In-Grove Spatiotemporal Spread of Citrus Huanglongbing and Its Psyllid Vector in Relation to Weather.

Reports of spatial patterns of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus'-infected asymptomatic citrus trees and 'Ca. L. asiaticus'-positive Asian citrus psyllids (ACP) are rare, as are published relationships between huanglongbing (HLB), ACP, and weather. Here, spatial patterns of 'Ca. L. asiaticus'-positive asymptomatic and symptomatic trees were determined every half year in a small grove over 2.5 years, and of HLB-symptomatic trees and ('Ca. L. asiaticus'-positive) ACP populations every month in two commercial groves for 1 year. Spread of symptomatic trees followed that of asymptomatic 'Ca. L. asiaticus'-positive trees with <6 months' delay. 'Ca. L. asiaticus'-positive asymptomatic and symptomatic fronts moved at 2.5 to 3.6 m month-1. No spatial relationship was detected between ACP populations and HLB-infected trees. HLB incidence and 'Ca. L. asiaticus'-positive ACP dynamics were tentatively positively correlated with monthly rainfall data and, to a lesser extent, with average minimum temperature.

Regional Spatial-Temporal Spread of Citrus Huanglongbing Is Affected by Rain in Florida.

Citrus huanglongbing (HLB), associated with 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (Las), disseminated by Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), has devastated citrus in Florida since 2005. Data on HLB occurrence were stored in databases (2005 to 2012). Cumulative HLB-positive citrus blocks were subjected to kernel density analysis and kriging. Relative disease incidence per county was calculated by dividing HLB numbers by relative tree numbers and maximum incidence. Spatiotemporal HLB distributions were correlated with weather. Relative HLB incidence correlated positively with rainfall. The focus expansion rate was 1626 m month-1, similar to that in Brazil. Relative HLB incidence in counties with primarily large groves increased at a lower rate (0.24 year-1) than in counties with smaller groves in hotspot areas (0.67 year-1), confirming reports that large-scale HLB management may slow epidemic progress.

Regular or covert sex defines two lineages and worldwide superclones within the leaf-curl plum aphid (Brachycaudus helichrysi, Kaltenbach).

Asexual reproduction occurs widely in plants and animals, particularly in insects. Aphid species usually reproduce by cyclic parthenogenesis, but many species include obligate asexual lineages. We recently showed that the leaf-curl plum aphid, Brachycaudus helichrysi, actually encompasses two lineages, B. helichrysi H1 and H2. Ecological data suggest that these lineages have different life cycles. We conducted a large population genetics study, based on 14 microsatellite loci, to infer their respective life cycles and investigate their population structure and geographical distribution. Brachycaudus helichrysi H1 displayed the genetic signature of cyclical parthenogenesis, using plum trees as primary hosts for sexual reproduction, as classically described for B. helichrysi. This global survey showed that the Central Asian population of H1 was clearly differentiated from American-European populations. By contrast, B. helichrysi H2 displayed the typical signature of obligate asexual reproduction. H2 encompassed at least eight highly successful genotypes or superclones. This lack of ability to undergo sexual reproduction was confirmed for one of the superclones by sex induction experiments. We found only one B. helichrysi H2 population that underwent sexual reproduction, which was collected from peach trees, in Northern India. Our results confirm that H1 and H2 have different life cycles. Brachycaudus helichrysi H1 is clearly heteroecious using plum trees as primary hosts, while B. helichrysi H2 encompasses several anholocyclic lineages, and some heteroecious populations that until now have only been found associated with peach trees as primary hosts. We discuss implications of these findings for the pest status of B. helichrysi lineages.

First Report of a 16SrIV-D Phytoplasma Associated with Texas Phoenix Palm Decline on Pigmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii) in Florida.

The pigmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii O'Brien) is used as an ornamental in Florida and is popular and lucrative within the nursery trade. Severe decline of several pigmy date palms was observed at a residence in Hillsborough County, FL. Several other palm species, including P. canariensis (Canary Island date palm), P. sylvestris (wild date palm), P. dactylifera (date palm), Syagrus romanzoffiana (queen palm), and Sabal palmetto (cabbage palm), in Florida are known to be affected by Texas Phoenix palm decline (TPPD), a disease associated with a phytoplasma subgroup strain 16SrIV-D (2,3). Moreover, the location of the affected pigmy date palms was in the proximity of many other diseased cabbage palms that were identified in previous surveys and subsequently rogued. Genomic DNA was extracted from 100 mg of ground-up palm trunk tissues containing phloem cells with a DNeasy Plant Mini kit column (QIAGEN Inc., Valencia, CA) from four specimens. A high-fidelity PCR (Hf-PCR) procedure was used in preference to standard PCR because it was 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive (1,4). The Hf-PCR (50 µl) utilized two DNA polymerases; Taq (five units) and ACCUZYME (one unit), 350 µM dNTP, a buffer (50 mM Tris pH 9.2, 16 mM ammonium sulfate, and 1.75 mM magnesium chloride), a higher concentration of primers (200 pM) (2,3), and palm DNA templates (>10 ng) or no DNA negative control. Hf-PCR was performed using three linked profiles: (i) 94°C (2 min) (1 cycle); (ii) 94°C (10 s), 50°C (30 s) for P1m/P7 or 57°C for LY16Sf/LY16Sr and 68°C (2 min) (10 cycles); and (iii) 94°C (10 s), 50°C (30 s) for P1m/P7 or 57°C for LY16Sf/LY16Sr and 68°C (2 min plus 20 s added for every consecutive cycle) (20 cycles) (1). The genomic DNA extracted from P. roebelenii specimens was used as template for amplification by Hf-PCR. Expected 1.8- and 1.4-kb DNA bands for each primer combination were readily amplified. The Hf-PCR products were sequenced (GenBank Accession No. JF791816) and a BLAST search revealed a 100% similarity with a phytoplasma subgroup strain 16SrIV-D (EF042899 and AF434989), which is known to cause severe palm decline (TPPD) in other hosts (2,3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of TPPD from P. roebelenii, and therefore, expands the host range of this pathogen. In areas where TPPD is present, the landscape industry may need to identify alternative nonhost palm species or resistant varieties for disease management. References: (1) W. M. Barnes. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:2216, 1994. (2) N. A. Harrison et al. Plant Dis. 86:676, 2002. (3) N. A. Harrison et al. Ann. Appl. Biol. 153:85, 2008. (4) A. Jeyaprakash and M. A. Hoy. Insect Mol. Biol. 9:393, 2000.

Detection of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' in Diaphorina citri and its importance in the management of citrus huanglongbing in Florida.

Citrus huanglongbing (HLB or citrus greening), is a highly destructive disease that has been spreading in both Florida and Brazil. Its psyllid vector, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, has spread to Texas and Mexico, thus threatening the future of citrus production elsewhere in mainland North America. Even though sensitive diagnostic methods have been developed for detection of the causal organisms, Candidatus Liberibacter spp., the pathogen cannot be detected consistently in plants until symptoms develop, presumably because of low titer and uneven distribution of the causal bacteria in nonsymptomatic tissues. In the present study, TaqMan based real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction methodology was developed for detection of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' in D. citri. Over 1,200 samples of psyllid adults and nymphs, collected from various locations in Florida, from visually healthy and HLB symptomatic trees at different times of the year were analyzed to monitor the incidence and spread of HLB. The results showed that spread of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' in an area may be detected one to several years before the development of HLB symptoms in plants. The study suggests that discount garden centers and retail nurseries may have played a significant role in the widespread distribution of psyllids and plants carrying HLB pathogens in Florida.

Biology and biotype determination of greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Hemiptera: Aphididae), on seashore paspalum turfgrass (Paspalum vaginatum).

Greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), was first discovered damaging seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz) turfgrass in November 2003 at Belle Glade, FL. Inquiries to several golf courses with seashore paspalum turf across southern Florida indicated infestation was wide spread by April 2004. Damage symptoms progress from water soaked lesions surrounding feeding sites within 24 h to chlorosis and necrosis of leaf tips within 96 h. Problems caused by greenbug feeding were initially misdiagnosed as fertilizer, disease, other insects, or water management problems because aphids were not previously found on warm season turfgrasses. Greenbug development and fecundity studies were conducted on six seashore paspalum varieties: 'Aloha,' 'SeaDwarf,' 'SeaGreen,' 'SeaIsle,' 'SeaWay,' and 'SeaWolf.' Greenbug did not survive on 'SeaWolf.' Development rates (mean +/- SEM) ranged from 7.6 +/- 0.2 to 8.2 +/- 0.2 d on the remaining varieties. Greenbug longevity and fecundity on 'Aloha' were significantly less than on the other varieties. The estimated intrinsic rate of natural increase (r(m)) for greenbug ranged from 0.24 to 0.26 across tested varieties. Values for net reproductive rate (R(o)) ranged from 12.3 on 'Aloha' to 40.4 on 'SeaWay.' In feeding trials on indicator plants, the Florida isolate of greenbug exhibited a unique biotypic profile most commonly found on noncultivated grass hosts. It was virulent on the wheat variety GRS1201 that is resistant to the principal agricultural biotypes attacking small grains and to all currently available resistant sorghum varieties.

