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A Sutter

Publications and source records attributed to A Sutter.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Non-linear processes in perceived region segregation: orientation selectivity of complex channels.

Models incorporating linear spatial-frequency- and orientation-selective channels explain many aspects of visual texture segregation. The inability of such models to fully explain texture segregation results, indicates that non-linear processes are also involved. One non-linearity that has been suggested is complex channels consisting of two stages of linear filtering separated by a rectification-type non-linearity (much like cortical complex cells). Here we further demonstrate the usefulness of complex channels in explaining texture segregation results and investigate the orientation-selectivity of the first stage of such complex channels. Our results suggest that the first stage is much more selective for orientation than are lateral geniculate nucleus cells, but that the first-stage orientation bandwidth is rather wide with some interaction occurring between perpendicular orientations.

Form Perception↗
PubMed1991

Antibody-mediated tumor cytotoxicity of microglia.

The status of microglial cells as potent effector cells in antibody-mediated tumor cytotoxicity (ADCC) could be established. Microglia (greater than or equal to 99.9% pure) derived from brain cortices of newborn mice were shown to lyse human tumor cell lines expressing different levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors in the presence of MAb 425, a monoclonal murine anti-primate EGF receptor antibody. MAb 425 mediates microglial ADCC (MiADCC) at concentrations as low as 10(-11) M. Antibody ligands binding unilaterally to either EGF receptors on target cells or Fc receptors on microglia have little effect on MiADCC. At 10(-10) M MAb 425, a 10(3)-fold excess of MAb 425 F(ab')2 fragments or irrelevant antibodies of identical isotype did not block MAb-425-induced MiADCC. Formation of effector-target cell contacts seems to be critical for MiADCC and MiADCC could not be inhibited by anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha antibodies. In addition to its stimulatory effect on MiADCC, MAb 425 bound to EGF receptors exerted a microgliotrophic effect. Factor(s) derived from astrocytes enhance MiADCC.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Lightness differences and the perceived segregation of regions and populations.

A striking finding reported by Beck, Sutter, and Ivry (1987) was that, in textures composed of regions differentiated by the arrangement (checks and stripes) of two texture elements (light and dark squares), a large lightness difference between the squares could fail to yield segregation between the regions, whereas a smaller lightness difference could sometimes yield strong segregation. In the experiments reported here, we compared the segregation of striped and checked arrangements of light and dark squares into regions with the segregation of two randomly interspersed populations of light and dark squares into subpopulations. Perceived lightnesses are the same for a given set of squares, whether they are arranged in regions or in intermixed populations. Perceived population segregation is approximately a single-valued function of the lightness differences of the squares, but perceived region segregation is not. The reason for the difference between population segregation and region segregation may be that region segregation is mediated by detectors' having large oriented receptive fields (large bar detectors) that are sensitive to the fundamental spatial frequency and orientation of the texture region as defined by the arrangement of the squares (Beck et al., 1987; Sutter, Beck, & Graham, 1989). These detectors cannot be responsible for population segregation, because the light and dark squares are distributed randomly throughout these patterns and therefore do not define a consistent arrangement of any particular spatial frequency or orientation. The light and dark squares in the population patterns fall equally on excitatory and inhibitory regions of large bar detectors. A plausible explanation for population segregation is to suppose that the segregation is the result of similarity grouping of the light and dark squares.

Contrast Sensitivity↗
PubMed1990

[Possibilities, limitations and results of accident prevention in occupational accidents].

Technical measures to eliminate risk relevant factors offer good chances of success in occupational accident prevention. However such dominant factors get more and more scarce. To further reduce the accident rate, activities in the fields of information, training and motivation have to be increased. Since it is difficult to estimate the efficiency of such measures, suitable evaluation measures must be developed an applied.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1989

Contrast and spatial variables in texture segregation: testing a simple spatial-frequency channels model.

