Regional specific effect of saturated vs unsaturated fat on leptin receptor signalling in mice brain areas regulating feeding.

Leptin receptors (LepR) are expressed in brain areas controlling food intake homeostasis, such as the hypothalamus, the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. In a previous study we reported that long-term intake of saturated and monounsaturated fat alters hypothalamic LepR signalling. The current study aims at investigating the effect of foods high in either saturated (SOLF) or monounsaturated fat (UOLF) on LepR functionality in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. Male mice were placed on SOLF/UOLF (eight weeks), then treated with recombinant murine leptin (1 mg/kg). After 60 min, brain regions were dissected and processed for western blot of phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3), Akt (pAkt) and AMPK (pAMPK). Levels of SOCS3 were also quantified. SOLF itself increased basal levels of pSTAT3, while UOLF impaired leptin-induced phosphorylation of both Akt and AMPK. SOCS3 levels were specifically increased by UOLF within the prefrontal cortex. Our results show that SOLF and UOLF differently affect LepR signalling within the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex, which points to the complex effect of saturated and unsaturated fat on brain function, particularly in areas regulating food intake.

[Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome: a frequently overlooked cause of chronic abdominal pain in children].

Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is often overlooked in the differential diagnosis of chronic abdominal pain (CAP). An 11-year-old boy with CAP previously studied in emergency and digestive services without detecting organic pa-thology, suggesting a psychosomatic origin. On examination, he showed pain in the abdominal wall located to the area of the terminal branch of the Th11 intercostal nerve, with a positive Carnett's sign and a favorable response to injection with local anesthetic at the trigger point. Somatosensory evoked potentials revealed right anterior rectus nerve neuropathy. He was diagnosed with ACNES. As treatment, an ultrasound-guided subfascial injection with lidocaine and dexame-thasone into the trigger point was administered. After four months, he remains asymptomatic. For the treatment of ACNES in pediatrics patients, a step-up strategy should be applied, starting with trigger point in-jections of lidocaine and dexamethasone and reserving anterior neurectomy for those cases with limited effect of these injections.

Milk yield and genomewide expression profiling in the mammary gland of beef primiparous cows in response to the dietary management during the pre- and postweaning periods.

Accelerated growth programs during prepubertal periods have been promoted to advance the first calving of beef heifers. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate nutrition-induced changes on first lactation milk yield and composition and on gene expression of the mammary gland in Parda de Montaña primiparous cows. Female calves ( = 16) were involved in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment. In the preweaning period (PRE-W; 0-6 mo), female calves were either fed a creep feed supplement (Creep) or fed only their dam's milk (Control). In the postweaning period (POST-W; 6-15 mo), heifers received either a high-energy diet (91.7 MJ/d) or a moderate-energy diet (79.3 MJ/d). All the heifers were managed together from breeding (15 mo) to the end of their first lactation (32 mo). Animal performance; milk production and quantity during the first lactation; plasma glucose, IGF-I, and leptin concentrations; and RNA samples from the mammary gland at the end of the first lactation of the primiparous cows (32 mo) were analyzed. The BW and ADG of the primiparous cow during its first lactation were not different among treatments; however, creep feeding during PRE-W reduced milk production ( < 0.01), milk CP, crude fat, lactose, nonfat solids, and casein content throughout lactation and increased somatic cell count in the third ( < 0.05) and fourth month of lactation ( < 0.10). The energy level during the POST-W had no effect on milk production and quality. Gene expression in the mammary gland was affected by the diet in the PRE-W and POST-W, with the PRE-W diet having the greatest impact. During the PRE-W, creep feeding resulted in upregulation of genes related to immune response and chemokine activity, suggesting that these animals might be in a compromised immune status. Therefore, this strategy would not be recommendable; meanwhile, increasing the energy level in the diet during the POST-W would be recommendable, because it had no deleterious effects on milk yield and composition.

Meat quality of light lambs is more affected by the dam's feeding system during lactation than by the inclusion of quebracho in the fattening concentrate.

