Identification of periaqueductal gray and dorsal raphe nucleus neurons projecting to both the trigeminal sensory complex and forebrain structures: a fluorescent retrograde double-labeling study in the rat

The midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) including the dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) has been known to contain serotoninergic neurons projecting to many brain regions. Employing fluorescent retrograde double labeling combined with immunofluorescence histochemistry for serotonin (5-HT), we examined in the rat whether or not single PAG/DR neurons with 5-HT send their axons to both the trigeminal sensory complex and forebrain regions. Stereotaxic injections of Diamidino Yellow (DY) and Fast Blue (FB) were performed unilaterally; DY was injected into the caudal spinal trigeminal nucleus or principal sensory trigeminal nucleus, and FB into the ventrolateral orbital cortex, nucleus accumbens or amygdala. A small percentage of PAG/DR neurons were doubly labeled with DY and FB, and the majority of them showed 5-HT-like immunoreactivity (5-HT-LI). Most of these 5-HT-LI PAG/DR neurons that were indicated to send their axons simultaneously to both the trigeminal sensory complex and forebrain regions were distributed in the ventrolateral PAG subdivision and ventral aspects of the medial PAG subdivision at the middle and caudal PAG levels, bilaterally with a predominant distribution on the side ipsilateral to the injections. This indicates a possible role of these PAG/DR neurons in the limbic or affective-motivational aspect of the pain-related neural system.

The sites of origin of serotoninergic afferent fibers in the trigeminal motor, facial, and hypoglossal nuclei in the rat

The sites of origin of serotoninergic afferents in the trigeminal motor (Vm), facial (VII), and hypoglossal nuclei (XII) were studied in the rat by fluorescent retrograde labeling with Fluoro-Gold, in combination with immunofluorescence histochemistry for serotonin (5-HT). The results indicated: (1) The nucleus raphe magnus, nucleus raphe pallidus, and nucleus raphe obscurus contained 5-HT neurons projecting to the Vm, VII or XII. (2) The nucleus raphe dorsalis sends 5-HT fibres to the Vm and VII, but not to the XII. (3) The gigantocellular reticular nucleus pars alpha contained 5-HT neurons projecting to the VII.

Demonstration of habenular neurons which receive afferent fibers from the nucleus accumbens and send their axons to the midbrain periaqueductal gray

After injecting Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) and wheat germ agglutinin conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP), respectively, into the medial part of the nucleus accumbens (NA) and the midbrain periaqueductal gray including the dorsal raphe nucleus (PAG/DR) on one side of single rat brains, we observed that axon terminals labeled anterogradely with PHA-L made possible synaptic contact with neurons in the habenula (Hb) which were retrogradely labeled with WGA-HRP. These Hb neurons were distributed in the medial part of the lateral Hb. The results indicate that the medial part of the lateral Hb relays neuronal information from the medial part of the NA to the PAG/DR.

[High-dose chemoradiotherapy combined with recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) in a case of refractory acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)]

Recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) stimulates the growth of myeloid leukemic cells and increases their susceptibility to cell-cycle specific agents. We treated a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in a state of second resistant relapse, with high-dose chemoradiotherapy combined with rhGM-CSF (total body irradiation: TBI 3Gy x 4, on days -8 & -7; cytosine arabinoside: Ara-C 3g/m2, iv, q12h, on days -5-2; rhGM-CSF 250 micrograms/m2/day, cont.iv, on days -5-2) followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). In this case, rhGM-CSF enhanced the proliferation of leukemic cells in vitro. The test dose of rhGM-CSF (84 micrograms/m2 over 8 hours) also promoted leukemic cell proliferation in vivo, resulting in an increase in the percentage of leukemic cells in the peripheral blood and reappearance of chromosomal aberrations in the bone marrow. The toxicity of rhGM-CSF-combined conditioning regimen included fever and mild liver damage. The patient achieved a complete remission lasting for 2 months, then relapsed. The rhGM-CSF-combined conditioning regimen was tolerated by this patient, but further studies will be required to confirm not only its safety but also its effectiveness in the treatment of refractory AML.

