Ganglion cell density and oil droplet distribution in the retina of brown-eared bulbul (Hysipetes amaurotis)

This study was intended to determine the number and density of both retinal ganglion cells and the oil droplets of cone photoreceptor cells in brown-eared bulbul (Hysipetes amaurotis). For this study birds were killed with proper dose of anesthetic (pentobarbital, 30 mg/kg), and the eyes were removed from the orbital cavity to isolate the retina. For the ganglion cell study retinal whole-mount specimens were prepared and stained with 0.1% cresyl violet. The different types of oil droplets were counted from color microphotographs of freshly prepared retinal samples. The mean total number of ganglion cells was estimated at approximately 2.5×10⁶; with an average density of 16 523 cells/mm². Two high-density areas, namely the central area (CA) and the dorso-temporal area (DTA), are located in the central and dorso-temporal retinas, respectively, in bulbuls (24 032 cells/mm² in the CA; 23 113 cells/mm² in the DTA). Small ganglion cells persisted in the highest density areas, whereas the largest soma sizes were found in the lowest density areas of the retina. Four types of different colored oil droplets — red, orange, green and clear — were identified with an average density of 29 062/mm². Among the different colors, the green oil droplets had a significantly higher population (13 083/mm²) than the others across the retina. The central retina had a significantly higher number of all types of oil droplets, at a density of 60 552/mm². The density and size of the different colored oil droplets were inversely related across the regions of the retina. Taken together, it is concluded that the CA of the retina is an excellent quality area for visual perception due to peak density of ganglion cells and oil droplets. Moreover, each specific oil droplet makes a distinct contribution to visual perception, thereby ensuring that the bird has a retina that best matches its natural environment and feeding behavior.     

Neural mechanisms of three-dimensional vision

We can see things in three dimensions because the visual system re-constructs the three-dimensional (3D) configurations of objects from their two-dimensional (2D) images projected onto the retinas. The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of the psychological background and recent physiological findings concerning three-dimensional vision. Psychophysical and computational studies have suggested that in the visual system the 3D surface orientation is first estimated independently from individual depth cues--such as binocular disparity, as well as various monocular cues including texture gradients--and then the information from these different depth cues is integrated to construct a generalized representation of the 3D surface geometry. Neurons involved in low-level disparity processing, or the detection of local absolute disparity, were found mainly in the occipital cortex, whereas neurons involved in high-level disparity processing, or the reconstruction of 3D surface orientation through the computation of disparity gradients, were found mainly in the parietal area caudal intraparietal sulcus (CIP). Neurons sensitive to texture gradients, which is one of the major monocular cues, were also found in CIP. The majority of these neurons were sensitive to disparity gradients as well, suggesting their involvement in the computation of 3D surface orientation. In CIP, neurons sensitive to multiple depth cues were widely distributed together with those sensitive to a specific depth cue, suggesting CIP's involvement in the integration of depth information from different sources. In addition, human and monkey imaging studies have indicated convergence of multiple depth cues in CIP. These neurophysiological findings suggest that CIP plays a critical role in 3D vision by constructing a generalized representation of the 3D surface geometry of objects.     

Lipoteichoic acids from Lactobacillus strains elicit strong tumor necrosis factor alpha-inducing activities in macrophages through Toll-like receptor 2

Lactobacilli are nonpathogenic gram-positive inhabitants of microflora. At least some Lactobacillus strains have been postulated to have health beneficial effects, such as the stimulation of the immune system. Here we examined the stimulatory effects of lactobacilli on mouse immune cells. All six heat-killed Lactobacillus strains examined induced the secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) from mouse splenic mononuclear cells, albeit to various degrees. When fractionated subcellular fractions of Lactobacillus casei were tested for NF-kappaB activation and TNF-alpha production in RAW264.7, a mouse macrophage cell line, the activity was found to be as follows: protoplast > cell wall > polysaccharide-peptidoglycan complex. Both crude extracts and purified lipoteichoic acids (LTAs) from two Lactobacillus strains, L. casei and L. fermentum, significantly induced TNF-alpha secretion from RAW264.7 cells and splenocytes of C57BL/6, C3H/HeN, and C3H/HeJ mice but not from splenocytes of C57BL/6 TLR2(-/-) mice. Lactobacillus LTA induced activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation in RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, in HEK293T cells transected with a combination of CD14 and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), NF-kappaB was activated in response to Lactobacillus LTA. Taken together, these data suggest that LTAs from lactobacilli elicit proinflammatory activities through TLR2.     

Purification, cDNA cloning, and secretory properties of FLRG protein from PC12 cells and the distribution of FLRG mRNA and protein in rat tissues

A 35 kD protein was isolated and purified from conditioned media of Bcl-2 cDNA-transfected PC12 cells and its cDNA cloned. A database analysis showed that the 35 kD protein is a rat homologue of the human FLRG protein. The biochemical as well as morphological properties of the rat FLRG protein in PC12 cells were examined and its distribution in rat tissues determined. The levels of FLRG mRNA expressed were low during the fetal period, compared with those of follistatin mRNA. The distribution of FLRG and follistatin mRNAs differed from each other after birth; the expression levels of FLRG mRNA were abundant in the adrenal gland and testis, whereas those of follistatin mRNA and activin A were markedly high in the ovary. The presence of FLRG mRNA and/or protein was confirmed in spermatocytes at various differentiating stages andin endocrine cells of both the adrenal cortex and medulla. When overexpressed in PC12 cells, the FLRG protein was found to be stored in secretory granules of the cells and largely secreted by a regulated pathway, while activin A enhancedthe constitutive secretion of the FLRG protein from wild-typpe PC12 cells, indicating that the FLRG protein possesses dualproperties in secretory pathways. The different distribution between FLRG and follistatin mRNA suggests that, like follistatin in the ovary, the FLRG protein may be involved in the maintenance of spermatogenesis in the testis and the growth and function of adrenal tissue cells, probably by regulating the functions of its binding partners such as the TGF-beta ( superfamily members.     

