Cell death and survival through the endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial axis.

The endoplasmic reticulum has a central role in biosynthesis of a variety of proteins and lipids. Mitochondria generate ATP, synthesize and process numerous metabolites, and are key regulators of cell death. The architectures of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria change continually via the process of membrane fusion, fission, elongation, degradation, and renewal. These structural changes correlate with important changes in organellar function. Both organelles are capable of moving along the cytoskeleton, thus changing their cellular distribution. Numerous studies have demonstrated coordination and communication between mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. A focal point for these interactions is a zone of close contact between them known as the mitochondrial-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane (MAM), which serves as a signaling juncture that facilitates calcium and lipid transfer between organelles. Here we review the emerging data on how communication between endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria can modulate organelle function and determine cellular fate.

[Diffuse pulmonary ossification associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis]. / Osificación pulmonar difusa asociada a fibrosis pulmonar idiopática.

Diffuse pulmonary ossification is a rare entity that presents with the formation of mature bone in the pulmonary parenchyma and is associated with diffuse and chronic lung disease, heart disease, or other system disorders. Diffuse pulmonary ossification is usually a postmortem finding by the pathologist. In the case we report, the diagnosis was established by open lung biopsy. The patient was a 79-year-old man with dyspnea, dry cough, and weight loss. He had been a smoker. A chest x-ray revealed reticulonodular bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. Computed tomography revealed interstitial disease predominantly in the septum with multiple cavitations that tended to form honeycomb patterns. Pleural thickening, retraction of the parenchyma, and bilateral fibrosis were also visible. A clinical diagnosis of interstitial fibrosis was established and the patient s course was unfavorable. An open lung biopsy was performed. The lung tissue specimens revealed zones with collapsed alveoli and others with emphysema, some of which produced secretion and erythrocytic extravasation. Interstitial vascular congestion was apparent; bronchioles presented mononuclear and some polymorphonuclear inflammatory infiltrates. Noteworthy was the presence of predominantly interstitial, multicentric foci of osseous trabeculae --some of which included adipose bone marrow. Diffuse pulmonary ossification is usually an incidental finding in autopsies of patients with a history of diffuse chronic pulmonary disease, but it is an unusual diagnosis in living patients. Diffuse pulmonary ossification is of no prognostic significance in pulmonary fibrosis. It is a marker of the chronicity and/or severity of the fibrosis.

Pest response in packed table grapes to low temperature storage combined with slow-release sulfur dioxide pads in basic and large-scale tests.

The effect of low temperature storage combined with slow release sulfur dioxide pads was determined in basic laboratory and large-scale commercial tests on western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande; grape mealybug, Pseudococcus maritimus (Ehrhorn); Pacific spider mite, Tetranychus pacificus McGregor; twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch; and omnivorous leafroller, Platynota stultana Walshingham. Temperatures within the foam containers among the packed clusters decreased from ambient to 2 degrees C within approximately 1 d and ranged from 0.4 to 1.7 degrees C in all tests. Sulfur dioxide concentrations in the foam containers ranged between 0.2 and 1.6 ppm during the 1- to 6-wk storage period in basic tests and 0.5-1.1 ppm during the 1- to 8-wk storage period in the large-scale test. Western flower thrips was completely controlled by a > or =1-wk exposure. Grape mealybug mortality was > or =93% after 2-5 wk exposures and 100% after a 6-wk exposure in basic tests. Pacific spider mite and twospotted spider mite mortality was 98.0 and 99.6%, respectively, after a 6-wk exposure. Mortality of grape mealybug and twospotted spider mite increased significantly at > or =3-wk exposures and Pacific spider mite mortality increased significantly at > or =4-wk exposures. Mortality of the spider mites in general was directly related to the duration of exposure. An 8-wk exposure to low temperature storage combined with slow release sulfur dioxide pads in the large-scale test resulted in 100% mortality of western flower thrips, twospotted spider mite, and omnivorous leafroller. The treatment resulted in <8% survival of grape mealybug and <1% survival of Pacific spider mite in the large-scale test. The combination treatment offers an economical method to attain quarantine control of certain insects and mites.

[Predictive value of endometrial pattern and thickness in the result of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer]. / Valor predictivo del patrón y del grosor endometrial en el resultado de fecundación in vitro y transferencia embrionaria.

