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1.
Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis ; 7(2): 170-7, 2004.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15136786

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The efficacy of adjuvant and salvage external beam radiation (AXRT+SXRT) for prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy (RP) has been debated because of the inability to rule out systemic occult metastasis, uncertainty that radiation eradicates residual local disease and the potential of exacerbating impotency and incontinence. To characterize the effectiveness and treatment morbidity a retrospective review was performed. METHODS: In all, 38 patients received AXRT and 91 received SXRT. The SXRT group was stratified by PSA level, age, race, pathologic stage, margin status, worst Gleason sum, radiation dose and pelvic field. Complications evaluated were impotence and incontinence. Median follow-up was 60.2 months. RESULTS: The 5-y disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 61.3% for AXRT and 36.3% for SXRT. Multivariate analysis of the SXRT cohort showed Gleason score, pathologic stage and pre-XRT PSA to be predictors of disease recurrence. After XRT 26% had worsened continence. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who recur after RP whose pathologic stage is pT2 or pT3c, Gleason score of 8 or higher or pre-XRT PSA is >2.0 ng/dl may have microscopic metastatic disease and a decreased chance of cure with SXRT alone. Continence was further impaired after XRT.


Subject(s)
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Neoplasm Staging , Prostatectomy , Prostatic Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Prostatic Neoplasms/surgery , Radiation Injuries , Aged , Disease-Free Survival , Erectile Dysfunction/etiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Morbidity , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Radiotherapy, Adjuvant/adverse effects , Retrospective Studies , Salvage Therapy , Urinary Incontinence/etiology
2.
Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis ; 6(2): 190-2, 2003.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12806382

ABSTRACT

Minor hematochezia after transrectal ultrasound and prostate needle biopsy is well reported. We present a case report of a 64-yr-old man on aspirin and with poorly controlled hypertension who developed severe hematochezia requiring blood transfusion. The bleeding was stopped with digital compression. The literature on hemorrhagic complications after prostate needle biopsy is reviewed.


Subject(s)
Aspirin/therapeutic use , Biopsy, Needle/adverse effects , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/pathology , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/therapy , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Severity of Illness Index
3.
J Chem Ecol ; 27(9): 1841-53, 2001 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11545374

ABSTRACT

We identified (Z)-9-octadecen-4-olide as a female-specific, antennally active compound from the currant stem girdler Janus integer Norton. Female specificity was demonstrated by gas chromatographic comparison of liquid chromatography fractions of male and female volatile emissions and whole body extracts. The gamma-lactone was identified by coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD), coupled gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis, microchemical reactions, and GC and MS comparison with authentic standards. GC-EAD analysis of female volatile emissions and cuticular extracts showed a single peak of activity on male antennae, which was not present in male-derived materials. Female antennae did not respond to any of the tested materials. The hydrogenation product of the natural EAD-active material was a known saturated gamma-lactone. The mass spectrum of the dimethyl disulfide derivative of the natural y -lactone was consistent with a double bond present in the 9 position. Comparison of the natural gamma-lactone and a synthesized racemic mixture of (Z)-9-octadecen-4-olide on a chiral GC column showed the presence of a single enantiomer in the natural material.


Subject(s)
Hymenoptera/chemistry , Lactones/chemistry , Oleic Acids/chemistry , Sex Attractants/chemistry , Animals , Chromatography, Gas , Female , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Volatilization
4.
J Neurochem ; 77(2): 550-7, 2001 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11299317

