Analysis of microsatellite polymorphism around the HLA-B locus in Iranian patients with Behçet's disease

We have previously suggested that in a Japanese population the susceptible locus for Behçet's disease (BD) is HLA-B51 itself. To confirm this finding in another population, we performed HLA class I typing using the PCR-SSP method and analyzed eight polymorphic markers distributed within 1100 kb around the HLA-B gene using automated sequencer and subsequent automated fragment detection by fluorescent-based technology with the DNA samples of 84 Iranian patients with BD and 87 healthy ethnically matched controls. As a result, three microsatellite alleles (MICA-A6, MIB-348, C1-4-1-217) and HLA-B51 were found to be strongly associated with BD. Of these alleles HLA-B51 is the most strongly associated allele. There were no alleles that were increased in allele frequency at any microsatellite loci centromeric of MICA or telomeric of HLA-B51. Therefore, HLA-B51 was confirmed to be by far the most strongly associated gene with BD in an Iranian population.

Selective projections of cholecystokinin-8 immunoreactive fibers to galanin immunoreactive sympathetic preganglionic neurons in a teleost, Stephanolepis cirrhifer

In the cellular column of sympathetic preganglionic neurons (SPNs) of the filefish Stephanolepis cirrhifer, neurons containing galanin (GAL) form a distinct population projecting specifically to non-adrenergic postganglionic neurons in the celiac and cranial sympathetic ganglia. The present study showed that virtually all of the GAL-immunopositive SPNs made contact with many nerve terminals immunopositive for cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8). GAL-negative preganglionic neurons made contact with only 26% of this type of nerve terminal; CCK-8-immunopositive nerve fibers appeared to project selectively to GAL-immunopositive SPNs with projections to specific targets. The CCK-8-positive nerve fibers might be of primary sensory origin, and participate in the visceral reflexes.

Nutrient arteries of the temporomandibular joint: an anatomical and a pathological study

We have identified an artery which is a sub-branch of the inferior alveolar artery, and propose to call it the temporomandibular branch. Mandibular bones of 36 autopsy cases (ages 23-85; 20 males and 16 females) were examined. Contrast media were injected into the inferior alveolar artery, decalcification was conducted, and photographs were taken using soft X-ray equipment (Softex: Nippon Softex, co. CSM type). Then, an examination was conducted concerning sclerosis of these arteries. Next, H.E., Azan, and Pap silver stains were used for microscopic specimens to examine arteriosclerosis of the temporomandibular joint. The artery that sub-branches toward the temporomandibular branch, branches out immediately after the inferior alveolar artery and enters the mandibular foramen, becoming the artery that supplies the temporomandibular joint. This temporomandibular branch travels slightly downward, forward of the inferior alveolar artery, and turns back toward the mandibular base. It advances to the mandibular joint almost directly. The route taken was classified into three types. Toward the head of the mandible, the temporomandibular branch, after passing over the neck of the mandible, divides into two sub-branches, anterior and posterior. In our pathological study of the temporomandibular branch, there were a small number of cases with slight intimal thickening and mild elastosis. As regards sclerotic changes, particularly in cases more than 50 years old. There were very few cases showing intimal changes. Sclerotic changes of the artery supplying the head of the mandible increase with age. The same can be said of the about the constriction rate. These findings correlated with subject age.

Histomorphometric analysis of age changes in the human inferior alveolar artery

Angiography is often used to investigate age-related changes in the inferior alveolar artery, the major nutrient artery of the mandible. Although histological examinations have been made from several viewpoints, e.g. age change, pathogenesis of osteoradionecrosis, and relation to tooth extraction, these studies have used a limited number of samples and simple histometric methods. The purpose here was to describe histopathological and histomorphometric age-related changes, and to investigate the relation between dentate status and the histomorphometry of the artery. Inferior alveolar arteries from 162 autopsy cases (age range 3-86 years) were examined histometrically with a mathematically standardized method. Histologically, there was diffuse fibrous intimal thickening, but no atheroma formation. Histometric analyses revealed a very gradual increase in both the radius of the artery and the thickness of the media with age, but the luminal radius did not correlate with age. Intimal thickness increased exponentially with age with very different features from those of the increase in the media. The relative radius of the lumen decreased with age after the sixth decade; this is thought to be an index for senile changes in the artery. Among the variables of arterial architecture examined, no particular difference was found between the dentate and non-dentate cases in the molar region.

