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A comparison of the reflex organization of thoracic and lumbar segments in the frog spinal cord.

Both lumbar dorsal root (DR) primary afferents and descending fibers in the lateral column (LC) make monosynaptic connections with ipsilateral lumbar motoneurons in the frog spinal cord. We have determined that LC fibers also make monosynaptic connections with thoracic motoneurons, while thoracic primary afferents do not. The central reflex time (CRT) for the lumbar DR-VR pathway was 2.5 +/- 0.3 msec, but the CRT for the thoracic DR-VR pathway was 8.5 +/- 2.6 msec. By using a conditioning-test paradigm we have been able to determine that the earliest sign of segmental synaptic transmission in thoracic motoneurons occurs only after a delay of 6.1 +/- 0.9 msec. These results correlate very well with the different morphological characteristics of lumbar and thoracic segments. We have also investigated the central organization of lumbar and thoracic segments and found that the segmental polysynaptic input to motoneurons is more diffuse in thoracic than in lumbar segments. The intersegmental reflexes between thoracic and lumbar segments provide additional evidence for a more diffuse organization in thoracic segments.

Animals↗

Comparison of ultrastructural changes in proximal and distal segments of transected giant fibers of the cockroach Periplaneta americana.

When the giant axons of the cockroach Periplaneta americana are transected the proximal segment (the part connected to the soma) regenerates by tip sprouting and the distal segment degenerates. The initial ultrastructural response (24-48 h post-transection) occurring in the cut ends of the proximal and distal segments are similar. This response includes the disappearance of neurotubules; appearance of amorphous material in the axoplasm and a gradual accumulation of large numbers of small mitochondria, vesicles of various sizes and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The axolemma in the region of organelle accumulation invaginates and glial processes are present in the invagination. The similarity of the changes that occur in the cut ends of the proximal and distal segments indicates that the primary reaction to axotomy is of a local nature and does not depend on the soma. Two to four days after transection, the cut end of the distal axonal segment reveals signs of degeneration. These include the appearance of swollen mitochondria, lysosomes, myelinated bodies and shrinking of the axon. In addition there is a massive proliferation of glial processes around the degenerating axons. Sprouting from the tip of the proximal segment starts 5--7 days post axotomy. Sprouts were identified as profiles containing few neurotubules, many vesicles and abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum. 'Growth cone-like' structures were identified. The ultrastructural reorganization of the cut end of the proximal segment is discussed in relation to changes in membrane properties of the regenerating tip, as previously described by us.

Animals↗

Multiple functions of segment polarity genes in Drosophila.

l(1)dishevelled (l(1)dsh) is a late zygotic lethal mutation that exhibits a rescuable maternal effect lethal phenotype. l(1)dsh/Y embryos, derived from females possessing a homozygous l(1)dsh germline clone, exhibit a segment polarity embryonic phenotype. Analysis of the development of these embryos indicates: (1) that segmental boundaries do not form although the correct number of tracheal pits is formed; (2) that pockets of cell death occur between the tracheal pits; and (3) that engrailed expression becomes abnormal during germ band shortening. We propose that, in the absence of both maternal and zygotic expression of l(1)dsh+, cells from each posterior compartment die. Subsequently, cells from the anterior compartment must rearrange their positional values to generate the segment polarity phenotype. We have compared the phenotype of five other segment polarity loci: four embryonic lethals [l(1)armadillo, l(2)gooseberry, l(2)wingless, and l(3)hedgehog]; and the late zygotic lethal, l(1)fused. Only l(2)wingless embryos exhibit early segmentation defects similar to those found in l(1)dsh/Y embryos derived from homozygous germline clones. In contrast, segmentation is essentially normal in l(1)armadillo, l(2)gooseberry, l(3)hedgehog, and l(1)fused embryos. The respective maternal and zygotic contribution and the roles of the segment polarity loci for the patterning of the embryo and the adult are discussed.

Alleles↗

Stage and segment specificity of the secretory cell of the dermal glands of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta.