First Report of Dodder Transmission of Huanglongbing from Naturally Infected Murraya paniculata to Citrus.

Huanglongbing (HLB) or "greening" disease of citrus is caused by phloem-limited, uncultured bacteria in the genus "Candidatus Liberibacter". HLB is one of the most destructive diseases of citrus worldwide and is considered so dangerous to a U.S. citrus production that the USDA has listed "Ca. Liberibacter species" as a Select Agent. HLB is spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, which was intercepted 40 times by APHIS/PPQ at U.S. ports between 1985 and 1998, became established in Florida by 1998, and more recently in Texas (1). HLB was first detected in the United States near Miami, FL during August 2005, and to date has been confirmed to have spread to 12 Florida counties. In addition to citrus, Murraya paniculata (orange jasmine) is a preferred host of D. citri, and retail trade in this ornamental shrub is strongly implicated in the distribution of D. citri (1). M. paniculata is reported to be a cryptic or largely asymptomatic host of "Ca. Liberibacter" (4), but another report concludes that the bacteria cannot replicate in M. paniculata (2). The epidemiological significance of murraya as a host for the HLB pathogen is therefore unclear. We report here the transmission of "Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus" from M. paniculata to citrus. Two M. paniculata plants, suspected of harboring "Ca. Liberibacter" because of their proximity to HLB-infected citrus and infested with D. citri, were removed from the field, treated with insecticide, and transferred to a quarantine facility. Both plants tested positive for "Ca. Liberibacter" by nested PCR using primers OI1 and OI2 (3) as the first set and primers CGO3F (RGG GAA AGA TTT TAT TGG AG) and CGO5R (GAA AAT AYC ATC TCT GAT ATC GT) as the second set. Two, young, sweet orange plants (Citrus sinensis) grown and maintained in psyllid-free greenhouses in Gainesville, FL were infected by dodder (Cuscuta pentagona) grown from seed. After the dodder had become well established on the orange plants, the orange plants were moved adjacent to the two murraya plants and the dodder from the citrus was draped over the murraya. Coinfection of murraya by dodder occurred within a few days. Sixty days later, both murraya plants, both sweet orange plants, and the connecting dodder all repeatedly tested positive for "Ca. Liberibacter" by nested PCR. Beginning 2 weeks later, the orange plants tested positive by standard PCR using primer set OI1 and OI2 or CGO3F and CGO5R, but remained without typical greening symptoms. Sequencing of the PCR products confirmed amplification of "Ca. L. asiaticus" DNA. We conclude that M. paniculata can serve as an infection source of a Select Agent since it can host the HLB pathogen for at least 2 months and the HLB pathogen can be transmitted to sweet orange during this time. References: (1) S. E. Halbert and K. L. Manjunath. Florida Entomol. 87:330, 2004. (2) T. H. Hung et al. J. Phytopathol. 148:321, 2000. (3) S. Jagoueix et al. Mol. Cell Probes 10:43, 1996. (4) T. Li and C. Ke. Acta Phytophylacica Sin. 29:31, 2002.

Seasonal abundance of aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) in wheat and their role as barley yellow dwarf virus vectors in the South Carolina coastal plain.

Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) seasonal flight activity and abundance in wheat, Triticum aestivum L., and the significance of aphid species as vectors of barley yellow dwarf virus were studied over a nine-year period in the South Carolina coastal plain. Four aphid species colonized wheat in a consistent seasonal pattern. Greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), and rice root aphid, Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominalis (Sasaki), colonized seedlingwheat immediately after crop emergence, with apterous colonies usually peaking in December or January and then declining for the remainder of the season. These two aphid species are unlikely to cause economic loss on wheat in South Carolina, thus crop managers should not have to sample for the subterranean R. rufiabdominalis colonies. Bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), was the second most abundant species and the most economically important. Rhopalosiphum padi colonies usually remained below 10/row-meter until peaking in February or March. Barley yellow dwarf incidence and wheat yield loss were significantly correlated with R. padi peak abundance and aphid-day accumulation on the crop. Based on transmission assays, R. padi was primarily responsible for vectoring the predominant virus serotype (PAV) we found in wheat. Pest management efforts should focus on sampling for and suppressing this aphid species. December planting reduced aphid-day accumulation and barley yellow dwarf incidence, but delayed planting is not a practical management option. English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (F.), was the last species to colonize wheat each season, and the most abundant. Sitobion avenae was responsible for late-season virus transmission and caused direct yield loss by feeding on heads and flag leaves during an outbreak year.

