Development of the innervation of the urogenital complex in the fetal mouse

Summary The developing urogenital complex of the fetal mouse was studied by means of silver impregnation and electron microscopy. These studies showed that: 1) the mesonephric field is innervated during prenatal stages (Wolffian nerve); 2) nerve penetration precedes the differentiation of the gonads and related ducts; and 3) the Wolffian nerve arises during the earliest stages from the first pair of abdominal rami communicantes. The identity between the fetal Wolffian nerve and the nerve of the suspensory ligament (higher pathway) of the adult is discussed.     

Development of the innervation of the urogenital complex in the fetal mouse

The developing urogenital complex of the fetal mouse was studied by means of silver impregnation and electron microscopy. These studies showed that: 1) the mesonephric field is innervated during prenatal stages (Wolffian nerve); 2) nerve penetration precedes the differentiation of the gonads and related ducts; and 3) the Wolffian nerve arises during the earliest stages from the first pair of abdominal rami communicantes. The identity between the fetal Wolffian nerve and the nerve of the suspensory ligament (higher pathway) of the adult is discussed.     

Synkinesis in hemifacial spasm: results of recording intracranially from the facial nerve

We show evidence that the motonucleus of the facial nerve is involved in producing the synkinesis in patients with hemifacial spasm. These results were obtained by recording from the intracranial portion of the facial nerve and from the orbicularis oculi muscle in patients operated upon for hemifacial spasm during electrical stimulation of the mandibular branch of the facial nerve. Also, the electromyographic response from the same muscle was recorded when the facial nerve was electrically stimulated at a location near the brainstem. The results show that it is unlikely that the symptoms of patients with hemifacial spasm can be explained on the basis of ephaptic transmission at the site of lesion of the facial nerve.     

Synkinesis in hemifacial spasm: results of recording intracranially from the facial nerve

Summary We show evidence that the motonucleus of the facial nerve is involved in producing the synkinesis in patients with hemifacial spasm. These results were obtained by recording from the intracranial portion of the facial nerve and from the orbicularis oculi muscle in patients operated upon for hemifacial spasm during electrical stimulation of the mandibular branch of the facial nerve. Also, the electromyographic response from the same muscle was recorded when the facial nerve was electrically stimulated at a location near the brainstem. The results show that it is unlikely that the symptoms of patients with hemifacial spasm can be explained on the basis of ephaptic transmission at the site of lesion of the facial nerve.     

Peptidergic innervation of the temporomandibular disk in the rat

Summary The peptidergic innervation of the temporomandibular disk was investigated in the postnatal young rat by using an indirect immunofluorescence method. Calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing nerve fibers were located around the blood vessels and terminated as free nerve endings in the disk. These nerve fibers may be of a sensory nature.     

Peptidergic innervation of the temporomandibular disk in the rat

The peptidergic innervation of the temporomandibular disk was investigated in the postnatal young rat by using an indirect immunofluorescence method. Calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing nerve fibers were located around the blood vessels and terminated as free nerve endings in the disk. These nerve fibers may be of a sensory nature.     

Destruction of afferent nerve terminals in the inner ear of frog by aminooxyacetic acid

Summary The drug aminooxyacetic acid, which inhibits GABA-transaminase, destroys the afferent nerve endings in the inner ear of the frog. The efferent nerve endings and the sensory cells are not affected.     

Sensory functions of the chorda tympani nerve in the chicken

Summary The peripheral course of the chorda tympani nerve in the chicken was described and the area of the mouth it innervates was investigated by mechanical stimulation of the oral epithelium. Afferent neural activity recorded from the chorda tympani nerve showed that it relays information from oral chemoreceptors, mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors and possibly nociceptors. The results indicate that the previously held ideas on the function of the chorda tympani nerve in the chicken are incorrect.     

Effect of cholinesterase inhibitors on differentiation of cultured sympathicoblasts

Summary The 2 cholinesterase inhibitors, eserine and BW 284 C 51, inhibited the nerve fibre growth and differentiation of immature sympathicoblasts at low concentrations. The effect was nerve cell-specific and appeared in the course of the in vitro development, indicating that cholinesterases might play an important role in the early differentiation of sympathicoblasts.     

Effect of cholinesterase inhibitors on differentiation of cultured sympathicoblasts

The 2 cholinesterase inhibitors, eserine and BW 284C 51, inhibited the nerve fibre growth and differentiation of immature sympatheticoblasts at low concentrations. The effect was nerve cell-specific and appeared in the course of the in vitro development, indicating that cholinesterases might play an important role in the early differentiation of sympathicoblasts.     

