Correlation of desmoglein 1 and 3 immunohistochemistry with autoantibody levels and clinical severity in pemphigus

BACKGROUND

Pemphigus is a chronic potentially fatal autoimmune bullous disorder. Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF) are the two common subtypes. PV is the most common and aggressive type characterized by oral mucosal erosions and cutaneous lesions. PF presents with blisters on the scalp, face, and upper trunk, and spares the mucosae. Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) is the gold standard for diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is an emerging alternate diagnostic tool. In this study, our objectives were to identify the staining patterns of desmoglein 1 (dsg 1) and desmoglein 3 (dsg 3) IHC and to correlate the same with autoantibody levels and clinical severity in patients with PV and PF.

METHODS

Forty-nine clinically, histologically, and DIF-confirmed cases of pemphigus were included in the study. The IHC patterns were scored from 0 to 3+ with 3+ dsg 1 IHC exhibiting intense membranous staining in the upper layers of the epidermis and 3+ dsg 3 IHC showing intense basal layer staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-dsg 1 and 3 antibodies was performed in 38 cases where serum samples were available. The pemphigus disease activity index system was utilized for clinical scoring.

RESULTS

A 0 to 1+ score was observed for dsg 1 IHC in 100% of PF cases. A score of 0 to 1+ was observed for dsg 3 IHC in 97.3% of PV cases. One hundred percent of cases with PF and 83.9% of patients with PV tested positive for ELISA anti-dsg 1 and 3 antibody titers, respectively. Anti-dsg 1 and 3 ELISA titers significantly correlated with the dsg 1 and dsg 3 IHC scores. The mucosal scores showed a significant association with both dsg 1 and 3 IHC (p < 0.001). The cutaneous scores showed a significant association with the dsg 3 IHC (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The IHC patterns for dsg 1 and 3 proved reliable in giving concordant results with the ELISA antibody titers and clinical severity.

RETRACTED: P444 Shared decision making for switching from oral mesalazine tablets to granules in low adherent inflammatory bowel disease patients

BACKGROUND

Oral mesalazine effectively induces and maintains remission in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) patients. However, adherence to the drug regimen is low. Shared decision-making (SDM) is considered effective in promoting treatment adherence in IBD patients. We used SDM to switch non-adherent IBD patients from oral mesalazine tablets to granules and checked the new adherence rates.

METHODS

The IRB of our hospital approved this observational study named 'Evaluation of improvement of adherence by changing oral mesalazine to Pentasa granule in low adherent inflammatory bowel disease patients, IMPACT-PG'. We used the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8, where an MMAS-8 score of ≥6 indicates good adherence) to assess adherence to oral mesalazine. We met with low adherence patients and explained the benefits and characteristics of mesalazine granules and tablets; we then gave them a choice between continuing with the same pH-dependent mesalazine tablets (with a 20% weight/volume decrease) and switching to oral mesalazine granules (2 g in one stick, 2 g once or twice a day). Primary endpoint was adherence rate in IBD patients with granule or with tablet at 6 months, and secondary endpoint was adherence rate at 12 months. Contributing factors to good adherence to the oral regimen were also examined. The adherence rate was analysed using chi-square test, and contributing factors were determined by multivariate analysis using SPSS ver24.

RESULTS

One hundred and eighty-three patients (126 UC and 57 Crohn's colitis patients) were enrolled and examined adherence by MMAS-8 score. Good adherence ratio was 42.6% (78 of 183). Both higher age and low frequency of medication were significantly more common in adherent patients than in non-adherent patients. Odds ratios of age and the frequency of daily medication were 1.057 (95% CI 1.029-1.086; p < 0.0001) and 0.407 (95% CI 0.218-0.759; p = 0.005), respectively. SDM was performed to the 105 low adherence patients. 67% of the low adherence patients (70 of 105) preferred mesalazine granules. Five patients were dropped out until 6 months, as well as 13 patients were dropped out until 12 months. Remission rates at 0, 6, and 24 months were not significantly different between granule and tablet groups. Adherence rates at 6 [67% (44/66) vs. 32% (11 of 34)] and at 12 [72% (43 of 60) vs. 44% (14 of 32)] months were significantly higher in the granule group than in the tablet group.

CONCLUSIONS

SDM was effective for switching patients from a mesalazine tablet to a granule regimen, and adherence rates were improved in IBD patients.

Cerebellopontine angle mass mimicking lingual nerve injury after dental implant placement: a case report

This is a rare case report of a cerebellopontine angle (CPA) mass mimicking lingual nerve injury after a dental implant placement. Lingual nerve injury is a common complication following dental implant placement. CPA masses are likely to cause symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia, and thus can mimic and be easily confused with oral diseases. We experienced a case of CPA mass mimicking lingual nerve injury after dental implant placement. The patient was a 57-year-old Japanese female who complained of glossalgia. She underwent dental implant placement in the mandible before visiting our clinic. Panoramic x-ray radiography revealed no abnormalities; the salivary flow rate by gum test was 7.0 ml/10 min. She was diagnosed with lingual nerve injury and secondary burning mouth syndrome. Vitamin B12 and oral moisturizer did not provide relief; furthermore, numbness in the lower lip emerged. A Semmes Weinstein test demonstrated elevation of her sensitivity threshold. Finally, magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 20-mm diameter mass in the CPA. The patient is now being followed under conservative management. Our experience underscores the importance of including CPA mass in the differential diagnosis of dental diseases.

DNA demethylating agent decitabine increases AQP5 expression and restores salivary function

Xerostomia is the symptom of oral dryness resulting most frequently, but not exclusively, from salivary gland hypofunction. Because the prevalence of xerostomia may increase with age, it has multiple oral health consequences in aging populations. In the present study, we demonstrate that the in vivo administration of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR; decitabine), a DNA demethylating agent, to the murine aging model C57BL/6CrSlc mice (24 wks old) increased the volumes of salivary flow compared with those of control mice. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining demonstrated the augmented expression of AQP5 protein in the salivary glands of 5-Aza-CdR-treated mice compared with those of control mice. In addition, AQP5 protein expression levels in 5-Aza-CdR-treated old mice (27 wks old) were much higher than those in untreated and young mice (6 wks old). Global methylation levels in the salivary glands were significantly lower in the 5-Aza-CdR-treated mice than in the untreated mice. Moreover, the induction of demethylation in the AQP5 promoter of 5-Aza-CdR-treated mice was stronger than in the control mice. Analysis of our data therefore suggests that a DNA demethylating agent may be a useful drug for restoring hyposalivation in elderly individuals, thereby leading to the resolution of xerostomia.

