[Lessons from the Malaria Vector Control Program Based on Indoors Residual Spraying with DDT or Dieldrin in the Pilot Zone of Bobo-Dioulasso: Failure or Success?]

During five years, from 1953, a village scale indoors residual spraying (IRS) was done in the pilot zone of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, with DDT or dieldrin (DLN) or even HCH with a conceptually both entomological and parasitological evaluation [18].Compared to the control area, DDT induced an approximatively 95% and 67% reduction in the landing rate of Anopheles gambiae, respectively inside and outside human houses but due to its irritant action, DDT greatly increased their exophagic behaviour. However, DLN had no impact on the landing rate of An. gambiae either indoors or outdoors due to the already noticed resistance of this species to this insecticide. The sporozoitic index of An. gambiae was reduced by 96% in the DDT treated areas and by 70% in the DLN treated area.DDT reduced the landing rates of Anopheles funestus by 98% and 91%, inside and outside treated houses respectively. With DLN, these reductions were 98% and 97%, respectively. The sporozoitic index of An. funestus was reduced by 95% in areas treated with DDT.Thus, vector control has reduced malaria transmission due to the two main vectors, An. gambiae and An. funestus, by some 99.8% in DDT treated villages compared to control villages. DLN reduced transmission from An. funestus by 99.9%, but almost not from An. gambiae . Overall, the implementation of vector control based on indoor residual spraying with DDT or DLN reduced by 99.9% the transmission of human Plasmodium in the villages of the pilot zone and therefore the program can be considered as entomologically successful.In children aged 2-9 years (target group for endemicity indices) the splenic index was 84.3% (n = 979) in the control area and 44.4% (n = 8920) in the treated areas (difference -47.3%), the plasmodial prevalence was 60.6% (n = 946) in the control zone and 38.0% (n = 7242) in the treated zones (difference - 37%) but the relatively high level of plasmodic or splenic index in treated villages showed that transmission was maintained at such a level that the program could be considered as a "semi-failure".Besides, the gametocytic indices remained at the same levels (3.28%, n = 946 in the control zone and 3.04%, n = 7242 in the treated zones) indicating the maintenance of the "reservoir of parasites" and the remaining possibilities of transmission.Compared to the control area, the index of new contamination was significantly lower in infants 0-3 months and 4 to 6 months in DDT treated villages but not in infants 7 to 12 months demonstrating that the control vector had some efficacy in the prevention of plasmodial infection but "all newborns were infected within one year" demonstrating that P. falciparum transmission was not completely stopped.In spite of its striking drop, the transmission was not fully stopped, and the programme was considered as a "semi-failure" or even a "failure" and inducing a complete shift in malaria control policy from vector control to mass drug chemotherapy (with several drugs, chloroquine, primaquine, pyriméthamine etc) without complete stop of transmission either. In fact, such vector control operations by DDT may have different analysis; in one side they can be considered an entomological success but, in another side, the actual reduction of plasmodic and splenic indices was not enough to be considered as successful. It was clear that both vector and parasite must be implemented in an integrated programme taking care of insecticide and drug resistance. Nevertheless, such programme, even not as successful as expected, could be considered as encouraging and not "disappointing" as it was. Important lessons can be learned from such large-scale field trial in spite of several methodological and operational issues.

The moth Hylesia metabus and French Guiana lepidopterism: centenary of a public health concern

The females of the moths Hylesia metabus have their abdomens covered by urticating hairs looking like micro-arrows and causing a puriginous dermatitis to humans known as “papillonite” in French Guiana and also called yellowtail moth dermatitis or Caripito itch. The densities of the moths show great seasonal and annual variations depending on mechanisms mostly unknown. When H. metabus infestations occur, numerous cases of dermatologic manifestations are reported from people living near the mangrove swamps where the moths are developing. One hundred years after the first “papillonite” epidemic reported from French Guiana in 1912, the data presented herein summarize the actual state of knowledge on H. metabus biology and ecology and on the lepidopterism. Some recommendations are proposed for the surveillance and warning systems of H. metabus infestations and to avoid contact with the moths. Research priorities are suggested to improve the control against this problem emerging between nuisance and public health.

Arthropod-borne viruses transmitted by Phlebotomine sandflies in Europe: a review

Phlebotomine sandflies are known to transmit leishmaniases, bacteria and viruses that affect humans and animals in many countries worldwide. These sandfly-borne viruses are mainly the Phlebovirus, the Vesiculovirus and the Orbivirus. Some of these viruses are associated with outbreaks or human cases in the Mediterranean Europe. In this paper, the viruses transmitted by Phlebotomine sandflies in Europe (Toscana virus, Sicilian virus, sandfly fever Naples virus) are reviewed and their medical importance, geographical distribution, epidemiology and potential spreading discussed. Data on vertebrate reservoirs is sparse for sandfly fever viruses. The factor currently known to limit the spread of diseases is mainly the distribution areas of potential vectors. The distribution areas of the disease may not be restricted to the areas where they have been recorded but could be as wide as those of their vectors, that is to say Larroussius and P. papatasi mainly but not exclusively. Consequently, field work in form of viral isolation from sandflies and possible reservoirs as well as laboratory work to establish vectorial competence of colonised sandflies need to be encouraged in a near future, and epidemiological surveillance should be undertaken throughout the European Union.

Arthropod-borne viruses transmitted by Phlebotomine sandflies in Europe: a review

Phlebotomine sandflies are known to transmit leishmaniases, bacteria and viruses that affect humans and animals in many countries worldwide. These sandfly-borne viruses are mainly the Phlebovirus, the Vesiculovirus and the Orbivirus. Some of these viruses are associated with outbreaks or human cases in the Mediterranean Europe. In this paper, the viruses transmitted by Phlebotomine sandflies in Europe (Toscana virus, Sicilian virus, sandfly fever Naples virus) are reviewed and their medical importance, geographical distribution, epidemiology and potential spreading discussed. Data on vertebrate reservoirs is sparse for sandfly fever viruses. The factor currently known to limit the spread of diseases is mainly the distribution areas of potential vectors. The distribution areas of the disease may not be restricted to the areas where they have been recorded but could be as wide as those of their vectors, that is to say Larroussius and P. papatasi mainly but not exclusively. Consequently, field work in form of viral isolation from sandflies and possible reservoirs as well as laboratory work to establish vectorial competence of colonised sandflies need to be encouraged in a near future, and epidemiological surveillance should be undertaken throughout the European Union.