An investigation of the uroselective properties of four novel alpha(1a)-adrenergic receptor subtype-selective antagonists.

The development of alpha(1a)-adrenergic receptor (AR) subtype-selective antagonists is likely to result in uroselective agents that effectively treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms without causing undesirable side effects that may be due to vascular alpha(1)-AR blockade. The properties of four aryl piperazine compounds (RWJ-38063, RWJ-68141, RWJ-68157, and RWJ-69736) are described in this report and compared with the properties of tamsulosin, an alpha(1)-AR antagonist that is used in the treatment of BPH. Radioligand binding studies show that all four RWJ compounds have significantly higher affinity for the alpha(1a)-AR subtype than for the alpha(1b) or alpha(1d) subtype and display a higher level of receptor subtype selectivity than tamsulosin. The RWJ compounds were more potent in inhibiting (+/-)-norepinephrine-induced contractions of isolated rat prostate tissue than those of isolated rat aorta tissue, whereas tamsulosin had the reversed tissue selectivity. RWJ-38063 and RWJ-69736 had the highest potency in the isolated prostate tissue assays of the four RWJ compounds, with pK(B) values of 8.24 and 9.26, respectively, and were 319- and 100-fold more potent in their effects on isolated prostate tissue than aorta tissue. The in vivo uroselectivities of RWJ-38063, RWJ-69736, and tamsulosin were examined in anesthetized dogs. Both RWJ compounds suppressed the intraurethral pressure response to phenylephrine to a greater extent than the mean arterial pressure response; however, RWJ-69736 also caused a marked transient rise in heart rate. Although less potent, RWJ-38063 and RWJ-69736 were notably more uroselective than tamsulosin in this canine model.

Progress on strain differentiation of Citrus tristeza virus and its application to the epidemiology of citrus tristeza disease.

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) occurs in most citrus producing regions of the world, and it is the most serious viral pathogen of citrus. With the recent establishment of the brown citrus aphid, Toxoptera citricida, its most efficient vector, on Madeira Island (Portugal) and in Florida (USA) and the countries of the Caribbean Basin, the impact of CTV is likely to increase in these regions. Since there are many strains of CTV and CTV infections frequently occur as mixtures of several strains, it is necessary to be able to distinguish the strains for regulatory purposes, disease management and epidemiology. We describe the evolution of techniques developed to detect CTV and to differentiate the individual strains, and present the results of tests using these latest methods on CTV isolates from mainland Portugal, Madeira Island and Florida. Mild and decline-inducing strains of CTV were detected in mainland Portugal and mild, decline-inducing and severe stem pitting strains on Madeira Island. In Florida we demonstrated the presence of infections that reacted with probes made against stem pitting strains not previously detected there. It is concluded that CTV presents a significant threat to citrus production in mainland Portugal, on Madeira Island and in the neighbouring countries of the Mediterranean Basin, as well as in Florida, elsewhere in the USA and throughout the Caribbean Basin, especially following the widespread establishment of T. citricida throughout the region.

Structure-based design of non-peptide, carbohydrazide-based cathepsin K inhibitors.

Using binding models which were based on the X-ray crystal structure of an amino acid-based active site-spanning inhibitor complexed with cathepsin K, Cbz-leucine mimics have been developed, leading ultimately to the design of a potent cathepsin K inhibitor free of amino acid components. These mimics, which consist of alpha-substituted biphenylacetyl groups in place of Cbz-leucine moieties, effectively mimic all aspects of the Cbz-leucine moieties which are important for inhibitor binding. The predicted directions of binding for the inhibitors were confirmed by mass spectral analysis of their complexes with cathepsin K, which gave results consistent with acylation of the enzyme and loss of the acylhydrazine portion of the inhibitor which binds on the S' side of the active site. The binding models were found to be very predictive of relative inhibitor potency as well as direction of inhibitor binding. These results strengthen the validity of a strategy involving iterative cycles of structure-based design and inhibitor synthesis and evaluation for the discovery of non-peptide inhibitors.

