Physical characteristics of dose calibrator

Physical characteristics of a dose calibrator CRC-30BC (Capintec, Mt. Vernon, N.Y.) was studied in the present study. We performed repeated measurements of the radioactive sample, changing its position in the well, its volume, and its radioactivity. In terms of the vertical dependence, the highest activity was obtained 7-8 cm from the bottom of the well. For axial dependence, the lowest activity was obtained at the center of the well. The sample volume, which ranged from 1 ml to 4 ml, did not have a substantial effect on the reading of the radioactivity. As long as the center of the sample remained positioned at the appropriate point in the well, the calibrator responded proportionally to the true radioactivity, which ranged from 4.625 MBq (0.125 mCi) to 592 MBq (16 mCi). The radioactive value on the dose calibrator was reliable enough to employ in quantitative evaluation when attention was paid to the position of the radioactive source.

Positive and negative regulation of cell proliferation through prostaglandin receptors in NIH-3T3 cells

Among major eicosanoids and their analogs, prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha > PGD2 > PGE1 > or = PGE2 > iloprost, a stable agonist of PGI2, dose-dependently stimulated DNA synthesis in quiescent NIH-3T3 cells. PGF2 alpha, PGD2, and PGE2, in that order, formed inositol phosphates and elevated intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) but did not form cAMP nor inhibit forskolin-induced cAMP formation. Iloprost, PGI2, and PGE1 induced cAMP formation dose dependently with an ED50 of around 10(-7) M, and PGE2 at more than 10(-6) M did it. [3H]PGF2 alpha and [3H]PGD2 bindings membranes from NIH-3T3 cells were displaced in the order of PGF2 alpha > PGD2 > or = PGE2, while [3H]PGE2 binding was displaced by PGE2 > PGD2 > or = PGF2 alpha. Expression of mRNA encoding EP1 and EP4 (EP2) subtypes could be detected by reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction using primers specific for EP1 and EP4 (EP2) cDNAs, but not that of EP3 subtype mRNA. The dose dependence of cAMP formation on iloprost and PGI2 and that of [Ca2+]i elevation on PGF2 alpha, D2, and E2 were similar to that of [3H]thymidine incorporation on the corresponding agonists. Fluprostenol (1 microM), a PGF2 alpha receptor agonist > 17-phenyl-trinor-PGE2 (1 microM), an EP1 receptor agonist stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation, but an EP3 receptor agonist, ONO-AP-324 nor an EP4 (EP2) receptor agonist, 11-deoxy-PGE1 (1 microM) did not. Iloprost, dibutyryl cAMP, forskolin, or cholera toxin, when applied alone, enhanced [3H]thymidine incorporation, while they inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation induced by submaximal concentrations of PGF2 alpha or epidermal growth factor (EGF), when applied within 12 hr after agonist stimulation. These results suggest that the proliferation of NIH-3T3 cells is stimulated by PGs via the PGF2 alpha receptor, EP1 subtype of PGE receptor, and the PGI2/PGE1 receptor through [Ca2+]i- and cAMP-dependent pathways, and that cAMP pathway negatively cross-talks with [Ca2+]i-or receptor tyrosine kinase-mediated DNA synthesis in a cell cycle-dependent manner.

Shift in sodium chloride sources in past 10 years of salt reduction campaign in Japan

Twenty four-hr total food duplicate samples were collected from nonsmoking house-wives (aged mostly 30 to 60 years) twice at a 10-year interval in winter seasons, once in around 1980 and then in around 1990 in 11 prefectures in Japan. In practice, 342 and 472 samples were obtained in the 1980 and 1990 studies, respectively. Sodium chloride (NaCl) intake via each food item was estimated from the weight of the item in the duplicate. The comparison of 1990 results with 1980 results showed that the total NaCl intake (i.e., NaCl intake via all food items) decreased after a 10-year campaign to lower salt intake. The NaCl/energy ratio however stayed essentially unchanged. Whereas NaCl intake via pickles decreased remarkably and that via miso paste [a fermentation product of soy bean, rice (or wheat) and salt] slightly, the decreases were counteracted by a substantial increase in NaCl intake via soy bean sauce. Meaning of this unexpected counteraction was discussed in relation to the difficulties in the campaign to lower salt intake.