ABSTRACT

The glutamate analog (+/-) threo-3-methylglutamate (T3MG) has recently been reported to inhibit the EAAT2 but not EAAT1 subtype of high-affinity, Na(+)-dependent excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT). We have examined the effects of T3MG on glutamate-elicited currents mediated by EAATs 1-4 expressed in Xenopus oocytes and on the transport of radiolabeled substrate in mammalian cell lines expressing EAATs 1-3. T3MG was found to be an inhibitor of EAAT2 and EAAT4 but a weak inhibitor of EAAT1 and EAAT3. T3MG competitively inhibited uptake of D-[(3)H]-aspartate into both cortical and cerebellar synaptosomes with a similar potency, consistent with its inhibitory activity on the cloned EAAT2 and EAAT4 subtypes. In addition, T3MG produced substrate-like currents in oocytes expressing EAAT4 but not EAAT2. However, T3MG was unable to elicit heteroexchange of preloaded D-[(3)H]-aspartate in cerebellar synaptosomes, inconsistent with the behavior of a substrate inhibitor. Finally, T3MG acts as a poor ionotropic glutamate receptor agonist in cultured hippocampal neurons: concentrations greater than 100 microM T3MG were required to elicit significant NMDA receptor-mediated currents. Thus, T3MG represents a pharmacological tool for the study of not only the predominant EAAT2 subtype but also the EAAT4 subtype highly expressed in cerebellum.


Subject(s)
ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/antagonists & inhibitors , Carrier Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Glutamic Acid/pharmacology , Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors/pharmacology , Receptors, Neurotransmitter/antagonists & inhibitors , Symporters , 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate/pharmacology , ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/genetics , Action Potentials/drug effects , Amino Acid Transport System X-AG , Animals , Aspartic Acid/metabolism , Carrier Proteins/genetics , Cell Line , Cerebellum/drug effects , Cerebellum/metabolism , Cerebral Cortex/drug effects , Cerebral Cortex/metabolism , Dogs , Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 1 , Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 2 , Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 3 , Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 4 , Glutamate Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins , Glutamic Acid/analogs & derivatives , Glutamic Acid/metabolism , Hippocampus/drug effects , Hippocampus/metabolism , Kidney/cytology , Kinetics , Oocytes , Quinoxalines/pharmacology , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Receptors, Glutamate/genetics , Receptors, Neurotransmitter/genetics , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics , Synaptosomes/metabolism , Xenopus laevis
5.
Genome ; 43(4): 712-9, 2000 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10984185

ABSTRACT

A combination of genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and meiotic pairing analysis of wheat-Thinopyrum partial amphiploids was employed to identify the genomic constitution and relationships between partial amphiploids derived from wheat and wheatgrass crosses. On the basis of similarities in the meiotic behavior and GISH patterns, the alien chromosomes of two of eight partial amphiploids, TAF46 and 'Otrastayuskaya 38', were judged to originate from Th. intermedium, whereas Th. ponticum was one of the parents of the other six partial amphiploids; PWM706, PWM206, PWM209, PWMIII, OK7211542, and Ag-wheat hybrid. Each of these partial amphiploids was found to contain a synthetic alien genome composed of different combinations of St-, J-, or Js-genome chromosomes. For relatedness of partial amphiploid lines, meiotic analysis of F1 hybrids and GISH results were generally complementary, but the latter offered greater precision in identifying constituent genomes.


Subject(s)
Genes, Plant , In Situ Hybridization , Meiosis , Triticum/genetics , Blotting, Southern , Chromosomes/ultrastructure , Crosses, Genetic , Temperature
6.
J Biol Chem ; 275(41): 32174-81, 2000 Oct 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10906333

ABSTRACT

We have identified a splice variant encoding only the extracellular ligand-binding domain of the gamma-aminobutyric acid B (GABA(B)) receptor subunit GABA(B(1a)). This isoform, which we have named GABA(B(1e)), is detected in both rats and humans. While GABA(B(1e)) is a minor component of the total pool of GABA(B(1)) transcripts detected in the central nervous system, it is the primary isoform found in all peripheral tissues examined. When expressed in a heterologous system, the truncated receptor is both secreted and membrane associated. However, GABA(B(1e)) lacks the ability to bind the radiolabeled antagonist [(3)H]CGP 54626A, activate G-protein coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels, or inhibit forskolin-induced cAMP production when it is expressed alone or together with GABA(B(2)). Interestingly, when co-expressed with GABA(B(2)), not only does the truncated receptor heterodimerize with GABA(B(2)), the association is of sufficient avidity to disrupt the normal GABA(B(1a))/GABA(B(2)) association. Despite this strong interaction, GABA(B(1e)) fails to disrupt G-protein coupled inwardly rectifying potassium activation by the full-length heterodimer pair of GABA(B(1a))/GABA(B(2)).


