High-voltage-activated calcium channel messenger RNA expression in the 140-3 neuroblastoma-glioma cell line

Expression of calcium channel alpha1 subunits in oocytes or cell lines has proven to be a powerful method in the analysis of structure-function relations, but these experimental systems are of limited value in the examination of neuron-specific functions such as transmitter release. Cell lines derived from neurons are often capable of these functions, but their intrinsic calcium channel alpha1 subunits are complicating factors in experimental design. We have examined the biophysical and molecular properties of calcium channels in a little studied neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cell line, 140-3, a close relative of the NG108-15 cell line, to test whether this cell line might serve a role as an expression system for neural mechanisms. This cell was selected as it contains an intact transmitter release mechanism yet secretes little in response to depolarization. Patch-clamp recording revealed only a prominent low-threshold, rapidly inactivating calcium current with a single-channel conductance of approximately 7 pS that was identified as T type. A search for calcium channel alpha1 subunit messenger RNA in the 140-3 cells with three different tests only revealed alpha1C, whereas alpha1A-alpha1C were present in the parent NG108-15 line. We made a particular effort to search for alpha1E, since this subunit has been associated with a low-voltage-activated current. Our findings suggest that, since the principal nerve terminal-associated calcium channels (alpha1A, alpha1B, alpha1E) are absent in the 140-3 cell, this cell line may prove a particularly useful model for the analysis of the role of high-voltage-activated calcium channels in complex functions of neuronal cells.

Endoscopic surgery for obstructive hydrocephalus

Endoscopic surgery is popular in the neurosurgical field. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of endoscopy in obstructive hydrocephalus. From 1989 to 1999, we performed 81 endoscopic third ventriculostomies and 10 septostomies. Seventy-one of 81 operations were performed with endoscopic third ventriculostomy alone and 10 patients had endoscopic third ventriculostomy and ventriculoperitoneal shunt simultaneously. Age distribution varied from 2 months to 62 years of age. Our selection criteria included aqueductal stenosis (39 patients) and obstructive hydrocephalus due to tumor or cyst (42 patients). The most common candidate for endoscopic septostomy was atresia of the foramen of Monro (4 patients). Endoscopic septostomy was also performed to simplify shunting in patient; with multiseptated ventricle due to shunt infection, germinoma, thalamic tumor, craniopharyngioma, cyst and brain abscess. Sixty-five of 71 patients who were treated with endoscopic third ventriculostomy alone showed successful results (91.5%). However, 6 patients had unsatisfactory results and they needed a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. With no mortality, transient surgical complications were observed in 7 patients: 2 transient diabetes insipidus from electrical injury to the pituitary stalk, 1 epidural hematoma from sudden drainage of CSF, 1 delayed intraventricular hemorrhage. 2 obstruction of fenestration site and 1 transient memory disturbance from injury to the fornix. Endoscopic septostomy was useful in simplifying shunting in all cases with complicated hydrocephalus. Endoscopic surgery is straightforward and effective in appropriately selected cases with obstructive by drocephalus.

Orientation topography of layer 4 lateral networks revealed by optical imaging in cat visual cortex (area 18)

The functional specificity of corticocortical connections with respect to the topography of orientation selectivity was studied by optical imaging of intrinsic signals and bulk injections of fluorescent latex beads (green and red) and biocytin into layer 4. The distributions of retrogradely labelled cells and anterogradely labelled axon terminals were histologically reconstructed from all cortical laminae, and the resulting anatomical maps compared with the optically imaged functional maps. Layer 4 injections produced extensive horizontal labelling up to 2-3 mm from the injection centres albeit without the clear patchy pattern described after layer 2/3 injections (Gilbert & Wiesel 1989, J. Neurosci., 9, 2432-2442; Kisvárday et al. 1997, Cerebral Cortex, 7, 605-618). The functional (orientation) distribution of the labelled projections was analysed according to laminar location and lateral spread. With regard to the former, no major difference in the orientation topography between supragranular- (upper tier), granular- (middle tier) and infragranular (lower tier) layers was seen. Laterally, proximal and distal projections were distinguished and further dissected into three orientation categories, iso- (+/- 30 degrees ), oblique- (+/- 30-60 degrees ) and cross-orientations (+/- 60-90 degrees ) with respect to the orientation preference at the injection sites. The majority of distal connections (retrograde and anterograde) was equally distributed across orientations (35.4% iso-, 33.7% oblique-, and 30.9% cross-orientations) that are equivalent with a preponderance to dissimilar orientations (oblique- and cross-orientations, 64.6%). In one case, distal excitatory and inhibitory connections could be morphologically distinguished. For both categories, a marked bias to dissimilar orientations was found (excitatory, 63.7%; inhibitory, 86.6%). Taken together, these results suggest that the long-range layer 4 circuitry has a different functional role from that of the iso-orientation biased (52.9%, Kisvárday et al. 1997, Cerebral Cortex, 7, 605-618) layer 2/3 circuitry, and is perhaps involved in feature difference-based mechanisms, e.g. figure ground segregation.

