Hypoprolactinemic Action of Calcitonin and the Tuberoinfundibular Dopaminergic System

Abstract: The effects of calcitonin on neurochemical parameters related to the tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic system have been investigated in an attempt to elucidate how calcitonin decreases serum prolactin levels. Intracerebroventricular human or salmon calcitonin injection decreases serum prolactin, medial basal hypothalamic dopamine (DA) and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and hypophysial DA and increases hypophysial DOPAC. Results suggest that calcitonin may decrease prolactin secretion via the tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic system.     

Protein Kinases Are Involved in Prolonged Acetylcholine Release from Rat Hippocampus Induced by Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogue NS-3

Abstract: The effects of various protein kinase inhibitors on acetylcholine release from the rat hippocampus induced by the local application of NS-3 (montirelin hydrate, CG-3703), a thyrotropin-releasing hormone analogue, into the medial septum-diagonal band were examined using in vivo microdialysis. Perfusion of NS-3 (1 µ M ) into the medial septum-diagonal band for 20 min produced a pronounced and prolonged increase in the hippocampal acetylcholine efflux. Pretreatment of the medial septum-diagonal band with either K-252a, a nonselective protein kinase inhibitor, or selective protein kinase A inhibitor H-89 almost completely blocked the acetylcholine efflux evoked by NS-3, and selective protein kinase C inhibitor calphostin C inhibited the action of NS-3. On the other hand, NS-3 (0.1–10 µ M ) or TRH (1–100 µ M ) increased the cyclic AMP efflux from the medial septum-diagonal band in a concentration-dependent manner, as measured by microdialysis. These findings suggest that protein kinases A and C in the neurons of the medial septum-diagonal band are involved in the mechanism of the prolonged stimulation of acetylcholine release from the hippocampus induced by thyrotropin-releasing hormone and its analogue, NS-3.     

Distribution of Preproatrial Natriuretic Peptide mRNA in Rat Brain Detected by In Situ Hybridization of DNA Oligonucleotides: Enrichment in Hypothalamic and Limbic Regions

The expression and distribution of mRNA encoding preproatrial natriuretic peptide (ppANP) in rat brain has been investigated by in situ hybridization of two 35S-labeled synthetic DNA oligonucleotides, based on a cDNA clone sequence that encodes rat ppANP. The highest relative concentrations of ppANP mRNA were detected in the medial preoptic hypothalamic nucleus ("anteroventral/third ventricle region") and the medial habenula. Moderate concentrations of ppANP mRNA were observed in the CA1 pyramidal cells of the hippocampus, the endopiriform nucleus, the arcuate nucleus, the zona incerta, and cells of the pontine tegmental and peduculopontine nuclei. Several of these regions, including the habenula and the hypothalamic areas, have previously been reported to contain atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-like immunoreactivity, but the expression of ppANP mRNA in CA1 pyramidal cells suggests the occurrence of differential translation of ppANP mRNA into protein product in different brain regions, or the existence of different immunological forms of the peptide. The abundance of ppANP mRNA in brain was relatively low in comparison with that previously reported for many other mRNA species encoding other brain neuropeptides. These results demonstrate that ANP gene expression occurs in discrete neuronal populations of the CNS and that studies of the regulation of this expression should now be possible using quantitative in situ hybridization.     

Effects of Frequency and Pattern of Medial Forebrain Bundle Stimulation on Caudate Dialysate Dopamine and Serotonin

In vivo microdialysis was employed to detect changes in extracellular dopamine and serotonin in the rat caudate in response to electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle. Extracellular dopamine concentrations increased linearly as a function of the frequency (4-33 Hz) of evenly spaced stimuli in both the presence and absence of cocaine added to the dialysate. Because dopamine neurons are known to fire in single-spike and burst patterns, stimulation pulses were also delivered in a bursting pattern. The response of extracellular dopamine was augmented in both the presence and absence of cocaine when the same number of stimuli were delivered in bursts as compared to an evenly spaced pattern. Serotonin, which was only assessed in the presence of cocaine, similarly increased linearly with frequency, but, in contrast to the dopamine response, levels of serotonin were not augmented by stimuli presented in bursts. These results suggest that microdialysis can be used to detect physiological changes in synaptic transmitter concentrations.     

空心钉加内侧支撑钢板与单纯空心钉治疗PauwelsⅢ型股骨颈骨折的疗效比较研究

目的:比较PauwelsⅢ型股骨颈骨折分别经单纯空心钉、空心钉加内侧支撑钢板治疗的临床疗效。方法:回顾性分析2016年3月～2019年2月期间收治的113例PauwelsⅢ型股骨颈骨折患者的临床资料,根据手术方式分为A组(n=55,单纯空心钉内固定治疗)和B组(n=58,空心钉加内侧支撑钢板治疗),比较两组患者围术期指标、髋关节功能、术后疼痛及复位质量,记录两组患者随访期间并发症发生情况。结果:B组术中出血量多于A组,手术时间长于A组(均P0.05);B组骨折愈合时间、完全负重时间短于A组(P0.05)。两组患者术后3个月、术后6个月髋关节Harrris评分呈升高趋势,视觉模拟评分量表(VAS)评分呈下降趋势(P0.05);B组术后3个月、术后6个月髋关节Harrris评分高于A组,VAS评分则低于A组(P0.05)。与术后3 d相比,A组患者术后6个月正位、侧位Garden指数降低(P0.05);B组术后6个月正位、侧位Garden指数评分高于A组(P0.05)。B组并发症发生率低于A组(P0.05)。结论:与单纯空心钉内固定治疗PauwelsⅢ型股骨颈骨折相比,空心钉加内侧支撑钢板虽然术中出血量多,手术时间略长,但其术后恢复效果更佳,且并发症发生率更低,临床应用价值较高。     

