alpha diversity was found in AB-treated butterflies, evidencing a true bias of the results due to bacterial contaminants in the kit.

CONCLUSIONS

The so-called 'kitome' can impact the profiling of Lepidoptera-associated bacteria in samples with low bacterial biomass.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Our study highlights the necessity of method testing and analysis of negative controls when investigating Lepidoptera-associated bacterial communities.

Tricladiaceae fam. nov. (Helotiales, Leotiomycetes)

To resolve the polyphyletic nature of Solenopeziaceae as it was originally circumscribed, we establish a new family Tricladiaceae for those genera originally placed in Solenopeziaceae that have aquatic hyphomycete-like asexual morphs and/or a sexual morph with glabrous apothecia. These include Cudoniella, Geniculospora, Graddonia, Halenospora, Mycofalcella, Spirosphaera, and Tricladium. Solenopeziaceae is confined to the genera Lasiobelonium, Solenopezia, Trichopeziza, and Trichopezizella, all of which have a sexual morph having apothecia with smooth-walled hairs. This taxonomy is supported by a multi-gene analysis using up to 15 genes, with a few of the taxa placed on the basis of a separate ITS phylogeny. Tricladiaceae forms a monophyletic clade with a basal sister relationship to Pleuroascaceae plus Helotiaceae; Solenopeziaceae forms a monophyletic clade with a basal sister relationship to Lachnaceae.

Impedance and conductivity of bovine myocardium during freezing and thawing at slow rates - implications for cardiac cryo-ablation

Increasing impedance during freezing might be a valuable marker for guiding cardiac cryo-ablation. We provide model based insights on how decreasing temperature below the freezing point of tissue relates to the percentage of frozen water. Furthermore, we provide experimental data for comparing this percentage with the increase in impedance. Measurements were performed on a bovine tissue sample at frequencies between 5 and 80 kHz. Slow cooling and heating rates were applied to minimize temperature gradients in the myocardial sample and to allow accurate assessment of the freezing point. Computer simulation was applied to link impedance with temperature dependent conductivities. The osmotic virial equation was used to estimate the percentage of frozen water. Measurements identified the freezing point at -0.6 ^∘C. At -5 ^∘C, impedance rose by more than a factor of ten compared to that at the freezing point and the percentage of frozen water was estimated as being 89%. At -49 ^∘C impedance had increased by up to three orders of magnitude and ice formation was most pronounced in the extracellular space. Progressive ice formation in tissue is reflected by a large increase in impedance, and impedance increases monotonically with the percentage of frozen water. Its analysis allows for experimental assessment of factors relevant to cell death. Solid ice contributes to the rupture of the micro-vasculature, while phase shifts reflect concentration differences between extra- and intracellular space driving osmotic water transfer across cell membranes.

Blastacervulus metrosideri sp. nov. leaf spot on Metrosideros excelsa in New Zealand

A leaf-spotting fungal pathogen common on Metrosideros excelsa in New Zealand is described here as Blastacervulus metrosideri sp. nov. It has previously been identified in the New Zealand literature as Leptomelanconium sp. and as Staninwardia breviuscula. The choice of genus for this new species is supported by a phylogeny based on ITS and LSU sequences. It is phylogenetically close to several morphologically similar Eucalyptus leaf spotting pathogens.

Termite soldiers contribute to social immunity by synthesizing potent oral secretions

The importance of soldiers to termite society defence has long been recognized, but the contribution of soldiers to other societal functions, such as colony immunity, is less well understood. We explore this issue by examining the role of soldiers in protecting nestmates against pathogen infection. Even though they are unable to engage in grooming behaviour, we find that the presence of soldiers of the Darwin termite, Mastotermes darwiniensis, significantly improves the survival of nestmates following entomopathogenic infection. We also show that the copious exocrine oral secretions produced by Darwin termite soldiers contain a high concentration of proteins involved in digestion, chemical biosynthesis, and immunity. The oral secretions produced by soldiers are sufficient to protect nestmates against infection, and they have potent inhibitory activity against a broad spectrum of microbes. Our findings support the view that soldiers may play an important role in colony immunity, and broaden our understanding of the possible function of soldiers during the origin of soldier-first societies.

