Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) can be induced to proliferate in response to several cytokines and growth factors, including interleukin (IL)-6. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) also has been shown to induce SMC proliferation. Because PAF can stimulate IL-6 production in monocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells, our study was undertaken to determine whether PAF could induce IL-6 production by SMCs and to define the underlying signaling pathways. Exposure of rat aortic SMCs to picomolar concentrations of PAF resulted in enhanced production of IL-6. The effect was concentration dependent, selective for the active form of PAF, and mediated by specific PAF receptors. Pretreatment of the cells with Bordatella pertussis toxin (PTX) prevented the effect of PAF, suggesting the involvement of alpha i-type subunits of G proteins in the signal-transduction pathway. PAF-dependent IL-6 production was also prevented by inhibition of tyrosine kinases with genistein or erbstatin. Inhibition of eicosanoid production by blocking either phospholipase A2 or cyclooxygenase also abrogated the effect of PAF on IL-6 production. Moreover, inhibition of Ca2+-calmodulin activity with W7 or blocking of calcium channels with verapamil or nifedipine prevented PAF-mediated enhancement of IL-6 production. Whereas PAF-induced signal-transduction pathways leading to IL-6 production and SMC proliferation were partially common, they appeared to diverge downstream of PLA2 activation: inhibition of cyclooxygenase had no effect on proliferation, whereas augmentation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels or activation of protein kinase A inhibited proliferation, in contrast to IL-6 production. Our findings suggest a role for PAF in modulating vascular function by stimulating local production of IL-6 by SMCs and promoting their proliferation. The two effects are, however, associated with partially divergent signaling pathways and may not be causally related.

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Since the beginning of his career, American director Woody Allen has employed several cinematographic styles. By means of burlesque, psychological comedy and drama, the filmmaker has created an oeuvre that is distinguished by the great richness of its cinematographic écriture. One important aspect of his artistic enterprise lies in the use of film references. The use of intertextuality in his work allows one to trace influences from films as well as other spheres of artistic activity. This paper examines four large categories of citation: «direct», «indirect», «implicit» and «extra-cinematographic.» Allen’s use of intertextuality allows him to reinvent the use of parody, making it a key element to grasp a secondary level of understanding in his work.

The volume begins with an orientation chapter from Brian Rosner: 'The Household Setting of Paul's Pastoral Practice and Its Biblical and Jewish Roots'. Rosner gives an overview of the status quaestionis, the key Pauline passages, and some of the previous scholarship. He focuses on the familial aspect of Paul's pastoral discourse and deals with the objection that such language is purely metaphorical. He argues that such family imagery primarily derives chiefly from Jewish sources and the Jesus tradition rather than Graeco-Roman philosophy.The coverage of texts featuring Paul -including Acts and the Pastoral Epistles -is extensive. Each of the next ten essays treats an individual letter (group): Acts (Thompson), Romans (Kruse), 1 Corinthians (Malcolm), 2 Corinthians (Barnett), Galatians (Bird and Dunne), Ephesians (Orr), Philippians (Harris), Colossians (Malone), 1 Thessalonians (Burke), Pastorals (Yarbrough). There is a healthy range of perspectives and styles. Some pieces, notably those on Galatians and 1 Thessalonians, are more scholarly and would be worthy of any major New Testament journal. Some which focus on contemporary application than finer exegetical points are perhaps more geared towards practitioners rather than scholars. Some will regret that there is only one essay from a female scholar, Sarah Harris, who argues that the disagreement between Euodia and Syntyche is the central concern of Philippians. In most cases, the relevant passages are well-analysed, although I wonder if, for instance, Malcolm's contribution could have ventured past 1 Corinthians 1-4 into later chapters, where there are clear pastoral themes (e.g., prophecy as paraklesis and paramuthia, resurrection hope). The final three chapters provide some fruitful insights from somewhat different angles: the Church of England's First Ordinal (Patrick), Augustine (Bain), the ministries of George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards (Bezzant).These articles are a welcome contribution on an underappreciated aspect of Paul. My main criticism is that the Graeco-Roman context has been overlooked: the influential studies of Malherbe are only briefly considered; and the important ancient notion of psychagogy is only mentioned once in passing -in relation not to Paul but to Augustine. This was a missed opportunity. Although the collection does not pretend