Dysfunctional regulation of alphaCaMKII and syntaxin 1B transcription after induction of LTP in the aged rat

Syntaxin 1B and alphaCaMKII are two genes that are upregulated after the induction of LTP and appear to underlie different mechanisms of synaptic plasticity. alphaCaMKII is directly implicated in strengthening the synapses that have been modified, whereas syntaxin 1B has been implicated in a mechanism for the propagation of synaptic plasticity within neural circuits. In these experiments we have investigated whether the regulation of these genes is altered after the induction of LTP in aged rats. We found, three hours after the induction of LTP in the dentate gyrus, that aged rats could be subgrouped into those in which LTP was maintained and those in which LTP had decayed back to basal levels. Both genes were upregulated in young adult rats, whereas there was a differential pattern of LTP-induced expression in the aged rats. Dendritic alphaCaMKII was upregulated in aged rats only when LTP was maintained. In contrast, regulation of syntaxin 1B and alphaCaMKII was absent in the granule cell bodies of the aged rats regardless of whether LTP was maintained or not. These results suggest that molecular mechanisms implicated in two aspects of hippocampal synaptic plasticity malfunction during normal ageing and therefore may have some contributory role in the decline in memory function routinely observed in ageing.     

胆红素对神经突触膜Na^＋,K^＋—ATP酶影响的实验研究

为了研究胆红素的神经毒性作用，对５９只出生２天的ＳＤ大白鼠分别予以腹腔注射不同剂量胆红素制造高胆红素血症动物模型，不连续密度梯度法分离提取脑神经元突触膜，测定Ｎａ＋，Ｋ＋－ＡＴＰ酶活力。结果：随着血清胆红素浓度的逐渐增加，脑组织中胆红素沉积量也逐渐增加，神经元突触膜Ｎａ＋，Ｋ＋－ＡＴＰ酶活力逐渐降低，Ｎａ＋，Ｋ＋－ＡＴＰ酶活力与脑组织中沉积的胆红素量呈负相关（ｒ＝－０．３４，Ｐ＜０．０１）。提示：胆红素对Ｎａ＋，Ｋ＋－ＡＴＰ酶具有抑制作用。     

Afferent high strength tetanizations favour potentiation of the NMDA vs. AMPA receptor-mediated component of field EPSP in CA1 hippocampal slices of rats

Long-term potentiation (LTP) of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated components of 'dual-component' field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP-A and fEPSP-N) was studied in the CA1 stratum radiatum in hippocampal slices of rats. Relative degrees of LTP of these fEPSP components were compared for tetanizations with low and high strengths. Magnitudes of fEPSP-A and fEPSP-N were estimated in parallel with a least-square fitting of a short-latent (0.1-8.8 ms) fragment of evoked responses by a weighted sum of 'basic' fEPSP-A and fEPSP-N, obtained during a short preliminary application of d-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV). We found that low-strength tetanizations selectively potentiated fEPSP-A, while high strength tetanizations potentiated both fEPSP components. These results demonstrate in the experiments with parallel measurements of fEPSP-A and fEPSP-N that LTP of these components differ depending on the strength of afferent tetanization. Unequal potentiation of the commissural-collateral and excitatory local-circuit synapses, which presumably contain different amounts of the AMPA and NMDA receptors, is discussed as the most probable explanation for these results.     

Influence of visual experience deprivation on the postnatal development of the microvascular bed in layer IV of the rat visual cortex

Cerebral vascular density is correlated with metabolic demands, which increase in highly active brain areas. External inputs are an essential requirement in the modeling of the visual cortex. Experience-mediated development is very active during the first postnatal month, when congruous blood supply is needed. We studied the development of visual cortex vascularization in relation to experience, comparing rats raised in darkness with rats reared in normal conditions. Vascular density, vascular area and their ratio vs. neuronal density were calculated. Conventionally stained semi-thin sections were used to measure the vascular area by computer assisted morphometry. Animals from both groups were sampled at 14, 21, and 60 days postnatal (dpn). We found a significantly lower density of vessels and neurons as well as a smaller vascular area in dark-reared adult rats while no differences were founded at the other ages. Our results also show no differences between the ratio of vessels/neuron, and vascular area/neuron, between both groups. The absence of visual experience causes decrease of cortical activity which correlates with lower vessels density and vascular area, without their ratio/neuron being affected.     

