The posterior inferior cerebellar artery

The posterior inferior cerebellar artery has a curved course in the region of the medulla oblongata. Besides its frequent individual variations, this vessel exhibits three morphological types: in type 1 (the commonest type, i.e. more than 50% of the cases) it curves with its vertex turned upwards; in type 2, the posterior inferior cerebellar artery turns in a gentle arch on to the posterior surface of the medulla oblongata, so there is no real curve; in type 3, the posterior inferior cerebellar artery curves but its vertex turns downwards. In all of these cases, the artery is in close relationship with the last four cranial nerves. This relationship is most characteristic in the 1st and 3rd types. The morphological types could be recognised on the angiograms.     

Comparative distribution of substance P (SP) and cholecystokinin (CCK) binding sites and immunoreactivity in the brain of the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax).

Specific binding sites for cholecystokinin (CCK) and substance P (SP) were detected in the brain of a marine teleost fish, the sea bass, after in vitro incubation of tissue sections with the tritiated peptides and light microscopic autoradiography. Specific binding sites for [3H]-CCK were detected in the dorsal and ventral telencephalon, in the preoptic, tuberal and posterior hypothalamus, in the optic tectum, in the valvulla cerebelli, in the vagal lobe and further in a dorsal location in the medulla oblongata. Areas rich in [3H]-SP binding were located in the ventral telencephalon, in the entire hypothalamic and thalamic region, in the midbrain tegmentum, in the optic tectum, in the valvulla cerebelli and in the medulla oblongata. The distribution of these binding sites seemed to match fairly well with the location of the corresponding immunoreactive elements, although some minor mismatches could be observed. These autoradiographic findings provide the first anatomical evidence for the presence of CCK-like and SP-like binding sites in the brain of a teleost fish.     

Distribution of neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity in the brain and hypophysis of the cloudy dogfish,Scyliorhinus torazame

Summary Using a specific antiserum raised against synthetic neuropeptide Y, we examined the localization of immunoreactivity in the brain and hypophysis of the cloudy dogfish, Scyliorhinus torazame, by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. Immunoreactive perikarya were demonstrated in the ganglion of the nervus terminalis, the dorsocaudal portions of the pallium dorsale, the basal telencephalon, and the nucleus lateralis tuberis and the nucleus lobi lateralis in the hypothalamus. Labeled perikarya were also found in the tegmentum mesencephali, the corpus cerebelli, and the medulla oblongata. Some of the immunoreactive neurons in the hypothalamus were of the CSF-contacting type. The bulk of the labeled fibers in the nervus terminalis ran toward the basal telencephalon, showing radial projections and ramifications. Large numbers of these fibers coursed into the nucleus septi caudoventralis and the nucleus interstitialis commissurae anterioris, where they became varicose and occasionally formed fine networks or invested immunonegative perikarya. In the diencephalon, immunoreactive fibers were observed throughout the hypothalamus, e.g., in the pars neurointermedia of the hypophysis, the subependymal layer of the lobus inferior hypothalami, and in the neuropil of the posterior (mammillary) recess organ. Labeled fibers were scattered throughout the rest of the brain stem and were also seen in the granular layer of the cerebellum. These results suggest that, in the dogfish brain, neuropeptide Y or a related substance is involved in a variety of physiological processes in the brain, including the neuroendocrine control of the hypophysis.     

Electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the ascidian endostyle

Summary Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)-immunoreactive (IR) perikarya, visualized by the indirect immunoperoxidase method in colchicine-pretreated cats, were localized in many discrete regions of the medulla oblongata. They were found mainly in the dorsal aspect and midline of the medulla oblongata, and more rostrally in the ventrolateral portion. Our results also demonstrated CRF-IR neurons in the rostrocaudal extent of the inferior olive, probably projecting to the cerebellar cortex via thick axons visualized along the lateral edge of the medulla. CRF-IR olivary cells were also found in the pontine cat from which the forebrain was removed, but neither in hypophysectomized nor adrenalectomized cats.     