The sites of origin of dopaminergic afferent fibers to the lateral habenular nucleus in the rat

The lateral habenular nucleus of the rat contains a dense plexus of dopaminergic fibers, which are more marked in the medial part of the lateral habenular nucleus than in its lateral counterpart. Employing a combination of fluorescent retrograde axonal tracing with fluorogold and tyrosine hydroxylase immunofluorescence histochemistry, we investigated the distribution of cells of origin of the dopaminergic afferent fibers to the lateral habenular nucleus in the rat. The cells double-labeled with both fluorogold injected into the lateral habenular nucleus and tyrosine hydroxylase antisera were seen in a variety of fore- and midbrain regions, including the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, medial preoptic area, periventricular, ventromedial, and dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei, ventral tegmental area, interfascicular nucleus, substantia nigra pars compacta, ventrolateral division of the midbrain periaqueductal gray, and dorsal raphe nucleus. The double-labeled cells were located bilaterally with an ipsilateral predominance, and constituted approximately 10% of the total fluorogold-positive cell population. We have further observed by anterograde axonal tracing with Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin that projection fibers arising from the sites of origin of the dopaminergic afferent fibers to the lateral habenular nucleus terminate mainly in the medial part of the lateral habenular nucleus, and to a lesser extent in its lateral counterpart. Thus, we have found in the present study that the dopaminergic neurons sending their axons to the lateral habenular nucleus are widely distributed in the A9, A10, A14, and A15 dopaminergic cell groups. Such dopaminergic neurons may exert regulatory influences upon many limbic-associated brain regions via the lateral habenular nucleus.

Deregulated c-fos modulates IgG2b production of B cells mediated by lipopolysaccharide

We have examined effects of the deregulated c-fos protein on IgG2b production of B cells cultured with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) using splenic B cells from a transgenic line carrying the mouse c-fos gene under the control of the interferon alpha/beta (IFN) inducible Mx promoter (Mx-c-fosD). High c-fos expression was induced in the Mx-c-fosD B cells during the first two days of culture. DNA synthesis and IgG2b production were augmented in the culture. When IFN was added together with LPS, the high c-fos expression was prolonged until day 3 of culture. IgG2b production was remarkably suppressed. However, the production was not suppressed by upregulation of c-fos via exogenous IFN on day 4 of culture. These results suggest a regulatory effect of the c-fos protein on the differentiation of B cells to IgG2b producing cells at a distinct period.

Different sensitivity to amiloride of body and tail skins of Rana catesbeiana tadpoles during metamorphosis

Regional differences in potential difference and short-circuit current between the body (dorsal) and the tail skin during metamorphosis of Rana catesbeiana tadpoles were investigated. In body skin, the potential difference and the short-circuit current across the skin develop in two successive steps. At stage XX, the potential difference and the short-circuit current across the body skins were amiloride-insensitive (1st step). At stage XXII, however, amiloride-sensitive potential difference and the short circuit current appeared (2nd step). By contrast, in tail skin the potential difference and the short-circuit current remained amiloride-insensitive (1st step) even at stage XXIII. Since the tail regresses after stage XXIII, the appearance of the second step could not be followed in vivo. To determine whether or not the second step can be induced in the tail, tail skin was cultured under conditions where the skin survives for a much longer period than it does in normally developing tadpoles. Such cultured tail skin generated the amiloride-sensitive potential difference and the short-circuit current and cultured body skin also generated them. Therefore, development of the 2nd step in the tail skin may be delayed in vivo. To characterize the differences between body and tail skin, skins were mutually grafted between body and tail at stage XIII-XV. The body skin grafted on the tail underwent both the 1st and 2nd steps by stage XXII, whereas the tail skin grafted on the body only showed the 1st step by the same stage. These results suggest that the regional specificity of the skin is already established before the prometamorphic stage.

Serotoninergic projections from the dorsal raphe nucleus to the nucleus submedius in the rat and cat

The nucleus submedius in the medial thalamus has been known to receive spinothalamic and trigeminothalamic fibers, and to contain neurons which can be activated by noxious stimuli. These previous findings suggest that the nucleus submedius may be involved in the processing and relay of pain-related information. In the present study, we immunohistochemically observed in the rat and cat that the nucleus submedius was distributed with a considerable amount of serotoninergic fibers. After iontophoretic injection of cholera toxin B subunit into the nucleus submedius, the sequential double-antigen immunofluorescence histochemistry for retrogradely transported cholera toxin B subunit and serotonin revealed that the serotoninergic fibers to the nucleus submedius arose mainly from the dorsal raphe nucleus, and additionally from the ventrolateral and medial parts of the midbrain periaqueductal gray. The direct projections from the dorsal raphe nucleus to the nucleus submedius were confirmed by anterograde axonal tracing after iontophoretic injection of Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin into the dorsal raphe nucleus. The disappearance of almost all serotoninergic fibers in the nucleus submedius was also observed after destruction of the dorsal raphe nucleus. The fluorescent retrograde double-labeling with Diamidino Yellow and Fast Blue further revealed that some neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus projecting directly to the nucleus submedius sent their axon collaterals to the ventrolateral orbital region of the cerebral cortex, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, nucleus raphe magnus, caudal spinal trigeminal nucleus, or spinal cord. The possible roles of the serotoninergic projections from the dorsal raphe nucleus to the nucleus submedius in pain control and/or the olfactolimbic functions are discussed.

