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M Akai

Publications and source records attributed to M Akai.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Cytochemical study of the Golgi apparatus and related organelles of the secretory ameloblasts of rat molar tooth germs cultured with and without colchicine.

The Golgi apparatus and Golgi-associated endoplasmic reticulum lysosome (GERL) were examined in the ameloblasts with a cytochemical marker, osmium impregnation, and two enzyme markers, thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase) and acid phosphatase (ACPase). In control cultured germs, osmium deposit appeared in one to two immature side cisternae of Golgi stacks; TPPase activity was restricted in a few mature side cisternae and condensing vacuoles. ACPase activity existed in the GERL and, sometimes, in the mature side-cisternae and condensing vacuoles. These findings show that Golgi stacks of ameloblasts consist of several distinct compartments. In colchicine-treated tooth germs, there were morphological and cytochemical changes in both Golgi stacks and GERL. The Golgi apparatus was fragmented and its stacks were scattered throughout the supranuclear region. In some stacks, the number of osmium-positive cisternae was greater than normal; in others they were absent. TPPase and ACPase activity was absent or diminished. These findings suggest the importance of microtubules in the organization of Golgi complex and GERL in the secretory ameloblast.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1988

Occurrence of substance P-like immunoreactive nerve fibers in Krause corpuscles of the dog's tongue.

Substance P-like immunoreactive (SPLI) nerve fibers were demonstrated in the Krause corpuscles of the dog's tongue using the indirect immunofluorescence method and cholinesterase histochemistry. SPLI nerve fibers were often in contact with Krause end bulbs and occasionally entered them. From this result it was suggested that substance P might be involved in sensory mechanism of the Krause apparatus.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Occurrence of methionine-enkephalin-like immunoreactive cells in the feline vagus nerve.

The occurrence of peptidergic cellular elements in the feline vagus nerve was examined by an immunohistochemical method. Some methionine-enkephalin-like immunoreactive cells were present around a few capillaries within the vagus nerve, whereas substance-P- and vasoactive-intestinal-polypeptide-like immunoreactive cells were not observed. The methionine-enkephalin-like immunoreactive cells had an oval shape and their diameter was 7-10 micron. These cells appeared to be in contact with the pericyte of the capillaries. Though the physiological function of these enkephalin-positive cells is unclear, our findings suggest that they can act as endocrine cells and release methionine-enkephalin into the capillaries.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

A histochemical demonstration of calcium in the maturation stage enamel organ of rat incisors.

The location of calcium in a rapid-frozen and freeze-substituted maturation stage enamel organ of the rat incisors was demonstrated by means of the glyoxal bis(2-hydroxyanil) (GBHA) staining method, which formed insoluble red precipitates of calcium-GBHA complex. In the ameloblast layer, highly GBHA-reactive tubulo-vesicular structures corresponding to mitochondria and some other membrane-bound structures were localized in both ruffle-ended and smooth-ended ameloblasts, although no significant GBHA reaction was localized in the nucleus, Golgi region, nor along the plasma membrane of these cells. In addition, numerous granular GBHA reactions appeared exclusively in association with the ruffled border of ruffle-ended ameloblasts. GBHA reactions were positive, but were considerably weaker in papillary cells than in the ameloblast. These observations provide a first published histochemical mapping of calcium in the maturation stage enamel organ, and suggest the active participation of mitochondria in maturation stage ameloblasts in calcium regulation.

Ameloblasts↗
PubMed1988

Electrical stimulation of ligament healing. An experimental study of the patellar ligament of rabbits.

To examine the effects of direct electric current on ligament healing in rabbits, a full-thickness defect of the patellar ligament was electrically stimulated for time periods of up to seven weeks. The rabbits were randomly assigned to biomechanical and biochemical studies, and healing was evaluated by these parameters. Electrical stimulation was shown to restore tensile stiffness in a short period of time and to decrease the relative proportion of Type III collagen more rapidly than in the control group. However, electrical stimulation did not change the collagen content of newly formed tissue. Electricity enhances the repair process of the ligament by changing the ratio of collagen types.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

The distribution and origin of calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing nerve fibres in feline dental pulp. Relationship with substance P-containing nerve fibres.

The origin and distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-like immunoreactivity in feline dental pulp were studied using indirect immunofluorescence. Nerve fibres with varicosities exhibiting CGRP-like immunoreactivity were observed to enter the pulp with blood vessels. Many CGRP-containing nerve fibres were found to extend along blood vessels in the central pulp, and some of these fibres exhibited a network arrangement in the walls of dental pulp blood vessels. However, some of fibres were apparently not associated with blood vessels. Some thin, CGRP-containing nerve fibres formed a part of the nerve plexus in the subodontoblastic area and penetrated into the odontoblastic layer. In animals that had undergone transection of the inferior alveolar nerve, no CGRP-containing nerve fibres were observed. Application of a double-immunofluorescence staining technique also revealed that the distribution of CGRP-containing nerve fibres is very similar to that of substance P-containing nerve fibres.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Immunohistochemical observation on the correlation between substance P- and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-like immunoreactivities in the feline dental pulp.