Characterization of ciliary activity in distal Fallopian tube biopsies of women with obstructive tubal infertility.

Biopsy specimens were obtained from the distal end of the Fallopian tubes of 62 women with tubal infertility and examined by light and electron microscopy. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) measurements were obtained using laser light spectroscopy. Neither demographic nor behavioural characteristics nor serological evidence of past chlamydial infection were associated with CBF measurements. In contrast, CBF were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in tissues with oedema compared to tissues without oedema (6.7 versus 12.9) and in tissues with erythema compared to tissues without erythema (9.2 versus 13.7). Furthermore, CBF measurements did vary by chlamydial serotype pattern, with lower values observed among the tissues of women with antibodies to serotype C or E (without D) as compared to the tissues of women with other serotypes (P < 0.04). However, these data must be interpreted with caution as the numbers of subjects with chlamydial antibodies to serotype C (n = 3) or E without D (n = 5) were few in number and serotyping of IgG antibodies in blood is not as accurate as it is in bacterial isolates. Confirmation of the suggested association between chlamydial serotype and risk of adverse sequelae could indicate potential new avenues for vaccine research.

Structure-based design of cathepsin K inhibitors containing a benzyloxy-substituted benzoyl peptidomimetic.

Peptidomimetic cathepsin K inhibitors have been designed using binding models which were based on the X-ray crystal structure of an amino acid-based, active site-spanning inhibitor complexed with cathepsin K. These inhibitors, which contain a benzyloxybenzoyl group in place of a Cbz-leucine moiety, maintained good inhibitory potency relative to the amino acid-based inhibitor, and the binding models were found to be very predictive of relative inhibitor potency. The binding mode of one of the inhibitors was confirmed by X-ray crystallography, and the crystallographically determined structure is in close qualitative agreement with the initial binding model. These results strengthen the validity of a strategy involving iterative cycles of structure-based design, inhibitor synthesis and evaluation, and crystallographic structure determination for the discovery of peptidomimetic inhibitors.

Somaclonal variation in the progeny of transgenic barley.

Somaclonal variation (SCV) in transgenic plants may slow the incorporation of introduced genes into commercially competitive cultivars. Somaclonal variation in transgenic barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was assessed in one experiment by comparing the agronomic characteristics of 44 segregating transgenic lines in the T2 generation to their non-transformed parent ('Golden Promise'). A second experiment examined the agronomic characteristics of seven transgenic-derived, null (non-transgenic) segregant lines in the T2 and T4 generations. Compared to their uncultured parent, Golden Promise, most of these lines were shorter, lower yielding, and had smaller seed, and the variability among individual plants was higher. The frequency and severity of the observed SCV was unexpectedly high, and the transformation procedure appeared to induce greater SCV than tissue culture in the absence of transformation. Attempts to understand the sources of SCV, and to modify transformation procedures to reduce the generation of SCV, should be made.

Function and structure of cilia in the fallopian tube of an infertile woman with Kartagener's syndrome.

In Kartagener's syndrome (KS), primary defects of the ciliary axoneme cause dyskinetic ciliary motion. Because ciliary motion is an important factor in normal ovum transport, ciliary dyskinesia may cause infertility. On the other hand, the existence of some ciliary activity, albeit abnormal, may account for fertility in some women with KS. In this case study, an infertile woman diagnosed with KS had normal results in all usual infertility tests. Biopsies of tubal mucosa were obtained at laparoscopy for ovum recovery during an in-vitro fertilization cycle. Ciliary activity, measured by laser light-scattering spectroscopy, was detected in all tubal specimens; however the majority of regions sampled showed no activity. In active regions, beat frequency ranged from 5 to 10 Hz, approximately 30% of normal. Electron microscopy showed similar morphological defects in both tubal and nasal mucosa. The number of cilia per cell was approximately 20% of normal. The major ultrastructural abnormality of cilia was an absence of the central microtubules. The only demonstrable explanation for this patient's infertility was primary ciliary dyskinesia associated with KS.

Design of potent and selective human cathepsin K inhibitors that span the active site.

