Asymmetry of the internal connections of the striate cortex of the cat in the projection zone of the center of the field of vision

Studies were carried out on the organization of the internal connections of the striate cortex in cats in the projection zone of the center (0–5°) of the field of vision by microintophoretic application of horseradish peroxidase to electrophysiologically identified orientational columns. The area containing neurons showing retrograde labeling in most cases extended in the mediolateral direction. Labeled cells were located in the upper (II, III) and lower (V, VI) layers of the cortex, and the shapes and orientations of the areas containing labeled neurons in these layers coincided. Spatial asymmetry was detected in the distribution of labeled neurons relative to the orientational column studied. Labeled cells were located predominantly medial to the columns, regardless of the distance from the projection of the area centralis. Considering the visuotopical map of field 17, the asymmetry detected here provides evidence that neurons in orientational columns have more extensive connections with neurons of the peripheral part of the cortex. An asymmetrical distribution of “silent” zones around the receptive fields of neurons in orientational columns is suggested, and that these appear to receive influences from the periphery of the visual field. Laboratory of Visual Physiology and Laboratory of Central Nervous System Morphology, I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 6 Makarov Bank, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia. Translated from Fiziologicheskii Zhurnal imeni I. M. Sechenova, Vol. 82, No. 12, pp. 23–29, December, 1996.     

General types of relationships between the development of the organism and the development of the subsystems of the organism

There are elementary and complex types (combined elementary types): of temporospatial relations between the pattern of development of the organism and the patterns of development of individual subsystems; of influences exercised by the development of the organism upon the development of the subsystems of the organism; of influences exercised by the development of individual subsystems upon individual development; of temporospatial relations between the stability of the line of individual development and the stability of the line of development of individual subsystems; of mutual influence between the stability and variation of the line of individual development, on the one hand, and the stability and variation of the line of development of the individual subsystems, on the other.     

Effects of the lesion of the postcommissural part of the septum on the behavior of the rat.

The effects of the lesion of the postcommissural part of the septum on behavior of the rat has been studied. Results may be summarized as follows. An increase in the exploratory behavior in the open field which decreases rapidly; a decrease in the number of defecations in this test and a decrease in time leaving a dark environment for exploration. In the shuttle box test, no facilitation of the acquisition, but a permanent and quite significant increase in the intertrial activity has been found. We conclude that the lesions tend to decrease the emotivity of the subjects. An interpretation on the basis of the species -- specific defensive reactions explains the transitory and permanent effects of the lesions on the spontaneous activity.     

Effect of the conditions of adaptation of the optic analyzer to the function of the thermoreceptors of the human skin

Summary A discussion is presented of the effect produced by light stimulation applied to the optic analyzer alone on the function of the temperature analyzer. The cutaneous-temperature analyzer was kept on constant illumination and temperature. The light effects from the retinal photoreceptors on the cutaneous thermoceptor system led to reflex changes of the functional rate of the latter. Conditions of the optic analyzer of light adaptation caused reflex adjustment of cold receptors as to heating. Dark adaptation of the eyes changed the functional state of the cold receptors, corresponding to their adjustment to low temperatures.(Presented by Active Member AMN SSSR V. V. Parin) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 57, No. 3, pp. 3–6, March, 1964     

Ultrastructure of the endothelium of the drainage system of the eye

The endothelium of the ocular drainage system (Schlemm’s canal, collector tubules, and aqueous veins) in primary juvenile glaucoma undergoes degenerative dystrophic changes with compensatory hypertrophy and proliferation at the initial stages of the glaucomatous process and atrophy and desquamation at advanced and terminal stages. Progressive decrease in the pinocytous function of endotheliocytes, reduction of the protein-synthesizing and mitochondrial compartments of the cytoplasm, and formation of autophagosomes reflect the process of endotheliocyte degeneration in general. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 145, No. 5, pp. 574–577, May, 2008     

Counterpointing the functional role of the forebrain and of the brainstem in the control of the sleep-waking system