Subject(s)
Alternative Splicing/genetics , Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying , Receptors, GABA-B/genetics , Receptors, GABA-B/metabolism , Sequence Deletion/genetics , Animals , Cell Line , Colforsin/pharmacology , Cyclic AMP/metabolism , Cyclic AMP/pharmacology , Dimerization , GABA Antagonists/metabolism , GABA Antagonists/pharmacology , GABA-B Receptor Antagonists , GTP-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Humans , Molecular Sequence Data , Oocytes , Organophosphorus Compounds/metabolism , Organophosphorus Compounds/pharmacology , Patch-Clamp Techniques , Potassium Channels/metabolism , Precipitin Tests , Protein Binding , Protein Isoforms/chemistry , Protein Isoforms/genetics , Protein Isoforms/metabolism , Protein Structure, Tertiary , RNA, Messenger/analysis , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Rats , Receptors, GABA-B/chemistry , Recombinant Proteins/metabolism , Transfection , Xenopus laevis
7.
J Agric Food Chem ; 47(3): 1189-95, 1999 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10552436

ABSTRACT

Analogues of (2E,4E,6E)-5-ethyl-3-methyl-2,4,6-nonatriene, the major component of the aggregation pheromone of Carpophilus freemani Dobson (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), were synthesized and the potency of these compounds in suppressing the response of C. freemani to its pheromone in a wind tunnel bioassay was determined. The most potent compounds reduced behavioral response to pheromone 83-96% when the inhibitors were present in 10-fold excess. These compounds are (1Z, 3E,5E)-1-methoxy-3-ethyl-5-methyl-1,3,5-heptatriene, (1E,3E, 5E)-1-cyclopropyl-3-ethyl-5-methyl-1,3,5-heptatriene, and (1Z,3E, 5E)-1-cyclopropyl-3-ethyl-5-methyl-1,3,5-heptatriene. In the presence of fermenting bread dough (a pheromone synergist), the most potent inhibitory compound, (1Z,3E, 5E)-1-cyclopropyl-3-ethyl-5-methyl-1,3,5-heptatriene, was less effective in reducing mean landings (69% vs 99%) than when dough was absent. This inhibitory compound causes a reduction of response to pheromone but does not cause a reduction of response to fermenting food-type volatiles such as fermenting bread dough. Analogues of pheromones that strongly reduce response to pheromones by insects might be useful as biochemical probes to study the pharmacophoric (three-dimensional structure) requirements for pheromone perception.


Subject(s)
Coleoptera , Pheromones/chemistry , Pheromones/pharmacology , Terpenes/chemistry , Animals , Biological Assay , Bread , Fermentation , Models, Molecular , Molecular Conformation , Pheromones/chemical synthesis , Structure-Activity Relationship , Terpenes/chemical synthesis , Terpenes/pharmacology
8.
J Neurosci ; 19(3): 916-27, 1999 Feb 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9920655

ABSTRACT

The ionotropic glutamate receptor GluR6 exhibits strongly and rapidly desensitizing current responses. Treatment of heterologically expressed GluR6 with the lectin concanavalin A (ConA) in Xenopus oocytes as well as in human embryonic kidney-293 cells results in a considerable increase of the steady-state current, presumably by inhibiting receptor desensitization. In the present study, we investigated the molecular basis of this effect using a systematic mutagenesis approach. We found that although N-glycosylation is an absolute prerequisite for the lectin-mediated inhibition of desensitization, no single one of the nine extracellular consensus sites for N-glycosylation of GluR6 is required. Rather, each of the nine N-linked carbohydrate side chains is independently capable of modulatory interaction with the lectin. Moreover, even artificially introduced N-glycosylation sites can substitute for native sites. Thus, the specific site of the lectin binding does not appear to be important for its desensitization-inhibiting action. Furthermore, we show that the extent of the receptor's ConA sensitivity depends on its state of activation, because the desensitized GluR6 exhibits significantly lower lectin sensitivity than the nondesensitized receptor. We conclude that binding of ConA "locks" the receptor in the activatable state, thereby inhibiting conformational changes required to shift the receptor to the desensitized state.


