庆大霉素对豚鼠内耳的组织病理学影响

运用扫描电镜观察肌注庆大霉素１５天及３０天后内耳组织病理变化，结果见耳蜗明显受损，螺旋器外毛细胞坏死较多，内毛细胞病变稍轻，壶腹嵴顶部感觉毛细胞纤毛破坏消失或融合，耳石器椭圆囊斑及球囊斑微纹区毛细胞受损较明显，纤毛缺失，粘连，边缘区病变较轻，耳石脱落，变性。实验对客观评价药物的耳毒作用提供了实验方法及形态学资料。     

谷氨酸对短声引起的豚鼠耳蜗电位的影响

近年来,电子显微镜研究揭示耳蜗毛细胞存在两种突触,一种是毛细胞特别是外毛细胞与耳蜗传出纤维(COCB)形成突触,另一种则是耳蜗传入神经纤维主要与内毛细胞(95％)形成突触。电刺激COCB,引起CM振幅增大,AP(N_1)振幅减小,目前已有工作证明耳蜗传出神经末梢与毛细胞之间的传递递质可能为乙酰胆碱(ACh),ACh耳蜗内灌流摸拟实验得到与电刺激COCB同样的效果。 然而,目前耳蜗传入突触递质为何物尚不清楚。最近,用催化萤光测量技术揭示,耳蜗内淋巴液中含有较多谷氨酸和天冬氨     

丁胺卡那霉素对豚鼠内耳毒性影响的组织病理学观察

通过全耳蜗铺片及前庭迷路取材，运用光镜和电镜观察豚鼠丁胺卡那霉素中毒后内耳的病理变化。结果见耳蜗明显受损，以底回为重。螺旋器外毛细胞坏死较多，而内毛细胞及支持细胞病变较轻。前庭椭圆囊耳后细碎，毛细胞纤毛粘连、脱落；壶腹嵴中央区纤毛也缺失。实验对客观评价了胺卡那霉素的内耳毒性及有效地预防其中毒性耳聋的发生提供了实验形态学资料。     

在大鼠大脑皮质发育过程中5—HT受体亚型的改变

５－ＨＴ灌流幼年组及成年组大鼠脑片。幼年组６６．７％额叶后部Ⅳ层神经元的兴奋性突触后电位（ＥＰＳＰ）幅度降低７３．９％，膜电位和膜电阻无变化；此作用为５－ＨＴ１β激动剂ＴＦＭＰＰ模拟，为５－ＨＴ１Ａ／１β拮抗剂ｐｉｎｄｏｌｏｌ阻抑；５－ＨＴ不降低低钙高镁液中谷氨酸钠的去极化反应。提示幼年期５－ＨＴ经突触前膜５－ＨＴ１β受体抑制突触传递。５－ＨＴ灌流使成年组６０．９％神经ＥＰＳＰ降低３６．２％，伴随     

突触前受体与神经传递的调节

神经递质与效应细胞上的受体结合,通过一系列生物化学反应和生物物理的变化而改变突触后膜的机能状态。递质的合成、释放以及与突触后膜受体的结合和失活等过程是神经信息通过突触传递的基础。关于神经末梢递质的释放,直到最近还认为是仅决定于动作电位的频率。近十年来许多实验证明在神经末梢还有突触前受体的存在。无论     

丁胺卡那霉素与庆大霉素、生理盐水对平衡器影响的扫描电镜观察比较

用扫描电镜,光镜对注射丁胺卡那霉素与庆大霉素、生理盐水的豚鼠平衡器的结构进行观察.结果表明:丁胺卡那霉素对平衡器的毒性作用比庆大霉素小.丁胺卡那霉素与庆大霉素对平衡器的损害以壶腹嵴和椭圆囊斑损伤较重,球囊斑较轻,以嵴顶和位觉斑的中央区严重,损害严重时波及周围部分,耳石的改变早于感觉毛细胞.     