Heat shock response decreases endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in rats

OBJECTIVE

Transient whole-body hyperthermia was reported to reduce lung damage in a rat with intra-abdominal sepsis produced by caecal perforation.

METHODOLOGY

In order to determine the effect of heat shock response on acute lung injury induced by endotoxin, which plays a central role in the pathogenesis of sepsis, we instilled either saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intravenously with and without heat pretreatment in rats. The heated rats had their rectal temperature raised to more than 40 degrees C for 13 min 18 h before intravenous administration of saline or LPS.

RESULTS

We found that the lung leak was significantly increased among the rats given LPS intravenously with (median, 0.17; range, 0.15-0.22; n = 10) and without heat pretreatment (0.23; 0.17-0.30; n = 10) compared with those of saline-treated rats (0.13; 0.10-0.14; n = 10) (P < 0.05 in each). However, rats given LPS after heat pretreatment had significantly decreased lung leak index compared with those of LPS-treated rats without heat pretreatment (P < 0.05). Rats administered LPS intravenously showed increased myeloperoxidase activity without heat pretreatment (19.01; 9.34-28.00 U/g; n = 10) compared with that of saline-treated rats (7.09; 4.49-10.56 U/g; n = 5) (P < 0.05) (Fig. 2). Myeloperoxidase activity of the rats treated with LPS with heat pretreatment (5.57; 2.87-8.96 U/g; n = 10) was significantly decreased to the level of normal control compared with that of LPS-treated rats without heat pretreatment (P < 0.05). The levels of heat shock proteins (HSP72) in lung tissue, which were examined by western blot analysis, were increased over baseline levels at 23 h after hyperthermic stress.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations show that brief heat shock response is associated with the induction of HSP72 protein synthesis and attenuated neutrophil recruitment and acute lung leak is induced by endotoxin in rats.

Ventricular pressure monitoring during bilateral decompression with dural expansion

OBJECT

The management of massive brain swelling remains an unsolved problem in neurosurgery. Despite newly developed medical and pharmacological therapy, the rates of mortality and morbidity caused by massive brain swelling remain high. According to many recent reports, surgical decompression with dural expansion is superior to medical management in patients with massive brain swelling. To show the quantitative effect of decompressive surgery on intracranial pressure (ICP), the authors performed a ventricular puncture and measured the ventricular ICP continuously during decompressive surgery and the postoperative period.

METHODS

Twenty patients with massive brain swelling who underwent bilateral decompressive craniectomy with dural expansion were included in this study. In all patients, ventricular puncture was performed at Kocher's point on the side opposite the massive brain swelling. The ventricular puncture tube was connected to the continuous monitor via a transducer device. The ventricular pressure was monitored continuously, during the bilateral decompressive procedures and postoperative period. The initial ventricular ICP was variable, ranging from 16 to 65.8 mm Hg. Immediately after the bilateral craniectomy, the mean ventricular ICP decreased to 50.2+/-16.6% of the initial ICP (range 5-51.5 mm Hg). Additional opening of the dura decreased the mean ICP by an additional 34.5% and reduced the ventricular pressure to 15.7+/-10.7% of the initial pressure (range 0-15 mm Hg). Ventricular pressure measured postoperatively in the neurosurgical intensive care unit was lowered to 15.1+/-16.5% of the initial ICP. The ventricular ICP trend in the first 24 hours after decompressive surgery was an important prognostic factor; if it was greater than 35 mm Hg, the mortality rate was 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

Bilateral decompression with dural expansion is an effective therapeutic modality in the control of ICP. To obtain favorable clinical outcomes in patients with massive brain swelling, early decision making and proper patient selection are very important.