Subject(s)
Carbohydrates/chemistry , Carbohydrates/physiology , Concanavalin A/pharmacology , Receptors, Kainic Acid/chemistry , Receptors, Kainic Acid/drug effects , Animals , Cell Line , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Glycosylation , Humans , Mutation/physiology , Oocytes , Receptors, Kainic Acid/genetics , Time Factors , Xenopus laevis
9.
Tech Urol ; 3(2): 100-2, 1997.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9297771

ABSTRACT

Although penile prostheses are highly effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, a small percentage of patients are dissatisfied. Serendipitously, a patient in this group found that using an external vacuum device to augment his prosthetic erection provided a dramatic objective improvement in his erection and increased his overall satisfaction with intercourse. Patients who had tried the combination of external vacuum device and penile prosthesis simultaneously were identified from our penile prosthesis population as well as the Osbon Medical Systems database. Telephone interviews were conducted to determine efficacy, satisfaction, and side effects from the combination. Twelve patients completed the telephone survey. Four patients had semirigid and eight had inflatable penile prostheses. After using the vacuum device to augment the erection, all reported increased rigidity and patient/partner satisfaction, and 11 of 12 described improved length and girth. Minimal complications were noted. Concomitant use of an external vacuum device and penile prosthesis was safe in this select population. The combination may be indicated in patients with penile prostheses who are dissatisfied with size and/or rigidity, and in those who refuse or who are poor candidates for prosthesis revision.


Subject(s)
Erectile Dysfunction/therapy , Penile Prosthesis , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Combined Modality Therapy , Erectile Dysfunction/surgery , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Satisfaction , Prosthesis Design , Retrospective Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Vacuum
10.
J Urol ; 155(4): 1376-7, 1996 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8632579

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We describe a new method of using a Foley catheter to assist vesicourethral anastomosis during radical retropubic prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 81 patients underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy with this technique. Followup ranged from 4 to 48 months. Peri-catheter urethrograms were performed at 3 weeks. Patients were evaluated specifically for bladder neck contracture, urinary continence and prolonged catheterization. RESULTS: Bladder neck contracture, occurred in 4.9% of the patients and 87.6% were completely continent of urine. Only 1 patient required extended postoperative catheterization. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a Foley catheter for vesicourethral anastomosis is consistent and simple, and provided good surgical results in our experience.


Subject(s)
Anastomosis, Surgical/methods , Catheterization , Prostatectomy/methods , Urethra/surgery , Urinary Bladder/surgery , Humans , Male , Postoperative Complications/prevention & control , Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction/prevention & control , Urinary Catheterization , Urinary Incontinence/prevention & control
11.
Drug Chem Toxicol ; 19(1-2): 85-96, 1996.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8804555

ABSTRACT

Sixty-three male sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to dietary treatments containing 1) N-formylloline alkaloid (NFL), 2) N-acetylloline alkaloid (NAL), 3) NFL + NAL, 4) NFL + a mixture of ergot alkaloids, 5) NAL + a mixture of ergot alkaloids, 6) NFL + NAL + a mixture of ergot alkaloids, 7) a mixture of ergot alkaloids, 8) endophyte-free tall fescue seed (EFTF), and 9) endophyte-infected tall fescue (EITF) seed (negative control). All diets were prepared by mixing the prepared treatments and Laboratory Chow (1:1 ratio) and were fed at a maximum of 15 g per rat per day. All rats were killed at termination (d 18). Rats fed the EITF consumed less (P < .05) than those fed all other treatments. Feed intake for rats fed the NFL + ergot alkaloids was lower than for those fed NAL, NAL + ergot alkaloids, NFL + NAL + ergot alkaloids, ergot alkaloids, and EFTF treatments. Average daily weight gains (ADG) followed a trend similar to feed intake with some exceptions. Rats fed the NFL + NAL treatments had higher (P < .05) ADG than those fed all other treatments except the NFL + NAL + ergot alkaloid treatment. Rats fed the EITF had lower (P < .05) ADG than those fed all other treatments except those fed ergot alkaloids and NAL + ergot alkaloids. Epididymides, testes, hypothalamus, corpus striatum weights, prolactin and alkaline phosphatase content were not altered by dietary treatments. Results suggest that loline alkaloids may have a slight depressing effect on feed intake.


