Ancient gill and lung oscillators may generate the respiratory rhythm of frogs and rats

Though the mechanics of breathing differ fundamentally between amniotes and "lower" vertebrates, homologous rhythm generators may drive air breathing in all lunged vertebrates. In both frogs and rats, two coupled oscillators, one active during the inspiratory (I) phase and the other active during the preinspiratory (PreI) phase, have been hypothesized to generate the respiratory rhythm. We used opioids to uncouple these oscillators. In the intact rat, complete arrest of the external rhythm by opioid-induced suppression of the putative I oscillator, that is, pre-B?tzinger complex (PBC) oscillator, did not arrest the putative PreI oscillator. In the unanesthetized frog, the comparable PreI oscillator, that is, the putative buccal/gill oscillator, was refractory to opioids even though the comparable I oscillator, the putative lung oscillator, was arrested. Studies in en bloc brainstem preparations derived from both juvenile frogs and metamorphic tadpoles confirmed these results and suggested that opioids may play a role in the clustering of lung bursts into episodes. As the frog and rat respiratory circuitry produce functionally equivalent motor outputs during lung inflation, these data argue for a close homology between the frog and rat oscillators. We suggest that the respiratory rhythm of all lunged vertebrates is generated by paired coupled oscillators. These may have originated from the gill and lung oscillators of the earliest air breathers.     

Concentrations and ecological risks of metals in surface sediments of some coastal creeks in the Niger Delta,Nigeria

The concentrations of nine metals were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in surface sediments of three coastal creeks, namely, the Ifie, Egbokodo and Ubeji creeks, in the Niger Delta of Nigeria, from August 2012 to January 2013. The aim of the study was to provide information on the spatial and seasonal distribution patterns, degree of contamination, and ecological risks of metals in these sediments. The mean concentrations of the nine metals in these creek sediments ranged from 0.30 to 3.20?mg kg^?1 Cd; 10.7 to 24.7?mg kg^?1 Pb, 125 to 466?mg kg^?1 Cr; 3.1.10 to 14.9?mg kg^?1 Cu; 4.7 to 14.3?mg kg^?1 Co; 61.1 to 115?mg kg^?1 Ni; 106 to 183?mg kg^?1 Mn; 52.0 to 170?mg kg^?1 Zn and 5 469 to 20 639?mg kg^?1 Fe. In general, the metal concentrations were higher in the dry season than the wet season, except for Cr. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni and Zn were above their regulatory control limits in sediment as specified by the Nigerian Regulatory Authority and Cd was identified as the main ecological risk factor. The enrichment factors for the studied metals followed the order: Cd > Cr > Ni > Zn > Pb > Co > Mn > Cu. The average multiple pollution index values indicated that these sediments were severely polluted with significant inputs from Cd, Ni and Cr.     

A single linkage group comprising 11 polymorphic DNA markers on rat Chromosome 3

Eleven polymorphic DNA markers were mapped to rat Chromosome (Chr) 3 by linkage analysis of F₂ progeny of F344/N and LEW/N rat strains. The markers, including seven genes and four anonymous loci, formed a single linkage group covering approximately 112 cM with the following order: Ptgs1 (prostaglandin G/H synthase I)-D3Arb178-Scn2a (sodium channel, type II, -polypeptide)-D3Arb1-Cat (catalase)-Bdnf (brain-derived neurotrophic factor)-D3Arb219-D3Arb2-Sus2 (seminal vesicle secretion II protein)-Sdc4 (ryudocan/syndecan4)-Stnl (statin-like protein). Eight of these markers were analyzed for polymorphisms in 14 additional inbred rat strains. Three to five alleles were detected for each marker, suggesting that they are highly polymorphic and useful for genetic mapping studies with inbred rat strains. Chromosomal syntenic conservation among rats, mice and humans is also discussed.     