心外膜应用腺苷时c—fos在脊髓延髓和丘脑中的表达

在１２只切断两侧缓冲神经和迷走神经的麻醉大鼠,观察了心外膜应用腺苷对脊髓,延髓和丘脑ｃ－ｆｏｓ原部基因表达的影响。结果显示：心外膜应用腺苷组大鼠,动脉血压和心率无明显变化;脊髓Ｔ３节段背角,延髓巨细胞旁外侧核以及丘脑的腹后外侧核,后核,中央外侧核和束旁核等部位Ｆｏｓ蛋白样免疫阳性反应神经元显著增加;而在溶剂对照组大鼠,仅见少数ＦＬＩ细胞。     

Gross brain morphology of the armoured catfish Rineloricaria heteroptera,Isbrücker and Nijssen (1976), (Siluriformes: Loricariidae: Loricariinae): A descriptive and quantitative approach

The gross morphology of the brain of Rineloricaria heteroptera and its relation to the sensory/behavioural ecology of the species is described and discussed. The sexual and ontogenetic intraspecific variation in the whole brain length and mass, as well as within/between the eight different brain subdivisions volumes, is also examined and discussed. Negative allometry for the whole brain length/mass and relative growth of the telencephalon and optic tecta was observed. Positive allometry was observed for the relative growth of the olfactory bulbs and medulla oblongata . Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses did not reveal significant differences in the brain subdivision growth rates among sexes and/or developmental stages, except for the optic tectum and some portions of the medulla oblongata , with juveniles and males showing more developed optic tecta and medullary subdivisions, respectively. The growth rates for each brain subdivision were relatively constant, and the slopes of the growth equations were almost parallel, except for those of the olfactory bulbs and medulla oblongata subdivisions, suggesting some degree of tachyauxesis of subdivisions against the entire brain. The corpus cerebelli was the more voluminous brain subdivision in most specimens (principally adults), followed by the optic tectum (the more voluminous subdivision in juveniles), hypothalamus, and telencephalon, in that order. Differences in the number of lamellae and relative size of the olfactory organ were also detected among developmental stages, which were more numerous and larger in adults. Based on these results, it is possible to infer an ontogenetic shift in the habitat/resource use and behaviour of R. heteroptera . Vision, primarily routed through the optic tectum, could be fundamental in early stages, whereas in adults, olfaction and taste, primarily routed through the olfactory bulbs and medulla oblongata , play more important roles.     

Distribution of immunoreactive mesotocin and vasotocin in the brain and pituitary of chickens

The distribution of vasotocin and mesotocin in the pituitary and central nervous system in male chickens was determined using radioimmunoassays. Neither peptide was detected in the pineal. Mesotocin, but not vasotocin, was detected in the cerebellum. Both peptides were found in the septal area, archistriatum, paleostriatum, optic lobe, anterior, medial and posterior hypothalamus, midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata, and the anterior and posterior pituitary. Equal amounts of the 2 peptides were present in the septal area, archistriatum and anterior hypothalamus whereas vasotocin was more abundant (2- to 10-fold) in the paleostriatum, optic lobe, midbrain, and pituitary. The amount of mesotocin was about twice that of vasotocin in the medulla oblongata and the medial and posterior hypothalamus. The wide distribution of vasotocin and mesotocin in extrahypothalamic sites in the central nervous system suggests that the peptides may, as in mammals, have a role in a variety of autonomic and endocrine regulatory processes in chickens.     

Double central projection of VIIIth cranial nerve in the frog (Rana esculenta L.)]

In the frog we have cut the anterior or the posterior root of the VIIIth nerve between Scarpa's ganglion and the medulla oblongata. The degenerations show that both roots project onto the ventral and the dorsal vestibular nuclei.     

Effects of neuropeptide Y on forskolin, alpha 2- and beta-adrenoceptor-regulated cAMP levels in the rat brain slice.