The pair of epidermally derived Verson's glands on each segment of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, secretes at ecdysis proteinaceous products which coat the epicuticle. These proteins are produced by a single secretory cell which displays both stage- and segment-specificity during development. Three major 12-kDa polypeptides are synthesized at the larval molts, while higher molecular weight (14-93 kDa) polypeptides are produced at the pupal molt. In the pupa, but not in the larva, there are three segment-specific protein patterns, each involving both qualitative and quantitative differences: (1) thoracic (T) segments 1 and 2; (2) T3 and abdominal (A) segment 1; (3) A2-A8. Larval-specific proteins were found to be synthesized in low amounts throughout the penultimate fourth instar, with enhanced synthesis occurring during the molt, coincident with the molting surge of ecdysteroids. Synthesis of the major pupal products commenced about the time of wandering, with enhanced synthesis occurring throughout prepupal development, coincident with the prepupal surge in ecdysteroids. The onset of synthesis of the major pupal products differed, both within and between segments. Culture of fifth instar Day 2 glands in vitro showed that this synthesis depended on 20-hydroxyecdysone. The differential regulation within and between segments observed in vivo was also seen in vitro.

Animals↗

Segmental specificity and lateral asymmetry in the differentiation of developmentally homologous neurons during leech embryogenesis.

This paper describes the embryonic development of three leech neurons which undergo spatially regulated patterns of differentiation. In leeches, the nervous system arises from an iterated array of embryonic cell lineages, and each neuron is represented by a set of bilaterally symmetric and segmentally repeated homologs. Two of the cells discussed here, the neurons nz4 and mz3, stain with antibodies to the neuropeptides SCP and FMRFamide during the course of their embryonic differentiation, but only a subset of the initially immunoreactive homologs continue to express this immunoreactivity into postembryonic life. Those nz4 cells which retain immunoreactivity are referred to as RAS neurons, and the persistently immunoreactive mz3 cells referred to as CAS neurons. The subset of homologs which show persistent expression is segment specific, such that the mature RAS and CAS neurons occupy different segmental domains. In addition, both neurons display a final pattern of expression which is laterally asymmetric, with only one of the two homologs in each segment maintaining the RAS or CAS phenotype. Asymmetric differentiation can occur in either orientation for any given segment, although there is a very strong tendency for the persistently immunoreactive cells to lie on opposite sides of successive segments. The fate of the transiently immunoreactive homologs is unclear, but labeling with intracellular lineage tracers suggests that there are some mz3 neurons which survive late into postemobryonic life and never express detectable levels of immunoreactivity. Intracellular lineage tracers also allowed us to follow the development of a third neuron, mz4, which does not stain for either peptide. The mz4 neuron is initially paired, but undergoes an asymmetric pattern of cell death which also shows a strong tendency to alternate sides in successive segments. These spatially coordinated patterns of neuronal survival and/or differentiation suggest that cell interactions play a role in determining the developmental choices made by individual neurons, and a subsequent paper will characterize those interactions through experimental manipulation.

Animals↗

The distribution of neural crest-derived Schwann cells from subsets of brachial spinal segments into the peripheral nerves innervating the chick forelimb.

Neural crest cells from brachial levels of the neural tube populate the ventral roots, spinal nerves, and peripheral nerves of the chick forelimb where they give rise to Schwann cells. The distribution of neural crest cells in the developing forelimb was examined using homotopic and heterotopic chick-quail chimeras to label neural crest cells from subsets of the brachial spinal segments. Neural crest cells from particular regions of the spinal cord populated ventral roots and spinal nerves adjacent to or immediately posterior to the graft. Crest cells also populated the brachial plexus in accord with their segmental origins. In the forelimb, neural crest cells populated muscle nerves with anterior brachial spinal segments populating nerves to anterior musculature of the forelimb and posterior brachial spinal segments populating nerves to posterior musculature. Similar patterns were seen following both homotopic and heterotopic transplantation. In both types of grafts, the distribution of neural crest cells largely matched the sensory and motor projection pattern from the same spinal segmental level. This suggests that neural crest-derived Schwann cells from a particular spinal segment may use sensory and motor fibers emerging from the same segmental level as substrates to guide their migration into the periphery.

