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PubMed1985

Corticothalamic connections of the posterior parietal cortex in the rhesus monkey.

Corticothalamic connections of posterior parietal regions were studied in the rhesus monkey by using the autoradiographic technique. Our observations indicate that the rostral superior parietal lobule (SPL) is connected with the ventroposterolateral (VPL) thalamic nucleus. In addition, whereas the rostral SPL is connected with the ventrolateral (VL) and lateral posterior (LP) thalamic nuclei, the rostral IPL has connections with the ventroposteroinferior (VPI), ventroposteromedial parvicellular (VPMpc), and suprageniculate (SG) nuclei as well as the VL nucleus. The caudal SPL and the midportion of IPL show projections mainly to the lateral posterior (LP) and oral pulvinar (PO) nuclei, respectively. These areas also have minor projections to the medial pulvinar (PM) nucleus. Finally, the medial SPL and the caudal IPL project heavily to the PM nucleus, dorsally and ventrally, respectively. In addition, the medial SPL has some connections with the LP nucleus, whereas the caudal IPL has projections to the lateral dorsal (LD) nucleus. Furthermore, the caudal and medial SPL and the caudal IPL regions have additional projections to the reticular and intralaminar nuclei-the caudal SPL predominantly to the reticular, and the caudal IPL mainly to the intralaminar nuclei. These results indicate that the rostral-to-caudal flow of cortical connectivity within the superior and inferior parietal lobules is paralleled by a rostral-to-caudal progression of thalamic connectivity. That is, rostral parietal association cortices project primarily to modality-specific thalamic nuclei, whereas more caudal regions project most strongly to associative thalamic nuclei.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Anatomical investigation of projections to the basis pontis from posterior parietal association cortices in rhesus monkey.

The projections to the basis pontis from cytoarchitectonically defined subregions of the superior (SPL) and inferior (IPL) parietal lobules were investigated in 14 rhesus monkeys by using the anterograde tracing techniques of autoradiography and horseradish peroxidase histochemistry. The results of our study confirm and complement available information regarding the parietopontine projections. The projections are found in clusters distributed in lamellae approximately concentric to the peduncle. They are directed most heavily towards the peripeduncular and lateral nuclei of the pons. There are also lesser, but nevertheless substantial projections to other nuclei including the intrapeduncular, ventral, dorsolateral, extreme dorsolateral, and dorsal nuclei. The dorsomedial, paramedian, and NRTP nuclei receive only minor projections. The SPL projections are relatively widespread with respect to the more focussed IPL projections. The IPL projections are, in general, situated more laterally and at more rostral levels of the pontine nuclei than are those of the SPL. The sulcal cortex of the SPL (area PEa) favors the dorsolateral, extreme dorsolateral, and ventral nuclei compared to the light projections to these nuclei from the convexity of the SPL. The sulcal cortex of the IPL, area POa, differs from the gyral cortex in favoring the ventral and extreme dorsolateral nuclei. The rostral IPL differs from the caudal IPL in that the intrapeduncular nucleus receives projections only from rostral regions, while the lateral nucleus receives projections preferentially from caudal regions. The pontine projections from the medial SPL, area PGm, are unique in the parietal lobe in that they include the paramedian nucleus. Projections arising from multimodal regions located caudally in the SPL (areas PEa and PGm) and IPL (areas PG and Opt) are more strongly represented and more laterally placed within the pontine nuclei than projections arising from more rostral, unimodal, posterior parietal regions. The heavy projections to the pontine nuclei from the posterior parietal cortex, and particularly from those caudal parietal regions that have prominent associative and limbic connections, seem to suggest that the corticopontocerebellar pathways permit a cerebellar contribution not only to the coordination of movement, but also to the modulation and integration of higher function.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Anatomical investigation of projections from thalamus to posterior parietal cortex in the rhesus monkey: a WGA-HRP and fluorescent tracer study.