Multiparametric Analysis of Permeability and ADC Histogram Metrics for Classification of Pediatric Brain Tumors by Tumor Grade

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Accurate tumor grading is essential for treatment planning of pediatric brain tumors. We hypothesized that multiparametric analyses of a combination of permeability metrics and ADC histogram metrics would differentiate high- and low-grade tumors with high accuracy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DTI and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging using T1-mapping with flip angles of 2°, 5°, 10°, and 15°, followed by a 0.1-mmol/kg body weight gadolinium-based bolus was performed on all patients in addition to standard MR imaging. Permeability data were processed and transfer constant from the blood plasma into the extracellular extravascular space, rate constant from the extracellular extravascular space back into blood plasma, extravascular extracellular volume fraction, and fractional blood plasma volume were calculated from 3D tumor volumes. Apparent diffusion coefficient histogram metrics were calculated for 3 separate tumor volumes derived from T2-FLAIR sequences, T1 contrast-enhanced sequences, and permeability maps, respectively.

RESULTS

Results from 41 patients (0.3-16.76 years of age; mean, 6.22 years) with newly diagnosed contrast-enhancing brain tumors (16 low-grade; 25 high-grade) were included in the institutional review board-approved retrospective analysis. Wilcoxon tests showed a higher transfer constant from blood plasma into extracellular extravascular space and rate constant from extracellular extravascular space back into blood plasma, and lower extracellular extravascular volume fraction (P < .001) in high-grade tumors. The mean ADCs of FLAIR and enhancing tumor volumes were significantly lower in high-grade tumors (P < .001). ROC analysis showed that a combination of extravascular volume fraction and mean ADC of FLAIR volume differentiated high- and low-grade tumors with high accuracy (area under receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.918).

CONCLUSIONS

ADC histogram metrics combined with permeability metrics differentiate low- and high-grade pediatric brain tumors with high accuracy.

Vibrisseaceous fungi from the southern hemisphere, including Chlorovibrissea chilensis (Helotiales, incertaesedis) sp. nov

The discovery of Chlorovibrissea chilensis sp. nov.expands the distribution of Chlorovibrissea from Australasia to include South America. C. chilensis, phylogenetically distinct from other species in the genus, is also characterized morphologically by its ascoma with emerald green stalk and pale orange-brown head, budding paraphyses and 5-6-septate ascospores. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, the Australasian species Vibrisseaalbofusca is recombined in Chlorovibrissea, despite the fact it lacks the distinctive green pigmentation of other species in this genus. In addition, the genus Vibrissea in a strict phylogenetic sense is confirmed from the southern hemisphere for the first time; Vibrissea truncorum is reported from Chile and V. flavovirens from New Zealand.

Two new pathogenic ascomycetes in Guignardia and Rosenscheldiella on New Zealand's pygmy mistletoes (Korthalsella: Viscaceae)

Two new pathogens, Guignardia korthalsellae and Rosenscheldiella korthalsellae, are described from New Zealand's pygmy mistletoes (Korthalsella, Viscaceae). Both form ascomata on living phylloclades with minimal disruption of the tissue. Fungal hyphae within the phylloclade are primarily intercellular. Guignardia korthalsellae disrupts a limited number of epidermal cells immediately around the erumpent ascoma, while the ascomata of Rosenscheldiellakorthalsellae develop externally on small patches of stromatic tissue that form above stomatal cavities. Rosenscheldiella is applied in a purely morphological sense. LSU sequences show that R. korthalsellae as well as another New Zealand species, Rosenscheldiella brachyglottidis, are members of the Mycosphaerellaceaesensu stricto. Genetically, Rosenscheldiella, in the sense we are using it, is polyphyletic; LSU and ITS sequences place the two New Zealand species in different clades within the Mycosphaerellaceae. Rosenscheldiella is retained for these fungi until generic relationships within the family are resolved. Whether or not the type species of Rosenscheldiella, R. styracis, is also a member of the Mycosphaerellaceae is not known, but it has a similar morphology and relationship to its host as the two New Zealand species.

Molecular phylogeny reveals a core clade of Rhytismatales

Rhytismatales (Leotiomycetes, Pezizomycotina, Ascomycota) are an order of mostly plant-associated ascomycetes with a global distribution. Well known taxa include the Rhytisma tar spots on Acer spp. and several needle-cast pathogens in genera Lophodermium and Meloderma. Critical studies are lacking at all taxonomic ranks from order to species, and in particular the genus taxonomy in the order has been criticized for being unnatural. We used nuclear LSU and mitochondrial SSU sequences in Bayesian phylogenetic analyses to define a core clade of Rhytismatales sensu stricto. Some of the genera traditionally placed within the Rhytismatales, Ascodichaena, Marthamyces, Mellitiosporium, Potebniamyces, Propolis and Pseudophacidium, are shown to be phylogenetically distinct, all related to various other taxa at present placed in the polyphyletic Helotiales. Within the core clade only Cudonia, Spathularia and Terriera are supported as monophyletic. The large genera Coccomyces, Hypoderma and Lophodermium all are polyphyletic as are a few smaller genera. The traditionally used characters of ascoma and spore shape are shown to be unreliable for the delimitation of monophyletic genera but in some cases can be useful when combined with other characters. In this study we provide 72 new nrLSU and 64 new mtSSU sequences. Together with publicly available sequences data for 103 specimens representing 91 species of Rhytismatales are now available. Despite this taxon sampling intensity is still too low to propose an alternative generic taxonomy.