Animals↗

Automatic adaptive segmentation of clinical EEGs.

A method of automatic adaptive segmentation of EEGs, whereby the boundaries between different patterns of activity appearing in a given channel are identified and demarcated, has been applied to a group of clinical EEGs. The EEGs were especially selected from a library of 70 recordings so as to include a diversity of normal and abnormal EEG patterns. In the subsequent steps of the analysis, like segments were automatically clustered and a dendrogram plotted, from which the principal clusters or types of activity were visually selected. For the latter, a temporal profile was then plotted, indicating which type of activity was present at any given time during the respective recording. Summary parameters of mean amplitude and a measure of mean frequency were plotted alongside the temporal profile. The findings are as follows. (1) A single set of segmentation parameters was found to be clinically satisfactory for the entire group. (2) The inappropriateness of adaptive segmentation for the isolation of spikes and sharp waves, which had been anticipated in view of the short duration of such transients in relation to the length of the window (1.2 sec) used for the autocorrelation functions employed in the segmentation algorithm, was confirmed. A separate spike/sharp-wave detection algorithm is therefore planned. (3) Longer transients (i.e., some 300 msec or greater) are segmented and separately clustered. (4) For an individual EEG, the number of clinically significant clusters was 5 or less. (5) If a given cluster included activity in more than one frequency band (for example, simultaneous alpha and slow activity) the simple summary parameters of mean amplitude and a measure of mean frequency may not be sufficient for a clinically adequate description; however, the original autocorrelation function, or, more conventionally, the power spectrum (which can be estimated from the autocorrelation function) provides the necessary information. (6) The use of automatic adaptive EEG segmentation minimized human bias in the selection of portions of EEG recordings for computer analysis.

Computers↗

Computer characterization of tracé alternant and REM sleep patterns in the neonatal EEG by adaptive segmentation--an exploratory study.

The possible utility of the computer technique of adaptive segmentation in the comparative quantitative characterization of tracé alternant (TA) and REM sleep in the neonatal EEG has been explored in a pilot study of the EEGs of 3 full-term infants of ages 1, 13 and 23 days. The technique of adaptive segmentation, originally developed by its authors for automatically delimiting and characterizing different types of patterns within the same EEG recording, had previously been found effective for this purpose for normal and abnormal adult EEGs. The same computer program parameter values that had been found to be optimal for segmentation of adult EEGs were also found to be optimal for the neonatal ones, as typified by segmentation or demarcation of the bursts and interburst periods in tracé alternant. Adaptive segmentation, in conjunction with clustering of the resulting segments and computation of temporal profiles showing the times of occurrence of the different types of activity in a given phase of sleep together with the mean amplitude and mean frequency of each, supplemented by the respective power spectra, was found to be an effective way of characterizing these EEGs, including certain types of artifact. Further characterization was afforded by statistical summaries of segment durations.

Computers↗

Body segment mass, radius and radius of gyration proportions of children.

The segment inertial parameters of children are fundamental to the analysis and simulation of their movements. Generally it has been recognized that adult parameters cannot be extrapolated and most of the anthropometric data on children are of little or no use for determining inertias. Consequently, there have been few studies of children's kinetics. In response to this problem a longitudinal investigation, the Laurentian Study of Biomechanical Development, was launched and in this paper the effects of growth on selected segmental size and inertial parameters are reported for boys between the ages of 4 and 15 yr. The twelve subjects, representing heterogeneous body types were followed over 3 yr for a total of 36 observations. Elliptical zones 2 cm wide were used to model the body and segment inertias calculated using segment densities from the literature. These inertias were the mass, moment of inertia and mass centroid location for a fourteen segment planar representation of the body. The general accuracy mean error based on body mass was 0.203% which is consistent with reports from similar studies and techniques. Plots of segment mass proportions with respect to age showed a decrease in the head proportion balanced by increases in the thigh, shank, foot and upper arm proportions in particular. The trends for each segment were consistent with the trends for linear measures reported in the anthropometry literature. Radius proportions to the mass centroid and radius of gyration proportions were also plotted and showed smaller but consistent changes with respect to age. Linear regressions were then fitted to the distributions and standard errors calculated. The magnitude and slope of the regressions were for the most part consistent with a reported cross-sectional study of Japanese children. Where data were available, predicted parameters were compared with the reported parameters for a 12 yr old analyzed using a different mathematical model. Comparisons were also made between the predicted parameters at 15 yr and the reported parameters for healthy young adults who had been scanned using a gamma-radiation technique. For most parameters there was either good agreement or differences could be explained logically. The traditionally used parameters from older cadavers were quite inconsistent with the above. The variances of the 36 observations about the regression lines as indicated by the standard errors were small. As an illustration of the effect of these variances, the trunk parameters for a 10 yr old performing a standing jump for distance were decreased by 1 S.E. and this matched by increases for the thigh, shank and head.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Age Factors↗