The correlation between substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-containing nerve fibres in the pulp was examined by double immunofluorescence. Both SP- and VIP-containing fibres entered the pulp in bundles with the blood vessels and spread throughout the pulp. In the coronal pulp, both SP- and VIP-containing nerve fibres formed networks on the walls of blood vessels, but both peptide-containing nerve fibres were not observed together in relation to vessels. There were more SP-containing fibres than VIP-containing ones. In the odontoblast layer, there were many SP-containing fibres but few VIP-containing ones.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Immunohistochemical study on regeneration of substance P-like immunoreactivity in rat molar pulp and periodontal ligament following resection of the inferior alveolar nerve.

Using an indirect immunofluorescence method, after 14 days, regenerated SP-containing nerve fibres first appeared around the blood vessels in apical and coronal regions of the pulp and apical and middle regions of the periodontal ligament. Penetration of regenerated SP-positive fibres into the dentine and predentine was observed 25 days after operation. The number of regenerated SP-containing fibres recovered to nearly to the same level as in intact controls by 35 days. They had a similar distribution in the tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

The influence of vanadate on calcium uptake in maturing enamel of the rat incisor.

The influence of vanadate, a potent inhibitor of Ca2+-ATPase and Na+-K+-ATPase, on 45Ca uptake in maturing enamel of the rat incisor was investigated by a vascular perfusion method combined with 45Ca autoradiography. The morphological integrity of the maturation-stage enamel organ was well-retained during vascular perfusion under all the experimental conditions. Distinct patterns of 45Ca labeling, comparable with those found in previous in vivo 45Ca autoradiographic studies, appeared in the maturing enamel after vascular perfusion with a standard perfusate. One mmol/L vanadate added to the standard perfusate caused a drastic decrease in 45Ca uptake in the maturing enamel, corresponding to the ruffle-ended ameloblasts, leaving narrow peaks of moderate intensity corresponding to the bands of the overlying smooth-ended ameloblasts. The in vitro labeling of exposed enamel surfaces with 45Ca revealed blackening of autoradiographic emulsion in wide bands separated by unlabeled or slightly labeled narrow ones resembling the distribution of smooth-ended ameloblasts in both control and vanadate-treated incisors. Our observations indicate that the ruffle-ended ameloblasts of the rat incisor serve as an efficient diffusion barrier to calcium ions and regulate transcellular calcium transport to the maturing enamel, at least in part, by a vanadate-sensitive mechanism.

Ameloblasts↗
PubMed1986

Influence of colchicine on the distribution of horseradish peroxidase in the secretory ameloblast layer in vitro.

The distribution of exogenous horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the secretory ameloblast layer of developing rat molar tooth germs was examined in a culture system with and without colchicine. The secretory ameloblast of cultured tooth germs engulfed HRP added to the medium regardless of the presence of colchicine. The reaction product was localized in various vesicles and granules. Without colchicine in the medium, many small vesicles containing HRP were located in the Tomes' processes, whereas only a few were present with colchicine at concentrations above 5 microM. An intense reaction of HRP also appeared in the distal extracellular spaces beyond the distal junctional complexes of ameloblasts cultured without colchicine, whereas it became almost indiscernible in the tooth germs cultured with colchicine. The lack of HRP in the Tomes' processes and distal extracellular spaces of ameloblasts treated with colchicine might be attributed to the disruption of microtubules. The present study suggests that the secretory ameloblast is able to transport tracer molecules through the intracellular pathway from the proximal and lateral extracellular spaces to the distal extracellular space.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

A technique for decalcification and demonstration of substance P-like immunoreactivity.

Substance P-like immunoreactivity (SPLI) was demonstrated in mouse spinal cord by an indirect immunofluorescence method after decalcification of the vertebra with a mixture of EDTA and Zamboni's fixative. SPLI was observed mainly in the gray matter of the spinal cord, especially the superficial layers of the dorsal horn; the distribution was the same as in the control spinal cord. No diffusion and depletion of SPLI were recognized after decalcification and no specific fluorescence was observed. The findings reported here indicate that decalcification with a mixture of EDTA and Zamboni's fixative is a useful method for examining SPLI in nervous tissue surrounded in situ by calcified tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Chondroblastoma of the sacrum. A case report.

Death due to a chondroblastoma of the sacrum is uncommon. We report the case of a 48-year-old man with this condition. During a 10-year period, the tumor spread into the retroperitoneal space and was an enormous mass after repeated radiotherapy. The patient died of renal failure. The tumor was histologically benign even at autopsy.

Chondroblastoma↗