Distribution of fluoride in cortical bone of human rib

We describe a detailed study of fluoride distribution with age in the human cortical rib bone. Human ribs were obtained from 110 subjects (M:68, F;42) aged 20-93 years. The fluoride distribution from the periosteal to endosteal surfaces of the ribs was determined by sampling each specimen using an abrasive micro-sampling technique, and the samples were analyzed using the fluoride electrode, as described by Weatherell et al. [1]. The concentration of fluoride was highest in the periosteal region, decreased gradually towards the interior of the tissue where the concentration of fluoride tended toward the plateau, and then rose again towards the endosteal surface. Patterns of fluoride distribution changed with age, and the difference between periosteal and endosteal fluoride levels increased with age. Although average fluoride concentrations increased with age in both sexes, there was a significant difference between males and females at the age of about 55 years (P < 0.05).

Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in murine hearts with acute myocarditis caused by coxsackievirus B3

A cell-mediated autoimmune mechanism has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of viral myocarditis. Using a murine model of myocarditis caused by coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), we previously reported that the heart is infiltrated first by natural killer cells, which express a cytolytic factor, perforin, and then by activated T cells. This action may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the observed myocardial cell damage. Cell-cell contact and adhesion is required in immune responses, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which is a ligand for lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), plays an important role in this process. To investigate the essential role of the ICAM-1/LFA-1 pathway in the cell-mediated cytotoxicity involved in viral myocarditis, we examined by immunofluorescence the expression of ICAM-1 in murine hearts with acute myocarditis caused by CVB3. We also evaluated the induction of ICAM-1 in cultured cardiac myocytes treated with cytokines by immunofluorescence and Northern blot hybridization. Furthermore, we analyzed the effects of in vivo administration of anti-ICAM-1 mAbs on the inflammation associated with acute viral myocarditis. We found that CVB3-induced murine acute myocarditis resulted in enhanced expression of ICAM-1 in myocardial cells. The expression of ICAM-1 in myocardial cells could be induced in vitro by IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, which were shown to be synthesized by the infiltrating cells. In vivo treatment with F(ab')2 fragments of an anti-ICAM-1 mAb significantly reduced the myocardial inflammation induced by CVB3. These data strongly suggest that the expression of ICAM-1 in myocardial cells plays a critical role in the cell-mediated cytotoxicity involved in acute viral myocarditis.

Plasma levels of superoxide dismutase and its isomers in patients with chronic renal disease

To evaluate the significance of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) in chronic renal disease, we evaluated the plasma SOD activity and analyzed the plasma Cu,Zn-SOD isomers employing gel column chromatography. The plasma SOD activity was determined as the biological activity using the nitrite method and the Cu,Zn-SOD concentration was assayed from the immunological activity using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The subjects comprised 185 patients with chronic glomerular disease and 20 hemodialysis patients. Plasma from 170 healthy persons was employed as a control. Both the plasma biological activity and plasma level of Cu,Zn-SOD determined by ELISA were elevated in patients with chronic glomerular disease. In hemodialysis patients, a marked increase in Cu,Zn-SOD level (ELISA) was noted in comparison with the increase in SOD biological activities. Gel column chromatography demonstrated a marked increase in Cu,Zn-SOD monomer which was enzymatically inactive. From these results, we conclude that a marked elevation of the plasma level of Cu,Zn-SOD in hemodialysis patients was caused by an increase in the enzymatically inactive Cu,Zn-SOD monomer.

Visual outcome after vitrectomy for diabetic retinopathy. A five-year follow-up

For 5 years after surgery we measured visual acuity in 56 eyes that had undergone pars plana vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. A total of 44.7% eyes maintained improved visual outcome, 19.6% had unchanged visual acuity, and 35.7% were considered failures, as compared to preoperative measurements. Visual results obtained from each patient's visual acuity measured at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years after surgery were statistically compared with that obtained from the visual acuity at 5 years using the chi 2 test. Results showed that visual results recorded at 3 months and 6 months were significantly different from that recorded at the 5-year follow-up (p < 0.02, respectively). We found a tendency for the visual acuity to change during the initial 6 months after surgery and to stabilize by 1 year. Further analysis showed that the initial instability was due to the presence of preoperative retinal detachment. Postoperative visual functions also worsened with complications such as postoperative retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataract formation.

