Distinct basolateral amygdala excitatory inputs mediate the somatosensory and aversive-affective components of pain

Pain is a multidimensional perception that includes unpleasant somatosensory and affective experiences; however, the underlying neural circuits that mediate different components of pain remain elusive. Although hyperactivity of basolateral amygdala glutamatergic (BLA^Glu) neurons is required for the somatosensory and emotional processing of pain, the precise excitatory inputs to BLA^Glu neurons and their roles in mediating different aspects of pain are unclear. Here, we identified two discrete glutamatergic neuronal circuits in male mice: a projection from the insular cortex glutamatergic (IC^Glu) to BLA^Glu neurons, which modulates both the somatosensory and affective components of pain, and a projection from the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD^Glu) to BLA^Glu neurons, which modulates only the aversive-affective component of pain. Using whole-cell recording and fiber photometry, we found that neurons within the IC→BLA and MD→BLA pathways were activated in mice upon inflammatory pain induced by injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) into their paws. Optical inhibition of the IC^Glu→BLA pathway increased the nociceptive threshold and induced behavioral place preference in CFA mice. In contrast, optical inhibition of the MD^Glu→BLA pathway did not affect the nociceptive threshold but still induced place preference in CFA mice. In normal mice, optical activation of the IC^Glu→BLA pathway decreased the nociceptive threshold and induced place aversion, while optical activation of the MD^Glu→BLA pathway only evoked aversion. Taken together, our results demonstrate that discrete IC^Glu→BLA and MD^Glu→BLA pathways are involved in modulating different components of pain, provide insights into its circuit basis, and better our understanding of pain perception.     

Ultrastructure of retrocerebral complex of the earwig, Euborellia annulipes, and rôle of aorta as a neurohaemal organ

The ultrastructure of the retrocerebral endocrine-aortal complex of the earwig, Euborellia annulipes has been studied. The space between the inner and outer stromal layers of the aorta is occupied by numerous axon terminals and pre-terminals containing large electron dense granules (NS-I) of approximately 100 to 220 nm and a few axon terminals having small granules (NS-II) of approximately 40 to 90 nm; the former appear to belong to medial neurosecretory A-cells, and the latter to the B-cells of the brain. The corpora cardiaca consist of intrinsic cells with mitochondria and multivesicular bodies. Granules of type NS-II and NS-III are observed in the axon terminals and pre-terminals in the corpora cardiaca. The NS-II are identical to those found in the aorta and are probably the secretions of the lateral B-cells. Granules of type NS-III are 40 to 120 nm and electron dense, and are intrinsic in origin. Similar granules occur in the intrinsic cells of the corpora cardiaca. E M studies have confirmed the rôle of the aorta as a neurohaemal organ for the medial neurosecretory cells, and the corpora cardiaca for the lateral neurosecretory cells of the brain. The corpora cardiaca also act as a reservoir for the intrinsic secretion. The corpus allatum is a solid body consisting of parenchymal cells with prominent nuclei, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum. In between its cells are occasional glial cells and also neurosecretory as well as non-neurosecretory axons. The gland is devoid of A-cell NSM.     

Effect of lesion of nucleus robustus archistriatalis on call in bramble finch ( Fringilla montifringilla )

The lesion of nucleus robustus archistriatalis (RA) has no effect on normal short calls in the bramble finch, but affects significantly the temporal and acoustic features of learned long calls. It causes the principal frequency of basic sound in monotone long calls to increase 500 cents, and to lose two upper partials. The lesion of RA not only results in the increased sound length of loud-sound and shortened coda of variable-tone long calls by 13.4%–22.1% and 21.2%–24.2% on average, respectively, but also makes the frequency rising coefficient (FRC) of even order partial tone in loud-sound drop 18.5%–25.8% on an average, and the step-up rate decrease 22.7% –24.0% on an average with the increase of frequencies. These results show that the control of temporal and frequency features of learned calls by RA matches to each other. Moreover, the lesion of bilateral RA can confuse the vocal pattern, and the produced long call has the character of both the mono- and variable-tone long calls. The prelude shows rising frequency, and the loud sound is monotone sound.     

N‐nitrosomelatonin enhances photic synchronization of mammalian circadian rhythms

Most physiological processes in mammals are synchronized to the daily light:dark cycle by a circadian clock located in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus. Signal transduction of light‐induced phase advances of the clock is mediated through a neuronal nitric oxide synthase‐guanilyl cyclase pathway. We have employed a novel nitric oxide‐donor, N‐nitrosomelatonin, to enhance the photic synchronization of circadian rhythms in hamsters. The intraperitoneal administration of this drug before a sub‐saturating light pulse at circadian time 18 generated a twofold increase of locomotor rhythm phase‐advances, having no effect over saturating light pulses. This potentiation was also obtained even when inhibiting suprachiasmatic nitric oxide synthase activity. However, N‐nitrosomelatonin had no effect on light‐induced phase delays at circadian time 14. The photic‐enhancing effects were correlated with an increased suprachiasmatic immunoreactivity of FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene and period1. Moreover, in vivo nitric oxide release by N‐nitrosomelatonin was verified by measuring nitrate and nitrite levels in suprachiasmatic nuclei homogenates. The compound also accelerated resynchronization to an abrupt 6‐h advance in the light:dark cycle (but not resynchronization to a 6‐h delay). Here, we demonstrate the chronobiotic properties of N‐nitrosomelatonin, emphasizing the importance of nitric oxide‐mediated transduction for circadian phase advances.

