Direct projections from the entopeduncular nucleus to the lower brainstem in the rat

The present study reports the existence of projection fibers from the entopeduncular nucleus to the superior colliculus and lateral parts of the pontobulbar tegmental regions (so-called lateral tegmental field) in the rat, suggesting that the entopeduncular nucleus may control eye-head and orofacial movements via these projection fibers. The anterograde axonal tracing with Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin has revealed that the entopedunculotectal fibers terminate, bilaterally, with an ipsilateral predominance, in the deep layers of the superior colliculus through its rostral one-third level and that the entopedunculotegmental fibers terminate, bilaterally, with an ipsilateral predominance, in the parabrachial area, reticular formation surrounding the trigeminal motor nucleus, and parvicellular, dorsal, and ventral reticular nuclei. The cells of origin of the entopedunculotectal and entopedunculotegmental projections have been identified by retrograde axonal tracing with Fluoro-Gold and cholera toxin B subunit. The entopedunculotectal or entopedunculotegmental fibers originate, respectively, from the dorsal or ventral part of the entopeduncular nucleus. Additionally, a series of fluorescent retrograde double-labeling experiments with Fast Blue and Diamidino Yellow have indicated that single entopeduncular nucleus neurons projecting to the superior colliculus or lateral tegmental field often send their axon collaterals to the lateral habenular nucleus. The entopedunculotectal fibers are assumed to control head movements, which may be provoked via the tectospinal fibers, and further to participate in eye movements as the nigrotectal fibers that have been known to arise from the substantia nigra pars reticulata to end in the deep layers of the superior colliculus primarily through its caudal two-thirds level. The entopedunculotegmental fibers are presumed to be involved in control of orofacial movements, because the sites of termination of the entopedunculotegmental fibers correspond well with the reported areas of distribution of premotor interneurons for the trigeminal motor, facial, and hypoglossal nuclei.

pH-sensitive dissociation and association of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase from boar sperm acrosome

beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidase (beta-Hex, EC, 3.2.1.52) was released from cauda epididymal boar sperm by treatment with ionophore A23187, indicating that this enzyme is localized in the acrosome. beta-Hex was extracted on a large scale, with 2% acetic acid containing 0.2% Brij 35, from washed ejaculated sperm. By gel filtration chromatography, beta-Hex was separated into a high-molecular-weight fraction (beta-Hex I) and a low-molecular-weight fraction (beta-Hex I). beta-Hex I, which is predominant under acidic conditions (pH 6.5), dissociated into beta-Hex II under alkaline conditions (pH 7.4). beta-Hex II, converted from beta-Hex I, associated again to form beta-Hex I under acidic conditions. By sequential chromatography on ion-exchange, lectin, gel filtration, and ion-exchange HPLC columns, beta-Hex I and II were purified 1200-fold and 4000-fold, respectively, with a combined recovery of 23% as measured with synthetic substrate. An inhibitor of beta-Hex, O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranosylidene) amino N-phenyl-carbamate (PUGNAC), reduced the in vitro fertilization rate in porcine cumulus-enclosed eggs, but barely changed the rate when cumulus-free eggs were used. beta-Hex I was shown to possess cumulus dispersion activity, suggesting that beta-Hex plays a role in the passing by sperm through cumulus cells before they bind to the zona pellucida.

Photodynamic therapy and/or external beam radiation therapy for roentgenologically occult lung cancer

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

Thirty-nine roentgenologically occult lung cancers in 29 patients were treated using photodynamic therapy (PDT) and/or thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) from January 1986 to March 1992. With the exception of one mixed-tumor case, all were squamous cell carcinomas.