In order to assess the relationship between echographic endometrial thickness and pattern and the probability of clinical pregnancy and delivery we analyzed retrospectively 51 cycles of IFV-ET. Patients were classified in three categories of endometrial thickness: < 9 mm, 9.1-11 mm and > 11 mm and in two types of endometrial pattern: type 1 (non triple line) or type 2 (triple line). The average endometrial thickness of patients who got pregnant and those who did not was 11.8 +/- 1.8 mm and 10.6 +/- 1.7 mm respectively (p = NS). There were no clinical pregnancies in patients with endometrial thickness < 9 mm (p < 0.01). The average endometrial thickness in patients with endometrial pattern type 1 and type 2 was 11.1 +/- 1.2 mm and 10.9 +/- 1.9 mm respectively (p = NS). Patients who presented type 2 endometrial pattern (n = 39) produced eleven clinical pregnancies (28.2%) and those with type 1 (n = 2) only one clinical pregnancy (8.3%), which ended in spontaneous abortion (p < 0.01). When both variables, thickness and pattern, were considered together, patients with endometrial pattern type 2 and thickness > 11 mm had a probability of clinical pregnancy and of delivery of 43.8% and 25%, respectively, who is statistically significant (p < 0.03). We conclude that endometrial thickness and pattern, taken together, offer a valuable prognostic value for the outcome of an IVF-ET cycle.

Genotypic variability in vulnerability of leaf xylem to cavitation in water-stressed and well-irrigated sugarcane.

Genotypic variability in vulnerability of leaf xylem to water-stress-induced cavitation was determined in four sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) clones using detached leaf segments in a hydraulic conductivity apparatus. Vulnerability curves were constructed by plotting the percentage of maximum conductivity versus leaf water potential (psi(I)) and fitting curves using a Weibull function. The psi(I) at which each clone lost 10, 50, and 80% of maximum conductivity was determined. Maximum conductivity per unit of leaf width was positively associated with metaxylem vessel diameter. The commercial clone H65-7052 exhibited the highest and the nondomesticated S. spontaneum exhibited the lowest conductivity. All four clones lost substantial conductivity at values of psi(I) less negative than -1.4 MPa, but H65-7052 was able to maintain 50% conductivity to lower psi(I) than the other clones. S. spontaneum sustained the most negative psi(I) (-1.99 MPa) before reaching the 80% conductivity loss point. Clone H69-8235 was consistently the most vulnerable to initial loss of conductivity. These vulnerability functions were used in conjunction with field measurements of psi(I) to estimate diurnal losses in leaf hydraulic conductivity under irrigated and droughted conditions. H69-8235 lost up to 50% of its conductivity during the day, even when well irrigated, and more than 80% when subjected to drought. The other clones exhibited lower conductivity losses. These losses are apparently reversed overnight by root pressure. Despite their close genetic relationships, these clones exhibited large differences in conductivity, in the vulnerability of their xylem to cavitation, and in gas exchange behavior. The potential for altering water relations by selecting for particular hydraulic characteristics is discussed.

Effects of water deficit on flower opening in coffee (Coffea arabica L.).

The response of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) floral buds to different water deficits followed by re-irrigation was investigated. Flower opening was stimulated by irrigation after one period of water deficit if predawn leaf water potential declined below -0.8 MPa. Similar stimulation of flowering was observed when less severe but more prolonged water deficits (ca. -0.3 to -0.5 MPa for two weeks) were imposed, even if water deficit was relieved by re-irrigation several times during this period. Consistent results were obtained in the field and in two greenhouse locations. Stimulation of flower opening by water deficit followed by re-irrigation was restricted to buds at the "open white cluster" stage of development (Stage 4). Only buds at this stage exhibited development of secondary xylem. Split-root experiments indicated that a root signal stimulated flower opening, independently of predawn or midday leaf water status. Frequent irrigation to prevent flowering, followed by a controlled water deficit and re-irrigation to stimulate flowering, may represent a practical method to synchronize flowering and shorten the harvest period in leeward coffee production areas in Hawaii.

[The results of a program of in vitro fertilization and tubal embryo transfer (ZIFT)]. / Resultados de un programa de fertilización in vitro y transferencia de embriones a la trompa (ZIFT).