The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour 10 year age eligibility and professional development review

Concerns have long existed over the participation of adolescent athletes in professional sports. In 2004, the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour (WTA Tour) commissioned a Professional Development Advisory Panel (PDAP) to evaluate the WTA Tour's age eligibility rule (AER) and professional development programmes (PDPs) for female tennis players since their inception in 1995. More than 75% of the 628 respondents supported the principles of the AER, and 90% indicated a need for PDPs. Statistical analysis of WTA Tour players' careers found that premature retirements (players leaving the Tour at or before age 21) decreased significantly from 7% before the AER to less than 1% afterward, and median career length increased by 43%. The PDAP recommends that the WTA Tour continues a phased-in, developmentally appropriate AER, enhances the PDPs, and works with other sport governing bodies to coordinate rules and programmes at earlier ages to aid the transition of adolescents into adult sports.

Construction of realistic branched, three-dimensional arteries suitable for computational modelling of flow

Routinely performed biplane digital coronary angiograms were used to construct a three-dimensional model of the coronary arteries. The technique took the images and automatically picked the centreline and radii in each. By reading the information contained in the DICOM format, the rotation angle between the two images could be ascertained, and the centreline in three dimensions could be determined. Once the centreline and radii had been calculated, a finite volume mesh of the artery was constructed that could be used as input into a fluid dynamics package that solves Navier-Stokes equations. A four-section method was adopted for constructing the mesh, utilising three tubular segments and a small junction section. The tubes were constructed automatically, and the junction procedure was semi-automated, maximising user-control over this region. A structured mesh was used for the tubes, and an unstructured mesh was used to model accurately the irregular shape of the junction. The accuracy of the reconstruction method was established by projection of a mesh onto an independent image of the same artery and the use of a coronary phantom. These tests, along with calibration of the edge detection, established an error of less than 2% in the model.

Recall of health warnings in smokeless tobacco ads

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of health warning characteristics in smokeless tobacco magazine print ads on warning recall, and the implications for current US Federal regulations.

DESIGN

Subjects examined two distracter ads and one of nine randomly assigned smokeless tobacco ads varying in health warning presence, size (8 to 18 point font), and contrast (low versus high)-including no health warning. They were then interviewed about ad content using recall and recognition questions.

SUBJECTS

A convenience sample of 895 English speaking males aged 16-24 years old who were intercepted at seven shopping malls throughout Massachusetts during May 2000.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Proven aided recall, or recall of a health warning and correct recognition of the warning message among distracters, and false recall.

RESULTS

Controlling for covariates such as education, employment/student status, and Hispanic background, proven aided recall increased significantly with font size; doubling size from 10 to 20 point font would increase recall from 63% to 76%. Although not statistically significant, recall was somewhat better for high contrast warnings. Ten per cent of the sample mistakenly recalled the warning where none existed.

CONCLUSIONS

As demonstrated by substantially greater recall among ads that included health warnings over ads that had none, health warnings retained their value to consumers despite years of exposure (that can produce false recall). Larger health warnings would enhance recall, and the proposed model can be used to estimate potential recall that affects communication, perceived health risk, and behaviour modification.

The importance of anisotropy in modeling ST segment shift in subendocardial ischaemia

In this paper, a simple mathematical model of a slab of cardiac tissue is presented in an attempt to better understand the relationship between subendocardial ischaemia and the resulting epicardial potential distributions. The cardiac tissue is represented by the bidomain model where tissue anisotropy and fiber rotation have been incorporated with a view to predicting the epicardial surface potential distribution. The source of electric potential in this steady-state problem is the difference between plateau potentials in normal and ischaemic tissue, where it is assumed that ischaemic tissue has a lower plateau potential. Simulations with tissue anisotropy and no fiber rotation are also considered. Simulations are performed for various thicknesses of the transition region between normal and ischaemic tissue and for various sizes of the ischaemic region. The simulated epicardial potential distributions, based on an anisotropic model of the cardiac tissue, show that there are large potential gradients above the border of the ischaemic region and that there are dips in the potential distribution above the region of ischaemia. It could be concluded from the simulations that it would be possible to predict the region of subendocardial ischaemia from the epicardial potential distribution, a conclusion contrary to observed experimental data. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed. In the interests of mathematical simplicity, isotropic models of the cardiac tissue are also considered, but results from these simulations predict epicardial potential distributions vastly different from experimental observations. A major conclusion from this work is that tissue anisotropy and fiber rotation must be included to obtain meaningful and realistic epicardial potential distributions.