大鼠孤束核内5－羟色胺能轴突终末的突触联系

用顺行演变与免疫组织化学结合的双标技术，电镜下观察大鼠孤束核内５－羟色胺样免疫反应（５－ＨＴ－ＬＩ）轴突终末的突触联系，特别是与迷走神经初级传入（溃变）终末的关系。发现：１．５－ＨＴ－ＬＩ轴突终末和迷走神经初级传入终末终止于同一个树突形成轴－树突触；２．５－ＨＴ－ＬＩ轴突终末与树突形成轴－树突触；３．５－ＨＴ－ＬＩ轴突终末与迷走神经初级传入终末或非标记的轴突终未形成轴一轴相贴（ａｘｏ－ａｘｏｎｉｃ－ｃｏｎｔａｃｔ）。以上结果提示，孤束核内的５－ＨＴ能神经成分可能通过突触后、突触前机制调控经迷走神经传入的信息。     

在新型成年大鼠纵切脊髓片上骶髓后连合核神经元的盲膜片钳全细胞记录(英文)

本文介绍了一种新型的成年大鼠（5－8周龄）纵切脊髓片模型．此模型与传统的横切脊髓片的不同之处是可带有多条长达10mm的后根．在体视显微镜下骶髓后连合该（DCN）为一条透明的灰质带，极易与后角其它部位区分，因此最适合于对DCN神经元的研究．应用盲膜片钳全细胞记录法，在此模型上研究了DCN神经元自发的和后根刺激诱发的兴奋性突触后电位（EPSPs）．自发的和后根刺激诱发的快EPSPs主要由非NMDA谷氨酸受体介导；后根刺激诱发的促EPSPs由NMDA受体（或／和）P物质受体介导．此模型可用于初级传入信息在DCN内的突触传递机理以及相邻阶段间初级传入信息的相互作用的研究。     

骶髓后连合核接受盆内脏伤害性信息传入的形态学证明

为阐明投射至骶髓后连合核的盆内脏初级传入中是否含有传递伤害性信息成分，本研究综合运用特异性标记初级传入Ｃ纤维的ＢＳＩ－Ｂ４－ＨＲＰ跨节追踪技术，神经干局部涂抹Ｃ纤维毒素ＣａＰｓａｉｃｉｎ并结合ＳＰ免疫组化方法，研究了猫投射至骶髓后连合核的盆神经初级传入纤维中是否含有传递伤害性刺激的成分；同时观察了秋水仙素处理的骶２后根节内ＢＳＩ－Ｂ４标记的初级传入神经元与ＳＰ免疫阳性神经元的关系。结果如下：（１）向盆神经注入ＢＳＩ－Ｂ４－ＨＲＰ，骶１～３后根节内出现平均直径３４μｍ的标记细胞，后连合核内出现密集的标记终末，电镜下证明通过Ｌｉｓｓａｕｅｒ氏束进入脊髓内的标记纤维均为无髓纤维；（２）对盆神经进行局部Ｃａｐｓａｉｃｉｎ处理，引起后连合核内的ＳＰ免疫阳性纤维和终末明显减少；（３）骶２后根节内ＢＳＩ－Ｂ４－ＦＩＴＣ标记细胞有１７％同时呈ＳＰ免疫阳性；（４）骶２后根节内ＢＳＩ－Ｂ４－ＨＲＰ标记的盆内脏初级传人神经元的３９％同时呈ＳＰ免疫阳性。本研究结果在形态学上证实了骶髓后连合核接受盆腔内脏伤害性信息的传入，它可能是中继和整合盆内脏伤害性信息的低级中枢。     

大鼠脊髓后角内甲啡肽标记及非标记结构与C纤维间关系的免疫电镜研究

向大鼠蛛网膜下腔注射辣椒素导致一级传入纤维中的Ｃ纤维变性后，用免疫电镜技术在大鼠脊髓后角浅层内观察到：（１）大量含甲啡肽的轴突终末与未标记树突（或棘）形成对称性（少数为非对称性）突触；（２）含甲啡肽的轴突终未与变性终末共同会聚于同一甲啡肽阴性树突；（３）少量含甲啡肽轴突终末与变性终末间形成轴－轴突触或接触；（４）变性终末与含甲啡肽的树突形成非对称性轴－树突触；（５）甲啡肽阴性轴突终末与变性终末会聚于同一未标记树突并与变性终末间形成轴－轴突触或接触．以上结果表明，在脊髓后角内，脑啡肽除主要以突触后抑制方式调节Ｃ纤维传入外，也可通过轴－轴突触或接触对Ｃ纤维传入进行突触前抑制；非甲啡肽能神经元也能对Ｃ纤维传入进行突出后又突触前抑制．此外，Ｃ纤维在脊髓后角内可通过兴奋性轴－树突触直接影响甲啡肽能中间神经元的活性．     