Analysis of feeding behavior with direct linear transformation

AIM

The sucking pattern of term infants is composed of a rhythmic alteration of expression and suction movements. The aim is to evaluate if direct linear transformation (DLT) method could be used for the assessment of infant feeding.

SUBJECT AND METHODS

A total of 10 gnormalh infants and two infants with neurological disorders were studied using DLT procedures and expression/suction pressure recordings. Feeding pattern of seven gnormalh infants were evaluated simultaneously recording DLT and pressures. The other infants were tested non-simultaneously. We placed markers on the lateral angle of the eye, tip of the jaw, and throat. The faces of infants while sucking were recorded in profile. The jaw and throat movements were calculated using the DLT procedure. Regression analysis was implemented to investigate the relationship between suction and expression pressures and eye-jaw and eye-throat movement. All regression analyses investigated univariate relationships and adjusted for other covariates.

RESULTS

Ten gnormalh infants demonstrated higher suction pressure than expression pressure, and their throat movements were larger than jaw movements. Two infants with neurological problems did not generate suction pressure and demonstrated larger movements in their jaw than throat. The simultaneous measurement (n=7) showed a significant correlation, not only between eye-jaw distance and the expression pressure, but also between eye-throat distance and suction pressure. The change in the eye-jaw distance was smaller than the changes in the eye-throat distance in gnormalh infants (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The DLT method can be used to evaluate feeding performance without any special device.

Feeding behaviour of infants with cleft lip and palate

AIM

To determine whether the feeding behaviour of infants with cleft lip and palate is improved with a type-P teat, which is widely used in Japan by such infants, compared with a standard teat. The difference in intra-oral movements between the type-P teat, modified for the evaluation of feeding behaviour, and an unmodified type-P teat was also compared using ultrasonography.

METHODS

In part 1 of the study, 15 infants aged 2 to 3 mo and 7 infants aged 2 wk were evaluated for sucking pressure, expression pressure, frequency and duration of sucking. All the infants had a complete unilateral cleft lip and palate without any other abnormalities. In part 2, an ultrasonographic analysis of intra-oral movement was done for 5 infants enrolled in part 1 of the study.

RESULTS

Sucking pressure did not occur in all infants. It was found that feeding efficiency improved with the type-P teat compared with the standard teat. The expression pressure with the type-P teat was significantly higher than that with the standard teat, and the feeding frequency with the type-P teat was lower than that with the standard teat.

CONCLUSION

A type-P teat is suitable for infants with cleft lip and palate who have sucking difficulties. However, a type-P nipple with a squeezable bottle does not fully solve the feeding problems of infants with cleft lip and palate. New artificial teats that allow a higher expression pressure are desirable, and the measurement of the expression pressure may be helpful in the evaluation of artificial nipples.

Use of some natural and waste materials for waste water treatment

A fundamental study was conducted to assess removal and filtration capacity of waste and natural indigenous materials as treatment mediums e.g., shell, limestone, waste paper mixed with refuse concrete, refuse cement, also processed nitrolite, charcoal-bio and charcoal. Under room temperature condition removal of phosphoric, nitric and ammonium-ions, filtration of suspended substance (SS) together with removal of COD in waste water was investigated. Influence of particle size effect for all treatment mediums except for waste paper was pursued. Significant improvement of waste water quality with respect to SS, phosphoric ions and decrease in COD is possible by treating with these filtration mediums. With specific reference to some treatment mediums NO3-N and NH4-N showed reasonable improvement in quality, although generally removal effect was not very significant. Efficacy of treatment was dependent on the particle size of treatment mediums in general, however, nitrolite for NH4--N, charcoal-A for SS and COD, refuse cement mixed with waste paper for PO4 ion removal showed insignificant variability on the particle size effect. Results of this fundamental study demonstrate effectiveness and feasibility for applied application of these proposed waste and naturally available treatment ingredients at lower cost.

Peptidases play an important role in cataractogenesis: an immunohistochemical study on lenses derived from Shumiya cataract rats

The role of proteolytic enzymes in Shumiya cataract rats in alterations to lens proteins during cataract formation was studied immunohistochemically using antibodies against exopeptidases, such as lysosomal dipeptidyl peptidase II (DPP II), cytosolic dipeptidyl peptidase III, and soluble and membrane-bound alanyl aminopeptidases, and against cytosolic endopeptidases such as mu- and m-calpains, and 20S proteasome. AlphaB-crystallin was detected as a proteolytic marker in the lenses. A constant immunoreactivity against all the antibodies employed was observed in the lens epithelium independent of the strain and age of the rats. A weak immunoreactivity against exo- and endopeptidases and an intense reactivity against alphaB-crystallin were observed in the lens fibres of control rats at all ages. The immunoreactivity of these peptidases in lens fibres increased with age in cataract rats, but that of alphaB-crystallin decreased. No reactivity against exo- and endopeptidases was seen in the perinuclear region of lenses of control rats at all ages or in Shumiya cataract rats at 8 and 10 weeks of age, but an intense reactivity against these peptidases was observed in the lens perinuclear region of lenses in cataract rats at 12 and 14 weeks of age. AlphaB-crystallin immunoreactivity was observed with ordered striations in the lens perinuclear region of all control rats whereas the striations in this area of cataract rat lens were disorganized. Membrane-bound alanyl aminopeptidase was detected feebly in the lens epithelium and fibres of both types of rat at all weeks of age. These findings indicate that exo- and endopeptidases, except for membrane-bound alanyl aminopeptidase, are expressed intensively and are age-dependent. Conversely, the amount of alphaB-crystallin decreased with age in lens fibres of cataract rats. Calpains (mu- and m-), 20S proteasome, dipeptidyl peptidases II and III and soluble alanyl aminopeptidase are thought to induce lens opacification kinetically during cataract formation in Shumiya cataract rats through the intracellular turnover of lens proteins.

Stereopsis-processing regions in the human parieto-occipital cortex

We performed fMRI on the human parieto-occipital cortex in order to identify the neural processing regions of stereopsis. Visual stimulation for stereopsis was performed with a random-dot stereogram displayed in the image guides of a new binocular visual stimulation device that we developed. Interestingly, regions from the dorsal portion of the occipital lobe to the superior parietal lobule were activated by binocular disparity, while the inferior parietal lobule was not activated. Moreover, these regions were shown as dominant in the right hemisphere. Functional brain mapping revealed that the processing regions of stereopsis were dorsally located in parieto-occipital cortex, and that the superior parietal lobule is an important region for neural processing of human stereopsis.

Number and variations of the red and green visual pigment genes in Japanese men with normal color vision

PURPOSE

We analyzed the red/green visual pigment genes in color-normal Japanese men to understand the relationship between color anomalies and genetic defects.