Selecting the corner in the L-curve approach to Tikhonov regularization

The performance of two methods for selecting the corner in the L-curve approach to Tikhonov regularization is evaluated via computer simulation. These methods are selecting the corner as the point of maximum curvature in the L-curve, and selecting it as the point where the product of abcissa and ordinate is a minimum. It is shown that both these methods resulted in significantly better regularization parameters than that obtained with an often-used empirical Composite REsidual and Smoothing Operator approach, particularly in conditions where correlated geometry noise exceeds Gaussian measurement noise. It is also shown that the regularization parameter that results with the minimum-product method is identical to that selected with another empirical zero-crossing approach proposed earlier.

Epicardial ST depression in acute myocardial infarction

The presence of electrocardiographic ST depression in acute infarction remains controversial and poorly explained. A combined animal and modeling study was performed to evaluate the source of ST changes in acute infarction. In anaesthetized sheep, small infarcts showed uniform ST elevation over the infarction whereas larger infarcts showed marked ST depression over the normal myocardium in addition to the ST elevation. These findings were replicated by bidomain models of the heart. A hollow sphere was used to model a gradually increasing infarct, and this showed that there was a decrease in the ratio of ST elevation to ST depression as the infarct was increased. The current flowing out of the heart must be identical to the current flowing back into the heart. This means that any infarction will produce ST depression as well as ST elevation, the ratio between the two being related to the size of the infarction. Small infarction is associated with a small region of ST elevation and minor ST depression of the remaining myocardium, and as the infarct region increases, the amplitude of the epicardial ST elevation falls and the amplitude of the ST depression increases. Infarction size is proportional to both the height of the ST depression on the epicardium and the strength of the epicardial ST segment dipole.

An asymptotic estimate for the effective radius of a concentric bipolar electrode

A concentric bipolar electrode (CBE) (consisting of a central disc and an outer annulus) has been proposed as an approximate method of measuring the surface Laplacian of the body surface electrical potential distribution. The derivation of the surface Laplacian approximation, in terms of the potential difference measured with the bipolar electrode, contained an unspecified parameter which has been dubbed the 'effective radius' of the concentric bipolar electrode. This paper presents an asymptotic analysis to derive an expression for the effective radius in terms of the physical dimensions of the electrode (the radius of the central disc and inner and outer radii of the annulus). Also studied is the way in which the value of the effective radius affects the behaviour of the relative error in the surface Laplacian measurement at various dipole source locations within a conducting medium.

Anti-inflammatory effects of salmeterol compared with beclomethasone in eosinophilic mild exacerbations of asthma: a randomized, placebo controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Salmeterol is a potent long acting beta-agonist that is effective in relieving the symptoms and airflow limitation of asthma.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the effect of salmeterol on clinical parameters in a mild eosinophilic exacerbation of asthma was similar to that of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) and, thus, is due to an anti-inflammatory property.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-four asthmatics with a persistent increase in symptoms for at least two weeks and an increase of sputum eosinophils of 4% or more were randomized in a double-blind fashion to one of three groups that received daily treatment with 100 mg salmeterol, 1 mg BDP or placebo in divided doses using identical pressurized inhalers. Patients were treated with study medications for three weeks, followed by one week of open label BDP (500 mg bid). Patients were seen at weekly intervals, and sputum and blood were obtained on each visit. The primary outcome measure was a change in sputum eosinophils, and secondary outcomes were changes in blood eosinophils, eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and clinical parameters. Three patients (one in each group) could not produce any sputum after randomization and were excluded from the analysis.