Relationship between resting medial gastrocnemius stiffness and drop jump performance

Although the influence of the series elastic element of the muscle–tendon unit on jump performance has been investigated, the corresponding effect of the parallel elastic element remains unclear. This study examined the relationship between the resting calf muscle stiffness and drop jump performance. Twenty-four healthy men participated in this study. The shear moduli of the medial gastrocnemius and the soleus were measured at rest as an index of muscle stiffness using ultrasound shear wave elastography. The participants performed drop jumps from a 15 cm high box. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationships between shear moduli of the muscles and drop jump performance. The medial gastrocnemius shear modulus showed a significant correlation with the drop jump index (jump height/contact time) (r = 0.414, P = 0.044) and jump height (r = 0.411, P = 0.046), but not with contact time (P > 0.05). The soleus shear modulus did not correlate with these jump parameters (P > 0.05). These results suggest that the resting medial gastrocnemius stiffness can be considered as one of the factors that influence drop jump performance. Therefore, increase in resting muscle stiffness should enhance explosive athletic performance in training regimens.     

Effects of running water on brainstem lateral line responses in trout,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>, to sinusoidal wave stimuli

We investigated how single units in the medial octavolateralis nucleus of the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, respond to a 50-Hz vibrating sphere in still and running water. Four types of units were distinguished. Type MI units (N=16) were flow-sensitive; their ongoing discharge rates either increased or decreased in running water, and as a consequence, responses of these units to the vibrating sphere were masked if the fish was exposed to water flow. Type MII units (N=7) were not flow-sensitive; their ongoing discharge rates were comparable in still and running water, and thus their responses to the vibrating sphere were not masked. Type MIII units (N=7) were also not flow-sensitive; nevertheless, their responses to the vibrating sphere were masked in running water. Type MIV units (N=14) were flow-sensitive, but their responses to the vibrating sphere were not masked. Our data confirm previous findings in the goldfish, Carassius auratus, indicating that the organization of the peripheral lateral line is reflected to a large degree in the medial octavolateralis nucleus. We compare data from goldfish and trout and discuss differences with respect to lateral line morphology, lifestyle and habitat of these species.Abbreviations CN canal neuromast - MON medial octavolateralis nucleus - SN superfical neuromast - a.c. alternating current - d.c. direct current     

Rapid glucocorticoid stimulation and GABAergic inhibition of hippocampal serotonergic response: in vivo dialysis in the lizard anolis carolinensis

Central serotonin (5-HT) is activated during stressful situations and aggressive interactions in a number of species. Glucocorticoids secreted peripherally during stressful events feed back on central systems and may affect 5-HT mediation of stress-induced behavioral events. To test the neuromodulatory effect of stress hormone secretion, serotonin overflow was measured from the hippocampus of the lizard Anolis carolinensis. Microdialysis was used to collect repeated samples from anesthetized lizards, with perfusate measured by HPLC with electrochemical analysis. Following initially high levels of 5-HT, concentrations stabilized to basal levels after approximately 2 h. Intracortical infusion of 200 ng/ml corticosterone evoked transient increases in 5-HT release of approximately 400%. The effect of corticosterone on 5-HT overflow appears to be dose dependent as 20 ng/ml stimulated an increase of 200%, whereas 2 ng/ml stimulated a 50% increase. Administration of 0.1 and 1 ng/ml GABA via the dialysis probe significantly inhibited 5-HT overflow by 20 and 40%, respectively. The duration of GABA inhibition is greater than the stimulatory response for glucocorticoids. Short-lived glucocorticoid stimulation of 5-HT release suggests a possible mechanism for endocrine mediation of continuously changing social behavioral events.     

Three-dimensional pore space quantification of apple tissue using X-ray computed microtomography

The microstructure and the connectivity of the pore space are important variables for better understanding of the complex gas transport phenomena that occur in plant tissues. In this study, we present an experimental procedure for image acquisition and image processing to quantitatively characterize in 3D the pore space of apple tissues (Malus domestica Borkh.) for two cultivars (Jonagold and Braeburn) taken from the fleshy part of the cortex using X-ray computer microtomography. Preliminary sensitivity analyses were performed to determine the effect of the resolution and the volume size (REV, representative elementary volume analysis) on the computed porosity of apple samples. For comparison among cultivars, geometrical properties such as porosity, specific surface area, number of disconnected pore volumes and their distribution parameters were extracted and analyzed in triplicate based on the 3D skeletonization of the pore space (medial axis analysis). The results showed that microtomography provides a resolution at the micrometer level to quantitatively analyze and characterize the 3D topology of the pore space in apple tissue. The computed porosity was confirmed to be highly dependent of the resolution used, and the minimum REV of the cortical flesh of apple fruit was estimated to be 1.3 mm³. Comparisons among the two cultivars using a resolution of 8.5 μm with a minimum REV cube showed that in spite of the complexity and variability of the pore space network observed in Jonagold and Braeburn apples, the extracted parameters from the medial axis were significantly different (P-value < 0.05). Medial axis parameters showed potential to differentiate the microstructure between the two evaluated apple cultivars.