[beta]-Glucan Synthesis in the Cotton Fiber (I. Identification of [beta]-1,4- and [beta]-1,3-Glucans Synthesized in Vitro).

In vitro [beta]-glucan products were synthesized by digitonin-solubilized enzyme preparations from plasma membrane-enriched fractions of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fiber cells. The reaction mixture favoring [beta]-1,4-glucan synthesis included the following effectors: Mg2+, Ca2+, cellobiose, cyclic-3[prime]:5[prime]-GMP, and digitonin. The ethanol insoluble fraction from this reaction contained [beta]-1,4-glucan and [beta]-1,3-glucan in an approximate ratio of 25:69. Approximately 16% of the [beta]-1,4-glucan was resistant to the acetic/nitric acid reagent. The x-ray diffraction pattern of the treated product favoring [beta]-1,4-glucan synthesis strongly resembled that of cellulose II. On the basis of methylation analysis, the acetic/nitric acid reagent-insoluble glucan product was found to be exclusively [beta]-1,4-linked. Enzymic hydrolysis confirmed that the product was hydrolyzed only by cellobiohydrolase I. Autoradiography proved that the product was synthesized in vitro. The degree of polymerization (DP) of the in vitro product was estimated by nitration and size exclusion chromatography; there were two average DPs of 59 (70%) and 396 (30%) for the [beta]-1,3-glucanase-treated sample, and an average DP of 141 for the acetic/nitric acid reagent-insoluble product. On the basis of product analysis, the positive identification of in vitro-synthesized cellulose was established.

[beta]-Glucan Synthesis in the Cotton Fiber (IV. In Vitro Assembly of the Cellulose I Allomorph).

In vitro assembly of cellulose from plasma membrane extracts of the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fiber was enriched by a combination of 3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid extraction buffer and two independent digitonin solubilization steps consisting of 0.05% digitonin (SE1) followed by 1% digitonin (SE2). Glucan synthase activity assays revealed that, although the SE2 fraction possessed higher activity, only 8.6% of the in vitro product survived acetic/nitric acid treatment. On the other hand, the SE1 fraction was less active, but 32.1% of the total glucan in vitro product was resistant to acetic/nitric acid. In vitro products synthesized from the SE1 fraction contained [beta]-1,3-glucan and fibrillar cellulose I, whereas the SE2 fraction produced [beta]-1,3-glucan and cellulose II. Both celluloses assembled in vitro were labeled with cellobiohydrolase I-gold complex, and the electron diffraction patterns of both products from SE1 and SE2 revealed cellulose I and cellulose II, respectively. Contamination of native cellulose was ruled out by extensive evidence from autoradiography of the ethanol-insoluble and acetic/nitric acid-insoluble materials, including three different controls.

Transfection of interferon-gamma gene in a mouse bone marrow stromal preadipocyte cell line causes apoptotic cell death.

It has been reported that bone marrow and serum of patients with aplastic anemia or chronic myeloproliferative disorders contain an abnormal concentration of cytokines. In the present study, we tried to isolate mouse bone marrow stromal cell lines that were stably transformed with a variety of cytokine genes and that expressed them constitutively. From mouse bone marrow stromal cell lines MBA-1, MBA-13, and 14F1.1, we isolated clones secreting interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-4, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), or granulocyte (G)-CSF. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-producing stable transformants could not be established from 14F1.1 cells in spite of repeated transfection trials. At early stages of transfection, 14F1.1 cells did secrete IFN-gamma; however, exogenously added mouse IFN-gamma could not inhibit 14F1.1 cell growth. We discovered that chromosomal DNA isolated from 14F1.1 after transfection with the mouse IFN-gamma gene was fragmented. This is characteristic of cells undergoing apoptotic cell death. DNA fragmentation was also observed in 14F1.1 cells transfected with the human IFN-gamma gene. These results indicate that intracellular IFN-gamma induces apoptotic cell death of 14F1.1 stromal cells.

Suppression of superoxide anion production by interleukin-10 is accompanied by a downregulation of the genes for subunit proteins of NADPH oxidase.

