Differences in distribution of myofiber types between the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles of sheep

Background: The m. supraspinatus stabilizes the shoulder joint to bear the body weight, and the m. infraspinatus assists in extension and flexion of the joint in sheep. Postural muscles have many SO myofibers, whereas locomotory muscles have numerous fast-twitch myofibers. In sheep the distribution of myofiber types within the two muscles, necessary for a better understanding of postural function, remains to be clarified. Methods: Muscle samples were removed from the whole transverse sections of the dorsal, middle, and ventral compartments of the m. supraspinatus and m. infraspinatus of sheep. Myofibers were classified into FG, FOG, SO-1, and SO-2 myofibers by histochemical methods. Results: The distribution of SO myofibers changed more greatly in the m. supraspinatus (15.0–99.1%) than in the m. infraspinatus (24.5–62.3%). SO myofibers were concentrated markedly in the caudal and deep regions near the spine and fossa of the scapula in the m. supraspinatus and distributed more in the medial part than in the lateral part in the m. infraspinatus. Such changes were caused by increases in percentage of SO-2 myofibers and not SO-1 myofibers. The craniolateral regions of the m. supraspinatus and the caudolateral regions of the m. infraspinatus had many fast-twitch (FOG plus FG) myofibers suited for rapid extension and flexion of the shoulder joint. Conclusions: The m. supraspinatus has the compartmentalized, deep, and caudal regions occupied by SO myofibers, which seem to be specialized for maintenance of the joint extension. The medial region of the m. infraspinatus may assist in the joint stabilization. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

CORRELATION BETWEEN GLYCOCONJUGATE EXPRESSION AND FUCOSYLTRANSFERASE ACTIVITY IN HUMAN COLORECTAL CARCINOMA

Using the surgically extirpated specimens from 9 patients with colorectal carcinoma, fucosyltransferase activities in the carcinoma tissue and the normal mucosa were measured and were compared with the hlstochemical findings of glycoconjugates which were shown by staining with lectins reacting with blood group antigens and related substances. The fucosyltransferase activities of the carcinoma tissue were well correlated with the overall findings of lectin stainings after neuraminidase treatment. The more intense the carcinoma tissue was stained, the higher the fucosyltransferase activity was shown. However, there were marked differences in the fucosyltransferase activities by the portions measured, depending upon the relative amount of carcinoma tissue and Interstitial tissue; in the invasive portion with less carcinoma tissue, the activity was generally low in comparison with that in the surface area where carcinoma tissue was rather abundant. Thus, the morphological and lectin hlstochemical finding are of paramount importance for the eveluation of glycosyltransferase activity in human colorectal carcinoma.     

Tubuloreticular inclusions and paired cisternae induced in human lymphocytes cultured with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1

Tubuloreticular inclusions (TRI) and paired cisternae (PC) were induced in lymphocytes of normal individuals after incubation with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1. TRI were initially detected in lymphoid cells on day 2 (48-h culture). The frequency of TRI-positive cell sections on day 5 increased about twofold over those on days 2-4. On day 7, TRI were predominantly seen in lymphoplasmacytoid cells or plasmacytoid cells, with an incidence of up to 18% of sections. The regions in these cells were most extensive and anastomosed with the cisternae of adjacent well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). TRI formation appears not to be essential for mitogen-induced B-cell differentiation to plasmacytoid cells, because pokeweed mitogen (PWM) failed to induce TRI. The diverse expressions of TRI induction between these two mitogens may be due to a difference in B-cell activation mechanisms. Paired cisternae were observed in a great majority of mitotic cells at various stages. These were encountered most frequently on day 4. PC were also seen in the PWM-stimulated culture. Our observations suggest that PC formation may be related to new formation of RER as well as to reconstruction of the nuclear envelope.     

Identification of neural genes using Xenopus DNA microarrays.

To isolate novel genes regulating neural induction, we used a DNA microarray approach. As neural induction is thought to occur by means of the inhibition of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, BMP signaling was inhibited in ectodermal cells by overexpression of a dominant-negative receptor. RNAs were isolated from control animal cap explants and from dominant-negative BMP receptor expressing animal caps and subjected to a microarray experiment using newly generated high-density Xenopus DNA microarray chips representing over 17,000 unigenes. We have identified 77 genes that are induced in animal caps after inhibition of BMP signaling, and all of these genes were subjected to whole-mount in situ hybridization analysis. Thirty-two genes showed specific expression in neural tissues. Of the 32, 14 genes have never been linked to neural induction. Two genes that are highly induced by BMP inhibition are inhibitors of Wnt signaling, suggesting that a key step in neural induction is to produce Wnt antagonists to promote anterior neural plate development. Our current analysis also proves that a microarray approach is useful in identifying novel candidate factors involved in neural induction and patterning.     

The effect of calcium ion concentration on osteoblast viability, proliferation and differentiation in monolayer and 3D culture

Our research group aims to develop an osteochondral composite using type II collagen gel with hydroxyapatite (HAp) deposited on one side. Soaking gels in Ca2+ and phosphate solution is indispensable to HAp deposition, so relationships between cell behavior and Ca2+ concentration were examined in two- and three-dimensional cultures. The present results indicate that 2-4 mM Ca2+ is suitable for proliferation and survival of osteoblasts, whereas slightly higher concentrations (6-8 mM) favor osteoblast differentiation and matrix mineralization in both 2- and 3-dimensional cultures. Higher concentrations (>10 mM) are cytotoxic. Purely from the perspective of calcium deposition, higher concentrations lead to increased accumulation of Ca2+. Culturing cells in phosphate-containing gel in media with Ca2+ also leads to time-dependent formation of HAp in the gel. Considering the viability of embedded cells, culturing scaffolds in media with Ca2+ concentrations around 5mM is useful for both HAp deposition and osteoblast behavior.     

