Dorsal Part Research Articles

Different ways of evolving tool-using brains in teleosts and amniotes

In mammals and birds, tool-using species are characterized by their relatively large telencephalon containing a higher proportion of total brain neurons compared to other species. Some teleost species in the wrasse family have evolved tool-using abilities. In this study, we compared the brains of tool-using wrasses with various teleost species. We show that in the tool-using wrasses, the telencephalon and the ventral part of the forebrain and midbrain are significantly enlarged compared to other teleost species but do not contain a larger proportion of cells. Instead, this size difference is due to large fiber tracts connecting the dorsal part of the telencephalon (pallium) to the inferior lobe, a ventral mesencephalic structure absent in amniotes. The high degree of connectivity between these structures in tool-using wrasses suggests that the inferior lobe could contribute to higher-order cognitive functions. We conclude that the evolution of non-telencephalic structures might have been key in the emergence of these cognitive functions in teleosts.

New Cretaceous neosuchians (Crocodylomorpha) from Thailand bridge the evolutionary history of atoposaurids and paralligatorids

Abstract The origin of modern crocodylians is rooted in the Cretaceous, but their evolutionary history is obscure because the relationships of outgroups and transitional forms are poorly resolved. Here, we describe a new form, Varanosuchus sakonnakhonensis gen. nov., sp. nov., from the Early Cretaceous of Thailand that fills an evolutionary gap between Paralligatoridae and Atoposauridae, two derived neosuchian lineages with previously unsettled phylogenetic relationships. Three individuals, including a complete skull and associated postcranial remains, allow for a detailed description and phylogenetic analysis. The new taxon is distinguished from all other crocodylomorphs by an association of features, including a narrow altirostral morphology, a dorsal part of the postorbital with an anterolaterally facing edge, a depression on the posterolateral surface of the maxilla, and fully pterygoid-bound choanae. A phylogenetic analysis confirms the monophyly and taxonomic content of Atoposauridae and Paralligatoridae, and we underline the difficulty in reaching a robust definition of Eusuchia. Furthermore, we put forward further arguments related to the putative terrestrial ecology with semi-aquatic affinities of atoposaurids based on their altirostral snout morphology and osteoderm ornamentation.

Choanal atresia repair in Germany : Resection of dorsal septal parts and stents in focus

Various surgical techniques using transpalatinal, transseptal, and transnasal approaches for surgical repair of choanal atresia have been developed over the past 200years. Endoscopic endonasal surgery with resection of dorsal septal parts and without the use of stents is the current scientific trend, as high success rates with low complication rates can be achieved. This study examined whether this technique has actually become standard in Germany, and also investigates the role played by stents. Atotal of 52ear, nose, and throat (ENT) hospitals in Germany, including all 39university ENT hospitals and 13non-university maximum-care ENT hospitals, were asked which surgical technique they use for choanal atresia repair and whether stents are used. For dorsal septal resection, 39of 44responding hospitals (89%) indicated that they resect dorsal septal parts, 85% of the university hospitals and 100% of the non-university hospitals. For use of stents, 20of 48responding hospitals (42%) reported not using stents, whereas 39% of the university hospitals and 50% of the non-university hospitals do use them. Endoscopic endonasal choanal atresia repair with resection of dorsal septal parts is, in most instances, used as the standard technique in large ENT hospitals in Germany. Routine use of stents is still widespread. The future aim should be to reduce the use of stents in the treatment of choanal atresia and to use this method only in difficult, individual cases.