Pharmacokinetics of tamsulosin hydrochloride in patients with renal impairment: effects of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein

The pharmacokinetics of tamsulosin hydrochloride in patients with renal impairment were compared with those in healthy volunteers, and the factors that influenced plasma levels of tamsulosin were elucidated. A single oral dose of 0.2 mg of tamsulosin was given and blood and urine samples were obtained for 36 hours after administration. Unbound plasma concentration of tamsulosin was measured by a combination of equilibrium dialysis and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry methods to examine the effect of protein binding on the pharmacokinetics of tamsulosin. Mean values for maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of total drug (Cmax,t and AUC1) in patients with renal impairment were 73% and 211% greater, respectively, than those in healthy volunteers. Mean Cmax and AUC of unbound drug (Cmax,u and AUCu), however, were almost the same in the two groups. A high correlation was found between alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AGP) concentration and AUCt, but no correlation was found between alpha 1-AGP concentration and AUCu,0-36) or between creatinine clearance (ClCR) and AUCu,0-36). These results show that in patients with renal impairment, the pharmacokinetics of tamsulosin are affected by the change in protein binding that is associated with alteration of plasma alpha 1-AGP concentration, but are not largely affected by the decrease in the renal excretion. Although total tamsulosin levels increased as plasma protein binding increased, unbound tamsulosin levels (which are directly associated with the pharmacologic effects) remained unchanged in these patients.

Effect of dose, sex and age on the drug disposition of incadronate, a new bisphosphonate, in rat bone

We investigated the effects of dose, sex and age on the uptake and elimination of incadronate, a new biosphosphonate, in rat bone after intravenous administration. Following administration of 0.03-3 mg/kg to young male rats (age 7 weeks),intact drug concentration in humerus at 24 hr after administration (C24 hr) increased in a dose-dependent manner, indicating the linear uptake of the drug into bone. The estimated bone uptake clearance of 0.13 ml/min./g bone is comparable to the estimated plasma flow rate in bone, suggesting that uptake into bone is plasma flow-limited. Concentration from 24 hr after administration had declined bi-exponentially. Although t1/2 beta (350-444 days) was little altered among doses, t1/2 alpha was prolonged with increasing dose from 13.4 to 16.2 days. This effect seemed to be due to inhibition of bone resorption at higher doses resulting in the suppression of drug release from bone. No sex difference was seen on C24 hr in young rats, while the value in senescent (age 12 months) rats was 24% greater in females than in males. When comparing between ages it is seen that C24 hr values in senescent rats decreased to 50-66% of those in young rats. As for elimination from bone, t1/2 beta values in senescent rats were shortened to 76-79% of those in young rats. In contrast, little difference in t1/2 alpha was observed between ages or in either t1/2 alpha and t1/2 beta between sexes.

Regulation of bcl-xL expression and Fas susceptibility in mouse B cells by CD40 ligation, surface IgM crosslinking and IL-4

CD40 is one of the key molecules involved in the survival, growth and differentiation of B lymphocytes. In contrast, Fas (Apo-1, CD95) mediates apoptosis of a variety of cell types, including lymphocytes. Recent studies have found that Fas expression on mouse B cells could be strongly induced by CD40 ligation, a helper T cell-derived signal. Here, evidence is provided that CD40 ligation induced two distinct signals: one leading to the upregulation of Fas and the other leading to the enhanced Fas susceptibility. B lymphoma cell lines, CH31 and WEHI279, expressed Fas on cell surfaces, but were resistant to anti-Fas antibody (Ab) induced apoptosis. Treatment with CD40 ligand (CD40L), however, greatly enhanced Fas susceptibility of these cells. Similarly, normal splenic B cells became highly susceptible to Fas-mediated apoptosis following prolonged signaling through CD40. While CD40 ligation enhanced Fas-mediated apoptosis, stimulation with anti-IgM and IL-4 partially protected CD40L-activated B cells from Fas-mediated apoptosis. It was found that bcl-xL gene expression in normal splenic B cells was induced drastically by treatment with anti-IgM and IL-4, but not CD40L. By contrast, the expression of bcl-2 or bax was not significantly affected by these treatments. Moreover, in three of the four B lymphoma cell lines tested, Fas susceptibility correlated with the status of bcl-xL expression. The data suggest that an increase in bcl-xL expression may protect B cells from Fas-mediated apoptosis.