The inclusion of natural antioxidants in the diet, through fresh forages or condensed tannins, might prolong meat shelf life and modify the meat quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the dam's feeding system during lactation and the inclusion of quebracho in the fattening concentrate of male lambs on meat color, chemical composition, and lipid oxidation. Dams and their suckling lambs were fed indoors or allowed to graze on alfalfa or sainfoin until lambs reached 42 d old. Thereafter, the weaned lambs were fed concentrates with 5% quebracho or without quebracho until reaching 22 to 24 kg BW. Meat of suckling lambs from dam's fed indoors (Indoor lambs) presented greater intramuscular fat content and lower α-tocopherol content than meat of suckling lambs from dam's fed Alfalfa (Alfalfa lambs) and Sainfoin (Sainfoin lambs; < 0.01), independent of the fattening diet. Regarding meat color of longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle, on average, Indoor lambs' meat presented greater lightness, yellowness, and hue angle values than Alfalfa and Sainfoin lambs' meat ( < 0.05). The redness was affected by the interaction between the feeding system during lactation and the time of storage, but, on average, Alfalfa and Sainfoin lambs had greater redness than Indoor lambs ( < 0.05). The lipid oxidation from 5 to 14 d of meat display time observed for Sainfoin lambs was lower than that for Indoor lambs ( < 0.05). The intramuscular fatty acid profile of meat from the Sainfoin and Alfalfa lambs met particularly well the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations recommendation for human health, compared that of meat from the Indoor lambs. The dietary inclusion of quebracho during fattening modified meat α-tocopherol content, oxymyoglobin levels after 8 d of storage, and fatty acid profiles. In conclusion, the results indicate higher importance of the diet during suckling than during the subsequent fattening period on meat quality parameters such as color, lipid oxidation, and fatty acid profile. Dams grazing Sainfoin provide a more stable lamb meat, and it would be cheaper to feed the dams with fresh forages with a high α-tocopherol content than supplementing the concentrate of the lambs with synthetic α-tocopherol.

Anosognosia en la enfermedad de Alzheimer: prevalencia, factores asociados e influencia en la evolución de la enfermedad / Anosognosia in Alzheimer disease: Prevalence, associated factors, and influence on disease progression

Introducción: La anosognosia es frecuente en la enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA). El objetivo fue describir su prevalencia en el momento del diagnóstico y analizar los factores predisponentes y su influencia en la evolución posterior de la EA. Métodos: Estudio observacional, multicéntrico, prospectivo, analítico, realizado en consultas de neurología general. Se incluyó a pacientes recién diagnosticados de EA (criterios NINCDS-ADRDA). Se realizaron 2 evaluaciones -cognitivas, funcionales y neuropsiquiátricas-, con un intervalo de 18 meses. Se empleó la Clinical Insight Rating scale como medida de anosognosia (CIR, rango 0-8). El criterio de progresión fue un incremento en la Clinical Dementia Rating-sum of boxes mayor a 2,5 puntos. Las variables predictoras se analizaron mediante regresión logística. Resultados: Se incluyó a 127 pacientes, 94 completaron las 2 evaluaciones. El 31,5% mostraba anosognosia grave (CIR 7-8), el 39,4% conciencia alterada (CIR 3-6) y el 29,1% conciencia normal (CIR 0-2). La mediana del CIR basal en la cohorte fue 4 (Q1-Q3: 1-7) y a los 18 meses 6 (Q1-Q3: 3-8); p < 0,001. La edad avanzada (odds ratio [OR] 2,43; IC del 95%, 1,14-5,19), menor escolaridad (OR 2,15; IC del 95%, 1,01-4,58) y mayor afectación neuropsiquiátrica (OR 2,66; IC del 95%, 1,23-5,74) fueron variables predictoras de anosognosia. El CIR basal fue similar en los grupos con y sin progresión clínica significativa. Conclusiones: La gran mayoría de los pacientes con EA en el momento del diagnóstico muestran un grado significativo de anosognosia que se asocia a mayor edad, menor escolaridad y mayor afectación conductual. No se demostró influencia de la anosognosia sobre la evolución inicial de la EA tras el diagnóstico