Surgical Treatment of the Bony Mallet Injuries with Augmented Extension Block Technique: Clinical Outcomes of a New Modification

Surgical Treatment of The Bony Mallet Deformity with Augmented Extension Block Technique: Clinical Outcomes of a New Modification Introduction: Mallet finger deformity is a common pathology and the ‘Extension Block Technique’, is one of the most popular surgical techniques for the treatment of this condition. However, several complications may occur with this method such as fixation failure, compression failure of the dorsal part and loss of reduction. In the current study, it is aimed to report the result of our modification which is augmented extension block technique. Materials & Method: The medical records of patients, who were operated with the diagnosis of bony mallet finger between 2015 and 2021, were evaluated retrospectively. Demographic data, mechanism of trauma, duration of operation, time from injury to surgery, follow-up period, implant removal time, and postoperative complications were collected from hospital records. Patients aged between 18 - 65 years who had been operated with augmented extension block technique with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months were included in the study. A total of 10 patients who met these criteria constituted the study group. Radiological evaluation of the cases was performed with anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. Range of motion and presence of pain were questioned and these data were evaluated according to Crawford criteria. Results: The mean age of the all patients was 40.2 ± 10.9 (range, 24-56) years. The mean follow-up period was 39.6 ± 26.7 (range, 13-76) months. Complete union was achieved in all patients on the final follow-up radiographs. According to Crawford evaluation criteria, the results were ‘excellent’ in six of the patients and ‘good’ in four of them. There were no patients with loss of flexion however, 5° extension loss was observed in four of the subjects. Discussion: This study demonstrates that the augmented extension block technique is a suitable option for the surgical treatment of bony mallet cases with lower complication rate and successful functional results. This modification can be considered as an alternative option for traditional extension block technique which avoids some related complications as postoperative reduction loss, rotational instability and extension loss. Keywords: Mallet finger, Bony mallet, Extension Block

Discovery of a new soft-bodied click-beetle genus from Namibia with a unique morphology leads to a modified diagnosis of Drilini (Coleoptera, Elateridae).

Drilini are soft-bodied predatory click beetles with incompletely metamorphosed females. Approximately 150 described species are distributed in the Afrotropical, Palaearctic and Oriental realms, with the highest diversity known from sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we describe Namibdrilusalbertalleni gen. et sp. nov. from Namibia which brings the total number of genera in Drilini to 16. The discovery of this unique taxon sheds new light on the diversity and evolution of the enigmatic paedomorphic beetle lineage and is interesting for several reasons. This new species is the only known representative of Drilini that has unidentate mandibles and lacks a hook on the dorsal part of the aedeagal median lobe, two of the few characters heretofore used for the unambiguous identification of members of this group. Furthermore, based on its morphology it belongs to a group of genera (Drilus clade) which heretofore contained only taxa from the Palaearctic Realm. We provide an updated diagnosis of the tribe Drilini, as well as an updated diagnosis and an identification key for the genera of the Drilus clade based on adult males. Further, we explain how to easily recognize adult Drilini from similar-looking soft-bodied elateroids like Elateridae: Omalisinae, Rhagophthalmidae, and Lampyridae: Ototretinae.

A high-resolution transcriptomic and spatial atlas of cell types in the whole mouse brain

The mammalian brain consists of millions to billions of cells that are organized into many cell types with specific spatial distribution patterns and structural and functional properties1–3. Here we report a comprehensive and high-resolution transcriptomic and spatial cell-type atlas for the whole adult mouse brain. The cell-type atlas was created by combining a single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset of around 7 million cells profiled (approximately 4.0 million cells passing quality control), and a spatial transcriptomic dataset of approximately 4.3 million cells using multiplexed error-robust fluorescence in situ hybridization (MERFISH). The atlas is hierarchically organized into 4 nested levels of classification: 34 classes, 338 subclasses, 1,201 supertypes and 5,322 clusters. We present an online platform, Allen Brain Cell Atlas, to visualize the mouse whole-brain cell-type atlas along with the single-cell RNA-sequencing and MERFISH datasets. We systematically analysed the neuronal and non-neuronal cell types across the brain and identified a high degree of correspondence between transcriptomic identity and spatial specificity for each cell type. The results reveal unique features of cell-type organization in different brain regions—in particular, a dichotomy between the dorsal and ventral parts of the brain. The dorsal part contains relatively fewer yet highly divergent neuronal types, whereas the ventral part contains more numerous neuronal types that are more closely related to each other. Our study also uncovered extraordinary diversity and heterogeneity in neurotransmitter and neuropeptide expression and co-expression patterns in different cell types. Finally, we found that transcription factors are major determinants of cell-type classification and identified a combinatorial transcription factor code that defines cell types across all parts of the brain. The whole mouse brain transcriptomic and spatial cell-type atlas establishes a benchmark reference atlas and a foundational resource for integrative investigations of cellular and circuit function, development and evolution of the mammalian brain.

