Fungal symbiosis from mutualism to parasitism: who controls the outcome, host or invader?

•  Plant symbiotic fungi are generally thought to express a single lifestyle that might increase (mutualism), decrease (parasitism), or have no influence (commensalism) on host fitness. However, data are presented here demonstrating that plant pathogenic Colletotrichum species are able to asymptomatically colonize plants and express nonpathogenic lifestyles. •  Experiments were conducted in growth chambers and plant colonization was assessed by emergence of fungi from surface sterilized plant tissues.

Immunohistochemical localization and mRNA detection of Rab3D and/or Rab3B in rat von Ebner's glands, parotid gland, pancreas, and liver.

In examining the secretory mechanism of exocrine glands, we focused on the small GTP-binding proteins, Rab3D and Rab3B, which function in the final steps of exocytosis in non-neuronal tissues. These proteins were observed in von Ebner's glands by 32P-GTP overlay. mRNA isolated from von Ebner's glands, the pancreas, parotid glands, and liver was subjected to reverse transcription PCR and probed with primers and nested primers for Rab3D and Rab3B.

Cationic liposome-mediated gene transfer to rat salivary epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo.

Background: Previously we have shown that gene transfer to salivary gland epithelial cells readily occurs via recombinant adenoviruses, although the response is short-lived and results in a potent host immune response. The aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility of using cationic liposomes to mediate gene transfer to rat salivary cells in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: Initially, for transfection in vitro, we used two cationic liposome formulations (GAP-DLRIE/DOPE and DOSPA/DOPE) complexed with plasmid encoding human growth hormone (hGH) as a reporter gene.

Prevention of atherosclerosis by specific AT1-receptor blockade with candesartan cilexetil.

Several studies indicate that blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) can prevent atherosclerosis and vascular events, but the precise mechanisms involved are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of the AT 1-receptor blocker, candesartan, in the prevention of atherosclerosis in Watanabe heritable hyperlipidaemic (WHHL) rabbits and also the effect of AT1-receptor blockade in the uptake of oxidised LDL by macrophage cell cultures. In the first set of experiments, 12 WHHL rabbits were randomly assigned to three groups: placebo, atenolol 5 mg/kg daily or candesartan 2 mg/kg daily for six months.

Organizational culture and work redesign: experiences in three organizations.

Lack of attention to the organization's culture can mean failure for its strategic initiatives. The authors present the results of three case studies of work redesign initiatives in which organizational culture, as measured by the Competing Values Framework, was assessed before and after project implementation. The organization with a balanced culture at baseline and higher "adhocracy" (developmental) values after implementation was more successful than the two organizations with dominant baseline market and hierarchy cultures.

Synthesis and characterisation of phosphorylcholine-based polymers useful for coating blood filtration devices.

Copolymers of 2-methacryloyloxyethylphosphorylcholine (MPC) and lauryl methacrylate (LMA) of molar ratios MPC: LMAX where x = 1, 2 or 4, have been synthesised by two different free-radical polymerisation techniques. The solubility characteristics of the resulting materials were investigated in a variety of water: alcohol solvent mixtures and found to be influenced not only by the molar ratio of MPC: LMA, but also the method of synthesis. A window of solubility was observed for certain copolymers and the alcohol used in the solvent mixture was also found to have a profound influence on the solubility profile of the polymers.

Reversible regulation of P2Y(2) nucleotide receptor expression in the duct-ligated rat submandibular gland.

Ligation of the main excretory duct of the rat submandibular gland (SMG) produces a pronounced atrophy that is reversed upon ligature removal. Based on previous studies by our group and others suggesting that P2Y(2) nucleotide receptors are upregulated in response to tissue damage, we hypothesized that P2Y(2) receptor activity and mRNA levels would increase after duct ligation and return to control levels after ligature removal. Our results support this hypothesis.

Glucocorticoids inhibit developmental stage-specific osteoblast cell cycle. Dissociation of cyclin A-cyclin-dependent kinase 2 from E2F4-p130 complexes.

Unique cell cycle control is instituted in confluent osteoblast cultures, driving growth to high density. The postconfluent dividing cells share features with cells that normally exit the cell cycle; p27(kip1) is increased, p21(waf1/cip1) is decreased, free E2F DNA binding activity is reduced, and E2F4 is primarily nuclear. E2F4-p130 becomes the predominant E2F-pocket complex formed on E2F sites, but, unlike the complex that typifies resting cells, cyclin A and CDK2 are also present.

Immunohistochemical localization of carbonic anhydrases I, II, and VI in the developing rat sublingual and submandibular glands.

Carbonic anhydrase has been localized to the acini and ducts of mature rat salivary glands. This enzyme has been associated with ion transport, a prominent function of striated and excretory ducts in salivary glands, suggesting that it might be used as a marker of ductal differentiation. The purpose of this study was to immunohistochemically document developmental changes in carbonic anhydrase in the ducts of the rat sublingual and submandibular glands.

Evaluation of the multifunctional worker role: a stakeholder analysis.

Health care organizations are rethinking how care is delivered because of incentives generated by managed care and a competitive marketplace. An evaluation of a work redesign project that involved the creation of redesigned unlicensed caregiver roles is described. The effect of model implementation on patients, multiple categories of caregivers, and physicians was measured using several different approaches to data collection.

Fungi from geothermal soils in Yellowstone National Park.