The parietothalamic projections have been shown to be heterogeneous and appear to be a reflection of the detailed architectonic parcellation of the parietal lobe. In the present study WGA-HRP injections were placed in the different subdivisions of the posterior parietal cortex of the rhesus monkey to determine whether a similarly complex pattern also exists in the thalamocortical pathway. Additionally, in an attempt to determine whether there is an intranuclear specificity of projections from individual thalamic nuclei to different subdivisions of the parietal lobe, multiple retrograde fluorescent tracers were injected into the rostral to caudal sectors of the parietal lobe of the same animal. Different subdivisions of the parietal lobe appear to receive different sets of thalamic input. Thus the superior parietal lobule (SPL) projections are derived from more lateral regions in the thalamus, arising predominantly from the lateral posterior (LP) and pulvinar oralis (PO) nuclei, with additional contributions from the pulvinar lateralis (PL) and pulvinar medialis (PM) nuclei. The inferior parietal lobule (IPL), by contrast, receives its projections from more medial thalamic regions, its main thalamic input originating from PM, and aided by LP, PL, and PO. Both the SPL and IPL also receive projections from the mediodorsal (MD), ventroposterior, ventrolateral, intralaminar, and limbic nuclei, albeit from different components within these nuclei. A topographical arrangement also exists in the thalamic projections to the rostral versus the caudal subdivisions of both the SPL and the IPL. Thus, in the SPL, the ventral posterolateral nucleus, pars oralis (VPLo), ventral lateral nucleus, pars oralis (VLo), and ventral lateral nucleus, pars medialis (VLm) project to rostral regions, whereas the PM and limbic nuclei, anteroventral (AV), and anteromedial (AM), project to area PGm on the medial convexity of the SPL. With respect to projections to the IPL, the ventral posteromedial (VPM) and PO nuclei project to rostral regions, whereas the limbic nuclei lateral dorsal (LD), AM and AV project only to the caudal most area, Opt. A rostrocaudal difference is reflected also within certain nuclei (LP, PO, and PM) that project to the SPL or IPL. Thus rostral parietal subdivisions receive projections from ventral regions within these thalamic nuclei, whereas caudal parietal afferents arise from the dorsal parts of these nuclei. Intervening cortical levels receive projections from intermediate positions within the nuclei. It therefore seems that the increasing architectonic and functional complexity as one moves from rostral to caudal in the SPL and IPL appear to be reflected in the thalamic afferents.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Retrograde transneuronal degeneration in a basal ganglia target, the lateral spiriform nucleus, induced by anterograde transneuronal degeneration following eye removal in the chicken.

The chicken lateral spiriform nucleus (Spl) receives its major input from the paleostriatum primitivum of the forebrain, projects almost exclusively upon the optic tectum, but receives no projections from the tectum. In the present study we show that not only do tectal ablations reduce the volume of the Spl, the cross-sectional area, and the number of Spl neurons, but eye removal also produces a statistically significant reduction in Spl volume, cross-sectional area, and neuron number. Because the retina does not project upon the Spl directly, and because both the retina and the Spl project upon the optic tectum, we propose that the retina produces its effects upon the Spl by an anterograde transneuronally induced retrograde transneuronal mechanism.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Intensity-related changes in cochlear blood flow in the guinea pig during and following acoustic exposure.

This study examined the effects of acoustic exposure at different intensities on cochlear blood flow (CBF) using laser Doppler flowmetry. CBF was measured in anesthetized guinea pigs exposed to either a 10 kHz pure tone at 125, 105, or 90 dB SPL, or wide-band noise at 85 dB SPL for 1 h. Mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were recorded continuously. Arterial acid-base status, cochlear temperature, cochlear microphonics (CM), and compound action potentials (CAP) were measured before and after exposure. There was a small, but significant, steady decline in basal CBF after 40 min loud sound exposure (125 dB SPL), but no change in basal CBF occurred with the lower intensities (85-105 dB SPL). In contrast, there was a significant increase in apical CBF after 1 h exposure to either moderate wideband noise (85 dB SPL) or a 10 kHz tone at 105 dB SPL. These changes persisted during a 20-min post-exposure period. In most cases, the cochlear temperature and cardiorespiratory variables monitored remained unchanged during and after the exposures as compared to the controls. CM and CAP amplitudes showed extensive losses after acoustic overstimulation (125 dB SPL), but no permanent changes were found at the lower intensities used. The present findings confirm the occurrence of intensity-related effects of acoustic exposure on the cochlear microcirculation.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Time lapse effects of impulse noise on cochlear microphonics in rabbits observed in chronic experiments.