Immunocytochemical localization of the GTP-binding protein G0 alpha in the vestibular epithelium and ganglion of the guinea-pig

Summary The guanine nucleotide binding protein G₀ alpha was immunolocalized in the guinea-pig vestibular system by confocal and electron microscopy. The vestibular sensory epithelia consist of the macula utriculi, macula sacculi and cristae ampullaris of the semicircular canals. Two types of hair cells are present in these epithelia. Type I hair cells are surrounded by an afferent nerve calyx that receives efferent innervation and type II hair cells are innervated directly by the afferent and efferent nerves. G₀ alpha protein was observed on the inner face of the afferent calyceal membrane surrounding type I hair cells and in nerve endings in contact with type II hair cells. No labelling was found in the stereocilia and cuticular plate of type I and type II hair cells whereas the cytoplasmic matrix displayed a diffuse labelling. The plasma membrane of the supporting cells showed discreet labelling in the confocal microscope that are still confirmed by electron microscopy. A positive reaction was also observed along the plasma membrane of the vestibular ganglion neurons. Immunoblotting with affinity-purified polyclonal rabbit antibodies selective for the 39 kDa alpha subunit of G₀ indicated that G₀ alpha protein was present in both the vestibular ganglion. That G₀ alpha labelling was observed in the cytoplasm of vestibular hair cells and in nerve endings contacting hair cells suggests that G₀ may be involved in the modulation of vestibular neurotransmission.     

Comparative study of ultrastructures of the lateral-line organs and the palatal taste organs in the African clawed toad,Xenopus laevis

The fine structure of the lateral-line organ and the palatal taste organ in the African clawed toad, Xenopus laevis, was examined by means of electron microscopy. The lateral-line organ consisted of hair and accessory cells. The apical surface of a hair cell was studded with one kinocilium and 20 to 40 stereocilia. Synaptic bodies and subsynaptic cisternae were found in the cytoplasm of a hair cell adjacent to the synaptic contacts with the afferent and the efferent nerve endings, respectively. Crystalline bodies were observed in both the nucleoplasm and the cytoplasm of almost all hair cells. The palatal taste organ consisted of three types of cells: the taste, sustentacular, and the Merkel cells. The taste cells contained numerous dense-cored vesicles which accumulated in close association with both the afferent synapses and the basal plasma membrane. The possibility was raised from the ultrastructural results that these vesicles had dual functions as both neurotransmitter and hormone. The existence of Merkel cells in the palatal taste organ suggested that this organ might function not only as a chemoreceptor but also as a mechanoreceptor. In spite of possible chemosensory function of the lateral-line organ in Xenopus, its ultrastructure was significantly different from that of the typical gustatory organ, the palatal taste organ, in this animal.     

Are there efferent synapses in fish taste buds?

In fish, nerve fibers of taste buds are organized within the bud's nerve fiber plexus. It is located between the sensory epithelium consisting of light and dark elongated cells and the basal cells. It comprises the basal parts and processes of light and dark cells that intermingle with nerve fibers, which are the dendritic endings of the taste sensory neurons belonging to the cranial nerves VII, IX or X. Most of the synapses at the plexus are afferent; they have synaptic vesicles on the light (or dark) cells side, which is presynaptic. In contrast, the presumed efferent synapses may be rich in synaptic vesicles on the nerve fibers (presynaptic) side, whereas the cells (postsynaptic) side may contain a subsynaptic cistern; a flat compartment of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. This structure is regarded as a prerequisite of a typical efferent synapse, as occurring in cochlear and vestibular hair cells. In fish taste buds, efferent synapses are rare and were found only in a few species that belong to different taxa. The significance of efferent synapses in fish taste buds is not well understood, because efferent connections between the gustatory nuclei of the medulla with taste buds are not yet proved.     