Twenty-one sterile couples, between September 1989, and August 1991, were treated for ovulation stimulation of their cycles, in order to practice in them, a in vitro fertilization and tube embryo transfer (ZIFT). Two protocols of ovulation induction were used, both with leuprolide acetate (Lupron), one in the luteal phase and the other in follicular phase and since the second or the fourth day of the cycle, respectively, gonadotropins were added (Metrodine and Pergonal). Out of all the twenty-nine initiated cycles, twenty-seven were aspirated (93.1%) and twenty-four reached an embryo transfer (82.8%). Seven clinic pregnancies were obtained (29.17% per transfer) and four deliveries (16.67% per transfer). The sterility period average was 69.64 +/- 36.6 months and the patients age average was 34.1 +/- 4.38 years. The global rate of fertilization was 63.53%. With luteal phase Lupron best results were got (pregnancy rate of 38.46% per transfer) and there were not considerable difference in the number of gonadotropins ampulla employed. When embryos were transfer to the tubes and the uteri the pregnant rate was 50% per transfer, in comparison to 18.75% when transfer was made only in the tubes.

[Sheehan syndrome and spontaneous pregnancy: report of 2 cases]. / Sindrome de Sheehan y embarazo espontáneo: comunicación de dos casos.

Two patients receiving substitution therapy for Sheehan syndrome became pregnant. No pituitary trophins, except LH responded to stimulation with the hypothalamic hormones TRH and Gn-Rh, or insulin induced hypoglycemia. Computed tomography showed a normal size sella with arachnoid cyst.

[Clinico-echographic study of the ovulatory phase, spontaneous and induced, conceptional and non conceptional cycles]. / Estudio clínico-ecográfico de la fase ovulatoria, ciclos espontáneos e inducidos, concepcionales y no concepcionales.

We present the results obtained on 110 menstrual cycles of 87 patients; echography study of ovulation, immunologic LH determination, basal body register card and serial cervical mucus score, since -6 to 0 day. Echography study determined follicular diameter, endometrial bulk and the presence of liquid in the cul-de-sac. We considered only those patients in whom the disappearance of the follicle was observed 24 hours before; being this fact, the indicator of ovulation, related to all other variables. These patients presented spontaneous (47.3%), epimestrol (28.2%) or clomiphene induced (24.5%) cycles, and they turned out to be pregnant or not in that cycle, (34.6%, 25.8% and 37.0% respectively). It was 36 (32.7%) pregnant women in all the The three follicular diameter curves for pregnant cycles, were similar being the preovulatory follicular range 21.5 mm for spontaneous cycles, 18.9 mm for epimestrol induced cycles and 20.7 mm for clomiphene induced cycles. Conceptional range was from 15 to 22 mms, 15 to 22 mm, and 14 to 27 mms, respectively. We didn't observe free fluid in cul-de-sac in 5 pregnant cycles (13.9%). Most of positive LH, are about -2 and -1 (21% and 50%, respectively). There were one pregnant patient and 2 no pregnant patient with repetitive, negative LH. In 50% of patients who became pregnant, the Nadir was on -1 day. In spontaneous conceptional group, bad cervical score was not observed. The good cervical score period is longer on conceptional group than in those with epimestrol. On conceptional group, dissociation between best score day and the day of ovulations was not observed, fact that we observed in non-conceptional group.

[In vitro fertilization program. Preliminary results]. / Programa de fecundación in vitro. Resultados preliminares.

Three infertile couples were submitted to in vitro fertilization and uterine embryo transfer (IVF+ET) and 7 to in vitro fertilization and pronuclear stage tubal transfer (IVF+PROST). In order to programmed menstruation Norethisterone, 10 mg daily, were administered during the cycle preceding the one of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. In order to inhibit endogenous production of FSH and LH, leuprolide acetate, a Gn-RH agonist, was injected subcutaneously 1 mg daily during 6 days and 0.5 mg fowardly from the luteal phase of the cycle proceeding the one of hyperstimulation until the day of HCG administration. To achieve superovulation pure FSH (Metrodine), HMG (Pergonal) and HCG (Endocorion) were used. Oocyte retrieval was performed through transvaginal puncture under ultrasonographic control. For oocyte and embryo identification and classification, spermatozoa separation and capacitation and gamete insemination and incubation procedures habitual techniques were employed. Pronuclear embryo tubal transfer was performed through a laparoscope 17 hours after insemination and embryo transfer to the uterine cavity after 48 hours. Nine of 10 patients responded to gonadotrophin hyperstimulation and were submitted to ovarian puncture. 69 oocytes (7, per patient) were obtained, 59 (81.15% of which were mature. 74.55% of the inseminated oocytes fertilized. Two patients got pregnant: one, submitted to IVF+PROST, presently has a multiple pregnancy with triplets and the second, submitted to IVF+UT, had a missed abortion at 8 weeks of pregnancy.