Subject(s)
Alkaloids/toxicity , Animal Feed/toxicity , Ergot Alkaloids/toxicity , Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids/toxicity , Acremonium , Alkaline Phosphatase/blood , Alkaloids/chemistry , Animals , Biological Assay , Chromatography, Gas , Male , Mycotoxicosis/diagnosis , Organ Size , Poaceae/microbiology , Prolactin/blood , Random Allocation , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Testosterone/blood , Weight Gain/drug effects
12.
Theor Appl Genet ; 93(7): 1033-9, 1996 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24162477

ABSTRACT

Twenty-five partial amphiploids (2n=8x=56), which were derived from hybrids of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with either Thinopyrum ponticum (Podpera) Liu & Wang, Th. intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D. Dewey, or Th. junceum (L.) A. Löve, were assayed for resistance to BYDV serotype PAV by slot-blot hybridization with viral cDNA of a partial coat protein gene. Three immune lines were found among seven partial amphiploids involving Th. ponticum. Seven highly resistant lines were found in ten partial amphiploids involving Th. intermedium. None of eight partial amphiploids or 13 addition lines of Chinese Spring - Th. junceum were resistant to BYDV. Genomic in situ hybridization demonstrated that all of the resistant partial amphiploids, except TAF46, carried an alien genome most closely related to St, whether it was derived from Th. ponticum or Th. intermedium. The two partial amphiploids carrying an intact E genome of Th. ponticum are very susceptible to BYDV-PAV. In TAF46, which contains three pairs of St- and four pairs of E-genome chromo somes, the gene for BYDV resistance has been located to a modified 7 St chromosome in the addition line L1. This indicates that BYDV resistance in perennial polyploid parents, i.e., Th. ponticum and Th. intermedium, of these partial amphiploids is probably controlled by a gene(s) located on the St-genome chromosome(s).

13.
Bioorg Med Chem ; 2(6): 543-51, 1994 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8000877

ABSTRACT

The copper oxidases human ceruloplasmin and Polyporous anceps laccase catalyze the oxidative coupling of mithramycin (1) and its aglycone chromomycinone (2) with p-hydroquinone to form new mithramycin-hydroquinone (3) and chromomycinone-hydroquinone adducts (4), respectively. Similar adducts could be formed by the nonenzymatic mimic of this reaction using benzoquinone and these aureolic acids in buffer solutions. FABMS of 3 indicated that the hydroquinone moiety was attached to the aureolic acid aglycone. Acid hydrolysis of 3 yielded a compound with the same chromatographic and spectroscopic characteristics as 4. Structure elucidation of 4 by NMR and MS revealed that the hydroquinone was attached to the C-5 position of the aglycone. NMR evidence indicated that 4 consisted of a mixture of ortho-substituted biphenyl rotamers. The mechanism of the copper oxidase catalyzed adduct formation reaction is presumed to involve radical formation through hydrogen removal at the 8-phenolic position, radical isomerization, and coupling with semiquinone radical also formed during enzymatic and nonenzymatic incubations. Identification of the covalent-hydroquinone adduct provides evidence that aureolic acid antibiotics can be metabolically converted to reactive radical intermediates, and it establishes the C-5 position of aureolic acid as an enzymatically reactive site. Unlike mithramycin, the mithramycin-hydroquinone adducts was inactive in the in vivo P388 leukemic antitumor test system.


