[Subdural hematoma following cardiac surgery].

We report 3 cases of subdural hematoma following open heart surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. In 2 patients, emergency removal and drainage of a subdural hematoma was performed by neurosurgeons, and conservative management was performed in the remaining one. All patients belonged to a high risk group of bleeding due to anticoagulation therapy, and they had no episode of head trauma. Subdural hematomas may have been due to rapid alterations in cerebral volume, leading to a tearing of the dural bridging veins under cardiopulmonary bypass. Although early diagnosis and prompt treatment is very important, it is often difficult to examine neurological findings after cardiac surgery. We consider that patients who need long-term sedation under anticoagulation therapy must have their neurological status checked at least once in a few days.

The complete nucleotide sequence of a plant root-inducing (Ri) plasmid indicates its chimeric structure and evolutionary relationship between tumor-inducing (Ti) and symbiotic (Sym) plasmids in Rhizobiaceae.

The Ri (root-inducing) plasmid in Agrobacterium rhizogenes and Ti (tumor-inducing) plasmid in Agrobacterium tumefaciens have provided the fundamental basis for the construction of plant vectors and transgenic plants. Recently, the determination of the first complete nucleotide sequence of the Ti plasmid (pTi-SAKURA) has been successful. To understand the general structure of these oncogenic T-DNA transfer plasmids, the whole nucleotide sequence of a mikimopine-type Ri plasmid, pRi1724, was analyzed. The plasmid is 217,594 bp in size, and has 173 open reading frames (ORFs) in total, which are asymmetrically distributed. Except for 27 ORFs, which are unknown, 173 ORFs were classified into 12 groups as follows: three for DNA replication, nine for plasmid modification, 22 for conjugation, 26 for virulence, 11 for T-DNA gene, 19 for mikimopine/mikimopine-lactam transport, ten for an unknown opine metabolism, seven for transcriptional regulator, five for sugar transport, five for glycerol metabolism, four for chemoreceptor and 32 for others. The elucidated chimeric structure of pRi1724 interestingly indicates that the evolution of Rhizobiaceae plasmids seems to have kept interactions among the plasmids; especially, the genes and elements for a conjugal transfer of pRi1724 had clearly closer kinship to those of a Sym (symbiotic) plasmid, pNGR234a in Rhizobium sp. than those of Ti plasmids. By using sequencing and Northern analysis, we examined the metabolic pathway and gene expression of mikimopine, which is probably an Ri-specific opine.

Analysis of unique variable region of a plant root inducing plasmid, pRi1724, by the construction of its physical map and library.

Ri plasmids in Agrobacterium rhizogenes specifically induce the hairy root syndrome on various dicotyledonous plants. Its T-DNA transfer system as well as those of Ti plasmids have successfully provided the fundamental technique to introduce exogenous genes into plants. To study the Ri genome structure, we constructed a complete BamHI physical map and a lambda library of pRi1724 of A. rhizogenes strain 1724. By using these, we carried out the complete sequence of the 74-kb region between the right border of T-DNA and tra operon, which is the highly variable region (VAR) among Ri and Ti plasmids. As a result, we found three kinds of putative ABC-type transport operons, histidine utilization operon, glycerol utilization operon and two chemoreceptor genes. In addition, a virulence-related gene, tzs was located independently of the vir region.

Ascending pathways from the spinal cord in the himé salmon (landlocked red salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka).

