Open field locomotion by zinc deficient adult male mice

Summary Adult male mice maintained on a zinc-free diet display a statistically significant increase in open field locomotion compared to controls. However, excess zinc (100 times the established recommended daily allowance) does not produce a change compared to controls.     

Mechanisms of flight steering in locusts

Summary Steering in flight by locusts provides a well-studied example of the modulation of a rhythmic motor output by unpredictable inputs from outside to produce adaptive behaviour, in this case a form of locomotion. The simplest form, correctional steering, allows the animal to compensate for unintentional deviations from course. Its mechanisms are relatively well understood. The central nervous circuitry which makes this behaviour possible can be thought of as an autopilot. The entire process, from sensory input to the aerodynamic effects of changed motor outputs, is here reviewed. Intentional change of course, either spontaneous or induced by a change in the outside world, is more complex: it demands not only active steering, but also the temporary disablement of the autopilot. The mechanisms by which this could be achieved are discussed.     

The chemokinetic effect of serum albumin

Summary Experiments performed by means of time lapse cinematography or the filter technique show that human serum albumin has marked chemokinetic effects on neutrophil cultured in Gey's solution. The average speed of the cells, as well as the proportion of neutrophils showing locomotion, is increased. Enhanced locomotion correlates with decreased attachment to the substratum as determined by morphological and functional criteria.We thank Mrs R. Graf and Miss M. Schuster for technical assistance. This work was supported by the Swiss National Science Fondation.     

Von der Mathematik der nervösen Ordnungsleistung

Summary An exact analysis of the coordination of movements in arthropods and vertebrates leads to the rejection of older explanations in terms of reflex physiology and to a dynamic conception of the process in the central nervous system, which admits of representation by a physical model (as well as of a mathematical formulation). This conception carries with it the implication that locomotion is caused by automatic elements that work in the rhythm of locomotion and are prior to the motor elements.This view stands in close relation to the physiology of the nervous system and to Gestalt psychology.     

Repetitive order and the human walking apparatus: Prussian military science versus the Webers' locomotion research

The addition of 'fire' to the European battle repertoire resulted in the close-order drill for manoeuvres of the line. Begun in late sixteenth-century Netherlands and perfected in eighteenth-century Prussia under Frederick the Great, the drill's precision marching evolved into a military science which conceived what infantry acquired through rigorous training as a lawful 'second nature' of men. In contrast, the liberal Webers' 1836 locomotion research orientation was, as was that of French skirmishing, one of natural self-regulation. Later Prussian military science, restored in Imperial Germany, was merged into locomotion science.     

Inhibition of human leucocytes locomotion by anti-inflammatory drugs.

In this study we have demonstrated that acidic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in low concentrations inhibited human PMN locomotion in vitro. A speculative mechanism of action is proposed.     

Inhibition of human leucocytes locomotion by anti-inflammatory drugs

Summary In this study we have demonstrated that acidic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in low concentrations inhibited human PMN locomotion in vitro. A speculative mechanism of action is proposed.This work was supported by a grant from C.N.R.     

Antagonism by haloperidol of the suppression of exploratory locomotor activity induced by the local application of (-)3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-n-propylpiperidine into the nucleus accumbens of the rat

The injection of (-)3-PPP into the nucleus accumbens, 10 microgram/side, produced a suppression of exploratory locomotor activity without affecting treadmill locomotion. Furthermore, the suppression of exploratory locomotor activity produced by (-)3-PPP was antagonized by the administration of haloperidol, 25-50 micrograms/kg i.p.     

Demonstration of generators of the locomotor and respiration rhythms in the cervico-thoracic spinal cord of rabbits

In curarized Rabbits whose cervico-thoracic cord has been isolated through C2 and Th12 transections, a pharmacological activation (nialamide-DOPA) disclosed distinct rhythmic efferent activities, locomotor-like bursts in forelimb muscle nerves and "respiratory" discharges in the phrenic nerves: they originate respectively from a cervico-thoracic locomotion generator and from a "respiration" generator; these spinal generators appear to be interconnected with each other.     

Drosophila Nesprin-1 controls glutamate receptor density at neuromuscular junctions

Nesprin-1 is a core component of a protein complex connecting nuclei to cytoskeleton termed LINC (linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton). Nesprin-1 is anchored to the nuclear envelope by its C-terminal KASH domain, the disruption of which has been associated with neuronal and neuromuscular pathologies, including autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia and Emery–Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. Here, we describe a new and unexpected role of Drosophila Nesprin-1, Msp-300, in neuromuscular junction. We show that larvae carrying a deletion of Msp-300 KASH domain (Msp-300 ^?KASH ) present a locomotion defect suggestive of a myasthenia, and demonstrate the importance of muscle Msp-300 for this phenotype, using tissue-specific RNAi knock-down. We show that Msp-300 ^?KASH mutants display abnormal neurotransmission at the larval neuromuscular junction, as well as an imbalance in postsynaptic glutamate receptor composition with a decreased percentage of GluRIIA-containing receptors. We could rescue Msp-300 ^?KASH locomotion phenotypes by GluRIIA overexpression, suggesting that the locomotion impairment associated with the KASH domain deletion is due to a reduction in junctional GluRIIA. In summary, we found that Msp-300 controls GluRIIA density at the neuromuscular junction. Our results suggest that Drosophila is a valuable model for further deciphering how Nesprin-1 and LINC disruption may lead to neuronal and neuromuscular pathologies.     