This paper reviews the lifetime contributions of the author to the field of sleep-wakefulness (S-W), reinterprets results of the early studies, and suggests new conclusions and perspectives. Long-term cats with mesencephalic transection show behavioral/polygraphic rapid eye movement sleep (REMS), including the typical oculo-pupillary behavior, even when the section is performed in kittens prior to S-W maturation. REMS can be induced as a reflex. Typical non-rapid eye movement S (NREMS) is absent and full W/arousal is present only after a precollicular section. The isolated forebrain (IF) rostral to the transection exhibits all features of W/arousal and NREMS [with electroencephalographic (EEG) spindles and delta waves], arousal to olfactory stimuli, and including the appropriate oculo-pupillary behaviors. These features also mature normally after neonatal transection. REMS is absent from the IF. After deprivation there is NREMS pressure and rebound in the IF, but the decerebrate cat only shows pressure for REMS. Most IF reactions to pharmacologic agents are within expectations, except for the tolerance/withdrawal effects of long-term morphine use which are absent. In contrast, these effects are supported by the brainstem (i.e. seen in the decerebrate cat). In cats with ablation of the telencephalon, or diencephalic cats, delta waves are absent in the thalamus. EEG thalamic spindle waves are seen triggering S for only 4-5 days after ablation. Therefore, true NREMS is absent in chronic diencephalic cats although pre- and postsomniac behaviors persist. These animals are hyperactive and show a pronounced, permanent insomnia; however, a low dose of barbiturate triggers a dramatic REMS/atypical NREMS rebound. Cats without the thalamus (athalamic cats), initially show a dissociation between behavioral hyperactivity/insomnia and the neocortical EEG, which for 15-20 days exhibits only delta and slower oscillations. Fast, low-voltage W rhythms appear later on, first during REMS, but spindle waves and S postures are absent from the start, such that these cats also display only atypical NREMS. Athalamic cats also show barbiturate-sensitive insomnia. Cats with ablation of the frontal cortices or the caudate nuclei remain permanently hyperactive. They also show a mild, but significant hyposomnia, which is permanent in afrontal cats, but lasts for about a month in acaudates. The polygraphic/behavioral features of their S-W states remain normal. We conclude and propose that: (a) the control of the S-W system is highly complex and distributed, but is organized hierarchically in a well-defined rostro-caudal manner; the rostral-most or highest level (telencephalon), is the most functionally complex/adaptative and regulates the lower levels; the diencephalic/basal forebrain, or middle level, has a pivotal role in inducing switching between S and W and in coordinating the lowest (brainstem) and highest levels; (b) W can occur independently in both the forebrain and brainstem, but true NREMS- and REMS-generating mechanisms exist exclusively in the forebrain and brainstem, respectively; (c) forebrain and brainstem S-W processes can operate independently from each other and are preprogrammed at birth; this helps understanding normal and abnormal polygraphic/behavioral dissociations in humans and normal dissociations/splitting in aquatic mammals; (d) NREMS homeostasis is present in the IF, but only REMS pressure after deprivation persists in the decerebrate cat; (e) the thalamus engages in both NREMS and W; (f) insomnia in diencephalic cats is the result of an imbalance between antagonistic W- and S-promoting cellular groups in the ventral brain (normally modulated by the telencephalon); (g) the EEG waves, which are signature for each S-W state, appear to truly drive the concomitant behaviors, e.g. a hypothetical human IF could alternate between behavioral NREMS and W/arousal/awareness; (h) a role for REMS is to keep the individual sleeping at the end of the self-limiting NREMS periods. The need for accelerating research on telencephaling NREMS periods. The need for accelerating research on telencephalic S-W processes and downstream control of the lower S-W system levels is emphasized.     

Influence of the thyroid status of the organism in the realization of the adaptational effect of cold

The combined three-and six-hour effect of immobilization and cold on euthyroid rats induces suppression of the contractile function and functional reserve of the heart, the death, respectively of 30 and 80% of the animals, hypothermia, changes in the weight of the adrenals and the spleen, and ulceration of the mucosa of the stomach. Stressing of the hypothyroid rats is accompanied by a substantially more pronounced decrease in the indices of cardiac dynamics and the resistance of the organism after 3 h, and the death of 100% of the animals after 6 h. The periodic effect of cold on euthyroid rats leads to an increase in the strength and speed of contraction and relaxation of the myocardium, as well as to an increase in the relative weight of the spleen. During subsequent stressing, cold adaptation substantially limits the disturbances in contractile function and prevents the decrease in the functional reserve of the heart, increases survival, and decreases the degree of hypothermia, ulcer-formation, and change in the weight of stress-sensitive organs, while the preventive effect of cold adaptation is absent in the hypothyroid animals; this attests to the significance of thyroid status for its realization. Department of Normal Physiology, State Medical Institute, Vitebsk. Translated from Fiziologischeskii Zhurnal imeni I. M. Sechenova, Vol. 80, No. 3, pp. 28–37, March, 1994     

Influence of the level of the transmembrane potential on the dynamics of the extinction of the amplitude of the synaptic reactions of the snail under voltage clamping conditions