The ascending pathways from the spinal cord of the himé salmon were anterogradely labelled by the cobaltic lysine method, and their courses and terminations were examined. Following application of the cobaltic lysine to the cut end of the spinal cord or injection of the cobalt at the 10th to 15th spinal segment, labelled axons were traced from the spinal cord to various regions in the rhombencephalon and the mesencephalon. The axons ascending from the dorsal funiculus gave off many terminals as they ascended to the lower medulla. This terminal area may be homologous to the nucleus funiculi dorsalis of other vertebrates, although cytoarchitectural differentiation of the area is not evident. The dorsal funicular fibers also formed some terminals in the vagus and glossopharyngeal motor nuclei and the nucleus fasciculi solitarii. The axons arising from the anterolateral funiculus ascended as the common trunk of the lemniscus spinalis. The lemniscus spinalis fibers distributed many axon terminals on their way through the lower medulla, and most probably made synaptic contacts with the peripheral dendrites of the cells of origin of the reticulospinal pathways throughout its rostrocaudal extent. They also projected to all the medullary cranial nerve motor nuclei (V, VI, VII, IX, and X). The rostral continuation of the lemniscus spinalis fibers entered the lemniscus lateralis and gave a rostrocaudally elongated terminal area in the nucleus lateralis of the torus semicircularis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Descending pathways to the spinal cord in the himé salmon (landlocked red salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka).

Distribution and morphology of the cells of origin of the descending spinal pathways and their axonal courses were studied in the himé salmon, using retrograde labelling with cobaltic lysine and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Following application of the tracers to the cut end of the spinal cord or injection of the tracers at the 10th to 15th spinal segment, neurons mainly labelled via the axons of passage were distributed in the mesencephalon and the rhombencephalon. Mesencephalic cell groups consisted of the nucleus pretectalis, the nucleus fasciculi longitudinalis medialis, and the nucleus ruber. The former two cell groups sent their axons to the fasciculus longitudinalis medialis. The axons of the nucleus ruber formed a separate loose bundle, the "tractus rubrospinalis." The rhombencephalic cell groups consisted of the rhombencephalic reticular formation, the Mauthner cells (one cell for each side), and the octavolateral area. The rhombencephalic reticular formation could be further subdivided into the nucleus reticularis superior, nucleus reticularis medius, and nucleus reticularis inferior. The axons of these cell groups joined the fasciculus longitudinalis medialis and the "tractus bulbospinalis." The Mauthner cell had two main gigantic dendrites, and its giant axons formed a conspicuous fiber of Mauthner throughout the rhombencephalon down to the spinal cord. The octavolateral area could be subdivided into the nucleus vestibularis magnocellularis, nucleus tangentialis, nucleus vestibularis descendens and nucleus intermedius. The axons of the nucleus vestibularis magnocellularis and nucleus intermedius entered the fasciculus longitudinalis medialis and/or the tractus bulbospinalis. Those of the nucleus vestibularis descendens and nucleus tangentialis formed the "tractus vestibulospinalis". The descending spinal pathways of the himé salmon were compared with those of other fishes and other vertebrates. The significance of these descending spinal pathways in the control of locomotion and sexual behavior is also discussed.

Morphology of physiologically identified mitral cells in the carp olfactory bulb: a light microscopic study after intracellular staining with horseradish peroxidase.

Physiologically identified mitral cells in the carp olfactory bulb were stained by intracellular injection of horseradish peroxidase in order to study the morphology in detail. The somata were fusiform, elongated, oval, triangular, or irregular. The mean diameters of the somata were 30 microns X 14 microns. Two to five thick dendrites arose from the somata and frequently gave off branches to form glomerular tufts. The dendrites extended less than 400 microns; the dendritic field of single mitral cells in the medial or lateral part of the olfactory bulb was confined within the respective part of the bulb. The axons arose from either the somata or the dendrites and had a conical initial portion, usually with a smooth contour. Some cells had poorly developed intrabulbar axon collaterals. No difference between the mitral cells in the medial part of the olfactory bulb and those in the lateral part was found in the soma diameter, the dendritic diameter at the base, or the number of first-order dendrites. However, there was a difference in the site of the origin of the axon between them: most of the axons of the mitral cells in the medial part arose from the dendrites, while most of the axons of the mitral cells in the lateral part arose from the somata. The morphology of physiologically identified mitral cells is basically consistent with that reported in the Golgi studies of teleosts. The limited dendritic fields of mitral cells may underlie the previously reported functional separation of the olfactory bulb into medial and lateral parts. The results also indicate that the two parts of the teleost olfactory bulb are differentiated not only functionally but also morphologically.

Cobaltic lysine study of the morphology and distribution of the cranial nerve efferent neurons (motoneurons and preganglionic parasympathetic neurons) and rostral spinal motoneurons in the Japanese toad.