Observers were shown patterns composed of two textures in which each texture contained two types of elements. The elements were arranged in a striped pattern in the top and bottom regions and in a checked pattern in the center region. Observers rated the degree to which the three regions were seen as distinct. When the elements were squares or lines, perceived segregation resulting from differences in element size could be canceled by differences in element contrast. Minimal perceived segregation occurred when the products of the area and the contrast (areal contrasts) of the elements were equal. This dependence of perceived segregation on the areal contrasts of the elements is consistent with a simple model based on the hypothesis that the perceived segregation of the regions is a function of their differential stimulation of spatial-frequency channels. Two aspects of the data were not consistent with quantitative predictions of the model. First, as the size difference between the large and small elements increased, the ratings at the point of minimum perceived segregation increased. Second, some effects of changing the fundamental frequency of the textures were not predicted by the model. These discrepancies may be explained by a more complex model in which a rectification or similar nonlinearity occurs between two stages of orientation- and spatial-frequency-selective linear filters.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor expression in chicken cranial development.

In order to map the expression of receptors for nerve growth factor (NGF) during brain and cranial ganglia development, iodinated NGF (125I beta NGF) was used as a probe in an autoradiographical analysis performed between embryonic day 3 (E3) and posthatching day 3 (P3) of chicken development. Heavy autoradiographic labelling was observed at the classical NGF target sites, the proximal cranial sensory ganglia and the sympathetic superior cervical ganglion, throughout development and after hatching. In contrast, only weak labelling could be detected during a restricted time span in the vestibulocochlear (E4-E8) and the distal cranial sensory ganglia (E4-E10), the neurons of which originate from the otic and epibranchial placodes. Specific 125I beta NGF binding was also observed in various brain regions during early brain development. NGF receptor expression there followed a characteristic pattern. The neuroepithelial layer displayed very low levels of specific 125I beta NGF binding, while strong 125I beta NGF labelling was found in the mantle layer. Brainstem somatomotor nuclei, visceromotor columns, brainstem alar plate, cerebellar anlage, tectum, and basal forebrain (epithalamus, striatum) were found to be transiently labelled by 125I beta NGF in early development (E4-E12). Non-nervous tissues such as parts of the otic vesicle epithelium and skeletal muscle anlagen of the head were also labelled. These results, showing specific binding of 125I beta NGF to cranial cells of different origin (neural tube, neural crest, placode, and possibly mesoderm) strengthen the concept that NGF may have diverse functions in growth and differentiation of various tissues and cell types.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Nerve growth factor (NGF) in serum: evaluation of serum NGF levels with a sensitive bioassay employing embryonic sensory neurons.

Considerable controversy surrounds the question of whether or not nerve growth factor (NGF) or a related nerve growth-promoting factor is present in serum. Recently, supporting its role as a local neuronotrophic factor, the presence of NGF in glial cells and its production in target tissues of NGF-responsive neurons were demonstrated [Rush: Nature 312:364-367, 1984; Heumann, Korsching, Scott, Thoenen: EMBOJ 3:3183-3189, 1984; Shelton and Reichardt: Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 81:7952-7955, 1984]. At the same time, the concept that NGF may play a role as a humoral factor has been questioned, since careful analyses of serum with specific and sensitive radioimmunoassays [Suda, Barde, Thoenen: Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 75:4042-4046, 1978; Korsching and Thoenen; Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 80:3513-3516, 1983; Furukawa, Kamo, Furukawa, Akazawa, Satoyoshi, Itoh, Hayashi: J Neurochem 40:734-744, 1983] as well as bioassays [Skaper and Varon: Exp Neurol 76:655-665, 1982] have not confirmed earlier reports [Levi-Montalcini and Booker; Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 46:373-391, 1960; Banks, Banthorpe, Charlwood, Pearce, Vernon: Nature 246:503-504, 1973; Hendry: Biochem J 128:1265-1272, 1972] on NGF's representation in serum. In this study serum from mouse, rat, and man was analyzed with an in vitro bioassay system which employs sensory neurons from chicken embyro dorsal root ganglia and which allows the measurement of NGF concentrations as low as 0.8 pM. It was found that sera from all these species contained neuronotrophic activity (S-NGF). The target cell spectrum as well as characteristic parameters of the neuronal growth response of S-NGF and of NGF were identical. S-NGF of mouse serum was completely inhibitable by polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to mouse submandibular gland beta NGF. On polyacrylamide isoelectric focussing gels mouse and human S-NGF could be recovered from the same position as NGF as well as from the region where alpha 2-macroglobulin and serum albumin focused. In newborn and adult male and female mice basal S-NGF levels were equivalent to 10-50 pM NGF. A fraction of the serum samples of male mice showed elevated S-NGF levels. The incidence of high S-NGF levels was more frequent in NMRI and C57BL/6 males than in BALB/c males. Following sialectomy of male mice only basal S-NGF levels were observed up to 5 weeks after the operation. This indicates that although the submandibular gland may contribute to S-NGF levels in serum under certain conditions that appeared to be stress related, it cannot be the only source of S-NGF.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

The spatial and temporal pattern of beta NGF receptor expression in the developing chick embryo.