Comparison between manual and computer measurement of ST-segment amplitude during exercise.

Several studies have shown that the maximal ST/HR slope may be used as a reliable index of myocardial ischemia as assessed by coronary angiography, but this involves laborious training and derivation, particularly with respect to the measurement of ST segment amplitude, which is obtained by averaging values measured in at least 10 cardiac cycles in the steady state. The authors compared manual measurement of ST-segment amplitude with computer-processed beat using cardiac cycles in six consecutive patients with standard 12-lead records obtained over 5 seconds and a beat processed by the recorder to represent each lead (modal beat, over 10 seconds). All recordings were made in the steady state. Two patients had myocardial ischemia, as assessed by means including the maximal ST/HR slope and the occurrence of ST-segment depression at the end of exercise. Comparisons were made between measurements in 324 pairs of ST-segment amplitude obtained, respectively, from manually averaged recorded beats (average beat) and the modal beat during each step of the exercise test. The level of the ST-segment, (80 msec after the end of QRS complex) was independently obtained from the two records in a blinded fashion. The group data showed that the modal beat gave significantly lower values of ST-segment amplitude than the average beat. Similar results were obtained when 286 pairs of positive amplitudes were compared in the range of 0-7.25 mm. In the remaining 38 pairs in which ST-segment depression was found, the amplitude in the modal beats was not significantly different from the average beats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

Molecular characterization of the A/J J558 family of heavy chain variable region gene segments.

The nucleotide sequences of the coding as well as the flanking regions of 11 A/J J558 heavy chain variable region (VH) gene segments are presented. Among these J558 VH segments was the unrearranged germline VH gene segment recruited in the predominant A strain-specific anti-arsonate response. Three other VH gene segments that are greater than 92% related to the p-azophenylarsenate (Ars) A VH gene segment were also isolated. Detailed analysis of the nucleotide sequences of these as well as the remaining seven J558 VH gene segments reveal that the J558 VH gene family is composed of distinct, but related, J558 VH subfamilies. Deletion mapping analyses were used to position the Ars A VH gene segment proximally with respect to the DH-JH clusters within the J558 VH gene family and distally with respect to its own J558 subfamily. The documentation of J558 VH subfamilies is discussed in the context of J558 VH family evolution and diversification.

Animals↗

Mucosal morphology in isolated bowel segments: importance of exposure to luminal contents.

An isolated bowel segment (IBS) is a loop of intestine that has been freed from its mesenteric attachment after the development of vascular collaterals between the antimesenteric surface of the gut and the host organ. Surgical creation of such artificially vascularized isolated bowel segments is of interest to researchers for a variety of studies, and may be useful in the treatment of short bowel syndrome, allowing longitudinal division of the remaining small bowel to double its length. We created four surgical variants to study the ability of the collateral blood supply to maintain mucosal integrity in the presence or absence of normal luminal contents. In all groups, a collateral blood supply was created in a 5- to 7-cm segment of adult rat jejunum by hepatoenteropexy (Iowa model II). In Thiry-Vella (T-V) and isolated bowel segment (IBS) rats, this segment was exteriorized at both ends to exclude luminal contents. Control and IBS in continuity (IBS-C) loops were left in continuity. The mesentery of IBS and IBS-C rats was divided 5 weeks later, leaving the experimental segment entirely dependent on the collateral circulation. All animals were harvested at 7 weeks after the initial surgery. Tissues were analyzed for mucosal weight, protein content per centimeter of bowel, length of villi, depth of crypts, DNA content, and sucrase activity. We found that segments retaining luminal continuity had significantly higher mucosal weight and DNA content per centimeter of bowel compared with exteriorized loops.