Thyreophagus tauricus sp. n., a New Subcortical Mite Species (Acari: Acaridae), with a COX1 DNA Sequence Analysis of Several Economically Important Species of Thyreophagus.

As part of a survey of the subcortical astigmatic mites of Crimea, we discovered a new sexual acarid species, Thyreophagus tauricus sp. n. This species was cultured in the laboratory to correlate the adult and deutonymphal stages. Using specimens obtained by these rearing experiments, we provide a detailed description of Th. tauricus (light microscopy, SEM) based on females, males and heteromorphic deutonymphs. Furthermore, to facilitate molecular identification, the entire COX1 gene was also sequenced for this and three other Palearctic species reared in the lab as pure cultures. Adults of Th. tauricus sp. n. are distinct among all other species of the genus by the presence of flattened, button-shaped or minute spiniform setae s III and IV, which are well-developed spiniform in all other known species of Thyreophagus. Heteromorphic deutonymphs of Th. tauricus are distinct from all other species of Thyreophagus by the presence of well-developed setae cm on the dorsal part of the subcapitular remnant (absent all other species). Th. tauricus is morphologically very similar to Th. corticalis; however, COX1 K2P distances between these two species were large, 19.8%. COX1 K2P distances between Th. tauricus and other species (Th. entomophagus, Th. "entomophagus" NC 066986.1, Th. calusorum, Th. corticalis) ranged between 20.1 and 24.3%. We show that the GenBank sequence of Th. "entomophagus" from China (NC 066986.1) was probably misidentified.

Morphological Analysis of the Olfactory System of the Pig-Nosed Turtle, Carettochelys insculpta.

The turtle olfactory organ consists of the upper (UCE) and lower (LCE) chamber epithelium, projecting to the ventral and dorsal parts of the olfactory bulbs, respectively. The UCE is associated with glands, contains ciliated olfactory receptor neurons, and is assumed to detect odorants primarily in air, while the LCE is devoid of glands, contains microvillous olfactory receptor neurons, and is assumed to detect odorants primarily in water. Examining the olfactory system of the pig-nosed turtle, Carettochelys insculpta, this study found that both the upper and lower chambers of the nasal cavity were lined with sensory epithelium devoid of associated glands and contained ciliated olfactory receptor neurons. Moreover, the olfactory bulbs were not divided into dorsal and ventral parts. These results suggest that the olfactory system of the pig-nosed turtle is a single system specialized for detecting odorants in water.

Abstract 25 — Remitting Seronegative Symmetric Synovitis with Pitting Edema (RS3PE) in Dialysis Patient