Acute and selective regulation of glyceroneogenesis and cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in adipose tissue by thiazolidinediones in type 2 diabetes

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Regulation of glyceroneogenesis and its key enzyme cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-C) plays a major role in the control of fatty acid release from adipose tissue. Here we investigate the effect of rosiglitazone on the expression of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism and the resulting metabolic consequences.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rosiglitazone was administered to Zucker fa/fa rats for 4 days and to 24 diabetic patients for 12 weeks, then mRNA expression for the genes encoding PEPCK-C, mitochondrial PEPCK, adipocyte lipid-binding protein, glycerol kinase, lipoprotein lipase and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was examined in s.c. adipose tissue by real-time RT-PCR. Glyceroneogenesis was determined using [1-(14)C]pyruvate incorporation into lipids. Cultured adipose tissue explants from overweight women undergoing plastic surgery were incubated with rosiglitazone for various times before mRNA determination and analysis of PEPCK-C protein, activity and glyceroneogenesis.

RESULTS

Rosiglitazone administration to rats induced the expression of the gene encoding PEPCK-C mRNA (PCK1) and PEPCK-C activity in adipose tissue with a resulting 2.5-fold increase in glyceroneogenesis. This was accompanied by an improvement in dyslipidaemia as demonstrated by the decrease in plasma NEFAs and triacylglycerol. In rosiglitazone-treated diabetic patients, PCK1 mRNA was raised 2.5-fold in s.c. adipose tissue. Rosiglitazone treatment of adipose tissue explants from overweight women caused a selective augmentation in PCK1 mRNA which reached a maximum of 9-fold at 14 h, while mRNA for other genes remained unaffected. Experiments with inhibitors showed a direct and transcription-only effect, which was followed by an increase in PEPCK-C protein, enzyme activity and glyceroneogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

These results favour adipocyte glyceroneogenesis as the initial thiazolidinedione-responsive pathway leading to improvement in dyslipidaemia.

Horse-, bird-, and human-seeking behavior and seasonal abundance of mosquitoes in a West Nile virus focus of southern France

After 35 yr of disease absence, West Nile virus (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, WNV) circulation has been regularly detected in the Camargue region (southern France) since 2000. WNV was isolated from Culex modestus Ficalbi, which was considered the main vector in southern France after horse outbreaks in the 1960s. Recent WNV transmissions outside of the Cx. modestus distribution suggested the existence of other vectors. To study potential WNV vectors, horse- and bird-baited traps and human landing collections of mosquitoes were carried out weekly from May to October 2004 at two Camargue sites: one site in a wet area and the other site in a dry area, both chosen for their past history of WNV transmission. At the wet site, the most abundant species in bird-baited traps were Culex pipiens L. and Cx. modestus; both species also were found in lower proportions on horses and humans. The most abundant species in horse-baited traps and human landing collections were Aedes caspius (Pallas), Aedes vexans (Meigen), and Anopheles hyrcanus (Pallas) sensu lato; some of these species were occasionally collected with avian blood at the end of the summer. Anopheles maculipennis Meigen sensu lato was an abundant horse feeder, but it was rarely collected landing on human bait and never contained avian blood. At the dry site, Cx. pipiens was the most abundant species in bird- and horse-baited traps. The seasonal and circadian dynamics of these species are analyzed, and their potential in WNV transmission in Camargue discussed.

Horse-, bird-, and human-seeking behavior and seasonal abundance of mosquitoes in a West Nile virus focus of southern France

After 35 yr of disease absence, West Nile virus (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, WNV) circulation has been regularly detected in the Camargue region (southern France) since 2000. WNV was isolated from Culex modestus Ficalbi, which was considered the main vector in southern France after horse outbreaks in the 1960s. Recent WNV transmissions outside of the Cx. modestus distribution suggested the existence of other vectors. To study potential WNV vectors, horse- and bird-baited traps and human landing collections of mosquitoes were carried out weekly from May to October 2004 at two Camargue sites: one site in a wet area and the other site in a dry area, both chosen for their past history of WNV transmission. At the wet site, the most abundant species in bird-baited traps were Culex pipiens L. and Cx. modestus; both species also were found in lower proportions on horses and humans. The most abundant species in horse-baited traps and human landing collections were Aedes caspius (Pallas), Aedes vexans (Meigen), and Anopheles hyrcanus (Pallas) sensu lato; some of these species were occasionally collected with avian blood at the end of the summer. Anopheles maculipennis Meigen sensu lato was an abundant horse feeder, but it was rarely collected landing on human bait and never contained avian blood. At the dry site, Cx. pipiens was the most abundant species in bird- and horse-baited traps. The seasonal and circadian dynamics of these species are analyzed, and their potential in WNV transmission in Camargue discussed.

[Local administration of ivermectin for the treatment of Cochliomyia hominivorax's myiasis]

Myiasis with Cochliomyia homonivorax induce sensitive and nauseating cutaneous ulcerations. The usual treatment is limited to the mechanical extraction of the larvae. The authors have made a report on the treatment of C. hominivorax by local application of ivermectin. The use of this molecule paralyses and then kills the larvae. This allows rapid alleviation of pain and makes the extraction of the larvae easier.

Isoenzyme differentiation of Aedes aegypti populations in French Guiana

Population genetics of peri-domestic Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae), vector of dengue and yellow fever, were investigated by gel electrophoresis of 10 enzyme loci in 14 samples of mosquito larvae collected in 1997-1998 from localities separated by distances of 3-275 km in French Guiana. Genetic differentiation between geographical populations was generally high (mean FST = +0.111, P < 10(-5)) even among seven sites <30 km apart (FST = +0.137, P < 0.05), but not positively correlated with distance. Thus, Ae. aegypti comprises a mosaic of genetically differentiated populations in French Guiana. This may be attributed to reinvasion from diverse origins through repeated founder events after this vector species was eliminated during the 1940s to 1960s.

A novel Y243S mutation in the pyruvate dehydrogenase El alpha gene subunit: correlation with thiamine pyrophosphate interaction

We identified a new Y243S mutation in the X-linked E1 alpha-PDH gene in a patient with pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc) deficiency. The activity in cultured fibroblasts was very low even in the presence of high thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) concentrations, indicating that the defect could be due to decreased affinity of PDHc for TPP.