RESULTS

Initial PDT achieved complete responses in 25 of 39 (64%) of the cancers. Of the remaining 14 cancers that showed less than complete response (CR), 10 of the 14 (71.4%) showed a CR when subsequently treated with TRT, yielding an overall CR rate of 89.7% for cancers treated. Although nine patients experienced recurrences, six of these had CR when treated with PDT and/or TRT. To date, 22 patients are alive. Causes of death in the patients enrolled in this study are as follows: pyothorax (2); heart failure due to pulmonary hypertension (1); chronic respiratory insufficiency (1); subsequent primary brain cancer (1); and subsequent primary lung cancer (1). Only one died of primary lung cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that PDT and/or TRT may be used as an alternative to surgery in the treatment of selected patients with roentgenologically occult lung cancer.

Direct projections from the deep layers of the superior colliculus to the subthalamic nucleus in the rat

Direct projections from the superior colliculus to the subthalamic nucleus were found in the rat in antero- and retrograde tracing experiments; these projections arose mainly from the deep layers of the superior colliculus at its middle to caudal levels. The present findings suggest that signals from the deep layers of the superior colliculus may modulate the basal ganglia activity during orienting behavior.

Sustained release of phenytoin following the oral administration of phenytoin sodium/ethylcellulose microcapsules in human subjects and rabbits

Phenytoin sodium was microencapsulated with ethylcellulose (EC) by a coacervation-phase separation method from ethyl acetate solution to develop a prolonged release dosage form of phenytoin. Release of phenytoin from the microcapsules (phenytoin sodium/EC) was evaluated by the JP dissolution test in JP disintegration media No. 1 and No. 2. The release rates of phenytoin from phenytoin sodium powders were extremely rapid in both media, however, the release rates from the microcapsules were much more retarded. Following the oral administration of microcapsules to rabbits, prolonged plasma concentrations of phenytoin were obtained, while microcapsules orally administered to human subjects showed prolonged urinary excretion of phenytoin metabolites.

[Pharmacological action of anabolic steroids]

Anabolic steroids (AS) are derivatives of androgen (testosterone and its close relatives). AS have been primarily developed for clinical use as anabolic agents with the expectation that they would be relatively less androgenic than testosterone and its close relatives. Various AS are applied to clinical use, but none is free from androgenic activity. Relation between chemical structure and anabolic-androgenic potency of various AS is summarized. AS action in erythropoiesis operates through increased porphyrin formation and production of erythropoietin. Mechanism of AS action in bone formation is suggested that AS potentiate intestinal 1.25(OH)2D receptors. Identification of androgen receptors in normal human osteoblast-like cells suggest that AS act directly on receptor-mediated mechanism. The other action of AS is briefly summarized.

Direct projections from the non-laminated divisions of the medial geniculate nucleus to the temporal polar cortex and amygdala in the cat

The medial geniculate nucleus (MG) is well known to send projection fibers not only to the auditory cortex, but also to the limbic structures of the forebrain including the perirhinal cortex and amygdala. In the cat, the non-laminated portions of the MG are also known to project to the amygdala, as well as to the auditory cortical areas surrounding the primary auditory area. On the other hand, projections from the non-laminated MG to the limbic cortical areas have not so far been studied systematically. Thus, in the present study, direct projections from the non-laminated portions of the medial geniculate nucleus to the temporal polar cortex and amygdala were examined in the cat by retrograde and anterograde tract-tracing techniques. The temporal polar cortex is the ventral polar region of the posterior sylvian and posterior ectosylvian gyri, which is located dorsal to the posterior rhinal sulcus and includes the ectorhinal area. After injection of cholera toxin B subunit into the temporal polar cortex, retrogradely labeled neurons were seen in the caudal two-thirds of the medial geniculate nucleus ipsilateral to the injection; they were distributed in the non-laminated portions of the MG (the dorsal and medial divisions and the ventromedial part of the ventral division), but not in the laminated portion (the principal part of the ventral division). These findings were confirmed by injecting Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin into each division of the MG. After the injection into each non-laminated division, terminal labeling was observed in the temporal polar cortex. Terminal labeling was further found in the lateral amygdaloid nucleus ipsilateral to the injection. Then, cholera toxin B subunit was injected into the lateral amygdaloid nucleus; retrogradely labeled neurons were observed ipsilaterally in the non-laminated portions of the MG, as well as in the temporal polar cortex. The results indicate that the non-laminated portions of the MG send projection fibers to the temporal polar cortex and lateral amygdaloid nucleus, and that the non-laminated portions of the MG and temporal polar cortex give rise to overlapping projections to the lateral amygdaloid nucleus. These connections appear to constitute neuronal links in "emotional" and/or "motivational" circuitry in the forebrain.