The long-term effect of cyproterone acetate on growth in girls with idiopathic precocious puberty. Androcur Study Group in Japan

To define the effect of cyproterone acetate (CPA) on statural growth, 25 girls with idiopathic precocious puberty who had been treated with CPA were studied retrospectively. The final height SDS was -1.12 +/- 1.16 (mean +/- SD). The daily CPA dose was negatively related to the final height SDS. We divided our subjects into two groups according to the daily CPA dose [low dose, 84.9 +/- 15.4 mg/m2 (n = 19) vs high dose, 135.8 +/- 17.1 mg/m2 (n = 6)]. In the low dose group, the difference of the final height SDS minus height SDS for bone age at the initiation of CPA treatment was 0.55 +/- 1.16 and final height SDS was -0.82 +/- 1.05. The final height was not significantly different from the target height in the low dose group subjects whose target heights were obtained. Since the increment of height age to the increment of bone age during the treatment was significantly less in the group needing and treated with high dose CPA, high doses of CPA may reduce growth velocity more than its suppressive effect on bone maturation. These results suggest that CPA has an effect on statural growth in girls whose clinical symptoms can be controlled with a low dose of CPA, although they have not been compared with final height in untreated Japanese girls.

Immunohistochemical demonstration of epidermal growth factor in chondrocytes of mouse femur epiphyseal plate

The distribution of epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been studied immunohistochemically in chondrocytes of femur epiphyseal plate cartilage from adult mice. The chondrocytes of the resting and proliferating zones reacted positively, while those of maturing and calcifying zones showed a relatively weak reaction. The immunoreaction was observed over both the cytoplasm and nuclei of resting and proliferating chondrocytes and was prominent in the proliferating chondrocytes. These findings, taken together with the suggested synergistic action of EGF with other growth factors, raise the possibility that chondrocytes, particularly in the proliferating zone, participate in a regulatory mechanism by EGF on cell division and growth in the epiphyseal plate cartilage.

Cross-linking of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to CD14 on THP-1 cells mediated by LPS-binding protein

Recent work has established that bacterial endotoxin (LPS) binds to the plasma protein LPS-binding protein (LBP) forming high affinity complexes (LPS-LBP), that LBP is an opsonin for LPS-bearing particles, and that LPS-LBP complexes are potent agonists for monocytic cells (MO). mAb to the MO plasma membrane protein, CD14, inhibit LBP-dependent binding of LPS to MO, and LPS-LBP-dependent stimulation of cytokine release from MO. These data suggest that CD14 functions as a membrane receptor for LPS but do not demonstrate a direct association of LPS with CD14. Calcitriol was used to induce a high level of CD14 expression in the human monocyte-like cell line THP-1, resulting in enhanced responses of these cells to LPS-LBP complexes manifested by enhanced binding of LPS and a decrease in the amount of LPS needed to induce IL-8 release. An Re595 LPS derivative containing a radioiodinated, photoreactive, phenyl azide (125I-ASD-LPS) was used in cross-linking experiments to identify membrane proteins in calcitriol-treated THP-1 cells that interact with LPS. 125I-ASD-LPS was added to calcitriol-induced THP-1 cells in the presence or absence of LBP, the mixture photolyzed, and the resultant radioiodinated proteins analyzed by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. We observed strong cross-linking of 125I-ASD-LPS to a 55-kDa membrane protein when LBP was present, but failed to observe radiolabeling of any other proteins with apparent molecular masses distinct from CD14. The cross-linked product was identified as CD14 by immunoprecipitation with anti-human CD14 mAb. Studies with human CD14 expressing transfectants of the murine B cell line 70Z/3 also revealed LBP-dependent cross-linking of 125I-ASD-LPS to CD14. These data document binding of LPS to a specific membrane protein that serves as an LPS receptor.

