The role of central parts of the brain in the control of sound production during courtship in Drosophila melanogaster

The question of the roles of the two main parts of the insect brain, the mushroom bodies and the central complex, in controlling motor coordination and triggering a variety of behavioral programs, including sound production, remains controversial. With the aim of improving our understanding of this question, we studied the parameters of songs used by five-day-old males during courtship for fertilized wild-type females (Canton-S, C-S) over 5-min periods at 25°C; males were of two wild-type Drosophila Melanogaster lines (Berlin and C-S). Berlin males lacking mushroom bodies because of treatment with hydroxyurea during development (chemical removal of the mushroom bodies) were used, along with two mutants with defects in the mushroom bodies (mbm ¹ and mud ¹), two mutants with defects in the central complex (ccb ^KS127 and cex ^KS181), and mutant cxb ^N71 with defects in both the mushroom bodies and the central complex. The experiments reported here showed that courtship songs in males lacking mushroom bodies were virtually identical to those of wild-type males. The main parameters of pulsatile song in mutants mbm ¹ and mud ¹ (interpulse interval and train duration) were insignificantly different from those of the songs of wild-type flies, though the stability of the pulse oscillator was the same. Flies of these lines were no different from wild-type flies in terms of courtship success (percentage of copulating pairs in 10-min tests). Conversely, the songs of mutants with defects in the central complex differed from those of wild-type males. Firstly, there was degradation of the stability of the pulse oscillator and interpulse intervals were very variable. In addition, pulses were often significantly longer and appeared multicyclic, as in the well-known cacophony mutant, while the mean train duration was significantly shorter. Males of the line cex ^KS181 usually courted very intensely, though abnormal sounds were generally emitted. Mutants cex ^KS181 and ccb ^KS127 were significantly less successful in courtship than wild-type flies. These data show that the central complex appears to play a very important role in controlling song, while the mushroom bodies are not related to this function.     

Localization of Corticoliberin Receptors in the Rat Brain

In situ hybridization was used to study the distribution of corticoliberin receptors of subtypes 1 and 2 (CL-R1 and CL-R2 respectively) in different structures of the rat brain. Levels of CL-R1 mRNA in the brain were significantly greater than levels of CL-R2 mRNA, and the most intense expression of the CL-R1 gene was seen in forebrain structures, especially various neocortical, archicortical, and paleocortical regions in the cerebellar cortex. In addition, significant levels of CL-R1 mRNA expression were noted in the red nucleus and the reticular nucleus of the tegmentum. Intense expression of CL-R2 mRNA was observed in structures of the olfactory system, corticomedial parts of the amygdala, fields CA1–CA4 of the hippocampus, the ventromedial hypothalamus, and several brain stem nuclei. Moderate levels of CL-R2 mRNA were seen in the dorsolateral neostriatum. These results provide evidence that corticoliberin receptors of both subtypes are widespread in the brain. The different patterns of expression of CL-R1 and CL-R2 in the brain probably provide the basis for the functional specificity of action of corticoliberin in brain structures.     

Glial-vascular reactions to angiotensin II in the rat brain

Reactions of the glia and blood vessels in the sensomotor cortex of adult rats to intraperitoneal injection of angiotensin II were studied electron-microscopically. Repeated injections of the hormone led to edema of increasing severity of the astrocytes, constriction of the lumen of the capillaries, and changes in the structure of their endothelium. It is suggested that these disturbances may be the cause of the cerebrovascular insufficiency and of functional changes in the CNS.Laboratory of Morphology of the Central Nervous System and Laboratory of Experimental Pathology and Therapy of Higher Nervous Activity, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. S. Rusinov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 88, No. 11, pp. 615–617, November, 1979.     