Juvenile variant of Schimke immunoosseous dysplasia

We report on a 16-year-old girl with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, nephrotic syndrome, lymphopenia, and signs of defective cellular immunity. The manifestations are very similar to those reported by Spranger et al. [1991: J. Pediatr 119: 64-72] as Schimke immunoosseous dysplasia, except for age of onset. In Schimke immunoosseous dysplasia, growth retardations as an initial symptom is noted in early childhood and about 1 year after onset of progressive proteinuria. In our case the skeletal abnormality was noted at age 10 years as dislocation of the hip joints and the diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome was made at age 16 years. The findings strongly suggest that our patient has a juvenile variant of Schimke immunoosseous dysplasia.

Dopamine depletion in nigrostriatal neurons in the genetically diabetic rat

Employing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry, we have revealed that the enzyme is depleted in nigrostriatal neurons in the genetically diabetic BB Wistar (BBWd) rat. A similar, but much less marked reduction in TH immunoreactivity occurred in the mesolimbic dopamine system, which arises from the ventral tegmental area and terminates in the nucleus accumbens. The projection to the olfactory tubercle appeared unaffected. Since the decreased levels of dopamine in the mesencephalic dopamine systems could not be restored under insulin-controlled conditions, the impairment of dopamine biosynthesis in the BBWd rat may be genetically programmed.

Topographical organization of subicular neurons projecting to subcortical regions

Direct projections from the subiculum to the septum, thalamus, and hypothalamus were studied in the rat by the fluorescent retrograde double-labeling technique with Fast blue and Diamidino yellow. The results confirm and extend the previously reported findings. The dorsal subiculum projects primarily to the lateral septum, anterior and midline thalamus, and mammillary complex. The distribution areas of cell bodies of these projection neurons are substantially segregated, depending on their target region, and few single neurons project to two of the target regions by way of axon collaterals. The ventral subiculum projects mainly to the lateral septum, midline thalamus, and ventromedial hypothalamic area. The distribution areas of cell bodies of these projection neurons are considerably overlapped with one another, and a number of single neurons send axon collaterals to two of the lateral septum, midline thalamus, and ventromedial hypothalamic area. It is, thus, indicated that the populations of subicular neurons projecting to each of the subcortical structures examined are more distinctly segregated in the dorsal subiculum than in the ventral subiculum.

Topographic organization of collateral projections from the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus to both the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens in the rat

The basolateral amygdaloid nucleus, a limbic/autonomic center in the basal forebrain, has been known to send projection fibers to the prelimbic and dorsal agranular insular areas in the prefrontal cortex, as well as to the nucleus accumbens. In the present study, we investigated single basolateral amygdaloid nucleus neurons sending their axons to both the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens. The fluorescent retrograde double-labeling technique was employed in the rat; True Blue was injected into the prelimbic or dorsal agranular insular cortex, and Diamidino Yellow into the medial or lateral part of the nucleus accumbens. The majority of basolateral amygdaloid nucleus neurons projecting to the dorsal agranular insular cortex or prelimbic cortex were located, respectively, in the rostral two-thirds or caudal two-thirds of the nucleus, while those projecting to the medial or lateral part of the nucleus accumbens were diffusely distributed in the nucleus. Almost 50% of basolateral amygdaloid nucleus neurons projecting to the prelimbic cortex sent their axon collaterals to the medial part of the nucleus accumbens. About 30-40% of basolateral amygdaloid nucleus neurons projecting to the dorsal agranular insular cortex or prelimbic cortex issued their axon collaterals to the lateral part of the nucleus accumbens. The axons bifurcating to both the dorsal agranular insular cortex and lateral part of the nucleus accumbens, those bifurcating to both the prelimbic cortex and lateral part of the nucleus accumbens, or those bifurcating to both the prelimbic cortex and medial part of the nucleus accumbens arose preferentially from the rostral, middle or caudal parts of the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Urinary levels of gamma-carboxyglutamic acid and its clinical significance