Cochlear microphonics (CM) were recorded from awake rabbits with chronically implanted electrodes. Test frequencies used were 1,250, 2,500, 5,000 and 10,000 Hz, with intensities increased from 40 to 100 dB SPL. The rabbits were exposed to ten noise impulses of 144 dB SPL, which were then followed by impulse intensities of 153 and 164 dB SPL for the same animal. Input-output functions before and after each noise exposure were recorded, and recovery processes of the CM were tracked. After 144 dB SPL impulses, complete recovery of CM occurred; the effects of 153 dB SPL impulses varied from restitution up to complete CM loss. Impulses of 164 dB SPL caused an irreversible CM loss in all cases. Despite inter-individual differences, the threshold for irreversible CM loss in rabbits may occur between impulse noise intensities of 153 and 164 dB SPL.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Cardiopulmonary sympathetic afferent input to lower thoracic spinal neurons.

Spinal neuronal responses to stimulation of cardiopulmonary sympathetic afferent (CPS) fibers were studied in 25 alpha-chloralose-anesthetized cats. Eighty-two neurons located in the T7-T9 segments were tested for responses to electrical stimulation of CPS fibers. Activity of 55 neurons was altered; 37 were excited, 10 were inhibited, and 8 were both excited and inhibited. All 55 cells with CPS input also responded to stimulation of somatic receptors and the left greater splanchnic nerve (SPL). Somatic receptive fields were primarily located on the upper portion of the abdomen and left lower rib cage. Short and long latency responses occurred following CPS and SPL stimulation. Latencies of responses to CPS stimulation were significantly longer than latencies of responses to SPL stimulation (P less than 0.05). Early responses to CPS stimulation were significantly less in magnitude compared to early responses to SPL stimulation (P less than 0.05). Cell responses to CPS stimulation were reduced in magnitude for as long as 300 ms when a conditioning stimulus was applied to SPL. Inhibitory responses of 10 cells to CPS fiber stimulation were best observed during repetitive stimulation. Eight of the cells were also inhibited by repetitive stimulation of SPL. Injection of bradykinin (4 micrograms/kg) into the left atrium increased activity of 16/30 cells from 8 +/- 2 to 22 +/- 5 spikes/s. The results demonstrate that CPS fiber stimulation alters activity of lower thoracic spinal neurons but not as intensely as SPL stimulation. These neurons may participate in cardiac-abdominal visceral reflexes or the pain of cardiac origin that is referred to the abdomen.

Afferent Pathways↗

PubMed2005

Effects of dietary soybean protein levels on energy budget of the southern catfish, Silurus meridionalis.

Energy budgets were calculated for the southern catfish, Silurus meridionalis, fed diets replacing 0%, 13%, 26%, 39%, 52% and 65% fish meal protein with soybean meal (SBM) protein with or without methionine supplementation to apparent satiation at 27.5 degrees C. With increasing dietary soybean protein levels (SPL), the feed energy lost in feces, excretion and metabolism increased, while that available for growth decreased (P<0.05). When 0.12% or 0.26% methionine at 39% SPL was added to reach that in body carcass or the control group (0% SPL), no significant differences were found in each component of energy budgets. When 0.21% or 0.33% methionine at 52% SPL was added to reach the content of methionine in body carcass or the control group, energy spent on growth increased, but that on excretion and metabolism decreased (P<0.05). These results suggested that the differences in growth rate among the southern catfish fed the diets with different SPL were due to decreasing absorption rate, increasing excretion and metabolism with increasing dietary SPL. The most important factor limiting the use of soybean protein was the imbalance of essential amino acids, which resulted in more energy spent on metabolism and excretion, less energy on growth. Supplementation of methionine produced a relatively better amino acid profile and subsequently improved the utilization of soybean protein at high SPL, which resulted in less energy used for metabolism or lost in excretion and more energy available for growth.

