Seismic imaging and petrology explain highly explosive eruptions of Merapi Volcano, Indonesia.

Our seismic tomographic images characterize, for the first time, spatial and volumetric details of the subvertical magma plumbing system of Merapi Volcano. We present P- and S-wave arrival time data, which were collected in a dense seismic network, known as DOMERAPI, installed around the volcano for 18 months. The P- and S-wave arrival time data with similar path coverage reveal a high Vp/Vs structure extending from a depth of ≥20 km below mean sea level (MSL) up to the summit of the volcano. Combined with results of petrological studies, our seismic tomography data allow us to propose: (1) the existence of a shallow zone of intense fluid percolation, directly below the summit of the volcano; (2) a main, pre-eruptive magma reservoir at ≥ 10 to 20 km below MSL that is orders of magnitude larger than erupted magma volumes; (3) a deep magma reservoir at MOHO depth which supplies the main reservoir; and (4) an extensive, subvertical fluid-magma-transfer zone from the mantle to the surface. Such high-resolution spatial constraints on the volcano plumbing system as shown are an important advance in our ability to forecast and to mitigate the hazard potential of Merapi's future eruptions.

p75 and TrkA receptors are both required for uptake of NGF in adult sympathetic neurons: use of a novel fluorescent NGF conjugate.

We have developed and tested the biological activity and specificity of a novel fluorescent dextran-Texas Red-nerve growth factor (DTR-NGF) conjugate. DTR-NGF was found to promote survival and neurite outgrowth in cultured dissociated sympathetic neurons similarly to native NGF. The conjugate was taken up and transported retrogradely by terminal sympathetic nerves innervating the iris to neurons in the ipsilateral superior cervical ganglion (SCG) of young adult rats. Uptake and transport was assessed by counting numbers of labelled neurons and by measuring intensity of neuronal labelling using confocal microscopy and image analysis. DTR-NGF labelling in SCG neurons was shown to be dose-dependent with an EC(50) of 75 ng. Similar concentrations of unconjugated DTR resulted in no neuronal labelling. DTR-NGF uptake was competed off using a 50-fold excess of native NGF, resulting in a 73% reduction in numbers of labelled neurons. Pretreatment of nerve terminals with function-blocking antibodies against the low (p75) and high (TrkA) affinity NGF receptors resulted in a large (85-93%) reduction in numbers of DTR-NGF labelled neurons. Anti-p75 and anti-TrkA antibodies had comparable effects which were concentration-dependent. These findings indicate that both receptors are required for uptake of NGF in adult rat sympathetic neurons. In particular, the results provide strong evidence that the p75 receptor plays a more active role in transducing the NGF signal than has been proposed.

Postnatal development of gamma-GT activity in rat brain microvessels corresponds to capillary growth and differentiation.

It has been demonstrated histochemically that endothelial cells of the cerebral capillaries show a high activity in gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT), an enzyme which takes part in the transfer of large neutral amino acids across the blood-brain barrier. Reports of the disappearance of enzyme activity in endothelial cells (EC) grown in culture suggest that the presence of astroglial cells (AG) is required for the expression of gamma-GT in these cells. The present study deals with the developmental changes in gamma-GT activity in capillaries of rat cerebral cortex during ontogenesis (i.e. on days 2, 7, 11, 14, 21 and 60 after birth). gamma-GT activity is determined by measuring the enzyme kinetics of the histochemical reaction on isolated brain capillaries using a flying spot microscope densitometer. Enzyme activity is expressed as an increase in relative optical density (at 500 nm) in arbitrary units/min/micron 2 during the 2 min immediately after initiating incubation and corresponds to the gamma-GT active area (in micron 2) of the capillary segment. During early postnatal development, a biphasic change of gamma-GT activity in capillaries of rat cerebral cortex is observed. The first phase (i.e. the postnatal period between the 2nd and 12th day) is characterized by a significant decrease in gamma-GT activity, which coincides with the onset of the rapid mitotic proliferation of cortical endothelial cells. During the second phase (i.e. the postnatal period between the 12th and 21st day), a fast increase in the gamma-GT activity can be measured. Then enzyme activity reaches the adult level between the 21st and 60th postnatal day.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Postnatal development of the vascular pattern in the rat telencephalic pia-arachnoid. A SEM study.