Introduction: Anosognosia is a frequent symptom in Alzheimer disease (AD). The objective of this article is to describe prevalence of this condition at time of diagnosis and analyse any predisposing factors and their influence on disease progression. Methods: Observational, prospective, and analytical multi-centre study in an outpatient setting. Patients recently diagnosed with AD (NINCDS-ADRDA criteria) were included. Each patient underwent two cognitive, functional, and neuropsychiatric assessments separated by an interval of 18 months. The Clinical Insight Rating Scale was employed as a measure of anosognosia (CIR, scored 0-8). Progression was defined as an increase in the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale-sum of boxes of more than 2.5 points. The predictor variables were analysed using binary logistic regression. Results: The study included 127 patients, and 94 completed both assessments. Of the total, 31.5% displayed severe anosognosia (CIR 7-8); 39.4%, altered level of consciousness (CIR 3-6); and 29.1%, normal awareness (CIR 0-2). The median baseline CIR in this cohort was 4 (Q1-Q3: 1-7), and at 18 months, 6 (Q1-Q3: 3-8), P<.001. Advanced age (odds ratio (OR) 2.43; CI 95%:1.14-5.19), lower educational level (OR 2.15; CI 95%:1.01-4.58), and more marked neuropsychiatric symptoms (OR 2.66; CI 95%:1.23-5.74) were predictor variables of anosognosia. Baseline CIR was similar in the groups with and without significant clinical progression. Conclusions: The large majority of patients with AD at the time of diagnosis showed significant anosognosia, and this condition was associated with advanced age, lower educational level, and more marked behavioural symptoms. Our results did not show that anosognosia had an effect on the initial clinical progression of AD after diagnosis

Citología bucal como método auxiliar de diagnóstico en pacientes con diabetes tipo II / Oral citology as an auxiliary diagnostic method in patients with type II diabetes mellitus

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo actualizar los conocimientos sobre las alteraciones morfológicas sobre las alteraciones morfológicas de las células epiteliales de la mucosa bucal de pacientes con diabetes tipo II, detectables con microscopía óptica y citología exfoliativa, con la finalidad de aportar datos que podrían ser útiles para el médico u odontólogo, junto a los análisis clínicos, para el diagnóstico precoz de esta enfermedad. Para una mejor comprensión y por la importancia de esta patología sistémica, se abordan los siguientes ítems: 1- diabetes mellitus tipo II y su impacto social, 2- diabetes mellitus tipo II y sus manifestaciones bucales, 3- citología bucal como método auxiliar del diagnóstico clínico. Los investigadores coinciden en que la diabetes causa alteraciones estructurales, morfológicas y morfométricas en las células bucales, fácilmente detectables por citología exfoliativa, por lo que esta técnica es viable para complementar el diagnóstico clínico y seguir la evolución de esta enfermedad.(AU)

Citología bucal como método auxiliar de diagnóstico en pacientes con diabetes tipo II / Oral citology as an auxiliary diagnostic method in patients with type II diabetes mellitus

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo actualizar los conocimientos sobre las alteraciones morfológicas sobre las alteraciones morfológicas de las células epiteliales de la mucosa bucal de pacientes con diabetes tipo II, detectables con microscopía óptica y citología exfoliativa, con la finalidad de aportar datos que podrían ser útiles para el médico u odontólogo, junto a los análisis clínicos, para el diagnóstico precoz de esta enfermedad. Para una mejor comprensión y por la importancia de esta patología sistémica, se abordan los siguientes ítems: 1- diabetes mellitus tipo II y su impacto social, 2- diabetes mellitus tipo II y sus manifestaciones bucales, 3- citología bucal como método auxiliar del diagnóstico clínico. Los investigadores coinciden en que la diabetes causa alteraciones estructurales, morfológicas y morfométricas en las células bucales, fácilmente detectables por citología exfoliativa, por lo que esta técnica es viable para complementar el diagnóstico clínico y seguir la evolución de esta enfermedad.

Dietary intervention focused on phosphate intake in hemodialysis patients with hyperphosphoremia.

BACKGROUND: Elevated serum phosphorus has been identified as a cardiovascular risk factor. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of dietary intervention to reduce phosphorus intake and to improve the calcium-phosphorus metabolism in hemodialysis patients. DESIGN: Patients were included in a 6-month, 2-group experimental study if their previous 3-month average serum phosphorus was over 5.5 mg/dl. Patients were allocated to intensive dietary intervention or usual dietary recommendations. The clinical end-points were the multivariate-adjusted change in serum phosphorus and the number of patients who achieved serum phosphorus levels of < 5.5 mg/dl and serum phosphorus levels of < 5 mg/dl. RESULTS: 80 dialysis patients completed the study, 41 in the experimental group and 39 in the control group. After 6 months, phosphorus intake (702 ± 168 vs. 872 ± 242 mg/24 h; p = 0.002) was lower in the experimental group than in the control group, with no inter-group differences in protein-caloric intake. Serum phosphorus decreased 1.67 mg/dl in the experimental group and 0.58 mg/dl in the control group (multivariate-adjusted difference 0.93 mg/ dl; 95% CI 0.34 - 1.52; p = 0.003). Serum phosphorus < 5.5 mg/dl and serum phosphorus < 5 mg/dl were attained more frequently in the experimental group (51 vs. 18%, p = 0.002 and 31.7 vs. 15.4%, p = 0.08 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Intensive dietary intervention focusing on phosphorus intake may be useful to reduce phosphorus retention and to improve calcium-phosphorus metabolism in hemodialysis patients.