Role of metallothioneins in peripheral nerve function and regeneration

The physiological role of the metallothionein (MT) family of proteins during peripheral nerve injury and regeneration was examined in Mt1+ 2 and Mt3 knockout (KO) mice. To this end, the right sciatic nerve was crushed, and the regeneration distance was evaluated by the pinch test 2-7 days postlesion (dpl) and electrophysiologically at 14 dpl. The quality of the regeneration was assessed by light microscopy and immunohistochemical methods. The results show that the regeneration distance was greater in the Mt3 KO than in the Mt1+ 2 KO mice, whereas control mice showed intermediate values. Moreover, the number of regenerating axons in the distal tibial nerve was significantly higher in Mt3KO mice than in the other two strains at 14 dpl. Immunoreactive profiles to protein gene product 9.5 were present in the epidermis and the sweat glands of the plantar skin of the hindpaw of the Mt3 KO group. The improved regeneration observed with the Mt3 KO mice was confirmed by compound nerve action potentials that were recorded from digital nerves at 14 dpl only in this group. We conclude that Mt3 normally inhibits peripheral nerve regeneration.     

Localization of substance P-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the human digital skin

Substance P-immunoreactive nerve endings were localized in human digital skin by the use of indirect immunohistochemical technique. It was found that substance P-like immunoreactivity was present in free nerve endings in the dermal papillae and in the epidermis. Some Meissner's corpuscles also contained substance P positive nerve endings. Furthermore, substance P-immunoreactive nerves were localized in close connection to sweat gland ducts and blood vessels. The functional significance of these findings was discussed with regard to pain mediation and inflammatory response.     

An analysis of the distribution of the myelinated nerve fibers in the optic fascicle of a beagle dog

The composition of both optic fascicles of a Beagle dog was studied in topographically oriented, semithin transections of whole nerve stained with toluidine blue. About 165,000 myelinated fibers were present in each nerve, their maximum caliber reaching 11 micron; large, less densely arranged fibers occurred especially in the dorso-temporal region.     

Neurotransmitter synthesis in Limulus ventral nerve photoreceptors.

Radiochemical precursor compounds for neurotransmitters were incubated with Limulus ventral nerve photoreceptor preparations. Octopamine was preferentially synthesized by a photoreceptor rich fraction of the nerve, acetylcholine was made by a photoreceptor poor fraction, and gamma-aminobutyric acid was made about equally well in both fractions. The possibility that the ventral nerve photoreceptor cells serve a neurosecretory function in the adult Limulus is discussed.     

Formation of lipoperoxide in isolated sciatic nerve by chinoform-ferric chelate

Summary Effects of chinoform and chinoform-ferric chelate on formation of lipoperoxide in isolated sciatic nerve were investigated. Free chinoform did not increase the lipoperoxide level, while chinoform-ferric chelate significantly increased it. Assuming that the lipoperoxide formed denatures the associated protein in the nerve, the effect of chinoform-ferric chelate could explain, at least partly, the demyelination of nerve tissues caused by massive doses of chinoform.     

Formation of lipoperoxide in isolated sciatic nerve by chinoform-ferric chelate.

Effects of chinoform and chinoform-ferric chelate on formation of lipoperoxide in isolated sciatic nerve were investigated. Free chinoform did not increase the lipoperoxide level, while chinoform-ferric chelate significantly increased it. Assuming that the lipoperoxide formed denatures the associated protein in the nerve, the effect of chinoform-ferric chelate could explain, at least partly, the demyelination of nerve tissues caused by massive doses of chinoform.     

Endothelial nerve fibres in the cornea of the frogRana ridibunda

Summary The ultrastructural study of the frog cornea revealed the existence of intraendothelial nerve fibres. These nerve fibres are unmyelinated elements but surrounded by cytoplasmic lamellae of Schwann cells.Supported by D.C.I.N.P. Grant 78-77.     

Der elektrophysiologische Nachweis der propriozeptiven Muskelafferenz und des monosynaptischen Reflexbogens der inneren Kehlkopfmuskeln

Summary On excitation of the superior laryngeal nerve and the recurrent nerve with single square wave shocks in patients undergoing total exstirpation of the larynx for cancer, a reflex potential can be recorded from the vocal muscle. This potential shows the criteria characteristic of the reflex potential arising on excitation of muscle spindles or the afferents of muscle spindles (la-fibres) in limb muscles. The pathway of afferent fibres is for the main part via the sup. lar. nerve but there seems to be an indication of a small part of afferents in the recurrent nerve also.     

The effect of stimulus frequency on transmission in ganglia of Remak's nerve in the chicken

Summary Electrical stimulation of side branches of Remak's nerve evoked a synaptically-mediated spike discharge at the oral end of the nerve which increased in amplitude in response to successive stimuli. The maximum amplitude of the synaptic component was attained at a frequency of about 3 Hz but was almost completely absent at 31 Hz.     

Acceleration of the speed of neuronal growth by a new neurotropic substance: N-isopropyl-amino-2-pyrimidine]

16 hrs. after per os administration of 14C N-isopropyl-amino-2-pyrimidine (IAP) in the Rat, radioactivity of the sciatic nerve is significantly higher than in plasma and other organs. In vitro IAP (base, orthophosphate or dichloracetate) accelerates neurite outgrowth of explained spinal ganglion after 48 hrs. of incubation in nutritive medium. Results suggest that IAP incorporated in nerve cell acts on cellular mechanisms controlling nerve growth.