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Spatio-temporal correlations in human gamma band electrocorticograms.

Animal electrocorticogram (ECoG) studies have shown that spatial patterns in the gamma band (>20 Hz) reflect perceptual categorization. Spatio-temporal correlations were investigated in the 20-50 Hz range in search for similar phenomena in human ECoG. ECoGs were recorded in a somatosensory discrimination task from 64-electrode subdural grid arrays, with inter-electrode spacing of 1 cm, overlying somatosensory, motor and superior temporal cortices in 2 patients with intractable epilepsy. Bootstrap techniques were devised to analyze the spatial and temporal characteristics of the correlations. Despite an extensive search, no evidence was found for globally correlated activity related to behavior either in narrow (1.e., 35-45 Hz) or broad (i.e., 20-50 Hz) bands. Spatial patterns, extracted using principal component analysis, could not be classified with respect to stimulus type in any time interval. Instead, spatially and temporally intermittent synchronization was observed between pairs of electrodes in 1 cm X 1 cm regions with high variability within and across trials. The distribution of correlation coefficients differed substantially from background levels at inter-electrode distances of 1 cm and 1.4 cm but not 2 cm or more. The minimum duration of correlation, the decorrelation time, of the ECoG was about 50 msec; the average correlation duration at 1 cm inter-electrode distance was about 150 msec; and the recurrence rate of significant correlation peaks was about 1.3/sec. The findings suggest that the surface diameters of domains of spatially correlated activity underlying perceptual categorization in human gamma band ECoG are limited to less than 2 cm and that the intermittent synchronization observed across separations of 1 cm and 1.4 cm is not solely due to volume conduction. Thus, if such gamma band spatial patterns exist in the human brain, no existing technology would be capable of measuring them at the scalp, and subdural electrode arrays for cortical surface recording would have to have spacings under 5 mm.

Adult↗

Expression and activity of osteoblast-targeted Cre recombinase transgenes in murine skeletal tissues.

The Cre/loxP recombination system can be used to circumvent many of the limitations of generalized gene ablation in mice. Here we present the development and characterization of transgenic mice in which Cre recombinase has been targeted to cells of the osteoblast lineage with 2.3 kb (Col 2.3-Cre) and 3.6 kb (Col 3.6-Cre) fragments of the rat Col1a1 promoter. Cre mRNA was detected in calvaria and long bone of adult Col 2.3-Cre and Col 3.6-Cre mice, as well as in tendon and skin of Col 3.6-Cre mice. To obtain a historical marking of the temporal and spatial pattern of Cre-mediated gene rearrangement, Col-Cre mice were bred with ROSA26 (R26R) mice in which Cre-mediated excision of a floxed cassette results in LacZ expression. In Col 2.3-Cre;R26R and Col 3.6-Cre;R26R progeny, calvarial and long bone osteoblasts showed intense beta-gal staining at embryonic day 18 and postnatal day 5. The spatial pattern of beta-gal staining was more restricted in bone and in bone marrow stromal cultures established from Col 2.3-Cre;R26R mice. Similar differences in the spatial patterns of expression were seen in transgenic bone carrying Col1a1-GFP visual reporters. Our data suggest that Col 2.3-Cre and Col 3.6-Cre transgenic mice may be useful for conditional gene targeting in vivo or for obtaining osteoblast populations for in vitro culture in which a gene of interest has been inactivated.

Animals↗

Molecular characterization of cDNAs encoding G protein alpha and beta subunits and study of their temporal and spatial expression patterns in Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viv.

We have isolated cDNA sequences encoding alpha and beta subunits of potential G proteins from a cDNA library prepared from somatic embryos of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viv. at early developmental stages. The predicted NPGPA1 and NPGPB1 gene products are 75-98% identical to the known respective plant alpha and beta subunits. Southern hybridizations indicate that NPGPA1 is probably a single-copy gene, whereas at least two copies of NPGPB1 exist in the N. plumbaginifolia genome. Northern analyses reveal that both NPGPA1 and NPGPB1 mRNA are expressed in all embryogenic stages and plant tissues examined and their expression is obviously regulated by the plant hormone auxin. Immunohistological localization of NPGPalpha1 and NPGPbeta1 preferentially on plasma and endoplasmic reticulum membranes and their immunochemical detection exclusively in microsomal cell fractions implicate membrane association of both proteins. The temporal and spatial expression patterns of NPGPA1 and NPGPB1 show conformity as well as differences. This could account for not only cooperative, but also individual activities of both subunits during embryogenesis and plant development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The spatial expression patterns of a phosphate transporter (MtPT1) from Medicago truncatula indicate a role in phosphate transport at the root/soil interface.