The morphology and distribution of the cranial nerve motoneurons (except III, IV, and VI) and rostral spinal motoneurons were systematically studied in the Japanese toad (Bufo japonicus) by retrograde labelling with cobaltic lysine complex. The cobaltic lysine clearly labelled whole neurons, i.e., cell bodies, proximal and distal dendrites, and axons. The branchial motoneurons (V, VII, IX, and X) had similar morphological characteristics and formed a more-or-less continuous cell column through the brainstem. The dendrites could be grouped mainly into the dorsomedial and the ventrolateral dendritic arrays. The dorsomedial dendrites formed a dendritic plexus in the subependymal gray matter, which extended as far peripherally as beneath the ependymal layer. The ventrolateral dendrites formed a broom-like dendritic plexus in the lateral to ventrolateral white matter. They usually extended as far peripherally as the pial surface. The rostrocaudal extent of the dendritic field was also wide and usually exceeded the motor nuclear boundaries. The hypoglossal motoneurons were grouped into the dorsomedial and ventrolateral cell groups, and the latter was considered to be part of the rostral spinal motoneuron column, from their morphology and distribution. The former had well-differentiated dendrites and occupied a more medial position than the branchial motoneurons. Besides the equivalent of the dorsomedial and ventrolateral dendritic arrays of the branchial motoneurons, they had dorsal and commissural dendrites. The accessory motoneurons had morphological characteristics and a distribution pattern similar to those of the rostral spinal motoneurons rather than the branchial motoneurons. The rostral spinal motoneurons had morphological characteristics somewhat different from the branchial motoneurons and the hypoglossal motoneurons (dorsomedial group). Functional implications of the motoneuron morphology are discussed, mainly based on the present results and earlier anatomical and physiological studies of the spinal motoneurons. The present study also revealed the anatomical features of the preganglionic parasympathetic neurons supplying some cranial nerves. These neurons had small somata with less elaborate dendrites and formed an almost continuous cell column that occupied a more dorsal position than the motoneurons of the corresponding nerve. They are thought to be homologous to the salivatory nucleus and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. The basic anatomical organization of the general visceral efferent column seems to be similar throughout vertebrates.

Location of forelimb motoneurons in the Japanese toad (Bufo japonicus): a horseradish peroxidase study.

To label the spinal motoneurons innervating the forelimb muscles of the Japanese toad, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected into these muscles or applied to the cut end of the brachial nerves (N. radialis and N. ulnaris). Spatial distribution of the HRP-labeled motoneurons was reconstructed from serial frontal sections of the spinal cord and their location was examined. Motoneurons innervating forelimb muscles were distributed in the lateral cell column from segment 3 to segment 5 of the ipsilateral brachial spinal cord. In the transverse plane of the spinal cord, motoneurons innervating the medial forearm muscles (innervated by N. ulnaris) were located in the more medial part of the lateral cell column, whereas those innervating the lateral forearm muscles and the upper arm muscle (innervated by N. radialis) were located in the more lateral part of the lateral cell column. Along the longitudinal axis of the spinal cord, motoneurons innervating the more anterior (flexor side) forearm muscles were located in the more rostral part of the spinal cord, whereas those innervating the more posterior (extensor side) forearm muscles were located in the more caudal part of the spinal cord. Thus, motoneurons innervating forearm muscles were well organized somatotopically not only in the transverse plane, but also along the longitudinal axis of the spinal cord. Such a somatotopic organization of motoneurons along the longitudinal axis could also be regarded as a functional one; the flexor motoneurons were located rostrally to the extensor motoneurons.

Inhibitory effect of microfibril wheat bran on azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis in CF1 mice.