RESULTS

Twelve patients received salmeterol, 10 received BDP and nine received placebo. Salmeterol treatment had no effect on sputum eosinophils geometric mean, (from 35.5 [24.9] to 26.9% [25.8]), blood eosinophils (from 7.6 [4.8] to 7.2% [3.9]) or ECP (from 33.1 [18.1] to 27.8 [16.3] mg/L) but improved morning peak expiratory flow (PEF) and diurnal variation of PEF, and decreased the use of rescue medication more than placebo (P<0.05 for all comparisons). In contrast, BDP improved both inflammatory indexes (sputum eosinophils from 22.5 [17.9] to 5.7% [6.8], blood eosinophils from 9.0 [5.5] to 2.1% 1.0, and serum ECP from 36.5 [22.0] to 16.1 [10.1] mg/L) as well as clinical parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that salmeterol improves the symptoms and airway function of patients with asthma, but has no effect on eosinophilic airway infiltration. These findings support current asthma guidelines, which recommend the initial use of inhaled steroid to maximize clinical improvement. While salmeterol also produces clinical improvement, it does not suppress sputum eosinophilia. The analysis of induced or spontaneous sputum for inflammatory indexes may be a valuable clinical test to guide the use of inhaled steroid and/or a long acting beta-agonist.

Comparison of efficacy and ease of handling of salmeterol and terbutaline powder inhalers

A multicentre, randomised, open, parallel-group study was performed to compare the efficacy, tolerability and ease of handling of salmeterol xinafoate 50 micrograms twice daily via the Diskus inhaler with terbutaline sulphate 500 micrograms four times daily via the Turbuhaler inhaler. Two hundred and sixty-three patients (aged 18-79 years, baseline FEV1 50-90% predicted, mean PEFR 85% of response to salbutamol) were randomised to treatment with salmeterol (n = 136) or terbutaline (n = 127). A statistically significant difference in favour of salmeterol was seen between treatment groups for the primary efficacy variable, mean morning PEFR (difference in adjusted means 25.4 l/min, p < 0.001). Within the groups randomised to each device, ease of handling assessments favoured the Diskus inhaler over the Turbuhaler inhaler. More patients liked the Diskus inhaler than the Turbuhaler inhaler (98% vs 72%, p < 0.001). The Diskus inhaler received better scores than the Turbuhaler inhaler for all features assessed in the device questionnaire.

The Laplacian inverse problem of electrocardiography: an eccentric spheres study

The eccentric spheres model of the heart-torso system is used to study the inverse problem of electrocardiography using measurements of the Laplacian of the body surface potential distribution. Electrical activity is simulated on the six main regions of the inner surface by considering a limited number of current dipoles placed within the inner sphere. The resulting outer surface potential and Laplacian distributions are then calculated in a forward sense. Varying amounts of random noise are added to these distributions before a zero-order Tikhonov regularization scheme is used to recover the inner surface potential distribution. Comparing the calculated and original inner surface distributions indicates that measurements of the outer surface Laplacian can more accurately reconstruct epicardial potentials than measurements of the outer surface potentials. These distributions are more accurate in that the extrema are placed very close to their original positions and are of nearly the same magnitude. Also, multiple extrema and high potential gradients are recovered.

A new method for regularization parameter determination in the inverse problem of electrocardiography

Computing the potentials on the heart's epicardial surface from the body surface potentials constitutes one form of the inverse problem of electrocardiography. An often-used approach to overcoming the ill-posed nature of the inverse problem and stabilizing the solution is via zero-order Tikhonov regularization, where the squared norms of both the surface potential residual and the solution are minimized, with a relative weight determined by a so-called regularization parameter. This paper looks at the composite residual and smoothing operator (CRESO) and L-curve methods currently used to determine a suitable value for this regularization parameter, t, and proposes a third method that works just as well and is much simpler to compute. This new zero-crossing method selects t such that the squared norm of the surface potential residual is equal to t times the squared norm of the solution. Its performance was compared with those of the other two methods, using three stimulation protocols of increasing complexity. The first of these protocols involved a concentric spheres model for the heart and torso and three current dipoles placed inside the inner sphere as the source distribution. The second replaced the spheres with realistic epicardial and torso geometries, while keeping the three-dipole source configuration. The final simulation kept the realistic epicardial and torso geometries, but used epicardial potential distributions corresponding to both normal and ectopic activation of the heart as the source model. Inverse solutions were computed in the presence of both geometry noise, involving assumed erroneous shifts in the heart position, and of Gaussian measurement noise added to the torso surface potentials. It was verified that in an idealistic situation, in which correlated geometry noise dominated the uncorrelated Gaussian measurement noise, only the CRESO approach arrived at a value for t. Both L-curve and zero-crossing approaches did not work. Once measurement noise dominated geometry noise, all three approaches resulted in comparable t values. It was also shown, however, that often under low measurement noise conditions none of the three resulted in an optimum solution.