The movement of phosphate from the soil into plant root cells is the first of many crucial transport events required to supply phosphorous (P) to cells throughout the plant. In addition to the ability to acquire phosphate from the soil, the majority of the vascular plants are able to form arbuscular mycorrhizal associations in which phosphate may be delivered to the cortex via a fungus. Previously, we cloned two phosphate transporter genes, MtPT1 and MtPT2 from Medicago truncatula roots. Complementation of a yeast phosphate transport mutant revealed that MtPT1 is a functional phosphate transporter and Northern analyses revealed that MtPT1 is expressed exclusively in roots (Liu et al., 1998, Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 11, 14--22). Utilising an antibody specific for MtPT1, we have analysed the accumulation and spatial expression patterns of the MtPT1 transporter. MtPT1 transcript and protein levels show close correlation and increase dramatically in the roots in response to phosphate starvation. MtPT1 protein levels decrease in roots during development of a symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, indicating that this transporter is not involved in symbiotic phosphate transport. Membrane fractionation and analysis of a MtPT1/GFP fusion protein revealed that MtPT1 is located in the plasma membrane, while in situ hybridisation and immunolocalisation demonstrate the presence of MtPT1 transcripts and protein in the epidermal cells and root hairs of M. truncatula roots. MtPT1 shows expression patterns consistent with a role specifically in the acquisition of phosphate from the soil and is distinct from the other phosphate transporter of this class described to date.

Antibody Specificity↗

Temporal and spatial localization patterns of Gata4 during porcine gonadogenesis.

The zinc finger transcription factor Gata4, is associated with gonadal development in many species. The present study characterizes temporal and spatial localization of Gata4 throughout gonadogenesis in porcine embryos. Immunohistochemical studies illustrated that Gata4 protein is present in the coelomic epithelium prior to histological differentiation of the nascent bipotential gonad, marking the future site of both XX and XY porcine gonads. Many somatic cells of both XX and XY bipotential gonads continue to retain Gata4 immunoreactivity throughout sexual differentiation and subsequent gonadal development. Testicular cords were evident by 26 days postcoitum. Gata4 was present in Sertoli cells, identified by virtue of coexpression with Müllerian inhibiting substance and also interstitial cells including Leydig cells throughout fetal and postnatal life. Many somatic cells of the differentiating ovary including follicular cells also contained Gata4 protein throughout fetal and postnatal life. Gata4 was not present in germ cells, endothelial cells, or other undifferentiated mesenchymal cells of both XX and XY gonads. A population of Gata4-positive cells in the dorsal mesentery was continuous with the coelomic epithelium of the gonad. This localization pattern led to the hypothesis that a subpopulation of somatic cells in the dorsal mesentery moves toward the gonad. An in vitro cell migration assay demonstrated that Gata4-positive cells preferentially migrate toward explanted gonadal tissue, and morphological features of the developing gonad supported this hypothesis. This study illustrates that Gata4 is a very early marker for gonad formation, highlights species differences in temporal and spatial localization patterns, and suggests a potential role for Gata4 in the development of both XX and XY porcine gonads. Further, we suggest that mesenchymal cells of the dorsal mesentery may provide a source of somatic cells that migrate and incorporate into the gonad and contribute to various somatic cell lineages. Overall, the spatial and temporal localization patterns of Gata4 during porcine gonadogenesis implies a much earlier and wider role for Gata4 than previously reported in other species.

Animals↗

Molecular analysis and spatial expression pattern of a low-temperature-specific barley gene, blt101.

A cDNA clone of the previously unreported low-temperature-induced gene blt101 was isolated after a differential screen of a cDNA library prepared from low-temperature (6 degrees C day/2 degrees C night) grown barley shoot meristems. Southern blot analysis of barley ditelosomic addition lines was used to assign this single-copy gene to the long arm of chromosome 4. Analysis of steady-state levels of blt101 mRNA showed the induction of this transcript in shoot meristems upon transfer of barley (cv. Igri) plants from control (20 degrees C/15 degrees C) to low (6 degrees C/2 degrees C) temperature treatment. Further, the high level of this transcript is maintained at low temperatures but is reduced on transfer from low to control temperatures. The gene is not induced by drought or by foliar application of ABA. Analysis of segregating doubled haploid lines shows that there is no specific association of this gene with either spring/winter growth habit or frost hardiness. Examination of the spatial expression pattern revealed ubiquitous expression of blt101 in low-temperature (6 degrees C/2 degrees C) grown barley shoot meristems, mature leaves and roots.