Animals↗

Resulting long-term intestinal motility in dogs following construction of a reversed jejunal segment after extensive small bowel resection.

To evaluate the long-term function and effective motility of a reversed jejunal segment after extensive small bowel resection, the authors continuously measured postoperative bowel motility during interdigestive and postprandial periods in conscious dogs 6 to 10 months after surgery. The long-term findings were compared with previously reported short-term results measured 2 to 4 weeks after the operation. In the long-term follow-up dogs with a 20-cm reversed jejunal segment constructed after extensive (75% to 80%) small bowel resection, the fasting duodenal migrating myoelectric (or motor) complex (MMC) was often interrupted in the jejunum above the reversed segment, and did not migrate smoothly to the reversed segment or terminal ileum. The MMCs arising from the duodenum predominantly propagated to the ileum through the inherent anatomic continuity of the bowel. In addition, brief small discordant contractions were frequent in the reversed segment and the jejunum, above the proximal anastomosis. These findings are similar to those of the MMC propagation pattern noted 2 to 4 weeks after surgery. However, the postprandial duration without duodenal MMC activity was significantly shorter in the dogs with long-term follow-up than in those with short-term follow-up (both were longer than in control dogs). Marked dilatation of the jejunum and reversed jejunal segment was noted across the proximal anastomosis. These results suggest that the transit time and passage of intestinal contents can be delayed and stagnated for at least 10 months after extensive small bowel resection with a 20-cm reversed jejunal segment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

An ultrastructural study of the segmental uptake of horseradish peroxidase in the endplate region of denervated skeletal muscle fibres.

The segmental uptake of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the endplate region of denervated skeletal muscle fibres has been studied ultrastructurally using a method for selecting single muscle fibres with high segmental peroxidase staining from denervated mouse tibialis anterior muscle. Segments containing large peroxidase positive phagosomes could already be seen 10-15 min after i.v. injection of HRP. Such segments were still present 24 h after HRP injection. The localization of phagosomes, deep in the fibres rather than immediately under the sarcolemma, suggests that the uptake occurs from t-tubuli. Vivid proliferation of t-tubuli, consisting of vesiculation, enlargement and encircling of cytoplasmic components, was also observed. The HRP accumulates in phagosomes of varying size and shape. Similar membrane-limited bodies without or with very weak peroxidase staining were also observed. The peroxidase-positive phagosomes participate in autophagic processes as suggested by their content of undegraded cellular material. Golgi profiles, which occurred deep in the muscle fibres, and enlarged components of the sarcoplasmic reticulum were frequently encountered in the segments. Myofibrillar degeneration occurs in the segments and progresses with time after denervation. The described segments may be related to the increased membrane turnover in denervated muscle fibres and/or they may be related to processes aimed at establishing new synaptic contacts.

Animals↗

Nephrotoxicity assessment by measuring cellular ATP content. I. Substrate specificities in the maintenance of ATP content in isolated rat nephron segments.