Subject(s)
Antibiotics, Antineoplastic/chemical synthesis , Benzoquinones/chemistry , Ceruloplasmin/metabolism , Hydroquinones/chemistry , Oxidoreductases/metabolism , Plicamycin/analogs & derivatives , Plicamycin/chemistry , Polyporaceae/enzymology , Animals , Antibiotics, Antineoplastic/chemistry , Antibiotics, Antineoplastic/therapeutic use , Catalysis , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , Humans , Laccase , Leukemia P388/drug therapy , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred Strains , Molecular Structure , Plicamycin/therapeutic use , Spectrometry, Mass, Fast Atom Bombardment
14.
J Neurosci Methods ; 52(1): 23-32, 1994 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8090014

ABSTRACT

A method for selectively labeling cultured neurons using the vital dye, 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate (CFDA), is described. This non-fluorescent membrane-permeant dye is cleaved by cytosolic esterases into the fluorescent anion, 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (CF). Both astrocytes and neurons exhibit brilliant fluorochromasia within minutes of CFDA loading. However, following a brief rinse in buffered saline in the absence of CFDA, the astrocytes rapidly lose their cellular fluorescence while the neurons retain the dye for several hours. The fluorochromasia is uniformly distributed throughout the soma and processes which greatly facilitates the morphological identification of viable neurons. In addition, this protocol can be used to conveniently quantify neuronal survival in assays of the activities of neurotrophic or neurotoxic substances.


Subject(s)
Astrocytes/cytology , Embryo, Mammalian/cytology , Fluoresceins , Neurons/cytology , Animals , Cell Survival , Cells, Cultured , Cytological Techniques , Immunohistochemistry , Neurons/physiology , Rats
15.
J Chem Ecol ; 20(7): 1483-93, 1994 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24242645

ABSTRACT

Males ofCarpophilus obsoletus Erichson produce an aggregation pheromone to which both sexes respond. The pheromone was identified by GC-MS as (2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,5,7-trimethyl-2,4,6,8-undecatetraene (1), which is also a minor constituent of the pheromone blends ofC. hemipterus (L.),C. freemani Dobson, andC. lugubris Murray. The pheromone was synergized in wind-tunnel bioassays by propyl acetate, a "host-type" coattractant. In a dose-response study, 50 pg of1, plus propyl acetate, was significantly more attractive than just propyl acetate. Pheromone emission from groups of 65 males, feeding on artificial diet, averaged 2.2 ng/male/day. Emissions from individual males were larger, averaging 72 ng/day and ranging as high as 388 ng/day. Synthetic1 was tested in a date garden in southern California (500 µg/rubber septum), using fermenting whole-wheat bread dough as the coattractant. The pheromone plus dough attracted significantly more beetles than dough alone (means were 4.2 and 0.0 beetles per week per trap). Captured beetles were 54% females. Field trap catches were highest during the months of July and August.

16.
J Dairy Sci ; 76(2): 555-63, 1993 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8445102

ABSTRACT

Relationships between alkaloid compounds in endophyte-infected tall fescue and ruminal metabolism were studied in two experiments. In the first experiment, different combinations of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids, N-formyl and N-acetyl loline, were incubated with ruminal fluid for 0, 24, or 48 h. Rate of disappearance of N-formyl and N-acetyl loline increased over time. After 48 h, disappearance of N-formyl loline and combinations of N-formyl and N-acetyl loline was greater than N-acetyl loline. Significant amounts of N-formyl and N-acetyl loline were metabolized and converted to loline. In the second experiment, abomasally cannulated sheep were fed increasing amounts of endophyte-infected feed to compare diet digestibility, alkaloid metabolism, and physiological responses. Total tract DM digestibility was greatest for the endophyte-free diet, as were ruminal and total tract ADF, ruminal NDF, and total tract CP digestibilities. N-Formyl and N-acetyl loline recoveries averaged 5% from abomasal contents and 0% in feces. Sixty-eight percent of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids recovered in abomasal contents had been metabolizable to loline. Ergot alkaloids administered in the diet were recovered (50 to 60%) in the abomasal contents, but recovery was only 5% in fecal collections. No significant differences occurred in the physiological parameters measured. Results indicate that response to endophyte-infected tall fescue may be influenced by ruminal metabolism.


