Sialosylcholesterol induces reorganization of astrocyte filament network.

Sialosylcholesterol induces the differentiation of astrocytes with respect to their morphological appearance (Kato et al., Brain Res. 438 (1988) 277-285; Ito et al., 481 (1989) 335-343), while in a cell-free condition it depolymerizes the astrocyte cellular filaments, the glia filaments and microfilaments (Ito et al., J. Neurochem. 61 (1993) 80-84). To solve this paradox, we examined hetero-interaction between the glia filaments and microfilaments in the presence of sialosylcholesterol. Each filament was prepared in a depolymerized form in low ionic strength, and was adjusted to physiological ionic strength to prevent from repolymerization by sialosylcholesterol. When the two filament preparations in this form were mixed, repolymerization took place in spite of the presence of sialosylcholesterol. The filament formed in the mixture was found almost exclusively composed of vimentin and actin, the major component of the glia filaments and microfilaments preparation, respectively. An excess amount of vimentin over actin in the precipitate implicated that the main mechanism for the hetero-polymerization was the enhancement of vimentin polymerization by actin. To support this view, pre-polymerization of the microfilaments before mixing with the depolymerized glia filaments resulted in a marked decrease in polymerization of the glia filaments. A similar hetero-interaction was found between the purified vimentin and actin. When polymerized vimentin and actin were directly depolymerized by sialosylcholesterol and mixed, polymer formation was demonstrated between these two proteins. Electronmicroscopy indicated direct interaction of the actin filament with the vimentin filament. The results indicate that sialosylcholesterol induces reorganization of the cellular filament network, such as disorganization of vimentin and actin filaments, and provokes their hetero-interaction to form the hetero-filament. Hence, this may be one of the key mechanisms for the induction of cellular differentiation by sialocylcholesterol.

Biochemical evidence for localization of AMPA-type glutamate receptor subunits in the dendritic raft.

A low density Triton-insoluble fraction with characteristic lipid composition was prepared from synaptic plasma membrane from the rat forebrain. The fraction was named dendritic raft based on its absence of the presynaptic marker synaptophysin, the presence of postsynaptic Glutamate receptor (GluR) subunits, and its resemblance to raft, caveolae-like structure. We found a differential distribution of NMDA-type and AMPA-type GluR subunits in the dendritic raft and postsynaptic density (PSD) fractions; the latter type GluR subunits were localized to the dendritic raft as well as PSD fraction, whereas the former type was mostly localized to the PSD fraction. We also found the differential distribution of the components of ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway to the dendritic raft and PSD fractions. Dendritic raft and PSD may possibly interact at the postsynaptic sites for efficient signal processing that is required for expression of synaptic plasticity.

Rapid and gentle extraction, reconstitution and characterization of microfilament and glia filament from rat astrocytes.

We developed gentle and rapid methods for depolymerization and extraction of both microfilament and glia filament separately from a crude cytoskeletal fraction of rat astrocytes. Electron microscopy revealed that the filament reconstituted from the microfilament extract closely resembled F-actin that was formed from G-actin of rabbit skeletal muscle. It was found by immunoblotting analysis that even the reconstituted microfilament-like filaments, which had been purified by affinity chromatography with heavy meromyosin subfragment 1 (S1)-conjugated Sepharose, contained vimentin and glia fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) besides actin, inferring the interaction between microfilament and glia filament. The filaments (9-10 nm thick) reconstituted from the glia filament extract were composed of actin and other minor components in addition to vimentin and GFAP. Actin, GFAP, 101, 34, 32.5, 30.5, 29.5 and 28 kDa proteins found in the reconstituted glia filament-like filaments were suggested to be glia filament-associated proteins.

Suppression by gangliosides of polymerization of glial cytoskeletons prepared from rat astrocytes: a role of sialic acid moiety.