Ultrastructural localization of calcium in the chick yolk sac membrane endodermal cells as revealed by cytochemistry and X-ray microanalysis

The yolk sac membrane (YSM) of the chick embryo transports calcium from the yolk into the embryonic circulation during the first half of development, but the intracellular pathway of calcium transport is poorly understood. In the present study, the ultrastructural localization of calcium was investigated in cells of the YSM of 9-day chick embryos. X-ray microanalysis as well as cytochemical techniques performed on yolk sac membrane cells treated with potassium oxalate, potassium ferricyanide and potassium antimonate demonstrated accumulation of calcium in yolk granules, digested yolk products, electron-dense bodies (EDBs; 100-400 nm diameter) and electron-dense granules (EDGs; 30-50 nm diameter). When strontium ions were injected into the yolk, they were incorporated into the endodermal cells and sequestered specifically in EDGs. From these results, we propose that calcium enters the endodermal cells by endocytosis of calcium-containing yolk granules, as well as through calcium channels in the apical cell membrane. In the cytoplasm, digested yolk products, EDBs, and EDGs act as sites of sequestration and accumulation of calcium. Extrusion of intracellular calcium into the extracellular space and embryonic circulation is accomplished by exocytosis of calcium-containing material and via an ion pump in the basal cell membrane.

Identification of premotor interneurons which project bilaterally to the trigeminal motor, facial or hypoglossal nuclei: a fluorescent retrograde double-labeling study in the rat

With the aid of a fluorescent retrograde double-labeling technique, we examined in the rat the distribution of single neurons which project bilaterally to one of the orofacial motor nuclei (the trigeminal motor, facial and hypoglossal nuclei) by branching axons. The results suggested that premotor interneurons were distributed most frequently in the medial part of the parvicellular reticular nucleus; such neurons were further scattered in the other regions of the medullary reticular formation, in the regions around the trigeminal motor nucleus, in the parabrachial area, and in the mesencephalic reticular formation.

Direct projections from the midbrain periaqueductal gray and the dorsal raphe nucleus to the trigeminal sensory complex in the rat

It is well known that analgesia can be produced by stimulation of the midbrain periaqueductal gray and dorsal raphe nucleus. This stimulation-produced analgesia may operate, at least partly, through direct projections to nociceptors in the primary sensory nuclei. In the present study, direct projections from the midbrain periaqueductal gray and dorsal raphe nucleus to the trigeminal sensory complex were studied in the rat. After injection of Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin into the periaqueductal gray or dorsal raphe nucleus, terminal labeling was found in the principal sensory trigeminal nucleus and the oral, interpolar and caudal subnuclei of the spinal trigeminal nucleus, bilaterally with an ipsilateral predominance. The terminal labeling was prominent in the ventrolateral parts of the trigeminal sensory complex; it was particularly marked in the principal sensory trigeminal nucleus and laminae I and III of the caudal subnucleus of the spinal trigeminal nucleus. After injection of cholera toxin B subunit into the principal sensory trigeminal nucleus or one of the subnuclei of the spinal trigeminal nucleus, retrogradely labeled cells were seen in the periaqueductal gray and dorsal raphe nucleus, bilaterally with an ipsilateral dominance. In the periaqueductal gray they were most often seen in the ventrolateral and dorsolateral subdivisions, but no particular topographic organization was detected in the distribution of retrogradely labeled neurons in the periaqueductal gray and dorsal raphe nucleus after tracer injection into each subdivision of the trigeminal sensory complex. After injections of Fast Blue and Diamidino Yellow, respectively, into the principal sensory trigeminal nucleus and the caudal subnucleus of the spinal trigeminal nucleus on one side of the brain, a number of doubly labeled neurons were found in the periaqueductal gray and dorsal raphe nucleus, bilaterally with an ipsilateral dominance. The results indicate that a considerable number of neurons in the periaqueductal gray and dorsal raphe nucleus send projection fibers to the trigeminal sensory complex, and that some of them send their axons to both the principal sensory trigeminal nucleus and the caudal subdivision of the spinal trigeminal nucleus by way of axon collaterals. These projections may subserve suppression of the activity of nociceptive neurons in the trigeminal system.