Neuronal expression of Raf protooncogene in the brain stem of adult guinea pig

The Raf protooncogenes encode for cytoplasmic serine/threonine-specific protein kinases which can be activated via growth factor receptors by phosphorylation. Immunohistochemical and Western blotting studies have proven the existence of Raf protein kinases in neurons of the cerebral cortex of rats and guinea pigs. The aim of the present study was to map the immunohistochemical distribution of Raf kinase-like staining in the brain stem of guinea pig. Polyclonal antibodies were used that were raised against a recombinant viral protein in combination with the avidin-biotin-peroxidase system for detection of immunoreactivity. Specificity of the antibodies was tested in Western blotting experiments. Cytoplasmic immunostaining was observed in motor nuclei of hypoglossal, accessory, vagus, facial, trigeminal, abducent, oculomotor and trochlear nerves, and in the nucleus ambiguus, nucleus retroambigualis, lateral vestibular nucleus, mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, the red nucleus, raphe nuclei and reticular formation. Scattered neurons were stained in other sensory nuclei, such as solitary tract nuclei, medial, dorsal and ventral vestibular nuclei and cochlear nuclei. The spinal trigeminal nucleus and the main sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve contained few medium-sized immunoreactive cells. In general, staining was mainly somatodendritic; the axonal plexus was not positive. It is concluded, that the widespread neuronal appearance of cytoplasmic Raf kinase suggests an important role in transmission of trophic and growth factor signals in these neurons.     

甘氨酸对缺氧/复氧离体大鼠心脏功能的作用

目的：观察甘氨酸(glycine, GLY)对缺氧/复氧离体心脏功能的影响，探讨甘氨酸对心肌缺血-再灌注 (ischemia/reperfusion, I/R)损伤的防治作用及其机制。方法：利用Langendorff灌流装置复制心肌缺氧/复氧(hypoxia/reoxygenation, H/R)模型，观察不同浓度GLY处理后心脏左室收缩压（left ventricular systolic pressure, LVSP）、左室舒张末压（left ventricular end diastolic pressure, LVEDP）、左室发展压 (left ventricular developed pressure, LVDP=LVSP-LVEDP)、左室收缩压最大上升/下降速率(the maximum rising and dropping rates of left ventricular pressure, dp/dtmax and dp/dtmin)，并在相应的时点分别测定冠脉流出液中的超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase, SOD)活性和丙二醛(malondialdehyde, MDA)的水平。结果：H/R后各时点大鼠心功能各指标均低于缺氧前；GLY处理组复氧后心功能各指标均高于H/R组，并拮抗损伤导致的SOD减少和MDA升高。结论：一定浓度的GLY能显著改善缺氧/复氧心肌的舒缩功能，其机制可能与其提高SOD活性抑制脂质过氧化反应有关。     

长期慢性脑外伤大鼠脑线粒体功能的变化

研究长期慢性轻度脑外伤对大鼠脑线粒体功能的影响。大鼠连续1、5、10、15、20、25、30d轻度闭合性颅脑撞击后分离脑线粒体,测定线粒体肿胀度、膜流动性、膜磷脂含量、呼吸功能、线粒体呼吸酶、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)和Ca2 等指标以显示线粒体功能、抗氧化能力的变化。结果显示,第15、20、25、30d大鼠脑线粒体明显肿胀,膜磷脂降解,膜流动性下降,呼吸功能衰减,呼吸酶、SOD活性降低,Ca2 、MDA含量升高。由此认为,经常性头部撞击可造成大鼠脑线粒体功能受损,其机制可能与脑线粒体膜损伤后继发的自由基生成增加、脑线粒体能量代谢障碍有关。     

FK506 (tacrolimus) improves lung injury through inhibition of Fas-mediated inflammation

Objective To investigate whether FK506 (tacrolimus) can inhibit Fas- or A23187-induced interleukin (IL)-8 expression and cell death in A549 human alveolar epithelial cells, plus Fas-mediated acute lung injury in vivo. Methods Assays for IL-8, cell death, and caspase-3 activity were performed. A549 cells were treated with 25 μmol A23187 or 0.2 μg/ml agonistic anti-Fas antibody plus 5 ng/ml interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Tacrolimus was treated at 0.1–10 ng/ml. For in vivo experiment, agonistic anti-Fas antibody (Jo2) at 2.5 μg/g was intratracheally instilled into C57BL/6 mice. Neutrophils and protein contents in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were measured within 24 h of instillation. Mice were orally treated with 32 mg/kg of tacrolimus 24 h and 1 h prior to instillation. Results Both Fas and A23187 caused significant IL-8 expression and cell death in A549 cells. Tacrolimus inhibited A23187-induced IL-8 expression alone while it protected all Fas-mediated responses. Mice instilled intratracheally with Jo2 at 2.5 μg/g had significant increases in neutrophils, protein contents in BAL fluid and in expression of chemoattractants for neutrophils. These increases were reversed by tacrolimus. Conclusions Tacrolimus serves as a therapeutic option for improving lung injury through inhibition of Fas-mediated inflammation. Received 7 November 2005; returned for revision 28 December 2005; accepted by G. Wallace 2 February 2006     