To gain insight into the developmental program of nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor expression, the binding of [125I] beta NGF to frozen chick sections was investigated autorradiographically between embryonic day 3 (E3) and post-hatching day 3. Strong NGF receptor expression was observed as early as E4, throughout embryonic development and in the post-hatching period at the classical NGF target sites: the paravertebral sensory and sympathetic ganglia, the paraaortal sympathetic ganglia as well as the cranial sensory ganglia with neurons of neural crest origin and their respective nerves. Only weak [125I] beta NGF binding was observed during a restricted time span in the parasympathetic ciliary ganglion. Clear differences were observed in the intensity and in the developmental time course of [125I] beta NGF binding to the dorsomedial and ventrolateral aspects of the dorsal root ganglia. NGF receptors were also found to be expressed on central axons of the dorsal root entry zone and the dorsal tract in the spinal cord. A transient expression of specific NGF binding sites of the same high affinity as measured at the classical NGF targets, was detected in the lateral motor column and in muscle at the time of motoneuron synapse formation and elimination.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1983

beta-Nerve growth factor (beta NGF) receptors on glial cells. Cell-cell interaction between neurones and Schwann cells in cultures of chick sensory ganglia.

Receptors for beta-nerve growth factor (beta NGF), so far regarded as specific cell surface markers of certain peripheral neurones, were found to be expressed on cultured non-neuronal cells of chick embryo dorsal root ganglia (drg) (Kd beta NGF = 2 X 10(-9) M). Autoradiography revealed that binding of [125I] beta NGF was restricted to a subpopulation of the non-neuronal drg cells. Cultured embryonic skin fibroblasts, liver cells, gut cells, muscle fibroblasts, myoblasts, and myotubes, as well as macrophages and the cell lines 3T3, 3T3SV40, BHK, BHK Py, PCC3 and ND1, did not express receptors for beta NGF. Non-neuronal drg cells obtained by a procedure designed for the preparation of pure Schwann cells, as well as RN6 Schwannoma cells, were beta NGF receptor positive. The beta NGF receptor-positive non-neuronal drg cells displayed behaviour typical of Schwann cells in their interaction with drg neurones in single cell, as well as explant cultures. Three stages of neurone-Schwann cell interaction were discernible: (1) association--neurites preferentially grew over beta NGF receptor-positive non-neuronal cells; (2) cell division/alignment--beta NGF receptor-positive non-neuronal cells were induced to proliferate and aligned and elongated along neurites; (3) ensheathment--the outline of beta NGF receptor-positive non-neuronal cells and neurites merged. In drg cell cultures prepared from embryonic stages E6-E10, 25-40% of the non-neuronal cells were beta NGF receptor-positive. Later in development, from E12 onward, less than or equal to 1% of the cultured non-neuronal cells expressed beta NGF receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Immunocytochemical localization of chromatin regions UV-microirradiated in S phase or anaphase. Evidence for a territorial organization of chromosomes during cell cycle of cultured Chinese hamster cells.

Chinese hamster cells (M3-1 line) in S phase were laser-UV-microirradiated (lambda, 257 nm) at a small site of the nucleus. Cells were fixed either immediately thereafter or in subsequent stages of the cell cycle, including prophase and metaphase. The microirradiated chromatin was visualized by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy using antibodies specific for UV-irradiated DNA. During the whole post-incubation period (4-15 h) immunofluorescent labelling was restricted to a small part of the nucleus (means, 4.5% of the total nuclear area). In mitotic cells segments of a few chromosomes only were labelled. Following microirradiation of chromosome segments in anaphase, immunofluorescent labelling was observed over a small part of the resulting interphase nucleus. A territorial organization of interphase chromosomes, i.e. interphase chromosomes occupying distinct domains, has previously been demonstrated by our group for the nucleus of Chinese hamster cells in G1. Our present findings provide evidence that this organization pattern is maintained during the entire cell cycle.