Absorption↗

PubMed2005

Transmitter receptors reveal segregation of cortical areas in the human superior parietal cortex: relations to visual and somatosensory regions.

Regional distributions of ligand binding sites of 12 different neurotransmitter receptors (glutamatergic: AMPA, kainate, NMDA; GABAergic: GABA(A), GABA(B); cholinergic: muscarinic M2, nicotinic; adrenergic: alpha1, alpha2; serotonergic: 5-HT1A, 5-HT2; dopaminergic: D1) were studied in human postmortem brains by means of quantitative receptor autoradiography. Binding site densities were measured in the superior parietal lobule (SPL) (areas 5L, 5M, 5Ci, and different locations within Brodmann's area (BA) 7), somatosensory (BA 2), and visual cortical areas (BA 17, and different locations within BAs 18 and 19). Similarities of receptor distribution between cortical areas were analyzed by cluster analysis, uni- and multivariate statistics of mean receptor densities (averaged over all cortical layers), and profiles representing the laminar distribution patterns of receptors. A considerable heterogeneity of regional receptor densities and laminar patterns between the sites was found in the SPL and the visual cortex. The most prominent regional differences were found for M2 receptors. In the SPL, rostrocaudally oriented changes of receptor densities were more pronounced than those in mediolateral direction. The receptor distribution in the rostral SPL was more similar to that of the somatosensory cortex, whereas caudal SPL resembled the receptor patterns of the dorsolateral extrastriate visual areas. These results suggest a segregation of the different SPL areas based on receptor distribution features typical for somatosensory or visual areas, which fits to the dual functional role of this cortical region, i.e., the involvement of the human SPL in visuomotor and somatosensory motor transformations.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist spironolactone prevents pig serum-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.

Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist spironolactone (SPL) is an effective agent for prevention of cardiovascular injury. However, whether and how SPL ameliorates hepatic fibrosis in rats is unknown. Pig serum (PS) (0.5 mL, twice a week, ip) or vehicle-administered rats for 12 weeks were used as rats with hepatic fibrosis or control rats, respectively. Rats given PS were treated with SPL (50 mg/kg/day, sc) for 12 weeks. Hepatic fibrosis, using picro-sirius red staining and determination of hydroxyproline content, immunohistochemistries of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA)-positive hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), Na/H exchange isoform-1 (NHE-1) protein, CYP11B2 aldosterone synthase protein for liver tissues, and plasma aldosterone concentrations were compared among the 3 groups of rats. Rats given PS alone exhibited hepatic fibrosis as well as increases in the number of the alpha-SMA-positive HSCs and NHE-1 protein expression in HSCs and hepatocytes, all of which were suppressed by SPL. Rats given PS alone revealed increased CYP11B2 protein expression in HSCs and hepatocytes, which was not inhibited by SPL. Plasma aldosterone concentrations were significantly greater in rats given PS and SPL than in control rats and rats given PS alone, although they were not different between control rats and rats given PS alone. PS-induced hepatic fibrosis together with HSC activation and NHE-1 protein expression occurs via MRs, and SPL ameliorates hepatic fibrosis presumably via the inhibition of HSC activation and NHE-1 protein expression in PS-induced liver injuries. The aldosterone produced in the injured liver contributes to the PS-induced hepatic fibrosis.

Actins↗

PubMed2026

Alternative transcription of the mouse Gh gene identifies an immune-associated transcript with species-specific structural divergence.