Subject(s)
Alkaloids/metabolism , Diet , Poaceae/microbiology , Rumen/metabolism , Acremonium/growth & development , Animals , Cattle , Digestion , In Vitro Techniques , Poaceae/metabolism , Sheep
17.
J Anim Sci ; 70(9): 2779-86, 1992 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-1399895

ABSTRACT

The objective of this research was to measure the effects of endophyte-infected tall fescue seed extract and various alkaloids associated with the endophyte on in vitro prolactin secretion by rat hemipituitaries. Rat anterior pituitaries (AP) were dissected into halves and placed in temperature-controlled culture chambers (37 degrees C). The tissue was perfused with culture media at a flow rate of 12 mL/h. After perfusion for at least 90 min with control media, AP halves were exposed to their respective treatments for 15 min before they were returned to the control media. The treatments for Exp. 1 were .01 micrograms of alpha-ergocryptine/mL of culture medium, .01 microgram of ergonovine/mL of culture medium, .01 gram-equivalents of endophyte-infected tall fescue seed/mL of culture medium, and .01 gram-equivalents of endophyte free tall fescue seed/mL of culture medium. Treatments for Exp. 2 consisted of 10(-4), 10(-6), and 10(-8) M concentrations of perloline, N-formyl loline, N-acetyl loline, N-methyl loline, and alpha-ergocryptine. alpha-Ergocryptine suppressed (P less than .10) prolactin secretion in both experiments. Ergonovine and perloline both stimulated (P less than .10) prolactin secretion. The loline alkaloids (N-formyl loline, N-acetyl loline, N-methyl loline) had no effect on prolactin secretion. The endophyte-infected seed extract treatment suppressed (P less than .10) prolactin secretion. The endophyte-free seed extract treatment had no effect on prolactin secretion. In Exp. 2, prolactin secretion from AP responded to alpha-ergocryptine treatment in a dose-dependent fashion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Subject(s)
Acremonium/growth & development , Alkaloids/toxicity , Phenanthrenes , Pituitary Gland, Anterior/drug effects , Poaceae/microbiology , Prolactin/metabolism , Animals , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Ergolines/toxicity , Ergonovine/toxicity , Male , Organ Culture Techniques , Pituitary Gland, Anterior/metabolism , Plant Extracts/toxicity , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Seeds
18.
J Neurophysiol ; 67(3): 704-14, 1992 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-1315847

ABSTRACT

1. Ca2+ homeostasis in freshly dissociated neurons from embryonic rat hypothalamus, cortex, and brain stem was investigated with flow cytometry. Cells were dissociated from embryonic brain by enzymatic and mechanical means and were incubated with the acetoxymethylester derivative of the Ca(2+)-sensitive dye indo-1. Neurons hydrolyzed and retained the dye as determined by the intensity of fluorescence emission, whereas similarly treated cultured astrocytes gave very low-level fluorescence. 2. The fluorescence of the indo-1 dye was measured at two wavelengths (405 and 485 nm) for each cell. Data were collected only from those cells (presumptive neurons) with high levels of fluorescence. Methods were developed to calibrate the level of intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) as the ratio of fluorescence at 410 and 485 nm. The level of intracellular free Ca2+ was then calculated for each neuron. 3. A wide distribution of resting [Ca2+]i was found, with a median of approximately 90 nM. After addition of ionomycin to cells in Ca(2+)-free medium, there was a transient increase in [Ca2+]i, suggesting that all embryonic neurons had internal Ca2+ stores. The presence of active calcium extrusion mechanisms was demonstrated with the use of ionomycin in Ca(2+)-containing medium and with metabolic inhibitors. Furthermore, incubation in sodium-free medium resulted in a transient increase in [Ca2+]i and a reduced ability to eliminate elevated [Ca2+]i from the cytoplasm, suggesting that calcium homeostasis was dependent on the activity of the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange mechanism. 4. Depolarization with K+ or veratrine increased [Ca2+]i in approximately 20% of the cells. This increase was blocked by eliminating extracellular free Ca2+ or adding Co2+, nifedipine, or verapamil, suggesting mediation by voltage-sensitive calcium channels. 5. Neurons were sorted on the basis of high [Ca2+]i and placed into dissociated culture. After 24 h, neurons in culture retained indo-1 fluorescence, suggesting that populations of neurons can be collected on the basis of their levels of [Ca2+]i. 6. These results demonstrate that flow cytometric analysis allows the characterization of a variety of Ca(2+)-regulatory mechanisms in populations of freshly dissociated embryonic neurons. Although only a proportion of embryonic day 17 neurons exhibit voltage-sensitive calcium channels, all neurons have developed the ability to sequester and extrude Ca2+.