Recovery from methamphetamine induced long-term nigrostriatal dopaminergic deficits without substantia nigra cell loss

After administration of methamphetamine (METH) (2x2 mg/kg, 6 h apart) to vervet monkeys, long term but reversible dopaminergic deficits were observed in both in vivo and post-mortem studies. Longitudinal studies using positron emission tomography (PET) with the dopamine transporter (DAT)-binding ligand, [11C]WIN 35,428 (WIN), were used to show decreases in striatal WIN binding of 80% at 1 week and only 10% at 1.5 years. A post-mortem characterization of other METH subjects at 1 month showed extensive decreases in immunoreactivity (IR) profiles of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), DAT and vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT) in the striatum, medial forebrain bundle and the ventral midbrain dopamine (VMD) cell region. These IR deficits were not associated with a loss of VMD cell number when assessed at 1.5 years by stereological methods. Further, at 1.5 years, IR profiles of METH subjects throughout the nigrostriatal dopamine system appeared similar to controls although some regional deficits persisted. Collectively, the magnitude and extent of the dopaminergic deficits, and the subsequent recovery were not suggestive of extensive axonal degeneration followed by regeneration. Alternatively, this apparent reversibility of the METH-induced neuroadaptations may be related primarily to long-term decreases in expression of VMD-related proteins that recover over time.     

Thermostructural Numerical Analysis of the Thrust Chamber of a Liquid Propellant Rocket Engine

The numerical simulation of rocket engine thrust chambers is very challenging as several damaging phenomena, such as plasticity, low-cycle-fatigue (LCF) and creep occur during its service life. The possibility of simulating the thermostructural behavior of the engine, by means of non-linear finite element analyses, allows the engineers to guarantee the structural safety of the structure. This document reports the numerical simulations developed with the aim of predicting the thermostructural behaviour and the service life of the thrust chamber of a liquid-propellant rocket engine. The work represents a step ahead of previous researches by the authors, with particular reference to the addition of the Smith-Watson-Topper (SWT) fatigue criterion, and to the implementation of a sub-modelling technique, for a more accurate assessment of the most critical section of the component. It was found that the equivalent plastic strains in the most critical nodes obtained through the sub-modelling technique were about 20% lower than those calculated without sub-modelling. Consistently with experimental tests from literature conducted on similar geometries, the most critical areas resulted to be on the internal surface of the chamber. The analyses demonstrated that the LCF damaging contribution was significant, with a life prediction for the thrust chamber of about 3400 cycles.     

脑源性神经营养因子在形觉剥夺弱视大鼠视皮层的表达

目的:研究视觉发育期脑源性神经营养因子(brain-derived neurotrophic factor,BDNF)在正常和剥夺弱视大鼠模型视皮层表达变化规律。方法:SD大鼠眼睑缝合行视觉剥夺,取大脑视皮层行尼氏染色进行形态学分析,用免疫组织化学SABC技术染色和计算机图形分析BDNF在P14,P21,P45,P120,MD鼠同侧视皮层17区的表达。结果:与正常组比较MD弱视大鼠视皮层神经元数目略减少,细胞突起数目未见明显减少,但神经元体积不一致,神经元体积变小、细胞核着色加深。BDNF在正常视皮层表达变化同视觉发育期一致,P14~P21表达渐强,P21表达高峰,P45表达降低,P120呈低表达,P14与P21组间差异有非常显著统计学意义(P<0.01),P14与P45组间差异无显著统计学意义(P>0.05),P45与P120组间差异有显著统计学意义(P<0.05);BDNF在MD弱视组视皮层呈持续低表达,与正常组比较具有非常显著的差异性(P<0.01)。结论:BDNF在视皮层的表达变化同视觉发育期相一致,其参与视觉发育关键期突触塑形,为弱视形成的分子学基础之一。     