The influence of the level of the transmembrane potential on the dynamics of the extinction of the amplitudes of summary excitatory postsynaptic currents arising in identified giant parietal neurons in response to rhythmic stimulation of the intestinal nerve was investigated in a preparation of the isolated CNS of the common snail in order to identify the possibility of the participation of the postsynaptic element in synaptic plasticity. It was demonstrated that, at a greater value of the transmembrane potential, the decrease in the amplitudes of the postsynaptic currents which have been induced by rhythmic stimulation takes place more rapidly. It was also demonstrated that at a higher frequency of stimulation of the nerve, the effect of the influence of the membrane potential level on the dynamics of the synaptic reactions is more prominent. The data obtained may be regarded as an argument in favor of the possibility of the participation of the post-synapse in plasticity. This study was partially supported by the Russian Basic Research Fund (project No. 94-04-12209). Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow. Translated from Zhurnal Vysshei Nervnoi Deyatel'nosti imeni I. P. Pavlova, Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 171–179, January–February, 1995.     

An investigation of the effect of amtizol on the plastic properties of the membrane of the Retzius neuron of the leech

The effect of amtizol, a blocker of the inactivation of calcium-dependant potassium channels of the outward current, on the spontaneous and evoked impulse activity of these cells was investigated in experiments on Retzius neurons of the leech. It was demonstrated that the extracellular application of amtizol induces a decrease in the amplitude and an increase in the duration of evoked AP, while not exerting a perceptible influence on the form of the spontaneous AP. In addition, disruption of the development of the process of habituation that develops in the norm during high-frequency synaptic activation of the neuron is observed in a solution containing amtizol.Translated from Fiziologicheskii Zhurnal imeni I. M. Sechenova, Vol. 78, No. 4, pp. 21–25, April, 1992.     

Characteristics of the topographic interrelation of the head of the pancreas and the duodenum and pathology of the organs of the pancreatoduodenal area

Seventy pancreatoduodenal complexes of 55 patients with chronic pancreatitis and tumours of this zone and 15 patients died from other diseases are studies histotopographically . The pieces of the pancreatic head tissue in the medial wall of the duodenum were found in 12 cases of the first group and in 4 control cases. The pancreatic tissue consisted either of all elements of this organ or cystically dilated ducts and seemed to infiltrate different layers of the duodenum wall. Three variants of the pancreatic head structure are suggested on the basis of anatomo-topographical interrelationships of the pancreatic head and duodenum. In 12 out of 14 cases chronic pancreatitis and carcinoma of organs of this zone were combined with the variants of the pancreatic head structure, in 2 cases there was a true heterotopy . Pathogenetic significance of these variants for the development of chronic pancreatitis is discussed.     

Adequate function of the cell: Interactions between the needs of the cell and the needs of the organism

The continuous maintenance of cell adequate function (cellular stress) is considered to be the main feature which characterizes the activity of a live cell. In accordance with the concept of cellular stress, the transition of the cell to the state of adequate funcitoning represents a dual commitment. The cell must function adequately to respond to the demands of the organism and to provide for its own needs. Thus, it is proposed that two systems exist for the regulation of the adequate function of the cell: one enabling the cell to respond to the demands of the organism, and the other providing for the needs of the cell itself. The hormonal system of the organism represents the first of these mechanisms, and I believe that another system exists for regulation of intracellular needs. Adequate function of the cell is determined by the regulative, controlling and defense mechanisms. The balance between the needs of the cell and of the organism should be a concern of physician, since it provides for the optimal function and health of the organism as a whole.     

Organization of the efferent projections of the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus of the midbrain of the dog pallidum

Studies of the pedunculopontinopallidal projections of the dog brain based on the retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase demonstrated that the compact zone (PPNc) and the lateral area of the diffuse zone (PPNd) of the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPN) of the midbrain project to the globus pallidus, entopeduncular nucleus, and ventral pallidum. The medial area of the PPNd, adjacent to the chiasm of the upper cerebellar peduncles and seen in other animals as the mesencephalic extrapyramidal area (MEA), projects only to the globus pallidus. In dogs, this area of the tegmentum is not a major source of projections to the striopallidum, such that it is inappropriate to regard it as a separate structure, comment being restricted to the topical organization of PPNd projections to the pallidum. Projection fibers to pallidal structures arise from both cholinergic and non-cholinergic PPN neurons. __________ Translated from Morfologiya, Vol. 127, No. 2, pp. 19–23, March–April, 2005.     