Effects of body and head positions on bilateral difference in tympanic temperatures

Summary We have examined the nonparallel changes in tampanic membrane temperatures (T _ty) from the two ears in response to various changes in body and head positions. Upon assuming a lateral recumbent position, the T _ty on the lower side increased while that on the upper side decreased. Pressure application over a wide area of the lateral chest only caused inconsistent and obscure asymmetric changes in T _ty. A lateral flexion of the head with the subject sitting upright and a rotation of the head to the side in a supine position induced an increase in the T _ty on the lower side compared to that on the upper side. The temperature and blood flow of the forehead often decreased on the lower side and increased on the upper side, although such responses were not always concomitant with the asymmetric changes in T _ty. A dorsal flexion of the head with the subject in a reclining position caused a slight increase in the T _ty, whereas raising the head upright induced a slight decrease in them. Two additional experiments were carried out with single photon emission computed tomography using ^99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime as tracer, and a slight, relative decrease in counts was noted in the right hemisphere during rotation of the head to the right. These results would strongly suggest that unilateral increases and decreases in T _ty could have been caused by one-sided decreases and increases, respectively, in blood flow to the brain and/or the tympanic membrane, induced by a vasomotor reflex involving vestibular stimulation.     

Arg-gingipain a DNA vaccine induces protective immunity against infection by Porphyromonas gingivalis in a murine model

Arginine-specific cysteine proteinases (RgpA and RgpB) produced by the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis are suspected virulence factors and are involved in interrupting host defense mechanisms as well as in penetrating and destroying periodontal connective tissues. To induce a protective immune response against P. gingivalis, we constructed an rgpA DNA vaccine. BALB/c mice were immunized intradermally by Gene Gun with plasmid DNA carrying rgpA. Antibody responses against P. gingivalis were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The rgpA DNA vaccine induced high levels of serum antibodies against P. gingivalis. Sera from the rgpA DNA vaccine-immunized mice diminished the proteolytic activity of RgpA and RgpB and inhibited the binding of P. gingivalis to a type I collagen sponge. Moreover, the sera effectively reduced the hemagglutination of P. gingivalis, indicating that the hemagglutinin activity of the organism is associated with RgpA. We found with a murine abscess model that mice immunized with the rgpA DNA vaccine were resistant to an invasive P. gingivalis W50 challenge. These results suggest that the rgpA DNA vaccine induced specific antibodies against the enzyme and that this vaccine could confer protective immunity against P. gingivalis infection.     

The adaptational strategies of the hindlimb muscles in the Tenrecidae species including the aquatic web-footed tenrec (Limnogale mergulus).

The hindlimb muscles in four species of Tenrecidae (Oryzoryctinae: Talazac long-tailed tenrec and web-footed tenrec, Tenrecinae: lesser hedgehog tenrec, and streaked tenrec), were examined macroscopically. The weight ratios of the muscles to the body in the oryzoryctinid species are larger than those in Tenrecinae, since the Oryzoryctinae species have an obviously smaller body from the evolutionary point of view. It can be primarily pointed out that the adaptation of the body size is different between the two subfamilies, and secondarily, that functional adaptation to locomotion is complete within each subfamily. The weight data and the morphological findings demonstrate that the web-footed tenrec possesses an extraordinary large M. semimembranosus in comparison to the Talazac long-tailed tenrec in their weight ratios. This muscle may act as a strong flexor motor in the knee joint during the aquatic locomotion of the web-footed tenrec. Since the other muscles of the web-footed tenrec are similar to those of the Talazac long-tailed tenrec regards weight ratio data, we think that the web-footed tenrec may have derived from a terrestrial ancestor such as the long-tailed tenrecs. In Tenrecinae the streaked tenrec is equipped with larger Mm. adductores, M. semimembranosus and M. triceps surae than the lesser hedgehog tenrec. This species is adapted to fossorial life derived from non-specialized ancestors within the evolutionary lines of the spiny tenrecs.     

Different corticostriatal projections from two parts of the cortical masticatory area in the rabbit

The cortical masticatory area (CMA) elicits rhythmic jaw movements in response to repetitive stimulation and is involved in the control of mastication. Based on jaw movement patterns, the CMA is divided into two parts. One is the part of the CMA in which a T-pattern similar to jaw movements during food transport in natural mastication is evoked by electrical stimulation. The other is more dorsomedially located, and during chewing a C-pattern similar to jaw movements can be induced. However, it is still not known which region of the putamen receives projections from the CMA and whether projections originate from both parts of the CMA. In this study, electrophysiological and histological experiments were undertaken in rabbits to investigate projections from the CMA to the putamen. Both experiments showed that the ventral region of the putamen received projections from the CMA. The density of the projections from the CMA area inducing the T-pattern seemed to be higher than that from the area inducing the C-pattern. Furthermore, the peak latency of the evoked potentials from stimulation of the CMA area inducing the T-pattern was shorter than that from stimulation of the area inducing the C-pattern. The data obtained from the present study indicate the functional role of the ventral region of the putamen in the regulation of mastication, and further suggest that the corticostriatal pathway is involved in the transition between behavioral jaw movement patterns.