The transport mechanism of an organic cation, disopyramide, by brush-border membranes. Comparison between renal cortex and small intestine of the rat

The characteristics of disopyramide uptake in brush-border membrane vesicles isolated from rat renal cortex and small intestine were investigated. Transport of disopyramide into an osmotically reactive intravesicular space was observed with notable binding to the membrane surface. An outwardly directed H+ gradient stimulated disopyramide uptake, resulting in a transient uphill transport in both brush-border membranes. As for the renal brush-border membrane, the H+ gradient itself appeared to be the driving force for this stimulation of uptake. These findings suggest that disopyramide-H+ antiport is the mechanism of disopyramide action in renal cell membrane. The initial uptake was saturable (Km and Vmax of 68.0 microM and 1.25 nmol (mg protein)-1/30 s, respectively). The stimulation of disopyramide uptake by an outward H+ gradient in rat intestinal brush-border membrane was due to an interior negative H(+)-diffusion potential. A K(+)-diffusion potential (interior negative) enhanced disopyramide uptake. These results suggest that there are different mechanisms of disopyramide uptake for renal and intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles.

[Measurement of serum concentration with radioimmunoassay for carboxyterminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen]

A radioimmunoassay kit for measurement of carboxyterminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen (P1CP) was developed and can be purchased commercially for clinical use. Using the kit, we measured serum concentration in healthy controls and in patients with bone metastasis and other various skeletal disorders. In healthy controls, serum concentration of P1CP ranged within 37-177 ng/ml under age 50, while in serum concentration of women over 50, it elevated upto 350 ng/ml. In patients with skeletal metastasis, in most of patients, it stayed within a normal range, whereas in patients with bone metastasis from prostatic cancer, it raised significantly. In some of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism or hyperthyroidism, serum concentration for P1CP was also elevated. In comparison with other serum bone metabolic markers such as osteocalcin or alkaline phosphatase, P1CP showed less occurrence of an elevation in patients with non-skeletal disease. Serum concentration of P1CP was not affected by renal function, while mild elevation was observed in patients with severely damaged liver diseases. In conclusion, the newly developed radioimmunoassay for P1CP was an excellent assay system and would provide us easily evaluation of type 1 collagen formation.

Collateral projections of single neurons in the periaqueductal gray and dorsal raphe nucleus to both the trigeminal sensory complex and spinal cord in the rat

After injecting Diamidino yellow (DY) and Fast blue (FB), respectively, into the trigeminal sensory complex and lumbar cord segments, neurons were doubly labeled retrogradely with both DY and FB in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and dorsal raphe nucleus (DR). The fluorescent retrograde double-labeling method combined with serotonin (5HT) immunofluorescence histochemistry revealed that more than 70% of the doubly labeled PAG/DR neurons showed 5HT-like immunoreactivity (5HT-LI). These 5HT-LI PAG/DR neurons may modulate nociceptors in the trigeminal sensory complex and spinal cord by sending axon collaterals to these regions.

Bilateral projections of single retinal ganglion cells to the lateral geniculate nuclei and superior colliculi in the albino rat

Employing fluorescent retrograde double/triple labeling, we investigated bilateral projections of single retinal ganglion cells to the lateral geniculate nuclei (LGN) and superior colliculi (SC) in the albino rat. After separate injections of Fast Blue (FB) and Diamidino Yellow (DY), respectively, into the right and left LGN, a large number of retrogradely-labeled cells were distributed all over the retina contralateral to each injection. Ipsilaterally projecting ganglion cells, which were labeled with one tracer injected into the LGN, were found predominantly in the lower-temporal retinal region; approximately 56% (120-140 cells per retina) of them were further labeled with the other tracer injected into the contralateral LGN. The vast majority of these double-labeled cells were of large type (more than 20 microns in diameter). Similar findings were obtained after separate injections of FB and DY, respectively, into the right and left SC, or respectively, into the right SC and left LGN. After separate injections of FB, DY and rhodamine-B-isothiocyanate, respectively, into the bilateral LGN and unilateral SC, or respectively, into the unilateral LGN and bilateral SC, a number of cells triple-labeled with all tracers were localized in the lower-temporal retinal region; most of them were of large type. Thus, the bilateral projections from the lower-temporal retinal region representing binocular vision in the rat are indicated to be achieved not only by separate populations of ganglion cells each exclusively serving one side of the brain, but also by axon collaterals from single ganglion cells; the ganglion cells projecting bilaterally to the LGN or/and SC are primarily of large type corresponding probably to the Y cell in the cat retina.

