Sexual Dimorphism in the Effect of Neonatal Inflammatory Pain on Stress Reactivity of Hormonal Response and Cognitive Functions in Adult Rats

Journal of Evolutionary Biochemistry and Physiology - The effect of moderate neonatal stress induced by inflammatory pain in rat pups of both sexes on the hormonal response and cognitive processes...     

Hormonal Initiation of Parental Behavior in Inexperienced Ring Doves1

Männliche, brutunerfahrene Lachtauben wurden durch Injektion von Fortpflanzungshormonen zum Brüten und Füttern von Jungen gebracht. Mit Progesteron allein behandelte ♂♂ brüteten; solche, die dazu auch Prolactin erhalten hatten, brüteten und fütterten. Sehr wenig fütterten allein mit Progesteron oder einer Kontrollflüssigkeit behandelte; Prolactin allein führte weder zum Brüten noch zum Füttern. Es scheint, daß individuelle Erfahrung die verhaltens-motivierende Wirkung des Progesteron ersetzen kann.     

Hormonal Modulation of Cyclic Melatonin Production in the Pineal Gland of Rats and Syrian Hamsters: Effects of Thyroidectomy or Thyroxine Implant

Night-time pineal levels of tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan, serotonin, N-acetylserotonin, melatonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and the activities of the two enzymes N-acetyltransferase and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase involved in the cyclic production of melatonin were determined in male albino rats and Syrian hamsters that were implanted with thyroxine or thyroidectomized two weeks earlier. Both treatments depressed nocturnal pineal melatonin content in rats and hamsters. The cause of this depression is not known, although minor alterations in the substrates and the enzymes involved in melatonin production were observed. The data suggest that alterations in thyroid hormone levels may increase the release of nocturnal melatonin from the pineal, thereby allowing less to accumulate in the gland.     

Hormonal Modulation of Citrus Responses to Flooding

In this work, variations in endogenous levels of several hormones were measured in citrus under conditions of continuous flooding following a time-course design. The use of three genotypes differing in their ability to tolerate waterlogging has allowed the discrimination between common and specific hormonal responses. Data suggest an essential involvement of the aerial part in the regulation of tolerance to flooding, whereas in roots more general responses were detected. The progressive increase in leaf abscisic acid (ABA) correlating with the different tolerance of genotypes confirms the involvement of this hormone in plant responses to stress. The late increase in 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, concomitant with severe leaf injury, points to ethylene as a promoter of leaf senescence in citrus. Leaf putrescine increased in all flooded genotypes, suggesting a general protective role, whereas a higher protective ability of spermidine and spermine was enforced by their exclusive accumulation in the sensitive genotype. Leaf jasmonic acid (JA) increased rapidly and transiently under flooding, suggesting a role for this hormone in triggering downstream responses. In stressed roots, while indole-3-acetic acid increased, JA and ABA levels rapidly decreased to reach almost complete depletion in all flooded citrus genotypes. This suggests that not only should the increase in the so-called stress hormones be considered a signal but also their reduction. The results contribute to the understanding of the intricate set of connections between plant hormones that regulate physiologic responses to stress.     

Circuit Integration Initiation of New Hippocampal Neurons in the Adult Brain

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Play Between Adult Male and Infant Rhesus Monkeys

Play among four pairs of adult male and infant rhesus monkeysis described and compared to mother-infant and peer play. Datawere collected while the adult males reared the infants fora period of 7 months in the absence of mothers and peers. Typesof play were categorized as solitary, parallel, and interactive.Sex differences in play patterns are described, as are antecedentand consequent events. Adult male-infant play was found to beof much greater intensity and mean duration than mother-infantplay.     

Hormonal Modulation of the Oscillatory System Involved in Polar Transport of Auxin

The amount of natural auxin collected in agar as a result of basipetal efflux from the cambial region of successive short sections of pine stem varies so that a wave-like pattern is formed. The wave-length is several times longer than the cell length in the cambial region, suggesting the existence of a supracellular oscillatory system, which forms a morphogenic field in the stem tissues, The amplitude of the auxin wave is amplified by apical application of IAA to the longer stem sections, particularly at she time of spring initiation of cambial activity. The wave of auxin disappears after simultaneous apical application of IAA and ABA. The modulatory effects of IAA and ABA are translocated along the investigated stem sections faster than known transport velocities of IAA molecules. This fact is considered as evidence of apical control of the morphogenic field by way of influence upon a supracellular system of conjugated oscillators in the tissue.     