Background Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) syndrome is characterized by acute symmetrical synovitis, and pitting edema involving, the dorsal part of hands and feet. It affects more men aged more than 50 years. The inflammatory markers are usually elevated, with negative rheumatoid factor. The underlying etiology is not clear but has been associated with drugs exposure, infections, malignancy in 30% of cases, and coexist with other autoimmune diseases. The clinical course is benign with significant improvement to low-dose prednisolone therapy for 2 to 3 months. It has been rarely reported in dialysis patients. Methods and case description A 54 years old male, known to have long standing uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and diabetic retinopathy. Recently, he was treated for left foot cellulitis and advanced renal failure (813 micromol/L) initiated on hemodialysis. He presented one week later with progressive painful bilateral upper limb and lower limb pitting edema, with limited range of movement in hands and reduce urine output. He was resumed on hemodialysis for management of volume overload. Despite removal of almost 12 liters of fluids during consecutive dialysis sessions and improvement of lower limb edema, his bilateral hand edema was persistence with pain and limited movement. Further investigations were done to evaluate for rheumatological condition. Results Hand X ray was normal and ultrasound of the hand revealed features of synovitis, diffuse subcutaneous oedema and possible cellulitis. He was started on IV antibiotics without major improvement and blood culture was negative. CT chest showed left pleural effusion. The ESR was elevated 120, while serology for HBV. HCV, HIV, and parvovirus were negative. In addition, the autoimmune workup were negative (CCP, RF, ANA, ANCA, C3, C4, ACEI). He was diagnosed with remitting seronegative symmetric synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE). He was treated with IV hydrocortisone once 100 mg, followed by oral prednisolone 10 mg for 5 days with dramatic improvement in bilateral hand edema and movement. He had hyperglycemia steroid related managed with adjustment of insulin therapy. At follow up in 1 week, patient regain full function of both hands, and he was on regular hemodialysis trice per week. Conclusion RS3PE is rare in hemodialysis patients, with favorable response to steroid therapy. We used shorter duration of 5 days steroid therapy with complete recovery and no recurrence at 1 year follow up. Screening for underlying autoimmune, infection or malignancy in RS3PE is essential.

Impact of Varying Chest Wall Target Volume Delineation on Postmastectomy Radiation Therapy Outcomes in Breast Cancer Patients with Implant-Based Reconstruction

Background: The target volume for post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) in breast cancer patients with reconstruction has been a subject of debate. Traditionally, the RT chest wall (CW) volume encompasses the entire implant. For patients with retropectoral implants, the deep lymphatic plexus dorsal part of the implant is no longer considered high risk and can be omitted. This study aimed to assess the radiation dose distribution and treatment outcomes associated with different CW delineation according to ESTRO ACROP guideline for patients who have undergone implant-based reconstruction. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of breast cancer patients who underwent a mastectomy followed by two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction and adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) between 2007 and 2022. The expanders/implants were positioned retropectorally. The chest wall target volumes were categorized into two groups: the prepectoral group, which excluded the deep lymphatic plexus, and the whole expander group. Results: The study included 26 patients, with 15 in the prepectoral group and 11 in the whole expander group. No significant differences were observed in normal organ exposure between the two groups. There was a trend toward a lower ipsilateral lung mean dose in the prepectoral group (10.2 vs. 11.1 Gy, p = 0.06). Both groups exhibited limited instances of reconstruction failure and local recurrence. Conclusions: For patients undergoing two-stage expander/implant retropectoral breast reconstruction and PMRT, our data provided comparable outcomes and normal organ exposure for those omitting the deep lymphatic plexus.

The Use of a Unilateral Curved Spreader Graft in the Management of Crooked Nose Deformity.

The aim of this study is to present a new technique of using spreader grafts in the correction of crooked nose deformity with C-shaped deviation of the middle third of the nose. This is a prospective case series study conducted on 18 patients with crooked nose deformity with C-shaped deviation of the middle third of the nose. All of the patients were managed by open septorhinoplasty. During surgery, a curved spreader graft was harvested from the nasal septum and placed on the convex side of the C-shaped deviation of the dorsal part of the nasal septum. Objective measurements of the angles of external nasal deviation (END) and the internal nasal valve (INV) angles were performed before and 6 months after the surgery. Subjective assessment of aesthetic satisfaction by the visual analog scale and nasal function by the nasal obstruction symptom evaluation scale was also performed before and 6 months after surgery. Eighteen patients were enrolled in the study and completed the minimum follow-up period of 6 months. The mean follow-up period was 17.3 months. Objectively, there was highly significant ( P < 0.00001) improvement of the END angle and INV angle. Subjectively, there was also highly significant ( P < 0.00001) improvement of both the nasal obstruction symptom evaluation score and the visual analog scale score for aesthetic satisfaction. The insertion of a curved unilateral spreader graft over the convexity of the deviated nasal dorsum can correct the END, improve the collapsed INV on both sides, and consequently achieve satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcomes.