Neuropeptide Y (10(-6) M) significantly attenuated forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels in slices of the medulla oblongata from WKY rats. No effect of NPY was observed on basal levels of cAMP in this region. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin (2 micrograms and 5 micrograms) IC prevented the reduction of forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels elicited by NPY in the medulla oblongata, suggesting that NPY is acting through an inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding protein to reduce cAMP accumulation. Moxonidine, an alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, was observed to reduce forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels in medullary slices. This inhibitory response was attenuated in the presence of NPY (10(-6) M). The beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline also elevated cAMP levels in the medulla oblongata; however, NPY did not alter this response. It is therefore proposed that the previously reported hemodynamic actions of NPY in the medulla oblongata, an area of cardiovascular significance, may be mediated via a reduction in cAMP levels. Moreover, an interaction between NPY and alpha 2-adrenoceptors, but not beta-adrenoceptors, on cAMP production in the medulla slice preparation was evident.     

Distribution of NT-IR perikarya in the brain of the guinea pig with special reference to cardiovascular centers in the medulla oblongata

Summary The occurrence and distribution of neurotensin-immunoreactive (NT-IR) perikarya was studied in the central nervous system of the guinea pig using a newly raised antibody (KN 1). Numerous NT-IR perikarya were found in the nuclei amygdaloidei, nuclei septi interventriculare, hypothalamus, nucleus parafascicularis thalami, substantia grisea centralis mesencephali, ventral medulla oblongata, nucleus solitarius and spinal cord. The distribution of NT-IR perikarya was similar to that previously described in the rat and monkey. In the gyrus cinguli, hippocampus and nucleus olfactorius, though, no NT-IR neurons were detected in this investigation. Additional immunoreactive perikarya, however, were observed in areas of the ventral medulla oblongata, namely in the nucleus paragigantocellularis, nucleus retrofacialis and nucleus raphe obscurus.The relevance of the NT-IR perikarya within the ventral medulla oblongata is discussed with respect to other neuropeptides, which are found in this area, and to cardiovascular regulation.Abbreviations abl nucleus amygdaloideus basalis lateralis - abm nucleus amygdaloideus basalis medialis - acc nucleus amygdaloideus centralis - aco nucleus amygdaloideus corticalis - ahp area posterior hypothalami - ala nucleus amygdaloideus lateralis anterior - alp nucleus amygdaloideus lateralis posterior - ame nucleus amygdaloideus medialis - atv area tegmentalis ventralis - bst nucleus proprius striae terminalis - CA commissura anterior - CC corpus callosum - cgld corpus geniculatum laterale dorsale - cglv corpus geniculatum laterale ventrale - cgm corpus geniculatum mediale - CHO chiasma opticum - CI capsula interna - co nucleus commissuralis - cod nucleus cochlearis dorsalis - cp nucleus caudatus/Putamen - cs colliculus superior - cu nucleus cuneatus - dmh nucleus dorsomedialis hypothalami - DP decussatio pyramidum - em eminentia mediana - ent cortex entorhinalis - epi epiphysis - FLM fasciculus longitudinalis medialis - fm nucleus paraventricularis hypothalami pars filiformis - FX fornix - gd gyrus dentatus - gp globus pallidus - gr nucleus gracilis - hl nucleus habenulae lateralis - hm nucleus habenulae medialis - hpe hippocampus - ift nucleus infratrigeminalis - io oliva inferior - ip nucleus interpeduncularis - LM lemniscus medialis - MT tractus mamillo-thalamicus - na nucleus arcuatus - nls nucleus lateralis septi - nms nucleus medialis septi - npca nucleus proprius commissurae anterioris - ns nucleus solitarius - n III nucleus nervi oculomotorii - nt V nucleus tractus spinalis nervi trigemini - ntm nucleus mesencephalicus nervi trigemini - osc organum subcommissurale - P tractus cortico-spinalis - PC pedunculus cerebri - PCI pedunculus cerebellaris inferior - pir cortex piriformis - pol area praeoptica lateralis - pom area praeoptica medialis - prt area praetectalis - pt nucleus parataenialis - pvh nucleus paraventricularis hypothalami - pvt nucleus paraventricularis thalami - r nucleus ruber - re nucleus reuniens - rgi nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis - rl nucleus reticularis lateralis - rm nucleus raphe magnus - ro nucleus raphe obscurus - rp nucleus raphe pallidus - rpc nucleus reticularis parvocellularis - rpgc nucleus reticularis paragigantocellularis - sch nucleus suprachiasmaticus - SM stria medullaris thalami - snc substantia nigra compacta - snl substantia nigra lateralis - snr substantia nigra reticularis - ST stria terminalis - tad nucleus anterior dorsalis thalami - tam nucleus anterior medialis thalami - tav nucleus anterior ventralis thalami - tbl nucleus tuberolateralis - tc nucleus centralis thalami - tl nucleus lateralis thalami - tmd nucleus medialis dorsalis thalami - TO tractus opticus - TOL tractus olfactorium lateralis - tpo nucleus posterior thalami - tr nucleus reticularis thalami - trs nucleus triangularis septi - TS tractus solitarius - TS V tractus spinalis nervi trigemini - tvl nucleus ventrolateralis thalami - vmh nucleus ventromedialis hypothalami - vh ventral horn, Columna anterior - zi zona incerta Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgesellschaft (DFG) SFB 90, Carvas     