METHODS

DNA from 120 color-normal Japanese men was subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplification for exons 2-5 of the red/green visual pigment genes and the PCR products were sequenced. The red:green gene ratios were estimated from the sequencing electropherograms of exon 5 and also from MvaI-restriction fragment analysis of the same exon. The first gene and the downstream genes in the pigment gene array were separately analyzed by PCR, direct sequencing, and/or single-strand conformation polymorphisms.

RESULTS

The red:green gene ratios estimated from the ratios of peak heights of nucleotides on the sequencing electropherograms coincided with those estimated from the MvaI-restriction fragment analysis. Among the subjects analyzed, they were 1:1 in 43% (n = 52), 1:2 in 41% (n = 49), 1:3 in 6% (n = 7), and 1:>3 in 9% (n = 11). The first gene in the pigment gene arrays was red in all subjects. Only 1 subject (N22) had a green-red hybrid gene. Exons 2 and 4 had 2 haplotypes each, but exon 3 was highly polymorphic. Exon 5 of the green genes had one polymorphism at codon 283 with a frequency of 32%.

CONCLUSIONS

The features of visual pigment genes in color-normal Japanese men were revealed. The data and establishing techniques may be useful for analyzing these genes in color-deficient subjects in the Japanese population.

Massive deep vein thrombosis after cesarean section treated with a temporary inferior vena cava filter: a case report

A 25-year-old woman suffered a massive deep vein thrombus in her left common iliac vein extending to the inferior vena cava after an abdominal cesarean section. The massive and floating inferior vena cava thrombus was considered to pose a high risk of pulmonary thromboembolism. After placement of a temporary inferior vena cava filter via the left brachial vein, thrombolytic therapy and anticoagulation therapy were instituted. The filter successfully prevented pulmonary thromboembolism during thrombolytic therapy. This patient was confined to bed because the filter moved vertically with left shoulder joint abduction. Although a temporary inferior vena cava filter is very useful for the prevention of pulmonary thromboembolism in a patient with deep vein thrombus, the appropriate range of activity for such a patient needs careful consideration.

Detection of female carriers of congenital color-vision deficiencies by visual pigment gene analysis

PURPOSE

Congenital color-vision deficiencies are frequent among males, 4.7-8.0%, suggesting that female carriers are present at a frequency of 9-15%. The purpose of this study was to determine whether carriers could be detected by analysis of the visual pigment genes.

METHODS

DNA from 29 males with congenital color-vision deficiencies, from their mothers, and from 117 randomly-selected females was analyzed. The most upstream genes, the downstream genes, and the most downstream genes in the red/green pigment gene arrays were amplified separately by PCR. Exon 5 of each gene was analyzed by single-strand conformation polymorphisms (SSCP).

RESULTS

Analysis of the visual pigment genes suggests that one of the 29 mothers examined is a female protan and two others are carriers of both protan and deutan defects. The remaining 26 mothers were confirmed to be carriers of congenital color-vision deficiencies. Unusual patterns were observed in 15 (13%) of the randomly-selected females; among them, 5 appeared to be protan carriers and at least 4 to be deutan carriers.

CONCLUSIONS

Female carriers of congenital color-vision deficiencies can be detected by analysis of the visual pigment genes. Since the proportion of females showing unusual patterns was slightly higher than expected, some must be false-positives and require more detailed examination.

Neural connections of the pontine reticular formation, which connects reciprocally with the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi in the rat

The pontine reticular formation connected with the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi was studied in the rat using anterograde and retrograde tracer techniques. The area reciprocally connected with the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi was evident in the pontine reticular formation of the rat. The region had intensive reciprocal connections with the ipsilateral subthalamic region, the contralateral pontine reticular formation and the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the region received cholinergic projections mainly from the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus and the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, and aminergic projections from the dopaminergic cell groups A13 and A11, noradrenergic cell groups A7, A6 and A5, and the serotoninergic B9 cell group. This region in the rat was considered to be the preoculomotor structure in the function of horizontal gaze corresponding to the paramedian pontine reticular formation in other animals.

Cataract surgery training using pig eyes filled with chestnuts of various hardness

This method uses pig eyes filled with cooked chestnuts serving as pseudonuclei with the goal of teaching dividing techniques of phacoemulsification and aspiration. The pseudonuclei simulate the various degrees of human lens nuclear sclerosis. The chestnuts are trimmed to lens size. After lens extraction through a self-sealing straight incision from the pig eyes, the chestnuts are inserted in the capsular bag through the incision, which is then sutured. These preparatory procedures were initially performed by experienced surgeons but after practicing phacoemulsification technique several times, inexperienced surgeons were able to complete the entire procedure, allowing them to practice phaco chop, divide and conquer, and nondividing phacoemulsification.

Baseline features of idiopathic optic neuritis as determined by a multicenter treatment trial in Japan. Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial Multicenter Cooperative Research Group (ONMRG)

BACKGROUND

An optic neuritis treatment trial was conducted at 30 clinical centers in Japan using the same protocol. Patient participation was based on: age range of 14-55 years; acute symptoms indicative of unilateral optic neuritis of unknown or demyelinating origin; visual symptoms of 14-day duration or less; relative afferent pupillary defect in affected eye; and normal or swollen optic disc of affected eye.

CASES

Initially, 102 patients qualified for participation; baseline data were obtained for analysis from 70 of these patients. Demographic characteristics of Japanese patients with optic neuritis were clarified and compared with those in a US study.

OBSERVATIONS

The incidence of ocular or periocular pain and the presence of periventricular plaques were noted to be lower, and the incidence of disc swelling higher, in the Japanese patients, suggesting racial differences in the characteristics of the disease. Such differences may possibly be related to the lower incidence of multiple sclerosis in Japanese patients. The results of visual function tests were virtually the same in both studies. The nonaffected eyes of more than half the patients showed abnormal mean deviation in Humphrey field analysis, as also noted in the US study.

CONCLUSIONS

The baseline clinical features of optic neuritis in the Japanese patients have been defined. Some racial differences in the characteristics of the disease may exist.

Multicenter clinical trial for evaluating methylprednisolone pulse treatment of idiopathic optic neuritis in Japan. Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial Multicenter Cooperative Research Group (ONMRG)

BACKGROUND

A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in 1991 to compare an intravenous megadose of methylprednisolone with a control drug (mecobalamin) for treating acute idiopathic optic neuritis.

CASES

Sixty-six cases from 22 clinical centers throughout Japan were examined to evaluate the treatment on visual function parameters, such as visual acuity, visual field, color vision, contrast sensitivity, and critical flicker frequency.

