A rapid response magnitude scale for timely assessment of the high frequency seismic radiation.

In this work the scaling of seismic moment (M0) and radiated energy (Er) is investigated for almost 800 earthquakes of the 2016-17 Amatrice-Norcia sequences in Italy, ranging in moment magnitude (Mw) from 2.5 to 6.5. The analysis of the M0-to-Er scaling highlights a breaking of the source self-similarity, with higher stress drops for larger events. Our results show the limitation of using M0, and in turn Mw, to capture the variability of the high frequency ground motion. Since the observed seismicity does not agree with the assumptions on stress drop in the definition of Mw, we exploit the availability of both Er and M0 to modify the definition of Mw and introduce a rapid response magnitude (Mr), which accounts for the dynamic properties of rupture. The new Mr scale allows us to improve the prediction of the earthquake shaking potential, as shown by the reduction of the between-event residuals computed for the peak ground velocity. The procedure we propose is therefore a significant step towards a quick assessment of earthquakes damage potential and timely implementation of emergency plans.

Pleiotropic effect of the insertion of the Agrobacterium rhizogenes rolD gene in tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.).

The Agrobacterium rhizogenes rolD gene, coding for an ornithine cyclodeaminase involved in the biosynthesis of proline from ornithine, has been inserted in Lycopersicon esculentum cv Tondino with the aim of studying its effects on plant morphological characters including pathogen defense response. The analysis of plants transgenic for rolD did not show major morphological modifications. First generation transgenic plants however were found to flower earlier, and showed an increased number of inflorescences and higher fruit yield. Transformed plants were also analysed for parameters linked to pathogen defense response, i.e. ion leakage in the presence of the toxin produced by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, and expression of the pathogenesis-related PR-1 gene. All the plants harbouring the rolD gene were shown to be more tolerant to the toxin in ion leakage experiments, with respect to the untransformed regenerated controls and the cv Tondino. PR-1 gene expression was quantitated by means of real-time PCR both at the basal level and after treatment with salicylic acid, an inducer of Systemic Acquired Resistance. In both cases the amount of PR-1 mRNA was higher in the transgenic plants. It seems therefore that the transformation of tomato plants with rolD could lead to an increased competence for defense response, as shown by toxin tolerance and increased expression of the Systemic Acquired Resistance marker gene PR-1. The results are finally discussed in view of their possible economic relevance.

Ovalbumin sensitization of guinea-pigs reduces fMLP-induced calcium signal in alveolar macrophages.

In this study we analyzed the N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP)-induced calcium signal in alveolar macrophages (AM) isolated from ovalbumin-sensitized (OA-sensitized AM) and naive (naive AM) guinea-pigs. Guinea-pigs were sensitized by subcutaneous injection of OA and AM were isolated by bronchoalveolar lavage 6 weeks thereafter. On the following day, we measured in resting and fMLP-stimulated cells: intracellular calcium concentration by fura-2 imaging analysis, forskolin-induced cyclic AMP production and superoxide dismutase inhibitable superoxide anion release of adherent AM. Resting calcium was 82+/-5.0 nM (n=217) and 144+/-9.3 nM (n=213, P<0.001) in naive and OA-sensitized AM respectively. fMLP (10(-11)-10(-7)M) induced a dose-dependent calcium increase, 10(-8)M being the maximal effective dose in both naive and OA-sensitized AM. However, at all doses tested, this fMLP effect was lower in OA-sensitized than in naive AM. While in resting condition 10(-5)M forskolin increased cyclic AMP both in naive and OA-sensitized AM, in fMPL-stimulated AM forskolin was effective only in OA-sensitized AM. Superoxide anion release measured 10 min after fMLP stimulus was higher in naive than in sensitized AM. These data suggest that the fMLP-induced intracellular signal is different in OA-sensitized AM compared to naive cells.

Influence of interleukin 1alpha on superoxide anion, platelet activating factor release and phospholipase A2 activity of naive and sensitized guinea-pig alveolar macrophages.

1. We studied the effect exerted by hr-interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) on responsiveness of alveolar macrophages (AM) from naive and sensitized guinea-pigs, through O2.- production (by ferricytochrome C reduction), platelet-activating factor (PAF) release (by platelet aggregation), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release (by a radioimmunoassay), and cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) activity (by hydrolysis of radioactive substrate). 2. In naive guinea-pig AM, 0.06 nM hr-IL-1alpha pretreatment decreased by 65% O2.- release stimulated with 10 nM fMLP. In contrast, O2.- production was not affected in sensitized guinea-pig AM. 3. O2.- release elicited by fMLP stimulation in both cell groups was affected by PLA2 inhibitors (10 microM bromophenacyl bromide, BPB or 10 microM methylprednisolone, MP). In contrast, 10 microM arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone (AACOCF3), a cPLA2 inhibitor, was ineffective. 4. In naive AM, PAF release was elicited by hr-IL-1alpha pretreatment and by separate fMLP-stimulation, but when the stimulus was added to hr-IL-1alpha-pretreated cells inhibition of PAF release was observed. In sensitized AM, PAF release was lower than that found in naive guinea-pig AM in both hr-IL-1alpha-pretreated and fMLP-stimulated cells. 5. PGE2 release was unaffected by hr-IL-1alpha pretreatment and it was decreased by fMLP in both naive and sensitized AMs. The latter released less PGE2 than naive cells in basal conditions and after fMLP treatment. 6. Sensitized AM showed a greater cPLA2 activity in all experimental conditions in comparison to naive cells. cPLA2 activity assayed in the cytosolic fraction was found to be enhanced by hr-IL-1alpha pretreatment and by fMLP stimulation in naive but not in sensitized AM. However, when the stimulus was added to hr-IL-1alpha-pretreated cells we observed a decrease in cPLA2 activity in the cytosol and an increase in the membranes, thus suggesting a translocation of enzymatic activity. 7. In conclusion, hr-IL-1alpha can modulate the responsiveness of AM from naive and sensitized guinea-pigs, as suggested by changes found in the release of PAF and O2.- and in cPLA2 activity; therefore, sensitization itself may affect cellular responsiveness.