Potent and selective active-site-spanning inhibitors have been designed for cathepsin K, a cysteine protease unique to osteoclasts. They act by mechanisms that involve tight binding intermediates, potentially on a hydrolytic pathway. X-ray crystallographic, MS, NMR spectroscopic, and kinetic studies of the mechanisms of inhibition indicate that different intermediates or transition states are being represented that are dependent on the conditions of measurement and the specific groups flanking the carbonyl in the inhibitor. The species observed crystallographically are most consistent with tetrahedral intermediates that may be close approximations of those that occur during substrate hydrolysis. Initial kinetic studies suggest the possibility of irreversible and reversible active-site modification. Representative inhibitors have demonstrated antiresorptive activity both in vitro and in vivo and therefore are promising leads for therapeutic agents for the treatment of osteoporosis. Expansion of these inhibitor concepts can be envisioned for the many other cysteine proteases implicated for therapeutic intervention.

Diet and nutrition in primary care. From antioxidants to zinc.

This article reviews the role of diet in primary prevention based on current epidemiologic and clinical studies. Special consideration is given to circumstances which may require individualizing the dietary prescription. The role of dietary supplements in primary care is discussed. Particular emphasis is given to studies highlighting the clinical importance of specific minerals. Additionally, the practical application of antioxidant vitamins is presented in light of recent research findings.

Intravascular monitoring: problems and promise.

Intravascular monitoring of arterial blood gases provides the means to detect precipitous change in cardiopulmonary function almost instantaneously, promising major improvement in the ability to manage critically ill patients. Attempts to miniaturize and repackage conventional electrodes for continuous intravascular use have met insurmountable problems, and only the application of new technology involving fiber-optic chemical sensors (FOCS) has proved that in vivo monitoring of blood gas chemistry is truly feasible. Although a wide range of analytes of clinical significance may potentially be monitored by using FOCS technology, the analytes of choice for the management of the critically ill patient are pHa, paCO2, and paO2, because of their dynamic nature and importance for critical-care diagnosis and monitoring. Although intravascular FOCS blood gas monitors currently under clinical investigation exhibit promising performance, clinical acceptance and commercial success will depend on the creative solution of several problems, the most challenging of which are related to physiological factors at the interface between the sensors and their intravascular sensing environment.

Ovum transport in the rat oviductal ampulla in the absence of muscle contractility.

Ovum transport in mammalian oviducts involves two main effectors: ciliary motility and muscle contractility. To study the relative contribution of cilia to ovum transport in the rat, we blocked smooth muscle activity with isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic agonist, and measured transport rates of surrogate ova in situ. Transport rates before isoproterenol administration were 0.04 mm/s in the cephalic ampulla and 0.03 mm/s in the caudal ampulla; rates were unchanged after administration of isoproterenol. To determine if isoproterenol affected ciliary activity, we measured ciliary beat frequency with laser-scattering spectroscopy over the effective isoproterenol dosage. Isoproterenol did not cause a significant change in ciliary beat frequency. Our results show that in the rat oviductal ampulla, ciliary motion is capable of transporting ova in the absence of muscle contractility.

A comparison of the fallopian tube's response to overt and silent salpingitis.

We examined two groups of infertile women who underwent microsurgical repair of their fallopian tube(s) for distal tubal obstruction, one with a history of salpingitis (overt pelvic inflammatory disease) (N = 34) and one without (silent pelvic inflammatory disease) (N = 25). Nine women with normal tubes undergoing hysterectomy and salpingectomy served as controls. Tubal biopsy specimens were studied by light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy to assess tubal damage. Morphologic damage was scored 0-9, with 0 representing normal tubal architecture and 9 assigned to severe tubal damage. The mean score (+/- SEM) in women with overt pelvic inflammatory disease was 4.2 +/- 0.4; in women with silent pelvic inflammatory disease, 4.3 +/- 0.4; and in the control group, 0.76 +/- 0.2 (P less than .001). Fallopian tube abnormalities seen in women with overt and silent pelvic inflammatory disease included flattened mucosal folds, extensive deciliation, and degeneration of secretory epithelial cells, morphologic changes that are similar to the cellular changes observed in our experimental Chlamydia trachomatis infections in monkeys. Laser light-scattering spectroscopy was used to measure the ciliary activity of the epithelial cells. Ciliary beat frequency was significantly reduced in women with overt pelvic inflammatory disease (N = 13; f = 6.4 +/- 1.2 Hz) and in women with silent pelvic inflammatory disease (N = 11; f = 7.2 +/- 1.2 Hz) as compared with the controls (N = 5; f = 23.4 +/- 1.5 Hz) (P less than .001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)