A placebo-controlled, crossover comparison of salmeterol and salbutamol in patients with asthma

We compared the effects of salmeterol (Sm) (50 micrograms twice daily) with that of salbutamol (Sb) (200 micrograms four times daily) and placebo (P) in patients with mild-to-moderate asthma with asthma symptoms and related the effectiveness of these therapies between patients who used concurrent inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and those who did not. The study was a 12-wk, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial with 367 adult asthmatics randomized to each trial medication for 4 wk. Inhaled Sb was provided as rescue medication to all patients throughout the trial. Only 80% of patients, albeit the majority, were receiving maintenance treatment with ICS throughout this trial; this reflects practice current in early 1990. Each study day, patients recorded their morning and evening peak expiratory flows (PEF), assessment of asthma symptoms, and use of rescue medication. Both morning and evening PEF were greater during treatment with Sm than with Sb (mean differences between the treatments of 29.8 and 14.3 L/min, respectively) or P (27.7 and 20.3 L/min, respectively) (p < 0.0001). Sm was also more effective than Sb or P in lowering diurnal variation in PEF and increasing the percentage of symptom-free days and rescue-free days and nights with no sleep disturbance (p < or = 0.0004). Sb was more effective than P in increasing evening PEF and the percentage of symptom-free days (p < 0.05) and rescue-free days (p < 0.0001). The same clinical superiority of Sm compared with Sb and P was observed in those patients using ICS (p < 0.001 for all treatment comparisons), and to a greater extent than in those patients not using ICS (i.e., Sm was more effective than Sb and P in just six of the 20 treatment comparisons; p < 0.05). In conclusion, Sm 50 micrograms twice daily is effective in the management of mild-to-moderate asthma and it further improves asthma control in patients already using ICS.

The potential for Laplacian maps to solve the inverse problem of electrocardiography

This paper presents a method to solve the inverse problem of electrocardiography using the Laplacian of the body surface potentials. The method presented is studied first using trade-off curves from a concentric spheres model representing a heart-torso system. Then a more conventional study is undertaken where a limited number of current dipoles are placed within the inner sphere and noise is added to the resulting potentials and Laplacians on the surface of the outer sphere. The result indicate that measurements of the outer surface Laplacian can more accurately reconstruct epicardial potentials than measurements of the outer surface potentials. The reconstructions are more accurate in that extrema are placed very close to their correct positions and multiple extrema and high potential gradients are recovered. Identical conclusions are observed in the presence of noise and even when the Laplacians are subject to greater noise than the potentials.

The inverse problem of electrocardiology: the performance of inversion techniques as a function of patient anatomy

Sixteen anatomically correct bodies have been studied to determine the performance of the inversion techniques of zero-order Tikhonov regularization and singular value decomposition. The bodies have varying heart height and diameter, thickness of subcutaneous fat layer, and distance of the heart from the left wall of the chest. Comparisons are made in terms of trade-off curves for noise amplification factor and spread of epicardial potentials. It was found that regularization performs better than singular value decomposition on all bodies; the larger the heart size, the more reliable the results; and for a given heart size, the thinner the subcutaneous fat layer, the more reliable the results. The distance of the heart from left wall of the chest was found to be a less significant factor for a given heart size.

Quality of life in asthma clinical trials: comparison of salmeterol and salbutamol

Most clinical trials in asthma have focused on outcomes that are primarily of importance to the clinician. Very few have assessed whether patients feel better and can function better in day-to-day activities. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of salmeterol (50 micrograms twice daily), salbutamol (200 micrograms four times a day), and placebo on asthma-specific quality of life and to relate the findings to conventional clinical asthma outcomes. The study was a 12-wk multicenter, double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial with each trial medication taken for 4 wk. The subjects were 140 adults with mild to moderate asthma enrolled from 14 respiratory clinics across Canada. Outcome measures were: (1) the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire and spirometry at the end of each treatment period; and (2) daily asthma symptoms, morning and evening peak expiratory flow rates (PEFRs), and rescue salbutamol use during the last 14 d of each treatment period. Asthma-specific quality of life, both overall and for the individual domains (activity limitation, symptoms, emotional function, and exposure to environmental stimuli) was better with salmeterol than with placebo (p < 0.0001), and better with salmeterol than with salbutamol (p < 0.001). In both comparisons, differences were not only statistically significant, but most were also clinically important. There were moderate correlations between change in quality of life and change in clinical outcomes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inverse electrocardiographic transformations: dependence on the number of epicardial regions and body surface data points