Growth and development of trabecular structure in the calcaneus of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) reflects locomotor behavior,life history,and neuromuscular development

Bone structure dynamically adapts to its mechanical environment throughout ontogeny by altering the structure of trabecular bone, the three‐dimensional mesh‐like structure found underneath joint surfaces. Trabecular structure, then, can provide a record of variation in loading directions and magnitude; and in ontogenetic samples, it can potentially be used to track developmental shifts in limb posture. We aim to broaden the analysis of trabecular bone ontogeny by incorporating interactions between ontogenetic variation in locomotor repertoire, neuromuscular maturation, and life history. We examine the associations between these variables and age‐related variation in trabecular structure in the calcaneus of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). We used high‐resolution micro‐computed tomography scanning to image the calcaneus in a cross‐sectional sample of 34 juvenile M. fuscata aged between 0 and 7 years old at the Primate Research Institute, Japan. We calculated whole bone averages of standard trabecular properties and generated whole‐bone morphometric maps of bone volume fraction and Young’s modulus. Trabecular structure becomes increasingly heterogeneous in older individuals. Bone volume fraction (BV/total volume [TV]) decreases during the first month of life and increases afterward, coinciding with the onset of independent locomotion in M. fuscata. At birth, primary Young’s modulus is oriented orthogonal to the ossification center, but after locomotor onset bone structure becomes stiffest in the direction of joint surfaces and muscle attachments. Age‐related variation in bone volume fraction is best predicted by an interaction between the estimated percentage of adult brain size, body mass, and locomotor onset. To explain our findings, we propose a model where interactions between age‐related increases in body weight and maturation of the neuromuscular system alter the loading environment of the calcaneus, to which the internal trabecular structure dynamically adapts. This model cannot be directly tested based on our cross‐sectional data. However, confirmation of the model by longitudinal experiments and in multiple species would show that trabecular structure can be used both to infer behavior from fossil morphology and serve as a valuable proxy for neuromuscular maturation and life history events like locomotor onset and the achievement of an adult‐like gait. This approach could significantly expand our knowledge of the biology and behavior of fossil species.     

匹罗卡品癫痫大鼠海马TrkB受体表达与苔藓纤维突触重建的关系

目的 探讨匹罗卡品诱导慢性癫痫大鼠海马齿状颗粒细胞苔藓纤维突触重建与神经营养素受体TrkB表达的关系。方法 取匹罗卡品诱导大鼠急性癫痫持续状态及慢性自发性颞叶癫痫发作期大鼠脑片，用免疫组织化学方法检测TrkB及突触体素(P38，一种突触形成标志物)在大鼠海马的表达。结果 急性癫痫持续状态诱导颗粒细胞表达TrkB一过性增高，第2次表达高峰呈现在7～30d；P38免疫反应性在齿状回内分子层则呈进行性增加，与neo-Timm显示的异常苔藓纤维出芽相一致。结论 TrkB受体激活有助于海马齿状回苔藓纤维轴突生长及突触形成从而有利于颞叶癫痫的发生。     

外源性N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸对成年大鼠被动回避学习记忆的影响

目的 探讨脑内植入外源性N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸(NMDA)对成年大鼠被动回避学习记忆的影响. 方法 在大鼠脑内植入不同浓度的NMDA缓释膜片后,比较各组大鼠被动同避学习记忆(避暗实验)的能力以及额前腹内侧皮质(vMPFC)及扣带同前皮质(ACC)区域NMDA受体活性的区别. 结果 避暗实验中各组大鼠潜伏期和错误次数间差异无统计学意义(P=0.846,P=0.792).各组大鼠vMPFC及ACC区域的NMDA受体活性之间差异无统计学意义(P=0.546),但随着所植入的缓释膜片中NMDA浓度增加.这些区域NMDA受体活性有降低的趋势. 结论 外源性植入NMDA对成年大鼠被动回避学习记忆无明显影响,但本实验为进一步研究NMDA改变受损脑组织的神经可塑性奠定了一定的基础.