Differential distribution of nerve terminals immunoreactive for substance P and cholecystokinin in the sympathetic preganglionic cell column of the filefish Stephanolepis cirrhifer

Immunoreactivity for substance P and cholecystokinin-8 was examined in the nerve fibers in the central autonomic nucleus, a cell column for sympathetic preganglionic neurons, in the filefish Stephanolepis cirrhifer. Substance P-immunoreactive fibers were distributed throughout the entire rostrocaudal extent, but were more abundant in the caudal part of the column, where substance P-immunoreactive varicosities sometimes made contacts with the sympathetic preganglionic neurons. Cholecystokinin-8-immunoreactive fibers were found almost entirely in the rostral part of the column, where a dense network of varicosities was in close apposition to a considerable number of the sympathetic preganglionic neurons. Double labeling immunohistochemistry showed that substance P fibers and cholecystokin-8 fibers were entirely different, and distinct from serotonin-immunoreactive fibers. By using immunoelectron microscopy, synaptic specialization was sometimes observed between the dendrites of preganglionic neurons and varicosities immunoreactive for substance P and cholecystokinin-8. Substance P- and cholecystokinin-8 fibers were seen from the descending trigeminal tract, through the dorsolateral funiculus and the ventral portion of the dorsal horn, to the central autonomic nucleus. After colchicine treatment, substance P-immunoreactive perikarya were found in the cranial and spinal sensory ganglia. These results suggest that the sympathetic preganglionic neurons of the filefish receive innervation by substance P fibers and cholecystokinin fibers, and that the former might be of primary sensory origin. Topographical distribution of cholecystokinin-8-immunoreactive terminals in the central autonomic nucleus along the rostrocaudal extent might underlie the differential regulation of sympathetic activity via a distinct population of sympathetic preganglionic neurons.

Ultrastructure of the capillary pericytes and the expression of smooth muscle alpha-actin and desmin in the snake infrared sensory organs

The infrared sensory membranes of pit organs of pit vipers have an extremely rich capillary vasculature that forms many vascular loops, each serving a small number of infrared nerve terminals. We clarified the ultrastructure of capillary pericytes in the pit membranes by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and examined the immunoreactivity in their cytoplasm to two contractile proteins: smooth muscle alpha-actin (SM alpha-actin) and desmin. The capillary pericytes had two major cytoplasmic processes: thickened primary processes that radiate to embrace the endothelial tube and flattened secondary processes that are distributed widely on the endothelium. Coexpression of SM alpha-actin and desmin was observed in the pericytes of entire capillary segments, and SM alpha-actin was characterized by prominent filament bundles directed mainly at right angles to the capillary long axis. This expression pattern was different from that of capillary pericytes of the scales, where SM alpha-actin was expressed diffusely in the cytoplasm. In a series of electron microscopic sections, we often observed the pericyte processes depressing the endothelial wall. We also observed a close relationship of the pericytes with inter-endothelial cell junctions, and pericyte processes connected with the endothelial cells via gap junctions. From these findings, we surmised that capillary pericytes in the pit membrane have a close functional relationship with the endothelium, and through their contractile and relaxing activity regulate capillary bloodflow to stabilize production of infrared nerve impulses.

