Upregulation of acid-sensing ion channel ASIC1a in spinal dorsal horn neurons contributes to inflammatory pain hypersensitivity

Development of chronic pain involves alterations in peripheral nociceptors as well as elevated neuronal activity in multiple regions of the CNS. Previous pharmacological and behavioral studies suggest that peripheral acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) cont

Schizophrenia patients and their healthy siblings share disruption of white matter integrity in the left prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus but not the anterior cingulate cortex

Healthy siblings of schizophrenia patients have an almost 9-fold higher risk for developing the illness than the general population. Disruption of white matter (WM) integrity as indicated by reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) derived from diffusion tensor

Morphine induces Beclin 1-and ATG5-dependent autophagy in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and in the rat hippocampus

Chronic exposure to morphine can induce drug addiction and neural injury, but the exact mechanism is not fully understood. Here we show that morphine induces autophagy in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and in the rat hippocampus. Pharmacological approach shows that this effect appears to be mediated by PTX-sensitive G protein-coupled receptors signaling cascade. Morphine increases Beclin 1 expression and reduces the interaction between Beclin 1 and Bcl-2, thus releasing Beclin 1 for its pro-autophagic activity. Bcl-2 overexpression inhibits morphine-induced autophagy, whereas knockdown of Beclin 1 or knockout of ATG5 prevents morphine-induced autophagy. In addition, chronic treatment with morphine induces cell death, which is increased by autophagy inhibition through Beclin 1 RNAi. Our data are the first to reveal that Beclin 1 and ATG5 play key roles in morphine-induced autophagy, which may contribute to morphine-induced neuronal injury.

A morphologically variant natural population of cyprinids without dorsal fin possibly derived from Mystacoleucus marginatus (Osteichthyes: Teleostes) from the Lancang Jiang River, Yunnan, China

In July 2001, 15 grotesque cyprinid specimens were collected in the Lancangjiang River (of the upper reaches of the Mekong River) in Menglun Town, Xishuanbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province, PR China. These specimens are characterized by surprising characte

Effects of aniracetam on extracellular levels of transmitter amino acids in the hippocampus of the conscious gerbils: an intracranial microdialysis study

The effects of aniracetam on extracellular amino acid levels in the hippocampus of conscious gerbils, with or without transient cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, were measured by microdialysis and reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography. Increased extracellular levels of aspartate and glutamate that were observed in the hippocampus of conscious gerbils during transient global forebrain ischemia were reversed by aniracetam. In contrast, the level of extracellular gamma-aminobutyric acid was increased, while taurine was maintained at a higher level than other amino acids by administration of aniracetam (100 mg/kg, p.o.) 60 min before ischemia. Further, in contrast to ischemic animals, administration of aniracetam (100 mg/kg, p.o.) enhanced the release of glutamate and aspartate in the normal gerbil hippocampus. The results suggest that these effects might be due to a partial calcium agonist activity of aniracetam, and that the effects of aniracetam on amino acid levels might be a mechanism of protection against delayed neuronal death in the ischemic hippocampus, thereby improving memory dysfunction induced by ischemia/reperfusion. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Dorsal homolog (FcDorsal) in the Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis is responsive to both bacteria and WSSV challenge

Rel/NF kappa B is a family of transcription factors. In the present study, a Rel/NF kappa B family member, Dorsal homolog (FcDorsal) was cloned from the Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis. The full length cDNA of FcDorsal consists of 1627 bp, revealed a 1071 bp open reading frame encoding 357 aa. The predicted molecular weight (MW)of the deduced amino acid sequence of FcDorsal was 39.78 kDa, and its theoretical pl was 8.85. Amino acid sequence analysis showed that FcDorsal contains a Rel homolog domain (RHD) and an IPT/TIG (Ig-like, plexins and transcriptions factors) domain. The signature sequence of dorsal protein existed in the deduced amino acid sequence. Spatial expression profiles showed that FcDorsal had the highest expression level in the hemocytes and lymphoid organ (Oka). The expression profiles in the hemocytes and lymphoid organ were apparently modulated when shrimp were stimulated by bacteria or WSSV. Both Gram-positive (G(+)) bacteria (Micrococcus lysodeikticus) and Gram-negative (G(-)) bacteria (Vibrio anguillarium) injection to shrimp caused the up-regulation of FcDorsal at the transcription level. DsRNA approach was used to study the function of FcDorsal and the data showed that FcDorsal was related to the transcription of Penaeidin 5 in shrimp. The present data provide clues that FcDorsal might play potential important roles in the innate immunity of shrimp. Through comparison of the expression profiles between FcDorsal and another identified Rel/NF kappa B member (FcRelish) in shrimp responsive to WSSV challenge, we speculate that FcDorsal and FcRelish might play different roles in shrimp immunity. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Two new species of Rhagophthalmus Motschulsky (Coleoptera : Rhagophthalmidae) from Yunnan, south-western China, with notes on known, species