Centrally acting histamine H1 antagonists promote the development of amygdala kindling in rats

We studied the effect of histamine H1 antagonists on the development of amygdala kindling, an experimental model of epilepsy, in rats. The centrally acting histamine H1 antagonists including pyrilamine (mepyramine) and ketotifen showed an acceleration in the rate of electrical stimulation to develop fully kindled convulsive seizures. On the contrary, epinastine, a histamine H1 antagonist which scarcely enters the brain, showed no acceleration. These findings suggest that the central histaminergic neuron system plays an inhibitory role on the seizure development through central histamine H1 receptors.

Fabrication of silver hollow nickel waveguides with multiple inner dielectric layers by the outer-coating method

Silver hollow nickel waveguides have been fabricated based on the outer-coating method with multiple inner dielectric layers composed of germanium and zinc sulfide. By choosing the sputtering conditions for germanium and zinc sulfide properly, we have fabricated, for the first time to our knowledge, a low-loss waveguide with multiple inner dielectric layers for Er:YAG laser light transmission.

Two types of defective human T-lymphotropic virus type I provirus in adult T-cell leukemia

Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), an aggressive neoplasm of mature helper T cells, is etiologically linked with human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-1). After infection, HTLV-I randomly integrates its provirus into chromosomal DNA. Since ATL is the clonal proliferation of HTLV-I-infected T lymphocytes, molecular methods facilitate the detection of clonal integration of HTLV-I provirus in ATL cells. Using Southern blot analyses and long polymerase chain reaction (PCR) we examined HTLV-I provirus in 72 cases of ATL, of various clinical subtypes. Southern blot analyses revealed that ATL cells in 18 cases had only one long terminal repeat (LTR). Long PCR with LTR primers showed bands shorter than for the complete virus (7.7 kb) or no bands in ATL cells with defective virus. Thus, defective virus was evident in 40 of 72 cases (56%). Two types of defective virus were identified: the first type (type 1) defective virus retained both LTRs and lacked internal sequences, which were mainly the 5' region of provirus, such as gag and pol. Type 1 defective virus was found in 43% of all defective viruses. The second form (type 2) of defective virus had only one LTR, and 5'-LTR was preferentially deleted. This type of defective virus was more frequently detected in cases of acute and lymphoma-type ATL (21/54 cases) than in the chronic type (1/18 cases). The high frequency of this defective virus in the aggressive form of ATL suggests that it may be caused by the genetic instability of HTLV-I provirus, and cells with this defective virus are selected because they escape from immune surveillance systems.

Projections of neurons in the intestinal nerve of Remak to the chicken intestine

To date, the exact site of the extrinsic postganglionic neurons innervating the intramural plexuses in the chicken intestine is unknown. In this study, neurons in the intestinal nerve of Remak (INR) were immunohistochemically labelled by injecting cholera toxin subunit B (CTb) into each one of the jejunal, ileal, cecal and rectal walls. The CTb-immunoreactive (IR) neurons were counted, and some sections from the rectal portion of INR (rectal INR) were also immunostained for either tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or methionine enkephalin (mENK). Following injection of CTb into the jejunum or ileum, only a few CTb-IR neurons were found in the jejunal or ileal part of INR caudal to the injection site. Following injection into the more caudal intestine, CTb-IR neurons were seen in the rectal INR. Of the 3490 CTb-IR neurons that were counted in the rectal INR, 40% projected into the rostral rectum, 24% into the caudal rectum, 17% into the ileum, 10% into the cecum and only 9% into the middle rectum. Rostrocaudally dividing the rectal INR into three parts, one third of the CTb-IR neurons in the rostral part projected into the rostral rectum, the majority of CTb-IR ones in the middle part innervated the rostral rectum, and half of CTb-IR neurons in the caudal part ran into the caudal rectum. Consequently, the rostral rectum received the densest innervation, and almost all the neurons in the rectal INR exhibited an ascending projection. By double labelling, CTb-IR neurons containing TH or mENK were observed in the rectal INR after the rectal injection. The mENK-IR neurons localized in middle and caudal parts of rectal INR amounted to one third of the total CTb-IR neurons, and mainly projected into the rostral and caudal rectum. TH-and mENK-immunonegative neurons were restricted to the rostral part of rectal INR and the more rostral level.