Application of Rh-catalyzed cyclization to the formation of a chiral quaternary carbon

Rh-Catalyzed cyclization was applied to the formation of a chiral quaternary carbon. It has become clear that the Rh-complex can discriminate between isopropenyl and 2-isopentenyl (or isopentyl) substituents, and the cyclization afforded 3,3,4-trisubstituted cyclopentanones with a chiral quaternary carbon in a stereoselective manner. The cyclization of 4-pentenals 6a, b by an achiral neutral Rh(PPh3)3Cl afforded 3,3,4-cis-trisubstituted cyclopentanones (+/-)-7a,b in 86-96%, and the cyclization by a cationic Rh[(R)-BINAP]CIO4 afforded 3,3,4-trans-trisubstituted cyclopentanones (-)-8a, b of 82-86% ee in 88-98% yields. The mechanism of stereoselection by Rh-complexes is also discussed.

Nervous control of blood flow microkinetics in the infrared organs of pit vipers

The pit organ of pit vipers contains a membrane which serves as an infrared retina, processing infrared information by the degree to which the temperature of trigeminal nerve receptors (terminal nerve masses) is raised. The receptors are arranged in a monolayer array within the pit membrane and irrigated by a capillary network which both supplies energy to the terminal nerve masses and serves as a heat exchange mechanism. This mechanism maintains the receptors at a stable temperature level to increase or decrease their sensitivity and to reduce to a minimum the afterimage effect of a moving stimulus. We used a Doppler laser blood flow meter to measure the local changes in blood flow in response to a point heat source (a small soldering iron) and to direct stimuli (red and infrared lasers). Resection of any one of the trigeminal A-delta fiber trunks innervating the pit membrane abolished blood flow response in the area innervated, but resection of the main trunk between the primary neurons and the medulla left the response intact. In addition to the A-delta fibers the pit membrane contains autonomic and sensory C-fiber innervation, but preganglionic resection of parasympathetic neurons, and chemical blocking of postganglionic fibers with atropine and capsaicin had no influence on the blood flow changes. Therefore, on the basis of the rapid response time and the similarity of the blood flow curves to electrophysiological recordings from the receptors, we surmised that all blood flow changes were due to a vasomotor reaction, modulated by the terminal nerve masses directly, resulting in a change in local heat capacity that cools the stimulated receptors back to a basal temperature.

Spectrum of cytokine gene expression in intestinal mucosal lesions of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

We investigated the mRNA expression of spectrum of cytokines in the colonic mucosa in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS

The expression of cytokine gene was evaluated by using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and the radioactivity of amplified cDNA standardized by coamplified beta-actin cDNA.

RESULTS

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis showed significantly increased expression of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha mRNA as compared with controls (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha are closely involved in the immune abnormalities of inflammatory mucosal lesions in IBD.

Differential innervation of the goldfish tonic red muscles and twitch white muscles by neuropeptide-immunoreactive motoneurons

Neuropeptides in the motor nerves innervating the red and white muscles of the goldfish Carassius auratus were examined. In the tonic red muscles, varicose nerve endings immunoreactive for both calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P were found spread over the surface of the muscle fibers, but in the twitch white muscles only scattered nerve endings immunoreactive for calcitonin gene-related peptide were found. At the electron microscopic observation, dense electron products immunoreactive for calcitonin gene-related peptide and for substance P (SP) were detected in the motor nerve endings making synapses on the muscle fibers of the red muscles. In the spinal cord, all of the motor neurons showed immunoreactivity to calcitonin gene-related peptide, but the motor neurons immunoreactive for substance P were restricted to the ventrolateral group that has been shown to project predominantly to the red muscles. These results suggest that the motor neurons innervating the red and white muscles of the goldfish are distinct in their neuropeptide content. The present study also raises the possibility that SP might be related to the unique physiological properties of the tonic type red muscles, probably by direct binding to the acetylcholine receptors.