Social Context Enhances Hormonal Modulation of Pheromone Detection in Drosophila

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Modulation of the Cutaneous Silent Period in the Upper-Limb with Whole-Body Instability

The silent period induced by cutaneous electrical stimulation of the digits has been shown to be task-dependent, at least in the grasping muscles of the hand. However, it is unknown if the cutaneous silent period is adaptable throughout muscles of the entire upper limb, in particular when the task requirements are substantially altered. The purpose of the present study was to examine the characteristics of the cutaneous silent period in several upper limb muscles when introducing increased whole-body instability. The cutaneous silent period was evoked in 10 healthy individuals with electrical stimulation of digit II of the right hand when the subjects were seated, standing, or standing on a wobble board while maintaining a background elbow extension contraction with the triceps brachii of ~5% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) strength. The first excitatory response (E1), first inhibitory response (CSP), and second excitatory response (E2) were quantified as the percent change from baseline and by their individual durations. The results showed that the level of CSP suppression was lessened (47.7 ± 7.7% to 33.8 ± 13.2% of baseline, p = 0.019) and the duration of the CSP inhibition decreased (p = 0.021) in the triceps brachii when comparing the seated and wobble board tasks. For the wobble board task the amount of cutaneous afferent inhibition of EMG activity in the triceps brachii decreased; which is proposed to be due to differential weighting of cutaneous feedback relative to the corticospinal drive, most likely due to presynaptic inhibition, to meet the demands of the unstable task.     

Vasopressin-Mediated Modulation of Trigeminal Reflexes in Rats

In experiments on rats under urethane anesthesia, we studied how microinjections of vasopressin into the spinal trigeminal nucleus influence jaw-opening reflexes (JOR): nociceptive JOR, induced by stimulation of the tooth pulp, and non-nociceptive JOR, evoked by stimulation of A fibers of the infraorbital nerve. It was shown that injection of 10 M vasopressin resulted in a pronounced decrease (by 45-50%) in the nociceptive JOR amplitude for 25-30 min, whereas the non-nociceptive JOR dropped only by 8-10% for 11-13 min. It is concluded that vasopressin predominantly affects the nociceptive JOR; this fact is obviously related to a central analgesic effect of this peptide.     

去势大鼠新鲜、冷冻卵巢移植后激素代谢变化

目的观察去势大鼠经新鲜、冷冻卵巢移植后体内激素代谢变化情况。方法24只去势大鼠经右下腹皮下移植新鲜卵巢（3 d之内乳鼠卵巢）和经过冻存培养后的卵巢（3 d之内乳鼠卵巢）后,检测移植前、移植后1个月2、个月的三碘甲腺原氨酸（T3）、甲状腺素（T4）、促甲状腺激素（TSH）、睾酮（T）、雌二醇（E2）、孕酮（P）、黄体生成素（LH）及卵泡生成素（FSH）。结果冻存卵巢移植前与新鲜卵巢移植前比较：T值升高,有显著性差异（P〈0.01）;冻存卵巢移植后1个月与新鲜卵巢移植后1个月比较差异无显著性（P〉0.05）;冻存卵巢移植后2个月与新鲜卵巢移植后2个月比较：E2升高明显,差异具有显著性（P〈0.01;新鲜卵巢移植后2个月与移植前比较：T4,T,E2,P,LH均有明显升高（P〈0.01;P〈0.05）;冻存卵巢移植后2个月与移植前比较：E2,P增高明显（P〈0.01;P〈0.05）。结论冷冻卵巢移植较新鲜卵巢移植功能恢复明显。     

Pharmacological Modulation of Hemodynamics in Adult Zebrafish In Vivo

Introduction

Hemodynamic parameters in zebrafish receive increasing attention because of their important role in cardiovascular processes such as atherosclerosis, hematopoiesis, sprouting and intussusceptive angiogenesis. To study underlying mechanisms, the precise modulation of parameters like blood flow velocity or shear stress is centrally important. Questions related to blood flow have been addressed in the past in either embryonic or ex vivo-zebrafish models but little information is available for adult animals. Here we describe a pharmacological approach to modulate cardiac and hemodynamic parameters in adult zebrafish in vivo.

Materials and Methods

Adult zebrafish were paralyzed and orally perfused with salt water. The drugs isoprenaline and sodium nitroprusside were directly applied with the perfusate, thus closely resembling the preferred method for drug delivery in zebrafish, namely within the water. Drug effects on the heart and on blood flow in the submental vein were studied using electrocardiograms, in vivo-microscopy and mathematical flow simulations.