Ultrastructural observations of efferent terminals in the crista Ampullaris of the toadfish,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> opsanus tau</Emphasis>

The present study was conducted to visualize the ultrastructural features of vestibular efferent boutons in the oyster toadfish, Opsanus tau. The crista ampullaris of the horizontal semicircular canal was processed for and examined by routine transmission electron microscopy. The results demonstrate that such boutons vary in size and shape, and contain a heterogeneous population of lucent vesicles with scattered dense core vesicles. Efferent contacts with hair cells are characterized by local vesicle accumulations in the presynaptic terminal and a subsynaptic cistern in the postsynaptic region of the hair cell. Serial efferent to hair cell to afferent synaptic arrangements are common, particularly in the central portion of the crista. However, direct contacts between efferent terminals and afferent neurites were not observed in our specimens. The existence of serial synaptic contacts, often with a row of vesicles in the efferent boutons lining the efferent-afferent membrane apposition, suggests that the efferent influence on the crista may involve both synaptic and nonsynaptic, secretory mechanisms. Further, it is suggested that differences in more subtle aspects of synaptic architecture and/or transmitter and receptor localization and interaction may render the efferent innervation of the peripheral crista less effective in influencing sensory processing.An erratum to this article can be found at     

Early innervation and differentiation of hair cells in the vestibular epithelia of mouse embryos: SEM and TEM study

Summary Early afferent innervation and differentiation of sensory vestibular cells were studied in mouse embryos from gestation day (GD) 13 to 16. Afferent neurites were found as early as GD 13 in the epithelium when there were no clearly differentiated sensory cells. By GD 14 the earliest sensory cells which exhibited short hair bundles at their luminal pole were then contacted by afferent endings at their basal part. On GD 15 nerve endings establishing specialized synaptic contacts, characterized by asymmetrical membrane densities and synaptic bodies, were observed. At this stage, microtubules contacting the presynaptic membranes, as well as coated vesicles were found. On GD 16 the hair cells were multi-afferented and numerous synaptic bodies were found. These results showing a concomitance between the hair cell differentiation and the establishment of nerve contacts are discussed with particular respect to nerv-hair cell interactions during sensory differentiation. This study does not point to a primary induction of vestibular hair cell differentiation by nerve endings, but it is consistent with the possibility that the ingrowth of nerve fibers is one of many factors that influence the differentiation of receptor cells. With respect to synapse formation, it is assumed that the location of synaptic bodies at presynaptic densities is determined by the arrival of afferent nerve endings.     

Ultrastructural observations of efferent terminals in the crista Ampullaris of the toadfish,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> opsanus tau</Emphasis>

The present study was conducted to visualize the ultrastructural features of vestibular efferent boutons in the oyster toadfish, Opsanus tau. The crista ampullaris of the horizontal semicircular canal was processed for and examined by routine transmission electron microscopy. The results demonstrate that such boutons vary in size and shape, and contain a heterogeneous population of lucent vesicles with scattered dense core vesicles. Efferent contacts with hair cells are characterized by local vesicle accumulations in the presynaptic terminal and a subsynaptic cistern in the postsynaptic region of the hair cell. Serial efferent to hair cell to afferent synaptic arrangements are common, particularly in the central portion of the crista. However, direct contacts between efferent terminals and afferent neurites were not observed in our specimens. The existence of serial synaptic contacts, often with a row of vesicles in the efferent boutons lining the efferent-afferent membrane apposition, suggests that the efferent influence on the crista may involve both synaptic and nonsynaptic, secretory mechanisms. Further, it is suggested that differences in more subtle aspects of synaptic architecture and/or transmitter and receptor localization and interaction may render the efferent innervation of the peripheral crista less effective in influencing sensory processing.The online version of the original article can be found at

---

This revised version was published online in May 2005. The preceding version was showing a false article.     

A transmission and scanning electron microscopic study of the saccule in five species of catfishes

The sacculi of five species of catfishes were studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. In four species, the sagitta exhibited a multifluted anterior part and a tapered posterior part; in Corydoras aeneus, however, the fluted part was absent, and a vertical component extended dorsally to terminate near the opening of the transverse canal. In all species, the otoliths had a laminar structure. An otolithic membrane was present, and hair cell bundles projected into cavities on the macular surface of the membrane. Attachments of the otolithic membrane to the neuroepithelium included short extensions of the membrane to the tallest components of the hair cell bundles of the peripheral cells and more delicate connections to the kinocilium and taller stereocilia of central cells; in addition, attachments to the microvilli of supporting cells were present. In both hair cells and supporting cells single microtubules and bundles of microtubules were present; the bundles had an orderly arrangement and were associated with cytoplasmic densities surrounding the desmosomes. The hair cells were innervated by both afferent and efferent nerve endings. Studies of the polarization of the hair cells in all species (except C. aeneus) showed that there was a single longitudinal axis that divided dorsally polarized cells from those oriented ventrally. In Doras spinosissimus and Bunocephalus bicolor, an additional line of polarization was evident in a small area in the anterior part of the macula; therefore, in these forms there was a double bipolar orientation.     