Black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) of French Guiana: cytotaxonomy and a preliminary list of species

The objectives of the present study were to broaden the survey of simuliid species in French Guiana and to cytologically analyze the species in the Simulium perflavum species group. Twelve species of Simulium were collected from which S. goeldii, S. quadrifidum, S. trombetense, S. near incrustatum, S. metallicum (s.l.) sp1, S. metallicum (s.l.) sp2 and S. ochraceum (s.l.) are reported for the first time for this region. The only species collected in the S. perflavum group was S. rorotaense; 34 larvae of this species were cytologically analyzed, all of which had the standard sequence. S. metallicum (s.l.), S. ochraceum (s.l.), S. guianense (s.l.) and S. oyapockense (s.l.) are involved with transmission of onchocerciasis in Central and South America, however, in French Guiana these species were not found biting humans during the sampling period. With the few collections made during this study, we increase the number of simulid species known in French Guiana from 6 to 13. It is clear that more simuliid species can be expected to be found when more sampling is done, including collections in other ecoregions in French Guiana.

Hyperinsulinism and hyperammonemia syndrome: report of twelve unrelated patients

Hyperinsulinism and hyperammonemia syndrome has been reported as a cause of moderately severe hyperinsulinism with diffuse involvement of the pancreas. The disorder is caused by gain of function mutations in the GLUD1 gene, resulting in a decreased inhibitory effect of guanosine triphosphate on the glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) enzyme. Twelve unrelated patients (six males, six females) with hyperinsulinism and hyperammonemia syndrome have been investigated. The phenotypes were clinically heterogeneous, with neonatal and infancy-onset hypoglycemia and variable responsiveness to medical (diazoxide) and dietary (leucine-restricted diet) treatment. Hyperammonemia (90-200 micromol/L, normal <50 micromol/L) was constant and not influenced by oral protein, by protein- and leucine-restricted diet, or by sodium benzoate or N-carbamylglutamate administration. The patients had mean basal GDH activity (18.3 +/- 0.9 nmol/min/mg protein) not different from controls (17.9 +/- 1.8 nmol/min/mg protein) in cultured lymphoblasts. The sensitivity of GDH activity to inhibition by guanosine triphosphate was reduced in all patient lymphoblast cultures (IC(50), or concentrations required for 50% inhibition of GDH activity, ranging from 140 to 580 nM, compared with control IC(50) value of 83 +/- 1.0 nmol/L). The allosteric effect of ADP was within the normal range. The activating effect of leucine on GDH activity varied among the patients, with a significant decrease of sensitivity that was correlated with the negative clinical response to a leucine-restricted diet in plasma glucose levels in four patients. Molecular studies were performed in 11 patients. Heterozygous mutations were localized in the antenna region (four patients in exon 11, two patients in exon 12) as well as in the guanosine triphosphate binding site (two patients in exon 6, two patients in exon 7) of the GLUD1 gene. No mutation has been found in one patient after sequencing the exons 5-13 of the gene.

Characterization of an in vivo hormonally regulated phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3) associated with a liver Golgi-endosomal fraction

The biochemical properties of an in vivo hormonally regulated low Km cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity associated with a liver Golgi-endosomal (GE) fraction have been characterized. DEAE-Sephacel chromatography of a GE fraction solubilized by a lysosomal extract resulted in the sequential elution of three peaks of activity (numbered I, II, and III), while ion-exchange HPLC resolved five peaks of activity (numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). Based on the sensitivity of the eluted activity to cGMP and selected phosphodiesterase inhibitors, two phosphodiesterase isoforms were resolved: a cGMP-stimulated and EHNA-inhibited PDE2, eluted in DEAE-Sephacel peak I and HPLC peak 2 and a cGMP-, a cilostamide-, and ICI 118233-inhibited PDE3, eluted in DEAE-Sephacel peak III and HPLC peaks 3, 4, and 5. GE fractions isolated after acute treatments with insulin, tetraiodoglucagon, and growth hormone displayed an increase in phosphodiesterase activity relative to saline-injected controls, as did GE fractions from genetically obese and hyperinsulinemic rats relative to lean littermates. In all experimental rats, an increase in PDE3 activity associated with DEAE-Sephacel peak III and HPLC peaks 4 and 5 was observed relative to control animals. Furthermore, in genetically obese Zucker rats, an increase in the sensitivity of PDE activity to cilostamide and in the amount of PDE activity immunoprecipitated by an antibody to adipose tissue PDE3 was observed relative to lean littermates. These results extend earlier studies on isolated hepatocytes and show that liver PDE3 is the main if not sole PDE isoform activated by insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone in vivo.

New splicing-site mutations in the SURF1 gene in Leigh syndrome patients

The gene SURF1 encodes a factor involved in the biogenesis of cytochrome c oxidase, the last complex in the respiratory chain. Mutations of the SURF1 gene result in Leigh syndrome and severe cytochrome c oxidase deficiency. Analysis of seven unrelated patients with cytochrome c oxidase deficiency and typical Leigh syndrome revealed different SURF1 mutations in four of them. Only these four cases had associated demyelinating neuropathy. Three mutations were novel splicing-site mutations that lead to the excision of exon 6. Two different novel heterozygous mutations were found at the same guanine residue at the donor splice site of intron 6; one was a deletion, whereas the other was a transition [588+1G>A]. The third novel splicing-site mutation was a homozygous [516-2_516-1delAG] in intron 5. One patient only had a homozygous polymorphism in the middle of the intron 8 [835+25C>T]. Western blot analysis showed that Surf1 protein was absent in all four patients harboring mutations. Our studies confirm that the SURF1 gene is an important nuclear gene involved in the cytochrome c oxidase deficiency. We also show that Surf1 protein is not implicated in the assembly of other respiratory chain complexes or the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.

Aedes aegypti in French Guiana: susceptibility to a dengue virus

Twenty-seven samples of Aedes aegypti (F1 generation) from French Guiana were tested for their susceptibility to dengue serotype 2 virus. Very high infection rates were observed by indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test. Ae. aegypti samples were pooled according to two groups: the first group (N=10) represented mosquitoes from the urbanized area of Cayenne and surroundings, and the second group (N=17) corresponded to mosquitoes collected in the countryside. Infection rates were found to be similar in these two cases. These findings are discussed in relation with the history of Ae. aegypti in this part of the world.

First prenatal diagnosis of defects in the HsPDX1 gene encoding protein X, an additional lipoyl-containing subunit of the human pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

We have previously reported a genetic study of a neonatal lactic acidosis linked to a pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency due to the absence of the protein X subunit. This rare autosomal recessive disorder is associated with specific deletions in this polypeptide which is encoded by the HsPDX1 gene, located on chromosome 11p1.3. The pathology of the patient was considered to arise from a large homozygous deletion (78del85) found at the 5' end of the HsPDX1 coding sequence. Her heterozygous mother underwent prenatal diagnosis during a subsequent pregnancy. Chorionic villus samples were used for three independent studies: (1) normal levels of the protein X component of the PDH complex were detected by immunoblotting; (2) RT-PCR analysis showed no deletion at the 5' end of the cDNA but the presence of a distinct heterozygous deletion (965del59) at its 3' end inherited from the father; (3) haplotype analysis revealed the presence of the father's mutated allele and the mother's normal allele. It was concluded that the fetus was heterozygous for this separate 3' deletion, so, it was likely to be not affected. This study permitted us to characterize more precisely the genetic abnormalities of the HsPDX1 cDNA occurring in each family's member.