The inverse problem of electrocardiography, the computation of epicardial potentials from body surface potentials, is influenced by the desired resolution on the epicardium, the number of recording points on the body surface, and the method of limiting the inversion process. To examine the role of these variables in the computation of the inverse transform, Tikhonov's zero-order regularization and singular value decomposition (SVD) have been used to invert the forward transfer matrix. The inverses have been compared in a data-independent manner using the resolution and the noise amplification as endpoints. Sets of 32, 50, 192, and 384 leads were chosen as sets of body surface data, and 26, 50, 74, and 98 regions were chosen to represent the epicardium. The resolution and noise were both improved by using a greater number of electrodes on the body surface. When 60% of the singular values are retained, the results show a trade-off between noise and resolution, with typical maximal epicardial noise levels of less than 0.5% of maximum epicardial potentials for 26 epicardial regions, 2.5% for 50 epicardial regions, 7.5% for 74 epicardial regions, and 50% for 98 epicardial regions. As the number of epicardial regions is increased, the regularization technique effectively fixes the noise amplification but markedly decreases the resolution, whereas SVD results in an increase in noise and a moderate decrease in resolution. Overall the regularization technique performs slightly better than SVD in the noise-resolution relationship. There is a region at the posterior of the heart that was poorly resolved regardless of the number of regions chosen. The variance of the resolution was such as to suggest the use of variable-size epicardial regions based on the resolution.

Mathematical modelling of flow through an irregular arterial stenosis

A mathematical model of flow through an irregular arterial stenosis is developed. The model is two-dimensional and axi-symmetric with the stenosis outline obtained from a three-dimensional casting of a mildly stenosed artery. Agreement between modelled and experimental pressure drops (obtained from an axi-symmetric machined stenosis with the same profile) is excellent. Results are also obtained for a smooth stenosis model, similar to that used for most mathematical modelling studies. This model overestimates the pressure drop across the stenosis, as well as the wall shear stress and separation Reynolds number. Also, the smooth model predicts one instead of three recirculation zones present in the irregular model. The original stenosis is modified to increase the severity from 48 and 87% areal occlusion, while maintaining the same general shape. This has the effect of increasing the pressure drop by an order of magnitude and decreasing the number of recirculation zones to one, with a lower separation Reynolds number.

New analgesic assay utilizing trypsin-induced hyperalgesia in the hind limb of the rat

Subplantar injection of 250 micrograms of trypsin in the rat resulted in a biphasic increase in pain sensitivity (hyperalgesia) with peaks at 10 and 150 min separated by a period of decreased sensitivity to pain (hypoalgesia). Hyperalgesia was assessed by a decrease in response latency to a 3.0-kg force applied to the injected hind limb. Response latencies at 150 min were increased in a dose-dependent manner by pretreatment at 90 min with acetaminophen; phenacetin; the arachidonate cyclooxygenase inhibitors aspirin, indomethacin, and ibuprofen; and the opiate analgesics codeine and morphine. ED50s of 17, 13, 10, 0.48, 1.6, 3.9 and 1.2 mg/kg p.o. were obtained for these drugs, respectively. The hyperalgesia present at 150 min was not affected by pretreatment with antiinflammatory steroids, an antihistaminic, an antiserotonin agent, and an anticholinergic. We recommend measurement of drug-induced increase in response latencies produced 150 min after injection of 250 micrograms of trypsin as the basis for a new sensitive and selective analgesic assay. ED50s obtained in this assay correlate well with doses that are used clinically to produce analgesia. Development of the hypoalgesic component was selectively inhibited by pretreatment with an antiserotonin agent. Additional drug studies indicated that the algesic response to the subplantar injection of trypsin is the resultant of independent, temporally overlapping hyperalgesic and hypoalgesic components.

Pharmacological characterization of the algesic response to the subplantar injection of serotonin in the rat

Subplantar injection of 0.10 micrograms of serotonin in the rat resulted in a brief period (0-20 min) of increased pain sensitivity to an applied force (hyperalgesia) which preceded a longer period (40-120 min) of decreased pain sensitivity (hypoalgesia). The magnitude of each of these changes and the duration of the hypoalgesia were dose-dependent. The development of hyperalgesia was selectively and dose dependently reduced by inhibitors of arachidonate cyclooxygenase. The hypoalgesia was selectively and dose dependently reduced by the serotonin antagonist methysergide. Selective inhibition of the hyperalgesia by aspirin and of the hypoalgesia by methysergide revealed that components of both hyperalgesia and hypoalgesia were present in the 10-120 min interval. These findings, the level of serotonin reported to be released in rat dermal tissue, and selective drug inhibition studies suggest that some irritant-induced changes in algesia measured in the rat hindlimb result from release of dermal stores of serotonin. Selective inhibition of the hypoalgesic component of the hindlimb irritant trypsin by the antiserotonin agent methysergide supports this hypothesis. The principal conclusion derived from these studies is that the algesic response to the subplantar injection of a single agent can be the resultant of independent, temporally overlapping hyperalgesic and hypoalgesic components each of different intensity and pharmacological sensitivity.