Estudio exploratorio prospectivo de cohortes sobre el tratamiento de la varicela, con homeopatía y tratamiento sintomático / Exploratory prospective cohort study about the treatment of chicken pox, with homeopathy and with symptomatic treatment

Introducción: Existen grandes dificultades para realizar ensayos clínicos con homeopatía, por lo que persiste la controversia sobre su eficacia. No se ha analizado nunca el impacto de la homeopatía sobre la evolución de la varicela. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio exploratorio prospectivo de cohortes. Se efectuó un seguimiento de 160 niños menores de 15 años en tres grupos de tratamiento: homeopatía (grupo1), tratamiento sintomático (grupo 3) o tratamiento mixto (grupo 2). El seguimiento de los sujetos se efectuó hasta el final de la clínica, se contabilizó el número de lesiones en el tronco y se analizó la evolución de los síntomas, como fiebre, picor, malestar, alteración del sueño, apetito y cefalea. Resultados: El grupo tratado con homeopatía tenía una edad mayor (de 5,6 años, frente a 4,2 años en el grupo 3). No hubo diferencias en la presencia de fiebre, picor y número de lesiones en la visita en el momento del diagnóstico. En el grupo tratado con homeopatía, respecto al que recibió tratamiento sintomático, se observó una menor duración de la fiebre (1,4 frente a 2,4 días), de las lesiones de rascado (1,4 frente a 1,8 días) y de las lesiones (6,6 frente a 9,2 días), sin modificarse el resto de las variables. Conclusiones: En este estudio exploratorio y observacional, el tratamiento homeopático indica un beneficio potencial en la reducción de la sintomatología y en la duración de la varicela (AU)

Introduction: It is difficult to carry out clinical trials with homeopathy, and therefore the controversy about its efficiency continues. There is no description, so far, about the impact of homeopathy on chicken pox. Patients and methods: Exploratory prospective cohort study. Follow up on 160 children less than 15 years of age in three groups treated with homeopathy (group 1), conventional treatment (group3) or both (group 2). The subjects where followed up until the end of convalescence. These were Number of skin lesions on the thorax, and evolution of symptoms as fever, itching, discomfort, sleep disorder, hunger and headache was analyzed. Results: The group treated with homeopathy had an age older than (5.6 years vs. 4.2 yrs in group 3), with no differences in the presence of children with fever, itching and number of lesions at the first visit. In the group treated with homeopathy, respect to the one that received symptomatic treatment there was a significant lower duration of fever (1.4 vs. 2.4 days), less length of the scratching lesions (1.4 vs. 1.8 days) and in the duration of the lesions (of 6.6 in the group treated with homeopathy and 9.2 days in the symptomatic group), without any modification in the rest of the variables. Conclusions: In this exploratory observational study the homeopathic treatment indicates a possible benefit in reducing the symptoms and the duration of the chicken pox (AU)

Microalgae response to petroleum spill: an experimental model analysing physiological and genetic response of Dunaliella tertiolecta (Chlorophyceae) to oil samples from the tanker Prestige.

In November 2002, the oil tanker Prestige sank off the northwestern coast of Spain, spilling more than 50,000 tons of petroleum with disastrous ecological and economical consequences. In order to analyse the harmful consequences of the oil spill on marine microalgae, short- and long-term effects of oil samples from the Prestige spill were studied using laboratory cultures of Dunaliella tertiolecta (strain Dt1Lwt). Significant inhibition of photosynthesis (assessed by F(v)/F(m), ETR(max) and alpha estimations) was observed after only 1h of oil exposure with clear concentration dependency. Three days later, photosynthetic activity remained inhibited although cell survival was only slightly effected. In cultures exposed to the lowest oil concentration, mitotic rates and percentage of motile cells were 17-33% and 12-42% of the controls, respectively. After 1 month, neither dividing nor motile cells were observed at the highest oil concentrations. However, after further incubation, occasionally the growth of rare cells resistant to oil was found. A fluctuation analysis was carried out to distinguish between resistant cells arising from rare spontaneous mutations and resistant cells arising from physiological or other mechanisms of adaptation. The existence of rapid evolution as result of preselective mutations from petroleum sensitivity to petroleum resistance was observed. Resistant cells arose by rare spontaneous mutations prior to the addition of oil, with a mutation rate of 2.76x10(-5) oil-resistant mutants per cell division. Apparently, rare spontaneous preselective mutations are able to assure the survival of microalgae in oil-polluted environments.

