NADPH-diaphorase activity in the nodose ganglion of normal and vagotomized guinea-pigs.

The activity and distribution of reduced nico-tinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-diaphorase) in the nodose ganglion of normal and vagotomized guinea-pigs were examined by light and electron microscopy. Light microscopy confirmed a remarkable increase in the number of NADPH-diaphorase-reactive neurons in the nodose ganglion following unilateral cervical vagotomy. The increase was present at 5 days but became more prominent at 10 days and was sustained until at least 30 days after vagotomy when compared with the non-lesioned side.

Ultrastructural localization of NADPH-diaphorase activity in the submucous ganglia of the guinea-pig intestine after vagotomy.

The reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) activity in the axon terminals presynaptic to the submucous neurons of guinea-pig intestine following unilateral cervical vagotomy was studied by electron microscopy. The reaction product of diaphorase was localized only in the axon terminals that contained predominantly small agranular vesicles, and it was usually deposited around the vesicles. The terminals that contained predominantly large granular or flattened vesicles did not display any signs of diaphorase reactivity.

Microglial cerebrospinal fluid antibodies. Significance for Alzheimer disease.

Hallmark lesions of Alzheimer disease (AD) are filled with reactive immunocompetent microglia, suggesting that immunological aderrations may participate in the pathophysiology of this disorder. If immune-mediated processes are closely linked to neuronal breakdown, it would be or importance to have a reliable means to detect these processes. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) antibodies are discussed as such potential sources.

Localization of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) activity in the gastrointestinal sphincters in the guinea pig.

The distribution of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d), a marker for nitric oxide synthase (NOS), in the nerves of gastrointestinal sphincters in guinea pigs was investigated to throw some light on the role of nitric oxide (NO) in these sphincteric regions. The nerve fibres with NADPH-d activity were observed chiefly in the circular muscle layer of the wall of gastrointestinal sphincters. Compared with the adjacent non-sphincteric regions, the proportions of NADPH-d positive myenteric neurons in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), pyloric sphincter (PS) and internal anal sphincter (IAS) were higher (P < 0.

Ultrastructural localization of substance P-like immunoreactivity in the intermediolateral column of spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats.

The distribution of substance P in the intermediolateral column of the upper thoracic spinal cord of spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats was studied by combined retrograde tracing of choleragen subunit-B horseradish peroxidase (CB-HRP) and immuno-electronmicroscopy. In the T(1)-T(3) segments of the spinal cord, SP-like immunoreactive products were localized in the cell bodies and dendrites of the sympathetic preganglionic neurons as well as in a few pre-axon terminals or axon terminals. In the neuropil of the intermediolateral column (ILN), different synaptic configurations were observed including synaptic contacts between SP-like positive dendrites and negative axon terminals, and between SP-like positive axon terminals and SP-like positive dendrites.

An immunohistochemical study of the intraventricular macrophages in induced hydrocephalus in prenatal rats following a maternal injection of 6-aminonicotinamide.

Hydrocephalus was induced experimentally in prenatal rats following an injection of 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN) into pregnant rats. The most remarkable change of the dilated lateral ventricles was in a marked increase in the number of intraventricular macrophages, some of which were laden with ingested erythrocytes. The immunoreactivity of the intraventricular macrophages was noticeably enhanced with the monoclonal antibodies OX-42 and OX-18 which marked the complement type 3 receptors (CR3) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen, respectively.

Ultrastructural study of external cuneothalamic neurons and their synaptic relationships with primary afferents in the gerbil.

The present study examined the synaptic organization of external cuneothalamic neurons and their relationships with primary afferents in the gerbil external cuneate nucleus (ECN) following an injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the anterodorsal cap of the ventrobasal thalamus in conjunction with a simultaneous injection of HRP into the contralateral brachial and cervical nerve plexuses. The thalamus-projecting neurons have been shown to be confined to the intermediate portion of the caudal half of the ECN at the light microscopic level (Lan et al., 1994c).

Localization of choline acetyltransferase and NADPH diaphorase activities in the submucous ganglia of the guinea-pig colon.

A combined immunohistochemical and histochemical demonstration of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) was carried out, respectively, to determine the localization of the neurotransmitters, acetylcholine and nitric oxide (NO) in the submucous neurons of guinea-pig colon. Almost half of the submucous neurons in the guinea-pig colon exhibited ChAT-immunoreactivity. Some of the ChAT-immunoreactive neurons were also stained for NADPH-d, although most of them showed only weak to moderate diaphorase activity.

Ultrastructural study of phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase, corticotropin-releasing factor and neurotensin immunoreactive neurons in the external cuneate nucleus of the gerbil.