OBSERVATIONS

The methylprednisolone pulse treatment group showed faster recovery of visual function, particularly the visual acuity at 1 week (P<.05), Humphrey field analyzer mean deviation at 3 weeks (P<.05), and color vision at 1 week (P<.05). Recovery of contrast sensitivity at several different spatial frequencies was significant in the pulse treatment group at 1 (P<.01), 2 (P<.05), and 4 weeks (P<.05) after the start of treatment. Visual function test results at 12 weeks and 1 year were essentially the same in the two treatment groups. Side effects appeared more frequently in the pulse treatment group than in the control (P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Pulse treatment does not appear effective for idiopathic optic neuritis even though visual function in the pulse treatment group of this trial recovered more quickly during the initial phase compared to the controls. More effective and specific treatment should be established for optic neuritis.

[Diagnosis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for blowout fracture--three advantages of MRI]

INTRODUCTION

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gives a much more detailed picture of the soft tissue than computerized tomography (CT). In blowout fracture cases, it is very easy to observe the incarcerated orbital tissue.

SUBJECTS

We performed MRI in 19 blowout fracture cases.

RESULTS

After evaluating the images, we found three advantages of MRI. The first is that even small herniation of the orbital contents can easily be detected because the orbital fatty tissue contrasts well around the other tissues in MRI. The second is that the incarcerated tissues can be clearly differentiated because a clear contrast between the orbital fatty tissue and the extraocular muscle can be seen in MRI. The third is that the running images of the incarcerated muscle belly can be observed because any necessary directional slies can be taken in MRI.

CONCLUSION

These advantages are very important in the diagnosis of blowout fractures. MRI should be employed in blowout fracture cases in addition to CT.

Platelet-derived growth factor B-chain expression in the rat retina and optic nerve: distribution and changes after transection of the optic nerve

To test the possible involvement of platelet-derived growth factor B-chain (PDGF-B) in anterograde and retrograde degenerations of the CNS neurons, we studied the changes of PDGF-B localization and its mRNA expression in the rat retina and optic nerve (ON) after unilateral ON transection, using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. In the control retinas immunoreactivity for PDGF-B and its mRNA expression were localized in the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and the nerve fiber layer. After ON transection PDGF-B immunoreactivity in the nerve fiber layer started to decrease on post-injury day 3 or 4. Atrophic changes in the RGCs started on day 5 just after the decrease of PDGF expression, and thereafter the RGC number decreased. In the longitudinal section of the ON rostral to the transected site, swollen axons showed intense PDGF-B immunoreactivity and macrophages, and some glial cells revealed a significant increase in both immunoreactivity and hybridization signals. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that the decrease in PDGF-B in RGCs after axotomy causes the loss of RGCs, and that increased PDGF-B expression in the ON plays a role in the cascade of tissue reactions following ON transection.

[Metabolic changes of aldose and phosphorus metabolites in incubated rabbit lenses--effects of aldose reductase inhibitor]

We measured the metabolic changes in aldose and phosphorus metabolites in rabbit lenses incubated with tissue culture medium 199 (TCM 199) containing 20 mM glucose-1-13C, using 13C, 31P-NMR Spectroscopy (13C, 31P-MRS). Then we investigated the effects of aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) on those metabolic changes, using the same method. In the incubated rabbit lenses, rapid increases were recognized in sorbitol, sorbitol-3-phosphate, and alpha-glycerophosphate. The levels of glucose, lactate, and adenosin triphosphate (ATP) did not change significantly. Once ARI was added, the levels of sorbitol and sorbitol-3-phosphate were reduced immediately, but the reduction of alpha-glycerophosphate needed some time after the addition of ARI. On the other hand, the levels of lactate increased approximately two-fold, and the levels of glucose and ATP did not change significantly. Considered with our other observations on the metabolic changes in alloxan induced diabetic rabbit lenses, and in rabbit lenses incubated with high concentrations (5-40 mM) of glucose-TCM 199 or 20 mM galactose-TCM 199, these results suggest that aldose reductase not only activates the polyol pathway but also controls the Embden-Meyerhof pathway, energetic metabolic changes, or phospholipid-associated metabolic changes.

Monoamine oxidase-A-positive retinal ganglion cells projecting to the superior colliculus and dorsolateral geniculate nucleus of the rat brain

Detailed morphology and distribution of monoamine oxidase type A (MAO-A) positive retinal ganglion cells, and their synaptic terminals in the superior colliculus and the lateral geniculate nucleus, were investigated by light and electron microscopy. In addition, the differences in various retinal ganglion cells with respect to the projection site were examined by the injection of colloidal gold into the superior colliculus and the lateral geniculate nucleus. The effects of unilateral enucleation were also examined. In the retina, small, medium and large sized MAO-A-positive ganglion cells were observed; the large sized cells were distributed evenly throughout the retina, while the small and medium sized cells were most numerous in a ring surrounding the central retina and decreased in density near the optic disc and the peripheral retina. The MAO-A-positive terminals in the superior colliculus were smaller in size than those in the lateral geniculate nucleus. From colloidal gold injection, it was apparent that the MAO-A-positive ganglion cells projecting to the superior colliculus were generally smaller in size than those projecting to the lateral geniculate nucleus. Fourteen days after unilateral enucleation, the MAO-A-positive terminals in the superior colliculus and lateral geniculate nucleus contralateral to the enucleated eye had almost disappeared, whereas those in the ipsilateral regions remained unaffected. These findings demonstrate the distribution and projections of the MAO-A-positive ganglion cells.

A novel junction-like membrane complex in the optic nerve astrocyte of the Japanese macaque with a possible relation to a potassium ion channel

BACKGROUND

A new type of junction-like membrane complex (JMC) was detected between adjacent astrocytes in the optic nerve of Japanese macaque (macaca fuscata). This membrane complex morphologically resembled a cell junction, but a possible role for potassium ion channels could not be denied based on freeze-fracture replica observation. We attempted to determine the chemical nature and function of the novel JMC.

METHODS

Using an electron microscope, we observed JMCs in the optic nerve astrocyte. In addition, we observed them using a freeze-fracture replica and immunohistochemistry with connexin 43, a gap junction specific protein. Furthermore, immunolocalization of an inwardly rectifying potassium ion channel, K(AB)-2 (Kir4.1), was studied with a confocal laser-scanning microscope, and an electron microscope using a newly developed pre-embedding method.

RESULTS

These JMCs were abundant around the blood vessel in the area just behind the lamina cribrosa. At JMCs the inner leaflet was thicker than the outer leaflet and electron-dense materials were packed in the intercellular space. Freeze-fracture replica observation revealed orthogonal arrays of particles, probably at the place of JMCs, that have been considered a potassium ion channel. No connexin 43 immunoreactivity was detected in JMCs, while K(AB)-2 was mostly localized on either side of the opposing cell membranes of JMC.