This study investigated in vitro the effects of gangliosides on polymerization of either the depolymerized microfilament preparation (MF) or depolymerized glia filament preparation (GF) extracted separately from the crude cytoskeletal fraction of rat astrocytes. Gangliosides GM1, GM2 and GM3 markedly suppressed polymerization of both MF and GF. The concentration of GM1, GM2 or GM3 required to induce 50% inhibition of the polymerization of 7.5 micrograms MF protein/200 microliters (IC50 of GM1, GM2, or GM3) was 3.2, 2.8 or 5.6 micrograms/200 microliters, respectively. The IC50 of each ganglioside for the polymerization of 7.5 micrograms/200 microliters of GF, furthermore, was 3.3, 3.5 or 7.4 micrograms/200 microliters, respectively, suggesting that the inhibitory activities of GM1 and GM2 on polymerization of both MF and GF were greater than those of GM3. GM1, GM2 and GM3 also suppressed dose-dependently the polymerization of both actin and vimentin. The inhibitory activities of GM1 and GM2 on the polymerization of actin or vimentin were greater than GM3, as in the case of polymerization of MF or GF. The IC50S of GD1a and GT1b for MF polymerization at the same concentration were 2.2 and 1.2 micrograms/200 microliters, respectively, and those for GF polymerization were 2.7 and 1.7 micrograms/200 microliters, respectively. The IC50 of GD3 for MF polymerization was 3.9 micrograms/200 microliters, and that for GF polymerization 4.0 micrograms/200 microliters, implying that the inhibitory activities of GD3 on polymerization of both MF and GF were greater than those of GM3. The findings suggested that the inhibitory activities of gangliosides on MF or GF polymerization became greater with increasing number of sialic acid residues. AsialoGM1 suppressed neither MF nor GF polymerization, and inhibited dose-dependently the ability of GM1 to suppress MF polymerization.

Topographic study of the feline trigeminal ganglion via the horseradish peroxidase tracer method.

The somatotopic organization of the trigeminal ganglion was investigated in felines using the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) tracer method. Results were as follows. The cell bodies which send axons to the ophthalmic, maxillary and manidibular nerves were located in the anteromedial, middle and posterolateral portions of the ipsilateral trigeminal ganglion, respectively. Overlap was found, especially in the maxillary and mandibular areas.

The accuracy of sonography for evaluation of internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint in asymptomatic elementary school children: comparison with MR and CT.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In order to clarify the incidence and evolution of disk displacement in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in children, we performed a longitudinal analysis in 18 subjects. Some investigators have suggested that sonography can provide information about the articular disk position of the TMJ. The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of sonography for revealing internal derangement of the TMJ in elementary school children compared with our standard of reference, MR imaging and helical CT. METHODS: Eighteen children were examined using both sonography and MR imaging or helical CT or both. The sonographically revealed distance between the articular capsule and the lateral surface of the mandibular condyle was measured and compared with that obtained by MR or helical CT scanning. RESULTS: Compared with our MR/CT standard of reference, sonography revealed a sensitivity of 83%, a specificity of 96%, and an accuracy of 92% for identifying disk displacement (defined as a distance of 4 mm or more between the articular capsule and the lateral surface of the mandibular condyle). CONCLUSION: Although sonography's sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the diagnosis of disk displacement were slightly inferior to those of MR or helical CT, we assert it is a useful imaging method for longitudinal investigations of a large group of elementary school children. Internal derangement of the TMJ should be suspected if sonography reveals a distance between the articular capsule and the lateral surface of the mandibular condyle of 4 mm or more.

Disappearance of a tumor shadow fed by the tentorial artery after embolization of the external carotid artery.

The tentorial artery is a branch of the meningohypophyseal trunk originating from the internal carotid artery; this artery sometimes becomes an enlarged feeding artery in patients with tentorial lesions, especially tentorial meningiomas. We experienced a case of a cerebellopontile angle meningioma whose angiogram revealed the disappearance of a feeding artery arising from the tentorial artery after embolization of the external carotid artery. We report this case and discuss the mechanism of this phenomenon.

Gas in the temporomandibular joint: computed tomography findings. Report of 3 cases.

In each of 3 patients referred for computed tomographic examinations of the temporomandibular joint, a gas collection was observed in the inferior space of the joint. The gas was observed on the posterosuperior surface of the mandibular condyle in the open mouth position in each patient. Each of 2 patients had saucer-shaped bone resorption of the mandibular condyle adjacent to the gas; 1 patient had no remarkable bone abnormality. A history of temporomandibular joint puncture or facial trauma was denied by all 3 patients.