The present study examined the existence of catecholamine-, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)- and neurotensin (NT)-containing neurons in the external cuneate nucleus (ECN) of the gerbil using single label pre-embedding immunocytochemistry in an attempt to shed light on the increasing evidence for autonomic involvement of the ECN. Peroxidase immunoreactivity of phenylethanolamine-N-methyl-transferase (PNMT), CRF or NT was identified in the heterogeneous population of the ECN neurons characterized by a deeply infolded nucleus. The label was localized in their somata, dendrites, myelinated axons and axon terminals.

Response of amoeboid microglial cells to chloroquine injections in postnatal rats.

One-day-old postnatal rats were given single daily intraperitoneal injections of chloroquine for 6 successive days and sacrificed at 7, 14 and 21 days of age. In rats killed at 7 days of age, the amoeboid microglial cells in the corpus callosum above the lateral ventricles showed a marked increase in vacuoles and lysosomes by electron microscopy. Immunohistochemical study showed that the number and OX-42 immunoreactivity of these cells were comparable to those of the control rats.

Glial reaction after pyramidotomy in mice and rats.

Adult mice and rats were sacrificed by perfusion between 2 and 90 days after right pyramidotomy to study the microglial and astroglial response in the brain and spinal cord. The microglia were detected immunohistochemically with OX-42, OX-18 and OX-6 to assess respectively the expression of complement type 3 receptor, and major histocompatibility class I and class II antigens. Cell counting was also carried out in some animals to determine the possible proliferation of glial cells in the corticospinal tract and around layer V neurons in the cerebral cortex.

Light and electron microscopic studies of the distribution of NADPH-diaphorase in the rat upper thoracic spinal cord with special reference to the spinal autonomic region.

The distribution of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) was examined in the upper thoracic segment of the spinal cord in rat. Under the light microscope, NADPH-d positive cell bodies and fibers were readily detected in the following areas: 1) the dorsal horn; 2) the dorsolateral funiculus and lateral spinal neurons; 3) spinal autonomic region, consisting of the nucl. intermediolaterialis pars funicularis, nucl.

Biochemical mediators of meningeal inflammatory response to group B streptococcus in the newborn piglet model.

The meningeal inflammatory response to a heat-killed mutant unencapsulated strain of type III group B Streptococcus (GBS) was studied in a newborn piglet model. GBS (10(9) colony-forming unit equivalents) or saline (control) was inoculated intraventricularly. Serial cerebrospinal fluid measurements were done at baseline and over the course of the next 24 h for cytochemical changes and production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and prostaglandins.

An ultrastructural study of the submucous plexus of guinea pig intestine after unilateral vagotomy.

This study describes the degenerative changes of the axon terminals making synaptic contacts with the neurons in the submucous ganglia of guinea pig small and large intestines following left or right cervical vagotomy. There were no noticeable ultrastructural changes 1 d after the operation. Beginning at the 3rd postoperative day for the small intestines and the 5th day for the large intestines, some of the axon terminals presynaptic to the submucous neurons displayed different stages of degeneration.

Expression and upregulation of transferrin receptors and iron uptake in the epiplexus cells of different aged rats injected with lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma.

The expression of transferrin receptors marked by the monoclonal antibody OX-26 and localisation of iron was studied in epiplexus cells in the lateral ventricles of different aged rats subjected to the challenge of the bacterial toxin, lipopolysaccharide, and treatment with interferon-gamma. Transferrin receptor expression in epiplexus cells was extremely low in normal rats, but was vigorously elevated in rats receiving intraperitoneal injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS); other antigens such as complement type 3 receptors immunostained with OX-42 and macrophage antigen marked by ED-1 were also notably augmented. After 6 successive intraperitoneal injections of interferon-gamma, the expression of transferrin receptors showed only a moderate increase.

Histochemical demonstration of nitric oxide synthase-like immunoreactivity in epiplexus cells and choroid epithelia in the lateral ventricles of postnatal rat brain induced by an intracerebral injection of lipopolysaccharide.

The present in vivo study showed the expression of nitric oxide synthase-like immunoreactivity in epiplexus cells in the lateral ventricles induced by intracerebral injection of lipopolysaccharide into postnatal rats. Nitric oxide synthase-like immunoreactivity was vigorously expressed in epiplexus cells 1 and 3 days after the lipopolysaccharide injection, but by 7 days post-injection, it became undetectable. The expression of nitric oxide synthase-like immunoreactivity was also observed in some of the choroid epithelial cells.

A study of the structure and functions of the submandibular ganglion.

