The effects of changes in glucose concentration were studied on 256 ventromedial (VMH), 212 dorsomedial (DMH) and 59 lateral (LHA) neurons recorded from coronally-oriented rat hypothalamic slices. When glucose concentration of the medium was increased (5.5-20 mM), these neurons exhibited 3 response patterns: excitation, excitation followed by inhibition, and inhibition. Twenty percent of neurons in VMH, 33% in DMH, and 41% in LHA responded to increases in glucose concentration. The majority in VMH and DMH were excited, and in LHA, inhibited. Only minor modifications of these ratios were obtained by isolating VMH from the other areas. In isolated DMH, equal numbers were excited and inhibited. Both glucose-responsive and non-glucose-responsive neurons in VMH and DMH were identified by intracellular horseradish peroxidase staining. The dendritic arborizations of glucose-responsive neurons were richer than in non-glucose-responsive neurons. These results suggest that the different populations of glucose-responsive neurons in the VMH, DMH and LHA might have different functions in the regulation of glucose.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Polymorphism of HSP70 gene is not associated with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in Japanese.

Heat shock protein (HSP) 70 is one of the stress-induced proteins and a candidate for islet autoantigen of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Association of PstI-8.5 kb allele of HSP70 gene with Type 1 diabetes was previously reported in the Caucasian population. Since HSP70 gene is located in the class III region of HLA, the association may be due to the linkage disequilibrium between class II HLA and HSP70 genes. To study whether HSP70 gene is associated with Type 1 diabetes independent of class II HLA genes, we analyzed both HSP70 gene and class II HLA genes in 32 Japanese patients with Type 1 diabetes and 31 control subjects. By Southern blot hybridization with restriction enzyme PstI and HSP70 genomic probe, two allelic bands, 9.0 kb and 8.5 kb, were detected as reported in the Caucasian population. The allele frequencies of 8.5 kb in Type 1 diabetic patients and normal controls were 0.39 and 0.44, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups. On the other hand, by PCR-RFLP analysis, DQA1*0301, DQB1*0303 and DQB1*0401 alleles were positively associated with Type 1 diabetes and DQA1*01 was negatively associated with Type 1 diabetes. These data suggest that the polymorphism of HSP70 gene was not associated with Type 1 diabetes in the Japanese population, and that association of PstI-8.5 kb allele with Type 1 diabetes observed in Caucasian population appears to be due to the linkage disequilibrium between this allele and HLA-DR3.

Alleles↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Role of monkey hippocampus in recognition of food and nonfood.

To investigate the role of the hippocampal formation (HF) in feeding behavior, single neuron activity in the monkey HF was recorded during performance of an operant task that included food/nonfood discrimination, drinking, and active avoidance. Of 837 neurons recorded in the HF, 155 responded to the sight of one or more objects. Of these, 82 responded to the sight of different objects with different response magnitudes, and some of these 82 responded predominantly to food-related (rewarding) objects or nonfood, aversive objects. The magnitude of response of neurons that responded predominantly to food was not necessarily correlated with the order of animal's preference for those kinds of food. For some neurons that responded predominantly to food or nonfood, effects of extinction or reversal learning on the neuronal responses were tested, and most of the neurons tested maintained their original responsiveness even after behavioral extinction or reversal learning was accomplished. The results suggest that these HF neurons may be involved in preservation of past information concerning food or nonfood.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Gas stress test for assessment of corneal endothelial function.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the endothelial pump function by monitoring both corneal swelling response under hypoxia and dehydration response following hypoxia in vivo. METHODS: Humidified nitrogen gas was used to obtain corneal swelling, and humidified gas mixed with oxygen and nitrogen was used for corneal dehydration. First, in 6 young volunteers, we investigated the most suitable oxygen level for evaluating pump function by changing oxygen levels. Then, with the optimal oxygen level, we attempted to evaluate pump function in 53 normal subjects, 5 Fuchs' dystrophy patients, and 3 iridocorneal endothelial syndrome (ICE) patients. RESULTS: Swelling rate showed similar values regardless of age, but both dehydration rate and swelling rate plus dehydration rate decreased with aging. The swelling rate of 5 guttata corneas was significantly higher than that of age-matched control corneas. In contrast, dehydration rate markedly decreased in guttata corneas, while the swelling rate plus dehydration rate of guttata corneas was comparable to that of age-matched corneas. In the 3 ICE corneas, however, swelling rate, dehydration rate, and swelling rate plus dehydration rate were markedly lower than those of both the fellow corneas and the age-matched control corneas. CONCLUSION: These observations lead us to conclude that in order to evaluate pump function, it is necessary to monitor not only dehydration response following hypoxia but also swelling response under hypoxia.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Investigation of blood flow velocity by color Doppler imaging in nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion with collateral veins.