Results

Under control conditions, heart rate, blood flow velocity and shear stress varied less than ± 5%. Maximal chronotropic effects of isoprenaline were achieved at a concentration of 50 μmol/L, where it increased the heart rate by 22.6 ± 1.3% (n = 4; p < 0.0001). Blood flow velocity and shear stress in the submental vein were not significantly increased. Sodium nitroprusside at 1 mmol/L did not alter the heart rate but increased blood flow velocity by 110.46 ± 19.64% (p = 0.01) and shear stress by 117.96 ± 23.65% (n = 9; p = 0.03).

Discussion

In this study, we demonstrate that cardiac and hemodynamic parameters in adult zebrafish can be efficiently modulated by isoprenaline and sodium nitroprusside. Together with the suitability of the zebrafish for in vivo-microscopy and genetic modifications, the methodology described permits studying biological processes that are dependent on hemodynamic alterations.     

Germination,Viability and Clearance of Stachybotrys chartarum in the Lungs of Infant Rats

Observing that the conidia of Stachybotrys chartarum can germinate in the lung of infant rats, it became important to ascertain whether an infection can ensue. Viable conidia of S. chartarum were instilled into the lungs of 4 and 14 day-old rat pups. Germination was observed frequently in the lungs of 4 day-old but rarely in the 14 day-old pups. In the 4 day-old pups, pulmonary inflammation with hemorrhagic exudates was observed and resulted in about 15% mortality rate compared to 0% for the controls instilled with phosphate buffered saline. Acute neutrophilic inflammation and intense interstitial pneumonia with poorly formed granulomas observed three days following exposure were associated with fungal hyphae and conidia. The surviving experimental pups showed significantly slower weight gain for seven days. Dilution plating and quantitative PCR analysis were used to follow total fungal load in the rat pups lung homogenates. In the 4 day-old rat pups viable fungi decreased rapidly and were less than 1% by day seven. Similarly, fungal DNA decreased exponentially and was only 0.03% by fourteen days after exposure. However, 14 day-old rat pups showed neither the lethal effects of exposures to viable conidia of S. chartarum nor the slower weight gain, and the fungal load decreased even more rapidly. We conclude that S. chartarum conidia can initially germinate and form hyphae but even in the immature rat pups do not establish an effective infection, although a very limited persistence cannot be excluded.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Maturational Changes in Alveolar Bone of Adult Rats

Structural and cellular alterations of interproximal alveolar bone were quantified by histomorphometry in 36 Wistar rats over an 18 week period. Half of the rats were fed a standard diet and half were fed a high-sucrose diet from time of weaning. Six animals from each diet group were sacrificed at 10, 18 and 28 weeks of age, one hour after labeling with tritiated thymidine. Autoradiographs were prepared from histological sections, and the interproximal area between first and second maxillary molars was evaluated, Periodontal ligament width, cell populations and cell proliferation were reduced by 18 weeks of age. By 28 weeks of age, significant reductions of bone dimensions were detected and a further decrease in fibroblast proliferation was evident. The influence of diet on the changes observed was relatively minor. Evidence from this investigation supports the concept that changes in alveolar bone are initiated early in the life span of the rat, and provides a quantitative basis for future use of the rat model in similar studies.     

Nitrogen Balance and Some Liver Enzymes in Adult Rats

Nitrogen balance is shown by the sum of the retentions and losses involving in all the tissue protein. It is questionable, however, whether or on the values obtained by this method show a true requirement of nitrogen needed for the good health of adult animals.

We have studied the relationships between nitrogen balance and the liver nitrogen, and liver xanthine oxidase and succinic dehydrogenase in rats fed on diets containing various levels of casein. We have found that body weight and the liver nitrogen content slightly decreased, and liver xanthine oxidase and succinic dehydrogenase activities decreased considrably at the point of nitrogen equilibrium.     