The submandibular ganglion (SMG) of both the rat and monkey is composed of a collection of small ganglia distributed mainly at the hilum of the submandibular gland. Ultrastructurally, its constituent neurons have a prominent nucleus and numerous randomly distributed cytoplasmic organelles. In the rat SMG a variable number of its neurons are immunoreactivities for [Met5]enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8, neuropeptide Y (NPY), substance P (SP), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP).

Ultrastructural identification of cholinergic neurons in the external cuneate nucleus of the gerbil: acetylcholinesterase histochemistry and choline acetyltransferase immunocytochemistry.

Using acetylcholinesterase histochemical and choline acetyltransferase immunocytochemical localization methods, this study has provided conclusive evidence for the existence of cholinergic neurons in the external cuneate nucleus of gerbils. By light microscopy, both acetylcholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase labelling was confined to the rostral portion of the external cuneate nucleus. Ultrastructurally, acetylcholinesterase reaction products were found in the nuclear envelope, cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi saccules of some somata and large dendrites as well as in the membranes of small dendrites, myelinated axons and axon terminals.

The response of neurons and microglia to blast injury in the rat brain.

Rats subjected to a single non-penetrative blast were examined for possible neuronal damage and glial reaction by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. The most dramatic feature in rats killed between 1 and 14 days after the blast was the widespread response of microglial cells in various parts of the brain in which the cells were hypertrophied and their surface antigens, like complement type three receptors (CR3), were upregulated. The blast wave also induced the vigorous expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II (Ia) antigen.

The distribution of NADPH-d in the central grey region (lamina X) of rat upper thoracic spinal cord.

The distribution of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) in the central grey region (lamina X of Rexed) of the rat upper thoracic cord was examined by LM and EM. Numerous NADPH-d positive neuronal somata and fibres were present in the subependymal areas of the central grey region at levels T1-T3. Most of the neurons were located dorsal to the central canal in horizontal sections through this region.

A comparative study of NADPH-diaphorase in the sympathetic preganglionic neurons of the upper thoracic cord between spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats.

With retrograde tracing using fluorogold injection into the superior cervical ganglion and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry, the present comparative study revealed that the retrogradely labelled neurons in n. intermediolateralis pars funicularis (ILf) and n. intermediolateralis pars principalis (ILp) of the autonomic region in the upper thoracic cord exhibited a much stronger reactivity for NADPH-diaphorase in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats than those in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

A qualitative and quantitative study of the glial cells in normal and athymic mice.

A qualitative and quantitative light and electron microscopic analysis of the glial cells in the supraventricular part of the corpus callosum of the neonatal and adult homozygous athymic nude (nu/nu) and normal BALB/c (+/+) mice was carried out to determine the possible contribution of nude gene mutation to glial cell development. Quantitative cell counts using toluidine blue stained serial callosal sections of 0.5 micron thickness showed that the overall glial cell population was significantly reduced in both neonatal and adult athymic mice.

Effects of dexamethasone on the epiplexus cells in postnatal rats.

The epiplexus cells in postnatal rats were markedly reduced in number and immunoreactivity for OX-42, OX-18 and ED1 following subcutaneous injections of dexamethasone. This was especially evident in rats receiving two or three successive injections of dexamethasone and killed at the age of 4 or 7 days. At 14 and 21 days, the cells did not exhibit any striking difference from their corresponding controls in terms of cell number and immunoreactivity for the above antibodies.

A comparative ultrastructural study of primary afferents from the brachial and cervical plexuses to the external cuneate nucleus of gerbils.

The synaptic organisation of the primary afferents from the brachial and cervical plexuses to the external cuneate nucleus of gerbils was compared following an intraneural injection of horseradish peroxidase into the musculocutaneous, median, ulnar and radial nerves of the brachial plexus or the main branches of the cervical plexus; 407 labelled primary afferent terminals from the brachial and 459 from the cervical plexus were studied. These boutons made synaptic contacts with 586 and 633 dendritic profiles, respectively. 99.

Vancomycin pharmacokinetics and dosing in premature neonates.

We prospectively studied the pharmacokinetic parameters of vancomycin in premature neonates given vancomycin according to a dosage protocol developed in our neonatal unit. Study infants were administered vancomycin according to four postconceptional age (PCA) groups: (0) 18 mg/kg every 36 h for PCA < 27 weeks; (I) 16 mg/kg every 24 h for PCA 27-30 weeks; (II) 18 mg/kg every 18 h for PCA 31-36 weeks; and (III) 15 mg/kg every 12 h for PCA > or = 37 weeks. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated from peak and trough serum vancomycin concentrations at steady state.