PURPOSE: To study the blood flow velocity in the central retinal vein after the resolution of non-ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) with optociliary vein (OCV). METHODS: Eleven patients and 22 healthy volunteers were studied. Indocyanine green (ICG) angiography was used to investigate the choroidal veins in the affected eyes. Color Doppler imaging was used to measure the blood velocity in the central retinal artery and vein in the 11 affected and 22 healthy eyes. RESULTS: Indocyanine green angiography verified the formation of retinochoroidal collaterals in all the affected eyes. The velocity in the central retinal vein was significantly lower in the affected eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the collaterals are important routes of extraretinal outflow of retinal venous blood. It is recommended in the investigation of CRVO by color Doppler imaging to perform ICG angiography to determine if retinochoroidal collateral veins have been formed.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Detection of interleukin-1 beta in the tear fluid of patients with corneal disease with or without conjunctival involvement.

To investigate the role of Interleukin-1 (IL-1) in the pathobiology of the cornea, we measured IL-1 beta concentration in tear fluid samples from patients with corneal disease. Twenty patients with unilateral corneal disease were included in the study. Tear fluid samples were collected during the active stages of the disease and following resolution. The fellow (unaffected) eyes served as controls. The concentration of IL-1 beta in the tear fluid samples was measured using a sandwich ELISA method. IL-1 beta was detected in tear fluid from five eyes (three eyes with chemical burns, one with a Pseudomonas aeruginosa corneal ulcer, and one with a peripheral corneal ulcer) at concentrations between 29 and 218 pg/mL. IL-1 beta was not detected in tear fluid from the remaining 15 affected eyes, nor from the control eyes. The detection of IL-1 beta in tear fluid correlated with limbal conjunctival involvement, but did not correlate with the type of disease, size of epithelial defect, or degree of stromal involvement. IL-1 beta in the tear fluid may be one of the factors modifying the complex inflammatory process of the anterior ocular surface.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

White thread-like retinal arterioles associated with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Report of 2 patients with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) who had elevated anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies and showed white thread-like retinal arterioles. CASES: A complete ophthalmological examination was conducted on 2 patients who presented with blurred or distorted vision. Fluorescein angiography was used to examine the integrity of the retinal circulatory system. Laboratory blood studies were conducted. OBSERVATIONS: In both patients, some of the major retinal arterioles appeared white and had a thread-like appearance. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated progressive occlusion or stenosis of these major arterioles with extensive insufficiency of the regional capillary bed. Patient 2 had systemic lupus erythematosus and was treated with oral corticosteroid and aspirin. Recanalization occurred during a 3-year follow-up in one of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: APS should be considered in cases of white thread-like retinal arterioles. Occlusion of the retinal arterioles in APS may be progressive and responsible for the chronic hypoxia of the retina.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The formation and involution of optociliary veins during the course of central retinal vein occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Formation of collateral pathways by veins on the optic nerve head is sometimes observed during the resolution of a central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). However, no cases have been reported in which the formation and involution of these collateral pathways were documented during the resolution of a CRVO. CASE: A 56-year-old man with a nonischemic CRVO was followed over a 10-year period by ophthalmoscopy, fluorescein angiography (FA), and indocyanine green angiography (IA). OBSERVATIONS: Initial examination revealed only mild arteriosclerosis and the absence of optociliary veins (OCV) in the right eye. Approximately 9 years later, the patient returned with a nonischemic CRVO, and FA demonstrated a prolongation of the retinal circulation time to 12.1 seconds (normal < 11.0 seconds). Monitoring of this patient while undergoing treatment disclosed the development of OCV on the optic nerve head and gradual decrease in the retinal hemorrhage. FA showed that the retinal circulation time was shortening and recovering to normal. IA verified an outflow through the OCV into choroidal veins. Later, ophthalmoscopy showed a narrowing of the diameter of the OCV. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the OCV developed to drain blood from the retinal veins into the vortex veins through choroidal veins to compensate for the slowing of retinal blood outflow. The reperfusion of the central retinal vein was accompanied by the narrowing of the OCV.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Electron-microscopic peritubular capillary lesion is a specific and useful diagnostic indicator for chronic rejection of renal allografts showing less specific morphologic lesions in the cyclosporine era.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Biopsy, Needle↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A method of measuring finger force with the Kin-Com dynamometer.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the force of a finger could be measured with a new system based on an attachment to the Kin-Com dynamometer, and to define the reproducibility of the finger force measurement. Eleven male subjects (age, 27.6 +/- 6.12 years) took part. All were free of orthopedic problems in the tested hand. Mean forces of the index and little finger for concentric and eccentric motion were measured using the new system. Overall coefficients of variation (OCVs) were calculated as an index of reproducibility. The reproducibility of force curves was considered good when an OCV was less than 20%. The OCVs for mean force of the index finger and for eccentric motion of the little finger were less than the 20% standard, at 10.7 and 14.0, respectively. The OCV for concentric motion of the little finger was greater than 20%. The findings suggest that measurement of finger force is feasible with the new Kin-Com attachment.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mitochondrial DNA mutations are associated with both decreased insulin secretion and advanced microvascular complications in Japanese diabetic subjects.