Growth hormone (GH) in mice is primarily expressed in the anterior pituitary, although Gh expression has been reported in extrapituitary tissues, including immune organs. However, the structure of immune-associated Gh transcripts remains poorly characterized. To determine whether splenic Gh transcripts differ from pituitary Gh mRNA, 5'- and 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) analyses were performed. While 3' RACE showed a shared polyadenylation site, 5' RACE identified a novel exon located approximately 2 kb upstream of the conventional exon 1, generating a transcript (spl-Gh mRNA) with a distinct first exon but shared downstream exons with pituitary Gh mRNA (pit-Gh mRNA). RT-PCR analysis revealed that spl-Gh mRNA is predominantly expressed in immune tissues such as spleen and bone marrow, and its distribution did not correlate with Pit-1 mRNA expression. Quantitative RT-PCR further demonstrated that spl-Gh mRNA was expressed at levels comparable to those of pit-Gh mRNA in the mouse spleen, indicating that spl-Gh is one of the major Gh transcript forms in this tissue. Sequence analysis indicated that spl-Gh mRNA is predicted to retain coding potential for a GH protein. Comparative genomic analyses further demonstrated that genomic features associated with the spl-Gh transcriptional unit are conserved only in a subset of closely related Mus species. In contrast, although a spl-Gh-related transcript was detected in rat spleen, no properly spliced mouse-like transcript was identified under the present experimental conditions. The detected transcript exhibited intron retention and an in-frame stop codon, suggesting that it is unlikely to produce a functional GH protein. These findings identify a distinct immune-associated Gh transcript generated through alternative transcription of the mouse Gh gene and suggest that immune-associated Gh transcriptional mechanisms have undergone species-specific divergence among rodents. Together, these findings reveal previously unrecognized complexity in Gh gene regulation and highlight species-specific differences in immune-associated Gh transcripts.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy for chronic pancreatitis pain.

BACKGROUND: The study was undertaken to quantitate the effects of thoracoscopic splanchnic nerve resection (SPL) on pain from chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: Patients with chronic pancreatitis pain completed an analog pain scale before operation and at postoperative visits. Midepigastric and left-sided pain was treated with left SPL; right-sided pain was treated with right-sided SPL. If pain recurred on the contralateral side, the patient underwent contralateral SPL. RESULTS: Fifteen patients underwent SPL. Eleven patients required daily narcotics for relief of pain before operation. Eight patients had unilateral SPL, whereas seven ultimately had a bilateral operation (median follow-up, 18 months). Fourteen patients had constant pain before operation, which decreased to a mean of 2.8 attacks per month (p < 0.0001). Before operation, the "worst pain within last two months" was 9.1 on pain scale (range, 0 for no pain, to 11 for constant pain). After operation this decreased to 5.1 (p < 0.002). "Current severity" of pain decreased from 6.5 before operation to 2.0 after operation (p < 0.0005). The "amount pain is interfering with daily activities" decreased from 7.3 before operation to 2.3 after operation (p < 0.0001). Seven patients (46%) no longer require narcotics and are classified as having had good results. Five patients (33%) are classified as improved and have had a major reduction in narcotic needs. Three have had no significant pain relief and are classified as having had poor results. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic SPL offers substantial promise in the therapy of pain from chronic pancreatitis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Gap detection threshold in the rat before and after auditory cortex ablation.

Gap detection threshold (GDT) was measured in adult female pigmented rats (strain Long-Evans) by an operant conditioning technique with food reinforcement, before and after bilateral ablation of the auditory cortex. GDT was dependent on the frequency spectrum and intensity of the continuously present noise in which the gaps were embedded. The mean values of GDT for gaps embedded in white noise or low-frequency noise (upper cutoff frequency 3 kHz) at 70 dB sound pressure level (SPL) were 1.57+/-0.07 ms and 2.9+/-0.34 ms, respectively. Decreasing noise intensity from 80 dB SPL to 20 dB SPL produced a significant increase in GDT. The increase in GDT was relatively small in the range of 80-50 dB SPL for white noise and in the range of 80-60 dB for low-frequency noise. The minimal intensity level of the noise that enabled GDT measurement was 20 dB SPL for white noise and 30 dB SPL for low-frequency noise. Mean GDT values at these intensities were 10.6+/-3.9 ms and 31.3+/-4.2 ms, respectively. Bilateral ablation of the primary auditory cortex (complete destruction of the Te1 and partial destruction of the Te2 and Te3 areas) resulted in an increase in GDT values. The fifth day after surgery, the rats were able to detect gaps in the noise. The values of GDT observed at this time were 4.2+/-1.1 ms for white noise and 7.4+/-3.1 ms for low-frequency noise at 70 dB SPL. During the first month after cortical ablation, recovery of GDT was observed. However, 1 month after cortical ablation GDT still remained slightly higher than in controls (1.8+/-0.18 for white noise, 3.22+/-0.15 for low-frequency noise, P<0.05). A decrease in GDT values during the subsequent months was not observed.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed2005