The pure posterior pedicle procedure for breast reduction

The inferior pedicle technique, which has already become classic, employs a glandular areola-bearing pedicle whose source of vascularization is primarily posterior. In fact, the inferior pedicle is a posterior pedicle with an inferior border. After systematically and progressively reducing this inferior border, I have completely eliminated it. The pure posterior pedicle that results is independent of the inframammary fold. It is vascularized by means of the pectoral muscle and fascia, as has been demonstrated by injection studies of the thoracoacromial artery in fresh cadavers. The resulting mammary reduction technique retains the advantages of the inferior pedicle technique while avoiding its major inconveniences: dependence on the inframammary fold, bulging at the inferior base of the pedicle, and the necessity of low positioning for the breast.     

Distribution of NT-IR perikarya in the brain of the guinea pig with special reference to cardiovascular centers in the medulla oblongata

The occurrence and distribution of neurotensin-immunoreactive (NT-IR) perikarya was studied in the central nervous system of the guinea pig using a newly raised antibody (KN 1). Numerous NT-IR perikarya were found in the nuclei amygdaloidei, nuclei septi interventriculare, hypothalamus, nucleus parafascicularis thalami, substantia grisea centralis mesencephali, ventral medulla oblongata, nucleus solitarius and spinal cord. The distribution of NT-IR perikarya was similar to that previously described in the rat and monkey. In the gyrus cinguli, hippocampus and nucleus olfactorius, though, no NT-IR neurons were detected in this investigation. Additional immunoreactive perikarya, however, were observed in areas of the ventral medulla oblongata, namely in the nucleus paragigantocellularis, nucleus retrofacialis and nucleus raphe obscurus. The relevance of the NT-IR perikarya within the ventral medulla oblongata is discussed with respect to other neuropeptides, which are found in this area, and to cardiovascular regulation.     

Excitatory and inhibitory frequency zones of responses of posterior declivus cerebelli neurons

The impulse responses of 260 neurons of the posterior declivus cerebelli of anesthetized white rats to the effect of one or two tones of different frequencies were investigated. The principal characteristics of the frequency-threshold curves (FTC) were measured. It was shown that neurons of the posterior declivus cerebelli differ considerably in optimum frequency (f₀), thresholds to f₀, and sharpness of the FTC. The lateral inhibitory zones (LIZ) of the neurons investigated in response to the effect of two tones of different frequencies in 85% of the cases are located on both sides of the f₀ and partially overlap the FTC. A low-frequency LIZ is more effective in width of the inhibitory frequency band and a high frequency LIZ is more effective in level of intensity of the frequencies causing an inhibitory effect. The width of the frequency zone of the response narrows sharply in the case of the inhibitory interaction of two tones.Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 369–378, July–August, 1971.     

