Using genetically-defined rodent strains for the identification of hippocampal traits relevant for two-way avoidance behavior: a non-invasive approach

Summary Genetically-defined rodent strains permit the identification of hippocampal traits which are of functional relevance for the performance of two-way avoidance behavior. This is exemplified here by analyzing the relationship between infrapyramidal mossy fibers (a tiny projection terminating upon the basal dendrites of hippocampal pyramidal neurons) and two-way avoidance learning in about 800 animals. The necessary steps include 1) identification of structural traits sensitive to selective breeding for extremes in two-way avoidance, 2) testing the robustness of the associations found by studying individual and genetical correlations between hippocampal traits and behavior, 3) establishing causal relationships by Mendelian crossing of strains with extreme structural traits and studying the behavioral consequences of such structural randomization, 4) confirming causal relationships by manipulating the structural variable in inbred (isogenic) strains, thereby eliminating the possibility of genetic linkage, and 5) ruling out the possibility of spurious associations by studying the correlations between the hippocampal trait and other behaviors known to depend on hippocampal functioning.In comparison with the classical lesion approach for identifying relationships between brain and behavior, the present procedure appears to be superior in two aspects: it is non-invasive, and it focuses automatically on those brain traits which are used by natural selection to shape behaviorally-defined animal populations, i.e., it reveals the natural regulators of behavior.     

清洁级小鼠感染嗜肺巴氏杆菌情况的初步调查

从１５只患结膜炎、肺炎的小鼠中分离出嗜肺巴氏杆菌１２株。随后对其群体中１０个品系８５只小鼠进行普查,结果感染率最高为ＣＢＡ及ＡＭＭＳ／１３小鼠,达２５％,ＡＢＬＢ／ｃ及ＡＭＭＳ／１也有检出,应引起生产者足够的重视。     

小鼠卵孤雌激活及激活过程中细胞内游离Ca^2＋的变化

小鼠ＭⅡ期卵母细胞经８％乙醇或电刺激后在体外可孤雌发育至囊胚。利用Ｃａ２＋荧光探针ｆｕｒａ－２测定人工激活小鼠卵过程中胞内游离Ｃａ２＋浓度的动态变化结果表明，乙醇和电刺激激活卵时均诱导胞质游离Ｃａ２＋浓度较大幅度升高；而未被激活的卵胞质Ｃａ２＋浓度维持稳定。表明胞质游离Ｃａ２＋浓度升高可能是卵激活的启动信号。在无Ｃａ２＋或用ＥＧＴＡ螯合细胞外Ｃａ２＋的条件下电刺激不能诱导卵内游离Ｃａ２＋升高，而乙醇却仍可引起卵内游离Ｃａ２＋较小幅度升高。这表明，电刺激必导的卵内游离Ｃａ２＋升高主要来源于细胞外Ｃａ２＋内流。乙醇则可诱发细胞内钙库Ｃａ２＋释放。     

硫喷妥钠在小鼠体内作用的时间节律

将体重为18—22g 的昆明品种小鼠,随机分成6个时间给药组,30只/组.在同一天的不同时间内,分组、逐只腹腔注射0.25%硫喷妥钠生理盐水溶液50mg/kg.给药后观察到硫喷妥钠在小鼠体内的作用表现为:麻醉诱导期短,6个组的平均值为2.85分钟;各组麻醉持续时间差异极显著(P<0.01),且揭示了麻醉持续时间之长短不仅受诸多因素影响,而且与体内“生物钟”的制约密切相关;麻醉持续时间与麻醉率具有一定程度的相关性.     

人参果的抗心律失常作用

本工作以氯仿为诱发小鼠心律失常模型，研究了鲜人参果提取物对小白鼠心律的影响，结果表明，人参果具有明显的抗心律失常作用，有效率为７０％，提示人参果有重要开发价值．     

IL-1β regulates the mouse Fas ligand expression in corneal endothelial cells

Constitutively expressed Fas ligand (FasL) in several distinct epithelial cell types appears to protect tissues by inducing apoptosis of Fas immune cells during inflammatory reactions. To study the rela-tionship of FasL and inflammation process in cornea,we examined the effects of inflammatory cytokine IL-1β on the FasL production,expression and cytotoxic function in corneal endothelial cells. In this paper,we demonstrate that IL-1β inhibits the FasL production and expression in corneal endothelial cells. The promoter activities of FasL in these cells are reduced by IL-1β in a dose-dependent manner. Finally,we also find that IL-1β block the cytotoxic effects of FasL derived from corneal endothelial cells to the Fas target cells. These data support the view that FasL derived from corneal endothelial cells modulate inflammation within cornea.     

Differential binding of conA and WGA on the cell surface,the role of sialic acid in their expression and the increased activity of sialidase after cis-Platin treatment

Summary It is reported that concanavalin A (conA) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) have a differential binding pattern on normal mouse spleen lymphocytes and the surface of Dalton's lymphoma cells. It is suggested that sialic acid on the cell surface controls the expression of lectin binding sites. Further, it has been observed that the increased release of sialic acid from cell surfaces aftercis-dichlorodiammine platinum (II) (cis-Platin) treatment is due to the increased activity of sialidase.To whom reprint requests should be addressed.     

Androstenedione or corticosterone treatment during pregnancy alters estrous cycle of adult female offspring in mice

Summary Female offspring from mice injected with androstenedione during late pregnancy showed lengthened vaginal cycles, persistent estrus and decreased incidence of pro-estrus and dïestrus, whilst offspring from mice injected with corticosterone showed increased incidence of dïestrus. These observations give qualified support to the hypothesis that stress during pregnancy alters the female offspring reproductive system through the action of adrenal steroids.     

Normetanephrine and metanephrine oxidized by both types of monoamine oxidase

Summary Both normetanephrine and metanephrine were found to be oxidized by both types of monoamine oxidase in mouse liver mitochondria. Both K_m and V_max values of type B MAO for both substrates were higher than those of type A MAO, which caused the shift of inhibition curves with clorgyline and deprenyl according to the increase in substrate concentration.     

Membrane resting potentials in cultured mouse neuroblastoma cells

Summary Membrane resting potentials (MRP) were measured systematically in cultured mouse N₂A neuroblastoma cells: 1) in the logarithmic growth phase; 2) in subconfluent cultures; 3) in confluent cultures; 4) after dBcAMP had induced morphological differentiation. Neurite extension was accompanied by a significant increase in MRP as compared to the appropriate controls. No significant differences in MRP were observed with regard to the different growth phases.