Rhagophthalmus fugongensis Li & Liang and Rhagophthalmus lufengensis Li & Ohba are introduced as new to science. The first record of R. tonkineus in China is provided. The male genitalia of R. gibbosulus and R. giganteus are described and illustrated. The female and larva of R. giganteus and the female of R. semisulcatus are illustrated. The distribution of Rhagophthalmus is discussed and a rectification of the relative arrangement of different parts of the male genitalia is provided (the base-piece is on the ventral side of the male genitalia, and the parameres on the dorsal side).

树鼩内侧隔核/斜角带核垂直部—海马投射:菜豆白细胞凝集素顺行法研究

本研究用PHA 2L 顺行追踪法观察了树鼠句内侧隔核ö斜角带核垂直部到海马的投射。结果表明: (1) 海马内PHA 2L 标记 纤维根据形态特点可分为两种类型: É 型纤维较粗, 分支多, 有形态较大、数量较少的终末终扣; Ê 型纤维纤细, 分支少, 有较多、 较小的通过型终扣(boutons en passant)。(2) 内侧隔核ö斜角带核垂直部到海马的投射存在着以下体部定位关系: 一侧向双侧海 马均有投射, 以同侧投射明显占优势; 内侧隔核吻侧部主要投射到背侧海马和腹侧海马后部, 内侧隔核尾侧部主要投射到腹侧海 马前部; 背侧海马齿状回内的投射纤维几乎都来自内侧隔核。(3) 根据注射部位的不同, É、Ê 型纤维在背侧海马的分布有差异, 其中内侧隔核吻侧部到背侧海马的纤维几乎均为É 型纤维, 而斜角带核垂直部到背侧海马的纤维既有É 型纤维又有Ê 型纤维。 (4) 背侧海马和腹侧海马内É 型纤维的终扣结构极有可能与锥体细胞和颗粒细胞构成突触。本研究结果为进一步认识内侧隔核ö 斜角带核垂直部- 海马通路提供了新的形态学依据。

A microelectrode drive for long term recording of neurons in freely moving and chaired monkeys

An electrode drive is described for recordings of neurons in freely moving and chaired monkeys during the performance of behavioural tasks. The electrode drives are implanted for periods of up to 6 months, and can advance up to 42 electrodes using 14 independent drive mechanisms. The drive samples 288 points within a 12 mm x 12 min region, with 15 min of electrode travel. Major advantages are that recordings are made in freely moving monkeys, and these recordings can be compared with those in chaired experiments; waveforms of single neurons are stable, enabling prolonged recordings of the same neurons across periods of days; recordings can be made throughout the brain, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and hippocampus; the drive accommodates both sharp microelectrodes and fine wire assemblies such as tetrodes. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V; All rights reserved.

The dynamics of hippocampal sensory gating during the development of morphine dependence and withdrawal in rats

The effects of morphine on hippocampal sensory gating (N40) during the development of morphine dependence and withdrawal were investigated in the double click auditory evoked potential (EP) suppression paradigm. Rats were made dependent upon morphine hydrochloride by a series of injections (every 12h) over 6 days, followed by withdrawal after stopping morphine administration. Hippocampal gating was examined during the development of dependence and withdrawal. Moreover, the DA antagonist haloperidol was used to assess the contribution of dopamine to hippocampal gating induced by morphine. Our results showed that the morphine-treated rats exhibited significantly disrupted hippocampal gating during the development of morphine dependence and this disrupted gating was partially reversed by haloperidol pretreatment. In contrast, there was significantly enhanced hippocampal gating at the fifth and sixth days of withdrawal. The dynamics of hippocampal gating during the development of morphine dependence and withdrawal suggests the interaction between the hippocampus and opioids. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Maze model to study spatial learning and memory in freely moving monkeys

Many types of mazes have been used in cognitive brain research and data obtained from those experiments, especially those from rodents' studies, support the idea that the hippocampus is related to spatial learning and memory. But the results from non-huma

The stress experience dependent long-term depression disassociated with stress effect on spatial memory task