Pediatría de atención primaria y atención especializada. ¿Es posible la coordinación e integración profesional? / Paediatrics in primary health care and specialized care. Is it possible the coordination and the professional integration?

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Inmunonutrición / Immunonutrition

El objeto de esta revisión sistemática es valorar la calidad de la evidencia científica utilizada en las guías de práctica clínica, recomendaciones y consensos sobre la inmunonutrición. Estudiamos los efectos del uso de glutamina, ácidos grasos omega-3 y arginina tanto por vía gastrointestinal como parenteral. Finalizamos con una evaluación concienzuda de los trabajos clínicos más valorados en pacientes quirúrgicos, traumatológicos, quemados e ingresados en la UCI mixta. Presentamos tablas sobre la composición de los productos de nutrición enteral, así como resúmenes de los estudios clínicos llevados a cabo (AU)

Experiencia de una consulta de homeopatía pediátrica en un centro de salud / Experience of a pediatric homeopathy service in a health center

Introducción: La homeopatía aspira a ser una medicina integrada en el espectro de la medicina actual tanto pública como privada. Desde 1998 se inició una consulta de homeopatía pediátrica en el Centro de Salud de Nazaret (Valencia). Objetivo: Evaluar la consulta de homeopatía pediátrica durante los años 1999-2000. Material y métodos: se recogieron las variables de edad, sexo, número de enfermedades consultadas, motivo principal de la consulta y evaluación de los resultados tanto global como por número de visitas y entidad consultada. Resultados: Los 111 niños atendidos generaron 374 visitas, la edad mediana de consulta fue de 6 años y 4 meses. El motivo de la consulta más frecuente correspondió a enfermedad por causas de ORL (26%), seguido de problemas psicológicos y del comportamiento (23%). En relación con los resultados obtenidos, la respuesta favorable al tratamiento fue del 64% (AU)

Background. Homeopathy strives for integration with traditional medicine or biomedicine in both public and prívate services. We have been running a pediatric homeopathic clinic in the public Health Center of Nazaret, Valencia, since 1998. Objective. To evaluate the results of the pediatric homeopathic clinic during 1999 and 2000. Methods. For each visit, data was collected on patient age and sex, the different diseases treated, the main reason for visiting the clinic and the evaluation of the results obtained with homeopathy, both overall and in terms of number of visits and type of disease. Results. One hundred eleven children came to the clinic 374 times. The median age was 6 years 4 months, and the main reason for visiting the clinic was an ear, nose and throat complaint (26%), followed by behavioral problems (23%). We obtained a positive result with homeopathy in 64% of children (AU)

Elevada incidencia de pitiriasis versicolor en trasplantados renales / High incidence of pityriasis versicolor in renal transplant recipients

Las micosis cutáneas constituyen una patología relativamente frecuente en los pacientes sometidos a algún tipo de trasplante.Se presentan los resultados de un estudio realizado sobre la incidencia de pitiriasis versicolor en pacientes trasplantados renales en el Hospital La Paz, en un seguimiento llevado a cabo durante año y medio.Como principales características encontradas, destacamos elevada incidencia (58 por ciento), superior a la de otras series publicadas, tendencia a la afectación cutánea extensa, presencia de localizaciones atípicas, buena respuesta al tratamiento tópico convencional y ausencia de recidivas tras tratamiento profiláctico. (AU)

Prescripción farmacológica en los niños hiperfrecuentadores de un centro de salud / Pharmacologic precription in children frequently attending a primary care clinic