Anaphase↗
PubMed1981

Monoclonal antibodies against beta nerve growth factor and their effects on receptor binding and biological activity.

Two hybrid cell lines, MC beta-1 and MC beta-2, secreting monoclonal antibodies against mouse submaxillary gland beta nerve growth factor (beta NGF), were produced by interspecies hybridization of spleen cells from rats immunized with beta NGF and mouse myeloma cells. The antibodies secreted by the two hybridomas are of the IgG1 subclass and bind staphylococcal protein A. The equilibrium dissociation constant of the beta NGF--antibody complex was determined for the MC beta-1 antibodies in solid phase and in solution. On protein A-coated surfaces the Kd is 3 X 10(-10) M, 2 orders of magnitude lower than the Kd 2 X 10(-8) M obtained in solution. The antigenic site recognized by MC beta-1 antibodies is present on each protomer of the beta NGF dimer, and the binding affinity of the second antibody molecule is similar to that of the first. The MC beta-1 antibodies inhibit neurite outgrowth from sensory neurons. Because this inhibition directly correlates with the inhibition of binding to the higher affinity beta NGF receptors, it suggests that beta NGF complexed with two antibody molecules does not bind to the receptor and is biologically inactive.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Nerve growth factor receptors: analysis of the interaction of beta NGF with membranes of chick embryo dorsal root ganglia.

The binding of the beta subunit of Nerve Growth Factor (beta NGF) to membrane preparations of 8-day chick embryo dorsal root ganglia (DRG) has been investigated under conditions similar to those used to study the binding of beta NGF to intact single cell dissociates of DRG. The equilibrium binding data reveal heterogeneityy of binding that is more complex than that seen with intact cells. Binding is not saturable up to 125I beta NGF concentrations of 10(-8) M. Steady-state and kinetic binding data show two sites with dissociation constants similar to those found on DRG cells. In addition, displacement data reveal a binding component with lower affinity (Kd = 10(-6) M) which is not found on intact cells. As with intact cells, the difference in the affinities of the two high affinity sites has been shown to be due to different rate constants of dissociation. The kinetics of dissociation of NGF are slower with membranes than with cells, and dissociation characteristics of 125I beta NGF change with increasing time of exposure to membranes. Degradation of 125I beta NGF during incubation with membranes is minimal and does not complicate the analysis of steady-state binding. Insulin does not bind to either of the two high affinity sites. Heterogeneity of the 125I beta NGF preparation and cooperativity of binding as a cause for the heterogeneity of the binding of NGF has been ruled out. Although there was an apparent increase in the rate of dissociation of 125I beta NGF in the presence of unlabelled NGF, a finding previously interpreted as evidence for negative cooperativity, this was shown to be independent of receptor site occupancy by NGF, and in part due to isotopic dilution within a diffusion barrier around the membranes.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

[Echographic investigation of normal and pathological voiding (author's transl)].

A new urodynamic method is described which is based upon the principle of measuring the anteroposterior diameter of the urinary bladder during micturition by ultrasound. A 4 MHz transducer is placed vertically on the abdominal wall 6 to 7 cm above the symphysis and kept in a constant position by means of a special device. The continuously decreasing bladder diameter during micturition is recorded by M-mode echography (Echopan K, Siemens) and plotted as a diameter-time curve. Normals can be differentiated from patients with a subvesical outflow obstruction or a neurogenic disturbance of bladder emptying. For quantification the mean velocity of bladder diameter shortening during the first 30 seconds of micturition is calculated and correlated with the maximal uroflow (r = 0,77). Therefore a rough quantitative measurement of micturition seems to be possible.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Nerve growth factor receptors. Characterization of two distinct classes of binding sites on chick embryo sensory ganglia cells.