Microfibril wheat bran (MFW), a processed dietary fiber prepared by milling of coarse wheat bran (WB), is softer and has a more pleasant taste than WB. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effect of MFW on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon carcinogenesis in female CF1 mice and compared its effect with that of WB and cellulose (CL). The mice were fed a modified AIN 76 A diet supplemented with either MFW, WB, or CL at a final concentration of 20% (w/w). Six weekly s.c. injections of AOM (10 mg/kg body weight) were administered per mouse commencing 1 week after the start of the feeding period. Control mice were injected with saline only. Thirty-three weeks after the initial injection, the mice were sacrificed, examined for tumors, and the cecal contents were analyzed to determine the moisture content and the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). The average number of total tumors per mouse in the MFW (2.9 +/- 0.6, P = 0.017) and WB (5.3 +/- 1.3, P = 0.373) diet groups was lower than that of the CL diet group (7.5 +/- 1.3), though there was no significant difference in tumor incidence (94.7%, 90.0% and 94.7%, respectively) between the groups. More than 90% of the tumors in each group were adenocarcinomas. The incidence of adenoma and that of carcinoma in situ in the MFW diet group (5.3% and 0%, respectively) were also lower than those in the CL diet group (26.3 and 26.3%, respectively; P = 0.180 and P = 0.046, respectively). Analysis of the cecal contents revealed a significantly higher moisture content and significantly higher concentrations of SCFA, butyrate in particular, in the MFW and WB diet groups. The results of this study indicate that the source and texture of dietary fiber can influence tumor development in CF1 mice, and more specifically that MFW is a promising and useful dietary supplement with properties serving to protect against the development of colon cancer.

Identifying the ciliary sulcus for suturing a posterior chamber intraocular lens by transillumination.

We describe herein a technique for locating the ciliary sulcus for suturing a posterior chamber intraocular lens. Transscleral illumination with a light-guide fiber placed underneath the iris reveals the ciliary sulcus as a bright area near the limbus, and it allows for a straight needle with 10-0 polypropylene fiber to be easily inserted through the sulcus after making two pairs of radial scleral incisions to fixate the 10-0 polypropylene fiber. We think that this procedure can minimize complications of suturing a posterior chamber intraocular lens and shorten the operation time.

An electromyographic analysis of electrically-evoked prey-catching behavior by means of stimuli applied to the optic tectum in the Japanese toad.

As a step toward elucidating the tectal-controlling functions for generating the prey-catching motor pattern, electrically-evoked "snapping" (the final consummatory phase of the prey-catching sequence) by means of stimuli applied to the optic tectum was analyzed using electromyographic methods in freely-moving Japanese toads. Electromyographic activities were recorded from the following 7 muscles in the head region (the presumed "snapping"-related muscles): M. depressor mandibulae, M. temporalis, M. sternohyoideus, M. geniohyoideus, M. genioglossus, M. hyoglossus, and M. submentalis. It was found that the characteristic activities evoked in these muscles were associated with jaw/tongue movements during the electrically-evoked "snapping". All of these muscles, except for sternohyoideus and geniohyoideus muscles, were activated in an all-or-nothing manner which corresponded to the elicitation of the electrically-evoked "snapping". It was suggested that such an all-or-nothing character may reflect an all-or-nothing property of the neuronal circuits for generating the prey-catching motor-pattern.

Synchronized rhythmic discharges of the secondary olfactory neurons in carp.

(1) Rhythmic and synchronized multiunit bursts of spike discharges, which were superimposed on the peaks of the oscillatory potentials of 4--10 Hz (olfactory tract waves), were induced in the olfactory tract fibers of the carp in response to olfactory stimulation. Suppression of the spike discharges was observed during the interburst periods of discharges. (2) Single-unit analysis revealed three types of discharge patterns in the olfactory tract fibers in response to olfactory stimulation: rhythmic excitation (Type 1), suppression (Type 2) and no response (Type 3). A synchronization of spike discharges was observed among the Type 1 units. (3) Mass potentials were evoked in the olfactory tract by electrical stimulations applied to the olfactory nerve. When the time interval between the conditioning stimulation and the test stimulation was about 200 msec, a transient recovery of the evoked mass response was observed. This interval approximately corresponded to the cycle length of the olfactory tract waves. (4) It was concluded from the results obtained that the olfactory tract waves are the summated action potentials from the axons of the secondary olfactory neurons discharging rhythmically and synchronously. (5) An inhibitory phasing mechanism in the olfactory bulb was suggested which may cause the synchronized rhythmic activity of the secondary olfactory neurons.