Demonstration of axon terminals of projection fibers from the periaqueductal gray onto neurons in the nucleus raphe magnus which send their axons to the trigeminal sensory nuclei

Axon terminals of projection fibers from the periaqueductal gray (PAG) onto neurons in the nucleus raphe magnus (NRM) sending their axons to the principal sensory trigeminal nucleus (Vp) or caudal spinal trigeminal nucleus (Vc) were demonstrated light microscopically: In the rats which were injected with Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) and wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) respectively into the PAG and trigeminal sensory complex (Vp or Vc), presumed axon terminals labeled anterogradely with PHA-L appeared to make synaptic contacts with NRM neurons labeled retrogradely with WGA-HRP.

Premotor neurons projecting simultaneously to two orofacial motor nuclei by sending their branched axons. A study with a fluorescent retrograde double-labeling technique in the rat

Premotor neurons innervating simultaneously two of the trigeminal motor (Vm), facial (VII) and hypoglossal nuclei (XII) by sending their branched axons were demonstrated in the lower brain stem of the rat by means of a fluorescent retrograde double-labeling method with Fast Blue (FB) and Diamidino Yellow (DY). After injections of FB and DY, respectively, into the Vm and VII, into the Vm and XII, or into the VII and XII, the majority of neuronal cell bodies labeled doubly with FB and DY were distributed in the lateral tegmental field, especially its medial part in the medulla oblongata.

[Systemic chemotherapy for brain metastasis from small cell lung cancer]

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is rapidly progressive, but is sensitive to chemotherapy. The incidence of brain metastasis is high in patients with this disease. The management of brain metastases is an important problem in SCLC patients, because brain tumors have been regarded as being inaccessible to anti-cancer agents due to the blood-brain-barrier (BBB). Of 15 SCLC patients with brain metastasis at diagnosis who were treated with chemotherapy, 3 achieved a complete response (CR) and 4 had a partial response (PR), giving a response rate of 47%. Of 17 SCLC patients with brain metastasis at relapse, 1 achieved a CR and 6 had a PR by chemotherapy, with a response rate of 30%. The response rate of brain metastasis in SCLC patients treated with chemotherapy was similar to those of primary lesions and other metastatic lesions. SCLC patients with brain metastasis at diagnosis had the same response rate and median survival time as other ED-SCLC patient. The BBB may not be an impending factor in systemic chemotherapy of brain metastasis in SCLC. Systemic chemotherapy may be the treatment of choice for SCLC patients with brain metastasis.

[Nucleolar organizer regions in meningiomas with reference to histopathological findings and recurrence]

A silver staining technique was used in the study of nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NORs) in paraffin sections of 40 meningiomas. The specimens were divided into three groups as follows: typical (n = 24), atypical (n = 8) and recurrent (n = 8) groups, and the mean number of Ag-NORs was evaluated in three groups. The mean Ag-NORs number (mean +/- S.D.) of typical, atypical and recurrent group was 1.48 +/- 0.14, 1.82 +/- 0.16 and 2.05 +/- 0.23 respectively. The mean Ag-NORs number of atypical and recurrent groups was significantly greater than that of typical group. These results suggest that the proliferative potential of meningiomas and the risk of recurrence could be evaluated by quantification of Ag-NORs.