Development of a particle agglutination assay system for detecting Japanese encephalitis virus-specific human IgM,using hydroxyapatite-coated nylon beads

Japanese encephalitis virus-specific IgM is a reliable indicator for serodiagnosis of Japanese encephalitis. A particle agglutination (PA) assay system was developed to detect anti-Japanese encephalitis virus IgM in human serum samples. The newly developed PA assay consisted of hydroxyapatite-coated nylon beads and V-bottom 96-well microplates. Hydroxyapatite-coated nylon beads were coated with Japanese encephalitis virus antigens. Japanese encephalitis virus antigen-coated, hydroxyapatite-coated nylon beads agglutinated in the IgM-captured wells when anti-Japanese encephalitis virus IgM-positive serum samples were used. A button pattern was formed at the bottom of the wells when anti-Japanese encephalitis virus IgM-negative serum samples were used. Thirty anti-Japanese encephalitis virus IgM-positive serum samples from Japanese encephalitis-confirmed cases were tested by the PA assay. All these serum samples were determined to be Japanese encephalitis virus IgM-positive. IgM titers determined by the PA assay corresponded to those determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The titers were consistent in two independent PA assays. These results indicate that the newly developed PA assay is a reliable method for detecting anti-Japanese encephalitis virus IgM in human serum samples and that this assay will be a suitable diagnostic system especially in rural areas of Asia.     

Oral disodium cromoglycate and ketotifen for a patient with eosinophilic gastroenteritis, food allergy and protein-losing enteropathy

We present a case report of a 10 years old boy with protein-losing enteropathy and eosinophilic gastroenteritis who had positive histamine release tests, increased allergen-specific IgE antibodies to some food items, and low levels of total serum protein and albumin. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a number of polyps and diffuse gastritis. Biopsy specimens of the stomach and duodenum showed widespread eosinophilia and neutrophilia. Although a restricted diet was recommended, a diet which excluded foods with positive results to both histamine release test and allergen-specific IgE antibodies was poorly tolerated, and the patient rejected systemic administration of corticosteroids. Thus, we initiated an oral disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) and ketotifen therapy. After oral DSCG and ketotifen administration, the patient's condition improved gradually. Therefore, oral DSCG and ketotifen therapy might be considered as treatment option in patients with eosinophilic gastroenteritis and protein-losing enteropathy caused by food allergy.     

Primary osteosarcoma of the uterine corpus: case report and review of the literature

A rare case of rapidly growing osteosarcoma that developed in the uterine corpus of a 62-year-old woman is presented. The tumor occupied almost the entire pelvic cavity and extended into the abdominal cavity, with marked involvement of the intestines. Histopathologically, the tumor was composed of an osteoblastic component, accompanied by conspicuous bone formation, and a fibroblastic component. The tumor cells were positive for vimentin and osteocalcin, as well as desmin, alpha-smooth muscle actin and muscle-specific actin, but negative for h-caldesmon. The results indicated myofibroblastic differentiation in a part of the tumor. A review of 14 reported cases and our case of uterine osteosarcoma revealed that this tumor has a biologically aggressive nature, although its histopathological and immunohistochemical features are similar to those of osteosarcomas in soft tissue and bone. As the prognosis of patients with this tumor is poor, it is of importance to differentiate this tumor from other types of tumors arising from the uterine corpus.     

Culture of chondrocytes in fibroin-hydrogel sponge

Fibroin-hydrogel sponge and collagen gel were used as scaffold for in vitro cartilage regeneration. Fibroin-hydrogel sponge was formed by phase separation from freezed fibroin solution. Chondrocytes were harvested from proximal humerus, distal femur and proximal tibia of 4-week-old Japanese white rabbits and inoculated in the fibroin-hydrogel sponge and collagen gel. Those constructs were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% FCS and 50 ml L-ascorbate at 37 degrees C. Histological observation, measurement of sulfated glycosaminoglycan and cell density were carried out at 3, 7, and 14 days after the cultivation. Well-defined cartilage tissue can be seen both in the fibroin-hydrogel sponge and in the collagen gel. The matrix was intensely stained by safranin-O and showed a metachromatic reaction in both group. However, the quantity of sulfated glycosaminoglycan and cell density of the fibroin-hydrogel sponge group were increased more rapidly than these of the collagen gel group. Thus, the chondrocytes proliferated in the fibroin sponge without losing their differentiated phenotype. It is possible that culture environment in the fibroin sponge was suitable for chondrocytes regeneration.     

High incidence of pre-excitation syndrome in Japanese families with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy

Cardiac conduction abnormalities have been reported in families with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). The pre-excitation syndrome, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome, is reportedly common in Finns with LHON, being seen in 14 (9%) of the 163 individuals with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations. While this syndrome is thought to be rare in other ethnic groups with LHON, the present study of 35 Japanese LHON families confirmed that it is also relatively common among Japanese families, being seen in 5 (8%) of the 63 individuals with mtDNA mutations. It remains to be determined whether the high incidence of the pre-excitation syndrome in Finnish and Japanese LHON families is due to a particular genetic composition of ethnic groups such as in Finland and in Japan, or only to a reporting bias.