Abscisic Acid↗

Temporal and spatial expression patterns of canonical clock genes and clock-controlled genes in the suprachiasmatic nucleus.

In mammals, the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus control endogenous circadian rhythms and entrainment to the environment. A core SCN region of calbindin (CalB)-containing cells is retinorecipient and the cells therein lack rhythmic expression of clock genes and electrical activity. The core is surrounded by a 'shell' of rhythmic oscillator cells. In the present experiments, we studied the spatial arrangement of oscillator cells by examining the spatial and temporal patterns of expression of the canonical clock genes Per1, Per2 and vasopressin mRNA, a clock-controlled gene. Surprisingly, in the SCN shell, the dorsomedial cells were the first to rhythmically express both Per1 and VP mRNA, with gene expression then spreading very slowly through much of the nucleus for the next 12 h then receding to baseline levels. Following a light pulse, Per expression increased after 1 h in the core SCN and after 1.5 h in the shell. Although expression in the shell occurred earlier in light-pulsed animals than in those housed in constant darkness, it still followed the same spatial and temporal expression pattern as was observed in constant darkness. The results suggest that not only is the SCN organized into light-responsive and rhythmic regions but also that the rhythmic region of the SCN itself has an ordered arrangement of SCN oscillator cells.

Animals↗

Wounding changes the spatial expression pattern of the arabidopsis plastid omega-3 fatty acid desaturase gene (FAD7) through different signal transduction pathways.

The Arabidopsis FAD7 gene encodes a plastid omega-3 fatty acid desaturase that catalyzes the desaturation of dienoic fatty acids in membrane lipids. The mRNA levels of the Arabidopsis FAD7 gene in rosette leaves rose rapidly after local wounding treatments. Wounding also induced the expression of the FAD7 gene in roots. To study wound-responsive expression of the FAD7 gene in further detail, we analyzed transgenic tobacco plants carrying the -825 Arabidopsis FAD7 promoter-beta-glucuronidase fusion gene. In unwounded transformants, FAD7 promoter activity was restricted to the tissues whose cells contained chloroplasts. Activation of the FAD7 promoter by local wounding treatments was more substantial in stems (29-fold) and roots (10-fold) of transgenic plants than it was in leaves (approximately two-fold). Significant induction by wounding was observed in the overall tissues of stems and included trichomes, the epidermis, cortex, vascular system, and the pith of the parenchyma. Strong promoter activity was found preferentially in the vascular tissues of wounded roots. These results indicate that wounding changes the spatial expression pattern of the FAD7 gene. Inhibitors of the octadecanoid pathway, salicylic acid and n-propyl gallate, strongly suppressed the wound activation of the FAD7 promoter in roots but not in leaves or stems. In unwounded plants, exogenously applied methyl jasmonate activated the FAD7 promoter in roots, whereas it repressed FAD7 promoter activity in leaves. Taken together, wound-responsive expression of the FAD7 gene in roots is thought to be mediated via the octadecanoid pathway, whereas in leaves, jasmonate-independent wound signals may induce the activation of the FAD7 gene. These observations indicate that wound-responsive expression of the FAD7 gene in aerial and subterranean parts of plants is brought about by way of different signal transduction pathways.

Acetates↗

Homeotic genes have specific functional roles in the establishment of the Drosophila embryonic peripheral nervous system.