Urinary gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (gamma-Gla) levels were determined in healthy subjects of all ages. The urinary gamma-Gla levels were highest in infants (0-1 years), then fell in an age-dependent manner, again in subjects reaching a minimum value in adults, then gradually increased over 60 years of age. Urinary gamma-Gla levels therefore change markedly with aging. The relationships between the urinary gamma-Gla excretion and plasma levels of prothrombin and protein C in patients with various hepatic diseases or diabetes mellitus were examined and compared with those in healthy adults. Both plasma prothrombin and protein C levels were decreased in all patients with liver disease compared with healthy adults. In patients with hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, the decrease did not, however, affect the gamma-Gla excretion. In addition, in patients with hepatoma or carcinoma with liver metastases, the urinary gamma-Gla levels were increased. In patients with diabetes mellitus, the urinary gamma-Gla levels and plasma levels of prothrombin and protein C tended to increase, but this was not significant. The present results indicate that simultaneous measurement of the levels of urinary gamma-Gla and plasma prothrombin and protein C is a useful tool for the diagnosis of liver diseases and diabetes mellitus.

Formation and resolution of brain edema associated with brain tumors. A comprehensive theoretical model and clinical analysis

The purpose of this study is to quantify the relative contribution of the mechanisms in the absorption of edema fluid. The convection/diffusion and the comprehensive bulk flow model were applied for the finite element analysis of peritumoral brain edema. For clinical analysis, 90 meningiomas studied by MRI were selected. Serial CT scan and MRI were performed at 0, 2, 4, 6 hours after injection of Iopamidol or Gadpenteic acid respectively. Then the tracer distributions in the edematous brain was analyzed. The tracer movement in the brain is well represented by the convection/diffusion equation. The absence of the preferential fluid flow directing toward the ventricle indicates that a limited role of CSF sink action into the ventricle. From capillary surface area (240 cm2/g brain), capillary hydraulic conductivity (1.8 x 10(-8) ml/cmH2O/cm2/min) and the simulated average tissue pressure of 9.8 mmHg, maximum absorption rate into capillaries was estimated to be 0.003 ml/h/cm3 brain tissue. Considering the limited role of edema fluid clearance into the ventricle, the results indicate a possible role of subarachnoid CSF space for the clearance of edema fluid. The clearance of edema fluid into subarachnoid CSF space should be studied quantitatively. Finally, unification of the convection/diffusion and the comprehensive bulk flow model will provide a more quantitative analysis of edema formation and resolution by using MRI and tracer studies.

[Changes in the blood flow in celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery after stellate ganglion block]

We evaluated the effect of stellate ganglion block (SGB) on the blood flow of celiac artery (CA) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) by using the ultrasonic pulse Doppler technique. The subjects were 15 healthy volunteers (14 males, one female; average 26 years old; 22-38). Right C7-SGB was performed using 5 ml of 1% mepivacaine at the 7th cervical process. Blood pressure, heart rate, mean blood flow velocity and diameter in CA and SMA, were measured after 5 minute rest, before and after SGB. To measure the flow velocity and the diameter of vessels, ultrasonic diagnostic equipment SSA-270A or SSA-260A (Thoshiba CO, Ltd.) with convex electric-phased 3.75 MHz, probe was used. Doppler shiftgrams of the CA and SMA were recorded. Then, we calculated their flow volume and sectional area of vessels. In CA mean blood flow velocity tended to decrease (P < 0.05) and both flow volume and sectional area of vessels tended to increase (P < 0.001). In SMA, mean flow velocity tended to decrease (P < 0.05) and sectional area increased (P < 0.001). But flow volume did not show significant change. Our results indicate that right C7-SGB leads to an increase in the blood flow of CA.

[Chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer]

This paper describes the results of a randomized trial comparing alternating chemotherapy with standard chemotherapy and of a trial of dose intensive chemotherapy with or without recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). 1) Between April 1985 and May 1988, the Japan Clinical Oncology Group conducted a randomized phase III trial of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and vincristine (CAV) versus cisplatin and etoposide (PE) versus CAV alternating with PE (CAV/PE). Three hundred patients were entered in the study, and 288 of them were eligible for analysis. The response rates for PE (78%) and CAV/PE (76%) were significantly higher than the rate for CAV (55%) (p < 0.01). The median survival time (MST) with CAV/PE (11.8 months) was superior to that with CAV (9.9 months) (p = 0.027) or that with PE (9.9 months) (p = 0.056); however, the survival advantage of CAV/PE disappeared when the data were adjusted for prognostic factors. These results have shown that CAB/PE is a reasonable approach for the management of SCLC. 2) Between May 1989 and September 1991, we carried out a randomized study to determine whether the dose intensity of the weekly CODE (cyclophosphamide, Oncovin, doxorubicin and etoposide) chemotherapy could be increased by the addition of G-CSF support. Sixty-three patients were entered in this study. The use of G-CSF was associated with a reduced incidence of neutropenic fever and an increase in the dose intensity. The MST for the patients treated with CODE plus G-CSF (58 weeks) was significantly longer than that for the patients treated with CODE alone (36 weeks). The results of this study showed that dose intensive weekly chemotherapy may improve the outcome of patients with ED-SCLC.

[Clinical evaluation of ultrasonic measurement of the calcaneal bone]

We measured the speed of sound (SOS) and broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) in the calcaneal bone and compared those values with bone mineral density (BMD) as assessed by single X-ray absorptiometry and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Calcaneal speed of sound and broad band ultrasound attenuation showed an earlier decrease with age than lumbar BMD, Calcaneal SOS and BUA correlated well with calcaneal BMD. Calcaneal SOS correlated more closely with neck BMD than lumbar BMD measured by DXA. Furthermore, measurement of calcaneal SOS is more useful than measurement of lumbar BMD to evaluate femoral neck BMD, which might be very important for clinical purposes. Both body weight and height correlated well with calcaneal BMD but not so well with calcaneal SOS or BUA. As ultrasound emits no radiation, we can use it without the restriction of radiation protection.

[Neutrophil functions during treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the elderly with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: including two patients accompanied with interstitial pneumonitis during the treatment with G-CSF]

We examined neutrophil functions in seven elderly patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma before and during treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) at the neutropenic stage after combination chemotherapy. Subcutaneous injection of 75 micrograms/d of G-CSF produced by E. coli was started when the neutrophil count decreased less than 1,500/microliter, and continued until the neutrophil count increased to about 10,000/microliter. The phagocytic activity of neutrophils from the elderly on day 3 of G-CSF treatment was markedly enhanced; 1,129.9 +/- 403 ps/100 PMNs, which was 185.7 +/- 31.4% (p < 0.001) as compared with that before G-CSF treatment. The neutrophil alkaline phosphatase (NAP) activity was also enhanced on day 3; 398.3 +/- 48 score, which was 135.2 +/- 5.1% (p < 0.001) as compared with that before G-CSF treatment. Two patients developed interstitial pneumonitis during or shortly after the treatment with G-CSF. Interstitial pneumonitis suddenly developed when their neutrophil count was increased, and the phagocytic activity and NAP activity recovered. The phagocytic activity of neutrophils from them was enhanced to 1,090 +/- 26 ps/100 PMNs and 772 ps/100 PMNs during the treatment with G-CSF, as compared with that before G-CSF treatment of 644 +/- 29 ps/100 PMNs and 465 +/- 69 ps/100 PMNs, respectively. The NAP activity was also enhanced to 372 from 264. One patient suffered from transient pulmonary dysfunction during the treatment with G-CSF. His neutrophil count was more than 13,000/microliter, and the phagocytic activity enhanced to 949 +/- 105 ps/100 PMNs. Dyspnea with suppressed PaO2 recovered reversibly after cessation of G-CSF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The central visual field defects in low-tension glaucoma. A comparison of the central visual field defects in low-tension glaucoma with those in primary open angle glaucoma]