CONCLUSIONS

These JMCs do not seem to be a simple junction, but relate to a potassium ion channel. The area just behind the lamina cribrosa may be important in terms of conductance of the optic nerve impulse.

Regulation of fluid flow through corneal stroma in the bullfrog

Regulation of fluid flow through corneal stroma was investigated in the bullfrog. Corneal specimens were mounted by clamping their limbal sclera between the two chambers of a Ussing-type chamber. The epithelial surface was covered with Ringer's solution, while the endothelial surface was superfused with Ringer's solution at various pressures ranging from 0-60 mm Hg. At 0 mm Hg, the cornea swelled, while at 10 mm Hg the corneal thickness remained unchanged. Further elevation of the hydrostatic pressure of the endothelial superfusion solution caused a decrease in corneal thickness, suggesting that the hydrostatic pressure in the in vivo frog corneal stroma is about 10 mm Hg. At 10 mm Hg of endothelial superfusion pressure, piercing the epithelial cell layer with a 30-gauge needle caused only slight corneal swelling. Removing glucose from the epithelial perfusion solution induced a slowly progressing increase in corneal thickness. Iodoacetate did not interfere with the swelling of the pierced cornea after the removal of glucose from the epithelial perfusion solution. To examine the possibility that the interstitial fluid flows across the stroma-scleral boundary, corneal specimens having unclamped sclera were incubated in Ringer's solution containing 3 mmol/L dextran of various molecular weights ranging from 8800-162,000, and the volume of the preparation was monitored by sequential measurement of the weight. In the presence of dextran with a molecular weight higher than 70,000, the corneal volume decreased at the beginning of incubation, and after reaching the minimal volume it slowly increased, indicating that the stroma-scleral boundary is permeable to dextran of even a molecular weight of 162,000, although dextran molecules diffuse much more slowly than water, and the concentration of unfilterable solutes in the stroma is lower than 3 mmol/L. In experiments using the Ussing-type chamber at 10 mm Hg of endothelial superfusion pressure, a decrease of NaCl in the superfusing solution to 1/2 caused rapid corneal swelling followed by slow recovery. Adding NaCl to the 1/2 NaCl Ringer's solution caused a further corneal thinning in a concentration-dependent manner. The same extent of decrease in corneal thickness as induced by adding NaCl was achieved by the same concentration of glucose as of NaCl, implying that the value of the reflection coefficient of the endothelial cell layer to either Na+ or Cl- is about half that of glucose. Our results show that even a small difference in the concentration of low molecular weight solutes (e.g., Na+ and Cl-) exerts a force that draws water from the cornea.

Stereopsis with normal and reversed binocular parallax using a head mounted display in normal and strabismic subjects

A virtual reality system using a head mounted display (HMD) was constructed for the purpose of finding out how human beings perceive the three-dimensional world. Four ophthalmologically normal subjects and 4 strabismic patients (2 with exotropia, 2 with esotropia) were examined. They wore the HMD and viewed some familiar objects (e.g. human face) and an unfamiliar object (e.g. tangled ropes) under normal parallax, reversed parallax, and monocular conditions. They also attempted the ring and hook test under each condition. They recognized the normal familiar objects under each condition, but some normal subjects were confused when they perceived unfamiliar objects. The normal subjects barely passed the ring and book test under the reversed parallax condition. The results of the strabismic subjects showed change under each condition. Stereoptic ability in normal and strabismic patients were considered based on the above. Also considered were some stereoptic keys, binocular parallax, monocular stereoptic keys such as shadows, shades, texture, etc., the near reflex and the fact that the objects were familiar. It was found that the strabismic patients used monocular stereoptic keys more than normal people to supplement their lack of binocular parallax perception.

Dipeptidyl peptidase II from porcine seminal plasma: purification, characterization, and its homology to granzymes, cytotoxic cell proteinases (CCP 1-4)

Dipeptidyl peptidase II (DPP II) was purified to homogeneity from porcine seminal plasma by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was calculated to be approx. 185,000 and 200,000 on Superdex 200 column chromatography and non-denatured PAGE, respectively, and to be 58,000 and 61,000 on SDS-PAGE in the absence and presence of beta-mercaptoethanol (beta-ME), respectively. These findings suggested that the enzyme is composed of three identical subunits. The enzyme rapidly hydrolyzed the substrates Lys-Ala-MCA and Gly-Pro-MCA at acidic pH. The Km and V(max) values of DPP II at optimal pH (pH 6.0) were 1330 microM and 2.9 mumol/mg per min for Gly-Pro-MCA, and 360 microM and 1.43 mumol/mg per min for Lys-Ala-MCA, respectively. It was strongly inhibited by diisopropylphosphofluoride (DFP), and moderately by 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzenesulfonyl fluoride (AEBSF). These findings suggest that DPP II is a serine peptidase. Furthermore, the enzyme activity was also strongly inhibited by copper ions. The amino-acid sequence of the first 41 residues of the enzyme was determined as Ala1-Ser-Pro-Pro-Glu-Pro-Gly-Phe-Arg- Glu10-Val-Tyr-Phe-Glu-Gln-Leu-Leu-Asp-His-Phe20-Asn-Phe-Glu- Arg-Phe- Gly-Lys-Lys-Thr-Phe30-Arg-Gln-Arg-Phe-Leu-Val-Ser-Asp-Lys-Phe40 -Trp. This sequence showed homology (11.6-30.2%) to the N-terminal amino-acid sequences of cytotoxic cell proteinases (CCP 1-4), granzymes. Other properties of DPP II including pH optimum, pH stability, and heat stability were characterized.

[Optic nerve diseases in children]

The optic nerve is a part of the white matter in the central nervous system and can easily be observed with a funduscope. Neuro-ophthalmologic studies of the optic nerve is useful in monitoring disorders in the central nervous system. In this paper we presented four cases of optic nerve diseases and discussed them from the standpoint of neuro-ophthalmology. Case 1, a 9-year-old girl, had left retrobulbar optic neuritis and right papillitis which occurred one year after the onset of left optic neuritis. She was treated with a three day course of methylprednisolone (500 mg). Her left optic disc became atrophic, but her right optic disc became normal. Her visual acuity recovered to 1.0 in each eye. Relative afferent pupillary defect was seen in her left eye. Steroid therapy for optic neuritis and pupillary light reaction were discussed. Case 2 was a 7-year-old girl with teratoma in the chiasmal region, and case 3 was a 10-year-old boy with craniopharyngioma. Visual field changes caused by tumors in the chiasmal region were discussed. Case 4 was a 7-year-old boy with right optic atrophy and left papilledema, an example of Foster Kennedy syndrome. The effects of papilledema on visual function was discussed.