Enhanced Gait Recovery in Chronic Post-COVID-19 Stroke: The Role of Combined Physical Rehabilitation

Background: Rehabilitation programs applied in cases of COVID-19-related stroke should counteract not only the effects of the stroke but also the effects of long-term COVID-19. As the molecular processes underlying these cases are still not fully understood, and evidence-based clinical outcomes are scarcely documented, there is a valid need to gather information and develop rehabilitation strategies for these patients. The risks, already clarified in the case of stroke, need to be assessed taking into account the coincidence of the two diseases. Endothelial injuries and emboli that develop after the hypercoagulable state of COVID-19 may take longer to heal, and complications may occur during exercise. This case study attempts to determine what the rehabilitation of a COVID-19-related stroke patient should include. The participant was a 64-year-old male with ischemic right middle cerebral artery stroke, left-side hemiplegia, and middle cerebral artery stenosis, and the CT showed a well-defined area of hypoattenuation in the basal ganglia territory involving the right lentiform nucleus, the anterior and posterior limbs of the internal capsule, and the dorsal part of the external capsule. His NIHSS score was 14, and he registered 15 points on the Barthel index. The patient had a COVID-19 infection two weeks before the stroke event. Methods: Conventional physical therapy was combined with adaptive ballistic strength training, a high-intensity interval training regimen, and manual treatment for myofascial release throughout the chronic recovery phase. Our primary goals were gait rehabilitation, muscle strengthening, weakness management, as well as spasticity reduction, while three different rehabilitation approaches were adopted in a single rehabilitation program to improve the outcome and long-term functional recovery of the patient. Results: The patient progressed in almost every aspect of the assessment criteria. This combined approach’s main success was improved gait speed, gait quality, and improved cardiovascular fitness. Take-away message: In the case of a stroke caused by COVID-19, where the endothelium cells are compromised, HIIT may be questionable due to the poor vascular condition. Based on our results, the low-volume HIIT approach proved appropriate and effective.

Comparing the synaptic potentiation in schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses in dorsal and intermediate regions of the hippocampus in normal and kindled rats

There is growing evidence that the hippocampus comprises diverse neural circuits that exhibit longitudinal variation in their properties, however, the intermediate region of the hippocampus has received comparatively little attention. Therefore, this study was designed to compared short- and long-term synaptic plasticity between the dorsal and intermediate regions of the hippocampus in normal and PTZ-kindled rats. Short-term plasticity was assessed by measuring the ratio of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials’ (fEPSPs) slope in response to paired-pulse stimulation at three different inter-pulse intervals (20, 80, and 160 ms), while long-term plasticity was assessed using primed burst stimulation (PBS). The results showed that the basal synaptic strength differed between the dorsal and intermediate regions of the hippocampus in both control and kindled rats. In the control group, paired-pulse stimulation of Schaffer collaterals resulted in a significantly lower fEPSP slope in the intermediate part of the hippocampus compared to the dorsal region. Additionally, the magnitude of long-term potentiation (LTP) was significantly lower in the intermediate part of the hippocampus compared to the dorsal region. In PTZ-kindled rats, both short-term facilitation and long-term potentiation were impaired in both regions of the hippocampus. Interestingly, there was no significant difference in synaptic plasticity between the dorsal and intermediate regions in PTZ-kindled rats, despite impairments in both regions. This suggests that seizures eliminate the regional difference between the dorsal and intermediate parts of the hippocampus, resulting in similar electrophysiological activity in both regions in kindled animals. Future studies should consider this when investigating the responses of the dorsal and intermediate regions of the hippocampus following PTZ kindling.