[Hypervitaminosis D]

Excessive vitamin D causes marked and prolonged hypercalcemia by accelerating intestinal calcium absorption and bone resorption. Vitamin D induced hypercalcemia includes the toxic ingestion of excessive amount of vitamin D preparations, granulomatous diseases and lymphoproliferative malignancies. In vitamin D toxicity, the clinical courses vary depending on the vitamin D preparation responsible for the hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia state continues for several months when D2 or D3 are responsible for the toxicity whereas the hypercalcemia would subside in a week when 1 alpha(OH) D3 or 1,25 (OH)2D3 are responsible for the toxicity. Abnormal calcium metabolism can be treated by hydration and glucocorticoids. Hypercalcemia is associated with variety kinds of granulomatous diseases, including sarcoidosis and tuberculosis. The granulomatous tissue is believed to be the site of the ectopic production of 1,25(OH)2D3 in which the regulation of the synthesis is quite different from that in the normal kidney. Glucocorticoid markedly diminishes the synthesis. Hypercalcemia associated with elevated serum 1.25(OH)2D3 levels is also found in patients with lymphomas and some other malignancies. However, there still are not sufficient evidences to prove that the excessive amount of endogenous 1.25(OH)2D3 is the primary cause of the hypercalcemia.

Enhanced absorption of bumetanide from suppositories containing weak acids in rabbits

The in vitro release of bumetanide from macrogol suppositories with and without weak acids (citric acid and tartaric acid) was studied. The release of bumetanide was not affected when weak acids were added to the suppositories. The in vivo rectal absorption of bumetanide from the suppositories was evaluated in rabbits. The bioavailability (absolute), expressed as the ratio of the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) following oral administration of bumetanide, was 39% that of intravenous administration. The value in bumetanide following rectal administration of the suppositories without weak acids was 32%. Each absolute bioavailability following rectal administration of the suppositories with 5% citric acid and 5% tartaric acid was 52% and 42%, respectively. These values were significantly larger than those of rectal administration of the suppositories without weak acids. Particularly, the bioavailability following rectal administration of the suppositories containing citric acid was significantly different from even those of oral administration. The absorption rate constants of bumetanide from the suppositories with weak acids were significantly larger than those following oral administration. These results indicated the possibilities of the rectal route of administration of drugs which are weak organic acids and show low or variable bioavailability following oral administration.

[Evaluation of preoperative diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism--special reference to normocalcemic cases]

Since the opening of our clinic 117 years before, we have treated 62 cases of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), among which there were 6 cases (1 male, 5 females) whose calcium levels fell within the normal range. However, in all these cases the serum ionized calcium (Ca++) levels and the serum ionized calcium/calcium ratio (Ca++/Ca ratio) were high. Moreover, in comparing them with hypercalcemic patients (56 cases), the serum Ca++ levels were significantly lower, but the (Ca++/Ca ratio) was significantly higher. Also, the excised weight of 606.1 +/- 520.3 mg was significantly smaller than that of hypercalcemic patients, which was 1,967.9 +/- 2,086.3 mg. Preoperative locations showed significantly lower levels in comparison with hypercalcemic patients by all methods including computed tomography (CT), ultrasonography, scintigraphy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In normocalcemic patients following parathyroidectomy, although the decrease in serum calcium levels was not significant, the serum Ca++ levels and the Ca++/Ca ratio decreased significantly, so that not only are they useful parameters for preoperative diagnosis of PHPT, but they are also considered necessary and indispensable for observation of the post-operative course and judging therapeutic effects including the operation. Based on our study we concluded that in multiple and recurrent stone formers with normal range of serum Ca levels, regardless of the presence or absence of local diagnosis, if the serum Ca++ level and Ca++/Ca ratio are high, existence of primary hyperparathyroidism must be suspected, and adequate treatments should be instituted promptly.

Tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in cerebellar Purkinje cells of the rat

Employing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry, we have revealed that TH immunoreactivity occurs in cerebellar Purkinje cells in the rat. These TH-immunoreactive Purkinje cells were distributed predominantly in the crus I & II ansiform lobules and the paraflocculus, and to a lesser extent in the I & X vermal lobules. Since Purkinje cells in such cerebellar regions displayed no immunoreactivity to dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, the TH-immunoreactive Purkinje cells identified in the present study might contain dopamine or L-DOPA.

Collateral projections of single neurons in the nucleus raphe magnus to both the sensory trigeminal nuclei and spinal cord in the rat

After injecting Diamidino yellow and Fast blue respectively into the sensory trigeminal nuclei and spinal cord, we observed doubly labeled cells in the nucleus raphe magnus (NRM). Combining the fluorescent retrograde double labeling with serotonin (5-HT) immunofluorescence histochemistry, we further found that about 30% of the doubly labeled NRM neurons showed 5-HT-like immunoreactivity (5-HT-LI). Such 5-HT-LI NRM neurons may modulate nociceptive activities simultaneously in the sensory trigeminal nuclei and spinal cord by sending axon collaterals to these regions.