Principal cells of the rat medial nucleus of the trapezoid body: an intracellular in vivo study of their physiology and morphology

The medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) is one of several principal nuclei in the superior olivary complex (SOC) of mammals. It is classically thought to function as a relay station between the contralateral ventral cochlear nucleus and the lateral superior olive (LSO), playing a role among those brainstem nuclei that are involved in binaural hearing. In order to characterise the physiology and morphology at the cellular level of the major neuronal component of the MNTB, the principal cells, we have analysed these neurons in rats in vivo using intracellular recordings and horseradish peroxidase-labelling. Our data demonstrate that MNTB principal cells, when being stimulated acoustically via the contralateral ear, show a phasic-tonic response with an onset latency of 3.5 ms and a suppression of their spontaneous activity following stimulus offset. These neurons have an axonal morphology whose complexity has not yet been described. All cells (n=10) projected exclusively ipsilaterally and had terminal axonal arbors in a variety of auditory brainstem nuclei. At least two and maximally seven auditory targets were innervated by an individual cell. Each cell projected into the LSO and the superior paraolivary nucleus (SPN). Additional projections that were intrinsic to the SOC were often observed in the lateral nucleus of the trapezoid body and in periolivary regions, with only one cell projecting into the medial superior olive. Most, if not all, MNTB principal cells also had projections that were extrinsic to the SOC, as their axons ascended into the lateral lemniscus. In two neurons the ascending axon formed terminal arbors in the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus, and the dorsal nucleus of the lateral lemniscus could be identified as a target of one neuron. The location of the cell bodies of the MNTB principal cells correlated with the neurons' best frequencies, thereby demonstrating a tonotopic organisation of the MNTB, with high frequencies being represented medially and low frequencies laterally. The axonal projections into the LSO and the SPN were also tonotopically organised and the alignment of the tonotopic axes was similar to that in the MNTB. Our results confirm previous data from other species and suggest that MNTB principal cells have a great amount of physiological and morphological similarities across mammalian species. Furthermore, the complexity of the axonal projections indicates that these neurons play a role in auditory information processing which goes far beyond their previously described classical role.     

Processing of binaural stimuli by cat superior olivary complex neurons

Summary A method was developed to record stereotactically from the cat Superior Olivary Complex (SOC) using glass micropipettes. Sound stimulation was given through a closed system that permitted independent variation of interaural time (time) and intensity (int) differences. The most common binaural units found (n = 34) were ipsilateral excitatory, contralateral inhibitory (EI¹), cells of the Lateral Superior Olive (LSO). Some Medial Superior Olive (MSO) cells and presumed MSO ascending afferents were found but, as noted by other authors, we found it difficult to obtain single unit recordings from this nucleus. The LSO EI cells were mostly sensitive to higher frequencies and showed Peristimulus Time Histograms (PSTHs) consisting of a sharp On response followed by a plateau when stimulated with Best Frequency (BF) tone bursts or noise bursts. This On response was sensitive to time and int such that ipsilateral time lead or intensity increase resulted in a stronger response. The response reached a minimum around zero time or int. No sharp peaks or dips were seen in the physiological range needed for localization, instead the response increased with increasing ipsilateral lead or intensity to the maximum values tested (2048 s time, 30 dB int). In the physiological range the time and int response were complementary (both increasing response as ipsilaterality was increased). Provided enough sound energy in the unit's sensitive region was present, the same time curves were produced when BF tone bursts, masked tone bursts, sharp onset tone bursts or noise bursts were used. Changing the time of the carrier of the tone burst alone had no effect (except for one cell with a BF of 560 Hz), only the relative time of arrival of the stimulus envelope seemed to be important. In contrast to these LSO EI cells MSO-type units showed EI or EE predominantly low frequency phase-locked responses. When stimulated with interaurally phase shifted (pha) BF tones the unit response was a cyclic function of pha. Some cells (all that were tested, n = 6 including the 560 Hz LSO EI cell) showed these cyclic responses when stimulated with noise bursts or non-BF tones. However, these characteristic delays were not necessarily in the physiological range, i.e. we could find no evidence that these units were responding to time/pha values corresponding to a particular sound source direction. In both LSO and MSO it seems that integration of information higher in the CNS from a population of these cells is necessary for unambiguous coding of sound source direction. The time intensity trading ratios measured in two MSO type cells (11 and 26 /dB) were clearly different to those measured in LSO EI cells (n = 6, 99–550 s/dB). These ratios correspond approximately to those of the psychophysical time and int images measured by Hafter and Jeffress (1968).Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 45)     