Organization of the Thalamic Projections of the Striopallidum of the Dog Brain

Experiments based on double luminescent labeling were performed to study the distribution of labeled neurons in the thalamic nuclei depending on the injection sites of luminescent markers into functionally similar or functionally different areas of the striopallidum of 16 dogs. The organizational characteristics of the thalamo-striopallidal projection system in dogs provide evidence for its high level of specificity, as not only the motor and limbic areas of the striopallidum, but also its functionally related areas, receive separate inputs mainly from diverse cellular groups. The centromedian nucleus contained groups of diffusely mixed cells, labeled with different markers and innervating functionally diverse segments of the caudate nucleus. In the centromedian, parafascicular, central medial, and medial dorsal nuclei of the thalamus, projection neurons form analogous cell populations innervating different segments of the striopallidal structures belonging to the same functional system. These striopallidal areas receive projections from small numbers of neurons via axon collaterals.     

About the variability of the shape of the glenoid cavity

The morphology of the glenoid cavity is highly variable, and no consensus exists regarding how to classify the different forms. We examined 98 dry scapulae to identify a common morphological entity and to define reproducible bony references of the glenoid cavity. The glenoid cavities were photographed perpendicularly in a standardized fashion. The bony peripheral rim was studied on these two-dimensional images, defined by randomly chosen points in order to define one or more circles. This study showed that only the peripheral rim of the inferior quadrants of the articular surface was found to be located on a circle (P=0.926) with a radius of 12.8 mm (SD 1.3 mm). Defining the center of this circle appeared to be more reliable (ICC 0.98) than determining the middle point of the longitudinal axis (0,0) between the most cranial and most caudal points, defined as Saller's line (ICC 0.89). The distance of the center of this projected circle to the middle point of Saller's line had a unimodal distribution, suggesting the existence of only one glenoid cavity morphotype. We then investigated the relationship between the center of the circle and the area of subchondral bone thickening under the bare spot, the so-called tubercle of Assaki. Ten phenolized cadaveric glenoid cavities were examined with computed tomography. A circle was projected on the first image showing the bony peripheral rim, and this circle was copied on the consecutive slices until the tubercle of Assaki came across. The center of the circle was located within the area of the tubercle of Assaki, in all but one specimen. To investigate the clinical implications of this finding, the cadaver specimens were used to compare the position of the center of the circle with the postulated center of implantation according to the literature, and to the reference guide for a commonly used total shoulder prosthesis. The center of the circle was consistently situated more distal than the postulated center of the guide (mean 5.5 mm, range 4–8 mm) and the middle point of the glenoid cavity (mean 2 mm, range 1–3 mm). These findings could offer a reproducible point of reference for the glenoid cavity in osseous anthropometry and a valuable reference in shoulder replacement surgery, and might help in the definition of osseous glenohumeral instability.     

On the significance of the fibrinolytic system of the blood

Summary Subject to a study in experiments on dogs (involving intravenous administration of nicotinic acid and thromboplastin, blood loss) and in observations of patients (operative interventions, atherosclerosis, thromboembolic disease, etc.) were interrelationships between the blood coagulation, fibrinogen concentration, fibrinolytic and fibrinogenolytic activity. The blood of healthy individuals and dogs showed fibrinolytic activity to be present regularly. Fibrinogenolytic activity, on the other hand, was absent. In stress conditions (surgical intervention, blood loss, nicotinic acid administration) the blood coagulation was accelerated with blood fibrinolytic activity increasing at the same time (no fíbrinogenolysis was present). Intensified fibrinolytic activity of the blood is a normal protective body reaction, occurring with acceleration of blood coagulation. This regularity is disturbed in pathological conditions. Association of accelerated blood coagulation with diminished fibrinolysis (atherosclerosis, thromboembolic disease) creates favorable conditions for thrombosis. There is no direct relationship between blood fibrinogen concentration and its fibrinolytic activity. This is explained by the fact that, as a rule, activation of fibrinolytic system in the body leads to the intensification of its fibrinolytic properties, but not of fibrinogenolytic ones.(Presented by Active Member of the AMN SSSR A. V. Lebedinskii) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 54, No. 9, pp. 35–39, September, 1962     

An electrophysiological analysis of the hippocampal projections to the neurosecretory cells of the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus and the neurons of the perinuclear zone of rats

Impulse activity of antidromically identified neurosecretory cells, orthodromically activated neurons, and neurons not responding to this stimulation was recorded in the supraoptic area of the hypothalamus under conditions of the stimulation of the hypophyseal stalk. The reactions of all groups of cells to the stimulation of the ventral hippocampus were investigated;the number of responding cells came to 14, 59, and 46%, respectively. Shortlatency excitatory reactions predominated substantially. It is conjectured that the influences of the hippocampus are most significant for the neurons of the perinuclear zone as compared with the neurosecretory cells of the supraoptic nucleus. Particular aspects of the morphofunctional organization of the supraoptic area are discussed, taking into account both the convergence of afferent inputs from the neurosecretory cells and the hippocampus on the orthodromically activated neurons and the features of the organization of the hippocampal projections to various groups of cells of the perinuclear zone of the supraoptic nucleus.Translated from Fiziologicheskii Zhurnal SSSR imeni I. M. Sechenova, Vol. 77, No. 8, pp. 62–69, August, 1991.     