Residual activity of Bacillus thuringiensis serovars medellin and jegathesan on Culex pipiens and Aedes aegypti larvae

Bacillus thuringiensis serovar medellin strain 163-131 and Bacillus thuringiensis serovar jegathesan (B.t.jeg.) strain 367 are very toxic to mosquito larvae. However, they are 10 times less toxic than Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (B.t.i.) to mosquito larvae under laboratory conditions. Lyophilized powders were produced from these strains and their toxicities were compared to that of powder produced from the B.t.i. strain. Larvicidal activity was titrated using Aedes aegypti (Bora-Bora strain) larvae, with IPS82 powder as the standard. The efficacy of these powders in the field was determined using Culex pipiens (Montpellier strain) in Paris, France, and Ae. aegypti larvae (French Guiana strain) in Cayenne, French Guiana, in standardized conditions. Residual activity was also assessed in the laboratory, using Cx. pipiens (SLAB strain), in Montpellier, France. Any negative effect of direct sunlight, soil, or polluted water on the residual activity of the 3 powders was recorded. Increasing bacterial concentration by a factor of 8 had little effect on the duration of larvicidal activity, except in the presence of polluted water and when substrate was added. All powders had similar initial efficacies against both types of mosquito larvae, in all conditions except water rich in organic matter. Bacillus thuringiensis serovar medellin had the lowest residual activity, both in the laboratory and in the field, whereas B.t.jeg. remained toxic for as long as B.t.i.

Detection of Bordetella bronchiseptica by the polymerase chain reaction

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were developed that enabled not only discriminative detection of three Bordetella species, B. pertussis, B. parapertussis, and B. bronchiseptica (Bspp PCR), but also specific detection of B. bronchiseptica (Bb PCR). An upstream sequence of the flagellin gene was used as a target DNA region. This sequence contained differences in B. pertussis, B. parapertussis, and B. bronchiseptica DNA. These species could then be differentiated using two different sets of primers, Bspp and Bb. When oligonucleotide Bspp primers were used, PCR products were obtained from the three species of Bordetella. A fragment of the expected size (164 bp) was amplified using B. bronchiseptica and B. parapertussis DNA, but a fragment with a distinct molecular weight was amplified with B. pertussis DNA (195 bp). This Bspp PCR was specific and sensitive, but it could not differentiate between B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica. When Bb primers were used, a 237-bp PCR product was detected only from B. bronchiseptica DNA. No PCR products were identified after Bb PCR amplification of DNAs either from B. parapertussis isolates or B. pertussis isolates, nor from other respiratory pathogen DNAs tested. This second PCR assay had a sensitivity limit of less than 10 organisms of B. bronchiseptica after detection with a specific probe. The specificity and the sensitivity of the fla PCR assay were evaluated with purified DNA, as was its capacity for detecting the bacteria in human clinical samples and in lungs of infected mice.

Activation of a cGMP-stimulated cAMP phosphodiesterase by protein kinase C in a liver Golgi-endosomal fraction

The ability of Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C, PKC) to stimulate cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity in a liver Golgi-endosomal (GE) fraction was examined in vivo and in a cell-free system. Injection into rats of 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, a known activator of PKC, caused a rapid and marked increase in PKC activity (+325% at 10 min) in the GE fraction, along with an increase in the abundance of the PKC alpha-isoform as seen on Western immunoblots. Concurrently, 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate treatment caused a time-dependent increase in cAMP PDE activity in the GE fraction (96% at 30 min). Addition of the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKA) to GE fractions from control and 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-treated rats led to a comparable increase (130-150%) in PDE activity, suggesting that PKA is probably not involved in the in-vivo effect of 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. In contrast, addition of purified PKC increased (twofold) PDE activity in GE fractions from control rats but affected only slightly the activity in GE fractions from 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-treated rats. About 50% of the Triton-X-100-solubilized cAMP PDE activity in the GE fraction was immunoprecipitated with an anti-PDE3 antibody. On DEAE-Sephacel chromatography, three peaks of PDE were sequentially eluted: one early peak, which was stimulated by cGMP and inhibited by erythro-9 (2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine (EHNA); a selective inhibitor of type 2 PDEs; and two retarded peaks of activity, which were potently inhibited by cGMP and cilostamide, an inhibitor of type 3 PDEs. Further characterization of peak I by HPLC resolved a major peak which was activated (threefold) by 5 microM cGMP and inhibited (87%) by 25 microM EHNA, and a minor peak which was insensitive to EHNA and cilostamide. 4 beta-Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate treatment caused a selective increase (2.5-fold) in the activity associated with DEAE-Sephacel peak I, without changing the K(m) value. These results suggest that PKC selectively activates a PDE2, cGMP-stimulated isoform in the GE fraction.

Longitudinal study of tissue- and subunit-specific obesity-induced regulation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

The tissue-specific expression of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc) has been studied in an animal model of obesity with hyperinsulinemia, the obese (fa/fa) Zucker rat. Liver and heart were obtained from 4 and 8 week-old obese rats and age-matched lean animals, and in each tissue the following parameters were analyzed: (1) total activity of the mitochondrial PDHc; (2) abundance of the mitochondrial PDHc subunits on Western blots; and (3) abundance of the E1alpha and E1beta subunit mRNAs on Northern blots and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Regardless of age, obese rats showed an increase in liver total PDHc activity and a coordinate increase in liver E1alpha and E1beta PDHc subunit abundance. At 4 weeks, obese rats also showed an increase in liver PDH E1alpha mRNA level, but regardless of age E1beta mRNA level was unchanged. In contrast, neither total PDHc activity nor the concentration of its protein subunits were increased in heart of obese rats. Thus, obese Zucker rats display a liver-specific early increase in PDHc which results from a selective up-regulation of the E1alpha gene expression.

