Role of sodium on H+ excretion in the integument of the leopard frog Rana pipiens

1. The northern leopard frog, Rana pipiens, pipiens, in contrast to the southern leopard frog, Rana pipiens, berlandieri, did not demonstrate any significant H+ excretion across its integument even during a challenge of chronic metabolic acidosis. Likewise, no increase in the number of H+ secreting mitochondria-rich cells were observed in the northern frogs. 2. Under normal acid-base conditions in the southern frogs, H+ excretion was found to be dependent on mucosal sodium concentrations, whereas during chronic metabolic acidosis, H+ excretion was independent of mucosal sodium concentrations, but was amiloride sensitive. 3. High salinity adapted southern frogs, under normal and acidotic conditions, had enhanced H+ excretion rates as compared to the control non-salt adapted frogs. 4. Blood analyses demonstrated that significant acid-base changes were the result of systemic acidosis and not due to salt adaptations. Blood Na+ and K+ concentrations were also efficiently maintained during salt adaptations or chronic metabolic acidosis. 5. The results suggest that H+ excretion in epithelia can be influenced by the sodium transport state of the cell and the systemic acid-base profile. Models are proposed explaining these relationships.     

Alteration of membrane permeability by amphotericin B

Amphotericin B (AmB) increased unidirectional Na transport and net transcellular sodium movements across the skin of the frog, Rana pipiens, when added to the solution bathing the corium side, but not from the outer epidermal surface. The AmB response was prevented with pretreatment with amiloride, ouabain and mucosal sodium substitution. Alteration in pH markedly reduced the permeability changes induced by AmB. AmB did not interfere with the increase in sodium transport induced by antidiuretic hormone. The present study demonstrates that AmB interacts with the skin of the frog, Rana pipiens, from the corium side specifically increasing transepithelial sodium transport. The increase in transport apparently occurs through the existing sodium pathway.     

Diet composition of expanding breeding populations of the Magellanic Penguin

The Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) is the most abundant and widely distributed seabird breeding on the Patagonian Coast of Argentina. We combined conventional stomach content and stable isotope analysis to assess Magellanic Penguin diet during the chick rearing stage at the two northernmost colonies in an area subject to fisheries. In 2011 and 2013, Thornfish (Bovichtus argentinus) was the main prey by mass at Complejo Islote Lobos (63.0% and 32.3%, respectively) and Argentine Anchovy (Engraulis anchoita) at Estancia San Lorenzo (85.2 and 63.3%, respectively). Magellanic Penguins from both colonies showed low isotopic niche overlap in 2011 (36%) and no overlap in 2013, suggesting a different use of prey species and/or foraging areas. Stable isotope mixing models showed that Argentine Anchovy (52.8%) and Thornfish (65.9%) were the main prey at Complejo Islote Lobos in 2011 and 2013, respectively, while Patagonian Redfish (Sebastes oculatus) (46.4%) and Squat Lobster (Munida gregaria) (50%) were the main prey at Estancia San Lorenzo in 2011 and 2013, respectively. Results show that in addition to Argentine Anchovy, previously recognized as main prey for breeding Magellanic Penguins in northern Patagonia, other juvenile or small sized fish are important diet items. Diet results suggest different scenarios of food conditions for each colony, despite the relative short distance between breeding locations. The low contribution of Argentine Hake (Merluccius hubbsi) and Argentine Shortfin Squid (Illex argentinus) suggests a low trophic overlap with commercial fisheries. The information provided is key to understand changes in the marine ecosystem and potential penguin-fishery interactions.     

Airway cellularity, lipid laden macrophages and microbiology of gastric juice and airways in children with reflux oesophagitis

Background and methods

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a recently discovered respiratory virus associated with bronchiolitis, pneumonia, croup and exacerbations of asthma. Since respiratory viruses are frequently detected in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD (AE-COPD) it was our aim to investigate the frequency of hMPV detection in a prospective cohort of hospitalized patients with AE-COPD compared to patients with stable COPD and to smokers without by means of quantitative real-time RT-PCR.

Results

We analysed nasal lavage and induced sputum of 130 patients with AE-COPD, 65 patients with stable COPD and 34 smokers without COPD. HMPV was detected in 3/130 (2.3%) AE-COPD patients with a mean of 6.5 × 10⁵ viral copies/ml in nasal lavage and 1.88 × 10⁵ viral copies/ml in induced sputum. It was not found in patients with stable COPD or smokers without COPD.

Conclusion

HMPV is only found in a very small number of patients with AE-COPD. However it should be considered as a further possible viral trigger of AE-COPD because asymptomatic carriage is unlikely.     