Crosslink formation between DNA and nuclear proteins by in vivo and in vitro exposure of cells to dimethylarsinic acid

DNA damage induced by arsenics, particularly by dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA), a main metabolite of inorganic arsenics in mammals, was investigated. DNA-protein crosslinks, similarly to DNA single-strand breaks, were induced in mouse and human culture cells by the treatment with DMAA. The crosslinks were sensitive to treatment with guanidine and hydroxylamine, suggesting that the DNA linkage sites in proteins were serine and threonine residues of H1 histone and of nonhistone proteins and that the linkage occurred through a phospho-nitrogen bond. The type of crosslinks was different from that induced by X-ray radiation. Of the radicals produced in the further metabolic processing of DMAA, the dimethylarsenic peroxyl radical rather than the superoxide anion radical is likely responsible for the formation of crosslinks, similar to the case of DNA single-strand breaks.

Characterization of two differently glycosylated molecular species of yeast-derived hepatitis B vaccine carrying the pre-S2 region

Modified hepatitis B virus surface antigen M protein particles (HBsAg M-P31c) produced in yeast is mainly composed of two differently glycosylated proteins, GP37 and GP34. GP37 has an N-linked sugar chain and O-linked sugar chains; and GP34 has an N-linked sugar chain bound to the peptide backbone P31. Although M-P31c vaccine elicits both anti-S and anti-pre-S2 antibodies, whether there are any differences between GP37 and GP34 in the ability to elicit these antibodies is still unknown. To clarify this issue, we prepared particles which were composed solely of GP37 or GP34 by affinity chromatography, using polymerized human serum albumin as a ligand and digestion with alpha-mannosidase. We also prepared particles composed solely of P31 by successive digestion with alpha-manosidase and endo-beta-N-acetylglycosaminidase H. The vaccines derived from these three kinds of particles elicited both anti-S and anti-pre-S2 antibodies in mice to the same extent as the original M-P31c vaccine. These results suggest that the N- and O-linked sugar chains of M-P31c component proteins produced in the host yeast cells have no effect on the ability to elicit anti-S and anti-pre-S2 antibodies and that there are no differences with respect to antibody response in mice between the two major components of M-P31c, GP37 and GP34.

Use of serum gamma-enolase and aldolase A in combination as markers for renal cell carcinoma

To clarify whether measurement of serum gamma-enolase and aldolase A in combination is useful for diagnosis and prediction of prognosis in cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), levels of both markers were evaluated by enzyme immunoassay in 132 patients with RCC. Serum gamma-enolase was elevated in 53 of the cases (40%) whereas serum aldolase A was elevated in 45 (34%). At least one of the two markers was elevated in 54% of the patients (71/132), this value being significantly higher than the positive rates for either gamma-enolase (40%) or aldolase A (34%) evaluated singly. Expression of the two markers assessed in combination became more positive with stage progression, values being 37% in stage I, 59% in stage II, 72% in stage III, and 74% in stage IV. In contrast, patients with benign urological diseases demonstrated positive rates for gamma-enolase and aldolase A as low as 3% and 6%, respectively. Increase in serum gamma-enolase was correlated with stage, tumor size, and histological grade, whereas elevated levels of serum aldolase A were associated only with advancing stage. In 15 patients with recurrent diseases, 11 (73%) had elevated levels of gamma-enolase and 5 (33%) had elevated levels of aldolase A, indicating that gamma-enolase is the more sensitive of the two for detection of recurrence. Patients with elevated levels of both gamma-enolase and aldolase A had less favorable survival than those expressing no or only one of the markers, indicating that simultaneous measurement of the two markers provides information directly relevant to prognosis in cases of RCC.

Reaction of alpha-tocopherol with alkyl and alkylperoxyl radicals of methyl linoleate