The Drosophila embryonic peripheral nervous system (PNS) contains segment-specific spatial patterns of sensory organs which derive from the ectoderm. Many studies have established that the homeotic genes of Drosophila control segment specific characteristics of the epidermis, and more recently these genes have also been shown to control gut morphogenesis through their expression in the visceral mesoderm (Tremml, G. and Bienz, M. (1989), EMBO J. 8, 2677-2685). We report here the roles of homeotic genes in establishing the spatial patterns of sensory organs in the embryonic PNS. The PNS was examined in embryos homozygous for mutations in the homeotic genes Sex combs reduced (Scr), Antennapedia (Antp), Ultrabithorax (Ubx), abdominal-A (abd-A) and Abdominal-B (Abd-B) with antibodies that label specific subsets of sensory organs. Our results suggest that the homeotic genes have specific roles in establishing the correct spatial patterns of sensory organs in their normal domains of expression. In addition, we also report the effects of ectopic expression of the homeotic genes labial (lab), Deformed (Dfd), Scr, Antp or Ubx on the normal development of sensory organs in the embryonic PNS. Interestingly, while previous studies have concluded that ectopic expression of the homeotic genes Dfd, Scr and Antp has no effect on the segmental identity of the abdominal segments, our results demonstrate that this is not true. We show that ectopic expression of these genes does result in the disruption of the developing PNS in the abdomen. Our results are suggestive of a role for the homeotic gene products in regulating genes which are necessary for generating sensory progenitor cells in the developing PNS.

Animals↗

Coordination dynamics of trajectory formation.

The present study aims to understand the neurally based coordination dynamics (multistability, loss of stability, transitions, etc.) of trajectory formation in a simple task. Six subjects produced two spatial patterns of coordination in the xy plane by alternating the abduction-adduction and flexion-extension motions of their right index finger. Each pattern was characterized by a unique temporal ratio between the x and y directions of motion: (1) a figure zero, a 1:1 temporal pattern; and (2) a figure eight, a 2:1 temporal pattern. The patterns were produced rhythmically and movement frequency was scaled across ten frequency plateaus, with ten cycles of motion per step. As movement frequency increased, switching from a figure eight to a figure zero was observed at critical cycling frequencies. The switch from pattern (2) to pattern (1) was identified in the spatial trajectory and power spectra of x(t) and y(t). En route to the transition, enhancement of fluctuations was observed in the Fourier amplitudes of x(t) and y(t), specifically at f0 (the metronome frequency) and 2f0 (the first harmonic of f0). Interestingly, there was no difference in the spatial variability of the two patterns. Overall, the data demonstrate that spatial patterns of coordination can be characterized in terms of the temporal relationship between the spatial components of the trajectory itself. We discuss the experimental findings in relation to other end-point planning and multijoint control strategies, as well as the much more general problem of temporal synchronization in many interlimb and intralimb coordination tasks.

Adult↗

Low-resolution electrical tomography of the brain during psychometrically matched verbal and spatial cognitive tasks.

EEGs were recorded from 75 normal, young, female subjects during psychometrically matched verbal (WF) and spatial (DL) cognitive tasks to elicit the differences in the electrical source distribution inside the brain. Recordings were obtained using 43 EEG and 3 guard electrodes then visually edited and spatially filtered to remove extracerebral artifacts. Twenty 1-sec artifact-free epochs were obtained and analyzed from 42 and 60 subjects during WF and DL respectively. Of these subjects, 20 were placed in a training set and the remainder into a test set. The baseline for the comparison of the two tasks was established by factoring the average cross-spectral matrices of the training-set EEGs, computed in the theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands into spatial patterns common to the two tasks. Only those spatial patterns that contributed to the correct classification of subjects in the test set were included in the source analysis. The source-current density distributions were obtained using the LORETA-KEY algorithm. The results show that the source-current density distribution is related to the putative functional activity in the brain in all three frequency bands. The electrical effects of the tasks are both most highly localized and lateralized in the theta band. The effects in the alpha and beta bands are much more generalized and are strongly lateralized only during one and the other of the tasks respectively. The conclusion is that WF is mainly a left central and bilateral frontal cerebral process while DL is mainly a right central and bilateral posterior cerebral process.

Adult↗

Molecular cloning of the cDNA coding for the (R)-(+)-mandelonitrile lyase of Prunus amygdalus: temporal and spatial expression patterns in flowers and mature seeds.

A gene highly expressed in the floral organs of almond (Prunus amygdalus Batsch), and coding for the cyanogenic enzyme (R)-(+)-mandelonitrile lyase (EC 4.1.2.10), has been identified and the full-length cDNA sequenced. The temporal expression pattern in maturing seeds and during floral development was analyzed by RNA blot, and the highest mRNA levels were detected in floral tissues. The spatial mRNA accumulation pattern in almond flower buds was also analyzed by in-situ hybridization. The mRNA levels were compared during seed maturation and floral development in fruit and floral samples from cultivars classified as homozygous or heterozygous for the sweet-almond trait or homozygous for the bitter trait. No correlation was found between these characteristics and levels of mandelonitrile lyase mRNA, suggesting that the presence of this protein is not the limiting factor in the production of hydrogen cyanide.