Lack of gravity effect on the speed of amoeboid locomotion inNaegleria gruberi

Summary The speed of amoeboid locomotion was the same for amoebae moving on the top surface and bottom surface of a horizontal perfusion chamber i.e. cell-substrate adhesive forces must be considerably greater than the gravitational force acting on the locomoting amoeba.Acknowledgments. We would like to thank Les Cooper for technical assistance, and the Science Research Council for support.     

The effect of corticotropin-releasing factor and pro-opiomelanocortin-derived peptides on the phagocytosis of molluscan hemocytes

The effect of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides on hemocyte phagocytosis in two molluscs,Planorbarius corneus andViviparus ater was studied. The peptides and related fragments examined are those which have been shown to influence hemocyte motility in the two species. The results obtained revealed that the effects on phagocytosis are not directly correlated with previous findings on cell motility. Furthermore, the mode of action of an individual peptide could be species-specific and dose-dependent. The relationships between peptides, locomotion and phagocytosis in these molluscs are discussed.     

仿尺蠖步态的爬杆机器人的动态仿真研究

以仿尺蠖步态的爬杆机器人为研究对象,对其机械结构及行进步态进行了分析,并进一步利用ADAMS软件建立了该仿生机器人的虚拟样机,对该仿生机器人进行了动态模拟仿真实验。研究了在爬杆过程中仿生机器人头部与尾部的速度及位移随时间的变化关系,以及该仿生机器人对变直径工作杆的适应能力,同时分析了不同摩擦材料制成的自锁机构对机器人运动特性的影响。仿真结果表明：该仿生机器人对于直径在一定范围内变化的工作杆有着较好的适应能力,且自锁机构的静摩擦系数为影响该机器人运动特性的关键参数。     

Periodic fluctuation in burst amplitude during ‘fictive locomotion’ in the cat

Summary In decorticated unanaesthetized and paralysed cats, locomotor bursting may develop spontaneously on hindlimb motor nerves. In defined experimental conditions, the amplitude of successive rhythmic bursts may fluctuate periodically as if a secondary oscillation was superimposed upon the basic locomotor rhythm. The possible meaning of such amplitude fluctuation is discussed in connection with present data about the generation of locomotion.     

Hyaluronan

The polysaccharide hyaluronan is an essential component of the vertebrate extracellular matrix and also produced by viruses, bacteria and fungi. Although the hyaluronan polymer is simply a disaccharide that repeats many thousands of times, it has an amazing array of biological functions and medical uses. For example, it is an efficient space filler that maintains hydration, serves as a substrate for assembly of proteoglycans and cellular locomotion, regulates cellular function and development, and is involved in tumor progression, inflammation and wound healing. Its physical properties and biocompatibility also make it of considerable importance in the development of engineered tissue, biomaterials and in clinical applications. Received 23 January 2007; received after revision 25 February 2007; accepted 22 March 2007     

The jump ofOrchestia cavimana Heller, 1865 (Crustacea,Amphipoda, Talitridae)

Summary The saltatory locomotion of the Talitrid (Crustacea)Orchestia cavimana Heller, 1865, was studied by high frequency cinematography (1000 fps). The jump lasts about 350–400 msec and covers a distance of 18 cm due to an average acceleration of 300 m/sec². About 4–6 somersaults are performed in the course of each jump.Thanks are due to Prof. Dr R. Altevogt for guidance, encouragement and translating the German text.     

The elusive engine in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myxococcus xanthus</Emphasis> gliding motility

Bacterial motility is essential for chemotaxis, virulence and complex social interactions leading to biofilm and fruiting body formation. Although bacterial swimming in liquids with a flagellum is well understood, little is known regarding bacterial movements across solid surfaces. Gliding motility, one such mode of locomotion, has remained largely mysterious because cells move smoothly along their long axis in the absence of any visible organelle. In this review, I discuss recent evidence that focal adhesion systems mediate gliding motility in the social bacterium Myxococcus xanthus and combine this evidence with previous work to suggest a new working hypothesis inspired from knowledge in apicomplexan parasites. I then propose experimental directions to test the model and compare it to other pre-existing models. Finally, evidence on gliding mechanisms of selected organisms are presented to ask whether some features of the model have precedents in other bacteria and whether this complex biological process could be explained by a single mechanism or involves multiple distinct mechanisms. Received 12 April 2007; received after revision 8 June 2007; accepted 27 June 2007     

A novel mechanism for jumping in the indian ant<Emphasis Type="Italic">Harpegnathos saltator</Emphasis> (Jerdon) (Formicidae,Ponerinae)

The Indian antHarpegnathos saltator may be unique among insects in using its jumping capacity not only as an escape mechanism but also as a normal means of locomotion, and for catching its prey in flight. High-speed cinematography used to analyse the various phases of the jump suggests thatHarpegnathos employs a novel jumping mechanism to mediate these behaviours: namely the synchronous activation of its middle and hindlegs. Electrophysiological recordings from muscles or nerves in pairs of middle and hindlegs show remarkably synchronous activity during fictive jumping, supporting the synchronous activation hypothesis.Harpegnathos is not the only ant to jump, and a cladistic analysis suggests that jumping behaviour evolved independently three times during ant evolutionary history.