GABA-mediated inhibition of the anaphylactic response in the guinea-pig trachea.

1. In sensitized guinea-pigs, the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and GABAmimetic drugs have been investigated on tracheal segments contracted by cumulative application of an allergen (ovoalbumin, OA) and on serosal mast cells. The same drugs have also been tested on activation of alveolar macrophages isolated from unsensitized guinea-pigs. 2. Superfusion with GABA (1-1000 microM) reduced the contraction intensity of tracheal strips. The effect of GABA (100 microM) was not affected by the carrier blockers, nipecotic acid and beta-alanine (300 microM each). It was mimicked by the GABAB agonist (-)-baclofen (100 microM) but not 3-aminopropanephosphinic acid (100 microM, 3-APA). The GABAA agonist, isoguvacine (100 microM) did not exert any effect. GABA (10 microM)-induced inhibition of tracheal contractions was reduced by the GABAB antagonist, 2-hydroxysaclofen (100 microM, 2-HS), but not by the GABAA antagonist, bicuculline (30 microM). 3. The reduction in contraction intensity induced by GABA (100 microM) was prevented by a 40 min preincubation of tracheal strips with capsaicin (10 microM), but not tetrodotoxin (TTX, 0.3 microM). The effect of GABA (1000 microM) was absent after preincubation with indomethacin (2.8 microM) but unmodified when nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA, 3.3 microM) was used. Finally, removal of the epithelium prevented the GABA effect. 4. Anaphylactic histamine release from serosal mast cells isolated from sensitized animals was not affected either by GABA (10-1000 microM) or the selective receptor agonists (-)-baclofen (0.1-1000 microM) and isoguvacine (10-1000 microM). The release of platelet-activating factor (PAF) from alveolar macrophages stimulated by formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP; 1 microM) was modified neither by GABA (100 microM)nor by (-)-baclofen (100microM).5. In conclusion, these data show that GABA can inhibit allergic phenomena in the guinea-pig airways through activation of GABAB receptors. An involvement of neuropeptidergic sensory structures is suggested but a role for epithelial cells and arachidonate metabolites is not definitely proved.

Salmeterol inhibits anaphylactic histamine release from guinea-pig isolated mast cells.

Salmeterol (1 nM-100 microM) showed an inhibitory action on anaphylactic histamine release from mast cells, isolated from pleural and peritoneal cavities of actively sensitized guinea-pigs and stimulated by incubation with allergen. The effect is concentration-dependent and is reduced by the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (1 microM). This study supports the hypothesis of an anti-inflammatory property of salmeterol, which concerns cells involved in the early phases of asthma.

Capsaicin and anaphylactic reactions in the guinea-pig airways.

Further evidence is reported on the influence exerted by capsaicin on the anaphylactic reaction evoked in actively sensitized guinea-pigs. In Herxheimer microshock induced by ovalbumin aerosol, pretreatment of animals with 100 micrograms/kg i.p. capsaicin prolonged the preconvulsion time when the drug was administered 3 h before antigen challenge. In contrast, the same dose of capsaicin injected 30 min before aerosol caused a shortening of latency of the respiratory symptomatology. The influence of the drug is no longer evident after 24 h. In "in vitro" experiments desensitization to capsaicin of tracheal preparations caused a reduction of histamine and SRS-A released during antigen challenge, in comparison to controls. Moreover, anaphylactic histamine release was increased in preparations perfused with 10(-8) M substance P. In conclusion, our findings confirm that neuropeptides may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma by affecting release of mediators.

Capsaicin and anaphylactic reactions in the guinea-pig.

The influence of capsaicin on anaphylactic reactions in the guinea-pig was studied both in vivo and in vitro. In guinea-pigs actively sensitized with ovalbumin, Herxheimer microshock was elicited by antigen aerosol and the preconvulsion time recorded. The preconvulsion time was reduced by about 30% in animals pretreated with capsaicin (1 mg/kg) injected i.p. 30 min before antigen aerosol, whereas it remained unchanged when the drug was administered two days before aerosol treatment. Capsaicin shows a partial protective effect when the provocative aerosol was administered 3 h after the last of three doses of capsaicin (100 micrograms/kg, i.p.), which had been injected for three consecutive days. Ileum longitudinal muscle strips were used for in vitro anaphylaxis studies. These were isolated from guinea-pigs actively sensitized with ovalbumin and histamine release evoked by antigen was measured. Preparations perfused with capsaicin (10(-6)-10(-4) M) and desensitized to the drug, showed a lower anaphylactic release of histamine. This effect was dose-dependent, with the histamine release reduced by 35% at higher concentrations (10(-5)-10(-4) M) of capsaicin. The mechanism of the influence of capsaicin on anaphylactic reactions is discussed briefly.