alpha-Tocopherol was reacted with alkyl and alkylperoxyl radicals at 37 degrees C in bulk phase. The lipid-free radicals were generated by the reaction of methyl linoleate with the free radical initiator, 2,2'-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) (AMVN) under air-insufficient conditions. The products were isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Their structures were identified as 2-(alpha-tocopheroxy)-2,4- dimethylvaleronitrile (1), a mixture of methyl 9-(8a-peroxy-alpha-tocppherone)-10(E),12(Z)-octadecadienoate and methyl 13-(8a-peroxy-alpha-tocopherone)-9(Z),11(E)-octadecadienoate (2), methyl 9-(alpha-tocopheroxy)-10(E),12(Z)-octadecadienoate (3a), methyl 13-(alpha-tocopheroxy)-9(Z),12(E)-octadecadienoate (3b), alpha-tocopherol spirodiene dimer (4) and alpha-tocopherol trimer (5). When methyl linoleate containing alpha-tocopherol was oxidized with AMVN under air-sufficient conditions, the main products were 8a-alkylperoxy-alpha-tocopherones (2). In addition to these compounds, 6-O-alkyl-alpha-tocopherols (1, 3a and 3b) were formed when the reaction was carried out under air-insufficient conditions. The results indicate that alpha-tocopherol can react with both alkyl and alkylperoxyl radicals during the autoxidation of polyunsaturated lipids.

Long-term potentiation during whole-cell recording in rat hippocampal slices

Factors involved in the production of long-term potentiation in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices were examined using whole-cell voltage clamp recordings. The pairing of postsynaptic membrane depolarization with tetanic stimulation produced a reliable long-lasting enhancement of synaptic currents provided that the pairing was performed within 15 min after establishing intracellular contact. This time could be extended to 30 min by including adenosine triphosphate and guanosine triphosphate in the recording pipette. Once established, the potentiation persisted for 3 h or more. The washout of long-term potentiation generating ability was not correlated with a rundown in baseline synaptic currents or in the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated component of synaptic responses, but followed a time course similar to the loss of calcium spikes. Long-term potentiation could be reliably produced by depolarizing the postsynaptic membrane to -40 or -20 mV during the tetanus, but decreased when the membrane was held at membrane potentials greater than 0 mV. At -20 mV, 50 microM 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate blocked the potentiation but this agent was ineffective at +40 mV. In contrast, 50 microM verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, failed to alter long-term potentiation at -20 mV but blocked the enhancement at +40 mV. These results suggest that whole-cell recording causes a washout of postsynaptic factors important in the initiation of long-term potentiation. However, these factors are less important in maintaining the potentiation. Furthermore, depending on the postsynaptic membrane potential during tetanic stimulation, voltage-gated calcium channels contribute to CA1 long-term potentiation.

[Lifestyles related to preserving 20 or more teeth at 80 years of age]

To explore lifestyle factors related to preserving 20 or more teeth at 80 years of age, a total of 114 Japanese persons aged 80 years old (70 with 20 teeth or more (mean teeth: 25.0 +/- 2.8) and 44 with 19 teeth or less (mean teeth: 5.2 +/- 6.3)) were studied. Study subjects received a dental examination and were directly interviewed, using a questionnaire, to collect such information as past episodes of tooth and gingival conditions, past attitude to dental care and several lifestyle habits. The following major findings emerged by statistical analysis. Probability of preserving 20 or more teeth at 80 years of age was significantly high with: (1) strict upbringing in childhood (p < 0.05 in males), (2) no swollen gums around 60 years old (p < 0.01 in males), (3) early visit to a dentist around 40 years old (p < 0.05 in males), and (4) not being fond of sweets in childhood (p < 0.05 in females). The following related to a high tendency toward preserving 20 or more teeth at 80 years of age: (1) graduate from primary school only (in females), (2) having a home dentist around 20 years old (in males), (3) tended to visit a dentist earlier at 20 years old (in males), (4) not eating sweet things at 60 years old (in males), and (5) have not smoked cigarettes (in males).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Neurotropic pyrimidine heterocyclic compounds. I. The newly synthesized pyrimidine compounds promote neurite outgrowth of GOTO and neuro 2a neuroblastoma cell lines, and potentiate nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite sprouting of PC 12 cells

From the study using cultured human and mouse neuroblastoma cells, we found that a new type of synthetic bicyclic pyrimidine compounds possessing piperazine moiety strongly promoted neurite outgrowth in neuroblastoma cell lines human GOTO and mouse neuro 2a. The most effective compounds of these 2-piperazinopyrimidine derivatives possessing nerve growth factor (NGF)-like activity were 2-piperazino-6-oxo-5,6-dihydro(7H)pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine and 2-piperadino-6-methyl-5-oxo-5,6-dihydro(7H)pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin e. The piperazinopyrimidine compounds were also shown to potentiate NGF-induced neurite sprouting of rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. The compounds were more effective in cell cultures than isopropylaminopyrimidine (isaxonine) which had been previously developed and then withdrawn. We discussed the merit of the method of the screening of neurotropic compounds by neurite sprouting activity in cultured neuroblastoma cells.