To clarify the characteristics of cellular ATP synthesis in individual nephron segments for assessing nephrotoxicity of chemicals, cellular ATP content was measured by the luciferin/luciferase system under various conditions using intact nephron segments isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats. Increasing the duration of collagenase treatment of kidney slices significantly lowered the cellular levels of ATP newly synthesized from 2 mM glutamine in PST at 37 degrees C over 30 min (p less than 0.01). The tubular incubation time significantly affected the cellular ATP content in the early and middle portions (S2) of the proximal tubule (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01, respectively) over 20 min and in the late proximal tubule over 10 min. Among numerous substrates tested, such as D-glucose, glutamine, pyruvate, DL-lactate, and beta-hydroxybutyrate, the substrate utilization for maintaining cellular ATP content was entirely variable according to each nephron segment. Pyruvate and glutamine were the best substrates in the proximal tubule. On the other hand, ATP production from glutamine was less than that from the other substrates in the distally located nephron segments: medullary and cortical thick ascending limbs of Henle's loop (MAL and CAL, respectively), distal tubule, cortical and medullary collecting tubules (CCT and MCT, respectively). In general, glucose, pyruvate, and lactate appear to be equivalent in maintaining ATP content in the distal segments of renal tubules. A monovalent cation ionophore, monensin, at 10 micrograms/ml decreased the cellular ATP content in MAL, CAL, and MCT significantly. Mercuric chloride (HgCl2) was used as a model compound to study nephrotoxicity by investigating its effects on cellular ATP metabolism in microdissected nephron segments. HgCl2 at 1 x 10(-6) M significantly decreased ATP content only in S2 (p less than 0.05), clearly demonstrating S2 to be the most sensitive segment within the nephron. These results indicate that measurement of cellular ATP content would be a useful method forecasting the intrarenal toxic site and potency of possible nephrotoxic chemical compounds.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Assignment of simian rotavirus SA11 temperature-sensitive mutant groups B and E to genome segments.

Recombinant (reassortant) viruses were selected from crosses between temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants of simian rotavirus SA11 and wild-type human rotavirus Wa. The double-stranded genome RNAs of the reassortants were examined by electrophoresis in Tris-glycine-buffered polyacrylamide gels and by dot hybridization with a cloned DNA probe for genome segment 2. Analysis of replacements of genome segments in the reassortants allowed construction of a map correlating genome segments providing functions interchangeable between SA11 and Wa. The reassortants revealed a functional correspondence in order of increasing electrophoretic mobility of genome segments. Analysis of the parental origin of genome segments in ts+ SA11/Wa reassortants derived from the crosses SA11 tsB(339) X Wa and SA11 tsE(1400) X Wa revealed that the group B lesion of tsB(339) was located on genome segment 3 and the group E lesion of tsE(1400) was on segment 8.

Animals↗

Identification of sequence elements containing signals for replication and encapsidation of the reovirus M1 genome segment.

In reovirus the genetic signals that control genome replication and encapsidation are unknown. Serial passage of reovirus results in the accumulation of deletion mutants that contain fragments of genome segments. The smallest fragments found in deletion mutants will consist of the minimum essential sequences for genome replication and assembly. T1 x T3 reassortants containing the L2 segment from T3 and the M3 segment derived from T1 generate deletions in segment M1 on serial passage. Fragments of M1 segments were produced by serial passage, characterized by PAGE and Northern blotting before amplification by PCR, cloning, and sequencing. Thirteen of the smallest deletion fragments were sequenced. All of the smallest fragments contained sequences from both termini of segment M1. The smallest fragment was 344 nucleotides long. The consensus sequences consisted of 132-135 nucleotides from the 5' end of the plus strand and 183-185 nucleotides from the 3' end of the plus strand. It is concluded that these regions contain all the signals necessary for the replication and assembly of the M1 genome segment.

Base Sequence↗

Measurement of human small airway smooth muscle function in vitro. Comparison of bronchiolar strips and segments.

We have compared isotonic responses to methacholine of human bronchiolar segments and spiral strips. Both types of preparations contracted dose-dependently to methacholine and had a stable intrinsic contractile activity, which was significantly higher in segments (p less than 0.001). ANOVA indicated that the total variation in responses of both strips and segments was similar and was mainly due to a significant between-preparations/within-patients variation. There was a small but significant trend towards a decrease of sensitivity (EC50) in time for both segments and strips. Net contraction, i.e. the difference between resting length and the length at maximal contraction, did not change in time. Limited length-active shortening experiments indicated that 250 mg was a suitable load for both strips and segments. We concluded that, although human bronchiolar strips and segments are functionally comparable, bronchiolar segments are preferable because of their practical and theoretical advantages over bronchiolar strips.

Adult↗