Distinct localization and target specificity of galanin-immunoreactive sympathetic preganglionic neurons of a teleost, the filefish Stephanolepis cirrhifer

Immunoreactivity for galanin was examined in the sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the spinal cord, adrenal glands, sympathetic ganglia, and some sensory ganglia of the filefish Stephanolepis cirrhifer. Galanin-immunoreactive neurons were found only in the rostral part, but not in the caudal part of the central autonomic nucleus (a column of sympathetic preganglionic neurons of teleosts). Many galanin-immunoreactive nerve terminals were found in contact with neurons in the celiac ganglia and the cranial sympathetic ganglia on both sides of the body. Most neurons encircled by galanin-immunoreactive nerve fibers were negative for tyrosine hydroxylase. Galanin-immunoreactive nerve fibers were very sparse in the spinal sympathetic paravertebral ganglia. No galanin-immunoreactive nerve fibers were found in the adrenal glands. No sensory neurons of the trigeminal, vagal, or spinal dorsal root ganglia were positive for galanin-immunoreactivity. These results suggest that galanin-immunoreactive sympathetic preganglionic neurons have distinct segmental localization and might project specifically to a population of non-adrenergic sympathetic postganglionic neurons in the celiac and cranial sympathetic ganglia.

Serotonin-immunoreactive axons in the cell column of sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the spinal cord of the filefish Stephanolepis cirrhifer

Serotonin-immunoreactive axonal components were observed in the central autonomic nucleus (CAN), a cell column of sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the rostral spinal cord of the filefish Stephanolepis cirrhifer. Serotonin-positive axonal varicosities were seen around neuronal perikarya through the whole rostrocaudal extent of the CAN, although their distribution pattern in the rostral CAN was different from that in the caudal CAN. Electron microscopically, serotonin-positive axonal varicosities were found to make axodendritic and axosomatic synapses on CAN neurons. Many serotonin-positive neuronal cell bodies were seen in the raphe nuclei in the lower brainstem, whereas only a few were found in the spinal cord. Thus most of serotoninergic axons within the CAN were considered to originate from the raphe nuclei in the lower brainstem.

Nitric oxide synthase in the glossopharyngeal and vagal afferent pathway of a teleost, Takifugu niphobles. The branchial vascular innervation

To examine the presence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the sensory system of the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves of teleosts, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPHd) activity and immunoreactivity for NOS were examined in the puffer fish Takifugu niphobles. The nitrergic sensory neurons were located in the ganglia of both the glossopharyngeal and the vagal nerves. In the vagal ganglion, positive neurons were found in the subpopulations for the branchial rami and the coelomic visceral ramus, but not for the posterior ramus or the lateral line ramus. In the medulla, nitrergic afferent terminals were found in the glossopharyngeal lobe, the vagal lobe, and the commissural nucleus. In the gill structure, the nitrergic nerve fibers were seen in the nerve bundles running along the efferent branchial artery of all three gill arches. These fibers appeared to terminate in the proximal portion of the efferent filament arteries of three gill arches. On the other hand, autonomic neurons innervating the gill arches were unstained. These results suggest that nitrergic sensory neurons in the glossopharyngeal and vagal ganglia project their peripheral processes through the branchial rami to a specific portion of the branchial arteries, and they might play a role in baroreception of this fish. A possible role for nitric oxide (NO) in baroreception is also discussed.

Microvasculature of crotaline snake pit organs: possible function as a heat exchange mechanism

The infrared sensory membranes of the pit organs of pit vipers have an extremely rich capillary vasculature, which has been noted passim in the literature, but never illustrated or studied in detail. We rendered the pit vasculature visible in various ways, namely, by microinjection of India ink, by a combination of ink and succinate dehydrogenase staining, and by making resin casts for scanning electron microscope study. We also used transmission electron microscopy for identifying the types (arterioles, venules, capillaries) of blood vessels. Then we compared the pit vasculature with that of the retina and the dermis. Good visualization of the vasculature was obtained with both ink and resin injection. Arterioles, venules, and capillaries could be distinguished with all methods used. The monolayer vasculature was denser in the pit membrane than in the retina or skin. Each loop of the network enclosed a small number of infrared receptors so that all receptors were in contact with a capillary on at least one side. The forward-looking areas of the pit had a denser network than side-looking areas. Since infrared rays cause nerve impulses by raising the temperature of individual receptors, the capillary network functions not only as a supplier of energy but also as a cooling mechanism to reduce afterimages. Thus the denser network in the forward-looking areas causes these areas to be more sensitive and have better image resolution than the rest of the membrane.