Fluorescein angiographic features of choroidal insufficiency in anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy(AION) is known to be caused by circulatory disturbance in the anterior optic nerve(AON). Because the AON shares blood supply from the paraoptic short posterior ciliary artery with peripapillary choroid, the authors investigated the angiographic evidences of combined choroidal insufficiency in patients with acute AION. Fundus fluorescein angiograms from 30 eyes from 28 patients with acute AION were enrolled in this study. The diagnosis of acute AION was based primarily on angiographic evidences of filling delay of optic nerve head and the various clinical features, such as decreased visual acuity, visual field defects, afferent pupillary defect, and optic disc swelling. Angiographic evidences of combined choroidal filling delay were as follows: 1) circular or localized filling delay of peripapillary choroid in 15 eyes (50%), 2) generalized filling delay of posterior pole in 11 eyes (36.7%), 3) filling delay of unilateral choroid divided by watershed zone in 5 eyes (16.7%), and 4) choriocapillary filling delay in 10 eyes (33.3%). In this study, various types of choroidal insufficiency in patients with AION were observed, which helped us to differentiate AION from the other various diseases of the anterior optic nerve.

The effects of exopolymers on cell morphology and culturability of Leuconostoc mesenteroides during starvation

Biofilm formation by bacterial cells can be used to modify the subsurface permeability for the purpose of microbial enhanced oil recovery, bio-barrier formation, and in situ bioremediation. Once injected into the subsurface, the bacteria undergo starvation due to a decrease in nutrient supply and diffusion limitations in biofilms. To help understand the starvation response of bacteria in biofilms, the relationship between exopolymer formation and cell culturability was examined in a batch culture. The average cell diameter was observed to decrease from 0.8 micron to 0.35 micron 3 days after starvation began. Cell chain fragmentation was also observed during starvation. Cells that underwent starvation in the presence of insoluble exopolymers showed a slower rate of decrease in cell diameter and in cell chain length than cells without insoluble exopolymers. The rate of decrease in the average cell diameter and cell chain length were determined using a first order decay model. Cells starved in the presence of exopolymers showed greater culturability than cells starved without exopolymers. After 200 days starvation, 2.5 x 10(-3)% cells were culturable, but no increase in cell number was observed. During starvation, the exopolymer concentration remained constant, an indication that the exopolymer was not consumed by the starving bacteria as an alternative carbon or energy source.

Enhanced hepatocyte uptake and liver targeting of methotrexate using galactosylated albumin as a carrier

Liver targeting of drugs has wide therapeutic implications due to numerous liver-related diseases. Using conjugates of methotrexate (MTX) to variously galactosylated bovine serum albumin (BSA), we studied whether we could enhance the liver targeting of MTX, a model drug, via galactose receptors selectively abundant on the hepatocytes. Here, we report that the galactosylation of the carrier protein BSA significantly enhanced the hepatocyte uptake and liver targetability of MTX. In vitro, the amount of MTX taken up by rat hepatocytes was positively correlated with the galactose content in BSA. MTX conjugates were relatively stable in plasma, but released MTX with time in liver homogenates. These results imply that the conjugates would exert low toxicity in the blood, but have therapeutic activity in the liver by liberating MTX. In vivo, MTX-galactosylated BSA conjugates (MTX-L(24)BSA) showed significantly different pharmacokinetics from free MTX or MTX-BSA conjugates. The plasma level of free MTX rapidly declined in a biexponential fashion with an apparent terminal half-life of 0.35 h. MTX-BSA conjugates showed the slowest decline with an apparent terminal half-life of 6 h, whereas MTX-L(24)BSA showed a biphasic pattern; a rapid distributive phase with a half-life of 0.567 h and a slow terminal phase. MTX-L(24)BSA showed the highest liver targetability, when evaluated in terms of two indices based on the area under the total amount of radioactivity-time curve (AUQ); Te*(liver), % AUQ(liver) to total AUQ, and te*, the ratio of AUQ(liver) to AUQ(kidney). Compared with free MTX and MTX-BSA, MTX-L(24)BSA showed about twofold higher Te*(liver) of 87.5%. The te* of MTX-L(24)BSA was 25- and fourfold higher than those of free MTX and MTX-BSA, respectively. Moreover, MTX-L(24)BSA showed a gradual increase in the therapeutically active intact form of MTX in the liver while showing the lowest level of intact MTX in the kidney. These results suggest that galactosylated BSA has a great potential as an hepatocyte-directed and more effective liver targeting carrier of drugs for liver diseases.