Behavioral stress can either block or facilitate memory and affect the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). However, the relevance of the stress experience-dependent long-term depression (SLTD) to spatial memory task is unknown. Here we have investigated the effects of acute and sub-acute elevated platform (EP) and foot shock (FS) stress on LTD induction in CA1 region of the hippocampus of anesthetized rats and spatial memory in Morris water maze. We found that LTD was facilitated by acute EP stress, but not by sub-acute EP stress that may be due to the fast adaptation of the animals to this naturalistic mild stress. However, FS stress, an inadaptable strong stress, facilitated LTD induction both in acute and sub-acute treatment. In addition, with the same stress protocols, acute EP stress impaired spatial memory but the sub-acute EP stressed animals performed the spatial memory task as well as the controls, may due to the same reason of adaptation. However, acute FS stress slightly impaired learning but sub-acute FS even enhanced memory retrieval. Our results showed that SLTD was disassociated with the effect of stress on memory task but might be related to stress experience-dependent form of aberrant memory. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. and the Japan Neuroscience Society. All rights reserved.

三七总皂苷对海马CA1区长时程增强效应的影响

三七总皂苷(Panax notoginseng saponins,PNS)是从传统中药三七的根中提取的主要有效成分,具有改善血液循环、耐缺氧、改善记忆力、抗衰老等多方面的生理活性.本研究采用"盲法"全细胞膜片钳技术观察PNS对大鼠海马CA1区锥体神经元长时程增强效应(LTP)的影响,以分析其增强学习记忆功能的神经电生理机制.以断头法分离Wistar大鼠(3～4 周)海马半脑,用切片机切出400 μm厚度的海马脑片,以全细胞电压钳制方式记录CA1区锥体细胞的兴奋性突触后电流(EPSCs),给予高频刺激HFS(100 Hz)诱导LTP,分析PNS对大鼠海马CA1区EPSCs和LTP的影响.结果表明,PNS(0.1～0.4 g·L-1)能显著抑制EPSCs(P＜0.05),且对海马CA1区LTP无易化作用;但PNS(0.04～0.05 g·L-1)不影响CA1区的EPSCs基础突触传递(P＞0.05),却可以增强HFS诱发的LTP(P＜0.05).上述结果提示,PNS(0.04～0.05 g·L-1)能易化海马CA1区锥体神经元的长时程增强效应,该作用应是其增进学习记忆力的神经电生理机制.

基因工程化分泌神经营养因子一3的鼠胚神经干细胞实验研究

：探索以Lentivirus为载体，构建同时表达绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)和神经营养因子一3(NT一3)的基因工程化鼠胚神经于细胞(NSC)的可行性。方法：体外分离培养鼠胚NSC，用同时携带NT一3和GFP的lentivirus转染构建工程化NSC；用荧光显微镜、鼠胚背根神经结培养(Dorsal Root Ganglion，DRG)、Westem blot等方法检测基因工程NSC 的转基因表达。结果：荧光显微镜观察到几乎100％的工程化NSC表达GFP：DRG培养和Westem blot检测到基因工程化NSC能高效分泌NT一3蛋白。结论：以IJentivirus为载体，构建同时携带并稳定表达GFP和N‘r_3的基因工程化鼠胚NSC是可行的，可为脊髓损伤基础研究提供有价值的细胞资源。

Lentivirus介导表达多基因的人胚基因工程神经干细胞的实验研究

目的:探索以Lentivirus为载体,构建同时携带并表达多基因的基因工程人胚神经干细胞(hum an neu鄄ral stem cell,hNSC)的可行性,为脊髓损伤治疗的研究提供材料。方法:培养和鉴定hNSC;用携带绿色荧光蛋白(green fluorescence protein,GFP)和神经营养因子-3(neurotrophic factor-3,NT-3)的Lentivirus转染hNSC;用荧光显微镜观察、鼠胚背根神经结培养(dorsal root ganglion,DRG)和Slot blot等方法检测基因工程hNSC的多基因表达情况。结果:培养获得了大量的hNSC;荧光显微镜观察到几乎100%的hNSC表达GFP;基因工程hNSC的培养液能促使大鼠DRG旺盛生长;Slot blot检测到基因工程hNSC能高效分泌NT-3蛋白。结论:以Lentivirus为载体能构建同时携带并稳定表达多基因的基因工程hNSC,为脊髓损伤治疗的基础研究及进一步临床应用提供了有价值的细胞资源。