To discover if there is difference in central visual field damage between low-tension glaucoma (LTG) and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) eyes, the data obtained with the 10-2 threshold program of the Humphrey visual field analyzer were analysed using logistic discriminant analysis. One hundred and four LTG eyes from 65 case (maximum IOP < or = 21 mmHg) and 48 POAG eyes from 34 cases (maximum IOP > or = 25 mmHg) with early to moderately advanced visual field damage were included. There was no significant difference in mean deviation (MD, STATPAC), refraction, or age between the 2 groups. The analysis demonstrated that an arcuate area in the upper central 5-10 degrees of the visual field was significantly more depressed in LTG than in POAG eyes.

[Radioimmunoassay for the pyridinoline cross-linked carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (1CTP)--some basic aspects of the RIA kit and clinical evaluation in various bone diseases]

A radioimmunoassay for circulating levels of the pyridinoline cross-linked carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (1CTP) was developed and can be available as a kit on a commercial base. Using the kits, we evaluated basically and clinically the assay. The assayed values were reproducible and the assay can detect as low as 0.5 ng/ml of 1CTP. In healthy volunteers, circulating level was high under age 24 and over age 46. In patients with bone metastasis, serum levels elevated even in its early stage and correlated well with clinical status. In other bone diseases, such as primary hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, post-gastrectomy, hypercalcemia of malignancy and myeloma, serum levels elevated according to their clinical conditions. In patients with chronic renal failure, serum levels were high, suggesting decrease of renal clearance of 1CTP. The circulating 1CTP levels seemed to reflect well clinical bone destructive status. A high correlation between serum 1CTP level and urinary pyridinoline (r = 0.884) was shown, whereas essentially no correlation was observed between bone formation markers such as osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase. Thus, the measurement of circulating 1CTP seems to be a simple and sensitive method to monitor bone destruction.

Bioavailability and diuretic effect of bumetanide following rectal administration of suppositories containing weak acids in human subjects

The bioavailability of bumetanide following the oral administration of tablets, or the rectal administration of either macrogol suppositories or suppositories with and without weak acids were evaluated in human subjects. The absorption of bumetanide from those suppositories containing bumetanide without weak acids (control suppositories) was extremely poor, while the absorption from those suppositories containing citric acid or tartaric acid was enhanced. The mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) following the rectal administration of the suppositories containing citric acid and tartaric acid was 52 and 62%, respectively, of that following the oral administration. On the other hand, the absorption rate constant (ka) and the mean residence time (MRT) following the rectal administration of the suppositories containing weak acids increased significantly compared to those administered orally. The time (Tmax) required to achieve the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) in the plasma following the rectal administration of the suppositories containing weak acids was significantly shortened compared to the time of those administered orally. These results indicated that the bumetanide contained in the suppositories containing weak acids might be absorbed rapidly after administration. The diuretic effect of bumetanide following the oral and rectal administration was also evaluated. Sufficient diuretic effects were obtained following the rectal administration of the suppositories containing weak acids.

3-Acetylpyridine neurotoxicity to the nigrostriatal dopamine system in mice

Employing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry, the neurotoxic effects of 3-acetylpyridine (3-AP), a potent neurotoxin selective to olivocerebellar climbing fibers, on the mesencephalic dopamine systems were investigated in mice. Systemic injections of 3-AP resulted in a large loss of TH-immunoreactive nigrostriatal neurons. On the other hand, 3-AP neurotoxicity to the mesolimbic dopamine system was much less drastic. The 3-AP-induced concurrent loss of olivocerebellar and nigrostriatal neurons may replicate an essential neuropathological feature of olivopontocerebellar atrophy-associated parkinsonism.