Mutations in PDX1, the human lipoyl-containing component X of the pyruvate dehydrogenase-complex gene on chromosome 11p1, in congenital lactic acidosis

We have identified and sequenced a cDNA that encodes an apparent human orthologue of a yeast protein-X component (ScPDX1) of pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complexes. The new human cDNA that has been referred to as "HsPDX1" cDNA was cloned by use of the "database cloning" strategy and had a 1,506-bp open reading frame. The amino acid sequence of the protein encoded by the cDNA was 20% identical with that encoded by the yeast PDX1 gene and 40% identical with that encoded by the lipoate acetyltransferase component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase and included a lipoyl-bearing domain that is conserved in some dehydrogenase enzyme complexes. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the major HsPDX1 mRNA was 2.5 kb in length and was expressed mainly in human skeletal and cardiac muscles but was also present, at low levels, in other tissues. FISH analysis performed with a P1-derived artificial chromosome (PAC)-containing HsPDX1 gene sublocalized the gene to 11p1.3. Molecular investigation of PDX1 deficiency in four patients with neonatal lactic acidemias revealed mutations 78del85 and 965del59 in a homozygous state, and one other patient had no PDX1 mRNA expression.

Biochemical and genetic studies of four patients with pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 alpha deficiency

We report studies of four patients with pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDH) deficiency caused by mutations in the E1 alpha subunit. Two unrelated male patients presented with Leigh syndrome and a R263G missense mutation in exon 8. This mutation has previously been described in males with the same phenotype. The two other patients had different novel mutations: (1) an 8-bp deletion at the C-terminus (exon 11) was found in one allele of a young girl suffering from microcephaly and (2) a C88S missense mutation (exon 3) in a boy who only presented with motor neuropathy. These mutations were not found in the mothers of any of the four cases. Immunoblot analysis revealed decreased immunoreactivity for the E1 alpha and E1 beta subunits in three out of the four patients. These findings confirm that: (1) PDH deficiencies are genetically heterogeneous, (2) the R263G mutation is more frequent in male cases than are other mutations and this amino acid is a hot spot for gene mutations, (3) the last eight amino acids may be important for the conformation of the tetrameric E1-PDH enzyme, and (4) the amino acids at positions 88, 263 and 382-387 are essential for the linking of the alpha subunit with the beta subunit and for the activity of the holoenzyme.

The antigen-specific cell-mediated immune response in mice is suppressed by infection with pathogenic lyssaviruses

Responsiveness of T cells (RTC) was studied in BALB/c mice intramuscularly infected with various lyssaviruses. After infection by this peripheral route, two types of viruses could be classified according to their effects: 1) pathogenic viruses, including fixed rabies Pasteur virus (serogenotype 1) and wild viruses belonging to serogenotype 1 (from a rabid fox in France and from a cow infected by a vampire bat in Brazil) or to serogenotype 5 (European bat lyssavirus 1); and 2) non-pathogenic viruses, including Mokola virus (serogenotype 3). RTC was tested by analysing in vitro the capacity of splenic T cells from infected BALB/c mice to produce cytokines after antigenic (purified lyssavirus antigens) or polyclonal stimulation (concanavalin A). Cytokine production was followed by assaying the biological activity of interleukin-2 and by testing for interleukin-2, interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma (IL2, IL4 and IFN gamma ) messenger RNAs (mRNA) by transcription into complementary DNA and amplification by the polymerase chain reaction. The initial biologically active IL2 and cytokine mRNA production was observed in mice infected with pathogenic or non-pathogenic lyssaviruses. Only mice with symptoms (infected with pathogenic viruses) lost the capacity to produce cytokines in vitro after antigen-specific stimulation. No such loss was observed after polyclonal stimulation. In mice peripherally infected with non-pathogenic viruses, no loss was observed after stimulation with lyssavirus antigens. Thus, infection with pathogenic lyssaviruses by the peripheral route induces in BALB/c mice a loss of T-cell responsiveness after antigen activation, but not after polyclonal activation.

Simulating development and survival of Aedes vexans (Diptera: Culicidae) preimaginal stages under field conditions

Ecology and population dynamics of Aedes vexans (Meigen), were studied for 3 yr in southern Switzerland. Demographic data were compiled into single and multicohort stage-frequency lifetables that indicated variability in individual developmental times and losses caused by mortality. The structure of life table matrices suggested an analysis using a timevarying distributed delay model with attrition. Field data then were used to construct and validate a simulation model that input the number of 1st instars and output the number of emerging adults. The delay was the time required to complete development and attrition corresponded to mortality. Under optimal food supply, temperature was the most important driving variable. The model was parameterized with data obtained from laboratory experiments and evaluated with field data. Development and survival of preimaginal Ae. vexans were simulated reasonably well under 2 different pool habitats. Addition of a hydrology component to the model would enhance control operations by predicting hatch rates in the field.

Dengue in French Guiana, 1965-1993

While it seems likely that dengue fever (DF) has existed in French Guiana for at least one century, data on outbreaks are sketchy before temporary eradication of the dengue vector mosquito Aedes aegypti and its reestablishment in the early 1960s. Dengue cases were serologically confirmed for the first time in 1965, and since then dengue epidemics have occurred at two to six year intervals, the most important occurring in 1968-1969, 1970, 1972, 1976, 1982, 1986, and 1992. Three of the four dengue virus serotypes (dengue-1, dengue-2, and dengue-4) have been implicated in these outbreaks. During the 1992 epidemic, which appears to have begun in 1991 and extended into 1993, cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) were confirmed for the first time. In all, at least 40 DHF cases and several deaths were associated with this epidemic. This development has raised considerable concern about the public health threat posed by DHF in French Guiana. Such concern is only heightened by the fact that while vector control is the sole means of preventing or combating dengue outbreaks, it has proved difficult to maintain vector populations at low levels with the control measures currently employed.