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) inhibited the production of superoxide anion (02-) by both unactivated and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-activated human monocytes. Simultaneous addition of IL-10 with IFN-gamma at the start of incubation was necessary for an optimal inhibitory effect. The degree of inhibition was substantially comparable to that of IL-4, and the combination of suboptimal concentrations of IL-10 and IL-4 produced an additive effect. A similar effect was also obtained when viral IL-10 (vIL-10) was used instead of IL-10. The inhibitory effect of IL-10 was accompanied by the reduced accumulation of transcripts for heavy chain subunit of cytochrome b558 (gp9l-phox) and 47-kD cytosolic factor (p47-phox), components of the O2--generating NADPH oxidase system. Reduction of the mRNAs was distinct within 24 hours. On the other hand, the induced O2- production by human monocytic leukemia cell lines (THP-1 and HL60) was not inhibited by IL-10. The amount of gp9l-phox and p47-phox mRNAs remained unchanged even in the presence of excess amount of IL-1O. Taken together, these results suggest that IL-10 inhibits 02- production by downregulation of the gp9l-phox and p47-phox genes in human monocytes.

The relation of oxidative DNA damage to hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in Tanzania.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the mechanism of involvement of oxidative stress in hypertensives, we investigated the relationship between the marker of oxidative DNA damage, urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension and serum glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), among Tanzanians aged 46-58 years who were not on antihypertensive medication. DESIGN AND METHODS: Sixty subjects (males/females, 28/ 32) were selected randomly from the subjects who completed a 24h urine collection in our epidemiological study at Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in 1998. The subjects were divided into two groups, hypertensive subjects (systolic blood pressure (SBP) > or = 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) > or =90 mmHg) and normotensive subjects (SBP < 140 mmHg and DBP < 90 mmHg) or hyperglycemic subjects (HbA1c > or = 6.0%) and normoglycemic subjects (HbA1c < 6.0%). Biological markers from urine and blood were analyzed centrally in the WHO Collaborating Center. RESULTS: The mean levels of HbA1c and 8-OHdG were significantly higher in the hypertensive subjects than in the normotensive subjects (P < 0.05). Urinary 8-OHdG was significantly higher in hyperglycemic subjects than in normoglycemic subjects. HbA1c was positively correlated with the 24-h urinary 8-OHdG excretions (r= 0.698, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest oxidative DNA damage is increased in hypertensive subjects, and there is a positive correlation between the level of blood glucose estimated as HbA1c and oxidative DNA damage. Hyperglycemia related to insulin resistance in hypertension in Tanzania is associated with increased urinary 8-OHdG.

Assessment of in vivo oxidative stress in hypertensive rats and hypertensive subjects in Tanzania, Africa.

Oxidative stress has been reported to be involved in not only cardiovascular diseases but in hypertension, which is a major risk for cardiovascular diseases. Urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) has been recognized as a sensitive biomarker of oxidative DNA damage and also of oxidative stress. In the present study, we assessed the oxidative stress in human subjects with hypertension and in hypertensive rats. In stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats at the age of 14 weeks, the excretion of urinary 8-OHdG was significantly (p < 0.05) increased compared with that in age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. Next, we investigated the relationship between oxidative DNA damage and cardiovascular risk factors among Tanzanians aged 46-58 years in a population study carried out in 1998 in at Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, according to the WHO-CARDIAC Study Protocol. Sixty subjects (male/female, 28/32) were selected by SPSS Base 8.0 from those who completed a 24-h urine collection. The 24-h urinary 8-OHdG of the hypertensive subjects (SBP > or =140 mmHg and/or DBP > or =90 mmHg) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of the normotensive subjects (SBP <140 mmHg and DBP <90 mmHg) after adjusting for age and gender (Hypertensives: 17.31 +/- 2.0 ng/mg creatinine, n=38; Normotensives: 10.10 +/- 2.64 ng/mg creatinine, n=22). Oxidative stress was thought to be involved in hypertensive subjects and in hypertensive rats.

Dopamine agonist induced self-mutilative biting behavior in monkeys with unilateral ventromedial tegmental lesions of the brainstem: possible pharmacological model for Lesch-Nyhan syndrome.