Purification and processing of rat liver procathepsin B

In order to characterize the intracellular processing event of lysosomal cathepsin B, the proenzyme was purified from the rat liver microsomal contents using a Con A-Sepharose column, a Sepharose-Gly-Phe-GlySc column, and an anti-cathepsin B IgG column. The purified proenzyme gave a single protein band of 39 kDa on SDS/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The proenzyme showed no appreciable enzymatic activity. When the purified proenzyme was incubated with the cathepsin B-free tritosomal contents, prepared by treatment of the tritosomal contents with anti-cathepsin B IgG Sepharose, at pH 3.0, 30 degrees C, a remarkable increase of enzymatic activity was observed. Immunoblot analysis showed that the proenzyme was completely converted to the active intermediate form of 31 kDa after 1 h incubation. These processing and activation events were blocked in the presence of pepstatin. When the proenzyme was incubated with the cathepsins B- and D-free tritosomal contents, prepared by treatment of the cathepsin B-free tritosomal contents with anti-cathepsin D IgG Sepharose, the processing and activation did not occur. These results indicate that cathepsin D is involved in the processing and activation of procathepsin B in rat liver lysosome. In the NH2-terminal sequence analysis of the 31 kDa form, the terminal was assigned as proline (66th residue). Since the NH2-terminus of the mature single-chain form of cathepsin B (29 kDa) ends at leucine (80th residue), the NH2-terminus of the 31 kDa form is 14 amino acid residues longer than that of the single-chain form.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Responses to heat shock of alpha B crystallin and HSP28 in U373 MG human glioma cells

Responses to heat shock of alpha B crystallin and small heat-shock protein HSP28, which are expressed at considerable levels in human astroglioma U373 MG cells (2-4 micrograms of each per mg soluble protein in confluent cultures), were analysed quantitatively by specific immunoassays. Concentrations of alpha B crystallin and HSP28 in soluble extracts of U373 MG cells decreased to about 50% of original values, with an increase in the insoluble fraction, during heat treatment for 15 min at 45 degrees C. The concentrations of alpha B crystallin and HSP28 increased gradually upon return to 37 degrees C, reaching and then exceeding the control levels within 5 h and 10 h, respectively, after heat shock. During centrifugation on sucrose density gradients both alpha B crystallin and HSP28 in extracts from untreated and heat-treated cells sedimented at the same position, which corresponded to a molecular mass of > 540 kDa. This result suggests that the sizes of aggregates of the two proteins in the cytoplasm are not affected by heat shock. Both alpha B crystallin and HSP28 in an extract of U373 MG cells were trapped on and coeluted from an affinity column prepared with antibodies against alpha B crystallin. These results suggest that the two proteins are also associated in U373 MG cells.

Single-cell transplantation determines the time when Xenopus muscle precursor cells acquire a capacity for autonomous differentiation

We have used a single-cell transplantation technique to find out whether there is a stage in development when a single cell can reach and maintain its differentiated state in the absence of its neighbors. Muscle precursor cells from early, mid-, and late gastrula stages of Xenopus laevis embryos were isolated and transplanted singly into the ventral region of late gastrula hosts. Single cells from late gastrulae differentiated into muscle when surrounded by nonmuscle cells. Similar cells from early or mid-gastrulae did not, unless they were transplanted as a group of adjacent cells taken from the same region of an embryo. These results show that single embryonic cells in a tissue can complete their differentiation without interacting with their normal neighbors and that, in the case of Xenopus muscle precursor cells, they acquire this capacity at the late gastrula stage. Our results also suggest that, in addition to mesoderm induction, further cell interactions during gastrulation are required for Xenopus muscle cell differentiation.