Adenosinergic Modulation of Ventilation in Obese Zucker Rats

Objectives: The goal of our study was to determine whether altered adenosinergic mechanisms contribute to the depressed ventilatory response observed in obese Zucker rats. Research Methods and Procedures: Eight lean and eight obese Zucker rats were studied at 7 to 8 weeks of age. Ventilation (V˙_E) during room air, during 5‐minute hypercapnic (7% CO₂, balance O₂), and during 30‐minute sustained hypoxic (10% O₂) exposures were sequentially measured by the barometric method on three separate occasions after the randomized blinded administration of equal volumes of either saline (control), 8‐(p‐sulfophenyl)‐theophylline (8‐PST, 7 mg/kg, peripheral adenosine antagonist), or aminophylline (AMPH, 15 mg/kg, peripheral and central adenosine antagonist). Results: During room air and hypercapnic exposures, AMPH (but not 8‐PST) significantly (p < 0.05) increased V˙_E in both lean and obese rats. During acute (2 minute) hypoxic exposure, 8‐PST (but not AMPH) significantly depressed V˙_E in lean rats. In contrast, AMPH (but not 8‐PST) selectively increased V˙_E in obese rats. During sustained (10 to 30 minutes) hypoxic exposure, neither AMPH nor 8‐PST administration altered V˙_E in lean rats. In contrast, AMPH (but not 8‐PST) selectively increased V˙_E during the late response in obese rats. Discussion: Our findings indicate that obese rats possess altered adenosinergic modulation of ventilatory responses to acute and sustained hypoxia in two opposite ways. We conclude that the reduced hypoxic ventilatory response observed in obese Zucker rats is attributed to depressed adenosinergic peripheral excitatory mechanisms and to enhanced adenosinergic central depression mechanisms, both of which contribute to the blunted ventilatory response in obesity.     

Regulation of Rat Pineal Hydroxyindole-O-Methyltransferase in Neonatal and Adult Rats

The relative importance of neural, and some nonneural, mechanisms in the control of pineal hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) activity during development and in the adult rat was studied. In neonatal rats, guanethidine-treatment, bilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy (SCGX), or exposure to constant light did not prevent the initial appearance of HIOMT activity, indicating that neural stimulation of the gland is not essential for the development of HIOMT activity. In adult rats, decentralization or removal of the SCG led to a slow fall in HIOMT activity, to about 30% of control activity, indicating that the enzyme is largely under neural control. Additionally, adrenalectomy or hypophysectomy had no effect on HIOMT activity, refuting the suggestion that adrenal and/or gonadal steroids are of major importance in the regulation of this enzyme. The fall in activity of the enzyme after SCGX or exposure to constant light probably does not represent a shift in the K_m of the enzyme nor the selective disappearance of a distinct molecular species. Similar changes in HIOMT activity and cyclic GMP responsiveness occur in response to alterations in the length of the daily dark period, adding further evidence to our earlier speculation that there may be a functional relationship between these two.     

Energy-Metabolising Enzymes in Brain Regions of Adult and Aging Rats

Abstract: The regional enzyme activities of glucose metabolism in the rat brain were investigated. Hexokinase (EC 2.7.1.1) and pyruvate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.4.1), key enzymes for glucose metabolism, showed no changes in activity in all the regions studied of the aging brain as compared with the adult brain. However, the activity of d -3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.30) is low throughout the adult brain and, in contrast with hexokinase and pyruvate dehydrogenase, its activity decreases significantly during aging. Other enzymes that showed significant decreases during aging are aldolase (EC 4.1.2.13), lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27), citrate synthase (EC 4.1.3.7), and NAD⁺-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.41). The catabolic enzyme in cholinergic metabolism, acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7), selected as an example of a non-energy-metabolising enzyme, also showed significant decreases in all regions of the brain in aging, although its highest activity remained in the striatum. These results are discussed with respect to the energy metabolism in various brain regions and their status with aging.     

Reduced Phosphate Availability Improves Tomato Quality Through Hormonal Modulation in Developing Fruits

Nutrient management is one of the most important agricultural practices to ensure yield and fruit quality. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of N and P availability in the yield and quality of tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicum var. Meyity), and the hormonal mechanisms underlying these effects. Fruit yield and quality (in terms of sugar accumulation and titratable acidity) at harvest, together with the hormonal profiling of developing fruits were evaluated. While low N caused a reduction of sugars, reduced P availability increased sugars and reduced acidity in fruits. These changes were not accompanied by significant reductions in yield. Enhanced trans-zeatin content at early stages of fruit development and during color break might be associated with an increased sink activity. Furthermore, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (the ethylene precursor) concentrations increased at early stages of fruit development, thus suggesting a complex hormonal crosstalk induced by low P availability. In conclusion, a reduction of P availability increased tomato sugar contents, while yield was not negatively impacted. These results have implications to alleviate the depletion of natural P reserves to arrive at a more sustainable horticulture.