Coherence analysis of the electrical activity of the rabbit brain in the process of the formation of the polarization dominant

It has been demonstrated by means of the method of spectral coherence analysis in rabbits, under conditions of a chronic experiment, that when a motor dominant reaction is still absent in the early stages of the dominant, interhemispheric asymmetry appears in the Coh spectra of the electrical activity of the sensorimotor cortex and the VPL nucleus of the thalamus. On the other hand, interhemispheric asymmetry appears in the Coh spectra of the electrical activity of the sensorimotor cortex and the CA ₃ field of the dorsal hippocampus only at the stage at which the motor dominant reaction is recorded. The asymmetry in the alpha and beta ranges of the frequencies in the Coh spectra of the biopotentials of the investigated regions, which coincides with the attainment of the motor dominant reaction, is associated with the processes of the organization of movement.Translated from Zhurnal Vysshei Nervnoi Deyatel'nosti imeni I. P. Pavlova, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 520–526, May–June, 1989.     

Anatomical relationship between the morphology of the styloid process of the ulna and the attachment of the radioulnar ligaments

The radioulnar ligaments are the major stabilizers of the distal radioulnar joint under dynamic loading; however, anatomical detail regarding their attachment on the middle and distal thirds of the styloid process of the ulna remains unclear. Because previous anatomical studies included only old cadavers, their anatomical findings might not reflect the morphological features of younger and healthy specimens. This study investigated the anatomical features of the distal ulna, particularly the styloid process, to determine the attachment of the radioulnar ligaments to the styloid process and verified their direction and attachment to the styloid process in younger and healthy donors using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We investigated the morphological features of the distal ulna of 12 cadaveric wrists using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). We also visualized and measured the distribution of the cortical bone thickness. We histologically analyzed three specimens in the axial plane and macroscopically analyzed seven specimens to examine the attachment of the radioulnar ligaments to the styloid process. In addition, we evaluated five wrists from living volunteers using 3.0 Tesla MRI. The distal ulna has a ridge on the dorsoradial aspect of the styloid process that corresponds to the attachment of the radioulnar ligaments. Micro-CT images after data processing revealed that the cortical thickness of the dorsoradial quadrant was thicker than that of the other quadrant at the proximal slice of the styloid process (p < 0.01), and that of the dorsoulnar (p = 0.021) and ulnopalmar (p < 0.01) quadrants at the middle slice. Histological analyses showed that the radioulnar ligaments were attached to the middle and distal thirds of the styloid process via chondral-apophyseal entheses. The direction of the fiber was dorsal in the middle third of the styloid process and changed to palmar in the distal third of the styloid process. The direction and attachment of the radioulnar ligaments on the styloid process were confirmed using MRI for younger and healthy participants. The radioulnar ligaments were attached to the dorsoradial ridge of the styloid process, which was confirmed by cortical bone thickening, histology at the attachment sites, and in vivo MR imaging. The directions of the radioulnar ligaments sterically intersected, which would satisfy both slipping stability and rotational mobility. These anatomical findings may provide the basis for biomechanical consideration of distal radioulnar joint stabilization.     

The development of the ligament of the head of the femur

The hip joints of 30 human male and female fetuses and stillborns between 20 mm and 350 mm crown-rump length were studied by light microscopy. The ligament of the head of the femur developed in situ as a condensation of mesenchyme at the end of the second month of intra-uterine life (IUL), and was vascularized by branches of acetabular vessels early in the fourth month. In the majority of fetuses older than 5.5 months IUL, vessels in the ligament passed a short way into the femoral head within cartilage canals, to supply a small region around the fovea capitis. The remainder of the head was supplied by vessels in canals from around the upper part of the neck. The ligament changed from predominantly cellular to fibrous during the last 4 months of IUL. This increase in strength suggested significant mechanical functions in utero: limitation of adduction-flexion and opposition to postero-superior dislocation were the most likely.