Antecedentes: Los niños que acuden frecuentemente a los centros de salud son candidatos a recibir un mayor número de fármacos: Aproximadamente un 30 por ciento de fármacos administrados en Atención Primaria a la población infantil son de eficacia no demostrada. Objetivos: Evaluar la influencia de la hiperfrecuentación en la cantidad y calidad de prescripción en niños menores de 7 años.Método: Estudio de casos y controles, de las consultas de pediatría del Centro de Atención Primaria de Natzaret, Valencia. Participan 115 niños, 57 hiperfrecuentadores (HF) y 58 forman el grupo control, normo-frecuentador (NF). El tiempo de estudio es de 1 año. Se considera hiperfrecuentador al niño que acude a la consulta >l7 veces/año y normo-frecuentador al que acude <14 veces/año. Se realiza un estudio cuantitativo y cualitativo de los medicamentos prescritos. Para el análisis cualitativo se utiliza la clasificación de los medicamentos por el valor intrínseco elevarlo (VIE) o no elevado (VINE).Resultados: El número de fármacos/niño/año y el número de prescripciones/consulta, fue de 18,6 y 0,8, para el grupo HF, y de 6,5 y 1,2 en el grupo NF (p 4,001). El porcentaje de medicamentos VINE fue del 21 por ciento, en ambos grupos. Conclusiones: Los niños HF reciben mayor cantidad de fármacos anualmente, aunque la prescripción en cada consulta ha sido menor. La calidad de la prescripción ha sido similar en ambos grupos. El 78,2 por ciento de fármacos han sido VIE (AU)

Presynaptic modulation of K+-evoked [3H]dopamine release in striatal and frontal cortical synaptosomes of normotensive and spontaneous-hypertensive rats.

Regional differences in presynaptic [3H]dopamine ([3H]DA) release and its modulation by D2 DA-receptors between the frontal cortex and striatum obtained from Wystar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneous-hypertensive rats (SHR) have been evaluated using superfused synaptosomes. Synaptosomal tritium content was significantly lower in the frontal cortex than in the striatum in both SHR and WKY (approximately 45% and 48%, respectively), but no differences in tritium content were obtained between strains. However, the 15 mM K+-evoked [3H]DA overflow was lower in the SHR as compared to WKY rats in both brain regions (striatum approximately 23%, frontal cortex approximately 21). Concentration-response curves for quinpirole (1nM-10 microM)-mediated inhibition of 15mM K+-evoked [3H]DA release showed no differences between SHR and WKY. These results suggest that SHR has less ability to release [3H]DA as compared to WKY rats, but SHR did not show differences in the autoregulation of such release in both the frontal cortex and striatum.

PIOX, a new pathogen-induced oxygenase with homology to animal cyclooxygenase.

Changes in gene expression induced in tobacco leaves by the harpin HrpN protein elicitor were examined, and a new cDNA, piox (for pathogen-induced oxygenase), with homology to genes encoding cyclooxygenase or prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase (PGHS), was identified. In addition to the amino acid identity determined, the protein encoded by piox is predicted to have a structural core similar to that of ovine PGHS-1. Moreover, studies of protein functionality demonstrate that the PIOX recombinant protein possesses at least one of the two enzymatic activities of PGHSs, that of catalyzing the oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. piox transcripts accumulated after protein elicitor treatment or inoculation with bacteria. Expression of piox was induced in tissues responding to inoculation with both incompatible and compatible bacteria, but RNA and protein accumulation differed for both types of interactions. We show that expression of piox is rapidly induced in response to various cellular signals mediating plant responses to pathogen infection and that activation of piox expression is most likely related to the oxidative burst that takes place during the cell death processes examined. Cyclooxygenase catalyzes the first committed step in the formation of prostaglandins and thromboxanes, which are lipid-derived signal molecules that mediate many cellular processes, including the immune response in vertebrates. The finding of tobacco PIOX suggests that more similarities than hitherto expected will be found between the lipid-based responses for plant and animal systems.

The coat protein is required for the elicitation of the Capsicum L2 gene-mediated resistance against the tobamoviruses.

In Capsicum, the resistance against tobamoviruses conferred by the L2 gene is effective against all but one of the known tobamoviruses. Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) is the only virus which escapes its action. To identify the viral factors affecting induction of the hypersensitive reaction (HR) mediated by the Capsicum spp. L2 resistance gene, we have constructed chimeric viral genomes between paprika mild mottle virus (PaMMV) (a virus able to induce the HR) and PMMoV. A hybrid virus with the PaMMV coat protein gene substituted in the PMMoV-S sequences was able to elicit the HR in Capsicum frutescens (L2L2) plants. These data indicate that the sequences that affect induction of the HR mediated by the L2 resistance gene reside in the coat protein gene. Furthermore, a mutant that codes for a truncated coat protein was able to systemically spread in these plants. Thus, the elicitation of the host response requires the coat protein and not the RNA.