The postnatal changes in arrangement of the vascular system of the pia-arachnoid of rats are described based on scanning electron microscopy of microcorrosion casts and transmission electron microscopy. At birth, the distal arteries and veins are embedded in a dense plexiform network of immature capillaries. Arteries and veins are interconnected by many small capillary anastomoses. The trunks are located above the pial plexus. The underlying plexiform vessels provide the matrix for the formation of additional collateral and precortical segments during further development. During the first postnatal week, the distal pial arteries and veins become visible as separate channels and emerge from the subjacent capillary plexus. The pattern of anastomosing arterial rings is now clearly visible. The pial arterial tree can be subdivided into conductive, collateral, and precortical distributive segments, according to Jokelainen et al. (1982). Subsequently, passive expansion of the vascular system takes place during the period of rapid brain growth. In young adults the majority of the formerly closed arterial rings are interrupted, possibly by regression of single collateral arterial segments (Fig. 6). The dense venous capillary plexus of the pia is maintained during the first eight days in spite of marked brain growth. The process of reduction of this capillary plexus starts at the arterial side and proceeds from proximal to distal segments of the veins during the second and third week. The capillary segments, which provide anastomosis between arterial and venous vessels, disappear at the same time as the regression of the dense venous capillary network.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Identification of pericytes in the central nervous system by silver staining of the basal lamina.

Vibratome sections obtained from perfusion-fixed rat brains were stained by means of silver impregnation and physical development according to Gallyas (1970). Small pieces of the cerebral cortex were postfixed with buffered osmium tetroxide solution and processed for electron microscopy to examine the localization of the silver deposit at the cellular level. The cell surfaces of pericytes and smooth muscle cells were completely outlined by silver grains. Endothelial cells and perivascular astrocytes, however, showed an asymmetric distribution of the silver deposit, i.e., the deposit was restricted to the abluminal endothelial surface and to the astrocytic membrane adjacent to the vessel wall, respectively. The method allowed a clear-cut distinction between perikarya of endothelial cells and pericytes as well as glial cells in perivascular position, even at the light-microscopic level.

Local cytochrome oxidase activity in the cerebral cortex of the rat, histochemically detected with the DAB-method: a micro-densitometric and electron microscope study.

For demonstration of the local cytochrome oxidase activity, coronal sections through the frontal cortex of four Sprague-Dawley rats were incubated with DAB medium after Seligman et al. (1968). The pattern of distribution of the DAB reaction product (DAB-RP) was measured at a wavelength of 460 nm. Cryostat sections were scanned with a microdensitometer. The cytochrome reaction product was accumulated in the laminae I and IV. A comparative morphometric study of mitochondrial profiles in ultra-thin sections through equivalent cortical regions showed an approximately similar distribution in percentage of areal density of the mitochondria labeled by DAB-RP. On average 30% of the mitochondrial profiles were labeled with DAB-RP which was localized in the intracristate spaces and the outer mitochondrial compartment. The marked mitochondria mainly occurred in dendrites. Furthermore, the mean and median value of the size distribution of marked mitochondrial profiles was shifted to greater values when compared with non-marked ones.

Oxidized and reduced glutathione levels of the cornea in vivo.

A new method for preparing the rabbit cornea is described for the assay of metabolite levels in the in vivo state. The preparation includes in vivo rapid freezing of the tissue by liquid nitrogen, freeze sawing, lyophilization, and extraction with 0.5 N perchloric acid. Reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione levels and the GSH/GSSG ratios were compared with adenosine phosphate levels and ATP/ADP ratios. The most important results of this investigation seemed to be a significant difference in the redox state of the glutathione between the epithelium and the endothelium of the corea and the different reducing capacity of these tissues as indicated by the steady-state levels of the GSH and the GSSG. These metabolic processes may be used to eliminate toxic peroxides from the transparent ocular tissues produced by light or other chemical compounds.