Morphologic analysis of rat retino-collicular neuron terminals containing monoamine oxidase

The retino-collicular neuron terminals containing type A monoamine oxidase (MAO-A) in the stratum griseum superficiale of the rat superior colliculus were analyzed to provide a morphologic basis for the physiologic role of these neurons in the visual pathway. A computer-assisted, three-dimensional reconstruction of the terminal complex associated with the MAO-A-positive terminals was performed. MAO-A-positive terminals originated in the retina and terminated in the stratum griseum superficiale. This was confirmed by tract tracing and enucleation experiments. The terminals were densely grouped in clusters of irregularly shaped swellings. Electron microscopy revealed that the MAO-A-positive terminals were located in a glomerulus-like structure. In this terminal complex, a significant proportion of the axonal profiles (42.96%) synapsed with the MAO-A-positive terminals. Most of the profiles (24.16%) resembled presynaptic dendrites, which represent intermediate elements between the retinal terminals and conventional dendrites. Unlike the glomerulus in the dorsal lateral geniculate body, the MAO-A-positive terminal swellings were not located in the central part of the terminal complex. The terminals had an irregular shape and were located in the complex. The terminal complex was partially ensheathed by glial processes. Furthermore, the membrane surfaces exhibiting synaptic specializations were very small compared with the total surface of the terminal swellings. The membrane length of the synaptic specialization was 5.38% of the total perimeter of the MAO-A-positive terminals.

[Incidence of acute idiopathic optic neuritis and its therapy in Japan. Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial Multicenter Cooperative Research Group (ONMRG)]

Data on the incidence of and treatment for acute idiopathic optic neuritis were obtained by questionnaire sent to departments of ophthalmology, university hospitals, and general hospitals throughout Japan. Inquiry was made as to the number of cases which developed idiopathic optic neuritis from April 1992 to March 1993 along with their clinical features. The response rate was 53.6%. There were a total of 550 cases, and the male to female ratio was 1:1.22. Patients 14 to 55 years old were 65.9%; bilateral involvement: 28.2%; recurrence: 18.6%; positive past history of the other eye; 7.5%. Assuming the answering rate to be 100% and two thirds of the patients to be included, annual incidence of this disease (the annual number of patients) was determined to be 1.62 for an adult population of 100,000 (1.03 cases/100,000 people). Tochigi, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Hyogo, Wakayama, Okayama, Yamaguchi, Tottori, Shimane, Ehime, and Fukuoka showed an annual incidence exceeding 2.0/100,000 adults. At more than 95% of all medical institutions questioned, patients with optic neuritis were usually treated with systemic corticosteroids. Oral corticosteroid therapy, which was shown in a recent study in USA to be contraindicated, was still being used at 15% of the institutions.

Histamine actions in dog retinal central arteries as compared to those in middle cerebral and temporal arteries

PURPOSE

Mechanisms underlying the relaxant response to histamine were compared in isolated dog retinal arteries (branch of internal and external carotid arteries), middle cerebral arteries (branch of internal carotid artery) and superficial temporal arteries (branch of external carotid artery).

METHODS

Changes in the isometric tension of helical strips of the arteries with and without the endothelium were recorded.

RESULTS

Histamine produced concentration-related biphasic (phasic and sustained) relaxations in retinal arterial strips contracted partially with prostaglandin (PG)F2 alpha. Relaxations induced by histamine were not dependent on the endothelium. Treatment with cimetidine attenuated the sustained relaxation, whereas chlorpheniramine or indomethacin depressed the phasic relaxation. In addition, the phasic relaxant response to histamine was attenuated by tranylcypromine, a PGI2 synthesis inhibitor. In contrast, the amine-induced relaxant responses in dog middle cerebral arterial branch and temporal arteries were markedly suppressed by cimetidine alone.

CONCLUSIONS

In dog retinal arteries, the phasic relaxation caused by histamine is mediated by PGI2 in association with activation of the H1 receptor subtype in subendothelial tissues, possibly smooth muscle, and the sustained relaxation is evoked by direct stimulation of the H2 receptor subtype in smooth muscle. The histamine-induced relaxation in temporal and distal middle cerebral arteries is associated solely with a stimulation of H2 receptors in smooth muscle.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV from porcine seminal plasma: purification, characterization, and N-terminal amino acid sequence

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) was purified to homogeneity from porcine seminal plasma by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was calculated to be approximately 290,000 on PAGE in the absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and 310,000 on Sephacryl S-300 HR column chromatography, and to be 115,000 and 105,000 on SDS-PAGE in the absence and presence of beta-mercaptoethanol. The enzyme is suggested to be composed of three identical subunits. The enzyme rapidly hydrolyzed the substrate Gly-Pro-MCA, and weakly the substrate Lys-Ala-MCA. It was strongly inhibited by diisopropylphosphofluoridate (DFP), and moderately by both phenylmethyl-sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and 4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzenesulfonyl fluoride (AEBSF). It was also strongly inhibited by zinc ion. The amino acid sequence of the first 18 residues of the enzyme was Asn-Lys-Gly-Thr-Asp-Asp-Ala-Ala-Ala-Asp-Ser-Arg-Arg- Thr-Tyr-Thr-Leu-Thr-. This sequence was highly homologous to the sequences in the rear of the transmembrane site of human and rat liver DPP IVs and mouse thymus DPP IV. The native DPP IV is suggested to be released into the seminal plasma after the cleavage of the hydrophobic N-terminal domain by chymotrypsin-like or pepsin-like enzymes. Other properties of DPP IV including kinetic parameters, pH stability and heat stability were characterized.

The spatial extent of binocular suppression in normal and strabismic subjects

The authors investigated and specified the spatial extent of binocular suppression for normal and strabismic subjects at differing retinal eccentricities. Increment luminance thresholds for detecting a probe line which was presented to one eye were measured under the influence of a contralateral suppressing line. Probe sensitivities were obtained as a function of positional disparity of the contralateral suppressing line. Two normals and two strabismics served as subjects. The suppression patterns for the normal and strabismic subjects were similar except for the width of the suppression area. The interocular suppression functions were U-shaped, and there were significant effects of eccentricity. The spatial extent of suppression for normal subjects was between 2 and 20 min arc at the fovea or between 5 and 40 min arc at an eccentricity of 2 degrees. The maximum disparity which produced suppression effects in the strabismics was about half of that obtained for the normals, in either the foveal or near peripheral conditions. The psychophysically obtained U-shaped functions appear to be similar to the neuro-physiological data from cat striate cortex by Kato, Bishop & Orban (1981). Therefore, the authors believe that these results may reflect the operation of an interocular version of the Westheimer function.