We have investigated the effects of various dopamine (DA) agonists on induction of abnormal involuntary movements (AIM) in a group of monkeys which had denervated nigro-striatal DA neurons for 10-14 years rendered by a unilateral surgical ventromedial tegmental (VMT) lesion of the brainstem. The surgical lesions were placed when the monkeys were 2-4 years old. The administration of mixed DA agonists, such as L-DOPA, apomorphine (Apo) and abeorphine 201-678, elicit a self-mutilative biting behavior (SMB) of the forelimb digits contralateral to the lesion, and spasticity of the contralateral hindlimb. These dysfunctions resemble, in some aspects, the neurological disturbances associated with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. The SMB behavior was elicited by mixed DA agonists which predominantly stimulate D1, but not D2 DA receptors, and was prevented or abolished by the D1 DA antagonist SCH 23390 or by the D1 and D2 DA antagonist fluphenazine (Flu), but not by the D2 antagonist (+/-)sulpiride. These results suggest that DA agonist-induced SMB behavior is mediated by D1 and/or by both D1 and D2 DA receptor pathways. To study the relationships between HPRT, the defective enzyme in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, and the DA neuronal systems, we have measured the effects of nigro-striatal DA degeneration and intrastriatal neuronal degeneration on HPRT activity. The unilateral 6-OHDA-induced nigro-striatal DA degeneration does not significantly alter the HPRT activity on the lesioned side of the striatum, while the quinolinic acid-induced intrastriatal neuronal degeneration significantly reduces the enzyme activity. These results suggest that HPRT is localized on intrastriatal neurons which are also known to contain DA receptors. It is postulated that HPRT deficiency in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome results in abnormal guanine nucleotide metabolism which may affect the regulation of DA receptors.

Central dopamine agonist activity on the 8-alpha-amino-ergoline CU 32-085.

The effects of the 8-alpha-amino-ergoline CU 32-085 on central dopamine neuronal systems was investigated. Two h after administration of CU 32-085 a slight increase of dopamine levels was observed in the nucleus caudatus-putamen. Radioligand binding studies in vitro have shown that CU 32-085 has a low affinity for striatal dopamine receptors labeled by [3H]n-propylapomorphine or [3H]spiroperidol. However, CU 32-085 effectively displaces in vivo [3H]n-propylapomorphine and [3H]spiroperidol from their respective binding sites in the mouse striatum. Functional studies have shown that CU 32-085 elicits contralateral rotation in rats with unilateral 6-OH-dopamine induced lesions of the meso-striatal dopamine neurons, and ipsilateral rotation in rats with unilateral intrastriatal ibotenic acid lesions. CU 32-085 relieves tremor in monkeys with ventromedial tegmental lesions and produces only slight abnormal involuntary movements. The biochemical and functional studies suggest that CU 32-085 and/or its metabolite exerts central dopamine agonist activity in vivo. Studies in monkeys with ventromedial tegmental lesions suggest that CU 32-085 might be an effective antiparkinsonian agent which produces less dyskinesias than the other tested dopamine agonists.

Cardiovascular risk factors in Tanzania: a revisit.

In this assessment of cardiovascular risk factors, we examined the prevalence of selected risk factors according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) CARDIAC Study protocol and compared them with a similar study conducted more than a decade ago. The survey was carried out in Dar es Salaam (D, urban), Handeni (H, rural) and Monduli (Mo, semi-nomadic area). Subjects aged 47-57 were recruited randomly for blood pressure and anthropometrical measurements, 24 h urine collection and blood sampling. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain dietary information. The 1998 survey studied 446 subjects, while the 1987 survey included 496 men and women. The measured weight, body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2)) increased significantly among women in the 1998 survey in rural Handeni and urban Dar. The overall prevalence of obesity was higher for women in the most recent survey (22.8%, P < 0.0001). Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was higher in the most recent survey for women in Handeni. The overall prevalence of hypertension (blood pressure > 160/95 mmHg, or antihypertensive drug use), rose to 41.1% in 1998, (P < 0.001) for men and to 38.7% (P < 0.05) for women. The mean total serum cholesterol and prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia increased significantly in the most recent survey in the three studied areas. The overall prevalence of hypercholestrolaemia (serum cholesterol > 5.2 mmol/l) was higher in the 1998 survey for both men (21.8%, P < 0.0001) and women (54.0%, P < 0.0001). The mean HDL cholesterol increased significantly in the most recent survey, with a significant reduction in the mean atherogenic index, though these were still at higher levels (men 5.8, P < 0.0001; women 5.1, P < 0.0001 vs. 1987). A strong positive correlation was observed between blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and body mass index, total serum cholesterol and sodium to potassium ratio. These data suggest that for the past decade there has been an increase in the mean levels and prevalence of selected cardiovascular risk factors in Tanzania.