Steady state and kinetic studies on the binding of 125I-beta nerve growth factor (NGF) to single cells from sensory ganglia of 8-day-old chick embryos show two distinct, saturable binding sites with dissociation constants of Kd(I) = 2.3 X 10(-11) M and Kd(II) = 1.7 X 10(-9) M. The difference in the affinities is due to different rate constants of dissociation (k-1(I) = 10(-3) s-1, k-1(II) = 2 X 10(-1 s-1). The association to both sites is apparently diffusion controlled (k+1(I) = 4.8 X 10(7) M-1s-1, k+2(II) = 10(7) to 10(8) M-1s-1). The binding of betaNGF to both sites is specific, since none of a number of hormones or proteins tested compete for the binding of 125I-betaNGF to either of those two sites. The heterogeneity of the binding of 125I-betaNGF is not due to heterogeneity of the 125I-betaNGF preparation nor to a negatively cooperative binding. In experiments where the dissociation of 125I-betaNGF is induced by the addition of saturating amounts of unlabeled betaNGF, the ratio of the 125I-betaNGF released with either of the two dissociation rate constants is solely dependent on the occupancy of the two sites before dissociation is started and is independent of the total occupancy of the sites during dissociation. The rate of dissociation of 125I-betaNGF from the higher affinity binding site I is accelerated by unlabeled betaNGF under conditions where the occupancy is both increased and decreased. Although the dissociation characteristics of 125I-beta NGF change with increasing times of exposure of the cells to the ligand, and 125I-beta NGF is degraded after it binds to the cells, these secondary processes do not interfere with the analysis of the binding data. At the lowest concentration of 125I-beta NGF used for the analysis less than 10% of the 125I-beta NGF is degraded. Both kinetic and steady state binding data reveal the two NGF binding sites at 2 degrees C as well as at 37 degrees C.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

The heterogeneity of nerve growth factor receptors.

Chick embryonic sensory ganglia cells have two specific nerve growth factor receptors, site I and site II receptors, whose binding affinities differ by two orders of magnitude. As judged by both steady state binding and kinetic data, the two receptors behave independently. The rate of dissociation of the labeled nerve growth factor from site I receptors is increased in the presence of unlabeled nerve growth factor even when its concentration is below that of the labeled growth factor used to equilibrate the cells, a phenomenon which cannot be explained by negative cooperativity. Site I receptors are present only on neurons while site II receptors are present on both neurons and nonneuronal cells. At the concentration of nerve growth factor which produces half maximal stimulation of neurite outgrowth 8% of site I and 0.1% of site II receptors are occupied. This occupancy of site II receptors falls to about 0.01% with bisdesarginine beta nerve growth factor, a derivative which is as biologically active as the unmodified factor but which binds with lower affinity to site II receptors. These data support the idea that interaction of nerve growth factor with site I receptors is responsible for the initiation of neurite outgrowth.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

A serological assay for the detection of cell surface receptors of nerve growth factor.

When single-cell suspensions prepared from embryonic day 8 (E8) chick sensory ganglia are incubated with nerve growth factor (NGF), anti-NGF antiserum, and complement, an NGF-dependent cytotoxic kill of 20 (+/- 3)% of the ganglia cells is observed. This percentage is increased by a factor of two when only the neuronal cells are tested. No kill is observed on the nonneuronal cell population representing 50% of the ganglia dissociate. When E8 sensory ganglia cells are cultured in the presence of NGF following cytotoxic kill, the large, phase-bright NGF-reponsive neurons are missing from the culture. These results indicate that the cells recognized in the cytotoxicity assay have to carry NGF-binding sites of type I, which is the one with the higher affinity of the two types of NGF-binding sites (I and II) present on sensory ganglia cells. This conclusion is further supported by the following data: a) half maximal cytotoxicity is reached already at a concentration of NGF which is below the KD of binding site I; b) a washing step which removes all NGF bound to type II receptors while leaving a high percentage of type I receptors occupied has no effect on the percentage of ganglia cells killed. Using the cytotoxicity assay the presence of high-affinity binding sites of type I can be demonstrated on sensory ganglia cells from E8 chick embryos but not from E4 embryos and not on liver and heart cells from E8 embryos. Further, type I receptor-bearing cells were detectable in the brain using this assay. At E8, NGF receptors could be detected on cells of the forebrain and the tectum but not on brain stem cells. Cytotoxic kill of forebrain cells was found to be especially high at E8 and E9, and decreased by E10.

Animals↗