[Lymphoscintigraphy with 99mTc-DTPA-HSA in the diagnosis of protein-losing gastroenteropathy]

We evaluated the diagnostic capability of technetium-99m-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid-human serum albumin (99mTc-DTPA-HSA) lymphoscintigrapy in a patient with protein-losing gastroenteropathy. 99mTc-DTPA-HSA (total 740 MBq) was injected subcutaneously into the digital webs of the both feet. With a gamma camera, whole-body and abdominal lymphoscintigrams were obtained after the injection of the radioisotope: early images and delayed images taken 5-15 min and 50-60 min, respectively, after the injection. A few days later, the dynamic lymphoscintigraphy was also performed. Lymph fluid leakage into the small bowel and the sites of the leakage were detected. It was concluded that lymphoscintigraphy with 99mTc-DTPA-HSA was a useful diagnostic tool in patients with protein-losing gastroenteropathy.

Hypotensive effects and influence on serum lipids of SQ29,852, a new angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, in patients with essential hypertension: a comparison with atenolol

The effects of SQ29,852 (n = 24), a new angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, and atenolol (n = 22), monotherapies were compared in 46 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. Both SQ29,852 (mean dose 15.0 +/- 5.1 mg/day) and atenolol (mean dose 37.5 +/- 18.5 mg/day) significantly decreased both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. There were no significant changes in serum lipids, apolipoproteins, lipoproteins or atherosclerotic indices after both SQ29,852 and atenolol. There were also no significant inter-group differences. There were no serious side effects or abnormal laboratory tests in both treatment groups. It is concluded that SQ29,852 is an effective antihypertensive drug without adverse effect on lipid metabolism.

Response of patients in mixed state of anxiety and depression to low dose sulpiride

Two cases with mixed symptoms of anxiety and depression are described. In both cases, a low dose of sulpiride was effective, improving patients anxious and depressive symptoms without severe side effects. These findings suggest that a low dose sulpiride treatment can be useful in the treatment of anxious and depressive patients.

[Establishment of hepatitis B virus model animals by HVJ-liposome method]

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) genes were injected directly into liver of adult rodents by HVJ-liposome method in order to develop HBV model rodents. From immunohistochemical analysis, liver cells transfected with the HBsAg genes expressed the Ag in vivo. Transfection of plasmid expressing only small S antigen (secretory type) resulted in detection of HBsAg in sera of rats for 9 days. On successive injection of the HBsAg (large S, middle S, and small S) genes, the antibody to HBsAg was produced in the sera of rats. Furthermore, liver tissues in the rats showed infiltration of lymphocytes and hepatocytes degeneration in the parenchyma and inflammation of Glisson's sheaths histologically. The HVJ-liposome method may be suitable for evaluating a series of process from expression of viral components to induction of viral diseases in the living body.

Innervation of the levator scapulae, the serratus anterior, the rhomboideus and the scapular muscles in the gray kangaroo (Macropus giganteus). Comparisons are drawn to the crab-eating macaque and man

The origin, course and distribution of the nerves to the levator scapulae, rhomboideus, serratus anterior, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, teres minor, deltoid, teres major and latissimus dorsi muscles were examined in 7 kangaroo body-halves. The levator scapulae and the serratus anterior formed a continuous muscle sheet arising from the transverse processes of the lower 5 cervical vertebrae and the upper 6 ribs. The rhomboideus arose from the occipital bone in addition to the cervical dorsal median raphe. Six segmental nerves from C3 to C8 innervated these 3 muscles. Each segmental nerve originated from the dorsal surface of the corresponding root of the cervicobrachial plexus. All these nerves innervated the levator-serratus muscle sheet and 4 segmental nerves from C3 to C6 innervated the rhomboideus. Of the remaining scapular muscles, the supraspinatus was well developed, and the teres minor was a small muscle. The nerves supplying the scapular muscles originated from the area between the upper trunk and the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. Four segmental nerves from C5 to C8 usually innervated these 7 muscles. Judging from the relationships between nerves and muscles, all of these muscles are thought to have originally belonged to the same 2 groups of the dorsal musculature extending between the trunk, the shoulder girdle, and the limb. Muscle type and modes of nerve supply to the muscles in the grey kangaroo are similar to those found in the crab-eating macaque.