Gastrin/CCK-ergic innervation of cutaneous mucous gland by the supramedullary cells of the puffer fish Takifugu niphobles

The supramedullary cells (SMCs) are spinal neurons lying at the dorsal surface of teleosts. In the present study, we examined whether the SMCs of the puffer fish (Takifugu niphobles) might express gastrin/cholecystokinin-immunoreactivity, as observed in some other teleosts. All the SMCs were immunoreactive for gastrin/cholecystokinin. On the other hand, many immunoreactive varicose nerve fibers were also found terminating in the mucous glands in the skin. In addition, immunoreactive fibers were sparsely distributed in the epidermal layer. No neuronal cells other than the SMCs showed gastrin/cholecystokinin-immunoreactivity centrally or peripherally. The results suggest that gastrin/cholecystokinin-immunoreactive axons in the cutaneous mucous glands and epidermal layer are axons of the SMCs. In view of the present findings, the possible nature of SMCs was discussed.

The postspinel phase boundary in Mg2SiO4 determined by in situ X-ray diffraction

The phase boundary between spinel (gamma phase) and MgSiO3 perovskite + MgO periclase in Mg2SiO4 was determined by in situ x-ray measurements by a combination of the synchrotron radiation source (SPring-8) and a large multianvil high-pressure apparatus. The boundary was determined at temperatures between 1400 degrees to 1800 degreesC, demonstrating that the postspinel phase boundary has a negative Clapeyron slope as estimated by quench experiments and thermodynamic analyses. The boundary was located at 21.1 (+/-0.2) gigapascals, at 1600 degreesC, which is approximately 2 gigapascals lower than earlier estimates based on other high-pressure studies.

Correlations between interleukin-8, and myeloperoxidase or luminol-dependent chemiluminescence in inflamed mucosa of ulcerative colitis

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a peptide which induces not only chemotaxis of neutrophils but also the release of reactive oxygen metabolites from the neutrophils. There are few reports which clarify the relationships between IL-8 and mucosal infiltration of neutrophils or reactive oxygen metabolites produced by neutrophils in the colonic mucosa of ulcerative colitis (UC). Biopsy specimens of colonic mucosa obtained from 26 patients with active UC and 21 patients with inactive UC were studied in order to clarify the relationships among the inflammation factors in UC. Levels of IL-8 and myeloperoxidase in organ culture media of the biopsy specimens from active UC (measured by ELISA and EIA) were significantly higher than those from inactive UC and controls. Reactive oxygen metabolites of biopsy specimens in active UC (measured by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence) were also markedly increased compared to those in inactive UC and controls. The levels of IL-8 were closely correlated to luminol-dependent chemiluminescence or myeloperoxidase levels. However, the levels of IL-8 and myeloperoxidase did not correlate with the grades of activity on colonoendoscopic findings. These findings suggest that IL-8 may play a role in the pathophysiology of UC but it does not define the endoscopic activity grades of UC.

Spinal and vagal projections to the sympathetic trunk of the wrasse, Halichoeres poecilopterus

The sympathetic preganglionic neurons of the teleost, Halichoeres poecilopterus, were identified by retrograde axonal tracing. After horseradish peroxidase was applied to the sympathetic trunk, labeled neurons were found at the caudalmost level of the medulla, in the spinal cord near the fourth spinal nerve root (rostral spinal group), and in the spinal cord from rostral to the sixth spinal nerve root to caudal to the tenth spinal nerve root (caudal spinal group). The rostral spinal group has three cell columns segregated mediolaterally from the central gray zone to the lateral funiculus. Labeled neurons were found predominantly on the side ipsilateral to the application. In the caudal spinal group, labeled neurons were found bilaterally in the central gray zone. This condition is different from that previously reported in the puffer fish and filefish. The labeling in the medulla suggests that the preganglionic neurons in the brainstem may send fibers to the sympathetic trunk of this fish, although their peripheral targets are unknown.