Evidence for a role of protein kinase C in the activation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex by insulin in Zajdela hepatoma cells

The signal transduction pathway involved in the activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) by insulin is still unknown. In this study, we have examined the possible involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in the process. In addressing this question, we examined (1) the insulin-like effects of the PKC activator 4 beta-phorbol 12 beta-myristate 13 alpha-acetate (PMA) on the PDH complex, (2) the effects of various PKC inhibitors on the PDH activation by insulin, and (3) the response of PKC-depleted cells to insulin. We used as an experimental model Zajdela hepatoma cultured (ZHC) cells, which have been demonstrated to be responsive to physiological doses of insulin. Half-maximal and maximal stimulations of the PDH complex by insulin were observed at 0.05 and 5 nmol/L, respectively. Stimulation of PDH activity by insulin (5 nmol/L) occurred within 5 minutes of incubation and was maximal (+70%) at 7.5 minutes. In the presence of PMA (162 nmol/L), enzyme activity increased within 30 seconds, was maximal (+90%) at 5 minutes, and was no longer detectable after 10 minutes. Total PDH activity was unchanged by insulin or PMA treatment. The effects of PMA and insulin on basal PDH activity were not additive. Moreover, various inhibitors of PKC--staurosporine, sphingosine, acridine orange--completely blocked the stimulation of PDH activity induced by insulin or PMA. A 17-hour treatment of ZHC cells with 500 nmol/L PMA efficiently downregulated PKC, as attested by the marked decrease in the enzyme activity and the loss of phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate binding to intact cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bifactorial versus monofactorial molecular status of Staphylococcus aureus gamma-toxin

The extracellular Staphylococcus aureus gamma-toxin (hemolysin) released by the Smith 5R strain has been purified (M(r) 38 kDa, pl 9.55). We established that this cytolysin is a single polypeptide fully lytic on rabbit erythrocytes. In contrast, this toxin alone was unable to lyse other cells and was required to act jointly with an accessory 58 kDa protein released by the same strain. This protein, named sensitizing protein (SP), was required in order to damage the cytoplasmic membranes of other red blood cells including human erythrocytes as well as that of other eukaryotic cells (Jurkat and Hep-2). The lytic process can be referred to as conditional synergistic or cooperative lysis. gamma-toxin, and SP were also found able to disrupt phospholipid/cholesterol containing liposomes. We demonstrated that a minor membrane phospholipid, phosphatidylinositol, is crucial for gamma-toxin binding to cells and/or channel formation through membrane lipid bilayer.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase activity is stimulated by growth hormone (GH) in human mononuclear cells: a new tool to measure GH responsiveness in man

Human peripheral mononuclear cells (PMC) were used to examine the effects of hGH and insulin on the activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex. Incubation of PMC with 10(-7) mol/L hGH or insulin increased basal PDH activity. Hormonal effects were maximal (50-60% above control values) at 15 min. Later on, activation progressively decreased and was no longer detectable at 30 min. Total PDH activity was unaffected by hormonal treatment. PMC were subfractionated into lymphocytes and monocytes to assess the sensitivity of each cell types to the hormones. hGH significantly increased basal PDH activity in lymphocytes and monocytes (38% and 70% above control values, respectively), whereas insulin increased basal PDH activity only in monocytes (151% above control value). PMC from healthy subjects aged 1-45 yr were incubated for 15 min with 10(-7) mol/L hGH or insulin before PDH measurement. An increase of enzyme activity higher than 20% was observed in 26 patients out of 29 with hGH, and in 15 out of 18 with insulin. In conclusion, hGH is able to stimulate PDH activity of human mononuclear cells. This hormonal effect allows rapid evaluation of the cellular responsiveness of hGH in various pathophysiologic situations.

Activation of rat liver adenylate cyclase by cholera toxin requires toxin internalization and processing in endosomes

Involvement of acidic cell compartments in processing and action of cholera toxin (CT) in rat liver has been examined using subcellular fractionation. Liver cell fractions prepared various times after CT injection display, after a lag phase, a progressive increase in adenylate cyclase activity, detectable earlier in Golgi-endosomal fractions (20 min) than in plasma membrane fractions (30 min), with a maximum (3-fold basal activity) achieved by 60-90 min. Endosomes containing in vivo internalized CT display a time-dependent increase in their ability to bind anti-A-subunit antibodies and to stimulate exogenous adenylate cyclase, which kinetically parallels the generation of A1 peptide, suggesting a translocation of A-subunit (or A1 peptide) across the endosomal membrane. In vivo chloroquine treatment inhibits endocytosis of CT taken up into the liver, lengthens the lag phase for adenylate cyclase activation by CT, and reduces by 3- to 10-fold the apparent affinity of the toxin for the enzyme. Incubation of endosomes containing internalized toxin at 37 degrees C under isotonic conditions results in a pH-dependent increase in generation of A1 peptide, membrane translocation of A-subunit (or A1 peptide), and degradation of toxin, with a maximum at pH 5. Addition of ATP, by decreasing the internal endosomal pH, stimulates both generation of the A1 peptide and degradation of toxin at pH 6-8. It is concluded that activation of adenylate cyclase by CT in intact liver requires association and subsequent processing of toxin in an acidic cell compartment, presumably endosomal.

Characterization of a liver low Michaelis-Menten constant 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase activity sensitive to thyroid status

These studies were undertaken to assess the subcellular distribution and some biochemical properties of the hepatic cAMP phosphodiesterase(s) whose activity is modulated by the thyroid status in the rat. Thyroidectomy led to a 2-fold increase in low Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) cAMP phosphodiesterase activity in Golgi-endosomal fractions, but little affected this activity in crude particulate fractions. On analytical sucrose density gradients, an increase in cAMP phosphodiesterase activity in particulate elements which equilibrated at densities 1.17-1.22 was also observed. Acute insulin treatment did not further increase cAMP phosphodiesterase activity in Golgi-endosomal fractions of thyroidectomized rats. Up to 75% of the cAMP phosphodiesterase activity associated with Golgi-endosomal fraction of euthyroid and hypothyroid rats was inhibited by cGMP (IC50, 10 microM and 1 microM, respectively). Activity was also potently inhibited by griseolic acid, cilostamide, and cilostazole (IC50, less than 1 microM) but was much less sensitive to R0-20-1724 (IC50, 1 mM). Treatment of Golgi-endosomal fractions by a hypotonic extract of rat liver lysosomes led to the solubilization of 50% of low Km cAMP phosphodiesterase activity. On sucrose density gradients, the solubilized activity migrated as a slightly asymmetrical peak with a sedimentation coefficient of 6 S in euthyroid rats and 6.9 S in hypothyroid rats. On nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the activity migrated as two majors peaks with Rf values of 0.23 and 0.50; only the activity associated with the fast-moving peak was increased by thyroidectomy. On diethylaminoethyl-Sephacel chromatography, four peaks of cAMP phosphodiesterase activity, two of which were cGMP-inhibitable, were resolved. Thyroidectomy increased the activity associated with one of the cGMP-inhibitable peaks (eluted at 0.7-0.9 M sodium acetate) and led to the appearance of a new peak of activity (eluted at 0.4 M), which was not sensitive to cGMP. These results show that the low Km phosphodiesterase activity associated with liver Golgi-endosomal fractions, previously shown to be increased in hyperinsulinemic rats, is also increased in hypothyroid animals. They also suggest that, based on pharmacological and physical criteria, the enzyme species affected by the thyroid status belongs to the cGMP-and cilostamide-inhibited subclass of low Km cAMP phosphodiesterases.