Geothermal soils near Amphitheater Springs in Yellowstone National Park were characterized by high temperatures (up to 70 degrees C), high heavy metal content, low pH values (down to pH 2.7), sparse vegetation, and limited organic carbon. From these soils we cultured 16 fungal species.

Effect of 24 hours light on circadian rhythms of secretory enzymes and morphology of rat von Ebner's glands.

Von Ebner's glands of the rat are minor salivary serous glands in the posterior portion of the tongue. They secrete two digestive enzymes, lingual lipase and amylase. In this investigation, circadian rhythm in feeding was established under a normal 12 h light/12 h dark cycle, with the rats eating primarily during the dark period.

Reciprocal enhancement of gene transfer by combinatorial adenovirus transduction and plasmid DNA transfection in vitro and in vivo.

The addition of replication-defective recombinant adenovirus to plasmid transfection (termed here "adenofection") has been shown to increase plasmid transgene expression in limited studies. Similarly, the addition of cationic liposomes to adenovirus increases adenovirus-mediated gene transduction (termed here "lipoduction"). Here we demonstrate that adenofection was effective at enhancing transgene expression when used in conjunction with a variety of different transfection reagents, including a monocationic liposome, a polycationic liposome, an activated dendrimer, a large multilamellar liposomal vesicle, and a protein/amphipathic polyamine complex.

Enzyme histochemical localization of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and NADH-DE in the developing rat parotid gland.

Information on ductal differentiation in the developing rat parotid gland is sparse. Striated and excretory ducts are rich in a number of enzymes related to ion movement. The objective of this investigation was to delineate histochemically the chronology of two of these, ouabain-sensitive Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and NADH-DE, in the developing rat parotid gland.

Oral hairy leukoplakia: an ultrastructural study and review of the literature.

A 39-year-old, homosexual, Caucasian man with a 9-month history of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome by reduced CD4 lymphocyte count alone was found to have extensive, asymptomatic, nonremovable, corrugated, white patches on the lateral borders and ventral aspects of the tongue typical of oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL). Histologically, irregular hyperparakeratosis, acanthosis, and clusters of ballooned keratinocytes in the stratum spinosum were present in the biopsied lateral tongue. Some of the superficial ballooned keratinocytes had peripherally beaded nuclei, whereas others had ground glass intranuclear inclusions.

Biochemical analysis of plant protection afforded by a nonpathogenic endophytic mutant of colletotrichum magna.

A nonpathogenic mutant of Colletotrichum magna (path-1) was previously shown to protect watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seedlings from anthracnose disease elicited by wild-type C. magna. Disease protection was observed in stems of path-1-colonized cucurbits but not in cotyledons, indicating that path-1 conferred tissue-specific and/or localized protection.

Radiation-induced progressive decrease in fluid secretion in rat submandibular glands is related to decreased acinar volume and not impaired calcium signaling.

The mechanism(s) of radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction is poorly understood. In the present study, we have assessed the secretory function (muscarinic agonist-stimulated saliva flow, intracellular calcium mobilization, Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransport activity) in rat submandibular glands 12 months postirradiation (single dose, 10 Gy). The morphological status of glands from control and irradiated rats was also determined.

In vivo use of adenoviral vectors: effects on salivary gland structure.

Recently there has been considerable progress in the development of in vivo gene transfer technology. By this means, new genetic information may be introduced directly to cells, while the cells remain in their natural milieu. The ability to express exogenous proteins makes it possible to explore the functions of native or altered proteins and thereby develop new insights into cell function and dysfunction.

Development and characterization of immortalized rat parotid and submandibular acinar cell lines.

The purpose of this investigation was to develop well-differentiated rat parotid and submandibular acinar cell lines. Acinar cells dissociated from rat parotid and submandibular glands were grown on Mitomycin C-treated 3T3 fibroblasts or Matrigel in primary culture and transfected by CaPO4 precipitation using a plasmid containing a replication-defective simian virus (SV40) genome. Cytokeratin analysis via indirect immunofluorescence and receptor mediated changes in intracellular calcium and cyclic AMP were assessed and used for the identification and selection of immortalized epithelial cells.

Effects of implementing patient-centered care models on nurse and non-nurse managers.

Evaluation of new patient care delivery models often focuses on their impact on the role of the staff nurse and the introduction of a variety of assistive personnel. This article examines the effects of patient-centered care models on the roles of nurse and non-nurse managers. Interviews with 26 managers approximately 6 months after models have been implemented reveal a number of issues and challenges faced by the managers during and after implementation.

Interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12, and interferon-gamma production in primary and memory immune responses to varicella-zoster virus.

Varicella immunization provided the opportunity to examine the kinetics of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12 and interferon (IFN)-gamma production elicited during primary in vivo sensitization with proteins of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a common human herpesvirus. VZV-specific IFN-gamma release and T cell proliferation were elicited by immunization and persisted through 15 months of follow-up. The induction of VZV-specific T cells and IgG antibodies was accompanied by transient increases in IL-10 and IL-12 production.

A rat parotid gland cell line, Par-C10, exhibits neurotransmitter-regulated transepithelial anion secretion.

Because of the lack of salivary gland cell lines suitable for Ussing chamber studies, a recently established rat parotid acinar cell line, Par-C10, was grown on permeable supports and evaluated for development of transcellular resistance, polarization, and changes in short-circuit current (Isc) in response to relevant receptor agonists. Par-C10 cultures reached confluence in 3-4 days and developed transcellular resistance values of >/=2,000 Omega . cm2.