Selective D2 dopamine receptor agonists prevent catalepsy induced by SCH 23390, a selective D1 antagonist.

SCH 23390, an apparently selective antagonist of central D1 dopamine receptors, produced profound catalepsy at low doses (0.1 mg/kg, s.c.). Pretreatment with the selective D2 receptor agonists LY 141865, RU 24213 or LY 171555, the active (-) enantiomer of LY 141865, elicited a dose-dependent inhibition of the cataleptic response. Pergolide and apomorphine were also effective. This effect was not due to altered disposition or penetration of SCH 23390 into the brain since pretreatment with a dose of LY 171555 which completely blocked catalepsy had no effect on the ID50 of SCH 23390 to inhibit 3H-cis-piflutixol binding to D1 receptors measured ex vivo. Alternative mechanisms are considered to explain the results, which offer new insights into striatal dopaminergic regulation of motor activity.

Ion-exchange chromatography by dicarboxyl cellulose gel.

A new column packing material for ion-exchange chromatography was prepared from cellulose gel by periodate oxidation followed by chlorite oxidation to form spatially paired carboxyl groups (dicarboxyl cellulose, DCC). The carboxyl group was quantitatively introduced to spherical cellulose gel by controlling the extent of oxidation. The DCC gels were examined for their ion-exchange activity for various amines at pH of 2.5-5.5. In this pH range, aromatic amines with acid dissociation constant (pKa) below 2.7 showed no interaction with DCC gels as expected from their lack of protonation. The amines with pKa greater than 3.3, both aromatic and aliphatic, showed strong interaction corresponding to the amount of carboxyl introduced to the gel. However, these amines showed anomalous dependence on pH of the mobile phase, showing a maximum in retention factor at around pH 4. This is in contrast with the nearly constant retention factor of these amines on conventional carboxylated cellulose packing at pH greater than 4.0. The maximum retention factor at pH 4 of DCC gel was 4-5-times greater than that of conventional gel having a similar amount of carboxyls. Since pKa of dicarboxyl groups ranges 3-5 as determined by acid-base titration, the pH giving maximum retention corresponds to the pH at which one of paired carboxyls is dissociated. Possible cause of this anomaly is presented in terms of dissociation state of dicarboxyl groups and its interaction with amines.

The pathophysiological functions mediated by D1 dopamine receptors.

The administration of the D1 DA receptor antagonist SCH 23390 produces catalepsy in rat, and this behavior can be abolished by pretreatment with selective D2 DA receptor agonists. The administration of mixed D1/D2 DA agonists, but not of selective D2 DA agonists, produces SMB behavior in monkeys with surgical unilateral VMT lesions of the brain stem. The DA agonist-induced SMB behavior is abolished by pretreatment of the monkeys with either the D1 DA antagonist SCH 23390 or with the mixed D1/D2 antagonist fluphenazine, but not with the selective D2 antagonist (+/-) sulpiride. A hypothetical relationship between abnormal guanine nucleotide metabolism in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and the development of DA receptor supersensitivity is presented. The possible role of abnormal guanine nucleotide metabolism in some mental disorders associated with DA dysfunctions is discussed.

Diffuse axonal injury associated with multiple traumatic aneurysms of the distal anterior cerebral artery--case report.

