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.     

A morphometric study of spermatogenesis in the testes of mice of a senescence accelerated strain

The morphometric parameters of spermatogenic cells in a mouse strain prone to accelerated senescence (SAM-P), a novel murine model of spontaneously promoted aging, were compared with those of a SAM resistant strain (SAM-R) after birth until 40 weeks (mean life span of SAM-P). A mixture of gonocytes and spermatogonia were present in the testis in 1-week-old mice, and no gonocytes were observed in 2-week-old mice. At 6 weeks of age, the absolute number of spermatogonia in SAM-P was 27% greater than that in SAM-R, whereas the cell number in 40-week-old SAM-P was 17% less than in SAM-R. Primary spermatocytes were first observed in 3-week-old animals, and the cell numbers in SAM-P at 3, 5 and 6 weeks were 78%, 31% and 25%, respectively, greater than in SAM-R, whereas the cell number in SAM-P at 40 weeks was 30% less than SAM-R. Round spermatids were first observed in all SAM-P at 4 weeks old, but 20% of SAM-r had no spermatids and the rest had only a few. At 5 and 6 weeks old, the absolute numbers of round spermatids in SAM-P was about 34% and 41%, respectively, greater than in SAM-R, whereas the cell number in 40-week-old SAM-P was about 34% less than SAM-R. These results indicate that testicular maturation begins at an earlier age in SAM-P than SAM-R. Furthermore, at the age of 40 weeks signs of testicular deterioration are evident in SAM-P mice only     

Magnetic resonance imaging based volumetry:a primary approach to unravelling the brain

Magnetic resonance(MR)imaging based volumetry is recognized as an important technique for studying the brain.In this review,two principle volumetric methods using high resolution MR images were introduced,namely the Cavalieri method and the voxel based morphometry(VBM).The Cavalieri method represents a manual technique that allows the volume of brain structures to be estimated efficiently with no systematic error or sampling bias,whereby the VBM represents an automated image analysis which involves the use of statistical parametric mapping of the MR imaging data.Both methods have been refined and applied extensively in recent neuro- science research.The present paper aims to describe the development of methodologies and also to update the knowledge of their applica- tions in studying the normal and diseased brain.     

Redescription and systematic status of the Antarctic genus Abietinella Levinsen, 1913 (Lafoeidae,Hydrozoa, Cnidaria)

The Antarctic–Patagonian genus Abietinella, comprising two known species, Abietinella operculata (Jäderholm, ) and Abietinella grandis (Vanhöffen, ), is reviewed. The holotype of Abietinella operculata is fully redescribed, including morphometry and cnidome, unknown up to now. Its distinctive characters are the growth habit, hydrothecal shape and, most important, the presence of a dish‐shaped operculum attached to the adcauline side of the hydrothecal aperture. We corroborate its conspecificity with A. grandis and, therefore, the monotypic condition of Abietinella.     

Genetic and morphometric variation of the Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) on the Azores Archipelago reveals a recent range expansion

ABSTRACT

The Blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla, is one of the few passerine species that breeds in all the Macaronesian archipelagos. The sedentary habits of these populations contrast with the migratory populations from the Western Europe. However, little is known for Azorean populations. We assessed the phylogeography of populations from the Azores based on sequences of two mitochondrial genes and one nuclear gene in the Z-chromosome. We also analysed differences in eight morphometric characters from a total of 282 Blackcaps from all the Azores islands. Our results suggest the occurrence of historical and/or current gene flow among birds from all the islands. Blackcaps from the Azores are close relatives of those from Madeira and Portugal, indicating a recent range expansion to the Azores in the last 0.1 million years. The analysis of morphometric data showed a high morphological diversity among and within the islands, probably related to ecological traits.     

鲫鱼(Carassius auratus)尾部脊髓不同节段Dahlgren细胞的形态计量学分析

用光镜和彩色图象分析系统 ,对 5尾春季鲫鱼 (♀ )最后 1～ 3节 (R1～ 3,Ⅳ段 )、4～ 6节 (R4～ 6 ,Ⅲ段 )、7～ 9节 (R7～ 9,Ⅱ段 )和 10～ 12节 (R10～ 12 ,Ⅰ段 )等 4段尾部脊椎的脊髓中30个Dahlgren细胞的形态计量学参数进行了比较研究 .结果发现 :不同节段脊髓中的Dahlgren细胞和细胞核的二维、三维计量参数多数有明显差异 .尤以头尾两节段间 (即最后 12～ 10节与 3～ 1节间 )的差异最明显 ,显著差异率达 75% .其中 ,从头段到尾段表明细胞大小的 8项参数 (周长、面积、长轴、短轴、截矩、直径、体积和表面积 )减小的显著差异率达 10 0 % ,而表明胞核大小的4项参数 (周长、面积、长轴、短轴 )增大的显著差异率达 75% .表明细胞功能状态的 4项参数 (细胞比表面、细胞核体密度、核质比和面密度 )增大的显著差异率更高达 10 0 % .据此 ,可将Dahlgren细胞分为胞体较大胞核较小和胞体较小胞核较大或含双核、多核等两种类型 .前者功能不太活跃 ,主要分布在最后 12～ 10节脊椎的脊髓中 ;后者功能较活跃 ,主要分布在最后 3～ 1节的脊髓中 .随着脊髓向尾端延伸 ,前一种类型的细胞逐渐被后一种类型的细胞所更替     