Ganglion cells of the terminal nerve: morphology and electrophysiology.

The ganglion cells of the terminal nerve (TN cells) in the carp were identified using intracellular recording and staining techniques. The TN cells showed characteristic location and morphology as well as characteristic responses after electrical shocks to the olfactory nerve and tracts. These features of the TN cells were distinct from those of the mitral or other cells in the olfactory bulb.

Morphology and distribution of the motor neurons of the accessory nerve (nXI) in the Japanese toad: a cobaltic lysine study.

Motoneurons supplying the accessory nerve (nXI) of the Japanese toad were retrogradely labelled by applying the cobaltic lysine to the cut end of the nerve. They had morphological characteristics and a distribution pattern similar to those of the rostral spinal motoneurons rather than the branchial motoneurons. We propose that the anuran nXI is equivalent to the so-called spinal portion of the nXI of other vertebrates, and both should be regarded as part of the rostral spinal nerves rather than the nerve accessory to the vagus nerve.

Tongue-muscle-controlling motoneurons in the Japanese toad: neural inputs from the thalamus.

The anuran tongue is an effector organ specialized for snapping up prey during visually guided prey-catching behavior. As a step toward elucidating the control mechanisms of the tongue movement and overall organization of visually guided behavior, properties of neural inputs from the thalamus (of which electrical stimulation elicited a behavior very similar to the visually guided predator-avoidance behavior under freely behaving conditions) were investigated in paralyzed Japanese toads. Tongue-muscle-controlling motoneurons (tongue-protractor motoneurons (PMNs) and tongue-retractor motoneurons (RMNs)) were identified antidromically, and synaptic inputs in response to electrical stimuli applied to various points in the thalamus (mainly the posterocentral thalamic nucleus) were examined. Hyperpolarizing potentials were evoked in both PMNs and RMNs in response to single electrical stimuli applied to the thalamus contralateral or ipsilateral to the recording side. Since these potentials reversed to depolarizing ones after injecting Cl- ions into the cell interior, these hyperpolarizing potentials were concluded to be the usual fast type of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs). On the other hand, depolarizing potentials which were superimposed on the underlying IPSPs were evoked when repetitive electrical stimuli were applied to the thalamus. The amplitude of these depolarizing potentials was decreased when depolarizing currents were injected intracellularly, while it was increased when hyperpolarizing currents were injected, indicating that these depolarizing potentials are excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A field-potential study of centripetal and centrifugal connections of the olfactory bulb in the carp, Cyprinus carpio (L).

The projection areas of mitral cell axons in the lateral (LOT) and medial (MOT) olfactory tracts and the pathways of two groups of centrifugal fibers (with fast and slow conduction velocities) to the olfactory bulb were studied in the carp using the field potential method. Mitral cell axons of the LOT and those of the MOT projected to the overlapping areas in the bilateral telencephalon and preoptic area (POA), the contralateral MOT, and the nucleus posterior tuberis (NPT) in the diencephalon. However, the precommissural, ventromedial part of the ipsilateral telencephalon received the projection only from mitral cell axons of the MOT, not from those of the LOT. No projection was detected in the contralateral LOT and the contralateral olfactory bulb. The distribution of the fast and slow centrifugal fibers and/or their cells of origin were similar to each other. They were distributed bilaterally in the telencephalon and POA, in the NPT, and contralateral LOT and MOT. These areas overlapped with the projection areas of the mitral cell axons considerably. The results support and extend those obtained from anatomical studies.

Glossopharyngeal and tectal influences on tongue-muscle motoneurons in the Japanese toad.