内源性H2S在CCK-8减轻脂多糖所致急性肺损伤中的作用

目的：探讨内源性硫化氢(H₂S)在八肽胆囊收缩素(CCK-8)减轻脂多糖（LPS）所致急性肺损伤(ALI)中的作用。方法: 将84只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、LPS组（经气管内滴注LPS复制ALI）、NaHS(H₂S供体)+LPS组、炔丙基甘氨酸［胱硫醚-γ-裂解酶（CSE）抑制剂，PPG］+LPS组、CCK-8+LPS组、PPG+CCK-8+LPS组和CCK- 8组。给药后分别于4 h和8 h处死动物，测定肺湿/干比值；光镜观察肺组织形态学改变；化学法检测血浆H₂S含量，肺组织MDA含量、MPO活性和CSE活性；放免法检测肺组织P-selectin含量；RT-PCR检测肺组织CSE mRNA的表达；并行支气管肺泡灌洗，检测支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中蛋白含量。结果: 气管内滴注LPS可引起肺组织明显的形态学改变；肺湿/干比值、BALF中蛋白含量及肺组织MDA、MPO活性和P-selectin水平增高；血浆H2S含量、肺组织CSE活性及CSE mRNA表达下降。预先给予NaHS或CCK-8可显著减轻LPS所致的上述改变，且血浆H₂S含量、肺组织CSE活性及CSE mRNA表达高于相应的LPS组；预先给予PPG可加重LPS所致的肺损伤，而血浆H₂S含量、肺组织CSE活性及CSE mRNA表达分别低于相应的LPS组和CCK-8+LPS组。结论: CCK-8可通过内源性H₂S介导的抗氧化、抑制PMN黏附聚集等效应发挥减轻LPS所致肺损伤的作用。     

大鼠坐骨神经缺损半个月后人工组织神经移植物修复的实验研究

为了观察人工组织神经移植物对大鼠坐骨神经非新鲜损伤的修复作用。我们在成年SD大鼠左侧股中部切除部分坐骨神经制造神经缺损模型。15d后,实验组(9只)用人工组织神经移植物修复神经缺损,自体神经修复作为阳性对照(6只),保持神经缺损为阴性对照(6只)。第二次手术后3个月,电生理学、形态学结果显示实验组的再生神经虽略差于自体对照组,但明显优于缺损对照组,腓肠肌的萎缩形态学指标变化则较接近自体对照组。实验结果表明人工组织神经移植物对已缺损15d的大鼠周围神经具有较好修复作用。     

大鼠脊髓缺血再灌注损伤后caspase-12表达与细胞凋亡

目的:观察大鼠脊髓缺血再灌注损伤过程中细胞凋亡、caspase-12的表达变化规律,以探讨其分子机制。方法:采用自制压迫装置制备脊髓压迫缺血再灌注模型。运用形态学、分子生物学等方法,分别于缺血再灌注后3、7、11、23和47h,观察脊髓缺血再灌注损伤后,脊髓的病理变化和内质网的形态学改变、细胞凋亡及caspase-12的表达变化的规律。结果:脊髓缺血再灌注3h后,出现不同程度的细胞肿胀,神经元退行性变及内质网结构变化;随着再灌注时间的延长,神经元和神经胶质细胞凋亡数明显增加,并伴有caspase-12的表达增强;capspase-12表达与细胞凋亡的时空变化规律相一致。结论:在脊髓缺血再灌注过程中神经细胞凋亡是引起脊髓继发性损伤的主要病理因素,caspase-12可能参与了脊髓缺血再灌注损伤所导致的细胞凋亡。