Intercellular communication in the rat anterior pituitary gland: an in vivo and in vitro study

The concept of "stimulus-secretion coupling" suggested by Douglas and co-workers to explain the events related to monamine discharge by the adrenal medulla (5, 7) may be applied to other endocrine tissues, such as adrenal cortex (36), pancreatic islets (4), and magnocellular hypothalamic neurons (6), which exhibit a similar ion-dependent process of hormone elaboration. In addition, they share another feature, that of joining neighbor cells via membrane junctions (12, 26, and Fletcher, unpublished observation). Given this, and the reports that hormone secretion by the pars distalis also involves a secretagogue-induced decrease in membrane bioelectric potential accompanied by a rise in cellular [Ca++] (27, 34, 41), it was appropriate to test the possibility that cells of the anterior pituitary gland are united by junctions.     

Eyeing endothelins: A cellular perspective

Endothelin is an endogenous vasoactive peptide that is considered among the most potent vasoconstrictor substances known. In addition to its vascular effects, endothelins and their receptors have been shown to be present in the eye and to have a number of ocular actions that may be important for ocular homeostasis, but, in excess can be a potential contributor to ocular neuropathy in glaucoma. The current review focuses on the cellular and molecular aspects of endothelins and its receptors in the eye with an emphasis on its relationship to ocular function and its potential role in the etiology of glaucoma pathophysiology.     

Microfilament network is needed for the endocytosis of water channels and not for apical membrane insertion upon vasopressin action

In the current study, a novel role for the microfilaments in vasopressin-induced water transport in toad urinary bladders, a popular model for the mammalian collecting duct, was established. Vasopressin-induced water transport was not affected by cytochalasin D (CD, 20 microM) or latrunculin B (Lat B, 0.5-2 microM), microfilament-disrupting reagents, suggesting that the initial trafficking of vesicles containing water channels and insertion of membranes into the apical membrane are microfilament-independent. After the removal of vasopressin, bladders treated with CD or Lat B continued to transport water at least 2-3-fold greater than those that received the vehicle. Furthermore, the enhanced water transport was inhibited by HgCl2 (1 mM), a potent inhibitor of water channel-mediated water flow, suggesting that the enhanced water flow was through water channels. In addition, Lat B and CD inhibited vasopressin-induced endocytosis of horseradish peroxidase (HRP), a fluid endocytotic marker. These results suggested that although microfilaments are not needed for the initial trafficking of water channels to the apical side, the microfilament network is essential for the retrieval of water channels following their insertion into apical membranes.     

Aggression by adult South American Terns toward conspecific chicks

ABSTRACT Infanticide and nonfatal aggression by adults toward unfamiliar chicks have been widely reported in colonial birds, and can be an important cause of chick mortality. We studied intraspecific aggression by adults toward chicks at a South American Tern (Sterna hirundinacea) colony in Patagonia, Argentina, during 2005 to characterize this behavior, evaluate its relationship with nesting density, chick age and microhabitat characteristics, and assess its effect on breeding success. Of 111 chicks in the study area, 45% were attacked at least once. Chicks older than 9 d posthatching were more likely to be attacked than younger chicks, and unattended chicks were more likely to be attacked than guarded chicks (88 vs. 12%). Chicks were also attacked more often when in their own territories (76% of cases), but were less likely to be attacked in territories with more vegetation cover and high‐quality shelters (i.e., vegetation with characteristics that prevented adults from reaching chicks). The number of aggression events was not related to nest density. At least 8% of the chicks in our study area died as a result of adult intraspecific aggression. Our results indicate that intraspecific aggression by adult South American Terns toward chicks is relatively common in the Punta Loma colony and should not be underestimated as a factor affecting their breeding success.     

Hypoxia augments TNF-alpha-mediated endothelin-1 release and cell proliferation in human optic nerve head astrocytes

The effect of hypoxia (24 h) on TNF-alpha-mediated release of endothelin-1 (ET-1) from human optic nerve head astrocytes (hONAs) and TNF-alpha- and ET-1-induced hONA proliferation was determined. ET-1 synthesis and release was quantitated using ELISA while TNF-alpha (10 nM)- and ET-1 (100 nM)-mediated hONA proliferation was assessed by CellTiter 96 aqueous one-solution cell proliferation assay, respectively. hONAs appeared to be more rounded with fewer processes following 24 h hypoxia compared to thodr seen in normoxia. Hypoxia enhanced TNF-alpha-mediated ET-1 synthesis and release (by 5-fold) and also significantly increased TNF-alpha- and ET-1-mediated hONA proliferation. PD142893 (1 microM), an ET(A/B) receptor antagonist, blocked ET-1-mediated hONA proliferation both under normoxia and hypoxia, while doing so only under normoxia following TNF-alpha treatment. Also, U0126 (10 microM; an upstream ERK1/2 inhibitor) completely blocked agonist-induced hONA proliferation in normoxia and partially blocked the same in hypoxia. These results demonstrate for the first time that hONAs secrete ET-1 and that TNF-alpha and hypoxia can regulate its levels. Moreover, hypoxia augments the proliferative responses of hONAs to TNF-alpha and ET-1. These agonist-mediated effects following hypoxia could contribute to astroglial activation as seen in glaucomatous optic nerve heads.