Aldehyde-Lyases↗

Spatiotemporal analysis of prepyriform, visual, auditory, and somesthetic surface EEGs in trained rabbits.

1. Spatial ensemble averages were computed for 64 traces of electroencephalograms (EEGs) simultaneously recorded from 8 x 8 arrays over the epidural surfaces of the prepyriform cortex (PPC) and visual, somatic, and auditory cortices. They revealed a common waveform across each array. Examination of the spatial amplitude modulation (AM) of the waveform revealed classifiable spatial pattern in short time segments. The AM patterns varied within trials after presentation of identical conditioned stimuli, and also between trials with differing stimuli. 2. PPC EEGs revealed strong correlates with the respiratory rhythm; neocortical EEGs did not. 3. Time ensemble averaging of the PPC EEG attenuated the oscillatory bursts, indicating that olfactory gamma oscillations (20-80 Hz) were not phase-locked to the times of stimulus delivery but instead to inhalations. Time ensemble averages of neocortical recordings across trials revealed average evoked potentials starting 30-50 ms after the arrival of the stimulus. 4. Average temporal fast Fourier transform (FFT) power spectral densities (PSDs) from pre- and poststimulus PPC EEG segments revealed a peak of gamma activity in olfactory bursts. 5. The logarithm of the average temporal FFT PSDs from pre- and poststimulus neocortical EEG segments, when plotted against log frequency, revealed 1/f-type spectra in both pre- and poststimulus segments for negative/aversive conditioned stimuli (CS-) and positive/rewarding conditioned stimuli (CS+). The alpha'- and beta'-coefficients from the regression of Eq. 2 onto the average PSDs were significantly different between pre- and poststimulus segments, owing to the evoked potentials, but not between CS- and CS+ stimulus segments. 6. Spatiotemporal patterns were invariant over all frequency bins in the 1/f domain (20-100 Hz). Spatiotemporal patterns in the 2- to 20-Hz domain progressively differed from the invariant patterns with decreasing frequency. 7. In the spatial frequency domain, the logarithm of the average spatial FFT power spectra from pre- and poststimulus neocortical EEG segments, when plotted against the log spatial frequency, fell monotonically from the maximum at the lowest spatial frequency, downwardly curving to a linear 1/f spectral domain. This curve in the 1/f spectral domain extended from 0.133 to 0.880 cycles/mm in the PPC and from 0.095 to 0.624 cycles/mm in the neocortices. 8. Methods of FFT and principal component analysis (PCA) EEG decomposition were used to extract the broad-spectrum waveform common to all 64 EEGs from an array. AM patterns for the FFT and PCA components were derived by regression. They were shown by cross-correlation to yield spatial patterns that were equivalent to each other and to AM patterns from calculation of the 64 root-mean-square amplitudes of the segments. 9. Each spatial AM pattern was expressed by a 1 x 64 column vector and a point in 64-space. Similar patterns formed clusters, and dissimilar patterns gave multiple clusters. A statistical test was devised to evaluate dissimilarity by a Euclidean distance metric in 64-space. 10. Significant spatial pattern classification of CS- versus CS+ trials (below the 1% confidence limit for 20 of each) was found in discrete temporal segments of poststimulus data after digital temporal and spatial filter optimization. 11. Varying the analysis window duration from 10 to 500 ms yielded a window length of 120 ms as optimal for pattern classification. A 120-ms window was subsequently stepped across each record in overlapping intervals of 20 ms. Windows in which episodic, significant CS+/CS- differences occurred lasted 50-200 ms and were separated by 100-200 ms in the poststimulus period. 12. Neocortical spatial patterns changed under reinforcement contingency reversal, showing a lack of invariance in respect to stimuli and a dependence on context and learning, as previously found for the olfactory bulb and PPC.

Animals↗

Does pattern electroretinogram spatial tuning alteration in Parkinson's disease depend on motor disturbances or retinal dopaminergic loss?