骨质疏松患者FGF23与Crosslaps血清浓度检测与分析

目的:探讨骨质疏松症(Osteoporosis,OP)患者外周血成纤维生长因子23(Fibrobalst growth factor-23,FGF23)、Ⅰ互型胶原交联C末端肽(Crosslaps)与25-(OH)D代谢水平与骨质疏松症的关系.方法:选择骨质疏松女性患者32名,年龄48~90岁(OP组),与21名健康人年龄31~50岁(对照组).采用酶联免疫吸附法检测外周血FGF23,Crosslaps及25-(OH)D水平.采用全自动血液生化分析仪检测血钙、血清无机磷、碱性磷酸酶(Alkaline phosphates,ALP)水平,并对OP患者25-(OH)D与FGF23、Crosslaps、血钙、血磷的相关性进行分析.对53名受试者进行骨密度(Bone mineral density,BMD)测量及医学影像学检测.采集OP患者及健康人股骨骨样进行石蜡包埋、切片、HE染色并观察,采用病理学图像分析系统进行形态计量学分析.结果:与对照组比较,OP组患者血清中FGF23、Crosslaps水平显著升高(P0.05);OP患者血清中25-(OH)D水平与FGF23相关系数为-0.012 2,与Crosslaps相关系数为-0.231 7;通过骨组织形态计量学分析,OP患者骨小梁平均厚度、骨小梁面积百分率较对照组显著减少(P0.05),OP组骨小梁间距较对照组显著增大(P0.05).OP患者左侧股骨颈(Femeralneck,FN),Ward's三角(Ward's)骨密度值与对照组均有显著减少(P0.05).通过影像学检测发现OP组X光片透光度有所增加,骨小梁变细,骨皮质变薄.结论:骨质疏松症患者血清中FGF23,Crosslaps因子水平与25-(OH)D水平存在一定相关性.提示其在骨代谢所引起的血清水平变化,以及三者之间的关系可为骨质疏松症的诊断和治疗提供参考.     

Intraspecific clinal variation in Plagiodontes patagonicus (Gastropoda: Orthalicidae,Odontostominae), an endemic species from Argentina

Plagiodontes patagonicus (d'Orbigny, 1835) is a quite variable species endemic to southern Buenos Aires province (Argentina). Its taxonomic characterization did not include any quantitative analysis of variability for an accurate discrimination, and the extremes of its variation were described as different subspecies or species. In this paper, shell measurements and angles, and quantitative data on the terminal male genitalia were studied by Principal Component Analysis and Varimax multivariate analysis. Typical Plagiodontes patagonicus and the largest form known as P. patagonicus magnus Hylton‐Scott, 1951 Hylton‐Scott, MI. 1951. Nuevos moluscos terrestres del norte argentino.. Acta Zoologica Lilloana, 10: 5–29.  [Google Scholar] showed an almost continuous pattern of shell variation, which is positively correlated with the altitude gradient over their geographical range, which in turn is correlated with a rainfall gradient, i.e. they constitute a size‐form cline that does not allow objective delimitation of different morphospecies. Data from the genital system were also arranged as a geographical gradient within the P. patagonicus patagonicus–P. patagonicus magnus continuum. The variability of protoconch sculpture and apertural teeth also indicate recognition of them as a single taxon.     

Basin Geomorphology and Drainage Morphometry Parame-ters Used as Indicators for Groundwater Prospect：Insight from Geographical Information System (GIS) Technique

Influence of structural and lithological controls of various drainage patterns and their stream orientations (for 2nd, 3rd and 4th order steams) were identified to evaluate the direction and controllin...     

Brain structure in diving players on MR imaging studied with voxel-based morphometry

We adopted professional diving players as a typical subject pool to explore whether structural brain differences relative to motor skill acquisition exist between highly skilled athletes and non-athletes. Based on the voxel-based morphometric (VBM) technique, structural MRIs of the brains of 12 elite diving players with professional training were analyzed and compared with those of control subjects without any professional physical training. Diving players showed significantly increased gray matter density in the thalamus and left precentral gyrus than control subjects. However, future researches are needed to prove the contribution of preposition and practice. It also suggests that athletes as the subject pool could form a new subject pool to explore plastic change induced by motor skill acquisition.