Hox gene colinear expression in the avian medulla oblongata is correlated with pseudorhombomeric domains

The medulla oblongata (or caudal hindbrain) is not overtly segmented, since it lacks observable interrhombomeric boundaries. However, quail-chick fate maps showed that it is formed by 5 pseudorhombomeres (r7-r11) which were empirically found to be delimited consistently at planes crossing through adjacent somites (Cambronero and Puelles, 2000). We aimed to reexamine the possible segmentation or rostrocaudal regionalisation of this brain region attending to molecular criteria. To this end, we studied the expression of Hox genes from groups 3 to 7 correlative to the differentiating nuclei of the medulla oblongata. Our results show that these genes are differentially expressed in the mature medulla oblongata, displaying instances of typical antero-posterior (3′ to 5′) Hox colinearity. The different sensory and motor columns, as well as the reticular formation, appear rostrocaudally regionalised according to spaced steps in their Hox expression pattern. The anterior limits of the respective expression domains largely fit boundaries defined between the experimental pseudorhombomeres. Therefore the medulla oblongata shows a Hox-related rostrocaudal molecular regionalisation comparable to that found among rhombomeres, and numerically consistent with the pseudorhombomere list. This suggests that medullary pseudorhombomeres share some AP patterning mechanisms with the rhombomeres present in the rostral, overtly-segmented hindbrain, irrespective of variant boundary properties.     

PKCγ免疫反应定位小鼠皮质脊髓束的实验研究

目的探讨显示皮质脊髓束在成年小鼠脑和脊髓中定位分布的简便有效方法。方法运用蛋白激酶Cγ（PKCγ）免疫组织化学染色法,观察成年ICR小鼠脑和脊髓中皮质脊髓束的定位和分布情况。结果PKCγ免疫阳性产物分布于大脑运动皮层第V层锥体细胞胞体和轴突中,锥体细胞的阳性纤维经内囊、中脑大脑脚底、脑桥基底部、下行至延髓锥体中。在延髓下段,PKCγ阳性纤维经锥体交叉后进入对侧脊髓灰质后联合背侧,形成背侧皮质脊髓束,在脊髓白质的后索腹侧深层下行,至骶髓3-4节段以下逐渐消失。在整个脊髓前索和外侧索中未见有PKCγ阳性纤维。结论PKCγ特异地表达于脊髓后索皮质脊髓束中,提示PKCγ免疫组织化学法是一种显示和观察皮质脊髓束精确定位的有效方法。     

Substance P in the ventrolateral medulla oblongata regulates ventilatory responses.

Local injection of substance P (SP) into the ventral portion of the nucleus gigantocellularis, nucleus reticularis lateralis, and nucleus retrofacialis of the ventrolateral medulla oblongata (VLM) or direct application on the ventral surface of the medulla oblongata caused marked stimulation of tidal volume (VT) and/or minute ventilation (VE). The ventilatory response to hypoxia was significantly blunted after SP in the VLM but not in the dorsal medulla oblongata (DM) (nucleus tractus solitarius). The SP antagonist [D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9]SP almost completely inhibited this response when applied locally to a wide area of the superficial layer of the VLM but not of the DM. Unilateral or bilateral application of 0.3-1.5 nmol of the SP antagonist in the VLM (corpus trapezoideum and the caudal region extending from the rootlets of the nucleus hypoglossus to the first cervical segment) markedly attenuated the response to a 5% CO2 inhalation. The inhibition of the CO2 response was seen after [D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9]SP in the rostral areas of the medulla oblongata corresponding to the corpus trapezoideum and the caudal region extending from the rootlets of the nucleus hypoglossus to the first cervical segment of the cervical cord. Electric somatosensory-induced ventilatory stimulation could be depressed by approximately 70% by [D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9]SP locally applied on the surface of the VLM. We conclude that SP is involved in the hypoxic, hypercapnic, and somatosensory ventilatory responses in the rat. However, these respiratory reflexes are mediated via different neuronal pools in the medulla oblongata, mainly the VLM.     