The growth of cochlear fibers and the formation of their synaptic endings in the avian inner ear: a study with the electron microscope

The developmental sequence of nerve-epithelial cell contacts, leading up to the formation of the mature receptoneuronal synapse, has been studied in the basilar papilla of chick embryos with electron microscopy. The receptor epithelium before innervation, on embryonic days 3-4, consists of a homogeneous population of primitive cells; hair cells and supporting cells cannot be distinguished. During innervation of the epithelium (embryonic days 5-7), the invading peripheral fibers of cochlear ganglion cells penetrate the basal lamina and form nerve-epithelial attachments with the epithelial cell bases. Once within the epithelium some fibers turn and spread in the transverse dimension across the basilar papilla through channels formed between the basal epithelial processes. Subsequently, nerve-epithelial attachments are observed more superficially within the epithelium. Hair cells and supporting cells differentiate during early synaptogenesis (embryonic days 8-9). Receptoneural synapses, possibly derived from the nerve-epithelial attachments formed during the innervation stage, are first seen during this period. They are characterized by symmetrical or asymmetrical membrane densities, separated by a cleft containing a dense material. At many of these junctions synaptic bodies, as well as dense-cored and coated vesicles, gather in the hair cells. During mid-synaptogenesis (embryonic days 11-13) the hair cells proliferate synaptic bodies, many of which are not located at receptoneural junctions. The preterminal portions of the sensory endings form large swellings, containing flocculent material, endoplasmic reticulum and vesicles. Late in synaptogenesis (embryonic days 15-17) the swellings disappear, while synaptic endings are transformed to foot-shaped terminals. In the hair cells, synaptic bodies not associated with junctions disappear. Efferent synapses are first seen during this period. This sequence of ultrastructural changes, which the developing sensory nerve endings and their target cells undergo in parallel, can be correlated with observations of Golgi preparations from a companion study. These correlations suggest that the innervation of the cochlea involves the following developmental processes. Initially the peripheral fibers of the ganglion cells grow directly toward the otocyst in fascicles. Having reached the base of the primitive receptor epithelium, the axonal endings, including some with growth cones, encounter a barrier in the basal lamina. When they enter some of the fibers attach to the basal end-feet of the primitive epithelial cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Fine structure of the afferent synapse of the hair cells in the saccular macula of the goldfish, with special reference to the anastomosing tubules

Summary The fine structure of the afferent synapse has been studied in the hair cells of the goldfish saccular macula.A spherical dense body which is surrounded by synaptic vesicles is observed in association with the presynaptic membrane. An alternating, parallel arrangement of dense bars and of rows of synaptic vesicles is observed on the presynaptic membrane beneath the dense body. Each row consists of five to six immediately available synaptic vesicles, and five to six such rows of vesicles are observed per synapse.Sometimes anastomosing tubules are found around the dense body. The tubules are formed by direct infolding of the plasma membrane. Many coated vesicles are found at the periphery of the anastomosing tubules.A possible role of the anastomosing tubules in the turnover of the synaptic vesicle membrane is discussed.     

Synaptogenesis in the basilar papilla of the chick

Summary Synaptogenesis was studied in the basilar papilla of chicken embryos from days 7–21 of incubation. On the 9th day of incubation differentiating hair cells first appeared and a few growing nerve tips made contact with them, although no membrane specializations were apparent at this stage. Synaptic bodies associated with presynaptic membrane specializations were first observed on the 10th day. They lay opposite either supporting cells or afferent nerve processes; in the latter site slight membrane thickenings were occasionally found. During subsequent stages synaptic bodies and the surrounding vesicles increased in number. Synaptic bodies associated with presynaptic membrane specializations, but devoid of contact with afferent nerve endings, were often observed on the 14th day, whereas almost all the synaptic bodies associated with presynaptic specializations were in contact with afferent nerve processes by the 21st day. The efferent synapses were first recognized on the 14th day. These results suggest that in the hair cells of chicken basilar papilla the synaptic bodies and presynaptic membrane specializations appear first and after the synaptic sites are determined by the position of the synaptic bodies, the growing nerve tips seek out and establish synaptic contact at the pre-existing synaptic sites.