In-vitro metabolism of YM17E, an inhibitor of acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase, by liver microsomes in man

Because YM17E (1,3-bis[[1-cycloheptyl-3-(p-dimethylaminophenyl) ureido]methyl]benzene dihydrochloride) inhibits acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) it has potential application in the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia. In man and animals YM17E is extensively metabolized, via N-demethylation, to five active metabolites (M1, M2-a, M2-b, M3 and M4). The main objectives of this study were to examine inhibition of YM17E metabolism by the products and identify the cytochrome P450 isoforms in liver microsomes which catalyse in-vitro YM17E metabolism in man. In microsomes in man N-demethylation of YM17E to M1 occurred enzymatically; for up to 45 s the rate was linearly proportional to the microsomal protein concentration. This reaction was inhibited by metabolites M2-a, M2-b, M3 and M4. Further, N-demethylation of [14C]-YM17E was also inhibited by its product, M1. These results showed that primary metabolism of YM17E was inhibited by its products, and supported the finding that the non-linear increase in plasma concentration of the parent drug and metabolites observed in an in-vivo study was due to inhibition by these products. Metabolic activity in microsomes from ten individual human livers demonstrated that YM17E N-demethylase activity correlated closely with testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylase activity. When cytochrome P450 isozyme-specific substrates and chemical inhibitors were used to inhibit YM17E N-demethylase activity, CYP3A-specific substrate and inhibitors such as nifedipine, ketoconazole and triacetyloleandomycin strongly inhibited this activity, whereas CYP1A-specific substrate or inhibitor, ethoxyresorufin and alpha-naphthoflavone, inhibited weakly. Other CYP inhibitors, in contrast, had few or no effects. An inhibition study using anti-rat CYP1A1, CYP2B1, CYP2C11, CYP2E1 and CYP3A2 antibodies demonstrated that only anti-rat CYP3A2 antibody inhibited YM17E metabolism, to 40% of control level, with no other antibodies showing an inhibitory effect. Of seven cDNA-expressed P450 isoforms in man (CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4), CYP3A4, CYP2D6 and CYP1A2 isozyme exhibited substantial catalytic activity of N-demethylation of YM17E. These results indicate the predominant role of CYP3A4 in liver metabolism of YM17E in man.

Signaling toward yeast 1,3-beta-glucan synthesis

1,3-beta-glucan synthase catalyzes the synthesis of a 1,3-beta-linked glucan polymer which produces the main rigidity of the yeast cell wall. Recent success in purification of this enzyme by product entrapment (21) has provided new insights into the dynamic aspects of the cell wall. This relatively simple procedure made it possible to identify the genes encoding the catalytic subunits of glucan synthase. In addition, the involvement of a rho type GTPase in the regulation of glucan synthase was demonstrated with the purified enzyme. Based on intracellular localization of the glucan synthase subunits, we have proposed a model in which assembly of the subunits is important for the activation of glucan synthase at sites of polarized growth. In this article, we will focus on biochemistry of 1,3-beta-glucan synthase and signaling through rho type GTPase.

Effects of dopamine antagonists on neuronal histamine release in the striatum of rats subjected to acute and chronic treatments with methamphetamine

In this study, we examined the changes in neuronal histamine (HA) release in the rat striatum after acute and repeated administration of methamphetamine (METH). We studied the regulation of METH-induced HA release by dopamine receptors and the relationship between METH-induced HA release and stereotyped behavior. Acute administration of METH (1 mg/kg) significantly increased HA release 60 min later. Pretreatments with the dopamine D2 antagonists sulpiride and haloperidol blocked the METH-induced increase of HA release, whereas pretreatment with a dopamine D1 antagonist, SCH23390, did not. Moreover, repeated administration of METH (3 mg/kg) greatly enhanced the METH-induced increase of HA release 60, 80, 100, 120 and 180 min after rechallenge of METH (1 mg/kg). Repeated treatment with haloperidol and METH blocked the increase of HA release induced by the rechallenge of METH. The METH-induced increase of HA release was still found after the METH-induced stereotyped behavior decreased in both acute and repeated administrations of METH. These findings suggest that the METH-induced HA release in the striatum is controlled by dopamine D2 receptors and may play an important inhibitory role in the METH-induced stereotyped behavior. Furthermore, a persistent change in the HA neuron system through DA neurotransmission may be partially responsible for the METH-induced behavioral sensitization.