Contrasting effects of vasopressin,desglycinamide-vasopressin and amphetamine on a delayed matching to position task in rats

The effects of peripherally injected arginine vasopressin (AVP: 0–25 g/kg), its desglycinamide analogue (DGAVP: 0–25 g/kg), which is practically devoid of pressor activity, and d-amphetamine (AMP: 0–1.25 mg/kg) were studied using a delayed (0–32 s) matching to position task (Dunnett 1985). A limited hold for responding (20 s) was in operation. This task enables an accurate assessment of forgetting in rats. AVP reliably improved per cent correct performance, and this effect was substantiated by accuracy indices derived from signal detection theory (TSD). DGAVP, however, was inactive, suggesting that the parent peptide's pressor properties were responsible for its beneficial effects. AMP disrupted performance in a dose-related manner, and was the only substance to alter a TSD bias index (responsivity index, RI), indicating a degree of response repetition at the highest dose. These results are consistent with some earlier reports, and suggest that AVP may enhance memory by peripheral action, while AMP disrupts performance. Closer inspection of the data, however, suggested that the peptide reduced general responsiveness. A new index to measure bias (Sahgal 1987) suggested that AVP-treated subjects restricted their sample and choice responses to one side of the operant chamber, thereby achieving a spuriously high detection rate with few errors of commission (incorrect responses). It is concluded that AVP does not, after all, improve performance: on the contrary it has detrimental effects, and produces errors of omission (failure to respond).     

Electrophysiological investigations on the central innervation of the rat and guinea-pig pineal gland

Summary The possible influence of central nervous structures on the electrical activity of single pineal cells was investigated in rat and guinea-pig.In the rat electrical stimulation of the hippocampal formation elicited both single cell responses with different latencies and mostly long-term excitations in single pineal cells, while stimulation of the habenular nuclei caused clear orthodromical responses with different latencies, alterations in the rate of spontaneous electrical activity and evoked discharges of silent units.In the guinea-pig electrical stimulation of the paraventricular nucleus influenced predominantly cells in the deeper layers of the posterior part of the pineal gland. Electrical stimulation of both the superior and inferior colliculi elicited field potentials with a constant latency, indicating a functional relationship between the corpora quadrigemina and the pineal organ.Intrapineal stimulation and recording in the guinea-pig indicate functional connections between anterior and posterior parts of the pineal organ and that information can be conducted in both directions of the pineal axis.The data from the rat pineal gland are part of a thesis presented by St. Reuss in partial fulfillment for the degree of Dr. rer. nat. Preliminary data have been presented at the NATO Symposion The pineal gland and its endocrine role, Sicily 1982 (cf. Semm, 1983) and at the 6th European Neuroscience Congress, Malaga 1982 (cf. Reuss andSemm, 1982). — Financial support of the Stiftung Volkswagenwerk is gratefully acknowledged.     

自由体位分娩对自然分娩率和剖宫产率影响的临床观察

目的:观察自由体位分娩对不同分娩方式的影响。方法:选取94例来我院分娩的孕产妇为研究对象,按入院顺序将其分为两组,采取常规卧位分娩的为对照组,应用自由体位分娩的则为观察组。对比两组产妇的产程时间及分娩方式。结果:①产程时间方面,两组产妇第二、第三产程时间差异不明显(P>0.05),但观察组第一及总产程时间显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。②分娩方式方面,观察组自然分娩率要显著高于对照组,剖宫产率明显低于对照组,P<0.05。结论:通过采取自由体位的方式进行分娩,可缩短产程,降低剖宫产率。     

Social Inequalities in Changes in Diet in Adolescents during Confinement Due to COVID-19 in Spain: The DESKcohort Project