Subject(s)
Brain/cytology , Calcium/physiology , Homeostasis/physiology , Neurons/physiology , Animals , Brain/embryology , Calcium Channel Blockers/pharmacology , Calcium Channels/metabolism , Calcium Channels/physiology , Cells, Cultured , Egtazic Acid/pharmacology , Female , Flow Cytometry , Indoles , Ionomycin/pharmacology , Potassium/pharmacology , Pregnancy , Rats , Rats, Inbred Strains , Veratrine/pharmacology
19.
Nat Toxins ; 1(2): 84-8, 1992.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-1344912

ABSTRACT

Stipa robusta (= Stipa vaseyi) is a perennial grass found in certain areas of the southwestern United States. It is commonly known as sleepygrass, as horses that ingest this grass may become profoundly somnolent or stuporous for periods of time lasting up to several days. In an attempt to determine the active principle(s), fractionation of a methanolic extract of sleepygrass infected with an Acremonium endophyte has yielded lysergic acid amide (20 micrograms/g dry wt), isolysergic amide (8), 8-hydroxylsergic acid amide (0.3), ergonovine (7), chanoclavine-I (15), and N-formylloline (18). Related alkaloids have been found in many endophyte-infected grasses. The dominant alkaloid constituent in sleepygrass, lysergic acid amide, has not previously been identified in a grass in such high concentration. Lysergic acid amide is likely to be the basis for the extreme sedative effects on animals, given past pharmacological work on the compound from the ergot fungus Claviceps paspali.


Subject(s)
Acremonium/metabolism , Alkaloids/isolation & purification , Hypnotics and Sedatives/isolation & purification , Poaceae/chemistry , Poaceae/microbiology , Alkaloids/metabolism , Alkaloids/toxicity , Animals , Horse Diseases/etiology , Horses , Hypnotics and Sedatives/toxicity , Lysergic Acid Diethylamide/analogs & derivatives , Lysergic Acid Diethylamide/isolation & purification , Mycotoxins/isolation & purification , Mycotoxins/toxicity , Plant Poisoning/etiology , Plant Poisoning/veterinary , Symbiosis
20.
Nat Toxins ; 1(3): 163-70, 1992.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-1344917

ABSTRACT

Grasses infected with clavicipitaceous fungi have been associated with a variety of diseases including classical ergotism in humans and animals, fescue foot and summer syndrome in cattle, and rye-grass staggers in sheep. During the last decade it has been recognized that many of these fungal infections are endophytic; a fungal endophyte is a fungus that grows entirely within the host plant. Inspection of field collections and herbarium specimens has revealed that such infections are widespread in grasses. The chemistry associated with these grass-fungal interactions has proved to be interesting and complex, as each grass-fungal pair results in a unique "fingerprint" of various alkaloids, of which some are highly toxic to herbivores. In many cases the presence of an endophyte appears to benefit the plant by increasing drought resistance, or by increasing resistance to attack by insects, thus improving the overall survivability of the grass. This review will focus on alkaloids that have been reported in endophyte-infected grasses.


Subject(s)
Acremonium/metabolism , Alkaloids/toxicity , Ascomycota/metabolism , Poaceae/microbiology , Symbiosis , Toxins, Biological/toxicity , Animals , Poaceae/metabolism
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