Nitric oxide-mediated retinal arteriolar and arterial dilatation induced by substance P

PURPOSE

The present study was undertaken to compare vasodilatations caused by substance P in retinal arterioles in vivo and in the extraocular retinal central arteries in vitro, and to analyze the mechanisms of its action.

METHODS

In the in vivo study, changes of the retinal arteriolar diameter were continuously measured using a retinal fundus camera. In the in vitro study, changes in the isometric tension were recorded in helical strips of extraocular retinal arteries with and without the endothelium, exposed to aerated bathing media.

RESULTS

In anesthetized dogs, infusions of substance P into the carotid artery produced a dose-dependent dilatation of the intraocular retinal arteriole; the maximal response was obtained about 15 seconds later. The vasodilator response was significantly attenuated by treatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, and the inhibition was reversed by L-arginine. On the other hand, vasodilatations caused by nitroglycerin were not influenced by L-NA and L-arginine. In the isolated retinal artery just before entering into the eyeball, the addition of substance P produced a concentration-dependent relaxation only when the endothelium of the strips was intact. Removal of the endothelium abolished the response. The peptide-induced relaxation was abolished by L-NA, whereas relaxations caused by NO and nitroglycerin were unaffected. The inhibitory effect of L-NA was reversed by L-arginine but not by D-arginine. Treatment with methylene blue or oxyhemoglobin abolished the relaxation induced by substance P, NO, and nitroglycerin.

CONCLUSIONS

Substance P-induced retinal arteriolar dilatation in vivo appears to be mediated by NO synthesized from L-arginine possibly in the endothelium. The endothelium-dependency would be supported by the findings obtained from isolated retinal arteries.

[Volume measurement of the horizontal extraocular muscles using magnetic resonance imaging]

The volume of the horizontal extraocular muscles of 11 normal adults and three patients with ophthalmoplegia was measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI examinations were carried out with a Signa Advantage, 1.5 tesla superconductive magnetic system manufactured by General Electric. This method employs the spin echo technique with a 3.0 mm gapless slice, a 350 ms. repetition time, and a 17.0 ms. echo time. The MRI films were projected and magnified on Kent paper using an overhead projector. Then the shapes of the horizontal extraocular muscles were traced. The volume of the muscles was measured as the total weight of Kent papers which were cut out from muscle shapes in all the slices. The average volume of the normal medial and lateral rectus muscles was 690 +/- 87 mm3 and 734 +/- 77 mm3, respectively. Two cases with peripheral nerve palsy showed typical atrophy of the paretic muscles. A case with orbital myositis showed typical hypertrophy of the inflamed muscles. This measurement may prove useful in the analysis and evaluation of extraocular muscles, especially in ophthalmoplegia.

Appearance of calretinin-immunoreactive neurons in the upper layers of the rat superior colliculus after eye enucleation

The effects of retinal deafferentation on a calcium-binding protein, calretinin, in the upper layers (superficial gray layer and optic nerve layer) of the rat superior colliculus were examined. In intact rats and on the ipsilateral side of unilaterally eye-enucleated rats, the superficial gray layer and optic nerve layer contained a few dispersed calretinin-immunoreactive cells. On the contralateral side to the enucleation, the number of immunostained cells in the superficial gray layer and optic nerve layer was increased. These findings suggest that retinal deafferentation results in an increase in contents of calretinin in some cell bodies within the upper layers of the superior colliculus.

Immunohistochemical localization of calretinin in the rat lateral geniculate nucleus and its retino-geniculate projection

In the present study, we examined the distribution of calretinin-immunoreactive neuronal cell bodies and fibers in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the rat. In normal rats, clusters of immunoreactive cell bodies were found in: (i) the rostral portion of the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus pars medialis (VLGM), (ii) the intergeniculate leaflet (IGL), (iii) the intermediate region between the VLGM and the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus pars lateralis (VLGL), (iv) the caudomedial portion of the VLGM, and (v) the caudolateral portion of the VLGM. In the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (DLG), immunoreactive cell bodies were rarely observed. After uni- or bilateral eye enucleation, no significant alteration in the morphological features or distribution of immunoreactive cell bodies was detected in the lateral geniculate nucleus. In normal rats, immunoreactive fibers formed dense plexuses in: (i) the DLG, (ii) the external layer of the VLGL, (iii) the internal layer of the VLGL, (iv) the IGL, (v) the caudomedial portion of the VLGM, and (vi) the optic tract. After unilateral eye enucleation, immunoreactive fibers in the external layer of the VLG and in the optic tract almost totally disappeared on the contralateral side to the lesion. Unilateral eye enucleation caused a significant decrease of immunoreactive fibers in the DLG and in the internal layer of the VLGL, but a substantial number of immunoreactive fibers still remained there. In the IGL and the caudomedial portion of the VLGM, no observable alteration in the distribution of immunoreactive fibers was detected after uni- or bilateral eye enucleation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Transient patterns of serotonergic innervation in the rat visual cortex--normal development and effects of enucleation]

Serotonergic innervation formed transient dense aggregation in all rat primary sensory areas during early postnatal development. In the normal rat visual cortex, there were three stages in the transient aggregation of serotonin immunoreactive fibers from postnatal day (PND) 2 to 15. Primary aggregates appeared in the subplate prior to the differentiation of layer IV, and moved upward to the lower layer of cortical plate to form secondary aggregates. Secondary aggregation gave rise to ascending fibers on the cortical surface which were roughly grouped in columns (tertiary aggregation). The serotonin fibers of the tertiary aggregates were arranged in a lattice-like pattern in layer I, and were significantly altered either in size of distribution area or column number after monocular or binocular enucleation. These data indicate that the lattice-like pattern of serotonin innervation in neonatal rats may be an evolutionary precursor of the "blobs" seen in the higher primates.