Aspartate Aminotransferase for Synthesis of Transmitter Glutamate in the Medulla Oblongata: Effect of Aminooxyacetic Acid and 2-Oxoglutarate

The effects of aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA), a transaminase inhibitor, and 2-oxoglutarate, a precursor to glutamate by the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AAT), on slices of rat medulla oblongata, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and hippocampus were studied. The slices were superfused and electrically stimulated. There was a Ca2+-dependent stimulus-evoked release of endogenous glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and beta-alanine in all regions examined. AOAA (10(-4) and 10(-3) M) decreased the release of glutamate in the medulla oblongata and cerebellum but not in the hippocampus. L-Canaline, a specific inhibitor of ornithine aminotransferase, did not affect the glutamate release in the medulla. 2-Oxoglutarate (10(-3) M) increased the release of glutamate in the medulla oblongata and cerebellum but not in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Treatment with AOAA (10(-4) M) almost abolished the activities of AAT in all regions studied. AOAA (10(-4) and 10(-3) M) increased the stimulus-evoked release of GABA in the cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and hippocampus, whereas the stimulus-evoked release of beta-alanine was decreased by this agent in all regions studied. These results suggest the participation of AAT in the synthesis of the transmitter glutamate in the medulla oblongata and cerebellum of the rat.     

Immunohistochemical Localization of C-RFamide, a FMRF-related Peptide, in the Brain of the Goldfish, Carassius auratus

Carassius RFamide (C-RFa) is a novel peptide found in the brain of the Japanese crucian carp. It has been demonstrated that mRNA of C-RFa is present in the telencephalon, optic tectum, medulla oblongata, and proximal half of the eyeball in abundance. Immunohistochemical methods were employed to elucidate the distribution of the peptide in the brain of the goldfish (Carassius auratus) in detail. C-RFaimmunoreactive perikarya were observed in the olfactory bulb, the area ventralis telencephali pars dorsalis and lateralis, nucleus preopticus, nucleus preopticus periventricularis, nucleus lateralis tuberis pars posterioris, nucleus posterioris periventricularis, nucleus ventromedialis thalami, nucleus posterioris thalami, nucleus anterior tuberis, the oculomotor nucleus, nucleus reticularis superior and inferior, facial lobe, and vagal lobe. C-RFa immunoreactive fibers and nerve endings were present in the olfactory bulb, olfactory tract, area dorsalis telencephali pars centralis and medialis, area ventralis telencephali, midbrain tegmentum, diencephalon, medulla oblongata and pituitary. However, in the optic tectum the immunopositive perikarya and fibers were less abundant. Based on these results, some possible functions of C-RFa in the nervous system were discussed.     

Gastric pH changes following intramedullary electrical stimulation in anesthetized and decerebrate cats

In anesthetized and decerebrate cats, a pH-sensitive glass electrode inserted into the gastric antral region through a fistula recorded immediate pH changes. In the anesthetized cats (pentobarbital sodium, 35-40 mg/kg, i.p.), electrical stimulation within the medulla oblongata with a coaxial electrode (train of pulses at 300-500 Hz for 10-30 sec; individual pulse width 0.1-0.5 msec and amplitude not exceeding 0.5 mA) induced an increase in gastric acid secretion equivalent to a delta pH of 1.26 +/- 0.1 units. In the decerebrate (following induction with ether), the same type of stimulation elicited a more intense gastric acid secretion equivalent to a delta pH of 5.18 +/- 0.09 units which is significantly different (P less than 0.001) from that recorded in the anesthetized cats. Reversible blockage of the vagus nerves eliminated these responses during the block. Our results indicate that electrical stimulation in the posterior region of the medulla oblongata evokes an immediate and significant increase in gastric acid secretion, which is mediated through the vagus nerve, and is most evident in decerebrate unanesthetized cats.     

Glycine immunoreactive neurons in the medulla oblongata in cats

Using a highly specific antiserum to Glycine and a very sensitive immunohistochemical technique with streptavidin-HRP, we visualized for the first time a considerable number of glycine immunoreactive cell bodies and fibers in the cat medulla oblongata. These results suggest that glycine may play an essential role in nearly all the physiological functions involving the medulla oblongata, including the muscular atonia occurring during paradoxical sleep.