Spinophilin regulates Ca2+ signalling by binding the N-terminal domain of RGS2 and the third intracellular loop of G-protein-coupled receptors.

Signalling by G proteins is controlled by the regulator of G-protein signalling (RGS) proteins that accelerate the GTPase activity of Galpha subunits and act in a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-specific manner. The conserved RGS domain accelerates the G subunit GTPase activity, whereas the variable amino-terminal domain participates in GPCR recognition. How receptor recognition is achieved is not known. Here, we show that the scaffold protein spinophilin (SPL), which binds the third intracellular loop (3iL) of several GPCRs, binds the N-terminal domain of RGS2. SPL also binds RGS1, RGS4, RGS16 and GAIP. When expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, SPL markedly increased inhibition of alpha-adrenergic receptor (alphaAR) Ca2+ signalling by RGS2. Notably, the constitutively active mutant alphaAR(A293E) (the mutation being in the 3iL) did not bind SPL and was relatively resistant to inhibition by RGS2. Use of betaAR-alphaAR chimaeras identified the 288REKKAA293 sequence as essential for the binding of SPL and inhibition of Ca2+ signalling by RGS2. Furthermore, alphaAR-evoked Ca2+ signalling is less sensitive to inhibition by SPL in rgs2-/- cells and less sensitive to inhibition by RGS2 in spl-/- cells. These findings provide a general mechanism by which RGS proteins recognize GPCRs to confer signalling specificity.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Audibility and speech perception of children using wide dynamic range compression hearing AIDS.

PURPOSE: This study examined the relation of audibility for frequency-specific sounds and the Speech Intelligibility Index (SII) to speech perception abilities of children with sensorineural hearing loss using digital signal-processing hearing aids with wide dynamic range compression. METHOD: Twenty-six children age 5-15 years with pure-tone averages (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kHz) from 60-98 dB HL participated. Three subgroups were created based on the compression characteristics of each hearing aid. Minimum audibility was determined using aided thresholds for frequency-modulated tones and the SII calculated at 55 and 70 dB SPL using the simulated real-ear output of the hearing aid. The Lexical Neighborhood Test (LNT; K. I. Kirk, D. B. Pisoni, & M. J. Osberger, 1995) was presented at 50 and 70 dB SPL. RESULTS: LNT scores at 70 dB SPL were significantly higher than at 50 dB SPL. Average aided thresholds at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kHz were negatively correlated with LNT scores at 50 dB SPL, and SIIs at 55 and 70 dB SPL were positively correlated with LNT scores at 50 and 70 dB SPL. CONCLUSIONS: Results support using aided thresholds and speech test scores at soft to loud levels as part of the amplification fitting process.

Auditory Threshold↗

PubMed1983

Immunohistochemical localization of monoclonal antibodies to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in chick midbrain.