Feeding behavior in dopamine-deficient mice

Mice that cannot make dopamine (DA), a condition caused by the selective inactivation of tyrosine hydroxylase in dopaminergic neurons, are born normal but gradually become hypoactive and hypophagic, and die at 3 weeks of age. We characterized the feeding and locomotor responses of these DA-deficient (DA-/-) mice to 3, 4-dihyroxy-L-phenylalanine (L-DOPA) to investigate the relationship between brain DA levels and these complex behaviors. Daily administration of L-DOPA to DA-/- mice stimulated locomotor activity that lasted 6 to 9 hr; during that time the mice consumed most of their daily food and water. The minimal dose of L-DOPA that was sufficient to elicit normal feeding behavior in the DA-/- mice also restored their striatal DA to 9.1% of that in the wild-type (WT) mice at 3 hr; then DA content declined to <1% of WT levels by 24 hr. This dose of L-DOPA induced locomotor activity that exceeded that of treated WT mice by 5- to 7-fold, suggesting that DA-/- mice are supersensitive to DA. Unexpectedly, DA-/- mice manifested a second wave of activity 24 to 48 hr after L-DOPA treatment that was equivalent in magnitude to that of WT mice and independent of DA receptor activation. The DA-/- mice approached, sniffed, and chewed food during this second period of activity, but they ate <10% of that required for sustenance. Therefore, DA-/- mice can execute behaviors necessary to seek and ingest food, but they do not eat enough to survive.

Phase II trial of a novel platinum analog, SKI 2053R, in patients with previously untreated extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer

A phase II trial of a novel platinum analog, SKI 2053R, was performed in patients with previously untreated extensive-stage disease (ED) small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). SKI 2053R was administered at the dose of 400 mg/m2 every 3 to 4 weeks as a 1-h infusion. After the first cycle, the dose was escalated to 440 mg/m2 based on toxicity. Thirty-eight patients (31 male) were enrolled between June 1995 and August 1997. The median age was 61 years (range, 36-70 years). Six of 37 evaluable patients achieved a partial response (16.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.4-28.0%). The durations of response were 1.1, 1.5, 1.7, 1.9, 3.4, and 4.6 months. The estimated median survival time was 7.4 months (95% CI, 5.1-9.7 months). Grade 3 or 4 toxicities were not observed. Grade 1 to 2 leukopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia were seen in 5 of 68 cycles, 16 of 68, and 2 of 68, respectively. Nonhematologic toxicities included grade 1 to 2 nausea or vomiting (30 of 68 cycles), nephrotoxicity (27 of 68), and hepatotoxicity (13 of 68). SKI 2053R showed a modest antitumor activity with limited toxicities in patients with ED SCLC. Further clinical trials are warranted in SCLC with a higher dose of SKI 2053R.

The effect of varying inspiratory to expiratory ratio on gas exchange in partial liquid ventilation

BACKGROUND

In partial liquid ventilation (PLV), the nondependent lung was observed to be inflated first and the dependent lung later. The inflational time difference between the lung regions can lead to maldistribution of tidal gas and inefficient gas bubbling in the slow-inflating region during PLV. In this situation, increasing the inspiratory to expiratory (I:E) ratio of the mechanical ventilator would lessen the heterogeneity of regional ventilation and improve gas exchange possibly to a greater degree than in gas ventilation (GV).

DESIGN AND SETTING

Animal study at the Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Seoul, Korea Subjects: Eighteen rabbits (2.6 +/- 0.5 kg) with acute lung injury by saline solution lavage.

INTERVENTIONS

Three I:E ratios were tried in GV and then in PLV. I:E ratios were changed by adjusting pause (1:2, 1:1, and 2:1; group 1) or by adjusting inspiratory flow rate (1:3, 1:1, and 2:1; group 2).