A rare case of multiple traumatic aneurysms, arising from the distal anterior cerebral artery (ACA), associated with a diffuse axonal injury is presented. An 18-year-old male sustained a frontal impact injury in a traffic accident on February 19, 1988. He immediately lost consciousness and was transported to a local hospital where his Glasgow Coma Scale score was 6. A computed tomographic scan showed a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage extending from the corpus callosum to the left parietal lobe. With conservative treatment, he gradually regained consciousness and was referred to our hospital 12 days later. Skull x-rays revealed no fracture. A right common carotid angiogram revealed multiple aneurysmal dilatations on the right distal ACA. A left frontoparietal craniotomy was then performed to determine the nature of the aneurysmal dilatation, and to evacuate the intracerebral hematoma because his right hemiparesis persisted. Two aneurysmal dilatations on the distal ACA were tightly surrounded by clots and a hematoma extended from the corpus callosum to the parietal lobe. The ACA was trapped proximal and distal to the aneurysmal dilatations. The postoperative course was uneventful.

Determinants of hyperleptinaemia in an African population.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the determinants for elevated plasma leptin concentration in normal weight (NW), obese (OB), and morbidly obese (MO) individuals in Tanzania. DESIGN: Cross-sectional epidemiological study, the CARDIAC study. SETTING: Three areas in Tanzania; Dar es Salaam, urban (U), Handeni, rural (R) and Monduli, pastoralists (P), in August 1998. SUBJECTS: Five hundred and forty five participants from a random sample of 600 people aged 46-58 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma leptin concentrations, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), lipid profiles, haemoglobin A1c (HBA1c), and blood pressure (BP). RESULTS: Plasma leptin concentrations were higher in women than in men (women; 16.0 ng/mL, men; 3.1 ng/mL; p<0.0001). Women showed a higher mean body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) than men. In both genders, plasma leptin concentration, total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were significantly higher in OB than in NW participants. MO women had significantly higher leptin concentration, SBP and DBP compared with the other two groups. In NW men, log leptin concentrations showed a direct correlation with weight, BMI, HBA1c, TC, LDL-C, TG, SBP and DBP (all p<0.0001 except TG; p<0.001), while among NW women and OB men, weight and BMI correlated positively with log leptin (all p<0.05). OB women observed a positive correlation between log leptin and weight, BMI and LDL-C. Regression analysis indicated that among NW subjects, gender, BMI and TC explained 53.9% of the variation in log leptin. In OB subjects, gender, BMI and LDL-C explained 51.7% of the variability in leptin levels. No relationship was found between log leptin and CVD risk factors among MO subjects. CONCLUSION: The most important determinants for hyperleptinaemia in NW participants were gender, BMI, TC, while in addition to these LDL-C, was an important determinant of leptin concentration in OB individuals. In MO women, the high leptin concentrations did not reflect the amount of adipose stores.

Obesity and lipid profiles in middle aged men and women in Tanzania.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between obesity and lipid profiles and to compare the effects of total obesity and central adiposity on lipids in three locations in Tanzania. DESIGN: Cross-sectional epidemiological study. SETTING: Three areas in Tanzania: Dar es Salaam (urban), Handeni (rural) and Monduli (pastoralists), in August 1998. SUBJECTS: Five hundred and forty five men and women from a random sample of 600 people aged 46-58 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean BMI, waist circumference, WHR, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, TG and LDL/HDL ratio. Prevalence rates of overweight,obesity, central obesity and dyslipidaemia. RESULTS: As compared to men, women had higher BMI (24.7 versus 22.5 kg/m2, p<0.0001), waist circumference (92.4 versus 89.1 cm, p<0.05), TC (4.9 versus 4.2 mmol/L, p<0.0001) and LDL-C (3.3 versus 2.6 mmol/L, p<0.0001). The urban population demonstrated higher levels of lipid factors than the rural population (TC, men 4.8 mmol/L; women 5.3 mmol/L, p<0.0001; TG, men 3.6 mmol/L; women 3.7 mmol/L, p<0.0001, LDL-C, men 2.8 mmol/L, p<0.0001). BMI and waist circumference correlated positively with serum TC, TG, and LDL-C in both genders. Stepwise regression analysis showed that BMI predicted triglyceride concentration in men (p<0.05) and women (p<0.0001). Waist circumference predicted levels of TC in women only (p<0.0001) and of LDL-C in both genders (men p<0.05, women p<0.0001). The prevalence of overweight, obesity and central obesity were significantly higher in urban than in rural areas in both men and women. Compared to lean subjects, obese men and women had significantly higher mean serum TC, TG, LDL-C and a higher prevalence of dyslipidaemia. The mean levels of TC, TG and LDL cholesterol increased across successive increases in BMI and waist circumference quintiles in both genders. CONCLUSION: Subjects from the urban area had greater lipid abnormalities related to obesity than those from the rural area and that, central adiposity had a greater effect on total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol among women than was BMI.