A variant CD30 protein lacking extracellular and transmembrane domains is induced in HL-60 by tetradecanoylphorbol acetate and is expressed in alveolar macrophages

We identified and cloned cDNAs for two novel CD30 mRNAs of 2.3 kb that are induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) in the human myeloid leukemia cell line HL-60. These transcripts were transcribed from the intronic region just upstream of the exon coding for the transmembrane domain of the CD30 protein. The shorter cDNA had a deletion of 54 nucleotides corresponding to the 3' region of the transmembrane domain of the CD30 and which was probably caused by alternative splicing. Translation of these transcripts appeared to start from the internal methionine codon at nucleotide position 289 that corresponds to that of 1612 in the CD30 cDNA, and encode a protein of 132 amino acid residues which corresponds exactly to the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain of CD30 protein. The calculated molecular mass of this variant CD30 (CD30v) protein was 14,087. Thus, the predicted CD30v protein retains most of the cytoplasmic region, but lacks the extracellular and transmembrane domains. Northern blots detected the expression of CD30v transcripts only in the lung and the TPA-stimulated HL-60 cell line. Translation of this mRNA in vitro produced a protein of 25 kD. Immunoblotting analysis with HCD30C1, a rabbit polyclonal antibody raised against the cytoplasmic domain of CD30 protein, detected proteins with an apparent Mr 25 kD expressed in TPA-stimulated HL-60 and COS-7 cells that were transfected with both types of CD30v cDNAs. Constitutive phosphorylation of the CD30v protein was demonstrated by in vitro labeling with [32P]. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated CD30v protein was in alveolar macrophages. Cotransfection experiments using a kappa B-site-dependent reporter construct showed that CD30v can transactivate gene expression through activation of NF kappa B, as was noted on the authentic CD30 protein. Overexpression of the CD30v induced differentiation of HL-60 cells as evidenced by an increased NBT reduction activity. These observations provided new insights into the molecular heterogeneity and biological function of CD30 in myeloid cells.

Effect of ethanol on esophageal cell proliferation and the development of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine induced-esophageal carcinoma in shrews

The effect of ethanol (EtOH) on esophageal cell proliferation and the development of esophageal cancers induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in shrews were investigated. Sequential histological examination was done, and cell proliferation was assessed by BrdU labeling. At 5 weeks of age, animals were given tap water, 2% EtOH, 50 ppm MNNG, or 50 ppm MNNG plus 2%, 5% or 10% EtOH in the drinking water. Administration of 10% and 5% EtOH simultaneously with MNNG caused death in 40% (10/25) within 4 days and in 20% (6/30) within 7 days respectively, whereas other treatment were well tolerated with no sudden deaths. Administration of 2% EtOH for 30 weeks caused a 2-fold increase, and that of MNNG caused a 4.5-fold increase in the proliferation index of the basal cells of the esophagus compared with control shrews, and MNNG plus 2% EtOH caused a 5.5-fold increase. In MNNG-treated shrews, with or without 2% EtOH administration, sequential histological examination of esophageal tissue revealed a similar change; dysplasia appeared at 30 weeks of age, squamous cell carcinoma occurred at 35 weeks of age, and the depth of invasion extended to adventitia at 45 weeks of age. These finding indicate that treatment with 2% EtOH promoted the proliferation of esophageal basal cells but did not alter the tumor induction period and did not have tumor-promoting activity. EtOH per se was not carcinogenic; no tumors were seen in shrews not administered MNNG.

Degenerative axonal swellings in the trigeminal ganglia of cattle

We examined the acidophilic oval structures which were frequently encountered in the trigeminal ganglia of cattle that clinically showed trigeminal disturbance. Histopathologically, these structures were composed of numerous fine granules and were generally located near the neuronal cell bodies. They were demonstrated in silver preparations and, using neuron-specific enolase, tau and ubiquitin antibodies. Electron microscopy revealed an accumulation of large membranous vesicles thought to be derived from the smooth endoplasmic reticulum of axons, a few degenerative mitochondria and non-membrane-bound osmiophilic debris. Such pathological alterations were consistent with degenerative axonal changes or enlargements, although the pathogenesis was not clear. It should be emphasized that such axonal degeneration is frequently observed as a nonspecific reaction in the trigeminal ganglia in various diseases that cause trigeminal failure in cattle.