Condylar bony change, disk displacement, and signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders in orthognathic surgery patients.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the relationship between condylar bony change and disk displacement with respect to the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a cross-sectional retrospective study of the pretreatment helical computed tomography scans of 129 orthognathic surgery patients. RESULTS: Condylar bony change, unilaterally or bilaterally, was found in 35.7% of the subjects and 24.4% of the joints. Disk displacement, unilaterally or bilaterally, was seen in 41.4% of the subjects and 29.5% of the joints. The type of craniofacial deformity was significantly associated with condylar bony change and disk displacement. No association of clinical symptoms with respect to craniofacial deformity, condylar bony change, or disk displacement was found except in the case of TMJ sounds. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that craniofacial deformity might be related to TMJ disorders, but the only clinical symptom associated with types of craniofacial deformity was TMJ sounds.

Condylar bony change and self-reported parafunctional habits in prospective orthognathic surgery patients with temporomandibular disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between self-reported parafunctional habits and condylar bony change and disk displacement in orthognathic surgery patients with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders. STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional retrospective study of pretreatment helical computed tomography scans and questionnaires of 94 female orthognathic surgery patients. RESULTS: Condylar bony change, unilaterally or bilaterally, was found in 56.4% of the subjects, or 43.6% of the joints. Disk displacement, unilaterally or bilaterally, was seen in 59.6% of the subjects, or 45.7% of the joints. Bruxism and clenching was significantly associated with condylar bony change and disk displacement. Subjects with 3 or more parafunctional habits showed a significantly higher rate of bilateral condylar bony change. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that bruxism and clenching might be related to deterioration of the temporomandibular joint and that the greater the number of parafunctional habits a subject has, the higher the risk of condylar bony change.

Detectability of anterior displacement of the articular disk in the temporomandibular joint on helical computed tomography: the value of open mouth position.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to establish the diagnostic reliability of anterior displacement of the articular disk in the temporomandibular joint on helical computed tomography. STUDY DESIGN: Ninety-four consecutive patients were examined through use of both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. On axial computed tomography, anterior disk displacement was defined as the presence of an area of soft tissue density that was semilunar in shape and located in front of the mandibular condyle. RESULTS: With magnetic resonance imaging taken as the diagnostic gold standard in evaluation of articular disk position, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for computed tomography were 91%, 100%, and 97%, respectively, in the closed mouth position and 96%, 99%, and 98%, respectively, in the open mouth position. CONCLUSIONS: The detectability on axial helical computed tomography of anterior displacement of the articular disk in the temporomandibular joint in the open mouth position was almost equal to that on magnetic resonance imaging. It is recommended that the open mouth position be added when helical computed tomography is used to evaluate patients with temporomandibular joint disease.

[A case report of tricuspid replacement for the acquired tricuspid stenosis at the time of reoperation].

A 57-year-old woman, who underwent aortic valve replacement and open mitral commissurotomy nine years ago, was admitted with congestive heart failure due to mitral regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation, for which we planned mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty. Intraoperatively, the orifice of tricuspid valve was stenosed like fish-mouth, which we attempted to make commissurotomy and modified Kay's annuloplasty, but failed to decrease the central regurgitation. A CarboMedics 23 mm prosthesis was implanted in the mitral position and a Capentier-Edwards 29 mm in the tricuspid position. She had recovered from congestive heart failure postoperatively, no regurgitant flow was detected in right ventriculography.

Diagnostic imaging of maxillofacial lesions with CT and MRI.

Normal anatomy of the maxillofacial regions is clearly shown by both CT and MRI. The use of dental devices causes deterioration in CT and MRI of the tongue and oral floor. A high-resolution bone window display is highly useful in examining bony structures. Contrast CT is useful in diagnosis of tumorous, inflammatory, and vascular lesions. MRI shows the extensions of tumors more clearly than CT, and MRI enhanced with Gd-DTPA is very useful in determining tumor extensions into bony structures. Both CT and MRI should be used in diagnosis of maxillofacial lesions.

Periosteal osteosarcoma of the mandible.

We report a rare case of periosteal osteosarcoma of the mandible in a 15-year-old girl. Extension of the tumour into the bone marrow by way of the periodontal ligament is demonstrated.