Systemic decrease of dopaminergic cells, such as in Parkinson's disease may produce visual alterations in humans. In order to show possible pattern electroretinogram (PERG) spatial tuning function (STF) alterations due to impaired dopaminergic transmission in humans, we studied a group of Parkinson's disease patients before and during treatment with the dopamine precursor, levodopa, and compared their performances with those of an age-matched control group. Moreover, in order to exclude the possible involvement of motor disabilities to produce PERG alterations, we also investigated PERG responses in post-traumatic parkinsonian patients who exhibited motor abnormalities as a consequence of focal lesions of basal ganglia, in the absence of systemic dopaminergic degeneration. Our results showed a clear decrease of PERG responses in Parkinson's disease patients particularly at medium spatial frequency range (2.7-4.0 cycles/degree) with a substantial preservation of responses at low frequencies. Levodopa therapy reversed these alterations in Parkinson's disease patients, resulting in the recovery of a normal tuning function shape. In contrast to Parkinson's disease, the tuning function appeared to be preserved in post-traumatic parkinsonian patients. Our results clearly establish a relationship between retinal alteration in PD patients and dopaminergic retinal function.

Adult↗

Geographical variation in temporal and spatial vocalization patterns of male harbour seals in the mating season.

In the aquatically mating harbour seal, Phoca vitulina, oestrous females show marked differences in spatial and temporal distribution between geographical areas. This suggests that the males' display behaviour may also vary between areas. We recorded male vocalizations in two areas, the Moray Firth and Orkney, U.K. In the Moray Firth, females haul out on a few intertidal sandbars and travel along predictable routes to forage at sea. In Orkney, female haul out sites are much less influenced by tidal availability and females are much more dispersed. In the Moray Firth, males vocalized only during a short mating season, from 1 July to 12 August. Vocalizations varied significantly with the tide, the peak at high tide clearly coinciding with the period when most females were in the water. In contrast, vocalizations in Orkney were significantly related to both tidal and diel patterns. We suggest that the timing of male vocalizations reflects differences in female availability between sites. In the inner Moray Firth, vocalizations were heard throughout the females' range, whereas vocalizations in Orkney were heard only in two discrete areas. However, at both sites the density of vocalizing males was highest in narrow channels and/or along predictable female travel routes. Therefore, males clearly adapt their temporal and spatial behaviour patterns to variations in female distribution and density. These results suggest that male mating strategies in aquatically mating pinnipeds are more variable than was previously envisaged. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗

A cinematographic hypothesis of cortical dynamics in perception.

The aim of this study was to measure and classify spatial patterns in sensory cortical EEGs relating to conditioned stimuli (CSs) in order to test the hypothesis, based on clinical reports, that cortical dynamics is not continuous but operates in steps that resemble frames in a cinema. Recent advances in the application of the Hilbert Transform to intracranial recordings of the EEG in animals have revealed markers for repetitive phase transitions in neocortex at frame rates in the theta band. The frames were sought in multichannel EEGs that had been recorded from 8x8 high-density arrays that were fixed on primary sensory cortices of rabbits trained to discriminate visual, auditory or somatic conditioned stimuli with reinforcement (CS+) or without (CS-). Localization of frames in EEGs was by use of a new index, H(e)(t), called "pragmatic information". Each spatial pattern was represented by a feature vector from the 64 analytic amplitudes at a maximal value of H(e)(t) from the Hilbert transform and expressed as a 64x1 feature vector specifying a point in 64-space. Classification with respect to CS+/- was by calculation of Euclidean distances of points from centers of gravity of clusters after preprocessing by nonlinear mapping. Stable spatial patterns were found in the form of amplitude modulation (AM) of aperiodic waveforms that included all channels. The impact of a CS on a sensory neocortex reorganized background EEG into two types of sequential patterns of coordinated activity, initially local and modality-specific, later global. The initial stage of phase transitions required 3-7 ms. Large-scale cortical activity then reorganized itself repeatedly and reliably over relatively immense cortical distances within the cycle duration of the center frequency of oscillation. The size, texture, timing, and duration of the AM patterns support the hypothesis that these frames may provide the basis for multisensory percepts (Gestalts).

Animals↗

Isolation rearing affects sequential organization of motor behavior in post-pubertal but not pre-pubertal Lister and Sprague-Dawley rats.