Power spectral analysis for autonomic influences in heart rate and blood pressure variability in fetal lambs

Variability of R-R intervals and arterial blood pressure signals in chronically instrumented fetal lambs was analyzed by power spectral analysis based on an assumption of maximum entropy. There were four consistent components, very low (VL, 0.01-0.025 cycle/beat), low (L, 0.025-0.125 cycle/beat), middle (M, 0.125-0.2 cycle/beat), and high (H, 0.2-0.5 cycle/beat), in the normal heart rate variability and blood pressure spectra. Integrated peaks in the power spectrum were compared before and after the administration of sympathetic and parasympathetic blockades. beta-Sympathetic blockade reduced the spectral power in the VL and L frequency components. alpha-Sympathetic blockade reduced only the M frequency component in the spectrum of R-R interval variability. Parasympathetic blockade reduced the H and L frequency components in the R-R interval variability spectrum but increased these components in the systolic blood pressure variability spectrum. The results clearly demonstrate the association between fetal autonomic activity and change of power spectrum of heart rate and blood pressure variability.

Determination of ultratrace amounts of copper (II) by its catalytic effect on the oxidative coupling reaction of 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone with N-ethyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-sulfopropyl)-3,5-dimethoxyaniline

A spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of ultratrace amounts of copper(II) based on its catalytic effect on the oxidative coupling reaction of 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone with N-ethyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-sulfopropyl)-3,5-dimethoxyaniline to produce an intensely coloured dye (lambda(max) = 525 nm) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. In this reaction, pyridine acted as an effective activator for the catalysis of copper(II). By measuring the absorbance of the dye, copper(II) can be determined at the 0.002-0.1 ng cm(-3) (3.1 x 10(-11)-1.6 x 10(-9) mol dm(-3) level. The relative standard deviation for ten determinations of 0.06 ng cm(0-3) of copper(II) was 2.6%. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of copper(II) in tap water and biological material.

[The estimation of the curvature of visual space with a visual triangle]

Triangular properties which Blank (1961) proposed are useful in investigating the geometry of visual space. With this method, however, it is not possible to estimate quantitatively the curvature of visual space. In the present article, hyperbolic and elliptic triangles are described with mathematical equations in the two and three dimensional Euclidean maps, and a method is proposed to estimate the curvature with triangular properties. Further, one experiment is conducted to find how the curvature changes according to the experimental conditions. Visual triangles are constructed in an eye level plane, a slanted plane and a horopter plane. The result shows that the curvature is negative in the eye level plane and in the slanted plane, but positive in the horopter plane.

Effects of unilateral vagotomy on nitric oxide synthase and histamine H3 receptors in the rat dorsal vagal complex

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and histamine H3 receptors are both markedly increased by neuronal injuries. To examine whether peripheral axotomy produced differential changes in NOS and H3 receptors, both NOS and H3 receptors were measured in the dorsal vagal complex after unilateral vagotomy. The presence of NOS-positive neurons was examined using both NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry and neuronal NOS-immunohistochemistry in rats vagotomized at the mid-cervical level. NADPH-diaphorase activity and NOS-immunoreactivity were markedly enhanced on the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMX) and in the ambiguous nucleus at the denervated side. Intraperitoneal injection of NOS inhibitors, N omega-nitro-L-arginine (10 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg) attenuated the increase in NADPH-diaphorase activity. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was similarly induced 2 weeks after vagotomy in the vagal complex and surrounding area. Histamine H3 receptors in the vagal complex were visualized with [3H]N alpha-methylhistamine. The ligand-labeled H3 receptors were mainly located at the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST). The densities of H3 receptors did not change in the NST after unilateral vagotomy. These results suggest that peripheral axotomy such as mid-cervical vagotomy preferentially induces NOS in damaged neurons without affecting the level of H3 receptors.

Characterization of 42 highly polymorphic bovine microsatellite markers

We have isolated 42 highly polymorphic microsatellite (GT/CA)n markers from Japanese black cattle Wagyu (Bos taurus). Forty-one of the markers were assigned to bovine autosomes with lod scores > 6, through linkage analyses performed on the International Bovine Reference Family Panel (IBRP). The remaining marker showed X-linked inheritance. These markers exhibited an average heterozygosity value of 0.67 with between four and 17 alleles on the IBRP.