Transient patterns of serotonergic innervation in the rat visual cortex: normal development and effects of neonatal enucleation

The transient aggregation of serotonin (5-HT)-containing fibers in the early development of rat visual cortex was examined immunohistochemically. The aggregation of 5-HT immunoreactive (IR) fibers consisted of three stages which were classified according to the course of time and degree of space occupied. The primary aggregation appeared in the subplate and moved upward along the development of the cortex. The aggregation proceeded to the secondary stage in presumptive layer IV. The fibers extended in a column-like structure following the secondary aggregation and formed the tertiary aggregation. The upper edge of the tertiary aggregation formed a lattice-like pattern in layer I and its structure was recognized to be similar to the structure of a 'blob' which characterizes the primary visual cortex in monkey. This transient aggregation of 5-HT-IR fibers began in the subplate of the anterior visual cortex on postnatal day 2 (PND 2) and progressed towards the posterior. On PND 11, the secondary and tertiary aggregations were completed in the entire region. No further aggregation of 5-HT-IR fibers was observed on PND 15. The anterior-to-posterior axis in the aggregation process corresponds to the direction of differentiation in the layer structure of cortex. In order to investigate the relationship between the transient aggregation of 5-HT-IR fibers and the development of the visual pathway, the secondary and tertiary aggregation on PND 11 were observed after postnatal monocular or binocular enucleation. Enucleation of eye balls did not affect either the area occupied by the 5-HT-IR fibers in the secondary aggregation or the number of column structures in the tertiary aggregation. However, the contralateral and ipsilateral cortices of monocularly enucleated cases were irregularly shaped in the secondary aggregation. The distribution of 5-HT-IR fiber terminals in the binocular area (Oc1B) increased in density on the contralateral side in the monocular enucleation, while that of both sides in the binocular enucleation was of non-homogeneous density and were shaped irregularly. The above results suggest that the transient aggregation of 5-HT-IR fibers observed in the early stage of development of visual cortex is regulated primarily by the intrinsic factors, and that extrinsic factors, such as visual pathway input, affect the aggregation within the boundary of such intrinsic factors. That is, the visual pathway input and the input balance from both eyes affect the distribution density of 5-HT-IR fibers and the shape of the visual cortex, respectively.

Investigations of origins of serotonergic projection to developing rat visual cortex: a combined retrograde tracing and immunohistochemical study

The present study investigated whether the raphe neurons which give rise to the transient serotonergic fibers in the visual cortex of neonatal rats persist or disappear as the rats mature. Three experiments were performed employing the WGA-apoHRP-Au retrograde transport technique in conjunction with 5-HT or WGA-HRP immunohistochemical staining. WGA-apoHRP-Au was injected into the primary visual cortex of all rats 9 days postnatally. In the first experiment, the animals were examined after 2 days; retrogradely labeled cells were observed in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DR), the median raphe nucleus (MR), and in the B9 and B6 cell groups; the majority (82.5%) of the cells was serotonergic. In the second experiment, the examinations took place following a survival time of 8 weeks: virtually all of the original raphe-visual cortical serotonergic neurons were found to the present. In the third experiment, also performed after 8 weeks relabeling the raphe-visual cortical neurons by WGA-HRP, it was found that 37.2% of the raphe neurons which had projected to the neonatal visual cortex no longer possessed such projections.

[A double-labeling study of serotonin neurons that project to the visual cortex of developing rat brain]

Immunohistochemical studies of developing rat brains revealed aggregation of serotonin terminal fibers in the visual cortex at from 7 to 14 postnatal days. This aggregation is transient, disappearing 2 weeks after birth. The cells of origin of these serotonin terminals were investigated using double-labeling with retrogradely transported WGA-apoHRP-Au and serotonin immunohistochemistry. WGA-apoHRP-Au was injected into the rat visual cortex on the 9th day after birth. The rats were allowed to survive for 2 days and sacrificed with perfusion. Cryostat sections of the brain were processed with silver-enhancement to develop the retrogradely transported WGA-apoHRP-Au, and then serotonin immunohistochemistry was performed. Double-labeled cells that were labeled with WGA-apoHRP-Au and serotonin-immunoreactive were found mostly in the raphe medianus and raphe dorsalis in rostral and caudal sections of the mesencephalon, respectively.

A multipurpose dye laser photocoagulation system

We modified a single argon/dye laser photocoagulator by adding two optical fibers so that it could be used with a slit-lamp microscope, an operating microscope, and with an endophotocoagulation probe. One fiber is attached to a nearby slit-lamp microscope; the other extends approximately 70 m and can be connected to either an operating microscope or an endophotocoagulation probe. An electrically-operated mirror inside the machine controls which of the two fibers the laser beam passes through. Separate control boxes for each fiber permit direct regulation of the photocoagulation process in all situations.

[Computed tomography of skeletal muscles in myotonic muscular dystrophy]

The computed tomography (CT) of skeletal muscles was performed on 12 patients with myotonic muscular dystrophy (MyD). We have sliced at seven levels; those are 1. neck level-at the level of thyroid cartilage 2. shoulder girdle level-at the level of upper edge of sternum 3. upper arm level-at the level of middle of upper arm 4. abdominal level-at the level of L3 vertebra 5. pelvic girdle level-at the level of middle inguinal ligament 6. thigh level-at the level of middle of thigh 7. lower leg level-at the maximum size level of lower leg. The characteristic changes of MyD are; the sternocleidomastoid muscles are most severely affected, and the paravertebral and straight abdominal muscles also tend to be severely atrophied with lower CT density. Concerning thigh levels, the deeply located muscles and muscles for extension are predominantly affected. At the lower leg levels, the calf muscles are severely affected. The muscles of levator scapulae, trapezius, psoas major, iliopsoas, gluteus, and tibialis posterior tend to be preserved. In the tight, the compensatory hypertrophy is observed often in the rectus femoris muscles and rarely in the gracilis muscles with the involvements of the agonist muscles. It might be also important to examine the changes of muscles as a whole and to know the grade of atrophy for planning the life style. The CT examination would be recommended by this standpoint.

Dopaminergic cells in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat: light and electron microscopic study using an antibody against dopamine

So-called small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells were visualized immunohistochemically using a newly developed anti-dopamine (DA) serum in the rat superior cervical ganglia (SCG), both light and electron microscopically. Specificity of the anti-DA serum was tested in a control test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). DA-immunoreactivity was found in a subpopulation of SIF cells, but not in principal neurons. Ultrastructurally, DA-immunoreactivity was noticed in the cytoplasmic matrix and vesicles of perikarya, dendritic processes and terminals of SIF cells. DA-labeled terminals made symmetrical synaptic contacts with unlabeled principal neurons. These findings provide a morphological basis for the role of dopaminergic SIF cells as interneurons.

The dopaminergic innervation as observed by immunohistochemistry using anti-dopamine serum in the rat cerebral cortex

By using an antiserum raised against dopamine bound to bovine serum albumin, thinner dopamine-labeled nerve terminals were visualized immunohistochemically within neocortical areas, in addition to well-documented dopaminergic innervation into the prefrontal and limbic cortices.

Carnosine-like immunoreactivity in the olfactory bulb of the rat: an electron microscopic study

Carnosine-immunoreactive primary olfactory nerve terminals are demonstrated in the glomerular layer of the rat olfactory bulb by immunoelectron microscopy. Asymmetrical synapses between dendrites of mitral/tufted cells and that of periglomerular cells could be observed. In the accessory olfactory system, carnosine-like immunoreactivity is also detected in the vomeronasal neurons.