To assess the roles of various mitochondrial (Mt) DNA mutations in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects, we screened Mt DNAs at the 3243 base pair (bp) and its adjacent portion in unrelated Japanese diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. Furthermore, to clarify the clinical features of diabetic subjects harboring a Mt DNA mutation, we evaluated the ability of insulin secretion and microvascular complications in diabetic subjects. Five hundred thirty-seven diabetic patients and 612 unrelated nondiabetic subjects were recruited into this study. In Mt DNA analyses, Mt DNA was isolated from peripheral leukocytes of the subjects, and then an Mt DNA fragment surrounding the tRNA(Leu(UUR)) site was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using two sets of primers. These fragments were further digested with three kinds of restriction endonucleases and were subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis. When a mutation was present, Mt DNA fragments were directly sequenced with an autosequencer. Baseline characteristics in all subjects were examined, and microvascular complications and insulin secretory capacity in diabetic subjects were newly evaluated. Eight kinds of Mt DNA mutations, which were point mutations, were found in 74 subjects. Each affected subject had only one mutation in the Mt DNA examined. Among them, the mutations at np 3316, 3394, 3593, and 3391 were accompanied by amino acid replacement. Thirty-eight diabetic patients were affected (7.1%), including two subjects with a point mutation at np 3243, and 26 nondiabetic subjects were affected (4.2%). Thus, there was a higher prevalence in diabetic subjects than in nondiabetic subjects. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of maternally inherited diabetes between these two groups. The mean level of urinary C-peptide excretion was lower in diabetic subjects with an Mt DNA mutation (DM+) than in those without it (DM-). Although the prevalence of hypertension in DM+ was higher than that in DM-, diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy in DM+ were problematic, in comparison with those in DM-, when statistical corrections were performed for the effect of hypertension. Furthermore, a strategy based on logistic regression analysis revealed that advanced retinopathy and decreased urinary C-peptide excretion in all diabetic subjects studied were strongly related to the presence of Mt DNA mutation. Our results suggest that Mt DNA mutations in Japanese diabetic subjects are related to the development of diabetes, and also that these mutations are associated with not only a decrease in insulin secretion but also advanced diabetic microvascular complications.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Structural alteration of linear plasmids encoding the genes for polychlorinated biphenyl degradation in Rhodococcus strain RHA1.

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) tolerant derivatives of a strong PCB degrader, Rhodococcus strain RHA1, were selected after growth in the presence of 100 micrograms/ml PCBs. Some of the derivatives did not grow on biphenyl but accumulated a yellow coloured metabolite suggesting a defect in the meta-ring-cleavage compound hydrolase step encoded by the bphD gene. Other derivatives failed to grow on biphenyl and exhibited little PCB transformation activity suggesting a defect in the initial ring-hydroxylation dioxygenase step encoded by the bphA gene. These organisms had a structural alteration in the linear plasmids coding for the bph genes in RHA1, which included the bph gene deletion. When a bphD containing plasmid was introduced into a tolerant derivative, RCD1, which was shown to have bphD deletion, the defect in the growth on biphenyl of RCD1 was overcome. The bph gene deletion seems to play a key role in these tolerant derivatives thereby suggesting that the toxic metabolic intermediate would be a main cause of the growth inhibition of RHA1 in the presence of high concentration PCBs.

Benzene Derivatives↗