Adolescence is a critical period in the consolidation of healthy lifestyles that can last into adulthood. To analyze changes in food consumption and eating behaviors in high-school adolescents during the first confinement, a cross-sectional study was conducted at the end of confinement in Spain. Changes in the frequency or quantity of consumption of different types of food and food-related behaviors were analyzed. Socioeconomic and health-related variables were also considered. To determine whether dietary changes were related to socioeconomic position (SEP), Poisson regression models with robust variance were estimated. Overall, there were some changes towards a healthier diet such as an increase in fruit consumption (38.9%) and a decrease in the consumption of soft drinks (49.8%), sweets and pastries (39.3%), and convenience foods (49.2%). Some changes, however, were related to less healthy behaviors, such as a more irregular pattern of meal distribution (39.9%) or an increase in snacking between meals (56.4%). Changes towards less healthy eating were also related to students’ SEP. The risk of worsening the diet was found to be 21% higher in adolescents from a more disadvantaged SEP. Future public policies could be adapted to avoid increasing nutritional and health inequalities.     

科技论文中通信作者和末位作者重要性的比较

【目的】 试图解决论文作者署名中通信作者与末位作者谁是最重要的作者的问题。【方法】 以Science期刊为研究对象,收集该刊论文的作者署名信息和作者贡献声明信息,提取贡献要素并进行规范化分类,结合作者贡献声明和作者署名位置、署名角色进行比较分析。【结果】 在论文作者署名位置的分布中,末位作者通常同时是通信作者。在论文研究中,通信作者往往比末位作者发挥更重要的作用。对于不是通信作者的末位作者,其对研究的贡献往往较低。【结论】 结合作者贡献声明能够合理地判断作者的重要性。学术界对于作者署名位置应该有更加统一的认识,建议在科技期刊中推行作者贡献声明政策,完善学术期刊作者贡献声明规范。     

布-加综合征并上腔静脉阻塞的处理

目的　探讨合并上腔静脉病变的布 -加综合征 (BCS)的治疗方法。方法　 3例术前均经彩色Doppler及血管造影确诊。 1例行腔房人工血管旁路 ,1例行下腔静脉破膜及扩张(PTA) ,1例行PTA及内支架置入 ;3例中 ,1例上腔静脉血栓延续至双侧颈内静脉者行溶栓治疗 ,余 2例上腔静脉病变未予处理。结果　 3例下腔静脉压力变化 :术前分别为 2 .40kPa、2 .16kPa、3.5 3kPa(平均 2 .98± 0 .12kPa) ,术后降至 0 .98kPa、1.2 7kPa和 1.0 8kPa(平均 0 .74± 0 .15kPa ,P <0 .0 5 )。随访 3月至 11年 ,2例症状及体征完全消失 ,1例明显缓解 ,均恢复正常生活及工作。结论　介入治疗是该类BCS的首选方法 ,其并存的局限性上腔静脉病变可不预处理。     

大鼠中脑至上丘的传入投射

目的：研究大鼠中脑核团到上丘的传人纤维投射。方法：应用荧光金(FG)逆行追踪技术研究大鼠上丘传人纤维的中脑起源。结果：对侧上丘(SC),同侧下丘(IC),外侧丘系背侧核(dll),中央灰质(CG)和双侧黑质(SN),中脑深核(dpM),视束核(ot),二叠体旁核(pbg)观察到FG逆行标记细胞。结论：上丘存在复杂的纤维联系,参与多种生理活动。     

颈上交感神经节和单涎酸神经节苷脂联合移植抗帕金森病的实验研究

目的：观察颈上交感神经节（SCG）和单涎酸神经节苷酯（GM1）联合植入帕金森病（PD）大鼠脑内的抗PD效果及移植物的存活情况。方法：将用酶消化法制成的同种大鼠SCG细胞悬液和GM1立体定向植入PD大鼠损毁侧尾壳核内,比较单纯细胞移植组,联合移植组,上清液组和非移植组间及移植前,后诱发旋转行为的变化,移植6个月后移植区行组织学检查（HE,TH染色）。结果：两个实验组中的PD大鼠移植后的旋转行为较移植前和对照组明显改善,其中尤以联合移植组的旋转行为减少最为明显,而两个对照组的改善不明显,脑切片组织学观察可见实验组移植区内有存活良好的TH阳性细胞,联合移植组中的阳性细胞数目明显多于单纯细胞移植组。结论：1．GM1可提高SCG细胞在受体脑内的存活率,2．同种成年大鼠SCG细胞植入PD大鼠脑内可以存活,并可纠正PD大鼠的异常旋转行为。