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

With increasing I:E ratio in all animals, PaO(2)/FIO(2) increased (80 +/- 24, 143 +/- 74, and 147 +/- 88 mm Hg; p = 0.001), and PaCO(2) decreased (74 +/- 15, 66 +/- 16, and 66 +/- 15 mm Hg; p = 0.006). The increases of PaO(2)/FIO(2) from 1:2/1:3 to 1:1 (p = 0.006) and from 1:1 to 2:1 (p = 0.036) were both greater in group 1 than in group 2. PaCO(2) decreased with increasing I:E ratio in group 1, but not in group 2. The change of PaO(2)/FIO(2) by varying the I:E ratio was 49 +/- 65% in PLV and 14 +/- 14% in GV (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Extending the I:E ratio, especially by adding pause, improved gas exchange in PLV. Oxygenation in PLV was affected by the I:E ratio to a greater degree than in GV.

Percutaneous transmyocardial revascularization induces angiogenesis: a histologic and 3-dimensional micro computed tomography study

The purpose of this study was to visualize the spatial patterns and connection of channels created after percutaneous transmyocardial revascularization (PTMR) in normal porcine hearts, and to estimate the relative contributions of transmyocardial and coronary perfusion. Six pigs underwent PTMR creating channels using radiofrequency ablative energy. Three-dimensional computed tomography imaging of channels 1 hr after PTMR showed the direct connection of PTMR channels to the myocardial capillary network and to epicardial coronary vessels. In the heart, examined 28 day after PTMR, there was a fine, extensive, network of microvessels originating from the site of the original PTMR channel, also connecting the left ventricular cavity to myocardial capillaries. Histopathologic examination of the 1-hr specimens showed numerous regions of myocardial hemorrhage and associated inflammatory cell infiltration. In the 28-day specimens, newly developed new vascular network suggested neovascularization within the core of these channel remnants. The immunoreactivity for basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were intense within myocardium and neovascular structure surrounding PTMR channel remnants. The vascular connections occur by direct communication with existing myocardial vasculature acutely, and angiogenesis in these channel remnant chronically.

Anterior thalamoperforating artery aneurysm associated with internal carotid artery occlusion: case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE

We describe a rare case of a ruptured distal anterior thalamoperforating artery aneurysm associated with right internal carotid artery occlusion.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 59-year-old woman experienced sudden occipital headache, vomiting, and subsequent coma as a result of massive intraventricular hemorrhage. An initial angiogram revealed only an occlusion of the right internal carotid artery just distal to the posterior communicating artery. Repeat angiography 1 month later, however, revealed a saccular aneurysm at a distal anterior thalamoperforating artery in addition to the occlusion of the internal carotid artery.

INTERVENTION

We approached this aneurysm through the right temporal horn after opening the ambient cistern. The aneurysm, which was located in the brain parenchyma just medial to the temporal horn, was successfully resected.

CONCLUSION

This rare aneurysm probably developed as a result of hemodynamic stress on the anterior thalamoperforating artery after occlusion of the internal carotid artery and/or secondary to chronic hypertension.

Two-color femtosecond experiments by use of two independently tunable Ti:sapphire lasers with a sample-and-hold switch

We performed femtosecond two-color experiments (four-wave mixing and pump probe) using two independently tunable, partially synchronized femtosecond lasers. Despite the fact that the jitter is of the order of 5-10 ps, the time resolution is limited only by the pulse width when a homemade sample-and-hold switch is used.

Expression of mRNAs encoding full-length and truncated TrkB receptors in rat dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord following peripheral inflammation

Peripheral inflammation induces an increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) synthesis in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and an elevated anterograde transport of BDNF to axon terminals in the spinal dorsal horn. To characterize whether expression of trkB is modulated in response to BDNF elevation in these areas, we evaluated changes in expression of full-length and truncated trkB (trkB.FL and trkB.T) mRNAs after injection of complete Freund's adjuvant into the hind paw of the rat. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that BDNF and trkB.T mRNAs levels in the DRG increased, while no change of expression of trkB.FL mRNA was observed. There was no detectable change in both trkB.FL and trkB.T mRNAs levels in the spinal cord. Considering that trkB.T mRNA is expressed mainly in the perineuronal satellite cells, these results suggest a possible paracrine role of BDNF within the DRG in addition to an important role related with nociception following peripheral inflammation.