Antigen-dependent activation of alveolar macrophages from ovalbumin-sensitized guinea-pigs: relevance of the route of administration and the amount of antigen provided

Alveolar macrophages from guinea-pigs sensitized by different amounts of ovalbumin, administered either by subcutaneous injection or aerosol exposure, liberate increased amounts of arachidonic acid and thromboxane B2 when challenged in vitro with ovalbumin. This antigen-dependent activation of macrophages was immunospecific. The comparison between different sensitization procedures showed that the aerosol exposure was the most efficient with respect to the activation of macrophages, as cells from guinea-pigs sensitized subcutaneously were poorly activated by the antigen unless high doses were used for sensitization. The antigen-dependent activation of macrophages was affected by acid and neutral washings, suggesting the involvement of a loosely bound antibody that could not be identified. These observations suggest that, as mast cells and basophils, alveolar macrophages from actively sensitized guinea-pigs contribute to the allergic reaction by an antibody-mediated mechanism.

Characterization of insulin degradation products generated in liver endosomes: in vivo and in vitro studies

The degradation products generated from A14 and B26 125I-labelled insulins in liver endosomes in vivo and in vitro have been isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography and cleavages in the B chain have been identified by automated radiosequence analysis. In rats sacrificed various times after injection of each of the 125I-labelled insulins, two major degradation products slightly less hydrophobic than intact iodoinsulins were identified; these accounted, at 8 min. for about 45% (A14 125I-labelled insulin) and 15% (B26 125I-labelled insulin) of the total radioactivity recovered, respectively. The products generated from A14 125I-labelled insulin contained an intact A chain, whereas those generated from B26 125I-labelled insulin contained a B chain cleaved at the B16-B17 bond. With B26 125I-labelled insulin, two minor products, with cleavages at the B23-B24 and B24-B25 bonds, were also observed. In vivo chloroquine treatment did not alter the nature but caused a decrease in the amount of insulin degradation products associated with endosomes. When endosomal fractions isolated from iodoinsulin injected rats were incubated at 30 degrees C in isotonic KCl, a rapid degradation of iodoinsulin, maximal at pH 6, was observed. With A14 125I-labelled insulin, the two major degradation products identified in vivo were generated along with monoiodotyrosine, but with B26 125I-labelled insulin monoiodotyrosine was the main product formed. Addition of ATP, presumably by decreasing the endosomal pH, shifted the medium pH for maximal iodoinsulin degradation to about 7-8. These studies have allowed a direct identification of two previously suggested cleavage sites in the B chain. They have also shown that the degradation products generated in cell-free endosomes under conditions that promote endosomal acidification are similar to those identified in vivo.

Selective inhibition of adrenaline-induced human platelet aggregation by the structurally related Paf antagonist Ro 19-3704

1. Two non-lipid antagonists of platelet-activating factor acether (Paf), BN 52021 and WEB 2086, at concentrations which completely blocked Paf-induced platelet aggregation, failed to interfere with aggregation by adrenaline. In contrast, Ro 19-3704, a structurally related antagonist of Paf, inhibited concentration-dependently aggregation induced by adrenaline or by the simultaneous addition of submaximal concentrations of adrenaline and Paf. Reversal of aggregation was obtained when Ro 19-3704 was added to the platelet suspension after adrenaline. 2. Ro 19-3704 was selective for Paf and adrenaline since it failed to interfere with platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid or ADP. CV-3988, an antagonist of Paf structurally similar to Ro 19-3704, also inhibited adrenaline-induced aggregation. However, a morpholine analogue (MA) of Paf, which has no anti-Paf activity, failed to interfere with the aggregation induced by adrenaline. This suggests that the effect of Ro 19-3704 and CV-3988 on adrenaline is not simply due to their lipid structure. 3. Experiments on plasma membrane preparations showed that Ro 19-3704 inhibited [3H]-yohimbine binding with an inhibition constant (Ki) of 7 +/- 3 microM. In contrast, BN 52021 and MA did not interfere with [3H]-yohimbine binding. Equilibrium binding experiments showed that Ro 19-3704 increased the apparent KD of [3H]-yohimbine binding from 2.02 +/- 0.15 to 7.3 +/- 0.4 nM. The Paf antagonist Ro 19-3704 interacts specifically with the alpha 2-adrenoceptor and may thus prevent the early steps involved in the mechanism of adrenaline-induced platelet activation.

Potentiation and inhibition by clonidine of PAF-acether-induced human platelet activation

PAF-acether (platelet-activating factor) and adrenaline synergized to induce aggregation of human platelets in whole blood and in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) irrespective of the use of citrate, of heparin or acid-citrate dextrose (ACD) as anticoagulants, whereas the partial adrenoceptor agonist clonidine imitated adrenaline in a limited number of cases and only when blood was collected in ACD. Whether added to ACD-PRP or ingested by the blood donors, aspirin suppressed the synergic effect of clonidine plus PAF-acether in plasma but failed to block the potentiated aggregation of adrenaline plus PAF-acether. Clonidine alone had no effect on plasma-free platelet suspensions and also failed to synergize with PAF-acether under conditions where the latter's association to adrenaline consistently induced full aggregation. Added before adrenaline or before adrenaline plus PAF-acether, clonidine reduced the aggregation to the level of that due to PAF-acether alone irrespective of cyclooxygenase inhibition with aspirin. The alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine blocked the synergistic effects of adrenaline or clonidine associated to PAF-acether, reducing aggregation to that due to PAF-acether alone. Clonidine has dual effects on human platelets, since it can imitate adrenaline and synergize with PAF-acether in some subjects, and can also block aggregation induced by adrenaline alone or in combination with PAF-acether.

First-month variations in total iodine content of human breast milks

In 183 samples of breast milk from 23 young mothers we found the mean total iodine content to be 47 ng/ml, a value that is not dependent on length of gestation. There is a progressive increase in iodine concentration from colostrum to transitional and mature milk. The results show that breast milk sometimes contains an amount of iodine barely necessary to make thyroid hormones, which is around 10 micrograms in the first days of life rising to about 15-20 micrograms after four weeks. Secondly, nursing mothers should be watched, because if their daily breast milk contains more than 50 micrograms iodine for several consecutive days, they may be on a negative balance.