NADPH-diaphorase activity in the vagal afferent pathway of the dogfish, Triakis scyllia

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-diaphorase activity was examined in the cranial sensory ganglia and brainstem of the banded dogfish, Triakis scyllia. Positive neurons were found in the vagal sensory ganglion projecting to the coelomic organs, but not in those projecting to the gills or the lateral line organs. Nerve terminals in the vagal lobe were also positive. No positive neurons were found in the glossopharyngeal, facial, or trigeminal sensory ganglia. These results suggest that use of nitric oxide in the vagal sensory transmission from the coelomic organs may have been maintained in the evolutionary process from fish to mammals.

Contralateral projections by preganglionic neurons to the sympathetic trunk of the puffer fish, Takifugu niphobles

Previous studies have shown that the sympathetic preganglionic neurons of teleosts send axons to the sympathetic trunk on the contralateral side. After severing the spinal nerve roots at a level proximal to the sympathetic ganglia (i.e., nerve roots containing the preganglionic axons) on one side of puffer fish, Takifugu niphobles, horseradish peroxidase was applied to the other side of the sympathetic trunk. Retrogradely labeled sympathetic preganglionic neurons were found bilaterally in the central autonomic nucleus (a distinct cell column in the rostral part of the spinal cord). The contralaterally labeled neurons were located almost exclusively in the caudal part of the nucleus. These results suggest that some sympathetic preganglionic neurons in teleosts, unlike those in other vertebrates, send their axons across the midline to the contralateral nerve roots.

Direct projections from the spinal cord to the trigeminal sympathetic ganglion of the puffer fish, Takifugu niphobles

The sympathetic trunk of teleosts extends into the cranial levels, forming the cranial sympathetic ganglia. When horseradish peroxidase was applied to the trigeminal sympathetic ganglion (a sympathetic ganglion at the level of the trigeminal nerve) of the puffer fish, Takifugu niphobles, retrogradely labeled neurons were found in the central autonomic nucleus (a distinct cell column in the rostral part of the spinal cord). The central autonomic nucleus has been known to contain preganglionic neurons projecting to the sympathetic ganglia at the spinal levels. Thus, the present results indicate that the central autonomic nucleus in the spinal cord of teleosts contains not only preganglionic neurons projecting to the sympathetic ganglia at the spinal levels, but also neurons projecting to the sympathetic ganglia at the cranial levels.

The spinal sympathetic preganglionic cell column in the puffer fish, Takifugu niphobles

Little is known about the spinal sympathetic organization in teleosts. We examined the location of the sympathetic preganglionic neurons with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labeling. After HRP application to the sympathetic trunk or celiac ganglion, labeled neurons were found just dorsal - dorsolateral to the central canal. They form a cell column (central autonomic nucleus) at the level of the posterior rootlet of the first spinal nerve to the third spinal nerve. HRP application to the sympathetic trunk produced labeling in almost the entire central autonomic nucleus, but HRP application to the celiac ganglion produced labeling in only the rostral half of the central autonomic nucleus. These results suggest that there is some topographical arrangement in the rostrocaudal part of the central autonomic nucleus. On the other hand, the fact that the sympathetic preganglionic neurons are within a single cell column and have no mediolateral segregation means that the target-related or function-associated mediolateral arrangement found in tetrapods is lacking in this species. We also found some labeling in the central autonomic nucleus after HRP application to the cranial nerves. This may indicate that the preganglionic neurons project to the cranial nerves.