[A case of cranio-facial dysostosis (Crouzon's disease) associated with hydrocephalus (author's transl)].

A case of cranio-facial dysostosis (Crouzon's disease) associated with enlarged head due to hydrocephalus was reported with special reference to the mechanism of the hydrocephalus. A 2-year-old boy who complained of mental retardation was admitted on Dec 78' when choked disc and dilatation of the lateral ventricle shown on CT scan were also seen. Characteristic signs of hypertelorism, exophthalmos, hypoplastic maxilla and mandibular prognathism indicating cranio-facial dysostosis (Crouzon's disease) were noted on admission. There were no indicative findings of cranial sutures at all on plain skull film, which was seen on previous film at the age of 11 months. Craniometry on plain film indicated narrowed basal angle and shortening of both anterior and posterior cranial fossas. A moderate symmetrical dilatation of the lateral and third ventricle with normal ranged forth ventricle were shown on CT scan. RI cisternography using 111In was normal without ventricular reflex or subarachnoid block. Choked disc was gradually disappeared following shunting operation performed on Dec. 28, 1978. PVG demonstrated the stenosis and ventral displacement of the aqueduct at the site 7 mm from the outlet of the third ventricle. Poststenotic dilatation for 4 mm in width was also noted. These findings suggested that maldevelopment of the enchondral bone at the skull base in cranio-facial dysostosis produced bending of the aqueduct leading to obstructive hydrocephalus as seen in the case.

[Electrophysiological atlas of human thalamus and adjacent structures.--Microcomputer assisted mapping of neurophysiological data and its application to stereotaxic surgery].

During stereotaxic surgery anatomical structures and their extent on trajectories were identified by neural noise (field potential) obtained by semi-microelectrode technique. Locations of anatomical structures (the white mater, caudate nucleus, thalamus, subthalamic field and nuclei in the subthalamic field) were fed into microcomputer (NEC PC-8001) as 3 dimensional correlates and stored in minifloppy disc system (NEC PC-8031). Data with satisfactory recordings from 48 trajectories from 30 patients (18 parkinsonism, 5 central pain, 7 others) entered this study. Microcomputer was so programmed that locations of the trajectories and electrophysiologically identified anatomical structures at that location in various coronal, sagittal and horizontal planes were displayed. Accumulation of this display from various groups of patients automatically created electrophysiological atlas. For comparison of thus created electrophysiological atlas with anatomical atlas display was made on various sections of the Schaltenbrand and Bailey's Atlas which were also stored in the mimifloppy disc system. Electrophysiological topography of the thalamus and adjacent structures was reasonably similar to anatomical topography with minor, but significant individual variations. In most cases the ventral border of the thalamus was located in the close vicinity of CA-CP line, however, in some cases the thalamus was located deep into the subthalamic field. This was thought to be due to the difficulty in identifying the ventral border of the thalamus by this technique and in such occasions other neurophysiological method for identifying the ventral border of the thalamus, i.e., thalamocortical evoked potential and other stimulation technique, were necessary. Medial aspect of the V. im. nucleus emitted neural noise of different characteristics which in current program was recognized as the subthalamic field. This implies that the medial and lateral aspects of the V. im. nucleus are cytoarchitecturally different and that it is possible to differentiate the medial and lateral aspects of the V. im. nucleus by this technique. The lateral thalamic border, i.e., thalamocapsular border, also showed relatively wide range of individual variations. When various parameters including age, sex, diagnosis and width of the 3rd ventricles were examined for possible cause of these variations, a tendency was noted that the thalamocapsular border was medially placed when the width of the 3rd ventricle was small. In this system it is possible to display sequentially electrophysiologically identified structures along any trajectory. This display method, which was called "tract study," was very usefull for comprehensive understanding of location of trajectory in relation to individually varying anatomical structures...