     

The Distribution of Afferent Neurons in the Trigeminal Mesencephalic Nucleus and the Central Projection of Afferent Fibers of the Mylohyoid Nerve in the Rat

Horseradish peroxidase conjugated to wheatgerm agglutinin (HRP:WGA) was injected into the proximal cut ends of three branches of the mylohyoid nerve in rats: the branch to the mylohyoid muscle (BrMh), the branch to the anterior belly of the digastricus muscle (BrDg), and the cutaneous branch (BrCu). HRP-labeled cells were detected in the ipsilateral caudal portion of the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus (Vmes) and the ipsilateral ventromedial division of the trigeminal motor nucleus, except when HRP:WGA was applied to the BrCu. Morphologically, all labeled Vmes cells were of the pseudounipolar type.

Projections of the primary afferents of the BrMh were observed in the ipsilateral trigeminal nucleus caudalis, the upper cervical dorsal horns of laminae I -III, and the dorsolateral recticular formation (Rf), whereas the primary afferents of the BrDg terminated in the ipsilateral trigeminal nucleus principalis and Rf. These observations suggest that the role of the afferent inputs of the mylohyoid muscle differs from that of those of the anterior belly of the digastricus muscle in terms of several functions associated with jaw-closing and infrahyoid muscles.     

脑桥呼吸调整中枢向中缝大核下行投射的研究

实验在23只苯巴比妥钠麻醉(i.p.30mg/kg)的成年猫上进行。在脑桥呼吸调整中枢(NPBM-KF)共记录到67个单位放电可被电刺激中缝大核(NRM)所逆行兴奋。其中有7个单位为呼吸相关性单位(吸气性6、呼气性1),占脑桥87个呼吸相关性单位总数的8％。逆行兴奋潜伏期在0.4—2.5ms之间,平均1.2ms。中缝大核内微量注入麦角辣根过氧化酶(WGA-HRP)后在NPBM-KF区观察到大量HRP标记神经元。本实验结果表明,发自脑桥呼吸调整中枢神经元的轴突可投射到中缝大核。这一投射通路可能与呼吸及痛觉调节有关。     

Sternal gland structures in males of bean flower thrips,Megalurothrips sjostedti,and Poinsettia thrips,Echinothrips americanus,in comparison with those of western flower thrips,Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Sternal pores are important features for identification of male thrips, especially within the subfamily Thripinae. They vary in shape, size and distribution even between species of one genus. Their functional role is speculated to be that of sex- and/or aggregation pheromone production. Yet, sexual aggregations are not reported in Echinothrips americanus, known to have sternal pores, while we observed aggregations in Megalurothrips sjostedti, previously reported to lack them.We examined the sternal glands and pores of the thripine species E. americanus and M. sjostedti males, in comparison with those of Frankliniella occidentalis using light microscopy, as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Pore plates of F. occidentalis were ellipsoid and medial on sternites III–VII, while in E. americanus they were distributed as multiple micro pore plates on sternites III–VIII. In M. sjostedti they appeared as an extremely small pore in front of the posterior margin of each of sternites IV–VII. Pore plate and pore plate area were distributed similarly on sternites III–VII in F. occidentalis. However, in E. americanus the total pore plate area increased significantly from sternites III to VIII. Ultrastructure of cells associated with sternal glands showed typical characteristics of gland cells that differ in size, shape and number. The function of sternal glands is further discussed on the basis of morphological comparisons with other thrips species.     

Effects of captivity and testosterone on the volumes of four brain regions in the dark‐eyed junco (Junco hyemalis)

This study investigates the effects of captivity and testosterone treatment on the volumes of brain regions involved in processing visual and spatial information in adult dark‐eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis). We treated captive and free‐living male juncos with either testosterone‐filled or empty implants. Captive juncos had a smaller hippocampal formation (HF) (both in absolute volume and relative to telencephalon) than free‐living birds, regardless of hormone treatment. Testosterone‐treated males (both captive and free‐living) had a smaller telencephalon and nucleus rotundus, but not a smaller HF or ectostriatum, than controls. We found that free‐living testosterone‐treated males had larger home ranges than free‐living controls in agreement with earlier experiments, but we found no corresponding difference in HF volume. We discuss the implications of the effect of captivity on HF volume for past and future laboratory experiments. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 43: 244–253, 2000     

In situ hybridization of corticotropin-releasing factor-encoding messenger RNA in the hypothalamus of the white sucker,Catostomus commersoni

Summary In situ hybridization procedure with a ³²P-labelled synthetic oligonucleotide probe was used to detect corticotropin-releasing factor-encoding messenger RNA (CRF mRNA) in the hypothalamus of the white sucker, Catostomus commersoni. Adjacent sections were immunostained by a sucker CRF-specific antiserum. CRF mRNA-containing neurons were identified by autoradiography in the magnocellular and parvocellular subdivisions of the preoptic nucleus (PON). Many of these neurons were also immunostained by sucker antiserum, showing the same distribution patterns. These results confirm the presence of CRF mRNA and CRF peptide in the white sucker hypothalamus and support the view that the magnocellular and parvocellular neurons of the PON may be involved in the control of adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion from the pituitary in the white sucker.     

Remodeling of nuclear architecture during the cell cycle in Drosophila embryos

Little is known about what determines the nuclear matrix or how its reorganization is regulated during mitosis. In this study we report on a monoclonal antibody, mAb2A, which identifies a novel nuclear structure in Drosophila embryos which forms a diffuse meshwork at interphase but which undergoes a striking reorganization into a spindle-like structure during pro- and metaphase. Double labelings with α-tubulin and mAb2A antibodies demonstrate that the microtubules of the mitotic apparatus co-localize with this mAb2A labeled structure during metaphase, suggesting it may serve a role in microtubule spindle assembly and/or function during nuclear division. That the mAb2A-labeled nuclear structure is essential for cell division and/or maintenance of nuclear integrity was directly demonstrated by microinjection of mAb2A into early syncytial embryos which resulted in a disintegration of nuclear morphology and perturbation of mitosis. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.