Stimulus-Response Compatibility During Fighting Task Simulation: Influences of the Opponent's Spatial Codes on the Accuracy and Response Time.

Manual Reaction Time measures have been widely used to study interactions between perceptual, cognitive, and motor functions. The Stimulus-Response Compatibility is a phenomenon characterized through faster Manual Reaction Times when stimuli and response locations coincide (correspondent condition) than when they are on different sides (noncorrespondent condition). The present study adapted a protocol to study if the Stimulus-Response Compatibility effect can be detected during a virtual combat simulation. Twenty-seven participants were instructed to defend themselves by clicking a key in order to block the presented punch. Videos of two fighters were used, granting two types of basic strokes: the back fist, a punch performed with the dorsal part of the fighter's hand, starting at the opposite side to which it is directed; and the hook punch, performed with a clenched fist starting and finishing ipsilaterally. The Manual Reaction Times were different between the correspondent and noncorrespondent conditions, F(1, 26) = 9.925; p < .004; η2 = .276, with an Stimulus-Response Compatibility effect of 72ms. Errors were also different, F(1, 26) = 23.199; p < .001; η2 = .472, between the correspondent (13%) and the noncorrespondent conditions (23%). The study concluded that spatial codes presented at the beginning of the punch movement perception substantially influenced the response execution.

GABA-immunoreactive neurons in the Central Nervous System of the viviparous teleost Poecilia sphenops

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) functions as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter within the central nervous system (CNS) of vertebrates. In this study, we examined the distribution pattern of GABA-immunoreactive (GABA-ir) cells and fibres in the CNS of the viviparous teleost Poecilia sphenops using immunofluorescence method. GABA immunoreactivity was seen in the glomerular, mitral, and granular layers of the olfactory bulbs, as well as in most parts of the dorsal and ventral telencephalon. The preoptic area consisted of a small cluster of GABA-ir cells, whereas extensively labelled GABA-ir neurons were observed in the hypothalamic areas, including the paraventricular organ, tuberal hypothalamus, nucleus recessus lateralis, nucleus recessus posterioris, and inferior lobes. In the thalamus, GABA-positive neurons were only found in the ventral thalamic and central posterior thalamic nuclei, whereas the dorsal part of the nucleus pretectalis periventricularis consisted of a few GABA-ir cells. GABA-immunoreactivity was extensively seen in the alar and basal subdivisions of the midbrain, whereas in the rhombencephalon, GABA-ir cells and fibres were found in the cerebellum, motor nucleus of glossopharyngeal and vagal nerves, nucleus commissuralis of Cajal, and reticular formation. In the spinal cord, GABA-ir cells and fibres were observed in the dorsal horn, ventral horn, and around the central canal. Overall, the extensive distribution of GABA-ir cells and fibres throughout the CNS suggests several roles for GABA, including the neuroendocrine, viscerosensory, and somatosensory functions, for the first time in a viviparous teleost.

Neurodegeneration or dysfunction in Phelan-McDermid syndrome? A multimodal approach with CSF and computational MRI

BackgroundPhelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a rare multisystem disease with global developmental delay and autistic features. Genetically, the disease is based on a heterozygous deletion of chromosome 22q13.3 with involvement of at least part of the SHANK3 gene or heterozygous pathogenic variants in SHANK3. Pathophysiologically, this syndrome has been regarded as a synaptopathy, but current data suggest an additional concept, since axonal functions of neurons are also impaired, thus, the specific pathophysiological processes in this disease are not yet fully understood. Since symptoms of the autism spectrum, regression, and stagnation in development occur, we investigated whether neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative processes may also play a role. To this end, we analysed biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and parameters from magnetic resonance imaging with high-resolution structural T1w volumetry and diffusion tensor imaging analysis in 19 Phelan-McDermid syndrome patients.ResultsCSF showed no inflammation but abnormalities in tau protein and amyloid-ß concentrations, however, with no typical biomarker pattern as in Alzheimer’s disease. It could be demonstrated that these CSF changes were correlated with integrity losses of the fibres in the corticospinal tract as well as in the splenium and dorsal part of the cingulum. High CSF levels of tau protein were associated with loss of integrity of fibres in the corticospinal tract; lower levels of amyloid-ß were associated with decreasing integrity of fibre tracts of the splenium and posterior cingulate gyrus. Volumetric investigations showed global atrophy of the white matter, but not the grey matter, and particularly not in temporal or mesiotemporal regions, as is typical in later stages of Alzheimer’s disease.ConclusionsIn summary, alterations of neurodegenerative CSF markers in PMS individuals could be demonstrated which were correlated with structural connectivity losses of the corticospinal tract, the splenium, and the dorsal part of the cingulum, which can also be associated with typical clinical symptoms in these patients. These findings might represent a state of dysfunctional processes with ongoing degenerative and regenerative processes or a kind of accelerated aging. This study should foster further clinical diagnostics like tau- and amyloid-PET imaging as well as novel scientific approaches especially in basic research for further mechanistic proof.

Fluoxetine rescues the depressive-like behaviour induced by reserpine and the altered emotional behaviour induced by nicotine withdrawal in zebrafish: Involvement of tyrosine hydroxylase.

Nicotine cessation leads to anxiety and depression. The suitability of the zebrafish model of anhedonia using reserpine and fluoxetine was evaluated. Fluoxetine was also used to reduce nicotine withdrawal-induced anhedonic state. Zebrafish were exposed to reserpine (40 mg/l) and then to fluoxetine (0.1 mg/l) for 1 week. Anhedonia was evaluated in the Novel Tank Diving and Compartment Preference tests. Another group was exposed to nicotine (1 mg/l/2 weeks) and then exposed to fluoxetine. Anxiety and anhedonia were evaluated 2-60 days after. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity and microglial morphology (labelled by 4C4 monoclonal antibody) in the parvocellular pretectal nucleus (PPN), dorsal part, and of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the hypothalamus were also analysed. Less time in the top and increased latency to the top in reserpine compared to a drug-free group was found. Fluoxetine rescued reserpine-induced the reduced time in the top. Seven and 30 days after nicotine withdrawal more time in the bottom and similar time in the Compartment Preference test, rescued by fluoxetine, were shown. In the PPN, 30-day withdrawal induced an increase in TH immunoreactivity, but fluoxetine induced a further significant increase. No changes in PPN microglia morphology and hypothalamic CGRP were detected. Our findings validate the suitability of the zebrafish model of anhedonia using the reserpine-induced depression-like behaviour and the predictivity using fluoxetine. Fluoxetine rescued nicotine withdrawal-induced anhedonic state, opening the possibility to screen new drugs to alleviate anxiety and depression in smokers during abstinence.

A new experimental rat model of nocebo-related nausea involving double mechanisms of observational learning and conditioning.

The nocebo effect, such as nausea and vomiting, is one of the major reasons patients discontinue therapy. The underlying mechanisms remain unknown due to a lack of reliable experimental models. The goal of this study was to develop a new animal model of nocebo-related nausea by combining observational learning and Pavlovian conditioning paradigms. Male Sprague-Dawley rats with nitroglycerin-induced migraine were given 0.9% saline (a placebo) or LiCl (a nausea inducer) following headache relief, according to different paradigms. Both strategies provoked nocebo nausea responses, with the conditioning paradigm having a greater induction impact. The superposition of two mechanisms led to a further increase in nausea responses. A preliminary investigation of the underlying mechanism revealed clearly raised peripheral and central cholecystokinin (CCK) levels, as well as specific changes in the 5-hydroxytryptamine and cannabinoid systems. Brain networks related to emotion, cognition, and visceral sense expressed higher c-Fos-positive neurons, including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), insula, basolateral amygdala (BLA), thalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVT), hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), periaqueductal gray (PAG), and dorsal raphe nucleus-dorsal part (DRD). We also found that nausea expectances in the model could last for at least 12 days. The present study provides a useful experimental model of nocebo nausea that might be used to develop potential molecular pathways and therapeutic strategies for nocebo.