We used the indirect immunofluorescence method to determine the crossreactivity of a library of 57 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against each of the subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAcChoR) isolated from Torpedo and Electrophorus electric organs or from fetal calf and human muscle, with specific neural elements in the midbrain of the chick. Out of 17 mAbs that recognized motor end plates on chick muscle, 14 produced a similar pattern of labeling in the midbrain: the neuronal perikarya and dendrites in the lateral spiriform nucleus (SpL) were intensely labeled, and there was moderate labeling of fibers in certain of the deeper layers of the optic tectum, which disappeared after the SpL was destroyed electrolytically. Two lines of evidence suggest that the mAbs may be crossreacting with nAcChoRs in the midbrain. First, all of the mAbs that stained the SpL also stained neuromuscular junctions in skeletal muscle, whereas none of the 40 mAbs that failed to stain end plates crossreacted with the SpL; second, in vitro immunological studies and blocking experiments on tissue sections (in which unlabeled mAbs were used to block the staining of a directly fluorescein-treated mAb) indicated the presence of mAbs specific for unique antigenic determinants on all four of the subunits (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta) from Torpedo nAcChoR in chick midbrain and muscle. On the other hand, the distribution of mAb staining in the optic tectum does not closely parallel that of either acetylcholinesterase staining or of 125I-labeled alpha-bungarotoxin binding; no toxin binding has been observed autoradiographically in the SpL, but the nucleus does contain moderately dense acetylcholinesterase staining. Take together, our observations suggest that there may be a cholinergic input to the SpL and that the projection fibers from the SpL to the optic tectum (which are also stained with an antiserum to [Leu]enkephalin) may contain presynaptic nAcChoRs. It is clear, however, that the distribution of the putative nAcChoRs, alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites, and acetylcholinesterase staining in the avian midbrain are quite different, although they do overlap to some degree in the deeper layers of the optic tectum.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

PubMed2000

Frequency analysis of EMG activity in patients with idiopathic torticollis.

The pathophysiology of idiopathic dystonic torticollis is unclear and there is no simple test that confirms the diagnosis and excludes a psychogenic or voluntary torticollis in individual patients. We recorded EMG activity in the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and splenius capitis (SPL) muscles of eight patients with rotational torticollis and eight age-matched controls, and analysed the signals in the frequency and time domains. All control subjects but one showed a significant peak in the autospectrum of the SPL EMG at 10-12 Hz, which was absent in all patients with torticollis. Conversely, patients with torticollis had evidence of a 4-7 Hz drive to the SPL and SCM that was absent in coherence spectra from controls. The pooled cumulant density estimates revealed a peak in both groups, and within the patient group there was a second narrow subpeak with a width of 13 ms. The activity in the SCM and SPL was in phase in the patients but not in the controls. The lack of any phase difference and the suggestion of short-term synchronization between SCM and SPL are consistent with an abnormal corticoreticular and corticospinal drive in dystonic torticollis. Clinically, the pattern of SPL EMG autospectra and of SCM-SPL coherence may provide a sensitive and specific feature distinguishing dystonic from psychogenic torticollis.

Electromyography↗

PubMed1997

Splenocytes in early pregnancy promote embryo implantation by regulating endometrial differentiation in mice.

We have reported that i.v. administration of splenocytes prepared from early pregnant mice promoted embryo implantation in pseudopregnant CD-1 (ICR) (closed colony) mice. In this study, the similar effects of splenocytes were confirmed using an inbred strain, BALB/c mice, and the mechanism was further investigated. Splenocytes were prepared from pregnancy day 4 (P4-spl) and dioestrus mice (Di-spl), and supernatant of P4-spl suspension (P4-sup) was used as controls. On pseudopregnancy day 2, splenocytes or supernatant were injected into caudal vein or endometrial stroma of the recipient mice, and blastocysts were transferred into the endometrial lumen. In both BALB/c and ICR strains, the implantation rates per recipient with i.v. and intraendometrial injection were significantly higher in P4-spl groups. Then, ICR mice were oophorectomized on pseudopregnancy day 3. After 3 day progesterone supplementation, blastocysts were transferred with i.v. injection of P4-spl and P4-sup, or s.c. oestradiol injection. Under progesterone supplementation, successful implantations were observed in the P4-spl- and oestradiol-treated groups, but not in P4-sup-treated group. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that messenger RNA expression of leukaemia inhibitory factor in the uterus was induced by P4-spl and oestradiol, but not by P4-sup. These findings showed that splenocytes of early pregnant mice promote embryo implantation by regulating endometrial differentiation.

Animals↗