Response to chloroquine of Plasmodium vivax among South Korean soldiers

The response to standard chloroquine treatment was evaluated, by microscopical examination of blood-smears, among 81 soldiers diagnosed with Plasmodium vivax malaria in South Korea in 1996. The smears were prepared pre-treatment and 3, 14 and 28 days after starting chemotherapy. Parasitaemias were determined after staining the smears with Giemsa's stain. Blood samples from the patients who were not smear-negative by day 3 were carefully checked for parasites, by staining smears with Acridine Orange and by a PCR-based assay. Only two of the patients appeared to be parasitaemic on day 14 and were therefore considered treatment failures. Although both were apparently cured after additional therapy with the same regimen, one had a recurrence 8 months later. Most cases of recent, resurgent malaria in South Korea therefore appear to sensitive to chloroquine.

Quantitative assessment of cerebrospinal fluid hydrodynamics using a phase-contrast cine MR image in hydrocephalus

This investigation was undertaken to characterize CSF flow at the level of the aqueduct of Sylvius with a phase-contrast cine MR pulse sequence in 28 healthy volunteers. Sixteen patients with obstructive hydrocephalus and 11 patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) were investigated with the same sequence before and after CSF diversion. The peak CSF flow velocity and stroke volume in the aqueduct increased significantly in the NPH group and decreased significantly in the obstructive hydrocephalus group. After lumboperitoneal shunting in the NPH group, the retrograde flow of CSF was anterogradely converted and the peak flow velocities decreased somewhat. The clinical diagnosis of NPH was well correlated with the results of cine MRI. After endoscopic III ventriculostomy in the obstructive hydrocephalus group we noted increased CSF flow velocity with markedly increased stroke volume at the prepontine cistern. Phase-contrast cine MR is useful in evaluating CSF dynamics in patients with hyperdynamic aqueductal CSF or aqueductal obstruction.

Expression of the HMGI(Y) gene in human colorectal cancer

Expression of HMGI(Y), a nucleoprotein that binds to A/T rich sequences in the minor groove of the DNA helix, is observable in neoplastically transformed cells but not in normal cells. We have analyzed HMGI(Y) expression in colorectal cancer and evaluated its clinicopathologic significance. HMGI(Y) mRNA was measured by CRT-PCR (competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction). Immunohistochemical staining for HMGI(Y), p53 and Ki-67 was performed in the same colon cancer tissues, and the results in colorectal tissues were similar to those of RT-PCR. HMGI(Y) expression evidenced by RT-PCR was observed in 63 of 64 (98.4%) colorectal cancer samples, and 2 of 5 (40%) adenomatous polyps, whereas 21 normal colon samples were negative (p<0.001). High HMGI(Y) expression using CRT-PCR was found in colon cancers with a high Ki-67 labeling index (p<0.001). There was no significant correlation between the levels of HMGI(Y) expression and stage, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, histologic grade and immunohistochemical status of p53. Our results indicate that the HMGI(Y) expression may occur at an early stage of carcinogenesis and correlate with cell proliferation. Int. J. Cancer (Pred. Oncol.), 84:376-380, 1999.

Geometrical and topological relationships between multiple functional maps in cat primary visual cortex

The mammalian striate cortex is organized such that the receptive field properties of neighboring neurons change gradually across the cortical surface, forming so-called cortical maps. The presence of such maps has been demonstrated in different species of mammals for several parameters characterizing the visual space: retinotopy, ocular dominance, orientation, direction of motion and spatial frequency. In this study we used the optical imaging of intrinsic signals to simultaneously record the multiple functional maps in the same animal in order to obtain a comprehensive set of rules that govern mutual dependencies among the functional maps. Our results indicate that while orientation, direction and ocular dominance are represented on the cortex in a mutually dependent manner, the representation of spatial frequency is independent of the other types of cortical representations. The presence and/or absence of mutual dependence among the multiple functional maps are suggested to provide an important clue for the understanding of the development of visual cortical information representation in neonatal animals.

A novel disintegrin salmosin inhibits tumor angiogenesis

Salmosin is a snake venom-derived novel disintegrin that antagonizes platelet aggregation. In this study, we investigated its functional specificity in tumor angiogenesis. Salmosin significantly inhibited bovine capillary endothelial cell proliferation induced by basic fibroblast growth factor but had no effect on normal growth of the cell. The basic fibroblast growth factor-induced in vivo angiogenesis in the chorioallantoic membrane was disrupted by salmosin treatment without affecting normal embryonic angiogenesis. Adhesion of the bovine capillary endothelial cells to vitronectin was also inhibited by the binding of salmosin to the alpha(v)beta3 integrin. Both the metastatic-tumor growth and the solid-tumor growth that developed in mice were effectively suppressed by salmosin treatment. Several lines of experimental evidence strongly suggest that the tumor-specific antiangiogenic activity of salmosin disrupts tumor growth by blocking the alpha(v)beta3 integrin that is expressed on the vascular endothelial cell surface.