[Entirely suprasellar symptomatic Rathke's cleft cyst].

Two rare cases of entirely suprasellar Rathke's cleft cyst were reported. Case 1. A 62-year-old man was admitted to our hospital on the 14th of January, 1988, complaining of headache and diplopia. A plain skull x-ray showed the sella turcica was normal. CT scan and MRI demonstrated a lesion mass located entirely in the suprasellar cistern. Right frontotemporal craniotomy was performed, and the cyst wall was resected subtotally. Microscopic sections of cyst wall showed ciliated single layer with focal stratified epithelium. Case 2. A 51-year-old man was hospitalized complaining of visual impairment in the left eye. Endocrinological examination showed no abnormalities. CT and MRI demonstrated a lesion mass located entirely in the suprasellar region. Right frontotemporal craniotomy was performed. The mass was opened and a large amount of yellowish fluid was released. Histologically, the specimens were simple ciliated cuboidal epithelium. Postoperative courses of these patients were uneventful. The findings on CT and MRI of the cases located entirely in the suprasellar region were varied. The histopathogenesis and embryological pathogenesis of Rathke's cleft cyst in the literature, particularly the entirely suprasellar type, were discussed.

[Behavioral and histochemical observation in rotational rat with adrenal medulla transplantation].

It is widely known that rotation rat is prepared by destroying substantia nigra pars compacta in the rat. Adrenal medulla was transplanted to the rat. The transplantation was judged to be effective in the rat to which adrenal medullary cell was transplanted as the number of rotation decreased evidently in the rat with transplanted adrenal medulla even in the change in the rotating motion after actual transplantation. On the other hand, many transplanted cells transformed into nerve cell which was considered to have produced dopamine were observed in the rat in which transplantation was judged as effective in the histochemical assessment made of the group undergone transplantation of the adrenal medulla. However, in the rat in which no decrease in the number of rotation was observed, only the transplanted cells which were presumed to be the primary adrenal medullary cells were existent. The fact suggests that take of dopamine-producing cells is necessary to see decrease in rotating motion which is found to be the judging criterion for clinical effect.

[Inhibitory effects of interleukin (IL) -10 and viral IL-10 (vIL-10) on the functions of monocytes/macrophages].

In this study, we examined the effects of IL-10 and vIL-10 on the production of superoxide anion (O2-) and nitric oxide (NO) by human monocytes and mouse macrophages. At an optimal concentration, human IL-10 (hIL-10) and vIL-10 significantly inhibited the production of interferon (IFN)-gamma by stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs). They also efficiently inhibited the production of O2- by both unstimulated and IFN-gamma-activated human monocytes. Mouse IL-10 (mIL-10) also significantly inhibited the production of NO by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and IFN-gamma-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. Moreover, the production of O2- and NO was effectively suppressed whether the IL-10 was added before or together with the stimulus, indicating that this cytokine acts primarily at an early stage of monocyte/macrophage activation by IFN-gamma and LPS. We also examined the effects of IL-4 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta on the production of O2- and NO by human monocytes and mouse macrophages, and found that they significantly inhibited both the production of O2- by human monocytes and the production of NO by mouse macrophages. Moreover, a combination of any two of IL-10, IL-4 and TGF-beta caused an additive effect on the inhibition of O2- production by human monocytes. These results indicated that IL-10 suppresses monocyte/macrophage activation either indirectly via an inhibition of the synthesis of IFN-gamma, a potent monocyte/macrophage activator, by PBMNCs, or directly via the deactivation of monocytes/macrophages. Moreover IL-10 may act in concert with IL-4 and TGF-beta to suppress monocyte/macrophage activation in vivo.