OBJECTIVE: Dopaminergic and serotonergic modulation potently influences the sequential organization of rat movements in a simple unconditioned motor paradigm. Rats reared in social isolation post-weaning differ profoundly from their socially reared litter mates on behavioral, neurochemical, and neuroanatomical measures. This investigation examined (1) whether social isolation significantly affects the sequential organization of rat movements, (2) whether these changes occur at different ages, and (3) whether these changes differ across strains. METHOD: male Lister and Sprague Dawley rats reared in isolation post-weaning and socially reared controls were tested at 2 and 8 weeks post-weaning, in the Behavioral Pattern Monitor for 30-min sessions. The amount of activity and the spatial patterns of movements as measured by both the spatial scaling exponent and the fluctuation spectrum of local spatial scaling exponents were assessed in 10-min intervals. RESULTS: Habituation of locomotor activity was significantly attenuated in isolation reared rats during the 30-min sessions irrespective of strain. Spatial patterns of movements were significantly affected by isolation rearing in movements in post-pubertal but not pre-pubertal Lister and Sprague-Dawley rats. The spatial scaling exponent and the fluctuation spectrum analysis revealed a shift towards straight, distance-covering, and repetitive movements rather than a complex re-organization of the behavioral repertoire. CONCLUSIONS: Isolation rearing profoundly affects the sequential organization of movements in post-pubertal rats, suggesting that emerging behavioral dysfunctions parallel developmentally those found in patients with schizophrenia.

Animals↗

The expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and IGF-binding protein (IGFBP) genes in the human placenta and membranes: evidence for IGF-IGFBP interactions at the feto-maternal interface.

The placenta synthesizes insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and their binding proteins (IGFBPs), which are believed to regulate its growth and development in an autocrine/paracrine manner. To delineate the cellular sites of expression of IGP and IGFBP messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) in human placenta throughout pregnancy, we used in situ hybridization histochemistry with 35S-labeled IGF and IGFBP complementary RNA probes on human placentas and fetal membranes of gestational ages 6 weeks to term (40 weeks). In placental regions where trophoblasts (fetal) or decidua (maternal) coexist (e.g. basal plate), the identity was delineated by their cytokeratin or vimentin immunoreactivity, respectively. Except for IGF-II, mRNAs encoding peptides of the IGF system were expressed in a similar spatial pattern and relative abundance throughout gestation. Both IGF mRNAs showed similar tissue distribution, but the IGF-II mRNA was more abundant than IGF-I mRNA at all gestational ages. IGF-II mRNA was expressed in the chorionic mesoderm of placental villi and chorionic plate in moderate abundance, and it decreased with gestation. It was also expressed in the trophoblasts of the cytotrophoblastic shell and Langhan's layer of placental villi only in the first trimester, suggesting an autocrine role for IGF-II in early cytotrophoblastic proliferation and/or differentiation. IGF-II mRNA was expressed most abundantly in the columns of intermediate trophoblasts in the anchoring villi and chorionic and basal plates. A gradient of IGF-II mRNA abundance was observed in the trophoblasts of the cytotrophoblastic column, with greater IGF-II mRNA levels in those at the invading front, suggesting a role for IGF-II in trophoblastic invasion. In the fetal membranes, IGF-II mRNA was identified in the amnion and chorion laeve. IGF-I receptor mRNA was expressed in low abundance in all cell types of the placenta. All six IGFBP mRNAs were identified in variable abundance in the decidualized stromal cells of the maternal decidua basalis and parietalis, with IGFBP-1 mRNA being expressed in the greatest abundance. The spatial pattern of expression of each IGFBP mRNA also differed among decidual cells, with IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2, IGFBP-4, and IGFBP-6 mRNAs being expressed in most cells, whereas IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 mRNAs were expressed in only some cells. IGFBP-1 mRNA was expressed initially in the epithelium of endometrial glands and in a population of decidualized stromal cells in early gestation, and subsequently in the majority of decidualized stromal cells. IGFBP-3 mRNA was expressed in both the decidua and certain intermediate trophoblasts of the basal plate and anchoring villi of placenta and in amnion and chorion laeve of fetal membranes. IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-5 mRNA were expressed additionally in low abundance in the chorionic mesoderm. IGFBP-6 was expressed in greater abundance in the decidua parietalis than in decidua basalis, although the general level of expression was low. The spatial pattern and relative abundance of expression of IGFBP mRNAs suggest IGFBP-1 to be the predominant IGFBP synthesized by the maternal decidual cells, interacting with the IGF-II that synthesizes fetal intermediate trophoblasts. Presumably, IGF-II and IGFBPs are used for cell to cell communication between fetal trophoblasts and maternal decidual cells at the feto-maternal interface for placental development and/or function.

Extraembryonic Membranes↗