Anuran tongue-muscle motoneurons receive excitatory inputs both from the glossopharyngeal nerve afferents and from the optic tectum. As a step toward elucidating the neural bases for controlling the tongue movements, we searched intracellularly for the neuronal pathways from the glossopharyngeal afferents to the tongue-muscle motoneurons in paralyzed Japanese toads. The electrical stimuli applied to the glossopharyngeal nerve (ipsilateral lingual branch) evoked polysynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in tongue-protractor motoneurons and mixed mono- and polysynaptic EPSPs in tongue-retractor motoneurons. Furthermore, we investigated the mode of the convergency of the excitatory inputs from the glossopharyngeal nerve and those from the optic tectum. A spatial facilitation was observed between the tectal EPSPs and the glossopharyngeal EPSPs in some motoneurons tested. These results suggest the existence of common excitatory premotor interneurons, on which the tectal descending volleys and the glossopharyngeal afferent volleys converge.

Distribution of motoneurons involved in the prey-catching behavior in the Japanese toad, Bufo japonicus.

Coordinated activities of several muscles in the head region underlie the prey-catching behavior of anuran amphibians. As a step in elucidating the neural mechanisms generating these activity patterns in the Japanese toad, we labelled the motoneurons innervating 8 behaviorally relevant muscles using intramuscular (i.m.) injection technique of horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and examined their localization within the motor nuclei whose boundaries were determined by HRP application to the nerve trunk. All the motoneurons innervating the two jaw closer muscles (m. masseter major, m. temporalis) and m. submentalis were localized within the rostral subdivision of the trigeminal motor nucleus. The motoneurons innervating the only mouth opener muscle (m. depressor mandibulae) were scattered throughout the facial motor nucleus. The motoneurons innervating tongue (m. hypoglossus, m. genioglossus) and hyoid muscles (m. sternohyoideus, m. geniohyoideus) appeared within the hypoglossal nucleus with distribution patterns characteristic of the target muscles. Thus, we have revealed the neuroanatomical organization of the motoneurons relevant to the prey-catching behavior.

Morphology and distribution of the preganglionic parasympathetic neurons of the facial, glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves in the Japanese toad: a cobaltic lysine study.

We labelled the preganglionic parasympathetic neurons of the facial, glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves of the Japanese toad by applying the cobaltic lysine to the cut end of the respective nerve, and examined their morphology and distribution. These neurons form an almost continuous cell column consisting of small neurons with less elaborate dendrites, and occupy a more dorsal position than the motoneurons of the corresponding nerves. The results suggest the presence of the amphibian homologues of the salivatory nucleus and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus.

An HRP study of afferent connections of the supracommissural ventral telencephalon and the medial preoptic area in himé salmon (landlocked red salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka).

The supracommissural ventral telencephalon and the medial preoptic area have been shown to play important roles in the sexual behavior of himé salmon (landlocked red salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka). In the present study, the sites of neurons projecting to these regions were examined by means of the retrograde horseradish peroxidase (HRP) tracing method. The morphology of neurons in these sites of origin was also studied by means of the Golgi method. The nucleus preopticus periventricularis and the rostral part of nucleus preopticus (NPP-rNPO) received bilateral projections from the middle parts of the area ventralis telencephali pars ventralis (Vv) and the area ventralis telencephali pars dorsalis (Vd), NPP and lateral part of the preoptic area (LPOA), ipsilateral projections from the caudal part of Vv, nucleus anterioris periventricularis (NAPv), nucleus ventromedialis thalami (NVM) at the level of the posterior commissure, nucleus lateralis tuberis pars medialis (NLTm), nucleus anterior tuberis (NAT), nucleus saccus vasculosus (NSV), nucleus recessus posterioris (NRP) and midbrain tegmentum (TG), and a projection from the nucleus posterior tuberis (NPT), which is situated on the midline of the brain. The area ventralis telencephali pars supracommissuralis and neighboring caudal ventral telencephalon (Vs-cV) received ipsilateral projections from almost all parts of the Vv, the middle and caudal parts of Vd, almost all parts of the NNP, the NPO at the level between the habenula and the posterior commissure, and the rostral part of the nucleus dorsomedialis thalami (NDM). The Vs-cV also received a projection from NPT. These findings seem to give anatomical bases for understanding the neural mechanisms involved in sexual behavior as well as neuroendocrine functions.