Triggering by Paf-acether and adrenaline of cyclo-oxygenase-independent platelet aggregation

Platelet-activating factor (Paf-acether, 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine) induced full aggregation and a limited release reaction of human platelets in plasma or in blood. Cyclo-oxygenase inhibition with aspirin only reduced aggregation when induced by threshold amounts of Paf-acether, whereas higher concentrations surmounted inhibition whether tested in citrated or in heparinized platelet-rich plasma or blood. Aspirin-induced inhibition of platelet secretion by Paf-acether was insurmountable and independent of the anti-coagulant used. Paf-acether and adrenaline acted synergistically in inducing aggregation in citrate and heparin. Aspirin in vitro or after oral ingestion at doses that suppressed aggregation induced by arachidonic acid alone, failed to reduce significantly the synergized aggregation induced by Paf-acether alone or combined with adrenaline. Twenty-four hours after the oral ingestion of aspirin, when aggregation by arachidonic acid remained blocked, a slight inhibitory activity on the effect of Paf-acether noted 4 h after aspirin, had ceased. This was probably accounted for by the synthesis of thromboxane A2 by newly formed platelets, since the in vitro addition of aspirin, or of the thromboxane/endoperoxide receptor inhibitor 13-azaprostanoic acid caused the 24 h platelets to behave in a manner similar to platelets collected 4 h after aspirin. The alpha 2-adrenoceptor inhibitor, yohimbine, blocked the direct effect of adrenaline as well as its synergism with Paf-acether. Since the synergistic effect of Paf-acether and adrenaline was maintained when thrombin-degranulated platelets were used, and aspirin remained ineffective against it, it is clear that the augmented platelet responsiveness is not accounted for by the platelet release reaction. 6 Paf-acether and adrenaline act synergistically and stimulate platelets by cyclo-oxygenaseindependent mechanisms, which may be relevant in human physiopathological conditions.

Familial and constitutional bleeding disorder due to platelet cyclo-oxygenase deficiency

Three family members from two successive generations had a bleeding tendency. Their template bleeding time was prolonged and platelet aggregation induced by ADP and adrenaline showed no second wave; collagen at low to moderate concentrations failed to aggregate and release ATP, whereas higher amounts aggregated and released. Aggregation and release due to thrombin, ristocetin, and synthetic epoxy derivatives (U 44069 and U 46619) were normal. Arachidonate (AA) was inactive, and was not converted either in thromboxane (TX) A2 activity evaluated on the rabbit aorta strip, nor in TXB2 evaluated by radioimmunoassay and by radiochromatography. The parallel impairment of TXB2 and PGE2 formation by the patient's platelets are compatible with a platelet cyclo-oxygenase deficiency. This study suggests that transmission is autosomal dominant, and confirms that cyclo-oxygenase is not needed for aggregation and ATP release by high amounts of collagen.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF-acether): thromboxane-independent synergism with adrenaline on human platelets and recent insights into its mode of action

The mode of action of PAF-acether on human and rabbit plasma-free platelets is reviewed. PAF-acether and adrenaline synergize to trigger aggregation of human platelets, and this synergism is refractory to aspirin. When degranulated rabbit platelets are stimulated with PAF-acether, with thrombin or with the snake venom component convulxin, aggregation is obtained in the absence of detectable secretion. Collagen-induced aggregation is reduced, and is suppressed when aspirin is applied to the degranulated platelets. The formation of PAF-acether by platelets, and their stimulation by PAF-acether itself, should be added to the newly recognized pathways for platelet stimulation.

Adrenaline and PAF-acether synergize to trigger cyclooxygenase-independent activation of plasma-free human platelets

Platelet-activating factor (PAF-acether, 1-0-octadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine), a potent aggregating agent for the platelets in plasma, induced only a moderate aggregation of plasma-free suspensions of human platelets. By contrast, addition of PAF-acether plus adrenaline or ADP to the platelet suspension was followed by full aggregation, accompanied by a moderate secretion of ATP. This synergism was observed better in the presence of fibrinogen, but was also seen in its absence when using the combination of PAF-acether with adrenaline. Aspirin failed to interfere with the synergized aggregation, ruling out a role for cyclooxygenase. The order of addition of adrenaline and of PAF-acether to the platelets was critical. When the former was added first to the platelets suspension, aggregation was induced by the latter even if added after one hour. Conversely, aggregation was only induced by adrenaline added after PAF-acether, if the interval between both was of around one minute. Removal of ADP with the scavenging system creatine phosphate/creatine phosphokinase prevented the synergism between PAF-acether plus ADP, but failed to interfere with that induced by PAF-acether plus adrenaline. The synergized aggregation induced by adrenaline or ADP and PAF-acether may represent a novel mechanism, accounting for the increased aggregability under various physiopathological conditions.

Effect of prednisone on serum and urinary thyroid hormone levels in children during the nephrotic syndrome

Thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), free T4, and thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) were measured in serum and urine, thyrotropin (TSH) only in serum, in children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) of less than one month's duration, in children with the disease for more than one month and with steroid treatment, and in children in total or partial remission. There was a significant decrease in serum T4, T3 and TBG in nephrotic children compared to normal children. There was no change in free T4 but a slight increase of TSH levels. In urine, there was an excretion of TBG and a dramatic loss of T4. When prednisone was without effect on the NS, these parameters were very similar in serum and urine, indicating that prednisone did not modify thyroid function. During total or partial remission, thyroid hormone serum concentrations were lower than normal concentrations, but higher than during NS. During partial remission, TBG and T4 losses in the urine were lower than during DS. During total remission, the excretion was similar to normal excretion. The maximal capacity of TBG in serum was similar to controls; no alteration of this protein can explain the decrease of T4 in the serum.

Carrageenan-induced activation of human platelets is independent of phospholipase A2 and of formation of thromboxanes

Aggregation of washed rabbit platelets by thrombin and by carrageenan is accompanied by the activation of phospholipase A2 and by the synthesis of thromboxanes. Accordingly, aggregation, the accompanying release reaction and the activation of phospholipase are blocked by p-bromophenacyl bromide and by CB 874 (2,3-dibromo (4'-cyclohexyl-3'-chloro)-phenyl-4-oxo-butyric acid), two recognized inhibitors of the enzyme. Since these two reagents also inhibit aggregation and the release reaction induced by thrombin and by carrageenan on washed human platelets, it might have been anticipated that the mechanisms of aggregation of the platelets from the two species are similar. Nevertheless, no thromboxanes A2 or B2, nor activation of phospholipase A2 could be demonstrated with the use of carrageenan on human platelets, under conditions where thrombin was effective. It is concluded that carrageenan activates the human platelets by phospholipase A2- and thromboxane A2-independent mechanisms, and that the inhibitors of phospholipase A2 may block platelet functions by mechanisms other than inhibition of the expected enzyme.