An electron microscopic study on the type I pneumocyte in the cat: Postnatal morphogenesis

This investigation describes the morphogenesis of the type I pneumocyte from the neonatal stage to the age of 3 months. Cells lining subpleural air spaces were photographed from electron microscopic serial sections and a three-dimensional representation of each cell was obtained by transferring the contours of the cell membranes from micrographs to transparent plastic sheets which were then spaced to scale and stacked. The portion of the reconstructed cell surface taking part in the formation of the blood-airbarrier increased extensively in postnatal stages when compared with reconstructed cells of prenatal stages. Reconstructed cell-surface irregularities decrease during distension. A cytoplasmic plate seen in the last stage studied may represent a forming alveolar pore.     

Laminin binding proteins.

Cells express many proteins that bind to laminin, the major adhesive component of basement membranes. Some of these, specifically integrins, function as transmembrane receptors that 'signal' the presence of laminin on the cell surface to the cytoplasm. Lectins constitute a second class of laminin binding proteins that may augment integrin function by interacting with laminin carbohydrate. Caution must be used in ascribing functions to other laminin binding proteins, especially cytosolic proteins.     

Functional characterization of a purified, recombinant NF-kappaB/IkappaB complex.

The NF-kappaB signal transduction pathway involves the interaction of several NF-kappaB and IkappaB family members that are activated by a diverse range of extracellular signals and that stimulate many different cellular responses. The biochemical regulation of this cascade can be studied by establishing a cell-free system using purified proteins. As a first step toward establishing an in vitro model incorporating multiple combinations of NF-kappaB and IkappaB proteins, we produced purified human p65 (RelA) and human IkappaBalpha proteins and tested their functionality. Full-length RelA and IkappaBalpha proteins were overproduced by coinfection of TN5-JE cells with two recombinant baculoviruses. RelA and IkappaBalpha formed a stable complex that could be purified to >95% homogeneity. Protein-protein interactions, protein-DNA binding, and protein phosphorylation were similar to the native proteins.     

Assessing visual impacts of forest operations on a landscape in the Serre Regional Park of southern Italy

Forest operations impose changes on biological, ecological, hydrological, social, and esthetic attributes of forested landscapes. Methodologies are needed to evaluate the visual impact of forest operations on landscapes as part of the planning process. We assessed the visual impact of forest operations on views from a major travel corridor within a protected area by analyzing three landscape characteristics: visibility, forest landscape quality, and visual sensitivity at distances ranging from 0 m to 5 km. A geographic information system was used to perform: (a) visibility analysis, (b) forest landscape quality analysis, (c) visual fragility analysis, and (d) landscape sensitivity analysis. The output was a landscape sensitivity map, a powerful planning tool that displays the most sensitive areas and the most sensitive forest type, in this study, specifically holm oak forest (Quercus ilex L.) managed under the coppice silvicultural system. Our results suggest some guidelines for reducing the visual impact of forest operations and demonstrate the efficacy of this methodology for designing the visual quality of forested landscapes.     

Effect of artificial surfactant on pulmonary function in preterm and full-term lambs

We hypothesized that agents very different from surfactant may still support lung function. To test this hypothesis, we instilled FC-100, a fluorocarbon, and Tween 20, a detergent, which have higher minimum surface tensions and less hysteresis than surfactant, into 15 full-term and 14 preterm lambs. FC-100 and Tween 20 were as efficient as natural surfactant in improving gas exchange and compliance in preterm lambs with respiratory failure. Dynamic compliance correlated with the equilibrium surface tension of the alveolar wash in both full-term (P less than 0.02) and preterm (P less than 0.008) lambs. Functional residual capacity in full-term and preterm lambs was lower after treatment with the two test agents than with surfactant, findings consistent with qualitative histology. Oxygenation in full-term lambs correlated with mean lung volumes (P less than 0.003), suggesting that the hysteresis and/or low minimum surface tension of surfactant may improve mean lung volume, and hence oxygenation, by maintaining functional residual capacity. The effects of the test agents suggest that agents with biophysical properties different from surfactant may still aid lung expansion.     

Antenatal steroids, postnatal surfactant, and pulmonary function in premature rabbits

Antenatal corticosteroids reduce the incidence of the respiratory distress syndrome and improve pulmonary mechanics at least in part by mechanisms other than surfactant stimulation. We measured several aspects of pulmonary function in rabbits to better understand the mechanisms involved. Seven does were given intramuscular betamethasone and six were given vehicle on days 25 and 26 of gestation. Delivery was on day 27 (term = 31). Half of the fetuses from each litter were given rabbit surfactant before the first breath. All fetuses were then ventilated at a consistent tidal volume for 1 h. Pulmonary function tests included static and dynamic compliance, expiratory time constant, stress relaxation, total lung resistance, and total lung conductance. Steroid or surfactant treatment increased dynamic compliance, and the effects of both together were greater than either alone. Static compliance was affected more by surfactant than steroids, whereas lung resistance and conductance were affected more by steroids. The differences in action of the two therapies help account for the increased dynamic compliance seen with combination therapy.