Pathway to carrageenan-induced inflammation in the hind limb of the rat

A sequential 43-step pathway scheme for the inflammatory response of the rat to interdermal injection of carrageenan (C) was devised. It consisted of a nonphagocytic inflammatory response (NPIR) followed by a phagocytic inflammatory response (PIR) in the dermis and an epidermal NPIR. The dermal NPIR comprised edema, hyperemia, and hyperalgesia followed by hypoalgesia. Antiserotonin agents inhibited the hypoalgesia and part of the edema. These findings and histological observations suggested that dermal mast cells were injured by C. The hyperalgesia and part of the edema were sensitive to arachidonate cyclooxygenase inhibitors (AACOIs). It is speculated that injured mast cells metabolize arachidonic acid and reactive intermediates, not prostaglandins, mediate the NPIR hyperalgesia and part of the edema. The dermal PIR consisted of mobilization of neutrophils, edema, hyperalgesia, mobilization of monocytes, and proliferation of fibroblasts and vascular tissue. Selective drug actions revealed that the edema, hyperalgesia, and monocyte mobilization of the PIR depended on the mobilization of neutrophils. After the mobilization of neutrophils, AACOIs reduced edema formation and hyperalgesia. Arachidonic acid metabolism by neutrophils is speculated to produce the mediators of phagocytic inflammatory (PI) edema and hyperalgesia. Monocyte function was associated with cessation of PI edema formation and phagocytosis of neutrophils and cellular debris. Interleukin 1 is speculated to mediate the adherence of neutrophils to injured dermal endothelium. The epidermal NPIR consisted of edema, hyperplasia, and hyperkeratosis. These parameters were not studied mechanistically. There was no evidence for histamine, bradykinin, platelets, clotting factors, or complement mediating any events in the pathway.

Development of carrageenan pleurisy in the rat: effects of colchicine on inhibition of cell mobilization

Colchicine produced three effects which modified the acute inflammatory response to carrageenan in the rat pleural cavity: (i) inhibition of neutrophil mobilization and concomitant exudate formation (3 hr); (ii) inhibition of monocyte mobilization (21 hr); and (iii) augmented exudate formation (3 and 21 hr). The 1st effect was related to the intraperitoneal dose of colchicine and occurred only at leukopenic dose levels This effect could not be produced by intrapleural injection of nonleukopenic doses of colchicine. The second effect, on the other hand, was produced by intraperitoneal leukopenic doses and to a lesser extent by intrapleural administration of nonleukopenic doses of colchicine. Importantly, the normal biphasic exudative response to carrageenan developed fully in the absence of monocytes. The third effect, a dose-dependent augmentation of both exudative phases of carrageenan pleurisy, was produced by low, nonleukopenic, intrapleural doses of colchicine. The augmented exudate was sensitive to prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors but not to anti-inflammatory steroids. Neither neutrophils nor monocytes were responsible for the augmented exudate. Colchicine, injected into the rat hindlimb or pleural and peritoneal cavities did not elicit the mobilization of neutrophils or a pleural effusion. In addition, colchicine did not affect the magnitude, temporal development, or decay of the potent edematogenic action of serotonin in the rat hindlimb. Thus irritancy was not responsible for any of the effects of colchicine.

Azathioprine treatment of adjuvant arthritis

Administration of azathioprine in the diet to Lewis rats reduced the lethality of this drug relative to various regimens by gavage. This mode of administration made it possible to administer effective doses with reduced toxicity. Azathioprine blocked the early development of adjuvant arthritis and decreased the joint scores of animals with established adjuvant disease. A combination of azathioprine and prednisolone produced an additive reduction of both developing and established joint scores. A 10 day pulse regimen of prednisolone resulted in a strong, rapid decrease in established joint scores. This decrease was sustained by continuous administration of azathioprine. In all cases removing azathioprine and/or prednisolone from the diet of animals with established adjuvant arthritis resulted in recurrence of disease. The results of these studies support the validity of the adjuvant model for prediction of anti-arthritic activity.