Boz Irk Sığırlarda Dil Papillalarının Anatomik Yapısının Elektron Mikroskobik İncelenmesi

This study was carried out to determine the surface of the papillae in the dorsal and lateral parts of the tongue surface and the features in the non-papillary parts of Turkish Grey. In the study, 7 male Turkish Grey tongues were used. Materials obtained from the apex, corpus and radix lingua of the upper (dorsal) side of the tongue were taken for scanning electron microscopic examinations. The routine procedure was applied for scanning electron micro- scopic images.In the study, the presence of large ruminant tongue papillae, papilla filiformis, papilla fungiformis, papilla conica, papilla lentiformis and papilla vallata, was observed. It was determined that the root part of Papilla filiformes had a depression in the form of a ditch. It was observed that the papilla filiformis at the tip of the tongue had very few secondary papillae. Papilla filiformis in the corpus lingua was found to have 2-4 secondary papillae.On the surface of the papilla fungiformis, cell borders were seen at 2000 magnification, taste pores were detected, and the microridge structure was clearly detected at 10000 magnification. A weak annular pad was seen in the papilla vallata. Cell borders were seen at 2500 magnification on surface images. Taste pores were detected at 5000 magnification. In this study, the tongue papillae of Turkish gray, which is very few in Turkey and resistant to harsh conditions, were examined, and it was aimed to contribute and own the missing literature about tongue papillae.

Biohybrid Technology for the Detection of Ultralow Concentrations of Trinitrotoluene in Air

The technology is based on recording the focal activity (FA) of the olfactory bulb (OB) of rats upon the exposure rats to trinitrotoluene (TNT) vapors in the concentration 4.7 × 10–15 g/cm3, separately and in a mixture with saturated vapors of a complex interference composed of spices. The focal activity of the rat olfactory bulb was recorded using an array of 16 special electrodes implanted in the dorsal part of the rat olfactory bulb. The setup contained a box with a rat, sources of vapors (odorants), a multichannel digital system for recording electrical signals from an electrode array, and software performing algorithms for recognizing and classifying odorants presented to the rat. One source of TNT vapors was a device for batch volumetric preparation with a concentration of about 10–15 g/cm3, and another source was a source with a concentration of 4.7 × 10–15 g/cm3 in an air flow presented to rats. Data from 25 tests showed a 100% probability of detecting TNT vapors of the specified concentrations in pure air and also in the presence of a complex odor interference in the form of vapors from a mixture of red pepper, coriander, tobacco, etc., which, as a rule, mask the smell of TNT for animals.The technology is based on recording the focal activity (FA) of the olfactory bulb (OB) of rats upon the exposure rats to trinitrotoluene (TNT) vapors in the concentration 4.7 × 10–15 g/cm3, separately and in a mixture with saturated vapors of a complex interference composed of spices. The focal activity of the rat olfactory bulb was recorded using an array of 16 special electrodes implanted in the dorsal part of the rat olfactory bulb. The setup contained a box with a rat, sources of vapors (odorants), a multichannel digital system for recording electrical signals from an electrode array, and software performing algorithms for recognizing and classifying odorants presented to the rat. One source of TNT vapors was a device for batch volumetric preparation with a concentration of about 10–15 g/cm3, and another source was a source with a concentration of 4.7 × 10–15 g/cm3 in an air flow presented to rats. Data from 25 tests showed a 100% probability of detecting TNT vapors of the specified concentrations in pure air and also in the presence of a complex odor interference in the form of vapors from a mixture of red pepper, coriander, tobacco, etc., which, as a rule, mask the smell of TNT for animals.