Neural organization of the ventilatory activity in the frog,Rana catesbeiana. I

In order to elucidate the neural basis for lung ventilation in the frog, we have investigated the efferent neural activity to oropharyngeal muscles in the decerebrate, paralyzed, unanesthetized bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana. Efferent motor output was recorded from the mandibular branch of the trigeminal (Vmd), the laryngeal branch of the vagus (Xl), and the main and sternohyoid branches of the hypoglossal nerve (Hm and Hsh, respectively). Two types of rhythmic bursting outputs were observed: (1) a high-frequency, low-amplitude, reciprocal oscillation between Vmd, a buccal levator nerve, and Hsh, a buccal depressor nerve; and (2) a low-frequency, high amplitude, synchronous bursting of Vmd, Hm, Hsh, and Xl. The first type is inferred to represent fictive oropharyngeal ventilation. The second type of burst was divided into four intervals: (a)augmenting acitivity of Hsh; (b) activation of Xl with continued activation of Hsh; (c) activation of Vmd and Hm (a buccal levator nerve), continued activation of Xl, and termination of Hsh activity; and (d) waning activity in Vmd and Hm associated with a prominent second wave in Xl. This coordinated activity is inferred to represent fictive pulmonary ventilation because the neurograms in these four intervals correspond closely EMGs and neurograms recorded in the intact frog during the four phases of pulmonary ventilation, namely, buccal depression, pulmonary expiration, pulmonary inspiration, and glottal closure. Hypercapnia, vagotomy, and cutaneus pinching enhanced the high-amplitude, low-frequency rhythm, but not the low-amplitude, high-frequency oscillation. Lung inflation generally inhibited the former and not the latter, but in some cases lung inflation stimulated pulmonary ventilation. We conclude that oropharyngeal and pulmonary ventilation of the frog are produced by one or, possibly, two intrinsically active generators. 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Stimulation of vagal C-fibers alters timing and distribution of respiratory motor output in cats

Pulmonary vascular congestion or pulmonary embolism in humans produces shallow tachypnea, and indirect experimental evidence suggests that this characteristic breathing pattern may result from activation of vagal unmyelinated afferents from the lung. We have investigated, in decerebrate cats, reflex changes in breathing pattern and in the activation of the diaphragm, posterior cricoarytenoid, and thyroarytenoid muscles caused by activating C-fiber afferents in the vagus nerve. The right vagus nerve was sectioned distal to the origin of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, eliminating vagal afferent traffic although preserving motor innervation of the larynx on that side. The left cervical vagus was stimulated electrically, and efferent activation of the laryngeal muscles was avoided by cutting the left recurrent laryngeal nerve. Transmission to the brain of vagal afferent traffic resulting from this stimulation was controlled by graded cold block of the nerve cranial to the site of application of the stimulus. Activation of C-fibers, when A-fibers were blocked, significantly decreased respiratory period and amplitude of diaphragm inspiratory burst. In addition, this selective activation of vagal C-fibers augmented postinspiratory activity of the diaphragm and recruited phasic expiratory bursts in the thyroarytenoid. We conclude that, in unanesthetized decerebrate cats, afferent traffic of vagal C-fibers initiates a pontomedullary reflex that increases respiratory frequency, decreases tidal volume, and augments braking of expiratory airflow.     

Assembly and disassembly of mammalian chromosome pellicle

By means of indirect double immunofluorescent staining,the coordination of PI antigen and perichromonucleolin(PCN),the constituent of nuclear periphery and nucleolus respectively,in the assembly and disassembly of chromosome pellicle during mitosis was studied.It was found that in 3T3 cells,during mitosis PI antigen began to coat the condensing chromosome surface earlier than PCN did.However,both of them completed their coating on chromosome at approximately the same stage of mitosis,prometaphase metaphase,The dissociation of mitosis,Prometaphase metaphase.The dissociation of PI antigen from chromosome pellicle to participate the formation of nuclear periphery took place also ahead of that of PCN,At early telophase PI antigen had been extensively involved in the formation of nuclear periphery,while PCN remained in association with the surface of decondensing chromosomes.At late telophase,when PI antigen was localized in an fairly well formed nuclear periphery,PCN was in a stage of forming prenucleolar bodies.     

Simulation of muscle and adipose tissue deformation in the passive human pharynx

Quantifying the contribution of passive mechanical deformation in the human pharynx to upper airway collapse is fundamental to understanding the competing biomechanical processes that maintain airway patency. This study uses finite element analysis to examine deformation in the passive human pharynx using an intricate 3D anatomical model based on computed tomography scan images. Linear elastic properties are assigned to bone, cartilage, ligament, tendon, and membrane structures based on a survey of values reported in the literature. Velopharyngeal and oropharyngeal cross-sectional area versus airway pressure slopes are determined as functions of Young's moduli of muscle and adipose tissue. In vivo pharyngeal mechanics for small deformations near atmospheric pressure are matched by altering Young's moduli of muscle and adipose tissue. The results indicate that Young's moduli ranging from 0.33 to 14 kPa for muscle and adipose tissue matched the in vivo range of area versus pressure slopes. The developed anatomical model and determined Young's moduli range are expected to be useful as a starting point for more complex simulations of human upper airway collapse and obstructive sleep apnea therapy.