Reducing the risk of Chlamydia trachomatis genital tract infection by evaluating the prophylactic potential of vaginally applied chemicals.

The need to provide women with a partner-independent method of prophylaxis against sexually transmitted disease (STD) against, including Chlamydia trachomatis, has led to a direct effort to develop a vaginally applied, broad-spectrum antimicrobial preparation that is both safe and effective. Using a murine model of C. trachomatis lower genital tract infection, we tested the ability of various vaginally applied chemicals to alter the course of infection in female mice challenged with infectious doses ranging from 10(3) to 10(6) inclusion forming units of an oculogenital serovar of C. trachomatis. When administered in a methylcellulose/propylene glycol-base gel 15 minutes prior to challenge, four widely used topical antimicrobials (benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidine, nonoxynol-9, and polymyxin B) were shown to protect against infection. These results support the possibility that this type of interventional method may be a clinically relevant means of prophylaxis against sexually transmitted infection with C. trachomatis, the most common bacterial STD agent.

A study of volumetric visualization and quantitative evaluation of bone trabeculae in helical CT.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of quantitative evaluation of bone trabeculae by helical CT. METHODS: Ten specimens of human cadaver mandibular condyles were examined using both micro-CT and helical CT, and volume rendered three-dimensional (3D) images were obtained from the CT data. Micro-CT was used as the reference standard. From the micro-CT data images, bone trabeculae in each condyle were extracted by image processing and their volumes were calculated automatically. From the helical CT data images, the cortical bone was manually removed and bone trabeculae in each condyle were extracted using opacity curve and colour mapping thresholds. The optimal cut-off CT value that resulted in a similar volume of bone trabeculae obtained from helical CT and micro-CT data was investigated. RESULTS: The optimal cut-off CT value to assess the volume of bone trabeculae accurately on 3D images obtained with helical CT data was found to be 200 Hounsfield units. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that quantitative evaluation of bone trabeculae using helical CT might be a valid and useful method.

Malignant melanoma of mandibular gingiva; the usefulness of fat-saturated MRI.

Case report of a histologically validated malignant melanoma affecting the mandibular molar gingiva in a 31-year-old woman. Tumour was evaluated by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 1.5-T, spin-echo 3 mm slice thickness with T1-weighted and fat-saturated T1-weighted images. The fat-saturated T1-weighted images demonstrated the lesion more clearly than conventional T1-weighted images.

Condylar bony change and craniofacial morphology in orthodontic patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) symptoms: a pilot study using helical computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how condylar bony changes relate to craniofacial morphology using helical CT and MRI. DESIGN: Craniofacial morphology of orthodontic patients with condylar bony changes was compared with Japanese standard. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: The Department of Orthodontics, Niigata University School of Dentistry, Twenty-nine subjects were selected from orthodontic patients (six males and 23 females, a mean age of 18.8 +/- 6.3 years) who were diagnosed by helical CT as having condylar bony changes. EXPERIMENTAL VARIABLE: Subjects were divided into two groups: a unilateral condylar bony change group (unilateral group) (four males and nine females) and a bilateral condylar bony change group (bilateral group) (two males and 14 females). OUTCOME MEASURE: Condylar bony changes were evaluated on reconstructed coronal and sagittal CT scans. Disk positions were evaluated by MRI scans. Five linear and four angular measurements in lateral and posteroanterior cephalograms were compared with those of an age- and sex-matched 'standard population' from the Japanese standard. RESULTS: In the bilateral group, osteophyte formation and erosion were the common bony changes and were present in adult as well as juvenile subjects. In the unilateral group, flattening was the most common features and erosion was only present in subjects below 19 years. Disk displacement without reduction was seen in 90.6% of the bilateral group, and in 76.9% of the unilateral group. Retrognathic mandibles were shown in the bilateral group. All subjects exhibited a lateral shift of the menton toward the condylar bony changed side in the unilateral group. CONCLUSION: Condylar bony changes might be progressive and unstable in adults of the bilateral group as well as in juveniles of the both groups. It appears that condylar bony changes may be related to a lateral shift of the mandible and a retrognathic mandible in orthodontic patients with TMD symptoms.