Elevated serum interleukin-15 levels in systemic lupus erythematosus

Interleukin-15 (IL-15) has multiple biological properties, including the induction of other cytokine production and the inhibition of T cell apoptosis. Recently, IL-15 was reported to have a major role in synovial inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis, and that it provokes and amplifies the inflammatory process through the activation of TNF-alpha production. In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the dysregulation of apoptosis and various cytokine production were observed and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of SLE. Thus, we tried to determine serum IL-15 levels in SLE patients and to assess the relationship among IL-15 levels, TNF-alpha levels and disease activity of SLE. Twenty SLE patients and 10 controls were studied. Paired serum samples were collected from all SLE patients at the time of presentation with active disease and at 4 weeks after institution of treatment. IL-15 levels were determined by ELISA and compared with the disease activity indices in SLE. The disease activity of SLE was measured using the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and laboratory parameters such as circulating immune complex (CIC), C3, C4, anti-DNA antibody, IgG, IgM, and IgA. The IL-15 levels in SLE patients were significantly higher than those of controls (5.38 +/- 4.89 vs. 1.04 +/- 1.26 pg/ml). However, elevated IL-15 levels did not correlate with the SLEDAI, nor did they correlate with other laboratory activity indices. The changes in serum IL-15 levels did not correlate with the changes in serum TNF-alpha in the disease course of SLE patients, whereas TNF-alpha reflected the changes in disease activity of SLE. Serum levels of IL-15 are elevated in SLE patients, but IL-15 did not correlate with the disease activity of SLE. TNF-alpha production in SLE patients was unlikely to be related with IL-15.

Congenital intraorbital optic nerve cyst. Case report

Congenital cystic lesions of the optic nerve are exceedingly rare; only one case is reported in the world literature. The authors describe a case of congenital simple glial cyst in the intraorbital portion of the optic nerve with a brief review of the literature and comment on its histogenesis. A 45-day-old male infant was admitted to the hospital because of progressive proptosis and hypotropia in the left eye, which had been present since birth. Magnetic resonance imaging of the left orbit revealed an ovoid, well-demarcated, homogeneous cystic mass in the intraconal retrobulbar area. The mass compressed the left eyeball with downward and lateral displacement. The wall of the cystic mass was very thin, and a needle puncture of the cyst released clear, colorless, watery fluid. The cystic wall was lined by loose astroglial nerve fibers with some scattered glial cells.

Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in catecholaminergic neurons of the rat lower brainstem after colchicine treatment or hemorrhage

Widespread brain-derived neurotrophic factor messenger RNA expression has been detected in the region of catecholamine groups of the rat lower brainstem, while few brain-derived neurotrophic factor-immunoreactive cells were found in this area. In the present study, a double-color immunofluorescence technique for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and tyrosine hydroxylase after colchicine treatment was employed to evaluate the possible presence of brain-derived neurotrophic factor immunoreactivity in the catecholaminergic cells of the rat lower brainstem. We detected many new brain-derived neurotrophic factor-immunoreactive cells in the A1, A2, A4, A6-A10 and C1-C3 cell groups and in the other lower brainstem nuclei where, without colchicine treatment, brain-derived neurotrophic factor messenger RNA was expressed, but not brain-derived neurotrophic factor immunoreactivity. In addition, the catecholaminergic neurons were found to express brain-derived neurotrophic factor immunoreactivity with the co-existence being greatest, in percentage terms, in medullary catecholaminergic cell groups. Hypotensive hemorrhage, which activates medullary catecholaminergic neurons, induced the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor immunoreactivity in catecholaminergic neurons (A1/C1 and C2). The results demonstrate that brain-derived neurotrophic factor is regulated by neuronal activity in medullary catecholaminergic cell groups involved in central cardiovascular regulation.

Semisynthesis of abrusoside A methyl ester

Abrusoside A methyl ester was prepared from abrusogenin through methylation (CH2N2) and a subsequent coupling reaction with 1-chloro-2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acethylglucopyranose in the presence of AgOTf and TMU in CH2Cl2, followed by deacetylation using K2CO3 in MeOH-H2O.